bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Online Resources for New Mothers: Opportunities and Challenges for Perinatal Health Professionals
Authors: Buultjens Melissa , Robinson Priscilla , Milgrom Jeannette
Published: April 2012

Studies have shown increasing Internet use for health information and service facilities. After consulting a convenience sample of new mothers, this study applied select terms and phrases to a widely accepted search engine and investigated its potential for providing resources for new mothers. Results of this quantitative content analysis showed that only four of the 13 phrases used in the search generated 50% or more websites containing content relevant to new mothers. Findings indicate that informational support by way of electronic fact sheets is available using the Google search engine. However, functional support (e.g., social networks, consultation phone details, and mother–infant activities) configured limited data resources using the Google search engine. In addition, because websites can be difficult to navigate, users’ technical proficiency needs to be taken into consideration as well as the sites’ up-to-date information. With Internet technology rapidly expanding, perinatal educators and other perinatal health-care professionals need to be informed about current online resources to help direct consumers to useful online resources and mitigate the often overwhelming and confusing information.
Production of fine zinc borate in industrial scale
Authors: Çakal Gaye
Published: April 2012

In this study, zinc borate production in an industrial scale batch reactor
was carried out at the optimum process conditions determined in the previous
studies performed at the laboratory and pilot scale reactors. The production
was done via the heterogeneous reaction of boric acid and zinc oxide. The
samples were characterized by chemical analysis, XRD, TGA, SEM and particle
size distribution. The final product which was obtained in the industrial
scale reactor was 2ZnO.3B2O3.3H2O. The kinetic data for the zinc borate
production reaction fit to a modified logistic model where the lag time was
taken into account. As observed, the reaction time was influenced by scaling
up. There was a lag time of 120 min for the industrial scale production and
thus, the reaction completion time was 70 min longer compared to pilot scale.
It should be emphasized that the specific reaction rate, k; as well as the
average particle size and the hydration temperature of zinc borate are
unaffected by scale up.
Computational study of diffusivities in diamond Ge-Si alloys
Authors: Cui S.L. , Zhang L.J. , Zhang W.B. , Du Y. , Xu H.H.
Published: April 2012

A variety of diffusivities in Ge-Si alloys available in the literature were
critically reviewed. On the basis of the critically reviewed literature data,
the diffusion parameters for self diffusivities and impurity diffusivities in
diamond Ge-Si alloys were determined by considering the diffusion mechanism.
A phenomenological treatment of the diffusivities in Ge-Si alloys were
conducted. The finally obtained atomic mobilities can reproduce most of the
diffusivities in diamond Ge-Si alloys as well as the concentration profiles
of Ge-Si binary diffusion couples. In addition, the Manning modification on
Darken Equation in diamond structure was also tested by using the presently
obtained atomic mobilities.
Factors influencing the choice of antidepressants: A study of antidepressant prescribing practice at University psychiatric clinic in Belgrade
Authors: Maric Nadja , Stojiljkovic Dragan , Pavlovic Zorana , Jasovic-Gasic Miroslava
Published: April 2012

Background/Aim. Antidepressants are a widely used class of drugs. The aim of
this study was to investigate different aspects of antidepressant prescribing
practice at University Psychiatric Clinic in Belgrade. Methods. This
cross-sectional study was carried out by retrospective analysis of the
patient's medical charts. The study included all patients with antidepressant
prescribed at discharge during 2009 (n = 296). The evaluation was focused on
patient- related factors (socio-demographic and illness related),
psychiatrist-related factors (sex and duration of working experience) and
drug related factors (type of antidepressant, dose, polypharmacy and
reimbursement by national health insurance). Results. Antidepressants were
prescribed for unipolar depression (F32-34, ICD X) either without comorbidity
(46.2%) or with comorbidity (24.7%), mostly as a monotherapy (91% had one
antidepressant), to the patients who were 65% female, aged 50.1 ? 8.9, most
of them with 12 years of education (52.6%), married (69.3%) and employed
(55.9%). The majority of patients had a history of two hospitalizations (Med
2; 25th-75th perc. 1-4) during nine years (Med 9; 25th-75th perc. 2-15) after
the first episode of depression. Among them, 19% were found to be suicidal in
a lifetime. The single most prescribed antidepressant was sertraline (20.4%),
followed by fluoxetine (13.3%) and maprotiline (11.7%). Utilization of
antidepressants was positively correlated with the rate of reimbursement (p <
0.01). The most prescribed antidepressant group was selective serotonin
reuptake inhibitors (SSRI) (47.8%), followed by tricyclic antidepresants
(TCA) (25.3%) and new antidepressants - venlafaxine, tianeptine, mirtazapine,
bupropion, trazodone (15.1%). Most of the drugs were prescribed in doses
which are at the lower end of the recommended dose-range. Regarding severity
of the actual depressive episode, TCA were prescribed for severe depression
with psychotic features, while SSRI were choice for episodes with moderate
symptom severity (p = 0.01). Psychiatrists with longer working age (20-30
years) hesitated to prescribe new antidepressants in comparison to younger
colleagues (p = 0.01). Conclusion. Economic issues in Serbia as developing
country influence the choice of antidepressants, as well as a psychiatrist?s
working age and severity of depression. However, SSRI are the drugs of the
first choice, as it was shown in most of the developed countries nowadays.
Advantages and limitations of clopidogrel response testing methods
Authors: Djukanovic Nina , Todorovic Zoran , Njegomirovic Srdjana , Ostojic Miodrag , Prostran Milica
Published: April 2012

nema
External ear canal cholesteatoma after ventilation tube insertion and mastoidectomy
Authors: Djeric Dragoslava , Jovanovic Milan , Baljosevic Ivan , Blazic Srbislav , Milojevic Milanko
Published: April 2012

Introduction. Etiopathogenetically, there are two types of chollesteatomas:
congenital, and acquired. Numerous theories in the literature try to explain
the nature of the disease, however, the question about cholesteatomas remain
still unanswered. The aim of the study was to present a case of external ear
canal cholesteatoma (EEC) developed following microsurgery (ventilation tube
insertion and mastoidectomy), as well as to point ant possible mechanisms if
its development. Case report. A 16-yearold boy presented a 4-month sense of
fullness in the ear and otalgia on the left side. A year before,
mastoidectomy and posterior atticotomy were performed with ventilation tube
placement due to acute purulent mastoiditis. Diagnosis was based on otoscopy
examination, audiology and computed tomography (CT) findings. CT showed an
obliterative soft-tissue mass completely filled the external ear canal with
associated erosion of subjacent the bone. There were squamous epithelial
links between the canal cholesteatoma and lateral tympanic membrane surface.
They originated from the margins of tympanic membrane incision made for a
ventilation tube (VT) insertion. The position of VT was good as well as the
aeration of the middle ear cavity. The tympanic membrane was intact and of
normal appearance without middle ear extension or mastoid involvement of
cholesteatoma. Cholesteatoma and ventilation tube were both removed. The
patient recovered without complications and shortly audiology revealed
hearing improving. Follow-up 2 years later, however, showed no signs of the
disease. Conclusion. There could be more than one potential delicate
mechanism of developing EEC in the ear with VT insertion and mastoidectomy.
It is necessary to perform routine otologic surveillance in all patients with
tubes. Affected ear CT scan is very helpful in showing the extent of
cholesteatoma and bony defects, which could not be assessed by otoscopic
examination alone.
Atypical presentation of cystic fibrosis: Obese adolescent with hypertension and pseudo-Bartter’s syndrome
Authors: Sovtic Aleksandar , Minic Predrag , Bogdanovic Radovan , Stajic Natasa , Rodic Milan , Markovic-Sovtic Gordana
Published: April 2012

Introduction. Infants with cystic fibrosis may fail to thrive despite
recommended caloric intake because of electrolyte disurbances caused by salt
depletion resulting in hypochloremic metabolic alkalosis or pseudo-Bartter's
syndrome. In most patients reported symptoms began in infancy, but it may be
an initial presentation of disease in a previously healthy adolescent. Case
report. A 15-year-old boy was admitted for evaluation of recurrent episodes
of malaise associated with dehydration and acute renal insufficiency.
Laboratory analysis showed hypochloremic metabolic alkalosis with
hyponatremia and hypokalemia. On admission the boy was obese, with body
weight of 95.5 kg (> P97), height 174 cm (> P75), and body mass index of 31.2
kg/m2 (> P95). Physical examination was inconclusive. Blood pressure holter
monitoring proved significant systolic hypertension. Routine urinalysis,
protein and electrolyte levels in urine were normal. Plasma renin and
aldosteron were normal. Sweat chloride concentration was 63 mmol/L. Genetic
testing confirmed the diagnosis of cystic fibrosis. Conclusion. To our
knowledge, this is the first reported case of atypical presentation of cystic
fibrosis in an adolescent presented with pseudo-Bartter's syndrome and signs
of obesity and hypertension. We suggest that every patient with hypochloremic
metabolic alkalosis should be evaluated for cystic fibrosis.
The Auditor-Audit Firm Relationship and Its Effect on Burnout and Turnover Intention
Authors: Herda David N. , Lavelle James J.
Published: April 2012

SYNOPSIS:

Auditor burnout is an important issue in public accounting, as burnout has negative consequences for both the auditor and the audit firm. We examine how social-exchange relationships between auditors and their firm affect auditor burnout and turnover intention. Using a sample of 204 auditors at two accounting firms, we find that perceived fair treatment by the firm predicts perceived support from the firm, and perceived support predicts auditor commitment to the firm. We find that commitment is negatively related to auditor burnout and turnover intention and burnout is positively related to turnover intention. We also find that perceived firm fairness is directly associated with reduced levels of auditor burnout and turnover intention. The results underscore the important role that organizational fairness plays in engendering a social-exchange relationship between auditors and their firm, leading to reduced levels of burnout and turnover intention, benefitting both the auditor and the firm.

Data Availability: Please contact the first author.
Form Finding for Compression-only or Tension-only Structures
Authors: Tang Ji-Wu , Xie Yi-Min , Felicetti Peter
Published: April 2012

This paper extends the Evolutionary Structural Optimization method to the form finding of structures with compression-only or tension-only elements. A computer code has been developed for 2D and 3D topological structural design using both von Mises and compression/tension stress criteria. Several examples are presented to illustrate the method, which can be applied to the conceptual design of arches, tied arches, cable-stayed and suspension bridges.
The Half-Cultivated Citizen: Thoreau at the Nexus of Republicanism and Environmentalism
Authors: Cannavò Peter F.
Published: April 2012

Henry David Thoreau, though often characterised as individualist or apolitical, is in fact an important link between Jeffersonian agrarian republicanism and environmentalism. Like the Jeffersonians, Thoreau espouses a political economy of citizenship, criticises modern capitalism, and celebrates simplicity and personal independence. However, Thoreau rejects the Jeffersonians’ focus on conquest of the wilderness and economic industriousness, both of which were meant to promote virtue. Thoreau advocates preservation of wild nature as essential for cultivating virtue and regards nature as a community deserving respect and protection. He criticises an emphasis on economic industriousness as promoting overwork, environmental destruction and greed. Thoreau emerges as a complex figure whose legacy points in two contrasting directions: toward a more ecologically responsible or sustainable republicanism embracing preservation of a spectrum of landscapes from wilderness to agrarian, and also toward a problematic, depoliticising separation between human beings and nature.
Traumatic Natures of the Swamp: Concepts of Nature in the Romanian Danube Delta
Authors: Assche Kristof Van , Bell Sandra , Teampau Petruta
Published: April 2012

This paper focuses on local constructions of ‘nature’ in governance processes, and the importance of historical and institutional contexts for their genesis and functioning. Through extensive field study in the Romanian Danube Delta, it is demonstrated that the origin and distribution of certain concepts can be credited to a history of conflicts over land and resource use. Considering the implications for participatory natural resource governance, we argue that this capacity of the governance context to produce and transform concepts of nature, poses real challenges. To these challenges can be added legacies of disempowerment and marginalisation, evident in local inhabitants’ images and concepts of nature, which we seek to understand by developing a theory of traumatic nature.
Computation of Homology and cohomology groups of a metacyclic group and a factor group of the Heisenberg Group
Authors: Majumdar Subrata , Akter Nasima
Published: April 2012

Free resolutions for a metacyclic group M and a factor group G of the Heisenberg group from their presentations constructed by solving system of linear equations over the integral group ring and determined the homology and cohomology groups. The method is straightforward, and the free resolutions are explicitly expressed in terms of the free generators. The resolutions yield the homology and the cohomology groups immediately.DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/ganit.v31i0.10304GANIT J. Bangladesh Math. Soc. (ISSN 1606-3694) 31 (2011) 9-22
Jordan k-derivations of certain Nobuswa gamma rings
Authors: Chakraborty Sujoy , Paul Akhil Chandra
Published: April 2012

From the very definition, it follows that every Jordan k-derivation of a gamma ring M is, in general, not a k-derivation of M. In this article, we establish its generalization by considering M as a 2-torsion free semiprime ?N-ring (Nobusawa gamma ring). We also show that every Jordan k-derivation of a 2-torsion free completely semiprime ?N-ring is a k-derivation of the same.DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/ganit.v31i0.10308GANIT J. Bangladesh Math. Soc. (ISSN 1606-3694) 31 (2011) 53-64
The endomorphism semigroup of an endomapping of a finite set
Authors: Majumdar Subrata , Hossain Mohd Altab , Dey Kalyan Kumar
Published: April 2012

The structure of the semigroup of all endomorphisms of an endomapping of a finite set has been determined. This has been done by naturally representing the endomapping by a directed graph, and determining the structure of the endomorphism semigroup of this graph.DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/ganit.v31i0.10310GANIT J. Bangladesh Math. Soc. (ISSN 1606-3694) 31 (2011) 71-77
TL-ideals of TL-subnear-rings
Authors: Yadav JD , Pawar YS
Published: April 2012

The aim of this paper is to introduce and study TL-ideals of TL-subnear-rings. Also we define T-sum, T-difference and T-product of L-subsets of a near-ring R and obtain their properties.DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/ganit.v31i0.10311GANIT J. Bangladesh Math. Soc. (ISSN 1606-3694) 31 (2011) 79-93
Graphical representations of membership functions of maximum and minimum of two fuzzy numbers using computer program
Authors: Shirin Shapla , Saha Goutam
Published: April 2012

The set of real numbers R is linearly ordered, but in the fuzzy set theory, this relation is true only for some set of fuzzy numbers where the sets of fuzzy numbers are expressed as the linguistic variables. Different types of Fuzzy machines based on fuzzy logic have been invented where fuzzy logics are described by fuzzy numbers and the fuzzy numbers are needed to compare. Besides these, many techniques are available to assist decision-makers to compare different fuzzy numbers. For these reasons, it is necessary to compute the maximum and the minimum of fuzzy numbers. Till now many researchers introduced different methods for computation, which are done by hand calculation, but these are very disgusting and time consuming to us. In this paper, we presents an algorithm to compute the maximum and the minimum of any two triangular fuzzy numbers, so that one can compare two fuzzy numbers easily in a short time and visualize the analytic expressions and the graphical representations of the maximum and the minimum of any two triangular fuzzy numbers. By using CAS (MATHEMATICA 7.0), the algorithm is implemented in a computer program in order to do these. This algorithm can easily be extended to apply for any type of fuzzy numbers which are comparable. Even it is able to compare more than two fuzzy numbers by comparing the maximum fuzzy number or minimum fuzzy number with another new fuzzy number.DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/ganit.v31i0.10313GANIT J. Bangladesh Math. Soc. (ISSN 1606-3694) 31 (2011) 105-115
Comparative Study of Transplantation of Hepatocytes at Various Differentiation Stages into Mice with Lethal Liver Damage
Authors: Kamimura Ryo , Ishii Takamichi , Sasaki Naoya , Kajiwara Masatoshi , Machimoto Takafumi , Saito Michiko , Kohno Kenji , Suemori Hirofumi , Nakatsuji Norio , Ikai Iwao , Yasuchika Kentaro , Uemoto Shinji
Published: April 2012

Hepatocyte transplantation utilizing induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) or embryonic stem cells (ESCs) has been expected to provide an alternative to liver transplantation. However, it remains uncertain precisely which cell type is the best suited for cell transplantation. In particular, it is unclear whether mature hepatocytes, which have sufficient liver function, or immature hepatic progenitor cells, which have a higher proliferative capacity, will provide a better outcome. The main objective of this study was to investigate the therapeutic efficacy of the transplantation of hepatocytes at various differentiation stages. We utilized transgenic mice that expressed diphtheria toxin (DT) receptors under the control of an albumin enhancer/promoter. ESC-derived endodermal cells, fetal hepatocytes, and adult hepatocytes were transplanted into these mice with experimentally induced lethal acute liver injury caused by DT administration. The transplanted cells were marked by enhanced green fluorescent protein. We evaluated their effects on survival. At 35 days after transplantation, the survival rate of the adult hepatocyte-transplanted group (8/20, 40%) was significantly improved in comparison to that of the sham-operated group (2/25, 8%), the fetal hepatocyte-transplanted group (1/20, 5%), and the ESC-derived endodermal cell-transplanted group (0/21, 0%). The adult hepatocytes proliferated in the recipient livers and replaced a large part of their parenchyma. The transplantation of adult hepatocytes for acute liver failure significantly improved the survival rate in comparison to that of transplantation of immature cells, thus suggesting that ESCs and iPSCs should be differentiated into mature hepatocytes before cell transplantation for acute liver failure.
Collagenase does Not Persist in Human Islets following Isolation
Authors: Cross Sarah E. , Hughes Stephen J. , Clark Anne , Gray Derek W. R. , Johnson Paul R. V.
Published: April 2012

Optimal human islet isolation requires the delivery of bacterial collagenase to the pancreatic islet–exocrine interface. However, we have previously demonstrated the presence of collagenase within human islets immediately following intraductal collagenase administration. This potentially has significant implications for patient safety. The present study aimed to determine if collagenase becomes internalized into islets during the isolation procedure and if it remains within the islet postisolation. Islet samples were taken at various stages throughout 14 clinical human islet isolations: during digest collection, following University of Wisconsin solution incubation, immediately postisolation, and after 24 h of culture. Samples were embedded in agar, cryosectioned, and then assessed by immunolabeling for collagenase and insulin. Immunoreactivity for collagenase was not observed in isolated islets in any preparation. Collagenase labeling was detected in one sample taken at the digest collection phase in one islet preparation only. No collagenase-specific labeling was seen in islets sampled at any of the other time points in any of the 14 islet preparations. Collagenase that enters islets during intraductal administration is washed out of the islets during the collection phase of the isolation process and thus does not remain in islets after isolation. This observation alleviates some of the important safety concerns that collagenase remains within islet grafts.
Assessing Spoken Word Recognition in Children Who Are Deaf or Hard of Hearing: A Translational Approach
Authors: Kirk Karen Iler , Prusick Lindsay , French Brian , Gotch Chad , Eisenberg Laurie S. , Young Nancy
Published: April 2012

Under natural conditions, listeners use both auditory and visual speech cues to extract meaning from speech signals containing many sources of variability. However, traditional clinical tests of spoken word recognition routinely employ isolated words or sentences produced by a single
talker in an auditory-only presentation format. The more central cognitive processes used during multimodal integration, perceptual normalization, and lexical discrimination that may contribute to individual variation in spoken word recognition performance are not assessed in conventional
tests of this kind. In this article, we review our past and current research activities aimed at developing a series of new assessment tools designed to evaluate spoken word recognition in children who are deaf or hard of hearing. These measures are theoretically motivated by a current model
of spoken word recognition and also incorporate “real-world” stimulus variability in the form of multiple talkers and presentation formats. The goal of this research is to enhance our ability to estimate real-world listening skills and to predict benefit from sensory aid use in
children with varying degrees of hearing loss.
EFFECTS OF AGE AND STEP DIRECTION ON BEHAVIORAL PERFORMANCES AND CENTER-OF-PRESSURE CHARACTERISTICS OF VOLITIONAL STEPPING IN OLDER AND YOUNG ADULTS
Authors: Chu Yu-Hsiu , Cheng Chih-Hsiu , Tang Pei-Fang , Lin Kwan-Hwa
Published: April 2012

This study investigated center-of-pressure (COP) characteristics during volitional stepping in forward, backward, and sideways directions, along with the behavioral performance measures and COP measures of volitional stepping in these directions, and the relationships between these two types of measures in healthy older and young adults. Fifteen older and 15 young adults performed rapid stepping in the three directions using each leg. Behavioral performance measures included reaction time (RT), movement time (MT), step length, and step velocity in the MT phase. COP measures included the maximum anteroposterior (COPAP) and mediolateral COP displacement (COPML) in the RT phase. Stepping in each direction demonstrated unique COP characteristics. The older adults presented slower RT, MT, step velocity, and smaller COPAP in all three stepping directions (p < 0.05), as well as smaller COPML in the sideways stepping direction (p < 0.017), compared to the young adults. Step velocity correlated with COPAP and/or COPML in all three stepping directions for both groups (r = 0.42–0.77, p < 0.05), suggesting that stepping performances during the movement execution phase correlated with COP control during the postural preparation phase. Results suggest that stepping training prescribed to older adults to improve their balance control may include multi-directional stepping.
ANALYSIS FOR CASCADING FAILURES WITH DNA REPAIR FUNCTION OF GENE NETWORK AND ITS APPLICATION
Authors: Zhang Yu-Lin , Wang Shu-Dong , Sun Long-Xiao , Zhang Yuan-Yuan , Meng Da-Zhi
Published: April 2012

Gene networks research has grown steadily because of its potential to represent, characterize and model a wide range of systems and phenomena on the molecular level. Especially the studies on the cancer-related gene networks through complex interactions can help to provide better understanding of the formation and development of cancer. In this work, using the expressions data of normal and lung adenocarcinoma stage, mutual information networks of cancer-related genes are constructed first. Then a model for cascading failures with DNA repair function of weighted gene networks is built. Furthermore, comparisons of numerical experiments show that deleting nodes in the networks of adenocarcinoma experimental group is more likely to cause larger scales of cascading failure than the one of control group. In addition, we find that 13 genes of control group and 12 genes of experimental group are of very strong destructibility for the two networks, respectively. The failures of these genes can lead to the paralysis of the whole network. Therefore, we conclude that these genes might play important roles in keeping normal level or developing lung adenocarcinoma of organisms. The results may have certain significance for the interpretation of lung cancer development and provide beneficial inspirations to clarify lung cancer occurrence of biological mechanism.
VIRTUAL 3D PLANNING OF PELVIC FRACTURE REDUCTION AND IMPLANT PLACEMENT
Authors: Lee Pei-Yuan , Lai Jiing-Yih , Hu Yu-Sheng , Huang Chung-Yi , Tsai Yao-Chen , Ueng Wen-Der
Published: April 2012

In pelvic surgery, CT images are commonly used for diagnosis and surgical planning. The images are often displayed and manipulated in a 2D environment, which is insufficient owing to the complex geometry of a pelvic structure. Moreover, a pre-bend of the reconstruction plates is necessary, but difficult to complete, because of the lack of appropriate templates. In this study, an integrated preoperative planning system is developed to provide 3D models and physical templates so that the surgeon can simulate and observe his planning and prepare better-fitted curved plates before surgery. The proposed method can be divided into the following four stages: 3D display, bone segmentation, bone reduction, and implant placement. As for the designed curved plates, they can be fabricated as templates by means of rapid prototyping technology. Several examples, including artificial bones, real CT images and real pelvic surgery, have been presented to demonstrate the feasibility of the proposed method.
SURFACE MODIFICATION OF ALUMINUM OXIDE FOR BIOSENSING APPLICATION
Authors: Sin Eun Jung , Moon Young-Soon , Lee Yeon Kyung , Lim Jeong-Ok , Huh Jeung-Soo , Choi Sie-Young , Sohn Young-Soo
Published: April 2012

The surface modification for immobilization of antibodies on the aluminum oxide surface was developed for biosensing application. The aluminum oxide has been received much attention since it has various advantages including low cost, hardness, resistance to organic solvents, and high capacitance. In addition, the aluminum oxide can prevent the leakage current in the electrical detection. For development of the protein anchorable surface, the aluminum oxide chip was treated with oxygen plasma and directly immersed in ethanol and toluene solution of 3-aminopropyltriethoxysilane (APTES). Next, this amine modified chip was immersed in the glutaraldehyde solution that contained sodium cyanoborohydride. Finally, the fluorescent materials, the Alexa 488, and the FITC conjugated anti-IgG were reacted to the aldehyde-modified surface. To verify the modified surface, the intensity of the fluorescence was measured and compared. The higher intensity of the fluorescence was observed when the APTES was dissolved in toluene rather than in ethanol. From the highest intensity of the fluorescence observed, the FITC conjugated anti-IgG was well immobilized on the modified surface of the aluminum oxide with APTES and glutaraldehyde. Thus, the proposed surface modification method can immobilize the proteins including antibodies, and can be applied for the various biological researches including biosensors and biochips.
ACETONE SENSING PROPERTIES OF HIERARCHICAL ZnO URCHINLIKE STRUCTURES BY HYDROTHERMAL PROCESS
Authors: Lou Zheng , Feng Yingliang , Liu Xiangwei , Wang Lili , Zhang Tong
Published: April 2012

The nanorods bundles (urchinlike) ZnO microspheres, consisting of closely packed nanorods with wideness of about 50 nm, have been successfully synthesized by a hydrothermal route at the temperature of 140°C. The individual hierarchical ZnO microsphere ranged from 3.5 to 4.5 μm in diameter. Most importantly, ZnO hierarchical microsphere sensor exhibits excellent selectivity and fast response to acetone. Response and recovery times were 1 s and 3 s when the sensor was exposed to 100 ppm acetone at an operating temperature of 320°C. Thus, hierarchical structures play a significant role in the field of gas sensing.
UNIAXIALLY ALIGNED In2O3 NANOFIBERS BASED SENSORS WITH FAST RESPONSE TO ETHANOL
Authors: Liu Hang , Fan Hui-Tao , Xu Xiu-Juan , Zhang Tong
Published: April 2012

Uniaxially aligned In2O3 nanofibers are prepared by magnetic-field-assisted electrospinning method. The average diameter of the gained nanofibers is about 90 nm. The optimum operating temperature of the sensor based on the uniaxially aligned In2O3 nanofibers to ethanol is 120°C, the response and recovery times of the sensor are 0.4 s and 3 s, respectively. Compared with the randomly deposited nanofibers, the uniaxially aligned nanofibers show much rapider response.
OPTICAL SENSING PROPERTIES OF WO3 NANOSTRUCTURED THIN FILMS ON SAPPHIRE SUBSTRATE TOWARD HYDROGEN
Authors: Kang J. H. , Oh C. M. , Kim J. Y. , Yaacob M. H. , Ou J. Z. , Wlodarski W.
Published: April 2012

Many studies have identified tungsten trioxide (WO3) as a promising candidate for optical gas sensing applications. WO3 , coated with thin catalytic metals such as Pd , was reported to show a color change from transparent to dark blue upon exposure to oxidizing gas such as hydrogen (H2). Reliable hydrogen sensor is widely used in medical and energy application area. In this work, WO3 nanostructured thin films were deposited onto sapphire substrates via pulsed laser deposition (PLD) technique by using ArF Excimer laser operating at very short wavelength of 193 nm, the shortest wavelength used in the fabrication of semiconductor oxide thin films. By ablating the target oxides by high energy photons, we could fabricate good crystalline nanostructure thin films. Electron microscopy studies revealed that the uniform and homogeneous WO3 nanostructured films consist of nanorods of about 50 nm sizes. XRD and Raman studies verified good crystalline formation. Absorbance response toward H2 gas was investigated for a WO3 film coated with 25 Å thick palladium (Pd). The Pd/WO3 nanostructured thin films exhibited excellent gasochromic response toward H2 when measured in the visible-NIR range at 100°C. As low as 0.06% H2 concentration was clearly sensed. The larger dynamic response was measured at NIR wavelength of 900 nm as compared to the response at visible wavelength of 500 nm. The dynamic response of the films observed in the range of 500–800 nm showed more significant response toward H2 with low concentrations (0.06%–1%) than the one at single wavelength. As a result, H2 with very low concentration was able to be sensed reliably in real time. The response and recovery times were found to be < 2 min. The results indicated that the Pd/WO3 nanorod films on sapphire substrates responded to very low H2 concentration (0.06%) which is well below its lower explosive level threshold (4%).
FABRICATION OF QCM TYPE SMOTHER DETECTION SENSOR BY PLASMA POLYMERIZING SnOx ORGANIC-LIKE FILMS AND SPIN COATING WITH POLY ETHYLENE GLYCOL
Authors: Chen Ko-Shao , Liao Shu-Chuan , Wu Hsin-Ming , Tsao Yu-Chia , Lin Hong-Ru
Published: April 2012

Quartz crystal microbalances (QCM) are transducers for chemical and biochemical sensing. The oscillation frequency of QCM is affected by the adsorbed mass on the surface. In this work, a new room temperature type gas sensor device fabricated by organically hybridized plasma deposition of tetramethyltin (TMT) and oxygen. Post treatment with poly ethylene glycol (PEG) was developed to detect the ambient environmental smother, and the responses of the fabricated sensor to smother detection were investigated. SnO x C y thin films on the sensor electrodes were obtained by plasma deposition from TMT and O 2 gas mixtures at room temperature. A spin coating post treatment on the SnO x C y thin films turns into hydrophilic property. The response of the QCM sensor to the smother detection shows a frequency drop during the burning of candle and has good detection sensitivity with Δf equal to 2400 Hz. Repeated smother testing with the QCM type smother detection sensor also indicates the stability of the fabricated sensor.
A STRATEGY TO ENHANCE THE BIOMEDICAL ARTICULATION SYSTEM BY ELECTROCHEMICALLY TEXTURING OF METAL SURFACES
Authors: Yang Ta-I , Chen Yi-Chun , Huang Huei-Ting , Tseng I-Hsiang , Fang Hsu-Wei
Published: April 2012

The concept of texturing steel surfaces were attempted to ease the surface wear and to prevent the release of harmful ions in the conventional joint replacement systems. The surfaces of the bio-compatible steels were textured by photolithography and electrochemical etching techniques to lower the friction coefficient and hence reduce the wear of the surface. Experimental results confirmed that the surfaces with textures (grooves) showed lower friction coefficient compared to un-textured surfaces at a high load (50 N). The friction coefficient could be further reduced for a lower load (10 N) through optimizing the generated hydrodynamic lift. A significant 47% reduction of friction coefficient was archived by tailoring the orientation and size of the textures on the stainless steel surface. The demonstrated strategy in this study would thus offer exciting avenues for developing artificial joint systems that last the full duration of the patients' life without any side-effect concerns.
A MEDICAL DIAGNOSIS BASED ON INTERVAL-VALUED FUZZY SETS
Authors: Choi Hye Mi , Mun Gil Seong , Ahn Jeong Yong
Published: April 2012

In this paper, we propose a fuzzy diagnostic method based on interval-valued intuitionistic fuzzy sets. For this purpose, we developed an interval-valued interview chart with interval fuzzy degree assigned to the relation among symptoms and diseases, and utilized the interval-valued intuitionistic fuzzy weighted arithmetic average operator to aggregate fuzzy information from the symptoms. In addition, we suggest a diagnosis measure using the occurrence proportion of patient's symptoms. Finally, an illustrative example is given to demonstrate its practicality and effectiveness.
Advanced Interferometric Techniques for High-Resolution Bathymetry
Authors: Llort-Pujol Gerard , Sintes Christophe , Chonavel Thierry , Morrison Archie T. , Daniel Sylvie
Published: April 2012

AbstractCurrent high-resolution sidescan and multibeam sonars produce very large data sets. However, conventional interferometry-based bathymetry algorithms underestimate the potential information of such soundings, generally because they use small baselines to avoid phase
ambiguity. Moreover, these algorithms limit the triangulation capabilities of multibeam echosounders (MBES) to the detection of one sample per beam, i.e., the zero-phase instant. In this paper, we argue that the correlation between signals plays a very important role in the exploration of
a remotely observed scene. In the case of multibeam sonars, capabilities can be improved by using the interferometric signal as a continuous quantity. This allows consideration of many more useful soundings per beam and enriches understanding of the environment. To this end, continuous interferometry
detection is compared here, from a statistical perspective, first with conventional interferometry-based algorithms and then with high-resolution methods such as the Multiple Signal Classification (MUSIC) algorithm. We demonstrate that a well-designed interferometry algorithm based on a coherence
error model and an optimal array configuration permits a reduction in the number of beam formings (and therefore the computational cost) and an improvement in target detection (such as ship mooring cables or masts). A possible interferometry processing algorithm based on the complex correlation
between received signals is tested on both sidescan sonars and MBESs and shows promising results for detection of small in-water targets.
A Behavior-Based Mission Planner for Cooperative Autonomous Underwater Vehicles†
Authors: Sorbi Laura , De Capua Graziano Pio , Fontaine Jean-Guy , Toni Laura
Published: April 2012

AbstractDue to its applications in marine research, oceanographic, and undersea exploration, autonomous underwater vehicles (AUVs) and the related control algorithms recently have been under intense investigation. In this work, we address target detection and tracking issues,
proposing a control strategy that is able to benefit from the cooperation among robots within the fleet. In particular, we introduce a behavior-based planner for cooperative AUVs, proposing an algorithm that is able to search and recognize targets in both static and dynamic scenarios. With
no a priori information about the surrounding environment, robots cover an unknown area with the goal of finding objects of interest. When a target is found, the AUVs’ goal is to classify (fixed target) or track (mobile target) the target, with no information about target trajectory
and with formation constraints. Results demonstrate the good overall performance of the proposed algorithm in both scenarios.
Risk Factors for Persistent Pulmonary Hypertension of the Newborn
Authors: Delaney Cassidy , Cornfield David N.
Published: April 2012

In utero, pulmonary blood flow is closely circumscribed and oxygenation and ventilation occur via the placental circulation. Within the first few breaths of air‐breathing life, the perinatal pulmonary circulation undergoes a dramatic transition as pulmonary blood flow increases 10‐fold and the pulmonary arterial blood pressure decreases by 50% within 24 hours of birth. With the loss of the placental circulation, the increase in pulmonary flow enables oxygen to enter the bloodstream. The physiologic mechanisms that account for the remarkable transition of the pulmonary circulation include establishment of an air‐liquid interface, rhythmic distention of the lung, an increase in shear stress and elaboration of nitric oxide from the pulmonary endothelium. If the perinatal pulmonary circulation does not dilate, blood is shunted away from the lungs at the level of the patent foramen ovale and the ductus arteriosus leading to the profound and unremitting hypoxemia that characterizes persistent pulmonary hypertension of the newborn (PPHN), a syndrome without either optimally effective preventative or treatment strategies. Despite significant advances in treatment, PPHN remains a major cause of morbidity and mortality in neonatal centers across the globe. While there is information surrounding factors that might increase the risk of PPHN, knowledge remains incomplete. Cesarean section delivery, high maternal body mass index, maternal use of aspirin, nonsteroidal anti‐inflammatory agents and maternal diabetes mellitus are among the factors associated with an increased risk for PPHN. Recent data suggest that maternal use of serotonin reuptake inhibitors might represent another important risk factor for PPHN.
Bosentan Effects in Hypoxic Pulmonary Vasoconstriction: Preliminary Study in Subjects with or without High Altitude Pulmonary Edema‐History
Authors: Pham Isabelle , Wuerzner Grégoire , Richalet Jean‐Paul , Peyrard Séverine , Azizi Michel
Published: April 2012

Hypoxia‐induced pulmonary vasoconstriction in patients with a medical history of high‐altitude pulmonary edema (HAPE) may involve activation of the endothelin‐1 (ET‐1) pathway. We, therefore, compared the effect of the ETA/ETB receptor antagonist, bosentan, on pulmonary artery systolic pressure (PASP) in healthy subjects with (HS: HAPE subjects, n=5) or without a HAPE‐history (CS: Control subjects, n=10). A double‐blind, placebo‐controlled, randomized, crossover design was performed in order to study the effects on PASP of a single oral dose of bosentan (250 mg) after 90 min exposure to normobaric hypoxia (FiO2=0.12). In normoxia, PASP, evaluated by echocardiography, was 23.4±2.7 mmHg in CS and 28±5.8 mmHg in HS (NS). During the placebo period, hypoxia induced a significant decrease in SaO2, PaO2 and PCO2 and increase in pH in both CS and HS. Pulmonary arterial systolic pressure was also significantly increased (+8.5±5.0 mmHg in CS; +13.4±3.1 mmHg in HS) and reached significantly higher levels in HS than in CS (P=0.02). Bosentan significantly but similarly blunted the hypoxia‐induced increase in PASP in both CS (Bosentan: 27.0±3.3 mmHg; placebo: 32.1±3.5 mmHg; P<0.01) and HS (Bosentan: 35.0±2.9 mmHg; placebo: 41.4±7.6 mmHg; P<0.05), (CS 5.2±5.3 vs. HS −6.4±5.2 mmHg, NS). Bosentan did not have a major effect on the hypoxia‐induced changes in blood gas, or on cardiac output (CO) and systemic blood pressure (SBP), which were not modified by hypoxia. Plasma ET‐1 in hypoxia during the bosentan period was 2.8 times higher than during for both CS and HS. A single oral dose of bosentan similarly blunted the hypoxia‐induced increase in PASP both in healthy and HAPE‐susceptible subjects, without altering CO or SBP.
Depolarization‐Dependent Contraction Increase after Birth and Preservation following Long‐Term Hypoxia in Sheep Pulmonary Arteries
Authors: Papamatheakis Demosthenes G. , Patel Jay J. , Blood Quintin , Merritt Travis T. , Longo Lawrence D. , Wilson Sean M.
Published: April 2012

Membrane depolarization is critical to pulmonary arterial (PA) contraction. Both L‐type Ca2+ channels (CaL) and Rho‐kinase are important signaling components of this process and mitochondrial and non‐mitochondrial generated superoxides can be part of the signaling process. Maturation and long‐term hypoxia (LTH) each can modify depolarization‐dependent contraction and the role of superoxides. By the use of wire myography, we tested the hypothesis that maturation and LTH increase pulmonary arterial reactivity to high‐K+‐induced membrane depolarization through enhancements in the importance of CaL and Rho‐kinase‐dependent pathways. The data show that maturation, but not LTH, increases contraction to 125 mM KCl (high‐K+) without altering the EC50. High‐K+‐dependent contraction was inhibited to a similar extent in fetal and adult PA by multiple CaL blockers, including 10 μM diltiazem, 10 μM verapamil, and 10 μM nifedipine. Postnatal maturation increased the role for 10 μM nifedipine‐sensitive CaL, and decreased that for 10 μM Y‐27632‐sensitive Rho‐kinase. In all groups, the combination of nifedipine and Y‐27632 effectively inhibited high‐K+ contraction. Tempol (3 mM) but not 100 μM apocynin slightly reduced contraction in arteries from fetal hypoxic and adult normoxic and hypoxic sheep, indicating a limited role for non‐mitochondrial derived superoxide to high‐K+‐induced contraction. Western immunoblot for alpha smooth muscle actin indicated small increases in relative abundance in the adult. The data suggest that while CaL therapies more effectively vasodilate PA in adults and rho‐kinase therapies are more effective in newborns, combination therapies would provide greater efficacy in both young and mature patients regardless of normoxic or hypoxic conditions.
Characterization of Altered Patterns of Endothelial Progenitor Cells in Sickle Cell Disease Related Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension
Authors: Anjum Fatima , Lazar Jason , Zein Joe , Jamaleddine Ghassan , Demetis Spiro , Wadgaonkar Raj
Published: April 2012

Endothelial dysfunction plays an important role in the pathogenesis of pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) in sickle cell disease (SCD). A variety of evidence suggests that circulating endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) play an integral role in vascular repair. We hypothesized that SCD patients with PAH are deficient in EPCs, potentially contributing to endothelial dysfunction and disease progression. The number of circulating CD34+/CD14‐/CD106+ EPCs was significantly lower in SCD patients with PAH than without PAH (P=0.025). CD34+/CD14‐/CD106+ numbers significantly correlated with tricuspid regurgitation velocity (TRV, r=−0.44, P=0.033) 6‐minute walk distance (6MWD, r= 0.72, P=0.001), mean pulmonary artery pressure (mPAP, r= −0.43, P=0.05), and pulmonary vascular resistance (PVR, r=−0.45, P=0.05). Other EPC subsets including CD31+/CD133+/CD146+ were similar between both groups. Numbers of EPCs did not correlate with age, sex, hemoglobin, WBC count, reticulocyte count, lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), iron/ferritin levels, and serum creatinine. These data indicate that subsets of EPC are lower in SCD patients with PAH than in those without PAH. Fewer EPCs in PAH patients may contribute to the pulmonary vascular pathology. Reduced number of EPCs in SCD patients with PAH might not only give potential insight into the pathophysiological mechanisms but also might be useful for identifying suitable therapeutic targets in these patients.
Estimation of Endothelin‐Mediated Vasoconstriction in Acute Pulmonary Thromboembolism
Authors: Tsang John Y. C. , Lamm Wayne J. E.
Published: April 2012

We aimed to investigate the role of endothelin‐mediated vasoconstriction following acute pulmonary thromboembolism (APTE). Thirteen anesthetized piglets (~25 kg) were ventilated with 0 PEEP. Cardiac output (Qt) and wedge pressure (Pw) were measured by a Swan Ganz catheter, along with arterial and venous blood gases. APTE was induced by autologous blood clots (~0.8 g/kg, 12–16 pieces) via a jugular venous catheter at time = 0 minutes until the mean pulmonary arterial pressure (Ppa) was about 2.5 times the baseline at 30 minutes. Eight control animals (Group 1) received only normal saline afterward, while the remaining five (Group 2) received at time = 40‐minute saline plus Tezosentan, a nonspecific endothelin antagonist. The drug was initially given as an intravenous bolus (10 mg/kg), followed by an infusion (2 mg/min) until the end of the experiment at 2 hours. Hemodynamic data were measured before APTE and then at 30‐minute intervals. Pulmonary vascular resistance index (PVRI) was calculated as (Ppa‐Pw)/CI, where CI was cardiac index or Qt/W (body weight). Fluorescent microspheres (FMS) were used to mark regional blood flows and ventilation for cluster analysis. PVRI acutely increased within minutes and remained high despite some recovery over time. With Tezosentan treatment, the results showed that endothelin‐mediated vasoconstriction persisted significantly up to 2 hours and accounted for about 25% of the increase in PVRI while clot obstruction accounted for the remaining 75%. CI remained relatively constant throughout. Tezosentan also affected PVRI indirectly by mitigating the shift of regional blood flow back to the embolized areas over time, possibly by attenuating vasoconstriction in the nonembolized areas. We conclude that following APTE, although the increased PVRI is mostly due to mechanical embolic obstruction, secondary factors such as vasoconstriction and pattern of regional blood flow over time also play important roles.