bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Tunable Nanostructures and Crystal Structures in Titanium Oxide Films
Authors: Srivastava AK , Deepa M , Bhandari S , Fuess H 
Published: November 2008

Abstract
Controllable nanostructures in spin coated titanium oxide (TiO2) films have been achieved by a very simple means, through change of post deposition annealing temperature. Electron beam imaging and reciprocal space analysis revealed as-deposited TiO2films to be characterized by a dominant anatase phase which converts to the rutile form at 600 °C and reverts to the anatase modification at 1,200 °C. The phase changes are also accompanied by changes in the film microstructure: from regular nanoparticles (as-deposited) to nanowires (600 °C) and finally to dendrite like shapes at 1,200 °C. Photoluminescence studies, Raman spectral results, and X-ray diffraction data also furnish evidence in support of the observed solid state phase transformations in TiO2.
Current–Voltage Characteristics in Individual Polypyrrole Nanotube, Poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) Nanowire, Polyaniline Nanotube, and CdS Nanorope
Authors: Yin Zhi-Hua , Long Yun-Ze , Gu Chang-Zhi , Wan Mei-Xiang , Duvail Jean-Luc 
Published: November 2008

Abstract
In this paper, we focus on current–voltage (I–V) characteristics in several kinds of quasi-one-dimensional (quasi-1D) nanofibers to investigate their electronic transport properties covering a wide temperature range from 300 down to 2 K. Since the complex structures composed of ordered conductive regions in series with disordered barriers in conducting polymer nanotubes/wires and CdS nanowires, all measured nonlinearI–V characteristics show temperature and field-dependent features and are well fitted to the extended fluctuation-induced tunneling and thermal excitation model (Kaiser expression). However, we find that there are surprisingly similar deviations emerged between theI–V data and fitting curves at the low bias voltages and low temperatures, which can be possibly ascribed to the electron–electron interaction in such quasi-1D systems with inhomogeneous nanostructures.
Derotational osteotomy of the proximal radius and the distal ulna for congenital radioulnar synostosis
Authors: Hung Nguyen Ngoc 
Published: November 2008

Objective To evaluate the clinical and functional results of a technical procedure in the surgical treatment of congenital radioulnar synostosis in children. Materials and methods A prospective study had been undertaken from January 1992 to December 2004. Thirty-four patients with congenital radioulnar synostosis that are fixed in pronation were recruited. Congenital radioulnar synostosis was classified for two types according to Tachdjian's criteria. All patients were treated by resection of the proximal radius and the distal ulna to remove a segmental bone of both parts of the forearm. After K-wires are inserted intramedullarly into both bones, the forearm is derotated manually, followed by cast immobilization. Results There were 34 patients (52 forearms) with congenital radioulnar synostosis, whom the average age at surgery was 6 years and 3 months. There were two types of congenital radioulnar synostosis: Type 1 in six forearms (11.6%) and Type 2 in 46 forearms (88.4%). The preoperative forearm rotation ranged from 65° to 85° pronation. The postoperative forearm rotation angle was corrected from 0° to 30°; the best end position appears to be 70–100% of pronation. Of the patients, 78.8% had good or excellent results. All patients were operated on without complications; five patients had loss of correction during cast immobilization. Overall, the patient's ability to perform daily activities showed a marked improvement after surgery. Conclusion This method is a simple and safe technique to derotate the forearms of patients with congenital radioulnar synostosis that are fixed in pronation.
EXISTENCE OF S-ASYMPTOTICALLY ω-PERIODIC SOLUTIONS FOR ABSTRACT NEUTRAL EQUATIONS
Authors: HENRÍQUEZ HERNÁN R. , PIERRI MICHELLE , TÁBOAS PLÁCIDO 
Published: November 2008

AbstractA bounded continuous function $u:[0,\infty )\to X$ is said to be S-asymptotically ω-periodic if $ \lim _{t\to \infty }[ u(t+\omega ) -u(t)]=0$. This paper is devoted to study the existence and qualitative properties of S-asymptotically ω-periodic mild solutions for some classes of abstract neutral functional differential equations with infinite delay. Furthermore, applications to partial differential equations are given.
CONVERGENCE OF SOLUTIONS OF TIME-VARYING LINEAR SYSTEMS WITH INTEGRABLE FORCING TERM
Authors: SUGIE JITSURO 
Published: November 2008

AbstractThe following system is considered in this paper: The primary goal is to establish conditions on time-varying coefficients e(t), f(t), g(t) and h(t) and a forcing term p(t) for all solutions to converge to the origin (0,0) as $t \to \infty $. Here, the zero solution of the corresponding homogeneous linear system is assumed to be neither uniformly stable nor uniformly attractive. Sufficient conditions are given for asymptotic stability of the zero solution of the nonlinear perturbed system under the assumption that q(t,0,0)=0.
Reproduction and embryonic development of the blue stingray,Dasyatis chrysonota, in southern African waters
Authors: Ebert David A. , Cowley Paul D. 
Published: November 2008

Dasyatis chrysonotais perhaps the most common of the 14 whiptail stingray (Chondrichthyes: Dasyatidae) species known to frequent the temperate coastal waters of southern Africa and like other stingrays they possess life history characteristics that make them vulnerable to over-exploitation. First and 50% maturity (Dw50) were determined for 153 males and 204 females from the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa. Disc width (Dw) for first andDw50maturity was estimated at 392 mm and 395 mmDw, respectively for males and at 500 mm and 505 mmDw, respectively for females. The reproductive cycle of males, based on gonadosomatic (GSI) and hepatosomoatic (HSI) indices indicates that they are most active during the spring. Females appear to have an annual reproductive cycle with a maximum HSI occurring during the summer and autumn, but it declines steadily through the birthing season reaching a low in the late spring. Fecundity, following a nine month gestation period, averages 2.8 with a range of 1–7. Embryos at six different development stages are described.Dasyatis chrysonota, like other dasyatids, exhibit life history characteristics that make them vulnerable to overexploitation, therefore a precautionary management strategy is advised for this species.
First demonstration of collimation and monochromatisation of a laser accelerated proton burst
Authors: Ter-Avetisyan S. , Schnürer M. , Polster R. , Nickles P.V. , Sandner W. 
Published: November 2008

AbstractLaser produced ion beams have a large divergence angle and a wide energy spread. To our knowledge, this is the first demonstration of collimation and monochromatisation of laser accelerated proton beams, using a permanent quadrupole magnet lens system. It acts as a tunable band pass filter by collimating or focusing the protons with the same energy. Because it gathers nearly the whole proton emission, a strong enhancement of the beam density appears. For the collimated beam, an increase of the proton density in the (3.7 ± 0.3) MeV energy band up to a factor of ~30, from possible 40, relative to the non-collimated beam is demonstrated. With the help of this simple, reliable, and well established technique new perspectives will be opened for science and technology, monoenergetic ion beams can be attained in any lab, where a source of laser accelerated ions exist. This finding enables to apply afterward well known beam steering techniques to the formed ion beam, which are applied in conventional accelerators to manipulate the beam parameters or to transport the beams and make them use in many application.
Psychological interventions for infertile patients: a review of existing research and A new comprehensive approach
Authors: Haemmerli Katja , Znoj Hansjoerg , Burri Salome , Graf Patricia , Wunder Dorothea , Perrig-Chiello Pasqualina 
Published: November 2008

AbstractThe usefulness of psychological support for infertile patients has been highlighted in the literature over the past number of years. This article provides a review of existing research on psychological interventions for infertile patients, and presents the Fertility Group Intervention as an example of the application of existing research. There is clear empirical evidence of high levels of depressive symptoms, anxiety, and distress among infertile patients undergoing assisted reproductive treatment (ART). Infertile patients need and require increased psychological support. Various studies indicate the efficacy of psychological interventions for infertile patients with respect to their mental health and, in part, pregnancy rates. However, many such studies exhibit methodological problems. Therefore, in future research, additional studies of high‐quality design are needed to achieve more definitive answers on the efficacy and indication of psychological interventions for infertile patients. Currently, the Fertility Group Intervention represents a comprehensive therapeutic approach integrating established empirical and theoretical approaches with the aim of helping infertile patients – particularly those undergoing ART – cope with distress related to their infertility and medical treatment. This article further outlines the therapeutic background and structures, treatment goals, practical implications, and feasibility of the Fertility Group Intervention.
MotifMap: a human genome-wide map of candidate regulatory motif sites
Authors: Xie Xiaohui , Rigor Paul , Baldi Pierre 
Published: November 2008

Abstract
Motivation: Achieving a comprehensive map of all the regulatory elements encoded in the human genome is a fundamental challenge of biomedical research. So far, only a small fraction of the regulatory elements have been characterized, and there is great interest in applying computational techniques to systematically discover these elements. Such efforts, however, have been significantly hindered by the overwhelming size of non-coding DNA regions and the statistical variability and complex spatial organizations of mammalian regulatory elements.
Results: Here we combine information from multiple mammalian genomes to derive the first fairly comprehensive map of regulatory elements in the human genome. We develop a procedure for identifying regulatory sites, with high levels of conservation across different species, using a new scoring scheme, the Bayesian branch length score (BBLS). Using BBLS, we predict 1.5 million regulatory sites, corresponding to 380 known regulatory motifs, with an estimated false discovery rate (FDR) of &lt;50%. We demonstrate that the method is particularly effective for 155 motifs, for which 121 056 sites can be mapped with an estimated FDR of &lt;10%. Over 28K SNPs are located in regions overlapping the 1.5 million predicted motif sites, suggesting potential functional implications for these SNPs. We have deposited these elements in a database and created a user-friendly web server for the retrieval, analysis and visualization of these elements. The initial map provides a systematic view of gene regulation in the genome, which will be refined as additional motifs become available.
Availability: http://motifmap.ics.uci.edu
Contact: xhx@ics.uci.edu; pfbaldi@ics.uci.edu
Supplementary information: Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.
Pediatric Neck Abscesses—Changing Organisms and Empiric Therapies
Authors: Inman Jared C. , Rowe Mark , Ghostine Michelle , Fleck Terry 
Published: November 2008

AbstractObjective: To examine the causative organisms in pediatric neck infections, delineate risk factors in methicillin‐resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) pediatric neck infections, and define patient populations that should be empirically treated with MRSA sensitive antibiotics.Study Design: Retrospective chart review.Methods: Two hundred twenty‐eight consecutive patients were reviewed, ages 0 to 17, presenting at a tertiary care center between 1999 and 2007 with computed tomography proven neck abscesses. Characteristics of patients with differing causative organisms were compared.Results: Forty‐eight percent of all pediatric patients' with head and neck abscesses had S. aureus as the causative organism, 29% of which were community‐acquired MRSA—recent years showed that up to 66% of pediatric neck abscesses were MRSA culture positive. When comparing MRSA infections vs. other causative organisms multiple clinical characteristics were found which did not help to differentiate those patients at a higher risk for MRSA. Characteristics which did trend to predict an MRSA infection were few. For example, the average age of patients with MRSA was 32.5 months compared with only 16 months for the methicillin‐sensitive S. aureus patients. MRSA sensitivities and resistances were also examined.Conclusions: This study presents a large cohort of pediatric neck abscess patients, in which the emergence and characteristics of MRSA are shown. As community‐acquired MRSA infections become more prevalent, empiric antibiotic therapy must be considered. The results of this study show that the incidence of MRSA has greatly increased and clinical risk factors are not helpful in choosing those patients which may be at higher risk for an MRSA infection.
Carotid Artery Resection and Reconstruction With Expanded Polytetrafluoroethylene for Head and Neck Cancer
Authors: Miao Beiping , Lu Yongtian , Pan Xinliang , Liu Dayu 
Published: November 2008

AbstractObjective:There are controversies on management of carotid artery invasion in advanced head and neck cancer. En bloc resection has been considered a curative modality. In this study, we evaluated the feasibility of using expanded polytetrafluoroethylene (ePTFE) in reconstructing the common carotid artery in patients with carotid artery invasion requiring resection.Method:A retrospective study including 13 patients managed from 2002 to 2005. All patients underwent en bloc resection of the tumor and internal carotid artery then reconstructed with ePTFE.Results:All patients had en bloc resection of the tumor together with internal carotid artery and reconstruction with ePTFE. Some patients required wound coverage with myocutaneous flaps in eight patients and local flaps in five patients. Intraoperative shunting was used in all patients. Intraoperative heparin infusion and postoperative low dose aspirin were used to prevent thrombosis. One patient developed graft blowout and he was treated with ligation without hemiplegia. One patient had minor stroke. The follow‐up period was 18.4 ± 8.6 months. No patient suffered from neurological deficit or graft occlusion. Disease survival was 61.5% in 1 year and 38.5% in 2 years. Overall survival was 18.3 months.Conclusion:En bloc resection and tumor together with carotid artery and ePTFE reconstruction is shown to be a feasible modality in treatment of advanced head and neck cancer with carotid artery invasion.
Analysis of Recurrent Angiotensin Converting Enzyme Inhibitor‐Induced Angioedema
Authors: Roberts Daniel S. , Mahoney Elizabeth J. , Hutchinson Christoph T. , Aliphas Avner , Grundfast Kenneth M. 
Published: November 2008

AbstractObjective/Hypothesis: A known risk for patients taking angiotensin converting enzyme‐inhibitors (ACE‐Is) is angioedema that can involve the face, lips, oral cavity, and larynx. Such upper airway obstruction may be severe enough to require an emergency department visit or even necessitate prompt airway intervention. Once a patient has had an episode of ACE‐inhibitor induced angioedema (AIIA), certainly a thrust of continuing case management would be to avoid the occurrence of subsequent episodes of AIIA that potentially can be life‐threatening. Nevertheless, recurrent episodes of AIIA do occur. This study aims to characterize a patient's risk for recurrent AIIA, determine the cause for repeat episodes of AIIA and recommend steps to be taken to minimize the recurrence of AIIA.Study Design: Retrospective study.Methods: A retrospective chart review of all patient encounters at our medical center between January 1, 1991 and December 30, 2005 with a diagnosis of angioedema was performed. The documented etiology of the angioedema, comorbidities, and documentation of an “allergy” to ACE‐I were noted. Observations regarding risk factors for recurrent AIIA were made.Results: Recurrent AIIA occurred in 23 patients with a recurrence rate of 6.2%. Risk factors for recurrence were categorized as patient factors, physician factors, or systems factors. Physician error with failure to document in the medical record, the suspicion of AIIA, and failure to consider risk in prescribing ACE‐I after an episode of angioedema had occurred were the most common causes of recurrent AIIA.Conclusions: Angioedema can cause life‐threatening airway compromise yet patients with a history of one episode of AIIA are at risk for a subsequent episode. Physicians can modify clinical practices to avert the potentially life‐threatening side effects of ACE‐inhibitors in patients with a prior episode of AIIA.
End‐to‐Side Venous Anastomosis With an Anastomotic Coupling Device for Microvascular Free‐Tissue Transfer in Head and Neck Reconstruction
Authors: Chernichenko Natalya , Ross Douglas A. , Shin Joseph , Sasaki Clarence T. , Ariyan Stephen 
Published: November 2008

AbstractObjective: The purpose of this study is to demonstrate the success rate of using a coupling device for end‐to‐side venous anastomosis in patients undergoing free‐tissue transfer (FTT) in head and neck reconstruction.Methods and Measures: Retrospective data were collected in consecutive series of 134 patients undergoing surgical resection of head and neck tumors followed by FTT. All microvascular FTTs were performed at Yale‐New Haven Hospital between November 2001 and August 2007. The Unilink coupling device was used to perform arterial and venous anastomosis in this case series. Flap survival and thrombosis of the venous anastomoses were determined.Results: One hundred thirty‐four consecutive patients underwent a total of 137 microvascular FTTs using a coupling device. In our series, a total of 173 end‐to‐side anastomoses were completed in 96 patients. Of these, 77 patients had both venous anastomoses, 17 underwent one end‐to‐side and one end‐to‐end anastomoses, and two patients had one venous anastomosis per patient performed in end‐to‐side fashion. Reconstruction included 76 radial forearm, 17 fibula, and three rectus abdominis free flaps. There were three vascular insufficiency related complications of which two were salvageable. There was one case of flap failure (1%), resulting in a free flap survival rate of 99%.Conclusion: This largest reported series of end‐to‐side venous anastomoses with an anastomotic coupling device demonstrates feasibility and efficacy of this technique in head and neck reconstruction.
Laryngeal Transplantation in the Setting of Cancer: A Rat Model
Authors: Shipchandler Taha Z. , Lorenz Robert R. , Lee Walter T. , Teker Aysenur Meric , Dan Olivia , Strome Marshall 
Published: November 2008

AbstractObjective: Traditional immunosuppressive regimens make laryngeal transplantation in cancer patients prohibitive because of the increased risk of recurrence. Everolimus, a recently developed immunosuppressant, has demonstrated significant antitumor properties. The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of everolimus alone and in combination with other immunosuppressants on tumor growth in a combined laryngeal transplantation and tumor model.Study Design: Animal, prospective, randomized, controlled, and blinded.Methods: One million squamous cell carcinoma cells (SCC‐158) were injected intravenously into a total of 40 rats 1 day before laryngeal transplantation. Rats were divided into four groups differing by immunosuppressive regimens. Lung surface metastases were counted 21 days after inoculation, and numerical transplantation rejection scores were recorded. A separate experiment for comparison was performed with no transplant on 24 rats, but with the same immunosuppressive treatment groups.Results: The median number of lung surface metastases were: a) control (i.e., no immunosuppression): 85; b) everolimus 1.0 mg/kg: 25; c) tacrolimus 1.2 mg/kg: 1650; d) everolimus 1.0 mg/kg + tacrolimus 0.05 mg/kg: 1300. Rats receiving everolimus alone showed a statistically significant decrease in pulmonary surface metastases compared with the other groups. Transplanted rats had no difference in their outcomes when compared with nontransplanted rats.Conclusion: Everolimus significantly decreases SCC‐158 growth in our combined transplantation and tumor model compared with controls and other immunosuppressants.
Modeling Flow in a Compromised Pediatric Airway Breathing Air and Heliox
Authors: Mihaescu Mihai , Gutmark Ephraim , Murugappan Shanmugam , Elluru Ravindhra , Cohen Aliza , Willging J Paul 
Published: November 2008

AbstractObjectives/Hypothesis: The aim of this study was to perform computer simulations of flow within an accurate model of a pediatric airway with subglottic stenosis. It is believed that the airflow characteristics in a stenotic airway are strongly related to the sensation of dyspnea.Methodology: Computed tomography images through the respiratory tract of an infant with subglottic stenosis, were used to construct the three‐dimensional geometry of the airway. By using computational fluid dynamics (CFD) modeling to capture airway flow patterns during inspiration and expiration, we obtained information pertaining to flow velocity, static airway wall pressure, pressure drop across the stenosis, and wall shear stress. These simulations were performed with both air and heliox.Results: Unlike air, heliox maintained laminar flow through the stenosis. The calculated pressure drop over stenosis was lower for the heliox flow, in contrast to the airflow case. This lead to an approximately 40% decrease in airway resistance when using heliox, and presumably causes a decrease in the level of effort required for breathing.Conclusions: CFD simulations offer a quantitative method of evaluating airway flow dynamics in patients with airway abnormalities. CFD modeling illustrated the flow features and quantified flow parameters within a pediatric airway with subglottic stenosis. Simulations with air and heliox conditions mirrored the known clinical benefits of heliox as compared with air. We anticipate that computer simulation models will ultimately allow a better understanding of changes in flow caused by specific medical and surgical interventions in patients with conditions associated with dyspnea.
Role of Surgery in Limited (T1‐2, N0‐1) Cancers of the Oropharynx
Authors: Walvekar Rohan R. , Li Ryan J. , Gooding William E. , Gibson Michael K. , Heron Dwight , Johnson Jonas T. , Ferris Robert L. 
Published: November 2008

AbstractHypothesis: To define the role of surgical staging in limited (T1‐2, N0‐1) oropharyngeal squamous cell cancers.Study Design: Retrospective.Methods: Forty‐nine limited oropharyngeal squamous cell cancers of the tonsil, tongue base, or posterior pharyngeal wall‐treated surgically were identified.Results: Thirty‐five percent were cT1 and 65% were cT2 tumors although 58% were cN0 and 42% were cN1. Forty‐six patients underwent neck dissections. Surgical staging altered T‐stage in 26% (13/49), nodal status in 23% (11/46), and clinical staging in 40% (20/49) of patients. Among 35 disease‐free patients, 28% (4/20) of stage I/II patients received postoperative radiation and chemotherapy was avoided in 80% (12/15) of stage III patients. T1 tumors seemed to have better outcomes (P = .06). The 3 year disease‐free survival and 5 year overall survival was 85% and 83%, respectively.Conclusions: Surgical staging identifies patients in whom intensification of treatment with chemotherapy can be most appropriately applied, and enables de‐intensification of therapy in pathology confirmed stage I/II disease.