bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
COMPARISON OF ENERGY AVAILABLE FOR EVAPOTRANSPIRATION UNDER IN‐FIELD RAINWATER HARVESTING WITH WIDE AND NARROW RUNOFF STRIPS
Authors: Tesfuhuney Weldemichael A. , Walker Sue , Van Rensburg Leon D.
Published: October 2012

The aim of the study was to quantify the energy balance components and to estimate evapotranspiration (ET) from maize crops under in‐field rainwater harvesting with wide and narrow runoff strip length (RSL) treatments. Based on micrometeorological measurements, energy balance components were compared for selected days under dry and wet conditions. Diurnal changes and daily evaporation flux peaks around midday were analysed. The average fraction of available energy was used to evaluate the efficiency of converting available energy to latent heat flux (LE). The results indicated that LE was higher in wide compared to narrow RSL during dry and wet conditions. However, sensible heat showed lower values on wide RSL during wet conditions due to the advective effect of the runoff area. The wide RSL with a higher basin leaf area ratio (BLAR) of 2.43 had more ET and used more energy on evaporating water compared to narrow runoff with a lower BLAR of 1.42. Wide runoff strips converted the higher available energy more efficiently into a higher biomass production than the narrow RSL. During wet days, the wide RSL used more than 70% of the available energy, while the narrow RSL response to the available energy (63%) was stronger during dry compared to wet days. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
AN OVERVIEW OF INDIGENOUS, INDIGENISED AND CONTEMPORARY WATER HARVESTING AND CONSERVATION PRACTICES IN SOUTH AFRICA
Authors: Denison J. A. , Wotshela L.
Published: October 2012

A scoping study has found that there are at least 15 water harvesting and conservation methods in use across South Africa, with minor variations and combinations also evident. Some of these are indigenous in that they were developed locally, others are indigenised, meaning they are hybrid solutions incorporating external influences, and finally, there are contemporary practices introduced more recently by scientists or development agencies. The techniques that were identified covered a wide range of scales in differing socio‐economic and agricultural contexts, such as the tens of thousands of hectares of commercially oriented floodwater harvesting in the Northern Cape, called thesaaidam(literally ‘planting‐dam’), to micro‐terracing in Mpumalanga. Our review concluded that while there are some indigenous water harvesting and conservation (WHC) practices, these are notably few compared with other places in the world. This is explained by historical settlement patterns in the wetter part of South Africa, with low land pressure, and an indigenous culture which placed more emphasis on pastoral than cropping practices. Indigenous and indigenised practices, which are locally well adapted, have inherent sustainability and present an opportunistic platform from which to inform new interventions in support of improved agricultural production. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
SOCIAL CAPITAL IN A RAINWATER‐HARVESTING PROJECT IN RURAL SOUTH AFRICA
Authors: Esterhuyse Petronella
Published: October 2012

This paper examines social aspects within and amongst households in two selected villages in the Thaba Nchu area in the Free State Province, South Africa. In a semi‐arid environment and low potential for dry croplands, techniques of rainwater harvesting were introduced to enable individual households to improve the level of their food production. This intervention could be seen from a purely biophysical and economic perspective, but the sociocultural domain is just as important for the successful outcome of the intervention. The assumption is that water utilisation and food production are socially embedded in the sense that individuals with different levels of support, are bound together in a situation of risk and uncertainty to collectively find ways to deal with scarcity in resources. The potential for internal conflict and consequent failure or disruption of development projects are real threats to the outcome of any intervention. The paper characterises selected aspects of social capital, namely social support, social networks and cohesion, which are regarded as important factors to consider in the planning and executing of interventions in the field of small‐scale food production. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
ALLEVIATING HOUSEHOLD FOOD INSECURITY THROUGH IN‐FIELD RAINWATER HARVESTING
Authors: Botha J. J. , van Rensburg L. D. , Anderson J. J. , Hensley M. , Baiphethi M. N.
Published: October 2012

Poverty and food insecurity are generic to the rural communities of poor countries in the sub‐Saharan African region. South Africa, with its huge rural population, is not excluded from poverty. In the Thaba Nchu area of the Free State Province, South Africa, where the study was conducted, 54% of the population was food insecure in 2006 owing partly to high unemployment, low levels of education and collapsed agricultural production, amongst other things. In order to contribute towards the reduction of food insecurity, agricultural techniques, specifically the in‐field rainwater harvesting (IRWH) technique, suited to the climate were introduced and households were encouraged to use these on their homestead gardens. This was done to help improve food production and ensure household food security. This paper reports on the rapid spread of the IRWH technique amongst households in the Thaba Nchu area. Household members obtained the necessary skills to apply the technique in an innovative manner in their homesteads to produce a variety of cash and vegetable crops. Results indicated that excess produce could be sold on local markets, which could promote sustainable livelihoods among the adopting households.
Influence of a layer‐by‐layer‐assembled multilayer of anti‐CD34 antibody, vascular endothelial growth factor, and heparin on the endothelialization and anticoagulation of titanium surface
Authors: Liu Shihui , Liu Tao , Chen Junying , Maitz Manfred , Chen Cheng , Huang Nan
Published: October 2012

The endothelialization of the metal surface of vascular stents came into focus as a new method for improving the biocompatibility of intravascular stents. This article has its focus on building a biofunctional layer on the activated titanium surface with anti‐CD34 antibody, vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), and heparin by a layer‐by‐layer (LBL) self‐assembly technique, to promote the endothelialization of the surface. When compared with titanium surface, the number of adhered endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) on LBLs increased 47.1% after 5 days culture, meanwhile the proliferation rate of EPCs on LBLs during 5 days culture also exhibit significantly improvement. The results of blood compatibility evaluation clearly show that the LBLs reduce the number of adhered and activated blood platelets (adhered: Ti 83% vs. LBL <20% and activated: Ti 57% vs. LBL 19%), and the activated partial thromboplastin time of the LBL surface prolonged about 20 s in compared with platelet‐poor plasma. The assembled LBL thus improves the thromboresistance of the titanium surface. The presented biofunctional multilayer of anti‐CD34, VEGF, and heparin on titanium can significantly improve the blood compatibility and the endothelialization of a medical device. The biofunctional layer supports generation of a new endothelium onto titanium surface by capturing EPCs and oriented differentiation. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part A, 2013.
IMPLEMENTATION DIFFERENCES OF TWO STAFFING MODELS IN THE GERMAN HOME VISITING PROGRAM “PRO KIND”
Authors: Brand Tilman , Jungmann Tanja
Published: October 2012

As different competencies or professional backgrounds may affect the quality of program implementation, staffing is a critical issue in home visiting. In this study, N = 430 women received home visits delivered either by a tandem of a midwife and a social worker or by only one home visitor (primarily midwives, continuous model). The groups were compared in a quasi‐experimental design on level of participation, implementation of the contents, and clients' responsiveness during pregnancy and child's first year of life. Trends towards a higher dropout rate and lower ratings of the helping relationship indicate an increased challenge to retain a strong working alliance in the tandem model. This is attributable to a stronger orientation towards the participants' interest in the continuous model, whereas treatment fidelity in the tandem model is higher. Recommendations to improve the helping relationship in the tandem model are given.
THE IMPACT OF FORMAL VERSUS INFORMAL SPORT: MAPPING THE DIFFERENCES IN SENSE OF COMMUNITY
Authors: Warner Stacy , Dixon Marlene A. , Chalip Laurence
Published: October 2012

As the popularity of sport continues to grow, more community developers, planners, and leaders are recognizing the ability for sport to foster community. Similar to other community contexts, understanding the structure and management of sport remains central to community building. Therefore, the aim of this study is to explain how sport system structural variations affect the sense of community experienced by those in and around sport. Eight focus groups were conducted with 39 sport participants from both formal and informal sport settings across 19 different sports. The results highlight the seven factors (administrative consideration, common interest, competition, equity in administrative decisions, leadership, social spaces, and voluntary action) that were particularly important in building a sense of community within two sport settings and how the factors are manifest within each of the structures. This research demonstrates the opportunities that sport holds for fostering community when designed and implemented appropriately.
A RANDOMIZED TRIAL OF MOTIVATIONAL INTERVIEWING TO IMPROVE MIDDLE SCHOOL STUDENTS’ ACADEMIC PERFORMANCE
Authors: Strait Gerald Gill , Smith Bradley H. , McQuillin Sam , Terry John , Swan Suzanne , Malone Patrick S.
Published: October 2012

Motivational interviewing (MI) is an effective method of promoting change in adults, but research on adolescents is limited. This study tests the efficacy of MI for promoting academic achievement in middle school students. Participants were 103 6th‐, 7th, and 8th‐grade students randomly assigned to either a MI (n = 50) or a waitlist control condition (n = 53). Students in the MI condition participated in a single MI session during the 7th or 8th week of the second semester. In comparison to the control group, students who received MI demonstrated significant improvements in their class participation, overall positive academic behavior, and significantly higher 4th quarter math grades. Thus, consistent with other studies finding single session effects of MI, a single MI session can have beneficial effects on academic behaviors. Pending further study and replication of these findings, MI could become an efficient and effective new counseling approach for improving academic performance.
Family Functioning and Mental Health in Runaway Youth: Association With Posttraumatic Stress Symptoms
Authors: Thompson Sanna J. , Cochran Gerald , Barczyk Amanda N.
Published: October 2012

This study examined the direct effects of physical and sexual abuse, neglect, poor family communication and worries concerning family relationships, depression, anxiety, and dissociation on posttraumatic stress symptoms. Runaway youth were recruited from emergency youth shelters in New York and Texas. Interviews were completed with 350 youth who averaged 15 years of age. Structural equation modeling was used to examine family functioning, maltreatment, depression, dissociation, and anxiety in relation to posttraumatic stress symptoms. Results indicated that direct effects of family relationship worry to dissociation, β = .77, p < .001; depression, β = .85, p < .001; and anxiety, β = .90, p < .001 were significant, as were relationships between family communication and youth dissociation, β = .42, p < .001; depression, β = .46, p < .001; and anxiety, β = .32, p < .001. No significant effects of physical/sexual abuse or neglect were found. Higher levels of dissociation, β = .21, p < .001 and anxiety symptoms, β = .34, p = .01 were positively and significantly associated with posttraumatic stress symptoms, but depression was not. Findings underscore the critical role of family relationships in mental health symptoms experienced by runaway adolescents.
Compensation and Treatment: Disability Benefits and Outcomes of U.S. Veterans Receiving Residential PTSD Treatment
Authors: Belsher Bradley E. , Tiet Quyen Q. , Garvert Donn W. , Rosen Craig S.
Published: October 2012

The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) provides specialized intensive posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) programs to treat trauma‐related symptoms in addition to providing service‐connected disability to compensate veterans for injury sustained while serving in the military. Given the percentage of veterans who are receiving treatment for PTSD, in addition to seeking compensation for PTSD, a debate has emerged about the impact of compensation on symptom recovery. This study examined the associations among status of compensation, treatment expectations, military cohort, length of stay, and outcomes for 776 veterans who were enrolled in 5 VA residential PTSD programs between the years of 2005 and 2010. Mixed model longitudinal analyses, with age, gender, and baseline symptoms nested within treatment site in the model, found that treatment expectations were modestly predictive of treatment outcomes. Veterans seeking increased compensation reported marginally lower treatment expectations (d = .008), and did not experience poorer outcomes compared to veterans not seeking increased compensation with the effect of baseline symptoms partialled out. Veterans from the era of the Iraq and Afghanistan conflicts reported lower treatment expectations (d = .020) and slightly higher symptoms at intake (d = .021), but had outcomes at discharge equivalent to veterans from other eras with baseline symptoms partialled out. These findings help further inform the debate concerning disability benefits and symptom changes across time.
Polyelectrolyte Complexes: Phase Diagram and Intrinsic Viscosities of the System Water/Poly(2‐vinylpyridinium‐Br)/Poly(styrene sulfonate‐Na)
Authors: Bercea Maria , Nita Loredana‐Elena , Eckelt John , Wolf Bernhard A.
Published: October 2012

In contrast to all earlier work on that subject, measurements are performed at high dilution up to total polymer concentrations wpol of 0.5 wt%. Aqueous solutions of poly(2‐vinylpyridinium‐Br) and of poly(styrene sulfonate‐Na) are only fully miscible if wpol < 0.02 wt%. Decomposition into two liquid phases is observed upon an increase in wpol, where the extension of the miscibility gap is considerably larger at 60 than at 25 °C. Viscosity measurements demonstrate that the formation of the polyelectrolyte complexes may take hours. The intrinsic viscosity of the polyanion turns out to be 20 times larger than that of the polycation and to be much more sensitive toward the addition of extra salt. The [η] values of the blend pass a minimum as a function of its composition.
Two remarks on elementary theories of groups obtained by free constructions
Authors: Jaligot Eric
Published: October 2012

We give two slight generalizations of results of Poizat about elementary theories of groups obtained by free constructions. The first‐one concerns generic types and the non‐superstability of such groups in many cases. The second‐one concerns the connectedness of most free products of groups without amalgamation.
Evaluation of normal fetal pulmonary veins using B‐flow imaging with spatiotemporal image correlation and by traditional color Doppler echocardiography
Authors: Zhang Ying , Ding Changwei , Fan Miao , Ren Weidong , Guo Yajun , Sun Wei , Cai Ailu
Published: October 2012

Objective

The purpose of our report is to evaluate the use of color Doppler echocardiography (CDE) with four chamber view (4CV), scanning around left atrium, and four‐dimensional echocardiography with B‐flow imaging and spatiotemporal image correlation (4D BF‐STIC) in detecting fetal pulmonary veins at 17 to 40 weeks’ gestation.

Methods

This was a prospective study. Color Doppler echocardiography with 4CV, scanning around left atrium, and 4D BF‐STIC were used to detect the pulmonary veins in 460 normal fetuses at 17 to 40 weeks of gestation. Routine prenatal screening was used to confirm that the fetuses were in good health with no cardiac or extra cardiac anomalies. All patients underwent follow up at one year. Twenty‐two patients were excluded from the study. The number of pulmonary veins visualized using each method was recorded and then compared in six subgroups according to gestational age.

Results

Four‐dimensional echocardiography with B‐flow imaging and spatiotemporal image correlation was the best method to detect the greatest number of pulmonary veins between 17 and 31 weeks of gestation. Scanning around left atrium detected more pulmonary veins than the traditional 4CV method throughout the gestational period.

Conclusions

The scanning around left atrium method proved to be the most suited for detecting pulmonary veins in clinical practice. 4D BF‐STIC was superior in detecting the greatest number of pulmonary veins before 32 gestational weeks, but had limited clinical usage because it was very time‐consuming and experience‐dependent. The 4D method should be considered as a complement to traditional two‐dimensional sonography, because it facilitates understanding of the anatomy and the spatial relationships of the cardiac structures. © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Electrospun gelatin/nylon‐6 composite nanofibers for biomedical applications
Authors: Pant Hem Raj , Kim Cheol Sang
Published: October 2012

We describe the preparation and characterization of gelatin‐containing nylon‐6 electrospun fibers and their potential use as a bioactive scaffold for tissue engineering. The physicochemical properties of gelatin/nylon‐6 composite nanofibers were analyzed using field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE‐SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, TGA and contact angle and tensile measurements. FE‐SEM and TEM images revealed that the nanofibers were well oriented and showed a good incorporation of gelatin. FTIR spectroscopy and TGA also revealed that there was good interaction between the two polymers at the molecular level. The adhesion, viability and proliferation properties of osteoblast cells on the gelatin/nylon‐6 composite nanofibers were analyzed by an in vitro cell compatibility test. Our results suggest that the incorporation of gelatin can increase the cell compatibility of nylon‐6 and therefore the composite mat obtained has great potential in hard tissue engineering. © 2012 Society of Chemical Industry
A new microemulsion approach for producing molecularly imprinted polymers with selective recognition cavities for gallic acid
Authors: Nicolescu Tanta V. , Meouche Walid , Branger Catherine , Margaillan André , Sarbu Andrei , Fruth Victor , Donescu Dan
Published: October 2012

Bulk and microemulsion systems were studied in order to obtain molecularly imprinted copolymers selective for gallic acid. Both systems contained acrylic acid as the functional monomer and ethylene glycol dimethacrylate as crosslinker. Microemulsion formation was confirmed by refractive index measurements and by conductivity analyses. Simple uptake tests revealed higher affinities for the microemulsion polymers; a 3.55 imprinting factor and a 0.275 g gallic acid (g polymer)–1 adsorption capacity were recorded. Competitive uptake tests, from an oak bark extract, were in agreement with the simple uptake results and BET analyses. Microemulsion polymer particles selectively bind 4.58 times more gallic acid molecules relative to other competitor species.
Preparation and characterization of covalently functionalized graphene using vinyl‐terminated benzoxazine monomer and associated nanocomposites with low coefficient of thermal expansion
Authors: Ho Kuan‐Ku , Hsiao Min‐Chien , Chou Tsung‐Yu , Ma Chen‐Chi M , Xie Xiao‐Feng , Chiang Jen‐Chi , Yang Shih‐hsien , Chang Li‐Hsueh
Published: October 2012

We describe the preparation of vinyl‐terminated benzoxazine‐functionalized graphene using free radical grafting. The resulting functionalized graphene (f‐graphene) was incorporated into bis(3‐allyl‐3,4‐dihydro‐2H‐1,3‐benzoxazinyl)methane (V‐BF‐a) monomer in order that nanocomposites could be prepared. Results of scanning electron microscopy and transmission electron microscopy revealed that the sheets of f‐graphene were well dispersed throughout the matrix, and there was a strong interfacial interaction between the f‐graphene and polyV‐BF‐a. The inclusion of f‐graphene into the nanocomposites resulted in a material with a high thermal stability and a low coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE); increasing the content of f‐graphene reduced the CTE significantly more. A reduction in the CTE of up to 48% was produced by adding just 1 wt% of f‐graphene; this corresponded to an increase of 12 °C in the glass transition temperature. These results suggest that f‐graphene nanocomposites can be ‘tuned’ to give materials with both a low CTE and a high thermal stability, and that graphene composites of this type can thus be manufactured to withstand a wider range of temperatures.
Semibatch anionic ring‐opening polymerization of octamethylcyclotetrasiloxane in emulsions: effect of the amount of seed polymer particles
Authors: Mohorič Ines , Šebenik Urška
Published: October 2012

Semibatch anionic ring‐opening polymerization of octamethylcyclotetrasiloxane with the use of seed polymer particles in emulsions was studied. The concentration of the emulsifier was set above the critical micelle concentration. We investigated the effect of the amount of seed polymer particles on the chemical kinetics and the average particle size and distribution. During monomer starving conditions the polymerization rate strongly depended on the monomer feed rate and not on the amount of seed particles. Throughout the entire monomer feed period the average particle size increased. This increase depended on the number and the size of seed particles. In emulsions with higher particle sizes higher equilibrium conversions were obtained. In our opinion, a greater extent of backbiting reactions is responsible for lower equilibrium conversions during and at the end of the process. The seeded semibatch process seems a reasonable choice for designing emulsion products with high monomer conversion and desired particle size. © 2012 Society of Chemical Industry
Determination of the optimum material parameters for intermediate band solar cells using diffusion model
Authors: Navruz Tugba Selcen , Saritas Muzeyyen
Published: October 2012

In this study, the optimum material parameters capable of providing high efficiencies close to the detailed balance limit are determined for intermediate band solar cells. A diffusion model, including the overlap effect between absorption coefficients, is used during the calculations for the first time. It is obtained that to achieve high efficiencies close to the detailed balance limit; the effective density of state value, NCV, should be higher than 1017 cm−3 and the carrier mobility should be larger than 200 cm2/Vs, where the light concentration should not be higher than nearly 1000 sun. Besides, it is found out that the optimum intermediate band level and the base width depend on the mobility and effective density of state values. So they need to be optimized according to the material parameters. The effect of overlap between absorption coefficients on the performance of intermediate band solar cells is also investigated. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Collaborative Development and Component Trials of a Comprehensive School‐Based Intervention for Children with HFASDS
Authors: Thomeer Marcus L.
Published: October 2012

This study examined the collaborative development of a comprehensive school‐based intervention (CSBI) and component feasibility for seven children, aged 7 to 8 years, with high‐functioning autism spectrum disorders (HFASDs). In Phase I, focus groups were conducted in two school districts with school staff and/or parents of children with HFASDs. The focus groups examined needs, resources, and barriers related to CSBIs, followed by adaptation of an empirically supported nonschool psychosocial intervention for HFASDs into a CSBI manual. In Phase II, two 4‐week component trials examined the feasibility of the five treatment components when administered by school staff. Focus‐group meetings were also held during Phase II to revise the CSBI manual as needed. Feasibility was assessed according to the level of treatment fidelity during implementation and teacher‐ and parent‐reported acceptability and satisfaction. Feasibility was supported in high levels of treatment fidelity and teacher‐ and parent‐reported acceptability and satisfaction.
Preparation and characterization of pH‐responsive and thermoresponsive hybrid microgel particles with gold nanorods
Authors: Khan Aslam , Alhoshan Mansour
Published: October 2012

We report on pH‐responsive and thermoresponsive hybrid materials based on the assembly of gold nanorods, Au NRs, into multiresponsive, crosslinked copolymer microgel particles. These microgel particles were prepared by the surfactant‐free emulsion polymerization of N‐isopropylacrylamide and acrylic acid using N, N′‐methylene bis‐acrylamide as a crosslinker, which produces particles measuring approximately 160 nm that are interconnected to one other. Cetyltrimethyl ammonium bromide‐stabilized Au NRs were also prepared independently using a seed‐mediated growth method and then loaded into swollen, deprotonated, acrylic acid‐containing microgel particles using the electrostatic interactions between the oppositely charged particles. Transmission electron micrographs of the as‐prepared hybrid Au NR–microgel particles confirmed that the Au NRs were attached to the surface of the microgel particles. The size‐dependent temperature‐responsive characteristics of the hybrid microgel particles were studied by dynamic light scattering, and it was found that as the temperature increased across the phase transition temperature, the particle size decreased to 56% of the original volume. The thermoresponsive and pH‐responsive optical properties of the hybrid microgel particles were also systematically investigated. The thermo‐ and pH‐induced shrinkage of the microgel led to an increase in the UV–vis absorption intensity and caused a significant blue shift in the longitudinal surface plasmon bands of the Au NRs. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem, 2013
Polymer micromixers bonded to thermoplastic films combining soft‐lithography with plasma and aptes treatment processes
Authors: Lee Michael , Lopez‐Martinez Maria J. , Baraket Abdellatif , Zine Nadia , Esteve Jaume , Plaza Jose A. , Jaffrezic‐Renault Nicole , Errachid Abdelhamid
Published: October 2012

Over the past few years, a growing interest on covalent bonding of polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) microfluidic devices to thermoplastic films has developed due to reduced costs, biocompatibility, and flexibility. The silane reagent, 3‐aminopropyltriethoxysilane (APTES) has been applied to create this bonding. Here, we report on the fabrication of replica PDMS micromixer devices from a silicon mold using soft lithography that is rapid, facile, and cost‐effective to manufacture. After replica molding, the PDMS micromixer devices were bonded to the APTES‐activated thermoplastic films of polyimide, polyethylene terephthalate, and polyethylene naphthalate. Characterization of these thermoplastic surfaces was analyzed by contact angle measurement, surface free energy, and X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy. To demonstrate the functionality of this technology, we have analyzed the PDMS micromixers by a peel test, nonleakages, and mixing with the injection of inks, a surfactant, and varying pH solutions. To our knowledge, this is the first reported example in literature of the PDMS–APTES–thermoplastic films preparation that integrates a complex micromixer device. Here, we have established that the hydrophobicity of both sealed polymers required alteration in order for dispersion of a polar liquid in the mixing loops. The application of a polar solvent before injection can remedy this ill effect formulating a hydrophilic micromixer. These preliminary results demonstrate the feasibility of the fabrication technology, bonding technique, and application of the micromixer that, once optimized, can eventually integrate more components to formulate a lab‐on‐a‐chip with the fabrication of gold microelectrodes for biological analysis of blood or plasma. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem, 2013
A systematic review and meta‐analysis of psychosocial interventions for couples coping with cancer
Authors: Badr Hoda , Krebs Paul
Published: October 2012

Objective

Quality of life (QOL) is a multidimensional construct that includes physical, psychological, and relationship well‐being.

Methods

We conducted a systematic review and meta‐analysis of randomized controlled studies published between 1980 and 2012 of interventions conducted with both cancer patients and their partners that were aimed at improving QOL. Using bibliographic software and manual review, two independent raters reviewed 752 articles with a systematic process for reconciling disagreement, yielding 23 articles for systematic review and 20 for meta‐analysis.

Results

Most studies were conducted in breast and prostate cancer populations. Study participants (N = 2645) were primarily middle aged (mean = 55 years old) and white (84%). For patients, the weighted average effect size (g) across studies was 0.25 (95% CI = 0.12–0.32) for psychological outcomes (17 studies), 0.31 (95% CI = 0.11–0.50) for physical outcomes (12 studies), and 0.28 (95% CI = 0.14–0.43) for relationship outcomes (10 studies). For partners, the weighted average effect size was 0.21 (95% CI = 0.08–0.34) for psychological outcomes (12 studies) and 0.24 (95% CI = 0.6–0.43) for relationship outcomes (7 studies).

Conclusion

Therefore, couple‐based interventions had small but beneficial effects in terms of improving multiple aspects of QOL for both patients and their partners. Questions remain regarding when such interventions should be delivered and for how long. Identifying theoretically based mediators and key features that distinguish couple‐based from patient‐only interventions may help strengthen their effects on patient and partner QOL. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Psychosocial impact of lymphedema: a systematic review of literature from 2004 to 2011
Authors: Fu Mei R. , Ridner Sheila H. , Hu Sophia H. , Stewart Bob R. , Cormier Janice N. , Armer Jane M.
Published: October 2012

Objective

This systematic review aimed to evaluate the level of evidence of contemporary peer‐reviewed literature published from 2004 to 2011 on the psychosocial impact of lymphedema.

Methods

Eleven electronic databases were searched and 1311 articles retrieved; 23 met inclusion criteria. Twelve articles utilized qualitative methodology and 11 used quantitative methodology. An established quality assessment tool was used to assess the quality of the included studies.

Results

The overall quality of the 23 included studies was adequate. A critical limitation of current literature is the lack of conceptual or operational definitions for the concept of psychosocial impact. Quantitative studies showed statistically significant poorer social well‐being in persons with lymphedema, including perceptions related to body image, appearance, sexuality, and social barriers. No statistically significant differences were found between persons with and without lymphedema in the domains of emotional well‐being (happy or sad) and psychological distress (depression and anxiety). All 12 of the qualitative studies consistently described negative psychological impact (negative self‐identity, emotional disturbance, and psychological distress) and negative social impact (marginalization, financial burden, perceived diminished sexuality, social isolation, perceived social abandonment, public insensitivity, and non‐supportive work environment). Factors associated with psychosocial impact were also identified.

Conclusions

Lymphedema has a negative psychosocial impact on affected individuals. The current review sheds light on the conceptualization and operationalization of the definitions of psychosocial impact with respect to lymphedema. Development of a lymphedema‐specific instrument is needed to better characterize the impact of lymphedema and to examine the factors contributing to these outcomes in cancer and non‐cancer‐related populations. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Experimental support for the foldability–function tradeoff hypothesis: Segregation of the folding nucleus and functional regions in fibroblast growth factor‐1
Authors: Longo Liam , Lee Jihun , Blaber Michael
Published: October 2012

The acquisition of function is often associated with destabilizing mutations, giving rise to the stability–function tradeoff hypothesis. To test whether function is also accommodated at the expense of foldability, fibroblast growth factor‐1 (FGF‐1) was subjected to a comprehensive φ‐value analysis at each of the 11 turn regions. FGF‐1, a β‐trefoil fold, represents an excellent model system with which to evaluate the influence of function on foldability: because of its threefold symmetric structure, analysis of FGF‐1 allows for direct comparisons between symmetry‐related regions of the protein that are associated with function to those that are not; thus, a structural basis for regions of foldability can potentially be identified. The resulting φ‐value distribution of FGF‐1 is highly polarized, with the majority of positions described as either folded‐like or denatured‐like in the folding transition state. Regions important for folding are shown to be asymmetrically distributed within the protein architecture; furthermore, regions associated with function (i.e., heparin‐binding affinity and receptor‐binding affinity) are localized to regions of the protein that fold after barrier crossing (late in the folding pathway). These results provide experimental support for the foldability–function tradeoff hypothesis in the evolution of FGF‐1. Notably, the results identify the potential for folding redundancy in symmetric protein architecture with important implications for protein evolution and design.
Spammers operations: a multifaceted strategic analysis
Authors: Thonnard O. , Vervier Pierre‐Antoine , Dacier M.
Published: October 2012

There is a consensus in the anti‐spam community regarding the prevalence of spam botnets and the significant role they play in the worldwide spam problem. Nevertheless, far less attention has been devoted to studying the strategic behavior of spammers on a long‐term basis. This paper explores several facets of spammers operations by providing three essential perspectives: (i) we study the inter‐relationships among spam botnets through their aggregate spam campaigns, and we focus on identifying similarities or differences in their modus operandi; (ii) we look at the impact of the Rustock takedown on the botnet ecosystem; and (iii) we study the conjecture about spammers hijacking unused IP space to send spam in a stealthy way. To that end, we have analyzed over one million spam records collected by Symantec.cloud (formerly MessageLabs) through worldwide distributed spamtraps. Our methodology leverages techniques relying on data fusion and multi‐criteria decision analysis to extract intelligence from large spam data sets by automatically correlating spam campaigns according to various combinations of spam features. We also take advantage of node–link visualizations developed in the context of VIS‐SENSE, a research project aiming at developing Visual Analytics technologies for the security domain. Using these visualizations, we illustrate the tight relationships that exist among different botnet families (such as Rustock/Grum or Lethic/Maazben). Regarding the disruption of Rustock on 17 March 2011, our experimental results provide substantial evidence indicating that part of the botnet activity may have been offloaded to Grum shortly after the takedown operation. Finally, we analyzed over 1 year of spam data enriched with Border Gateway Protocol data and found that an increasing amount of spam may have been sent from IP blocks hijacked for several weeks or months, even though this phenomenon remains marginal at this time compared with spam sent from large botnets. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Key multiplicity issues in clinical drug development
Authors: Dmitrienko Alex , D'Agostino Ralph B. , Huque Mohammad F.
Published: October 2012

Much progress has been made over the past decade with the development of novel methods for addressing increasingly more complex multiplicity problems arising in confirmatory Phase III clinical trials. This includes traditional problems with a single source of multiplicity, for example, analysis of multiple endpoints or dose–placebo contrasts. In addition, more advanced problems with several sources of multiplicity have attracted attention in clinical drug development. These problems include two or more families of objectives such as multiple endpoints evaluated at multiple dose levels or in multiple patient populations. This paper provides a review of concepts that play a central role in defining and solving multiplicity problems (error rate definitions) and introduces main classes of multiple testing procedures widely used in clinical trials (nonparametric, semiparametric, and parametric procedures). The paper also presents recent advances in multiplicity research, including gatekeeping procedures for clinical trials with multiple sets of objectives. The concepts and methods introduced in the paper are illustrated using several case studies on the basis of real clinical trials. Software implementation of commonly used multiple testing and gatekeeping procedures is discussed. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Too much of a good thing? Absorptive capacity, firm performance, and the moderating role of entrepreneurial orientation
Authors: Wales William J. , Parida Vinit , Patel Pankaj C.
Published: October 2012

Absorptive capacity (ACAP) refers to a firm's ability to acquire, assimilate, transform, and exploit new knowledge. Research has yet to acknowledge the possibility of limits to the financial returns of this important strategic construct. This study suggests an inverted‐U shaped relationship between ACAP and financial performance. Based on data from 285 technology‐based small and medium enterprises, we observe gains within three prospective, secondary measures of growth to diminish beyond lower levels of ACAP, even turning negative and becoming harmful beyond intermediate levels. We find that entrepreneurial orientation (EO) moderates the ACAP‐performance relationship, enhancing financial gains at lower levels of ACAP and mitigating the decline in financial performance at higher levels of ACAP. Further, with higher EO, higher ACAP can be achieved before financial returns diminish.Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Designing Sustainable Food Security Policies in Sub‐Saharan African Countries: How Social Dynamics Over‐Ride Utility Evaluations for Good and Bad
Authors: Kopainsky Birgit , Tröger Katharine , Derwisch Sebastian , Ulli‐Beer Silvia
Published: October 2012

Sub‐Saharan African economies depend heavily on agriculture. Seed from improved varieties and other inputs are imperative to the transformation of the agricultural sector from subsistence farming to small‐scale commercial agriculture and thus to increasing food security on the continent. Farmers make the decision to adopt seed from improved varieties based on a number of seed attributes. These range from tangible attributes such as input costs and yield to intangible attributes such as trust in seed from improved varieties. In the course of adoption decisions, social dynamics involving trust can over‐ride objective evaluations of tangible attributes. This makes it difficult to design sustainable adoption policies in an intuitive way. For this purpose, we develop a system dynamics model and combine it with conjoint analysis. Conjoint analysis allows us to elicit smallholder farmers’ choice preferences in detail and to add precision to the structure of the model. The simulation framework helps to improve our understanding concerning the dynamic implications of accumulation processes relating to trust and skill. We test this approach with empirical data for maize in Malawi. Model simulations demonstrate that effective adoption stimulation policies should focus on measures that build trust in improved maize varieties instead of increasing their potential yield even further and, in this way, contribute to food security. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Molecular structure of a random copolymer film by plasma‐enhanced CVD from a mixture of cyclohexa hydrocarbons
Authors: Moriki Kazunori , Yumoto Motoshige
Published: October 2012

An important issue in the polymerization of a polymer film by plasma‐enhanced chemical vapor deposition (PECVD) is how to control the polymer structure. As is generally recognized, it is extremely difficult to control the process because it is very complex. For example, various precursors in the plasma arise from fragmentation of source monomers, which can easily change by varying the plasma conditions. High‐energy electrons and ions in the plasma bombard the surface of the deposited film and affect the chemical reaction on the film. Moreover, the droplets that arise from the reactor wall by sputtering will accumulate on the film. However, if we aim to fabricate only a photonically functional polymer film, we will be able to find a solution. In this paper, we propose copolymerization from two types of monomers; one type is used as jointing materials by cracking, and the other is used as a photonic functional segment without serious deformation. This difference of action arises from a difference in the formation enthalpy. To confirm this idea, as an initial step, we copolymerized a film from a mixture of benzene (C6H6) as the functional segment and cyclohexene (C6H10) as the jointing material under the low radio frequency power. The deposited film consists of sp2 bonding clusters surrounded by sp3 bonded (alkyl) networks. We confirmed that the sp2 bonding clusters mostly belong to phenyl, with a few belonging to olefins arising from decomposed C6H6. In addition, the amount of sp2 bonding increases proportionally with increasing ratio of C6H6 in the mixture, and the ratio of phenyl in the film becomes comparable to that of polystyrene. From these facts, we speculate that C6H10 acts as the jointing material and C6H6 as the functional segment. Additionally, we introduced tetrafluorocarbon (CF4) to the plasma. CF4 decomposes with a smaller energy than C6H10, and it forms mainly fluorine and CF3 radicals. The fluorine radical pulls out hydrogen from the film and reacts to form dangling bonds in the film. Moreover, we speculate that they will terminate the dangling bonds. © 2012 Institute of Electrical Engineers of Japan. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
MoS2/ta‐C‐Kombinationsschichten hergestellt durch Laser‐Arc‐Technologie
Authors: Weihnacht Volker , Brückner Andreas , Theiler Géraldine , Gradt Thomas
Published: October 2012

Mittels lasergesteuerter gepulster Vakuumbogentechnologie (Laser‐Arc) wurde eine reihe von reinen MoS2‐Schichten sowie Kombinationsschichten aus MoS2 und tetraedrischem amorphen Kohlenstoff (ta‐C) hergestellt. Mit diesen Schichtvarianten erfolgten tribologische Tests im Vakuum sowie in Atmosphäre. Dabei wurden im Hochvakuum reibungskoeffizienten bis zu 0,005 gemessen. Durch die Verwendung einer ta‐C unterschicht konnte eine Lebensdauer von über 5×105 Lastzyklen erreicht werden. Zudem erwies sich diese unterschicht als vorteilhaft für das tribologische Verhalten der MoS2/ta‐C Schichten unter atmosphärischen Bedingungen.
Innovativer Bayard‐Alpert Sensor mit ausgetrickster Röntgengrenze
Authors: von Freyhold Nikolas , Walter Marco , Wunderlich Heiko , Iwicki Jaroslaw , Flämmich Michael , Bergner Ute
Published: October 2012

In diesem Beitrag werden einige Probleme für die Nutzer von Bayard‐Alpert (BA) Totaldrucksensoren an UHV‐ und XHV‐Anlagen hinsichtlich Messbereich, Genauigkeit und Reproduzierbarkeit diskutiert. Unter anderem zeigen BA‐Sensoren, bedingt durch ihre Bauweise, einen geringen Fehlerstrom, der die untere Messgrenze des Sensors bestimmt. Aus der Betrachtung der grundlegenden physikalischen Prozesse, die zu diesem Reststrom in BA‐Sensoren beitragen, wird ein innovativer Ansatz abgeleitet, um die Restströme in BA‐Sensoren durch Nutzung physikalischer Effekte direkt im Sensor zu kompensieren. Experimentelle Ergebnisse eines neuen BA‐Sensors mit Reststromkompensation (BARION® XHV) zeigen, dass der Messbereich gegenüber konventionellen BA‐Sensoren um rund zwei Druckdekaden bis ins XHV erweitert und die Genauigkeit im Druckbereich 10−9…10−11 mbar deutlich verbessert wurde. Durch ein entsprechendes Design konnte darüber hinaus eine erhöhte Reproduzierbarkeit sichergestellt werden.
The Caenorhabditis elegans intestine
Authors: McGhee James D.
Published: October 2012

The transcriptional regulatory hierarchy that controls development of the Caenorhabditis elegans endoderm begins with the maternally provided SKN‐1 transcription factor, which determines the fate of the EMS blastomere of the four‐cell embryo. EMS divides to produce the posterior E blastomere (the clonal progenitor of the intestine) and the anterior MS blastomere, a major contributor to mesoderm. This segregation of lineage fates is controlled by an intercellular signal from the neighboring P2 blastomere and centers on the HMG protein POP‐1. POP‐1 would normally repress the endoderm program in both E and MS but two consequences of the P2‐to‐EMS signal are that POP‐1 is exported from the E‐cell nucleus and the remaining POP‐1 is converted to an endoderm activator by complexing with SYS‐1, a highly diverged β‐catenin. In the single E cell, a pair of genes encoding small redundant GATA‐type transcription factors, END‐1 and END‐3, are transcribed under the combined control of SKN‐1, the POP‐1/SYS‐1 complex, as well as the redundant pair of MED‐1/2 GATA factors, themselves direct zygotic targets of SKN‐1 in the EMS cell. With the expression of END‐1/END‐3, the endoderm is specified. END‐1 and END‐3 then activate transcription of a further set of GATA‐type transcription factors that drive intestine differentiation and function. One of these factors, ELT‐2, appears predominant; a second factor, ELT‐7, is partially redundant with ELT‐2. The mature intestine expresses several thousand genes, apparently all controlled, at least in part, by cis‐acting GATA‐type motifs. WIREs Dev Biol 2013, 2:347–367. doi: 10.1002/wdev.93

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