Determination of Madelung constants for infinite and semi-infinite lattices by direct summation

Journal ArticleLattice sums for the electrostatic interactions in ionic crystals, first evaluated by Madelung, are now known to high degrees of accuracy. The problem of conditional convergence has been solved either by manipulations of a mathematical model of the lattice, or by directly summing over neutral groups of the lattice as was done by Evjen and Frank. Although the first method has been modified and extended to encompass semi-infinite lattices, there are no corresponding works on direct summation techniques. Dahl has corrected the Evjen method to expand its range to more complex crystals but did not indicate its applicability to bounded lattices. This communication describes a novel direct summation approach broad enough to handle any infinite or semi-infinite lattice that can be decomposed into finite, neutral, linear charge arrays. The technique is unique in that it is the only direct summation method demonstrated capable of calculating surface Madelung constants

Analysis of the surface potential developed by non-reactive ionic solids

Journal ArticleThe sign of the surface potential for complex non-reactive ionic solids cannot be predicted solely from consideration of the hydration energy of gaseous ions which constitute the ionic lattice. Accurate analysis of these systems must involve the hydration energy of surface ions, which requires knowledge of the crystal structure, the identification of cleavage planes, and the calculation of binding energies of surface ions. Surface binding energies for ionic solids can be determined if the Surface Madelung Constant is known

Greater Physiological Responses While Playing XBox Kinect Compared to Nintendo Wii

International Journal of Exercise Science 8(2): 164-173, 2015. Increasing popularity of active video game use as a mode of physical activity prompted this investigation into the physiological differences to playing the Nintendo WiiTM and XBox KinectTM. Differences in motion capture technology between these systems suggests that using one may result in different movement patterns, and therefore physiological responses, than the other. The purpose of this study was to compare the average (10 minute) and peak heart rate (HR, bpm), oxygen consumption (VO2 mL . kg-1 . min-1), and energy expenditure (EE, kcal . kg-1 . hr-1), while playing Boxing and Just Dance 2 (JD2) on the WiiTM and KinectTM. Fifteen college students (7 female, 8 male) completed 10-minute game sessions for WiiTM and KinectTM Boxing, and WiiTM and KinectTM JD2, in random order. Comparisons for average and peak HR, VO2, and EE were made. Average and peak HR, VO2, and EE were greater (p\u3c0.05) while playing Boxing on the KinectTM when compared to Boxing on the WiiTM. Average and peak VO2 and EE were greater (p\u3c0.05) while playing JD2 on the KinectTM when compared to JD2 on the WiiTM. Peak VO2 surpassed the moderate exercise intensity threshold only while playing KinectTM Boxing and KinectTM JD2. Higher physiological responses were experienced when playing Boxing and JD2 on the KinectTM versus the WiiTM. When using active video games as a form of physical activity, these findings demonstrate that the KinectTM is a better choice than the WiiTM

Analisis Kandungan Formalin Pada Tahu Yang Dijual Di Pasar Oebobo Kota Kupang

Tahu dibuat dari kedelai yang digumpalkan dengan asam cuka, kalsium sulfat. Tahu memilki kandungan protein yang tinggi dan kadar air mencapai 85% sehingga tahu tidak dapat bertahan lama, satu hari setelah diproduksi tahu akan mulai rusak. Salah satu cara mencegah kerusakan pada bahan makanan adalah dengan menambahkan bahan pengawet. Formalin merupakan bahan pengawet yang terkadang disalahgunakan sebagai pengawet pada bahan makanan. Penelitian yang telah dilakukan ini bertujuan untuk mengetahui ada tidaknya formalin pada tahu yang dijual di Pasar Oebobo Kota Kupang. Jenis penelitian yang digunakan adalah penelitian deskriptif. Dua puluh sembilan sampel tahu yang diperoleh dari semua pedagang di Pasar Oebobo Kota Kupang kemudian dianalisis dengan metode kualitatif yaitu menggunakan reaksi warna, tiga sampel menunjukkan hasil positif dengan hilangnya warna KMnO4 dan menjadi bening sedangkan dua puluh enam sampel lainnya menunjukkan hasil negatif dengan tetap mempertahankan warna ungu dari KMnO

PERBANDINGAN PENGUKURAN PERSENTASE LEMAK TUBUH DENGAN PENGUKURAN SKINFOLD CALIPER DAN BIOELECTRICAL IMPEDANCE ANALYSIS (BIA)

Latar belakang: Pengukuran komposisi tubuh untuk perkiraan persentase lemak tubuh diantaranya dapat dilakukan dengan metode pengukuran skinfold dan Bioelectrical Impedance Analysis (BIA). Kedua metode tersebut sama-sama merupakan metode yang mudah, aman, dan tidak invasif. Tujuan: Mengetahui perbandingan persentase lemak tubuh dengan pengukuran skinfold dan BIA. Metode: Penelitian observasional analitik dengan desain cross sectional. Sampel diambil dan dipilih dengan cara simple randomize sampling. Data diperoleh langsung dari pengukuran pada sampel yang memenuhi kriteria inklusi. Data presentase lemak tubuh diperoleh dengan pengukuran tebal lipatan bawah kulit (skinfold) dan Bioelectrical Impedance Analysis (BIA). Perbandingan rerata persentase lemak tubuh dianalisis dengan uji t berpasangan. Hasil: diperoleh 30 sampel (15 laki-laki dan 15 perempuan mahasiswa FK Undip). Persentase lemak tubuh dengan skinfold caliper adalah 19,97 ±5,96(11-38) dan BIA 27,66±7(14-43). Uji statistik t test menunjukan p= 0,000. Terdapat perbedaan yang bermakna antara pengukuran skinfold caliper dan BIA. Kesimpulan: Terdapat perbedaan persentase lemak tubuh yang bermakna antara pengukuran skinfold caliper dan BIA. Kata kunci: Lemak tubuh. skinfold caliper, BI

Effects of oxidized low density lipoprotein, lipid mediators and statins on vascular cell interactions

The integrin heterodimer CD11b/CD18 (alpha M beta 2, Mac-1, CR3) expressed on monocytes or polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMN) is a receptor for iC3b, fibrinogen, heparin, and for intercellular adhesion molecule (ICAM)-1 on endothelium, crucially contributing to vascular cell interactions in inflammation and atherosclerosis. In this report, we summarize our findings on the effects of lipid mediators and lipid-lowering drugs. Exposure of endothelial cells to oxidized low density lipoprotein (oxLDL) induces upregulation of ICAM-1 and increases adhesion of monocytic cells expressing Mac-1. Inhibition experiments show that monocytes use distinct ligands, i.e. ICAM-1 and heparan sulfate proteoglycans for adhesion to oxLDL-treated endothelium. An albumin-transferable oxLDL activity is inhibited by the antioxidant pyrrolidine dithiocarbamate (PDTC), while 8-epi-prostaglandin F2 alpha (8-epi-PGF2 alpha) or lysophosphatidylcholine had no effect, implicating yet unidentified radicals. Sequential adhesive! and signaling events lead to the firm adhesion of rolling PMN on activated and adherent platelets, which may occupy areas of endothelial denudation. Shear resistant arrest of PMN on thrombin-stimulated platelets in flow conditions requires distinct regions of Mac-1, involving its interactions with fibrinogen bound to platelet alpha llb beta 3, and with other platelet ligands. Both arrest and adhesion strengthening under flow are stimulated by platelet-activating factor and leukotriene B4, but not by the chemokine receptor CXCR2. We tested whether Mac-1-dependent monocyte adhesiveness is affected by inhibitors of hydroxy-methylglutaryl-Coenzyme A reductase (statins) which improve morbidity and survival of patients with coronary heart disease. As compared to controls, adhesion of isolated monocytes to endothelium ex vivo was increased in patients with hypercholesterolemia. Treatment with statins decreased total and low density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol plasma levels, surface expression of Mac-1, and resulted in a dramatic reduction of Mac,mediated monocyte adhesion to endothelium. The inhibition of monocyte adhesion was reversed by mevalonate but not LDL in vitro,indicating that isoprenoid precursors are crucial for adhesiveness of Mac-1. Such effects may crucially contribute to the clinical benefit of statins, independent of cholesterol-lowering, and may represent a paradigm for novel, anti-inflammatory mechanisms of action by this class of drugs

On the Future Perspectives of Some Medicinal Plants within Lamiaceae Botanic Family Regarding Their Comprehensive Properties and Resistance against Biotic and Abiotic Stresses

Lamiaceae is one of the largest botanical families, encompassing over 6000 species that include a variety of aromatic and medicinal spices. The current study is focused on three plants within this botanical family: basil (Ocimum basilicum L.), thyme (Thymus vulgaris L.), and summer savory (Satureja hortensis L.). These three species contain primary and secondary metabolites such as phenolic and flavonoid compounds, fatty acids, antioxidants, and essential oils and have traditionally been used for flavoring, food preservation, and medicinal purposes. The goal of this study is to provide an overview of the nutraceutical, therapeutic, antioxidant, and antibacterial key features of these three aromatics to explore new breeding challenges and opportunities for varietal development. In this context, a literature search has been performed to describe the phytochemical profile of both primary and secondary metabolites and their pharmacological uses, as well as to further explore accession availability in the medicine industry and also to emphasize their bioactive roles in plant ecology and biotic and abiotic stress adaptability. The aim of this review is to explore future perspectives on the development of new, highly valuable basil, summer savory, and thyme cultivars. The findings of the current review emphasize the importance of identifying the key compounds and genes involved in stress resistance that can also provide valuable insights for further improvement of these important medicinal plants

In Vivo Mapping of Vascular Inflammation Using Multimodal Imaging

Plaque vulnerability to rupture has emerged as a critical correlate to risk of adverse coronary events but there is as yet no clinical method to assess plaque stability in vivo. In the search to identify biomarkers of vulnerable plaques an association has been found between macrophages and plaque stability--the density and pattern of macrophage localization in lesions is indicative of probability to rupture. In very unstable plaques, macrophages are found in high densities and concentrated in the plaque shoulders. Therefore, the ability to map macrophages in plaques could allow noninvasive assessment of plaque stability. We use a multimodality imaging approach to noninvasively map the distribution of macrophages in vivo. The use of multiple modalities allows us to combine the complementary strengths of each modality to better visualize features of interest. Our combined use of Positron Emission Tomography and Magnetic Resonance Imaging (PET/MRI) allows high sensitivity PET screening to identify putative lesions in a whole body view, and high resolution MRI for detailed mapping of biomarker expression in the lesions.Macromolecular and nanoparticle contrast agents targeted to macrophages were developed and tested in three different mouse and rat models of atherosclerosis in which inflamed vascular plaques form spontaneously and/or are induced by injury. For multimodal detection, the probes were designed to contain gadolinium (T1 MRI) or iron oxide (T2 MRI), and Cu-64 (PET). PET imaging was utilized to identify regions of macrophage accumulation; these regions were further probed by MRI to visualize macrophage distribution at high resolution. In both PET and MR images the probes enhanced contrast at sites of vascular inflammation, but not in normal vessel walls. MRI was able to identify discrete sites of inflammation that were blurred together at the low resolution of PET. Macrophage content in the lesions was confirmed by histology.The multimodal imaging approach allowed high-sensitivity and high-resolution mapping of biomarker distribution and may lead to a clinical method to predict plaque probability to rupture

Heart disease is common in humans and chimpanzees, but is caused by different pathological processes

Heart disease is common in both humans and chimpanzees, manifesting typically as sudden cardiac arrest or progressive heart failure. Surprisingly, although chimpanzees are our closest evolutionary relatives, the major cause of heart disease is different in the two species. Histopathology data of affected chimpanzee hearts from two primate centers, and analysis of literature indicate that sudden death in chimpanzees (and in gorillas and orangutans) is commonly associated with diffuse interstitial myocardial fibrosis of unknown cause. In contrast, most human heart disease results from coronary artery atherosclerosis, which occludes myocardial blood supply, causing ischemic damage. The typical myocardial infarction of humans due to coronary artery thrombosis is rare in these apes, despite their human-like coronary-risk-prone blood lipid profiles. Instead, chimpanzee ‘heart attacks’ are likely due to arrythmias triggered by myocardial fibrosis. Why do humans not often suffer from the fibrotic heart disease so common in our closest evolutionary cousins? Conversely, why do chimpanzees not have the kind of heart disease so common in humans? The answers could be of value to medical care, as well as to understanding human evolution. A preliminary attempt is made to explore possibilities at the histological level, with a focus on glycosylation changes