bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Longitudinal and noninvasive assessment of emphysema evolution in a murine model using proton MRI
Authors: Zurek Magdalena , Boyer Laurent , Caramelle Philippe , Boczkowski Jorge , Crémillieux Yannick
Published: December 2011

Ultrashort echo time (550 μs) MR imaging was implemented to track the emphysema development in mice lung challenged with elastase. Two parameters, namely, signal intensity and T, were used to monitor the disease evolution. Nine mice were imaged before and at 24 h as well as at 3 and 8 weeks after elastase instillation. Five mice instilled with saline served as controls. At week 8, the mean normalized signal intensity ± SD was 0.89 ± 0.20 for healthy controls and 0.64 ± 0.10 for animals with emphysema. Similarly, a reduced value of T (1.27 ± 0.35 ms vs 0.96 ± 0.18 ms) was found in the emphysema group. The mean signal intensity drop and the reduction of T were prominent at 3 weeks following elastase instillation and stabilized between 3 and 8 weeks. The results indicated an excellent agreement between MR findings and histological morphometry (signal intensity, r = −0.78, P = 0.004; T, r = −0.78, P = 0.001). This result shows that proton MRI allows structural changes at alveolar level to be monitored longitudinally. This technique, applied routinely in preclinical trials will represent a valuable tool for assessment of drug therapy efficacy. Magn Reson Med, 2012. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Stabilization of mixed tetrahedral elements at large deformations
Authors: Caylak Ismail , Mahnken Rolf
Published: December 2011

This paper presents stabilized mixed finite element formulations for tetrahedral elements at large deformations using volume and area bubble functions. To this end, the corresponding weak formulations are derived for the standard two‐field method, the method of incompatible modes and the enhanced strain method. Then, the weak formulations will be linearized. Furthermore, the matrix formulations for the weak formulations and its linearizations are summarized. The numerical results for incompressible rubber‐like materials using a Neo‐Hookean material law show the locking‐free performance and the drastic damping of the stresses for the new stabilized tetrahedral elements in finite deformation problems. This paper is an extension of the works published by the authors regarding small deformation problems for linear elasticity and plasticity. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Slight compressibility and sensitivity to changes in Poisson's ratio
Authors: Destrade M. , Gilchrist M.D. , Motherway J. , Murphy J.G.
Published: December 2011

Finite element simulations of rubbers and biological soft tissue usually assume that the material being deformed is slightly compressible. It is shown here that, in shearing deformations, the corresponding normal stress distribution can exhibit extreme sensitivity to changes in Poisson's ratio. These changes can even lead to a reversal of the usual Poynting effect. Therefore, the usual practice of arbitrarily choosing a value of Poisson's ratio when numerically modelling rubbers and soft tissue will, almost certainly, lead to a significant difference between the simulated and actual normal stresses in a sheared block because of the difference between the assumed and actual value of Poisson's ratio. The worrying conclusion is that simulations based on arbitrarily specifying Poisson's ratio close to 1∕2 cannot accurately predict the normal stress distribution even for the simplest of shearing deformations. It is shown analytically that this sensitivity is caused by the small volume changes, which inevitably accompany all deformations of rubber‐like materials. To minimise these effects, great care should be exercised to accurately determine Poisson's ratio before simulations begin. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Proper generalized decomposition of time‐multiscale models
Authors: Ammar Amine , Chinesta Francisco , Cueto Elías , Doblaré Manuel
Published: December 2011

Models encountered in computational mechanics could involve many time scales. When these time scales cannot be separated, one must solve the evolution model in the entire time interval by using the finest time step that the model implies. In some cases, the solution procedure becomes cumbersome because of the extremely large number of time steps needed for integrating the evolution model in the whole time interval. In this paper, we considered an alternative approach that lies in separating the time axis (one‐dimensional in nature) in a multidimensional time space. Then, for circumventing the resulting curse of dimensionality, the proper generalized decomposition was applied allowing a fast solution with significant computing time savings with respect to a standard incremental integration. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Reformulation of nodally integrated continuum elements to attain insensitivity to distortion
Authors: Krysl P. , Kagey H.
Published: December 2011

The nodally integrated continuum element (NICE) formulation is an assumed‐strain finite element technique derived from a weighted residual statement that weakly enforces both the balance equation and the kinematic equation. The original NICE formulation has a number of desirable attributes (e.g., resistance to volumetric locking), but, similar to classical finite elements, it is sensitive to a geometrical distortion of the finite element mesh. The present work analyzes the NICE technique from this viewpoint, the source of the sensitivity to the shape of the element is identified, and an improvement of the NICE formulation is proposed. We illustrate the performance of the revised NICE formulation on extremely distorted meshes. The tetrahedral meshes contain zero‐volume or negative‐volume elements, including slivers, and the new NICE formulation is shown to have the condition number of the stiffness matrix under control even in the presence of slivers. Furthermore, insensitivity to distortions is demonstrated for quadratic and cubic hexahedral elements. The proposed improvement confers robustness to all element shapes treated by the NICE formulation. The approximation properties of the original NICE formulation are preserved, in particular the improved version is also locking free, and at the same time, the need for stabilization also carries over. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Ion exchange technology for optical waveguides
Authors: Kufner Maria , Kufner Stefan
Published: December 2011

The term ‘integrated optics’ has been created more than 30 years ago and describes a family of technologies where light guiding structures are integrated on planar substrates. The concept corresponds to electronic integration, where lithographical tools are used to create structures in the micron range with submicron precision. One of the first reliable production processes for integrated optical waveguides was ion exchange in glass.
Three‐dimensional laser lithography
Authors: Thiel Michael , Hermatschweiler Martin
Published: December 2011

In the last decades micro‐ and nanotechnology have made enormous progress. One of the key success factors is the continuous improvement of lithographic techniques which are the driving forces of innovation in many industrial areas. So far, lithography on the sub‐micrometer scale has mostly been limited to planar objects. Trends towards further miniaturization and high‐density integration call for disruptive developments of production standards. The next logical step is to go from planar two‐dimensional lithography to the third dimension.
Preparation and thermal energy storage properties of poly(n‐butyl methacrylate)/fatty acids composites as form‐stable phase change materials
Authors: Sari Ahmet , Alkan Cemil
Published: December 2011

This work is focused on the preparation, characterization, and determination of thermal energy storage properties of poly(n‐butyl methacrylate) (PnBMA)/fatty acid composites as form‐stable phase change material (PCM). In the composite materials, the fatty acids act as latent heat storage material whereas PnBMA serves as supporting material, which prevents the leakage of the melted fatty acids. The maximum encapsulation ratio for all fatty acids was found to be 40 wt%. The composites that do not allow PCM leakage in melted state were identified as form‐stable PCMs. The compatibility of fatty acids with PnBMA is investigated by optical microscopy (OM) and Fourier Transform Infrared (FT‐IR) spectroscopy. Thermal properties and thermal reliability of the form‐stable composite PCMs were determined using differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). DSC analysis revealed that the form‐stable composite PCMs had melting temperatures between 29.62°C and 53.73°C and latent heat values between 67.23 J/g and 87.34 J/g. Thermal stability of the composite PCMs was studied by thermal gravimetric (TG) analysis and the results indicated that the form‐stable PCMs had good thermal stability. In addition, thermal cycling test showed that the composite PCMs had good thermal reliability with respect to the changes in their thermal properties after accelerated 5,000 thermal cycling. On the basis of all results, it was also concluded that the prepared form‐stable composite PCMs had important potential for many thermal energy storage applications such as solar space heating of buildings by using wallboard, plasterboard or floors integrated with PCM. POLYM. COMPOS., 2012. © 2011 Society of Plastics Engineers
Effects of water absorption on mechanical properties of hemp fiber composites
Authors: Shahzad Asim
Published: December 2011

Effects of water absorption on mechanical properties of hemp fiber composites have been studied. Finite difference method modeling of water absorption in these composites showed the diffusion to be Fickian in nature. The residual tensile and flexural properties showed immediate decline following immersion in water, the loss in modulus being more pronounced than the loss in strength. The fracture of tensile tested composites following immersion in water was found to be more ductile than brittle, which showed the evidence of shear stresses being more significant in these conditions. For impact damaged composites immersed in water, most of the degradation in residual tensile properties occurred within first 100 h of immersion in water at same impact energy level and further immersion in water for up to 400 h did not result in any further degradation. No deterioration in fatigue strength and fatigue sensitivity of composites following immersion in water was observed. POLYM. COMPOS., 2012. © 2011 Society of Plastics Engineers
Effect of electron beam irradiation on the mechanical, thermal, and dynamic mechanical properties of flyash and nanostructured fly ash waste polyethylene hybrid composites
Authors: Satapathy Sukanya , Nag Ahin , Nando Golok Bihari
Published: December 2011

The effect of electron beam irradiation on the technical properties of fly ash (FA) and nano fly ash (NFA)‐filled waste polyethylene (WPE) composites have been investigated in this article. It is observed that the FA/NFA at 5 wt% imparted enhanced technical properties. The modified composites were prepared by three different methods (1) modification of WPE matrix first by grafting with maleic anhydride (MA) and preparing the composite (2) Preparing WPE‐FA/NFA composites and subjecting to electron beam irradiation. (3) Subjecting the FA/NFA to electron beam radiation first and then preparing composites with WPE. Of the three methods, the composite prepared and then electron beam irradiated gave the best balance in the physico‐mechanical properties. The tensile and flexural strength of WPE increased from 21.2 MPa and 25.4 MPa to 33.0 MPa (57.8%) and 45.8 MPa (72%) respectively at 5 wt% FA‐filled WPE composites, which further increased to 34.5 MPa (65%) and 47.7 MPa (87.8%) respectively with 5 wt% of NFA‐filled WPE composites, after electron beam irradiation. The thermal stability was enhanced upon electron beam irradiation of the composites. The dynamic mechanical properties reveal that the storage modulus reaches the highest value for the irradiated composite corroborating with the flexural modulus throughout the temperature range studied. The fractured surfaces were examined under SEM and were correlated with the mechanical properties. The results indicate that FA/NFA reinforced WPE composites act as an excellent stress raisers preventing crack propagation and enhancing the performance properties on electron beam irradiation. POLYM. COMPOS., 2012. © 2011 Society of Plastics Engineers
Characterization of the human primary visual cortex and cerebellum proteomes using shotgun mass spectrometry‐data‐independent analyses
Authors: Martins‐de‐Souza Daniel , Guest Paul C. , Guest Francesca L. , Bauder Corinna , Rahmoune Hassan , Pietsch Sandra , Roeber Sigrum , Kretzschmar Hans , Mann David , Baborie Atik , Bahn Sabine
Published: December 2011

We present the first characterization of the human occipital lobe (primary visual cortex) and cerebellum proteomes. Proteins were identified using a combination of gel electrophoresis and data‐independent nanoflow liquid chromatography mass spectrometry (nLC‐MSE). The resulting data sets comprised 391 and 330 unique proteins in occipital lobe and cerebellum, respectively, present in at least 75% of the analyzed samples with 297 proteins found in common. These proteins have been associated previously with conditions, such as neurological disorder, progressive motor neuropathy, Parkinson's disease and schizophrenia. The unique proteins identified in the occipital lobe included the interesting finding of growth hormone and several members of the Ca2+‐dependent calmodulin kinase and serine/threonine protein phosphatase families. The complete mapping of these and other brain proteomes may help in the elucidation of neurological processes and identify potential targets for therapeutic strategies.
Minimum ignition energy for micro and nano flash powders
Authors: Azhagurajan A. , Selvakumar N. , Mohammed Yasin M.
Published: December 2011

The minimum ignition energy (MIE) of dust clouds is required to assess the electrostatic ignition risk. Recently, the growing number of accidents shows that fire and explosions occurring in fireworks industry are due to electrostatic discharge (ESD). The objective of the this paper is to discuss the various practical concerns during the handling of flash powders of various compositions containing potassium nitrate, sulfur, and aluminum in fireworks. These powders form dust clouds and cause fires and explosions because the MIEs of these dust clouds are very low. This study is carried out with powders of various sizes ranging from micron and nanometer. The measurements are done by using a 1.2‐L Hartmann apparatus. The experimental results show that the MIEs for flash powders are in the range from 89.2 to 19.8 mJ for micron‐ and nano‐sized particles. The experimental results are given for various changes, such as: electrode gap, electrode material, and dust concentration, dust composition, etc. If the nano flash powder is mixed with micron powders, the MIE is greatly reduced, and it becomes extremely combustible. Therefore, it is imperative for fireworks manufacturers, or anyone handling these dusts, to take precautionary measures to prevent fires and explosions involving ESDs. © 2011 American Institute of Chemical Engineers Process Saf Prog, 2012
The dimensions and analysis of safety culture
Authors: Wang Chen‐Hua , Liu Yu‐Jung
Published: December 2011

This article (a) summarizes the literature concerning the dimensions of safety culture, (b) describes a method used to develop a questionnaire to identify the importance of these dimensions, and (c) includes a table of results that give the ranking of 18 safety culture dimensions. The results show that the most important dimensions include safety behaviour, awareness, contractor management, commitment, and training. A detailed analysis of the results show that the employees with the best culture recognize the importance of safety and safety regulations, they especially value life, and they consider safety as everyone's responsibility. © 2011 American Institute of Chemical Engineers Process Saf Prog, 2011
Recent progress of efficient deep UV‐LEDs by plasma‐assisted molecular beam epitaxy
Authors: Liao Yitao , Kao Chen‐kai , Thomidis C. , Moldawer A. , Woodward J. , Bhattarai D. , Moustakas T. D.
Published: December 2011

We report the development of efficient AlGaN‐based deep ultraviolet (UV) LEDs emitting in the wavelength range from 320 nm to 265 nm by plasma‐assisted molecular beam epitaxy (MBE). By growing the AlGaN well layers under Ga‐rich conditions to produce strong band structure potential fluctuations, the internal quantum efficiency (IQE) of the quantum wells, which are used as the active region of the UV LEDs, was found to be as high as 32%. Unpackaged deep UV‐LEDs emitting at 273 nm were found to have an optical output power of 0.35 mW and 1.3 mW under DC and AC injection current of 20 mA and 100 mA respectively. The maximum external quantum efficiency under DC injection was measured to be 0.4%. (© 2012 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Broadening of photoluminescence for inhomogeneous polar and non‐polar InGaN/GaN quantum wells
Authors: Gladysiewicz Marta , Kudrawiec Robert
Published: December 2011

The model of a ‘random’ quantum well (QW) [M. Gladysiewicz and R. Kudrawiec, J. Phys.: Condens. Matter 22, 485801 (2010)] has been applied to generate low temperature photoluminescence (PL) spectra for polar and non‐polar InGaN QWs dedicated for blue and green emitters. In order to simulate QW inhomogeneities in this model, it was assumed that the QW width, barrier widths and indium concentration vary with a Gaussian distribution where the nominal QW width, barrier widths and indium concentration correspond to the mean value in this distribution and their fluctuations correspond to the deviation from the mean value. In PL spectrum such a QW is represented by a Lorentz‐like peak with the homogeneous broadening. For an inhomogeneous QW the PL spectrum is built from such PL peaks obtained for thousands random QWs. Such an approach allows to investigate the influence of QW inhomogeneities on the broadening of the PL. In this paper it is clearly shown that the polarization‐related electric field enhances the broadening of the PL. A reduction of built‐in electric field in InGaN QWs can be a promising way to improve the homogeneity of light emission from this system. (© 2012 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Carrier transport mechanism of AlGaN/GaN Schottky barrier diodes with various Al mole fractions
Authors: Ha Woo Jin , Chhajed Sameer , Chavan Ashonita , Lee Jae‐Hoon , Kim Ki‐Se , Kim Jong Kyu
Published: December 2011

The evolution of the dominant carrier transport mechanism of Alx Ga1‐xN/GaN Schottky barrier diodes with increasing Al mole fraction x (x = 0.2, 0.3, 0.4, and 0.5) is investigated. The Schottky barrier height (SBH) linearly increases with the work function of Schottky metal with the slope factor of ∼0.5 irrespective of x. The SBH, the ideality factor, and the reverse leakage current, however, show an increasing deviation from the predicted values given by the thermionic‐emission theory as x increases. The XPS analysis reveals enhanced predominant incorporation of oxygen donors and an increase in the energy band bending at the surface of AlGaN with increasing x, indicating that the carrier transport by tunnelling through the thin, heavily doped Schottky barrier becomes dominant. (© 2012 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Tip characterizer for atomic force microscopy using singly suspended carbon nanotube
Authors: Inaba Takumi , Xie Jianping , Sugiyama Ryohei , Homma Yoshikazu
Published: December 2011

A single‐walled carbon nanotube (SWCNT) suspended on a groove was investigated as a well‐defined and nanosized atomic force microscopy tip characterizer. Photoluminescence spectroscopy was employed to determine the diameter of the SWCNT, and two‐dimensional photoluminescence mapping images were measured for evaluating the uniformity of the suspended SWCNT. Atomic force microscopy measurements of suspended SWCNTs were performed in the intermittent contact mode. Stable image of SWCNTs suspended over an 80 nm wide groove could be observed, and the shape of the tip could be characterized from the line profile of the suspended SWCNT image. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Inclusion and Exclusion—A Guiding Distinction to the Understanding of Issues of Cultural Background
Authors: Jönhill Jan Inge
Published: December 2011

Claims for equal rights and action against discrimination because of cultural background are current issues within the multicultural global society. How can society today manage cultural differences making differences? The main aim of this article is to contribute to the understanding of issues of immigration and cultural background or diversity. It is argued that such issues may be analyzed fruitfully through the use of inclusion and exclusion as a guiding distinction, in the sense it has been developed in systems theory by Niklas Luhmann and others. It is shown how inclusion and exclusion operates in different contexts. One conclusion is that in modern society, it is never only a case of a simple division into (full) ‘outsider‐ship’ and ‘insider‐ship’, respectively. Another conclusion is that discrimination is not structurally inherent in modern society as such, but that it is a possible outcome primarily because of the characteristics of organizations. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Physicochemical properties of starch isolated from Antiaris africana seeds in comparison with maize starch
Authors: Nwokocha Louis M. , Nwokocha Kate E. , Williams Peter A.
Published: December 2011

Antiaris africana seeds yielded 29.6% starch which showed appreciable high contents of ash, protein, and fat. The average diameter of A. africana starch granules was 3.98 µm compared to 8.93 µm for maize starch. A. africana starch had a C‐type XRD pattern and crystallinity of 41.5%. A. africana starch had higher AM content (24.1%) than maize starch (20.9%). The gelatinization onset temperature of A. africana starch (66.7°C) was higher than maize starch (63.1°C), but its gelatinization temperature range (8.57°C) and enthalpy (13.97 J/g) were lower than the values for maize starch (14.02°C, 14.65 J/g). The pasting temperature (Pt) and setback (Vs) were lower and breakdown (Vb) higher for A. africana starch (Pt = 82.5°C, Vs = 173.8 RVU, and Vb = 121.42 RVU) than for maize starch (Pt = 84.9°C, Vs = 183.73 RVU, and Vb = 78.58 RVU). The GPC analysis gave Mw of 2.18 × 107 g/mol and radius of gyration of 95.1 nm for Antiaris starch. Antiaris starch paste exhibited poor freeze‐thaw stability but its small granule size indicates potential for application as dusting starch.
Helping men to help themselves
Authors: Kirby Roger
Published: December 2011

One of our avowed missions in Trends is to help our readers to ‘help men to help themselves’. The trouble is that many of us, and even more of our patients, tend to ‘help ourselves’ rather too liberally to over‐large meals, tasty treats and festive tipples over the Christmas period. The inevitable result is an unwelcome expansion of abdominal girth and rise of body mass index (BMI) in the New Year. It does no harm, therefore, for us to go into the Christmas holiday with some sobering pieces of evidence in the front of our mind. Copyright © 2011 Wiley Interface Ltd
Role of radiological imaging for the evaluation of haematuria
Authors: Patel Dhruv , Patel Uday
Published: December 2011

Haematuria is a sign that can arise from a constellation of disorders, ranging from urinary tract infection to invasive malignancy. The authors review imaging modalities for the investigation of haematuria and highlight how imaging is key to the exclusion of potentially serious causative aetiologies. Copyright © 2011 Wiley Interface Ltd
Depression in men
Authors: Symonds Cathy , Anderson Ian M.
Published: December 2011

Although fewer men than women experience depression, it has more serious consequences for men, who are particularly likely to commit suicide. Copyright © 2011 Wiley Interface Ltd
Male infertility: treatment options
Authors: Raheem Amr Abdel , Ralph David
Published: December 2011

In the previous issue of this journal, the authors discussed the causes of male infertility and outlined the investigations required.1 Here, they look at the treatment options. Copyright © 2011 Wiley Interface Ltd
Alcohol pricing – could it improve men's health?
Authors: Coltart Cordelia E.M. , Gilmore Ian T.
Published: December 2011

The authors give an overview of the rationale for using alcohol pricing as a public health tool. They outline the background to government alcohol strategies, review recent moves by the government to acknowledge the problem, and contrast their proposed policy to the evidence base that underpins the advice of health professionals advocating for an urgent minimum pricing policy for alcohol. Copyright © 2011 Wiley Interface Ltd
Peyronie's disease: assessment and treatment options
Authors: Taylor Joby , Eardley Ian
Published: December 2011

Although there is limited evidence for an effective treatment of the early stages of Peyronie's disease, surgical options for stable disease are usually successful in straightening the penis. However, good patient counselling about associated unwanted effects is imperative. Copyright © 2011 Wiley Interface Ltd
Erratum: Management of nocturia
Authors: Khan Faisal Rauf , Younis Ayman , Alosta Ahmed , Khan Shahid A.A.
Published: December 2011

In the article on management of nocturia (Sep/Oct 2011;2(5):35–7), the doses of desmopressin given on page 36 were incorrect. The following statements are correct: treatment with desmopressin should be initiated at a dose of 50–100 micrograms orally, with a weekly dose escalation to a maximum of 400 micrograms; the intranasal formulation provides 10 micrograms/spray, and can be used up to a maximum dose of 40 micrograms/day. We apologise to readers for this error.
Mechanised support for sound refinement tactics
Authors: Zeyda Frank , Oliveira Marcel , Cavalcanti Ana
Published: December 2011

ArcAngel is a tactic language devised to facilitate and automate program developments using Morgan’s refinement calculus. It is especially well suited for the specification of high-level refinement strategies, and equipped with a formal semantics that additionally permits reasoning about tactics. In this paper, we present an implementation of ArcAngel for the ProofPower theorem prover. We discuss the underlying design, explain how it implements the semantics of ArcAngel, and examine the interplay between ArcAngel tactics and the native reasoning support of the prover. We also discuss several extensions of ArcAngel that have been entailed by our implementation effort. They are of practical importance and provide a unification of the related tactic languages Angel and ArcAngel
C
. Our main result is a mechanisation that reflects directly the ArcAngel semantics, and can be used with any programming model for refinement. The approach can be used to support other formal tactic languages using other theorem provers.
Streptomyces temperate bacteriophage integration systems for stable genetic engineering of actinomycetes (and other organisms)
Authors: Baltz Richard H
Published: December 2011

ϕC31, ϕBT1, R4, and TG1 are temperate bacteriophages with broad host specificity for species of the genus Streptomyces. They form lysogens by integrating site-specifically into diverse attB sites located within individual structural genes that map to the conserved core region of streptomycete linear chromosomes. The target genes containing the ϕC31, ϕBT1, R4, and TG1 attB sites encode a pirin-like protein, an integral membrane protein, an acyl-CoA synthetase, and an aminotransferase, respectively. These genes are highly conserved within the genus Streptomyces, and somewhat conserved within other actinomycetes. In each case, integration is mediated by a large serine recombinase that catalyzes unidirectional recombination between the bacteriophage attP and chromosomal attB sites. The unidirectional nature of the integration mechanism has been exploited in genetic engineering to produce stable recombinants of streptomycetes, other actinomycetes, eucaryotes, and archaea. The ϕC31 attachment/integration (Att/Int) system has been the most widely used, and it has been coupled with the ϕBT1 Att/Int system to facilitate combinatorial biosynthesis of novel lipopeptide antibiotics in Streptomyces fradiae.
Anterior Elongation as a Minimally Invasive Alternative for Sagittal Imbalance—A Case Series
Authors: Marchi Luis , Oliveira Leonardo , Amaral Rodrigo , Castro Carlos , Coutinho Thiago , Coutinho Etevaldo , Pimenta Luiz
Published: December 2011

Background

Degenerative and iatrogenic conditions may lead to flat back or even to kyphotic deformity, and sagittal imbalance can cause significant clinical impairment. Minor imbalance cases are usually treated with conservative care. Among currently popular surgical techniques for the correction of sagittal imbalance are posterior-based procedures, which are associated with access-related risks (mostly neurological) and postoperative morbidity risks.

Purpose

This study aims to report a minimally invasive lateral approach using hyperlordotic cages in the treatment of mild sagittal imbalance. Radiological correction, clinical improvement, and safety will be analyzed.

Methods

Eight patients (mean age 71.8 years, SD 7.8; mean BMI 27.5, SD 2.3) with symptomatic sagittal imbalance were retrospectively reviewed. Eight cases were treated by anterior interbody fusion with lordotic cages. A minimally invasive lateral retroperitoneal approach was used in the surgical procedures, with or without percutaneous pedicle screw supplementation.

Results

No major complications occurred and just one case needed revision for direct decompression. Clinical outcomes Visual Analog Scale score changed from 88 at preoperative visit to 51 at 1-week visit, and Oswestry Disability Index score decreased from 82 at preoperative visit to 44 at 6-week visit. The 6-month radiological assessment revealed improvement in spinopelvic parameters: Focal lordosis improved from 2.3° ± 7.7 to 27.1° ± 6.7. Sagittal vertical alignment improved from 11.7 ± 5.3 to 6.2 ± 4.0 cm. Preoperative sacral slope improved from 20.1° ± 5.8 to 29.4° ± 10.3 and preoperative pelvic tilt improved from 35.2° ± 5.2 to 23.8° ± 4.3. Short-term results indicate that the minimally invasive lateral approach can be applied to the treatment of mild sagittal imbalance, with special advantage in elderly patients or those in which posterior approaches are relatively contraindicated.
Axial Lumbosacral Interbody Fusion Appears Safe as a Method to Obtain Lumbosacral Arthrodesis Distal to Long Fusion Constructs
Authors: Issack Paul S. , Boachie-Adjei Oheneba
Published: December 2011

Background

Current methods to achieve lumbosacral interbody fusion have been complicated by approach-related morbidity, nerve root or cauda equina injury, or difficulty in implanting a large lordotic graft posteriorly. There is little information in the literature evaluating the presacral axial approach to the lumbosacral disc space.

Questions/Purposes

What are the short-term clinical and radiographic outcomes in patients undergoing axial lumbosacral interbody fixation and fusion at the end of long fusion constructs using the AxiaLIF implant (Trans1 Inc., Wilmington, NC, USA)? Furthermore, what complications are associated with this procedure?

Patients and Methods

We performed a retrospective evaluation of nine patients who underwent presacral axial lumbosacral interbody fixation and fusion at the end of long fusion constructs using the AxiaLIF implant. Preoperative diagnoses included adjacent segment degeneration below a long fusion construct for adult scoliosis and progressive sagittal plane deformity.

Results

There were two pseudoarthroses, one at L4–5 and one at L5–S1. No major complications occurred. There were no significant differences in coronal or sagittal plane alignment at the time periods measured. There was no significant difference in implant position between immediate postoperative and final follow-up periods. There were significant postoperative improvements in Scoliosis Research Society-22 scores, specifically in the pain, self-image, and satisfaction with management domains.

Conclusions

The axial lumbosacral interbody fusion is a minimally invasive and safe method to obtain lumbosacral fixation and arthrodesis distal to a long fusion construct. Longer follow-up of larger numbers of patients are needed prior to recommending this procedure as a routine method to fuse L4–5 or L5–S1.
Recovery and Functional Properties of Soy Storage Proteins from Lab‐ and Pilot‐Plant Scale Oleosome Production
Authors: Kapchie Virginie N. , Towa Lili T. , Hauck Catherine C. , Murphy Patricia A.
Published: December 2011

The aim of this study was to investigate soy protein recovery feasibility after lab‐ and pilot‐plant scale oleosome isolation. The proteins were isolated by isoelectric precipitation and by ultrafiltration. The functional properties of the recovered proteins were compared to soy protein isolate produced in our laboratory. The residual lipid content in the aqueous supernatant affected the protein recovery yields and purities. Ethanol precipitation and ultrafiltration resulted in the best protein yields, which were 25 and 26% greater than protein yield obtained by isoelectric precipitation with distilled water dilution. The protein content of the isoelectric precipitated pilot‐plant supernatant was higher (98%) than the protein content of ethanol‐precipitated proteins (80%). Sodium dodecyl sulfate‐polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis showed similar peptide profiles for laboratory and pilot‐plant supernatants. Protein solubility curves between pH 3 and 8 were typical for soy protein isolate with higher solubilities for proteins obtained from pilot‐plant supernatant. The soy protein isolate and ethanol‐precipitated protein had the highest emulsification capacity on a dry‐weight basis. These desirable functional properties of proteins recovered as co‐products after oleosome isolation suggest they are highly suitable for industrial application as food ingredients and their recovery would contribute to the economics of the overall oleosome fractionation process.
Polkörperdiagnostik
Authors: Montag M. , Toth B. , Strowitzki T.
Published: December 2011

Das derzeitige Haupteinsatzgebiet der Polkörperdiagnostik (PKD) ist die Untersuchung von strukturellen und numerischen Chromosomenaberrationen in Eizellen nach In-vitro-Fertilisation (IVF) oder intrazytoplasmatischer Spermieninjektion (ICSI). Nach der mechanischen oder laserassistierten Biopsie des 1. und 2. Polkörpers gelingt die Darstellung struktureller und/oder numerischer Fehlverteilungen aller Chromosomen durch die komparative genomische Hybridisierung (CGH) mit Arrays. Die methodischen Besonderheiten und die technischen Anforderungen der Array-CGH-basierten PKD sind evaluiert. Optimierte Protokolle stehen für den Einsatz in der klinischen Routine zur Verfügung. Der Vorteil der PKD für die Detektion struktureller Chromosomenaberrationen ist offensichtlich. Unbeantwortet ist hingegen immer noch die Frage nach einem Vorteil des genetischen Screenings vor der Implantation („preimplantation genetic screening“, PGS). Hierzu wurde eine multizentrische Studie auf der Basis von PKD und Array-CGH auf den Weg gebracht.
Pränatale Detektion fetaler chromosomaler Aberrationen im 1. und 2. Trimenon
Authors: Krapp M. , Ludwig A.
Published: December 2011

Die modernen nichtinvasiven Verfahren der pränatalen Medizin, vertreten vor allem durch das Ersttrimesterscreening, ermöglichen eine frühe Risikoeinschätzung bzgl. der häufigsten Aneuploidien. Durch die flächendeckende Anwendung dieser Methode mit derzeit weit über 4000 zertifizierten Gynäkologen bundesweit stellt dies heute einen weit verbreiteten Standard dar. Die klassische „genetische“ Sonographie, d. h. die Detektierung von Softmarkern als Hinweiszeichen für eine Aneuploidie im 2. Trimenon, hat an Bedeutung verloren. Allerdings ist der Fehlbildungsultraschall im 2. Trimenon nach wie vor von sehr großer Bedeutung und stellt den „Goldstandard“ für die Entdeckung angeborener Fehlbildungen dar. Der Pränatalmediziner muss in der Lage sein, während dieser Untersuchung Softmarker zu erkennen, um ggf. eine Reevalution des mütterlichen Risikos bzgl. Aneuploidien vorzunehmen.
Another look at the middleware for dependable distributed computing
Authors: Little Mark , Shrivastava Santosh , Wheater Stuart
Published: December 2011

Key concepts of reliable distributed computing developed during the 1980s and 1990s (e.g., transactions, replication) influenced the standards based middleware such as CORBA and Java EE. This middleware has evolved steadily over the years with message passing facilities to support construction of loosely coupled systems. However, the way networked computing is being used for business and social uses is undergoing rapid changes as new ways of constructing distributed execution environments from varieties of resources, ranging from computational, storage, network to application level services, provided by globally distributed service providers are emerging. In light of these developments, the paper examines what core concepts, components, and techniques that will be required in the next-generation middleware for dependable distributed computing. The paper puts forward the case for five topics for further research: better coordination facilities for loosely coupled systems, restructuring of the middleware stack for supporting multi-tenancy, replication in the large, negotiation, and enforcement of service agreements, and accountability.
Brief report: Do peer relationships matter to Vietnamese adolescents’ and young adults’ development of identity? Towards a working theory of identity development in a changing culture
Authors: Nguyen Huong , Cohen Edward , Hines Alice
Published: December 2011

In this paper, using data from the first nationally representative, cross‐sectional survey of more than 7000 Vietnamese adolescents, we explore how peers, compared to family, matter to Vietnamese adolescents’ development of their independent identity as an adult. We use future hopes and aspirations as proxies for identity development, arguing that an individual’s development of future hopes and aspirations is a correlate to the emergence of an independent identity. Our analyses show that peers have a positive and consistent influence on adolescents’ hopes to have a happy family, good job, good income, and opportunities to do what they want. Regarding career and economic aspirations, the importance of peer relationships appears to have dropped away. It may be that when youth consider their realistic economic alternatives, the role of peers that was important for identity development in adolescence gives way to pragmatism about the attainment of a career identity.
HPV E7 viral oncoprotein disrupts transcriptional regulation of L1Md retrotransposon
Authors: Montoya-Durango Diego E. , Ramos Kenneth S.
Published: December 2011

Murine L1Md‐A5 retrotransposon is a redox‐inducible element regulated by Nrf‐2/JunD and E2F/Rb‐binding sites within its promoter (5′‐UTR). Because the human papillomavirus (HPV) oncoprotein E7 interacts with retinoblastoma (pRb) and members of the AP1 family, studies were conducted to examine functional interactions between HPV E7, pRb, and histone deacetylase 2 (HDAC2) in the regulation of L1Md‐A5. Using a transient heterologous transcription system we found that HPV E7 alone, or in combination with HDAC2, disrupted pRb‐mediated L1MdA‐5 transactivation. HPV E7 also ablated the transcriptional response of L1Md‐A5 to genotoxic stress, but did not interfere with basal activity. We conclude that HPV E7 associates with proteins involved in the assembly of macromolecular complexes that regulate antioxidant and E2F/Rb sites within L1MdA‐5 to regulate biological activity
Opportunities for developing the science of operations and supply‐chain management
Authors: Singhal Kalyan , Singhal Jaya
Published: December 2011

In a separate paper (Singhal and Singhal, 2011b), we identified two sets of opportunities for radical innovations in operations and supply‐chain management (O&SCM): pursuing all phases of science and pursuing multiple perspectives. In this paper, we propose and analyze ways to accomplish this task. A network of research teams can be effective in obtaining multiple perspectives and discovering radical innovation if it conducts intensive research over an extended period. Outliers are a source of multiple perspectives and innovative ideas and can help in identifying and addressing risks. Similarly, meta‐analyses and syntheses of published works can provide multiple perspectives and lead to radical innovations.
Effects of different biomaterials: Comparing the bladder smooth muscle cells on waterborne polyurethane or poly‐lactic‐co‐glycolic acid membranes
Authors: Xu Feng , Wang Yan , Jiang Xia , Tan Hong , Li Hong , Wang Kun‐Jie
Published: December 2011

Tissue engineering materials have often been used to repair bladder damage caused by conditions, such as infection, resection, inflammation, and trauma. However, the concept of generating a functional urinary bladder using autologous cells obtained from a biopsy specimen combined with a biomaterial scaffold remains a challenge. Previously, we presented a new method for synthesizing a biocompatible, mechanically sound, nontoxic, and cross‐linked waterborne polyurethane (WBPU) as a potential material for bladder regeneration. Here, we further evaluated the response of bladder smooth muscle cells (BSMCs) seeded on WBPU membranes in comparison with the gold standard biomaterial, poly‐lactic‐co‐glycolic acid. Specifically, we observed the BSMC attachment, proliferation, and α‐actin distribution at 1 day, 3 days, and 5 days after membrane seeding. We found that significantly more cells attached and proliferated on the WBPU membranes after 3 days and 5 days of culture, and the cells exhibited greater organization and a wider distribution of α‐actin compared with BSMCs cultured on poly‐lactic‐co‐glycolic acid membranes. These preliminary data offer promise for the use of WBPU biomaterials in bladder tissue engineering.
Steady motion of Bingham liquid plugs in two-dimensional channels
Authors: Zamankhan Parsa , Helenbrook Brian T. , Takayama Shuichi , Grotberg James B.
Published: December 2011

We study numerically the steady creeping motion of Bingham liquid plugs in two-dimensional channels as a model of mucus behaviour during airway reopening in pulmonary airways. In addition to flow analysis related to propagation of the plug, the stress distribution on the wall is studied for better understanding of potential airway epithelial cell injury mechanisms. The yield stress behaviour of the fluid was implemented through a regularized constitutive equation. The capillary number, $\mathit{Ca}$, and the Bingham number, $\mathit{Bn}$, which is the ratio of the yield stress to a characteristic viscous stress, varied over the ranges 0.025–0.1 and 0–1.5, respectively. For the range of parameters studied, it was found that, while the yield stress reduces the magnitude of the shearing along the wall, it can magnify the amplitude of the wall shear stress gradient significantly, and also it can elevate the magnitude of the wall shear stress and wall pressure gradient up to 30 % and 15 %, respectively. Therefore, the motion of mucus plugs can be more damaging to the airway epithelial cells due to the yield stress properties of mucus. The yield stress also modifies the profile of the plug where the amplitude of the capillary waves at the leading meniscus decreases with increase in $\mathit{Bn}$. Other findings are that: the thickness of the static film increases with increasing $\mathit{Bn}$; the driving pressure difference increases linearly with $\mathit{Bn}$; and increasing $\mathit{Bn}$ extends any wall stagnation point beneath the leading meniscus to an unyielded line segment beneath the leading meniscus. With an increase in $\mathit{Bn}$, the unyielded areas appear and grow in the adjacent wall film as well as the core region of the plug between the two menisci. The plug length, ${L}_{P} $, mostly modifies the topology of the yield surfaces. It was found that the unyielded area in the core region between the two menisci grows as the plug length decreases. The very short Bingham plug behaves like a solid lamella. In all computed liquid plugs moving steadily, the von Mises stress attains its maximum value near the interface of the leading meniscus in the transition region. For Bingham plugs moving very slowly, $\mathit{Ca}\ensuremath{\rightarrow} 0$, the driving pressure is non-zero.
SOME REMARKS ON THE RIEMANN ZETA FUNCTION AND PRIME FACTORS OF NUMERATORS OF BERNOULLI NUMBERS
Authors: LUCA FLORIAN , PIZARRO-MADARIAGA AMALIA
Published: December 2011

We prove that the sequence {log ζ(n)}n≥2 is not holonomic, that is, does not satisfy a finite recurrence relation with polynomial coefficients. A similar result holds for L-functions. We then prove a result concerning the number of distinct prime factors of the sequence of numerators of even indexed Bernoulli numbers.
A soyabean diet does not modify the activity of brown adipose tissue but alters the rate of lipolysis in the retroperitoneal white adipose tissue of male rats recovering from early-life malnutrition
Authors: Paiva Adriene Alexandra , Faiad Jaline Zandonato , Taki Marina Satie , de Lima Reis Silvia Regina , de Souza Letícia Martins Ignácio , dos Santos Maísa Pavani , Chaves Valéria Ernestânia , Kawashita Nair Honda , de Oliveira Helena Coutinho Franco , Raposo Helena Fonseca , Carneiro Everardo Magalhães , Latorraca Márcia Queiroz , Gomes-da-Silva Maria Helena Gaíva , Martins Maria Salete Ferreira
Published: December 2011

Nutritional recovery with a soyabean diet decreases body and fat weights when compared with a casein diet. We investigated whether the reduced adiposity observed in rats recovering from early-life malnutrition with a soyabean diet results from alterations in lipid metabolism in white adipose tissue (WAT) and/or brown adipose tissue (BAT). Male rats from mothers fed either 17 or 6 % protein during pregnancy and lactation were maintained on 17 % casein (CC and LC groups), 17 % soyabean (CS and LS groups) or 6 % casein (LL group) diets over 60 d. The rats maintained on a soyabean diet had similar relative food intakes, but lower body and retroperitoneal WAT weights and a reduced lipid content in the retroperitoneal WAT. The insulin levels were lower in the recovered rats and were elevated in those fed a soyabean diet. Serum T3 concentration and uncoupling protein 1 content in the BAT were decreased in the recovered rats. The thermogenic capacity of the BAT was not affected by the soyabean diet. The lipogenesis rate in the retroperitoneal WAT was similar in all of the groups except for the LL group, which had exacerbated lipogenesis. The enhancement of the lipolysis rate by isoproterenol was decreased in white adipocytes from the soyabean-recovered rats and was elevated in adipocytes from the soyabean-control rats. Thus, in animals maintained on a soyabean diet, the proportions of fat deposits are determined by the lipolysis rate, which differs depending on the previous nutritional status.