bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Organosoluble, low‐dielectric‐constant fluorinated polyimides based on 9,9‐bis[4‐(4‐amino‐2‐trifluoromethyl‐ phenoxy)phenyl]xanthene
Authors: Sheng Shouri , Li Daoping , Lai Tianqi , Liu Xiaoling , Song Caisheng
Published: March 2011

A new trifluoromethylated bis(ether amine) monomer, 9,9‐bis[4‐(4‐amino‐2‐trifluoromethylphenoxy)phenyl]xanthene (BATFPX), was prepared through the nucleophilic aromatic substitution reaction of 2‐chloro‐5‐nitrobenzotrifluoride and 9,9‐bis(4‐hydroxyphenyl)xanthene in the presence of potassium carbonate, followed by catalytic reduction with hydrazine and Pd/C in ethanol. A series of novel fluorinated polyimides were synthesized from BATFPX with various commercially available aromatic tetracarboxylic dianhydrides by one‐step polycondensation in m‐cresol. The resulting polyimides were readily soluble in many organic solvents such as N,N‐dimethylacetamide and tetrahydrofuran, and afforded transparent, flexible and strong films with low moisture absorption (0.28–0.51%), low dielectric constant (2.85–3.26 at 1 MHz) and good optical transparency with UV‐visible absorption cut‐off wavelengths at 352–410 nm. All the polyimides were amorphous and exhibited high thermal stability, with glass transition temperatures of 282–330 °C, 5% weight loss temperatures above 520 °C in nitrogen or air and char yields higher than 55% at 800 °C in nitrogen. Also, these polyimides had good mechanical properties with tensile strengths of 93–118 MPa, elongations at break of 9–16% and initial moduli of 2.07–2.58 GPa. Copyright © 2011 Society of Chemical Industry
Synthesis of azide end‐functionalized isotactic polypropylene building block and renewed modular synthesis of diblock copolymers of isotactic polypropylene and poly(ε‐caprolactone)
Authors: Huang Huahua , Niu Hui , Dong Jin‐Yong
Published: March 2011

This article details a synthesis of azide end‐functionalized isotactic polypropylene (i‐PP), a unique polymeric building block that can engage in Huisgen's 1,3‐dipolar cycloaddition of azide and alkyne (click reaction) to construct well‐defined i‐PP‐based polymer architecture. Controlled, consecutive chain transfer reaction to 1,2‐bis(4‐vinylphenyl)ethane and hydrogen in metallocene‐mediated propylene polymerization catalyzed by rac‐Me2Si(2‐Me‐4‐Ph‐Ind)2ZrCl2/MAO resulted in styryl‐terminated i‐PP (i‐PP‐t‐St) of controlled molecular weight. Following a regioselective hydrochlorination reaction, the terminal styryl groups were quantatively transformed to 1‐chloroethylbenzene groups, which was further reacted with NaN3 to give i‐PP terminated with an azide group (i‐PP‐t‐N3). Structural monitoring of the polymers through the whole transformation process using 1H NMR and FTIR as well as GPC and DSC reveals a clean and clear formation of i‐PP‐t‐N3 (Mn in between 10,000 and 40,000 g/mol). This clickable i‐PP building block was applied to a renewed, modular synthesis of amphiphilic i‐PP‐b‐PCL (poly(ε‐caprolactone)) diblock copolymers. Composition‐diversified, structure‐well defined diblock copolymers were obtained in high yields, confirming both the high end group selectivity as well as high reactivity of azide the clickable moiety in the i‐PP building block and the effectiveness of azide‐alkyne click reaction in constructing new i‐PP architecture. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem, 2011
Construction of reversible hydration–dehydration system by a model compound and a novel polymer bearing vicinal tricarbonyl structure
Authors: Dei Takehito , Morino Kazuhide , Sudo Atsushi , Endo Takeshi
Published: March 2011

A novel polymer bearing acyclic vicinal tricarbonyl moieties in the side chains was synthesized by (1) radical polymerization of a styrene derivative with a 1,3‐diketone structure and (2) successive treatment of the resulting polystyrene derivative by N‐bromosuccinimide to convert its 1,3‐diketone moiety in the side chains into the corresponding vicinal tricarbonyl moiety. The tricarbonyl moiety was highly reactive with water to permit its rapid conversion into a geminal diol structure in water‐containing acetone. On the other hand, heating the resulting polymer bearing the geminal diol structure under vacuum enabled successful recovery of the vicinal tricarbonyl moiety to demonstrate the reversible nature of this system, which allowed us to repeat the hydration–dehydration cycle without deteriorating the polymer structure. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem, 2011
Clinical use of dornase alfa is associated with a slower rate of FEV1 decline in cystic fibrosis
Authors: Konstan Michael W. , Wagener Jeffrey S. , Pasta David J. , Millar Stefanie J. , Jacobs Joan R. , Yegin Ashley , Morgan Wayne J. ,   for the Scientific Advisory Group and the Investigators and Coordinators of the Epidemiologic Study of Cystic Fibrosis
Published: March 2011

Objectives

Randomized controlled trials of dornase alfa have shown forced expiratory volume in 1 sec (FEV1) to improve in patients with cystic fibrosis (CF) but have not assessed change in the rate of lung function decline. We assessed the relationship of dornase alfa use and FEV1 decline using the Epidemiologic Study of Cystic Fibrosis (ESCF).

Methodology

Patients aged 8–38 years who had been enrolled in ESCF for 2 years when initially treated with dornase alfa were selected if they remained on treatment during the following 2 years. A comparator group included patients aged 8–38 who were not yet reported to have received dornase alfa. For each patient we estimated the annual rate of decline in FEV1% predicted before and after the index using a mixed‐effects model adjusted for age, gender, pulmonary exacerbations, respiratory therapies, and nutritional supplements.

Results

The dornase alfa group (n = 2,230) had a lower FEV1% predicted at index and a more rapid decline during the pre‐index period. The mean rate of FEV1 decline improved for the dornase alfa group; the improvement was similar in adults and children 8–17 years old but was not statistically significant in adults. The comparator group (n = 5,970) showed no change among adults and an increased rate of decline among children 8–17 years old.

Conclusions

The use of dornase alfa for a 2‐year period is associated with a reduction in the rate of FEV1 decline. These results also demonstrate the value of using an observational study to assess the association of instituting new therapies in the clinical setting with changes in the rate of FEV1 decline in patients with CF. Pediatr. Pulmonol. 2011; 46:545–553. © 2011 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Resonant frequency does not predict high‐frequency chest compression settings that maximize airflow or volume
Authors: Luthy Sarah K. , Marinkovic Aleksandar , Weiner Daniel J.
Published: March 2011

High‐frequency chest compression (HFCC) is a therapy for cystic fibrosis (CF). We hypothesized that the resonant frequency (fres), as measured by impulse oscillometry, could be used to determine what HFCC vest settings produce maximal airflow or volume in pediatric CF patients. In 45 subjects, we studied: fres, HFCC vest frequencies that subjects used (fused), and the HFCC vest frequencies that generated the greatest volume (fvol) and airflow (fflow) changes as measured by pneumotachometer. Median fused for 32 subjects was 14 Hz (range, 6–30). The rank order of the three most common fused was 15 Hz (28%) and 12 Hz (21%); three frequencies tied for third: 10, 11, and 14 Hz (5% each). Median fres for 43 subjects was 20.30 Hz (range, 7.85–33.65). Nineteen subjects underwent vest‐tuning to determine fvol and fflow. Median fvol was 8 Hz (range, 6–30). The rank order of the three most common fvol was: 8 Hz (42%), 6 Hz (32%), and 10 Hz (21%). Median fflow was 26 Hz (range, 8–30). The rank order of the three most common fflow was: 30 Hz (26%) and 28 Hz (21%); three frequencies tied for third: 8, 14, and 18 Hz (11% each). There was no correlation between fused and fflow (r2 = −0.12) or fvol (r2 = 0.031). There was no correlation between fres and fflow (r2 = 0.19) or fvol (r2 = 0.023). Multivariable analysis showed no independent variables were predictive of fflow or fvol. Vest‐tuning may be required to optimize clinical utility of HFCC. Multiple HFCC frequencies may need to be used to incorporate fflow and fvol. Pediatr. Pulmonol. 2011; 46:604–609. © 2011 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
In vitro comparison of heliox and oxygen in aerosol delivery using pediatric high flow nasal cannula
Authors: Ari Arzu , Harwood Robert , Sheard Meryl , Dailey Patricia , Fink James B.
Published: March 2011

Drug administration via high flow nasal cannula (HFNC) has been described in pediatrics but the amount of albuterol delivery with an HFNC is not known. The purpose of this study is to quantify aerosol delivery with heliox and oxygen (O2) in a model of pediatric ventilation. A vibrating mesh nebulizer (Aeroneb Solo, Aerogen) was placed on the inspiratory inlet of a heated humidifier and heated wire circuit attached to a pediatric nasal cannula (Optiflow, Fisher & Paykel). Breathing parameters were tidal volume (Vt) 100 ml, respiratory rate (RR) 20/min, and I‐time of 1 sec. Albuterol sulfate (2.5 mg/3 ml) was administered through a pediatric HFNC with O2 (100%) and heliox (80/20% mixture). A total of 12 runs, using O2 and heliox were conducted at 3 and 6 L/min (n = 3). Drug was collected on an absolute filter, eluted and measured using spectrophotometry. The percent inhaled dose (mean ± SD) was similar with heliox and O2 at 3 L/min (11.41 ± 1.54 and 10.65 ± 0.51, respectively; P = 0.465). However at 6 L/min drug deposition was ≥2‐fold greater with heliox (5.42 ± 0.54) than O2 (1.95 ± 0.50; P = 0.01). Using a pediatric model of HFNC, reducing delivered flow from 6 to 3 L/min increased inhaled albuterol delivery ≥2‐fold but eliminated the increase in inhaled drug efficiency associated with heliox. Pediatr. Pulmonol. 2011; 46:795–801. © 2011 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Field‐evolved resistance to Bt toxin Cry1Ac in the pink bollworm, Pectinophora gossypiella (Saunders) (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae), from India
Authors: Dhurua Sanyasi , Gujar Govind T
Published: March 2011

BACKGROUND: The pink bollworm is one of the most destructive pests of cotton. Transgenic cotton producing Bt toxin Cry1Ac or a combination of Cry1Ac and Cry2Ab2 has been used effectively against this pest. However, some other insects have evolved resistance to Bt toxins in the field. During the 2007–2008 and 2008–2009 seasons, pink bollworm populations in India were surveyed to evaluate their responses to Cry1Ac and seed powder containing Cry1Ac and Cry2Ab2.

RESULTS: The results provide evidence that resistance to Cry1Ac had evolved by 2008 in a population sampled from non‐Bt cotton in the Amreli district of Gujarat in western India. The median lethal concentration of Cry1Ac for five‐day‐old larvae (LC50) was significantly higher for insects derived in 2008 from Amreli than for any of the other field populations tested from four locations in India. For Cry1Ac, the mean LC50 for the strain derived from Amreli in 2008 was 44 times higher than for the most susceptible population. However, for seed powder of Bollgard II containing primarily Cry2Ab2, the 2008 Amreli population was only slightly less susceptible than the most susceptible population.

CONCLUSIONS: The data reported here constitute the first evidence of field‐evolved resistance of pink bollworm to Cry1Ac. This initial evidence spurred more extensive evaluations during the 2009–2010 growing season, which confirmed field‐evolved resistance to Cry1Ac in Amreli. The lack of cross‐resistance to Cry2Ab2 suggests that plants producing this toxin are likely to be more effective against resistant populations than plants producing only Cry1Ac. Copyright © 2011 Society of Chemical Industry
Stem injection of a systemic insecticide to control Uraba lugens on urban Lophostemon confertus trees
Authors: Rolando Carol A , Gous Stefan F , Berndt Lisa A , Bulman Lindsay S , Carlson Colleen A
Published: March 2011

BACKGROUND: Uraba lugens Walker (Lepidoptera: Nolidae) has the potential to become a serious pest of susceptible forestry and urban trees in New Zealand. Stem injection of insecticides provides a method for the control of U. lugens in public locations where foliar applications are not suitable. Field and laboratory studies were conducted in 2009 and 2010 to determine a dose response profile of U. lugens larvae to acephate injected at 0.0, 0.25, 0.50 and 1.00 g cm−1 tree diameter measured at breast height (dbh). The concentration of the injected solution varied across years.

RESULTS: The highest mortality (85–100%) of U. lugens larvae occurred at 1.00 g acephate injected cm−1 dbh. The lower rates (0.25 and 0.50 g acephate cm−1) were more effective in 2010 than in 2009, a factor attributed to the change in volume of injected solution.

CONCLUSION: Systemic injections of acephate at rates above 0.50 g cm−1 dbh provide a tool for the management of U. lugens in public places. It is recommended that stem injection operations for control of U. lugens larvae be timed to coincide with the emergence of first instars so that larvae are exposed to lethal insecticide doses. Copyright © 2011 Society of Chemical Industry
Effect of Processing, Packaging and Vibration Treatment on the Sensory Quality of Fresh‐cut Apple Slices
Authors: Siddiq M. , Harte J. B. , Singh S. P. , Khan A. A. , Dolan K. D. , Saha K.
Published: March 2011

Fresh‐cut fruit industry has seen tremendous growth in recent years. The present study was designed with the objective of studying the sensory quality of fresh‐cut apple slices that were treated with different antibrowning agents, packed in three types of packaging materials and subjected to vibration treatment to simulate commercial transportation. The slices were treated with two commercial antibrowning agents [NatureSeal (Mantrose‐Haeuser Co., Inc., Westport, CT, USA) and Ever‐Fresh (Kraft Foods, Inc., Rye Brook, NY, USA)] at 5% (w/v) application rate. The treated slices were packaged in 5 oz polystyrene rigid container, 2 lb polyethylene bag or 2 oz polyethylene bag. A nine‐member trained panel and a 100‐member consumer panel evaluated the treated slices for selected sensory attributes. The trained sensory small panel found minimal difference in the fresh‐cut slices in comparison with the control (non‐vibrated) sample, with the slices treated with NatureSeal better in quality than those treated with Ever‐Fresh. Case positions (bottom, middle or top) within the vibration stack did not affect the quality of the slices significantly; similar results were found from the consumer panel sensory evaluation. The consumer panel evaluation results showed that the slices treated with NatureSeal were better in sensory attributes of colour, texture, flavour and overall acceptability. Overall, package type had no or minimal effect on the slice quality attributes. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Multivariate variability monitoring using EWMA control charts based on squared deviation of observations from target
Authors: Memar Ahmad Ostadsharif , Niaki Seyed Taghi Akhavan
Published: March 2011

Recent research works have shown that control statistics based on squared deviation of observations from target have the ability to monitor variability in both univariate and multivariate processes. In the current research, the properties of the control statistic St that has been proposed by Huwang et al. (J. Quality Technology 2007; 39:258–278) are first reviewed and three new St‐based multivariate schemes are then presented. Extensive simulation experiments are performed to compare the performances of the proposed schemes with those of the multivariate exponentially weighted mean squared deviation (MEWMS) and the L1‐norm distance of the MEWMS deviation from its expected value (MEWMSL1) charts. The results show that one of the proposed schemes outperforms the others in detecting shifts in correlation coefficients and another has the best general performance among the compared charts in detecting shifts in which at least one of the variances changes. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Classification NanoSAR Development for Cytotoxicity of Metal Oxide Nanoparticles
Authors: Liu Rong , Rallo Robert , George Saji , Ji Zhaoxia , Nair Sumitra , Nel André E. , Cohen Yoram
Published: March 2011

A classification‐based cytotoxicity nanostructure–activity relationship (nanoSAR) is presented based on a set of nine metal oxide nanoparticles to which transformed bronchial epithelial cells (BEAS‐2B) were exposed over a range of concentrations (0.375–200 mg L−1) and exposure times up to 24 h. The nanoSAR is developed using cytotoxicity data from a high‐throughput screening assay that was processed to identify and label toxic (in terms of the propidium iodide uptake of BEAS‐2B cells) versus nontoxic events relative to an unexposed control cell population. Starting with a set of fourteen intuitive but fundamental physicochemical nanoSAR input parameters, a number of models were identified which had a classification accuracy above 95%. The best‐performing model had a 100% classification accuracy in both internal and external validations. This model is based on three descriptors: atomization energy of the metal oxide, period of the nanoparticle metal, and nanoparticle primary size, in addition to nanoparticle volume fraction (in solution). Notwithstanding the success of the present modeling approach with a relatively small nanoparticle library, it is important to recognize that a significantly larger data set would be needed in order to expand the applicability domain and increase the confidence and reliability of data‐driven nanoSARs.
The Impact of Selective Oxidation on the Phase Transformation in the Sub‐Surface of Advanced High Strength Steels
Authors: Norden M. , Paul G. , Blumenau M. , Heller T. , Peters K.‐J.
Published: March 2011

The present paper contributes in the discussion of heterogeneous gas/metal reactions by discussing the influence of the dew point (dp) during intercritical annealing on the sub‐surface constitution. Annealing trials with different Advanced High Strength Steels (AHSS) were carried out and the element distribution within the sub‐surface was analysed by glow discharge optical emission spectrometer (GD‐OES). For modelling purpose the gained element distribution data were adjusted in a way that the selective oxidation products were considered within the sub‐surface element profiles. Several transformation temperatures along the depth profiles according to the adjusted GD‐OES data have been computed for the dp −30 °C and +5 °C. In all cases the according models have been implemented in Matlab. The thermodynamic data have been obtained via the Matlab‐ThermoCalc interface. Empirical equations have been applied for the determination of the bainite and martensite start temperatures. It is shown that the sub‐surface constitution and the transformation temperature differ significantly. In most cases the change of the transformation temperature within the surface and sub‐surface reaches up to 100 °C compared to the bulk. For a Dual‐Phase (DP) Steel with C(0.15%)Mn(1.7%)Al(1.7%)Cr(0.5%), the change of the Ae1‐temperature is with 300 °C significantly higher. However one has to keep in mind that the 2‐phase composition can not be assumed to be constant during intercritical annealing. It is therefore concluded that for the purpose of simulating the selective oxidation processes during intercritical annealing of AHSS the continuous change of the sub‐surface constitution must be incorporated in the future work.
Fluid Flow and Heat Transfer in the Ladle during Teeming
Authors: Glaser Björn , Görnerup Mårten , Sichen Du
Published: March 2011

A two dimensional axisymmetric model was developed to predict the heat flux in a steelmaking ladle during the teeming process. The model predicts dynamically the flow fields in both liquid phase and gas phase along with the movement of the liquid upper surface. The model also predicts the temperature distributions in the liquid metal, gas phase and all layers in the ladle wall. Industrial measurements using infrared radiation camera inside the ladle after teeming and at the wall outside the ladle during the whole process were carried out. The model predictions were found to be in agreement with the measured data. It was found that the heat transfer to the surrounding atmosphere and the conductivity of the highly insulating layer were the most important factors for the heat loss. The decrease of the thickness of the working lining was found to have limited effect on the total heat flux.
Comparison Between Vessel Vibration and Audiometry for Slopping Control in the Top‐Blown BOS Process
Authors: Brämming Mats , Parker Gareth , Millman Stuart , Kapilashrami Abha , Malmberg Donald , Björkman Bo
Published: March 2011

Excess slag foam growth is a frequent problem in the BOS process. In the worst case, foam is forced out of the vessel and this phenomenon, commonly called slopping, not only results in loss of valuable metal yield but also in equipment damage and lost production time. In order to minimize slopping, accurate estimation of the foam level inside the vessel is an important part of BOS process control. In the top blown BOS vessel, slopping control is achieved using both static and dynamic measures. The most common implemented technique for dynamic foam height estimation and slopping control is the audiometer system. An alternative method, vessel vibration monitoring, has been investigated as part of the work in a RFCS funded research project called IMPHOS. In order to judge the usefulness of this method, parallel vibration and audio measurements have been carried out on 130 tonne as well as on 300 tonne BOS vessels. The results show that during stable process conditions there is good agreement between the two methods with regard to foam height estimation and, as vessel vibration and audiometry are largely independent of each other, a combination of the two is likely to increase significantly the accuracy of slopping prediction.
Resistant starch as prebiotic: A review
Authors: Fuentes‐Zaragoza Evangélica , Sánchez‐Zapata Elena , Sendra Esther , Sayas Estrella , Navarro Casilda , Fernández‐López Juana , Pérez‐Alvarez José A.
Published: March 2011

The increase in consumers demand for high‐quality food products has led to the growth in the use of new technologies and ingredients such as RS. RS occurs basically in all starchy foods and has a long history as food source for humans. RS includes the portion of starch that can resist digestion by human pancreatic amylase in the small intestine and thus, reach the colon. His great nutritional interest is associated with his physiological effects, similar to those of dietary fibre. The regular consumption of certain subclasses of highly fermentable dietary fibre sources result in gut associated immune and microbiota modulation as well as a significant production of SCFAs. Among the different physiological roles of RS, its prebiotic effect is of great interest. RS can be considered prebiotic and it is not absorbed in the intestine. The best approach of prebiotic–probiotic symbiosis is achieved by encapsulation. But other food biocompounds can be encapsulated too using RS.
Preferential binding of SBD from Arabidopsis thaliana SSIII to polysaccharides: Study of amino acid residues involved
Authors: Valdez Hugo A. , Peralta Diego A. , Wayllace Nahuel Z. , Grisolía Mauricio J. , Gomez‐Casati Diego F. , Busi Maria V.
Published: March 2011

SS III (SSIII) has been reported to play a regulatory role in the synthesis of transient starch. SSIII from Arabidopsis thaliana contains 1025 amino acid residues and has an N‐terminal transit peptide for chloroplast localization followed by three in tandem starch‐binding domains (SBDs D1, D2, and D3, residues 22‐591). Its C‐terminal catalytic domain (residues 592–1025) is similar to bacterial glycogen synthase. Binding studies to raw starch and its individual components, AM or AP show that the SBD region binds preferentially to AM, and that the D1 domain is mainly responsible for this selective binding. The D2 domain contains two binding sites which include amino acid residues Y394 (binding site 1) and W366 (binding site 2) acting cooperatively with the D1 domain in the binding process while G335 and W340 have a minor role. In addition, mutations in these residues also affect the kinetic parameters for the polysaccharide substrate of SSIII.
Characteristics of raw starch degrading α‐amylase from Bacillus aquimaris MKSC 6.2 associated with soft coral Sinularia sp.
Authors: Puspasari Fernita , Nurachman Zeily , Noer Achmad Saefuddin , Radjasa Ocky Karna , van der Maarel Marc J. E. C. , Natalia Dessy
Published: March 2011

Partially purified α‐amylase from Bacillus aquimaris MKSC 6.2, a bacterium isolated from a soft coral Sinularia sp., Merak Kecil Island, West Java, Indonesia, showed an ability to degrade raw corn, rice, sago, cassava, and potato starches with adsorption percentage in the range of 65–93%. Corn has the highest degree of hydrolysis followed by cassaca, sago potato and rice, consecutively. The end products of starch hydrolysis were a mixture of maltose, maltotriose, maltotetraose, maltopentaose, maltohexaose, and small amount of glucose.
Multiple Gaussian process models for direct time series forecasting
Authors: Hachino Tomohiro , Kadirkamanathan Visakan
Published: March 2011

This paper focuses on the problem of time series forecasting using the Gaussian process models. The Gaussian process model is a nonparametric model and the output of the model has Gaussian distribution with mean and variance. The multiple Gaussian process models as every step ahead predictors are used for time series forecasting in accordance with the direct approach. The separable least‐squares approach that combines the genetic algorithm with the linear least‐squares method is applied to train these Gaussian process models. Simulation results are shown to illustrate the effectiveness of the proposed direct forecasting method. © 2011 Institute of Electrical Engineers of Japan. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
A novel PWM technique with switching‐loss reduction for independent drive of two 3‐phase AC motors fed by a five‐leg inverter
Authors: Oka Kazuo , Matsuse Kouki
Published: March 2011

This paper presents a novel pulse width modulation (PWM) technique with switching‐loss reduction for a five‐leg inverter (FLI). The PWM technique, in which the available maximum voltage for two motors adds up to DC bus voltage, has been proposed as the strategy for the FLI. Therefore, the DC bus voltage is fully available as the PWM strategy. However, the conventional PWM technique requires the frequency, phase, and amplitude of the phase voltage commands of a motor to produce zero‐sequence voltages (ZSVs). The novel PWM strategy has some efficient features. These features are discussed in this paper. The validity of the novel PWM technique will be shown by experimental results. © 2011 Institute of Electrical Engineers of Japan. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Smoke detection using time series property of texture features
Authors: Maruta Hidenori , Kato Yasuharu , Kurokawa Fujio
Published: March 2011

We present a method of smoke detection using image sequences from a single camera on open areas under general environmental conditions. We combine several simple image processing techniques to detect smoke with texture analysis. First, moving objects are detected from gray‐scale image sequences. Then, the texture features are extracted. Finally, we determine the existence of smoke based on the time series property of those texture features. In the experiment, the performance is evaluated using real‐scene data. © 2011 Institute of Electrical Engineers of Japan. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Aggregate economic measures of climate change damages: explaining the differences and implications
Authors: Watkiss Paul
Published: March 2011

The aggregate economic measures of damage from climate change have been a focus of attention for several decades, but have become the subject of particular interest and debate in recent years. They are usually reported in a number of different ways: as equivalent costs of global or national economic product in a future period or for a future temperature; as a present value where all future costs are discounted back to a point in time; or as the incremental damage that can be attributed to a marginal increase in emissions, known as the social cost of carbon. This article outlines these aggregate economic measures and assesses the key assumptions and inputs in the estimates, and how these influence the aggregated results. Finally, it discusses the strengths and weaknesses of the estimates and their potential role and applicability for policy. WIREs Clim Change 2011 2 356–372 DOI: 10.1002/wcc.111

This article is categorized under:

Climate Economics > Aggregation Techniques for Impacts and Mitigation Costs
Predictive coding
Authors: Huang Yanping , Rao Rajesh P. N.
Published: March 2011

Predictive coding is a unifying framework for understanding redundancy reduction and efficient coding in the nervous system. By transmitting only the unpredicted portions of an incoming sensory signal, predictive coding allows the nervous system to reduce redundancy and make full use of the limited dynamic range of neurons. Starting with the hypothesis of efficient coding as a design principle in the sensory system, predictive coding provides a functional explanation for a range of neural responses and many aspects of brain organization. The lateral and temporal antagonism in receptive fields in the retina and lateral geniculate nucleus occur naturally as a consequence of predictive coding of natural images. In the higher visual system, predictive coding provides an explanation for oriented receptive fields and contextual effects as well as the hierarchical reciprocally connected organization of the cortex. Predictive coding has also been found to be consistent with a variety of neurophysiological and psychophysical data obtained from different areas of the brain. WIREs Cogni Sci 2011 2 580–593 DOI: 10.1002/wcs.142

This article is categorized under:

Computer Science > Neural Networks
Similarity‐based data mining in files of two‐dimensional chemical structures using fingerprint measures of molecular resemblance
Authors: Willett Peter
Published: March 2011

This paper reviews the use of measures of intermolecular similarity for processing databases of chemical structures, which play an important role in the discovery of new drugs by the pharmaceutical industry. The similarity measures considered here are based on the use of a fingerprint representation of molecular structure, where a fingerprint is a vector encoding the presence of fragment substructures in a molecule and where the similarity between pairs of such fingerprints is computed using an association coefficient such as the Tanimoto coefficient. The Similar Property Principle provides the basic rationale for the use of similarity methods in three important chemoinformatics applications—similarity searching, database clustering, and molecular diversity analysis. Similarity searching enables the identification of those molecules in a database that are most similar to a user‐defined, biologically active query molecule, with data fusion providing an effective way of combining the results of multiple similarity searches. Cluster analysis, typically using the Jarvis–Patrick, Ward, or divisive k‐means clustering methods, enables the cost‐effective selection of molecules for biological testing, for property prediction and for investigating database overlap. Molecular diversity analysis, typically using cluster‐based, dissimilarity‐based, or optimization‐based approaches, enables the identification of structurally diverse sets of molecules, so as to ensure that the full chemical space spanned by a database is tested in the search for novel bioactive molecules. © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. WIREs Data Mining Knowl Discov 2011 1 241–251 DOI: 10.1002/widm.26

This article is categorized under:

Application Areas > Business and Industry

Application Areas > Industry Specific Applications
Collinear unequal crack series in magnetoelectroelastic materials: Anti‐plane case
Authors: Li Y.‐D. , Lee K.Y. , Pan J.‐W.
Published: March 2011

The purpose of the present work is to study collinear unequal crack series in magnetoelectroelastic materials, which are of more practical significance than the widely studied collinear equal cracks. Fracture analysis is performed by the combined methods of distributed generalized dislocations, Green's function and singular integral equations (SIEs). The theoretical derivation is validated by the degeneration of SIEs in special cases. Parametric studies on the numerical results of mechanical strain energy release rate (MSERR) yield the following conclusions. (a) As two unequal cracks approach each other, interference occurs in crack tip fields, resulting in an obvious increase of MSERR. The ratio between the crack space and the length of the shorter crack is a main factor affecting the interference. (b) Negative or positive electric loading may shield or enhance crack growth, respectively. In the case of positive magnetic permeability, the effect of magnetic loading is analogous to that of electric loading; however, if magnetic permeability is negative, the result is completely opposite. (c) Positive values of magnetic permeability are found to be more reasonable than the negative values.
Laparoscopic Appendectomy: New Concepts
Authors: Moazzez Ashkan , Mason Rodney J. , Katkhouda Namir
Published: March 2011

Over the last three decades more surgeons have used laparoscopic appendectomy as their surgical approach of choice in the management of patients with appendicitis. This includes special groups of patients, namely, pediatric, pregnant, and obese patients. Laparoscopy has the benefit of lower morbidity, decreased rate of wound complications, faster recovery, shorter length of hospital stay, and faster return to work over open appendectomy.
Does an Information Leaflet about Surgical Site Infection (SSI) Improve Recollection of Information and Satisfaction of Patients? A Randomized Trial in Patients Scheduled for Digestive Surgery
Authors: Merle Véronique , Marini Hélène , Rongère Julie , Tavolacci Marie‐Pierre , Scotté Michel , Czernichow Pierre
Published: March 2011

Background

A previous study suggested that most surgical patients do not remember having received information about surgical site infection (SSI). In other fields, written information has been suggested to improve patient satisfaction and recollection of information. Our objective was to assess if providing patients with written information about SSI, in addition to oral information, could influence patient satisfaction, recall of information, and opinion regarding SSI.

Methods

A total of 207 patients scheduled for digestive surgery at a university hospital were randomized between usual oral information about SSI, plus an information leaflet about SSI (group O/L), or usual oral information alone (group O). Patients were interviewed 5 weeks after surgery to assess their recall and satisfaction regarding information, opinion regarding SSI, and declared intention of seeking legal action in case of SSI. Surgeons and interviewer were blinded to patients’ group allocation. Recruitment occurred between October 2005 and August 2006.

Results

Of the original 207 patients, 161 patients (O/L = 87, O = 74) underwent operation and were interviewed as scheduled. Satisfaction was higher in group O/L (67% vs. O: 43%; P = 0.003). The recall of having received information (O/L: 39% vs. O: 31%; P = 0.29), was similar between the two groups. Judging SSI as always preventable was more frequent in group O/L (28% vs. O: 9%; P = 0.004) with a trend toward a more frequent intention of seeking legal action (O/L: 10% vs. O: 3%; P = 0.055).

Conclusions

The leaflet did not improve patient recall of information about SSI, but it was associated with an increased level of satisfaction. The association between the leaflet and judging SSI as always preventable was unexpected.
Predicting the wetland distributions under climate warming in the Great Xing'an Mountains, northeastern China
Authors: Liu Hongjuan , Bu Rencang , Liu Jintong , Leng Wenfang , Hu Yuanman , Yang Libing , Liu Huitao
Published: March 2011

The wetland ecosystem is particularly vulnerable to hydrological and climate changes. The Great Xing'an Mountain is such a region in China that has a large area of wetlands with rare human disturbance. The predictions of the global circulation model CGCM3 (the third‐generation coupled global climate model from the Canadian Centre for Climate Modeling and Analysis) indicated that the temperature in The Great Xing'an Mountain will rise by 2–4°C over the next 100 years. This paper predicts the potential distributions of wetlands in this area under the current and warming climate conditions. This predication was performed by the Random Forests model, with 18 environmental variables, which will reflect the climate and topography conditions. The model has been proven to have a great prediction ability. The wetland distributions are primarily topography‐driven in the Great Xing'an Mountains. Mean annual temperature, warmness index, and potential evapotranspiration ratio are the most important climatic factors in wetland distributions. The model predictions for three future climate scenarios show that the wetland area tends to decrease, and higher emission will also cause more drastic shrinkage of wetland distributions. About 30% of the wetland area will disappear by 2050. The area will decrease 62.47, 76.90, and 85.83%, respectively, under CGCM3‐B1, CGCM3‐A1B, and CGCM3‐A2 by 2100. As for spatial allocation, wetlands may begin to disappear from the sides to the center and south to north under a warming climate. Under CGCM3‐B1, the loss of wetlands may mainly occur in the south hills with flatter terrain, and some may occur in the north hills and intermontane plains. Under CGCM3‐A1B, severe vanish of wetlands is predicted. Under CGCM3‐A2, only a small area of wetlands may remain in the north of the high mountains.
Sarcopenia in stroke—facts and numbers on muscle loss accounting for disability after stroke
Authors: Scherbakov Nadja , Doehner Wolfram
Published: March 2011

Stroke is the third leading cause of death and the leading cause of disability in Western countries. More than 60% of patients remain disabled, 50% of patients suffer from some hemiparesis and 30% remain unable to walk without assistance. The skeletal muscle is the main effector organ accountable for disability in stroke. This disability is, however, traditionally attributed to the brain injury itself and less attention is paid to structural, metabolic and functional aspects of muscle tissue. Hemiparetic stroke leads to various muscle abnormalities. A combination of denervation, disuse, inflammation, remodelling and spasticity account for a complex pattern of muscle tissue phenotype change and atrophy. While the molecular mechanisms of muscle degradation after stroke are only incompletely understood, a stroke‐related sarcopenia may be concluded. Reinnervation, fiber‐type shift, disuse atrophy and local inflammatory activation are only some of the key features to be addressed. Despite the importance for optimum post stroke recovery, stroke‐related sarcopenia is not recognised in current guidelines for stroke therapy and rehabilitation. A total of not more than 500 patients forms the basis for all available evidence on clinical muscle changes after stroke. A lack of robust evidence on muscle pathology after stroke and on treatment strategies becomes apparent that needs to be addressed in an interdisciplinary integrated approach.
Myopenia—a new universal term for muscle wasting
Authors: Fearon Kenneth , Evans William J. , Anker Stefan D.
Published: March 2011

A universal term describing the presence of clinically relevant muscle wasting that warrants medical intervention is required. The term sarcopenia might be used in this context. However, common use now means that sarcopenia is more often regarded as synonymous with age‐associated muscle wasting in the elderly. We suggest the term “myopenia” to indicate the presence of clinically relevant muscle wasting due to any illness and at any age. This term would translate well into any language and is sufficiently specific if appropriately defined. We suggest to define myopenia as a clinically relevant degree of muscle wasting that is associated either with impaired functional capacity and/or with increased risk of morbidity or mortality. The precise cut‐points to define myopenia may be different in various diseases. Myopenia could be diagnosed when a certain degree of muscle wasting over time has occurred (for instance, at least 5% in 6–12 months) or when muscle mass is below a certain threshold level (for instance, the <5th centile of healthy 30‐year‐olds or a fat‐free mass index <16 kg/m2 for men and <15 kg/m2 for women). Future studies need to refine these in a disease‐specific manner and link them to degrees of functional impairment that are clinically relevant and/or to degrees of risk of morbid or fatal events.
Evolving concepts in melanoma classification and their relevance to multidisciplinary melanoma patient care
Authors: Scolyer Richard A. , Long Georgina V. , Thompson John F.
Published: March 2011

In the initial period after melanoma was recognised as a disease entity in the early 1800's, it was subclassified on the basis of its presumed origin (from a precursor naevus, from a melanocytic precursor lesion acquired during adult life or in previously blemish‐fee skin). In 1967 the eminent American pathologist, Dr Wallace Clark, proposed a histogenetic classification for melanoma in which the disease was subdivided predominantly on the basis of histopathological features of the intra‐epidermal component of the tumour adjacent to any dermal invasive component. The subtypes were superficial spreading melanoma (SSM), lentigo maligna melanoma (LMM) and nodular melanoma (NM). Whilst additional entities, including acral lentiginous melanoma, mucosal melanoma, desmoplastic melanoma and naevoid melanoma have since been recognised, SSM, LMM and NM remain in the latest (2006) version of the WHO melanoma classification. Clark's histogenetic classification has been criticised because the criteria upon which it is based include clinical features (such as the site of the melanoma) and non‐tumourous histopathological features (such as the character of the associated epidermis and the degree of solar elastosis) and also because of overlap in defining features, lack of an independent association with patient outcome and minimal relevance as a determinant of clinical management. However, such criticisms fail to acknowledge its importance in highlighting the myriad of clinical and histological guises of melanoma, which if not recognized by clinicians and pathologists will inevitably lead to a delay in diagnosis and a concomitant adverse clinical outcome. Recently, mutually exclusive oncogenic mutations in melanomas involving NRAS (15–20%), BRAF (50%), CKIT (2%), and GNAQ/GNA11 (50% of uveal melanomas) have been identified. This might herald the beginning of a new molecular classification of melanoma in which the biologically distinct subsets share a common oncogenic mechanism, behave clinically in a similar fashion and require similar clinical management. These discoveries are already being successfully exploited as therapeutic targets in clinical trials of metastatic melanoma patients with promising activity. Whilst there remains much to be discovered in this rapidly evolving field, there is already great optimism that more rational and effective therapies for melanoma patients will soon be widely available.
Words and The Word
Authors: Prickett Stephen
Published: March 2011

First published in 1986, Stephen Prickett's Words and the 'Word' has had a major impact among scholars of literature and literary theory as well as among theologians and biblical critics. In this highly-acclaimed book Prickett pursues the question of the relationship between religion and poetics, and in particular the nature of religious language, investigating the hermeneutic, epistemological and linguistic reverberations of eighteenth, nineteenth, and twentieth-century theories of biblical interpretation.
William Empson: Essays on Shakespeare
Authors: Empson William
Published: March 2011

At the time of his death in 1984, the poet and critic William Empson was preparing and revising a collection of his essays on Shakespeare. This collection edited by David Pirie, is a book which the literary world has wanted for over half a century. Here, in a single volume, are major readings of Hamlet and Macbeth; a witty and sometimes impassioned defence of Falstaff, and a new piece on the architecture of the Globe theatre and other Renaissance playhouses, in which Empson explores the problems that the design of contemporary stages posed for a working playwright; there are also essays on the narrative poems, A Midsummer Night's Dream and the last plays. The essays demonstrate the subtlety and agility of Empson's mind, as well as his remarkable breadth of knowledge, while the almost racy wit of his informal prose style argues for a literary criticism which should never become solemn if it is to be truly serious.
Algebraic Topology via Differential Geometry
Authors: Karoubi M. , Leruste C.
Published: March 2011

In this volume the authors seek to illustrate how methods of differential geometry find application in the study of the topology of differential manifolds. Prerequisites are few since the authors take pains to set out the theory of differential forms and the algebra required. The reader is introduced to De Rham cohomology, and explicit and detailed calculations are present as examples. Topics covered include Mayer-Vietoris exact sequences, relative cohomology, Pioncare duality and Lefschetz's theorem. This book will be suitable for graduate students taking courses in algebraic topology and in differential topology. Mathematicians studying relativity and mathematical physics will find this an invaluable introduction to the techniques of differential geometry.
Louis Spohr’s Autobiography
Authors: Spohr Louis
Published: March 2011

Louis Spohr (1784–1859) was one of the most popular musicians of the early Romantic period, but of his considerable output (including 10 symphonies, 15 violin concertos, nine operas and a large amount of chamber music), only the Octet op.32 and the Nonet op.31 are heard regularly today. Spohr established his name as a virtuoso violinist and completed his Violin method in 1831. As a conductor, he contributed to the increasing use of the baton to direct performances. He travelled widely in Europe, visiting London for the first time in 1820, when he directed a Philharmonic Society concert, and returning four times between 1843 and 1853. This autobiography, begun in 1847, gives a lively (but not necessarily always accurate) account of life as a professional musician. Spohr's own account ends at June 1838, and the book was completed by family members using materials provided by his wife.
Grundriss der vergleichenden Grammatik der indogermanischen Sprachen
Authors: Brugmann Karl
Published: March 2011

The monumental, multi-volume comparative grammar of the Indo-European languages by Karl Brugmann (1849–1919) provided a synthesis of the first 70 years of research in a rapidly-developing academic subject, and identified areas for future investigation. Volume 2, split into three parts, covers morphology, roots and inflection, beginning with nouns and continuing with pronouns and verbs. It begins with a substantial introduction that includes bibliographic information, and then focuses in turn on each Proto-Indo-European feature and its reflexes in the earliest attested languages of each language family (Sanskrit, Avestan, Armenian, Greek, Italic, Germanic, Old Irish, Balto-Slavic). Comparisons are also made within families, for example between Gothic and Old English. Owing to its length, the original publisher bound this volume in two parts, paginated as a single sequence; in this reissue, it is divided into three parts, maintaining the same pagination.