bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
More Moore meets More than Moore: Enabling healthcare applications
Authors: Brongersma Sywert H. , Blauw Michiel , Zevenbergen Marcel , Karabacak Devrez , Vitushinsky Roman , Dam Van Anh , Calama Mercedes Crego , Vullers Rudolf , Zeng Zeng , Schaijk Rob van 
Published: December 2013

AbstractWestern societies all see their healthcare costs outpace GDP growth. To reverse this trend, several public and private initiatives were taken in the last years to make healthcare more cost efficient. It is anticipated that micro and nano‐system technology will help enable an increase in the functionality of lifestyle and healthcare devices to gradually reduce cost. This builds on the scaling of microelectronics that additionally provides opportunities for reducing both form factor and power requirements. In the next decade, body area network technology will be one of the advancements that provides medical, lifestyle, assisted living, sports or entertainment functions for the user. Such a network comprising a series of miniature sensor nodes, implanted or located around the body should be able to communicate with other sensor nodes and/or with a gateway node that provides a connection to the outside world using a standard telecommunication infrastructure. Early deployment of technology in different application cases are translated into critical technology obstacles that need to be solved in order to enable widespread deployment. For the development of smaller and smarter systems with ever increasing autonomy, key technological challenges are addressed at the level of sensors, energy harvesting, ultra‐low‐power DSP, wireless connectivity, and integration and packaging. (© 2014 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Influence of Poisson equation boundary conditions and quantum corrections to carrier concentrations at material interfaces in TCAD process simulation
Authors: Tsibizov Alexander , Terterian Arsen , Zechner Christoph 
Published: December 2013

AbstractIn TCAD process simulation, the Poisson equation for electrostatic potential is usually solved in silicon and polysilicon regions, assuming a zero normal component of electric field (ZEF) boundary conditions (BCs) at material interfaces. This is correct for a free (or covered only with dielectric) flat surface of silicon, which is typical for 1D SIMS profile simulations. However, it is inaccurate in other important cases, in particular, under the gate of submicron MOS transistors, where more general BCs preserving the continuity of the flux of electric displacement should be applied. In a simulation, the choice of BCs changes the electrostatic potential near material interfaces and, thereby, impacts simulated dopant distributions and transistor characteristics. We introduced such general BCs in Sentaurus Process and applied them to the 2D simulation of CMOS transistors with polysilicon or metal gate. A noticeable (but moderate) increase of simulated threshold voltage in comparison to the ZEF BCs is demonstrated. In addition, the effect of carrier concentration reduction at silicon/dielectric interfaces due to quantum‐mechanical repulsion was introduced into a continuum process simulation using the modified local‐density approximation. This changes the dopant distributions in a nanometre thin layer in semiconductors at both sides of the gate oxide, resulting in a reduced concentration of the main dopant near the interface, which is most pronounced at high dopant concentrations. (© 2014 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Semiconductor with intrinsic spin: a hybrid structure of zigzag edge graphene nanoribbon/single‐walled carbon nanotube
Authors: Lou Ping 
Published: December 2013

AbstractA hybrid structure of n ‐ZGRN/(m,m)SWCNT, namely n ‐ZGNR‐(m,m)SWCNT, is predicted. It is found that the n ‐ZGNR‐(m,m)SWCNT is a ferromagnetic semiconductor with intrinsic spin in which the manipulation of spin‐polarized currents can be achieved just simply by applying a gate voltage. Moreover, compared to n ‐ZGNR, the n‐ ZGNR‐(m,m)SWCNT possesses enhanced local magnetic moment. Semiconductors with intrinsic spin represent a new direction in the exploration of materials for spintronics and good prospects for practical spintronic applications. (© 2014 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Robust normalization and guaranteed cost control for a class of uncertain singular Markovian jump systems via hybrid impulsive control
Authors: Lv Hui , Zhang Qingling , Yan Xinggang 
Published: December 2013

SummaryThis paper investigates the problem of robust normalization and guaranteed cost control for a class of uncertain singular Markovian jump systems. The uncertainties exhibit in both system matrices and transition rate matrix of the Markovian chain. A new impulsive and proportional‐derivative control strategy is presented, where the derivative gain is to make the closed‐loop system of the singular plant to be a normal one, and the impulsive control part is to make the value of the Lyapunov function does not increase at each time instant of the Markovian switching. A linearization approach via congruence transformations is proposed to solve the controller design problem. The cost function is minimized via solving an optimization problem under the designed control scheme. Finally, three examples (two numerical examples and an RC pulse divider circuit example) are provided to illustrate the effectiveness and applicability of the proposed methods. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Two New Nickel(II) Metal‐Organic Networks Constructed From 1,4‐Bis(2‐methylimidazol‐3‐ium‐1‐yl)biphenyl and Dicarboxylates: From Polycatenated 2D + 2D → 3D Framework to 2D hcb Topological Net
Authors: Liu Bing 
Published: December 2013

AbstractTwo new metal‐organic networks, namely, {[Ni2(5‐CH3‐ip)2(L)2(H2O)]·4H2O}n (1) and [Ni(2,4′‐bpdc)(L)(H2O)]n (2), [5‐CH3‐ip = 5‐methylisophthalic acid, 2,4′‐bpdc = biphenyl‐2,4′‐dicarboxylate, and L = 1,4‐bis(2‐methylimidazol‐3‐ium‐1‐yl)biphenyl], were obtained from hydrothermal reactions of Ni2+ with two dicarboxylic acids and N‐donor ligand, respectively. The structures of complexes 1 and 2 show polycatenated 2D + 2D → 3D framework and 2D hcb topological net, respectively. Furthermore, the thermal stability of complexes 1 and 2 are investigated.
SIRT3 Expression as a Biomarker for Better Prognosis in Gastric Cancer
Authors: Huang Kuo‐Hung , Hsu Chia‐Chi , Fang Wen‐Liang , Chi Chin‐Wen , Sung Ming‐Ta , Kao Hwa‐Li , Li Anna Fen‐Yau , Yin Pen‐Hui , Yang Muh‐Hwa , Lee Hsin‐Chen 
Published: December 2013

AbstractBackgroundSIRT3—mitochondrial nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide‐dependent deacetylase sirtuin‐3—plays an important role in regulating cell metabolism and carcinogenesis. The role of SIRT3 in gastric cancer has not yet been investigated.MethodsA total of 221 gastric cancer patients who underwent curative surgery were enrolled at the Department of Surgery, Taipei Veterans General Hospital. SIRT3 expression in gastric tissues and tumors were examined in these patients using immunohistochemical staining. Clinicopathologic characteristics and survival were analyzed and compared in gastric cancer patients with or without SIRT3 expression.ResultsThe 5‐year survival rates of patients with or without SIRT3 expression were 51.2 and 39.1 %, respectively (p = 0.005). The 5‐year disease‐free survival rates of patients with or without SIRT3 expression were 49.6 and 38.0 %, respectively (p = 0.010). Microscopic features showed that there are more poor cell differentiation (p = 0.001), more diffuse‐type Lauren’s histology (p = 0.018), and more scirrhous‐type stromal reactions (p = 0.027) in gastric cancer without SIRT expression. Multivariate analysis with overall survival as an endpoint showed that age (p < 0.001), Lauren’s histology (p = 0.007), stromal reaction (p = 0.035), TNM pathologic N category (p < 0.001), and SIRT3 expression (p < 0.001) were significantly correlated with gastric cancer.ConclusionsGastric cancer patients with SIRT3 expression have a better prognosis than those without. SIRT3 expression is an independent prognostic marker for overall survival and may act as a tumor suppressor in gastric cancer.
Role of SDHAF2 and SDHD in von Hippel–Lindau Associated Pheochromocytomas
Authors: Kugelberg Johan , Welander Jenny , Schiavi Francesca , Fassina Ambrogio , Bäckdahl Martin , Larsson Catharina , Opocher Giuseppe , Söderkvist Peter , Dahia Patricia L. , Neumann Hartmut P. H. , Gimm Oliver 
Published: December 2013

AbstractBackgroundPheochromocytomas (PCCs) develop from the adrenal medulla and are often part of a hereditary syndrome such as von Hippel–Lindau (VHL) syndrome. In VHL, only about 30 % of patients with a VHL missense mutation develop PCCs. Thus, additional genetic events leading to formation of such tumors in patients with VHL syndrome are sought. SDHAF2 (previously termed SDH5) and SDHD are both located on chromosome 11q and are required for the function of mitochondrial complex II. While SDHAF2 has been shown to be mutated in patients with paragangliomas (PGLs), SDHD mutations have been found both in patients with PCCs and in patients with PGLs.Materials and methodsBecause loss of 11q is a common event in VHL‐associated PCCs, we aimed to investigate whether SDHAF2 and SDHD are targets. In the present study, 41 VHL‐associated PCCs were screened for mutations and loss of heterozygosity (LOH) in SDHAF2 or SDHD. Promoter methylation, as well as mRNA expression of SDHAF2 and SDHD, was studied. In addition, immunohistochemistry (IHC) of SDHB, known to be a universal marker for loss of any part the SDH complex, was conducted.Results and conclusionsLOH was found in more than 50 % of the VHL‐associated PCCs, and was correlated with a significant decrease (p < 0.05) in both SDHAF2 and SDHD mRNA expression, which may be suggestive of a pathogenic role. However, while SDHB protein expression as determined by IHC in a small cohort of tumors was lower in PCCs than in the surrounding adrenal cortex, there was no obvious correlation with LOH or the level of SDHAF2/SDHD mRNA expression. In addition, the lack of mutations and promoter methylation in the investigated samples indicates that other events on chromosome 11 might be involved in the development of PCCs in association with VHL syndrome.
Evaluation of Modified Estimation of Physiologic Ability and Surgical Stress in Patients Undergoing Surgery for Choledochocystolithiasis
Authors: Haga Yoshio , Wada Yasuo , Takeuchi Hitoshi , Furuya Takumi 
Published: December 2013

AbstractBackgroundThe incidence of complicated choledochocystolithiasis is increasing with the aging of society in Japan. We evaluated the utility of our prediction rule modified estimation of physiologic ability and surgical stress (mE‐PASS) in predicting postoperative adverse events in patients with choledochocystolithiasis.MethodsA total of 4,329 patients who underwent elective surgery for choledochocystolithiasis in 44 referral hospitals between April 1987 and April 2007 were analyzed for mE‐PASS along with postoperative events. The discrimination power of mE‐PASS was assessed by the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC). The correlation between ordinal and interval variables was quantified by the Spearman rank correlation (ρ). The ratio of observed‐to‐estimated mortality rates (OE ratio) was used as a metric of surgical quality.ResultsPostoperative in‐hospital mortality rates were 0 % (0/3,442) for laparoscopic cholecystectomy, 0.19 % (1/521) for open cholecystectomy, 1.6 % (1/63) for laparoscopic choledochotomy, 1.1 % (3/264) for open choledochotomy, and 5.1 % (2/39) for plasty or resection of the common bile duct. mE‐PASS demonstrated a high discrimination power to predict in‐hospital mortality; AUC, 95 % confidence interval (CI) of 0.96, 0.94–0.99. The predicted mortality rates significantly correlated with the severity of postoperative complications (ρ = 0.278, p < 0.0001) and length of hospital stay (ρ = 0.479, p < 0.0001). The OE ratios (95 % CI) improved slightly over time; 1.5 (0.25–9.0) between 1987 and 2000, and 0.40 (0.078–2.1) between 2001 and 2007.ConclusionsThe present study suggests that mE‐PASS can predict postoperative risks in patients who have undergone choledochocystolithiasis. mE‐PASS may be useful in surgical decision making and evaluating the quality of care.
Is Current Perioperative Practice in Hepatic Surgery Based on Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS) Principles?
Authors: Wong‐Lun‐Hing E. M. , van Dam R. M. , Heijnen L. A. , Busch O. R. C. , Terkivatan T. , van Hillegersberg R. , Slooter G. D. , Klaase J. , de Wilt J. H. W. , Bosscha K. , Neumann U. P. , Topal B. , Aldrighetti L. A. , Dejong C. H. C. 
Published: December 2013

AbstractBackgroundThe worldwide introduction of multimodal enhanced recovery programs has also changed perioperative care in patients who undergo liver resection. This study was performed to assess current perioperative practice in liver surgery in 11 European HPB centers and compare it to enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS) principles.MethodsIn each unit, 15 consecutive patients (N = 165) who underwent hepatectomy between 2010 and 2012 were retrospectively analyzed. Compliance was classified as “full,” “partial,” or “poor” whenever ≥80, ≥50, or <50 % of the 22 ERAS protocol core items were met. The primary study end point was overall compliance with the ERAS core program per unit and per perioperative phase.ResultsMost patients were operated on for malignancy (91 %) and 56 % were minor hepatectomies. The median number of implemented ERAS core items was 9 (range = 7–12) across all centers. Compliance was partial in the preoperative (median 2 of 3 items, range = 1–3) and perioperative phases (median 5 of 10 items, range: 4–7). Median postoperative compliance was poor (median 2 of 9 items, range = 0–4). A statistically significant difference was observed between median length of stay and median time to recovery (7 vs. 5 days, P < 0.001).ConclusionPerioperative care among centers that perform liver resections varied substantially. In current HPB surgical practice, some elements of the ERAS program, e.g., preoperative counselling and minimal fasting, have already been implemented. Elements in the perioperative phase (avoidance of drains and nasogastric tube) and postoperative phase (early resumption of oral intake, early mobilization, and use of recovery criteria) should be further optimized.
Enhanced thermoelectric performance of Nb-doped SrTiO3 by nano-inclusion with low thermal conductivity
Authors: Wang Ning , Chen Haijun , He Hongcai , Norimatsu Wataru , Kusunoki Michiko , Koumoto Kunihito 
Published: December 2013

AbstractAuthors reported an effective path to increase the electrical conductivity while to decrease the thermal conductivity and thus to enhance the ZT value by nano-inclusions. By this method, the ZT value of Nb-doped SrTiO3 was enhanced 9-fold by yttria stabilized zirconia (YSZ) nano-inclusions. YSZ inclusions, located inside grain and in triple junction, can reduce the thermal conductivity by effective interface phonon scattering, enhance the electrical conductivity by promoting the abnormal grain growth and thus lead to the obvious enhancement of ZT value, which strongly suggests that, it is possible to not only reduce the thermal conductivity, but also increase the electrical conductivity by nano-inclusions with low thermal conductivity. This study will give some useful enlightenment to the preparation of high-performance oxide thermoelectric materials.
Regional Blood Acidification Enhances Extracorporeal Carbon Dioxide Removal
Authors: Zanella Alberto , Mangili Paolo , Redaelli Sara , Scaravilli Vittorio , Giani Marco , Ferlicca Daniela , Scaccabarozzi Diletta , Pirrone Federica , Albertini Mariangela , Patroniti Nicolò , Pesenti Antonio 
Published: December 2013

Abstract

Background:
Extracorporeal carbon dioxide removal has been proposed to achieve protective ventilation in patients at risk for ventilator-induced lung injury. In an acute study, the authors previously described an extracorporeal carbon dioxide removal technique enhanced by regional extracorporeal blood acidification. The current study evaluates efficacy and feasibility of such technology applied for 48 h.

Methods:
Ten pigs were connected to a low-flow veno-venous extracorporeal circuit (blood flow rate, 0.25 l/min) including a membrane lung. Blood acidification was achieved in eight pigs by continuous infusion of 2.5 mEq/min of lactic acid at the membrane lung inlet. The acid infusion was interrupted for 1 h at the 24 and 48 h. Two control pigs did not receive acidification. At baseline and every 8 h thereafter, the authors measured blood lactate, gases, chemistry, and the amount of carbon dioxide removed by the membrane lung (VCO2ML). The authors also measured erythrocyte metabolites and selected cytokines. Histological and metalloproteinases analyses were performed on selected organs.

Results:
Blood acidification consistently increased VCO2ML by 62 to 78%, from 79 ± 13 to 128 ± 22 ml/min at baseline, from 60 ± 8 to 101 ± 16 ml/min at 24 h, and from 54 ± 6 to 96 ± 16 ml/min at 48 h. During regional acidification, arterial pH decreased slightly (average reduction, 0.04), whereas arterial lactate remained lower than 4 mEq/l. No sign of organ and erythrocyte damage was recorded.

Conclusion:
Infusion of lactic acid at the membrane lung inlet consistently increased VCO2ML providing a safe removal of carbon dioxide from only 250 ml/min extracorporeal blood flow in amounts equivalent to 50% production of an adult man.
Species richness of limestone grasslands increases with trait overlap: evidence from within‐ and between‐species functional diversity partitioning
Authors: Le Bagousse‐Pinguet Yoann , de Bello Francesco , Vandewalle Marie , Leps Jan , Sykes Martin T. 
Published: December 2013

Summary

Considering both within‐ and between‐species functional diversities in plant communities has been recently suggested as a way to understand potential assembly mechanisms that control species coexistence. In particular, relating variations in species richness to within‐ and between‐species functional diversities can provide a useful framework for evaluating the importance of alternative community assembly theories. In addition, little is known about whether the relationship between species richness and functional diversity components arises from direct or indirect effects of the abiotic environment.

We tested the relationship between functional diversity and species richness by disentangling functional diversity components into within‐species, between‐species and total functional diversities and by considering potential direct and indirect effects of the abiotic conditions. Multi‐ and single‐trait approaches were applied using three key plant functional traits (height, specific leaf area (SLA), LDMC). Traits were measured on species coexisting across sixteen species‐rich limestone grasslands. Direct and indirect effects of the abiotic conditions were evaluated using multiple soil properties including heterogeneity in soil depths.

The within‐species functional diversity ranged between 13.5% and 33.6% of the total functional diversity. Within‐species diversity was the main functional component linked to variations in species richness, despite the within‐species functional diversity being lower than between‐species functional diversity. Environmental soil properties had a direct effect on species richness but did not affect functional diversity components.

Synthesis: Our results provide evidence that increasing the trait overlap between species, due to an increase in within‐species diversity, may relate to greater species coexistence. Disentangling multiple functional diversity components indicated that there may be equalizing mechanisms that act as potential drivers of species coexistence. In addition, it suggests the possibility that this approach may provide a better understanding of the processes involved in the structure of plant communities.
Functional diversity supports the physiological tolerance hypothesis for plant species richness along climatic gradients
Authors: Spasojevic Marko J. , Grace James B. , Harrison Susan , Damschen Ellen I. 
Published: December 2013

Summary

The physiological tolerance hypothesis proposes that plant species richness is highest in warm and/or wet climates because a wider range of functional strategies can persist under such conditions. Functional diversity metrics, combined with statistical modelling, offer new ways to test whether diversity–environment relationships are consistent with this hypothesis.

In a classic study by R.H. Whittaker (Ecological Monographs, 1960), herb species richness declined from mesic (cool, moist, northerly) slopes to xeric (hot, dry, southerly) slopes. Building on this data set, we measured four plant functional traits (plant height, specific leaf area, leaf water content and foliar C:N) and used them to calculate three functional diversity metrics (functional richness, evenness and dispersion). We then used a structural equation model to ask whether ‘functional diversity’ (modelled as the joint responses of richness, evenness and dispersion) could explain the observed relationship of topographic climate gradients to species richness. We then repeated our model examining the functional diversity of each of the four traits individually.

Consistent with the physiological tolerance hypothesis, we found that functional diversity was higher in more favourable climatic conditions (mesic slopes) and that multivariate functional diversity mediated the relationship of the topographic climate gradient to plant species richness. We found similar patterns for models focusing on individual trait functional diversity of leaf water content and foliar C:N.

Synthesis. Our results provide trait‐based support for the physiological tolerance hypothesis, suggesting that benign climates support more species because they allow for a wider range of functional strategies.
Party politics and the survival of central bank governors
Authors: Ennser‐Jedenastik Laurenz 
Published: December 2013

AbstractLegally independent central banks leave elected politicians with little direct control over monetary policy. The most important indirect channel of influence for governments thus consists in appointing ‘responsive’ central bank officials and removing ‘hostile’ ones. This premise is tested by examining the effect of partisan ties between central bank governors and governments or presidents in 30 European democracies between 1945 and 2012. Drawing on an original dataset containing information on the party affiliations of 195 governors, event history models are employed to show that affiliation with a party represented in the executive (the government or the presidency) has a large and significant positive effect on governor survival. However, affiliation with an opposition party only increases governors' hazards during the first four years of their term, suggesting that the impact of the party label may be overridden as more reliable information about a governor becomes available.