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Terms modified by S2 Selected AbstractsElectrical and optical properties of CdS nanocrystalline semiconductorsCRYSTAL RESEARCH AND TECHNOLOGY, Issue 1 2006Shikha Tiwari Abstract II-VI semiconductor nanoparticles have recently attracted a lot of attention due to the possibility of their application in various devices. In the present study, chemical method has been used in synthesis of CdS nanoparticles and thiophenol was used as capping agent. X-ray diffraction studies of both samples were done. The dc conductivity of CdS increases at a lower rate or is approximately constant upto 500K and thereafter the conductivity increases at a rapid rate. Beyond Tc it is seen that the portion of the ,dc versus 1000/T is almost a straight line showing an Arrehenious behaviour. The dielectric constant of nanoparticles of CdS is found to be larger than the corresponding values of CdS crystals. It is clearly observed that at lower wavelengths nanocrystalline samples show a blue-shift. The three peaks of sample (S2), A, Band C can be ascribed to the transition from Cd-O complex donor formed by adsorbed oxygen to the valance band, Cd - excess acceptor and the surface states, respectively. (© 2005 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim) [source] Crystallization kinetics of ZnS precipitation; an experimental study using the mixed-suspension-mixed-product-removal (MSMPR) methodCRYSTAL RESEARCH AND TECHNOLOGY, Issue 8 2004Mousa Al-Tarazi Abstract The precipitation kinetics of zinc sulfide were studied using a lab scale mixed-suspension-mixed-product-removal (MSMPR) precipitation reactor. The vessel was operated at different feed concentrations, molar ratios, stirrer speeds, pH-values, feed injection positions and residence times. Primary nucleation and volume average crystal growth rates as well as agglomeration kernel were determined. Relationships were found between the rates of the different crystallization steps on the one hand and supersaturation, stirrer speeds, pH-values, Zn2+ to S2- ratio, feed positions on the other. These show that larger crystals are obtained at high supersaturation, moderate stirrer speeds, small residence times, a pH-value of around 5 and high Zn2+ to S2- ratios. One should realize though that the applied MSMPR method is not the most optimal technique for examining fast precipitation reactions. (© 2004 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim) [source] Asymmetrical Schiff Bases as Carriers in PVC Membrane Electrodes for Cadmium (II) IonsELECTROANALYSIS, Issue 8 2005Hossein Mashhadizadeh, Mohammad Abstract 5-[((4-Methyl phenyl) azo)- N -(6-amino-2-pyridin) salicylaldimine] (S1), and 5-[((4-methyl phenyl) azo)- N -(2-diamino-2-cyano-1-ethyl cyanide) salicylaldehyde] (S2) with N and O donor atoms are effective ionophores to make Cd2+ -selective membrane electrodes. The electrodes based on S1 and S2 exhibits a Nernstian or near-Nernstian response for cadmium ion over a wide concentration range 1.5×10,1,7.5×10,7 with a slope of 28 and 2.0×10,1,4.0×10,7 with a slope of 22, respectively. They have quick response and can be used for three or four months without any divergence in potential. The proposed sensors show fairly good selectivity over some alkali, alkaline earth, transition and heavy metal ions. The electrodes based on S1 and S2 can be used in the pH range 3.5,9. These electrodes were used as an indicator electrode in potentiometric titration of cadmium ion with EDTA and in the direct determination of cadmium ion in aqueous solutions. [source] Monitoring pyrethroid resistance in field collected Blattella germanica Linn. (Dictyoptera: Blattellidae) in IndonesiaENTOMOLOGICAL RESEARCH, Issue 2 2009Intan AHMAD Abstract The German cockroach, Blattella germanica, is a major and the most common pest in public areas in Indonesia. Although intensive control measures have been carried out to control the populations of this pest, results have been far from successful, which is believed to be because of its resistance to insecticides. A standard World Health Organization (WHO) glass jar test was carried out to determine the resistance level of this insect to pyrethroid insecticides, the most commonly used insecticides for cockroach control in Indonesia. A susceptible S1 strain collected from Tembagapura Papua was compared with four strains collected from Bandung, West Java: strain S2, from a local restaurant; strain S3, from the Bandung train station; and strains S4 and S5, from two different hotels. All strains showed low resistance to the pyrethroid, except the S5 strain, which had a Resistance Ratio (RR)50 of 95 for permethrin. The addition of piperonyl butoxide (PBO) suggests that the detoxifying enzyme mixed function oxidases (MFO) played an important role in the development of resistance to permethrin in the S5 strain, suggested by the high Synergist Ratio (SR) of 70.4. However, the low level of resistance to cypermethrin was not affected by PBO, suggesting that other mechanisms of pyrethroid resistance are involved. Our study is the first report of German cockroach resistance to permethrin in Indonesia, and the findings can be used in formulating potential strategies for cockroach resistance management. [source] Combined effects of the fungicide propiconazole and agricultural runoff sediments on the aquatic bryophyte Vesicularia dubyanaENVIRONMENTAL TOXICOLOGY & CHEMISTRY, Issue 9 2005Qinglan Wu Abstract Pesticides, firmly attached to the topsoil, might enter nearby watercourses at periods with high erosive loss of sediments. Therefore, exposure of aquatic organisms to these low mobility pesticides, in many cases, will coincide with a high sediment concentration. In this study, both individual and combined effects of propiconazole and runoff sediment on the aquatic model bryophyte Vesicularia dubyana are studied. Individual exposure to propiconazole induced responses in V. dubyana at rather low concentration levels (,1 ,g/L), showing that harmful effects of propiconazole potentially may occur in watercourses draining propiconazole-treated fields. Individual exposure to the sediment size fractions S1 (0.16,2 ,m) and S2 (0.03,0.16 ,m) caused plant stress at a concentration of 100 mg/L. The coarser fraction S1 showed strong inhibition effects on photosynthesis, probably due to light attenuation. Compared to S1, the suspension with the finer fraction S2 showed lower turbidity, higher nutrient content, and a higher proportion of sediment-bound propiconazole. The combined effects of propiconazole and suspended sediment are dependent on concentrations of sediment and propiconazole. At low sediment concentration (e.g., 100 mg/L), neither S1 nor S2 reduce the toxicity of propiconazole, as only 2% of propiconazole are bound to particles. An increase in sediment concentration decreases the bioavailable concentration of propiconazole; however, at the same time, this increases the turbidity, thereby inhibiting plant photosynthesis. [source] Interobserver and intraobserver reproducibility in focal cortical dysplasia (malformations of cortical development)EPILEPSIA, Issue 12 2009Wendy A. Chamberlain Summary Purpose:, Malformations of cortical development (MCD) (cortical dysplasias) are well-recognized causes of intractable epilepsy. Although a histologic classification system for MCD has been proposed by Palmini et al. (Neurology; 2004; 62:S2), studies to date have not assessed reproducibility. The purpose of this study was to analyze inter- and intraobserver agreement among eight experienced neuropathologists (NPs) with respect to this classification system. Methods:, Sections from 26 epilepsy resections were selected to represent the range of pathologies described by Palmini et al. Recuts of single sections from each case were sent to the NPs to classify. The slides were resent at a later date for reclassification. Kappa analysis for both inter- and intraobserver concordance was performed. Results:, Interobserver agreement was moderate (, = 0.4968). There was ,62.5% (5 of 8 NPs) agreement for 19 of 26 cases. The greatest concordance was present when making focal cortical dysplasia (FCD) types IIA/B classifications (12 of the 14 cases with ,75% consensus). Mild MCD (types I/II) and FCD types IA/B classifications were the least reproducible, and used most frequently in cases without consensus. Intraobserver concordance was moderate to very good (range , = 0.4654,0.8504). The category with the fewest classification changes made on reevaluation was FCD type IIB (4.2%), whereas that with the most changes was mild MCD (types I/II) (52.9%). Discussion:, Interobserver concordance using this approach was moderate. The classification categories with the greatest concordance were FCD type IIA/B, and the least, mild MCD and FCD types IA/B. In addition, difficulty in differentiating Mild MCD/FCD type I lesions from normal and/or gliotic tissue was noted. [source] Efficient Removal of Anionic Surfactants Using Mesoporous Functionalised Hybrid MaterialsEUROPEAN JOURNAL OF INORGANIC CHEMISTRY, Issue 25 2009Carmen Coll Abstract A new hybrid system for surfactant removal from water has been developed using mesoporous material (MCM-41) functionalised with suitable binding groups. Solid S1, S2 and S3 were prepared by reaction of the mesoporous material with N -methyl- N, -(propyltrimethoxysilyl)imidazolium chloride, (3-aminopropyl)trimethoxysilane or 4-[(triethoxysilylpropylthio)methyl]pyridine, respectively. The functionalised materials were characterised following standard solid-state techniques. The final prepared solids consist of a siliceous MCM-41-type mesoporous support with the surface decorated by imidazolium, amine and pyridine binding groups suitable for anion coordination. Equilibrium adsorption studies of linear alkylbenzenesulfonate (LAS) using S1, S2 and S3 in water have been carried out. The obtained adsorption data were correlated with a Langmuir isotherm model that gives an acceptable description of the experimental data. The maximum surfactant uptake/binding site (mol,mol,1) and the surfactant adsorption capacity (mmol,g,1) for materials S1, S2 and S3 were calculated. S1 shows a positive-charged functionalised surface that is independent of the pH of the solution, whereas S2 and S3 are functionalised with neutral groups that need to be protonated in order to display electrostatic binding interactions with the anionic surfactants. Therefore, whereas the adsorption capacity of S1 is pH-independent, S2 and S3 display larger LAS adsorption at acidic pH. The adsorption ability at a certain pH follows the order S1 >> S3 > S2. A remarkable maximum surfactant adsorption of 1.5 mmol per gram of material was observed for S1 at neutral pH. S2 and S3 behave as poorer adsorbents and show maximum surfactant adsorption of 0.197 and 0.335 mmol per gram of material, respectively, at pH 2.(© Wiley-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, 69451 Weinheim, Germany, 2009) [source] Behavioral relevance of gamma-band activity for short-term memory-based auditory decision-makingEUROPEAN JOURNAL OF NEUROSCIENCE, Issue 12 2008Jochen Kaiser Abstract Oscillatory activity in the gamma-band range has been established as a correlate of cognitive processes, including perception, attention and memory. Only a few studies, however, have provided evidence for an association between gamma-band activity (GBA) and measures of behavioral performance. Here we focused on the comparison between sample and test stimuli S1 and S2 during an auditory spatial short-term memory task. Applying statistical probability mapping to magnetoencephalographic recordings from 28 human subjects, we identified GBA components distinguishing nonidentical from identical S1,S2 pairs. This activity was found at frequencies between 65 and 90 Hz and was localized over posterior cortical regions contralateral to the hemifield in which the stimuli were presented. The 10 best task performers showed higher amplitudes of this GBA component than the 10 worst performers. This group difference was most pronounced between about 150 and 300 ms after stimulus onset. Apparently the decision about whether test stimuli matched the stored representation of previously presented sample sounds relied partly on the oscillatory activation of networks representing differences between both stimuli. This result could be replicated by reanalyzing the combined data from two previous studies assessing short-term memory for sound duration and sound lateralization, respectively. Similarly to our main study, GBA amplitudes to nonmatching vs. matching S1,S2 pairs were higher in good performers than poor performers. The present findings demonstrate the behavioral relevance of GBA. [source] Heteromodal connections supporting multisensory integration at low levels of cortical processing in the monkeyEUROPEAN JOURNAL OF NEUROSCIENCE, Issue 11 2005Céline Cappe Abstract While multisensory integration is thought to occur in higher hierarchical cortical areas, recent studies in man and monkey have revealed plurisensory modulations of activity in areas previously thought to be unimodal. To determine the cortical network involved in multisensory interactions, we performed multiple injections of different retrograde tracers in unimodal auditory (core), somatosensory (1/3b) and visual (V2 and MT) cortical areas of the marmoset. We found three types of heteromodal connections linking unimodal sensory areas. Visuo-somatosensory projections were observed originating from visual areas [probably the ventral and dorsal fundus of the superior temporal area (FSTv and FSTd), and middle temporal crescent (MTc)] toward areas 1/3b. Somatosensory projections to the auditory cortex were present from S2 and the anterior bank of the lateral sulcus. Finally, a visuo-auditory projection arises from an area anterior to the superior temporal sulcus (STS) toward the auditory core. Injections in different sensory regions allow us to define the frontal convexity and the temporal opercular caudal cortex as putative polysensory areas. A quantitative analysis of the laminar distribution of projecting neurons showed that heteromodal connections could be either feedback or feedforward. Taken together, our results provide the anatomical pathway for multisensory integration at low levels of information processing in the primate and argue against a strict hierarchical model. [source] Design of Peptide Hydroxamate-Based Photoreactive Activity-Based Probes of Zinc-Dependent MetalloproteasesEUROPEAN JOURNAL OF ORGANIC CHEMISTRY, Issue 11 2010Paul P. Geurink Abstract Metalloproteases (ADAMs, MMPs) are multidomain proteins that play key roles in extracellular matrix remodelling and degradation, in cell,cell and cell,matrix interactions and in the proteolytic liberation of membrane-anchored proforms of cytokines and growth factors, the so-called ectodomainshedding. In this work we describe the development ofphotoactivatable activity-based probes with which active metalloproteases can be visualised. Our probes are based on the succinyl hydroxamate motif and differ in the positioning of the trifluoromethylphenyldiazirine photoreactive group. We demonstrate that directing the photoactivatable group towards the S1, pocket yields activity-based probes more effective than the corresponding probe with the photoactivatable group directed towards the S2, pocket. [source] Synthesis of Doubly Strapped meso,meso -Linked Porphyrin Arrays and Triply Linked Conjugated Porphyrin TapesEUROPEAN JOURNAL OF ORGANIC CHEMISTRY, Issue 14 2006Toshiaki Ikeda Abstract 1,10-Dioxydecamethylene doubly strapped ZnII -porphyrin S1 was prepared and treated with AgPF6 to give meso,meso -linked porphyrin oligomers Sn (n = 2, 3, 4, 6, 8, and 12), which were converted to triply linked porphyrin tapes TSn by meso,meso, -dibromo meso,meso -linked porphyrin arrays BSn and meso,meso, -diphenyl meso,meso -linked porphyrin arrays PSn. The structures of S1 and S2 have been determined by single-crystal X-ray diffraction analysis. Characteristically, Sn exhibit sharp Q(0,0) absorption and fluorescence bands. Low energy Q-band-like absorption bands of TSn are progressively red-shifted with an increase in the number of porphyrins without saturation behavior of conjugation. The double straps suppress ,,, stacking to some extent as seen from partial preservation of vibration structures in the Q-band-like bands of TS4 and TS6 and improve the chemical stabilities of longer tapes such as TS8 and TS12. (© Wiley-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, 69451 Weinheim, Germany, 2006) [source] EMG and Oxygen Uptake Responses During Slow and Fast Ramp Exercise in HumansEXPERIMENTAL PHYSIOLOGY, Issue 1 2002Barry W. Scheuermann This study examined the relationship between muscle recruitment patterns using surface electromyography (EMG) and the excess O2 uptake (ExV,O2) that accompanies slow (SR, 8 W min,1) but not fast (FR, 64 W min,1) ramp increases in work rate (WR) during exercise on a cycle ergometer. Nine subjects (2 females) participated in this study (25 ± 2 years, ± S.E.M.). EMG was obtained from the vastus lateralis and medialis and analysed in the time (root mean square, RMS) and frequency (median power frequency, MDPF) domain. Results for each muscle were averaged to provide an overall response and expressed relative to a maximal voluntary contraction (%MVC). ,V,O2/,WR was calculated for exercise below (S1) and above (S2) the lactate threshold (LT) using linear regression. The increase in RMS relative to the increase in WR for exercise below the LT (,RMS/,WR-S1) was determined using linear regression. Due to non-linearities in RMS above the LT, ,RMS/,WR-S2 is reported as the difference in RMS (,RMS) and the difference in WR (,WR) at end-exercise and the LT. SR was associated with a higher (P < 0.05) ,V,O2/,WR (S1, 9.3 ± 0.3 ml min,1 W,1; S2, 12.5 ± 0.6 ml min,1 W,1) than FR (S1, 8.5 ± 0.4 ml min,1 W,1; S2, 7.9 ± 0.4 ml min,1 W,1) but a similar ,RMS/,WR-S1 (SR, 0.11 ± 0.01% W,1; FR, 0.10 ± 0.01% W,1). ExV,O2 was greater (P < 0.05) in SR (3.6 ± 0.7 l) than FR (-0.7 ± 0.4 l) but was not associated with a difference in either ,RMS/,WR-S2 (SR, 0.14 ± 0.01% W,1; FR, 15 ± 0.02% W,1) or MDPF (SR, 2.6 ± 5.9%; FR, -15.4 ± 4.5%). The close matching between power output and RMS during SR and FR suggests that the ExV,O2 of heavy exercise is not associated with the recruitment of additional motor units since ExV,O2 was observed during SR only. Compared to the progressive decrease in MDPF observed during FR, the MDPF remained relatively constant during SR suggesting that either (i) there was no appreciable recruitment of the less efficient type II muscle fibres, at least in addition to those recruited initially at the onset of exercise, or (ii) the decrease in MDPF associated with fatigue was offset by the addition of a higher frequency of type II fibres recruited to replace the fatigued motor units. [source] The function of D1-H332 in Photosystem II electron transport studied by thermoluminescence and chlorophyll fluorescence in site-directed mutants of Synechocystis 6803FEBS JOURNAL, Issue 17 2004Yagut Allahverdiyeva The His332 residue of the D1 protein has been identified as the likely ligand of the catalytic Mn ions in the water oxidizing complex (Ferreira, K.N., Iverson, T.M., Maghlaoui, K., Barber, J. & Iwata, S. (2004) Science 303, 1831,1838). However, its function has not been fully clarified. Here we used thermoluminescence and flash-induced chlorophyll fluorescence measurements to characterize the effect of the D1-H333E, D1-H332D and D1-H332S mutations on the electron transport of Photosystem II in intact cells of the cyanobacterium Synechocystis 6803. Although the mutants are not photoautotrophic they all show flash-induced thermoluminescence and chlorophyll fluorescence, which originate from the S2QA, and S2QB, recombinations demonstrating that charge stabilization takes place in the water oxidizing complex. However, the conversion of S2 to higher S states is inhibited and the energetic stability of the S2QA, charge pair is increased by 75, 50 and 7 mV in the D1-H332D, D1-H332E and D1-H332S mutants, respectively. This is most probably caused by a decrease of Em(S2/S1). Concomitantly, the rate of electron donation from Mn to Tyr-Z, during the S1 to S2 transition is slowed down, relative to the wild type, 350- and 60-fold in the D1-H332E and D1-H332D mutants, respectively, but remains essentially unaffected in D1-H332S. A further effect of the D1-H332E and D1-H332D mutations is the retardation of the QA to QB electron transfer step as an indirect consequence of the donor side modification. Our data show that although the His residue in the D1-332 position can be substituted by other metal binding residues for binding photo-oxidisable Mn it is required for controlling the functional redox energetics of the Mn cluster. [source] Carboxydipeptidase activities of recombinant cysteine peptidasesFEBS JOURNAL, Issue 5 2004CPB of Leishmania mexicana, Cruzain of Trypanosoma cruzi The recombinant cysteine peptidases, cruzain from Trypanosoma cruzi and CPB2.8,CTE from Leishmania mexicana, are cathepsin L-like and characteristically endopeptidases. In this study, we characterized the carboxydipeptidase activities of these enzymes and compared them with those of human recombinant cathepsin B and cathepsin L. The analysis used the internally quenched fluorescent peptide Abz-FRFK*-OH and some of its analogues, where Abz is ortho -aminobenzoic acid and K* is (2,4-dinitrophenyl)-,-NH2 -lysine. These peptides were demonstrated to be very sensitive substrates, due to the strong quenching effect of K* on the fluorescence of the Abz group. The carboxydipeptidase activity of cruzain was shown to be very similar to that of cathepsin B, while that of CPB2.8,CTE is closer to the carboxydipeptidase activity of cathepsin L. The S2 subsite architecture of cruzain and the nature of the amino acid at the P2 position of the substrates determine its carboxydipeptidase activity and gives further and direct support to the notion that the carboxydipeptidase activity of the papain family cysteine peptidases rely on the S2,P2 interaction [Nägler D. K., Tam, W., Storer, A.C., Krupa, J.C., Mort, J.S. & Menard, R. (1999) Biochemistry38, 4868,4874]. Cruzain and CPB2.8,CTE presented a broad pH-range for both the endo- and exo-peptidase activities, although the later is approximately one order of magnitude lower. This feature, that is not common in related mammalian cysteine peptidases, is consistent with the enzymes being exposed to different environmental conditions and having different locations during parasite development. [source] Comparison of the specificity, stability and individual rate constants with respective activation parameters for the peptidase activity of cruzipain and its recombinant form, cruzain, from Trypanosoma cruziFEBS JOURNAL, Issue 24 2001Wagner A. S. Judice The Trypanosoma cruzi cysteine protease cruzipain contains a 130-amino-acid C-terminal extension, in addition to the catalytic domain. Natural cruzipain is a complex of isoforms, because of the simultaneous expression of several genes, and the presence of either high mannose-type, hybrid monoantennary-type or complex biantenary-type oligosacharide chains at Asn255 of the C-terminal extension. Cruzipain and its recombinant form without this extension (cruzain) were studied comparatively in this work. S2 to S2, subsite specificities of these enzymes were examined using four series of substrates derived from the internally quenched fluorescent peptide Abz-KLRFSKQ-EDDnp (Abz, ortho -aminobenzoic acid; EDDnp, N -(2,4-dinitrophenyl)-ethylenediamine). Large differences in the kinetic parameters were not observed between the enzymes; however, Km values were consistently lower for the hydrolysis of most of the substrates by cruzain. No difference in the pH,activity profile between the two enzymes was found, but in 1 m NaCl cruzipain presented a kcat value significantly higher than that of cruzain. The activation energy of denaturation for the enzymes did not differ significantly; however, a negative entropy value was observed for cruzipain denaturation whereas the value for cruzain was positive. We determined the individual rate constants (k1, substrate diffusion; k,1, substrate dissociation; k2, acylation; k3, deacylation) and the respective activation energies and entropies for hydrolysis of Abz-KLRFSKQ-EDDnp determining the temperature dependence of the Michaelis,Menten parameters kcat/Km and kcat as previously described [Ayala, Y.M. & Di Cera, E. (2000) Protein Sci.9, 1589,1593]. Differences between the two enzymes were clearly detected in the activation energies E1 and E,1, which are significantly higher for cruzipain. The corresponding ,S1 and ,S,1 were positive and significantly higher for cruzipain than for cruzain. These results indicate the presence of a larger energy barrier for cruzipain relating to substrate diffusion and dissociation, which could be related to the C-terminal extension and/or glycosylation state of cruzipain. [source] Heterotic strings on homogeneous spaces,FORTSCHRITTE DER PHYSIK/PROGRESS OF PHYSICS, Issue 9 2005D. Israël Abstract We construct heterotic string backgrounds corresponding to families of homogeneous spaces as exact conformal field theories. They contain left cosets of compact groups by their maximal tori supported by NS-NS 2-forms and gauge field fluxes. We give the general formalism and modular-invariant partition functions, then we consider some examples such as SU (2)/U (1) ~ S2 (already described in a previous paper) and the SU (3)/U(1)2 flag space. As an application we construct new supersymmetric string vacua with magnetic fluxes and a linear dilaton. [source] Electric/magnetic deformations of S3 and AdS3, and geometric cosets,FORTSCHRITTE DER PHYSIK/PROGRESS OF PHYSICS, Issue 1 2005D. Israël We analyze asymmetric marginal deformations of SU(2)k and SL(2,,)k WZW models. These appear in heterotic string backgrounds with non-vanishing Neveu,Schwarz three-forms plus electric or magnetic fields, depending on whether the deformation is elliptic, hyperbolic or parabolic. Asymmetric deformations create new families of exact string vacua. The geometries which are generated in this way, deformed S3 or AdS3, include in particular geometric cosets such as S2, AdS2 or H2. Hence, the latter are consistent, exact conformal sigma models, with electric or magnetic backgrounds. We discuss various geometric and symmetry properties of the deformations at hand as well as their spectra and partition functions, with special attention to the supersymmetric AdS2 × S2 background. We also comment on potential holographic applications. [source] The 3D shear experiment over the Natih field in Oman: the effect of fracture-filling fluids on shear propagationGEOPHYSICAL PROSPECTING, Issue 2 2001C.M. Van Der Kolk This is the final paper in a series on the 3D multicomponent seismic experiment in Oman. In this experiment a 3D data set was acquired using three-component geophones and with three source orientations. The data set will subsequently be referred to as the Natih 9C3D data set. We present, for the first time, evidence demonstrating that shear waves are sensitive to fluid type in fractured media. Two observations are examined from the Natih 9C3D data where regions of gas are characterized by slow shear-wave velocities. One is that the shear-wave splitting map of the Natih reservoir exhibits much larger splitting values over the gas cap on the reservoir. This increase in splitting results from a decrease in the slow shear-wave velocity which senses both the fractures and the fracture-filling fluid. Using a new effective-medium model, it was possible to generate a splitting map for the reservoir that is corrected for this fluid effect. Secondly, an anomaly was encountered on the shear-wave data directly above the reservoir. The thick Fiqa shale overburden exhibits a low shear-wave velocity anomaly that is accompanied by higher shear reflectivity and lower frequency content. No such effects are evident in the conventional P-wave data. This feature is interpreted as a gas chimney above the reservoir, a conclusion supported by both effective-medium modelling and the geology. With this new effective-medium model, we show that introduction of gas into vertically fractured rock appears to decrease the velocity of shear waves (S2), polarized perpendicular to the fracture orientation, whilst leaving the vertical compressional-wave velocity largely unaffected. This conclusion has direct implications for seismic methods in exploration, appraisal and development of fractured reservoirs and suggests that here we should be utilizing S-wave data, as well as the conventional P-wave data, as a direct hydrocarbon indicator. [source] Second-Generation Inhibitors for the Metalloprotease Neprilysin Based on Bicyclic Heteroaromatic Scaffolds: Synthesis, Biological Activity, and X-Ray Crystal-Structure AnalysisHELVETICA CHIMICA ACTA, Issue 4 2005Stefan Sahli A new class of nonpeptidic inhibitors of the ZnII -dependent metalloprotease neprilysin with IC50 values in the nanomolar activity range (0.034,0.30,,M) were developed based on structure-based de novo design (Figs.,1 and 2). The inhibitors feature benzimidazole and imidazo[4,5- c]pyridine moieties as central scaffolds to undergo H-bonding to Asn542 and Arg717 and to engage in favorable , - , stacking interactions with the imidazole ring of His711. The platform is decorated with a thiol vector to coordinate to the ZnII ion and an aryl residue to occupy the hydrophobic S1, pocket, but lack a substituent for binding in the S2, pocket, which remains closed by the side chains of Phe106 and Arg110 when not occupied. The enantioselective syntheses of the active compounds (+)- 1, (+)- 2, (+)- 25, and (+)- 26 were accomplished using Evans auxiliaries (Schemes,2, 4, and 5). The inhibitors (+)- 2 and (+)- 26 with an imidazo[4,5- c]pyridine core are ca. 8 times more active than those with a benzimidazole core ((+)- 1 and (+)- 25) (Table,1). The predicted binding mode was established by X-ray analysis of the complex of neprilysin with (+)- 2 at 2.25-Å resolution (Fig.,4 and Table,2). The ligand coordinates with its sulfanyl residue to the ZnII ion, and the benzyl residue occupies the S1, pocket. The 1H -imidazole moiety of the central scaffold forms the required H-bonds to the side chains of Asn542 and Arg717. The heterobicyclic platform additionally undergoes ,-, stacking with the side chain of His711 as well as edge-to-face-type interactions with the side chain of Trp693. According to the X-ray analysis, the substantial advantage in biological activity of the imidazo-pyridine inhibitors over the benzimidazole ligands arises from favorable interactions of the pyridine N-atom in the former with the side chain of Arg102. Unexpectedly, replacement of the phenyl group pointing into the deep S1, pocket by a biphenyl group does not enhance the binding affinity for this class of inhibitors. [source] Hemodynamic and Volume Changes during HemodialysisHEMODIALYSIS INTERNATIONAL, Issue 3 2003Robert M. Lindsay Background:,Volume overload is a factor in the hypertension of hemodialysis (HD) patients. Fluid removal is therefore integral to the hemodialysis treatment. Fluid removal by hemodialysis ultrafiltration (UF) may cause intradialytic hypotension and leg cramps. Understanding blood pressure (BP) and volume changes during UF may eliminate intradialytic hypotension and cramps. Studies (S1, S2, and S3) were carried out to determine the amount and direction of changes in body fluid compartments following UF and to determine the relationships between BP, changes in blood volume (,BV), central blood volume (CBV), cardiac output (CO), peripheral vascular resistance (PVR) plus total body water (TBW), and intra- and extracellular fluid volumes (ICF, ECF) in both the whole body and body segments (arms, legs, trunk). Methods:,Indicator dilution technology (Transonic) was used for CBV, CO, and PVR; hematocrit monitoring (Crit-Line) was used for ,BV segmental bioimpedance (Xitron) for TBW, ICF, and ECF. Results:,S1 (n = 21) showed UF sufficient to cause ,BV of ,7% and lead to minor changes (same direction) in CBV and CO, and with cessation of UF, vascular refilling was preferential to CBV. S2 (n = 20) showed that predialysis HD patients are ECF-expanded (ECF/ICF ratio = 0.96, controls = 0.74 [P < 0.0001]) and BP correlates with ECF (r = 0.47, P = 0.35). UF to cause ,BV of ,7% was associated with a decrease in ECF (P < 0.0001) and BP directly (r = 0.46, P = 0.04) plus ,BV indirectly (r = ,0.5, P = 0.024) correlated with PVR, while CBV and CO were maintained. S3 (n = 11) showed that following UF, total-body ECF changes were correlated with leg ECF (r = 0.94) and arm ECF (r = 0.72) but not trunk ECF. Absolute ECF reduction was greatest from the legs. Conclusions:,Predialysis ECF influences BP and UF reduces ,BV and ECF, but CBV and BP are conserved by increasing PVR. ECF reduction is mainly from the legs, hence may cause cramps. Intradialytic hypotension is caused by failure of PVR response. [source] What is this thing called BED?INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF EATING DISORDERS, Issue S1 2003Current status of binge eating disorder nosology Abstract Objective Although binge eating has been recognized as a clinically relevant behavior among the obese for more than four decades, the concept of binge eating disorder (BED) as a distinct psychiatric diagnosis is of much more recent origin. This article presents four ways of conceptualizing BED: a distinct disorder in its own right, as a variant of bulimia nervosa, as a useful behavioral subtype of obesity, and as a behavior that reflects psychopathology among the obese. It also summarizes the evidence supporting and disconfirming each model. Method The literature subsequent to the development of DSM-IV regarding the reliability and validity of BED and related conditions was reviewed selectively. Results The preponderance of the evidence suggests that BED differs importantly from purging bulimia nervosa and that BED is not a strikingly useful behavioral subtype of obesity. Discussion Further study is needed to definitively determine the validity of BED as a distinct eating disorder. © 2003 by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Eat Disord 34: S2,S18, 2003. [source] Partial purification of proteases that are generated by processing of the Northern shrimp Pandalus borealis and which can tenderize beefINTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF FOOD SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY, Issue 5 2004Hitoshi Aoki Summary The crude extracts obtained from the heads of Northern shrimps, Pandalus borealis, (adapted to cold), showed considerable collagenolytic activities. When tested for beef tenderization, resulted in an overdegradation of meat proteins, which was detected organoleptically. Subsequently, four fractions with proteolytic activity were partially purified from the crude extracts by hydroxyapatite followed by MonoQ or Superdex 200 column chromatography. Warner-Bratzler shear force values of steaks treated with three protease fractions (Q, S2, S3) at 10 °C were significantly lower (P < 0.01) than that of the control and the enzyme preparations were completely inactivated after mild heat treatment. These results suggest that the potential for Northern shrimp enzymes to be used in industrial processes, particularly in the food industry, is quite large, where working at lower temperatures to prevent undesirable chemical reactions is necessary. [source] Assessment of the water,salinity crop production function of wheat using experimental data of the Golestan province, Iran,IRRIGATION AND DRAINAGE, Issue 4 2009A. R. Kiani stress hydrique; stress de salinité; fonctions de production; blé Abstract Optimisation of agricultural water management in arid and semi-arid regions requires the availability of water,salinity crop production functions. A two-year experiment was conducted in the northern Golestan province of Iran to assess the water,salinity production function of wheat. The treatments in the experiment consisted of four levels of irrigation water, i.e. 50 (W1), 75 (W2), 100 (W3) and 125 (W4) % of crop water requirement, and four levels of water salinity, respectively 1.5 (S1), 8.5 (S2), 11.5 (S3) and 14.2 (S4) dS,m,1. The plots were arranged in a randomised complete block design with three replications and water quantity as main plot treatment and water quality as subplot treatment. The data were analysed using linear, quadratic, Cobb,Douglas and transcendental functions, complemented with an economic analysis. The results indicate that for the given climate,soil conditions, transcendental functions best predict wheat yield under both water and salinity stress conditions. Yield reduction caused by a unit increase of matric potential is found to be larger than that caused by a unit increase of osmotic potential. The marginal rate of technical substitution indicates that each one of the two factors studied, namely soil salinity and water supply, can be substituted with the other in a wide range in order to achieve equal amount of yield. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. L'optimisation de la gestion de l'eau agricole dans les zones arides et semi-arides nécessite de savoir la relation entre l'apport d'eau selon sa salinité et la production végétale. Une expérience de deux ans a été menée dans le nord de la province du Golestan en Iran pour évaluer la fonction de production de l'eau saline sur le blé. Les traitements expérimentaux consistaient en quatre niveaux d'apports d'eau soit 50% (W1), 75% (W2), 100% (W3) et 125% (W4) des besoins en eau des cultures, et quatre niveaux de salinité de l'eau, respectivement 1.5 (S1), 8.5 (S2), 11.5 (S3) et 14.2 (S4) dS,m,1. Les parcelles ont été disposées dans un bloc de Fisher randomisé avec trois répétitions avec la quantité de l'eau comme variable principale et la qualité de l'eau comme variable secondaire. Les données ont été analysées en utilisant les fonctions linéaires, quadratiques, Cobb,Douglas et transcendantes, complétées par une analyse économique. Les résultats indiquent que, pour un climat et un état du sol donnés, les fonctions transcendantes donnent les meilleures prédictions du rendement de blé en condition de salinité et de stress hydrique. La baisse de rendement causée par une augmentation d'une unité de potentiel hydrique est plus importante que celle causée par l'augmentation d'une unité de potentiel osmotique. Le taux marginal de substitution technique indique que chacun des deux facteurs étudiés, à savoir la salinité des sols et l'apport d'eau, peuvent être largement substitués l'un à l'autre pour viser rendement identique. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] Modular Furanoside Diphosphite Ligands for Pd-Catalyzed Asymmetric Allylic Substitution Reactions: Scope and LimitationsADVANCED SYNTHESIS & CATALYSIS (PREVIOUSLY: JOURNAL FUER PRAKTISCHE CHEMIE), Issue 9 2005Montserrat Diéguez Abstract We have synthesized a library of furanoside diphosphite ligands for the Pd-catalyzed allylic substitution reactions of acyclic and cyclic allylic esters. The library has been designed to rapidly screen the ligands to uncover their important structural features and to determine the scope of diphosphite ligands in these catalytic reactions. After the systematic variation of the sugar backbone, the substituent at C-5 and the phosphite moieties, the diphosphite ligand 4c was found to be optimal in the Pd-catalyzed asymmetric allylic substitution of hindered (S1) and unhindered (S2,S5) substrates, yielding high activities [TOFs up to >3000,mol×(mol×h),1] and enantioselectivities (ees up to 99%). In addition, the screening of the library enabled us to find other suitable ligands for hindered disubstituted linear substrate S1 (ligands 1b,d, g and 4b, d, g) and for unhindered cyclic substrates S3,S5 (ligands 6c and 7c). [source] Simulation of Protective Zones During Quatrefoil Reentry in Cardiac TissueJOURNAL OF CARDIOVASCULAR ELECTROPHYSIOLOGY, Issue 9 2001MARISA C. HILDEBRANDT Protective Zones During Quatrefoil Reentry.Introduction: An S3 stimulus can exert a protective effect by terminating reentry induced by an S2 stimulus. Our goal was to examine the mechanism by which an S3 pulse terminates reentry and the role that virtual electrodes and break excitation play in this process. Methods and Results: In our simulation, the bidomain model represents the electrical properties of the tissue and the Beeler-Reuter model represents the membrane kinetics. Quatrefoil reentry is initiated by S1-S2 stimulation, and then a third stimulus S3 is applied at different intervals after S2. All stimuli are applied through the same unipolar electrode. For some S2-S3 intervals, the S2 and S3 wavefronts interact destructively, terminating reentry (protective zones). For other S2-S3 intervals, S2 and S3 wavefronts interact constructively, and reentry continues. Protective zones appear recurrently, with approximately the period of the S2 reentrant circuit. The protective zones are wider for anodal stimulation than for cathodal stimulation. Conclusion: Virtual electrodes, break excitation, and S2-S3 timing all play important roles in determining the electrical response of the tissue. [source] Inhibition of sulfide on the simultaneous removal of nitrate and p -cresol by a denitrifying sludgeJOURNAL OF CHEMICAL TECHNOLOGY & BIOTECHNOLOGY, Issue 3 2008Edna R Meza-Escalante Abstract BACKGROUND: Many industrial discharges, such as those generated from petrochemical refineries, contain large amounts of sulfurous, nitrogenous and organic contaminants. Denitrification has emerged as a suitable technology for the simultaneous removal of these pollutants in a single reactor unit; however, more evidence is demanded to clarify the limitations of denitrification on the simultaneous removal of sulfide and phenolic contaminants and to optimize the biological process. The aim of this study was to evaluate the capacity of a denitrifying sludge to simultaneously convert sulfide and p -cresol via denitrification. RESULTS: Sulfide was the preferred electron donor over p -cresol, imposing a 5 h lag phase (required for complete sulfide removal) on organotrophic denitrification. Addition of sulfide (20 mg S2, L,1) to p -cresol-amended denitrifying cultures also decreased the reduction rate of nitrate and nitrite, as well as the production rate of nitrogen gas. Nitrite reduction rate was the most affected step by sulfide, decreasing from 35 to 21 mg N (g VSS d),1. A synergistic inhibitory effect of nitrate and sulfide was also observed on nitrite reduction. Despite the effects of sulfide on the respiratory rates monitored, complete removal of nitrate, sulfide and p -cresol could be achieved after 48 h of incubation. CONCLUSION: Our results suggest that simultaneous removal of sulfide and p -cresol could be achieved in denitrifying reactors, but a large hydraulic residence time may be required to sustain an efficient process due to inhibitory effects of sulfide. Copyright © 2008 Society of Chemical Industry [source] Two New Statistics to Detect Answer CopyingJOURNAL OF EDUCATIONAL MEASUREMENT, Issue 1 2003Leonardo S. Sotaridona Two new indices to detect answer copying on a multiple-choice test,S1 and S2,were proposed. The S1 index is similar to the K index (Holland, 1996) and the K2 index (Sotaridona & Meijer, 2002) but the distribution of the number of matching incorrect answers of the source and the copier is modeled by the Poisson distribution instead of the binomial distribution to improve the detection rate of K and K2. The S2 index was proposed to overcome a limitation of the K and K2 index, namely, their insensitiveness to correct answers copying. The S2 index incorporates the matching correct answers in addition to the matching incorrect answers. A simulation study was conducted to investigate the usefulness of S1 and S2 for 40- and 80-item tests, 100 and 500 sample sizes, and 10%, 20%, 30%, and 40% answer copying. The Type I errors and detection rates of S1 and S2 were compared with those of the K2 and the , copying index (Wollack, 1997). Results showed that all four indices were able to maintain their Type I errors, with S1 and K2 being slightly conservative compared to S2 and ,. Furthermore, S1 had higher detection rates than K2. The S2 index showed a significant improvement in detection rate compared to K and K2. [source] Extreme mtDNA divergences in a terrestrial slug (Gastropoda, Pulmonata, Arionidae): accelerated evolution, allopatric divergence and secondary contactJOURNAL OF EVOLUTIONARY BIOLOGY, Issue 5 2005J. PINCEEL Abstract Extremely high levels of intraspecific mtDNA differences in pulmonate gastropods have been reported repeatedly and several hypotheses to explain them have been postulated. We studied the phylogeny and phylogeography of 51 populations (n = 843) of the highly polymorphic terrestrial slug Arion subfuscus (Draparnaud, 1805) across its native distribution range in Western Europe. By combining the analysis of single stranded conformation polymorphisms (SSCP) and nucleotide sequencing, we obtained individual sequence data for a fragment of the mitochondrial 16S rDNA and a fragment of the nuclear ITS1. Additionally, five polymorphic allozyme loci were scored. Based on the 16S rDNA phylogeny, five monophyletic haplotype groups with sequence divergences of 9,21% were found. Despite this deep mitochondrial divergence, the haplotype groups were not monophyletic for the nuclear ITS1 fragment and haplotype group-specific allozyme alleles were not found. Although there is evidence for an accelerated mtDNA clock, the divergence among the haplotype groups is older than the Pleistocene and their current allopatric ranges probably reflect allopatric divergence and glacial survival in separate refugia from which different post-glacial colonization routes were established. A range-overlap of two mtDNA groups (S1 and S2, 21% sequence divergence) stretched from Central France and Belgium up to the North of the British Isles. The nuclear data suggest that this secondary contact resulted in hybridization between the allopatrically diverged groups. Therefore, it seems that, at least for two of the groups, the deep mtDNA divergence was only partially accompanied by the formation of reproductive isolation. [source] Evaluation of Liquid Smoke Treated Ready-to-Eat (RTE) Meat Products for Control of Listeria innocua M1JOURNAL OF FOOD SCIENCE, Issue 4 2008P.J. Milly ABSTRACT:, Liquid smoke fractions (S1, S2, S3, and S4) were applied on ready-to-eat (RTE) meat products to control the growth of inoculated Listeria innocua M1. Turkey rolls and roast beef products were dipped in liquid smoke, surface inoculated with L. innocua M1 (102 CFU/25 cm2 RTE meat surface), vacuum packaged, and stored at 4 °C. Section 8.5 of USDA's detection and isolation procedure for L. monocytogenes was employed in conjunction with a Micro-IDÔ system for L. innocua M1 identification (ID). Products treated with smoke fractions S1, S2, and S3 were negative for L. innocua M1 at 2 and 4 wk during incubation at 4 °C. Products treated with S4 were positive for L. innocua M1 immediately following inoculation and after storage for 2 and 4 wk. Smoke fractions S1, S2, and S3 exhibited pH values lower than 4.6, acidity values higher than 1.5%, and carbonyl concentrations higher than 110 mg/mL. All liquid smoke fractions contained similar phenol concentrations (0.3 to 0.6 mg/mL), suggesting that phenols may have a limited role in the bactericidal effects of liquid smoke fractions against specific microorganisms. [source] Treatment of chronic liver diseases with traditional Chinese medicineJOURNAL OF GASTROENTEROLOGY AND HEPATOLOGY, Issue 2000Bao-En Wang Traditional Chinese medicine is still being extensively used for treatment of liver disease in China. The anti-viral herbs, Phyllanthus amarus, P. niruri and P. urninaria, and Oxymatrine extracted from Sophora flavecientis and S. subprostratae, have been shown to have a remarkable HBV suppressing effect with a serum conversion rate for HBeAg and HBV DNA around 45%, similar to that of IFN-,. The anti-inflammatory compound, Stronger NeoMinophagen C (SNMC), is a Japanese preparation of glycerrhizin, extracted from Glyceriza glabra, which has shown an effective rate of ALT and AST normalization and reduction to < 60 U/L in 65.6% and 73.5% of patients. Compound 861, made of 10 herbs with Salvia miltiorrhiza as its chief component, has been shown experimentally to be effective in suppressing fibrogenesis, enhancing collagen degradation, and inhibiting TIMP expression. Clinically, an open trial of 2000 patients showed improvement of symptoms in 83% and normalization of serum ALT in 82%. In a controlled study of 107 patients with HBV-related diseases, double liver biopsies showed that the fibrosis reversal rate after 6 months treatment with Cpd 861 was 78% in S2, 82% in S3 (precirrhotic stage) and 75% in S4 (early cirrhosis), as assessed by Scheuer's and Chevallier's criterion. In conclusion, traditional Chinese medicine has great potential in the treatment of chronic hepatitis B. [source] | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||