bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Simvastatin Improves Flow-Mediated Dilation but Reduces Adiponectin Levels and Insulin Sensitivity in Hypercholesterolemic Patients
Authors: Koh Kwang Kon , Quon Michael J. , Han Seung Hwan , Lee Yonghee , Ahn Jeong Yeal , Kim Soo Jin , Koh Yesl , Shin Eak Kyun 
Published: March 2008

OBJECTIVE—We hypothesized that simvastatin may reduce adiponectin levels and insulin sensitivity in hypercholesterolemic patients.
RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS—This was a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel study. Age, sex, and BMI were matched. Thirty-two patients were given placebo, and 30, 32, 31, and 31 patients were given daily 10, 20, 40, and 80 mg simvastatin, respectively, during a 2-month treatment period.
RESULTS—Simvastatin doses of 10, 20, 40, and 80 mg significantly reduced total cholesterol (mean changes 27, 25, 37, and 38%), LDL cholesterol (39, 38, 52, and 54%), and apolipoprotein B levels (24, 30, 36, and 42%) and improved flow-mediated dilation (FMD) (68, 40, 49, and 63%) after 2 months of therapy compared with baseline (P &lt; 0.001 by paired t test) or compared with placebo (P &lt; 0.001 by ANOVA). Simvastatin doses of 10, 20, 40, and 80 mg significantly decreased plasma adiponectin levels (4, 12, 5, and 10%) and insulin sensitivity (determined by the Quantitative Insulin-Sensitivity Check Index [QUICKI]) (5, 8, 6, and 6%) compared with baseline (P &lt; 0.05 by paired t test) or compared with placebo (P = 0.011 for adiponectin and P = 0.034 for QUICKI by ANOVA). However, the magnitudes of these percent changes (FMD, adiponectin, and QUICKI) were not significantly different among four different doses of simvastatin despite dose-dependent changes in the reduction of apolipoprotein B levels.
CONCLUSIONS—Simvastatin significantly improved endothelium-dependent dilation, but reduced adiponectin levels and insulin sensitivity in hypercholesterolemic patients independent of dose and the extent of apolipoprotein B reduction.
A dimeric copper coumarin complex: synthesis and crystal structure of [{Cu(4-methyl-7-(salicylideneamino)coumarin)2}2]
Authors: Aazam Elham , EL Husseiny Amel , Hitchcock Peter , Alshehri Jemila 
Published: March 2008

Abstract
A binuclear copper complex [{Cu(L)2}2], C68H48Cu2N4O12C (where L is 4-methyl-7-(salicylideneamino)coumarin), has been synthesized and characterized using elemental analysis, molar conductance measurements, and infrared, ultraviolet and ESR spectrosopy. The molecular structure of title compound, determined by single-crystal X-ray diffraction studies, reveals that the two symmetric Cu(L)2 units are associated into a dimer by rather long Cu...O bonds. The Cu(II) ions are bridged via the phenolic oxygen of one of the monomers and have distorted trigonal bipyramidal conformation geometry. Within each monomer the two methylsubstituted coumarin skeletons are trans to one another, but adopt a parallel arrangement with respect to the other monomer. Only half of the complex molecule can be found in the asymmetric unit, Z′ = 0.5, the other half is generated by the symmetry centre.
A Generalised Approach to the use of Sampling for Rapid Object Location
Authors: Davies E. 
Published: March 2008

A Generalised Approach to the use of Sampling for Rapid Object LocationThis paper has developed a generalised sampling strategy for the rapid location of objects in digital images. In this strategya prioriinformation on the possible locations of objects is used to guide the sampling process, and earlier body-based and edge-based approaches emerge automatically on applying the righta prioriprobability maps. In addition, the limitations of the earlier regular sampling technique have been clarified and eased—with the result that sampling patterns are better matched to the positions of the image boundaries. These methods lead to improved speeds of operation both in the cases where all the objects in an image have to be located and also where the positions of individual objects have to be updated. Finally, the method is interesting in being intrinsically able to perform full binary search tree edge location without the need for explicit programming.
Nonlinear Image Processing and Filtering: A Unified Approach Based on Vertically Weighted Regression
Authors: Rafajłowicz Ewaryst , Pawlak Mirosław , Steland Angsar 
Published: March 2008

Nonlinear Image Processing and Filtering: A Unified Approach Based on Vertically Weighted RegressionA class of nonparametric smoothing kernel methods for image processing and filtering that possess edge-preserving properties is examined. The proposed approach is a nonlinearly modified version of the classical nonparametric regression estimates utilizing the concept of vertical weighting. The method unifies a number of known nonlinear image filtering and denoising algorithms such as bilateral and steering kernel filters. It is shown that vertically weighted filters can be realized by a structure of three interconnected radial basis function (RBF) networks. We also assess the performance of the algorithm by studying industrial images.
Classification of Breast Cancer Malignancy Using Cytological Images of Fine Needle Aspiration Biopsies
Authors: Jeleń Łukasz , Fevens Thomas , Krzyżak Adam 
Published: March 2008

Classification of Breast Cancer Malignancy Using Cytological Images of Fine Needle Aspiration BiopsiesAccording to the World Health Organization (WHO), breast cancer (BC) is one of the most deadly cancers diagnosed among middle-aged women. Precise diagnosis and prognosis are crucial to reduce the high death rate. In this paper we present a framework for automatic malignancy grading of fine needle aspiration biopsy tissue. The malignancy grade is one of the most important factors taken into consideration during the prediction of cancer behavior after the treatment. Our framework is based on a classification using Support Vector Machines (SVM). The SVMs presented here are able to assign a malignancy grade based on preextracted features with the accuracy up to 94.24%. We also show that SVMs performed best out of four tested classifiers.
Circular Object Detection Using a Modified Hough Transform
Authors: Smereka Marcin , Dulęba Ignacy 
Published: March 2008

Circular Object Detection Using a Modified Hough TransformA practical modification of the Hough transform is proposed that improves the detection of low-contrast circular objects. The original circular Hough transform and its numerous modifications are discussed and compared in order to improve both the efficiency and computational complexity of the algorithm. Medical images are selected to verify the algorithm. In particular, the algorithm is applied to localize cell nuclei of cytological smears visualized using a phase contrast microscope.
M-Ary Phase Modulation for Digital Watermarking
Authors: Xin Yongqing , Pawlak Mirosław 
Published: March 2008

M-Ary Phase Modulation for Digital WatermarkingIn spread spectrum based watermarking schemes, it is a challenging task to embed multiple bits of information into the host signal.M-ary modulation has been proposed as an effective approach to multibit watermarking. It has been proved that anM-ary modulation based watermarking system outperforms significantly a binary modulation based watermarking system. However, in the existingM-ary modulation based algorithms, the value ofMis restricted to be less than 256, because asMincreases, the computation workload for data extraction advances exponentially. In this paper, we propose an efficientM-ary modulation scheme, i.e.,M-ary phase modulation, which reduces the computation in data extraction to a very low level. With this scheme, it is practical to implement anM-ary modulation based algorithm with a high value ofM, e.g.,M= 220. This is significant for a watermarking system, because it can either greatly increase the data capacity of a watermark given the necessary watermark robustness, or considerably improve the watermark robustness given the amount of information of the watermark. The superiority of the proposed scheme is verified by simulation results.
Mechanisms of structural change derived from patterns of seedling emergence and mortality in a semi‐natural meadow
Authors: Stampfli Andreas , Zeiter Michaela 
Published: March 2008

AbstractQuestions: Is seedling emergence limited by the set of viable seeds, by incompatibility between the phenology of seed shedding and timing of mowing, or by dry weather in germination periods?Does seedling mortality fluctuate with season and weather?Location: Negrentino, southern Alps, Switzerland.Methods: Fecundity estimates of the dominant grass Bromus erectus; highly frequent counts of spontaneous seedlings by species and calculation of a community‐level average mortality rate across 5 years; species‐level records of seed shedding date and measurements of seed mass; measurement of soil moisture.Results: B. erectus produced 143.9 viable seeds/m2/year while the density of its seedlings was a 55 times smaller fraction. Grasses had fewer seedlings than forbs and their phenology of seed shedding was less compatible with mowing date. Soil moisture was a strong determinant of seedling emergence in spring and less so in autumn. Average seedling mortality declined with age of the populations and reached a maximum in an extremely dry summer. In relatively wet summers establishment success was positively related to seed mass.Conclusion: Community structure is susceptible to drought through mechanisms that selectively reduce recruits of coexisting plant functional groups. We propose that (1) more frequent intense droughts tend to reduce species that depend on frequent recruitment from seed, hence favour long‐lived clonally spreading species, (2) drought timing selects between species with different germination phenology and drought resistance, and (3) drought impacts can be mitigated by changing management regimes that affect seed shedding.
“Invisible” Silver Tracks Produced by Combining Hot‐Embossing and Inkjet Printing
Authors: Hendriks Chris E. , Smith Patrick J. , Perelaer Jolke , van den Berg Antje M. J. , Schubert Ulrich S. 
Published: March 2008

AbstractHot‐embossed features are prepared by pushing customized and standard silicon calibration gratings, known as masters, into either polystyrene or polycarbonate, which are kept above their glass transition temperatures. droplet of a silver nanoparticle ink is then dispensed over one of these as‐formed grooves using an inkjet printer. The ink fills the grooves as a consequence of capillary forces and is observed to form tracks with a uniform width. The tracks are described as ‘invisible’ on account of having widths ranging from 5 to 15 µm. Wider tracks can be produced by dispensing more droplets and tracks with different morphologies can be produced by using different masters. Several as‐prepared features are thermally treated to produce conductive silver tracks. The conductivity of the tracks is found to be ∼20% that of bulk silver.
ZnO Hierarchical Micro/Nanoarchitectures: Solvothermal Synthesis and Structurally Enhanced Photocatalytic Performance
Authors: Lu Fang , Cai Weiping , Zhang Yugang 
Published: March 2008

AbstractA novel ZnO hierarchical micro/nanoarchitecture is fabricated by a facile solvothermal approach in an aqueous solution of ethylenediamine (EDA). This complex architecture is of a core/shell structure, composed of dense nanosheet‐built networks that stand on a hexagonal‐pyramid‐like microcrystal (core part). The ZnO hexagonal micropyramid has external surfaces that consist of a basal plane (000${\bar 1}$) and lateral planes {0${\bar 1}$11}. The nanosheets are a uniform thickness of about 10 nm and have a single‐crystal structure with sheet‐planar surfaces as {2${\bar 1}\,{\bar 1}$0} planes. These nanosheets interlace and overlap each other with an angle of 60° or 120°, and assemble into a discernible net‐ or grid‐like morphology (about 100 nm in grid‐size) on the micropyramid, which shows a high specific surface area (185.6 m2 g−1). Such a ZnO micro/nanoarchitecture is new in the family of ZnO nanostructures. Its formation depends on the concentration of the EDA solution as well as on the type of zinc source. A two‐step sequential growth model is proposed based on observations from a time‐dependent morphology evolution process. Importantly, such structured ZnO has shown a strong structure‐induced enhancement of photocatalytic performance and has exhibited a much better photocatalytic property and durability for the photodegradation of methyl orange than that of other nanostructured ZnO, such as the powders of nanoparticles, nanosheets, and nanoneedles. This is mainly attributed to its higher surface‐to‐volume ratio and stability against aggregation. This work not only gives insight into understanding the hierarchical growth behaviour of complex ZnO micro/nanoarchitectures in a solution‐phase synthetic system, but also provides an efficient route to enhance the photocatalytic performance of ZnO, which could also be extended to other catalysts, such as the inherently excellent TiO2, if they are of the same hierarchical micro/nanoarchitecture with an open and porous nanostructured surface layer.
Nanostructured Sheets of TiO Nanobelts for Gas Sensing and Antibacterial Applications
Authors: Wang Yanmin , Du Guojun , Liu Hong , Liu Duo , Qin Shubin , Wang Na , Hu Chenguo , Tao Xutang , Jiao Jun , Wang Jiyang , Wang Zhong Lin 
Published: March 2008

AbstractThree types of TiO‐compound‐based nanobelts (Na2Ti3O7, H2Ti3O7, TiO2) are prepared from commercial TiO2 powders via an alkaline hydrothermal process. Nanostructured sheets based on the as‐synthesized nanobelts are prepared using a paper‐making process. The nanobelts are connected with hydrogen bonds or/and bridge oxygen atoms and packed together, forming a paperlike porous network structure, with an average pore size of ∼500 nm. The electrical properties and gas sensing of the nanostructured sheets are demonstrated to display sensitivity down to sub‐ppb levels. H2Ti3O7 nanobelts decorated with Ag nanoparticles have also been applied as an antibacterial agent.
Optical Transmission Properties and Electric Field Distribution of Interacting 2D Silver Nanorod Arrays
Authors: Evans Paul R. , Kullock René , Hendren William R. , Atkinson Ron , Pollard Robert J. , Eng Lukas M. 
Published: March 2008

AbstractSilver nanorods have been grown by electrodeposition into thin film porous alumina templates (AAO). Optical transmission measurements using p‐polarized incident white light shows clear plasmon resonance extinction peaks. We successfully model the dependence on angle in incidence of extinction peak height and position using a multiple–multipoles (MMP) approach with the different spectral features being clearly associated with the effective electric field distribution and coupling between individual nanorods.
Synthesis, Characterization and Application of New Rhodium Complexes for Indirect Electrochemical Cofactor Regeneration
Authors: Hildebrand Falk , Kohlmann Christina , Franz Andreas , Lütz Stephan 
Published: March 2008

AbstractElectroenzymatic synthesis often suffers from electrochemical reaction steps which proceed slower than the coupled enzyme reaction. For indirect electrochemical cofactor regeneration, we here report two new mediators with superior properties compared to the established rhodium complex (2,2′‐bipyridyl)(pentamethylcyclopentadienyl)rhodium [Cp*Rh(2,2′‐bipyridine)]. After constructing a robotic system for fast and reliable cyclic voltammetry measurements, we screened twelve rhodium complexes with substituted 2,2′‐bipyridine ligands for their reduction potentials and catalytic activity towards the reduction of NADP. Promising complexes were investigated in more detail by cyclic voltammetry and under batch electrolysis conditions. The new complexes Cp*Rh(5,5′‐methyl‐2,2′‐bipyridine) and Cp*Rh(4,4′‐methoxy‐2,2′‐bipyridine) reduced NADP to NADPH three times faster than the established mediator, resulting in volumetric productivities of up to 136 mmol L−1 d−1 and turnover frequencies of up to 113 h−1. This increased reaction rate of these new mediators makes indirect electrochemical approach significantly more competitive to other methods of cofactor regeneration.Abbreviations: ADH=alcohol dehydrogenase; Ag|AgCl=silver|silver chloride reference electrode; bpy=2,2′‐bipyridine; ci=current increase; Cp*=pentamethylcyclopentadienyl; CV=cyclic voltammetry; Ep=peak potential; equiv=equivalent; NADP/NADPH=nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate oxidised/reduced form.
Base‐Catalyzed and Solvent‐Dependent Cascade Reaction in the Regioselective Synthesis of Novel Fused Polycycles
Authors: Xia Min , Xiang Guo‐Feng , Wu Bin , Han Yi‐Feng 
Published: March 2008

AbstractA novel base‐catalyzed cascade reaction induced by Knoevenegal condensation that can regioselectively generate cyanoflavanones and heavily fused polycycles with intensive fluorescence and high quantum yields is reported. The reaction is solvent‐dependent, low‐polarity solvents promote the formation of polycycles while high‐polarity solvents favor the conversion to cyanoflavanones. A possible mechanism for such serial transformations is proposed.
Fast and Enantioselective Production of 1‐Aryl‐1‐propanols through a Single Pass, Continuous Flow Process
Authors: Pericàs Miquel A. , Herrerías Clara I. , Solà Lluís 
Published: March 2008

AbstractA functional polymer 4, obtained by reaction of (R)‐2‐(1‐piperazinyl)‐1,1,2‐triphenylethanol with a Merrifield resin, has been loaded in a packed bed reactor and used as catalyst for the continuous enantioselective production of 1‐arylpropanols by ethylation of aromatic aldehydes. The high catalytic activity depicted by 4 allows the complete conversion of the substrates with the use of stoichiometric reagent ratios and unprecedently short residence times (down to 2.8 min). In practice, a single‐pass operation can be used for all the studied aldehydes, and productions of up to 13.0 mol/g h are recorded. The sequential operation of the flow system for the uninterrupted synthesis of a small library of enantiopure 1‐arylpropanols is also reported.
Reparameterization of inestimable systems with applications to chemical and biochemical reactor systems
Authors: Ben‐zvi Amos 
Published: March 2008

AbstractMathematical models of physical systems often have parameters that must be estimated from measured data. Inestimable models have more parameters than can be estimated from available data. In this work, a method for identifying inestimable parameters or parameter combinations is proposed. The method is based on partitioning the parameter space into estimable and inestimable subspaces. Parameter combinations in the inestimable subspace have little effect on measured values and can therefore be fixed at a nominal value. The number of effective parameters is thereby reduced to the dimension of the estimable subspace. The proposed method is applicable over a range of experimental conditions. Detailed examples, including a batch bioreactor and a three‐phase reactor system, are included for illustration. © 2008 American Institute of Chemical Engineers AIChE J, 2008
Disparities in work‐related injuries associated with worker compensation coverage status
Authors: Nicholson Valerie J. , Bunn Terry L. , Costich Julia F. 
Published: March 2008

AbstractBackgroundThis exploratory study addresses patterns of injury in an emerging population of contingent workers who are not covered by either worker's compensation (WC) or health insurance. The primary purpose is to improve the information base regarding the entire population of uninsured, injured workers. Because Latino workers are over‐represented in the uninsured group, we include additional characterization of their patterns of injury. Recent studies have found that worker compensation claims and reports address a shrinking proportion of occupational injury and exposure, and about two‐thirds of occupational injuries are not captured in the U.S. national surveillance system.MethodsFollowing the NEISS methodology, a work‐relatedness indicator was retrieved for emergency department (ED) visits to an academic health center in fiscal year 2005.ResultsTwenty percent of self‐declared work‐related injuries were not associated with self‐reported WC coverage. Parametric and non‐parametric statistical analysis found several significant disparities in workers without WC. These disparities included a higher proportion of Latinos, workers under age 25, and construction workers. In the uninsured group, Latino workers had a higher proportion of moderate and severe injuries. Nearly all (92 percent) workers without WC also lacked health insurance. Injured low‐income workers who lack access to both WC and employer‐sponsored health insurance comprise an increasing percentage of the occupationally injured. Our exploratory study found this to be particularly true in high‐risk populations.ConclusionsWork‐relatedness indicators collected routinely in ED and outpatient settings should be incorporated into standard reporting systems to facilitate more accurate and comprehensive surveillance and better‐targeted interventions. Am. J. Ind. Med. 51:393–398, 2008. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Sleeping tree choice by Bwindi chimpanzees
Authors: Stanford Craig B. , O'Malley Robert C. 
Published: March 2008

AbstractUnlike nearly all other nonhuman primates, great apes build sleeping nests. In Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, Uganda, chimpanzees build nests nightly and also build day nests. We investigated patterns of nest tree use by Bwindi chimpanzees to understand ecological influences on nest tree selection. We analyzed data on 3,414 chimpanzee nests located from 2000 to 2004. Chimpanzees at Bwindi were selective in their use of nest trees. Of at least 163 tree species known to occur in Bwindi [Butynski, Ecological survey of the Impenetrable (Bwindi) Forest, Uganda, and recommendations for its conservation and management. Report to the Government of Uganda, 1984], chimpanzees utilized only 38 species for nesting. Of these, four tree species (Cassipourea sp., Chrysophyllum gorungosanum, Drypetes gerrardii, and Teclea nobilis) accounted for 72.1% of all nest trees. There was considerable variation in nesting frequencies among the top four species between and within years. However, these species were used significantly more often for nesting than other species in 70.9% (39 of 55) of the months of this study. A Spearman rank correlation found no significant relationship between tree abundance and tree species preference. Ninety‐three percent of all nests were constructed in food tree species, although not necessarily at the same time the trees bore food items used by chimpanzees. The results indicate that nesting tree species preferences exist. Bwindi chimpanzees' choice of nesting tree species does not appear to be dependent on tree species density or use of the tree for food. We discuss possible reasons for the selectivity in nest trees by the Bwindi population. Am. J. Primatol. 70:642–649, 2008. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Cycloisomerisierungen von 1,n‐Eninen: faszinierende metallkatalysierte Umlagerungen und mechanistische Einblicke
Authors: Michelet Véronique , Toullec Patrick Y. , Genêt Jean‐Pierre 
Published: March 2008

AbstractMetallkatalysierte Cycloisomerisierungen von 1,n‐Eninen haben sich als konzeptionell und chemisch höchst attraktive Reaktionen erwiesen, da sie dem häufig geforderten Streben nach Atomökonomie nachkommen und neuartige Reaktionsverläufe ermöglichen. Seit den bahnbrechenden Arbeiten in der Gruppe von Barry Trost mit Palladium Mitte der 1980er Jahre wurden viele weitere Metalle als hervorragende Katalysatoren für Enin‐Gerüstumlagerungen identifiziert. Zudem kann das Verhalten von 1,n‐Eninen durch funktionelle Gruppen wie Alkohol‐, Aldehyd‐, Ether‐, Alken‐ oder Alkineinheiten beeinflusst werden, wodurch die Komplexität der synthetisierten Verbindungen zunimmt. Neben den eigentlichen 1,n‐Enin‐Umlagerungen wurden mehrere Tandemreaktionen entdeckt, die intramolekulare Abfangreagentien oder intermolekulare Partner einbeziehen. Diese Übersicht will die wichtigsten Beiträge auf diesem Gebiet der Katalyse behandeln und die mechanistischen Erkenntnisse zu den neuesten Entdeckungen darlegen und kommentieren.