bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Selective and Sensitive Nitrite Sensor Based on Glassy Carbon Electrode Modified by Silver Nanochains
Authors: Shaikh Tayyaba , Ibupoto Zaffar Hussain , Talpur Farah N. , Sirajuddin  , Khaskheli Abdul Rauf , Agheem Muhammad H. , Siddiqui Samia , Tahira Aneela , Willander Magnus , Yu Cong 
Published: August 2016

AbstractHerein, we report a facile method for the synthesis of silver nanochains (Ag nanochains) using pyridine as growth directing agent and citrate ions as capping agents in alkaline medium. The characterization of the synthesized high aspect ratio Ag nanochains was accomplished with the help of Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM) and High Resolution Transmission Electron Microscopy (HRTEM) which demonstrates the thickness below 100 nm. Crystalline nature of the synthesized Ag nanochains was investigated using X‐ray diffractrometry. A sensitive electrochemical nitrite sensor was assembled using synthesized Ag nanochains as electrode modifier. An improved cyclic voltammetric response for the oxidation of nitrite ions was witnessed at the modified GCE surface in comparison to bare GCE in Britton Robinson (BR) buffer (pH 4). The influence of pH on the oxidation peak current of nitrite ions was also examined using cyclic voltammetry. The electrocatalytic oxidation currents attained through amperometric measurements at Ag nanochains modified GCE were linearly dependent on the concentration of nitrite ions in the two ranges of 0.5–7.5 µM, 5–480 µM. Linear calibration plots of Ip vs. concentration of nitrite were also constructed at the proposed sensor using square wave voltammetry and differential pulse voltammetry. The proposed sensing strategy was successfully employed for the determination of nitrite in water samples with excellent recoveries.
Phosphosulfonic acid‐catalyzed green synthesis and bioassay of α‐aryl‐α′‐1,3,4‐thiadiazolyl aminophosphonates
Authors: Gundluru Mohan , Sarva Santhisudha , Kandula Madhu Kumar Reddy , Netala Vasudeva Reddy , Tartte Vijaya , Cirandur Suresh Reddy 
Published: August 2016

AbstractA series of new α‐aminophosphonates containing 1,3,4‐thiadiazole moiety (4a–l) were synthesized via a simple, efficient, and one‐pot three‐component Kabachnik–Fields reaction of 2‐amino‐5‐ethyl‐1,3,4‐thiadiazole with various aryl/heteroaryl aldehydes and diethylphosphite under solvent‐free microwave irradiation conditions using phosphosulfonic acid, as a reusable and heterogeneous solid acid catalyst. All the title compounds were screened for radical scavenging activity by DPPH and H2O2 methods, and antimicrobial activity against bacteria (Gram‐positive and Gram‐negative) and fungi using the disc diffusion technique. They exhibited potent in vitro antioxidant and moderate antimicrobial activity.
Ultra‐trace Analysis of Enantiomeric Impurities in Proteinogenic N‐Fmoc‐Amino‐acid Samples on Cinchona Alkaloid‐based Chiral Stationary Phases
Authors: Péter Antal , Grecsó Nóra , Tóth Gábor , Fülöp Ferenc , Lindner Wolfgang , Ilisz István 
Published: August 2016

AbstractThe enantiomeric purity of Nα‐Fmoc‐protected amino acids is crucial from the viewpoint of peptide synthesis; therefore, a sensitive high‐performance liquid chromatographic protocol was developed for the identification and quantification of enantiomeric impurities of commercially available Nα‐Fmoc‐protected amino acids on Cinchona alkaloid quinine‐ and quinidine‐based weak anion exchanger‐type chiral stationary phases. In the course of the evaluation of the chiral chromatographic method, the effect of the mobile phase composition, nature, and concentration of different additives were optimized. The specific phenomenon that quinine‐ and quinidine‐based chiral stationary phases behave as pseudo‐enantiomers permits that the sequence of elution of the enantiomers might be reversed by simple column switching. This is quite advantageous as regards the separation of the minor component in the presence of the major one. The method developed permits detection of less than 0.01 % enantiomeric impurity in the presence of the major enantiomer.
Predicting malignant neck lymphadenopathy using color duplex sonography based on multivariate analysis
Authors: Chammas Maria C. , Macedo Túlio A. A. , Lo Victor W. , Gomes Andrea C. , Juliano Adriana , Cerri Giovanni G. 
Published: August 2016

ABSTRACTPurposeTo select the best predictors of cervical lymph node malignancy based on gray‐scale and power Doppler sonography using multivariate analysis.MethodsWe evaluated sonographically a total of 97 lymph nodes in the neck that were subjected to fine‐needle aspiration biopsy. The gray‐scale and power Doppler sonography parameters that we analyzed using multivariate logistic regression included size, shape, echogenicity, echotexture, margins, hilum, presence of microcalcifications or necrosis, vascularization, and resistance index (RI).ResultsThe three variables with a diagnostic accuracy exceeding 80% were an altered vascularization, heterogeneous echotexture, and abnormal hilum. Malignant nodes exhibited higher RI and larger sizes than benign nodes, and the best cutoff values to distinguish malignant from benign lymph nodes were an RI of 0.77 and a short axis ≥ 0.9 cm. Altered vascularization, a short axis ≥ 0.9 cm, and abnormal hilum were the best predictors of malignancy.ConclusionsThe best sonographic predictors of lymph node malignancy are, in descending order, an altered vascularization, a short axis ≥ 0.9 cm, an abnormal hilum, and a heterogeneous echotexture. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Clin Ultrasound 44:587–594, 2016
Measurement of the accurate mass of a 50 MDa infectious virus
Authors: Keifer David Z. , Motwani Tina , Teschke Carolyn M. , Jarrold Martin F. 
Published: August 2016

RationaleBacteriophage P22 is believed to contain a total of 521 copies of 9 different proteins and a 41,724 base pair genome. Despite its enormous size and complexity, phage P22 can be electrosprayed, and it remains intact in ultra‐high vacuum where its molar mass distribution has been measured.MethodsPhage P22 virions were generated by complementation in Salmonella enterica and purified. They were transferred into 100 mM ammonium acetate and then electrosprayed. The masses of individual virions were determined using charge detection mass spectrometry.ResultsThe stoichiometry of the protein components of phage P22 is sufficiently well known that the theoretical molar mass can be determined to within a narrow range. The measured average molar mass of phage P22, 52,180 ± 59 kDa, is consistent with the theoretical molar mass and supports the proposed stoichiometry of the components. The intrinsic width of the phage P22 mass distribution can be accounted for by the distribution of DNA packaged by the headful mechanism.ConclusionsAt over 50 MDa, phage P22 is the largest object with a well‐defined molar mass to be analyzed by mass spectrometry. The narrow measured mass distribution indicates that the virions survive the transition into the gas phase intact. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The Effect of Unenhanced MRI on the Surgeons’ Decision‐Making Process in Females with Suspected Appendicitis
Authors: Ziedses des Plantes C. M. P. , van Veen M. J. F. , van der Palen J. , Klaase J. M. , Gielkens H. A. J. , Geelkerken R. H. 
Published: August 2016

AbstractBackgroundThis prospective study evaluated the impact of the results of unenhanced magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) on the surgeon’s diagnosis of acute appendicitis in potentially fertile females.Methods112 female patients, aged 12–55, with suspected appendicitis underwent MRI of the abdomen. At three defined intervals; admission and clinical re‐evaluation before and after revealing the MRI results, the surgeon recorded the attendance of each patient in operative treatment, observation or discharge. Appendicitis was confirmed or declined by pathology or by telephone follow‐up in case of non‐intervention.FindingsAppendicitis was confirmed in 29 of 112 patients. At admission the surgeon’s disposition had a sensitivity of 97 % and specificity of 29 %. After knowing the MRI results, sensitivity was 97 % and specificity 64 %. The sensitivity and specificity of MRI alone were 89 and 100 %, with a negative and positive predictive value of 96 and 100 %, respectively.ConclusionWe believe that MRI should perhaps be standard in all female patients during their reproductive years with suspected appendicitis. It avoids an operation in 32 % of cases and allows earlier planning for patients with an equivocal clinical picture. Trial number: OND1292733 (Narcis.nl).
Characterization of Crude and Partially Purified Lipase from Geotrichum candidum Obtained with Different Nitrogen Sources
Authors: Maldonado Rafael Resende , Pozza Eduardo Luiz , Aguiar‐Oliveira Elizama , Costa Fátima Aparecida Almeida , Maugeri Filho Francisco , Rodrigues Maria Isabel 
Published: August 2016

AbstractLipases from Geotrichum candidum were produced in two different medium: A = 12 % (w/v) clarified corn steep liquor (CCSL) + 0.6 % (w/v) soybean oil (SO) and B = 3.5 % (w/v) yeast hydrolysate (YH) + 0.7 % (w/v) SO. Lipases were partially purified from both media by hydrophobic interaction chromatography using 3.0 mol L−1 of NaCl as mobile phase, and they were characterized in the crude and partially purified forms. The recovery of lipase activity from CCSL and YH via HIC were 96 and 94.3 %, and the purification factors were 44.3 and 86.7‐fold, respectively. All evaluated lipases had similar optimum pH (7.0–7.7), but, for the CCSL crude lipase, optimum temperature (47 °C) was 10 °C higher than others lipases evaluated. CCSL crude lipase possessed a higher thermo stability than YH crude lipase, e.g., at 37 °C (pH 7.0) the half‐life of CCSL crude lipase was 19.25 h and at pH 8.0 (30 °C) the half‐life was 48 h, which are five and ten times higher than with YH crude lipase, respectively. On the other hand, the YH crude lipase possessed a higher catalytic constant (kcat = 2.3 min−1) but with almost the same catalytic efficiency (Km/kcat = 32.12 mg mL min−1) in relation to CCSL crude lipase. The lipases differ in biocatalytic properties between substrates, suggesting that the two lipases can be employed for different applications.
Interparental conflict and adolescents' self‐representations: The role of emotional insecurity
Authors: Silva Carla Sofia , Calheiros Maria Manuela , Carvalho Helena 
Published: August 2016

ABSTRACTAdolescents' signs of emotional insecurity in the context of interparental conflict (IC) – emotional reactivity, internal representations (i.e., constructive/destructive; spillover) and behavioral responses (i.e., withdrawal; inhibition; involvement) – were examined as mediators in the relation between IC and adolescents' self‐representations. Self‐reported measures were filled out by 221 Portuguese adolescents (59.3% girls; Mage = 12.91), attending public elementary and secondary schools. IC predicted less favorable self‐representations. Adolescents' emotional reactivity and withdrawal mediated the relation between IC and emotional and physical appearance self‐representations, while conflict spillover representations and constructive family representations mediated associations between IC and instrumental self‐representations. This study emphasizes the importance of interparental conflict and adolescent emotional insecurity in the construction of their self‐representations, having important theoretical and practical implications. It highlights the value of analyzing the specific role of several emotional insecurity dimensions, and informs practitioners' work aimed at promoting constructive conflict and adaptive emotional regulation skills.
GUARANTEE VALUATION IN NOTIONAL DEFINED CONTRIBUTION PENSION SYSTEMS
Authors: Alonso-García Jennifer , Devolder Pierre 
Published: August 2016

AbstractThe notional defined contribution pension scheme combines pay-as-you-go financing and a defined contribution pension formula. The return on contributions is based on an index set by law, such as the growth rate of GDP, average wages or contribution payments. The volatility of this return compromises the system's pension adequacy and therefore guarantees may be needed. Here, we provide a minimum return guarantee to the pension contributions. The price is calculated in a utility indifference framework. We obtain a closed-form solution for a general dependence structure with exponential preferences and in presence of stochastic short interest rates.
Marine Reservoir Correction for American Samoa Using U-series and AMS Dated Corals
Authors: Clark Jeffrey T , Quintus Seth , Weisler Marshall I , Pierre Emma St , Nothdurft Luke , Feng Yuexing , Hua Quan 
Published: August 2016

AbstractRadiocarbon dating of marine samples requires a local marine reservoir correction, or ΔR value, for accurate age calibrations. For the Samoan Archipelago in the central Pacific, ΔR values have been proposed previously, but, unlike some Polynesian archipelagoes, ΔR values seem not to vary spatially and temporally. Here, we demonstrate such variability by reporting a ΔR of –101±72 ΔR for the Manu‘a Group—the eastern-most islands in the archipelago—for the colonization period. This value is based on accelerator mass spectrometry (AMS) 14C and uranium-thorium (U-Th) series dating of individual coral branches from pre-2300 cal BP archaeological contexts. This figure differs from the previously proposed modern ΔR of 28±26 yr derived from dated historic, pre-1950, shell samples from the western islands of Samoa. Consequently, we recommend using the ΔR of –101±72 yr for the 1st millennium BC in Manu‘a, and 28±26 yr for calibrating dates within the 2nd millennium AD in the western islands (Savai‘i to Tutuila). Until more data from across the archipelago and from throughout the entire culture-historical sequence document ΔR variability, we recommend that researchers use both of these ΔR values to evaluate how the dates of marine-derived samples compare with AMS dates on identified, short-lived wood charcoal.
Sedimentological architecture, shelf-edge trajectories and evolution of an Oligocene reservoir, East Nile Delta
Authors: SELIM S. S. 
Published: August 2016

Abstract3D seismic data and wireline logs from 17 wells in the onshore East Nile Delta were utilized to study the stratigraphic architecture and evolution of Oligocene deposits. The Oligocene is readily recognized on seismic cross-sections by a series of northward prograding clinoforms. The Oligocene sequences show lateral facies changes from fluvial to deepwater via a shelf-edge delta. Such deltaic features include distributary channels, interdistributary bay fill, and a delta plain and front, gradually changing downslope into prodelta and slope deposits. The slope deposits include three main depositional elements: a deeply incised channel, a complex of laterally switched leveed channels and lobes, and crevasses and frontal splays. These depositional elements are formed in the main western slope basin and local eastern intraslope ponded sub-basin. The reactivated E–W- and NW-trending faults as well as NE–SW inverted structures are the main controls on slope physiography that formed the main corridors for Oligocene sediment distribution. Two main globally correlated Oligocene sequences are encountered being separated by the major drop in global eustatic sea level at 28.1Ma. The lower Oligocene sequence has two main stages: (1) the formation and filling of a basal canyon; and (2) the formation and progradation of shelf deltas to form shelf-edge deltas, and then progradation with an ascending shelf-edge trajectory (clinoforms 1). The upper Oligocene sequence is characterized by accretionary shelf-edge deltas with descending and then flat trajectories (clinoforms 2–4). The frontal splay and lobe complex exhibits potentially favourable reservoir continuity and areal coverage followed by the slope channels.
On the Valuation of Industrial Assurance Policies
Authors: Fippard R. C. 
Published: August 2016

The general principles on which a valuation should be made are the same for Industrial as for Ordinary Assurance policies, but the differences between the two classes of business necessitate considerable difference in the methods by which these principles are applied.The greater number of Industrial Assurance policies are issued on the basis of the weekly payment of id. and small multiples of id., the premiums being collected weekly by agents. The average sum assured is consequently small and the expense of collection relatively great. Medical examination is not asked for except in special cases, the agents being required to form their own opinion of the eligibility for insurance of the proposer. The effects of serious errors of judgment in this matter are minimised by the usual condition that a proportion only—usually one quarter—of the sum assured shall be paid should death occur otherwise than by accident during the first three or six months of the assurance; the proportion being increased to one-half for the second period of three or six months; and the full sum assured being payable thereafter.
Surrender Values of Whole Life and Endowment Assurances.
Authors: Murrell R. 
Published: August 2016

The subject of Surrender Values is a wide one and it will be impossible in the course of these remarks to give more than an outline of a few of the points which arise. I shall, therefore, deal in the main with broad general principles and leave the lesser details untouched.
The scales of surrender values actually allowed by offices in this country differ widely, and an examination of the figures indicates that some offices still retain the view that a policyholder who surrenders his assurance should be fined heavily. It is difficult to reconcile this view with present-day ideas, for if a policyholder is so unfortunate as to be unable to continue his premiums owing to financial or other reasons, it is surely harsh treatment on the part of the company to impose a heavy fine, the whole, or practically the whole, of which merely goes to swell the bonuses allotted to those more fortunate individuals who are able to continue and who could well dispense with this additional benefit.
Some Legal Aspects of Children's Deferred Assurances and other Policies for Children
Authors: Houseman D. 
Published: August 2016

Attention has recently been drawn to the legal aspects of Children's Deferred Assurances by the decision In re Englebach to which reference is made later on in this paper, although that case introduced no new principle of law and strictly followed the lines of earlier decisions.There are those who think that the legal aspects of life policies from the Proposer's point of view are matters for his own attention on which he should be advised by his own Solicitor, and that from the Assurance Office's point of view they are matters for the attention of the Solicitors to the Office. In other words, they think that the Proposer must protect his own interests.There are others who do not subscribe to that view. They think that the Office should give the Proposer a detailed and lucid explanation of every important phase of any policy which it offers to the public and that the Proposer ought to be able to enter with complete confidence into any contract for a policy in the ordinary form of the Office without having to take the advice of his own Solicitor.
III. The yield on an annuity or a loan: a development of Mr Craig's method
Authors: O'Brien H. 
Published: August 2016

It should not be difficult to extend the work already performed by Mr Craig to devise a formula which will be accurate to seven places of decimals even in very unfavourable circumstances (e.g. very long or short terms for very high or low rates of interest). Mr Craig's formula gives the correct value ofρfor the example given in theTextbook, but is not so accurate for more unusual conditions.Developing as in Mr Craig's note:We have, as far as terms involvingρ2in numerator and denominator,orandρ1=t0/t1.An examination of the form taken by the values ofi/ρ—i/ρ1for various values ofn, iandρsuggests that it is very nearly independent ofρfor intervals up to considerably more than 1/16%.It would thus probably be possible to find the form of this function from calculated values.
Some points arising in a net premium valuation.
Authors: Suttie T. R. 
Published: August 2016

For many years it has been fashionable to assume that a published Net Premium Valuation is merely a piece of window-dressing designed to reproduce the results obtained by an internal Bonus Reserve Valuation carried out for the information of the office only. It may be as well, therefore, to start by giving some of the reasons which make it desirable to re-examine a few of the problems which arise in a Net Premium Valuation, viz.:(1) The Examiners require our students to have a thorough knowledge of the Net Premium Valuation Method, both as regards the technique of its application and the results which it can be expected to produce.(2) A Net Premium Valuation probably forms the main instrument for measuring the surplus to be distributed to policyholders in Industrial Funds.(3) Even if the Net Premium Valuation were no more than window-dressing, the published results have to agree with those obtained by the internal Bonus Reserve Valuation and a thorough understanding of the method is necessary to ensure this.
The standard deviation of the distribution of sickness
Authors: Beard R. E. 
Published: August 2016

The standard deviation of the distribution of sickness is a statistic that appears to have been ignored by British Actuaries, with the exception of Sir G. F. Hardy who derived an approximation in his well-known Essay (J.I.A.Vol. XXVII, 1889, p. 245). By considering the graduated results of the A.O.F. Experience 1871–75 he concluded that the mean deviation of expected sickness was approximately 2√(expected weeks of sickness).This note has arisen from some investigations being made into the statistics of non-life business, from which it appeared that the results obtained could be used to place the derivation of the standard deviation of expected sickness on a more satisfactory basis, and it is being put forward in the hope that some member with access to the necessary statistics will be able to make a more detailed study of this problem.
Some investment implications of changes in companies' capital and structure
Authors: Pegler J.B. H. 
Published: August 2016

The purpose of this paper is to discuss briefly the implications for investors of the commoner forms of alterations in a company's capital structure, in the rights of its shareholders, or in the amount of its loan or issued capital, which may occur in practice. The object is to consider general principles only, and no attempt will be made to deal with all possible situations or with the many exceptions which may arise as a result of special rights or provisions in the articles or deeds governing the issues concerned.Before discussing the implications of particular cases the main features of different types of stock-exchange investment and some broad considerations which govern their value to investors will be briefly reviewed.