The citer-success-index: a citer-based indicator to select a subset of elite papers

The goal of this paper is introducing the citer-success-index (cs-index), i.e. an indicator that uses the number of different citers as a proxy for the impact of a generic set of papers. For each of the articles of interest, it is defined a comparison term—which represents the number of citers that, on average, an article published in a certain period and scientific field is expected to “infect”—to be compared with the actual number of citers of the article. Similarly to the recently proposed success-index (Franceschini et al. Scientometrics 92(3):621–6415, 2011), the cs-index allows to select a subset of “elite” papers. The cs-index is analyzed from a conceptual and empirical perspective. Special attention is devoted to the study of the link between the number of citers and cited authors relating to articles from different fields, and the possible correlation between the cs- and the success-index. Some advantages of the cs-index are that (i) it can be applied to multidisciplinary groups of papers, thanks to the field-normalization that it achieves at the level of individual paper and (ii) it is not significantly affected by self citers and recurrent citers. The main drawback is its computational complexity.     

Film‐Based Implants for Supporting Neuron–Electrode Integrated Interfaces for The Brain

Neural engineering provides promise for cell therapy by integrating the host brain with brain–machine‐interface technologies in order to externally modulate functions. Long‐term interfaces with the host brain remain a critical challenge due to insufficient graft cell survivability and loss of brain electrode sensitivity over time. Here, integrated neuron–electrode interfaces are developed on thin flexible and transparent silk films as brain implants. Mechanical properties and surface topography of silk films are optimized to promote cell survival and alignment of primary rat cortical cells. Compartmentalized neural cultures and co‐patterned electrode arrays are incorporated on the silk films with built‐in wire connections. Electrical stimulation via electrodes embedded in the films activated surrounding neurons to produce evoked calcium responses. In mice brains, silk film implants show conformal contact capable of modulating host brain cells with minimal inflammatory response and stable indwelling for weeks. The approach of combining cell therapy and brain electrodes could provide sustained functional interfaces with ex vivo control with spatial precision.     

Timing and priorities for cystic fibrosis patients candidates to lung transplantation

Bilateral lung transplantation is actually considered a valuable option for patients with endstage lung disease related to cystic fibrosis. Timing is crucial to transplant successfully as many patients as possible and it is mainly based on the progressive worsening of pulmonary function tests and quality of life. We reviewed the charts of all patients accepted for lung transplantation at our institution, in order to assess the role of several functional and demographic parameters; we compared the group of patients able to successfully wait for transplantation (Group A) with patients dying on the waiting list (Group B). Twenty-eight patients were accepted: 15 were successfully transplanted (2 at other institutions) (mean waiting time: 117 days), 7 died waiting (mean waiting time: 108 days) and 6 are still on the list. We recorded FEV-1, FVC, PaO2, PaCO2, supplemental O2 requirement, 6-minute walking test, right ventricular ejection fraction (RVEF) and cardio-pulmonary hemodynamics measured at right heart catheterization; we recorded also age at time of diagnosis and at time of evaluation, sex, weight and Schwachman score. These parameters were compared between Group A and B. Age at time of evaluation, sex, weight and Schwachman score did not present any difference between the two groups, as well as pulmonary function tests, PaO2, 6-minute walk test and RVEF. A statistically significant difference was found in terms of PaCO2 (43.9 +/- 9.3 in Group A vs 69.1 +/- 32.4 in Group B, heart rate at rest (102 +/- 21 vs 131 +/- 12) mean pulmonary artery pressure (20.6 +/- 2.9 vs 36 +/- 15.7), pulmonary vascular resistances (350 +/- 96 vs 460 +/- 119.4), cardiac index (3.2 +/- 0.6 vs 5.4 +/- 0.9). On the base of our initial experience we conclude that a careful evaluation of CF candidates for lung transplantation is recommended. A deterioration of pulmonary function tests and quality of life are useful parameters to accept patients in the waiting list; however priority should be attributed also on the base of cardio-pulmonary hemodynamics. A larger series of patients is required to draw definitive conclusions.     

Ursodeoxycholic acid for treatment of cholestasis in children on long-term total parenteral nutrition: a pilot study

BACKGROUND & AIMS: Cholestatic liver disease (CLD) is a frequent and sometimes fatal complication of total parenteral nutrition (TPN) that may require withdrawal of TPN. The aim of this pilot study was to evaluate ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA) as treatment of TPN-associated CLD. METHODS: Seven children (4 boys and 3 girls) undergoing long-term TPN because of intractable diarrhea syndrome developed cholestasis and were treated with UDCA. Treatment efficacy was evaluated by monitoring clinical and biochemical markers of CLD, including gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase (GGT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), conjugated bilirubin, and alanine aminotransferase (ALT). RESULTS: In all children, UDCA was associated with the disappearance of signs of CLD and with normalization of biochemical markers of cholestasis within 4-8 weeks. A rebound increase of GGT, ALP, and ALT serum levels was observed in 3 children in whom UDCA was temporarily discontinued while they were still undergoing TPN. However, after reinstitution of UDCA, markers of cholestasis normalized in all cases. UDCA was withdrawn on reinstitution of full oral feeding; there was no relapse of cholestasis. Six children fully recovered. One child died because of the lack of vascular access. CONCLUSIONS: UDCA appears to be an effective treatment for TPN-related cholestasis in children.     

Processing methods to control silk fibroin film biomaterial features

Control of silk structural and morphological features is reported for fibroin protein films via all aqueous processing, with and without polyethylene oxide (PEO). Silk films with thicknesses from 500 nm to 50 μm were generated with controllable surface morphologies by employing soft-lithography surface patterning or by adjusting PEO concentrations. FTIR analysis indicated that water-annealing, used to cure or set the films, resulted in increased β-sheet and α-helix content within the films. Steam sterilization provided an additional control point by increasing β-sheet content, while reducing random coil and turn structures, yet retaining film transparency and material integrity. Increased PEO concentration used during processing resulted in decreased sizes of surface globule structures, while simultaneously increasing uniformity of these features. The above results indicate that both surface and bulk morphologies and structures can be controlled by adjusting PEO concentration. The combined tool set for controlling silk film geometry and structure provides a foundation for further study of novel silk film biomaterial systems. These silk film biomaterials have potential applicability for a variety of optical and regenerative medicine applications due to their optical clarity, impressive mechanical properties, slow degradability, and biocompatibility.     

Experimental comparison of dynamic tracking performance of iGPS and laser tracker

External metrology systems are increasingly being integrated with traditional industrial articulated robots, especially in the aerospace industries, to improve their absolute accuracy for precision operations such as drilling, machining and jigless assembly. While currently most of the metrology assisted robotics control systems are limited in their position update rate, such that the robot has to be stopped in order to receive a metrology coordinate update, some recent efforts are addressed toward controlling robots using real-time metrology data. The indoor GPS is one of the metrology systems that may be used to provide real-time 6DOF data to a robot controller. Even if there is a noteworthy literature dealing with the evaluation of iGPS performance, there is, however, a lack of literature on how well the iGPS performs under dynamic conditions. This paper presents an experimental evaluation of the dynamic measurement performance of the iGPS, tracking the trajectories of an industrial robot. The same experiment is also repeated using a laser tracker. Besides the experiment results presented, this paper also proposes a novel method for dynamic repeatability comparisons of tracking instruments.     

Materials and Fabrication Processes for Transient and Bioresorbable High‐Performance Electronics

Materials and fabrication procedures are described for bioresorbable transistors and simple integrated circuits, in which the key processing steps occur on silicon wafer substrates, in schemes compatible with methods used in conventional microelectronics. The approach relies on an unusual type of silicon on insulator wafer to yield devices that exploit ultrathin sheets of monocrystalline silicon for the semiconductor, thin films of magnesium for the electrodes and interconnects, silicon dioxide and magnesium oxide for the dielectrics, and silk for the substrates. A range of component examples with detailed measurements of their electrical characteristics and dissolution properties illustrate the capabilities. In vivo toxicity tests demonstrate biocompatibility in sub‐dermal implants. The results have significance for broad classes of water‐soluble, “transient” electronic devices.     

A survey of Quality Engineering–Management journals by bibliometric indicators

This paper analyses some of the most popular scientific journals in the Quality field from the point of view of three bibliometric indicators: the Hirsch (h) index for journals, the total number of citations and the h‐spectrum. In particular, h‐spectrum is a novel tool based on h, making it possible to (i) identify a reference profile of the typical authors of a journal; (ii) compare different journals; and (iii) provide a rough indication of their ‘bibliometric positioning’ in the scientific community. Results of this analysis can be helpful for guiding potential authors and members of the scientific community in the Quality Engineering/Management area. A large amount of empirical data are presented and discussed. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.