bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Parasitoids and predators of armored scales in some orchards in Serbia
Authors: Graora Draga , Spasic Radoslava , Vucetic Andja
Published: January 2010

Five parasitoid and five predator species were registered on four armored scale species in apple, pear, peach and plum orchards at 16 sites in Serbia. The armored scales found were: Diaspidiotus perniciosus (Comstock), Pseudaulacaspis pentagona (Targioni-Tozzetti), Epidiaspis leperii (Signoret) and Lepidosaphes ulmi (L.). The parasitoid species detected were: Encarsia (=Prospaltella) perniciosi (Tow.), Encarsia (=Prospaltella) berlesei (How.), Aphytis proclia (Wal.), Aphytis mytilaspidis (Le Baron) and Coccobius testaceus (Masi), all of the Aphelinidae family. The most important endoparasitoids were: Encarsia perniciosi on D. perniciosus, Encarsia berlesei on P. pentagona and Coccobius testaceus on L. ulmi. Only one ectoparasitoid species, Aphytis mytilaspidis, was found on E. leperii, while Aphytis proclia was found as an ectoparasitoid on D. perniciosus, P. pentagona and L. ulmi. The predator species detected were: Chilocorus renipustulatus (Scriba), Chilocorus bipustulatus (L.), Cybocephalus fodori Endrody - Younga, Chrysoperla carnea (Stephens) and Deraeocoris ruber (L.). Cybocephalus fodori was for the first time found as a predator on E. leperii in Serbia.
Problems in Ceuthorrhynchus spp. Control on rapeseed in the region of Serbia
Authors: Indjic Dusanka , Vukovic Slavica , Grahovac Mila , Bursic Vojislava , Sunjka Dragana
Published: January 2010

A global trend of intensive rapeseed production as a sustainable source of energy has also been accepted in our region, but intensified production results have increased pest populations in that crop. Central European countries with a long tradition of rapeseed production have ample data on pest biology, control and effects of insecticide applications, but such data are almost nonexistant under our regional conditions. In the light of this fact, the objective of our study was to determine the optimal time for insecticide applications for controlling pest species of the genus Ceuthorrynchus. Trials were set up using standard OEPP methods with certain adaptations concerning the pest species. The insecticides based on chlorpyrifos + bifenthrin, applied at the rates of 0.5 l/ha and 0.75 l/ha, and deltamethrin at 0.3 l/ha, were applied a) once - at maximum abundance of adults, and b) twice - first at maximum abundance, and then eight days later. The trials were set up at two localities - Kac and Kovilj. Insecticide effects were evaluated based on the number of adults per 20 plants, the number of damaged plants and the number of larvae per plant. After single application of the insecticides chlorpyrifos + bifenthrin (0.5 and 0.75 l/ha) and deltamethrin (0.3 l/ha) in the locality of Kac, the percentage of infested plants was 1.25%, 36% and 75% (respectively), and 95% in untreated plots; while 75% and 22.5% of the plants were infested in the locality of Kovilj after chlorpyrifos + bifenthrin application, 95% after deltamethrin application, and 97.5% in untreated plots. Insecticide effect estimated by the number of larvae/plant was 0 and 0.4 for chlorpyrifos + bifenthrin, 1.4 for deltamethrin and 3.3 for untreated surface in the locality of Kac; while in the locality of Kovilj the effect of chlorpyrifos + bifenthrin was 1.4 and 0.1, deltamethrin 3.9, and 5.2 larvae/plant in untreated plots. After two insecticide applications in Kac, the percentage of infested plants was 13.7% and 16.2% after chlorpyrifos + bifenthrin treatment, 62.5% after deltamethrin and 95% in untreated plots. In Kovilj, the percentage of infested plants was 22% and 17% after the application of chlorpyrifos + bifenthrin, 79% after deltamethrin, and 97.5% on untreated surface. The insecticide effect shown by the number of larvae/plant was 0.12 and 0.13 for chlorpyrifos + bifenthrin, 1.7 for deltamethrin and 3.3 on untreated surface in the locality of Kac. In Kovilj, the corresponding data were 0.16 and 0.08 for chlorpyrifos + bifenthrin, 1.4 for deltamethrin and 5.2 larvae/plant for the untreated surface.
Clausius-Mossotti approximation in the theory of sintered polar materials: A review
Authors: Kornyushin Y.
Published: January 2010

Clausius-Mossotti approximation is extended to describe the measured magnetic moment of an ellipsoidal sample containing magnetic or nonmagnetic ellipsoidal inclusions and magnetic or nonmagnetic matrix. The magnetic field in the matrix and inclusions is calculated. The magnetic energy of a system is calculated also. The equilibrium shape of a pore in a ferromagnetic sample is investigated. The phenomenon of a cavitation in porous ferromagnetic samples is described. The model is applied to calculate magnetic properties of granular superconductors. The effective electric conductivity of a sample, containing an arbitrary number of differently ordered distributions of ellipsoidal inclusions is calculated.
Correlation between isothermal expansion and functional properties change of the Fe81B13Si4C2 amorphous alloy
Authors: Kalezic-Glisovic A. , Maricic V.A. , Kosanovic D.A. , Djukic S. , Simeunovic R.
Published: January 2010

The structural changes effect on functional properties of ribbon shaped samples of the Fe81B13Si4C2 amorphous alloy during annealing process was investigated in this paper. Differential scanning calorimetry method has shown that this alloy crystallizes in one stage, in temperature range from room temperature up to 700?C. Structural relaxation process was investigated by sensitive dilatation method in nonisothermal and isothermal conditions. It has been shown that structural relaxation process occurs in two stages by measuring thermal expansion at constant temperatures of t1=420?C, t2 = 440?C and t3 = 460?C. The first stage is characterized by linear logarithmic dependence of thermal expansion upon time at constant temperature. The second stage of structural relaxation process is characterized by linear dependence of isothermal expansion upon the square root of process time. These results imply that the first stage of structural relaxation process is a rapid kinetic process, while the second stage of structural relaxation process is a slow diffusion process. The rate constants k11 = 2,27?10- 3 s-1, k12 = 2,79?10-3 s-1, k13 = 3,6?10-3 s-1, k21 = 0,67?10-4 s-1, k22 = 3,72?10-4 s-1, k23 = 21,53?10-4 s-1 and activation energies E1 = 48,64 kJ/mol and E2 = 366, 23 kJ/mol were determined for both stages of structural relaxation process. The distinct correlation between structural relaxation process and magnetic susceptibility relative change was determined by thermomagnetic measurements. It has been shown that magnetic susceptibility can be increased by up to 80%, by convenient annealings after structural relaxation process, at magnetic field intensity of 8 kA/m.
Thermodynamics of the formation of mesostructures in nanodispersed composite materials
Authors: Lisovsky A.F.
Published: January 2010

Two models of the formation of mesostructures in nanodispersed composite materials are considered. According to the first model, a mesoelement is formed of coarsely dispersed compositions as an inclusion in a nanodispersed composite body. The second model considers a mesoelement being formed from nanoparticles as an inclusion in the volume of a coarsely dispersed composite body. Depending on the class of composite materials used to produce mesoelements and a composite body, their composition and structure are defined by the liquid phase migration (or absence of the migration) as well as diffusion flows of the components.
Study of barium bismuth titanate prepared by mechanochemical synthesis
Authors: Lazarevic Z.Z. , Bobic J. , Romcevic N.Z. , Paunovic N. , Stojanovic B.D.
Published: January 2010

Barium-bismuth titanate, BaBi4Ti4O15 (BBT), a member of Aurivillius bismuth-based layer-structure perovskites, was prepared from stoichiometric amounts of barium titanate and bismuth titanate obtained via mechanochemical synthesis. Mechanochemical synthesis was performed in air atmosphere in a planetary ball mill. The reaction mechanism of BaBi4Ti4O15 and the preparation and characteristics of BBT ceramic powders were studied using XRD, Raman spectroscopy, particle analysis and SEM. The Bi-layered perovskite structure of BaBi4Ti4O15 ceramic forms at 1100 ?C for 4 h without a pre-calcination step. The microstructure of BaBi4Ti4O15 exhibits plate-like grains typical for the Bi-layered structured material and spherical and polygonal grains. The Ba2+ addition leads to changes in the microstructure development, particularly in the change of the average grain size.
Comparison of enzyme linked immunoassay and high performance liquid chromatography for determination of fumonisin in dried figs
Authors: Karbancioglu-Guler Funda , Heperkan Dilek
Published: January 2010

The occurrence of fumonisin in dried figs was investigated by Enzyme Linked Immunoassay (ELISA) and High Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC). Total fumonisins (FB1, FB2, FB3) in dried figs were determined using ELISA, whereas only fumonisin B1 (FB1) was determined by HPLC. In the period 2003-2004, one hundred and fifty five dried fig samples were taken during their drying in 7 different districts in the Aegean Region. Among a total of 115 samples, the incidence of total fumonisin in the dried figs was 82% within the range of 0.16 - 108.34 mg/g when determined by ELISA. In comparison, FB1 was detected in 86 samples (74.8%) within the range between 0.046 and 3.649 mg/g by HPLC. Correlation between ELISA and HPLC methods was observed for all samples. However, no correlation between methods was recorded for the samples with less than 1 mg/g Fumonisin B1 level (obtained by HPLC). Although there was a correlation between methods for all the samples, fumonisin levels obtained by ELISA were much higher than those obtained by HPLC. False positive results were obtained by ELISA in 11 out of 115 dried fig samples. The results indicated that ELISA can be used as a screening method for determining the occurence of fumonisin in dried figs.
Mycotoxins as a risk in the grain food
Authors: Matic Jovana , Mastilovic Jasna , Cabarkapa Ivana , Mandic Anamarija
Published: January 2010

Mycotoxins are toxic secondary metabolites of fungi that contaminate a large variety of foods and have toxic effects on humans. The best protection against mycotoxins is to monitor their presence in food. This paper shows the screening results of mycotoxins present in 76 samples of different groups of grain foods. Samples of grain food were analyzed for contamination with aflatoxins, ochratoxin A, zearalenone, fumonisins and deoxynivalenol. Analysis were conducted using competitive enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). None of the samples was contaminated with aflatoxins. The most predominant mycotoxin was ochratoxin A with the mean level of 4.84 ? 4.49 ppb in 19.7% of the examined samples. Zearalenone, fumonisins, and deoxynivalenol were found in 9.21, 14.5 and 3.9% of the samples, respectively. Mycotoxin content in the investigated samples was compared with the regulations of Serbia and those of the European Union.
Yeast biodiversity in Slovenian wine regions: Case amino acids in spontaneous and induced fermentations of Malvasia
Authors: Raspor Peter , Zagorc Tatjana , Povhe-Jemec Katja , Cadez Neza
Published: January 2010

Microbial biodiversity can also be reflected in final product composition. The work described in this paper investigates the differences in the amino acid composition of 14 Malvasia musts/wines fermented with local and commercial starter yeasts, comparing all to the spontaneous fermentations of must of the same origin. We tried to ascertain whether the changes were dependent upon different initiations of fermentations. A comparative study of free and total amino acid evolution was prepared. The total concentration of 15 amino acids studied was 1975 mg/l, and the concentration of fraee amino acids was 1061 mg/l. Spontaneous and induced fermentations showed different fermentation rates. Three to nine days were needed to reduce sugar by 50%. Although the proline is regarded as non-assailable amino acid, decreases in concentration were observed. Lysine was the only amino acid where the concentration increased. The minimal uptakes of amino acids occurred during spontaneous fermentations, whereas the maximal uptakes were observed in the fermentations inoculated with local starters.
Magnetically altered ethanol fermentation capacity of Saccharomyces cerevisiae
Authors: Galonja-Corghill Tamara , Kostadinovic Ljiljana , Bojat Nenad
Published: January 2010

We studied the effect of static magnetic fields on ethanol production by yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae 424A (LNH-ST) using sugar cane molasses during the fermentation in an enclosed bioreactor. Two static NdFeB magnets were attached to a cylindrical tube reactor with their opposite poles (north to south), creating 150 mT magnetic field inside the reactor. Comparable differences emerged between the results of these two experimental conditions. We found ethanol productivity to be 15% higher in the samples exposed to 150 mT magnetic field.
Cyclin D2 Is Essential for the Compensatory β-Cell Hyperplastic Response to Insulin Resistance in Rodents
Authors: Georgia Senta , Hinault Charlotte , Kawamori Dan , Hu Jiang , Meyer John , Kanji Murtaza , Bhushan Anil , Kulkarni Rohit N.
Published: January 2010

OBJECTIVE

A major determinant of the progression from insulin resistance to the development of overt type 2 diabetes is a failure to mount an appropriate compensatory β-cell hyperplastic response to maintain normoglycemia. We undertook the present study to directly explore the significance of the cell cycle protein cyclin D2 in the expansion of β-cell mass in two different models of insulin resistance.

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS

We created compound knockouts by crossing mice deficient in cyclin D2 (D2KO) with either the insulin receptor substrate 1 knockout (IRS1KO) mice or the insulin receptor liver-specific knockout mice (LIRKO), neither of which develops overt diabetes on its own because of robust compensatory β-cell hyperplasia. We phenotyped the double knockouts and used RT-qPCR and immunohistochemistry to examine β-cell mass.

RESULTS

Both compound knockouts, D2KO/LIRKO and D2KO/IRS1KO, exhibited insulin resistance and hyperinsulinemia and an absence of compensatory β-cell hyperplasia. However, the diabetic D2KO/LIRKO group rapidly succumbed early compared with a relatively normal lifespan in the glucose-intolerant D2KO/IRS1KO mice.

CONCLUSIONS

This study provides direct genetic evidence that cyclin D2 is essential for the expansion of β-cell mass in response to a spectrum of insulin resistance and points to the cell-cycle protein as a potential therapeutic target that can be harnessed for preventing and curing type 2 diabetes.
The Protective Role of Nrf2 in Streptozotocin-Induced Diabetic Nephropathy
Authors: Jiang Tao , Huang Zheping , Lin Yifeng , Zhang Zhigang , Fang Deyu , Zhang Donna D.
Published: January 2010

OBJECTIVE

Diabetic nephropathy is one of the major causes of renal failure, which is accompanied by the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS). Nrf2 is the primary transcription factor that controls the antioxidant response essential for maintaining cellular redox homeostasis. Here, we report our findings demonstrating a protective role of Nrf2 against diabetic nephropathy.

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS

We explore the protective role of Nrf2 against diabetic nephropathy using human kidney biopsy tissues from diabetic nephropathy patients, a streptozotocin-induced diabetic nephropathy model in Nrf2−/− mice, and cultured human mesangial cells.

RESULTS

The glomeruli of human diabetic nephropathy patients were under oxidative stress and had elevated Nrf2 levels. In the animal study, Nrf2 was demonstrated to be crucial in ameliorating streptozotocin-induced renal damage. This is evident by Nrf2−/− mice having higher ROS production and suffering from greater oxidative DNA damage and renal injury compared with Nrf2+/+ mice. Mechanistic studies in both in vivo and in vitro systems showed that the Nrf2-mediated protection against diabetic nephropathy is, at least, partially through inhibition of transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1) and reduction of extracellular matrix production. In human renal mesangial cells, high glucose induced ROS production and activated expression of Nrf2 and its downstream genes. Furthermore, activation or overexpression of Nrf2 inhibited the promoter activity of TGF-β1 in a dose-dependent manner, whereas knockdown of Nrf2 by siRNA enhanced TGF-β1 transcription and fibronectin production.

CONCLUSIONS

This work clearly indicates a protective role of Nrf2 in diabetic nephropathy, suggesting that dietary or therapeutic activation of Nrf2 could be used as a strategy to prevent or slow down the progression of diabetic nephropathy.
Compensatory Increases in Nuclear PGC1α Protein Are Primarily Associated With Subsarcolemmal Mitochondrial Adaptations in ZDF Rats
Authors: Holloway Graham P. , Gurd Brendon J. , Snook Laelie A. , Lally Jamie , Bonen Arend
Published: January 2010

OBJECTIVE

We examined in insulin-resistant muscle if, in contrast to long-standing dogma, mitochondrial fatty acid oxidation is increased and whether this is attributed to an increased nuclear content of peroxisome proliferator–activated receptor (PPAR) γ coactivator (PGC) 1α and the adaptations of specific mitochondrial subpopulations.

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS

Skeletal muscles from male control and Zucker diabetic fatty (ZDF) rats were used to determine 1) intramuscular lipid distribution, 2) subsarcolemmal and intermyofibrillar mitochondrial morphology, 3) rates of palmitate oxidation in subsarcolemmal and intermyofibrillar mitochondria, and 4) the subcellular localization of PGC1α. Electotransfection of PGC1α cDNA into lean animals tested the notion that increased nuclear PGC1α preferentially targeted subsarcolemmal mitochondria.

RESULTS

Transmission electron microscope analysis revealed that in ZDF animals the number (+50%), width (+69%), and density (+57%) of subsarcolemmal mitochondria were increased (P < 0.05). In contrast, intermyofibrillar mitochondria remained largely unchanged. Rates of palmitate oxidation were ∼40% higher (P < 0.05) in ZDF subsarcolemmal and intermyofibrillar mitochondria, potentially as a result of the increased PPAR-targeted proteins, carnitine palmitoyltransferase-I, and fatty acid translocase (FAT)/CD36. PGC1α mRNA and total protein were not altered in ZDF animals; however, a greater (∼70%; P < 0.05) amount of PGC1α was located in nuclei. Overexpression of PGC1α only increased subsarcolemmal mitochondrial oxidation rates.

CONCLUSIONS

In ZDF animals, intramuscular lipids accumulate in the intermyofibrillar region (increased size and number), and this is primarily associated with increased oxidative capacity in subsarcolemmal mitochondria (number, size, density, and oxidation rates). These changes may result from an increased nuclear content of PGC1α, as under basal conditions, overexpression of PGC1α appears to target subsarcolemmal mitochondria.
Effect of Intensive Compared With Standard Glycemia Treatment Strategies on Mortality by Baseline Subgroup Characteristics
Authors: Calles-Escandón Jorge , Lovato Laura C. , Simons-Morton Denise G. , Kendall David M. , Pop-Busui Rodica , Cohen Robert M. , Bonds Denise E. , Fonseca Vivian A. , Ismail-Beigi Faramarz , Banerji Mary Ann , Failor Alan , Hamilton Bruce
Published: January 2010

OBJECTIVE

To determine if baseline subgroups in the Action to Control Cardiovascular Risk in Diabetes (ACCORD) trial can be identified for whom intensive compared with standard glycemia treatment had different effects on all-cause mortality.

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS

Exploratory post hoc intention-to-treat comparisons were made between intensive and standard glycemia groups on all-cause mortality by subgroups defined by baseline characteristics.

RESULTS

There were few significant interactions between baseline characteristics and effects of intensive versus standard glycemia treatment on mortality: self-reported history of neuropathy (hazard ratio [HR] 1.95, 95% CI 1.41–2.69) versus no history of neuropathy (0.99, 0.79–1.26; P value for interaction 0.0008), higher A1C (A1C >8.5%: HR 1.64, 95% CI 1.22–2.22; A1C 7.5–8.4%: 1.00, 0.75–1.34; A1C <7.5%: 1.00, 0.67–1.50; P value for interaction 0.04), and aspirin use (HR 1.45, 95% CI 1.13–1.85, compared with 0.96, 0.72–1.27, in nonusers; P value for interaction 0.03).

CONCLUSIONS

We found a remarkable similarity of effect from intensive compared with standard glycemia treatment on mortality across most baseline subgroups. No differential effect was found in subgroups defined by variables anticipated to have an interaction: age, duration of diabetes, and previous history of cardiovascular disease. The three baseline characteristics that defined subgroups for which there was a differential effect on mortality may help identify patients with type 2 diabetes at higher risk of mortality from intensive regimens for glycemic control. Further research is warranted.
Stevens-Johnson syndrome caused by combined use of lamotrigine and fluoxetine and review of the literature
Authors: Uluğ Mehmet , Uluğ Nuray , Celen Mustafa , Geyik Mehmet , Ayaz Celal
Published: January 2010

Stevens-Johnson syndrome (SJS) is a rare, life-threatening acute allergic drug reaction presenting with target lesions and blebs of epidermis. Although a variety of etiologies such as infections and underlying malignancies have been implicated as potential causes of SJS, drugs remain the predominant inciting agent. This report presents a SJS case due to combined use of lamotrigine and fluoxetine. A 41-year-old man was admitted to our clinic with fever, skin eruptions (especially on the face and trunk) and lesions around the mouth. The patient’s history revealed lamotrigine and fluoxetine use during the previous three weeks for major depression. Dermatological examination revealed a typical clinical picture of SJS; his psychotropic medications were all stopped. While topical and ocular prednisolone (1mg/kg/day) cares were initiated, steroid dosage was reduced within 15 days. The condition of patient rapidly improved through this treatment. Effective management of SJS begins with prompt recognition of the entity, combined with attention to each of the major organs that may be affected, potential comorbidities and withdrawal of all potentially causative drugs. Clinicians should bear in mind the possibility that drugs with potential risk in developing SJS must be used carefully.
Prevalence of primary aldosteronism among bulgarian hypertensive patients
Authors: Matrozova Joanna , Zacharieva Sabina , Kirilov Georgi , Boyanov Mihail
Published: January 2010

Primary aldosteronism (PA) has long been considered a rare disease, but a higher prevalence was suggested recently. The aim of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of PA in a group of Bulgarian hypertensive patients, including patients with adrenal incidentalomas (AI). The aldosterone to renin ratio (ARR)>750 was used as a positive screening test and the Captopril test was performed to confirm the diagnosis. Adrenal CT scan was used to differentiate between the main subtypes of PA- aldosterone-producing adenoma (APA) and idiopathic hyperaldosteronism (IHA). The diagnosis of APA was retrospectively confirmed after surgery. After excluding other forms of endocrine hypertension, except PA, we investigated a total of 472 consecutive hypertensive patients, among them 96 patients with AI. Final diagnosis of PA was reached in 38 patients (8.05%) in the entire hypertensive population and in 12 patients (12.5%) among hypertensive patients with AI. In the group of PA, 15 patients (39.5%) were diagnosed with APA and 23 patients (60.5%) had an IHA. Among all patients with PA 21 (55.3 %) presented with hypokalemia. Our findings of a relatively high prevalence of PA support an early diagnosis of this potentially curable disease, especially in hypertensive patients with AI.
Risk of hyperammonemic coma in the puerperium: two cases of women with diagnosed and undiagnosed deficiency of urea cycle enzymes
Authors: TIHTONEN KATI , UOTILA JUKKA , LÄHDE JYRKI , SALO MATTI , KESKINEN PÄIVI
Published: January 2010

Deficiencies of urea cycle enzymes are rare metabolic disorders. Inadequate function of these enzymes may in worst cases lead to hyperammonemic encephalopathy and death. The danger of urea cycle enzyme deficiencies is that previously healthy adults with no prior medical history suggesting these deficiencies may suddenly develop life‐threatening complications during prolonged catabolic situations such as delivery or surgery. Since most of the metabolic disorders are diagnosed during childhood, it may sometimes be difficult to bear in mind these rare diseases as a cause of unconsciousness in adulthood. However, early diagnosis and prompt initiation of ammonia‐lowering treatment are essential for survival of these patients. We present two pregnant women with urea cycle disorders: one with a known deficiency and an uncomplicated outcome, and another with a previously undiagnosed disorder and life‐threatening course of the postpartum period.
Online Map Design for Public-Health Decision Makers
Authors: Cinnamon Jonathan , Rinner Claus , Cusimano Michael D. , Marshall Sean , Bekele Tsegaye , Hernandez Tony , Glazier Richard H. , Chipman Mary L.
Published: January 2010

Injury places a heavy burden on public-health resources that is not distributed evenly in space, making the mapping of injury and its socio-demographic risk factors an effective tool for prevention planning. In a survey of health-related interactive Web mapping applications we found great variation with respect to content, cartography, and technical aspects. Based on the survey results, input from a group of potential end users, cartographic design principles, and data-set requirements, we created a Web site with static, animated, and interactive injury maps. We mapped injury rates and possible socio-demographic risk factors for the City of Toronto. Through the three functionally different types of maps, a variety of ways to explore the same public-health data sets could be demonstrated. The results highlight the practical options available to public-health analysts and decision makers who wish to expand their data-exploration and decision-support tools with a spatial component.
Applications of aberration corrected scanning transmission electron microscopy and electron energy loss spectroscopy to thin oxide films and interfaces
Authors: Varela Maria , Gazquez Jaume , Lupini Andy R. , Luck Julia T. , Torija Maria A. , Sharma Manish , Leighton Chris , Biegalski Mike D. , Christen Hans M. , Murfitt Matt , Dellby Niklas , Krivanek Ondrej , Pennycook Stephen J.
Published: January 2010

Aberration correction in the scanning transmission electron microscope allows spatial resolutions of the order of one Ångström to be routinely achieved. When combined with electron energy loss spectroscopy, it is possible to simultaneously map the structure, the chemistry and even the electronic properties of materials in one single experiment. Here we will apply these techniques to the characterization of thin films and interfaces based on complex oxides with the perovskite structure. The relatively large lattice parameter of these materials combined with the fact that most of them have absorption edges within the reach of the spectrometer optics makes these materials ideal for these experiments. We will show how it is possible to map the chemistry of interfaces atomic plane by atomic plane, including light elements such as O. Applications to cobaltite and titanate thin films will be described.
Recent Advances in Direct Coal Liquefaction
Authors: Shui Hengfu , Cai Zhenyi , Xu Chunbao
Published: January 2010

The growing demand for petroleum, accompanied by the declining petroleum reserves and the concerns over energy security, has intensified the interest in direct coal liquefaction (DCL), particularly in countries such as China which is rich in coal resources, but short of petroleum. In addition to a general introduction on the mechanisms and processes of DCL, this paper overviews some recent advances in DCL technology with respect to the influencing factors for DCL reactions (temperature, solvent, pressure, atmospheres, etc.), the effects of coal pre-treatments for DCL (swelling, thermal treatment, hydrothermal treatment, etc.), as well as recent development in multi-staged DCL processes, DCL catalysts and co-liquefaction of coal with biomass.
Hypertension, Diabetes Mellitus and Task Shifting in Their Management in Sub-Saharan Africa
Authors: Lekoubou Alain , Awah Paschal , Fezeu Leopold , Sobngwi Eugene , Kengne Andre Pascal
Published: January 2010

Chronic diseases are becoming increasingly important in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). The current density and distribution of health workforce suggest that SSA cannot respond to the growing demand for chronic disease care, together with the frequent infectious diseases. Innovative approaches are therefore needed to rapidly expand the health workforce. In this article, we discuss the evidences in support of nurse-led strategies for chronic disease management in SSA, with a focus on hypertension and diabetes mellitus.
Progress of the Application of Mesoporous Silica-Supported Heteropolyacids in Heterogeneous Catalysis and Preparation of Nanostructured Metal Oxides
Authors: Ren Yuanhang , Yue Bin , Gu Min , He Heyong
Published: January 2010

Mesoporous silica molecular sieves are a kind of unique catalyst support due to their large pore size and high surface area. Several methods have been developed to immobilize heteropolyacids (HPAs) inside the channels of these mesoporous silicas. The mesoporous silica-supported HPA materials have been widely used as recyclable catalysts in heterogeneous systems. They have shown high catalytic activities and shape selectivities in some reactions, compared to the parent HPAs in homogeneous systems. This review summarizes recent progress in the field of mesoporous silica-supported HPAs applied in the heterogeneous catalysis area and preparation of nanostructured metal oxides using HPAs as precursors and mesoporous silicas as hard templates.
A New Furostanol Glycoside from Tribulus terrestris
Authors: Xu Yajuan , Liu Yonghong , Xu Tunhai , Xie Shengxu , Si Yunshan , Liu Yue , Zhou Haiou , Liu Tonghua , Xu Dongming
Published: January 2010

Besides two known glycosides, a new furostanol glycoside was isolated from the Fruits of Tribulus terrestris L. The structure of the new furostanol glycoside was established as 26-O-β-D-glucopyranosyl-(25S)-5α-furostane-20(22)-en-12-one-3β, 26-diol-3-O-α-L-rhamnopyranosyl-(1→2)-[β-D-glucopyranosyl-(1→4)]-β-D-galactopyranoside (1) on the basis of 1D and 2D-NMR techniques, including COSY, HMBC, and HMQC correlations.
Reduction of CO2 Emissions in Houses of Historic and Visual Importance
Authors: Van Hal Anke , Dulski Birgit , Postel Anne Marij
Published: January 2010

According to the ‘Climate Programme’ the municipality of Amsterdam has the ambition to reduce the CO2 emissions within the city limits by 40% in the year 2025 compared to the year 1990. To realize this ambition substantial CO2 savings have to be realized at the 375,000 current houses in the city. A special challenge is formed by the houses of historic and visual importance, as the implementation of standard energy saving measures may conflict with the ambition to protect their cultural and historic values. Nyenrode Business University was asked to study the possibilities for a successful combination of ambitions in both fields. This article shows an overview of suggestions that focus on the combination of technical and process orientated innovations which can contribute to the acceleration of the reduction of CO2 emissions in houses of historic and visual importance. The article therefore addresses political and technical as well as financial and process related aspects in implementing energy saving measures in this category of buildings.
Development of Viral Vectors for Use in Cardiovascular Gene Therapy
Authors: Williams Paul D. , Ranjzad Parisa , Kakar Salik J. , Kingston Paul A.
Published: January 2010

Cardiovascular disease represents the most common cause of mortality in the developed world but, despite two decades of promising pre-clinical research and numerous clinical trials, cardiovascular gene transfer has so far failed to demonstrate convincing benefits in the clinical setting. In this review we discuss the various targets which may be suitable for cardiovascular gene therapy and the viral vectors which have to date shown the most potential for clinical use. We conclude with a summary of the current state of clinical cardiovascular gene therapy and the key trials which are ongoing.
Tropical Cyclone Activity Downscaled from NOAA‐CIRES Reanalysis, 1908–1958
Authors: Emanuel Kerry
Published: January 2010

A recently developed technique for deducing tropical cyclone activity from global reanalyses and climate models is applied to a reanalysis of the global atmosphere during the period 1908–1958. This reanalysis assimilates only sea surface temperature, sea ice, and surface pressure observations, which are relatively homogeneous over the period. The downscaling technique has been shown to produce results in good agreement with observations of tropical cyclones when driven by reanalyses over the period 1980–2006, a period when global tropical cyclone frequency was robustly observed. When applied to the 1908–1958 reanalysis, the derived global frequency of tropical cyclones shows no significant trend over the period, while the frequency of events in the southern hemisphere shows a statistically significant decline and that of the northern hemisphere shows a marginally significant increase. There are statistically significant increases in frequency over the period in the North Atlantic, eastern North Pacific, and northern Indian Oceans, while frequency declines in the western North Pacific. Power dissipation estimates from best‐track data are highly correlated with the power dissipation of downscaled events in the Atlantic, though the amplitude of the variability and trends of the downscaled power dissipation are smaller than those of the best‐track estimates by about a factor of two. A recently developed genesis index applied to the reanalysis data is highly correlated with downscaled event frequency on regional spatial scales, but is largely uncorrelated at the scale of the globe and even on the scale of large tropical cyclone‐producing regions such as the western North Pacific. Finally, while it is tempting to believe that specification of sea surface temperature is sufficient for capturing most aspects of the general state of the atmosphere relevant to tropical cyclones, we show, using simple arguments, that failure to account for changing radiative properties of the atmosphere can distort the response of tropical cyclone activity to changing distributions of sea surface temperature; moreover, models appear to systematically underestimate the response of near‐tropopause temperatures to changing surface temperature, and this too can affect the response of potential intensity.
Extended Thresholds I: Nomadism, Settlements and the Defiance of Figure‐Ground
Authors: Hensel Michael , Hensel Defne Sunguroğlu
Published: January 2010

Since the onset of cartography in the 18th century, the fixed datum line and the figure‐ground have become the predominant means of measuring and planning the built environment. In the first of three articles on the subject of extended thresholds, Michael Hensel and Defne Sunguroğlu Hensel challenge this reductionist convention. By taking Deleuze and his reading of nomadic ‘smooth’ space as a starting point, they look at alternative models provided by historic settlements in Turkey. These include: the neolithic settlement at Çatalhöyük in southern Anatolia; the medieval hillside town of Mardin in southern Turkey on the Syrian border; the carved spaces and cities of Cappadocia, such as Göreme; and underground cities such as Derinkuyu, also in central Turkey. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The Making of Early Republican Ankara
Authors: Kezer Zeynep
Published: January 2010

Zeynep Kezer outlines the ascendancy and development of Ankara from an obscure, central Anatolian town into a capital city that was to become the focus of the new nation state. Informed by German architectural and technological expertise, it was executed to rigorous Modernist planning principles and aesthetics, and came to represent in urban form the polarisation of pre‐republican and republican Turkey. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Medium‐Scale Anatolian Cities: Conceptual and Physical Routes of Urban Transformation
Authors: Tomruk Banu
Published: January 2010

Banu Tomruk investigates the post‐1980s transformation of the built environment of medium‐scale Anatolian cities. She examines the subject through a conceptual and physical framework that places as much emphasis on populist rhetoric – ‘identity crisis’, ‘historicisation’, ‘the making of a tourist city’ – as on the built structures themselves and their realisation as standardised apartment blocks and gated communities. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Current Urban Discourse, Urban Transformation and Gentrification in Istanbul
Authors: İslam Tolga
Published: January 2010

In the mid‐2000s, unprecedented economic growth provided a catalyst for Istanbul's transformation. Tolga İslam outlines the background to large‐scale urban development and renewal projects that have been undertaken by local authorities throughout the city. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Creating Interfaces for a Sustainable Cultural Programme for Istanbul: An Interview with Korhan Gümüş
Authors: Ertaş Hülya
Published: January 2010

Korhan Gümüş, the Director of Urban and Architectural Projects for the Istanbul 2010 European Capital of Culture (ECOC) Agency, tells Hülya Ertaş about his agency's plans for managing the ECOC process, its intention to create a bottom‐up model and the challenges it faces. He discusses four of the agency's most significant projects and how these are being realised in collaboration with a wide variety of actors. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Extended Thresholds III: Auxiliary Architectures
Authors: Hensel Michael , Hensel Defne Sunguroğlu
Published: January 2010

In Turkey, there exists a rich tradition of auxiliary architecture that is supplementary to permanent domestic structures. In hot climates, it often provides essential shade, either as stand‐alone shelter or as transitional spaces between the cool interior and the sun‐exposed exterior. It is a history that offers great potential for innovative sustainable solutions that require little or no energy. Michael Hensel and Defne Sunguroğlu Hensel describe the work that they have undertaken in this area through the Auxiliary Architectures: Membrane and Cable‐Net Systems Workshop at the İzmir University of Economy. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Transforming Turkey: Eight Emerging Practices
Authors: Ertaş Hülya
Published: January 2010

Over the last decade, Turkey has experienced an unprecedented construction boom. Many architects responded with commercial opportunism, collaborating in the design of gated communities and coastal resorts that did not contribute to the overall quality of the built interior. Hülya Ertaş focuses on the work of eight emerging practices whose integrity and original design approaches set them apart, and provides an alternative path for the future of architecture in Turkey. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Raven Row, Spitalfields
Authors: Littlefield David
Published: January 2010

Subject to many adaptations and reworkings over the centuries, Raven Row in London's Spitalfields displays resilience and an enduring quality. David Littlefield describes how 6a Architects have relied on impeccable judgement in their renovation of what were once silk merchants' premises into a non‐profit contemporary art centre, enabling them to combine cheeky references with authentic craftsmanship. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Telling Stories …
Authors: Spiller Neil
Published: January 2010

Neil Spiller celebrates ‘the messier sides to architectural discourse’, which take in myth‐making, collaged semiotics and moreover the untidy art of narrative. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Designing for Low‐Carbon Lifestyles
Authors: Mitchell Mukti , Yeang Ken
Published: January 2010

Carpenter, shipbuilder and pioneer of sustainable living Mukti Mitchell collaborates with Ken Yeang on an article espousing the widespread adoption of low‐carbon lifestyles. As well as discussing the adoption of CO2 reductions at the individual and global levels, they look at the extent to which architectural design can facilitate lifestyle carbon reductions. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Dynamic Light: The Media Facades of realities:united
Authors: Croci Valentina
Published: January 2010

Valentina Croci reviews the recent work of realities:united, who first came into the spotlight in 2003 with their media facade for the Kunsthaus Graz. She highlights how recent projects, such as the Crystal Mesh for the Iluma Building in Singapore and the exterior of the C4 in Cordoba, Spain, transcend the notion of the digital facade as billboard. Lighting is dynamically applied, in order to enhance the three‐dimensional experience of architecture rather than to flatten it. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The Museum is the Exhibit
Authors: Merkel Jayne
Published: January 2010

Frank Lloyd Wright's bold spiralling building on Fifth Avenue in New York City is still, 50 years after it opened, the Guggenheim's most popular attraction. Surveys show that as many as a third of the visitors come to see the building itself, rather than the exhibitions or permanent collections on view. And yet, as Jayne Merkel explains, the New York Guggenheim's recent retrospective exhibition of the architect's work was the museum's first. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
A New, Efficient and Recyclable Lanthanum(III) Oxide‐ Catalyzed CN Cross‐Coupling
Authors: Murthy S. Narayana , Madhav B. , Reddy V. Prakash , Nageswar Y. V. D.
Published: January 2010

A new and efficient protocol for the CN cross‐coupling of aryl halides with heteroaromatic amines in the presence of lanthanum(III) oxide (10 mol%) as a recyclable catalyst, N,N′‐dimethylethylenediamine (DMEDA) (20 mol%) and potassium hydroxide (KOH) as a base in dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) at 110 °C has been developed. This inexpensive catalytic system is highly effective towards the amination of aryl halides with various nitrogen nucleophiles and is significantly tolerant towards other functional groups in the substrates.
Direct Synthesis of Dihydrobenzo[a]carbazoles via Palladium‐Catalyzed Domino Annulation of Indoles
Authors: Jafarpour Farnaz , Hazrati Hamideh
Published: January 2010

A straightforward one‐step synthesis of annulated indoles via palladium‐catalyzed, norbornene‐mediated sequential intermolecular aryl ortho‐alkylation/intramolecular indole CH activation has been devised. This method provides an efficient route to a wide variety of substituted 6,11‐dihydro‐5H‐benzo[a]carbazoles from readily accessible 3‐bromoalkylindoles and iodoarenes.
Asymmetric Synthesis with Silicon‐Based Bulky Amino Organocatalysts
Authors: Xu Li‐Wen , Li Li , Shi Zhi‐Hui
Published: January 2010

Recent years have witnessed an explosive growth in the field of amino organocatalysis, especially in asymmetric enamine and iminium catalysis. Except for the obvious interaction between organocatalyst and substrate, the impact of bulky side group ons stereoselectivity is not as simple as one could imagine. Within the development of bulky site‐stereoselective organocatalysts, functional silyl organocatalysts with a bulky silicon group are promising and meet the high standards of modern synthetic methods. This review focuses on the recent advances in the synthetic applications of silicon‐based, bulky amino organocatalysts in which catalysts containing an organosilicon moiety or group play a formative role in controlling both the course of the reaction as well as the stereoselectivity.
An analysis of liquid CO2 drop formation with and without hydrate formation in static mixers
Authors: Tajima Hideo , Nagaosa Ryuichi , Yamasaki Akihiro , Kiyono Fumio
Published: January 2010

The formation process of CO2 drops in various types of Kenics Static Mixers was analyzed from the perspective of energy dissipation in the mixer, focusing on the formation of drop surfaces. Experimental studies on CO2 drop formation were conducted under varying temperatures, pressure, and flow rates, with and without hydrate formation. Analysis of the CO2 drop size and distribution at several locations within the static mixer was conducted, as of pressure drop in the mixer, to determine dissipation energies. In all the experimental conditions, by considering the surface energy for hydrate formation, the energy required for the formation of CO2 drops correlated well with total energy dissipation by mixer flow, which is represented by a pressure drop along the mixer. This process has important applications to the formation of liquid CO2 for ocean disposal as a countermeasure to global warming. © 2010 American Institute of Chemical Engineers AIChE J, 2010
Drying regime maps for particulate coatings
Authors: Cardinal Christine M. , Jung Yoon Dong , Ahn Kyung Hyun , Francis L. F.
Published: January 2010

Key microstructural properties of particulate coatings such as porosity and particle order are established during drying. Therefore, understanding the evolution of particulate distributions during drying is useful for designing coating properties. Here, a 1D model is proposed for the particle distribution through the coating thickness at different drying times and conditions, including Brownian diffusion, sedimentation, and evaporation. Effects of particle concentration on diffusion and sedimentation rates are included. Results are condensed onto a drying regime map which predicts the presence of particle surface accumulation or sediment based on two dimensionless numbers: the Peclet number and the sedimentation number. Cryogenic scanning electron microscopy (cryoSEM) is used to image the transient particulate distributions during the drying of a model system comprised of monodisperse silica particles in water. Particle size and evaporation rates are altered to access various domains of the drying map. There is good agreement between cryoSEM observations and model predictions. © 2010 American Institute of Chemical Engineers AIChE J, 2010
Hysteresis in cloud heights during solid suspension in stirred tank reactor: Experiments and CFD simulations
Authors: Sardeshpande Madhavi V. , Juvekar Vinay A. , Ranade Vivek V.
Published: January 2010

Solid suspension in stirred tank reactor is widely used in process industries for catalytic reactions, dissolution of solids, crystallization, and so on. Suspension quality is a key issue in design and operation of stirred reactor and its determination is not straight forward. Cloud height measurements of solid suspension provide a relatively simple way to quantify quality of suspension. In this work, experiments were carried out to quantify variation of cloud heights with impeller speed and particle characteristics. These measurements were carried out using visual observations, image analysis, and ultrasound velocity profiler techniques. The obtained data demonstrated the existence of hysteresis in cloud heights with respect to impeller speed. Apart from possible applications in reducing power required for achieving desired solid suspension quality, the existence of hysteresis also provides a new way to evaluate computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulations of solid–liquid flows in stirred vessels. An attempt was made to capture observed hysteresis in cloud heights in CFD simulations. The simulated results were compared with the experimental data. The presented models and results (experimental and computational) will be useful for simulating complex solid–liquid flows in stirred reactors. © 2010 American Institute of Chemical Engineers AIChE J, 2010