bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
SciScope: a participatory geoscientific web application
Authors: Beran Bora , van Ingen Catharine , Fatland Dennis Robert 
Published: June 2010

AbstractThe combination of low‐cost in situ sensors, internet connectivity, and commodity computing is changing earth science research. This unprecedented data availability is enabling science synthesis; studies that span disciplines, bridge local field, modeling and remote sensing methodologies and/or span local, regional, and global scales. Data discovery, retrieval, and heterogeneity act as cyberinfrastructure barriers to synthesis. Much of the available data is discovered by serendipity or word of mouth from independent, disconnected nodes with different interfaces and semantics. Before scientific analysis, data must be harmonized to a common understandable format. As the number of publishers increase, particularly when the publishers are small groups, this problem can only worsen. We have been developing SciScope (www.sciscope.org), a search tool that aggregates data set information and presents a simple map‐based interface across diverse data publishers. SciScope unites data catalog, semantic, structural and syntactic mediation, and Geographical Information Systems (GIS) functions. The current catalog contains 1.7 million observation sites from five different sources in the United States and Australia. SciScope encourages participatory science. Data consumers can find and retrieve data sets simply as well as annotate data sets. Data contributors can register and upload data sets as well as extend the semantic mediation to enable richer data searches. SciScopes can be federated to bridge between science communities that may not be willing or able to share a single catalog. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Finite difference schemes for heat conduction analysis in integrated circuit design and manufacturing
Authors: Shen Yijiang , Wong Ngai , Lam Edmund Y. , Koh Cheng‐Kok 
Published: June 2010

AbstractThe importance of thermal effects on the reliability and performance of VLSI circuits has grown in recent years. The heat conduction problem is commonly described as a second‐order partial differential equation (PDE), and several numerical methods, including simple explicit, simple implicit and Crank–Nicolson methods, all having at most second‐order spatial accuracy, have been applied to solve the problem. This paper reviews these methods and further proposes a fourth‐order spatial‐accurate finite difference scheme to better approximate the PDE solution. Moreover, we devise a fourth‐order accurate approximation of the convection boundary condition, and apply it to the proposed finite difference scheme. We use a block cyclic reduction and a recently developed numerically stable algorithm for inversion of block‐tridiagonal and banded matrices to solve the PDE‐based system efficiently. Despite their higher computation complexity than direct computation in a sequential processor, we make it possible for the very first time to employ a divide‐and‐conquer algorithm, viable for parallel computation, in heat conduction analysis. Experimental results prove such possibility, suggesting that applying divide‐and‐conquer algorithms, higher‐order finite difference schemes can achieve better simulation accuracy with even faster speed and less memory requirement than conventional methods. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Design of a two‐output forward converter with an output voltage objective function
Authors: Lo Yu‐Kang , Chen Jun‐Ting , Song Tze‐Herng , Ou Sheng‐Yuan 
Published: June 2010

AbstractA new method is proposed in this paper to distribute the steady‐state output voltage errors in a two‐output forward converter. The cross regulation between the two output voltages are described in terms of the circuit parameters. An objective function is formed for each of the two outputs to track its reference within the specified error. The legitimate duty cycle range is located through the transfer characteristics between the duty cycle and the load currents. The weighting feedback gains of the two output voltages can be determined by the presented control scheme which optimizes the objective function. The proposed method is suitable for a two‐output system without a dominant load. Experiments on a prototype are conducted to show that there exist a duty cycle range and a set of weighted feedback gains minimizing the defined objective function. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
An efficient traffic control system using dynamic thresholding techniques in wireless mesh networks
Authors: Lin P. J. , Dow C. R. , Hsuan P. , Hwang S. F. 
Published: June 2010

AbstractWireless mesh networks (WMNs) depend on a resilient and high‐performance infrastructure to provide users pervasive Internet access. In WMNs, all Internet traffic will be forwarded to the Internet gateways. Hence, these gateways are generally bottleneck nodes. This work proposes a traffic control technique to reduce the bottleneck problem and increase the utilization of network resources. Our approach provides a traffic control strategy that exploits dynamic techniques to adjust the threshold according to the traffic load of each gateway. The base threshold is defined in order to effectively control the traffic. When the current load exceeds the threshold of a gateway, the traffic redirection strategy is implemented by switching border nodes. The service regions can be adjusted for each gateway based on the traffic load. Furthermore, the proposed dynamic thresholding approaches can distribute the workloads of gateways and maintain the thresholds of any two gateways within a level range, making an in‐band balance of load. Thus, our proposed scheme can handle the unnecessary traffic redirection and reduce the traffic control overhead for various distributions of traffic. Experimental results demonstrate that our scheme outperforms other schemes in terms of packet delivery ratio and efficiency, especially in bursty traffic environments. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Mobilead hocnetwork broadcasting: A multi‐criteria approach
Authors: Barritt Brian J. , Sheikh Shaya , Al‐Najjar Camelia , Malakooti Behnam 
Published: June 2010

AbstractNodes in a computer network often require a copy of a message to be delivered to every node in the network. The network layer can provide such a service, referred to as network‐wide broadcast routing or simply ‘broadcasting’. Broadcasting has many applications, including its role as a service to many routing protocols. In a mobilead hocnetwork (MANET), simplistic broadcast schemes (such as flooding) inundate the network with redundancy, contention, collision, and unnecessary use of energy resources. This can prevent broadcasts from achieving their primary objective of maximizing delivery ratio, while also considering secondary objectives, such as balancing energy resources or reducing the network's burden on congested or busy nodes. As a solution, we propose multiple‐criteria broadcasting (MCB). In MCB, the source of each broadcast specifies the importance assigned to broadcast objectives. Network nodes use these priorities, along with local and neighbor knowledge of distributed factors, to broadcast in accordance with the objective priorities attributed to the message. Usingns2, the performance of MCB is evaluated and compared to that of other broadcast protocols. To present knowledge, MCB constitutes the first reconfigurable, multi‐objective approach to broadcasting. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Myocardial perfusion scintigraphy in asymptomatic diabetic patients: a critical review
Authors: Moralidis E. , Didangelos T. , Arsos G. , Athyros V. , Mikhailidis D. P. 
Published: June 2010

AbstractThe increasing prevalence of diabetes mellitus and the associated high cardiovascular risk has made the non‐invasive identification of silent coronary heart disease in diabetic individuals an important issue. This strategy could identify higher risk asymptomatic patients with diabetes mellitus in whom coronary revascularization may improve the outcome beyond that achieved by currently recommended medical management. Stress myocardial perfusion imaging has been shown to be effective in detecting coronary heart disease and predicting adverse cardiac events in asymptomatic diabetic patients. However, the clinical utility of myocardial perfusion scintigraphy is debated intensively due to the paucity of prospective and outcome based evidence. The controversy stems from several observational studies, epidemiologic data and cost‐effectiveness analyses. Thus, although several authors and professional organizations advocate the use of stress imaging for screening higher risk asymptomatic diabetic patients, others are cautious in recommending any kind of stress testing in that population. This review is based on a broad survey of the literature and discusses the potential role of stress myocardial perfusion scintigraphy in screening asymptomatic diabetic subjects for coronary heart disease in the current era and in relation with other non‐invasive screening tools. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The roles of NADPH‐oxidase and nNOS for the increased oxidative stress and the oxygen consumption in the diabetic kidney
Authors: Edlund Jenny , Fasching Angelica , Liss Per , Hansell Peter , Palm Fredrik 
Published: June 2010

AbstractBackgroundSustained hyperglycaemia induces increased renal oxygen consumption resulting in reduced oxygen availability in the diabetic kidney. We investigated the roles of the nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADPH)‐oxidase and the neuronal nitric oxide synthase (nNOS) for the increased oxygen consumption in streptozotocin‐diabetic rats.MethodsOxygen consumption was measured in isolated proximal tubular cells (PTC) from streptozotocin‐induced diabetic rats (n = 7–9 per group) with and without chronic treatment with apocynin, a NADPH‐oxidase inhibitor, or S‐methyl‐L‐thiocitrulline (SMTC), a selective nNOS inhibitor, or a combination of the two and the results were compared to normoglycaemic controls (n = 10). Oxidative stress was estimated from thiobarbituric acid reactive substances and protein expression measured by Western blot.ResultsProximal tubular cells from untreated diabetic rats had increased oxygen consumption compared to controls (40.6 ± 7.9 versus 10.9 ± 2.0 nmol/mg protein/min). All treatments reduced the diabetes‐induced increase in oxygen consumption (apocynin 10.5 ± 1.7, SMTC 19.7 ± 3.0 and apocynin + SMTC 21.6 ± 3.6 nmol/mg protein/min). Neither apocynin nor SMTC had any effect on the oxygen consumption in cells pre‐incubated with ouabain, an inhibitor of active electrolyte transport. Oxidative stress was elevated in the diabetic kidney and inhibited by all treatments. The increased oxygen consumption by diabetic proximal tubular cells correlated with increased protein expressions of p47phox and nNOS and the treatments prevented these increases.ConclusionsDiabetes induces oxidative stress, which increases oxygen consumption in proximal tubular cells. Inhibition of either NADPH‐oxidase or nNOS prevented the increased oxygen consumption. The effect of blocking both these enzymes was less than additive suggesting overlapping pathways which warrant further studies. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Bismuth‐Coated Reticulated Vitreous Carbon and Bismuth‐Coated Glassy Carbon Electrodes for On‐Line Coupling of ASV with ICP‐MS
Authors: Liu Lin , Do Huy N. L. , Wang Jianxiu , Zhou Feimeng 
Published: June 2010

AbstractAnodic stripping voltammetry (ASV) has been combined on‐line with inductively coupled plasma‐mass spectrometry (ICP‐MS) using both Bi‐coated reticulated vitreous carbon (RVC) and Bi‐coated glassy carbon (GC) disk electrodes. Because the same flow cell is used for the RVC and GC disk electrodes, the analytical performances between these two types of Bi‐coated electrodes can be accurately compared for their utilizations in the ASV‐ICP‐MS technique. Comparison of the performances includes signal enhancement, reproducibility, dynamic range, and hydrodynamic stability of the Bi coating. The results indicate that the signal enhancement produced by the Bi‐coated RVC electrode (in the flow‐through configuration) is greater, while the hydrodynamic stability of the Bi‐coated GC disk electrode is better. Both types of electrodes were found to be highly effective in eliminating the matrix effects that are detrimental to ICP‐MS analysis. For the purpose of metal preconcentration, Bi has similar properties to Hg (e.g., high hydrogen overpotential and ability to accumulate a range of analytes). However, the Bi film is more robust than the Hg film in a flow system and, unlike Hg2+, Bi3+ in the solution does not cause the memory effect (i.e., it does not adhere onto glass nebulizer and spray chamber of ICP over a long period of time). The nontoxicity of bismuth also makes it an environmentally friendly alternative to mercury for coupling ASV on‐line with ICP‐based techniques.
Suppression of Potential Oscillations in PEFCs by Using Anode Catalyst Prepared by Polygonal Barrel‐Sputtering Method
Authors: Inoue M. , Hirakawa K. , Umeda M. , Abe T. 
Published: June 2010

AbstractIn this study, we investigated the suppression of potential oscillations that occur while feeding H2 gas including a large amount of CO to polymer electrolyte fuel cells. A carbon‐supported Pt–Ru alloy (Pt–Ru/C) sample was prepared by the polygonal barrel‐sputtering method. Electrochemical measurement was conducted in 1 N H2SO4 electrolyte solution saturated with H2 gas including CO of 1,000 ppm. From the measurement, it was found that the prepared Pt–Ru/C sample showed higher CO tolerance than a commercially available sample, and therefore, potential oscillations in the case of the prepared sample occurred for slightly longer intervals. Additional samples were prepared by sputtering different amounts of Ru on the prepared Pt–Ru/C sample, and it was observed that the average interval of potential oscillations increased with the amount of Ru. This result suggests that in the case of the polygonal barrel‐sputtering method, Ru plays an important role in suppressing potential oscillations and influences the CO tolerance of Pt–Ru/C.
A Molecular Dynamics Study on the Oxygen Diffusion in Doped Fluorites: The Effect of the Dopant Distribution
Authors: Tarancón A. , Morata A. , Peiró F. , Dezanneau G. 
Published: June 2010

AbstractThe effect of the dopant distribution on the oxygen diffusion in doped fluorites typically used for solid oxide fuel cells electrolyte applications has been analysed by using molecular dynamics simulations. The oxygen mass transport in both yttria‐stabilized zirconia (YSZ) and gadolinia‐doped ceria has been studied and compared in the range of temperatures between 1,159 and 1,959 K. A new methodology based on the analysis of local environments is used to describe the diffusion process at an atomic scale. Preferred vacancy migration pathways, most suitable conduction models, energy landscapes and jump efficiency have been detailed for each material. Finally, a particular case of non‐random distribution of dopants in YSZ is presented in order to quantitatively evaluate the effect of the dopant pattern on the mass transport properties and the potential of the methodology developed here for understanding and foreseeing real configurations at the nanoscale.
Contribution of case‐mix classification to profiling hospital characteristics and productivity
Authors: Kuwabara Kazuaki , Matsuda Shinya , Fushimi Kiyohide , Ishikawa Koichi B. , Horiguchi Hiromasa , Hayashida Kenshi , Fujimori Kenji 
Published: June 2010

SUMMARYCase‐mix classification has made it possible to analyze acute care delivery case volumes and resources. Data arising from observed differences have a role in planning health policy. Aggregated length of hospital stay (LOS) and total charges (TC) as measures of resource use were calculated from 34 case‐mix groups at 469 hospitals (1 721 274 eligible patients). The difference between mean resource use of all hospitals and the mean resource use of each hospital was subdivided into three components: amount of variation attributable to hospital practice behavior (efficiency); amount attributable to hospital case‐mix (complexity); and amount attributable to the interaction. Hospital characteristics were teaching status (academic or community), ownership, disease coverage, patients, and hospital volume. Multivariate analysis was employed to determine the impact of hospital characteristics on efficiency. Mean LOS and TC were greater for academic than community hospitals. Academic hospitals were least associated with LOS and TC efficiency. Low disease coverage was a predictor of TC efficiency while low patient volume was a predictor of unnecessarily long hospital stays. There was an inverse correlation between complexity and efficiency for both LOS and TC. Policy makers should acknowledge that differentiation of hospital function needs careful consideration when measuring efficiency. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Evaluation and integration of soil salinity and water data for improved land use of underproductive coastal area in Orissa
Authors: Das Madhumita , Sethi R. R. , Sahoo N. 
Published: June 2010

AbstractCoastal agriculture in Orissa is predominantly rainfed and hence vulnerable owing to uncertain distribution of rainfall over time. Lack of irrigation support and salt stress affect crop growth and reduce yield as well. Good quality aquifer and low‐saline soil are available but vary spatially. Promoting potential use of spatially varied resources, precise assessment of soil and water quality at micro‐level is therefore imperative. In this study the soil salt stress, availability and quality of underground aquifers at different sites were evaluated in the neighbourhood area of Chilika, the largest brackish water lagoon of Asia. Integrating soil salinity, soil moisture content, aquifer availability and quality, various farming strategies specific to different sites were developed. These could trigger 1.59 to 2 times more production from its present level in that area. Where there is a diverse occurrence of resources, a precise estimation of those resources' potentials thus provides keys to develop cost‐effective options for improving production in an underproductive area. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Comparative study on the influence of subcutaneous administration of diphenyl and dicholesteroyl diselenides on sulphydryl proteins and antioxidant parameters in mice
Authors: Kade I. J. , Rocha J. B. T. 
Published: June 2010

AbstractAlthough in vitro data from our previous studies show that the antioxidant effect and reactions of both diphenyl diselenide (DPDS) and dicholesteroyl diselenide (DCDS) towards thiol‐containing proteins differ considerably, the present study sought to evaluate the interaction of both organodiselenides with thiol‐containing proteins in vivo. Mice were injected subcutaneously with DPDS or DCDS previously dissolved in soya bean oil at doses of 0.5 mmol kg−1 body weight for four consecutive days. The activities of delta aminolevulinic acid dehydratase (ALA‐D), Na+/K+‐ATPase, and isoforms of lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) and catalase were investigated. In addition, the antioxidant status of the mice was determined by measuring the levels of glutathione (GSH), vitamin C (Vit C) and thiobarbituric acid reactive substances. The results show that both diselenides significantly increased the levels of GSH and Vit C but did not markedly alter other antioxidant indices. With respect to the thiol‐containing enzymes that were evaluated, DPDS and not DCDS caused a marked reduction in the activities of hepatic ALA‐D; however, both diselenides inhibited all isoforms of LDH evaluated. In addition, the activities of cerebral Na+/K+‐ATPase were not markedly inhibited by both diselenides, suggesting that this cerebral enzyme may not be a molecular target of organodiselenides toxicity. Taken together, the pharmacological and toxicological chemistry of organoselenium compounds is complex and multifactorial and is dependent on delicate equations which include vehicle solution, animal species and mode of delivery. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Skin sensitization, false positives and false negatives: experience with guinea pig assays
Authors: Basketter David A. , Kimber Ian 
Published: June 2010

AbstractThe advent of the local lymph node assay (LLNA), and efforts to develop in vitro alternatives for the identification of skin sensitizing chemicals has focused attention on the issue of false positive and false negative results. In essence, the question becomes ‘what is the gold standard?’ In this context, attention has focused primarily on the LLNA as this is now the preferred assay for skin sensitization testing. However, for many years prior to introduction of the LLNA, the guinea pig maximization test and the occluded patch test of Buehler were the methods of choice. In order to encourage a more informed dialogue about the relative performance, accuracy and applicability of the LLNA and guinea pig tests, we have here considered the extent to which guinea pig methods were themselves subject to false positives and negative results. We describe and discuss here well‐characterized examples of instances where both false negatives (including abietic acid and eugenol) or false positives (including vanillin and sulfanilic acid) have been recorded in guinea pig tests. These and other examples are discussed with particular reference to the fabrication of a gold standard dataset that is required for the validation of in vitro alternatives. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Ion channels in toxicology
Authors: Restrepo‐Angulo Iván , De Vizcaya‐Ruiz Andrea , Camacho Javier 
Published: June 2010

AbstractIon channels play essential roles in human physiology and toxicology. Cardiac contraction, neural transmission, temperature sensing, insulin release, regulation of apoptosis, cellular pH and oxidative stress, as well as detection of active compounds from chilli, are some of the processes in which ion channels have an important role. Regulation of ion channels by several chemicals including those found in air, water and soil represents an interesting potential link between environmental pollution and human diseases; for instance,de novoexpression of ion channels in response to exposure to carcinogens is being considered as a potential tool for cancer diagnosis and therapy. Non‐specific binding of several drugs to ion channels is responsible for a huge number of undesirable side‐effects, and testing guidelines for several drugs now require ion channel screening for pharmaceutical safety. Animal toxins targeting human ion channels have serious effects on the population and have also provided a remarkable tool to study the molecular structure and function of ion channels. In this review, we will summarize the participation of ion channels in biological processes extensively used in toxicological studies, including cardiac function, apoptosis and cell proliferation. Major findings on the adverse effects of drugs on ion channels as well as the regulation of these proteins by different chemicals, including some pesticides, are also reviewed. Association of ion channels and toxicology in several biological processes strongly suggests these proteins to be excellent candidates to follow the toxic effects of xenobiotics, and as potential early indicators of life‐threatening situations including chronic degenerative diseases. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.