bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Is fetal cardiac function gender dependent?
Authors: Clur S. A. B. , Oude Rengerink K. , Mol B. W. , Ottenkamp J. , Bilardo C. M. 
Published: March 2011

AbstractIntroductionAn increased nuchal translucency (NT) is more common in males. A delayed diastolic cardiac function maturation has been proposed to explain this and the reported gender‐related differences in ductus venosus (DV) flow.ObjectiveTo investigate gender‐related differences in fetal cardiac function.MethodsOne hundred and ninety karyotypically/phenotypically normal fetuses with structurally normal hearts and known NT measurement, (104 > 95th percentile), were prospectively included between 1 October 2003 and 1 April 2009. They had been referred for fetal echocardiography. Three hundred and nine echocardiograms were performed between 11 and 35 weeks' gestation. The atrioventricular valve E‐ and A‐wave peak velocity, E/A‐velocity ratio and E/TVI ratio, myocardial performance index, semilunar valves acceleration time (AT) and peak velocity, stroke volume and cardiac output as well as DV pulsatility index for veins at 11–14 weeks' gestation, were measured. A multilevel analysis was performed using the NT (multiples of the median) as a continuous variable.ResultsThe male : female ratio was 1.56:1. The tricuspid valve E/TVI was significantly higher and pulmonary valve AT significantly lower in females compared to males. No other significant differences in cardiac function were found.ConclusionsOur findings suggest better right ventricular (RV) relaxation and increased RV afterload in female fetuses, independent of NT thickness, between 11 and 35 weeks' gestation. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Changing Patterns and Determinants of Interprovincial Migration in China 1985–2000
Authors: Shen Jianfa 
Published: March 2011

ABSTRACTMost migration analyses focus on inter‐regional migration in one particular period. Recently, efforts have also been made to compare migration intensity and patterns across countries. Instead of comparison over space, this paper is concerned with the temporal dimension. Can the same model, using the same set of variables, explain migration patterns in two different periods? Is there any change in the determinants of interprovincial migration in China? This paper attempts to answer these questions using migration data from the 1990 and 2000 censuses of China. It was found that coastal regions such as Guangdong, Zhejiang, Tianjin, and Fujian joined Shanghai and Beijing as the top destinations of migration over time. ‘Pull’ factors in the growing regions play an important role in the expanding migration in China. The same set of variables was used to explain the migration in 1985–1990 and 1995–2000. The same model can explain 51.6% of the variation of migration in 1995–2000, greater than 41.6% in 1985–1990. Nevertheless, absolute parameters in the model were bigger in 1995–2000 than in 1985–1990 to reflect the increasing scale of migration. A better model for 1995–2000 is also established using a new set of variables. Two income variables have a positive impact on migration, confirming the importance of income in internal migration in China. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Diagnosing remote origins of forecast error: relaxation versus 4D‐Var data‐assimilation experiments
Authors: Jung Thomas 
Published: March 2011

AbstractTwo methods that can be used to diagnose possible remote origins for forecast error are compared. The idea is artificially to suppress the development of forecast error in certain parts of the globe (e.g. the Tropics) during the course of the integration and to analyze the influence that this has on forecast skill in remote regions (e.g. the extratropics). The first, computationally relatively cheap, method involves relaxing the European Centre for Medium‐Range Weather Forecasts (ECMWF) model towards analysis data during the forecast. The second, computationally much more expensive, method involves running the ECMWF 4D‐Var data‐assimilation system with assimilation of observations in certain regions only. The two methods are compared by studying the impact that forecast‐error reduction in the Tropics and the East Asian–Western North Pacific (EAWNP) region has on medium‐range forecast skill in remote regions. For both regions the two techniques yield similar results. Reduction of tropical forecast error leads to the improvement of medium‐range forecast skill in the Northern Hemisphere extratropics, especially over the North Pacific and the North Atlantic. Forecast‐error reduction in the EAWNP region is beneficial further downstream up to North America; the EAWNP region has little impact on medium‐range forecast skill over the North Atlantic and Europe. Copyright © 2011 Royal Meteorological Society
Comprehensive molecular imaging of photolabile surface samples with synchronized dual‐polarity time‐of‐flight mass spectrometry
Authors: Hsiao Chih‐Hao , Hong Chia‐Wei , Liu Bo‐Hong , Chen Chiu Wen , Wu Chih‐Che , Wang Yi‐Sheng 
Published: March 2011

AbstractThis work presents the unique features of a novel configuration of a synchronized dual‐polarity time‐of‐flight mass spectrometer for comprehensive surface imaging. Mass spectrometry imaging of surface samples covering positive and negative ion modes is difficult due to rapid signal depletion. This limitation is overcome here by dual‐polarity time‐of‐flight mass spectrometry (DP‐TOFMS) via two separate TOF mass analyzers that are installed above a sample surface. The new instrument eliminates the polarity bias characteristic of most mass spectrometers, which is important for the analysis of samples with diverse physical and chemical properties. The experimental results show for the first time that the spatial distribution of positive and negative ions of various photolabile samples can be distinguished, including pigments and conventional matrix‐assisted laser desorption/ionization samples. The different positive and negative ion distributions suggest that accurate quantitative information can only be obtained when the entire sample region is examined by DP‐TOFMS, which was unfeasible in the past. Such a comprehensive diagnostic method is essential for the molecular imaging of trace compositions in delicate biological tissues, as demonstrated here with a Phyllanthus urinaria leaf that only produced ion signals in the first examination and not in the subsequent measurements. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Metabolism of olaquindox in rat and identification of metabolites in urine and feces using ultra‐performance liquid chromatography/quadrupole time‐of‐flight mass spectrometry
Authors: Bi Yanfeng , Wang Xia , Xu Shixin , Sun Lei , Zhang Li , Zhong Feng , Wang Shuhuai , Ding Shuangyang , Xiao Xilong 
Published: March 2011

AbstractOlaquindox (OLA), N‐(2‐hydroxyethyl)‐3‐methyl‐2‐quinoxalincarboxamide‐1,4‐dioxide, is an antimicrobial and growth‐promoting agent for animals, which has been banned or allowed only limited use for its potential toxicity. To thoroughly understand the metabolic pathways, metabolism of OLA in rat was studied using ultra‐performance liquid chromatography coupled to quadrupole time‐of‐flight mass spectrometry with MSE and mass defect filtering techniques. Twenty metabolites (M1–M20) were detected in rat feces and urine, of which nine phase I metabolites (M6, M7, M11–M16) and four phase II metabolites (M17–M20) were found in vivo for the first time. The structures of metabolites were reliably characterized on the basis of accurate mass and fragment ions in MSE spectra. The major metabolic pathways reported previously in pigs, including reduction of N→O groups, oxidation of the alcohol and hydrolysis, were also confirmed in this study. In addition, hydroxylation of the methyl group, N‐dehydroxyethylation and glucuronidation were also proved to be the important metabolic pathways, which contribute to improving our knowledge about in vivo metabolism of OLA. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
A new liquid chromatography/electrospray ionization mass spectrometry method for the analysis of underivatized aliphatic long‐chain polyamines: application to diatom‐rich sediments
Authors: Bridoux Maxime C. , Annenkov Vadim V. , Menzel Henning , Keil Richard G. , Ingalls Anitra E. 
Published: March 2011

AbstractNatural polyamines are found in all three domains of life and long‐chain polyamines (LCPAs) play a special role in silicifying organisms such as diatoms and sponges where they are actively involved in the complex formation and nanopatterning of siliceous structures. With chain lengths extending up to 20 N‐methylated propylamine repeat units, diatom LCPAs constitute the longest natural polyamines. Mixtures of natural LCPAs are typically purified in bulk using ion‐exchange, size‐exclusion and dialysis and then analyzed either by direct infusion mass spectrometry or by MALDI‐TOF. Here, we describe a novel ion‐pairing liquid chromatographic method that allows baseline separation, detection and structural elucidation of underivatized aliphatic methylated and non‐methylated LCPAs with a wide range of chain lengths. Complete separation of synthetic mixtures of LCPA species differing by either a propylamine or an N‐methylpropylamine unit is achievable using this method and chromatographic separation of natural, diatom frustule bound LCPAs extracted from sediment core samples is greatly improved. Using electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (ESI‐MS), we detected singly [M+H]+ and multiply [M+nH]n+ charged protonated ions. The abundance of multiply charged LCPA species increased linearly as a function of LCPA chain length (N) and multiprotonated ions [M+nH]n+ were more abundant for longer chain polyamines. The abundance of multiply charged LCPAs along with the concomitant disappearance of the singly charged protonated molecular ion significantly increases the complexity of the MS spectra, justifying the need for good chromatographic separation of complex LCPA mixtures. This analytical procedure will likely constitute a powerful tool for the characterization, quantification, as well as the purification of individual LCPAs in natural and synthetic samples for studies of silica precipitation as well as nitrogen and carbon isotopic analysis used in paleoceanographic studies. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Nanoporous Elements in Microfluidics for Multiscale Manipulation of Bioparticles
Authors: Chen Grace D. , Fachin Fabio , Fernandez‐Suarez Marta , Wardle Brian L. , Toner Mehmet 
Published: March 2011

AbstractSolid materials, such as silicon, glass, and polymers, dominate as structural elements in microsystems including microfluidics. Porous elements have been limited to membranes sandwiched between microchannel layers or polymer monoliths. This paper reports the use of micropatterned carbon‐nanotube forests confined inside microfluidic channels for mechanically and/or chemically capturing particles ranging over three orders of magnitude in size. Nanoparticles below the internanotube spacing (80 nm) of the forest can penetrate inside the forest and interact with the large surface area created by individual nanotubes. For larger particles (>80 nm), the ultrahigh porosity of the nanotube elements reduces the fluid boundary layer and enhances particle–structure interactions on the outer surface of the patterned nanoporous elements. Specific biomolecular recognition is demonstrated using cells (≈10 μm), bacteria (≈1 μm), and viral‐sized particles (≈40 nm) using both effects. This technology can provide unprecedented control of bioseparation processes to access bioparticles of interest, opening new pathways for both research and point‐of‐care diagnostics.
CFD Modelling and Analysis of Pulverized Coal Injection in Blast Furnace: An Overview
Authors: Shen Yansong , Yu Aibing , Zulli Paul 
Published: March 2011

AbstractIn order to understand the complicated phenomena of pulverized coal injection (PCI) process in blast furnace (BF), several mathematical models have been developed by the UNSW and BSR cooperation. These models are featuring from coal combustion in a pilot‐scale test rig, to coal combustion in a real BF, and then to coal/coke combustion in a real BF, respectively. This paper reviews these PCI models in aspects of model developments and model applicability. The model development is firstly discussed in terms of model formulation, their new features and geometry/regions considered. The model applicability is then discussed in terms of main findings followed by the model evaluation on their advantages and limitations. It is indicated that the three PCI models are all able to describe PCI operation qualitatively. The model of coal/coke combustion in a real BF is more reliable for simulating in‐furnace phenomena of PCI operation qualitatively and quantitatively. Such model gives a more reliable burnout prediction over the raceway surface, which could better represent the amount of unburnt char entering the coke bed. These models are useful for understanding the flow‐thermo‐chemical behaviours and then optimising the PCI operation in practice.
Performance analysis of multi‐stage interference cancellation for ultra‐wide band multiple‐access communication systems
Authors: Wen Jyh‐Horng , Hung Ho‐Lung 
Published: March 2011

ABSTRACTIn this contribution, a novel particle swarm optimization (PSO)‐based multi‐user detector (MUD) aided time‐hopping ultra‐wide band (TH‐UWB) system has been investigated in the multi‐path channel model. In this approach, the PSO‐based MUD employs the output of the Rake receiver as its initial value to search for the best solution which results in a formulated optimization mechanism. By taking advantage of the heuristic values and the collective intelligence of PSO technique, the proposed detector offers almost the same bit error rate (BER) performance as the full‐search‐based optimum MUD does, while greatly reducing the potentially computational complexity. Simulation results have been provided to examine the evolutionary behavior and the detection performance of the proposed PSO‐based MUD in both the additive white Gaussian noise and the multi‐path fading channel. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Handsewn Versus Stapled Gastroduodenostomy in Patients with Gastric Cancer: Long‐Term Follow‐up of a Randomized Clinical Trial
Authors: Kim Taebong , Yu Wansik , Chung Hoyoung 
Published: March 2011

AbstractBackgroundThe role of circular staplers in gastroduodenostomy during subtotal gastrectomy for gastric cancer has not been defined clearly.MethodsA randomized clinical trial included patients with gastric cancer who underwent subtotal gastrectomy with either stapled (99 patients) or handsewn gastroduodenostomy (98 patients). The anastomosis time and postoperative outcomes in the two groups were compared.ResultsPerformance of stapled gastroduodenostomy was significantly quicker than handsewn gastroduodenostomy. There were no significant differences between the groups in postoperative course, morbidity and mortality rates, survival rate, and recurrence pattern.ConclusionsStapled gastroduodenostomy with a circular stapler can reduce the anastomosis time with relative safety.
Well-posedness of a diffusive gyro-kinetic model
Authors: Hauray M. , Nouri A. 
Published: March 2011

We study a finite Larmor radius model used to describe the ions distribution function in the core of a tokamak plasma, that consists in a gyro-kinetic transport equation coupled with an electro-neutrality equation. Since the last equation does not provide enough regularity on the electric potential, we introduce a simple linear collision operator adapted to the finite Larmor radius approximation. We next study the two-dimensional dynamics in the direction perpendicular to the magnetic field. Thanks to the smoothing effects of the collision and the gyro-average operators, we prove the global existence of solutions, as well as short time uniqueness and stability.

Résumé
On étudie un modèle à rayon de Larmor fini décrivant la fonction de distribution des ions dans un plasma de coeur de tokamak. Il consiste en une équation de transport gyrocinétique couplée à une équation de quasi-neutralité. Lʼéquation de quasi-neutralité donnant peu de régularité au potentiel électrique, on introduit un opérateur de collisions linéaire adapté. On étudie alors la dynamique du système dans la direction perpendiculaire au champ magnétique. Lʼeffet régularisant des opérateurs de collisions et de gyro-moyenne permet de démontrer lʼexistence globale de solutions ainsi que leur unicité et stabilité locales en temps.
Effect of serum on the mitochondrial active area on developmental days 1 to 4 inin vitro-produced bovine embryos
Authors: Crocco M. , Alberio R.H. , Lauria L. , Mariano M.I. 
Published: March 2011

SummaryCertain morphological changes at the subcellular level caused by the current techniques forin vitroembryo production seem to affect mitochondria. Many of these, including dysfunctional changes, have been associated with the presence of serum in the culture medium. Thus, the aim of the present work was to assess the mitochondrial dynamics occurring in embryos during the first 4 days of development, in order to analyze the most appropriate time for adding the serum. We used transmission electron microscopy (TEM) micrographs to calculate the embryo area occupied by the different morphological types of mitochondria, and analyzed them with Image Pro Plus analyzer. The results showed hooded mitochondria as the most representative type in 1- to 4-day-old embryos. Swollen, on-fusion, orthodox and vacuolated types were also present. When analyzed in embryos cultured without serum, the dynamics of the different mitochondrial types appeared to be similar, a fact that may provide evidence that the developmental changes control the mitochondrial dynamics, and that swollen mitochondria may not be completely inactive. In contrast, in culture medium supplemented with serum from estrous cows, we observed an increased area of hooded mitochondria by developmental day 4, a fact that may indicate an increased production of energy compared with previous days. According to these results, the bovine serum added to the culture medium seems not to be responsible for the functional changes in mitochondria.
Stenting of modified and classical Blalock–Taussig shunts – lessons learned from seven consecutive cases
Authors: Krasemann Thomas , Tzifa Aphrodite , Rosenthal Eric , Qureshi Shakeel A. 
Published: March 2011

AbstractIn neonates and infants with a shunt-dependent pulmonary circulation, stenosis of the shunt needs to be treated aggressively to prevent a fatal outcome. We report the technique and outcome in seven consecutive neonates and infants with Blalock–Taussig shunt stenosis, who were treated with intraluminal stents. Stenting of classical or modified Blalock–Taussig shunts is technically feasible and can be used as a rescue procedure. Neointimal dissection is less likely compared with balloon angioplasty of the shunt alone.
Differentiation and characteristics of the enhanced green fluorescent protein gene transgenic goat neural stem cells cultured in attached and non‐attached plates
Authors: Zheng Yue‐Mao , Dang Yong‐Hui , Qiu Shuang , Qi Ying‐Pei , Xu Yong‐Ping , Sai Wu‐Jia‐Fu 
Published: March 2011

AbstractThe aims of this study were (i) to determine whether NSCs (neural stem cells) could be isolated from the brain of embryonic day 98 fetal goat, (ii) to determine if these stem cells have the capability of multipotent differentiation following transfection with a reporter gene, EGFP (enhanced green fluorescent protein) and (iii) to study the characteristics of the stem cells cultured in attached and non‐attached plates. NSCs were isolated from embryonic day 98 fetal goat brain, transfected with EGFP gene using lipofection, and subcultured in attached and non‐attached plates respectively. The transgenic stem cells were induced to differentiate into osteogenic and endothelial cells in vitro respectively. Markers associated with undifferentiated NSCs and their differentiated cells were tested by RT—PCR (reverse transcription—PCR). The results demonstrated that stem cells could be isolated from embryonic day 98 fetal goat brain, and EGFP gene could be transfected into the cells. The transgenic NSCs were capable of self‐renewal, a defining property of stem cells, and were grown as free‐floating neurospheres in non‐attached plates. When the neurospheres were transferred and cultured in attached plates, cells migrate from the neurospheres and are grown as spindle cells. The stem cells were grown as quasi‐circular cells when the single stem cells were cultured in attached plates. Both the NSCs cultured in non‐attached and attached plates could express Hes1 (hairy and enhancer of split 1), Oct4 (octamer‐binding protein 4), Nanog, Sox2 [SRY (sex‐determining region Y)‐box 2] and Nestin, while following differentiation cells expressed markers for osteogenic cells (Osteocalcin+ and Osteonectin+) and endothelium (CD34+ and eNOS+). The results demonstrated that the goat EGFP gene transgenic NSCs have the capability of multipotent differentiation, which means that the transgenic NSCs may be useful in cell transplantation studies in future.
Decreased Interleukin‐10 Secretion by Peripheral Blood Mononuclear Cells in Children With Irritable Bowel Syndrome
Authors: Hua Man‐Chin , Lai Ming‐Wei , Kuo Ming‐Ling , Yao Tsung‐Chieh , Huang Jing‐Long , Chen Shu‐Mei 
Published: March 2011

ABSTRACTBackground and Aims:The aim of the present study was to evaluate proinflammatory and anti‐inflammatory cytokine levels in children with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).Patients and Methods:Thirty‐five children with IBS (17 diarrhea‐predominant, 7 constipation‐predominant, and 11 mixed type) and 25 healthy children as healthy controls (HCs) were enrolled. All of the participants completed a questionnaire recording the duration, severity, and associated academic and social influences. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells were isolated and cultured for 24 hours with and without 1 or 5 ng/mL Escherichia coli lipopolysaccharide (LPS). Cytokine production including tumor necrosis factor‐α (TNF‐α), interleukin (IL)‐6, and IL‐10 was measured using enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assays.Results:Children with IBS revealed lower baseline and significantly lower IL‐10 levels after LPS stimulation compared with HCs (P = 0.001). Although not to a significant level, TNF‐α and IL‐6 levels were higher in children with IBS compared with HCs. The IL‐10 levels in patients with IBS with strong pain intensity were lower both in baseline and under 1 ng/mL LPS stimulation. The levels became significantly lower under 5 ng/mL LPS stimulation compared with those experiencing mild and moderate pain intensity (P = 0.025).Conclusions:Our study suggests that children with IBS tend to produce lower amounts of the anti‐inflammatory cytokine IL‐10 at baseline and after LPS stimulation, implying that defects in immune modulation may contribute to IBS in children.