bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Densitometric Validation and Optimisation of Polyphenols in Ocimum sanctum Linn by High Performance Thin‐layer Chromatography
Authors: U.K. Ilyas , Katare Deepshikha P. , Aeri Vidhu 
Published: February 2015

AbstractIntroductionOcimum sanctum Linn (Sanskrit: Tulasi; family: Libiaceae), popularly known as holy basil or Ocimum teinufolium, is found throughout the semitropical and tropical parts of India. In Ayurveda, Tulasi has been well known for its therapeutic potentials.ObjectiveTo optimise and develop a standard method to quantify seven polyphenols simultaneously by HPTLC.MethodsA three‐level factor Box–Behnken statistical design was used for optimisation, where extraction time (min), temperature (°C) and methanol:water ratio (% v/v) are the independent variables with polyphenols as the dependent variable. The separation was archived on a silica‐gel 60 F254 HPTLC plate using toluene:ethyl acetate:formic acid:methanol (3:3:0.8:0.2 v/v) as the mobile phase. Densitometric analysis of polyphenols was carried out in the absorbance mode at 366 nm.ResultsThe quantification of polyphenols was carried out based on peak area with a linear calibration curve at concentration ranges of 60–240, 20–200, 100–1600, 40–200, 200–1400, 10–160, 200–1400, 100–5000 ng/band for caffeic acid, ellagic acid, rutin, kaempferol, catechin, quercetin, eupalitin and epicatechin respectively. The method was validated for peak purity, precision, accuracy, limit of detection (LOD) and quantification (LOQ). Method specificity was confirmed using the retention factor value and visible spectra correlation of marker compounds.ConclusionsA validated HPTLC method was newly developed for simultaneous quantification of seven polyphenols in an Ayurvedic preparation of O. sanctum. The proposed method is simple, precise, specific, accurate, cost‐effective, less time consuming and has the ability to separate the polyphenols from other constituents. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Homogeneous esterification of cellulose in room temperature ionic liquids
Authors: Zhang Jinming , Chen Weiwei , Feng Ye , Wu Jin , Yu Jian , He Jiasong , Zhang Jun 
Published: February 2015

AbstractHomogeneous esterification of cellulose, which can control the molecular structure of the resultant cellulose esters and facilitate the versatility of cellulose‐based materials, has drawn much attention. Recently, the advent of room temperature ionic liquids (ILs) capable of dissolving cellulose has provided a new and versatile platform for the efficient and homogeneous esterification of cellulose. A variety of conventional, novel and functional cellulose esters have been successfully synthesized in ILs. Meanwhile, development of esterification techniques, utilization of agricultural residues and up‐scaling of pilot schemes of esterification in ILs have been in progress. This review summarizes the advances and developments in homogeneous synthesis of cellulose esters in ILs in recent decades. © 2015 Society of Chemical Industry
A comparative study of software process improvement implementation success factors
Authors: Niazi Mahmood 
Published: February 2015

AbstractContextIt has been observed that software process improvement (SPI) initiatives have been around for more than a decade, yet many companies are still facing SPI implementation challenges.ObjectiveIn this paper, a systematic literature review (SLR) has been conducted, and the results are compared with the previously collected data of SPI implementation success factors. The overarching objective of this research is to gain an in‐depth understanding of success factors that play a positive role in SPI implementation; this will assist SPI managers in better designing and managing SPI programs. We are interested to discover if there are any differences in the success factors identified by the three research strategies used, that is, informal literature review, SLR, and interviews.MethodData were collected and analyzed using the three research strategies. For informal literature review, the snowballing technique was used. The SLR was conducted for formal literature reviews. For an empirical study, interviews were conducted with Australian SPI practitioners.ResultsResults show that (i) senior management commitment and (ii) staff involvement are the frequently cited common SPI success factors in all three research strategies. The results also uncover similarities and differences among the three research strategies regarding the importance of the SPI success factors: (i) SPI awareness is a frequently cited common SPI success factor in interviews and formal literature review, and the Spearman's rank‐order correlation is rs(37) = 0.413, p = 0.011; (ii) reviews are a frequently cited common SPI success factor in formal and informal literature reviews, and the Spearman's rank‐order correlation is rs(37) = 0.517, p = 0.001; and (iii) training and mentoring is a frequently cited common SPI success factor in interviews and an informal literature review, and the Spearman's rank‐order correlation is rs(37) = 0.195, p = 0.247.ConclusionsThe understanding of these factors can help both researchers and software development organizations in successfully planning and implementing SPI initiatives. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Trilobites from the Giles Creek Dolostone (Cambrian Series 3, Stage 5; Templetonian) Amadeus Basin, central Australia
Authors: Smith Patrick M. , Paterson John R. , Brock Glenn A. 
Published: February 2015

AbstractTwelve trilobite species, plus rare agnostid arthropods, are described from the Giles Creek Dolostone (Cambrian Series 3, Stage 5; Templetonian) at Ross River Gorge and Gaylad Dam in the north‐eastern Amadeus Basin, Northern Territory, central Australia. Amphoton krusei sp. nov., Nepea ommacrada sp. nov., Penarosa oepiki sp. nov. and Schopfaspis shergoldi sp. nov. are described in association with Deiradonyx toddi Öpik, 1982, Dinesus sp., Kootenia sp., Pagetia silicunda Jell, 1975, Solenoparia sp., Tonkinella? sp., Xystridura filifera Öpik, 1975a, and Xystridura gayladia Öpik, 1975a, in addition to indeterminate agnostids. Pagetia silicunda and Xystridura filifera suggest an early Templetonian age, within the Pentagnostus anabarensis or Pentagnostus praecurrens Zone. This is supported by the co‐occurrence of Amphoton Lorenz, 1906, Deiradonyx, Öpik, 1982, Dinesus Etheridge, 1896 and Kootenia Walcott, 1889, all of which occur in Templetonian successions in the Georgina Basin (Northern Territory and Queensland), Gnalta Shelf (western New South Wales) and the Heathcote Greenstone Belt (Victoria). We argue that the Tempe Formation (central Amadeus Basin) and the Giles Creek Dolostone are not contemporaneous as previously suggested, indicating that regional stratigraphical schemes need to be amended.
The Clinical Risk Score Predicts the Effectiveness of Adjuvant Chemotherapy for Colorectal Liver Metastasis
Authors: Nakai Takuya , Ishikawa Hajime , Tokoro Tadao , Okuno Kiyotaka 
Published: February 2015

AbstractBackgroundHepatectomy is the most effective treatment for patients with colorectal liver metastasis (CRLM). However, the procedure is also associated with a high risk of recurrence, and adjuvant chemotherapy for postoperative recurrence remains controversial. We investigated the efficacy of adjuvant chemotherapy for CRLM with the clinical risk score (CRS) proposed by Fong et al.MethodsPatients with CRLM who were treated, without preoperative chemotherapy, between 1992 and 2012 were classified as having low CRS (score of 0–1), intermediate CRS (2–3), or high CRS (4–5). The efficacy of adjuvant chemotherapy was retrospectively analyzed for each CRS subgroup.ResultsOf the 161 patients who underwent hepatectomy, 100 received adjuvant chemotherapy (group A) and 61 did not (group N). For intermediate CRS, 5‐year disease free survival (DFS) was significant different between the groups (group A: n = 61; 33.9 % vs. group N: n = 39; 23.2 %, P = 0.008) and 5‐year overall survival (OS) of group A was higher than group N (53.5 vs. 36.5 %, P = 0.048), respectively. For both low CRS and high CRS, 5‐year DFS and OS were similar between the groups. Multivariate analysis of DFS identified prognostic factors as major resection for low CRS (P = 0.02) and adjuvant chemotherapy for intermediate CRS (P = 0.015). Similarly, multivariate analysis of OS identified major resection for low CRS (P = 0.05) and adjuvant chemotherapy for intermediate CRS (P = 0.05). High CRS was not identified prognostic factor.ConclusionsAdjuvant chemotherapy for CRLM was effective in intermediate CRS patients. In low CRS patients, adjuvant chemotherapy may not be necessary, but adequate surgical resection is important.
The Weight of the Resected Gland Predicts Rate of Success After Image‐Guided Focused Parathyroidectomy
Authors: Norlén Olov , Glover Anthony , Zaidi Nisar , Aniss Adam , Sywak Mark , Sidhu Stan , Delbridge Leigh 
Published: February 2015

AbstractBackgroundA recent study of focused minimally invasive parathyroidectomy (FPTX) in sporadic primary hyperparathyroidism (pHPT) using intraoperative parathyroid hormone (ioPTH) measurements shows that inadequate ioPTH drop and multiglandular disease are more commonly found when a first gland <200 mg is resected. Our aim was to study if a resected gland that weighed <200 mg was associated with an increased persistence rate after FPTX.MethodsThis is a cohort study of FPTX for pHPT performed in the period 1998–2013. FPTX was performed in patients with pHPT where Sestamibi and Ultrasound imaging localized single‐gland disease, only one gland was excised and the weight recorded. IoPTH was not used routinely. Two groups were composed according to the weight of the resected gland: Group A <200 mg and Group B ≥200 mg. Persistent or recurrent disease was defined if it occurred within, or after 6 months. The primary outcome measure was the rate of persisting pHPT.ResultsA total of 3,511 parathyroidectomies were performed, and a total 1,745 FPTX (1,347 female) met inclusion criteria. There were 245 and 1,500 patients in groups A and B, respectively. The rate of persistent pHPT was higher in Group A, 6.1 versus 2.0 % (p < 0.001). Findings at re‐operative surgery showed that the ipsilateral gland was diseased in 47 % (7/15) of persistent cases in group A.ConclusionThe risk of persistent disease after MIP was higher if the resected gland weighed ≤200 mg, and this corroborates the findings of a recent study. A heightened awareness of the possibility of multigland disease should be raised, and ioPTH monitoring, identification of the ipsilateral gland or bilateral exploration may be advisable in such cases.
Capitulum and rosette leaf avoidance from grazing by large herbivores in Taraxacum
Authors: Fujita Noboru , Koda Ryosuke 
Published: February 2015

AbstractPlants defense against herbivore damage is achieved through resistance and tolerance, of which resistance is composed of avoidance and antibiosis. Plants have developed various adaptations that facilitate escape from herbivory. We hypothesized that post‐anthesis prostrate scapes in Taraxacum is an adaptation for avoidance of capitulum grazing by large herbivores. To test this hypothesis, we divided flowering into the following four stages based on the external appearance of the capitulum: green bud, yellow corolla, brown corolla, and white pappus stages. We conducted an experiment in natural pasture in Mongolia to artificially raise capitula and rosette leaves of T. collinum. We measured the natural height of capitula and rosette leaves of the Mongolian pasture and urban species, T. collinum and T. ceratophorum, respectively, and of the Japanese rural and exotic urban species, T. japonicum and T. officinale, respectively. We investigated natural grazing by livestock in the field of the capitula and rosette leaves of the two Mongolian species. In Mongolia, naturally short capitula at the green bud and brown corolla stages and rosette leaves of T. collinum were not grazed. However, artificially raised capitula and rosette leaves of T. collinum and the naturally high capitula and leaves of T. ceratophorum were grazed. Short capitulum and leaf height was shown to be effective for avoidance of livestock grazing in Mongolia. In Japan, T. japonicum and T. officinale showed similar scape behavior to T. collinum and T. ceratophorum, respectively. We discuss the reasons for the capitulum behavior differences in Japan.
Biodegradable Poly(ε‐Caprolactone)‐Based Graft Copolymers Via Poly(Linoleic Acid): In Vitro Enzymatic Evaluation
Authors: Allı Sema , Tığlı Aydın R. Seda , Allı Abdülkadir , Hazer Baki 
Published: February 2015

AbstractWell‐defined graft copolymers based on poly(ε‐caprolactone) (PCL) via poly(linoleic acid) (PLina), are derived from soybean oil. Poly(linoleic acid)‐g‐poly(ε‐caprolactone) (PLina‐g‐PCL) and poly(linoleic acid)‐g‐poly(styrene)‐g‐poly(ε‐caprolactone) (PLina‐g‐PSt‐g‐PCL) were synthesized by ring‐opening polymerization of ε‐caprolactone initiated by PLina and one‐pot synthesis of graft copolymers, and by ring‐opening polymerization and free radical polymerization by using PLina, respectively. PLina‐g‐PCL, PLina‐g‐PSt‐g‐PCL3, and PLina‐g‐PSt‐g‐PCL4 copolymers containing 96.97, 75.04 and 80.34 mol% CL, respectively, have been investigated regarding their enzymatic degradation properties in the presence of Pseudomonas lipase. In terms of weight loss, after 1 month, 51.5 % of PLina‐g‐PCL, 18.8 % of PLina‐g‐PSt‐g‐PCL3, and 38.4 % of PLina‐g‐PSt‐g‐PCL4 were degraded, leaving remaining copolymers with molecular weights of 16,140, 83,220 and 70,600 Da, respectively. Introducing the PLina unit into the copolymers greatly decreased the degradation rate. The molar ratio of [CL]/[Lina] dramatically decreased, from 21.3 to 8.4, after 30 days of incubation. Moreover, reduced PCL content in PLina‐g‐PSt‐g‐PCL copolymers decreased the degradation rate, probably due to the PSt enrichment within the structure, which blocks lipase contact with PCL units. Thus, copolymerization of PCL with PLina and PSt units leads to a controllable degradation profile, which encourages the use of these polymers as promising biomaterials for tissue engineering applications.
Azimuthal shear instability of a liquid jet injected into a gaseous cross-flow
Authors: Behzad M. , Ashgriz N. , Mashayek A. 
Published: February 2015

AbstractWe investigate azimuthal instabilities which exist on the periphery of a non-turbulent liquid jet injected transversely into a gaseous cross-flow. We predict that the temporal growth of such instabilities may lead to the formation of interface corrugations, which are eventually sheared off of the jet surface (known as the jet ‘surface breakup’). In this study we employ temporal linear stability analyses to understand the nature of these instabilities. The analysis is based on a continuous formulation of momentum equations in which the jet and cross-flow are considered to be slightly miscible at the vicinity of the interface. We identify the shear instability as the primary destabilization mechanism in the flow. This inherently inviscid mechanism opposes the previously suggested mechanism of surface breakup (known as ‘boundary-layer stripping’), which is based on a viscous interpretation. The results show that the wavelengths of instabilities increase by moving away from the jet windward stagnation point toward the leeward point. We also investigate the influence of the jet-to-cross-flow density ratio on the flow stability and find that a higher ratio leads to formation of instabilities with higher wavenumbers on the jet surface. The results show that the density may have a non-monotonic stabilizing/destabilizing effect on the flow.
Finite-amplitude acoustic-gravity waves: exact solutions
Authors: Godin Oleg A. 
Published: February 2015

AbstractWe consider strongly nonlinear waves in fluids in a uniform gravity field, and demonstrate that an incompressible wave motion, in which pressure remains constant in each fluid parcel, is supported by compressible fluids with free and rigid boundaries. We present exact analytic solutions of nonlinear hydrodynamics equations which describe the incompressible wave motion. The solutions provide an extension of the Gerstner wave in an incompressible fluid with a free boundary to waves in compressible three-dimensionally inhomogeneous moving fluids such as oceans and planetary atmospheres.
Effect of finite sampling time on estimation of Brownian fluctuation
Authors: Pouya Shahram , Liu Di , Koochesfahani Manoochehr M. 
Published: February 2015

AbstractWe present a study of the effect of finite detector integration/exposure time $E$, in relation to interrogation time interval ${\rm\Delta}t$, on analysis of Brownian motion of small particles using numerical simulation of the Langevin equation for both free diffusion and hindered diffusion near a solid wall. The simulation result for free diffusion recovers the known scaling law for the dependence of estimated diffusion coefficient on $E/{\rm\Delta}t$, i.e. for $0\leqslant E/{\rm\Delta}t\leqslant 1$ the estimated diffusion coefficient scales linearly as $1-(E/{\rm\Delta}t)/3$. Extending the analysis to the parameter range $E/{\rm\Delta}t\geqslant 1$, we find a new nonlinear scaling behaviour given by $(E/{\rm\Delta}t)^{-1}[1-((E/{\rm\Delta}t)^{-1})/3]$, for which we also provide an exact analytical solution. The simulation of near-wall diffusion shows that hindered diffusion of particles parallel to a solid wall, when normalized appropriately, follows with a high degree of accuracy the same form of scaling laws given above for free diffusion. Specifically, the scaling laws in this case are well represented by $1-((1+{\it\epsilon})(E/{\rm\Delta}t))/3$, for $E/{\rm\Delta}t\leqslant 1$, and $(E/{\rm\Delta}t)^{-1}[1-((1+{\it\epsilon})(E/{\rm\Delta}t)^{-1})/3]$, for $E/{\rm\Delta}t\geqslant 1$, where the small parameter ${\it\epsilon}$ depends on the size of the near-wall domain used in the estimation of the diffusion coefficient and value of $E$. For the range of parameters reported in the literature, we estimate ${\it\epsilon}<0.03$. The near-wall simulations also show a bias in the estimated diffusion coefficient parallel to the wall even in the limit $E=0$, indicating an overestimation which increases with increasing time delay ${\rm\Delta}t$. This diffusion-induced overestimation is caused by the same underlying mechanism responsible for the previously reported overestimation of mean velocity in near-wall velocimetry.
Multiple factor analysis for time-varying two-mode networks
Authors: RAGOZINI GIANCARLO , DE STEFANO DOMENICO , D'ESPOSITO MARIA ROSARIA 
Published: February 2015

AbstractMost social networks present complex structures. They can be both multi-modal and multi-relational. In addition, each relationship can be observed across time occasions. Relational data observed in such conditions can be organized into multidimensional arrays and statistical methods from the theory of multiway data analysis may be exploited to reveal the underlying data structure. In this paper, we adopt an exploratory data analysis point of view, and we present a procedure based on multiple factor analysis and multiple correspondence analysis to deal with time-varying two-mode networks. This procedure allows us to create static displays in order to explore network evolutions and to visually analyze the degree of similarity of actor/event network profiles over time while preserving the different statuses of the two modes.
Comparing membership interest group networks across space and time, size, issue and industry
Authors: BOX-STEFFENSMEIER JANET M. , CHRISTENSON DINO P. 
Published: February 2015

AbstractWe compare and contrast the network formation of interest groups across industry and issue area. We focus on membership interest groups, which by virtue of representing the interests of voluntary members face particular organizational and maintenance constraints. To reveal their cooperative behavior we build a network dataset based on cosigner status to United States Supreme Court amicus curiae briefs and analyze it with exponential random graph models and multidimensional scaling. Our methodological approach culminates in a clear and compact spatial representation of network similarities and differences. We find that while many of the same factors shape membership networks, religious, labor, and political organizations do not share the same structure as each other or as the business, civic and professional groups.
Quantification of motility of carabid beetles in farmland
Authors: Allema A.B. , van der Werf W. , Groot J.C.J. , Hemerik L. , Gort G. , Rossing W.A.H. , van Lenteren J.C. 
Published: February 2015

AbstractQuantification of the movement of insects at field and landscape levels helps us to understand their ecology and ecological functions. We conducted a meta-analysis on movement of carabid beetles (Coleoptera: Carabidae), to identify key factors affecting movement and population redistribution. We characterize the rate of redistribution using motility μ (L2T−1), which is a measure for diffusion of a population in space and time that is consistent with ecological diffusion theory and which can be used for upscaling short-term data to longer time frames. Formulas are provided to calculate motility from literature data on movement distances. A field experiment was conducted to measure the redistribution of mass-released carabid,Pterostichus melanariusin a crop field, and derive motility by fitting a Fokker–Planck diffusion model using inverse modelling. Bias in estimates of motility from literature data is elucidated using the data from the field experiment as a case study. The meta-analysis showed that motility is 5.6 times as high in farmland as in woody habitat. Species associated with forested habitats had greater motility than species associated with open field habitats, both in arable land and woody habitat. The meta-analysis did not identify consistent differences in motility at the species level, or between clusters of larger and smaller beetles. The results presented here provide a basis for calculating time-varying distribution patterns of carabids in farmland and woody habitat. The formulas for calculating motility can be used for other taxa.
Rusty green stained temporal bone associated with exposure to tetracycline: an unusual presentation of black bone disease
Authors: Farahnik B , Zaghi S , Hendizadeh L , Gopen Q 
Published: February 2015

AbstractObjective:To review the phenomenon and implications of temporal bone and craniofacial bone staining in the context of prolonged exposure to tetracycline antibiotic.Methods:Case report and literature review.Results:A 52-year-old male with a 5-year history of tetracycline use presented to undergo tympanomastoidectomy and was found to have an unusual rusty green pigmentation of the entire aspect of the exposed temporal bone. A literature review revealed more than 20 cases of tetracycline-induced pigmentation of intraoral maxillary and mandibular bone, and 2 prior cases involving the cranial bones.Conclusion:Tissue and organ pigmentation is an unexpected and unfavourable consequence of the use of tetracyclines, particularly minocycline. Tetracycline is contraindicated in children because of the risk for dysosteogenesis and enamel hypoplasia. In adults, although the unusual staining may present as an unexpected dilemma upon surgical exposure, current research shows no significant clinical consequences for this type of pigmentation.