bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Clinical and laboratory features of neuropathies with serum IgM binding to TS‐HDS
Authors: Pestronk Alan , Schmidt Robert E. , Choksi Rati M. , Sommerville R. Brian , Al‐Lozi Muhammad T. 
Published: November 2011

AbstractIntroduction:In this investigation we studied clinical and laboratory features of polyneuropathies in patients with serum IgM binding to the trisulfated disaccharide IdoA2S‐GlcNS‐6S (TS‐HDS).Methods:We retrospectively compared 58 patients with selective IgM binding to TS‐HDS to 41 consecutive patients with polyneuropathies without TS‐HDS binding.Results:Patients with IgM vs. TS‐HDS commonly had distal, sensory, axonal neuropathies. Weakness was associated with IgM M‐proteins. Hand pain and serum IgM M‐proteins were more common than in control neuropathy patients. TS‐HDS antibody binding was often selectively κ class. Biopsies showed capillary pathology with thickened basal lamina and C5b9 complement deposition. IgM in sera with TS‐HDS antibodies often bound to capillaries.Conclusions:Serum IgM binding to TS‐HDS is associated with painful, sensory > motor, polyneuropathies with an increased frequency of persistent hand discomfort, serum IgM M‐proteins, and capillary pathology. Serum IgM binding to TS‐HDS suggests a possible immune etiology underlying some otherwise idiopathic sensory polyneuropathies. Muscle Nerve 45: 866–872, 2012
Revisiting the matrix‐free solution of Markov regenerative processes
Authors: Amparore Elvio Gilberto , Donatelli Susanna 
Published: November 2011

SUMMARYIn this paper, we revisit the steady‐state solution method for Markov Regenerative Processes (MRP) proposed in the work by German. This method solves the embedded Markov chain P of the MRP without storing the matrix P explicitly. We address three issues left open in German's Work: 1) the solution method is restricted to Power method; 2) it has been defined only for ergodic MRPs; and 3) no preconditioning is available to speed‐up the computation.This paper discusses how to lift these limitations by extending the algorithm to preconditioned Krylov‐subspace methods and by generalizing it to the non‐ergodic case. An MRP‐specific preconditioner is also proposed, which is built from a sparse approximation of the MRP matrix, computed via simulation. An experimental assessment of the proposed preconditioner is then provided. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Numerical simulation of thickness variation effect on resin transfer molding process
Authors: Saad A. , Echchelh A. , Hattabi M. , El Ganaoui M. 
Published: November 2011

AbstractIn this work, a computer model has been developed to investigate the effect of reinforcement thickness variation and edge effect on infiltration and mold filling in resin transfer molding (RTM) process. The developed code is able to predict the flow front location of the resin, the pressure, and the temperature distribution at each time step in a mold with complex geometries. It can also optimize the positioning of injection ports and vents. The filling stage is simulated in a full two‐dimensional space by using control volume/finite element method CV/FEM and based upon an appropriate filling algorithm. Results show that the injection time as well as flow front progression depends on the edge effect, the variation of reinforcement thickness, and the position of injection ports; this highlights that the inclusion of these effects in RTM simulation is of definite need for the better prediction and optimization of the process parameters. The validity of our developed model is evaluated in comparison with analytical solutions for simple geometries, and excellent agreements are observed. POLYM. COMPOS., 2012. © 2011 Society of Plastics Engineers
Electrical actuation of ionic hydrogels based on polyvinyl alcohol grafted with poly(2‐acrylamido‐2‐methyl‐1‐propanesulfonic acid‐co‐acrylonitrile) chains
Authors: Mahloniya R.G. , Bajpai J. , Bajpai A.K. 
Published: November 2011

AbstractNovel electrically conducting composite materials consisting of poly(pyrrole) (PPy) nanoparticles dispersed in a poly(vinyl alcohol)‐g‐poly(2‐acrylamido‐2‐methyl‐1‐propanesulfonic acid‐co‐acrylonitrile) hydrogels were prepared within the polymer matrix by in situ polymerization of pyrrole. The conversion yield of pyrrole into PPy particles was determined gravimetrically while structural confirmation of the synthesized polymer was sought by Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) and UV‐visible spectroscopy. The morphology of PPy nanoparticles containing hydrogel matrix was investigated by Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) analysis. Electrical conductivity of nanocomposite hydrogels of different compositions was determined by LCR meter while electroactive behavior of nanocomposite hydrogels swollen in electrolyte solutions was investigated by effective bend angle measurements. POLYM. COMPOS., 2012. © 2011 Society of Plastics Engineers
Synthesis and polymerizations of phosphonated‐bis(methacrylamide)s for dental applications
Authors: Akgun Burcin , Savci Emre , Avci Duygu 
Published: November 2011

AbstractNovel phosphonate and phosphonic acid‐containing bis(methacrylamide)s were synthesized. The phosphonate‐containing monomers (1a and 1b) were synthesized by amidation of 2‐(2‐chlorocarbonyl‐allyloxymethyl)‐acryloylchloride with diethyl 2‐aminoethylphosphonate and diethyl 1‐aminomethylphosphonate. The phosphonic acid‐containing monomers (2a and 2b) were synthesized by hydrolysis of 1a and 1b with trimethylsilyl bromide (TMSBr). All monomers were liquids and dissolved in water and ethanol. Thermal homopolymerization of 1a and 1b in bulk and solution using 2,2′‐azobis(isobutyronitrile) (AIBN) at 80 °C gave crosslinked polymers indicating low cyclization tendencies of these monomers. They were also homopolymerized using photo‐DSC with 2,2′‐dimethoxy‐2‐phenyl acetophenone (DMPA) as photoinitator, and their maximum rates of polymerization were found to be higher than commercial monomers 2,2‐bis[4‐(2‐hydroxy‐3‐methacryloyloxy propyloxy) phenyl] propane (Bis‐GMA) and 2‐hydroxyethyl methacrylate (HEMA), indicating their potential as reactive diluents or crosslinkers in dental materials. In fact, copolymerization with monomer 1a resulted in improvements in photopolymerization kinetics of both Bis‐GMA and HEMA. The acidic nature of the aqueous solutions (pH of 2a: 1.42, 2b: 1.53), stability under aqueous conditions after 1 month of study at 37 °C, interaction of 2a with hydroxyapatite (HAP) as representative of both monomers, and copolymerizability of the same with HEMA make these monomers suitable as adhesive monomers in dental adhesives, although their low observed reactivities may present a drawback. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem, 2012
One‐pot direct synthesis of fluorescent polyaniline‐porphyrin macrospheres from porphyrin
Authors: Ajit Singh , Palaniappan Srinivasan , Kumar Putcha Uday , Madhusudhanachary Perikati 
Published: November 2011

AbstractPorphyrins are very important chromophores as sensitizer in solar cell. Hole and electron transport layers are being used as an important layer to move the electrons and holes away from the sensitizer molecule to electrodes. In this work, a simple process has been developed for the synthesis of one layer combination of sensitizer and hole transport, that is, polyaniline‐porphyrin (PANI‐TPPS4) system as a bulk heterojunction. Macrospheres of fluorescent PANI‐TPPS4 materials were synthesized by one‐pot as well as two step processes directly from porphyrin for the first time. The advantage of this process is no need to isolate sulfonated porphyrin (TPPS4), which is a difficult process. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem, 2012
Breakfast Cereal, Digestive Problems and Well‐being
Authors: Smith Andrew P. 
Published: November 2011

AbstractPrevious research has shown that regular breakfast cereal consumption is associated with better well‐being (subjective reports of health and functioning). Digestive problems are also associated with reduced well‐being, and given that consumption of breakfast cereals often improves digestive function, it is possible that the effect of breakfast cereal on well‐being reflects better digestion in regular breakfast consumers. The present study examined this issue by conducting secondary analyses of a large community sample (N = 14,952). Breakfast cereal consumption was measured using a five‐point frequency scale (from never to everyday), and digestive disorders were measured by self‐reports of problems such as constipation, indigestion and diarrhoea over the last year. Well‐being measures included reports of general mental health, depression, anxiety and stress. The results showed that well‐being scores (lower stress, anxiety, depression and mental health problems in general) were greater in those who consumed breakfast cereal on most days or every day. Digestive problems were also associated with higher stress levels, greater psychopathology in general and higher anxiety and depression scores. The effects of breakfast cereal consumption and digestive problems were independent, and further research is required to identify the mechanisms underlying these effects. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Methamphetamine self‐administration acutely decreases monoaminergic transporter function
Authors: McFadden Lisa M. , Stout Kristen A. , Vieira‐Brock Paula L. , Allen Scott C. , Nielsen Shannon M. , Wilkins Diana G. , Hanson Glen R. , Fleckenstein Annette E. 
Published: November 2011

AbstractNumerous preclinical studies have demonstrated that noncontingent methamphetamine (METH) administration rapidly decreases both dopamine (DA) transporter (DAT) and vesicular monoamine‐2 transporter (VMAT‐2) function. Because of the importance of transporter function to the abuse and neurotoxic liabilities of METH, and previous research indicating that the effects of noncontingent METH treatment do not necessarily predict effects of contingent exposure, the present study examined the acute impact of METH self‐administration on these transporters. Results revealed that five days of METH self‐administration (4 h/session; 0.06 mg/infusion) decreased DAT and VMAT‐2 activity, as assessed in synaptosomes and vesicles, respectively, prepared from striatal tissue 1 h after the final self‐administration session. METH self‐administration increased core body temperatures as well. Brain METH and amphetamine (AMPH) levels, assessed 1 h after the final self‐administration session, were approximately twice greater in high‐pressing rats compared to low‐pressing rats despite similar changes in DAT function. In conclusion, the present manuscript is the first to describe transporter function and METH/AMPH levels after self‐administration in rodents. These data provide a foundation to investigate complex questions including how the response of dopaminergic systems to METH self‐administration contributes to contingent‐related processes such as dependence. Synapse, 2012. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Analysis of the insulation structure and electrical distribution of 1100‐kV OIP condenser transformer bushings in China
Authors: Liu Peng , Peng Zong‐ren , Zhang Xu‐hong 
Published: November 2011

AbstractIn this paper, the technical parameters, main dimensions, structural design, and the electrical field distribution of a 1100‐kV AC oil‐impregnated paper (OIP) condenser transformer bushing used in the Wuhan (China) ultrahigh‐voltage (UHV) experiment are presented. The electrical field calculations of the bushing, which is composed of the condenser, the lower porcelain housing, the grading ball, the transformer lifting seat, and the insulated oil, are performed and the parameters of the grading rings are optimized. The electrical field distribution curves of the bushing at 1.5 m height to ground are also drawn. By studying and experimenting on the 1100‐kV bushing, the inner and the outer insulation structure of the bushing were found to be proper; the radial and the axial electrical fields meet the design requirement; the performance parameters of the bushing are in accord with the corresponding standards and technical specifications. The bushing has already passed the type tests and works well at the Wuhan UHV AC experimental base. This establishes a good foundation for the design, manufacture, and experimentation on the 1100‐kV AC OIP condenser transformer bushing. © 2011 Institute of Electrical Engineers of Japan. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Deliverable‐power dependence on distribution‐line resistance and number of loads in low‐voltage DC distribution system
Authors: Yehia Doaa Mokhtar , Yokomizu Yasunobu , Iioka Daisuke , Matsumura Toshiro 
Published: November 2011

AbstractIn this paper, we show that in a low‐voltage DC distribution system the deliverable power to a load has an upper limit Plim due to the voltage instability at the receiving ends. On the basis of the previously derived concept of Plim, we obtain the dependence of Plim on the distribution line resistance R. In addition, we investigate the influence of the number of loads on Plim. The result shows that a distribution line of lower R causes Plim to be lower. This reduction in Plim becomes more distinct for a larger number of loads. © 2011 Institute of Electrical Engineers of Japan. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Approximate linear amplitude model based algorithm for measuring power system frequency
Authors: Xu Qingshan , Xu Qingqiang , Yukita Kazuto , Ichiyanagi Katsuhiro 
Published: November 2011

AbstractA novel algorithm for measuring the power system frequency during a very short time is presented in this paper, based on an approximate linear current amplitude model. The presented measuring frequency algorithm is used to get the instantaneous value of the parameter accurately. In the algorithm, the amplitudes of four consecutive sampled currents are supposed to be linear. After rigorous mathematical deduction, including Taylor series expansion and the geometric proportion theorem, the instantaneous frequency could be derived. The errors arising from the linearization in the model are analyzed qualitatively, and then the errors of A/D conversion and Taylor series expansion are considered. By the proposed technique, the measured frequency can be derived easily, quickly, and accurately, without any digital filters. The results after simulation show that the proposed algorithm has high accuracy and noise immunity during power swings and in the normal state. © 2011 Institute of Electrical Engineers of Japan. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Hyponym extraction from the web by bootstrapping
Authors: Tian Fang , Yuan Caixia , Ren Fuji 
Published: November 2011

AbstractThis paper proposes an effective method to automatically extract hyponym from the Web for Chinese. The method extracts hyponyms for a given hypernym through weak supervision in two stages: the first stage is submitting a hypernym and a seed hyponym as a query to Web search engine, and automatically extracting hyponyms matching with a Chinese doubly anchored hyponymy pattern from the Web by bootstrapping. In order to reduce noise data in bootstrapping extraction, we propose a set of filtering rules to ensure matching of the proper hypernym in the extracted sentence. The second stage is ranking all the extracted candidate hyponyms by an integrated ranking algorithm which takes into account measures both of linkage frequency between coordinate hyponyms and of semantic similarity between the hypernym and candidate hyponym based on co‐occurrence statistics. © 2011 Institute of Electrical Engineers of Japan. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Common‐mode gain reduction technique and its applications
Authors: Silawan Nawatt , Retdian Nicodimus , Takagi Shigetaka 
Published: November 2011

AbstractThis paper proposes a common‐mode gain reduction technique and a new approach for a balanced‐type system design. Two design examples of a balanced‐type operational transconductance amplifier and a balanced‐type filter are given. The proposed scheme employs the proposed common‐mode gain reduction technique together with the common‐mode feedback (CMFB) network, which is used only to set a bias, to meet requirements of common‐mode rejection. Compared with the conventional method, which uses the CMFB that has a higher gain than the one used in the proposed scheme, the proposed method shows reduction in design complexities and relaxation of the stability conditions. © 2011 Institute of Electrical Engineers of Japan. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Method of revising parameters of brushless doubly fed machine taking into account the interaction of fields
Authors: Cheng Yuan , Wang Xuefan 
Published: November 2011

AbstractThe most remarkable feature of the brushless doubly fed machine (BDFM) field is that the magnetic path is shared by two types of magnetic fields differing in pole number and rotational speed, which brings difficulties in the analysis and calculation of the magnetic field. As the traditional analytical model does not take into account the interaction between the two types of magnetic fields, its calculation results do not agree with the test results well. In order to give an explanation to the error and amend the analytical model parameters, a family of calibration curves derived from the finite‐element model is presented in this paper. The method is verified using measurements made on a test machine. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Measurement of electrical characteristics of ZnO microvaristors
Authors: Kabir Mahmudul , Suzuki Masafumi , Yoshimura Noboru , Shiozawa Kayo , Ogishima Miyuki , Shintate Hitoshi , Andoh Hideyasu 
Published: November 2011

AbstractA measurement technique is developed to measure the characteristics of zinc oxide (ZnO) microvaristors directly. We used Cu wires, a micromanipulator, and an optical microscope to gain ohmic contact of the measurement apparatus with ZnO particles. With our system, the I−V characteristics and C−2−V characteristics were measured for 25 µm ZnO microvaristors. Our measurements show that these microparticles behave as varistors. Further measurement on the ZnO microvaristors and observation of their fine structure may help to understand the varistor behavior. It also can pave the way to the understanding of the electrical characteristics of grain boundaries as well as the double Schottky barrier formed at the grain boundaries. © 2011 Institute of Electrical Engineers of Japan. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Functional and morphological differences following Monarc and TVT‐O procedures
Authors: Huang W.‐C. , Yang S.‐H. , Yang J.‐M. , Tzeng C.‐R. 
Published: November 2011

AbstractObjectiveTo explore function of the lower urinary tract and morphology of tape and urethra following Monarc or TVT‐O suburethral tape placement for urodynamic stress incontinence (USI).MethodsWe recruited prospectively women undergoing either Monarc or TVT‐O placement for USI. Before and 3  months after the procedure, participants were evaluated by a question‐directed interview, the measures of Sandvik Incontinence Severity Index (SISI), Incontinence Bother Scale (IBS), Ingelman‐Sundberg Score (ISS) and short forms of Urogenital Distress Inventory (UDI‐6) and Incontinence Impact Questionnaire (IIQ‐7), physical examination, a cough stress test and 4D ultrasound investigation. The primary outcome was participants' responses to clinical assessments and the secondary outcome was ultrasound findings.ResultsA total of 67 women with Monarc procedures and 60 women with TVT‐O procedures completed the survey both preoperatively and 3  months postoperatively. There were significant improvements in scores of SISI, IBS, ISS, UDI‐6 and IIQ‐7 after both Monarc and TVT‐O procedures. At the 3‐month follow‐up, both procedures had similar success rates, SISI scores, IBS scores, ISS scores, UDI‐6 scores and IIQ‐7 scores, and similar incidences of postoperative voiding difficulty and overactive bladder symptoms. After Bonferroni correction, all ultrasound parameters representing tape location, tape tension and urethral mobility were similar between the two procedures.ConclusionsAt short‐term follow‐up, Monarc and TVT‐O procedures are comparable in both functional outcome of the lower urinary tract and morphology on ultrasound as assessed by parameters representing tape location, tape tension and urethral mobility.
Ornithine decarboxylase activity, a clinical biomarker for evaluating cancer chemopreventive efficacy of phytomolecules
Authors: Masood Nusrat , Dubey Vijaya , Luqman Suaib 
Published: November 2011

AbstractBiomarkers of cancer have made a strong traipse in predicting the disease pattern and contributed significantly to the understanding of tumour state, progression, characteristics and response to therapies. Polyamines such as putrescine, spermine and spermidine are cationic biomolecules essential for the cell cycle function and serve as excellent biomarkers of tumour progression. The polyamine biosynthesis is tightly regulated by ornithine decarboxylase, a highly inducible enzyme specific to pH, temperature, time and substrate concentration. The expression of this enzyme is very high during cell transformation and tumour progression leading to elevated level of polyamines. To measure the activity of ornithine decarboxylase an improved, easy, simple, reliable and cost-effective method has been developed utilizing small quantity of chemicals. The methodology is based on the cognizance that enzyme transforms L-ornithine hydrochloride substrate to a yellow coloured product putrescine soluble in pentanol, the absorbance of which was measured spectrophotometrically. The procedure is being utilized for evaluating cancer chemopreventive efficacy of phytomolecules. We have analyzed hundreds of molecules belonging to flavonoid, terpenes and alkaloid groups and very few were found to inhibit enzyme activity in a concentration dependent manner (0.4-50µg/mL). In addition, the molecules were also tested for their radical scavenging properties. Our results depict that molecules having phenolic groups and lactone rings in their structure are better inhibitors than their counterparts. The comparative analysis of the groups reassures flavonoids as better scavengers of radical formation and a positive correlation was observed among the nitric oxide and 2, 2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl inhibition (p<0.01). Further evaluation and augmentation may reveal novel ornthine decarboxylase inhibitors and cancer chemopreventive agents from plants.