bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The flapless air vehicle integrated industrial research (FLAVIIR) programme in aeronautical engineering
Authors: John P
Published: October 2009

This article describes an exciting research programme, FLAVIIR (flapless air vehicle integrated industrial research), in Aeronautical Engineering that is developing and demonstrating novel technologies and also forging a new approach to academic research, with emphasis on engagement with, and relevance to, industry. Traditional academic research is usually focused on fundamental properties of technologies, proof of principles, and solution concept generation. This leaves industry to bridge the gap between this foundation work undertaken by the academic research and the introduction of technologies into practical products suitable for use in the real world. The FLAVIIR programme is taking academic research further than usual so that it relates more closely to technology exploitation in industry and so makes a significant contribution to the practical realization of novel technologies, so increasing the benefits delivered to industry from investment in academic research. In order to achieve this, the FLAVIIR programme includes, in addition to research into the fundamental technologies themselves, an emphasis on technology integration into an air vehicle that is then used to demonstrate the technologies in a representative manner. The FLAVIIR programme is enabled and funded by a strategic partnership formed between BAESystems and the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) in Aeronautical Engineering.
Heart rate normalization in the analysis of heart rate variability in congestive heart failure
Authors: Işler Y , Kuntalp M
Published: October 2009

In this study, the effects of heart rate (HR) normalization in the analysis of the heart rate variability (HRV) were investigated to distinguish 29 patients with congestive heart failure from 54 healthy subjects in the control group. In the analysis performed, the best accuracy performances of optimal combination of standard short-term HRV measures and of HR-normalized short-term HRV measures are compared. A genetic algorithm is used to select the best features from among all possible combinations of these measures. A k-nearest-neighbour (KNN) classifier is used to evaluate the performances of the feature combinations in classifying these two data groups. The results imply that using both min—max and HR normalization improves the performance of the classification. The maximum accuracy is achieved as 93.98 per cent using k = 3 and k = 5 for the KNN classifier with the perfect positive predictivity values.
Computational investigations of mechanical failures of internal plate fixation
Authors: Chen G , Schmutz B , Wullschleger M , Pearcy M J , Schuetz M A
Published: October 2009

This paper investigated the biomechanics of two clinical cases of bone fracture treatments. Both fractures were treated with the same locking compression plate but with different numbers of screws as well as different plate materials. The fracture treated with 12 screws (rigid fixation) failed at 7 weeks with the plate breaking; the fracture with six screws (flexible fixation) endured the entire healing process. It was hypothesized that the plate failure in the unsuccessful case was due to the material fatigue induced by stress concentration in the plate. As the two clinical cases had different fracture locations and different plate materials, finite element simulations were undertaken for each fractured bone fixed by both a rigid and a flexible method. This enabled comparisons to be made between the rigid and flexible fixation methods. The fatigue life was assessed for each fixation method. The results showed that the stress in the rigid fixation methods could be significantly higher than that in flexible fixation methods. The fatigue analyses showed that, with the stress level in flexible fixation (i.e. with fewer screws), the plate was able to endure 2000 days, and that the plate in rigid fixation could fail by fatigue fracture in 20 days. The paper concludes that the rigid fixation method resulted in serious stress concentrations in the plate, which induced fatigue failure. The flexible fixation gave sufficient stability and was better for fracture healing.
The role of vessel geometry and material properties on the mechanics of stenting in the coronary and peripheral arteries
Authors: Early M , Kelly D J
Published: October 2009

There have been notably higher rates of restenosis with stents used to restore blood flow to many stenosed peripheral arteries compared with their coronary counterparts. The mechanical environment of arteries such as the femoral and popliteal (and the stent fracture that this can cause) has previously been identified as a contributing factor to the relatively low success rates for this procedure. The aim of this study was to investigate how other factors, namely the differences in geometries and mechanical properties of the arteries and the stents used in them, might influence the outcome in these different arteries. Finite element models of the stents and arteries were created, and the results compared in terms of stresses induced in the arteries, the lumen gain, and the deformation of the stent due to pulsatile loading. It was found that deploying a Nitinol stent in a peripheral artery induced lower stresses in the vessel wall than expanding a stainless steel stent in a coronary artery, although the lumen gain was also lower. The predicted strain amplitude induced in Nitinol stents by the cardiac cycle was below the value required to cause fatigue failure. This study does not provide any evidence to suggest that differences in the geometry and material properties between peripheral and coronary arteries, or the types of stent used to restore vessel patency, are the dominate factors responsible for the higher rates of restenosis observed in peripheral arteries.
Circular Dichroism and Absorption Spectroscopy for Three-Membered Ring Compounds Using Symmetry-Adapted Cluster-Configuration Interaction (SAC-CI) Method
Authors: Miyahara Tomoo , Hasegawa Jun-ya , Nakatsuji Hiroshi
Published: October 2009

The singlet excited states of oxirane and thiirane derivatives, ethylene oxide, (R)-methyloxirane, (2S,3S)-dimethyloxirane, ethylene sulfide, (R)-methylthiirane, and (2S,3S)-dimethylthiirane, were calculated employing the symmetry-adapted cluster (SAC)/SAC-configuration interaction (CI) method. The rotatory strengths of the CD spectra were calculated in the velocity form, which is gauge-origin independent. Both the ultraviolet (UV) spectra and the circular dichroism (CD) spectra obtained with the SAC-CI method were in good agreement with the experimental spectra. In oxirane derivatives, the low-lying excited states were composed of excitations from n and σ orbitals to s, p, and d Rydberg orbitals. The excitation from the σ orbital was especially important in (2S,3S)-dimethyloxirane because of the steric effect of the methyl substitutions. However, in thiirane derivatives, the excitations to the low-lying excited states were only from the n orbital.
Stability Constants of Metal(II) Complexes with Amines and Aminocarboxylates with Special Reference to Chelation
Authors: Tanaka Motoharu , Tabata Masaaki
Published: October 2009

Equations derived on the basis of mechanistic considerations have been utilized to calculate the stability constants of binary and ternary copper(II) complexes of amine(s) or aminocarboxylates. Calculated values of 185 copper(II) amine complexes have been compared with the observed. For 89 complexes including ammonia, ethylenediamine, cyclohexane-1,2-diamine, imidazole, pyridine, and some substituted analogs, the calculated values agree with the observed within 0.3 log unit. These complexes may be regarded as regular. Among the remaining non-regular complexes we find some complexes with lower stability constants due to steric hindrance, and some others with higher constants resulting from aromatic π–π interactions and/or hydrophobic interactions between coordinated ligands. Mechanistic considerations have also been successfully utilized to predict stability constants of polyamine and aminocarboxylate chelates of nickel(II), cobalt(II), and copper(II) according to Adamson’s approach.
Platinum Nanoparticle Catalyst Scavenges Hydrogen Peroxide Generated from Hydroquinone
Authors: Hirakawa Kazutaka , Sano Shoichiro
Published: October 2009

Platinum, palladium, gold, rhodium, and silver monometallic nanoparticles protected by poly(N-vinyl-2-pyrrolidone), a water-soluble polymer, were prepared using an alcohol reduction method. Platinum/silver bimetallic nanoparticles were prepared by self-organization from the platinum and silver monometallic nanoparticles. Platinum nanoparticles showed the highest catalytic activity for the decomposition of hydrogen peroxide in the monometallic nanoparticles used in this study. Platinum, silver, and platinum/silver nanoparticles effectively catalyzed the decomposition of hydrogen peroxide generated from the autooxidation of hydroquinone, a derivative of carcinogenic benzene. The autooxidation of hydroquinone itself was hardly inhibited by platinum nanoparticles. The platinum nanoparticles in particular showed the highest catalytic activity per unit atom. The activity of a 2 µg platinum nanoparticle was comparable to that of 20 units of catalase. The modification of platinum nanoparticles with silver rather suppressed the activity of hydrogen peroxide decomposition. These results suggest that Pt nanoparticles can be used as antioxidants against oxidative chemical compounds.
Sport Psychology, Hypnosis and Golf
Authors: Jenkins Simon
Published: October 2009

Hypnosis has received relatively little attention in the academic and professional sport psychology literature and concerns have been expressed about its use. Nevertheless, there are numerous websites advertising products and services related to hypnosis and golf. The purpose of this article is to provide a resource for practitioners to reflect on their provision of services related to hypnosis. Hypnosis has been highly controversial since the 18th Century when a medical student by the name of Mesmer learned of how a Jesuit priest successfully cured his patients with magnets applied to their bodies. In the 19th Century, the notion that hypnosis involves a different state of mind; i.e., hypnotic trance, became established in science and it was not until the 1940s that this notion was seriously questioned by scientists. In this article, alternative theoretical viewpoints of hypnosis are presented with particular reference to the stage hypnosis and NLP work of Paul McKenna.
Selective Attention in Golf: Managing the Keys to the Door
Authors: Marteniuk Ronald G. , Bertram Christopher P.
Published: October 2009

An information processing approach is taken to explain the concept of selective attention as it occurs in planning and executing the golf swing. Selective attention is likened to a door that has access to the central planning and execution centres. Principles of controlling the door to allow only relevant information to enter the movement planning and execution processes are discussed. Practical implications of this information processing model are given.
The Vicious Circle Involved in the Development of the Yips
Authors: Marquardt Christian
Published: October 2009

Data was collected using the SAM PuttLab from 264 amateur golfers who were measured during an amateur tournament series in Germany. Each golfer had to hit seven straight putts on a regular putting green at a distance of four meters using their own putter. Findings include that Heavy-Yips golfers showed an impaired control of face rotation and face angle at impact. It is proposed that the Yips is a Contextual Movement Disorder and a number of specific factors seem to be involved in its development: Anxiety, overcontrol, interference, and awareness of the problem. These factors operate in a vicious circle and any of the factors could trigger the start of the Yips. A behavioural treatment approach can be used to interrupt this vicious circle, based on the premise that the putting movements can normally be executed without breakdown in a different context.
Increases of Cardiac Troponin in Conditions other than Acute Coronary Syndrome and Heart Failure
Authors: Kelley Walter E , Januzzi James L , Christenson Robert H
Published: October 2009

Background: Although cardiac troponin (cTn) is a cornerstone marker in the assessment and management of patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS) and heart failure (HF), cTn is not diagnostically specific for any single myocardial disease process. This narrative review discusses increases in cTn that result from acute and chronic diseases, iatrogenic causes, and myocardial injury other than ACS and HF.

Content: Increased cTn concentrations have been reported in cardiac, vascular, and respiratory disease and in association with infectious processes. In cases involving acute aortic dissection, cerebrovascular accident, treatment in an intensive care unit, and upper gastrointestinal bleeding, increased cTn predicts a longer time to diagnosis and treatment, increased length of hospital stay, and increased mortality. cTn increases are diagnostically and prognostically useful in patients with cardiac inflammatory diseases and in patients with respiratory disease; in respiratory disease cTn can help identify patients who would benefit from aggressive management. In chronic renal failure patients the diagnostic sensitivity of cTn for ACS is decreased, but cTn is prognostic for the development of cardiovascular disease. cTn also provides useful information when increases are attributable to various iatrogenic causes and blunt chest trauma.

Summary: Information on the diagnostic and prognostic uses of cTn in conditions other than ACS and heart failure is accumulating. Although increased cTn in settings other than ACS or heart failure is frequently considered a clinical confounder, the astute physician must be able to interpret cTn as a dynamic marker of myocardial damage, using clinical acumen to determine the source and significance of any reported cTn increase.
Harnessing the Energy: Development of Radioimmunotherapy for Patients with Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma
Authors: Gregory Stephanie A. , Hohloch Karin , Gisselbrecht Christian , Tobinai Kensei , Dreyling Martin
Published: October 2009

Radioimmunotherapy (RIT) combines the use of targeted monoclonal antibodies with radionuclides for the treatment of non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma (NHL), taking advantage of its inherent radiosensitivity. A number of trials have shown significantly higher response rates and longer progression-free survival times in patients treated with the CD20-targeted radioimmunoconjugate yttrium-90-ibritumomab tiuxetan compared with the standard of care. Furthermore, these benefits have also been shown in heavily pretreated patients who relapsed or were resistant to rituximab. Currently, a number of different treatment regimens and strategies are available for the treatment of NHL patients. Therefore, in an attempt to minimize toxicity, maximize efficacy, and improve survival, it is crucial to appropriately select patients who are good candidates for individual treatment approaches. A strategy for patient selection has been developed, including the use of existing patient assessment tools, such as the Follicular Lymphoma International Prognostic Index, to determine the optimal regimen for patients with follicular lymphoma according to their disease characteristics and physical condition. Patients who are fit make ideal candidates for potentially curative regimens, which include induction chemotherapy with or without immunotherapy followed by RIT consolidation and, potentially, maintenance therapy. Patients who are considered “compromised” would also benefit from induction treatment and RIT consolidation, with a view to reducing the lymphoma burden and decreasing the risk for disease progression. “Frail” patients would be better suited to supportive therapy to control symptoms. This paper explores factors that should be considered when assessing whether a patient is a good candidate for treatment with RIT, and aids physicians in the selection of the most appropriate therapy for each patient group.
Early-onset GH deficiency results in spatial memory impairment in mid-life and is prevented by GH supplementation
Authors: Nieves-Martinez E , Sonntag W E , Wilson A , Donahue A , Molina D P , Brunso-Bechtold J , Nicolle M M
Published: October 2009

GH levels increase to high concentrations immediately before puberty then progressively decline with age. GH deficiency (GHD) originating in childhood is treated with GH supplementation to foster somatic development during adolescence. It is not clear if or how early GH replacement affects memory in adulthood, or whether it can prevent the cognitive deficits commonly observed in adults with childhood-onset GHD. Rats homozygous for the Dw-4 mutation (dwarf) do not exhibit the normal increase in GH at 4 weeks of age when GH levels normally rise and are used to model childhood or early-onset GHD (EOGHD). One group of these rats was injected with GH from 4 to 14 weeks of age to model GH supplementation during adolescence with GHD beginning in adulthood (adult-onset GHD; AOGHD). Another group received GH from 4 weeks throughout the lifespan to model normal lifespan GH (GH-replete). Age-matched, Dw-4 heterozygous rats (HZ) do not express the dwarf phenotype and were used as controls. At 8 and 18 months of age, spatial learning in the water maze was assessed. At 8 months of age all experimental groups were equally proficient. However, at 18 months of age, the EOGHD group had poor spatial learning compared to the AOGHD, GH-replete, and HZ groups. Our data indicate that GHD during adolescence has negative effects on learning and memory that emerge by middle-age unless prevented by GH supplementation.
Density of Tobacco Retailers Near Schools: Effects on Tobacco Use Among Students
Authors: McCarthy William J. , Mistry Ritesh , Lu Yao , Patel Minal , Zheng Hong , Dietsch Barbara
Published: October 2009

Objectives. We examined the relationship between students' tobacco use and the density and proximity of tobacco retailers near their schools.

Methods. We used data from the 2003–2004 California Student Tobacco Survey and California retail licensing data. Measures included students' self-reported tobacco use and geocoded state-reported locations of tobacco retailers. We used random-intercept generalized linear mixed modeling to jointly evaluate individual-level and school-level predictors.

Results. Density of retailers was associated with experimental smoking (odds ratio [OR] = 1.11; 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.02, 1.21) but not established smoking (OR = 1.06; 95% CI = 0.94, 1.20). The effects on experimental smoking were confined to high school students (OR = 1.17; 95% CI = 1.06, 1.29) in urban areas (OR = 1.11; 95% CI = 1.01, 1.21); no effects were observed among middle school students or in rural schools. High school students were more likely to obtain cigarettes from a retailer; middle school students relied more heavily on social sources.

Conclusions. Our results support the plausibility of reducing rates of students' experimental smoking, but not established smoking, by restricting their access to commercial sources of tobacco in urban areas.
Patterns of Cigarette Smoking Initiation in Two Culturally Distinct American Indian Tribes
Authors: Nez Henderson Patricia , Kanekar Shalini , Wen Yang , Buchwald Dedra , Goldberg Jack , Choi Won , Okuyemi Kolawole S. , Ahluwalia Jasjit , Henderson Jeffrey A.
Published: October 2009

Objectives. To better understand patterns of initiation among American Indians we examined age-related patterns of smoking initiation during adolescence and young adulthood in 2 American Indian tribes.

Methods. We used log-rank comparison and a Cox proportional hazard regression model to analyze data from a population-based study of Southwest and Northern Plains American Indians aged 18 to 95 years who initiated smoking by age 18 years or younger.

Results. The cumulative incidence of smoking initiation was much higher among the Northern Plains Indians (47%) than among the Southwest Indians (28%; P < .01). In the Southwest, men were more likely than women to initiate smoking at a younger age (P < .01); there was no such difference in the Northern Plains sample. Northern Plains men and women in more recent birth cohorts initiated smoking at an earlier age than did those born in older birth cohorts. Southwest men and women differed in the pattern of smoking initiation across birth cohorts as evidenced by the significant test for interaction (P = .01).

Conclusion. Our findings underscore the need to implement tobacco prevention and control measures within American Indian communities.
“CHOLERA FORCING” The Myth of the Good Epidemic and the Coming of Good Water
Authors: Hamlin Christopher
Published: October 2009

It has been frequently claimed that cholera epidemics, both in the 19th century and today, were and can be the key stimulus for procurement of safe water and sanitation, an idea that I call “cholera forcing.” “Technology forcing” refers to imposition of exogenous factors that suddenly make possible achievements that had not seemed so; cholera has been seen in this light. I argue that this view oversimplifies and underrepresents the importance of industrialization in securing water supplies. Careful study of the financial, political, and administrative foundations of such changes will be more fruitful.
Novel Route for Recovery of Glycerol from Aqueous Solutions by Reversible Reactions
Authors: Ch Vijaya lakshmi , Ravuru Udaybhaskar , Kotra Viswanath , Bankupalli Satyavathi , R.B.N. Prasad
Published: October 2009

Glycerol in aqueous solutions was reacted with acetaldehyde and acetone to form glycerol acetals. The formed acetal was extracted using a solvent and the glycerol is recovered by hydrolysis of the extractant. The reaction equilibrium constants ranged from 1-35 for glycerol-acetaldehyde system and 2.2-5.5 for glycerol-acetone system, respectively. Phase equilibrium measurements showed that the distribution coefficient was from 1.5-8.5 for glycerol-acetaldehyde system and 2-6.5 for glycerol-acetone system. The extraction efficiency of the solvent increased with increase in temperature. Maximum efficiency achieved was 94% at the refluxing temperature of toluene. The reactive extraction route to obtain glycerol is more economical than the distillation route in pure form. The maximum conversion obtained during the acetalization reaction was 87% and the extraction efficiency achieved was 94%. The hydrolysis of the acetal recorded complete recovery of high purity glycerol. The reported study has an application for the recovery of pure glycerol from aqueous solutions generated during biodiesel processing.
Calculating Hematopoietic-Mode-Lethality Risk Avoidance Associated with Radionuclide Decorporation Countermeasures Related to a Radiological Terrorism Incident
Authors: Scott Bobby R.
Published: October 2009

This paper provides theoretical health-risk-assessment tools that are designed to facilitate planning for and managing radiological terrorism incidents that involve ingestion exposure to bone-seeking radionuclides (e.g., radiostrontium nuclides). The focus is on evaluating lethality risk avoidance ( RAV; i.e., the decrease in risk) that is associated with radionuclide decorporation countermeasures employed to remove ingested bone-seeking beta and/or gamma-emitting radionuclides from the body. To illustrate the application of tools presented, hypothetical radiostrontium decorporation scenarios were considered that involved evaluating the hematopoietic-mode-lethality RAV. For evaluating the efficacy of specific decorporation countermeasures, the lethality risk avoidance proportion ( RAP; which is the RAV divided by the total lethality risk in the absence of protective countermeasures) is introduced. The lethality RAP is expected to be a useful tool for designing optimal radionuclide decorporation schemes and for identifying green, yellow and red dose-rate zones. For the green zone, essentially all of the lethality risk is expected to be avoided ( RAP = 1) as a consequence of the radionuclide decorporation scheme used. For the yellow zone, some but not all of the lethality risk is expected to be avoided. For the red zone, none of the lethality risk (which equals 1) is expected to be avoided.
The Recursive Mode: Space, Time, and the Hyper-Commodification of Culture
Authors: Hassan Robert
Published: October 2009

This article argues that “evolution” in the production of mass cultural forms has become stalled in our postmodern, networked, and neoliberalized society. Popular cultural forms have historically developed and evolved in dialectical relationship with capitalism. This produced forms that although increasingly reflecting the prime dynamics of industrialization, were also authentically “new” and “diverse” in that they could gestate in spaces and times not already colonized and commodified by capital. Since at least the late 1970s, these spaces and times have been capitalized; indeed capital has also created immense “virtual” spatio-temporalities based on the Internet that are almost wholly commodified. Moreover, these spatio-temporalities, both virtual and real-world, function at accelerated speeds, a “network speed” to produce forms of culture-production and consumption that no longer have the space or time to evolve either dialectically in response to capitalism, or organically as new independent forms. The culture industries continue to flourish, of course, but as this article explains, they do so through the constant recycling of existing, ready-to-hand forms; remixing and reordering and remaking mass culture through an accelerating industrial cycle that leaves no room (or time) for forms that are genuinely new or different.
Enhancement of regeneration with glia cell line–derived neurotrophic factor–transduced human amniotic fluid mesenchymal stem cells after sciatic nerve crush injury [RETRACTED]
Authors: Cheng Fu-Chou , Tai Ming-Hong , Sheu Meei-Ling , Chen Chun-Jung , Yang Dar-Yu , Su Hong-Lin , Ho Shu-Peng , Lai Shu-Zhen , Pan Hung-Chuan
Published: October 2009

Object

Human amniotic fluid–derived mesenchymal stem cells (AFMSCs) have been shown to promote peripheral nerve regeneration, and the local delivery of neurotrophic factors may additionally enhance nerve regeneration capacity. The present study evaluates whether the transplantation of glia cell line–derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF)–modified human AFMSCs may enhance regeneration of sciatic nerve after a crush injury.

Methods

Peripheral nerve injury was produced in Sprague-Dawley rats by crushing the left sciatic nerve using a vessel clamp. Either GDNF-modified human AFMSCs or human AFMSCs were embedded in Matrigel and delivered to the injured nerve. Motor function and electrophysiological studies were conducted after 1 and 4 weeks. Early or later nerve regeneration markers were used to evaluate nerve regeneration. The expression of GDNF in the transplanted human AFMSCs and GDNF-modified human AFMSCs was monitored at 7-day intervals.

Results

Human AFMSCs were successfully transfected with adenovirus, and a significant amount of GDNF was detected in human AFMSCs or the culture medium supernatant. Increases in the sciatic nerve function index, the compound muscle action potential ratio, conduction latency, and muscle weight were found in the groups treated with human AFMSCs or GDNF-modified human AFMSCs. Importantly, the GDNF-modified human AFMSCs induced the greatest improvement. Expression of markers of early nerve regeneration, such as increased expression of neurofilament and BrdU and reduced Schwann cell apoptosis, as well as late regeneration markers, consisting of reduced vacuole counts, increased expression of Luxol fast blue and S100 protein, paralleled the results of motor function. The expression of GDNF in GDNF-modified human AFMSCs was demonstrated up to 4 weeks; however, the expression decreased over time.

Conclusions

The GDNF-modified human AFMSCs appeared to promote nerve regeneration. The consecutive expression of GDNF was demonstrated in GDNF-modified human AFMSCs up to 4 weeks. These findings support a nerve regeneration scenario involving cell transplantation with additional neurotrophic factor secretion.
The effect of acute postoperative pain and chronic neuropathic pain on subsequent weight gain in the rat
Authors: Leiphart James W. , Vasudevan Prasanna P. , Rajjoub Samer R. , Dominguez Luis W. , Chang Jason
Published: October 2009

Object

Acute postoperative pain has demonstrated effects on appetite and weight gain in human studies. This study was designed to test the hypothesis that chronic neuropathic pain has a more significant effect on weight than acute postsurgical pain.

Methods

One hundred eighteen rats were separated into 3 groups: common sciatic nerve ligation, surgery without ligation, and no surgery. Each group was further divided to undergo testing at 3, 7, and 14 days. On the day of testing, the rats were tested for signs of pressure and heat hyperalgesia and were weighed.

Results

The effect on the percentage of change in body weight from the day of surgery to the day of testing was statistically significant for both the condition (F = 15.0, p < 0.0001) and the day of testing (F = 43.3, p < 0.0001). The rats that received no surgery had a change in weight of 2.3% on Day 3, 4.0% on Day 7, and 10.7% on Day 14. In the nonligation surgery group, the change was −3.8% on Day 3, 2.0% on Day 7, and 9.7% on Day 14. In the ligation surgery group, the change was −6.3% on Day 3, −0.7% on Day 7, and 4.9% on Day 14. This group began gaining weight by Day 14 but continued to have less weight gain than the other groups by Day 14.

Conclusions

Neuropathic pain inhibits weight gain more than normal, postsurgical pain. Recognizing the difference and initiating effective treatment for neuropathic pain may have an impact on the patient's nutrition.
Extraction of Teucrium manghuaense and Evaluation of the Bioactivity of Its Extract
Authors: Yin Guihao , Zeng Huicai , He Mingjun , Wang Mingyue
Published: October 2009

The ethanol extract of Teucrium manghuaense grown in Hainan province (China) was analysed by GC and GC/MS. Of the constituents 84–96% were identified on the basis of their GC retention times and their mass spectra in regard to authentic compounds. The results revealed that it contained 9-methyl-9-azabicyclo[4.2.1]nonane (7.43%), 2-methylpyrrolidine (19.42%), 3,7,11,15-tetramethyl-2-hexadecen-1-ol (10.84%), and squalene (28.55%), as major components, constituting 66.24% of the extract. The chemical characterization of the ethanol extract by GC/MS also allowed identification of 1-octen-3-one (3.41%), 2-pentyl-piperidine (2.25%), 1-(2-methyl-1-propenyl)-piperidine (4.63%), 2,2'-diethoxy-5,5'-bi-1-pyrroline (0.41%), (Z,Z,Z)-9,12,15-octadecatrieniic acid, 2,3-dihydroxypropyl ester (1.56%), vitamin E (2.95%) and stigmasterol (1.39%). Finally, the antioxidant and anti-tumor activities of the ethanol extract have been evaluated. Results show that the extract of Teucrium manghuaense leaf possesses strong DPPH-, hydroxyl radical scavenging activity and anti-tumor activity.
First-Principles Molecular Dynamics Calculations of the Equation of State for Tantalum
Authors: Ono Shigeaki
Published: October 2009

The equation of state of tantalum (Ta) has been investigated to 100 GPa and 3,000 K using the first-principles molecular dynamics method. A large volume dependence of the thermal pressure of Ta was revealed from the analysis of our data. A significant temperature dependence of the calculated effective Grüneisen parameters was confirmed at high pressures. This indicates that the conventional approach to analyze thermal properties using the Mie-Grüneisen approximation is likely to have a significant uncertainty in determining the equation of state for Ta, and that an intrinsic anharmonicity should be considered to analyze the equation of state.
Pentacyclic Triterpenoids from the Medicinal Herb, Centella asiatica (L.) Urban
Authors: James Jacinda T. , Dubery Ian A.
Published: October 2009

Centella asiatica accumulates large quantities of pentacyclic triterpenoid saponins, collectively known as centelloids. These terpenoids include asiaticoside, centelloside, madecassoside, brahmoside, brahminoside, thankuniside, sceffoleoside, centellose, asiatic-, brahmic-, centellic- and madecassic acids. The triterpene saponins are common secondary plant metabolites and are synthesized via the isoprenoid pathway to produce a hydrophobic triterpenoid structure (aglycone) containing a hydrophilic sugar chain (glycone). The biological activity of saponins has been attributed to these characteristics. In planta, the Centella triterpenoids can be regarded as phytoanticipins due to their antimicrobial activities and protective role against attempted pathogen infections. Preparations of C. asiatica are used in traditional and alternative medicine due to the wide spectrum of pharmacological activities associated with these secondary metabolites. Here, the biosynthesis of the centelloid triterpenoids is reviewed; the range of metabolites found in C. asiatica, together with their known biological activities and the chemotype variation in the production of these metabolites due to growth conditions are summarized. These plant-derived pharmacologically active compounds have complex structures, making chemical synthesis an economically uncompetitive option. Production of secondary metabolites by cultured cells provides a particularly important benefit to manipulate and improve the production of desired compounds; thus biotechnological approaches to increase the concentrations of the metabolites are discussed.
Separation, Characterization and Dose-Effect Relationship of the PPARγ-Activating Bio-Active Constituents in the Chinese Herb Formulation ‘San-Ao Decoction’
Authors: Zhou Ling , Tang Yu-Ping , Gao Lu , Fan Xin-Sheng , Liu Chun-Mei , Wu De-Kang
Published: October 2009

San-ao decoction (SAD), comprising Herba Ephedrae, Radix et Rhizoma Glycyrrhizae and Seneb Armeniacae Amarum, is one of the most popular traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) formulae for asthma. Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors (PPARs) areey regulators of lipid and glucose metabolism and have become important therapeutic targets for various deseases, PPARγ activation might exhibit anti-inflammatory properties in different chronic inflammatory processes. The EtOAc fraction of SAD showed a significant effect on PPARγ activation. A simple and rapid method has been established for separation and characterization of the main compounds in the PPARγ-activating fraction of SAD by ultra-fast HPLC coupled with quadropole time-of-flight mass pectrometry (UPLC-Q-TOF/MS). A total of 10 compounds were identified in the activating fraction of SAD, including amygdalin (1), liquiritin (2), 6′-acetyliquiritin (3), liquiritigenin (4), isoliquiritigenin (5), formononetin (6), licoisoflavanone (7), glycycoumarin (8), glycyrol (9) and uercetin (10). The results also characterized formononetin as a predominant component in this fraction. The dose-effect relationship comparison study of formononetin and the EtOAc fraction of SAD by adding formononetin was performed, the results suggested that formononetin was the major component of the EtOAc fraction of SAD responsible for activating PPARγ, and the method will possibly be applied to study the complex biological active constituents of other TCMs.
Effect of Ultrasound on the Compaction of Ibuprofen/Isomalt Systems
Authors: Fini Adamo , Cavallari Cristina , Ospitali Francesca
Published: October 2009

Six mixtures, containing 10, 20 and 30% w/w ibuprofen and isomalt, were compacted by a traditional or ultrasound-assisted machine and analysed by means of thermal (DSC and TGA) and micro-spectrometry (Raman and FT-IR) techniques. Ultrasound discharge causes melting of ibuprofen powder, transforming into a paste that could not assume the shape of a tablet; when in mixture with isomalt, thermal events, occurring during ultrasound compaction, change the appearance of the particles formed by milling the tablets obtained this way and SEM photos reveal a dramatic reduction of the particle size and changes due to a possible ibuprofen re-crystallization. Raman and FT-IR spectra of small portions of the surface and of the bulk, using characteristic peaks for identification, reveal that in ultrasound-compacted tablets ibuprofen partially disappears from the top face of the tablet.
Market-Driven Solutions to Economic, Environmental, and Social Issues Related to Water Management in the Western USA
Authors: Clayton Jordan A.
Published: October 2009

Water management issues continue to plague the western United States, including rapid population growth, degraded aquatic ecosystems, unfulfilled claims to American Indian users, the threat of global warming, an economic recession, and many other issues. This essay outlines some advantages of market-driven reforms to the management of water resources in the western USA. Historical and contemporary western water resource issues are examined from economic, environmental, and social viewpoints. In all such contexts, it is argued that regulated water markets provide flexible and just solutions to western water dilemmas, and reallocations may provide much-needed additional water supply.
Iridium-catalyzed asymmetric ring-opening reactions of oxabicyclic alkenes with secondary amine nucleophiles
Authors: Yang Dingqiao , Hu Ping , Long Yuhua , Wu Yujuan , Zeng Heping , Wang Hui , Zuo Xiongjun
Published: October 2009

Iridium-catalyzed asymmetric ring-opening reactions of oxabicyclic alkenes with various aliphatic and aromatic secondary amines are reported for the first time. The reaction gave the corresponding trans-1,2-dihydronaphthalenol derivatives in good yields with moderate enantioselectivities in the presence of 2.5 mol % [Ir(COD)Cl]2 and 5 mol % bisphosphine ligand (S)-p-Tol-BINAP. The trans-configuration of 3f was confirmed by X-ray crystallography.
Outcome Domains for Studies of Acute and Chronic Gout
Authors: SCHUMACHER H. RALPH , TAYLOR WILLIAM , EDWARDS LAWRENCE , GRAINGER REBECCA , SCHLESINGER NAOMI , DALBETH NICOLA , SIVERA FRANCISCA , SINGH JASVINDER , EVANS ROBERT , WALTRIP ROYCE W. , DIAZ-TORNE CESAR , MACDONALD PATRICIA , MCQUEEN FIONA , PEREZ-RUIZ FERNANDO
Published: October 2009

Discussion and voting at OMERACT 9 confirmed 5 essential domains for outcomes of acute gout: pain, joint swelling, joint tenderness, patient global assessment and activity limitations. For studies in chronic gout 7 essential domains are: serum urate, acute gout attacks, tophus burden, health-related quality of life, activity limitations, pain, and patient global assessment. Implications of patient perspectives, discretionary domains for specific studies, measurement instruments and a possible responder index are under study.
Progress in Measurement Instruments for Acute and Chronic Gout Studies
Authors: GRAINGER REBECCA , TAYLOR WILLIAM J. , DALBETH NICOLA , PEREZ-RUIZ FERNANDO , SINGH JASVINDER A. , WALTRIP ROYCE W. , SCHLESINGER NAOMI , EVANS ROBERT , EDWARDS N. LAWRENCE , SIVERA FRANCISCA , DIAZ-TORNE CESAR , MACDONALD PATRICIA A. , MCQUEEN FIONA M. , SCHUMACHER H. RALPH
Published: October 2009

Consensus exercises have identified and prioritized domains of measurement for studies in acute and chronic gout. In parallel, the technical properties of instruments for measurement in many of these domains have been assessed, with the main objective to consider the instruments in the context of the OMERACT filter of truth, discrimination, and feasibility. These data were presented and discussed at OMERACT 9 in the gout workshop, in breakout groups, and at informal meetings of the gout group. In acute gout, instruments for domains of pain, joint swelling, joint tenderness, and patient and physician global assessment have been assessed. In chronic gout, some validation exercises have been performed in instruments for domains serum urate, tophus measurement, health-related quality of life (HRQOL). In voting at OMERACT 9, the Medical Outcomes Study Short-Form 36 was endorsed as a valid instrument for measurement of HRQOL. Methods of tophus measurement were considered to have met some criteria of the OMERACT filter, but these require further work, particularly regarding sensitivity to change over shorter time periods. Priorities for future research include measurement of joint inflammation in acute gout and disability in acute and chronic gout.
Progress Towards a Core Set of Outcome Measures in Small-vessel Vasculitis. Report from OMERACT 9
Authors: MERKEL PETER A. , HERLYN KAREN , MAHR ALFRED D. , NEOGI TUHINA , SEO PHILIP , WALSH MICHAEL , BOERS MAARTEN , LUQMANI RAASHID
Published: October 2009

The past decade has seen a substantial increase in the number and quality of clinical trials of new therapies for vasculitis, including randomized, controlled, multicenter trials that have successfully incorporated measures of disease activity and toxicity. However, because current treatment regimens for severe disease effectively induce initial remission and reduce mortality, future trials will focus on any of several goals including: (a) treatment of mild—moderate disease; (b) prevention of chronic damage; (c) reduction in treatment toxicity; or (d) more subtle differences in remission induction or maintenance. Thus, new trials will require outcome measure instruments that are more precise and are better able to detect effective treatments for different disease states and measure chronic manifestations of disease. The OMERACT Vasculitis Working Group comprises international clinical investigators with expertise in vasculitis who, since 2002, have worked collaboratively to advance the refinement of outcome measures in vasculitis, create new measures to address domains of illness not covered by current research approaches, and harmonize outcome assessment in vasculitis. The focus of the OMERACT group to date has been on outcome measures in small-vessel vasculitis with an overall goal of creating a core set of outcome measures for vasculitis, each of which fulfills the OMERACT filter of truth, discrimination, feasibility, and identifying additional domains requiring further research. This process has been informed by several ongoing projects providing data on outcomes of disease activity, disease-related damage, multidimensional health-related quality of life, and patient-reported ratings of the burden of vasculitis.
Prospective evaluation of blunt abdominal trauma by computed tomography
Authors: Kumar MM , Venkataramanappa M , Venkataratnam I , Kumar N , Babji K
Published: October 2009

Objectives: To evaluate the usefulness of emergency computed tomography in detection of intra-abdominal injury in patients with blunt abdominal trauma and to provide information that could accurately determine the choice of management (operative versus non-operative), thereby reducing the non-therapeutic laparotomy rates. The emphasis was to detect both free fluid (haemoperitoneum) and visceral lesions as indicators of intraabdominal injury.
Materials and methods: Two hundred and ten patients with blunt abdominal trauma were evaluated in a period of 20 months, of whom sixty-three patients were positive. The various organ injuries were graded, and scoring applied for haemoperitoneum. The management, therapeutic or otherwise was decided based on the CT findings.
Results: Patients with severe grades of injury and with large haemoperitoneum required surgeries. The overall sensitivity, specificity and positive predictive value for trauma detection by CT was 93%, 100% and 100% respectively.
Conclusion: CT quantification of haemoperitoneum and organ injury grading is helpful in guiding the surgeon towards patient management. CT is accurate, safe, and has all the attributes to make it an initial investigation of choice in haemodynamically stable patients of blunt abdominal trauma.
Pseudotumoral fibrous dysplasia of the maxilla
Authors: Kharat AT , Singh A , Kulkarni VM , Omar S
Published: October 2009

Fibrous dysplasia is a skeletal disorders of unknown etiology usually affecting the young. Women are commonly affected more than men. Craniofacial fibrous dysplasia can have a varied presentation. It can affect the calvarium or the facial skeleton.These lesions typically expand the bone with intact well-preserved cortical rim. Here we present a case of pseudotumoral fibrous dysplasia with isolated involvement of the right maxilla.
Comparison of cardiac MR and 99mtc Sestamibi Spect in the evaluation of myocardial perfusion and viability in coronary artery disease
Authors: Kapoor A , Khanna A , Bhatia S , Mahajan G , Kapoor A , Kapoor R
Published: October 2009

Objective - The present study was designed to compare the role of 99mTc sestamibi sciintigraphy (SPECT) and cardiac MR (CMR) in the detection of viable myocardium and to delineate myocardial scar tissue in patients with established chronic ischemic heart disease.
Methods - Thirty six patients with established chronic ischemic heart disease on coronary angiograms which was the gold standard underwent both stress CMR and 99mTc sestamibi studies. Out of these 11 patients who had reduced end diastolic thickness < 5.5mm alongwith wall motion abnormalities also underwent dobutamine MR (DMR) for determining the contractile myocardial reserve.
Results- Both CMR and SPECT showed a good correlation in the detection of perfusion defects (r=0.89) with the diagnostic region of operating characteristics being 0.97. The sensitivity and specificity of SPECT to detect perfusion defects were 82.6% and 90.4% respectively. In comparison CMR had a sensitivity, specificity of 92.8% and 98.2% respectively in identifying such defects.It was also superior in defining transmural infarcts(TMI) with sensitivity being 100% vs 79.3% of SPECT (p=< 0.0001) and all the 10 segments with TMI showed irreversible myocardial dysfunction on DMR. This was the only imaging parameter that indicated myocardial non viability with a specificity of 100%.
Conclusions - CMR is a useful diagnostic tool in the evaluation of patients with chronic myocardial ischemia and is superior to SPECT in the detection and quantification of myocardial infarctions. Demonstration of a TMI on CMR is a finding strongly associated with non viability of the myocardium and may preclude the need for doing a DMR in such cases.
Radiological findings in a mumps case with multiple complications
Authors: Sirmatel O , Yazgan P , Sirmatel F , Ozturk A , Ziylan Z
Published: October 2009

Mumps is an infection caused by paramyxoviruses. This infection is more common among children and it progresses with a number of complications later in life. This case was found worth presenting because no cases with such a diversity of complications have been reported in English literature in the last 25 years.
A 17-year-old male patient was admitted to the emergency unit with bilateral parotitis, meningoencephalitis and orchitis. The patient was clinically and serologically diagnosed as having mumps and developed an acute pancreatitis, arthritis in the left knee, cholestatic hepatitis and myocarditis in the follow up. Radiological imaging methods lead the way to the description of the complications.