bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Single‐pack, self‐curable, aqueous‐based polyurethane dispersion containing a disperse dye
Authors: Huang Ching‐Tzer , Chen Kan‐Nan 
Published: March 2006

AbstractAn organic‐solvent‐soluble disperse dye was introduced into an aqueous phase by a reaction with a self‐emulsified, aqueous‐based polyurethane (PU), and this resulted in the formation of a homogeneous, aqueous polymeric dye dispersion. This aqueous polymeric dye was stable in a water phase with excellent color extension upon application. It was formulated with a latent curing agent, polyaziridine (e.g., TMPTA‐AZ), as a single‐component, self‐curable, aqueous polymeric dye. The curing reaction took place between PU carboxylic acid and the latent curing agent upon drying. A self‐cured polymeric dye was obtained with excellent color extension and fastness and resistance to organic solvents and water after drying. This single‐component, self‐curable, aqueous‐based PU system containing a dye has potential for printing, writing, and dyeing applications. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 2006 © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 100: 3741–3747, 2006
The measurement of thermal diffusivity in poly(methyl acrylate) by photoacoustic technique
Authors: Rajan M. A. Jothi , Mathavan T. , Vivekanandam T. S. , Umapathy S. 
Published: March 2006

AbstractIt is suggested that when a polymer is synthesized from a monomer and an added initiator in the presence of ultrasound, the process may produce polymers with predetermined structures and physical properties. An attempt is made to measure thermal diffusivity. Poly(methyl acrylate) (PMA) is synthesized using monomer methyl acrylate and an added initiator peroxodisulfate in the presence of ultrasound of frequency 35 kHz and power 100 W/cm2 at 50°C for various known sonication periods. PMA is obtained as a colorless, semitransparent solid. The solid PMA is cut into thin wafers in a highly symmetric direction to have uniform sizes. PMA samples are synthesized for 11 different sonication periods. These PMA samples are use to study their thermal diffusivity (α) by photoacoustic (PA) technique. Thermal diffusivity is calculated by measuring the amplitude and phase of the PA signal separately. A plot of the sonication period versus thermal diffusivity obtained from amplitude measurements of PMA indicates that there is an increase in thermal diffusivity from 2 × 10−6 to 4.7 × 10−6 m2/s when sonication period is increased from 30 to 330 min in steps of 30 min. The same trend is seen in a plot between sonication period and thermal diffusivity when the thermal diffusivity is calculated by PA phase measurements. There is a small difference in the experimental values obtained by the two measurements. Dependence of thermal diffusivity of PMA on ultrasonic sonication is discussed in detail. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 3756–3760, 2006
A theoretical description of the oxidation kinetics of polymer melt in fractal mediums
Authors: Kozlov G. V. , Dolbin I. V. , Zaikov G. E. 
Published: March 2006

AbstractIt is shown that the fractal approach using fractional integration and derivation gives an adequate description of decelerated curves in relation to consumed oxygen—and time. A clear physical interpretation of the fractal exponent as a fractional part of the fractal dimension of a macromolecular coil is obtained. It also indicates that classical equation is a particularly limiting case of the fractal relationship applicable to Euclidean mediums. The initial oxygen amount is represented as a constant in basic fractal relationship, which is also a function of the macromolecular coil structure. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 3761–3764, 2006
Structure and function in the auditory system: From cochlea to cortex
Authors: Friedland David R. 
Published: March 2006

AbstractThis special issue of the Anatomical Record examines the relationship between structure and function in the auditory system. Early anatomical studies defined this relationship on a macroscopic level and described the roles of structures such as the tympanic membrane, ossicular chain, Eustachian tube, and cochlea. As new tools emerged, the microscopic structure of the organ of Corti was described and later the brain stem regions involved in auditory processing were identified. Further technical advances allowed the description of cells within these central auditory regions in both morphological and physiological terms. More recently, studies of the auditory system have employed molecular biological techniques and novel imaging protocols. All these techniques continue to provide important insights into the structure and function of the auditory system on gross, cellular, and molecular levels. This issue expounds on this theme by demonstrating the importance of anatomy, whether the shape of the otic capsule or the sequence of a gene, in determining the function of the system and even the phenotype of the organism. The articles in this issue represent the cutting edge of today's auditory science and look back at the evolution of hearing and balance, as well as forward toward improving cochlear implant outcomes and gene therapies for treating sensorineural hearing loss. Anat Rec Part A, 2006. © 2006 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Central auditory pathways mediating the rat middle ear muscle reflexes
Authors: Lee Daniel J. , de Venecia Ronald K. , Guinan John J. , Brown M. Christian 
Published: March 2006

AbstractThe middle ear muscle (MEM) reflexes function to protect the inner ear from intense acoustic stimuli and to reduce acoustic masking. Sound presented to the same side or to the opposite side activates the MEM reflex on both sides. The ascending limbs of these pathways must be the auditory nerve fibers originating in the cochlea and terminating in the cochlear nucleus, the first relay station for all ascending auditory information. The descending limbs project from the motoneurons in the brainstem to the MEMs on both sides, causing their contraction. Although the ascending and descending pathways are well described, the cochlear nucleus interneurons that mediate these reflex pathways have not been identified. In order to localize the MEM reflex interneurons, we developed a physiologically based reflex assay in the rat that can be used to determine the integrity of the reflex pathways after experimental manipulations. This assay monitored the change in tone levels and distortion product otoacoustic emissions within the ear canal in one ear during the presentation of a reflex‐eliciting sound stimulus in the contralateral ear. Preliminary findings using surgical transection and focal lesioning of the auditory brainstem to interrupt the MEM reflexes suggest that MEM reflex interneurons are located in the ventral cochlear nucleus. Anat Rec Part A, 2006. © 2006 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Left hemispheric lateralization of brain activity during passive rhythm perception in musicians
Authors: Limb Charles J. , Kemeny Stefan , Ortigoza Eric B. , Rouhani Sherin , Braun Allen R. 
Published: March 2006

AbstractThe nature of hemispheric specialization of brain activity during rhythm processing remains poorly understood. The locus for rhythmic processing has been difficult to identify and there have been several contradictory findings. We therefore used functional magnetic resonance imaging to study passive rhythm perception to investigate the hypotheses that rhythm processing results in left hemispheric lateralization of brain activity and is affected by musical training. Twelve musicians and 12 nonmusicians listened to regular and random rhythmic patterns. Conjunction analysis revealed a shared network of neural structures (bilateral superior temporal areas, left inferior parietal lobule, and right frontal operculum) responsible for rhythm perception independent of musical background. In contrast, random‐effects analysis showed greater left lateralization of brain activity in musicians compared to nonmusicians during regular rhythm perception, particularly within the perisylvian cortices (left frontal operculum, superior temporal gyrus, inferior parietal lobule). These results suggest that musical training leads to the employment of left‐sided perisylvian brain areas, typically active during language comprehension, during passive rhythm perception. Anat Rec Part A, 2006. Published 2006 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Axon guidance cues in auditory development
Authors: Webber Audra , Raz Yael 
Published: March 2006

AbstractThe innervation of the cochlear sensory epithelium is intricately organized, allowing the tonotopy established by the auditory hair cells to be maintained along the ascending auditory pathways. These auditory projections are patterned by several gene families that regulate neurite attraction and repulsion, known as axon guidance cues. In this review, the roles of various axon guidance molecules, including fibroblast growth factor, ephs, semaphorins, netrins and slits, are examined in light of their known contribution to auditory development. Additionally, morphogens are discussed in the context of their recently described influence on axonal pathfinding in other sensory systems. The elucidation of these various mechanisms may guide the development of therapies aimed at maximizing the connectivity of auditory neurons in the context of congenital or acquired sensorineural hearing loss, especially as pertains to cochlear implants. Further afield, improved understanding of the molecular processes which regulate innervation of the organ of Corti during normal development may prove useful in connecting regenerated hair cells to the central nervous system. Anat Rec Part A, 2006. © 2006 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Projections from auditory cortex to cochlear nucleus: A comparative analysis of rat and mouse
Authors: Meltzer Noah E. , Ryugo David K. 
Published: March 2006

AbstractMammalian hearing is a complex special sense that involves detection, localization, and identification of the auditory stimulus. The cerebral cortex may subserve higher auditory processes by providing direct modulatory cortical projections to the auditory brainstem. To support the hypothesis that corticofugal projections are a conserved feature in the mammalian brain, this article reviews features of the rat corticofugal pathway and presents new data supporting the presence of similar projections in the mouse. The mouse auditory cortex was localized with electrophysiological recording and neuronal tracers were injected into AI. The cochlear nucleus was dissected and examined for terminal fibers by light and electron microscopy. Bouton endings were found bilaterally forming synapses with dendrites of granule cells of the cochlear nucleus. This report provides evidence for direct auditory cortex projections to the cochlear nucleus in the mouse. The distribution of projections to the granule cell domain and the synapses onto granule cell dendrites are consistent with what has been reported for rats and guinea pigs. These findings suggest a general plan for corticofugal modulation of ascending auditory information in mammals. Corticobulbar inputs to the auditory brainstem likely provided a survival advantage by improving sound detection and identification, thus allowing the development of complex social behaviors and the navigation of varied environments. Anat Rec Part A, 2006. © 2006 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Nicotinic acetylcholine receptor structure and function in the efferent auditory system
Authors: Lustig Lawrence R. 
Published: March 2006

AbstractThis article reviews and presents new data regarding the nicotinic acetylcholine receptor subunits α9 and α10. Although phylogentically ancient, these subunits have only recently been identified as critical components of the efferent auditory system and medial olivocochlear pathway. This pathway is important in auditory processing by modulating outer hair cell function to broadly tune the cochlea and improve signal detection in noise. Pharmacologic properties of the functionally expressed α9α10 receptor closely resemble the cholinergic response of outer hair cells. Molecular, immunohistochemical, and knockout mice studies have added further weight to the role this receptor plays in mediating the efferent auditory response. Alternate and complementary mechanisms of outer hair cell efferent activity might also be mediated through the nAChR α9α10, either through secondary calcium stores, second messengers, or direct protein‐protein interactions. We investigated protein‐protein interactions using a yeast‐two‐hybrid screen of the nAChR α10 intracellular loop against a rat cochlear cDNA library. Among the identified proteins was prosaposin, a precursor of saposins, which have been shown to act as neurotrophic factors in culture, can bind to a putative G0‐coupled cell surface receptor, and may be involved in the prevention of cell death. This study and review suggest that nAChR α9α10 may represent a potential therapeutic target for a variety of ear disorders, including preventing or treating noise‐induced hearing loss, or such debilitating disorders as vertigo or tinnitus. Anat Rec Part A, 2006. © 2006 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Cochlear implantation trauma and noise‐induced hearing loss: Apoptosis and therapeutic strategies
Authors: Eshraghi Adrien A. , Van De Water Thomas R. 
Published: March 2006

AbstractCochlear implantation trauma and noise‐induced hearing loss both involve a physical disruption of the organ of Corti and may involve several mechanisms of cell death at the molecular level, i.e., necrosis, necrosis‐like programmed cell death (PCD; type 2 PCD), and apoptosis (type 1 PCD). This article reviews several promising therapeutic strategies that are currently being developed. One of these promising new strategies involves the use of a highly effective peptide inhibitor of the c‐Jun N‐terminal kinase cell death signal cascade (i.e., D‐JNKI‐1) to prevent apoptosis of injured auditory hair cells. Our recent studies showed prevention of cochlear implantation‐induced hearing loss by infusing this peptide into the cochlea of guinea pigs. Another otoprotective therapy under investigation is the application of mild hypothermia to protect the cochlea from the development of a hearing loss that follows exposure to a physical trauma, e.g., electrode array insertional trauma. These forward‐looking strategies have the potential of improving hearing outcomes after cochlear implantation and providing novel means of otoprotection from noise‐induced trauma. Anat Rec Part A, 2006. © 2006 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Planning and Analyzing Adaptive Group Sequential Survival Trials
Authors: Wassmer Gernot 
Published: March 2006

AbstractThe use of adaptive methods has experienced increasing interest in the current literature on group sequential designs. Group sequential analysis in survival trials usually apply the error spending function approach due to the unpredictable amount of information available in an interim analysis. An alternative way is to apply adaptive methods where additionally the maximum amount of information and other designing parameters can be changed based on the information available at the interim stage. In this paper, it is shown how the inverse normal method can be used within a survival design using the log‐rank test for comparing two survival functions. This method allows for many kinds of design modifications. In case of no modifications, the inverse normal method coincides with the commonly used analysis strategy.It is straightforward to specify effect estimates. Confidence intervals for the hazard ratio that can be calculated at each stage of the trial and intervals that can only be computed by the end of the trial are proposed. The latter also enables the calculation of median unbiased estimates. Overallp‐values can be defined analogously. Properties of the analyses techniques are investigated and compared with alternative approaches. It is shown that the proposed analysis technique might help to rescue an underpowered study and opens the way to other types of changes in design. The proposed technique is implemented in the software ADDPLAN Adaptive Design, Plans and Analyses (http://www.addplan.com). (© 2006 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Two‐step protocol to incorporate cells in thermoresponsive hydrogels
Authors: Sawant Prashant D. , Achuth Hosur N. , Moochhala Shabbir M. 
Published: March 2006

AbstractOne of the stumbling blocks in the formation of a thermoresponsive cell‐hydrogel hybrid (TCH) is the efficient incorporation of cells in thermoresponsive hydrogels (TH) using traditional top‐down (i.e., cells penetrate in the pre‐set gels from top surface) approach. This approach is slow and tedious because the hydrogel needs to soak in the cells culture for a long time to allow cells to penetrate from the gel surface in to the bulk of the gel. In addition, cell incorporation into TH is difficult because elevated dissolution temperatures of gelators are detrimental to cell viability, whereas the highly viscous gel state that formed at ambient temperatures retards the penetration of cells. We propose a bottom‐up approach (i.e., cells mixed prior to gel setting) using a novel two‐step protocol. The first step is the rapid cooling of the agarose solution from its dissolution temperature (98°C) to 37°C and equilibrating for 3–4 min. The second step is the mixing of fibroblasts with the agarose solution and natural cooling to the room temperature to form the TCH. With this novel protocol, 90% of fibroblasts are found to be trapped in the cell‐gel hybrid.
Effect of molecular crowding on DNA polymerase activity
Authors: Sasaki Yoshiharu , Miyoshi Daisuke , Sugimoto Naoki 
Published: March 2006

AbstractLive cells contain high concentrations of macromolecules, but almost all experimental biochemical data have been generated from dilute solutions that do not reflect conditions in vivo. To understand biomolecular behavior in vivo, properties studied in vitro are extrapolated to conditions in vivo; however, the molecular conditions within live cells are inherently crowded. The present study investigates the effect of molecular crowding on DNA polymerase activity using polyethylene glycol PEG of various molecular weights as a crowding agent. Polymerase activity assays under various conditions demonstrated that the activities of T7 and Taq DNA polymerases depend on the molecular weight and concentration of the crowding agent. Furthermore, equilibrium and kinetic analyses demonstrated that the binding affinity and catalytic activity of the polymerase increase and decrease, respectively, with increasing PEG concentrations. Based on quantitative parameters of the polymerase reactions, we improved the efficiency of PCR amplification under conditions of molecular crowding. These results suggest that quantitative measurements of biomolecular structure and function are useful for understanding the behavior of biomolecules in vivo and for biotechnology applications in vitro.
Sequence quality is maintained after multiple displacement amplification of non‐invasively obtained macaque semen DNA
Authors: Andrés Olga , Rönn Ann‐Charlotte , Ferrando Aïnhoa , Bosch Montserrat , Domingo‐Roura Xavier 
Published: March 2006

AbstractWhole genome amplification protocols are revolutionizing the fields of molecular and conservation biology as they open the possibility of obtaining a large number of copies of a complete genome from minute amounts of sample. Multiple displacement amplification (MDA) is a whole genome amplification technique based on the properties of the phi29 DNA polymerase, which leads to a uniform representation of the genome with very low error rates. In this study we performed MDA on 28 macaque DNA samples extracted from blood or non‐invasively collected semen from which we obtained mitochondrial control region sequences both before and after MDA. The length of the readable sequences was longer for the original samples than for the MDA products, but the number of unresolved positions was comparable both before and after MDA. We conclude that the MDA technique is useful for increasing the amount of DNA for sequencing mitochondrial regions in the case of non‐invasively collected semen samples.
Long‐term efficacy of transcatheter patent foramen ovale closure on migraine headache with aura and recurrent stroke
Authors: Giardini Alessandro , Donti Andrea , Formigari Roberto , Salomone Luisa , Palareti Gualtiero , Guidetti Donata , Picchio Fernando Maria 
Published: March 2006

AbstractObjectives: To assess the long‐term results of transcatheter patent foramen ovale (PFO) closure on migraine headache with aura (MHA) and on the risk of recurrent stroke. Background: Transcatheter PFO closure is associated with an early improvement of MHA, and a reduction or the risk of recurrent cerebral ischemia, but the long‐term outcome after the procedure is unknown. Methods: We analyzed follow‐up data of 38 consecutive patients who had undergone transcatheter PFO closure at our institution because of cryptogenic stroke and had been followed‐up for at least 3 years after the procedure. Mean age at closure was 43 ± 13 years. Thirteen patients (34%) had a diagnosis of MHA made by the primary care physician or the referring neurologist. Migraine disability assessment questionnaire (MIDAS) was used to assess MHA incidence and severity. Results: After a mean follow‐up of 4.8 ± 1.4 years, two patients had a recurrent stroke (13 and 15 months after the procedure, respectively). Recurrence rate 5 years after the procedure was 5.3%. After 4.9 ± 1.4 years from the intervention, 12/13 patients (92%, 95% CI 65–99%) had complete resolution in their MHA. Overall, MIDAS score decreased significantly (38.6 ± 26.3 vs. 4.4 ± 5.1, P < 0.0001) after the procedure. One patient did not report any improvement of MHA after transcatheter PFO closure, whereas one patient reported a severe relapse of MHA about 1 year after PFO closure. Freedom from recurrent MHA 5 years after the procedure was 85% (95% CI 57–97%). Conclusions: The rate of recurrent cerebral ischemia and recurrent MHA seems to be low at long‐term follow‐up after transcatheter PFO closure. Recurrent cerebral ischemia and relapse of MHA seem to be confined to the first 15 months after the procedure.© 2006 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Transcatheter device versus surgical closure of ventricular septal defects: A clinical decision analysis
Authors: Aleem Ilyas S. , Karamlou Tara , Benson Lee N. , McCrindle Brian W. 
Published: March 2006

AbstractObjectives: To compare transcatheter device versus surgical closure of ventricular septal defects (VSDs). Methods: A clinical decision analysis was performed using standard gamble interviews. Results: Device was initially preferred in 39 respondents (89%) and surgery in 5 (11%). The inherent difference in value between a perfect surgery and a perfect device (disutility of surgery) was equal to a mean risk of death of (1.2 ± 2.2)%. Final values from decision analysis were initially equivalent. Values adjusted for estimated mortality, however, favored device (mean: 0.979 ± 0.032) versus surgery (mean: 0.971 ± 0.032), P = 0.052. When values were further adjusted for disutilities, device was significantly preferred (0.978 ± 0.032) versus surgery (0.961 ± 0.044), P < 0.005. Surgery would be preferred if the probability of major complications decreased below 5% or minor complications below 6%. Conclusions: When outcomes and their values are considered in a systematic manner, transcatheter device closure of suitable VSDs is favored over surgical repair. © 2006 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.