bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Estimating rainfall erosivity by aggregated drop size distributions
Authors: Carollo Francesco Giuseppe , Ferro Vito , Serio Maria Angela 
Published: December 2015

AbstractRainfall erosivity is defined as the potential of the rain to cause erosion, and it can be represented by rainfall kinetic power.At first in this paper, the raindrop size distributions (DSD) measured by an optical disdrometer located at Palermo in the period June 2006–March 2014 and aggregated for intensity classes, are presented.Then an analysis of raindrop size characteristics is carried out, and the reliability of Ulbrich's distribution, using both the maximum likelihood and momentum estimate parameter methods, is tested. The raindrop size measurements are used to determine the experimental rainfall kinetic power values, which are compared with the ones calculated by a theoretically deduced relationship. This analysis demonstrates that the kinetic power is strictly related to the median volume diameter of DSD.Finally, the reliability of the simplest Marshall and Palmer exponential DSD for estimating the rainfall kinetic power is demonstrated. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Currents of Liquidity Flows Created by the Different Type of Payments: the Case of SPEI
Authors: Alexandrova‐Kabadjova Biliana 
Published: December 2015

SummaryIn the present study we examine through network model and transactional analysis the structure of participants’ funds assigned to cover their own payments and payments initiated by their clients (third party) in the Mexican Real Time Payment system SPEI. First we build two networks by splitting the number of transactions in two sets of operations, namely payments initiated by third parties and by participants. Our main finding in this regards is that both networks have a core‐periphery structure and third party payments help to increase connectivity at the core. From the transactional analysis, we found that third party payments use 47% of the total amount of funds ‐ an indication that participants have strong interest to settle third party payment on real time. Further, in the case of third parties’ payments the ratio of external funds vs. funds formed with incoming payments, is 15%‐85%, whereas for transactions initiated by participants this ratio is 19%‐81%. This finding is an evidence that with third party payments banks are able to increase the overall level of recycling in the system. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Near‐infrared fluorescent peptide probes for imaging of tumor in vivo and their biotoxicity evaluation
Authors: Liu Liwei , Lin Guimiao , Yin Feng , Law Wing‐Cheung , Yong Ken‐Tye 
Published: December 2015

AbstractOptical imaging techniques are becoming increasingly urgent for the early detection and monitoring the progression of tumor development. However, tumor vasculature imaging has so far been largely unexplored because of the lack of suitable optical probes. In this study, we demonstrated the preparation of near‐infrared (NIR) florescent RGD peptide probes for noninvasive imaging of tumor vasculature during tumor angiogenesis. The peptide optical probes combined the advantages of NIR emission and RGD peptide, which possesses minimal biological absorption and specially targets the integrin, which highly expressed on activated tumor endothelial cells. In vivo optical imaging of nude mice bearing pancreatic tumor showed that systemically delivered NIR probes enabled us to visualize the tumors at 24 hours post‐injection. In addition, we have performed in vivo toxicity study on the prepared fluorescent RGD peptide probes formulation. The blood test results and histological analysis demonstrated that no obvious toxicity was found for the mice treated with RGD peptide probes for two weeks. These studies suggest that the NIR fluorescent peptide probes can be further designed and employed for ultrasensitive fluorescence imaging of angiogenic tumor vasculature, as well as imaging of other pathophysiological processes accompanied by activation of endothelial cells. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part A: 104A: 910–916, 2016.
Hydrolytic charge‐reversal of PEGylated polyplexes enhances intracellular un‐packaging and activity of siRNA
Authors: Werfel Thomas A. , Swain Corban , Nelson Christopher E. , Kilchrist Kameron V. , Evans Brian C. , Miteva Martina , Duvall Craig L. 
Published: December 2015

AbstractHydrolytically degrading nano‐polyplexes (HDG‐NPs) that reverse charge through conversion of tertiary amines to carboxylic acids were investigated to improve intracellular un‐packaging of siRNA and target gene silencing compared to a non‐degradable analog (non‐HDG‐NPs). Both NP types comprised reversible addition‐fragmentation chain‐transfer (RAFT) synthesized diblock copolymers of a poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) corona‐forming block and a cationic block for nucleic acid packaging that incorporated butyl methacrylate (BMA) and either dimethylaminoethyl methacrylate (DMAEMA, non‐HDG‐NPs) or dimethylaminoethyl acrylate (DMAEA, HDG‐NPs). HDG‐NPs decreased significantly in size and released significantly more siRNA (∼40%) than non‐HDG‐NPs after 24 h in aqueous solution. While both HDG‐NPs and non‐HDG‐NPs had comparable uptake and cytotoxicity up to 150 nM siRNA doses, HDG‐NPs achieved significantly higher target gene silencing of the model gene luciferase in vitro. High resolution FRET confocal microscopy was used to monitor the intracellular un‐packaging of siRNA. Non‐HDG‐NPs had significantly higher FRET efficiency than HDG‐NPs, indicating that siRNA delivered from HDG‐NPs was more fully un‐packaged and therefore had improved intracellular bioavailability. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part A: 104A: 917–927, 2016.
A pH‐responsive carboxymethyl dextran‐based conjugate as a carrier of docetaxel for cancer therapy
Authors: Han Hwa Seung , Lee Minchang , An Jae Yoon , Son Soyoung , Ko Hyewon , Lee Hansang , Chae Yee Soo , Kang Young Mo , Park Jae Hyung 
Published: December 2015

AbstractAlthough docetaxel is available for the treatment of various cancers, its clinical applications are limited by its poor water solubility and toxicity to normal cells, resulting in severe adverse effects. In this study, we synthesized a polymeric conjugate with an acid‐labile ester linkage, consisting of carboxymethyl dextran (CMD) and docetaxel (DTX), as a potential anticancer drug delivery system. The conjugate exhibited sustained release of DTX in physiological buffer (pH 7.4), whereas its release rate increased remarkably under mildly acidic conditions (pH < 6.5), mimicking the intracellular environment. Cytotoxicity tests conducted in vitro demonstrated that the conjugate exhibited much higher toxicity to cancer cells under mildly acidic conditions than at physiological buffer (pH 7.4). These results implied that the ester linkage in the conjugate allowed for selective release of biologically active DTX under mildly acidic conditions. The in vivo biodistribution of a Cy5.5‐labeled conjugate was observed using the noninvasive optical imaging technique after its systemic administration into tumor‐bearing mice. The conjugate was effectively accumulated into the tumor site, which may have been because of an enhanced permeability and retention effect. In addition, in vivo antitumor efficacy of the conjugate was significantly higher than that of free DTX. Overall, the CMD‐based conjugate might have promising potential as a carrier of DTX for cancer therapy. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part B: Appl Biomater, 104B: 789–796, 2016.
Long‐Term Storage at −80°C: Effect on Rate of Recovery of Mycobacterium tuberculosis From Direct Acid‐Fast Bacilli Smear‐Positive Sputum Samples
Authors: Shinu Pottathil , AshokKumar Singh Varsha , Nair Anroop , Farooq Rumana , Ishaq Sheikh 
Published: December 2015

BackgroundThe aim of this study was to evaluate the difference in the rate of recovery of Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MTB) from routinely cultured sputum and long‐term stored sputum specimens (at −80°C) using Löwenstein–Jensen (LJ) media, Mycobacterium Growth Indicator Tube (BBL MGITTM), and Middlebrook 7H11 (MB 7H11) agar.MethodsDirect acid‐fast bacilli smear‐positive sputum specimens (both before and after storage [n = 136]) were studied (after culturing on LJ media, BBL MGITTM, and MB 7H11 agar) and the performances were compared.ResultsFor the detection of MTB, BBL MGITTM and MB 7H11 agar (before storage) demonstrated a sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value (PPV) of 98.28%, 30.77%, 92.68%, 66.67%, and negative predictive value (NPV) of 97.41%, 30.77%, 92.62%, 57.14%, respectively, when compared to LJ media (before storage). Similarly, BBL MGITTM and MB 7H11 agar (after storage) demonstrated a sensitivity, specificity, PPV, and NPV of 95.5%, 38.89%, 90.6%, 58.33%, and 95.5%, 66.67 %, 94.64%, 70.59%, respectively, when compared to LJ media (after storage) for the detection of MTB.ConclusionNone of the culture techniques independently (both before and after storage) detected growth of MTB from all the sputum specimens studied. However, BBL MGITTM system and LJ media combination (both before and after storage) effectively detected the growth of MTB from sputum specimens when compared to other culture technique combinations.
Dynamic contrast‐enhanced MRI: Study of inter‐software accuracy and reproducibility using simulated and clinical data
Authors: Beuzit Luc , Eliat Pierre‐Antoine , Brun Vanessa , Ferré Jean‐Christophe , Gandon Yves , Bannier Elise , Saint‐Jalmes Hervé 
Published: December 2015

PurposeTo test the reproducibility and accuracy of pharmacokinetic parameter measurements on five analysis software packages (SPs) for dynamic contrast‐enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (DCE‐MRI), using simulated and clinical data.Materials and MethodsThis retrospective study was Institutional Review Board‐approved. Simulated tissues consisted of pixel clusters of calculated dynamic signal changes for combinations of Tofts model pharmacokinetic parameters (volume transfer constant [Ktrans], extravascular extracellular volume fraction [ve]), longitudinal relaxation time (T1). The clinical group comprised 27 patients treated for rectal cancer, with 36 3T DCE‐MR scans performed between November 2012 and February 2014, including dual‐flip‐angle T1 mapping and a dynamic postcontrast T1‐weighted, 3D spoiled gradient‐echo sequence. The clinical and simulated images were postprocessed with five SPs to measure Ktrans, ve, and the initial area under the gadolinium curve (iAUGC). Modified Bland–Altman analysis was conducted, intraclass correlation coefficients (ICCs) and within‐subject coefficients of variation were calculated.ResultsThirty‐one examinations from 23 patients were of sufficient technical quality and postprocessed. Measurement errors were observed on the simulated data for all the pharmacokinetic parameters and SPs, with a bias ranging from −0.19 min−1 to 0.09 min−1 for Ktrans, −0.15 to 0.01 for ve, and −0.65 to 1.66 mmol.L−1.min for iAUGC. The ICC between SPs revealed moderate agreement for the simulated data (Ktrans: 0.50; ve: 0.67; iAUGC: 0.77) and very poor agreement for the clinical data (Ktrans: 0.10; ve: 0.16; iAUGC: 0.21).ConclusionSignificant errors were found in the calculated DCE‐MRI pharmacokinetic parameters for the perfusion analysis SPs, resulting in poor inter‐software reproducibility. J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2016;43:1288–1300.
Wave approach for noise modeling of gallium nitride high electron‐mobility transistors
Authors: Đorđević Vladica , Marinković Zlatica , Crupi Giovanni , Pronić‐Rančić Olivera , Marković Vera , Caddemi Alina 
Published: December 2015

AbstractThe wave approach has appeared as a very efficient tool for modeling as well as for measurements of noise parameters of microwave transistors. Having in mind the attractiveness of transistors in gallium nitride technology in modern communication systems, where it is very important to keep the noise on a low level and, thus, to have accurate transistor noise models, in this paper, the wave approach is applied for the noise modeling of high electron‐mobility transistor in gallium nitride technology. The noise wave representation of the transistor intrinsic circuit noise is used, where the noise wave parameters are modeled by exploiting the artificial neural networks. The modeling results, compared with the measured data and with those obtained by the conventional noise equivalent circuit model, provide a verification of the developed model accuracy. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The morphological affinities of the Middle Pleistocene hominin teeth from Pontnewydd Cave, Wales
Authors: Compton Tim , Stringer Chris 
Published: December 2015

ABSTRACTSeventeen Middle Pleistocene hominin teeth were excavated at Pontnewydd Cave in North Wales between 1980 and 1995 with a probable age of ∼225 ka, associated with handaxe and levallois artefacts. Their Neanderthal characteristics and their affinities with other European Middle Pleistocene teeth and the major sites of Atapuerca‐SH in Spain and Krapina in Croatia are explored. The Pontnewydd teeth are shown to have a marked similarity to those of Atapuerca‐SH, more pronounced than similarities to teeth from other European Middle Pleistocene sites, and to belong in the pre‐Neanderthal stage of Neanderthal evolution. Distinct dental morphological differences between later European Middle Pleistocene specimens, together with those from Atapuerca‐SH, and European Middle Pleistocene Homo heidelbergensis specimens are identified, contradicting the view that both the Pontnewydd and the Atapuerca‐SH fossils belong in that species. Additionally, the similarities in dental morphology between European and non‐European H. heidelbergensis specimens are demonstrated. We argue that when sites are grouped together for comparative purposes this should be done on morphological grounds, and not by apparent date, in view of the possible contemporaneity of European Middle Pleistocene sites that exhibit different degrees of Neanderthal affinities.
Fast switching and high‐contrast polymer‐stabilized IPS liquid crystal display
Authors: Zhou Xiaochen , Qin Guangkui , Dong Youmei , Yang Deng‐Ke 
Published: December 2015

AbstractWe demonstrated that polymer stabilization can significantly improve the response time of in‐plane‐switching liquid crystal display. We carried out a systematic study of the effect of polymer networks on the performance of in‐plane‐switching liquid crystal display. The polymer network has a strong aligning effect on the liquid crystal and has the advantage of reducing the switching time of the display but may have the disadvantage of ruining the contrast ratio because of its scattering effect. Through optimization, we successfully improve the switching time (less than 6 ms) and reduce the scattering and thus retain high contrast ratio (higher than 1000:1).
Nanocomposite based on a liquid crystal doped with aluminum nitride nanotubes for optical sensor of sulfur dioxide
Authors: Prystay Taras Vitaliyovych , Mykytyuk Zinoviy Matviyovych , Sushynskyi Orest Yevgenovych , Fechan Andriy Vasylyovych , Vistak Maria Volodymyrivna 
Published: December 2015

AbstractIt has been demonstrated the possibilities of designing the material for optical sensor primary transducer. The nanocomposites based on a cholesteric liquid crystal with aluminum nitride for material of primary transducer of sulfur dioxide optical sensor were studied. The spectral characteristics of studied nanocomposite under the influence of sulfur dioxide were studied. The shift of central wavelength of selective reflection under the sulfur dioxide concentrations was observed.
Kinetics and Mechanism of Oxidation of S2O32− by a Co‐Bound μ‐Amido‐μ‐Superoxo Complex
Authors: Singh Bula , Das Ranendu Sekhar , Banerjee Rupendranath , Mukhopadhyay Subrata 
Published: December 2015

ABSTRACTIn acetate buffer media (pH 4.5–5.4) thiosulfate ion (S2O32−) reduces the bridged superoxo complex, [(NH3)4CoIII(μ‐NH2,μ‐O2)CoIII(NH3)4]4+ (1) to its corresponding μ‐peroxo product, [(NH3)4CoIII(μ‐NH2,μ‐O2)CoIII(NH3)4]3+ (2) and along a parallel reaction path, simultaneously S2O32− reacts with 1 to produce the substituted μ‐thiosulfato‐μ‐superoxo complex, [(NH3)4CoIII(μ‐S2O3,μ‐O2)CoIII(NH3)4]3+ (3). The formation of μ‐thiosulfato‐μ‐superoxo complex (3) appears as a precipitate which on being subjected to FTIR shows absorption peaks that support the presence of Co(III)‐bound S‐coordinated S2O32− group. In reaction media, 3 readily dissolves to further react with S2O32− to produce μ‐thiosulfato‐μ‐peroxo product, [(NH3)4CoIII(μ‐S2O3,μ‐O2)CoIII(NH3)4]2+ (4). The observed rate (k0) increases with an increase in [TThio] ([TThio] is the analytical concentration of S2O32−) and temperature (T), but it decreases with an increase in [H+] and the ionic strength (I). Analysis of the log At versus time data (A is the absorbance of 1 at time t) reveals that overall the reaction follows a biphasic consecutive reaction path with rate constants k1 and k2 and the change of absorbance is equal to {a1 exp(–k1t) + a2 exp(–k2t)}, where k1 > k2.
Effects of peritumoral nanoconjugated cisplatin on laryngeal cancer stem cells
Authors: Sim Michael W. , Grogan Patrick T. , Subramanian Chitra , Bradford Carol R. , Carey Thomas E. , Forrest M. Laird , Prince Mark E. , Cohen Mark S. 
Published: December 2015

Objectives/HypothesisTo evaluate the efficacy of peritumoral hyaluronic acid (HA)‐cisplatin therapy in a murine model of laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma and to evaluate its effect on cancer stem cells (CSCs).Study DesignAn orthotopic murine study utilizing University of Michigan squamous cell carcinoma‐12 (UMSCC‐12) laryngeal cancer cells was conducted in randomized controlled fashion with three treatment arms: saline, systemic cisplatin, and peritumoral HA‐cisplatin.MethodsUMSCC‐12 laryngeal cancer cells were inoculated into the buccal mucosa of athymic nude mice followed by weekly treatment with saline, systemic cisplatin, or peritumoral HA‐cisplatin for 3 weeks. Tumor response and animal weight was monitored and change in CD44 proportion was analyzed ex vivo.ResultsHA‐cisplatin demonstrated superior antitumor efficacy and greater reduction in CD44 positivity on ex vivo analysis.ConclusionsPeritumoral nanoconjugated HA‐cisplatin provides superior antitumor efficacy compared to standard cisplatin therapy in an in vivo laryngeal cancer model. There was also selective targeting of CD44+ cancer cells with HA‐cisplatin. This therapeutic strategy could represent the first selective laryngeal CSC‐targeted therapy. Further preclinical investigation is warranted to evaluate its role for locally advanced head and neck cancer treatment.Level of EvidenceNA Laryngoscope, 126:E184–E190, 2016
Voice problems and depression among adults in the United States
Authors: Marmor Schelomo , Horvath Keith J. , Lim Kelvin O. , Misono Stephanie 
Published: December 2015

Objectives/HypothesisPrior studies have observed a high prevalence of psychosocial distress, including depression, in patients with voice problems. However, these studies have largely been performed in care‐seeking patients identified in tertiary care voice clinics. The objective of this study was to examine the association between depression and voice problems in the U.S. population.Study DesignCross‐sectional analysis of National Health Interview Survey (NHIS) data.MethodsWe identified adult cases reporting a voice problem in the preceding 12 months in the 2012 NHIS. Self‐reported demographics and data regarding healthcare visits for voice problems, diagnoses given, severity of the voice problem, and depression symptoms were analyzed.ResultsThe total weighted sample size was 52,816,364. The presence of depressive symptoms was associated with a nearly two‐fold increase (odds ratio = 1.89, 95% confidence interval = 1.21–2.96) in the likelihood of reporting a voice problem in the past year. Patients who reported feeling depressed were less likely to receive care for the voice problem and less likely to report that treatment had helped than those who did not feel depressed.ConclusionThese findings indicate that the co‐occurrence of voice problems and depressive symptoms is observed in the general population, not only in care‐seeking patients, and that depressive symptoms may influence reported likelihood of receiving voice treatment and effectiveness. This suggests that voice care providers should take mental health symptoms into account when treating patients, and also indicates a need for further investigation.Level of EvidenceNA. Laryngoscope, 126:1859–1864, 2016
A population‐based study investigating chronic rhinosinusitis and the incidence of asthma
Authors: Habib Al‐Rahim R. , Javer Amin R. , Buxton Jane A. 
Published: December 2015

Objectives/HypothesisChronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) is an inflammatory disease of the paranasal sinuses, associated with reduced health‐related quality of life and increased utilization of healthcare services. Chronic upper and lower respiratory diseases often coexist, although the extent to which CRS is associated with developing asthma remains unclear. To investigate the effect of CRS on receiving a subsequent diagnosis of asthma, we used data from a previously conducted national, longitudinal survey.MethodsRespondents from the Canadian National Population Health Survey from 1998/1999 to 2010/2011 were used. Data were analyzed from 11,555 (66.9%) subjects, ≥ 19 years of age and reporting no asthma at baseline. Respondents were reviewed for 12 years to determine the cumulative incidence of asthma. Logistic regression was used to estimate the effect of CRS on the development of asthma, adjusting for age, gender, body mass index, cigarette smoking, and food‐ or nonfood‐related allergies.ResultsDuring the 12‐year study period, 6.0% (95% confidence interval [CI] [95% CI]: 5.4%–6.7%) of respondents developed asthma. Baseline CRS (odds ratio [OR]: 2.7, 95% CI: 1.9–3.9), female gender (OR: 1.4, 95% CI: 1.1–1.8), and allergies (OR: 2.6, 95% CI: 2.1 – 3.3) were significantly associated with developing asthma. After adjustment, respondents with CRS were significantly more likely to develop asthma than non‐CRS counterparts (OR: 2.0, 95% CI: 1.4–2.9).ConclusionResults indicate that one in 13 individuals with CRS will be subsequently diagnosed with asthma. Given the economic burden and use of healthcare services associated with asthma, providers managing CRS may consider increased awareness and subsequent treatment for asthma.Level of Evidence4. Laryngoscope, 126:1296–1302, 2016