bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
High-Resolution Transmission Electron Microscopy Study of Fe-Mn Oxides in the Hydrothermal Sediments of the Red Sea Deeps System
Authors: Taitel-Goldman Nurit , Ezersky Vladimir , Mogilyanski Dimitry 
Published: October 2009

AbstractDeep sediments from the Red Sea have been studied extensively and provide a rich resource for understanding mineral transformations under hydrothermal conditions. Interrelationships among various sampling sites, however, are still rather incomplete. The purpose of the present study was to increase understanding of these systems by characterizing and comparing the Fe-Mn oxyhydroxides from the southern Atlantis II, Chain A, Chain B, and Discovery Deeps, using high-resolution transmission electron microscopy. Some of the hydrothermal sediments of Chain A are dominated by Si-associated Fe oxides (ferrihydrite, goethite, lepidocrocite, and short-range ordered, rounded particles) resembling the hydrothermal sediments of the SW basin in the Atlantis II Deep, indicating sub-bottom connections between the Deeps. Although some of the sediments of the Discovery Deep show a similar trend; short-range ordered, rounded particles were not detected in these sediments, implying that crystallization of this short-range ordered phase is sensitive to the Si/Fe ratio in the brine and only at elevated ratios does it crystallize out of the brine. Silicon-associated and Fe-enriched Mn oxyhydroxides such as groutite, manganite, todorokite, and Mn-dominated lathlike layers occasionally contain Ca and Mg impurities. Manganese substitutes for Fe and vice versa, leading to a solid-solution series between goethite and groutite and Mn-enriched ferrihydrite. Hematite is the only Fe oxide in the hydrothermal sediments that is found to be lacking in impurities, which is probably due to its formation by recrystallization from other Fe oxides.
Optimizing the Mechanical Strength of Adobe Bricks
Authors: Schicker A. , Gier S. 
Published: October 2009

AbstractEcologic building materials such as adobe bricks have become of greater economic importance in recent years. In the present work, the addition of selected materials to improve the compressive and bending strengths of adobe bricks was tested. The raw material (loam UD) was analyzed for its mineralogical and chemical composition. The loam studied consisted of quartz, feldspar, and the clay minerals chlorite, vermiculite, illite, and kaolinite. Prerequisites for using this loam for brick making were its grain-size distribution and the absence of expandable clay minerals.To optimize the compressive and bending strengths of the adobe bricks, seven natural and ‘eco-friendly’ synthetic additives were admixed with the raw material and homogenized.From this material, small adobe bricks and bars were made. One series of bricks and bars was made without additives but instead was coated with a hydrophobic impregnation cream. The bricks were stored for up to 20 days at 100 and 75% relative humidity (RH). After 1, 5, and 20 days, the compressive and bending strengths were measured to identify the critical humidity level for brick strength. The compressive and bending strengths of loam UD at dry conditions without additives showed values of 9 N/mm2 and 4.8 N/mm2, respectively. With some of the additives, the strength improved by up to 30%. The greatest increases in strength were achieved by mixing the loam with Acronal S650. Finely ground trass and diatomite also increased the dry strength. After storage at high levels of RH, these mixtures lost >50% strength. In contrast, the loam mixed with blast-furnace slag has a small initial strength but showed the smallest decreases in strength after exposure to high levels of RH.
Adsorption of a C10E3 Non-Ionic Surfactant on a Ca-Smectite
Authors: Guegan Regis , Gautier Mathieu , Beny Jean-Michel , Muller Fabrice 
Published: October 2009

AbstractThe transformation of clay minerals into organo-clays by surfactant intercalation is of great environmental and industrial importance because it causes the clay to attract hydrophobic contaminants and other non-polar organic compounds, but a better understanding is needed of the mechanisms by which different classes of surfactants are intercalated. The purpose of this study was to synthesize and characterize an organo-clay comprising triethylene glycol monodecyl ether (C10E3) non-ionic surfactant, which has a lamellar phase at room temperature, intercalated into Ca-montmorillonite from Wyoming (SWy-2). The C10E3 non-ionic surfactant differed from previous non-ionic surfactants used in the formation of a lamellar phase in that it consisted of the stacking of molecules by hydrophobic interaction. C10E3-clay composites were characterized by complementary techniques (adsorption isotherms, X-ray diffraction, and infrared spectroscopy) and were compared to benzyldimethyltetradecyl ammonium chloride (BDTAC) cationic surfactant-clay composites for different loadings of the surfactant. For large loadings, the amount of C10E3 adsorbed, which can be described by the Langmuir equation, seemed to reach a steady state close to that of the cationic surfactant. The adsorption processes of the two surfactants were different. For the cationic surfactant, the adsorption, as described in the literature, was due to ion exchange between organic cations and Ca2+ counterions. The adsorption of C10E3 did not depend on electrostatic interaction but rather was due to several interaction mechanisms (H-bonding, ion-dipole, and hydrophobic interaction). For both surfactants, the expansion was limited to two adsorbed monolayers parallel to the clay surface. The expansion of the basal spacing to 17 Å suggested a complete dissociation of the C10E3 lamellar phase when adsorbed on the Ca-smectite. Organo-clays made using the non-ionic surfactant were stable, changing the chemical nature of clay to hydrophobic, and allowing for other cations to be exchanged, which has importance in the manufacture of new nanocomposites or geochemical barriers.
The pituitary–adrenal axis in adult thalassaemic patients
Authors: Scacchi Massimo , Danesi Leila , Cattaneo Agnese , Valassi Elena , Pecori Giraldi Francesca , Radaelli Piero , Ambrogio Alberto , D'Angelo Emanuela , Mirra Nadia , Zanaboni Laura , Cappellini Maria D , Cavagnini Francesco 
Published: October 2009

ObjectiveWe previously described in young thalassaemic patients an altered cortisol and ACTH responsiveness suggesting an impaired adrenocortical reserve. Owing to iron overload, a worsening of adrenal function should be expected in adult patients.DesignIn 124 adults with β-thalassaemia, urinary free cortisol (UFC) and plasma ACTH levels were determined and compared with those measured in 150 controls. In 45 patients, cortisol was measured in response to: i) tetracosactide 1 μg as an i.v. bolus (low-dose test, LDT) and ii) tetracosactide 250 μg infused i.v. over 8 h (high-dose test, HDT).ResultsUFC and serum cortisol were within the reference range in all patients. Conversely, basal plasma ACTH values were above the upper limit of the normal range in 19 patients. There were no statistically significant differences in the mean values of UFC, basal serum cortisol and plasma ACTH between patients and controls. A subnormal cortisol response to the LDT was registered in 18 out of 56 patients. Three of these patients also displayed a subnormal response to the HDT, together with elevated baseline plasma ACTH levels. In the LDT, a positive correlation was found between basal and peak cortisol values (P<0.0001). The latter were negatively correlated with basal ACTH values in both LDT (P<0.0001) and HDT (P<0.0001).ConclusionsAdult thalassaemic patients often present a subtle impairment of adrenocortical function. This may become clinically relevant in case of major stressful events. Thus, we recommend an assessment of adrenocortical function in all adult thalassaemic patients.
Resection of the Primary Colorectal Cancer Is Not Necessary in Nonobstructed Patients with Metastatic Disease
Authors: Damjanov Nevena , Weiss Jared , Haller Daniel G. 
Published: October 2009

Abstract
Asymptomatic patients with metastatic colorectal cancer do not routinely need to undergo resection of the primary tumor. Although several retrospective analyses suggest that patients who undergo resection of the primary tumor live longer, most of these reviewed data prior to the advent of modern polychemotherapy and are subject to considerable bias, as patients who were considered able to undergo surgery likely had better overall prognoses than those who were not. In addition to significant prolongation of overall survival, current combinations of systemic chemotherapeutic agents and targeted agents have allowed improved local and distant tumor control, decreasing the likelihood of local tumor-related complications requiring colon resection.
Gorlin's Syndrome: Case Report and Management Protocol
Authors: Rosti R , Irem A , Kayserili H , Yalcin S 
Published: October 2009

Gorlin's Syndrome: Case Report and Management ProtocolGorlin's syndrome (GS) is a rare autosomal, dominant syndrome, characterized by multiple basal cell carcinomas, odontogenic keratocysts, a characteristic facial appearance, skeletal anomalies and malignancies of various organs throughout the body. We describe a 14-year-old girl with GS and propose a management protocol.
48, XXXX, A Rare Aneuploidy
Authors: Kaur A , Pandhi M , Singh J 
Published: October 2009

48, XXXX, A Rare AneuploidyThe 48, XXXX chromosome constitution is a rare aneuploidy which shows some peculiar manifestations in affected females. This first report from India of tetrasomy X with bilateral, typical, complete coloboma of iris, shows the importance of chromosomal investigation and fluorescentin situhybridization (FISH) in females with mental retardation and dysmorphic features.
Trends and Causes of Congenital Anomalies in the Pleven Region, Bulgaria
Authors: Kovacheva K , Simeonova M , Velkova A 
Published: October 2009

Trends and Causes of Congenital Anomalies in the Pleven Region, BulgariaWe describe the secular trend, pattern and causes of congenital anomalies (CAs) in the Pleven region, Bulgaria. The source of the data was the regional population-based registry of CAs using criteria according to EUROCAT recommendations. During the period 1988-2006, 47,622 births were surveyed. A total of 1,225 cases of CAs were ascertained, giving a total prevalence of 25.72 [95% confidence interval (95% CI) 24.3 to 27.15 per 1,000 births. There was a significant increase in total prevalence from 17.76 per 1,000 births in 1988 to 29.40 in 2006 (χ2 test for trend = 5.03;p= 0.025). Congenital heart disease (4.3 per 1,000 registered births), nervous system anomalies (3.3 per 1,000 births), limb defects (2.5 per 1,000 births) and neural tube defects (2.0 per 1,000 births) demonstrated the highest prevalence. There was a significant upward trend in the prevalence of some specific anomalies: digestive system, tumors, gastroschisis and non syndromal dysmorphologic conditions. Genetic causes were identified in approximately 62% of all cases with CAs (chromosomal 8%, single gene defects 14%, multifactorial 40%). The secular trend and particular pattern of CAs in the Pleven region require some potential underlying contributing factors to be considered: case ascertainment and diagnostic methods, and some environmental factors. These data draw attention to the need of further regional epidemiological studies. The high proportion of genetic causes emphasize the role of genetic services as an integral part of preventive medical care.
Cytogenetic Study on Workmen Occupationally Exposed to Pesticides
Authors: Yi Omari 
Published: October 2009

Cytogenetic Study on Workmen Occupationally Exposed to PesticidesA cytogenetic study was performed on 40 workmen who were exposed to the pesticides malathion and chlorpyrifos and on 30 healthy males who had not been so exposed. The exposed workers had a consistent increase in chromosome abnormalities including chromatid gap, chromatid break, isochromatid break, dicentric and ring chromosomes, as determined by the standard chromosome aberration assay, when compared to the control group. The incidence was significantly higher in exposed smokers than that for exposed non smokers and than that for the unexposed controls as well. These findings provide further evidence for the intrinsic mutagenic activity of the pesticides studied.
Dumbing down or beefing up the curriculum? Integrating an 'academic skills framework' into a first year sociology programme
Authors: Keating Mike , O'Siochru Cathal , Watt Sal 
Published: October 2009

This article describes a C-SAP-funded project evaluating the introduction of a new tutorial programme for first year Sociology students, which sought to integrate a 'skills framework' to enable students to develop a range of academic skills alongside their study of the subject.The pegagogical and institutional background to the decision to adopt this 'integrated' approach is summarised and the staff and student experiences are then evaluated using both quantitative and qualitative methods. Primarily concerned with evaluating staff and student responses to the new programme, this paper also raises some issues with regard to the methodologies of evaluation.
Charge Transfer Excitons in Polymer/Fullerene Blends: The Role of Morphology and Polymer Chain Conformation
Authors: Hallermann Markus , Kriegel Ilka , Da Como Enrico , Berger Josef M. , von Hauff Elizabeth , Feldmann Jochen 
Published: October 2009

AbstractHere, it is shown how carrier recombination through charge transfer excitons between conjugated polymers and fullerene molecules is mainly controlled by the intrachain conformation of the polymer, and to a limited extent by the mesoscopic morphology of the blend. This experimental result is obtained by combining near‐infrared photoluminescence spectroscopy and transmission electron microscopy, which are sensitive to charge transfer exciton emission and morphology, respectively. The photoluminescence intensity of the charge transfer exciton is correlated to the degree of intrachain order of the polymer, highlighting an important aspect for understanding and limiting carrier recombination in organic photovoltaics.
Relapsed or refractory nongastric marginal zone B‐cell lymphoma: Multicenter retrospective analysis of 92 cases
Authors: Oh Sung Yong , Kim Won Seog , Kim Seok Jin , Kim Jin Seok , Kim Sung‐Hyun , Lee Dae Ho , Won Jong‐Ho , Hwang In Gyu , Kim Min Kyoung , Lee Soon Il , Kim Jong Gwang , Yang Deok‐Hwan , Kang Hye Jin , Choi Chul Won , Park Jinny , Choi Young Jin , Kim Hyo Jung , Kwon Jung Hye , Suh Cheolwon , Kim Hyo‐Jin 
Published: October 2009

AbstractOver its long survival duration, marginal zone B‐cell lymphoma (MZL) routinely involves frequent relapses. In this study, we conducted a retrospective analysis to identify the clinical features and outcomes of relapsed or refractory MZL. From 1995 to 2008, a total of 92 patients with relapsed MZL were retrospectively analyzed. The median age of our subjects was 53.5 years (range: 23–82 years). The most common primary sites of involvement were the orbit and ocular adnexa (28.3%) followed by the lymph node and lymphatic organs (23.9%), and multiple mucosa‐associated lymphoid tissue (MALT) sites (13.0%). The median time to relapse from initial diagnosis was 25.5 months. Of the 53 patients with Stage I or II at diagnosis, 42 patients (79.2%) evidenced locoregional recurrence. Among these locoregional relapsed patients, 27 patients achieved CR (54.1%) or PR (18.9%). In addition to the 39 patients initially in advanced Stage III or IV, a total of 50 patients were in advanced stage at relapse. Among those patients with advanced stage at relapse, 44 patients were treated. The overall response rate was 54.5% (24 patients), with 18 CRs and 6 PRs. The median time to progression (TTP) was 34.1 months (95% CI: 11.3–56.9 months) and the estimated 5‐year overall survival (OS) was 84.3%. The majority of them was controlled well with salvage treatment, and could achieve prolonged survival. However, patients' refractory to initial therapy and advanced relapse evidenced shorter TTP and OS. Thus, we need to consider more aggressive treatment in cases of refractory MZL or advanced relapsed MZL. Am. J. Hematol., 2009. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
A convenient synthesis of nanocrystalline chalcopyrite, CuFeS2 using single‐source precursors
Authors: Disale Sujit D. , Garje Shivram S. 
Published: October 2009

AbstractNanocrystalline chalcopyrite (CuFeS2) have been synthesized using single‐source precursors, CuL2 and Cu(LH)2Cl2 (where LH = monoacetylferrocene thiosemicarbazone) by pyrolysis and solvothermal decomposition methods. The nanocrystals were characterized by UV–visible spectroscopy, X‐ray powder diffraction, transmission electron microscopy and energy dispersive X‐ray analysis. The magnetic character was determined by the hysteresis loop. CuFeS2 nanocrystallites prepared by the pyrolysis of CuL2 and Cu(LH)2Cl2 have a cubic phase and rod‐like morphology with diameters of about 18 and 15 nm, respectively, and lengths of about 195–390 and 100–145 nm, respectively. However, CuFeS2 nanoparticles obtained by solvothermal route from CuL2 and Cu(LH)2Cl2, which are capped with ethylene glycol, possess a nearly spherical shape with an average grain size of 16 and 11 nm, respectively. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Risk Factor Adjustment in Marginal Structural Model Estimation of Optimal Treatment Regimes
Authors: Moodie Erica E. M. 
Published: October 2009

AbstractMarginal structural models (MSMs) are an increasingly popular tool, particularly in epidemiological applications, to handle the problem of time‐varying confounding by intermediate variables when studying the effect of sequences of exposures. Considerable attention has been devoted to the optimal choice of treatment model for propensity score‐based methods and, more recently, to variable selection in the treatment model for inverse weighting in MSMs. However, little attention has been paid to the modeling of the outcome of interest, particularly with respect to the best use of purely predictive, non‐confounding variables in MSMs. Four modeling approaches are investigated in the context of both static treatment sequences and optimal dynamic treatment rules with the goal of estimating a marginal effect with the least error, both in terms of bias and variability.
Mixtures of hemoglobin‐based oxygen carriers and perfluorocarbons exhibit a synergistic effect in oxygenating hepatic hollow fiber bioreactors
Authors: Chen Guo , Palmer Andre F. 
Published: October 2009

AbstractHepatic hollow fiber (HF) bioreactors are being developed for use as bioartificial liver assist devices (BLADs). In general, BLADs suffer from O2 limited transport, which reduces their performance. This modeling study seeks to investigate if O2 carrying solutions consisting of mixtures of hemoglobin‐based oxygen carriers (HBOCs) and perfluorocarbons (PFCs) can enhance O2 transport to hepatocytes cultured in the extra capillary space (ECS) of HF bioreactors. We simulated supplementing the circulating cell culture media stream of the HF bioreactor with a mixture containing these two types of oxygen carriers (HBOCs and PFCs). A mathematical model was developed based on the dimensions and physical characteristics of a commercial HF bioreactor. The resulting set of partial differential equations, which describes fluid transport; as well as, mass transport of dissolved O2 in the pseudo‐homogeneous PFC/water phase and oxygenated HBOC, was solved to yield the O2 concentration field in the three HF domains (lumen, membrane and ECS). Our results show that mixtures of HBOC and PFC display a synergistic effect in oxygenating the ECS. Therefore, the presence of both HBOC and PFC in the circulating cell culture media dramatically improves transport of O2 to cultured hepatocytes. Moreover, the in vivo O2 spectrum in a liver sinusoid can be recapitulated by supplementing the HF bioreactor with a mixture of HBOCs and PFCs at an inlet pO2 of 80 mmHg. Therefore, we expect that PFC‐based oxygen carriers will be more efficient at transporting O2 at higher O2 levels (e.g., at an inlet pO2 of 760 mmHg, which corresponds to pure O2 in equilibrium with aqueous cell culture media at 1 atm). Biotechnol. Bioeng. 2010; 105: 534–542. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Micro determination of cortisol and cortisone in umbilical cord blood by chemiluminescent high‐performance liquid chromatography
Authors: Hasegawa Takeshi , Kubo Hiroaki , Shinozaki Koichi , Nowatari Masahiko , Ishii Masahiro 
Published: October 2009

AbstractA simple, sensitive and specific chemiluminescent high‐performance liquid chromatography method, based on the luminol reaction, for determination of serum cortisol and cortisone, was established. In infants, placental 11β‐hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 2 enzyme (11β‐HSD2) activity may affect adrenal function early after birth. The cortisol–cortisone ratio of serum concentrations in umbilical cord blood is an indicator of placental 11β‐HSD2 activity. The optimum conditions for the luminol reaction were determined to be 1.5 mM luminol, 0.6 M sodium hydroxide, 0.15 mm potassium hexacyanoferrate(III) and 200 mM potassium hexacyanoferrate (II). The calibration curves for cortisol and cortisone exhibited good linearity. The correlation coefficients of the calibration curves were 0.996. The intra‐ and inter‐day precisions were in the ranges: cortisol 7.0–12.2 and 4.4–9.2%, cortisone 5.3–7.0 and 6.2–9.9%. The recoveries of these steroids were in the ranges: cortisol 97–105%, cortisone 94–102%. The limits of detection were as follows: cortisol, 0.17 μg/dl; cortisone 0.15 μg/dl. This assay could be successfully applied to determination of the cortisol–cortiosone ratio of serum concentrations in umbilical cord bloods. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Determination of kynurenic acid levels in rat brain microdialysis samples and changes in kynurenic acid levels induced by N‐acetylaspartic acid
Authors: Tomiya Masayuki , Fukushima Takeshi , Ogaya Tadahiro , Sone Yukiko , Mitsuhashi Shogo , Toyo'oka Toshimasa 
Published: October 2009

AbstractThe levels of kynurenic acid, an endogenous antagonist of α7 nicotinic acetylcholine and N‐methyl‐D‐aspartate receptors, were measured in microdialysis samples obtained from the prefrontal cortices of rats using column‐switching high‐performance liquid chromatography with fluorescence detection. When the perfusate was constantly infused at a rate of 1.0 μ/min, the in vitro recovery of kynurenic acid through the dialysis membrane was approximately 20.4%, and the precision was within 1.31%. Endogenous kynurenic acid in the microdialysis sample was clearly detected using column‐switching high‐performance liquid chromatography. As an application study, N‐acetyl‐L‐aspartic acid, an endogenous metabolite and precursor of N‐acetyl‐L‐aspartyl‐L‐glutamic acid, which is an agonist of metabotropic glutamate receptors, was infused for 120 min through the microdialysis probe. The kynurenic acid level significantly increased during the infusion of N‐acetyl‐L‐aspartic acid, suggesting that kynurenic acid might have some association with N‐acetyl‐L‐aspartic acid in vivo. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.