ICP

Distribution by Scientific Domains
Distribution within Medical Sciences


Selected Abstracts


New reference for the age at childhood onset of growth and secular trend in the timing of puberty in Swedish

ACTA PAEDIATRICA, Issue 6 2000
YX Liu
The objectives of the present work were to present a new reference for the age at childhood onset of growth and to investigate the secular trend in the timing of puberty in a community-based normal population in Sweden. A total of 2432 children with longitudinal length/height data from birth to adulthood were used to determine the two measures by visual inspection of the measured attained length/height and the change in growth velocity displayed on a computer-generated infancy-childhood-puberty (ICP) based growth chart. The series represents a sample of normal full-term children born around 1974 in Göteborg, Sweden. We found about 10% of children were delayed (>12 mo of age) in the childhood onset of growth based on the previous reported normal range, i.e. 14% in boys and 8% in girls. Distribution of the age at childhood onset of growth was skewed. The medians were 10 and 9 mo for boys and girls, respectively. After natural logarithmic transformation, the mean and standard deviation (SD) were 2.29 (anti-log 9.9 mo) and 0.226 for boys, 2.23 (anti-log 9.3 mo) and 0.220 for girls, respectively. The 95% normal ranges were 6.3-15.4 and 6.0-14.3 for boys and girls, respectively. The distribution of the timing of PHV was close to the normal distribution. The mean values were 13.5 y for boys and 11.6 y for girls with 1 y SD for both sexes. Conclusion: A downward secular trend in the onset of puberty was clearly shown in the population. The age at childhood onset of growth did not correlate with the timing of puberty (r=,0.01 and 0.05, p > 0.7 and 0.1 in boys and girls, respectively). Normal ranges of the age at childhood onset of growth are in need of revise, as this study indicates. The new reference presented here could be a reliable indicator in further studies. [source]


Flux growth of La-doped lead zirconate stannate titanate antiferroelectric crystals

CRYSTAL RESEARCH AND TECHNOLOGY, Issue 10 2008
Lin Wang
Abstract Relaxor antiferroelectric single crystals lead lanthanum zirconate stannate titanate (PLZST) with the composition around the morphotropic phase boundary (MPB) have been grown by flux method using 50 wt% PbO-PbF2 -B2O3 as a flux. The obtained crystals are light yellow in color. The XRD patterns revealed that the habitual faces of the obtained crystal are (001). The crystal morphology was studied and related to a layer growth mechanism controlled by two-dimensional growth. The chemical composition of as-grown crystal was analyzed by inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectrometry (ICP), indicating a slight decrease of the amount of Ti compared to the starting materials. The result was verified by the XRD patterns with the phase transformation from the co-existence of tetragonal and rhombohedra phases to the single tetragonal phase. (© 2008 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim) [source]


Xanthine-analog, KMUP-2, enhances cyclic GMP and K+ channel activities in rabbit aorta and corpus cavernosum with associated penile erection

DRUG DEVELOPMENT RESEARCH, Issue 3 2002
Rong-Jyh Lin
Abstract The pharmacological properties of KMUP-2 were examined in isolated rabbit aorta and corpus cavernosum smooth muscle (CCSM). KMUP-2 caused relaxations that were attenuated by removed endothelium, high K+, and pretreatment with the soluble guanylate cyclase (sGC) inhibitors methylene blue (10 ,M) and ODQ (1 ,M), a NOS inhibitor, L-NAME (100 ,M), a K+ channel blocker TEA (10 mM), a KATP channel blocker glibenclamide (1 ,M), a voltage-dependent K+ channel blocker 4-AP (100 ,M), and the Ca2+ -dependent K+ channel blockers apamin (1 ,M) and charybdotoxin (ChTX, 0.1 ,M). The relaxant responses of KMUP-2 (0.01, 0.05, 0.1 ,M) together with a PDE inhibitor, IBMX (0.5 ,M), had additive effects on rabbit aorta and CCSM. Additionally, KMUP-2 (100 ,M) also affected cGMP metabolism, due to its inhibiting activity on PDE in human platelets. KMUP-2 (0.1,100 ,M) further induced an increase of intracellular cGMP levels in the primary cultured rabbit aortic and CCSM cells. These increases in cGMP content were abolished in the presence of methylene blue (100 ,M) and ODQ (10 ,M). Obviously, the relaxant effects of KMUP-2 on rabbit isolated tissues are more sensitive in CCSM than in aorta. Moreover, KMUP-2 also stimulated NO/sGC/cGMP pathway and subsequent elevation of cGMP by blockade of PDE and enhanced opening of K+ channels in rabbit aorta and CCSM. KMUP-2 (0.2, 0.4, 0.6 mg/kg), similar to KMUP-1 and sildenafil, caused increases of intracavernous pressure (ICP) and duration of tumescene (DT) in a dose-dependent manner. It is concluded that both the increases of cGMP and the opening activity of K+ channels play prominent roles in KMUP-2-induced aortic smooth muscle and CCSM relaxation and increases of ICP in rabbits. Drug Dev. Res. 55:162,172, 2002. © 2002 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source]


Cover Picture: Electrophoresis 7'2010

ELECTROPHORESIS, Issue 7 2010
Article first published online: 26 MAR 2010
Issue no. 7 is a special issue on CE-MS consisting of "19 manuscripts subdivided into three major categories: one devoted to instrumental and methodical advances, two providing an insight into up-to-date applications from the fields of technical and natural products, food and environmental analysis on the one hand and biomedical and pharmaceutical analysis on the other hand. Diverse approaches how CE-MS can be employed for the solution of various analytical problems can be found in these papers. Different modes of electroseparation techniques in the capillary format such as CZE, CEC or MEEKC are coupled to various MS instruments ranging from simple quadrupole MS instruments to state of the art QTOF's, using a range of interfaces such as ESI, ICP or APPI. So this special issue will again try to present an overview of current trends and developments in the fields of CE-MS" [source]


Cover Picture: Electrophoresis 10/2008

ELECTROPHORESIS, Issue 10 2008
Article first published online: 21 MAY 200
Regular issues provide a wide range of research and review articles covering all aspects of electrophoresis. Here you will find cutting-edge articles on methods and theory, instrumentation, nucleic acids, CE and CEC, miniaturization and microfluidics, proteomics and two-dimensional electrophoresis. "The present issue includes 29 manuscripts subdivided into three major parts: one part is devoted to instrumental and methodological advances, and two parts are providing an insight into up-to-date applications from the fields of natural products and food analysis on the one hand and biomedical and pharmaceutical analysis on the other hand. The approaches used comprise different modes of electroseparation methods such as CZE, packed column, monolithic column and open-tubular CEC, MEKC, CIEF, CITP, different modes of ionization such as MALDI, ICP, and ESI, as well as a range of mass analyzers from simple single quadrupole MS to top of the range Q-TOF instruments, providing MS-MS and accurate mass features." [source]


Manganese speciation in human cerebrospinal fluid using CZE coupled to inductively coupled plasma MS

ELECTROPHORESIS, Issue 9 2007
Bernhard Michalke Dr.
Abstract The neurotoxic effects of manganese (Mn) at elevated concentrations are well known. This raises the question, which of the Mn species can cross neural barriers and appear in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). CSF is the last matrix in a living human organism available for analysis before a compound reaches the brain cells and therefore it is assumed to reflect best the internal exposure of brain tissue to Mn species. A previously developed CE method was modified for separation of albumin, histidine, tyrosine, cystine, fumarate, malate, inorganic Mn, oxalacetate, ,-keto-glutarate, nicotinamide-dinucleotide (NAD), citrate, adenosine, glutathione, and glutamine. These compounds are supposed in the literature to act as potential Mn carriers. In a first attempt, these compounds were analyzed by CZE-UV to check whether they are present in CSF. The CZE-UV method was simpler than the coupled CZE-inductively coupled plasma (ICP)-dynamic reaction cell (DRC)-MS method and it was therefore chosen to obtain a first overview information. In a second step, the coupled method (CZE-ICP-DRC-MS) was used to analyze, in detail, which of the compounds found in CSF by CZE-UV were actually bound to Mn. Finally, 13 Mn species were monitored in CSF samples, most of them being identified: Mn-histidine, Mn-fumarate, Mn-malate, inorganic Mn, Mn-oxalacetate, Mn-,-keto glutarate, Mn-carrying NAD, Mn-citrate and Mn-adenosine. By far the most abundant Mn species was Mn-citrate showing a concentration of 0.7,±,0.13,µg,Mn/L. Interestingly, several other Mn species can be related to the citric acid cycle. [source]


Arsenic, lead, and other trace elements in soils contaminated with pesticide residues at the Hanford site (USA)

ENVIRONMENTAL TOXICOLOGY, Issue 2 2003
Jerry Yokel
Abstract The primary purpose of this study was to characterize arsenic (As) and lead (Pb) concentrations in former orchard soils contaminated with lead arsenate pesticides at the Hanford site in Washington state (USA). Surface samples (n = 31) were collected from former orchard soils (in cultivation during the pre-Hanford period) at five locations at the 100 Areas and at one location at the Old Hanford Townsite (OHT). Another set of samples (n = 17) was collected over a soil depth interval of 10,50 cm at the four locations with the highest As and Pb surface concentrations. All samples were analyzed for 22 trace elements (including As and Pb) with inductively coupled plasma,atomic emission spectrometry (ICP,AES). The mean, standard deviation, and range for As in the surface soils were 30, 61, and 2.9,270 mg/kg dry wt, respectively. The corresponding statistics for Pb were 220, 460, and 6.5,1900 mg/kg dry wt, respectively. As and Pb concentrations in the surface soils were positively and significantly correlated (r = 0.91, Bonferroni p < 0.05). Descriptive statistics and bivariate correlations were also computed for other trace elements. As and Pb mean concentrations in the surface soils each differed significantly (p < 0.05) among Hanford locations, with the highest concentrations at the 100-H and 100-F Areas. Although both As and Pb mean concentrations decreased with soil depth, regression and correlation coefficients only, for Pb significantly differed from zero (b = ,0.0372, r = ,0.805, Bonferroni p < 0.05). Compared with data in the literature As and Pb concentrations found in this study exceeded background levels but were typical of orchard soils. Furthermore, mean As and Pb soil concentrations were in the range of various toxicological benchmarks derived for protection of human and ecological receptors. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Environ Toxicol 18: 104,114, 2003 [source]


Seizures Lead to Elevation of Intracranial Pressure in Children Undergoing Invasive EEG Monitoring

EPILEPSIA, Issue 6 2007
Aash K Shah
Summary:,Purpose: To study the effects of intracranial subdural grid electrode placement and seizures on intracranial pressure (ICP) in children undergoing invasive EEG monitoring. Methods: Sixteen children with pharmacoresistant epilepsy who underwent two-stage epilepsy surgery with subdural grid placement were included in the study. The ICP was recorded at baseline and with each seizure prospectively. A variety of seizure parameters including type of seizure, length of seizure, extent of seizure spread, and number of subdural grid electrodes inserted were analyzed retrospectively and correlated with the change in ICP. Results: A total of 48 seizures in 16 children were studied. The mean baseline ICP correlated positively with age of the child. Generalized tonic,clonic seizures were associated with the highest rise in ICP. Similarly, ICP rise was associated with seizures involving more electrodes indicating a larger area of brain participating in the seizure. Conclusion: Seizures in general and generalized tonic,clonic seizures, in particular, increase ICP temporarily in patients who are undergoing invasive EEG monitoring with subdural grids. [source]


Linkage between a new splicing site mutation in the MDR3 alias ABCB4 gene and intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy,

HEPATOLOGY, Issue 1 2007
Gudrun Schneider
Intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy (ICP) is defined as pruritus and elevated bile acid serum concentrations in late pregnancy. Splicing mutations have been described in the multidrug resistance p-glycoprotein 3 (MDR3, ABCB4) gene in up to 20% of ICP women. Pedigrees studied were not large enough for linkage analysis. Ninety-seven family members of a woman with proven ICP were asked about pruritus in earlier pregnancies, birth complications and symptomatic gallstone disease. The familial cholestasis type 1 (FIC1, ATP8B1) gene, bile salt export pump (BSEP, ABCB11) and MDR3 gene were analyzed in 55 relatives. We identified a dominant mode of inheritance with female restricted expression and a new intronic MDR3 mutation c.3486+5G>A resulting in a 54 bp (3465,3518) inframe deletion via cryptic splicing site activation. Linkage analysis of the ICP trait versus this intragenic MDR3 variant yielded a LOD score of 2.48. A Bayesian analysis involving MDR3, BSEP, FIC1 and an unknown locus gave a posterior probability of >0.9966 in favor of MDR3 as causative ICP locus. During the episode of ICP the median ,-glutamyl transpeptidase (,-GT) activity was 10 U/l (95% CI, 6.9 to 14.7 U/l) in the index woman. Four stillbirths were reported in seven heterozygous women (22 pregnancies) and none in five women (14 pregnancies) without MDR3 mutation. Symptomatic gallstone disease was more prevalent in heterozygous relatives (7/21) than in relatives without the mutation (1/34), (P = 0.00341). Conclusion: This study demonstrates that splicing mutations in the MDR3 gene can cause ICP with normal ,-GT and may be associated with stillbirths and gallstone disease. (HEPATOLOGY 2007;45:150,158.) [source]


Effects of hydrological processes on the chemical composition of riverine suspended sediment in the Zhujiang River, China

HYDROLOGICAL PROCESSES, Issue 12 2003
Quanzhou Gao
Abstract The chemical composition of riverine suspended sediment is the integration of the weathering crust minerals, soil organic matter and erosion agency within a specific drainage basin, which has been largely disturbed by the human activities. Selected metal elements of the riverine suspended sediment in the Zhujiang River were analysed using inductively coupled plasma,atomic emission spectrometry (ICP,AES) in three different hydrological phases from 1997 to 1998 at Makou and Sanshui hydrographic gauge stations, located at the lower reaches of the two main tributaries of the Zhujiang River, i.e. the Xijiang and the Beijing Rivers respectively. Organic carbon and nitrogen were also analysed using a conventional element analyser. The results demonstrate that the chemical composition of the riverine suspended sediment show obvious variability in different hydrological phases, which closely correlate to the organic matter content in suspended sediment. Intensified erosion in the flood phase results in lower concentration of the organic matter than that in the lower water level phase. The riverine suspended sediment with rich organic matter in the lower water level phase adsorbs some metal elements from the river water. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source]


Novel One-Step Synthesis of Porous-Supported Catalysts by Activated-Carbon Templating,

ADVANCED MATERIALS, Issue 9 2006
J. Blanco
A new, simple, versatile, and easily scaleable one-step preparation method , an impregnated carbon procedure (ICP) , is proposed to produce highly dispersed active phases on supports of tailored porosity (see scheme; AC: activated carbon). This one-step synthesis unites simplicity of preparation with outstanding properties of the final catalysts and offers an interesting pathway towards industrial-catalyst manufacture. [source]


Systematic review of the effectiveness of integrated care pathways: what works, for whom, in which circumstances?

INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF EVIDENCE BASED HEALTHCARE, Issue 2 2009
Davina Allen RGN BA(Hons) PhD
Abstract Aim, Integrated care pathways (ICP) are management technologies which formalise multidisciplinary team-working and enable professionals to examine their roles and responsibilities. ICPs are now being implemented across international healthcare arena, but evidence to support their use is equivocal. The aim of this study was to identify the circumstances in which ICPs are effective, for whom and in what contexts. Methods, A systematic review of high-quality randomised controlled trials published between 1980 and 2008 (March) evaluating ICP use in child and adult populations in the full range of healthcare settings. Results 1For relatively predictable trajectories of care ICPs can be effective in supporting proactive care management and ensuring that patients receive relevant clinical interventions and/or assessments in a timely manner. This can lead to improvements in service quality and service efficiency without adverse consequences for patients. 2ICPs are an effective mechanism for promoting adherence to guidelines or treatment protocols thereby reducing variation in practice. 3ICPs can be effective in improving documentation of treatment goals, documentation of communication with patients, carers and health professionals. 4ICPs can be effective in improving physician agreement about treatment options. 5ICPs can be effective in supporting decision-making when they incorporate a decision-aide. 6The evidence considered in this review indicates that ICPs may be particularly effective in changing professional behaviours in the desired direction, where there is scope for improvement or where roles are new. 7Even in contexts in which health professionals are already experienced with a particular pathway, ICP use brings additional beneficial effects in directing professional practice in the desired direction. 8ICPs may be less effective in bringing about service quality and efficiency gains in variable patient trajectories. 9ICPs may be less effective in bringing about quality improvements in circumstances in which services are already based on best evidence and multidisciplinary working is well established. 10Depending on their purpose, the benefits of ICPs may be greater for certain patient subgroups than others. 11We do not know whether the costs of ICP development and implementation are justified by any of their reported benefits. 12ICPs may need supporting mechanisms to underpin their implementation and ensure their adoption in practice, particularly in circumstances in which ICP use is a significant change in organisational culture. 13ICP documentation can introduce scope for new kinds of error. Conclusions, ICPs are most effective in contexts where patient care trajectories are predictable. Their value in settings in which recovery pathways are more variable is less clear. ICPs are most effective in bringing about behavioural changes where there are identified deficiencies in services; their value in contexts where inter-professional working is well established is less certain. None of the studies reviewed included an economic evaluation and thus it is not known whether their benefits justify the costs of their implementation. [source]


Stabilized Copper(I) Oxide Nanoparticles Catalyze Azide-Alkyne Click Reactions in Water

ADVANCED SYNTHESIS & CATALYSIS (PREVIOUSLY: JOURNAL FUER PRAKTISCHE CHEMIE), Issue 10 2010
Zhenfang Zhang
Abstract A novel form of polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) coated copper(I) oxide nanoparticle (Cu2O-NP) was prepared and used to catalyze azide-alkyne click reactions in water under aerobic conditions. The nanoparticles were well dispersed in aqueous solutions and have a size of 20±10,nm, as determined by transmission electron microscope (TEM). Inductively coupled plasma (ICP), X-ray powder diffraction (XRD), and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) analyses demonstrated that the main content of Cu2O-NP is copper(I). The cytotoxicity of it was evaluated by an in vitro 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay and its catalytic efficiency for azide-alkyne click reactions was studied in water and organic solvents at physiological temperatures. Our results indicate that Cu2O-NP is more efficient in catalytic reactions in water for both aliphatic and aromatic azides and alkynes and less toxic than the commonly used CuSO4/reductant catalyst systems. [source]


Intranasal cooling with or without intravenous cold fluids during and after cardiac arrest in pigs

ACTA ANAESTHESIOLOGICA SCANDINAVICA, Issue 4 2010
L. COVACIU
Background: Intranasal balloon catheters circulated with cold saline have previously been used for the induction and maintenance of selective brain cooling in pigs with normal circulation. In the present study, we investigated the feasibility of therapeutic hypothermia initiation, maintenance and rewarming using such intranasal balloon catheters with or without addition of intravenous ice-cold fluids during and after cardiac arrest treatment in pigs. Material and methods: Cardiac arrest was induced in 20 anaesthetised pigs. Following 8 min of cardiac arrest and 1 min of cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), cooling was initiated after randomisation with either intranasal cooling (N) or combined with intravenous ice-cold fluids (N+S). Hypothermia was maintained for 180 min, followed by 180 min of rewarming. Brain and oesophageal temperatures, haemodynamic variables and intracranial pressure (ICP) were recorded. Results: Brain temperatures reductions after cooling did not differ (3.8 ± 0.7 °C in the N group and 4.3 ± 1.5 °C in the N+S group; P=0.47). The corresponding body temperature reductions were 3.6 ± 1.2 °C and 4.6 ± 1.5 °C (P=0.1). The resuscitation outcome was similar in both groups. Mixed venous oxygen saturation was lower in the N group after cooling and rewarming (P=0.024 and 0.002, respectively) as compared with the N+S group. ICP was higher after rewarming in the N group (25.2 ± 2.9 mmHg; P=0.01) than in the N+S group (15.7 ± 3.3 mmHg). Conclusions: Intranasal balloon catheters can be used for therapeutic hypothermia initiation, maintenance and rewarming during CPR and after successful resuscitation in pigs. [source]


Copper Nanoparticles on Charcoal for Multicomponent Catalytic Synthesis of 1,2,3-Triazole Derivatives from Benzyl Halides or Alkyl Halides, Terminal Alkynes and Sodium Azide in Water as a "Green" Solvent

ADVANCED SYNTHESIS & CATALYSIS (PREVIOUSLY: JOURNAL FUER PRAKTISCHE CHEMIE), Issue 1-2 2009
Hashem Sharghi
Abstract A one-pot procedure for synthesis of 1,2,3-triazole derivatives via the three-component coupling (TCC) reaction between terminal alkynes, benzyl or alkyl halides, and sodium azide in the presences of 1,mol% nanoparticles copper/carbon (Cu/C) catalyst has been developed. The catalyst showed high catalytic activity and 1,4-regioselectivity for the [3+2],Huisgen cycloaddition in water as a "green" solvent and good to excellent yields were obtained in all cases. This procedure eliminates the need to handle organic azides, and they are generated in situ. The reaction has a broad scope and is especially practical for the synthesis of new azacrown ether and anthraquinone derivatives of triazole. The heterogeneous catalysts were fully characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), atomic forced microscopy (AFM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), inductively coupled plasma (ICP) analysis and FT-IR experimental techniques. The catalyst was recycled ten times without significant loss of activity. [source]


Synthesis of Rhodium Colloidal Nano-Coating Grafted Mesoporous Silica Composite and its Application as Efficient Environmentally Benign Catalyst for Heck-Type Reaction of Arylboronic Acids

ADVANCED SYNTHESIS & CATALYSIS (PREVIOUSLY: JOURNAL FUER PRAKTISCHE CHEMIE), Issue 5 2008
Liang Li
Abstract The synthesis and characterization of rhodium colloidal layer grafted mesoporous SBA-15 material, designated as SBA-Rh, are presented. In the preparation of this new catalyst, SBA-15 mesoporous material was used as support without any pretreatment. The SiH functional groups were introduced onto the surface which resulted in highly dispersed metal colloid layer both on the outer and inner surface of the supporting material. The material was investigated for Heck-type coupling reactions of alkenes with ayboronic in organic/water solvent. The ultrahigh specific area, large pore opening, and highly dispersed catalyst species in SBA-Rh material created one of the most active heterogeneous catalysts for such reactions. Rhodium element was not detected in the final mixture by ICP after reaction. The catalyst species showed very high stability against leaching from the matrix and can be recycled for repeated use. [source]


Crystal structure of cobalt-substituted calcium hydroxyapatite nanopowders prepared by hydrothermal processing

JOURNAL OF APPLIED CRYSTALLOGRAPHY, Issue 2 2010
Ljiljana Veselinovi
A series of cobalt-exchanged hydroxyapatite (CoHAp) powders with different Ca/Co ratios and nominal unit-cell contents Ca10,xCox(PO4)6(OH)2, x = 0, 0.5, 1.0, 1.5 and 2.0, were synthesized by hydrothermal treatment of a precipitate at 473,K for 8,h. Based on ICP (inductively coupled plasma) emission spectroscopy analysis, it was established that the maximum amount of cobalt incorporation saturated at ,12,at.% under these conditions. The effects of cobalt content on the CoHAp powders were investigated using ICP emission spectroscopy, particle size analysis, transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM) analyses as well as X-ray powder diffraction (XRPD) including Rietveld analysis. According to XRPD, all the materials are single-phase HAp and CoHAp of low crystallinity. Rietveld analysis shows that Co enrichment causes the c cell parameter to decrease at a faster rate than the a cell parameter. A microstructural analysis showed anisotropic X-ray line broadening due to crystallite size reduction. In CoHAp there is significant crystal elongation in [001], and the average size decreases with increasing cobalt content. The crystallite morphology transforms from rod-like for the pure HAp to lamellae at the highest degree of Co substitution. The results of Rietveld refinement (symmetry, size and morphology of the crystallites) were confirmed by TEM and HRTEM analysis. [source]


Antixenosis mechanism of resistance in pigeonpea to the pod borer, Helicoverpa armigera

JOURNAL OF APPLIED ENTOMOLOGY, Issue 1 2006
D. A. Kumari
Abstract:, The noctuid pod borer, Helicoverpa armigera, is one of the most important pests of pigeonpea, and plant resistance is an important component for minimizing the extent of losses caused by this pest. To develop insect-resistant cultivars, it is important to understand the contributions of different components of resistance, and therefore, we studied the antixenosis mechanism of resistance to H. armigera in a diverse array of pigeonpea genotypes under no-choice, dual-choice, and multi-choice conditions. Antixenosis for oviposition was observed in case of ICPL 187-1, ICP 7203-1, ICPL 88039, T 21, ICPL 84060, and ICPL 332 under no-choice, dual-choice and multi-choice conditions. However, the number of eggs laid on ICPL 88039, T 21 and ICP 7203-1 did not differ significantly from those on ICPL 87 under dual-choice conditions. The susceptible check, ICPL 87 was highly preferred for oviposition. The genotypes ICP 7203-1, ICPL 187-1, T 21, ICPL 332, and ICPL 84060 can be used as sources of non-preference mechanism of resistance in pigeonpea improvement programs to breed for resistance to H. armigera. [source]


Preparation and characterization of novel biphasic calcium phosphate powders (,-TCP/HA) derived from carbonated amorphous calcium phosphates

JOURNAL OF BIOMEDICAL MATERIALS RESEARCH, Issue 2 2009
Yanbao Li
Abstract Novel biphasic calcium phosphate (BCP) powders composed of ,-tricalcium phosphate (,-TCP) and hydroxyapatite (HA) were prepared by thermal decomposition of carbonated amorphous calcium phosphates (CACP). At first, the CACP precipitates were synthesized by adding ammonium carbonate in the presence of poly(ethylene glycol) at pH 10 with an initial Ca/P molar ratio of 1.60 at 5°C. The Ca/P molar ratios of the CACP precursors are between 1.50 and 1.67 investigated by ICP. Then BCP (,-TCP/HA) powders were obtained after heating the CACP precursors at relatively low temperature (800°C) for 3 h. ,-TCP/HA powders were characterized by X-ray diffractometry, Fourier transform infrared spectra, transmission electron microscopy/scanning electron microscopy, and sedimentation experiment. The results show that ,-TCP and HA phases form in one powder, ,-TCP/HA powders are sphere with the diameter of 300 nm to less than 100 nm varied with their chemical compositions and the ratio of ,-TCP and HA in the powders can be adjusted by the adding amount of carbonates. The possible formation process of biphasic ,-TCP/HA powders was proposed. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part B: Appl Biomater, 2009 [source]


A new supraglottic airway device: LMA-SupremeÔ, comparison with LMA-ProsealÔ

ACTA ANAESTHESIOLOGICA SCANDINAVICA, Issue 7 2009
T. HOSTEN
Background and objective: The LMA-SupremeÔ (S-LMAÔ) is a new supraglottic airway device that presents combined features of flexibility, curved structure and single use and a different cuff structure. The purpose of this study was to compare the oropharyngeal leak pressures (OLP) of LMA-ProsealÔ (P-LMAÔ) and S-LMAÔ. Methods: Sixty adult patients were prospectively and randomly allocated to undergo insertion of P-LMAÔ (n=30) or S-LMAÔ (n=30). The cuffs were inflated until the intracuff pressure (ICP) reached 60 cm H2O. Orogastric leak pressures, insertion times, first attempt success rates, fiberoptical assessment of position, cuff pressures, orogastric tube (OGT) placement and OGT insertion times were compared. Unblinded observers collected intraoperative data and blinded observers collected post-operative data. Results: The first insertion attempts and time taken to provide an effective airway were similar between the groups. Two patients (P-LMAÔ, n=1; S-LMAÔ, n=1) were intubated due to excessive oropharyngeal leak and in one patient (P-LMAÔ, n=1) due to failed OGT placement. OLPs were similar (P-LMAÔ; 26.9±6.6 S-LMAÔ; 26.1±5.2). ICP increased significantly in the P-LMAÔ at the 30 and 60 min during anesthesia (P-LMAÔ; 80.1±12.8, 92.9±14.4, S-LMAÔ; 68.3±10.9, 73.7±15.6). OGT placement was successful in all patients in the S-LMAÔ, but failed in five patients in the P-LMAÔ (P=0.02). Fiberoptically determined anatomic position was better with the P-LMAÔ (P=0.03). Conclusion: Our findings suggest that S-LMAÔ had leak pressures similar to the P-LMAÔ, and this new airway device proved to be successful during both spontaneous and positive pressure ventilation. [source]


Scan registration for autonomous mining vehicles using 3D-NDT

JOURNAL OF FIELD ROBOTICS (FORMERLY JOURNAL OF ROBOTIC SYSTEMS), Issue 10 2007
Martin Magnusson
Scan registration is an essential subtask when building maps based on range finder data from mobile robots. The problem is to deduce how the robot has moved between consecutive scans, based on the shape of overlapping portions of the scans. This paper presents a new algorithm for registration of 3D data. The algorithm is a generalization and improvement of the normal distributions transform (NDT) for 2D data developed by Biber and Strasser, which allows for accurate registration using a memory-efficient representation of the scan surface. A detailed quantitative and qualitative comparison of the new algorithm with the 3D version of the popular ICP (iterative closest point) algorithm is presented. Results with actual mine data, some of which were collected with a new prototype 3D laser scanner, show that the presented algorithm is faster and slightly more reliable than the standard ICP algorithm for 3D registration, while using a more memory-efficient scan surface representation. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. [source]


Mobile robot motion estimation by 2D scan matching with genetic and iterative closest point algorithms

JOURNAL OF FIELD ROBOTICS (FORMERLY JOURNAL OF ROBOTIC SYSTEMS), Issue 1 2006
Jorge L. Martínez
The paper reports on mobile robot motion estimation based on matching points from successive two-dimensional (2D) laser scans. This ego-motion approach is well suited to unstructured and dynamic environments because it directly uses raw laser points rather than extracted features. We have analyzed the application of two methods that are very different in essence: (i) A 2D version of iterative closest point (ICP), which is widely used for surface registration; (ii) a genetic algorithm (GA), which is a novel approach for this kind of problem. Their performance in terms of real-time applicability and accuracy has been compared in outdoor experiments with nonstop motion under diverse realistic navigation conditions. Based on this analysis, we propose a hybrid GA-ICP algorithm that combines the best characteristics of these pure methods. The experiments have been carried out with the tracked mobile robot Auriga-, and an on-board 2D laser scanner. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. [source]


2D map-building and localization in outdoor environments

JOURNAL OF FIELD ROBOTICS (FORMERLY JOURNAL OF ROBOTIC SYSTEMS), Issue 1 2005
R. Madhavan
Determining the pose (position and orientation) of a vehicle at any time is termed localization and is of paramount importance in achieving reliable and robust autonomous navigation. Knowing the pose it is possible to achieve high level tasks such as path planning. A new map-based algorithm for the localization of vehicles operating in harsh outdoor environments is presented in this article. A map building algorithm using observations from a scanning laser rangefinder is developed for building a polyline map that adequately captures the geometry of the environment. Using this map, the Iterative Closest Point (ICP) algorithm is employed for matching laser range images from the rangefinder to the polyline map. Once correspondences are established, an Extended Kalman Filter (EKF) algorithm provides reliable vehicle state estimates using a nonlinear observation model based on the vertices of the polyline map. Data gathered during field trials in an outdoor environment is used to test the efficiency of the proposed ICP-EKF algorithm in achieving the localization of a four-wheel drive (4WD) vehicle. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. [source]


Intracerebral monitoring in comatose patients treated with hypothermia after a cardiac arrest

ACTA ANAESTHESIOLOGICA SCANDINAVICA, Issue 3 2009
J. NORDMARK
Background: Induced mild hypothermia (32,34 °C) has proven to reduce ischemic brain injury and improve outcome after a cardiac arrest (CA). The aim of this investigation was to study the occurrence of increased intracranial pressure (ICP) and neurochemical metabolic changes indicating cerebral ischemia, after CA and cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), when induced hypothermia was applied. Methods: ICP, brain chemistry and brain temperature were monitored during induced hypothermia and re-warming in four adult unconscious patients with restoration of spontaneous circulation after CA and CPR. Results: ICP was occasionally above 20 mmHg. Neurochemical changes indicating cerebral ischemia (increased lactate/pyruvate ratio) and excitoxicity (increased glutamate) were found after CA, and signs of ischemia were also observed during the re-warming phase. A biphasic increase in glycerol was seen, which may have been a result of both membrane degradation and overspill from the general circulation. Conclusions: Intracerebral microdialysis and ICP monitoring may be used in selected patients not requiring anticoagulants and PCI to obtain information regarding the common disturbances of intracranial dynamics after CA. The results of this study underline the importance of inducing hypothermia quickly after CA and emphasize the need for developing tools for guidance of the re-warming. [source]


Synthesis and characterization of cobalt nano-particles through microwave polyol process

AICHE JOURNAL, Issue 6 2009
Wen-Tung Cheng
Abstract This article aims to synthesize and character cobalt nano-particles through microwave polyol process. At first, cobalt acetate is used as precursor to synthesize cobalt nano-particles by microwave assisted ethylene glycol in the presence of polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) as capping agent. As measured from ion-coupled plasma (ICP) and thermo-gravimetric analysis (TGA), the yields of as-synthesized cobalt particles in average diameters of 40 and 81 nm verified by transmission electronic microscopy (TEM), are 71 and 85%, respectively; and the structure of as-synthesized cobalt nano-particle is a face-center cubic structure analyzed by X-ray diffraction (XRD). Finally, the as-synthesized cobalt nano-particle modified by oleic acid is dispersed in kerosene to character magnetic property. As measured by vibration sample magnetometer (VSM), the saturation magnetisms of cobalt nano-particles with average diameters of 40 and 81 nm are 39.1 and 29.5 emu/g, respectively, in solution. © 2009 American Institute of Chemical Engineers AIChE J, 2009 [source]


Transesterification of dimethyl oxalate with phenol over TiO2/SiO2: Catalyst screening and reaction optimization

AICHE JOURNAL, Issue 12 2008
Xia Yang
Abstract Physicochemical properties of silica-supported titanium oxide catalysts as well as their performances for transesterification of dimethyl oxalate (DMO) with phenol to methyl phenyl oxalate (MPO) and diphenyl oxalate (DPO) have been investigated systematically. Various wt % of TiO2 were loaded on SiO2 by a two-step wet impregnation method. The surface properties of TiO2/SiO2 catalysts were explored by various characterization techniques (BET, SEM, ICP, XPS, XRD, FTIR of pyridine adsorption, and NH3 -TPD). Catalytic performances of TiO2/SiO2 catalysts were found to be strongly dependent on TiO2 dispersion and surface acidity. Monolayer dispersion capacity of TiO2 on silica was estimated to be about 4.0 TiO2 molecules per nm2 (SiO2) and no crystalline TiO2 was detected at TiO2 loading less than 12 wt %. FTIR and TPD analysis suggested that weak Lewis acid sites on the surface of TiO2/SiO2 were responsible for their unique selectivity to the target products, MPO and DPO. An optimization of reaction conditions for the transesterification of DMO with phenol was performed over 12 wt % TiO2/SiO2 calcined at 550°C. In addition, we studied the disproportionation reaction from MPO to DPO via a catalytic distillation process, which is highly efficient to promote formation of the desired DPO. © 2008 American Institute of Chemical Engineers AIChE J, 2008 [source]


Hydrolysis of ,-Tricalcium Phosphate in Simulated Body Fluid and Dehydration Behavior During the Drying Process

JOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN CERAMIC SOCIETY, Issue 8 2007
Xiang Wei
The hydrolysis of ,-tricalcium phosphate (,-TCP) in a simulated body fluid (SBF) at 37°C was investigated. The hydration rate was found to be slower in SBF than that in deionized water. The concentration of ions in SBF was monitored by ICP. The hydrolysis product, which was characterized by X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, Fourier transform infra red, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, was determined to be carbonate-containing, calcium-deficient hydroxyapatite (CO3,CDHAp) with Mg2+, Na+, and Cl, impurities similar to the biological apatite. An amorphous layer on the ,-TCP surface was found to be the precursor of the apatite phase, which may either form crystalline apatite or may decompose back to ,-TCP at a lower temperature. [source]


From intracranial pressure to intracranial pressure wave-guided intensive care management of a patient with an aneurysmal subarachnoid haemorrhage

ACTA ANAESTHESIOLOGICA SCANDINAVICA, Issue 4 2007
P. K. Eide
We report on a 65-year-old female with an aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) that was followed clinically, radiologically and electrophysiologically before and after converting from intracranial pressure (ICP)-guided to ICP wave-guided intensive care management. Intracranial pressure-guided management is aimed at keeping mean ICP < 15,20 mmHg, while ICP wave-guided management is aimed at keeping mean ICP wave amplitude < 5 mmHg. The aims of management were obtained by adjusting cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) draining volume from her external ventricular drain. No improvement was seen clinically or in cerebral magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans during the ICP-guided management. Clinical, MRI and neurophysiologic (electroencephalography and auditory evoked responses) improvements were obvious within 2 days after converting from ICP- to ICP wave-guided management. This case report describes how we used various ICP parameters to guide intensive care management of an aneurysmal SAH patient. [source]


Synthesis of Gallium Oxide Hydroxide Crystals in Aqueous Solutions with or without Urea and Their Calcination Behavior

JOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN CERAMIC SOCIETY, Issue 6 2002
A. Cüneyt Ta
Gallium oxide hydroxide (GaOOH·xH2O) single crystals were synthesized in aqueous solutions by using two different precipitation techniques: homogeneous decomposition of urea and forced hydrolysis in pure water. Precipitation of crystals started at exactly the same pH value (i.e., 2.05 at 85°C) in both cases. The morphology of crystals turned out to be quite different (zeppelin-like with urea, rodlike without urea) in each of the above methods. Calcination of these gallium oxide hydroxide crystals in air at temperatures ,500°C transformed them into Ga2O3. Characterization of the samples was performed by X-ray diffractometry, scanning electron microscopy, thermogravimetry/differential thermal analysis, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, and ICP, carbon, and nitrogen analyses. [source]


Cesium-133: A potential reporter of the hepatic uptake of contrast agents

MAGNETIC RESONANCE IN MEDICINE, Issue 4 2001
Jean-Marie Colet
Abstract NMR spectroscopy of intracellularly located 133Cs has been used to monitor the uptake of Gd-EOB-DTPA by the isolated rat liver. As shown by 31P spectroscopy, accumulation of 133Cs ions in hepatocytes does not produce detectable effects on the metabolism. The hepatic internalization of Gd-EOB-DTPA was followed by the paramagnetic relaxation enhancement of the intracellular 133Cs ions, and confirmed by parallel quantitations of Gd and Cs run by inductively coupled plasma (ICP) analysis of liver samples and aliquots of perfusate. The relaxation data significantly underestimate the Gd content, suggesting a potential compartmentation of Cs+ and/or the contrast agent. Magn Reson Med 45:711,715, 2001. © 2001 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source]