bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Elucidation of the Forces Governing the Stereochemistry of Biphenyl
Authors: Jia Jianfeng , Wu Hai‐Shun , Chen Zhenhua , Mo Yirong 
Published: December 2012

AbstractBiphenyl prefers a twisted conformation rather than a planar or perpendicular structure. Although conjugation (stabilization) and steric repulsion (destabilization) coexist in the planar structure, both would be relieved in the perpendicular structure in which an alternative stabilizing interaction, namely hyperconjugation, dominates. It has been assumed that the twisted conformer results from a balance of the attractive and repulsive forces. By using the block‐localized wavefunction (BLW) method, which is an ab initio valence bond (VB) approach, we have quantified the stabilization (conjugation and hyperconjugation) and destabilization (steric repulsion) energy changes as a function of the twist angle, and demonstrated that the minimum equilibrium structure indeed is a result of the coupling of these two conflicting forces. At the B3LYP/TZVPP level of theory, the BLW computations showed that the π‐conjugation effect contributes to the stability of the planar biphenyl by 46.4 kJ/mol, whereas the σ–π* hyperconjugation stabilization energy in the perpendicular structure is 36.4 kJ/mol. However, we note that there is also a weak σ–σ* hyperconjugative interaction between the two phenyl rings in the planar structure, which is estimated to stabilize the planar structure by an additional 6.6 kJ/mol. The overall steric effect was determined to be 17.1 kJ/mol, which is higher than the ethane rotational barrier (12 kJ/mol) and highlights the repulsion between the adjacent C–C bonds and theortho‐hydrogen atoms in the planar biphenyl.
Adsorption of phenanthrene, 2-naphthol, and 1-naphthylamine to colloidal oxidized multiwalled carbon nanotubes: Effects of humic acid and surfactant modification
Authors: Hou Lei , Zhu Dongqiang , Wang Ximeng , Wang Lilin , Zhang Chengdong , Chen Wei 
Published: December 2012

Abstract
Carbon nanotubes (CNTs) can exist in the form of colloidal suspension in aquatic environments, particularly in the presence of natural organic matter or surfactants, and may significantly affect the fate and transport of organic contaminants. In the present study, the authors examined the adsorption of phenanthrene, 2-naphthol, and 1-naphthylamine to three colloidal CNTs, including a stable suspension of oxidized multiwalled carbon nanotubes (O-MWNT), a humic acid (HA)-modified colloidal O-MWNT, and a sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS)-modified colloidal O-MWNT. All three colloidal O-MWNTs exhibit strong adsorption affinities to the three test compounds (with KOC values orders of magnitude greater than those of natural organic matter), likely resulting from strong nonhydrophobic interactions such as π–π electron donor–acceptor interactions and Lewis acid–base interactions. When thoroughly mixed, HA (at ∼310 mg HA/g CNT) and SDS (at ∼750 mg SDS/g CNT) significantly affected the aggregation properties of O-MWNT, causing individually dispersed tubes to form a loosely entangled network. The effects of HA or SDS modification on adsorption are twofold. Adsorption of HA/SDS significantly reduces surface areas of O-MWNT; however, the entangled network allows adsorbate molecules to interact simultaneously with multiple tubes. An important implication is that humic substances and surfactant-like materials not only facilitate the formation of colloidal carbon nanoparticles but also affect how these colloidal carbon nanoparticles adsorb organic contaminants. Environ. Toxicol. Chem. 2013;32:493–500. © 2012 SETAC
Small Business Financial Distress and the “Phoenix Syndrome”—A Re‐evaluation
Authors: Rotem Yaad 
Published: December 2012

AbstractIn a typical “phoenix syndrome” scenario, a small business entrepreneur who controls the financially distressed Company A registers Company B, to which the assets of Company A are transferred in what appears to be fraudulent conveyance. Company B serves as a vehicle through which the business is kept running, without the pressures of the business creditors. If necessary, the entrepreneur will also register Company C and repeat the process. The law usually considers the execution of a “phoenix syndrome” scheme (“phoenixizing”) to be fraud against Company A's unaware creditors. Two major problems undermine, however, the efficient regulation of “phoenix syndrome” schemes. First, although criminal sanctions are available, “phoenixizing” entrepreneurs are not regularly prosecuted and are usually only subject to monetary sanctions (e.g., personal civil liability to creditors). Because defrauders tend to be judgment proof, the result is sub‐optimal deterrence. Second, lawmakers have not considered a more sympathetic explanation to account for the “phoenix syndrome” phenomenon: an entrepreneur resorting to a “phoenix syndrome” scheme might actually be arranging for a last‐resort “home‐made” bankruptcy proceeding, that is, the entrepreneur might be mimicking the role of a formal bankruptcy stay on unsecured creditors' collection efforts, against the background of a cost prohibitive formal bankruptcy proceeding. Put simply, the “phoenix syndrome” scheme is, occasionally, “a poor man's” bankruptcy proceeding. Deterring a “phoenixizing” entrepreneur attempting to rescue a viable business is, of course, unwarranted, as the result is viable businesses being lost. These two problems of under‐deterrence and over‐deterrence mandate a re‐evaluation of the manner in which “phoenix syndrome” schemes are regulated. Obviously, the main question concerns implementation: How can “good” entrepreneurs, attempting to rescue a viable business, be separated from “bad” ones, who attempt to defraud or to rescue a non‐viable business? The paper discusses and evaluates several solutions. Copyright © 2012 INSOL International and John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Efficacy of classification‐based cognitive functional therapy in patients with non‐specific chronic low back pain: A randomized controlled trial
Authors: Vibe Fersum K. , O'Sullivan P. , Skouen J.S. , Smith A. , Kvåle A. 
Published: December 2012

AbstractBackgroundNon‐specific chronic low back pain disorders have been proven resistant to change, and there is still a lack of clear evidence for one specific treatment intervention being superior to another.MethodsThis randomized controlled trial aimed to investigate the efficacy of a behavioural approach to management, classification‐based cognitive functional therapy, compared with traditional manual therapy and exercise. Linear mixed models were used to estimate the group differences in treatment effects. Primary outcomes at 12‐month follow‐up were Oswestry Disability Index and pain intensity, measured with numeric rating scale. Inclusion criteria were as follows: age between 18 and 65 years, diagnosed with non‐specific chronic low back pain for >3 months, localized pain from T12 to gluteal folds, provoked with postures, movement and activities. Oswestry Disability Index had to be >14% and pain intensity last 14 days >2/10. A total of 121 patients were randomized to either classification‐based cognitive functional therapy group n = 62) or manual therapy and exercise group (n > = 59).ResultsThe classification‐based cognitive functional therapy group displayed significantly superior outcomes to the manual therapy and exercise group, both statistically (p < 0.001) and clinically. For Oswestry Disability Index, the classification‐based cognitive functional therapy group improved by 13.7 points, and the manual therapy and exercise group by 5.5 points. For pain intensity, the classification‐based cognitive functional therapy improved by 3.2 points, and the manual therapy and exercise group by 1.5 points.ConclusionsThe classification‐based cognitive functional therapy produced superior outcomes for non‐specific chronic low back pain compared with traditional manual therapy and exercise.
Amino acid profiles and quality from lotus seed proteins
Authors: Zeng Hong‐Yan , Cai Lian‐Hui , Cai Xi‐Ling , Wang Ya‐Ju , Li Yu‐Qin 
Published: December 2012

AbstractBACKGROUND: Protein composition, amino acid profile and nutritional value of the lotus seed and its Osborne fractions were investigated. The seed was rich in protein with 19.85%, and showed well balanced amino acid composition compared with FAO/WHO pattern, Its nutritive properties were similar to those observed in the reference soybean protein. Phenylalanine, tyrosine, leucine and lysine were the limiting amino acids in the seed proteins. The albumin and globulin were the main protein fraction, the amino acid profile and nutritional value were close to the seed protein.RESULTS: Changes in transition temperature and thermal stability were observed through different solvent extractions. Albumin possessed the predominant thermal stability (81.4 °C) followed by globulin (74.49 °C), prolamin (69 °C) and glutelin (65.6 °C). So, solvent compositions influence the profile of AAs and their nutritive value, and aqueous solvent with 0.1 mol L−1 NaCl was an efficient protein solubiliser.CONCLUSION: The results indicated that the extraction processes influenced the lotus seed protein quality and thermal stability. Overall, the study revealed that the lotus seed protein was nutritionally well‐balanced protein and might be of significant importance in the formulation of diets for humans. © 2012 Society of Chemical Industry
Principles and biomechanics of muscle tendon unit transfer: Application in temporalis muscle tendon transposition for smile improvement in facial paralysis
Authors: Boahene Kofi D.O. 
Published: December 2012

AbstractMuscle tendon unit (MTU) transfer is a common procedure performed to restore hand function after peripheral nerve or spinal cord injury. The principles of MTU transfer established for hand surgery can be adopted to optimize the dynamic excursion of the temporalis tendon transfer procedure for facial reanimation. Additionally, the force generating ability of a transferred MTU depends on the ideal length‐tension relationship of the donor muscle. There are unclear guideline for selecting the ideal tension at which a transferred MTU will generate maximum force and excursion and current practice often leads to overstretch and suboptimal actin myosin interaction. The use of intraoperative electrical stimulation is an option for determining the ideal tension to optimize excursion of transferred temporalis tendon units in simile restoration. Understanding the biomechanics and principles of MTU and applying it to the temporalis tendon transfer procedure is necessary to improve its use in facial reanimation.
Poly(N‐vinylpyrrolidone)‐Modified Surfaces for Biomedical Applications
Authors: Liu Xiaoli , Xu Yajun , Wu Zhaoqiang , Chen Hong 
Published: December 2012

AbstractPoly(N‐vinylpyrrolidone) (PVP), an important water soluble synthetic polymer, has many desirable properties including low toxicity, chemical stability, and good biocompatibility. Since PVP is hemocompatible and physiologically inactive, it has been used as a blood plasma substitute. Surface modification with PVP has been investigated extensively over the past few years as a means of preventing nonspecific protein adsorption. PVP may therefore be seen as a promising antifouling surface modifier comparable to poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG). In this review, various approaches for the design and preparation of PVP‐modified surfaces are summarized and potential biomedical applications of these PVP‐modified materials are indicated. Finally, some perspectives on future research on PVP for surface modification are discussed. magnified image
An energy‐momentum‐conserving temporal discretization scheme for adhesive contact problems
Authors: Gautam Sachin S. , Sauer Roger A. 
Published: December 2012

SUMMARYNumerical solution of dynamic problems requires accurate temporal discretization schemes. So far, to the best of the authors’ knowledge, none have been proposed for adhesive contact problems. In this work, an energy‐momentum‐conserving temporal discretization scheme for adhesive contact problems is proposed. A contact criterion is also proposed to distinguish between adhesion‐dominated and impact‐dominated contact behaviors. An adhesion formulation is considered, which is suitable to describe a large class of interaction mechanisms including van der Waals adhesion and cohesive zone modeling. The current formulation is frictionless, and no dissipation is considered. Performance of the proposed scheme is compared with other schemes. The proposed scheme involves very little extra computational overhead. It is shown that the proposed new temporal discretization scheme leads to major accuracy gains both for single‐degree‐of‐freedom and multi‐degree‐of‐freedom systems. The single‐degree‐of‐freedom system is critically analyzed for various parameters affecting the response. For the multi‐degree‐of‐freedom system, the effect of the time step and mesh discretization on the solution is also studied using the proposed scheme. It is further shown that a temporal discretization scheme based on the principle of energy conservation is not sufficient to obtain a convergent solution. Results with higher order contact finite elements for discretizing the contact area are also discussed. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Hydration studies in polymer hydrogels
Authors: Pissis Polycarpos , Kyritsis Apostolos 
Published: December 2012

AbstractPolymer hydrogels have attracted much interest in recent years based on numerous applications mainly in biotechnology and medicine. For the knowledge‐based design and development of new materials for these and similar applications, it is essential to understand better the hydration properties of hydrogels and of polymers in general. With this term, we mean the particular organization of water in the hydrogel, which determines the properties of the water component, typically different than those of bulk water, and the impact of water on the properties of the polymer matrix itself. In this review, we focus on recent work with hydrogels based on poly(hydroxyethyl acrylate), mostly copolymers with a second hydrophobic polymer and silica nanocomposites. The combination of water sorption/diffusion, thermal and dielectric studies, by fully exploiting the capabilities of each individual technique, proves essential in providing significant information on particular aspects of hydration, such as water uptake, water organization, and diffusion coefficients; glass transition and plasticization; water and polymer dynamics; protonic conductivity, and in revealing interesting correlations between these particular aspects. In the outlook similarities and differences to other related systems, such as protein‐water and polymer solutions in non‐polar solvents, are stressed in the perspective of a broader study. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part B: Polym Phys, 2013
The concept of quasi‐Fermi level and expansion of faulted loops in SiC under minority carrier injection
Authors: Pirouz Pirouz 
Published: December 2012

AbstractDegradation of 4H‐SiC PiN diodes – a rapid increase in the forward voltage drop with operation time – has been a focus of research since it was first reported over a decade ago. It was soon discovered that associated with this degradation is a rapid increase in the number and extent of intrinsic stacking faults (SFs) in SiC. Further research showed that the expansion of SFs is due to the injection of electron–hole pairs (ehps) in the active region of the device under forward biasing. This effect indicated that recombination‐induced dislocation glide – a phenomenon that was known to occur in many other semiconductors and in SiC – may play an important role in enhancing the motion of the leading partial dislocations and thus in expanding SFs in PiN diodes operated under forward bias conditions. This was later supported by enhanced nucleation and expansion of SFs by bandgap optical excitation in virginal SiC crystals itself – whether the material was of the 4H or 6H polytype – rather than in forward‐biased SiC diodes. At the same time, we used the concept of quasi‐Fermi energy – as the transient value of the electron population during excited states of 4H‐ or 6H‐SiC – to explain the driving force for expansion of SFs. Recently, Caldwell et al. have used this concept to develop various experimental observations that have been made on these diodes, including SF expansion under forward biasing, saturation of the maximum forward voltage drift, annealing‐induced contraction of SFs so generated and consequent drift recovery of the forward voltage drop. In this paper, we expand the concept of quasi‐Fermi level to get a better understanding of faulted loop expansion in 4H‐SiC bipolar devices and in virgin 4H‐ and 6H‐SiC crystals.
The role of extended defects in device degradation
Authors: Pantelides Sokrates T. 
Published: December 2012

AbstractGrain boundaries and dislocations are well known to cause trouble in electronic devices, but in most cases they can be avoided by using single crystal films and eliminating or suppressing dislocation densities. Hetero‐interfaces, on the other hand, are essential features of devices. This papers reviews several topics from the author's published work, combining theoretical calculations with experimental data (microscopy, electrical measurements) to illustrate the interplay of impurities with extended defects, especially interfaces: dopant segregation in grain boundaries of polycrystalline Si, the role of hydrogen in the degradation of the Si–SiO2 interface in Si‐based metal‐oxide‐semiconductor field‐effect transistors (MOSFETs), the role of carbon, nitrogen, and hydrogen in the quality and degradation of the SiC–SiO2 interface in SiC‐based MOSFETs, and the role of vacancies in room‐temperature degradation of III–V high‐mobility electron transistors by the formation of microvoids.
Long-Term Outcomes for Kienböck's Disease
Authors: Martin Glynn R. , Squire Daniel 
Published: December 2012

Background The precise etiology of Kienböck's disease is unclear. Controversy exists regarding the appropriate treatment modality. The present study sought to investigate and compare surgical and nonsurgical treatment outcomes of patients suffering from Kienböck's disease in the province of Newfoundland and Labrador (NL), Canada. Methods The present study was a retrospective analysis of 66 patients. The primary outcome was the Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder, and Hand (DASH) score. Student's t test was used to assess differences in outcomes between treatment groups. One-way ANOVA was used to assess differences in primary outcome in time since first assessed in an effort to examine progression over time. Pearson correlation was used to assess for correlation between primary outcome and age at diagnosis. Results The average age was 38.6±11.4 (18–70) years; Four patients were excluded due to inaccessible imaging. Of the remaining patients, 44 were treated conservatively, while 18 were treated surgically. The DASH scores for the surgical group were 23.7±24.5 (0.9–82.8) and nonsurgical group were 20.0±20.1 (1.7–81). As expected, the surgical group was mainly comprised of late-stage Kienböck's. When both groups were compared, there was no significant difference in the DASH scores. There were no difference in DASH scores within groups according to time since first diagnosed (<5 years; between 5 and 10 years; and >10 years). A positive correlation was found between age at diagnosis and DASH score ( r=0.42, p=0.007), despite treatment modality. This finding remained significant after accounting for confounding factors ( p=0.029). Conclusion The DASH score for the surgical group was 23.7±24.5 (0.9–82.8) and nonsurgical group was 20.0± 20.1 (1.7–81). No significant difference in DASH scores was found between surgically and nonsurgically treated patients. A positive association was found between the age at diagnosis of Kienböck's and DASH score, which suggests that patients diagnosed and treated later in life tend not to do as well.
Decreasing the Pain of Finger Block Injection: Level II Evidence
Authors: Hamelin Nicolas D. , St-Amand Hugo , Lalonde Donald H. , Harris Patrick G. , Brutus Jean-Paul 
Published: December 2012

Background There is level II evidence that volunteers prefer the single subcutaneous injection in the midline of the proximal phalanx with lidocaine and epinephrine (SIMPLE) finger block over the classic two dorsal injection block technique. The purpose of this study was to possibly further decrease the pain of digital block injection by examining the effect of the duration of injection on the pain felt by volunteers receiving the SIMPLE block at two different injection rates. Methods Forty healthy blinded volunteers were injected 2 mL of lidocaine 1 % and epinephrine 1/100,000 in the digital palmar crease of both long fingers, one at a time. Two different rates of injection were used: 8 and 60 s. Pain scores were measured using a visual analogue scale and the volunteers were asked which of injection techniques they preferred. Results The visual analogue scale results revealed less pain with the slow injection ( p<0.001). Thirty three out of 40 volunteers preferred the slow injection rate. No difference could be attributed to sex of participants or to the first hand injected. Conclusion Blinded volunteers preferred digital blocks injected over 60 s to the more rapid 8 s. Decreasing the pain of injection only takes a minute of our valuable time for finger blocks.
An RNA-Seq-Based Gene Expression Profiling of Radiation-Induced Tumorigenic Mammary Epithelial Cells
Authors: Ma Lina , Nie Linghu , Liu Jing , Zhang Bing , Song Shuhui , Sun Min , Yang Jin , Yang Yadong , Fang Xiangdong , Hu Songnian , Zhao Yongliang , Yu Jun 
Published: December 2012

Abstract
Immortality and tumorigenicity are two distinct characteristics of cancers. Immortalization has been suggested to precede tumorigenesis. To understand the molecular mechanisms of tumorigenicity and cancer progression in mammary epithelium, we established a tumorigenic cell model by means of heavy-ion radiation of an immortal cell model, which was created by overexpressing the human telomerase reverse transcriptase (hTERT) in normal human mammary epithelial cells. We examined the expression profile of this tumorigenic cell line (T_hMEC) using the hTERT-overexpressing immortal cell line (I_hMEC) as a control. In-depth RNA-seq data was generated by using the next-generation sequencing (NGS) platform (Life Technologies SOLiD3). We found that house-keeping (HK) and tissue-specific (TS) genes were differentially regulated during the tumorigenic process. HK genes tended to be activated while TS genes tended to be repressed. In addition, the HK genes and TS genes tended to contribute differentially to the variation of gene expression at different RPKM (gene expression in reads per exon kilobase per million mapped sequence reads) levels. Based on transcriptome analysis of the two cell lines, we defined 7053 differentially-expressed genes (DEGs) between immortality and tumorigenicity. Differential expression of 20 manually-selected genes was further validated using qRT-PCR. Our observations may help to further our understanding of cellular mechanism(s) in the transition from immortalization to tumorigenesis.