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Quantitative Investigation (quantitative + investigation)
Selected AbstractsEnantioselective Recognition of Aliphatic Amino Acids by ,-Cyclodextrin Derivatives Bearing Aromatic Organoselenium Moieties on the Primary or Secondary SideEUROPEAN JOURNAL OF ORGANIC CHEMISTRY, Issue 8 2003Yu Liu Abstract Spectrophotometric titrations have been performed in order to determine the stability constants of inclusion complexation of some aliphatic amino acids with four structurally related organoselenium-modified ,-cyclodextrins: mono(6-phenylseleno-6-deoxy)-,-cyclodextrin (1a), mono[6-(p -methoxyphenylseleno)-6-deoxy]-,-cyclodextrin (1b), mono(2-phenylseleno-2-deoxy)-,-cyclodextrin (2a), and mono[2-(p -methoxyphenylseleno)-2-deoxy]-,-cyclodextrin (2b). Conformation analysis by circular dichroism and 2D NMR spectroscopic studies revealed that the aryl-substituted ,-cyclodextrins gave self-inclusion intramolecular complexes in aqueous solution, while the extent of penetration depended both on the positions and on the structures of substituents. Quantitative investigation on the binding ability of the hosts with amino acids showed that they were able to recognize the size and the shape of guests, affording supramolecular complexes with quite small stability constants ranging from 24 to 355 M,1. The molecular recognition abilities are discussed from the viewpoints of induced-fitting mechanisms, geometric complementary, and cooperative binding processes. Furthermore, these ,-cyclodextrin derivatives displayed considerable enantioselectivity towards L/D -amino acid isomers, giving the highest L -enantioselectivity (up to 8.4) for inclusion complexation between leucine and 2a. The binding modes of L/D -leucine with 1b were elucidated from NOESY studies and the chiral recognition phenomena were interpreted accordingly. (© Wiley-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, 69451 Weinheim, Germany, 2003) [source] Size-reduced defected ground microstrip directional couplerMICROWAVE AND OPTICAL TECHNOLOGY LETTERS, Issue 9 2010Ashraf S. Mohra Abstract In this article, size reduction and harmonic suppression in coupled-lines microstrip directional couplers is attained using dumbbell, and reshaped dumbbell slots, as defected patterns, specifically placed under the metering position in the ground plane. Quantitative investigation of the performance of the directional coupler as controlled by the variations of the DGS rectangular slots height, DGS gap length, and the DGS reshaped rectangular slot height is presented. This concept is further illustrated experimentally for a 12 dB coupler realized on RT/Duroid 5880 substrate. The proposed DGS design confers size reduction because of the shift of the operating frequency to lower values. The measurements are in a good agreement with the simulated results and emphasize the size reduction and the harmonics suppression of the DGS coupled-lines microstrip directional coupler. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microwave Opt Technol Lett 52: 1933,1937, 2010; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/mop.25410 [source] WHAT ACCOUNTS FOR THE DECLINE IN CRIME?*INTERNATIONAL ECONOMIC REVIEW, Issue 3 2004mrohoro In this article we analyze recent trends in aggregate property crime rates in the United States. We propose a dynamic equilibrium model that guides our quantitative investigation of the major determinants of observed patterns of crime. Our main findings can be summarized as follows: First, the model is capable of reproducing the drop in crime between 1980 and 1996. Second, the most important factors that account for the observed decline in property crime are the higher apprehension probability, the stronger economy, and the aging of the population. Third, the effect of unemployment on crime is negligible. Fourth, the increased inequality prevented an even larger decline in crime. Overall, our analysis can account for the behavior of the time series of property crime rates over the past quarter century. [source] Community college supervisors and their subordinates: A quantitative investigation of personality temperament and leader-member exchangeJOURNAL OF LEADERSHIP STUDIES, Issue 2 2010Tacy Holliday Community college leadership is facing a crisis fueled by leaders retiring and student enrollment that outpaces budget growth. The purpose of this study was to better understand the leadership dynamics of community college supervisors and direct subordinates by examining the relationship bgetween leader-member exchange (LMX) and personality temperament. Data from the Supervisor Leader-Member Exchange Multidimensional Model (SLMX-MDM) survey was used to determine LMX total within four subscales: affect, loyalty, contribution, and professional respect. Participants' temperaments were determined by the Keirsey Temperament Sorter II (KTS-II). Research questions focused on whether differences in LMX existed among groups of supervisor,subordinate dyads that were categorized according to temperament similarity: 1) identical temperament (e.g., both supervisor and subordinate are SJ), 2) one letter (e.g., SP and SJ), or 3) no letters in common (e.g., NF and SP). The 50 participating dyads were selected through proportionate stratified sampling. Results from one-way ANOVAs showed significant differences among groups with respect to total LMX, contribution, and professional respect. [source] Quantitative diagnostics of a methane/air mini-flame by Raman spectroscopy,JOURNAL OF RAMAN SPECTROSCOPY, Issue 1-3 2006J. M. Fernández Abstract We present a quantitative investigation by linear Raman spectroscopy of a methane/air premixed flame from a commercial burner. Rotational temperatures and absolute densities of the major species, N2, O2, CH4, CO2, and H2O have been measured in a grid of points across the flame section. Axial and radial profiles of temperature and densities are reported, and mass balances along the flame axis are discussed. We show the capabilities of this technique for combustion studies by using currently available standard detectors and spectrometers. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] The impact of stellar oscillations on doppler velocity planet searchesMONTHLY NOTICES OF THE ROYAL ASTRONOMICAL SOCIETY, Issue 1 2008S. J. O'Toole ABSTRACT We present a quantitative investigation of the effect of stellar oscillations on Doppler velocity planet searches. Using data from four asteroseismological observation campaigns, we find a power-law relationship between the noise impact of these oscillations on Doppler velocities and both the luminosity-to-mass of the target stars, and observed integration times. Including the impact of oscillation, jitter should improve the quality of Keplerian fits to Doppler velocity data. The scale of the effect these oscillations have on Doppler velocity measurements is smaller than that produced by stellar activity, but is most significant for giant and subgiant stars, and at short integration times (i.e. less than a few minutes). Such short observation times tend to be used only for very bright stars. However, since it is these very same stars that tend to be targeted for the highest precision observations, as planet searches probe to lower and lower planet masses, oscillation noise for these stars can be significant and needs to be accounted for in observing strategies. [source] Dolphins in a bottle: abundance, residency patterns and conservation of bottlenose dolphins Tursiops truncatus in the semi-closed eutrophic Amvrakikos Gulf, GreeceAQUATIC CONSERVATION: MARINE AND FRESHWATER ECOSYSTEMS, Issue 2 2008Giovanni Bearzi Abstract 1.Boat surveys were conducted between 2002 and 2005 to study bottlenose dolphins living in the 400 km2 Amvrakikos Gulf, western Greece. During 116 survey days, 4705 km of total effort resulted in the individual photo-identification of 106 animals, through long-term natural markings on their dorsal fins. 2.Mark,recapture analyses based on the Mth model provided estimates of 82 marked individuals in 2003 (95% CI=80,91), 92 in 2004 (95% CI=86,108) and 98 in 2005 (95% CI=94,110). To include the unmarked portion of the population, the proportion of unmarked individuals was computed based on the number of photographs of marked and unmarked dorsal fins. The mean proportion of unmarked animals in the population was 0.338 (95% CI=0.288,0.389). By adding this to the estimate for marked animals in 2005, considered as the most robust, a total population estimate of 148 individuals (95% CI=132,180) was obtained. 3.Dolphin encounter rates in 2003,2005 did not show significant variations, and averaged 7.2 groups per 100 km or 72.5 individuals per 100 km. Encounter rates within the Gulf were about one order of magnitude greater than those found for bottlenose dolphins in nearby eastern Ionian Sea coastal waters. 4.Mean dolphin density in the Gulf was 0.37 animals km,2. This relatively high density, together with high levels of site fidelity shown by most individuals, was thought to be related primarily to prey availability, particularly of epipelagic schooling fish. 5.The importance of the semi-closed Amvrakikos Gulf for bottlenose dolphins and other threatened species encourages the adoption of measures aimed to conserve its valuable ecosystems and raise the naturalistic profile of the area, while promoting environment-conscious development. Meaningful action includes restoring natural hydrology (e.g. freshwater input from rivers), curtailing pollution from various sources, responsible fisheries and aquaculture management, and control of illegal fishing. Interactions between dolphins and fisheries also deserve careful quantitative investigation. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] Computational verification of anesthesia effect on temperature variations in rabbit eyes exposed to 2.45 GHz microwave energyBIOELECTROMAGNETICS, Issue 8 2006Akimasa Hirata Abstract This paper computationally verifies the effect of anesthesia on temperature variations in the rabbit eye due to microwave energy. The main reason for this investigation is that our previous paper suggested a reduction in blood flow due to the administration of anesthesia, resulting in an overestimated temperature increase. However, no quantitative investigation has yet been conducted. The finite-difference time-domain (FDTD) method is used for calculating power absorption and temperature variation in rabbits. For this purpose, we used a computational rabbit phantom, which is comprised of 12 tissues (including 6 eye tissues) with a resolution of 1 mm. Thermal constants of the rabbit were derived by comparing measured and calculated temperatures. For intense microwave exposure to the rabbit eye, time courses of calculated and measured temperatures were in good agreement for cases both with and without the administration of anesthesia. The point to be stressed is that under anesthesia the thermoregulatory response was inactivated and blood flow and basal metabolism was reduced. Bioelectromagnetics 27:602,612, 2006. © 2006 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] The species delimitation problem applied to the Agabus bipustulatus complex (Coleoptera, Dytiscidae) in north ScandinaviaBIOLOGICAL JOURNAL OF THE LINNEAN SOCIETY, Issue 1 2001MARCUS K. DROTZ Agabus bipustulatus (Linnaeus) is one of the most common aquatic beetles in Europe. Two species have been traditionally recognized within the Palaearctic Agabus bipustulatus complex (Coleoptera, Dytiscidae) in Scandinavia: a lowland form A. bipustulatus and a high-altitude form A. solieri Aube. The specific status of solieri has been debated for more than a century but no quantitative investigation has been made to evaluate the status of this taxon. In this study we show that there is no clear-cut delimitation between the two forms, either morphological or genetic, across an altitudinal gradient in north Scandinavia. Morphological differences between 22 populations were analysed separately for each sex with both thin-plate splines relative warp analysis and ,classical-length' morphometries. Genetic variation at five polymorphic enzyme loci was analysed among seven populations. The morphological studies showed gradual variation correlated with altitude, in particular in the character that is traditionally used to separate solieri and bipustulatus, and in both the beetles' morphometric size and the lateral width of the metasternal plate, which is connected to flight capacity. The genetic study indicates that the a-Gpdh enzyme locus, which is involved in the transfer of energy to the flight muscles, is evidently subject to directional selection. Only minor population differences were observed without this system. Subdivision was found in some populations and was probably caused by migration from outside or within the local population. The overall conclusion is that there is no clear-cut species delimitation between A. bipustulatus and A. solieri in north Scandinavia. This indicates that A. solieri is a cold-adapted altitudinal form of the variable A. bipustulatus; additional support for this is the finding of solieri,look alikes' in cold springs in areas normally inhabited by bipustulatus. [source] Enlargement of calcium oxalate stones to clinically significant size in an in-vitro stone generatorBJU INTERNATIONAL, Issue 9 2002K. Ananth Objective ,To develop and validate an in vitro method suitable for the quantitative investigation of the growth of calcium oxalate stones through to a clinically significant size. Materials and methods ,Small fragments of calcium oxalate calculi were suspended in a mixed suspension/mixed product removal crystalliser supplied with artificial urine supersaturated with calcium oxalate. The fragments were weighed at regular intervals until they reached ,,500 mg. The results were plotted as weight against time and fitted to equations corresponding to constant increase in diameter, surface area-controlled and constant-deposition growth patterns. The choice of the most appropriate model was based on the squared regression coefficient (r2). Results ,Eight fragments (2,6 mm in diameter) were grown to ,,10 mm in diameter over periods from 137 to 369 h. Seven of the growth curves were best-fitted (r2 , 0.988) by the equation w = kt(3/2) + c, where w is the weight, k is a growth constant, t is the time and c is a constant approximating to the initial weight. This corresponds to a surface area-dependent mechanism. Conclusions ,The growth of these small fragments to a clinically significant size accelerated throughout the experimental period in a way which was consistent with a surface area-dependent mechanism. We have developed a resilient model suitable for studying the kinetics of calcium oxalate stone growth in vitro. [source] Plastic Dissipation Mechanisms in Periodic Microframe-Structured PolymersADVANCED FUNCTIONAL MATERIALS, Issue 9 2009Lifeng Wang Abstract Novel lightweight micro- and nanostructured materials are being used as constituents in hierarchically structured composites for providing high stiffness, high strength, and energy absorbing capability at low weight. Three dimensional SU-8 periodic microframe materials with submicrometer elements exhibit unusual large plastic deformations. Here, the plastic dissipation and mechanical response of polymeric microframe structures is investigated using micromechanical modeling of large deformations. Finite element analysis shows that multiple deformation domains initiate, stabilize, and then spread plasticity through the structure; simulated deformation mechanisms and deformation progression are found to be in excellent agreement with experimental observation. Furthermore, the geometry can be used to tailor aspects of 3D behavior such as effective lateral contraction ratios (elastic and plastic) during tensile loading as well as negative normal stress during simple shear deformation. The effects of structural geometry on mechanical response are also studied to tailor and optimize mechanical performance at a given density. These quantitative investigations enable simulation-based design of optimal lightweight material microstructures for dissipating energy. [source] Nanostructured gold surfaces as reproducible substrates for surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopyJOURNAL OF RAMAN SPECTROSCOPY, Issue 3 2007M. Sackmann Abstract Raman spectroscopy is a common tool for the qualitative and quantitative chemical analysis of molecules. Although the unique identification of molecules is possible via their vibrational lines, high concentrations (mmol/l) are needed for their nonresonant excitation owing to their low scattering cross section. The intensity of the Raman spectra is amplified by the use of the surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) technique. While the use of silver sols results only in a limited reproducibility of the Raman line intensities, lithographically designed, nanostructured gold surfaces used as SERS-active substrates should, in principle, combine the high sensitivity with better reproducibility. For this purpose, we have produced gratings of gold dots on Si(001) surfaces by means of electron beam lithography. Qualitative and quantitative investigations of crystal violet (CV) performed using nanostructured surfaces give high reproducibility and enhancement of the Raman lines. The substrates are reusable after cleaning; all results presented could be obtained from a single SERS substrate. For the experiments very low laser powers were used. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] Dynamics of protein uptake within the adsorbent particle during packed bed chromatographyBIOTECHNOLOGY & BIOENGINEERING, Issue 4 2002Jürgen Hubbuch Abstract A new experimental set-up for on-line visualization of the intra-particle uptake kinetics during packed bed chromatography has been designed and tested. Confocal laser scanning microscopy was used to analyze the dynamics of protein adsorption to porous stationary phases. In combination with this, a flow cell was developed that could be packed with chromatography media and operated as a fully functional mini-scale chromatography column. Adsorption profiles of single- and two-component mixtures containing BSA and IgG 2a during packed bed cation-exchange chromatography were investigated. The two proteins appear to exhibit different transport characteristics. For BSA a classical "shrinking core" behavior could be detected. The profiles obtained during IgG 2a adsorption point toward a different transport mode, which deviates from the classical pore-diffusion picture. For the two-component system, a superposition of the single-component profiles combined with a classical displacement of the weaker bound protein species was found. The results indicate that depending on the adsorbed protein the uptake can vary tremendously, even for adsorption to the same chromatographic support. It is clearly shown that the new microcolumn allows in situ quantitative investigations of protein adsorption dynamics within a single particle, which adds a new tool to the available methods for characterizing and optimizing protein adsorption chromatography. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Biotechnol Bioeng 80: 359,368, 2002. [source] | ||||||||||||||||