Search

We present the first results from an imaging and a spectroscopic survey of the optical emission associated with supernova remnant (SNR) G107.5−1.5. We discovered optical diffuse and filamentary emission from G107.5−1.5 using the 1.5- and 1-m telescopes. The optical emissions from the North-East (NE) and North-West (NW) regions show the diffuse structure, while the South-East (SE) and East (E) regions show filamentary structure. From long-slit spectra, we found [S  ii ]/H α > 0.5 for the SE and E regions, which supports the origin of the emission being from shock-heated gas. The average [S  ii ]/H α ratio is found to be ∼0.4 and ∼0.3 for the NW and NE regions, respectively, indicating that the optical emission is coming from ionized gas in an H  ii region. From the ratios of [S  ii ]λλ 6716/6731, we estimate an average electron density of ∼2400 cm−3 for the NW region, which can be attributed to the dense ionized gas. The average [S  ii ]λλ 6716/6731 ratios are ∼1.25 and ∼1.15 for the SE and E regions, respectively, which are indicative of low-electron density. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ezrin is a multifunctional protein that connects the actin cytoskeleton to the extracellular matrix through transmembrane proteins. High ezrin expression is associated with lung metastasis and poor survival in cancer. We screened small molecule libraries for compounds that directly interact with ezrin protein using surface plasmon resonance to identify lead compounds. The secondary functional assays used for lead compound selection included ezrin phosphorylation as measured by immunoprecipitation and in vitro kinase assays, actin binding, chemotaxis, invasion into an endothelial cell monolayer, zebrafish and Xenopus embryonic development, mouse lung organ culture and an in vivo lung metastasis model. Two molecules, NSC305787 and NSC668394, that directly bind to ezrin with low micromolar affinity were selected based on inhibition of ezrin function in multiple assays. They inhibited ezrin phosphorylation, ezrin-actin interaction and ezrin-mediated motility of osteosarcoma (OS) cells in culture. NSC305787 mimicked the ezrin morpholino phenotype, and NSC668394 caused a unique developmental defect consistent with reduced cell motility in zebrafish. Following tail vein injection of OS cells into mice, both molecules inhibited lung metastasis of ezrin-sensitive cells, but not ezrin-resistant cells. The small molecule inhibitors NSC305787 and NSC668394 demonstrate a novel targeted therapy that directly inhibits ezrin protein as an approach to prevent tumor metastasis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Representative samples of three Turkish bentonites were investigated with the aim of producing moisture adsorbents, so-called desiccants, of commercial grade: 1) Ca-bentonite from Lalapaşa–Edirne region (LLP), 2) Na/Ca-bentonite from Çankırı region (CNK), and 3) Na-bentonite from Reşadiye–Tokat region (RSD). The samples were composed of smectite and small amounts of quartz, feldspar, calcite and opal-CT and minor amounts of zeolite and dolomite. The clay mineral contents of the raw samples were estimated at 75–80% for LLP, 50–55% for CNK and 75–80% for RSD. The bentonites were upgraded by mineral processing techniques and modified by addition of calcium chloride. The effect of particle size, heat treatment conditions such as drying temperature and drying time were examined. A maximum moisture adsorption capacity of 17.1% was obtained after heating at 150–200°C for LLP Ca-bentonite. The mixed bentonite (CNK) achieved a maximum moisture adsorption capacity of 8.3% at 105°C and the Na-type bentonite (RSD) exhibited the lowest adsorption capacity of 6.4% at 105°C. In addition to the standard tests and parameters, chemical additives such as calcium chloride which is known as a hygroscopic material were mixed with the bentonites. Moisture adsorption capacities of the bentonites were raised to a level about 20% above required as standards. The results obtained in this study together with the standard specifications were compatible with the commercial counterparts. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Nickel sulphide ore subjected to this investigation was taken from the Marmara district of Turkey, where widespread chromite mineralization can be observed. Some amounts of magnetite and chromite exist in the ore together with sulphide and oxide type nickel minerals. The ore sample contains 1.32% Ni, 10.79% SiO2, 78.39% Fe2O3, 1.3 g/t Ag, and 1.0 g/t Au. The ore sample is constituted of about 70% magnetite, 15% sulphide minerals, and 5% chromite and iron oxides, as well as 10% gangue minerals. Nickel mineralization in the ore such as pentlandite, violarite, millerite awaruite, and asbolanewas determined. Due to the complex structure of mineralization, a combination of gravity-separation and flotation methods was applied for the concentration of nickel sulphide and oxide ores. A nickel concentrate containing 12.32% Ni was produced with 89.7% recovery and final tailings with 0.088% Ni can be disposed with 4.9% of metal loss. A process flowsheet was developed according to the optimum test results. The importance of this research is that it is the first example of developing a flowsheet for the beneficiation of sulphide and oxide type nickel mineralization observed together in chromite ore deposits. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: In-plane bending vibrations of a beam rotating with a periodically fluctuating speed are considered. The partial differential equation of motion is discretisized via Galerkin''s method and a set of Mathieu–Hill equations is obtained. The constant speed rotation problem is reviewed and its reflections onto the fluctuating speed problem are underlined. Dynamic stability analysis is performed via a monodromy matrix method and a generalized Bolotin method. Examples of stability charts are worked out reflecting stability''s dependence on various pairs of system parameters. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Oxide lead–zinc ore sample containing 10.17% Pb, 10.98% Zn, 57g/t Ag and 164g/t Cd was subjected to this experimental study and taken from Kayseri located in the foothills of the Aladağ Mountains, Turkey. Preliminary flotation tests with the ore sample indicated that there was no selectivity in terms of zinc recovery; therefore studies were concentrated on producing lead concentrates. In the experiments, the effects of different parameters such as number of stages, amount of Na2S, amount of ZnSO4 and application of gravity concentration prior to flotation were investigated in relation to the metal contents of concentrates and flotation efficiencies. A lead concentrate with 65.42% Pb was produced with 77% recovery as a result of six stage flotation experiment carried out with 350g/t KAX, 250g/t Aero 407 and 4500g/t Na2S and 98.7% of zinc remained in the tailings with 12.23% Zn content. As a result of gravity concentration followed by flotation, a lead concentrate with an average Pb content of 65.80% was produced with 86.5% total Pb recovery. In both cases almost all zinc remained in the tailings and could not be recovered by the addition of different reagents due to its complicated mineralogical structure. Therefore, application of metallurgical processes is proposed for zinc recovery from the tailings. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Flotation behavior of kyanite has been studied using different collectors. Tests were conducted with the pure mineral sample in micro-flotation cell and ore sample in bench flotation machine. Surface charge was measured on pure kyanite sample and isoelectric point was found to be pH 5.9. Kyanite floated with an amine type of collector above isoelectric point when mineral surface is negatively charged. In contrast, the sulfate type of collector (sodium dodecyl sulfate) was effective in acidic pH range where surface is positively charged. Furthermore, kyanite floated with oleate in neutral and mildly basic pH values. Saleable concentrates assaying 58–60% Al2O3 content with 80–85% recoveries were produced using sulfonate type of collectors (AERO series). Depressant reagents were found not to be effective for gangue minerals in oleate flotation. Furthermore, slimes were found to have no adverse effect on the flotation of kyanite. However, steel ball milling lowered the flotation recovery compared to ceramic ball milling. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Kırka borax deposit is the biggest boron deposit in the world. The extracted ores from this deposit have been beneficiated using stirring scrubbing and classification methods and borax concentrates have been obtained with 32–33% B2O3 content. In this study, a new process was developed to improve boron content. Two staged scrubbing (tumbling+stirring scrubbing) was applied as new method. The laboratory results using the method currently applied in the plant were compared with those of the new process. The content of the borax concentrate was increased from 32–33% to 34.53% B2O3 with new method. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Objective This study compared a computerised device (the Wand) with a conventional syringe in terms of the pain of needle insertion and injection during inferior alveolar nerve (IAN) block injection.Methods and materials The subjects were 40 patients between the ages of 18 and 30 years requiring local anaesthesia for dental restoration in the mandible. Before anaesthetic administration, the patients' anxiety levels were determined. Contralateral IAN injections were administrated at two separate appointments with random use of either the Wand or a conventional syringe. Following the injection, the patients used both the pain rating score (PRS) and a visual analogue scale (VAS) to assess the intensity of pain.Results When pain was measured after the injection, the Wand was found to be less painful than the syringe for the pain of both needle insertion and injection (p <0.05).Conclusion The Wand technique resulted in significantly lower pain scores during the IAN block injections. Most of the patients preferred the IAN injection with the Wand for future dental injections. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the Sivas-Divrigi Iron Ore Concentrator, 600,000 t of tailings are discarded annually. There are already 1 million t of tailings deposited in ponds from the previous production activities. The presence of Co, Ni, and Cu in the tailings makes the beneficiation of those tailings attractive. In the experimental work, sulphide concentrates were produced from these two types of tailings by flotation. Under optimum flotation conditions, a bulk sulphide concentrate assaying 0.376% Co, 0.721% Ni, and 0.403% Cu was obtained with 83.1% Co, 57.7% Ni, and 59.0% Cu recoveries from the old tailings. On the other hand, another concentrate containing 0.384% Co, 0.687% Ni, and 0.393% Cu was produced under the same flotation conditions with 94.7% Co, 84.6% Ni, and 76.8% Cu recoveries from the new process tailings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the present case report, the authors investigated the clinicopathological characteristics of squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) arising from teratoma of the ovary and intended to report their clinical experience. Malignant transformation of ovarian teratoma is a quite rare condition with SCC observed to be the most common form of transformation. The present case was a 43-year-old female patient and her clinical presentation was abdominal pain, abdominal distension, and abdominal mass sensation. The patient underwent ultrasonography. After detection of a mass, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) was performed. Surgery was performed on the patient and the pathological report revealed SCC arising from teratoma. The patient was evaluated retrospectively in terms of demographic characteristics, MRI, surgical findings, and prognosis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: This study compared a computerised device (the Wand) with a conventional syringe in terms of the pain of needle insertion and injection during inferior alveolar nerve (IAN) block injection.Methods and Materials: The subjects were 40 patients between the ages of 18 and 30 years requiring local anaesthesia for dental restoration in the mandible. Before anaesthetic administration, the patients' anxiety levels were determined. Contralateral IAN injections were administrated at two separate appointments with random use of either the Wand or a conventional syringe. Following the injection, the patients used both the pain rating score (PRS) and a visual analogue scale (VAS) to assess the intensity of pain.Results: When pain was measured after the injection, the Wand was found to be less painful than the syringe for the pain of both needle insertion and injection (p <0.05).Conclusion: The Wand technique resulted in significantly lower pain scores during the IAN block injections. Most of the patients preferred the IAN injection with the Wand for future dental injections. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: The aim of the study was to assess the effect of paricalcitol on the experimental contrast-induced nephropathy (CIN) model. We hypothesised that paricalcitol may prevent CIN. Methods: 32 Wistar albino rats were divided into four groups (n =8 each): control group, paricalcitol group, CIN group and paricalcitol plus CIN group. Paricalcitol (0.4 µg kg-1 day-1) was given intraperitoneally for 5 consecutive days prior to induction of CIN. CIN was induced at day 4 by intravenous injection of indometacin (10 mg kg-1), Nω-nitro- L -arginine methyl ester (L-NAME, 10 mg kg-1) and meglumine amidotrizoate (6 ml kg-1). Renal function parameters, oxidative stress biomarkers, histopathological findings and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) immunoexpression were evaluated. Results: The paricalcitol plus CIN group had lower mean serum creatinine levels (p =0.034) as well as higher creatinine clearance (p =0.042) than the CIN group. Serum malondialdehyde and kidney thiobarbituric acid-reacting substances levels were significantly lower in the paricalcitol plus CIN group than in the CIN group (p =0.024 and p =0.042, respectively). The mean scores of tubular necrosis (p =0.024), proteinaceous casts (p =0.038), medullary congestion (p =0.035) and VEGF immunoexpression (p =0.018) in the paricalcitol plus CIN group were also significantly lower. Conclusion: This study demonstrates the protective effect of paricalcitol in the prevention of CIN in an experimental model. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fixed drug eruption (FDE) usually develops after oral administration and is described as a cutaneous reaction recurring at the same location each time the drug is taken. Olopatadine is both a H1 histamine receptor antagonist and a mast cell stabilizer, indicated for the treatment of allergic conjunctivitis. Here, we report a 14-year-old male patient who developed FDE localised on the lateral side of periorbital rim bilaterally, whilst applying olopatadine 0.1% ophthalmic solution for the treatment of allergic conjunctivitis. As far as we know, FDE due to olopatadine has not been previously reported in the literature. We deem it appropriate to report this case because FDE that results from the application of topical drugs is a rare event in the literature. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]