bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Density functional study of protonation sites of α‐Keggin isopolyanions
Authors: Guan Wei , Yan Li‐Kai , Su Zhong‐Min , Wang En‐Bo , Wang Xiao‐Hong 
Published: March 2006

AbstractDensity functional theory (DFT) calculations were carried out to characterize the optimal site of the protons and the precise protonation state in the polyoxometalate (POM) anions [V13O40]15− and [H12V13O40]3−. Six kinds of possible protonated stable isomers with the whole Keggin anion units are discussed. The calculations reveal that the preferred protonation site corresponds to bridging oxygens that belong to the same trimetallic group (isomers B and C). Both isomers B and C are comparatively stable in the gas phase, but only isomer B could exist stably in aqueous solution because of being stabilized by the electrostatic interaction. The solvent effects and protonation are also discussed. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Quantum Chem, 2006
An EMG‐controlled omnidirectional pointing device
Authors: Fukuda Osamu , Arita Jun , Tsuji Toshio 
Published: March 2006

AbstractThis research paper proposes an omnidirectional pointing device that uses EMG signals. Since this device does not keep the user in front of the mouse or keyboard, there are expectations for its use as an input device for a wearable computer, and other equipment. A Recurrent Log‐Linearized Gaussian Mixture Network is introduced in order to make use of the time series characteristics of EMG signals. This neural net is configured based on the hidden Markov model, which is a dynamic probability model, and infinitely many movement directions of a pointer can be expressed as combinations of probabilities of movement in preset reference directions. As a result of a verification experiment, it was confirmed that the pointer could be controlled with good precision. The effectiveness of the proposed method was confirmed by comparative experimentation with conventional methods. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Syst Comp Jpn, 37(4): 55–63, 2006; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley. com). DOI 10.1002/scj.20401
Audio signal segmentation and classification using fuzzy c‐means clustering
Authors: Nitanda Naoki , Haseyama Miki , Kitajima Hideo 
Published: March 2006

AbstractThis paper proposes a method of segmentation and classification of audio signals which is coded by MPEG Audio. The proposed method first detects the boundaries between two different audio signals, which are called audio‐cuts, and then classifies segments, which are called audio‐segments, and uses audio‐cuts detected by fuzzy c‐means clustering their boundaries. Since conventional methods detect audio‐cuts by applying thresholding to audio features such as energy and zero‐crossing rate, misdetection often occurs when they are applied to an audio signal which contains several audio effects, such as fade‐in, fade‐out, cross‐fade, and the like. The proposed method represents the possibility that the audio‐cut exists by a real number from 0 to 1, obtained by using fuzzy c‐means clustering; all of the possible candidates for the audio‐cuts are detected. Since audio effects which are difficult to detect by using conventional methods are also detected as the candidates, misdetection can be reduced. Furthermore, the audio‐segments, whose boundaries are the candidates, are subdivided into five audio classes, which are silence, speech, music, speech with music background, and speech with noise background. By using the classification results, unnecessary audio‐cuts can be removed, and thereby both accurate audio‐cut detection and accurate audio‐segment classification can be attained. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Syst Comp Jpn, 37(4): 23–34, 2006; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/scj.20491
A robust method for detecting planar regions based on random sampling using distributions of feature points
Authors: Kawakami Hiroshi , Ito Yoshihiro , Kanazawa Yasushi 
Published: March 2006

AbstractWe propose a robust method for detecting local planar regions in a scene with an uncalibrated stereo. Here, we assume that the correspondences between the two images have been established. Our method is based on RANSAC for estimating homographies to the local planar regions in the scene. For doing this, we adopt double random sampling scheme by a uniform distribution and the local probability distribution of each pair, which is defined by the distances from the point to the others in one image. We first choose a pair as a seed by the uniform distribution, and then choose four pairs by the local probability distribution with respect to the seed. By introducing the local probability distribution, we can efficiently choose four potentially coplanar pairs in the scene. The same scheme can be applicable to detect line segments in an image. We demonstrate that our method is robust to the outliers in a scene by simulations and real image examples. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Syst Comp Jpn, 37(4): 11–22, 2006; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/scj.20492
Nanomachining by Colloidal Lithography
Authors: Yang Seung‐Man , Jang Se Gyu , Choi Dae‐Geun , Kim Sarah , Yu Hyung Kyun 
Published: March 2006

AbstractColloidal lithography is a recently emerging field; the evolution of this simple technique is still in progress. Recent advances in this area have developed a variety of practical routes of colloidal lithography, which have great potential to replace, at least partially, complex and high‐cost advanced lithographic techniques. This Review presents the state of the art of colloidal lithography and consists of three main parts, beginning with synthetic routes to monodisperse colloids and their self‐assembly with low defect concentrations, which are used as lithographic masks. Then, we will introduce the modification of the colloidal masks using reactive ion etching (RIE), which produces a variety of nanoscopic features and multifaceted particles. Finally, a few prospective applications of colloidal lithography will be discussed.
Nanoscopic Medicine: The Next Frontier
Authors: Peters Reiner 
Published: March 2006

AbstractThe extraordinary progress that has taken place in cell science and optical nanoscale microscopy has led recently to the concept of medical nanoscopy. Here, we lay out a concept for developing live cell nanoscopy into a comprehensive diagnostic and therapeutic scheme referred to as nanoscopic medicine, which integrates live cell nanoscopy with the structural and functional studies of nanoscopic protein machines (NPMs), the systems biology of NPMs, fluorescent labeling, nanoscopic analysis, and nanoscopic intervention, in order to advance the medical frontier toward the nanoscopic fundament of the cell. It aims at the diagnosis and therapy of diseases by directly visualizing, analyzing, and modifying NPMs and their networks in living cells and tissues.
Capitalizing on the human‐animal bond to teach ethics to youth
Authors: Rusk Clinton P. , Brubaker Keli M. , Balschweid Mark A. , Pajor Edmond A. 
Published: March 2006

AbstractUnethical occurrences at major livestock shows have spurred the need to raise ethical awareness to youngsters involved in agriculture. The authors devised and evaluated an ethics curriculum for high school agriculture students.
Undamped oscillations in prey–predator models on a finite size lattice
Authors: Morita Satoru , Tainaka Kei‐ichi 
Published: March 2006

AbstractSustained oscillation is frequently observed in population dynamics of biospecies. The oscillation comes not only from deterministic but also from stochastic characteristics. In the present article, we deal with a finite size lattice which contains prey and predator. The interaction between a pair of lattice points is carried out by two different methods; local and global interactions. In the former, interaction occurs between adjacent sites, while in the latter interaction takes place between any pair of lattice sites. It is found that both systems exhibit undamped oscillations. The amplitude of oscillation decreases with the increase of the total lattice sites. In the case of global interaction, we can present a stochastic differential equation which is composed of two factors, i.e., the Lotka–Volterra equation with density dependence and noise term. The quantitative agreement between theory and simulation results of global interaction is almost perfect. The stochastic theory qualitatively expresses characteristics of sustainable oscillation for local interaction.
Histone H1 inhibits the proliferation of MCF 7 and MDA MB 231 human breast cancer cells
Authors: Vani G. , Vanisree A.J. , Shyamaladevi C.S. 
Published: March 2006

AbstractPurified histone H1 exerts extracellular functions suggesting novel histone functions. The cytotoxic effects of histone H1 have lead to its choice as a pharmacological tool in breast cancer. Hence the present study was aimed at investigating the effect of exogenous histone H1 on the proliferation of estrogen receptor positive (MCF 7) and estrogen receptor negative (MDA MB 231) human breast cancer cells. Cells were incubated with various concentrations of histone H1 and antiproliferative activity was assessed by MTT assay. Proliferation of breast cancer cells was assessed from the activity of ornithine decarboxylase (ODC) using [14C] labeled ornithine. Histone H1‐mediated cellular effects, such as anchorage dependent growth and apoptosis, were assessed by colony formation assay, fluorescence microscopy after acridine orange/propidium iodide staining and DNA fragmentation analysis. Histone H1 was significantly cytotoxic as it inhibited colony formation, ODC activity and induced apoptosis in both estrogen receptor positive and estrogen receptor negative cells. These results suggest that histone H1‐induced antiproliferative effects on human breast cancer cells could possibly involve inhibition of ODC.
Effect of aging on the pluripotential capacity of human CD105+ mesenchymal stem cells
Authors: Roura Santiago , Farré Jordi , Soler‐Botija Carolina , Llach Anna , Hove‐Madsen Leif , Cairó Jordi J. , Gòdia Francesc , Cinca Juan , Bayes‐Genis Antoni 
Published: March 2006

AbstractBackground:Whether aging modifies mesenchymal stem cell (MSC) properties is unknown.Aim:To compare the differentiation capacity of human CD105+ MSCs obtained from young and elderly donors.Methods and results:Cells were obtained from young (n = 10, 24 ± 6.4 years) and elderly (n = 9, 77 ± 8.4 years) donors. Cell senescence was assessed by telomere length assays and lipofuscin accumulation. Cell pluripotentiality was analysed by adipogenic and osteogenic induction media, and myocyte phenotype was attempted with 5‐azacytidine (5‐AZ). Immunofluorescence, Western blot, transmission electron microscopy and fluo‐4 confocal imaging were used to analyse the sarcomere, gap junctions and Ca2+ dynamics. Cells obtained from young and elderly donors showed no significant differences in relative telomere length (40.1 ± 6.4% and 40.3 ± 3.6%, p = 0.9) and lipofuscin accumulation. Adipogenic and osteogenic potential of CD105+ MSCs was demonstrated. 5‐AZ induced increased expression of sarcomeric proteins without complete sarcomere organization. Treated cells also showed increased presence of connexin‐43 both in young and old donor‐derived cells. Intercellular communications were verified by the observation of gap junctions and passage of Ca2+ between neighbouring cells. Spontaneous Ca2+ raises did not significantly increase after 5‐AZ treatment in both age groups.Conclusion:Age does not influence the adipogenic and myogenic differentiation potential of human CD105+ MSCs.
Diagnostic and prognostic value of urine NT‐proBNP levels in heart failure patients
Authors: Cortés Raquel , Portolés Manuel , Salvador Antonio , Bertomeu Vicente , de Burgos Fernando García , Martínez‐Dolz Luis , Lletí Esther Roselló , Climent Vicente , Jordán Alejandro , Payá Rafael , Sogorb Francisco , Rivera Miguel 
Published: March 2006

AbstractBackgroundPlasma NT‐proBNP levels are sensitive markers of ventricular dysfunction. However, studies of natriuretic peptides in urine are limited.AimsTo compare urine and plasma NT‐proBNP levels and to investigate the diagnostic and prognostic value of urine levels in heart failure (HF).MethodsUrinary and plasma NT‐proBNP levels were measured in 96 HF patients and 20 control subjects. The patients were functionally classified according to the NYHA criteria.ResultsUrine NT‐proBNP was higher in HF patients than in control subjects (94 ± 31 pg/ml vs. 67 ± 6 pg/ml,p< 0.0001), correlating with plasma NT‐proBNP levels (r= 0.78,p< 0.0001). Urinary levels were elevated in the more severe functional classes and diminished in obese patients. Urine NT‐proBNP was a good tool for diagnosis of HF, the area under the curve (AUC) being 0.96 ± 0.02 (p< 0.0001), and for predicting 12‐month cardiac events (p= 0.011). To determine the prognostic power of urinary NT‐proBNP in detecting 12‐month cardiac mortality, we obtained an AUC of 0.75 ± 0.10 (p= 0.015).ConclusionUrinary NT‐proBNP, a relatively simple non‐invasive test, is a new candidate marker for the diagnosis and evaluation of prognosis in HF and for the characterization of functional status in these patients.
Genetic impacts of shrimp trawling on red snapper (Lutjanus campechanus) in the northern Gulf of Mexico
Authors: Saillant Eric , Bradfield S. Coleen , Gold John R. 
Published: March 2006

AbstractGenetic variation and genetic relatedness are investigated among age-0 red snapper (Lutjanus campechanus) sampled as bycatch in shrimp trawls from five localities in the northern Gulf of Mexico. Reference samples from the same geographic areas were obtained by sampling a few juveniles at a time during multiple trawl tows. No significant differences in allelic richness, gene diversity, or allele (or genotype) distributions at 16 nuclear-encoded microsatellites were found between the five bycatch samples and reference samples taken from the same geographic area. These results indicate that red snappers taken as bycatch neither have reduced genetic variation relative to the local population nor do they appear to represent a non-random sample from the local population in terms of allele or genotype distributions. Estimates of the within-sample variance of pairwise relatedness did not differ significantly from zero for any bycatch or reference sample. Hence, red snapper in the bycatch samples are not more closely related genetically to one another than would be expected when sampling individuals at random from the local population. These results indicate that there are no direct, detectable genetic impacts of shrimp trawling on red snapper at the localities sampled.
False Aneurysm of the Digital Artery
Authors: Baruch Avraham 
Published: March 2006

A case of false aneurysm of the digital artery is described. To the best of our knowledge it is the first reported case of false aneurysm involving the thumb. The aetiological factors which are usually responsible for the development of a false aneurysm are briefly discussed. The most common factor seems to be a direct injury of the arterial wall by a sharp tool and continuing flow of the blood in the artery. Although the fingers are commonly exposed to injuries with sharp tools, development of a false aneurysm in them seems to be extremely rare.
Microvascular Great Toe Transfer For Congenital Absence Of The Thumb
Authors: O'brien B. Mcc. , Black M. J. M. , Morrison W. A. , Macleod A. M. 
Published: March 2006

summary Two cases of microvascular great toe transfer for congenital absence of the thumb in children are reported. A rationale and operative details are discussed. A long term follow up is needed, but at this stage the results are most encouraging. There has been no interference with gait.
Three-Dimensional Observations Of Microvasculature Of Human Finger Skin
Authors: Inoue Hajime 
Published: March 2006

summary Resin casts of the fine vasculature of human digits in normal and some abnormal states were studied by scanning electron microscopy. The palmar skin contained terminal loops aligned with the finger-print, while the dorsal skin vasculature consisted of a coarse meshwork. Fine vessels in the nail bed had a parallel orientation as far as the lunula in adults, but were straight right up to the nail roots in young children. A deeper meshwork of capillaries (corresponding to the rete subpapillare and the rete cutaneum), vessels of the glomus bodies, and the dense meshwork of sweat glands were visible on the sagittal cut surface of the samples. A severely scarred index finger showed a coarse meshwork of surface capillaries. A skin-grafted index finger showed repaired terminal loops resembling normal skin in the area of grafted skin. The fine architecture of the digital vessels observed was discussed in terms of the physiology of blood circulation to the skin.
The Effects Of Sural Nerve Excision In Autogenous Nerve Grafting
Authors: Staniforth P. , Fisher T. R. 
Published: March 2006

summary The effect of excising fifty sural nerves from the legs of forty-five patients undergoing nerve grafting are described. Forty-two per cent of patients complained of tenderness in the calf, likely to be due to neuroma formation. Ten per cent of patients had other minor complaints. One wound haematoma and one deep vein thrombosis occurred. Overall patient satisfaction was high when the functional result of the nerve grafting was taken into account.
Management of Lost Finger Tips in Children
Authors: Das Suman K. , Brown H. G. 
Published: March 2006

summary A trial was run in the Hand Unit of the Royal Victoria Infirmary, Newcastle upon Tyne, involving sixty consecutive children who had sustained finger tip injuries with tissue loss over a period of three years. The three forms of treatment used in different groups of children were split skin grafting, local flap repair, and a conservative method, with twenty children in each group. The results are compared from both functional and cosmetic points of view and the results analysed.
Upper-Limb-Cardiovascular Syndrome Two Cases Of Holt-Oram Syndrome
Authors: Yanase Yoshiaki , Ueba Yasuo 
Published: March 2006

Summary Two cases of Holt-Oram syndrome with an atrial septal defect and thumb deformities are reported. The embryological basis for the association between skeletal malformations particularly of the hand, and congenital heart disease, is discussed.
Fractures of the Shafts of the Phalanges of the Hand
Authors: Barton N. J. 
Published: March 2006

Fractures of the shafts of the phalanges are common and often disabling. Little detailed information is available as to the results of treatment, against which new methods of treatment may be compared. Thirty-nine comminuted fractures and 109 which were not comminuted were followed-up and their results are presented in detail. In both groups only about 57% obtained satisfactory results. Possible methods of improving these are discussed and the importance of accurate reduction of non comminuted fractures is emphasised.
Assessment of past Results and Current Practice in the Treatment of Rheumatoid Metacarpophalangeal Joints
Authors: Nicolle F. V. , Gilbert Stephen 
Published: March 2006

A new design of prosthetic finger joint for the rheumatoid patient, and the technique for its insertion is described, which has now been in use for five years. The technique includes the soft tissue correction of the ulnar deviation. Results are reported for all the cases performed in one year giving a two year follow up, assessing flexion strength, pinch strength and the degree of recurrence of ulnar drift associated with loss of pinch strength.
Perichondrial Wrist Arthroplasty in Rheumatoid Patients
Authors: Pastacaldi Paolo , Engkvist Ove 
Published: March 2006

A new method is proposed for reconstruction of the wrist joint in rheumatoid arthritis. Perichondrial arthroplasty done in four patients with severe deformity of the wrist from rheumatoid arthritis gave functionally improved results. In one case biopsy of the reconstructed joint showed newly formed cartilaginous tissue four months after initial surgery.
The Palmar Abduction-Pronation Osteotomy of the First Metacarpal Bone Combined with Tendon Transfer for Lateral Thenar Muscle Paralysis
Authors: Comtet J. J. , Bemelmans D. 
Published: March 2006

The authors describe a palmar abduction-pronation osteotomy of the first metacarpal bone combined with a tendon transfer for treatment of palsy of the lateral thenar muscles. The results of fourteen cases are reported.
Treatment of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
Authors: Fissette J. , Onkelinx A. 
Published: March 2006

Three series of cases of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome have been studied. One series was treated by a different, respected surgical team, the second series by the author by decompression alone, and the third series by additional intraneural decompression using the microscope. The authors found very little difference in the results, apart from marginally better results in the presence of thenar muscle involvement.
A New Pattern of Needle for Microsurgical Repair of Nerves
Authors: Bentall Richard , Raji Adil 
Published: March 2006

This paper describes the design for a microsurgical stainless steel atraumatic needle for primary suture of small peripheral nerves in which the epineurium is friable. The needle (manufactured by Dixey Instruments, U.K.) is curved with a spearshaped point and a small cutting edge on the concave surface. The rest of the body of the needle is round. We have found with histological evidence that there is an improvement in accuracy of suture placement on previously used needles in experimental and clinical microsurgery of peripheral nerves.
An Unusual Unilateral Deformity of the Hand: A Case Report
Authors: Gigis P. I. , Kafandaris P. M. 
Published: March 2006

A rare case of a congenital unilateral deformity of the right upper extremity is described consisting of: absence of the carpal bones except the capitate and hamate, absence of the first three metacarpal bones and phalanges and a thumb-like extension to the palm of the dislocated radius. No hereditary family history was found.
Hydrocortisone Injections for Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
Authors: Wood Michael R. 
Published: March 2006

The effects of local hydrocortisone acetate injections in patients with a carpal tunnel syndrome are reported. In a prospective study of sixty one wrists injected, fifty five (90%) had initial symptomatic relief. At review after one year forty one wrists had relapsed (67%) requiring decompression. In view of the poor long term response to injection it was decided to test the accuracy of the siting technique in a separate consecutive series of twenty six wrists at operation. The needle was found to be correctly sited in twenty four wrists (92%). It is suggested thai, as initially considerable symptomatic relief can be achieved, the principal value of steroid injections lies as a palliative remedy whilst decompression is awaited.
Epithelioid Sarcoma — Two Case Reports
Authors: Sergiou S. P. , Reid D. A. Campbell 
Published: March 2006

Two cases of epithelioid sarcoma in the hand are presented both of which underwent ray amputation of the involved digit. The difficulty of early diagnosis may be a major factor in eradicating this tumour. Early ablation, at least a ray amputation, should be performed.
An Innervated Flap, Incorporating Supraclavicular Nerves, for Reconstruction of Major Hand Injuries
Authors: Sommerlad B. C. , Boorman J. G. 
Published: March 2006

In the treatment of severely degloved hands, an innervated flap provides the best reconstruction in cases where revascularisation is impossible. An innervated flap using the cutaneous territory of the supraclavicular nerves is presented and an illustrative case presented. The anatomy is described and the flap compared with other distant flaps. The principal advantages of this flap are the large amount of available skin and the presence of three or more suitable donor nerves.