bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Comparison of three methods of cervical measurement in the first trimester: single‐line, two‐line, and tracing
Authors: Retzke J. D. , Sonek J. D. , Lehmann J. , Yazdi B. , Kagan K. O. 
Published: January 2013

ABSTRACTObjectivesTo compare three methods of cervical length measurements using ultrasound in the first trimester: single‐line, two‐line, and tracing.MethodsImages appropriate for cervical length measurements were obtained using transvaginal ultrasound between 11 + 0 and 13 + 6 weeks’ gestation. The cervix was measured on stored images using three methods: a single straight line, two segments (two‐line method), and by tracing the distance along the cervical canal. Results were compared for intraoperator repeatability and interoperator variability. The degree of the cervical curvature was measured.ResultsThe mean cervical measurement using the single‐line measurement was 32.8 (SD 4.4) mm. The mean cervical length was essentially the same using the two‐line and tracing measurement: 34.4 (SD 4.7) mm and 34.5 (SD 4.7) mm, respectively. Both intra‐ and interoperator agreement was high. The degree of curvature of the cervical canal was variable, with a resultant variability in the difference between the single straight line measurement and the other two types of measurement.ConclusionsUsing stored images, each of the measurement techniques is highly reproducible. Both the two‐line and the tracing methods yield larger measurements than the single‐line technique. Therefore, it appears that in select cases the straight line measurement significantly underestimates the actual cervical length. © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Nano ZnO as cure activator and reinforcing filler in natural rubber
Authors: Panampilly Bindu , Thomas Sabu 
Published: January 2013

AbstractZinc oxide (ZnO) nanoparticles of size 20–90 nm and surface area 9.56 m2/g were synthesized from ZnCl2 and Chitosan and characterized by X‐ray diffraction, high resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Natural rubber (NR) vulcanizates containing nano ZnO was prepared by mill mixing and characterized by SEM, energy dispersive X‐ray analysis (EDAX), and HRTEM. Cure characteristics, free volume studies, bound rubber, crosslink density, and dynamic mechanical properties were evaluated and compared with that of NR vulcanizate containing conventional micro ZnO. Considering the cure characteristics, it was found that NR vulcanizate with 0.5 phr (parts per 100 g rubber) of nano ZnO showed low values of optimum cure time (t90) and very high cure rate index compared with 5 phr of conventional micro ZnO. The study shows that micro ZnO can be successfully replaced with nano ZnO for accelerated sulfur vulcanization process in NR, and preparation of vulcanizate containing nano ZnO with better properties as that of micro ZnO. The optimum dosage of nano ZnO as a cure activator in NR vulcanization was found to be 0.5 phr compared with conventional grade micro ZnO. This will lead to substantial cost reduction in the manufacture of rubber products and alleviate environmental pollution due to excess ZnO in rubber compounds. POLYM. ENG. SCI., 2013 © 2013 Society of Plastics Engineers
Cellulose derivatives and graft copolymers as blocks for functional materials
Authors: Kang Hongliang , Liu Ruigang , Huang Yong 
Published: January 2013

AbstractIn this review, recent progresses in the synthesis of new cellulose derivatives and graft copolymers are summarized. Cellulose derivatives synthesized in new cellulose solvents, such as ionic liquids andNaOH/urea, and the regioselective synthesis of cellulose derivatives have attracted increasing attention in recent years and could be a more active field for cellulose in the future. Cellulose graft copolymers with well‐defined architectures synthesized by controlled/living radical polymerizations such as atomic transfer radical polymerization and their stimuli‐induced assembly have been investigated extensively. Stimuli‐responsive functional materials can be fabricated using either cellulose derivatives or graft copolymers, and they can be used as biosensors and carriers for controlled delivery of drugs and genes. The fabrication of functional materials with cellulosic blocks and their applications have a bright future. © 2013 Society of Chemical Industry
ESI, APCI, and MALDI tandem mass spectrometry of poly(methyl acrylate)s: A comparison study for the structural characterization of polymers synthesized via CRP techniques and the software application to analyze MS/MS data
Authors: Altuntaş Esra , Krieg Andreas , Baumgaertel Anja , Crecelius Anna C. , Schubert Ulrich S. 
Published: January 2013

AbstractResearch in polymer science and engineering is moving from classical methodologies to advanced analytical strategies in which mass spectrometry (MS)‐based techniques play a crucial role. The molecular complexity of polymers requires new characterization tools and approaches to elucidate the detailed structural information. In this contribution, a comparison study of poly(methyl acrylate)s (PMA) using different tandem mass spectrometry techniques (ESI, APCI, and MALDI MS/MS) is reported to provide insights into the macromolecular structure with the aid of a special MS/MS data interpretation software. Collision‐induced dissociation (CID) was utilized to examine the fragmentation pathways of PMAs synthesized via various controlled radical polymerization techniques. All three mass spectrometry techniques are used to analyze structural details of PMAs and the labile end‐groups are determined based on the fragmentation behavior in CID. Fragmentation products were identified which are characteristics for the cleavage between the polymer chain and the end‐group. The application of a tailor‐made software is shown to analyze complex MS/MS data, and it is proven that this kind of software will be helpful for polymer scientists to identify fragmentation products obtained by tandem mass spectrometry similar to the fields of proteomics, metabolomics, genomics, and glycomics. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem, 2013
Synthesis of thermosetting polyetherimide‐containing allyl groups
Authors: Lin Ching Hsuan , Chang Sheng Lung , Wang Yu Ru , Hsu Chin Kuang , Juang Tzong Yuan 
Published: January 2013

AbstractAn allyl‐containing diphenol, 1‐(3‐allyl‐4‐hydroxyphenyl)‐1‐(4‐hydoxyphenyl)‐1‐(6‐oxido‐6H ‐dibenz[c,e][1,2]oxaphosphorin‐6‐yl)ethane (1), was prepared from a one‐pot reaction of 9,10‐dihydro‐oxa‐10‐phosphaphenanthrene‐10‐oxide, 4‐hydroxyacetophenone, and 2‐allylphenol in the presence of p‐toluenesulfonic acid monohydrate. Then, an allyl‐containing dietheramine, 1‐(4‐(4‐aminophenoxy)phenyl)‐1‐(3‐allyl 4‐(4‐aminophenoxy)‐phenyl)‐1‐(6‐oxido‐6H‐dibenz[c,e][1,2] oxaphosphorin‐6‐yl)ethane (3), was prepared from the nucleophilic substitution of (1) with 4‐fluoronitrobenzene, followed by the reduction of the dinitro groups by Fe/HCl. A flexible polyetherimide (PEI) (4) with a curable characteristic was prepared from the condensation of (3) and 4,4′‐oxydiphthalic anhydride (ODPA) in m‐cresol in the presence of isoquinoline. Curing PEI (4) at 300 °C leads to PEI (5), which exhibits much a higher Tg value (307 °C) and a lower coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE) (29 ppm/°C) than PEI (4) (Tg = 253 °C, CTE 52 ppm/°C). © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem, 2013
The Food Stamps Program and Economic Security Among Low‐Income Families, Part I
Authors: Wagle Udaya R. 
Published: January 2013

AbstractPart I: This analysis examines the role of the Food Stamps Program (FSP) in promoting economic security from 2004 to 2007. The goal is to explain how FSP has affected labor supply, income, and poverty at the family level. This analysis is published in two parts. This first article surveys the relevant research, develops the appropriate theoretical and empirical propositions, and presents and discusses the impact of FSP receipts on the poverty status of families. Findings suggest a significant contribution of the program's near‐cash Food Stamps toward increasing income and reducing poverty. The second article, to appear in issue 5.1, presents findings from a more systematic analysis of the complex relationship of FSP with labor supply, income, and poverty.
Non‐invasively derived respiratory severity score and oxygenation index in ventilated newborn infants
Authors: Iyer Narayan P. , Mhanna Maroun J. 
Published: January 2013

AbstractObjectiveTo evaluate the association between the Respiratory Severity Score (RSS) and Oxygenation Index (OI) in intubated, mechanically ventilated, newborn infants.Study DesignIn a retrospective cohort study (December 2006 to June 2010) medical records of all infants who were admitted to our Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) and required invasive mechanical ventilation were reviewed for patients' demographics, ventilator settings, and arterial blood gas (ABG).ResultsDuring the study period 2,332 infants were admitted to our NICU, and 425 infants were intubated and had an ABG with a gestational age of 30.5 ± 4.9 weeks and a birth weight of 1,635 ± 923 g (mean ± standard deviation). There was a strong association between RSS and OI in infants with oxygen saturation (SaO2) between 88% and 94% (R2 = 0.982, n = 101; P < 0.001).ConclusionIn intubated newborn infants, there is a strong association between RSS and OI at SaO2 between 88% and 94%. Pediatr Pulmonol. 2013; 48:364–369. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Optimization of anti‐pseudomonal antibiotics for cystic fibrosis pulmonary exacerbations: VI. Executive summary
Authors: Zobell Jeffery T. , Young David C. , Waters C. Dustin , Ampofo Krow , Stockmann Chris , Sherwin Catherine M.T. , Spigarelli Michael G. 
Published: January 2013

AbstractAcute pulmonary exacerbations (APE) are well‐described complications of cystic fibrosis (CF) and are associated with progressive morbidity and mortality. Despite aggressive management with two or more intravenous anti‐pseudomonal agents, approximately 25% of exacerbations will result in a loss of lung function. The aim of this review is to provide an overview of the classes of intravenous anti‐pseudomonal antibiotics, the findings of anti‐pseudomonal antibiotic utilization surveys, the current antibiotic dosing recommendations from the U.S. and Europe, and the pharmacokinetic (PK) and pharmacodynamic (PD) differences between CF and non‐CF individuals. Anti‐pseudomonal antibiotic classes include beta‐lactams, aminoglycosides, fluoroquinolones, and colistimethate sodium. Recent surveys of antibiotic utilization in CF Foundation‐accredited care centers have shown that a large number of centers are not following recommended dosing strategies despite published recommendations in the U.S. and Europe. The recommended doses for anti‐pseudomonal antibiotics may be higher than FDA‐approved doses due to PK and PD differences. As a large portion of CF patients will not regain their lung function following an APE, it seems possible that currently available anti‐pseudomonal agents are being used sub‐optimally. As new anti‐pseudomonal agents are not currently available, we suggest the need to optimize antibiotic dosing and dosing regimens used to treat pulmonary exacerbations in an effort to improve outcomes for CF patients infected with Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Pediatr Pulmonol. 2013; 48:525–537. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Cloning and characterization of canine prostate‐specific membrane antigen
Authors: Schmidt Sonja , Fracasso Giulio , Colombatti Marco , Naim Hassan Y. 
Published: January 2013

AbstractBACKGROUNDProstate‐specific membrane antigen (PSMA) is a promising biomarker in the diagnosis of prostate cancer and a potential target for antibody‐based therapeutic strategies. We isolated the canine PSMA cDNA and investigated the cellular and biochemical characteristics of the recombinant protein as a potential target for animal preclinical studies of antibody based‐therapies.METHODSCanine PSMA cDNA was isolated by PCR, cloned into expression vectors and transfected into COS‐1 and MDCK cells. The biosynthesis and glycosylation of the recombinant protein were investigated in pulse‐chase experiments, the cellular localization by confocal laser microscopy, the mode of association of PSMA with the membrane with solubilization in different detergents and its quaternary structure in sucrose‐density gradients.RESULTSCanine PSMA shows 91% amino acid homology to human PSMA, whereby the major difference is a longer cytoplasmic tail of canine PSMA compared to its human counterpart. Canine PSMA is trafficked efficiently along the secretory pathway, undergoes homodimerization when it acquires complex glycosylated mature form. It associates with detergent‐resistant membranes, which act as platforms along its intracellular trafficking. Confocal analysis revealed canine PSMA at the cell surface, Golgi, and the endoplasmic reticulum. A similar distribution is revealed for human PSMA, yet with reduced cell surface levels.CONCLUSIONSThe cloning, expression, biosynthesis, processing and localization of canine PSMA in mammalian cells is described. We demonstrate that canine PSMA reveals similar characteristics to human PSMA rendering this protein useful as a translational model for investigations of prostate cancer as well as a suitable antigen for targeted therapy studies in dogs. Prostate 73: 642–650, 2013. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Sequence recombination improves target specificity in a redesigned collagen peptide abc‐type heterotrimer
Authors: Giddu Sumana , Xu Fei , Nanda Vikas 
Published: January 2013

AbstractStability of the collagen triple helix is largely governed by its imino acid content, namely the occurrence of proline and 4R‐hydroxyproline at the X and Y positions, respectively, of the periodic (Gly‐X‐Y)n sequence. Although other amino acids at these positions reduce stability of the triple helix, this can be partially compensated by introducing intermolecular side‐chain salt bridges. This approach was previously used to design an abc‐type heterotrimer composed of one basic, one acidic, and one neutral imino acid rich chain (Gauba and Hartgerink, J Am Chem Soc 2007;129:15034–15041). In this study, an abc‐type heterotrimer was designed to be the most stable species using a sequence recombination strategy that preserved both the amino acid composition and the network of interchain salt bridges of the original design. The target heterotrimer had the highest Tm of 50°C, 7°C greater than the next most stable species. Stability of the heterotrimer decreased with increasing ionic strength, consistent with the role of intermolecular salt bridges in promoting stability. Quantitative meta‐analysis of these results and published stability measurements on closely related peptides was used to discriminate the contributions of backbone propensity and side‐chain electrostatics to collagen stability. Proteins 2013. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Impact of deglycosylation and thermal stress on conformational stability of a full length murine igG2a monoclonal antibody: Observations from molecular dynamics simulations
Authors: Wang Xiaoling , Kumar Sandeep , Buck Patrick M. , Singh Satish K. 
Published: January 2013

AbstractWith the rise of antibody based therapeutics as successful medicines, there is an emerging need to understand the fundamental antibody conformational dynamics and its implications towards stability of these medicines. Both deglycosylation and thermal stress have been shown to cause conformational destabilization and aggregation in monoclonal antibodies. Here, we study instabilities caused by deglycosylation and by elevated temperature (400 K) by performing molecular dynamic simulations on a full length murine IgG2a mAb whose crystal structure is available in the Protein Data bank. Cα‐atom root mean square deviation and backbone root mean square fluctuation calculations show that deglycosylation perturbs quaternary and tertiary structures in the CH2 domains. In contrast, thermal stress pervades throughout the antibody structure and both Fabs and Fc regions are destabilized. The thermal stress applied in this study was not sufficient to cause large scale unfolding within the simulation time and most amino acid residues showed similar average solvent accessible surface area and secondary structural conformations in all trajectories. CH3 domains were the most successful at resisting the conformational destabilization. The simulations helped identify aggregation prone regions, which may initiate cross‐β motif formation upon deglycosylation and upon applying thermal stress. Deglycosylation leads to increased backbone fluctuations and solvent exposure of a highly conserved APR located in the edge β‐strand A of the CH2 domains. Aggregation upon thermal stress is most likely initiated by two APRs that overlap with the complementarity determining regions. This study has important implications for rational design of antibody based therapeutics that are resistant towards aggregation. Proteins 2013. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Role of tyrosine hot‐spot residues at the interface of colicin E9 and immunity protein 9: A comparative free energy simulation study
Authors: Luitz Manuel P. , Zacharias Martin 
Published: January 2013

AbstractThe endonuclease activity of the bacterial colicin 9 enzyme is controlled by the specific and high‐affinity binding of immunity protein 9 (Im9). Molecular dynamics simulation studies in explicit solvent were used to investigate the free energy change associated with the mutation of two hot‐spot interface residues [tyrosine (Tyr): Tyr54 and Tyr55] of Im9 to Ala. In addition, the effect of several other mutations (Leu33Ala, Leu52Ala, Val34Ala, Val37Ala, Ser48Ala, and Ile53Ala) with smaller influence on binding affinity was also studied. Good qualitative agreement of calculated free energy changes and experimental data on binding affinity of the mutations was observed. The simulation studies can help to elucidate the molecular details on how the mutations influence protein–protein binding affinity. The role of solvent and conformational flexibility of the partner proteins was studied by comparing the results in the presence or absence of solvent and with or without positional restraints. Restriction of the conformational mobility of protein partners resulted in significant changes of the calculated free energies but of similar magnitude for isolated Im9 and for the complex and therefore in only modest changes of binding free energy differences. Although the overall binding free energy change was similar for the two Tyr–Ala mutations, the physical origin appeared to be different with solvation changes contributing significantly to the Tyr55Ala mutation and to a loss of direct protein–protein interactions dominating the free energy change due to the Tyr54Ala mutation. Proteins 2013. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Dielectric and piezoelectric properties of manganese‐modified PbHfO3–PbTiO3–Pb(Mg1/3Nb2/3)O3 ternary ceramics with morphotropic phase boundary compositions
Authors: Wang Dawei , Cao Maosheng , Zhao Quanliang , Cui Yan , Zhang Shujun 
Published: January 2013

AbstractHigh piezoelectric and electromechanical properties were reported in the PbHfO3–PbTiO3–Pb(Mg1/3Nb2/3)O3 ternary system with morphotropic phase boundary (MPB) compositions. This work focuses on the effect of MnO2 addition on 0.8Pb(Hf0.443Ti0.557)O3–0.2PMN (0.8PHT–0.2PMN) ceramics. It was observed that the Mn acceptor modification induced a “hardening” effect in 0.8PHT–0.2PMN, with decreased piezoelectric coefficients d33 and dielectric loss tan δ and a significantly increased mechanical quality factor Qm. Moreover, the 0.2 wt% MnO2‐doped 0.8PHT–0.2PMN ceramics exhibited good piezoelectric and electromechanical properties with d33, planar electromechanical coupling kp and Qm being on the order of 360 pC/N, 61% and 700, respectively, showing advantages compared to those of commercial hard PZT4 ceramics, which is attractive for high power applications. (© 2013 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
AN UPPER BOUND FOR THE NUMBER OF ODD MULTIPERFECT NUMBERS
Authors: YUAN PINGZHI 
Published: January 2013

AbstractA natural number $n$ is called $k$-perfect if $\sigma (n)= kn$. In this paper, we show that for any integers $r\geq 2$ and $k\geq 2$, the number of odd $k$-perfect numbers $n$ with $\omega (n)\leq r$ is bounded by $\left({\lfloor {4}^{r} { \mathop{ \log } \nolimits }_{3} 2\rfloor + r\atop r} \right){ \mathop{ \sum } \nolimits }_{i= 1}^{r} \left({\lfloor kr/ 2\rfloor \atop i} \right)$, which is less than ${4}^{{r}^{2} } $ when $r$ is large enough.
Putting Personalisation into Practice: Work-Focused Interviews in Jobcentre Plus
Authors: TOERIEN MERRAN , SAINSBURY ROY , DREW PAUL , IRVINE ANNIE 
Published: January 2013

AbstractThe principle of personalisation is widespread across the UK's public sector, but precisely what this means is unclear. A number of theoretical typologies have been proposed but there has been little empirical study of how personalisation is translated into practice on the frontline. We address this gap through analysis of a unique dataset: over 200 audio and video recordings of work-focused interviews in Jobcentre Plus offices. Through detailed analysis of these recordings, we show that personalisation reflects two key dimensions: the substantive (what advisers do) and the procedural (how they do it). We illustrate these dimensions, showing how each represents a continuum, and propose a typology of personalisation in practice, reflecting how the dimensions interact. We conclude with some thoughts on the relevance of our findings for advisory practice in the future under the Coalition government's new Work Programme.
Analysis of Complaints in a Rural Emergency Medical Service System
Authors: Risavi Brian L. , Buzzard Erik , Heile Christopher J. 
Published: January 2013

AbstractIntroductionThe health care industry is increasingly focused on customer service, one aspect of which is dealing with customer complaints. The purpose of this study was to assess the prevalence and nature of complaints against prehospital providers in a rural Emergency Medical Services (EMS) system.MethodsThis retrospective study of logged complaints utilized data from May 28, 1999 through September 26, 2008. All complaints were investigated by a single trained staff member of the regional EMS office. He interviewed witnesses, and reviewed statements and other documentation related to the complaints. Each complaint was classified into one of four categories: (1) operational; (2) clinical; (3) educational; or (4) customer service. In addition, each complaint was examined to determine if the grievance was founded. The study was conducted in a seven-county region of western Pennsylvania with a population of 639,641 and more than 3,000 EMS providers.ResultsThere were 110 complaints over a nine-year period (approximately 12 per year). Forty were considered unfounded complaints (43%) and 49 persons (45%) had made more than a single complaint. No EMS provider had an EMS certification suspended or revoked based on a clinically-related complaint. The data revealed a substantial number of complaints for which insufficient information was available to allow a conclusion based on reasonable certainty or the degree of certainty expected of a reasonable person evaluating the facts.ConclusionOne hundred ten complaints were logged for the study EMS program. No complaints violated treatment protocols. Forty complaints were unfounded. There were 49 “repeat” complaints against providers who had previously had complaints made against them.RisaviBL, BuzzardE, HeileCJ. Analysis of complaints in a rural emergency medical services system. Prehosp Disaster Med. 2013;28(2):1-3.