bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Acoustical Measurements
Authors: Anderson Brian E. , Blotter Jonathan D. , Gee Kent L. , Sommerfeldt Scott D.
Published: January 2013

This chapter provides the basics of acoustical measurement equipment and techniques. Standards and methods to measure the three basic acoustic quantities of sound pressure, sound power, and sound intensity are presented. Since microphones are fundamental to acoustic measurements, several types of microphones and their particular uses along with a detailed discussion of various calibration techniques are presented. Methods of fundamental acoustic measurements such as the measurement of sound isolation, room acoustics measurements, community and environmental noise measurements, and sound exposure measurements are also presented.
Temperature Measurement
Authors: Childs Peter R. N.
Published: January 2013

The requirement to measure temperature arises in process control, production, environmental observation, and laboratory research. The range of techniques available for measuring temperature is extensive. Many phenomena are dependent on temperature and this can be exploited in instrumentation. A given application may permit direct contact between a measuring device or system and the medium of interest. Alternatively remote observation of, for example, infrared radiation or fluorescence may be possible using an optical system. This chapter outlines various forms of invasive, semi‐invasive, and noninvasive temperature measurement devices and systems. In addition, this chapter describes the fundamental definitions of temperature and the issues that need to be considered in determining the temperature of a given medium, be it a solid body, surface, liquid, or gas.
Solar Energy Measurements
Authors: Muneer Tariq , Tham Yieng Wei
Published: January 2013

Solar radiation and daylight are essential for life on earth. Solar radiation affects the earth's weather processes that determine the natural environment. Its presence at the earth's surface is necessary for the provision of food for mankind. Thus, it is important to be able to understand the physics of solar radiation and daylight and also to measure the latter with precision and repeatability. The understanding of the climatological study of radiation and collection of relevant data is comparatively new. Until 1960, there were only three stations in North–West Europe with irradiation records exceeding a 25‐year period. Similarly, daylight was not recorded on a continuous basis. Furthermore, until 1991, there were records of vertical irradiance and illuminance for very few locations around the world. However, in response to the call made by Commission Internationale de l'Éclairage (CIE), the year 1991 was declared the International Daylight Measurement Year, and this led to a worldwide effort to measure solar irradiance and illuminance. New calibration standards were thus revised, and quality control procedures for measured data were set in place.This chapter provides a historical review of the relevant research and development of solar metrology, instruments, their calibration and physical sensitivities, and quality control (QC) procedures and brings together all the recent modeling work related to solar irradiance that is much needed for the QC of large measured data sets.
Human Movement Measurements
Authors: Davoodi Rahman
Published: January 2013

Making movements and detecting and interpreting the movement of others are crucial for humans. Technological advancement is constantly providing new opportunities where human movement must be observed and interpreted accurately. The constantly expanding, areas of application for human motion measurement have motivated the development or adoption of a number of measurement technologies including optical, magnetic, and inertial motion measurement systems. These measurement systems have been used successfully in many applications, but they have limitations and their application has faced many challenges that are subjects of continued research. The study also emphasizes that by acquiring raw data about human movement, it is important to consider how the data are analyzed and presented. Depending on the application, the same human motion can be described in varying levels of detail and from different perspective. It has been noticed that none of the existing measurement systems satisfy all of the requirements, but they offer range of possibilities that must be carefully considered for a specific application.
Statistical Quality Control
Authors: Zohdi Magd E.
Published: January 2013

The present Chapter focuses on metric and English measuring systems used throughout the world. The metric system is universally used in most scientific applications, but it has some limitations. Tolerance is the amount of variation permitted in the part or the total variation allowed in a given dimension. Dimensions given close tolerances mean that the part must fit properly with some other part. Both must be given tolerances in keeping with the allowance desired, the manufacturing processes available, and the minimum cost of production and assembly that will maximize profit. The study represents all relevant steps of quality control that enable to sample the parts being produced in a mathematical manner and to determine whether the entire stream of production is acceptable, provided that the company is willing to allow up to a certain known number of defective parts. Statistical theory also gives the expected relationship among the control limits, the capability limits, and assumed tolerance limits for a machine that is capable of producing the product with this specified tolerance. The interrelationship of tolerances of assembled products and control charts for attributes have been discussed comprehensively. Various plans from defense department have been discussed which are based on the acceptance quality level concept.
Organizational Performance Measurement
Authors: Farris Jennifer A. , Van Aken, Eileen M. , Letens Geert
Published: January 2013

The goal of this Chapter is to provide an overview of the purpose and content of PM systems, as well as to provide high‐level guidelines for their design, implementation, and use. Several types of organizational functions are supported through the PDSA cycle of decision‐making using the PM system. All the key components of a performance measurement system have been discussed comprehensively. The improvement system assessment tool (ISAT) has been found to be useful in guiding organizations through the process of auditing their PM systems to identify strengths and opportunities for improvement.
Tribology Measurements
Authors: Sahoo Prasanta
Published: January 2013

Tribology is the science and technology of interacting surfaces in relative motion and of related subjects and practices. Tribological studies are categorized into two groups: fundamental research for understanding of basic mechanisms of friction and wear; applied research for resolving specific industrial friction, and wear issues including lubrication. Surface coatings and treatments are provided to monitor friction and to control wear. The most effective way of friction and wear control is by using proper lubricants. Tribological measurements mainly include surface roughness, friction, wear, test environment, material characteristics, and lubricant characteristics. Wear particle analysis and industrial measurements also play an important role.
Surface Properties Measurement
Authors: Mulukutla Mrinalini , Harimkar Sandip P.
Published: January 2013

In the past few decades, significant efforts were directed toward development of surface engineering approaches for the economical processing of materials with enhanced appearance, improved performance/extended life in aggressive environment, and wider range of applicability. As a result, the number of surface engineered materials being used for varied applications has increased rapidly emphasizing the need for better means for the characterization of the surface properties of such materials. With the recent progress in surface characterization techniques, it is now possible to measure a range of surface properties (topography, microstructure, mechanical properties, and electrochemical behavior) at various length scales. In this chapter, surface properties of materials, their measurements methods, and various available standards for a broad range of materials are summarized. The topics presented in this chapter will be useful to materials engineers, quality engineers, and scientists working on characterization/measurement of surface properties.
Selection of Metals for Structural Design
Authors: Donachie Matthew J.
Published: January 2013

Metals are a unique class of elements that provide special properties that are not available in naturally occurring materials. The objective of this chapter is to create a sufficient knowledge of alloys so that selection of them for specific designs will be appropriate. The primary intent will be to cover alloy selection for structural purpose that is, where the alloy must support its weight and, probably, the additional loads of a design. The study also provides sufficient information for the selector to work with designers to create successful components as well as to evaluate the capability of alloy providers and manufacturers to meet the required end uses of the design. Further mechanical, physical, and environmental property behavior that can influence alloy selection have also been described.
Bridge Transducers
Authors: Walter Patrick L.
Published: January 2013

Bridge transducers depend on a measurand to directly modify some electrical or magnetic property of a conductive element. For example, the thermal coefficient of impedance can result in a change in impedance of a conductive element proportional to temperature. Most bridge transducers, however, depend on the displacement of a flexure to vary the impedance of a conductive element, resulting in an electrical signal proportional to the measurand. Advantage is taken of either the strain pattern on the surface of the flexure or the motion of this surface. Among the gamut of flexure elements associated with bridge transducers are cantilever beams, Bourdon tubes, and clamped diaphragms. Strain gages are used to measure the strain pattern on the surface of the flexure in bridge transducers. It has been noticed that small strains result in small impedance changes in resistive strain gage elements. Electromechanical transducers use a Wheatstone bridge circuit to detect a small change in impedance to a high degree of accuracy. The resistance bridge balance methods have been discussed and it has been found that there are two main types of zero balancing methods which are those that manipulate one arm of a transducer bridge to bring its output to the desired condition and those that manipulate two adjacent arms of the transducer bridge. To obtain measurements of the highest possible quality, one must accurately and carefully calibrate the entire measurement system and various methods such as static calibration, dynamic calibration, and electrical substitution techniques have been illustrated. Finally, all the relevant aspects of resistance bridge transducer measurement system and AC impedance bridge transducers have been summarized comprehensively.
Measurements
Authors: Hixson E. L. , Ripperger E. A.
Published: January 2013

Measurement is the process by which a quantitative comparison is made between a standard and a measurand. The four independent standards that have been defined are length, time, mass, and temperature. Interlaboratory standards in factories and laboratories are sent to NIST for comparison with the working standards. These interlaboratory standards are the ones usually available to engineers. Standards for the other three basic quantities have also been adopted by NIST, and accurate measuring devices for those quantities should be calibrated against those standards. The concepts of impedance and error analysis have also been described comprehensively with relevant examples.
Microwave‐Promoted Copper‐Free Sonogashira–Hagihara Couplings of Aryl Imidazolylsulfonates in Water
Authors: Cívicos José F. , Alonso Diego A. , Nájera Carmen
Published: January 2013

Aryl imidazol‐1‐ylsulfonates have been efficiently cross‐coupled with aryl‐, alkyl‐, and silylacetylenes in neat water under copper‐free conditions at 110 °C assisted by microwave irradiation. Using 0.5 mol% of an oxime palladacycle as precatalyst, 2‐dicyclohexylphosphino‐2′,6′‐dimethoxybiphenyl (SPhos, 2 mol%) as ligand, hexadecyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB) as additive, and triethylamine (TEA) as base, a wide array of disubstituted alkynes has been prepared in good to high yields in only 30 min.
Synthesis and evaluation of two new FI‐Ti catalysts for living polymerization of ethylene
Authors: Guo Song , Jie Suyun , Fan Hong , Weng Jianxiu , Liu Weifeng , Li Bo‐Geng
Published: January 2013

Two new FI complexes, bis[N‐(3‐allylsalicylidene)‐pentafluoroanilinato]titanium(IV) dichloride (AFI) and bis[N‐(3‐propylsalicylidene)‐pentafluoroanilinato]titanium(IV) dichloride (PFI) were designed and synthesized as catalysts for living polymerization of ethylene. The two complexes were characterized by elemental analysis, spectroscopy and X‐ray single diffraction. The catalysts were evaluated in ethylene polymerization under atmospheric pressure. It was found that both catalysts exhibited high activity and good livingness. The effects of temperature and dMAO/Ti molar ratio on the polymerization behavior of AFI were studied in detail. Elevating temperature increased self‐immobilization of the AFI catalyst, which broadened the polymer molecular weight distribution. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci., 2013
The preparation and crystallization of long chain branching polylactide made by melt radicals reaction
Authors: You Jinxiu , Lou Lijuan , Yu Wei , Zhou Chixing
Published: January 2013

Long chain branching (LCB) of polylactic acid (PLA) was successfully prepared by melt radicals reaction with pentaerythritol triacrylate (PETA) and bis (1‐methyl‐1‐phenylethyl) peroxide (DCP). The topological structure of the LCB was investigated by rheology and branch‐on‐branch (BOB) model was used to estimate the exact chain structures of the products, where comb‐like LCB structures were generated due to the complex coupling between different macro‐radicals. LCB structure was found to affect the crystallization of PLA products. In the temperature range of 110–130°C, the crystallization rate parameter (k) was improved sharply and the half crystallization time was decreased significantly after the grafting of PETA, which was ascribed to the enhanced hydrogen bonding in PETA‐grafted long chain branching PLA. By comparing with the LCB PLA made from chain extension using multifunctional monomer, it shows that the crystallization becomes slower in a highly branched material with extremely long relaxation time if the effect of hydrogen bonding is similar. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci., 2013
Elaboration and thermal analysis of nanocomposites based on poly(methyl methacrylate‐co‐4‐vinylpyridine) and Maghnia bentonite
Authors: Ouaad Kamal , Djadoun Saïd
Published: January 2013

Nanocomposites based on an organically modified bentonite, from Maghnia Algeria (OBT) and a copolymer of methyl methacrylate with 4‐vinylpyridine (PMM4VP) synthesized in dioxan at room temperature using a neutral Ni(II)α‐benzoinoxime complex as a single component initiator, were elaborated via solution intercalation method and characterized by several techniques. X‐ray diffraction and transmission electron microscopy investigations indicate that mainly exfoliated and intercalated PMM4VP/OBT nanocomposites were elaborated and that the degree of exfoliation decreases with an increase of the OBT loading. Thermal analyses of these nanocomposites compared with their virgin copolymer confirmed a significant improvement of their thermal stability as evidenced by an increase of 28°C in their onset degradation temperatures. In addition, differential scanning calorimetry displayed an increase in the range of 12–18°C in their glass transition temperatures relative to their virgin copolymer. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci., 2013
Attention‐dependent modulation of neural activity in primary sensorimotor cortex
Authors: Milnik Annette , Nowak Isabella , Müller Notger G.
Published: January 2013

Although motor tasks at most times do not require much attention, there are findings that attention can alter neuronal activity not only in higher motor areas but also within the primary sensorimotor cortex. However, these findings are equivocal as attention effects were investigated only in either the dominant or the nondominant hand; attention was operationalized either as concentration (i.e., attention directed to motor task) or as distraction (i.e., attention directed away from motor task), the complexity of motor tasks varied and almost no left‐handers were studied. Therefore, in this study, both right‐ and left‐handers were investigated with an externally paced button press task in which subjects typed with the index finger of the dominant, nondominant, or both hands. We introduced four different attention levels: attention‐modulation‐free, distraction (counting backward), concentration on the moving finger, and divided concentration during bimanual movement. We found that distraction reduced neuronal activity in both contra‐ and ipsilateral primary sensorimotor cortex when the nondominant hand was tapping in both handedness groups. At the same time, distraction activated the dorsal frontoparietal attention network and deactivated the ventral default network. We conclude that difficulty and training status of both the motor and cognitive task, as well as usage of the dominant versus the nondominant hand, are crucial for the presence and magnitude of attention effects on sensorimotor cortex activity. In the case of a very simple button press task, attention modulation is seen for the nondominant hand under distraction and in both handedness groups.
Expanding the Genetic Code in Xenopus laevis Oocytes
Authors: Ye Shixin , Riou Morgane , Carvalho Stéphanie , Paoletti Pierre
Published: January 2013

Heterologous expression of ligand‐gated ion channels (LGICs) in Xenopus laevis oocytes combined with site‐directed mutagenesis has been demonstrated to be a powerful approach to study structure–function relationships. In particular, introducing unnatural amino acids (UAAs) has enabled modifications that are not found in natural proteins. However, the current strategy relies on the technically demanding in vitro synthesis of aminoacylated suppressor tRNA. We report here a general method that circumvents this limitation by utilizing orthogonal aminoacyl‐tRNA synthetase (aaRS)/suppressor tRNACUA pairs to genetically encode UAAs in Xenopus oocytes. We show that UAAs inserted in the N‐terminal domain of N‐methyl‐D‐aspartate receptors (NMDARs) serve as photo‐crosslinkers that lock the receptor in a discrete conformational state in response to UV photo treatment. Our method should be generally applicable to studies of other LGICs in Xenopus oocytes.
Anodic‐Stripping Voltammetric Immunoassay for Ultrasensitive Detection of Low‐Abundance Proteins Using Quantum Dot Aggregated Hollow Microspheres
Authors: Zhang Bing , Tang Dianping , Goryacheva Irina Yu. , Niessner Reinhard , Knopp Dietmar
Published: January 2013

A new anodic‐stripping voltammetric immunoassay protocol for detection of IgG1, as a model protein, was designed by using CdS quantum dot (QD) layer‐by‐layer assembled hollow microspheres (QDHMS) as molecular tags. Initially, monoclonal anti‐human IgG1 specific antibodies were anchored on amorphous magnetic beads preferably selective to capture Fab of IgG1 analyte from the sample. For detection, monoclonal anti‐human IgG1 (Fc‐specific) antibodies were covalently coupled to the synthesized QDHMS. In a sandwich‐type immunoassay format, subsequent anodic‐stripping voltammetric detection of cadmium released under acidic conditions from the coupled QDs was conducted at an in situ prepared mercury film electrode. The immunoassay combines highly efficient magnetic separation with signal amplification by the multilayered QD labels. The dynamic concentration range spanned from 1.0 fg mL−1 to 1.0 μg mL−1 of IgG1 with a detection limit of 0.1 fg mL−1. The electrochemical immunoassay showed good reproducibility, selectivity, and stability. The analysis of clinical serum specimens revealed good accordance with the results obtained by an enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay method. The new immunoassay is promising for enzyme‐free, and cost‐effective analysis of low‐abundance biomarkers.
Asymmetric Distyrylpyridinium Dyes as Red‐Emitting Fluorescent Probes for Quadruplex DNA
Authors: Xie Xiao , Choi Bina , Largy Eric , Guillot Régis , Granzhan Anton , Teulade‐Fichou Marie‐Paule
Published: January 2013

The interactions of three cationic distyryl dyes, namely 2,4‐bis(4‐dimethylaminostyryl)‐1‐methylpyridinium (1 a), its derivative with a quaternary aminoalkyl chain (1 b), and the symmetric 2,6‐bis(4‐dimethylaminostyryl)‐1‐methylpyridinium (2 a), with several quadruplex and duplex nucleic acids were studied with the aim to establish the influence of the geometry of the dyes on their DNA‐binding and DNA‐probing properties. The results from spectrofluorimetric titrations and thermal denaturation experiments provide evidence that asymmetric (2,4‐disubstituted) dyes 1 a and 1 b bind to quadruplex DNA structures with a near‐micromolar affinity and a fair selectivity with respect to double‐stranded (ds) DNA [Ka(G4)/Ka(ds)=2.5–8.4]. At the same time, the fluorescence of both dyes is selectively increased in the presence of quadruplex DNAs (more than 80–100‐fold in the case of human telomeric quadruplex), even in the presence of an excess of competing double‐stranded DNA. This optical selectivity allows these dyes to be used as quadruplex‐DNA‐selective probes in solution and stains in polyacrylamide gels. In contrast, the symmetric analogue 2 a displays a strong binding preference for double‐stranded DNA [Ka(ds)/Ka(G4)=40–100), presumably due to binding in the minor groove. In addition, 2 a is not able to discriminate between quadruplex and duplex DNA, as its fluorescence is increased equally well (20–50‐fold) in the presence of both structures. This study emphasizes and rationalizes the strong impact of subtle structural variations on both DNA‐recognition properties and fluorimetric response of organic dyes.
Substituent Effects on the Structural Features and Nonlinear Optical Properties of the Organic Alkalide Li+(calix[4]pyrrole)Li−
Authors: Sun Wei‐Ming , Wu Di , Li Ying , Li Zhi‐Ru
Published: January 2013

The effects of substituents on the structure, character, and nonlinear optical (NLO) properties of the organic alkalide Li+(calix[4]pyrrole)Li− were studied by density functional theory. Natural bond orbital analysis and vertical ionization energies reveal that electron‐donating substituents strengthen the alkalide character of Li+(calix[4]pyrrole)Li− and that they are beneficial for a larger first hyperpolarizability (β0) value. However, electron‐withdrawing substituents have the opposite effect. The dependence of the NLO properties on the number of substituents and their relative position was detected in multisubstituted Li+(calix[4]pyrrole)Li− compounds. For both the amino‐ and methyl‐substituted derivatives, the polarizabilities and the first hyperpolarizabilities increase as more pyrrole β‐H atoms are substituted. Moreover, distribution of the substituents so that they are as far away from each other as possible resulted in an increase in the β0 value. The new knowledge obtained in this study may provide an effective approach to enhance the NLO responses of alkalides by employing pyrrole derivatives as complexants.
Hydrogen Dissociation Catalyzed by Carbon‐Coated Nickel Nanoparticles: Experiment and Theory
Authors: Yermakov Anatoliy Ye. , Boukhvalov Danil W. , Uimin Michael A. , Lokteva Ekaterina S. , Erokhin Alexey V. , Schegoleva Nina N.
Published: January 2013

Based on the combination of experimental measurements and first‐principles calculations we report a novel carbon‐based catalytic material and describe significant acceleration of the hydrogenation of magnesium at room temperature in the presence of nickel nanoparticles wrapped in multilayer graphene. The increase in rate of magnesium hydrogenation in contrast to a mix of graphite and nickel nanoparticles evidences intrinsic catalytic properties of the nanocomposites explored. The results from simulation demonstrate that doping of the metal substrate and the presence of Stone–Wales defects turn multilayer graphene from being chemically inert to chemically active. The role of the size of the nanoparticles and temperature are also discussed.
Raising river level to improve the condition of a semi‐arid floodplain forest
Authors: Souter Nicholas J. , Wallace Todd , Walter Mark , Watts Richard
Published: January 2013

River red gum (Eucalyptus camaldulensis Denhn.) trees along the lower River Murray, Australia, have suffered severe dieback as a result of river regulation and drought. As an environmental flow initiative, the height of the lower River Murray in South Australia was raised during a period of increased flow in the spring and summer of 2005–2006. This was performed by increasing the level of the rivers in channel weirs. This increased the level of anabranch creeks on the Chowilla floodplain and through horizontal recharge freshened the adjacent groundwater, providing water to riparian river red gums. Groundwater depth rose concurrently with the rise in creek level, likely recharging the saline floodplain water table with fresh creek water. Multistate Markov modelling showed that along four creeks, most healthy trees responded positively to the rise in water level and remained healthy 1 year after the surcharge. Healthy trees were three times more likely to respond than stressed trees and thirty times more likely to respond than defoliated trees. Stressed trees were ten times more likely to respond than defoliated trees. Forty eight percent of trees that had no leaves at the start of the study responded to the surcharge by producing new growth. This study demonstrates how existing regulatory infrastructure can be used to manipulate water levels and that the hydrological connection between surface water and groundwater can be used to provide water to riparian trees. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Bisorganophosphonyl and ‐Organoarsenyl Derivatives of Heteropolytungstates as Hard Ligands for Early‐Transition‐Metal and Lanthanide Cations
Authors: Villanneau Richard , Djamâa Aïcha Ben , Chamoreau Lise‐Marie , Gontard Geoffrey , Proust Anna
Published: January 2013

The coordination properties of bisorganophosphonyl and bisorganoarsenyl derivatives of heteropolytungstates towards lanthanides and early‐transition‐metal cations were studied in organic medium. This new class of vacant polyoxometalate (POM) hybrids proved to conserve coordination sites after the grafting of the {RP=O}2+ or {RAs=O}2+ groups onto the trivacant A,α‐[PW9O34]9– and B,α‐[AsW9O33]9– platforms. The consequence of the presence of free {P=O} or {As=O} groups is an increase of the hardness of the coordination sites in these anions (according to Pearson's HSAB theory). Although soft divalent transition metal cations were hardly coordinated with these hybrid monovacant POMs, complexes with hard s group (Ca2+), lanthanide (La3+, Ce3+) and d0 early‐transition‐metal cations were obtained and studied, in particular by single crystal X‐ray diffraction. Owing to the possibility of modification of the trivacant platform, the type of the grafted function (phosphonyl or arsenyl) or the organic function R, these systems offer a unique possibility to finely modulate the coordination sphere of the cation.
Substituted 3(2H)‐Furanones by a Tandem Michael Addition/Palladium‐Catalyzed Ring‐Closing Protocol
Authors: John Jubi , Hopf Henning
Published: January 2013

A novel palladium‐catalyzed route for the synthesis of substituted 3(2H)‐furanones from activated alkenes and 4‐chloroacetoacetate was developed. The first step of the tandem reaction is the Michael addition of an acetoacetate to the alkene followed by palladium‐catalyzed ring closure of the adduct to form the furanone. The reaction was extended to a number of substituted alkenes, and the corresponding substituted 3(2H)‐furanones were obtained in good to excellent yields.
Iodide‐Ion‐Catalyzed Carbon–Carbon Bond‐Forming Cross‐Dehydrogenative Coupling for the Synthesis of Indole Derivatives
Authors: Jia Zhenhua , Nagano Takashi , Li Xingshu , Chan Albert S. C.
Published: January 2013

The nBu4NI‐catalyzed intramolecular cross‐dehydrogenative coupling (CDC) reaction has been applied to the synthesis of 1H‐indole derivatives. Intramolecular oxidative coupling of N‐arylenamines proceeded in the presence of a catalytic amount of nBu4NI and tert‐butyl hydroperoxide (TBHP) to afford the corresponding 1H‐indole derivatives in good‐to‐excellent yields. A preliminary study of the synthesis of 3H‐indole is also reported. This is a rare example of the nBu4NI‐catalyzed C–C bond‐forming CDC reaction.
Absorbing boundary conditions: a spectral collocation approach
Authors: Benacchio T. , Bonaventura L.
Published: January 2013

We introduce a spectral collocation method for the discretisation of the shallow water equations on a one‐dimensional semi‐infinite domain, employing scaled Laguerre basis functions to obtain an accurate description of the solutions on finite regions of arbitrary size. The time discretisation is based on a semi‐implicit, semi‐Lagrangian approach that handles the highly inhomogeneous node distribution without loss of efficiency. The method is first validated on standard test cases and then applied to the implementation of absorbing open boundary conditions by coupling the semi‐infinite domain to a finite size domain on which the same equations are discretised by standard finite volume methods. Numerical experiments show that the proposed approach does not produce significant spurious reflections at the interface between the finite and infinite domain, thus providing a reliable tool for absorbing boundary conditions. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Reactivity of Human IgM Binding Murine Monoclonal 6B6C1 (IgG2a) with Other Murine Monoclonal IgG Antibodies
Authors: Prince Harry E. , Yeh Cindy
Published: January 2013

Background

Approximately 6% of sera positive in a dengue virus IgM‐capture enzyme immunoassay (EIA) represent false‐positives due to interaction between IgM and horseradish peroxidase (HRP)‐labeled monoclonal antibody (MAb) 6B6C1 (IgG2a). To better understand this interaction, we assessed the reactivity of captured IgM from these sera with other HRP‐labeled MAbs. J. Clin. Lab. Anal. 27:27–30, 2013. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Methods

Fifty dengue IgM false‐positive sera (recognizing 6B6C1) were evaluated for IgM reactivity with the HRP‐labeled MAbs H3A4 (IgG2a), 53.8 (IgG2b), and IL‐A2 (IgG1). The sera were also tested in an EIA for human anti‐mouse antibody (HAMA).

Results

Forty‐three sera (86%) reacted with IgG2a MAb (H3A4). Most (31/43 = 72%) of these sera recognizing 6B6C1 and H3A4 also recognized the IgG2 MAb and/or the IgG1 MAb. In contrast, HAMA was increased in only 9 of 50 (18%) sera reacting with 6B6C1.

Conclusions

IgM from most sera‐binding IgG2a MAb 6B6C1 also binds another IgG2a MAb, suggesting that IgM‐6B6C1 reactivity is not idiotype specific. In many cases, IgM recognizing 6B6C1 also binds MAbs of other IgG subclasses, but is negative in a HAMA assay. These findings indicate that samples positive in IgM‐capture EIAs utilizing conjugated MAbs should always be retested in the absence of antigen to identify false‐positive reactivity caused by direct IgM‐MAb interaction. J. Clin. Lab. Anal. 00:1‐4, 2012. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Neutrophil–Lymphocyte Ratio as a Predictor of Disease Severity in Ulcerative Colitis
Authors: Celikbilek Mehmet , Dogan Serkan , Ozbakır Omer , Zararsız Gökmen , Kücük Hamit , Gürsoy Sebnem , Yurci Alper , Güven Kadri , Yücesoy Mehmet
Published: January 2013

Background

Blood neutrophil‐to‐lymphocyte (N/L) ratio is an indicator of the overall inflammatory status of the body, and an alteration in N/L ratio may be found in ulcerative colitis (UC) patients. The aims of this study were to investigate the utility of N/L ratio as a simple and readily available predictor for clinical disease activity in UC. J. Clin. Lab. Anal. 27:72–76, 2013. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Methods

Twenty‐six patients and 28 healthy controls were enrolled in the study. The neutrophil and lymphocyte counts were recorded, and the N/L ratio was calculated from these parameters. The extent of disease classified according to the Montreal classification, clinical disease activity was evaluated using a modified Truelove–Witts severity index, and endoscopic disease activities were classified according to Schroder et al.

Results

The serum N/L ratios of active patients were significantly higher than those of inactive UC and controls (P < 0.001). The optimum N/L ratio cut‐off point for active UC was 2.47. There was no significant difference between inflammation parameters, disease extension, and disease activity.

Conclusion

Our results demonstrate that N/L ratio is higher in patients with active UC compared with controls and UC patients in remission and a cut‐off value of 2.47 can be used to identify patients with active ulcerative colitis.
Enzymatic hydrolysis enhanced by pressure shockwaves opening new possibilities in Jatropha Curcas L. processing
Authors: Maroušek Josef , Itoh Shigeru , Higa Osamu , Kondo Yoshikazu , Ueno Masami , Suwa Ryuichi , Tominaga Jun , Kawamitsu Yoshinobu
Published: January 2013

BACKGROUND

Low yields of oil, hazardous organic solvents or demanding supercritical conditions hinder energy utilization of Jatropha Curcas L.

RESULTS

A new complex procedure for processing the oilseeds is presented. The method consists of deshelling, grinding, shockwave pretreatment, enzymatic hydrolysis, oil expelling, anaerobic fermentation and charcoal production. No additional energy, hazardous solvents or expensive catalysts are needed.

CONCLUSIONS

The biotechnological impact of the processes involved was screened at different levels. Mass balances with kinetic data are plotted in detail, allowing further process modeling and technology design as well as determining the optimal operation parameters for further financial judgments. © 2013 Society of Chemical Industry
Gadoxetic acid‐enhanced fat suppressed three‐dimensional T1‐weighted MRI using a multiecho dixon technique at 3 tesla: Emphasis on image quality and hepatocellular carcinoma detection
Authors: Lee Mi Hee , Kim Young Kon , Park Min Jung , Hwang Jiyoung , Kim Seong Hyun , Lee Won Jae , Choi Dongil
Published: January 2013

Purpose

To compare the image quality between T1 high‐resolution isotropic volume examination using the multi‐echo Dixon technique (mDixon‐eTHRIVE) and that using spectrally adiabatic inversion recovery (SPAIR‐eTHRIVE) in gadoxetic acid‐enhanced liver MRI, and to evaluate the detectability of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) on mDixon‐eTHRIVE.

Materials and Methods

Seventy patients with 117 HCCs underwent gadoxetic acid‐enhanced liver MRI using mDixon‐eTHRIVE. All patients also underwent gadoxetic acid‐enhanced MRI using SPAIR‐eTHRIVE (mean interval of 96 days). Two radiologists performed a consensus review of MRIs for image quality, homogeneity of fat suppression, artifact, and anatomic sharpness using a four‐point scale. The detectability for HCC with mDixon‐eTHRIVE was assessed using alternative‐free response receiver operating characteristic.

Results

All mDixon‐eTHRIVE images received higher scores for homogeneity of fat suppression and image quality (P < 0.05) compared with those for SPAIR‐eTHRIVE. With respect to artifact and anatomic sharpness, there was no significant difference between two MRIs (P > 0.05). Diagnostic accuracy (Az) and sensitivity for detecting HCCs with mDixon‐eTHRIVE images were mean 0.954 and 93.2%, respectively.

Conclusion

For gadoxetic acid‐enhanced liver MRI, mDixon‐eTHRIVE showed improved homogeneity of fat suppression and overall image quality compared with SPAIR‐eTHRIVE. J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2013;38:401–410. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Qualitative and quantitative analysis of cinobufacini injection using rapid separation liquid chromatography coupled with quadrupole‐time‐of‐flight mass spectrometry and HPLC‐photodiode array detection, a feasible strategy for the quality control of Chinese medicine injections
Authors: Zhao Haiyu , Wu Xu , Wang Hongjie , Gao Bo , Yang Jian , Si Nan , Bian Baolin
Published: January 2013

Cinobufacini injection, prepared from the skin of Bufo bufo gargarizans Cantor, has presented its significant effects on the treatment of hepatitis and various cancers in the clinic. However, as an unclear complex chemical system, the optimization of its quality control markers has been a long‐term challenge. In present study, a feasible strategy integrated markers screening, determination, and statistical analysis was efficiently proposed, especially for the undefined Chinese medicine injections. First, rapid separation LC‐quadrupole‐TOF‐MS method was applied in the identification of 19 major compounds in the cinobufacini injection for the first time. Further, nine high‐level contents active compounds were selected as quality control markers for the quantification analysis. An acceptable and validated determination method was established in 17 batches of cinobufacini injection by HPLC‐photodiode array detection method, including linear regression relationship (r2, 0.9996–1), precisions (RSD, 0.02–1.35%), repeatability (RSD, 0.05–1.97%), stability (RSD, 0.1–3.85%), and recovery (95.88–104.89%). Each analyte was detected at its maximum ultraviolet spectra wavelength. Finally, based on the quantification results, principal component analysis was performed on the quality assessment of cinobufacini injections. This three‐step strategy provides a newly feasible solution for the quality control of Chinese medicine injections.
Study of morphology, mechanical properties, and thermal degradation of polycarbonate‐titania nanocomposites as function of titania crystalline phase and content
Authors: Motaung T.E. , Luyt A.S. , Saladino M.L. , Caponetti E.
Published: January 2013

Titania nanoparticles were prepared using a sol–gel method and calcination at 200°C and 600°C to obtain anatase and rutile phases, respectively. The obtained powders were used to prepare polycarbonate (PC)‐titania nanocomposites by melt compounding. The effect of different crystalline phases and amounts of titania, in the range 1–5 wt%, on the morphology, mechanical properties, and thermal degradation kinetics of PC was investigated. The results show that the filler modified the plasticity or rigidity of the polymer and influenced the degradation kinetics, in different ways depending on the type and amount of titania. POLYM. COMPOS., 2012. © 2013 Society of Plastics Engineers
An atomistic simulation study of the effect of dopants on the morphology of YLiF4
Authors: Littleford Thomas E. , Jackson Robert A. , Read Mark S. D.
Published: January 2013

Solid‐state optical materials are a continuing field of study that has many important applications including lasers. YLiF4 is one material has been studied in detail however, no studies into the surface properties or crystal morphology have been carried out. This paper summaries the key findings of a bulk study into the material and extends it to consider the morphology of pure YLiF4 before looking at the segregation of rare earth dopants to the low index surfaces. The presence of these dopants at the surfaces is shown to have a stabilising effect on some of the indices resulting in a lowering of the surface energy. By considering the optimum dopant coverage at all surfaces, a prediction for the doped La:YLiF4 crystal is made. (© 2013 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Emotion and moral judgment
Authors: Avramova Yana R. , Inbar Yoel
Published: January 2013

Research in psychology and cognitive science has consistently demonstrated the importance of emotion in a wide range of everyday judgments, including moral judgment. Most current accounts of moral judgment hold that emotion plays an important role, but the nature and extent of this role are still debated. We outline three increasingly strong claims about the role of emotion in moral judgment and assess the evidence for each. According to the first and least controversial claim, emotions follow from moral judgments, such that witnessing immorality can lead to negative emotions and witnessing moral virtue can lead to positive ones. According to the second claim, emotions amplify moral judgments, for instance, by making immoral acts seem even more immoral. Finally, on the last claim, emotions can actually moralize nonmoral behaviors—that is, they give nonmoral acts a moral status. Although this claim seems to be the most intriguing one theoretically, empirical support for it is still very limited. In this review, we discuss research findings that are in line with each of these views, we highlight recurring themes across these three categories of evidence, and we identify some open questions and areas for future research.WIREs Cogn Sci2013, 4:169–178. doi: 10.1002/wcs.1216

This article is categorized under:

Psychology > Emotion and Motivation
Chromatin looping and organization at developmentally regulated gene loci
Authors: Noordermeer Daan , Duboule Denis
Published: January 2013

Developmentally regulated genes are often controlled by distant enhancers, silencers and insulators, to implement their correct transcriptional programs. In recent years, the development of 3C and derived techniques (4C, 5C, HiC, ChIA‐PET, etc.) has confirmed that chromatin looping is an important mechanism for the transfer of regulatory information in mammalian cells. At many developmentally regulated gene loci, transcriptional activation is indeed accompanied by the formation of chromatin loops between genes and distant enhancers. Similarly, dynamic looping between insulator elements and changes in local 3D organization may be observed upon variation in transcriptional activity. Chromatin looping also occurs at silent gene loci, where its function remains less understood. In lineage‐committed cells, partial 3D configurations are detected at loci that are activated at later stages. However, these partial configurations usually lack promoter–enhancer loops that accompany transcriptional activation, suggesting they have structural functions. Definitive evidence for a repressive role of chromatin looping is still lacking. Chromatin loops have been reported at repressed loci but, alternatively, they may act as a distraction for active loops. Together, these mechanisms allow fine‐tuning of regulatory programs, thus providing further diversity in the transcriptional control of developmentally regulated gene loci. WIREs Dev Biol 2013, 2:615–630. doi: 10.1002/wdev.103

This article is categorized under:

Gene Expression and Transcriptional Hierarchies > Regulatory Mechanisms
Systems biology of lung development and regeneration: current knowledge and recommendations for future research
Authors: Hagood James S. , Ambalavanan Namasivayam
Published: January 2013

The lung begins as a simple outpouching of the foregut and develops by stages into a highly complex organ, the proper function of which is essential to life for terrestrial mammals. Interruption of normal lung development can result in death or chronic disease. Conversely, repair after lung injury, as well as many acquired diseases, involves recapitulation, often aberrant, of developmental pathways. The principal paradigms in lung development are branching morphogenesis and alveolar septation, but others, such as vasculogenesis, are critical. These are partially understood at the level of cellular differentiation and molecular signaling, but a true systems biology analysis of lung development and lung repair/regeneration, including bioinformatics analysis and integration of data from unbiased and complementary ‘‐omics’ level studies, is still lacking. The past decade has seen increasing numbers of genomic, proteomic, metabolomics, and epigenomic studies of lung development and lung remodeling. In many cases, these studies have confirmed the importance of pathways uncovered painstakingly through single‐molecule approaches, but they have also uncovered novel and unexpected pathways and new paradigms such as noncoding RNA. Future studies will need to combine data from multiple repositories and apply novel mathematical and computational models in order to establish a systems‐level understanding of this remarkable organ. WIREs Syst Biol Med 2013, 5:125–133. doi: 10.1002/wsbm.1205

This article is categorized under:

Developmental Biology > Developmental Processes in Health and Disease

Models of Systems Properties and Processes > Organ, Tissue, and Physiological Models

Biological Mechanisms > Regulatory Biology
A Tetranuclear Defective Dicubane‐like Nickel Complex: Synthesis, Crystal Structure, and Magnetic Properties
Authors: Yang Pei‐Pei , Shao Cong‐Ying , Xu Yun , Zhu Li‐Li
Published: January 2013

The one‐pot reaction of nickel(II) perchlorate salt with NaN3 and the Schiff base ligand, 3‐(2‐hydroxybenzylideneamino) propane‐1, 2‐diol (H3L), derived from the condensation of 2‐hydroxybenzaldehyde and 3‐aminopropane‐1, 2‐diol, yields [Ni4(HL)2(H2L)2(N3)2]·CH3CN (1). Single crystal X‐ray studies reveal that the complex exhibits a tetranuclear face‐shared defective double‐cubane structure, having azido and alk/phenoxido bridges. Magnetic property of complex 1 was investigated using variable temperature magnetic susceptibility and both antiferromagnetic and ferromagnetic interactions exist in 1. On the basis of the known magneto‐structural relationship of oxido‐bridged nickel(II) complexes, the magnetic data were fitted and the parameters were given as g = 2.17, J1 = 9.22, J2 = 0.95, and J3 = –5.56.
Synthesis, Structural Characterization, and Photophysical Properties of AuI–CuI Heterometallic Alkynyl Cluster Complexes Containing N‐Protected Amino Acid Groups
Authors: Dereza Pavel Yu. , Krytchankou Ilya S. , Krupenya Dmitry V. , Gurzhiy Vladislav V. , Koshevoy Igor O. , Melnikov Alexey S. , Tunik Sergey P.
Published: January 2013

Polynuclear mixed‐metal gold(I)–copper(I) complexes 1–3 based on the [{Au3Cu2(C2C6H4NHR)6}Au3{PPh2C6H4PPh2}3]2+ cluster core with acyl (1) and N‐protected amino acid groups [R = BocGly (2), BocAla (3)] in alkynyl ligands were synthesized and characterized. The solid‐state structures of 1 was determined by XRD, the other complexes were characterized by NMR spectroscopy and ESI‐MS measurements. The luminescence behavior of these compounds were studied in dichloromethane solution at room temperature, moderate to strong orange emission at ca. 610 nm with maximum quantum yield of 0.46 for compound 3 was found.
Exclusive vector meson production and small-x evolution
Authors: Berger J. , Stasto A. M.
Published: January 2013

Abstract

The process of exclusive elastic vector meson production in deep inelastic scattering is investigated within the dipole model framework supplemented by the small x evolution. The dipole-proton amplitude is obtained from the nonlinear Balitsky-Kovchegov evolution equation with impact parameter dependence. This dipole amplitude is used to compute the differential cross section for exclusive production of J/Ψ, ϕ, and ρ vector mesons. These numerical calculations are compared with the wide range of experimental data from HERA. Good agreement between the experimental data and the calculations is found.