bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Low‐volume hydrodynamic gene delivery to the rat liver via an isolated segment of the inferior vena cava: efficiency, cardiovascular response and intrahepatic vascular dynamics
Authors: Sawyer Greta J. , Grehan Aidan , Dong Xuebin , Whitehorne Michael , Seddon Michael , Shah Ajay M. , Zhang Xiaohong , Salehi Siamak , Fabre John W. 
Published: February 2008

AbstractBackgroundClinical application of hydrodynamic gene delivery to the liver requires the use of small volumes, an evaluation of the cardiovascular consequences of acute volume overload, and a better understanding of the intrahepatic vascular pressures driving gene delivery. Injection of DNA solution into the isolated segment of inferior vena cava (IVC) draining the hepatic veins is a potentially valuable low‐volume approach.MethodsVarious volumes of DNA solution (pGL3 plasmid) were injected at 100 ml/min either systemically or into the isolated IVC segment in the DA rat. Arterial pressure, portal venous pressure, heart rate and electrocardiogram, in addition to reporter gene expression in the liver, were monitored.ResultsThe 2% volume was > 10 000‐fold more effective when delivered via the IVC segment than when given systemically, and as effective as 6% systemically. Isolation of the IVC segment caused profound falls in arterial pressure, with electrocardiogram signs of myocardial ischemia. On release of the IVC ties, without DNA infusion (no volume overload), arterial pressure recovered rapidly. However, with DNA infusion (volume overload) there was a brief recovery of arterial pressure, followed by complete heart block and fall in arterial pressure and pulse for several minutes. Portal venous pressure rose steeply to 30–33 mm Hg during the infusion.ConclusionsThe IVC segment approach enables excellent gene delivery to the whole liver with small volumes, but causes severe cardiovascular disturbances in the rat. Portal venous pressures are slightly higher than in the mouse, and suggest functional outflow obstruction by the capillary bed of the intestines. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Tree‐ring based drought reconstruction in the central Hengduan Mountains region (China) since A.D. 1655
Authors: Fan Ze‐Xin , Bräuning Achim , Cao Kun‐Fang 
Published: February 2008

AbstractWe developed four tree ring‐width chronologies of three species (Picea likiangensis Pritz, Tsuga dumosa (D. Don) Eichler and Abies ernestii Rehd.) in the central Hengduan Mountains, north‐western Yunnan, China. Although the four chronologies come from different species, significant correlations exist among the chronologies (mean r = 0.47), and the first principal component accounts for 60.5% of total variance over their common period 1655–2005. Correlation and response function analyses showed that pre‐monsoon (March, April) precipitation and relative humidity and Palmer drought severity index (PDSI) have positive effects on radial growth, while temperature in March influences tree growth negatively. This indicates that tree growth is generally limited by spring‐moisture availability. The spring (March–May) drought reconstruction was verified with independent data, and accounts for 42% of the actual PDSI variance during their common period 1951–2000. Wet springs occurred during AD 1690s, 1715–1730, 1750s, 1780s, 1825–1850, 1900s, 1930–1960, and 1990–present. Dry springs occurred during AD 1700–1715, 1733–1745, 1790–1820, 1860–1890, 1910–1925, and 1960–1990. Copyright © 2008 Royal Meteorological Society
The usability of 250 m resolution data from the UK Meteorological Office Unified Model as input data for a hydrological model
Authors: Younger P. M. , Gadian A. M. , Wang C‐G. , Freer J. E. , Beven K. J. 
Published: February 2008

AbstractThis article examines whether very‐high resolution (250 m) data provided by the United Kingdom Meteorological Office Unified Model (UM) could be used as an input to a hydrological model for hydrological forecasting purposes. A summer convective event and a winter stratiform event are both considered and it is found that in these two cases, despite errors in both the positioning and timing of storms the predictions were of a sufficient quality to provide beneficial inputs for hydrological modelling. There are encouraging indications that this technique may be valuable in improving flood forecasting generally. Copyright © 2008 Royal Meteorological Society
Three‐phase capital campaigns
Authors: Lindahl Wesley E. 
Published: February 2008

AbstractThe structure of most capital campaigns traditionally contains a private (or quiet) phase and a public phase. Leadership gifts are raised in the first phase, while the general prospect pool is asked to participate in the effort during the public phase. An announcement is made at some point to make the campaign public. A survey of 195 donors reveals that as the campaign nears its end (95 percent completed), donors tend to be much more likely to contribute. This suggests organizing campaigns (in addition to planning and evaluation phases) into three core phases (leadership, growth, and goal line) rather than two phases (quiet and public). The implication for fundraisers is to wait as long as possible (at least to 40 percent of the goal) before moving into the second growth phase. They might also take advantage of the propensity of donors to want to complete the task and reach the goal by implementing a special effort in the final “goal line” phase. Once the goal is reached, donors are dramatically less likely to continue giving to the campaign.
The method of quasi‐reversibility to solve the Cauchy problems for elliptic partial differential equations
Authors: Bourgeois Laurent , Lunéville Eric 
Published: February 2008

AbstractWe use the method of quasi‐reversibility, first introduced in [1], to solve the ill‐posed Cauchy problems for an elliptic operator such as P = –Δ. In particular, a non‐conforming method is implemented, some a priori error estimates are derived, and a few numerical computations are presented. (© 2008 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
On the direct and inverse problems in fluid‐structural interaction
Authors: Elschner Johannes , Hsiao George C. , Rathsfeld Andreas 
Published: February 2008

AbstractThis paper is concerned with the direct and inverse scattering problems in fluid‐structure interaction. The scattering problem in the fluid‐structure interaction can be simply described as follows: an acoustic wave propagates in the fluid domain of infinite extent where a bounded elastic body is immersed. The direct problem is to determine the scattered pressure and velocity fields in the fluid domain as well as the displacement fields in the elastic body, while the inverse problem is to reconstruct the shape of the elastic scatterer from a knowledge of the far field pattern of the fluid pressure or from the measured scattered fluid pressure field. As is well known, the inverse problems are generally nonlinear and highly ill‐posed. For treating inverse problem of this kind, we reformulate the problem as a nonlinear optimization problem including special regularization terms. The precise formulation of the nonlinear objective functional will depend on the approaches of the direct problem. In this paper, the direct problem is reformulated by introducing an artificial boundary and the corresponding inverse problem will be analyzed. Some of the basic results are summarized without proofs. The latter are available in [3]. (© 2008 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Fast Surface Mesh Denoising with Regularization and Edge Preservation
Authors: Huang Hui , Ascher Uri 
Published: February 2008

AbstractWe describe a hybrid algorithm that is designed to smooth, but not only smooth, noisy polygonal surface meshes with sharp edges. While denoising, our method simultaneously regularizes triangle meshes on flat regions for further mesh processing and preserves edge sharpness for faithful reconstruction. A clustering technique, which combines K‐means and geometric a priori information, is first developed and refined. It is then used to implement vertex classification so that we can subsequently apply different smoothing operators on different vertex groups. This yields a highly efficient robust algorithm that is capable of handling both edge sharpness and mesh sampling irregularity without any significant cost increase. (© 2008 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Three‐dimensional phase field simulations of grain growth in materials containing finely dispersed second‐phase particles
Authors: Vanherpe Liesbeth , Moelans Nele , Blanpain Bart , Vandewalle Stefan 
Published: February 2008

AbstractPhase field modelling has proven to be a versatile tool for simulating microstructural evolution phenomena, such as grain growth in polycrystalline materials. However, the computational requirements of a phase field model impose strong limitations on the number of phase field variables employed in a practical implementation. In this paper, a bounding box algorithm is proposed allowing the use of a large number of phase field variables without excessive computational requirements. (© 2008 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Incompressible Navier‐Stokes equation solvers based on lattice Boltzmann relaxation systems
Authors: Banda Mapundi K. , Seaïd Mohammed , Teleaga Ioan 
Published: February 2008

AbstractIn this talk some recent numerical results based on discrete‐velocity relaxation systems will be presented. Discrete‐velocity equations are derived from continuous Boltzmann‐type equations with appropriate approximations suitable for incompressible flows. A relaxation system is derived by taking moments of the discrete‐velocity equations. This approach is also extended to turbulence flows using Large‐Eddy Simulation as well as thermal flows. The schemes are tested by solving a collection of examples. In particular the developed methods demonstrate potential as tools for Large‐Eddy Simulation and flow with Radiative Heat transfer. (© 2008 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Quasi‐interpolation based on bivariate quadratic B‐splines with multiple knots
Authors: Dagnino C. , Lamberti P. , Remogna S. 
Published: February 2008

AbstractTaking into account the results given in [1, 3, 4] on bivariate spline quasi‐interpolation and in [5] on the effects of multiple knots, in this paper we consider local quadratic spline quasi‐interpolants on criss‐cross triangulations of a rectangular domain Ω, with possible multiple knots inside Ω and/or on the boundary ∂Ω. Such splines can be particularly useful in mechanics and engineering applications, since they can model constrained surfaces with different kind of smoothness in Ω. (© 2008 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
The velocity‐current formulation of magnetohydrodynamics
Authors: Meir Amnon J. , Schmidt Paul G. 
Published: February 2008

AbstractThe traditional formulation of the MHD equations employs the magnetic field as the primary electromagnetic variable. Unless the flow region is electromagnetically shielded from the surrounding space, boundary conditions are needed for the magnetic field; these can rarely be derived from physical principles. Using the current density as the primary electromagnetic variable, it is possible to avoid artificial boundary conditions and fully account for the electromagnetic interaction between flow region and surrounding space. (© 2008 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Boundary element method for spatially‐periodic potential problems
Authors: Ogata Hidenori 
Published: February 2008

AbstractIn this paper, we propose a boundary element method for two‐dimensional potential problems with one‐dimensional spatial periodicity, which have been difficult to be solved by the ordinary boundary element method. In the presented method, we reduce the potential problems with Dirichlet and Neumann boundary conditions to integral equation problems with the periodic fundamental solution of the Laplace operator and, then, obtain approximate solutions by solving linear systems given by discretizing the integral equations. Numerical examples are also included. (© 2008 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
A fast contraction mapping for solving multibody systems
Authors: Tasora Alessandro , Anitescu Mihai 
Published: February 2008

AbstractThe simulation of complex multibody systems with contacts and friction requires a fast and robust solver for complementarity problems. This work presents an efficient method which can solve large cone‐complementarity problems by means of a fixed point iteration. Our method performs like a contractive mapping, providing a monotonic approximation to the exact solution. The algorithm features high computational performance even if thousands of unilateral constraints are added to the system. Also, this scheme fits well in a real‐time simulation context because it can be terminated prematurely. As a benchmark for testing the method in challenging situations, we propose the simulation of the granular flow in a fourth‐generation bebble‐bed nuclear reactor, including 150'000 rigid bodies and more than a million of constraint multipliers. (© 2008 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Making students' thinking explicit in writing and discussion: An analysis of formative assessment prompts
Authors: Furtak Erin Marie , Ruiz‐Primo Maria Araceli 
Published: February 2008

AbstractThe National Research Council ([NRC], 2001) has stated that formative assessment is essential to fulfilling the mission of the National Science Education Standards (NRC, 1996). This paper explores the relative utility of four different types of formative assessment prompts in eliciting middle school students' ideas about sinking and floating. Students' written responses and statements in classroom discussions around each of the prompts are compared. Results indicate that the relative success of the prompts in eliciting a range of conceptions may depend on the openness and familiarity of the prompts. Prompts with fewer constraints and unfamiliar settings elicited a range of student conceptions in writing; however, discussions surrounding the prompts were more likely to elicit ideas at the expected level, or no student ideas at all. A comparison of the prompts revealed that the diversity of students' responses in writing was not reflected in classroom discussions. The study suggests that open‐format formative assessment prompts may function better when used as a basis for teachers to elicit a range of student ideas in writing, whereas constrained‐outcome space prompts may be more appropriate for whole‐class conversations that focus students upon scientifically appropriate responses. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.Sci Ed92:799–824, 2008
Architecture and protocols of the future European quantum key distribution network
Authors: Dianati Mehrdad , Alléaume Romain , Gagnaire Maurice , Shen Xuemin (Sherman) 
Published: February 2008

AbstractA point‐to‐point quantum key distribution (QKD) system takes advantage of the laws of quantum physics to establish secret keys between two communicating parties. Compared to the classical methods, such as public‐key infrastructures, QKD offers unconditional security, which makes it attractive for very high security applications. However, this unprecedent level of security is mitigated by the inherent constraints of quantum communications, such as the limited rates and ranges of an individual point‐to‐point QKD link. A QKD network, which can be built by combining multiple point‐to‐point QKD devices, can alleviate the constraints and enable point‐to‐multi‐point key distribution based on QKD technology.The European project, secure communication based on quantum cryptography (SeCoQC) aims at deploying a prototype QKD network, which will be demonstrated in September 2008, by developing the architecture and the protocols, as well as the specific hardware for long‐range QKD networks. This paper discusses the important aspects of the architecture and the network layer protocols of the SeCoQC QKD network. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Treatment and Prevention of Recurrence of Multinodular Goiter: An Evidence‐based Review of the Literature
Authors: Moalem Jacob , Suh Insoo , Duh Quan‐Yang 
Published: February 2008

AbstractBackgroundReportedly, 10−15% of patients with goiters ultimately require operative intervention, and recurrences of multinodular goiter (MNG) account for up to 12% of all thyroid operations.MethodsWe performed an evidence‐based review of articles published in the English language between January 1987 and October 2007 relevant to the subject.ResultsMedical treatment with T4 appears to be associated with a greater proportion of patients whose nodules decreased in size by more than 50% (22% vs. 10%; range = 14–39% vs. 0–20%). Recurrence rates of benign nodular goiter after total thyroidectomy were essentially nonexistent (range = 0–0.3%) compared with those after subtotal thyroidectomy (range = 2.5–42%) and more limited resections (range = 8–34%). There was no difference between total and less‐than‐total thyroidectomy with respect to temporary recurrent laryngeal nerve (RLN) injury (1–10% vs. 0.9–6%, respectively) or permanent RLN palsy (0–1.4%). There was, however, a significantly higher rate of transient hypocalcemia after total thyroidectomy than less extensive operations (9–35% vs. 0–18%, respectively). In relation to redo surgery, permanent hypoparathyroidism appeared to be far more common in the redo group (0–22% vs. 0–4%) Moreover; the redo group had more frequent RLN injury, both temporary (0–22% vs. 0.5–18%) and permanent (0–13% vs. 0–4%). About half the studies examined conclude that postoperative TSH suppression is effective in reducing recurrences, while the other half state that it is not.ConclusionThe definitive management and prevention of recurrence of benign nodular goiter is primarily surgical. Total thyroidectomy essentially eliminates the risk of recurrence without an accompanying increased risk of permanent hypoparathyroidism or RLN injury. Therefore, total thyroidectomy should be considered the procedure of choice for benign multinodular goiter whenever possible, especially considering that reoperations for goiter are significantly more morbid than any initial operation.
Thyroid Incidentaloma: An Evidence‐based Assessment of Management Strategy
Authors: Gough Jenny , Scott‐Coombes David , Fausto Palazzo F. 
Published: February 2008

AbstractBackgroundPalpable thyroid nodules are present in 4–7% of the population and their prevalence increases with age. Thyroid incidentalomas—impalpable nodules detected fortuitously during a radiological investigation—may be found in up to 50% of patients. Although numerous guidelines exist that indicate the appropriate management of palpable thyroid nodules, there are no accepted guidelines for the increasingly common thyroid incidentaloma. Presently no level I or II evidence exists on this topic.MethodsSystematic review of the literature using evidence‐based criteria was performed.ResultsThyroid incidentalomas are common and are mostly benign lesions. A small proportion is malignant, mainly papillary thyroid microcarcinomas (PTMC). Lesions <5 mm in diameter, even if PTMC, exceptionally metastasize and can be safely left. Lesions between 5 mm and 9 mm without sinister radiological features need not be investigated. The appropriate follow‐up is controversial.ConclusionIt is unlikely that a trial of sufficient power to demonstrate or refute the beneficial effects of presymptomatic investigation of thyroid nodules will take place. We propose a pragmatic approach based on current evidence that balances the benefit of early diagnosis and treatment with the cost to the patient and the healthcare system associated with unnecessary investigations and surgery.
Altered ex vivo cytokine production in zinc-deficient, pair-fed and marginally zinc-deficient growing rats is independent of serum corticosterone concentrations
Authors: Hosea Blewett Heather J. , Rector Edward S. , Taylor Carla G. 
Published: February 2008

The objective of the present study was to examine the effects of dietary Zn deficiency on the ex vivo cytokine production (IL-2, interferon-γ (IFN-γ), IL-6 and IL-10) of isolated thymocytes and splenocytes after mitogenic stimulation with concavalin A and to explore the role of corticosterone in this regulation. Weanling rats were assigned to one of four dietary treatments for 3 weeks: Zn-deficient ( < 1 mg Zn/kg diet, ad libitum), pair-fed (30 mg Zn/kg diet, limited to amount of feed as consumed by the Zn-deficient group), marginally Zn-deficient (10 mg Zn/kg diet, ad libitum) and control (30 mg Zn/kg diet, ad libitum). Thymocytes and splenocytes were isolated for cytokine stimulation and determination of T-cell phenotypes. Serum corticosterone concentrations were determined by ELISA. The Zn-deficient and pair-fed groups had 14-fold higher serum corticosterone concentrations compared with the marginally Zn-deficient and control groups (P < 0·0001). The proportions of thymocyte subsets were not altered in the Zn-deficient, pair-fed or marginally Zn-deficient groups; however, thymocyte IL-2 and IL-6 production in these groups was 33–54 % lower compared with the control group (P < 0·05). The Zn-deficient group had an 18–28 % lower proportion of new T-cells (TCRαβ+CD90+), but no difference in the proportion of new T-cells that were cytotoxic or helper. The Zn-deficient group had a 49–62 % lower production of Th1 cytokines (IL-2), but no difference in the production of Th2 cytokines (IL-6, IL-10) by stimulated splenocytes compared with the pair-fed, marginally Zn-deficient and control groups (P < 0·01). These results indicate that Zn status is associated with altered cytokine production, while in vivo corticosterone concentrations are not associated with ex vivo cytokine production.
Essential and long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acid status and fatty acid composition of breast milk of lactating adolescents
Authors: Meneses Flávia , Torres Alexandre G. , Trugo Nádia M. F. 
Published: February 2008

The aims of the present study were to evaluate essential fatty acids (EFA) and long-chain PUFA (LCPUFA) status in lactating adolescents and its association with breast milk composition. Healthy nursing adolescents from Rio de Janeiro, Brazil (n 30; 14–19 years; 30–120 d postpartum), exclusively or predominantly breast-feeding, participated in this study. Breast milk and blood samples were collected after overnight fasting. Fatty acid composition of breast milk, erythrocyte membrane (EM) and plasma NEFA were determined by GC. Indices of fatty acid status (mean melting point (MMP); EFA status index; DHA status indices, 22 : 5n-6:22 : 4n-6 and 22 : 6n-3:22 : 5n-6 ratios) were calculated from EM fatty acid composition. Dietary intake of n-3 fatty acids was low when compared with current recommendations for lactating women. MMP was associated with indices of DHA status, some individual fatty acids in EM and years post-menarche and weeks postpartum, suggesting the use of erythrocyte MMP as a possible comprehensive biochemical marker of LCPUFA status in this physiological condition. The DHA status of lactating adolescents and their milk DHA concentrations were similar to the values of Brazilian lactating adults, but lower compared with the values of lactating adults from other countries. Therefore, these lactating adolescents were apparently not disadvantaged, as compared with the Brazilian adults, when EM and breast milk fatty acid composition were considered. In general, PUFA in milk from adolescents presented few associations with their concentrations in plasma NEFA and with maternal status. However, milk DHA was associated with maternal LCPUFA and DHA states.