bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Mechanical failure of the Intramedullary Skeletal Kinetic Distractor in limb lengthening
Authors: Burghardt R. D. , Herzenberg J. E. , Specht S. C. , Paley D.
Published: April 2011

Between October 2001 and September 2009 we lengthened 242 lower-limb segments in 180 patients using the Intramedullary Skeletal Kinetic Distractor (ISKD). Mechanical failure was defined either as breakage of the ISKD or failure of the internal mechanism to activate. Retrieved nails which failed mechanically were examined by the manufacturer for defects. In all, 15 ISKDs in 12 patients (13 limbs) failed mechanically representing an overall failure rate of 6.2%, with fracture of the device occurring in ten of the 15 failures. Two nails in one patient failed to lengthen and had to be replaced. The manufacturer detected an error in the assembly of the nail, which prompted a wide recall. One nail jammed after being forcefully inserted, and two nails failed to lengthen fully. Lengthening was achieved in all 12 patients, although three required a second operation to exchange a defective nail for a new, functioning device.

The ISKD is a complex mechanical device which lengthens by the oscillation of two telescopic sections connected by a threaded rod. The junction between these sections is surrounded by a keyring collar. This keyring collar is the weakest part of the device.
The effect of HIV on early wound healing in open fractures treated with internal and external fixation
Authors: Aird J. , Noor S. , Lavy C. , Rollinson P.
Published: April 2011

There are 33 million people worldwide currently infected with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). This complex disease affects many of the processes involved in wound and fracture healing, and there is little evidence available to guide the management of open fractures in these patients. Fears of acute and delayed infection often inhibit the use of fixation, which may be the most effective way of achieving union.

This study compared fixation of open fractures in HIV-positive and -negative patients in South Africa, a country with very high rates of both HIV and high-energy trauma. A total of 133 patients (33 HIV-positive) with 135 open fractures fulfilled the inclusion criteria. This cohort is three times larger than in any similar previously published study.

The results suggest that HIV is not a contraindication to internal or external fixation of open fractures in this population, as HIV is not a significant risk factor for acute wound/implant infection. However, subgroup analysis of grade I open fractures in patients with advanced HIV and a low CD4 count (< 350) showed an increased risk of infection; we suggest that grade I open fractures in patients with advanced HIV should be treated by early debridement followed by fixation at an appropriate time.
Unnecessary contraindications for mobile-bearing unicompartmental knee replacement
Authors: Pandit H. , Jenkins C. , Gill H. S. , Smith G. , Price A. J. , Dodd C. A. F. , Murray D. W.
Published: April 2011

The contraindications for unicompartmental knee replacement (UKR) remain controversial. The views of many surgeons are based on Kozinn and Scott’s 1989 publication which stated that patients who weighed more than 82 kg, were younger than 60 years, undertook heavy labour, had exposed bone in the patellofemoral joint or chondrocalcinosis, were not ideal candidates for UKR. Our aim was to determine whether these potential contraindications should apply to patients with a mobile-bearing UKR. In order to do this the outcome of patients with these potential contraindications was compared with that of patients without the contraindications in a prospective series of 1000 UKRs. The outcome was assessed using the Oxford knee score, the American Knee Society score, the Tegner activity score, revision rate and survival.

The clinical outcome of patients with each of the potential contraindications was similar to or better than those without each contraindication. Overall, 678 UKRs (68%) were performed in patients who had at least one potential contraindication and only 322 (32%) in patients deemed to be ideal. The survival at ten years was 97.0% (95% confidence interval 93.4 to 100.0) for those with potential contraindications and 93.6% (95% confidence interval 87.2 to 100.0) in the ideal patients.

We conclude that the thresholds proposed by Kozinn and Scott using weight, age, activity, the state of the patellofemoral joint and chondrocalcinosis should not be considered to be contraindications for the use of the Oxford UKR.
Unsuspected reason for sciatica in Bertolotti’s syndrome
Authors: Shibayama M. , Ito F. , Miura Y. , Nakamura S. , Ikeda S. , Fujiwara K.
Published: April 2011

Patients with Bertolotti’s syndrome have characteristic lumbosacral anomalies and often have severe sciatica. We describe a patient with this syndrome in whom standard decompression of the affected nerve root failed, but endoscopic lumbosacral extraforaminal decompression relieved the symptoms.

We suggest that the intractable sciatica in this syndrome could arise from impingement of the nerve root extraforaminally by compression caused by the enlarged transverse process.
„internet library sub-saharan Africa“ (ilissAfrica): Bilanz einer Virtuellen Fachbibliothek
Authors: Bergenthum Hartmut
Published: April 2011

Seit Juni 2009 bietet die Virtuelle Fachbibliothek „internet library sub-saharan Africa“ (ilissAfrica) Wissenschaftlern und an Afrika Interessierten Hilfsmittel zur Literatur- und Webseitensuche. Dieser Beitrag gibt einen kurzen Überblick über die Funktionalitäten des Portals, widmet sich aber vor allem den Besonderheiten. Zum Ende der Projektförderung wird hiermit eine erste Bilanz des von der Deutschen Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) drei Jahre lang geförderten Projektes gezogen: Rückmeldungen von Nutzern und Zugriffe aus aller Welt belegen, dass das Konzept eines kompakten und leicht verständlichen Portals in den drei Sprachen Deutsch, Englisch und Französisch aufgegangen ist. Die europäische Vernetzung wird vorangetrieben, und das Angebot erweist sich auch für Forscher in Afrika als nützlich. Die Verankerung im Web2.0 zeitigt erste kleinere Erfolge. Die Teilnahme am Academic LinkShare-Verbund hat sich bei der kooperativen Katalogisierung von Websites merklich ausgezahlt. Anfängliche (vor allem technische) Schwierigkeiten konnten in relativ kurzer Zeit überwunden werden. Trotz der heterogenitätsbedingten Schwächen – mit der auch andere Konkurrenzangebote leben müssen – fällt die Bilanz in der Summe positiv aus.
Interdiffusion Phenomena of Zirconia-Nitride Layers on Coated AISI 310 Steel
Authors: Gómez Bernardo J. , Nachez Lucas , Caruso Ricardo , Díaz-Parralejo Antonio , Feugeas Jorge N. , de Sanctis Oscar
Published: April 2011

Duplex coatings on stainless steel American Iron and Steel Institute (AISI) 310 were prepared by a double process consisting of a plasma nitriding treatment and a multilayer ZrO2-3 mol % Y2O3 coating grown by chemical solution deposition. In this paper we investigate the interdiffusion phenomena between the elements and the deposited phases. The zirconia coating process over the nitrided steel initiated strong diffusion events. Hydrogen diffuses easily throughout the coating and acts as a reducing agent. The layer of zirconia works as a sieve, retaining nitrogen and allowing the passage of hydrogen. The contribution of this study show the interdiffusion at the interfaces of elements in samples subjected to treatments known as duplex coatings.
Teaching the Major Invertebrate Phyla in One Laboratory Session
Authors: Davis-Berg Elizabeth C.
Published: April 2011

This one-session laboratory exercise teaches all the major invertebrate phyla in about 2 hours.
Efficient TCAD Model for the Evolution of Interstitial Clusters, {311} Defects, and Dislocation Loops in Silicon
Authors: Zographos Nikolas , Zechner Christoph , Avci Ibrahim
Published: April 2011

The simulation of deep-submicron silicon-device manufacturing processes relies on predictive models for extended defect clusters. For submicroscopic interstitial clusters and {311} defects, an efficient and highly accurate model for process simulation has been developed and calibrated recently [1]. This model combines equations for three small interstitial clusters and two moments for {311} defects. In this work, we extend this model to include dislocation loops and to reproduce a greatly increased range of experimental data, including thermal annealing of end-of-range defects after amorphizing implants.
Modeling Ultra Shallow Junctions Formed by Phosphorus-Carbon and Boron-Carbon Co-implantation
Authors: Zechner Christoph , Matveev Dmitri , Zographos Nikolas , Moroz Victor , Pawlak Bartek
Published: April 2011

A new carbon-interstitial clustering model has been developed. The model has been implemented into the process simulator Sentaurus Process. Model parameters have been calibrated using fundamental marker layer experiments. B diffusion retardation in the C doped layer as well as Sb diffusion enhancement in the region close to a layer with high C concentration are successfully simulated. The calibrated model has been applied to simulations of ultra-shallow junction formation by high dose P-C and B-C co-implantation. It is assumed that, in regions which are amorphized by ion implantation and recrystallized by solid phase epitaxy, C is in the substitutional state right after the recrystallization. In contrast, in non-amorphized regions, C is assumed to be in clusters at the beginning of thermal annealing. A good agreement between simulation and experimental results has been achieved. The dependence of dopant diffusion on implanted C dose and spike annealing temperature has been reproduced.
London Underground: nineteenth century railway, twenty-first century standards
Authors: Bessant Graham T.
Published: April 2011

London Underground (LU) was the first underground passenger railway in the world. It was extended in three phases by different owners, all of whom used new techniques and materials to reduce costs. Like all pioneering works, some of the techniques and materials proved to have inherent faults, and the changes in ownership and the quest for cost reductions resulted in incomplete records. As a result of these various factors, LU suffered in-service failures. This paper describes failures associated with cast iron, longitudinally timbered bridges and clinker aggregate concrete. It outlines how LU dealt with the failures to enable continued safe operation, the investigations carried out to determine why the failures occurred and the solutions adopted to prevent similar failures occurring in the future. In each of the three cases, the paper explains how investigations into the failures enabled LU to retain the structures and avoid the prohibitive costs of replacement.
The forensic structural expert consultant/witness – US practices
Authors: Ratay Robert T.
Published: April 2011

Ever more structural failures make the news throughout the world. With the proliferation of failures, forensic structural engineering has become a field of professional practice of expert consultants/witnesses in both the investigation and litigation of failures. This paper is an overview of the qualifications, roles, ethics and scope of the work of expert consultants/witnesses who are retained after failures of structures in the USA.
Power and Confidence in Professions: Lessons for Occupational Therapy
Authors: Clark Florence A.
Published: April 2011

Background. Powerful professions have the capacity to obtain leadership positions, advocate successfully in the policy arena, and secure the resources necessary to achieve their professional goals. Within the occupational therapy profession, cultivating power and confidence among our practitioners is essential to realize our full capacity for meeting society's occupational needs.Purpose and Key Issues. Drawing from a historical analysis of the medical and nursing professions, this paper discusses the implications of power and disempowerment among health professions for their practitioners, clients, and public image. Theoretical perspectives on power from social psychology, politics, organizational management, and post-structuralism are introduced and their relevance to the profession of occupational therapy is examined.Implications. The paper concludes with recommendations for occupational therapy practitioners to analyze their individual sources of power and evaluate opportunities to develop confidence and secure power for their professional work—in venues both in and outside the workplace.
Perspectives théoriques en éducation à la santé et tenue de dossiers
Authors: Tremblay Manon M. , Brousseau Martine
Published: April 2011

Contexte. Les ergothérapeutes sont-ils impliqués en éducation et promotion de la san té comme exigé par le Code des professions du Québec? Sur le plan pratique, ils interviennent en éducation à la santé mais leur manque de référents théoriques rend difficile la reconnaissance de cet aspect de leur profession. Ainsi, les notions d'éducation à la santé se doivent d'être clarifiées. Par ailleurs, leurs interventions se reflètent-elles dans les dossiers? Objectif. Le but principal est de clarifier les notions théoriques d'éducation à la santé afin d'aider les ergothérapeutes à reconnaître les interventions qui cadrent en éducation à la santé et à les intégrer dans leurs dossiers. Défis. L'article présente l'évolution du concept d'éducation à la santé et expose les défis rencontrés lors de la documentation. Conséquences. Il propose des façons de consigner dans les dossiers et ce, en accord avec la position épistémologique sous-jacente.
How Do Employers React to a Pay-or-Play Mandate? Early Evidence from San Francisco
Authors: Colla Carrie H , Dow William H , Dube Arindrajit
Published: April 2011

In 2008 San Francisco implemented major health reform, becoming the first city to adopt a pay-or-play employer health spending mandate. It also created Healthy San Francisco, a new “public option” low-cost health access plan for the uninsured. This study evaluates employer-level health benefit offering responses to the pay-or-play mandate in the first year of implementation using the 2008 Bay Area Employer Health Benefits Survey and a difference-in-difference estimator. Although 92% of firms subject to the mandate already offered insurance prior to enactment, we find that 76% of firms had to expand benefits to comply with the minimum hourly spending requirement for each worker. Nevertheless, most surveyed San Francisco employers (61%) were supportive of the law. There is substantial employer demand for the public option, with 18% of firms using Healthy San Francisco for at least some employees, yet there is little evidence of firms dropping or restricting existing insurance offerings in the first year after implementation. A non-trivial portion of firms chose to meet the mandate by paying into health reimbursement accounts (14%). These results confirm that employer mandate details can have crucial effects on employer behavior. While there are important geographic and political characteristics of San Francisco that are important to bear in mind, San Francisco’s early experience suggests that implementation of a strong pay-or-play mandate is indeed feasible.
Access control framework for XML document collections
Authors: Sladic Goran , Milosavljevic Branko , Konjovic Zora , Vidakovic Milan
Published: April 2011

It is often the case that XML documents contain information of different
sensitivity degrees that must be selectively shared by user communities. This
paper presents the XXACF (eXtensible Role-Based XML Access Control Framework)
framework for controlling access to XML documents in different environments.
The proposed access control model of XXACF is described. The framework
represents an improvement over the existing systems and enables defining
context-sensitive access control policies on different priority and
granularity levels, the enforcement of access control for different
operations on XML documents, as well as different ways of access control
enforcement for the same operation.
Integrating instance-level and attribute-level knowledge into document clustering
Authors: Wang Jinlong , Wu Shunyao , Li Gang , Wei Zhe
Published: April 2011

In this paper, we present a document clustering framework incorporating
instance-level knowledge in the form of pairwise constraints and
attribute-level knowledge in the form of keyphrases. Firstly, we initialize
weights based on metric learning with pairwise constraints, then
simultaneously learn two kinds of knowledge by combining the distance-based
and the constraint-based approaches, finally evaluate and select clustering
result based on the degree of users? satisfaction. The experimental results
demonstrate the effectiveness and potential of the proposed method.
Solving difficult LR parsing conflicts by postponing them
Authors: Rodriguez-Leon C. , Garcia-Forte L.
Published: April 2011

Though yacc-like LR parser generators provide ways to solve shift-reduce
conflicts using token precedences, no mechanisms are provided for the
resolution of difficult shift-reduce or reduce-reduce conflicts. To solve
this kind of conflicts the language designer has to modify the grammar. All
the solutions for dealing with these difficult conflicts branch at each
alternative, leading to the exploration of the whole search tree. These
strategies differ in the way the tree is explored: GLR, Backtracking LR,
Backtracking LR with priorities, etc. This paper explores an entirely
different path: to extend the yacc conflict resolution sublanguage with new
constructs allowing the programmers to explicit the way the conflict must be
solved. These extensions supply ways to resolve any kind of conflicts,
including those that can not be solved using static precedences. The method
makes also feasible the parsing of grammars whose ambiguity must be solved in
terms of the semantic context. Besides, it brings to LR-parsing a common
LL-parsing feature: the advantage of providing full control over the specific
trees the user wants to build.
SPEM ontology as the semantic notation for method and process definition in the context of SWEBOK
Authors: Líska Miroslav , Navrat Pavol
Published: April 2011

The Guide to the Software Engineering Body of Knowledge (SWEBOK) provides a
consensually validated characterization of the bounds of the software
engineering discipline and to provide a topical access to the Body of
Knowledge supporting that discipline. The topic ?Notation for Process
Definition? references selected notations appropriate for software process
definition. However all of them have weakly defined semantics, thus is not
possible to use formal techniques for process model creation, validation etc.
In this work we present created Software and Systems Process Engineering
Meta-Model (SPEM) Ontology that improves the lack of mentioned process
notations. The SPEM Ontology constitutes a semantic notation that provides
concepts for knowledge based software process engineering. The work also
discusses utilization of such semantic notation in other selected SWEBOK
topics, the Software Project Planning, the Software Project Enactment, and
the Verification and Validation.
Detecting concurrency anomalies in transactional memory programs
Authors: Lourenço João , Sousa Diogo , Teixeira Bruno , Dias Ricardo
Published: April 2011

Concurrent programs may suffer from concurrency anomalies that may lead to
erroneous and unpredictable program behaviors. To ensure program correctness,
these anomalies must be diagnosed and corrected. This paper addresses the
detection of both low- and high-level anomalies in the Transactional Memory
setting. We propose a static analysis procedure and a framework to address
Transactional Memory anomalies. We start by dealing with the classic case of
low-level dataraces, identifying concurrent accesses to shared memory cells
that are not protected within the scope of a memory transaction. Then, we
address the case of high-level dataraces, bringing the programmer?s attention
to pairs of memory transactions that were misspecified and should have been
combined into a single transaction. Our framework was applied to a set of
programs, collected form different sources, containing well known low- and
high-level anomalies. The framework demonstrated to be accurate, confirming
the effectiveness of using static analysis techniques to precisely identify
concurrency anomalies in Transactional Memory programs.
Software agents: Languages, tools, platforms
Authors: Bădică Costin , Budimac Zoran , Burkhard Hans-Dieter , Ivanovic Mirjana
Published: April 2011

The main goal of this paper is to provide an overview of the rapidly
developing area of software agents serving as a reference point to a large
body of literature and to present the key concepts of software agent
technology, especially agent languages, tools and platforms. Special
attention is paid on significant languages designed and developed in order to
support implementation of agent-based systems and their applications in
different domains. Afterwards, in the paper a number of useful and
practically used tools and platforms that are available and support
activities or phases of the process of agent-oriented software development
are presented.
Functions of Compulsions in Obsessive–Compulsive Disorder
Authors: Starcevic Vladan , Berle David , Brakoulias Vlasios , Sammut Peter , Moses Karen , Milicevic Denise , Hannan Anthony
Published: April 2011

Objectives: The key function of compulsions in obsessive–compulsive disorder (OCD) is to alleviate anxiety or distress caused by the obsessions, but compulsions may also have other functions. The main aim of this study was to systematically ascertain what motivates individuals with OCD to perform compulsions.

Method: A total of 108 adults with OCD were assessed with the Yale-Brown Obsessive Compulsive Scale (Y-BOCS) and the Functions of Compulsions Interview. The latter instrument elicits the functions of identified compulsions.

Results: The functions of 218 compulsions were identified. The mean number of functions per compulsion in the whole sample was 2.94 and the vast majority of compulsions (85.3%) were performed for more than one reason. The total number of functions of compulsions endorsed for the three main compulsions correlated with Y-BOCS total scores (r = 0.37, p < 0.001). Compulsions were most frequently performed automatically and to decrease distress or anxiety, but there was substantial variation, depending on the type of compulsion. Hoarding was often performed for reasons not related to any other compulsion (involving a perceived need for collected objects), whereas ordering/symmetry/repeating compulsions were frequently performed to achieve a ‘just right’ feeling. Checking was frequently performed because of the belief that something bad or unpleasant would happen if one failed to check; washing/cleaning compulsions were most frequently performed to decrease distress or anxiety and automatically, and mental compulsions were performed automatically far more often than for other reasons.

Conclusions: The majority of compulsions have more than one function and they are often performed automatically. The finding of different functions of compulsions in different types of compulsions provides some support to the subtyping of OCD on the basis of obsessions and compulsions. Identifying functions of compulsions allows better understanding of the functional relationship between obsessions and compulsions, which may have implications for cognitive-behavioural therapy of OCD.
Selective Preparation of Furfural from Xylose over Sulfonic Acid Functionalized Mesoporous Sba-15 Materials
Authors: Shi Xuejun , Wu Yulong , Yi Huaifeng , Rui Guo , Li Panpan , Yang Mingde , Wang Gehua
Published: April 2011

Sulfonic acid functionalized mesoporous SBA-15 materials were prepared using the co-condensation and grafting methods, respectively, and their catalytic performance in the dehydration of xylose to furfural was examined. SBA-15-SO3H(C) prepared by the co-condensation method showed 92–95% xylose conversion and 74% furfural selectivity, and 68–70% furfural yield under the given reaction conditions. The deactivation and regeneration of the SBA-15-SO3H(C) catalyst for the dehydration of xylose was also investigated. The results indicate that the used and regeneration catalysts retained the SBA-15 mesoporous structure, and the S content of SBA-15-SO3H(C) almost did not change. The deactivation of the catalysts is proposed to be associated with the accumulation of byproducts, which is caused by the loss reaction of furfural. After regeneration by H2O2, the catalytic activity of the catalyst almost recovered.
Population Surveillance of Dementia Mortality
Authors: Gillum Richard F. , Yorrick Ralston , Obisesan Thomas O.
Published: April 2011

Geographic and temporal variation in occurrence of dementia within the US has received little attention despite its importance for generation of new etiologic hypotheses and health services research. We examine methodological problems in the use of vital statistics data for assessing variation over time, among states and within states in the US. We analyzed the US multiple cause of death files for 2005–2006 and 1999–2000 US deaths with Alzheimer’s Disease (International Classification of Disease 10th revision code G30) and other dementias (codes F01, F02, R54) coded as underlying or contributing cause of death based on the death certificate. Age-adjusted death rates were computed by year, state or county for persons aged 65 years and over. In 2005–2006 combined, 555,904 total deaths occurred with any dementia type (212,386 for Alzheimer’s disease) coded as underlying or contributing cause. Among the states, age-adjusted rates per 100,000 per year varied by two fold ranging from 458 in New York to 921 in Oregon. Similar geographic patterns were seen for Alzheimer’s disease. However, between 1999–2000 and 2005–2006 the US death rate for all dementia increased only from 559 to 695 (24%) while that for Alzheimer’s disease doubled from 135 to 266. Use of specific (G30, F01) versus non-specific diagnoses (F02, R54) varied among states and over time, explaining most of the temporal increase in rate of Alzheimer’s disease. Further research is needed to assess artifacts of diagnosis, certification or coding, utilization of health services, versus biological variation as possible causes of temporal and geographic variation to enhance utility of mortality data for dementia monitoring and research.
Degradation of Glyphosate in Soil Photocatalyzed by Fe3O4/SiO2/TiO2 under Solar Light
Authors: Xu Xuan , Ji Fangying , Fan Zihong , He Li
Published: April 2011

In this study, Fe3O4/SiO2/TiO2 photocatalyst was prepared via a sol-gel method, and Fe3O4 particles were used as the core of the colloid. Diffraction peaks of Fe3O4 crystals are not found by XRD characterization, indicating that Fe3O4 particles are well encapsulated by SiO2. FTIR characterization shows that diffraction peaks of Ti-O-Si chemical bonds become obvious when the Fe3O4 loading is more than 0.5%. SEM characterization indicates that agglomeration occurs in the Fe3O4/SiO2/TiO2 photocatalyst, whereas photocatalysts modified by Fe3O4/SiO2 present excellent visible light absorption performance and photocatalytic activity, especially when the Fe3O4 loading is 0.5%. Photocatalytic degradation of glyphosate in soil by these photocatalysts under solar irradiation was investigated. Results show that 0.5% Fe3O4/SiO2/TiO2 has the best photocatalytic activity. The best moisture content of soil is 30%~50%. Degradation efficiency of glyphosate reaches 89% in 2 h when the dosage of photocatalyst is 0.4 g/100 g (soil), and it increased slowly when more photocatalyst was used. Soil thickness is a very important factor for the photocatalytic rate. The thinner the soil is, the better the glyphosate degradation is. Degradation of glyphosate is not obviously affected by sunlight intensity when the intensity is below 6 mW/cm2 or above 10 mW/cm2, but it is accelerated significantly when the sunlight intensity increases from 6 mW/cm2 to 10 mW/cm2.
Database Survey of Anti-Inflammatory Plants in South America: A Review
Authors: Lima Gedson Rodrigues de Morais , Montenegro Camila de Albuquerque , Almeida Cynthia Layse Ferreira de , Athayde-Filho Petrônio Filgueiras de , Barbosa-Filho José Maria , Batista Leônia Maria
Published: April 2011

Inflammation is a complex event linked to tissue damage whether by bacteria, physical trauma, chemical, heat or any other phenomenon. This physiological response is coordinated largely by a variety of chemical mediators that are released from the epithelium, the immunocytes and nerves of the lamina propria. However, if the factor that triggers the inflammation persists, the inflammation can become relentless, leading to an intensification of the lesion. The present work is a literature survey of plant extracts from the South American continent that have been reported to show anti-inflammatory activity. This review refers to 63 bacterial families of which the following stood out: Asteraceae, Fabaceae, Euphorbiaceae, Apocynaceae and Celastraceae, with their countries, parts used, types of extract used, model bioassays, organisms tested and their activity.
Antimicrobial, Cytotoxic and Antioxidant Activities and Determination of the Total Tannin Content of Bark Extracts Endopleura uchi
Authors: Politi Flávio A. S. , Mello João C. P. de , Migliato Ketylin F. , Nepomuceno Andréa L. A. , Moreira Raquel R. D. , Pietro Rosemeire C. L. R.
Published: April 2011

Endopleura uchi is a typical Amazonian tree and its bark is popularly employed in the preparation of teas against myomas, arthritis, influenza, diarrhea and cancer. In this study, the antioxidant activity, cytotoxicity and antimicrobial activity of five different extracts of the bark, selected by their total tannin content, were assessed. The potential antioxidant activity of the extracts was determined by 2.2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl radical scavenging assay and the values found were very similar among the extracts and to the standards antioxidants used in the tests. Cytotoxicity analysis in mammalian cells indicated that all the tested extracts exhibited IC50 values higher than the highest concentration used, showing that they do not present a risk when consumed under these conditions. Extract tested against five bacterial strains and one yeast strain did not show satisfactory growth inhibitory activity, and even the extracts that showed some antimicrobial activity were not effective at any dilution to determine the minimum inhibitory concentration. The results may serve as a reference for subsequent works, since such reference values described in the literature for the bark of E. uchi.
Origin and Diversification of Dung Beetles in Madagascar
Authors: Miraldo Andreia , Wirta Helena , Hanski Ilkka
Published: April 2011

Madagascar has a rich fauna of dung beetles (Scarabaeinae and Aphodiinae) withalmost 300 species described to date. Like most other taxa in Madagascar, dung beetles exhibit an exceptionally high level of endemism (96% of the species). Here,we review the current knowledge of the origin and diversification of Malagasy dung beetles. Based on molecular phylogenies, the extant dung beetles originate from eight colonizations, of which four have given rise to extensive radiations. These radiations have occurred in wet forests, while the few extant species in the less successfulradiations occur in open and semi-open habitats. We discuss the likely mechanisms of speciation and the ecological characteristics of the extant communities, emphasizing the role of adaptation along environmental gradients and allopatric speciation in generating the exceptionally high beta diversity in Malagasy dung beetles. Phylogeographic analyses of selected species reveal complex patterns with evidence for genetic introgression between old taxa. The introduction of cattle to Madagascar 1500 years ago created a new abundant resource, onto which a few species haveshifted and thereby been able to greatly expand their geographical ranges.
Carbohydrase Systems of Saccharophagus degradans Degrading Marine Complex Polysaccharides
Authors: Hutcheson Steven W. , Zhang Haitao , Suvorov Maxim
Published: April 2011

Saccharophagus degradans 2-40 is a γ-subgroup proteobacterium capable of using many of the complex polysaccharides found in the marine environment for growth. To utilize these complex polysaccharides, this bacterium produces a plethora of carbohydrases dedicated to the processing of a carbohydrate class. Aiding in the identification of the contributing genes and enzymes is the known genome sequence for this bacterium. This review catalogs the genes and enzymes of the S. degradans genome that are likely to function in the systems for the utilization of agar, alginate, α- and β-glucans, chitin, mannans, pectins, and xylans and discusses the cell biology and genetics of each system as it functions to transfer carbon back to the bacterium.
Polymer Networks Produced by Marine Diatoms in the Northern Adriatic Sea
Authors: Svetličić Vesna , Žutić Vera , Radić Tea Mišić , Pletikapić Galja , Zimmermann Amela Hozić , Urbani Ranieri
Published: April 2011

Using high resolution molecular technique of atomic force microscopy, we address the extracellular polymer production of Adriatic diatom Cylindrotheca closterium analyzed at the single cell level and the supramolecular organization of gel phase isolated from the Northern Adriatic macroaggregates. Our results revealed that extracellular polysaccharides freshly produced by marine diatoms can self-assemble directly to form gel network characteristics of the macroscopic gel phase in the natural aquatorium. Based on the experiments performed with isolated polysaccharide fractions of C. closterium and of macroaggregates gel phase, we demonstrated that the polysaccharide self-assembly into gel network can proceed independent of any bacterial mediation or interaction with inorganic particles.
N-Cyanomethylnorboldine: A New Aporphine Isolated from Alseodaphne perakensis (Lauraceae)
Authors: Nafiah Mohd Azlan , Mukhtar Mat Ropi , Omar Hanita , Ahmad Kartini , Morita Hiroshi , Litaudon Marc , Awang Khalijah , Hadi A. Hamid A.
Published: April 2011

A phytochemical study of the bark of Alseodaphne perakensis has yielded three aporphine alkaloids: the new compound N-cyanomethylnorboldine (1), and the two known alkaloids N-methyllaurotetanine (2) and norboldine (3). The isolation was achieved by chromatographic techniques and the structural elucidation was performed via spectral methods, notably 1D- and 2D-NMR, UV, IR, and HRFABMS. The vasorelaxation activity of compound 1 has been studied.
Synthesis and Anticancer Activity of Some Novel Tetralin-6-yl-pyrazoline, 2-Thioxopyrimidine, 2-Oxopyridine, 2-Thioxo-pyridine and 2-Iminopyridine Derivatives
Authors: Al-Abdullah Ebtehal S.
Published: April 2011

The title compounds were prepared by reaction of 6-acetyltetralin (1) with different aromatic aldehydes 2a-c, namely 2,6-dichlorobenzaldehyde, 2,6-diflouro-benzaldehyde, and 3-ethoxy-4-hydroxybenzaldehyde, to yield the corresponding a,b-unsaturated ketones 3a-c. Compound 3b was reacted with hydrazine hydrate to yield the corresponding 2-pyrazoline 4, while compounds 3a,b reacted with thiourea to afford the 2-thioxopyrimidine derivatives 5a,b, respectively. The reaction of 1, and the aromatic aldehydes 2a-c with ethyl cyanoacetate, 2-cyano-thioacetamide or malononitrile in the presence of ammonium acetate yielded the corresponding 2-oxopyridines 6a,b, 2-thioxopyridines 7a-c or 2-iminopyridines 8a,b, respectively. The newly prepared compounds were evaluated for anticancer activity against two human tumor cell lines. Compound 3a showed the highest potency with IC50 = 3.5 and 4.5 μg/mL against a cervix carcinoma cell line (Hela) and breast carcinoma cell line (MCF7), respectively.
Antioxidant, Total Phenolic Content and Cytotoxicity Evaluation of Selected Malaysian Plants
Authors: Qader Suhailah Wasman , Abdulla Mahmood Ameen , Chua Lee Suan , Najim Nigar , Zain Mazatulikhma Mat , Hamdan Salehhuddin
Published: April 2011

Aqueous and ethanol extracts of different traditional Malaysian plants (Polygonum minus, Andrographis paniculata, Curcuma xanthorrhiza, Momordica charantia and Strobilanthes crispus) were evaluated for their antioxidant properties, total phenolic content and cytotoxic activity. Antioxidant activity was evaluated by using 1,1-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) and ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) assays. The results showed that ethanol extracts contain high antioxidant activities compared to aqueous extracts. The findings exhibited a strong correlation between antioxidant activity and the total phenol contents. In addition, all the plant extracts showed non-toxic effects against a normal human lung fibroblast cell line (Hs888Lu). Although traditionally aqueous extracts are used, we determined that ethanol extracts usually achieved better activity in the assays.
Variation in Fatty Acid Distribution of Different Acyl Lipids in Rice (Oryza sativa L.) Brans
Authors: Yoshida Hiromi , Tanigawa Takaaki , Kuriyama Isoko , Yoshida Naoko , Tomiyama Yuka , Mizushina Yoshiyuki
Published: April 2011

The lipids extracted from rice brans were classified by thin-layer chromatography into eight fractions, and their fatty acid (FA) compositions were investigated among five different Japanese cultivars. The lipids of these rice brans comprised mainly triacylglycerols (TAG; 84.9–86.0 wt%), free FA (4.2–4.6 wt%), and phospholipids (PL; 6.5–6.7 wt%), whilst other components were also detected in minor proportions (0.2–2.1 wt%). The PL components included phosphatidyl choline (43.3–46.8 wt%) phosphatidyl ethanolamine (25.0–27.3 wt%) and phosphatidyl inositol (20.2–23.2 wt%). Comparison of the different cultivars showed, with a few exceptions, no substantial difference (P > 0.05) in FA distribution. FA distribution of TAG among the five cultivars was characterized as: unsaturated FA predominantly concentrated at the sn-2 position and saturated FA primarily occupying the sn-1 or sn-3 position in these lipids. These results suggest that the rice bran lipids may be well incorporated into our daily diet to improve nutritional value of the Japanese diet.
Unusual behavior in the reactivity of 5-substituted-1H-tetrazoles in a resistively heated microreactor
Authors: Gutmann Bernhard , Glasnov Toma N , Razzaq Tahseen , Goessler Walter , Roberge Dominique M , Kappe C Oliver
Published: April 2011

The decomposition of 5-benzhydryl-1H-tetrazole in anN-methyl-2-pyrrolidone/acetic acid/water mixture was investigated under a variety of high-temperature reaction conditions. Employing a sealed Pyrex glass vial and batch microwave conditions at 240 °C, the tetrazole is comparatively stable and complete decomposition to diphenylmethane requires more than 8 h. Similar kinetic data were obtained in conductively heated flow devices with either stainless steel or Hastelloy coils in the same temperature region. In contrast, in a flow instrument that utilizes direct electric resistance heating of the reactor coil, tetrazole decomposition was dramatically accelerated with rate constants increased by two orders of magnitude. When 5-benzhydryl-1H-tetrazole was exposed to 220 °C in this type of flow reactor, decomposition to diphenylmethane was complete within 10 min. The mechanism and kinetic parameters of tetrazole decomposition under a variety of reaction conditions were investigated. A number of possible explanations for these highly unusual rate accelerations are presented. In addition, general aspects of reactor degradation, corrosion and contamination effects of importance to continuous flow chemistry are discussed.
Odeurs et dimension hédonique à travers le prisme des adjectifs
Authors: Vassiliadou Hélène , Lammert Marie
Published: April 2011

Notre étude consacrée à la dimension hédonique des odeurs s’appuie sur l’analyse des adjectifs, postposés et antéposés, qui qualifient le nom odeur(s) . Pour ce faire, nous nous sommes appuyées sur un corpus extrait de Frantext et analysé par le concordancier Oxford Wordsmith (2 583 occurrences). Notre attention porte plus particulièrement sur les liens entre les adjectifs hédoniques et leur position par rapport au nom ainsi que sur la question des propriétés des odeurs et de l’existence de types d’odeurs. Différentes sous-classes, véhiculant des traits supplémentaires, se dégagent à l’intérieur des adjectifs hédoniques, spécifiant des effets (agressive/caressante) , des propriétés (amère/chaude) , de l’intensité (forte/fade) . Classer et expliquer les combinaisons possibles du mot odeur avec des adjectifs permet de confirmer et/ou d’infirmer les résultats obtenus dans les études antérieures, mais aussi d’apporter de nouvelles données dans la description des odeurs.
Sentir : les constructions prédicatives de l'olfaction
Authors: Theissen Anne
Published: April 2011

Notre contribution vise à décrire les principales constructions auxquelles donne lieu le verbe sentir dans le domaine olfactif. Dans la première partie, nous séparerons les emplois olfactifs de sentir de ses autres emplois sensoriels et non sensoriels et mettrons en relief ses trois principaux emplois olfactifs. Dans la seconde partie, nous analyserons d’abord le sens de ces emplois et le rôle que jouent les arguments impliqués dans les constructions qui leur correspondent. Nous dégagerons ensuite les différentes contraintes auxquelles ils sont soumis.
Le talent des managers de proximité
Authors: Ruiller Caroline
Published: April 2011

Résumé L’importance du concept de soutien social ne cesse de croître depuis les travaux fondateurs de Caplan (1974). Ce construit fait l’objet de nombreuses recherches empiriques dans des disciplines différentes (sociologie, psychologie, épidémiologie, gestion des ressources humaines…). Il se complexifie depuis une dizaine d’années (intentions de comportements de soutien effectifs, perception du soutien du point de vue du receveur, types de soutien, réciprocité) (Hupcey, 1998). Les instruments de mesure sont nombreux et font l’objet d’affinements. Nous avons choisi de nous intéresser aux agents du secteur hospitalier pour proposer un modèle du soutien social au travail et pour développer une échelle de mesure de la perception du soutien social. Nous présentons les 17 items développés sur la base d’une étude qualitative (62 entretiens), ainsi que la démarche de purification de la mesure (n = 171). Deux sources de soutien social sont appréciées : le manager de proximité et les membres de l’équipe de travail. Nous intégrons les résultats des recherches menées sur le soutien organisationnel, le soutien social dans les modèles interactionnistes du stress et les travaux fondateurs pour structurer notre objet de recherche. Nous étudions la nature des ressources échangées dans les relations de soutien au travail. L’analyse de contenu par thématiques et la démarche de purification de la mesure font ressortir deux modèles. En termes de résultats, nous constatons que les attentes de soutien des salariés sont principalement émotionnelles et d’estime. Les managers de proximité reconnaissent des comportements de soutien ayant vocation à favoriser l’efficacité organisationnelle.
L'impossible réconciliation nationale irakienne ?
Authors: Benraad Myriam
Published: April 2011

résumés Àl’heure où l’Irak entre dans sa dernière année d’occupation, le processus de « réconciliation nationale » lancé depuis l’été 2006 demeure dans l’impasse. Les élections du 7 mars 2010, dont on attendait qu’elles consacrent la refondation d’un pacte national entre Irakiens à l’orée du retrait militaire américain, semblent avoir abouti à un morcellement encore plus prononcé du paysage sociopo-litique. Le partage du pouvoir finalement retenu annonce également des tensions à venir. Après que les contours de la « nation » irakienne ont longtemps été débattus, puis soumis à une déconstruction continue sous les effets de la dictature, de l’embargo et du dernier conflit, il faudra sans doute plusieurs décennies avant que n’advienne une authentique réconciliation nationale.
Cercariae of trematodes in freshwater snails in three climatic zones in Sri Lanka
Authors: Jayawardena Uthpala A , Rajakaruna Rupika S , Amerasinghe Priyanie H
Published: April 2011

Cercariae of trematodes in freshwater snails were studied in 1694 snails collected from rivers and streams in three climatic zones of Sri Lanka during 2005 to 2008. Four snail species; Thiara scabra, T. tuberculata, Paludomous sphearica and Gyraulus saigonensis were collected from nine sites in four districts; Matale, Kandy, Kegalle, and Kurunegala. Snails were allowed to release cercariae under direct sunlight or artificial light in the laboratory. Of the four snail species collected, Thiara spp. was the most preferred intermediate host with high prevalence of infection. Eight different morphological types of cercariae were released namely; oculopleurolophocercous, distome, gymnocephalous, echinostomous, gymnophallus, xiphidiocercariae, macrocercous and two furcocercous type cercariae. These cercariae belonged to six trematode families; Heterophyidae, Schistosomatidae, Psilostomidae, Echinostomidae, Gymnophallidae, Lecithodendriidae and two unidentified groups. Of the snails collected, 16% was infected with one or more types of cercariae. The highest overall infection was 77.4% in snails collected from Kurunegala district, of which more than 90% was Thiara spp. One snail with mixed infections was found. Diversity and prevalence of cercariae varied among the three climatic zones. The highest diversity was observed in the wet zone (Shannon Diversity Index, H = -1.423) showing six morphotyes. The diversity of infection in the dry zone was very low (H = -0.192) with only two morphotypes. Although, the cercariae diversity was very high in the wet zone, the prevalence of infection was very low (10.1%) compared to the dry (77.4%) and intermediate (33.9%) zones. Key words: Digenetic trematodes; cercariae diversity; freshwater snails DOI: 10.4038/cjsbs.v39i2.2996 Cey. J. Sci. (Bio. Sci.) 39 (2): 95-108, 2010
Nesting behaviour of the Green turtle at Kosgoda rookery, Sri Lanka
Authors: Ekanayake EMI , Rajakaruna RS , Kapurusinghe T , Saman MM , Rathnakumara DS , Samaraweera P , Ranawana KB
Published: April 2011

Studies on nesting behaviour of turtles provide the most important information on their reproduction by providing estimates of female population size. Kosgoda, located in the southwest coast of Sri Lanka, has a year-round nesting rookery which is visited by five species of sea turtles, the green turtle being the most frequent visitor. Nesting behaviour of the female green turtle was studied at the Kosgoda rookery during a five-year period from August 2003 to July 2008. A total of 1,492 nests of the green turtle were recorded with a mean of 298.4 annual nests. Nesting took place year round, with 66 % of nesting recorded during February to June. The highest and the lowest number of nests were recorded in April and November, respectively. The average clutch size of a female green turtle was 111.5 and the clutch frequency was 2.17. The average annual nesting abundance in the study area was 138.28. Of the 2,297 nesting attempts, 805 were false crawls accounting for a nesting success of 65%. Females nesting at Kosgoda showed nest site fidelity. More than half of the females (54.3%) nested in the same beach twice or more (mean 2.17) during the same nesting season. The highest number of re-nesting recorded was ten and the mean inter-nesting interval was 13.5 days. Of the 519 individuals tagged during the study period, 56 re-visited the same beach for nesting during the subsequent nesting seasons with a mean re-migration interval of 2.56 years. One female visited the same beach three times for nesting during the study period (after 2.67 years and then after 1.83 years). The nesting behaviour of the green turtle at Kosgoda rookery was similar to those at Rekawa, the largest rookery in Sri Lanka, located in the southern coast 130 km away from Kosgoda. Rekawa beach was declared a sea turtle sanctuary in 2006. This study shows that Kosgoda beach also provides a significant nesting site for the green turtle and highlights the need to declare it as a sanctuary. Key words: clutch frequency; nesting success; re-nesting; re-migration; inter-nesting interval DOI: 10.4038/cjsbs.v39i2.2997 Cey. J. Sci. (Bio. Sci.) 39 (2): 109-120, 2010