bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Characterization of Chemical Composition along the Molar Mass Distribution in Polyolefin Copolymers by GPC Using a Modern Filter‐Based IR Detector
Authors: Ortín A. , Montesinos J. , López E. , del Hierro P. , Monrabal B. , Torres‐Lapasió J.R. , García‐Álvarez‐Coque M.C. 
Published: August 2013

SummaryGel permeation chromatography (GPC), also known as size exclusion chromatography (SEC), is the technique routinely used at high temperature to analyze the molar mass distribution in polyolefins. The distribution of comonomer along the molar mass distribution in a copolymer is a key microstructural feature that determines the macroscopic properties of the material, and thus, its range of possible applications and performance. The direct coupling of a modern filter‐based infrared (IR) detector to a high temperature GPC instrument, by means of a heated flow‐through cell, is here described. The analyses are carried out by recording the continuous IR absorbance chromatograms at selected bands, which show different sensitivities to the different monomer units. A slice‐by‐slice ratio of the IR bands is further calculated to determine the average chemical composition of each molar mass fraction, after GPC separation. The high sensitivity of this IR detection method allows the injection of low concentrations of sample and the use of standard GPC analysis conditions, so that chromatographic quality is not compromised even in cases where very high molar mass fractions are present. The analysis of comonomer variations along the molar mass distribution in polyolefin copolymers is discussed. Selected applications of the method to polyethylene and poly(propylene) copolymers are presented.
Effects of balance strategy training in myasthenia gravis: A case study series
Authors: Wong Shi Hui , Nitz Jennifer C. , Williams Katrina , Brauer Sandra G. 
Published: August 2013

ABSTRACTIntroduction: Studies of exercise in patients with myasthenia gravis (MG) are sparse. Balance strategy training (BST) multimodal exercise has proven efficacy in adults for enhancing balance and functional mobility. This prospective study aims to determine if BST improves functional ability and balance in people with MG. Methods: Seven individuals with MG participated in a 16‐session workstation intervention. Repeated measures (pre/post‐intervention and 4‐week follow‐up) consisting of quantitative myasthenia gravis score (QMG), 6‐minute walk test (6MWT), timed up and go (TUG) with dual task (TUGmanual and TUGcognitive), and standing stability on foam with eyes closed (foamEC) were assessed. Results: Most measurements showed sustained improvement at follow‐up. QMG, TUGcognitive, and foam EC achieved clinically significant improvements (>15%). No adverse effects were reported. Conclusions: BST was effective in improving balance and QMG scores in subjects with MG. A multimodal BST approach is thus suggested to target different aspects of balance and functional mobility. Muscle Nerve 49: 654–660, 2014
Bladder pain syndrome/interstitial cystitis is associated with anxiety disorder
Authors: Chung Kuo‐Hsuan , Liu Shih‐Ping , Lin Herng‐Ching , Chung Shiu‐Dong 
Published: August 2013

AbstractAimRecent research demonstrated that bladder pain syndrome/interstitial cystitis (BPS/IC) is associated with many coexisting physical and psychiatric conditions. In this study, we explored the potential association between anxiety disorder (AD) and BPS/IC using a case–controlled population‐based approach in Taiwan.MethodsData on the sampled subjects analyzed in this study were retrieved from the Longitudinal Health Insurance Database 2000. Our study included 396 female cases with BPS/IC and 1,980 randomly selected female controls. We excluded subjects who had a history of major psychosis (except AD) or a substance‐related disorder. A conditional logistic regression was performed to calculate the odds ratio (OR) for the association between a previous diagnosis of AD and IC/BPS.ResultsOf the 2,376 sampled subjects, 136 (5.72%) had received an AD diagnosis. AD was found in 64 (16.16%) cases and in 72 (3.64%) controls (P < 0.001). The conditional logistic regression analysis (conditioned on age group and the index year) suggested that compared to controls, the OR for prior AD among cases was 4.59 (95% confidence interval (CI) = 2.32–9.08, P < 0.001). After adjusting for chronic pelvic pain, irritable bowel syndrome, fibromyalgia, migraines, sicca syndrome, allergies, asthma, and an overactive bladder, the OR for prior AD among cases was 4.37 (95% CI = 2.16–8.85, P < 0.001) compared to the controls.ConclusionsThere was an association between AD and BPS/IC, even after taking demographic characteristics, medical co‐morbidities, and substance‐related disorders into consideration. Results of this study should alert clinicians to evaluate and monitor the presence of BPS/IC in patients with AD. Neurourol. Urodynam. 33:101–105, 2014. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Physical and mental fatigue as predictors of sickness absence among Norwegian nurses
Authors: Roelen Corné A.M. , Bültmann Ute , Groothoff Johan , van Rhenen Willem , Magerøy Nils , Moen Bente E. , Pallesen Ståle , Bjorvatn Bjørn 
Published: August 2013

AbstractWe investigated whether fatigue can be used to screen nursing populations for risk of sickness absence. Data were available from a prospective cohort study of 2,059 Norwegian nurses working in hospital care, psychiatric care, and nursing home/home care settings. Physical and mental fatigue were measured at baseline with Chalder's Fatigue Questionnaire (FQ). Self‐rated sickness absence at 1‐year follow‐up was considered high if nurses reported >30 sick days in the past year. Physical fatigue accurately predicted high sickness absence and adequately discriminated between high‐ and low‐risk nurses in nursing home/home care settings. Mental fatigue was not predictive in any setting. The FQ is suitable for screening specific nursing populations for the risk of high sickness absence. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Res Nurs Health 36: 453–465, 2013
The Effect of the Kyoto Protocol on Carbon Emissions
Authors: Aichele Rahel , Felbermayr Gabriel 
Published: August 2013

AbstractSince 1997, CO2 emissions have continued to rise in many countries despite their emission caps under the Kyoto Protocol (Kyoto). Failure to meet promised targets, however, does not imply that Kyoto has been pointless. Whether Kyoto has made a difference relative to the counterfactual of “No Kyoto” is an empirical question that requires an instrumental variables strategy. We argue that countries’ ratification of the statutes governing the International Criminal Court is a valid instrument for ratification of Kyoto commitments. In our panel fixed effects estimations, the instrument easily passes weak identification and overidentification tests. It can be plausibly excluded from our second‐stage equations and does not cause CO2 emissions. Our estimates suggest that Kyoto ratification has a quantitatively large (about 10 percent) and robust, though only moderately statistically significant, negative effect on CO2 emissions. We also show that higher fuel prices and a different energy mix in Kyoto countries support this result.
Long‐term results of the combination of the N7 induction chemotherapy and the busulfan‐melphalan high dose chemotherapy
Authors: Valteau‐Couanet Dominique , Le Deley Marie‐Cécile , Bergeron Christophe , Ducassou Stéphane , Michon Jean , Rubie Hervé , Le Teuff Gwenael , Coze Carole , Plantaz Dominique , Sirvent Nicolas , Bouzy Jeanine , Chastagner Pascal , Hartmann Olivier 
Published: August 2013

ABSTRACTBackgroundTo evaluate long‐term survival of the first cohort of stage‐4 neuroblastoma patients treated with the N7 induction chemotherapy, surgery of the primary tumor and high‐dose chemotherapy (HDC) containing Busulfan–Melphalan (Bu‐Mel) followed by autologous stem cell transplantation (ASCT).ProcedureFrom 1998 to 1999, 47 children were included in the NB97 trial and treated with induction chemotherapy according to the N7 protocol, followed by surgery of the primary tumor. HDC (Busulfan, 600 mg/m2 Melphalan, 140 mg/m2) was administered in patients with partial response of metastases with no more than 3 mIBG spots. Radiotherapy was delivered to the primary tumor site when tumors displayed MYCN amplification.ResultsThirty‐nine patients received Bu‐Mel (83%): 23 who had achieved complete response (CR) of metastases, 20 after induction treatment and 3 after second‐line chemotherapy, and 16 in partial response (PR). The toxicity of the whole treatment was manageable. The main HDC related‐toxicity was hepatic veno‐occlusive disease grade > 2 occurring in 15% of the patients. The 8‐year EFS of the whole cohort was 34% (95% CI, 22–48%). The 8‐year EFS of the 39 patients who received Bu‐Mel and ASCT was 41% (95% CI, 27–57%). Patients who achieved a CR of metastases at the end of induction chemotherapy had a significantly better outcome than the others (8‐year EFS, 52% vs. 20%; P = 0.02).ConclusionsThe long‐term results of this first prospective cohort of patients with metastatic disease treated with the N7 induction chemotherapy and HDC (Bu‐Mel) confirm published data with stable survival curves but with a longer follow‐up. Pediatr Blood Cancer 2014;61:977–981. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Quantification of seven apolipoproteins in human plasma by proteotypic peptides using fast LC‐MS/MS
Authors: Ceglarek Uta , Dittrich Julia , Becker Susen , Baumann Frank , Kortz Linda , Thiery Joachim 
Published: August 2013

PurposeWe investigated different sample pretreatment strategies and developed a standardized sample pretreatment protocol for absolute quantification of seven apolipoproteins (Apos) in human serum by LC‐MS/MS using proteotypic peptides and corresponding stable isotope‐labeled peptides as internal standards.Experimental designMicro‐LC was coupled with quadrupole‐linear ion trap MS for quantification and peptide confirmation. Denaturation, reduction, alkylation, and tryptic digestion including ultrasound and microwave assistance were investigated. Method comparison of 50 plasma samples with an immunoassay was performed for Apo A‐I and Apo B.ResultsTryptic digestion times ranged between 5 min (Apo A‐I, Apo E, Apo A‐IV) and 16 h (Apo A‐II). Ultrasound and microwave assistance did not improve the digestion yield. Linearity was found between 0.1 nmol/L and 100 mmol/L. The lower limits of quantification were ≤0.4 μmol/L for Apo A‐I, Apo A‐IV, Apo B‐100, Apo C‐I, Apo C‐III, Apo E, and <1.4 μmol/L for Apo A‐II. CV <13% were determined. Comparison with immunoassays showed a good agreement for Apo A‐I and Apo B.Conclusion and clinical relevanceThe validated preanalytical protocol enables a reliable simultaneous analysis of seven Apos in human serum without depletion. The method can now be applied in clinical studies to investigate the Apo distributions in cardiovascular diseases.
Protein structure modeling for CASP10 by multiple layers of global optimization
Authors: Joo Keehyoung , Lee Juyong , Sim Sangjin , Lee Sun Young , Lee Kiho , Heo Seungryong , Lee In‐Ho , Lee Sung Jong , Lee Jooyoung 
Published: August 2013

AbstractIn the template‐based modeling (TBM) category of CASP10 experiment, we introduced a new protocol called protein modeling system (PMS) to generate accurate protein structures in terms of side‐chains as well as backbone trace. In the new protocol, a global optimization algorithm, called conformational space annealing (CSA), is applied to the three layers of TBM procedure: multiple sequence‐structure alignment, 3D chain building, and side‐chain re‐modeling. For 3D chain building, we developed a new energy function which includes new distance restraint terms of Lorentzian type (derived from multiple templates), and new energy terms that combine (physical) energy terms such as dynamic fragment assembly (DFA) energy, DFIRE statistical potential energy, hydrogen bonding term, etc. These physical energy terms are expected to guide the structure modeling especially for loop regions where no template structures are available. In addition, we developed a new quality assessment method based on random forest machine learning algorithm to screen templates, multiple alignments, and final models. For TBM targets of CASP10, we find that, due to the combination of three stages of CSA global optimizations and quality assessment, the modeling accuracy of PMS improves at each additional stage of the protocol. It is especially noteworthy that the side‐chains of the final PMS models are far more accurate than the models in the intermediate steps. Proteins 2014; 82(Suppl 2):188–195. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Evaluation of a revised IASI channel selection for cloudy retrievals with a focus on the Mediterranean basin
Authors: Martinet P. , Lavanant L. , Fourrié N. , Rabier F. , Gambacorta A. 
Published: August 2013

AbstractThe Infrared Atmospheric Sounding Interferometer (IASI) provides 8461 channels in the infrared spectrum. In current numerical weather prediction (NWP) models, it is not feasible to assimilate all channels and it is known that the information content between adjacent channels is redundant. This issue has been addressed in NWP centres by employing a channel selection strategy. The goal of this article is to add new channels to the existing IASI operational channel selection, aimed at improving the data assimilation in cloudy conditions and the simultaneous retrieval of cloud microphysical variables, specifically liquid and ice water contents. Cloudy profiles from the French convective‐scale model Applications of Research to Operations at MEsoscale (AROME) are used in the study to focus on the retrieval of cloud variables over the Mediterranean region. Three channel selection methodologies were evaluated in this study: a statistical approach based on the degrees of freedom of the signal (DFS), a physical method based on the channel spectral sensitivity to the cloud variables and a random selection. To validate the new selections, an idealized framework is used with observing system simulation experiments (OSSE) in the context of one‐dimensional variational retrievals. The current operational IASI selection has already been shown to provide good retrievals of cloud variables. However, all the different channel selections improve the results with small differences in the 1D‐Var retrievals. Based on the physical and DFS methods, the final sets of 134 channels sensitive to cloud variables are proposed for future investigation in operational implementation. Additional tests on temperature and water‐vapour retrieval results, air‐mass dependence and cloud microphysical parametrization have also been conducted.
A local joint fast handoff scheme in cognitive wireless mesh networks
Authors: He Yuan , Xu Li , Wu Wei 
Published: August 2013

ABSTRACTA cognitive wireless mesh (CogMesh) network can provide network access for users (mesh clients) while holding the open spectrum‐sharing feature. It combines the advantages of both cognitive radio networks and wireless mesh networks: high utilization of the scarce radio spectrum, ease of deployment, maintenance, and low cost. However, the unstable radio environment incurs more handoffs in CogMesh than other wireless networks. Therefore, seamless handoff and a lightweight re‐authentication process are required to achieve a high quality of real‐time applications and low network load caused by re‐authentication. In this paper, we introduce a local joint fast handoff scheme based on proxy signature, which is suitable for CogMesh scenarios. After the mutual authentication between a mesh client and a mesh router, a session tunnel key is derived and shared between them to protect their sessions. Because the proxy signature is used, the IEEE 802.1x authentication architecture remains the same, and there is no need for the authentication server to be involved in the handoff procedure, the re‐authentication delay has been reduced, and the load of CogMesh and the authentication server are lower. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Group sequential designs for three‐arm ‘gold standard’ non‐inferiority trials with fixed margin
Authors: Schlömer Patrick , Brannath Werner 
Published: August 2013

In the recent years there have been numerous publications on the design and the analysis of three‐arm ‘gold standard’ noninferiority trials. Whenever feasible, regulatory authorities recommend the use of such three‐arm designs including a test treatment, an active control, and a placebo. Nevertheless, it is desirable in many respects, for example, ethical reasons, to keep the placebo group size as small as possible.We first give a short overview on the fixed sample size design of a three‐arm noninferiority trial with normally distributed outcomes and a fixed noninferiority margin. An optimal single stage design is derived that should serve as a benchmark for the group sequential designs proposed in the main part of this work. It turns out, that the number of patients allocated to placebo is substantially low for the optimal design.Subsequently, approaches for group sequential designs aiming to further reduce the expected sample sizes are presented. By means of choosing different rejection boundaries for the respective null hypotheses, we obtain designs with quite different operating characteristics. We illustrate the approaches via numerical calculations and a comparison with the optimal single stage design. Furthermore, we derive approximately optimal boundaries for different goals, for example, to reduce the overall average sample size. The results show that the implementation of a group sequential design further improves the optimal single stage design. Besides cost and time savings, the possible early termination of the placebo arm is a key advantage that could help to overcome ethical concerns. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Brief Report: Reconstruction of Joint Hyaline Cartilage by Autologous Progenitor Cells Derived from Ear Elastic Cartilage
Authors: Mizuno Mitsuru , Kobayashi Shinji , Takebe Takanori , Kan Hiroomi , Yabuki Yuichiro , Matsuzaki Takahisa , Yoshikawa Hiroshi Y. , Nakabayashi Seiichiro , Ik Lee Jeong , Maegawa Jiro , Taniguchi Hideki 
Published: August 2013

Abstract
In healthy joints, hyaline cartilage covering the joint surfaces of bones provides cushioning due to its unique mechanical properties. However, because of its limited regenerative capacity, age- and sports-related injuries to this tissue may lead to degenerative arthropathies, prompting researchers to investigate a variety of cell sources. We recently succeeded in isolating human cartilage progenitor cells from ear elastic cartilage. Human cartilage progenitor cells have high chondrogenic and proliferative potential to form elastic cartilage with long-term tissue maintenance. However, it is unknown whether ear-derived cartilage progenitor cells can be used to reconstruct hyaline cartilage, which has different mechanical and histological properties from elastic cartilage. In our efforts to develop foundational technologies for joint hyaline cartilage repair and reconstruction, we conducted this study to obtain an answer to this question. We created an experimental canine model of knee joint cartilage damage, transplanted ear-derived autologous cartilage progenitor cells. The reconstructed cartilage was rich in proteoglycans and showed unique histological characteristics similar to joint hyaline cartilage. In addition, mechanical properties of the reconstructed tissues were higher than those of ear cartilage and equal to those of joint hyaline cartilage. This study suggested that joint hyaline cartilage was reconstructed from ear-derived cartilage progenitor cells. It also demonstrated that ear-derived cartilage progenitor cells, which can be harvested by a minimally invasive method, would be useful for reconstructing joint hyaline cartilage in patients with degenerative arthropathies. Stem Cells 2014;32:816–821
Connectives
Authors: Crosson Amy C. , Lesaux Nonie K. 
Published: August 2013

AbstractConnectives (e.g., although, consequently, in contrast) are often considered the “signposts” of texts. In this article we argue that connectives represent a special kind of vocabulary knowledge that students need to develop both in order to read challenging, academic texts with understanding and to produce academic writing. Yet tapping the meaning of connectives to support comprehension and academic writing may be especially difficult for some students, especially English‐language learners. In this article, we address how and why to provide instruction about connectives to students in the middle grades. Our research with students in fifth grade suggests that young adolescent learners will benefit from explicit instruction about the meanings and roles of connectives, but that this instruction—while direct—should be provided within engaging, meaningful contexts. Examples of instructional practices illustrating how educators can teach about connectives are presented.
Pseudo‐3D RSSI‐based WSN localization algorithm using linear regression
Authors: Vanheel Frank , Verhaevert Jo , Laermans Eric , Moerman Ingrid , Demeester Piet 
Published: August 2013

AbstractReceiver Strength Signal Indication based Wireless Sensor Networks offer a cheap solution for location‐aware applications. For a final breakthrough these systems need fast deployment and easy auto‐configuration. In this study, we use the real‐life iMinds test bed to expand a two‐dimensional localization algorithm to the pseudo third dimension with very low additional computational time. Our experiments show that this fast three‐dimensional algorithm has no outliers and avoids manual calibration. Our algorithm has lower position errors than a maximum likelihood algorithm with a mean square error cost function. Furthermore, with non‐parametric statistical tests, we show that our previously designed two‐dimensional preprocessing performs equally well in pseudo‐three dimensions: the preprocessing reduces the position error in a statistically significant way.Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.