bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Film morphology and orientation of N‐cyclohexyl‐γ‐aminopropyl polydimethylsiloxane
Authors: Li Mingtao , An Qiufeng , Huang Lianxian 
Published: February 2008

AbstractA novel polysiloxane softener bearing N‐cyclohexyl‐γ‐aminopropyl side groups (ASO‐702) is synthesized by copolymerization of octamethylcyclotetrasiloxane with N‐cyclohexyl‐γ‐aminopropyl methyldimethoxylsilane and hexamethyldisiloxane. Chemical structure and film morphology of the synthesized polysiloxane are characterized and investigated by IR, 1H NMR, 13C NMR, SEM and atomic force microscope (AFM). The results of the experiment indicate that ASO‐702 can form a hydrophobic film on both a cotton fiber and a silicon‐wafer surface. At scales > 100 nm, the ASO‐702 shows a relative smooth‐resin film on the treated fabric/fiber surface. But as the observation rule decreases to 2 nm, the molecular scale, the ASO‐702 film exhibits an inhomogeneous structure and uneven morphology in its AFM images. There are many low or high peaks in ASO‐702 topography. Consequently in 2 µm2 scanning field, the root mean square roughness of ASO‐702 film is 0.246 nm, which is 3.05 times rougher as compared with that of polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) film. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Adaptive dose finding based on t‐statistic for dose–response trials
Authors: Ivanova Anastasia , Bolognese James A. , Perevozskaya Inna 
Published: February 2008

AbstractThe goals of phase II dose–response studies are to prove that the treatment is effective and to choose the dose for further development. Randomized designs with equal allocation to either a high dose and placebo or to each of several doses and placebo are typically used. However, in trials where response is observed relatively quickly, adaptive designs might offer an advantage over equal allocation. We propose an adaptive design for dose–response trials that concentrates the allocation of subjects in one or more areas of interest, for example, near a minimum clinically important effect level, or near some maximal effect level, and also allows for the possibility to stop the trial early if needed. The proposed adaptive design yields higher power to detect a dose–response relationship, higher power in comparison with placebo, and selects the correct dose more frequently compared with a corresponding randomized design with equal allocation to doses. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Magnetic Force Microscopy of Superparamagnetic Nanoparticles
Authors: Schreiber Sharon , Savla Mayur , Pelekhov Denis V. , Iscru Daniel F. , Selcu Camelia , Hammel P. Chris , Agarwal Gunjan 
Published: February 2008

AbstractThe use of magnetic force microscopy (MFM) to detect probe–sample interactions from superparamagnetic nanoparticles in vitro in ambient atmospheric conditions is reported here. By using both magnetic and nonmagnetic probes in dynamic lift‐mode imaging and by controlling the direction and magnitude of the external magnetic field applied to the samples, it is possible to detect and identify the presence of superparamagnetic nanoparticles. The experimental results shown here are in agreement with the estimated sensitivity of the MFM technique. The potential and challenges for localizing nanoscale magnetic domains in biological samples is discussed.
Nanoscale Detection of Ionizing Radiation Damage to DNA by Atomic Force Microscopy
Authors: Ke Changhong , Jiang Yong , Mieczkowski Piotr A. , Muramoto Garrett G. , Chute John P. , Marszalek Piotr E. 
Published: February 2008

AbstractThe detection and quantification of ionizing radiation damage to DNA at a single‐molecule level by atomic force microscopy (AFM) is reported. The DNA damage‐detection technique combining supercoiled plasmid relaxation assay with AFM imaging is a direct and quantitative approach to detect gamma‐ray‐induced single‐ and double‐strand breaks in DNA, and its accuracy and reliability are validated through a comparison with traditional agarose gel electrophoresis. In addition, the dependence of radiation‐induced single‐strand breaks on plasmid size and concentration at a single‐molecule level in a low‐dose (1 Gy) and low‐concentration range (0.01 ng µL−1–10 ng µL−1) is investigated using the AFM‐based damage‐detection assay. The results clearly show that the number of single‐strand breaks per DNA molecule is linearly proportional to the plasmid size and inversely correlated to the DNA concentration. This assay can also efficiently detect DNA damage in highly dilute samples (0.01 ng µL−1), which is beyond the capability of traditional techniques. AFM imaging can uniquely supplement traditional techniques for sensitive measurements of damage to DNA by ionizing radiation.
ANTLRWorks: an ANTLR grammar development environment
Authors: Bovet Jean , Parr Terence 
Published: February 2008

AbstractProgrammers tend to avoid using language tools, resorting toad hocmethods, because tools can be hard to use, their parsing strategies can be difficult to understand and debug, and their generated parsers can be opaque black‐boxes. In particular, there are two very common difficulties encountered by grammar developers: understanding why a grammar fragment results in a parser non‐determinism and determining why a generated parser incorrectly interprets an input sentence. This paper describes ANTLRWorks, a complete development environment for ANTLR grammars that attempts to resolve these difficulties and, in general, make grammar development more accessible to the average programmer. The main components are a grammar editor with refactoring and navigation features, a grammar interpreter, and a domain‐specific grammar debugger. ANTLRWorks' primary contributions are a parser non‐determinism visualizer based on syntax diagrams and a time‐traveling debugger that pays special attention to parser decision‐making by visualizing lookahead usage and speculative parsing during backtracking. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Cost modeling of distributed team processes for global development and Software‐Intensive Systems of Systems
Authors: Madachy Raymond J. 
Published: February 2008

AbstractDistributed team processes are becoming more pervasive because of geographically distributed development and complex Software‐Intensive Systems of Systems (SISOS) with many layers of breadth and depth. Software is developed collaboratively in multiple locations around the world, and projects are being contracted out in whole or in part for economic leverage. Systems are becoming larger and more complex, leading to distributed processes at many levels. Projects are often split among distributed teams, where the teams contribute different portions of work per phase to take advantage of their skill sets and rates. Thus there is a need for new parametric cost estimation models where effort multipliers are phase sensitive. Working with industrial partners, a set of constructive cost models have been extended to better estimate distributed teams where work is allocated by phase, rather than just along the lines of specific functionality. The distributed development models allow for work distribution by phase per team (and per module), different environmental characteristics of the teams, localized labor categories, calendars, compensation rates, and currencies for costing. They also use a generalized scheme for user‐defined global life‐cycle processes that include calibrated effort and schedule distributions. Representative examples show the models being used for global development and SISOS scenarios. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Evaluating the impact of requirements analysis tools using simulation
Authors: Raffo David , Ferguson Robert , Setamanit Siri‐on , Sethanandha Bhuricha 
Published: February 2008

AbstractAdopting new tools and technologies on a development process can be a risky endeavor. Will the project accept the new technology? What will be the impact? Far too often the project is forced to adopt the new technology without planning how it will be applied on the project or evaluating the technology's potential impact. In this article, we provide a case study evaluating a new technology. Specifically we assess the merits of an automated requirements analysis tool. First, we provide a background on automated requirements analysis tool technology. Then, using Process Simulation (P‐SIM), we find situations where the use of this new technology is useful and situations where the use of this new technology is useless for large‐scale NASA projects that utilize a process similar to the IEEE 12207 systems development life cycle. The method can be applied in assessing the impact (including Return on Investment), breakeven point, and the overall value of applying any tool on a project. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Estimating fixing effort and schedule based on defect injection distribution
Authors: Wang Qing , Gou Lang , Jiang Nan , Che Meiru , Zhang Ronghui , Yang Yun , Li Mingshu 
Published: February 2008

AbstractDetecting and fixing defects are key activities in a testing process, which consume two kinds of skill sets. Unfortunately, many current leading software estimation methods, such as COCOMO II, mainly estimate the effort depending on the size of software, and allocate testing effort proportionally among various activities. Both efforts on detecting and fixing defects, are simply counted into software testing process/phase and cannot be estimated and managed satisfactorily. In fact, the activities for detecting defects and fixing them are quite different and need differently skilled people. The inadequate effort estimation leads to the difficulty of test process management. It is also the main problem which causes software project delays. In this article, we propose a method onQuantitativelyManagingTesting (TestQM) process including identifying performance objectives, establishing a performance baseline, establish a process‐performance model for fixing effort, and establishing a process‐performance model for fixing the schedule, which supports high‐level process management mentioned in Capability Maturity Model Integration (CMMI). In our method, defect injection distribution (DID) is used to derive estimation of fixing effort and schedule. The TestQM method has been successfully applied to a software organization for their quantitative management of testing process and proved to be helpful in estimating and controlling defects, effort and schedule of the testing process. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Providing value to customers in software development through lean principles
Authors: Mehta Merwan , Anderson David , Raffo David 
Published: February 2008

AbstractLean thinking has created substantial benefits for a variety of industries. Although it is not easily apparent, the same principles can be utilized in reducing lead times for software development. Fundamentally, lean principles leverage the benefits of software engineering best practices to improve the work flow and the tactical management of the project. By managing the project more efficiently and reducing waste, tremendous performance benefits can be achieved.This article seeks to present and articulate a number of key lean principles in the context of software development. The goal is to provide insight into practical strategies for making trade‐offs between the core lean principles of providing the highest possible customer value, maximizing work flow, and eliminating waste in the context of specific real world software development situations. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Robotics and science literacy: Thinking skills, science process skills and systems understanding
Authors: Sullivan Florence R. 
Published: February 2008

AbstractThis paper reports the results of a study of the relationship of robotics activity to the use of science literacy skills and the development of systems understanding in middle school students. Twenty‐six 11–12‐year‐olds (22 males and 4 females) attending an intensive robotics course offered at a summer camp for academically advanced students participated in the research. This study analyzes how students utilized thinking skills and science process skills characteristic of scientifically literate individuals to solve a robotics challenge. In addition, a pre/post test revealed that course participants increased their systems understanding, t (21) = 22.47, p < .05. It is argued that the affordances of the robotics environment coupled with a pedagogical approach emphasizing open‐ended, extended inquiry prompts the utilization of science literacy‐based thinking and science process skills and leads to increased systems understanding. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Res Sci Teach 45: 373–394, 2008
Impact of degradation products of sulfamethoxazole on mammalian cultured cells
Authors: Yargeau Viviane , Huot Jennifer Caitlin , Rodayan Angela , Rouleau Leonie , Roy Ranjan , Leask Richard L. 
Published: February 2008

AbstractSulfamethoxazole (SMX) is a widely used antibiotic which has been detected in surface water samples in the ng/L range and also detected in drinking water samples. To limit the environmental impact, ozonation treatment of waste streams has been proposed. However, the degradation products created by ozonation as well as their toxicity have not been reported. In this study, we investigated the degradation products of SMX formed during ozonation and the effects of these products on mammalian cultured cells. In addition to alcohols and nitrates, sulfanilamide was identified as the larger molecular weight compound of the degradation products detected. Cells exposed to the degradation products of SMX maintained their polyhedral geometry longer than the control cells. Proliferation of the cells exposed to the degradation products was not negatively affected when compared with the control cells. The results of this study show that bioactive degradation products can be formed by ozonation of SMX. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Environ Toxicol, 2008.
Microcystin concentrations and genetic diversity of Microcystis in the lower Great Lakes
Authors: Dyble Julianne , Fahnenstiel Gary L. , Litaker R. Wayne , Millie David F. , Tester Patricia A. 
Published: February 2008

AbstractThe resurgence of Microcystis blooms in the lower Great Lakes region is of great concern to public and ecosystem health due to the potential for these colonial cyanobacteria to produce hepatotoxic microcystins. A survey of Microcystis cell densities and microcystin concentrations during August 2004 showed particularly high concentrations of both cells and toxin in the nearshore regions of Saginaw Bay (Lake Huron) and western Lake Erie, often exceeding the World Health Organization's recommended drinking water limit of 1 μg L−1. The dominant congener of microcystin in both basins was microcystin‐LR (MC‐LR), whereas the second most abundant congeners, accounting for up to 20–25% of the total microcystin concentrations, were MC‐LA in Saginaw Bay and MC‐RR in western Lake Erie. Multiplex PCR assays of Microcystis colonies isolated from these two regions showed that a much greater percentage of the Microcystis colonies from Saginaw Bay carried the mcyB gene necessary for microcystin production, in comparison with those from western Lake Erie. The mcyB genotypes sequenced separated into two distinct phylogenetic clusters, with Microcystis originating from Lake Erie predominantly in one branch and from Saginaw Bay present in both branches. These results indicate that the genetic composition of the bloom could impact the concentrations and congeners of microcystin produced and that the cell count methods currently being used to gauge public health threats posed by Microcystis blooms may not sufficiently assess actual bloom toxicity. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Environ Toxicol, 2008.
Levels of transaminases, alkaline phosphatase, and protein in tissues of Clarias gariepienus fingerlings exposed to sublethal concentrations of cadmium chloride
Authors: Velmurugan Babu , Selvanayagam Mariadoss , Cengiz Elif I. , Uysal Ersin 
Published: February 2008

AbstractThe freshwater fish, Clarias gariepienus fingerlings, were exposed to sublethal concentrations (1.7 and 3.4 mg/L) of cadmium chloride for 12 days. Aspartate aminotransferase (AAT), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), and total protein levels were assayed in the gill, brain, and muscle of the fish at regular intervals of 6 and 12 days. The activities of AAT, ALT, and ALP of the treated fishes increased significantly in all the tissues compared with the control fish. Protein level in all the tissues showed a significant decrease in comparison to unexposed controls throughout the experimental periods. These results revealed that cadmium chloride effects the intermediary metabolism of C. gariepienus fingerlings and that the assayed enzymes can work as good biomarkers of contamination. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Environ Toxicol, 2008.
Serial uterine artery Doppler velocity parameters and human uterine receptivity in IVF/ICSI cycles
Authors: Hoozemans D. A. , Schats R. , Lambalk N. B. , Homburg R. , Hompes P. G. A. 
Published: February 2008

AbstractObjectiveTo evaluate the predictive value of serial uterine artery Doppler ultrasound for embryo implantation in in‐vitro fertilization (IVF)‐intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) cycles.MethodsThis was a prospective observational study at the VU University Medical Center, Amsterdam. Patients with an indication for IVF or IVF‐ICSI according to departmental protocol underwent controlled ovarian hyperstimulation followed by IVF or IVF‐ICSI and embryo transfer and had serial Doppler ultrasound performed during this treatment cycle. Patient and cycle characteristics, number of conceptions and ongoing pregnancies and pulsatility index (PI) of both uterine arteries on different cycle days were assessed and results were compared between patients who conceived and those who did not.ResultsOf the 102 patients enrolled into the study, 83 underwent embryo transfer. Of these, 41 became pregnant and 42 did not (Group 1). Of the 41 pregnancies, 30 were ongoing (Group 2) and 11 miscarried (Group 3). Between Groups 1, 2 and 3, linear regression revealed no significant difference between any of the variables examined except in the quality of transferred embryos. There was no significant difference in the mean PI of the left and right uterine arteries on any day of the cycle, or in the change in PI during the cycle. Receiver–operating characteristics curves derived to determine the performance of PI to predict pregnancy outcome supported our findings that the uterine artery PI is not a suitable marker for identifying patients with implantation failure. Multivariate analysis showed no relationship between pregnancy and PI between groups, but it did show a relationship between pregnancy and some patient and cycle characteristics.ConclusionIn an unselected group of patients undergoing IVF or IVF‐ICSI and embryo transfer, serial Doppler ultrasound examination of the uterine artery does not discriminate between cycles resulting in ongoing pregnany, miscarriage and no pregnancy. Copyright © 2008 ISUOG. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Fetal biometry in ethnic Chinese: biparietal diameter, head circumference, abdominal circumference and femur length
Authors: Leung T. N. , Pang M. W. , Daljit S. S. , Leung T. Y. , Poon C. F. , Wong S. M. , Lau T. K. 
Published: February 2008

AbstractObjectivesTo construct new reference charts and equations for fetal biometry in the Hong Kong ethnic Chinese population, and to compare them with existing references from different populations.MethodsThis was a prospective observational study involving 709 women with singleton pregnancies and confirmed gestational age. For the purposes of this study, each woman was scanned once only, between 12 and 40 completed weeks of gestation, and the following fetal biometric measurements were recorded: biparietal diameter, head circumference, abdominal circumference and femur length. For each measurement, regression models were fitted to estimate the mean and SD at each gestational age. For comparison, the fetal biometric measurements of other populations at each gestation were expressed as Z‐scores calculated with our reference equations. Results were presented graphically across the different gestational ages to allow visual comparison.ResultsNew charts and reference equations are reported in this Hong Kong Chinese population for fetal outer–inner and outer–outer biparietal diameter, head circumference, abdominal circumference and femur length. Equations for dating of pregnancy are presented. Our charts were very similar to those of the Singaporean population for most parameters. The main difference in our fetal biometric measurements compared with those of the UK and French populations was in FL.ConclusionsOur new set of reference centiles for fetal biometric measurements and equations for dating of pregnancy in a Hong Kong Chinese population are ready for clinical use and research in appropriate ethnic Chinese groups. Copyright © 2008 ISUOG. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Torsion of normal adnexa in postmenarcheal women: can ultrasound indicate an ischemic process?
Authors: Smorgick N. , Maymon R. , Mendelovic S. , Herman A. , Pansky M. 
Published: February 2008

AbstractObjectiveTorsion of normal adnexa is a rare event involving steadily increasing congestion and ischemia of the ovary. We investigated whether this process can be characterized by sonographic features.MethodsTwelve menstrually cycling women with 14 separate episodes of laparoscopic‐proven torsion of normal adnexa were identified retrospectively, and the results of their preoperative gray‐scale ultrasound examinations and Doppler flow evaluations were analyzed. The cases were classified into ‘short‐term’ (< 24 h; range, 3–24 h) and ‘prolonged’ (> 24 h; range, 1–10 days) duration of torsion according to the reported period of abdominal pain before admission. Absence of any additional adnexal pathology was confirmed by both intraoperative inspection and postoperative follow‐up ultrasound examinations.ResultsThe median age of the cohort was 24.0 (interquartile range (IQR), 20.5–28.7) years, and parity ranged from 0 to 3. All affected ovaries were significantly enlarged compared with non‐affected ones (median cross‐sectional area, 18.1 (IQR, 12.4–26.4) cm2 vs. 4.3 (IQR, 2.9–6.2) cm2, P < 0.01). We could distinguish two distinct sonographic patterns of torted ovaries: there were numerous small peripheral follicles in the ovarian parenchyma in nine cases, and there was a solid‐appearing mass with hypo‐ and hyperechogenic foci in five cases. Comparison of the ultrasound images of patients with short‐term vs. long‐term abdominal pain revealed that the solid‐appearing ovary was more common in the latter group (0/6 vs. 5/8, P = 0.03), while there was no significant difference between groups in the presence of free pelvic fluid or median ovarian cross‐sectional area. Intraovarian blood flow was diminished or absent in five of the eight patients in whom color Doppler imaging was performed.ConclusionsUltrasound images of twisted normal adnexa may vary according to the duration of the condition, reflecting the pathological series of events of increased ovarian congestion and necrosis. Recognition of the different sonographic features of twisted normal adnexa may assist in the correct diagnosis of these patients. Copyright © 2008 ISUOG. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Cerebral arterial air embolism in a child after intraosseous infusion
Authors: van Rijn R. R. , Knoester H. , Maes A. , van der Wal A. C. , Kubat B. 
Published: February 2008

AbstractCerebral arterial air embolism (CAAE) has been reported as a rare complication of medical intervention. There has been one reported case of CAAE after the use of an intraosseous infusion (IO) system. We report on a case of CAAE after tibial IO infusion in a 7-month-old girl during resuscitation.