bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Diabetes impairs recovery from noise‐induced temporary hearing loss
Authors: Wu Hung‐Pin , Cheng Tsun‐Jen , Tan Ching‐Ting , Guo Yueliang Leon , Hsu Chuan‐Jen 
Published: April 2009

AbstractObjectives/Hypothesis:The purpose of this study is to investigate whether diabetes impairs the recovery from noised‐induced temporary hearing loss.Methods:Twenty‐eight male Wistar rats were divided into three groups: control, diabetes with insulin control (DI), and diabetes without insulin control (DM). Diabetes was induced by intraperitoneal injection of streptozotocin. All animals were exposed to white noise at 110 dB SPL for 8 hours. Auditory brainstem response (ABR) thresholds and distortion product otoacoustic emission (DPOAE) amplitudes were measured for all animals 1 day prior to noise exposure to obtain a baseline for hearing function, and then 1 hour, 1 day, 2 days, 4 days, 7 days, and 14 days after noise exposure.Results:One hour post exposure, ABR thresholds shifted markedly, and DPOAE was reduced similarly in all groups. Both ABR thresholds and DPOAE returned to the baseline in the control group at day 1, but they were not back to the baseline in the DM group even by day 14. Compared with the control group, the ABR threshold shifts and DPOAE returned to baseline more slowly in the DI group.Conclusions:The present study suggests that diabetic patients need proper blood sugar control and probably need more effective preventive measures to preserve their hearing from the effects of noise. Laryngoscope, 2009
Repair of the tympanic membrane with urinary bladder matrix
Authors: Parekh Aron , Mantle Belinda , Banks Juliane , Swarts J. Douglas , Badylak Stephen F. , Dohar Joseph E. , Hebda Patricia A. 
Published: April 2009

AbstractObjectives/Hypothesis:To test urinary bladder matrix (UBM) as a potential treatment for tympanic membrane (TM) healing and regeneration.Study Design:This prospective pilot study was designed to provide both qualitative and semiquantitative assessment of temporal and spatial healing events in the chinchilla model of chronic TM perforations with and without UBM patching.Methods:Bilateral myringotomies were performed and repeated as necessary to create subtotal perforations over an 8‐week period. Myringoplasty was then performed, with left TMs serving as controls and right TMs receiving UBM patches. TMs were excised at 4 weeks, 8 weeks, and 12 weeks. Fixed tissue samples were characterized for gross morphology, then processed for microscopic evaluation.Results:Chronic perforations were maintained with one or more repeated myringotomies. Although both control and patched TMs were thicker than native tissue, patched TMs were transparent and uniform in thickness without any inclusions. UBM patches were readily degraded and replaced by newly deposited and organized host tissue that recapitulated the native TM layers.Conclusions:UBM scaffolds were an effective biological scaffold for TM closure and tissue remodeling, leading to thicker than normal anatomy but otherwise normal morphology. Future studies are required to determine functional and temporal outcomes as well as alternative patch orientations. The results show particular promise as a superior alternative means of reconstructing not only chronic TM perforations but also dimeric TMs associated with retraction pockets and atelectasis. Laryngoscope, 2009
Multi‐dimensional Lotka–Volterra systems for carcinogenesis mutations
Authors: Foryś Urszula 
Published: April 2009

AbstractIn the paper we consider three classes of models describing carcinogenesis mutations. Every considered model is described by the system of (n+1) equations, and in each class three models are studied: the first is expressed as a system of ordinary differential equations (ODEs), the second—as a system of reaction–diffusion equations (RDEs) with the same kinetics as the first one and with the Neumann boundary conditions, while the third is also described by the system of RDEs but with the Dirichlet boundary conditions. The models are formulated on the basis of the Lotka–Volterra systems (food chains and competition systems) and in the case of RDEs the linear diffusion is considered. The differences between studied classes of models are expressed by the kinetic functions, namely by the form of kinetic function for the last variable, which reflects the dynamics of malignant cells (that is the last stage of mutations). In the first class the models are described by the typical food chain with favourable unbounded environment for the last stage, in the second one—the last equation expresses competition between the pre‐malignant and malignant cells and the environment is also unbounded, while for the third one—it is expressed by predation term but the environment is unfavourable. The properties of the systems in each class are studied and compared. It occurs that the behaviour of solutions to the systems of ODEs and RDEs with the Neumann boundary conditions is similar in each class; i.e. it does not depend on diffusion coefficients, but strongly depends on the class of models. On the other hand, in the case of the Dirichlet boundary conditions this behaviour is related to the magnitude of diffusion coefficients. For sufficiently large diffusion coefficients it is similar independently of the class of models, i.e. the trivial solution that is unstable for zero diffusion gains stability. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
On the domain dependence of solutions to the Navier–Stokes equations of a two‐dimensional compressible flow
Authors: Jiang Fei , Tan Zhong 
Published: April 2009

AbstractWe consider the Navier–Stokes equations for compressible, barotropic flow in two space dimensions, with pressure satisfying p(ϱ)=aϱlogd(ϱ) for large ϱ, here d>1 and a>0. After introducing useful tools from the theory of Orlicz spaces, we prove a compactness result for the solution set of the equations with respect to the variation of the underlying bounded spatial domain. Especially, we get a general existence theorem for the system in question with no restrictions on smoothness of the bounded spatial domain. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
1H and 13C NMR data of methyl tetra‐O‐benzoyl‐D‐pyranosides in acetone‐d6
Authors: Esmurziev Aslan , Simić Nebojša , Sundby Eirik , Hoff Bård Helge 
Published: April 2009

AbstractComplete assignments of 1H‐ and 13C‐NMR resonances of five methyl tetra‐O‐benzoyl‐D‐pyranosides based on 1H, 13C, 2D DQF–COSY, HMQC, HMBC and HSQC–TOCSY experiments have been performed. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
An extended QR‐solver for large profiled matrices
Authors: Ruess M. , Pahl P. J. 
Published: April 2009

AbstractA new method for the solution of the standard eigenvalue problem with large symmetric profile matrices is presented. The method is based on the well‐known QR‐method for dense matrices. A new, flexible and reliable extension of the method is developed that is highly suited for the independent computation of any set of eigenvalues. In order to analyze the weak convergence of the method in the presence of clustered eigenvalues, the QR‐method is studied. Two effective, stable and numerically cheap extensions are introduced to overcome the troublesome stagnation of the convergence. A repeated preconditioning process in combination with Jacobi rotations in the parts of the matrix with the strongest convergence is developed to significantly improve both local and global convergence. The extensions preserve the profile structure of the matrix. The efficiency of the new method is demonstrated with several examples. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
In the twilight of democracy: public affairs consultants in Switzerland
Authors: Steiner Adrian , Jarren Otfried 
Published: April 2009

Abstract
Modernization processes within different fields of political communication rise new challenges. Public affairs consultants are said to meet these challenges in both an effective and efficient way. Nevertheless, the rise of public affairs consultants also poses the question of their accordance with basic principles of modern democracy. Do public affairs consultants foster or impede the democratic process with respect to participation and representation? This question is answered on the basis of empirical data on public affairs consultants in Switzerland. The analysis points out three distinguishable fields of service: lobbying, political public relations and campaigning. Whereas campaigning has the strongest public‐orientation and emphasizes direct democratic institutions, the other two fields tend to be more in the backstage of the public. Results regarding public affairs services suggest a structural discrepancy between public and non‐public forms of communication, which according to normative democracy theory has to be judged critically. With view to clients, policy fields and party affiliations, the results show strong imbalances in interest representation, which seem to have mainly structural and economic reasons. In the conclusion, these results are discussed with view to the necessity of more transparency and a further professionalization.
Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The four Ps of corporate political activity: a framework for environmental analysis and corporate action
Authors: Dahan Nicolas M. 
Published: April 2009

Abstract

In this paper, I propose a new integrated framework which may be used to conduct a thorough analysis of a firm's political environment. The four steps of the methodology include the problem (how a political problem emerges and can be shaped by actors), the procedure (the public decision‐making procedure), the policies (relevant public policies currently implemented) and the players (including policy‐makers as well as participants in the political debate). Together, they form what I call the ‘Four Ps of corporate political activity’.
This framework can serve not only for environmental analysis and monitoring, but also to improve the effectiveness of a firm's attempts in the field of political influence, through actions such as arena selection, issue framing, the use of procedural opportunities, proactive negotiation of a compromise or gate‐keeping the political arena.
Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Sonochemical synthetic methods to produce functionalized conducting copolymers
Authors: Moghadam P. Najafi , Khalafy J. , Taheri T. 
Published: April 2009

AbstractPolyaniline (PANI) is one of the most investigated intrinsically conducting polymers. Copolymerization of aniline with aniline derivatives was considered one of the most effective and promising ways of improving the properties of PANI. In this work, firstly ethyl 3‐aminobenzoate and butyl 3‐aminobenzoate were synthesized from 3‐aminobenzoic acid by direct esterification. Then the copolymerization of 3‐amino benzoic acid, ethyl 3‐aminobenzoate, and butyl 3‐aminobenzoate with aniline was carried out by sonochemical polymerization in aqueous hydrochloric acid using ammonium persulfate (APS) as an initiator. The effects of variation in the molar ratio of the two monomers on chain structure, conductivity, and the redox properties of the copolymer are discussed. The prepared polymers are characterized by 1H NMR spectroscopy, X‐ray diffraction (XRD) and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT‐IR). Thermal behavior of the prepared copolymers was studied by differential scanning calorimetry. The copolymers were doped with HCl and their conductivity was measured. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Medicine use for headache in adolescence predicts medicine use for headache in young adulthood
Authors: Andersen Anette , Holstein Bjørn E. , Due Pernille , Hansen Ebba Holme 
Published: April 2009

AbstractBackgroundHealth risk behaviours such as smoking and binge drinking track from adolescence to adulthood. Medicine use is associated with smoking and binge drinking among adolescents. Whether medicine‐use behaviour tracks from adolescence to adulthood is unknown.AimTo examine tracking of medicine use for headache from age 15 to 19 to 27.MethodsA national random sample of 15‐year‐olds (n = 996) was followed up after four and twelve years respectively in a longitudinal study in Denmark; 614 persons completed questionnaires in all three waves. The main outcome measure was medicine use for headache within the past 14 days.ResultsMedicine use for headache was common in all age groups and more females than males used medicine in all three age groups: 34.9% vs. 18.0% at age 15, 45.4% vs. 22.1% at age 19 and 44.3% vs. 29.5% at age 27. The risk of using medicine for headache at age 27 increased if medicine was used at age 15 or 19. However, use increased substantially if medicine for headache was used at both age 15 and 19 (OR = 5.83, 95%CI: 1.99–17.14 for males and OR = 4.67, 95%CI: 2.59–8.43 for females).ConclusionMedicine use for headache is a behavioural pattern that may track from adolescence into adulthood. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Exploring the simultaneous effect of nano‐silica reinforcement and electron‐beam irradiation on a model LDPE/EVA‐based TPE system
Authors: Hui Shalmali , Chaki Tapan Kumar , Chattopadhyay Santanu 
Published: April 2009

AbstractBACKGROUND: The technical properties of polyolefinic thermoplastic elastomer (TPE) systems can be modified significantly using fillers like nano‐silica. Controlled irradiation can potentially be an effective way of tailoring the technical properties of such nano‐silica‐filled TPE systems.RESULTS: The effect of controlled electron‐beam irradiation on the properties of a pristine silica nanoparticle‐filled model low‐density polyethylene/ethylene–(vinyl acetate) (LDPE/EVA) TPE system is explored in this paper. The morphology of such a filled system was investigated using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and field‐emission SEM. The dispersion of silica particles was analysed using transmission electron microscopy which clearly indicates that at low loading a fine dispersion of silica occurs in the polymer matrix. Swelling studies and Fourier transform infrared analyses indicate the occurrence of a favourable EVA–silica interaction. On the whole, it is observed that electron‐beam irradiation induces a high degree of reinforcement in all the silica‐filled samples through interfacial crosslinking as well as controlled crosslinking in the two polymer phases. In a few samples the processing characteristics are remarkably preserved following concurrent nano‐silica reinforcement and irradiation, while the technical properties of TPE systems, including set, solvent swelling and mechanical properties, are improved. However, the improvement in properties is a strong function of sequence of addition of filler in the LDPE/EVA blends.CONCLUSION: The green technique studied can be potentially extended for the improvement of the technical properties of conventional TPE systems. Copyright © 2009 Society of Chemical Industry
Quality of Life—Towards an understanding of individuals with psychopathic tendencies
Authors: Fritz Marie Väfors , Rajaleid Kristiina , Hemström Örjan , af Klinteberg Britt 
Published: April 2009

AbstractThe objectives are to explore: (1) the association between psychopathy and self‐rated quality of life; and (2) the possible role of childhood hyperactivity on the relationships between Psychopathy Checklist (PCL) scores and self‐rated domains of Quality of Life (QoL). Male subjects with a history of criminality at age 11–14 years (n = 108) and matched controls (n = 59) from a Swedish longitudinal project were studied. Self‐rated QoL domains of psychological health, family relationships and work satisfaction were dichotomized and used as dependent variables in calculations of odds ratios (ORs) with dichotomized PCL scores as the independent variable, as assessed at age 38–41. The results showed that for each of the three QoL domains, the proportion of individuals that reported dissatisfaction was significantly higher in both criminals and controls characterized by psychopathic tendencies (PT) compared with the groups with no psychopathic tendencies. Furthermore, the results revealed higher strata‐specific risk of dissatisfaction among the PT individuals for two of the domains: psychological health (OR = 6.58) and work satisfaction (OR = 7.98). Childhood hyperactivity individuals were overrepresented in the PT group. However, hyperactivity did not confound the association between PCL and QoL. The results are discussed in the light of possible treatment implications. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Posttraumatic growth in cancer patients and partners—effects of role, gender and the dyad on couples' posttraumatic growth experience
Authors: Zwahlen Diana , Hagenbuch Niels , Carley Margaret I. , Jenewein Josef , Buchi Stefan 
Published: April 2009

AbstractBackground/Aim: Little is known about factors influencing positive effects in couples facing a cancer diagnosis.Methods: A heterogeneous sample of 224 couples from a multi‐site study (four oncology units) completed questionnaire surveys including the Posttraumatic Growth Inventory (PTGI) as a measure of positive psychological effects.Results: The data demonstrated that all three investigated factors—gender, role (patient vs partner) and the dyad (belonging to any of the 224 couples)—significantly contributed to variation in PTGI total scores and subscales. Variability between couples (factor dyad) appeared stronger than variability between patient and partner participants (factor role) and between male and female participants (factor gender). Role and gender analysis showed that patients demonstrated higher levels of posttraumatic growth than partners; and female participants scored higher on PTGI than males. Male patient–female partner pairs show greater association in their experience of posttraumatic growth than female patient–male partner pairs. Correlations also suggested that, regardless of the gender and role composition, patients and partners may experience parallel growth.Conclusions: Our findings indicate that positive psychological experiences may be shared by partners affected by cancer in similar ways as have been shown for negative psychological effects. Intra‐couple similarities or processes may have a more important function in experiencing benefits than factors like gender or being the patient or the partner. These results underline the importance of a family approach to understanding negative and positive psychological effects of cancer. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Psychometric qualities of the Dutch version of the Pediatric Inventory for Parents (PIP): a multi‐center study
Authors: Vrijmoet‐Wiersma C. M. Jantien , Hoekstra‐Weebers Josette E. H. M. , Margreet de Peinder W. M. G. , Koopman Hendrik M. , Tissing Wim J. E. , Treffers Philip D. A. , Bierings Marc B. , Jansen Nathalie C. A. , Grootenhuis Martha A. , Egeler R. Maarten 
Published: April 2009

AbstractObjectives: Diagnosis and treatment of childhood cancer are continuous stressors in the lives of the entire family involved. Disease‐related tools for the assessment of parental stress and adaptation are scarce. For that reason, the Pediatric Inventory for Parents (PIP), a disease‐related measure, was translated into Dutch and its psychometric qualities were determined to prove its value.Methods: The PIP and three other measures (State‐Trait Anxiety Inventory, General Health Questionnaire and Parenting Stress Index, Short Form) were administered to 174 parents of 107 children diagnosed with cancer in three university medical centers in the Netherlands.Results: Internal consistency (Crohnbach's α=0.94 and 0.95) and test–retest reliability (Pearson's r between 0.67 and 0.87) of the Dutch PIP total scales are satisfactory. Validity was illustrated by a high correlation between PIP‐scores and anxiety and general stress. Confirmatory factor analysis showed acceptable fit to the data for the original four‐factor and the one‐factor models; the four‐factor model showed slightly better fit.Conclusion: The PIP can be used in clinical practice to assess disease‐related parental stress. Further psychometric testing is highly recommended. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Thymosin β4 is differentially expressed in the cerebrospinal fluid of Creutzfeldt‐Jakob disease patients: a MALDI‐TOF MS protein profiling study
Authors: Qualtieri Antonio , Urso Elena , Le Pera Maria , Bossio Sabrina , Bernaudo Francesca , Ferraro Tiziana , Crescibene Lucia , Aguglia Umberto , Quattrone Aldo 
Published: April 2009

AbstractMALDI‐TOF protein profiling analysis permits the detection of peptides and small proteins in complex protein mixtures with great accuracy. We applied this analysis to cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) from 15 patients affected by Creutzfeldt‐Jakob disease (CJD). We compared the levels of the normalized ion signals of 11 sporadic and 4 genetic CJD forms with those from ten healthy control subjects and eight non‐CJD relapsing‐remitting multiple sclerosis patients. In so doing, we detected 61 differentially expressed ion signals in CJD samples compared to controls. Among the 61 signals, 3 signals had significantly increased levels with high statistical significance (p <0.0001) and were located at 3238.3 m/z, 4963.7 m/z, and 8565.3 m/z. We characterized the 5.0 and 8.6 kDa proteins as thymosin β4 N‐acetylated and free ubiquitin, respectively, while the 3.2‐kDa peptide remained uncharacterized. Although elevated ubiquitin levels have previously been described in CJD, we have demonstrated for the first time the involvement of thymosin β4 in a neurodegenerative disease. To support the validity of thymosin β4 levels obtained by MALDI‐TOF analysis, an independent enzyme immunoassay analysis was performed. Moreover, a validation cohort consisting of CSF from three CJD patients, five healthy subjects, and six non‐CJD relapsing‐remitting multiple sclerosis patients was analyzed in a similar way, yielding superimposable results. We propose that thymosin β4 is a potential new candidate marker for the ante mortem diagnosis of CJD disease.
Changes of serum‐associated fucosylated glycoproteins and changes in glycosylation of IgA in human cirrhosis
Authors: Carré Yoann , Klein André , Mathurin Philippe , Michalski Jean‐Claude , Morelle Willy 
Published: April 2009

AbstractMany modifications in N‐glycosylation have been demonstrated in hepatic cirrhosis. These modifications correspond to an increase of a bisecting core alpha(1,6)‐fucosylated biantennary glycan, an increase in core fucosylation, and the presence of an important population of neutral oligosaccharides in human serum of cirrhotic patients. In this study, a glycoproteomic approach which consists of lectin affinity chromatography, MALDI‐TOF MS for the characterization of N‐glycans released from glycoproteins, one‐ and 2‐D PAGE, electrospray ionization quadrupole ion trap (ESI‐QIT) MS was used to identify serum fucosylated glycoproteins related to cirrhosis. Employing this method, we have shown that IgA is one of the major proteins that is responsible of the glycosylation modifications observed in the serum N‐glycome of cirrhotic patients. To our knowledge, this is the first time that aberrant N‐glycosylation of IgA in cirrhosis is described.