bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A prospective double‐blind randomized placebo‐controlled study of the effect of saffron (Crocus sativusLinn.) on semen parameters and seminal plasma antioxidant capacity in infertile men with idiopathic oligoasthenoteratozoospermia
Authors: Safarinejad Mohammad Reza , Shafiei Nayyer , Safarinejad Shiva
Published: September 2010

Male factor infertility is a multifactorial disorder that affects a significant percentage of infertile couples; however, many of them remained untreated. In recent years, considerable numbers of infertile men have sought ‘herbal remedies’ as an effective treatment. Among ‘herbal remedies’, saffron is recommended for male infertility in our community. The effect of saffron was evaluated compared with placebo for the treatment of idiopathic male factor infertility. The study included 260 infertile men with idiopathic oligoasthenoteratozoospermia (OAT) who were randomized to saffron 60 mg/day (130, group 1) or a similar regimen of placebo (130, group 2) for 26 weeks. The two groups were compared for changes in semen parameters and total seminal plasma antioxidant capacity. Saffron administration did not result in beneficial effects. At the end of the study no statistically significant improvements were observed in either group in any of the studied semen parameters (sperm density, morphology and motility) (allp= 0.1). At the end of the trial, patients in group 1 had a mean motility of 25.7 ± 2.4%, which was not statistically different from the mean of 24.9 ± 2.8% in the placebo group (p= 0.1). Normal sperm morphology was 18.7 ± 4.7% and 18.4 ± 4.3%, in groups 1 and 2, respectively (p= 0.1). Patients treated with saffron and placebo had a mean sperm density of 20.5 ± 4.6% and 21.4 ± 4.6% per mL, respectively (p= 0.1). Saffron administration did not improve total seminal plasma antioxidant capacity, compared with baseline (p= 0.1) and placebo subjects (p= 0.1). Based on Pearson correlations, each semen parameter did not correlate significantly with treatment duration, including sperm density (r= 0.146,p= 0.13), percent of motile sperm (r= 0.145,p= 0.15) and percent of sperm with normal morphology (r= 0.125,p= 0.30). Saffron does not statistically significantly improve semen parameters in infertile men with idiopathic OAT. If medical professionals want to prescribe herbal remedies for male infertility, previous rigorous scientific investigations, documenting their safety and efficacy are required. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Global potential energy surface for the ground electronic state of H: A DFT approach
Authors: Barragán Patricia , Prosmiti Rita , Villarreal Pablo , Delgado‐Barrio Gerardo
Published: September 2010

A ground potential energy surface for the H ion is obtained using density functional theory. The potential was calculated using the B3(H) hybrid functional that has been specifically parametrized for protonated hydrogen clusters. The surface has the appropriate topology to correctly describe equilibrium structures, linearization barrier, and dissociation limits, and its features are compared with previous very high accurate ab initio studies available, as well as with earlier and recent reported analytical potential energy surfaces. It is found that such approach produces a reasonable global potential, representing all aspects of ground‐state H. Such representations are, in particular, interesting for studying high‐lying bound states of H, and thus, for a more accurate description of the PES, further improvement of the density functional used in the present DFT calculations is proposed. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Quantum Chem, 2011
Ab initio study of the structure, spectral, ionochromic, and fluorochromic properties of benzoazacrown‐containing dyes as potential optical molecular sensors
Authors: Freidzon Alexandra Y. , Bagatur'yants Alexander A. , Ushakov Evgeny N. , Gromov Sergey P. , Alfimov Michael V.
Published: September 2010

Experimental absorption and emission spectra of benzoaza‐18‐crown‐6‐containing styryl dye 2a and its complexes with Li+, Na+, and Ca2+ are recorded. It is found that complexation causes large hypsochromic shifts of the long‐wave absorption band of the dye. In addition, the spectra of Li+ and Na+ complexes exhibit an additional band or a shoulder with λ virtually coinciding with the absorption band of the free dye. Complexation also enhances the fluorescence of the dye. Simulating the structure and electronic spectra of the dye and its complexes with Li+, Mg2+, Na+, and Ca2+ by DFT and TD DFT allowed us to explain these effects. It is found that cation coordination breaks the conjugation of the crown ether nitrogen with the chromophore, thus reducing the effective chromophore size, and the positive charge of the cation simultaneously decreases the donor nature of the amino group. This explains large hypsochromic shift of the long‐wave absorption band. It is found that Li+ and Na+ complexes can form two types of conformers, with and without cation‐nitrogen bond. The conformers with the cation‐nitrogen bond exhibit a very strong blue shift of the absorption maximum, while the absorption spectra of the complexes without cation‐nitrogen bond are almost unshifted relative to the spectra of the free dye. The ground‐state recoordination of the cation in the macrocycle cavity involves the change between these two forms. Recoordination is promoted by the interaction of the cation with solvent molecules. This explains the presence of the additional long‐wave band or shoulder in the spectra of the complexes. Cation‐induced fluorescence enhancement is explained by the changes in the excited‐state structure of the free dye and its complexes. The free dye changes its structure from the “quinoid” form in the ground state to the “benzenoid” form in the excited state, thus facilitating the rotation of the alkoxyaminophenyl group and causing near‐degeneracy of the potential energy surfaces of the ground and excited states. This results in rapid nonradiative deactivation and fluorescence quenching. Complexation with cations reverses the dye structure to the “benzenoid” form in the ground state and to the “quinoid” form in the excited state thus preventing alkoxyaminophenyl group from rotation, which results in fluorescence enhancement. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Quantum Chem, 2011
Dressed TDDFT study of low‐lying electronic excited states in selected linear polyenes and diphenylopolyenes
Authors: Mazur Grzegorz , Makowski Marcin , Włodarczyk Radosław , Aoki Yuriko
Published: September 2010

Dressed TDDFT method is applied to the calculations of low‐lying electronic excited states of selected linear polyenes and α,ω‐diphenylopolyenes. It is shown that proper accounting for doubly excited configurations is necessary to correctly describe excitation energies and geometrical structure of the 21Ag state in these systems. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Quantum Chem, 2011
Internal state cooling with a femtosecond optical frequency comb
Authors: Malinovskaya S. , Patel V. , Collins T.
Published: September 2010

A single femtosecond optical frequency comb is implemented to induce two‐photon transitions between molecular vibrational levels to form ultracold molecules. The phase across an individual pulse in the pulse train is sinusoidally modulated with a carefully chosen modulation amplitude and frequency. Piecewise population transfer is fulfilled to the final state by each pulse in the applied pulse train providing a controlled population accumulation in the final, ultracold state. The dynamics of rovibrational cooling is discussed on an example of the KRb molecule. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Quantum Chem, 2010
Exactly solvable effective mass Schrödinger equation with coulomb‐like potential
Authors: Pacheco‐García C. , García‐Ravelo J. , Morales J. , Peña J. J.
Published: September 2010

Exactly solvable Schrödinger equation (SE) with a position‐dependent mass distribution allowing Morse‐like eigenvalues is presented. For this, the position‐dependent mass Schrödinger equation is transformed into a standard SE, with constant mass, by means of the point canonical transformation scheme. In that method, the choice of potential for the position‐dependent mass Schrödinger equation allows us to obtain the transformation that should be used to find the exactly solvable SE. As a useful application of the proposal, the equivalent of the Witten superpotential is chosen to be constant to find the position‐dependent mass distribution and the exactly solvable potential V(m(x)) allowing Morse‐type energy spectra. This V(m(x)) is shown to have a Coulomb potential structure and can be useful in the study of the electronic properties of materials in which the carrier effective mass depends on the position. Moreover, the worked example, the approach is general and can be applied in the search of new potentials suitable on the study of quantum chemical systems. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Quantum Chem, 2010
The role of inequalities in the analysis of many‐body systems
Authors: Percus J. K.
Published: September 2010

We discuss the strategy of determining properties of many‐body systems by applying successively more stringent limitations on the domain on which solutions can lie, i.e., sharpening the degree of resolution of the results obtained. A rough division is made into universal, or system‐independent inequalities and system‐dependent ones, which are joined by equalities or sum rules. General examples include Fermion ground states and classical fluids in thermal equilibrium, and for the latter, the effect of estimation by saturating inequalities. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Quantum Chem, 2010
Theory of chemical bonds in metalloenzymes. XIV. Correspondence between magnetic coupling mode and radical coupling mechanism in hydroxylations with methane monooxygenase and related species
Authors: Saito Toru , Shoji Mitsuo , Isobe Hiroshi , Yamanaka Shusuke , Kitagawa Yasutaka , Yamada Satoru , Kawakami Takashi , Okumura Mitsutaka , Yamaguchi Kizashi
Published: September 2010

Broken‐symmetry (BS) and approximate spin‐projected (AP) BS hybrid density functional theory (DFT) calculations were performed to elucidate possible mechanisms of hydroxylation reactions of methane and alkanes with soluble methane monooxygenase (sMMO) and related metalloenzymes. The BS HDFT (UB3LYP) method was employed to elucidate electronic and spin structures of the key intermediate “Q” and to locate transition structures for hydroxylation reactions in the lowest‐spin (LS) singlet and the highest‐spin (HS) states of sMMO. The spin density populations and chemical indices obtained by the BS B3LYP calculations were found to be consistent with orbital interaction models for hydroxylation with MMO. However these indices in turn indicated significant spin contamination errors in the BS LS solution. The elimination of the errors with the AP procedure indeed reduced the barrier height for the recombination step of alkyl and hydroxyl radicals in the pure LS singlet state, leading to a rebound process. Then present computational results indicated that hydroxylation reactions proceed through the continuous diradical (diradicaloid) mechanism without discreet free radical fragments in the pure LS singlet state. The computational results are, respectively, compatible with local singlet (SD) and local triplet (TD) diradical mechanisms for hydroxylation in the LS and HS states; those were already applied to P450 successfully. Thus magnetic (exchange) coupling modes (LS and HS) in MMO, P450 and related metalloenzymes are directly related to local SD and TD mechanisms for hydroxylation, indicating the correspondence between the magnetic coupling mode and the radical reaction mechanism. These theoretical results enable us to examine recent BS hybrid DFT computational results for hydroxylation reactions with sMMO by several groups. Implications of the present theoretical and computational results are also discussed in relation to several experimental aspects of hydroxylation reactions. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Quantum Chem, 2010
Modeling local nonlinear correlations using subspace principal curves
Authors: Reddy Chandan K. , Aziz Mohammad S.
Published: September 2010

While analyzing some of the complex real‐world datasets, it is vital to identify local correlations in the subspaces. Some of the critical limitations of the subspace clustering techniques in identifying order revealing subspace correlation patterns motivate the need for more advanced subspace techniques. We formalize the problem of identifying local nonlinear correlations in high‐dimensional data and build subspace models to capture such correlations. In this paper, we propose a new method for computing subspace principal curve models which can effectively capture these local patterns in the data. We demonstrate the results of the proposed method using several real‐world datasets and highlight the advantages of our model compared to the other state‐of‐the‐art techniques proposed in the literature. We also show the improved performance of the proposed algorithm in related problems such as missing data imputation and regression analysis compared to some of the state‐of‐the‐art methods. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Statistical Analysis and Data Mining 3: 332‐349, 2010
Perceived contribution of indicator systems to sustainable development in developing countries
Authors: Krank Sabrina , Wallbaum Holger , Grêt‐Regamey Adrienne
Published: September 2010

The contribution of indicators and indicator systems to sustainable development is discussed controversially – from positive and limited to negative impacts. Yet, the perception of the potential and risks of sustainability indicator systems influences the success of their implementation. In view of this correlation and the existing research gaps, we investigate the perceived contribution of indicator systems to sustainable development in five Asian cities of developing countries. Thirty interviews with local key actors have been held and a Qualitative Content Analysis has been conducted, drawing on the interview material. Results include a typology of positive and negative contributions based on the type of indicator systems' use, as well as a quantitative description of the level of awareness of different actors. Perceived positive and negative contributions are discussed considering the actors' functions, experiences and cities. The research shows that developers of sustainability indicator systems and scholars have the most awareness concerning risks whereas users and potential users are lacking this, and it portrays future implementation requirements. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd and ERP Environment.
The analysis of case cohort design in the presence of competing risks with application to estimate the risk of delayed cardiac toxicity among Hodgkin Lymphoma survivors
Authors: Pintilie Melania , Bai Yan , Yun Lingsong , Hodgson David C.
Published: September 2010

The case‐cohort design is an economical solution to studying the association between an exposure and a rare disease. When the disease of interest has a delayed occurrence, then other types of event may preclude observation of the disease of interest giving rise to a competing risk situation. In this paper, we introduce a modification of the pseudolikelihood proposed by Prentice (Biometrika 1986; 73:1–11) for the analysis of case‐cohort design, to accommodate the existence of competing risks. The modification is based on the Fine and Gray (J. Amer. Statist. Assoc. 1999; 94:496–509) approach to enable the modeling of the hazard of subdistribution. We show through simulations that the estimate that maximizes this modified pseudolikelihood is almost unbiased. The predictive probabilities based on the model are close to the theoretical probabilities. The variance for the estimates can be calculated using the jackknife approach. An application of this method on the analysis of late cardiac morbidity among Hodgkin Lymphoma survivors is presented. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The Wnt/β-Catenin Signaling Pathway Tips the Balance Between Apoptosis and Reprograming of Cell Fusion Hybrids
Authors: Lluis Frederic , Pedone Elisa , Pepe Stefano , Cosma Maria Pia
Published: September 2010

Cell-cell fusion contributes to cell differentiation and developmental processes. We have previously showed that activation of Wnt/β-catenin enhances somatic cell reprograming after polyethylene glycol (PEG)-mediated fusion. Here, we show that neural stem cells and ESCs can fuse spontaneously in cocultures, although with very low efficiency (about 2%), as the hybrids undergo apoptosis. In contrast, when Wnt/β-catenin signaling is activated in ESCs and leads to accumulation of low amounts of β-catenin in the nucleus, activated ESCs can reprogram somatic cells with very high efficiency after spontaneous fusion. Furthermore, we also show that different levels of β-catenin accumulation in the ESC nuclei can modulate cell proliferation, although in our experimental setting, cell proliferation does not modulate the reprograming efficiency per se. Overall, the present study provides evidence that spontaneous fusion occurs, while the survival of the reprogramed clones is strictly dependent on induction of a Wnt-mediated reprograming pathway.
Expression and Proliferation-Promoting Role of Diversin in the Neuronally Committed Precursor Cells Migrating in the Adult Mouse Brain
Authors: Ikeda Makiko , Hirota Yuki , Sakaguchi Masanori , Yamada Osamu , Kida Yasuyuki S. , Ogura Toshihiko , Otsuka Takanobu , Okano Hideyuki , Sawamoto Kazunobu
Published: September 2010

The subventricular zone (SVZ) is the largest neurogenic region in the adult rodent brain. In the adult SVZ, unlike in the embryonic brain, neuronally committed precursor cells (neuroblasts) maintain their proliferative activity while migrating toward the olfactory bulb (OB), suggesting that they are inhibited from exiting the cell cycle. Little is known about the mechanisms underlying the unique ability of adult neuroblasts to proliferate during migration. Here, we studied the expression and function of Diversin, a component of the Wnt signaling pathways. In the neonatal and adult mouse brain, Diversin expression was observed in neuroblasts and mature neurons in the SVZ and hippocampus. Retrovirus-mediated overexpression of Diversin promoted the proliferation of neuroblasts and increased the number of neuroblasts that reached the OB. Conversely, the knockdown of Diversin decreased the proliferation of neuroblasts. Our results indicate that Diversin plays an important role in the proliferation of neuroblasts in the SVZ of the adult brain.
Recent Progress in Neural Probes Using Silicon MEMS Technology
Authors: Ruther Patrick , Herwik Stanislav , Kisban Sebastian , Seidl Karsten , Paul Oliver
Published: September 2010

Extracellular recordings from the brain are the basis for the fundamental understanding of the complex interaction of electrical signals in neural information transfer. Going beyond wire electrodes and bundles of electrode wires such as tetrodes, multielectrode arrays based on silicon technologies are receiving growing attention, since they enable a pronounced increase in the number of recording sites per probe shaft. In this paper, recent innovations contributed by the authors to the development of probe arrays based on microelectromechanical system (MEMS) technologies within the EU‐funded research projectNeuroProbesare described. The resulting structures include passive electrode arrays based on single‐shaft and four‐shaft probes comprising nine planar electrodes per shaft with lengths of up to 8 mm. Further, active probe arrays with complementary metal–oxide–semiconductor (CMOS) circuitry integrated on the probe shaft, enabling the arrangement of 188 electrodes in two columns along a 4‐mm‐long probe shaft with an electrode pitch of only 40 µm, are described. These active probes were developed for an electronic depth control. Further, the paper reports assembly technologies for combining the probe arrays with highly flexible ribbon cables. Applications of the probes inin vivoexperiments are summarized. © 2010 Institute of Electrical Engineers of Japan. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Localization of a Partial Discharge Source Using Maximum Likelihood Estimation
Authors: Ishimaru Hirokazu , Kawada Masatake
Published: September 2010

Analyzing the electromagnetic waves generated by partial discharges is effective to assess insulation degeneration. In this paper, we describe a locating method for a partial discharge source based on maximum likelihood estimation. This method uses the root mean square and the direction of arrival of partial discharge signals which are calculated from measurement data obtained using sensors. This information is integrated using the maximum likelihood method. In this case, only the signals received in a good reception condition are used because the signals affected by multipath effects can decrease the estimation accuracy. This paper considers the case that apparatuses interrupt the direct paths from a partial discharge source to sensors. The capability of the proposed method was confirmed by simulations using the finite difference time domain method. The results include the comparison of performance for the number of sensors and show that this method has enough resolution to detect partial discharge sources. Copyright © 2010 Institute of Electrical Engineers of Japan. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Incorporating Penalty Function to Reduce Spill in Stochastic Dynamic Programming Based Reservoir Operation of Hydropower Plants
Authors: Kumar Jha Deependra , Yorino Naoto , Zoka Yoshifumi , Sasaki Yutaka , Hayashi Yuki , Iwata Kajunoni , Oe Ryuji
Published: September 2010

This paper proposes a framework that includes a penalty function incorporated stochastic dynamic programming (SDP) model in order to derive the operation policy of the reservoir of a hydropower plant, with an aim to reduce the amount of spill during operation of the reservoir. SDP models with various inflow process assumptions (independent and Markov‐I) are developed and executed in order to derive the reservoir operation policies for the case study of a storage type hydropower plant located in Japan. The policy thus determined consists of target storage levels (end‐of‐period storage levels) for each combination of the beginning‐of‐period storage levels and the inflow states of the current period. A penalty function is incorporated in the classical SDP model with objective function that maximizes annual energy generation through operation of the reservoir. Due to the inclusion of the penalty function, operation policy of the reservoir changes in a way that ensures reduced spill. Simulations are carried out to identify reservoir storage guide curves based on the derived operation policies. Reservoir storage guide curves for different values of the coefficient of penalty function α are plotted for a study horizon of 64 years, and the corresponding average annual spill values are compared. It is observed that, with increasing values of α, the average annual spill decreases; however, the simulated average annual energy value is marginally reduced. The average annual energy generation can be checked vis‐à‐vis the average annual spill reduction, and the optimal value of α can be identified based on the cost functions associated with energy and spill. © 2010 Institute of Electrical Engineers of Japan. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Phase Load Balancing in Distribution Power System Using Discrete Passive Compensator
Authors: Xuan Tung Nguyen , Fujita Goro , Horikoshi Kazuhiro
Published: September 2010

This paper describes a new proposal to deal with the unbalanced phase loading phenomenon in power distribution systems. Discrete switched passive shunt compensators such as reactors or capacitor banks are considered as the means to compensate for the imbalance. The discrete switched passive compensator offers advantages in term of installation cost and simplifies the maintenance process. A new algorithm is developed to calculate the size of discrete compensators, and this algorithm incorporates the unbalanced power flow calculation module and the optimal compensator sizing module. In addition, the algorithm is written in MATLAB language and tested on an actual three phase‐three wire distribution feeder. Extensive tests have validated the effectiveness of the proposal and shown that this proposal can be a useful tool for any electrical utilities. Copyright © 2010 Institute of Electrical Engineers of Japan. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
A New Simple Model of Direct Spectral Irradiance with Easily Observable Atmospheric Parameters
Authors: Oke Shinichiro , Fukushige Naoyuki , Kemmoku Yoshishige , Takikawa Hirofumi , Sakakibara Tateki , Araki Kenji
Published: September 2010

Direct irradiance and direct spectral irradiance were measured for 16 months along with other basic atmospheric parameters. The direct irradiance changed smoothly on a clear day and fluctuated on a fair day. Then, we considered the possibility of a new, simple model of direct spectral irradiance expressed with fewer atmospheric parameters and applicable for even fair days. This new model, called DISPEC, can calculate the direct spectral irradiance from basic atmospheric parameters for wavelengths >400 nm. In DISPEC, the ozone absorption was ignored and the thin cloud effect was taken into account as a new parameter, which was considered to be proportional to the direct irradiance, instead of aerosol parameters. The performance of DISPEC was then compared with that of a well‐known model of SPCTRAL2. Although the calculation results by SPCTRAL2 exhibited considerable error, especially in visible wavelength range on a fair day, those calculated using DISPEC showed good agreement with observed data on both clear and fair days. © 2010 Institute of Electrical Engineers of Japan. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Automatic Estimation of Gestational Age in Ultrasound Images Based on Direct Least‐Squares Fitting of Ellipse
Authors: Marhaban M. H. , Kaid Rakeeb S. , Mohd Noor Samsul B.
Published: September 2010

Measurement of the fetal head biparietal diameter (BPD) and head circumference (HC) is crucial for estimation of fetal age. Due to the noisy nature of ultrasound images and variation in image acquisition and measurement techniques, manual measurements of these parameters are subject to inter‐ and intraobserver variability. In this study, we present an approach for estimation of gestational age in ultrasound images, based on direct least‐squares fitting of an ellipse. The process goes through three steps: image preprocessing, object extraction, and fitting an ellipse to the resultant shape and measuring its parameters. The proposed technique was tested and evaluated on 20 ultrasound images of fetal head. The images had a combination of noise and low contrast. Excellent linear correlation between manual and automatic measurement was obtained, which verifies the reliability of the proposed automatic approach. © 2010 Institute of Electrical Engineers of Japan. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Voltage Limiter Calculation Method for Fast Torque Response of IPMSM in Overmodulation Range
Authors: Lerdudomsak Smith , Doki Shinji , Okuma Shigeru
Published: September 2010

In this paper, a voltage limiter calculation method for fast torque response of an interior permanent magnet synchronous motor (IPMSM) when an inverter operates in the overmodulation range is considered. The relation between the torque response of an IPMSM and the voltage phase angle in the overmodulation range is analyzed and, based on this relation, the optimal voltage limiter calculation method that can be realized by real‐time calculation is proposed. By using the proposed method, torque response of an IPMSM can be improved nearly twice as fast as the case of conventional methods. The effectiveness of the proposed method is confirmed by the simulation and experimental results. © 2010 Institute of Electrical Engineers of Japan. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Remote Monitoring Integrated State Variables for AR Model Prediction of Daily Total Building Air‐Conditioning Power Consumption
Authors: Ninagawa Chuzo , Sato Tomotaka
Published: September 2010

It is extremely difficult to predict daily accumulated power consumption of the entire building air‐conditioning facilities because of a huge number of variables. We propose new integrated state variables, i.e. the daily operation amount and the daily operation‐capacity‐weighted average set temperature. Taking advantage of a remote monitoring technology, time series data of the integrated state variables were collected and an autoregressive (AR) model prediction for the daily total power consumption has been tried. © 2010 Institute of Electrical Engineers of Japan. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
A White LED Driver Using a Buck–Boost Converter
Authors: Eguchi Kei , Pongswatd Sawai , Watanabe Toshiya , Pannil Pittaya , Tirasesth Kitti , Sasaki Hirofumi
Published: September 2010

For mobile backlighting applications, a white LED (WLED) driver using a buck–boost converter is proposed in this letter. Unlike conventional converters using boost converters, 2×/1.5× charge pumps, and so on, the proposed converter offers the negative stepped‐down voltage to drive the LED's cathode only when the input voltage is insufficient to drive a 1× transfer mode. Furthermore, unlike the LED backlight using charge pumps, the proposed converter can adjust the output voltage by controlling the duty factor of the clock pulse. Thus, the proposed converter can realize high power efficiency. The validity of the proposed converter is confirmed by simulations and experiments. © 2010 Institute of Electrical Engineers of Japan. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Averaged Index Ratio State‐Space Model and Kalman Filtering
Authors: Polishchuk Alexander Ya.
Published: September 2010

A theoretical model describing joint dynamics of a spot Index (e.g. Libor), an Averaged Index (e.g. BMA) and the respective ratio is suggested. A convolution‐like “coupling” between the two indices is introduced. The model is represented as a system of stochastic algebraic and differential equations. The Kalman Filter technique is proposed as a tool to calibrate the model. Transition from real world to risk‐neutral measure is considered. An example of calibration based on recently observed market rates is provided. A Kalman Filter‐based hedging is discussed.
Complex Logarithms and the Piecewise Constant Extension of the Heston Model
Authors: Afshani Shamim
Published: September 2010

The (Heston, 1993) model features an analytical characteristic function. It is well known that discontinuities can arise in the original formulation of the function, when the complex logarithm therein is restricted to its principal branch. In recent years, however, an alternative formulation has emerged. For this alternative, it has been established that discontinuities cannot arise, within the strip of regularity, when restricting the corresponding complex logarithm in this manner. For a region of this strip, we extend the analysis by allowing for piecewise constant parameters. Within this semi‐analytical framework, our results cater for both European and Forward Starting options.1
Susceptibility and resistance to ethanol in Saccharomyces strains isolated from wild and fermentative environments
Authors: Arroyo‐López F. N. , Salvadó Z. , Tronchoni J. , Guillamón J. M. , Barrio E. , Querol A.
Published: September 2010

In this work, we apply statistical modelling techniques to study the influence of increasing concentrations of ethanol on the overall growth of 29 yeast strains belonging to different Saccharomyces and non‐Saccharomyces species. A modified Gompertz equation for decay was used to objectively estimate the noninhibitory concentration (NIC) and minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) for the assayed strains to ethanol, which are related to the susceptibility and resistance of yeasts to this compound, respectively. A first ANOVA analysis, grouping strains as a function of their respective Saccharomyces species, revealed that S. cerevisiae was the yeast with the highest, and statistically significant, ethanol resistance value. Then, a second factorial ANOVA analysis, using the origin of strains (wild or fermentative) and their taxonomic classification (S. cerevisiae, S. paradoxus or S. bayanus var. uvarum) as categorical predictor variables, showed that no significant differences for the NIC and MIC parameters were found between both ecological niches within the same species, indicative that these physiological characteristics were presumably not modified throughout the adaptation to human‐manipulated fermentative environments. Finally, differences among selected strains with respect to ethanol tolerance were correlated to the initial contents of unsaturated fatty acids, mainly oleic acid. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Two Ala‐Gln Dipeptide‐based Supramolecular Layers Decorated with Amino Acid Residues
Authors: Lou Benyong , Huang Xiaodong , Lin Qi
Published: September 2010

l‐Alanyl‐glutamine dipeptide assembles with CuII ions to give the 2D coordination framework [Cu2(C8H13N3O4)2·2H2O]n (1) in which amino acid residues result in specific void space. In presence of 4,4′‐bipyridine, framework 1 is turned into a binuclear complex [Cu2(C8H13N3O4)2(H2O)2(C10H8N2)·8H2O] (2), which is further linked into a 2D hydrogen‐bonded layer in which amino acid residues induce a hydrogen‐bonded water cluster containing eight water molecules in the void space.
Binuclear Iron(I) Complex Containing Bridging Phenanthrene‐4,5‐dithiolate Ligand: Preparation, Spectroscopy, Crystal Structure, and Electrochemistry
Authors: Mebi Charles A. , Noll Bruce C. , Gao Ruixiao , Karr Derek
Published: September 2010

A diiron hexacarbonyl complex containing bridging phenanthrene‐4,5‐dithiolate ligand is prepared by oxidative addition of Phenanthro[4,5‐cde][1,2]dithiin to Fe2(CO)9. The complex is investigated as a model for the active site of the [Fe–Fe] hydrogenase enzyme. The compound, [(μ‐PNT)Fe2(CO)6]; (PNT = phenanthrene‐4,5‐dithiolate), was characterized by spectroscopic methods (IR, UV/Vis and NMR) and X‐ray crystallography. The IR and proton NMR spectra of [(μ‐PNT)Fe2(CO)6] (4) are in agreement with a PNT ligand attached to a Fe2(CO)6 core. The infrared spectrum of 4 recorded in dichloromethane contains three peaks at 2001, 2040, and 2075 cm–1 corresponding to the stretching frequency of terminal metal carbonyls. X‐ray crystallographic study unequivocally confirms the structure of the complex having a butterfly shape with an Fe–Fe bond length of 2.5365 Å close to that of the enzyme (2.6 Å). Electrochemical properties of [(μ‐PNT)Fe2(CO)6] have been investigated by cyclic voltammetry. The cyclic voltammogram of [(μ‐PNT)Fe2(CO)6] recorded in acetonitrile contains one quasi‐irreversible reduction (E1/2 = –0.84 V vs. Ag/AgCl, Ipc/Ipa = 0.6, ΔEp = 131 V at 0.1 V·s–1) and one irreversible oxidation (Epa = 0.86 V vs. Ag/AgCl). The redox of [(μ‐PNT)Fe2(CO)6] at E1/2 = –0.84 V can be assigned to the one‐electron transfer processes; [FeI–FeI] → [FeI–Fe0] and [FeI–Fe0] → [FeI–FeI].
Melemium Hydrogensulfate H3C6N7(NH2)3(HSO4)3 – the First Triple Protonation of Melem
Authors: Sattler Andreas , Schnick Wolfgang
Published: September 2010

We synthesized melemium hydrogensulfate H3C6N7(NH2)3(HSO4)3 by reaction of melem with 70 % sulfuric acid. The crystal structure was elucidated by single‐crystal XRD (P21/n (no. 14), Z = 4, a = 10.277(2), b = 14.921(3), c = 11.771(2) Å, β = 99.24(3)°, V = 1781.5(6) Å3). H3C6N7(NH2)3(HSO4)3 is the first compound displaying a triple protonation of melem., In this contribution an overview of accessible melemium sulfates depending on the concentration of sulfuric acid is given. Two additional melemium sulfates were identified this way.
Crystal Structures of the Europium and Yttrium Hydroxychromates Eu(OH)(CrO4) and Y(OH)(CrO4); Structural Evolution as a Function of the Ln3+ Ionic Radius
Authors: Phanon Delphine , Gautier‐Luneau Isabelle
Published: September 2010

The compounds Eu(OH)(CrO4) and Y(OH)(CrO4) were obtained under hydrothermal conditions and characterized by single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction analysis. They are isostructural and crystallize in the monoclinic system, space group P21/n (no. 14) with lattice parameters a = 8.278(1) Å, b = 11.400(2) Å, c = 8.393(1) Å, β = 93.76(2)°, V = 790.3(2) Å3, Z = 4, d = 4.79 g·cm–3 for Eu(OH)(CrO4) and a = 8.151(1) Å, b = 11.362(2) Å, c = 8.285(1) Å, β = 94.23(1)°, V = 765.2(2) Å3, Z = 4, d = 3.85 g·cm–3 for Y(OH)(CrO4). The [EuO8] polyhedra form infinite double chains along the a direction, which are connected by common edges and corners. These double chains are related together in the two other directions by the [CrO4]2– tetrahedra to form a three‐dimensional network in which channels appear parallel to the [100] direction. We examine the structural evolution, as a function of the Ln3+ ionic radius, in the series Ln(OH)(CrO4) compounds (with Ln = Nd, Eu, Gd, Tb, Er, Yb) and Y(OH)(CrO4). To determine the best coordination number of each lanthanide and yttrium ions, different calculations of bond valence sum were realized.
Inter-group Disparities in the Distributional Analysis of Human Development: Concepts, Measurement, and Illustrative Applications
Authors: Subramanian Sreenivasan
Published: September 2010

An important feature of most segmented societies is that deprivations and well-being achievements are unequally distributed across well-defined sub-groups of the population, when the latter is partitioned according to a variety of social or geographical categories, such as gender, caste, ethnicity, religion, occupation, sector of origin, or region of domicile. Group disparities are a matter of both instrumental interest in assessing the nature of a society (such as in terms of its propensity for conflict) and intrinsic concern in evaluations of a society's record of ‘horizontal’ distributive justice. One aspect of a study of population heterogeneity would reside in the measurement of inter-group inequalities in the distribution of a society's burdens and benefits. It is this aspect of the problem that is reviewed in the present paper. It is useful to note that group inequality can be categorized into different types (which are nevertheless mutually linked by certain commonalities of purpose and motivation), and a particularly instructive taxonomy is available in a recent paper by Arjun Jayadev and Sanjay Reddy ('Inequalities and Identities’, which is available on the website of the Social Science Research Network, at http://ssrn.com/abstract=1162275 ). The present paper also presents taxonomy of alternative approaches to reckoning group inequality, and discusses a number of real-valued measures of group disparity, mainly based on work in which this author has earlier engaged, by himself or in collaboration.
Negative regulation of immunoreceptor signaling by protein adapters: Shc proteins join the club
Authors: Capitani Nagaja , Lucherini Orso M. , Baldari Cosima T.
Published: September 2010

Protein adapters couple surface receptors to multiple intracellular signaling modules by acting as scaffolds for the assembly of multimolecular complexes responsible for the coordination and amplification of signals. Through the spatiotemporally controlled recruitment of mediators with opposite activities (e.g. protein tyrosine kinases and phosphatases), adapters are implicated not only in signal initiation and propagation, but also in feedback loops for signal extinction. Moreover, adaptors specialized in preventing or dampening signaling have been more recently discovered. Here we shall present of brief overview of the principal adaptors which act as negative regulators of TCR and BCR signaling, with a focus of the mechanisms underlying this function. We shall then discuss our recent findings implicating p66Shc and Rai, two members of the Shc family of cytosolic protein adapters, in the negative control of antigen receptor signaling, and their role as gatekeepers of autoimmunity and leukemia.
Long range dynamic effects of point‐mutations trap a response regulator in an active conformation
Authors: Bobay Benjamin G. , Thompson Richele J. , Hoch James A. , Cavanagh John
Published: September 2010

When a point‐mutation in a protein elicits a functional change, it is most common to assign this change to local structural perturbations. Here we show that point‐mutations, distant from an essential highly dynamic kinase recognition loop in the response regulator Spo0F, lock this loop in an active conformation. This ‘conformational trapping’ results in functionally hyperactive Spo0F. Consequently, point‐mutations are seen to affect functionally critical motions both close to and far from the mutational site.
Association of production factors with milk IgA and IgM concentrations in normal lactating cows
Authors: Zhao Shengguo , Zhang Chungang , Wang Jiaqi , Bu Dengpan , Liu Guanglei , Zhou Lingyun
Published: September 2010

Concentrations of IgA and IgM in milk from normal lactating cows were measured to determine whether they were affected by lactation number, lactation stage, daily milk production, milk composition and somatic cell score (SCS). A total of 284 Chinese Holstein cows showing no signs of mastitis were selected from more than 1600 cows from one farm. Concentrations of IgA and IgM in normal milk were determined by ELISA. Results revealed that average milk IgA and IgM concentrations were 235±11 and 32±3 μg/ml, respectively. IgA and IgM concentrations in milk were found to have an association with lactation number, stage of lactation, daily milk production and SCS. Both SCS and daily milk production were found to be strong significant (P<0·01) direct factors correlating to IgA concentration. Stage of lactation and SCS were found to be strong significant (P<0·01) direct factors correlating to IgM concentration.
Teat anatomy affects requirements for udder preparation in Mediterranean buffaloes
Authors: Ambord Sarah , Stoffel Michael H , Bruckmaier Rupert M
Published: September 2010

The present study was conducted to assess the interrelation between teat anatomy and machine milking in dairy buffaloes raised in Switzerland. A 3-min pre-stimulation induced milk ejection before cluster attachment in most cases and caused an optimal milk removal during machine milking. In an additional experiment, longitudinal cross-section ultrasound was obtained before and after a 3-min pre-stimulation. Teat wall thickness, teat diameter, cisternal diameter and teat canal length were evaluated. It was observed that 3-min pre-stimulation dramatically reduced teat canal length whereas all the other anatomical parameters remained unchanged. The vacuum needed to open the teat canal was also measured before and after a 3-min pre-stimulation by using a special teat cup with only the mouthpiece of the liner remaining on the top of the teat cup (no liner, no pulsation). Without pre-stimulation but after wetting the teat canal by stripping one squirt of milk out of the teat, no milk could be withdrawn with a vacuum up to 39 kPa. However, after pre-stimulation, milk flow occurred in all buffaloes at a vacuum between 16 and 38 kPa. In the last experiment, the teat tissue was examined in slaughtered buffaloes and compared with teat tissue of cows. No difference was noted in histological sections and teat canal length was similar in cows and buffaloes. Proximal to the teat canal, the teat did not pass into an open cistern but the lumen was collapsed. In conclusion, buffaloes need to be well pre-stimulated because the tissue above the teat canal provides additional teat closure before milk ejection. Therefore, milk can only be obtained after pre-stimulation.
Assessment of epithelial cells' immune and inflammatory response toStaphylococcus aureuswhen exposed to a macrolide
Authors: Mazzilli Maria , Zecconi Alfonso
Published: September 2010

Non-specific (innate) immune response plays a major role in defending the udder from bacterial invasion. Moreover, recent investigations suggest that mammary gland epithelial cells (MGEC) could have a large and important role as a source of soluble components of immune defences. Despite many attempts to find other ways to control/prevent mastitis (i.e. vaccine) antimicrobial therapy is still the most used and effective means of curing clinical and subclinical mastitis. However, drug concentrations and therapy durations are far from the optimal in order to reduce costs. Therefore, efficacy of antimicrobial therapy is dependent not only on the substance activity but also on the positive interactions with the host innate immune response. Surprisingly, information on these interactions is rather scarce in the mastitis field. A simple experimental model was developed based on BME-UV cell line,Staphylococcus aureusas a challenge and a macrolide as an antimicrobial to assess the interactions among epithelial cells,Staph. aureusand the potential effects of antimicrobials on the immune system. The results of this study confirmed that tylosin has good antimicrobial activity against both intracellular and extracellularStaph. aureusin bovine MGEC without affecting cell functions. In this study, a significant down-regulation of IL-1 and IL-6 was observed, while TNF and IL-8 expression rate numerically increased, but differences were not significant. To our knowledge, this is the first paper assessing the concentration of two lysosomal enzymes, lysozyme and N-acetyl-β-d-glucosaminidase (NAGase), inStaph. aureus-stimulated MGEC. The results of this study confirmed that tylosin could have a significant effect on the release of these enzymes. Moreover, even if both enzymes have a similar substrate as a target, the results suggest different secretion mechanisms and an influence of antimicrobial treatment on these mechanisms. Successful mastitis cure is the result of achieving the optimal efficiency of both innate immune defences and therapeutical activities, by means of killing bacteria without eliciting an excessive inflammatory response. Therefore, antimicrobials for mastitis therapy should be selected not only on bacterial sensitivity, but also for their positive interactions with the innate immune response of the mammary gland. This study showed that an in-vitro model based onStaph. aureuschallenge on MGEC could be helpful in assessing both the intracellular and extracellular activity of antimicrobials and their influence on epithelial cell immune and inflammatory response.
Fluorometric determination of uric acid in bovine milk
Authors: Larsen Torben , Moyes Kasey M
Published: September 2010

The primary objective of this study is to validate a new fast method for determination of uric acid in milk. The method is based on an enzymatic-fluorometric technique that requires minimal pre-treatment of milk samples. The present determination of uric acid is based on the enzymatic oxidation of uric acid to 5-hydroxyisourate via uricase where the liberated hydrogen peroxide reacts with 10-acetyl-3,7-dihydroxyphenoxazine via peroxidase and the fluorescent product, resorufin, is measured fluorometrically. Fresh composite milk samples (n=1,072) were collected from both Jersey (n=38) and Danish Holstein (n=106) cows from one local herd. The average inter- and intra-assay variations were 7·1% and 3·0%, respectively. Percent recovery averaged 103·4, 107·0 and 107·5% for samples spiked with 20, 40 or 60 μmof standard, respectively, with a correlation (r=0·98;P<0·001) observed between the observed and expected uric acid concentrations. A positive correlation (r=0·96;P<0·001) was observed between uric acid concentrations using the present method and a reference assay. Storage at 4°C for 24 h resulted in lower (P<0·01) uric acid concentrations in milk when compared with no storage or samples stored at −18°C for 24 h. Addition of either allopurinol (a xanthine oxidase inhibitor) or dimethylsulfoxide (a solvent for allopurinol) did not affect milk uric acid concentrations (P=0·96) and may indicate that heat treatment before storage and analysis was sufficient to degrade xanthine oxidase activity in milk. No relationship was observed between milk uric acid and milk yield and milk components. Authors recommend a single heat treatment (82°C for 10 min) followed by either an immediate analysis of fresh milk samples or storage at −18°C until further analysis.