bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Parthenolide induces caspase‐independent and AIF‐mediated cell death in human osteosarcoma and melanoma cells
Authors: D'Anneo Antonella , Carlisi Daniela , Lauricella Marianna , Emanuele Sonia , Di Fiore Riccardo , Vento Renza , Tesoriere Giovanni
Published: June 2012

The mechanism of the cytotoxic effect exerted by parthenolide on tumor cells is not clearly defined today. This article shows that parthenolide stimulates in human osteosarcoma MG63 and melanoma SK‐MEL‐28 cells a mechanism of cell death, which is not prevented by z‐VAD‐fmk and other caspase inhibitors. In particular treatment with parthenolide rapidly stimulated (1–2 h) reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation by inducing activation of extracellular signal‐regulated kinase 1/2 (ERK 1/2) and NADPH oxidase. This event caused depletion of thiol groups and glutathione, NF‐κB inhibition, c‐Jun N‐terminal kinase (JNK) activation, cell detachment from the matrix, and cellular shrinkage. The increase of ROS generation together with the mitochondrial accumulation of Ca2+ also favored dissipation of Δψm, which seemed primarily determined by permeability transition pore opening, since Δψm loss was partially prevented by the inhibitor cyclosporin A. Staining with Hoechst 33342 revealed in most cells, at 3–5 h of treatment, chromatin condensation, and fragmentation, while only few cells were propidium iodide (PI)‐positive. In addition, at this stage apoptosis inducing factor (AIF) translocated to the nucleus and co‐localized with areas of condensed chromatin. Prolonging the treatment (5–15 h) ATP content declined while PI‐positive cells strongly augmented, denouncing the increase of necrotic effects. All these effects were prevented by N‐acetylcysteine, while caspase inhibitors were ineffective. We suggest that AIF exerts a crucial role in parthenolide action. In accordance, down‐regulation of AIF markedly inhibited parthenolide effect on the production of cells with apoptotic or necrotic signs. Taken together our results demonstrate that parthenolide causes in the two cell lines a caspase‐independent cell death, which is mediated by AIF. J. Cell. Physiol. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Hospitalist utilization and hospital performance on 6 publicly reported patient outcomes
Authors: Goodrich Kate , Krumholz Harlan M. , Conway Patrick H. , Lindenauer Peter , Auerbach Andrew D.
Published: June 2012

BACKGROUND:

The increase in hospitalist‐provided inpatient care may be accompanied by an expectation of improvement on patient outcomes. To date, the association between utilization of hospitalists and the publicly reported patient outcomes is unknown.

OBJECTIVE:

Assess the relationship between hospitalist utilization and performance on 6 publicly reported patient outcomes.

DESIGN:

Cross‐sectional study.

PARTICIPANTS:

Representatives of 598 hospitals in the United States with direct knowledge of inpatient service models.

INTERVENTION:

Survey of hospital personnel with knowledge of hospitalist use and hospitalist programs.

MEASUREMENTS:

Six publicly reported quality outcome measures across 3 medical conditions: acute myocardial infarction (AMI), congestive heart failure (HF), and pneumonia. Using multivariable regression models, we assessed the relationship between presence of hospitalists and performance on each outcome measure; we further assessed the relationship between the percentage of patients admitted by hospitalists and each outcome measure.

RESULTS:

Of 598 respondents, 429 (72%) reported the use of hospitalist services. In the comparison of hospitals with and without hospitalists, there was no statistically significant difference on any of the mortality or readmissions measures with the exception of the risk‐stratified readmission rate for heart failure. For hospitals that used hospitalists, there was no significant change in any of the outcome measures with increasing percentage of patients admitted by hospitalists.

CONCLUSIONS:

The presence of hospitalists is not an independent predictor of performance on publicly reported mortality and readmissions measures for AMI, HF, or pneumonia. It is likely that broader system or organizational interventions are required to improve performance on patient outcomes. Journal of Hospital Medicine 2012; © 2012 Society of Hospital Medicine
Diffusion tensor imaging of forearm nerves in humans
Authors: Zhou Yuxiang , Kumaravel Manickam , Patel Vipulkumar S. , Sheikh Kazim A. , Narayana Ponnada A.
Published: June 2012

Purpose:

To implement a diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) protocol for visualization of peripheral nerves in human forearm.

Materials and Methods:

This Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA)‐compliant study was approved by our Institutional Review Board and written informed consent was obtained from 10 healthy participants. T1‐ and T2‐weighted turbo spin echo with fat saturation, short tau inversion recovery (STIR), and DTI sequences with 21 diffusion‐encoding directions were implemented to acquire images of the forearm nerves with an 8 channel knee coil on a 3T MRI scanner. Identification of the nerves was based on T1‐weighted, T2‐weighted, STIR, and DTI‐derived fractional anisotropy (FA) images. Maps of the DTI‐derived indices, FA, mean diffusivity (MD), longitudinal diffusivity (λ//), and radial diffusivity (λ⟂) along the length of the nerves were generated.

Results:

DTI‐derived maps delineated the forearm nerves more clearly than images acquired with other sequences. Only ulnar and median nerves were clearly visualized on the DTI‐derived FA maps. No significant differences were observed between the left and right forearms in any of the DTI‐derived measures. Significant variation in the DTI measures was observed along the length of the nerve. Significant differences in the DTI measures were also observed between the median and ulnar nerves.

Conclusion:

DTI is superior in visualizing the median and ulnar nerves in the human forearm. The normative data could potentially help distinguish normal from diseased nerves. J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2012;36:920–927. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Patient‐to‐patient variation of susceptibility‐induced B0 field in bilateral breast MRI
Authors: Lee Seung‐Kyun , Hancu Ileana
Published: June 2012

Purpose:

To evaluate intersubject variability of susceptibility‐induced static field inhomogeneity in breast and to assess effectiveness of whole‐body high‐order shimming applied to bilateral breast.

Materials and Methods:

A fast, computationally efficient method to calculate susceptibility‐induced static field from anatomical images was developed. The method was validated against the conventional multiecho B0 mapping method and was used to generate data for linear and higher‐order shim simulation on 13 volunteers.

Results:

Most volunteers showed a significant anterior–posterior B0 gradient. The majority of the subjects also exhibited a statistically significant left–right gradient. The second‐ and third‐order shimming provided only minor (<5% each) improvement in B0 homogeneity.

Conclusion:

The shape of the air–tissue boundary determines most of the observed B0 distribution in bilateral breast. Despite significant variability among subjects, a common feature traceable to generic anatomy exists in the linear gradient. Nonlinear variation of susceptibility‐induced B0 field occurs over a relatively short length scale and is likely best shimmed by slice‐dependent or localized shimming. J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2012;36:873–880. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
In situ Raman spectroscopy analysis combined with Raman and SEM‐EDS imaging to assess the conservation state of 16th century wall paintings
Authors: Irazola Mireia , Olivares Maitane , Castro Kepa , Maguregui Maite , Martínez‐Arkarazo Irantzu , Madariaga Juan Manuel
Published: June 2012

A multianalytical methodology based on Raman spectroscopy was proposed to carry out the analysis of two wall paintings located in Saint Andrew Church (Biañez, Biscay) and Saint John the Baptist Church (Axpe, Biscay). On the one hand, Raman, assisted with energy‐dispersive X‐ray fluorescence and diffuse reflectance infrared portable spectrometers, was used in the in situ analysis of original support materials and pigments as well as in the identification of the degradation products. Such portable spectroscopic techniques allow identifying the areas to be sampled in order to perform deeper analyses by means of Raman chemical imaging and scanning electron microscope equipped with an energy dispersive spectrometer. Cross‐sections were performed with the micro‐samples taken in the areas of interest. Thereby, the colour palette, the mortar, the restoration processes and the degradation products were determined. The Raman analyses revealed that the transformation of gypsum into anhydrite in the intonaco layer was responsible for the detachment observed in the wall paintings from Axpe. Several hypotheses such as the harmful effect of previous restorations have been considered as precursor of the damage. Besides, decaying products, such as nitrates and oxalates, derived from physicochemical processes in the raw materials were also detected. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Determination of bromate in drinking water by ultraperformance liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry
Authors: Alsohaimi Ibrahim Hotan , Alothman Zeid Abdullah , Khan Mohammad Rizwan , Abdalla Mohammad Abulhassan , Busquets Rosa , Alomary Ahmad Khodran
Published: June 2012

Bromate is a byproduct formed as a result of disinfection of bromide‐containing source water with ozone or hypochlorite. The International Agency for Research on Cancer has recognized bromate as a possible human carcinogen, thus it is essential to determine in drinking water. Present work highlights a development of sensitive and fast analytical method for bromate determination in drinking water by using ultraperformance liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry. The quality parameters of the developed method were established, obtaining very low limit of detection (0.01 ng/mL), repeatability and reproducibility have been found to be less than 3% in terms of relative standard deviation when analyzing a bromate standard at 0.05 μg/mL with 0.4 min analysis time. Developed method was applied for the analysis of metropolitan and bottled water from Saudi Arabia; 22 samples have been analyzed. Bromate was detected in the metropolitan water samples (from desalinization source) at concentrations ranging between 3.43 and 75.04 ng/mL and in the bottled water samples at concentrations ranging between 2.07 and 21.90 ng/mL. Moreover, in comparison to established analytical methods such as liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry, the proposed method was found to be very sensitive, selective and rapid for the routine analysis of bromate at low level in drinking water.
Survivin Signaling in Clinical Oncology: A Multifaceted Dragon
Authors: Kanwar Jagat R. , Kamalapuram Sishir K. , Kanwar Rupinder K.
Published: June 2012

Survivin is an inhibitor of apoptosis protein (IAP) family member preferentially expressed in a myriad of clinical cancers. The complex functional mechanism and regulatory roles of survivin in cell division and cell death has hindered current therapeutic regimes from decoding its diagnostic, prognostic, and therapeutic significance in the area of translational oncology. Pharmacological modulation of survivin was tagged with its evolving functional complexity associated with various cell‐signaling cascades including PI3K/AKT, mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR), extracellular signal‐regulated kinases (ERK), mitogen‐activated protein kinases (MAPK), signal transducer and activator of transcription (STAT), hypoxia‐inducible factor‐1α (HIF‐1α), heat‐shock protein 90 (HSP90), p53, B‐cell lymphoma 2 (Bcl2), epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) etc. The present review provides a multifaceted role of survivin and its mechanistic action in an array of clinical cancers. Furthermore, the utilization of novel nanotechnology‐based drug delivery systems for target‐specific hurling of tumors enabling contemporaneous detection, treatment, and therapeutic imaging in cancer therapy are discussed.
Numerical solution of the Bagley–Torvik equation by the Bessel collocation method
Authors: Yüzbaşı Şuayip
Published: June 2012

In this article, a numerical technique is presented for the approximate solution of the Bagley–Torvik equation, which is a class of fractional differential equations. The basic idea of this method is to obtain the approximate solution in a generalized form of the Bessel functions of the first kind. For this purpose, by using the collocation points, the matrix operations and a generalization of the Bessel functions of the first kind, this technique transforms the Bagley–Torvik equation into a system of the linear algebraic equations. Hence, by solving this system, the unknown Bessel coefficients are computed. The reliability and efficiency of the proposed scheme are demonstrated by some numerical examples. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Resistance training in patients with limb‐girdle and becker muscular dystrophies
Authors: Sveen Marie‐Louise , Andersen Søren P. , Ingelsrud Lina H. , Blichter Sarah , Olsen Niels E. , Jønck Simon , Krag Thomas O. , Vissing John
Published: June 2012

Introduction:

In this study we investigated the effect of strength training in patients with limb‐girdle muscular dystrophy (LGMD) and Becker muscular dystrophy (BMD).

Methods:

In 2 studies we compared the effect of low‐intensity training (LOIT; n = 8) and high‐intensity training (HIT; n = 4) in muscles of the upper and lower extremities. Patients were tested for maximal strength and endurance before and after the training program.

Results:

LOIT training over 6 months resulted in increased biceps strength and endurance. HIT training increased endurance and strength in wrist flexion and extension and in elbow flexion. One patient discontinued HIT training due to muscle soreness and mildly increased plasma CK levels without strength deterioration.

Conclusions:

Both LOIT and HIT increased muscle strength and endurance in some of the muscles tested and were well tolerated in most patients. Our findings suggest that supervised resistance training may be considered in the management of patients with LGMD2 and BMD. Muscle Nerve, 2013
Cell surface shaving of Candida albicans biofilms, hyphae, and yeast form cells
Authors: Vialás Vital , Perumal Palani , Gutierrez Dolores , Ximénez‐Embún Pilar , Nombela César , Gil Concha , Chaffin W. LaJean
Published: June 2012

We used a brief trypsin treatment followed by peptide separation and identification using nano‐LC followed by off‐line MS/MS to identify the surface proteins on live Candida albicans organisms growing in biofilms and planktonic yeast cells and hyphae. One hundred thirty‐one proteins were present in at least two of the three replicates of one condition and distributed in various combinations of the three growth conditions. Both previously reported and new surface proteins were identified and these were distributed between covalently attached proteins and noncovalently attached proteins of the cell wall.
Proteomic analysis of right and left cardiac ventricles under aerobic conditions and after ischemia/reperfusion
Authors: Cadete Virgilio J. J. , Lin Han‐bin , Sawicka Jolanta , Wozniak Mieczyslaw , Sawicki Grzegorz
Published: June 2012

Ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury is a major consequence of a cardiovascular intervention. The study of changes of the left and right ventricle proteomes from hearts subjected to I/R may be a key to revealing the pathological mechanisms underlying I/R‐induced heart contractile dysfunction.
Isolated rat hearts were perfused under aerobic conditions or subjected to 25 min global ischemia and 30 min reperfusion. At the end of perfusion, right and left ventricular homogenates were analyzed by 2DE.
Contractile function and coronary flow were significantly reduced by I/R. 2DE followed by mass spectrometry identified ten protein spots whose levels were significantly different between aerobic left and right ventricles, eight protein spots whose levels were different between aerobic and I/R left ventricle, ten protein spots whose levels were different between aerobic and I/R right ventricle ten protein spots whose levels were different between the I/R groups. Among these protein spots were ATP synthase beta subunit, myosin light chain 2, myosin heavy chain fragments, peroxiredoxin‐2, and heat shock proteins, previously associated with cardiovascular disease.
These results reveal differences between proteomes of left and right ventricle both under aerobic conditions and in response to I/R that contribute to a better understanding of I/R injury.
LC‐MS‐based serum metabolic profiling for genitourinary cancer classification and cancer type‐specific biomarker discovery
Authors: Lin Lin , Huang Zhenzhen , Gao Yao , Chen Yongjing , Hang Wei , Xing Jinchun , Yan Xiaomei
Published: June 2012

Bladder cancer (BC) and kidney cancer (KC) are the first two commonly occurring genitourinary cancers in China. In this study, a comprehensive LC‐MS‐based method, which utilizes both reversed phase liquid chromatography (RPLC) and hydrophilic interaction chromatography (HILIC) separations, has been carried out in conjunction with multivariate data analysis to discriminate the global serum profiles of BC, KC, and noncancer controls. An independent test set consisting of different patients has been used to objectively evaluate the predictive ability of the analysis platform. Excellent sensitivity and specificity have been achieved in detection of KC and BC. The results suggest that serum metabolic profiling could be used for different types of genitourinary cancer diagnosis. Furthermore, cancer type‐specific biomarkers were found through a critical selection criterion. As a result, eicosatrienol, azaprostanoic acid, docosatrienol, retinol, and 14′‐apo‐beta‐carotenal  were found as specific biomarkers for BC; and PE(P‐16:0e/0:0), glycerophosphorylcholine, ganglioside GM3 (d18:1/22:1), C17 sphinganine, and SM(d18:0/16:1(9Z)) were found as specific biomarkers for KC. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis was used for the preliminary evaluation of the biomarkers. These biomarkers have great potential to be used in the clinical diagnosis after further rigorous assessment.
Segmented polyurethane elastomers derived from aliphatic polycarbonate and poly(ester‐carbonate) soft segments for biomedical applications
Authors: Sobczak Marcin , Dębek Cezary , Olędzka Ewa , Nałęcz‐Jawecki Grzegorz , Kołodziejski Wacław L. , Rajkiewicz Maria
Published: June 2012

A series of biomedical polyurethane elastomers (PURs) based on poly(ester‐carbonate)s (PECs) and polycarbonates (PCs) were synthesized and spectrally characterized fully. PEC or PC diols were synthesized by the ring‐opening polymerization of ε‐caprolactone, trimethylene carbonate, and neopentyl carbonate catalyzed by lipase from Candida antarctica. PURs were prepared by free‐metal method from PEC or PC diols and 4,4′‐methylenebis(phenyl isocyanate), with 1,4‐butanediol as a chain extender. The physical and mechanical properties as well as hydrolytic stability of the obtained PURs were determined. The toxicity of the received polymers was evaluated using bacterial luminescence test and two protozoans assays. The presented preliminary studies suggest that PEC or PC diols prepared in this way might be applied for the synthesis of biomedical PURs with improved hydrolytic stability. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem, 2012
Filler effect on properties of “All‐Acrylic” copolymer/clay elastomeric materials synthesized by “in situ” nitroxide mediated polymerization
Authors: Cherifi N. , BenAboura A. , Save M. , Billon L.
Published: June 2012

In this work, we describe the “in situ” synthesis of “all‐acrylic” copolymer (n‐butyl acrylate‐co‐methyl methacrylate)/clay materials at different low contents of raw and modified Montmorillonite (1–4 wt % versus monomer). The cationic 2,2′ azobis‐(amidinopropane)dihydrochloride initiator was used to modified the clay by cation exchange in combination with the N‐tert‐butyl‐N‐[1‐diethylphosphono‐(2,2‐dimethylpropyl)] (SG1) nitroxide to synthesize the polymer/clay nanocomposite via nitroxide mediated controlled radical polymerization. All synthesized materials are characterized by proton nuclear magnetic resonance, size exclusion chromatography, thermogravimetric analysis and differential scanning calorimetry techniques. The thermo‐mechanical properties of the synthesized materials are also reported. The results show that a decrease in molar masses and/or slight changes in molar compositions of poly (n‐butyl acrylate‐ co‐methyl methacrylate)/clay systems can be balanced by clay loading in polymer matrix, and consequently compensated or masked clay effects on physical properties of obtained materials. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem, 2012
Visualization of Epidermal and Dermal Alteration in Papulonodular Mucinosis by Multiphoton Microscopy
Authors: Zhu Xiaoqin , Lin Lihang , Yu Haibo , Zhuo Shuangmu , Chen Jianxin , Liu Jingjing , Wang Yuying
Published: June 2012

Papulonodular mucinosis (PM) is a cutaneous clue to the presence and activity of silent lupus erythematosus (LE), but the exact pathogenesis is still under secret. Moreover, the currently available treatments for PM are not satisfactory. To demonstrate the possibility of multiphoton microscopy (MPM) to trace the pathological state of PM and evaluate the treatment efficacy, epidermal and dermal alteration in skin lesion with PM before and after treatment was examined using MPM. Microstructure of epidermis as well as content and distribution of collagen and elastin in dermis were quantified to characterize the pathological states of PM. The results showed significant morphological difference between skin lesion before and after treatment, indicating the possibility of MPM to assess the therapeutic efficacy. With the advancement on MPM miniaturization and enhancement of contrast and depth of imaging, the MPM technique can be applied in in vivo tracking PM formation and progression, and leading the better understanding the PM pathogenesis and mechanism of response to any treatment, helping to establish novel effective therapies for PM. SCANNING 35:22‐27, 2013. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Orthogonal Cell‐Based Biosensing: Fluorescent, Electrochemical, and Colorimetric Detection with Silica‐Immobilized Cellular Communities Integrated with an ITO–Glass/Plastic Laminate Cartridge
Authors: Harper Jason C. , Edwards Thayne L. , Savage Travis , Harbaugh Svetlana , Kelley‐Loughnane Nancy , Stone Morley O. , Brinker C. Jeffrey , Brozik Susan M.
Published: June 2012

This is the first report of a living cell‐based environmental sensing device capable of generating orthogonal fluorescent, electrochemical, and colorimetric signals in response to a single target analyte in complex media. Orthogonality is enabled by use of cellular communities that are engineered to provide distinct signals in response to the model analyte. Coupling these three signal transduction methods provides additional and/or complementary data regarding the sample which may reduce the impact of interferants and increase confidence in the sensor's output. Long‐term stability of the cells was addressed via 3D entrapment within a nanostructured matrix derived from glycerated silicate, which allows the device to be sealed and stored under dry, ambient conditions for months with significant retention in cellular activity and viability (40% viability after 60 days). Furthermore, the first co‐entrapment of eukaryotic and bacterial cells in a silica matrix is reported, demonstrating multianalyte biodetection by mixing disparate cell lines at intimate proximities which remain viable and responsive. These advances in cell‐based biosensing open intriguing opportunities for integrating living cells with nanomaterials and macroscale systems.
Cytotoxic, DNA Interaction, SOD Mimic, and Antimicrobial Activities of Square Pyramidal Copper(II) Complexes
Authors: Patel Mohan N. , Patel Chintan R. , Joshi Hardik N.
Published: June 2012

The copper(II) complexes with NS donor ligand and ciprofloxacin were synthesized. The synthesized complexes were characterized by physicochemical parameters like elemental and thermal analysis, electronic, FT‐IR, and LC‐MS spectroscopy. The complexes were tested for their antibacterial activity against two Gram(+ve) i.e. Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus subtilis and three Gram(–ve) i.e., Serratia marcescens, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Escherichia coli bacteria in terms of MIC (μM) and the results were compared with the parent drug. Viscosity measurement and absorption titration were employed to determine the mode of binding of complexes with DNA. DNA cleavage activity was carried out by gel electrophoresis experiment using supercoiled form of pUC19 DNA. The complexes were screened for their SOD mimic activity in terms of IC50 value. The complexes were also checked for their cytotoxicity using brine shrimp assay method.
Exploring the Borders of the Zintl‐Klemm Concept: On the Isopunctual Phases Eu5+xMg18–xGe13(x = 0.1) and Eu8Mg16Ge12
Authors: Slabon Adam , Cuervo‐Reyes Eduardo , Kubata Christof , Mensing Christian , Nesper Reinhard
Published: June 2012

Two new ternary compounds Eu5+xMg18–xGe13 (x = 0.1) and Eu8Mg16Ge12 were obtained by solid state synthesis and their crystal structures determined by single crystal X‐ray diffraction. The two compounds crystallize in the hexagonal crystal system (space group P$\bar{6}$2m). Eu5+xMg18–xGe13 (x = 0.1) is a Zintl phase with nine isolated Ge4– ions and a [Ge4]10– star, which is isoelectronic with PF3 but surprisingly almost planar. Eu8Mg16Ge12 contains a [MGe3] (M = Eu, Mg) unit, instead of the [Ge4]10–, and can be described as a salt‐like compound, containing 12 “isolated” Ge4– anions. The structural similarity of these two compounds allows to analyze the chemical bonding of different Zintl anions, which belong to a structural greater isosteric unit. The metallic conductivity of Eu8Mg16Ge12 originates from the ecliptic stacking of the “so‐called isolated” anions along the c direction. In Eu5+xMg18–xGe13 the deviation of the Zintl anion from the planarity causes a semi‐metallic behavior. In both cases, the magnetic response is dominated by the local moments of the europium atoms, which are all found in a 2+ oxidation state. Deviations from the Curie–Weiss law are observed for T < 20 K in the cation‐richer compound and at lower temperatures in the other. The behavior in the low‐temperature range changes with the replacement of the [Ge4]10– star by the MGe3 unit. These studies show that metallic behavior through ecliptic stacking of planar anions can be achieved even with monatomic anions, up to 4.4 Å with germanium at least, and can be destroyed by small deviations from planarity in an extended anion.
On the Crystal Chemistry of Alkali Metal Oxocobaltates
Authors: Müller‐Buschbaum Hanskarl
Published: June 2012

This Review on the crystal chemistry of oxocobaltates of alkali metals is presented according to the chemical composition. Classification of alkali oxocobaltates mainly depends on an increasing oxygen content of the compounds. Identical chemical compositions are sorted with increasing atomic numbers of the alkali metals. Cobalt is observed in the valence states Co+, Co2+, Co3+ and Co4+. No other metal shows such a close dependence of coordination and valence state. The oxygen coordination of Co+ in A3CoO2 (A = Na, K, Rb) and K2CsCoO2 is dumbbell‐shaped, the bond angles O–Co–Co being close to 180°. Coordination number two for the alkali metals (A) in these compounds is not less interesting, with the bond angles showing large deviations from a stretched O–A–O configuration. Cobalt in the valence state Co2+ (K2CoO2; Rb2Co2O3; Na4CoO3; Rb2K4Co2O5; K2Na4Co2O5; RbNa7Co2O6; Na10Co4O9) prefers a trigonal planar coordination. There is only one compound (Na7Co2O6) showing mixed valences Co2+/Co3+ together with a triangular coordination. Tetrahedral coordination is typical for cobalt in the valence state Co3+ (K/RbCoO2; Na6Co2O6; Na5CoO4; Na2Li3CoO4). Few compounds (K/Cs/Rb2CoO3; Na4CoO4; Li8CoO6; K6Co2O7) show Co4+ beside Co3+ in tetrahedral coordination. A small amount of oxocobaltates show octahedral coordination with cobalt in the valence states Co3+ (LiCoO2; NaCoO2) and higher (NaCo2O4; K4Co7O14). Finally, one mixed alkali rare earth oxocobaltate, Nd18Li8Co4O39, is presented. Several oxocobaltates reported in the ICSD database show cobalt on different point positions. In these cases it is of interest to calculate Madelung Parts of Lattice Energie (MAPLE) established by Rudolf Hoppe. MAPLE allows calculation of the differences between the Coulomb‐terms of the lattice energy, which exclusively depends on the valences of cobalt on different point positions. In all comparable cases identical positional configurations of the atoms prevent influences of the repulsion term of the lattice energy. The energy balance therefore exclusively depends on the valence states of cobalt and its distribution on the point positions, with Rb2Co2O3, Na4CoO3, Na8Co2O7, Na10Co4O9, and Na10Co4O10 being examples.
Algebras for amplitudes
Authors: Bjerrum-Bohr N. E. J. , Damgaard Poul H. , Monteiro Ricardo , O’Connell Donal
Published: June 2012

Abstract

Tree-level amplitudes of gauge theories are expressed in a basis of auxiliary amplitudes with only cubic vertices. The vertices in this formalism are explicitly factorized in color and kinematics, clarifying the color-kinematics duality in gauge theory amplitudes. The basis is constructed making use of the KK and BCJ relations, thereby showing precisely how these relations underlie the color-kinematics duality. We express gravity amplitudes in terms of a related basis of color-dressed gauge theory amplitudes, with basis coefficients which are permutation symmetric.
Preoperative Ultrasonography Assessment of Vocal Cord Movement During Thyroid and Parathyroid Surgery
Authors: Cheng Shih‐Ping , Lee Jie‐Jen , Liu Tsang‐Pai , Lee Kuo‐Sheng , Liu Chien‐Liang
Published: June 2012

Background

Preoperative detection of vocal cord palsy is important in thyroid and parathyroid surgery. However, routine fiberoptic laryngoscopy may bring patients unnecessary discomfort. The aim of this study was to determine the feasibility of using surgeon‐performed ultrasonography (US) as a screening tool for preoperative assessment of vocal cord movement.

Methods

In the first phase, patients had both laryngoscopic and US examination before surgery. In the second phase, patients had US evaluation first. Those with abnormal vocal cord movement on US, with invisible cord movement, or presenting with significant vocal symptoms underwent laryngeal examination.

Results

In all, 93 (82 %) of 114 patients had successful US evaluation of vocal cord movement during the first phase. Two of them had vocal cord paralysis. In the second phase, vocal cord movement could be evaluated by US in 349 (84 %) of 415 patients. Four patients with abnormal movement were confirmed to have vocal cord palsy by laryngoscopy. None of 46 symptomatic patients with normal movement on US had vocal cord palsy. One other patient whose cord movement could not be seen by US had vocal cord palsy on laryngoscopic examination.

Conclusions

Surgeon‐performed US appears to be a relatively accurate method for assessing vocal cord movement in the preoperative setting. It can be used to select patients to undergo laryngoscopic examination before thyroidectomy and parathyroidectomy.
Corporate Governance and Innovation
Authors: O’Connor Matthew , Rafferty Matthew
Published: June 2012

We use Tobin’s q models of investments to estimate the relationship between corporate governance and the level of innovative activity. Simple ordinary least squares (OLS) models suggest that poor governance reduces innovative activity. However, OLS results are sensitive to controlling for serial correlation, unobserved effects, or using instrumental variables to control simultaneity. Controlling for these effects substantially reduces or eliminates the relationship between governance and innovative activity.
VII.—Monazite from Bodmin Moor, Cornwall: A Study in Geochronology. Part I. Monazite as a Geological Timekeeper. Part II. Analysis of Bodmin Moor Monazite for Lead, Thorium and Uranium
Authors: Holmes Arthur , Smales A.A.
Published: June 2012

During the late war Mr Bruce Taplin received for mineralogical investigation a low-grade cassiterite concentrate from a small plant operated by the Non-Ferrous Mineral Development Control (Ministry of Supply) for the recovery of wolfram from the eluvial and alluvial gravels of the valley east of Buttern Hill, near the northern margin of the Bodmin Moor granite (fig. 1). As received, the sample contained 4·1 per cent, of tin.
XIV.—A Preliminary Investigation into the Use ofXenopus lævisas a Test Animal for Biological Assay of Chorionic Gonadotropin
Authors: Landgrebe F. W.
Published: June 2012

The South African clawed toad,Xenopus Iœvis, ovulates and extrudes its eggs into the water after injection of gonadotropic extracts (Hogben, 1930). Xenopus has been shown to be a most satisfactory test animal for the detection of chorionic gonadotropin in the urine of pregnant women, provided the toad is in good condition. In the last ten years much work has been done on the husbandry and breeding of these animals and good laboratory conditions specified (Alexander and Bellerby, 1938; Landgrebe, 1939; Landgrebe and Purser, 1941; Gasche, 1943; Landgrebe and Samson, 1944). This toad has many advantages over other test animals. It lives indefinitely in the laboratory; the author has kept some animals for over twelve years, and they still respond to injection of gonadotropic extracts by ovulation and extrusion of eggs into the water. Recognition of this response does not necessitate killing the animal. Since Xenopus never ovulates spontaneously under normal laboratory conditions and does not extrude all its eggs simultaneously after an injection of gonadotropic extract, it can be used repeatedly. Each toad can be used at least twenty-four times under the conditions specified. The animals can be kept in good condition without much demand on laboratory routine. They need feeding and cleaning only once a week. The toads are very viable. Apart from the few deaths which often occur soon after a new stock arrives in this country, the writer has lost only eight animals in the last three years, during which time the average number kept was 500 and the number of test injections exceeded 5000. If kept at 22° C. the normal animal in good condition ovulates and extrudes eggs into the water within 24 hours after the single large dose of gonadotropic substance used in routine pregnancy diagnosis. These advantages, and the possibility of realising a simple 24-hour quantitative assay of chorionic gonadotropin, prompted an investigation into the use of the toad as a test animal for this purpose. Necessary preliminaries include inquiry into the effect on sensitivity of (1) temperature, (2) light, (3) weight of animal, (4) repeated use, and (5) route of injection. These points have been investigated with a view to the discovery of the most important variables. All the animals used have been in captivity for many years, and had previously been used many times for routine Hogben tests for pregnancy.
James Hutton, Founder of Modern Geology (1726–1797)
Authors: Bailey Edward B.
Published: June 2012

One hundred and fifty years ago Edinburgh lost one of her most distinguished citizens of all time, James Hutton, who is universally acclaimed as chief among the founders of modern geology. To-day, Lord Provost Sir John Falconer, to whom the city owes so much in this triumphant Festival year, has fittingly unveiled a tablet in Greyfriars Churchyard to mark the last resting-place of our great scientist. It must not be imagined that the absence of a tombstone during all these years illustrates the proverbial lack of appreciation which a prophet must expect in his own country. During his lifetime Hutton's brilliant associates recognised him at his true worth; and shortly after his death one of them, John Playfair, distinguished mathematician and physicist, erected to his friend a noble monument in the world of letters, entitled Illustrations of the Huttonian Theory, 1802. He also provided the Royal Society of Edinburgh with a Biographical Account of 61 pp. 4to, 1803, which includes many personal details coupled with a comprehensive scientific appreciation.
IX.—Uromyces punctatus Schroet. in Britain
Authors: Burns D. W.
Published: June 2012

Synopsis

On the European continent, Uromyces punctatus is heterœcious and occurs on 35 species and 1 variety of Astragalus, 6 species of Oxytropis and 1 species of Onobrychis. There are 3 æcidial hosts recorded, the major one being Euphorbia cyparissias. At St Andrews, the uredo stage of the rust is confined to A. danicus and only uredospores and teleutospores have been found. Experiments conducted showed that the local population of the rust was capable of infecting 9 species of Astragalus and 1 species of Medicago, out of 27 species of Astragalus, 5 species of Medicago and 28 species of other legumes inoculated. No host specialization within the local population was evident. Attempts to germinate the teleutospores, using a variety of methods, failed, with the exception of a single spore. The major æcidial host, when inoculated with teleutospores, failed to show any signs of æcidial infection over a period of four years. Possible factors affecting the shortening of the life cycle of the rust are discussed.
XIX.—Family Selection in Poultry: the Use of Sire and Dam Family Averages in Choosing Male Parents
Authors: Osborne Robert
Published: June 2012

Synopsis

A typical poultry flock consists of offspring from a number of sires each mated to several dams. In choosing male parents in a selection programme no criterion of individual merit may be available and selection must usually be based on the performance of related females. The present report deals with the theoretical efficiencies of three systems of selection of males

(1) on the average performance of the dam family of a male's sisters.

(2) on the average performance of the sire family of a male's full- and half-sisters.

(3) on a weighted combination of sire family and dam family averages.

For traits of low heritability system (2) may offer marked advantages over system (1), the only type of family selection previously investigated. This should prove of importance in flocks where recording facilities are limited. Providing environmental effects can be minimised, efficient selection may be based on the average performance of sire families housed as units without individual recording.

The efficiency of system (2) declines with increasing heritability and is also subject to complications introduced by population size. In all cases, however, optimum gains may be obtained on system (3) when both dam family and sire family records are available.
XXI.—Studies on Flowering-Plant Growth and Organogenesis. I. Morphogenetic Effects of 2, 3, 5-Triiodobenzoic Acid on Cannabis sativa
Authors: Heslop-Harrison J. , Heslop-Harrison Y.
Published: June 2012

Synopis

Notwithstanding its reported effect upon the levels of native auxin in plant tissues, 2, 3, 5-triiodobenzoic acid (TIBA) does not influence sex expression in Cannabis sativa, a dioecious species in which there is evidence that flower sexuality may be regulated by auxin levels in the neighbourhood of developing primordia. The total production of flowers is, however, increased in both sexes by TIBA, an effect possibly resulting from an alleviation of the correlative inhibition of lateral buds. Whilst hardly influencing morphogenetic activity at a cellular level at all, TIBA treatment leads to gross ontogenetic abnormalities, of which the common feature is a tendency for the elimination of localized growth and the substitution instead of generalized growth fields, resulting in the formation of infundibuliform and cylindrical foliar and floral structures. It seems probable that the bulk of the effects of TIBA in the plant may be due to an influence on auxin distribution, perhaps through interference with the mechanism of polar transport.
IV.—The Effects of Triethylenemelamine on the Fertility of Male Mice
Authors: Cattanach B. M. , Edwards R. G.
Published: June 2012

Synopsis

Triethylenemelamine induces chromosomal aberrations in Drosophila and in mammals. In the present paper the effects of intraperitoneal injections of the drug on the fertility of male mice are related to its mutagenic activity. Males were given prolonged or short treatment with the drug and were mated to females at frequent intervals.

Male fertility was greatly reduced after either treatment, a result similar to previous findings in the rat. Sterility for the first few weeks was due to dominant lethals causing embryonic mortality, and to oligospermia from 30 days after the injection. Embryonic mortality was reduced after lower doses, being maximal between 11 and 14 days after the injection, and little or no oligospermia resulted from this treatment.

The drug probably acted directly on spermatogenic cells; spermatids being most sensitive to the induction of lethals and spermatogonia to destruction; these estimates were based on the known rate of spermatogenesis in the mouse. The sensitivity of the stages of spermatogenesis and the translocation frequency induced by the drug have some similarities to the effects of X-rays on the testis.
VII.—Assemblages of Small Spores from the Lower Oil-shale Group of Scotland
Authors: Love L. G.
Published: June 2012

Synopsis

Assemblages of small spores are described from the Pumpherston Shell Bed, the Pumpherston Oil Shales, the Burdiehouse Limestone and a thin coal found within the latter rock in one locality, all from the Lower Oil-shale Group (Viséan) of the Lower Carboniferous of Scotland.

The assemblages from the Oil-shales and the Limestone, rocks generally regarded as being of non-marine origin, are found to be very much alike; and although they show some differences from that of the Pumpherston Shell Bed (a marine shale), all three assemblages have a general similarity of composition. A suggested relation is put forward between this uniformity and the conditions prevailing in the area of the Midland Valley of Scotland during deposition of the beds. Correlation with other areas is discussed. Five new species and ten new types are described.
VIII.—Density Measurements of Rocks in South-west Scotland
Authors: McLean Adam C.
Published: June 2012

Synopsis

A large number of density measurements of the more important rock-types exposed at the surface in Ayrshire and certain neighbouring areas provide information for the interpretation of gravity measurements. The three methods employed of determining density are (1) laboratory measurements of rock samples, (2) gravimeter measurements in mineshafts, and (3) gravimeter measurements over topographic features.

The first method, the most widely used, is the only one applicable to many of the geological formations. A total of 600 specimens measured cover all the common rock types of the Lower and Upper Palaeozoic systems and their associated igneous rocks. Use of the second method is restricted to Carboniferous rocks, in which records from four mine-shafts—Littlemill 5, Mauchline I, Auchincruive I, and Houldsworth—cover much of the Carboniferous succession in south Ayrshire. The third method was seldom applied as there are few suitable topographic features, independent of geological structure, in Ayrshire.

The results of the measurements are summarized, and their reliability discussed. Two contrasts of rock density of regional importance occur in the sedimentary succession of south Ayrshire—the first at the plane of unconformity between Upper and Lower Old Red Sandstone, and the second between Lower Old Red Sandstone and the Lower Palaeozoic greywackes. A marked contrast of local importance occurs between the Permian sandstones of the Mauchline Basin and the underlying lavas and Carboniferous rocks. In north Ayrshire the most important density contrast lies between the Upper Palaeozoic sediments and the associated dense igneous rocks—the Clyde Plateau Lavas, the Millstone Grit lavas, and the thick dolerite intrusions.
X.—On The Accessory Respiratory Organs of Heteropneustes fossilis Bloch
Authors: Munshi J. S. Datta
Published: June 2012

Heteropneustes (Saccobranchus) fossilis Bloch. is a common airbreathing fish found in India. It possesses a respiratory sac on each side of the body embedded in the lateral myotomes. The structure of this organ, its respiratory function and the phenomenon of “drowning” when the fish is denied direct access to the air have engaged the attention of several workers in the past among whom Day (1868), Dobson (1874), Burne (1896), Das (1927), Hora (1935) and Marlier (1938) deserve mention. The only detailed account of the structure of the accessory organ of this fish is available to us from the work of Das (1927) who also paid some attention to its development. Dobson (1874) and Hora (1935) mainly concerned themselves with some experiments bearing on the “drowning” of the fish when compelled to live under water. Little information is obtainable from the existing literature on the following points which have an important bearing on evolution of its accessory respiratory organs:

(i) the gross and minute structure of the respiratory sac, especially its vascularization;

(ii) the origin and derivation of the accessory respiratory organs (=the “Fans” and the respiratory sac); and

(iii) the muscles concerned with its breathing movements.
XII.—The Reproduction and Fecundity of the Powan, Coregonus clupeoides Lacépède, in Loch Lomond, Scotland
Authors: Maitland Peter S.
Published: June 2012

Synopsis

Adult powan, Coregonus clupeoides Lacépède, in Loch Lomond show regular diurnal and seasonal migrations, connected normally with either feeding or reproduction. As the breeding season approaches, most of the adult population gather in deep water (usually in the vicinity of the areas of wave-washed gravel and small stones in shallow water, which form the main spawning grounds). The male fish start to move on to these grounds nightly towards the end of December each year; at the end of this month, but mainly during January, the females ripen and join them for spawning. This is completed by the beginning of February and the population then gradually disperses over the rest of the loch. The present fecundity estimates, carried out for female powan during two seasons, are in general agreement with those found for Coregonus elsewhere in the Palearctic region. They give an average of 5750 eggs per adult fish, the mean fork length of which was just over 27 cm. Though there is a positive correlation between the numbers of eggs produced and the size of the females, it is not a strong one. After being laid, the eggs immediately undergo a heavy mortality and are eaten in considerable numbers by trout, Salmo trutta L., powan, roach, Rutilus rutilus (L.) Phryganea larvae, and various other animals. The adult powan too are preyed upon extensively at this time in certain parts of Loch Lomond by pike, Esox luciusL. The reproductive ecology of the powan shows several basic similarities to that of other Salmonidae in the British Isles, the main features fitting well with what has been postulated about the origin and distribution of the family in this country.
Thein vivoAction of Anti-lymphocytic Antibody
Authors: Denman A. M. , Denman Evelyn J.
Published: June 2012

It Is the general object of this paper to consider which of the many actions of anti-lymphocytic antibody contribute to its immunosuppressive action. However, it will be principally concerned with the kinetics of lymphopoiesis in mice receiving anti-lymphocytic antibody and the relevance of this activity to the resulting immunosuppression.