bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Low Stress, High Reflectivity Thin Films for MEMS Mirrors
Authors: Picard Yoosuf N. , Adams David P. , Spahn Olga B. , Yalisove Steven M. , Dagel Daryl J. , Sobczak Joseph 
Published: April 2012

AbstractAu/Cr and Au/Ti films were deposited on Si (100) substrates using DC planar magnetron sputtering to assess residual stress in high reflectivity coatings. The dependence of stress on argon sputter pressure, component materials, and film thickness is discussed. Stress evolution as a function of thickness for individual Cr, Ti and Au films is also investigated to identify high-stress components of these two-layer coatings. Near-zero stress Au/Ti films were achieved with a particular set of sputtering parameters. Using the same process conditions, films were deposited onto pre-released MEMS mirrors having a number of different shapes and sizes. Optical interferometry demonstrates minimal change in the bow of 500, 250, and 125 μm diameter mirrors, consistent with a λ/40 flatness (λ = 1319 nm).
Spatial Corrections of Unreplicated Trials using a Two‐dimensional Spline
Authors: Robbins K. R. , Backlund J. E. , Schnelle K. D. 
Published: April 2012

ABSTRACTFor trials exhibiting within‐field spatial variability, good predictions of genetic merit require models that accurately estimate and partition spatial effects from genetic sources of variation. Ideally such models should be robust, providing good solutions across a range of spatial patterns. To achieve this, a new method for spatial corrections is proposed, which utilizes two‐dimensional spline (2DS) interpolation to estimate spatial effects. Simulation experiments were used to compare this method with two‐dimensional separable autoregressive models (AR1) and mixed models containing marginal pass and range effects (PRM). Models were evaluated based on accuracy in partitioning genetic and spatial sources of variation as well as robustness across different spatial and genetic effect structures. Results showed the 2DS method to be the most robust of the three methods, yielding accurate spatial corrections across all simulation scenarios, whereas the AR1 model showed indications of over‐fitting in the presence of genotype × environment interactions and the PRM model performed poorly in the presence of pass × range interactions. Applications using maize (Zea maysL.) hybrid yield and moisture data confirmed the effectiveness of the 2DS method at reducing the error variance by accounting for spatial trends. This new model provides breeders with a robust method to model within‐field spatial variability across a range of experimental designs and spatial effect distributions.
Peel Adhesive Properties of Polymer Laminates Composed of Polyethylenes and Polypropylenes
Authors: Sakaki H. , Nakagiri M. , Matsuda S. , Toyoda N. , Kishi H. 
Published: April 2012

Abstract
Peel adhesive strengths of multi-layered laminates composed of two polypropylene (PP) sheets and an inserted polyethylene (PE) layer (the middle layer) between the PP layers were evaluated. PE-glycidyl methacrylate (GMA) copolymers and a maleic-anhydride grafted PP (MAPP) were compared to the PE homopolymer and the PP homopolymer. The peel adhesive strength of PE-GMA/MAPP laminates was much higher than that of PE homopolymer/PP homopolymer laminates. Meanwhile, the blends composed of the PE-GMA and three types of PE homopolymer (PE-GMA+LDPE, PE-GMA+MDPE, PE-GMA+HDPE) were formulated as the PE middle layer of the multi-layered laminates. The PE blends had the same amount of glycidyl groups, and the deformation capacity was different in each. Namely, the PE blend of LDPE had higher elongation to break than the PE blend of HDPE. The peel adhesive strength of the multi-layered laminates with the middle layer of the LDPE blend was highest among the three types of laminates with the middle layer of the PE blends. Scanning electron microscopy on the fractured surfaces revealed that the large plastic deformation of the LDPE blended middle layer was responsible for the high energy absorption, and resulted in the high peel strength.
Tubing Extrusion of a Fluoropolymer Melt
Authors: Mitsoulis E. , Hatzikiriakos S. G. 
Published: April 2012

Abstract
The tubing extrusion-forming process of a fluoropolymer (FEP) melt was studied both experimentally and numerically. The flow behaviour of a FEP resin was determined by using a tubular die used in industrial-scale operations and these data were compared with simulation results using (i) a viscous model (Cross) and (ii) a viscoelastic one (the Kaye–Bernstein, Kearsley, Zapas / Papanastasiou, Scriven, Macosko or K-BKZ/PSM model) in order to assess the viscoelastic effects. In all simulations, compressibility, thermal and pressure effects on viscosity were taken into account. It was found that the viscoelastic results for the pressure, and hence the stresses at the wall, were always higher than the viscous results. Both were higher than the experimental results. A quadratic slip model plus viscoelasticity was found necessary to reproduce the experiments. The smooth flow curves resulting from this industrial tubular-coating die are a further manifestation that this is an appropriate design for coating fluoropolymers at very high apparent shear rates, exceeding 5000 s−1.
Assessing Electronic Note Quality Using the Physician Documentation Quality Instrument (PDQI-9)
Authors: Bakken S. , Wrenn J.O. , Siegler E.L. , Stetson P.D. 
Published: April 2012

SummaryObjective: To refine the Physician Documentation Quality Instrument (PDQI) and test the validity and reliability of the 9-item version (PDQI-9).Methods: Three sets each of admission notes, progress notes and discharge summaries were evaluated by two groups of physicians using the PDQI-9 and an overall general assessment: one gold standard group consisting of program or assistant program directors (n = 7), and the other of attending physicians or chief residents (n = 24). The main measures were criterion-related validity (correlation coefficients between Total PDQI-9 scores and 1-item General Impression scores for each note), discriminant validity (comparison of PDQI-9 scores on notes rated as best and worst using 1-item General Impression score), internal consistency reliability (Cronbach’s alpha), and inter-rater reliability (intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC)).Results: The results were criterion-related validity (r = –0.678 to 0.856), discriminant validity (best versus worst note, t = 9.3, p = 0.003), internal consistency reliability (Cronbach’s alphas = 0.87–0.94), and inter-rater reliability (ICC = 0.83, CI = 0.72–0.91).Conclusion: The results support the criterion-related and discriminant validity, internal consistency reliability, and inter-rater reliability of the PDQI-9 for rating the quality of electronic physician notes. Tools for assessing note redundancy are required to complement use of PDQI-9. Trials of the PDQI-9 at other institutions, of different size, using different EHRs, and incorporating additional physician specialties and notes of other healthcare providers are needed to confirm its generaliz-ability.
Incidence of oral indigenous bacteria in causative strains isolated from blood cultures in 759 laboratory-confirmed cases of bacteremia
Authors: Yura Shinya , Matano Sadaya 
Published: April 2012

Abstract

Background: The incidence of oral indigenous bacteria in cases of bacteremia has been reported in only a few studies. We investigated the annual incidence of oral indigenous bacteria isolated in blood cultures from patients with bacteremia and call into consideration the impact of oral health measures implemented at our facility.

Methods: In the period from 2001 to 2006, 759 laboratory-confirmed cases of bacteremia were reported and subsequently analyzed in this study. The incidences of the causative strain and oral indigenous bacteria in blood cultures were studied by year.

Results: In 759 cases of bacteremia, oral streptococci were noted in 14 (1.8%), and anaerobic bacteria were noted in 9 (1.2%). The population of microorganisms did not change significantly during the study period.

Conclusions: In a previous report, oral streptococci accounted for 3.8% of those under investigation. In this study, the incidence of oral streptococci was significantly low, 1.8% specifically. A focus on oral health care at our hospital may account for a reduced incidence of oral streptococci bacteremia.
A model‐based PID controller for Hammerstein systems using B‐spline neural networks
Authors: Hong X. , Iplikci S. , Chen S. , Warwick K. 
Published: April 2012

SUMMARYIn this paper, a new model‐based proportional–integral–derivative (PID) tuning and controller approach is introduced for Hammerstein systems that are identified on the basis of the observational input/output data. The nonlinear static function in the Hammerstein system is modelled using a B‐spline neural network. The control signal is composed of a PID controller, together with a correction term. Both the parameters in the PID controller and the correction term are optimized on the basis of minimizing the multistep ahead prediction errors. In order to update the control signal, the multistep ahead predictions of the Hammerstein system based on B‐spline neural networks and the associated Jacobian matrix are calculated using the de Boor algorithms, including both the functional and derivative recursions. Numerical examples are utilized to demonstrate the efficacy of the proposed approaches. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Synthesis and Evaluation of 5‐Benzylidenethiazolidine‐2,4‐dione Derivatives for the Treatment of Non‐Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease
Authors: Ma Liang , Chen Jinying , Liang Xiaolin , Xie Caifei , Deng Chongyang , Huang Li , Peng Aihua , Wei Yuanquan , Chen Lijuan 
Published: April 2012

AbstractTwenty‐two 5‐benzylidenethiazolidine‐2,4‐dione derivatives (TZDs) were synthesized and evaluated for their potency on adipogenesis of 3T3‐L1 adipocytes by measuring the expression of adiponectin protein. Among them, compared to rosiglitazone, 3V was found to upregulate the adiponectin protein expression and downregulate the secretion of leptin protein in 3T3‐L1 adipocytes at a respective concentration of 10 µM. With respect to high‐fat/high‐calorie (HF/HC) diet‐induced non‐alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) in Wistar rats, oral administration of 3V could reduce liver weight, visceral fat, and improve serum levels of biochemical markers. H&E staining of liver sections validated 3V as a potent hepatoprotective agent for reducing fat deposition against NAFLD.
Effect of Head‐Group Chemistry on Surface‐Mediated Molecular Self‐Assembly
Authors: Jewell April D. , Kyran Samuel J. , Rabinovich Daniel , Sykes E. Charles H. 
Published: April 2012

AbstractSurface molecular self‐assembly is a fast advancing field with broad applications in sensing, patterning, device assembly, and biochemical applications. A vast number of practical systems utilize alkane thiols supported on gold surfaces. Whereas a strong AuS bond facilitates robust self‐assembly, the interaction is so strong that the surface is reconstructed, leaving etch pits that render the monolayers susceptible to degradation. By using different head group elements to adcust the molecule–surface interaction, a vast array of new systems with novel properties may be formed. In this paper we use a carefully chosen set of molecules to make a direct comparison of the self‐assembly of thioether, selenoether, and phosphine species on Au(111). Using the herringbone reconstruction of gold as a sensitive readout of molecule–surface interaction strength, we correlate head‐group chemistry with monolayer (ML) properties. It is demonstrated that the hard/soft rules of inorganic chemistry can be used to rationalize the observed trend of molecular interaction strengths with the soft gold surface, that is, P>Se>S. We find that the structure of the monolayers can be explained by the geometry of the molecules in terms of dipolar, quadrupolar, or van der Waals interactions between neighboring species driving the assembly of distinct ordered arrays. As this study directly compares one element with another in simple systems, it may serve as a guide for the design of self‐assembled monolayers with novel structures and properties.
Using of the Ornamental Fish in Wastewater Biological Treatment
Authors: Saidi Nourhène , Jabeur Chedia , Bakhrouf Amina 
Published: April 2012

AbstractBreeding ornamental fish in wastewater was a successful solution not only to decrease sanitary risks but also to encourage fish growth. In fact, the secondary treated effluent was used to grow a walking catfish (Clarias batrachus), a western mosquitofish (Gambusia affinis; Poeciliidae), and a leopard pleco (Glyptoperichthys gibbiceps). The growth rate of fish reared in final treated wastewater was significantly higher than of treated effluent (25 and 50%) and the relative growth rate during 2 months reached 2, 4, and 2.5, respectively. Bacterial loads were important in the gills compared to other fish organs (intestine, skin, and edible muscles). However, the total aerobic germs ranged between 2 × 103 and 3.4 × 103 cfu/g in the edible fish species cultured in secondary treated effluent. The pathogenic bacteria Aeromonas hydrophila was absent in all examined fish muscles. However, the presence of tested fishes did not prevent the reduction of the treatment biological parameter (BOD and COD) at half, in the three treated wastewater proportions (25, 50, and 100%) and thereafter, they clearly participated to the tertiary biological treatment of used water. Further bacteriological and physico‐chemical analyses indicated that the use of treated wastewater in aquaculture is safe and risks to human health are reduced.
Environmentally Friendly Photocatalytic Synthesis of Porphyrin/Ag Nanoparticles/Reduced Graphene Oxide Ternary Nanohybrids Having Superior Catalytic Activity
Authors: Li Haiyan , Zhang Yingwei , Chang Guohui , Liu Sen , Tian Jingqi , Luo Yonglan , Asiri Abdullah M. , Al‐Youbi Abdulrahman O. , Sun Xuping 
Published: April 2012

AbstractThis study demonstrates the first synthesis of novel organic/inorganic ternary nanohybrids of tin(IV) prophyrin (SnPor), Ag nanoparticles (AgNPs), and reduced graphene oxide (RGO) by an environmentally friendly phtotcatalytic process using SnPor as a photocatalyst for the reduction of both GO and AgI. The nanohybrids exhibit high photocurrent generation as a result of the photosensitization effect of SnPor and surface plasmon resonance excitation in the AgNPs. Furthermore, in the activity test, the nanohybrids show good catalytic activity in the degradation of rhodamine B under the irradiation of visible light (λ>400 nm) and in the reduction of 4‐nitrophenol. The detailed mechanism is discussed in the article.
Subgrid variability of snow water equivalent at operational snow stations in the western USA
Authors: Meromy Leah , Molotch Noah P. , Link Timothy E. , Fassnacht Steven R. , Rice Robert 
Published: April 2012

AbstractThe spatial distribution of snow water equivalent (SWE) is a key variable in many regional‐scale land surface models. Currently, the assimilation of point‐scale snow sensor data into these models is commonly performed without consideration of the spatial representativeness of the point data with respect to the model grid‐scale SWE. To improve the understanding of the relationship between point‐scale snow measurements and surrounding areas, we characterized the spatial distribution of snow depth and SWE within 1‐, 4‐ and 16‐km2 grids surrounding 15 snow stations (snowpack telemetry and California snow sensors) in California, Colorado, Wyoming, Idaho and Oregon during the 2008 and 2009 snow seasons. More than 30 000 field observations of snowpack properties were used with binary regression tree models to relate SWE at the sensor site to the surrounding area SWE to evaluate the sensor representativeness of larger‐scale conditions. Unlike previous research, we did not find consistent high biases in snow sensor depth values as biases over all sites ranged from 74% overestimates to 77% underestimates. Of the 53 assessments, 27 surveys indicated snow station biases of less than 10% of the surrounding mean observed snow depth. Depth biases were largely dictated by the physiographic relationship between the snow sensor locations and the mean characteristics of the surrounding grid, in particular, elevation, solar radiation index and vegetation density. These scaling relationships may improve snow sensor data assimilation; an example application is illustrated for the National Operational Hydrologic Remote Sensing Center National Snow Analysis SWE product. The snow sensor bias information indicated that the assimilation of point data into the National Operational Hydrologic Remote Sensing Center model was often unnecessary and reduced model accuracy. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The prevalence of osteoporosis in Korean adults aged 50 years or older and the higher diagnosis rates in women who were beneficiaries of a national screening program: The Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2008–2009
Authors: Choi Yong Jun , Oh Han Jin , Kim Dae Jung , Lee Yunhwan , Chung Yoon-Sok 
Published: April 2012

Abstract
For the prevention of osteoporotic fracture, adequate screening and treatment are important. However, there are few published data on diagnosis and treatment rates of osteoporosis in Asia. We used data from the fourth Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2008–2009 to estimate the nationwide prevalence, physician diagnosis rate, and treatment rate of osteoporosis in adults aged 50 years and older. The bone mineral density (BMD) measurements of central skeletal sites (lumbar spine, femoral neck, and total hip) were obtained using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) (Discovery-W; Hologic Inc., Waltham, MA, USA). Diagnosis of osteopenia or osteoporosis was defined by the World Health Organization (WHO) T-score criteria. The prevalence of osteoporosis in adults aged 50 years or older was 35.5% in women and 7.5% in men. The prevalence of osteoporosis in Korea was similar to other East Asian countries but higher than that in Caucasians. Lumbar spine bone density T-scores tended to be lower than those of the femoral neck or hip. The estimated diagnosis rate was 26.2% (women 29.9%, men 5.8%) and the treatment rate was 12.8% (women 14.4%, men 4.0%). The physician diagnosis rate was significantly higher in females aged 66 to 68 years who were the beneficiaries of the national screening program than that in females of other ages (43.6% versus 28.1%, p &lt; 0.05). The national screening program for osteoporosis may have contributed to an increased diagnosis rate in older Korean women. However, it was evident that treatment following a diagnosis of osteoporosis was still inadequate. © 2012 American Society for Bone and Mineral Research.
Prediction of successful labor induction using transvaginal sonographic cervical measurements
Authors: Pitarello Patricia da Rocha Pennachiotti , Tadashi Yoshizaki Carlos , Ruano Rodrigo , Zugaib Marcelo 
Published: April 2012

AbstractPurpose:To predict the success of labor induction by sonographic cervical measurements, maternal/obstetrical factors, and the Bishop's score.Methods:Between February 2008 and February 2010, 190 consecutive pregnant women underwent clinical examination to assess the Bishop's score and transvaginal sonographic cervical measurements (cervical length, fetal head stage, and cervical dilatation) before labor induction. The following outcomes were analyzed: overall vaginal delivery and vaginal delivery up to 24 hours after labor induction.Results:Overall vaginal delivery occurred in 133 (70.0%) patients and vaginal delivery 24 hours after labor induction happened in 119 (62.6%) patients. The sonographic cervical measurements were significantly associated with all outcomes (p < 0.01). The areas under the ROC curve (AUC) of all ultrasound cervical parameters to predict the two events were 68.9% and 72.0% (cervical length); 71.6% and 73.6% (fetal head stage); and 72.0% and 73.4% (cervical dilatation). Mathematical equations were obtained to calculate the probability for each event considering the sonographic cervical measurements in association with clinical factors after regression analysis, which increased the AUC for both events (80.1% and 79.3%).Conclusions:Transvaginal sonographic cervical measurements can predict the successful labor induction, especially when associated to clinical analysis (Bishop's score). © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Clin Ultrasound, 2013
MR prediction of liver fibrosis using a liver‐specific contrast agent: Superparamagnetic iron oxide versus Gd‐EOB‐DTPA
Authors: Nishie Akihiro , Asayama Yoshiki , Ishigami Kousei , Tajima Tsuyoshi , Kakihara Daisuke , Nakayama Tomohiro , Takayama Yukihisa , Okamoto Daisuke , Taketomi Akinobu , Shirabe Ken , Fujita Nobuhiro , Obara Makoto , Yoshimitsu Kengo , Honda Hiroshi 
Published: April 2012

AbstractPurpose:To examine whether the uptake of a liver‐specific contrast agent in the liver parenchyma was correlated with the degree of liver fibrosis.Materials and Methods:This retrospective study included 54 and 63 patients who underwent superparamagnetic iron oxide (SPIO)‐ and gadolinium ethoxybenzyl diethylenetriamine pentaacetic acid (Gd‐EOB‐DTPA)‐enhanced MRI before liver surgery, respectively. For each patient, we calculated ΔR2* and ΔR2, which represent differences in R2* and R2 values of the liver parenchyma before and after administration of SPIO; and the increase rate of liver‐to‐spleen signal intensity ratio (LSR) on the hepatobiliary phase compared with the precontrast image. The correlation of each MR parameter with the degree of liver fibrosis (F0 to F4) was assessed using Spearman's rank correlation test.Results:The increase rate of LSR was best correlated with the degree of liver fibrosis and significantly decreased as the liver fibrosis progressed (rho = −0.641; P < 0.0001). It showed sensitivity of 76.9% and specificity of 83.3% in differentiating F3 or greater fibrosis when 1.126 or less was set up as a cut‐off value. No significant correlation was obtained between ΔR2* or ΔR2 and the degree of liver fibrosis.Conclusion:The uptake of Gd‐EOB‐DTPA in the liver parenchyma decreased as the liver fibrosis progressed. J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2012;36:664–671. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.