bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Fabrication of ZnO Nanorods by Atmospheric-Pressure Solid-Source CVD Using Ethanol-Assisted Low-Temperature Vaporization
Authors: Miyamoto Sawako , Hasegawa Tetsuya , Takahashi Hiroyuki , Yonezawa Tetsu , Kiyono Hajime , Yanase Takashi , Nagahama Taro , Shimada Toshihiro 
Published: December 2012

Abstract
We report a method to produce vapor species from ZnO powder for the fabrication of ZnO nanorods. Mixing ethanol vapor with the inert carrier gas substantially lowered the gasification temperature of ZnO. c Axis-aligned ZnO nanorods were obtained by dispersing gold nanoparticles on Si substrates. The growth was identified as a vapor–solid (VS) mechanism. Choice of the substrate materials and their surface morphology were both critically important to control the shapes and orientation of grown ZnO.
New Complete Orthonormal Sets of Exponential-Type Orbitals in Standard Convention and Their Origin
Authors: Guseinov Israfil I 
Published: December 2012

Abstract
In standard convention, the new complete orthonormal sets of ψ(α*)-exponential type orbitals (ψ(α*)-ETOs) are introduced as functions of the complex or real spherical harmonics and &lt;img align="middle" src="./Graphics/abst-85_20120207_2.png"/&gt;(α★)-modified and L(p★)-generalized Laguerre polynomials (&lt;img align="middle" src="./Graphics/abst-85_20120207_2.png"/&gt;(α★)-MLPs and L(p★)-GLPs),
&lt;img align="middle" src="./Graphics/abst-85_20120207_1.png"/&gt;
where, 0 &lt; ζ &lt; ∞, x = 2ζr, p* = 2l + 2 − α*, q* = n + l + 1 − α* and α* is the noninteger or integer (−∞ &lt; α ≤ 2 for α* = α) frictional quantum number (−∞ &lt; α*&lt; 3 for α* ≠ α). It is shown that the origin of the ψ(α*)-ETOs, &lt;img align="middle" src="./Graphics/abst-85_20120207_2.png"/&gt;(α★)-MLPs and L(p★)-GLPs is the self-frictional quantum forces which are analog of radiation damping or self-frictional forces introduced by Lorentz in classical electrodynamics. The relations for the quantum self-frictional potentials in terms of ψ(α*)-ETOs, &lt;img align="middle" src="./Graphics/abst-85_20120207_2.png"/&gt;(α★)-MLPs, and L(p★)-GLPs, respectively, are established. We note that, in the case of disappearing frictional forces (for α* = 1 and ζ = Z/n), the ψ(α*)-ETOs and eigenvalue are reduced to the Schrödinger’s results in nonstandard convention for the hydrogen-like atom and, therefore, the ψ(α*)-ETOs become the noncomplete, i.e., ψnlm(1) ≡ ψnlm. Here, the ψnlm is Schrödinger’s wave function in nonstandard convention. As examples of an application of ψ(α*)-ETOs as basis sets, the calculations have been performed for the total energies of some atomic and ionic systems.
Magnetic Fe3O4 Nanoparticles as Efficient and Reusable Catalyst for the Green Synthesis of 2-Amino-4H-chromene in Aqueous Media
Authors: Safari Javad , Zarnegar Zohre , Heydarian Marzieh 
Published: December 2012

Abstract
A simple and efficient protocol for one-pot three-component coupling of aldehyde, malononitrile, and resorcinol in water using magnetically recoverable Fe3O4 nanoparticles at room temperature is reported. The high yields of products and short reaction time were attributed to the nanosize of about 18 nm in which the catalyst could act as a nanoreactor. This methodology is found to be fairly general and catalyst is easily separated by magnetic devices and can be reused without any apparent loss of activity for the reaction.
Minimal Effect of Gene Clustering on Expression inEscherichia coli
Authors: Liang Lusha W , Hussein Razika , Block Dena H S , Lim Han N 
Published: December 2012

AbstractGenes that interact or function together are often clustered in bacterial genomes, and it has been proposed that this clustering may affect gene expression. In this study, we directly compared gene expression in nonclustered arrangements and in three common clustered arrangements (codirectional, divergent, and operon) using synthetic circuits in Escherichia coli. We found that gene clustering had minimal effects on gene expression. Specifically, gene clustering did not alter constitutive expression levels or stochastic fluctuations in expression (“expression noise”). Remarkably, the expression of two genes that share the same chromosome position with the same promoter (operon) or with separate promoters (codirectional and divergent arrangements) was not significantly more correlated than genes at different chromosome positions (nonclustered arrangements). The only observed effect of clustering was increased transcription factor binding in codirectional and divergent gene arrangements due to DNA looping, but this is not a specific feature of clustering. In summary, we demonstrate that gene clustering is not a general modulator of gene expression, and therefore any effects of clustering are likely to occur only with specific genes or under certain conditions.
The Effect of Political Sensitivity and Bargaining Power on Taxes: Evidence from Federal Contractors
Authors: Mills Lillian F. , Nutter Sarah E. , Schwab Casey M. 
Published: December 2012

ABSTRACT
We investigate whether politically sensitive contractors pay higher taxes and whether their bargaining power reduces these tax costs. Using federal contractor data, we develop a new composite measure of political sensitivity that captures both the political visibility arising from federal contracts and the importance of federal contracts to the firm. We proxy for bargaining power using the firm-level proportion of contract revenues not subject to competition, the firm-level proportion of contract revenues arising from defense contracts, and industry-level concentration ratios. We find that politically sensitive firms pay higher federal taxes, all else equal. However, firms with greater bargaining power incur fewer tax-related political costs. Our study provides new evidence on the political cost hypothesis in a tax setting and the first evidence of the interactive effects of a firm's political sensitivity and bargaining power on tax-related political costs.
JEL Classifications: M41; H26
The Effects of Carbohydrate, Unsaturated Fat, and Protein Intake on Measures of Insulin Sensitivity
Authors: Gadgil Meghana D. , Appel Lawrence J. , Yeung Edwina , Anderson Cheryl A.M. , Sacks Frank M. , Miller Edgar R. 
Published: December 2012

OBJECTIVE
Impaired insulin sensitivity increases the risk of cardiovascular disease. Although calorie restriction and weight loss increase insulin sensitivity, the effects of modifying macronutrient composition on insulin sensitivity are uncertain. The purpose of this study is to determine the effects on insulin sensitivity of a carbohydrate-rich diet (CARB; similar to the Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension [DASH] diet), a protein-rich diet (PROT; protein predominantly from plant sources), and an unsaturated fat–rich diet (UNSAT; predominantly monounsaturated).

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS
This study was a randomized, controlled, three-period, crossover feeding study. The study participants were 164 individuals with prehypertension or stage 1 hypertension without diabetes. Diets were administered for 6 weeks each, with a washout period between diets of 2–4 weeks. Weight was held constant throughout the study. For our primary outcome, we calculated the quantitative insulin sensitivity check index (QUICKI) using the end-of-period fasting serum glucose and insulin. QUICKI is a validated measure of insulin sensitivity. The primary analyses used generalized estimating equations.

RESULTS
At baseline, mean (SD) BMI was 30.2 (6.1) kg/m2, and mean (SD) QUICKI was 0.35 (0.04). The UNSAT diet increased QUICKI by 0.005, more than the CARB diet (P = 0.04). PROT had no significant effect compared with CARB.

CONCLUSIONS
A diet that partially replaces carbohydrate with unsaturated fat may improve insulin sensitivity in a population at risk for cardiovascular disease. Given the well-recognized challenges of sustaining weight loss, our results suggest an alternative approach for improving insulin sensitivity.
Influence of Diabetes on Left Ventricular Systolic and Diastolic Function and on Long-Term Outcome After Cardiac Resynchronization Therapy
Authors: Höke Ulas , Thijssen Joep , van Bommel Rutger J. , van Erven Lieselot , van der Velde Enno T. , Holman Eduard R. , Schalij Martin J. , Bax Jeroen J. , Delgado Victoria , Marsan Nina Ajmone 
Published: December 2012

OBJECTIVE
The influence of diabetes on cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) remains unclear. The aims of the current study were to 1) assess the changes in left ventricular (LV) systolic and diastolic function and 2) evaluate long-term prognosis in CRT recipients with diabetes.

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS
A total of 710 CRT recipients (171 with diabetes) were included from an ongoing registry. Echocardiographic evaluation, including LV systolic and diastolic function assessment, was performed at baseline and 6-month follow-up. Response to CRT was defined as a reduction of ≥15% in LV end-systolic volume (LVESV) at the 6-month follow-up. During long-term follow-up (median = 38 months), all-cause mortality (primary end point) and cardiac death or heart failure hospitalization (secondary end point) were recorded.

RESULTS
At the 6-month follow-up, significant LV reverse remodeling was observed both in diabetic and non-diabetic patients. However, the response to CRT occurred more frequently in non-diabetic patients than in diabetic patients (57 vs. 45%, P &lt; 0.05). Furthermore, a significant improvement in LV diastolic function was observed both in diabetic and non-diabetic patients, but was more pronounced in non-diabetic patients. The determinants of the response to CRT among diabetic patients were LV dyssynchrony, ischemic cardiomyopathy, and insulin use. Both primary and secondary end points were more frequent in diabetic patients (P &lt; 0.001). Particularly, diabetes was independently associated with all-cause mortality together with ischemic cardiomyopathy, renal function, LVESV, LV dyssynchrony, and LV diastolic dysfunction.

CONCLUSIONS
Heart failure patients with diabetes exhibit significant improvements in LV systolic and diastolic function after CRT, although they are less pronounced than in non-diabetic patients. Diabetes was independently associated with all-cause mortality.
Impact of Prediabetic Status on Coronary Atherosclerosis
Authors: Kurihara Osamu , Takano Masamichi , Yamamoto Masanori , Shirakabe Akihiro , Kimata Nakahisa , Inami Toru , Kobayashi Nobuaki , Munakata Ryo , Murakami Daisuke , Inami Shigenobu , Okamatsu Kentaro , Ohba Takayoshi , Ibuki Chikao , Hata Noritake , Seino Yoshihiko , Mizuno Kyoichi 
Published: December 2012

OBJECTIVE
To determine if prediabetes is associated with atherosclerosis of coronary arteries, we evaluated the degree of coronary atherosclerosis in nondiabetic, prediabetic, and diabetic patients by using coronary angioscopy to identify plaque vulnerability based on yellow color intensity.

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS
Sixty-seven patients with coronary artery disease (CAD) underwent angioscopic observation of multiple main-trunk coronary arteries. According to the American Diabetes Association guidelines, patients were divided into nondiabetic (n = 16), prediabetic (n = 28), and diabetic (n = 23) groups. Plaque color grade was defined as 1 (light yellow), 2 (yellow), or 3 (intense yellow) based on angioscopic findings. The number of yellow plaques (NYPs) per vessel and maximum yellow grade (MYG) were compared among the groups.

RESULTS
Mean NYP and MYG differed significantly between the groups (P = 0.01 and P = 0.047, respectively). These indexes were higher in prediabetic than in nondiabetic patients (P = 0.02 and P = 0.04, respectively), but similar in prediabetic and diabetic patients (P = 0.44 and P = 0.21, respectively). Diabetes and prediabetes were independent predictors of multiple yellow plaques (NYPs ≥2) in multivariate logistic regression analysis (odds ratio [OR] 10.8 [95% CI 2.09–55.6], P = 0.005; and OR 4.13 [95% CI 1.01–17.0], P = 0.049, respectively).

CONCLUSIONS
Coronary atherosclerosis and plaque vulnerability were more advanced in prediabetic than in nondiabetic patients and comparable between prediabetic and diabetic patients. Slight or mild disorders in glucose metabolism, such as prediabetes, could be a risk factor for CAD, as is diabetes itself.
Influence of Nd:YAG Laser on the Bond Strength of Self-etching and Conventional Adhesive Systems to Dental Hard Tissues
Authors: Marimoto AK , Cunha LA , Yui KCK , Huhtala MFRL , Barcellos DC , Prakki A , Gonçalves SEP 
Published: December 2012

SUMMARY

Purpose
The aim of this study was to investigate the influence of Nd:YAG laser on the shear bond strength to enamel and dentin of total and self-etch adhesives when the laser was applied over the adhesives, before they were photopolymerized, in an attempt to create a new bonding layer by dentin-adhesive melting.

Material and Methods
One-hundred twenty bovine incisors were ground to obtain flat surfaces. Specimens were divided into two substrate groups (n=60): substrate E (enamel) and substrate D (dentin). Each substrate group was subdivided into four groups (n=15), according to the surface treatment accomplished: X (Xeno III self-etching adhesive, control), XL (Xeno III + laser Nd:YAG irradiation at 140 mJ/10 Hz for 60 seconds + photopolymerization, experimental), S (acid etching + Single Bond conventional adhesive, Control), and SL (acid etching + Single Bond + laser Nd:YAG at 140 mJ/10 Hz for 60 seconds + photopolymerization, experimental). The bonding area was delimited with 3-mm-diameter adhesive tape for the bonding procedures. Cylinders of composite were fabricated on the bonding area using a Teflon matrix. The teeth were stored in water at 37°C/48 h and submitted to shear testing at a crosshead speed of 0.5 mm/min in a universal testing machine. Results were analyzed with three-way analysis of variance (ANOVA; substrate, adhesive, and treatment) and Tukey tests (α=0.05). ANOVA revealed significant differences for the substrate, adhesive system, and type of treatment: lased or unlased (p&lt;0.05). The mean shear bond strength values (MPa) for the enamel groups were X=20.2 ± 5.61, XL=23.6 ± 4.92, S=20.8 ± 4.55, SL=22.1 ± 5.14 and for the dentin groups were X=14.1 ± 7.51, XL=22.2 ± 6.45, S=11.2 ± 5.77, SL=15.9 ± 3.61. For dentin, Xeno III self-etch adhesive showed significantly higher shear bond strength compared with Single Bond total-etch adhesive; Nd:YAG laser irradiation showed significantly higher shear bond strength compared with control (unlased).

Conclusion
Nd:YAG laser application prior to photopolymerization of adhesive systems significantly increased the bond strength to dentin.
A Retrospective Clinical Study of Cervical Restorations: Longevity and Failure-Prognostic Variables
Authors: Namgung C , Rho YJ , Jin BH , Lim BS , Cho BH 
Published: December 2012

SUMMARYThe aim of this retrospective clinical study was to compare the longevity of cervical restorations between resin composite (RC) and glass ionomer (GI) and to investigate variables predictive of their outcome. The clinical performance of the two restorative materials in function was compared using the ratings of the modified United States Public Health Service (USPHS) criteria. A total of 479 cervical restorations were included in the study. Ninety-one already-replaced restorations were reviewed from dental records. The other 388 restorations still in function were evaluated according to the modified USPHS criteria by two investigators. Longevity and prognostic variables were analyzed with the Kaplan-Meier survival analysis and multivariate Cox proportional hazard model. The clinical performances of the two materials were evaluated according to the ratings of the USPHS criteria and compared using the Pearson chi-square test and Fisher exact test. The longevity was not significantly different between RC and GI (median survival time, 10.4 ± 0.7 and 11.5 ± 1.1 years, respectively). The main reasons for failure were loss of retention (82.2%) and secondary caries (17.8%). The longevity of cervical restoration was significantly influenced by tooth group and operator group (Wald test, p&lt;0.05), while material, gender, presence or absence of systemic diseases, arch, and reason for treatment did not affect the longevity. Contrary to the longevity, the clinical performance of RC was superior to GI in the criteria of retention, marginal discoloration, and marginal adaptation, but similar in secondary caries, wear, and postoperative sensitivity.
Outcome of surgical endodontic treatment in dogs: 15 cases (1995–2011)
Authors: Fulton Amy J. , Fiani Nadine , Arzi Boaz , Lommer Milinda J. , Kuntsi-Vaattovaara Helena , Verstraete Frank J. M. 
Published: December 2012

Abstract
Objective—To document the short- and long-term outcomes of surgical endodontic treatment in dogs in a clinical setting.
Design—Retrospective case series.
Animals—15 dogs that underwent surgical endodontic treatment.
Procedures—Medical records of dogs that underwent surgical endodontic treatment at 3 institutions from January 1995 to December 2011 were reviewed. Information extracted included signalment, history, initial clinical signs, physical and radiographic examination findings, treatment, and outcome. Outcome was determined through evaluation of the pre- and postoperative radiographs as well as clinical and radiographic findings at follow-up evaluations. On the basis of radiographic findings, treatment was considered successful if the periapical lesion and bone defect created by surgery had completely healed and no new root resorption was detected; a treatment was considered to have no evidence of failure if the periapical lesion remained the same or had not completely resolved and root resorption was static.
Results—15 dogs were treated by means of apicoectomy and retrograde filling following a failed or complicated orthograde root canal treatment. The mean long-term follow-up time was 15.2 months (range, 3 to 50 months). On radiographic evaluation, 10 of 15 dogs had successful resolution of the periapical disease; 5 dogs had no radiographic evidence of failure of endodontic treatment. All dogs were considered to have a successful clinical outcome.
Conclusions and Clinical Relevance—Surgical endodontic treatment was an effective option for salvaging endodontically diseased but periodontally healthy teeth of dogs in which orthograde treatment was unsuccessful and nonsurgical retreatment was unlikely to succeed.
Using simple elastic bands to explain quantum mechanics: a conceptual review of two of Aerts’ machine-models
Authors: Sassoli de Bianchi Massimiliano 
Published: December 2012

Abstract
From the beginning of his research, the Belgian physicist Diederik Aerts has shown great creativity in inventing a number of concrete machine-models that have played an important role in the development of general mathematical and conceptual formalisms for the description of the physical reality. These models can also be used to demystify much of the strangeness in the behavior of quantum entities, by allowing to have a peek at what’s going on behind the “quantum scenes,” during a measurement. In this author’s view, the importance of these machine-models, and of the approaches they have originated, have been so far seriously underappreciated by the physics community, despite their success in clarifying many challenges of quantum physics. To fill this gap, and encourage a greater number of researchers to take cognizance of the important work of so-called Geneva-Brussels school, we describe and analyze in this paper two of Aerts’ historical machine-models, whose operations are based on simple breakable elastic bands. The first one, called the spin quantum-machine, is able to replicate the quantum probabilities associated with the spin measurement of a spin-1/2 entity. The second one, called the connected vessels of water model (of which we shall present here an alternative version based on elastics) is able to violate Bell’s inequality, as coincidence measurements on entangled states can do.
Marine radar observations of iceberg distribution in the summer Southern Ocean
Authors: Lu Peng , Li Zhijun , Shi Liqiong , Huang Wenfeng 
Published: December 2012

AbstractDuring the 19th Chinese National Antarctic Research Expedition from December 2002 to January 2003, 1085 icebergs were observed along the cruise track within the range 58–68° S in the Southern Ocean using the marine radar on the R/V Xuelong. These icebergs were located mainly in the Ross Sea, Weddell Sea and Prydz Bay with lengths ranging from 68 to 8169 m. Both power-law and Weibull functions are applied to the curve fitting of cumulative probability distribution of iceberg length in each region. The results reveal that the power-law function underestimates the measured data in the middle of the data, but overestimates them for both the smallest and largest iceberg sizes, whereas the Weibull function underestimates the measured data when iceberg length is large enough. To reduce the relative error increasing with iceberg length, the Weibull function is used only in fitting to iceberg lengths less than a threshold value of iceberg size (Lt) and the power-law function is used in fitting to iceberg lengths >Lt. The improved curve fits show a good correlation over the full range of the data. This clearly reveals that an upper limit of iceberg length exists in the good agreement between the Weibull function and the measured data, which is attributed to different thermodynamic effects on calving processes and subsequent modification of large and small icebergs. In addition, iceberg size in Prydz Bay increases and then decreases when approaching the Amery Ice Shelf as a result of bergy bits and growlers calved from large icebergs in front of the ice shelf.
The Current Researches on T Follicular Helper Cells and Associated Diseases
Authors: Zhou Jianwei , Kong Cui 
Published: December 2012

T follicular helper (Tfh) cell is a new subpopulation of CD4+ T cell family, whose differentiation is affected by Bcl-6, Blimp-1, STAT3, STAT5 and so on, and it could affect or decide the development of other subsets of CD4+ T cells. The important function of Tfh cell is to help B cell mediate humoral immunity, many researches have proved that Tfh cells participate in the development of autoimmune disease, immunodeficient disease, tumor and infectious diseases. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/jemc.v2i2.12843 J Enam Med Col 2012; 2(2): 85-91
Formes et interprétations du passé surcomposé : unité sémantique d'une variation diatopique
Authors: de Saussure Louis , Sthioul Bertrand 
Published: December 2012

Après avoir dressé un court panorama contrastif des temps surcomposés, cet article propose une analyse unifiée du passé surcomposé du français qui prend en compte non seulement les emplois normés en français standard, mais aussi les emplois en indépendante sans complément, que nous appelons absolus , essentiellement naturels dans le domaine francoprovençal (particulièrement courant en Suisse romande) et occitan ; la solution proposée repose sur la sélection pragmatique de la pertinence du procès envisagée soit au point de référence R, soit, spécifiquement pour les emplois régionaux, au moment de l’énonciation. Après avoir passé en revue les solutions habituelles aux problèmes formels et sémantiques posés par la variété de ces emplois et de leurs effets (solutions aspectuelle et solution temporelle), nous développons une analyse unifiée, sous l’hypothèse que les emplois régionaux ne contredisent pas une sémantique fondamentale pour ce temps verbal, mais au contraire, s’insère en cohérence avec elle.