bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The Cochrane Library and acute otitis media in children: an overview of reviews
Authors: Oleszczuk Marta , Fernandes Ricardo M. , Thomson Denise , Shaikh Nader 
Published: March 2012

AbstractBackgroundAcute otitis media (AOM) is one of the most common clinical problems in childhood with peak incidence occurring in the first 2 years of life.ObjectivesTo critically evaluate the available evidence in The Cochrane Library regarding the treatment of AOM.MethodsThe Cochrane Library was searched using the terms ‘otitis media’ and ‘ear infection’. Reviews focusing on the treatment of AOM in children were included. Data on patient relevant outcomes (pain, treatment failure, AOM recurrence and adverse events) were extracted by two authors.Main resultsSix reviews were included in this overview. The first review compared antibiotics with placebo. Antibiotics reduced pain on days 2–7 [odds ratio (OR): 0.61; 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.49–0.75; Number needed to treat (NNT) = 14] but increased overall adverse events (OR: 2.35; 95% CI: 1.14–4.84; NNT = 7). Antibiotics also reduced the number of children with treatment failure (persistence of signs and symptoms at the end of therapy) (OR: 0.40; 95% CI: 0.27–0.60; NNT = 8), and this effect was larger in two recent randomized controlled trials which used stringent diagnostic criteria and were restricted to young children (OR: 0.24; 95% CI: 0.16–0.34; NNT = 4). The second review addressing the length of antibiotic treatment showed that shorter courses of oral antibiotics resulted in a slightly increased likelihood of treatment failure (OR: 1.34; 95% CI: 1.16, 1.55), although trial quality was limited. In the third review, no significant differences were noted between once‐ or twice‐daily versus three times‐daily administration of amoxicillin‐based antibiotic treatment; however, the quality of the original data on which the review was based was less than optimal. The fourth review compared delayed antibiotics to immediate therapy or to no antibiotics for AOM, with no differences in pain between groups. In the fifth review, decongestants and/or antihistamines were compared with placebo. Decongestants and antihistamines provided no appreciable benefit and were associated with significant adverse events (OR: 3.74; 95% CI: 1.53, 9.16). In the sixth review, topical analgesic drops and placebo were compared. Use of analgesic drops was associated with a significant increase in pain reduction (OR: 3.07; 95% CI: 1.33, 7.05).Authors' conclusionsCurrent evidence suggests that antibiotic treatment may be justified in young children with stringently diagnosed AOM. Copyright © 2012 The Cochrane Collaboration. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. The Cochrane Collaboration
Synthesis and Evaluation of Lipophilic BTBP Ligands for An/Ln Separation in Nuclear Waste Treatment: The Effect of Alkyl Substitution on Extraction Properties and Implications for Ligand Design (Eur. J. Org. Chem. 8/2012)
Authors: Lewis Frank W. , Harwood Laurence M. , Hudson Michael J. , Distler Petr , John Jan , Stamberg Karel , Núñez Ana , Galán Hitos , Espartero Amparo G. 
Published: March 2012

AbstractThe cover picture shows four radiochemical gloveboxes used for working with plutonium and other α‐active radioactive materials as the background image. The gloveboxes contain centrifugal contactors and mixer‐settler rigs for use in laboratory‐scale solvent extraction, actinide oxide dissolution and aqueous actinide chemistry and spectroscopy. The picture is courtesy of Dr. Robin Taylor, National Nuclear Laboratory, Sellafield, Seascale, Cumbria CA20 1PG, UK. The foreground represents the selective extraction of AmIII over EuIII by new 6,6′‐bis(triazinyl)‐2,2′‐bipyridine (BTBP) ligands, a family of ligands currently under study for the separation of actinides from lanthanides in a proposed future selective actinide extraction (SANEX) process. This separation is foreseen as an important step in reducing the long‐term radiotoxicity of nuclear waste. Details are discussed in the article by F. W. Lewis, L. M. Harwood et al. on p. 1509 ff. magnified image
Experimental simulation of base‐isolated buildings pounding against moat wall and effects on superstructure response
Authors: Masroor Armin , Mosqueda Gilberto 
Published: March 2012

SUMMARYBase‐isolated buildings are typically important facilities expected to remain functional after a major earthquake. However, their behavior under extreme ground shaking is not well understood. A series of earthquake simulator experiments were performed to assess performance limit states of seismically isolated buildings under strong ground motions, including pounding against a moat wall. The test setup consists of a quarter scale three‐story frame isolated at the base with friction pendulum bearings and a moat wall model. An effort was made to properly scale the strength and the stiffness of the frame relative to the bearings properties from a professionally designed isolated three‐story steel intermediate moment‐resisting frame so that realistic yielding mechanisms can be observed. The moat wall was modeled as either a rigid triangle steel stopper or a concrete wall of various thicknesses with soil backfill. The moat wall gap was set to various displacement increments to examine the sensitivity of this parameter and also to assess the effects of impact on the superstructure at different velocities. The test results indicate that the contact forces are largely dependent on the gap distance, impact velocity and wall flexibility and, in extreme cases, pounding can induce yielding in the superstructure. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
A Brief Form of Interpersonal Psychotherapy for Adult Patients with Bulimic Disorders: A Pilot Study
Authors: Arcelus Jon , Whight Debbie , Brewin Nicky , McGrain Lesley 
Published: March 2012

AbstractObjectiveThe aim of the study was to pilot a brief form of interpersonal psychotherapy (IPT) for the treatment of patients with bulimic disorders.MethodTen patients with bulimic disorder treated with a new brief version of IPT (IPT‐BN10) completed measurements of eating disorders psychopathology (Eating Disorders Examination Questionnaire, Bulimic Investigatory Test Edinburgh) and depression (Beck Depression Inventory). The results were matched with a group of patients treated with conventional IPT and with waiting list control.ResultsStatistical differences were found between starting and ending of therapy for those patients treated with IPT‐BN10. Statistical difference was also found when comparing with waiting list control.DiscussionThe pilot study suggests that IPT‐BN10 may be an effective treatment for patients having bulimic disorders; however, this hypothesis needs to be tested in an experimental way. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd and Eating Disorders Association.
Surface‐Initiated Controlled Radical Polymerization in Ordered Mesoporous Silicas
Authors: Kruk Michal 
Published: March 2012

AbstractRecent advances in the synthesis of well‐defined high‐surface‐area mesoporous silica/polymer composites via surface‐initiated polymerization (“grafting from” method) and via attachment of preformed polymer chains (“grafting to” method) to surfaces of ordered mesoporous silicas (OMSs) are reviewed in the context of related research areas. Prior work on polymerizations in nanoscale confinements of OMSs is outlined and surface‐initiated polymerization in disordered mesoporous silicas is briefly discussed. Early work on the surface‐initiated radical polymerization initiated from OMS surface is reviewed and recent work involving OMS supports with large mesopores is discussed to illustrate the ability to form well‐defined polymer brushes in nanopores using atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP). The synthesis of polymer brushes in mesopores through the combination of ATRP or other polymerizations and the “click” chemistry is also outlined.
Removal of monochlorobenzene from air in a trickling biofilter at high loading rates
Authors: Zilli Mario , Nicolella Cristiano 
Published: March 2012

AbstractBACKGROUND: In this study, the biofiltration of air streams laden with monochlorobenzene (MCB) vapours was investigated using a trickling biofilter operated co‐currently. The device was filled with ceramic material and inoculated with an acclimated microbial culture. A neutralization process was carried out in a separate unit using crushed oyster shells. Long‐term biofilter performance was evaluated over a 10‐month period of continuous experiments under different influent pollutant concentrations from 0.10 to 1.75 g m−3, sequentially stepped up through three different apparent air residence times of 60, 30, and 15 s.RESULTS: Pollutant removal was shown to be complete at influent concentrations up to 1.25, 0.75 and 0.20 g m−3, and apparent air residence times of 60, 30, and 15 s, respectively. The maximum elimination capacity was found to be 95.0 g mPM−3 h−1 for an influent concentration of 1.0 g m−3 and an apparent air residence time of 30 s, corresponding to a loading rate of 120.0 g mPM−3 h−1. Monochlorobenzene and biomass concentration profiles along the biofilter evidenced the dependence of microbial concentration distribution on the pollutant loading rate and the existence of a linear relationship between biomass concentration and specific pollutant removal rate, regardless of the operating conditions applied. A macrokinetic analysis shows that the MCB removal rate is zeroth order for low values of MCB concentration. A critical value of MCB concentration exists at all superficial air velocity at which the biomass growth is inhibited. A simple kinetic model is developed which is able to describe the inhibition behaviour under any operating conditions.CONCLUSION: The experimental results indicated that the system was effective and stable under various working conditions and over a long operating period, provided that the loading conditions corresponding to substrate inhibition of microbial growth are not exceeded. Copyright © 2012 Society of Chemical Industry
Effect of temperature and air flow rate on carbon and nitrogen compounds changes during the biodrying of swine manure in order to produce combustible biomasses
Authors: Avalos Ramirez Antonio , Godbout Stéphane , Léveillée François , Zegan Dan , Larouche Jean‐Pierre 
Published: March 2012

AbstractBACKGROUND: Manure is the main waste of raising livestock, when spreading in soils can cause surface and ground water pollution. The management of manure is associated with emissions of greenhouse gases and odours. Dry manure contains at least 45% of carbon. This is an attractive characteristic for energetic valorisation. To use manure in the production of energy, it must be previously dried.RESULTS: Wet solids from swine manure containing 30% of dry matter were dried in laboratory scale biodryers. Four levels of aeration rate from 0.4 to 4 L min−1 kg$^{-1}_{\rm {DM}}$ and five levels of temperature from 25 to 65 °C were tested. The highest emissions of CO2, NH3 and N2O occurred at the highest air flow rate of 4 L min−1 kg$^{-1}_{\rm {DM}}$. For all operating conditions, the high calorific power had a mean value of 15 ± 0.4 MJ kg$^{-1}_{\rm {DM}}$. The dried biomass obtained had an energetic potential to valorise by combustion.CONCLUSION: The bed temperature and aeration rate have an effect on carbon and nitrogen bio‐cycles. These operating parameters can also control the release quantity and gaseous form of nitrogen. Several problems related to swine manure management can be solved by using biodrying, an economic and environmental friendly technology. Copyright © 2012 Society of Chemical Industry
Photocatalytic oxidation of treated municipal wastewaters for the removal of phenolic compounds: optimization and modeling using response surface methodology (RSM) and artificial neural networks (ANNs)
Authors: Antonopoulou Maria , Papadopoulos Vassilios , Konstantinou Ioannis 
Published: March 2012

AbstractBACKGROUND: TiO2 heterogeneous photocatalysis should be optimized before application for the removal of pollutants in treated wastewaters. The response surface methodology (RSM) and artificial neural networks (ANNs) were applied to model and optimize the photocatalytic degradation of total phenolic (TPh) compounds in real secondary and tertiary treated municipal wastewaters.RESULTS: RSM was developed by considering a central composite design (CCD) with three input variables, i.e. TiO2 mass, initial concentration of TPh and irradiation intensity. At the same time a feed‐forward multilayered perceptron ANN trained using back propagation algorithms was used and compared with RSM. Under the optimum conditions established in experiments ([TPh]0 = 3 mg L−1; [TiO2] = 300 mg L−1; I = 600 W m−2) the degradation for both TPh and total organic carbon (TOC) followed pseudo‐first‐order kinetic model. Complete degradation of TPh took place in 180 min and reduction of TOC reached 80%. A significant abatement of the overall toxicity was accomplished as revealed by Microtox bioassay.CONCLUSIONS: It was found that the variables considered have important effects on TPh removal efficiency. The results demonstrated that the use of experimental design strategy is indispensable for successful investigation and adequate modeling of the process and that ANNs gave better modelling capability than RSM. Copyright © 2012 Society of Chemical Industry
Fabrication and characterization of albumin‐acacia nanoparticles based on complex coacervation as potent nanocarrier
Authors: Hedayati Rouhollah , Jahanshahi Mohsen , Attar Hussain 
Published: March 2012

AbstractBACKGROUND: Bovine serum albumin (BSA) and Gum Arabic (Acacia) were used to fabricate nanoparticles (NPs) as a new nanocarrier for drug and bioactive delivery systems. Several parameters, namely pH, protein to polysaccharide ratio, ionic strength, total biopolymer concentration, temperature, agitation speed and glutaraldehyde concentration were investigated for their effect on the product preparation process. Besides fabrication, the stabilization step including heating, ultrasonicating, cross‐linking, and its effect on average size and polydispersity of NPs was examined.RESULTS: Total biopolymer concentration had no marked effect on the average size of prepared NPs although it did affect other systems produced by complex coacervation. The most effective parameters were pH, temperature and ionic strength, which affected this system (albumin‐acacia) by a complicated route. The smallest size of prepared NPs (i.e. the best product) was 108 nm, which was fabricated under the optimum condition of T = 4 °C, pH = 4.9, $Pr{:}Ps = 2$, and Is = 0.CONCLUSION: Of the stabilization methods tested, heating gave the best results. The fabricated NPs were purified with a 0.45 µm syringe filter and analyzed by PCS, SEM, FTIR and DSC. The mechanism of complex coacervation for preparing NPs, and their use as a nanodelivery system are discussed. Copyright © 2012 Society of Chemical Industry
Discrimination of organic coffee via Fourier transform infrared–photoacoustic spectroscopy
Authors: Gordillo‐Delgado Fernando , Marín Ernesto , Cortés‐Hernández Diego Mauricio , Mejía‐Morales Claudia , García‐Salcedo Angela Janet 
Published: March 2012

AbstractBACKGROUND: Procedures for the evaluation of the origin and quality of ground and roasted coffee are constantly needed for the associated industry due to complexity of the related market. Conventional Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy can be used for detecting changes in functional groups of compounds, such as coffee. However, dispersion, reflection and non‐homogeneity of the sample matrix can cause problems resulting in low spectral quality. On the other hand, sample preparation frequently takes place in a destructive way. To overcome these difficulties, in this work a photoacoustic cell has been adapted as a detector in a FTIR spectrophotometer to perform a study of roasted and ground coffee from three varieties of Coffea arabica grown by organic and conventional methods.RESULTS: Comparison between spectra of coffee recorded by FTIR‐photoacoustic spectrometry (PAS) and by FTIR spectrophotometry showed a better resolution of the former method, which, aided by principal components analysis, allowed the identification of some absorption bands that allow the discrimination between organic and conventional coffee.CONCLUSION: The results obtained provide information about the spectral behavior of coffee powder which can be useful for establishing discrimination criteria. It has been demonstrated that FTIR‐PAS can be a useful experimental tool for the characterization of coffee. Copyright © 2012 Society of Chemical Industry
The Stein Effect: an Alternative Film‐induced Tourism Perspective
Authors: Busby Graham , Huang Rong , Jarman Rebecca 
Published: March 2012

ABSTRACTCornwall, in the far west of England, has long been a popular holiday destination, attracting visitors with a range of motivations, both domestically and internationally. At the same time, gastronomy has become more of a motivation, and when viewed on the small screen with celebrity chef involvement, it is argued that a form of film‐induced tourism occurs. The research identified the influence of television celebrity chef Rick Stein upon visitors to the small, coastal town of Padstow, also now known as Padstein. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Micropatterning Polydiacetylene Supramolecular Vesicles on Glass Substrates using a Pre‐Patterned Hydrophobic Thin Film
Authors: Choi Ji‐Min , Yoon Bora , Choi Kyungyong , Seol Myeong‐Lok , Kim Jong‐Man , Choi Yang‐Kyu 
Published: March 2012

AbstractA micropatterning method for depositing polydiacetylene (PDA) supramolecular vesicles on glass substrates, employing a pre‐patterned hydrophobic thin film, is presented. The pre‐patterned hydrophobic thin film is used to define surface‐exposed regions on hydrophilic glass substrates where selective immobilization of PDA vesicles takes place. The observation that fluorescent patterns are generated by heat treatment of the deposited PDAs demonstrates that the vesicles are successfully immobilized in the form of micropatterns. Finally, the possibility that this strategy may be used to design a vesicle‐based sensor chip system is demonstrated by the observation that fluorescence patterns are generated when the immobilized PDA vesicles interact with cyclodextrin.
Discontinuous information in the worst case and randomized settings
Authors: Hinrichs Aicke , Novak Erich , Woźniakowski Henryk 
Published: March 2012

AbstractWe believe that discontinuous linear information is never more powerful than continuous linear information for approximating continuous operators. We prove such a result in the worst case setting. In the randomized setting we consider compact linear operators defined between Hilbert spaces. In this case, the use of discontinuous linear information in the randomized setting cannot be much more powerful than continuous linear information in the worst case setting. These results can be applied when function evaluations are used even if function values are defined only almost everywhere.
Triebel‐Lizorkin sequence spaces are genuine mixed‐norm spaces
Authors: Brigham Dan , Mitrea Dorina , Mitrea Irina , Mitrea Marius 
Published: March 2012

AbstractWe show that the Triebel‐Lizorkin sequence spaces are, in an appropriate context, genuine mixed‐norm spaces, then use this identification together with the general machinery developed in conjunction with the latter scale of spaces to establish interpolation, duality, factorization, and other functional analytic properties of the Triebel‐Lizorkin spaces.
Reducing RF‐related heating of cardiac pacemaker leads in MRI: Implementation and experimental verification of practical design changes
Authors: Nordbeck Peter , Fidler Florian , Friedrich Michael T. , Weiss Ingo , Warmuth Marcus , Gensler Daniel , Herold Volker , Geistert Wolfgang , Jakob Peter M. , Ertl Georg , Ritter Oliver , Ladd Mark E. , Bauer Wolfgang R. , Quick Harald H. 
Published: March 2012

AbstractThere are serious concerns regarding safety when performing magnetic resonance imaging in patients with implanted conductive medical devices, such as cardiac pacemakers, and associated leads, as severe incidents have occurred in the past. In this study, several approaches for altering an implant's lead design were systematically developed and evaluated to enhance the safety of implanted medical devices in a magnetic resonance imaging environment. The individual impact of each design change on radiofrequency heating was then systematically investigated in functional lead prototypes at 1.5 T. Radiofrequency‐induced heating could be successfully reduced by three basic changes in conventional pacemaker lead design: (1) increasing the lead tip area, (2) increasing the lead conductor resistance, and (3) increasing outer lead insulation conductivity. The findings show that radiofrequency energy pickup in magnetic resonance imaging can be reduced and, therefore, patient safety can be improved with dedicated construction changes according to a “safe by design” strategy. Incorporation of the described alterations into implantable medical devices such as pacemaker leads can be used to help achieve favorable risk‐benefit‐ratios when performing magnetic resonance imaging in the respective patient group. Magn Reson Med, 2012. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
In vivo CEST MR imaging of U87 mice brain tumor angiogenesis using targeted LipoCEST contrast agent at 7 T
Authors: Flament Julien , Geffroy Françoise , Medina Christelle , Robic Caroline , Mayer Jean‐François , Mériaux Sébastien , Valette Julien , Robert Philippe , Port Marc , Le Bihan Denis , Lethimonnier Franck , Boumezbeur Fawzi 
Published: March 2012

AbstractLipoCEST are liposome‐encapsulating paramagnetic contrast agents (CA) based on chemical exchange saturation transfer with applications in biomolecular MRI. Their attractive features include biocompatibility, subnanomolar sensitivity, and amenability to functionalization for targeting biomarkers. We demonstrate MR imaging using a targeted lipoCEST, injected intravenously. A lipoCEST carrying Tm(III)‐complexes was conjugated to RGD tripeptide (RGD‐lipoCEST), to target integrin ανβ3 receptors involved in tumor angiogenesis and was compared with an unconjugated lipoCEST. Brain tumors were induced in athymic nude mice by intracerebral injection of U87MG cells and were imaged at 7 T after intravenous injection of either of the two contrast agents (n = 12 for each group). Chemical exchange saturation transfer‐MSME sequence was applied over 2 h with an average acquisition time interval of 13.5 min. The chemical exchange saturation transfer signal was ∼1% in the tumor and controlateral regions, and decreased to ∼0.3% after 2 h; while RGD‐lipoCEST signal was ∼1.4% in the tumor region and persisted for up to 2 h. Immunohistochemical staining revealed a persistent colocalization of RGD‐lipoCEST with ανβ3 receptors in the tumor region. These results constitute an encouraging step toward in vivo MRI imaging of tumor angiogenesis using intravenously injected lipoCEST. Magn Reson Med, 2013. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Probiotika: Anforderungen und Wirkmechanismen
Authors: Hörmannsperger Gabriele , Haller Dirk 
Published: March 2012

AbstractDer gezielte Einsatz probiotischer Mikroorganismen zur Aufrechterhaltung der Gesundheit in Functional‐Food‐Produkten oder zur Prävention und Therapie von Erkrankungen ist aus naturwissenschaftlicher Sicht bisher noch Zukunftsmusik. Um dieses Ziel zu erreichen, ist vor allem die Charakterisierung physiologisch relevanter, probiotischer Wirkmechanismen notwendig. Erst die Identifizierung protektiver Struktur‐Funktions‐Beziehungen ermöglicht eine rationale Selektion neuer potentieller Probiotika sowie eine gezielte, auf die jeweilige Indikation oder den jeweiligen Konsumenten abgestimmte Verwendung von Probiotika.