bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Magnetic resonance imaging in the evaluation of congestive cardiac failure
Authors: Rajiah Prabhakar 
Published: February 2013

AbstractCongestive cardiac failure is the end-result of various cardiac disorders, and is a major contributor to morbidity, mortality, and financial burden throughout the world. Due to advances in the knowledge of the disease and scanner technology, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is playing an increasingly important role in the evaluation of cardiac failure, including in establishing diagnosis, problem solving, risk stratification, and monitoring of therapy. This review discusses and illustrates the role of MRI in the assessment of congestive cardiac failure.
Aprendizaje e innovación: una propuesta metodológica desde la Empresa Informativa
Authors: Peinado-Miguel Fernando , Fernández-Sande Manuel , Rodríguez Barba Dolores , Ortiz-Sobrino Miguel Ángel 
Published: February 2013

Tras la adaptación al EEES, el Departamento de Periodismo IV de la UCM inició un proyecto de renovación metodológica e innovación docente –vinculado a un I+D- en la enseñanza de la Empresa Informativa con objetivo de dotar a los futuros profesionales de la información de las competencias requeridas por la nueva realidad empresarial. El cambio se planificó en diferentes fases y fue vertebrado a través de los siguientes ejes: utilización de las TIC y herramientas 2.0 para desarrollar actividades que dinamizasen el aprendizaje: podcasts, entrevistas a CEOS y directivos, proyectos emprendedores 2.0, uso intensivo del Campus Virtual y blogs. Además del trabajo colaborativo en la resolución de supuestos reales, con la implementación del software y dispositivos Educlick. Este artículo presenta los fundamentos de nuevo modelo metodológico de aprendizaje que podría resultar extrapolable a otras materias en la enseñanza del periodismo y aporta los resultados obtenidos tras su aplicación.
Los imaginarios de los futuros periodistas en Francia
Authors: Santos-Sainz María 
Published: February 2013

El artículo se centra en investigar las diferencias de percepción de las realidades profesionales y sociales según la pertenencia socio-profesional del ámbito familiar de los futuros periodistas y según la pertenencia de género. La metodología se basa en dos niveles de estudio. El primero responde al análisis de los datos empíricos sobre las características sociales de los estudiantes de periodismo antes de integrar los estudios dispensados por los centros de formación profesionalizada en periodismo de las universidades públicas de Estrasburgo, Burdeos, Tours y Marsella. El segundo nivel de análisis se construye a partir de toda una serie de entrevistas en profundidad que trazan el pasado familiar y permiten conocer los valores y representaciones de la profesión de los estudiantes del Instituto de Periodismo de Burdeos. Los resultados demuestran que los estudiantes de periodismo no son una categoría homogénea. Las diferencias respecto a su origen social resultan notables e influyen sobremanera en el imaginario de la profesión.
Local probability distribution of natural signals in sparse domains
Authors: Rabbani Hossein , Gazor Saeed 
Published: February 2013

SUMMARYIn this paper, we investigate the local PDF of natural signals in sparse domains. The statistical properties of natural signals are characterized more accurately in the sparse domains because the sparse domain coefficients have heavy‐tailed distribution and have reduced correlation with adjacent coefficients. Our experiments on 3D data in 3D discrete complex wavelet transform domain show that a conditionally (given locally estimated variance and shape) independent Bessel K‐form distribution (BKFD) locally fits the sparse domain's coefficients of natural signals, accurately. To justify this observation, we also investigate the PDF of the locally estimated variance and suggest a Gamma PDF for the locally estimated variance. Because commonly used sparse transformations are orthonormal, the PDF of the sparse domain coefficients must converge to Gaussian distribution by virtue of central limit theorem assuming that natural signals are locally wide sense stationary for small window sizes. Interestingly, we observe that the PDF of the normalized data (on the locally estimated variance) exhibit a Gaussian PDF, which confirms that the BKFD is an appropriate fit. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Valuation of Internal Quality Characteristics Across Apple Cultivars
Authors: McCluskey Jill J. , Horn Brady P. , Durham Catherine A. , Mittelhammer Ron C. , Hu Ying 
Published: February 2013

ABSTRACTSince the 1980s, the composition of the fresh apple market has shifted from three fourths Red Delicious to about one third in 2012. Gala apples are one of the cultivars that have gained ground in popularity. In this article, the authors compare how internal fruit qualities affect consumers’ willingness to pay for apples and whether these effects differ across these two cultivars. Consumers are willing to pay more for firmness for both cultivars, with a larger effect for Red Delicious. Using consumer assessments of sweetness acceptability, consumers are willing to pay a positive amount for both cultivars, but the effect of sweetness is higher for Gala apples. The only significant ethnicity variable is being Hispanic, which is associated with lower willingness to pay for Gala and higher willingness to pay for Red Delicious. One possible explanation is that the Hispanic consumers may have stronger food traditions associated with Red Delicious. [EconLit Citations: Q13, L15].
Preparation of zinc oxide nanocrystals with high stability in the aqueous phase
Authors: Zhang Jianjun , Gao Ge , Liu Fengqi 
Published: February 2013

AbstractZnO nanocrystals (NCs), potential candidates for photoluminescent applications, have attracted increasing attention recently because of their good biocompatibility, low cost, and convenient synthesis. However, their stability and fluorescent quenching, particularly in the aqueous phase, still hampers their use in biological applications. We report herein the synthesis of ZnO NCs modified by amphiphilic methoxy poly(ethylene glycol)‐grafted poly(styrene‐alt‐maleic anhydride) (SMA‐g‐MPEG) copolymer based on the sol–gel method. We demonstrated a simple solution to address those challenges. Compared with unmodified ZnO NCs, SMA‐g‐MPEG modified ZnO NCs exhibited a significantly improvement in the stability and photoluminescent properties in the aqueous phase over current unmodified ones. This simple synthesis provides a novel platform for the preparation of ZnO NCs for biological applications. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci., 2013
In Situ preparation of resol/clay nanocomposites
Authors: Kιzιlcan Nilgün , Özkaraman Gözde 
Published: February 2013

AbstractIn this study, in situ modified phenol formaldehyde resins were prepared from hydroxyl terminated polydimethyl siloxane (DH.PDMS), clay (montmorillonite) in the presence of base catalyst. Different clay contents (0.5, 1, 3, 5 wt %) were used to produce DH.PDMS modified resol/clay nanocomposite resins (DH.PDMS‐LC‐PFRs). DH.PDMS‐LC‐PFRs were partially cured by heat, and the effects of the curing process and the clay content in the resol resin were determined on the spectroscopic, thermal, mechanical and microscopic properties of the final products. Furthermore, the effects of the reaction time on the polymerization and on the morphology of the materials were investigated. The structures of the specimens were characterized by means of Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR‐ATR) spectroscopy. Thermal properties of the samples were determined with Differential Scanning Calorimeter (DSC) and Thermogravimetric Analyzer (TGA). Mechanical properties of the specimens were determined by Dynamic Mechanical Analyzer (DMA). The obtained samples were also characterized morphologically by Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM). © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci., 2013
Lateral gradients significantly enhance static magnetic field‐induced inhibition of pain responses in mice—a double blind experimental study
Authors: Kiss Balázs , Gyires Klára , Kellermayer Miklós , László János F. 
Published: February 2013

AbstractRecent research demonstrated that exposure of mice to both inhomogeneous (3–477 mT) and homogeneous (145 mT) static magnetic fields (SMF) generated an analgesic effect toward visceral pain elicited by the intraperitoneal injection of 0.6% acetic acid. In the present work, we investigated behavioral responses such as writhing, entry avoidance, and site preference with the help of a specially designed cage that partially protruded into either the homogeneous (ho) or inhomogeneous (inh) SMF. Aversive effects, cognitive recognition of analgesia, and social behavior governed mice in their free locomotion between SMF and sham sides. The inhibition of pain response (I) for the 0–5, 6–20, and 21–30 min periods following the challenge was calculated by the formula I = 100 (1 − x/y) in %, where x and y represent the number of writhings in the SMF and sham sides, respectively. In accordance with previous measurements, an analgesic effect was induced in exposed mice (Iho = 64%, P < 0.0002 and Iinh = 62%, P < 0.002). No significant difference was found in the site preference (SMFho, inh vs. sham) indicating that SMF is neither aversive nor favorable. Comparison of writhings observed in the sham versus SMF side of the cage revealed that SMF exposure resulted in significantly fewer writhings than sham (Iho = 64%, P < 0.004 and Iinh = 81%, P < 0.03). Deeper statistical analysis clarified that the lateral SMF gradient between SMF and sham sides could be responsible for most of the analgesic effect (Iho = 91%, P < 0.02 and Iinh = 54%, P < 0.02). Bioelectromagnetics 34:385–396, 2013. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Maturation of peptide‐positive synaptic arbors in the medicinal leech requires rhythmic target activity
Authors: Kueh Daniel , Appiah Jolene , Jellies John 
Published: February 2013

ABSTRACTThe formation and refinement of synaptic connections are dependent on the activity that emerges from nascent synaptic connections. Such activity has the effect of regulating the production and release of specific neurotransmitters. To determine the role of activity in regulating the production of peptide‐positive synapses, we used antibodies against Phe‐Met‐Arg‐Phe‐NH2 and acetylated α‐tubulin as well as intracellular injections of Neurobiotin to examine varicosities belonging to heart excitor (HE) neurons on the heart tubes of medicinal leeches, Hirudo spp. We found that the production of peptide‐positive varicosities increased considerably during the last week of embryogenesis, which coincided with the emergence of rhythmic activity of the heart tube. When we compromised central input to HE neurons with bicuculline or by surgical ablation of the central pattern generator during early embryogenesis, we found that activity in the heart tubes and its rhythmicity were greatly diminished. Furthermore, the activity of HE neurons had also lost its rhythmicity and appeared tonic, and production of peptide‐positive varicosities was substantially reduced as well. Partial surgical ablations that preserved rhythmic activity in the heart tube while disrupting heart tube innervation by some HE neurons still resulted in peptide‐positive varicosity production. Taken together, our results suggest that postsynaptic rhythmic activity of the heart tube is necessary and sufficient for the development and maturation of peptide‐positive synapses. J. Comp. Neurol. 521:2833–2849, 2013. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Identification of multisegmental nociceptive afferents that modulate locomotor circuits in the neonatal mouse spinal cord
Authors: Mandadi Sravan , Hong Peter , Tran Michelle A. , Bráz Joao M. , Colarusso Pina , Basbaum Allan I. , Whelan Patrick J. 
Published: February 2013

ABSTRACTCompared to proprioceptive afferent collateral projections, less is known about the anatomical, neurochemical, and functional basis of nociceptive collateral projections modulating lumbar central pattern generators (CPG). Quick response times are critical to ensure rapid escape from aversive stimuli. Furthermore, sensitization of nociceptive afferent pathways can contribute to a pathological activation of motor circuits. We investigated the extent and role of collaterals of capsaicin‐sensitive nociceptive sacrocaudal afferent (nSCA) nerves that directly ascend several spinal segments in Lissauer's tract and the dorsal column and regulate motor activity. Anterograde tracing demonstrated direct multisegmental projections of the sacral dorsal root 4 (S4) afferent collaterals in Lissauer's tract and in the dorsal column. Subsets of the traced S4 afferent collaterals expressed transient receptor potential vanilloid 1 (TRPV1), which transduces a nociceptive response to capsaicin. Electrophysiological data revealed that S4 dorsal root stimulation could evoke regular rhythmic bursting activity, and our data suggested that capsaicin‐sensitive collaterals contribute to CPG activation across multiple segments. Capsaicin's effect on S4‐evoked locomotor activity was potent until the lumbar 5 (L5) segments, and diminished in rostral segments. Using calcium imaging we found elevated calcium transients within Lissauer's tract and dorsal column at L5 segments when compared to the calcium transients only within the dorsal column at the lumbar 2 (L2) segments, which were desensitized by capsaicin. We conclude that lumbar locomotor networks in the neonatal mouse spinal cord are targets for modulation by direct multisegmental nSCA, subsets of which express TRPV1 in Lissauer's tract and the dorsal column. J. Comp. Neurol. 521:2870–2887, 2013. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Structure and optical properties of Mg‐doped ZnO nanoparticles by polyacrylamide method
Authors: Wu Yan , Yun Jin , Wang Linqin , Yang Xiang 
Published: February 2013

AbstractMg‐doped ZnO (MgxZn1‐xO) nanoparticles with precise stoichiometry are synthesized through polyacrylamide polymer method. Calcination of the polymer precursor at 650 °C gives particles of the homogeneous solid solution of the (MgxZn1‐xO) system in the composition range (x < 0.15). ZnO doping with Mg causes shrinkage of lattice parameter c. The synthesized MgxZn1‐xO nanoparticles are typically with the diameter of 70–85 nm. Blue shift of band gap with the Mg‐content is demonstrated, and photoluminescence (PL) from ZnO has been found to be tunable in a wide range from green to blue through Mg doping. The blue‐related PL therefore appeared to be caused by energetic shifts of the valence band and/or the conduction band of ZnO. MgxZn1‐xO nanoparticles synthesized by polyacrylamide‐gel method after modified by polyethylene glycol surfactant have a remarkable improvement of stability in the ethanol solvent, indicating that these MZO nanoparticles could be considered as the candidate for the application of solution–processed technologies for optoelectronics at ambient temperature conditions.
Large‐Amplitude piezoelectric properties of KNbO−3‐based lead‐free ferroelectric ceramics
Authors: Nagata Hajime , Takenaka Tadashi 
Published: February 2013

AbstractHigh‐power piezoelectric characteristics of Mn‐ doped KNbO3 (KN + MnCO3 at x wt%, x = 0 to 0.8 wt%, KN‐Mnx) ceramics are reported for the first time in this paper. The mechanical quality factor Qm of KN‐Mnx ceramics at small‐amplitude vibration increased with the Mn content, and the Qm of KN‐Mn0.8 ceramic reached about 820. The maximum vibration speed vo−p, about 2.3 ms, was obtained for KN‐Mn0.8 with Qm = 820. Qm for large‐amplitude vibration in KN‐Mn0.8 and Pb(Zr, Ti)O3 (PZT)‐based ceramics (N6) decreased with increasing vo−p. Qm of KN‐Mn0.8 was smaller than that of N6 for small‐amplitude vibration. However, for large‐amplitude vibration at which vo−p > 0.6 m/s, the Qm value of KN‐Mn0.8 was larger than that of N6. These results indicate that KN‐based lead‐free piezoelectric ceramics possess superior mechanical stability for large‐amplitude vibration. This is a very good sign for high‐power piezoelectric applications. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Electron Comm Jpn, 96(3): 53–58, 2013; Published online in Wiley Online Library (wileyonlinelibrary.com). DOI 10.1002/ecj.10416
Improvement of photo‐functional properties of TiO2 thin film coated by W surface layer
Authors: Shukur Haider A. , Sato Mitsunobu , Takano Ichiro 
Published: February 2013

AbstractTiO2 thin films with a W layer to improve photo‐functional properties were prepared using the reactive magnetron sputtering method. The W thin films at a thickness of 0.4 to 2.5 mm were coated onto the TiO2 thin films using the same magnetron sputtering. The surface chemical state of the W‐coated TiO2 thin films measured by X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy showed W metal and/or W oxide on the TiO2 thin film. A spectrophotometer was used to investigate UV‐Vis absorption of the W‐coated TiO2 thin films which absorb energy of longer wavelength than the TiO2 thin film without the W surface layer. Visible‐light photocatalysis of the W‐coated TiO2 thin films was improved by four points in the sample with a W layer thickness of 1.7 nm, and photoconductivity was improved by four times under an artificial sun lamp. It is demonstrated that these improvements in the photo‐functional properties were achieved by a different cause. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Electron Comm Jpn, 96(3): 45–52, 2013; Published online in Wiley Online Library (wileyonlinelibrary.com). DOI 10.1002/ecj.11409
Engineering ethics education on the basis of continuous education to improve communication ability
Authors: Takahara Kenji , Kajiwara Toshinori 
Published: February 2013

AbstractThis paper proposes an engineering ethics education method for students on the basis of continuous education to improve communication ability. First, through the process of debate, the students acquire the fundamental skills necessary to marshal their arguments, to construct rebuttals, and to summarize debates. Second, the students study the fundamental techniques to make a presentation on technical subjects related to electrical engineering. Following these classes, in lectures on engineering ethics, the students probe the causes of various accidents and consider better approaches for avoiding such accidents with each other. In most cases, the students can express good and commonsensical opinions from an ethical standpoint. However, they can hardly make judgments when the situations, such as the human relations in the above accidents, are set up in concrete terms. During the engineering ethics class, the students come to know that the human relations behind the case make ethical matters more complicated. Furthermore, they come to understand that facilitating daily communications with co‐workers and/or supervisors is very important in order to avoid such accidents. The recognition of the students is primarily the result of the continuous education during 3 years. It can be said that the engineering ethics education thus constructed increases in the students this kind of spontaneous awareness as well as their ethical qualities as engineers. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Electr Eng Jpn, 183(3): 1–8, 2013; Published online in Wiley Online Library (wileyonlinelibrary.com). DOI 10.1002/eej.22283
Forty-seven days of decay does not change persistent organic pollutant levels in loggerhead sea turtle eggs
Authors: Keller Jennifer M. 
Published: February 2013

Abstract
Reptile and bird eggs are priority samples for specimen banking programs that assess spatial and temporal trends of environmental contaminants. From endangered species, such as sea turtles, nonlethal sampling is required (e.g., unhatched eggs collected postemergence). Previous contaminant monitoring studies have used unhatched sea turtle eggs, but no study has tested whether their concentrations represent levels found in fresh eggs (e.g., eggs collected within 24 h of oviposition). The author analyzed three fresh eggs from different nest depths and up to three unhatched eggs from 10 loggerhead sea turtle (Caretta caretta) nests in South Carolina, USA, for a suite of persistent organic pollutants (POPs). Lipid-normalized POP concentrations were not significantly different (p &gt; 0.05) between fresh and unhatched eggs or among different depths from the same nest. The POP concentrations in loggerhead eggs from South Carolina were higher than previously measured concentrations in eggs from Florida and slightly lower than concentrations in eggs from North Carolina. This pattern agrees with previously observed trends of increasing POP concentrations in loggerhead turtles inhabiting northern latitudes along the U.S. East Coast. Contaminant profiles are discussed, including a higher chlorinated pattern of polychlorinated biphenyls possibly associated with a Superfund site in nearby Brunswick, Georgia, USA, and unusual polybrominated diphenylether patterns seen in this and previous sea turtle studies. Concentrations correlated with one of eight measurements of reproductive success; levels were negatively correlated with egg mass (p &lt; 0.05), which may have implications for hatchling fitness. The present study suggests that unhatched eggs can be used for POP-monitoring projects. Environ. Toxicol. Chem. 2013;32:747–756. © 2013 SETAC
Sodium chloride enhances cadmium tolerance through reducing cadmium accumulation and increasing anti-oxidative enzyme activity in tobacco
Authors: Zhang Bing-Lin , Shang Sheng-Hua , Zhang Hai-Tao , Jabeen Zahra , Zhang Guo-Ping 
Published: February 2013

Abstract

The effect of sodium chloride (NaCl) on cadmium (Cd) uptake, translocation, and oxidative stress was investigated using 2 tobacco cultivars differing in Cd tolerance. The growth inhibition of the tobacco plants exposed to Cd toxicity was in part alleviated by moderate addition of NaCl in the culture solution. Cadmium concentration of shoots and roots in the 2 cultivars increased with increasing Cd levels in the solution and decreased with the addition of NaCl. The addition of NaCl could alleviate the oxidative stress caused by Cd toxicity, as reflected by reduced production of malondialdehyde and recovered or enhanced activities of antioxidative enzymes catalase and glutathione peroxidase. The results also showed that the enhancement of antioxidative enzyme activity by NaCl for the tobacco plants exposed to Cd stress is related to induced Ca signaling. Environ Toxicol Chem 2013;32:1420–1425. © 2013 SETAC
Modeling and experimental studies of thermal degradation of glass fiber reinforced polymer composites
Authors: Tsoi Marvin , Zhuge Jinfeng , Chen Ruey‐Hung , Gou Jihua 
Published: February 2013

ABSTRACTThis study developed a numerical model that simulated the degradation rate and temperature profiles of a glass fiber reinforced polyester resin composite exposed to a constant heat flux in a cone calorimeter. By considering the thermal properties of the composite structure consisting of alternating layers of pure polymer and polymer‐infused glass fiber mat, the numerical model seeks to reproduce the experimental data from the cone calorimeter test. The final results are achieved through adding a simulated heat flux from the pilot ignition of the degraded gas of the polyester resin. The good agreement between the predicted and experimental results suggests that such models are cost‐saving tools over the process of designing and manufacturing of composites for meeting fire safety requirements, without having to fabricate many samples for testing and final selection. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.