bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Electrospinning and Characterization of Novel Opuntia ficus-indica Mucilage Biomembrane
Authors: Thomas Sylvia W. , Alcantar Norma A. , Pais Yanay 
Published: January 2013

ABSTRACTOpuntia ficus-indica (Ofi) cactus non-gelling (NE) mucilage nanofibers were electrospun with acetic acid solution and polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) as a polymer. The best fiber coverage was achieved with an aqueous 50% acetic acid solution and 9% low molecular weight PVA at a 70:30 PVA:Mucilage volume ratio. Other volume ratios (30:70 and 50:50) produced beads and other deformities. Fibers were formed with an average diameter of 180nm as measured by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and atomic force microscopy (AFM). Favorable electrospinning conditions were used to fabricate a 1 cm x 1 cm Ofi nanofiber biomembrane. Heat flow (W/g) versus temperature peaks ranged from 214 – 222°C, which is comparable to endothermic peak ranges observed for crystalline PVA. This could possibly further indicate some form of crystallinity within the Ofi nanofiber membrane. The electrospun process used precursors that were biodegradable, non-toxic, and sustainable to optimize the mucilage nanofiber formation, which will help enhance the potential performance of the Ofi nanofiber biomembrane in filtration and sensory systems.
Marcuse’s power loss model tested for optical fiber coils of small radius.
Authors: Carmona Karina R. , Armendáriz Alberto H. , Moller José D. , Lucero Alfredo M. 
Published: January 2013

ABSTRACTRecently, the usage of optical fiber coils has increased significantly, especially in the design of physic and chemical sensors. Therefore, it is important to test the theoretical current models developed to predict the power loss throughout optical fiber. In this paper a pioneer and popular model, the Marcuse model of power loss, was studied and evaluated for optical fiber coils of small radii. Power attenuation in a bent fiber data was collected using an Optical Time Domain Reflectometer (OTDR), and it was compared to the theoretical predictions of the Marcuse model. It was observed that the model predicts correctly the attenuation behavior for usual curvature radii, however, it fails to predict accurately the attenuation behavior for small curvature radii, underestimating considerably the actual power loss. Also, it has been observed that at small radii the power loss parameter 2α and the mode propagation constant of the wave guide β stop being constants and become functions of the optical path, particularly of the number of loops in the coil. It is possible that new mechanisms of light leaking are present, due to the extreme distortion of the modes configuration into the fiber at small radii. Those mechanisms cannot be described by a model that considers a power loss parameter 2α, and more specifically the mode propagation constant of the wave guide (β) as constants. Then it is important to develop other models where the previous parameters can be considered as functions of the optical path.
Fabrication of nanostructured bulk Cobalt Antimonide (CoSb3) based skutterudites via bottom-up synthesis
Authors: Saleemi M. , Tafti M. Y. , Toprak M. S. , Stingaciu M. , Johnsson M. , Jägle M. , Jacquot A. , Muhammed M. 
Published: January 2013

ABSTRACTSkutterudites are known to be efficient thermoelectric (TE) materials in the temperature range from 600 K to 900 K. Dimensionless figure of merit (ZT) for filled skutterudite TE materials have been reported as ca. 1 at 800 K. Novel nano- engineering approaches and filling of the skutterudites crystal can further improve the transport properties and ultimately the ZT. Although classified among the promising TE materials, research on their large-scale production via bottom up synthetic routes is rather limited. In this work, large quantity of cobalt antimonide (CoSb3) based skutterudites nanopowder (NP) was fabricated through a room temperature co-precipitation precursor method. Dried precipitates were process by thermo-chemical treatment steps including calcination (in air) and reduction (in hydrogen). CoSb3 NPs were then mixed with silver (Ag) nanoparticles at different weight percentages (1%, 5% and 10% by wt) to form nanocomposites. Skutterudite NP was then consolidated by Spark Plasma Sintering (SPS) technique to produce highly dense compacts while maintaining the nanostructure. Temperature dependent TE characteristics of SPS’d CoSb3 and Ag containing nanocomposite samples were evaluated for transport properties, including thermal conductivity, electrical conductivity and Seebeck coefficient over the temperature range of 300 - 900 K. Physicochemical, structural and microstructural evaluation results are presented in detail.
Al-Doped ZnO Film as a Transparent Conductive Substrate in Indoline-Sensitized Nanoporous ZnO Solar Cell.
Authors: Onwona-Agyeman B. , Nakao M. , Kumara G.R.A. , Kitaoka T. 
Published: January 2013

ABSTRACTWe have deposited porous ZnO films on aluminum-doped ZnO (ZnO/AZO) and fluorine-doped tin oxide (ZnO/FTO) transparent substrates, and annealed both in air at 500°C. X-ray diffraction measurements of the nanoporous ZnO films after heat treatment showed that, ZnO/AZO film exhibited a dominant (002) diffraction while the ZnO/FTO showed mixed diffraction peaks with the (100) and (101) being dominant. Dye-sensitized solar cells (DSC) based on the sensitization of the porous ZnO films on AZO and FTO substrates with an indoline dye were constructed. The photoaction spectrum, which is a measure of the degree of sunlight harvesting, was broad and higher in the ZnO/AZO DSC than that of the ZnO/FTO DSC. Conversion efficiency of 7.3 % was obtained for the ZnO/AZO DSC while 4.5 % was recorded for the ZnO/FTO. The superior photovoltaic performance of the ZnO/AZO DSC is attributed to better ZnO film orientation after thermal treatment and the higher sunlight harvesting.
Oxidation state of tungsten oxide thin films used as gate dielectric for zinc oxide based transistors
Authors: Lorenz Michael , Grundmann Marius , Wickert Sandra , Denecke Reinhard 
Published: January 2013

ABSTRACTWe present an investigation of the degree of oxidization of tungsten oxide (WOx) thin films used as gate dielectric for metal-insulator-semiconductor field-effect transistors (MISFET). By means of X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy WOx thin films grown by pulsed-laser deposition at room temperature were investigated. The electrical and optical properties depend significantly on the oxygen pressure during deposition and are affected by the stoichiometric ratio of oxygen and tungsten.
Structure-property-function relationships in triple-helical collagen hydrogels
Authors: Tronci Giuseppe , Doyle Amanda , Russell Stephen J. , Wood David J. 
Published: January 2013

ABSTRACTIn order to establish defined biomimetic systems, type I collagen was functionalised with 1,3-Phenylenediacetic acid (Ph) as aromatic, bifunctional segment. Following investigation on molecular organization and macroscopic properties, material functionalities, i.e. degradability and bioactivity, were addressed, aiming at elucidating the potential of this collagen system as mineralization template. Functionalised collagen hydrogels demonstrated a preserved triple helix conformation. Decreased swelling ratio and increased thermo-mechanical properties were observed in comparison to state-of-the-art carbodiimide (EDC)-crosslinked collagen controls. Ph-crosslinked samples displayed no optical damage and only a slight mass decrease (∼ 4 wt.-%) following 1-week incubation in simulated body fluid (SBF), while nearly 50 wt.-% degradation was observed in EDC-crosslinked collagen. SEM/EDS revealed amorphous mineral deposition, whereby increased calcium phosphate ratio was suggested in hydrogels with increased Ph content. This investigation provides valuable insights for the synthesis of triple helical collagen materials with enhanced macroscopic properties and controlled degradation. In light of these features, this system will be applied for the design of tissue-like scaffolds for mineralized tissue formation.
Two Valid Measures of Self-rated Physical Activity and Capacity
Authors: Holen Marit Sundal , Een Rønnaug , Mildestvedt Thomas , Eide Geir Egil , Meland Eivind 
Published: January 2013

Objectives:
Questionnaires on physical activity (PA) and physical capacity (PC) are valuable tools, as they are cost beneficial, and have high response rates. The validity of short versions of such questionnaires has not been examined satisfactorily. Therefore, we aimed at examining the validity of a set of questions coding for PA and PC.

Design:
The questions were administered to 217 men and women attending a cardiac rehabilitation program. Participants also gave blood samples, measuring HDL cholesterol, triglycerides (TG), insulin, glucose, and microCRP. The relations between PA and PC and biological markers were examined by linear regression analyses.

Results:
Measures for PC and for PA were identified by factor analysis, which proved internally consistent. TG, homeostatic model assessment (HOMA) score, and mCRP were all significantly associated with the measures of PC and PA.

Conclusions:
The measures of PA and PC are valid compared with biological markers, allowing cost-beneficial and time-efficient evaluation of important measures for cardiovascular health.
Do mouthwashes with and without bleaching agents degrade the force of elastomeric chains?
Authors: Pithon Matheus Melo , Rodrigues Ailana Cardoso , Sousa Érica Luiza Santana Moreira , de Souza Santos Lília Paula , dos Santos Soares Natália 
Published: January 2013

ABSTRACT

Objective:
To evaluate, in vitro, the effect of mouthwashes with and without bleaching agents on the force of elastomeric chains.

Materials and Methods:
A total of 108 elastomeric chain specimens was divided into six groups (n  =  18 in each group). Two test groups were exposed to two types of commonly used mouthwashes (Plax and Listerine), and two groups were exposed to mouthwashes containing bleaching agent (Plax Whitening and Listerine Whitening). Immersion in the solutions was performed twice a day for 60 seconds. One group of control specimens remained immersed in artificial saliva throughout the entire experimental period, and the other control specimens were exposed to distilled water. Force measurements were performed at six time intervals (initial, 1 day, 7 days, 14 days, 21 days, and 28 days).

Results:
No statistically significant differences were found between the groups in the initial period (P &gt; .05). Statistically significant differences were found between the control group and the Plax, Plax Whitening, and Listerine groups at the time intervals of 7, 14, and 21 days. In the initial period, the force was statistically significantly higher than it was in any of the other experimental periods (P &lt; .05). The control group with distilled water and the test group with Plax Whitening maintained the most force during the experimental period.

Conclusion:
The presence of bleaching agent has no influence on the force degradation of elastomeric chains.
Three-dimensional changes of the hyoid bone and airway volumes related to its relationship with horizontal anatomic planes after bimaxillary surgery in skeletal Class III patients
Authors: Kim Min-Ah , Kim Bo-Ram , Choi Jin-Young , Youn Jong-Kuk , Kim Yoon-Ji R. , Park Yang-Ho 
Published: January 2013

ABSTRACT

Objective:
To evaluate longitudinal changes of the hyoid bone position and pharyngeal airway space after bimaxillary surgery in mandibular prognathism patients.

Materials and Methods:
Cone-beam computed tomography scans were taken for 25 mandibular prognathism patients before surgery (T0), 2 months after surgery (T1), and 6 months after surgery (T2). The positional displacement of the hyoid bone was assessed using the coordinates at T0, T1, and T2. Additionally, the volume of each subject's pharyngeal airway was measured.

Results:
The mean amount of posterior maxilla impaction was 3.76 ± 1.33 mm as the palatal plane rotated 2.04° ± 2.28° in a clockwise direction as a result of bimaxillary surgery. The hyoid bone moved backward (P &lt; .05, P &lt; .001) and downward (P &gt; .05, P &lt; .05) at 2 months and 6 months after surgery, while the total volume of the pharyngeal airway significantly decreased at the same time points (P &lt; .001, P &lt; .001). There was significant relationship between the changes of the hyoid bone position and airway volume at 2 months after surgery (P &lt; .05). The change of the palatal plane angle was positively correlated to the decrease in the total airway volume (P &lt; .001).

Conclusions:
The null hypothesis was rejected. The hyoid bone moved inferoposteriorly, and the pharyngeal airway volume decreased for up to 6 months after bimaxillary surgery. The decrease in the pharyngeal airway volume was correlated to the changes in the palatal plane inclination and the positional change of the hyoid bone.
Effects of severity and location of nonsyndromic hypodontia on craniofacial morphology
Authors: Gungor Ahmet Yalcin , Turkkahraman Hakan 
Published: January 2013

ABSTRACT

Objective:
To evaluate the effects of severity and location of nonsyndromic hypodontia on craniofacial morphology.

Materials and Methods:
A total of 154 patients with at least two or more congenitally missing teeth were selected and divided into two groups (group I [mild]: patients with two to five missing teeth; group II [severe]: patients with six or more missing teeth). The patients with hypodontia were divided into three groups according to the location of missing teeth in the dental arches (anterior, posterior, and both anterior and posterior) and location of missing teeth between the jaws (maxilla, mandible, and both maxilla and mandible). Fifty Class I patients without any missing teeth served as the control group. Twenty-one measurements were performed on lateral cephalograms. Intergroup differences for the severity and location of hypodontia were analyzed using analysis of variance (ANOVA) and post-hoc Tukey tests.

Results:
Significant decreases were found in mandibular plane angles (P &lt; .05), upper and lower incisor measurements (P &lt; .05), anterior (P &lt; .001) and posterior (P &lt; .05) face heights, and ramus height (P &lt; .01), as well as a significant increase in the soft tissue convexity angle (P &lt; .05) among the hypodontia groups and control group. These differences were more excessive in the severe hypodontia group. Upper lip-E plane measurements were significantly longer in the mandible group than in the maxilla group (P &lt; .01).

Conclusions:
Patients with congenitally missing teeth have different craniofacial morphologies. The severity and location of missing teeth have a significant effect.
Vimentin cleavage in end-stage renal disease is not related to apoptosis
Authors: Liebscher Felix , Arnold Tobias , Liang Ying , Reiter Thomas , Böhmig Georg , Oehler Rudolf 
Published: January 2013

Abstract
Anti-vimentin auto-antibodies contribute to chronic allograft nephropathy. They exist in sera of end-stage renal disease patients on hemodialysis (ESRD) already before renal transplantation. We found recently that a 49 kDa vimentin fragment is increased in lymphocytes of ESRD patients which is presented on the cell surface. In vitro studies showed that such a fragment is formed during apoptosis by active caspase-3. We hypothesized that vimentin degradation in leukocytes of ESRD patients correlates to caspase-3 activation in vivo. Lymphocytes and monocytes were isolated from ESRD patients and from healthy volunteers and analyzed for vimentin expression and caspase-3 activation. In addition, apoptosis was induced in vitro and quantified by flow cytometry. ESRD monocytes have shown only the full length 60 kDa vimentin isoform. ESRD lymphocytes, however, showed in addition a strongly increased expression of the 49 kDa vimentin in all samples. Caspase-3 activation was found in 60% of ESRD lymphocytes and 66% of ESRD monocytes but not in healthy volunteers. UV-mediated induction of apoptosis was not associated with vimentin degradation. These experiments could confirm increased vimentin degradation in ESRD lymphocytes. However, we could not validate any correlation to apoptosis.
Arteriovenous fistula and pseudoaneurysm of the anterior spinal artery caused by an epidural needle in a 5-year-old patient
Authors: Alnaami Ibrahim , Lam Fred C. , Steel Graham , Dicken Bryan , O'Kelly Cian J. , Aronyk Keith , Mehta Vivek 
Published: January 2013

Authors present the case of a 5-year-old patient with a spinal arteriovenous fistula (AVF) and pseudoaneurysm of the anterior spinal artery (ASA) caused by a traumatic epidural needle stick injury. A discussion and relevant review of the literature follow.
The boy had a remote history of a liver transplant and required neuraxial blockade for an unrelated abdominal surgical procedure. Initial insertion of the epidural needle at the T9–10 interspace yielded blood. A second attempt at T10–11 was successful. Delayed left leg weakness developed on postoperative Day 8, with an MR image showing a track injury through the cord and a ventral subarachnoid hematoma. Laminectomies from T-9 to T-11were performed emergently to decompress the spinal cord. The dura mater was opened, the ventral hematoma was evacuated, and brisk venous bleeding was controlled with cauterization. Postoperative spinal angiography demonstrated an AVF and pseudoaneurysm of the ASA. Repeat angiography at postoperative Week 4 demonstrated complete resolution of the AVF and pseudoaneurysm, probably due to intraoperative cauterization of the draining vein. The patient underwent a short course of rehabilitation and had no clinical or electrophysiological evidence of spinal cord damage at the 20-month follow-up.
One should be cognizant of the possibility of a cord injury in a patient with new-onset neurological deficits following an interventional spine procedure. Neuroimaging is essential for prompt diagnosis and treatment.
Role of axis reversal from the short‐shoot to long‐shoot habit for crown maintenance in slow‐growing Betula maximowicziana trees
Authors: Ishihara Masae Iwamoto 
Published: January 2013

• Premise of the Study: Branch growth and its spatial arrangement determine crown architecture, leaf display, and, thus, the productivity of trees. Branch axes elongate by the sequential production of shoots with differing morphology and function, such as short shoots and long shoots. This study investigated ontogenetic changes in axis growth in Betula maximowicziana and quantified the role of axis reversal between the short‐shoot and long‐shoot habits, particularly reversal from the short‐shoot to the long‐shoot habit.• Methods: From 8 trees with varying levels of growth vigor, 716 branch axes forming the basic crown architecture were sampled. Past growth of the branch axes was reconstructed from leaf and bud scale scars and compared between slow‐growing and vigorously growing trees.• Key Results: Branch axes reversed more frequently between the long‐ and short‐shoot habits in slow‐growing trees than in vigorously growing trees. Short‐shoot‐origin axes that reversed to the long‐shoot habit lived for longer periods and grew larger than axes that remained in the short‐shoot habit. Short‐shoot‐origin axes reversed as they grew away from branch apices, typically >6 yr after they had originated.• Conclusions: Reversal of short‐shoot‐origin axes to the long‐shoot habit is an endogenous growth process of trees with reduced vigor. Like epicormic branching, the reversal may contribute to the maintenance of productivity of large old trees by prolonging axis longevity and filling the inner part of the crown. This study presents an ontogenetic change in branch growth, which broadens our perspectives on the growth and survival of long‐living trees.
La relation d'association entre rendement boursier et chiffres comptables
Authors: Baccouche Chedli El Mokhtar , Nafti Bakini Olfa 
Published: January 2013

Résumé Ce papier examine et analyse la relation d’association entre le rendement boursier et les données comptables, et ce pour 37 entreprises cotées à la Bourse de Tunis pour les années 1997 jusqu’à 2002. Nous avons testé cette association en tenant compte des états financiers établis sur la base des normes nationales tunisiennes incluses dans le nouveau système comptable des entreprises 1997. Notre objectif est de déceler les variables comptables et financières explicatives du rendement boursier, et de mesurer le degré de leur association en utilisant un modèle de régression multiple appliqué sur un ensemble de données de panel. Les résultats de notre étude indiquent l’existence d’une relation d’association entre le rendement boursier et les chiffres comptables, leur coefficient de corrélation ajusté peut atteindre 20 %. Les résultats montrent aussi que l’introduction, au modèle, de certaines variables muettes peut avoir un impact positif sur cette relation et contribue à l’augmentation de la valeur du coefficient de corrélation ajusté pour atteindre 37 %.
Contrôle de gestion de projet au xixe siècle. Le cas des Expositions Universelles Parisiennes (1855-1900)
Authors: Michaïlesco Céline 
Published: January 2013

Résumé Se tiennent à Paris, entre 1855 et 1900, cinq Expositions universelles. Ces Expositions sont de grands projets menés sous la tutelle de l’État français qui en assure le financement avec la Ville de Paris. S’imposent de fait les principes des finances publiques qui constituent un cadre pour le contrôle de la gestion de ces projets. Le cas des Expositions universelles permet de revenir sur le « degré zéro » (Navarre, 1993) du contrôle de gestion de projet, période au cours de laquelle des outils sont développés.
La responsabilité sociale des entreprises artisanales, innovation sociale ou néopaternalisme ?
Authors: Boutillier Sophie , Fournier Claude 
Published: January 2013

Résumé La Responsabilité sociale des entreprises (RSE) est née dans la grande entreprise, la séparation entre propriété et contrôle du capital ayant entraîné une espèce de dissolution de la figure de l’entrepreneur fondateur-dirigeant. Qu’elle est la situation de l’entreprise artisanale en la matière alors que son dirigeant cumule l’ensemble des fonctions entrepreneuriales ? Les résultats présentés sont le produit d’une enquête réalisée dans le Nord / Pas de Calais (NPC), dans le cadre du réseau Artisanat-Université combinant l’appui de l’Institut Supérieur des métiers, de la Chambre régionale de métiers et de l’artisanat du NPC, de l’Union professionnelle artisanale régionale et de l’Université du Littoral. Ils montrent que la RSE est fréquemment une inconnue. Cependant, au travers différentes questions relatives à l’économie, l’environnement et au social, nous constatons que les entreprises artisanales sont parfois socialement responsables, sans le savoir...
Regain antisémite : faillite du devoir de mémoire ?
Authors: Benbassa Esther 
Published: January 2013

Résumé Pas de transmission sans mémoire. Mais qui dit devoir ne dit-il pas contrainte et obligation ? À ne garder que la mémoire des victimes, n’oublie-t-on pas leur culture et le contenu spirituel d’une très longue histoire ? Après le pas assez, le trop de mémoire n’aurait-il pas ses effets pervers ? Questions dérangeantes. Questions à réfléchir.
La télécommande et l'infantile
Authors: Meirieu Philippe 
Published: January 2013

Résumé L’étude des intéractions entre technique et culture – à quoi s’adonnent les médiologues – ne saurait éviter un bidule décisif : la télécommande. C’est une inflexion de plus dans l’histoire des outils, mais peut-être un tournant dans celle des mentalités. La preuve : on ne peut plus éduquer après comme avant.
Sur l'art de masse
Authors:  Pouivet Roger 
Published: January 2013

Résumé Roger Pouivet aborde ici une question clé : les nouvelles technologies sont-elles en passe d’inventer un art nouveau, « l’art de masse », en rupture avec l’ancien ? Au lieu de le condamner comme sous-culture, ne devrait-on pas y voir un mode original d’expression ? À cette question, les médiologues ont leurs propres réponses, qui ne sont pas exactement celles de l’auteur. La discussion est ouverte.