bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Study of thin films of kraft lignin and two DHPs by means of single-molecule force spectroscopy (SMFS)
Authors: Notley Shannon M. , Norgren Magnus 
Published: July 2012

Abstract
The adhesion of single and associated lignin chains to a substrate has been studied by means of single-molecule force spectroscopy (SMFS). Softwood kraft lignin (KL) and two lignin polymer models (dehydrogenation polymers, DHPs) based on coniferyl alcohol (DHPc.alc.) and coniferaldehyde (DHPc.ald.) were in focus. The desorption force from the “silicon nitride SMFS tip” for the KL was significantly greater than that of the DHPs. The higher desorption force was interpreted as being due to the interaction of carboxyl groups through hydrogen bonding with the tip as well as to the less compact polymeric layer at the interface. The distribution of the extended chain lengths was determined, and self-association of lignin chains was observed. For both KL and the DHPc.ald., chains were extended significantly beyond the limit that would be expected for polymers with the corresponding degree of polymerization. The α-carbon on the DHPc.alc.has a strong intramolecular hydrogen bonding interaction with the adjacent aryl ether, which inhibits the possibility of the ether to participate in intermolecular hydrogen bonding with nearby lignin chains. Thus, the self-association for KL and DHPc.ald.was found to be dominated by intermolecular hydrogen bonding with carboxylic groups and aryl ether functionalities.
Effect of quat- and amino-silicones on fungal colonisation and decay of wood
Authors: Ghosh Shyamal C. , Dyckmans Jens , Militz Holger , Mai Carsten 
Published: July 2012

Abstract
Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) and European beech (Fagus sylvatica L.) wood samples treated with quaternary (quat)- and amino-silicone (QS and AS) solutions of different chain lengths were tested against brown-rot and white-rot fungi as well as with regard to blue stain colonisation. The treatment with short-chained silicones bearing quat and amino functional group reduced the mass loss (ML) by decay fungi at 15% treatment concentration. The release of metabolic heat by decayed samples determined in a microcalorimeter corresponded with the ML of the samples, i.e., samples with high ML produced more heat indicating higher fungal activity. Short-chain ASs reduced the blue staining more strongly than long-chain ones. However, the opposite was true in the case of QS. It was assumed that the combined effect of hydrophobation, cell wall bulking and change of the wood surface energy are responsible for a successful performance of silicone compounds as wood preservatives.
Potential Association of Paraoxonase‐1, Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus, and Periodontitis
Authors: Noack Barbara , Aslanhan Zeynep , Boué Julia , Petig Christin , Teige Madlen , Schaper Frank , Hoffmann Thomas , Hannig Christian 
Published: July 2012

Background: The association between periodontitis and systemic diseases, including cardiovascular diseases and diabetes mellitus (DM), has been recognized repeatedly. Paraoxonase‐1 (PON‐1) is involved in the prevention of atherosclerosis, and decreased enzyme activity in patients with DM has been shown. The aim of this study is to investigate a possible correlation between decreased PON‐1 activity and the association between impaired glucose metabolism or DM and periodontitis.Methods: PON‐1 phenotype distribution and enzyme activities were characterized by measuring the hydrolysis of phenylacetate and paraoxon in serum samples of 87 patients with type 2 DM and 46 patients with pre‐DM showing impaired fasting plasma glucose and/or impaired oral glucose tolerance. The control group comprised 64 individuals with normal fasting plasma glucose and normal glucose tolerance. Altogether, 154 study participants were available for complete clinical periodontal examination.Results: No difference in periodontitis prevalence existed between the study groups. However, patients with DM had an increased risk of suffering from generalized periodontitis (adjusted odds ratio = 4.05; 95% confidence interval = 1.24 to 13.18; P = 0.02), and their PON‐1 activity was reduced compared to controls. In contrast, patients with pre‐DM showed neither an increased periodontitis risk nor an impaired paraoxonase status. PON‐1 was not associated directly with periodontitis. Nevertheless, concerning patients with DM, poor oral hygiene, male sex, and PON‐1 phenotype were found to be significant predictors for periodontitis extent.Conclusions: Type 2 DM, but not a prediabetic state, increases the risk of generalized periodontitis. PON‐1 status in patients with type 2 DM may contribute to this association.
Serum Levels of Long‐Chain Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids in Patients With Periodontal Disease
Authors: Figueredo Carlos Marcelo , Martinez Gisele L. , Koury Josely C. , Fischer Ricardo G. , Gustafsson Anders 
Published: July 2012

Background: Long‐chain polyunsaturated fatty acids omega‐3 and omega‐6 (LC‐PUFA n‐3 and n‐6) can function as important inflammatory modulators and also have a strong effect in the proresolving inflammatory processes. The aim of the authors is to analyze the serum levels of docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), docosapentaenoic acid (DPA), and arachidonic acid (AA) in patients with generalized chronic periodontitis (GCP) and compare these results with serum levels of patients with gingivitis only.Methods: Twenty‐one patients with untreated GCP (mean age: 46.0 ± 8.8 years) and 16 patients with gingivitis only (mean age: 31.5 ± 7.5 years) were investigated. The clinical examination included probing depth (PD), clinical attachment level, bleeding on probing, and plaque index. Blood samples were analyzed for the presence of DHA, EPA, DPA, and AA using gas chromatography.Results: Significantly higher levels of DHA, DPA, EPA, and AA were observed in patients with GCP when compared with patients with gingivitis (P = 0.007, P = 0.004, P = 0.033, and P = 0.001, respectively). The differences were still significant even after the adjustments for age and sex. The PD showed a significant positive correlation with DHA (r = 0.5; P = 0.003), DPA (r = 0.6; P <0.001), and AA (r = 0.6; P <0.001).Conclusion: The present findings suggest that serum levels of LC‐PUFA n‐3 and n‐6 may be affected by the severity of periodontal disease.
Damaged Auditor Reputation and Analysts' Forecast Revision Frequency
Authors: Cahan Steven F. , Chaney Paul K. , Jeter Debra C. , Zhang Wei 
Published: July 2012

SUMMARY
In this study, we examine the reaction of financial analysts to the events associated with the collapse of Enron and Arthur Andersen. We present evidence that the change in the frequency of downward revisions from the pre-Enron to Enron period was incrementally higher for Andersen clients than for a control sample of matched Big 4 clients. We also find evidence that Andersen clients had incrementally larger forecast errors and greater forecast dispersion than the matched control firms. Our results suggest that the damaging news about Andersen led to an abnormal increase in uncertainty about other Andersen-audited financial statements, which affected analysts' forecast activity and properties. More generally, our results suggest that analyst behavior is tempered by the analyst's perception of audit quality.
Clinical and microbiological parameters in patients with self-ligating and conventional brackets during early phase of orthodontic treatment
Authors: Pejda Slavica , Varga Marina Lapter , Milosevic Sandra Anic , Mestrovic Senka , Slaj Martina , Repic Dario , Bosnjak Andrija 
Published: July 2012

Abstract

Objective:
To determine the effect of different bracket designs (conventional brackets and self-ligating brackets) on periodontal clinical parameters and periodontal pathogens in subgingival plaque.

Material and Methods:
The following inclusion criteria were used: requirement of orthodontic treatment plan starting with alignment and leveling, good general health, healthy periodontium, no antibiotic therapy in the previous 6 months before the beginning of the study, and no smoking. The study sample totaled 38 patients (13 male, 25 female; mean age, 14.6 ± 2.0 years). Patients were divided into two groups with random distribution of brackets. Recording of clinical parameters was done before the placement of the orthodontic appliance (T0) and at 6 weeks (T1), 12 weeks (T2), and 18 weeks (T3) after full bonding of orthodontic appliances. Periodontal pathogens of subgingival microflora were detected at T3 using a commercially available polymerase chain reaction test (micro-Dent test) that contains probes for Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans, Porphyromonas gingivalis, Prevotella intermedia, Tannerella forsythia, and Treponema denticola.

Results:
There was a statistically significant higher prevalence of A actinomycetemcomitans in patients with conventional brackets than in patients with self-ligating brackets, but there was no statistically significant difference for other putative periodontal pathogens. The two different types of brackets did not show statistically significant differences in periodontal clinical parameters.

Conclusion:
Bracket design does not seem to have a strong influence on periodontal clinical parameters and periodontal pathogens in subgingival plaque. The correlation between some periodontal pathogens and clinical periodontal parameters was weak.
Glomerular Hyperfiltration and Renal Disease Progression in Type 2 Diabetes
Authors: Ruggenenti Piero , Porrini Esteban L. , Gaspari Flavio , Motterlini Nicola , Cannata Antonio , Carrara Fabiola , Cella Claudia , Ferrari Silvia , Stucchi Nadia , Parvanova Aneliya , Iliev Ilian , Dodesini Alessandro Roberto , Trevisan Roberto , Bossi Antonio , Zaletel Jelka , Remuzzi Giuseppe ,   for the GFR Study Investigators
Published: July 2012

OBJECTIVE
To describe the prevalence and determinants of hyperfiltration (glomerular filtration rate [GFR] ≥120 mL/min/1.73 m2), GFR decline, and nephropathy onset or progression in type 2 diabetic patients with normo- or microalbuminuria.

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS
We longitudinally studied 600 hypertensive type 2 diabetic patients with albuminuria &lt;200 μg/min and who were retrieved from two randomized trials testing the renal effect of trandolapril and delapril. Target blood pressure (BP) was &lt;120/80 mmHg, and HbA1c was &lt;7%. GFR, albuminuria, and glucose disposal rate (GDR) were centrally measured by iohexol plasma clearance, nephelometry in three consecutive overnight urine collections, and hyperinsulinemic euglycemic clamp, respectively.

RESULTS
Over a median (range) follow-up of 4.0 (1.7–8.1) years, GFR declined by 3.37 (5.71–1.31) mL/min/1.73 m2 per year. GFR change was bimodal over time: a larger reduction at 6 months significantly predicted slower subsequent decline (coefficient: −0.0054; SE: 0.0009), particularly among hyperfiltering patients. A total of 90 subjects (15%) were hyperfiltering at inclusion, and 11 of 47 (23.4%) patients with persistent hyperfiltration progressed to micro- or macroalbuminuria versus 53 (10.6%) of the 502 who had their hyperfiltration ameliorated at 6 months or were nonhyperfiltering since inclusion (hazard ratio 2.16 [95% CI 1.13–4.14]). Amelioration of hyperfiltration was independent of baseline characteristics or ACE inhibition. It was significantly associated with improved BP and metabolic control, amelioration of GDR, and slower long-term GFR decline on follow-up.

CONCLUSIONS
Despite intensified treatment, patients with type 2 diabetes have a fast GFR decline. Hyperfiltration affects a subgroup of patients and may contribute to renal function loss and nephropathy onset or progression. Whether amelioration of hyperfiltration is renoprotective is worth investigating.
Trace element geochemistry of coals from the Southern Cantabrian Zone (NW Spain): preliminary results
Authors: Botor Dariusz 
Published: July 2012

Trace element geochemistry of coals from the Southern Cantabrian Zone (NW Spain): preliminary resultsBituminous to anthracite coals from three small Stephanian intramontane coal-bearing basins (La Magdalena, Cinera-Matallana and Sabero) located along the Sabero-Gordón fault line strike-slip systems of the Southern Cantabrian Zone (SCZ) were examined. Coal rank expressed as mean vitrinite reflectance values of these Stephanian coals is in the range 0.72-3.96%. The vitrinite maceral group exceeds 72 vol. % in all of the coals. The coals are characterized by relatively variable contents of mineral matter and coal-ash. The mineral matter comprises, in the main, clay minerals, carbonates, sulphides and quartz. The coals exhibit medium-high concentrations (see for comparison Ronov et al. 1990; Kabata-Pendias, Pendias 1999; Ketris, Yudovich 2009) of the following elements (in ppm): ΣREE (53-205), Ba (300-900), As (11-57), Zn (<50-150), Cr (10-160), Rb (50-145), Co (5-26), Sc (2-24.6), Ce (17-99), Yb (1.3-4.5), Th (2.4-11.9) and U (1.1-8.1), Br (<1-14), Cs (<2-9), Eu (<0,3-1.5), Lu (0.11-0.85) and Sb (0.8-4.8), and relatively low concentrations of Sm (0.6-6.6) and Ta (<1-2). They are also characterised by relatively high Th/U values (1.31-2.29). LREE/HREE values fall in the range 24-44 (average - 30). In contrast, concentrations of Au, Ag, Hg, Ir, Ni, Se, Sn, Sr, and W are below detection limits for the applied INAA method. As the concentrations of elements are significantly higher in coal-ash, most are likely related to mineral matter in the coals.
Pyromorphite formation from montmorillonite adsorbed lead
Authors: Bajda Tomasz , Marchlewski Tomasz , Manecki Maciej 
Published: July 2012

Pyromorphite formation from montmorillonite adsorbed lead
The reaction of Pb-adsorbed montmorillonite with aqueous solutions of PO4 and Cl ions results in the decrease in phosphate concentration associated with the formation of a new phase - pyromorphite Pb5(PO4)3Cl. Pyromorphite crystals range in size from hundreds of nm to several tens of μm, depending on the PO4, K, and Ca concentrations in the reacting system. A strong ion-exchange effect of K+ and Ca2+ cations on desorption of Pb2+ from Pb-adsorbed montmorillonite was observed. Also, a high concentration of cations leads to a rapid desorption of Pb and the formation of fine pyromorphite crystals. In contrast, low PO4, K and Ca concentrations result in the formation of relatively large euhedral crystals. Final Pb concentrations are much lower in experimental sets than in control experiments with no phosphate present.
Note on the stable isotope values of vein calcite in the El-Seboah peralkaline granite (SW Egypt)
Authors: Hassan Kamaleldin 
Published: July 2012

Note on the stable isotope values of vein calcite in the El-Seboah peralkaline granite (SW Egypt)Stable isotope data for carbon (δ13C) and oxygen (δ18O) are used to constrain the environments of calcite formation in two veins in the El-Seboah peralkaline granite in south-western Egypt. Vein I with calcite-magnetite-goethite-hematite-quartz, and vein II with calcite-magnetite-goethite-kaolinite-hematite-quartz are texturally distinct. The calcite of each vein has characteristic δ13C- and δ18O-values: + 0.32 and -7.28‰ for vein I and + 1.16 and - 1.21‰ for vein II, respectively. The observed differences between the δ13C values of the two veins indicate that they represent two separate systems of primary dissolved inorganic carbon formed at or near equilibrium with atmospheric CO2. The δ18O values, on the other hand, indicate calcite deposition from meteoric waters which were fresh for vein I and brackish for vein II.
An overview of the association between lamprophyric intrusions and rare-metal mineralization
Authors: Štemprok Miroslav , Seifert Thomas 
Published: July 2012

An overview of the association between lamprophyric intrusions and rare-metal mineralizationGranite-related rare metal districts in orogenic settings are occasionally associated with lamprophyre dikes. We recorded 63 occurrences of lamprophyres in bimodal dike suites of about 200 granite bodies related to rare metal deposits. Most lamprophyres occur in Paleozoic and Mesozoic metallogenic provinces in the northern hemisphere. Lamprophyres which are associated with rare metal deposits are calc-alkaline (kersantites, minettes, spessartites) or more rarely alkaline lamprophyres (camptonites, monchiquites) which occur in the roof zone of complex granitic bodies as pre-granitic, intra-granitic, intra-ore or post-ore dikes. Most lamprophyres are spatially associated with dominant felsic dikes and/or with mafic dikes represented by diorites or diabases. Diorites and lamprophyres occasionally exhibit transitional compositions from one to another. Lamprophyres share common geochemical characteristics of highly evolved granitoids such as enrichment in K and F, increased abundances of Li, Rb, and Cs and enrichment in some HFSE (e.g. Zr, U, Th, Mo, Sn, W). Lamprophyres in rare metal districts testify to accessibility of the upper crust to mantle products at the time of rare metal mineralization and possible influence of mantle melts or mantle-derived fluids in the differentiation of granitic melts in the lower crust.
Relationship Between Motor Variability, Accuracy, and Ball Speed in the Tennis Serve
Authors: Antúnez Ruperto , Hernández Francisco , García Juan , Vaíllo Raúl , Arroyo Jesús 
Published: July 2012

Relationship Between Motor Variability, Accuracy, and Ball Speed in the Tennis Serve
The main objective of this study was to analyze the motor variability in the performance of the tennis serve and its relationship to performance outcome. Seventeen male tennis players took part in the research, and they performed 20 serves. Linear and non-linear variability during the hand movement was measured by 3D Motion Tracking. Ball speed was recorded with a sports radar gun and the ball bounces were video recorded to calculate accuracy. The results showed a relationship between the amount of variability and its non-linear structure found in performance of movement and the outcome of the serve. The study also found that movement predictability correlates with performance. An increase in the amount of movement variability could affect the tennis serve performance in a negative way by reducing speed and accuracy of the ball.
The Effect of Depth on Drag During the Streamlined Glide: A Three-Dimensional CFD Analysis
Authors: Novais Maria , Silva António , Mantha Vishveshwar , Ramos Rui , Rouboa Abel , Vilas-Boas J. , Luís Sérgio , Marinho Daniel 
Published: July 2012

The Effect of Depth on Drag During the Streamlined Glide: A Three-Dimensional CFD Analysis
The aim of this study was to analyze the effects of depth on drag during the streamlined glide in swimming using Computational Fluid Dynamics. The Computation Fluid Dynamic analysis consisted of using a three-dimensional mesh of cells that simulates the flow around the considered domain. We used the K-epsilon turbulent model implemented in the commercial code Fluent® and applied it to the flow around a three-dimensional model of an Olympic swimmer. The swimmer was modeled as if he were gliding underwater in a streamlined prone position, with hands overlapping, head between the extended arms, feet together and plantar flexed. Steady-state computational fluid dynamics analyses were performed using the Fluent® code and the drag coefficient and the drag force was calculated for velocities ranging from 1.5 to 2.5 m/s, in increments of 0.50m/s, which represents the velocity range used by club to elite level swimmers during the push-off and glide following a turn. The swimmer model middle line was placed at different water depths between 0 and 1.0 m underwater, in 0.25m increments. Hydrodynamic drag decreased with depth, although after 0.75m values remained almost constant. Water depth seems to have a positive effect on reducing hydrodynamic drag during the gliding. Although increasing depth position could contribute to decrease hydrodynamic drag, this reduction seems to be lower with depth, especially after 0.75 m depth, thus suggesting that possibly performing the underwater gliding more than 0.75 m depth could not be to the benefit of the swimmer.
RADAR Signal Parameters Estimation in the MTD Tasks
Authors: Prokopenko Igor , Omelchuk Igor , Chyrka Yury 
Published: July 2012

RADAR Signal Parameters Estimation in the MTD Tasks
The MTD method adaptive to current target speed, in which suboptimal iterative algorithms for the reflected signal parameters estimation are synthesized, is suggested. This method allows to detect a slowly moving targets with radial speed 3-4 times less, than for pulse-pair subtraction (PPS).
Recognition of Human Emotion from a Speech Signal Based on Plutchik's Model
Authors: Kamińska Dorota , Pelikant Adam 
Published: July 2012

Recognition of Human Emotion from a Speech Signal Based on Plutchik's ModelMachine recognition of human emotional states is an essential part in improving man-machine interaction. During expressive speech the voice conveys semantic message as well as the information about emotional state of the speaker. The pitch contour is one of the most significant properties of speech, which is affected by the emotional state. Therefore pitch features have been commonly used in systems for automatic emotion detection. In this work different intensities of emotions and their influence on pitch features have been studied. This understanding is important to develop such a system. Intensities of emotions are presented on Plutchik's cone-shaped 3D model. ThekNearest Neighbor algorithm has been used for classification. The classification has been divided into two parts. First, the primary emotion has been detected, then its intensity has been specified. The results show that the recognition accuracy of the system is over 50% for primary emotions, and over 70% for its intensities.
Near-Perfect Reconstruction Oversampled Nonuniform Cosine-Modulated Filter Banks Based on Frequency Warping and Subband Merging
Authors: Parfieniuk Marek , Petrovsky Alexander 
Published: July 2012

Near-Perfect Reconstruction Oversampled Nonuniform Cosine-Modulated Filter Banks Based on Frequency Warping and Subband MergingA novel method for designing near-perfect reconstruction oversampled nonuniform cosine-modulated filter banks is proposed, which combines frequency warping and subband merging, and thus offers more flexibility than known techniques. On the one hand, desirable frequency partitionings can be better approximated. On the other hand, at the price of only a small loss in partitioning accuracy, both warping strength and number of channels before merging can be adjusted so as to minimize the computational complexity of a system. In particular, the coefficient of the function behind warping can be constrained to be a negative integer power of two, so that multiplications related to allpass filtering can be replaced with more efficient binary shifts. The main idea is accompanied by some contributions to the theory of warped filter banks. Namely, group delay equalization is thoroughly investigated, and it is shown how to avoid significant aliasing by channel oversampling. Our research revolves around filter banks for perceptual processing of sound, which are required to approximate the psychoacoustic scales well and need not guarantee perfect reconstruction.