bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The Effects of Pulsatile Cardiopulmonary Bypass on Acute Kidney Injury
Authors: Adademir Taylan , Ak Koray , Aljodi Maher , Elçi Mehmet Emre , Arsan Sinan , Isbir Selim 
Published: March 2012

Purpose: Protective effect of pulsatile flow cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) on the occurrence of acute renal injury is still a matter of debate. The objective of this study was to compare the effects of pulsatile and non-pulsatile cardiopulmonary bypass on kidneys using Urinary neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (NGAL) and interleukin-18 (IL-18) as the markers of renal injury. Methods: 85 consecutive patients with normal preoperative renal function were prospectively enrolled in the study. Pulsatile perfusion (Group P) and non-pulsatile perfusion (Group NP) was used in 42 and 43 of the patients, respectively, during aortic cross-clamping period. NGAL and IL-18 were analyzed using ELISA in urine samples obtained preoperatively, and at 2, 12, and 24 h after CPB. Results: There was no significant difference between the groups in terms of perioperative renal function tests. IL-18 levels measured at 12 h after CPB were significantly lower in Group P, compared to Group NP (p<0.05). Urinary NGAL levels measured at 2 and 12 h were higher in Group NP; however, the difference was insignificant. In the subgroup of patients with a cross clamp time ≥45 minutes (pulsatile CPB, group P1, n = 33; non-pulsatile CPB, group NP1, n = 33), IL-18 levels measured at 12 hours after CPB were significantly lower in Group P1. Urinary NGAL concentrations measured at 2 and 12 hours in Group P1 were also significantly lower than that in Group NP1 (p = 0.048 and 0.043, respectively). Conclusions: Low IL-18 and NGAL levels found in the pulsatile perfusion group might suggest the use of pulsatile flow resulted in better kidney protection.
Evaluación del coeficiente de endurecimiento del acero AISI 1045 deformado por rodillo
Authors: Fernández Columbié Tomás , Fernández E. , Rodríguez I. , Alcántara D. 
Published: March 2012

El objetivo del trabajo es determinar el comportamiento del coeficiente de endurecimiento n por la ecuación de Hollomon en muestras cilíndricas de acero AISI 1045, las cuales, después de ser deformadas, se sometieron a ensayos de tracción. Se utiliza un diseño de experimento donde se tienen en cuenta las variables número de revolución (n) con 27, 54 y 110 rev/min, fuerza de compresión (P) de 500, 1 500 y 2 500 N y avance (S) de 0,075; 0,125 y 0,25 mm/rev. Finalmente, aplicando el método de regresión se obtuvo un coeficiente de endurecimiento, el cual se aproxima a la linealidad cuando restringimos el cálculo a rangos de deformación elevados. Este coeficiente de endurecimiento se aplica en la ecuación de Hollomon para determinar el nuevo valor de tensión de fluencia y aplicarlo para el cálculo del trabajo mínimo a realizar en un proceso de deformación en frío empleando rodillo simple.Palabras clave. Deformación Plástica; tensión; deformación; endurecimiento.DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5377/nexo.v24i2.658
Organic Bionics: A New Dimension in Neural Communications
Authors: Moulton Simon Edward , Higgins Michael John , Kapsa Robert Michail Ivan , Wallace Gordon George 
Published: March 2012

AbstractThe term “bionics” is synonymous with the term “biomimetics” and in this context refers to the integration of human engineered devices to take advantage of functional mechanisms and structures resident in nature. The use of electrical conductors to transmit charge into and out of biological systems to affect biological processes has been the source of great scientific interest. This has inspired many to explore the possible use of electrical stimulation in promoting positive health outcomes. Advances in medical bionics technology are dependent upon eliciting precise control of the electrical energy to deliver beneficial health outcomes. The advent of carbon‐based organic conductors now provides the platform for unprecedented possibilities by which the electrical energy can be used to modulate the function of medical devices. The use of organic conductors in the field of bionics, and in particular medical bionics, as that involved with the development of devices that enable the effective integration of biology (nature) and electronics to achieve a targeted functional outcome is explored.
Mechanical Resuscitation of Chemical Oscillations in Belousov–Zhabotinsky Gels
Authors: Chen Irene Chou , Kuksenok Olga , Yashin Victor V. , Balazs Anna C. , Van Vliet Krystyn J. 
Published: March 2012

AbstractThe conversion of mechanical to chemical energy is a natural phenomenon that few synthetic materials have been able to mimic robustly. The first demonstration of mechanical triggering of Belousov–Zhabotinsky (BZ) oscillations is presented in N‐isopropylacrylamide‐co‐Ru(bpy)3 gels for which the oscillatory nature of the BZ reaction can be visualized via periodic changes in color. It is demonstrated that BZ oscillations can be induced by the application of compressive stress to gels in which the BZ reaction has attained a steady‐state upon depletion of reagents. Such macroscopic compression physically increases the volume fraction of polymer to which the Ru(bpy)3 catalyst is grafted and triggers BZ oscillations by utilizing unreacted reagents in the aqueous solution, thus effectively resuscitating and extending the functionality of these oscillatory gels. The applied stress and the initial concentrations of malonic acid are varied to show that there is a critical stress required to trigger and restore these oscillations, and that the period and amplitude of oscillation are tunable. Leveraging this capacity to restore the functionality of the material via applied pressure, sensor applications comprising discrete BZ gels, which are capable of both visually indicating the origin of mechanical loading and transmitting this signal away from the deformation site, are demonstrated. Mechanical resuscitation of such chemical oscillations affords novel approaches to creating pressure sensors based on self‐oscillating gels.
Food deserts and nutritional risk in paraguay
Authors: Gartin Meredith 
Published: March 2012

AbstractObjectives:The purpose of this case study in San Lorenzo, Paraguay is to identify a food desert in a developing context and to test if food deserts shape residential obesity risk. This article reviews some of the debate surrounding whether food deserts really exist; and, if so, what are the dietary implications of living in a food desert.Methods:The research is an exploratory/explanatory design. The author mapped the downtown food retail district and the neighborhood food environment to identify what stores/markets. The author assessed each type of food store using an adapted version of the Nutrition Environment Measure Survey for Stores (NEMS‐S) for Paraguay. Body mass index and household characteristics were collected with 68 households in a small neighborhood; and, the author matched the NEMS‐S scores to the store reported by households as their primary grocery store for regression tests.Results:The results suggest that a tradeoff exists in the local food environment between food stores which negatively impact obesity risk for local residents. Exposure to this tradeoff appears to worsen as people live longer in the food desert. Thus, the results support the location of a food desert finding in Paraguay.Conclusions:The underlying factors of a food desert extend beyond food access to focus on the issues of justice. A way to improve upon future research to build scholarship on the relationship between deprivation and obesity requires that sample sizes are either large or representative of the population and that the research should be based on multiple neighborhood and city sites. Am. J. Hum. Biol. 2012. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Technical note: Criterion validity of whole body surface area equations: A comparison using 3D laser scanning
Authors: Daniell Nathan , Olds Timothy , Tomkinson Grant 
Published: March 2012

AbstractMeasurements of whole body surface area (WBSA) have important applications in numerous fields including biological anthropology, clinical medicine, biomechanics, and sports science. Currently, WBSA is most often estimated using predictive equations due to the complex and time consuming methods required for direct measurement. The main aim of this study was to identify whether there were significant and meaningful differences between WBSA measurements taken using a whole body three‐dimensional (3D) scanner (criterion measure) and the estimates derived from each WBSA equation identified from a systematic review. The study also aimed to determine whether differences varied according to body mass index (BMI), sex, or athletic status. Fifteen WBSA equations were compared with direct measurements taken on 1,714 young adult subjects, aged 18–30 years, using the Vitus Smart 3D whole body scanner, including 1,452 subjects (753 males, 699 females) from the general Australian population and 262 rowers (148 males, 114 females). Mixed‐design analysis of variances determined significant differences and accuracy was quantified using Bland‐Altman analysis and effect sizes. Thirteen of the 15 equations overestimated WBSA. With a few exceptions, equations were accurate with a low‐systematic error (bias ≤2%) and low‐random error (standard deviation of the differences 1.5–3.0%). However, BMI did have a substantial impact with the accuracy of some WBSA equations varying between the four BMI categories. The Shuter and Aslani: Eur J Appl Physiol 82 (2000) 250‐254 equation was identified as the most accurate equation and should be used for Western populations 18–30 years of age. Care must be taken when deciding which equation to use when estimating WBSA. Am J Phys Anthropol, 2012. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Effectiveness of high frequency heating on drying and intrinsic viscosity enhancement of recycled poly(ethylene terephthalate)
Authors: Ogasahara Minoru , Shidou Manabu , Nagata Shigeru , Yamada Kazushi , Leong Yew Wei , Hamada Hiroyuki 
Published: March 2012

AbstractThe effectiveness of a high radio frequency (HF) heating technique as a tool for drying and for enhancement of intrinsic viscosity (IV) in recycled poly(ethylene terephthalate) (R‐PET) pellets is described. R‐PET that was sourced mainly from postconsumer drinking bottles would generally attain lower molecular weight due to hydrolytic degradation when exposed to repeated thermal processing cycles and also the presence of impurities. Hence, the IV of R‐PET would be significantly lower as compared to virgin PET (V‐PET), which could affect its processability and significantly limit its application. In this study, R‐PET pellets were exposed to HF and their IV and moisture content were monitored with time. HF was found to be a less time consuming method to enhance the IV of R‐PET although it was not reliable to be used for drying purposes. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2012
Optimal random replacement models with continuously processing jobs
Authors: Chen Mingchih 
Published: March 2012

AbstractIn some practical situations, it would be impossible to conduct a replacement action for an operating system during the middle of a job and might be wise to wait until the completion of its operation. First, this paper considers age replacement policies for a system, which continuously works for multiple jobs with random working times. Next, the system can undergo minimal repairs upon failures and is replaced at the first completion of the working time over a planned time T. Finally, when a job incurs some damage to the system, the replacement model over time T is applied. The expected cost rates for these modified models are derived, and the optimal maintenance policies, which minimize the expected cost rates are obtained analytically. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Alternatives in assigning short‐term counts to seasonal adjustment factor groupings
Authors: Tsapakis Ioannis , Schneider William H. , Nichols Andrew P. , Haworth James 
Published: March 2012

SUMMARYThe precise estimation of the annual average daily traffic (AADT) is a task of significant interest for many transportation authorities and Departments of Transportation. In this study, three methods are developed to improve the assignment of short‐term counts to seasonal adjustment factor (SAF) groupings: the traditional functional classification, a discriminant analysis (DA), and a new statistical approach based on a weighted coefficient of variation (WCV). The data analyzed within this study are generated from all available continuous counters within the State of Ohio between 2002 and 2006. The analysis is conducted using SAFs that are separately calculated for the total volume and the directional specific volumes of a site. The results show that the directionally based assignment errors are statistically lower at a 95% confidence interval when compared with those generated by the total volume analysis. It is also found that the hourly time‐of‐day factors are more important in the assignment process than the average daily traffic. The directionally based WCV produces a decline in the average mean absolute percentage error (MAPE) over the roadway functional classification by 58% and in the standard deviation of the absolute error (SDAE) by 70%. On the contrary, the directionally based DA lowers the MAPE and the SDAE by 35% and 60%, respectively. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Confidence in Personal Preferences
Authors: Koriat Asher 
Published: March 2012

ABSTRACTThe first aim of this study was to test the self‐consistency model (SCM) of subjective confidence as it applies to personal preferences. According to SCM, participants presented with a two‐alternative forced‐choice (2AFC) item draw a small sample of representations of the item. Their confidence reflects the extent to which the choice is representative of the population of representations associated with the item, and the likelihood of making that choice on subsequent occasions. The second aim was to use confidence judgment as a clue to the dynamics of online preference construction. Participants were presented with 2AFC items measuring everyday personal preferences. The task was presented five times. In line with SCM, (i) when participants changed their preferences across presentations, they were systematically more confident when they made their more frequent choice; (ii) confidence in a choice in the item's first presentation predicted the likelihood of repeating that choice in subsequent presentations; (iii) despite the idiosyncratic nature of personal preferences, confidence was higher for consensual than for nonconsensual preferences; (iv) when participants predicted the preferences of others, they were also more confident when their predictions agreed with those of others; and (v) the confidence/accuracy correlation for predictions was positive for consensually correct but negative for consensually wrong predictions. These results suggest that confidence in preferences can help separate between the stable and variable contributions to preference construction in terms of the population of representations available in memory and the representations that are accessible at the time of preference solicitation, respectively. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Using ICD‐9 codes to establish prevalence of malformations in newborn infants
Authors: Holmes Lewis B. , Westgate Marie‐Noel 
Published: March 2012

AbstractBACKGROUND The International Classification of Disease (ICD‐9) codes are used to identify, after discharge, diagnoses from a review of the medical record and provide the basis for reimbursement. These codes have been used to establish the prevalence of malformations and to assess potential teratogens. We have analyzed the accuracy of codes 740 to 759.9 to identify newborn infants with malformations. METHODSThe diagnoses and ICD‐9 codes in the medical records of 1000 consecutive live‐born and stillborn infants were compared to the information provided in the medical records of those infants. RESULTSOne hundred twenty‐seven of the 1000 infants had ICD‐9 codes between 740 and 759.9. 67 (52.8%) of the codes identified minor features, such as birth marks and minor anomalies. Twenty‐three (18.1%) of the codes designated a malformation and were correct. Two types of errors were identified in another 33 infants (26%) whose codes designated a malformation: either the pediatricians' notes described a less severe finding or the fact that there was no such abnormality. In addition, four malformed infants were missed in pregnancies that were either terminated electively or stillborn, as they did not have medical records. CONCLUSIONThe ICD‐9 codes 740 to 759.9 identified accurately some infants (18%) with malformations, but identified incorrectly many others. The accuracy of the coding for identifying malformations would be improved if (1) the findings of the examining pediatricians were considered; (2) normal features of prematurity, such as patent foramen ovale and patent ductus arteriosus, were not considered malformations; (3) minor physical features were not assigned ICD‐9 codes within the 740 to 759.9 sequence. Birth Defects Research (Part A) 2012. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Klippel‐Feil syndrome in a boy exposed inadvertently to cyclophosphamide during pregnancy: A case report
Authors: Lazalde Brissia , Grijalva‐Flores Jesús , Guerrero‐Romero Fernando 
Published: March 2012

AbstractBACKGROUND Cyclophosphamide (CPA) is an alkylating agent widely used as an immunosuppressive agent in the treatment of several autoimmune diseases, including systemic lupus erythematosus. Its teratogenic effect has been well studied in different experimental mammalian and non‐mammalian animal models. In humans, 11 cases of CPA teratogenesis have been documented. CASE We present a case of a patient with Klippel‐Feil syndrome inadvertently exposed to CPA and prednisone in utero during the first trimester. CONCLUSIONS This case of possible cyclophosphamide embryopathy provides evidence of teratogenesis as an etiologic agent in developmental field defects such as Klippel‐Feil syndrome. Birth Defects Research (Part A) 2012. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Association between MTHFR polymorphisms and orofacial clefts risk: A meta‐analysis
Authors: Luo Ya L. , Cheng Yu L. , Ye Ping , Wang Wei , Gao Xiao H. , Chen Qing 
Published: March 2012

AbstractBACKGROUND The roles of C677T and A1298C polymorphisms in methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) gene in orofacial clefts (OFCs) risk have been substantially explored, but the results remain conflicting. To address this gap, we conducted a meta‐analysis involving all eligible studies. METHODS: Electronic literature searches of the PubMed, EmBase, and Medline databases were performed up to October 31, 2011. Fixed‐effects or random‐effects models were used to calculate the pooled odds ratios (ORs) for two genetic comparisons (heterozygous mutation vs. wild type, homozygous mutation vs. wild type). RESULTS A total of 18 studies were ultimately identified. The pooled results revealed no statistical association between infant and maternal C677T and A1298C variants and risk of cleft lip with or without palate (CL/P) or cleft palate only (CPO), except for the maternal 677TT genotype for CL/P, the OR was 1.32 (95% confidence interval [CI], 1.06–1.63) as compared to the normal 677CC genotype. In the subgroup analyses on CL/P data based on ethnicity and source of control subjects, almost all of the results were replicated as nonsignificant associations in both examined polymorphisms, whereas the pooled risk estimate calculated for maternal 677TT genotype in the white population remained statistically significant, with an OR of 1.36 (95% CI, 1.05–1.76). CONCLUSIONS This meta‐analysis suggests that maternal MTHFR 677TT genotype might increase the risk of having a CL/P offspring in the white population. However, these findings remain to be confirmed by additional investigations. Birth Defects Research (Part A) 2012. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Characterization of chromatin domains by 3D fluorescence microscopy: An automated methodology for quantitative analysis and nuclei screening
Authors: Cantaloube Sylvain , Romeo Kelly , Le Baccon Patricia , Almouzni Geneviève , Quivy Jean‐Pierre 
Published: March 2012

AbstractFluorescence microscopy has provided a route to qualitatively analyze features of nuclear structures and chromatin domains with increasing resolution. However, it is becoming increasingly important to develop tools for quantitative analysis. Here, we present an automated method to quantitatively determine the enrichment of several endogenous factors, immunostained in pericentric heterochromatin domains in mouse cells. We show that this method permits an unbiased characterization of changes in the enrichment of several factors with statistical significance from a large number of nuclei. Furthermore, the nuclei can be sorted according to the enrichment value of these factors. This method should prove useful to monitor events related to changes in the amount, rather than the presence or absence, of any factor. By adapting a few parameters, it could be extended to other nuclear structures and the benefit of using available software will permit its use in many biological labs.
Tissue distribution and metabolism of the putative cancer chemopreventive agent 3′,4′,5′‐trimethoxyflavonol (TMFol) in mice
Authors: Saad Shaban E. A. , Jones Donald J. L. , Norris Leonie M. , Horner‐Glister Emma , Patel Ketan R. , Britton Robert G. , Steward William P. , Gescher Andreas J. , Brown Karen , Sale Stewart 
Published: March 2012

ABSTRACT3′,4′,5′‐Trimethoxyflavonol (TMFol) is a synthetic flavonol with preclinical cancer chemopreventive properties. The hypothesis was tested that, in mice, p.o. administration of TMFol results in measureable levels of the parent in target tissues. A single oral dose (240 mg/kg) was administered to mice (n = 4 per time point) with time points ranging from 5 to 1440 min. TMFol and its metabolites were identified and quantitated in all tissues by high‐performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Plasma levels of TMFol were at the limit of quantification or below, although metabolites were identified. Peak levels of TMFol in the gastrointestinal tract and the prostate averaged 1671 ± 265 µg/g (5.3 µmol/g) and 6.0 ± 1.6 µg/g (18.4 nmol/g), and occurred 20 and 360 min post‐dose, respectively. The area under the tissue concentration–time curve (AUC) for TMFol was greater than those of the metabolites, indicating that TMFol is relatively metabolically stable. Micromolar TMFol levels are easily achieved in the prostate and gastrointestinal tract, suggesting that TMFol might exert chemopreventive efficacy at these tissue sites. Further investigations are warranted to elucidate the potential chemopreventive potency of TMFol. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.