bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Angiogenesis in costal cartilage graft laryngotracheoplasty: A corrosion casting study in piglets
Authors: Kus Lukas H. , Negandhi Jaina , Sklar Michael C. , Eskander Antoine , Estrada Marvin , Harrison Robert V. , Campisi Paolo , Forte Vito , Propst Evan J. 
Published: January 2014

Objectives/HypothesisTo investigate the timing and degree of angiogenesis following anterior costal cartilage graft laryngotracheoplasty in an animal model.Study DesignRandomized controlled animal model.MethodsTwelve pigs were included in this study. Three control pigs were perfused with intravascular methyl methacrylate, and overlying tissue was corroded with potassium hydroxide and hydrochloric acid, leaving only a cast of vessels. Nine pigs underwent anterior costal cartilage graft laryngotracheoplasty and were survived for various lengths of time (3 for 48 hours, 3 for 10 days, 3 for 3 weeks) prior to corrosion casting. Transition zones between trachea and cartilage graft as well as the graft itself were analyzed for signs of angiogenesis (budding, sprouting, intussusception) and hypoxic or degenerative vessel features (extravasation, corrugation, circular constriction) using scanning electron microscopy.ResultsAngiogenesis peaked above control levels 48 hours after laryngotracheoplasty (P < .0001) and decreased 10 days and 3 weeks following surgery (P < .001, P < .0001, respectively) while remaining elevated above control levels (P < .0001, P < .005, respectively). There was no difference in hypoxic or degenerative features across surgical and control groups. Sprouting angiogenesis dominated over intussusception preoperatively (P < .0001) and 3 weeks following surgery (P < .05). However, there was no difference in type of angiogenesis 48 hours and 10 days following surgery.ConclusionAngiogenesis peaked by 48 hours following costal cartilage graft laryngotracheoplasty and persisted for at least 3 weeks (although decreased) after surgery in this animal model. Hypoxic or degenerative processes did not appear to play a role in tracheal revascularization during the first 3 postoperative weeks.Level of EvidenceN/A. Laryngoscope 124:2411–2417, 2014
An ultra‐black silicon absorber
Authors: Steglich Martin , Lehr Dennis , Ratzsch Stephan , Käsebier Thomas , Schrempel Frank , Kley Ernst‐Bernhard , Tünnermann Andreas 
Published: January 2014

AbstractAn ultra‐black (A > 99%) broadband absorber concept on the basis of a needle‐like silicon nanostructure called Black Silicon is proposed. The absorber comprises Black Silicon established by inductively coupled plasma reactive ion etching (ICP‐RIE) on a highly doped, degenerated silicon substrate. Improved absorbers also incorporate an additional oxide capping layer on the nanostructures and reach an absorptance of A > 99.5% in the range of 350 to 2000 nm and A ∼ 99.8% between 1000 and 1250 nm. Fabrication of the absorbers is consistent with CMOS standards and requires no lithography. (Picture: Kasper, Friedrich‐Schiller‐University Jena)
The Dominance of Chronic Pain: A Phenomenological Study
Authors: Ojala Tapio , Häkkinen Arja , Karppinen Jaro , Sipilä Kirsi , Suutama Timo , Piirainen Arja 
Published: January 2014

AbstractBackgroundChronic pain is not only a physical disorder, but also a complex combination of biopsychosocial symptoms affecting each other. When in chronic pain, the patient's entire body becomes a source of pain, and eventually the pain occupies the patient's mind and entire life. The aim of the present study was to examine the life experience and management of chronic pain from the patient's perspective.MethodsThirty‐four participants with chronic pain were interviewed. For 21 of the participants, the duration of pain was more than five years. Most of the participants had degenerative spinal pain. The transcribed interviews were analysed using Giorgi's four‐phase phenomenological method.ResultsThe results indicated that chronic pain impaired the participant's psychosocial well‐being by controlling thoughts and making life itself painful. When life is filled with pain, the entire life is seen through pain. Continuity, unpredictability and the fear of the pain decreased quality of life. As a result of the interviews, the following subthemes were identified, based on the essential theme of ‘the dominance of chronic pain’: namely: ‘pain is the master’, ‘life is not worth living’, ‘contextual pain’ and ‘waiting and hoping’.ConclusionsChronic pain may decrease the quality of the patient's life to such an extent that it may be regarded as not worth living. Multidisciplinary management of chronic pain may lead to a better health status and diminish the adverse consequences of chronic pain. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
ERRα augments HIF‐1 signalling by directly interacting with HIF‐1α in normoxic and hypoxic prostate cancer cells
Authors: Zou Chang , Yu Shan , Xu Zhenyu , Wu Dinglan , Ng Chi‐Fai , Yao Xiaoqiang , Yew David T , Vanacker Jean‐Marc , Chan Franky L 
Published: January 2014

AbstractAdaptation of cancer cells to a hypoxic microenvironment is important for their facilitated malignant growth and advanced development. One major mechanism mediating the hypoxic response involves up‐regulation of hypoxia‐inducible factor 1 (HIF‐1) expression, which controls reprogramming of energy metabolism and angiogenesis. Oestrogen‐related receptor‐α (ERRα) is a pivotal regulator of cellular energy metabolism and many biosynthetic pathways, and has also been proposed to be an important factor promoting the Warburg effect in advanced cancer. We and others have previously shown that ERRα expression is increased in prostate cancer and is also a prognostic marker. Here we show that ERRα is oncogenic in prostate cancer and also a key hypoxic growth regulator. ERRα‐over‐expressing prostate cancer cells were more resistant to hypoxia and showed enhanced HIF‐1α protein expression and HIF‐1 signalling. These effects could also be observed in ERRα‐over‐expressing cells grown under normoxia, suggesting that ERRα could function to pre‐adapt cancer cells to meet hypoxia stress. Immunoprecipitation and FRET assays indicated that ERRα could physically interact with HIF‐1α via its AF‐2 domain. A ubiquitination assay showed that this ERRα–HIF‐1α interaction could inhibit ubiquitination of HIF‐1α and thus reduce its degradation. Such ERRα–HIF‐1α interaction could be attenuated by XCT790, an ERRα‐specific inverse agonist, resulting in reduced HIF‐1α levels. In summary, we show that ERRα can promote the hypoxic growth adaptation of prostate cancer cells via a protective interaction with HIF‐1α, suggesting ERRα as a potential therapeutic target for cancer treatment. Copyright © 2014 Pathological Society of Great Britain and Ireland. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Raman active phonon modes of cubic In2O3
Authors: Kranert Christian , Schmidt‐Grund Rüdiger , Grundmann Marius 
Published: January 2014

Abstractmagnified imageWe introduce a symmetry assignment for the Raman active phonon modes for the cubic modification of indium sesqui‐oxide In2O3. Using a resonant excitation at $\lambda _{\rm exc} = 325\;{\rm nm},$ we observed 19 out of 22 expected first‐order Raman modes, of which many have not been reported before. This knowledge on the Raman spectrum is crucial for the interpretation of obtained Raman spectra, both resonantly and non‐resonantly ex‐ cited, and for the material characterization based on it. The phonon mode symmetry was determined based on polarized measurements on two In2O3 thin films with (001) and (111) orientation. The measurements were carried out at T = 10 K to minimize the linewidth for the separation of spectrally close lines. Besides the energy of the different phonon modes, we give their linewidths and relative intensities. (© 2014 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Structural and macro‐economic changes in India and the implications for the residential energy demand
Authors: Bhattacharyya Subhes C. 
Published: January 2014

India, as a rising economic power, has undergone significant macro‐economic and structural changes in recent decades. The accelerated economic growth in recent times has brought wide‐ranging changes in life styles and behaviors of its growing population. At the same time, the population is undergoing a structural change and as this continues in the future, the country has the potential to reap the population dividend. As a consequence of these changes, the country is experiencing increased migration to urban areas, visible signs of consumerism in the fast‐growing middle‐class segment of the population, and an increasing trend of mimicking international styles. This paper provides an overview of the macro‐economic and structural changes in India and considers the implications of such changes on India's residential energy needs. It suggests that life‐style changes will have a significant implication on Indian future energy demand but there is a window of opportunity to follow a low‐carbon pathway by adopting ‘smart’ technologies and creating efficient infrastructure. However, it requires a coordinated effort at various levels. WIREs Energy Environ 2014, 3:535–539. doi: 10.1002/wene.108This article is categorized under:

Energy Policy and Planning > Economics and Policy
The Acute Surgical Unit Model Verses the Traditional “On Call” Model: A Systematic Review and Meta‐Analysis
Authors: Nagaraja Vinayak , Eslick Guy D. , Cox Michael R. 
Published: January 2014

AbstractBackgroundThe acute surgical unit (ASU) is a novel model for the provision of emergency general surgery care. The ASU model was initially developed in New South Wales hospitals during 2005 and 2006. Several studies have analysed the effects on patient outcomes and timeliness of care for nontrauma patients presenting with acute general surgical conditions. The purpose of this study was to perform a meta‐analysis to determine the efficacy of the ASU model compared with the traditional on‐call model for specific conditions.MethodsA systematic search was conducted using MEDLINE, PubMed, EMBASE, Current Contents Connect, Cochrane library, Google Scholar, Science Direct, and Web of Science. Original data were extracted from each study and used to calculate a pooled odd ratio (OR) and 95 % confidence interval (CI).ResultsThe search identified 18 studies; appendectomy (n = 9), acute cholecystitis (n = 7), and small‐bowel obstruction (SBO) (n = 2). In the appendectomy cohort, the proportion of appendicular perforation were similar in pre‐ASU and ASU period (OR 1.02, 95 % CI 0.77–1.37, p = 0.13). The incidence of complications in the appendectomy cohort was significantly lower in the ASU group; 14.5 % pre‐ASU and 10.9 % post‐ASU (OR 1.649, 95 % CI 0.732–3.714, p = 0.009). The negative appendectomy rate was similar for the pre‐ and post‐ASU groups (OR 1.07, 95 % CI 0.88–1.31, p = 0.83). Likewise the conversion rate to open surgery and total hospital stay were similar between the two groups. The proportion of night time operations reduced significantly in the ASU period (OR 1.9, 95 % CI 1.32–2.74, p = 0.001). In the acute cholecystitis cohort, the conversion rate to open surgery was significantly higher in the pre‐ASU group (15.1 %) compared with the post‐ASU group (7.5 %) (OR 1.879, 95 % CI 1.072–3.293, p = 0.04) The incidence of complications was higher in the pre‐ASU (14 %) compared with the post‐ASU (6.8 %) group (OR 2.231, 95 % CI 1.372–3.236, p = 0.03). The mean hospital stay was significantly lower in the ASU period (5.3 vs. 3.7 days, p = 0.0063). There was insufficient data available to analyse outcomes for SBO.ConclusionsThe ASU model provides a safe surgical environment for patients and is associated with a reduced complication rate for appendectomy and laparoscopic cholecystectomy for acute cholecystitis. There is a reduced conversion rate and a shorter length of stay for patients with acute cholecystitis. Overall, the ASU model has translated to better outcomes for patients presenting with acute general surgical conditions.
Significance of TP53 mutations as predictive markers of adjuvant cisplatin‐based chemotherapy in completely resected non‐small‐cell lung cancer
Authors: Ma Xiaoli , Rousseau Vanessa , Sun Haiji , Lantuejoul Sylvie , Filipits Martin , Pirker Robert , Popper Helmut , Mendiboure Jean , Vataire Anne-Lise , Le Chevalier Thierry , Soria Jean Charles , Brambilla Elisabeth , Dunant Ariane , Hainaut Pierre 
Published: January 2014

Adjuvant cisplatin‐based chemotherapy only marginally improves survival in patients with completely resected non‐small‐cell lung cancer (NSCLC). We have evaluated the predictive value of mutations in TP53, encoding the tumour suppressor p53, in the International Adjuvant Lung Cancer Trial (IALT), a randomized trial of adjuvant cisplatin‐based chemotherapy against observation. TP53 (exons 4–8) was sequenced in 524 archived specimens of IALT patients with a median follow‐up of 7.5 years. Predictive analyses were based on Cox models adjusted for clinical and pathological variables. P‐values ≤0.01 were considered as significant. Mutations were detected in 221 patients (42%) and had no predictive value for the effect of chemotherapy (interaction between TP53 and treatment: p = 0.17 for Overall Survival (OS); p = 0.06 for Disease‐Free Interval, (DFS)). However, among patients with mutations, outcome appeared worse in treatment compared to observation arms (HR for OS = 1.36 (95% CI [0.97–1.31), p = 0.08; DFS = 1.40 (95% CI [1.01–1.95]), p = 0.04). When grouping mutations into classes according to predicted effects on protein structure, the tendency towards worse outcomes was restricted to “structure” mutations affecting residues of the hydrophobic core that are not located at the p53 protein‐DNA interface (HR for death in this class vs wild‐type T53 = 1.66; 95% CI [1.10–2.52], p = 0.02). Overall, TP53 mutations are not significant predictors of outcome in this trial of cisplatin‐based chemotherapy, although a specific class of structural mutations may be associated with a tendency towards worse outcomes upon treatment.
‘You Just Went In and You Got It All Sorted Straightaway’ – What is the Appeal of a Community-Based Mobile Stop Smoking Service?
Authors: Bains Manpreet , Venn Andrea , Murray Rachael L. , McNeill Ann , Jones Laura L. 
Published: January 2014

Introduction: Not enough smokers access existing stop smoking services (SSS). Developing more accessible and effective SSS is important, particularly for smokers from socioeconomically disadvantaged groups where smoking is more prevalent.Aims: To consider smokers’ reasons for accessing a community-based mobile SSS (MSSS) for initial and follow-up consultations, and to explore their experiences of the service over time.Methods: The MSSS was delivered in socioeconomically disadvantaged areas of Nottingham (UK). Thirty-six smokers were interviewed, and 11 of these also completed follow-up interviews four to six weeks after their quit date. Interviews were analysed using the framework approach.Results: Many participants had considered quitting before they had knowledge of the MSSS. Features of the MSSS participants found appealing for both initial and follow-up consultations included the drop-in format, convenient times and locations that fit around their existing routines, and that the service was informal and held in a non-health setting. Participants found visiting standard SSS, particularly clinics held in health settings, stressful and formal resulting in them feeling uncomfortable discussing smoking in these settings.Conclusions: Developing instantly accessible and convenient SSS that can be delivered in familiar and informal settings within smokers’ communities may facilitate access and help to retain service users over time.
Gaussian beam evolution in nonlinear inhomogeneous plasma
Authors: Berczynski P. , Kravtsov Yu. A. , Tikhonchuk V. 
Published: January 2014

AbstractThe method of nonlinear complex geometrical optics (NCGO) is proposed in this paper for description of the evolution of a spatially narrow Gaussian beam (GB) in an inhomogeneous nonlinear plasma. NCGO method deals with first-order ordinary differential equations for the complex curvature of the wave front and for GB amplitude and for second-order ordinary differential equation for GB width. Thus, NCGO simplifies the description of GB diffraction and self-focusing effects as compared to the known methods of plasma physics and this way it can be assumed to be attractive and comprehensive approach in problems of plasma heating by electromagnetic waves. Moreover, we demonstrate in this paper some regularity for nonlinear inhomogeneous plasma in the framework of which central ray of a GB is not subjected to nonlinear refraction within NCGO method boundary applicability. On the contrary, the beam width, wave front curvature, and GB amplitude are modified by diffraction and self-focusing processes. General properties of the beam propagation are illustrated with results of numerical modeling for two particular cases: GB diffraction and self-focusing along curvilinear trajectory with torsion in axially symmetric plasma column and GB reflection from nonlinear inhomogeneous plasma layer. We prove in this paper that NCGO is new effective method of plasma physics, which can be applied for improvement of ray tracing techniques and plasma diagnostics.
FDTD study of the effects of the doubly ionized ions on the plasma immersion ion implantation process
Authors: Sharifian M. , Sadeghi Y. 
Published: January 2014

AbstractThe plasma sheath dynamics adjacent to the cathode in the presence of electrons, ions, and doubly ionized ions have been simulated in this work. The aim of the present investigation is, therefore, to study the effect of the doubly ionized ions on the characteristics of the plasma sheath dynamics such as potential distribution, sheath length, and ions dose and velocity near the surface (cathode). It was shown that the presence of the doubly ionized ions can increase the normalized potential of all positions in sheath region, sheath length, and ion/doubly ionized ions density ratio on the target. Obtained results may be helpful for analyzing the practical results of the surface operations such as ion implantation and plasma polymerization, etc.
Marsupial teams of robots: deployment of miniature robots for swarm exploration under communication constraints
Authors: Couceiro Micael S. , Portugal David , Rocha Rui P. , Ferreira Nuno M. F. 
Published: January 2014

SUMMARYMobile Ad hoc Networks have attracted much attention in the last years, since they allow the coordination and cooperation between agents belonging to a multi-robot system. However, initially deploying autonomously a wireless sensor robot network in a real environment has not taken the proper attention. Moreover, maintaining the connectivity between agents in real and complex environments is an arduous task since the strength of the connection between two nodes (i.e., robots) can change rapidly in time or even disappear. This paper compares two autonomous and realistic marsupial strategies for initial deployment in unknown scenarios, in the context of swarm exploration: Random and Extended Spiral of Theodorus. These are based on a hierarchical approach, in which exploring agents, named scouts, are autonomously deployed through explicit cooperation with supporting agents, denoted as rangers. Experimental results with a team of heterogeneous robots are conducted using both real and virtual robots. Results show the effectiveness of the methods, using a performance metric based on dispersion. Conclusions drawn in this work pave the way for a whole series of possible new approaches.
Clinical experimental research on adaptive robot-aided therapy control methods for upper-limb rehabilitation
Authors: Xu Guozheng , Song Aiguo , Pan Lizheng , Gao Xiang , Liang Zhiwei , Li Jinfei , Xu Baoguo 
Published: January 2014

SUMMARYThis study presents novel robotic therapy control algorithms for upper-limb rehabilitation, using newly developed passive and progressive resistance therapy modes. A fuzzy-logic based proportional-integral-derivative (PID) position control strategy, integrating a patient's biomechanical feedback into the control loop, is proposed for passive movements. This allows the robot to smoothly stretch the impaired limb through increasingly rigorous training trajectories. A fuzzy adaptive impedance force controller is addressed in the progressive resistance muscle strength training and the adaptive resistive force is generated according to the impaired limb's muscle strength recovery level, characterized by the online estimated impaired limb's bio-damping and bio-stiffness. The proposed methods are verified with a custom constructed therapeutic robot system featuring a Barrett WAM™ compliant manipulator. Twenty-four recruited stroke subjects were randomly allocated in experimental and control groups and enrolled in a 20-week rehabilitation training program. Preliminary results show that the proposed therapy control strategies can not only improve the impaired limb's joint range of motion but also enhance its muscle strength.
Children's perception of foreign-accented words
Authors: BENT TESSA 
Published: January 2014

ABSTRACTThe acoustic-phonetic realizations of words can vary dramatically depending on a variety of within- and across-talker characteristics such as regional dialect, native language, age, and gender. Robust word learning requires that children are able to recognize words amidst this substantial variability. In the current study, perception of foreign-accented words was assessed in four- to seven-year-old children to test how one form of variability influences word recognition in children. Results demonstrated that children had less accurate word recognition than adults for both native- and foreign-accented words. Both adults and children were less accurate at identifying foreign-accented words compared to native-accented words with children and adults showing similar decrements. For children, age and lexicon size contributed to accurate word recognition.
Repair of idiopathic ascending aortic aneurysm in a 7-year-old child
Authors: Karthekeyan Baskar R. , Vakamudi Mahesh , Thangavel Periyasamy 
Published: January 2014

AbstractAscending aortic aneurysm is uncommon in the paediatric population, and because of the rarity the aetiology, natural progression, and prognosis of the disease remain unknown. A 7-year-old boy with ascending thoracic aortic aneurysm (60×67 mm) underwent graft anastomosis from the sinotubular junction to the undersurface of the arch. Analytical determinations including karyotyping and genetic mapping were all normal. To our knowledge, idiopathic aneurysm of the ascending aorta in children is very rare.
EBSD Analysis of Tungsten-Filament Carburization During the Hot-Wire CVD of Multi-Walled Carbon Nanotubes
Authors: Oliphant Clive J. , Arendse Christopher J. , Camagu Sigqibo T. , Swart Hendrik 
Published: January 2014

AbstractFilament condition during hot-wire chemical vapor deposition conditions of multi-walled carbon nanotubes is a major concern for a stable deposition process. We report on the novel application of electron backscatter diffraction to characterize the carburization of tungsten filaments. During the synthesis, the W-filaments transform to W2C and WC. W-carbide growth followed a parabolic behavior corresponding to the diffusion of C as the rate-determining step. The grain size of W, W2C, and WC increases with longer exposure time and increasing filament temperature. The grain size of the recrystallizing W-core and W2C phase grows from the perimeter inwardly and this phenomenon is enhanced at filament temperatures in excess of 1,400°C. Cracks appear at filament temperatures >1,600°C, accompanied by a reduction in the filament operational lifetime. The increase of the W2C and recrystallized W-core grain size from the perimeter inwardly is ascribed to a thermal gradient within the filament, which in turn influences the hardness measurements and crack formation.