Tests of a novel imaging algorithm to localize hidden objects or cavities with muon radiography.

A novel algorithm developed within muon radiography to localize objects or cavities hidden inside large material volumes was recently proposed by some of the authors (Bonechi et al. 2015 J. Instrum. 10, P02003 (doi:10.1088/1748-0221/10/02/P02003)). The algorithm, based on muon back projection, helps to estimate the three-dimensional position and the transverse extension of detected objects without the need for measurements from different points of view, which would be required to make a triangulation. This algorithm can now be tested owing to the availability of real data collected both in laboratory tests and from real-world measurements. The methodology and some test results are presented in this paper.This article is part of the Theo Murphy meeting issue 'Cosmic-ray muography'.

School performance and social-emotional behavior of primary school children before and after a disaster.

OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this work was to evaluate the cognitive and social-emotional consequences in a general population of primary school children affected by the firework disaster in Enschede, The Netherlands, on May 13, 2000. The explosions caused tremendous damage in the surrounding neighborhood. Twenty-two people immediately died and >1000 were injured. METHODS: This retrospective study assessed school performance and social-emotional behavior before and up to 3 years after the disaster. Objectively measured school test results in spelling and arithmetic/mathematics and multi-informant social-emotional behavioral assessments were compared between exposed and nonexposed primary school children. Multivariate logistic-regression was used to assess the relationship between exposure and cognitive and social emotional functioning. RESULTS: On school performances, the children exposed to the disaster performed over a period of 3 years after the disaster as good as or better than classmates, controls, and a national reference population. Shortly after the disaster, exposed children even seemed to have better school test results than nonexposed children. Two to 3 years after the disaster, a significant effect of disaster exposure was found on social-emotional behavior. Problematic behavior was reported by teachers, parents, and the school doctor. CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrates a limited influence of disaster exposure on school performance in primary school children. This study also shows that teachers and youth health care practitioners especially should be aware of children starting school several years after a disaster. Although very young at the time of a disaster (1-4 years of age), they may experience disaster-related problems.

New oleanane saponins in Chenopodium quinoa.

Six triterpenoid saponins were isolated from the seeds of Chenopodium quinoa (Chenopodiaceae). Their structures were as follows: phytolaccagenic acid 3-O-[alpha-L-arabinopyranosyl-(1' '-->3')-beta-D-glucuronopyranosyl]-28-O-beta-D-glucopyranoside (1); spergulagenic acid 3-O-[beta-D-glucopyranosyl-(1-->2)-beta-D-glucopyranosyl-(1-->3)-alpha-L-arabinopyranosyl-28-O-beta-D-glucopyranoside (2); hederagenin 3-O-[beta-D-glucopyranosyl-(1-->3)-alpha-L-arabinopyranosyl]-28-O-beta-D-glucopyranoside (3); phytolaccagenic acid 3-O-[beta-D-glucopyranosyl-(1-->4)-beta-D-glucopyranosyl-(1-->4)-beta-D-glucopyranosyl]-28-O-beta-D-glucopyranoside (4); hederagenin 3-O-[beta-D-glucopyranosyl-(1-->4)-beta-D-glucopyranosyl-(1-->4)-beta-D-glucopyranosyl]-28-O-beta-D-glucopyranoside (5); and spergulagenic acid 3-O-[alpha-L-arabinopyranosyl-(1' '-->3')-beta-D-glucuronopyranosyl]-28-O-beta-D-glucopyranoside (6). Saponins 5 and 6 are new. The structures were characterized on the basis of hydrolysis and spectral evidence, including IR, UV, optical rotations, 1D- and 2D-NMR (HMQC and HMBC), ESIMS, and FABMS analyses.

Studies on the constituents of Chenopodium quinoa seeds: isolation and characterization of new triterpene saponins.

Six triterpenoid saponins were isolated from the edible grain quinoa, which is seeds of Chenopodium quinoa (Chenopodiaceae). Following are their structures: phytolaccagenic acid 3-O-[alpha-L-arabinopyranosyl-(1' '-->3')-beta-D-glucuronopyranosyl]-28-O-beta-D-glucopyranoside (1); phytolaccagenic acid 3-O-[beta-D-glucopyranosyl-(1' '-->3')-alpha-L-arabinopyranosyl]-28-O-beta-D-glucopyranoside (2); phytolaccagenic acid 3-O-[beta-D-glucopyranosyl-(1' "-->3' ')-beta-D-xylopyranosyl-(1' '-->2')-beta-D-glucopyranosyl]-28-O-beta-D-glucopyranoside (3); phytolaccagenic acid 3-O-[beta-D-glucopyranosyl-(1' "-->2' ')-beta-D-glucopyranosyl-(1' '-->3')-alpha-L-arabinopyranosyl]-28-O-beta-D-glucopyranoside (4); oleanolic acid 3-O-[alpha-L-arabinopyranosyl-(1' '-->3')-beta-D-glucuronopyranosyl]-28-O-beta-D-glucopyranoside (5); and oleanolic acid 3-O-[beta-D-glucopyranosyl-(1' '-->3')-alpha-L-arabinopyranosyl]-28-O-beta-D-glucopyranoside (6). The oleanane-type saponins (5, 6) were isolated for the first time in this plant, two of the phytolaccagenane (1, 3) were new compounds and two (2, 4) were previously found in quinoa. The structures were characterized on the basis of hydrolysis and spectral evidence, including 1D- and 2-D NMR (HMQC and HMBC) and ESI-MS analyses.

Isolation, characterization and antimicrobial activity of coumarin derivatives from Cyperus incompletus.

Ten coumarin derivatives were isolated and characterized by UV, 1H NMR and GC-MS spectra. Their in vitro efficacy against several human pathogenic bacteria and two fungi was evaluated. The tested coumarins showed mild to undefined activity.

Minor components in food plants--Note I. Flavonol glycosides from Ullucus tuberosus.

This work deals with the isolation and characterization in Ullucus tuberosus of flavonoids, a class of natural products influencing potentially the taste and nutritional value of the plant food. The three flavonoids, rutin, narcissin and kaempferol 3-O-(2",6"-di-O-alpha-L-rhamnopyranosil)-beta-D-glucopyranoside, isolated, are devoid of taste, but appear to possess health promoting effects.

[Minor components in food plants--II. Triterpenoid saponins from Ullucus tuberosus]. / Componenti minori nelle piante alimentari--Nota II. Saponine triterpenoidiche dall' Ullucus tuberosus.

The present work deals with the isolation and characterization of triterpenoid saponins from Ullucus tuberosus. This class of natural products can account at least in part for unpalatability of the tubers of the plant. Two saponins were isolated 28-O-beta-D-glucopyranosyl-epihederagenine and 28-O-beta-D-glucopyranoside-3-O-beta-D-glucopyranosyl (1"-- 2')-beta-D-glucopyranosyl-oleanoate.

Two flavonol glycosides from Chenopodium quinoa.

Two new flavonol glycosides from the seeds of Chenopodium quinoa have been isolated. Their structures were established as kaempferol 3-apiofuranosyl(1"'----2")rhamnopyranosyl(1""----6")galactoside and kaempferol 3-apiofuranosyl(1"'----2")rhamnopyranosyl(1""----6")galactoside. The main flavonoid glycoside was kaempferol 3-(2,6-dirhamnopyranosyl)galactoside.

Oligofurostanosides from Asparagus cochinchinensis.

The aqueous extract of ASPARAGUS COCHINCHINENSIS yielded a new oligofurostanoside 3- O-[alpha- L-rhamnopyranosyl-(1-->4)-beta- D-glucopyranosyl]-26- O-(beta- D-glucopyranosyl)-(25 R)-furosta-5,20-diene,-3beta,26-diol as well as two known furostanosides, methylprotodioscin and pseudoprotodioscin.

[Chemical composition and biological properties of Erythraea centaurium Rafn]. / Composizione chimica e proprietà biologiche della Erythraea centaurium Rafn.

The steroidic fraction from the ethereal extract of the aereal parts of Erythraea centaurium Rafn. has showed the presence of the following sterols: beta-sitosterol, stigmasterol, campesterol, brassicasterol and delta 7 stigmastenol, isolated by H.P.L.C. and identified by G.L.C., 1H-N.M.R. and MS. Then the free amino-acids from the aqueous extract of E. centaurium were determined.

Sterols from Equisetum arvense.

The sterol fraction of Equisetum arvense L. contains, essentially, the following sterols: beta-sitosterol (60.0%), campesterol (32.9%), isofucosterol (5.9%) and cholesterol (trace amounts). The identification of the compounds has been carried out through NMR and MS, while the corresponding percentage have been desumed from the GLC and HPLC data.

Candida albicans arthritis in a healthy adult.

Candida arthritis developed postoperatively in a healthy man in whom initial operative cultures had shown no infection. The possibility of iatrogenic infection with fungus should be considered.

Synthesis and anti-inflammatory activity of 4H-1,4-benzothiazines.

A new series of 4H-1,4-benzothiazine derivatives have been synthesized. These products were obtained by treatment with SO2Cl2 in dry ether at room temperature of 1,3-benzothiazolines N-acetylated. The 1,3-benzothiazolines were prepared by condensation in benzene of 2-aminothiophenol with several ketones, in the presence of p-toluenesulphonic acid as catalyst. Preliminary pharmacological studies on the anti-inflammatory activity of these compounds are reported.

Evaluation of the early result of Smith total ankle replacement.

The Smith total ankle replacement was performed in 21 joints. During a 3-year period, the function was good in 50% of the patients with traumatic degenerative arthritis and 40% with rheumatoid arthritis. Improper technique, infection and component loosening were the most common causes of failure in 11 patients, with fair to poor prognosis.