bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Enhanced Exfoliation of Organoclay in Partially End‐Functionalized Non‐Polar Polymer
Authors: Wang Xiaoliang , Tao Fangfang , Xue Gi , Zhu Jianjun , Chen Tiehong , Sun Pingchuan , Winter H. Henning , Shi An‐Chang 
Published: March 2009

AbstractWe found that enhanced exfoliation of clay up to 20 wt.‐% in non‐polar polybutadiene (PB) if the PB was blended with a relatively small fraction of hydroxyl‐terminated PB (HTPB). The choice of an intermediate polymer composition to enhance exfoliation was motivated by theoretical predictions of end‐functionalizing effects of Balazs, Farmer, and coworkers. A combination of X‐ray diffraction and rheological measurements were used to optimize HTPB content for enhanced exfoliation. We also observed the competition of the kinetic and thermodynamic processes during the ripening of the exfoliated clay structure.magnified image
Copolymers of Intrinsic Microporosity Based on 2,2′,3,3′‐Tetrahydroxy‐1,1′‐dinaphthyl
Authors: Du Naiying , Robertson Gilles P. , Pinnau Ingo , Thomas Sylvie , Guiver Michael D. 
Published: March 2009

AbstractA series of new copolymers with high molecular weight and low polydispersity, prepared from tetrahydroxydinaphthyl, tetrahydroxyspirobisindane, and tetrafluoroterephthalonitrile monomers, prevent efficient space packing of the stiff polymer chains and consequently show intrinsic microporosity. One copolymer, DNPIM‐33, has an excellent combination of properties with good film‐forming characteristics and gas transport performance, and exhibits higher selectivity than the corresponding spirobisindane‐based homopolymer PIM‐1 for gas pairs, such as O2/N2, with a corresponding small decrease in permeability. This work demonstrates that significant improvements in properties may be obtained through development of copolymers with intrinsic microporosity (CoPIMs) that extends the spectrum of high‐molecular‐weight ladder structures of poly(dibenzodioxane)s.magnified image
Banking a hemi‐abdominal DIEP flap: A pilot report of indications, technique, and utility
Authors: Shridharani Sachin M. , Singh Navin K. , Taylor Jesse A. , Rosson Gedge D. 
Published: March 2009

AbstractWe present a pilot report of “banking” the contralateral hemi‐abdominal deep inferior epigastric perforator (DIEP) flap under the abdominal closure in patients undergoing unilateral autologous breast reconstruction when a hemi‐abdominal flap suffices. Four patients undergoing unilateral autologous breast reconstruction with a hemi‐abdominal DIEP or superficial inferior epigastric artery flap had their contralateral hemi‐abdominal flap left in position, or “banked,” under their abdominal closure to be used in case of failure. This novel method may be of assistance when a free microvascular hemi‐abdominal flap is felt to be threatened or suspect. It provides a life‐boat for the younger and experienced surgeon alike, and most importantly, for the breast cancer survivor. Economic analysis of the technique reveals that the contralateral hemi‐abdominal flap should be banked more often than intuition alone would suggest. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc. Microsurgery 2009.
Sensory recovery after decompression of the distal pudendal nerve: Anatomical review and quantitative neurosensory data of a prospective clinical study
Authors: Hruby Stephan , Dellon Lee , Ebmer Johannes , Höltl Wolfgang , Aszmann Oskar C. 
Published: March 2009

AbstractObjectives.Decompression of peripheral nerves at different anatomic sites leads to long‐lasting improvement of nerve function. For the pudendal nerve such compression sites have also been described, however, indication for surgical decompression at the dorsal nerve canal, and outcome measures have not been presented. In the following work, we review the detailed anatomy of the pudendal nerve at its passage through the urogenital diaphragm into the base of the penis and present the results of our first five patients.Methods.Normative neurosensory data of the penis of 20 normal individuals and 10 diabetics were obtained. Both One‐ and Two‐Point Discrimination values were obtained. Five male patients were identified to have isolated distal pudendal nerve entrapment and a nerve release was performed. Both pre and postoperatively detailed neurosensory data was obtained, with a mean follow up of 18 months.Results.Neurosensory evaluation revealed that classic two‐point discrimination was an invalid parameter in penile sensation. However, one point pressure threshold testing was significantly higher in diabetics (25 ± 14 gm/mm2) than in normal subjects (1.1 ± 0.6 gm/mm2). Surgical exposure showed signs of nerve entrapment in two patients. All patients showed sensory improvement after decompression.Conclusions.The distal pudendal nerve is susceptible to compression at the passage from Alcocks canal to the dorsum of the penis. Diabetic patients with peripheral neuropathy can suffer from additional compression neuropathy with decreased penile sensibility and dysaesthesia. One‐point pressure threshold testing proved to be a sensitive parameter in the diagnosis and finally, patients would benefit from decompression of the pudendal nerve. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc. Microsurgery 2009.
Maxillary reconstruction using anterolateral thigh flap and bone grafts
Authors: Bianchi Bernardo , Ferri Andrea , Ferrari Silvano , Copelli Chiara , Sesenna Enrico 
Published: March 2009

AbstractBackground:Loss of the maxilla and midfacial bone buttresses after tumor resections can lead to severe functional and esthetic consequences. The loss of palate function may lead to oro‐nasal communication, nasal speech, and oral intake difficulties. Several techniques have been proposed for maxillary defects reconstruction including prosthesis, locoregional flaps, or free flaps. The authors propose the use of anterolateral thigh free flap and iliac crest, or calvaria bone graft association for reconstruction of this kind of defects.Methods:Between November 2003 and June 2007, eight patients underwent maxillectomies, with preservation of the orbital contents and simultaneous reconstruction using this technique.Results:All the flaps were harvested and transplanted successfully. No major complication occurred and only one patient developed a palatal dehiscence with partial necrosis of the skin of the flap. There were no complications at the donor sites. Speech was assessed as normal in five patients, intelligible in two patients, and poor in one patient. Six patients returned to normal diets, while two patients were restricted to soft diets. The esthetic results were evaluated by the patients themselves as good (in five cases) and acceptable (in two cases). In the remaining case, the esthetic result was deemed to be poor, due to ectropion and poor color matching of the skin used for the external coverage.Conclusion:The good results obtained using this technique encourage the choice of the association of anterolateral thigh and bone grafts for reconstructing maxillary complex defects. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc. Microsurgery 2009.
Using hyperbolic secant pulses to assist characterization of chemical shift tensors for half‐integer spin quadrupolar nuclei in MAS powder samples
Authors: Nakashima Thomas T. , Teymoori Roshanak , Wasylishen Roderick E. 
Published: March 2009

AbstractDetermination of the NMR anisotropic magnetic shielding parameters from magic angle spinning, MAS, powder samples containing half‐integer spin quadrupolar nuclei is achieved by analysis of the difference spectrum obtained with and without application of a hyperbolic secant pulse. Application of a hyperbolic secant pulse to any spinning sideband associated with the central transition, mI = 1/2 to mI = − 1/2, results in ‘saturation’ of the entire central transition manifold. Similarly, if one spinning sideband associated with the mI = 3/2 to mI = 1/2 and mI = − 1/2 to mI = − 3/2 satellite transitions is perturbed, the entire satellite manifold associated with these transitions is ‘saturated’ while the central transition is enhanced by population transfer. Three ‘difference spectrum’ techniques are employed to selectively yield the spinning sidebands associated predominantly from the central transition. The success of these difference techniques is first demonstrated by examining 51V NMR spectra of three metavanadate salts and 59Co NMR spectra of Co(acac)3. The vanadium and cobalt chemical shift tensors in these compounds have spans between 400 and 1400 ppm. Because the hyperbolic secant techniques proposed here yielded results that are in good agreement with earlier reports, they have been applied to characterize the 51V chemical shift tensor of the dimer of bis(N, N‐dimethylhydroxamido)‐hydroxooxovanadate, {V(O)(ONMe2)2}2O, whose chemical shift tensor has not been previously reported. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Incontinent ileovesicostomy: Long‐term outcomes and complications
Authors: Hellenthal Nicholas J. , Short Scott S. , O'Connor R. Corey , Eandi Jonathan A. , Yap Stanley A. , Stone Anthony R. 
Published: March 2009

AbstractAimsIncontinent ileovesicostomy was popularized in the mid‐1990s as a surgical option for patients with neurogenic voiding dysfunction who lack the dexterity to perform clean catheterization. There are several case series in the literature, but few studies look at the long‐term outcomes and complications associated with this procedure.MethodsWe review the outcomes of 12 patients who underwent incontinent ileovesicostomy for management of neurogenic voiding dysfunction since its introduction at our institution in 1998. We discuss, specifically, the preoperative and postoperative problems encountered as well as complications pertaining to ileovesicostomy itself.ResultsAt an average of $5{\raise0.5ex\hbox{$\scriptstyle 1$}\kern-0.1em/\kern-0.15em\lower0.25ex\hbox{$\scriptstyle 2$}}$ years follow‐up, all 12 patients who underwent incontinent ileovesicostomy have experienced some form of urinary tract problem either associated with the ileovesicostomy or with their underlying neurogenic voiding dysfunction. After ileovesicostomy, seven of 12 patients (58%) have been able to reduce antibiotic usage and/or hospital admission related to chronic upper tract infection. Two patients (17%) have subsequently been converted to ileal conduit.ConclusionsIncontinent ileovesicostomy is a useful option for patients with lower urinary tract dysfunction who are unable to perform clean intermittent catheterization. It should be reserved for those patients who have exhausted less invasive therapy and in whom quality of life benefits cannot be achieved without diversion. Experience shows that there are no absolute indications for this procedure. The clinician and the patient must be aware of the importance of continued surveillance after this procedure for problems related to neurogenic voiding dysfunction and/or the ileovesicostomy itself. Neurourol. Urodyn. 28:483–486, 2009. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Urodynamical findings on women with voiding problems and earlier vesico‐ureteral reflux
Authors: Lahdes‐Vasama Tuija T. , Roihuvuo‐Leskinen Hanna‐Mari , Koskimäki Juha E. , Tammela Teuvo L. J. 
Published: March 2009

AbstractAimsExamine bladder function behind an abnormal urine flow curve pattern or lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) in women with earlier vesicoureteral reflux (VUR).MethodsSeventeen earlier female VUR patients with weak, fractionated or tower‐shaped flow pattern, 10 patients with normal voiding and 2 patients with a big bladder were urodynamically studied.ResultsA third of the patients had a large (>800 ml) cystometric bladder capacity. Sensitivity of the bladder was decreased especially in weak urine flow group. Half of these patients felt the “first sensation” when at least 40% of the bladder capacity was filled. Neither the earlier treatment modality nor grade of childhood VUR had an influence on the bladder sensitivity. Urinary tract infections were reported significantly more often (P = 0.028) in patients with decreased bladder sensitivity than in the other patients. Overactive detrusor and decreased bladder compliance were uncommon findings. The detrusor pressure was good exceeding 15 cm H2O during the maximum flow rate in almost all patients. Abnormal sphincteric EMG activity during voiding was found in 70% of all patients and especially in fractionated flow group (89%). The EMG activity was seen twice as often in patients with earlier bilateral dilating VUR as in those who had suffered of non‐dilating VUR (P = 0.005).ConclusionsDespite of high frequency of symptoms in female patients with earlier VUR, detrusor overactivity was a rarity, but decreased sensitivity and large capacity of the bladder were found frequently. The patients with weak or fractionated urine flow seemed to suffer from an overactive urethral sphincter. Neurourol. Urodynam. 28:1015–1021, 2009. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Physical image versus structure relation. Part 14—an attempt to rationalize some acidic region 13C NMR‐pH titration shifts for tetraaza macrocycles throughout the conformational GIAO DFT computational results: a pendant‐arm cyclam case
Authors: Nazarski Ryszard B. 
Published: March 2009

AbstractThe most probable time‐averaged conformations of three polyammonium cations Hn2n+ (n = 3–5) formed from the macrocyclic pentamine ligand (2, scorpiand) [derivative of 1,4,8,11‐tetraazacyclotetradecane (cyclam)] were analyzed in order to elucidate an origin of ‘wrong‐way’ amine‐protonation shifts found in some 13C NMR pH‐profiles determined for the acidic H2O/D2O solution. These NMR trends were reproduced quite well in δCs computed for multicomponent shapes of related cations, which were in turn elucidated by the best fitting experimental data to those predicted by the gauge‐independent atomic orbital (GIAO) B3LYP/6‐31G* method, including the IEF‐PCM approach. A consistent DFT methodology of the treatment of such equilibrated cationic mixtures is proposed. Moreover, a few novel ONIOM2‐GIAO B3LYP/6‐31G*:STO‐3G type supermolecular calculations were performed for a simulated presence of bulk water molecules surrounding H525+. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Theoretical study on the isomerization mechanisms of phenylazopyridine on S0 and S1 states
Authors: Wang Luoxin , Yi Changhai , Zou Hantao , Xu Jie , Xu Weilin 
Published: March 2009

AbstractIn this work, some important structures tied closely to the isomerization of 2‐(phenylazo)pyridine (2‐PAPy) and 4‐(phenylazo)pyridine (4‐PAPy) on the S0 and S1 states were characterized in detail by using the complete active space SCF (CASSCF) theory. The isomerization mechanism was discussed on the basis of the mapped potential energy surfaces (PESs) and conical intersections (CIs). A comparison of PAPy with azobenzene was carried out to stress the effect of molecular structure on the photoisomerization details. The results indicate that the thermal isomerization for both 2‐PAPy and 4‐PAPy are mainly attributed to the inversion of CNN angle on the side of the pyridine ring. In view of the energy, an optimized CIrot with a twisting structure supports the rotation mechanism in the photoisomerization of PAPy on the S1 state. However, it was found that another conical intersection (CIinv) with a planar structure is higher in energy than the corresponding trans‐FC structure, via which only the PAPy excited on S2 state or vibrationally hot S1 state can relax their excitation energy. Minimum energy paths (MEPs) showed that the relaxation process of cis‐PAPy being excited on the S1 state is characterized by a smoothly falling curve, which is very similar to that of azobenzene. Furthermore, a S1 minimum and a transition state (TS1) were found to exist on the MEP starting from the trans‐FC point to the CIrot for 4‐PAPy, but these two typical structures were not found on the MEP of 2‐PAPy. Compared with azobenzene, 4‐PAPy exhibits a very similar photoisomerization PES, but a subtly different one can be predicted in the case of 2‐PAPy. The present results are expected to provide useful information for the design of photoresponsive materials based on the PAPy units. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Meaning‐centered group psychotherapy for patients with advanced cancer: a pilot randomized controlled trial
Authors: Breitbart William , Rosenfeld Barry , Gibson Christopher , Pessin Hayley , Poppito Shannon , Nelson Christian , Tomarken Alexis , Timm Anne Kosinski , Berg Amy , Jacobson Colleen , Sorger Brooke , Abbey Jennifer , Olden Megan 
Published: March 2009

AbstractObjectives: An increasingly important concern for clinicians who care for patients at the end of life is their spiritual well‐being and sense of meaning and purpose in life. In response to the need for short‐term interventions to address spiritual well‐being, we developed Meaning Centered Group Psychotherapy (MCGP) to help patients with advanced cancer sustain or enhance a sense of meaning, peace and purpose in their lives, even as they approach the end of life.Methods: Patients with advanced (stage III or IV) solid tumor cancers (N=90) were randomly assigned to either MCGP or a supportive group psychotherapy (SGP). Patients were assessed before and after completing the 8‐week intervention, and again 2 months after completion. Outcome assessment included measures of spiritual well‐being, meaning, hopelessness, desire for death, optimism/pessimism, anxiety, depression and overall quality of life.Results: MCGP resulted in significantly greater improvements in spiritual well‐being and a sense of meaning. Treatment gains were even more substantial (based on effect size estimates) at the second follow‐up assessment. Improvements in anxiety and desire for death were also significant (and increased over time). There was no significant improvement on any of these variables for patients participating in SGP.Conclusions: MCGP appears to be a potentially beneficial intervention for patients' emotional and spiritual suffering at the end of life. Further research, with larger samples, is clearly needed to better understand the potential benefits of this novel intervention. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Proteomics identification of differentially expressed proteins in the muscle of dysferlin myopathy patients
Authors: De la Torre Carolina , Illa Isabel , Faulkner Georgine , Soria Laura , Robles‐Cedeño Rene , Dominguez‐Perles Raul , De Luna Noemí , Gallardo Eduard 
Published: March 2009

AbstractThe muscular dystrophies are a large and heterogeneous group of neuromuscular disorders that can be classified according to the mode of inheritance, the clinical phenotype and the molecular defect. To better understand the pathological mechanisms of dysferlin myopathy we compared the protein‐expression pattern in the muscle biopsies of six patients with this disease with six patients with limb girdle muscular dystrophy 2A, five with facioscapulohumeral dystrophy and six normal control subjects. To investigate differences in the expression levels of skeletal muscle proteins we used 2‐DE and MS. Western blot or immunohistochemistry confirmed relevant results. The study showed specific increase expression of proteins involved in fast‐to‐slow fiber type conversion (ankyrin repeat protein 2), type I predominance (phosphorylated forms of slow troponin T), sarcomere stabilization (actinin‐associated LIM protein), protein ubiquitination (TRIM 72) and skeletal muscle differentiation (Rho‐GDP‐dissociation inhibitor ly‐GDI) in dysferlin myopathy. As anticipated, we also found differential expression of proteins common to all the muscular dystrophies studied. This comparative proteomic analysis suggests that in dysferlin myopathy (i) the type I fiber predominance is an active process of fiber type conversion rather than a selective loss of type II fibers and (ii) the dysregulation of proteins involved in muscle differentiation further confirms the role of dysferlin in this process.
Identifying native‐like protein structures with scoring functions based on all‐atom ECEPP force fields, implicit solvent models and structure relaxation
Authors: Arnautova Yelena A. , Vorobjev Yury N. , Vila Jorge A. , Scheraga Harold A. 
Published: March 2009

AbstractAvailability of energy functions which can discriminate native‐like from non‐native protein conformations is crucial for theoretical protein structure prediction and refinement of low‐resolution protein models. This article reports the results of benchmark tests for scoring functions based on two all‐atom ECEPP force fields, that is, ECEPP/3 and ECEPP05, and two implicit solvent models for a large set of protein decoys. The following three scoring functions are considered: (i) ECEPP05 plus a solvent‐accessible surface area model with the parameters optimized with a set of protein decoys (ECEPP05/SA); (ii) ECEPP/3 plus the solvent‐accessible surface area model of Ooi et al. (Proc Natl Acad Sci USA 1987;84:3086–3090) (ECEPP3/OONS); and (iii) ECEPP05 plus an implicit solvent model based on a solution of the Poisson equation with an optimized Fast Adaptive Multigrid Boundary Element (FAMBEpH) method (ECEPP05/FAMBEpH). Short Monte Carlo‐with‐Minimization (MCM) simulations, following local energy minimization, are used as a scoring method with ECEPP05/SA and ECEPP3/OONS potentials, whereas energy calculation is used with ECEPP05/FAMBEpH. The performance of each scoring function is evaluated by examining its ability to distinguish between native‐like and non‐native protein structures. The results of the tests show that the new ECEPP05/SA scoring function represents a significant improvement over the earlier ECEPP3/OONS version of the force field. Thus, it is able to rank native‐like structures with Cα root‐mean‐square‐deviations below 3.5 Å as lowest‐energy conformations for 76% and within the top 10 for 87% of the proteins tested, compared with 69 and 80%, respectively, for ECEPP3/OONS. The use of the FAMBEpH solvation model, which provides a more accurate description of the protein‐solvent interactions, improves the discriminative ability of the scoring function to 89%. All failed tests in which the native‐like structures cannot be discriminated as those with low energy, are due to omission of protein–protein interactions. The results of this study represent a benchmark in force‐field development, and may be useful for evaluation of the performance of different force fields. Proteins 2009. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Growth mechanism and thermoelectric properties of PbSe/EuS superlattices
Authors: Rogacheva E. I. , Nashchekina O. N. , Sipatov A. Yu. , Fedorov A. G. , Grigorov S. N. , Tavrina T. V. , Dresselhaus M. S. 
Published: March 2009

AbstractPbSe/EuS superlattices with various structural parameters were prepared and examined using the electron microscopy and X‐ray diffraction techniques. Measurements of the electrical conductivity and the Seebeck coefficient of the prepared samples were performed at room temperature. For some samples the temperature dependences of electrical conductivity and Hall coefficient in the range 77‐300 K were obtained. It was shown that with decreasing PbSe quantum well width d, the thermoelectric power factor increases, reaching a maximum value at d ∼ 1‐2 nm. The obtained results represent a further step towards the development of physical foundations for controlling the thermoelectric properties in multilayered semiconductor structures. (© 2009 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)