bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Density functional study of α–β phase transition of polyvinylidene difluoride
Authors: Heo Won Joon , Kim Won‐June , Shin Young‐Han , Lee Eok Kyun 
Published: March 2012

AbstractWe perform density functional calculations to investigate structural and dynamical properties of crystalline polyvinylidene difluoride (PVDF) associated with the transition from α to β phase. We examine the change of the conformational energy and the corresponding structure of each phase depending on the lattice parameters of the orthorhombic crystalline structure. From this information, we construct the path that connects the point where the α phase is most stable to the point where the β phase is most stable, and identify the sub‐ region in the lattice parameter space where α and β phases have the same energy. In this sub‐region, we locate the point which gives the lowest conformation energy for both α and β phases, and examine the behaviour of the lowest energy profile and corresponding change of intermediate structures as the conformation of the PVDF chain transforms from α phase to β phase. Finally we perform ab‐initio molecular dynamics simulations and analyse the characteristic dynamics associated with transition from α to β phase. (© 2012 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Pandemic influenza A(H1N1) 2009 virus in pregnancy
Authors: Liu She‐Lan , Wang Jing , Yang Xu‐Hui , Chen Jin , Huang Ren‐Jie , Ruan Bing , He Hong‐Xuan , Wang Cheng‐Min , Zhang Hong‐Mei , Sun Zhou , Xie Li , Zhuang Hui 
Published: March 2012

SUMMARYTwo hundred fourteen abstracts and 87 full texts regarding pregnant women infected with pandemic influenza A(H1N1) 2009 virus were systematically reviewed by using a PubMed search and assessing pandemic, clinical, laboratory test, vaccine, and control experiences. Both policy and health education were excluded. This review counted the total number of pregnant cases from different countries and analyzed their epidemic features, including trimester distribution, morbidity, hospitalization, intensive care unit admissions, maternal mortality, underlying diseases, complications, high‐risk factors for death, pregnancy outcome, and clinical symptoms compared with the previous pandemic seasonal influenza A/H1N1 as compared with the general population. Early identification and treatment were the most important factors in different countries and areas examined. The vaccine and antiviral drugs that have been the most efficient means to control the novel virus appear to be safe but require more extensive study. In the future, the focus should be placed on understanding vertical transmission and the severe mechanisms. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Maskless Projection Lithography for the Fast and Flexible Generation of Grayscale Protein Patterns
Authors: Waldbaur Ansgar , Waterkotte Björn , Schmitz Katja , Rapp Bastian E. 
Published: March 2012

AbstractProtein patterns of different shapes and densities are useful tools for studies of cell behavior and to create biomaterials that induce specific cellular responses. Up to now the dominant techniques for creating protein patterns are mostly based on serial writing processes or require templates such as photomasks or elastomer stamps. Only a few of these techniques permit the creation of grayscale patterns. Herein, the development of a lithography system using a digital mirror device which allows fast patterning of proteins by immobilizing fluorescently labeled molecules via photobleaching is reported. Grayscale patterns of biotin with pixel sizes in the range of 2.5 μm are generated within 10 s of exposure on an area of about 5 mm2. This maskless projection lithography method permits the rapid and inexpensive generation of protein patterns definable by any user‐defined grayscale digital image on substrate areas in the mm2 to cm2 range.
Efficient Delivery of Antitumor Drug to the Nuclei of Tumor Cells by Amphiphilic Biodegradable Poly(L‐Aspartic Acid‐co‐Lactic Acid)/DPPE Co‐Polymer Nanoparticles
Authors: Han Siyuan , Liu Yuexian , Nie Xin , Xu Qing , Jiao Fang , Li Wei , Zhao Yuliang , Wu Yan , Chen Chunying 
Published: March 2012

AbstractThe use of biodegradable polymeric nanoparticles (NPs) for controlled drug delivery has shown significant therapeutic potential. Polyaspartic acid and polylactic acid are the most intensively studied biodegradable polymers. In the present study, novel amphiphilic biodegradable co‐polymer NPs, poly(L‐aspartic acid‐co‐lactic acid) with 1,2‐dipalmitoyl‐sn‐glycero‐3‐phosphoethanolamine (DPPE) (poly(AA‐co‐LA)/DPPE) is synthesized and subsequently used to encapsulate an antitumor drug doxorubicin (DOX). The formulation parameters of the NPs are optimized to improve encapsulation efficiency. The resulting drug‐loaded NPs possess better size homogeneity (polydispersity) and exhibit pH‐responsive drug release profiles. Cellular viability assays indicate that the poly(AA‐co‐LA)/DPPE NPs did not induce cell death, whereas doxorubicin encapsulated NPs were cytotoxic to various types of tumor cells. In addition, the free NPs could not enter the cell nuclei after internalized in tumor cells. The DOX‐loaded NPs exhibit efficient intracellular delivery in tumor cells with co‐localization in lysosome and delay entering into the nucleus, which suggests a time‐ and pH‐dependent drug release profile within cells. When applied to deliver chemotherapeutics to a mouse xenograft model of human lung adenocarcinoma, DOX‐loaded NPs have a comparable antitumor activity with free DOX, and greatly reduce systemic toxicity and mortality. The delivery of cytotoxic drugs directly to the nucleus specifically within tumor cells is of great interest. These results demonstrate the feasibility of the application of the amphiphilic polyaspartic acid derivative, poly(AA‐co‐LA)/DPPE, as a nanocarrier for cell nuclear delivery of potent antitumor drugs.
In vivo Imaging and Biodistribution of Multimodal Polymeric Nanoparticles Delivered to the Optic Nerve
Authors: Harrison James , Bartlett Carole A. , Cowin Gary , Nicholls Philip K. , Evans Cameron W. , Clemons Tristan D. , Zdyrko Bogdan , Luzinov Igor A. , Harvey Alan R. , Iyer K. Swaminathan , Dunlop Sarah A. , Fitzgerald Melinda 
Published: March 2012

AbstractThe use of nanoparticles for targeted delivery of therapeutic agents to sites of injury or disease in the central nervous system (CNS) holds great promise. However, the biodistribution of nanoparticles following in vivo administration is often unknown, and concerns have been raised regarding potential toxicity. Using poly(glycidyl methacrylate) (PGMA) nanoparticles coated with polyethylenimine (PEI) and containing superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles as a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) contrast agent and rhodamine B as a fluorophore, whole animal MRI and fluorescence analyses are used to demonstrate that these nanoparticles (NP) remain close to the site of injection into a partial injury of the optic nerve, a CNS white matter tract. In addition, some of these NP enter axons and are transported to parent neuronal somata. NP also remain in the eye following intravitreal injection, a non‐injury model. Considerable infiltration of activated microglia/macrophages occurs in both models. Using magnetic concentration and fluorescence visualization of tissue homogenates, no dissemination of the NP into peripheral tissues is observed. Histopathological analysis reveals no toxicity in organs other than at the injection sites. Multifunctional nanoparticles may be a useful mechanism to deliver therapeutic agents to the injury site and somata of injured CNS neurons and thus may be of therapeutic value following brain or spinal cord trauma.
An open framework for translating portable applications into operating system‐specific wireless sensor networks applications
Authors: Escolar Soledad , Carretero Jesús 
Published: March 2012

SUMMARYWireless sensor networks (WSNs) are distributed systems integrated by tiny devices, called sensor nodes, with capabilities to monitor the environment and forward their measurements to a special node, the sink, where the results can be collected and further processed. The trend in WSN is moving towards heterogeneous networks that will contain different sensor nodes running different instances of custom operating systems. Given the growing demand of new hardware platforms and operating systems specifically designed for sensor nodes, the applications programming for sensor nodes is becoming a challenging process that needs to be alleviated. Currently, application programming for sensor nodes is a complex, ad hoc, and error‐prone process where the portability among different platforms has been sacrificed. In this paper, we propose an open framework aimed to achieve application portability in heterogeneous sensor networks. Our approach provides the programming abstractions needed to support the application development process for sensor nodes. We have implemented an open framework that provides a set of tools on top of the most popular WSN operating systems to translate portable applications to the native operating system in an automatic, simple, and transparent way for developers. We have also evaluated the applications thus generated in terms of productivity and overhead, by comparing their footprint to those originally developed in each specific operating system. The results show that the overhead is minimal—4% in the worst case—and in some cases, it was even possible to reduce the footprint by using code optimizations. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Neurotrophic Bone Marrow Cellular Nests Prevent Spinal Motoneuron Degeneration in Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis Patients: A Pilot Safety Study
Authors: Blanquer Miguel , Moraleda Jose M. , Iniesta Francisca , Gómez-Espuch Joaquín , Meca-Lallana José , Villaverde Ramón , Pérez-Espejo Miguel Ángel , Ruíz-López Francisco José , García Santos José María , Bleda Patricia , Izura Virginia , Sáez María , De Mingo Pedro , Vivancos Laura , Carles Rafael , Jiménez Judith , Hernández Joaquín , Guardiola Julia , Del Rio Silvia Torres , Antúnez Carmen , De La Rosa Pedro , Majado Maria Juliana , Sánchez-Salinas Andrés , López Javier , Martínez-Lage Juan Francisco , Martínez Salvador 
Published: March 2012

Abstract
The objective of this article is to assess the safety of intraspinal infusion of autologous bone marrow mononuclear cells (BMNCs) and, ultimately, to look for histopathological signs of cellular neurotrophism in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) patients. We conducted an open single arm phase I trial. After 6 months observation, autologous BMNCs were infused into the posterior spinal cord funiculus. Safety was the primary endpoint and was defined as the absence of serious transplant-related adverse events. In addition, forced vital capacity (FVC), ALS-functional rating scale (ALS-FRS), Medical Research Council scale for assessment of muscle power (MRC), and Norris scales were assessed 6 and 3 months prior to the transplant and quarterly afterward for 1 year. Pathological studies were performed in case of death. Eleven patients were included. We did not observe any severe transplant-related adverse event, but there were 43 nonsevere events. Twenty-two (51%) resolved in ≤2 weeks and only four were still present at the end of follow-up. All were common terminology criteria for adverse events grade ≤2. No acceleration in the rate of decline of FVC, ALS-FRS, Norris, or MRC scales was observed. Four patients died on days 359, 378, 808, and 1,058 post-transplant for reasons unrelated to the procedure. Spinal cord pathological analysis showed a greater number of motoneurons in the treated segments compared with the untreated segments (4.2 ± 0.8 motoneurons per section [mns per sect] and 0.9 ± 0.3 mns per sect, respectively). In the treated segments, motoneurons were surrounded by CD90+ cells and did not show degenerative ubiquitin deposits. This clinical trial confirms not only the safety of intraspinal infusion of autologous BMNC in ALS patients but also provides evidence strongly suggesting their neurotrophic activity.
Disclosure of potential conflicts of interest is found at the end of this article.
Functionally Convergent White Adipogenic Progenitors of Different Lineages Participate in a Diffused System Supporting Tissue Regeneration
Authors: Lemos Dario R. , Paylor Benjamin , Chang Chihkai , Sampaio Arthur , Underhill T. Michael , Rossi Fabio M. V. 
Published: March 2012

Abstract
Pathologies characterized by lipomatous infiltration of craniofacial structures as well as certain forms of lipodystrophies suggest the existence of a distinct adipogenic program in the cephalic region of mammals. Using lineage tracing, we studied the origin of craniofacial adipocytes that accumulate both in cranial fat depots and during ectopic lipomatous infiltration of craniofacial muscles. We found that unlike their counterparts in limb muscle, a significant percentage of cranial adipocytes is derived from the neural crest (NC). In addition, we identified a population of NC-derived Lin−/α7−/CD34+/Sca-1+ fibro/adipogenic progenitors (NC-FAPs) that resides exclusively in the mesenchyme of cephalic fat and muscle. Comparative analysis of the adipogenic potential, impact on metabolism, and contribution to the regenerative response of NC-FAPs and mesoderm-derived FAPs (M-FAPs) suggests that these cells are functionally indistinguishable. While both NC- and M-FAPs express mesenchymal markers and promyogenic cytokines upon damage-induced activation, NC-FAPs additionally express components of the NC developmental program. Furthermore, we show that craniofacial FAP composition changes with age, with young mice containing FAPs that are almost exclusively of NC origin, while NC-FAPs are progressively replaced by M-FAPs as mice age. Based on these results, we propose that in the adult, ontogenetically distinct FAPs form a diffused system reminiscent of the endothelium, which can originate from multiple developmental intermediates to seed all anatomical locations.
Disclosure of potential conflicts of interest is found at the end of this article.
Derivation of Mesenchymal Stem Cells from Human Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells Cultured on Synthetic Substrates
Authors: Villa-Diaz L.G. , Brown S.E. , Liu Y. , Ross A.M. , Lahann J. , Parent J.M. , Krebsbach P.H. 
Published: March 2012

Abstract
Human-induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSCs) may represent an ideal cell source for research and applications in regenerative medicine. However, standard culture conditions that depend on the use of undefined substrates and xenogeneic medium components represent a significant obstacle to clinical translation. Recently, we reported a defined culture system for human embryonic stem cells using a synthetic polymer coating, poly[2-(methacryloyloxy)ethyl dimethyl-(3-sulfopropyl)ammonium hydroxide] (PMEDSAH), in conjunction with xenogeneic-free culture medium. Here, we tested the hypothesis that iPSCs could be maintained in an undifferentiated state in this xeno-free culture system and subsequently be differentiated into mesenchymal stem cells (iPS-MSCs). hiPSCs were cultured on PMEDSAH and differentiated into functional MSCs, as confirmed by expression of characteristic MSC markers (CD166+, CD105+, CD90+,CD73+, CD31−, CD34−, and CD45−) and their ability to differentiate in vitro into adipogenic, chondrogenic, and osteoblastic lineages. To demonstrate the potential of iPS-MSCs to regenerate bone in vivo, the newly derived cells were induced to osteoblast differentiation for 4 days and transplanted into calvaria defects in immunocompromised mice for 8 weeks. MicroCT and histologic analyses demonstrated de novo bone formation in the calvaria defects for animals treated with iPS-MSCs but not for the control group. Moreover, positive staining for human nuclear antigen and human mitochondria monoclonal antibodies confirmed the participation of the transplanted hiPS-MSCs in the regenerated bone. These results demonstrate that hiPSCs cultured in a xeno-free system have the capability to differentiate into functional MSCs with the ability to form bone in vivo.
Disclosure of potential conflicts of interest is found at the end of this article.
New classes of spectral densities for lattice processes and random fields built from simple univariate margins
Authors: Porcu Emilio , Mateu Jorge , Gregori Pablo , Ostoja-Starzewski Martin 
Published: March 2012

AbstractQuasi arithmetic and Archimedean functionals are used to build new classes of spectral densities for processes defined on anyd-dimensional lattice$${\mathbb{Z}^d}$$and random fields defined on thed-dimensional Euclidean space$${\mathbb{R}^d}$$, given simple margins. We discuss the mathematical features of the proposed constructions, and show rigorously as well as through examples, that these new classes of spectra generalize celebrated classes introduced in the literature. Additionally, we obtain permissible spectral densities as linear combinations of quasi arithmetic or Archimedean functionals, whose associated correlation functions may attain negative values or oscillate between positive and negative ones. We finally show that these new classes of spectral densities can be used for nonseparable processes that are not necessarily diagonally symmetric.
Metallic stents are more efficacious than plastic stents in unresectable malignant hilar biliary strictures: a randomized controlled trial
Authors: Mukai Tsuyoshi , Yasuda Ichiro , Nakashima Masanori , Doi Shinpei , Iwashita Takuji , Iwata Keisuke , Kato Tomohiro , Tomita Eiichi , Moriwaki Hisataka 
Published: March 2012

AbstractBackgroundEndoscopic biliary stenting is a well‐established palliative treatment for unresectable malignant biliary strictures, for which plastic tube stents (PSs) and self‐expandable metallic stents (SEMSs) are most commonly used. The efficacy of these stents has been extensively described in distal biliary strictures, but not in hilar biliary strictures. The present study aimed to compare the efficacy of PSs and SEMSs for unresectable malignant hilar biliary strictures.MethodsFrom June 2004 to November 2008, 60 patients were enrolled and prospectively randomized into the PS or SEMS group.ResultsThe 6‐month patency rate was significantly higher in the SEMS group than in the PS group (81 vs. 20%;p = 0.0012). Kaplan—Meier analysis showed significantly longer patency in the SEMS group than in the PS group (p = 0.0002); the 50% patency period was 359 days in the SEMS group and 112 days in the PS group. There was no significant difference in the overall survival period between the PS and SEMS groups (p = 0.2834). The mean number of reinterventions for stent failures was significantly lower in the SEMS group (0.63 times/patient) than in the PS group (1.80 times/patient) (p = 0.0008). The overall total cost for the treatment was significantly lower in the SEMS group than in the PS group (p = 0.0222).ConclusionsSEMSs were associated with a longer patency than PSs in patients with unresectable hilar biliary stricture. SEMSs were also more advantageous in reducing the number of reintervention sessions and the overall treatment cost.
Clinical development of insulin-like growth factor receptor—1 (IGF-1R) inhibitors: At the crossroad?
Authors: Gombos Andrea , Metzger-Filho Otto , Dal Lago Lissandra , Awada-Hussein Ahmad 
Published: March 2012

Summary
Insulin like growth factor receptor (IGF-1R) targeting became one of the most investigated areas in anticancer drug development during the last decade. Strategies aiming to block IGF-1R activity include monoclonal antibodies, tyrosine kinase inhibitors and anti-ligands antibodies. Initial enthusiasm quickly encountered challenges. Unfortunately the validation of the efficacy of IGF-1R targeted agents in large clinical trials failed, however anecdotal single agent activity was seen in early studies. Consequently, questions regarding the selection of right target population and the appropriate trial design are arising. Despite the plethora of clinical trials conducted no predictive biomarker has been validated so far and resistance mechanisms to IGF-1R inhibitors remain unclear. The other issue to be addressed is how to best combine IGF-1R inhibitors with other therapeutic approaches. This review highlights the most relevant clinical data emphasizing the main tumor types where IGF-1R inhibition showed potential interest. We also tried to extract based on clinical and translational data some candidate biomarkers that could help better to select patient population who potentially could benefit most from this therapeutic approach.
Optimal pagination and content mapping for customized magazines
Authors: Piccoli Ricardo , Oliveira João , Manssour Isabel 
Published: March 2012

Abstract
Traditional media such as magazines and newspapers are undergoing deep transformations as they cope with the high volume and dynamicity of currently available information. In addition, with the emergence of decentralized publishing models, there is an increasing need for automated tools for authoring high-quality documents. Moreover, much of the dynamic information on the Web could also profit from such mechanisms for automatic presentation and summarization.
This paper describes a solution to the problem of automatically producing a camera-ready magazine from a set of page templates and a sequence of variable content to be placed on those templates. The algorithm is able to find the optimal number of pages to hold the content, selecting the best templates to be used in the magazine in such a way that all pages are optimally used.
The algorithm was integrated to Adobe’s InDesign® software, extending it to perform text fitting and rendering of magazine pages. The complete workflow is described in this paper, as well as an empirical evaluation and a discussion of future research directions.
Governance and Risk Management in United Kingdom Insurance Companies
Authors: Deighton S. P. , Dix R. C. , Graham J. R. , Skinner J. M. E. 
Published: March 2012

ABSTRACTFor some while there has been a growing awareness from both internal and external stakeholders that the governance and risk management in United Kingdom (U.K.) insurance companies needed to be enhanced. The proposed European Union Solvency II Directive makes this very explicit and the current economic turmoil has put a much stronger emphasis on the whole process: it is being seen as the right thing to do, rather than simply a regulatory requirement. In this paper, we set out the background to and recent history of governance for U.K. insurance companies, and consider how enterprise risk management can bring together the various control frameworks needed to support that governance. Whilst no two companies are the same, and hence the solutions to these issues will vary, there are several common themes linked to successful implementation. Similarly, various barriers to success are identified, together with solutions to resolve them.