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Selected AbstractsCross-domain authorization for federated virtual organizations using the myVocs collaboration environmentCONCURRENCY AND COMPUTATION: PRACTICE & EXPERIENCE, Issue 4 2009Jill Gemmill Abstract This paper describes our experiences building and working with the reference implementation of myVocs (my Virtual Organization Collaboration System). myVocs provides a flexible environment for exploring new approaches to security, application development, and access control built from Internet services without a central identity repository. The myVocs framework enables virtual organization (VO) self-management across unrelated security domains for multiple, unrelated VOs. By leveraging the emerging distributed identity management infrastructure. myVocs provides an accessible, secure collaborative environment using standards for federated identity management and open-source software developed through the National Science Foundation Middleware Initiative. The Shibboleth software, an early implementation of the Organization for the Advancement of Structured Information Standards Security Assertion Markup Language standard for browser single sign-on, provides the middleware needed to assert identity and attributes across domains so that access control decisions can be determined at each resource based on local policy. The eduPerson object class for lightweight directory access protocol (LDAP) provides standardized naming, format, and semantics for a global identifier. We have found that a Shibboleth deployment supporting VOs requires the addition of a new VO service component allowing VOs to manage their own membership and control access to their distributed resources. The myVocs system can be integrated with Grid authentication and authorization using GridShib. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] InterGrid: a case for internetworking islands of GridsCONCURRENCY AND COMPUTATION: PRACTICE & EXPERIENCE, Issue 8 2008Marcos Dias de Assunção Abstract Over the last few years, several nations around the world have set up Grids to share resources such as computers, data, and instruments to enable collaborative science, engineering, and business applications. These Grids follow a restricted organizational model wherein a Virtual Organization (VO) is created for a specific collaboration and all interactions such as resource sharing are limited to within the VO. Therefore, dispersed Grid initiatives have led to the creation of disparate Grids with little or no interaction between them. In this paper, we propose a model that: (a) promotes interlinking of islands of Grids through peering arrangements to enable InterGrid resource sharing; (b) provides a scalable structure for Grids that allow them to interconnect with one another and grow in a sustainable way; (c) creates a global Cyberinfrastructure to support e-Science and e-Business applications. This work identifies and proposes architecture, mechanisms, and policies that allow the internetworking of Grids and allows Grids to grow in a similar manner as the Internet. We term the structure resulting from such internetworking between Grids as the InterGrid. The proposed InterGrid architecture is composed of InterGrid Gateways responsible for managing peering arrangements between Grids. We discuss the main components of the architecture and present a research agenda to enable the InterGrid vision. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] Divanadium(V) and Trapped Valence Linear Tetravanadium(IV,V,V,IV) ComplexesEUROPEAN JOURNAL OF INORGANIC CHEMISTRY, Issue 35 2009Anindita Sarkar Abstract In an acetonitrile/water mixture, reactions of the N,N,-bis(diacetyl)hydrazine (H2diah), bis(acetylacetonato)oxidovanadium(IV) [VO(acac)2] and monodentate N -coordinating heterocycles (hc) in a 1:2:2 mol ratio provide yellow divanadium(V) complexes of formula [(hc)O2V(,-diah)VO2(hc)] (1, hc = imidazole; 2, hc = pyrazole; 3, hc = 3,5-dimethyl pyrazole). On the other hand, in the same solvent mixture reactions of the same reagents in a 1:4:2 mol ratio produce green linear tetravanadium(IV,V,V,IV) complexes of formula [(acac)2OV(,-O)VO(hc)(,-diah)(hc)OV(,-O)VO(acac)2] (4, hc = imidazole; 5, hc = pyrazole; 6, hc = 3,5-dimethyl pyrazole). The complexes 1,6 have been characterized by elemental analysis, magnetic susceptibility, and various spectroscopic and electrochemical measurements. The X-ray crystal structures of 1, 3 and 6 have been determined. In all three structures, the diazine ligand diah2, is in trans configuration. Metal-centred bond parameters are consistent with the localized electronic structure of the two trans -bent {OV(,-O)VO}3+ cores present in 6. The pentavalent metal centres in 1, 3 and 6 are in a distorted trigonal-bipyramidal N2O3 coordination environment, while the terminal tetravalent metal centres in 6 are in a distorted octahedral O6 coordination sphere. The eight-line EPR spectra of the tetravanadium species (4,6) in dimethyl sulfoxide at ambient temperature indicate the rare valence localized electronic structure in the fluid phase. All the complexes are redox active and display metal-centred electron transfer processes in dimethyl sulfoxide solution. A reduction within ,0.78 to ,0.94 V (vs. Ag/AgCl) is observed for the divanadium(V) species 1,3, while a reduction and an oxidation are observed in the potential ranges ,0.82 to ,0.90 V and 0.96 to 1.12 V (vs. Ag/AgCl), respectively, for the tetravanadium species 4,6. (© Wiley-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, 69451 Weinheim, Germany, 2009) [source] A Polymer-Bound Oxidovanadium(IV) Complex Prepared from an L -Cysteine-Derived Ligand for the Oxidative Amination of StyreneEUROPEAN JOURNAL OF INORGANIC CHEMISTRY, Issue 4 2008Mannar R. Maurya Abstract The ligand H2sal-cys (I) derived from salicylaldehyde and L -cysteine has been covalently bonded to chloromethylated polystyrene cross-linked with 5,% divinylbenzene. Upon treatment with [VO(acac)2] in dimethylformamide (DMF) the polystyrene-bound ligand PS-H2sal-cys (II) gave the oxidovanadium(IV) complex, PS-[VO(sal-cys)·DMF] (1). The corresponding neat complex, [VO(sal-eta)]2 (2), has also been prepared similarly in methanol. These complexes have been characterised by IR, electronic, EPR spectroscopic studies, magnetic susceptibility measurements and thermal as well as scanning electron micrographs studies. Complex [VO(sal-eta)]2 exhibits a medium intensity band at 980 cm,1 in the IR spectrum due to ,(V=O) stretch. Broad features of the EPR spectrum for the neat complex along with magnetic susceptibility studies suggest the presence of antiferromagnetic exchange interaction between two vanadium centers in close proximity. Both complexes catalyze the oxidative amination of styrene, in mild basic conditions, with secondary amines (diethylamine, imidazole, and benzimidazole) and gave a mixture of two aminated products in good yields. Amongst the two aminated products, the anti-Markovnikov product is favored over the Markovnikov one due to the steric hindrance posed by the secondary amines. The polymer-anchored heterogeneous catalyst is free from leaching during catalytic action and recyclable.(© Wiley-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, 69451 Weinheim, Germany, 2008) [source] Oxovanadium(IV) Complexes with Pyrazinecarboxylic Acids:The Coordinating Properties of Ligands with the (Naromatic, COO,) Donor SetEUROPEAN JOURNAL OF INORGANIC CHEMISTRY, Issue 13 2006Eugenio Garribba Abstract Complex formation between the VIVO ion and four pyrazine derivatives, 2-pyrazinecarboxylic acid (pzc), 5-methyl-2-pyrazinecarboxylic acid (5-Mepzc), 2,3-pyrazinedicarboxylic acid (3-COOHpzc) and 5-hydroxy-2-pyrazinecarboxylic acid (5-OHpzc), was studied in aqueous solution and in the solid state through the combined application of potentiometric and spectroscopic (EPR and FT-IR) techniques. The results indicate that in acidic and neutral aqueous solution all theligands form mono(chelated), bis(chelated) and dinuclear species of composition VOL, VOL2 and (VO)2L2H,2. Hexacoordinated VOL2 complexes are characterised by a cis/trans isomerism, where cis and trans are the species with a water molecule bound in the cis or trans position with respect to the V=O group. The trans arrangement is favoured over the cis arrangement. Three solid derivatives, [VO(5-Mepzc)2] (1), cis -[VO(pzc)2(H2O)] (2) and cis -[VO(3-COOHpzc)2(H2O)] (3), were isolated and characterised. Based on the experimental results and on the data in the literature, the stability of cis and trans isomers in aqueous solution and in the solid state has been discussed, showing that with ligands of comparable basicity and size of the chelate ring the hydrophilicity favours the cis species and determines the relative amount of the two isomers. The analysis of the magnetic properties of the hydroxo-bridged VIVO dimers suggests that for the (VO)2L2H,2 species the anti -coplanar arrangement is realised. (© Wiley-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, 69451 Weinheim, Germany, 2006) [source] Fragmentation of Alkoxo(catecholato)vanadium(V) Complexes[(C6H4O2)V(OR1)(OR2)]+ in the Gas PhaseEUROPEAN JOURNAL OF INORGANIC CHEMISTRY, Issue 14 2005Malgorzata Kaczorowska Abstract Electrospray ionization (ESI) mass spectrometry is used to investigate the gas-phase dissociation behavior of vanadium(V) complexes [(C6H4O2)V(OR1)(OR2)]+ containing two identical or different alkoxy groups (R1, R2 = CH3, C2H5, n -C3H7, i -C3H7 and t -C4H9) and a catecholato ligand (C6H4O2). The fragmentation reactions of the complexes are studied by collision-induced dissociation (CID) and labeling experiments. For [(C6H4O2)V(OR1)(OR2)]+ cations with alkoxo groups larger than methyl, a trend for preferential evaporation of hydrocarbon fragments is observed, followed by expulsion of neutral alcohols. Further, the CID spectra of all complexes show a signal which can be assigned to the complex [(C6H4O2)VO]+. (© Wiley-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, 69451 Weinheim, Germany, 2005) [source] A Theoretical Study of the Exchange Coupling in Hydroxo- and Alkoxo-Bridged Dinuclear Oxovanadium(IV) CompoundsEUROPEAN JOURNAL OF INORGANIC CHEMISTRY, Issue 1 2004Antonio Rodríguez-Fortea Abstract A density functional study of exchange coupling in hydroxo- and alkoxo-bridged dinuclear oxovanadium(IV) compounds is presented. Coupling constants calculated for full unmodeled structures are in good agreement with experimentally reported values, confirming the ability of the computational strategy used in this work to predict the exchange coupling in dinuclear VIV compounds. The influence of the configuration of the [VO(,-OR)2VO]2+ core in compounds with two edge-sharing octahedrally coordinated oxovanadium(IV) centers, of the nature of the terminal ligands and of structural distortions on the coupling constant have been analyzed through model calculations. The results indicate that the coupling constant is less affected by these factors than for hydroxo- and alkoxo-bridged CuII compounds. The calculations support the orbital models usually employed in qualitative interpretations of magneto-structural correlations, showing good correlations between the calculated coupling constants and the overlap between the two magnetic orbitals or the square of the orbital gap. (© Wiley-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, 69451 Weinheim, Germany, 2004) [source] First (Peroxo)vanadium(V) Complex with Heteroligand Formed in Reaction System , Synthesis, Structure and Reactivity of K[VO(O2)(omeida)]·H2O {omeida = N -[2-(2-oxomorpholine-4-yl)ethyl]iminodiacetato(2,)}EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF INORGANIC CHEMISTRY, Issue 11 2003Michal Sivák Abstract The crystalline peroxo complex of vanadium(V), K[VO(O2)(omeida)]·H2O, where omeida is a ,-lactone derivative, N -[2-(2-oxomorpholine-4-yl)ethyl]iminodiacetate(2,), has been obtained by reaction of vanadate with H2O2 and N -(2-hydroxyethyl)ethylenediaminetriacetic acid (HEDTA) in acidic aqueous solution at pH = 3 and 278 K. X-ray analysis revealed a distorted pentagonal-bipyramidal coordination around the vanadium atom, with a typical cis arrangement of oxo and peroxo ligands in apical and equatorial positions, respectively. Two amino nitrogen atoms of the tetradentate omeida(2,)-N1,N2,O1,O2 ligand occupy the neighbouring equatorial positions of the pentagonal plane, and two oxygen atoms of carboxymethyl groups bound to the same N1 nitrogen atom are in equatorial and apical positions. The six-membered lactone ring in omeida was formed in the reaction solution from carboxy and hydroxy groups not involved in coordination with the vanadium atom. The 51V NMR spectra of K[VO(O2)(omeida)]·H2O, and of peroxovanadate/HEDTA/H2O and vanadate/HEDTA/H2O solutions, as well as the 1H NMR spectrum of HEDTA, proved that lactone ring closure proceeds only in peroxovanadate but not vanadate solutions. Spectroscopic investigation of the oxygen transfer reaction from the peroxo ligand in [VO(O2)(omeida)], to the thiolato sulfur atom in [Co(en)2{S(CH2)2NH2}]2+ or [Co(en)2(cyst)]+, and of the oxidation of N -acetyl- L -cysteine by K[VO(O2)(omeida)]·H2O, revealed much more complicated reaction mechanisms than those of other (amino-polycarboxylato)monoperoxo complexes of vanadium(V). (© Wiley-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, 69451 Weinheim, Germany, 2003) [source] Penile pharmacotesting in diagnosing male erectile dysfunction: evidence for lack of accuracy and specificityINTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ANDROLOGY, Issue 1 2002Antonio Aversa Penile pharmacotesting (PPT) with alprostadil (PGE1) represents the most common diagnostic approach to male erectile dysfunction (ED). A positive response , i.e. normal erectile rigidity of sustained duration , is presumed to exclude venous or arterial pathology with enough accuracy. To test this assumption we compared PPT vs. flowmetric results obtained by colour-duplex Doppler ultrasound (CDDU) in patients (pts) undergoing diagnostic evaluation for ED under conditions of maximal cavernous relaxation. A total of 195 non-consecutive impotent pts were diagnosed after dynamic CDDU as non-vasculogenic (NOR), or having arteriogenic (AR), veno-occlusive (VO) or mixed (MX) ED. Maximal erection obtained after PPT was scored as: type-1 (full tumescence , no sustained rigidity, angle on the abdominal plane >90°), type-2 (sustained partial erection, valid for intromission, angle=90°) and type-3 (sustained full erection, angle <90°). Comparing PPT with flowmetric results, we found that a type-3 response had 20% false negative diagnosis of NOR (17% of AR- and 3% of VO- and MX-ED, respectively), while a type-2 response had 63% false negative diagnosis (20% of AR, 37% of VO- and 6% MX-ED, respectively). Type-1 response was associated with the presence of VO dysfunction in 99% of cases. These data suggest that a positive response to PPT (type-2 and type-3) assessed by the visual rating of erection is associated with both arterial (up to 20%) and/or VO (up to 43%) ED, as detected by CDDU. We conclude that PPT alone is a misleading diagnostic test to exclude vascular ED and that dynamic CDDU should be offered to pts investigated for male ED. [source] Schmorl's nodes in a post-medieval skeletal sample from Klostermarienberg, AustriaINTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF OSTEOARCHAEOLOGY, Issue 6 2009Article first published online: 11 NOV 200, H. Üstünda Abstract The prevalence and distribution pattern of Schmorl's nodes (SNs) were studied in a post-medieval skeletal sample (n,=,473) from the 16th,18th century cemetery of Klostermarienberg, Austria. The reasons for the prevalence and distribution pattern of SNs in this sample are discussed with regard to their aetiology. SNs were correlated with age and sex as well as with degenerative spinal joint disease such as vertebral osteophytosis (VO) and apophyseal osteoarthritis (OA). SNs were most commonly found in the lower thoracic region, in agreement with other studies. Males were more affected than females by SNs, especially in the lower thoracic region. SNs show a completely different distribution pattern to VO and OA. Additionally, there was no relationship found between SNs and ageing. Observed differences in the prevalence of SNs in the vertebral column and between the sexes suggest that mechanical factors may be responsible. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] Novel Scorpionate and Pyrazole Dioxovanadium Complexes, Catalysts for Carboxylation and Peroxidative Oxidation of AlkanesADVANCED SYNTHESIS & CATALYSIS (PREVIOUSLY: JOURNAL FUER PRAKTISCHE CHEMIE), Issue 1 2010Telma F. Abstract The dioxovanadium(V) complexes [VO2(3,5-Me2Hpz)3][BF4] (1) (pz=pyrazolyl), [VO2{SO3C(pz)3}] (2), [VO2{HB(3,5-Me2pz)3}] (3) and [VO2{HC(pz)3}][BF4] (4), bearing pyrazole or scorpionate ligands, were obtained by reaction of triethyl vanadate [VO(OEt)3] with hydrotris(3,5-dimethyl-1-pyrazolyl)methane [HC(3,5-Me2pz)3] or 3,5-dimethylpyrazole (3,5-Me2Hpz; 1), lithium tris(1-pyrazolyl)methanesulfonate {Li[SO3C(pz)3], 2}, potassium hydrotris(3,5-dimethyl-1-pyrazolyl)borate {K[HB(3,5-Me2pz)3], 3} and hydrotris(1-pyrazolyl)methane [HC(pz)3, 4], respectively. Treatment of [VO(OEt)3] with potassium hydrotris(1-pyrazolyl)borate {K[HB(pz)3]} led to the mixed ,3 -tris(pyrazolyl)borate and ,2 -bis(pyrazolyl)borate oxovanadium(IV) complex [VO{HB(pz)3}{H2B(pz)2}, 5]. The compounds were characterized by elemental analyses, IR, NMR and EPR spectroscopy, FAB and ESI mass spectrometry, cyclic voltammetry and, for 5, also by single crystal X-ray diffraction analysis. All complexes exhibit catalytic activity in the single-pot carboxylation [in trifluoroacetic acid/potassium peroxodisulfate (CF3COOH/K2S2O8)] of gaseous alkanes (methane and ethane) to carboxylic acids (yields up to 40%, TONs up to 157) and in the peroxidative oxidation [in water/acetonitrile (H2O/NCMe)] of liquid alkanes (cyclohexane and cyclopentane) to the corresponding alcohols and ketones (yields up to 24%, TONs up to 117), under mild conditions. [source] Selective Oxidative Ligand Coupling of Organoborates Bearing an Alkynyl GroupADVANCED SYNTHESIS & CATALYSIS (PREVIOUSLY: JOURNAL FUER PRAKTISCHE CHEMIE), Issue 7-8 2009Toru Amaya Abstract Selective oxidative ligand coupling of alkynyl(triaryl)borates was achieved by treatment with ethoxyvanadyl dichloride [VO(OEt)Cl2] to form the spsp2 carbon-carbon bond. A one-pot procedure through the in situ preparation of the borate was demonstrated using triphenylborane and 1-ethynyl-4-methoxybenzene. [source] Highly Efficient Direct Carboxylation of Propane into Butyric Acids Catalyzed by Vanadium ComplexesADVANCED SYNTHESIS & CATALYSIS (PREVIOUSLY: JOURNAL FUER PRAKTISCHE CHEMIE), Issue 10 2007Marina Abstract A direct and highly efficient carboxylation of propane by carbon monoxide into butyric acids (mainly isobutyric and, in a smaller amount, n -butyric), in the presence of potassium peroxodisulphate (K2S2O8) and in trifluoroacetic acid solution, has been achieved by using a vanadium catalytic system based on Ca[V{ON(CH(CH3)COO)2}2] (synthetic amavadine), its model compounds Ca[V{ON(CH2COO)2}2] or [VO{N(CH2CH2O)3}] , other simpler vanadium compounds, such as [VO(acac)2] or VOSO4, are less active. Overall yields (based on propane) of carboxylic acids up to 70,% and TON values up to 18.4×103 have been reached. The effects of various factors such as the propane and carbon monoxide pressures, temperature, time, catalyst amount and radical traps have been investigated, the reactions are shown to proceed via both C - and O -centred radicals, with K2S2O8 playing the role of an oxidant via a free radical mechanism. [source] Bis(4,7-dimethyl and 5-dinitro-1,10-phenanthroline) sulfato-oxovanadium(IV)-mediated in vivo male germ cell apoptosisJOURNAL OF APPLIED TOXICOLOGY, Issue 4 2001Osmond J. D'Cruz Abstract Oxovanadium(IV) [VO] complexes of 1,10-phenanthroline are a new class of potent apoptosis-inducing cytotoxic agents against human testicular cancer cells in vitro. The present study investigated the in vivo ability of four(bis)-chelated 1,10-phenanthroline [phen] complexes of sulfato-oxovanadium(IV),VO(phen)2, VO(Cl,phen)2, VO(Me2,phen)2 and VO(NO2,phen)2,with and without substitutions, to induce testicular germ cell apoptosis. Male germ cell loss in mice was measured by determining the epididymal sperm count, testicular weight and histological evaluation of the testes. Repetitive intratesticular injection (7.5 mg kg,1 testis,1) of bis-chelated 1,10-phenanthroline complexes of oxovanadium(IV) with 4,7-dimethyl [VO(Me2,phen)2] and 5-dinitro [VO(NO2,phen)2] substitution led to decreased sperm counts and reduced testicular weights. Histopathological examination of testicular sections from VO(Me2,phen)2 - and VO(NO2,phen)2 -treated mice revealed a marked inhibition of spermatogenesis and preferential loss of maturing, as well as elongated spermatids. In situ evaluation of seminiferous tubule cross-sections by terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated FITC-deoxyuridine triphosphate nick end-labeling (TUNEL) and laser scanning confocal microscopy showed characteristic apoptotic germ cells delineating the periphery of the seminiferous tubules. The ability of bis-chelated 4,7-dimethyl- and 5-dinitro-substituted 1,10-phenanthroline complexes of oxovanadium(IV) to induce germ cell apoptosis in vivo may have potential utility in the treatment of human testicular germ cell tumors. Copyright © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] ,-Oxidation capacity in liver increases during parr-smolt transformation of Atlantic salmon fed vegetable oil and fish oilJOURNAL OF FISH BIOLOGY, Issue 2 2006I. Stubhaug Atlantic salmon Salmo salar were fed diets containing 100% fish oil (FO; capelin oil) or 100% vegetable oil (VO) from start of feeding until the fish reached the size of 2·5 kg. Samples were taken during the period of the parr-smolt transformation (October 2002 to February 2003). The VO diet consisted of a blend of 55% rapeseed oil, 30% palm oil and 15% linseed oil to maintain the sum of saturated, monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fatty acids between the two diets, although with differences in the individual chain length of fatty acids. Na+/K+ -ATPase activity in the gills, total ,-oxidation capacity in muscles and liver and total lipid, glycogen and dry matter content in the muscles were measured during the parr-smolt transformation and after seawater transfer. Na+/K+ -ATPase activity in gills increased prior to seawater transfer, showing an adaptation for seawater survival. Major changes in the lipid and glycogen content in the fillet and in ,-oxidation capacity were found in the tissues measured. ,-oxidation capacity increased significantly in liver and decreased in red muscle, prior to seawater transfer, giving liver an important role in energy production during this period. Results also indicated that feeding Atlantic salmon a diet where 100% of FO was replaced with VO did not have any negative effects on lipid metabolism during parr-smolt transformation. [source] Effects of insulin-mimetic vanadyl-poly(,-glutamic acid) complex on diabetic rat modelJOURNAL OF PHARMACEUTICAL SCIENCES, Issue 7 2010Rongzhang Hu Abstract Poly-,-glutamic acid (,-PGA) prepared by fermentation of microbe was used as drug carrier for vanadium sulfate to obtain vanadyl-poly-,-glutamic acid (VO-,-PGA) complex. The FI-IR spectrum of the complex demonstrated that the expected VO-,-PGA complex is formed by the coordination of VO2+ through the side chain carboxylic groups of the ,-PGA. Studies of the complex in treating type I diabetes were carried out on alloxan induced diabetes rats. The results of treating the rats in 2 weeks and then stopping administration for 10 days showed that VO-,-PGA can effectively lower blood glucose levels of diabetic rats during administration. But after ceasing treatment there were no differences between groups in blood glucose level and water intake. The results of oral glucose tolerance and some serum parameters also demonstrated that VO-,-PGA was more effective than vanadium sulfate in treating diabetic rats. © 2010 Wiley-Liss, Inc. and the American Pharmacists Association J Pharm Sci 99:3041,3047, 2010 [source] Improvement of hyperglycaemia and metabolic syndromes in type 2 diabetic KKAy mice by oral treatment with [meso-tetrakis(4-sulfonatophenyl) porphyrinato]oxovanadium(IV)(4-) complexJOURNAL OF PHARMACY AND PHARMACOLOGY: AN INTERNATI ONAL JOURNAL OF PHARMACEUTICAL SCIENCE, Issue 3 2007Tapan Kumar Saha Recently, we reported that [meso-tetrakis(4-sulfonatophenyl)porphyrinato]oxovanadium(IV)(4-), VO(tpps), shows in-vitro insulin-mimetic and in-vivo anti-diabetic activity in streptozotocin (STZ)-induced type 1 diabetic mice. This result prompted us to examine its ability in type 2 diabetic model KKAy mice with insulin resistance. We studied the in-vivo anti-diabetic activity of VO(tpps), compared with that of vanadium(IV) oxide sulfate, VS, as control. Both compounds were orally administered at doses of 5,10 mg (0.1-0.2 mmol) V/kg body weight to the KKAy mice for 28 days. VO(tpps) normalized the hyperglycaemia within 15 days, while VS lowered the blood glucose concentration only by a small degree. In addition, metabolic syndromes characterized by insulin and leptin resistance were significantly improved in VO(tpps)-treated KKAy mice compared with those treated with VS. The improvement in diabetes was validated by oral glucose tolerance test and decrease in HbA1c concentration. Based on these observations, VO(tpps) is proposed to be an orally active oxovanadium(IV)-porphyrin complex for treating not only type 2 diabetes but also metabolic syndromes in animals. [source] Effects of Alcohol on Performance on a Distraction Task During Simulated DrivingALCOHOLISM, Issue 4 2009Allyssa J. Allen Background:, Prior studies report that accidents involving intoxicated drivers are more likely to occur during performance of secondary tasks. We studied this phenomenon, using a dual-task paradigm, involving performance of a visual oddball (VO) task while driving in an alcohol challenge paradigm. Previous functional MRI (fMRI) studies of the VO task have shown activation in the anterior cingulate, hippocampus, and prefrontal cortex. Thus, we predicted dose-dependent decreases in activation of these areas during VO performance. Methods:, Forty healthy social drinkers were administered 3 different doses of alcohol, individually tailored to their gender and weight. Participants performed a VO task while operating a virtual reality driving simulator in a 3T fMRI scanner. Results:, Analysis showed a dose-dependent linear decrease in Blood Oxygen Level Dependent activation during task performance, primarily in hippocampus, anterior cingulate, and dorsolateral prefrontal areas, with the least activation occurring during the high dose. Behavioral analysis showed a dose-dependent linear increase in reaction time, with no effects associated with either correct hits or false alarms. In all dose conditions, driving speed decreased significantly after a VO stimulus. However, at the high dose this decrease was significantly less. Passenger-side line crossings significantly increased at the high dose. Conclusions:, These results suggest that driving impairment during secondary task performance may be associated with alcohol-related effects on the above brain regions, which are involved with attentional processing/decision-making. Drivers with high blood alcohol concentrations may be less able to orient or detect novel or sudden stimuli during driving. [source] Multiple vitellogenin-derived yolk proteins in gray mullet (Mugil cephalus): Disparate proteolytic patterns associated with ovarian follicle maturationMOLECULAR REPRODUCTION & DEVELOPMENT, Issue 8 2008Haruna Amano PhD Abstract Disparate proteolytic patterns of yolk proteins, derived from three types of vitellogenin (VgA, VgB, and VgC), were observed in gray mullet. Immuno-biochemical analyses of extracts obtained from vitellogenic ovaries (VO) and ovulated eggs (OE) confirmed that a large proportion of VgA-derived lipovitellin (LvA) was degraded into free amino acids (FAAs) during ovarian follicle maturation. The maturation-associated alteration of VgB-derived Lv (LvB) involved only limited proteolysis; the heavy and light LvB chains were dissociated into at least three and one polypeptide fragments, respectively. The native mass of VgC-derived Lv (LvC) exhibited little difference between VO and OE, although it was apparent that the LvC was ,nicked' during maturation, resulting in the appearance of several bands in OE. Similar analyses confirmed that VgA-derived ,,-component (,,-cA) and VgB-derived ,,-c (,,-cB) decreased during maturation in both quantity and native mass, while phosvitin derived from either VgA (PvA) or VgB (PvB) appeared to be degraded into FAAs. The pattern of maturation-associated proteolysis of mullet yolk proteins is similar to that reported for other marine teleosts spawning pelagic eggs. However, the depository ratio of the three distinct types of Lv in the mullet VO appeared to be different from that estimated for another marine pelagophil, the barfin flounder. These results support a recent paradigm regarding the significance of Vg multiplicity upon successive physiological events in this group of fishes including the hydration of maturing oocytes, the acquisition of proper egg buoyancy, and the generation of requisite nutrient stocks for each stage of embryogenesis and larval development. Mol. Reprod. Dev. 75: 1307,1317, 2008. © 2008 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] SDSS J150634.27+013331.6: the second compact elliptical galaxy in the NGC 5846 group,MONTHLY NOTICES OF THE ROYAL ASTRONOMICAL SOCIETY: LETTERS (ELECTRONIC), Issue 1 2010Igor V. Chilingarian ABSTRACT We report the discovery of the second compact elliptical (cE) galaxy SDSS J150634.27+013331.6 in the nearby NGC 5846 group by the Virtual Observatory (VO) workflow. This object (MB=,15.98 mag, Re= 0.24 kpc) becomes the fifth cE where the spatially resolved kinematics and stellar populations can be obtained. We used archival HST WFPC2 images to demonstrate that its light profile has a two-component structure, and integrated photometry from GALEX, SDSS, UKIDSS and Spitzer to build the multiwavelength spectral energy distribution to constrain the star formation history (SFH). We observed this galaxy with the PMAS IFU spectrograph at the Calar-Alto 3.5-m telescope and obtained two-dimensional maps of its kinematics and stellar population properties using the full-spectral fitting technique. Its structural, dynamical and stellar population properties suggest that it had a massive progenitor heavily tidally stripped by NGC 5846. [source] Changes in bladder neck geometry and closure pressure after midurethral anchoring suggest a musculoelastic mechanism activates closureNEUROUROLOGY AND URODYNAMICS, Issue 3 2003Peter Petros Abstract Aims The aim of this study was to investigate the anatomical origins and clinical significance of cough pressure transmission ratio (CTR) by using virtual-operation (VO) techniques. Methods Thirty-four patients underwent perineal ultrasound examination, standard urethral pressure cough testing both with and without unilateral midurethral anchoring (VO), all tests being performed without urethral elevation. In eight patients where there was no change in CTR, a one-sided fold of suburethral vagina (VO) was taken (pinch test) and the CTR repeated. Results After midurethral anchoring, maximal urethral pressure increased from a mean of 33.25 cm H2O to a mean of 58.06 cm H2O (P,<,0.0001) and restoration of anatomy was noted in all 11 patients who had obvious funneling on straining. Conversion of a <100% CTR to >100% CTR in the proximal urethra was observed in 14 of 22 patients (P,<,0.005), with no significant change noted in the distal urethra. Further conversion of CTR was noted in six of the remaining eight patients with unilateral plication of suburethral vagina (pinch test). Conclusions A musculoelastic closure mechanism most likely activates urethral closure. CTR is most likely an index of changed intraurethral area, not necessarily closure, and may be a more sensitive objective test than perineal ultrasound for diagnosing urethral narrowing, especially when used with virtual-operation techniques. Neurourol. Urodynam. 22:191,197, 2003. © 2003 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] , L'analogie ambulante , ou Tournier et la force de l'exempleORBIS LITERARUM, Issue 4 2007Martin Bruun Møller L'article explore la relation quelque peu conflictuelle qu'entretient Michel Tournier avec , la littérature pour enfants , en analysant les deux romans (Vendredi ou les limbes du Pacifique et Gaspard, Melchior & Balthazar) pour lesquels il existe une réécriture (Vendredi ou la vie sauvage et Les Rois mages). Dans ces textes, en effet, Tournier se montre artisan de l'analogie (souvent distribuée sous forme d'une phrase comparative introduite par , comme ,) par lequel l'auteur croit atteindre l'intelligence de ses (plus jeunes) lecteurs. Le fait qu'un passage dans la version originale [la VO] et dans la version réécrite [la VR] témoignent d'un remplacement du groupe comparatif (par exemple la substitution de , blanc comme la neige , par , blanc comme un cierge ,) mérite une analyse, étant donné que ces réécritures semblent suggérer une réévaluation du domaine référentiel des phénomènes désignés. Bien que Tournier estime écrire tout simplement , de son mieux ,, ces réévaluations font manifester à tout le moins quelques idées partagées avec une littérature pour enfants. [source] Spectral properties and thermoluminescence of codoped PbWO4:(Mo,Y) and PbWO4:(F,Y) crystalsPHYSICA STATUS SOLIDI (A) APPLICATIONS AND MATERIALS SCIENCE, Issue 1 2009Jian-jun Xie Abstract Lead tungstate, PbWO4 single crystals codoped with Mo6+/F, and Y3+ ions were grown using the modified Bridgman method. Optical transmission, X-ray excited luminescence, photoluminescence, ultrashort pulsed X-ray excited fluorescent lifetime and thermoluminescence have been investigated. Compared to pure PbWO4, the codoped PbWO4:(Mo,Y) and PbWO4:(F,Y) crystals exhibit improved transmittance in the short-wavelength region. Luminescence and light-yield measurements demonstrated that Mo6+/F, and Y3+ codoping could enhance the luminescence of PbWO4 and reduce slow decay components. Doped Mo6+ and F, ions in PbWO4 were tentatively considered to occupy W and O sites, while Y3+ ions codoped in PbWO4:Mo/F mostly occupy Pb sublattice sites. The second excitation peak at 335 nm, which is the second effective excitation for the enhanced blue-green emission in as-grown PbWO4:(Mo,Y) and PbWO4:(F,Y) crystals, should be related to MoO42, groups and O vacancies (VO). Thermoluminescence glow curve measurement between RT and 400 °C provides complementary information about trapping states and the effect of Y3+ ion codoping resulting in the reduction of stable and temporary hole centers. Further work is needed to explain the doping and energy-transfer mechanism. (© 2009 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim) [source] Effects of oxygen ion implantation in spray-pyrolyzed ZnO thin filmsPHYSICA STATUS SOLIDI (A) APPLICATIONS AND MATERIALS SCIENCE, Issue 5 2006K. P. Vijayakumar Abstract ZnO thin films, prepared using the chemical spray pyrolysis technique, were implanted using 100 keV O+ ions. Both pristine and ion-implanted samples were characterized using X-ray diffraction, optical absorption, electrical resistivity measurements, thermally stimulated current measurements and photoluminescence. Samples retained their crystallinity even after irradiation at a fluence of ,1015 ions/cm2. However, at a still higher fluence of 2 × 1016 ions/cm2, the films became totally amorphous. The optical absorption edge remained unaffected by implantation and optical absorption spectra indicated two levels at 460 and 510 nm. These were attributed to defect levels corresponding to zinc vacancies (VZn) and oxygen antisites (OZn), respectively. Pristine samples had a broad photoluminescence emission centred at 517 nm, which was depleted on implantation. In the case of implanted samples, two additional emissions appeared at 425 and 590 nm. These levels were identified as due to zinc vacancies (VZn) and oxygen vacancies (VO), respectively. The electrical resistivity of implanted samples was much higher than that of pristine, while photosensitivity decreased to a very low value on implantation. This can be utilized in semiconductor device technology for interdevice isolation. Hall measurements showed a marked decrease in mobility due to ion implantation, while carrier concentration slightly increased. (© 2006 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim) [source] Vacancy-type defects and electronic structure of perovskite-oxide SrTiO3 from positron annihilationPHYSICA STATUS SOLIDI (A) APPLICATIONS AND MATERIALS SCIENCE, Issue 2 2006A. S. Hamid Abstract The vacancy-type defects in Nb-doped SrTiO3 and in undoped SrTiO3, annealed in H2 flow, were investigated by means of positron lifetime and 2D angular correlation of annihilation radiation (ACAR) experiments. The calculations of the lifetime of positron were performed by using atomic superposition (AT-SUP) method. The results showed that positrons annihilate from a free state in the Nb-doped SrTiO3. The trapping centers in the annealed sample were found to be oxygen vacancies VO associated with relaxation of the surrounding ions. Moreover, the momentum distributions of the samples studied were correlated to the variation of their electronic structure. It was proposed from the drastic change in the momentum distribution upon introduction of VO, that 2D-ACAR technique is a sensitive tool for acquiring information on the electronic and bond structure of the perovskite-oxides. (© 2006 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim) [source] Convertibility of conductivity type in reactively sputtered ZnO thin filmsPHYSICA STATUS SOLIDI (A) APPLICATIONS AND MATERIALS SCIENCE, Issue 1 2003S. Tüzemen Abstract Possible negative- U behavior of the VO donor may explain rather unusual free carrier properties in as-sputtered ZnO thin films grown at extremely Zn-rich conditions. VO can act as a source of free electron concentration at sample temperatures above 210 K. Below this temperature it changes its charge state to an inactive neutral charge state where it cannot act as a donor because of a thermal barrier with a threshold temperature of 170,210 K. The thermal barrier for an electron to go to neutral charge state from positive charge state is approximately 162 meV. Material can be converted to p-type by annealing VO centers. O-rich growth conditions with low [VO] may result in p-type conductivity. [source] High-temperature mass spectrometric study of the vaporization processes of V2O3 and vanadium-containing slagsRAPID COMMUNICATIONS IN MASS SPECTROMETRY, Issue 16 2010H. Wang A Knudsen effusion mass spectrometric method was used to study the vaporization processes and thermodynamic properties of pure V2O3 and 14 samples of vanadium-containing slags in the CaO-MgO-Al2O3 -SiO2 system in the temperature range 1875,2625,K. The system was calibrated using gold in the liquid state as the standard. Vaporization was carried out from double tungsten effusion cells. First it was shown that, in vapor over V2O3 and the vanadium-containing slags in the temperature range 1875,2100,K, the following vapor species were present: VO2, VO, O, WO3 and WO2, with the latter two species being formed as a result of interaction with the tungsten crucibles. The temperature dependencies of the partial pressures of these vapor species were obtained over V2O3 and the slags. The ion current comparison method was used for the determination of the V2O3 activities in slags as a function of temperature with solid V2O3 as a reference state. The V2O3 activity coefficients in the slags under investigation indicated positive deviations from ideality at 1900,K and a tendency to ideal behavior at 2100,K. It was shown that the V2O3 activity as a function of the slag basicity decreased at 1900,K and 2000,K and was practically constant in the slag melts at 2100,K. The results are expected to be valuable in the optimization of slag composition in high-alloy steelmaking processes as well as for their environmental implications. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] Observation of vanadyl porphyrins and sulfur-containing vanadyl porphyrins in a petroleum asphaltene by atmospheric pressure photonionization Fourier transform ion cyclotron resonance mass spectrometryRAPID COMMUNICATIONS IN MASS SPECTROMETRY, Issue 14 2008Kuangnan Qian Vanadyl (VO) porphyrins and sulfur-containing vanadyl (VOS) porphyrins of a wide carbon number range (C26 to C52) and Z-number range (,28 to ,54) were detected and identified in a petroleum asphaltene by atmospheric pressure photonionization (APPI) and Fourier transform ion cyclotron resonance mass spectrometry (FTICR-MS). APPI provides soft ionization of asphaltene molecules (including VO and VOS porphyrins), generating primarily molecular ions (M+.). The ultra-high mass resolving power (m/,mFWHM ,500,K) of FTICR-MS enabled resolution and positive identification of elemental formulae for the entire family of VO and VOS porphyrins in a complicated asphaltene matrix. Deocophylerythro-etioporphyrin (DPEP) is found to be the most prevalent structure, followed by etioporphyrins (etio)- and rhodo (benzo)-DPEP. The characteristic Z-distribution of VO porphyrins suggests benzene and naphthene increment in the growth of porphyrin ring structures. Bimodal carbon number distributions of VO porphyrins suggest possible different origins of low and high molecular weight species. To our knowledge, the observation of VOS porphyrins in a petroleum product has not previously been reported. The work is also the first direct identification of the entire vanadyl porphyrin family by ultra-high resolution mass spectrometry without chromatographic separation or demetallation. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] Measuring and interpreting age-related loss of vertebral bone mineral density in a medieval populationAMERICAN JOURNAL OF PHYSICAL ANTHROPOLOGY, Issue 2 2009Sabrina C. Agarwal Abstract This study investigates the age- and sex-related patterns in vertebral bone mineral density (BMD) and the relationship between BMD and vertebral osteophytosis (VO), using a specialized peripheral densitometer in a skeletal sample excavated from the British medieval village Wharram Percy. A total of 58 individuals were divided by sex into three broad age categories (18,29, 30,49, 50+ years.). Each fourth intact vertebral centra was scored for VO and 5-mm thick coronal sections scanned in a specialized peripheral densitometer (GE Lunar Piximus DXA). Changes in BMD associated with age, sex, and VO severity were examined in the whole vertebral section, a strictly trabecular region, and a primarily cortical region of bone separately. Significant change in vertebral BMD was found to occur by middle age with little or no statistical change in BMD between middle and old age. Females appear to suffer greater bone loss at an earlier age with no change in BMD between middle and old age, whereas males show a more steady loss of BMD across the age groups. The bone mineral content and BMD of the cortical region is higher in individuals with pronounced/severe osteophytosis. The unusual age- and sex-related patterns of change in vertebral BMD at Wharram Percy are compared with the patterns of age-related change from recent longitudinal population-based studies. The results emphasize the different pattern of bone loss in young adulthood seen in trabecular regions of the skeleton and highlight the importance of consideration of degenerative joint disease in BMD studies. The influence of lifestyle factors on vertebral BMD in this medieval population is also discussed. Am J Phys Anthropol 2009. © 2009 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] Arylimidovanadium(V) Complexes for a Tridendritic Centrosymmetric Structural Motif or Axial Chirality,ANGEWANDTE CHEMIE, Issue 1 2010Toshiyuki Moriuchi Dr. Wahlweise: Bei der Eintopfreaktion von Anilinderivaten mit VO(OiPr)3 in Gegenwart von NaH entsteht entweder dreikerniges Arylimidovanadium(V)-triisopropoxid mit einer tridendritischen zentrosymmetrischen Struktur (links im Bild) oder axial-chirales zweikerniges Arylimidovanadium(V)-triisopropoxid (rechts), bei dem die Selbstorganisation eine hoch geordnete Molekülanordnung im Festkörper zur Folge hat. [source] |