bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Domótica: Aplicabilidade e Sistemas de Automação Residencial
Authors: Dias César Luiz de Azevedo , Pizzolato Nélio Domingues
Published: August 2013

Este artigo discorre sobre os benefícios e a aplicabilidade da automação residencial, também denominada Domótica. Segundo a Domotics Integration Project (DIP), Domótica ou tecnologia da casa inteligente é a integração dos serviços e tecnologias, aplicados a residências, flats, apartamentos, casas e pequenas construções, com o propósito de automatizá-los e obter aumento em relação à segurança e proteção, conforto, comunicação e gerenciamento técnico. Também neste trabalho é apresentada uma síntese de elementos que podem compor uma “residência inteligente”, além de algumas vantagens obtidas com sua integração e, por fim, são ilustrados alguns sistemas aplicados na automação residencial, com diferentes tipos de tecnologias, que têm apresentado destaque comercial no cenário nacional e internacional.
Trajetórias ocupacionais dos alunos do Núcleo Avançado Centro de Estudos Supletivos (NACES) CEFET Campos
Authors: Moraes Queila Cristina da Silva , Viana Sheila Cabral
Published: August 2013

O presente artigo é resultado de uma pesquisa qualitativa realizada no ano de 2003, com alunos do NACES que interromperam seus estudos devido à entrada precoce no mercado-de-trabalho. Este estudo teve como objetivo analisar as trajetórias ocupacionais desses alunos, considerando os aspectos que os levaram a abandonar os estudos; as características do mercado de trabalho onde atuaram; a rotatividade desses trabalhadores no mercado; as necessidades que exigiram um melhor nível de escolaridade encontradas no mundo do trabalho.
Impactos das novas tecnologias e a gestão do conhecimento nas sociedades pós-modernas
Authors: Costa Carmen Lúcia Neves do Amaral , Gonçalves Hortência de Abreu
Published: August 2013

The new information and communication technologies contribute to the appearance of initiatives in the organizational field with effects on the informational dimension of space with progressive growth, creating financial impacts, telecommerce, telework and others, which cause significant changes in the concept of economic spacialiaty in its physical dimension to the informational, opening a new way of infrastructure with greater universalization of welfare and consequent acceleration of the globalization, resulting in the reflectivity of modern society and in socio-political institutional changes that characterize some new industrialized countries. This movement promotes the liberalization and deregulation of the world markets, demanding more competitiveness from countries and companies, both nationally and internationally, which often interfere in the post-modern work relationships.
Processamento mental e tempo de reação em mulheres idosas ativas e praticantes de treinamento contra-resistência em comparação com idosas sedentárias e mulheres jovens
Authors: Côrtes Guilherme Gomes , Gama Júlia de Fátima Ribeiro , Dias André Gonçalves
Published: August 2013

The objective of this study is to evaluate and compare motor answers in reaction time tasks performed by aged women undergoing against resistance training (N, 15) for at least 6 months with sedentary aged women (N, 15) and college level young women (N, 15). The test of “reaction time” was used, and parallel and cross-over stimulation-reply was assessed. Among the groups, force training group (FTG), young group (YG) and sedentary group (SG), responses indicate significant differences as SG had the lowest time scores (diminished motor reply). Thus, it can be said that power training causes significant and consistent neuromuscular improvement.
Investigação sobre risco de exposição de população a solo contaminado em área da usina de triagem e compostagem de resíduos (UTCR) do município de Vitória/ES
Authors: Rodrigues Juliana Carvalho , Silva Lindalva Marques da
Published: August 2013

This work resulted from a research conducted in 2006 by the City of Vitória, ES, to accomplish norms set by the Ministry of Health, aiming at the identification of populations under risk of exposure to contaminated ground. The selected area was the Garbage Plant of the City of Vitória, as it is located at minimum distances from impoverished residences. The methodology considers the insertion of specific parameters for social conditions, information about the environment and the distances between the population and the possible source of contamination. Its application classified the studied area as “yellow area” indicating population potentially exposed to ground under suspicion of contamination.
Inserção da astronomia como disciplina curricular do ensino médio
Authors: Dias Claudio André C. M. , Rita Josué R. Santa
Published: August 2013

Astronomy is regarded as one of the first sciences dominated by man; however, it has not been taught as a subject in secondary school programs. Students usually finish this level of education without knowing several topics in the field of Astronomy which are considered compulsory by the Brazilian National Curriculum Standards (PCNs). In view of such disagreement, this study demonstrates the need to incorporate Astronomy as a specific subject in secondary school aiming at reducing the gap between what is taught and what the student actually needs to learn.
Existência e linguagem em “Vidas Secas”: uma hermenêutica filosófica da obra de Graciliano Ramos
Authors: Ferreira Avelino
Published: August 2013

The present study is about the not-said in “Barren Lives”, a novel by Graciliano Ramos (1938), now in its 93rd edition. The aim is a hermeneutic study of the work fundamented and enlightened by the concepts of philosophers such as Gadamer, Merleau-Ponty, Heidegger and Nietzche; and commentators as Santiago Kovadloff, Ernildo Stein, Danilo Marcondes, among others. Our intention is to appeal to reasoning to analyze the lack of reason, the reasoning emptiness, a primary critical silence due to the human condition having as background the bareness found in the novel by this remarkable writer from Alagoas.
Tecnologia RFID e seus benefícios
Authors: Seufitelli Claudia Boechat , Henrique Daniele Fontes , Rosa Sérgio Inácio da , Carvalho Rogério Atem de
Published: August 2013

Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) - é um sistema de identificação através de indução de ondas eletromagnéticas. Esta tecnologia tem se mostrado útil e promissora, e ao se comparar com código de barras, é mais ágil e flexível. Hoje, pode-se perceber que são muitas as aplicações desse sistema como por exemplo: controle de acesso de pessoas e veículos; controle de processos de fabricação industrial; rastreamento animal; controle de estoque etc. Pesquisas apontam um crescimento substancial no emprego da RFID visto que seu custo está reduzindo, fazendo com que o número de possíveis aplicações aumente.
Los factores de influencia en la Gestión del conocimiento
Authors: Sánchez Ramírez Antonio , Aguilar Luis Joyanes
Published: August 2013

Hay factores que impiden o desaceleran los procesos del conocimiento en las organizaciones que afectan la consecución de su visión. La memoria organizacional, repetición de actos irreflexivos y la experiencia juegan un papel importante en el significado de la acción y los objetivos que transforman los planes en logros por medio del conocimiento manifiesto que se vierte en conclusiones y genera un conocimiento sistemático que se infunde con valores como una fuente diferenciadora importante para la empresa. Estos conciben etapas de madurez del desarrollo organizacional dentro de las firmas ya que interaccionan mutuamente, empezando por la memoria organizacional que incorpora los éxitos pasados y presentes, pasando por actos irreflexivos que ponen en riesgo el verdadero contenido del conocimiento en la etapa de la práctica extendida que se fundamenta en los años de experiencia.
Aplicação de retroanálise probabilística para avaliação da estabilidade de taludes
Authors: Maia Paulo César de Almeida , Sayão Alberto Sampaio Ferraz Jardim , Salles Raquel Ofrante
Published: August 2013

Este trabalho apresenta a retroanálise do escorregamento de um aterro ocorrido na BR-153. São apresentados o histórico do escorregamento e os parâmetros geotécnicos obtidos em um programa experimental de laboratório e campo. A estabilidade do talude foi analisada com base em métodos determinísticos e probabilísticos. Esta obra enfatiza a metodologia probabilística utilizada na análise de estabilidade do talude, considerando a variação do nível freático do maciço. Observou-se que o valor estimado da probabilidade de ruptura foi influenciado pela geometria do talude, posição do lençol freático, posição da superfície crítica de ruptura e método de análise da estabilidade, além da variação dos parâmetros geotécnicos. A análise indicou a vantagem de se procedera uma avaliação conjunta dos valores de fator de segurança e probabilidade de ruptura na retroanálise de escorregamentos de taludes.
Tem boi na foto: investigação sociológica sobre a identidade das festividades do boi em Campos dos Goytacazes
Authors: Silva Elaine de Oliveira
Published: August 2013

O presente trabalho aborda uma análise sobre a construção da imagem das comunidades que participam das festividades do boi, sob a ótica sociológica do processo de reconhecimento e afirmação da identidade das mesmas, uma vez que os valores estéticos representam a forma perceptiva da reprodução da auto-estima social dos grupos e do retrato de seus valores e história. Levando em consideração sua produção estética espontânea, procuramos caracterizar os simbolismos e representações presentes nessas manifestações e sua contextualização com o momento histórico que está sendo vivido por essas comunidades, mostrando como as mesmas se auto-representam.
Estudo de alternativas para minimizar o impacto ambiental em áreas de exploração de argilas do município de Campos dos Goytacazes, RJ
Authors: Alexandre J. , Xavier G. C. , Alves M. da G. , Ramos I. de S. , Paes H. M. F.
Published: August 2013

O município de Campos dos Goytacazes é formado por uma área territorial de 4.037 Km2. Uma das bases de sua economia está voltada para a produção de artefatos cerâmicos que alcançam uma produção mensal na ordem de 75 milhões de peças cerâmicas vermelhas. As matérias-primas utilizadas para esse fim são extraídas da bacia sedimentar do Município, que é formada por um solo basicamente argiloso-siltoso, com grande potencial, não só para a indústria cerâmica como também para o setor agrícola. As explorações dessas matérias são feitas geralmente de maneiras empíricas que acabam muitas vezes gerando um impacto ambiental, pois as espessuras das camadas de argila variam em média de 2 a 4 m, tem como limite de exploração lençóis de areia ou nível de água. Nesse trabalho, buscou-se mostrar uma alternativa de exploração de jazidas, baseada na reutilização das cavas como área agrícola. Para isso é proposto que projetos de agricultura sejam consorciados com a técnica de exploração das lavras, através de exploração racional baseada em informação dos solos por prospecções.
Sistema inteligente para tratamento de eventos em subestações de distribuição de energia elétrica
Authors: Liberato Alextian Bartholomeu , Meza Edwin Benito Mitacc
Published: August 2013

Este artigo apresenta o desenvolvimento e a construção de um sistema inteligente para o processamento de eventos dentro de uma subestação. Este sistema é baseado em redes neurais artificiais e sistemas especialistas, em que a saída representará a resposta a cada padrão de eventos enviados pelo sistema de controle e aquisição de dados, após a ocorrência de um distúrbio na subestação. Esta resposta irá auxiliar o operador na identificação do(s) componente(s) defeituoso(s) após o distúrbio, podendo ser analisado como um problema de reconhecimento de padrões. Também é descrito o desenvolvimento do protótipo, além dos testes realizados para validação da metodologia proposta.
Militâncias e eleitorado em Campos dos Goytacazes: entre clãs, tribos e republicanismo
Authors: Silva Marcus Cardoso da
Published: August 2013

Nesta análise ambiciona-se compreender as principais militâncias e estratos do eleitorado de Campos dos Goytacazes. Por meio de uma reconstrução da história recente da ação militante e participação eleitoral na cidade aliada a uma análise que parte do conceito de clã de Oliveira Vianna. Apesar do aparato político institucional brasileiro moderno, muitas práticas sociais atrasadas continuam a vigorar a pleno vapor. Não obstante, nenhum país do mundo ocidental teve, em seus eleitores, práticas republicanas – no sentido weberiano – desde o início de sua atuação. Tal diacronismo remete à interpretação do Brasil de Werneck Vianna, em especial ao conceito de revolução passiva.
Problem: Decoding dimensions of the Dakota
Authors: Farmer Sherri , Kastberg Signe E.
Published: August 2013

Each month, elementary teachers are given problem along with suggested instructional notes. Teachers are asked to use the problem in their own classrooms and report solutions, strategies, reflections, and misconceptions to the journal audience.
Qualidade das calçadas na cidade de Camboriú/SC: em busca da acessibilidade e mobilidade sustentável para área turística
Authors: Vieira Rafaela , Morastoni Raíza
Published: August 2013

O objetivo é identificar o Índice de Caminhabilidade da área urbana de Camboriú, apontando os bairros que apresentam as melhores e piores condições de deslocamentos a pé. O método de abordagem é o indutivo e o de procedimento o estudo de caso. A pesquisa foi estruturada em quatro etapas: elaboração e aprovação do projeto, coleta de dados, tabulação e mapeamentos temáticos, análise e discussão dos resultados. As técnicas adotadas foram pesquisa bibliográfica, documental e de campo, com observação direta intensiva. O resultado é um Índice de Caminhabilidade de 1,93, o que indica uma situação crítica, necessitando qualificação das calçadas como forma de melhorar a infraestrutura do turismo, garantindo a permanência e aumento da atratividade. Este é um dado útil no processo de planejamento territorial do turismo, na busca pela acessibilidade e mobilidade sustentável.
A Relação entre o Planejamento Urbano e a Competitividade dos Destinos Turísticos
Authors: Domareski Ruiz Thays Cristina , Gândara José Manoel
Published: August 2013

O estudo da competitividade vem sendo conduzido a partir de novos contextos, como por exemplo, o viés da competitividade de destinos turísticos, o que tem provocado significativas mudanças em termos de produção de conhecimento, mesclando áreas e proporcionando uma reflexão multidisciplinar. Este artigo tem como objetivo analisar a relação entre o planejamento urbano e a competitividade dos destinos turísticos, dois conceitos que refletem diretamente no desenvolvimento das cidades. A metodologia do trabalho busca através de uma revisão bibliográfica analisar os modelos de avaliação de competitividade e identificar a relação do planejamento urbano no desenvolvimento da competitividade. A pesquisa confirma a relação direta do planejamento urbano com quatro dos seis modelos de competitividade de destinos turísticos analisados.
Análise da influência da imagem de destinos na satisfação e fidelidade a destinações de turismo de sol e praia: Um estudo em Natal/RN
Authors: Das Chagas Márcio Marreiro , Sampaio Luciano Menezes Bezerra , Santos Kaline Elizama Bezerra
Published: August 2013

O estudo analisou a influência da imagem na satisfação e na fidelidade a destinos turísticos de Sol e Praia, investigando como caso prático Natal/RN, tendo como variáveis de controle as dimensões da qualidade. Para isto, foi realizado um estudo exploratório-descritivo, com enfoque analítico quantitativo, do tipo survey. A amostragem realizada foi probabilística, sendo o sujeito escolhido de modo aleatório simples. O instrumento de coleta adotado foi o questionário, aplicado junto aos turistas internacionais em visita a Natal/RN (Brasil). A coleta de dados ocorreu no Aeroporto Internacional Augusto Severo, com o total de 300 turistas entrevistados. Os resultados do estudo apontam nove dimensões da qualidade: Praias, Equipamentos Hoteleiros, Equipamentos Públicos, Restaurantes, Serviços de Transportes, Informações e Financeiro, Atrativos Turísticos, Paisagem Urbana e Natural, Diversidade de Restaurantes e Pratos, e, por último, Serviços Complementares e Acesso ao Hotel. Além disso, as hipóteses principais foram confirmadas, ou seja, a imagem de destinos afeta direta e fortemente o processo de satisfação e fidelização de turistas. Além disso, a qualidade exerce também influência significativa na satisfação e fidelização.
Hydroxypropyl Cellulose Methacrylate as a Photo‐Patternable and Biodegradable Hybrid Paper Substrate for Cell Culture and Other Bioapplications
Authors: Qi Aisha , Hoo Siew Pei , Friend James , Yeo Leslie , Yue Zhilian , Chan Peggy P. Y.
Published: August 2013

In addition to the choice of appropriate material properties of the tissue construct to be used, such as its biocompatibility, biodegradability, cytocompatibility, and mechanical rigidity, the ability to incorporate microarchitectural patterns in the construct to mimic that found in the cellular microenvironment is an important consideration in tissue engineering and regenerative medicine. Both these issues are addressed by demonstrating a method for preparing biodegradable and photo‐patternable constructs, where modified cellulose is cross‐linked to form an insoluble structure in an aqueous environment. Specifically, hydroxypropyl cellulose (HPC) is rendered photocrosslinkable by grafting with methylacrylic anhydride, whose linkages also render the cross‐linked construct hydrolytically degradable. The HPC is then cross‐linked via a photolithography‐based fabrication process. The feasibility of functionalizing these HPC structures with biochemical cues is verified post‐fabrication, and shown to facilitate the adhesion of mesenchymal progenitor cells. The HPC constructs are shown to be biocompatible and hydrolytically degradable, thus enabling cell proliferation and cell migration, and therefore constituting an ideal candidate for long‐term cell culture and implantable tissue scaffold applications. In addition, the potential of the HPC structure is demonstrated as an alternative substrate to paper microfluidic diagnostic devices for protein and cell assays.
Asymmetric Synthesis of β‐Substituted α‐Methylenebutyro‐ lactones via TRIP‐Catalyzed Allylation: Mechanistic Studies and Application to the Synthesis of (S)‐(−)‐Hydroxymatairesinol
Authors: Fuchs Michael , Schober Markus , Orthaber Andreas , Faber Kurt
Published: August 2013

Asymmetric allylation of (hetero)aromatic aldehydes by a zinc(II)‐allylbutyrolactone species catalyzed by a chiral BINOL‐type phosphoric acid gave β‐substituted α‐methylenebutyrolactones in 68 to >99% ee and 52–91% isolated yield. DFT studies on the intermediate Zn2+‐complex – crucial for chiral induction – suggest a six‐membered ring intermediate, which allows the phosphoric acid moiety to activate the aldehyde. The methodology was applied to the synthesis of the antitumour natural product (S)‐(−)‐hydroxymatairesinol.

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Copper‐Catalyzed Synthesis of α‐Thioaryl Carbonyl Compounds Through SS and CC Bond Cleavage
Authors: Zou Liang‐Hua , Priebbenow Daniel L. , Wang Long , Mottweiler Jakob , Bolm Carsten
Published: August 2013

A method to access α‐thioaryl ketones and α‐thioaryl esters employing copper acetate (hydrate) as catalyst and readily accessible diaryl disulfides and β‐diketones (or β‐keto esters) has been developed. Both alkyl‐ and aryl‐substituted carbonyl compounds can be prepared.

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Chromium(VI) removal from aqueous solutions by polyelectrolyte‐enhanced ultrafiltration with polyquaternium
Authors: Zeng Jianxian , Guo Qiannan , Ou‐Yang Zhenzhong , Zhou Hu , Chen Huajun
Published: August 2013

Polyelectrolyte‐enhanced ultrafiltration was investigated for the removal of chromium(VI) anion from aqueous solutions with the help of cationic polyquaternium‐6 (PQ6). The ultrafiltration behavior of Cr(VI) aqueous solutions was studied at pH 6. Owing to an effect of electrostatic repulsion, the membrane with a molecular weight cutoff (MWCO) of 10 000 Da rejected about 30% of Cr(VI). Then, ultrafiltration of aqueous solutions of a Cr(VI)–PQ6 complex was further studied. Factors affecting Cr(VI) rejection coefficient (RCr) and permeate flux (J) such as pH, polymer metal ratio (PMR), the added salts, temperature, operating pressure and MWCO were investigated. The best operating parameters, such as pH 9 and PMR 10, were obtained in order to achieve high RCr (>0.97). By increasing the concentrations of the added salts (KCl, KNO3 and K2SO4), RCr was found to decrease significantly. J decreases slightly in the pH range of 2–5. Cl− or SO42− does not affect J, whereas NO3− results in the decrease of J. The binding mechanisms of dichromate, chromate and nitrate with PQ6 were proposed. Finally, the concentration experiment was carried out under the optimal conditions. RCr was close to 1, and J decreases slightly. Chromium was effectively concentrated by the membrane. © 2013 Curtin University of Technology and John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Trap modification opens new gates to achieve sustainable coral reef fisheries
Authors: Gomes Ines , Erzini Karim , McClanahan Timothy R.
Published: August 2013

Innovative strategies are needed to escape the social‐ecological poverty that so frequently emerges from persistent overfishing of coral reef resources.

This study focuses on fishing gear selectivity and its potential to increase ecosystem health and fisheries productivity without compromising the catch of profitable species.

An investigation into the effects of an escape gap (3 cm × 30 cm) modification to the traditional African basket trap on total catch biomass, catch composition and monetary value in two locations with different historical levels of fishing was undertaken.

Gated traps caught less low‐value fish (juveniles and narrow‐bodied coral reef species) while increasing the catch of high‐ and medium‐value fish (wider‐bodied commercially valuable species). The total monetary value of the gated trap catches was maintained in a heavily fished environment, while it increased in the less fisheries‐depleted area.

For the most important local commercial species, the African white‐spotted rabbitfish (Siganus sutor), the gated traps significantly increased the mean length (by 12%) and weight (by 32%) of capture and decreased the proportion of catch under length at first maturity (Lmat) from 56% (traditional traps) to 25% (gated traps).

Escape gaps have shown the potential to affect the structure of the fishery and ecosystem by enhancing the number of mature individuals, increasing reef biodiversity and promoting functionally diverse reef fish communities without compromising fisher's revenues.

Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Homogeneous Feedback Control of Nonlinear Systems Based on Control Lyapunov Functions
Authors: Zhang Junfeng , Han Zhengzhi , Huang Jun
Published: August 2013

This paper is concerned with homogeneous feedback control for a class of nonlinear systems. By using control Lyapunov functions, homogeneous controllers of homogeneous and nonhomogeneous systems are respectively constructed, under which the stabilization of the systems under considerations are guaranteed. Then, the design method is extended for uncertain systems by means of homogeneous domination theory. Compared with the traditional design method based on robust control Lyapunov functions, the present design reduces the difficulty of constructing controllers. Finally, several simulation examples are given to illustrate the correctness of the design.
Thermal stability and activity improvements of a Ca‐independent α‐amylase from Bacillus subtilisCN7 by C‐terminal truncation and hexahistidine‐tag fusion
Authors: Wang Chenghua , Wang Qingyan , Liao Siming , He Bingfang , Huang Ribo
Published: August 2013

Simultaneous improvements of thermostability and activity of a Ca‐independent α‐amylase from Bacillus subtilis CN7 were achieved by C‐terminal truncation and his6‐tag fusion. C‐terminal truncation, which eliminates C‐terminal 194‐amino‐acid residues from the intact mature α‐amylase, raised the turnover number by 35% and increased the thermostability in terms of half‐life at 65 °C by threefold. A his6‐tag fusion at either the C‐ or N‐terminus of truncated α‐amylase further enhanced its turnover number by 59% and 37%, respectively. Molecular modeling revealed that these improvements could be attributed to structural rearrangement and reorientation of the catalytic residues.
Electrical polarization of titanium surfaces for the enhancement of osteoblast differentiation
Authors: Gittens Rolando A. , Olivares‐Navarrete Rene , Rettew Robert , Butera Robert J. , Alamgir Faisal M. , Boyan Barbara D. , Schwartz Zvi
Published: August 2013

Electrical stimulation has been used clinically to promote bone regeneration in cases of fractures with delayed union or nonunion, with several in vitro and in vivo reports suggesting its beneficial effects on bone formation. However, the use of electrical stimulation of titanium (Ti) implants to enhance osseointegration is less understood, in part because of the few in vitro models that attempt to represent the in vivo environment. In this article, the design of a new in vitro system that allows direct electrical stimulation of osteoblasts through their Ti substrates without the flow of exogenous currents through the media is presented, and the effect of applied electrical polarization on osteoblast differentiation and local factor production was evaluated. A custom‐made polycarbonate tissue culture plate was designed to allow electrical connections directly underneath Ti disks placed inside the wells, which were supplied with electrical polarization ranging from 100 to 500 mV to stimulate MG63 osteoblasts. Our results show that electrical polarization applied directly through Ti substrates on which the cells are growing in the absence of applied electrical currents may increase osteoblast differentiation and local factor production in a voltage‐dependent manner. Bioelectromagnetics 34:599–612, 2013. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Combined quantification of paclitaxel, docetaxel and ritonavir in human feces and urine using LC‐MS/MS
Authors: Hendrikx Jeroen J. M. A. , Rosing Hilde , Schinkel Alfred H. , Schellens Jan H. M. , Beijnen Jos H.
Published: August 2013

A combined assay for the determination of paclitaxel, docetaxel and ritonavir in human feces and urine is described. The drugs were extracted from 200 μL urine or 50 mg feces followed by high‐performance liquid chromatography analysis coupled with positive ionization electrospray tandem mass spectrometry. The validation program included calibration model, accuracy and precision, carry‐over, dilution test, specificity and selectivity, matrix effect, recovery and stability. Acceptance criteria were according to US Food and Drug Administration guidelines on bioanalytical method validation. The validated range was 0.5–500 ng/mL for paclitaxel and docetaxel, 2–2000 ng/mL for ritonavir in urine, 2–2000 ng/mg for paclitaxel and docetaxel, and 8–8000 ng/mg for ritonavir in feces. Inter‐assay accuracy and precision were tested for all analytes at four concentration levels and were within 8.5% and <10.2%, respectively, in both matrices. Recovery at three concentration levels was between 77 and 94% in feces samples and between 69 and 85% in urine samples. Method development, including feces homogenization and spiking blank urine samples, are discussed. We demonstrated that each of the applied drugs could be quantified successfully in urine and feces using the described assay. The method was successfully applied for quantification of the analytes in feces and urine samples of patients. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
On estimation of multivariate prediction regions in partial least squares regression
Authors: Lin Weilu , Zhuang Yingping , Zhang Siliang , Martin Elaine
Published: August 2013

The estimation of the prediction region of partial least squares (PLS) is necessary in many engineering applications. However, research in this area focuses on the estimation of prediction intervals only. In this work, a new recursive formulation of PLS is proposed to facilitate the calculation of the Jacobian matrix of the estimated coefficient matrix. Furthermore, the computational complexity analysis indicates that the proposed algorithm is O(m2N + mpN + mpN2 + mN3 + mpN4) per number of component. The prediction region of the multivariate PLS is obtained through local linearization. The new formulation provides one way to obtain the prediction region of the multivariate PLS. Simulation and near‐infrared spectra of corn case studies indicate the utility of the proposed method. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Highly Water‐Dispersible Surface‐Modified Gd2O3 Nanoparticles for Potential Dual‐Modal Bioimaging
Authors: Hu Zhangjun , Ahrén Maria , Selegård Linnéa , Skoglund Caroline , Söderlind Fredrik , Engström Maria , Zhang Xuanjun , Uvdal Kajsa
Published: August 2013

Water‐dispersible and luminescent gadolinium oxide (GO) nanoparticles (NPs) were designed and synthesized for potential dual‐modal biological imaging. They were obtained by capping gadolinium oxide nanoparticles with a fluorescent glycol‐based conjugated carboxylate (HL). The obtained nanoparticles (GO‐L) show long‐term colloidal stability and intense blue fluorescence. In addition, L can sensitize the luminescence of europium(III) through the so‐called antenna effect. Thus, to extend the spectral ranges of emission, europium was introduced into L‐modified gadolinium oxide nanoparticles. The obtained EuIII‐doped particles (Eu:GO‐L) can provide visible red emission, which is more intensive than that without L capping. The average diameter of the monodisperse modified oxide cores is about 4 nm. The average hydrodynamic diameter of the L‐modified nanoparticles was estimated to be about 13 nm. The nanoparticles show effective longitudinal water proton relaxivity. The relaxivity values obtained for GO‐L and Eu:GO‐L were r1=6.4 and 6.3 s−1 mM−1 with r2/r1 ratios close to unity at 1.4 T. Longitudinal proton relaxivities of these nanoparticles are higher than those of positive contrast agents based on gadolinium complexes such as Gd‐DOTA, which are commonly used for clinical magnetic resonance imaging. Moreover, these particles are suitable for cellular imaging and show good biocompatibility.
On an Isoperimetric Problem with a Competing Nonlocal Term II: The General Case
Authors: Muratov Cyrill , Knüpfer Hans
Published: August 2013

This paper is the continuation of a previous paper (H. Knüpfer and C. B. Muratov, Comm. Pure Appl. Math. 66 (2013), 1129–1162). We investigate the classical isoperimetric problem modified by an addition of a nonlocal repulsive term generated by a kernel given by an inverse power of the distance. In this work, we treat the case of a general space dimension. We obtain basic existence results for minimizers with sufficiently small masses. For certain ranges of the exponent in the kernel, we also obtain nonexistence results for sufficiently large masses, as well as a characterization of minimizers as balls for sufficiently small masses and low spatial dimensionality. The physically important special case of three space dimensions and Coulombic repulsion is included in all the results mentioned above. In particular, our work yields a negative answer to the question if stable atomic nuclei at arbitrarily high atomic numbers can exist in the framework of the classical liquid drop model of nuclear matter. In all cases the minimal energy scales linearly with mass for large masses, even if the infimum of energy cannot be attained. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Exercise lowers postprandial glucose but not fasting glucose in type 2 diabetes: a meta‐analysis of studies using continuous glucose monitoring
Authors: MacLeod S. F. , Terada T. , Chahal B. S. , Boulé N. G.
Published: August 2013

Exercise has repeatedly been shown to improve glycemic control as assessed by glycated hemoglobin. However, changes in glycated hemoglobin do not provide information regarding which aspects of glycemic control have been altered. The purpose of this systematic review was to examine the effect of exercise as assessed by continuous glucose monitoring systems (CGMS) in type 2 diabetes.

Databases (PubMed, Medline, EMBASE) were searched up to February 2013. Eligible studies had participants with type 2 diabetes complete standardized exercise protocols and used CGMS to measure changes in glycemic control. Randomized controlled trials, crossover trials and studies with pre‐post designs were included. Average glucose concentration, daily time spent in hyperglycemia or hypoglycemia, and fasting glucose concentration were compared between exercise and control conditions.

Eleven studies met the inclusion criteria and were included in the review. Eight studies had short‐term (≤2 weeks) exercise interventions, whereas three studies had a longer‐term intervention (all >2 months). The types of exercises utilized included aerobic, resistance and a combination of the two. The eight short‐term studies were included in quantitative analysis. Exercise significantly decreased average glucose concentrations (‐0.8 mmol/L, p < 0.01) and daily time spent in hyperglycemia (‐129 minutes, p < 0.01), but did not significantly affect daily time spent in hypoglycemia (‐3 minutes, p = 0.47) or fasting glucose (‐0.3 mmol/L, p = 0.13). The four randomized crossover trials had similar findings compared to studies with pre‐post designs.

Exercise consistently reduced average glucose concentrations and time spent in hyperglycemia despite not significantly affecting outcomes such as fasting glucose and hypoglycemia. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Longitudinal predictors of dieting and disordered eating among young adults in the U.S.
Authors: Liechty Janet M. , Lee Meng‐Jung
Published: August 2013

Objective

To assess longitudinal associations between cognitive and behavioral characteristics in adolescence and dieting and eating pathology in young adulthood.

Method

Data from the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent Health and multivariate logistic regressions were used to examine the unique and cumulative effects of adolescent behavior and cognition on four weight‐related health indicators in young adulthood: dieting, extreme weight loss behaviors (EWLB), binge eating, and eating disorder (ED) diagnosis (N = 14,322).

Results

Early dieting, depression, and body image distortion (BID) prospectively predicted dieting or EWLB at Wave 3. In addition, early depression and dieting were associated with binge eating in young adulthood, and early BID was associated with ED diagnosis. Gender differences were observed. In the prospective models, the effect of depression on the onset of EWLB was stronger for women than men; while association between early depression and ED diagnosis was significantly stronger for men than women. Findings supported a cumulative risk effect. Among women, each additional correlate was associated with greater odds of eating pathology in young adulthood; among men, each additional correlate was associated with greater odds of ever reporting ED diagnosis. Overall prevalence of dieting and eating pathology among young adults was higher among women than men and increased over time for both sexes.

Discussion

Early weight control behavior and cognition affect long term eating patterns and are salient for both young adult men and women. Transition to young adulthood is a critical period for assessing and preventing weight and eating‐related health problems. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. (Int J Eat Disord 2013; 46:790–800)
Distinguishing the importance between habitat specialization and dispersal limitation on species turnover
Authors: Wang Shixiong , Wang Xiaoan , Guo Hua , Fan Weiyi , Lv Haiying , Duan Renyan
Published: August 2013

Understanding what governs community assembly and the maintenance of biodiversity is a central issue in ecology, but has been a continuing debate. A key question is the relative importance of habitat specialization (niche assembly) and dispersal limitation (dispersal assembly). In the middle of the Loess Plateau, northwestern China, we examined how species turnover in Liaodong oak (Quercus wutaishanica) forests differed between observed and randomized assemblies, and how this difference was affected by habitat specialization and dispersal limitation using variation partitioning. Results showed that expected species turnover based on individual randomization was significantly lower than the observed value (P < 0.01). The turnover deviation significantly depended on the environmental and geographical distances (P < 0.05). Environmental and spatial variables significantly explained approximately 40% of the species composition variation at all the three layers (P < 0.05). However, their contributions varied among forest layers; the herb and shrub layers were dominated by environmental factors, whereas the canopy layer was dominated by spatial factors. Our results underscore the importance of synthetic models that integrate effects of both dispersal and niche assembly for understanding the community assembly. However, habitat specialization (niche assembly) may not always be the dominant process in community assembly, even under harsh environments. Community assembly may be in a trait‐dependent manner (e.g., forest layers in this study). Thus, taking more species traits into account would strengthen our confidence in the inferred assembly mechanisms.
Fungal activities of indoor moulds on wood as a function of relative humidity during desorption and adsorption processes
Authors: Li Yujing , Wadsö Lars
Published: August 2013

Activities of moulds from domestic dwellings are normally classified into three groups—primary, secondary, and tertiary colonizers—according to the minimum relative humidity they require to colonize a substrate. With the help of isothermal calorimetry it is possible to directly measure the thermal activity from moulds as a function of climatic parameters. This makes it possible to provide more precise and detailed information of the growth behavior of these types of moulds under different temperature and relative humidity level than traditional methods. From this study, it is found that the optimal relative humidities and the recovery from drying are different for these three different colonizers. The fungal activities during desorption process are higher than during adsorption processes under the same relative humidity level for all of the samples. Such information makes it possible to model mould behavior indoors and can be used to access the risk for mould growth in the buildings.
In search of an effective cell disruption method to isolate intact mitochondria from Chinese hamster ovary cells
Authors: Bahnemann Janina , Kayo Sabrina , Wahrheit Judith , Heinzle Elmar , Pörtner Ralf , Zeng An‐Ping
Published: August 2013

An efficient isolation of mitochondria from cells under physiological conditions is crucial for many studies in life sciences but still challenging in many cases such as in metabolic characterization of mitochondria. In this work, four methods for the disruption of Chinese hamster ovary cells were evaluated regarding their influence on mitochondrial integrity and yield. After cell disruption, mitochondria released from cells were separated from the remaining cell homogenate by differential centrifugation. Sonication was shown to be a rapid and sensitive isolation method. Yields of 14.0 ± 0.3 mg raw mitochondrial protein per 108 cells were obtained. The mitochondria were morphologically intact, with membrane integrities of 67% (outer membrane) to 94% (inner membrane). Compared with the methods using Dounce homogenization, digitonin permeabilization, or electroporation for cell disruption the ultrasound method provided the highest yield of isolated mitochondria. Furthermore, this method is rapid (≈ 45 s for disruption), more robust than Dounce homogenization regarding their influence on mitochondrial integrity and especially suitable for preparing a relatively large amount of mitochondria. The results of this work can be helpful for quantitative and dynamic studies of molecular processes related to mitochondria under physiological conditions for many questions in both biomedicine and biotechnology.
The Information Content of Trades: An Analysis of KOSPI 200 Index Derivatives
Authors: Ryu Doojin
Published: August 2013

This study examines and compares the information content of futures and options trades by analyzing the transaction dataset of derivatives underlying the KOSPI 200 index. This dataset contains detailed information about investor types and trade directions. Previous market microstructure studies of Korea's index derivatives market (i.e., KOSPI 200 futures and options market) may contain model biases and microstructure errors because they depend on structural models and/or they focus on infinitesimal price changes between consecutive trades. In an effort to improve upon previous works, we use the simple regression approach described by Schlag and Stoll (2005, Price impacts of options volume. Journal of Financial Markets, 8, 69–87) and examine the information content of trades by tracing the price impacts of the trades over successive intervals of time. We find that a significant proportion of the price impact attributed to futures trades is permanent and that the price discovery effect is larger in the futures market than in the options market. Institutional futures trades are generally more informative than individual trades, and trades made by foreign institutions have the greatest permanent price impact. Examination of the intertemporal relationship between futures and options trades also indicates that the futures trades generally lead the options trades. Overall our results suggest that futures trades contribute more to price discovery than do options trades and that futures trades made by foreign institutions are most informed while those of domestic individuals are least informed. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Jrl Fut Mark 35:201–221, 2015
The Impact of Monetary Policy Surprises on Energy Prices
Authors: Basistha Arabinda , Kurov Alexander
Published: August 2013

This paper examines the effect of monetary policy surprises on energy prices at intraday, daily, and monthly frequencies. We measure monetary policy shocks using changes in interest rate futures prices that capture unexpected changes in the fed funds target rate. We find a significant response of energy prices to surprise changes in the fed funds target rate in an intraday window immediately following the monetary announcement. However, the accumulated responses of energy prices to monetary shocks over a period of several days after the announcement are statistically insignificant. We also use fed funds futures data to identify the contemporaneous impact of monetary policy shocks on oil prices in a monthly structural vector autoregressive (VAR) setup. We find no statistically significant effect of federal funds rate shocks on oil prices. The VAR estimates support the assumption of no contemporaneous feedback from monetary policy to energy prices. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Jrl Fut Mark 35:87–103, 2015
Seismic interferometry with antipodal station pairs
Authors: Lin Fan‐Chi , Tsai Victor C.
Published: August 2013

In this study, we analyze continuous data from all Global Seismographic Network stations between year 2000 and 2009 and demonstrate that several body wave phases (e.g., PP, PcPPKP, SKSP, and PPS) propagating between nearly antipodal station pairs can be clearly observed without array stacking using the noise/coda cross‐correlation method. Based on temporal correlations with global seismicity, we show that the observed body waves are clearly earthquake related. Moreover, based on single‐earthquake analysis, we show that the earthquake coda energy observed between ~10,000 and 30,000 s after a large earthquake contributes the majority of the signal. We refine our method based on these observations and show that the signal can be significantly improved by selecting only earthquake coda times. With our improved processing, the PKIKP phase, which does not benefit from the focusing effect near the antipode, can now also clearly be observed for long‐distance station pairs.
Vitality Affects in Daniel Stern's Thinking—A Psychological and Neurobiological Perspective
Authors: Ammaniti Massimo , Ferrari Pierfrancesco
Published: August 2013

The goal of the present article is to deepen the theme of vitality, the topic of Daniel N. Stern's last book, Forms of Vitality, published in 2010, which further conceptualized the vitality affects originally proposed in his book The Interpersonal World of the Infant, published in 1985. Vitality forms characterize personal feelings as well dynamics of movements. They are therefore related to feelings of agency and efficacy, and may be shaped and influenced by early interactions between caregivers and infants. In this ambit, infants experience a sense of personal efficacy and a hedonic pleasure when they are recognized and confirmed by their caregivers. The interactional perspective is further discussed considering psychoanalytical contributions and recent infant research. However, vitality, as Stern (2010) highlighted, is grounded in the body and more specifically in the brain. From a neurobiological perspective, we discuss the role of mirror neurons by considering intersubjective exchanges and infantile matching experiences, which influence the sense of vitality.
Human Wharton's Jelly Stem Cells and Its Conditioned Medium Enhance Healing of Excisional and Diabetic Wounds
Authors: Fong Chui‐Yee , Tam Kimberley , Cheyyatraivendran Suganya , Gan Shu‐Uin , Gauthaman Kalamegam , Armugam Arunmozhiarasi , Jeyaseelan Kandiah , Choolani Mahesh , Biswas Arijit , Bongso Ariff
Published: August 2013

Wound healing is a major problem in diabetic patients and current treatments have met with limited success. We evaluated the treatment of excisional and diabetic wounds using a stem cell isolated from the human umbilical cord Wharton's jelly (hWJSC) that shares unique properties with embryonic and adult mesenchymal stem cells. hWJSCs are non‐controversial, available in abundance, hypo‐immunogenic, non‐tumorigenic, differentiate into keratinocytes, and secrete important molecules for tissue repair. When human skin fibroblasts (CCD) in conventional scratch‐wound assays were exposed to hWJSC‐conditioned medium (hWJSC‐CM) the fibroblasts at the wound edges migrated and completely covered the spaces by day 2 compared to controls. The number of invaded cells, cell viability, total collagen, elastin, and fibronectin levels were significantly greater in the hWJSC‐CM treatment arm compared to controls (P < 0.05). When a single application of green fluorescent protein (GFP)‐labeled hWJSCs (GFP‐hWJSCs) or hWJSC‐CM was administered to full‐thickness murine excisional and diabetic wounds, healing rates were significantly greater compared to controls (P < 0.05). Wound biopsies collected at various time points showed the presence of green GFP‐labeled hWJSCs, positive human keratinocyte markers (cytokeratin, involucrin, filaggrin) and expression of ICAM‐1, TIMP‐1, and VEGF‐A. On histology, the GFP‐hWJSCs and hWJSC‐CM treated wounds showed reepithelialization, increased vascularity and cellular density and increased sebaceous gland and hair follicle numbers compared to controls. hWJSCs showed increased expression of several miRNAs associated with wound healing compared to CCDs. Our studies demonstrated that hWJSCs enhance healing of excisional and diabetic wounds via differentiation into keratinocytes and release of important molecules. J. Cell. Biochem. 115: 290–302, 2014. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.