bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Isolation and purification of arctigenin from Fructus Arctii by enzymatic hydrolysis combined with high‐speed counter‐current chromatography
Authors: Liu Feng , Xi Xingjun , Wang Mei , Fan Li , Geng Yanling , Wang Xiao
Published: December 2013

Enzymatic hydrolysis pretreatment combined with high‐speed counter‐current chromatography for the transformation and isolation of arctigenin from Fructus Arctii was successfully developed. In the first step, the extract solution of Fructus Arctii was enzymatic hydrolyzed by β‐glucosidase. The optimal hydrolysis conditions were 40°C, pH 5.0, 24 h of hydrolysis time, and 1.25 mg/mL β‐glucosidase concentration. Under these conditions, the content of arctigenin was transformed from 2.60 to 12.59 mg/g. In the second step, arctigenin in the hydrolysis products was separated and purified by high‐speed counter‐current chromatography with a two‐phase solvent system composed of petroleum ether/ethyl acetate/methanol/water (10:25:15:20, v/v), and the fraction was analyzed by HPLC, ESI‐MS, and 1H NMR spectroscopy. Finally, 102 mg of arctigenin with a purity of 98.9% was obtained in a one‐step separation from 200 mg of hydrolyzed sample.
How Global Companies are Really Led
Authors: Thomas Robert J. , Bellin Joshua , Jules Claudy , Lynton Nandani
Published: December 2013

Thomas, Bellin, Jules, and Lynton interviewed 50 C‐level executives from 39 countries on five continents to learn more about the evolution of leadership at top companies. They uncovered four configurations described in more detail in the article: kitchen cabinets, tiger teams, advocates, and operators. Each “represents a pattern of behavior and roles that can be taken on for a specific purpose and period of time.” The interviewees represented such major global players as the home improvement retailers Kingfisher, the hospitality company Four Seasons, the General Electric French subsidiary Converteam, and the Indian conglomerate Tata Group.
How is Innovation in China Different?
Authors: Wu Po Chi
Published: December 2013

To understand the phenomenal economic rise of China in recent years, you have to look at what innovation means and represents there. Po Chi Wu explains that the market is different because consumers are different than those in the West, including having less sophistication about products. For an innovative company to succeed in China, four factors are crucial: (1) getting big fast to withstand copycat competitors, (2) getting explicit or implicit government approval at local and/or central levels, (3) quickly generating revenue, and (4) continuing to attract talent for the right intellectual capital.
An Effective Mitigation for Phosphine Present in Ammunition Container Assemblies and in Munitions Containing Red Phosphorus
Authors: Manton Graham , Endsor Robert M. , Hammond Michael
Published: December 2013

A major issue associated with munitions containing red phosphorus is that, during storage, red phosphorus can react, in the presence of moisture and air, to form a mixture of corrosive phosphorus acids and the toxic gas phosphine. This has raised serious concerns relating to the health and safety of personnel handling these munitions. This paper details the studies undertaken to assess the suitability of a chemically impregnated activated carbon cloth (phosphine getter material – PGM) for the static adsorption of phosphine evolved from munitions containing red phosphorus and its effective mitigation of phosphine present in both ammunition container assemblies and within the main body of munitions of this type. Laboratory assessment of PGM was undertaken along with real‐life ammunition container assembly trials covering several munitions containing red phosphorus and accelerated ageing trials using modified countermeasure cartridges. Reaction products formed from the reaction of phosphine with chemical impregnates were studied using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and energy dispersive X‐ray analysis (EDX). Aqueous extraction of the phosphine reacted PGM confirmed the presence of the acidic species orthophosphoric acid (H3PO4) and phosphorus acid (H3PO3).
Clinical Case Reporting in the Peer‐Reviewed Physical Therapy Literature: Time to Move Toward Functioning
Authors: Davenport Todd E.
Published: December 2013

Physical therapists increasingly are contributing clinical case reports to the health literature, which form the basis for higher quality evidence that has been incorporated into clinical practice guidelines. Yet, few resources exist to assist physical therapists with the basic mechanics and quality standards of producing a clinical case report. This situation is further complicated by the absence of uniform standards for quality in case reporting. The importance of including a concise yet comprehensive description of patient functioning in all physical therapy case reports suggest the potential appropriateness of basing quality guidelines on the World Health Organization's International Classification of Functioning Disability and Health (ICF) model. The purpose of this paper is to assist physical therapists in creating high‐quality clinical case reports for the peer‐reviewed literature using the ICF model as a guiding framework. Along these lines, current recommendations related to the basic mechanics of writing a successful clinical case report are reviewed, as well and a proposal for uniform clinical case reporting requirements is introduced with the aim to improve the quality and feasibility of clinical case reporting in physical therapy that are informed by the ICF model. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Metal bonding strength in low‐temperature processed titanium using atomic force microscopy with single‐wall carbon nanotube tip
Authors: Choi E. M. , Cui Y. H. , Kwon S. H. , Kim A. R. , Choi H. S. , Lee S. J. , Pyo S. G.
Published: December 2013

We report the development of a Ti–Ti bonding process at a low bonding temperature below 200 °C using chemically surface‐activated Ti thin films and a reliable evaluation method for measuring the Ti–Ti bond strength by means of atomic force microscopy (AFM). Using Ti as an interlayer enables void‐free bonding because Ti exhibits fast diffusion and oxide solubility. On the other hand, wafer bonding is an important processing step for 3D circuit integration that requires a high reliability of the process. However, the reliability of bonding‐strength values obtained by employing conventional measurement devices is limited by comparably large measurement errors and restricted the availability of suitable sample material. In this study, the use of AFM to measure the bonding strength is proposed. The interfacial bonding properties depend on the Ti deposition parameters. A bonding temperature of 200 °C was found to be appropriate for the development of a low bonding temperature wafer‐bonding process. The pretreatment methods like plasma activation and chemical activation at 200 °C result in a Ti bonding strength of approximately 8.22 J/m2, sufficient for applications in 3D circuit integration. (© 2014 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Measuring the Process Yield for Circular Profiles
Authors: Wang Fu‐Kwun
Published: December 2013

Two indices Cp(circular) and Cpk(circular) based on the functional method have been proposed to measure the process capability of circular profiles. However, these two indices only provide potential capability and a lower bound on the process yield, respectively. In this paper, we develop a new yield index Spk(circular) for circular profiles. This index provides an exact measure of process yield. The asymptotic normal distribution of the estimated index is derived. The statistical inferences such as hypothesis testing, confidence interval, and lower confidence interval can be easily constructed. A simulation study is conducted to assess the performance of the proposed method. The simulation results confirm that the estimates are close to the true value and the coverage rates of the confidence intervals are greater than the 95% lower limit of the stated nominal in most cases. One real data set is used to illustrate the applicability of the proposed method. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Towards Coordinated Multirobot Missions for Lunar Sample Collection in an Unknown Environment
Authors: Eich Markus , Hartanto Ronny , Kasperski Sebastian , Natarajan Sankaranarayanan , Wollenberg Johannes
Published: December 2013

In this paper, the recent results of the space project IMPERA are presented. The goal of IMPERA is the development of a multirobot planning and plan execution architecture with a focus on a lunar sample collection scenario in an unknown environment. We describe the implementation and verification of different modules that are integrated into a distributed system architecture. The modules include a mission planning approach for a multirobot system and modules for task and skill execution within a lunar use‐case scenario. The skills needed for the test scenario include cooperative exploration and mapping strategies for an unknown environment, the localization and classification of sample containers using a novel approach of semantic perception, and the skill of transporting sample containers to a collection point using a mobile manipulation robot. Additionally, we present our approach of a reliable communication framework that can deal with communication loss during the mission. Several modules are tested within several experiments in the domain of planning and plan execution, communication, coordinated exploration, perception, and object transportation. An overall system integration is tested on a mission scenario experiment using three robots.
Potential diagnostic consequences of applying non‐invasive prenatal testing: population‐based study from a country with existing first‐trimester screening
Authors: Petersen O. B. , Vogel I. , Ekelund C. , Hyett J. , Tabor A. ,   the Danish Fetal Medicine Study Group,   the Danish Clinical Genetics Study Group
Published: December 2013

Objectives

Targeted non‐invasive prenatal testing (NIPT) tests for trisomies 21, 18 and 13 and sex chromosome aneuploidies and could be an alternative to traditional karyotyping. The aim of this study was to determine the risk of missing other abnormal karyotypes of probable phenotypic significance by NIPT.

Methods

This was a retrospective population‐based analysis of all singleton pregnancies booked for combined first‐trimester screening (cFTS) in Denmark over a 4‐year period. Data concerning maternal demographics, cFTS and prenatal or postnatal karyotypes were collected from the Danish Fetal Medicine database. Karyotypes were classified according to whether the chromosomal anomaly would have been detected by NIPT and whether it was likely to affect phenotype.

Results

cFTS was completed in 193 638 pregnancies. 10 205 (5.3%) had cytogenetic or molecular analysis performed. Of these, 1122 (11.0%) had an abnormal karyotype, of which 262 (23.4%) would have been missed by NIPT, but would probably have been clinically significant. The prevalence of such ‘atypical abnormal karyotypes’ was increased in women above 45 years of age, in pregnancies with increased nuchal translucency (NT) thickness (≥ 3.5 mm), with abnormal levels of free β‐human chorionic gonadotropin (< 0.2 or ≥ 5.0 multiples of the median (MoM)) or pregnancy‐associated plasma protein‐A < 0.2 MoM. One or more of these factors was present in 3% of women, and the prevalence of atypical abnormal karyotypes in this high‐risk cohort was 1.6%.

Conclusions

A significant proportion of karyotypic abnormalities will be missed by targeted NIPT. Women of advanced maternal age, or with increased fetal NT or abnormal biochemistry, have a higher risk of having a fetus affected by an atypical abnormal karyotype and need to be counseled accordingly when considering NIPT. Copyright © 2013 ISUOG. Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd
Dichtheitsprüfungen und Lecksuche ohne Helium
Authors: Maus‐Friedrichs Wolfgang
Published: December 2013

Dichtheitsprüfungen und Lecksuche mit Helium sind über viele Jahrzehnte hinweg optimierte und technisch versierte Verfahren. Eine reihe technischer Vorteile des Heliums wurde sinnvoll zur Optimierung der messgeräte genutzt, wie die Einsetzbarkeit im Nebenstromverfahren, seine hohe Permeabilität, seine reaktionsträgheit und seine bisher einfache Verfügbarkeit. messgeräte auf dieser Basis sind jedoch in fast allen Fällen nicht in der Lage andere Gase zu verwenden. Insbesondere bei verschlossenen Produkten wie z. B. Transistoren oder Konservendosen aus dem Lebensmittelbereich ist das Einbringen von Helium technisch schwierig und aufwendig. Dort wäre die direkte Nutzung des eingekapselten Prozessgases zur Dichtheitsprüfung sehr viel sinnvoller. Dies können moderne multigas‐Lecksucher heute ermöglichen.
Optische in‐situ Prozessverfolgung und ‐steuerung
Authors: Gäbler Johannes , Stenzel Olaf , Wilbrandt Steffen , Kaiser Norbert
Published: December 2013

Optische Monitoringverfahren haben sich im vergangenen Jahrzehnt als unverzichtbarer Bestandteil einer deterministischen Herstellungsstrategie anspruchsvoller optischer Beschichtungen etabliert. Traditionelle Umsetzungen basieren dabei auf der Messung des Transmissionsspektrums oder alternativ des Reflexionsspektrums direkt an der wachsenden Schicht. Im Falle praktisch absorptions‐ und streufreier Beschichtungen auf transparenten Substraten bieten beide Herangehensweisen grundsätzlich den gleichen Informationsgehalt. Im Falle absorbierender Schichtsysteme sind die Informationen aus dem Transmissionsspektrum und dem Reflexionsspektrum grundsätzlich nicht mehr gleichwertig. In diesem Fall erscheint es sinnvoll, beide Spektren während der Beschichtung gleichzeitig zu registrieren, um ein möglichst vollständiges Bild vom Status der wachsenden Schicht zu erhalten. Wir stellen die Realisierung eines solchen Aufbaus für die Prozessverfolgung und ‐steuerung für branchenübliche Verdampfungsprozesse vor und demonstrieren die Wirkweise am Beispiel des Wachstums von Aluminiumoxidschichten sowie Aluminiumspiegeln.
Ultra‐Schnüffel‐Testgasverfahren auf Grundlage des Partial‐Vakuum‐Effekts
Authors: Brockmann Robert
Published: December 2013

Testgasverfahren zum Nachweis der Helium‐Dichtheit können unter atmosphärischen Bedingungen nur bedingt eingesetzt werden, da die Empfindlichkeit mit 5,24 ppm durch die natürliche Helium‐Konzentration der Luft begrenzt wird. Diese Konzentration entspricht in etwa einer Leckrate von 5,24 × 10−06 mbar l/s.

Im Gegensatz zu den klassischen atmosphärischen Testgasverfahren, dem Überdrück‐Testgasverfahren B3 der DIN EN 1779, erlaubt das am Max‐Planck Institut für Plasmaphysik entwickelte UST‐Verfahren den Nachweis der Helium‐Dichtheit eines Bauteiles mit einer Empfindlichkeit von bis 1 × 10−11 mbar l/s. Ähnlich wie beim Überdrück‐Testgasverfahren B3 wird das Bauteil in eine Hülle eingeschlagen aber im Gegensatz zum Prüfverfahren B3 mit einem von heliumbefreiten Gas beaufschlagt, so dass die Helium‐Dichtheit des Bauteiles wesentlich schneller und zuverlässiger nachgewiesen werden kann.
Genome network medicine: innovation to overcome huge challenges in cancer therapy
Authors: Roukos Dimitrios H.
Published: December 2013

The post‐ENCODE era shapes now a new biomedical research direction for understanding transcriptional and signaling networks driving gene expression and core cellular processes such as cell fate, survival, and apoptosis. Over the past half century, the Francis Crick ‘central dogma’ of single n gene/protein‐phenotype (trait/disease) has defined biology, human physiology, disease, diagnostics, and drugs discovery. However, the ENCODE project and several other genomic studies using high‐throughput sequencing technologies, computational strategies, and imaging techniques to visualize regulatory networks, provide evidence that transcriptional process and gene expression are regulated by highly complex dynamic molecular and signaling networks. This Focus article describes the linear experimentation‐based limitations of diagnostics and therapeutics to cure advanced cancer and the need to move on from reductionist to network‐based approaches. With evident a wide genomic heterogeneity, the power and challenges of next‐generation sequencing (NGS) technologies to identify a patient's personal mutational landscape for tailoring the best target drugs in the individual patient are discussed. However, the available drugs are not capable of targeting aberrant signaling networks and research on functional transcriptional heterogeneity and functional genome organization is poorly understood. Therefore, the future clinical genome network medicine aiming at overcoming multiple problems in the new fields of regulatory DNA mapping, noncoding RNA, enhancer RNAs, and dynamic complexity of transcriptional circuitry are also discussed expecting in new innovation technology and strong appreciation of clinical data and evidence‐based medicine. The problematic and potential solutions in the discovery of next‐generation, molecular, and signaling circuitry‐based biomarkers and drugs are explored. WIREs Syst Biol Med 2014, 6:201–208. doi: 10.1002/wsbm.1254

This article is categorized under:

Laboratory Methods and Technologies > Genetic/Genomic Methods

Biological Mechanisms > Regulatory Biology

Translational, Genomic, and Systems Medicine > Therapeutic Methods
Using systems approaches to address challenges for clinical implementation of pharmacogenomics
Authors: Karnes Jason H. , Van Driest Sara , Bowton Erica A. , Weeke Peter E. , Mosley Jonathan D. , Peterson Josh F. , Denny Joshua C. , Roden Dan M.
Published: December 2013

Many genetic variants have been shown to affect drug response through changes in drug efficacy and likelihood of adverse effects. Much of pharmacogenomic science has focused on discovering and clinically implementing single gene variants with large effect sizes. Given the increasing complexities of drug responses and their variability, a systems approach may be enabling for discovery of new biology in this area. Further, systems approaches may be useful in addressing challenges in moving these data to clinical implementation, including creation of predictive models of drug response phenotypes, improved clinical decision‐making through complex biological models, improving strategies for integrating genomics into clinical practice, and evaluating the impact of implementation programs on public health. WIREs Syst Biol Med 2014, 6:125–135. doi: 10.1002/wsbm.1255

This article is categorized under:

Translational, Genomic, and Systems Medicine > Translational Medicine
Conformal complementarity maps
Authors: Barbón José L. F. , Rabinovici Eliezer
Published: December 2013

Abstract

We study quantum cosmological models for certain classes of bang/crunch singularities, using the duality between expanding bubbles in AdS with a FRW interior cosmology and perturbed CFTs on de Sitter space-time. It is pointed out that horizon complementarity in the AdS bulk geometries is realized as a conformal transformation in the dual deformed CFT. The quantum version of this map is described in full detail in a toy model involving conformal quantum mechanics. In this system the complementarity map acts as an exact duality between eternal and apocalyptic Hamiltonian evolutions. We calculate the commutation relation between the Hamiltonians corresponding to the different frames. It vanishes only on scale invariant states.
Histological Damage of Colonic Epithelium is Associated with Clinical Severity and Outcome in Colectomized Critically Ill Patients
Authors: Sipola S. , Ala‐Kokko T. I. , Laurila J. J. , Vakkala M. , Ohtonen P. , Saarnio J. , Karttunen T. J. , Syrjälä H.
Published: December 2013

Background

Severe intestinal mucosal damage and organ failure has been associated in experimental models. Our purpose was to determine whether there is any association between histopathological findings and postoperative mortality among ICU patients undergoing emergency colectomies for various illnesses.

Methods

In a retrospective case control study, total colectomy specimens from 50 patients in a mixed ICU were analysed: 18 had sepsis, 11 vascular operations, and 21 Clostridium difficile colitis. Overall thickness, the width of epithelial defects, and presence of cryptal damage were assessed. Extent of necrosis and amount of neutrophils were separately evaluated in the layers of the colonic wall. Clinical features, including sequential organ failure assessment (SOFA) scores and survival, were registered.

Results

The histopathological findings for the three clinical entities were similar, except for the abundance of characteristic pseudomembranes in the Clostridium group. Mucosal height (maximum) showed a negative correlation with SOFA score on admission (ρ = −0.296, P = 0.037), and with preoperative blood lactate level (ρ = −0.316; P = 0.027). The nonsurvivors had wider enterocyte defects (60 vs. 40.8, P = 0.002) and more severe crypt damage (61 vs. 27 %; P = 0.024) than the survivors.

Conclusions

The histopathological damage involves all layers of the colon wall among ICU patients being largely similar in sepsis, C. difficile infection, and ischemia after vascular operations. Mucosal epithelial damage is associated with clinical severity of the illness and mortality.
Laparoscopic Roux‐En‐Y Gastric Bypass is Effective and Safe in Over 55‐year‐old Patients: A Comparative Analysis
Authors: Giordano Salvatore , Victorzon Mikael
Published: December 2013

Background

Controversy exists regarding the effectiveness and safety of laparoscopic Roux‐en‐Y gastric bypass (LRYGB) in elderly patients. We evaluated our outcomes of LRYGB in patients aged ≥55 years.

Methods

A total of 549 consecutive patients underwent LRYGB as primary operation and 132 were ≥55 years old. Patients were divided in two groups: group <55 years comprised 417 patients, with mean age (±SD) of 41.15 ± 8.47 years; group ≥55 years comprised 132 patients, with mean age of 59.43 ± 3.81 years. Mean preoperative body mass index was 47.01 ± 7.47 and 46.21 ± 7.47 respectively, whereas mean excess weightloss percent (EW%) was 88.06 ± 30.28 and 84.86 ± 29.87 %. Early morbidity (30 days) and outcomes at 6, 12, and 24 months follow‐up were evaluated.

Results

Significant difference was found in operative time (84.19 ± 29.05 vs. 90.89 ± 30.95 min, p = 0.03). One conversion to open procedure occurred in group <55 years, whereas three occurred in group ≥55 years (p = 0.04). Intraoperative complications occurred in 22 patients (5.27 %) in group <55 years versus 19 in group ≥55 years (14.39 %), which was statistically significant (p = 0.001). One case of death occurred in the younger group. Overall postoperative morbidity rate was 18.7 % in group <55 years and 25.76 % in group ≥55 years, with no significant difference (p = 0.08). Mean EWL% at 12 months in group <55 years was 65.95.05 ± 26.96 versus 62.61 ± 41.78 in group ≥55 years, whereas at 24 months it was 65.08 ± 29.68 versus 64.48 ± 18.44 with no significant difference between the groups (p = 0.51; p = 0.92).

Conclusions

LRYGB for patients ≥55 years achieves outcomes and complications rates comparable to the younger population. Patients should not be denied bariatric surgery for the age alone.
Separation of Acylglycerides Obtained by Enzymatic Esterification Using Solvent Extraction
Authors: Sánchez Daniel Alberto , Tonetto Gabriela Marta , Ferreira María Luján
Published: December 2013

New avenues to add value to glycerol are currently being explored. One of them is the synthesis of structured lipids through glycerol esterification. In this work we have analyzed the recovery and purification of dicaprin obtained by esterification of glycerol with capric acid (C) in heptane, mediated by Lipozyme RM IM. This is an intermediate step to obtain lipids MLM. In the first stage, the diglyceride synthesis MGM (being G a central HC–OH) was carried out. When M = C, the diglyceride is CGC. Recovery of the diglyceride CGC is required to carry out the esterification of the sn‐2 position with palmitic acid (P), thus obtaining the triglyceride CPC. Different solvents were evaluated using Ecofac 1.0 (a molecular design software solvent) through a theoretical approach to explore the best solvents for the acylglycerides separation. Then, the performance of the selected solvents to separate dicaprin from mono and tricaprin was experimentally studied in a liquid–liquid extraction process. Previously, the remaining fatty acid had been neutralized. With liquid–liquid extraction in three simple steps, using ethanol/water, 94 % of the dicaprin obtained by enzymatic esterification was recovered with a purity of 89 % (wt%). It was also possible to obtain dicaprin with a purity of 97 % but with a yield of 56 %.
Chemical Composition and Ability of Essential Oils from Six Aromatic Plants to Counteract Lipid Oxidation in Emulsions
Authors: Tchobo Fidèle Paul , Alitonou Guy Alain , Soumanou Mohamed Mansourou , Barea Bruno , Bayrasy Christelle , Laguerre Mickaël , Lecomte Jérôme , Villeneuve Pierre , Souhounhloue K. C. Dominique
Published: December 2013

Essential oils with antioxidant properties are of increasing interest in West Africa where there are many antioxidant rich plants. The objective of this study was to determine the essential oil extracted from six native plants (Lippia multiflora, Lippia rugosa, Monodora tenuifolia, Ocimum gratissimum, Pimenta racemosa, Cymbopogon citratus) extracted by hydrodistillation from local plants in Benin. These samples were also evaluated for their antioxidant capacity using the conjugated autoxidizable triene (CAT) assay performed in stripped tung oil‐in‐water emulsion. The essential oil of P. racemosa, containing high amounts of chavicol (10.3 %) and eugenol (54.5 %), showed the strongest antioxidant activity, followed by that from O. gratissimum containing large amounts of thymol (50.2 %). The essential oil extracted from M. tenuifolia exhibited a moderate antioxidant activity. This essential oil is primarily composed of sesquiterpene alcohols such as α‐cadinol (20.5 %), its isomer, α‐muurolol (14.7 %), and germacrene D‐4‐ol (16.8 %). Essential oils from L. multiflora, L. rugosa and C. citratus oils showed poor ability to protect tung oil from oxidation. Finally, essential oils containing phenolic compounds and, in a lesser extent, sesquiterpene alcohols, exhibited the highest CAT values indicating that these compounds are the key determinants of the antioxidant activity of these essential oils in oil‐in‐water emulsions.
Job Satisfaction in the United States: Are Blacks Still More Satisfied?
Authors: Mukerjee Swati
Published: December 2013

Despite the substantial literature on the paradox of the happy female worker, research has been sparse in investigating race differences in job satisfaction. The last national level study on racial differences in job satisfaction was done in 1981 when, using national level U.S. data from the National Longitudinal Surveys of Mature Men for 1966, 1969 and 1971, Bartel showed that blacks had significantly more job satisfaction and further, that this racial gap had widened during this time. Though the reasons for this gap and its widening were not investigated, it was suggested, in a close parallel to the reason for the contented female worker, that lower expectations, in this case due to discrimination in the labor market, could be a reasonable explanation. Surprisingly, since then, there have been only a handful of studies focused on smaller, specific groups. This paper exploits two U.S. national level data sets, the GSS and the NLSY 1997, to examine the racial gap in job satisfaction. Simple means show that blacks are much less satisfied than whites and moreover, this difference has persisted not only across genders but also across almost four decades. To isolate the pure race effect, a sequential process is adopted by first examining the simple difference in the means of job satisfaction, then, through probit estimation, seeing the impact of individual attributes, finally progressing to incorporation of job attributes. Probit estimates give robust results. Blacks are significantly less satisfied than whites even when income, benefits and occupations are controlled. However, this racial gap is greater in the case of women and younger black men. An exploratory analysis shows that when discrimination is accounted for, the satisfaction gap is further reduced and the race coefficients are rendered insignificant. Estimates with comparison income show that the satisfaction gap is driven by perceived discrimination and not necessarily discrimination as captured by comparison income. This highlights the importance of policy measures to reduce perceptual discrimination.
A Psychometric Theory that Measures up to Marketing Reality: An Adapted Many Faceted IRT Model
Authors: Wang Luming , Finn Adam
Published: December 2013

The marketplace has been defined by the interaction between consumers and brands, which has been recognized by the majority of marketing literatures with the exception of the measurement literature. Measurement researchers in marketing have been continuously working on improving the quality of measurement of marketing constructs by applying psychometric theories from the early Classical Test Theory to later generations such as Generalizability Theory and Item Response Theory. But only main effects (normally consumers, sometimes brands) have been focused on, and interactions between them are either ignored or treated as measurement error. This is surprising, given the voluminous literature in other areas of marketing (e.g., marketing segmentation, customer lifetime value, and customer relationship management) that build their entire frameworks on the interpretation and usage of this interaction. In the current research, we propose a new Many Faceted Item Response Theory model to fill this gap in measurement literature. Two sets of indexes describe consumers (and brands); individual main effects (and brand main effects) and brand-specific individual effects (or individual-specific brand effects). Soft drink brand equity data were used for the empirical examination.
Identification of Immunity-Related Genes in Arabidopsis and Cassava Using Genomic Data
Authors: Leal Luis Guillermo , Perez Álvaro , Quintero Andrés , Bayona Ángela , Ortiz Juan Felipe , Gangadharan Anju , Mackey David , López Camilo , López-Kleine Liliana
Published: December 2013

Recent advances in genomic and post-genomic technologies have provided the opportunity to generate a previously unimaginable amount of information. However, biological knowledge is still needed to improve the understanding of complex mechanisms such as plant immune responses. Better knowledge of this process could improve crop production and management. Here, we used holistic analysis to combine our own microarray and RNA-seq data with public genomic data from Arabidopsis and cassava in order to acquire biological knowledge about the relationships between proteins encoded by immunity-related genes (IRGs) and other genes. This approach was based on a kernel method adapted for the construction of gene networks. The obtained results allowed us to propose a list of new IRGs. A putative function in the immunity pathway was predicted for the new IRGs. The analysis of networks revealed that our predicted IRGs are either well documented or recognized in previous co-expression studies. In addition to robust relationships between IRGs, there is evidence suggesting that other cellular processes may be also strongly related to immunity.
Liver function tests may be useful tools for advanced cancer patient care: A preliminary single‐center result
Authors: Tsai Hui‐Ju , Hsieh Ming‐Yen , Tsai Yi‐Chun , Liu Zi‐Yun , Hsieh Hui‐Ya , Lee Chiou‐Mei , Chien Ching‐Hsin , Chiu Yu‐Wen , Chuang Hung‐Yi , Huang Chia‐Tsuan
Published: December 2013

Accurate prognostication in advanced cancer may facilitate better palliative care. An objective marker may be more applicable and appropriate than a subjective evaluation by physicians. The aim of this study was to evaluate liver function tests as useful prognostic factors for survival in patients with advanced cancer. We recruited advanced cancer patients from January 2007 to December 2009. Data on age, sex, cancer diagnosis, site of metastases, clinical symptoms, and performance status were collected at the time of admission to the palliative care unit. Analyzed laboratory data were obtained on the Day 1 of admission to the palliative care unit. A total of 522 patients were enrolled; 322 (61.7%) of them were males. The mean age was 60.6 ± 13.2 years. Multiple logistic regression analysis adjusting for age and sex demonstrated aspartate transaminase (AST) > 80 IU/L [odds ratio (OR) = 2.01, p = 0.010] and alanine transaminase > 80 IU/L (OR = 1.89, p = 0.047) were independently significant prognostic factors of death within 14 days. AST > 80 IU/L (OR = 3.67, p = 0.017) and albumin < 3.0 g/dL (OR = 1.98, p = 0.048) were independently significant prognostic factors of death within 6 months. Liver function tests may be useful prognostic factors for patients in the palliative care unit, in addition to being useful for patients with hepatobiliary cancer or liver metastasis. These biochemical tests of liver function with cutoff values can easily be used in palliative care.
Palladium-catalyzed double C–H activation: one-pot synthesis of benzo[c]pyrazolo[1,2-a]cinnolin-1-ones from 5-pyrazolones and aryl iodides
Authors: Fan Zhoulong , Wu Kui , Xing Li , Yao Qizheng , Zhang Ao
Published: December 2013

A palladium-catalyzed one-pot dual C–H activation approach to construct benzo[c]pyrazolo[1,2-a]cinnolin-1-ones is successfully developed.
Salt as a catalyst in the mitochondria: returning cytochrome c to its native state after it misfolds on the surface of cardiolipin containing membranes
Authors: Pandiscia Leah A. , Schweitzer-Stenner Reinhard
Published: December 2013

After binding to TOCL/DOPC(20%/80%) liposomes ferricytochromecremains mostly in its partially unfolded state under folding conditions. The addition of 100 mM NaCl switches it back to the native state.
Three-dimensional MoS2–CdS–γ-TaON hollow composites for enhanced visible-light-driven hydrogen evolution
Authors: Wang Zheng , Hou Jungang , Yang Chao , Jiao Shuqiang , Zhu Hongmin
Published: December 2013

Three-dimensional MoS2–CdS–γ-TaON hollow nanostructures as novel photocatalysts were firstly synthesized via a facile hydrothermal method and they exhibit a high photocatalytic hydrogen production rate without a noble metal.
Beyond the anisotropy barrier: slow relaxation of the magnetization in both easy-axis and easy-plane Ln(trensal) complexes
Authors: Lucaccini Eva , Sorace Lorenzo , Perfetti Mauro , Costes Jean-Pierre , Sessoli Roberta
Published: December 2013

The slow relaxation of the magnetization of lanthanide SMMs cannot be directly associated with the nature of magnetic anisotropy.
Facile bubble-assisted evaporation-induced assembly of high-density arrays of Co3O4 nano/microlotus leaves: fluorescent properties, drug delivery, and biocompatibility
Authors: Tong Guo-Xiu , Liu Fang-Ting , Wu Wen-Hua , Tong Chao-Li , Qiao Ru , Guo Hui-Chen
Published: December 2013

High-density arrays of biocompatible Co3O4 microcontainers have been successfully prepared via a facile bubble-assisted evaporation-induced assembly.
Influence of Gd3+ co-doping on structural property of CaMoO4:Eu nanoparticles
Authors: Singh B. P. , Parchur A. K. , Ningthoujam R. S. , Ansari A. A. , Singh P. , Rai S. B.
Published: December 2013

Influence of Gd3+ co-doping on structural and morphology of CaMoO4:Eu nanoparticles are demonstrated.
N-Alkyl pyrrolidone ether podands as versatile alkali metal ion chelants
Authors: Perrin Andrea , Myers Dominic , Fucke Katharina , Musa Osama M. , Steed Jonathan W.
Published: December 2013

The highly polar nature of lactam carbonyl groups makes them potent chelators of alkali metal ions as part of a flexible podand ligand.
RhoA and Rac1 play independent roles in lysophosphatidic acid-induced ovarian cancer chemotaxis
Authors: Hwang Hyundoo , Kim Eung-Kyun , Park Juhee , Suh Pann-Ghill , Cho Yoon-Kyoung
Published: December 2013

RhoA and Rac1 signaling pathways are involved in controlling direction and velocity of the cells, respectively, in lysophosphatidic acid-induced chemotaxis of SKOV3 ovarian cancer cells.
Radiolabelling diverse positron emission tomography (PET) tracers using a single digital microfluidic reactor chip
Authors: Chen Supin , Javed Muhammad Rashed , Kim Hee-Kwon , Lei Jack , Lazari Mark , Shah Gaurav J. , van Dam R. Michael , Keng Pei-Yuin , Kim Chang-Jin “CJ”
Published: December 2013

Radiotracer synthesis is an ideal application for microfluidics because only nanogram quantities are needed for positron emission tomography (PET) imaging.
Femtosecond laser ablation of highly oriented pyrolytic graphite: a green route for large-scale production of porous graphene and graphene quantum dots
Authors: Russo Paola , Hu Anming , Compagnini Giuseppe , Duley Walter W. , Zhou Norman Y.
Published: December 2013

Large scale production of porous graphene and graphene quantum dots through femtosecond laser exfoliation and coal gasification.
Different transition metal (Fe2+, Co2+, Ni2+, Cu2+ or VO2+) Schiff complexes immobilized onto three-dimensional mesoporous silica KIT-6 for the epoxidation of styrene
Authors: Sun Jian , Kan Qiubin , Li Zhifang , Yu Guangli , Liu Heng , Yang Xiaoyuan , Huo Qisheng , Guan Jingqi
Published: December 2013

Cu(ii) complexes immobilized onto three-dimensional mesoporous KIT-6 successfully catalyse the styrene epoxidation.
Precoding for multiple‐input multiple‐output systems with space–time block coding over correlated Rician fading channels
Authors: Yu Xiang‐Bin , Dang Xiao‐Yu , Yun Rui , Wang Ying‐Guan , Wu Bin‐Bin
Published: December 2013

Based on the asymptotic analysis in spatially correlated Rician fading channel, the precoders for space‐time block‐coded multiple‐input multiple‐output system at high and low signal‐to‐noise ratios (SNRs) are, respectively, designed to minimise the system bit error rate (BER). The precoding for high SNR provides closed‐form positive power allocation by using the Langrage optimisation method, and has the BER performance close to that of the optimal scheme, especially at high SNR. The Langrage multiplier does exist and is unique, and practical Newton's method is proposed to find its optimal value. Moreover, it has a closed‐form solution for some special cases. Thus, it avoids the iterative calculation of some existing precoding schemes. The precoding for low SNR has a closed‐form solution similar to onedirectional (1‐D) beamforming, and can obtain the performance very close to that of the optimal scheme at low SNR. By combining the above two schemes, a simple and effective suboptimal precoding scheme can be achieved for different SNRs. Simulation results show that the proposed scheme derived from the integration of high and low SNR can provide BER lower than the equal power precoding, and obtain the BER performance close to that of the existing optimal scheme with low complexity.
Optimal design of interior permanent magnet synchronous motor considering the manufacturing tolerances using Taguchi robust design
Authors: Lee Sujin , Kim Kyuseob , Cho Sugil , Jang Junyong , Lee Taehee , Hong Jungpyo
Published: December 2013

The manufacturing tolerance of the permanent magnets (PMs) is inherent in the produce of the machine. These tolerances influence back electromotive force (EMF), which is an important response of the motor. In order to enhance the quality of the product, the authors need to reduce these tolerances, but it is very difficult and involves a number of costs. Therefore, this study presents a robust design of the EMF characteristic analysis considering the manufacturing tolerances of PM in the interior PM synchronous motor (IPMSM). Among the robust optimisation method, Taguchi robust design based on orthogonal array was applied. Finally, the validity of the analysis result is verified by comparing the optimum design model with present design model (mass production model) ones.
Inverse transform method for magnet defect diagnosis in permanent magnet machines
Authors: Abbaszadeh Karim , Saied Seyedamin , Hemmati Siroos , Tenconi Alberto
Published: December 2013

This study presents a new method to detect the magnet defects in permanent magnet (PM) machines by calculating the magnet's MMF function from the machine's electrical variables. The authors propose for the first time an inverse transformation to map the winding flux waveform into the corresponding magnet MMF function. The analysis of this function defines the fault occurrence and its position. The winding flux waveform is computed from the electrical variables and this study adopts a reduced order model of the magnetic equivalent circuit to define the direct and inverse transform between the magnet's MMF and the winding flux; for this reason the authors call the new approach the inverse transform method. A dedicated PM machine with a defective magnet has been constructed to validate the proposed method by comparing simulation and experimental results.
New differential busbar characteristic based on high frequencies extracted from faulted signal during current transformer saturation
Authors: Eissa M.M.
Published: December 2013

Most given techniques tend to block the differential measurement during that portion of the cycle when a current transformer (CT) is saturated. Some other techniques bring more meaning to the breakpoint settings of the operating characteristic. The time and frequency localisation properties of continuous wavelet transform (WT) offer a viable and improved option for analysing the transient characteristics of defect signals. WT depends on high frequencies of the faulted signal produced due to CT saturation. The proposed technique is based on the windowed WT of fault‐generated transients to distinguish between faults in a busbar protection zone from those outside the zone, particularly in case of an early and severe CT saturation. New differential busbar characteristic with values depending on the windowed WT of fault‐generated transients has also been described.
Aspect of voltage stability and reactive power support in active distribution
Authors: Majumder Ritwik
Published: December 2013

In this study, the aspects of voltage stability related to voltage control and reactive power support in an active distribution grid are analysed, considering both static and dynamic system constrains. The analysis is carried out based on different international and local utility standards for voltage source converters (VSCs) and distribution. The ability of VSCs to provide reactive power support is explored in a structural way to improve voltage stability as well as power quality. The functional requirements of the VSCs are identified for this purpose in a generalised platform with the assumption of extension of the network automation till the distributed resources level. The step‐by‐step formulation of voltage stability and reactive power support requirements from system level are translated to VSC level for both static and dynamic system operation, aiming for a better system performance and new energy market scenario. The opportunity of tariff benefit would attract the DG operators as well as the customer for participating in system security through reactive power support and voltage profiling. The main contribution of the study lies in providing a comprehensive guideline for voltage control and reactive support of VSC interfaced DGs in active distribution combining the static and dynamic limitations.
Evaluation of technical risks in distribution network along with distributed generation based on active management
Authors: Abapour Saeed , Zare Kazem , Mohammadi‐ivatloo Behnam
Published: December 2013

One of the main purposes of distribution network operators is increasing the participation of distributed generations (DGs). The DGs contribute in reduction of power losses, improvement of voltage profile and reliability and the postponement of network reinforcement costs. New control methods are required for DG management in order to provide more flexibility in distribution networks. In this study, the authors discuss a specific aspect of active management (AM), which is an effective approach for increasing the penetration of DG units and their management. AM is based on using the control and communication links for better operation of DGs. The effect of AM on the DG integrated distribution network in an uncertain environment is assessed. Fuzzy technique is implemented for modelling the uncertainty of loads, generation of DGs, purchased power from the grid and electricity price. By considering an uncertain environment, in this study, the effect of AM on decreasing the risk of technical issues (active loss and voltage profile) in distribution network is evaluated.
A Gaussian mixture model and support vector machine approach to vehicle type and colour classification
Authors: Chen Zezhi , Pears Nick , Freeman Michael , Austin Jim
Published: December 2013

The authors describe their approach to segmenting moving road vehicles from the colour video data supplied by a stationary roadside closed‐circuit television (CCTV) camera and classifying those vehicles in terms of type (car, van and heavy goods vehicle) and dominant colour. For the segmentation, the authors use a recursively updated Gaussian mixture model approach, with a multi‐dimensional smoothing transform. The authors show that this transform improves the segmentation performance, particularly in adverse imaging conditions, such as when there is camera vibration. The authors then present a comprehensive comparative evaluation of shadow detection approaches, which is an essential component of background subtraction in outdoor scenes. For vehicle classification, a practical and systematic approach using a kernelised support vector machine is developed. The good recognition rates achieved in the authors’ experiments indicate that their approach is well suited for pragmatic vehicle classification applications.
Impacts of a green‐driving application in city buses on fuel consumption, speeding and passenger comfort
Authors: Innamaa Satu , Penttinen Merja
Published: December 2013

The impacts of a green‐driving application on fuel consumption, speeding and passenger comfort were assessed on a frequently operated bus route in the Helsinki metropolitan area. The main results of the study show that use of a green‐driving application in buses significantly reduces fuel consumption and speeding and increases passenger comfort. Novel users of the system drove more economically than those who had used the system longer, but the impact was smaller than found in previous studies. In addition to savings on fuel, the application encouraged driving within the speed limit. A transfer effect on journeys without the system was found for long‐term users but not for novel users. Furthermore, passengers of drivers who used the green‐driving application gave better grades for decelerations and the driver's service attitude in peak traffic. The authors main conclusion is that use of a green‐driving application is beneficial even after years of use for reducing both fuel consumption and speeding. The authors recommended that drivers be regularly encouraged to use the system and that green driving be included in driver training.