bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Alpha-1-Antitrypsin Deficiency – Molecular Basis, Clinical Presentation, Therapeutic Options and an Integrative Approach in Diagnostics / DEFICIJENCIJA ALFA-1-ANTITRIPSINA – MOLEKULSKE OSNOVE, KLINIČKE MANIFESTACIJE, TERAPIJSKE MOGUĆNOSTI I INTEGRATIVNI PRISTUP U DIJAGNOSTICI
Authors: Beletić Anđelo , Dudvarski-Ilić Aleksandra , Milenković Branislava , Nagorni-Obradović Ljudmila , Ljujić Mila , Đorđević Valentina , Radojković Dragica , Majkić-Singh Nada 
Published: November 2013

Summary
The primary role of alpha-1-antitrypsin (AAT), encoded by the highly polymorphic SERPINA1 gene, is to protect the lung parenchyma from proteolysis by neutrophil elastase. AAT deficiency (AATD) is an autosomal recessive disease, considered as the most important genetic cause of liver disease in children and emphysema in adults. According to frequency, deficient alleles can be classified as »common« (Z and S) and »rare« (Mmalton, Mheerlen, Mprocida etc). Type, intensity and onset of clinical disease associated with AATD occur as a result of interaction between AATD and additional genetic and acquired factors (tobacco smoking, air pollution exposure etc). The most frequent clinical manifestations include premature emphysema, chronic hepatitis, cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. Epidemiological studies highlight the need for improvement in diagnostic efficiency for AATD. It is recommended for a diagnostic approach to integrate precise, internationally recognized clinical criteria and a standardized laboratory protocol, based on a combination of biochemical and molecular methods. The predilection site of cli nical manifestations guides the therapeutic approach. Augmen tation therapy is possible in lung disease, while currently the only specific measure in patients with severe liver failure due to AATD is transplantation. In all patients, preventive measures, ammeliorating the deleterious effects of habits and environmental factors are recommended. Introduction of gene therapy is expected to additionally improve health outcomes in affected persons. Current results with an integrative AATD diagnostic strategy in the Serbian population are highly encouraging, prompting towards its further implementation in common medical practice with the ultimate goal to establish a national register of affected individuals.
The Comparative Analysis of Pressures and Threats to The Natura 2000 Sites for Wild Birds Protection - Case Studies in Wetlands in Romania and Bulgaria
Authors: Cioacă Doina 
Published: November 2013

ABSTRACT
The Natura 2000 concept and wetlands protection are relatively new for Romania and Bulgaria, because they are former communist countries and, after the 1990s, had too little value placed on nature conservation in favour of infrastructure development and agriculture. The development of the European ecological network Natura 2000 on these territories has come as an obligation for accession of these countries to The European Union on 01.01.2007.
During the period 2006-2009 I made an analysis for the management of protected areas along the Danube Green Corridor, between Romania and Bulgaria, especially for wetlands, similar to the results of the WWF Germany project “Lower Danube - Green Corridor (LDGC): Freshwater protected area management and freshwater restoration in Bulgaria, Romania and trans-boundary conservation along the Lower Danube”. To have a complete view of the situation of the protected areas management between Romania and Bulgaria, along the Lower Danube Green Corridor, and the perspectives for the next years, I carried out some evaluation for more than 20 Natura 2000 sites, which are alike in many ways, such as: the object of protection (Sites of Community Importance, SCI, under the Habitats Directive; Special Protection Areas for birds, SPAs, under the Birds Directive; natural protected areas of national importance for these two countries, or other natural and semi natural areas with the potential to be protected), human activities, pressures and threats, and other aspects.
Later, I used these results to make a comparative analysis of the Cernica area (Ilfov County, Romania), to add another argument to include it in the Natura 2000 Network from Romania, as ROSPA0122 Cernica Lake and Forest.
This analysis showed that Cernica faces approximately the same pressures and threats as other protected areas and has almost the same efficiency in management planning as the highest assessed Natura 2000 SPAs, respectively Iezer-Călăraşi in Romania and Srebarna of Bulgaria, which is an argument to establish this area as a Natura 2000 site.
Electrochemical investigation of the effect of different laser surface treatments on Hastelloy G alloy
Authors: Toor Ihsan H. , Yilbas Bekir S. , Karatas Cihan , Hussein Mohammed A. , Zafar Mohammed N. 
Published: November 2013

Abstract
In the present study, the corrosion resistance behavior of untreated and laser treated Hastelloy was examined. The electrochemical tests including potentiodynamic polarization, Tafel analysis, and linear polarization resistance were carried out in deaerated 0.5% NaCl aqueous solution at room temperature. Surface roughness was measured to correlate it with corrosion resistance properties of the materials. Surface morphology of the samples after corrosion tests was examined using scanning electron microscopy and energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy. Results showed that laser treated surface exhibited better corrosion resistance properties as compared to untreated surface.
Preparation of ZrB2-based nanocomposites with limited grain growth by means of low-temperature hot-pressing using Cu additive
Authors: He Rujie , Zhang Xinghong , Hu Ping , Han Wenbo 
Published: November 2013

Abstract
The purpose of the present study is to prepare ZrB2-based nanocomposites with limited or no obvious grain growth. For ZrB2 nanoparticles, the densification on-set temperature was about 1300°C, whereas the obvious grain growth on-set temperature for ZrB2 nanoparticles was found to be about 1500°C. Therefore, there was a temperature “window” 1300–1500°C where ZrB2 nanoparticles could be densified with limited or no grain growth. In this study, densification of ZrB2-based nanocomposite was finally realized by means of low-temperature hot-pressing at 1450°C for 60 min under a uniaxial pressure of 30 MPa using Cu as a sintering additive. After hot-pressing, the grain growth of ZrB2 nanoparticles was greatly suppressed, and the average grain size for ZrB2 was only 310 nm. The microstructure and mechanical properties were examined, and the flexural strength and fracture toughness were 472.8 ± 36.4 MPa and 12.4 ± 0.5 MPa · m1/2, respectively. We believe this paper can lay the foundation for the preparation of ZrB2-based nanocomposites.
Influence of sputtering gas pressure on properties of transparent conducting Si-doped zinc oxide films
Authors: Qin Hua , Liu Hunfa , Lei Chengxin 
Published: November 2013

Abstract
Si-doped zinc oxide (SZO, Si 3%) thin films were deposited on glass substrates by means of direct current magnetron sputtering under different pressures. The influence of sputtering pressure on structure, morphology, optical and electrical properties of SZO thin films was investigated. The results reveal that the sputtering pressures have a significant impact on the growth rate, crystal quality and electrical properties of the films, but have little impact on the optical properties of the films. SZO thin film samples grown on glasses are polycrystalline with a hexagonal wurtzite structure and have a preferred orientation along the c-axis perpendicular to the substrate. When the sputtering pressure increases from 2 to 8 Pa, the film surface becomes compact and smooth, the degree of crystallization of the films increases, and the resistivity of films decreases. However, when the sputtering pressure continues to increase from 8 to 10 Pa, the degree of crystallization of the films decreases, the grain size decreases, and the resistivity of the films increases. SZO(3%) thin film deposited at a sputtering pressure of 8 Pa shows the largest carrier concentration, the largest mobility, the lowest resistivity of 3.0 × 10−4 Ω cm and a high overall transmission of 93.3% in the visible range.
Atomic mobilities in fcc Cu–Mn–Ni–Zn alloys and their characterizations of uphill diffusion and zero-flux plane phenomena
Authors: Zhang Weibin , Zhang Lijun , Du Yong , Liu Shuhong , Tang Chengying 
Published: November 2013

Abstract
An effective approach to establish the atomic mobility parameters of quaternary Cu-rich fcc Cu–Mn–Ni–Zn alloys is presented through assessments of the critically-reviewed experimental diffusivities available in the literature by means of DICTRA (DIffusion Controlled TRAnsformation) software. In the quaternary Cu-rich fcc Cu–Mn–Ni–Zn alloys, atomic mobilities in ternary fcc Cu–Mn–Ni and Cu–Ni–Zn boundary systems were directly taken from our previous work, while atomic mobilities in ternary fcc Cu–Mn–Zn boudnary system were assessed as a function of temperature and composition in this work. Since no experimental data were available, the atomic mobility database for fcc Ni–Mn–Zn alloys was not assessed but just directly extrapolated based on the three constituent binary alloys. Considering that the accurate quaternary interdiffusion coefficients were usually absent in the literature, atomic mobilities in fcc Cu–Mn–Ni–Zn alloys were extrapolated based on the assessed atomic mobilities in the 4 ternary boundary systems. On the basis of the obtained mobility parameters, simulations of a series of ternary and quaternary diffusion couple experiments were performed. The concentration profiles and the diffusion paths in diffusion couples were well reproduced by the presently obtained parameters. Furthermore, 3D views of the concentration profiles, diffusion fluxes, chemical potential and quaternary interdiffusion coefficients surfaces were calculated with the obtained atomic mobilities to analyze the uphill diffusion and zero-flux plane phenomenon in some quaternary diffusion couples. In addition, simple criteria for judging whether the uphill diffusion and/or zero-flux plane can occur are also proposed.
Thermal investigation of alumina-based pastes and refractory mixturesd
Authors: Katsavou Ioanna D. , Krokida Magdalini K. , Ziomas Ioannis C. 
Published: November 2013

Abstract
Alumina-based refractories are the most commonly used materials for lining electrical furnaces. Bauxite and aluminate chamotte were selected, bound with aluminate cement, and their thermal stability was studied using differential scanning calorimetry and thermogravimetry. Their loss on ignition, after firing at 1000 °C, was determined. The main changes in mass observed were attributed to the removal of moisture at temperatures up to 140 °C and to the dehydration of calcium aluminate cement at 200–300 °C. Boehmite (500 °C) and bayerite transformations (650–700 °C) were recorded for bauxite samples, while chamotte samples exhibited changes due to goethite conversion to hematite (400 °C) and spinel formation at 900 °C. Water removal was then examined in detail through differential scanning calorimetry tests. Experiments for loss on ignition showed that particle size of refractory bauxite does not affect mass changes during firing, while chamotte samples were found to show greater loss at particle sizes 200–315 μm, due to impurities and low melting point compounds.
Microwave absorbing materials based on polyaniline composites: a review
Authors: Wang Yanmin 
Published: November 2013

AbstractConductive polymers are widely studied as microwave absorbing materials due to their light weight, corrosion resistance, good and flexible processibility and variability of conductivity. Among them, polyaniline (PANI) microwave absorbing materials have been studied most extensively because of their easier and inexpensive preparation methods, good environmental stability in both doped and undoped forms, excellent physical and chemical properties, high conductivity at microwave frequencies and unique doping mechanism with its ease of protonic acid doping in the emeraldine form. In this paper, the preparation and the microwave properties of PANI/inorganics composites and PANI/insulating polymer composites are thoroughly reported.
Nanoscratch characterization of indium nitride films
Authors: Lian Derming 
Published: November 2013

Abstract
In this study we used RF plasma-assisted molecular beam epitaxy for the epitaxial growth of single-crystalline indium nitride (InN) thin films on aluminum nitride buffer layers/Si (111) substrates. We then used scratch techniques to study the influence of the c-axis orientation of the InN films and the beam interactions on the tribological performance of these samples. When grown at 440, 470, and 500 °C, the coefficients of friction were 0.18, 0.22, and 0.26, respectively, under a normal force (F
n) of 2000 μN; 0.19, 0.23, and 0.27, respectively, under a value of F
n of 4000 μN; and 0.21, 0.24, and 0.28, respectively, under a value of F
n of 6000 μN. These measured values increased slightly upon increasing the growth temperature because of the resulting smaller sizes of the apertures and/or pores in the inner films. The sliding resistance of the ploughed area was observed. The contact sliding line became increasingly noticeable upon increasing the value of F
n; the plot of the friction with respect to the penetration depth revealed a significant relation in its adhesion properties presentation.
Methods of segregation analysis applied to simulated multicomponent multiphase microstructures
Authors: Grätz Kathrin , Eiken Janin , Schmid-Fetzer Rainer 
Published: November 2013

Abstract
Advanced microstructure simulation models can predict solute segregation in 2D and 3D space, which often leads to outputs of large arrays of concentration values with a multitude of detailed information that hinders straightforward evaluations. The target of this study is to establish a common evaluation method for both simulation results and experimental data as a standard for quantitative comparison and validation. For this purpose, a methodology is adopted from experimental segregation analysis to transform the multi-dimensional data into meaningful 1D segregation profiles, which can easily be plotted and discussed. As an application example, a directional solidification experiment on an AZ31 magnesium alloy is selected and the solidification process is simulated using the phase-field method. The subsequently obtained 1D segregation profiles are compared to measured segregation profiles. As part of the study, two common sorting methods are evaluated with respect to their applicability to recover the general segregation behavior and the solidification path, as well as to handle numerical noise.
Preparation and Characterization of Bamboo Fibers Coated with Titanium Urushiol and its Composite Materials with Polypropylene
Authors: Yin F. , Lin J. , Mao X. , Deng Y. , Chen Q. 
Published: November 2013

Abstract
Bamboo fibers (BFs) coated with titanium urushiol (BFTiU) was prepared by in situ reaction. Effects of activation time, urushiol concentration, reaction time and butyl titanate concentration etc on the coating ratio of BFTiU were investigated. On the other hand, the BFTiU was characterized by FTIR measurements, scanning electron microscope, thermo gravimetric analysis and differential scanning calorimetry. The results showed that titanium urushiol compound was coated on the BFs by coordination reaction and the coating ratio of BFTiU reached 35% at the optimal preparation condition. It also could be found that BFTiU possessed better heat resistant properties than BFs. Due to titanium urushiol coated on BFs, the elongation at break, the maximum deflection and the bending strength of BFTiU/PP composites were 33%, 30 % and 10% higher than those of BP/PP composites respectively. Particularly, the tensile strength of BFTiU/PP composites was better than that of BP/PP composites at the presence of 70% BFTiU.
The added value of semimicroelectrode recording in deep brain stimulation of the subthalamic nucleus for Parkinson disease
Authors: Jonker Pascal K. C. , van Dijk J. Marc C. , van Hulzen Arjen L. J. , van Laar Teus , Staal Michiel J. , Journée H. Louis 
Published: November 2013

Object
Accurate placement of the leads is crucial in deep brain stimulation (DBS). To optimize the surgical positioning of the lead, a combination of anatomical targeting on MRI, electrophysiological mapping, and clinical testing is applied during the procedure. Electrophysiological mapping is usually done with microelectrode recording (MER), but the relatively undocumented semimicroelectrode recording (SMER) is a competing alternative. In this study the added value and safety of SMER for optimal lead insertion in the subthalamic nucleus (STN) in a consecutive cohort of patients with Parkinson disease (PD) was assessed.

Methods
Between 2001 and 2010, a consecutive single-center cohort of 46 patients with PD underwent DBS of the STN (85 lead insertions). After exclusion of 11 lead insertions for mostly technical reasons, 74 insertions were included for the assessment. Anatomical target localization was based on either 1.5-T MRI or fused 3-T MRI with CT, with reference to anterior commissure–posterior commissure coordinates. Electrophysiological mapping was performed with SMER. Intraoperative clinical testing was dominant in determining the final lead position. The target error was defined as the absolute distance between the anatomical or electrophysiological target and the final lead position. The effect of SMER on anatomical target error reduction and final target selection was analyzed. Also, the anatomical and electrophysiological target error was judged against the different imaging strategies. For safety evaluation, the adverse events related to all lead insertions were assessed.

Results
The use of SMER significantly reduced the anatomical target error from 1.7 (SD 1.6) mm to 0.8 (SD 1.3) mm (p < 0.0001). In particular, the anatomical target error based on 1.5-T MRI was significantly reduced by SMER, from 2.3 (SD 1.5) mm to 0.1 (SD 0.5) mm (p < 0.001). Anatomical target error reduction based on 3-T MRI fused with CT was not significantly influenced by SMER (p = 0.2), because the 3-T MRI-CT combination already significantly reduced the anatomical target error from 2.3 (SD 1.5) mm to 1.5 (SD 1.5) mm compared with 1.5-T MRI (p = 0.03). No symptomatic intracerebral hemorrhage was reported. Intracerebral infection was encountered in 1 patient following lead insertion.

Conclusions
Semimicroelectrode recording has added value in targeting the STN in DBS for patients with PD based on 1.5-T MRI. The use of SMER does not significantly reduce the anatomical target error in procedures with fused 3-T MRI-CT studies and therefore might be omitted. With the absence of hemorrhagic complications, SMER-guided lead implantation should be considered a safe alternative to MER.
Entwurf eines optimalen Seillinienlayouts für die Holzernte in steilem Gelände
Authors: Bont Leo 
Published: November 2013

Designing an optimal cable road layout for harvesting in steep terrain
Cable-based technologies are a backbone when designing harvesting systems for steep slopes. However, layout and placement of the cable roads are challenging. To guarantee that harvesting costs are minimized and that the process has the least environmental impact on the remaining forest, one must carefully locate both cable towers and cable roads. Our study objectives were to 1) develop an approach of mixed integer linear programming for planning an optimal harvesting and cable road layout and 2) test this methodology on a specific site, then observe its behaviour with single- and multi-objective alternatives and evaluate its practicality. In doing so, we determined that fitting the model to terrain units up to 35 ha provided the best results and within a reasonable timeframe. The approach presented here is the first to consider both environmental and economic objectives, and can determine the optimal cable road layout within the shortest time.
Tympan Alley: Posthumanist Performatives inDancer in the Dark
Authors: Turner Lynn 
Published: November 2013

While it is Derrida's late work on the ‘animal question’ that brought his insistence on limitrophy between species to wider attention, it is also named as the general condition of the limits in the much earlier text, ‘Tympan’. There, in dislocating the tympanum, the margins of philosophy are eaten. Equally, given the rhythmic address of the tympanum, we might say that the margins of philosophy are beaten.This paper considers the persistent play on rhythmic sounds in Lars von Trier's Dancer in the Dark as a ‘tympanising’ or derision of the limits, notably of the limits of the law in both juridical and symbolic senses, as they also work the edges of the film's two styles (broadly, realism and musical). In a provocative analysis of this film, Cary Wolfe suggests that we might understand Selma's vocal style (given singular expression by Bjork) as a refusal of the phallic imposition of language, and that her virtually suicidal submission to the death sentence allows for a notion of a ‘posthuman feminine’. ‘Tympan Alley’ redirects this tantalising term ‘posthuman feminine’ through a more consistently Derridean line of thought to sound out the implications of b/eating the limits through Selma's oblique ear.
Responsiveness of Health State Utility Values in Knee Osteoarthritis
Authors: Davis Erin M. , Lynd Larry D. , Grubisic Maja , Kopec Jacek A. , Sayre Eric C. , Cibere Jolanda , Esdaile John , Marra Carlo A. 
Published: November 2013

Objective.Adaptive tests are increasingly being used to assess health-related quality of life in patients with a variety of medical conditions, including osteoarthritis (OA) of the knee. This approach has recently been used to assess health state utility valuations (HSUV) for use in quality-adjusted life-year calculations. To accurately assess incremental value for money, these tools must be responsive. Therefore, we examined the responsiveness of the Health Utilities Index mark 3 (HUI3) and Paper Adaptive Test-5D (PAT-5DQOL) in a group of patients with knee OA.Methods.We used patient-level data from a randomized controlled trial evaluating a pharmacist-initiated multidisciplinary intervention in newly diagnosed patients with knee OA. The mean change for utility scores from baseline to 6 months was calculated, as well as effect size (ES) and standardized response mean (SRM) for the HUI3 and PAT-5DQOL, and generalized additive model plots, using the Western Ontario and McMaster Osteoarthritis index as a reference standard.Results.When patients were assessed based on whether their condition had improved, remained unchanged, or worsened over time, the PAT-5DQOL showed greater responsiveness in patients whose condition had either improved or worsened. ES and SRM were generally small for both instruments.Conclusion.The PAT-5DQOL is more responsive to change over time than the HUI3 in patients with knee OA.