bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Long-Term Neurological and Neurosurgical Outcomes After Surgery Only in Children with Low-Grade Brain Tumors
Authors: Goumnerova Liliana , Drzymalski Dan , Kieran Mark , Pomeroy Scott , Scott R. Michael , Tarbell Nancy 
Published: March 2008

Introduction
Brain tumors are the most common solid tumors of childhood. As treatment options such as surgery, chemotherapy, and radiotherapy improve, and affected children's survival increases, the focus has shifted toward understanding long-term outcomes. We hypothesized that tumor recurrence and long-term neurological outcomes can be correlated with age at diagnosis, site and size of tumor, histology, extent of surgery, and presence or absence of hydrocephalus. Thus, the aims of this study were to determine predictive factors for tumor recurrence and long-term morbidity in children who undergo surgery only for low-grade brain tumors. The study was approved by the institutional review board.

Methods
Medical records were reviewed for each child and information collected regarding sex, age at surgery, histology site, size of tumor, presence of hydrocephalus, extent of surgery, and date of tumor recurrence. Preoperative, postoperative, and last follow-up neurological exams were reviewed and patients were evaluated for ataxia, hemiparesis, impaired vision, cranial nerve deficits, presence of seizures or headaches, dysmetria, nystagmus, and depression.

Results
Forty-nine children (29 male, 20 female) ranging from 2.2 to 16.9 years of age at first operation were included; 31% had recurrence/progression. This was significantly correlated with tumors that were subtotally resected (p = 0.002) located in the supratentorial region (p = 0.017) and not astrocytoma or craniopharyngioma (p = 0.041). At last follow-up, 42% of children had no neurological sequelae, 53% had mild neurological sequelae, and 5% had moderate neurological sequelae. No children had experienced depression before or immediately after their initial surgery. However, 6 patients (16% of 38 patients) had depression at long-term follow-up.

Conclusion
These data indicate that we may be able to predict recurrence/progression of low-grade brain tumors based on extent of surgery location and histology. We also see that more than half of these children will experience a variety of surgical and neurological burdens throughout their lives.
Prospective evaluation of transabdominal percutaneous lumbar discectomy for L5–S1 disc herniation: initial clinical experience
Authors: Wu Chun-Gen , Li Yong-Dong , Li Ming-Hua , Gu Yi-Feng , Li Min 
Published: March 2008

Object
Anterior approaches to the lumbosacral spine have become an increasingly common procedure in spine surgery, but transabdominal percutaneous lumbar discectomy (TPLD) performed anteriorly under fluoroscopic guidance is challenging. In this study the authors describe the TPLD and evaluate its safety and early clinical results in the management of L5–S1 disc herniation.

Methods
Between January 2005 and June 2007, 30 consecutive patients with L5–S1 disc herniation were treated with L5–S1 TPLD. All procedures were performed with the patient in a state of local anesthesia. After bowel preparation, the hypogastrium was compressed to move the intestinal canal away from the puncture site. The TPLD was then performed with fluoroscopic guidance to remove herniated disc material. Patients were evaluated prospectively using the visual analog scale (VAS) and the Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) during ≤ 30 months of follow-up.

Results
The mean hospital stay was 6.7 days. Scores on the VAS for leg pain (preoperative mean score 7.10, postoperative mean score 0.93) and the ODI (preoperative mean index 62.03, postoperative mean index 10.33) were statistically significantly (p = 0.00) improved at the last follow-up examination compared with preoperative scores. All members of the study group showed favorable results. On the day after the procedure pancreatitis developed in 1 patient but was cured by fasting and intravenous nutrition with antibiotics for 7 days. No other complications occurred during the follow-up.

Conclusions
Transabdominal percutaneous lumbar discectomy is a safe, effective, and minimally invasive procedure for the treatment of disc herniations at the L5–S1 level.
Development and validation of a measure of dysmorphology: Useful for autism subgroup classification
Authors: Miles Judith H. , Takahashi T. Nicole , Hong Julie , Munden Nicole , Flournoy Nancy , Braddock Stephen R. , Martin Rick A. , Spence M. Anne , Hillman Richard E. , Farmer Janet E. 
Published: March 2008

AbstractAutism spectrum disorders (ASD) comprise a class of neurodevelopmental disorders that can originate from a variety of genetic and environmental causes. To delineate autism's heterogeneity we have looked for biologically‐based phenotypes found in consistent proportions of ASD individuals. One informative phenotype is that of generalized dysmorphology, based on whole body examinations by medical geneticists trained in the nuances of anomalous embryologic development. We identified a need for a dysmorphology measure that could be completed by medical clinicians not extensively trained in dysmorphology that would still retain the level of sensitivity and specificity of the comprehensive dysmorphology examination. Based on expert‐derived consensus dysmorphology designation of 222 autism patients and a classification validation study of 30 subjects by four dysmorphologists, we determined that dysmorphology designations based on body areas provided superior inter‐rater reliability. Using 34 body area designations, we performed a classification and regression tree (CART) analysis to construct a scoring algorithm. Compared to the consensus classification, the model performed with 81% sensitivity and 99% specificity, and classification of a replication dataset of 31 ASD individuals performed well, with 82% sensitivity and 95% specificity. The autism dysmorphology measure (ADM) directs the clinician to score 12 body areas sequentially to arrive at a determination of “dysmorphic” or “nondysmorphic.” We anticipate the ADM will permit clinicians to differentiate accurately between dysmorphic and nondysmorphic individuals—allowing better diagnostic classification, prognostication, recurrence risk assessment, and laboratory analysis decisions—and research scientists to better define more homogeneous autism subtypes. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Nickel–metal hydride battery separators fabricated from sulfonated nonwovens
Authors: Jiao Xiaoning , Cheng Bowen , Kang Weimin , Yang Wenjuan 
Published: March 2008

AbstractIn this study, we examined the sulfonation reaction of polyolefin nonwovens and their properties as battery separators. The occurrence of the sulfonation was confirmed by means of X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy, and the influences of the temperature and time of the sulfonation reaction on the properties of polyolefin nonwoven battery separators were studied. The results show that the process method for producing the separators of sulfonation was capable of realizing high water conservation properties and improving the water absorption rate and K+ exchange capacity while maintaining tensile strength. The nickel–metal hydride batteries with the sulfonated polyolefin as separators had a similar capacity but a lower internal impedance compared to batteries with H&V commercial separators. Furthermore, their properties were stable after 300 charge–discharge cycles. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2008
Electrical properties of banana fiber‐reinforced phenol formaldehyde composites
Authors: Joseph Seena , Thomas Sabu 
Published: March 2008

AbstractThe electrical properties of banana fiber‐reinforced phenol formaldehyde composites have been studied with special reference to fiber loading, fiber treatments, and hybridization with glass fibers. The dielectric constant decreased with frequency and fiber loading. Treatments with silanes, NaOH and acetylation, latex treatment, heat treatment, and cyanoethylation decreased the dielectric constant value. The dielectric constant is higher for banana/PF composites than that of glass/PF composites. In hybrid composites, the dielectric constant decreased with increase in glass fiber concentration. The volume resistivity of banana fiber‐reinforced phenol formaldehyde composites decreased with frequency and fiber loading. Chemical modifications in the fiber increased the volume resistivity of the composites. Volume resistivity of banana/glass hybrid composites increased with increase in glass fiber content. Layered composites with glass fiber at periphery were found to have higher volume resistivity than other layering patterns. The loss factor decreased by the chemical treatments and in hybrid composites it decreased with increase in volume fraction of glass fibers. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2008
Application of silk sericin to polyester fabric
Authors: Gulrajani M. L. , Brahma K. P. , Kumar P. Senthil , Purwar Roli 
Published: March 2008

AbstractSericin powder was prepared from a boiled solution of silk cocoons through salting‐out with ammonium sulfate. The obtained sericin powder was characterized with Fourier transform infrared (FTIR), X‐ray, ultraviolet (UV) absorption, and nitrogen content measurements. The aqueous sericin solution was applied onto the polyester fabric (pretreated with NaOH) along with glutaraldehyde as a crosslinking agent with a pad–dry–cure method. The processing conditions of the crosslinking agent were optimized. The presence of sericin was confirmed by the estimation of the nitrogen content and amino groups on the treated fabric. The dyeability of the treated fabric with acid and reactive dyes was studied. The performance properties, such as the moisture content, UV absorption, antistatic, crease recovery, and bending length, of the treated fabric were tested. The FTIR, X‐ray, UV absorption, and nitrogen content results confirmed the purity of the sericin powder obtained with the salting‐out method. The amino acid content, nitrogen content, and Kubelka Monk function (K/S) values of the sericin‐treated fabric increased with an increase in the concentration of sericin in the padding liquor. The K/S value of the dyed samples was found to be linearly correlated with the number of amino groups present on the samples. There was a noticeable improvement in the moisture content and antistatic and UV absorption properties of the sericin‐treated fabrics. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2008
Polymer blends of steam‐explosion lignin and poly(ε‐caprolactone) by high‐energy ball milling
Authors: Pucciariello Rachele , Bonini Carlo , D'Auria Maurizio , Villani Vincenzo , Giammarino Gaetano , Gorrasi Giuliana 
Published: March 2008

AbstractLignin powder, obtained from an abundant and low‐cost source, straw, through a low‐environmental‐impact process, steam explosion, was used for the preparation of blends with a biodegradable polyester, poly(ε‐caprolactone) (PCL), with an innovative technique, high‐energy ball milling. Lignin strongly stabilized PCL against UV radiation. The modulus of the blends increased with the addition of lignin; nevertheless, the elongation at breaking decreased. Through thermal characterization (differential scanning calorimetry and dynamic mechanical analysis), lignin and PCL were found to be immiscible. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2008
Silica‐reinforced natural rubber prepared by the sol–gel process of ethoxysilanes in rubber latex
Authors: Tangpasuthadol V. , Intasiri A. , Nuntivanich D. , Niyompanich N. , Kiatkamjornwong S. 
Published: March 2008

AbstractSilica‐reinforced natural rubber (NR) composite was prepared by using tetraethoxysilane (TEOS) as a precursor to generate silica particles inside the rubber. The silica was generated in situ by the sol–gel process of TEOS that was mixed directly into commercial‐graded NR latex having 60% dry rubber content and 0.7% ammonia. The conversions of TEOS to silica inside the rubber were ranging from 90 to 97%. The silica particles dispersed evenly without extensive aggregation with sizes between 100 and 500 nm, as determined by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). An experimental design methodology, namely “two‐level factorial design,” was used to evaluate the influence of the amounts of TEOS, ammonia, and gelation time on the tensile modulus, tensile strength, and tear strength of the vulcanizates. The mechanical properties were significantly affected by the amount of TEOS added into the latex. Ammonia in the amount of 0.7% (w/w) present in the commercial latex was found to be sufficient for the conversion reaction of TEOS to silica. Bis‐(3‐triethoxysilylpropyl)tetrasulfide or TESPT, a coupling agent regularly used in rubber industry, was also added with TEOS to prepare the silica‐filled composite. The presence of TESPT resulted in an increase of the mechanical properties and the rate of sulfur cure. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2008
Characterization of acrylic copolymers applied in negative‐type photoresist via a ternary composition diagram
Authors: Lee Chih‐Kang , Don Trong‐Ming , Lin Dar‐Jong , Chen Chin‐Chung , Cheng Liao‐Ping 
Published: March 2008

AbstractThree‐component acrylic copolymers used as a binder for negative‐type photoresists were synthesized and characterized. First, free radical polymerization was employed to synthesize two‐component binders, i.e., acrylic ester copolymers with different ratios of benzyl methacrylate (BZMA) and methacrylic acid (MAA). Thermal behavior, viscosity and molecular weight of the prepared two‐component binders were studied. Then, a series of three‐component binders were prepared through incorporation of another monomer, 2‐hydroxyethyl methacrylate (2‐HEMA). FTIR was used to examine the evolution of chemical bonds at various stages of the synthetic process. Thermal analyses, TGA and DSC, were used to evaluate the level of enhancement on thermal stabilities of the prepared three‐component binders. Finally, an optimal region in the ternary composition diagram of BZMA, MAA, and 2‐HEMA can be identified by comparing the results of acid value, viscosity, and molecular weight of the binder. A negative‐type photoresist was prepared using an optimized composition, for which resolution of the circuit could reach the level of 6 μm. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2008
A study of the intention–action gap in knowledge sharing practices
Authors: Kuo Feng‐Yang , Young Mei‐Lien 
Published: March 2008

AbstractRecently, several researchers have questioned the predicting power of intention to actual system usage (Burton‐Jones & Straub, 2006; Jasperson, Carter, & Zmud, 2005; Kim & Malhotra, 2005; Kim, Malhotra, & Narasimhan, 2005; Limayem & Hirt, 2003). In this article, we report a study that investigates the gap between intention and usage by observing an Internet‐based knowledge management system, SCTNet, from the perspective of volitional control. Relying on the theory of planned behavior and the theory of action control, we investigate four types of volitional control mechanisms that may impact people's knowledge‐sharing practices. Our results show that in knowledge‐management‐based knowledge sharing, people do not always perform in a manner consistent with their espoused beliefs. This intention–action inconsistency can be explained by perceived self‐efficacy, but not by intention and controllability. In addition, a person's action/state orientation moderates his or her enactment of intention toward knowledge sharing into behaviors. The main theoretical implication of this study is that the study of knowledge‐management‐based knowledge sharing has to go beyond intention to include the investigation of both the actual behaviors of knowledge sharing and the volitional control constructs that predict these behaviors. Furthermore, previous research has shown that the environment interacts reciprocally with individuals' psychological control mechanisms in regulating their behaviors. Thus, the management must focus on the social and cultural attributes of organizational settings that may strengthen people's volitional control in practicing knowledge sharing.
Descriptive epidemiologic features shared by birth defects thought to be related to vascular disruption in Texas, 1996–2002
Authors: Husain Tasneem , Langlois Peter H. , Sever Lowell E. , Gambello Michael J. 
Published: March 2008

AbstractBACKGROUND: In utero vascular disruptions are thought to be associated with a variety of birth defects. This study examined the descriptive epidemiology of several of those defects using data from a large birth defects registry. METHODS: Data on birth defects ascertained from pregnancies in 1996–2002 were obtained from the Texas Birth Defects Registry. Using Poisson regression, we calculated crude and adjusted associations between maternal and infant characteristics and birth defects thought to be related to vascular disruption. We repeated the analysis using isolated cases and cases occurring in mothers <20 years. RESULTS: The most commonly shared pattern was observed for plurality and five defects: large intestinal atresia (PR 3.67; CI: 1.63–7.13), renal agenesis (PR 2.05; CI: 1.55–2.65), transverse limb deficiency (PR 1.85; CI: 1.28–2.57), porencephaly (PR 5.18; CI: 2.40–9.87), and Goldenhar syndrome (PR 3.45; CI: 1.04–8.53). Hispanics had the highest prevalence of gastroschisis (PR 1.21; CI: 1.05–1.40), transverse limb deficiency (PR 1.19; CI: 1.01–1.40), microtia/anotia (PR 2.22; CI: 1.83–2.70), and Poland anomaly (PR 1.90; CI: 1.26–2.93). Male infants were at greatest risk for renal agenesis (PR 1.58; CI: 1.40–1.80), porencephaly (PR 1.66; CI: 1.03–2.72), and Poland anomaly (PR 1.52; CI: 1.05–2.21). CONCLUSIONS: Our study confirmed findings in previous studies, but also uncovered several new associations. Birth Defects Research (Part A), 2008. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Prospective assessment of the reliability, validity, and sensitivity to change of the functional assessment of cancer Therapy‐Melanoma questionnaire
Authors: Cormier Janice N. , Ross Merrick I. , Gershenwald Jeffrey E. , Lee Jeffrey E. , Mansfield Paul F. , Camacho Luis H. , Kim Kevin , Webster Kimberly , Cella David , Palmer J. Lynn 
Published: March 2008

AbstractBACKGROUND.The authors previously developed a melanoma‐specific module for the Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy (FACT‐Melanoma), a tool for the assessment of quality of life (QOL) in patients with melanoma. The reliability and validity of the FACT‐Melanoma was examined in this study.METHODS.Patients with melanoma (N = 273; stages I‐IV) completed a battery of questionnaires at the time of enrollment. The validity of the instrument was examined by comparing FACT‐Melanoma scores with performance status, disease stage, treatment status, and other scales, including the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaire Melanoma Module, the Profile of Mood States, and the Marlowe‐Crowne Social Desirability Scale. Patients were assessed after 1 week to assess test‐retest reliability and at 3 months to determine the sensitivity of the instrument to change in performance status.RESULTS.The internal consistency and test‐retest reliability (r) of the melanoma subscale (Cronbach α = .85; r = .81) and the total FACT‐Melanoma (α = .95; r = .90) were excellent. Overall, the scales were correlated with other measures, as anticipated. Total FACT‐Melanoma scores, along with scores for physical well‐being, emotional well‐being, functional well‐being, and melanoma‐specific scales, were lower for patients with advanced (stage III/IV) melanoma, poor performance status, and patients who were receiving active treatment. The FACT‐Melanoma total score and the score for physical well‐being were sensitive to changes in performance status (P = .0012 and P = .004, respectively).CONCLUSIONS.The results of the current study indicated that the FACT‐Melanoma questionnaire is a reliable and valid instrument for patients with melanoma that can be used for the assessment of QOL in clinical trials. Cancer 2008. © 2008 American Cancer Society.
The modifying effect of C‐reactive protein gene polymorphisms on the association between central obesity and endometrial cancer risk
Authors: Wen Wanqing , Cai Qiuyin , Xiang Yong‐Bing , Xu Wang‐Hong , Ruan Zhi Xian , Cheng Jiarong , Zheng Wei , Shu Xiao‐Ou 
Published: March 2008

AbstractBACKGROUND.Obesity is a major risk factor for endometrial cancer. Obesity, particularly central obesity, is considered as a systemic inflammatory condition and is related strongly to insulin resistance. C‐reactive protein (CRP) is the most recognized biologic marker of chronic systematic inflammation, and it is conceivable that the CRP gene may work together with obesity in the development of endometrial cancer.METHODS.On the basis of a population‐based case–control study in a Chinese population, the authors obtained obesity measurements and data on 6 CRP single‐nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) from 1046 patients with newly diagnosed endometrial cancer (cases) and from 1035 age frequency‐matched controls. The association of the CRP SNPs with endometrial cancer risk and their modification on the association between obesity and endometrial cancer risk were evaluated.RESULTS.Although CRP SNPs alone were not associated with endometrial cancer, the associations of endometrial cancer with central obesity, measured as the waist‐to‐hip ratio (WHR) and the waist circumference, seemed to be stronger in women who were homozygous for the major allele of reference SNP (rs)1130864 (cytidine [C]/C) than in women who had the C/thymidine (T) and T/T genotypes (interaction test: P = .013 for WHR; P = .083 for waist circumference). When the women were stratified further by menopausal status, the observed interactions persisted mainly in premenopausal women (interaction test: P < .001 for WHR; P = .002 for waist circumference).CONCLUSIONS.The current results suggested that, in the Chinese population that was studied, obesity‐related insulin resistance and proinflammatory effects may play an important role in endometrial cancer risk, and these effects were modified significantly by the CRP SNP rs1130864. Cancer 2008. © 2008 American Cancer Society.
Exponential growth for the wave equation with compact time‐periodic positive potential
Authors: Colombini Ferruccio , Rauch Jeffrey , Petkov Vesselin 
Published: March 2008

AbstractWe prove the existence of smooth positive potentials V(t, x), periodic in time and with compact support in x, for which the Cauchy problem for the wave equation utt − Δxu + V(t, x)u = 0 has solutions with exponentially growing global and local energy. Moreover, we show that there are resonances, z ∈ ℂ, |z| > 1, associated to V(t, x). © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
On the Hausdorff dimension of the mather quotient
Authors: Fathi Albert , Rifford Ludovic , Figalli Alessio 
Published: March 2008

AbstractUnder appropriate assumptions on the dimension of the ambient manifold and the regularity of the Hamiltonian, we show that the Mather quotient is small in term of the Hausdorff dimension. Then we present applications in dynamics. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.