bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Beta activity in the subthalamic nucleus during sleep in patients with Parkinson's disease
Authors: Urrestarazu Elena , Iriarte Jorge , Alegre Manuel , Clavero Pedro , Rodríguez‐Oroz Mari Cruz , Guridi Jorge , Obeso José A. , Artieda Julio 
Published: October 2008

AbstractThe recordings of local field potentials in the subthalamic nucleus in patients with Parkinson's disease (PD), carried out through the stimulators implanted to treat the motor symptoms of the disease, show a prominent basal (“off”) activity in the beta range, which is attenuated after dopaminergic therapy. A recent study described improvement of parkinsonian features during rapid eyes movements (REM) sleep. We describe, for the first time, the changes in activity of the subthlamic nucleus (STN) during different sleep stages in Parkinson's disease with special interest in the beta band. Ten patients with PD treated with deep brain stimulation of the STN were studied. Subthalamic local field potentials (LFPs) were recorded through the stimulation electrodes during wakefulness (“off” medication) and different sleep stages. In Stage 2 and slow‐wave sleep, a significant decrease of beta activity was recorded. During REM sleep, beta power values were similar to wakefulness values or even higher. These findings indicate that STN activity is modulated and modified during different sleep stages. The increased beta activity during REM sleep is a new but unexpected finding, which requires further analysis. © 2008 Movement Disorder Society
Remarks on GIAO‐DFT predictions of 13C chemical shifts
Authors: Dybiec Katarzyna , Gryff‐Keller Adam 
Published: October 2008

AbstractPredicting 13C chemical shifts by GIAO‐DFT calculations appears to be more accurate than frequently expected provided that: (a) the comparison between experimental and theoretical data is performed using the linear regression method, (b) a sufficiently high level of theory [e.g. B3LYP/6‐311 + + G(2d,p)//B3LYP/6‐311 + + G(2d,p) or PBE1PBE/6‐311 + G(2df,p)//B3LYP/6‐311 + + G(2d,p)] is used, (c) the experimental data originate from the measurements performed in one solvent whose influence is taken into account at the molecular geometry optimization step and, first of all, during the shielding calculation, (d) the experimental data are free of heavy atom effects or such effects are appropriately treated in calculations, and finally (e) the conformational compositions of the investigated objects are known. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Production of cloned dogs by decreasing the interval between fusion and activation during somatic cell nuclear transfer
Authors: Kim Sue , Park Sun Woo , Hossein Mohammad Shamim , Jeong Yeon Woo , Kim Joung Joo , Lee Eugine , Kim Yeun Wook , Hyun Sang Hwan , Shin Taeyoung , Hwang Woo Suk 
Published: October 2008

AbstractTo improve the efficiency of somatic cell nuclear transfer (SCNT) in dogs, we evaluated whether or not the interval between fusion and activation affects the success rate of SCNT. Oocytes retrieved from outbred dogs were reconstructed with adult somatic cells from a male or female Golden Retriever. In total, 151 and 225 reconstructed oocytes were transferred to 9 and 14 naturally synchronized surrogates for male and female donor cells, respectively. Chromosomal morphology was evaluated in 12 oocytes held for an interval of 2 hr between fusion and activation and 14 oocytes held for an interval of 4 hr. Three hundred seventy‐six and 288 embryos were transferred to 23 and 16 surrogates for the 2 and 4 hr interval groups, respectively. Both the male (two pregnant surrogates gave birth to three puppies) and female (one pregnant surrogate gave birth to one puppy) donor cells gave birth to live puppies (P > 0.05). In the 2 hr group, significantly more reconstructed oocytes showed condensed, metaphase‐like chromosomes compared to the 4 hr group (P < 0.05). A significantly higher pregnancy rate and a greater number of live born puppies were observed in the 2 hr group (13.0% and 1.1%, respectively) compared to the 4 hr group (0%) (P < 0.05). In total, three surrogate dogs carried pregnancies to term and four puppies were born. These results demonstrate that decreasing the interval between fusion and activation increases the success rate of clone production and pregnancy. These results may increase the overall efficiency of SCNT in the canine family. Mol. Reprod. Dev. 76: 483–489, 2009. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Tektin 3 is required for progressive sperm motility in mice
Authors: Roy Angshumoy , Lin Yi‐Nan , Agno Julio E. , DeMayo Francesco J. , Matzuk Martin M. 
Published: October 2008

AbstractTektins are evolutionarily conserved flagellar (and ciliary) filamentous proteins present in the axoneme and peri‐axonemal structures in diverse metazoan species. We have previously shown that tektin 3 (TEKT3) and tektin 4 (TEKT4) are male germ cell‐enriched proteins, and that TEKT4 is essential for coordinated and progressive sperm motility in mice. Here we report that male mice null for TEKT3 produce sperm with reduced motility (47.2% motility) and forward progression, and increased flagellar structural bending defects. Male TEKT3‐null mice however maintain normal fertility in two different genetic backgrounds tested, in contrast to TEKT4‐null mice. Furthermore, male mice null for both TEKT3 and TEKT4 show subfertility on a mixed B6;129 genetic background, significantly different from either single knockouts, suggesting partial nonredundant roles for these two proteins in sperm physiology. Our results suggest that tektins are potential candidate genes for nonsyndromic asthenozoospermia in humans. Mol. Reprod. Dev. 76: 453–459, 2009. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Cloning and expression of sheep DNA methyltransferase 1 and its development‐specific isoform
Authors: Taylor Jane , Moore Hannah , Beaujean Nathalie , Gardner John , Wilmut Ian , Meehan Richard , Young Lorraine 
Published: October 2008

AbstractUnlike the mouse embryo, where loss of DNA methylation in the embryonic nucleus leaves cleavage stage embryos globally hypomethylated, sheep preimplantation embryos retain high levels of methylation until the blastocyst stage. We have cloned and sequenced sheep Dnmt1 and found it to be highly conserved with both the human and mouse homologues. Furthermore, we observed that the transcript normally expressed in adult somatic tissues is highly abundant in sheep oocytes. Throughout sheep preimplantation development the protein is retained in the cytoplasm whereas Dnmt1 transcript production declines after the embryonic genome activation at the 8–16 cell stage. Attempts to clone oocyte‐specific 5′ regions of Dnmt1, known to be present in the mouse and human gene, were unsuccessful. However, a novel ovine Dnmt1 exon, theoretically encoding 13 amino acids, was found to be expressed in sheep oocytes, preimplantation embryos and early fetal lineages, but not in the adult tissue. RNAi‐mediated knockdown of this novel transcript resulted in embryonic developmental arrest at the late morula stage, suggesting an essential role for this isoform in sheep blastocyst formation. Mol. Reprod. Dev. 76: 501–513, 2009. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Targeted suppression of Has2 mRNA in mouse cumulus cell–oocyte complexes by adenovirus‐mediated short‐hairpin RNA expression
Authors: Sugiura Koji , Su You‐Qiang , Eppig John J. 
Published: October 2008

AbstractRNA interference (RNAi) is an effective tool for studying gene function in oocytes, but no studies have targeted somatic cells of primary cultured cumulus cell–oocyte complexes (COCs). This is probably due to difficulty in introducing RNAi‐inducing molecules, such as a short‐hairpin RNA (shRNA) gene, into COCs by commonly used transfection reagents. We therefore tested whether a developmental process of intact COCs could be suppressed by adenovirus‐mediated shRNA expression. Has2, encoding hyaluronan synthase 2, was selected as the target transcript, because the process of cumulus expansion depends upon expression of Has2 mRNA and this process is easily evaluated in vitro. Intact COCs were infected with replication‐incompetent adenoviruses containing an expression sequence of shRNA targeting either Has2 (Has2 shRNA) or a control transcript not expressed in cumulus cells, and the effects on epidermal growth factor (EGF)‐stimulated cumulus expansion were determined. Has2 shRNA expression suppressed Has2 mRNA levels in COCs by more than 70%, without affecting expression levels of Ptgs2, Ptx3, Tnfaip6 mRNAs, which are also required for cumulus expansion, or other transcripts not related to expansion. Interestingly, levels of Areg and Ereg mRNAs were decreased in COCs expressing Has2 shRNA when compared with those in controls, while Btc mRNA levels remained unaffected. Furthermore, the degree of cumulus expansion by Has2 shRNA‐expressing COCs was significantly less than that of controls. Thus adenovirus‐mediated introduction of shRNA produces specific gene silencing and a phenotype in intact COCs, providing proof of principle that this method will be a helpful tool for understanding mechanisms of COC development. Mol. Reprod. Dev. 76: 537–547, 2009. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
A systematic review of overweight and obesity as risk factors and targets for clinical intervention for urinary incontinence in women
Authors: Hunskaar Steinar 
Published: October 2008

AbstractAimsTo review the epidemiological literature of urinary incontinence with respect to overweight and obesity as a risk factor, and how the findings eventually fulfill general criteria for being a causal factor for the condition. Likewise to review all interventional studies assessing the effect of weight reduction on incontinence.MethodsSystematic searches until June 2008 for publications of community based prevalence studies with bivariate or multivariate analyses of the association between urinary incontinence in women and overweigh/obesity. In addition an attempt was made to identity and assess all relevant longitudinal studies, prospective case series, and trials, whatever design.ResultsThere is evidence 3 and some evidence 2 level data to support that in addition to BMI, waist‐hip ratio and thus abdominal obesity may be an independent risk factor for incontinence in women. Only a few interventional studies have been carried out to assess the effect of weight reduction on incontinence. Five studies report effect on incontinence after surgical weight reduction procedures, and one study after a weight reduction program, thus giving some level 2 documentation. There are three RCTs which all show reducing incontinence by weight loss (level of evidence 1).ConclusionsEpidemiological studies document overweight and obesity as an important risk factor for urinary incontinence. There is now valid documentation for weight reduction as a treatment for urinary incontinence in women. Neurourol. Urodynam. 27:749–757, 2008, © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Asynchronous multi‐domain variational integrators for non‐linear problems
Authors: Gates Mark , Matouš Karel , Heath Michael T. 
Published: October 2008

AbstractWe develop an asynchronous time integration and coupling method with domain decomposition for linear and non‐linear problems in mechanics. To ensure stability in the time integration and in coupling between domains, we use variational integrators with local Lagrange multipliers to enforce continuity at the domain interfaces. The asynchronous integrator lets each domain step with its own time step, using a smaller time step where required by stability and accuracy constraints and a larger time step where allowed. We show that in practice the time step is limited by accuracy requirements rather than by stability requirements. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
A partition‐of‐unity‐based finite element method for level sets
Authors: Valance Stéphane , de Borst René , Réthoré Julien , Coret Michel 
Published: October 2008

AbstractLevel set methods have recently gained much popularity to capture discontinuities, including their possible propagation. Typically, the partial differential equations that arise in level set methods, in particular the Hamilton–Jacobi equation, are solved by finite difference methods. However, finite difference methods are less suited for irregular domains. Moreover, it seems slightly awkward to use finite differences for the capturing of a discontinuity, while in a subsequent stress analysis finite elements are normally used. For this reason, we here present a finite element approach to solving the governing equations of level set methods. After a review of the governing equations, the initialization of the level sets, the discretization on a finite domain, and the stabilization of the resulting finite element method will be discussed. Special attention will be given to the proper treatment of the internal boundary condition, which is achieved by exploiting the partition‐of‐unity property of finite element shape functions. Finally, a quantitative analysis including accuracy analysis is given for a one‐dimensional example and a qualitative example is given for a two‐dimensional case with a curved discontinuity. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Using the sequential linear integer programming method as a post‐processor for stress‐constrained topology optimization problems
Authors: Werme M. 
Published: October 2008

AbstractThis paper deals with topology optimization of load‐carrying structures defined on discretized continuum design domains. In particular, the minimum compliance problem with stress constraints is considered. The finite element method is used to discretize the design domain into n finite elements and the design of a certain structure is represented by an n‐dimensional binary design variable vector. In order to solve the problems, the binary constraints on the design variables are initially relaxed and the problems are solved with both the method of moving asymptotes and the sparse non‐linear optimizer solvers for continuous optimization in order to compare the two solvers. By solving a sequence of problems with a sequentially lower limit on the amount of grey allowed, designs that are close to ‘black‐and‐white’ are obtained. In order to get locally optimal solutions that are purely {0, 1}n, a sequential linear integer programming method is applied as a post‐processor. Numerical results are presented for some different test problems. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Estimation of model errors in the calibration of viscoelastic material models
Authors: Johansson Håkan , Larsson Fredrik , Runesson Kenneth 
Published: October 2008

AbstractIn this paper we discuss a posteriori error estimation in the context of parameter identification problems. In particular, we pay attention to the errors arising from the discretization of the parameters, which is perceived as a model error. A previously developed method for goal‐oriented a posteriori error estimation is employed for two fundamentally different types of model hierarchies. The numerical results show rather good agreement between estimated and actual errors. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Bilateral adrenal neuroblastoma
Authors: Pagès Perle Maliszewicz , Dufour Christelle , Fasola Sylvie , Michon Jean , Boutard Patrick , Gentet Jean‐Claude , Hartmann Olivier 
Published: October 2008

AbstractBackgroundBilateral adrenal neuroblastoma is extremely rare. To date, 45 cases have been reported in the literature.ProceduresWe retrospectively identified and reviewed 15 cases of bilateral adrenal neuroblastoma, treated between 1988 and 2004, by the French Society of Pediatric Oncology. We then compared our cohort to the 45 cases reported in literature.ResultsMedian age at diagnosis was 4 months in our cohort whereas it was 3 months in the literature. The same percentage of infants was found in both series (86.6%). Disease had generally been detected due to metastasis‐related symptoms. Ten out of 15 patients in our cohort and 18/39 cases in the literature were classified as stage 4S according to the International Neuroblastoma Staging System (INSS). The incidence of stage 4S was significantly higher than that described in other neuroblastoma cohorts (P = 10−4). Five‐year overall survival was 90% for stage 4S. In our series, bilateral neuroblastoma was neither associated with familial cases nor with any risk factors.ConclusionsThe majority of bilateral neuroblastoma carry a favorable prognosis. Exceptional cases exhibiting risk factors, such as amplified MYCN, are comparable to high‐risk unilateral neuroblastoma cases with the same poor prognostic features. The therapeutic strategy could be similar to that used against unilateral neuroblastoma, except for surgery. However, the low incidence of relapse and the risk of adrenal failure if radical surgery is performed, argue against an aggressive surgical approach. Pediatr Blood Cancer 2009;52:196–202. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Maleic anhydride/styrene melt grafting and crosslinking onto ethylene‐octene copolymer
Authors: Chen Xiaolang , Wu Hong , Yu Jie , Guo Shaoyun , Luo Zhu 
Published: October 2008

AbstractMelt grafting of the multimonomer system of maleic anhydride (MAH)/styrene (St) onto ethylene‐octene copolymer (POE) was performed by a twin‐screw extruder. The effects of St and initiator contents as well as MAH/St on the grafting reaction were investigated. The structure and properties of the grafted POE were characterized by the Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, melt flow index, dynamic rheological behaviors, and thermogravimetric analysis. It is shown that the addition of St can significantly enhance MAH grafting degree onto POE. MFI values of grafted POE are affected not only by MAH/St copolymer concentration, but also by initiator concentration. These data indicate that the interaction and reaction between MAH and St monomers plays an important role in the grafting reaction. St improves the grafting reactivity of MAH and reacts with MAH before the two monomers graft onto POE. And high grafting degree can be obtained while the gel content is still low. Compared with neat POE, grafted POE shows different dynamic rheological behaviors and high thermal stability. POLYM. ENG. SCI., 2008. © 2008 Society of Plastics Engineers
The effects of spinning conditions on the morphology of electrospun jet and nonwoven membrane
Authors: Li Ni , Qin Xiao‐Hong , Lin Ling , Wang Shan‐Yuan 
Published: October 2008

AbstractElectrospinning, using an electrically driven jet, is a straightforward and cost effective method for producing polymer fibers in nanometers to a few micros diameter range. In this study, the morphology of electrospun jets and final nonwoven membranes was investigated systematically by changing three of the most important spinning conditions: solution concentration, salt content, and applied voltage. For this purpose, Polyvinylalcohol (PVA) solution was prepared and electrospun. Results indicated that some fascination phenomena were observed with the increase of LiCl concentration and applied voltage. Under different spinning conditions, dimensional analyses for the vertex of envelope cone and the diameter of deposited area were also carried out separately in the work. POLYM. ENG. SCI., 2008. © 2008 Society of Plastics Engineers
Effect of thermomechanical history on the crystallization of poly(ether‐block‐amide)
Authors: Tavernier Bruno , Mewis Jan , Van Puyvelde Peter , Takenaka Mikihito , Ernst Benoît , Hashimoto Takeji 
Published: October 2008

AbstractThe quiescent and flow‐induced crystallization of a poly(ether‐block‐amide) is studied by means of rheo‐optical methods. Both optical microscopy and small angle light scattering have been used. The multiblock copolymer has a microphase‐separated structure with an order–disorder transition at 180–185°C, as measured with rheometry and SAXS. The number of nuclei, spherulitic growth rates, and the characteristic time scale for crystallization are compared with that of a polyamide of similar molar mass. For the poly(ether‐block‐amide)—containing a majority of amide segments—the growth rates of the spherulites during quiescent crystallization are similar for the block copolymer and the homopolymer, even if the spherulitic structures are not the same. When flow is applied, the two materials behave differently. The flow increased the nucleation density in the homopolymer but not in the block copolymer. POLYM. ENG. SCI., 2008. © 2008 Society of Plastics Engineers
Study on flame retardance of co‐microencapsulated ammonium polyphosphate and dipentaerythritol in polypropylene
Authors: Wang Zhengzhou , Wu Kun , Hu Yuan 
Published: October 2008

AbstractCo‐microencapsulated ammonium polyphosphate and dipentaerythritol [M(A&D)] was prepared using a melamine‐formaldehyde (MF) resin by in situ polymerization method, and characterized by XPS. The co‐microencapsulation of ammonium polyphosphate and dipentaerythritol (DPER) leads to a great improvement in water solubility of the additives. The flame retardant effect of M(A&D) in polypropylene (PP) is evaluated using limiting oxygen index (LOI) and UL 94 test, and the water resistance of the PP/M(A&D) composites is also studied. The flame retardant properties and water resistance of the PP/M(A&D) composites are much better than the ones of the PP/APP/DPER composites. Moreover, the thermal stability of the PP/M(A&D) composites is improved compared with the PP/APP/DPER composites. POLYM. ENG. SCI., 2008. © 2008 Society of Plastics Engineers
Friction and wear behavior of the hybrid PTFE/cotton fabric composites filled with TiO2 nanoparticles and modified TiO2 nanoparticles
Authors: Zhang Hui‐Juan , Zhang Zhao‐Zhu , Guo Fang , Liu Wei‐Min 
Published: October 2008

AbstractA chemical grafting method was applied to modify TiO2 nanoparticles through covalently introducing glycidoxypropyltrimethoxy silicane (KH560) followed by polyoxymethylene onto the particles to overcome the disadvantages generated by the agglomeration of nanoparticles. TiO2 nanoparticles unmodified and modified were introduced into hybrid polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE)/cotton fabric composites. Friction and wear test demonstrated that TiO2 nanoparticles unmodified and modified can significantly increase the wear resistance of hybrid PTFE/cotton fabric composites but cannot reduce the friction coefficient. Fabric composites filled with grafted TiO2 nanoparticles exhibited a lower wear rate due to the disintegration of agglomeration and the improvement of interfacial adhesion between filler/matrix. POLYM. ENG. SCI., 2009. © 2008 Society of Plastics Engineers
Behavior of Polymeric Matrices Containing Silver Inclusions, 1 – Review of Adsorption and Oxidation of Hydrocarbons on Silver Surfaces/Interfaces as Witnessed by FT‐IR Spectroscopy
Authors: Hlídek Pavel , Biederman Hynek , Choukourov Andrei , Slavínská Danka 
Published: October 2008

AbstractThe application of FT‐IR vibration spectroscopy to the analysis of various interaction events that occur at the interface between a silver surface (including nanoparticles) and the surrounding environment is discussed. In particular, the adsorption of hydrocarbons, CO, and CO2 on silver as well as an oxidation behavior and related phenomena are reviewed. A concise discussion of FT‐IR investigations of nanocomposite Ag/plasma polymer films is given in conclusion.magnified image
Calculation of the solvation state of organolithium compounds: Effects of basis sets and electron correlation methods
Authors: Pratt Lawrence M. , Jones Darrel , Sease Andrea , Busch Donta , Faluade Emmanuel , Nguyen Son C. , Thanh Bui T. 
Published: October 2008

AbstractThe free energies of successive solvation of organolithium species by THF ligands were examined by DFT and ab initio methods. The popular B3LYP method using three different basis sets, and the MPW1PW91/6‐31+G(d) DFT method, were compared to MP2 calculations, and when possible, to the G3MP2 method. The DFT methods generally underestimated the exergonic free energies of solvation compared to MP2 and G3MP2. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Quantum Chem, 2009