bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Item response theory in educational assessment and evaluation
Authors: Glas Cees A.W.
Published: November 2014

Item response theory provides a useful and theoretically well-founded framework for educational measurement. It supports such activities as the construction of measurement instruments, linking and equating measurements, and evaluation of test bias and differential item functioning. It further provides underpinnings for item banking and flexible test administration designs, such as multiple matrix sampling, flexi-level testing, and computerized adaptive testing. First, a concise introduction to the principles of IRT models is given. The models discussed pertain to dichotomous items (items that are scored as either correct or incorrect) and polytomous items (items with partial credit scoring, such as most types of openended questions and performance assessments). Second, it is shown how an IRT measurement model can be enhanced with a structural model, such as, for instance, an analysis of variance model, to relate data from achievement and ability tests to students’ background variables, such as socio-economic status, intelligence or cultural capital, to school variables, and to features of the schooling system. Two applications are presented. The first one pertains to equating and linking of assessments, and the second one to a combination of an IRT measurement model and a multilevel linear model useful in school effectiveness research.
La détermination de standards minimaux dans le cadre d’indicateurs de résultats
Authors: Rocher Thierry
Published: November 2014

Les questions méthodologiques que soulève la mise au point de standards minimaux sont discutées à travers l’exemple d’un dispositif français d’évaluation destiné à produire des indicateurs de résultats du système éducatif. Une attention particulière est portée sur la méthode employée pour fixer les seuils de performance.
Validation d’un instrument mesurant le climat d’études perçu par les étudiants universitaires
Authors: Genoud Philippe A.
Published: November 2014

Cet article présente la validation en français d’un instrument permettant d’appréhender le climat social des études, tel que perçu par des étudiants universitaires. Plus spécifiquement, cet outil se focalise sur les dimensions liées au domaine des relations interpersonnelles, telles qu’elles apparaissent dans le College and University Classroom Environment Inventory (CUCEI; Fraser & Treagust, 1986). Dans un premier temps, une analyse factorielle exploratoire permet de mettre en évidence quatre composantes principales. Dans un second temps, une analyse factorielle confirmatoire étaye la présence de cette structure avec les facteurs Personnalisation, Implication, Cohésion et Satisfaction. La version finale comporte 20 items et possède des qualités psychométriques très satisfaisantes.
Problems in and Sources for the Study of Economic Fluctuations 1660–1800
Authors: Cullen Louis
Published: November 2014

Economic fluctuations pose practical as well as theoretical problems. War, credit conditions (including bank failures), weather, external demand (important for a small economy, especially in war time) were the main influences affecting the level of activity. There was some synchronisation between Irish conditions and the level of demand in foreign ports until 1770. Thereafter English influences predominated. Runs of data for trade and revenue are not time-sensitive for conditions within the year. The precise dating of an upturn or of nadir points in activity remains difficult. Hence price data and exchange rates are vital. Commodity prices are abundant from the 1750s; Dublin exchange rates on London were published regularly only from the late 1770s (in contrast to a perfect run of London rates on Dublin). The letters of merchants and of land agents, where available, are a sensitive source.
Pamphlets, Legislators and the Irish Economy: 1727–49
Authors: Rees Gordon
Published: November 2014

A significant outcome of the revolution in the writing of Irish economic and social history in the 1960s and 1970s was the development among historians of a sceptical approach to contemporary pamphlets. With pamphleteers' comments on social and economic conditions no longer regarded as reliable, historians became reluctant to use the pamphlet literature. Now, almost half a century later, it is time to ask whether this scepticism has been carried too far. This article reassesses the value of contemporary pamphlets to the historian by analysing the political and economic pamphlets of the period between 1727 and 1749 in the context of other contemporary comment and practical political action. Using the correspondence of various leading political figures and the legislative record of the Irish parliament, the article seeks to evaluate the potential of the pamphlet literature as a guide to the preoccupations of the political elite and wider contemporary society. The article also re-examines the relationship between pamphlets and the political and economic realities, asking whether the pamphlet literature provides a better refection of contemporary political and economic trends than has previously been acknowledged.
‘I have a Notion of going off to India’: Colonel Alexander Porter and Irish Recruitment to the Indian Medical Service, 1855–96
Authors: Shepard Christopher
Published: November 2014

During the second half of the nineteenth century, Ireland became one of the leading centres for medical education in the British Isles. By the 1860s, Irish doctors could be found throughout the empire, with over half of graduates migrating to Britain or joining its uniformed medical services. This article follows the career of one such doctor: Colonel Alexander Porter. Trained at Queens' College Belfast, Porter joined the Indian Medical Service in 1865, serving as Principal of the Madras Medical College and Deputy Surgeon General of the Madras Medical Establishment before his retirement in 1895. Using Porter's diaries, this article aims to broaden our understanding of the Irish medical diaspora and its role in the spread of western scientific medicine and colonial rule in British India.
‘Quenching the Prairie Fire’
Authors: McElligott Richard
Published: November 2014

The establishment of the Gaelic Athletic Association in November 1884 ushered in a sporting revolution in Ireland. Within four years it was by far the largest sports body in the country. Yet despite this remarkable initial success, the 1890s would witness its almost total disintegration. The accepted historiography has tended to concentrate disproportionately on the impact of idiosyncratic factors such as the Parnell split on the GAA's fortunes at this time. Instead, this article argues that the effects of political dissension represented only the Association's death knell. It contends that by 1890, the GAA was already in a virtual state of collapse due to the effects of economic recession and mass emigration, and the impact of factors affecting other contemporary sports bodies such as poor administration, ill-defined playing rules and alcohol fuelled hooliganism.
Variance predicts salience in central sensory processing
Authors: Hermundstad Ann M , Briguglio John J , Conte Mary M , Victor Jonathan D , Balasubramanian Vijay , Tkačik Gašper
Published: November 2014

Information processing in the sensory periphery is shaped by natural stimulus statistics. In the periphery, a transmission bottleneck constrains performance; thus efficient coding implies that natural signal components with a predictably wider range should be compressed. In a different regime—when sampling limitations constrain performance—efficient coding implies that more resources should be allocated to informative features that are more variable. We propose that this regime is relevant for sensory cortex when it extracts complex features from limited numbers of sensory samples. To test this prediction, we use central visual processing as a model: we show that visual sensitivity for local multi-point spatial correlations, described by dozens of independently-measured parameters, can be quantitatively predicted from the structure of natural images. This suggests that efficient coding applies centrally, where it extends to higher-order sensory features and operates in a regime in which sensitivity increases with feature variability.
Low‐Temperature N2 Binding to Two‐Coordinate L2Fe0 Enables Reductive Trapping of L2FeN2− and NH3 Generation
Authors: Ung Gaël , Peters Jonas C.
Published: November 2014

The two‐coordinate [(CAAC)2Fe] complex [CAAC=cyclic (alkyl)(amino)carbene] binds dinitrogen at low temperature (T<−80 °C). The resulting putative three‐coordinate N2 complex, [(CAAC)2Fe(N2)], was trapped by one‐electron reduction to its corresponding anion [(CAAC)2FeN2]− at low temperature. This complex was structurally characterized and features an activated dinitrogen unit which can be silylated at the β‐nitrogen atom. The redox‐linked complexes [(CAAC)2FeI][BArF4], [(CAAC)2Fe0], and [(CAAC)2Fe−IN2]− were all found to be active for the reduction of dinitrogen to ammonia upon treatment with KC8 and HBArF4⋅2 Et2O at −95 °C [up to (3.4±1.0) equivalents of ammonia per Fe center]. The N2 reduction activity is highly temperature dependent, with significant N2 reduction to NH3 only occurring below −78 °C. This reactivity profile tracks with the low temperatures needed for N2 binding and an otherwise unavailable electron‐transfer step to generate reactive [(CAAC)2FeN2]−.
Threading Chalcogenide Layers with Polymer Chains
Authors: Xiong Wei‐Wei , Miao Jianwei , Ye Kaiqi , Wang Yue , Liu Bin , Zhang Qichun
Published: November 2014

Inserting polymers into a crystalline inorganic matrix to understand the structure, position, and the structure–property relationships of the resulting composites is important for designing new inorganic‐organic materials and tuning their properties. Single crystals of polymer‐chalcogenide composites were successfully prepared by trapping polyethyleneglycol within a selenidostannate matrix under surfactant‐thermal conditions. This work might provide a new strategy for preparing novel crystalline polymer‐inorganic composites through encapsulating polymer chains within inorganic matrices.
Low‐SES Children's Eyewitness Memory: The Effects of Verbal Labels and Vocabulary Skills
Authors: Chae Yoojin , Kulkofsky Sarah , Debaran Francisco , Wang Qi , Hart Sybil L.
Published: November 2014

This study examined the effects of the verbal labels procedure and vocabulary skills on low‐socioeconomic status (SES) preschool children's eyewitness memory. Children (N =176) aged 3–5 years witnessed a conflict event and were then questioned about it in either a standard or a verbal labels interview. Findings revealed that children with higher rather than lower vocabulary skills produced more complete and accurate memories. Children who were given the verbal labels interview recalled more information, which included both correct and incorrect details. Overall, the verbal labels procedure did not improve children's performance on direct questions, but children with low vocabulary skills answered direct questions more accurately if they were given the verbal labels interview than when they were not. Implications of the findings for memory performance of low‐SES children are discussed. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Natural history of chronic myelomonocytic leukemia: gene sequencing identifies multiple clonal molecular abnormalities associated with rapid progression to acute myeloid leukemia
Authors: Xiang Zhifu , Kaur Varinder , Aburiziq Ibrahim K. , Mehta Paulette , Emanuel Peter , Schichman Steven A.
Published: November 2014

Key Clinical Message

Gene panel sequencing in a CMML patient without any detectable genetic abnormality by conventional genetic studies identified four concurrent somatic mutations in three genes. Gene panel mutation analysis is a rapidly emerging clinical tool to demonstrate the clonality in hematologic malignancies, and to identify the potential targets for therapy.
Hydrodynamic‐Analogy‐Based Modeling Approach for Distillative Separation of Organic Systems with Elevated Viscosity
Authors: Wolf Tim S. , Bradtmöller Christian , Scholl Stephan , Kenig Eugeny Y.
Published: November 2014

A modeling approach based on hydrodynamic analogies is applied to predict the influence of elevated viscosity on the separation efficiency of distillation processes in structured packed columns. An advantage of this approach compared to traditional models based on the film theory is that separation columns can be described without empirical mass transfer coefficient correlations. The separation efficiency was evaluated for two systems with distinct viscosities at different gas and liquid loads and various operating pressures. Simulated concentration profiles and height of a theoretical plate (HETP) values were compared with the data obtained from own experiments. The developed model is capable of correctly predicting the differences in the HETP values of the two evaluated systems.
Bending Nanofibers into Nanospirals: Coordination Chemistry as a Tool for Shaping Hydrophobic Assemblies
Authors: Kossoy Elizaveta , Weissman Haim , Rybtchinski Boris
Published: November 2014

In the current work, we demonstrate how coordination chemistry can be employed to direct self‐assembly based on strong hydrophobic interactions. To investigate the influence of coordination sphere geometry on aqueous self‐assembly, we synthesized complexes of the amphiphilic perylene diimide terpyridine ligand with the first‐row transition‐metal centers (zinc, cobalt, and nickel). In aqueous medium, aggregation of these complexes is induced by hydrophobic interactions between the ligands. However, the final shapes of the resulting assemblies depend on the preferred geometry of the coordination spheres typical for the particular metal center. The self‐assembly process was characterized by UV/Vis spectroscopy, zeta potential measurements, and cryogenic transmission electron microscopy (cryo‐TEM). Coordination of zinc(II) and cobalt(II) leads to the formation of unique nanospiral assemblies, whereas complexation of nickel(II) leads to the formation of straight nanofibers. Notably, coordination bonds are utilized not as connectors between elementary building blocks, but as directing interactions, enabling control over supramolecular geometry.
ChemInform Abstract: Syntheses, Structures, Optical Properties, and Electronic Structures of KBaMSe3 (M: As, Sb).
Authors: Yin Wenlong , Feng Kai , Kang Lei , Kang Bin , Deng Jianguo , Lin Zheshuai , Yao Jiyong , Wu Yicheng
Published: November 2014

KBaAsSe3 (I) is prepared by solid state reaction of KAsSe2 and BaSe in a molar ratio of 1:3 (evacuated silica tube, 1273 K, 2 d, controlled cooling).
ChemInform Abstract: A New Class of Homogeneous Visible‐Light Photocatalysts: Molecular Cerium Vanadium Oxide Clusters.
Authors: Seliverstov Andrey , Streb Carsten
Published: November 2014

The structures of compounds (III) and (VI) are determined by single crystal XRD.
ChemInform Abstract: Iron(II)‐Catalyzed Intramolecular Olefin Aminofluorination.
Authors: Lu Deng‐Fu , Liu Guan‐Sai , Zhu Cheng‐Liang , Yuan Bo , Xu Hao
Published: November 2014

A novel Fe(II)‐catalyzed diastereoselective olefin aminofluorination to transform allylic alcohol derivatives to side chain fluorinated oxazolidinones is developed.
ChemInform Abstract: Alkene‐Assisted Nickel‐Catalyzed Regioselective 1,4‐Addition of Organoboronic Acid to Dienones: A Direct Route to All‐Carbon Quaternary Centers.
Authors: Hong Ya‐Chun , Gandeepan Parthasarathy , Mannathan Subramaniyan , Lee Wei‐Tse , Cheng Chien‐Hong
Published: November 2014

A nickel‐catalyzed, highly regioselective conjugate addition of boronic acids to dienones to form 1,4‐addition products with an all‐carbon quaternary center is described.
ChemInform Abstract: Palladium‐Catalyzed Double Activation and Arylation of 2° and 3° C(sp3)—H Bonds of the Norbornane System: Formation of a C—C Bond at the Bridgehead Carbon and Bridgehead Quaternary Stereocenter.
Authors: Parella Ramarao , Babu Srinivasarao Arulananda
Published: November 2014

All reactions proceed diastereoselectively.
ChemInform Abstract: The Use of Silyl Ketene Acetals and Enol Ethers in the Catalytic Enantioselective Alkylative Ring Opening of Oxa/Aza Bicyclic Alkenes.
Authors: Zhang Lei , Le Christine M. , Lautens Mark
Published: November 2014

Several further transformations of the primary reaction products are described.
ChemInform Abstract: Highly Efficient and Generalized Asymmetric Synthesis of Quaternary Stereogenic Carbon‐Containing β‐Amino Indanones/Indanoles via Mannich‐Type Additions Between 1‐Indanones and N‐tert‐Butanesulfinylketimines.
Authors: Wu Lingmin , Xie Chen , Mei Haibo , Soloshonok Vadim A. , Han Jianlin , Pan Yi
Published: November 2014

Compound (IIIa) can be further transformed to the corresponding β‐amino alcohol by stereoselective reduction of its ketone moiety.
ChemInform Abstract: Reaction of Corey Ylide with α,β‐Unsaturated Ketones: Tuning of Chemoselectivity Toward Dihydrofuran Synthesis.
Authors: Chagarovsky Alexey O. , Budynina Ekaterina M. , Ivanova Olga A. , Villemson Elena V. , Rybakov Victor B. , Trushkov Igor V. , Melnikov Mikhail Ya.
Published: November 2014

The chemoselective synthesis of 2,3‐dihydrofurans via Corey‐Chaykovsky reaction is studied.
ChemInform Abstract: Facile Synthesis of 3‐Aryloxindoles via Broensted Acid Catalyzed Friedel—Crafts Alkylation of Electron‐Rich Arenes with 3‐Diazooxindoles.
Authors: Zhai Changwei , Xing Dong , Jing Changcheng , Zhou Jun , Wang Chengjin , Wang Dongwei , Hu Wenhao
Published: November 2014

The 3‐Aryloxindoles are obtained with high regioselectivities under mild and metal‐free reaction conditions.
ChemInform Abstract: N‐Heterocyclic Carbene Catalyzed Intramolecular Acylation of Allylic Electrophiles.
Authors: Zhao Ming , Yang Hui , Li Miao‐Miao , Chen Jie , Zhou Ling
Published: November 2014

The first N‐heterocyclic carbene‐catalyzed intramolecular SN2′ substitution reaction of an aldehyde with allylic electrophiles, followed by isomerization to give α,β‐unsaturated chromanones and related compounds is developed.
ChemInform Abstract: Enantioselective Organocatalytic Partial Transfer Hydrogenation of Lactone‐Fused Quinolines.
Authors: Aillerie Alexandre , Lemau de Talance Vincent , Moncomble Aurelien , Bousquet Till , Pelinski Lydie
Published: November 2014

A first organocatalytic transfer hydrogenation of lactone‐fused quinolines to synthesize a range of aza‐podophyllotoxin derivatives (II) is developed.
ChemInform Abstract: Graphite Catalyzed Solvent Free Synthesis of Dihydropyrimidin‐2(1H)‐ones/thiones and Their Antidiabetic Activity.
Authors: Dhumaskar Kashinath L. , Meena Surya Nandan , Ghadi Sanjeev C. , Tilve Santosh G.
Published: November 2014

The title compounds (IV) are obtained by a solvent‐free three‐component condensation reaction between various aromatic aldehydes, ethyl acetoacetate, and urea/thiourea.
ChemInform Abstract: Alkylations and Hydroxymethylations of Pyrazines via Green Minisci‐Type Reactions.
Authors: Bohman Bjorn , Berntsson Benjamin , Dixon Ruby C. M. , Stewart Craig D. , Barrow Russell A.
Published: November 2014

A new general access to (hydroxymethyl)trialkylpyrazines utilizing Minisci‐type chemistry is developed.
ChemInform Abstract: A New Convenient Synthetic Method and Preliminary Pharmacological Characterization of Triazinediones as Prokineticin Receptor Antagonists.
Authors: Congiu Cenzo , Onnis Valentina , Deplano Alessandro , Salvadori Severo , Marconi Veronica , Maftei Daniela , Negri Lucia , Lattanzi Roberta , Balboni Gianfranco
Published: November 2014

A new improved synthetic methodology to form triazinediones as potential antagonists for prokineticin receptors is described.
ChemInform Abstract: Suffrutines A and B: A Pair of Z/E Isomeric Indolizidine Alkaloids from the Roots of Flueggea suffruticosa.
Authors: Wu Zhen‐Long , Zhao Bing‐Xin , Huang Xiao‐Jun , Tang Gen‐Yun , Shi Lei , Jiang Ren‐Wang , Liu Xin , Wang Ying , Ye Wen‐Cai
Published: November 2014

Photoisomerization of the two isomers induced by visible light is described.
ChemInform Abstract: Oxygen Vacancy and Moessbauer Parameters of Fe Doped Tin Oxides
Authors: Nomura K. , Mudarra Nabarro A. M. , Errico L. , Rodriguez Torres C. E.
Published: November 2014

Review: 21 refs.
ChemInform Abstract: Inorganic Chemistry Solutions to Semiconductor Nanocrystal Problems
Authors: Alvarado Samuel R. , Guo Yijun , Ruberu T. Purnima A. , Tavasoli Elham , Vela Javier
Published: November 2014

Review: 126 refs.
ChemInform Abstract: Precisely Engineered Colloidal Nanoparticles and Nanocrystals for Li‐Ion and Na‐Ion Batteries: Model Systems or Practical Solutions?
Authors: Oszajca Marek F. , Bodnarchuk Maryna I. , Kovalenko Maksym V.
Published: November 2014

Review: [58 refs.
ChemInform Abstract: Ruthenium Complexes as Precursors for Chemical Vapor‐Deposition (CVD)
Authors: Gaur Ruchi , Mishra Lallan , Siddiqi M. Aslam , Atakan Burak
Published: November 2014

Review: 160 refs.
ChemInform Abstract: Metallacyclocumulenes: A Theoretical Perspective on the Structure, Bonding, and Reactivity
Authors: Roy Subhendu , Rosenthal Uwe , Jemmis Eluvathingal D.
Published: November 2014

Review: 45 refs.
ChemInform Abstract: Di‐ and Tricationic Organic Salts: An Overview of Their Properties and Applications
Authors: D'Anna Francesca , Noto Renato
Published: November 2014

Review: 104 refs + subrefs
ChemInform Abstract: Fluorinated Sulfoximines: Preparation, Reactions and Applications
Authors: Shen Xiao , Hu Jinbo
Published: November 2014

Review: [36 refs.
ChemInform Abstract: Double Bond Isomerization and Migration — New Playgrounds for Transition Metal‐Catalysis
Authors: Hilt Gerhard
Published: November 2014

Review: 14 refs.
ChemInform Abstract: Outer‐Sphere Ionic Hydrosilylation Catalysis
Authors: Iglesias Manuel , Fernandez‐Alvarez Francisco J. , Oro Luis A.
Published: November 2014

Review: 30 refs.
ChemInform Abstract: Nucleic Acid Ion Structures in the Gas Phase
Authors: Abi‐Ghanem Josephine , Gabelica Valerie
Published: November 2014

Review: 160 refs.
ChemInform Abstract: Development of Multiscale Models for Complex Chemical Systems: From H + H2 to Biomolecules (Nobel Lecture)
Authors: Karplus Martin
Published: November 2014

Review: 59 refs.
ChemInform Abstract: NMR of Liquid Crystals and Micellar Solutions
Authors: D'Errico Gerardino , Paduano Luigi
Published: November 2014

Review: 167 refs.
On the acceleration‐based adaptive inverse control of shaking tables
Authors: Dertimanis Vasilis K. , Mouzakis Harris P. , Psycharis Ioannis N.
Published: November 2014

Accurate reproduction of time series with diverse frequency characteristics is a central issue in structural testing. This is true not only for simple experimental tests performed by reaction walls or shaking tables but also for more sophisticated ones, such as hybrid testing. Especially in the latter case, where actual feedback from an ongoing test is used in the calculation of the next excitation value, any possible mismatch may be fatal for both the validity of the test and the safety. The objective of this study is to propose a framework for the adaptive inverse control of shaking tables, which succeeds in this matching to a certain degree. By formulating a critical set of design specifications that correspond to safety, implementation, robustness and ease of use, the conducted research results in a design that is based on a modified version of the filtered‐X algorithm with very competitive features. These are the following: (i) default operation in hard real‐time and acceleration mode; (ii) very low hardware requirements; (iii) effective cancelation of the shaking table's dynamics; and (iv) robustness against specimen dynamics. For its practical evaluation, the method is applied to shaking table waveform replication tests under the installation of an approximately linear specimen of sufficiently high mass and complex geometry. The results are promising and suggest further research toward this field, especially in conjunction with hybrid testing, as the method retains certain global applicability attributes and it can be easily extended to other transfer systems, apart from shaking tables. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Endoscopic ultrasound‐guided gallbladder drainage for the management of acute cholecystitis (with video)
Authors: Peñas‐Herrero Irene , de la Serna‐Higuera Carlos , Perez‐Miranda Manuel
Published: November 2014

Endoscopic ultrasound‐guided gallbladder drainage (EUS‐GBD) has been introduced as an alternative to percutaneous transhepatic gallbladder drainage for the treatment of acute cholecystitis in non‐surgical candidates. A systematic review of the English language literature through PubMed search until June 2014 was conducted. One hundred and fifty‐five patients with acute cholecystitis treated with EUS‐GBD in eight studies and 12 case reports, and two patients with EUS‐GBD for other causes were identified. Overall, technical success was obtained in 153 patients (97.45%) and clinical success in 150 (99.34%) patients with acute cholecystitis. Adverse events developed in less than 8% of patients, all of them managed conservatively. EUS‐GBD has been performed with plastic stents, nasobiliary drainage tubes, standard or modified tubular self‐expandable metal stents (SEMS) and lumen‐apposing metal stents (LAMS) by different authors with apparently similar outcomes. No comparison studies between stent types for EUS‐GBD have been reported. EUS‐GBD is a promising novel alternative intervention for the treatment of acute cholecystitis in high surgical risk patients. Feasibility, safety and efficacy in published studies from expert centers are very high compared to currently available alternatives. Further studies are needed to establish the safety and long‐term outcomes of this procedure in other practice settings before EUS‐GBD can be widely disseminated.
Determination of multiple phytohormones in fruits by high‐performance liquid chromatography with fluorescence detection using dispersive liquid–liquid microextraction followed by precolumn fluorescent labeling
Authors: Li Guoliang , Lu Shuaimin , Wu Hongliang , Chen Guang , Liu Shucheng , Kong Xiaojian , Kong Weiheng , You Jinmao
Published: November 2014

Plant hormone determination in food matrices has attracted more and more attention because of their potential risks to human health. However, analytical methods for the analysis of multiple plant hormones remain poorly investigated. In the present study, a convenient, selective, and ultrasensitive high‐performance liquid chromatography method for the simultaneous determination of multiple classes of plant hormones has been developed successfully using dispersive liquid–liquid microextraction followed by precolumn fluorescent labeling. Eight plant hormones in fruits including jasmonic acid, 12‐oxo‐phytodienoic acid, indole‐3‐acetic acid, 3‐indolybutyric acid, 3‐indolepropionic acid, gibberellin A3, 1‐naphthylacetic acid, and 2‐naphthaleneacetic acid were analyzed by this method. The conditions employed for dispersive liquid–liquid microextraction were optimized systematically. The linearity for all plant hormones was found to be >0.9993 (R2 values). This method offered low detection limits of 0.19–0.44 ng/mL (at a signal‐to‐noise ratio of 3), and method accuracies were in the range of 92.32–103.10%. The proposed method was applied to determine plant hormones in five kinds of food samples, and this method can achieve a short analysis time, low threshold levels of detection, and a high specificity for the analysis of targeted plant hormones present at trace level concentrations in complex matrices.
Removal of cerebrospinal fluid partial volume effects in quantitative magnetization transfer imaging using a three‐pool model with nonexchanging water component
Authors: Mossahebi Pouria , Alexander Andrew L. , Field Aaron S. , Samsonov Alexey A.
Published: November 2014

Purpose

Parameters of the two‐pool model describing magnetization transfer (MT) in macromolecule‐rich tissues may be significantly biased in partial volume (PV) voxels containing cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). The purpose of this study was to develop a quantitative MT (qMT) method that provides indices insensitive to CSF PV averaging.

Theory and Methods

We propose a three‐pool MT model, in which PV macro‐compartment is modeled as an additional nonexchanging water pool. We demonstrate the feasibility of model parameter estimation from several MT‐weighted spoiled gradient echo datasets. We validated the three‐pool model in numerical, phantom, and in vivo studies.

Results

PV averaging with the free water compartment reduces all qMT parameters, most significantly affecting macromolecular proton fraction (MPF) and cross‐relaxation rate. Monte‐Carlo simulations confirmed stability of the three‐pool model fit. Unlike the standard two‐pool model, the three‐pool model qMT parameters were not affected by PV averaging in simulations and phantom studies. The three‐pool model fit allowed CSF PV correction in brain PV voxels and resulted in good correlation with standard two‐pool model parameters in non‐PV voxels.

Conclusion

Quantitative MT imaging based on a three‐pool model with a non‐exchanging water component yields a set of CSF‐insensitive qMT parameters, which may improve MPF‐based assessment of myelination in structures strongly affected by CSF PV averaging such as brain gray matter. Magn Reson Med 74:1317–1326, 2015. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Parallel‐plate waveguide for volume radio frequency transmission in MRI
Authors: Lu Hai , Shang Shuo , Wang Shumin
Published: November 2014

Purpose

Radiofrequency coils in MRI are narrowband resonant structures. The high‐quality factor makes their performance sensitive to loading and other operating conditions. We developed a new coil to provide volume transmit in a broad frequency band.

Methods

The proposed coil is a parallel‐plate waveguide. When operating in the transverse electromagnetic mode, a uniform magnetic field is generated between the plates for imaging. The impedance of the transverse electromagnetic mode is matched by a broadband matching circuit. The two plates are actively driven with broadband Wilkinson power dividers and combiners. Re‐entrant design is further applied to improve the overall efficiency.

Results

We developed a prototype of a coil to image the human forearm with a bandwidth of more than one octave. Its feasibility was demonstrated by proton imaging and phosphorous spectroscopy at 7T.

Conclusions

The proposed coil structure is compact and relatively easier to construct. It can be applied for volume radiofrequency transmit in MRI in a broad frequency band. Magn Reson Med 74:1482–1491, 2015. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Weaknesses of fingerprint‐based mutual authentication protocol
Authors: Picazo‐Sanchez Pablo , Ortiz‐Martin Lara , Peris‐Lopez Pedro , Bagheri Nasour
Published: November 2014

The Internet of Things is an emerging paradigm, which is used to link physical objects with Internet. One of the most common ways of communicating and identifying objects on Internet of Things is using Radio Frequency IDentification (RFID) systems between different objects. Researchers have focused on developing improvements of RFID authentication protocols that stave off privacy threats and well‐known security problems. Recently, Khor et al. have proposed a new authentication protocol that conforms to the Electronic Product Code Class‐1 Generation‐2 standard (ISO/IEC 18000‐6C for RFID systems). In this paper, we show the vulnerabilities of this authentication protocol concerning to full disclosure, impersonation, traceability, de‐synchronization, and Denial‐of‐Service attacks. These attacks make the protocol unfeasible to introduce it with an adequate security and sufficient privacy protection level. Finally, we present a new protocol, called Fingerprint+ protocol, which is based on ISO/IEC 9798‐2 and ISO/IEC 18000‐6C and whose security is formally verified using BAN logic. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Improving client outcomes whilst maintaining scheme sustainability
Authors: Kerr Kate , Gifford David , Fleming Steven
Published: November 2014

Improving client outcomes whilst maintaining scheme sustainability In 2010 the Transport Accident Commission commenced its journey in placing Client Outcomes as a corporate objective alongside those of Scheme Viability and Client Experience. It was widely agreed to be the right thing to do but also took a leap of faith in that the impact of this focus on the more established scheme measures was at that time unknown. Through the use of both quantitative and qualitative data analysis, this presentation aims to review the hypothesis that including Client Outcomes as a corporate objective would strengthen the management of scheme viability and client experience.
The Return to Work Programme in Malaysia - investing in people
Authors: Bin Aziz Mohammed Mohammed Azman
Published: November 2014

The impression that work can be good for a worker's health is a powerful one especially when it is combined with the idea that returning people to work may also have positive benefits for employers and government, physical and vocational rehabilitation and reintegration assumes even greater significance. The Social Security Organization of Malaysia (SOCSO) is a statutory body governing the Employment Accident Insurance Scheme and the Invalidity Pension Scheme. SOCSO covers over 6 million workers and processes over 70,000 new claims annually. SOCSO introduced the RTW Program in 2007 which is a comprehensive multidisciplinary biopsychosocial rehabilitation program for its Insured Persons who are experiencing disability due to accidents in the workplace or those claiming for invalidity. This rehabilitation program is unique as it involves the concept of “disability management” in which each Insured Person who is referred to the program, is assigned to a Disability Case Manager who is actively involved throughout the return to work process. This presentation discusses the justification of introducing the RTW programme in Malaysia, with reference to the underlying rationale, association between work and rehabilitation, evidence to establish a positive relationship between health and work, and the benefits of RTW for employees, employers and SOCSO. Up to date (December 2013), 11,090 workers were motivated to participate in the SOCSO RTW Programme and 7,881 (71%) have returned to gainful employment. This clearly shows the success of the RTW Programme in not only returning a disabled worker to work but to give them their lives back. Due to this success, SOCSO has started to build its National Rehabilitation Centre for the purpose of RTW which will be ready in mid-2014. However, there is still room for improvements which establish the way forward for SOCSO in creating a more disability-management-centric system.
Performance of a Non Linear Dynamic Vibration Absorbers
Authors: Djemal F. , Chaari F. , Dion J.-L. , Renaud F. , Tawfiq I. , Haddar M.
Published: November 2014

The most common method of vibration control is the use of the dynamic absorbers. Two types of absorbers can be found: Linear and nonlinear. The use of linear absorbers allows reducing vibration but only at the resonance frequency, whereas nonlinear absorbers attenuate vibration on a wide band of frequency. In this paper, a nonlinear two degrees of freedom (DOF) model is developed. A cubic nonlinearity induced by a gap is considered. The objective of the paper is to characterize nonlinear vibration of the system by applying explicit formulation (EF). An experimental study is performed to validate the numerical results. The jump phenomenon is the principal nonlinear dynamic phenomenon observed on both numerical and experimental investigations.
Recent variations in the terminus position, ice velocity and surface elevation of Langhovde Glacier, East Antarctica
Authors: Fukuda Takehiro , Sugiyama Shin , Sawagaki Takanobu , Nakamura Kazuki
Published: November 2014

To improve the understanding of the mechanism driving recent changes in outlet glaciers in East Antarctica, we measured changes in the terminus position, ice flow velocity and surface elevation of the Langhovde Glacier located on the Sôya Coast. From satellite images from 2000–12 and field measurements taken in 2012 the glacier terminus position and flow velocity showed little change between 2003 and 2007. After this quiescent period, the glacier progressively advanced by 380 m and the flow velocity increased near the calving front by 10 m a-1 from 2007–10. No significant change was observed in surface elevation during the study period. The changes in the terminus position and flow velocity imply a reduction in the calving rate from 93 m a-1 (2003–07) to 16 m a-1 (2007–10). This suggests that calving was inhibited by stable sea ice conditions in the ocean. Theses results indicate that the Langhovde Glacier was in a relatively stable condition during the study period, and its terminus position was controlled by the rate of calving under the influence of sea ice conditions.
Ice shelf history determined from deformation styles in surface debris
Authors: Glasser Neil F. , Holt Tom , Fleming Ed , Stevenson Carl
Published: November 2014

This paper presents InSAR-derived ice shelf velocities and observations of surface debris deformation on the McMurdo Ice Shelf (MIS). Ice shelf velocities show that the MIS has a low surface velocity, with debris-laden parts of the ice shelf in the area known as the ‘swirls’ averaging speeds of c. 3 m a-1 increasing to c. 16 m a-1 at the ice front. Analysis of the fold patterns within moraine ridges on the ice surface reveals a deformational history inconsistent with the present velocity measurements. Polyphase, isoclinal folding within moraine ridges at the surface are interpreted to have formed through intense deformation by past ice flow in a NNW orientation. The velocities and styles of deformation indicate that the majority of debris on the ice shelf was originally transported into the area by a large and dynamic ice sheet/ice shelf system entirely different to that of the present configuration. Although the age of this event is unknown, it is possible that this debris has been exposed on the surface of the ice shelf since the last glacial maximum.
Observable interface behaviour and inheritance
Authors: ÁBRAHÁM ERIKA , TRAN THI MAI THUONG , STEFFEN MARTIN
Published: November 2014

This paper formalizes the observable interface behaviour ofopensystems for a strongly-typed, concurrent object-oriented language with single-class inheritance. We formally characterize the observable behaviour in terms of interactions at the program-environment interface. The behaviour is given by transitions between contextual judgments, where the absent environment is represented abstractly as assumption context. A particular challenge is the fact that, when the system is considered as open, code from the environment can be inherited to the component and vice versa. This requires to incorporate an abstract version of the heap into the environment assumptions when characterizing the interface behaviour. We prove the soundness of the abstract interface description.
A Real-Time Score for Collaborative Just-in-Time Composition
Authors: Wyse Lonce , Yew Jude
Published: November 2014

This article explores listening and communications strategies that arise with a collaborative scoring system we are developing for use within improvisational contexts. Performers generate notation on a scrolling score a short time before it is played or rendered into sound. Working a short time in the future allows performers to respond to sound as they would in any improvisatory situation, and yet coordinate their activity through notation in a way typically associated with pre-composed music. The ‘Anticipatory Score’ platform supports the exploration of different kinds of relationships between performers, composers and audience members, and different listening and engagement strategies that affect the musical experience for all participants.
The web-buffet – development and validation of an online tool to measure food choice
Authors: Bucher Tamara , Keller Carmen
Published: November 2014

Objective

To date, no data exist on the agreement of food choice measured using an online tool with subsequent actual consumption. This needs to be shown before food choice, measured by means of an online tool, is used as a dependent variable to examine intake in the general population.

Design

A ‘web-buffet’ was developed to assess food choice.

Setting

Choice was measured as planned meal composition from photographic material; respondents chose preferred foods and proportions for a main meal (out of a possible 144 combinations) online and the validity was assessed by comparison of a meal composed from a web-buffet with actual food intake 24–48 h later. Furthermore, correlations of food preferences, energy needs and health interest with meals chosen from the web-buffet were analysed.

Subjects

Students:n106 (Study I),n32 (Study II).

Results

Meals chosen from the web-buffet (mean=2998 kJ,sd=471 kJ) agreed with actual consumption (rs=0·63,P<0·001) but were on average 367 kJ (10·5 %) lower in energy than consumed meals (mean=3480 kJ,sd=755 kJ). Preferences were highly associated with chosen amounts and health interest was negatively correlated with the energy selected (rs=−0·40,P<0·001).

Conclusions

Meal composition choice in the web-buffet agrees sufficiently well with actual intake to measure food choice as a dependent variable in online surveys. However, we found an average underestimation of subsequent consumption. High correlations of preferences with chosen amounts and an inverse association of health interest with total energy further indicate the validity of the tool. Applications in behavioural nutrition research are discussed.
Rapid detection of single bacteria in unprocessed blood using Integrated Comprehensive Droplet Digital Detection
Authors: Kang Dong-Ku , Ali M. Monsur , Zhang Kaixiang , Huang Susan S. , Peterson Ellena , Digman Michelle A. , Gratton Enrico , Zhao Weian
Published: November 2014

Blood stream infection or sepsis is a major health problem worldwide, with extremely high mortality, which is partly due to the inability to rapidly detect and identify bacteria in the early stages of infection. Here we present a new technology termed ‘Integrated Comprehensive Droplet Digital Detection’ (IC 3D) that can selectively detect bacteria directly from milliliters of diluted blood at single-cell sensitivity in a one-step, culture- and amplification-free process within 1.5–4 h. The IC 3D integrates real-time, DNAzyme-based sensors, droplet microencapsulation and a high-throughput 3D particle counter system. Using Escherichia coli as a target, we demonstrate that the IC 3D can provide absolute quantification of both stock and clinical isolates of E. coli in spiked blood within a broad range of extremely low concentration from 1 to 10,000 bacteria per ml with exceptional robustness and limit of detection in the single digit regime.
Noble-Metal Catalysts for Conversion of Lignocellulose under Hydrogen Pressure
Authors: Kobayashi Hirokazu , Ohta Hidetoshi , Fukuoka Atsushi
Published: November 2014

Noble-metal catalysts are useful for the conversion of recalcitrant and highly oxygenated compounds derived from biomass, since they are remarkably active for the reduction reactions and more stable than base metals under harsh conditions. In this chapter, we show advances in research on the catalysis of noble metals through the hydrolytic hydrogenation and hydrodeoxygenation of lignocellulosic biomass and related compounds as representative reactions in the valorization of biomass. Analytical techniques using high-performance liquid chromatography and gas chromatography are also discussed.
Safety and Practical Aspects of Liquid-Phase Hydrogenation
Authors: Kennema Marco , Theyssen Nils
Published: November 2014

This chapter provides a description of necessary infrastructure for operation of lab-scale, high-pressure reactors. Furthermore, practical hints to improve the selection of the proper design and operation of a reactor vessel, with a focus on material selection and optimization concerning gas–liquid mass transport and heat removal, are discussed. The discussion is directed to improving reaction yields in order to approach the kinetic regime. For the risk assessment of liquid-phase hydrogenation, the hydrogen specific risks need to be considered, especially under the more severe reaction conditions, which are often required for conversion of biomass. Herein, a discussion of a variety of important safety parameters for the operation of larger autoclaves (≥ 500 mL), is given at an introductory level.
General and efficient relay selection for two‐way opportunistic amplify‐and‐forward relaying
Authors: Li Jing , Qian Xiabin , Ge Jianhua , Zhang Chensi
Published: November 2014

Considering the most general case that each node transmits with unequal powers, an efficient relay selection scheme is proposed for the two‐way amplify‐and‐forward (AF) relaying system, which bypasses the need for channel estimation and can be implemented by comparing the product of each relay's local transmit power and its received pilot signalling powers from the two sources. A tight closed‐form lower bound for the system outage probability is derived in Nakagami‐m fading, followed by the analysis of diversity and coding gains. Simulation results are presented to corroborate analysis.
Efficient utilisation of extended bandwidth in 802.11ac with and without overlapping basic service sets
Authors: Fang Juan , Lu I‐Tai
Published: November 2014

The channel bonding proposed in IEEE 802.11ac has the potential to multiply the data rate. However, the backward compatibility with legacy 802.11 stations (STAs) and the overlapping basic service set (OBSS) problem make the available frequency resource severely under‐utilised. The downlink (DL) approach (where the access point (AP) uses the available non‐primary channels to transmit DL data to other 802.11ac STAs) and the relay (RL) approach (where the AP instructs some 802.11ac OBSS STAs to use the available non‐primary channels to transmit uplink data to a pre‐designated RL) are proposed to improve the performance of 802.11ac by efficiently using the under‐utilised spectrum. The simulation results show that the proposed scheme can mitigate the OBSS problem and obtain significantly better performance than the current media access control (MAC) protocol in the 801.11ac draft. In addition, the proposed approaches can work seamlessly with the 802.11ac protocol.
Ionosphere phase decontamination method based on subspace in sky‐wave OTHR
Authors: Bo Chao , Gu Hong , Su Weimin , Chen Jinli
Published: November 2014

In general, ionosphere phase contamination can expand the Bragg peak of sea clutter and the echo signal from a target in sky‐wave over‐the‐horizon radar (OTHR). By exploiting the subspace algorithm, an effective approach of ionosphere phase decontamination is proposed to solve the above‐mentioned problems. In this new scheme, the stronger one of two spreading Bragg peaks is extracted by an adaptive sliding‐window bandpass filter, and the instantaneous phase of the spreading Bragg peak is obtained by the subspace algorithm. Both the theoretical analysis and the experimental results of the real OTHR data have confirmed the feasibility of this new method.
Current‐tunable chaotic jerk circuit based on only one unity‐gain amplifier
Authors: Srisuchinwong B. , Treetanakorn R.
Published: November 2014

A new current‐tunable chaotic jerk circuit is proposed based on a single unity‐gain amplifier. The circuit initially demonstrates a feasible use of a simple unity‐gain amplifier for a chaotic jerk oscillator. Bifurcation is adjustable using a current source. Chaotic attractors are illustrated on an [X,Ẋ] plane and an [f1(X,Ẋ,Ẍ), Ẋ] plane. The latter is revealed numerically and experimentally where f1(X,Ẋ,Ẍ) is a simple algebraic sum of scaled X,Ẋ and Ẍ. A homoclinic orbit is included.