bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Dysphagia following combined anterior-posterior cervical spine surgeries
Authors: Chen Ching-Jen , Saulle Dwight , Fu Kai-Ming , Smith Justin S. , Shaffrey Christopher I. 
Published: July 2013

Object
This study was undertaken to evaluate the incidence of and risk factors associated with the development of dysphagia following same-day combined anterior-posterior cervical spine surgeries.

Methods
The records of 30 consecutive patients who underwent same-day combined anterior-posterior cervical spine surgery were reviewed. The presence of dysphagia was assessed by a formalized screening protocol using history/clinical presentation and a bedside swallowing test, followed by formal evaluation by speech and language pathologists and/or fiberoptic endoscopic evaluation of swallowing/modified barium swallow when necessary. Age, sex, previous cervical surgeries, diagnoses, duration of procedure, specific vertebral levels and number of levels operated on, degree of sagittal curve correction, use of anterior plate, estimated blood loss, use of recombinant human bone morphogenetic protein-2 (rhBMP-2), and length of hospital stay following procedures were analyzed.

Results
In the immediate postoperative period, 13 patients (43.3%) developed dysphagia. Outpatient follow-up data were available for 11 patients with dysphagia, and within this subset, all cases of dysphagia resolved subjectively within 12 months following surgery. The mean numbers of anterior levels surgically treated in patients with and without dysphagia were 5.1 and 4.0, respectively (p = 0.004). All patients (100%) with dysphagia had an anterior procedure that extended above C-4, compared with 58.8% of patients without dysphagia (p = 0.010). Patients with dysphagia had significantly greater mean correction of C2–7 lordosis than patients without dysphagia (p = 0.020). The postoperative sagittal occiput–C2 angle and the change in this angle were not significantly associated with the occurrence of dysphagia (p = 0.530 and p = 0.711, respectively). Patients with postoperative dysphagia had significantly longer hospital stays than those who did not develop dysphagia (p = 0.004). No other significant difference between the dysphagia and no-dysphagia groups was identified; differences with respect to history of previous anterior cervical surgery (p = 0.141), use of an anterior plate (p = 0.613), and mean length of anterior cervical operative time (p = 0.541) were not significant.

Conclusions
The incidence of dysphagia following combined anterior-posterior cervical surgery in this study was comparable to that of previous reports. The risk factors for dysphagia that were identified in this study were increased number of anterior levels exposed, anterior surgery that extended above C-4, and increased surgical correction of C2–7 lordosis.
Dense avalanche friction coefficients: influence of physical properties of snow
Authors: Naaim Mohamed , Durand Yves , Eckert Nicolas , Chambon Guillaume 
Published: July 2013

AbstractThe values of the Voellmy friction parameters of 735 historical avalanches that have occurred along 26 paths in the Chamonix valley, France, since 1958 are back-analyzed with a depth-averaged hydraulic model, including sub-models for erosion, entrainment and deposition. For each path, the longitudinal and crosswise topographic profiles were derived from a high-resolution digital elevation model acquired by laser scanning. The initial snow depth and snow cohesion, as well as various physical properties of snow, were computed from numerical simulations of the detailed snowpack model Crocus fed by the SAFRAN meteorological analysis. For each event, the full ranges of the two friction parameters were scanned and the pairs of friction parameters for which the run-out altitude is found close enough to the observed one (with an uncertainty of ±5 m) were retained. Statistical class analysis was used to investigate the correlation between the obtained friction coefficients and the snow physical properties. No evident trend with the snow parameters was found for the inertial friction coefficient. For the static friction coefficient, an increasing trend with temperature and density was observed, as well as a decreasing trend with liquid water content and initial snow depth. Although modeling assumptions and limitations regarding data and the calibration procedure should be kept in mind, these trends are worth noting, allowing avalanche simulations to be refined to take into account prevailing weather and snow conditions.
Reconfigurable and Modular Mobile Robotics Platform for Remote Experiments
Authors: Verbelen Yannick , Taelman Pieter , Braeken An , Touhafi Abdellah 
Published: July 2013

In this paper a hardware and software architecture
based on a modular approach for a recon?gurable mobile robot
is developed with intended use as remote experiment. A Field
Programmable Gate Array (FPGA) was chosen as control unit for
the robot and allows the implementation of custom hardware and
software by the user. FPGA con?gurations are downloaded to the
robot using a selectable wireless interface. Users can take control
of all elementary robot hardware, and an on-system recovery
mechanism is included to ensure a fallback to a golden image in
case of errors in downloaded bit streams.
Rejoinder to Dennis C. Hardin:
Authors: Bissell Roger E. 
Published: July 2013

Abstract
The author reiterates his thesis that the motivation for power lust in liberals, conservatives, and totalitarians cannot be explained by “metaphysical importance” (or even, as per Hardin's suggestion, “superior metaphysical importance”) of economic or noneconomic activity per se, but only by the metaphysical fear that voluntary action in one or both of these realms evokes in statists of whatever stripe. Rand actually made both of these arguments, but only the latter has psychological explanatory power and plausibility in terms of Rand's discussion of the benevolent and malevolent universe premises, and thus is to be preferred over the former.
Gestures in Instructional Animations: A Helping Hand to Understanding Non‐human Movements?
Authors: de Koning Björn B. , Tabbers Huib K. 
Published: July 2013

SummaryRecent research on dynamic visualizations suggests that these visualizations are effective for learning human movements such as knot tying or paper folding. Using embodied theories of cognition, this study investigated whether learning non‐human movements from a dynamic visualization can also be enhanced by grounding these movements in the learner's motor system. University students viewed an animation on lightning formation, and followed the animation's movements with gestures, saw an on‐screen human hand follow the movements or saw an arrow follow the movements. Results showed that observing an on‐screen human hand following the movements in the animation, but not actually performing these movements, enhanced retention and transfer performance compared with watching the animation without gestures. This suggests that observation of human hand movement in animation‐based instruction, which plays an important role in learning of procedural‐motor tasks, can also improve people's learning from other dynamic systems. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
A Facile Method to Improve the Photocatalytic and Lithium‐Ion Rechargeable Battery Performance of TiO2 Nanocrystals
Authors: Xia Ting , Zhang Wei , Murowchick James B. , Liu Gao , Chen Xiaobo 
Published: July 2013

AbstractTiO2 has been well studied as an ultraviolet (UV) photocatalyst and electrode material for lithium‐ion rechargeable batteries. Recent studies have shown that hydrogenated TiO2 displayed better photocatalytic and lithium ion battery performances. Here it is demonstrated that the photocatalytic and battery performances of TiO2 nanocrystals can be successfully improved with a facile low‐temperature vacuum process. These TiO2 nanocrystals extend their optical absorption far into the visible‐light region, display nanometer‐scale surface atomic rearrangement, possess superoxide ion characteristics at room temperature without light irradiation, show a 4‐fold improvement in photocatalytic activity, and has 30% better performance in capacity and charge/discharge rates for lithium ion battery. This facile method could provide an alternative and effective approach to improve the performance of TiO2 and other materials towards their practical applications.
Prehistory in a nutshell: a Lapita‐age nut‐cracking stone from the Arawe Islands, Papua New Guinea
Authors: Lentfer Carol , Matthews Peter J. , Gosden Chris , Lindsay Sue , Specht Jim 
Published: July 2013

AbstractOrganic residue on a stone artefact recovered from the Makekur Lapita site (FOH) on Arawe Island in West New Britain Province, Papua New Guinea, was sampled and dated. The residue is identified as endocarp fragments of a Canarium species nutshell, most likely Canarium indicum L. The artefact, which is made from coralline limestone, is interpreted as a nut‐cracking anvil. AMS dating places its use at approximately 2800 calBP, in Middle–Late Lapita times, and provides the first direct confirmation of Lapita‐age use of nut‐cracking tools. The careful shaping of the tool, combined with ethnographic comparisons, suggests that it was made and used for preparation of special food, possibly for feasting associated with ritual or other ceremonial activities.
Darumbal voyaging: intensifying use of central Queensland's Shoalwater Bay islands over the past 5000 years
Authors: McNiven Ian J. , De Maria Nicole , Weisler Marshall , Lewis Tara 
Published: July 2013

AbstractIsland archipelagos of the tropical coast of central Queensland include the most distant offshore islands used by Aboriginal Australians. Excavations on Collins, Otterbourne and High Peak Islands, located up to 40 km from the mainland, reveal evidence of offshore voyaging and marine specialisation in the Shoalwater Bay region for at least 5200 years. A time lag of up to 3000 years between island formation and systematic island use may reflect delayed development of key marine resources. Expansion of island use commencing around 3000–3500 years ago is linked to population increases sustained by synchronous increases in marine resources. Occupational hiatuses variously between 1000 and 3000 years ago are associated with increased ENSO activity. Intensified island use within the past 1000 years is primarily a social phenomenon associated with continuing demographic pressures and the development of more coastally and marine‐focused mainland groups, with settlement patterns increasingly encompassing adjacent islands. The viability of risky offshore canoe voyaging was underwritten by two key high‐return subsistence pursuits – hunting green turtles and collecting turtle eggs. In addition to subsistence and quartz quarrying, a key motivation for island visitation may have been socially restricted (e.g. ceremonial) practices.
Neural Network On‐Line Modeling and Controlling Method for Multi‐Variable Control of Wastewater Treatment Processes
Authors: Qiao Jun‐fei , Han Guang , Han Hong‐gui 
Published: July 2013

ABSTRACTA neural network on‐line modeling and controlling method (NNOMC) is proposed in this paper for multi‐variable control of wastewater treatment processes (WWTPs). According to the approximating character of the feedforward neural network (FNN), a modeling FNN is proposed to simulate and decouple WWTPs. Then, an FNN controller for multi‐variable control of WWTPs is designed. Moreover, the stability of the NNOMC method is proven in a general inference via the limitation of the learning rate of the FNN. Finally, this proposed NNOMC method is used in the international benchmark of WWTPs. The results show the NNOMC method owns both better approximating and controlling performance.
Finite Time Stability Analysis of Switched Systems with Stable and Unstable Subsystems
Authors: Chen Guopei , Yang Ying , Pan Qingnian 
Published: July 2013

ABSTRACTIn this paper, we study the finite time stability of nonlinear switched systems consisting of both stable and unstable subsystems. First, the finite time stability of systems is studied using the activation time of the subsystems. We show that if the total activation time of unstable subsystems is relatively small compared with that of finite time stable subsystems, then finite time stability of switched systems is guaranteed. Second, the finite time stability of systems is studied based on the comparison principle. We show that if the comparison system is finite time stable, then the finite time stability of switched systems is guaranteed. Finally, a concrete application is provided to demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed methods.
Biogas upgrading – technology overview, comparison and perspectives for the future
Authors: Bauer Fredric , Persson Tobias , Hulteberg Christian , Tamm Daniel 
Published: July 2013

AbstractThe utilization of biogas produced from organic materials such as agricultural wastes or manure is increasing. However, the raw biogas contains a large share of carbon dioxide which must be removed before utilization in many applications, for example, using the gas as vehicle fuel. The process – biogas upgrading – can be performed with several technologies: water scrubbing, organic solvent scrubbing, amine scrubbing, pressure swing adsorption (PSA), and gas separation membranes. This perspective presents the technologies that are used commercially for biogas upgrading today, recent developments in the field and compares the technologies with regard to aspects such as technology maturity, investment cost, energy demand and consumables. Emerging technologies for small‐scale upgrading and future applications of upgraded biogas such as liquefied biogas are also discussed. It shows that the market situation has changed rapidly in recent years, from being totally dominated by pressure swing adsorption (PSA) and water scrubbing to being more balanced with new technologies (amine scrubbing) reaching significant market shares. There are significant economies of scale for all the technologies investigated, the specific investment costs are similar for plants with a throughput capacity of 1500 Nm3 raw biogas per hour or larger. Biogas production is increasing in Europe and around the globe, and so is the interest in the efficient use of upgraded biogas as vehicle fuel or in other applications. The market for biogas upgrading will most likely be characterized by harder competition with the establishment of new upgrading technologies and further optimization of the mature ones to decrease operation costs. © 2013 Society of Chemical Industry and John Wiley & Sons, Ltd
Optimization of oncogene expression through intra‐population competition
Authors: Ferreira Joshua P. , Wang Clifford L. 
Published: July 2013

AbstractAlthough functional roles have been assigned to many genes, e.g. those involved in cell‐cycle regulation, growth signaling, or cancer, considerably less is known about the quantitative relationship between gene expression levels and outcome. We devised an intra‐population competition to study oncogene dosage. Cell populations were engineered to express a range of H‐Ras oncogene levels. Cells with different levels of H‐Ras then “competed” for an increased share of the total cell population. Using flow cytometry to track the population composition over time, we determined the relationship between the different H‐Ras oncogene expression levels and the net proliferation rate. Under culture conditions in which wild‐type Ras activation was suppressed, we found that increased and maximal net proliferation occurred when the H‐Ras G12V oncogene was expressed at a level 1.2‐fold that of wild‐type Ras. As the H‐Ras G12V expression levels increased above this optimal level, proliferation rates decreased. Our findings suggest that the tumor evolution process may optimize gene expression levels for maximal cell proliferation. In principle, engineered intra‐population competitions can be used to determine proliferation rates associated with the level of any ectopically expressed gene. The approach also may be used to determine proliferation rates associated with different cell species in a heterogeneous population or to improve the proliferation rate of a cell line. We also envision that the tracking of intra‐population competitions could be utilized to investigate the evolution of tumors in the body.
Size and structure of Chlorella zofingiensis/FeCl3 flocs in a shear flow
Authors: Wyatt Nicholas B. , O'Hern Timothy J. , Shelden Bion , Hughes Lindsey G. , Mondy Lisa A. 
Published: July 2013

ABSTRACTFlocculation is a promising method to overcome the economic hurdle to separation of algae from its growth medium in large scale operations. However, understanding of the floc structure and the effects of shear on the floc structure are crucial to the large scale implementation of this technique. The floc structure is important because it determines, in large part, the density and settling behavior of the algae. Freshwater algae floc size distributions and fractal dimensions are presented as a function of applied shear rate in a Couette cell using ferric chloride as a flocculant. Comparisons are made with measurements made for a polystyrene microparticle model system taken here as well as reported literature results. The algae floc size distributions are found to be self‐preserving with respect to shear rate, consistent with literature data for polystyrene. Three fractal dimensions are calculated which quantitatively characterize the complexity of the floc structure. Low shear rates result in large, relatively dense packed flocs which elongate and fracture as the shear rate is increased. The results presented here provide crucial information for economically implementing flocculation as a large scale algae harvesting strategy. Biotechnol. Bioeng. 2013;110: 3156–3163. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Analyses of anticancer drugs by capillary electrophoresis: a review
Authors: Ali Imran , Haque Ashanul , Wani Waseem A. , Saleem Kishwar , Al Za'abi Mohammed 
Published: July 2013

ABSTRACTCapillary electrophoresis is a fast, inexpensive and low detection limit technique for the analysis of anticancer drugs. It has been used to analyze various anticancer drugs in biological samples, pharmaceutical preparations and environmental matrices. It has also been used to detect various cancer biomarkers in cancer patients. The present article describes the state‐of‐the art of capillary electrophoresis for the analyses of anticancer drugs. Various drugs discussed belong to several groups such as antimitotic agents, nucleoside analogs, antibiotics, topoisomerase inhibitors and DNA intercalating agents. In addition, efforts have also been made to discuss sample preparation, applications of capillary electrophoresis in genomic research, optimization and future perspectives. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Development of an LC‐MS/MS method for quantification of kadsurenone in rat plasma and its application to a pharmacokinetic study
Authors: Zhang Nan , Li Rui , Yu Haiyao , Shi Dan , Dong Ning , Zhang Sixi , Wang Helei 
Published: July 2013

ABSTRACTA sensitive and rapid LC‐MS/MS method was developed and validated for the determination of kadsurenone in rat plasma using lysionotin as the internal standard (IS). The analytes were extracted from rat plasma with acetonitrile and separated on a SB‐C18 column (50 × 2.1 mm, i.d.; 1.8 µm) at 30 °C. Elution was achieved with a mobile phase consisting of methanol–water–formic acid (65:35:0.1, v/v/v) at a flow rate of 0.30 mL/min. Detection and quantification for analytes were performed by mass spectrometry in the multiple reaction monitoring mode with positive electrospray ionization m/z at 357.1 → 178.1 for kadsurenone, and m/z 345.1 → 315.1 for IS. Calibration curves were linear over a concentration range of 4.88–1464 ng/mL with a lower limit of quantification of 4.88 ng/mL. The intra‐ and inter‐day accuracies and precisions were <8.9%. The LC‐MS/MS assay was successfully applied for oral pharmacokinetic evaluation of kadsurenone using the rat as an animal model. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Sustainable Development Strategies for Product Innovation and Energy Efficiency
Authors: Gerstlberger Wolfgang , Præst Knudsen Mette , Stampe Ian 
Published: July 2013

ABSTRACTThe interaction between product innovation and companies’ activities aimed at improving the energy efficiency of production facilities has been relatively little studied, but is of great relevance to society and companies given the strong focus of governments on grand challenges like climate change, green innovation technologies, and environmental problems in general. This paper utilizes the 2009 European Manufacturing Survey for the Danish sub‐sample including 335 manufacturing firms. Through factor analysis, this paper confirms three main areas of focus of new product development: efficiency considerations, market attention, and greening of innovation. Logistic regression analysis demonstrates that while market attention is important for the development of new products, green aspects of innovation and efficiency considerations are important for production companies wanting to improve their energy efficiency. When these models are combined, the results highlight that energy efficiency moderates the effect of market attention to new product development. This paper therefore finds that aligning product innovation and energy efficiency is a complex and intertwined process – focusing on one may have indirect detrimental effects on the other. These results point to the conclusion that researchers and practitioners in innovation management have to consider more carefully the specificities and interactions of different types of products and process innovations and their environmental implications, and must formulate new, more sustainable managerial practices combining energy efficiency and product innovation. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd and ERP Environment
ChemInform Abstract: Crystal Structures of Two Novel Borate Compounds MgInBO4 and MgIn7/8B7/8O29/8.
Authors: Li H. K. , Cai G. M. , Fan J. J. , Jin Z. P. , Zhou T. T. , Chen X. L. 
Published: July 2013

AbstractThe new title compounds are prepared by solid state reactions of stoichiometric mixtures of MgO, In2O3, and H3BO3 (1080—1190 °C, 36 h) and their crystal structures are determined by powder XRD.
ChemInform Abstract: Synthesis, Structure and Electrical Properties of a New Tin Vanadium Selenide.
Authors: Atkins Ryan , Disch Sabrina , Jones Zachary , Haeusler Ines , Grosse Corinna , Fischer Saskia F. , Neumann Wolfgang , Zschack Paul , Johnson David C. 
Published: July 2013

AbstractThe intergrowth compound (SnSe)1.15VSe2 is prepared from the elements by physical vapor deposition using the modulated elemental reactant technique.
ChemInform Abstract: Stacking Variants and Superconductivity in the Bi—O—S System.
Authors: Phelan W. Adam , Wallace David C. , Arpino Kathryn E. , Neilson James R. , Livi Kenneth J. , Seabourne Che R. , Scott Andrew J. , McQueen Tyrel M. 
Published: July 2013

AbstractThe new compounds Bi2OS2 (I) and Bi3O2S3 (II) are prepared from mixtures of Bi2S3, Bi2O3, and S (430—520 °C, 10—17 h) and characterized by powder XRD and magnetic measurements.
ChemInform Abstract: On the Synthesis, Characterization and Magnetic Properties of Two New Phases Discovered in the PbO—Fe2O3—P2O5 System.
Authors: El Hafid Hassan , Velazquez Matias , Perez Olivier , El Jazouli Abdelaziz , Pautrat Alain , Decourt Rodolphe , Veron Emmanuel , Viraphong Oudomsack , Delmas Claude 
Published: July 2013

AbstractPbFe3O(PO4)3 (I) powder is prepared by co‐precipitation from an aqueous solution of Pb(NO3)2, Fe(NO3)3, and (NH4)2HPO4 at 120 °C (precipitate heating to 1.