bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Five-year results of the prospective, randomized, multicenter, Food and Drug Administration investigational device exemption study of the ProDisc-L total disc replacement versus circumferential arthrodesis for the treatment of single-level degenerative disc disease
Authors: Zigler Jack E. , Delamarter Rick B. 
Published: October 2012

Object
The purpose of this study was to evaluate the long-term safety and effectiveness of the ProDisc-L total disc replacement (TDR) as part of an FDA-mandated postmarket approval study. This report summarizes the clinical findings after 5 years of follow-up.

Methods
Two hundred thirty-six patients were treated and followed up for 5 years; 161 TDRs and 75 fusions had been performed in these patients. The primary outcome was a 10-component success end point. Secondary outcome measures included neurological status, secondary surgery, Oswestry Disability Index (ODI), 36-Item Short Form Health Survey (SF-36), visual analog scale (VAS) assessing pain and satisfaction, radiographic data, narcotic use, activity, and recreation status. Patients were monitored through their 5-year postoperative visits under the FDA postmarket surveillance provisions in the original investigational device exemption approval.

Results
The overall follow-up rate at 5 years was 81.8%. Study success demonstrated that TDR was noninferior to fusion with a 12.5% margin (p = 0.0099). Both TDR and fusion treatment groups maintained significant improvement on the ODI at 5 years compared with baseline (p < 0.0001). Secondary surgeries at the index level were performed in 12% of fusion patients and 8% of TDR patients. Radiographically, none of the TDRs developed spontaneous fusion. The segmental range of motion following TDR remained within normal range, although it decreased by approximately 0.5° in years 3 to 5. The VAS pain scores decreased from preoperative values by 48% in both treatment groups at 5 years. Patient satisfaction remained high in both groups (77%), while the percentage of patients indicating that they would have the surgery again was higher in TDR patients (82.5%) than in fusion patients (68.0%).

Conclusions
Patients in both groups maintained significant improvement during the 5-year follow-up. The TDR group had significantly better improvement on some scales. Although TDR patients avoid the stiffness of fusion and are more satisfied than fusion patients, both fusion and TDR are reasonable surgical options in this specific patient population.
CHEMICAL PULPING. Oxidative degradation of AOX in softwood-based kraft mill effluents from E C F bleachin g
Authors: lsoaho Jukka Pekka , Tarkkanen Suvi , Alen Raimo , Fiskari Juha 
Published: October 2012

Abstract
Softwood-based kraft mill bleaching effluents from the initial bleaching stages D0 and E1 (the bleaching sequence being D0E 1D 1 E2D2) were treated by the oxidative Fenton method (H20rFeS04) to decompose organic pollutants contammg adsorbable organic halogens (AOX). Experiments designed using the Taguchi method were applied to predict the process conditions that would result in a cost-effective and adequate removal of AOX. In addition to the composition and concentration of the reagents (H202 and Fe2+), the main process parameters selected were temperature and reaction time, while pH was adj usted to an approximate value of 4 (the volumetric ratio of the mixed effluents D0:E 1 was 3 :2). The results indicated that an AOX removal of about 70% for this mixture ( corresponding to about 50% for the mill) was achieved when the eftluent samples were treated for 60 min at 70°C with H202 and Fe2+ at a concentration of 1 600 mg/1 and 28 mg/1, respectively.
PRINTING. The ageing resistance of offset and electrophotographic prints
Authors: Grilj Silva , Muck Tadeja , Gregor-Svetec Diana 
Published: October 2012

Abstract
The moist heat (80°C and 65% relative humidity) and light (xenon arc lamp) treatments of accelerated ageing were applied to investigate the colour stability of offset and electrophotographic prints on papers made of virgin and I 00% recycled fibres. The prints were evaluated using spectrophotometric measurements and additional colour differences calculations. In addition to the colour differences, the 2D and 3D colour gamuts are presented. The results reveal the different colour stability of prints. The effect depends on the type of accelerated ageing, printing technique, composition of ink and paper characteristics. Moist heat ageing has less influence on colour stability than light ageing. The electrophotographic prints show better ageing resistance than offset prints. The intluence of ink on print light fastness is considerable. Azo pigments in magenta and yellow have lower light fastness than phthalocyanine pigments in cyan or carbon black. The surface coating has an intluence on light fastness of prints. Meanwhile, prints on recycled papers show similar colour stability compared to prints on papers made of virgin fibres
La population en droit constitutionnel
Authors: Ondoua Alain 
Published: October 2012

Résumé L’approche classique de la souveraineté ne renseigne pas suffisamment sur l’organisation singulière des espaces politiques africains. En effet, placer la focale sur les concepts de peuple ou de nation peut conduire à une sorte de « myopie constitutionnelle », dès lors que de nombreux conflits politiques ou postélectoraux résultent souvent de l’absence de véritable prise en compte de la composition humaine des collectivités étatiques africaines. Une autre voie mérite par conséquent d’être explorée : mobiliser le concept de population (concept davantage utilisé dans les études démographiques) dans la compréhension et la construction des sociétés politiques à substrat humain complexe, à l’exemple des pays d’Afrique francophone.
Quelques réserves sur l'élection du président de la République au suffrage universel
Authors: Fall Ismaïla Madior 
Published: October 2012

Résumé Discuter de la pertinence ou de la légitimité de l’élection du président de la République au suffrage universel direct dans les sociétés politiques contemporaines, n’est-ce pas tabou ? Peut-être pas si l’on considère que la science du droit et de la politique s’autorise à discuter de tout. Mais il est vrai qu’une discussion sur la pertinence de la désignation populaire du président peut quand même paraître taboue, au moins incongrue, si l’on pense aux vertus de celle-ci qui a fini de conquérir ses lettres de noblesse dans des grandes démocraties avant de s’étendre aux systèmes politiques de tous les continents.
Les compétences du contrôleur de gestion : des besoins autant humains que techniques
Authors: Ducrocq Charles , Bironneau Laurent , Le Roy Bruno , Thenet Gervais 
Published: October 2012

Résumé Les contrôleurs de gestion doivent faire face à des changements majeurs, liés au développement des technologies de l’information et de la communication, mais aussi à l’émergence d’outils de modélisation et d’analyse. Nous nous intéressons aux conséquences de ces mutations sur les besoins en compétence des contrôleurs de gestion : quelles sont les compétences dont doit disposer aujourd’hui un contrôleur de gestion et celles qui seront importantes dans le futur ? Notre analyse s’appuie sur une enquête auprès de 129 contrôleurs de gestion, au moyen d’un questionnaire qui recense aussi bien des compétences techniques que de compétences humaines. Nos résultats confirment que les compétences techniques métiers constituent toujours le socle du quotidien d’un contrôleur de gestion, mais les répondants accordent une importance tout aussi forte aux compétences sociales et intra-personnelles.
Les programmes de formation à l'entre-preneuriat sont-ils réellement utiles ? Le cas des concours pédagogiques de création d'entreprise
Authors: Arlotto Jacques , Jourdan Philippe , Sahut Jean-Michel , Teulon Frédéric 
Published: October 2012

Résumé Cet article traite de l’impact du concours « Challenge Projets d’Entreprendre » sur l’intention entrepreneuriale des étudiants, mais également sur sa véritable contribution à la création d’entreprises innovantes comme facteur de motivation et de stimulation. Les résultats confirment son rôle « d’éveil » auprès des étudiants, mais ils ne permettent pas de conclure que ce type de formation influence de manière prépondérante le passage à l’acte de création, même pour les lauréats du concours.
Phenotypes of Peripheral Blood Lymphocytes and Cytokine Expression in Polymyositis and Dermatomyositis before Treatment and after Clinical Remission
Authors: Shimojima Yasuhiro , Ishii Wataru , Matsuda Masayuki , Ikeda Shu-ichi 
Published: October 2012

ObjectiveTo investigate peripheral blood lymphocyte subpopulations, particularly helper T (Th) cells and cytokine expression before and after treatment in polymyositis (PM) and dermatomyositis (DM).Patients and MethodsTen patients with PM and 15 with DM were enrolled in this study. As a control we used 11 age-matched healthy subjects. We analyzed peripheral blood lymphocytes using flow cytometry. Serum cytokines were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.ResultsTh2/Th1 and Th2/Th17 ratios were significantly higher in both PM and DM than in controls and this Th2-predominancy is marked in DM associated with interstitial pneumonia. IL-1β, IL-6 and TGF-β were significantly higher in both PM and DM and IL-4 showed a significant increase in DM when compared to controls. There was no significant correlation between either any lymphocyte subpopulations or serum cytokines and clinical severity markers such as the manual muscle strength test, serum creatine kinase, and the total CT score. Th2/Th17 in both PM and DM, as well as Th2/Th1 in the latter, significantly decreased after clinical remission compared with before treatment.ConclusionsTh2-predominancy as shown by the increase in Th2/Th1 and Th2/Th17 ratios may suggest active disease in PM/DM but does not reflect clinical severity.
Gestão mercadológica e lucratividade: um estudo com jogos de empresas
Authors: Silva Marco Antônio , Sauaia Antonio Carlos Aidar 
Published: October 2012

The marketing management in organizations is crucial for affecting the generation of revenue. However, managers have little understood the impact of management on profitability, because the difficulty of measuring the effects on the results. This study compared marketing management in companies that worked with operational focus to those working with strategic focus. Data produced in a business game with nine competing firms were examined in a descriptive study focusing the impact on profits and on the Internal Rate of Return. The analysis of the decisions revealed that four companies were operational oriented and five companies were strategic oriented. The results showed that the strategic marketing management absorbed larger investments, generating greater value to shareholders and maintaining the expectation of business continuity. Business games as a research environment have much to contribute to empirical studies in the Marketing field.
Le travail atypique au Québec
Authors: Noiseux Yanick 
Published: October 2012

L’article porte sur l’impact de la transformation des marchés du travail pour les jeunes du Québec. Après avoir brièvement présenté le « modèle de centrifugation de l’emploi du coeur vers les marchés périphériques du travail dans l’après-fordisme, il montre que cette dynamique conduit à une rehiérarchisation des marchés du travail sur la base du statut d’emploi en s’appuyant sur des données publiées par l’Institut québécois de la statistique (ISQ). L’article montre que les effets délétères de cette dynamique se surimposent aux jeunes travailleurs et travailleuses non seulement parce que ceux-ci sont surreprésentés dans le travail atypique, mais aussi parce qu’ils subissent disproportionnellement l’impact de la rémunération plus faible, de l’accès restreint aux régimes de protection sociale et à la représentation syndicale associés aux emplois atypiques.
Crystal Oscillator Design
Authors: Poddar Ajay K. , Rohde Ulrich L. 
Published: October 2012

Abstract
Crystal oscillators are commonly used as reference frequency standards for synthesis of the harmonic signal required for their operation in synthesizer and timing devices. The phase noise of these reference frequency standards limits the noise floor and electromagnetic interference susceptibility that affects the dynamic range, selectivity, and sensitivity of a receiver. This contribution is devoted to design guidelines for selecting the low‐phase‐noise topology of crystal oscillator circuits for the applications in modern communication systems. Numerous practical examples are demonstrated and validated with computer‐assisted design (CAD) simulation and measured results, which allows for the realization of high‐performance stable reference frequency standards.
The Effect of Additives on Amorphous Calcium Carbonate (ACC): Janus Behavior in Solution and the Solid State
Authors: Ihli Johannes , Kim Yi‐Yeoun , Noel Elizabeth H. , Meldrum Fiona C. 
Published: October 2012

AbstractAmorphous calcium carbonate (ACC) is an important intermediate in the formation of crystalline CaCO3 biominerals, where its crystallization is controlled using soluble additives. However, although this transformation often occurs in the solid state, experiments mainly focus on the effect of additives on ACC crystallization in solution. This paper addresses this issue and compares the crystallization, in solution and in the solid state, of ACC precipitated in the presence of a range of additives. Surprisingly, these results show that some additives exhibit a Janus behavior, where they retard crystallization in solution, yet accelerate it in the solid state. This is observed for all of the larger molecules examined, while the small molecules retard crystallization in both solution and the solid state.
Synthesis of Natural Cellulose–Based Graft Copolymers Using Methyl Methacrylate as an Efficient Monomer
Authors: Thakur V. K. , Singha A. S. , Thakur M. K. 
Published: October 2012

AbstractCellulose‐based materials are one of the most significant candidates for the preparation of a number of copolymers by graft copolymerization owing to their linear structure, providing good reinforcing properties to the resulting copolymers. Therefore, in the present study, in an effort to develop novel low‐cost ecofriendly green polymeric materials, graft copolymers based on lignocellulose were synthesized by graft copolymerization of methyl methacrylate. Different reaction parameters were optimized to get the optimum graft yield, and the graft copolymers were subjected to the analysis of different physicochemical properties. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Adv Polym Techn 32: E741–E748, 2013; View this article online at wileyonlinelibrary.com. DOI 10.1002/adv.21317
Fabrication of superhydrophobic coatings based on nanoparticles and fluoropolyurethane
Authors: Seyedmehdi S. A. , Zhang Hui , Zhu Jesse 
Published: October 2012

AbstractHydrophobic nanosilica or nanofluoric particles were mixed with fluoropolyurethane resin to fabricate superhydrophobic coatings that have contact angles higher than 145°. These coatings were prepared from the simple mixing of nanoparticles in fluoropolymer and were cured at room temperature. Different fractions of nanosilica, nanofluoric particles, and the combination of them were used to find the best formulations of superhydrophobic coatings. Contact angle, contact angle hysteresis, sliding angle, hardness, and UV durability tests were conducted to find the effectiveness of these coatings. The results showed that only fluoropolyurethane coatings containing nanosilica or the combination of it and fluoric particles were superhydrophobic. Also, the hardness of coatings was increased by raising nanoparticle concentrations. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci., 2013
Scrutinizing the influence of strain‐induced fiber orientation on the melt rheological behavior of short aramid fiber/thermoplastic elastomer composite using rubber process analyzer
Authors: Shibulal G. S. , Naskar K. 
Published: October 2012

AbstractThe effect of fiber loading and its orientational changes on the melt rheological behavior of a short aramid fiber reinforced ethylene‐octene copolymer was explored as function of dynamic strain and frequency using a Rubber Process Analyser (RPA). The rheological responses such as the storage modulus and complex viscosity to a cyclic dynamic strain sweep and subsequent linear viscoelastic (LVE) frequency sweep were performed to probe the orientational changes of the short fiber within the sample. An enhanced elastic shear modulus was observed at the low strain regime with a few numbers of repeated strain sweeps and level off thereafter. This can be attributed to the orientational changes of the short fiber from an initial random orientation to a well‐ordered concentric fiber string and the string–string packing with repeated oscillatory shear strain. The complex viscosity measured as a function of LVE frequency sweep having the influence of a pre strain history was also found to increases in first few cycles, but very interestingly the complex viscosity measured at all the frequency sweep cycles shows similar values, which are not subjected to any strain history. The optical microscopic images of the samples before and after the RPA analyses clearly support the possibility of fiber orientations and their subsequent packing with repeated strain sweeps. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci., 2013
Preparation and properties of cardanol‐based polybenzoxazine/SiO2 hybrids by sol‐gel technique
Authors: Li Shengfang , Zou Tao , Feng Li , Liu Xianli , Tao Min 
Published: October 2012

AbstractA new cardanol‐based benzoxazine monomer containing a hydroxyl group (CBZ) was synthesized and characterized by FT‐IR and 1H NMR spectroscopy. The formation mechanism of cardanol‐based polybenzoxazine/SiO2 hybrids from CBZ and tetraethoxysilane (TEOS) by sol‐gel technique was invested by FT‐IR analysis. FT‐IR and SEM confirmed that there were many SiO2 particles formed and embedded in the cardanol‐based polybenzoxazine. A phase separation occurred when the ratio (wt) of TEOS to CBZ was not less than 3 : 5. TGA results illuminated the thermal stability and char yield of cardanol‐based polybenzoxazine could be enhanced due to the formation of SiO2 particles in the polybenzoxazine matrix. Incorporation of SiO2 could improve the surface de‐wetting and anti‐ultraviolet properties of the films. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci., 2013
Preparation, structure characterization, and thermal performance of phenyl‐modified MQ silicone resins
Authors: Xu Xiaoqiu , Wu Chuan , Zhang Baohua , Dong Hong 
Published: October 2012

AbstractMethyl‐ and phenyl‐modified MQ resins have been prepared by cohydrolysis and condensation‐polymerization of the prepolymer of sodium silicate with SiO2/Na2O = 3.33 using the ethanol solution of hexamethyldisiloxane (MM), 1,1,3,3‐tetramethyl‐1,3‐divinyldisiloxane (TMDVS), methyldiphenylethoxysilane (MDPES), dimethylphenylethoxysilane (DMPES), or their dimers. The influence of different end‐capping agents on the composition and properties of the MQ resins has been investigated. Thermogravimetric analysis and differential scanning calorimetry results indicate that when the MQ resins are end capped with DMPES instead of MDPES, the resins were more easily purified and almost no high boiling point residuals were found in the phenyl MQ resins. The refractive indexes of the MQ resins were significantly affected by the phenyl group and their values could be adjusted by changing the amount of DMPES. The structures of the resins were characterized by 1H‐NMR and FT–IR spectroscopy. The M/Q ratios in the prepared MQ resins were calculated from the 1H‐NMR spectra or from elemental analysis or both. The M/Q values obtained agreed well with the changes of appearance and thermal stabilities of the MQ resins. The thermal stabilities of the MQ resins were greatly enhanced when DMPES was used. Phenyl‐modified MQ resins were in the form of white powders due to the rigidity of the phenyl group while methyl MQ resins exhibited a range of appearances, from transparent liquids to white powders, with the reduction of M/Q values. The method developed to calculate the M/Q values is useful for the characterization of MQ resins and their derivatives. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci., 2013
Preparation, processing, and rheology of thermoplastic collagen
Authors: Klüver Enno , Meyer Michael 
Published: October 2012

AbstractThis article describes a technology for the thermoplastic treatment of collagen. Based on limed, untanned cattle pelts a fine powder, termed Thermoplastic Collagen (TC) is produced, which can be processed using conventional thermoplastic techniques. Central step in the production of TC is the partial denaturation of collagen, which was achieved by four different methods. Extrusion of TC at temperatures below 100°C is possible after addition of 30–60% water as plasticizer. In order to maintain permanent flexibility and reduce tackiness, glycerol and stearic acid are used as additives. Shear and elongational viscosities of TC‐water‐mixtures decrease with the shear rate which is consistent with the behavior of thermoplastic materials. The power law can be applied, yielding power law indices of 0.15–0.35. The viscosities are more distinctly influenced by raw material and water content than by temperature or glycerol content. Material properties of the extrudates are described and compared with the starting material. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci., 2013
A Synthetic Amino Acid Residue Containing A New Oligopeptide‐Based Photosensitive Fluorescent Organogel
Authors: Maiti Dibakar Kumar , Banerjee Arindam 
Published: October 2012

AbstractA synthetic amino acid (with a stilbene residue in the main chain) containing a tripeptide‐based organogelator has been discovered. This peptide‐based synthetic molecule 1 self‐assembles in various organic solvents to form an organogel. The gel has been thoroughly characterized by using various microscopic techniques including field‐emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), atomic force microscopy (AFM), X‐ray diffraction (XRD), UV‐visible and fluorescence spectroscopy, and rheology. Morphological investigations using FESEM and AFM show a nanofibrillar network structure. Interestingly, the organogel is photoresponsive and a gel–sol transition occurred by irradiating the gel with UV light of 365 nm for 2 h as shown by the UV and fluorescence study. This photoresponsive fluorescent gel holds promise for new peptide‐based soft materials with interesting applications.
Dα‐Type Iterative Learning Control for Fractional‐Order Linear Time‐Delay Systems
Authors: Lan Yong‐Hong , Zhou Yong 
Published: October 2012

AbstractThis paper presents a second order ‐type iterative learning control (ILC) scheme for a class of fractional‐order linear time‐delay systems with fractional order α (0 ≤ α < 1). First, by analyzing the control and learning processes, a discrete system for ‐type ILC is established. Then, ILC design problem is converted to a stabilization problem for such a discrete system. Next, by introducing the (λ, ξ)‐norm and using a generalized Gronwall‐Bellman lemma, the sufficient condition for the robust convergence with respect to the bounded external disturbance of the control input and the tracking errors is obtained. Finally, the validity of the method is verified by two numerical examples.