bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Characterization of the quasi‐static and viscoelastic properties of orthopaedic bone cement at the macro and nanoscale
Authors: Slane Josh , Vivanco Juan F. , Squire Matthew , Ploeg Heidi‐Lynn 
Published: April 2016

AbstractAcrylic bone cement is often used in total joint replacement procedures to anchor an orthopaedic implant to bone. Bone cement is a viscoelastic material that exhibits creep and stress relaxation properties, which have been previously characterized using a variety of techniques such as flexural testing. Nanoindentation has become a popular method to characterize polymer mechanical properties at the nanoscale due to the technique's high sensitivity and the small sample volume required for testing. The purpose of the present work therefore was to determine the mechanical properties of bone cement using traditional macroscale techniques and compare the results to those obtained from nanoindentation. To this end, the quasi‐static and viscoelastic properties of two commercially available cements, Palacos and Simplex, were assessed using a combination of three‐point bending and nanoindentation. Quasi‐static properties obtained from nanoindentation tended to be higher relative to three‐point bending. The general displacement and creep compliance trends were similar for the two methods. These findings suggest that nanoindentation is an attractive characterization technique for bone cement, due to the small sample volumes required for testing. This may prove particularly useful in testing failed/retrieved cement samples from patients where material availability is typically limited. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part B: Appl Biomater, 105B: 1461–1468, 2017.
Assessment of Deoxyribonuclease Activity in Serum Samples of Patients With Systemic Lupus Erythematosus: Fluorescence‐Based Method Versus ELISA
Authors: Vancevska Aleksandra , Nikolic Aleksandra , Bonaci‐Nikolic Branka , Skiljevic Dusan , Radojkovic Dragica 
Published: April 2016

BackgroundWe report the improvement of previously described method for determining deoxyribonuclease (DNase) activity in serum samples that uses a fluorescently labeled DNA fragment as a substrateMethodsActivity of serum DNase was analyzed in 31 patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and 13 healthy individuals by fluoresence‐based method and ELISA testResultsWe found a mean decrease in DNase activity between cases and controls of 12.46% measured by the fluoresence‐based method and of 12.21% measured by ELISA method. High level of positive correlation between two methods for DNase activity was observed: P < 0.001 and Pearson correlation coefficient 0.740. Decreased DNase activity was found in 25 of 31 SLE patients (81%) by fluoresence‐based method and in 24 of 31 SLE patients (77%) by ELISA test. We also observed the significant positive correlation between titer of anti‐dsDNA antibodies and DNase activity measured by both methods (P < 0.05).ConclusionsThe key improvement is the use of internal control in the fluorescence‐based method, which diminishes the influence of technical errors on the obtained results and increases reliability of the assay. This improved fluorescence‐based method, with additional validation, may provide an alternative to more expensive and time‐consuming conventional methods, such as ELISA.
MR imaging of the fetal cerebellar vermis: Biometric predictors of adverse neurologic outcome
Authors: Xi Yin , Brown Emily , Bailey April , Twickler Diane M. 
Published: April 2016

PurposeTo provide normal biometry of the cerebellar vermis using fetal MR and determine threshold values associated with abnormal neurologic outcome.Materials and MethodsCerebellar vermis biometry was applied in prospective, cross‐sectional evaluation of fetal brains. Vermis length and inferior vermian distance were obtained in mid‐sagittal planes using T2‐weighted, single‐shot sequences with 1.5 Tesla MR. Measurements were compared with reference nomograms from a retrospective review of fetal brains with normal intracranial anatomy. Observed and predicted measurements of the cerebellar vermis were recorded. Neurologic outcome was classified as normal or abnormal. Unpaired t‐tests and discriminate analysis were applied to the two measurements and differences between the observed and predicted values.ResultsThe reference group included 64 fetuses of 13 to 38 weeks gestation. Both vermis length and inferior vermian distance increased linearly with time (r = 0.92, P < 0.001; r = 0.32, P = 0.01). The prospective group included 64 additional fetuses with documented normal (39/64, 61%) and abnormal (25/64, 39%) outcomes. Significant differences were seen in vermis length, inferior vermian distance, and correlation with predicted values based on neurologic outcome (P < 0.001). Vermis length discrepancy ≥ 4 mm or inferior vermian distance ≥ 4 mm were associated with abnormal neurologic outcome.ConclusionMR measurements of a short, raised vermis characterized by a vermis length discrepancy ≥ 4 mm or an inferior vermian distance ≥ 4 mm is associated with abnormal neurologic, syndromic, and developmental outcomes. J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2016;44:1284–1292.
Diagnostic accuracy of liver imaging reporting and data system (LI‐RADS) v2014 for intrahepatic mass‐forming cholangiocarcinomas in patients with chronic liver disease on gadoxetic acid‐enhanced MRI
Authors: Joo Ijin , Lee Jeong Min , Lee Sang Min , Lee Jeong Sub , Park Jin Young , Han Joon Koo 
Published: April 2016

PurposeTo investigate the utility of Liver Imaging Reporting and Data System (LI‐RADS) v2014 for intrahepatic mass‐forming cholangiocarcinomas (IMCC) on gadoxetic acid‐enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).Materials and MethodsThis retrospective study was approved by our Institutional Review Board with waiver of informed consent. Pathologically confirmed IMCCs (n = 35) and hepatocellular carcinomas (HCCs) (n = 71) in patients with chronic hepatitis B or cirrhosis who had undergone gadoxetic acid‐enhanced 3.0T or 1.5T MRI were included. Three radiologists independently assigned LI‐RADS categories for each IMCC or HCC. Diagnostic performances of LR‐M (probable malignancy, not specific for HCC) and LR‐5/5v (definitely HCC) were investigated, and imaging features were compared between IMCCs of LR‐M and non‐LR‐M.ResultsIn all, 88.6% (31/35), 80.0% (28/35), and 74.3% (26/35) of IMCCs and 12.7% (9/71), 22.5% (16/71), and 16.9% (12/71) of HCCs were assigned as LR‐M by the three reviewers with substantial interobserver agreements (kappa = 0.664–0.741). Among IMCCs, 2.9% (1/35), 5.7% (2/35), and 11.4% (4/35) were categorized as LR‐5/5v. IMCCs of non‐LR‐M (n = 8, using the consensus method) were significantly smaller (24.1 ± 17.4 vs. 62.8 ± 30.6 mm, P = 0.002) and showed higher frequencies of arterial hyperenhancement (75.0% (6/8) vs. 7.4% (2/27), P < 0.001) and lower frequencies of non‐HCC malignancy‐favoring features such as peripheral enhancement (12.5% (1/8) vs. 77.8% (21/27), P = 0.002) or the target appearance on the hepatobiliary phase (0% (0/8) vs. 81.5% (22/27), P < 0.001) than IMCCs of LR‐M (n = 27).ConclusionUsing LI‐RADS, the majority of IMCCs can be accurately categorized as LR‐M on gadoxetic acid‐enhanced MRI; however, caution is warranted, as some atypical IMCCs may be assigned as LR‐5/5v resulting in a false‐positive diagnosis of HCC. J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2016;44:1330–1338.
Musculoskeletal loading in the symptomatic and asymptomatic knees of middle‐aged osteoarthritis patients
Authors: Sritharan Prasanna , Lin Yi‐Chung , Richardson Sara E. , Crossley Kay M. , Birmingham Trevor B. , Pandy Marcus G. 
Published: April 2016

ABSTRACTThis study quantified the contributions by muscles, gravity, and inertia to the tibiofemoral compartment forces in the symptomatic (SYM) and asymptomatic (ASYM) limbs of varus mal‐aligned medial knee osteoarthritis (OA) patients, and compared the results with healthy controls (CON). Muscle forces and tibiofemoral compartment loads were calculated using gait data from 39 OA patients and 15 controls aged 49 ± 7 years. Patients exhibited lower knee flexion angle, higher hip abduction, and knee adduction angles, lower internal knee flexion torque but higher external knee adduction moment. Muscle forces were highest in CON except hamstrings, which was highest in SYM. ASYM muscle forces were lowest for biceps femoris short head and gastrocnemius but otherwise intermediate between SYM and CON. In all subjects, vasti, hamstrings, gastrocnemius, soleus, gluteus medius, gluteus maximus, and gravity were the largest contributors to medial compartment force (MCF). Inertial contributions were negligible. Highest MCF was found in SYM throughout stance. Small increases in contributions from hamstrings, gluteus maximus, gastrocnemius, and gravity at the first peak; soleus and rectus femoris at the second peak; and soleus, gluteus maximus, gluteus medius, and gravity during mid‐stance summed to produce significantly higher total MCF. Compared to CON, the ASYM limb exhibited similar peak MCF but higher mid‐stance MCF. In patients, diminished non‐knee‐spanning muscle forces did not produce correspondingly diminished MCF contributions due to the influence of mal‐alignment. Our findings emphasize consideration of muscle function, lower‐limb alignment, and mid‐stance loads in developing interventions for OA, and inclusion of the asymptomatic limb in clinical assessments. © 2016 Orthopaedic Research Society. Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Orthop Res 35:321–330, 2017.
Modified pectoralis major myocutaneous flap for the total glossectomy defects: Effect on quality of life
Authors: Gangiti Kranthi Kumar , Gondi Jonathan T. , Nemade Hemantkumar , Sampathirao L.M. Chandra Sekhara Rao , Raju K.V.V.N. , Rao T. Subramanyeshwar 
Published: April 2016

BackgroundThere is a general notion that, total glossectomy with laryngeal preservation leads to high dependency of tracheostomy and/or feeding tube. The objective of this study is to analyze the quality of life in terms of tube dependency following total glossectomy with a modified pectoralis major myocutaneous flap (PMMC) reconstruction and laryngeal suspension.Materials and MethodsThe retrospective study included consecutive patients operated from July 2012 to February 2015 proven advanced Carcinoma of tongue. We analyzed the time to wean off tracheostomy and feeding tube in 56 patients who underwent total glossectomy and a modified technique of PMMC reconstruction.ResultThe median time for tracheostomy weaning was 10 days and nasogastric tube was 16 days.ConclusionModified technique of reconstruction with PMMC in total glossectomy is a viable option with minimal functional morbidity. Quality of life in terms of tracheostomy and feeding tube dependency is minimal. J. Surg. Oncol. 2016;114:32–35. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Quantifying the Sediment Transport Capacity in Eroding Rills Using a REE Tracing Method
Authors: Zhang Qingwen , Lei Tingwu , Huang Xinjun 
Published: April 2016

AbstractQuantifying the sediment transport capacity is crucial for better understanding of water erosion process. The limit for quantifying soil erosion process is due to a lack of spatially distributed sediment data. The rare earth elements (REEs) are a group of elements with unique properties for the potential study of soil sediment transport capacity, due to its characteristics as being strongly bound to soil particles and not interfere with sediment detachment, and transportation processes. The objective of this study was to estimate the sediment transport capacity in eroding rills using the REE tracing method. Ten REE oxides (Ho2O3, Tb4O7, Eu2O3, Yb2O3, Dy2O3, Sm2O3, La2O3, Tm2O3, CeO2, and Nd2O3) were used as tracers mixed with soil. A flume experiment combined with five slopes and four flow rates was conducted. Water flow rates of 2, 4, and 8 L min−1 (L min−1) were taken for the three steeper slopes in the experiment, and flow rates of 4, 8, and 12 L min−1 were taken for the two gentle slopes. Water flow was pumped to a tan and introduced to the inlet of a flume with 8‐m long and 0·1‐m wide, which were divided into ten equal segments, with each segment containing a tabbed REE‐soil mixture. The sediment load along different length rills was calculated from the REE concentrations in the eroded material and its background reference value. With an exponential rise to maximum equation between sediment loads with the downslope distance along eroding rills, we developed a method to quantify the sediment transport capacity. The results obtained by the REE tracing method confirmed that sediment transport capacity increased as a power function with flow rate and slope gradient, with a determination of coefficient (R2) of 0·93 (p < 0·001). Sediment transport capacity was more dependent on the flow rate and less on the slope gradient with larger exponent for the flow rate. The results from this study showed that the REE method is helpful to estimate the sediment transport capacity in a concentrated flow on the sloping cropland, and to improve understanding the processes of water erosion. However, the feasibility of using the REE for quantifying sediment transport should be further investigated at the field scale on complex landscapes and under natural rainfall. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Long‐Term Oriented Marketing Relationships and Ethical Conduct in Outsourcing Sector
Authors: Ndubisi Nelson Oly , Malhotra Naresh K. , Capel Celine Marie , Agarwal James , Satkunasingam Elsa , Ndubisi Gibson C. , Patil Ashutosh 
Published: April 2016

ABSTRACTThe study evaluates the positive effect of long‐term oriented marketing relationship on ethical conduct from the perspective of the service provider (i.e., the agent‐firm), by integrating the relevant literature from relationship marketing, ethics, and long‐term orientation domains. The paper proposes that service providers that build relationship quality with their clients will display increased ethical conduct toward them. Specifically, the study examines the positive influence of the dimensions of relationship quality (that are relevant to the offshoring services context) that the service provider firm's employees undertake and their impact on ethical conduct. Overall, the results indicate that the commitment‐only full mediation model of relationship marketing variables on ethical conduct is a better representation than both direct‐effects model and other competing mediating models examined in this study. Fundamentally, it means that customer service officers should incorporate long‐term orientation and commitment in their principal–agent relationships that will provide the impetus for undertaking ethical behavior. The article concludes with a discussion and implications of the findings.
C1 esterase inhibitor ameliorates ischemia reperfusion injury in a swine musculocutaneous flap model
Authors: Fries C.Anton , Villamaria Carole Y. , Spencer Jerry R. , Rasmussen Todd E. , Davis Michael R. 
Published: April 2016

PurposeFree tissue transfer is a powerful reconstructive surgical technique. The ischemia reperfusion injury (IRI) at revascularization affects the flap and the patient; reducing this insult could improve outcomes. This study evaluated the effect of C1 esterase inhibitor (C1‐inh) on IRI in a porcine musculocutaneous flap model.Materials and methodsA musculocutaneous flap was transferred from the limb to the neck of 12 swine. Flaps underwent a 3‐hour ischemic interval prior to revascularization. Intervention group flaps (n = 6) were perfused intra‐arterially with 100U C1‐inh at the commencement of the ischemic period; controls (n = 6) received heparinized saline solution. Protocol duration was 14 days; markers of reperfusion injury (creatine kinase [CK], aspartate transaminase [AST], tumor necrosis factor‐alpha) were evaluated.ResultsAll flaps from the intervention group were viable at 14 days; five of six control flaps were viable at 14 days (P = 1). Systemic levels of biomarkers of tissue necrosis and inflammation were reduced in the intervention group. On post‐operative day one, statistically significant reductions in mean levels of AST and CK were demonstrated (2,293 ± 1 × 103 U/L vs. 1,586 ± 767 U/L [P = 0.04] and 429 × 103 ± 214 × 103 U/L vs. 213 × 103 ± 156 × 103 U/L [P = 0.002], respectively). Flaps of both groups healed in their recipient locations, no adverse reactions were observed.ConclusionsC1‐inh is protective of IRI and may have utility in free tissue transfer, vascularized composite allotransplantation, and spare parts surgery. © 2016 Crown copyright. Microsurgery © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microsurgery 37:142–147, 2017.
Implications of caveolae in testicular and epididymal myoid cells to sperm motility
Authors: Oliveira Regiana L. , Parent Adam , Cyr Daniel G. , Gregory Mary , Mandato Craig A. , Smith Charles E. , Hermo Louis 
Published: April 2016

SUMMARYSeminiferous tubules of the testis and epididymal tubules in adult rodents are enveloped by contractile myoid cells, which move sperm and fluids along the male reproductive tract. Myoid cells in the testis influence Sertoli cells by paracrine signaling, but their role in the epididymis is unknown. Electron microscopy revealed that elongated myoid cells formed several concentric layers arranged in a loose configuration. The edges of some myoid cells in a given layer closely approximated one another, and extended small foot‐like processes to cells of overlying layers. Gap junction proteins, connexins 32 and 43, were detected within the myoid cell layers by immunohistochemistry. These myoid cells also had caveolae that contained caveolin‐1 and cavin‐1 (also known as PTRF). The number of caveolae per unit area of plasma membrane was significantly reduced in caveolin‐1‐deficient mice (Cav1−/−). Morphometric analyses of Cav1‐null testes revealed an enlargement in whole‐tubule and epithelial profile areas, whereas these parameters were slightly reduced in the epididymis. Although sperm are non‐motile as they pass through the proximal epididymis, statistical analyses of cauda epididymidis sperm concentrations revealed no significant differences between wild‐type and Cav1−/− mice. Motility analyses, however, indicated that sperm velocity parameters were reduced while beat cross frequency was higher in gametes of Cav1−/− mice. Thus while caveolae and their associated proteins are not necessary for myoid cell contractility, they appear to be crucial for signaling with the epididymal epithelium to regulate the proper acquisition of sperm motility. Mol. Reprod. Dev. 83: 526–540, 2016. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Relationship Between Medication Adherence and Distance to Dispensing Pharmacies and Prescribers Among an Urban Medicaid Population with Diabetes Mellitus
Authors: Syed Samina T. , Sharp Lisa K. , Kim Yoonsang , Jentleson Adam , Lora Claudia M. , Touchette Daniel R. , Berbaum Michael L. , Suda Katie J. , Gerber Ben S. 
Published: April 2016

Study ObjectiveTo determine whether a relationship exists between medication adherence to angiotensin‐converting enzyme inhibitors (ACEIs) and angiotensin II receptor blockers (ARBs) and distance to dispensing pharmacies and prescribers among an urban public aid population with diabetes mellitus.DesignRetrospective cohort study using claims data.Data SourceIllinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services database.PatientsA total of 6532 patients aged 18–64 years with diabetes who had at least one prescription fill for an ACEI or ARB and had continuous Medicaid coverage in the greater Chicago area in 2009.Measurements and Main ResultsWe assessed medication adherence, defined as proportion of days covered (PDC) of 0.8 or higher, to ACEIs and ARBs and its association with distances between patients and their pharmacies and prescribers. Of the 6532 patients included in the analyses, 2930 (45%) had PDC levels of 0.8 or higher. No significant differences were observed between patients who were adherent versus those who were nonadherent in distance to pharmacy (median 1.39 vs 1.35 miles, p=0.15) or distance to prescriber (median 4.39 vs 4.48 miles, p=0.80). In a multivariate regression model including age, sex, race/ethnicity, number of pharmacies, number of prescribers, distance to pharmacy, and distance to prescriber, a greater number of prescribers was associated with higher adherence (two prescribers vs one prescriber: odds ratio [OR] 1.396, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.233–1.580; three or more prescribers vs one prescriber: OR 2.208, 95% CI 1.787–2.727).ConclusionACEI or ARB adherence was not associated with distances to pharmacies and prescribers.
Influence of liposome encapsulated essential oils on properties of chitosan films
Authors: Valencia‐Sullca Cristina , Jiménez Miriam , Jiménez Alberto , Atarés Lorena , Vargas Maria , Chiralt Amparo 
Published: April 2016

AbstractThe effect of the encapsulation of eugenol and cinnamon leaf essential oil (CLEO) in lecithin liposomes on the losses of these compounds during the chitosan film formation process by casting was evaluated. Film‐forming dispersions and films with eugenol or CLEO (either free or encapsulated) were obtained and characterized. The content of eugenol in active films was quantified by means of solvent extraction and gas chromatograph analysis. The encapsulation of eugenol or CLEO in lecithin liposomes led to the films retaining 40% − 50% of the incorporated eugenol, whereas only 1% − 2% was retained when eugenol was incorporated by direct emulsification. Films with liposomes exhibited a lamellar microstructure which improved film extensibility and increased water vapour barrier capacity with respect to those with free emulsified compounds. Liposomes also modified the optical properties of the films, reducing their gloss, increasing colour saturation and making them redder in colour. The encapsulation of volatile active compounds in liposomes appears to be a good strategy for obtaining antimicrobial films with essential oils. © 2016 Society of Chemical Industry
Investigation of the Failure Mechanism of HTPB/AP/Al Propellant by In‐situ Uniaxial Tensile Experimentation in SEM
Authors: van Ramshorst Marthinus C. J. , Di Benedetto Giuseppe L. , Duvalois Willem , Hooijmeijer Peter A. , van der Heijden Antoine E. D. M. 
Published: April 2016

AbstractThe failure mechanism of a propellant consisting of hydroxyl terminated poly‐butadiene filled with ammonium perchlorate and aluminum (HTPB/AP/Al) was determined by performing in‐situ uniaxial tensile tests in a scanning electron microscope (SEM). The experimental test plan contained uniaxial tensile test experiments performed at room temperature (25 °C) at three different strain rates (30, 150 and 750 μm min−1). The in‐situ images and in‐situ videos collected by the SEM were correlated with the stress‐strain diagrams created with the tensile experiments, in order to relate the failure mechanism to the features found in the stress‐strain diagram. No significant strain rate dependency of the failure mechanism was observed when working with strain rates up to 750 μm min−1 and working at room temperature. The stress‐strain diagram showed indications of existing cracks and voids opening up prior to the creation of new cracks and/or voids in the sample, debonding of binder with AP particles as well as nucleation and coalescence of voids. On the fracture surfaces of the samples, it was apparent that the binder cleanly separated from the large AP particles but had a better bond with the aluminum particles. However, a difference in the appearance of a short drawing phase in the stress‐strain diagram of the propellant is observed at different strain rates. The presented results clearly demonstrate the major advantage of the combination of microscopic tensile tests with microscopic observations, linking the stress‐strain behavior to the mechanical deformation processes taking place in these propellant samples at the microscopic level.