bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
A FRAMEWORK FOR STATE TRANSITIONS ON THE SELF‐ORGANIZING MAP: SOME TEMPORAL FINANCIAL APPLICATIONS
Authors: Sarlin Peter , Yao Zhiyuan , Eklund Tomas 
Published: August 2012

SUMMARYSelf‐organizing maps (SOMs) have commonly been used in temporal applications. This paper enhances the SOM paradigm for temporal data by presenting a framework for computing, summarizing and visualizing transition probabilities on the SOM. The framework includes computing matrices of node‐to‐node and node‐to‐cluster transitions and summarizing maximum state transitions. The computations are linked to the SOM grid using transition‐plane visualizations. We demonstrate the usefulness of the framework on two SOM models for temporal financial analysis: financial performance comparison of banks and monitoring indicators of currency crises. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Characterizations of additive manufactured porous titanium implants
Authors: Basalah Ahmad , Shanjani Yaser , Esmaeili Shahrzad , Toyserkani Ehsan 
Published: August 2012

AbstractThis article describes physical, chemical, and mechanical characterizations of porous titanium implants made by an additive manufacturing method to gain insight into the correlation of process parameters and final physical properties of implants used in orthopedics. For the manufacturing chain, the powder metallurgy technology was combined with the additive manufacturing to fabricate the porous structure from the pure tanium powder. A 3D printing machine was employed in this study to produce porous bar samples. A number of physical parameters such as titanium powder size, polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) amount, sintering temperature and time were investigated to control the mechanical properties and porosity of the structures. The produced samples were characterized through porosity and shrinkage measurements, mechanical compression test and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The results showed a level of porosity in the samples in the range of 31–43%, which is within the range of the porosity of the cancelluous bone and approaches the range of the porosity of the cortical bone. The results of the mechanical test showed that the compressive strength is in the wide range of 56–509 MPa implying the effect of the process parameters on the mechanical strengths. This technique of manufacturing of Ti porous structures demonstrated a low level of shrinkage with the shrinkage percentage ranging from 1.5 to 5%. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part B: Appl Biomater, 2012.
Comparative evaluation of three calcium phosphate synthetic block bone graft materials for bone regeneration in rabbit calvaria
Authors: Hwang Ji‐Wan , Park Jae‐Sub , Lee Jung‐Seok , Jung Ui‐Won , Kim Chang‐Sung , Cho Kyoo‐Sung , Lee Yong‐Keun , Choi Seong‐Ho 
Published: August 2012

AbstractVarious synthetic materials were developed to be used for implant dentistry and periodontal treatments. Among the various synthetic bone substitutes, calcium phosphate ceramics have been extensively investigated because their mineral chemistry resembles that of human bone. We evaluated the regeneration of three calcium phosphate synthetic block bone grafts in rabbit calvarial noncritical size defects. Four 8‐mm‐diameter defects were created in each rabbit (N = 10). Three defects, hydroxyapatite (HA), beta‐tricalcium phosphate (β‐TCP), and biphasic calcium phosphate (BCP), were randomly filled with one of three fabricated synthetic block bone graft materials. The fourth defect was filled with blood clots. Specimens were harvested at 4 and 8 weeks postsurgery. Histological and histometrical findings indicated that all three calcium phosphate block bone graft materials were able to maintain space significantly better than the control group at both 4 and 8 weeks. In the BCP group, the amount of newly formed bone was increased more than for the other groups. Additionally, β‐TCP showed a large resorption of graft materials after 4 weeks postsurgery, while there were only small resorption for HA and BCP. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part B: Appl Biomater, 2012.
Factors associated with kyphosis progression in older women: 15 years' experience in the study of osteoporotic fractures
Authors: Kado Deborah M , Huang Mei-Hua , Karlamangla Arun S , Cawthon Peggy , Katzman Wendy , Hillier Teresa A , Ensrud Kristine , Cummings Steven R 
Published: August 2012

Abstract
Age-related hyperkyphosis is thought to be a result of underlying vertebral fractures, but studies suggest that among the most hyperkyphotic women, only one in three have underlying radiographic vertebral fractures. Although commonly observed, there is no widely accepted definition of hyperkyphosis in older persons, and other than vertebral fracture, no major causes have been identified. To identify important correlates of kyphosis and risk factors for its progression over time, we conducted a 15-year retrospective cohort study of 1196 women, aged 65 years and older at baseline (1986 to 1988), from four communities across the United States: Baltimore County, MD; Minneapolis, MN; Portland, OR; and the Monongahela Valley, PA. Cobb angle kyphosis was measured from radiographs obtained at baseline and an average of 3.7 and 15 years later. Repeated measures, mixed effects analyses were performed. At baseline, the mean kyphosis angle was 44.7 degrees (SE = 0.4, SD = 11.9) and significant correlates included a family history of hyperkyphosis, prevalent vertebral fracture, low bone mineral density, greater body weight, degenerative disc disease, and smoking. Over an average of 15 years, the mean increase in kyphosis was 7.1 degrees (SE = 0.25). Independent determinants of greater kyphosis progression were prevalent and incident vertebral fractures, low bone mineral density and concurrent bone density loss, low body weight, and concurrent weight loss. Thus, age-related kyphosis progression may be best prevented by slowing bone density loss and avoiding weight loss. © 2013 American Society for Bone and Mineral Research
C library for topological study of the electronic charge density
Authors: Vega David , Aray Yosslen , Rodríguez Jesús 
Published: August 2012

AbstractThe topological study of the electronic charge density is useful to obtain information about the kinds of bonds (ionic or covalent) and the atom charges on a molecule or crystal. For this study, it is necessary to calculate, at every space point, the electronic density and its electronic density derivatives values up to second order. In this work, a grid‐based method for these calculations is described. The library, implemented for three dimensions, is based on a multidimensional Lagrange interpolation in a regular grid; by differentiating the resulting polynomial, the gradient vector, the Hessian matrix and the Laplacian formulas were obtained for every space point. More complex functions such as the Newton–Raphson method (to find the critical points, where the gradient is null) and the Cash–Karp Runge–Kutta method (used to make the gradient paths) were programmed. As in some crystals, the unit cell has angles different from 90°, the described library includes linear transformations to correct the gradient and Hessian when the grid is distorted (inclined). Functions were also developed to handle grid containing files (grd from DMol® program, CUBE from Gaussian® program and CHGCAR from VASP® program). Each one of these files contains the data for a molecular or crystal electronic property (such as charge density, spin density, electrostatic potential, and others) in a three‐dimensional (3D) grid. The library can be adapted to make the topological study in any regular 3D grid by modifying the code of these functions. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Influence of archaeological environment factors in alteration processes of copper alloy artifacts
Authors: Sandu Ioan Gabriel , Mircea Otilia , Vasilache Viorica , Sandu Ion 
Published: August 2012

AbstractThe article presents the experimental results obtained by combining noninvasive techniques (OM, SEM/EDX, XRF) to analyze three artifacts made of copper alloys discovered in a inhumation tomb (2) and in the soil profile (1) in archaeological sites from Neamt County Romania. To uncover the mechanism of alteration thereof during their longtime underground stay in specific chemical conditions and under the influence of other pedological factors, the corrosion products must be identified. The excess of the chloride ion, from burial site, disturbs the Liesegang effect, transforming the bulk in a stratified sponge structure with chlorapatite and hydroxyapatite. Some of the compounds from primary and secondary patina can be found on the surface of the bulk, as color stains. The presence of alloy components (Cu, Sn, Pb, Zn, Fe, etc.) and of the underground contamination components, allowed us to establish the origin of the ore, the manufacture technology and we identified other materials which affected the artifacts after abandonment. Microsc. Res. Tech., 2012. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Utilization of cellulose microcapillary tubes as a model system for culturing and viral infection of mammalian cells
Authors: Venter Eudri , Van Der Merwe Christiaan F. , Van Staden Vida 
Published: August 2012

AbstractCryofixation by high‐pressure freezing (HPF) and freeze substitution (FS) gives excellent preservation of intracellular membranous structures, ideal for ultrastructural investigations of virus infected cells. Conventional sample preparation methods of tissue cultured cells can however disrupt the association between neighboring cells or of viruses with the plasma membrane, which impacts upon the effectiveness whereby virus release from cells can be studied. We established a system for virus infection and transmission electron microscopy preparation of mammalian cells that allowed optimal visualization of membrane release events. African horse sickness virus (AHSV) is a nonenveloped virus that employs two different release mechanisms from mammalian cells, i.e., lytic release through a disrupted plasma membrane and a nonlytic budding‐type release. Cellulose microcapillary tubes were used as support layer for culturing Vero cells. The cells grew to a confluent monolayer along the inside of the tubes and could readily be infected with AHSV. Sections of the microcapillary tubes proved easy to manipulate during the HPF procedure, showed no distortion or compression, and yielded well preserved cells in their native state. There was ample cell surface area available for visualization, which allowed detection of both types of virus release at the plasma membrane at a significantly higher frequency than when utilizing other methods. The consecutive culturing, virus infection and processing of cells within microcapillary tubes therefore represent a novel model system for monitoring intracellular virus life cycle and membrane release events, specifically suited to viruses that do not grow to high titers in tissue culture. Microsc. Res. Tech., 2012. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Antimicrobial use in the ICU: Indications and accuracy—an observational trial
Authors: Levin Phillip D. , Idrees Suhel , Sprung Charles L. , Weissman Charles , Weiss Yoram , Moses Allon E. , Benenson Shmuel 
Published: August 2012

AbstractBACKGROUND:In intensive care unit (ICU) patients, signs of infection and inflammation are similar, making diagnosis of bacterial infections difficult. Antimicrobials may therefore be overused, contributing to development of antimicrobial‐resistant bacteria.OBJECTIVES:To measure the accuracy of clinician decisions to start antimicrobials; to correlate clinician certainty with the presence of infection; and to examine whether physiological variables correlate with clinician certainty.DESIGN:Prospective observational study.SETTING AND PATIENTS:Patients staying >48 hours in a general ICU of a tertiary care hospital.MEASUREMENTS:The ICU clinician's certainty for the presence of infection was recorded when starting antimicrobials. An independent infectious diseases (ID) specialist determined if antimicrobials were required and if infection was present. Clinician antibiotic start decisions were tested for accuracy according to the ID determination for the presence of infection.RESULTS:Empirical antimicrobial therapy was justified by the presence of infection on 67/125 (54%) occasions. Clinician certainty for infection correlated well with the presence of defined infection (r2 = 0.78), however, infection was defined on 6/19 (31%) occasions when ICU clinician certainty was low (≤2), and antimicrobials were prescribed even when clinician certainty was minimal. Antimicrobial course length was similar whether infection was defined or not (11.5 ± 9.2 vs 10.7 ± 9.1 days; P = 0.65). Physiological variables were not associated with clinician certainty of infection.CONCLUSIONS:Antimicrobial therapy is probably overused in the ICU, possibly resulting from difficulties in diagnosis and the perceived greater risk of untreated infection when compared to the risks of potentially unnecessary antimicrobial therapy. Efforts to improve antimicrobial‐related decision‐making should be mandatory. Journal of Hospital Medicine 2012. © 2012 Society of Hospital Medicine.
Impact of cell wall‐degrading enzymes on water‐holding capacity and solubility of dietary fibre in rye and wheat bran
Authors: Petersson Karin , Nordlund Emilia , Tornberg Eva , Eliasson Ann‐Charlotte , Buchert Johanna 
Published: August 2012

AbstractBACKGROUND: Rye and wheat bran were treated with several xylanases and endoglucanases, and the effects on physicochemical properties such as solubility, viscosity, water‐holding capacity and particle size as well as the chemical composition of the soluble and insoluble fractions of the bran were studied. A large number of enzymes with well‐defined activities were used. This enabled a comparison between enzymes of different origins and with different activities as well as a comparison between the effects of the enzymes on rye and wheat bran.RESULTS: The xylanases derived from Bacillus subtilis were the most effective in solubilising dietary fibre from wheat and rye bran. There was a tendency for a higher degree of degradation of the soluble or solubilised dietary fibre in rye bran than in wheat bran when treated with most of the enzymes.CONCLUSION: None of the enzymes increased the water‐holding capacity of the bran or the viscosity of the aqueous phase. The content of insoluble material decreased as the dietary fibre was solubilised by the enzymes. The amount of material that may form a network to retain water in the system was thereby decreased. © 2012 Society of Chemical Industry
Effect of wheat flour characteristics on sponge cake quality
Authors: Moiraghi Malena , de la Hera Esther , Pérez Gabriela T , Gómez Manuel 
Published: August 2012

AbstractBACKGROUND: To select the flour parameters that relate strongly to cake‐making performance, in this study the relationship between sponge cake quality, solvent retention capacity (SRC) profile and flour physicochemical characteristics was investigated using 38 soft wheat samples of different origins. Particle size average, protein, damaged starch, water‐soluble pentosans, total pentosans, SRC and pasting properties were analysed. Sponge cake volume and crumb texture were measured to evaluate cake quality. Cluster analysis was applied to assess differences in flour quality parameters among wheat lines based on the SRC profile.RESULTS: Cluster 1 showed significantly higher sponge cake volume and crumb softness, finer particle size and lower SRC sucrose, SRC carbonate, SRC water, damaged starch and protein content. Particle size, damaged starch, protein, thickening capacity and SRC parameters correlated negatively with sponge cake volume, while total pentosans and pasting temperature showed the opposite effect.CONCLUSION: The negative correlations between cake volume and SRC parameters along with the cluster analysis results indicated that flours with smaller particle size, lower absorption capacity and higher pasting temperature had better cake‐making performance. Some simple analyses, such as SRC, particle size distribution and pasting properties, may help to choose flours suitable for cake making. © 2012 Society of Chemical Industry
Hysteresis analysis in excimer‐laser‐annealed low‐temperature polycrystalline‐silicon thin‐film transistors
Authors: Kim Yu‐Mi , Jeong Kwang‐Seok , Yun Ho‐Jin , Yang Seung‐Dong , Lee Sang‐Youl , Kim Moo‐Jin , Kwon Oh‐Seob , Jeong Chul‐Woo , Kim Jae‐Yong , Kim Sung‐Chul , Lee Ga‐Won 
Published: August 2012

AbstractTo analyze the hysteresis phenomenon in p‐channel low‐temperature polycrystalline‐silicon thin‐film transistors (LTPS TFTs), the direct correlation between the hysteresis and the interface (Nit) and the grain‐boundary trap density (Ntrap) has been investigated. To fabricate LTPS TFTs with different electrical properties and trap types, the thickness of a‐Si was varied from 30 to 80 nm and crystallized by the excimer‐laser‐anneal (ELA) method. The interface trap density is extracted from the subthreshold slope (SS) and low‐high‐frequency C‐V analysis, while the grain‐boundary trap density is extracted by the Levinson and Proano method. The LTPS TFTs with smaller hysteresis exhibited a lower trap density. From the correlation between extracted parameters, the hysteresis seems to be more dependent on Nit and decreases when the film thickness increases to 80 nm while the Ntrap is almost the same in all devices.
Development of a dual‐lamp projector with higher brightness
Authors: Yamada Akihiro , Kojima Kuniko , Minami Koji , Sugiura Hiroaki , Kida Hiroshi , Samejima Kenji 
Published: August 2012

AbstractStationary projectors mainly used in system applications have recently gained a wider application range, including general presentations in halls and large conference rooms and being used, for example, in digital signage and for monitoring purposes. Consequently, they are required to meet new market demands for durability, reliability, and flexibility in installation in addition to their conventional basic performance such as especially high brightness. To achieve especially high brightness, a new optical system with two lamps is proposed; the profile of the cover glass that prevents the glass from scattering is made aspherical, the profile of the beam‐combining mirror is improved with its position optimized, and the size of the incident plane of the integrator rod is made larger (1.1 times).These measures resulted in an optical system of an even higher efficiency with 7000 lm, which is the highest in its class (according to a June 2010 investigation). Also, the arrangement of two parallel lamps completely eliminated the effect of heat passing from one lamp to the other, which helped secure durability, reliability, and flexibility in installation. Furthermore, the combined use of the unique non‐telecentric optical system, adopted from the conventional single‐lamp model, helps maintain the class‐highest contrast ratio.1,2
Mental health 15 years after the killings in Rwanda: Imprisoned perpetrators of the genocide against the Tutsi versus a community sample of survivors
Authors: Schaal Susanne , Weierstall Roland , Dusingizemungu Jean‐Pierre , Elbert Thomas 
Published: August 2012

AbstractObjectives of this study were to compare rates of mental health disorders in Rwandan genocide perpetrators with those of genocide survivors and to investigate potential predictors of symptoms of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and depression for both groups. We expected high rates of mental disorders in both study groups and hypothesized that symptom severity would be predicted by female gender, older age, lower level of education, higher level of trauma exposure, lower level of agreement to reconciliation, and the participation in killing. Structured clinical interviews were carried out with 269 imprisoned perpetrators (66% men) and 114 survivors (64% women). Significantly more survivors than perpetrators met symptom criteria for PTSD (46% vs. 14%) and suffered from anxiety symptoms (59% vs. 36%). A substantial proportion of both groups suffered from clinically significant depression (46% vs. 41%). PTSD severity in perpetrators was associated with trauma exposure, high levels of agreement to reconciliation, and no participation in killing; the severity of depression was associated with trauma exposure and no participation in killing. In the survivor sample, the severity of PTSD and depression were both correlated with female gender, trauma exposure, and low levels of agreement to reconciliation. Results suggest that both groups exhibit considerable psychiatric morbidity.
Endolymphatic space imaging in idiopathic sudden sensorineural hearing loss with vertigo
Authors: Chen Xi , Zhang Xiao‐Dong , Gu Xi , Fang Zhe‐Ming , Zhang Rong 
Published: August 2012

AbstractObjectives/Hypothesis:To investigate endolymphatic space images in patients with idiopathic sudden sensorineural hearing loss (ISNHL) and vertigo using three‐dimensional fluid‐attenuated inversion recovery magnetic resonance imaging (3D‐FLAIR MRI).Study Design:This is a prospective study of an analysis using the imaging technology of 3D‐FLAIR MRI for patients with ISNHL and vertigo.Methods:3D‐FLAIR MRI was performed 24 hours after intratympanic injection of gadolinium–diethylenetriamine penta‐acetic acid.Results:In four of seven cases of ISNHL with vertigo, endolymphatic hydrops were confirmed in the cochlea and/or the vestibule of the affected ears.Conclusions:The results of the study imply that there may be some relationship between endolymphatic hydrops and ISNHL with vertigo. Laryngoscope, 2012
Surgery for obstructive sleep apnea: Sleep endoscopy determinants of outcome
Authors: Koutsourelakis Ioannis , Safiruddin Faiza , Ravesloot Madeline , Zakynthinos Spyros , de Vries Nico 
Published: August 2012

AbstractObjectives/Hypothesis:Although drug‐induced sleep endoscopy is often employed to determine the site of obstruction in patients with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) who will undergo upper airway surgery, it remains unknown whether its findings are associated with surgical outcome. This study tested the hypothesis that drug‐induced sleep endoscopy variables can predict the outcome of upper airway surgery in OSA patients.Study Design:Case series retrospective analysis.Methods:Forty‐nine OSA patients (41 male; mean apnea‐hypopnea index [AHI] 30.9 ± 18.5 events/hour) underwent propofol‐induced sleep endoscopy followed by upper airway surgery (palatal surgery, and/or radiofrequency ablation of the tongue base, and/or hyoid suspension) and subsequently a follow‐up polysomnography to assess surgical outcome.Results:Twenty‐three patients (47%) were responders, and twenty‐nine were nonresponders (53%). Nonresponders had a higher occurrence of complete or partial circumferential collapse at velum and complete antero‐posterior collapse at tongue base or epiglottis in comparison with responders. Multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that among baseline clinical and polysomnographic characteristics (e.g., AHI, body mass index) and sleep endoscopy findings, the presence of complete circumferential collapse at velum, and of complete antero‐posterior collapse at tongue base were the only independent predictors of upper airway surgery failure.Conclusions:Drug‐induced sleep endoscopy can be used to predict higher likelihood of response to upper airway surgery in OSA. Laryngoscope, 2012