bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The influence of the dispersion method on the electrical properties of vapor-grown carbon nanofiber/epoxy composites
Authors: Cardoso Paulo , Silva Jaime , Klosterman Donald , Covas José A , van Hattum Ferrie WJ , Simoes Ricardo , Lanceros-Mendez Senentxu 
Published: May 2011

Abstract
The influence of the dispersion of vapor-grown carbon nanofibers (VGCNF) on the electrical properties of VGCNF/Epoxy composites has been studied. A homogenous dispersion of the VGCNF does not imply better electrical properties. In fact, it is demonstrated that the most simple of the tested dispersion methods results in higher conductivity, since the presence of well-distributed nanofiber clusters appears to be a key factor for increasing composite conductivity.
PACS: 72.80.Tm; 73.63.Fg; 81.05.Qk
Mortality Associated with Neurofibromatosis 1: A Cohort Study of 1895 Patients in 1980-2006 in France
Authors: Duong Tu Anh , Sbidian Emilie , Valeyrie-Allanore Laurence , Vialette Cédric , Ferkal Salah , Hadj-Rabia Smaïl , Glorion Christophe , Lyonnet Stanislas , Zerah Michel , Kemlin Isabelle , Rodriguez Diana , Bastuji-Garin Sylvie , Wolkenstein Pierre 
Published: May 2011

AbstractBackgroundNeurofibromatosis 1 (NF1), a common autosomal dominant disorder, was shown in one study to be associated with a 15-year decrease in life expectancy. However, data on mortality in NF1 are limited. Our aim was to evaluate mortality in a large retrospective cohort of NF1 patients seen in France between 1980 and 2006.MethodsConsecutive NF1 patients referred to the National French Referral Center for Neurofibromatoses were included. The standardized mortality ratio (SMR) with its 95% confidence interval (CI) was calculated as the ratio of observed over expected numbers of deaths. We studied factors associated with death and causes of death.ResultsBetween 1980 and 2006, 1895 NF1 patients were seen. Median follow-up was 6.8 years (range, 0.4-20.6). Vital status was available for 1226 (65%) patients, of whom 1159 (94.5%) survived and 67 (5.5%) died. Overall mortality was significantly increased in the NF1 cohort (SMR, 2.02; CI, 1.6-2.6;P< 10-4). The excess mortality occurred among patients aged 10 to 20 years (SMR, 5.2; CI, 2.6-9.3;P< 10-4) and 20 to 40 years (SMR, 4.1; 2.8-5.8;P< 10-4). Significant excess mortality was found in both males and females. In the 10-20 year age group, females had a significant increase in mortality compared to males (SMR, 12.6; CI, 5.7-23.9; and SMR, 1.8; CI, 0.2-6.4; respectively). The cause of death was available for 58 (86.6%) patients; malignant nerve sheath tumor was the main cause of death (60%).ConclusionsWe found significantly increased SMRs indicating excess mortality in NF1 patients compared to the general population. The definitive diagnosis of NF1 in all patients is a strength of our study, and the high rate of death related to malignant transformation is consistent with previous work. The retrospective design and hospital-based recruitment are limitations of our study. Mortality was significantly increased in NF1 patients aged 10 to 40 years and tended to be higher in females than in males.
Tailoring inputs to achieve maximal neuronal firing
Authors: Wang Jiaoyan , Costello Willie , Rubin Jonathan E 
Published: May 2011

Abstract
We consider the constrained optimization of excitatory synaptic input patterns to maximize spike generation in leaky integrate-and-fire (LIF) and theta model neurons. In the case of discrete input kicks with a fixed total magnitude, optimal input timings and strengths are identified for each model using phase plane arguments. In both cases, optimal features relate to finding an input level at which the drop in input between successive spikes is minimized. A bounded minimizing level always exists in the theta model and may or may not exist in the LIF model, depending on parameter tuning. We also provide analytical formulas to estimate the number of spikes resulting from a given input train. In a second case of continuous inputs of fixed total magnitude, we analyze the tuning of an input shape parameter to maximize the number of spikes occurring in a fixed time interval. Results are obtained using numerical solution of a variational boundary value problem that we derive, as well as analysis, for the theta model and using a combination of simulation and analysis for the LIF model. In particular, consistent with the discrete case, the number of spikes in the theta model rises and then falls again as the input becomes more tightly peaked. Under a similar variation in the LIF case, we numerically show that the number of spikes increases monotonically up to some bound and we analytically constrain the times at which spikes can occur and estimate the bound on the number of spikes fired.
A comprehensive assessment of the SOD1G93A low-copy transgenic mouse, which models human amyotrophic lateral sclerosis
Authors: Acevedo-Arozena Abraham , Kalmar Bernadett , Essa Shafa , Ricketts Thomas , Joyce Peter , Kent Rosie , Rowe Claire , Parker Andy , Gray Anna , Hafezparast Majid , Thorpe Julian R. , Greensmith Linda , Fisher Elizabeth M. C. 
Published: May 2011

SUMMARY
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder that results in the death of motor neurons in the brain and spinal cord. The disorder generally strikes in mid-life, relentlessly leading to paralysis and death, typically 3–5 years after diagnosis. No effective treatments are available. Up to 10% of ALS is familial, usually autosomal dominant. Several causative genes are known and, of these, mutant superoxide dismutase 1 (SOD1) is by far the most frequently found, accounting for up to 20% of familial ALS. A range of human mutant SOD1 transgenic mouse strains has been produced, and these largely successfully model the human disease. Of these, the most widely used is the SOD1 mouse, which expresses a human SOD1 transgene with a causative G93A mutation. This mouse model is excellent for many purposes but carries up to 25 copies of the transgene and produces a great excess of SOD1 protein, which might affect our interpretation of disease processes. A variant of this strain carries a deletion of the transgene array such that the copy number is dropped to eight to ten mutant SOD1 genes. This ‘deleted’ ‘low-copy’ mouse undergoes a slower course of disease, over many months. Here we have carried out a comprehensive analysis of phenotype, including nerve and muscle physiology and histology, to add to our knowledge of this ‘deleted’ strain and give baseline data for future studies. We find differences in phenotype that arise from genetic background and sex, and we quantify the loss of nerve and muscle function over time. The slowly progressive pathology observed in this mouse strain could provide us with a more appropriate model for studying early-stage pathological processes in ALS and aid the development of therapies for early-stage treatments.
Factors Associated With the Interdental Papilla Height Between Two Maxillary Central Incisors: A Radiographic Study
Authors: Chang Li‐Ching 
Published: May 2011

Background: Various factors affect the central maxillary incisor papilla height (PH) and central clinically observable PH (COPH) such that a study of these factors and their interactions is needed. This study reports on an investigation of the factors associated with PH and COPH in patients with and without papilla recession.Methods: The central papilla was visually assessed in 450 adults using standardized periapical radiographs of maxillary central incisors. Various vertical and horizontal distances were measured including the lengths from the proximal cemento‐enamel junction (pCEJ) to apical contact point (CP), bone crest (BC) to CP (BC–CP), BC to pCEJ (BC–pCEJ), and papilla tip (PT) to CP (PT–CP) and the interdental width at the pCEJ level (IW), width at the BC level (crest width [CW]), and width at the PT level (PTW). PH was defined as the length from the PT to BC, and COPH was defined as the length from the PT to pCEJ. Simple analyses for PH and COPH were performed, and significant variables were entered into multiple linear regression models.Results: Among all study patients, papilla recession status and PT–CP were significant independent predictors of PH (both P <0.001). Age, papilla recession status, PT–CP, and BC–pCEJ were significant independent predictors of COPH (all P <0.001). Among patients with papilla recession, CW and PT–CP independently predicted PH (both P <0.001). All variables tested (except sex and CW) were significantly associated with COPH in patients with papilla recession, especially IW, PTW, PT–CP, and BC–pCEJ (P <0.001 for these variables).Conclusions: The effects of age and BC–pCEJ on COPH change differed in patients without and with recession, suggesting that the initial change in COPH was large but later slowed after recession occurred while there was no severe interdental bone loss progression. However, additional clinical study is needed to find out other variables that may decrease or ameliorate the severity of central papilla recession by restorative/prosthetic or orthodontic intervention and to confirm this possibility.
Biomimetic Surface Modification Using Synthetic Oligopeptides for Enhanced Guided Bone Regeneration in Beagles
Authors: Lee Chang‐Kyun , Koo Ki‐Tae , Park Yoon‐Jeong , Lee Jue‐Yeon , Rhee Sang‐Hoon , Ku Young , Rhyu In‐Chul , Chung Chong‐Pyoung 
Published: May 2011

Background: In previous studies, oligopeptide corresponding to the cell‐binding domains of bone morphogenetic proteins that bind to bone morphogenetic protein receptor enhanced the bone regenerative capacity of bovine bone minerals (BBM). The aim of this study is to evaluate the ability of BBM coated with oligopeptide to promote periodontal regeneration in a 1‐wall intrabony defect model in dogs.Methods: The second and third mandibular premolars and first molars of six adult beagles were extracted bilaterally, and the extraction sites were allowed to heal for 10 weeks. The 1‐wall intrabony defects were prepared bilaterally on the mesial and distal side of the fourth mandibular premolars. Twenty‐four intrabony defects were assigned to four treatment groups: 1) open flap debridement; 2) guided tissue regeneration (GTR); 3) GTR with a collagen membrane and BBM; and 4) GTR with a collagen membrane and BBM coated with the oligopeptide (Pep‐BBM). The animals were sacrificed 10 weeks after surgery. For the histometric analysis, defect height, junctional epithelium migration, new cementum, new bone height, and new bone area were measured. New bone volume was measured using microcomputed tomography.Results: Wound healing was generally uneventful. For junctional epithelium migration, the BBM and Pep‐BBM groups exhibited mean (± SE) values of 0.53 ± 0.41 and 0.48 ± 0.30 mm, and for new cementum height, 1.71 ± 0.46 and 2.50 ± 2.00 mm, respectively. For junctional epithelium migration and cementum regeneration, there were no significant differences between the two groups. The mean (± SE) values of new bone height and new bone volume in the Pep‐BBM group (3.88 ± 0.31 mm and 32.35% ± 9.60%) were significantly greater than the mean values for the BBM group (2.60 ± 0.41 mm and 20.56% ± 1.89%). For bone regeneration, the Pep‐BBM group showed superior results compared to the BBM group with statistically significant differences.Conclusions: Through various parameters to evaluate periodontal regeneration, this oligopeptide coating influenced only the ability of BBM to promote bone regeneration in 1‐wall intrabony defects in beagles. Junctional epithelium migration and cementum regeneration were not affected by this oligopeptide coating, and further investigations with special focus on regeneration of the periodontal ligament are necessary.
Radiographic Considerations for the Regional Anatomy in the Posterior Mandible
Authors: Yashar Natasha , Engeland Christopher G. , Rosenfeld Alan L. , Walsh Timothy P. , Califano Joseph V. 
Published: May 2011

Background: Previous studies of the inferior alveolar nerve have used cadaveric specimens in small patient groups. The purpose of this study was to describe the anatomy in the posterior mandible with respect to the inferior alveolar nerve (IAN) using computed tomography (CT) images in a large patient population. We hypothesize that CT scans are an important component of a thorough treatment plan for minimizing risk to the IAN and optimizing surgical outcomes.Methods: CT scans of 195 patients (62 males and 133 females; age range: 22 to 88 years) were evaluated retrospectively. With the aid of computer software, cross‐sectional images were examined at 5‐mm increments distal to the mental foramen to the ascending ramus. Four measurements were made at each cross‐sectional image. The distances from the IAN to the: 1) alveolar crest (CN); 2) buccal cortical plate (BN); 3) lingual cortical plate (LN); and 4) inferior border (IN) were measured.Results: Most measurements for males and females were significantly different. Mean values were as follows (males/females): CN, 13.85 ± 0.43/11.98 ± 0.40 mm (P <0.01); BN, 4.98 ± 0.15/4.47 ± 0.11 mm (P <0.01); LN, 2.93 ± 0.12/3.19 ± 0.10 mm (P <0.10); and IN, 7.76 ± 0.16/7.00 ± 0.15 mm (P <0.01). The 95% confidence intervals indicated that many patients had limited bone volume in the buccal shelf or ascending ramus.Conclusion: Given the high degree of variability in mandibular bone volume surrounding the IAN and the position of the IAN, the use of CT scans should be considered for surgical procedures in the posterior mandible when there is risk of injury to the IAN.
Clinical Efficacy of 1% Alendronate Gel as a Local Drug Delivery System in the Treatment of Chronic Periodontitis: A Randomized, Controlled Clinical Trial
Authors: Sharma Anuj , Pradeep A.R. 
Published: May 2011

Background: Alendronate (ALN), an aminobisphosphonate, is known to inhibit osteoclastic bone resorption and was proposed to have osteostimulative properties in vivo and in vitro as shown by an increase in matrix formation. The present study aims to explore the efficacy of a 1% ALN gel compared to a placebo gel as a local drug delivery system in adjunct to scaling and root planing (SRP) for the treatment of intrabony defects in patients with chronic periodontitis.Methods: A total of 66 intrabony defects were treated with a 1% ALN or placebo gel. The ALN gel was prepared by adding ALN to a polyacrylic acid–distilled water mixture. Clinical parameters (modified sulcus bleeding index, plaque index, probing depth [PD], and clinical attachment level [CAL]) were recorded at baseline and 2 and 6 months, and radiographic parameters at baseline and 6 months. The defect fill at baseline and 6 months was calculated on standardized radiographs by using image‐analysis software.Results: The mean PD reduction and CAL gain were greater in the ALN group than in the placebo group at 2 and 6 months. Furthermore, a significantly greater mean percentage of bone fill was found in the ALN group (40.4% ± 11.71%) than in the placebo group (2.5% ± 1.02%).Conclusions: Results of the present study shows that the local delivery of 1% ALN into the periodontal pocket stimulated a significant increase in PD reduction, CAL gain, and improved bone fill compared to a placebo gel as an adjunct to SRP. These results can provide a new direction in the field of periodontal healing.
A Pregnancy and Postpartum Lifestyle Intervention in Women With Gestational Diabetes Mellitus Reduces Diabetes Risk Factors
Authors: Ferrara Assiamira , Hedderson Monique M. , Albright Cheryl L. , Ehrlich Samantha F. , Quesenberry Charles P. , Peng Tiffany , Feng Juanran , Ching Jenny , Crites Yvonne 
Published: May 2011

OBJECTIVE
To pilot, among women with gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM), the feasibility of a prenatal/postpartum intervention to modify diet and physical activity similar to the Diabetes Prevention Program. The intervention was delivered by telephone, and support for breastfeeding was addressed.

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS
The goal was to help women return to their prepregnancy weight, if it was normal, or achieve a 5% reduction from prepregnancy weight if overweight. Eligible participants were identified shortly after a GDM diagnosis; 83.8% consented to be randomly assigned to intervention or usual medical care (96 and 101 women, respectively). The retention was 85.2% at 12 months postpartum.

RESULTS
The proportion of women who reached the postpartum weight goal was higher, although not statistically significant, in the intervention condition than among usual care (37.5 vs. 21.4%, absolute difference 16.1%, P = 0.07). The intervention was more effective among women who did not exceed the recommended gestational weight gain (difference in the proportion of women meeting the weight goals: 22.5%, P = 0.04). The intervention condition decreased dietary fat intake more than the usual care (condition difference in the mean change in percent of calories from fat: −3.6%, P = 0.002) and increased breastfeeding, although not significantly (condition difference in proportion: 15.0%, P = 0.09). No differences in postpartum physical activity were observed between conditions.

CONCLUSIONS
This study suggests that a lifestyle intervention that starts during pregnancy and continues postpartum is feasible and may prevent pregnancy weight retention and help overweight women lose weight. Strategies to help postpartum women overcome barriers to increasing physical activity are needed.
Time-Dependent Impact of Diabetes on Mortality in Patients After Major Lower Extremity Amputation
Authors: Icks Andrea , Scheer Marsel , Morbach Stephan , Genz Jutta , Haastert Burkhard , Giani Guido , Glaeske Gerd , Hoffmann Falk 
Published: May 2011

OBJECTIVE
To estimate the impact of diabetes on mortality in patients after first major lower extremity amputation (LEA).

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS
Using claims data of a nationwide statutory health insurance, we assessed all deaths in a cohort of all 444 patients with a first major LEA since 2005 (71.8% male; mean age 69.1 years; 58.3% diabetic; 43% with amputation above the knee) up to 2009. Using Cox regression, we estimated the time-dependent hazard ratios to compare patients with and without diabetes.

RESULTS
The cumulative 5-year mortality was 68% in diabetic and 59% in nondiabetic individuals. In the first course, mortality was lower in diabetic compared with nondiabetic patients. Later, the diabetes risk increased yielding crossed survival curves after 2 to 3 years (time dependency of diabetes; P = 0.003). Age- and sex-adjusted hazard ratios for diabetes were as follows: 0–30 days: 0.50 [95% CI 0.31–0.84]; 31–60 days: 0.60 [0.25–1.41]; 61 days to 6 months: 0.75 [0.38–1.48]; &gt;6–12 months: 1.27 [0.63–2.53]; &gt;12–24 months: 1.65 [0.88–3.08]; &gt;24–36 months: 2.02 [0.80–5.09]; and &gt;36–60 months: 1.91 [0.70–5.21]. The pattern was similar in both sexes. In the full model, significant risk factors for mortality were age (1.05; 1.03–1.06), amputation above the knee (1.50; 1.16–1.94), and quartile category 3 or 4 of the number of prescribed medications (1.64; 1.12–2.40 and 1.76; 1.20–2.59). Further adjustment for comorbidity did not alter the results.

CONCLUSIONS
In this population-based study, we found a time-dependent mortality risk of diabetes following first major LEA, which may be in part a result of a healthier lifestyle in diabetic patients or the access to specific treatment structures in diabetic individuals.
Large time behavior of the solution to an initial-boundary value problem with mixed boundary conditions for a nonlinear integro-differential equation
Authors: Jangveladze Temur , Kiguradze Zurab 
Published: May 2011

Abstract
Large time behavior of the solution to the nonlinear integro-differential equation associated with the penetration of a magnetic field into a substance is studied. Furthermore, the rate of convergence is given. Initial-boundary value problem with mixed boundary conditions is considered.
Extremely non-complex Banach spaces
Authors: Martín Miguel , Merí Javier 
Published: May 2011

Abstract
A Banach space X is said to be an extremely non-complex space if the norm equality ∥Id +T
2∥ = 1+∥T
2∥ holds for every bounded linear operator T on X. We show that every extremely non-complex Banach space has positive numerical index, it does not have an unconditional basis and that the infimum of diameters of the slices of its unit ball is positive.
Nonlinear dispersion of a pollutant ejected into a channel flow
Authors: Gorder Robert , Vajravelu Kuppalapalle 
Published: May 2011

Abstract
In this paper, we study the nonlinear coupled boundary value problem arising from the nonlinear dispersion of a pollutant ejected by an external source into a channel flow. We obtain exact solutions for the steady flow for some special cases and an implicit exact solution for the unsteady flow. Additionally, we obtain analytical solutions for the transient flow. From the obtained solutions, we are able to deduce the qualitative influence of the model parameters on the solutions. Furthermore, we are able to give both exact and analytical expressions for the skin friction and wall mass transfer rate as functions of the model parameters. The model considered can be useful for understanding the polluting situations of an improper discharge incident and evaluating the effects of decontaminating measures for the water bodies.
Surgical treatment of gastrointestinal autonomic nerve tumors (GANT) in children-2 case reports
Authors: Marjanovic Zoran , Slavkovic Andjelka , Krstic Marijana , Djodjevic Ivona , Dimov Dragan 
Published: May 2011

Abstract
Gastrointestinal autonomic nerve tumors form an uncommon subcategory of stromal tumors of the intestinal tract although their histologic appearance is similar to other gastrointestinal stromal tumors. Our aim was to evaluate our experience in the diagnosis and therapy of these kinds of tumors. Two patients were admitted to the Pediatric Surgery Clinic in Niš with abdominal pain and a palpable mass in the abdomen. After excision, the tumor tissue was sampled, sent for histopathological diagnosis, and examined by light microscopy, immunohistochemistry, and electron microscopy. Postoperatively, both patients recovered without complications. The patient with the tumor bulk in the mesentery of the small bowel had no evidence of tumor progression 6 years after surgery. In the second case, a giant tumor was present along the greater curvature of gaster. Even with a tumor of this size, there were no signs of progression 10 years after surgery. Radical surgical resection of gastrointestinal autonomic nerve tumors seems to be the curative approach to date, and long-term survival is possible even with large tumors.
Predictive values of metabolic syndrome in children
Authors: Vorgučin Ivana , Naumović Nada , Vlaški Jovan , Katanić Dragan , Konstantinidis Georgios 
Published: May 2011

Abstract
Metabolic syndrome is a clinical term encompassing risk factors (obesity, insulin resistance, dyslipidemia and hypertension), which yield an increased risk for the development of diabetes mellitus type 2 and cardiovascular disorders in adolescence. Two sets of criteria for diagnosing metabolic syndrome were applied, the criteria for adults, specifically adapted for children, and the criteria defined by the International Diabetes Federation (IDF). A reliability analysis was conducted; sensitivity (SE), specificity (SP), positive predictive value (PPV) and negative predictive value (NPV) of applying certain criteria of both definitions of metabolic syndrome. Metabolic syndrome in adolescents was diagnosed much more frequently using the specific criteria (41%) in comparison to the IDF criteria (22%). Using the specific criteria for children and adolescents, it was established that the HDL cholesterol was the most specific and had the largest PPV. Using the IDF criteria for diagnosing metabolic syndrome, the reliability analysis established that the highest PPV was recorded with the elevated level of triglycerides. The specific criteria have been found to be more efficient in diagnosing metabolic syndrome in adolescents. The highest predictive value was displayed by dyslipidemic disorders, hypertriglyceridemia and hypo HDL cholesterolemia.