bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Modification and bio‐testing of polyethylene films
Authors: Smokal V. , Krupka O. , Kolendo A. 
Published: February 2011

AbstractNew azidobenzenesulfonamides were synthesized and their photochemical properties were investigated. The surface modification of polyethylene (PE) films was carried out by using new azidobenzenesulfonamides was carried out.Antimicrobial activity of PE films with sulfonamide moiety was screened for vitro in the following bacterial: Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, Mycobacterium luteum. Preliminary screening of PE films with sulfonamide moiety revealed their inhibitory action against some kinds of bacteria and fungi.
Validation of the pelvic floor inventories Leiden (PelFIs) in English
Authors: Voorham‐van der Zalm Petra J. , Berzuk Kelli , Shelly Beth , Kamin Bernadette , Putter Hein , Lycklama à Nijeholt Guus A.B. , Pelger Rob C.M. , Stiggelbout Anne M. 
Published: February 2011

AbstractAimsTo evaluate the validity and reliability of the English translation of an interviewer‐administered pelvic floor questionnaire, the “Pelvic Floor Inventories Leiden” (PeLFIs) for women, which addresses complaints of prolapse, bladder, and bowel dysfunction, pelvic floor pain and/or sexual dysfunction related to pelvic floor dysfunction.MethodsThe formal forward–backward translation of the PeLFIs was performed by bilingual Dutch/English translators. The final English version was administered to healthy volunteers (N = 94) and patients (N = 180) in Canada and the United States. Psychometric properties of the English version were examined, including internal consistency, test–retest reliability, content, and construct validity. Internal consistency was measured using Cronbach's alpha. Test–retest reliability was assessed by intraclass correlation coefficients. Construct validity was established by comparing scores in healthy volunteers and patients (using t‐tests) and by intercorrelating domains.ResultsThe forward–backward translation of the English version of the PeLFIs was consistent with the original Dutch questionnaire. In total, 274 questionnaires were administered. The retest was administered 2 weeks after the initial PeLFIs interview. Internal consistency of the questionnaire was 0.88 for the total scale. Cronbach's alpha of the domains ranged from 0.71 to 0.95. For the test–retest reliability, the agreement rate between the two tests exceeded 95% and the intraclass correlation ranged from 0.6 to 0.8. The differences between healthy volunteers and patients were statistically significant for all domains, but did not exceed the minimal important difference for some domains. Correlations between the domains were moderate to high.ConclusionsThe PeLFIs questionnaire has been translated successfully into English and in its evaluation has shown adequate internal consistency and reliability. 30:536–540, 2011. © 2011 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Analysis of the singular function boundary integral method for a biharmonic problem with one boundary singularity
Authors: Christodoulou E. , Elliotis M. , Georgiou G. , Xenophontos C. 
Published: February 2011

AbstractIn this article, we analyze the singular function boundary integral method (SFBIM) for a two‐dimensional biharmonic problem with one boundary singularity, as a model for the Newtonian stick‐slip flow problem. In the SFBIM, the leading terms of the local asymptotic solution expansion near the singular point are used to approximate the solution, and the Dirichlet boundary conditions are weakly enforced by means of Lagrange multiplier functions. By means of Green's theorem, the resulting discretized equations are posed and solved on the boundary of the domain, away from the point where the singularity arises. We analyze the convergence of the method and prove that the coefficients in the local asymptotic expansion, also referred to as stress intensity factors, are approximated at an exponential rate as the number of the employed expansion terms is increased. Our theoretical results are illustrated through a numerical experiment. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Numer Methods Partial Differential Eq, 2011
Innovative Optikdesigns durch Präzisionsblankpressen
Authors: Nollau Sebastian , Kunz Andreas , Rübenach Olaf , Pongs Guido 
Published: February 2011

AbstractDie neue Technologie des Präzisionsblankpressens ermöglicht hohe Präzision trotz niedriger Kosten in der Herstellung anspruchsvoller optischer Komponenten. Diese Fertigungstechnologie ist leistungsfähig genug, um verschiedenste komplexe Geometrien wie beispielsweise Asphären, Arrays oder diffraktive Optiken herzustellen und kostenaufwändige herkömmliche Verfahren wie Schleifen und Polieren zu substituieren. Um die Fähigkeiten der Technologie optimal ausnutzen zu können, wurde in den letzten Jahren eine entsprechende Befähigung der gesamten dazugehörigen Lieferkette von der Rohmaterialherstellung über die Formwerkzeugfertigung bis hin zur Messtechnik vorangetrieben.
Electron‐beam crystallized large grained silicon solar cell on glass substrate
Authors: Amkreutz D. , Müller J. , Schmidt M. , Hänel T. , Schulze T. F. 
Published: February 2011

ABSTRACTThin film hetero‐emitter solar cells with large‐grained poly‐silicon absorbers of around 10 µm thickness have been prepared on glass. The basis of the cell concept is electron‐beam‐crystallization of an amorphous or nanocrystalline silicon layer deposited onto a SiC:B layer. The SiC:B layer covers a commercially well available glass substrate, serving as diffusion barrier, contact layer and dopand source. For silicon absorber deposition a low pressure chemical vapour deposition was used. The successively applied e‐beam crystallization process creates poly‐silicon layers with grain sizes up to 1 × 10 mm2 with low defect densities. The high electronic quality of the absorber is reflected in open circuit voltages as high as 545 mV, which are realized making use of the well‐developed a‐Si:H hetero‐emitter technology. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Gettering in multicrystalline silicon wafers with screen‐printed emitters
Authors: Pletzer T.M. , Stegemann E.F.R. , Windgassen H. , Suckow S. , Bätzner D.L. , Kurz H. 
Published: February 2011

ABSTRACTIn this paper, the gettering potential of phosphorus dopant pastes used in single‐sided screen‐printing processes is investigated including the consequences for essential solar cell parameters. These results are supported by minority carrier lifetime measurements with the quasi‐steady‐state photoconductance method and certified by the analysis of the recombination current density in solar cells on mc‐Si wafers. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Sequential support vector regression with embedded entropy for SNP selection and disease classification
Authors: Liang Yulan , Kelemen Arpad 
Published: February 2011

AbstractComprehensive evaluation of common genetic variations through association of single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) structure with common diseases on the genome‐wide scale is currently a hot area in human genome research. For less costly and faster diagnostics, advanced computational approaches are needed to select the minimum SNPs with the highest prediction accuracy for common complex diseases. In this article, we present a sequential support vector (SV) regression model with embedded entropy algorithm to deal with the redundancy for the selection of the SNPs that have best prediction performance of diseases. We implemented our proposed method for both SNP selection and disease classification, and applied it to simulation data sets and two real disease data sets. Results show that on the average, our proposed method outperforms the well‐known methods of support vector machine recursive feature elimination (SVMRFE), logistic regression, classification and regression tree (CART), and logic regression‐based SNP selections for disease classification. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Statistical Analysis and Data Mining 2011
A case of Leukonychia with scanning electron microscope observation
Authors: Wang Peng , Yang Hanjun , Ran Yuping , Li Conghui 
Published: February 2011

AbstractLeukonychia is a medical term for white discoloration appearing on nails. The pathophysiologic mechanisms that cause white discoloration are not entirely clear. We processed a case of leukonychia with scanning electron microscope observation and found many crispy, obviously dissociated “layers” in the lower part of the white nail plate. The dissociated “layers” were composed of thick, loose, coarse keratin bundles intertwined with each other. We believe the dissociated “layers” are related to the clinically noted white discoloration appearing on the nails. SCANNING 33: 41–44, 2011. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
An approach to meta‐analysis of dose‐finding studies
Authors: Zohar Sarah , Katsahian Sandrine , O'Quigley John 
Published: February 2011

AbstractThe main goal of a Phase I dose‐finding study is the estimation of the maximal tolerated dose (MTD) from a set of available dose levels. For cytotoxic clinical trials in oncology, it is not unusual to find several phases I studies carried out on a new molecule or procedure. For instance, the molecule Sorafenib (which inhibits particular tyrosine kinase enzymes in several cancers) was used alone in five published clinical trials. Each clinical trial was conducted separately in different indications and the resulting data were never pooled in any way. No attempt was made to synthesize or combine the information from the different studies. For dose‐finding studies, the toxicity itself may not be related to disease. Integrating information across several Phase I trials may lead to improved inference on the dose level, or levels, corresponding to the MTD. Under strong assumptions, we will provide more accurate estimates of the MTD. Under no assumptions a pooled analysis will perform no less well than several separate analyzes and, under intermediary assumptions, there still may be scope for gains. A difficulty is that many methods are sequential in nature so that, in order to group findings under a single heading, it is necessary to retrospectively analyze data obtained according to a dynamic sequential design. We propose a solution to this difficulty. The approach is illustrated via two real examples. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Covariate‐adjusted non‐parametric survival curve estimation
Authors: Jiang Honghua , Symanowski James , Qu Yongming , Ni Xiao , Wang Yanping 
Published: February 2011

AbstractKaplan–Meier survival curve estimation is a commonly used non‐parametric method to evaluate survival distributions for groups of patients in the clinical trial setting. However, this method does not permit covariate adjustment which may reduce bias and increase precision. The Cox proportional hazards model is a commonly used semi‐parametric method for conducting adjusted inferences and may be used to estimate covariate‐adjusted survival curves. However, this model relies on the proportional hazards assumption that is often difficult to validate. Research work has been carried out to introduce a non‐parametric covariate‐adjusted method to estimate survival rates for certain given time intervals. We extend the non‐parametric covariate‐adjusted method to develop a new model to estimate the survival rates for treatment groups at any time point when an event occurs. Simulation studies are conducted to investigate the model's performance. This model is illustrated with an oncology clinical trial example. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
PCB 9 exposure induces endothelial cell death while increasing intracellular calcium and ROS levels
Authors: Yilmaz Bayram , Sandal Suleyman , Carpenter David O. 
Published: February 2011

AbstractCultured porcine endothelial cells were used to determine the effects of several congeners of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) on cell viability and changes induced by these congeners on levels of intracellular calcium and reactive oxygen species (ROS). Cultured endothelial cells were prepared as a single suspension and run on flow cytometry. Cell viability, intracellular calcium, and ROS concentrations were simultaneously determined by using propidium iodide, Fluo‐3, and dihydrorodamine, respectively. The congeners tested included two coplanar tetrachlorinated congeners that have no ortho chlorines, PCBs 77 and 80, a tri‐chloro congener which does not have any ortho chlorine, PCB 39, a di‐ortho, tetrachlorinated congener, PCB 52, and a mono‐ortho congener, PCB 9. PCB 9 was cytotoxic at 5 μM within 5 min of exposure, and the toxicity increased with time and concentration. None of the other congeners showed consistent cytotoxicity. The cytotoxicity was roughly correlated with elevations in cellular ROS levels, but not with changes in intracellular calcium. To the best of our knowledge, toxicity of lower chlorinated, more volatile congeners such as PCB 9 has not been previously studied. These observations may be taken to explain the elevated risk of cardiovascular disease previously reported among residents living near to hazardous waste sites containing PCBs. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Environ Toxicol, 2012.
Avulsion of the puborectalis muscle is associated with asymmetry of the levator hiatus
Authors: Dietz H. P. , Bhalla R. , Chantarasorn V. , Shek K. L. 
Published: February 2011

AbstractObjectiveTo determine the degree of levator hiatal asymmetry in women with unilateral avulsion of the puborectalis muscle in order to estimate the likely effect of successful reconstruction.MethodsWe reviewed datasets of women seen between May 2005 and January 2009 in a tertiary urogynecological unit. Archived ultrasound volume datasets were analyzed for hiatal dimensions and puborectalis muscle trauma in patients with unilateral avulsion.ResultsFrom 929 eligible datasets we identified 71 patients with isolated complete unilateral tears. Unilateral avulsion was associated with a significant increase in hiatal area (P ≤ 0.002). Relative to a hypothetical normal hiatus (intact hemi‐area × 2), avulsion was associated with a larger hiatus on Valsalva maneuver (+2.1 cm2 or 7%).ConclusionsUnilateral puborectalis muscle avulsion results in an asymmetric increase in the size of the levator hiatus. This increase is relatively minor, accounting for < 10% of hiatal area. Surgical repair of an avulsion may have only limited effects on hiatal dimensions. Copyright © 2011 ISUOG. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Adapting to climate change to sustain health
Authors: Woodward Alistair , Lindsay Graeme , Singh Sudhvir 
Published: February 2011

AbstractAdaptation is necessary because climate change has gained considerable momentum. Deep cuts in emissions must be made rapidly to avoid warming of 2° above preindustrial levels but this is most unlikely, given present trends. It is possible that warming may in fact reach 4°C or more by 2100. Risks to health result principally from the effects of climate change on local food production, severity and frequency of storms and floods, threats to water supplies, and the direct effects of heat. The health sector has an important role protecting health in times of climate change. However, other sectors must be involved as well—steps taken in agriculture, urban planning, water and civil defence, for instance, will have implications for prevention of illness and injury. We offer a framework for planning adaptation, taking into account present climate‐sensitive health problems, control options, and constraints. WIREs Clim Change 2011 2 271–282 DOI: 10.1002/wcc.103This article is categorized under:

Vulnerability and Adaptation to Climate Change > Learning from Cases and Analogies
Graphical user interfaces
Authors: Martinez Wendy L. 
Published: February 2011

AbstractThis article provides a brief introduction to graphical user interfaces or GUIs. The first section defines graphical user interfaces, describes interface components, and the different types of GUIs. This is followed by a short discussion of GUI design principles and descriptions of some tools for easily creating GUIs. The article concludes with some examples of GUIs that would be of interest to researchers and statisticians. WIREs Comp Stat 2011 3 119–133 DOI: 10.1002/wics.150This article is categorized under:

Software for Computational Statistics > Software/Statistical Software
Surgeon’s occupational exposure to nitrous oxide and sevoflurane during pediatric surgery
Authors: Byhahn Christian , Heller Klaus , Lischke Volker , Westphal Klaus 
Published: February 2011

AbstractHealth hazards from occupational exposure to trace concentrations of anesthetic gases cannot be definitively excluded. The aim of the study was to determine the surgeon’s occupational exposure to nitrous oxide and sevoflurane during pediatric surgical procedures. Twenty young children (age <10 years) and five teenagers (age > 10 years) underwent elective abdominal surgery under general inhalational anesthesia. The operating room was equipped with modern air conditioning and waste anesthetic gas scavenger. Levels of both nitrous oxide and sevoflurane were determined in the breathing zone of the surgeon and the anesthesiologist during the operative procedures by means of a direct‐reading photoacoustic infrared spectrometer. Both the surgeon and the anesthesiologist were exposed to low concentrations of the inhalational agents used. Exposure to sevoflurane and nitrous oxide was clearly higher during surgery in young children than during operative procedures in teenagers. Nonetheless, the concentrations of these agents were well below the threshold limits of 25 ppm for nitrous oxide and 2 ppm for sevoflurane recommended by the National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health. General anesthesia results in operating room air pollution with inhalational anesthetics. Under modern air conditioning, personnel’s occupational exposure is low, and inhalational anesthesia is safe from the standpoint of modern workplace laws and health care regulations. Nonetheless, all efforts must be taken to maintain occupational exposure at this low level.
Lateral approach to laparoscopic repair of left diaphragmatic ruptures
Authors: Goudet Pierre , Cheynel Nicolas , Ferrand Loïc , Peschaud Frédérique , Steinmetz Jean‐Philippe , Letourneau Bernard , Isnardon Jean‐Paul , Noirot Marie‐Thérèse , Poli Laurencia , Freysz Marc , Cougard Patrick 
Published: February 2011

AbstractVideo‐assisted repairs of traumatic diaphragmatic ruptures have been described where thoracoscopy or laparoscopy in the supine position were used. This study aims to validate a new lateral laparoscopic approach for left diaphragmatic repairs. Six consecutive patients were operated on for left diaphragmatic rupture using a lateral approach (Gagner’s position). A series of 362 consecutive patients presenting with abdominal or thoracic trauma with or without diaphragmatic rupture over a 2‐year period were reviewed retrospectively. Contraindications for immediate or delayed lateral laparoscopic approach were studied. The lateral approach provided complete visibility of the subdiaphragmatic space, easy reduction of herniated organs, easy thoracic inspection and cleaning, the use of low peritoneal pressure, full range of instrumental motion, and rapid diaphragmatic repair. No operative mortality or morbidity was noted. Altogether, 14% to 50% of the patients with diaphragmatic ruptures were candidates for immediate lateral laparoscopic repair. Associated spleen injury in 50% of the cases was the main contraindication. The lateral laparoscopic approach provides better exposure of the diaphragm on the left side and facilitates the diaphragmatic repair especially with a large herniation. Immediate repair is possible in selected cases (14–50%). There is no contraindication in case of delayed diagnosis.
The relation between small nerve fibre function, age, disease severity and pain in Fabry disease
Authors: Biegstraatenl Marieke , Binderl Andreas , Maagl Rainer , Hollakl Carla E.M. , Baronl Ralf , van Schaikl Ivo N. 
Published: February 2011

AbstractBackground: Small fibre neuropathy supposedly causes pain in Fabry patients, but the relationship between small nerve fibre function and pain severity is unclear.Methods: A cohort of 15 male and 33 female Fabry patients was studied making use of a quantitative sensory testing protocol, disease severity measures and pain scales to investigate the relationship between nerve fibre function, age, disease severity and pain intensity.Results: Male Fabry patients exhibited an abnormal cold detection threshold and thermal sensory limen at the upper and lower limb, indicating Aδ‐fibre hypofunction. Female patients showed Z‐scores within normal range for all modalities. Nerve fibre function was worse at older age and with more severe disease. The overall severity of pain was mild, without significant differences between males and females. No linear relationship between pain severity and small nerve fibre function was identified.Conclusions: In Fabry disease, no linear relationship exists between pain and small nerve fibre function. With older age and more severe disease pain may abate as nerve fibre function further deteriorates.
The Holocene thermal maximum and late-Holocene cooling in the tundra of NE European Russia
Authors: Salonen J. Sakari , Seppä Heikki , Väliranta Minna , Jones Vivienne J. , Self Angela , Heikkilä Maija , Kultti Seija , Yang Handong 
Published: February 2011

AbstractTo investigate the Holocene climate and treeline dynamics in the European Russian Arctic, we analysed sediment pollen, conifer stomata, and plant macrofossils from Lake Kharinei, a tundra lake near the treeline in the Pechora area. We present quantitative summer temperature reconstructions from Lake Kharinei and Lake Tumbulovaty, a previously studied lake in the same region, using a pollen–climate transfer function based on a new calibration set from northern European Russia. Our records suggest that the early-Holocene summer temperatures from 11,500 cal yr BP onwards were already slightly higher than at present, followed by a stable Holocene Thermal Maximum (HTM) at 8000–3500 cal yr BP when summer temperatures in the tundra were ca. 3°C above present-day values. A Picea forest surrounded Lake Kharinei during the HTM, reaching 150 km north of the present taiga limit. The HTM ended with a temperature drop at 3500–2500 cal yr BP associated with permafrost initiation in the region. Mixed spruce forest began to disappear around Lake Kharinei at ca. 3500 cal yr BP, with the last tree macrofossils recorded at ca. 2500 cal yr BP, suggesting that the present wide tundra zone in the Pechora region formed during the last ca. 3500 yr.