bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Safety of ferucarbotran in MR imaging of the liver: A pre‐ and postexamination questionnaire‐based multicenter investigation
Authors: Onishi Hiromitsu , Murakami Takamichi , Kim Tonsok , Hori Masatoshi , Hirohashi Shinji , Matsuki Mitsuru , Narumi Yoshifumi , Imai Yasuharu , Sakurai Kousuke , Nakamura Hironobu 
Published: December 2008

AbstractPurposeTo prospectively investigate, by means of a pre‐and postexamination questionnaire, the types and frequency of adverse reactions to ferucarbotran (Resovist), a superparamagnetic iron oxide (SPIO) contrast agent.Materials and MethodsThis study was approved by the ethics committee of each of the institutions involved, and all patients gave written informed consent. One questionnaire asking about baseline symptoms before the injection of ferucarbotran, and one about adverse events over a period of seven days after injection were given to 315 patients who underwent ferucarbotran‐enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the liver at several institutions. The data for baseline symptoms were used for reference to exclude false‐positive adverse reactions and were also compared with the adverse event data to determine with McNemar's chi‐squared test the incidence of each symptom.ResultsBefore MR examination, 249 clinical symptoms were reported by 102 of 315 patients (32.4%). After the injection of ferucarbotran, 169 adverse events were observed in 78 patients (24.8%). Eventually, 70 adverse events occurring in 45 patients (14.3%) were judged to be adverse reactions to ferucarbotran, defined as possibly or definitely ferucarbotran‐related events. All reactions were of mild intensity.ConclusionFerucarbotran can be considered safe for clinical use in liver MRI. J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2009;29:106–111. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Contrast agent dose effects in cerebral dynamic susceptibility contrast magnetic resonance perfusion imaging
Authors: Alger Jeffry R. , Schaewe Timothy J. , Lai Tom C. , Frew Andrew J. , Vespa Paul M. , Etchepare Maria , Liebeskind David S. , Saver Jeffrey L. , Kidwell S. Chelsea 
Published: December 2008

AbstractPurposeTo study the contrast agent dose sensitivity of hemodynamic parameters derived from brain dynamic susceptibility contrast MRI (DSC‐MRI).Materials and MethodsSequential DSC‐MRI (1.5T gradient‐echo echo‐planar imaging using an echo time of 61–64 msec) was performed using contrast agent doses of 0.1 and 0.2 mmol/kg delivered at a fixed rate of 5.0 mL/second in 12 normal subjects and 12 stroke patients.Results1) Arterial signal showed the expected doubling in relaxation response (ΔR2*) to dose doubling. 2) The brain signal showed a less than doubled ΔR2* response to dose doubling. 3) The 0.2 mmol/kg dose studies subtly underestimated cerebral blood volume (CBV) and cerebral blood flow (CBF) relative to the 0.1 mmol/kg studies. 4) In the range of low CBV and CBF, the 0.2 mmol/kg studies overestimated the CBV and CBF compared with the 0.1 mmol/kg studies. 5) The 0.1 mmol/kg studies reported larger ischemic volumes in stroke.ConclusionSubtle but statistically significant dose sensitivities were found. Therefore, it is advisable to carefully control the contrast agent dose when DSC‐MRI is used in clinical trials. The study also suggests that a 0.1 mmol/kg dose is adequate for hemodynamic measurements. J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2009;29:52–64. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Phosphorus‐31 magnetic resonance spectroscopy of skeletal muscle in maternally inherited diabetes and deafness A3243G mitochondrial mutation carriers
Authors: van Elderen Saskia G.C. , Doornbos Joost , van Essen Einar H.R. , Lemkes Herman H.P.J. , Maassen J. Antonie , Smit Jan W.A. , de Roos Albert 
Published: December 2008

AbstractPurposeTo investigate high‐energy phosphate metabolism in striated skeletal muscle of patients with Maternally Inherited Diabetes and Deafness (MIDD) syndrome.Materials and MethodsIn 11 patients with the MIDD mutation (six with diabetes mellitus [DM] and five non‐DM) and eight healthy subjects, phosphocreatine (PCr) and inorganic phosphate (Pi) in the vastus medialis muscle was measured immediately after exercise using 31P‐magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS). The half‐time of recovery (t1/2) of monoexponentially fitted (PCr+Pi)/PCr was calculated from spectra obtained every 4 seconds after cessation of exercise. A multiple linear regression model was used for statistical analysis.ResultsPatients with the MIDD mutation showed a significantly prolonged t1/2 (PCr+Pi)/PCr after exercise as compared to controls (13.6±3.0 vs. 8.7±1.3 sec, P = 0.01). No association between the presence of DM and t1/2 (PCr + Pi)/PCr was found (P = 0.382).ConclusionMIDD patients showed impaired mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation in skeletal muscle shortly after exercise, irrespective of the presence of DM. J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2009;29:127–131. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Higher‐order contrast functions improve performance of independent component analysis of fMRI data
Authors: Schmithorst Vincent J. 
Published: December 2008

AbstractPurposeTo evaluate the performance of different contrast functions used in Independent Component Analysis (ICA) of functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) data at low signal‐to‐noise ratio (SNR), present in fMRI paradigms such as resting‐state acquisitions.Materials and MethodsMetrics were defined to estimate both the accuracy and robustness of contrast functions under varying source distributions. Simulations were performed to compare the performance of lower‐order (such as ln cosh) to higher‐order (such as kurtosis) contrast functions using Laplacian source distributions corrupted with Gaussian noise. The ln cosh and kurtosis contrast functions were also compared using resting‐state fMRI data from 10 normal adult volunteers.ResultsHigher‐order contrast functions provided superior performance compared to lower‐order contrast functions in the evaluation of metrics and via the simulations in the presence of a significant amount of noise. The performance of kurtosis was not statistically significantly different from that of a theoretically optimized contrast function. The choice of contrast function was found to result in substantial (R < 0.9) differences in 40% of the components found from the resting‐state fMRI data.ConclusionThe use of higher‐order contrast functions, such as kurtosis, may provide superior performance in ICA analysis of fMRI data with low SNR. J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2009;29:242–249. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Improved bolus arrival time and arterial input function estimation for tracer kinetic analysis in DCE‐MRI
Authors: Singh Anup , Rathore Ram K. Singh , Haris Mohammad , Verma Sanjay K. , Husain Nuzhat , Gupta Rakesh K. 
Published: December 2008

AbstractPurposeTo develop a methodology for improved estimation of bolus arrival time (BAT) and arterial input function (AIF) which are prerequisites for tracer kinetic analysis of dynamic contrast‐enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (DCE‐MRI) data and to verify the applicability of the same in the case of intracranial lesions (brain tumor and tuberculoma).Materials and MethodsA continuous piecewise linear (PL) model (with BAT as one of the free parameters) is proposed for concentration time curve C(t) in T1‐weighted DCE‐MRI. The resulting improved procedure suggested for automatic extraction of AIF is compared with earlier methods. The accuracy of BAT and other estimated parameters is tested over simulated as well as experimental data.ResultsThe proposed PL model provides a good approximation of C(t) trends of interest and fit parameters show their significance in a better understanding and classification of different tissues. BAT was correctly estimated. The automatic and robust estimation of AIF obtained using the proposed methodology also corrects for partial volume effects. The accuracy of tracer kinetic analysis is improved and the proposed methodology also reduces the time complexity of the computations.ConclusionThe PL model parameters along with AIF measured by the proposed procedure can be used for an improved tracer kinetic analysis of DCE‐MRI data. J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2009;29:166–176. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Soil organic carbon and nitrogen fractions and water‐stable aggregation as affected by cropping and grassland reclamation in an arid sub‐alpine soil
Authors: Li Xiao Gang , Zhang Ping Liang , Yin Ping , Li Yin Ke , Ma Qi Fu , Long Rui Jun , Li Feng Min 
Published: December 2008

AbstractThis paper investigates effects of cropping abandonment and perennial grass growing on soil organic C and N pools and aggregate stability, by comparing soils under native grassland, crop cultivation, perennial grass growing and cropping abandonment, in degraded cropland at a sub‐alpine site in north‐western China. The pools of total and particulate organic C (115 and 37 Mg ha−1) in the 0–30 cm soil layer of native grassland were reduced by 31 and 54% after 30 years of crop cultivation. After 4 years of conversion from cropland to perennial grass growing total and particulate organic C pools were increased by 29 and 56%, whereas 4 year cropping abandonment increased particulate organic C by 36%. Rapid increases in total and particulate N were also found in perennial grass growing and cropping abandonment soils. The native grassland soil and soils of cropping abandonment and perennial grass growing had higher carbohydrate C concentrations in the 0–10 cm layer than the cropped soil. The rapid recovery of particulate organic fraction and carbohydrates in the re‐vegetated soils were probably due to higher plant biomass inputs and lower organic matter decomposition compared with those in the cropped soil. Aggregate stability of the 0–30 cm soil layer was significantly decreased by crop cultivation but showed a good recovery after 4 year re‐vegetations. This study suggests that reduction of soil organic matter and aggregate stability under crop cultivation may be remedied by cropping abandonment or perennial grass growing. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Life history of a mule (c. 160 AD) from the Roman fort Biriciana/Weißenburg (Upper Bavaria) as revealed by serial stable isotope analysis of dental tissues
Authors: Berger T. E. , Peters J. , Grupe G. 
Published: December 2008

AbstractThe presence of the osseous remains of at least four mules in a garbage dump at the Roman fort of Biriciana near the town of Weißenburg, Upper Bavaria, dating to c. 160 AD, raised the question as to whether mule breeding was already performed to the north of the Alps during the Middle Roman Empire, or whether these animals still had to be imported from the Mediterranean. Serial analyses of the dental enamel and dentine of a lower fourth premolar and the surrounding alveolar bone of a mandible of a mule in terms of stable strontium isotopic ratios of the apatite, and stable carbon and oxygen isotope ratios of the structural carbonate, were carried out to test whether this individual moved long distances during its lifetime. Since isotopic ratios obtained by serial analysis can be correlated with consecutive ontogenetic stages, it can be assumed that this particular individual experienced significant changes in terms of diet and environmental parameters after its eighth year of life. These changes included a period of residence in a region of high altitude, most likely the Alps considering the location of the Roman fort where the mule was found. The isotopic data obtained do not contradict the assumption that this animal was bred and raised in northern Italy, to frequent later in its adult life the Alps and finally perish at Biriciana/Weißenburg. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Validation of death and suicide recording on the THIN UK primary care database
Authors: Hall Gillian C. 
Published: December 2008

AbstractPurposeData from a cohort study were used to investigate death and cause of death (COD) recording on the THIN UK primary care database.MethodsSubjects from 118 practices had a body mass index recorded, 2002–2003 (index date), no recent pregnancy or emotional event, or cancer. Coded and free text entries were searched for a COD for deaths dated ≤485 days after index date. External documents were requested when date or COD were unclear, suicide was possible, and for a random sample of 40 patients with a COD identified.ResultsFive of 1399 deaths dated within 1 year of the index date had not died (positive predictive value 99.6%) and 4 of 222 dated within 366–485 days had died during the year (sensitivity 99.7%). A database COD was identified for 887 (63.4%) with external documents received for 597 (92.8% requested). Of 40 compared with external sources, the underlying COD was on the database in 33 (82.5%), and could be identified as such in 26 (65%). The date was within 1 day of that on external documents in 504 (94.9%) with a date of death but 3 (5.7%) with only a transfer‐out of practice date. One of seven suicides was recorded as such.ConclusionAny database record of death or its date is reliable, but transfer‐out date is often later. Studies of COD or acute, potentially fatal conditions will miss cases unless a COD is obtained for all fatalities. Most suicides are not noted as such on the electronic record. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Comparison of various measures for assessing medication refill adherence using prescription data
Authors: Vink N. M. , Klungel O. H. , Stolk R. P. , Denig P. 
Published: December 2008

AbstractBackgroundSeveral measures using prescription data have been developed for estimating medication refill adherence. Few studies have made direct comparisons, and little is known about the accuracy of these measures in patients on a multiple‐drug regimen.PurposeTo compare different calculation methods using prescription data for assessing refill adherence.MethodAn observational cohort study among type 2 diabetes patients was conducted. Adherence to oral glucose‐lowering, antihypertensive and lipid‐lowering medication was assessed for 2004. We calculated medication possession ratios in a flexible period (MPRF), per calendar year (MPRY) and gaps between refills (GAP) at drug class and therapeutic level. Individual review of drug prescription profiles was conducted to validate identified cases of suboptimal refill adherence. Differences in Area Under the Curve (AUC) of ROC‐curves were calculated to compare the methods.ResultsOf the 3877 patients, 2969 (77%) patients received oral glucose‐lowering medication, 2715 (70%) antihypertensives and 1797 (46%) lipid‐lowering medication. Using cutoffs for MPR < 80% and GAP > 30 days, overall rates of suboptimal adherence for these drug classes were 32, 35 and 23% respectively. AUC for measures calculated at drug class level (range 0.85–0.90) were significantly larger than those calculated at therapeutic level (0.72–0.90). For oral glucose‐regulating medication and antihypertensives, AUCs were largest for the MPRY and GAP measures (0.87–0.88). For lipid‐lowering medication, the AUC was largest for the GAP measure (0.90).ConclusionsDifferences between adherence measures were small and favoured calculation on drug class level. For multiple drug use, both MPRY and GAP were good measures for identifying suboptimal refill adherence. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Origin of the low carrier lifetime edge zone in multicrystalline PV silicon
Authors: Nærland Tine Uberg , Arnberg Lars , Holt Arve 
Published: December 2008

AbstractAn investigation of impurities, crystal defects and microstructure has been performed on the edge zone, i.e. close to the crucible wall, which experiences reduced carrier lifetime in a directionally solidified multicrystalline p‐doped silicon ingot. The characterization methods applied have been QSSPC, FTIR, μW‐PCD, EBSD, CDI, PVScan, optical microscopy, FeB‐pair splitting and GDMS. The results of the minority carrier lifetime measurements have revealed strongly reduced values in the vicinity of the edge (< 1 μs). Increased values were obtained starting at 15–17 mm from the edge. Light elements analyses showed that the O, N and C concentrations, interstitially or in particles, did not increase in the edge zone, neither did the dislocation density. GDMS analyses detected traces of aluminium, iron, copper, titanium and chromium. The total iron concentration showed an increase towards the edge, though high concentrations were occasionally detected in the bulk. FeB pair analysis revealed large concentrations of Fe (∼1 × 1013 cm−3) in the vicinity of the edge with a distinctively decreasing trend moving away from the edge. The detected FeB‐concentrations are sufficient to account for the majority of the lifetime degradation close to the edge (0‐‐15 mm). In addition, Fe, in the form of FeB pairs, was extensively observed as object to internal gettering to high angle boundaries and dislocations. Fe, in the form of FeB pairs, is furthermore believed to originate from solid state diffusion from the crucible and coating. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Aromatic nitro substitution reaction between 4‐nitro‐N‐n‐butyl‐1,8‐naphthalimide and n‐heptanethiol in water–methanol binary mixtures
Authors: Triboni Eduardo Rezende , Artur Julio Cesar , Filho Pedro Berci , Cuccovia Iolanda Midea , Politi Mario José 
Published: December 2008

AbstractThe second‐order rate constants of thiolysis by n‐heptanethiol on 4‐nitro‐N‐n‐butyl‐1,8‐naphthalimide (4NBN) are strongly affected by the water–methanol binary mixture composition reaching its maximum at around 50% mole fraction. In parallel solvent effects on 4NBN absorption molar extinction coefficient also shows a maximum at this composition region. From the spectroscopic study of reactant and product and the known H‐bond capacity of the mixture a rationalization that involves specific solvent H‐donor interaction with the nitro group is proposed to explain the kinetic data. Present findings also show a convenient methodology to obtain strongly fluorescent imides, valuable for peptide and analogs labeling as well as for thio‐naphthalimide derivatives preparations. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
A new visible light sensitive photoinitiator system for the cationic polymerization of epoxides
Authors: Crivello James V. 
Published: December 2008

AbstractThis communication reports the development of an efficient three‐component visible light sensitive photoinitiator system for the cationic ring‐opening photopolymerization of epoxide monomers and epoxide functional oligomers. The photoinitiator system consists of camphorquinone in combination with a benzyl alcohol to generate free radicals by the absorption of visible light. Subsequently, the radicals participate in the free radical chain induced decomposition of a diaryliodonium salt. The resulting strong Brønsted acid derived from this process catalyzes the cationic ring‐opening polymerization of a variety of epoxide substrates. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 47: 866–875, 2009
Positron annihilation lifetime and differential scanning calorimetric study of immiscible NBR/PE blends
Authors: Gomaa E. , Aly E. Hassan , Mohsen M. 
Published: December 2008

AbstractThe temperature dependence of the mean size of nanoscale free‐volume holes, 〈Vh〉, in polymer blend system consisting of polar and nonpolar polymers has been investigated. The positron lifetime spectra were measured for a series of polymer blends between polyethylene (PE) and nitrile butadiene rubber (NBR) as a function of temperature from 100 to 300 K. The glass transition temperatures (Tg) for blends were determined from the ortho‐positronium (o‐Ps) lifetime τ3 and the mean size of free‐volume holes 〈Vh〉 versus temperature as a function of wt % of NBR. The Tgs estimated from the PALS data agree very well with those estimated from DSC in view of different time scales involved in the two measurements. Both DSC and PALS results for the blends showed two clear Tgs of a two‐phase system. Furthermore, from the variation of thermal expansivity of the nanoscale free‐volume holes, the thermal expansion coefficients of glass and amorphous phases were estimated. Variations of the o‐Ps formation probability I3 versus temperature for pure PE and blends with low wt % of NBR were interpreted on the basis of the spur reaction model of Ps formation with reference to the effects of localized electrons and trapping centers produced by positron irradiation. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part B: Polym Phys 47: 227–238, 2009
Phase behavior and properties of polyvinyl alcohol/gelatin blends with novel pH‐dependence
Authors: Su Run , Su Juanxia , Wang Ke , Chen Daiqiang , Yang Changyue , Fu Qiang 
Published: December 2008

AbstractA novel change of phase behavior and properties of polyvinyl alcohol (PVA)/gelatin blends as a function of pH was reported. The PVA/gelatin blends were found to be completely miscible in acidic condition (pH < 4), partially miscible in basic condition (pH > 8), and immiscible in neutral condition (pH was ca. 6). As a result, the membranes cast from acidic condition showed the highest tensile strength and the lowest alcohol vapor permeation (AVP) rate; those obtained from neutral condition showed the lowest tensile strength and highest AVP rate; the properties of membranes cast from basic condition lay in between. The interaction between PVA and gelatin was investigated via Fourier transform infrared spectrum (FTIR), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), and Zetasizer measurement. The novel pH‐dependence of the blends was ascribed to the protonation of amino groups of gelatin in acidic condition, which resulted in a strong electrostatic attraction between NH of gelatin and OH of PVA. The partial miscibility in basic condition was due to the ionization of carboxyl groups of gelatin, which caused a stretching of gelatin via electrostatic repulsive force and a breakage of the H‐bonding among the molecular chains, leading to a limited interaction between PVA and gelatin and forming a partially miscible blend. In neutral conditions, there were almost no charges (very limited protonation and ionization) at the weak polyampholyte gelatin, and the strong H‐bonding among gelatin molecules themselves or PVA molecules themselves caused the phase separation between gelatin and PVA. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part B: Polym Phys 47: 239–247, 2009
Morphology and crystallization behavior of poly(vinylidene fluoride)/poly(methyl methacrylate)/methyl salicylate, and benzophenone systems via thermally induced phase separation
Authors: Ma Wenzhong , Chen Shuangjun , Zhang Jun , Wang Xiaolin , Miao Wenhu 
Published: December 2008

AbstractPoly(vinylidene fluoride) (PVDF) blend microporous membranes were prepared by PVDF/poly(methyl methacrylate) blend (with mass ratio = 70/30) via thermally induced phase separation. Benzophenone (BP) and methyl salicylate (MS) were used as diluents. The phase diagram calculations were carried out in terms of a pseudobinary system, considering the PVDF blend to be one component. The crytallization behaviors of PVDF in the dilutions were detected by differential scanning calorimetry measurement. In these two systems, the melting and crystallization temperatures leveled off in the low polymer concentration (<40 wt %), but shifted to a higher temperature when the polymer concentration >40 wt %. The calculated crystallinity of PVDF for samples with low polymer concentrations was greater than those with high polymer concentrations, because of the limited mobility of polymer chains at a high polymer concentration. The membrane structure as determined by scanning electron microscopy depended on the phase separation mechanism. The quenched samples mainly illustrated the occurrence of crystallization on the same time scale as the liquid–liquid phase separated, resulting in the obvious spherulitic structure with small pores in the spherulites. As the polymer concentration increased, the size of the spherulites and pores within the spherulite was decreased. The evaluated porosity for BP diluted system was higher than that for MS diluted system, and decreased with the increased polymer concentration. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part B: Polym Phys 47: 248–260, 2009