bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Mandatory urban rainwater harvesting: learning from experience
Authors: Gabe Jeremy , Trowsdale Sam , Mistry Diveshkumar
Published: March 2012

Rainwater harvesting is effectively mandated in several urban areas of New Zealand. To understand the costs and benefits of rainwater harvesting from an end-user perspective, semistructured interviews were conducted with 14 homeowners in northern Auckland affected by these regulations. Residents report differences in four aspects of urban rainwater infrastructure – security of supply, water quality, the learning process and financial costs – that could represent key values for public acceptance. When responses are examined from the perspective of experience that has built empirical knowledge, participants explained how their satisfaction with rainwater harvesting increased over time. We hypothesise that for those lacking experience, urban rainwater consumption is a function of empirical knowledge and has initially rising marginal utility. Regulation that recognises the costs of social learning is likely to be a more effective pathway towards maximising the social benefits associated with integrated urban water management.
Disability in a Community Population with MS with and without Mental Disorders
Authors: Patten Scott B. , Williams Jeanne V. A. , Lavorato Dina H. , Metz Luanne M. , Bulloch Andrew G. M.
Published: March 2012

Objective:

Psychiatric conditions are known to have a detrimental impact on functioning and may therefore influence patterns of disability associated with MS. Population-based studies are needed to evaluate such interactions. The objective of this study was to describe the pattern of interaction of MS and mental disorders on health-related impairments.

Methods:

The Participation and Activity Limitation Survey (PALS) was a post-censual survey conducted by Statistics Canada in association with the 2006 Canadian Census. PALS collected detailed data from a random sample of n = 28,640 respondents with health-related impairments reported on their census form. The PALS interview collected self-reported diagnostic data and included scales to assess functioning and participation in society.

Results:

PALS identified 245 individuals with MS, leading to an estimated (weighted) population prevalence of 0.2% (200 per 100,000), consistent with other Canadian estimates. As expected, impaired agility, vision, communication, mobility, pain, and memory were strongly associated with MS. Mental disorders were also associated with impairment, but interactions between these conditions and MS were generally not evident.

Conclusions:

Mental disorders are associated with a higher level of disability in MS but, with the exception of communication, there was no evidence of synergistic interaction between mental disorders and MS in contributing to health-related impairments.
Multi-residue analytical methods for the determination of pesticides and PPCPs in water by LC-MS/MS: a review
Authors: Primel Ednei , Caldas Sergiane , Escarrone Ana
Published: March 2012

Residues of pesticides, pharmaceutical and personal care products (PPCPs) are contaminants of world-wide concern. Consequently, there is a growing need to develop reliable analytical methods, which enable rapid, sensitive and selective determination of these pollutants in environmental samples, at trace levels. In this paper, a review of the liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) based methods for the determination of pesticides and PPCPs in the environment is presented. Advanced aspects of current LC-MS/MS methodology, including sample preparation and matrix effects, are discussed.
Chromatographic techniques in analysis of cyclooxygenase-2 inhibitors in drugs and biological samples
Authors: Starek Małgorzata , Dąbrowska Monika
Published: March 2012

Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, as a therapeutic class, are among the most often used active pharmaceutical ingredients in heath care in the world. They are mostly available without prescription and often used for treatment of fever and pain. An extensive research of the literature published in analytical and pharmaceutical chemistry journals has been conducted and the chromatographic methods which were used for the purity, stability and pharmacokinetic studies of the cyclooxygenase-2 inhibitors, in formulations and biological materials have been reviewed. The methodology for the analysis of selected drugs is very well documented and many examples are available in the literature. The common use of chromatographic techniques with various detection attachments provide possibility for monitoring of drugs in therapy.
Accurate calculation of the eigenvalues of non-uniform strings and membranes
Authors: Amore Paolo , Fernandez Francisco , Rodriguez Martin
Published: March 2012

We describe a pseudospectral approach which combines a mapping procedure with the principle of minimal sensitivity to obtain accurate estimates for the eigenvalues of non-uniform strings and both uniform and nonuniform membranes. We illustrate the method on specific examples, including the case of a cross shaped membrane, with arms of infinite length.
A mixed active and passive GLR test for a fault tolerant control system
Authors: Jamouli Hicham , El Hail Mohamed , Sauter Dominique
Published: March 2012

A mixed active and passive GLR test for a fault tolerant control system

This paper presents an adaptive Generalized Likelihood Ratio (GLR) test for multiple Faults Detection and Isolation (FDI) in stochastic linear dynamic systems. Based on the work of Willsky and Jones (1976), we propose a modified generalized likelihood ratio test, allowing detection, isolation and estimation of multiple sequential faults. Our contribution aims to maximise the good decision rate of fault detection using another updating strategy. This is based on a reference model updated on-line after each detection and isolation of one fault. To reduce the computational requirement, the passive GLR test will be derived from a state estimator designed on a fixed reference model directly sensitive to system changes. We will show that active and passive GLR tests will be mixed and give interesting results compared with the GLR of Willsky and Jones (1976), and that they can be easily integrated in a reconfigurable Fault-Tolerant Control System (FTCS) to asymptotically recover the nominal system performances of the jump-free system.
Signed directed graph based modeling and its validation from process knowledge and process data
Authors: Yang Fan , Shah Sirish , Xiao Deyun
Published: March 2012

Signed directed graph based modeling and its validation from process knowledge and process data

This paper is concerned with the fusion of information from process data and process connectivity and its subsequent use in fault diagnosis and process hazard assessment. The Signed Directed Graph (SDG), as a graphical model for capturing process topology and connectivity to show the causal relationships between process variables by material and information paths, has been widely used in root cause and hazard propagation analysis. An SDG is usually built based on process knowledge as described by piping and instrumentation diagrams. This is a complex and experience-dependent task, and therefore the resulting SDG should be validated by process data before being used for analysis. This paper introduces two validation methods. One is based on cross-correlation analysis of process data with assumed time delays, while the other is based on transfer entropy, where the correlation coefficient between two variables or the information transfer from one variable to another can be computed to validate the corresponding paths in SDGs. In addition to this, the relationship captured by data-based methods should also be validated by process knowledge to confirm its causality. This knowledge can be realized by checking the reachability or the influence of one variable on another based on the corresponding SDG which is the basis of causality. A case study of an industrial process is presented to illustrate the application of the proposed methods.
Sliding mode methods for fault detection and fault tolerant control with application to aerospace systems
Authors: Edwards Christopher , Alwi Halim , Tan Chee
Published: March 2012

Sliding mode methods for fault detection and fault tolerant control with application to aerospace systems

Sliding mode methods have been historically studied because of their strong robustness properties with regard to a certain class of uncertainty, achieved by employing nonlinear control/injection signals to force the system trajectories to attain in finite time a motion along a surface in the state-space. This paper will consider how these ideas can be exploited for fault detection (specifically fault signal estimation) and subsequently fault tolerant control. It will also describe applications of these ideas to aerospace systems, including piloted flight simulator results associated with the GARTEUR AG16 Action Group on Fault Tolerant Control. The results demonstrate a successful real-time implementation of the proposed fault tolerant control scheme on a motion flight simulator configured to represent the post-failure EL-AL aircraft.
Model-free reconfiguration mechanism for fault tolerance
Authors: Jain Tushar , Yamé Joseph , Sauter Dominique
Published: March 2012

Model-free reconfiguration mechanism for fault tolerance

The problem of fault tolerant control is studied from the behavioral point of view. In this mathematical framework, the concept of interconnection among the variables describing the system is a key point. The problem is that the behavior we intend to control is not known. Therefore, we are interested in designing a fault accommodation scheme for an unknown behavior through an appropriate behavioral interconnection. Here we deal simply with the trajectories that are generated by the system in real time. These trajectories determine the behavior of a system in various (faulty/healthy) modes. Based on the desired interconnected behavior, only the trajectories that obey certain laws are selected. These laws, representing the desired behavior, can indeed be achieved by a regular interconnection. Thus, when the trajectories do not belong to a certain desired behavior, it is considered to be due to the occurrence of a fault in the system. The vantage point is that the fault tolerant control problem now becomes completely a model-free scheme. Moreover, no explicit fault diagnosis module is required in our approach. The proposed fault tolerance mechanism is illustrated on an aircraft during the landing phase.
Reconfigurable control design with integration of a reference governor and reliability indicators
Authors: Weber Philippe , Boussaid Boumedyen , Khelassi Ahmed , Theilliol Didier , Aubrun Christophe
Published: March 2012

Reconfigurable control design with integration of a reference governor and reliability indicators

A new approach to manage actuator redundancy in the presence of faults is proposed based on reliability indicators and a reference governor. The aim is to preserve the health of the actuators and the availability of the system both in the nominal behavior and in the presence of actuator faults. The use of reference governor control allocation is a solution to distribute the control efforts among a redundant set of actuators. In a degraded situation, a reconfigured control allocation strategy is proposed based on on-line re-estimation of the actuator reliability. A benefit of incorporating reliability indicators into over-actuated control system design is the smart management of the redundant actuators and improvement of the system safety. Moreover, when the fault is severe, an adaptation approach using the reference governor is proposed. The reference governor unit is a reference-offset governor based on a discrete-time predictive control strategy. The idea is to modify the reference according to the system constraints, which become stricter after the occurrence of an actuator fault. The proposed approach is illustrated with a flight control application.
LPV design of fault-tolerant control for road vehicles
Authors: Gáspár Péter , Szabó Zoltán , Bokor József
Published: March 2012

LPV design of fault-tolerant control for road vehicles

The aim of the paper is to present a supervisory decentralized architecture for the design and development of reconfigurable and fault-tolerant control systems in road vehicles. The performance specifications are guaranteed by local controllers, while the coordination of these components is provided by a supervisor. Since the monitoring components and FDI filters provide the supervisor with information about the various vehicle maneuvers and the different fault operations, it is able to make decisions about necessary interventions into the vehicle motions and guarantee reconfigurable and fault-tolerant operation of the vehicle. The design of the proposed reconfigurable and fault-tolerant control is based on an LPV method that uses monitored scheduling variables during the operation of the vehicle.
Experimental and numerical investigation of electrostatic spray liquid-liquid extraction with ionic liquids
Authors: Krawczyk Marek , Kamiński Kamil , Petera Jerzy
Published: March 2012

Experimental and numerical investigation of electrostatic spray liquid-liquid extraction with ionic liquids

A new concept of an electrostatic spray column for liquid-liquid extraction was investigated. An important problem for separation processes is the presence of azeotropic or close-boiling mixtures in their production, for example heptane with ethanol, since the separation is impossible by ordinary distillation. The use of ionic liquids (IL) as a dispersed solvent specially engineered for any specific organic mixture in terms of selectivity is a key factor to successful separation. As IL present particularly attractive combination of favorable characteristics for the separation of heptane and ethanol, in this work we use 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium methyl sulfate [BMIM][MeSO4]. Because of high viscosity and relatively high cost of IL a new technique was introduced, consisting in the electrostatically spray generation to enhance the mass transport between the phases. In order to optimally design the geometry of the contactor a series of numerical simulation was performed. Especially multi-nozzle variants for better exploitation of contactor volume were investigated. Experiments showed excellent possibility of control of the dispersion characteristics by applied voltage and thus control of the rate of extraction. The preliminary simulations based on our mathematical model for a three nozzle variant exhibited visual agreement with the theory of electrostatics.
Thermal and thermo-catalytic conversion of waste polyolefins to fuel-like mixture of hydrocarbons
Authors: Stelmachowski Marek , Słowiński Krzysztof
Published: March 2012

Thermal and thermo-catalytic conversion of waste polyolefins to fuel-like mixture of hydrocarbons

Results of the investigation of thermal degradation of polyolefins in the laboratory-scale set-up reactors are presented in the paper. Melting and cracking processes were carried out in two different types of reactors at the temperature of 390-420°C. This article presents the results obtained for conversion of polyolefin waste in a reactor with a stirrer. Next, they were compared with the results obtained for the process carried out in a reactor with a molten metal bed, which was described in a previous publication. For both processes, the final product consisted of a gaseous (2-16 % mass) and a liquid (84-98 % mass) part. No solid product was produced. The light, "gasoline" fraction of the liquid hydrocarbons mixture (C4-C10) made up over 50% of the liquid product. The overall (vapor) product may be used for electricity generation and the liquid product for fuel production.
The Impact of the 2010 Winter Olympic Games on Crime in Vancouver
Authors: Andresen Martin A. , Tong William
Published: March 2012

There is little research on exceptional events and crime. Yet exceptional events, such as natural disasters, worldwide political meetings, and international sporting competitions, affect the lifestyles and routines of large numbers of people. In this article, we examine the impact of the 2010 Winter Olympic Games on assault, theft, mischief, and prostitution in Vancouver neighbourhoods. Overall, there is no evidence to support the claim that the Olympic Games affected all crime types and in all places. However, we do find increases in assault that relate to the Olympic Games in a few key neighbourhoods. As with previous research, it appears that the substantial increase in the number of security personnel (police, military, etc.) mitigated the potential increase in crime.
Sustainability and the Scholarly Enterprise
Authors: Seaman John T. , Graham Margaret B. W.
Published: March 2012

This article analyses the origins, development, and impact of Gutenberg-e, a digital publishing program in historical scholarship sponsored by the American Historical Association (AHA), with the support of the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation. Intended as an experiment in developing and legitimizing new modes of historical scholarship, Gutenberg-e quickly evolved, under pressure to become economically sustainable, into a traditional publishing enterprise bent on making books cheaper and paying for itself in the process. Digital technology, which had the power to transform the whole scholarly enterprise, instead became a means to shore up the existing system of scholarly publishing, with all its flaws intact.

Though Gutenberg-e has much to teach us about the costs and consequences of that system, especially for the scholars it is meant to serve, it also offers a glimpse of an alternative future. Almost in spite of itself, Gutenberg-e produced a handful of innovative works of digital scholarship, experimented with new forms of scholarly collaboration and community, and highlighted the opportunities of an expanded audience for specialized academic work. These modest achievements suggest the potential of digital technology to create things which scholars value and thereby sustain the scholarly enterprise over the long term.
Lester J. Cappon, Scholarly Publishing, and the Atlas of Early American History, 1957–1976
Authors: Cox Richard J.
Published: March 2012

The Atlas of Early American History: The Revolutionary Era 1760–1790, published in 1976, remains one of the lasting legacies of the US Bicentennial. Funded by the National Endowment for the Humanities and a variety of private foundations, the publication was only incidentally a product of the celebration of the birth of a nation. The Atlas was the product of twenty years of effort by Lester J. Cappon—historian, archivist, and documentary editor—and because of his commitment to maintaining his own personal archives, we can learn more about this scholarly publishing venture than most. His rich diaries, personal papers, and Atlas archives enable us to follow the trials and tribulations of this publishing venture. We also learn that the kinds of issues facing scholarly publishing today, with a few differences (such as e-publishing), are not unique at all from those of half a century ago.
Peer Review As Boundary Work
Authors: Howard Graham
Published: March 2012

The concept of peer review, in the form of the submission of manuscripts to refereed journals, is analysed. Standard received sociological and philosophical accounts of the place of peer review in the production of knowledge are summarized and critiqued. An alternative ‘constructivist’ account is given, and this account is also critiqued. An account of the ‘Social Text Affair’ is given, and it is argued that the affair is instructive for understanding the place of peer review in the production of knowledge. An account of the author's communications with the editors of Ulrich's International Directory of Periodicals about Social Text is given. Finally, the sociological concept of ‘boundary work’ is introduced, and it is concluded that peer review is a form of ‘boundary work.’
Morbidity profile following aggressive resection of parietal lobe gliomas
Authors: Sanai Nader , Martino Juan , Berger Mitchel S.
Published: March 2012

Object

The impact of parietal lobe gliomas is typically studied in the context of parietal lobe syndromes. However, critical language pathways traverse the parietal lobe and are susceptible during tumor resection. The authors of this study reviewed their experience with parietal gliomas to characterize the impact of resection and the morbidity associated with language.

Methods

The study population included adults who had undergone resection of parietal gliomas of all grades. Tumor location was identified according to a proposed classification system for parietal region gliomas. Low- and high-grade tumors were volumetrically analyzed using FLAIR and T1-weighted contrast-enhanced MR imaging.

Results

One hundred nineteen patients with parietal gliomas were identified—34 with low-grade gliomas and 85 with high-grade gliomas. The median patient age was 45 years, and most patients (53) presented with seizures, whereas only 4 patients had an appreciable parietal lobe syndrome. The median preoperative tumor volume was 31.3 cm3, the median extent of resection was 96%, and the median postoperative tumor volume was 0.9 cm3. Surprisingly, the most common early postoperative neurological deficit was dysphasia (16 patients), not weakness (12 patients), sensory deficits (14 patients), or parietal lobe syndrome (10 patients). A proposed parietal glioma classification system, based on surgical anatomy, was predictive of language deficits.

Conclusions

This is the largest reported experience with parietal lobe gliomas. The findings suggested that parietal language pathways are compromised at a surprisingly high rate. The proposed parietal glioma classification system is predictive of postoperative morbidity associated with language and can assist with preoperative planning. Taken together, these data emphasize the value of identifying language pathways when operating within the parietal lobe.
Novel strategy to treat a case of recurrent lymphocytic hypophysitis using rituximab
Authors: Schreckinger Matthew , Francis Todd , Rajah Gary , Jagannathan Jay , Guthikonda Murali , Mittal Sandeep
Published: March 2012

Lymphocytic hypophysitis is an uncommon autoimmune condition that often results in significant morbidity. Although most cases resolve spontaneously or after a short course of steroids, rarely, refractory cases can cause persistent neurological deficits despite aggressive medical and surgical management.

A 41-year-old woman presented with progressive visual loss in the left eye and was found to have a sellar mass. She underwent transsphenoidal surgery because of lesion enlargement. Histopathology was consistent with adenohypophysitis with B-cell predominance. Despite steroid treatment, her neurological condition worsened and she experienced loss of vision in the right eye. Craniotomy with decompression of the right optic nerve was performed. Her condition improved initially, but she continued to have progressive visual compromise over the following months. She was therefore treated with rituximab, a monoclonal antibody against B cells. Her vision improved significantly within a few weeks. There was no clinical or radiographic exacerbation 2 years after starting immunotherapy.

Rituximab, an anti-CD20 antibody that specifically depletes B lymphocytes, can be an effective treatment strategy for patients with steroid-refractory, B cell–predominant lymphocytic hypophysitis.
Catalytic Technologies for Biodiesel Fuel Production and Utilization of Glycerol: A Review
Authors: Thanh Le Tu , Okitsu Kenji , Boi Luu Van , Maeda Yasuaki
Published: March 2012

More than 10 million tons of biodiesel fuel (BDF) have been produced in the world from the transesterification of vegetable oil with methanol by using acid catalysts (sulfuric acid, H2SO4), alkaline catalysts (sodium hydroxide, NaOH or potassium hydroxide, KOH), solid catalysts and enzymes. Unfortunately, the price of BDF is still more expensive than that of petro diesel fuel due to the lack of a suitable raw material oil. Here, we review the best selection of BDF production systems including raw materials, catalysts and production technologies. In addition, glycerol formed as a by-product needs to be converted to useful chemicals to reduce the amount of glycerol waste. With this in mind, we have also reviewed some recent studies on the utilization of glycerol.
Therapeutic Effect of Arsenicum album on Leukocytes
Authors: Ive Elaine C. , Couchman Ingrid M. S. , Reddy Lalini
Published: March 2012

The therapeutic effects of homoeopathic Arsenicum album potencies were investigated in-vitro, using a continuous cell line (MT4), pre-intoxicated with arsenic trioxide (As2O3), and then treated with succussed and unsuccussed homoeopathic potencies, 6CH, 30CH and 200CH. This study aimed to verify the homoeopathic law of similars and to determine whether potencies diluted beyond Avogadro’s constant had physiological effects on cells; whether various potencies would cause different effects as suggested by the concept of hormesis; whether succussed and unsuccussed homoeopathic potencies had different effects on the cells; and to establish whether a biotechnological method could be used to evaluate the above. As2O3 was used to pre-intoxicate and the MTT assay was used to measure the percentage cytotoxicity and half maximal inhibitory concentration (IC50) of the cells. The homoeopathic potencies of Arsenicum album (6CH, 30CH and 200CH) were prepared by either succussing or allowing to diffuse for 30 s. After pre-intoxication of the MT4 cells with the IC50 As2O3 and treatment with succussed and unsuccussed Arsenicum album (6CH-200CH), the cell viability increased with increasing potency from 81% to 194% (over 72 h). The treatments and the times of exposure were found to be statistically significant determinants of cell viability, whereas succussion did not cause any significant variation in the results. The study provided evidence that a biotechnological method (namely cell viability) may be used to scientifically evaluate the physiological effects of homoeopathic potencies on human cells; it confirmed that the homoeopathic potencies did have therapeutic effects; and that succussion was not required in the potentization method in order to produce a curative remedy.
Molecular Mechanisms of Transcription Activation by Juvenile Hormone: A Critical Role for bHLH-PAS and Nuclear Receptor Proteins
Authors: Bernardo Travis J. , Dubrovsky Edward B.
Published: March 2012

Juvenile hormone (JH) is responsible for controlling many biological processes. In several insect species JH has been implicated as a key regulator of developmental timing, preventing the premature onset of metamorphosis during larval growth periods. However, the molecular basis of JH action is not well-understood. In this review, we highlight recent advances which demonstrate the importance of transcription factors from the bHLH-PAS and nuclear receptor families in mediating the response to JH.
Two Antimycin A Analogues from Marine-Derived Actinomycete Streptomyces lusitanus
Authors: Han Zhuang , Xu Ying , McConnell Oliver , Liu Lingli , Li Yongxin , Qi Shuhua , Huang Xiangzhong , Qian Peiyuan
Published: March 2012

Two new antimycin A analogues, antimycin B1 and B2 (1–2), were isolated from a spent broth of a marine-derived bacterium, Streptomyces lusitanus. The structures of 1 and 2 were established on the basis of spectroscopic analyses and chemical methods. The isolated compounds were tested for their anti-bacterial potency. Compound 1 was found to be inactive against the bacteria Bacillus subtilis, Staphyloccocus aureus, and Loktanella hongkongensis. Compound 2 showed antibacterial activities against S. aureus and L. hongkongensis with MIC values of 32.0 and 8.0 μg/mL, respectively.
Regulation of Inflammatory Cytokines in Lipopolysaccharide-Stimulated RAW 264.7 Murine Macrophage by 7-O-Methyl-naringenin
Authors: Soromou Lanan Wassy , Zhang Zhichao , Li Rongtao , Chen Na , Guo Weixiao , Huo Meixia , Guan Shuang , Lu Jing , Deng Xuming
Published: March 2012

7-O-Methylnaringenin, extracted from Rhododendron speciferum, belongs to the flavanone class of polyphenols. In the present study, we investigated the anti-inflammatory effects of 7-O-methylnaringenin on cytokine production by lipopoly-saccharide (LPS)-stimulated RAW 264.7 macrophages in vitro. The results showed that pretreatment with 10, 20 or 40 μg/mL of 7-O-methylnaringenin could downregulate tumour necrosis factor (TNF-α), interleukin (IL-6) and interleukin (IL-1β) in a dose-dependent manner. Furthermore, we investigated the signal transduction mechanisms to determine how 7-O-methylnaringenin affects RAW 264.7 macrophages. The activation of mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPK) and IκBα were measured by Western blotting. The data showed that 7-O-methylnaringenin could downregulate LPS-induced levels of phosphorylation of ERK1/2, JNK and IκBα. These observations indicated that 7-O-methylnaringenin modulated inflammatory cytokine responses by blocking NF-қB, ERK1/2 and JNK/MAPKs activation.
Folding and Oligomerization of the gp2b/gp3/gp4 Spike Proteins of Equine Arteritis Virus in Vitro
Authors: Kabatek Aleksander , Veit Michael
Published: March 2012

Equine arteritis virus (EAV) is a small, positive-stranded RNA virus. The glycoproteins gp2b, gp3 and gp4 form a heterotrimer in the viral envelope, which is required for cell entry of EAV. We describe expression of the ectodomains of the proteins in E. coli and their refolding from inclusion bodies. After extraction of inclusion bodies and dialysis, Gst-, but not His-tagged proteins, refold into a soluble conformation. However, when dialyzed together with Gst-gp3 or with Gst-gp4, His-gp2b and His-gp4 remain soluble and oligomers are obtained by affinity-chromatography. Thus, folding and oligomerization of gp2b, gp3 and gp4 in vitro are interdependent processes.
Intramolecular carbenoid ylide forming reactions of 2-diazo-3-keto-4-phthalimidocarboxylic esters derived from methionine and cysteine
Authors: Enßle Marc , Buck Stefan , Werz Roland , Maas Gerhard
Published: March 2012

Methionine, S-benzylcysteine and S-allylcysteine were converted into 2-diazo-3-oxo-4-phthalimidocarboxylic esters 8a–c in three steps. Upon rhodium-catalysed dediazoniation, two intramolecular carbenoid reactions competed, namely the formation of a cyclic sulfonium ylide and that of a six-ring carbonyl ylide. The S-methyl and S-benzyl ylides 12a and b could be isolated, while S-allyl ylide 12c underwent a [2,3]-sigmatropic rearrangement. The short-lived carbonyl ylides derived from methionine and S-benzylcysteine formed head-to-tail dimers by a [3 + 3]-cycloaddition and could be trapped with external dipolarophiles, while the S-allyl derivative 14c yielded the pentacyclic compound 17 by an intramolecular [3 + 2]-cycloaddition reaction.
Optumus
Authors: Pariente Ángel
Published: March 2012

No disponible.
EINAI, ΦΥΣΙΣ, ΛΟΓΟΣ, ΑΛΗΘΕΙΗ
Authors: Martínez Marzoa F.
Published: March 2012

No disponible.
Los tópicos helenísticos en la elegía latina
Authors: Giangrande G.
Published: March 2012

No disponible.
Necesse
Authors: Pariente A.
Published: March 2012

No disponible.
Zu Euripides, Alkestis 1153
Authors: Pötscher Walter
Published: March 2012

No disponible.
Finalidad político-didáctica de las tragedias de Séneca
Authors: Pociña Pérez Andrés
Published: March 2012

No disponible.
Vurouius, divinidad de la Bureba
Authors: Abásolo J. A. , Albertos María Lourdes
Published: March 2012

No disponible.
Nuevos fragmentos del Éxodo griego (Ms. Gr. Bibl. f. 4 [P])
Authors: Spottorno M. V. , Fernández Marcos N.
Published: March 2012

No disponible.
The development of Roman imperial attitudes and the Iberian Wars
Authors: Bane Richard W.
Published: March 2012

No disponible.
El testimonio del micénico a propósito de los nombres de las distintas fuerzas en Homero
Authors: Melena José L.
Published: March 2012

No disponible.
Tipología de variantes en la transmisión de un texto patrístico
Authors: Fernández Marcos Natalio
Published: March 2012

No disponible.
Two Unidentified Komoi of Propertius I 3 and II 29
Authors: Cairns Francis
Published: March 2012

No disponible.
Sobre Subur(r)a y la regio Suburana
Authors: Pariente Ángel
Published: March 2012

No disponible.
Two epigrams by Meleager
Authors: Moore-Blunt Jennifer
Published: March 2012

No disponible.
«Acercamiento a la sintaxis de Potamio»
Authors: Lorenzo Juan
Published: March 2012

No disponible.
La tragedia griega considerada como un oficio tradicional
Authors: De Hoz J.
Published: March 2012

No disponible.
Varia lexicographica graeca manuscripta II: sacra et profana
Authors: Bravo García Antonio
Published: March 2012

No disponible.
Notas al léxico jurídico latino. Sobre escit = erit y sarpta = putata
Authors: Pariente Ángel
Published: March 2012

No disponible.
The song of Iopas
Authors: Kinsey T. E.
Published: March 2012

No disponible.
Nota volandera a una receta de Apicio
Authors: Baltar Veloso Ramón
Published: March 2012

No disponible.
pollio
Authors: D’Ors Álvaro
Published: March 2012

No disponible.
Los filósofos presocráticos como autores literarios
Authors: Bernabé Alberto
Published: March 2012

No disponible.
Museos, memoria y antropología a los dos lados del Atlántico. Crisis institucional, construcción nacional y memoria de la colonización
Authors: Bustamante Jesús
Published: March 2012

Los museos de contenidos antropológicos y/o que se refieren a espacios de colonización occidental atraviesan una larga crisis que está generando la renovación general de las instituciones más antiguas, el desarrollo de nuevos modelos museológicos y el surgimiento de propuestas críticas y expositivas muy variadas. Se trata de un fenómeno que afecta sobre todo a la Antropología como disciplina científica, pero también y de forma cada vez más importante a la Historia y Bellas Artes. Este trabajo intenta ofrecer una visión de conjunto basándose en la comparación de los procesos que se están produciendo tanto a un lado como al otro del Atlántico, y subrayando la importancia de los casos latinoamericanos por su variedad, originalidad y por la complejidad de situaciones socio-culturales a los que van asociados.
Skilling up for training: a feasibility study investigating acute effects of stochastic resonance whole-body vibration on postural control of older adults
Authors: Rogan Slavko , Radlinger Lorenz , Schmid Stefan , Herren Kaspar , Hilfiker Roger , De Bruin Eling D.
Published: March 2012

The present pilot study investigated the feasibility of applying a single bout stochastic resonance whole-body vibration in deconditioned elderly individuals and the effects on static and dynamic balance and reaction time. We report the results of a non-blinded randomized control trial with a pre-test/post-test design. Twenty elderly individuals were randomized into either single bout stochastic resonance whole-body vibration (SR-WBV) (n=10, frequency 5 Hz, Noise 4) or control (n=10). SR-WBV received 5 sets of 1 min stochastic whole-body vibration (5 Hz, Noise 4: vibration with a randomly varying frequency, 1=low, 4=high) with 1 min rest in between. The control group rested for 10 min without any intervention. Functional reach test (FRT), semi-tandem stand (STS), Expanded Timed Get Up-and-Go Test (ETGUG), single task- (ST) and dual task walking time (DT), chair rising (CR), and foot (RTF) and hand reaction time (RTH) were measured before and after the intervention. Within- and between group differences were analyzed using repeated measures. In order to assess the meaningfulness of pre-training to post-training changes, the effect size (ES) was calculated according to Cohen’s d. All participants in the study accepted and adhered to the WBV session and performed scheduled follow-up measurements. There were no adverse events. Change values for dynamic balance showed a strong trend towards improvement for FRT of about 4.5% (ES=0.52, P=0.161). Change values for RTF (5.9%; ES=0.55; P =0.169) showed a trend towards improvement in the SR-WBV only. The results suggest that stochastic resonance WBV is both safe and well accepted by elderly individuals in assisted living institutions, and might have beneficial effects on balance in these adults. Further research is warranted to determine whether this device might be of use in the skilling-up phase of an exercise program when training is initiated in strongly deconditioned and/or frail elderly. The new training protocol is expected to allow for safe skilling-up training of deconditioned older adults in assisted living institutions.
Psychological aspects in children affected by Duchenne de Boulogne muscular dystrophy
Authors: Filippo Teresa Di , Parisi Lucia , Roccella Michele
Published: March 2012

Impairment of intelligence in Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) patients was described by Duchenne de Boulogne himself in 1868. Further studies report intelligence disorders with mayor impairment of memory. The aim of the present study was to assess the presence of affective and personality disorders in a group of children affected by DMD. Twenty six male DMD patients, mean age eleven and four months years old, were assessed for their affective and personality disorder. Only eight subjects had a total IQ below average with major difficulties in verbal and visual-spatial memory, comprehension, arithmetic and vocabulary. All the subjects presented some disorders: tendency to marginalization and isolation, self-depreciation, sense of insecurity, hypochondriac thoughts and marked state of anxiety. These disorders are often a dynamic prolongation of a psychological process which starts when the diagnosis is made and continues, in a slow and latent fashion, throughout the evolution of the disease.
Socio-economic and environmental factors associated with Montenegro skin test positivity in an endemic area of visceral leishmaniasis in northern Morocco
Authors: Hamdi Salsabil , Faouzi Abdellah , Ejghal Rajaa , Laamrani Abderahmane , Amarouch Hamid , Hassar Mohammed , Lemrani Meryem
Published: March 2012

In Marocco, many aspects of human asymptomatic visceral leishmaniasis (VL) still have to be clarified and little information is available about the factors that predispose individuals to asymptomatic infection. A prospective study was carried out in 889 healthy children under the age of 15 years living in two provinces in the endemic area in northern Morocco (the provinces of Taounate and My Yacoub) from April to May 2010. The aim of the study was to evaluate the prevalence and the socio-economic and environmental characteristics associated with infection by Leishmania infantum. The Montenegro skin test (MST) was used to detect asymptomatic infection. The prevalence of transmission of infection was 11.4% and approximately 2 times higher in Taounate than in My Yacoub, as measured by MST. Asymptomatic infection was associated with gender, age, presence of familial links, proximity to chickens, and the number of people in the house and locality, but it was not associated to education status, presence of dogs, livestock waste, sewage disposal, water supply system or use of insecticides
Assessing the Performance of Imaging Health Systems in Five Selected Hospitals in Uganda
Authors: Kawooya Michael G. , Pariyo George , Malwadde Elsie Kiguli , Byanyima Rosemary , Kisembo Harriet
Published: March 2012

Objectives:

The first objective of the study was to develop an index termed as the ‘Imaging Coverage’ (IC), for measuring the performance of the imaging health systems. This index together with the Hospital-Based Utilization (HBU) would then be calculated for five Ugandan hospitals. Second, was to relate the financial resources and existing health policy to the performance of the imaging systems.

Materials and Methods:

This was a cross-sectional survey employing the triangulation methodology, conducted in Mulago National Referral Hospital. The qualitative study used cluster sampling, in-depth interviews, focus group discussions, and self-administered questionnaires to explore the non-measurable aspects of the imaging systems’ performances.

Results:

The IC developed and tested as an index for the imaging system′s performance was 36%. General X-rays had the best IC followed by ultrasound. The Hospital-Based Utilization for the five selected hospitals was 186 per thousand and was the highest for general radiography followed by ultrasound.

Conclusion:

The IC for the five selected hospitals was 36% and the HBU was 186 per thousand, reflecting low performance levels, largely attributable to inadequate funding. There were shortfalls in imaging requisitions and inefficiencies in the imaging systems, financing, and health policy. Although the proportion of inappropriate imaging was small, reducing this inappropriateness even further would lead to a significant total saving, which could be channeled into investigating more patients. Financial resources stood out as the major limitation in attaining the desired performance and there is a need to increase budget funding so as to improve the performance of the imaging health systems.
Holistic control of Herbal Teas and Tinctures Based on sage (Salvia officinalis L.) for compounds with Beneficial and Adverse Effects using NMR Spectroscopy
Authors: Walch Stephan G. , Lachenmeier Dirk W. , Kuballa Thomas , Stühlinger Wolf , Monakhova Yulia B.
Published: March 2012

A methodology that utilizes 1 H-NMR spectroscopy has been developed to simultaneously analyze toxic terpenes (thujone and camphor), major polyphenolic compounds, the total antioxidant capacity (ORAC) and the Folin-Ciocalteu (FC) index in foods and medicines containing sage. The quantitative determination of rosmarinic acid (limit of detection (LOD) = 10 mg/L) and total thujone (LOD = 0.35 mg/L) was possible using direct integration of the signals. For other parameters (derivatives of rosmarinic acid, carnosol and flavone glycosides, ORAC and FC index), chemometric regression models obtained separately for alcohol-based tinctures (R 2 = 0.94-0.98) and aqueous tea infusions (R 2 = 0.79-0.99) were suitable for screening analysis. The relative standard deviations for authentic samples were below 10%. The developed methodology was applied for the analysis of a wide variety of sage products (n = 108). The total thujone content in aqueous tea infusions was found to be in the range of not detectable (nd) to 37.5 mg/L (average 9.2 mg/L), while tinctures contained higher levels (range nd–-409 mg/L, average 107 mg/L). The camphor content varied from 2.1 to 43.7 mg/L in aqueous infusions and from not detectable to 748 mg/L in tinctures (averages were 14.1 and 206 mg/L, respectively). Phenolic compounds were also detected in the majority of the investigated products. 1 H-NMR spectroscopy was proven to have the ability to holistically control all important adverse and beneficial compounds in sage products in a single experiment, considerably saving time, resources and costs as NMR replaces four separate methodologies that were previously needed to analyze the same parameters.
Mixed convection flow and heat transfer in a vertical wavy channel containing porous and fluid layer with traveling thermal waves
Authors: Umavathi JC , Shekar M
Published: March 2012

Mixed convection flow and heat transfer in a vertical wavy channel filled with porous and fluid layers is studied analytically. The flow in the porous medium is modeled using Darcy-Brinkman equation. The coupled non-linear partial differential equations describing the conservation of mass, momentum and energy are solved by linearization technique, wherein the flow is assumed to be in two parts; a mean part and a perturbed part. Exact solutions are obtained for the mean part and a perturbed part is solved using long wave approximation. Separate solutions are matched at the interface using suitable matching conditions. Results for a wide range of governing parameters such as Grashof number, viscosity ratio, width ratio, conductivity ratio, and traveling thermal temperature are plotted for different values of porous parameter on the velocity and temperature fields. Closed form expression for the skin friction and Nusselt number at both left and right channel walls are also derived and all the results are depicted pictorially. It is found that the presence of porous matrix, viscosity ratio and conductivity ratio suppress the velocity whereas, Grashof number and width ratio promotes the velocity parallel to the flow direction and reversal effect is observed on the velocity perpendicular to the flow direction.
Optimizing pulsed current micro plasma arc welding parameters to maximize ultimate tensile strength of Inconel625 Nickel alloy using response surface method
Authors: Prasada KS , Rao CS , Rao DN
Published: March 2012

This paper reveals the influences of pulsed current parameters namely peak current, back current, pulse and pulse width on the ultimate tensile strength of Micro Plasma Arc Welded Inconel 625 sheets. Mathematical model is developed to predict ultimate tensile strength of pulsed current micro plasma arc welded Inconel 625 sheets. Four factors, five level, central composite rotatable design matrix is used to optimize the number of experiments. The mathematical model has been developed by using Response Surface Method. The adequacy of the developed model is checked by using Analysis of Variance technique. By using the developed mathematical model, ultimate tensile strength of the weld joints are predicted with 99% confidence level. Validation experiments are conducted to validate the predicted values of the developed mathematical model. From the contour plots, it is understood that ultimate tensile strength is more sensitive to peak current and pulse. Also it is found that peak current is most dominant parameter out of all the selected parameters. The developed mathematical model has been optimized using Response Surface Method to maximize the ultimate tensile strength. The weld joints fabricated using peak current of 7 Amps, back current of 4 Amps , pulse of 40 pulses/sec and pulse with of 50% yielded superior ultimate tensile strength of 833 MPa compared to the other joints.
Surface roughness prediction model in end milling of Al/SiCp MMC by carbide tools
Authors: Arokiadass R , Palaniradja K , Alagumoorthi N
Published: March 2012

The advancement in automation and accuracy of machine tool made it possible to produce high quality industrial products. One of the main perceptions of quality in mechanical products is its physical appearance. One of the most important factors in physical appearance is the surface roughness. A number of research publications addressed this issue of surface roughness measurement and analyses. This research focuses on study and analyses of surface quality improvement in end milling operation of Al/SiCp metal matrix composite. These materials are selected as they are most widely used in automobile and aerospace industry. This research paper develops an improved mathematical model for surface roughness (Ra) prediction in end milling of Al/SiCp MMC. The impacts of spindle speed, feed rate, depth of cut and various percentage weight of silicon carbide are studied on surface roughness. The result obtained using Response Surface Methodology (RSM) gives a good prediction of surface roughness when compared with actual surface roughness.