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The nondestructive characterization of citrus varieties (Egyptian sweet orange, Lane Late navel orange, Australian orange, and Blood orange) was developed based on near-infrared diffuse reflectance spectroscopy (NIRDRS) together with principal component analysis (PCA) and Fisher linear discriminant analysis (FLDA). An experiment for the penetration of NIRDRS into the peel was designed and the effects of different spectral acquisition points were investigated. Pretreatments were used to eliminate the spectral interferences. As an unsupervised pattern recognition method, PCA was used to establish the characterization models. Furthermore, supervised pattern recognition based on PCA and FLDA was employed to enhance the accuracy. The results of the penetration experiments show that near-infrared light enters the citrus peel and is able to characterize the internal composition. Even with the optimized spectral pretreatment, accurate characterization of citrus varieties was not achieved by PCA. However, the accurate characterization of citrus varieties was provided by PCA-FLDA. The accuracies of four spectral acquisition points are 95%, while the characterization accuracies of six spectral acquisition points are 100% combined with optimized spectral pretreatment. Therefore, NIRDRS with PCA-FLDA is suitable for the rapid and nondestructive characterization of citrus varieties.

Pei Shan Yang,1,2 Sophia Delpe,2 Casey G Kowalik,2 W Stuart Reynolds,2 Melissa R Kaufman,2 Roger R Dmochowski2 1Department of Urologic Surgery, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital and Chang Gung University, Taoyuan, Taiwan; 2Department of Urologic Surgery, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, USACorrespondence: Pei Shan YangDepartment of Urologic Surgery, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital and Chang Gung University, No. 5, Fuxing Street, Guishan District, Taoyuan, 333, TaiwanTel +886 328-1200Email dr.yang.uro@gmail.comIntroduction: Pubovaginal sling is an efficient and safe procedure for stress urinary incontinence without the complications of synthetic sling. Urine retention and de novo urgency are bothersome aftermath of this procedure. We aim to identify potential risk factors for de novo urgency after autologous pubovaginal sling.Methods: From 2013 to 2016, 347 patients underwent autologous pubovaginal sling. Age, BMI, pelvic irradiation, use of anticholinergic medication, previous vaginal related surgical histories, “over-tight” technique, and concomitant surgeries were examined for potential risk factors. De novo urgency/urge incontinence was defined as treatment (medication, botulinum toxin injection, sacral neuromodulation) for urge postoperatively and was not noted before surgery. Chi-square and fisher’s exact tests were used as statistical analysis.Results: A total of 109 patients underwent autologous rectus fascia pubovaginal sling, after excluding status post urethral diverticulectomy, concomitant diverticulectomy, and concomitant abdominal surgery. Twenty-three (21.1%) patients were treated for de novo urge/urge incontinence, 18 (78.2%) with anticholinergic, 4 (17.3%) with botox injection and 2 (8.69%) with sacral neuromodulation. None but prior pelvic organ prolapse surgery was associated with developing de novo urge/urge incontinence (p=0.026).Discussion: Patients with prior pelvic organ prolapse surgery were more likely to be at risk of de novo urgency after autologous pubovaginal sling. This study provided more information for preoperative consultation for patients undergoing incontinence surgery.Keywords: autologous fascial sling, de novo urgency, stress urinary incontinence, urge urinary incontinence

By a bifunctional organic ligand 2-(benzimidazol-1-yl)terephthalic acid (H2bitp) featuring both imidazol-carboxylate groups, two new Cu(II)-containing coordination polymers (CPs) with the chemical ...

Clinical studies have indicated that the long-term use of topical antiglaucoma drugs, such as carbonic anhydrase inhibitors (CAIs), may lead to meibomian gland dysfunction (MGD). We hypothesize that these adverse effects involve a direct influence on human MG epithelial cells (HMGECs). The purpose our present investigation was to test our hypothesis and determine whether exposure to dorzolamide, a CAI, impacts the proliferation, intracellular signaling and differentiation of HMGECs.We cultured immortalized (i) HMGECs with vehicle or various concentrations of dorzolamide for 6 days. Cells were enumerated with a hemocytometer, and examined for their morphology, Akt signaling activity, accumulation of neutral lipids, phospholipids and lysosomes, and the expression of protein biomarkers for lipogenesis regulation, lysosomes and autophagosomes.Our results show that a high, 500 µg/ml concentration of dorzolamide causes a significant decrease in Akt signaling and the proliferation of iHMGECs. However, the high dose of dorzolamide also promotes the differentiation of iHMGECs. This response features increases in the number of lysosomes, the accumulation of phospholipids, and the expression of the light chain 3A biomarker for autophagosomes. In contrast, the therapeutic amount (50 µg/ml) of dorzolamide has no impact on the proliferative or differentiative abilities of iHMGECs.Our results support our hypothesis and demonstrate that the CAI dorzolamide does exert a direct influence on the proliferation and differentiation of iHMGECs. However, this effect is elicited only by a high, and not a therapeutic, amount of dorzolamide.

This study empirically evaluated the effects of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) applications and acceptable cost on intention to use UAVs in maritime shipping contexts. Factor analysis was employed...

In this article we prove some strong law of large numbers of arithmetic and geometric mean for a sequence of general information source X={Xn}n∈N. Under some appropriate conditions, we also...

CRYAB is a member of the small heat shock protein family, first discovered in the lens of the eye, and involved in various diseases, such as eye and heart diseases and even cancers, for example, breast cancer, lung cancer, prostate cancer, and ovarian cancer. In addition, CRYAB proteins are involved in a variety of signaling pathways including apoptosis, inflammation, and oxidative stress. This review summarizes the recent progress concerning the role of CRYAB in signaling pathways and diseases. Therefore, the role of CRYAB in signaling pathways and cancers is urgently needed. This article reviews the regulation of CRYAB in the apoptotic inflammatory signaling pathway and its role in cancers progression and as a key role in anti-cancer therapy targeting CRYAB in an effort to improve outcomes for patients with metastatic disease.

Drawing on data from the Survey of Foreign and Chinese Spouses’ Living Requirements in 2013, we probe the effects of economic and acculturative factors on psychological well-being, particularly hap...

High levels of arsenic (As) contamination in soils from thermal power plants pose a great threat to human health. This study aimed to evaluate the As contamination levels and assess the possible he...

Pei-Shan Yang,1 Chien-Lun Chen,1 Chen-Pang Hou,1 Yu-Hsiang Lin,1 Ke-Hung Tsui1,2 1Department of Urology, 2Prostate Health Laser Center, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital-Linkou, Chang Gung University, College of Medicine, Taipei, Taiwan, Republic of China Purpose: The aim of this study was to investigate the efficacy and tolerability of switching from 0.2mg tamsulosin to 0.4mg tamsulosin oral controlled absorption system (OCAS) over a 12-week period in Taiwanese men with lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) associated with benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). Patients and methods: Taiwanese male patients who were dissatisfied with treatment with 0.2mg tamsulosin were enrolled in this clinical study and switched to 0.4mg tamsulosin OCAS. Efficacy was assessed over a 12-week period by an International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS) questionnaire and analysis of urinary flow by uroflowmetry. Results: A statistically significant improvement was observed in total IPSS scores from baseline (14.94±7.41, moderate) to 12weeks (7.36±5.77, mild) in 81 patients who were switched from 0.2 to 0.4mg tamsulosin OCAS (P

Phytochemical investigation of the stem of Aralia chinensis yielded six new oleanane-type triterpene saponins named as congmujingnosides B-G (1–6). The new ones were elucidated on the basis of the chemical and spectroscopic analysis. Protective effects of compounds 1−6 were tested against H2O2-induced H9c2 cardiomyocyte injury, and the data showed that compounds 1 and 5 had significant cell-protective effects. No significant DPPH radical scavenging activity was observed for compounds 1−6.

Two new daphnane diterpenes named tianchaterpenes A and B were isolated from the roots of Stelleropsis tianschanica. Their structures were elucidated on the basis of chemical and spectral analysis, including 1D, 2D NMR analyses and HRESIMS. Compounds 1 and 2 were evaluated for their cytotoxic activities against HeLa and HCT-8 cell lines. The results showed that all compounds displayed weak cytotoxicities to the HeLa cells and were inactive to the HCT-8 cells.

To evaluate the surgical outcomes of stroke patients with symptomatic benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) who underwent transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP) and compare the clinical outcomes between patients with stroke and those without stroke receiving this procedure.This retrospective cohort study analyzed claims data collected during the period of 1997-2012 from Taiwan National Health Insurance Research Database. We enrolled 6625 patients who had persistent lower urinary tract symptoms and underwent TURP for BPH. They were categorized into a stroke (n = 577) and nonstroke (n = 6048) group. Patient characteristics, postoperative clinical outcomes, medication records, and medical expenses were compared.Compared with the stroke group patients, those in the nonstroke group were younger, had fewer comorbidities, and more favorable postoperative clinical outcomes. Nevertheless, TURP achieved favorable outcomes in stroke patients with symptomatic BPH. In the stroke group, the rate of urinary tract infection (UTI) decreased from 34.7% during 1 year preoperatively to 29.8% during 1 year postoperatively (p = .05). The rate of urinary retention (UR) also decreased from 55.5% during 1 year preoperatively to 22.5% during 1 year postoperatively (p = .05). TURP reduced the overall medical expenses of patients with stroke. Annual patient medical expense during 1 year preoperatively, 1 year postoperatively, 2 years postoperatively, and 3 years postoperatively was NT$659,000, NT$646,000, NT$560,000, and NT$599,000, respectively.In patients with stroke, TURP reduces the risks of UTI and UR and annual total medical expense.

Polymers or polymeric materials are almost ubiquitous in our daily lives, and their production involves major industrial efforts worldwide. Smart polymers have been developed for diverse purposes ranging from commodities to high-tech medical applications. In particular, bio-based polymers have attracted increasing attention because of environmental concerns and the realization that global petroleum resources are finite. A great quantity of these polymers has been synthesized, and more will be produced in the future. Therefore, their characterization requires various analytical instruments and methods. This article presents the most comprehensive overview of basic operational principles of various advanced hyphenated techniques for polymer analysis and characterization and to present several literature examples of applications of these techniques. An overview of polymer classification and characterization in terms of physico-chemical, mechanical, thermal, and viscoelastic properties is initially in...

Two new sesquiterpenes named petafolias A-B were isolated from the aerial parts of Schizonepeta tenuifolia. Their structures were elucidated by various spectroscopic techniques (UV, IR, MS, CD, 1D, and 2D NMR).

Two new steroidal glycosides ponasteroside C (1) and ponasteroside D (2) were isolated from the aerial parts of Lepidogrammitis drymoglossoides. Their structures were elucidated by various spectroscopic techniques (IR, HRESIMS, 1D and 2D NMR). All compounds were evaluated for their cytotoxicity against HeLa and HCT-8 cell lines, and compounds 1 and 2 showed mild activity against all the test cell lines.

Keteleeria hainanensis is an endemic species with extremely narrow distribution. In this study, the complete genome of K._hainanensis was sequenced and analyzed. The genome size is 117,366 bp and it contains two short inverted repeat regions of 1,272 bp, which was separated by a large single-copy (LSC) region of 74,819 bp and a small single-copy (SSC) region of 40,003 bp. The GC content of this genome was 38.57%. The chloroplast genome contained 103 unique genes, including 74 protein-coding gene, 25 tRNA genes, and 4 rRNA gene. Phylogenetic analysis base on 11 chloroplast genomes indicated that K. hainanensis is closely related to K. davidiana.

The complete mitochondrial genome (mitogenome) of Chinese endemic snail Camaenella platyodon (Pfeiffer, 1846) has been sequenced and annotated in this study. The entire circular genome is 13,985 bp...

A new sesquiterpenoid fomeffic acid (1) and a new triterpene lactone fomefficinin (2) were isolated from the fungus Fomes officinalis, together with another six known compounds fomitopsin C (3), dehydrosulfurenic acid (4), dehydroeburiconic acid (5), dehydroeburicoic acid (6), 3-keto-dehydrosulfurenic acid (7), and laricinolic acid (8). The structures and stereochemistry of 1 and 2 were determined by NMR and X-ray diffraction analyses. The sesquiterpenoid and five triterpenes were tested for cytotoxicity against HL-60, Bel-7402, and KB cancer lines in vitro, and they appeared to be modestly active.

This study empirically investigates the effects of intra- and extra-organisational integration capabilities on supply chain logistics integration, specifically in the context of container shipping freight forwarders and port logistics. Using survey data collected from the member directory of the Korea International Freight Forwarder Association and Korea Port Logistics Association, structural equation modelling was used to examine the effects of intra- and extra-organisational integration capabilities on supply chain logistics integration. Confirmatory factor analysis identified six main dimensions of intra- and extra-organisational integration: top management support, internal integration, information technology, commitment, sharing, and long-term relationship. The results also indicate that extra-organisational integration fully mediated the relationship between intra-organisational integration and supply chain logistics integration. Theoretical and practical implications are discussed regarding the findings for intra- and extra-organisational integration capabilities and intensity of supply chain logistics integration in the context of container shipping operations.

This review discusses an analytical technique that combines differential scanning calorimetry and Fourier-transform infrared (DSC-FTIR) microspectroscopy, which simulates the accelerated stability test and detects decomposition products simultaneously in real time. We show that the DSC-FTIR technique is a fast, simple and powerful analytical tool with applications in food sciences. This technique has been applied successfully to the simultaneous investigation of: encapsulated squid oil stability; the dehydration and intramolecular condensation of sweetener (aspartame); the dehydration, rehydration and solidification of trehalose; and online monitoring of the Maillard reaction for glucose (Glc)/asparagine (Asn) in the solid state. This technique delivers rapid and appropriate interpretations with food science applications.

Six new metal complexes with two kinds of phenyl substituted pyrazole carboxylic acid, [Co(L1)2(4,4′-bipy)(H2O)2]n (1), [Ni(L1)2(4,4′-bipy)(H2O)2]n (2), [Cu(L1)2(4,4′-bipy)(H2O)2]n (3), [Co(L2)2(4,4′-bipy)(H2O)]n (4), [Ni(L2)2(4,4′-bipy)(H2O)]n (5), and [Cu(L2)2(4,4′-bipy)]n (6) (HL1 = 3-methyl-1-phenyl-1H-pyrazole-5-carboxylic acid; HL2 = 5-chloro-3-methyl-1phenyl-1H-pyrazole-4-carboxylic acid; 4,4′-bipy = 4,4′-bipyridine), were prepared and structurally characterized. Complexes 1–6 display 1-D structures and further extend to 3-D supramolecular networks by hydrogen bonding interactions; 1–3 consist of left- and right-handed helical chains and 4–6 contain zig-zag chains. Antibacterial activities of 1–6 against bacteria were studied and compared to the activities of free ligands.

Cassane-type diterpenes are main bioactive constituents of Caesalpinia minax HANCE. As a part of our ongoing chemical investigation of C. minax, two new degradative cassane-type diterpenes, named caesalpins I (1) and J (2), were isolated from the EtOAc extract of the seeds of C. minax. The structures were elucidated by means of spectroscopic analysis.

Influence of microstructural evolution on the mechanical behaviour of AZ31 alloy sheet processed by flat extrusion container is analysed upon annealing treatments. The basal texture is significantly increased as a result of the formation of new grains with a largely altered c axis orientation relative to the initial basal orientation owing to static recrystallisation. The results reveal that the ductility of the alloys without annealing treatments is the highest, but the strength is the lowest, which confirms the strong anisotropy of stress–strain behaviour with respect to the initial textures. Significant differences in the stress–strain curves are observed for the as received and annealed specimens.

Ocular calcification is a biological mineralization. It is also a well-known human ophthalmic disease but is a complex process because the pathophysiology of calcium deposition in ocular tissues depends on site-specific factors. Calcified deposits in the eyes are asymptomatic lesions; a serious consequence of ocular plaques is the potential partial or total loss of vision in the affected eye. Therefore, a better understanding of the exact compositional components and origin of calcified plaques in different eye tissues is necessary and merits exploration. The present review article includes information on different diagnostic or analytical techniques to examine human ocular calcification collected and compiled from 2005 to 2013, together with data on the application of vibrational spectroscopy in ophthalmology studies from 1990 onwards. This overview of ocular calcification is mainly focused on two aspects: the pathogenesis and mechanism of calcification in different ocular tissues and biomedical ...

A new eudesmanolide sesquiterpene, atractylenolide IV (1), together with seven known compounds were isolated from the 70% aqueous acetonic extract of the whole plant of Sarcandra glabra (Chloranthaceae). Their structures were established by spectral analysis, mainly UV, IR, HRESI-MS, 1D and 2D-NMR experiments (HSQC, HMBC and NOESY). Compounds 1-4 showed no remarkable cytotoxic activity against Hela, HCT-8 and MCF-7 cancer cell lines with IC50 > 50 µg mL(-1).

Microstructural evolution and mechanical responses of Mg–3Al–1Zn (AZ31) sheet processed by the asymmetric extrusion (ASE) and conventional extrusion (CE) are examined. Mechanical properties of ASE sheets were remarkably enhanced compared with CE samples. This is attributed to the subdivision of the asymmetric extrusion die along the flow passage equipped with a chamfer on one side, which would trigger the angular spread of the basal texture by introducing an asymmetry shear deformation. Moreover, subsequent annealed ASE specimens show a significant weakening of the basal texture and a combination of the superior stretch formability.

Two new cassane-type diterpenes, Caesalpinolide F (1) and Caesalpinolide G (2) were isolated from Caesalpinia minax Hance. Their structures were elucidated on the basis of 1D and 2D NMR, MS and CD analysis. Compounds 1 and 2 were tested against colon carcinoma (HCT-8) and breast cancer (MCF-7) human cancer cell lines, and showed mild cytotoxicity activities.

Two new alkaloid galactosides have been isolated from the kernel of Prinsepia uniflora. Their structures were elucidated as 5-[(α-D-galactopyranosyloxy) methyl]-1H-pyrrole-2-carbaldehyde (1) and 6-[(α-D-galactopyranosyloxy) methyl]-3-pyridinol (2) by various spectroscopic means including HR-ESI-MS, IR, 1D and 2D NMR. The determined structures were characterized with a unit of galactose which is rarely seen in the previously isolated pyrrole and pyridinol compounds.

A challenge facing dementia service providers is how to detect dementia early to facilitate timely intervention. This article reports findings of an evaluation study of a dementia-screening program in Taiwan utilizing the Theory of Planned Behaviors. We present the Short Portable Mental Status Questionnaire (SPMSQ) program rationale and examine the effects of this important health and social service intervention. Follow-up telephone interviews were completed by 108 respondents. Findings indicate that the SPMSQ program was successful in identifying suspected dementia. Results also show that the dementia-screening program contributed to an increase in medical service utilization and in unpaid informal care.

This inductive analysis examines Hong Kong university students' perceptions of leisure through in-depth interviews around open-ended questions pertinent to their participation and experience. Grounded theory methodology was followed through a systematic procedure of open coding, axial coding, and selective coding in order to make sense out of the interview transcripts. The study finds that participants' perceptions of leisure are (in)formed by personal emotions (e.g., mood, enjoyment, comfort) and expected impacts (e.g., health, being “re-created,” well-being, self-development); they think that leisure is activity oriented; leisure participation is primarily determined by the amount of free, unobligated time the participants have; and their choices of leisure activities are influenced by their expected impacts. Leisure participation is grouped into four categories of activities: physical, social interaction, entertainment, and learning, from which participants experience an impact, either positive or nega...

Lung cancer is a leading cause of death world-wide and the long-term survival rate for patients with lung cancer is one of the lowest for any cancer. Toll-like receptors (TLRs), evolutionarily conserved innate, are expressed in a wide variety of tissues and cell types, and they play key role in the innate immune system. TLRs have been found to be expressed by some kinds of tumor cells. However, what is the biological function of TLRs on tumor cells and whether human lung cancer cells can express TLRs remain to be fully understood. This review was performed to sum up the role of TLRs in lung cancer.

Given the worldwide phenomenon of population ageing, it is important to further differentiate the life conditions and experiences of the ‘young old’, the old, the ‘old old’, and the ‘super old’. Using data collected from in-depth interviews with Taiwanese centenarians and their family members, this paper explores the meanings of productive ageing and the necessity of expanding the concept of productive ageing. This research suggests that the oldest member of the family and the society plays an important role. Centenarians not only serve as symbols for the value of life and anchors of family traditions, they also set an example for younger generations through their long lives and continuing survival. In addition, their life stories are a living history of a nation. This paper concludes with the proposition that productive ageing is cumulative over a lifetime, and is not uni-directional from the past to the future.

Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) combined with a curve-fitting program was utilized to quantitatively determine the polymorphic composition of famotidine in the compacts prepared by different compression treatments. Two types of famotidine compacts (compact I or II) were prepared by compressing a conical shape or a flattened shape of powder bed of famotidine form B. The compact I was constructed by a transparent region in the center with an opaque region surrounded outside, but the compact II was formed by a whole opaque region only. A drilled disc sample was prepared and then directly determined by DSC analysis. The Raman spectral results clearly indicate that all the compacts whether in any region before DSC determination were only of famotidine form B and independent of compression pressure applied. Under DSC determination, however, the curve-fitted relative compositions of form B in the drilled disc I sample were gradually reduced to 23-24% with the increase of compression pressure, whereas the curve-fitted relative composition of form A was slowly increased up to 76-77%. A transitional phase of famotidine form B (form B*) in the transparent region of the compact I after applying150 kg/cm(2) of compression pressure was easily detected, and then transformed to famotidine form A under DSC heating process. But this transitional phase and polymorphic transformation of famotidine could not be detected by other spectroscopic methods. This suggests that the DSC heating system was a preferred method not only to quantitatively analyze the polymorphic transformation of famotidine but also to find a newly transitional phase of famotidine in the compressed compact.

During a typical online search, users are faced with literally thousands of information sources as well as unsolicited information such as advertising. Judging the legitimacy of information presented and focusing on needed content can be difficult for children. Thus, the current study examines how children evaluate information online. Manipulating the presence of a source, advertising, and dynamism to understand information recall and credibility perceptions, this project initiates a needed research agenda aimed at children and their Internet experiences. Results demonstrate that content such as source, advertising, and dynamism do influence credibility perceptions and recall.

A facile method, based on high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) with diode array detection (DAD), was developed for the simultaneous quantitative determination of nine xanthones in the root of Polygala caudata Rehd. et Wils., a Chinese folk medicinal herb. The HPLC fingerprint of xanthones was developed for the first time and applied to assess the quality of related Polygala medicinal plants. Ultrasonic extraction with chloroform‐methanol (98∶2) gave good yields of nine xanthone standards, the average recovery rates ranged from 94.1 to 113.4% (n=5). The relative standard deviation (RSD) values for reproducibility were between 2.21 and 9.21% (n=5). The fingerprint chromatograms of P. tenuifolia Wild. from six different planting regions were analyzed to set up a simulative mean chromatogram with 11 common peaks. The software of Similarity Evaluation System for Chromatographic Fingerprint of TCM (2004A version), developed by Chinese Pharmacopoeia Commission, was applied for data processing. ...

Nowadays supply chain management is a popular practice in manufacturing systems, and just-in-time (JIT) production plays a crucial role in supply chain environments. Companies are using JIT production to gain and maintain a competitive advantage. The characteristics of JIT systems are consistent high quality, small lot sizes, frequent delivery, short lead time, and close supplier ties. This paper presents an integrated inventory model to minimize the sum of the ordering/setup cost, holding cost, quality improvement investment and crashing cost by simultaneously optimizing the order quantity, lead time, process quality and number of deliveries while the probability distribution of the lead time demand is normal. This integrated inventory model is useful particularly for JIT inventory systems where the vendor and the purchaser form a strategic alliance for profit sharing.

The thermal stability of three superoxide dismutases (SODs) with different metal ions (Mn, Cu/Zn, Fe) in the solid state was studied by a Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) microspectroscopy combined with thermal analyzer. The IR spectra showed a maximum peak at 1652 cm(-1) for all the native SODs in the amide I band, suggesting a predominant random coil with less alpha-helix structures. By heating each sample, a shoulder at 1631 cm(-1) in the amide I band gradually appeared from 45 degrees C for Fe SOD and from 50 degrees C for Mn SOD but another shoulder at 1639 cm(-1) appeared from 50 degrees C for Cu/Zn SOD. The peak at 1631 cm(-1) is due to the intermolecular beta-sheet structure, but the peak at 1639 cm(-1) corresponds to the major intramolecular beta-sheet with less random coil structure. This reveals that in the first heating process the transformation from random coil/alpha-helix structure to beta-sheet structure initiated from around 45-50 degrees C. There was about 16-22% compositional change resulting from that transformation. However, both additional shoulders stood there and did not restore to their original spectra even with cooling to room temperature, suggesting the denaturation and irreversible properties of the solid SODs after heating. The thermal-dependent denaturation and irreversibility of Mn SOD, Cu/Zn SOD and Fe SOD were clearly evidenced by the increase in intramolecular and intermolecular beta-sheet structure.

The Japanese experience of Just-in-Time (JIT) production has shown that there are advantages and benefits associated with the efforts to reduce inventory lead time and the associated inventory cost. The length of lead time directly affects the customer service level, inventory investment in safety stock, and the competitive abilities of a business. In most of the literature dealing with inventory problems, either a deterministic model or probabilistic model, lead time is viewed as a prescribed constant or a stochastic variable, and is not subject to control. However, in many practical situations, lead time can be reduced by an additional cost. Moreover, the successful implementation of JIT production in today's supply chain enviromnent requires a new spirit of cooperation between the buyer and the vendor (Goyal and Srinivasan 1992). A desirable condition in long time purchase agreements in such a manufacturing environment is the frequent delivry of small quantities of items so as to minimize inventory hol...

Built-up areas in Wuxi City, eastern China over the period of 1966–1998 were derived from a topographic map, a land use thematic map, and three multitemporal Landsat TM images using visual interpretation and automatic classification. The overlay of the five results revealed that the built-up area of the city expanded by more than tenfold from 11.6 to 136.1 km2 during the 32-year period. The most drastic expansion occurred between 1977–1984 at a rate of 282.8%. Of the eight urban factors examined, total road length, urban population and per capita dwelling space are closely correlated with built-up area at a Pearson correlation coefficient of 0.95 or higher. Urban built-up area is most accurately modelled from per capita dwelling space, followed by total population and road length. If jointly modelled from the three variables, the modelling can be achieved at an accuracy of 99.84 percent.

Data quality will be a significant issue as data warehousing becomes more and more popular. This paper aims at investigating and analyzing the data quality issues in data warehouse environments. We present an attribute‐based metadata model for identifying data quality. A four‐phase process is introduced for data quality management during the life cycle of data warehouses. Overall data quality conditions can be identified and related information can be provided for determining whether the data meet “fit to use” criteria and whether they need to be improved. Furthermore, we use a cost/benefit evaluation model to ferret out the poor‐quality data and set priorities for improvement given limited resources. Our approach allows system developers to document relevant quality data as metadata, which may be associated with the whole life cycle of data warehouses. Quality metadata not only can enrich the interpretation of attribute data, but can also provide diagnostic information for finding the reasons fo...

A highly efficient Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) microscopy was used to determine the biophysical structure of anagen scalp hair roots of neonates suffering from congenital hypothyroidism (CH) due to ectopic thyroid. The present results indicate that the lower composition near 1,053 cm- 1 (also assigned to the aromatic iodide stretching band) in the infrared (IR) spectra of the hair roots for CH patients was directly associated with the lower serum level of T 4 and fT 4, and the elevated TSH levels determined by RIA method. This strongly implies the lower evidence of the aromatic iodide stretching band in the IR spectra of hair roots. These findings suggest that FT-IR microscopy has the potential to become a good diagnostic tool and that hair can be useful as a genetic marker.

The solid-state stability of aspartame hemihydrate (APM) sweetener during thermal treatment is important information for the food industry. The present study uses the novel technique of Fourier transform infrared microspectroscopy equipped with differential scanning calorimetry (FT-IR/DSC microscopic system) to accelerate and determine simultaneously the thermal-dependent impurity formation of solid-state APM. The results indicate a dramatic change in IR spectra from 50, 110 or 153 degrees C, which was respectively attributed to the onset temperature of water evaporation, dehydration and cyclization processes. It is suggested that the processes of dehydration and intramolecular cyclization occurred in the solid-state APM during the heating process. As an impurity, 3-carboxymethyl-6-benzyl-2,5-diketopiperazine (DKP) degraded from solid state APM via intramolecular cyclization and liberation of methanol. This was evidenced by this novel FT-IR/DSC microscopic system in a one-step procedure.

The secondary structure of α-crystallin was examined in powder, film, and aqueous solution by different sampling techniques (specular reflectance, direct or KBr pellet transmission and attenuated t...

In order to investigate the thermodynamics of the scrambling reaction of H2O and D2O mixture, the activation energy associated with the rate of HOD formation in the H2O-D2O reaction at lower or higher temperature under gentle mixing was studied. A microscopic attenuated total reflection (ATR)/Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy, combined with differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), was used to investigate this scrambling reaction of H2O and D2O. The result indicates that the HOD formation may be supposed to be one dimer of H2O reacting with one trimer of D2O. A biphasic Arrhenius plot with an inflection point at about 11°C was obtained. The activation energy of HOD formation was 2.83 kcal/mole above 11°C, which was consistent with the consecutive hydrogen-bond disruption model. But, in the range of 4-11°C, its activation energy of HOD formation was 21.98 kcal/mole, which was contrary to the consecutive hydrogen-bond disruption model. The decreased deformation of stronger cluster stru...

The secondary structure of leptin in each different pH buffer solution (pH 5.35, 6.75, 7.58 and 8.45) was first determined by attenuated total reflection (ATR)/Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectrometer with second-derivative, Fourier self-deconvolution and band curve-fitting methods to quantitatively estimate the secondary structure of leptin. The results indicate that pH induced more stretching vibration of CH2 and bending vibration of C-H and/or symmetric stretching of carboxylate of leptin structure in higher pH buffer solution than in lower pH buffer solution. Moreover, the band area of amide I for leptin in the higher pH buffer solution markedly enlarged, suggesting the amide I contour of leptin was very sensitive to pH to alter the secondary conformation of leptin structure. The structural component and composition of amide I band for leptin in both pH 6.75 and pH 7.58 buffer solutions were similar and had 50-52% helical structure including alpha-helix at 1654 cm-1 and 3(10)-helical structure at 1659-1667 cm-1 and 1640 cm-1. Although the secondary structure of leptin in pH 5.35 and 8.45 buffer solutions were also similar, a different structural information was obtained.