bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Design study to investigate the effect of curvature on gradient coil performance for localized regions of interest
Authors: Harris C.T. , Handler W.B. , Chronik B.A. 
Published: April 2012

AbstractIn this study, a boundary element method has been implemented to design and analyze the performance of curved gradient coil geometries as a function of the degree of curvature over all three axes, with designs varying continuously from planar to full cylindrical. It was found that there is a monotonic increase in gradient performance with degree of curvature with little gain beyond half‐cylindrical coil geometries for a specific region of interest located 10 cm above the coil surface. The efficiencies of the half‐cylindrical geometry coils are 0.76 mT m−1 A−1, 0.71 mT m−1 A−1, and 0.76 mT m−1 A−1 for the x‐, y‐, and z‐gradient axes, respectively, when scaled to 800 μH inductance. The gradient coils presented in this study would serve as anatomically specific gradient channels to be used in conjunction with larger, whole‐body coils to comprise a 6‐channel hybrid system. The function of these channels could include the ability to provide very high performance diffusion tensor imaging in a specified volume of tissue such as the breast, prostate, or posterior regions of the brain. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Concepts Magn Reson Part B (Magn Reson Engineering) 41B: 62–71, 2012
Building a reusable reverse logistics model and its optimization considering the decision of backorder/next arrival of goods
Authors: Lee Jeong‐Eun , Gen Mitsuo , Rhee Kyong‐Gu , Lee Hee‐Hyol 
Published: April 2012

AbstractThis paper deals with formulating a reusable reverse logistics model considering decisions on backorder/next arrival of goods. The optimization method for minimizing the transportation cost and minimizing the volume of backorder or next arrival of goods by Just In Time (JIT) delivery at the final delivery stage between the manufacturer and the processing center is proposed. The optimization algorithm proposed combines priority‐based encoding/decoding and the hybrid genetic algorithm with a fuzzy logic controller, and suboptimal delivery routes are determined. Based on a case study of a distilling and sales company in Busan in Korea, solution by the new model of the reusable reverse logistics of empty bottles is performed and the effectiveness of the proposed method is verified. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Electron Comm Jpn, 95(5): 42–55, 2012; Published online in Wiley Online Library (wileyonlinelibrary.com). DOI 10.1002/ecj.10387
Vibration mode observation of piezoelectric disk‐type resonator by high‐frequency laser Doppler vibrometer
Authors: Matsumura Takeshi , Esashi Masayoshi , Harada Hiroshi , Tanaka Shuji 
Published: April 2012

AbstractFor future mobile phones based on cognitive radio technology, a compact multiband RF front‐end architecture is strongly required, and an integrated multiband RF filter bank is a key component in it. Contour‐mode resonators are receiving increased attention for a multiband filter solution, because their resonance frequency is mainly determined by their size and shape, which are defined by lithography. However, spurious responses, including flexural vibration, are also excited due to the thin structure of the devices. To improve resonator performance and suppress spurious modes, visual observation with a laser probe system is very effective. In this paper, we prototyped a mechanically coupled disk‐array filter, which consists of a silicon disk and two disk‐type resonators of higher‐order wineglass mode, and observed its vibration modes using a high‐frequency laser Doppler vibrometer (UHF‐120, Polytec, Inc.). It was confirmed that the higher‐order wineglass mode vibration included a compound displacement, and that its out‐of‐plane vibration amplitude was much smaller than that of other flexural spurious modes. The observed vibration modes were compared with FEM (Finite Element Method) simulation results. In addition, it was also confirmed that fabrication error (e.g., misalignment) induced asymmetric vibration. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Electron Comm Jpn, 95(5): 33–41, 2012; Published online in Wiley Online Library (wileyonlinelibrary.com). DOI 10.1002/ecj.10406
Electrical properties of heat‐treated polylactic acid
Authors: Oi Toru , Shinyama Katsuyoshi , Fujita Shigetaka 
Published: April 2012

AbstractPolylactic acid (PLA), a biodegradable plastic, has excellent electrical insulation properties at temperatures ranging from room temperature to around 70 °C. At temperatures higher than 70 °C, however, the insulation performance of PLA deteriorates due to its poor heat resistance. In this study, PLA was heat‐treated at 100 °C to endow it with greater heat resistance, and the effects of this heat treatment on the electrical properties of PLA were investigated. Before being subjected to heat treatment, the crystallinity (xc) of PLA was about 6%. After the heat treatment was begun, xc increased in proportion to the heat treatment time, such that measurements revealed that xc had increased to about 42% by 15 minutes after the start of the heat treatment. The temperature dependence of the insulation breakdown strength (EB) of heat‐treated PLA was investigated, and it was found that EB of heat‐treated PLA (PLA‐A) decreases at a more moderate rate at temperatures above 60 °C. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Electr Eng Jpn, 180(1): 1–8, 2012; Published online in Wiley Online Library (wileyonlinelibrary.com). DOI 10.1002/eej.21272
ortho‐Olefination of Arylaldehyde O‐Methyloximes through Palladium‐Catalyzed C–H Activation
Authors: Xu Zhipeng , Xiang Biao , Sun Peipei 
Published: April 2012

AbstractPalladium(II)‐catalyzed ortho‐olefination of arylaldehyde O‐methyloximes by using O‐methyloxime as a directing group gave 2‐alkenylarylaldehyde O‐methyloximes in moderate to good yields. After various reaction parameters (catalyst, oxidant, solvent, and reaction temperature) were examined, the optimal conditions for the reaction were identified. 2‐Alkenylarylaldehydes could be obtained conveniently by hydrolysis of the coupling products. The kinetic isotope effect (kH/kD) for the C–H bond activation was provided, and the possible mechanism of the reaction was proposed.
Effect of the angle of seismic incidence on the fragility curves of bridges
Authors: Torbol Marco , Shinozuka Masanobu 
Published: April 2012

SUMMARYThis study examines the effect of the angle of seismic incidence θ on the fragility curves of bridges. Although currently, fragility curves of bridges are usually expressed only as a function of intensity measure of ground motion (IM) such as peak ground acceleration, peak ground velocity, or Sa(ω1), in this study they are expressed as a function of IM with θ as a parameter. Lognormal distribution function is used for this purpose with fragility parameters, median cm and standard deviation ζ to be estimated for each value of θ chosen from 0 < θ < 360°. A nonlinear 3D finite element dynamic analysis is performed, and key response values are calculated as demand on the bridge under a set of acceleration time histories with different IM values representing the seismic hazard in Los Angeles area. This method is applied to typical straight reinforced concrete bridges located in California. The results are validated with existing empirical damage data from the 1994 Northridge earthquake. Even though the sample bridges are regular and symmetric with respect to the longitudinal axis, the results indicate that the weakest direction is neither longitudinal nor transverse. Therefore, if the angle of seismic incidence is not considered, the damageability of a bridge can be underestimated depending on the incidence angle of seismic wave. Because a regional highway transportation network is composed of hundreds or even thousands of bridges, its vulnerability can also be underestimated. Hence, it is prudent to use fragility curves taking the incident angle of seismic waves into consideration as developed here when the seismic performance of a highway network is to be analyzed. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Patient safety and reprocessing: A usability test of the endoscope reprocessing procedure
Authors: Jolly Jonathan D. , Hildebrand Emily A. , Branaghan Russell J. , Garland T. B. , Epstein Dana , Babcock‐Parziale Judith , Brown Victoria 
Published: April 2012

AbstractWhen endoscopes are reprocessed correctly, endoscopy is a safe procedure. Recent incidents of insufficient reprocessing, however, have resulted in public concern. Results of a usability test of the reprocessing procedure identified that none of 24 users, naïve to the procedure, could reprocess endoscopes correctly, nor could they correctly complete any of the component tasks in the procedure. Five of the 76 subtasks were identified as particularly critical. These were 1) brushing the instrument channel, 2) attaching the channel plug and injection tube, 3) identifying leaks, 4) blowing water out of the endoscope's internal channels during high‐level disinfection, and 5) aspirating solution through the endoscope to remove debris loosened by brushing. Additionally, three themes were identified as causes of the majority of problems: 1) lack of visibility, 2) high memory demands, and 3) insufficient user feedback. Design recommendations for these problems are discussed. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Mutational analysis of MED12 exon 2 in uterine leiomyoma and other common tumors
Authors: Je Eun Mi , Kim Mee Ran , Min Ki Ouk , Yoo Nam Jin , Lee Sug Hyung 
Published: April 2012

AbstractRecurrent somatic mutations in MED12 exon 2 have recently been reported in uterine leiomyomas. The recurrent nature of the mutations strongly suggests that the mutations may play important roles in the pathogenesis of uterine leiomyomas. The aim of our study was to see whether MED12 exon 2 mutations occur in other human tumors besides uterine leiomyomas. We also attempted to confirm occurrence of the MED12 mutations in uterine leiomyomas of Korean patients. For this, we analyzed 1,862 tumor tissues, including a variety of carcinomas, leukemias and stromal tumors by single‐strand conformation polymorphism analysis. We found MED12 mutations in 35 uterine leiomyomas (35/67; 52.2%) and one colon carcinoma (0.3%), but none in other tumors. The MED12 mutations consisted of missense (77%) and inframe insertion‐deletion (23%) mutations, the pattern of which was similar to the earlier report. Our data indicate that MED12 exon 2 mutations may be tissue‐specific to uterine leiomyoma and rare in other tumors. Our study suggests that the MED12 mutations play unique roles in the pathogenesis of uterine leiomyomas and mutated MED12 could be therapeutically targeted in uterine leiomyomas.
TREADLE PUMP IRRIGATION IN MALAWI: ADOPTION, GENDER AND BENEFITS
Authors: Kamwamba‐Mtethiwa J. , Namara R. , De Fraiture C. , Mangisoni J. , Owusu E. 
Published: April 2012

ABSTRACTAs part of their irrigation strategy, the government and non‐governmental organizations (NGOs) in Malawi are actively promoting the use of treadle pumps in smallholder irrigation. The positive impact of treadle pumps on food security and poverty reduction in Malawi and elsewhere in sub‐Saharan Africa is well documented. However, few studies have analysed the adoption dynamics and dissemination approaches of treadle pumps. This study uses a logit model to analyse the factors influencing treadle pump adoption among a stratified random sample of 100 adopters and 100 non‐adopters in two districts in Malawi. The results indicate that relatively well‐off farmers have a significantly higher probability of adopting the treadle pumps than poor farmers. This raises questions about dissemination approaches and targeting, because treadle pumps are typically geared towards poor smallholders. The study further indicates differences between male and female adopters. Female adopters are more likely to pay for subsidized treadle pumps in cash. Male adopters mostly acquire their pumps through a loan. Women tend to spend the additional income on food for the household while men tend to spend it mostly on non‐food items. It is therefore likely that treadle pump adoption by women will positively impact on household food security, though it also adds to women's workload. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Surface characterization of Ca‐P/Ag/TiO2 nanotube composite layers on Ti intended for biomedical applications
Authors: Roguska Agata , Pisarek Marcin , Andrzejczuk Mariusz , Lewandowska Malgorzata , Kurzydlowski Krzysztof J. , Janik‐Czachor Maria 
Published: April 2012

AbstractThe new generation of medical implants made by titanium is functionalized with different coatings to improve their bioactivity and reduce a risk of infection. This article describes how these goals can be achieved via deposition of silver nanoparticles and calcium phosphate coating. TiO2 nanotubes were grown on a Ti substrate via electrochemical oxidation at constant voltage in a mixture of glycerol, deionized water, and NH4F. Silver particles with a size of 2–50 nm were deposited on the surface using the sputter deposition technique. Calcium phosphate coatings were grown on the nanotubular titania by simple immersion in Hanks' solution. It has been found that the silver nanoparticles are distributed homogeneously in the coating, which is promising for maintaining a steady antibacterial effect. The results show also that the Ag‐incorporated TiO2 nanotubes significantly stimulate apatite deposition from Hanks' solution. The highly ordered Ag‐incorporated TiO2 nanotube arrays with apatite coating may offer unique surface features for biomedical implants, ensuring both biocompatibility and antibacterial properties. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part A, 2012.
A silver nanocomposite biomaterial for blood‐contacting implants
Authors: de Mel Achala , Chaloupka Karla , Malam Yogeshkumar , Darbyshire Arnold , Cousins Brian , Seifalian Alexander M. 
Published: April 2012

AbstractCardiovascular implants must resist infection and thrombosis. A nanocomposite polymeric material [polyhedral‐oligomeric‐silsesquioxane‐poly(carbonate‐urea)urethane; POSS‐PCU] demonstrates ideal properties for cardiovascular applications. Silver nanoparticles or nanosilver (NS) are recognized for efficient antibacterial properties. This study aims to determine the influence of NS integrated POSS‐PCU on thrombogenicity. Silver nitrate was reduced with dimethylformamide and stabilized by the inclusion of fumed silica nanoparticles to prevent aggregation of NS and were incorporated into POSS‐PCU to form a range of POSS‐PCU‐NS concentrations (by weight); 0.20% (NS16), 0.40% (NS32), 0.75% (NS64), and 1.50% (NS128). Surface wettability was determined with sessile‐drop water contact angles. Platelets were introduced onto test samples and Alamar Blue (AB), mitochondrial‐activity assay, quantified the degree of platelet adhesion whilst platelet‐factor‐4 (PF4) ELISA quantified the degree of platelet activation. Thromboelastography (TEG) determined the profiles of whole blood kinetics while hemolysis assay demonstrated the degree of blood compatibility. Increasing levels of NS induced greater hydrophilicity. A concentration dependant decrease in platelet adhesion and activation was observed with AB and PF4 readings, respectively. TEG demonstrated that the antithrombogenic properties of POSS‐PCU were retained with POSS‐PCU‐NS16, and enhanced with POSS‐PCU‐NS32, but was reduced with POSS‐PCU‐NS64 and POSS‐PCU‐NS128. POSS‐PCU‐NS64 and POSS‐PCU‐NS128 demonstrated a hemolytic tendency, but no hemolysis was observed with POSS‐PCU‐NS16 and POSS‐PCU‐NS32. Overall, POSS‐PCU‐NS32 rendered potent antithrombogenic properties. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part A: 100A: 2348–2357, 2012.
Injectablein situforming controlled release implant composed of a poly‐ether‐ester‐carbonate and applications in the field of chemotherapy
Authors: Olbrich Jason M. , Tate Patilee L. , Corbett Joel T. , Lindsey James M. , Nagatomi Sheila D. , Shalaby Waleed S. W. , Shalaby Shalaby W. 
Published: April 2012

AbstractPolymeric controlled delivery systems hold great promise in the field of modern medicine. Such technology has already been converted into commercially viable products in a myriad of fields. Chemotherapy is an example of such an area where constant efficacious levels of drug can greatly enhance clinical outcomes. The key to designing such therapies is the preparation of the proper delivery system. To this end, a series of bioresorbable polyether‐ester‐carbonate copolymers have been developed, which when combined with a diluent, are capable injection into the body and consistently forming a drug delivery depot. The study delineated here aimed at producing a more effective treatment of a common drug, paclitaxel, using the polymeric carrier. The polymer carrier system exhibited controlled release of paclitaxel bothin vitroandin vivo. Drug concentrations were analyzed by high performance liquid chromatography and apoptotic activity was confirmed through flow cytometry. Relevant success was exhibited by the regression of tumor size following a multiple injection treatment regimen in a murine xenograft model. This multiple injection treatment shows promising results when compared to the traditional paclitaxel paradigm of a single injection for a period of 3 weeks. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part A: 100A: 2365–2372, 2012.
The biological response of poly(L‐lactide) films modified by different biomolecules: Role of the coating strategy
Authors: Boccafoschi F. , Fusaro L. , Mosca C. , Bosetti M. , Chevallier P. , Mantovani D. , Cannas M. 
Published: April 2012

AbstractThe interactions between the surface of synthetic scaffolds and cells play an important role in tissue engineering applications. To improve these interactions, two strategies are generally followed: surface coating with large proteins and surface grafting with small peptides. The proteins and peptides more often used and derived from the extracellular matrix, are fibronectin, laminin, and their active peptides, RGD and SIKVAV, respectively. The aim of this work was to compare the effects of coating and grafting of poly(L‐lactide) (PLLA) films on MRC5 fibroblast cells. Grafting reactions were verified by X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy. Cell adhesion and proliferation on coated and grafted PLLA surfaces were measured by cell counting. Vinculin localization and distribution were performed on cell cultured on PLLA samples using a fluorescence microscopy technique. Finally, western blot was performed to compare signals of cell adhesion proteins, such as vinculin, Rac1, and RhoA, as well as cell proliferation, such as PCNA. These tests showed similar results for fibronectin and laminin coated PLLA, while RGD grafting is more effective compared with SIKVAV grafting. Considering the overall view of these results, although coating and grafting can both be regarded as effective methods for surface modification to enhance cell adhesion and proliferation on a biomaterial, RGD grafted PLLA show better cell adhesion and proliferation than coated PLLA, while SIKVAV grafted PLLA show similar adhesion but worse proliferation. These data verified different biological effects depending on the surface modification method used. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part A: 100A: 2373–2381, 2012.
Plasma exchange as a therapeutic option in patients with neurologic symptoms due to antibodies to voltage‐gated potassium channels: A report of five cases and review of the literature
Authors: Jaben Elizabeth A. , Winters Jeffrey L. 
Published: April 2012

AbstractAntibodies to voltage‐gated potassium channels (VGKC) are associated with acquired neuromyotonia, limbic encephalitis, and Morvan's syndrome. The antibodies are often not associated with malignancy and have shown good clinical response to immunomodulatory therapies. A record review identified five patients with laboratory evidence of antibodies to VGKC who underwent plasma exchange (PE) as part of their immunosuppressive therapy for neurologic disease. Four of the patients presented with limbic encephalitis and one with neuromyotonia. Symptoms included memory impairment, seizures, and personality changes. All PE were 1.0 volume and were performed on an every‐other‐day schedule. Replacement fluid was 5% normal serum albumin except when a bleeding risk was identified and then fresh frozen plasma was added. Four of five patients were also receiving concurrent immunosuppressive therapy including corticosteroids. Of the five patients treated with PE, three had sustained improvement in symptoms for 6‐17 months following PE. Two patients did not have signs of improvement at a limited follow‐up. One patient had recurrence of her symptoms, which responded to additional PE. These cases, as well as the reports in the literature, suggest that PE could be a useful adjunctive therapy for patients with VGKC antibodies and neurologic symptoms. J. Clin. Apheresis 27:267–273, 2012. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Restoration of miR‐34a in p53 deficient cells unexpectedly promotes the cell survival by increasing NFκB activity
Authors: Tan Jiali , Fan Li , Mao Jeremy J. , Chen Bin , Zheng Liwei , Zhang Tao , Li Tong , Duan Jianmin , Duan Yinzhong , Jin Zuolin , Kuang Wei 
Published: April 2012

AbstractUpregulation of miR‐34a by p53 is recently believed to be a key mediator in the pro‐apoptotic effects of this tumor suppressor. We sought to determine whether restoration of miR‐34a levels in p53 deficient cells could rescue the response to DNA damage. Compared with the p53 wildtype U2OS cells, miR‐34a expression was much lower in p53 deficient Saos2 cells upon cisplatin treatment. Unexpectedly, delivery of miR‐34a in Saos2 cells does not increase the cell sensitivity to apoptosis. This effect was mediated by direct downregulation of SirT1 expression by miR‐34a, which in turn increased the NFκB activity. Inhibition of NFκB activity in Saos2 cells by Aspirin sensitized the miR‐34a overexpressing cells to cell death. Thus, in tumors with p53 deficiency, miR‐34a restoration alone confers drug resistance through Sirt1‐NFκB pathway and combination of miR‐34a and NFκB inhibitor could be considered as a promising therapeutic strategy. J. Cell. Biochem. 113: 2903–2908, 2012. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
ERKALE—A flexible program package for X‐ray properties of atoms and molecules
Authors: Lehtola Jussi , Hakala Mikko , Sakko Arto , Hämäläinen Keijo 
Published: April 2012

AbstractERKALE is a novel software program for computing X‐ray properties, such as ground‐state electron momentum densities, Compton profiles, and core and valence electron excitation spectra of atoms and molecules. The program operates at Hartree–Fock or density‐functional level of theory and supports Gaussian basis sets of arbitrary angular momentum and a wide variety of exchange‐correlation functionals. ERKALE includes modern convergence accelerators such as Broyden and ADIIS and it is suitable for general use, as calculations with thousands of basis functions can routinely be performed on desktop computers. Furthermore, ERKALE is written in an object oriented manner, making the code easy to understand and to extend to new properties while being ideal also for teaching purposes. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.