Structural matching of 2D electrophoresis gels using deformed graphs

2D electrophoresis is a well-known method for protein separation which is extremely useful in the field of proteomics. Each spot in the image represents a protein accumulation and the goal is to perform a differential analysis between pairs of images to study changes in protein content. It is thus necessary to register two images by finding spot correspondences. Although it may seem a simple task, generally, the manual processing of this kind of images is very cumbersome, especially when strong variations between corresponding sets of spots are expected (e.g. strong non-linear deformations and outliers). In order to solve this problem, this paper proposes a new quadratic assignment formulation together with a correspondence estimation algorithm based on graph matching which takes into account the structural information between the detected spots. Each image is represented by a graph and the task is to find a maximum common subgraph. Successful experimental results using real data are presented, including an extensive comparative performance evaluation with ground-truth data. (C) 2010 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Structural Investigation of MFe(2)O(4) (M = Fe, Co) Magnetic Fluids

Ferrites of the type M(II)Fe(2)O(4) (M = Fe and Co) have been prepared by the traditional coprecipitation method. These ferrites were modified by the adsorption of fatty acids derived from soybean and castor oil and were then dispersed in cyclohexane, providing very stable magnetic fluids, readily usable in nonpolar media. The structural properties of the ferrites and modified ferrites as well as the magnetic fluids were characterized by XRD (X-ray powder diffraction), TEM (transmission electron microscopy), DRIFTS (diffusion reflectance infrared Fourier transform spectroscopy), FTMR (Fourier transform near-infrared), UV-vis, normal Raman spectroscopy, and surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS). XRD and TEM analysis have shown that the magnetic nanoparticles (nonmodified and modified) present diameters in the range of 10-15 nm. DRIFTS measurements have shown that the carboxylate groups of soybean and castor oil fatty acids adsorb on the ferrite surface, forming three different structures: a bridging bidentate, a bridging monodentate, and a bidentate chelate structure. The FTIR and Raman spectra of nonmodified Fe(3)O(4) and CoFe(2)O(4) nanoparticles have shown that the number of observed phonons is not compatible with the expected O(h)(7) symmetry, since IR-only active phonons were observed. in the Raman spectra and vice versa. SERS measurements of a CoFe(2)O(4) thin film on a SERS-active gold electrode at different applied potentials made possible the assignment of the signals near 550 and 630 cm(-1) to Co-O motions and the signals near 470 and 680 cm(-1) to Fe-O motions.

Thermal behavior and structural properites of plant-derived eugenyl acetate

Eugenol is an allyl chain-substituted guaiacol in the biosynthesized phenylpropanoid compound class derived from Syzygium aromaticum L. and widely used in folk medicine. Nonetheless, its pharmacological use is limited by some problems, such as instability when exposed to light and high temperature. In order to enhance stability, the eugenol molecule was structurally modified, resulting in eugenyl acetate. The eugenyl acetate`s thermal behavior and crystal structure was then characterized by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and X-ray diffraction (XRD) and compared to a commercial sample.

Studies toward the structural optimization of novel thiazolylhydrazone-based potent antitrypanosomal agents

In previous studies, we identified promising anti-Trypanosoma cruzi cruzain inhibitors based on thiazolylhydrazones. To optimize this series, a number of medicinal chemistry directions were explored and new thiazolylhydrazones and thiosemicarbazones were thus synthesized. Potent cruzain inhibitors were identified, such as thiazolylhydrazones 3b and 3j, which exhibited IC(50) of 200-400 nM. Furthermore, molecular docking studies showed concordance with experimentally derived structure-activity relationships (SAR) data. In the course of this work, lead compounds exhibiting in vitro activity against both the epimastigote and trypomastigote forms of T. cruzi were identified and in vivo general toxicity analysis was subsequently performed. Novel SAR were documented, including the importance of the thiocarbonyl carbon attached to the thiazolyl ring and the direct comparison between thiosemicarbazones and thiazolylhydrazones. (C) 2010 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

The Secret Aria on Shame : An Analysis of Narrative Structure and Theme in Coetzee's "Diary of a Bad Year"

Coetzee’s last novel Diary of a Bad Year (2007) has an intriguing triple-voiced narrative structure and deals with the grey area of shame. The narrative is divided between a writer, his written contribution to a book called “Strong Opinions”, and his secretary’s thoughts about both the opinions in the manuscript and her employer’s circumstances. This essay explores the relation between form and theme in Diary of a Bad Year; to see in what way these two fundamental elements of the novel intervene and support each other. By doing so the narrative structure is read through Freud’s structural model of personality, whereby each narrator’s voice is related to the notions of the super-ego, the ego and the id. In other words, this essay argues that the specific threefold narrative structure in Diary of a Bad Year, by reflecting the interrelated parts of human identity, helps in creating and developing the theme of shame, which only exists connected to the human psyche. This connection in turn gives special meaning to the entire narratology of the novel.

Analysis of cultural conflict in the development of web-enabled information systems

The advent of the World Wide Web (WWW) and the emergence of Internet commerce have given rise to the web as a medium of information exchange. In recent years, the phenomenon has affected the realm of transaction processing systems, as organizations are moving from designing web pages for marketing purposes, to web-based applications that support business-to-business (WEB) and business-to-consumer (B2C) interactions, integrated with databases and other back-end systems (Isakowitz, Bieber et al., 1998). Furthermore, web-enabled applications are increasingly being used to facilitate transactions even between various business units within a single enterprise. Examples of some of the more popular web-enabled applications in use today include airline reservation systems, internet banking, student enrollment systems in universities, and Human Resource (HR) and payroll systems. The prime motive behind the adoption of web-enabled applications are productivity gains due to reduced processing time, decrease in the usage of paper-based documentation and conventional modes of communication (such as letters, fax, or telephone), and improved quality of services to clients. Indeed, web-based solutions are commonly referred to as customer-centric (Li, 2000), which means that they provide user interfaces that do not necessitate high level of computer proficiency. Thus, organizations implement such systems to streamline routine transactions and gain strategic benefits in the process (Nambisan & Wang, 1999), though the latter are to be expected in the long-term. Notwithstanding the benefits of web technology adoption, the web has ample share of challenges for initiators and developers. Many of these challenges are associated with the unique nature of web-enabled applications. Research in the area of web-enabled information systems has revealed several differences with traditional applications. These differences exist with regards to system development methodology, stakeholder involvement, tasks, and technology (Nazareth, 1998). According to Fraternali (1999), web applications are commonly developed using an evolutionary prototyping approach, whereby the simplified version of the application is deployed as a pilot first, in order to gather user feedback. Thus, web-enabled applications typically undergo continuous refinement and evolution (Ginige, 1998; Nazareth, 1998; Siau, 1998; Standing, 2001). Prototype-based development also leads web-enabled information systems to have much shorter development life cycles, but which, unlike traditional applications, are regrettably developed in a rather adhoc fashion (Carstensen & Vogelsang, 2001). However, the principal difference between the two kinds of applications lies in the broad and diverse group of stakeholders associated with web-based information systems (Gordijn, Akkermans, et al., 2000; Russo, 2000; Earl & Khan, 2001; Carter, 2002; Hasselbring, 2002; Standing, 2002; Stevens & Timbrell, 2002). Stakeholders, or organizational members participating in a common business process (Freeman, 1984), vary in their computer competency, business knowledge, language and culture. This diversity is capable of causing conflict between different stakeholder groups with regards to the establishment of system requirements (Pouloudi & Whitley, 1997; Stevens & Timbrell, 2002). Since, web-based systems transcend organizational, departmental, and even national boundaries, the issue of culture poses a significant challenge to the web systems’ initiators and developers (Miles & Snow, 1992; Kumar & van Dissel, 1996; Pouloudi & Whitley, 1996; Li & Williams, 1999).

Multifactor productivity measures of construction sectors using OECD input-output database

This research develops a new productivity measurement framework for the construction sector in the light of an input-output table. Three group multifactor productivity indicators are formulated based on the multiplier concepts in the input-output analysis. This measurement framework focuses on the intro-industry flows of products and considers the direct and indirect effects of input and output. Moreover, this framework enables us to measure the multifactor productivity of a specific sector systematically. Historical analyses and international comparisons are carried out to indicate the differences of the productivity of the construction sectors in seven selected countries, using the newly published OECD input-output database. Research findings are expected to clarify how technological, organizational and political factors affect the productivity growth, enabling the policy makers, construction businesses and researchers to quantify the competitive ability of the construction sector.

A comparative analysis of international education satisfaction using servqual

University education, the world over, has undergone significant transformation and reform with respect to higher education systems meeting the growing role of information and communication revolution, and the demand for knowledge, which represent the new challenges of globalisation. These challenges are seen as threats as well as opportunities for higher education systems around the world. The driving force of globalisation is competition and the international education market has become fiercely competitive with different marketing strategies being implemented by educational institutions to attract the growing number of students seeking higher education. The objective of this paper is to examine the relationship between the SERVQUAL constructs proposed by Parasuraman et al (1988 & 1985) and the country of origin and satisfaction among four cohorts of Asian international postgraduate students studying in Australian universities. Country of origin is recognized as an important predictor of satisfaction and choice in the international education environment. The data used in this study is derived from a mail survey conducted among international postgraduate students from China, India, Indonesia and Thailand studying in five universities in Victoria, Australia. An adapted version of the SERVQUAL instrument was used to collect the data and was designed to measure the gap between student responses on expectations and perceptions of the university as a study destination on a seven point bi-polar scale. The responses were sought on 36 statements representing aspects of the operations and services of the university under desired (ideal) expectations of choice and post-choice perceptions. Scales were developed to investigate the relationship between the SERVQUAL constructs of reliability, responsiveness, assurance, empathy and tangibles and the country of origin and were shown to be reliable. Using ANOVA and MANOVA techniques, the study found significant differences between country of origin and the SERVQUAL constructs and discusses strategic implications and opportunities for higher
educational institutions

Operationalising the balanced scorecard : an initial analysis of factor structure

To date there has been very little empirical analysis of the Balanced Scorecard (BSC) within the marketing literature. With measuring performance being a central issue in marketing and the BSC being one of the most utilised approaches, this paper investigates the BSC and its factor structure. This research tested independently the “goodness-of-fit” of both the traditional four-factor model and a later five-factor model, which included an “employee/human resource” dimension. Data were collected from a sample of medium-tolarge Australian businesses. Factor analysis was conducted on the two alternative factor structures, revealing that the five-factor model fits the observed data as well as does the fourfactor model, supporting the inclusion of an “employee/human resource” perspective in future BSC models.

A primary numeracy : a mapping review and analysis of Australian research in numeracy learning at the primary school level : report

The outcome from this project produces a database of over 185 projects and 726 publications relating to numeracy research to systematically ‘mapped’ Australian research on primary school numeracy over the last decade. The database incorporates research summaries and findings that are easily accessible to teachers and teacher educators, and act as a valuable tool for determining further research directions. The project report examines the available research and organises the discussion of the research findings under a set of themes and sub-themes.

Some summarised examples from the report reveals that:

* Effective teachers of numeracy:
- have high expectations of their students;
- focus on children’s mathematical learning, rather than on providing pleasant classroom experiences;
- provide a challenging curriculum;
- use higher-order questioning;
- make connections both within mathematics and between mathematics in different contexts; and
- use highly interactive teaching involvement with students in class discussion.

* Effective professional development programmes:
- provide teachers with the time and appropriate resources to enable them to reflect on their teaching;
- provide continuing support and encouragement while teachers explore possibilities and trial new strategies in their classrooms;
- involve teachers in school-based and wider networks;
- are of sufficient duration to allow significant changes to habitual beliefs and practices; and
- create opportunities for the exploration of theory-practice relationships.

Thematic analysis of research mediums' experiences of discarnate communication

Mediums claim to be able to report accurate and specific information about the deceased loved ones (termed discarnates) of living people (termed sitters) even without any prior knowledge about the sitters or the discarnates and in the  complete absence of any sensory feedback. Despite recent experimental  research investigating this phenomenon (e.g., Beischel & Schwartz, 2007a), no systematic qualitative studies have been conducted. Consequently, eight  research mediums were asked to describe in as much detail as possible how they personally experience receiving communication from a discarnate, as part of a comprehensive nine-step subject screening procedure. Thematic analysis revealed seven comprehensive constituent themes that were used to formulate a fundamental structural definition.

The influence of strategic HRM and sector on perceived performance in health services organizations

In this study, we examine a variety of management characteristics of for-profit and not-for-profit organizations in the health services (HS) industry. Data collected from Australian senior executives are used to test the relationships between managerial constructs such as employee commitment, customer demandingness, strategic HRM orientation and the adoption of human capital-enhancing human resource (HR) practices and perceived overall performance. Data analysis conducted using the Partial Least Square Modeling show a statistically significant path from commitment to employees, customer demandingness and strategic HRM orientation to the adoption of human capital-enhancing HR practices (such as selective staffing, comprehensive training, and performance appraisal) to perceived organizational performance. The results also show that private sector health service organizations have a higher level of perceived performance.

Applying critical discourse analysis in strategic management research

Critical discourse analysis has become an increasingly popular methodology in organization and management studies. In this article, the authors explore the potential for this methodology to be more widely used in strategic management research. They begin by identifying three research approaches that, to a greater or lesser extent, share a concern with the relationship between language and the formulation and implementation of strategy—strategy as a system of shared meaning, strategy as text and talk, and strategy as truth. They then discuss how critical discourse analysis can be used to extend and develop these approaches by exploiting their underlying complementarities. Finally, using the example of a recently completed case study of strategic change in a large banking and financial services institution, they explore the practical implications of applying critical discourse analysis in strategic management research.

Analysis of satisfaction at Gallipoli on ANZAC day, 2007 : results of a survey of event participants

This paper explores the critical success factors of special events, in this case the Anzac Day commemorations at Gallipoli, Turkey. This event has become increasingly popular in recent years with crowd numbers growing to around 20,000 people traveling to attend the 2005 Dawn Service at historic Anzac Cove on Anzac day. The aim of this research is to investigate the success factors associated with Anzac Day commemorations at Gallipoli and to assess how these influence visitor satisfaction. Data was collected from 331 attendees of Anzac Day commemorations at Gallipoli while they were in transit from Gallipoli to Istanbul on 25 April 2007. The analysis of this data was undertaken using exploratory and confirmatory factor analysis as a basis to the development of a model of satisfaction using structural equation modeling. In this case constructs relating to amenities, transport, ceremonies and recommending behavior were found to be significant predictors of event satisfaction. These issues during the event were found to be of equal importance for both genders and all age groups.