bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Raman spectroscopy of archaeological samples from the Barber‐Surgeon's medicine chest on the Mary Rose
Authors: Edwards H. G. M. , Sibley M. G. , Derham B. , Heron C. P.
Published: July 2004

Non‐destructive Raman spectroscopic analysis of the contents of the Barber‐Surgeon's medicine chest from the Mary Rose, which sank in 1545, revealed some useful chemical structural information about the materials (materia medica) used for the treatment of wounds in the 16th century. This study reinforces the protocol for the Raman spectroscopic examination of important relics from archaeological excavations in conjunction with their characterisation using more destructive analytical procedures, such as XRF, GC–MS and NMR spectroscopy. Of the 19 specimens submitted for analysis, five from the medicine chest were predominantly organic and five inorganic in nature; nine either fluoresced too greatly or gave spectra of such poor quality that they could not be subjected to database correlation. The organic specimens consisted of mixtures of resins, based on terpenoids, whereas the inorganic materials gave simple spectra which could be related to sulfates, carbonates and oxides. The presence of amorphous carbon deposits in samples could be attributed to airborne soot in the ship's interior. In most samples, the presence of minerals associated with silt deposition in the wreck was noted, particularly limestone and quartz. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
A fuzzy logic system for band detection in Raman spectroscopy
Authors: Perez‐Pueyo R. , Soneira M. J. , Ruiz‐Moreno S.
Published: July 2004

Raman spectroscopy can be used to identify artistic materials on the basis of their characteristic Raman spectra. The acquisition of the wavenumber position of the Raman bands is frequently carried out by visual inspection. Obviously this is a slow, imprecise and non‐automatic process. In this paper, a fuzzy logic system to locate Raman bands in an automated way, avoiding subjective errors, is presented. The proposed fuzzy logic system is based on a set of rules, which give the processing strategy for detecting the wavenumber position of Raman bands. The fuzzy rule‐based system performs the location of Raman bands in a spectrum in the same way as an observer who examines a spectrum visually and tries to localize the Raman bands. That is, he/she compares the possible bands that he has seen with a function that, as known a priori, is representative of a Raman band. Depending on the comparison, he/she establishes that the peak is actually a Raman band. Bearing this in mind, the fuzzy Raman band location system is based on the following statement: when some zone of the spectrum stands out from the nearby background with a characteristic shape, it is established that this zone contains a distinguishable Raman band. In order to know when one zone of the spectrum ‘stands out from the nearby background’, the parabolic approximation of the spectrum in this zone is calculated. The band detection is based on this approximation. The membership functions, which characterize the fuzzy sets at the input and output of the system, and the inference mechanism suitable for the problem are chosen. In the visual process, the knowledge and experience of the observer control the decision‐making process; however, fuzzy logic provides a powerful technique in the decision‐making environment since it incorporates this knowledge. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Raman and scanning electron microscopy and energy‐dispersive x‐ray techniques for the characterization of colouring and opaquening agents in Roman mosaic glass tesserae
Authors: Galli S. , Mastelloni M. , Ponterio R. , Sabatino G. , Triscari M.
Published: July 2004

Mosaic tesserae, part of Roman villa floor decorations, from north‐eastern Sicily and the Aeolian Islands, were analysed by means of micro‐Raman spectroscopy and scanning electron microscopy–energy‐dispersive x‐ray techniques. Archaeologists considerate these ‘villa’ floor decorations (ranging from the 2nd century BC to the 4th century AD) as a stylistic product of North African workers or North African‐style design that were imported from abroad. Much attention is paid in the technology of glass making in order to understand the capability of local workers to produce the same glassy material. Since the other coloured tesserae are definitively recognized as polished limestones and/or calcscists of well‐known Sicilian geological formations, the glassy materials could be hypothetically interpreted in the same way. Spectroscopic and mineralogical techniques were applied to the materials in order to define both the colouring and opaquening agents. Bindheimite (Pb2Sb2O7), well known in past as ‘antique yellow’, was always found in both green and yellow glass tesserae, acting either as a colouring and/or an opacifier agent. Investigations were made in order to consider the possibility of local manufacturing techniques on the basis of widespread easy‐to‐find complex sulfide ore deposits in the area. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Raman analysis of pigments from the Egyptian Old Kingdom
Authors: Ambers J.
Published: July 2004

Raman spectrometry, with its small sample size requirements and high spatial resolution, has proved an invaluable means of identifying the pigments used in ancient Egyptian art. This paper describes the use of the technique to investigate the pigments on a group of objects and paintings from the Old Kingdom period held within the British Museum collections. A wide range of typical ancient Egyptian pigments, including haematite, goethite, carbon, Egyptian Blue, gypsum and anhydrite, have been found, together with others previously thought of as ‘rare’ in this context, such as huntite and jarosite. The jarosite occurs in a context which makes it extremely unlikely to be an alteration product, as had been suggested previously. There is also evidence of sophisticated mixing of a range of raw materials to produce desired colours. Additionally, huntite appears to have been used as a ground under some of the less opaque pigments to produce a stronger hue. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Fourier transform Raman spectra of Czech and Moravian fossil resins from freshwater sediments
Authors: Jehlička J. , Jorge Villar S. E. , Edwards H. G. M.
Published: July 2004

Fourier Transform (FT) Raman spectra were obtained from 10 fossil resin specimens differing in localities, precise paleoecological situation and geological age. The series investigated includes amber from Moravia and Bohemia designated by local names: valchovite, retinite, neudorfite, schauffite and muckite. All fossil resins originate from freshwater deposits of Cenomanian age (Mesozoic). Non‐altered amber from Jantarnaja (Baltic Russia), highly matured amber, rumanite and simetite and also přílepite of Westphalian age (Carboniferous) were investigated for comparison material. The FT‐Raman spectra indicates the similarity between Bohemian and Moravian fossil resins and Baltic (Eocene) and Lebanon (Cretaceous) ambers. Important differences exist among the FT‐Raman spectra obtained. Similarities between spectra of fossil resins of different ages, and differences between similar materials sampled at close localities, suggest the importance of the post‐depositional conditions and alteration on the character of the resulting fossil resin. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Identification of pigments on a 16th century Persian manuscript by micro‐Raman spectroscopy
Authors: Hayez V. , Denoël S. , Genadry Z. , Gilbert B.
Published: July 2004

Micro‐Raman spectroscopy was used in combination with other analytical techniques for the in situ study of a Persian Herati lacquered manuscript dated 1530 AD. The text is calligraphied on sized and polished folios, framed in papers tinted in various shades and sparkled with gold leaf, according to a specific gilding technique. The palette of pigments used for the illumination, the coloured frames and the cover was established. Lead white, amorphous carbon, lapis lazuli, red lead and cinnabar were unambiguously identified. The green bottom layer of the lacquer decoration appeared to be composed of mixed orpiment and lapis lazuli. Another green pigment present in the illumination could not be identified although a Raman spectrum was recorded. In order to determine the composition of the different elements of the cover and regions realised with the Marqash technique, complementary analysis was carried out, using x‐ray photoelectron and x‐ray fluorescence spectroscopy. The results obtained by these analyses can be put in parallel with the Arabic treatises describing the realization of these manuscripts from Persian workshops. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Raman spectroscopic analysis of pigments from dynastic Egyptian funerary artefacts
Authors: Edwards Howell G. M. , Jorge Villar Susana E. , Eremin Katherine A.
Published: July 2004

As part of a comprehensive analytical survey, Raman spectra were obtained of pigments from ancient Egyptian funerary artefacts dating from the 17th Dynasty to the Graeco‐Roman period, using several laser excitation wavelengths. A wide colour palette has been identified with mineral pigments and pigment mixtures; several variations were detected with dynastic changes. The artefacts include sarcophagi, coffin lids, shroud covers and mummy face‐masks. Haematite was in universal use throughout the dynastic period studied here, which represents some 2000 years of Egyptian history, but minerals such as cinnabar and minium appear only in artefacts from the Ptolemaic and Graeco‐Roman periods. Different pigments were used to produce similar colours on some associated artefacts and several artefacts have mixtures of pigments for a single colour. One 17th Dynasty sarcophagus, dating from ca 1600BC, had an unusual suite of pigments, with the blue pigment lazurite and a mixture of crocoite, limonite and calcite used as a yellow pigment. This coffin was heavily restored in the 20th Century and these unusual pigments could have arisen from this restoration. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Semi‐quantitative analysis of alizarin and purpurin by surface‐enhanced resonance Raman spectroscopy (SERRS) using silver colloids
Authors: Shadi Iqbal T. , Chowdhry Babur Z. , Snowden Martin J. , Withnall Robert
Published: July 2004

Surface‐enhanced resonance Raman spectroscopy (SERRS) was used for the semi‐quantitative analysis of the anthraquinone dyes alizarin and purpurin, using aggregated citrate‐reduced silver colloids. Laser excitation wavelengths of 514.5 and 632.8 nm were employed. The limits of detection for the analysis of alizarin, by SERRS, were 4 ppm (632.8 nm excitation) using the vibrational band at 1265 cm−1 and 39 ppm (514.5 nm excitation) for the vibrational band at 1334 cm−1 and those for the analysis of purpurin, by SERRS, were 42 ppb (514.5 nm excitation) using the vibrational band at 1330 cm−1 and 8 ppm (632.8 nm excitation) for the vibrational band at 1070 cm−1. For the first time, the ability to differentiate between purpurin and alizarin using SERRS is reported. Multiple molecular species of both dyes were detected, as evidenced by several isosbestic points in a SERRS pH study using both laser‐exciting wavelengths of 514.5 and 632.8 nm. Unusually, for dye molecules, equally intense SERRS signals can be obtained for alizarin at both acidic and alkaline pH values. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Characterization of mural painting pigments from the Thubchen Lakhang temple in Lo Manthang, Nepal
Authors: Mazzeo R. , Baraldi P. , Lujàn R. , Fagnano C.
Published: July 2004

Very few publications are available on materials and techniques used by ancient Nepalese artists to paint mural decorations. This paper presents the first results of scientific examination aimed at characterizing the composition of the pigments present in paint samples collected from the south and east wall decorations of the 15th century Thubchen Lakhang monastery located in Lo Manthang, upper Mustang, Nepal. The temple was built in rammed mud and wood by order of King bKra.shis.mgon in 1470 and completed by 1472. Cross‐sections of the 14 collected samples were prepared and the pigment composition was analysed stratigraphically. The same samples were also investigated, without preparation, for surface pigment characterization. The first results of the micro‐Raman analyses showed that different blue pigments were used, sometimes alone, as in the case of azurite, and sometimes in combination with lazurite. The red and orange paint layers are constituted of orpiment and vermilion, both alone and in combination. A very interesting gilding technique that makes use as mordant of pararealgar with traces of orpiment and vermilion has been identified. Red ochre is present in the brown colour decorations. Malachite was used to paint the green decorations. Some samples also showed the presence of the copper sulfate hydrate brochantite, which may represent an alteration product of malachite. Further research will be needed in order to characterize the organic binding media composition that, in conjunction with these results, will guide restorers in the identification of the most appropriate restoration procedures to be adopted. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Micro‐Raman spectroscopy of ancient ceramics: a study of French sigillata wares
Authors: Lofrumento Cristiana , Zoppi Angela , Castellucci Emilio Mario
Published: July 2004

Micro‐Raman spectroscopy was applied to the study of some French sigillata wares dating back to the end of the 1st century AD and coming from two important Roman ceramic production centres at La Graufesenque (Aveyron) and Glanum in Saint Rémi de Provence. The differentiation between the mineralogical composition of the reddish bright slip and the porous ceramic body underneath was accomplished, confirming the previous hypothesis by the CNRS research group at Toulouse that a different and finer clay material was used for the coating. This was primarily suggested by the highly heterogeneous body matrix mineralogy due to the presence of a large variety of minerals such as haematite, quartz, rutile and feldspar species, while the slip coating was basically made of haematite alone. The phase analysis results also gave an indication of the firing for insight into the production technology: an oxidizing atmosphere and a firing range between 850 and 1000°C could be suggested, in good accordance with the acknowledged Roman sigillata pottery production procedure. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Raman spectroscopic analysis of an English soft‐paste porcelain plaque‐mounted table
Authors: Edwards Howell G. M. , Colomban Philippe , Bowden Bryan
Published: July 2004

Raman spectroscopic studies were made of a porcelain fragment of a unique 18th century table with inlaid porcelain plaques prior to its restoration and compared with the body and glaze of a damaged, marked porcelain plate from the Rockingham factory. The spectra are consistent with the two specimens having the same manufacturing source around 1840. The analysis of the body of the plate and the plaque fragment shows that both contain β‐wollastonite, feldspar and calcium orthophosphate; in addition, a trace of gypsum was found on the bottom surface of the plaque fragment, indicating that plaster was used as an adhesive and bedding agent for the plaques on their wooden table‐top substrate. The porcelain bodies of the plaque and the plate are classified as English soft‐paste porcelain with bone‐ash additive and differences in the spectra can be ascribed to changes in the firing temperature and kiln cycles. The glaze compositions are also very similar with the identification of borax in each specimen. It is concluded analytically that the porcelain plaques were derived from the Rockingham factory around 1835–40, which can be correlated with historical provenancing. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Application of Raman microspectroscopy to problems in the conservation, authentication and display of fragile works of art on paper
Authors: Wise David , Wise Andrea
Published: July 2004

This paper explores the application of Raman spectroscopy to the examination and analysis of a range media commonly found on works of art on paper. In this case all of the works are from the National Gallery of Australia's collection. Discussion specifically focuses on the practical benefits that a detailed knowledge of inks and pigments can have for both conservators and curators. Through the use of several case studies, different aspects of these benefits are highlighted. Consideration is given to the way in which Raman spectroscopy can supplement the commonly used technique of polarized light microscopy in the identification of inorganic and organic pigments. Comparative results using scanning electron microscopy–energy‐dispersive x‐ray spectrometry and Fourier transform IR microspectroscopy are also discussed. Works examined include an important but previously undisplayed pastel drawing by the Australian modernist painter Grace Cossington‐Smith, a sketchbook by the 19th century Aboriginal artist Tommy McRae and an early 20th century European lithographic poster. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Toward the comprehensive spectrochemical imaging of painted works of art: a new instrumental approach
Authors: Weis Tahlia L. , Jiang Yanan , Grant Edward R.
Published: July 2004

This paper introduces novel technologies that will be instrumental in the development of new methods for the Raman spectrochemical imaging of painted works of art. We show that second‐derivative preprocessing diminishes interference from fluorescence. Normalization and mean‐centering of such second‐derivative spectra cast them in the form of unit vectors, the displacement of which from library standards serves as a basis for the instantaneous on‐line identification of artistic pigments and binders. Multivariate measures of displacement are shown to function well in difficult cases such as spectrally similar fatty acid media and pigments diluted to varying degrees in uncharacterized binders. A self‐calibrating technique for background subtraction extracts pure component spectra from pigment–acrylic mixtures. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Study of Gustave Moreau's black drawings: identification of the graphic materials by Raman microspectrometry and PIXE
Authors: Pagès‐Camagna Sandrine , Duval Alain , Guicharnaud Hélène
Published: July 2004

The identification of graphic materials with the naked eye is not always straightforward. A new collaboration with the Gustave Moreau museum in Paris offered the opportunity to test the combination of two analytical techniques in order to improve the knowledge of the materials used by this artist. The French painter Gustave Moreau (1826–98) made many monochromatic drawings on paper with black materials containing carbon such as black chalk, graphite or inks, and sometimes both materials on the same sheet. The nature of the support and that of the materials used prohibits any sampling and visual examination alone is not sufficient to identify all the materials. In order to provide a reference for the identification of the graphic technique, a first series of six drawings stored in the Gustave Moreau museum was brought to the Centre for Research and Restoration of the Museums of France for an extensive investigation. Examinations under a binocular microscope, using IR radiation, combined with PIXE analyses with the external beamline of the ion beam analysis facility and by Raman microspectrometry resulted in the identification of graphite pencil, pure graphite, reconstituted black chalk and two inks, one of which was probably a 19th century ink and made with logwood. The analysis of this first set of drawings enabled us to determine the graphic techniques of 10 other drawings by simple visual observation. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The in vitro antioxidant and antimicrobial activities of the essential oil and various extracts of Origanum syriacum L var bevanii
Authors: Tepe Bektaş , Daferera Dimitra , Sökmen Münevver , Polissiou Moschos , Sökmen Atalay
Published: July 2004

The present work examines the in vitro antioxidant and antimicrobial properties of the essential oil and various extracts from the herbal parts of Origanum syriacum L var bevanii. Polar subfractions of methanol extracts from both deodorised and non‐deodorised materials showed the highest DPPH (2,2‐diphenyl‐l‐picrylhydrazyl) radical‐scavenging activity, with IC50 values of 21.40 and 26.98 µg ml−1 respectively, whereas the IC50 of the essential oil was 134.00 µg ml−1. The antioxidant potential of the extracts appeared to be closely related to the presence of polar phenolics. However, the inhibitive effect on linoleic acid oxidation might be promoted by the presence of non‐polar phenolics, as both hexane and dichloromethane extracts showed high antioxidant activities. The antimicrobial activity of the essential oil was superior to those of the other extracts. Nineteen compounds representing 962 g kg−1 of the essential oil were identified; carvacrol (669 g kg−1) was the main component. Overall, the results suggest that the essential oil and extracts from the herbal parts of O syriacum could be used as natural preservative ingredients in the food industry. Copyright © 2004 Society of Chemical Industry
Effects of temperature on the physicochemical properties of starches extracted from microtubers grown from different potato cultivars
Authors: Tester Richard F , Yusuph Mahyinur , Millam Stephen , Davies Howard V
Published: July 2004

Twelve potato cultivars were grown as microtubers in constant environment chambers at two temperatures in total darkness for 28 days. For starch extracted from microtubers grown at 12 or 22 °C, the amylose content ranged from 25.0 to 29.0% (average 27.3 ± 1.4%) or 29.5 to 32.7% (average 30.9 ± 1.4%), the amylose/amylopectin ratio from 1:2.5 to 1:3.0 (average 1:2.7) or 1:2.1 to 1:2.4 (average 1:2.2) and the phosphorus content from 0.41 to 0.93 g kg−1 (average 0.72 g kg−1) or 0.38 to 1.67 g kg−1 (average 0.97 g kg−1) respectively. Two major fractions (F1 and F2) were obtained for isoamylase‐debranched starch (amylopectin), with the chain length (CL) averaging 56 ± 3 or 55 ± 1 for F1 and 20 ± 1 or 21 ± 1 for F2 from 12 or 22 °C growth temperature respectively. Peak gelatinisation temperature (Tp) and enthalpy (ΔH) were influenced strongly by growth temperature, with Tp ranging from 60.8 to 64.5 °C (average 62.1 ± 1.0 °C) or 66.9 to 69.6 °C (average 68.2 ± 0.9 °C) and ΔH from 13.3 to 16.9 J g−1 (average 14.8 ± 1.0 J g−1) or 11.3 to 19.5 J g−1 (average 16.3 ± 2.4 J g−1) from 12 or 22 °C growth temperature respectively. The collective data generated at 12 °C were generally more comparable to data published elsewhere (but discussed in the text) for the same potato cultivars grown in field plots (Perthshire). However, there were cultivar specific responses to field or constant environment chambers which make direct comparisons between starches produced from the two systems subject to some variation. Copyright © 2004 Society of Chemical Industry
Emissions of volatile organic compounds originating from UK livestock agriculture
Authors: Hobbs PJ , Webb J , Mottram TT , Grant B , Misselbrook TM
Published: July 2004

In this paper we estimate the quantity of non‐methane volatile organic compounds (NMVOCs) emitted from UK livestock. The final estimate is derived from published values and from direct measurements of NMVOC emissions from dairy cattle slurry and laying hen manure. Emission rates of NMVOCs were determined for fresh dairy cattle slurry and laying hen manure using a 40 m3 emissions chamber. Dimethyl sulphides dominated emissions from laying hen manure at 753 ± 263 g m−3 day−1. Emissions from dairy cattle slurry were dominated by volatile fatty acids (C2C5, 6.3 ± 3.1 g m−3 day−1) and phenols (2.4 ± 1.2 g m−3 day−1). Many of these NMVOCs are decomposition products from protein sources from which ammonia is also a by‐product. There is a close association between ammonia and NMVOC production from manure, and on this basis we estimated the annual NMVOC emissions from UK livestock as 165 ± 56 kt for 2002. These emissions compare to those from the larger industrial and transport sectors and exceed the 50–100 kt C year−1 currently determined as originating from biogenic sources including agriculture. These findings have implications for air quality, and these NMVOCs may affect the cleansing capacity of the troposphere. Copyright © 2004 Society of Chemical Industry
Intestinal function and body growth of broiler chickens on maize‐based diets supplemented with mimosa tannins and a microbial enzyme
Authors: Iji Paul A , Khumalo Kwazi , Slippers Stephen , Gous Robert M
Published: July 2004

A study was conducted to evaluate the effects of tannin (0, 5, 15, 20 and 25 g kg−1 diet) and a microbial enzyme supplement (MES) on the feed consumption, body growth and digestive physiology of broiler chickens between hatch and 22 days of age. Feed intake, body weight and body weight gain declined (p < 0.001) with an increase in dietary tannin content. Feed conversion efficiency was increased (p < 0.001) in line with dietary tannin level, up to 15 g kg−1 diet. There were no significant effects of dietary treatment on the protein content of pancreatic tissue or activities of pancreatic and jejunal enzymes. The ileal digestibilities of energy, protein, arginine, alanine and leucine were reduced (p < 0.001) as dietary tannin level rose to 20 g kg−1 diet and beyond. The digestibilities of methionine and phenylalanine were also negatively affected (p < 0.01) at the highest level of dietary tannins, while phosphorus digestion was improved (p < 0.05) on diets containing tannin. Apart from an increase (p < 0.01) in the protein content of the jejunal mucosa of birds on the diet with 20 g tannin kg−1 diet, there were no significant effects of the MES on most of the variables assessed. The results demonstrate the negative effects of tannin, especially at high levels of inclusion in the diet. However, neither tannins nor MES influenced the activities of digestive enzymes assessed, suggesting that a wider range of factors may be involved in regulating the effects of tannins on poultry. Copyright © 2004 Society of Chemical Industry
Comparison of simultaneous distillation extraction (SDE) and solid‐phase microextraction (SPME) for the analysis of volatile compounds in dry‐cured ham
Authors: Garcia‐Esteban Marta , Ansorena Diana , Astiasaran Iciar , Martin Diana , Ruiz Jorge
Published: July 2004

Simultaneous distillation extraction (SDE) and solid‐phase microextraction (SPME) using a carboxen/polydimethylsiloxane fibre were compared for their effectiveness in the extraction of volatile compounds from dry‐cured ham samples. A higher number of compounds was detected using SPME owing to the use of a solvent delay time in the GC‐MS analysis of SDE extracts. SPME was more efficient in extracting low molecular weight and high volatility compounds, while SDE was able to extract compounds with low volatilities that were not extracted using SPME. Both techniques satisfactorily extracted most volatiles previously highlighted as odour‐active compounds in dry‐cured ham. However, the ratio between some compounds from lipid oxidation and those from degradation of amino acids was much lower in SDE extracts than with SPME, which could be a consequence of the development of Strecker degradation of amino acids during distillation in SDE owing to the high temperatures used. Similarly, diunsaturated aldehydes detected in SDE extracts were absent using SPME, probably owing to oxidation of polyunsaturated fatty acids in SDE as a consequence of the temperature during extraction. Copyright © 2004 Society of Chemical Industry
Influence of nitrogen form on yield and nitrate content of subirrigated early potato
Authors: Serio Francesco , Elia Antonio , Signore Angelo , Santamaria Pietro
Published: July 2004

Potato is classified among the vegetables with low nitrate content but, in diet, it contributes most to the daily intake of nitrate, because of its highper capitaconsumption. Two trials were carried out in winter–spring and autumn–winter cycles using a trough bench subirrigation system. Potato seedlings were transplanted into pots containing peat, pumice and vermiculite in a 3:1:1 volume ratio. Both trials were carried out to compare three nutrient solutions having the same nitrogen concentration (6.4 mM), but different ammonium:nitrate (NH4‐N:NO3‐N) percentage ratios (100:0, 50:50 and 0:100). In the winter–spring cycle, tubers were lower in weight and were more numerous than in the autumn–winter cycle. The tuber yield of ammonium‐fed plants was lower than with the mixed form and 100% NO3‐N, but only in the trial carried out in the winter–spring period. Nitrate‐fed plants yielded a number of tubers almost 3‐fold higher than ammonium‐fed plants. The NO3content of tubers harvested in spring in the presence of 100% NH4‐N in the nutrient solution was a 25% of that in nitrate‐fed plants (44 vs 169 mg kg−1of fresh mass); in tubers harvested in winter, with worse light conditions, nitrate content increased with increasing NO3‐N in the nutrient solution (26, 109, and 225 mg kg−1of fresh mass with NH4‐N:NO3‐N 100:0, 50:50 and 0:100, respectively). The substrate electrical conductivity increased with increasing ammonium concentration in the nutrient solution, and was higher in the upper layer of the substrate. Copyright © 2004 Society of Chemical Industry
Thermal recovery of antioxidant activity from carnosol quinone, the main antioxidation product of carnosol
Authors: Masuda Toshiya , Kirikihira Takuya , Takeda Yoshio , Yonemori Shigetomo
Published: July 2004

The antioxidant reaction of carnosol, a phenolic diterpene of sage and rosemary, produced ortho‐ and para‐quinone derivatives. Although the orthoquinone derivative of carnosol (CARQ) is stable in a lipophilic solution and has a very weak antioxidant activity, the thermal treatment of CARQ in lipid restored strong antioxidant activity. HPLC analysis of the thermal recovery reaction clarified that the strong activity was mainly due to the reproduced carnosol. A possible mechanism for the production of carnosol from CARQ is the self‐redox reaction of CARQ. Two of the oxidation products from CARQ in the thermal recovery reaction were identified to be rosmariquinone and dehydrorosmariquinone. Copyright © 2004 Society of Chemical Industry
Correlated changes in skeletal muscle connective tissue and flesh texture during starvation and re‐feeding in brown trout (Salmo trutta) reared in seawater
Authors: Bugeon Jérôme , Lefèvre Florence , Fauconneau Benoit
Published: July 2004

Quantitative and qualitative changes to muscle and collagen were analysed following starvation and re‐feeding of brown trout (Salmo trutta) reared in seawater. Fish were submitted to starvation for 2 months followed by re‐feeding for 1 month and compared with a control group continuously fed. Classical effects of starvation on growth and morphometrics traits were observed with only a partial recovery of these parameters after 1 month of re‐feeding. Muscle composition of starved fish was significantly affected (lower dry matter content and higher post‐mortem pH) compared with control fish and was partially recovered in re‐fed fish compared with continuously fed fish. Muscle structure and composition were affected with thinner muscle fibre and higher connective tissue content for the starved fish but similar thickness of myosepta compared with the control group. No difference was observed after 1 month of re‐feeding. Characteristics of the connective tissue were significantly affected by starvation (more high weight molecular collagen form, higher thermal stability of skin collagen). These differences remained significant after the re‐feeding period. Starved fish showed also higher mechanical resistance of the raw flesh compared with the control group, but no difference in rheological measurements was observed after 1 month of re‐feeding. The changes in texture and their relationships with muscle composition, muscle structure and collagen characteristics are discussed. Copyright © 2004 Society of Chemical Industry
Activation of a calcium entry pathway by sodium pyrithione in the bag cell neurons of Aplysia
Authors: Knox Ronald J. , Magoski Neil S. , Wing David , Barbee Steven J. , Kaczmarek Leonard K.
Published: July 2004

The ability of sodium pyrithione (NaP), an agent that produces delayed neuropathy in some species, to alter neuronal physiology was accessed using ratiometric imaging of cytosolic free Ca2+ concentration ([Ca2+]i) in fura PE‐filled cultured Aplysia bag cell neurons. Bath‐application of NaP evoked a [Ca2+]i elevation in both somata and neurites with an EC50 of ≈300 nM and a Hill coefficient of ≈1. The response required the presence of external Ca2+, had an onset of 3–5 min, and generally reached a maximum within 30 min. 2‐Methyl‐sulfonylpyridine, a metabolite and close structural analog of NaP, did not elevate [Ca2+]i. Under whole‐cell current‐clamp recording, NaP produced a ≈14 mV depolarization of resting membrane potential that was dependent on external Ca2+. These data suggested that NaP stimulates Ca2+ entry across the plasma membrane. To minimize the possibility that a change in cytosolic pH was the basis for NaP‐induced Ca2+ entry, bag cell neuron intracellular pH was estimated with the dye 2′,7′‐bis(carboxyethyl‐5(6)‐carboxy‐fluorescein acetoxy methylester. Exposure of the neurons to NaP did not alter intracellular pH. The slow onset and sustained nature of the NaP response suggested that a cation exchange mechanism coupled either directly or indirectly to Ca2+ entry could underlie the phenomenon. However, neither ouabain, a Na+/K+ ATPase inhibitor, nor removal of extracellular Na+, which eliminates Na+/Ca2+ exchanger activity, altered the NaP‐induced [Ca2+]i elevation. Finally, the possibility that NaP gates a Ca2+‐permeable ion channel in the plasma membrane was examined. NaP did not appear to activate two major forms of bag cell neuron Ca2+‐permeable ion channels, as Ca2+ entry was unaffected by inhibition of voltage‐gated Ca2+ channels using nifedipine or by inhibition of a voltage‐dependent, nonselective cation channel using a high concentration of tetrodotoxin. In contrast, two potential store‐operated Ca2+ entry current inhibitors, SKF‐96365 and Ni2+, attenuated NaP‐induced Ca2+ entry. We conclude that NaP activates a slow, persistent Ca2+ influx in Aplysia bag cell neurons. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Neurobiol 411–423, 2004
Loss of steroidogenic factor 1 alters cellular topography in the mouse ventromedial nucleus of the hypothalamus
Authors: Davis Aline M. , Seney Marianne L. , Stallings Nancy R. , Zhao Liping , Parker Keith L. , Tobet Stuart A.
Published: July 2004

Knockout (KO) mice lacking the orphan nuclear receptor steroidogenic factor 1 (SF‐1) exhibit marked structural abnormalities of the ventromedial nucleus of the hypothalamus (VMH). In this study, we sought to determine the molecular mechanisms underlying the VMH abnormalities. To trace SF‐1‐expressing neurons, we used a SF‐1/enhanced green fluorescent protein (eGFP) transgene. Although the total numbers of eGFP‐positive cells in wild‐type (WT) and SF‐1 KO mice were indistinguishable, cells that normally localize precisely within the VMH were scattered more diffusely in adjacent regions in SF‐1 KO mice. This abnormal distribution is likely due to the loss of SF‐1 expression in VMH neurons rather than secondary effects of deficient steroidogenesis, as redistribution also was seen in mice with a CNS‐specific KO of SF‐1. Thus, the absence of SF‐1 alters the distribution of cells that normally form the VMH within the mediobasal hypothalamus. Consistent with this model, the hypothalamic expression patterns of the transcription factors islet‐1 and nkx2.1 also were displaced in SF‐1 KO mice. Independent of gene expression, birthdate analyses further suggested that cells with earlier birthdates were affected more severely by the loss of SF‐1 than were later born cells. We conclude that the absence of SF‐1 causes major changes in cellular arrangement within and around the developing VMH that result from altered cell migration. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Neurobiol 60: 424–436, 2004
Neonatal handling increases sensitivity to acute neurodegeneration in adult rats
Authors: Horvath Katalin M. , Harkany Tibor , Mulder Jan , Koolhaas Jaap M. , Luiten Paul G.M. , Meerlo Peter
Published: July 2004

Environmental stimuli during the perinatal period can result in persistent individual differences in neural viability and cognitive functions. Earlier studies have shown that brief daily maternal separation and/or handling of rat pups during the first weeks of life reduces stress reactivity during adulthood and attenuates neuronal loss and cognitive decline during aging. In the present study we examined whether neonatal handling also affects the sensitivity of the adult brain to an acute neurotoxic insult. Postnatally handled and nonhandled control rats were left undisturbed from weaning onwards until the age of 11 months. At this age, the animals were subjected to a neurotoxic challenge by unilateral infusion of 60 mM of the glutamate analogue N‐methyl‐D‐aspartate (NMDA) into the nucleus basalis magnocellularis (NBM). The brains were collected to measure cholinergic cell and fiber loss. In the nonlesioned side of the brain, cholinergic cell number in the NBM and fiber density in the cortex were not different between postnatally handled and control rats. However, in the lesioned hemisphere handled animals exhibited a significantly higher loss of choline‐acetyltransferase‐immunoreactive and acetylcholinesterase‐positive fibers in the somatosensory cortex. The present results provide evidence for an enhanced vulnerability of postnatally handled rats to acute neurodegeneration in contrast to the previously reported attenuation of spontaneous aging‐related neurodegenerative processes. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Neurobiol 60: 463–472, 2004
Changes in the content and distribution of microtubule associated protein 2 in the hippocampus of the rat during the estrous cycle
Authors: Reyna‐Neyra Andrea , Arias Clorinda , Ferrera Patricia , Morimoto Sumiko , Camacho‐Arroyo Ignacio
Published: July 2004

The molecular mechanisms involved in the regulation of synaptic plasticity in the hippocampus during the estrous cycle of the rat are not completely understood. Because this process implicates changes in neuronal cytoskeleton organization, we analyzed the content of microtubule associated protein 2 (MAP2) and Tau in the hippocampus and the frontal cortex of the rat by Western blot, as well as the hippocampal distribution of MAP2 during the estrous cycle by immunohistochemistry. In the hippocampus the lowest content of MAP2 was found on diestrus day, and it significantly increased at proestrus. This increase was maintained on estrus and metestrus days. In the frontal cortex MAP2 content did not significantly change during the estrous cycle. In contrast, the content of Tau did not vary during the estrous cycle in either the hippocampus or the frontal cortex. The immunohistochemical analysis showed an increase in dendrite thickness and in dendritic branching in the CA1 region on proestrus day, as well as an aggregation of MAP2 in apical dendrites near to pyramidal somata on this day in comparison with diestrus. We suggest that changes in the content and neuronal distribution of MAP2 are involved in the structural changes that occur in the hippocampus of the rat during the estrous cycle, and that these variations are related to changes in estradiol and progesterone levels. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Neurobiol 60: 473–480, 2004
A role for the cytoskeleton in heat‐shock–mediated thermoprotection of locust neuromuscular junctions
Authors: Klose Markus K. , Armstrong Gary , Robertson R. Meldrum
Published: July 2004

A prior hyperthermic stress (heat shock) can induce thermoprotection of neuromuscular transmission in Locusta migratoria extensor tibiae muscle measured 4 h after the onset of the heat shock. It is not clear what effect an acute hyperthermic stress may have on the nervous system's ability to tolerate thermal stress, that is, before increased expression of heat‐shock proteins. We found that over consecutive thermal stress tests, failure temperature was not altered in either heat‐shock or control animals. This suggests that protective mechanisms are not established in the short term (within one hour). Various members of the heat‐shock protein family interact with elements of the cytoskeleton. We found that preexposure of the preparation to cytoskeletal stabilizing drugs induced thermoprotection, while preexposure to cytoskeletal disrupting drugs disrupted the ability to confer and maintain thermoprotection. We conclude that thermoprotection relies on a stable cytoskeleton and suggest that members of the heat shock protein family are involved. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Neurobiol 60: 453–462, 2004
A finite element formulation to identify damage fields: the equilibrium gap method
Authors: Claire D. , Hild F. , Roux S.
Published: July 2004

It is proposed to determine damage parameters in two dimensions (surface of a material) or three dimensions (in the bulk of a solid) by using full‐field displacement measurements. A finite‐element approach is developed to evaluate piece‐wise constant elastic parameters modeled by an isotropic damage variable. Two sets of examples are discussed. The first series deals with mechanical fields obtained by finite element simulations to assess the performance of the approach. The second series is concerned with displacement measurements performed during a biaxial test on a composite material. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Local modal reduction in explicit dynamics with domain decomposition. Part 2: specific interface treatment when modal subdomains are involved
Authors: Faucher Vincent , Combescure Alain
Published: July 2004

During the last 2 years, a multidomain formalism for structural dynamics based on a multi‐time‐step algorithm and local linear modal reduction was proposed by Gravouil, Combescure, Herry & Faucher. In the first part of this paper, we extended modal reduction to subdomains undergoing finite rigid‐body rotations. Here, we focus on the consequences of local modal projection (either linear or geometrically non‐linear) on the treatment of interface problems between subdomains. In particular, we address the issues of the invertibility and efficiency of the solution process. We illustrate our propositions with specific interpretations of the examples presented in Part 1 and present an additional example to demonstrate the properties of special sets of modes. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Homogenization of sandwich structures
Authors: Rabczuk T. , Kim J. Y. , Samaniego E. , Belytschko T.
Published: July 2004

A homogenization method is proposed for sandwich structures consisting of two plates interlaced with beams and shells in a periodic, lattice structure. The proposed method is a quasi‐continuum approach where the constitutive response is obtained from the generalized forces of the interlacing elements. Buckling is studied as part of this model. Comparison of the homogenized model with fully discrete models show reasonable to very good agreement. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Klinik und Neurobiologie: Das Krankheitsbild der Depression
Authors: Bondy Brigitta
Published: July 2004

Die Depression gehört zu den häufigsten Erkrankungen in zivilisierten Ländern und ist gekennzeichnet durch charakteristische Veränderungen der Stimmungslage und des Aktivitätsniveaus, begleitet von zahlreichen somatischen und vegetativen Symptomen, welche den Ausschluss organischer Ursachen erforderlich macht. Obwohl im Laufe eines Lebens meist mehrere Rezidive auftreten, kommt es in der Mehrzahl der Fälle zwischen den Episoden zur vollständigen Wiederherstellung der psychischen Gesundheit. Ätiologisch ist die Depression eine multifaktorielle Erkrankung, genetische Faktoren spielen ebenso eine Rolle wie Störungen im zerebralen Stoffwechsel und Umgebungsfaktoren. Obwohl kein Zweifel daran besteht, dass ein funktionelles Defizit der serotonergen und noradrenergen Systeme von wesentlicher Bedeutung ist, kommt nun vor allem den vielfältigen Interaktionen der Neurotransmittersysteme untereinander und mit anderen Systemen des Gehirns, wie dem Neuroendokrinen System und vor allem der Reaktion auf Stress eine zunehmende Bedeutung zu. Eine detaillierte Aufklärung dieser komplexen Interaktionen wird zur Entwicklung neuer und effektiverer Antidepressiva führen.
Was kann/will sich das Gesundheitssystem leisten? Pharmakoökonomie moderner Antidepressiva
Authors: Laux Gerd
Published: July 2004

In dieser Übersichtsarbeit wird der derzeitige Stand zum Themenkreis Kosten‐Nutzen‐Analysen neuerer versus älterer Antidepressiva zusammengestellt. Nach einer allgemeinen Einführung wurden die wichtigsten pharmakoökonomischen Untersuchungen (Modellrechnungen und Vergleichsstudien) für Antidepressiva referiert. Die vorliegenden Daten sind noch nicht ausreichend, insbesondere fehlen prospektive randomisierte Kosten‐Nutzen‐Analysen aus Deutschland völlig. Empirisch gesicherte Aussagen zur pharmakoökonomischen Evaluierung sind deshalb bislang noch nicht möglich. Die schwer messbare Perspektive “Lebensqualität/psychosoziale Kosten” muss als Herausforderung für sozial‐gesundheitspolitische bzw. medizinethische Diskussionen angesehen werden.
A new universal Web interface to quantum chemistry programs
Authors: Moskovsky Alexander A. , Vanovsky Vitaly V. , Granovsky Alexander A. , Firsov Denis A. , Nemukhin Alexander V.
Published: July 2004

A new software package has been developed, aiming to create a uniform user interface to various quantum chemistry program systems. The interface is based on Web technologies, and therefore it can be used to provide remote access to supercomputing resources and facilitate teamwork in geographically distributed research groups. A special feature of our approach is that any new quantum chemistry program can be easily integrated into the system by rewriting configuration files only. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Quantum Chem, 2004
Negative electrospray ionization low‐energy tandem mass spectrometry of hydroxylated fatty acids: a mechanistic study
Authors: Moe Morten K. , Strøm Morten B. , Jensen Einar , Claeys Magda
Published: July 2004

Recently, we reported that by converting olefinic fatty acids to their saturated vicinally 1,2‐di‐hydroxylated derivatives, abundant ions indicative for hydroxyl group locations are produced by negative electrospray ionization low‐energy tandem mass spectrometry, allowing the assignment of the olefinic site in the native fatty acid. In this report the mechanisms whereby the characteristic ions are produced are investigated. The mono‐hydroxylated fatty acid, 12‐hydroxyoctadecanoic acid, served as a model for the more complex 12,13‐dihydroxyoctadecanoic acid, and fragmentation mechanisms accounting for the most abundant product ions generated from their deprotonated molecules are proposed. In general, three different mechanisms are proposed to operate in the formation of the observed product ions: (i) step‐wise charge‐remote homolytic cleavages, (ii) step‐wise charge‐proximate homolytic cleavages, and (iii) concerted charge‐directed rearrangement reactions involving bond formation(s) and heterolytic cleavages. Support for the proposed mechanisms was achieved by investigating the deuterium‐ and oxygen‐18‐labeled isotopomers of both compounds. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
High‐pressure ion trap mass spectrometry
Authors: Whitten William B. , Reilly Peter T. A. , Ramsey J. Michael
Published: July 2004

The effects of buffer gas pressure on ion trap stability, mass resolution/calibration, and choice of mass scanning are described. Pressure effects were treated phenomenologically by adding a drag term to the ion equations of motion. The resulting collisional damping enlarges the mass‐dependent stability region but reduces the region in which mass‐selective resonance ejection can be performed. The pressure effects can be reduced by increasing the frequency of the alternating quadrupole field. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.