bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A rapid analytical method for the quantification of paclitaxel in rat plasma and brain tissue by high‐performance liquid chromatography and tandem mass spectrometry
Authors: Li Pei , Albrecht Benjamin J. , Yan Xisheng , Gao Mei , Weng Han‐Rong , Bartlett Michael G.
Published: September 2013

RATIONALE

Paclitaxel, an antitumor agent for the treatment of several types of cancers, has recently been reported to cause impaired cognitive function and neuropathic pain in humans. To assess the effects of paclitaxel on the central nervous system, a sensitive and accurate method is required to quantify paclitaxel concentrations in plasma and brain tissue obtained from rodents receiving paclitaxel.

METHODS

The biological samples were prepared by liquid‐liquid extraction and separated by a 3.5 min reversed‐phase liquid chromatography (RPLC) method using a BDS Hypersil C8 column under isocratic conditions. Paclitaxel was quantified using multiple reaction monitoring (MRM) with a triple quadrupole tandem mass spectrometer working in the positive electrospray ionization (ESI+) mode. A stable isotope labeled analogue of paclitaxel was used as the internal standard (IS).

RESULTS

The method was validated to be precise and accurate within the dynamic range of 0.5‐100 ng/mL based on 100 μL plasma and 1.5–300 ng/g based on 33 mg of brain tissue in homogenate. This method was applied to samples from 2 mg/kg intravenously dosed rats. The plasma concentrations were observed to be 26.62 ± 8.93 ng/mL and brain concentrations 11.08 ± 4.18 ng/g when measured 4 h post‐dose.

CONCLUSIONS

This rapid LC/MS/MS method was validated to be sensitive, specific, precise and accurate for the quantification of paclitaxel in rat plasma and brain tissue homogenate. Application of the method to study samples provided sufficient proof of blood–brain barrier penetration of paclitaxel, allowing further investigation of its influence on the central nervous system. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Enhanced data‐independent analysis of lipids using ion mobility‐TOFMSE to unravel quantitative and qualitative information in human plasma
Authors: Shah Vinit , Castro‐Perez Jose M. , McLaren David G. , Herath Kithsiri B. , Previs Stephen F. , Roddy Thomas P.
Published: September 2013

RATIONALE

Lipids are involved in various biochemical and signaling pathways, cell structure and function, and the pathophysiology of many diseases. We took advantage of ion mobility spectrometry (IMS) in conjunction with ultra‐performance liquid chromatography (UPLC) and high‐resolution mass spectrometry to gain quantitative and deeper qualitative structural insight within a single experiment.

METHODS

Human plasma lipid extracts were analyzed using an Acquity UPLC system coupled to a Synapt G2‐HDMS mass spectrometer system. The ion mobility gas employed was helium for the helium cell (150 mL/min) and nitrogen (80 mL/min) for the T‐wave drift tube. The wave height for the T‐wave cell was ramped in a linear fashion between 5–40 V. The mass spectra were acquired in an electrospray positive ionization mode.

RESULTS

We resolved chromatographically co‐eluting lipids further by ion mobility tube drift time and then subjected them to low‐ and high‐energy fragmentation without pre‐selecting respective precursor species. The fragment ions produced in a high‐energy mode were aligned with their precursor ions in a low‐energy mode. By aligning intact molecular spectra and fragment spectra for these lipids at a given ion mobility drift time and chromatographic retention time, we were able to obtain much cleaner fragment ion spectra for structural elucidation. For quantitative analysis we obtained a dynamic linear range from 0.002 to 2 µg/mL with and without an additional dimension of IMS.

CONCLUSIONS

The additional dimension of IMS allowed us to perform quantitative and qualitative analysis within a single experiment in a relatively high‐throughput manner thus providing deeper structural insights into lipids of biological interest and resulting in an information‐rich dataset. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Identification and structural characterization of dimeric sesquiterpene lactones in Inula japonica Thunb. by high‐performance liquid chromatography/electrospray ionization with multi‐stage mass spectrometry
Authors: Ye Ji , Qin Jiang‐Jiang , Su Juan , Lin Shan , Huang Ying , Jin Hui‐Zi , Zhang Wei‐Dong
Published: September 2013

RATIONALE

Dimeric sesquiterpene lactones (DSLs) exhibit more 'biological friendly' and 'drug‐like' molecular features than their monomers. Identification of DSLs is important to uncover potential lead compounds for the development of new anti‐inflammatory and anticancer drugs.

METHODS

High‐performance liquid chromatography coupled with electrospray mass spectrometry (HPLC/ESI‐MSn) in positive‐ion mode was developed to analyze structurally related groups of DSLs in the species of Inula japonica Thunb. The aerial part of I. japonica was also analyzed by using HPLC‐diode‐array detection (DAD)/ESI‐MSn for the purpose of method validation.

RESULTS

In positive‐ion mode, a wealth of precursor molecular ions and product ions was detected for 24 DSL standards by MSn analysis under collision‐induced dissociation. Retro‐Diels‐Alder (RDA) cleavage of the guaiane‐type SL, neutral losses of acetoxy group, CO2 and water during the MSn process yielded characteristic product ions. The chemical constituents of the crude extract of I. japonica have also been analyzed by the developed method.

CONCLUSIONS

The results indicated that the developed analytical method could be employed as a rapid, effective technique for structural characterizations of DSL‐type constituents in I. japonica. This study may also arouse interest for further structural analysis of other DSL‐containing type herbal medicines. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Detection of human insulin‐like growth factor‐1 in deer antler velvet supplements
Authors: Cox Holly D. , Eichner Daniel
Published: September 2013

RATIONALE

Reported incidents of the use of nutritional supplements containing deer antler velvet by athletes has increased significantly in recent years. The supplements have been reported to contain insulin‐like growth factor‐1 (IGF‐1), which is a banned substance included on the World Anti‐Doping Agency (WADA) prohibited list. The presence of deer and human IGF‐1 was tested in six commercially available supplements.

METHODS

IGF‐1 was extracted from the six deer antler velvet supplements using chloroform and acetonitrile precipitation methods. Ultra‐performance liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry (UPLC/MS/MS) methods were developed to measure intact IGF‐1 protein and IGF‐1 trypsin peptides using a triple quadrupole mass spectrometer. Five deer‐specific and five human‐specific multiple‐reaction monitoring (MRM) transitions for intact IGF‐1were measured as well as six deer‐specific and seven human‐specific MRM transitions for an IGF‐1 trypsin peptide.

RESULTS

The peak area from each MRM transition was used to calculate the product ion ratios relative to the most abundant transition. Product ion ratios measured in the supplements were matched to ratios measured in purified protein standards. A match to human IGF‐1 was identified for all the MRM transitions measured in four of the supplements tested.

CONCLUSIONS

The presence of a pharmaceutical protein, human IGF‐1, was confirmed in four commercially available products sold as all natural, nutritional supplements. These methods can be used to screen additional products to further prevent the illegal sale of adulterated supplements. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
High‐resolution mass spectrometry and partial de novo sequencing constitute a useful approach for determining the profile of chemokine secretion following the stimulation of human intestinal epithelial cells
Authors: Maubert Marie‐Anne , Quévrain Elodie , Capton Estelle , Grill Jean Pierre , Thomas Ginette , Bachelet Marie , Rainteau Dominique , Trugnan Germain , Tabet Jean‐Claude , Masliah Joëlle , Afonso Carlos
Published: September 2013

RATIONALE

Intestinal epithelial cells (IEC) secrete many chemokines in response to proinflammatory stimuli. We investigated their role in the mucosal inflammatory response in the intestine, by developing a non‐targeted approach for analyzing the profile of peptides secreted by stimulated IEC, based on differential mass spectrometry analysis.

METHODS

Lipopolysaccharide (LPS) was incubated with IEC as a proinflammatory stimulus. Differential peptidomic analysis was then carried out, comparing the profiles of IEC with and without LPS stimulation. A mass spectrometry procedure was developed, based on a liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry (LC/MS/MS) approach without enzymatic pretreatment of the peptides. Partial de novo sequencing was carried out by Fourier transform ion cyclotron resonance (FTICR), and the native peptides in the culture media were identified.

RESULTS

A major ion (m/z 7862.51) detected after stimulation was identified as GRO alpha and a minor ion (m/z 8918.17) was identified as IL‐8. ELISA‐based comparisons gave results consistent with those obtained by MS. Surprisingly, GRO alpha was secreted in amounts 5 to 15 times higher than those for IL‐8 in our cellular model. The truncated form of IL‐8, resulting from activation, was detected and distinguished from the native peptide by MS, whereas this was not possible with enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA).

CONCLUSIONS

Mass spectrometric analysis of culture media can be used to identify the principal peptides produced in response to the stimulation of IEC, and their metabolites. Mass spectrometry provides a comprehensive view of the chemokines and peptides potentially involved in gut inflammation, making it possible to identify the most appropriate peptides for further quantification. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Extended Kalman filter and adaptive backstepping for mean temperature control of a three‐way catalytic converter
Authors: Utz T. , Fleck C. , Frauhammer J. , Seiler‐Thull D. , Kugi A.
Published: September 2013

This contribution is concerned with an adaptive control strategy for the mean temperature of an automotive three‐way catalytic converter. Tailored finite‐dimensional approximations of the complex infinite‐dimensional mathematical model of the catalytic converter serve as a basis for the design of an extended Kalman filter for state profile estimation and of an adaptive backstepping controller for the mean temperature. Although the model used for observer design relies on (semi‐)discretising the infinite‐dimensional model, a simple model for the mean temperature employing a phenomenological approach to describe the reaction heat is used for control design. The observer/controller is tested in simulation scenarios using a validated model of the three‐way catalytic converter. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
RCCA security for KEM+DEM style hybrid encryptions and a general hybrid paradigm from RCCA‐secure KEMs to CCA‐secure encryptions
Authors: Yuan Chen , Qingkuan Dong
Published: September 2013

Replayable chosen‐ciphertext attack (RCCA) security is a weaker notion than chosen‐ciphertext attack (CCA) security and has been proven to be sufficient for several cryptographic tasks. However, it is open to construct RCCA‐secure schemes more efficient than CCA‐secure ones. This paper adapts RCCA security to the most popular hybrid paradigms, KEM+DEM and Tag‐KEM/DEM. For KEM+DEM paradigm, we show RCCA security is consistent with the CCA case, just as desired. But for Tag‐KEM/DEM paradigm, we find some different status. Natural RCCA‐secure Tag‐KEM schemes can be easily constructed, which are more efficient than all existing CCA‐secure ones. But unfortunately, passive security of DEM is not sufficient to obtain RCCA hybrid encryptions. In spite of this and for completeness, we show RCCA‐secure DEMs are still sufficient. On the other hand, for passive secure DEMs, we prove that a stronger notion of RCCA security for Tag‐KEM, named as tRCCA security, suffices for RCCA‐secure hybrid encryptions. This somewhat suggests that a benign RCCA security for tag‐based schemes should be tRCCA security. Finally, to show RCCA‐secure KEM is sufficient for achieving CCA‐secure hybrid encryptions, we introduce a new hybrid paradigm, named as KEM/Tag‐DEM, where the ciphertext of KEM is used as a tag for Tag‐DEM scheme rather than reversely in Tag‐KEM/DEM, so that the security of KEM can be weakened to RCCA one. KEM/Tag‐DEM shows the diversity of hybrid encryptions and has additional practical values. We also show Tag‐DEMs can be constructed as efficiently as DEMs. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Microstructure Evolution in Aged UNS S82441 Duplex Stainless Steel
Authors: Zhang Ziying , Zhang Huizhen , He Liang , Han Dong , Jiang Yiming , Li Jin
Published: September 2013

The precipitation and evolution of secondary phases in aged UNS S82441 Duplex Stainless Steel was investigated with morphological observation. The coexistence of nitrides, carbides and sigma and chi phase was found during the initial aging stages. In the initial aging stages, the granular σ and χ phases grow and coalesce according to Ostwald ripening. The intermetallic particles near the austenite/ferrite interfaces tend to grow compared to those in the inner grain. The relationships between aging time and microstructure evolution of this alloy were discussed in detail. After aging, the chromium‐depleted zones near the austenite/ferrite interfaces transform to the secondary austenite, while the chromium‐depleted zones near the ferrite/ferrite interfaces are replenished with chromium from the matrix.
The effects of nicotine and tobacco particulate matter on dopamine uptake in the rat brain
Authors: Danielson Kirsty , Putt Fraser , Truman Penelope , Kivell Bronwyn M.
Published: September 2013

Cigarette smoking is the leading cause of preventable death worldwide. Recently, tobacco extracts have been shown to have a different pharmacological profile to nicotine alone and there is increasing evidence of a role for non‐nicotinic components of cigarette smoke in smoking addiction. Nicotine is known to affect the uptake of dopamine in the brain of laboratory animals, but studies in the literature are often contradictory and little is known of the effects on non‐nicotinic tobacco components on dopamine uptake. This study has examined the acute and chronic effects of nicotine and a tobacco extract (TPM) on dopamine uptake by the dopamine and norepinephrine transporters (DAT and NET) ex vivo using rotating disk electrode voltammetry, and quantified DAT and NET protein and mRNA expression in key brain regions. Nicotine (0.35 mg/kg) significantly decreased DAT function in the nucleus accumbens (NAc) at 30 min with no change in protein expression. This effect was sensitive to mecamylamine and DHβE but not MLA, indicating that it is dependent on α4 subunit containing nicotinic receptors. Furthermore, TPM, but not nicotine, increased DAT function in the dorsal striatum at 1 h in a nicotinic receptor independent manner with no change in DAT protein expression. At 1 h DAT mRNA in the ventral tegmental area was decreased by both acute and chronic TPM treatments. Synapse 68:45–60, 2014. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Tree stocking affects winter bird densities across a gradient of savanna, woodland, and forest in the Missouri Ozarks
Authors: Kendrick Sarah W. , Thompson Frank R.
Published: September 2013

Savanna and woodland were historically prevalent in the midwestern United States, and managers throughout the area are currently attempting to restore these communities. Better knowledge of the responses of breeding and non‐breeding birds to savanna and woodland restoration is needed to inform management. We surveyed abundance of winter resident birds across a gradient of tree stocking encompassed by savannas, woodlands, and non‐managed forests in the Missouri Ozark Highlands, USA, and assessed the effect of stocking on bird densities. We conducted point counts at 560 locations along 42 transects on 10 sites across 2 winters between December and February, 2009–2011. We estimated detection probabilities and densities of birds using hierarchical, distance‐based abundance models that incorporate covariates into estimation of both detection probabilities and densities. We fit models for 12 species with >49 detections and met model assumptions. Detection probabilities were affected by observer, temperature, wind speed, and stocking, and there was some level of support of the effects of stocking on the densities of all 12 species. Densities of black‐capped plus Carolina chickadees (Poecile atricapillus, P. carolinensis), brown creeper (Certhia americana), golden‐crowned kinglet (Regulus satrapa), and red‐bellied woodpecker (Melanerpes carolinus) increased with stocking; whereas, densities of eastern bluebird (Sialia sialis), hairy woodpecker (Picoides villosus), and northern flicker (Colaptes auratus) were greatest at intermediate values of stocking. Although densities of 7 of the 12 species varied substantially across the range of stocking, all species used all 3 communities across a wide range of stocking. We provide winter densities of 12 of the most common overwintering bird species in the Missouri Ozarks; the relationships between their densities and stocking can be used to guide management where managers have bird‐species‐specific objectives. © 2013 The Wildlife Society.
Light stops emerging in WW cross section measurements?
Authors: Rolbiecki Krzysztof , Sakurai Kazuki
Published: September 2013

Abstract

Recent ATLAS and CMS measurements show a slight excess in the W
+
W
− cross section measurement. While still consistent with the Standard Model within 1−2-σ, the excess could be also a first hint of physics beyond the Standard Model. We argue that this effect could be attributed to the production of scalar top quarks within supersymmetric models. The stops of
$ {m_{{{{{\widetilde{t}}}_1}}}}\sim 200 $
GeV has the right pair-production cross section and under some assumptions can significantly contribute to the final state of two leptons and missing energy. We scan this region of parameter space to identify stop mass range preferred by the W
+
W
− cross section measurements. Taking one sample benchmark point we show that it can be consistent with low energy observables and Higgs sector measurements and propose a method to distinguish supersymmetric signal from the Standard Model contribution.
Microbial natural products: molecular blueprints for antitumor drugs
Authors: Giddings Lesley-Ann , Newman David J
Published: September 2013

Microbes from two of the three domains of life, the Prokarya, and Eukarya, continue to serve as rich sources of structurally complex chemical scaffolds that have proven to be essential for the development of anticancer therapeutics. This review describes only a handful of exemplary natural products and their derivatives as well as those that have served as elegant blueprints for the development of novel synthetic structures that are either currently in use or in clinical or preclinical trials together with some of their earlier analogs in some cases whose failure to proceed aided in the derivation of later compounds. In every case, a microbe has been either identified as the producer of secondary metabolites or speculated to be involved in the production via symbiotic associations. Finally, rapidly evolving next-generation sequencing technologies have led to the increasing availability of microbial genomes. Relevant examples of genome mining and genetic manipulation are discussed, demonstrating that we have only barely scratched the surface with regards to harnessing the potential of microbes as sources of new pharmaceutical leads/agents or biological probes.
Effect of Simulated Thermo‐Degradation on the Carotenoids, Tocopherols and Antioxidant Properties of Tomato and Paprika Oleoresins
Authors: Abbeddou Souheila , Petrakis Christos , Pérez‐Gálvez Antonio , Kefalas Panagiotis , Hornero‐Méndez Dámaso
Published: September 2013

Color quality is the economical key factor for oily extracts, also referred to as oleoresins, obtained from carotenogenic fruits and vegetables for application in foodstuffs. However, this organoleptic property is not the only attribute as carotenoids develop some bioactive actions, which provide a beneficial effect on health. It has been suggested that reaching some oxidation level during processing enhances the antioxidant activity of phytochemicals, including carotenoids, so that knowledge of the impact of thermal processing in the redox state and antioxidant activity is significant. During thermal degradation of carotenoids in tomato and paprika oleoresins the coloring content, redox state and antioxidant capacity were evaluated. The lipid profile and tocopherol content were similar in both oily extracts but significant differences were observed on functional properties derived from carotenoid activity. The initial antioxidant capacity was similar for both carotenoid extracts, tomato oleoresin kept higher antioxidant capacity values (DPPH test) than paprika oleoresin, although the degradation rate was significantly higher for lycopene, while carotenoids of paprika oleoresin degraded slowly. Paprika oleoresin showed a higher antioxidant activity (hydrogen peroxide test) than tomato oleoresin. Carotenoid degradation products may participate on radical scavenging reactions but efficiency depends on the radical species and structure of degradation products produced during thermal degradation.
Intramedullary rod fixation of fibrous dysplasia without use of bisphosphonates
Authors: Gaski Greg , Hansen Dane , Willis Leisel M. , Bos Gary D. , Kean John R.
Published: September 2013

Purpose

Controversy exists regarding approach to treatment of pediatric patients with fibrous dysplasia.

Methods

We retrospectively reviewed medical records of seven patients who were treated at our institution for fibrous dysplasia by intramedullary rod fixation without bisphosphonate supplementation.

Results

Seven patients with a total of ten fibrous dysplasia lesion sites surgically treated by intramedullary rod fixation were included. Of these ten lesion sites, eight demonstrated pathologic fracture at the time of fixation. Complete fracture healing was observed in all eight sites, with no incidence of recurrent pathologic fractures examined radiographically. There were no major infections or neurologic deficits, and lesions appeared to stabilize.

Conclusions

In this series, intramedullary rod fixation proved to be successful in treatment of acute pathologic fracture and incompletely healed fibrous dysplasia lesions. We observed partial resolution of fibrous dysplasia lesions at all ten sites without significant long-term complications. Following treatment, there were no refractures.

Level of evidence

Level IV, case series.
Race/Ethnicity, Obesity, and Related Cardio-Metabolic Risk Factors: A Life-Course Perspective
Authors: Wahi Gita , Anand Sonia S.
Published: September 2013

The adoption of health behaviors characterized by minimal energy expenditure and overconsumption of energy has led to cardiometabolic risk factors in pregnancy, childhood, and youth, all of which increase the prevalence of cardiovascular disease in adulthood. The propensity to develop abdominal obesity and cardiometabolic risk factors appears to disproportionally affect non-white ethnic groups. While the majority of observational research has been conducted in populations of European origin, studies in non-white ethnic groups across the life-course are underway and there is evidence that unique ethnic-specific differences exist. This review will focus on the life-course determinants of obesity and its related cardio-metabolic risk factors among diverse ethnic groups including people of Afro-Caribbean origin, South Asian, East Asian, and indigenous ancestry.
Stabilization of fluidized beds of particles magnetized by an external field: effects of particle size and field orientation
Authors: Espin M. J. , Valverde J. M. , Quintanilla M. A. S.
Published: September 2013

This paper reports experimental measurements on the yield stress, the permeability to gas flow and the gas velocity at the jamming transition of gas-fluidized beds of magnetizable particles as affected by particle size and orientation and strength of an externally imposed magnetic field. Tested samples consisted of relatively monodisperse magnetite powders of $35$, $50$ and $65~\unicode[.5,0][STIXGeneral,Times]{x03BC} \mathrm{m} $ particle size. The permeability to gas flow and jamming transition velocity increase with particle size and in a specially marked way when the magnetic field is applied along the gas flow direction. The magnetic contribution to the yield stress is also particularly enhanced for co-flow magnetic fields. However, the effect of particle size on the yield stress shows a dependence on the microstructure packing as affected by particle size and orientation of the field. The magnetic yield stress increases with particle size for magnetic fields applied in the cross-flow configuration while the opposite trend is observed when the direction of the magnetic field is parallel to the gas flow. The observations reported in this paper are generally explained by the formation of chains of particles due to attractive magnetic forces between the magnetized particles and the orientation of these chains with respect to the magnetic field.
On the heat transferred to the air surrounding a semi-infinite inclined hot plate
Authors: Gollner Michael J. , Sánchez Antonio L. , Williams Forman A.
Published: September 2013

An asymptotic analysis of laminar free convection in a boundary layer over an isothermal semi-infinite flat plate inclined at some angle to the vertical has been performed. Existing analytical solutions show no difference in the heat-transfer rate between the upper and lower surfaces of the plate, contrary to observations. To investigate this, higher-order perturbations of the non-dimensional temperature, velocity and pressure across the boundary layer were computed and found to show only small variations from first-order perturbations previously reported. Unexpectedly, third-order perturbations of all functions were found to be identical to those of the vertical plate, indicating that differences in temperature between both sides of the plate are limited to exceedingly small terms of order ${x}^{- 9/ 4} $ or smaller, $x$ being the distance from the leading edge, non-dimensionalized by the buoyancy length scale. Dominant differences between heat-transfer rates on the upper and lower surfaces were therefore concluded to be due to near-leading-edge effects. In applying an integral form of the conservation equations to the near-leading-edge region, it was found that, up to terms of order unity in $x$, the total heat-exchange rate for the inclined plate is identical to that of the vertical plate, so that the heat-transfer gain on one side balances exactly the loss occurring on the other. This simplification allowed determination of an upper bound for differences in heat-transfer rates between the upper and lower sides, even though complete determination of the differences would require a numerical integration of the full Navier–Stokes equations near the leading edge of the plate.
Investigation on the Frequency Allocation for Radio Astronomy at the L Band
Authors: Abidin Z. Z. , Umar R. , Ibrahim Z. A. , Rosli Z. , Asanok K. , Gasiprong N.
Published: September 2013

In this paper, the frequency allocation reserved for radio astronomy in the L band set by the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), which is between 1400 and 1427 MHz, is reviewed. We argue that the nearby frequencies are still very important for radio astronomers on the ground by investigating radio objects (H i sources) around 1300–1500 MHz. The L-band window is separated into a group of four windows, namely 1400–1427 MHz (window A), 1380–1400 MHz (window B), 1350–1380 MHz (window C), and 1300–1350 MHz (window D). These windows are selected according to their redshifts from a rest frequency for hydrogen spectral line at 1420.4057 MHz. Radio objects up to z ≈ 0.1 or frequency down to 1300 MHz are examined. We argue that since window B has important radio objects within the four windows, this window should also be given to radio astronomy. They are galaxies, spiral galaxies, and galaxy clusters. This underlines the significance of window B for radio astronomers on the ground. By investigating the severeness of radio frequency interference (RFI) within these windows, we have determined that window B still has significant, consistent RFI. The main RFI sources in the four windows have also been identified. We also found that the Department of Civil Aviation of Malaysia is assigned a frequency range of 1215–1427 MHz, which is transmitted within the four windows and inside the protected frequency for radio astronomy. We also investigated the RFI in the four windows on proposed sites of future radio astronomy observatories in Malaysia and Thailand and found the two best sites as Universiti Pendidikan Sultan Idris (UPSI) and Ubon Ratchathani, respectively. It has also been determined that RFI in window B increases with population density.
Quantifying Resolving Power in Astronomical Spectra
Authors: Robertson J. Gordon
Published: September 2013

The spectral resolving power R = λ/δλ is a key property of any spectrograph, but its definition is vague because the ‘smallest resolvable wavelength difference’ δλ does not have a consistent definition. Often, the FWHM is used, but this is not consistent when comparing the resolution of instruments with different forms of spectral line-spread function. Here, two methods for calculating resolving power on a consistent scale are given. The first method is based on the principle that two spectral lines are just resolved when the mutual disturbance in fitting the fluxes of the lines reaches a threshold (here equal to that of sinc2 profiles at the Rayleigh criterion). The second criterion assumes that two spectrographs have equal resolving powers if the wavelength error in fitting a narrow spectral line is the same in each case (given equal signal flux and noise power). The two criteria give similar results and give rise to scaling factors that can be applied to bring resolving power calculated using the FWHM on to a consistent scale. The differences among commonly encountered line-spread functions are substantial, with a Lorentzian profile (as produced by an imaging Fabry–Perot interferometer) being a factor of two worse than the boxy profile from a projected circle (as produced by integration across the spatial dimension of a multi-mode fibre) when both have the same FWHM. The projected circle has a larger FWHM than its true resolution, so using FWHM to characterise the resolution of a spectrograph which is fed by multi-mode fibres significantly underestimates its true resolving power if it has small aberrations and a well-sampled profile.
FINITE RANK RIESZ OPERATORS
Authors: KOUMBA U. , RAUBENHEIMER H.
Published: September 2013

We provide conditions under which a Riesz operator defined on a Banach space is a finite rank operator.
Lp-DUAL MIXED GEOMINIMAL SURFACE AREA
Authors: FENG YIBIN , WANG WEIDONG
Published: September 2013

Lutwak (Adv. Math., vol. 118(2), 1996, pp. 244–294) defined the notion of Lp-geominimal surface area based on Lp-mixed volumes. Recently, Wang and Qi (J. Inequal. Appl., vol. 2011, 2011, pp. 1–10) introduced the concept of Lp-dual geominimal surface area based on Lp-dual mixed volumes. In this paper, based on Lp-dual mixed quermassintegrals, we define the concept of Lp-dual mixed geominimal surface area and establish several inequalities for this new notion.
Deciphering the role of n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid-derived lipid mediators in health and disease
Authors: Spite Matthew
Published: September 2013

Accumulating evidence indicates that, analogous to n-6 PUFA, n-3 PUFA are enzymatically converted into diverse families of bioactive mediators that play numerous roles in physiology. These mediators, which include the resolvins, protectins and maresins, are particularly important in resolving acute inflammation and also appear to play a role in enhancing host defence. Given the protective actions of n-3 PUFA in human subjects and in animal models of disease, active generation of bioactive mediators may in part underlie these protective effects. Several studies have demonstrated that bioactive autacoids generated from n-3 PUFA have direct anti-inflammatory and pro-resolution actions, and the structures of many of these endogenous mediators have been elucidated. The diverse roles of these lipid mediators in health and disease, regulation of their biosynthesis, as well as identification of specific receptors and cellular targets, are emerging. This brief review will highlight the biosynthesis of resolvins, protectins and maresins, and discuss their receptor-mediated biological actions in promoting the resolution of inflammation. Their potential use as a new class of pro-resolution therapeutics, as well as gaps in knowledge and challenges for future research, will also be discussed. Overall, the identification of these novel families of lipid mediators has yielded insight into the protective actions of n-3 PUFA and may lead to the development of an entirely new class of therapeutics aimed at regulating inflammation and host defence.
‘These had most to give’: Kathleen Scott's sculpture at the Scott Polar Research Institute, Cambridge
Authors: Stocker Mark
Published: September 2013

The bronze sculpture variously known as These had most to give, Aspiration and Youth, stands in the forecourt of the Scott Polar Research Institute (SPRI) in Cambridge, and functions as a memorial to the British Antarctic Expedition polar party of 1911–1912. It is one of the most important works by Kathleen Scott, wife of Robert Falcon Scott, and a prominent and prolific sculptor. Originally intended as a war memorial and dating from 1922–1923, it received critical acclaim and was exhibited widely. Ten years later Kathleen Scott offered the sculpture to the SPRI to accompany its new building. The institute's committee of management wished to reject the gift, however, as its members considered it too successful in conveying ‘death and martyrdom and in general the tragic side of Polar work’, as Frank Debenham stated, rather than scientific research and discovery. After prolonged discussions with the institute's architect, Herbert Baker, who admired Kathleen Scott and this work, it was finally accepted and installed as inconspicuously as possible. This article reconstructs the historical background to the sculpture and the controversy that surrounded it, using primary source material. The relevance of the objections to the sculpture, as well as its positive qualities, are also briefly examined from a modern perspective.
Organizing for Insurgency: Intraparty Organization and the Development of the House Insurgency, 1908–1910
Authors: Bloch Rubin Ruth
Published: September 2013

A legislative “breakpoint,” the Cannon Revolt profoundly transformed congressional operation, spurring a series of reforms that ultimately led to the disintegration of traditional modes of partisan authority and the creation of new patterns of governance. In this article, I argue that the Cannon Revolt affords an opportunity to examine a crucial, but poorly understood, dynamic in congressional politics. Whereas spatial theories of Congress typically hold that legislators located at the floor median are decisive actors in chamber politics, the archival account presented here suggests that these legislators require the scaffolding of an intraparty organization to secure pivotal status. As I demonstrate, intraparty organization enabled a ragtag group of Republican reformers opposed to Cannon's “czar rule” to draft and unite behind a common proposal for parliamentary reform, and to build the cross-party coalition that scholars agree was critical to its passage. In this account, the influence of the so-called “Insurgent” Republicans hinged on their collective capacity to hang together in sufficient numbers to hold the balance of power in the chamber—in effect, organizing all potentially pivotal votes into one bloc essential to sustaining the majority party coalition.
Regularity of weak solution for a coupled system arising from a microwave heating model
Authors: YIN HONG-MING , WEI WEI
Published: September 2013

In this paper, we study the regularity of a weak solution for a coupled system derived from a microwave-heating model. The main feature of this model is that electric conductivity in the electromagnetic field is assumed to be temperature dependent. It is shown that the weak solution of the coupled system possesses some regularity under certain conditions. In particular, it is shown that the temperature is Hölder continuous, even if electric conductivity has a jump discontinuity with respect to the temperature change. The main idea in the proof is based on an estimate for a linear degenerate system in Campanato space. As an application, the regularity result for the coupled system is used to derive the necessary condition for an optimal control problem arising in microwave heating processes.
Photobleaching/Photoblinking Differential Equation Model for Fluorescence Microscopy Imaging
Authors: Sanches J. Miguel , Rodrigues Isabel
Published: September 2013

Fluorescence images present low signal-to-noise ratio (SNR), are corrupted by a type of multiplicative noise with Poisson distribution, and are affected by a time intensity decay due to photoblinking and photobleaching (PBPB) effects. The noise and the PBPB effects together make long-term biological observation very difficult. Here, a theoretical model based on the underlying quantum mechanic physics theory of the observation process associated with this type of image is presented and the common empirical weighted sum of two decaying exponentials is derived from the model. Improvement in the SNR obtained in denoising when the proposed method is used is particularly important in the last images of the sequence where temporal correlation is used to recover information that is sometimes faded and therefore useless from a visual inspection point of view. The proposed PBPB model is included in a Bayesian denoising algorithm previously proposed by the authors. Experiments with synthetic and real data are presented to validate the PBPB model and to illustrate the effectiveness of the model in denoising and reconstruction results.
Governing religion: the long-term effects of sacred financing
Authors: ROTHSTEIN BO , BROMS RASMUS
Published: September 2013

The absence of democracy in the Arab–Muslim world is a ‘striking anomaly’ for democratization scholars. This cannot be seen as caused by religion as such, as there are now several democratic Muslim-majority states. Popular explanations such as values, culture, economic development, natural resources, or colonial legacy have been refuted. Based on Ostrom's approach regarding local groups’ ability to establish institutions for ‘governing the commons’, we present a novel explanation for this puzzle, based on historical variations in institutions for financing religion. In Northwestern Europe, religion and secular services managed by local religious institutions have been financed ‘from below’, creating local systems for semi-democratic representation, transparency, and accountability. In the Arab–Muslim region, religion and local secular services have been financed ‘from above’, by private foundations lacking systems for representation and accountability. It is thus not religion, but how religion has been financed, that explains lacking successful democratization in the Arab–Muslim world.
Realization of ferromagnetic graphene oxide with high magnetization by doping graphene oxide with nitrogen
Authors: Liu Yuan , Tang Nujiang , Wan Xiangang , Feng Qian , Li Ming , Xu Qinghua , Liu Fuchi , Du Youwei
Published: September 2013

The long spin diffusion length makes graphene very attractive for novel spintronic devices and thus has triggered a quest for integrating the charge and spin degrees of freedom. However, ideal graphene is intrinsic non-magnetic, due to a delocalized π bonding network. Therefore, synthesis of ferromagnetic graphene or its derivatives with high magnetization is urgent due to both fundamental and technological importance. Here we report that N-doping can be an effective route to obtain a very high magnetization of ca. 1.66 emu/g and can make graphene oxide (GO) to be ferromagnetism with a Curie-temperature of 100.2 K. Clearly, our findings can offer the easy realization of ferromagnetic GO with high magnetization, therefore, push the way for potential applications in spintronic devices.
Layer-by-layer aqueous synthesis, characterization and fluorescence properties of type-II CdTe/CdS core/shell quantum dots with near-infrared emission
Authors: Gui Rijun , An Xueqin
Published: September 2013

A layer-by-layer epitaxial method was developed to synthesize water-soluble, near-infrared (NIR)-emitting type-II core–shell CdTe/CdS quantum dots (QDs) via employing glutathione-capped CdTe QDs as core templates, CdCl2 and thiourea as shell precursors.
Synthetic retinoid Am80 up-regulates apelin expression by promoting interaction of RARα with KLF5 and Sp1 in vascular smooth muscle cells
Authors: Lv Xin-rui , Zheng Bin , Li Shu-ya , Han Ai-li , Wang Chang , Shi Jian-hong , Zhang Xin-hua , Liu Yan , Li Yong-hui , Wen Jin-kun
Published: September 2013

Previous studies have demonstrated that both retinoids and apelin possess potent cardiovascular properties and that retinoids can mediate the expression of many genes in the cardiovascular system. However, it is not clear whether and how retinoids regulate apelin expression in rat VSMCs (vascular smooth muscle cells). In the present study, we investigated the molecular mechanism of apelin expression regulation by the synthetic retinoid Am80 in VSMCs. The results showed that Am80 markedly up-regulated apelin mRNA and protein levels in VSMCs. Furthermore, KLF5 (Krüppel-like factor 5) and Sp1 (stimulating protein-1) co-operatively mediated Am80-induced apelin expression through their direct binding to the TCE (transforming growth factor-β control element) on the apelin promoter. Interestingly, upon Am80 stimulation, the RARα (retinoic acid receptor α) was recruited to the apelin promoter by interacting with KLF5 and Sp1 prebound to the TCE site of the apelin promoter to form a transcriptional activation complex, subsequently leading to the up-regulation of apelin expression in VSMCs. An in vivo study indicated that Am80 increased apelin expression in balloon-injured arteries of rats, consistent with the results from the cultured VSMCs. Thus the results of the present study describe a novel mechanism of apelin regulation by Am80 and further expand the network of RARα in the retinoid pathway.
Probabilistic approach for optimal planning of distributed generators with controlling harmonic distortions
Authors: Abdelsalam Abdelazeem A. , El‐Saadany Ehab F.
Published: September 2013

In this study, a probabilistic planning approach is proposed for optimally allocating different types of distributed generator (DG) (i.e. wind‐based DG, solar DG and non‐renewable DG) into a harmonic polluted distribution system so as to minimise the annual energy losses and reduce the harmonic distortions. The proposed planning methodology takes into consideration the intermittent nature of the renewable resources, load profile and the technical constraints of the system. The objective function is the total system annual power loss. The constraints include voltage limits at different buses (slack and load buses) of the system, feeder capacity, total harmonic distortion (THD) limits and maximum penetration limit of DG units. The optimisation process is achieved using the genetic algorithm optimisation method. This proposed approach has been applied to a typical rural distribution system with different scenarios including all possible combinations of distributed energy resources. The simulation results using Matlab programming environment show that significant reductions in the energy losses and THD are achieved for all the proposed scenarios. Also simulation results depict that the proposed method is robust and computationally efficient.
New support vector machine‐based digital relaying scheme for discrimination between power swing and fault
Authors: Chothani Nilesh G. , Bhalja Bhavesh R. , Parikh Urmil B.
Published: September 2013

This study presents a new support vector machine (SVM)‐based identification method which effectively discriminates between various types of fault and power swing conditions. Different power swing cases, fault cases and fault during power swing cases have been generated with varying fault and system parameters using PSCAD/EMTDC software package. The performance of the developed algorithm has been tested over 3510 testing dataset. Using three phase current samples for half cycle duration of each simulation case of post‐fault/power swing conditions, an overall classification accuracy of 98.71% is achieved. The proposed scheme is capable to detect faults during power swing condition accurately as the current waveform/signatures for both the cases are entirely different. On the other hand, the conventional scheme do not provide effective discrimination in the said situation as they compare magnitude/phase of the current signals (require pre/post‐processing of signals). In addition, conventional scheme gives poor accuracy during unknown system/unseen dataset whereas the proposed scheme provides promising accuracy (97.61%) in the said situation.
Simple control strategy for inverter‐based distributed generator to enhance microgrid stability in the presence of induction motor loads
Authors: Alaboudy Ali Hassan Kasem , Zeineldin Hatem Hussein , Kirtley Jim
Published: September 2013

Owing to the increasing penetration of decentralised generation, stable islanded microgrid operation is essential. Fault provoked islanding conditions may lead to unstable microgrid operation, particularly when direct connected induction motor (IM) loads are included. This study proposes a control strategy for inverter‐based DG to support microgrid stability. A transient control mode (TCM), based on droop design and flow management of current components is proposed to enable the microgrid to withstand transient faults and resume stable islanded operation. The microgrid model, which includes a mix of synchronous generation, inverter‐based DG and IM loads, has been simulated in Matlab. Results show that inverter control schemes supported with TCM can withstand longer fault durations. Inverter current control scheme equipped with TCM gives better stability performance for the microgrid with IM loads.
Multi‐objective fuzzy‐based procedure for enhancing reactive power management
Authors: El Sehiemy Ragab , Abou El‐Ela Adel , Shaheen AbdulAllah
Published: September 2013

This study proposes a multi‐objective fuzzy‐based procedure for solving reactive power management in competitive environment. The proposed procedure incorporates both economical and technical aspects of reactive power support. The economical aspect aims to minimise the total costs of reactive power purchase from service providers as primary objective function, whereas the technical aspect is taken care of through the secondary objective function that minimises the total transmission losses. The proposed procedure achieves security constraints such as the bus voltage limits, reactive power capability limits and transmission line reactive transfer limits. The proposed procedure is applied to the west‐delta region system as a part of the Egyptian Unified network. The numerical results show that the proposed procedure achieves a minimum real power loss with maximal reactive reserve for power systems for different operating conditions.