bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Hypothyroidism and carpal tunnel syndrome: A meta‐analysis
Authors: Shiri Rahman 
Published: September 2014

ABSTRACTThis study aimed to assess the magnitude of the association between hypothyroidism and carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS). Eighteen studies were included in a random‐effects meta‐analysis. A meta‐analysis of the studies that did not control their estimates for any confounder showed an association between a thyroid disease (hypo‐ or hyperthyroidism) and CTS (N = 9,573, effect size [ES] = 1.32 (95% confidence interval [CI], 1.04–1.68) and between hypothyroidism and CTS (N = 64,531, ES = 2.15 [95% CI, 1.64–2.83]). When a meta‐analysis limited to the studies that controlled their estimates for some potential confounders, the association between a thyroid disease and CTS disappeared (N = 4,799, ES = 1.17 [95% CI, 0.71–1.92], I2 = 0%), and the effect size for hypothyroidism largely attenuated (N = 71,133, ES = 1.44 [95% CI, 1.27–1.63], I2 = 0%). Moreover, there was evidence of publication bias. This meta‐analysis found only a modest association between hypothyroidism and CTS. Confounding and publication bias may still account for part of the remaining excess risk. Muscle Nerve 50: 879–883, 2014
Lung ventilation volumetry with same‐breath acquisition of hyperpolarized gas and proton MRI
Authors: Horn F. C. , Tahir B. A. , Stewart N. J. , Collier G. J. , Norquay G. , Leung G. , Ireland R. H. , Parra‐Robles J. , Marshall H. , Wild J. M. 
Published: September 2014

The purpose of this work was to assess the reproducibility of percentage of ventilated lung volume (PV) measured from hyperpolarized (HP) 3He and 1H anatomical images acquired in the same breath‐hold when compared with PV measured from 3He and 1H images from separate breath‐holds.Volumetric 3He ventilation and 1H anatomical images of the same resolution were acquired during the same breath‐hold. To assess reproducibility, this procedure was performed twice with a short gap between acquisitions. In addition, 1H images were also acquired in a separate breath for comparison. PV (3He ventilated volume divided by 1H total lung volume) was calculated using the single‐breath‐hold images (PVsingle) and the separate‐breath‐hold images (PVseparate). Short‐term reproducibility of PV measurement was assessed for both single‐ and separate‐breath acquisitions. Dice similarity coefficients (DSCs) were calculated to quantify spatial overlap between 3He and 1H segmentations for the single‐ and separate‐breath‐hold acquisitions. The efficacy of using the separate‐breath method combined with image registration was also assessed.The mean magnitude difference between the two sets of PV values (±standard deviation) was 1.49 ± 1.32% for PVsingle and 4.19 ± 4.10% for PVseparate, with a significant difference (p < 0.01). The mean magnitude difference between the two PV values for the registered separate‐breath technique (PVsep‐registered) was 2.27 ± 2.23%. Bland–Altman analysis showed that PV measured with single‐breath acquisitions was more repeatable than PV measured with separate‐breath acquisitions, regardless of image registration. DSC values were significantly greater (p < 0.01) for single‐breath acquisition than for separate‐breath acquisition.Acquisition of HP gas ventilation and 1H anatomical images in a single breath‐hold provides a more reproducible means of percentage lung ventilation volume measurement than the previously used separate‐breath‐hold scan approach, and reduces errors. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Infrared Irradiance Reduction in Minimum Smoke Propellants by Addition of Potassium Salt
Authors: Yim Yoo Jin , Jang Myung Wook , Park Eui Yong , Lee Jong Seop , Han Houkseop , Lee Won Bok , Song Soon Ho , Kim Min Taek , Yoo Ji Chang , Yoon Myong Won 
Published: September 2014

AbstractOne of the plume characteristics of minimum smoke propellant is the infrared (IR) radiation signature, which may be useful for detection of rocket. The IR irradiance is known to be reduced by afterburning suppression in rocket plume by addition of potassium salt in propellant. The minimum smoke propellant with nitrate ester polyether (NEPE) binder system and nitramine oxidizers was researched for the afterburning and IR irradiance difference according to the content of potassium salt as afterburning suppressant in propellant formulation. The propellants were formulated to satisfy the level of AGARD smoke class AA and potassium sulfate was selected as afterburning inhibitor suitable for NEPE propellant. The afterburning flame length and mid‐range IR intensity were measured, while conducting static firing tests of 6 inch (15.24 cm) standard rocket motors loaded with minimum smoke propellants of the different contents of potassium sulfate. The total IR irradiance of HMX/RDX propellant with 1.1 % potassium sulfate was reduced to about 23 % compared to the propellant without afterburning suppressant due to the inhibition of afterburning. Also, the total IR irradiance of the HNIW (30 %)/RDX propellant was found to be almost three times more than that of the HMX/RDX propellant although the content of potassium sulfate was the same of 1.1 % in both propellants.
Single‐walled carbon nanotubes as a template for coronene stack formation
Authors: Chernov Alexander I. , Fedotov Pavel V. , Anoshkin Ilya V. , Nasibulin Albert G. , Kauppinen Esko I. , Kuznetsov Vladimir L. , Obraztsova Elena D. 
Published: September 2014

Single‐walled carbon nanotubes can serve as a template for formation of various structures inside. Depending on conditions, the nanotube filling with coronene molecules may lead to creation of coronene stacks, graphene nanoribbons, or inner tubes. In this work, the formation of coronene stacks inside single‐walled carbon nanotubes was studied using photoluminescence (PL) spectroscopy. We demonstrate the difference in the excitation PL maps between the spectral features of coronene stacks inside the nanotubes and products formed outside the nanotube interior. The optical investigation was supported by calculations of adsorption energy of coronene molecules inside and outside nanotubes. The theoretical calculations predict the most energetically favorable configurations of coronene molecules with respect to the diameter of the outer nanotubes. Orientation of coronene stacks depends on the nanotube diameter. Models of ten coronene molecules placed inside (10,10) and (11,11) nanotubes (upper and lower image part, respectively).
ZnO – Materials Science from Research to Electronic Applications
Authors: Lashkarev George , Karpyna Vitalii 
Published: September 2014

AbstractThe following section contains invited and contri‐ buted papers presented at Symposium K “ZnO – Material science from research to electronic applications” of EMRS Fall Meeting held in Warsaw, Poland, September 16–20, 2013. The symposium was organized by the principal organizer George Lashkarev (Institute for Problems of Material Science, Ukraine) and four co‐organizers: Robert Triboulet (CNRS/GEMAC, Univ. of Versailles, France), Robert Kudra‐wiec (Institute of Physics, Wrocław University of Technology, Poland), Serhii Trushkin (Institute of Physics PAS, Poland) and Rositza Yakimova (Department of Physics, Chemistry and Biology (IFM), Sweden). Symposium K gathered 82 participants from 28 countries with 10 invited talks, 25 oral presentations and 42 posters.The symposium was focused on the fundamental understanding of growth processes of ZnO films and structures, the role of point defects and impurities, electrical and optical properties and priority applications of ZnO in electronics and optoelectronics. The main idea of Symposium K was to narrow the evident gap between the research groundwork on ZnO and its possible industrial introduction. We consider this symposium as the next turn in the direction of wide applications of ZnO in the future.We take this opportunity to thank the colleagues who acted as scientific committee members and program committee members as well as the presenters who submitted a manuscript for publication and referees who ensured the scientific quality of the proceedings.
Development of a Risk‐Screening Tool for Cancer Survivors to Participate in Unsupervised Moderate‐ to Vigorous‐Intensity Exercise: Results From a Survey Study
Authors: Brown Justin C. , Ko Emily M. , Schmitz Kathryn H. 
Published: September 2014

AbstractBackgroundThe health benefits of exercise increase in dose‐response fashion among cancer survivors. However, it is unclear how to identify cancer survivors who may require a pre‐exercise evaluation before they progress from the common recommendation of walking to unsupervised moderate‐ to vigorous‐intensity exercise.ObjectiveTo clarify how to identify cancer survivors who should undergo a pre‐exercise evaluation before they progress from the common recommendation of walking to unsupervised moderate‐ to vigorous‐intensity exercise.DesignElectronic survey.ParticipantsForty‐seven (n = 47) experts in the field of exercise physiology, rehabilitation medicine, and cancer survivorship.SettingNot applicable.MethodsWe synthesized peer‐reviewed guidelines for exercise and cancer survivorship and identified 82 health factors that may warrant a pre‐exercise evaluation before a survivor engages in unsupervised moderate‐ to vigorous‐intensity exercise. The 82 health factors were classified into 3 domains: (1) clinical health factors; (2) comorbidity and device health factors; and (3) medications. We surveyed a sample of experts asking them to identify which of the 82 health factors among cancer survivors would indicate the need for a pre‐exercise evaluation before they engaged in moderate‐ to vigorous‐intensity exercise.Main Outcome MeasurementsThe response rate to our survey was 75% (n = 47). Across the 3 domains of health factors, acute symptoms, comorbidities, and medications related to cardiovascular disease were agreed on to indicate a pre‐exercise evaluation for survivors before they engaged in unsupervised moderate‐ to vigorous‐intensity exercise. Other health factors in the survey included hematologic, musculoskeletal, systemic, gastrointestinal, pulmonary, and neurological symptoms and comorbidities. Eighteen experts (38%) said it was difficult to provide absolute answers because no 2 patients are alike, and their decisions are made on a case‐by‐case basis.ConclusionsThe results from this expert survey will help to identify which cancer survivors should undergo a pre‐exercise evaluation before they engage in unsupervised moderate‐ to vigorous‐intensity exercise.
Relationship Between Physical Activity, Knee Muscle Strength, and Gait Performance in Persons With Late Effects of Polio
Authors: Winberg Cecilia , Flansbjer Ulla‐Britt , Rimmer James H. , Lexell Jan 
Published: September 2014

AbstractObjectiveTo examine the relationship between physical activity (assessed subjectively and objectively), knee muscle strength, gait performance, age, gender, and body mass index (BMI) in persons with late effects of polio.DesignCross‐sectional.SettingA university hospital outpatient clinic.ParticipantsSeventy‐seven community‐dwelling ambulant persons with late effects of polio (42 men and 35 women; mean age 67 years [standard deviation 6, range 54‐80]).Main Outcome MeasuresPhysical activity was described by the Physical Activity and Disability Survey and by a pedometer (number of steps/day). Isokinetic concentric knee extensor and flexor muscle strength was measured at 60°/s. Gait performance was assessed by the Timed “Up and Go” test, the Comfortable Gait Speed and Fast Gait Speed tests, and the 6‐Minute Walk test.ResultsThe Physical Activity and Disability Survey leisure subscale was significantly correlated with all knee muscle strength measurements (P < .01), the Comfortable Gait Speed test (P < .05), and the 6‐Minute Walk test (P < .05), and the number of steps per day was significantly correlated with all knee muscle strength measurements and all gait performance tests (P < .01). In the linear regression analyses, knee muscle strength and gait performance explained 1% to 8% of the variance in the leisure subscale, and when the personal attributes (age, gender, and BMI) were added, they explained up to 14% of the variance. Knee muscle strength explained 16% and gait performance explained 15% to 31% of the variance in the number of steps per day, and when personal attributes (age, gender, and BMI) were added, they contributed at most an additional 3% of the variance.ConclusionsIn ambulatory persons with late effects of polio, knee muscle strength and gait performance explain only a small portion of physical activity. Further studies are needed to increase our understanding of how other impairments, activity limitations, environmental factors, and personal factors are associated with physical activity in persons with late effects of polio.
A CLOSED-FORM PRICING FORMULA FOR VARIANCE SWAPS WITH MEAN-REVERTING GAUSSIAN VOLATILITY
Authors: ZHANG LI-WEI 
Published: September 2014

AbstractAlthough variance swaps have become an important financial derivative to hedge against volatility risks, closed-form formulae have been developed only recently, when the realized variance is defined on discrete sample points and no continuous approximation is adopted to alleviate the mathematical difficulties associated with dealing with the discreteness of the sample data. In this paper, a new closed-form pricing formula for the value of a discretely sampled variance swap is presented under the assumption that the underlying asset prices can be described by a mean-reverting Gaussian volatility model. With the newly found analytical formula, not only can all the hedging ratios of a variance swap be analytically derived, the numerical values of the swap price can be efficiently computed as well.
MOTION OF A SLIP SPHERE IN A NONCONCENTRIC FICTITIOUS SPHERICAL ENVELOPE OF MICROPOLAR FLUID
Authors: SAAD E. I. 
Published: September 2014

AbstractStokes’ axisymmetrical translational motion of a slip sphere, located anywhere on the diameter of a virtual spherical fluid ‘cell’, is investigated. The fluid is micropolar and flows are parallel to the line connecting the two centres. An infinite-series solution is presented for the stream function, pressure field, vorticity, microrotation component, shear stress and couple stress of the flow. Basset-type slip boundary conditions on the sphere surface are used for velocity and microrotation. The Happel and Kuwabara boundary conditions are used on the fictitious surface of the cell model. Numerical results for the normalized drag force acting on the sphere are obtained with excellent convergence for various values of the volume fraction, the relative distance between the centre of the sphere and the virtual envelope, the vortex viscosity parameter and the slip coefficients of the sphere. In the special case when the spherical particle is in the concentric position with the cell surface, the numerical values of the normalized drag force agree with the available values in the literature.
EFFECTS OF TIME DELAY ON THE DYNAMICS OF A KINETIC MODEL OF A MICROBIAL FERMENTATION PROCESS
Authors: KASBAWATI  , GUNAWAN A. Y. , HERTADI R. , SIDARTO K. A. 
Published: September 2014

AbstractWe examine the dynamics of fermentation process in a yeast cell. Our investigation focuses on the main branch pathway: pyruvate and acetaldehyde branch points. We formulate the kinetics for all enzymatic reactions as Michaelis–Menten models. Since the activity of an enzyme mainly depends on the conformational changes of the enzyme structure, the enzyme requires a certain period of time to reset its structure, until it is ready to bind substrates again. For this situation, a rate-limiting step exists, for which the catalytic process suffers a delay. Since all conversion processes are catalysed by enzymes, each reaction can experience a delay at a different time. To investigate how the delay affects the reaction processes, especially at the branch points, we propose that the rate-limiting step takes place at the first reaction. For this reason, a discrete time delay is introduced to the first kinetic model. We find a bifurcation diagram for the delay that depends on the rate of glucose supply and kinetic parameters of the first enzyme. By comparison, our analysis agrees with the numerical solution. Our numerical simulations also show that there is a certain glucose supply that may optimize ethanol production.
Single-molecule correlated chemical probing of RNA
Authors: Homan Philip J. , Favorov Oleg V. , Lavender Christopher A. , Kursun Olcay , Ge Xiyuan , Busan Steven , Dokholyan Nikolay V. , Weeks Kevin M. 
Published: September 2014

Significance
RNA molecules function as the central conduit of information transfer in biology. To do this, they encode information both in their sequences and in their higher-order structures. Understanding the higher-order structure of RNA remains challenging. In this work we devise a simple, experimentally concise, and accurate approach for examining higher-order RNA structure by converting widely used massively parallel sequencing into an easily implemented single-molecule experiment for detecting through-space interactions and multiple conformations. We then use this experiment to analyze higher-order RNA structure, detect biologically important hidden states, and refine accurate three-dimensional structure models.
Evolved tooth gain in sticklebacks is associated with acis-regulatory allele ofBmp6
Authors: Cleves Phillip A. , Ellis Nicholas A. , Jimenez Monica T. , Nunez Stephanie M. , Schluter Dolph , Kingsley David M. , Miller Craig T. 
Published: September 2014

SignificanceHow body pattern evolves in nature remains largely unknown. Although recent progress has been made on the molecular basis of losing morphological features during adaptation to new environments (regressive evolution), there are few well worked out examples of how morphological features may be gained in natural species (constructive evolution). Here we use genetic crosses to study how threespine stickleback fish have increased their tooth number in a new freshwater environment. Genetic mapping and gene expression experiments suggest regulatory changes have occurred in the gene for a bone morphogenetic signaling molecule, leading to increased expression in the freshwater fish that have more teeth. Our studies suggest that changes in gene regulation may underlie both gain and loss traits during vertebrate evolution.
Metabolic programming of mesenchymal stromal cells by oxygen tension directs chondrogenic cell fate
Authors: Leijten Jeroen , Georgi Nicole , Moreira Teixeira Liliana , van Blitterswijk Clemens A. , Post Janine N. , Karperien Marcel 
Published: September 2014

Significance
Multipotent cells, such as mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs), have the capacity to differentiate into cartilage-forming cells. Chondrocytes derived from MSCs obtain an epiphyseal cartilage-like phenotype, which turns into bone upon implantation via endochondral ossification. Here, we report that the chondrogenic fate of MSCs can be metabolically programmed by low oxygen tension to acquire an articular chondrocyte-like phenotype via mechanisms that resemble natural development. Our study identifies metabolic programming of stem cells by oxygen tension as a powerful tool to control cell fate, which may have broad applications for the way in which stem cells are now prepared for clinical use.
PreImplantation factor promotes neuroprotection by targeting microRNA let-7
Authors: Mueller Martin , Zhou Jichun , Yang Lihua , Gao Yuan , Wu Fuju , Schoeberlein Andreina , Surbek Daniel , Barnea Eytan R. , Paidas Michael , Huang Yingqun 
Published: September 2014

Significance
Secreted from viable embryos into the maternal circulation, PreImplantation factor (PIF) has long been implicated in modulating maternal immune tolerance and promoting embryo implantation. Recent evidence also suggests its possible therapeutic use in CNS disorders. However, the molecular signal-transduction pathways driving PIF-mediated effects are unclear. Using murine cell culture combined with a rat hypoxic-ischemic brain injury model, we show that synthetic PIF (sPIF) inhibits microRNA let-7 biogenesis by destabilizing the key microRNA-processing protein, KH-type splicing regulatory protein, in a Toll-like receptor 4–dependent manner. This regulation, together with its induced upregulation of the anti-inflammatory cytokine IL-10, may contribute to sPIF-mediated neuroprotection in vivo and also may underlie PIF's physiological role in maternal immune modulation and embryo implantation.
Vacuum arc under axial magnetic fields: experimental and simulation research
Authors: Jia Shenli , Shi Zongqian , Wang Lijun 
Published: September 2014

Abstract
Axial magnetic field (AMF) technology is a most important control method of vacuum arc, particularly for high-current vacuum arcs in vacuum interrupters. In this paper, a review of the state of current research on vacuum arcs under AMF is presented. The major aspects of vacuum arc in an AMF such as arc voltage, the motion of cathode spots, and anode activities are discussed, and the most recent progress both of experimental and simulation research is presented.
Influence of the inter-electrode distance on the production of nanoparticles by means of atmospheric pressure inert gas dc glow discharge
Authors: Hontañón Esther , Palomares Jose María , Guo Xiaoai , Engeln Richard , Nirschl Hermann , Kruis Frank Einar 
Published: September 2014

Abstract
This work is aimed at investigating the influence of the inter-electrode spacing on the production rate and size of nanoparticles generated by evaporating a cathode on an atmospheric pressure dc glow discharge. Experiments are conducted in the configuration of two vertically aligned cylindrical electrodes in upward coaxial flow with copper as a consumable cathode and nitrogen as a carrier gas. A constant current of 0.5 A is delivered to the electrodes and the inter-electrode distance spanned from 0.5 to 10 mm. Continuous stable nanoparticle production is attained by optimal coaxial flow convection cooling of the cathode. Both the particle production rate and the primary particle size increase with the inter-electrode spacing up to nearly 5 mm and strongly decrease with an increasing inter-electrode distance beyond 5 mm. Production rates in the range of 1 mg h−1 of very small nanoparticles (<10 nm) are attained by a micro glow discharge (<1 mm); while glow discharges of intermediate sizes (<5 mm) result in production rates of up to 10 mg h−1 and primary particles of sizes between 10 and 20 nm. No correlation is found between the measured spatially averaged plasma parameters and nanoparticle production. Since the latter is largely determined by the properties of the cathode surface, spatially resolved spectrometric measurements are needed to discern between the positive column and the cathode region of the glow discharge plasma.
Epitaxy from the liquid phase: tuning metastable phases in Fe–Pd thin films by laser-assisted rapid solidification on substrates
Authors: Arabi-Hashemi A , Ehrhardt M , Lorenz P , Hirsch D , Zimmer K , Mayr S G 
Published: September 2014

Abstract
Epitaxy by crystallization of thin liquid films on suitable substrates constitutes an alternative approach to molecular beam epitaxy, particularly if metastable phases are required. Employing laser-assisted rapid solidification, we demonstrate for the example of the body-centred-cubic, body-centred-tetragonal, face-centred-tetragonal and face-centred-cubic phases of Fe7Pd3 thin films, how the interplay of cooling rate and substrate-assisted nucleation affects the resulting metastable crystal phase and epitaxial relationship. Exemplarily employing lanthanum strontium aluminium tantalum oxide, MgO, and Si single crystals as substrates, this is experimentally demonstrated by an x-ray diffraction study and pole figure measurements. The underlying solidification kinetics are clarified using finite element calculations on the resulting time–temperature profile. Employing secondary ion mass spectroscopy we additionally demonstrate that the absence of interdiffusion is a central requirement for successful application.