bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Optimization of contrast timing for breath‐hold three‐dimensional MR angiography
Authors: Hany Thomas F. , McKinnon Graeme C. , Leung Daniel A. , Pfammatter Thomas , Debatin Jorg F. 
Published: March 2007

AbstractThe purpose of this study was to determine the influence of various factors (age, weight, breathing, saline flush) on the contrast kinetics of a test bolus injection for the purpose of calculating the scan delay for optimized contrast‐enhanced three‐dimensional MR angiography. Initially, the test bolus administration was optimized by evaluating the influence of breathing (breathing versus breath‐hold) and the administration of a saline flush after the contrast injection (no flush versus flush) on the kinetics of a 4‐ml Gd‐DTPA test bolus injection in three healthy volunteers. Subsequently, in 33 patients referred for three‐dimensional MR angiography of the renal arteries, test bolus kinetics were correlated to age, weight, and heart rate. In addition, the image quality of the three‐dimensional MR angiograms was assessed on a four‐point scale with regard to vessel visibility. The administration of a saline flush after the contrast injection significantly shortened the first appearance time (14 versus 16 seconds, P < .05), as well as the time to maximal signal intensity (SI) (6 versus 10 seconds, P < .05) and increased both maximum (67 versus 151 seconds, P < .05) and the SI slope (6.4 versus 20.5 seconds, P < .05). Breath‐holding was shown to have no significant affect on the test bolus kinetics. No correlation was found between physiologic parameters and test bolus kinetics in the patient group. Image quality was graded as sufficient for diagnostic purposes in 32 of 33 patients. The contrast travel time from injection site to the vascular system under consideration cannot be predicted based on physiologic parameters. This time interval can be reliably and accurately determined by a test bolus injection of a small volume of contrast agent followed by a saline flush during normal breathing.
Evaluation of an ultrasmall superparamagnetic iron oxide in MRI in a bone tumor model in rabbits
Authors: Bush Charles H. , Mladinich Christopher R. J. , Montgomery William J. 
Published: March 2007

AbstractUltrasmall superparamagnetic iron oxides (USPIOs) are a class of MRI contrast agents having moderately selective affinity for the reticuloendothelial cells of lymph nodes and bone marrow. This study evaluated a USPIO preparation, Combidex (Code 7227), in MRI of a rabbit bone tumor model. VX2 carcinoma implanted into the tibial marrow of nine subject rabbits was studied. After tumor growth, the subjects underwent MRI of their lesions both before and after intravenous administration of Code 7227. Code 7227 was judged subjectively to conspicuously reduce the signal intensity of normal marrow on some pulse sequences. A hypointense zone outlined the tumor margins on postcontrast imaging, which allowed improved visualization of the soft tissue component of the larger lesions. Accumulation of the contrast agent in a zone of inflammation outside the tumor margin was demonstrated on histologic sections of the lesions. Code 7227 deserves additional study as a potential contrast agent for MRI of bone tumors.
Fat‐saturated contrast‐enhanced T1‐weighted MRI in evaluation of osteosarcoma and ewing sarcoma
Authors: Gronemeyer Suzanne A. , Kauffman William M. , Rocha Manoel S. , Steen R. Grant , Fletcher Barry D. 
Published: March 2007

AbstractTo assess contrast‐enhanced (C+), fat‐saturated (FatSat), T1‐weighted (T1W) imaging in the characterization of the soft tissue mass associated with primary bone tumors, we compared it with T2‐weighted (T2W) imaging in patients with osteosarcoma (n = 36) and Ewing sarcoma family of tumors (Ewing sarcoma; n = 11). Periosseous tumor compared with normal muscle had greater contrast‐to‐noise ratio (CNR) on the FatSat T1W C+ image than on T2W for 81% (38/47; P < .0001) of patients. The CNR of periosseous tumor compared with subcutaneous fat was greater on FatSat T1W C+ for 98% (46/47; P < .0001). Radiologists found it easier to evaluate neurovascular bundle proximity to tumor with FatSat T1W C+ images than with T2W for 64% of patients (30/47; P < .0001). They judged FatSat T1W C+ superior to T2W for periosseous tumor conspicuity and visualization of soft tissue necrosis in 62% (29/47; P < .0001). In patients with osteosarcoma or Ewing sarcoma, FatSat T1W C+ imaging may replace T2W imaging for soft tissue mass evaluation, especially if contrast is being used for dynamic enhancement.
Thoracic outlet syndrome in a throwing athlete diagnosed with MRI and MRA
Authors: Esposito M. D. , Arrington John A. , Blackshear M. N. , Murtagh F. R. , Silbiger M. L. 
Published: March 2007

AbstractThoracic outlet syndrome comprises the clinical manifestations in the arm caused by compression of the neuro‐vascular bundle as it leaves the thoracic inlet. The neuro‐vascular bundle is composed of the subclavian artery, the subclavian vein, and the bra‐chial plexus. The symptoms of thoracic outlet or inlet syndrome are most often caused by compression of the nerves of the brachial plexus, which is involved in up to 98% of cases; the remainder are due to vascular compression. MRI with MRA demonstrates well the anatomy of the brachial plexus as well as any vascular compression or occlusion. The relationship of the axillary and subclavian vein to the first rib and subclavius muscle also can be demonstrated. We present a college baseball player who presented with numbness in the fingers of his throwing hand when throwing a baseball. Evaluation with spin‐echo and two‐dimensional time‐of‐flight MR angiographic (MRA) imaging of the thoracic outlet region revealed obstruction of the subclavian vein with the arm abducted. To our knowledge, no such cases have been diagnosed previously with MRI.
Three‐dimensional reconstruction of the liver venous system using the preservation solution as contrast agent
Authors: Krssak Martin , Kontaxis Georg , Backfrieder Werner , Baumgartner Richard , Längle Friedrich , Moser Ewald 
Published: March 2007

AbstractTo investigate whether MRI without using artificial contrast agents can provide sufficient image contrast to visualize the venous tree in the cold stored liver graft, two pig liver grafts were scanned with a multislice turbo spin‐echo sequence with long TE (200 msec). The quality of the data obtained at 1‐T field strength was sufficient for three‐dimensional reconstruction of the hepatic vascular system, potentially useful for liver splitting surgery.
Multibolus stimulated echo imaging of coronary artery flow
Authors: Chao Hui , Burstein Deborah 
Published: March 2007

AbstractOne limitation of traditional bolus tagging techniques for MR angiography is the small amount of blood labeled by one tagging, resulting in a limited filling of the downstream vessels. We describe a multiple bolus technique using stimulated echoes (STE) for imaging coronary flow. A series of radiofrequency (RF) pairs are given with each pair selective at the region of tagging, thus tagging consecutive volumes of blood, and a final nonselective pulse is given to “read out” all of the tagged spins. In this way, multiple boluses of tagged blood are imaged at one time.
Gadolinium‐enhanced breath‐hold three‐dimensional time‐of‐flight MR angiography of the abdominal and pelvic vessels: The value of ultrafast MP‐RAGE sequences
Authors: Yamashita Yasuyuki , Mitsuzaki Katsuhiko , Tang Yi , Namimoto Tomohiro , Takahashi Mutsumasa 
Published: March 2007

AbstractMR angiography (MRA) was performed in 50 consecutive subjects (mean age, 59 years), who had been referred for abdominal MRA, on a 1.5‐T superconductive unit that used a body phased‐array coil. Three breath‐hold three‐dimensional sequences were evaluated both in phantom and clinical studies: (a) standard fast three‐dimensional gradient‐echo sequence (TR = 15, TE = 6; imaging time, 32 seconds), (b) ultrafast three‐dimensional gradient‐echo sequence (TR = 8.2, TE = 3; imaging time, 18 seconds), and (c) ultrafast magnetization‐prepared (MP) rapid acquisition gradient echo (RAGE) (TR = 5.8, TE = 2.9, inversion time [TI] = 20; imaging time, 15 seconds). The initial 30 patients were randomized into three groups by three separate sequences. For the remaining 20 patients, ultrafast‐gradient‐echo and ultrafast MP‐RAGE sequences were performed. Conventional angiography was performed on 36 patients. Signal measurements of the phantom and clinical images of the aorta, visceral branches of the aorta, iliac arteries, inferior vena cavae, and portal veins were performed. The overall image quality and background fatty tissue contrast of the vessels were rated subjectively. Comparison of images between MRA and conventional angiography also was performed. The contrast between the vessels and background fatty tissue was significantly higher in the ultrafast MP‐RAGE sequence in both quantitative and qualitative analysis, and image‐quality ultrafast MP‐RAGE was superior to the other two sequences (P < .01). The aorta and iliac arteries could be visualized in all pulse sequences, and abnormalities of these vessels were diagnosed correctly. The renal artery was visualized more clearly with the two ultrafast sequences.
Immediate postgadolinium spoiled gradient‐echo MRI for evaluating the abdominal aorta in the setting of abdominal MR examination
Authors: Kelekis Nikolaos L. , Semelka Richard C. , Molina Paul L. , Warshauer David M. , Sharp Tonya J. , Detterbeck Frank C. 
Published: March 2007

AbstractTo assess the reproducibility and image quality of immediate postgadolinium chelate spoiled gradient‐echo MRI in demonstrating disease of the abdominal aorta. All patients (27 patients: 21 men, 6 women) with substantial disease of the abdominal aorta, who underwent abdominal MR examinations at 1.5 T between 1991 and 1995, were entered in the study. Patients were referred for evaluation of suspected aortic disease (14 patients) or other abdominal diseases (13 patients). Three experienced investigators manually measured luminal and external aortic wall diameters and rated image quality, definition of inner and outer walls, extent of disease, and presence of other abdominal abnormalities, in an independent fashion. A cardiovascular surgeon then rated all studies to determine whether clinical management could be based on the MR findings alone. There was 98 to 99% agreement in measurements of luminal and external wall diameter between the three investigators. Overall image quality was rated as good in 77.8 to 88.9% of patients. A total of 31 additional nonaortic abdominal abnormalities were detected by all observers. The cardiovascular surgeon rated 25 of 27 studies as adequate to determine clinical management based on MR findings alone. Immediate postgadolinium spoiled gradient‐echo MRI is a reproducible technique for the demonstration of abdominal aortic disease and possesses good image quality. Advantages of this technique include simultaneous evaluation of other nonvascular diseases of the abdomen, short examination time, and easy implementation as part of routine abdominal MRI scanning protocol.
Effect of artifacts due to flowing blood on the reproducibility of phase‐contrast measurements of myocardial motion
Authors: Drangova Maria , Zhu Yudong , Pelc Norbert J. 
Published: March 2007

AbstractThe reproducibility of myocardial motion trajectories calculated from cine phase‐contrast (PC) velocity data is reduced by artifacts due to the inconsistent motion of intracardiac blood. Spatial presaturation reduces these artifacts but requires a longer sequence TR, with a potentially negative effect on trajectory accuracy and reproducibility. We investigated the effect of spatial presaturation on trajectory reproducibility. A midventricular transaxial slice was imaged in five normal volunteers. The same slice was imaged three times each with sequences using spatial presaturation or not. Because the most serious artifacts originate in the heart chambers and propagate in the phase‐encoded direction, myocardial regions that were in line with the heart chambers (in the phase‐encode direction) had the highest artifact level in the scans without spatial presaturation. The reproducibility of trajectories for regions placed in these areas (the anterior wall, septum and posterior wall in the transaxial scans with phase encoding in the anterior‐posterior direction) improved by a factor of two when presaturation was used (P < .001). In areas that were not in line with the heart chambers (eg, the anterior aspect of the lateral wall in the transaxial scans), the effect of presaturation was not significant. These results correlate well with the measured reduction in artifact level. The reproducibility of myocardial motion trajectories over large areas of the heart is improved to approximately 1 mm when presaturation is used. Therefore, use of presaturation is recommended for myocardial motion studies using cine PC velocity data.
Understanding ‘appropriateness’ in multinational organizations
Authors: Cooper Danielle , Doucet Lorna , Pratt Michael 
Published: March 2007

AbstractAssessments of the appropriateness and inappropriateness of behaviors may influence conflict, cohesion, and goal attainment in multinational organizations (MNOs). We develop a model of appropriateness that illustrates how various arrangements in MNOs (e.g., geocentric staffing) may work to influence the likelihood of (in‐) appropriateness assessments as well as the magnitude of the reactions (positive or negative) to such assessments via their influence on members' ingroup‐outgroup categorizations. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Organizational behavior in multinational organizations
Authors: Peterson Mark F. , Thomas David C. 
Published: March 2007

AbstractThis article introduces a special issue of the Journal of Organizational Behavior on organizational behavior in the context of multinational organizations (MNOs). MNOs have distinctive organizational characteristics and operate in national settings that have distinctive institutional and cultural characteristics that together provide a unique context for organizational behavior. We present a taxonomy, which suggests that OB scholars who have done research in the MNO context have given it theoretical meaning in several ways. This context can influence the frequency of occurrence of OB variables, influence their functional relationships, or produce nuanced or unique constructs. The articles in the special issue highlight the OB implications of the conflicting identities that are particularly likely to be found when an organization's different structural components are closely linked to different cultural and formal institutions. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Impact of Indian Ocean sea‐surface temperature anomaly on Indian summer monsoon precipitation using a regional climate model
Authors: Singh G. P. , Oh Jai‐Ho 
Published: March 2007

AbstractThe present study uses a recent version (Version‐III) of National Center for Atmospheric Research (NCAR) Regional Climate Model (RegCM3) to simulate the Indian summer monsoon rainfall (ISMR). Since RegCM3 is used for the first time for such a study over south Asia, its performance was tested for different conditions of ISMR. The RegCM3 is integrated at 60 km horizontal resolution from April 1 to October 1 for three contrasting rain years corresponding to drought (2002), normal (2001) and excess (1994). The monsoon circulation features simulated by the RegCM3 are compared with those of the National Center for Environmental Prediction (NCEP)/NCAR reanalysis, and simulated precipitation is validated against observations from the Global Precipitation Climatology Centre (GPCC) data sets. Validation of the wind patterns at lower and upper levels shows that the RegCM3 simulated results are close to the NCEP/NCAR reanalysis. Similarly, the patterns of precipitation distribution simulated by the RegCM3 are close to the GPCC (except over the west coast). Features of intra‐seasonal oscillation during different rain years are also examined by applying a frequency filter and the technique of wavelet analysis to rainfall data. Results indicate that a faster (10–20 days) mode dominated during an excess rain year and a slower (30–60 days) mode during a deficient rain year, which agree well with the observations (GPCC). The influence of increase in sea‐surface temperature (SST) by 0.6 °C on the following summer monsoon circulation and rainfall over India has also been studied. The SST (warm) experiments show that the regional warming of SST over the Indian Ocean enhanced the monsoon precipitation mainly over south peninsular India, west peninsular India and the Indian Ocean and reduced precipitation over northeast India. Copyright © 2007 Royal Meteorological Society
Corning creates an inclusive culture to drive technology innovation and performance
Authors: Oshiotse Anthony , O'Leary Richard 
Published: March 2007

AbstractCorning's technology community, charged with doubling the rate at which technology breakthroughs are transformed into major businesses, has undertaken a bold experiment in social innovation to strengthen the interactional aspects of the innovation process. The initiative, creating an inclusive culture (CiC™), leverages emotional maturity and personal transformation into enhanced organizational capabilities and competitive advantage. Built on a broader model of diversity/inclusion and the CiC™ learning model, the process equips individuals with the language, concepts, skills, and behaviors of inclusion. Next steps include building inclusivity concepts and tools into Corning's reinvigorated innovation process, with a focus on teams and work processes. © 2007 by Anthony Oshiotse and Corning Incorporated.
Reporting on the triple bottom line at Cascade Engineering
Authors: Douglas Traci 
Published: March 2007

AbstractA private company's decision to go public with its record on sustainability and social responsibility directly linked employees to the company's commitment to good stewardship and brought a sharper focus to the company's plans and actions. It also proved that when it comes to businesses making a positive impact on communities and the environment, size is irrelevant. The company tapped readily available external expertise, learned from the experience of other companies, and used its own “edge of chaos” management style to develop and then refine its triple bottom line reports. As a tool for identifying gaps between practice and promise, the TBL has spurred leaders and employees alike to find more ways to integrate sustainable practices into their day‐to‐day work. © 2006 Cascade Engineering, Inc.
Organizational learning and compensation strategies: Evidence from the Spanish chemical industry
Authors: Jerez‐Gómez Pilar , Céspedes‐Lorente José , Valle‐Cabrera Ramón 
Published: March 2007

AbstractThis study explores the role of compensation strategies in promoting organizational learning capability. By analyzing a sample of 111 Spanish firms from the chemical industry, the authors highlight how compensation strategies can be used to influence employees' commitment to learning and shape their understanding of the overall purpose of the organization. They also show that inappropriate strategies can lead to short‐term efficiencies but damage longer‐term learning.The study also explores five dimensions of compensation strategy that are linked to organizational learning: job‐based vs. skill‐based pay; pay level relative to the market; fixed pay vs. incentives; individual vs. group incentives; and shortvs. long‐term orientation. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Reprinted from Human Resources Management Volume 44, Issue 3.
Expression of cartilage‐related genes in bovine synovial tissue
Authors: Shintani Nahoko , Kurth Tobias , Hunziker Ernst B. 
Published: March 2007

AbstractThe synovium contains mesenchymal stem cells with chondrogenic potential. Although synovial and articular cartilage tissue develop from a common pool of mesenchymal cells, little is known about their genetic commonalities. In the present study, the mRNA levels for several cartilage‐related proteins, namely, cartilage oligomeric matrix protein (COMP), Sox9, aggrecan, and collagen types I, II, IX, X, and XI, were measured using the real‐time polymerase chain reaction. Our data reveal the synovium of calf metacarpal joints to physiologically express not only type I collagen but also COMP, Sox9, aggrecan, and collagen types X and XI. The mRNA levels for the latter five proteins lie between 2% and 15% of those in articular cartilage. We speculate that these genes are being expressed by chondroprogenitor cells, whose presence in the synovium reflects a common ontogenetic phase in the fetal development of this tissue and of articular cartilage. © 2007 Orthopaedic Research Society. Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Orthop Res 25: 813–819, 2007
Atmospheric Plasma Treatment of Porous Polymer Constructs for Tissue Engineering Applications
Authors: Safinia Laleh , Wilson Karen , Mantalaris Athanassios , Bismarck Alexander 
Published: March 2007

AbstractPorous 3D polymer scaffolds prepared by TIPS from PLGA (53:47) and PS are intrinsically hydrophobic which prohibits the wetting of such porous media by water. This limits the application of these materials for the fabrication of scaffolds as supports for cell adhesion/spreading. Here we demonstrate that the interior surfaces of polymer scaffolds can be effectively modified using atmospheric air plasma (AP). Polymer films (2D) were also modified as control. The surface properties of wet 2D and 3D scaffolds were characterised using zeta‐potential and wettability measurements. These techniques were used as the primary screening methods to assess surface chemistry and the wettability of wet polymer constructs prior and after the surface treatment. The surfaces of the original polymers are rather hydrophobic as highlighted but contain acidic functional groups. Increased exposure to AP improved the water wetting of the treated surfaces because of the formation of a variety of oxygen and nitrogen containing functions. The morphology and pore structure was assessed using SEM and a liquid displacement test. The PLGA and PS foam samples have central regions which are open porous interconnected networks with maximum pore diameters of 49 µm for PLGA and 73 µm for PS foams.magnified image
Electroactive Hyperbranched Polyamide Synthesized by Oxidative Coupling Polymerization within an A2 + B3 Strategy
Authors: Chao Danming , Ma Xiaobo , Lu Xiaofeng , Cui Lili , Mao Hui , Zhang Wanjin , Wei Yen 
Published: March 2007

AbstractUsing an oxidative coupling polymerization of the macromonomers of oligoaniline and p‐phenylenediamine, we have prepared an electroactive hyperbranched polyamide, exhibiting an exciting molecular structure, and interesting spectroscopic and electrochemical properties. The molecular structure of the electroactive polyamide was confirmed by FT‐IR, NMR, elemental analysis and GPC. The hyperbranched polyamide exhibited a conductivity of 7.0 × 10−5 S · cm−1 at room temperature upon a preliminarily protonic‐doped experiment. The UV‐vis spectrum of the synthesized polyamide, which is in the emeraldine oxidation state, showed two bands at 330 and 600 nm, which can be attributed to the transitions in the oligoaniline groups, namely the π‐π* transition in the benzoid ring and the exciton‐type transition between the HOMO orbital of the benzoid ring and the LUMO orbital of the quinoid ring. The electrochemical activity of the hyperbranched polyamide was tested in 1.0 M H2SO4 aqueous solution and showed three redox peaks, which is different from the activity of polyaniline. Moreover, the thermal properties of the polyamide were evaluated by TGA.magnified image