bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Predictors of response to immunomodulation in patients with myasthenia gravis
Authors: Katzberg Hans D. , Barnett Carolina , Bril Vera 
Published: November 2011

AbstractIntroduction: Factors determining response to intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIg) and plasmapheresis in myasthenia gravis (MG) have not been evaluated systematically. Methods: This study included patients treated with IVIg (n = 63) or plasmapheresis (n = 42) from two trials evaluating IVIg vs. placebo or plasmapheresis in MG. Response was defined as improvement in the quantitative myasthenia gravis score (QMGS) of ≥3.5 points at day 14. Baseline clinical, electrophysiological, and immunological factors were analyzed as predictors. Results: Baseline QMGS, acetylcholine receptor antibody (AChRAb) positivity, single‐fiber electromyography (SFEMG) jitter, and percent abnormal pairs and percent blocking pairs were higher in responders than in non‐responders. Using multivariate logistic regression, the odds ratio for response was 13.0 (1.01–381.5) in QMGS 11–17 and 15.3 (1.34–414.3) in QMGS >17 compared with QMGS <11. Conclusions: Baseline QMGS, AChRAb positivity, and SFEMG parameters were more abnormal in patients who responded to treatment. Using multivariate regression, baseline QMGS remained as the only significant independent predictor of response. Muscle Nerve, 2012
Experimental muscle injury: Correlation between ultrasound and histological findings
Authors: JimÉnez‐Díaz Fernando , Jimena Ignacio , Luque Evelio , MendizÁbal Susana , Bouffard Antonio , JimÉnez‐Reina Luis , PeÑa JosÉ 
Published: November 2011

AbstractIntroduction:In this study we correlated ultrasound findings with histological changes taking place during experimentally induced degeneration–regeneration in rat skeletal muscle.Methods:Gastrocnemius muscles were injected with mepivacaine, and the progress of the muscle injury was monitored by ultrasound from day 1 to day 20. Muscles were extracted on the same days for histological examination.Results:The degenerative phase was characterized by increased echogenicity in the injured area; thereafter, echogenicity gradually diminished during the regenerative phase, attaining normal levels by 20 days postinjection. By this stage, histological examination revealed that regeneration was complete. The heteroechoic texture observed from day 4 to day 10 appeared to reflect the coexistence of degenerative and regenerative processes.Conclusions:The results suggest that the degenerative and regenerative phases of muscle injury may be distinguished sonographically through differences in echogenicity and echotexture and, using Doppler ultrasound, differences in the degree of vascularization. Muscle Nerve, 2012
Ultrasonographic assessment of longitudinal median nerve and hand flexor tendon dynamics in carpal tunnel syndrome
Authors: Korstanje Jan‐Wiebe H. , Boer Marjan Scheltens‐De , Blok Joleen H. , Amadio Peter C. , Hovius Steven E.R. , Stam Henk J. , Selles Ruud W. 
Published: November 2011

AbstractIntroduction: Changes in subsynovial connective tissue (SSCT) in carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) patients may result in altered dynamics; consequently, quantification of these dynamics might support objective diagnosis of CTS. Methods: We measured and compared longitudinal excursion of the flexor digitorum superficialis and profundus tendons, the median nerve, and the SSCT between the most and least affected hands of 51 CTS patients during extension‐to‐fist motion. Results: Median nerve and flexor digitorum superficialis tendon excursions in the most affected hands were smaller than in the least affected hands of the same patients, whereas the excursions of the flexor digitorum profundus were larger. Based on these excursions, logistic regression models classified between 67% and 86% of the hands correctly as having CTS. Conclusions: The altered hand dynamics in CTS patients may have implications for the pathophysiology and clinical evaluation of CTS, and ultrasound‐based classification models may further support the diagnosis of CTS. Muscle Nerve, 2012
Performance of bamboo plastic composites with hybrid bamboo and precipitated calcium carbonate fillers
Authors: Kim Birm‐June , Yao Fei , Han Guangping , Wu Qinglin 
Published: November 2011

AbstractThe influences of hybrid bamboo and precipitated calcium carbonate (PCC) fillers in a recycled polypropylene/polyethylene matrix on the properties of bamboo plastic composites were studied. Thermogravimetric and Fourier transform infrared analyses of both thermo‐mechanically refined bamboo fiber (RBF) and ground bamboo particle (GBP) showed relatively higher holocellulose content in RBF, and more effective silane grafting on the RBF surface. The raw PCC particles contained over 95% calcium carbonate, and had an agglomerated form consisting of particles with a mean diameter of about 1.2 microns. Compounding the PCC particles with the plastic resin helped separate and disperse them in the matrix. Measured flexural strength and modulus of PCC‐only‐filled composites increased significantly from 15 to 30% PCC content levels, while the tensile and impact strength of composites decreased with the addition of PCC. For composites with hybrid bamboo and PCC fillers, tensile and flexural moduli were improved with the increase of PCC content. After silane treatment, RBF‐filled composites showed noticeably increased mechanical properties compared with those of GBP‐filled composites. For modulus values, PCC–bamboo–polymer composites were 3–4 times higher than those of PCC–polymer composites at high PCC levels. POLYM. COMPOS., 2012. © 2011 Society of Plastics Engineers
Effect of functionalized elastomer addition on mechanical and interfacial properties of poly (butylene terephthalate)/glass fiber composites
Authors: Deshmukh G.S. , Peshwe D.R. , Pathak S.U. , Ekhe J.D. 
Published: November 2011

AbstractIn this study the effect of incorporation of ethylene‐co‐glycidylmethacrylate (GMA)‐co‐n‐butyl acrylate (nBA) terpolymer with an epoxy functional group, on the mechanical performance of short glass fiber (SGF)/Poly (butylene terephthalate) (PBT) composites has been investigated. Tensile test showed that incorporation of rubber phase in PBT/SGF composites results in loss of strength. However impact measurement exhibited an increase in impact strength with an increase in rubber content. Tensile and impact properties are discussed in terms of interfacial shear strength and morphology of composites. Morphological observation by SEM revealed a thin layer of polymer adhering to the surface of glass fibers indicating that epoxy functional group in the modifier reacts with fiber surface and PBT matrix. This reactivity of epoxy functional group is also supported by FTIR observations. The composites are also analyzed for % crystallinity using DSC and a strong correlation is found to exist between interfacial shear strength and % crystallinity. POLYM. COMPOS., 2012. © 2011 Society of Plastics Engineers
Disproportionality analysis for signal detection of implantable cardioverter–defibrillator‐related adverse events in the Food and Drug Administration Medical Device Reporting System
Authors: Duggirala Hesha J. , Herz Naomi D. , Caños Daniel Arthur , Sullivan Roberta A. , Schaaf Richard , Pinnow Ellen , Marinac‐Dabic Danica 
Published: November 2011

ABSTRACTBackgroundThe Food and Drug Administration (FDA) became aware of lead fracture and inappropriate shock events related to Sprint Fidelis leads in January 2007. The manufacturer announced a voluntary market withdrawal in October 2007.AimOur aim was to retrospectively evaluate this safety signal using disproportionality analysis to estimate whether disproportionality analysis could have detected this particular safety signal earlier than actually occurred.Materials and MethodsThe Manufacturer and User Facility Device Experience (MAUDE) database contains reports on device‐related adverse events, of which, FDA receives several hundred thousand every year. For each manufacturer, a list of the top lead brand names was ranked by frequency of reports. We used the Multi‐item Gamma Poisson Shrinker (MGPS) method for analysis. We isolated 11 top‐reported implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) lead brand names. Using MGPS methodology, we calculated the one‐sided 95% lower confidence bound EB05 on the empirical Bayes geometric mean of the reporting ratio.ResultsWe performed individual MGPS analysis for each of the top reported adverse events in 2006 for ICD leads. Fidelis had the highest EB05 scores for lead fractures and inappropriate shock.DiscussionThrough disproportionality analysis of the MAUDE database, we were able to identify known safety signals associated with the Medtronic Sprint Fidelis lead.ConclusionIf utilized at the time, this disproportionality analysis would have identified signals earlier for lead fractures, oversensing, high impedance, and inappropriate shock. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Structure and properties of hydrophobic cationic poly(vinyl alcohol)
Authors: Wang Jie , Ye Lin 
Published: November 2011

AbstractA new class of derivatives of poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) was prepared through hydrophobic cationic modification. The structure and composition of PVA grafted with glycidyl‐N‐alkyl‐N,N‐dimethyl‐ammonium chloride (DA) (PVA‐graft‐DA) was confirmed with Fourier transform infrared spectral analysis and 1H NMR spectral analysis. The stress‐strain curves of PVA‐graft‐DA samples all exhibited an elastic deformation stress plateau, and strain hardening behavior can be observed, indicating the transition of PVA from brittle fracture to ductile fracture. Compared with virgin PVA, the relaxation peak (Tg) of PVA‐graft‐DA shifted to a lower temperature. With increasing alkyl chain length and grafting ratio of DA, Tg decreased, and PVA‐graft‐DA exhibited a gradually decreasing storage modulus over the whole temperature range of testing due to the relatively weak intermolecular hydrogen bonding and increasing flexibility of molecular chains by introduction of long alkyl chains. PVA crystallites were not affected by grafting with DA, while the crystallization temperature and crystallinity of PVA were improved and the grain size decreased. On grafting with DA, the fracture surface of PVA changed from a smooth surface to regularly distanced striations, displaying much obvious character of tough fracture, indicating that appropriate intermolecular association of the hydrophobic groups facilitated the formation of physical entanglement of molecular chains to strengthen and toughen the PVA matrix. PVA‐graft‐DA showed a significant decreasing surface tension with polymer concentration, while the surface tension of PVA‐graft‐DA12 dropped most dramatically and declined with increasing grafting ratio of DA12, indicating improvement of the surface activity of PVA by introduction of hydrophobic alkyl chains and hydrophilic cationic groups. Copyright © 2011 Society of Chemical Industry
Toward the discovery of new soft quasicrystals: From a numerical study viewpoint
Authors: Dotera Tomonari 
Published: November 2011

AbstractThis is a progress review of an emerging research front: soft quasicrystals including liquid crystalline dendrons, nanoparticles, mesoporous silica, colloids, ABC star and linear terpolymers, and even water and silicon. As an aid to readers, we explain the basics of quasicrystals developed in solid‐state physics: orders in quasicrystals, higher dimensional crystallography, approximants, phason randomness, and the origin of quasicrystal formation. Then we review some numerical studies from early to recent ones. Our main purpose is to elucidate how to construct quasicrystalline structures: The introduction of additional components or a new length‐scale is the key to discover new quasicrystals. As a case study, we describe our recent studies on ABC star terpolymer systems and present the results of simulations of dodecagonal polymeric quasicrystals. In the case of dodecagonal quasicrystals, one easily finds that the key is to search square‐triangle tiling structures with changing components. Application to photonic quasicrystals is reviewed as well. Our hope is that this review will contribute furthering quasicrystal chemistry. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part B: Polym Phys, 2012
Air and Ground Temperature Variations Observed along Elevation and Continentality Gradients in Southern Norway
Authors: Farbrot Herman , Hipp Tobias Florian , Etzelmüller Bernd , Isaksen Ketil , Ødegård Rune Strand , Schuler Thomas Vikhamar , Humlum Ole 
Published: November 2011

ABSTRACTThe coupling between air and ground temperatures in the mountains of southern Norway was examined using 12 shallow boreholes drilled in August 2008. Three borehole arrays (at Juvvass, Jetta and Tron), each with boreholes at different elevations, were established along a continentality gradient. At the least continental site (Juvvass), the transect includes boreholes with shallow seasonal frost to continuous permafrost, while at Jetta and Tron, the arrays covered the transition from relatively deep seasonal frost to marginal permafrost. On the north slope of Tron, however, ground surface temperatures indicate more widespread permafrost conditions, apparently due to the negative thermal anomaly associated with an openwork block field. The surface offsets (mean ground surface temperature (MGST) minus mean air temperature (MAT)) ranged from < 1 °C for unvegetated wind‐scoured sites to up to 4.5 °C for sites with a thick, prolonged snow cover. Active‐layer thicknesses at the borehole sites close to the lower limit of mountain permafrost were up to 10 m in bedrock, even under a low thermal diffusivity sediment cover. The mean ground temperature at 10‐m depth differed significantly from the MGST, mainly due to the 3D thermal effects of the varying snow cover. Our air temperature measurements do not support the inference that the observed decrease in the lower elevational limit of mountain permafrost with continentality is mainly due to lower MAT. Rather, the pattern fits with an eastwards decrease in the lower limit of block fields and snowfall amounts. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Structural basis for extracellular interactions between calcitonin receptor‐like receptor and receptor activity‐modifying protein 2 for adrenomedullin‐specific binding
Authors: Kusano Seisuke , Kukimoto‐Niino Mutsuko , Hino Nobumasa , Ohsawa Noboru , Okuda Ken‐ichi , Sakamoto Kensaku , Shirouzu Mikako , Shindo Takayuki , Yokoyama Shigeyuki 
Published: November 2011

AbstractThe calcitonin receptor‐like receptor (CRLR), a class B GPCR, forms a heterodimer with receptor activity‐modifying protein 2 (RAMP2), and serves as the adrenomedullin (AM) receptor to control neovascularization, while CRLR and RAMP1 form the calcitonin gene‐related peptide (CGRP) receptor. Here, we report the crystal structures of the RAMP2 extracellular domain alone and in the complex with the CRLR extracellular domain. The CRLR–RAMP2 complex exhibits several intermolecular interactions that were not observed in the previously reported CRLR–RAMP1 complex, and thus the shape of the putative ligand‐binding pocket of CRLR–RAMP2 is distinct from that of CRLR–RAMP1. The CRLR–RAMP2 interactions were confirmed for the full‐length proteins on the cell surface by site‐specific photo‐crosslinking. Mutagenesis revealed that AM binding requires RAMP2 residues that are not conserved in RAMP1. Therefore, the differences in both the shapes and the key residues of the binding pocket are essential for the ligand specificity.
Characterization of as‐grown and adsorbate‐covered N‐polar InN surfaces using in situ photoelectron spectroscopy
Authors: Eisenhardt Anja , Himmerlich Marcel , Krischok Stefan 
Published: November 2011

AbstractThe surface electronic properties and adsorption behaviour of as‐grown and oxidized N‐polar InN films are characterized by photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS, UPS). The epitaxial growth of the InN layers was performed by plasma‐assisted molecular beam epitaxy on GaN/6H‐SiC(000‐1). After growth and in situ characterization the InN surfaces were exposed to molecular oxygen to evaluate the adsorption behaviour of O2 on N‐polar InN and to study its impact on the surface electronic properties of the III‐nitride material. The results are compared with studies on In‐polar InN on GaN/sapphire templates. The as‐grown N‐polar InN surface exhibits a pronounced surface state at a binding energy of ∼1.6 eV. The valence band minimum lies about 0.8–1.0 eV below the surface Fermi level. Additionally, the XPS core level binding energies for InN(000‐1) are reduced compared to InN(0001) films, indicating different surface band bending for clean N‐polar and In‐polar InN, respectively. The interaction of molecular oxygen with the InN(000‐1) surface leads to a downward band bending by 0.1 eV compared to the initial state. Additional adsorption of species from the residual gas of the UHV chamber increases the surface downward band bending. Furthermore two pronounced oxygen related states with an energy distance of ∼5 eV could be detected in the valence band region. The adsorbed oxygen results in an additional component in the N1s core level spectra, which is interpreted as formation of NOx bonds.
Global robust output regulation for a class of multivariable systems
Authors: Ping Zhaowu , Huang Jie 
Published: November 2011

SUMMARYIn this paper, we study the global robust output regulation problem for a class of multivariable nonlinear systems. The problem is first converted into a stabilization problem of an augmented system composed of the original plant and an internal model. The augmented system is a multi‐input system containing both dynamic uncertainty and time‐varying static uncertainty. By decomposing the multi‐input control problem into several single‐input control problems, we will solve the problem by solving several single‐input control problems via a recursive approach utilizing the changing supply function technique. The theoretical result is applied to the speed tracking control and load torque disturbance rejection problem of a surface‐mounted permanent magnet synchronous motor. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Synergistic Control of Mesenchymal Stem Cell Differentiation by Nanoscale Surface Geometry and Immobilized Growth Factors on TiO2 Nanotubes
Authors: Park Jung , Bauer Sebastian , Pittrof Andreas , Killian Manuela S. , Schmuki Patrik , von der Mark Klaus 
Published: November 2011

AbstractThe aim of this study is to elucidate whether combined environmental signals provided by nanoscale topography and by growth factors control cell behavior of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) in a synergistic or simply additive manner. Chondrogenic and osteogenic differentiation of MSCs is studied on vertically aligned TiO2 nanotubes of size 15 and 100 nm with and without immobilized bone morphogenetic protein‐2 (BMP‐2). Although BMP‐2 coating stimulates both chondrogenic and osteogenic differentiation of MSCs, the response strongly depends on the surface nanoscale geometry of the BMP‐2‐coated nanotubes. Chondrogenic differentiation is strongly supported on 100 nm BMP‐2‐coated nanotubes, but not on 15 nm nanotubes, which induce spreading and de‐differentiation of chondrocytes. A similar response is observed with primary chondrocytes, which maintain their chondrogenic phenotype on BMP‐2‐coated 100 nm nanotubes, but de‐differentiate on 15 nm nanotubes. In contrast, osteogenic differentiation is greatly enhanced on 15 nm but not on 100 nm BMP‐2‐coated nanotubes as shown previously. Furthermore, covalent immobilization of BMP‐2 rescues MSCs from apoptosis occurring on uncoated 100 nm TiO2 nanotube surfaces. Thus, combined signals provided by BMP‐2 immobilized to a defined lateral nanoscale spacing geometry seem to contain environmental cues that are able to modulate a lineage‐specific decision of MSC differentiation and cell survival in a synergistic manner.
Co‐tunneling Enhancement of the Electrical Response of Nanoparticle Networks
Authors: Pauly Matthias , Dayen Jean‐François , Golubev Dimitry , Beaufrand Jean‐Baptiste , Pichon Benoit P. , Doudin Bernard , Bégin‐Colin Sylvie 
Published: November 2011

AbstractA co‐tunneling charge‐transfer process dominates the electrical properties of a nanometer‐sized “slice” in a nanoparticle network, which results in universal scaling of the conductance with temperature and bias voltage, as well as enhanced spintronics properties. By designing two large (10 μm) electrodes with short (60 nm) separation, access is obtained to transport dominated by charge transfer involving “nanoslices” made of three nanoparticles only. Magnetic iron oxide nanoparticle networks exhibit a magnetoresistance ratio that is not reachable by tunneling or hopping processes, thereby illustrating how such a size‐matched planar device with dominant co‐tunneling charge‐transfer process is optimal for realizing multifunctional devices with enhanced change of conductance under external stimulus.
Delayed Photoelectron Transfer in Pt‐Decorated CdS Nanorods under Hydrogen Generation Conditions
Authors: Berr Maximilian J. , Vaneski Aleksandar , Mauser Christian , Fischbach Stefan , Susha Andrei S. , Rogach Andrey L. , Jäckel Frank , Feldmann Jochen 
Published: November 2011

AbstractNoble‐metal‐decorated colloidal semiconductor nanocrystals are currently receiving significant attention for photocatalytic hydrogen generation. A detailed knowledge of the charge‐carrier dynamics in these hybrid systems under hydrogen generation conditions is crucial for improving their performance. Here, a transient absorption spectroscopy study is conducted on colloidal, Pt‐decorated CdS nanorods addressing this issue. Surprisingly, under hydrogen generation conditions (i.e., in the presence of the hole‐scavenger sodium sulfite), photoelectron transfer to the catalytically active Pt is slower than without the hole scavenger, where no significant hydrogen generation occurs. This unexpected behavior can be explained by different degrees of localization of the electron wavefunction in the presence and absence of holes on the nanorods, which modify the electron transfer rates to the Pt. The results show that solely optimizing charge transfer rates in photocatalytic nanosystems is no guarantee of improved performance. Instead, the collective Coulomb interaction‐mediated electron–hole dynamics need to be considered.
New Triblock Copolymer Templates, PEO‐PB‐PEO, for the Synthesis of Titania Films with Controlled Mesopore Size, Wall Thickness, and Bimodal Porosity
Authors: Ortel Erik , Fischer Anna , Chuenchom Laemthong , Polte Jörg , Emmerling Franziska , Smarsly Bernd , Kraehnert Ralph 
Published: November 2011

AbstractThe synthesis and properties of a series of new structure‐directing triblock copolymers with PEO‐PB‐PEO structure (PEO = poly(ethylene oxide) and PB = polybutadiene) and their application as superior pore‐templates for the preparation of mesoporous titania coatings are reported. Starting from either TiCl4 or from preformed TiO2 nanocrystalline building blocks, mesoporous crystalline titanium oxide films with a significant degree of mesoscopic ordered pores are derived, and the pore size can be controlled by the molecular mass of the template polymer. Moreover, the triblock copolymers form stable micelles already at very low concentration, i.e., prior to solvent evaporation during the evaporation‐induced self‐assembly process (EISA). Consequently, the thickness of pore walls can be controlled independently of pore size by changing the polymer‐to‐precursor ratio. Thus, unprecedented control of wall thickness in the structure of mesoporous oxide coatings is achieved. In addition, the micelle formation of the new template polymers is sufficiently distinct from that of typical commercial PPO‐PEO‐PPO polymers (Pluronics; PPO = poly(propylene oxide)), so that a combination of both polymers facilitates bimodal porosity via dual micelle templating.