bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Nanoenergetic Composites of CuO Nanorods, Nanowires, and Al‐Nanoparticles
Authors: Shende Rajesh , Subramanian Senthil , Hasan Shameem , Apperson Steven , Thiruvengadathan Rajagopalan , Gangopadhyay Keshab , Gangopadhyay Shubhra , Redner Paul , Kapoor Deepak , Nicolich Steven , Balas Wendy 
Published: March 2008

AbstractThis paper reports on the synthesis of the nanoenergetic composites containing CuO nanorods and nanowires, and Al‐nanoparticles. Nanorods and nanowires were synthesized using poly(ethylene glycol) templating method and combined with Al‐nanoparticles using ultrasonic mixing and self‐assembly methods. Poly(4‐vinylpyridine) was used for the self‐assembly of Al‐nanoparticles around the nanorods. At the optimized values of equivalence ratio, sonication time, and Al‐particle size, the combustion wave speed of 1650 m s−1 was obtained for the nanorods‐based energetics. For the composite of nanowires and Al‐nanoparticles the speed was increased to 1900 m s−1. The maximum combustion wave speed of 2400 m s−1 was achieved for the self‐assembled composite, which is the highest known so far among the nanoenergetic materials. It is possible that in the self‐assembled composites, the interfacial contact between the oxidizer and fuel is higher and resistance to overall diffusional process is lower, thus enhancing the performance.
Highly sensitive optical probe for uniaxial strain in GaN epitaxial films
Authors: Toda Y. , Ishiguro T. , Adachi S. , Hoshino K. , Tadatomo K. 
Published: March 2008

AbstractWe have previously demonstrated that a spectrally‐resolved four‐wave mixing highlights the anisotropically polarized excitons in the uniaxially strained GaN films [1], where the enhancement of sensitivity for an uniaxial strain was achieved by nonlinear response of the exciton polarization. In this work, we have applied this technique to the GaN films on various substrates including isotropic ones, and have examined the sensitivity of the technique. The results show distinct polarizations and energy variations originating from the uniaxial strain, the magnitude of which depends on the sample and its position. The minimum changes of the polarized FWM intensity and exchange energy splittings correspond to a uniaxial strain of 5.0 × 10–5, which currently gives a lower resolution limit of this technique. (© 2008 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Local microstructure of amorphous Al2O3
Authors: Hung P. K. , Vinh L. T. 
Published: March 2008

AbstractWe present a microstructure study of different amorphous states of Al2O3, which are constructed by compressing the original glass to different pressure and then decompressing. The local microstructure of these states is analyzed through the coordination number, bond‐angle statistics, the characteristics of voids and void aggregations. The simulation results indicate the possibility of amorphous–amorphous phase transition from low‐density to high‐density Al2O3 with gradual variation in density and other structural properties. (© 2008 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
High brightness near‐ultraviolet resonant LEDs
Authors: Corbett B. , Zhu D. , Roycroft B. , Maaskant P. , Akhter M. , McAleese C. , Kappers M. J. , Humphreys C. J. 
Published: March 2008

AbstractPlanar near‐ultraviolet 385 nm emitting resonant LEDs containing three quantum wells have been investigated as a function of the separation between the wells and a reflective and injecting metal mirror. The output power and far‐field extracted through the substrate of the LEDs depend on the precise positions of the wells with each well having a significant individual influence on these properties. A doubling of the output power is obtained when the wells are located around the antinode position of the standing wave while narrower far‐fields are obtained with other placement of the wells. A power of 0.4 mW into a numerical aperture of 0.5 is obtained for a current of 30 mA into a 50 μm diameter contact. Calibration of the growth rate along with accurate knowledge of the material properties of the semiconductor and metal mirrors is required for controlled and enhanced emission from planar UV LEDs. (© 2008 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Optical properties of InGaN/GaN MQW microdisk arrays on GaN/Si(111) template
Authors: Lee Kang Jea , Oh Tae Su , Suh Eun Kyung , Shim Kyu Hwan , Young Lim Kee 
Published: March 2008

AbstractWe report the fabrication of InGaN/GaN multi quantum well (MQW) microdisk arrays on Si(111) substrates. InGaN/GaN MQWs were grown on highly tensile‐strained GaN films on Si(111) substrate by metalorganic chemical vapor deposition. Microdisk resonators were fabricated using a combination of optical lithography, a dry GaN‐etching process, and Si undercut etching by acid chemical solution. The evidence of whispering‐gallery modes in optically pumped microdisk cavities have been observed by photoluminescence. (© 2008 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
The opposing effects of the flavonoids isoquercitrin and Sissotrin, isolated from Pterospartum tridentatum, on oral glucose tolerance in rats
Authors: Paulo Alexandra , Martins Sofia , Branco Pedro , Dias Teresa , Borges Carlos , Rodrigues Ana Isabel , do Céu Costa Maria , Teixeira Adriano , Mota‐Filipe Hélder 
Published: March 2008

AbstractThe effect of an aqueous extract of Pterospartum tridentatum on the blood glucose levels of normal Wistar rats was investigated in a situation of oral glucose challenge. The extract at 300 mg/kg showed an antihyperglycaemic effect in the first 30 min after glucose challenge but then the blood glucose levels rose above those of the control group, indicating the presence of compounds with different effects on glucose tolerance. Nine compounds of isoflavone and flavonol skeletons were identified in the extract by HPLC‐ESI‐MSn, four of them being identified for the first time in this species. The isoflavone sissotrin and the flavonol derivative, isoquercitrin, were selected for the oral glucose tolerance test. Isoquercitrin (100 mg/kg) showed time‐dependent antihyperglycaemic activity by delaying the post‐oral glucose load glycaemic peak at 30 min, as did the sodium‐dependent glucose transporter inhibitor phloridzin (100 mg/kg). In contrast, sissotrin (100 mg/kg) showed an opposite effect, impairing glucose tolerance. In conclusion, these preliminary results indicate that the effect of the extract on blood glucose may be either antihyperglycaemic or hyperglycaemic. Additionally, as far as is known, these are the first in vivo results on the acute antihyperglycaemic potential of isoquercitrin. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Subtotal and Near Total Versus Total Thyroidectomy for the Management of Multinodular Goiter
Authors: Vaiman Michael , Nagibin Andrey , Hagag Philippe , Buyankin Alexey , Olevson Julian , Shlamkovich Nathan 
Published: March 2008

AbstractBackgroundThe purpose of the present work was to compare rates of postsurgical complications following thyroidectomy for multinodular goiter through a retrospective multicenter cohort study.MethodsAll cases of thyroidectomy (total—TT; near total—NT; and bilateral subtotal—ST) performed in two hospitals from 1990 to 2005 were studied to determine the incidence of complications after each procedure. Follow‐up checked injury of laryngeal nerves, hypoparathyroidism, hypothyroidism, pathology recurrence, and appearance of neoplasm.ResultsThere were 6,223 cases: TT, n = 3,834 (61.6%); ST, n = 2,238 (36%); and NT, n = 151 (2.4%) NT). Of this total, 2,758 (44.3%) patients were men and 3,465 (55.7%) were women with a mean age of 48.7. Postoperative mean follow‐up was 7 years, 2 months. Permanent recurrent laryngeal nerve (RLN) injury was observed in 1.4% in the TT group, 1.2% in the ST group, and 1.1% in the NT group (p > 0.1). Permanent hypocalcemia was observed in 2% in TT group, 1.9% in the ST group, and 2% in the NT group (p > 0.1). Permanent hypothyroidism occurred in all patients in the TT and NT groups, compared to 91% of the patients in the ST group (p > 0.1). Recurrence of benign disease was noted in 491 patients (20.5% of ST and NT cases combined; p < 0.05), n = 482 (21.5%) after ST and n = 9 (5.9%) after NT. Of the patients with recurrence, 173 needed a completion thyroidectomy. Malignant transformation was observed in 28 cases.ConclusionsThere is no statistically significant difference in complications among TT, NT, and ST groups. Partial thyroidectomies provide no decisive advantage over total thyroidectomies in terms of subsequent requirements of supplemental hormone therapy. The rate of reoperation in cases of recurrent pathology and incidental carcinoma was high.
Neglected patellar tendon rupture: a case of reconstruction without quadriceps lengthening
Authors: Bek D. , Demiralp B. , Kömürcü M. , Şehirlioğlu A. 
Published: March 2008

AbstractNeglected rupture of the patellar tendon is a rare, can be easily missed in a group of patients. We present a 24 year old, male patient who sustained right femoral diaphyseal and tibial plateau fractures and a patellar tendon rupture following a motor vehicle accident. The fractures were treated by open reduction internal fixation but the patellar tendon rupture was missed and the diagnosis was delayed by 7 months. Patella was migrated proximally. It was moved distally to the original location and neglected patellar tendon rupture treated successfully with modified Ecker technique. Neither preoperative traction nor additional intraoperative procedures were performed to relocate the patella to its anatomic position in the extended knee and good functional result was achieved with intensive rehabilitation.
Leukoencephalopathies associated with inborn errors of metabolism in adults
Authors: Sedel F. , Tourbah A. , Fontaine B. , Lubetzki C. , Baumann N. , Saudubray J.‐M. , Lyon‐Caen O. 
Published: March 2008

SummaryThe discovery of a leukoencephalopathy is a frequent situation in neurological practice and the diagnostic approach is often difficult given the numerous possible aetiologies, which include multiple acquired causes and genetic diseases including inborn errors of metabolism (IEMs). It is now clear that IEMs can have their clinical onset from early infancy until late adulthood. These diseases are particularly important to recognize because specific treatments often exist. In this review, illustrated by personal observations, we give an overview of late‐onset leukoencephalopathies caused by IEMs.
Scoliotic curve patterns in patients with Marfan syndrome
Authors: Glard Yann , Launay Franck , Edgard-Rosa Grégory , Collignon Patrick , Jouve Jean-Luc , Bollini Gérard 
Published: March 2008

Purpose Cases of “non-idiopathic” scoliosis are deemed atypical. These require a comprehensive work-up in order to choose the best treatment (and to determine an extent of fusion if needed). Marfan syndrome (MFS) is a genetic disease often marked with the presence of scoliosis, which is poorly described in the literature. Knowing that the clinical diagnosis of MFS is not always obvious, we investigated how atypical the scoliosis associated with MFS was when compared with that of adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS). Methods In our series, we included 30 patients diagnosed with MFS. Each patient was proposed to undergo a plain radiographic examination of the spine. Scoliotic patients were classified according to the Scoliosis Research Society (SRS) curve pattern classification. Curve patterns with a very low rate of occurrence in historic control were defined as “atypical”. Results A total of 19 patients were defined as scoliotic. In 9 cases, the curve pattern was atypical. In the other 10, the curve pattern was typical, but a fine analysis revealed some atypical features in the position of the apex and end vertebrae. Conclusions Scoliosis associated with MFS was found to be atypical in all cases. This supports the idea that an atypical curve pattern should be considered as an argument in favour of a non-idiopathic aetiology and, therefore, an appropriate work-up should be performed before deciding treatment.
Evidence that the COMTVal158Met Polymorphism Moderates Subclinical Psychotic and Affective Symptoms in Unaffected First-Degree Relatives of Patients With Schizophrenia
Authors: van Winkel Ruud , Isusi Pilar , Galdos Paloma , Echevarria Elena , Bilbao José Ramón , Martin-Pagola Ainhoa , Castaño Luis , Papiol Sergi , Mengelers Ron , Krabbendam Lydia , van Os Jim , Myin-Germeys Inez 
Published: March 2008

AbstractObjectives.Psychotic patients with COMTVal158Met Met alleles were recently found to display more intense psychotic and affective responses to daily life stressors. We aimed to test the hypothesis that the Met allele is implicated in the development of affective and psychotic symptomatology in subjects genetically at risk for schizophrenia, by testing if unaffected first-degree relatives of patients with schizophrenia who share a Met allele have greater concordance of symptomatology than relatives not sharing a Met allele.Methods.Unaffected relatives (n = 38) were arranged in as many genetically related pairs as possible (n = 26), and Met-sharing between Index Unaffected Subject (IUS) and Related Unaffected Subject (RUS) was assessed. Symptomatology was assessed with the Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale (BPRS) total score.Results.Multilevel regression revealed an interaction between RUS BPRS score and Met-sharing in the model of IUS BPRS score (interaction χ2 = 3.78, p = 0.05). Stratified analyses revealed that IUS–RUS total BPRS scores were significantly associated in the case of Met-sharing (B = 0.57, 95% CI: 0.22–0.93, p = 0.002), but were not when there was no Met-sharing.Conclusion.These findings support the hypothesis that the Met allele may be involved in the causation of psychopathology, at least in populations with a genetic predisposition to psychosis.
Reading the Qur'an in Bangladesh: The Politics of ‘Belief’ Among Islamist Women
Authors: HUQ MAIMUNA 
Published: March 2008

AbstractWhile much has been written about resurgent Islamic movements in recent decades, the proliferation of religious reading circles has received little attention. Few studies delineate the specifics of audience engagement with authoritative Islamic texts on the ground. This paper is a small attempt at such an inquiry in the context of Bangladesh. It investigates a particular Islamist Qur'anic study session conducted in Dhaka in 2003. Such reading sessions are routinely conducted within Bangladesh Islamic Chatri Sangstha (BICSa), the leading Islamic organization of women students in Bangladesh. I suggest that BICSa reading sessions embody spaces of both deliberation and discipline. In analysing a group discussion of a set of Qur'anic verses widely assigned for study within BICSa, particularly in relation to the central Islamist notion of ‘belief’, this paper argues that reading circles play a primary role in the production of a uniquely disciplined and devout, yet modern Islamist subjectivity in Bangladesh. A study circle familiarizes a lay Bangladeshi with specific kinds of religious literature and teaches them to understand and shape contemporary realities via scriptural injunctions. However, this inculcation process is not linear: The mastery of the Qur'anic literature enables both devotion to and contestation of BICSa precepts.
Modality and representation in analogy
Authors: Linsey J.S. , Wood K.L. , Markman A.B. 
Published: March 2008

AbstractDesign by analogy is a powerful part of the design process across the wide variety of modalities used by designers such as linguistic descriptions, sketches, and diagrams. We need tools to support people's ability to find and use analogies. A deeper understanding of the cognitive mechanisms underlying design and analogy is a crucial step in developing these tools. This paper presents an experiment that explores the effects of representation within the modality of sketching, the effects of functional models, and the retrieval and use of analogies. We find that the level of abstraction for the representation of prior knowledge and the representation of a current design problem both affect people's ability to retrieve and use analogous solutions. A general semantic description in memory facilitates retrieval of that prior knowledge. The ability to find and use an analogy is also facilitated by having an appropriate functional model of the problem. These studies result in a number of important implications for the development of tools to support design by analogy. Foremost among these implications is the ability to provide multiple representations of design problems by which designers may reason across, where the verb construct in the English language is a preferred mode for these representations.
A grammar-based multiagent system in dynamic design
Authors: Ślusarczyk Grażyna 
Published: March 2008

AbstractThis paper deals with the system of agents treated as a concurrent modular system, which is able to support the designer in solving complex design tasks. The behavior of design agents is modeled by sets of grammar rules. Each agent manages a graph grammar and a database of facts concerning the subtask for which it is responsible. The course of designing is determined by the interaction between cooperating specialized agents. The design context is expressed by the environment in which agents act and predicates describing design criteria. The organization, design methodology, and a semantic model of a grammar-based multiagent design system are presented. The notions of a valid design solution and a design solution consistent with the design criteria are also introduced. The proposed approach is illustrated by the example of designing a house estate.
A review of function modeling: Approaches and applications
Authors: Erden M.S. , Komoto H. , van Beek T.J. , D'Amelio V. , Echavarria E. , Tomiyama T. 
Published: March 2008

AbstractThis work is aimed at establishing a common frame and understanding offunction modeling(FM) for our ongoing research activities. A comparative review of the literature is performed to grasp the various FM approaches with their commonalities and differences. The relations of FM with the research fields of artificial intelligence, design theory, and maintenance are discussed. In this discussion the goals are to highlight the features of various classical approaches in relation to FM, to delineate what FM introduces to these fields, and to discuss the applicability of various FM approaches in these fields. Finally, the basic ideas underlying our projects are introduced with reference to the general framework of FM.
Turning the Other Cheek to Terrorism: Reflections on the Contemporary Significance of Leo Tolstoy's Exegesis of the Sermon on the Mount
Authors: Christoyannopoulos Alexandre J. M. E. 
Published: March 2008

AbstractThe “war on terror” has brought to the fore the old debate on the role of religion in politics and international relations, a question on which Tolstoy wrote extensively during the latter part of his life. He considered Jesus to have clearly spelt out some rational moral and political rules for conduct, the most important of which was non-resistance to evil. For Tolstoy, Jesus' instructions not to resist evil, to love one's enemies and not to judge one another together imply that a sincere Christian would denounce any form of violence and warfare, and would strive to respond to (whatever gets defined as) evil with love, not force. In today's “war on terror,” therefore, Tolstoy would lament both sides' readiness to use violence to reach their aims; and he would call for Christians in particular to courageously enact the rational wisdom contained in Jesus' Sermon on the Mount. Tolstoy's exegesis of Christianity may be too literal and too rationalistic, and may lead to an exceedingly utopian political vision; but it articulates a refreshingly peaceful method for religion to shape politics, one that can moreover and paradoxically be related to by non-Christians precisely because of its alleged grounding in reason.
First evidence of the pore-forming properties of a keratin from skin mucus of rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss, formerly Salmo gairdneri)
Authors: Molle Virginie , Campagna Sylvie , Bessin Yannick , Ebran Nathalie , Saint Nathalie , Molle Gérard 
Published: March 2008

The epidermis of fish is covered with a layer of mucus, which contributes to the defence of the species against parasites, bacteria and fungi. We have previously extracted glycoproteins from various mucus samples from fish and have shown that they present pore-forming activities well correlated with strong antibacterial properties [Ebran, Julien, Orange, Saglio, Lemaitre and Molle (2000) Biochim. Biophys. Acta 1467, 271–280]. The present study focuses on the 65 kDa glycoprotein, Tr65, from the rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss, formerly Salmo gairdneri). Enzymatic digestion of Tr65 yielded a fragment pattern with strong homology with that of trout type II cytokeratin. Sequence analysis of the cDNA clone obtained by PCR confirmed this homology. We thus constructed a plasmid to overproduce the recombinant Tr65. We extracted and purified this recombinant Tr65, using it for multichannel and single-channel experiments in azolectin bilayers. Our results with recombinant Tr65 confirmed the pore-forming properties already shown with native antibacterial Tr65. These findings offer new insights into the function of keratin proteins present in various mucosal surfaces of animals and human beings.
A xyloglucan-specific family 12 glycosyl hydrolase from Aspergillus niger: recombinant expression, purification and characterization
Authors: Master Emma R. , Zheng Yun , Storms Reginald , Tsang Adrian , Powlowski Justin 
Published: March 2008

A new GH12 (glycosyl hydrolase 12) family XEG [xyloglucan-specific endo-β-1,4-glucanase (EC 3.2.1.151)] from Aspergillus niger, AnXEG12A, was overexpressed, purified and characterized. Whereas seven xyloglucanases from GH74 and two xyloglucanases from GH5 have been characterized previously, this is only the third characterized example of a GH12 family xyloglucanase. GH12 enzymes are structurally and mechanistically distinct from GH74 enzymes. Although over 100 GH12 sequences are now available, little is known about the structural and biochemical bases of xyloglucan binding and hydrolysis by GH12 enzymes. Comparison of the AnXEG12A cDNA sequence with the genome sequence of A. niger showed the presence of two introns, one in the coding region and the second one in the 333-nt-long 3′-untranslated region of the transcript. The enzyme was expressed recombinantly in A. niger and was readily purified from the culture supernatant. The isolated enzyme appeared to have been processed by a kexin-type protease, which removed a short prosequence. The substrate specificity was restricted to xyloglucan, with cleavage at unbranched glucose in the backbone. The apparent kinetic parameters were similar to those reported for other xyloglucan-degrading endoglucanases. The pH optimum (5.0) and temperature resulting in highest enzyme activity (50–60 °C) were higher than those reported for a GH12 family xyloglucanase from Aspergillus aculeatus, but similar to those of cellulose-specific endoglucanases from the GH12 family. Phylogenetic, sequence and structural comparisons of GH12 family endoglucanases helped to delineate features that appear to be correlated to xyloglucan specificity.