bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The bioanalysis of vinorelbine and 4‐O‐deacetylvinorelbine in human and mouse plasma using high‐performance liquid chromatography coupled with heated electrospray ionization tandem mass–spectrometry
Authors: Damen Carola W. N. , Lagas Jurjen S. , Rosing Hilde , Schellens Jan H. M. , Beijnen Jos H.
Published: June 2009

A sensitive, specific and efficient high‐performance liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry assay for the simultaneous determination of vinorelbine and its metabolite 4‐O‐deacetylvinorelbine in human and mouse plasma is presented. Heated electrospray ionization was applied followed by tandem mass spectrometry. A 50 µL plasma aliquot was protein precipitated with acetonitrile–methanol (1:1, v/v) containing the internal standard vinorelbine‐d3 and 20 µL volumes were injected onto the HPLC system. Separation was achieved on a 50 × 2.1 mm i.d. Xbridge C18 column using isocratic elution with 1 mm ammonium acetate–ammonia buffer pH 10.5–acetonitrile–methanol (28:12:60, v/v/v) at a flow rate of 0.4 mL/min. The HPLC run time was 5 min. The assay quantifies both vinorelbine and 4‐O‐deacetylvinorelbine from 0.1 to 100 ng/mL using sample volumes of only 50 µL. Mouse plasma samples can be quantified using calibration curves prepared in human plasma. Validation results demonstrate that vinorelbine and 4‐O‐deacetylvinorelbine can be accurately and precisely quantified in human and mouse plasma with the presented method. The assay is now in use to support (pre‐)clinical pharmacologic studies with vinorelbine in humans and mice. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Rapid detection of ketamine and norketamine in rat hair using micropulverized extraction and ultra‐performance liquid chromatography–electrospray ionization mass spectrometry
Authors: Inagaki Shinsuke , Makino Hatsune , Fukushima Takeshi , Min Jun Zhe , Toyo'oka Toshimasa
Published: June 2009

A new method for the rapid and simultaneous detection of ketamine and its major metabolite, norketamine, in rat hair has been developed by combining micropulverized extraction and ultraperformance liquid chromatography–electrospray ionization mass spectrometry. By using reversed‐phase UPLC, ketamine and norketamine were well separated within 2 min. Using ketamine‐dosed rat hair, the conditions for micropulverized extraction were optimized, and the limits of detection and quantification of the developed method were found to be 1.7 and 5.7 pg/mg hair for ketamine, respectively. The precisions achieved with this method were slightly better than that obtained with conventional acidic methanol extraction method. Using this proposed method, analysis of the washed rat hair could be completed within 16–17 min. This method is expected to be applied for the analysis of the hair samples of not only rats but also ketamine abusers. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Rapid quantification of levosulpiride in human plasma using RP‐HPLC‐MS/MS for pharmacokinetic and bioequivalence study
Authors: Park Jin‐Hee , Park Yoo‐Sin , Rhim Si‐Youn , Kim Hyun‐Jin , Jhee Ok‐Hwa , Lee Yun‐Sik , Lee Min‐Ho , Shaw Leslie M. , Kang Ju‐Seop
Published: June 2009

A rapid and validated method for analysis of levosulpiride in human plasma using liquid chromatography coupled to tandem mass spectrometry was developed. Levosulpiride and tiapride (IS, internal standard) were extracted from alkalized plasma samples with ethylacetate and separation by RP‐HPLC. Detection was performed by positive ion electrospray ionization in multiple‐reaction monitoring mode, monitoring the transitions m/z 342.1 → m/z 112.2 and m/z 329.1 → m/z 213.2, for quantification of levosulpiride and IS, respectively. The standard calibration curves showed good linearity within the range of 2–200 ng/mL (r2 ≥ 0.9990). The lower limit of quantitation was 2 ng/mL. The retention times of levosulpiride (0.63 min) and IS (0.66 min) presented a significant time saving benefit of the proposed method. No significant metabolic compounds were found to interfere with the analysis. This method offered good precision and accuracy and was successfully applied for the pharmacokinetic and bioequivalence study of a 25 mg of levosulpiride tablet in 24 healthy Korean volunteers. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Racial differences in the associations of neighborhood disadvantage, exposure to violence, and criminal recidivism among female juvenile offenders
Authors: Chauhan Preeti , Reppucci N. Dickon , Turkheimer Eric N.
Published: June 2009

The current study examined the impact of exposure to violence and neighborhood disadvantage on criminal recidivism among Black (n = 69) and White (n = 53) female juvenile offenders. Participants were girls between the ages of 13 and 19 (M = 16.8; SD = 1.2) who were sentenced to secure custody. Using a multi‐method research design, the study assessed neighborhood disadvantage through census level data, exposure to violence through self‐report, and criminal recidivism through official records. Results indicated that Black girls were significantly more likely than White girls to live in disadvantaged neighborhoods, but both reported similar levels of parental physical abuse and witnessing neighborhood violence. In structural equation models, neighborhood disadvantage and witnessing neighborhood violence were indicative of future recidivism for the group as a whole. However, multiple group analyses indicated the existence of race specific pathways to recidivism. Witnessing neighborhood violence was associated with recidivism for Black girls while parental physical abuse was associated with recidivism for White girls. Results suggest that characteristics within the neighborhood play a considerable role in recidivism among female juvenile offenders generally and Black female juvenile offenders, specifically. Race specific risk models warrant further investigation, and may help lawmakers and clinicians in addressing racial disparities in the justice system. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
2D shape manipulation via topology‐aware rigid grid
Authors: Yang Wenwu , Feng Jieqing
Published: June 2009

This paper presents a new method which allows user to manipulate a two‐dimensional shape in an intuitive and flexible way. The shape is discretized as a regular grid. User places handles on the grid and manipulates the shape by moving the handles to the desired positions. To meet the constraints of the user's manipulation, the grid is then deformed in an as‐rigid‐as‐possible way. However, this straightforward approach tends to produce unnatural deformations when the grid resolution is not high enough to capture the topological structure of the shape. In the proposed method, the regular grid is trimmed and only the cells that are inside the fatty regions of the shape are preserved, namely “interior grid.” When user manipulates the shape, the interior grid and the shape boundary curve are deformed with minimum distortions. To make the deformations of the interior grid and the boundary curve consistent, a junction energy is introduced. In this way, the unnatural deformation effects could be effectively removed and the physically plausible results can be obtained. Meanwhile, the proposed approach provides user an intuitive and simple way to adjust the shape global and local stiffnesses. The deformation is formulated as an energy minimization problem. The energy function is non‐quadratic and could be efficiently solved using an iterative solver with the fast summation technique that exploits the interior grid and boundary curve regularities. In addition, the method could be easily extended to manipulate curves and stick figures. Experimental results demonstrate the capability and flexibility of the new method. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Fast simulation of skin sliding
Authors: Yang Xiaosong , Southern Richard , Zhang Jian Jun
Published: June 2009

Skin sliding is the phenomenon of the skin moving over underlying layers of fat, muscle and bone. Due to the complex interconnections between these separate layers and their differing elasticity properties, it is difficult to model and expensive to compute. We present a novel method to simulate this phenomenon at real‐time by remeshing the surface based on a parameter space resampling. In order to evaluate the surface parametrization, we borrow a technique from structural engineering known as the force density method (FDM)which solves for an energy minimizing form with a sparse linear system. Our method creates a realistic approximation of skin sliding in real‐time, reducing texture distortions in the region of the deformation. In addition it is flexible, simple to use, and can be incorporated into any animation pipeline. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Stylized lighting for cartoon shader
Authors: Todo Hideki , Anjyo Ken , Igarashi Takeo
Published: June 2009

In the context of non‐photorealistic imaging, such as digital cel animation, lighting is symbolic and stylized to depict the scene's mood and the geometric or physical features of the objects in the scene. Stylized light and shade should therefore be intentionally animated rather than rigorously simulated. However, it is difficult to achieve smooth animation of light and shade that are stylized with a user's intention, because such stylization cannot be achieved using just conventional 3D lighting. To address this problem, we propose a 3D stylized lighting method, focusing on several stylized effects including straight lighting, edge lighting, and detail lighting which are important features in hand‐drawn cartoon animation. Our method is an extension of the conventional cartoon shader and introduces a light coordinate system for light shape control with smooth animations of light and shade. We also extend a toon mapping process for detailed feature lighting. Having these algorithms in a real‐time cartoon shader, our prototype system allows the interactive creation of stylized lighting animations. We show several animation results obtained by our method to illustrate usefulness and effectiveness of our method. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Interactive chroma keying for mixed reality
Authors: Beato Nicholas , Zhang Yunjun , Colbert Mark , Yamazawa Kazumasa , Hughes Charles E.
Published: June 2009

In Mixed Reality (MR) applications, immersion of virtual objects in captured video contributes to the perceived unification of two worlds, one real, one synthetic. Since virtual actors and surround may appear both closer and farther than real objects, compositing must consider spatial relationships in the resulting world. Chroma keying, often called blue screening or green screening, is one common solution to this problem. This method is under‐constrained and most commonly addressed through a combination of environment preparation and commercial products. In interactive MR domains that impose restrictions on the video camera hardware, such as in experiences using video see‐through (VST) head‐mounted displays (HMD), chroma keying becomes even more difficult due to the relatively low camera quality, the use of m ltiple camera sources (one per eye), and the required processing speed. Dealing with these constraints requires a fast and affordable solution. In our approach, we precondition the chroma key by using principal component analysis (PCA) to obtain usable alpha mattes from video streams in real‐time on commodity graphics processing units (GPUs). In addition, we demonstrate how our method compares to off‐line commercial keying tools and how it performs with respect to signal noise within the video stream. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Pseudo‐dynamics model of a cantilever beam for animating flexible leaves and branches in wind field
Authors: Hu Shaojun , Fujimoto Tadahiro , Chiba Norishige
Published: June 2009

We present a pseudo‐dynamics model of a cantilever beam to visually simulate motions of leaves and branches in a wind field by considering the influence of natural frequency (f0) and damping ratio (e). Our pseudo‐dynamics model consists of a static equilibrium model, which can handle the bending of a curved beam loaded by an arbitrary force in three‐dimensions, and a dynamic motion model that describes the dynamic response of the beam subjected to turbulence. Using the static equilibrium model, we can apply it to controlling the free bending of petioles and branches. Furthermore, we extend it to a surface deformation model that can deform some flexible laminae. Based on a mass spring system, we analyze the property of dynamic response of a cantilever beam in turbulence with various combinations off0ande, and we give some guidelines to determine the combination types of branches and leaves according to their shapes and stiffness. The main advantage of our techniques is that we are able to deform curved branches and some flexible leaves dynamically by taking account of their structures. Finally, we demonstrate that our proposed method is effective by showing various motions of leaves and branches with different model parameters. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Perceptually motivated automatic dance motion generation for music
Authors: Kim Jae Woo , Fouad Hesham , Sibert John L. , Hahn James K.
Published: June 2009

In this paper, we describe a novel method to automatically generate synchronized dance motion that is perceptually matched to a given musical piece. The proposed method extracts 30 musical features from musical data as well as 37 motion features from motion data. A matching process is then performed between the two feature spaces considering the correspondence of the relative changes in both feature spaces and the correlations between musical and motion features. Similarity matrices are introduced to match the amount of relative changes in both feature spaces and correlation coefficients are used to establish the correlations between musical features and motion features by measuring the strength of correlation between each pair of the musical and motion features. By doing this, the progressions of musical and dance motion patterns and perceptual changes between two consecutive musical and motion segments are matched. To demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed approach, we designed and carried out a user opinion study to assess the perceived quality of the proposed approach. The statistical analysis of the user study results showed that the proposed approach generated results that were significantly better than those produced using a random walk through the dance motion database. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Guaranteeing packet order in IBWR optical packet switches with parallel iterative schedulers
Authors: Rodelgo‐Lacruz M. , Pavón‐Mariño P. , González‐Castaño F. J. , García‐Haro J. , López‐Bravo C. , Veiga‐Gonátn J. , Gil‐Castiñeira F. , Raffaelli C.
Published: June 2009

The input‐buffered wavelength‐routed (IBWR) switch is a scalable switch fabric for optical packet switching (OPS) networks. In synchronous operation, when optical packets are of a fixed duration and aligned at switch inputs, the scheduling of this architecture can be characterised by a type of bipartite graph matching problem. This challenges the design of feasible algorithms in terms of implementation complexity and response time. A previous work presented and evaluated the insistent parallel desynchronized block matching (I‐PDBM) algorithm for the IBWR switch. I‐PDBM is a parallel iterative scheduler with a good performance and a simple hardware implementation. However, the algorithm does not maintain the packet sequence. In this paper, we present the I‐PDBM algorithm with packet ordering (OI‐PDBM), which prevents mis‐sequencing and behaves as I‐PDBM in terms of delay, buffer requirements and convergence speed. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Stochastic approach for output SINR computation at SC diversity systems with correlated Nakagami‐m fading
Authors: Milović Daniela M. , Stefanović Mihajlo , Pokrajac Dragoljub M.
Published: June 2009

In this paper, we derive the cumulative distribution function of the signal‐to‐interference + ,noise ratio (SINR) achieved by the selection combining (SC) diversity receiver operating over correlated Nakagami‐m channel in the presence of co‐channel interference. Numerical and simulation results are presented to show the effects of fading severity and signal and interference imbalance on the system's performance. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Outage performance of distributed antenna systems over shadowed Nakagami‐mfading channels
Authors: Chen Hua‐Min , Wang Jun‐Bo , Chen Ming
Published: June 2009

This paper focuses on the distributed antenna system (DAS) over shadowed Nakagami‐mfading channels, and derives an approximate analytical expression for the outage probability. The simulation results show that the approximate analytical expression can provide sufficient precision for evaluating the outage performance of DAS. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Confirmation of Sigillaria Brongniart as a coal‐forming plant in Cathaysia: occurrence from an Early Permian autochthonous peat‐forming flora in Inner Mongolia
Authors: Wang Jun , Feng Zhuo , Zhang Yi , Wang Shi‐Jun
Published: June 2009

A common lycopsid genus, Sigillaria Brongniart, has been recorded most frequently in peat‐forming forests in Europe and North America, but rarely in China. Although Sigillaria, in China, has been found in coal balls and used as evidence that it was a coal‐forming element, it has never been recorded as compression/impressions in peat‐forming settings. Recent investigation of an Early Permian autochthonous peat‐forming flora of the Taiyuan Formation near Wuda, Inner Mongolia, has provided evidence that Sigillaria could be a major element of peat‐forming vegetation in China. Sigillaria is the only arborescent lycopsid acting as a major contributor to peat/coal formation. The genus Sigillaria is another element that China has in common with the Palaeozoic low‐land floras of Europe and North America, enhancing the common floral aspects between the tropical swamp vegetations of the east and west regions of the Palaeotethys Ocean. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Pre‐packin' in the UK
Authors: Walton Peter
Published: June 2009

A pre‐pack administration is one where a deal has already been agreed prior to the company entering administration. The company's business will commonly be sold to the incumbent management team immediately the company is placed into administration. The business survives relatively intact but will have managed to jettison its unsecured debt. The business is saved and jobs are saved. The pre‐pack will usually require the support of the company's bankers. Recent research suggests that pre‐packs may constitute between 50% and 80% of all insolvent going concern sales. The UK version of a pre‐packaged administration appears to have been rare until the administration process under the Insolvency Act 1986 was significantly amended in 2002, permitting a company to be placed into administration without a court order. The UK version of pre‐packaged administration does not involve any plan being approved by different classes of creditor nor for the court to be involved in approving activities of the administrator before or after the plan is put into effect. The paper considers whether or not pre‐pack administrations fit into the statutory framework of the Insolvency Act, the professional ethics requirements of being an insolvency practitioner and the equitable rules governing fiduciaries. Some aspects of the policy underpinning pre‐packs are also considered in particular the decision to allow insolvency practitioners to claim pre‐appointment fees as an expense of the administration. This decision appears to herald a change in government policy. This policy change is also considered. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Contribution of agro‐waste material main components (hemicelluloses, cellulose, and lignin) to the removal of chromium (III) from aqueous solution
Authors: Garcia‐Reyes Refugio Bernardo , Rangel‐Mendez Jose Rene
Published: June 2009

BACKGROUND: Agro‐waste materials can be used as biosorbents of heavy metals in aqueous solution. However, it is necessary to further study the contribution of agro‐waste materials components (i.e. hemicelluloses, cellulose, and lignin) to the heavy metal ions removal from aqueous solution to better understand the biosorption mechanism, and also based on the biosorbents main components, to predict their potential to remove heavy metals.

RESULTS: Cellulose is contained in major proportion (greater than 46%) in the agro‐waste materials reported herein compared with hemicelluloses (from 12% to 26%), lignin (varying from 3% to 10%), and other compounds (22% to 30%) that were removed after the neutral detergent fiber procedure. The identified functional groups in agro‐waste materials and their fractions included hydroxyl, carboxyl, and nitrogen‐containing compounds. Lignin contributed in higher proportion than hemicelluloses to Cr (III) adsorption capacity in both sorghum straw and oats straw. On the other hand lignin was the main fraction responsible for Cr (III) adsorption in agave bagasse.

CONCLUSION: Hemicelluloses and lignin were the main contributors to Cr (III) removal from aqueous solution, and cellulose contained in the agro‐waste adsorbents studied did not seem to participate. Copyright © 2009 Society of Chemical Industry
Enhanced hydrogenotrophic sulfate reduction using Desulfovibrio vulgaris Hildenborough cells permeabilized with ethanol
Authors: Xu Huiwei , Zhang Xu , Li Liming , Li Guanghe
Published: June 2009

BACKGROUND: Low substrate (H2) availability restricts microbial sulfate reduction when H2 is used as an electron donor. In order to enhance hydrogenotrophic sulfate conversion, Desulfovibrio vulgaris Hildenborough (DvH) cells permeabilized with ethanol were used as whole‐cell biocatalysts.

RESULTS: Cell growth was retarded after permeabilization. The maximum ethanol percentage for the recovery of cell proliferation was 15% (v/v) when permeabilization process duration was 30 min at 4 °C. Cells treated with 10% ethanol achieved 1.7‐fold measurable hydrogenase activity compared with the control, while hydrogenase activity decreased remarkably with further increase in ethanol percentage. The 10% ethanol‐treated cells were also shown to have the highest metabolic activity, 2.31‐fold higher than the control. The accelerated metabolic activity was resulted from the enhancement of accessibility to substrate and product efflux due to increased permeability of the cell envelope when 10–15% ethanol was used High ethanol percentages caused cytoplasm leakage and interruption of the electron transfer chain and consequently loss of metabolic activity.

CONCLUSION: The utilization of DvH cells permeabilized by 10–15% ethanol solutions with both cell viability and ability to reproduce being maintained promoted hydrogenotrophic sulfate reduction. These preliminary data may contribute to an enhancement of the bioprocess in sulfidogenic reactors. Copyright © 2009 Society of Chemical Industry
Daily doses of light in relation to the growth of Scenedesmus obliquus in diluted three‐phase olive mill wastewater
Authors: Hodaifa Gassan , Martínez Mª Eugenia , Sánchez Sebastián
Published: June 2009

BACKGROUND: The use of olive‐oil mill wastewater (OMW) from a three‐phase centrifugation process used in the olive‐oil industry, has been studied in relation to the production of the microalga Scenedesmus obliquus CCAP 276/3A. The chemical characteristics of OMW indicated nitrogen deficiency.

RESULTS: S. obliquus is able to assimilate nutrients present in a culture medium (water‐OMW 5%) and grow at its maximum specific growth rate of 0.026 h−1, both under mixotrophic as well as heterotrophic conditions. The different daily doses of light (DDL) used, in the range 0–36 E m−2 d−1, determined light‐limited and light‐inhibited cultures. The light‐inhibited mixotrophic cultures bore characteristics similar to those of the heterotrophic cultures, and became more so when the dose of light received was higher. The low protein yield (258 mg g−1) and high percentage of carbohydrates of the biomass (65.8%) confirmed a nutritional‐stress situation associated with nitrogen limitation.

CONCLUSION: The similarity between the fatty‐acid composition of the heterotrophic and mixotrophic cultures strongly inhibited by light appeared to indicate the cancelling of the photosynthetic behaviour of the cells at high DDL values. The biomass generated can be used for biofuels. The maximum elimination of biological oxygen demand (BOD5) per unit of biomass was achieved in the heterotrophic cultures. Copyright © 2009 Society of Chemical Industry
Synthesis and biological evaluation of [carboxyl‐11C]eprosartan
Authors: Åberg Ola , Lindhe Örjan , Hall Håkan , Hellman Per , Kihlberg Tor , Långström Bengt
Published: June 2009

Essential hypertension occurs in approximately 25% of the adult population and one cause of hypertension is primary aldosteronism. Targeting the angiotensin II AT1 receptor using PET and an appropriate tracer may offer a diagnostic method for adrenocortical tissue. This report describes the synthesis of the selective AT1 receptor antagonist [carboxyl‐11C]eprosartan 10, 4‐[2‐butyl‐5‐((E)‐2‐carboxy‐3‐thiophen‐2‐yl‐propenyl)‐imidazol‐1‐ylmethyl]‐[carboxyl‐11C]benzoic acid, and its precursor (E)‐3‐[2‐butyl‐3‐(4‐iodo‐benzyl)‐3H‐imidazol‐4‐yl]‐2‐thiophen‐2‐ylmethyl‐acrylic acid 9. 11C‐carboxylation of the iodobenzyl moiety was performed using a palladium‐mediated reaction with [11C]carbon monoxide in the presence of tetra‐n‐butyl‐ammonium hydroxide in a micro‐autoclave using a temperature gradient from 25 to 140°C over 5 min. After purification by semipreparative HPLC, [carboxyl‐11C]eprosartan 10 was obtained in 37–54% decay‐corrected radiochemical yield (from [11C]carbon monoxide) with a radiochemical purity >95% within 35 min of the end of bombardment (EOB). A 5‐µAh bombardment gave 2.04 GBq of 10 (50% rcy from [11C]carbon monoxide) with a specific activity of 160 GBq µmol−1 at 34 min after EOB. Frozen‐section autoradiography shows specific binding in kidney, lung and adrenal cortex. In vivo experiments in rats demonstrate a high accumulation in kidney, liver and intestinal wall. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The preparation of 2‐O‐[1′‐14C]arachidonoyl‐1‐O‐stearoyl‐sn‐glycerol
Authors: Duclos Richard I. , Gatley S. John , Bhatt Shachi R. , Johnston Meghan
Published: June 2009

2‐O‐Arachidonoyl‐1‐O‐stearoyl‐sn‐glycerol is the most abundant molecular species of the 1,2‐diacyl‐sn‐glycerol signaling lipids in neural tissue. The facile preparation of 2‐O‐[1′‐14C]arachidonoyl‐1‐O‐stearoyl‐sn‐glycerol from 2‐O‐[1′‐14C]arachidonoyl‐1‐O‐stearoyl‐sn‐glycero‐3‐phosphocholine at a hexane and phosphate buffer interface with phospholipase C was demonstrated on a 20 µCi scale in 83% radiochemical yield. The specific activity of the product 2‐O‐[1′‐14C]arachidonoyl‐1‐O‐stearoyl‐sn‐glycerol was 57.0 mCi/mmol and the radiochemical purity was determined to be >99% by TLC. The hydrolysis of this lipid biosynthetic intermediate with lipoprotein lipase was shown to produce 2‐O‐[1′‐14C]arachidonoylglycerol (2‐AG). The 14C‐radiolabeled monoacylglycerol 2‐AG is an endogenous cannabinoid receptor‐signaling molecule (endocannabinoid). Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Vibrational properties of graphene and graphene layers
Authors: Wang Hui , Wang Yufang , Cao Xuewei , Feng Min , Lan Guoxiang
Published: June 2009

The phonon dispersions of graphene and graphene layers are theoretically investigated within fifth‐nearest‐neighbor force‐constant approach. Based on their symmetry groups, the number of Raman‐ and infrared‐active modes at the Γ point is given. Interatomic force constants are recalculated by fitting them to experimental phonon energy dispersion curves. Wavenumbers of optically active modes are presented as a function of number of layers (n). Our calculated results reproduce well the experimental data of G peak for graphene (1587 cm−1) and graphite (1581.6 cm−1) and clearly give the relation that ωG = 1581.6 + 11/(1 + n1.6). Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Soya bean yield variability in the Argentine Pampas in relation to synoptic weather types: monitoring implications
Authors: Bettolli M. Laura , Vargas Walter M. , Penalba Olga C.
Published: June 2009

This paper analyses the soya bean yield variability in the Argentine Pampas in relation to the atmospheric circulation patterns in southern South America. The region studied is the main soya bean production area in Argentina and contributes a high percentage to world trade in soya beans and their by‐products.

Two datasets were used: the soya bean yield series of 58 provincial districts and daily average fields of 1000 and 500 hPa geopotential height corresponding to the NCEP_Reanalysis 2 in the period 1979–2001. Adverse impacts on final yield may be mainly associated to weather types (WTs) related to intense rainfall during harvest time (April and May) and to structures which favour stability and warm advection in the summer at lower levels. The thermal effect on soya bean may be observed in the WTs whose configuration of anomalies favours the incursion of cold air at the lower levels contributing to low temperatures during seed germination and early vegetative growth stages. Positive impacts may be associated with WTs that reduce thermal stress during flowering and pod set stages (summer) and WTs which favour stability at harvest time (April).

In general terms, atmospheric circulation structures have been identified as elements which may be added to the set of climate predictors to explain a part of interannual yield variability. The structures found have direct implications for short and middle term forecasts. They constitute a primary element for the monitoring of the growing season of the soya bean crop and for planning strategies. Copyright © 2009 Royal Meteorological Society
Solving discretized degenerate optimal control problems with state constraints
Authors: Avelino Catarina P.
Published: June 2009

In this paper, we consider a class of nonlinear optimization problems that arise from the discretization of optimal control problems with bounds on both state and control variables. We are particularly interested in degenerate cases, i.e. when the linear independence constraint qualification is not satisfied. For these problems, we analyse the basic global convergence properties and the numerical behaviour of a multiplier method that updates multipliers corresponding to inequality constraints instead of dealing with multipliers associated with equality constraints. Numerical results obtained for several instances of a discretized optimal control problem governed by a semi‐linear elliptic equation are included and indicate that this method is robust on degenerate cases, compared with other nonlinear optimization solvers. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The use of acids, niobium oxide, and zeolite catalysts for esterification reactions
Authors: Aranda Donato A. G. , Gonçalves Jussara de Araújo , Peres José Sotolongo , Ramos André Luis Dantas , de Melo Carlos Augusto Ribeiro , Antunes O. A. C. , Furtado Nelson C. , Taft Carlton A.
Published: June 2009

We have evaluated the influence of alcohol/fatty acid molar ratio (methanol or ethanol), water and catalyst concentrations and temperature by the esterification of palm fatty acids by heterogeneous acid catalysts (varying types, forms, and particle size). Polynaphtalene sulfonic acid (PSA) and niobium oxide (Nb2O5) presented better performance than zeolite catalysts. Reaction with methanol presented higher conversion than with ethanol. The experimental design showed that the most relevant variable is the catalyst concentration and all interactions become important in process. A heterogeneous kinetic model was proposed and applied to experimental data. One of the models was adequate for methanol reaction, whereas the homogeneous model was more appropriate for ethanol reaction. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Complexation of aminoglutethimide with native and modified cyclodextrins
Authors: Nowakowski Michal , Dlugosz Maciej , Taraszewska Joanna , Wojcik Jacek
Published: June 2009

Complexations of R(+) and RS(+/−)aminoglutethimide (AGT), the drug used in a treatment of breast and prostate cancer with native and modified cyclodextrins (α‐CD, β‐CD, γ‐CD, 2,6‐di‐O‐methyl‐β‐CD (DM‐β‐CD), 2,3,6‐tri‐O‐methyl‐β‐CD (TM‐β‐CD) and carboxymethyl‐β‐CD (CM‐β‐CD)) were studied. The stability constants were determined with UV–Vis spectrophotometric method at pH 9.0. The NMR data obtained for TM‐β‐CD suggest that the complexation of AGT is possible from both sides of CD molecule. This was confirmed by molecular dynamic simulations. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Nematicidal efficacy of MCW‐2, a new nematicide of the fluoroalkenyl group, against the root‐knot nematode Meloidogyne javanica
Authors: Oka Yuji , Shuker Shimshon , Tkachi Nadia
Published: June 2009

BACKGROUND: The small number of available nematicides and restrictions on the use of non‐fumigant nematicides owing to high toxicity to human and non‐target organisms hinder effective nematode control. The nematicidal efficacy of MCW‐2, a new nematicide of the fluoroalkenyl group, was evaluated against the root‐knot nematode Meloidogyne javanica (Treub.) Chitwood.

RESULTS: MCW‐2 showed irreversible nematicidal activity against second‐stage juveniles of M. javanica in vitro, following exposure for 48 h at concentrations as low as 0.5 mg L−1, in contrast to fenamiphos or cadusafos. When exposed to MCW‐2 for shorter periods, motile juveniles became immobile with time after rinsing in water. MCW‐2 at 8 mg L−1 inhibited nematode hatching, which, however, recovered after rinsing in water. In pot and plot experiments, 0.5 mg MCW‐2 L−1 soil and 2 kg MCW‐2 ha−1, respectively, controlled M. javanica similarly to or better than fenamiphos or cadusafos at the same concentrations or at their recommended doses. In the soil, the nematicidal activity of MCW‐2 was less persistent than that of fenamiphos.

CONCLUSION: MCW‐2 has potential to be used as a new non‐fumigant nematicide that probably has a novel mode of action. Copyright © 2009 Society of Chemical Industry
Sensitivity to azoxystrobin in Didymella bryoniae isolates collected before and after field use of strobilurin fungicides
Authors: Keinath Anthony P
Published: June 2009

BACKGROUND: Isolates of Didymella bryoniae (Auersw.) Rehm, causal agent of gummy stem blight on cucurbits, developed insensitivity to azoxystrobin in the eastern United States 2 years after first commercial use in 1998. Baseline sensitivity of this fungus to azoxystrobin has never been reported. The objectives were to compare baseline sensitivities of D. bryoniae from South Carolina and other locations to sensitivities of isolates exposed to azoxystrobin for one or more seasons, and to compare sensitivity in vitro and in vivo.

RESULTS: Sixty‐one isolates of D. bryoniae collected before 1998 were sensitive. Median EC50 was 0.055 mg L−1 azoxystrobin (range 0.005 to 0.81). Forty isolates collected after exposure during 1998 also were sensitive. Fifty‐three of 64 isolates collected in South and North Carolina between 2000 and 2006 were insensitive to 10 mg L−1 azoxystrobin. Sensitive and insensitive isolates were distinguished by disease severity on Cucumis melo L. seedlings treated with azoxystrobin (20 or 200 mg L−1).

CONCLUSIONS: An azoxystrobin baseline sensitivity distribution was established in vitro for isolates of D. bryoniae never exposed to strobilurins. Baseline values were comparable with those of other ascomycetes. Insensitive isolates were found in fields with a history of strobilurin applications. An in vivo method distinguished sensitive and insensitive isolates. Copyright © 2009 Society of Chemical Industry
Manduca sexta (Lepidoptera: Sphingidae) cadherin fragments function as synergists for Cry1A and Cry1C Bacillus thuringiensis toxins against noctuid moths Helicoverpa zea, Agrotis ipsilon and Spodoptera exigua
Authors: Abdullah Mohd Amir F , Moussa Saad , Taylor Milton D , Adang Michael J
Published: June 2009

BACKGROUND: Specific Bacillus thuringiensis Berliner (Bt) toxins are effective against a narrow spectrum of species. While specificity is an advantage for limiting adverse effects on non‐target organisms, it is also the primary drawback of Bt's application for controlling multiple pest species in agriculture, forestry and other areas. Recently, it was reported that a small toxin‐binding fragment of Manduca sexta (Joh.) cadherin acts as a synergist of Bt toxins to M. sexta, Heliothis virescens F. and Helicoverpa zea (Boddie). These insects are quite susceptible to the Cry1A toxins. The first aim of the present study was to determine if longer‐sized fragments of M. sexta cadherin differed in the level of toxin enhancement. The second aim was to examine enhancement of Bt toxins against relatively Bt‐tolerant insects Agrotis ipsilon (Hufn.) and Spodoptera exigua (Hübner).

RESULTS: Cadherin fragments longer than previously reported had improved synergistic properties. Significant enhancement of Bt Cry1A toxins against A. ipsilon and S. exigua was found. A cadherin fragment also increased Cry1C toxicity to S. exigua.

CONCLUSIONS: The commercial development of this synergist has the potential to widen the spectrum of Bt toxicity to other important agricultural lepidopteran insect pests and thus increase its usefulness in agriculture. Copyright © 2009 Society of Chemical Industry
Effects of sputtering current on the bonding structure and mechanical properties of diamond‐like carbon films deposited by MFPUMST
Authors: Dai H.Y. , Jiang H. , Zhan C.Y. , Huang N.K.
Published: June 2009

Diamond‐like carbon (DLC) films on glass wafers were produced by middle frequency pulsed unbalanced magnetron sputtering technique (MFPUMST) at different sputtering current. The chemical bonding of carbon characterized by Raman spectroscopy and X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) show that the sp3 fraction in DLC films increases with increasing sputtering current from 100 to 300 mA, and then decreases above 300 mA. Mechanical properties like nano‐hardness and elastic recovery for these films under different sputtering currents analyzed by a nano‐indentation technique show the same tendency that nano‐hardness and elastic recovery increase with increasing sputtering current from 100 to 300 mA, and then decrease with increasing sputtering current from 300 to 400 mA. These results indicate that the sp3 fraction in the prepared DLC films is directly related to nano‐hardness and elastic recovery. The results shown above indicate that the parameter of the preparation—sputtering current has a strong influence on the bonding configuration of the deposited DLC films. The mechanism of sputtering current on the sp3 fraction is discussed in this paper. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Distributed virtual backbone construction in sensor networks with asymmetric links
Authors: Xiang Yingchang , Xing Kai , Cheng Wei , Park E. K. , Rotenstreich Shmuel
Published: June 2009

In this paper, we study the problem of distributed virtual backbone construction in sensor networks, where the coverage area of nodes are disks with different radii. This problem is modeled by the construction of a minimum connected dominating set (MCDS) in geometric k‐disk graphs. We derive the size relationship of any maximal independent set (MIS) and MCDS in geometric k‐disk graphs, and apply it to analyze the performances of two distributed connected dominating set (CDS) algorithms we propose in this paper. These algorithms have bounded performance ratio and low communication overhead. To the best of our knowledge, the results reported in this paper represent the state‐of‐the‐art. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Energy‐constrained mobile sensor with motion plans for monitoring stochastic events
Authors: Chen Jiming , He Shibo , Sun Youxian
Published: June 2009

With the development of robotics and embedded system, utilizing mobile sensors to capture stochastic events is emerging as a promising method to monitor a region of interest (RoI). In previous work, the quality of monitoring (QoM) is evaluated based on the stochastic events capture without taking the energy of motion into consideration. Since sensor nodes are normally constrained by limited energy capability, it is desirable to guide the mobile sensor in an energy‐efficient motion to capture events information. In this paper, by analyzing the different kinds of surveillance that may result in different required QoM, we obtain the expected Information captured Per unit of Energy consumption (IPE), which is a function with multiple parameters including the event type, the event dynamics, and the velocity of the mobile sensor. Our analysis is based on a realistic energy model of motion, and can achieve suboptimal motion plans by adopting existing typical approximation algorithm, and thus enable the sensor velocity to be optimized for capturing stochastic events information. We propose approximation algorithms to enable the tradeoff between the computation and efficiency, which make motion plans more practical in some realistic scenarios. The efficiency and effectiveness of proposed algorithm are validated by the extensive simulations. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
High‐resolution microanalysis of suspended particulate matter using a transition edge sensor microcalorimeter x‐ray spectrometer
Authors: Li Qinghui , Suzuki Rina , Ono Yuki , Nakai Izumi , Tanaka Keiichi , Nakayama Satoshi , Takahashi Haruo
Published: June 2009

Suspended particulate matter (SPM) collected in the urban area of Tokyo was analyzed using a transition edge sensor (TES) microcalorimeter x‐ray detector mounted on a FE‐SEM system. This prototype microcalorimeter spectrometer with an energy resolution of 19 eV identified some severe peak overlaps in the spectra measured by the traditional Si(Li) solid state detector, including S Kα with Pb Mα, Zn Lα with Na Kα, and Ti Kα with Ba Lα. In addition, the TES microcalorimeter showed good spatial resolution for the microanalysis of SPM. The focused ion beam(FIB) was successfully applied to fabricate a cross section of a single SPM particle. The chemical compositonal difference between surface and inner parts, and among different surface parts of the SPM was also determined. Through combination of the FIB technique and the TES microcalorimeter, we achieved a better understanding of the SPM. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Stability of thermoresponsive methylcellulose thin film: x‐ray reflectivity study
Authors: Innis‐Samson Vallerie Ann , Sakurai Kenji
Published: June 2009

Methylcellulose (MC), a thermoreversible polymer, was fabricated as thin films into silicon substrates and characterized by x‐ray reflectivity (XRR) measurements for its stability with time and heating. XRR data from the as‐is thin films showed good agreement with the single‐layer model on top of a substrate from Parratt's formalism. Data fitting showed that the density of the thin films is slightly higher than the reported value by manufacturers. Interface roughness values indicate good wetting of the polymer onto the substrate. Heating the thin films at the phase transition temperatures and quenching them to room temperature showed no significant changes in the thin film parameters before and after heating. This showed the thermal stability and/or thermoreversibility of the film. Diffuse scattering measurements also showed no significant changes in the lateral structure of the film with heating and quenching. XRR measurements done on fabricated thin films stored for a month showed a slight increase in the film thickness which could be due to the hygroscopic nature of the polymer. Vacuum heating of the stored thin films at 100 °C for 1 h slightly decreased the thickness, but it has been found that other parameters such as density and surface/interface roughness show good thermal stability. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
X‐ray fluorescence analysis of Cr, As, Se, Cd, Hg, and Pb in soil using pressed powder pellet and loose powder methods
Authors: Shibata Yasuhiro , Suyama Junnosuke , Kitano Masaru , Nakamura Toshihiro
Published: June 2009

Quantitative analyses of Cr, As, Se, Cd, Hg, and Pb in soil were performed using wavelength dispersive X‐ray fluorescence (WDXRF) spectrometry with pressed powder pellet and loose powder methods. Standard soil samples containing hazardous metals were prepared by adding appropriate amounts of aqueous standards to base soils and then drying and homogenizing them. Base soil powders ground to less than 12.5 µm of modal particle size were Tachikawa loam, brown forest soil, and weathered granite containing 17.9, 9.43, and 3.49 mass% of Fe2O3, respectively. Analytical lines were CrKα, AsKα, SeKα, CdKα, HgLα, and PbLβ, with accompanying corrections for overlapping of SeKβ to PbLβ and PbLα to AsKα. Specimens for XRF analysis were prepared using powder pellets pressed to 23 mm internal diameter of an Al ring with 300 kgf cm−2, and loose powder in a 31 mm internal diameter polyethylene cup covered with 6‐µm thickness of polypropylene film. Calibration curves drawn using the proposed standards showed good linearity under 3000 mg kg−1 for the five metals, and 300 mg kg−1 for Hg. Corrections with Compton scattering for AsKα, SeKα, CdKα, HgLα, and PbLβ, and with background scattering for CrKα were effective and produced identical inclinations of calibration curves. CdKα having larger critical depth in the loose powder specimen showed merely smaller inclination of calibration curve than that of the pressed powder specimen because of optical shading. The spike test for five analytes showed good recovery for gravel soil and pumice soil. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Disease‐Free Survival and Prognostic Significance of Metastatic Lymph Node Ratio in T1‐T2 N Positive Breast Cancer Patients. A Population Registry‐Based Study in a European Country
Authors: Martinez‐Ramos David , Escrig‐Sos Javier , Alcalde‐Sanchez Miguel , Torrella‐Ramos Ana , Salvador‐Sanchis Jose Luis
Published: June 2009

Background

The ratio of positive lymph nodes between the total number of harvested lymph nodes (metastatic lymph node ratio, MLNR) has been proposed as an alternative to the total number of lymph nodes alone in predicting outcomes for patients with breast cancer. Because there can be differences between European and non‐European populations, the authors present the first study analyzing MLNR influence over disease‐free survival (DFS) by using a population‐based cancer registry in a European country.

Methods

Data from 441 patients with T1‐2 N1‐3 breast cancer included in the Castellon Cancer Registry (Comunidad Valenciana, Spain) were used. Cumulative DFS was determined using the Kaplan‐Meier method, with univariate comparisons between groups through the log‐rank test. The Cox proportional hazards model was used for multivariate analysis.

Results

At univariate analysis, factors influencing the 10‐year DFS rate were tumor size, conservative or nonconservative surgery, histologic grade, histologic type, radiotherapy, tamoxifen, estrogen and progesterone receptor status, p53 status, total number of positive lymph nodes, and MLNR. At multivariate analysis, tumor size, MLNR, and progesterone receptor status were revealed to be independent prognostic factors; the metastatic lymph node ratio was the most notably independent factor (hazard ratio 1.02, 5.21, and 0.61, respectively).

Conclusions

MLNR is a stronger prognostic factor for recurrence than the total number of positive lymph nodes in T1‐T2 N1‐3 breast cancer.