bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Excimer laser annealing of microcrystalline silicon
Authors: Pier T. , Kandoussi K. , Simon C. , Coulon N. , Mohammed‐Brahim T. , Lhermite H. 
Published: July 2008

AbstractThe development of flexible displays and screens is now a major target of the industry. This purpose requires the elaboration of pliant substrate compatible processes. The main obstacle is the vulnerability of such substrates toward heat. Most parts of usual processes are able to be performed at low temperature, but polycrystalline silicon deposition always involves high temperature. Polycrystalline silicon is necessary to reach high mobility, which, in the case of flexible screens, is critical to decrease the area of the pixel circuit and then to reach high aperture ratio. One solution consists in low temperature deposition of microcrystalline silicon followed by an excimer laser crystallization phase. Microcrystalline silicon films were deposited at low temperature (165 °C maximum) by radio‐frequency plasma enhanced chemical vapour deposition on glass substrate covered with silicon dioxide film and on polyethylene naphtalate covered with silicon dioxide film as flexible substrate. These microcrystalline silicon films were excimer laser crystallized, using a step‐by‐step method. Polyethylene naphtalate substrates underwent crystallization without showing any damage. Using deposits made on glass, the crystallization technique has been optimised to obtain the highest crystalline quality starting from 200 nm thick microcrystalline silicon films. On each kind of substrate, crystallized films were characterized using Raman spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy and atomic force microscopy. Raman spectrum shows very sharp transverse optic peak at 521 cm–1. The small full width at half maximum, 4 cm–1, is close to the value for single crystalline silicon. Scanning electron microscopy and atomic force microscopy reveal silicon grains with size over 400 nm on glass and 100 nm on polyethylene naphtalate. Thin film transistors with a mobility of 400 cm²/V.s on glass and 46 cm²/V.s on polyethylene naphtalate have been produced from such crystallized layers. (© 2008 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Characterization of spirostanol saponins in Solanum torvum by high‐performance liquid chromatography/evaporative light scattering detector/electrospray ionization with multi‐stage tandem mass spectrometry
Authors: Lu Yuanyuan , Luo Jianguang , Xu Deran , Huang Xuefeng , Kong Lingyi 
Published: July 2008

AbstractHigh‐performance liquid chromatography with an evaporative light scattering detector and electrospray ionization multistage tandem mass spectrometry (HPLC/ELSD/ESI‐MSn) was used to identify spirostanol saponins in a saponin extract of Solanum torvum. The fragmentation behavior of saponins was studied using ESI‐MS1–3 in positive ion mode. The MSn spectra of the [M+H]+ ions provide structural information including aglycone type and the nature and sequence of sugars. The use of ELSD allowed the profiling of the nonchromophore‐containing saponins in this plant. The MS analysis established in this study with known saponins was successfully applied to tentatively identify two new siprostanol glycosides, neosolaspigenin 6‐O‐β‐D‐quinovopyranoside and solagenin 6‐O‐[β‐D‐xylopyranosyl‐(1 → 3)‐O‐β‐D‐quinovopyranoside]. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Measurement of sugars using the laser spray technique with a gold capillary
Authors: Takamizawa Atsushi , Maeda Hiroaki , Kambara Shizuka , Furuya Hiroko , Hiraoka Kenzo 
Published: July 2008

AbstractA gold (Au) capillary has higher thermal conductivity than a stainless steel capillary and can withstand capillary over‐heating induced by high CO2 laser irradiation (over 2.5 W) better than a stainless steel capillary. For this study, a laser spray using an Au capillary was applied for the detection of sugars. The signal of cationized compounds [M+Na]+ can be detected with higher sensitivity than with conventional laser sprays using high laser power (over 2.7 W). Using 3.5 W of laser power, the signal intensity is 15 times higher than the maximum value with stainless steel (2.3 W) in a 10−5 M maltose aqueous solution. It is considered that almost all the water molecules evaporate by laser irradiation, which is impossible to achieve using a stainless steel capillary. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The simple random walk and max‐degree walk on a directed graph
Authors: Montenegro Ravi 
Published: July 2008

AbstractWe bound total variation and L∞ mixing times, spectral gap and magnitudes of the complex valued eigenvalues of general (nonreversible nonlazy) Markov chains with a minor expansion property. The resulting bounds for the (nonlazy) simple and max‐degree walks on a (directed) graph are of the optimal order. It follows that, within a factor of two or four, the worst case of each of these mixing time and eigenvalue quantities is a walk on a cycle with clockwise drift. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Random Struct. Alg., 2009
Levoatrial cardinal vein in mitral atresia and closed foramen ovale: prenatal diagnosis and perinatal management
Authors: Tutschek B. , Schmidt K. G. 
Published: July 2008

AbstractA levoatrial cardinal vein is a rare cardiovascular anomaly that may be present in malformed hearts with severe left heart obstruction and restrictive interatrial communication. We report the prenatal diagnosis at 23 weeks of a fetus with mitral atresia, double‐outlet right ventricle, premature closure of the foramen ovale and a levoatrial cardinal vein draining into the innominate vein. In a prior examination performed elsewhere the levoatrial cardinal vein had been interpreted as an aortic arch perfused retrogradely, and hypoplastic left heart syndrome with aortic atresia had been diagnosed. Prenatal management, induction at 38 weeks and postnatal examinations and treatment are reported. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first reported prenatal diagnosis of this embryological vessel, presenting a potential pitfall for prenatal echocardiography. Copyright © 2008 ISUOG. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Internal fixation of proximal humeral fractures with locking proximal humeral plate (LPHP) in elderly patients with osteoporosis
Authors: Siwach Ramchander , Singh Roop , Rohilla Rajesh Kumar , Kadian Virender Singh , Sangwan Sukhbir Singh , Dhanda Manjeet 
Published: July 2008

AbstractBackgroundDifferent operative techniques used for treating displaced proximal humeral fractures could result in malunion, non-union, osteonecrosis of humeral head, loosening of screw and loss of reduction particularly in comminuted and osteoporotic fractures. Locking compression plate (LPHP) has been proposed for open reduction and internal fixation of these fractures and is associated with less complication rate.Materials and methodsWe prospectively assessed the functional outcome and the complications after an average follow-up of 24.9 months in 25 patients of proximal humeral fractures with osteoporosis. Mean age was 62 years. Using AO classification, 48% were type A and 52% type B.ResultsMean constant score was 80 points. According to constant score, 28% had excellent outcome, 64% had good functional outcome, and 8% had moderate outcome. When the results were related to grades of osteoporosis, grade IV osteoporotic fractures had highest average Constant–Murley score (83 points, range 78–88 points), followed by grade III osteoporotic fractures (80 points, range 71–92 points), followed by grade II osteoporotic fractures (78 points, range 66–88 points). Varus malalignment and subacromial impingement were observed in 8% patients. Loosening of implant and loss of reduction were observed in 4% patients. Superficial infection was observed in 4% patients.ConclusionsLocking compression plate (LPHP) is an advantageous implant in proximal humeral fractures due to angular stability, particularly in comminuted fractures and in osteoporotic bones in elderly patients, thus allowing early mobilization.
Flexor tendon injuries of the hand treated with TenoFixTM: mid-term results
Authors: Rocchi Lorenzo , Merolli Antonio , Genzini Andrea , Merendi Gianfranco , Catalano Francesco 
Published: July 2008

AbstractBackgroundRecently, the Teno FixTMdevice has been detailed in the literature. Conventional stranded cruciate repair requires splinting to protect the sutures from excessive loading, and then, active motion is strongly limited leading to a possible incomplete functional recovery.Materials and methodsThe authors report on their experience in treating 21 patients presenting primary flexor tendon injuries within the digital sheath in zone 2, in all fingers (including the thumb), at an average follow-up of 16 (range: 6-16) months.ResultsThere were, according to Strickland and Glogovac criteria: 12 excellent; 6 good; 3 fair.ConclusionsThis new device is practical clinically and can effect strong tendon repairs that withstand early active finger motion, but the best indication is to treat only selected cases of sharp flexor tendon lesions in zone 2. Using this technique it is possible to achieve a quick functional recovery and early return to work.
Mean-Field Behavior for Long- and Finite Range Ising Model, Percolation and Self-Avoiding Walk
Authors: Heydenreich Markus , van der Hofstad Remco , Sakai Akira 
Published: July 2008

AbstractWe consider self-avoiding walk, percolation and the Ising model with long and finite range. By means of the lace expansion we prove mean-field behavior for these models if d>2(α∧2) for self-avoiding walk and the Ising model, and d>3(α∧2) for percolation, where d denotes the dimension and α the power-law decay exponent of the coupling function. We provide a simplified analysis of the lace expansion based on the trigonometric approach in Borgs et al. (Ann. Probab. 33(5):1886–1944, 2005).
Von-Willebrand- und Upshaw-Schulman-Syndrom
Authors: Schneppenheim R. , Budde U. 
Published: July 2008

Zusammenfassung
Quantitative und qualitative Defekte des Von-Willebrand-Faktors (VWF) sind für die häufigste hereditäre Blutungsneigung, das Von-Willebrand-Syndrom (VWS), ursächlich, welches überwiegend autosomal-dominant, aber auch -rezessiv vererbt wird. Entsprechend der modularen Struktur des VWF, mit verschiedenen funktionell und strukturell wichtigen Domänen, besteht eine hochgradige Heterogenität sowohl der klinischen Symptomatik als auch der Pathomechanismen. Eine Überfunktion des VWF beruht auf der fehlenden Größenregulation durch seine spezifische Protease ADAMTS13, die mit dem lebensbedrohlichen Krankheitsbild der thrombotisch-thrombozytopenischen Purpura korreliert, einer Störung der Mikrozirkulation durch hyaline Thromben. Deren autosomal-rezessiv vererbte Form, das Upshaw-Schulman-Syndrom, steht auf der anderen Seite der vom VWF verursachten Störungen der Blutgerinnung. Das heutige Wissen um die Pathophysiologie des VWF und seiner Protease ADAMTS13 ermöglicht neben einer rationalen Therapie auch die Erfassung seiner Beteiligung an vaskulären Erkrankungen.
Bcl‐2 and caspase‐8 related anoikis resistance in human osteosarcoma MG‐63 cells
Authors: Lin Dingsheng , Feng Jie , Chen Weishan 
Published: July 2008

AbstractDetachment of adherent cells from extracellular matrix results in apoptosis, a process termed “anoikis”. Resistance to anoikis is implicated in the progression of many malignancies by facilitating the migration and eventual colonization of distant sites. Human kidney epithelial cells 293T, human osteoblast cells hFOB 1.19 and human osteosarcoma cells Saos‐2 significantly underwent anoikis when adherence was prevented. But human osteosarcoma MG‐63 cells were distinctly anoikis resistant when detached. They formed large aggregates and showed little apoptosis compared to the other cells. When MG‐63 cells were in suspension, caspase‐8, physically associated with death receptor was activated by cell—matrix detachment, whereas. Caspase‐3 and caspase‐9 were not activated. Translational level of Bcl‐2 significantly increased in a time‐dependent manner, but the level of β‐catenin and PI3K did not. Caspase‐8 participates in an anoikis‐inducing process in MG‐63 cells at an early time, and overexpression of Bcl‐2 blocks activation of caspase‐8 making MG‐63 cells anoikis resistant.
Universal Features in the Genome-level Evolution of Protein Domains
Authors: Cosentino Lagomarsino Marco , Sellerio Alessandro , Heijning Philip , Bassetti Bruno 
Published: July 2008

AbstractProtein domains are found on genomes with notable statistical distributions, which bear a high degree of similarity. Previous work has shown how these distributions can be accounted for by simple models, where the main ingredients are probabilities of duplication, innovation, and loss of domains. However, no one so far has addressed the issue that these distributions follow definite trends depending on protein-coding genome size only. We present a stochastic duplication/innovation model, falling in the class of so-called Chinese Restaurant Processes, able to explain this feature of the data. Using only two universal parameters, related to a minimal number of domains and to the relative weight of innovation to duplication, the model reproduces two important aspects: (a) the populations of domain classes (the sets, related to homology classes, containing realizations of the same domain in different proteins) follow common power-laws whose cutoff is dictated by genome size, and (b) the number of domain families is universal and markedly sublinear in genome size. An important ingredient of the model is that the innovation probability decreases with genome size. We propose the possibility to interpret this as a global constraint given by the cost of expanding an increasingly complex interactome. Finally, we introduce a variant of the model where the choice of a new domain relates to its occurrence in genomic data, and thus accounts for fold specificity. Both models have general quantitative agreement with data from hundreds of genomes, which indicates the coexistence of the well-known specificity of proteomes with robust self-organizing phenomena related to the basic evolutionary ``moves'' of duplication and innovation.
A Genome‐wide Scan of Loci Linked to Serum Adiponectin in Two Populations of African Descent
Authors: Hicks Chindo , Zhu Xiaofeng , Luke Amy , Kan Donghui , Adeyemo Adebowale , Wu Xiaodong , Cooper Richard S. 
Published: July 2008

AbstractObjective: The objectives were to identify quantitative trait loci linked to serum adiponectin concentration and to estimate heritability in two populations of African descent.Research Methods and Procedures: We conducted a genome scan for serum adiponectin concentration in two populations of African descent. Genome‐wide microsatelitte markers were typed in an African‐American population consisting of 203 families from the Chicago area and in a Nigerian Yoruba population consisting of 146 families. Linkage analysis was performed to identify loci. Variance component model was used to estimate heritability.Results: Estimates of heritability adjusted for age, gender, and BMI were 0.45 and 0.70 for the African‐American and Nigerian families, respectively. In both populations, adiponectin was significantly negatively correlated with BMI, height, and weight. After adjusting for age, gender, and BMI, we found evidence of genetic linkage to adiponectin on chromosomes 11 [limit of detection (LOD) score = 2.89] and 17 (LOD score = 1.35) in the Nigerian sample. Among the African‐Americans, we found genetic linkage on chromosomes 2 (LOD score = 1.82), 4 (LOD score = 2.12), and 11 (LOD score = 2.33). Analysis based on combined data yielded a maximum LOD score of 3.21 on chromosome 11.Discussion: Consistency of the finding on chromosome 11 suggests that this region is likely to be involved in regulation of adiponectin, either through a primary influence on hormone levels or through pathways influencing body composition. These results suggest that adiponectin could be a potential therapeutic target for obesity.
Effects of Acute and Chronic Protein Intake on Metabolism, Appetite, and Ghrelin During Weight Loss
Authors: Leidy Heather J. , Mattes Richard D. , Campbell Wayne W. 
Published: July 2008

AbstractObjective: This study evaluated the effects of acute and chronic consumption of higher dietary protein on energy expenditure, macronutrient use, appetite, and appetite‐regulating hormones during weight loss in women.Research Methods and Procedures: Thirty‐eight women chronically consuming a 750 kcal/d energy‐deficit diet with a protein content of 30% (higher protein‐chronic diet, HP‐CD, n = 21) or 18% (normal protein‐chronic diet, NP‐CD, n = 17) for 9 weeks were tested. On separate days, metabolic, appetite, and hormonal responses were measured over 4 hours when the women consumed a higher protein‐acute meal (HP‐AM) (30% of energy as protein) or a normal protein‐acute meal (NP‐AM) (18% of energy as protein).Results: With chronic diet groups combined, HP‐AM led to lower respiratory exchange ratio (0.829 ± 0.005 vs. 0.843 ± 0.008; p < 0.05), lower carbohydrate oxidation (p < 0.05), and higher fat oxidation (p < 0.05) compared with NP‐AM. HP‐AM also led to reduced self‐reported postprandial hunger (p < 0.001) and desire to eat (p < 0.001) and lower postprandial ghrelin (252 ± 16 vs. 274 ± 18 ng/mL · 240 minutes, p < 0.05) compared with NP‐AM. No differences in postprandial energy expenditure (PPEE) occurred between meals. When combining acute meals, respiratory exchange ratio was lower (p < 0.05) and protein oxidation (p < 0.001) was higher in the HP‐CD vs. NP‐CD. An acute meal‐by‐chronic diet interaction was observed with PPEE such that HP‐AM led to greater PPEE in the HP‐CD vs. NP‐CD (28.7 ± 2.7 vs. 19.9 ± 2.7 kcal/min for 195 minutes; p < 0.05).Conclusions: During weight loss, thermogenesis and protein use appear to be influenced by chronic protein intake, while appetite and ghrelin are more responsive to acute protein intake.
Triaxial Accelerometry for Assessment of Physical Activity in Young Children
Authors: Tanaka Chiaki , Tanaka Shigeho , Kawahara Junko , Midorikawa Taishi 
Published: July 2008

AbstractObjective: The purpose of the present study was to derive linear and non‐linear regression equations that estimate energy expenditure (EE) from triaxial accelerometer counts that can be used to quantitate activity in young children. We are unaware of any data regarding the validity of triaxial accelerometry for assessment of physical activity intensity in this age group.Research Methods and Procedures: EE for 27 girls and boys (6.0 ± 0.3 years) was assessed for nine activities (lying down, watching a video while sitting and standing, line drawing for coloring‐in, playing blocks, walking, stair climbing, ball toss, and running) using indirect calorimetry and was then estimated using a triaxial accelerometer (ActivTracer, GMS).Results: Significant correlations were observed between synthetic (synthesized tri‐axes as the vector), vertical, and horizontal accelerometer counts and EE for all activities (0.878 to 0.932 for EE). However, linear and non‐linear regression equations underestimated EE by >30% for stair climbing (up and down) and performing a ball toss. Therefore, linear and non‐linear regression equations were calculated for all activities except these two activities, and then evaluated for all activities. Linear and non‐linear regression equations using combined vertical and horizontal acceleration counts, synthetic counts, and horizontal counts demonstrated a better relationship between accelerometer counts and EE than did regression equations using vertical acceleration counts. Adjustment of the predicted value by the regression equations using the vertical/horizontal counts ratio improved the overestimation of EE for performing a ball toss.Discussion: The results suggest that triaxial accelerometry is a good tool for assessing daily EE in young children.
Dietary Interaction of High Fat and Marginal Copper Deficiency on Cardiac Contractile Function
Authors: Relling David P. , Esberg Lucy B. , Johnson W. Thomas , Murphy Eric J. , Carlson Edward C. , Lukaski Henry C. , Saari Jack T. , Ren Jun 
Published: July 2008

AbstractObjective: High‐fat and marginally copper‐deficient diets impair heart function, leading to cardiac hypertrophy, increased lipid droplet volume, and compromised contractile function, resembling lipotoxic cardiac dysfunction. However, the combined effect of the two on cardiac function is unknown. This study was designed to examine the interaction between high‐fat and marginally copper‐deficient diets on cardiomyocyte contractile function.Research Methods and Procedures: Weanling male rats were fed diets incorporating a low‐ or high‐fat diet (10% or 45% of kcal from fat, respectively) with adequate (6 mg/kg) or marginally deficient (1.5 mg/kg) copper content for 12 weeks. Contractile function was determined with an IonOptix system including peak shortening (PS), time‐to‐PS, time‐to‐90% relengthening, maximal velocity of shortening/relengthening, and intracellular Ca2+ ([Ca2+]I) rise and decay.Results: Neither dietary treatment affected blood pressure or glucose levels, although the high‐fat diet elicited obesity and glucose intolerance. Both diets depressed PS, maximal velocity of shortening/relengthening, and intracellular Ca2+ ([Ca2+]I) rise and prolonged time‐to‐90% relengthening and Ca2+ decay without an additive effect between the two. Ca2+ sensitivity, apoptosis, lipid peroxidation, nitrosative damage, tissue ceramide, and triglyceride levels were unaffected by either diet or in combination. Phospholamban (PLB) but not sarco(endo)plasmic reticulum Ca2+‐ATPase was increased by both diets. Endothelial NO synthase was depressed with concurrent treatments. The electron transport chain was unaffected, although mitochondrial aconitase activity was inhibited by the high‐fat diet.Discussion: These data suggest that high‐fat and marginally copper deficient diets impaired cardiomyocyte contractile function and [Ca2+]i homeostasis, possibly through a similar mechanism, without obvious lipotoxicity, nitrosative damage, and apoptosis.
Successful Long‐term Weight Maintenance: A 2‐year Follow‐up
Authors: Vogels Neeltje , Westerterp‐Plantenga Margriet S. 
Published: July 2008

AbstractObjective: To find factors associated with successful weight maintenance (WM) in overweight and obese subjects after a very low‐calorie diet (VLCD).Research Methods and Procedures: Subjects (133) followed a VLCD (2.1 MJ/d) for 6 weeks in a free‐living situation. Of these, 103 subjects (age, 49.6 ± 9.7 years; BMI, 30.9 ± 3.8 kg/m2) completed the following 2‐year WM period. Body weight (BW), body composition, leptin concentration, attitude toward eating, and physical activity were determined right before (t0) and after (t1) the VLCD, after 3 months (t2), after 1 year (t3), after 1.5 years (t4), and after 2 years (t5).Results: BW loss during VLCD was 7.2 ± 3.1 kg. After 2 years, follow‐up BW regain was 69.0 ± 98.4%. After 2 years of WM, 13 subjects were successful (<10% BW regain), and 90 were unsuccessful (>10% BW regain). At baseline, these groups were significantly different in BMI (33.7 ± 4.7 vs. 30.5 ± 3.5 kg/m2, respectively; p < 0.05) and fat mass (38.3 ± 9.8 vs. 32.1 ± 8.3 kg, p < 0.05). Successful subjects increased their dietary restraint significantly more during the whole study period (dietary restraint score, −4.9 ± 4.4 vs. −2.1 ± 3.8). Furthermore, %BW regain was associated with the amount of percentage body fat lost during VLCD, which indicates that the more fat lost, the better the WM, suggesting a fat free mass‐sparing effect.Discussion: Characteristics such as the ability to increase dietary restraint and maintain this high level of restraint, fat free mass sparing, and a relatively high baseline BMI and fat mass were associated with successful long‐term WM (<10% regain after 2 years).