bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The effects of rasagiline on cognitive deficits in Parkinson's disease patients without dementia: A randomized, double‐blind, placebo‐controlled, multicenter study
Authors: Hanagasi Hasmet A. , Gurvit Hakan , Unsalan Pınar , Horozoglu Hilal , Tuncer Nese , Feyzioglu Aynur , Gunal Dilek Ince , Yener Gorsev G. , Cakmur Raif , Sahin Huseyin A. , Emre Murat 
Published: April 2011

AbstractCognitive impairment can occur at all stages of Parkinson's disease. Rasagiline is a selective monoamine oxidase type‐B inhibitor that enhances central dopaminergic transmission. Dopamine is thought to be involved in certain cognitive processes such as working memory. We assessed the effects of rasagiline on cognitive deficits in cognitively impaired, nondemented patients with Parkinson's disease. This was a randomized, double‐blind, placebo‐controlled prospective study. Patients with Parkinson's disease receiving stable dopaminergic treatment were assigned to receive rasagiline 1 mg/day or placebo for 3 months. Patients were eligible if they had impairment in 2 of 4 cognitive domains (attention, executive functions, memory, visuospatial functions) in the screening neuropsychological tests, yet did not fulfill criteria for Parkinson's disease dementia. Fifty‐five patients were randomized; 48 patients completed the study. Patients in the rasagiline group showed significant improvement in digit span–backward compared with the placebo group (P = .04), with trends favoring rasagiline in digit span total and digit‐ordering tests. Verbal fluency total score showed a significant difference in favor of rasagiline (P = .038), with trends favoring rasagiline in semantic fluency test and Stroop spontaneous corrections. The composite cognitive domain Z scores revealed a significant difference in favor of rasagiline compared with placebo in the attentional Z score (P < .005). There were no significant differences between the 2 groups in the other cognitive tests or cognitive domain Z scores. The monoamine oxidase type‐B inhibitor rasagiline may exert beneficial effects on certain aspects of attention and executive functions in nondemented patients with Parkinson's disease with cognitive impairment. © 2011 Movement Disorder Society
A meta‐analysis of MTHFR C677T and A1298C polymorphisms and risk of acute lymphoblastic leukemia in children
Authors: Yan Jingrong , Yin Ming , Dreyer ZoAnn E. , Scheurer Michael E. , Kamdar Kala , Wei Qingyi , Okcu M. Fatih 
Published: April 2011

AbstractBackgroundMethylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) C677T and A1298C polymorphisms have been implicated in childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) risk, but previously published studies were inconsistent and recent meta‐analyses were not adequate.ProceduresIn a meta‐analysis of 21 publications with 4,706 cases and 7,414 controls, we used more stringent inclusion method and summarized data on associations between MTHFR C677T and A1298C polymorphisms and childhood ALL risk.ResultsWe found an overall association between 677T variant genotypes and reduced childhood ALL risk. Specifically, in the dominant genetic model, an association was found in a fixed‐effect (TT + CT vs. CC: OR = 0.92; 95% CI = 0.85–0.99) but not random‐effect model, whereas such an association was observed in both homozygote genetic model (TT vs. CC: OR = 0.80; 95% CI = 0.70–0.93 by fixed effects and OR = 0.78; 95% CI = 0.65–0.93 by random effects) and recessive genetic model (TT vs. CC + CT: OR = 0.83; 95% CI = 0.72–0.95 by fixed effects and OR = 0.84; 95% CI = 0.73–0.97 by random effects). These associations were also observed in subgroups by ethnicity: for Asians in all models except for the dominant genetic model by random effect and for Caucasians in all models except for the recessive genetic model. However, the A1298C polymorphism did not appear to have an effect on childhood ALL risk.ConclusionsThese results suggest that the MTHFR C677T, but not A1298C, polymorphism is a potential biomarker for childhood ALL risk. Pediatr Blood Cancer 2012; 58: 513–518. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Low‐temperature flexible Ti/TiO2 photoanode for dye‐sensitized solar cells with binder‐free TiO2 paste
Authors: Lin Lu‐Yin , Lee Chuan‐Pei , Tsai Keng‐Wei , Yeh Min‐Hsin , Chen Chia‐Yuan , Vittal R. , Wu Chun‐Guey , Ho Kuo‐Chuan 
Published: April 2011

ABSTRACTAn energy‐economical dye‐sensitized solar cell (DSSC) with highly flexible Ti/TiO2 photoanode was developed through a low‐temperature process, using a binder‐free TiO2 paste. Ti foils, coated with the binder‐free TiO2 films were annealed at various temperature. Scanning electron microscopic (SEM) images of the films show uniform, mesoporous and crack‐free surface morphologies as well as interpenetrated TiO2 network. DSSCs with binder‐free TiO2 films annealed at 450, 350, 250 and 120°C show solar‐to‐electricity conversion efficiencies (η) of 4.33, 4.34, 3.72 and 3.40%, respectively, which are comparable to the efficiency of 4.56% obtained by using a paste with binder and annealing it at 450°C; this observation demonstrates the benefits of a binder‐free TiO2 paste for the fabrication of energy‐fugal DSSCs. On the other hand, when organic binder was used in the TiO2 paste for film preparation, a drastic deterioration in the cell performance with decreasing annealing temperature is noticed. Laser‐induced photo‐voltage transient technique is used to estimate the electron lifetime in various Ti/TiO2 films. Electrochemical impedance spectroscopic (EIS) analysis shows that the lower the annealing temperature of the TiO2 coated Ti foil, the larger the charge transfer resistance at the TiO2/dye/electrolyte interface (Rct2). Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
AMPHIBIAN OCCUPANCY IN FLOOD‐CREATED AND EXISTING WETLANDS OF THE LOWER MISSOURI RIVER ALLUVIAL VALLEY
Authors: Hansen C. P. , Renken R. B. , Millspaugh J. J. 
Published: April 2011

ABSTRACTDuring the previous century, the wetland area in the lower Missouri River alluvial valley was reduced by 39% because of river channelization and bank stabilization projects. The Great Flood of 1993 reversed the trend of wetland loss by creating 466 new wetlands in the alluvial valley between Kansas City and St. Louis, Missouri. We estimated amphibian occupancy, detection probability and number of species exhibiting evidence of reproduction in eight flood‐created and 16 pre‐flood existing wetlands from 1996 through 1998. We also evaluated whether hydroperiod (the number of days any water was present in a wetland from 20 February through 31 August) and distance to river predicted those values. Detection probabilities for adult amphibian species were relatively constant across years and ranged from 0.013 [Great Plains toad (Anaxyrus cognatus)] to 0.280 [Woodhouse's toad (Anaxyrus woodhousii woodhousii)]. Occupancy of adult amphibians differed across years and was not correlated with habitat features. Estimated occupancy probabilities for amphibian species ranged from 0.126 [Plains spadefoot (Spea bombifrons)] to 0.896 [boreal chorus frog (Pseudacris maculata)]. Almost double the number of amphibian species showed evidence of reproduction in existing wetlands (wetlands created before the Great Flood of 1993) when compared with that in flood‐created wetlands. Similarly, temporary wetlands had nearly double the number of amphibian species showing evidence of reproduction when compared with permanent wetlands. Finally, the highest number of species showed evidence of reproduction in wetlands with spring–summer hydroperiods between 135 and 140 days. All these relationships suggest that the invasion and persistence of predators in wetlands negatively influence amphibian reproduction. If the Missouri River is allowed to reconnect with the alluvial valley, more predators may be introduced into wetlands, leading to reduced amphibian occupancy and reproduction. However, this connection will not likely occur over the entire alluvial valley and, therefore, should not adversely impact amphibians that find refuge in higher‐elevation, non‐connected regions of the alluvial valley. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Carbon Nanotubes: Biocompatibility of Immobilized Aligned Carbon Nanotubes (Small 8/2011)
Authors: Nayagam David A. X. , Williams Richard A. , Chen Jun , Magee Kylie A. , Irwin Jennifer , Tan Justin , Innis Peter , Leung Ronald T. , Finch Sue , Williams Chris E. , Clark Graeme M. , Wallace Gordon G. 
Published: April 2011

AbstractIn vivo host responses to an electrode‐like array of aligned carbon nanotubes (ACNTs) embedded within a biopolymer sheet are reported. This biocompatibility study assesses the suitability of immobilized carbon nanotubes for bionic devices. Inflammatory responses and foreign‐body histiocytic reactions are not substantially elevated when compared to negative controls following 12 weeks implantation. A fibrous capsule isolates the implanted ACNTs from the surrounding muscle tissue. Filamentous nanotube fragments are engulfed by macrophages, and globular debris is incorporated into the fibrous capsule with no further reaction. Scattered leukocytes are observed, adherent to the ACNT surface. These data indicate that there is a minimal local foreign‐body response to immobilized ACNTs, that detached fragments are phagocytosed into an inert material, and that ACNTs do not attract high levels of surface fouling. Collectively, these results suggest that immobilized nanotube structures should be considered for further investigation as bionic components.
Patterning: Strategies for Patterning Biomolecules with Dip‐Pen Nanolithography (Small 8/2011)
Authors: Wu Chien‐Ching , Reinhoudt David N. , Otto Cees , Subramaniam Vinod , Velders Aldrik H. 
Published: April 2011

AbstractDip‐pen nanolithography (DPN) is an atomic force microscopy (AFM)‐based lithography technique, which has the ability to fabricate patterns with a feature size down to approximately 15 nm using both top‐down and bottom‐up approaches. DPN utilizes the water meniscus formed between an AFM tip and a substrate to transfer ink molecules onto surfaces. A major application of this technique is the fabrication of micro‐ and nano‐arrays of patterned biomolecules. To achieve this goal, a variety of chemical approaches has been used. This review concisely describes the development of DPN in the past decade and presents the related chemical strategies that have been reported to fabricate biomolecular paterns with DPN at micrometer and nanometer scale, classified into direct‐ and indirect DPN methodologies, discussing tip‐functionalization strategies as well.
Designing optimal tuned mass dampers for nonlinear frames by distributed genetic algorithms
Authors: Mohebbi Mohtasham , Joghataie Abdolreza 
Published: April 2011

SUMMARYIn this paper, the capabilities of tuned mass dampers (TMDs) for the mitigation of response of nonlinear frame structures subjected to earthquakes have been studied. To determine the optimal parameters of a TMD, including its mass, stiffness and damping, we developed an optimization algorithm based on the minimization of a performance index, defined as a function of the response of the nonlinear structure to be controlled. Distributed genetic algorithm has been used to solve the optimization problem. For illustration, the method has been applied to the design of a linear TMD for an eight‐story nonlinear shear building with bilinear hysteretic material behavior subjected to earthquake. The results have shown that the method has been successful in determining the TMD parameters to reduce the structure response. The simplicity and desirable convergence behavior of the method have also been two important results of the method. Two performance indices have been defined: (a) the minimization of the maximum drift and (b) the accumulated hysteretic energy. It has also been shown that the efficiency of the TMD has been influenced by the mass ratio of the TMD, the maximum TMD stroke length and the TMD design earthquake. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Game‐park capitalism, globalization, and multinational companies: An overview and a research agenda
Authors: Zander Udo 
Published: April 2011

AbstractThis article paints a broad‐brush picture of a modernizing and reglobalizing world, following a path that can metaphorically be described as leading from unfettered “savannah‐type capitalism” over an interwar state‐controlled “zoo mentality” to a system of managed “game‐park capitalism.” I propose an agenda for studying the effects of what is ironically both a more integrated and an increasingly multipolar world on the role, strategies, and practices of incumbent multinational companies and their challengers. International business is portrayed as a learning race where I especially direct scholarly attention to internationally active companies' abilities to handle and benefit from the periphery, understand and serve customers, manage knowledge and interfaces, tap the international factor markets, and project a contemporary image. ©2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Clinical and molecular studies of EXT1/EXT2 in Bulgaria
Authors: Stancheva‐Ivanova Malina Kirilova , Wuyts Wim , van Hul Els , Radeva Briguita Ivanova , Vazharova Radoslava Vasileva , Sokolov Todor Petrov , Vladimirov Borislav Yordanov , Apostolova Margarita Dimitrova , Kremensky Ivo Marinov 
Published: April 2011

AbstractEXT1/EXT2‐CDG (Multiple cartilagineous exostoses, hereditary multiple osteochondroma (MO); OMIM 133700/133701) are common defects of O‐xylosylglycan glycosylation. The diagnostic criteria are at least two osteochondromas of the juxta‐epiphyseal region of long bones with in the majority of cases a positive family history and/or mutation in one of the EXT genes. The authors report data on clinical symptoms and complications of 23 patients (from 16 families), discussing the family history, age of diagnosis, new clinical and molecular data. Fifteen mutations and large deletions, of which nine are new, were detected in the EXT1 and EXT2 gene by sequence analysis, FISH and MLPA analysis.
Lateral growth arrest of the proximal femoral physis: A new technique for serial radiological observation
Authors: McGillion S. , Clarke N. M. P. 
Published: April 2011

Purpose Lateral growth arrest is recognised as the most common form of avascular necrosis (AVN) seen in the management of developmental dysplasia of the hip (DDH). The purpose of this report is to present a new technique that is of benefit in the early identification and subsequent radiological monitoring of lateral growth arrest and which may permit appropriate timely surgical intervention. Methods We performed a retrospective review of the medical records and serial radiographs of 11 patients (three males and eight females) with lateral growth disturbance in the proximal femoral physis. We devised a new technique (named the ‘Tilt angle’) for serial radiographic observation of lateral growth arrest. Results This study included 11 hips in 11 patients. Ten patients had screw epiphyseodesis performed after progression of lateral growth arrest was noted. One patient did not have screw epiphyseodesis but the results for this patient are included, as they provide an interesting ‘control’ case for comparison. The average age of screw epiphyseodesis was 12 years. Seven patients demonstrated improvement in their tilt angle following screw epiphyseodesis (i.e. less valgus), one showed no change and two continued to decline. Conclusions Using a new technique to monitor the progression of lateral growth arrest, we noted that screw epiphyseodesis can be used for guided growth of the proximal femoral physis. This technique can be employed for serial radiographic observation of lateral growth arrest and can guide the clinician on the optimal timing of screw epiphyseodesis. Further studies are needed in order to clarify the optimal timing of screw epiphyseodesis.
Evaluation of Contrast Enhanced Ultrasound for Investigation of Complex Cystic Renal Masses
Authors: Shahzad K. , Simms M.S. , Byass O. 
Published: April 2011

Objective: Cystic renal masses are conventionally assessed by contrast CT and/or simple ultrasound scan. Contrast Enhanced Ultrasound (CEUS) is a relatively new investigation which may act as a novel tool for investigation of these masses and the aim of this study was to evaluate this potential. Patients and methods: 19 patients underwent CEUS in our Trust for investigation of complex cystic renal masses. The results were compared with other investigation modalities i.e. CT and simple ultrasound scans. Results: In nine patients, CEUS suggested a benign lesion. In six of these patients, contrast CT and/or simple ultrasound scan were inconclusive. Malignant cystic renal mass was diagnosed in nine patients by CEUS. In five of these patients, contrast CT and/or simple ultrasound scan were indeterminate. Three of the five patients had nephrectomy which confirmed malignancy in two and benign cystic nephroma in the third case. In one patient both simple ultrasound and CEUS were inconclusive whereas a contrast CT scan showed benign lesion. Conclusion: Within limitations of our study, CEUS provided information additional to conventional imaging in eleven patients. It appears to be a useful investigation in conjunction with conventional imaging for investigation of complex cystic renal masses but requires further evaluation.
Prenatal diagnostic rates and postnatal outcomes of fetal orofacial clefts in a Taiwanese population
Authors: Liou Jui‐Der , Huang Yu‐Hsin , Hung Tai‐Ho , Hsieh Chia‐Lin , Hsieh T'sang‐T'ang , Lo Liang‐Ming 
Published: April 2011

AbstractObjectiveTo report the incidence, prenatal diagnostic rate, and postnatal outcomes of fetal orofacial cleft at a tertiary referral center in Taiwan.MethodsThe demographic data, maternal and fetal characteristics, and postnatal outcomes for fetuses with cleft lip and/or cleft palate (CL/P) born between January 1998 and December 2008 at Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Taipei, were reviewed retrospectively, and diagnostic rates were evaluated according to cleft type.ResultsAmong 26 499 deliveries, 84 were affected with CL/P. The mean maternal age and gestational age at detection of CL/P were 30.37 years (range 21–41 years) and 24.7 weeks (range 18–33 weeks), respectively. Thirty‐one fetuses had associated structural anomalies, 5 of which involved chromosomal aberrations. CL/P was diagnosed prenatally for 74 (88%) fetuses. After consultations, 17 pregnancies (20%) were aborted. The postnatal survival rate was 95.5% (64/67 infants). The type of cleft had a significant influence on correct prenatal diagnosis (P < 0.001).ConclusionFor fetuses diagnosed prenatally with an orofacial cleft, access to an experienced craniofacial team, well‐planned delivery, and pediatric intensive care led to favorable postnatal outcomes after lethal malformations were excluded through detailed sonographic and chromosomal evaluations.
Psychosexual correlates of persistent postsurgical pain in patients with vulvodynia
Authors: Eanes Alisa , Bair Eric , Martin Caitlin , Iyer Priya , Zolnoun Denniz 
Published: April 2011

AbstractObjectiveTo examine long‐term reports of pain and psychologic correlates of pain in women after vestibulectomy.MethodsIn a retrospective cross‐sectional exploratory study, 37 women who had undergone vestibulectomy between January 1989 and January 2008 completed questionnaires assessing demographic information, self‐reported levels of pain, anxiety, somatization, psychologic distress, and sexual function.ResultsEight women reported being completely pain free after surgery. The remaining 29 women reported various levels of pain during intercourse (as measured by the Gracely pain scale) and decreased sexual function (as measured by a sexual functioning questionnaire). Various measures of psychologic distress were associated with average intercourse‐related pain, including brief symptom inventory (P = 0.002), Pennebaker inventory of limbic languidness (P = 0.002), perceived stress scale (P = 0.04), and Spielberger trait–anxiety inventory (P = 0.01). These same measures of psychological distress were similarly associated with general, unprovoked vaginal pain.ConclusionThe present data suggest that the pathophysiology of localized vulvodynia may be more complex in some women, leading to a suboptimal response to surgical treatment.
Fertility and pregnancy outcomes among women with obstetric fistula in rural Malawi
Authors: Wilson Andrea L. , Chipeta Effie , Kalilani‐Phiri Linda , Taulo Frank , Tsui Amy O. 
Published: April 2011

AbstractObjectiveTo assess the fertility and pregnancy experiences of rural Malawian women living with obstetric fistula and following surgical repair of fistula.MethodsFertility histories were collected via in‐depth interviews with women identified in 2007 as having obstetric fistula and with their family members.ResultsOf the 32 affected women interviewed, 17 (53.1%) conceived after developing obstetric fistula: 13 before repair and 6 after repair (with 2 conceiving both pre‐ and post‐repair). Complaints of infertility were more frequent and urgent among women who had undergone repair than among those who had not. Over half (53.8%) of the women who conceived while living with obstetric fistula and all of those who conceived post‐repair experienced at least 1 spontaneous abortion or perinatal death. Nineteen (47.5%) of the 40 pregnancies among women living with obstetric fistula and 7 (70.0%) of the 10 pregnancies among women post‐repair ended in spontaneous abortion or perinatal death.ConclusionEven 2 years after undergoing surgical repair, women can continue to experience the effects of obstetric fistula, which include infertility, spontaneous abortion, and perinatal mortality. The factors responsible for extensive infertility and poor pregnancy outcome in women post‐repair warrant further investigation.
Managing coopetition through horizontal supply chain relations: Linking dyadic and network levels of analysis
Authors: Wilhelm Miriam M. 
Published: April 2011

AbstractA growing research stream has expanded the level of analysis beyond single buyer–supplier relations to the network, including supplier–supplier relations. These supplier–supplier relations may constitute a missing link between the traditional analysis of the dyadic and the network level of analysis that are often treated separately. This paper explores the interplay of the supplier–supplier and network of analysis by focusing on the inherent tension between cooperation and competition, using a multiple case study design in the Japanese and German automobile industries. It is argued that the buyer is able to exert influence not only on the coopetition level, so within “horizontal supply chain relations,” but that the coopetitive tension in the overall network can in fact be managedthroughthe active establishment and maintenance of such relations.
Success? Failure? Something in-between? A framework for evaluating crisis management
Authors: McConnell Allan 
Published: April 2011

Abstract
Crisis management evaluators and commentators, routinely attach labels of ‘success’ and ‘failure’ to crisis management initiatives. Yet there is a near absence of detailed criteria against which outcomes can be assessed. This article goes some way to redressing this paucity of reflection. The article presents an innovative framework to help analysts approach and evaluate the issue of what constitutes success (and failure) in crisis management initiatives, including complex policy/political outcomes between these extremes. In recognition of the realpolitik of crisis responses, it deals also with successes (and failures) in crisis management processes, decisions and politics.