bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Antibacterial activity of [10]‐gingerol and [12]‐gingerol isolated from ginger rhizome against periodontal bacteria
Authors: Park Miri , Bae Jungdon , Lee Dae‐Sil
Published: September 2008

Ginger (Zingiber officinale Roscoe) has been used widely as a food spice and an herbal medicine. In particular, its gingerol‐related components have been reported to possess antimicrobial and antifungal properties, as well as several pharmaceutical properties. However, the effective ginger constituents that inhibit the growth of oral bacteria associated with periodontitis in the human oral cavity have not been elucidated. This study revealed that the ethanol and n‐hexane extracts of ginger exhibited antibacterial activities against three anaerobic Gram‐negative bacteria, Porphyromonas gingivalis ATCC 53978, Porphyromonas endodontalis ATCC 35406 and Prevotella intermedia ATCC 25611, causing periodontal diseases. Thereafter, five ginger constituents were isolated by a preparative high‐performance liquid chromatographic method from the active silica‐gel column chromatography fractions, elucidated their structures by nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy and electrospray ionization mass spectrometry and their antibacterial activity evaluated. In conclusion, two highly alkylated gingerols, [10]‐gingerol and [12]‐gingerol effectively inhibited the growth of these oral pathogens at a minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) range of 6–30 µg/mL. These ginger compounds also killed the oral pathogens at a minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) range of 4–20 µg/mL, but not the other ginger compounds 5‐acetoxy‐[6]‐gingerol, 3,5‐diacetoxy‐[6]‐gingerdiol and galanolactone. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Effects of hyperin, isoquercitrin and quercetin on lipopolysaccharide‐induced nitrite production in rat peritoneal macrophages
Authors: Lee Sanghyun , Park Hee‐Seung , Notsu Yohko , Ban Hyun Seung , Kim Yong Pil , Ishihara Kenji , Hirasawa Noriyasu , Jung Sang Hoon , Lee Yeon Sil , Lim Soon Sung , Park Eun‐Hee , Shin Kuk Hyun , Seyama Toshio , Hong JangJa , Ohuchi Kazuo
Published: September 2008

The extract of the root of Acanthopanax chiisanensis Nakai is used for the treatment of inflammation. To analyse the action mechanism of this extract, the effect of hyperin (quercetin‐3‐O‐β‐d‐galactose) isolated from the ethyl acetate fraction of the root of A. chiisanensis on nitrite production and induction of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) in lipopolysaccharide (LPS, 1 µg/mL)‐stimulated rat peritoneal macrophages were examined. The effect of the structurally related compounds, isoquercitrin (quercetin‐3‐O‐β‐d‐glucose) and quercetin (an aglycone of the two compounds) isolated from the extract of the leaves of Vaccinium koreanum Nakai was also examined to compare the effect. It was shown that hyperin inhibited the LPS‐induced iNOS expression and nitrite production. Of the three compounds, quercetin showed the most potent inhibitory activity. The phosphorylation of p44/42 mitogen activated protein kinase (MAPK), p38 MAPK and c‐Jun N‐terminal kinase (JNK) were also inhibited by these compounds. These findings suggested that hyperin in the extract of the root of A. chiisanensis inhibits nitric oxide (NO) production through inhibition of the expression of iNOS by attenuation of p44/p42 MAPK, p38 MAPK and JNK, and thus participates in the antiinflammatory activity of the extract. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Cytotoxic Xenicane Diterpenes from the Brown Alga Padina pavonia (L.) Gaill.
Authors: Awad Nagwa E. , Selim Mohamed A. , Metawe Hemaia M. , Matloub Azza A.
Published: September 2008

Column chromatography of the hexane fraction of a methanol extract of Padina pavonia (L.) Gaill. collected from the Red Sea at Hurghada, Egypt yielded 18,19‐epoxyxenic‐19‐methoxy‐18‐hydroxy‐4‐acetoxy‐6,9,13‐triene (1) and 18,19‐epoxyxenic‐18,19‐dimethoxy‐4‐hydroxy‐6,9,13‐triene (2). The isolated compounds have various antitumor activities against lung carcinoma (H460) and liver carcinoma (HepG2) human cell lines (in vitro). Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
In vitro effects of beetroot juice and chips on oxidative metabolism and apoptosis in neutrophils from obese individuals
Authors: Zielińska‐Przyjemska Małgorzata , Olejnik Anna , Dobrowolska‐Zachwieja Agnieszka , Grajek Włodzimierz
Published: September 2008

Oxidative stress and inflammation are involved in the development of obesity. Beetroot (Beta vulgaris var. rubra) is a food ingredient containing betalain pigments that show antioxidant activity. The in vitro effect of beetroot juice and chips on oxidative metabolism and apoptosis in neutrophils from obese individuals has been investigated. Fifteen obese women (aged 45 ± 9 years, BMI >30 kg/m2) and nine healthy controls (women, aged 29 ± 11 years, BMI = 22.2 ± 1.6 kg/m2) were examined. The investigated products were used as concentrates and after transport and digestion in an artificial gastrointestinal tract. Neutrophil oxidant production, in response to phorbol 12‐myristate 13‐acetate, was characterized by luminol‐dependent chemiluminescence and a flow cytometric dichlorofluorescin oxidation assay. Caspase‐3 activity, a marker of apoptosis, was measured by cleavage of the fluorogenic substrate Ac‐DEVD‐AMC. Neutrophils from obese individuals had a significantly higher ROS production compared with the controls (p < 0.05). Beetroot products inhibited neutrophil oxidative metabolism in a concentration‐dependent manner. Also observed were the pro‐apoptotic effects of beetroot at a concentration range of 0.1–10% in 24 h culture of stimulated neutrophils. These natural products (in both the liquid and solid state) have antioxidant and antiinflammatory capacity, and could be an important adjunct in the treatment of obesity. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Studies on the antioxidant and analgesic activities of Aztec marigold (Tagetes erecta) flowers
Authors: Bashir Samra , Gilani Anwar H.
Published: September 2008

Commercially available Aztec marigold (Tagetes erecta) flower extract (Af.Cr) was evaluated for the in vitro antioxidant activity and in vivo analgesic effect on acetic‐acid‐induced abdominal writhing. The results revealed the presence of pronounced antioxidant potential in Aztec marigold flowers and a dose‐dependent (100 and 300 mg/kg) analgesic effect. The antioxidant and analgesic activities obtained seem to be in good accordance with the medicinal uses of Aztec marigold as an anti‐inflammatory and analgesic. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Chemical composition and antiproliferative activity of essential oil from the leaves of a medicinal herb, Schefflera heptaphylla
Authors: Li Yao‐Lan , Yeung Chung‐Man , Chiu Lawrence C. M. , Cen Ying‐Zhou , Ooi Vincent E. C.
Published: September 2008

Schefflera heptaphylla (L.) Frodin is a medicinal herb widely used as a main ingredient of the popular health tea formulation against infections in Southern China. Twenty‐seven volatile compounds were identified by GC‐MS analysis from the essential oil obtained from the leaves of S. heptaphylla, and 17 of them belonged to monoterpenes or sesquiterpenes. The main volatile constituent in S. heptaphylla was found to be a monoterpene, β‐pinene, comprising about 22% of the total volatile components. The essential oil showed significant antiproliferative activity against three cancer cell lines, MCF‐7, A375 and HepG2 cells, with IC50 values of 7.3 µg/mL, 7.5 µg/mL and 6.9 µg/mL, respectively. The result of the cytotoxicity assay indicates that (−)‐β‐pinene and (+)‐β‐pinene (commercially available from Sigma) also possessed antiproliferative activity against the cancer cells MCF‐7, A375 and HepG2 with IC50 values ranging from 147.1 to 264.7 µm. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Inhibition of cytochrome P450 enzymes by rhein in rat liver microsomes
Authors: Tang Jing‐cheng , Yang Hua , Song Xue‐ying , Song Xiao‐hong , Yan Shu‐lian , Shao Jian‐qun , Zhang Tian‐lan , Zhang Jin‐nan
Published: September 2008

Rhein, an active ingredient extensively found in plants such as Aloe, Cassitora L., rhubarb and so on, has been used for a long time in China. Pharmacological tests revealed that rhein not only had a strong antibacterial action, but also may be useful in cancer chemotherapy as a biochemical modulator. Its therapeutic action and toxicity is still the subject of considerable research. With microsome incubation assays in vitro and HPLC methods, the inhibition of rat liver CYP1A2, CYP2C9, CYP2D6, CYP2E1 and CYP3A enzymes by rhein were studied kinetically. The results showed the most inhibition of CYP2E1 by rhein (Ki = 10 µm, mixed); CYP3A and CYP2C9 were also inhibited by rhein, Ki = 30 µm (mixed) and Ki = 38 µm (mixed), respectively; rhein revealed some inhibition of CYP1A2 (Ki = 62 µm, uncompetitive) and CYP2D6 (Ki = 74 µm, mixed). Drug–drug interactions, especially cytochrome P450 (CYP)‐mediated interactions, cause an enhancement or attenuation in the efficacy of co‐administered drugs. Inhibition of the five major CYP enzymes observed for rhein suggested that changes in pharmacokinetics of co‐administered drugs were likely to occur. Therefore, caution should be paid to the possible drug interaction of medicinal plants containing rhein and CYP substrates. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Kinetics of enzyme inhibition by active molluscicidal agents ferulic acid, umbelliferone, eugenol and limonene in the nervous tissue of snail Lymnaea acuminata
Authors: Kumar Pradeep , Singh V. K. , Singh D. K.
Published: September 2008

Ferulic acid, umbelliferone (Ferula asafoetida), eugenol (Syzygium aromaticum) and limonene (Carum carvi) are active molluscicidal components that inhibited the activity of alkaline phosphatase and acetylcholinesterase in in vivo and in vitro exposure of Lymnaea acuminata. It was observed that ferulic acid, umbelliferone and eugenol are competitive and limonene is a competitive–non‐competitive inhibitor of alkaline phosphatase. Ferulic acid and umbelliferone are competitive, whereas eugenol and limonene are competitive–non‐competitive and uncompetitive inhibitors of acetylcholinesterase, respectively. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The vertical structure of aerosol and its relationship to boundary‐layer thermodynamics over the rural UK
Authors: O'Dowd Colin D. , Smith Michael H.
Published: September 2008

The vertical structure of aerosol, covering sizes from 0.05‐4 μm radius, was examined under conditions of subsidence during winter and summer over the rural UK. Under well‐mixed boundary layer conditions, dry accumulation mode aerosol was found to be well mixed with height. During the winter campaigns, nocturnal cooling resulted in the development of a stable surface layer, typically 100 m in depth, within which the surface emitted pollutants became trapped leading to concentrations significantly greater than that observed in the mixed boundary layer above it. Under stable boundary‐layer conditions, the aerosol and water vapour vertical profiles exhibited strong negative gradients with height and were indicative of suppressed turbulence associated with stable boundary‐layer conditions. During summer, the boundary layer was normally decoupled and possessed two cloud layers: cumuli forming just below, and penetrating the surface‐layer inversion; and stratocumulus occupying the region under the boundary‐layer capping inversion. Aerosol profiles under decoupled conditions exhibited considerable variability with peak concentrations being observed in the vicinity of cloud edges. Average aerosol concentrations in the main boundary‐layer ranged from 209–651 cm−3 and 0.89–4.3 μm−3 cm−3 for dry number and volume respectively, whilst concentrations and volumetric loadings of 239–2430 cm−3 and 1.1–13.5 μm−3 cm−3 were encountered in surface layers. The majority of the aerosol number and mass concentrations were almost exclusively derived from the size range 0.05‐0.2 μm radius with mode radii often occurring at 0.1 μm or larger. By comparison, free tropospheric aerosol possessed typically an order of magnitude lower concentrations and mass with an associated mode radius of 0.05–0.06 μm or less.
Attribution concepts applied to the omega equation
Authors: Clough S. A. , Davitt C. S. A. , Thorpe A. J.
Published: September 2008

Attributing synoptic development and structure to particular atmospheric features is an important practical problem. In this paper, methods which have been proposed for the attribution of quasi‐geostrophic potential vorticity (PV) are extended to the study of sources of vertical motion and the influence of the earth's surface and tropopause.

It is shown that, in the presence of an exponential variation of density in the vertical, both the PV and omega equations are governed by an identical form of Helmholtz's equation with a simple radially‐symmetric Green's function in layers of constant Brunt–Väisälä frequency.

Analytical solutions are given and used to investigate the influence of boundary conditions and source (PV and div Q) distributions, which distinguish the attribution of geopotential and vertical motion. In particular, solutions to the omega equation are markedly affected by dipole cancellation due to the surface boundary condition. The following results are shown:

The compressible response to forcing suffers an exponential decay with range compared to the incompressible solution, with a deformation radius of order 2000 km in the mid‐latitude troposphere. This behaviour characterizes quasi‐geostrophic PV inversion, and is most important in high latitudes.

In the absence of boundaries, the incompressible solution correctly represents the response at levels above a source, but overestimates the response beneath the source in proportion to the density.

Because of the surface‐dipole cancellation, the incompressible solution to the omega equation is accurate for most purposes.

The effects of lower level sources of vertical motion (below 700 hPa) are shown to be inhibited and highly localized.

The tropopause causes only a small dipole‐cancellation in the omega equation, while the tropospheric response to stratospheric sources is strongly inhibited.

It is concluded from these results that upper tropospheric and tropopause‐level sources tend to dominate the large‐scale pattern of vertical motion. Green's function formulation of the problem also suggests source‐based approaches to practical diagnostic study which can be related to the above properties.
Mesoscale analysis of the activation of a cold front during cyclogenesis
Authors: Browning K. A. , Roberts N. M. , Illingworth A. J.
Published: September 2008

The archetypal mesoscale structure of an ana‐cold front comprises a narrow cold‐frontal rainband (NCFR), associated with line convection, embedded within a wide cold‐frontal rainband (WCFR) due to the slantwise ascent associated with a strong transverse‐front mesoscale circulation. Whereas most mesoscale observational studies have concentrated on this mature stage, the present paper explores by means of a detailed case‐study how such a mature frontal system develops from pre‐existing features. the study is based upon the synthesis of data spanning many scales, in the form of satellite imagery, observations from conventional and multi‐parameter Doppler radar, and surface reports, together with diagnostics from an operational mesoscale forecast model. the cold‐frontal zone in this case is characterized by multiple cold fronts. the dominant second cold front is studied in detail from the point of view of its evolution and its relationship to neighbouring fronts, especially the leading front associated with the initial polar‐front cloud band. the dominant cold front started as a shallow ‘rope cloud’ in the cold sector, and at a fairly early stage it produced a NCFR due to line convection. Then, over a period of only a few hours, a dry intrusion and an associated strong direct transverse‐front circulation led to the formation of a canopy of mid‐level cloud and a WCFR. the WCFR was attributable not only to the rearward‐ascending outflow from the line convection but also to the re‐invigoration of ascent within the initial polar‐front cloud band that the line convection was undercutting. Although the transverse circulation was probably intensified by precipitation processes, it is inferred that it was mainly a manifestation of the larger‐scale environmental flow that existed independently of the major precipitation features.
Chemical bond descriptors from molecular information channels in orbital resolution
Authors: Nalewajski Roman F.
Published: September 2008

The inter and intraorbital flows of the Fisher and Shannon informations in the molecular communication networks defined in the condensed atomic orbital (AO) resolution are investigated, and the effect of the basis set overlap is examined. The Schrödinger equation is interpreted as solution of the variation principle for the extreme Fisher information, subject to the wave‐function‐normalization (geometric) and potential‐energy (physical) constraints. Its orbital contributions determine the information scattering of the underlying Fisher channel in the adopted AO basis set. This communication network is compared with the associated information system of the Shannon theory of communication. The new set of conditional probabilities between orbitals is compared to that used in the previous, sequential‐cascade approach to the effective information promotion of AO in the molecular environment. Both geometrical and physical probabilities are reexamined using the quantum‐mechanical superposition principle. The former characterizes the whole orbital space, whereas the latter describes only its occupied part, which determines the system chemical bonds. It is argued that the squares of corresponding elements of the charge and bond‐order (CBO) matrix of the LCAO MO theory replace in the physical set of conditional probabilities the corresponding squares of the overlap integrals, which determine the geometrical set. The chain‐rule interpretation of conditional probabilities is given. The modified 2‐AO channel reproduces fully the earlier predictions from the molecular information channel in atomic resolution. The familiar bond criteria for an effective mixing of AO into molecular orbitals (MO) are shown to remain valid in the communication theory of the chemical bond (CTCB). © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Quantum Chem, 2009
DFT study for the heterojunction effect in the precious metal clusters
Authors: Okumura Mitsutaka , Kinoshita Masahiro , Yabushita Hirotaka , Kitagawa Yasutaka , Kawakami Takashi , Yamaguchi Kizashi
Published: September 2008

In the case of the precious metal catalysts, the precious metal nanoparticles deposited on the several supports exhibit extremely high‐catalytic activity for many catalytic reactions. The boundary region between the nanoparticles and the support is one of the active sites in these catalysts. Moreover, the core/shell‐type bimetallic nanoparticles also show the high‐catalytic activities for several catalytic reactions. In these systems, the electronic states of the surfaces in the clusters are modified by the heterojunction between the two different compositions. Therefore, we investigate the heterojunction effect in these model catalysts, such as precious metal core/shell clusters and Pd supported on single‐wall carbon nanotube model cluster, using hybrid density functional theory. From the calculation results, we find that the charge transfer interactions and the variation of the ground spin states in the metal clusters are the characteristics induced by the heterojunction in these model systems. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Quantum Chem, 2008
DFT study on the hydrogen bonds of phenol–cyclohexanone and phenol–H2O2 in the Baeyer–Villiger oxidation
Authors: Long Qingping , Ji Hongbing , Lv Shushen
Published: September 2008

Hydrogen bonds of phenol–cyclohexanone and phenol–H2O2 in the studied Baeyer–Villiger (B–V) oxidation have been investigated by HF, B3LYP, and MP2 methods with various basis sets. The accurate single‐point energies were performed using CCSD(T)/6‐31+G(d,p) and CCSD(T)/aug‐cc‐pVDZ on the optimized geometries of MP2/6‐31+G(d,p). It has been confirmed that B3LYP/6‐31+G(d,p) could be used to study such hydrogen bonds. Energetic analysis of complexes was carried out using the Xantheas method with BSSE corrected by CP method. Orbital energy order (ε) illuminated that phenol with good hydrogen donor‐acceptor property can interact with cyclohexanone or H2O2 to form hydrogen bound complexes, and the binding energies (BE) range from −4.38 to −14.06 kcal mol−1. NBO analysis indicated that the redistribution of atomic charges in the complexes facilitated nucleophilic attack of H2O2 on cyclohexanone. The calculated results match remarkably well with the experimental phenomena. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Quantum Chem, 2009
Meta‐analysis of diagnostic test studies using individual patient data and aggregate data
Authors: Riley Richard D. , Dodd Susanna R. , Craig Jean V. , Thompson John R. , Williamson Paula R.
Published: September 2008

A meta‐analysis of diagnostic test studies provides evidence‐based results regarding the accuracy of a particular test, and usually involves synthesizing aggregate data (AD) from each study, such as the 2 by 2 tables of diagnostic accuracy. A bivariate random‐effects meta‐analysis (BRMA) can appropriately synthesize these tables, and leads to clinical results, such as the summary sensitivity and specificity across studies. However, translating such results into practice may be limited by between‐study heterogeneity and that they relate to some ‘average’ patient across studies.

In this paper we describe how the meta‐analysis of individual patient data (IPD) from diagnostic studies can lead to clinical results more tailored to the individual patient. We develop IPD models that extend the BRMA framework to include study‐level covariates, which help explain the between‐study heterogeneity, and also patient‐level covariates, which allow one to assess the effect of patient characteristics on test accuracy. We show how the inclusion of patient‐level covariates requires a careful separation of within‐study and across‐study accuracy‐covariate effects, as the latter are particularly prone to confounding. Our models are assessed through simulation and extended to allow IPD studies to be combined with AD studies, as IPD are not always available for all studies. Application is made to 23 studies assessing the accuracy of ear thermometers for diagnosing fever in children, with 16 IPD and 7 AD studies. The models reveal that between‐study heterogeneity is partly explained by the use of different measurement devices, but there is no evidence that being an infant modifies diagnostic accuracy. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
On improving dynamic decision‐making: implications from multiple‐process cognitive theory
Authors: Bakken Bent Erik
Published: September 2008

Decision environments that afford unambiguous and transparent feedback allow humans to build up corresponding mental models that give them good decision guidance. But in many complex decision situations, such feedback is not available. In such environments people not only show initial misperceptions, but also fail to learn. Education and training have therefore been proposed, but with limited success. This paper applies multiple‐process cognitive theory to explain findings of poor learning and sub‐optimal decision‐making. The applied theory suggests that intuitive processes are default in decision‐making and natural learning. Analytic processes are more seldom applied. Implications for education and training in dynamic decision‐making are suggested, and in light of the primacy of intuitive processes, include massive exposure to complex dynamic decision‐making in order to improve upon intuition in such environments. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Transperineal versus transvaginal sonographic cervical length measurement in second‐ and third‐trimester pregnancies
Authors: Meijer‐Hoogeveen M. , Stoutenbeek P. , Visser G. H. A.
Published: September 2008

Objective

To investigate the reliability of, and patient satisfaction with, transperineal cervical length measurement during the third trimester of pregnancy and to compare these with measurement during the mid‐trimester, using transvaginal sonographic imaging of the cervix as a reference.

Methods

Women attending an outpatient clinic for cervical length measurement before 29 weeks or after 35 weeks of gestation were examined by transvaginal and transperineal ultrasound and the results compared. Preference for either method was indicated by both sonographers and patients.

Results

Seventy‐one patients participated in the study, 23 in the second and 48 in the third trimester of pregnancy. There was failure to obtain a clear image on transperineal ultrasound in 30% of mid‐trimester pregnancies, and in 19% of third‐trimester cases. Elevation of the patient's hips improved the image in five out of 10 women in whom the scan was repeated following a postural change. Transvaginal cervical length measurements could be obtained in all cases. There was a strong correlation between transvaginal and transperineal measured cervical length (Pearson's correlation coefficient = 0.85). Sonographers preferred transvaginal images of the cervix irrespective of whether they were obtained in the second or third trimester. Transperineal ultrasound was judged as not or mildly painful by most women, but transvaginal ultrasound was preferred.

Conclusions

Transvaginal ultrasound is the least painful, most feasible, and probably most accurate method with which to measure cervical length in the third trimester of pregnancy. Transperineal ultrasound is a feasible alternative, although its application in clinical practice is restricted by the need for an experienced sonographer. Copyright © 2008 ISUOG. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Optimization, Yield Studies and Morphology of WO3Nano-Wires Synthesized by Laser Pyrolysis in C2H2and O2Ambients—Validation of a New Growth Mechanism
Authors: Mwakikunga BW , Forbes A , Sideras-Haddad E , Arendse C
Published: September 2008

Laser pyrolysis has been used to synthesize WO3nanostructures. Spherical nano-particles were obtained when acetylene was used to carry the precursor droplet, whereas thin films were obtained at high flow-rates of oxygen carrier gas. In both environments WO3nano-wires appear only after thermal annealing of the as-deposited powders and films. Samples produced under oxygen carrier gas in the laser pyrolysis system gave a higher yield of WO3nano-wires after annealing than the samples which were run under acetylene carrier gas. Alongside the targeted nano-wires, the acetylene-ran samples showed trace amounts of multi-walled carbon nano-tubes; such carbon nano-tubes are not seen in the oxygen-processed WO3nano-wires. The solid–vapour–solid (SVS) mechanism [B. Mwakikunga et al., J. Nanosci. Nanotechnol., 2008] was found to be the possible mechanism that explains the manner of growth of the nano-wires. This model, based on the theory from basic statistical mechanics has herein been validated by length-diameter data for the produced WO3nano-wires.
Controllable Synthesis of Magnesium Oxysulfate Nanowires with Different Morphologies
Authors: Sun XT , Shi WT , Xiang L , Zhu WC
Published: September 2008

One-dimensional magnesium oxysulfate 5Mg(OH)2 · MgSO4 · 3H2O (abbreviated as 513MOS) with high aspect ratio has attracted much attention because of its distinctive properties from those of the conventional bulk materials. 513MOS nanowires with different morphologies were formed by varying the mixing ways of MgSO4 · 7H2O and NH4OH solutions at room temperature followed by hydrothermal treatment of the slurries at 150 °C for 12 h with or without EDTA. 513MOS nanowires with a length of 20–60 μm and a diameter of 60–300 nm were prepared in the case of double injection (adding MgSO4 · 7H2O and NH4OH solutions simultaneously into water), compared with the 513MOS with a length of 20–30 μm and a diameter of 0.3–1.7 μm in the case of the single injection (adding MgSO4 · 7H2O solution into NH4OH solution). The presence of minor amount of EDTA in the single injection method led to the formation of 513MOS nanowires with a length of 100–200 μm, a diameter of 80–200 nm, and an aspect ratio of up to 1000. The analysis of the experimental results indicated that the hydrothermal solutions with a lower supersaturation were favorable for the preferential growth of 513MOS nanowires along b axis.
Osteochondroplasty of the femoral head in hip reconstruction for type II late sequelae of septic arthritis: A preliminary report
Authors: El-Tayeby Hazem Mossad
Published: September 2008

Purpose

To suggest different procedures tailored for hip reconstruction in type II late sequelae of septic arthritis.

Methods

The severely deformed subluxated or dislocated femoral head is reshaped in accordance to radiographic and on-table assessment (osteochondroplasty). Sixteen hips in 13 patients (three bilateral) were the subject of this study. They were all affected during incubation in the first few weeks after birth. Age at operation was in the range 2–12 years (average 5.3). The main complaint was instability, stiffness during walking and the inability to sit comfortably, limb length discrepancy, and mild pain on walking. Preoperatively, the range of motion was limited to a certain degree in different directions in all cases. Plain radiography, computed tomography (CT), or multi-slice CT with reconstruction 3D views were of benefit in analyzing the problem preoperatively. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) was performed for selected cases after 2 years to test for the viability of the femoral head.

Surgical technique

A modified approach was used to adequately expose the iliac bone, the hip, and the upper third of the femur. Meticulous dissection to preserve the amalgamated capsule and a well-planned capsulotomy for later adequate capsulorrhaphy is essential. Debridement to clear the acetabulum from intra-articular fibrosis is attempted prior to acetabular reconstruction (Salter, Dega, or triple pelvic osteotomy). Head and neck reconstruction (osteochondroplasty) is performed according to the nominated topography of the deformed head (beard, collared, staghorn, etc.). A carefully planned reshaping in a manner not disturbing the superior weight bearing articulating surface with the acetabulum will allow easy containment in the reconstructed acetabulum. Associated subluxation or dislocation will dictate adequate shorting with femoral cuts inclined in a manner bringing the impinging overgrown greater trochanter down, achieving a near to normal neck shaft angle.

Results

According to the criteria proposed by Hunka et al. (Clin Orthop Relat Res 171:30–36, 1982), a satisfactory result is considered when a stable pain-free hip is achieved with flexion arc >70° and flexion contracture <20°. This was true in 13 hips. It appears that better results are achieved in younger children with minimal intra-articular adhesions limiting hip movements, and with less destruction of the articular cartilage. A final improvement in the range of movement should not be expected before 6–12 months. Intensive physiotherapy to improve postoperative stiffness is required.

Conclusion

The proposed reconstruction procedure for reshaping the deformed femoral head (osteochondroplasty) is a salvage attempt that achieved a more or less mobile painless stable hip joint besides restoring the normal anatomical relationship, should total hip replacement (THR) be needed in the future.
Generation and Field Trials of Transgenic Rice Tolerant to Iron Deficiency
Authors: Kobayashi Takanori , Nakanishi Hiromi , Takahashi Michiko , Mori Satoshi , Nishizawa Naoko K.
Published: September 2008

Iron deficiency is a major cause of reduced crop yields worldwide, particularly in calcareous soils. Unlike barley, rice is highly susceptible to iron deficiency because of a low capacity to secrete mugineic acid family phytosiderophores (MAs), which are iron chelators secreted by graminaceous plants. We present an approach toward the generation along with field trials of transgenic rice lines exhibiting increased tolerance to iron deficiency. Cloning barley genes that encode biosynthetic enzymes for MAs enabled us to produce transgenic rice plants by introducing barley MAs biosynthesis-related genes. We tested three transgenic lines possessing barley genomic fragments responsible for MAs biosynthesis in a paddy field experiment on calcareous soil, which revealed tolerance of these lines to low iron availability. We also applied new approaches to generate iron-deficiency-tolerant rice lines, including the introduction of an engineered ferric-chelate reductase gene and manipulation of transcription factor genes regulating the iron deficiency response.
Harmonic scalpel versus conventional electrosurgery in the treatment of vulvar cancer
Authors: Pellegrino Antonio , Fruscio Robert , Maneo Andrea , Corso Silvia , Battistello Marco , Chiappa Valentina , Stomati Massimo
Published: September 2008

Objective

To compare differences in blood loss, operative time, and intra‐ and postoperative complications with the harmonic scalpel or conventional electrosurgery in the treatment of vulvar cancer.

Methods

Consecutive patients who underwent radical vulvectomy with inguinal lymphadenectomy using the harmonic scalpel (HS) or conventional electrosurgery (CE) were compared.

Results

A total of 42 patients were included, 22 in the HS group and 20 in the CE group. Mean blood loss was significantly less in the HS group compared with the CE group (127 mL vs 210 mL; P < 0.05) and mean operative time was significantly shorter with the HS compared with CE (117 minutes vs 142 minutes; P < 0.05). There were no significant differences between the 2 groups in postoperative complications.

Conclusion

Use of the harmonic scalpel for surgical treatment of vulvar cancer is safe and has several advantages, including decreased operative time and blood loss, improved visibility in the operative field, and good postoperative outcome.
Effects of hormone therapy with estrogen and/or progesterone on sleep pattern in postmenopausal women
Authors: Hachul Helena , Bittencourt Lia R.A. , Andersen Monica L. , Haidar Mauro A. , Baracat Edmund C. , Tufik Sergio
Published: September 2008

Objective

To investigate the effects of estrogen and progesterone on sleep in postmenopausal women.

Method

The 33 participants were randomly assigned to an estrogen or placebo group after undergoing clinical and hormonal assessments and a polysomnogram, and they underwent the same tests again after 12 weeks. Then, while still taking estrogen or placebo, they all received progesterone for another 12 weeks and underwent a final polysomnogram.

Results

Estrogen plus progesterone was more effective than estrogen alone in decreasing the prevalence of periodic limb movement (PLM) (8.1% vs 2.8%), hot flashes (14.2% vs 0%), and bruxism (11.1% vs 0%) at night, or somnolence and attention difficulty during the day. The prevalences of breathing irregularities, arousal from sleep, anxiety, and memory impairment were decreased in both groups following progesterone treatment.

Conclusion

While not significantly affecting sleep quality, hormone therapy decreased the prevalence of arousal in both groups and that of PLM in the group treated with estrogen plus progesterone.
Thermal effect on sulfide inclusions in diamonds (from experimental data)
Authors: Chepurov A.I. , Fedorov I.I. , Sonin V.M. , Logvinova A.M. , Chepurov A.A.
Published: September 2008

The effect of high temperature on sulfide inclusions in diamonds was studied. The object of study was sulfide-bearing diamond crystals from Yakutian kimberlite pipes. The experiments were carried out on a multiple anvil apparatus BARS with a solid-phase refractory oxide cell at 5.0 GPa and 1000–1600 °C. In the temperature range from 1350 to 1450 °C, the crack rosettes around sulfide inclusions in diamond crystals were decolorized but the position of inclusions in diamond crystals did not change. The “decolorization” seems to be due to the fact that disseminated sulfide particles were molten, consolidated, and then removed from the cracks. At a higher temperature (1600 °C) inclusions turned black as a result of diamond graphitization.
Dynamic conversion of head waves in seismic data processing
Authors: Emanov A.F. , Seleznev B.C. , Korshik N.A.
Published: September 2008

We suggest a new technique for processing head-wave data with a multistage Wiener filter, which provides conversion and stacking of head waves from a receiver array into a user-specified point. Different conversion algorithms are compared and shown to be a combination of parallel and serial Wiener filters.

The Wiener filter accuracy for a conversion iteration depends on the in-line fold and on the coherence spectrum. The latter describes the signal/noise ratio dependence where head waves are the signal and the noise includes all other components and microseisms. Equations for the accuracy of head-wave traces have been derived from a corresponding equation for a single conversion iteration using the multistage Wiener filter schemes and proceeding from the theory of coupling stochastic systems. The obtained equations are applicable to different field data processing algorithms.

The discussed conversion algorithms differ in noise regularization and are fit for data of any quality.
Improving inversion quality for IP-affected TDEM data
Authors: Antonov E.Yu. , Shein A.N.
Published: September 2008

We suggest new inversion techniques for IP-affected TDEM data. The method implies joint inversion of inductive and galvanic measurements, the galvanic array being configured in a way to separate the polarization and induction components of transient responses from a layered polarizable earth. The IP effects turned out to be reducible at a certain receiver configuration, which was predicted theoretically and proved valid in field tests.
Comparative analysis of clay mineral evolution under the conditions of humid and arid lithogenesis
Authors: Kotel’nikov D.D. , Zinchuk N.N.
Published: September 2008

Humid lithogenesis is characterized by the accumulation and postsedimentary transformation of eluvial products within terrigenous and terrigenous-carbonate (with calcite) formations containing mainly dioctahedral clay minerals. Platform fresh-water sediments of early-catagenesis zone accumulate 1 : 1 and 2 : 1 varieties, with a predominance of expanding layers in the latter. In sand-silty rocks authigenic kaolinite also appears. Trioctahedral chlorite of generation I is developed from the top of this zone in both clayey and sand-silty marine deposits. Also, mixed-layer minerals are synthesized: montmorillonite-glauconite at the top of the zone and montmorillonite-hydromica at the bottom.

Arid lithogenesis is controlled by the accumulation of sediments of terrigenous-carbonate (with dolomite), carbonate, and halogen formations. In contrast to the terrigenous and aclimatic volcanogenic formations, these ones are dominated by trioctahedral clay minerals: chlorite, sepiolite, and mixed-layer chlorite-based minerals. In early-catagenesis zone, sepiolite, palygorskite (di-analog of sepiolite), and halloysite quickly transform into talc- and chlorite-saponite and kaolinite, respectively. In hypergenesis zone climate is the main factor, whereas in early-catagenesis zone, especially in arid environments, the chemical composition of the medium plays a significant role. In late-catagenesis zone, degradation products of mica and montmorillonite transform first into varieties with less than 40% and somewhat more than 40% expanding layers, respectively, whereas trioctahedral minerals preserve up to 50% such layers. This process is accompanied by the recrystallization of both allothigenic and authigenic minerals with the transition of scaly montmorillonite into bladed hydromica, with the authigenic minerals of halogen-formation sediments characterized by the most perfect crystal habits and regular structures. In metagenesis zone, di-minerals of orogenic-area sediments transform into sericite, and trioctahedral minerals, into more magnesian chlorite of generation II. This indicates that in late-catagenesis and metagenesis zones, the PT-conditions of the environment are of crucial importance.
Minerals of the pseudobinary perovskite-brownmillerite series from combustion metamorphic larnite rocks of the Hatrurim Formation (Israel)
Authors: Sharygin V.V. , Sokol E.V. , Vapnik Ye.
Published: September 2008

Brownmillerite, Fe-perovskite, and two intermediate phases (Ca3Ti(Fe,Al)2O8 and Ca5Ti(Fe,Al)4O13) were found in combustion metamorphic high-temperature larnite rocks of the Hatrurim Basin, Israel. This is the first finding evidencing the existence of the pseudobinary perovskite-brownmillerite series in nature. Fe-perovskite contains the Ca2(Fe,Al)2O5 end-member (up to 18 mole %), whereas brownmillerite Ca2(Fe1−xAlx)2O5 with x = 0.15−0.55 is enriched in the CaTiO3 end-member (up to 15 mole %). The intermediate phases are Ca3Ti(Fe,Al)2O8(phase X) and Ca5Ti(Fe,Al)4O13 (phase Y), which have synthetic analogs. In some larnite rocks, the phase X is the only member of the perovskite-brownmillerite series. It is clustered into two compositional groups, Ca3Ti(Fe1.3Al0.7)O8 and Ca3Ti(Fe1.6Al0.4)O8. The phase Y is extremely rare and has the composition Ca5Ti(Fe0.76Al0.24)4O13. The presence of minor Si, Cr, Sr, Zr, and LREE is common for all minerals of the series. The Fe-perovskite + brownmillerite paragenesis was found in none of the studied rocks, which is consistent with the CaTiO3–Ca2Fe2O3 phase diagram. The rocks bear either one phase or two or three phases (Fe-perovskite + phase X; brownmillerite + phase X ± phase Y). According to the CaTiO3–Ca2Fe2O3 diagram, the minimum formation temperature for the Hatrurim larnite rocks estimated from the Fe-perovskite + phase X paragenesis is 1170–1200 °C. This paragenesis is proposed as a new thermometer for metacarbonate rocks of the high-temperature region of the spurrite-merwinite facies.
Gold-brannerite nuggets in placers of the Ozernoe ore cluster (Buryatia)
Authors: Mironov A.G. , Karmanov N.S. , Mironov A.A. , Khodyreva E.V.
Published: September 2008

Large gold-brannerite aggregates (nuggets up to 50 g in weight) were found in placers of the Ozernoe ore cluster, western Transbaikalia. Brannerite occurs as large crystals and crystal aggregates and has the near-stoichiometric composition UTi2O6. It lacks REE, contains little, if any, Th, and has admixtures of FeO (2.0–3.7 wt.%), CaO (up to 2.7 wt.%), and SiO2 (up to 2.14 wt.%). It also bears fine (<1 μm) inclusions of Au-Ag- and Bi-containing tellurium minerals and bismuth minerals. Gold occurs in cracks of brannerite or aggregates with it on coprecipitation from solutions. Gold was also found as fine (1–3 μm) segregations in muscovite. Accessory minerals are hematite, barite, rutile (containing 0.36–3.61 wt.% FeO and up to 7.5 wt.% WO3), dolomite, siderite, and muscovite. High contents of Te and Bi were detected in Fe, Ti, and U hydroxides. A specific relationship between gold and rutile has been revealed both in large aggregates and in gold microinclusions (<1 μm) in rutile grains. In composition and paragenesis the studied gold-brannerite association is similar to ores of the El’kon type (Central Aldan) related to the Mesozoic magmatism.
HOCHSCHILD (CO)HOMOLOGY OF ℤ2×ℤ2-GALOIS COVERINGS OF QUANTUM EXTERIOR ALGEBRAS
Authors: BO HOU , YUNGE XU
Published: September 2008

LetAq=k〈x,y〉/(x2,xy+qyx,y2) be the quantum exterior algebra over a fieldkwith$\mathrm {char}\,k\neq 2$, and let Λqbe the ℤ2×ℤ2-Galois covering ofAq. In this paper the minimal projective bimodule resolution of Λqis constructed explicitly, and from it we can calculate thek-dimensions of all Hochschild homology and cohomology groups of Λq. Moreover, the cyclic homology of Λqcan be calculated in the case where the underlying field is of characteristic zero.
HEAT KERNEL BOUNDS, POINCARÉ SERIES, AND L2 SPECTRUM FOR LOCALLY SYMMETRIC SPACES
Authors: WEBER ANDREAS
Published: September 2008

We derive upper Gaussian bounds for the heat kernel on complete, noncompact locally symmetric spaces M=Γ∖X with nonpositive curvature. Our bounds contain the Poincaré series of the discrete group Γ and therefore we also provide upper bounds for this series.
NATURALLY ORDERED TRANSFORMATION SEMIGROUPS PRESERVING AN EQUIVALENCE
Authors: SUN LEI , PEI HUISHENG , CHENG ZHENGXING
Published: September 2008

Let 𝒯X be the full transformation semigroup on a set X and E be a nontrivial equivalence on X. Write then TE(X) is a subsemigroup of 𝒯X. In this paper, we endow TE(X) with the so-called natural order and determine when two elements of TE(X) are related under this order, then find out elements of TE(X) which are compatible with ≤ on TE(X). Also, the maximal and minimal elements and the covering elements are described.
ON THE NUMBER OF REPRESENTATIONS OF INTEGERS BY CERTAIN QUADRATIC FORMS
Authors: COOPER SHAUN
Published: September 2008

Generating functions are used to derive formulas for the number of representations of a positive integer by each of the quadratic forms x12+x22+x32+2x42, x12+2x22+2x32+2x42, x12+x22+2x32+4x42 and x12+2x22+4x32+4x42. The formulas show that the number of representations by each form is always positive. Some of the analogous results involving sums of triangular numbers are also given.
CONTINUITY OF MEASURABLE HOMOMORPHISMS
Authors: BRZDȨK JANUSZ
Published: September 2008

We give some general results concerning continuity of measurable homomorphisms of topological groups. As a consequence we show that a Christensen measurable homomorphism of a Polish abelian group into a locally compact topological group is continuous. We also obtain similar results for the universally measurable homomorphisms and the homomorphisms that have the Baire property.
DISCRETE AND DENSE SUBGROUPS ACTING ON COMPLEX HYPERBOLIC SPACE
Authors: CAO WENSHENG
Published: September 2008

In this paper, we study the discreteness criteria for nonelementary subgroups of U(1,n;ℂ) acting on complex hyperbolic space. Several discreteness criteria are obtained. As applications, we obtain a classification of nonelementary subgroups of U(1,n;ℂ) and show that any dense subgroup of SU(1,n;ℂ) contains a dense subgroup generated by at most n elements when n≥2. We also obtain a necessary and sufficient condition for the normalizer of a discrete and nonelementary subgroup in SU(1,n;ℂ) to be discrete.
Lowering the Sultan's Flag: Sovereignty and Decolonization in Coastal Kenya
Authors: Brennan James R.
Published: September 2008

On 17 December 1961, Ronald Ngala faced an audience of some five hundred supporters in Malindi, a town on the East African coast of the Indian Ocean. The crowd had come to watch Ngala lower the flag that symbolized colonial rule along the coast. This was not the Union flag of Great Britain, but the red flag of the Sultan of Zanzibar. It flew over a number of towns located along the ten-mile coastal strip “Protectorate” of what was then Kenya Colony and Protectorate. The flag symbolized this latter legal distinction, representing the sovereignty that the Sultan of Zanzibar retained over the coastal strip of Kenya after leasing its administration to Britain in a treaty signed in 1895. The flag's lowering was an act of political theatre—Ngala's supporters had hastily arranged the flag and flagpole, while the Sultan's real flag flew over the Malindi courts office nearby. The crowd celebrated its lowering with loud and wild cheers. Anxious onlookers later complained that Ngala had performed an act of treason. In Zanzibar, tense with the specter of racial violence, local press expressed outrage at this insult to the Sultan.