Variable selection in discriminant analysis based on the location model for mixed variables

Non-parametric smoothing of the location model is a potential basis for discriminating between groups of objects using mixtures of continuous and categorical variables simultaneously. However, it may lead to unreliable estimates of parameters when too many variables are involved. This paper proposes a method for performing variable selection on the basis of distance between groups as measured by smoothed Kullback–Leibler divergence. Searching strategies using forward, backward and stepwise selections are outlined, and corresponding stopping rules derived from asymptotic distributional results are proposed. Results from a Monte Carlo study demonstrate the feasibility of the method. Examples on real data show that the method is generally competitive with, and sometimes is better than, other existing classification methods.     

Rethinking Arsenate Coordination at the Surface of Goethite

When the truth stands on one leg : Arsenate coordinates at the water–goethite interface in a predominately monodentate fashion (see picture), a finding that impacts oxoanion bioavailability and challenges theories of mineral dissolution and surface complexation.

     

Performance of Ni/10Sc1CeSZ anode synthesized by glycine nitrate process assisted by microwave heating in a solid oxide fuel cell fueled with hydrogen or methane

Journal of Solid State Electrochemistry - Nickel/scandia-ceria-stabilized-zirconia (Ni/10Sc1CeSZ) cermet is a potential anode for solid oxide fuel cells. The anode powder is prepared through a...     

Phytochemistry,Bioactivities and Traditional Uses of Michelia × alba

Michelia × alba (M. alba) is a flowering tree best known for its essential oil, which has long been used as a fragrance ingredient for perfume and cosmetics. In addition, the plant has been used in traditional medicine in Asia and dates back hundreds of years. To date, there is a limited number of publications on the bioactivities of M. alba, which focused on its tyrosinase inhibition, antimicrobial, antidiabetic, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant activities. Nevertheless, M. alba may have additional unexplored bioactivities associated with its bioactive compounds such as linalool (72.8% in flower oil and 80.1% in leaf oil), α-terpineol (6.04% flower oil), phenylethyl alcohol (2.58% flower oil), β-pinene (2.39% flower oil), and geraniol (1.23% flower oil). Notably, these compounds have previously been reported to exhibit therapeutic activities such as anti-cancer, anti-inflammation, anti-depression, anti-ulcer, anti-hypertriglyceridemia, and anti-hypertensive activities. In this review paper, we examine and discuss the scientific evidence on the phytochemistry, bioactivities, and traditional uses of M. alba. Here, we report a total of 168 M. alba biological compounds and highlight the therapeutic potential of its key bioactive compounds. This review may provide insights into the therapeutic potential of M. alba and its biologically active components for the prevention and treatment of diseases and management of human health and wellness.     

Speciation of some trace elements in water samples after preconcentration on activated carbon by neutron activation analysis

A new filtering column has been developed on the covalent attachment of chelating functionalities to simple, highly hydrophilic adsorbent material, which can then complex heavy metal ions irreversibly and targeted towards toxic metals removal. The capacity of the chemically modified sorbent (modified charcoal) materials used in this work was evaluated for the above mentioned heavy metal ions in the presence of iron ions and simulated water samples. The methods are based on preconcentrations of the elements of interest on activated carbon and zirconium loaded activated carbon using specific conditions of pH and oxidation states followed by a final determination by neutron activation analysis (NAA). It has been investigated that zirconium loaded activated carbon is able to adsorb As (V), Se (VI), Cr (VI) and Hg (II) at any pH while activated carbon is able to adsorb As (III), Se (IV), Cr (III) and Hg(I) at higher pH. This revised version was published online in August 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Isolation and structural modifications of ananixanthone from Calophyllum teysmannii and their cytotoxic activities

Two naturally occurring xanthones, ananixanthone (1) and β-mangostin (2), were isolated using column chromatographic method from the n-hexane and methanol extracts of Calophyllum teysmannii, respectively. The major constituent, ananixanthone (1), was subjected to structural modifications via acetylation, methylation and benzylation yielding four new xanthone derivatives, ananixanthone monoacetate (3), ananixanthone diacetate (4), 5-methoxyananixanthone (5) and 5-O-benzylananixanthone (6). Compound 1 together with its four new derivatives were subjected to MTT assay against three cancer cell lines; SNU-1, K562 and LS174T. The results indicated that the parent compound has greater cytotoxicity capabilities against SNU-1 and K562 cell lines with IC₅₀ values of 8.97 ± 0.11 and 2.96 ± 0.06 μg/mL, respectively. Compound 5 on the other hand exhibited better cytotoxicity against LS174T cell line with an IC₅₀ value of 5.76 ± 1.07 μg/mL.     

Improved Performance of W／HZSM-5 Catalysts for Dehydroaromatization of Methane

The dehydroaramatization of methane over W-supported ZSM-5 with varying degrees of Li^ ion-exchanged catalysts was studied with and without oxygen at 1073 K and atmospheric pressure.Catalyst activity and stability were found to be influenced by the catalyst acidity related to BrSnsted acid sites and by the presence of oxygen in the feed. The NH3-TPD and FTIR-pyridine results demonstrated that partially exchanged of H^ ions by Li^ into the W/HZSM-5 catalysts could be used to control the amount of strong acid sites on the catalyst surface. Without oxygen, the 3WHLi-Z (5:1) catalyst that has strong acid sites equal to nearly 74% of the original strong acid sites in the parent HZSM-5 exhibited the highest methane conversion and selectivity towards aromatics. However, the catalyst deactivated in a five hour period. In the presence of oxygen, the catalyst activity and stability could be improved further.The results of this study revealed that a suitable amount of strong Bronsted acid sites as well as oxygen addition in the feed increased the catalyst activity and stability. The 3WHLi-Z(5:1) catalyst exhibited improved performance in the dehydroaromatization of methane.     

Antidiabetic properties and mechanism of action of Gynura procumbens water extract in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats

Gynura procumbens (Lour.) Merr (family Compositae) is cultivated in Southeast Asia, especially Indonesia, Malaysia and Thailand, for medicinal purposes. This study evaluated the in vivo hypoglycemic properties of the water extract of G. procumbens following 14 days of treatment and in vitro in RIN-5F cells. Glucose absorption from the intestines and its glucose uptake in abdominal skeletal muscle were assessed. The antidiabetic effect of water extract of G. procumbens leaves was investigated in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats. The intraperitoneal glucose tolerance test (IPGTT) was performed in diabetic rats treated with G. procumbens water extract for 14 days. In the IPGTT, blood was collected for insulin and blood glucose measurement. After the IPGTT, the pancreases were collected for immunohistochemical study of β-cells of the islets of Langerhans. The possible antidiabetic mechanisms of G. procumbens were assessed through in vitro RIN-5F cell study, intestinal glucose absorption and glucose uptake by muscle. The results showed that G. procumbens significantly decreased blood glucose levels after 14 days of treatment and improved outcome of the IPGTT. However, G. procumbens did not show a significant effect on insulin level either in the in vivo test or the in vitro RIN-5F cell culture study. G. procumbens also showed minimal effects on β-cells of the islets of Langerhans in the pancreas. However, G. procumbens only significantly increased glucose uptake by muscle tissues. From the findings we can conclude that G. procumbens water extract exerted its hypoglycemic effect by promoting glucose uptake by muscles.     

Copolymers with Controlled Architectures as Rheological Additives for Alkydic Resin Solutions

Polysiloxane-g-(styrene-co-butyl acrylate) copolymers with different architectures (four-armed star and brush) were synthesized and introduced into an alkydic resin in order to improve the flow properties and formulate new systems for painting applications. The viscoelastic properties of the alkydic resin as compared with the additives samples were investigated at different temperatures in the range of 0°C to 80°C. The experimental data showed that a small quantity of polymers with controlled architectures determines changes in the rheological behaviour of the resin solutions, the brush copolymer being more efficient as a viscosity improver.     

Development of a finite element model of metal powder compaction process at elevated temperature

This paper presents the finite element modelling of metal powder compaction process at elevated temperature. In the modelling, the behaviour of powder is assumed to be rate independent thermo-elastoplastic material where the material constitutive laws are derived based on a continuum mechanics approach. The deformation process of metal powder has been described by a large displacement based finite element formulation. The Elliptical Cap yield model has been used to represent the deformation behaviour of the powder mass during the compaction process. This yield model was tested and found to be appropriate to represent the compaction process. The staggered-incremental-iterative solution strategy has been established to solve the non-linearity in the systems of equations. Some numerical simulation results were validated through experimentation, where a good agreement was found between the numerical simulation results and the experimental data.