bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
A systemic approach toward optimization of the hot embossing of poly‐L‐lactic acid for biomedical applications
Authors: Belligundu Sunil , Shiakolas Panayiotis S. , Pandey Anurag , Aswath Pranesh B. 
Published: December 2007

AbstractPoly L‐lactic acid (PLLA) is a popular biodegradable polymer that is used extensively for many biological applications. A limitation of using PLLA is the difficulty in forming the polymer in complex shapes and forms for applications that include drug delivery and tissue engineering. This study focuses on PLLA replication using hot embossing technology. In this study hot embossing process parameters were identified, replication quality was examined, and crystallinity of PLLA was analyzed. The replication quality of micropillars and microreservoirs was examined using optical microscopy and scanning electron microscopy, with good replication obtained using a hot embossing pressure of 18 MPa at a temperature of 85°C and holding time of 120 s. The material properties were examined using differential scanning calorimetry and infrared spectroscopy that indicated no substantial crystallinity or structural changes during hot embossing of PLLA. The study presented in this article concludes with the assessment that hot embossing technology could be used as a viable micromanufacturing process for the fabrication of inexpensive PLLA‐based microdevices, with possible applications to controlled drug delivery, growth factors pathways, or other therapeutic applications. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part B: Appl Biomater, 2008
In vitrocytotoxicity of dental alloys and cpTi obtained by casting
Authors: Faria Adriana C. L. , Rosa Adalberto L. , Rodrigues Renata C. S. , Ribeiro Ricardo F. 
Published: December 2007

AbstractBackground: This study aimed to compare the cytotoxicity of base‐metal dental alloys and to evaluate if the casting method could influence their cytotoxicity. Methods: Disks of base‐metal dental alloys were cast by two methods: plasma, under argon atmosphere, injected by vacuum‐pressure; and oxygen‐gas flame, injected by centrifugation, except Ti‐6Al‐4V and commercially pure titanium (cpTi), cast only by plasma. SCC9 cells were cultured in culture media D‐MEM/Ham's F12 supplemented, at 37°C in a humidified atmosphere of 5% carbon dioxide and 95% air, on the previously prepared disks. At subconfluence in wells without disks (control), cell number and viability were evaluated. Results: In plasma method, cpTi and Ti‐6Al‐4V were similar to control and presented higher number of cells than all other alloys, followed by Ni‐Cr. In oxygen‐gas flame method, all alloys presented fewer cells than control. Ni‐Cr presented more cells than any other alloy, followed by Co‐Cr‐Mo‐W which presented more cells than Ni‐Cr‐Ti, Co‐Cr‐Mo, and Ni‐Cr‐Be. There were no significant differences between casting methods related to cell number. Cell viability was not affected by either chemical composition or casting methods. Conclusion: cpTi and Ti‐6Al‐4V were not cytotoxic while Ni‐Cr‐Be was the most cytotoxic among tested alloys. The casting method did not affect cytotoxicity of the alloys. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part B: Appl Biomater, 2008
In vitro biostability evaluation of polyurethane composites in acidic, basic, oxidative, and neutral solutions
Authors: Lyu SuPing , Schley James , Loy Brian , Luo Lian , Hobot Chris , Sparer Randall , Untereker Darrel , Krzeszak Jason 
Published: December 2007

AbstractNew and improved properties can often be achieved by compounding two or more different but compatible materials. But, can failure possibility also be increased by such a compounding strategy? In this article, we compared the in vitro biostability of composites with that of the pure polymer. We tested three model composites in oxidative, acidic, basic, and neutral solutions. We found that oxidation degradation was much more profound in the composites than in the corresponding pure polymer. This degradation seemed to be an intrinsic property of composite materials. We also observed the well documented interfacial debonding between filler and matrix and its effects on the mechanical reinforcement of the hydrated composites. The improvements in acid and base resistance were also observed. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part B: Appl Biomater, 2008
Tissue‐engineered blood vessels with endothelial nitric oxide synthase activity
Authors: Lim Sang Hyun , Cho Seung‐Woo , Park Jong‐Chul , Jeon Oju , Lim Jae Min , Kim Sang‐Soo , Kim Byung‐Soo 
Published: December 2007

AbstractNondegradable synthetic polymer vascular grafts used in cardiovascular surgery have shown serious shortcomings, including thrombosis, calcification, infection, and lack of growth potential. Tissue engineering of vascular grafts with autologous stem cells and biodegradable polymeric materials could solve these problems. The present study is aimed to develop a tissue‐engineered vascular graft (TEVG) with functional endothelium using autologous bone marrow‐derived cells (BMCs) and a hybrid biodegradable polymer scaffold. Hybrid biodegradable polymer scaffolds were fabricated from poly(lactide‐co‐ε‐caprolactone) (PLCL) copolymer reinforced with poly(glycolic acid) (PGA) fibers. Canine bone marrow mononuclear cells were induced in vitro to differentiate into vascular smooth muscle cells and endothelial cells. TEVGs (internal diameter: 10 mm, length: 40 mm) were fabricated by seeding vascular cells differentiated from BMCs onto PGA/PLCL scaffolds and implanted into the abdominal aorta of bone marrow donor dogs (n = 7). Eight weeks after implantation of the TEVGs, the vascular grafts remained patent. Histological and immunohistochemical analyses of the vascular grafts retrieved at 8 weeks revealed the regeneration of endothelium and smooth muscle and the presence of collagen. Western blot analysis showed that endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) was expressed in TEVGs comparable to native abdominal aortas. This study demonstrates that vascular grafts with significant eNOS activity can be tissue‐engineered with autologous BMCs and hybrid biodegradable polymer scaffolds. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part B: Appl Biomater, 2008
The role of Doppler sonography in predicting severity of acute pancreatitis
Authors: Topal Naile Bolca , Kaya Ekrem , Ercan Ilker , Pourbagher Mir Ali , Topal Ugur 
Published: December 2007

AbstractPurposeTo investigate the role of Doppler sonography (DUS) examination of major abdominal arteries in predicting severity of acute pancreatitis (AP).MethodsTwenty‐nine patients diagnosed with AP and 14 controls were blindly and prospectively evaluated with Doppler sonography. Disease severity was defined clinically according to acute physiology and chronic health evaluation (APACHE II) score and was classified as severe for APACHE II score ≥8. DUS examination included the measurement of peak systolic velocity (PSV), end diastolic velocity (EDV), pulsatility index (PI), and resistance index (RI) of the celiac artery (CA) and superior mesenteric artery (SMA). Statistical analysis included Mann‐Whitney U test, Student t test, and receiver operating characteristic curve analysis.ResultsTwelve patients had severe AP and 17 had mild AP. PSV, EDV, and PI of the CA and RI of the SMA were higher in the severe AP group than in the mild AP and control groups (p < 0.001 and p < 0.0001, respectively). The sensitivity and specificity were 100% and 94%, respectively, for a 87 cm/second CA PSV cutoff value, 75% and 100%, respectively, for a 22 cm/second CA EDV cutoff value, 92% and 82%, respectively, for a 1.29 CA PI cutoff value, and 100% and 100%, respectively, for a 0.86 SMA RI cutoff value.ConclusionDUS can be useful in predicting the severity of AP in the early period of admission phase of the disease. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Clin Ultrasound, 2008
Newly‐developed Sendai virus vector for retinal gene transfer: reduction of innate immune response via deletion of all envelope‐related genes
Authors: Murakami Yusuke , Ikeda Yasuhiro , Yonemitsu Yoshikazu , Tanaka Sakura , Kondo Haruhiko , Okano Shinji , Kohno Ri‐ichiro , Miyazaki Masanori , Inoue Makoto , Hasegawa Mamoru , Ishibashi Tatsuro , Sueishi Katsuo 
Published: December 2007

AbstractBackgroundRecombinant Sendai virus vectors (rSeV) constitute a new class of cytoplasmic RNA vectors that have shown efficient gene transfer in various organs, including retinal tissue; however, the related immune responses remain to be overcome in view of clinical applications. We recently developed a novel rSeV from which all envelope‐related genes were deleted (rSeV/dFdMdHN) and, in the present study, assess host immune responses following retinal gene transfer.MethodsrSeV/dFdMdHN or conventional F‐gene deleted rSeV (rSeV/dF) was injected into subretinal space of adult Wistar rats or C57BL/6 mice. The transgene expression and histopathological findings were assessed at various time points. Immunological assessments, including the expression of proinflammatory cytokines, natural killer (NK)‐cell activity, as well as SeV‐specific cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTLs) and antibodies, were performed following vector injection.ResultsrSeV/dFdMdHN showed high gene transfer efficiency into the retinal pigment epithelium at an equivalent level to that seen with rSeV/dF. In the early phase, the upregulation of proinflammatory cytokines, local inflammatory cell infiltration and tissue damage that were all prominently seen in rSeV/dF injection were dramatically diminished using rSeV/dFdMdHN. NK cell activity was also decreased, indicating a reduction of the innate immune response. In the later phase, on the other hand, CTL activity and anti‐SeV antibodies were similarly induced, even using rSeV/dFdMdHN, and resulted in transient transgene expression in both vector types.ConclusionsDeletion of envelope‐related genes of rSeV dramatically reduces the vector‐induced retinal damage and may extend the utility for ocular gene transfer; however, further studies regulating the acquired immune response are required to achieve long‐term transgene expression of rSeV. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Modeling the neurovascular niche: Murine strain differences mimic the range of responses to chronic hypoxia in the premature newborn
Authors: Li Qi , Michaud Michael , Stewart William , Schwartz Michael , Madri Joseph A. 
Published: December 2007

AbstractPreterm birth results in significant cognitive and motor disabilities, but recent evidence suggests that there is variable recovery over time. One possibility that may explain this variable recovery entails variable neurogenic responses in the subventricular zone (SVZ) following the period of chronic hypoxia experienced by these neonates. In this report, we have characterized the responses to chronic hypoxia of two mouse strains that represent a wide range of susceptibility to chronic hypoxia. We determined that C57BL/6 pups and neural progenitor cells (NPCs) derived from them exhibit a blunted response to hypoxic insult compared with CD‐1 pups and NPCs. Specifically, C57BL/6 pups and NPCs exhibited blunted in vivo and in vitro proliferative and increased apoptotic responses to hypoxic insult. Additionally, C57BL/6 NPCs exhibited lower baseline levels and hypoxia‐induced levels of selected transcription factors, growth factors, and receptors (including HIF‐1α, PHD2, BDNF, VEGF, SDF‐1, TrkB, Nrp‐1, CXCR4, and NO) that determine, in part, the responsiveness to chronic hypoxic insult compared with CD‐1 pups and NPCs, providing insight into this important and timely problem in perinatology. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
The challenges of developing commercial activity in new university business schools: alternative approaches
Authors: Prince Christopher , Beaver Graham 
Published: December 2007

Abstract
This original research examines the nature and development of commercial activity in new (post‐1992) university business schools. The picture that emerges is one of a complex market that is local and regional in nature, and where the ability of individual schools to compete in a range of commercial submarkets is constrained by their resources and capabilities, as well as by market opportunities in the region.
The research highlights that although most schools are seeking to grow commercial activity, it is likely to be a slow process, based for the most part on incremental and organic growth. While commercial activity is a small and marginal source of revenue generation, it is unlikely that school and university systems, processes and structures will be developed to support commercial activity in ways that will allow it to grow substantially.
Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Managing organizational knowledge: developing a strategy for a professional services company
Authors: Skok Walter , Goldstein Brian 
Published: December 2007

Abstract
The aim of this paper is to identify the benefits of an improved Knowledge Management (KM) strategy for a small/medium‐sized professional services firm. The research examined how the three epistemological views (cognitivistic, connectionistic and autopoietic) influenced the management and use of organizational knowledge via the company intranet.
The Intranet Evaluation Model (Skok and Kalmanovitch, 2005) was selected to evaluate the company's KM strategy and was extended to emphasize group, cultural and external aspects. Knowledge Evaluation Maps were used to present findings in a revealing graphical display. The results indicated that the company's KM strategy should focus on the high‐value tacit knowledge of experts, develop the intranet in a connectionistic form, build upon existing knowledge activities and initiate more group activities. A knowledge steward should be appointed to motivate management and staff, and to overcome possible barriers to management buy‐in and a knowledge silo culture.
Furthermore, it was found that for small/medium‐sized professional service firms, knowledge can be used as the enabler of competitive advantage but that the epistemologies within the firm should be considered when evaluating a KM strategy.
Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Shock‐tube and modeling study of acetaldehyde pyrolysis and oxidation
Authors: Yasunaga Kenji , Kubo Satoshi , Hoshikawa Hiroki , Kamesawa Takashi , Hidaka Yoshiaki 
Published: December 2007

AbstractPyrolysis and oxidation of acetaldehyde were studied behind reflected shock waves in the temperature range 1000–1700 K at total pressures between 1.2 and 2.8 atm. The study was carried out using the following methods, (1) time‐resolved IR‐laser absorption at 3.39 μm for acetaldehyde decay and CH‐compound formation rates, (2) time‐resolved UV absorption at 200 nm for CH2CO and C2H4 product formation rates, (3) time‐resolved UV absorption at 216 nm for CH3 formation rates, (4) time‐resolved UV absorption at 306.7 nm for OH radical formation rate, (5) time‐resolved IR emission at 4.24 μm for the CO2 formation rate, (6) time‐resolved IR emission at 4.68 μm for the CO and CH2CO formation rate, and (7) a single‐pulse technique for product yields. From a computer‐simulation study, a 178‐reaction mechanism that could satisfactorily model all of our data was constructed using new reactions, CH3CHO (+M) → CH4 + CO (+M), CH3CHO (+M) → CH2CO + H2(+M), H + CH3CHO → CH2CHO + H2, CH3 + CH3CHO → CH2CHO + CH4, O2 + CH3CHO → CH2CHO + HO2, O + CH3CHO → CH2CHO + OH, OH + CH3CHO → CH2CHO + H2O, HO2 + CH3CHO → CH2CHO + H2O2, having assumed or evaluated rate constants. The submechanisms of methane, ethylene, ethane, formaldehyde, and ketene were found to play an important role in acetaldehyde oxidation. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. 40: 73–102, 2008
Preparation and thermal decomposition reaction kinetics of a dysprosium(III) p‐chlorobenzoate 1,10‐phenanthroline complex
Authors: Zhang Jian Jun , Xu Su Ling , Ren Ning , Zhang Hai Yan , Tian Liang 
Published: December 2007

AbstractThe title complex [Dy(p‐ClBA)3Phen]2·2H2O was synthesized, where p‐ClBA is p‐chlorobenzoate and Phen is 1,10‐phenanthroline. The complex was characterized by various techniques including elemental analysis, IR, XRD, and molar conductance. The thermal decomposition of the complex was studied under the nonisothermal condition by TG‐DTG and IR techniques. The kinetic parameters of dehydration process were obtained from the analysis of DSC curves of the complex by the NL‐DIF and Popescu methods, respectively. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. 40: 66–72, 2008
A dynamic objective–subjective structure for forest management focusing on environmental issues
Authors: Henig M. I. , Weintraub A. 
Published: December 2007

AbstractIn this paper a decision‐making process is applied to a Chilean forestry firm that must deal with a host of environmental variables as well as profit making. At the core of this process is a ‘dynamic objective–subjective structure’ founded on the approach that decision making is about comprehending the preferences of the various parties involved and expanding the set of alternatives open to the decision makers. This is in contrast to many models that aim at finding the ‘best alternative’ and to decision analysis approaches that focus on presenting preferences via value functions. The paper describes in chronological order, following the sessions of a decision‐making process, how the various components of the structure emerged. In doing so it demonstrates how the process led to an understanding of the real effects of dealing with the environment and how comprehending the preferences led to the introduction of new decision variables. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
A multicriteria decision framework for measuring banks' soundness around the world
Authors: Gaganis Chrysovalantis , Pasiouras Fotios , Zopounidis Constantin 
Published: December 2007

AbstractIn this paper, we use a sample of 894 banks from 79 countries to develop a multicriteria decision aid model, for the classification of banks into three groups on the basis of their soundness. The model is developed with the UTilités Additives DIScriminantes (UTADIS) method, through a 10‐fold cross‐validation procedure using six financial and four non‐financial variables. The ratings of Fitch form the basis for assigning banks into the three groups. The results indicate that the asset quality (as measured by loan loss provisions), capitalization, and the market where banks operate are the most important criteria (in terms of weights) in classifying the banks. Profitability and efficiency in expenses management are also important attributes, whereas size and listing in a stock exchange are the least important ones. UTADIS achieves higher classification accuracies than discriminant analysis and ordinary logistic regression which are used for benchmarking purposes. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
A prospective study of delusional misidentification syndromes in Parkinson's disease with dementia
Authors: Pagonabarraga Javier , Llebaria Gisela , García‐Sánchez Carmen , Pascual‐Sedano Berta , Gironell Alexandre , Kulisevsky Jaime 
Published: December 2007

AbstractDelusional misidentification syndromes (DMS) are a group of neuropsychiatric disorders due to disturbances in familiarity. DMS in organic diseases have been related to deficits in executive, memory, and visuospatial function. DMS are frequently reported in dementia with Lewy bodies (DLB). The presence of DMS in Parkinson's disease with dementia (PDD), which shares similar clinical and neuropsychological features with DLB, has not been studied. We describe the frequency and clinical features of DMS in a cohort of PDD patients, and we compare the neuropsychological profile between PDD patients with and without DMS. Prospective study of 30 PDD patients recruited from an outpatient setting, who received a structured behavioral interview assessing DMS and hallucinations, and a neuropsychological battery assessing executive function, memory, language, and visuospatial abilities. DMS were found in 16.7% of PDD patients. All DMS subjects also exhibited hallucinations that were significantly more severe than in PDD without DMS. DMS were responsive to neuroleptic drugs. PDD subjects with DMS presented a different neuropsychological profile than PDD subjects without DMS, with more severe memory and language deficits, but similar levels of executive and visuospatial impairment. DMS is a neuropsychiatric feature associated with PDD. Greater impairment in language and memory in PDD with DMS suggests a prominent role of the temporal cortex in the genesis of DMS in PDD. © 2007 Movement Disorder Society
Impaired intracortical inhibition in the primary somatosensory cortex in focal hand dystonia
Authors: Tamura Yohei , Matsuhashi Masao , Lin Peter , Ou Bai , Vorbach Sherry , Kakigi Ryusuke , Hallett Mark 
Published: December 2007

AbstractSomesthetic temporal discrimination (STD) is impaired in focal hand dystonia (FHD). We explored the electrophysiological correlate of the STD deficit to assess whether this is due to dysfunction of temporal inhibition in the somatosensory inhibitory pathway or due to dysfunction in structures responsible for nonmodality‐specific timing integration. Eleven FHD patients and 11 healthy volunteers were studied. STD threshold was investigated as the time interval required for perceiving a pair of stimuli as two separate stimuli in time. We also examined the somatosensory‐evoked potential (SEP) in a paired‐pulse paradigm. We compared STD threshold and recovery function of SEP between the groups. STD thresholds were significantly greater in FHD than in healthy volunteers. The amount of P27 suppression in the 5 ms‐ISI condition was significantly less in FHD. It was also found that the STD threshold and P27 suppression were significantly correlated: the greater the STD threshold, the less the P27 suppression. Significantly less suppression of P27 with a lack of significant change in N20 indicates that the impairment of somatosensory information processing in the time domain is due to dysfunction within the primary somatosensory cortex, suggesting that that the STD deficit in FHD is more attributable to dysfunction in the somatosensory pathway. © 2007 Movement Disorder Society