bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
High performance HTLNR/epoxy blend—Phase morphology and thermo‐mechanical properties
Authors: Mathew Viju Susan , Jyotishkumar P. , George Soney.C. , Gopalakrishnan Preetha , Delbreilh Laurent , Saiter Jean Marc , Saikia Prakash J. , Thomas Sabu 
Published: December 2011

AbstractAn attempt was made to toughen diglycidyl ether of bisphenol A (DGEBA) type epoxy resin with liquid natural rubber possessing hydroxyl functionality (HTLNR). Epon 250 epoxy monomer is cured using nadic methyl anhydride as hardener in presence of N, N dimethyl benzyl amine as accelerator. HTLNR of different concentrations up to 20 wt % is used as modifier for epoxy resin. The addition HTLNR to an anhydride hardener/epoxy monomer mixture has given rise to the formation of phase‐separated structure, consisting of small spherical liquid natural rubber particles bonded to the surrounding epoxy matrix. The particle size increased with increase in rubber content. The viscoelastic properties of the blends were analyzed using dynamic mechanical thermal analysis. The Tg corresponding to epoxy rich phase was evident from the dynamic mechanical spectrum, while the Tg of the rubber phase was overlapped by the β relaxation of epoxy phase. Glass transition of the epoxy phase decreased linearly as a function of the amount of rubber. The mechanical properties such as impact and fracture toughness were also carefully examined. The impact and fracture toughness increase with HTLNR content. A threefold increase in impact strength was observed with 15 wt % HTLNR/epoxy blend. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2012
An integrated bioanalytical method development and validation approach: case studies
Authors: Xue Y.‐J. , Melo Brian , Vallejo Martha , Zhao Yuwen , Tang Lina , Chen Yuan‐Shek , Keller Karin M. 
Published: December 2011

ABSTRACTWe proposed an integrated bioanalytical method development and validation approach: (1) method screening based on analyte's physicochemical properties and metabolism information to determine the most appropriate extraction/analysis conditions; (2) preliminary stability evaluation using both quality control and incurred samples to establish sample collection, storage and processing conditions; (3) mock validation to examine method accuracy and precision and incurred sample reproducibility; and (4) method validation to confirm the results obtained during method development. This integrated approach was applied to the determination of compound I in rat plasma and compound II in rat and dog plasma. The effectiveness of the approach was demonstrated by the superior quality of three method validations: (1) a zero run failure rate; (2) >93% of quality control results within 10% of nominal values; and (3) 99% incurred sample within 9.2% of the original values. In addition, rat and dog plasma methods for compound II were successfully applied to analyze more than 900 plasma samples obtained from Investigational New Drug (IND) toxicology studies in rats and dogs with near perfect results: (1) a zero run failure rate; (2) excellent accuracy and precision for standards and quality controls; and (3) 98% incurred samples within 15% of the original values. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Characterization of female germ‐like cells derived from mouse embryonic stem cells through expression of GFP under the control of Figla promoter
Authors: Hu Yue , Sun Junwei , Wang Jing , Wang Long , Bai Yaofu , Yu Meng , Lian Zhimin , Zhang Shanshan , Hua Jinlian 
Published: December 2011

AbstractPrevious studies have demonstrated that germ cells can be derived from mouse embryonic stem cells (ESCs). However, there is still no efficient system, which can visualize the stage of germ cell specification in vitro, and further to identify and enrich germ cells derived from ESCs. Figla (factor in the germline, alpha) gene encodes a germ cell specific transcription factor that coordinates the expression of the oocyte‐specific zona pellucida (Zp) genes and is essential for folliculogenesis in mouse. Here, we first constructed a pFigla‐EGFP recombinant plasmid that expressed enhanced green fluorescent protein (EGFP) under the control of Figla promoter, and generated and characterized an ESC line stably carrying this pFigla‐EGFP reporter construct. Then the ESCs were induced to differentiate into female germ‐like cells by culturing adherent embryoid bodies (EBs) in retinoic acid (RA) induction medium or transplanting ESCs under the kidney capsule with ovarian cells. A population of differentiated ESCs expressed GFP, and these cells were analyzed by RT‐PCR and immunofluorescence. The GFP positive cells showed the expression of germ cell markers Vasa, meiotic specific gene Stra8, Scp3, oocyte markers Gdf9, Zp3 and Figla, indicating that this method could be used for the purification and selection of female germ cells. Our study establishes a new selective system of female germ‐like cell derivation and offers an approach for further research on the development and the differentiation of germ cells derived from stem cells. J. Cell. Biochem. 113: 1111–1121, 2012. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Ars2 is overexpressed in human cholangiocarcinomas and its depletion increases PTEN and PDCD4 by decreasing microRNA‐21
Authors: He Qian , Cai Lei , Shuai Ling , Li Dajiang , Wang Cheng , Liu Yongkang , Li Xiaowu , Li Zhihua , Wang Shuguang 
Published: December 2011

AbstractDue to the lack of effective diagnostic tools, most patients with cholangiocarcinoma (CCA) have no chance of surgical resection. Ars2 is a protein that was reported to be important for microRNA (miR) biogenesis, and its depletion can reduce the levels of several miRs, including miR‐21, which is overexpressed in CCAs. We hypothesized that Ars2 was also present in CCAs and could be an early diagnostic marker. In our experiments, Ars2, PTEN, PDCD4, and miR‐21 were evaluated in 18 CCAs and paired normal tissues. ShArs2, miR‐21 mimics, and Ars2 were transfected into CCA and bile duct epithelial cells either alone or together. Cell proliferation, tumorigenicity analysis and expression changes of Ars2, PTEN, PDCD4, and miR‐21 were evaluated. We found that both Ars2 and miR‐21 were overexpressed, with 95% sensitivity and 100% specificity, and an ROC of 0.995 in distinguishing between CCAs and paired normal tissues by qRT‐PCR. PTEN and PDCD4 were reversed in immunohistochemistry, but no difference was observed using qRT‐PCR. The knockdown of Ars2 in CCA cells decreased the level of miR‐21, inhibited cell proliferation and prevented tumor formation in nude mice. Ars2 knockdown also led to an increase in both PTEN and PDCD4 protein levels. Both proteins decreased when the miR‐21 mimic was con‐transfected. However, the overexpression of Ars2 alone could not get the opposite results. Based on our data, we conclude that Ars2 is overexpressed in human CCA and may be a diagnostic marker. Ars2 depletion increases PTEN and PDCD4 protein levels via the reduction of miR‐21. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Use of simulated annealing for the design of multiple repetition time balanced steady‐state free precession imaging
Authors: Lee Kuan J. , Lee Hsu‐Lei , Hennig Jürgen , Leupold Jochen 
Published: December 2011

AbstractBalanced steady‐state free precession is an ultrafast sequence with high signal‐to‐noise efficiency, but it also generates a strong fat signal which can mask important features. One method of fat suppression is to modify the balanced steady‐state free precession spectrum using multiple repetition times to create a wide stopband over the fat frequency. However, with three or more pulse repetition times, the number of parameters creates a vast search space with many local minima of a cost function. We report on the initial results of using simulated annealing to find optimal sequences for two applications of multiple‐pulse repetition time balanced steady‐state free precession: positive contrast imaging and fat suppression. Magn Reson Med, 2012. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Pulmonary function vascular index predicts prognosis in idiopathic interstitial pneumonia
Authors: CORTE TAMERA J. , WORT STEPHEN J. , MACDONALD PETER S. , EDEY ANTHONY , HANSELL DAVID M. , RENZONI ELISABETTA , MAHER TOBY M. , NICHOLSON ANDREW G. , BANDULA STEVEN , BRESSER PAUL , WELLS ATHOL U. 
Published: December 2011

ABSTRACTBackground and objective:  Pulmonary hypertension (PH) is associated with increased mortality in fibrotic idiopathic interstitial pneumonia (IIP). We hypothesize that baseline KCO (diffusing capacity of carbon monoxide/alveolar volume) and 6‐month decline in KCO reflect PH, thus predicting mortality in IIP.Methods:  All IIP referrals (2004–2007) were identified (n = 269). 192 had pulmonary function at 6 months. Fifty‐two (27%) died during follow‐up (median 22.5 months). Outcome was evaluated for early (1 year from 6‐month pulmonary function) and overall mortality. A vascular index best predicting mortality was identified (using baseline and 6‐month decline in KCO) and evaluated against PH at echocardiography.Results:  Baseline and 6‐month decline in KCO were associated with early and overall mortality. A positive vascular index (baseline KCO% ≤ 50% and/or ≥15% decline in KCO at 6 months; n = 40) was strongly predictive of early and overall mortality. Neither a diagnosis of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis nor PH predicted early death when incorporated into this model. In patients without baseline PH, with follow‐up echocardiography (n = 60), a positive vascular index was associated with PH at follow‐up.Conclusions:  A vascular index comprised of baseline and 6‐month decline in KCO strongly predicted increased mortality and development of PH on echocardiography. In, KCO may be an important marker for pulmonary vascular disease and its associated mortality.
Not All Elderly People Benefit From Vitamin D Supplementation with Respect to Physical Function: Results From the Osteoporotic Fractures in Men Study, Hong Kong
Authors: Chan Ruth , Chan Dicken , Woo Jean , Ohlsson Claes , Mellström Dan , Kwok Timothy , Leung Ping Chung 
Published: December 2011

ObjectivesTo examine vitamin D status and its association with physical performance and muscle mass in older Chinese men.DesignCross‐sectional and prospective cohort study design.SettingHong Kong, People's of Republic of China.ParticipantsNine hundred thirty‐nine community‐dwelling men aged 65 and older for cross‐sectional analysis and 714 for longitudinal analysis.MeasurementsBaseline serum 25‐hydroxyvitamin D (25OHD) was measured using a competitive radioimmunoassay kit. Baseline and 4‐year physical performance measures (grip strength, 6‐m walking speed, step length in a 6‐m walk, time to complete five chair stands) were measured, and appendicular skeletal muscle mass (ASM) was assessed using dual‐energy X‐ray absorptiometry. Data were collected for confounding factors: demographic, number of diseases, smoking, alcohol use, body mass index, physical activity, diet, season of blood sampling, and serum parathyroid hormone (PTH) level. Multivariate regression analyses were performed with adjustments for confounding factors.ResultsMean ± standard deviation serum 25OHD level of this sample of Chinese community‐dwelling older men who had a high level of baseline physical function was 77.9 ± 20.5 nmol/L; 94.1% of participants had serum 25OHD levels of 50 nmol/L or greater. Median (interquartile range) serum PTH level was 4.1 pmol/L (3.1–5.5 pmol/L). After adjustment for potential confounding factors, serum 25OHD levels were not associated with baseline or 4‐year change in physical performance measures and ASM.ConclusionIn Chinese older men who are vitamin D replete and have a high level of baseline physical function, vitamin D may not have an important role in physical function and muscle mass.
Bioenergy: Experiences from Both Sides of the Atlantic  Bioénergies : expériences des deux côtés de l’Atlantique  Bioenergie: Erfahrungen diesseits und jenseits des Atlantiks
Authors: Blandford David , Surry Yves 
Published: December 2011

summaryBioenergy: Experiences from Both Sides of the AtlanticEnergy is essential for the material well‐being of the world’s population. Global usage is predicted to double between now and 2050. Continued reliance on fossil fuels will make it very difficult to reduce emissions of greenhouse gases that contribute to global warming and bioenergy is viewed by many to be part of the solution. However, the world will also face increasing pressure on land and water resources due to population and income growth and the resulting higher demand for food and fibre. As a result there are big questions concerning how important bioenergy can and should be. The articles in this special issue focus on policy issues in the development of bioenergy in the EU and the US. They explore biofuels, biogas and bioelectricity and evidence on economic impacts and environmental linkages. Bioenergy has the potential to play a modest role in ensuring future global sustainability, but is unlikely to be a panacea. It will be difficult to wean those involved in bioenergy from the current excessive reliance on subsidies and command‐and‐control mechanisms. Getting the price of energy right – reflecting its true scarcity and environmental cost – is critical but presents a major challenge.
Economic Impact of Bioenergy Development  Some evidence from Europe and the US Incidence économique du développement des bioénergies  Quelques constats en Europe et aux États‐Unis Wirtschaftliche Auswirkungen der Entwicklung im Bereich Bioenergie  Belege aus Europa und den USA
Authors: Steininger Karl , Wojan Tim 
Published: December 2011

summaryEconomic Impact of Bioenergy Development Some evidence from Europe and the USIn many countries there is considerable interest in the implications of bioenergy development for value added (income) and employment. This can be examined by using ex ante and ex post analysis. Existing multi‐sector studies for Austria generally point to a positive ex ante net effect for value added and employment – at least for major bioenergy crops and technologies. However, estimates can vary widely depending on assumptions about economic linkages and causality. Estimated effects are smaller when account is taken of the effect of higher energy costs on economic activity and the diversion of public funds from other uses. Impacts are likely to be stronger in rural areas than at the national level, because of the location of much of primary bioenergy activity in those areas. Ex post assessment for US ethanol refineries points to an employment multiplier close to the anticipated value of four derived from ex ante analysis. However, the ex post estimate has a high standard error. This implies that there is substantial uncertainty about the true employment impact of ethanol biorefineries in rural areas. One reason for the apparent variability may be differing effects of bioenergy development on rural wages and land prices.
Environmental Dimensions of Bioenergy Development  Les dimensions environnementales du développement des bioénergies  Ökologische Dimensionen in der Entwicklung im Bereich Bioenergie
Authors: Marshall Elizabeth , Weinberg Marca , Wunder Stephanie , Kaphengst Timo 
Published: December 2011

SummaryEnvironmental Dimensions of Bioenergy DevelopmentA major impetus for the development of bioenergy in the US and Europe has been the search for alternatives to fossil fuels, particularly those used in transportation. While bioenergy has the potential to be more environmentally friendly, particularly in terms of reducing greenhouse gas emissions, it may also have unintended negative consequences. Characterising and quantifying the relationship between bioenergy production and the environment poses a considerable challenge. Much of the focus has been on the implications of expanded use of biofuels. The US and EU have dealt with the challenges posed by biofuel policies in different ways and there are concerns that the accounting of environmental effects remains incomplete. The development of integrated assessments covering such factors as soil productivity, water quantity and quality, biodiversity and ecosystem resilience, and wildlife habitat, in addition to greenhouse gas emissions could provide a more comprehensive picture of the environmental implications of bioenergy development. In combination with an improved assessment of the effects of indirect land use change in other countries and an expansion of sustainability criteria to biomass production in general, this could help in integrating energy, agricultural, environmental and international trade policies to develop renewable energy in a sustainable way.
Treatment-Related Protein Biomarker Expression Differs between Primary and Recurrent Ovarian Carcinomas
Authors: Zajchowski Deborah A. , Karlan Beth Y. , Shawver Laura K. 
Published: December 2011

Abstract
The molecular characteristics of recurrent ovarian cancers following chemotherapy treatment have been poorly characterized. Such knowledge could impact salvage therapy selection. Since 2008, we have profiled 168 patients' ovarian cancers to determine the expression of proteins that may predict chemotherapy response or are targets for drugs that are in clinical trials for ovarian cancer treatment. Expression of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), HER2, VEGF, ER, c-Met, IGF1R, Ki67, COX2, PGP/MDR1, BCRP, MRP1, excision repair complementation group 1 (ERCC1), MGMT, TS, RRM1, TOPO1, TOP2A, and SPARC was measured by immunohistochemical analyses at Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments–certified laboratories. Our univariate analysis of 56 primary and 50 recurrent tumors from patients with advanced stage ovarian serous carcinoma revealed that PGP and ERCC1 were significantly upregulated in recurrent lesions (P &lt; 0.05). To determine whether these or any of the other markers were differentially expressed in specimens obtained from the same individual at diagnosis and at recurrence, we analyzed 43 matched tumor specimens from 19 advanced stage ovarian carcinoma patients. We confirmed the expression differences in PGP and ERCC1 that were observed in the cohort analysis but discovered that the expression levels of BCRP, RRM1, and COX2 were also discordant in more than 40% of the matched tumor specimens. These results may have implications both for the use of biomarkers in therapy selection as well as for their discovery and validation. Expression of these and other candidate response biomarkers must be evaluated in much larger studies and, if confirmed, support the need for profiling of recurrent tumor specimens in future clinical trials. Mol Cancer Ther; 11(2); 492–502. ©2011 AACR.
Preliminary comp arison of helical tomotherapy and mixed beams of unmodulated electrons and intensity modulated radiation therapy for treating superficial cancers of the parotid gland and nasal cavity
Authors: Blasi Olivier , Fontenot Jonas D , Fields Robert S , Gibbons John P , Hogstrom Kenneth R 
Published: December 2011

Abstract

Background and Purpose
To investigate combining unmodulated electron beams with intensity-modulated radiation therapy to improve dose distributions for superficial head and neck cancers, and to compare mixed beam plans with helical tomotherapy.

Materials and methods
Mixed beam and helical tomotherapy dose plans were developed for two patients with parotid gland tumors and two patients with nasal cavity tumors. Mixed beam plans consisted of various weightings of a enface electron beam and IMRT, which was optimized after calculation of the electron dose to compensate for heterogeneity in the electron dose distribution within the target volume.

Results
Helical tomotherapy plans showed dose conformity and homogeneity in the target volume that was equal to or better than the mixed beam plans. Electron-only plans tended to show the lowest doses to normal tissues, but with markedly worse dose conformity and homogeneity than in the other plans. However, adding a 20% IMRT dose fraction (i.e., IMRT:electron weighting = 1:4) to the electron plan restored target conformity and homogeneity to values comparable to helical tomotherapy plans, while maintaining lower normal tissue dose.

Conclusions
Mixed beam treatments offer some dosimetric advantages over IMRT or helical tomotherapy for target depths that do not exceed the useful range of the electron beam. Adding a small IMRT component (e.g., IMRT:electron weighting = 1:4) to electron beam plans markedly improved target dose homogeneity and conformity for the cases examined in this study.
Intelligent Estimation of Downhole Pressure Using a Simple Hydraulic Model
Authors: Kaasa G. , Stamnes O. N. , Imsland L. , Aamo O. M. 
Published: December 2011

Abstract
An essential part of an automated MPD control system is the hydraulic model, which in many cases is the limiting factor for achievable accuracy of the system. A lot of effort has therefore been put into developing advanced hydraulic models that capture all aspects of the drilling fluid hydraulics. However, a main drawback is the resulting complexity of these models, which require expert knowledge to set up and calibrate, making it a high-end solution.
In practice, much of the complexity does not contribute to improve the overall accuracy of the pressure estimate, simply because conditions in the well changes during MPD operations, and there are not enough measurements to keep all of the parameter of an advanced model calibrated.
We will demonstrate that a simplified hydraulic model based on basic fluid dynamics is able to capture the dominating hydraulics of an MPD system. Furthermore, we will demonstrate that by applying algorithms for online parameter estimation, similar to those used in advanced control systems in the automotive and aerospace industry, the model can be calibrated automatically using existing measurements to achieve a level of accuracy comparable to that of an advanced hydraulic model. The results are demonstrated using field data from MPD operations in the North Sea, and dedicated experiments obtainedat a full-scale drilling rig in Stavanger.
The Interrelationship between Estimated Tax Payments and Taxpayer Compliance
Authors: Feltham Glenn D. , Paquette Suzanne M. 
Published: December 2011

This paper examines taxpayers' compliance behavior and the tax agency's audit decision in a broader, more realistic, setting. Whereas prior research has taken the taxpayer's prepayment position as exogenous, this study extends the literature by incorporating the estimated tax payment decision into a tax compliance game. A two-period game-theoretic model is used to examine the effect that the estimated tax payment rules have on taxpayers' incentives to evade and on the tax agency's audit strategy.
Our primary results are as follows. First, in equilibrium taxpayers' estimated tax payment decision will depend upon the uncertainty about their true tax liability, and the cost from overpayment (the taxpayer's cost of capital) or underpayment (penalty interest) of installments of estimated tax. Second, under reasonable assumptions, high-type taxpayers who make higher installments of estimated tax are less likely to lie about their level of income than those who make lower installments—that is, taxpayers who pay low are more likely to evade. Third, the tax agency audits taxpayers who have made low reports and low estimated tax payments with a higher probability than those who have made high estimated tax payments. The gain to the tax agency from auditing taxpayers who make lower payments and evade arises not only from the penalties charged for evasion, but also from the interest charged on deficient installments of estimated tax.