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Desirable Attributes (desirable + attribute)
Selected AbstractsFibonacci grids: A novel approach to global modellingTHE QUARTERLY JOURNAL OF THE ROYAL METEOROLOGICAL SOCIETY, Issue 619 2006Richard Swinbank Abstract Recent years have seen a resurgence of interest in a variety of non-standard computational grids for global numerical prediction. The motivation has been to reduce problems associated with the converging meridians and the polar singularities of conventional regular latitude,longitude grids. A further impetus has come from the adoption of massively parallel computers, for which it is necessary to distribute work equitably across the processors; this is more practicable for some non-standard grids. Desirable attributes of a grid for high-order spatial finite differencing are: (i) geometrical regularity; (ii) a homogeneous and approximately isotropic spatial resolution; (iii) a low proportion of the grid points where the numerical procedures require special customization (such as near coordinate singularities or grid edges); (iv) ease of parallelization. One family of grid arrangements which, to our knowledge, has never before been applied to numerical weather prediction, but which appears to offer several technical advantages, are what we shall refer to as ,Fibonacci grids'. These grids possess virtually uniform and isotropic resolution, with an equal area for each grid point. There are only two compact singular regions on a sphere that require customized numerics. We demonstrate the practicality of this type of grid in shallow-water simulations, and discuss the prospects for efficiently using these frameworks in three-dimensional weather prediction or climate models. © Crown copyright, 2006. Royal Meteorological Society [source] Four Bases of Family Business Successor Commitment: Antecedents and ConsequencesENTREPRENEURSHIP THEORY AND PRACTICE, Issue 1 2005Pramodita Sharma Although successor commitment toward family business has been identified as a key desirable attribute, commitment has been treated as a unidimensional construct in family business research. Drawing on the organizational commitment literature, we propose four bases of successor commitment to family firm,affective (based on perceived desire), normative (based on perceived sense of obligation), calculative (based on perceived opportunity costs involved), and imperative (based on perceived need). A model of antecedents and expected behavioral outcomes of each of these bases of commitment is developed. Related propositions are presented, as are the contributions to the literature, research and practical implications. [source] Two-year oscillation cycle in abundance of soybean aphid in IndianaAGRICULTURAL AND FOREST ENTOMOLOGY, Issue 3 2010Marc Rhainds 1The present study evaluated the population dynamics of the heteroecious soybean aphid Aphis glycines Matsumura (Hemiptera: Aphididae) during an 8-year period in Indiana, shortly after its detection in North America. Sampling conducted at multiple locations revealed that A. glycines exhibited a 2-year oscillation cycle that repeated itself four times between 2001 and 2008: years of low aphid abundance were consistently followed by years of high aphid abundance. 2Similar patterns of abundance of A. glycines and coccinellids (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae) in soybean fields, both within and between-years, suggest that late season predation by coccinellids plays a role in the oscillatory cycle of aphids. Insidious flower bugs Orius insidiosus (Say) (Hemiptera: Anthocoridae) were numerically more abundant than coccinellids, although the lack of synchrony between aphids and predatory bugs suggests that O. insidiosus has a limited influence on between-year variations in aphid density. 3The inverse relationship between aphid densities before and after the start of the autumn migratory period changes direction in alternate years. High aphid density on soybean in the summer is associated with a reduced number of alate migrants produced in the autumn. Conversely, years with low density aphids on soybean in the summer are characterized by high numbers of alates that migrate to the primary host in the autumn. 4From a pest management perspective, the 2-year oscillation cycle of A. glycines is a desirable attribute with respect to population dynamics because it implies that aphids cause significant economic damage only in alternate years (as opposed to every year). Cultural practices enhancing the conservation biological control of Coccinellidae may help to preserve the periodicity of aphid infestation and restrict the pest status of A. glycines. [source] Investigation of the potential pharmacokinetic and pharmaco-dynamic drug interaction between AHN 1-055, a potent benztropine analog used for cocaine abuse, and cocaine after dosing in rats using intracerebral microdialysisBIOPHARMACEUTICS AND DRUG DISPOSITION, Issue 5 2006Sangeeta Raje Abstract Purpose. AHN 1-055, a benztropine (BZT) analog, binds with high affinity to the dopamine transporter (DAT), possesses behavioral, pharmacokinetic (PK) and brain microdialysate dopamine (DA) profiles distinct from cocaine. Accordingly, the objectives of this study were to evaluate the pharmacokinetics and dopamine release of AHN 1-055, in the presence of cocaine. Methods. Male Sprague Dawley rats (,300 g) were administered 5 mg/kg of AHN 1-055 and cocaine i.v. and blood and brain samples were collected over 36 h. In addition, dialysis probes were stereotaxically implanted into the nucleus accumbens and extracellular fluid (ECF) DA levels were measured. PK and PD models were used to describe the relationship between the AHN 1-055, cocaine and DA levels. Results. No significant (p<0.05) differences were found in the PK parameters of AHN 1-055 alone (Vdss=18.7 l/kg, Cl=1.8 l/h/kg and t1/2=7.69 h) or AHN 1-055 with cocaine (Vdss=17.4 l/kg, Cl=1.9 l/h/kg and t1/2=6.82 h). The brain-to-plasma (B/P) ratios (B/PAHN 1,055=4.8 vs B/Pwith cocaine=4.4) and half-lives (t1/2(AHN 1,055)=6.2 h vs t1/2(cocaine)=5.6 h for AHN 1-055 alone and with cocaine were comparable. AHN 1-055 DA profiles were significantly different after co-administration with cocaine. There were no differences in the IC50 for AHN 1-055, with cocaine, however, the IC50 for cocaine was significantly reduced with AHN 1-055. Conclusions. The PK parameters of AHN 1-055 were not changed, however, the effect on DA levels was affected when cocaine was administered with AHNDA profile is affected when dosed with cocaine. This latter effect is a desirable attribute in the development of a medication as a potential substitute therapeutic medication for the treatment of cocaine abuse. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] The Demand Attributes of Assurance Services Providers and the Role of Independent AccountantsINTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF AUDITING, Issue 2 2006W. Robert Knechel This study reports on desirable attributes of assurance services providers for assurance services based on responses from a sample of Dutch senior accounting and financial officers. In general, overall expertise and objectivity are perceived as the most important attributes for selecting an assurance service provider. Cost is perceived as the least important attribute. In general, accountants are perceived as more likely to be the preferred service provider for assurance over information systems and/or when professional reputation and integrity is important for providing a service. These attributes are in line with the projected image of the profession. An accountant is less likely to be the preferred provider when cost and independence are not important. We interpret this result as an indication that independence in the audit is important and, thus, other services are acceptable only when independence is not an issue. [source] Production of Garcinia wine: changes in biochemical parameters, organic acids and free sugars during fermentation of Garcinia mustINTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF FOOD SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY, Issue 7 2010Amit Kumar Rai Summary Garcinia wine was prepared by fermentation of ameliorated must of Garcinia xanthochymus using Saccharomyces cerevisiae. The present studies focused on changes in biochemical parameters (brix, pH, aldehydes, esters and alcohols), organic acids (reduction of oxalic acid), free sugars and antioxidant activities on fermentation of Garcinia must. The wine had higher amount of residual sugars contributing to the calorific value. The aldehydes and esters content in the final wine were 0.034% and 0.26%, respectively. There was reduction of citric acid and oxalic acid (antinutritional factor) and synthesis of aspartic acid and glutamic acid. Garcinia beverage was accepted on sensory analysis with high score for desirable attributes and overall quality with alcohol content of 6.1%. There was increase in total phenolics (0.039% gallic acid equivalent) and reducing power on fermentation but decrease in 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl radical scavenging activity. [source] SENSORY PROFILING AND POSITIONING OF JILEBI SAMPLES BY MULTIVARIATE ANALYSISJOURNAL OF FOOD QUALITY, Issue 6 2004MAYA PRAKASH ABSTRACT Sensory profilograms based on the quantitative descriptive analysis (QDA) of jilebi using 12 attributes were drawn for nine market samples. The instrumental texture measurement of shear values and CIE color measurement for L*, a* and b* were determined for all the samples. Further, canonical discriminant analysis was run to position the samples. The results indicated that samples 9, 4 and 5 were grouped together in the same quadrant, which represented desirable attributes of jilebi viz, crispness, sweetness, glossy appearance and overall quality (OQ). Samples 6, 8 and 2 have taken a different quadrant with attributes like juicy and porous; while sample 3 was away in a separate quadrant with undesirable attribute namely heated oil. Crispness of jilebi had high positive correlation with OQ and texture (shear value). [source] RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN SENSORY AND TEXTURE MEASUREMENT OF JAMUN AND POSITIONING OF JAMUN SAMPLESJOURNAL OF SENSORY STUDIES, Issue 1 2002R. RAVI ABSTRACT Profilograms based on the quantitative descriptive analysis (QDA) of jamun using nine attributes were drawn for four market samples and ten samples prepared using various instant mixes available in the local market. The instrumental texture measurement of shear values were determined for all the samples. Correlations between sensory and instrumental texture measurement (shear force) were studied. The shear values were found to be correlated positively with softness, juiciness and milkiness. Further canonical discriminant analysis was run to position the samples in relation to others. The results indicated that samples M1, M2, M4, S3, S4, S6 and S10 group together in the same quadrant which represents desirable attributes of jamun viz, color, softness, juiciness, milkiness and overall quality. The jamuns from the instant mixes (S) can replace the control samples, traditionally prepared market samples (M) as they match the product profile very closely. [source] Allyl isothiocyanate as a cancer chemopreventive phytochemicalMOLECULAR NUTRITION & FOOD RESEARCH (FORMERLY NAHRUNG/FOOD), Issue 1 2010Yuesheng Zhang Abstract Allyl isothiocyanate (AITC), which occurs in many common cruciferous vegetables, is widely and often frequently consumed by humans. Besides antimicrobial activity against a wide spectrum of pathogens, it showed anticancer activity in both cultured cancer cells and animal models, although the underlining mechanisms remain largely undefined. Bioavailability of AITC is extremely high, as nearly 90% of orally administered AITC is absorbed. AITC absorbed in vivo is metabolized mainly through the mercapturic acid pathway and excreted in urine. Available data suggest that urinary concentrations of AITC equivalent are at least ten times higher than in the plasma, and tissue levels of AITC equivalent in the urinary bladder were 14,79 times higher than in other organs after oral AITC administration to rats. These findings suggest that AITC may be most effective in the bladder as a cancer chemopreventive compound. AITC at high-dose levels also exhibit a low degree of cytotoxicity and genotoxicity in animal studies, but such adverse effects are unlikely in humans exposed to dietary levels of AITC. Overall, AITC exhibits many desirable attributes of a cancer chemopreventive agent, and further studies are warranted in order to elucidate its mechanism of action and to assess its protective activity in humans. [source] The persistent-access-caching algorithm,RANDOM STRUCTURES AND ALGORITHMS, Issue 2 2008Predrag R. Jelenkovi Abstract Caching is widely recognized as an effective mechanism for improving the performance of the World Wide Web. One of the key components in engineering the Web caching systems is designing document placement/replacement algorithms for updating the collection of cached documents. The main design objectives of such a policy are the high cache hit ratio, ease of implementation, low complexity and adaptability to the fluctuations in access patterns. These objectives are essentially satisfied by the widely used heuristic called the least-recently-used (LRU) cache replacement rule. However, in the context of the independent reference model, the LRU policy can significantly underperform the optimal least-frequently-used (LFU) algorithm that, on the other hand, has higher implementation complexity and lower adaptability to changes in access frequencies. To alleviate this problem, we introduce a new LRU-based rule, termed the persistent-access-caching (PAC), which essentially preserves all of the desirable attributes of the LRU scheme. For this new heuristic, under the independent reference model and generalized Zipf's law request probabilities, we prove that, for large cache sizes, its performance is arbitrarily close to the optimal LFU algorithm. Furthermore, this near-optimality of the PAC algorithm is achieved at the expense of a negligible additional complexity for large cache sizes when compared to the ordinary LRU policy, since the PAC algorithm makes the replacement decisions based on the references collected during the preceding interval of fixed length. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Random Struct. Alg., 2008 [source] Modulation of platelet activation and initial cytokine release by alloplastic bone substitute materialsCLINICAL ORAL IMPLANTS RESEARCH, Issue 3 2010M. O. Klein Abstract Objectives: Platelet-derived cytokines play a crucial role in tissue regeneration. In regenerative dental medicine, bone substitute materials (BSM) are widely used. However, initial interactions of BSM and platelets are still unknown. The aim of this study was to evaluate the potential of platelet activation and subsequent initial cytokine release by different commercial alloplastic BSM. Material and methods: Eight commercial BSM of different origins and chemical compositions (tricalcium phosphate, hydroxyapatite, bioactive glass: SiO2 and mixtures) were incubated with a platelet concentrate (platelet-rich plasma, PRP) of three healthy volunteers at room temperature for 15 min. Platelet count, aggregation, degranulation (activated surface receptor CD62p) and cytokine release (Platelet-derived growth factor, Vascular endothelial growth factor) into the supernatant were quantified. Highly thrombogenic collagen served as a reference. Results: The investigated PRP samples revealed different activation patterns when incubated with different BSM. In general, SiO2 -containing BSM resulted in high platelet activation and cytokine release. In detail, pure bioactive glass promoted platelet activation most significantly, followed by hybrid BSM containing lower ratios of SiO2. Additionally, we found indications of cytokine retention by BSM of large specific surfaces. Conclusions: Platelet activation as well as consecutive storage and slow release of platelet-derived cytokines are desirable attributes of modern BSM. Within the limits of the study, SiO2 -containing BSM were identified as promising biomaterials. Further investigations on cytokine adsorption and cytokine release kinetics by the respective BSM have to be conducted. To cite this article: Klein MO, Kämmerer PW, Scholz T, Moergel M, Kirchmaier CM, Al-Nawas B. Modulation of platelet activation and initial cytokine release by alloplastic bone substitute materials. Clin. Oral Impl. Res. 21, 2010; 336,345 doi: 10.1111/j.1600-0501.2009.01830.x [source] Probiotic Dairy Products as Functional FoodsCOMPREHENSIVE REVIEWS IN FOOD SCIENCE AND FOOD SAFETY, Issue 5 2010Daniel Granato This growth is fueled by technological innovations, development of new products, and the increasing number of health-conscious consumers interested in products that improve life quality. Since the global market of functional foods is increasing annually, food product development is a key research priority and a challenge for both the industry and science sectors. Probiotics show considerable promise for the expansion of the dairy industry, especially in such specific sectors as yogurts, cheeses, beverages, ice creams, and other desserts. This article presents an overview of functional foods and strategies for their development, with particular attention to probiotic dairy products. Moreover, special attention is paid to the sensory properties of such products to provide important information about their most desirable attributes. [source] | |||||||||||||||||||