bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Antioxidant and antimicrobial activities of essential oil and various oleoresins of Elettaria cardamomum (seeds and pods)
Authors: Singh Gurdip , Kiran Shashi , Marimuthu Palanisamy , Isidorov Valery , Vinogorova Vera 
Published: October 2007

AbstractBACKGROUND: This paper describes the chemical analysis of the essential oil and various oleoresins of Elettaria cardamomum (seeds and pods) by gas chromatography (GC) and gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS) techniques. It also compares the effects of the different extraction solvents used (chloroform, methanol, ethanol and diethyl ether) on the antioxidant and antimicrobial activities of the essential oil and oleoresins.RESULTS: The essential oil was found to contain 71 compounds. The major components were α‐terpinyl acetate (44.3%), 1,8‐cineole (10.7%), α‐terpineol (9.8%) and linalool (8.6%). The chloroform and methanol oleoresins both contained α‐terpinyl acetate (21.8 and 25.9% respectively) as the main component, while 5‐hydroxymethylfurfural (28.9%) was the most abundant compound in the ethanol oleoresin. However, very few components (total 0.61%) were found in the diethyl ether oleoresin. The antioxidant activities of the essential oil and oleoresins, studied in mustard oil by monitoring the peroxide value of the oil substrate, were comparable to those of the synthetic antioxidants butylated hydroxyanisole (BHA) and butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT) at 0.02% concentration. The essential oil exhibited strong antibacterial activity against the micro‐organisms Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus cereus, Escherichia coli and Salmonella typhi at 3000 ppm by the agar well diffusion method. Antifungal activity was tested against the food‐borne fungi Aspergillus terreus, Penicillium purpurogenum, Fusarium graminearum and Penicillium madriti. The methanol and ethanol oleoresins gave the best results against A. terreus at 3000 ppm by the poison food method.CONCLUSION: This study provides important information about the chemistry and antioxidant and antimicrobial properties of E. cardamomum. Copyright © 2007 Society of Chemical Industry
Analysis of patients with false negative mammography and symptomatic breast carcinoma
Authors: Murphy Ian G. , Dillon Mary F. , Doherty Ann O' , McDermott Enda W. , Kelly Gabrielle , O'Higgins Niall , Hill Arnold D.K. 
Published: October 2007

AbstractAimFalse‐negative mammograms may result in a delay in breast carcinoma diagnosis and have important implications for patient care. In this study, the characteristics of symptomatic patients with false‐negative mammograms were analysed.MethodsPatients with symptomatic breast carcinoma were identified over a 10‐year period (1994–2004). One hundred and twenty‐four patients had false‐negative preoperative mammograms and 1241 patients had abnormal preoperative mammograms. Clinical presentation, diagnostic methods and pathology were analysed. False‐negative mammograms were reviewed by a specialist breast radiologist.ResultsFollowing retrospective review, 42% of false‐negative mammograms were re‐categorised as suspicious. The most commonly misinterpreted lesion was architectural distortion/asymmetrical density. Adjuvant ultrasound, where performed (n = 27), raised the level of suspicion in 93% of cases. Patients with false‐negative mammograms were more likely to be younger (P < 0.0001), present with nipple discharge (P = 0.002) and have smaller tumours (P < 0.0001). Their tumours were more frequently located outside the upper outer quadrant (P = 0.002). False‐negative mammography led to a delay in diagnosis of >2 months in 12 patients.ConclusionSymptomatic patients with false‐negative mammograms often demonstrate definite abnormalities on imaging, the most common of which is architectural distortion/asymmetrical density. Those at particular risk were younger patients, those with nipple discharge, and patients with lesions located outside the upper outer quadrant. J. Surg. Oncol. 2007;96:457–463. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Lymphoscintigraphic localization of sentinel node in early colorectal cancer: Results of a monocentric study
Authors: Sandrucci Sergio , Mussa Baudolino , Goss Matteo , Mistrangelo Massimiliano , Satolli Maria Antonietta , Sapino Anna , Bellò Marilena , Bisi Gianni , Mussa Antonio 
Published: October 2007

AbstractBackground and ObjectivesEvaluation of the feasibility of the sentinel node technique in early colorectal neoplasms and its overall accuracy in predicting nodal metastases.MethodsThirty‐five patients with colon or rectal lesions or degenerate polyps not radically excised by endoscopy were included. Lymphatic mapping was performed with 99mTc labeled albumin colloid injected submucosally by an endoscopic route the afternoon before the surgical procedure. The day of the intervention, 2.5% patent blue V dye (S.A.L.F: Italy) was injected circumferentially around the tumor. A hand held gamma detecting probe (Scintiprobe m100, Pol‐Hi‐Tech, Italy) was employed to detect “hot” nodes, in vivo and ex vivo. All sentinel nodes were embedded separately for haematoxylin and eosin staining. No IHC or PCR techniques were employed.ResultsSentinel lymph nodes (SLN) were successfully identified in 35 out of 35 patients. Concordance between SLN and nodal status was observed in 32 out of 35 cases (91.4%); four patients (11.4%) were upstaged. Three skip nodal metastases were observed (false‐negative rate: 8.5%).ConclusionsThe sentinel node technique with blue dye and radiotracer seems valuable in early colorectal cancers detected by screening programs: a good organization and a learning curve are needed, as further multicentric studies. J. Surg. Oncol. 2007;96:464–469. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Development of a new C14 monolithic silica column containing embedded polar groups for pressurized capillary electrochromatography
Authors: Ye Fanggui , Li Shuting , Zhao Shulin 
Published: October 2007

AbstractMonolithic columns have been prepared with a novel bonded silica stationary phase, tetradecylamine bonded silica (TDAS), and used in pressurized capillary electrochromatography (pCEC). The monolithic silica column matrix was prepared by a sol‐gel process and then chemically modified with the spacer (3‐glycidoxypropyl)trimethoxysilane and tetradecylamine. The introduced embedded polar amine groups dominated the charge on the surface of the monolithic stationary phase and generated an EOF from cathode to anode under acidic conditions. The tetradecyl hydrophobic chains in TDAS provide chromatographic interactions. The chromatographic characteristics of the prepared monolithic column were studied. Some aromatic compounds including alkylbenzenes, aromatic hydrocarbons, phenols, and anilines were successfully separated on the TDAS monolithic column in pCEC mode. As expected, the TDAS monolithic stationary phases exhibit typical reversed‐phase electrochromatographic behavior toward neutral solutes due to the introduced tetradecyl groups. Hydrophobic as well as electrophoretic migration processes within the monoliths were observed in the separation of basic anilines. Symmetrical peaks can be obtained for anilines because the embedded polar amine groups on the surface can effectively shield the adsorption of positively charged analytes onto the stationary phase.
Extraction of clenbuterol from urine using hydroxylated poly(glycidyl methacrylate‐co‐ethylene dimethacrylate) monolith microextraction followed by high‐performance liquid chromatography determination
Authors: Wen Yi , Wang Ying , Feng Yu‐Qi 
Published: October 2007

AbstractA hydroxylated poly(glycidyl methacrylate‐co‐ethylene dimethacrylate) (GMA‐co‐EDMA) monolithic capillary was prepared for polymer monolith microextraction (PMME). Coupled to HPLC with UV detection, this extraction medium was successfully applied to establish a simple and fast method for the analysis of clenbuterol (CLB) in urine. To obtain optimum extraction performance, the effects of pH value and ionic strength of the sample matrix on extraction efficiency were investigated. The linearity of the method was evaluated over a concentration range of 10–2000 ng/mL and the correlation coefficient (R2 value) was 0.9985. The detection limit and quantification limit were 2.3 and 7.7 ng/mL, respectively. Good reproducibility of the method was obtained, yielding the intra‐ and interday RSDs less than 5.1 and 9.1%, respectively. Moreover, the hydroxylated poly(GMA‐co‐EDMA) monolithic capillary exhibited good preparation reproducibility and long‐term extraction life. When applied to the determination of CLB in urine samples, an effective removal of interfering compounds was achieved and recoveries were in the range of 87.6–106%. The determination of CLB from one real sample including pretreatment, extraction, and analysis could be finished within 30 min.
Chymotrypsin immobilization on epoxy monolithic silica columns: Development and characterization of a bioreactor for protein digestion
Authors: Temporini Caterina , Calleri Enrica , Campèse Daniel , Cabrera Karin , Félix Guy , Massolini Gabriella 
Published: October 2007

AbstractThe preparation and optimization of a new monolithic chymotrypsin bioreactor for online protein digestion is described. Silica monolithic supports have been activated with epoxide functionalities following an optimized in situ procedure and used for covalent immobilization of chymotrypsin in one‐step reaction under different conditions. A total of four bioreactors were prepared and characterized in terms of the amount of immobilized enzyme and apparent active units by using a standard substrate, N‐benzoyl‐L‐tyrosine p‐nitroanilide (BTPNA). The stability of the bioreactors was evaluated and the morphology of the support after immobilization and use was studied by SEM analysis. The proteolytic activity of the optimized chymotrypsin bioreactor was evaluated using HSA as a model protein by online coupling of the bioreactor with LC‐ESI‐MS. With the online protocol, complete protein digestion in 120 min was achieved with a sequence coverage of 97.3%.
Hierarchical delays as a source of nominal price rigidities: evidence from the microcomputer industry
Authors: Hicks Michael J. 
Published: October 2007

AbstractThe non‐market clearing models of New Keynesian macroeconomic theory rely heavily upon sticky prices to generate business cycle activity following monetary shocks. The dominant theoretical explanations for sticky prices assume a degree of market power in the representative firm (e.g. Mankiw, 1985. Quarterly J. Econ. 100(2): 529–538). Thus, an important element of empirical research is the exploration of sticky prices within more competitive industries. The importance of this analysis is in establishing the potential degree of price stickiness in a representative firm employed in a macroeconomic model. Among the many theoretical explanations of nominal rigidities are the existence of hierarchical delays (Blinder, 1991. Amer. Econ. Rev. 72: 334–348) and decision costs (Tommasi, 1992. Optimal Pricing, Inflation, And The Cost of Price Adjustment, 485–511). Both theories rely on the simple notion that managerial inefficiency, high costs of making decisions and sluggish transmission of information lead to price stickiness. This paper investigates the market for microcomputers in the United States from 1993 to 1995 finding strong evidence of nominal price rigidities attributable to hierarchical delays. Alternate explanations for these rigidities are explored and rejected. These prices are sticky in a monopolistically or workably competitive industry, which provides important additional support for the New Keynesian interpretation. Ordinary least squares, a Poisson count and negative binomial count models are employed in establishing the existence of hierarchical delays. Conclusions are offered regarding the appropriate selection of the characteristics of the representative firm in macroeconomic models. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The mechanics of price adjustment: new evidence on the (un)importance of menu costs
Authors: Chakrabarti Rajesh , Scholnick Barry 
Published: October 2007

AbstractThis paper examines nominal price rigidities in an environment, e‐commerce, where literal menu costs can be assumed not to exist. We argue that if we can empirically show that nominal rigidities do still exist in the e‐commerce environment, then it implies that other kinds of costs besides menu costs, such as management costs, must be causing these nominal rigidities. This evidence is of importance because of the central role that menu costs play in Keynesian macroeconomics. In this paper we examine the price changing behavior of two leading online booksellers—Amazon.com and BarnesandNoble.com—and find strong evidence that nominal price rigidities do indeed persist on the Internet. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Asymmetric price adjustment: evidence from weekly product‐level scanner price data
Authors: Müller Georg , Ray Sourav 
Published: October 2007

AbstractWe investigate asymmetric price responses by considering a unique, highly disaggregate retailer‐ and product‐level time series at a major supermarket chain. We find asymmetry exists, but is limited in scope and there is no evidence of a pervasive chain wide asymmetric pricing strategy. To explain product level variation, we borrow from both economic and marketing perspectives to suggest menu costs, operational efficiency, competition, and consumer perceptions as important factors. The evidence suggests an efficiency‐based rationale for asymmetry. This study complements that of Peltzman (2000. J. Polit. Econ. 108(3): 466–502.) who found no systematic asymmetry in a study of the same data considered at a more aggregate level. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Thick markets, market competition and pricing dynamics: evidence from retailers
Authors: Axarloglou Kostas 
Published: October 2007

AbstractBy using store‐level transaction price data for books in Ann Arbor, Michigan, and music CDs in Natick, Massachusetts, the implications of thick markets and the intensity of market competition on price markups and the synchronization in price adjustments are empirically tested. The data indicate that for books, actual price markups are 6% lower than the suggested price markups, while for music CDs, they are 3.6% lower. Popular items are more heavily discounted than less popular ones. The data show that a 10% increase in national sales of a given book title results in a 0.06% drop in price markups. Also, market competition has a non‐linear depressing effect on price markups that becomes stronger for widely known popular items. Finally, a 10% increase in the number of sellers in the market lead to a 5.8% increase in the likelihood of a price adjustment and a 2.2% increase in the share of sellers that synchronize their price adjustments. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Communication and information‐seeking behavior of PhD students in physicists and astronomy
Authors: Jamali Hamid R. , Nicholas David 
Published: October 2007

AbstractAs a part of a wider doctoral research, this paper deals with the communication and information‐seeking behavior of research (PhD) students in physics and astronomy. Based on a qualitative case study of PhD students in the Department of Physics and Astronomy at University College London, this study seeks to derive behavioral patterns in information‐seeking activities of PhD students. The study aims to investigate the intradisciplinary differences in information‐seeking activities of physicists and astronomers. The findings show the high reliance of PhD students in physics and astronomy on electronic journals and their low use of libraries. The findings reveal differences in the information‐seeking patterns of students who conduct theoretical research and those of whom are involved in experimental research. The research highlights the need for the study of small subject communities within academic disciplines instead of studying users in a broad subject area such as physics as one single domain.
Weak Information Work and “Doable” Problems in Interdisciplinary Science
Authors: Palmer Carole L. 
Published: October 2007

AbstractDrawing on results from two studies of information use in interdisciplinary science, this paper develops the concept of weak information work (WIW). WIW is examined in relation to a model of how different levels of research work are coordinated and a second framework that delineates dimensions of research problems. Scenarios from neuroinformatics case studies are presented to show how WIW is impacting interdisciplinary projects in brain research. Based on the integration of our results with existing frameworks for understanding scientific research problems and processes, we assert that contemporary interdisciplinary research could benefit from information systems and services devoted to supporting some lines of WIW and by transforming others into strong information work.
Known‐Item Search: Variations on a Concept
Authors: Lee Jin Ha , Renear Allen , Smith Linda C. 
Published: October 2007

AbstractThe concept of known‐item search has long been central to research and application in library and information science. It is surprising then that this concept has received practically no systematic discussion. We survey the various conceptual and operational characterizations of known‐item search in the LIS literature in order to determine exactly how the concept is being understood by its users. We demonstrate that this apparently simple notion is actually quite complex and varied, and moreover, that there is hardly a single feature ordinarily associated with it that can confidently be said to be an essential part of the concept.
Factors contributing to mature adult novices' computer skills learning: A case study in a community training program
Authors: Chin Pok W. , Hastings Dr. Samantha K. 
Published: October 2007

AbstractInformation and communication technologies (ICT), such as computers, and the Internet have become increasingly vital tools in United States. People who lack the required skills to use these tools are at a growing disadvantage. Therefore, raising the information and communication technologies skill levels of information deprived people is a critical issue. Increasing the number of Americans using ICT is a fundamentally important national goal. The purpose of this study is to explore the adult novice computer learning. This study defines computer novices as people who have no knowledge or limited skills to perform basic computer functions, such as computer boot up, file opening, internet searching, and basic word processing. Over the last couple of years, community learning centers in Denton, Texas have provided free computer training sessions at public libraries to empower people left behind by the digital revolution. Researchers of this study participate as both lecturers and mentors in the training sessions. The major objective of this study is to identify themes in adult computer learning behavior. This research studies adult novice computer learning using Bandura's (1986) social cognitive theory, Roger's (2003) diffusion of innovation framework, and Chatman's (1996) concepts on information impoverished people.
Exploring the Forecasting Potential of Company Annual Reports
Authors: Qiu Xin Ying , Srinivasan Padmini , Street Nick 
Published: October 2007

AbstractPrevious research indicates that the narration disclosure in company annual reports can be used to assist in assessing the company's short‐term financial prospects. However, not much effort has been made to systematically and automatically assess the predictive potential of such reports using text classification, information retrieval, and machine learning techniques. In this study, we built SVM‐based predictive models with different feature selection methods from ten years of annual reports of 30 companies. We used feature selection methods to reduce the term space and studied the class‐related vocabulary. Evaluation of predictive accuracy is performed with cross validation and t‐test significance tests. We compare different models' performance and analyze misclassification rates by year and by industry. We identify the strengths and weaknesses of each model. Our results support the feasibility of automatically predicting next‐year company financial performance from the current year's report. We suggest text features can be further studied to understand their roles as indicators of company's future performance. This research paves the way for large‐scale automatic analysis of the relationship between annual reports and short‐term performance, as well as the identification of interesting signals within annual reports.
Designing for uncertainty
Authors: Anderson Theresa Dirndorfer , Bates Marcia J. , Berryman Jennifer , Erdelez Sanda , Heinstrom Jannica 
Published: October 2007

AbstractOur highly digitized world brings us into contact with networked information systems with the potential to help us locate information quickly and easily at the touch of a button. But it is far from easy to quickly find the exact information we need. Every new resource added increases the time needed to locate the right information. The increasing scale of resource collections continues to drive the need for innovative methods of organizing and providing access to the information within these collections (Bates, 1999). This panel will discuss the prospect of designing for uncertainty ‐ that is creating information systems based on the premise that (in certain situations) uncertainty can be a powerful mediating strategy for people.
Designing Web‐based Forms for Users with Lower Literacy Skills
Authors: Summers Kathryn , Langford Jonathan , Wu Jennifer , Abela Christine , Souza Randy 
Published: October 2007

AbstractPrevious research (Summers & Summers, 2003) has identified patterns of behavior and effective practices related to how lower literacy users interact with health‐related Internet sites. However, prior research has not addressed how such users react to the unique challenges represented by interactive medical forms on health sites, such as interactive health quizzes, questionnaires, and registration forms. The goal of this four‐month study was twofold: 1) to identify reading, writing, and navigational strategies of users with lower literacy skills when interacting with web‐based forms in a medical context; 2) to develop design principles for making such web‐based medical forms usable and accessible for lower‐literacy adults. Eyetracking was used to gather data about how users interacted with a variety of web‐based forms. Analysis of sessions with 26 low‐literacy users (REALM score < 60) identified a variety of challenges users faced in completing forms. Based on these observations, proposed principles of effective form design were developed. Revised prototype forms were designed in accordance with these principles and iteratively tested with 14 users to verify improved usability.