bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Dexamethasone released from cochlear implant coatings combined with a protein repellent hydrogel layer inhibits fibroblast proliferation
Authors: Wrzeszcz Antonina , Dittrich Barbara , Haamann Daniel , Aliuos Pooyan , Klee Doris , Nolte Ingo , Lenarz Thomas , Reuter Günter 
Published: March 2013

AbstractThe insertion of cochlear implants into the inner ear often causes inflammation and fibrosis inside the scala tympani and thus growth of fibrous tissue on the implant surface. This deposition leads to the loss of function in both electrical and laser‐based implants. The design of this study was to realize fibroblast growth inhibition by dexamethasone (Dex) released from the base material of the implant [polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS)]. To prevent cell and protein adhesion, the PDMS was coated with a hydrogel layer [star‐shaped polyethylene glycol prepolymer (sPEG)]. Drug release rates were studied over 3 months, and surface characterization was performed. It was observed that the hydrogel slightly smoothened the surface roughened by the Dex crystals. The hydrogel coating reduced and prolonged the release of the drug over several months. Unmodified, sPEG‐coated, Dex‐loaded, and Dex/sPEG‐equipped PDMS filaments were cocultivated in vitro with fluorescent fibroblasts, analyzed by fluorescent microscopy, and quantified by cell counting. Compared to the unmodified PDMS, cell growth on all modified filaments was averagely 95% ±standard deviation (SD) less, while cell growth on the bottom of the culture dishes containing Dex‐loaded filaments was reduced by 70% ±SD. Both, Dex and sPEG prevented direct cell growth on the filament surfaces, while drug delivery was maintained for the duration of several months. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part A: 102A: 442–454, 2014.
Infrared spectroscopic characterization of carbonated apatite: A combined experimental and computational study
Authors: Ren Fuzeng , Ding Yonghui , Leng Yang 
Published: March 2013

AbstractA combined experimental and computational approach was employed to investigate the feasibility and effectiveness of characterizing carbonated apatite (CAp) by infrared (IR) spectroscopy. First, an experimental comparative study was conducted to identify characteristic IR vibrational bands of carbonate substitution in the apatite lattice. The IR spectra of pure hydroxyapatite (HA), carbonate adsorbed on the HA surface, a physical mixture of HA and sodium carbonate monohydrate, a physical mixture of HA and calcite, synthetic CAps prepared using three methods (precipitation method, hydrothermal route, and solid‐gas reaction at high temperature) and biological apatites (human enamel, human cortical bone, and two animal bones) were compared. Then, the IR vibrational bands of carbonate in CAp were calculated with density functional theory. The experimental study identified characteristic IR bands of carbonate that cannot be generated from surface adsorption or physical mixtures and the results show that the bands at ∼880, 1413, and 1450 cm−1 should not be used as characteristic bands of CAp since they could result from carbonate adsorbed on the apatite crystals surface or present as a separate phase. The combined experimental and computational study reveals that the carbonate v3 bands at ∼1546 and 1465 cm−1 are, respectively, the IR signature bands for type A CAp and type B CAp. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part A: 102A: 496–505, 2014.
Investigating soil physical properties and yield response in a grassland field using a dual‐sensor penetrometer and EM38
Authors: Sun Yurui , Cheng Qiang , Lin Jianhui , Schellberg Jürgen , Schulze Lammers Peter 
Published: March 2013

AbstractPrecision‐farming applications are mainly based on site‐specific information of soil properties at the field scale. For this purpose, a number of novel sensor techniques have been developed but not intensively tested under different field conditions. This study presents a combined application of a self‐developed dual‐sensor vertical penetrometer (DVP) for measuring volumetric soil water content (VSWC) and cone index (CI), and an EM38 for soil apparent electrical conductivity (ECa) in a pasture (1.4 ha). To verify the feasibility of the DVP for interpreting the depth‐specific information in the field, not only the soil physical properties and their geographical coordinates were measured, but also geo‐referenced yield data were collected. We found that the yield pattern was quite similar to the soil water‐content pattern of each layer (layer‐1: 5–15 cm; layer‐2: 15–25 cm, layer‐3: 25–35 cm) and ECa pattern. Using the map‐based comparisons in conjunction with the statistical analyses, the effect of each measured soil physical property (VSWC, CI, and ECa) on the yield was investigated. The regression between the yield and VSWC at each layer fitted a quadratic equation (R2 = 0.515 at 5–15 cm; R2 = 0.623, at 15–25 cm; R2 = 0.406 at 25–35 cm). The negative correlation between yield and CI at each layer fitted a linear model with R2 ≥ 0.510.
The effect of nitrogen fertilization and no‐till duration on soil nitrogen supply power and post–spring thaw greenhouse‐gas emissions
Authors: Hangs Ryan D. , Schoenau Jeff J. , Lafond Guy P. 
Published: March 2013

AbstractWith a world population now > 7 billion, it is imperative to conserve the arable land base, which is increasingly being leveraged by global demands for producing food, feed, fiber, fuel, and facilities (i.e., infra‐structure needs). The objective of this study was to determine the effect of varying fertilizer‐N rates on soil N availability, mineralization, and CO2and N2O emissions of soils collected at adjacent locations with contrasting management histories: native prairie, short‐term (10 y), and long‐term (32 y) no‐till continuous‐cropping systems receiving five fertilizer‐N rates (0, 30, 60, 90, and 120 kg N ha–1) for the previous 9 y on the same plots. Intact soil cores were collected from each site after snowmelt, maintained at field capacity, and incubated at 20°C for 6 weeks. Weekly assessments of soil nutrient availability along with CO2and N2O emissions were completed. There was no difference in cumulative soil N supply between the unfertilized long‐term no‐till and native prairie soils, while annual fertilizer‐N additions of 120 kg N ha–1were required to restore the N‐supplying power of the short‐term no‐till soil to that of the undisturbed native prairie soil. The estimated cumulative CO2‐C and N2O‐N emissions among soils ranged from 231.8–474.7 g m–2to 183.9–862.5 mg m–2, respectively. Highest CO2fluxes from the native prairie soil are consistent with its high organic matter content, elevated microbial activity, and contributions from root respiration. Repeated applications of ≥ 60 kg N ha–1resulted in greater residual inorganic‐N levels in the long‐term no‐till soil, which supported larger N2O fluxes compared to the unfertilized control. The native prairie soil N2O emissions were equal to those from both short‐ and long‐term no‐till soils receiving repeated fertilizer‐N applications at typical agronomic rates (e.g., 90 kg N ha–1). Eighty‐eight percent of the native soil N2O flux was emitted during the first 2 weeks and is probably characteristic of rapid denitrification rates during the dormant vegetative period after snowmelt within temperate native grasslands. There was a strong correlation (R<?h.3>20.64;p< 0.03) between measured soil Fe‐supply rate and N2O flux, presumably due to anoxic microsites within soil aggregates resulting from increased microbial activity. The use of modern no‐till continuous diversified cropping systems, along with application of fertilizer N, enhances the soil N‐supplying power over the long‐term through the build‐up of mineralizable N and appears to be an effective management strategy for improving degraded soils, thus enhancing the productive capacity of agricultural ecosystems. However, accounting for N2O emissions concomitant with repeated fertilizer‐N applications is imperative for properly assessing the net global warming potential of any land‐management system.
Interpretation of lysimeter weighing data affected by wind
Authors: Nolz Reinhard , Kammerer Gerhard , Cepuder Peter 
Published: March 2013

AbstractWeighing lysimeters are valuable devices for measuring water‐balance components with high temporal resolution and high accuracy. However, some older lysimeter facilities still operate with lever‐arm‐counterbalance weighing systems that are sensitive to disturbances, e.g., forces exerted by wind. Filtering and averaging are commonly used for processing noisy raw data. We studied some data of a lever‐arm weighing system and performed additional experiments in order to (1) determine the measurement accuracy of the current weighing scheme (facility, and measuring and averaging procedure) regarding wind effects, (2) describe the oscillation behavior, (3) test the mechanical performance of the system, and (4) adapt the averaging procedure with respect to improved interpretation of the weighing data.The measurement accuracy for a wind velocity < 5 m s–1, measured in 10 m height, was ≈ ± 0.4 kg (equivalent to ± 0.14 mm); at a higher wind velocity, the accuracy was three times lower, but there was no linear relationship. Additional experiments showed that the weighing system is oscillating with more or less irregular amplitudes. A loading–unloading experiment delivered proper results of the measured loads. The mechanical system reacted immediately, and no directional effects were found. However, small changes of < 1 kg could hardly be determined due to the oscillations. A time series of raw data measured every 2 s served as basis for improving the averaging method. A moving average from 64 values was computed representing the currently used method, and serving as reference. With this procedure an accuracy of ± 0.38 kg could be reached. Averaging 150 values led to an accuracy of ± 0.28 kg (0.1 mm) for a wind velocity < 5 m s–1.
Long‐term tillage effects on the distribution of phosphorus fractions of loess soils in Germany
Authors: Piegholdt Christiane , Geisseler Daniel , Koch Heinz‐Josef , Ludwig Bernard 
Published: March 2013

AbstractDifferent tillage systems may affect P dynamics in soils due to differently distributed plant residues, different aggregate dynamics and erosion losses, but quantitative data are scarce. Objectives were to investigate the effect of tillage on the availability of P in a long‐term field trial on loess soils (Phaeozems and Luvisols) initiated from 1990 to 1997. Four research sites in E and S Germany were established with a crop rotation consisting of two times winter wheat followed by sugar beet. The treatments were no‐till (NT) without cultivation, except for seedbed preparation to a depth of 5 cm before sugar beet was sown and conventional tillage (CT) with mouldboard plowing down to 25–30 cm. Soil P was divided into different pools by a sequential extraction method, and total P (Pt) in the single P fractions was extracted by digesting the extracts of the fractionation to calculate the contents of organic P. The Pt content (792 mg [kg soil]–1) in the topsoil (0–5 cm) of NT was 15% higher compared to CT, while with increasing depth the Pt content decreased more under NT than under CT. This was also true for the other P fractions except for residual P. The higher P contents in the topsoil of NT presumably resulted from the shallower incorporation of harvest residues and fertilizer P compared to CT, whereas estimated soil losses and thus also P losses due to water erosion were only small for both treatments. Contents of oxalate‐extractable Fe and organic C were positively related to the labile fractions of inorganic P, while there was a high correlation of the stable fractions with the clay contents and pH. Multiple regression analyses explained 50% of the variability of these P fractions. Overall, only small differences in the P fractions and availability were observed between the long‐term tillage treatments.
A pilot staging system to predict persistent obstructive sleep apnea in children following adenotonsillectomy
Authors: Smith David F. , Benke James R. , Yaster Susan , Boss Emily F. , Ishman Stacey L. 
Published: March 2013

Objectives/HypothesisA recent meta‐analysis by Friedman et al. found that 66% of children have resolution of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) after tonsillectomy and adenoidectomy (TA). However, accurate predictors of persistent OSA in children despite surgery are difficult to identify. We evaluate the utility of staging children with OSA using characteristics predictive of adult palatoplasty success.Study DesignA retrospective analysis of children who underwent sleep studies before and after TA in a tertiary care center from 2008 through 2011.MethodsTonsil size (TS)/modified Mallampati position score (MMP)/body mass index (BMI) z Score were used to categorize patients into a three‐ and four‐stage tonsillectomy staging system. Stage 1 included patients with low MMP scores/large tonsils; stage 2 with low MMP scores/small tonsils or high MMP scores/large tonsils. Stage 3 included patients with high MMP scores/small tonsils. For the four‐stage system, any patient with a BMI z Score ≥2.0 was stage 4.ResultsThirty‐five patients (14 females) were included (mean age, 6.8 years; range, 1.0–18.6 years). OSA severity ranged from mild (n = 6), moderate (n = 10), to severe (n = 19), with a mean respiratory disturbance index (RDI) of 20.9 before surgery and 2.4 after. Similar to results seen for adult palatoplasty, staging by TS/MMP/BMI corresponded with response to surgery. In stage 1 to 2, 11/17 (64.7%) children had RDI <1.5 postoperatively, with decreasing TA success rates in stages 3 to 4 at 10/18 (55.5%). Although these results were not statistically significant (P = .14), the trend was similar to the adult analysis.ConclusionsA trend toward a dose‐response relationship was seen between physical exam staging and persistent OSA after TA. Further data collection and analysis with a larger sample size are warranted.Level of Evidence4. Laryngoscope, 2013
Outcome of endoscopic resection tracheoplasty for treating lambdoid tracheal stomal stenosis
Authors: Nouraei S. A. Reza , Sandhu Guri S. 
Published: March 2013

Objectives/HypothesisTo evaluate the efficacy of endoscopic resection tracheoplasty (ERT) for treating post‐tracheotomy stomal stenosis caused by inward collapse of tracheal ring remnants.Study designProspective observational study.MethodsBetween 2007 and 2012, we treated 40 patients with “lambdoid” tracheal deformity with a two‐staged minimally invasive procedure undertaken using suspension microtracheoscopy and high‐frequency jet ventilation. The first procedure entailed CO2 laser photoablation of collapsed tracheal rings and dilatation. The second procedure, performed 6 to 8 weeks later, involved ablation of residual structural obstruction, removal of granulation tissue, and intralesional corticosteroid injection. Perioperative patient and lesion characteristics and results of treatment were assessed.ResultsThere were 22 males and 18 females, and mean age at first treatment was 59 years. There were 17 cases of scarring at the postero‐lateral tracheal groove (trachealis blunting), and 22 patients had age‐adjusted Charlson comorbidity scores greater than 4. All patients without trachealis blunting were successfully managed endoscopically, with only one patient requiring one additional endoscopic treatment. Seven patients with trachealis blunting needed additional treatment, and four patients had tracheal resection (P = 0.013). All patients were decannulated, and 75% of patients achieved good dyspnea outcomes. Patients with low morbidities were significantly more likely to achieve good dyspnea outcomes (P < 0.027). There were no treatment‐related worsenings of voice or swallowing.ConclusionsERT is an effective minimally invasive treatment for intubation‐related lambdoid tracheal stenosis. It achieves a successful outcome while avoiding the risks associated with open surgery. We recommend its more widespread use for treating patients with this condition.Level of Evidence4. Laryngoscope, 2012
Scattering for strictly hyperbolic systems with time‐dependent coefficients
Authors: Matsuyama Tokio , Ruzhansky Michael 
Published: March 2013

AbstractThe present paper is devoted to finding conditions on the occurrence of scattering for strictly hyperbolic systems with time‐dependent coefficients whose time‐derivatives are in L1 in time. More precisely, it will be shown that the solutions are asymptotically free if the coefficients are stable in the sense that their improper Riemann integrals converge as t → ±∞, while each nontrivial solution with radially symmetric data is never asymptotically free provided that the coefficients are not stable as t → ±∞. As a by‐product, wave and scattering operators can be constructed. An important feature is that assumptions on only one derivative of the coefficients are made so that the results would be applicable to the asymptotic behaviour of Kirchhoff systems.
Clinical and mutation analysis of 51 probands with anophthalmia and/or severe microphthalmia from a single center
Authors: Gerth‐Kahlert Christina , Williamson Kathleen , Ansari Morad , Rainger Jacqueline K. , Hingst Volker , Zimmermann Theodor , Tech Stefani , Guthoff Rudolf F. , van Heyningen Veronica , FitzPatrick David R. 
Published: March 2013

AbstractClinical evaluation and mutation analysis was performed in 51 consecutive probands with severe eye malformations – anophthalmia and/or severe microphthalmia – seen in a single specialist ophthalmology center. The mutation analysis consisted of bidirectional sequencing of the coding regions of SOX2, OTX2, PAX6 (paired domain), STRA6, BMP4, SMOC1, FOXE3, and RAX, and genome‐wide array‐based copy number assessment. Fifteen (29.4%) of the 51 probands had likely causative mutations affecting SOX2 (9/51), OTX2 (5/51), and STRA6 (1/51). Of the cases with bilateral anophthalmia, 9/12 (75%) were found to be mutation positive. Three of these mutations were large genomic deletions encompassing SOX2 (one case) or OTX2 (two cases). Familial inheritance of three intragenic, plausibly pathogenic, and heterozygous mutations was observed. An unaffected carrier parent of an affected child with an identified OTX2 mutation confirmed the previously reported nonpenetrance for this disorder. Two families with SOX2 mutations demonstrated a parent and child both with significant but highly variable eye malformations. Heterozygous loss‐of‐function mutations in SOX2 and OTX2 are the most common genetic pathology associated with severe eye malformations and bi‐allelic loss‐of‐function in STRA6 is confirmed as an emerging cause of nonsyndromal eye malformations.
New properties of guided electromagnetic wave propagation in chiral media
Authors: Gómez Álvaro , Solano Miguel A. , Fernández Óscar , Vegas Ángel 
Published: March 2013

AbstractIn this paper, we present a new study of the electromagnetic wave propagation inside a rectangular waveguide partially loaded with an isotropic chiral medium, by means of the coupled mode method. Along this analysis some new features related to the variation of the propagation constant versus frequency and the chirality parameter, which have not been previously reported in the literature, are introduced. Among them, we highlight the existence of a frequency point wherein all the dispersion curves cross each other, and the increasing of the cutoff frequency of the fundamental mode with the chirality of the medium. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microwave Opt Technol Lett 55:1206–1212, 2013; View this article online at wileyonlinelibrary.com. DOI 10.1002/mop.27534
Microstrip bandpass filters with series‐LC resonator loaded coupled lines
Authors: Chao Shih‐Fong 
Published: March 2013

AbstractIn this article, series‐LC resonator loaded coupled lines are proposed to implement microstrip bandpass filters. The proposed loaded coupled line can generate three tunable transmission zeros. Conditions for the transmission zeros of the series‐LC resonator loaded coupled lines are analyzed and discussed. To demonstrate the applications, two second‐order bandpass filters using the proposed loaded coupled‐lines are designed with wide stopband rejections. The measured results show a good agreement with the simulations. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microwave Opt Technol Lett 55:1273–1276, 2013; View this article online at wileyonlinelibrary.com. DOI 10.1002/mop.27542
A novel miniaturized UWB antenna with four band‐notches
Authors: Xu Jie , Shen Dongya , Zheng Jianfeng , Zhang Xiupu , Wu Ke 
Published: March 2013

AbstractIn this article, an effective design method is presented to design a miniaturized UWB antenna with four band‐notches. By carefully integrating C‐shaped slots, L‐shaped open circuit stub, and T‐shaped parasitic strip onto the primitive miniaturized antenna, four band‐notches (VSWR > 2) could be achieved at 3.38–3.65 GHz, 4.95–6.05 GHz, 7.42–7.78 GHz, and 8.1–8.9 GHz to reject WiMAX, WLAN, X‐band satellite communication, and ITU 8 GHz band signals. Simulated and measured results show that this antenna could operate from 3.15–11.1 GHz (VSWR < 2), and maintain omnidirectional directivity patterns at H‐plane. Moreover, the proposed antenna has a very compact size of 18.6 × 22 × 1.5 mm3. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microwave Opt Technol Lett 55:1202–1206, 2013; View this article online at wileyonlinelibrary.com. DOI 10.1002/mop.27546
Wideband rectangular wearable jeans antenna
Authors: Roy Bivas , Sarkar Partha Pratim , Chowdhury Santosh 
Published: March 2013

AbstractIn this article, the design, fabrication, and measurement of a wideband wearable textile (jeans) patch antenna is presented.The substrate of the designed antenna was made by jeans cotton textile material, whereas the radiating element and ground plate was made by thin film copper foil. The copper foil was pasted by using synthetic resin adhesive on the textile (jeans) material. We have measured the dielectric constant of the jeans material (textile substrate) by using ring resonator method (Rida et al., IEEE Antennas Propag Mag 51 (2009) 13–23; Yang et al., IEEE Trans Microwave Theory Tech (2007) 2894–2901]. The effect of thickness of the jeans substrate for designing and fabrication of wideband antenna was also investigated in this article. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microwave Opt Technol Lett 55:1270–1273, 2013; View this article online at wileyonlinelibrary.com. DOI 10.1002/mop.27548
Compact microstrip dual‐passband filters based on stepped‐impedance resonators
Authors: Tsai Lin‐Chuan 
Published: March 2013

AbstractIn this article, a new coupling configuration of the stepped‐impedance resonator is proposed to implement dual‐passband filters with the small circuit size.We design the filter with higher selectivity based on SIR directing‐coupling, cross‐coupling, input and output external quality factors. Through resonance characteristics of a SIR, the second‐resonant frequency can be tuned by adjusting structure parameters. The agreement between measured results and full‐wave simulation prediction validates the feasible configuration of the proposed filters. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microwave Opt Technol Lett 55:1230–1233, 2013; View this article online at wileyonlinelibrary.com. DOI 10.1002/mop.27551