bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Urinary nerve growth factor is a better biomarker than detrusor wall thickness for the assessment of overactive bladder with incontinence
Authors: Kuo Hann‐Chorng , Liu Hsin‐Tzu , Chancellor Michael B. 
Published: April 2009

AbstractPurposeTo compare the differences in urinary nerve growth factor (NGF) and detrusor wall thickness (DWT) between patients with overactive bladder (OAB) and controls to evaluate their suitability as biomarkers in OAB.Materials and MethodsA total of 81 patients including normal controls (n = 28), patients with OAB dry (n = 28) and OAB wet (n = 25) were enrolled in this study. Videourodynamic study was performed in 79 patients after confirmation of symptomatic classification by 3‐day voiding diary. Urine NGF and DWT measurements were performed at full bladder and urge to void after natural‐filling or catheter‐filling during videourodynamic study. Urinary NGF level was measured by the ELISA method and DWT was measured by trans‐abdominal ultrasound. These two parameters were compared among different symptomatic and urodynamic subgroups.ResultsDWT was not significantly different among subgroups at 250 ml bladder volume. Although patients with OAB wet had a significantly greater DWT at the maximal bladder volume, this difference was not significant from controls after correction of the volume factor. By contrast, urinary NGF levels were significantly increased in patients with OAB wet and those with urodynamic detrusor overactivity. However, elevated NGF levels in OAB wet were found only after natural‐filling and not after catheter‐filling.ConclusionsUrinary NGF level in natural‐filling urine sample is a better biomarker for assessment of OAB wet compared to DWT. Patients with OAB dry or hypersensitive bladder did not have an elevated urinary NGF level. Urine samples from catheter‐filling do not have a detectably high NGF levels. Neurourol. Urodynam. 29:482–487, 2010. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Numerical analysis of growing crack problems using particle discretization scheme
Authors: Wijerathne M. L. L. , Oguni Kenji , Hori Muneo 
Published: April 2009

AbstractThis paper presents the particle discretization scheme (PDS) to analyze brittle failure of solids. The scheme uses characteristic functions of Voronoi and Delaunay tessellations to discretize a function and its derivatives, respectively. A discretized function has numerous discontinuities so that these discontinuities are utilized as a candidate of crack path segment in modeling propagating cracks, without making any extra computation to accommodate new displacement discontinuities. When the scheme is implemented to a finite element method (FEM), the resulting stiffness matrix coincides with the one that is obtained by using linear elements. The accuracy of computing a stress intensity factor at a crack tip is examined. It is shown that the accuracy is better than that of a FEM with linear elements when the rotational degree of freedom is included in discretizing displacement functions. Three three‐dimensional growing crack problems are solved by means of the PDS and the results are presented. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Optimal design of simply supported columns subject to distributed axial load and stress constraint
Authors: Adali Sarp , Cagdas Izzet U. 
Published: April 2009

AbstractThe optimum designs are given for columns, which are simply supported and under distributed and concentrated axial loads. The objective is to maximize the buckling load subject to volume and maximum stress constraints. The area of the minimum cross‐section under a stress constraint is not known a priori as it depends on the maximum buckling load which in turn depends on the optimum shape. This minimum cross‐sectional area is computed as part of an iterative procedure. An iterative solution method is developed based on finite elements and the results are obtained for n=1, 2, 3, defined as I =αnAn with I being the moment of inertia, and A the cross‐sectional area. Numerical results show that the optimal areas become larger in the direction of the distributed load. Results are given for uniformly and triangular distributed loads, which are shown to have distinct effects on the optimal column shape. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The effect of shear on mechanical properties and orientation of HDPE/mica composites obtained via dynamic packing injection molding (DPIM)
Authors: Xiang Yufang , Hou Zaichuan , Su Run , Wang Ke , Fu Qiang 
Published: April 2009

AbstractThe interfacial interaction and orientation of filler play important roles in the enhancement of mechanical performances for polymer/inorganic filler composites. Shear has been found to be a very effective way for the enhancement of interfacial interaction and orientation. In this work, we will report our recent efforts on exploring the development of microstructure of high density polyethylene (HDPE)/mica composites in the injection‐molded bars obtained by so‐called dynamic packing injection molding (DPIM), which imposed oscillatory shear on the melt during the solidification stage. The mechanical properties were evaluated by tensile testing and dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA), and the crystal morphology, orientation, and the dispersion of mica were characterized by scanning electron microscopy and two‐dimensional wide‐angle X‐ray scattering. Compared with conventional injection molding, DPIM caused an obvious increase in orientation for both HDPE and mica. More importantly, better dispersion and epitaxial crystallization of HDPE was observed on the edge of the mica in the injection‐molded bar. As a result, increased tensile strength and modulus were obtained, accompanied with a decrease of elongation at break. The obtained data were treated by Halpin–Tsai model, and it turned out that this model could be also used to predict the stiffness of oriented polymer/filler composites. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Synthesis and characterization of polypyrrole nanofibers with different dopants
Authors: Goel Shubhra , Mazumdar Nasreen A. , Gupta Alka 
Published: April 2009

AbstractNanostructures of polypyrrole (PPy) were synthesized in the presence of different dopants including hydrochloric acid (HCl), ferric chloride (FeCl3), p‐toluene sulfonic acid (p‐TSA), camphor sulfonic acid (CSA), and polystyrene sulfonic acid (PSSA), using a simple interfacial oxidative polymerization method. The method is a reliable non‐template approach with relatively simple instrumentation, ease of synthesis, and economic viability for synthesizing PPy nanostructures. Morphology of synthesized PPy structures was investigated using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM), which indicate the formation of one‐dimensional (1D) nanofibers with average diameter of 75–180 nm. Energy dispersive spectrum (EDS) of the PPy nanofibers indicates the attachment of the dopants to the PPy backbone; the fact is further confirmed by the Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectra of PPy nanostructures. Thermal stabilities of the nanostructures explored using thermal gravimetric analysis (TGA) follow the order PPy‐p‐TSA > CSA > HCl > FeCl3 > PSSA. It is noticed that the electrical conductivity (EC) of PPy nanostructures depends upon the nature of dopant (PPy‐p‐TSA > CSA > HCl > FeCl3 > PSSA), PPy‐p‐TSA nanofibers showing the highest EC of 6 × 10−2 Scm−1. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Increased RANKL expression is related to tumour migration and metastasis of renal cell carcinomas
Authors: Mikami Shuji , Katsube Ken‐ichi , Oya Mototsugu , Ishida Masaru , Kosaka Takeo , Mizuno Ryuichi , Mochizuki Satsuki , Ikeda Tohru , Mukai Makio , Okada Yasunori 
Published: April 2009

AbstractReceptor activator of NF‐κB ligand (RANKL) and its receptor, receptor activator of NF‐κB (RANK), play a key role in osteoclastogenesis, and osteoprotegerin (OPG) acts as a decoy receptor for RANKL. We investigated the role of the RANKL–RANK–OPG system in renal cell carcinomas (RCCs), which frequently metastasize to bones. Real‐time quantitative PCR revealed that RANKL mRNA expression was higher in clear cell RCCs than in papillary and chromophobe RCCs. Similarly, RANKL protein expression level in clear cell RCCs was higher than that in papillary and chromophobe RCCs, showing positive correlations with the primary tumour stage and distant metastasis. There was no significant association between the expression level of RANK, OPG and histological subtypes of RCC. RANKL and RANK expression was observed in metastatic RCCs in the bone and other organs, suggesting that they play a role in metastasis to the bone and other organs. Recombinant RANKL protein stimulated migration of a clear cell RCC cell line, Caki‐1, in vitro, and this enhanced migration was inhibited by the administration of recombinant OPG protein. Furthermore, multivariate Cox analysis revealed that elevated RANKL and RANK expression with low‐OPG expression was a significant and independent predictor of recurrence, bone metastasis and a poor prognosis. These data suggest that the RANKL–RANK–OPG system is involved not only in the bone metastasis of RCCs but also in metastasis to other organs through the stimulation of cancer cell migration. Copyright © 2009 Pathological Society of Great Britain and Ireland. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
A hospital‐based survey of healthcare professionals in the awareness of pharmacovigilance
Authors: Xu Houming , Wang Yue , Liu Naifeng 
Published: April 2009

AbstractPurposeThis study was designed to investigate the awareness of pharmacovigilance by healthcare professionals in Jiangsu, China.MethodsThis study was carried out in 62 hospitals in Jiangsu province, China, between May and August, 2007, using a closed and choice questionnaire. The data were entered using the EpiData3.1 software and analyzed by χ
2‐test, single‐factor analysis, and multi‐factor logistic regression using the SAS9.1 software.ResultA total of 2361 questionnaires were suitable in completeness for the statistical analyses. The participants were found to have a good recognition of basic adverse drug reaction (ADR) knowledge, administration knowledge, and drug use rationale, but poor awareness of pharmacovigilance. Significant differences existed in the awareness of pharmacovigilance across regions, hospital classes, and professions. Single‐factor analyses showed that region, hospital class, profession, department type, and length of service in the current position, education level, and professional title all significantly affected the degree of awareness. More stringent multi‐factor analyses showed that the degree of awareness was highly related to region, hospital class, profession, education level, and professional title.ConclusionThe study participants had better basic ADR knowledge than pharmacovigilance knowledge. The study suggests that it is imperative to provide special training to healthcare professionals from different regions and different departments in order to improve the awareness of pharmacovigilance and the development of ADR monitoring. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Why borderline personality disorder is neither borderline nor a personality disorder
Authors: Tyrer Peter 
Published: April 2009

AbstractObjectives Borderline personality disorder is the most well‐studied personality disorder in psychiatry. Despite its great influence in the study of these conditions, it has not been properly recognized that borderline personality disorder is atypical.Design A critical analysis of the differences between borderline and other personality disorders is made.Method A comparison is made between borderline personality disorder and other personality disorders with respect to diagnostic criteria, relationship to normal personality variation and treatment options.Results Analysis of the operational criteria for borderline and schizotypal personality disorders shows that these are the only personality disorders that are dominated by discrete symptoms rather than traits. Cluster analysis of a data set of personality traits obtained between 1976 and 1978 (before borderline personality disorder became fashionable in the UK) could find no profile that supports the existence of a borderline personality disorder grouping, and the study of published papers on treatment in personality disorder shows a 3 : 1 ratio for borderline personality disorder compared with all other personality disorders combined, approaching 9 : 1 when unspecified (probably mainly borderline) conditions are taken into account.Conclusions Borderline personality disorder is incorrectly classified as a personality disorder and does an injustice to those who suffer from it. It is better classified as a condition of recurrent unstable mood and behaviour, or fluxithymia, which is better placed with the mood disorders than in odd isolation as a personality disorder. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Theoretical Study on Thermodynamic and Detonation Properties of Polynitrocubanes
Authors: Ju Xue‐Hai , Wang Zun‐Yao 
Published: April 2009

AbstractWe investigated the heat of formation (ΔfH) of polynitrocubanes using density functional theory B3LYP and HF methods with 6‐31G*, 6‐311+G**, and cc‐pVDZ basis sets. The results indicate that ΔfH firstly decreases (nitro number m=0–2) and then increases (m=4–8) with each additional nitro group being introduced to the cubane skeleton. ΔfH of octanitrocubane is predicted to be 808.08 kJ mol−1 at the B3LYP/6‐311+G** level. The Gibbs free energy of formation (ΔfG) increases by about 40–60 kJ mol−1 with each nitro group being added to the cubane when the substituent number is fewer than 4, then ΔfG increases by about 100–110 kJ mol−1 with each additional group being attached to the cubic skeleton. Both the detonation velocity and the pressure for polynitrocubanes increase as the number of substituents increases. Detonation velocity and pressure of octanitrocubane are substantially larger than the famous widely used explosive cyclotetramethylenetetranitramine (HMX).
Observation of 4F3/2→4I15/2 radiative transition in Nd3+ ions in GaLaS glass using frequency‐resolved PL spectroscopy
Authors: Aoki Takeshi , Koughia Kirill , Fujimoto K. , Fujihashi C. , DeCorby R. , Haugen C. , Hewak D. W. , Tonchev D. , Kasap Safa 
Published: April 2009

AbstractThe photoluminescence (PL) emission band corresponding to 4F3/2→4I15/2 transition has been revealed using a double lock‐in technique and quadrature frequency resolved spectroscopy (QFRS) at room temperature in Nd3+ in a GaLaS glass. The band is centred around 1840 nm and has a lifetime ∼77 μs, which seems to be the same for all four radiative transitions 4F3/2→4IJ (J = 9/2, 11/2, 13/2 and 15/2). The branching ratios βJ of the four above transitions have been estimated from the PL data and agree well with the results of Judd‐Ofelt (JO) analysis. In addition to the 1840 nm band, we have observed another PL band appearing around 1580 nm and having a dominant lifetime ∼3.8 μs. This band may be identified with the radiative transition from the doublet (4F5/2, 2H9/2) to the 4I15/2 manifold. The short lifetime ∼3.8 μs may be caused by effective multiphonon relaxation from the doublet to the 4F3/2 manifold. (© 2009 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Coherent random lasers from weakly scattering polymer films embedded with superfine silver nanoparticles
Authors: Meng Xiangeng , Fujita Koji , Murai Shunsuke , Zong Yanhua , Akasaka Satoshi , Hasegawa Hirokazu , Tanaka Katsuhisa 
Published: April 2009

AbstractRandom lasers with coherent feedback have been obtained in highly transparent polymer films embedded with silver (Ag) nanoparticles. The hybrid materials were fabricated via in situ synthesis, through which Ag nanoparticles were precipitated by heat treatment. Sharp peaks with linewidth of ∼0.3 nm emerge on a broad emission background when the pump energy reaches a threshold. Random lasers with coherent feedback induced by Ag nanoparticles have been little reported, and hence, we believe that this work brings about an important aspect to random lasers. (© 2009 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Structural, optical and electrical properties of Co‐evaporated CuCl/KCl films
Authors: Lucas F. Olabanji , McNally P. J. , Cowley A. , Daniels S. , Bradley L. , Danieluk D. , Taylor D. M. 
Published: April 2009

AbstractThe behaviour of co‐evaporated CuCl/KCl films, with a varying weight percentage of KCl from 0% – 15%, has been investigated using structural, optical and electrical characterisation techniques. Room temperature X‐ray diffraction (XRD) measurements reveal that the deposited films on glass substrates were zincblende in structure and preferentially oriented in the CuCl (111) plane irrespective of the percentage of KCl. Temperature dependent photoluminescence (PL) measurements on all samples exhibit various excitonic luminescence processes. Further to this, the normalized peak intensity (Z3 ∼ 384 nm) of the 95% CuCl/5% KCl evaporated film is twice that of undoped film due to possible filling of some of the anion vacancies which may reduce the luminescence intensity of the film. The conductivity of the deposited films was found to increase with increasing KCl content. An interstitial hopping mechanism of K+ in a predominantly CuCl crystal was used to explain the increase in the electrical conductivity of the co‐evaporated films. (© 2009 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Co‐evaporated Cd1–xMgxTe thin films for applications in tandem solar cells
Authors: Martinez Omar S. , Palomera Roger C. , Cruz Jose S. , Mathew Xavier 
Published: April 2009

AbstractFor the last seven years the efficiency of CdTe solar cells is stagnated at 16.5% even though the practically achievable efficiency is 18‐20%. In order to advance further in CdTe technology, we pursue our efforts by developing alloys based on this material. In this work we have developed the ternary alloy material Cd1–xMgxTe by the co‐evaporation of CdTe and Mg, and obtained uniform thin films with band gap in a wide range (1.6 to 2 eV). In order to apply this ternary material as the absorber layer in a top cell, the required band gap is in the range 1.6 to 1.7 eV. Films with band gap close to 1.6 eV were deposited on both corning glass as well as CdS/Tec7 substrates depending on the end use. We have carried out studies on the effect of different post deposition treatments of the film on its structural and opto‐electronic properties. One of the important criteria in developing the top cell is the transmittance of the sub‐gap radiation through the device structure. The transmittance through our device structure is more than 80% demonstrating the promising nature of this material in developing tandem solar cells. Un‐optimized prototype devices showed open circuit voltage of 590 mV, short circuit current density of 12 mA/cm2, and efficiency more than 4%. The efficiency was low due to high series resistance and poor fill factor. (© 2009 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Luminescence study of grown sapphire: from starting material to single crystal
Authors: Mogilevsky Radion , Nedilko Sergii , Sharafutdinova Liudmila , Burlay Sergii , Sherbatskii Vasyl , Boyko Volodymyr , Mittl Scott 
Published: April 2009

AbstractThe results of a systematic study of photoluminescence (PL) properties of un‐doped sapphire crystals grown using different starting materials on various crystal growth methods (CZ, EFG, HDSM, Kyropoulus, HEM) are presented. Narrow line of emission has been attributed to radiation transition in Cr3+ ions (R‐line), while the nature of red wide band (RWB) of emission (600‐850 nm) is still under question. Integral intensities of R‐line and RWB were analyzed and their dependences on type of starting raw materials and of the method of crystal growth were shown. The crystals grown using Vernuil starting material exhibited significant PL in all utilized methods. On the contrary, sapphire samples grown by the same technologies wherein EMT HPDAR (High Purity Densified Alumina) was the starting material revealed much lower PL. HPDAR is produced by EMT, Inc. with proprietary and patented technology. The concentrations of various metal impurities such as Ca, Mg, Zn, Cu, Cr, Fe, Ni, H were measured. Effect of these impurities on luminescence intensity and especially the role of hydrogen incorporated into sapphire lattice are discussed. (© 2009 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Comparative effect of an essential oil mouthrinse on plaque, gingivitis and salivary Streptococcus mutans levels: a double blind randomized study
Authors: Botelho Marco Antonio , Santos Rinaldo Araujo dos , Martins Jose Galberto , Carvalho Cintia Oliveira , Paz Mabel Calina , Azenha Cláudio , Ruela Ronaldo Sousa , Queiroz Dinalva Brito , Ruela Wagner Sousa , Marinho Gloria , Ruela Francisca Isabel 
Published: April 2009

AbstractAn open, randomized, controlled study with two parallel treatment groups was done to evaluate the efficacy of a Lippia sidoides essential oil (EO) 1% mouthrinse compared with chlorhexidine 0.12% mouthrinse, applied two times daily for 1 week, in the treatment of dental plaque and gingivitis. Fifty‐five patients were included in the study. The efficacy variables were the colony count of Streptococcus mutans from the stimulated saliva and periodontal indices on days 0, 7 and 30 after commencement of therapy. Twenty eight patients received chlorhexidine mouthrinse (Periogard®) and 27 Lippia sidoides essential oil mouthrinse (Cepakill®). The clinical and microbiological parameters were significantly reduced by both mouthrinses. No significant difference was seen between the two groups (p > 0.05). There was a significant reduction in the colony count of S. mutans in both groups (p < 0.05). Chlorhexidine treatment reduced more efficiently than L. sidoides, however, no statistical difference was seen, the efficacy of both groups was similar (p = 0.3). The results indicate that Chlorhexidine mouthrinse reduced plaque index, gingival bleeding and the number of CFU (colonies forming units) more efficiently than L. sidoides but did not reach statistical significance. This study demonstrated that Lippia sidoides EO mouthrinse is effective in reducing microbial plaque and gingival inflammation. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Manassantin A and B fromSaururus chinensisinhibiting cellular melanin production
Authors: Seo Chang‐Seob , Lee Won‐Hee , Chung Hee‐Wook , Chang Eun Ju , Lee Seung Ho , Jahng Yurngdong , Hwang Bang Yeon , Son Jong‐Keun , Han Sang‐Bae , Kim Youngsoo 
Published: April 2009

AbstractHyperpigmentation disorders such as freckles and senile lentigines in the skin are associated with abnormal accumulation of melanin pigments. In this study, two lignan constituents were isolated fromSaururus chinensisBaill (Saururaceae) as inhibitors of cellular melanin production by bioassay‐guided fractionations. The active constituents were manassantin A and B that dose‐dependently inhibited melanin production inα‐melanocyte stimulating hormone (α‐MSH)‐activated melanoma B16 cells with IC50values of 13 nmand 8 nm, respectively. Arbutin as a positive control exhibited an IC50value of 96 µmonα‐MSH‐induced melanin production. Further, manassantin A inhibited forskolin‐ or 3‐isobutyl‐1‐methylxanthine (IBMX)‐induced melanin production with IC50values of 14 nmor 12 nm, respectively. Manassantin A decreased cellular amounts of IBMX‐inducible tyrosinase protein but could not affect the catalytic activity of cell‐free tyrosinase, a key enzyme in the biosynthetic pathway of melanin pigments. Finally, this study could provide a pharmacological potential ofS. chinensisin hyperpigmentation disorders. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.