bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The Contraction Coefficient of a Free-Surface Flow Under Gravity Entering a Region Beneath a Semi-Infinite Plane
Authors: Wiryanto L. H. , Supriyanto H. B. 
Published: November 2012

Abstract.Borda's mouthpiece consists of a long straight tube projecting into a large vessel, where fluid enters the tube in a free surface flow that tends to become uniform far downstream in the tube. A two-dimensional approximation to this flow under gravity in the upper part of the tube leads to an evaluation of the contraction coefficient, the ratio of the constant depth of the uniform flow to the width of the tube. The analysis also applies to flow under gravity past a sluice gate, if the semi-infinite wall above the channel is rotated to the vertical. The contraction coefficient depends upon the Froude numberF, and is generally less than the zero gravity value of 1/2 that is approached asF→ ∞.
Modelling the Floating Ladder Track Response to a Moving Load by an Infinite Bernoulli-Euler Beam on Periodic Flexible Supports
Authors: Hosking Roger J. , Milinazzo Fausto 
Published: November 2012

Abstract.An infinite Bernoulli-Euler beam (representing the “combined rail” consisting of the rail and longitudinal sleeper) mounted on periodic flexible point supports (representing the railpads) has already proven to be a suitable mathematical model for the floating ladder track (FLT), to define its natural vibrations and its forced response due to a moving load. Adopting deliberately conservative parameters for the existing FLT design, we present further results for the response to a steadily (uniformly) moving load when the periodic supports are assumed to be elastic, and then introduce the mass and viscous damping of the periodic supports. Typical support damping significantly moderates the resulting steady deflexion at any load speed, and in particular substantially reduces the magnitude of the resonant response at the critical speed. The linear mathematical analysis is then extended to include the inertia of the load that otherwise moves uniformly along the beam, generating overstability at supercritical speeds – i.e. at load speeds notably above the critical speed predicted for the resonant response when the load inertia is neglected. Neither the resonance nor the overstability should prevent the safe implementation of the FLT design in modern high speed rail systems.
Bladder Bioengineering: Our Experience
Authors: Caione Paolo , Nappo Simona Gerocami , Boldrini Renata , Zavaglia Daniela , Zinno Francesco , Lais Alberto 
Published: November 2012

Background Tissue engineering techniques aim to substitute or restore the structure and function of organs and systems. The bladder has been recently considered as a promising organ for tissue engineering regeneration for augmentation or substitution. We present our experience on an experimental model and a pilot clinical study. Methods The experimental model: 10 minipigs underwent 50% volume cystectomy and bladder wall substitution using a 5 × 4 cm acellular intestinal submucosa membrane as graft, covered by omentum. In 4 pigs, autologous stem cells, bone marrow-derived, were injected into the scaffold. The animals were sacrificed at 5 weeks, and 3 months from grafting. The clinical study: 5 exstrophic patients, 8–17 years old (mean 10.4 years), presenting poor bladder capacity and compliance after bladder closure and urethra-genitalia reconstruction, who refused enterocystoplasty received intestinal submucosa membrane (cm 5 × 4) bladder grafting. Follow-up lasted 3 years. Results All animals but 1 survived. The regenerated bladders had normal capacity. The newly developed wall was lined by normal looking mucosa. At histology, 3 layers were well defined: urothelium (inner), fibrocells and muscular cells within rich connective tissue (intermediate) and a well vascularized adventitial coat. No residual scaffold was observed at 3 months. The muscular component was 28% in the engineered bladder wall, versus 44% in the native wall (p<0.05). In the clinical study at 6 months' follow-up, bladder capacity increased from 102 mls to 136 mls (mean). The difference was significant (p<0.05). At biopsy, the newly generated bladder wall appeared similar to the animal model histology. No complications occurred, but 2 patients required enterocystoplasty at 3 years' follow-up. Conclusions Bladder regeneration is feasible by tissue engineering techniques in animal models and in humans. Functional and histological results are not as with normal bladder wall. Further improvements are necessary before any extensive clinical application.
The Use of Music Therapy during the Treatment of Cancer Patients: A Collection of Evidence
Authors: Boyde Constance , Linden Ulrike , Boehm Katja , Ostermann Thomas 
Published: November 2012

Background: Music therapy is one of the oldest forms of creative art therapy and has been shown to have efdects in different clinical and therapeutic settings, such as schizophrenia, pain, cardiovascular parameters, and dementia. This article provides an overview of some of the recent findings in this field and also reports two single case vignettes that offer insight into day-to-day applications of clinical music therapy. Material and Methods: For the collection of clinical studies of music therapy in oncology, the databases AMED, CAIRSS, EMBASE, MEDLINE, PsychINFO, and PSYNDEX were searched with the terms “Study OR Trial” AND “Music Therapy” AND “Cancer OR Oncolog§.” Studies were analyzed with respect to their design, setting and interventions, indications, patients, and outcomes. In addition, two case vignettes present the application of music therapy for a child with leukemia and an adult patient with breast cancer. Results: We found a total of 12 clinical studies conducted between 2001 and 2011 comprised of a total of 922 patients. Eight studies had a randomized controlled design, and four studies were conducted in the field of pediatric oncology. Studies reported heterogeneous results on short-term improvements in patients’ mood and relaxation and reduced exhaustion and anxiety as well as in coping with the disease and cancer-related pain. Case descriptions showed similar effects in expressing emotions, opening up new goals, and turning the mind toward a healthy process and away form a disease-centered focus. Conclusion: The use of music therapy in the integrative treatment of cancer patients is a therapeutic option whose salutogenetic potential is shown in many case studies such as those presented here. Study results, however, did not draw a conclusive picture of the overall effect of music therapy. In addition to further clinical trials, the evidence mosaic should be complemented with qualitative studies, single case descriptions, and basic research.
A Randomized Controlled Pilot Study Assessing Feasibility and Impact of Yoga Practice on Quality of Life, Mood, and Perceived Stress in Women with Newly Diagnosed Breast Cancer
Authors: Pruthi Sandhya , Stan Daniela L. , Jenkins Sarah M. , Huebner Marianne , Borg Beth A. , Thomley Barbara S. , Cutshall Susanne M. , Singh Ravinder , Kohli Sadhna , Boughey Judy C. , Lemaine Valerie , Nes Lise Solberg 
Published: November 2012

Background: A breast cancer diagnosis can entail numerous physical and psychosocial challenges. Yoga practice (YP) may contribute to improved well-being for these patients. Primary Study Objective: Investigate feasibility and impact of YP on quality of life (QoL), mood, fatigue, and perceived stress immediately after breast cancer diagnosis. Methods: Thirty women were randomly assigned to a yoga group (YG) or control group (CG) immediately after cancer diagnosis. Setting: Pilot study conducted at an academic medical center breast clinic. Participant(s): Females (N = 30) who received a biopsy-proven breast cancer diagnosis without metastatic disease. Intervention (YG): One individual YP session at baseline, then 2 individual and 8 weekly group sessions followed by weekly gentle yoga at home (DVD). Questionnaires and saliva samples (ie, cortisol) completed at baseline and 12 weeks postdiagnosis. Results: Both groups reported significant improvements in QoL postintervention but with no significant difference between groups. Emotional well-being, mood-related tension-anxiety, depression-dejection, and confusion-bewilderment scores improved for both groups, and cortisol and cortisone levels decreased. Lumpectomies were prevalent with YG (67%) and CG (47%). YP was rated as “very effective,” providing relaxation (85%), stress relief (69%), and reduced muscle tension/general feeling of wellness (each 62%). Conclusion: Feasibility of YP immediately after breast cancer diagnosis was good. Improvement in emotional well-being, anxiety, depression, and levels of confusion was found in both groups. To our knowledge, this is the first study examining the impact of YP immediately after breast cancer diagnosis. Further research in this area is warranted.
Repeatability of Pulse Diagnosis and Body Constitution Diagnosis in Traditional Indian Ayurveda Medicine
Authors: Kurande Vrinda , Waagepetersen Rasmus , Toft Egon , Prasad Ramjee , Raturi Lokesh 
Published: November 2012

In Ayurveda, pulse diagnosis and body constitution diagnosis have a long historical use; still, there is lack of quantitative measure of the reliability of these diagnostic methods. Reliability means consistency of information. Consistent diagnosis leads to consistent treatment and is important for clinical practice, education, and research. The objective of this study is to study the methodology to evaluate the test-retest reliability (repeatability) of pulse diagnosis and body constitution diagnosis. A double-blinded, controlled, clinical trial was conducted in Copenhagen. The same doctor, an expert in Ayurvedic pulse diagnosis, examined the pulse and body constitution of 17 healthy participants twice, in random order without seeing them. A metric on pulse and body constitution variables was developed. Cohen's weighted kappa statistic was used as a measure of intra-rater reliability. Permutation tests were used to test the hypothesis of homogeneous diagnosis (ie, the doctor's diagnosis does not depend on the subject). The hypothesis of homogeneous classification was rejected on the 5% significance level (P values of .02 and .001, respectively, for pulse and body constitution diagnosis). According to the Landis and Koch scale, values of the weighted kappa for pulse diagnosis (P = .42) and body constitution diagnosis (P = .65) correspond to “moderate” and “substantial” agreement, respectively. There was a reasonable level of consistency between 2 pulse and body constitution diagnoses. Further studies are required to quantify inter-subject and intra-subject agreement for greater understanding of reliability of pulse and body constitution diagnosis.
No evidence that common genetic risk variation is shared between schizophrenia and autism
Authors: Vorstman Jacob A.S. , Anney Richard J.L. , Derks Eske M. , Gallagher Louise , Gill Michael , de Jonge Maretha V. , van Engeland Herman , Kahn René S. , Ophoff Roel A. ,   the Autism Genome Project, the International Schizophrenia Consortium
Published: November 2012

AbstractThe similarity between aspects of the clinical presentation of schizophrenia and autism spectrum disorders (ASD) suggests that elements of the biological etiology may also be shared between these two disorders. Recently, an increasing number of rare, mostly structural genetic variants are reported to increase the risk of both schizophrenia and ASD. We hypothesized that given this evidence for a shared genetic background based on rare genetic variants, common risk alleles may also be shared between ASD and schizophrenia. To test this hypothesis, the polygenic score, which summarizes the collective effect of a large number of common risk alleles, was used. We examined whether the polygenic score derived from a schizophrenia case–control dataset, previously reported by Purcell et al., was able to differentiate ASD cases from controls. The results demonstrate that the schizophrenia‐derived polygenic score is not different between ASD cases and controls, indicating that there is no important sharing of common risk alleles between the two neuropsychiatric disorders. Possibly, common risk alleles are less important in ASD in comparison to their more prominent role in schizophrenia and bipolar disorders. These findings provide important novel insights into shared and distinct elements of the genetic architecture of autism and schizophrenia. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Assessing the efficacy of endoscopic office olfactory biopsy sites to produce neural progenitor cell cultures for the study of neuropsychiatric disorders
Authors: Wrobel Bozena B. , Mazza Jill M. , Evgrafov Oleg V. , Knowles James A. 
Published: November 2012

BackgroundThe olfactory region is capable of continuous neurogenesis. Situated on the cribriform plate and segments of the superior septum and both superior and middle turbinates, it is accessible through office‐based biopsy and can be used to generate neural progenitor cells to study molecular abnormalities associated with neuropsychiatric disorders. The purpose of the study was to evaluate the efficacy of the endoscopic office olfactory biopsy from middle turbinate and superior‐posterior septum to produce the neural progenitor cells.MethodsEndoscopic office‐based biopsy samples were collected and cultured neuronal cells derived from olfactory neuroepithelium (CNON) were established from 40 healthy individuals and 40 schizophrenia patients. All patients underwent biopsies of both the middle turbinate and the superior‐posterior septum. Specific culture conditions promoted the growth of neural progenitor cells from these biopsy sites. CNON cultures were established from such outgrowing neuronal cells. The study was institutional review board (IRB)‐approved and informed consent was obtained.ResultsCultures were successfully developed from 98.8% of participants. No complications were observed. The single, unsuccessful specimen failed to grow any cell types due to tissue mishandling. Overall, we have observed no significant difference in the effectiveness of biopsy from middle turbinate and superior‐posterior septum to produce neural progenitor cells.ConclusionThe middle turbinate biopsies contain viable neural progenitor cells capable of generating neuronal cell cultures. Thus technically more simple biopsy of the middle turbinate can be used to propagate neural progenitor cells.
The characteristics of intramucosal bacteria in chronic rhinosinusitis: a prospective cross‐sectional analysis
Authors: Kim Raymond , Freeman Joshua , Waldvogel‐Thurlow Sharon , Roberts Sally , Douglas Richard 
Published: November 2012

BackgroundWe have observed subepithelial bacterial microcolonies within the mucosa of patients with chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS). These were predominantly Staphylococcus aureus and did not appear to elicit a local inflammatory response. We hypothesized that these microcolonies had made adaptations allowing them to exist apparently undetected within the mucosa. We sought to determine whether the tissue colonies had genotypic or phenotypic variations from the surface bacteria.MethodsMucosal swabs and tissue biopsies were taken from 31 patients with CRS undergoing functional endoscopic sinus surgery, and 9 with normal sinuses having transnasal pituitary surgery. Biopsied tissues were assessed histologically, by routine culture, and by culture techniques facilitating growth of small colony variants (SCVs). Genotypic typing compared isolates of S. aureus that were cultured from both swab and tissue samples. The activity of the accessory gene regulator (agr) gene, a global regulator of S. aureus virulence, was evaluated indirectly by determining the hemolytic activity of the colonies on blood agar.ResultsSCVs were grown from 2 samples but these were found not to possess the nuc gene, specific to S. aureus. When S. aureus was recovered from both swab and mucosa, the genetic profiles were indistinguishable in all but 1 patient. All S. aureus cultured from mucosa demonstrated β‐hemolysis, implying normal agr activity.ConclusionIntramucosal S. aureus are genetically closely related and phenotypically similar to surface S. aureus. Further studies are needed to explore the possible mechanisms by which intramucosal colonies become less immunogenic, and the role of the colonies in the pathophysiology of CRS.
When sneezing indicates the cell type
Authors: Gelardi Matteo , Quaranta Nicola , Passalacqua Giovanni 
Published: November 2012

BackgroundNasal hyperreactivity is the symptomatic expression of vasomotor rhinitis. This study describes a typical nasal reaction, represented by a “volley of sneezes” found in some patients during nasal endoscopy, and to assess the possible correlation between hyperreactivity and a particular clinical and cytological condition.MethodsWe studied 671 rhinological subjects, 344 male, mean age 35.7 ± 13.76 standard deviation (SD) years. All were submitted to medical histories and clinical and instrumental investigations (skin prick test, nasal endoscopy, and nasal cytology). While performing endoscopy, particular attention was paid to the possible signs of nasal hyperreactivity, in particular “volley of sneezes” both during and immediately after the diagnostic procedure.ResultsOut of 671 endoscopies performed, 130 (17.1%) patients presented signs of hyperreactivity during and/or immediately after nasal endoscopy. The ratio of positive vasomotor reaction was 10.6% in the nasal polyposis (NP) group, 19% in the allergic rhinitis (AR) group, 70.6% (p < 0.01) in nonallergic rhinitis with mast cells (NARMA), 76% (p < 0.01) in nonallergic rhinitis with eosinophils and mast cells (NARESMA), and 83% (p < 0.01) in nonallergic rhinitis with eosinophils (NARES). In the AR subjects hyperreactivity was more frequent during the pollen season, compared to the period of absence of pollen (87.5% vs 12%).ConclusionThe onset of hyperreactivity (sneezing) can be considered an important “sign” in nasal symptomatology, whose sensitivity and specificity for nonallergic “cellular” rhinitis are 79% and 93%, respectively.
Pathophysiology of and potential new therapies for allergic rhinitis
Authors: Osguthorpe John David 
Published: November 2012

BackgroundAdvancement in laboratory techniques in the past decade, coupled with clinical studies, has afforded a better understanding of the genetic and molecular mechanisms underlying allergy.MethodsThe literature on the pathophysiology of allergic rhinitis, systemic and local, was reviewed, with emphasis on the last 3 years.ResultsThe basis in allergic rhinitis for the T‐lymphocyte helper 2 cell and associated cytokine bias, and the ameliorating effects of T‐regulatory lymphocytes and their cytokines, is summarized. New or currently under development pharmacotherapeutic agents are briefly presented.ConclusionMuch of the molecular basis for the manifestations of allergy can now be explained, and may afford strategies to interrupt the development of disease or ameliorate such already present.
Synchronic Transformations of Molecular States and Macroscopic Phases in Valence‐Tautomeric Complexes
Authors: Chang Ho‐Chol , Kiriya Daisuke 
Published: November 2012

AbstractValence tautomerism (VT) refers to equilibria between two or more different tautomers differing in their charge distributions. This contribution shows how molecular VT occurring in metal–dioxolene complexes (metal = cobalt, manganese) functionalized with long alkyl chains can be coupled with several types of macroscopic phase transformations, such as solid‐to‐solid and solid‐to‐liquid transitions and the double‐melting phenomenon. Observations of simultaneous transformation of molecular and macroscopic states have led to the concept of synchronic bistability. The central focus in this microreview is on molecular design, thermodynamic basis, and kinetic control of the synchronic bistability. It is demonstrated that a key factor in designing a synchronic transformation is to build up strong interdependent correlations between molecules and their assembled states.
Chitosan Aerogel Beads as a Heterogeneous Organocatalyst for the Asymmetric Aldol Reaction in the Presence of Water: An Assessment of the Effect of Additives
Authors: Gioia Claudio , Ricci Alfredo , Bernardi Luca , Bourahla Khadidja , Tanchoux Nathalie , Robitzer Mike , Quignard Françoise 
Published: November 2012

AbstractThe catalytic properties of chitosan aerogel for the direct asymmetric aldol reaction in water assisted by various surfactants and acid co‐catalysts have been evaluated by employing a range of donor and acceptor systems. A beneficial effect on both the yields and enantioselectivities was observed, and the combination of surfactants and acid co‐catalysts has proven particularly useful in the case of heterocyclic ketone donors.
Why permafrost rocks become unstable: a rock–ice‐mechanical model in time and space
Authors: Krautblatter Michael , Funk Daniel , Günzel Friederike K. 
Published: November 2012

ABSTRACTIn this paper, we develop a mechanical model that relates the destabilization of thawing permafrost rock slopes to temperature‐related effects on both, rock‐ and ice‐mechanics; and laboratory testing of key assumptions is performed. Degrading permafrost is considered to be an important factor for rock–slope failures in alpine and arctic environments, but the mechanics are poorly understood. The destabilization is commonly attributed to changes in ice‐mechanical properties while bedrock friction and fracture propagation have not been considered yet. However, fracture toughness, compressive and tensile strength decrease by up to 50% and more when intact water‐saturated rock thaws. Based on literature and experiments, we develop a modified Mohr–Coulomb failure criterion for ice‐filled rock fractures that incorporates fracturing of rock bridges, friction of rough fracture surfaces, ductile creep of ice and detachment mechanisms along rock–ice interfaces. Novel laboratory setups were developed to assess the temperature dependency of the friction of ice‐free rock–rock interfaces and the shear detachment of rock–ice interfaces. In degrading permafrost, rock‐mechanical properties may control early stages of destabilization and become more important for higher normal stress, i.e. higher magnitudes of rock–slope failure. Ice‐mechanical properties outbalance the importance of rock‐mechanical components after the deformation accelerates and are more relevant for smaller magnitudes. The model explains why all magnitudes of rock–slope failures can be prepared and triggered by permafrost degradation and is capable of conditioning long para‐glacial response times. Here, we present a synoptic rock‐ and ice‐mechanical model that explains the mechanical destabilization processes operating in warming permafrost rocks. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.