bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The cooperative international neuromuscular research group Duchenne natural history study: Glucocorticoid treatment preserves clinically meaningful functional milestones and reduces rate of disease progression as measured by manual muscle testing and other commonly used clinical trial outcome measures
Authors: Henricson Erik K. , Abresch R. Ted , Cnaan Avital , Hu Fengming , Duong Tina , Arrieta Adrienne , Han Jay , Escolar Diana M. , Florence Julaine M. , Clemens Paula R. , Hoffman Eric P. , McDonald Craig M. ,   the CINRG Investigators
Published: February 2013

ABSTRACTIntroduction: Glucocorticoid (GC) therapy in Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) has altered disease progression, necessitating contemporary natural history studies. Methods: The Cooperative Neuromuscular Research Group (CINRG) DMD Natural History Study (DMD‐NHS) enrolled 340 DMD males, ages 2–28 years. A comprehensive battery of measures was obtained. Results: A novel composite functional “milestone” scale scale showed clinically meaningful mobility and upper limb abilities were significantly preserved in GC‐treated adolescents/young adults. Manual muscle test (MMT)‐based calculations of global strength showed that those patients <10 years of age treated with steroids declined by 0.4±0.39 MMT unit/year, compared with −0.4±0.39 MMT unit/year in historical steroid‐naive subjects. Pulmonary function tests (PFTs) were relatively preserved in steroid‐treated adolescents. The linearity and magnitude of decline in measures were affected by maturational changes and functional status. Conclusions: In DMD, long‐term use of GCs showed reduced strength loss and preserved functional capabilities and PFTs compared with previous natural history studies performed prior to the widespread use of GC therapy. Muscle Nerve, 2013
OnabotulinumtoxinA improves urodynamic outcomes in patients with neurogenic detrusor overactivity
Authors: Rovner Eric , Dmochowski Roger , Chapple Christopher , Thompson Catherine , Lam Wayne , Haag‐Molkenteller Cornelia 
Published: February 2013

AbstractAimsTo evaluate the effect of onabotulinumtoxinA on urodynamic outcomes in patients with urinary incontinence (UI) due to neurogenic detrusor overactivity (NDO).MethodsResults from two pivotal Phase III trials (n = 691) were pooled. MS or SCI patients with NDO, received intradetrusor onabotulinumtoxinA 200 U (n = 227), 300 U (n = 223), or placebo (n = 241). Change from baseline in UI episodes/week (Week 6), maximum cystometric capacity (MCC), maximum detrusor pressure at first involuntary detrusor contraction (IDC) (PdetmaxIDC), volume at first IDC (VpmaxIDC), and detrusor compliance (DC) were measured.ResultsOnabotulinumtoxinA significantly increased MCC overall (+153.6 ml with 200 U vs. +11.9 ml with placebo). Over 60% of onabotulinumtoxinA‐treated patients had no IDC at Week 6; in patients with an IDC at Week 6, VpmaxIDC improved (+183.4 ml with 200 U vs. +17.5 ml with placebo), and PdetmaxIDC decreased (−32.4 cmH2O with 200 U vs. +1.1 cmH2O with placebo). OnabotulinumtoxinA‐treated patients had a significant increase in DC (+59.8 ml/cmH2O with 200 U vs. −5.2 with placebo). Urodynamic improvements were comparable in patients regardless of baseline DC and corresponded with significant reductions in UI episodes/week for both onabotulinumtoxinA doses versus placebo, with no clinically relevant differences between 200 and 300 U groups. Most common adverse event was urinary tract infection (UTI); complicated UTIs were low across all treatment groups. In patients not catheterizing at baseline, a dose‐dependent increase in post‐void residual urine was observed at Week 2 following onabotulinumtoxinA treatment.ConclusionsOnabotulinumtoxinA significantly improved urodynamic outcomes in NDO patients, even in those with low baseline DC, and corresponded with improvements in UI episodes. Both doses of onabotulinumtoxinA were well tolerated. Neurourol. Urodynam. 32:1109–1115, 2013. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
The incentive effect of acceptance sampling plans in a supply chain with endogenous product quality
Authors: Wan Hong , Xu Xiaowei , Ni Tian 
Published: February 2013

AbstractThis article studies a firm that procures a product from a supplier. The quality of each product unit is measured by a continuous variable that follows a normal distribution and is correlated within a batch. The firm conducts an inspection and pays the supplier only if the product batch passes the inspection. The inspection not only serves the purpose of preventing a bad batch from reaching customers but also offers the supplier an incentive to improve product quality. The firm determines the acceptance sampling plan, and the supplier determines the quality effort level in either a simultaneous game or a Stackelberg leadership game, in which both parties share inspection cost and recall loss caused by low product quality. In the simultaneous game, we identify the Nash equilibrium form, provide sufficient conditions that guarantee the existence of a pure strategy Nash equilibrium, and find parameter settings under which the decentralized and centralized supply chains achieve the same outcome. By numerical experiments, we show that the firm's acceptance sampling plan and the supplier's quality effort level are sensitive to both the recall loss sharing ratio and the game format (i.e., the precommitment assumption of the inspection policy). © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Naval Research Logistics, 2013
Static hot carrier populations as a function of optical excitation energy detected through energy selective contacts by optically assisted IV
Authors: König Dirk , Hiller Daniel , Zacharias Margit , Michard Stephan , Flynn Christopher 
Published: February 2013

ABSTRACTWe investigated the behavior of carrier populations generated at the interface of an n‐Si wafer to an Si quantum dot (QD) array embedded in SiO2 with a photon flux ranging from 1.24 to 2.48 eV (1000 to 500 nm). The optically assisted IV method was used with the Si wafer as hot carrier (HC) absorber and the Si QD array as energy selective contact (ESC). Charge carriers obtain excess energy from photons with energies significantly exceeding the band gap, resulting in an HC population. This reduces the bias field required to provide kinetic energy by field emission. The ESC can collect HCs at lower bias voltages. Tunneling resonances show the energy selective behavior under illumination at 80 K and room temperature (295 K). The data at 80 K can arguably be interpreted as an HC population in Si within the range of the ballistic mean free path from the QD array. We discovered a correlation between the energetic shift of the average hot hole temperature near the valence band edge and the energy of the photons impinging on the mesa structures. The optically assisted IV technique delivers a proof of principle for operation of an Si QD array as an ESC at room temperature, and furthermore for an HC solar cell with one ESC at 80 K. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Combination effects of dietary soy and methylselenocysteine in a mouse model of prostate cancer
Authors: Christensen Merrill J. , Quiner Trevor E. , Nakken Heather L. , Lephart Edwin D. , Eggett Dennis L. , Urie Paul M. 
Published: February 2013

AbstractBACKGROUNDHigh dietary intake of soy or selenium (Se) is associated with decreased risk of prostate cancer. Soy constituents and various chemical forms of Se have each been shown to downregulate expression of the androgen receptor (AR) and AR‐regulated genes in the prostate. We hypothesized that downregulation of AR and AR‐regulated genes by the combination of these dietary components would inhibit tumorigenesis in the TRansgenic Adenocarcinoma of Mouse Prostate (TRAMP) mouse.METHODSMale mice were exposed from conception to stock diets high or low in soy, with or without a supplement of Se‐methylseleno‐L‐cysteine (MSC) in a 2 × 2 factorial design. Mice were sacrificed at 18 weeks. Prostate histopathology, urogenital tract (UGT) weight, hepatic activity of androgen‐metabolizing enzymes, and expression of AR, AR‐regulated, and AR‐associated FOX family genes, in the dorsolateral prostate were examined.RESULTSHigh soy intake decreased activity of hepatic aromatase and 5α‐reductase, expression of AR, AR‐regulated genes, FOXA1, UGT weight, and tumor progression, and upregulated protective FOXO3. Supplemental MSC upregulated AKR1C14, which reduces 5α‐dihydrotestosterone.CONCLUSIONSSoy is an effective pleiotropic dietary agent for prevention of prostate cancer. The finding of effects of soy on FOX family gene expression in animals is novel. Combination effects of supplemental MSC may depend upon the soy content of the basal diet to which it is added. Prostate 73: 986–995, 2013. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Expression and role of the angiotensin II AT2 receptor in human prostate tissue: In search of a new therapeutic option for prostate cancer
Authors: Guimond Marie‐Odile , Battista Marie‐Claude , Nikjouitavabi Fatemeh , Carmel Maude , Barres Véronique , Doueik Alexandre A. , Fazli Ladan , Gleave Martin , Sabbagh Robert , Gallo‐Payet Nicole 
Published: February 2013

AbstractBACKGROUNDEvidence shows that angiotensin II type 1 receptor (AT1R) blockers may be associated with improved outcome in prostate cancer patients. It has been proposed that part of this effect could be due to angiotensin II type 2 receptor (AT2R) activation, the only active angiotensin II receptor in this situation. This study aimed to characterize the localization and expression of AT2R in prostate tissues and to assess its role on cell morphology and number in prostatic epithelial cells in primary culture.METHODSAT2R and its AT2R‐interacting protein (ATIP) expression were assessed on non‐tumoral and tumoral human prostate using tissue microarray immunohistochemistry, binding assay, and Western blotting. AT2R effect on cell number was measured in primary cultures of epithelial cells from non‐tumoral human prostate.RESULTSAT2R was localized at the level of the acinar epithelial layer and its expression decreased in cancers with a Gleason score 6 or higher. In contrast, ATIP expression increased with cancer progression. Treatment of primary cell cultures from non‐tumoral prostate tissues with C21/M024, a selective AT2R agonist, alone or in co‐incubation with losartan, an AT1R antagonist, significantly decreased cell number compared to untreated cells.CONCLUSIONSAT2R and ATIP are present in non‐tumoral human prostate tissues and differentially regulated according to Gleason score. The decrease in non‐tumoral prostate cell number upon selective AT2R stimulation suggests that AT2R may have a protective role against prostate cancer development. Treatment with a selective AT2R agonist could represent a new approach for prostate cancer prevention or for patients on active surveillance. Prostate 73: 1057–1068, 2013. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Thermal chemical vapor deposition of layered aligned carbon‐nanotube films separated by graphite layers
Authors: Zeng Bo , Gao Min , Liu Shenghua , Pan Taisong , Huang Zhenlong , Lin Yuan 
Published: February 2013

AbstractLayered carbon‐nanotube (CNT) films were prepared using a thermal chemical vapor deposition method by introducing hydrogen gas for a period of time during the growth. Scanning electron microscopy indicates that the films are made up of two vertically oriented CNT layers separated by continuous graphite layers. Energy‐dispersive spectrometry confirms that the two layers of CNT arrays have different growth modes: the tip growth mode for the bottom layer and the base growth mode for the top layer. Raman spectra were used to characterize the quality of the two layers of CNT arrays. A possible growth model for the layered CNT separated by graphite layers was proposed.
AlGaN/GaN MIS‐gate HEMTs with SiCN gate stacks
Authors: Kobayashi K. , Kano M. , Yoshida T. , Katayama R. , Matsuoka T. , Otsuji T. , Suemitsu T. 
Published: February 2013

AbstractThis paper reports AlGaN/GaN metal‐insulator‐semiconductor (MIS)‐gate high electron mobility transistors (HEMTs) with a SiCN gate stack deposited by plasma‐enhanced chemical vapour deposition (PECVD) using hexamethyldisilazane (HMDS) vapor. A transconductance of 69 mS/mm and a current gain cutoff frequency (fT) of 25 GHz are obtained for the SiCN MIS‐HEMTs with a gate length of 0.3 µm. These performances are better than those of the Schottky‐gate reference devices. To clarify the origin of these improvements, we verified the cleaning effect of hydrogen used as a carrier gas for HMDS during the PECVD of SiCN. The results indicate that the hydrogen annealing improves the drain current density and fT as well as it suppresses the current collapse. (© 2013 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
An accurate interband tunneling model for InAs/GaSb heterostructure devices
Authors: Shams Md. Itrat Bin , Xie Yi , Lu Yeqing , Fay Patrick 
Published: February 2013

AbstractA numerical model that accurately describes interband tunneling in backward diodes and broken‐gap tunnel diode structures based on the InAs/GaSb material system is described. The model applies the transfer matrix method to discretized bias‐dependent energy band profiles to calculate the transmission probability for tunneling. The model has been validated against experimental results, with good agreement in the current‐voltage and curvature coefficient having been obtained for a range of hetero‐structure backward diode and interband tunnel diode structures. (© 2013 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
A Bayesian criterion for cluster stability
Authors: Koepke Hoyt , Clarke Bertrand 
Published: February 2013

AbstractWe present a technique for evaluating and comparing how clusterings reveal structure inherent in the data set. Our technique is based on a criterion evaluating how much point‐to‐cluster distances may be perturbed without affecting the membership of the points. Although similar to some existing perturbation methods, our approach distinguishes itself in five ways. First, the strength of the perturbations is indexed by a prior distribution controlling how close to boundary regions a point may be before it is considered unstable. Second, our approach is exact in that we integrate over all the perturbations; in practice, this can be done efficiently for well‐chosen prior distributions. Third, we provide a rigorous theoretical treatment of the approach, showing that it is consistent for estimating the correct number of clusters. Fourth, it yields a detailed picture of the behavior and structure of the clustering. Finally, it is computationally tractable and easy to use, requiring only a point‐to‐cluster distance matrix as input. In a simulation study, we show that it outperforms several existing methods in terms of recovering the correct number of clusters. We also illustrate the technique in three real data sets. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Statistical Analysis and Data Mining, 2013
SnO2‐Based Nanomaterials: Synthesis and Application in Lithium‐Ion Batteries
Authors: Chen Jun Song , Lou Xiong Wen (David) 
Published: February 2013

AbstractThe development of new electrode materials for lithium‐ion batteries (LIBs) has always been a focal area of materials science, as the current technology may not be able to meet the high energy demands for electronic devices with better performance. Among all the metal oxides, tin dioxide (SnO2) is regarded as a promising candidate to serve as the anode material for LIBs due to its high theoretical capacity. Here, a thorough survey is provided of the synthesis of SnO2‐based nanomaterials with various structures and chemical compositions, and their application as negative electrodes for LIBs. It covers SnO2 with different morphologies ranging from 1D nanorods/nanowires/nanotubes, to 2D nanosheets, to 3D hollow nanostructures. Nanocomposites consisting of SnO2 and different carbonaceous supports, e.g., amorphous carbon, carbon nanotubes, graphene, are also investigated. The use of Sn‐based nanomaterials as the anode material for LIBs will be briefly discussed as well. The aim of this review is to provide an in‐depth and rational understanding such that the electrochemical properties of SnO2‐based anodes can be effectively enhanced by making proper nanostructures with optimized chemical composition. By focusing on SnO2, the hope is that such concepts and strategies can be extended to other potential metal oxides, such as titanium dioxide or iron oxides, thus shedding some light on the future development of high‐performance metal‐oxide based negative electrodes for LIBs.
Weld design and fabrication for RHS connections
Authors: McFadden Matthew R. , Sun Min , Packer Jeffrey A. 
Published: February 2013

AbstractThe 2010 AISC Specification for Structural Steel Buildings has expanded its scope in chapter K “Design of HSS and Box Member Connections” to include a section K4 “Welds of Plates and Branches to Rectangular HSS”. This paper discusses the historical development of the effective weld properties and analyses the structural reliability of the provisions. Additionally, there is a discussion on recent changes in U.S. and Canadian specifications/ codes with regard to the limit states for fillet weld design and the acceptance/rejection of the (1.00 + 0.50 sin1.5θ) term. Finally, there is a discussion of the details of an experimental research programme being performed at the University of Toronto in collaboration with AISC to determine the weld effective length in RHS T‐connections under branch in‐plane bending moments. In conclusion, it is found that the inclusion of the (1.00 + 0.50 sin1.5θ) term for RHS gapped K‐connections as well as T‐ and X‐connections, based on the limit state of shear failure along the effective throat of the weld, may be unsafe for fillet weld design when used in conjunction with the current effective weld length rules.
Experimental behaviour of friction T‐stub beam‐to‐column joints under cyclic loads
Authors: Latour Massimo , Piluso Vincenzo , Rizzano Gianvittorio 
Published: February 2013

AbstractEurocode 8 has introduced the possibility of adopting partial‐strength joints for seismic‐resistant MR frames, provided it is demonstrated that connections perform adequately under cyclic loads. A programme of experiments devoted to investigating the cyclic behaviour of traditional joint details has recently been carried out by the authors. Within this programme, the analysis of the results obtained has revealed that even though connections designed to dissipate the seismic energy in bolted components can provide significant advantages because they are easy to repair after a destructive seismic event, they possess reduced dissipation capacity when compared with RBS connections and traditional full‐strength joints. An advanced approach aimed at enhancing the hysteretic behaviour of double split tee (DST) joints and the ambitious goal of preventing joint damage is presented here. The system proposed is based on the idea of using friction dampers within the components of beam‐to‐column joints. A preliminary set of prototypes has been tested experimentally and the performances of joints under cyclic loading conditions have been compared with those of traditional joint details. The experimental work was carried out at the Materials
Monopile foundations for offshore wind turbines – solutions for greater water depths
Authors: Scharff Rüdiger , Siems Michael 
Published: February 2013

AbstractA study into the feasibility of monopile foundations at sites in the North Sea with water depths as great as 35 m has been carried out in which various options for the geometric configuration and the selection of material were considered. In parameter studies, simplified design methods were applied to assess the effects of the individual load components at the draft design stage. The fatigue limit state becomes more and more relevant as the water depth increases; therefore, dynamic effects must be examined with special care. Turbine concepts with low RNA mass and low rated speed help to achieve the desired design in the soft‐stiff regime. As a result, it can be said that monopile foundations with their great manufacturing advantages can be constructed for water depths beyond the current limits of practical experience if the logistical challenges in handling large masses are solved.
Large‐eddy simulation of stable boundary layer turbulence and estimation of associated wind turbine loads
Authors: Park J. , Basu S. , Manuel L. 
Published: February 2013

ABSTRACTStochastic simulation of turbulent inflow fields commonly used in wind turbine load computations is unable to account for contrasting states of atmospheric stability. Flow fields in the stable boundary layer, for instance, have characteristics such as enhanced wind speed and directional shear; these effects can influence loads on utility‐scale wind turbines. To investigate these influences, we use large‐eddy simulation (LES) to generate an extensive database of high‐resolution ( ∼ 10 m), four‐dimensional turbulent flow fields. Key atmospheric conditions (e.g., geostrophic wind) and surface conditions (e.g., aerodynamic roughness length) are systematically varied to generate a diverse range of physically realizable atmospheric stabilities. We show that turbine‐scale variables (e.g., hub height wind speed, standard deviation of the longitudinal wind speed, wind speed shear, wind directional shear and Richardson number) are strongly interrelated. Thus, we strongly advocate that these variables should not be prescribed as independent degrees of freedom in any synthetic turbulent inflow generator but rather that any turbulence generation procedure should be able to bring about realistic sets of such physically realizable sets of turbine‐scale flow variables. We demonstrate the utility of our LES‐generated database in estimation of loads on a 5‐MW wind turbine model. More importantly, we identify specific turbine‐scale flow variables that are responsible for large turbine loads—e.g., wind speed shear is found to have a greater influence on out‐of‐plane blade bending moments for the turbine studied compared with its influence on other loads such as the tower‐top yaw moment and the fore‐aft tower base moment.Overall, our study suggests that LES may be effectively used to model inflow fields, to study characteristics of flow fields under various atmospheric stability conditions and to assess turbine loads for conditions that are not typically examined in design standards. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.