bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Acid-base and optical properties of neutral red in the presence of ionic and nonionic tensides
Authors: Jurasová Jitka , Kubáň Vlastimil
Published: June 2010

Changes in the optical and acid-base characteristics of neutral red in the presence of hexadecylpyridinium bromide, hexadecyltrimethylammonium bromide, α-carbethoxypentadecyltrimethylammonium bromide (Septonex), sodium dodecyl sulphate, Triton X-100, and BRIJ 35 in submicellar and micellar concentrations were studied spectrophotometrically. The conditional dissociation constant of neutral red pKai* depends on the kind and concentration of tenside, kind and concentration of inert electrolyte, and concentration of the cationic dye. Changes in the pKai* values are described in terms of formation of ionic associates of the dye with the tenside and of the inert electrolyte ions with the tenside. The validity of equations for the dependence of pKai* on the logarithm of tenside concentration was proved experimentally over a wide region of cationic tenside concentrations. The changes in pKai* can also be partly accounted for by changes in the nature of the solvent. A titrimetric method based on the changes in the conditional dissociation constant of neutral red is suggested for the determination of tensides in aqueous solutions using photometric end point indication.
Estimation of the catalyst pellet activity distribution from kinetic data
Authors: Brunovská Alena , Horák Josef
Published: June 2010

The possibility of estimating the activity distribution inside an industrial catalyst pellet from measurements of the composition of the outlet stream of a laboratory stirred tank reactor vs volumetric flow rate is discussed. It is assumed that the form of the reaction rate expression for the chosen testing reaction is known and the value of the corresponding reaction rate constant can be evaluated from the measurements in the kinetic region on the crushed pellet. A procedure is proposed which allows to determine whether the activity distribution estimation is feasible, and demands on the model test reaction are discussed. The estimation technique is applied to simulated (both precise and noisy) data.
Estimation of the catalyst pellet activity distribution from zero order kinetic data
Authors: Brunovská Alena , Horák Josef
Published: June 2010

In this paper a method of simultaneous estimation of the catalyst pellet activity distribution, the mean reaction rate constant, and the diffusion coefficient from kinetic data is described. As kinetic data measurements of outlet concentration from laboratory continuous stirred tank reactor vs feed rate for zero order reaction is used. The estimation technique is verified on simulated data. The mean reaction rate constant is estimated from the region of investigated dependence in which reactant penetrates into the whole catalyst pellet. The value of the effective diffusion coefficient and the activity distribution are estimated from the regime in which the reactant penetrates into the part of the pellet only.
Comparison of photocatalytic activities of 3d transition metal ions for hydrogen peroxide photolysis and photoinitiated hydroxylation of 2-hydroxybenzoic acid
Authors: Sedlák Petr , Luňák Stanislav , Lederer Pavel
Published: June 2010

Quantum yields of hydrogen peroxide photolysis and photoinitiated hydroxylation of 2-hydroxybenzoic acid in the presence of 3d transition metal ions have been measured. Marked photocatalytic effects were only observed for Cu(II) in hydrogen peroxide photolysis, and for Fe(III) in photoinitiated hydroxylation of 2-hydroxybenzoic acid. No photocatalytic activity was detected for the other 3d transition metal ions investigated. Fe(III) and Cu(II) differ in their photocatalytic activities, suggesting that the simple concept of free OH. radical formation cannot explain the mechanisms of their action.
2-Diethylaminoethyl esters of 1,3-disubstituted propane-2-carboxylic acids
Authors: Valenta Vladimír , Holubek Jiří , Svátek Emil , Miller Vladimír , Vlková Marie , Protiva Miroslav
Published: June 2010

Alkaline hydrolysis of diethyl 1-(tetrahydro-2-furyl)-3-(1-naphthyl)propane-2,2-dicarboxylate (IV) gave the crude acid V which was purified via the dipotassium salt and was obtained as the homogeneous higher melting crystal form. Its thermic decarboxylation yielded the acid II as a mixture of two racemates (38 : 62); crystallization led to the almost homogeneous racemate B (10 : 90). Reaction of the sodium salt of II with dimethyl sulfate in methanol gave the methyl ester III which afforded by ester exchange with 2-diethylaminoethanol the ester I (mixture of two racemates 34 : 66). 2-Diethylaminoethyl 1,3-bis(1-naphthyl)propane-2-carboxylate (VII) was synthesized in three steps from diethyl (1-naphthylmethyl)malonate. Ester X was obtained from 1,3-bis(tetrahydro-2-furyl)propane-2-carboxylic acid by treatment with 2-diethylaminoethyl chloride in boiling 2-propanol in the presence of potassium carbonate. The acid V gave similarly the diester VI. 2-Diethylaminoethyl esters I, VI, VII, and X were transformed to the hydrogen oxalates. Pharmacological screening showed for the diester VI hypotensive, spasmolytic, antiarrhythmic, and antitussic activity.
Micellar enzymology: Potentialities in applied areas (biotechnology)
Authors: Martinek Karel , Berezin Iliya V. , Khmelnitski Yurii L. , Klyachko Natalya L. , Levashov Andrei V.
Published: June 2010

Micellar enzymology, a new trend in molecular biology, studies the catalysis by enzymes entrapped into hydrated reversed micelles of surfactants (detergents, phospholipids) in organic solvents. The effect of solubilization on enzymatic properties is briefly considered. Applications of such biocatalytic systems in fine organic syntheses, in clinical and chemical analyses, and in medicine, as well as probable future trends in biotechnology are discussed.
Preparation of ionogenic membranes by radiation-induced grafting
Authors: Lukáš Jaromír , Zouharová Alžběta , Čaderský Ivan , Vacík Jiří
Published: June 2010

Conditions of preparation of ionogenic membranes based on the radiation induced polymerization of styrene on low-density polyethylene films (LDPE) were investigated. After optimization of the preparation conditions (radiation dose, concentration of the monomer solution, temperature of grafting), a series of samples with various degrees of grafting were prepared. Their sulfonation yielded cation-active membranes which were characterized by ion-exchange capacity, concentration membrane potentials, specific and area resistance, transport number of preferred ions, and permselectivity.
7-Alkyl-8-ethinyltheophylline
Authors: Rybár Alfonz , Pfleiderer Wolfgang
Published: June 2010

Es wird die Synthese von 7-Methyl-(VI), 7-Allyl-(VII), 7-Propargyl-(VIII) und 7-Benzyl-8-ethinyltheophylline (IX) durch Alkylierung des Natrium-Salzes des 8-Ethinyltheophyllins beschrieben. Als Ausgangsstoff der Synthese dient das 4-Chlor-1,3-dimethyluracil (I), das durch Umsetzen mit Propargylamin 4-Propargylamino-1,3-dimethyluracil (II) liefert. Durch Nitrosierung dieses Produktes wird das 1,3-Dimethyl-5-nitroso-4-propargylaminouracil (III) dargestellt, das durch Dehydratationscyclisierung in das 8-Ethinyltheophyllin (IV) umgewandelt wird.
Synthesis of isomeric and enantiomeric O-phosphonylmethyl derivatives of 9-(2,3-dihydroxypropyl)adenine
Authors: Holý Antonín , Rosenberg Ivan
Published: June 2010

Reaction of 9-(S)-(2,3-dihydroxypropyl)adenine (I) with chloromethanephosphonyl chloride (VII) in pyridine or triethyl phosphate, or with chloromethyl(pyridinio)phosphonate (IX) in pyridine, afforded a mixture of 2'-(IV) and 3'-O-chloromethanephosphonate (V) which were separated on anion exchange resin or alkylsilica gel. Treatment of compounds IV and V with aqueous alkaline hydroxide, followed by deionization, gave 9-(S)-(2-hydroxy-3-phosphonylmethoxypropyl)adenine (VI) and 9-(S)-(3-hydroxy-2-phosphonylmethoxypropyl)adenine (III) (HPMPA), respectively. The (R)- and (RS)-forms of III and VI were prepared analogously from the respective (R)-enantiomer and racemate of I. 9-(S)-(2,3-Dihydroxypropyl)-N6-benzoyladenine (XIV) was converted into 3'-O-(dimethoxytrityl) derivative XVII and further into 2',N6-dibenzoyl derivative XIX. Reaction of compound XVII with IX, followed by acid hydrolysis and alkaline cyclization, afforded pure isomer VI whereas pure III was prepared from XIX by reaction with VII in triethyl phosphate and subsequent alkaline cyclization.
Synthesis of 9-(2-phosphonylmethoxyethyl)adenine and related compounds
Authors: Holý Antonín , Rosenberg Ivan
Published: June 2010

Diethyl 2-hydroxyethoxymethanephosphonate (VIII) was converted into diethyl 2-halogenoethoxymethanephosphonates IXa and IXb by reaction with triphenylphosphine and tetrachloromethane or tetrabromomethane; analogous reaction of VIII with p-toluenesulfonyl chloride afforded diethyl 2-(p-toluenesulfonyloxy)ethoxymethanephosphonate (IXc). Reaction of sodium salt of adenine with compounds IX led to 9-(2-diethoxyphosphonylmethoxyethyl)adenine (X). Compound X was converted into 9-(2-phosphonylmethoxyethyl)adenine (II) by treatment with bromotrimethylsilane whereas alkaline hydrolysis of X gave ethyl ester Vb. Reaction of 9-(2-hydroxyethyl)adenine (IIIa) or its N6-benzoyl derivative IIIb with dimethyl p-toluenesulfonyloxymethanephosphonate (IV) in the presence of sodium hydride, followed by alkaline hydrolysis yielded methyl ester Va. Morpholide XI reacted with an inorganic phosphate and diphosphate to give 9-(2-phosphorylphosphonylmethoxyethyl)adenine (XII) and 2-(diphosphorylphosphonylmethoxyethyl)adenine (XIII), respectively.
Analysis of the oscillatory behaviour of an industrial reactor for oxonation of propene; Combined models
Authors: Horák Josef , Bělohlav Zdeněk , Rosol Petr , Madron František
Published: June 2010

Models have been used of the flow of the liquid phase in the reactor (cascade of two ideally mixed cells of different size, two equal-size cells with recycle, two equal-size cells with inlets to both cells and a model of two equal-size cells preceded with a back flow element with plug flow) to analyze the oscillatory states of an industrial reactor. Stable and instable steady states have been classified using analysis of pseudosteady states of conversion and temperature supplemented with a simulation of the dynamic behaviour. It has been that the deviations of the flow from an ideally mixed system may expand the region of the oscillatory behaviour. The detailed information about the character of the flow in the reactor and the way of feeding the reactor has been also found important for the analysis of stability.
Some dopaminergically active esters of N-[(5R,8S,10R)-6-propyl-8-ergolinyl]carbamic acid with cancerogenicity manifestations
Authors: Černý Antonín , Křepelka Jiří , Řežábek Karel , Frühaufová Maria , Plaisner Václav , Holda Jiří
Published: June 2010

Esters of N-[(5R,8S,10R)-6-propyl-8-ergolinyl]carbamic acid I-VI were prepared from (5R,8S,10R)-6-propyl-8-ergolinecarboxylic acid hydrazide (VIII) via the azide IX and isocyanate X or via (5R,8S,10R)-6-propyl-8-aminoergoline (XI). Some of the prepared esters exhibited strong dopaminergic activity in the neuro-endocrine region; some tests indicate possible cancerogenicity and mutagenicity of the ethyl ester II.
VIRUS DYNAMICS MODELS SUBJECTED TO A HYBRID ON-OFF CONTROL
Authors: MEZA MAGNO ENRIQUE MENDOZA , BHAYA AMIT
Published: June 2010

Structured treatment interruptions (STI) offer an alternative to continuous HAART. STI involves alternating on-and-off cycles of HAART in order to enhance the utility of therapy. Hybrid on-off control (HOOC), introduced in this paper, is a special case of STI. HOOC is applied to two different virus dynamics models with drug-resistant mutant, using drug therapy with a reverse transcriptase inhibitor. Simulations show that this control is effective, obtaining a smaller systemic cost of treatment than that obtained in Kwon,1as well as maintaining the uninfected cells in a small bounded neighborhood of a pre-specified level. The controller is designed by appropriate choice of so-called virtual equilibrium points.
CONTROL OF PARAMETERS OF A DELAYED DIFFUSIVE AUTOTROPH HERBIVORE SYSTEM
Authors: GAZI NURUL HUDA , DAS KALYAN
Published: June 2010

This paper deals with the eco-biological dynamics of a delayed diffusive autotroph-herbivore population ecosystem with nutrient recycling. The real situation is represented by a set of two-dimensional nonlinear ordinary differential equations involving autotroph-herbivore biomass. Plant populations undergo critical changes with different amplitude in plant ecology. We propose a description of plant communities as interesting systems which resembles to the behavior of real media. The delay and diffusion parameter have a great role to shape the dynamical features of the system. We have studied the growth of an autotroph and herbivore population depending on the limiting nutrient which is partially recycled through bacterial decomposition. We have analyzed the asymptotic stability and switching to instability with bifurcation of the model system with delay and diffusion where diffusion controls directly the delay parameters of our system. All the analytical results are interpreted ecologically and compared with the simulated computer results.
MEASUREMENT OF SELF-ORGANIZATION IN ARID ECOSYSTEMS
Authors: SUN GUI-QUAN , JIN ZHEN , TAN QIULIN
Published: June 2010

In semi-arid environments, vegetation is not homogeneous, but rather self-organized into spatial patterns. And spatial patterns of vegetation are a central feature of these semi-arid areas. Thus, in this paper, we give detailed analysis of a vegetation model in arid ecosystems. According to the dispersion relation formula, we discuss the changes of the wavelength, with respect to the rainfall and plant mortality rate. The obtained results show that, as rainfall being decreased, spotted, striped and "black-eye" patterns emerge successively.
Novel anti-adipogenic activity produced by human fibroblasts
Authors: Lehmann Geniece M. , Woeller Collynn F. , Pollock Stephen J. , O'Loughlin Charles W. , Gupta Shikha , Feldon Steven E. , Phipps Richard P.
Published: June 2010

Fatty tissue is generally found in distinct “depots” distributed throughout the human body. Adipocytes from each of the various depots differ in their metabolic capacities and their responses to environmental stimuli. Although a general understanding of the factors responsible for adipogenic transformation has been achieved, much is not understood about the mechanisms of adipose tissue deposition and the phenotypes of the adipocytes found within each depot. A clue to the factors regulating fat deposition may come from studies of adipogenesis using primary human orbital fibroblasts from patients with thyroid eye disease, a condition in which intense inflammation leads to expansion of orbital adipose tissue via differentiation of fibroblasts to adipocytes. We have previously demonstrated that adipogenesis of orbital fibroblasts is negatively correlated with cellular expression of the Thy-1 surface marker. In this study, we developed a novel imaging flow cytometric approach for the assessment of adipogenesis to test the hypothetical dependence of adipogenic potential on lack of Thy-1 expression. Using this technique, we learned that Thy-1-positive fibroblasts are, in fact, capable of differentiating into adipocytes but are less likely to do so because they secrete a paracrine anti-adipogenic factor. It is possible that such a factor plays an important role in the prevention of excess fat deposition in the normal orbit and may even be exploited as a therapy for the treatment of obesity, a major worldwide health concern.
Prenatal betamethasone exposure alters renal function in immature sheep: sex differences in effects
Authors: Tang Lijun , Bi Jianli , Valego Nancy , Carey Luke , Figueroa Jorge , Chappell Mark , Rose James C.
Published: June 2010

Synthetic glucocorticoids are commonly given to pregnant women when premature delivery threatens. Antenatal administration of clinically relevant doses of betamethasone to pregnant sheep causes sex-specific compromises of renal function and increases in blood pressure in adult offspring. However, it is unclear whether such effects are present in immature lambs. Therefore, the aims of the present study were to determine whether antenatal betamethasone at 80–81 days of gestation increases blood pressure and adversely impacts renal function in adolescent ewes and rams. Prenatal steroid exposure increased blood pressure significantly in the young male (84 ± 2 vs. 74 ± 3 mmHg) and female sheep (88 ± 5 vs. 79 ± 4), but it did not alter basal glomerular filtration rate, renal blood flow (RBF), or sodium excretion in either sex. However, antenatal betamethasone exposure blocked increases in RBF ( P = 0.001), and enhanced excretion of an acute Na load ( P < 0.05) in response to systemic infusions of angiotensin (ANG)-(1–7) at 10 pmol·kg−1·min−1in males. In females, the natriuretic response to combined ANG-(1–7), and Na load was significantly altered by prenatal betamethasone exposure. These findings indicate that blood pressure is increased in immature animals in response to antenatal steroid exposure and that sex-specific effects on renal function also exist. These changes may reflect greater risk for further loss of renal function with age.
SIRP-α-CD47 system functions as an intercellular signal in the renal glomerulus
Authors: Kurihara Hidetake , Harita Yutaka , Ichimura Koichiro , Hattori Seisuke , Sakai Tatsuo
Published: June 2010

The renal glomerulus consists of endothelial cells, podocytes, and mesangial cells. These cells cooperate with each other for glomerular filtration; however, the intercellular signaling molecules between glomerular cells are not fully determined. Tyrosine phosphorylation of slit diaphragm molecules is a key to the detection of the signal to podocytes from other cells. Although src kinase is involved in this event, the molecules working for dephosphorylation remain unclear. We demonstrate that signal-inhibitory regulatory protein (SIRP)-α, which recruits a broadly distributed tyrosine dephosphorylase SHP-2 to the plasma membrane, is located in podocytes. SIRP-α is a type I transmembrane glycoprotein, which has three immunoglobulin-like domains in the extracellular region and two SH2 binding motifs in the cytoplasm. This molecule functions as a scaffold for many proteins, especially the SHP-2 molecule. SIRP-α is concentrated in the slit diaphragm region of normal podocytes. CD47, a ligand for SIRP-α, is also expressed in the glomerulus. CD47 is located along the plasma membrane of mesangial cells, but not on podocytes. CD47 is markedly decreased during mesangiolysis, but increased in mesangial cells in the restoration stage. SIRP-α is heavily tyrosine phosphorylated under normal conditions; however, tyrosine phosphorylation of SIRP-α was markedly decreased during mesangiolysis induced by Thy1.1 monoclonal antibody injection. It is known that the cytoplasmic domain of SIPR-α is dephosphorylated when CD47 binds to the extracellular domain of SIRP-α. The data suggest that the CD47-SIRP-α interaction may be functionally important in cell-cell communication in the diseased glomerulus.
All That Glitters … Dissociating Attention and Outcome Expectancy From Prediction Errors Signals
Authors: Roesch Matthew R. , Calu Donna J. , Esber Guillem R. , Schoenbaum Geoffrey
Published: June 2010

Initially reported in dopamine neurons, neural correlates of prediction errors have now been shown in a variety of areas, including orbitofrontal cortex, ventral striatum, and amygdala. Yet changes in neural activity to an outcome or cues that precede it can reflect other processes. We review the recent literature and show that although activity in dopamine neurons appears to signal prediction errors, similar activity in orbitofrontal cortex, basolateral amygdala, and ventral striatum does not. Instead, increased firing in basolateral amygdala to unexpected outcomes likely reflects attention, whereas activity in orbitofrontal cortex and ventral striatum is unaffected by prior expectations and may provide information on outcome expectancy. These results have important implications for how these areas interact to facilitate learning and guide behavior.
Movement Stability Under Uncertain Internal Models of Dynamics
Authors: Crevecoeur F. , McIntyre J. , Thonnard J.-L. , Lefèvre P.
Published: June 2010

Sensory noise and feedback delay are potential sources of instability and variability for the on-line control of movement. It is commonly assumed that predictions based on internal models allow the CNS to anticipate the consequences of motor actions and protect the movements from uncertainty and instability. However, during motor learning and exposure to unknown dynamics, these predictions can be inaccurate. Therefore a distinct strategy is necessary to preserve movement stability. This study tests the hypothesis that in such situations, subjects adapt the speed and accuracy constraints on the movement, yielding a control policy that is less prone to undesirable variability in the outcome. This hypothesis was tested by asking subjects to hold a manipulandum in precision grip and to perform single-joint, discrete arm rotations during short-term exposure to weightlessness (0 g), where the internal models of the limb dynamics must be updated. Measurements of grip force adjustments indicated that the internal predictions were altered during early exposure to the 0 g condition. Indeed, the grip force/load force coupling reflected that the grip force was less finely tuned to the load-force variations at the beginning of the exposure to the novel gravitational condition. During this learning period, movements were slower with asymmetric velocity profiles and target undershooting. This effect was compared with theoretical results obtained in the context of optimal feedback control, where changing the movement objective can be directly tested by adjusting the cost parameters. The effect on the simulated movements quantitatively supported the hypothesis of a change in cost function during early exposure to a novel environment. The modified optimization criterion reduces the trial-to-trial variability in spite of the fact that noise affects the internal prediction. These observations support the idea that the CNS adjusts the movement objective to stabilize the movement when internal models are uncertain.
Acquisition of an Acoustic Template Leads to Refinement of Song Motor Gestures
Authors: Méndez Jorge M. , Dall'Asén Analía G. , Cooper Brenton G. , Goller Franz
Published: June 2010

Vocal learning, a key behavior in human speech development, occurs only in a small number of animal taxa. Ontogeny of vocal behavior in humans and songbirds involves acquisition of an acoustic model, which guides the development of self-generated vocalizations (sensorimotor period). How vocal development proceeds in the absence of an acoustic model is largely unknown and cannot be studied directly in humans. Here we explored the effects of an acoustic model on song motor control by comparing peripheral motor gestures (respiration and syringeal muscles) of tutored birds with those of birds raised in acoustic isolation. Although the overall use of syringeal muscles during song was similar in both groups, tutored birds displayed enhanced temporal patterns of activation in respiratory and syringeal motor gestures. Muscle activation was more uniformly distributed throughout the song of tutored birds than that of untutored birds. Similarly, the respiratory effort was similar for both groups, but the expiratory pulses of song contained more modulations and temporal complexity in tutored birds. These results indicate that the acquisition of an acoustic template guides a refinement of experience-independent motor gestures by increasing temporal fine structure, but there is no difference in bilateral activation patterns for a given sound between the two groups. Nevertheless, these subtle temporal changes in muscle activation give rise to pronounced acoustic differences between the songs of the tutored and untutored birds. Experience with song during ontogeny therefore guides a more refined use of experience-independent motor programs.
Ultrasonic Guided Waves-Based Monitoring of Rail Head: Laboratory and Field Tests
Authors: Rizzo Piervincenzo , Cammarata Marcello , Bartoli Ivan , di Scalea Francesco Lanza , Salamone Salvatore , Coccia Stefano , Phillips Robert
Published: June 2010

Recent train accidents have reaffirmed the need for developing a rail defect detection system more effective than that currently used. One of the most promising techniques in rail inspection is the use of ultrasonic guided waves and noncontact probes. A rail inspection prototype based on these concepts and devoted to the automatic damage detection of defects in rail head is the focus of this paper. The prototype includes an algorithm based on wavelet transform and outlier analysis. The discrete wavelet transform is utilized to denoise ultrasonic signals and to generate a set of relevant damage sensitive data. These data are combined into a damage index vector fed to an unsupervised learning algorithm based on outlier analysis that determines the anomalous conditions of the rail. The first part of the paper shows the prototype in action on a railroad track mock-up built at the University of California, San Diego. The mock-up contained surface and internal defects. The results from three experiments are presented. The importance of feature selection to maximize the sensitivity of the inspection system is demonstrated here. The second part of the paper shows the results of field testing conducted in south east Pennsylvania under the auspices of the U.S. Federal Railroad Administration.
The Degree of Mutual Anisotropy of Biological Liquid Crystals Net during the Diagnostics of Human Tissues Birefringence
Authors: Angelsky Oleg V. , Ushenko Yuriy A.
Published: June 2010

To characterize the degree of consistency of parameters of the optically uniaxial birefringent liquid crystals (protein fibrils) nets of biological tissues a new parameter-complex degree of mutual anisotropy is suggested. The technique of polarization measuring the coordinate distributions of the complex degree of mutual anisotropy of biological tissues is developed. It is shown that statistic approach to the analysis of complex degree of mutual anisotropy distributions of biological tissues of various morphological and physiological states and optical thicknesses appears to be more sensitive and efficient in differentiation of physiological state in comparison with investigations of complex degree of mutual polarization of the corresponding laser images.
Diesel Engine Valve Clearance Detection Using Acoustic Emission
Authors: Elamin Fathi , Fan Yibo , Gu Fengshou , Ball Andrew
Published: June 2010

This paper investigated, using experimental method, the suitability of acoustic emission (AE) technique for the condition monitoring of diesel engine valve faults. The clearance fault was adjusted experimentally in an exhaust valve and successfully detected and diagnosed in a Ford FSD 425 four-cylinder, four-stroke, in-line OHV, direct injection diesel engine. The effect of faulty exhaust valve clearance on engine performance was monitored and the difference between the healthy and faulty engine was observed from the recorded AE signals. The measured results from this technique show that using only time domain and frequency domain analysis of acoustic emission signals can give a superior measure of engine condition. This concludes that acoustic emission is a powerful and reliable method of detection and diagnosis of the faults in diesel engines and this is considered to be a unique approach to condition monitoring of valve performance.
Performance Evaluation of AOP/Biological Hybrid System for Treatment of Recalcitrant Organic Compounds
Authors: Makgato Stanford S. , Nkhalambayausi-Chirwa Evans M.
Published: June 2010

Process water from nuclear fuel recovery unit operations contains a variety of toxic organic compounds. The use of decontamination reagents such asCCl4together with phenolic tar results in wastewater with a high content of chlorophenols. In this study, the extent of dehalogenation of toxic aromatic compounds was evaluated using a photolytic advanced oxidation process (AOP) followed by biodegradation in the second stage. A hard-to-degrade toxic pollutant, 4-chlorophenol (4-CP), was used to represent a variety of recalcitrant aromatic pollutants in effluent from the nuclear industry. A UV-assisted AOP/bioreactor system demonstrated a great potential in treatment of nuclear process wastewater and this was indicated by high removal efficiency (>98%) under various 4-CP concentrations. Adding hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) as a liquid catalyst further improved biodegradation rate but the effect was limited by the scavenging ofOH•radicals under high concentrations ofH2O2.
Remote Synchronization Experiments for Quasi-Senith Satellite System Using Current Geostationary Satellites
Authors: Iwata Toshiaki , Suzuyama Tomonari , Imae Michito , Hashibe Yuji
Published: June 2010

The remote synchronization system for the onboard crystal oscillator (RESSOX) realizes accurate synchronization between an atomic clock at a ground station and the QZSS onboard crystal oscillator, reduces overall cost and satellite power consumption, as well as onboard weight and volume, and is expected to have a longer lifetime than a system with onboard atomic clocks. Since a QZSS does not yet exist, we have been conducting synchronization experiments using geostationary earth orbit satellites (JCSAT-1B or Intelsat-4) to confirm that RESSOX is an excellent system for timing synchronization. JCSAT-1B, the elevation angle of which is 46.5 degrees at our institute, is little affected by tropospheric delay, whereas Intelsat-4, the elevation angle of which is 7.9 degrees, is significantly affected. The experimental setup and the results of uplink experiments and feedback experiments using mainly Intelsat-4 are presented. The results show that synchronization within 10 ns is realized.
Diabetic Cataract—Pathogenesis, Epidemiology and Treatment
Authors: Pollreisz Andreas , Schmidt-Erfurth Ursula
Published: June 2010

Cataract in diabetic patients is a major cause of blindness in developed and developing countries. The pathogenesis of diabetic cataract development is still not fully understood. Recent basic research studies have emphasized the role of the polyol pathway in the initiation of the disease process. Population-based studies have greatly increased our knowledge concerning the association between diabetes and cataract formation and have defined risk factors for the development of cataract. Diabetic patients also have a higher risk of complications after phacoemulsification cataract surgery compared to nondiabetics. Aldose-reductase inhibitors and antioxidants have been proven beneficial in the prevention or treatment of this sightthreatening condition in in vitro and in vivo experimental studies. This paper provides an overview of the pathogenesis of diabetic cataract, clinical studies investigating the association between diabetes and cataract development, and current treatment of cataract in diabetics.
The Rhinolith—A Possible Differential Diagnosis of a Unilateral Nasal Obstruction
Authors: Brehmer Detlef , Riemann Randolf
Published: June 2010

Rhinoliths are mineralised foreign bodies in the nasal cavity that are a chance finding at anterior rhinoscopy. Undiscovered, they grow appreciably in size and can cause a foul-smelling nasal discharge and breathing problems. Giant nasal stones are now a very rare occurrence, since improved diagnostic techniques, such as endoscopic/microscopic rhinoscopy, now make it possible to identify foreign bodies at an early stage of development. We report the case of a 37-year-old patient who, at the age of 5-6 years, introduced a foreign body, probably a stone, into his right nasal cavity. On presentation, he complained of difficulty in breathing through the right nostril that had persisted for the last 10 years. For the past four years a strong fetid smell from the nose had been apparent to those in his vicinity. Under general anaesthesia, the stone was removed in toto from the right nasal cavity. The possible genesis of the rhinolith is discussed, our case compared with those described in the literature, and possible differential diagnoses are considered.
Genome Size Dynamics and Evolution in Monocots
Authors: Leitch Ilia J. , Beaulieu Jeremy M. , Chase Mark W. , Leitch Andrew R. , Fay Michael F.
Published: June 2010

Monocot genomic diversity includes striking variation at many levels. This paper compares various genomic characters (e.g., range of chromosome numbers and ploidy levels, occurrence of endopolyploidy, GC content, chromosome packaging and organization, genome size) between monocots and the remaining angiosperms to discern just how distinctive monocot genomes are. One of the most notable features of monocots is their wide range and diversity of genome sizes, including the species with the largest genome so far reported in plants. This genomic character is analysed in greater detail, within a phylogenetic context. By surveying available genome size and chromosome data it is apparent that different monocot orders follow distinctive modes of genome size and chromosome evolution. Further insights into genome size-evolution and dynamics were obtained using statistical modelling approaches to reconstruct the ancestral genome size at key nodes across the monocot phylogenetic tree. Such approaches reveal that while the ancestral genome size of all monocots was small ( pg), there have been several major increases and decreases during monocot evolution. In addition, notable increases in the rates of genome size-evolution were found in Asparagales and Poales compared with other monocot lineages.
On the Nevanlinna′s Theory for Vector‐Valued Mappings
Authors: Xuan Zu-Xing , Wu Nan
Published: June 2010

The purpose of this paper is to establish the first and second fundamental theorems for an E‐valued meromorphic mapping from a generic domain D ⊂ ℂ to an infinite dimensional complex Banach space E with a Schauder basis. It is a continuation of the work of C. Hu and Q. Hu. For f(z) defined in the disk, we will prove Chuang′s inequality, which is to compare the relationship between T(r, f) and T(r, f′). Consequently, we obtain that the order and the lower order of f(z) and its derivative f′(z) are the same.
Continuous Time Portfolio Selection under Conditional Capital at Risk
Authors: Dmitrasinovic-Vidovic Gordana , Lari-Lavassani Ali , Li Xun , Ware Antony
Published: June 2010

Portfolio optimization with respect to different risk measures is of interest to both practitioners and academics. For there to be a well‐defined optimal portfolio, it is important that the risk measure be coherent and quasiconvex with respect to the proportion invested in risky assets. In this paper we investigate one such measure—conditional capital at risk—and find the optimal strategies under this measure, in the Black‐Scholes continuous time setting, with time dependent coefficients.
Effects of Anti-VEGF Treatment Duration on Tumor Growth, Tumor Regrowth, and Treatment Efficacy
Authors: Bagri Anil , Berry Leanne , Gunter Bert , Singh Mallika , Kasman Ian , Damico Lisa A. , Xiang Hong , Schmidt Maike , Fuh Germaine , Hollister Beth , Rosen Oliver , Plowman Greg D.
Published: June 2010

Purpose: Inhibition of the vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) axis is the basis of all currently approved antiangiogenic therapies. In preclinical models, anti-VEGF blocking antibodies have shown broad efficacy that is dependent on both tumor context and treatment duration. We aimed to characterize this activity and to evaluate the effects of discontinuation of treatment on the dynamics of tumor regrowth.

Experimental Design: We evaluated the effects of anti-VEGF treatment on tumor growth and survival in 30 xenograft models and in genetic mouse models of cancer. Histologic analysis was used to evaluate the effects of treatment on tumor vasculature. We used a variety of treatment regimens to allow analysis of the effects of treatment duration and cessation on growth rate, survival, and vascular density.

Results: Preclinical tumor models were characterized for their varied dependence on VEGF, thereby defining models for testing other agents that may complement or augment anti-VEGF therapy. We also found that longer exposure to anti-VEGF monoclonal antibodies delayed tumor growth and extended survival in established tumors from both cell transplants and genetic tumor models and prevented regrowth of a subset of residual tumors following cytoablative therapy. Discontinuation of anti-VEGF in established tumors resulted in regrowth at a rate slower than that in control-treated animals, with no evidence of accelerated tumor growth or rebound. However, more rapid regrowth was observed following discontinuation of certain chemotherapies. Concurrent administration of anti-VEGF seemed to normalize these accelerated growth rates.

Conclusions: In diverse preclinical models, continuous VEGF suppression provides maximal benefit as a single agent, combined with chemotherapy, or as maintenance therapy once chemotherapy has been stopped. Clin Cancer Res; 16(15); 3887–900. ©2010 AACR.
A Latent Class Model for Testing for Linkage and Classifying Families when the Sample May Contain Segregating and Non-Segregating Families
Authors: Bastone Laurel A. , Spielman Richard S. , Wang Xingmei , Ten Have Thomas R. , Putt Mary E.
Published: June 2010

In a quantitative trait locus (QTL) study, it is usually not feasible to select families with offspring that simultaneously display variability in more than one phenotype. When multiple phenotypes are of interest, the sample will, with high probability, contain ‘non-segregating’ families, i.e. families with both parents homozygous at the QTL. These families potentially reduce the power of regression-based methods to detect linkage. Moreover, follow-up studies in individual families will be inefficient, and potentially even misleading, if non-segregating families are selected for the study. Our work extends Haseman-Elston regression using a latent class model to account for the mixture of segregating and non-segregating families. We provide theoretical motivation for the method using an additive genetic model with two distinct functions of the phenotypic outcome, squared difference (SqD) and mean-corrected product (MCP). A permutation procedure is developed to test for linkage; simulation shows that the test is valid for both phenotypic functions. For rare alleles, the method provides increased power compared to a ‘marginal’ approach that ignores the two types of families; for more common alleles, the marginal approach has better power. These results appear to reflect the ability of the algorithm to accurately assign families to the two classes and the relative weights of segregating and non-segregating families to the test of linkage. An application of Bayes rule is used to estimate the family-specific probability of segregating. High predictive value positive values for segregating families, particularly for MCP, suggest that the method has considerable value for identifying segregating families. The method is illustrated for gene expression phenotypes measured on 27 candidate genes previously demonstrated to show linkage in a sample of 14 families.
Pilot Study on Schizophrenia in Sardinia
Authors: Ott Jurg , Macciardi Fabio , Shen Yuanyuan , Carta Mauro G. , Murru Andrea , Triunfo Riccardo , Robledo Renato , Rinaldi Antoniettina , Contu Licinio , Siniscalco Marcello
Published: June 2010

Objective: Based on a small sample of cases with schizophrenia and control individuals from an isolated population, a genome-wide association study was undertaken to find variants conferring susceptibility to this disease. Methods: Standard association tests were employed, followed by newer multilocus association methods (genotype patterns). Results: Individually, no variant produced a significant result. However, the best two variants (rs1360382 on chromosome 9 and rs1303 on chromosome 14) showed significantly different genotype pattern distributions between patients and control individuals. The risk genotype pattern AA-TT is highly predictive of schizophrenia, with estimated sensitivity and specificity of 1 and 0.96, respectively. Conclusions: These findings support the hypothesis that schizophrenia is partly due to multiple genetic variants, each with a relatively small effect.
Important Variations in Parvalbumin Content in Common Fish Species: A Factor Possibly Contributing to Variable Allergenicity
Authors: Kuehn A. , Scheuermann T. , Hilger C. , Hentges F.
Published: June 2010

Background: Although 95% of fish-allergic patients are sensitized to the major fish allergen parvalbumin, clinical reactions to different fish species vary considerably in symptoms, intensity and frequency in allergic subjects. This study aimed at the quantification of parvalbumin levels in salmon, trout, cod, carp, mackerel, herring, redfish and tuna. Methods: Fish muscle extracts were separated by SDS-PAGE and parvalbumin content was estimated by densitometric band quantification. Individual antisera were raised in BALB/c mice against parvalbumins purified from seven fish species. Parvalbumin content was quantified in fish (raw/processed) and skin prick test (SPT) solutions by ELISA using the corresponding anti-serum for detection and the purified parvalbumins as standards. Results: Using SDS-PAGE scanning, parvalbumin contents were <0.5 mg per gram tissue for mackerel, 0.5–2 mg for salmon and trout, and >2 mg for cod, carp, redfish and herring. Using ELISA, parvalbumin content ranged from <0.05 mg for tuna, 0.3–0.7 mg for mackerel, 1–2.5 mg for salmon, trout and cod to >2.5 mg per gram raw muscle for carp, herring and redfish. The parvalbumin content of processed samples (cooked/commercial) was 20–60% lower. Allergen content in SPT samples ranged from 20 to 70 µg parvalbumin/ml of extract. No parvalbumin was found in tuna SPT solution. Conclusion: The parvalbumin content of most commonly consumed fish species varies considerably. Differences range from severalfold to one hundredfold. This has to be taken into account when designing food challenge tests and advising fish-allergic patients.
Association between Obesity and Atopy in Adults
Authors: Chen Yue , Rennie Donna , Cormier Yvon , Dosman James
Published: June 2010

Background/Aim: Previous literature on the association between obesity and atopy has been inconsistent. The aim of the study was to determine the relationship between obesity and atopic sensitization in adults. Methods: The study included a total of 1,997 residents aged 18–79 years and was conducted in the town of Humboldt, Sask., Canada in 2003. Body mass index (BMI) and waist circumference (WC) were objectively measured. Allergy skin tests were conducted to determine atopic sensitization. Results: Overall, the prevalence of one or more positive skin tests for atopy was 33.3% among those with a BMI of at least 30.0, 28.2% among those with a BMI of 25.0–29.9 and 27.3% among those with a BMI of less than 25 (p = 0.003). The odds ratio for atopy among those with a BMI of at least 30.0 versus those with a BMI of less than 25.0 was 1.51 (95% confidence interval, CI: 1.17, 1.95) after adjustment for sex, age, and other covariates. Stratified by sex, the adjusted odds ratios for obesity versus normal weight were 1.27 (95% CI: 0.73, 1.93) for men and 1.63 (95% CI: 1.18, 2.26) for women. WC was also significantly associated with the prevalence of atopy in both sexes after controlling for covariates. Conclusion: The data demonstrated a significant association between obesity, defined either by BMI or by WC, and atopy.
Relationship between Different Species of Helminths and Atopy: A Study in a Population Living in Helminth-Endemic Area in Sulawesi, Indonesia
Authors: Supali Taniawati , Djuardi Yenny , Wibowo Heri , van Ree Ronald , Yazdanbakhsh Maria , Sartono Erliyani
Published: June 2010

Background: The association between allergen skin sensitization and helminth infection has been debated for years. Here, we sought to estimate the prevalence of atopic sensitization of residents living in area endemic for lymphatic filariasis and intestinal helminths and to investigate the association between these different species of helminths with allergen skin test reactivity to allergens. Methods: Five hundred and eighty-three individuals living in an area endemic for Brugia malayi and for intestinal helminths were skin prick tested using 3 allergens. Microfilariae were enumerated by filtration of 1 ml nocturnally collected blood, and 442 stool samples were examined for the presence of intestinal helminth eggs. Results: The prevalence of skin prick test positivity to any allergen was 23.5% (to cockroach 20.6%, to house dust mite 6.2% and to grass pollen 1.2%). Individuals with B. malayi infection had a significantly reduced risk for atopic reactivity to cockroach (adjusted odds ratio 0.56, 95% CI 0.35–0.88). In the same population, no association was found between the presence of intestinal helminths and any skin test reactivity. Conclusions: In a general population, across all ages in a rural area of Indonesia, the prevalence of skin test reactivity to house dust mite is as low as in other non-affluent countries, and infection with B. malayi appears to reduce the risk of skin reactivity to cockroach. On the other hand, we found no association between infection with intestinal helminths and skin test reactivity to aeroallergens.
“By the Mouth of Two or Three Witnesses” Paul’s Invocation of a Deuteronomic Statute
Authors: Welborn Laurence L.
Published: June 2010

The history of interpretation of 2 Cor 13:1 has been dominated by a metaphorical construal of the “three witnesses” as Paul’s three visits to Corinth. This essay proposes a literal understanding of the text: Paul invokes the Deuteronomic rule of judicial witnesses in his own defense, in accordance with the purposes of the statute. The essay then explores the implications of this interpretation for reconstruction of what happened on the occasion of Paul’s second, “painful” visit to Corinth.
Pars pro toto: On Comparing Relic Practices
Authors: Trainor Kevin
Published: June 2010

This article examines some of the implications of cross-cultural and cross-tradition comparison in the study of religion as they emerge from an analysis of religious practices associated with relics. It also identifies some key comparative themes highlighted in the articles that comprise this special issue on relic practices.
“Because for a long time (the Gods of Zalpa) have been ignored ..Hence these offerings in this way do we donate”. New Celebrations in the Zalpuwa Land
Authors: Corti Carlo
Published: June 2010

In this contribution a new group of documents, individualized by the writer, is introduced. It is connected to the ancient city of Zalpa on the Black Sea and is entitled “Celebrations in the Zalpuwa Land” (CTH 667): the religious ceremonies described, as well as several participants and the majority of the places mentioned in these tablets, don’t find parallel in Hittite documentation known to us. On the basis of the analyzed elements, it is proposed to assign the colophon of the funerary ritual for the sovereign, IBoT 2.130 to these texts; moreover, it is held that, unlike the scenario that up until now has been reconstructed, the region of Zalpa was recovered once again by the Hittites in the imperial period.