bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Adsorption Characteristics of Polyvinyl Alcohols in Solution on Expanded Graphite
Authors: Pang Xiu-Yan
Published: March 2012

Expanded graphite (EG) adsorbent was prepared with 50 mesh graphite as raw materials, potassium permanganate as oxidant, and vitriol as intercalation compound. Three kinds of polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) with different degree of polymerization (DP) in aqueous solution were used as adsorbates. We have studied the influence of initial PVA concentration, temperature and ionic strength on adsorption capacity. Langmuir constants and Gibbs free energy change (⊿G°) were calculated according to experimental data respectively. Thermodynamic analysis indicates the equilibrium adsorbance of PVA on EG increase with the rise of SO42– concentration. Adsorption isotherms of PVA with different degree of polymerization are all types and we deduce PVA molecules lie flat on EG surface. Adsorption processes are all spontaneous. Kinetic studies show that the kinetic data can be described by pseudo second‐order kinetic model. Second‐order rate constants and the initial adsorption rate rise with the increasing of temperature and half‐adsorption time decreases with the increasing of temperature. The adsorption activation energy of each PVA is less than 20 kJ•mol−1, physical adsorption is the major mode of the overall adsorption process.
Synthesis of Two Steroids Derivatives and its Relationship with some Physicochemical Parameters
Authors: Figueroa-Valverde Lauro , Díaz-Cedillo Francisco , Garcia-Cervera Elodia
Published: March 2012

Two danazol derivatives were synthesized and characterized by spectral analyses. In order to characterize the structural and physicochemical requirements of danazol derivatives, several parameters such HOMO‐LUMO gap, ΔHf, RMSg, dipole moment (µ) and bond length were evaluated. The results showed that HOMO and µ was high in the compound 5 in comparison with the compound 3. In conclusion all these data indicate that increase in the length of chain induce greater moment dipole and increase HOMO gap in the compound 5 with respect to 3.
Evolution of Equity Norms in Small‐World Networks
Authors: Santos José I. , Poza David J. , Galán José M. , López-Paredes Adolfo
Published: March 2012

The topology of interactions has been proved very influential in the results of models based on learning and evolutionary game theory. This paper is aimed at investigating the effect of structures ranging from regular ring lattices to random networks, including small‐world networks, in a model focused on property distribution norms. The model considers a fixed and finite population of agents who play the Nash bargaining game repeatedly. Our results show that regular networks promote the emergence of the equity norm, while less‐structured networks make possible the appearance of fractious regimes. Additionally, our analysis reveals that the speed of adoption can also be affected by the network structure.
In Vitro Antioxidant and Cytotoxic Activities of Some Marine Sponges Collected off Misamis Oriental Coast, Philippines
Authors: Rivera A. P. , Uy M. M.
Published: March 2012

The phosphomolybdenum method for total antioxidant activity determination showed that the hexane, dichloromethane and ethyl acetate extracts of five marine sponge species collected off misamis oriental coast‐Aaptos suberitoides, Dactylospongia elegans, Stylissa massa, Haliclona sp. and an unidentified species coded as KL‐05, have varying degrees of antioxidant capacity. Expressed as ascorbic acid equivalents in μg/mL of extract, the hexane extract of Dactylospongia elegans (DeH) and the ethyl acetate extract of Aaptos suberitoides (AsE) showed the highest antioxidant capacity. Although the hexane extract of KL‐05 (KL‐05H) has considerable antioxidant activity, the ethyl acetate extract (KL‐05E) showed no antioxidant activity. The brine shrimp assay for cytotoxicity indicated high bioactivity, with Haliclona sp., Dactylospongia elegans, Aaptos suberitoides and Stylissa massa exhibiting high % mortality and low LC50 values. The antioxidant and cytotoxic activities of the marine sponges may be attributed to the zoochemicals present. All sponge species contain alkaloids, saponins, tannins, and flavonoids. Terpenoids are present only in Haliclona sp. and the cardiac glycosides, only in Aaptos suberitoides and Haliclona sp.
Bacterial Contamination of Clothes and Environmental Items in a Third-Level Hospital in Colombia
Authors: Cataño J. C. , Echeverri L. M. , Szela C.
Published: March 2012

Objective. This study evaluates the bacterial contamination rate of items in the hospital setting that are in frequent contact with patients and/or physicians. By determining the bacterial species and the associated antibiotic resistance that patients are exposed to.Methods. Hospital-based cross-sectional surveillance study of potential bacterial reservoirs. Cultures from 30 computer keyboards, 32 curtains, 40 cell phones, 35 white coats, and 22 ties were obtained.Setting. The study was conducted an urban academic 650-bed teaching hospital providing tertiary care to the city of Medellin, Colombia.Results. In total, 235 bacterial isolates were obtained from 159 surfaces sampled. 98.7% of the surfaces grew positive bacterial cultures with some interesting resistance profiles.Conclusion. There are significant opportunities to reduce patient exposure to frequently pathogenic bacteria in the hospital setting; patients are likely exposed to many bacteria through direct contact with white coats, curtains, and ties. They may be exposed to additional bacterial reservoirs indirectly through the hands of clinicians, using computer keyboards and cell phones.
Acanthosis Nigricans Associated with Morbid Obesity and Colorectal Adenocarcinoma
Authors: Li J. , Yazdabadi A. , Sinclair R.
Published: March 2012

We report a case of a morbidly obese 32-year-old man presenting with acanthosis nigricans in the setting of Duke's B adenocarcinoma of the hepatic flexure.
Polymeric Organo‐Silane Coatings for Aluminum Alloy Corrosion Protection by Self‐Assembled Metho
Authors: Wang Yabin , Li Yanni , Wang Fang
Published: March 2012

The protective performances of coating formed by organo‐silane with a linear alkyl chain for promoting aluminum alloy corrosion protection were evaluated by electrochemical techniques. The coatings were self‐assembled in the hydrolyzed hydroalcoholic bath of n‐octyltriethoxysilane (OS) and cured at hot air oven by different time. The coatings prepared by the less self‐assembled number and shorter cured time, were always porous and scarcely protective. On the contrary, those built by the more self‐assembled number and the longer cured time had higher coverage on aluminum surface and favorable corrosion resistant property. The best results were obtained when n‐octyltri‐ethoxysilane (OS) was hydrolyzed 25 h, self‐assembling of OS was conducted for five times and the multi‐layers were cured at 120 for 1∼2 hours. In this case, the thicker, high cross‐linked and more scarcely defective layer was formed on aluminum alloy surface.
Fast and Efficient Synthesis of 4‐Arylidene‐3‐phenylisoxazol‐5‐ones
Authors: Mirzazadeh Maryam , Mahdavinia Gholam Hossein
Published: March 2012

A convenient and easy synthesis of 4‐arylidene‐3‐phenylisoxazol‐5‐ones by the three‐component reaction of hydroxylamine, ethyl benzoylacetate and aromatic aldehydes in the presence of DABCO in refluxing ethanol is reported.
A Mixed Spectral CD‐DY Conjugate Gradient Method
Authors: Jinkui Liu , Xianglin Du , Kairong Wang
Published: March 2012

A mixed spectral CD‐DY conjugate descent method for solving unconstrained optimization problems is proposed, which combines the advantages of the spectral conjugate gradient method, the CD method, and the DY method. Under the Wolfe line search, the proposed method can generate a descent direction in each iteration, and the global convergence property can be also guaranteed. Numerical results show that the new method is efficient and stationary compared to the CD (Fletcher 1987) method, the DY (Dai and Yuan 1999) method, and the SFR (Du and Chen 2008) method; so it can be widely used in scientific computation.
Localized Acquired Hypertrichosis Associated with the Application of a Splint
Authors: Leung Alexander K. C. , Wong Andrew S.
Published: March 2012

We describe a 16-year-old boy whose left forearm and hand were cut by a piece of glass from a broken window as a result of the fall. He had surgical repair of his left extensor pollicis brevis, abductor pollicis brevis, and dorsal branch of the left radial nerve. Following the surgery, he was put on a splint so as to immobilize the left forearm and wrist. On removal of the splint 4 weeks post surgery, he was noticed to have more hair growth on his left forearm and hand than his right counterparts. The patient was reassessed 2, 4, and 8 months after the removal of the splint. The hypertrichosis got better with time. At the last visit, the hair growth in the left forearm and hand was back to normal. Our patient represents the first reported case of localized acquired hypertrichosis following the application of a splint in the pediatric literature.
Analysis of Attitude Determination Methods Using GPS Carrier Phase Measurements
Authors: Baroni Leandro , Kuga Hélio Koiti
Published: March 2012

If three or more GPS antennas are mounted properly on a platform and differences of GPS signals measurements are collected simultaneously, the baselines vectors between antennas can be determined and the platform orientation defined by these vectors can be calculated. Thus, the prerequisite for attitude determination technique based on GPS is to calculate baselines between antennas to millimeter level of accuracy. For accurate attitude solutions to be attained, carrier phase double differences are used as main type of measurements. The use of carrier phase measurements leads to the problem of precise determination of the ambiguous integer number of cycles in the initial carrier phase (integer ambiguity). In this work two algorithms (LSAST and LAMBDA) were implemented and tested for ambiguity resolution allowing accurate real‐time attitude determination using measurements given by GPS receivers in coupled form. Platform orientation was obtained using quaternions formulation, and the results showed that LSAST method performance is similar to LAMBDA as far as the number of epochs which are necessary to resolve ambiguities is concerned, but with processing time significantly higher. The final result accuracy was similar for both methods, better than 0.1° to 0.2°, when baselines are considered in decoupled form.
Electrical Transport Properties of Multilayered Single-Walled Carbon Nanotube Films
Authors: Zhao Yanli , Li Wenzhi
Published: March 2012

An improved layer-by-layer vacuum filtration method was adopted for the fabrication of single-walled carbon nanotube (SWCNT) films aiming at a series of SWCNT films with controllable thickness and density. The electrical transport properties of the multilayered SWCNT films have been investigated. With the constant film density, the decrease of the layer number of the SWCNT film results in an increase of the temperature coefficient of resistance (TCR). SWCNT film with 95% metallic nanotubes has shown a lower TCR than that of the SWCNT films with a low percentage of metallic nanotubes. The effect of thermal annealing and subsequent acid (HNO3) treatment on the electrical properties of the SWCNT films has also been investigated.
Primary Teratoma of the Lesser Sac: Lesser Sac Teratoma
Authors: Hardesty Brandon M. , Ulbright Thomas M. , Touloukian Christopher , Einhorn Lawrence H.
Published: March 2012

Germ cell tumors predominantly involve the gonads but may rarely be found outside of the gonads, primarily in midline structures. We describe the case of a 27-year-old male with an asymptomatic 8 cm teratoma located within the lesser sac of his omentum. This is the fourth case of a teratoma located within the lesser sac of the omentum, which provides the opportunity to make some comparisons. Finally, we discuss some of the etiologic theories behind extragonadal germ cell tumors and how they relate to teratomas in the lesser sac.
Effect of Reaction Temperature on Size and Optical Properties of NiTiO3 Nanoparticles
Authors: Vijayalakshmi R. , Rajendran V.
Published: March 2012

Nickel titanate (NiTiO3) nanoparticles were successfully prepared by wet‐chemical method, using nickel acetate and titanium(IV) isopropoxide as Ni, Ti sources and citric acid as complexing reagent. The gel was calcined at different temperatures from 500‐700 °C. Results of thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) are given. Fourier transform infrared spectrometry (FTIR), X‐ray diffraction (XRD), Scanning electron microscopy (SEM),transmission electron microscopy (TEM), ultraviolet (UV) spectroscopy, vibrating sample magnetometer (VSM) were used to characterize the crystallization process, particle size, morphology, optical and magnetic properties of the calcined nanoparticles. TEM result reveals that the NiTiO3 was homogeneous and hexagon morphology with the grain size of 30‐70 nm. The band gap values of the NiTiO3 nanoparticles were calculated to be 3.43, 3.39 and 3.31 eV. The magnetic property was confirmed that the NiTiO3 nanoparticles of super paramagnetic behavior in nature. Our results suggested that the temperature plays an important role in the particle size effect of nanocrystalline NiTiO3.
Synthesis of Peracetylated β‐D‐Glucopyranosyl Thioureas from Substituted 2‐Aminobenzo‐1ʹ, 3ʹ‐thiazoles
Authors: Thanh Nguyen Dinh
Published: March 2012

Some peracetylated glucopyranosyl thioureas containing a heterocyclic ring system, benzo‐1,3‐thiazole have been prepared by the condensation reaction of tetra‐O‐acetyl‐β‐D‐glucopyranosyl isothiocyanate and corresponding substituted 2‐amino‐(6‐substituted)benzo‐1,3‐thiazoles. Investigated heating conditions showed that the solventless microwave‐assisted method gave higher yields of these thioureas.
High Performance Thin Layer Chromatographic Determination of Chrysin in Oroxylum Indicum Vent. from Different Geographical Regions of India
Authors: Srinivas K. Srilatha , Aparna A. Saraf
Published: March 2012

HPTLC fingerprints can be used for documentation and quantification of chemical markers to identify morphological and geographical variation in herbal raw materials. The current work was aimed at developing phytochemical fingerprints of Oroxylum indicum vent. from different geographical regions of India viz. Western Ghats (Maharashtra) and Northern Uttar Pradesh. Fingerprint of flavonoid, chrysin was developed for roots, leaves and bark of the plant from different regions using cold extraction and suitable solvent system. HPTLC technique was successfully used for evaluating regional variations. The fingerprints were also utilized for quantification of the flavonoid, chrysin from different parts of the plants from two distinct geographical regions. Maximum content of chrysin was found in plant collected from Western Ghats than in U.P.
Conductometric Study of Nimesulide in Aqueous Solutions of Hydrotropic Agents at Different Temperatures
Authors: Solanki Chandravir S. , Mishra Paresh , Talari Mahesh Kumar , Tripathy Minaketan , Dash Upendra N.
Published: March 2012

Conductance values of nimesulide have been determined in water in 0.1, 0.2, 0.4, 0.6, 0.8, 1 and 2 mol dm-3 aqueous solutions of hydrotropic agents (sodium benzoate, sodium salicylate, sodium bromide and nicotinamide) at temperatures 298.15, 303.15, 308.15 and 313.15 K. The conductance values have been used to evaluate the limiting molar conductance and association constants by means of Shedlovsky extrapolation technique. Thermodynamic parameters for the association process of nimesulide in aqueous solutions of hydrotropic agents have also been calculated.
Theoretical Study on the Detection of Tilted Lipid Bilayers Using Surface Plasmon Resonance Techniques
Authors: Watanabe Koyo , Matsuura Koji
Published: March 2012

Effective refractive indices detected using surface plasmon resonance techniques are calculated as a function of the tilt angle of lipid bilayers in a multilayered model. The changes in the effective refractive indices are derived from the shift of an excitation angle of surface plasmon. To obtain effective refractive index plots, we determined refractive index changes in the lipid bilayers with 3 and 5 nm thicknesses as a function of tilt angle and obtained a relationship between the effective refractive index and tilt angle. We also showed that the effective refractive index depended on the lipid bilayers thickness and anisotropic permittivities, which vary with interchain distance.
Overexpression of the Orotate Phosphoribosyl-Transferase Gene Enhances the Effect of 5-Fluorouracil in Head and Neck Squamous Cell CarcinomaIn Vitro
Authors: Yasumatsu Ryuji , Nakashima Torahiko , Komune Shizuo
Published: March 2012

5-Fluorouracil (5-FU) is a widely used drug in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC). In the anabolic pathway of 5-FU, the first step in activation of the drug is phosphorylation of 5-FU by orotate phosphoribosyltransferase (OPRT), which directly metabolizes 5-FU to 5-fluorouridine monophosphate (FUMP) in the presence of 5-phosphoribosyl-1-pyrophosphate. To date, OPRT expression in the tumors has been related to the clinical response or survival of cancer patients receiving 5-FU-based chemotherapy. In this study, we examined whether OPRT expression correlates with the chemosensitivity to 5-FU and cell proliferation in HNSCC. We constitutively expressed an OPRT cDNA in an HNSCC cell line. The effects of OPRT expression onin vitrocell growth and 5-FU cytotoxicity were examined. OPRT transfection increases the cytotoxicity of 5-FU without affecting cell proliferation of HNSCC cellsin vitro. These results indicate that OPRT expression plays an important role in the sensitivity of HNSCC to 5-FU chemotherapy.
An Efficient One‐Pot Synthesis of 1, 5‐Benzodiazepine Derivatives Catalyzed by TBAB under Mild Conditions
Authors: Baseer Mohammad A. , Khan Asgar Jafar
Published: March 2012

2,3‐Dihydro‐1H‐1,5‐benzodiazepines were synthesized by reaction of o‐phenylenediamine with ketones (acyclic / cyclic) under solvent free conditions in the presence of tetra butyl ammonium bromide (TBAB) in short reaction time with excellent yield.
Adaptive Backstepping Fuzzy Control Based on Type‐2 Fuzzy System
Authors: Yi-Min Ll , Yang Yue , Li Li
Published: March 2012

A novel indirect adaptive backstepping control approach based on type‐2 fuzzy system is developed for a class of nonlinear systems. This approach adopts type‐2 fuzzy system instead of type‐1 fuzzy system to approximate the unknown functions. With type‐reduction, the type‐2 fuzzy system is replaced by the average of two type‐1 fuzzy systems. Ultimately, the adaptive laws, by means of backstepping design technique, will be developed to adjust the parameters to attenuate the approximation error and external disturbance. According to stability theorem, it is proved that the proposed Type‐2 Adaptive Backstepping Fuzzy Control (T2ABFC) approach can guarantee global stability of closed‐loop system and ensure all the signals bounded. Compared with existing Type‐1 Adaptive Backstepping Fuzzy Control (T1ABFC), as the advantages of handling numerical and linguistic uncertainties, T2ABFC has the potential to produce better performances in many respects, such as stability and resistance to disturbances. Finally, a biological simulation example is provided to illustrate the feasibility of control scheme proposed in this paper.
Facile Low-Temperature Synthesis of Carbon Nanotube/ Nanohybrids with Enhanced Visible-Light-Driven Photocatalytic Activity
Authors: Xie Yunlong , Qian Huanhuan , Zhong Yijun , Guo Hangming , Hu Yong
Published: March 2012

We demonstrate a facile and novel chemical precipitation strategy for the accurate coating of TiO2nanoparticles on the surface of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) to form CNT/TiO2nanohybrids, which only requires titanium sulfate and CNTs as starting materials and reacts in the alkaline solution at 60°C for 6 h. Using this process, the as-prepared hybrid structures preserved the good dispersity and uniformity of initial CNTs. Furthermore, the CNT/TiO2nanohybrids show a broad blue luminescence at 469 nm and exhibit significantly enhanced photocatalytic activity for the degradation of rhodamine B (RhB) under visible-light irradiation, which is about 1.5 times greater than that of commercial Degussa P25 TiO2nanoparticles. It is believed that this facile chemical precipitation strategy is scalable and its application can be extended to synthesize other CNT/oxide nanohybrids for various applications.
Flexible Hilbert-Curve Loop Antenna Having a Triple-Band and Omnidirectional Pattern for WLAN/WiMAX Applications
Authors: Kim Dang-Oh , Kim Che-Young , Yang Dae-Geun
Published: March 2012

A triple-band flexible loop antenna is proposed for WLAN/WiMAX applications in this paper. The proposed antenna is formed by the third-order Hilbert-curve and bending type structure which provides flexible characteristics. Even though the radius of the curvature for bending antennas is changed, a triple-band feature still remains in the proposed antenna. Moreover, the antenna exhibits the characteristics of omnidirectional radiation pattern and circular polarization. To verify the receiving performance of antenna, a simulation on the antenna factor was conducted by an EM simulator. Based on these results, the suggested antenna makes a noteworthy performance over typical loop antennas.
Two‐Stage Method Based on Local Polynomial Fitting for a Linear Heteroscedastic Regression Model and Its Application in Economics
Authors: Su Liyun , Zhao Yanyong , Yan Tianshun
Published: March 2012

We introduce the extension of local polynomial fitting to the linear heteroscedastic regression model. Firstly, the local polynomial fitting is applied to estimate heteroscedastic function, then the coefficients of regression model are obtained by using generalized least squares method. One noteworthy feature of our approach is that we avoid the testing for heteroscedasticity by improving the traditional two‐stage method. Due to nonparametric technique of local polynomial estimation, we do not need to know the heteroscedastic function. Therefore, we can improve the estimation precision, when the heteroscedastic function is unknown. Furthermore, we focus on comparison of parameters and reach an optimal fitting. Besides, we verify the asymptotic normality of parameters based on numerical simulations. Finally, this approach is applied to a case of economics, and it indicates that our method is surely effective in finite‐sample situations.
Sclerosing Peritonitis: A Rare but Fatal Complication of Peritoneal Inflammation
Authors: Merkle Monika , Wörnle Markus
Published: March 2012

Sclerosing peritonitis is a rare form of peritoneal inflammation with an often fatal outcome. The major risk factor of sclerosing peritonitis is peritoneal dialysis treatment but it can also occur following renal or liver transplantation or be associated with certain drug treatment. This article gives an overview of reasons and treatment options for sclerosing peritonitis and shows a summery of current literature about sclerosing peritonitis.
Simultaneous Determination of Eosin‐Yellow and Ponceau‐S Using H‐Point Standard Addition Method in Micellar Media
Authors: Kaur Amandeep , Gupta Usha
Published: March 2012

H‐point standard addition method (HPSAM) is developed for simultaneous determination of eosin‐Y and ponceau‐s in micellar media. Nickel chloride (NiCl2) is used as chromogenic reagent for complexes formation of eosin‐Y and ponceau‐S food colorants. The measurements were carried out using sodium lauryl sulphate as a surfactant, in buffered solution at pH 6.0. The concentration range of 0.115‐2.53 μg/mL of eosin‐Y and 0.159‐3.80 μg/mL of ponceau‐S. The proposed procedures have been applied successfully for the simultaneous determination of eosin‐Y and ponceau‐S in synthetic binary mixtures and real samples.
Study of Heavy Metal Levels among Farmers of Muda Agricultural Development Authority, Malaysia
Authors: Ghazali Ahmad Rohi , Abdul Razak Nur Ezzazulianie , Othman Mohd Sham , Othman Hidayatulfathi , Ishak Ismarulyusda , Lubis Syarif Husin , Mohammad Nihayah , Abd Hamid Zariyantey , Harun Zaliha , Kamarulzaman Firdaus , Abdullah Rozaini
Published: March 2012

Heavy metals, particularly cadmium, lead, and arsenic, constitute a significant potential threat to human health. This study was conducted to determine the levels of cadmium, lead, and arsenic in nail samples from farmers at Muda Agricultural Development Authority (MADA), Kedah, Malaysia, and evaluate factors that can contribute to their accumulations. A total of 116 farmers participated in this study. Inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) was used to analyze concentration of heavy metals in the nail samples and questionnaires were given to participants to get demographic, health status, and their agricultural activities data. In this paper, the level of heavy metals was within the normal range and varies according to demographic factors. We found that there were significant correlations between working period with level of lead and arsenic (r=0.315andr=0.242, resp.,P<0.01) and age with lead level (r=0.175,P<0.05). Our findings suggested that agricultural activities could contribute to the accumulation of heavy metals in farmers. Hence, the control of environmental levels of and human exposure to these metals to prevent adverse health effects is still an important public health issue.
Synthesis of Novel 6‐Cyano‐9‐(aryl)‐9H‐purine Derivatives Via Formamidine Intermediates
Authors: Milad Hashemi Seyyed , Asieh Yahyazadeh , Navabeh Nami
Published: March 2012

Novel 9‐substituted cyanopurine derivatives (4a‐d) were synthesized in three steps in high yield. Diaminomaleonitrile (1) reacted with triethyl orthoformate to afford (Z)‐N‐[2‐amino‐1,2‐dicyanovinyl] formimidate (2) which was converted to aryl‐(Z)‐N‐[2‐amino‐1,2‐dicyanovinyl] formamidines (3a‐d) in the presence of a catalytic amount of anilinium chloride and aromatic amines in ethanol at room temperature under inert atmosphere (Argon). Furthermore, the reaction of (3a‐d) with triethyl orthoformate afforded novel 6‐cyano‐9‐(aryl)‐9H‐purine derivatives (4a‐d) which can be used without further purification. All compounds have been fully characterized by spectroscopic data.
Late-Onset Glaucoma-Filtrating Bleb Leak in a Penetrating Keratoplasty Patient: A Case Report
Authors: Yalniz-Akkaya Zuleyha , Burcu Ayse , Ornek Firdevs
Published: March 2012

Introduction. Late-onset bleb leaks occur more frequently after the use of adjunctive antimetabolites and require surgical management to seal and preserve filtrating bleb.Case Presentation. A 48-year-old female presented with decreased visual acuity for five days in her left eye. She had a left penetrating keratoplasty one year earlier and two trabeculectomies 7 years earlier. Visual acuity was hand motions, intraocular pressure was 3 mmHg, corneal graft was clear, mature cataract was present, and axial length was 30.48 mm. The conjunctiva covering the superotemporal sclerotomy was avascular, flat, and partially lost. After heavily painting the bleb with a fluorescein, late-onset point leak was revealed. Overlying conjunctiva was excised. The atrophic, irregular, and partially absent scleral flap was covered by a processed human pericardium graft and conjunctival advancement. Postoperatively, intraocular pressure stabilized around 16 mmHg. After four months, phacoemulsification and intraocular lens implantation were performed. Visual acuity did not exceed 0.1 (in decimal notation) due to degenerative myopia-related macular atrophy. Corneal graft remained clear at her 6-month followup period.Conclusion. Surgical bleb revision using a pericardium graft and conjunctival advancement seems to be an effective method for treating late bleb leaks. However, careful follow-up is required for detecting recurrent leaks and elevated intraocular pressure.
The Importance of Right Otitis Media in Childhood Language Disorders
Authors: Uclés Paulino , Alonso María Francisca , Aznar Elena , Lapresta Carlos
Published: March 2012

Studies relating chronic otitis media and language disorders in children have not reported consistent findings. We carried out the first selective study aimed at discerning the role of chronic right otitis media in children less than 3 years of age in language development. A total of 35 children were studied using a full linguistic protocol, auditory brainstem responses, and middle latency responses. Twelve children had a history of chronic exclusive right otitis media. Seventeen age-matched children were selected as controls. Also, three children having a history of chronic left otitis media were compared with three age-matched controls. Linguistic tests showed significant differences between patients and controls in phonetic, phonological, and syntax scores but not semantics. Correlation studies between linguistic scores and auditory evoked responses in the whole cohort showed a significant coefficient in phonetic and phonological domains. These results emphasize the causative effect of right ear chronic otitis media and indicate that it mainly impairs phonetic and phonological coding of sounds, which may have implications for prophylactic treatment of at-risk children.
Artificial Urinary Sphincter: Long-Term Results and Patient Satisfaction
Authors: Montague Drogo K.
Published: March 2012

The published evidence concerning the safety, efficacy, and patient satisfaction for implantation of the current model of the artificial urinary sphincter (AS 800) in men with post prostatectomy urinary incontinence was the objective of this review. A Pub Med English language literature search from 1995 to 2011 was performed. A majority of men who undergo AUS implantation for post prostatectomy urinary incontinence achieve satisfactory results (0 to 1 pad per day). Infection rates range from 0.46 to 7%, cuff erosion rates range from 3.8 to 10%, and urethral atrophy ranges from 9.6 to 11.4%. Kaplan-Meier 5 year projections for freedom from any reoperation were 50% for a small series and 79.4% for a larger series. Kaplan-Meier projections for freedom from mechanical failure were 79% at 5 years and 72% at 10 years. In another series 10 year projections for freedom from mechanical failure were 64%. Although the artificial urinary sphincter (AUS) is the gold standard for the treatment of this disorder, most men will continue to need at least one pad per day for protection, and they are subject to a significant chance of future AUS revision or replacement.
Preparation and Photocatalytic Activity of -Deposited Fabrics
Authors: Xu Yang , Xu Wenzheng , Huang Fenglin , Wei Qufu
Published: March 2012

Nanoscale titanium dioxide (TiO2) photocatalytic films were deposited on the surface of polyester nonwovens by using direct current reactive magnetron sputtering. The effects of coating thickness on the surface structures and properties of TiO2-coated fabrics were investigated by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), atomic force microscope (AFM), and scanning electron microscope (SEM). The photocatalytic activity of the functional nonwoven fabrics was evaluated by the degradation of methylene blue. The test results proved that the grain sizes of the sputtered clusters increased and the coating layer became more compact with the increase of film thickness, but the composition of the sputtered films did not have any significant change. At the same time, the photocatalytic activity of TiO2-coated fabrics mostly depended on the film thickness which could lead to the optimum thickness for a particular application.
Spectrophotometric Determination of Mycophenolate Mofetil as Its Charge-Transfer Complexes with Twoπ-Acceptors
Authors: Vinay K. B. , Revanasiddappa H. D. , Raghu M. S. , Abdulrahman Sameer. A. M. , Rajendraprasad N.
Published: March 2012

Two simple, selective, and rapid spectrophotometric methods are described for the determination of mycophenolate mofetil (MPM) in pure form and in tablets. Both methods are based on charge-transfer complexation reaction of MPM with p-chloranilic acid (p-CA) or 2,3-dichloro-5,6-dicyano-1,4-benzoquinone (DDQ) in dioxane-acetonitrile medium resulting in coloured product measurable at 520 nm (p-CA) or 580 nm (DDQ). Beer’s law is obeyed over the concentration ranges of 40–400 and 12–120 μg mL−1MPM for p-CA and DDQ, respectively, with correlation coefficients (r) of 0.9995 and 0.9947. The apparent molar absorptivity values are calculated to be1.06×103and3.87×103 L mol−1 cm−1, respectively, and the corresponding Sandell’s sensitivities are 0.4106 and 0.1119 μg cm−1. The limits of detection (LOD) and quantification (LOQ) are also reported for both methods. The described methods were successfully applied to the determination of MPM in tablets. Statistical comparison of the results with those of the reference method showed excellent agreement. No interference was observed from the common excipients present in tablets. Both methods were validated statistically for accuracy and precision. The accuracy and reliability of the methods were further ascertained by recovery studiesviastandard addition procedure.
Synthesis and Antimicrobial Activity of Some New 1, 4‐Benzothiazine Containing Thiosemicarbazides and 1, 3, 4‐Oxadiazole Derivatives
Authors: J Khairnar Bhikan , Salunke Rahul S. , Patil Premchand B. , Patil Sanjay A . , Kapade Rajeshwar J . , Girase Pravin S. , Chaudhari Bhata R.
Published: March 2012

A series of novel 3‐ methyl‐7‐substituted‐4H,4‐benzothiazine‐2‐carbohydrazide (3a-e) and corresponding thiosemicarbazides (4-a-q); 2‐[3‐methyl‐7‐substituted‐ 4H ‐1, 4‐benzothiazine‐2‐yl]‐N‐(aryl) hydrazine carbothiamide have been synthesized. The thiosemicarbazide when cyclized with iodine via intramolecular cyclisation gave benzothiazonyl oxadiazoles (5-a-q); 5‐(3‐methyl ‐7‐substitued‐4H‐ 1,4‐benzothiazin‐2‐yl)‐ N —aryl‐ 1,3,4‐ oxadiazol ‐2‐amine and the compounds were tested for antibacterial and antifungal activities against different microorganisms.
Laboratory Rearing ofLaricobius nigrinus(Coleoptera: Derodontidae): A Predator of the Hemlock Woolly Adelgid (Hemiptera: Adelgidae)
Authors: Salom S. M. , Kok L. T. , Lamb A. B. , Jubb C.
Published: March 2012

Coleopteran species are biological control agents of numerous invasive pests.Laricobius nigrinus(Coleoptera: Derodontidae), a predaceous, univoltine species, spends the summer aestivating but is active for the rest of the year.Laricobius nigrinuspossesses many essential attributes for effective biological control of the hemlock woolly adelgid (Hemiptera: Adelgidae). The predator must be reared in large numbers for field releases. We describe some of the studies that led to the successful procedures currently used for mass rearingL. nigrinus.
Simple Method for the Preparation of Composites Based on PA6 and Partially Exfoliated Graphite
Authors: Monticelli Orietta , Bocchini Sergio , Frache Alberto , Cozza Erika Simona , Cavalleri Ornella , Prati Luigi
Published: March 2012

In the present work, the preparation of composite systems based on polyamide 6 (PA6) and exfoliated graphite was attempted by applying a simple procedure, which consists of a preliminary dispersion/exfoliation of graphite in the monomer, namely, ɛ‐caprolactam (CL), and a subsequent polymerization of the above system. Atomic force microscopy (AFM) demonstrated specific interactions between CL and graphite surface. The dispersion of graphite in the monomer and polymer was assessed by scanning (SEM) and transmission (TEM) electron microscopy, while mechanical tests allowed to evaluate the influence of graphite on the polymer properties.
Corrosion Inhibition Studies of Mild Steel in Acid Medium Using Musa Acuminata Fruit Peel Extract
Authors: Gunavathy N. , Murugavel S. C.
Published: March 2012

The inhibition effect of unripe fruit peel extract of Musa acuminata (Cultivar variety – Nendran) (MNP) on corrosion of mild steel in 1 N HCl has been investigated by weight loss and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) with various concentrations of the extract. The effect of temperature on the corrosion inhibition of mild steel in the temperature range of 30°C – 80°C was carried out. The results indicate that MNP extract act as an effective inhibitor in the acid environment and is of mixed type inhibitor having efficiency as high as 96% at 2% inhibitor concentration. The inhibition efficiency of MNP extract increases with the increase of concentration but decreases with the increase in temperature. The inhibitor achieves its inhibition by physical adsorption of nutrients of the peel extract on the surface of the mild steel. The experimental data revealed that the adsorption occurred according to the Langmuir and Temkin adsorption isotherm.
Systemic Capillary Leak Syndrome as an Initial Presentation of ALK-Negative Anaplastic Large Cell Lymphoma
Authors: Lourdes Laura S. , Al-Quran Samer Z. , Dang Nam H. , Markham Merry-Jennifer
Published: March 2012

Systemic capillary leak syndrome (SCLS) is a rare disease characterized by third spacing of plasma into the extravascular compartment, leading to anasarca, hemoconcentration, and hypovolemic shock. It has been rarely associated with lymphomas, and reports usually indicate that it occurs after antineoplastic treatment. We present the case of a patient with ALK-negative anaplastic large cell lymphoma who presented with SCLS as the initial manifestation of her lymphoma. The SCLS resolved with treatment of the malignancy with steroids and chemotherapy.
Present and Future of EGFR Inhibitors for Head and Neck Squamous Cell Cancer
Authors: Baba Yuh , Fujii Masato , Tokumaru Yutaka , Kato Yasumasa
Published: March 2012

Although EGFR is expressed at high levels in head and neck squamous cell carcinomas (HNSCCs) and mutations are extremely rare, monotherapy with EGFR inhibitors has shown limited success. The PI3kinase/Akt pathway is responsible for cellular survival, and inhibition of phosphatidylinositol (PI) synthesis has antiproliferative, anti-invasive, and antiangiogenesis effects on HNSCC. Molecular crosstalk has been observed between EGFR and IGF1R signaling through the PI3kinase/Akt pathway in HNSCC, as has molecular crosstalk between the NFκB and STAT3 signaling pathways. Therefore, the combination of an EGFR antagonist with an agent that inhibits the activation of both Akt and NFκB may overcome resistance to EGFR antagonists in HNSCC.
Bursaphelenchus paraburgeri sp. n. (Nematoda: Parasitaphelenchidae) in packaging wood from Malaysia
Authors: Wang Jiangling , Gu Jianfeng
Published: March 2012

Bursaphelenchus paraburgeri sp. n., isolated in Ningbo, China, from packaging wood of deciduous trees imported from Malaysia is described. It is characterised by a slim body (a=32-37), lateral field with four lines, excretory pore located anterior to the metacorpus, vulva at 75% of total body length, presence of a thick vulval flap in lateral view, post-uterine branch about two-thirds of the vulva-anus distance long, female tail long and conical (c=15), tapering to a finely rounded or bluntly pointed terminus, spicules have only weakly developed rostrum and condylus, and cross-striped in their central part, three pairs of ventro-sublateral papillae (one pair precloacal, two pairs postcloacal just anterior to the bursal flap and adjacent to each other) and a single precloacal midventral papilla. The new species belongs to the africanus group of the genus Bursaphelenchus and is most similar to B. burgermeisteri and B. obeche, from which it can be distinguished, as well as from other Bursaphelenchus species, by morphology, ITS-RFLP patterns and sequencing results.
Description of a new subspecies of Bursaphelenchus africanus (Nematoda: Aphelenchoididae) found in packaging wood from Russia
Authors: Gu Jianfeng , Wang Jiangling , Braasch Helen , Burgermeister Wolfgang , Zheng Jingwu
Published: March 2012

Bursaphelenchus africanus rossicus subsp. n. was detected from Russian packaging wood (Pinus sp.) arriving in China in August, 2009. The spicule shape and size are almost the same as in the B. africanus found in wood from South Africa, but it differs slightly from the South African isolate by longer (mean L=945 vs 691 μm and 1062 vs 766 μm, for males and females, respectively) and slimmer body (a=39.8 vs 35.0 and 40.0 vs 35.1, for males and females, respectively), higher male ratio c (mean c=37.0 vs 28.7) and higher female ratio c′ (mean c′=4.7 vs 3.4), longer female tail (58 vs 42 μm), and also by female tail shape (slightly ventrally bent vs straight). Their ITS-RFLP patterns are also slightly different. Based on the absence of clear morphological differences and relatively small ITS1/2 and D2/D3 LSU sequence divergences, the new isolate is considered as Bursaphelenchus africanus rossicus subsp. n.
Morphological and molecular diversity of Radopholus on coffee in Vietnam and description of R. daklakensis sp. n. from Robusta coffee
Authors: Trinh Phap Q. , Waeyenberge Lieven , Nguyen Chau N. , Moens Maurice
Published: March 2012

Four isolates of Radopholus arabocoffeae and one isolate of R. duriophilus were collected during a survey of plant-parasitic nematodes on coffee in Vietnam. Radopholus species only occurred in the Western Highland region. Information on the degree of variability in morphometrics, and morphological and molecular characters amongst and within these species are reported. The survey also yielded a Radopholus isolate collected from Robusta coffee roots and soil in Dak Lak, which is herein described as a new species, R. daklakensis sp. n. Within the genus, R. daklakensis sp. n. is most similar to R. arabocoffeae and R. duriophilus in morphology and morphometrics. It differs from R. arabocoffeae by the stylet knobs always directed posteriorly and the conical tail shape with rounded terminus in females. Radopholus daklakensis sp. n. differs from R. duriophilus by the stylet knobs, which are always directed posteriorly vs rounded, and dorsal knob sometimes projected anteriorly, and sperm rod-shaped vs oval and kidney-shaped. Radopholus daklakensis sp. n. differs from R. similis by the absence of a postrectal intestinal sac, four incisures of the lateral fields terminating far posterior to the position of the phasmid, the bursa in male reaching one-third of tail to half, never reaching tail terminus and smaller stylet length in females. The canonical discriminant analysis separated the Radopholus species by characters such as lip height, stylet length, b, b′, c, V and ratio tail length/stylet length. Phylogenetic analysis of Radopholus species using ITS-rDNA sequences or sequences from the D2-D3 expansion region of the 28S rRNA gene also confirm R. daklakensis sp. n. to be distinct.
Tylaphelenchus jiaae n. sp. and Aphelenchoides varicaudatus (Nematoda: Aphelenchoidinae) from Simao pine in Yunnan Province, China
Authors: Huang Ren-E , Ye Weimin , Liang Jun , Lu Quan , Zhang Xing-Yao
Published: March 2012

Two aphelenchoidid nematodes, Nxy17 and Nxy22, isolated from Simao pine in Yunnan Province, China, were cultured on Botrytis cinerea. Identification, based on morphology, showed that the parthenogenetic population Nxy17 was Aphelenchoides varicaudatus but that the amphimictic population Nxy22 was an undescribed species belonging to Tylaphelenchus, herein described as T. jiaae n. sp. The new species is characterised by small female and male bodies (401-603 and 309-450 μm, respectively), weakly offset cephalic region, slender stylet (10-12 μm long) with small basal knobs or bipartite thickenings, well-developed post-uterine sac (ca 2/5-2/3 of vulva-anus distance), a narrow lateral field (1.4-1.9 μm wide) set off by two prominent lines, sometimes with a crack-like line in the middle, conoid female tail tapering to a mucronate pointed end, three pairs of subventral papillae on the male tail region, thorn-like spicule strongly arcuate to a pointed end, and male tail blunt with smooth terminus. Males were less abundant, 1 :4.7 to females in fungal culture. The ribosomal DNA genes of the near-full-length small subunit, internal transcribed spacer 1, 5.8S, partial ITS2 and large subunit expansion segments of D2/D3 were performed for these two species to examine the phylogenetic relationships with other aphelenchoidids. DNA sequence data revealed that T. jiaae n. sp. had closest phylogenetic affinity with the recently described Pseudaphelenchus yukiae and P. vindai. Unfortunately, no DNA sequences of other Tylaphelenchus species or A. varicaudatus population were available in GenBank to confirm the taxonomic status of either species.
Morphological and molecular characterisation of Xiphinema mazandaranense n. sp. (Dorylaimida: Longidoridae), a new member of the Xiphinema pyrenaicum species complex
Authors: Pedram Majid , Pourjam Ebrahim , Robbins Robert T. , Ye Weimin , Atighi Mohammad Reza , Decraemer Wilfrida
Published: March 2012

Xiphinema mazandaranense n. sp. is described and illustrated. The new species belongs to morphospecies group 6, which is characterised by having two equally developed female genital branches that have spines in the uteri and a short, rounded tail. The new species is characterised by having spines in the tubular portion of the uterus, body 3.7-5.2 mm long, odontostyle 163-173 μm long, odontophore 96-100 μm long, body 62-80 μm diam., rounded tail, four juvenile stages, males rare with three ventromedian supplements next to the adcloacal pair and spicules 85 μm long. The polytomous identification codes of the new species are: A4-B3-C7b-D6-E456-F45-G4-H2-I23-J7b-K2-L1. The new species appears closely related to the members of X. pyrenaicum group which are characterised by a rounded tail with or without an inconspicuous projecting bulge and a uterus devoid of Z-differentiation but showing spiniform structures. The new species differs from members of the X. pyrenaicum group, which includes the recently described X. iranicum, by a more rounded tail without any projection. Beside morphological and morphometric data, molecular analyses of the near-full-length small subunit rDNA gene (SSU) placed the new species in close relationship with some species belonging to Xiphinema morphospecies group 6 and further separated this species from the X. pyrenaicum complex.
Tokens of love: possible diagnostic value of mating plugs and refractive secretory uterine structures in Trichodorus (Diphtherophorina: Trichodoridae)
Authors: Decraemer Wilfrida
Published: March 2012

Within the Trichodoridae, mating plugs have only been recorded from Trichodorus species. They can be observed as a clear plug within the vagina/vulva but may also be present in the uteri. These secretory structures are diverse in size, varying between 4 and 27 μm in length, and in shape from simple unipartite tubular structures to bipartite with a central indentation or with a tail-like end. All mating plugs possess a central canal that can vary in diameter. Within Trichodorus, the shape and structure of the mating plugs can provide additional diagnostic information at species level.