bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Nanoparticle Size and Concentration Dependence of the Electroactive Phase Content and Electrical and Optical Properties of Ag/Poly(vinylidene fluoride) Composites
Authors: Lopes Ana Catarina , Carabineiro Sonia A. C. , Pereira Manuel Fernando R. , Botelho Gabriela , Lanceros‐Mendez Senentxu 
Published: April 2013

AbstractThis paper describes the processing of silver‐nanoparticle‐doped poly(vinylidene fluoride). The effects of the concentration and size of the filler on the electroactive phase of the polymer and the optical and electrical properties are discussed. Spherical silver nanoparticles incorporated into the poly(vinylidene fluoride) polymeric matrix induce nucleation of the electroactive γ phase. The electroactive phase content strongly depends on the content and size of the nanoparticles. In particular, there is a critical nanoparticle size, below which the filler losses its nucleation efficiency due to its small size relative to that of the polymer macromolecules. Furthermore, the presence of surface plasmon resonance absorption in the composites is observed, which once again shows a strong dependence on the concentration and size of the particles. The absorption is larger for higher concentrations, and for a given concentration increases with particle size. This behavior is correlated to the electrical response and is related to the extra bands and electrons provided by the nanoparticles in the large energy band gap of the polymer.
Modeling ecological minimum requirements for distribution of greater sage‐grouse leks: implications for population connectivity across their western range, U.S.A
Authors: Knick Steven T. , Hanser Steven E. , Preston Kristine L. 
Published: April 2013

AbstractGreater sage‐grouse Centrocercus urophasianus (Bonaparte) currently occupy approximately half of their historical distribution across western North America. Sage‐grouse are a candidate for endangered species listing due to habitat and population fragmentation coupled with inadequate regulation to control development in critical areas. Conservation planning would benefit from accurate maps delineating required habitats and movement corridors. However, developing a species distribution model that incorporates the diversity of habitats used by sage‐grouse across their widespread distribution has statistical and logistical challenges. We first identified the ecological minimums limiting sage‐grouse, mapped similarity to the multivariate set of minimums, and delineated connectivity across a 920,000 km2 region. We partitioned a Mahalanobis D2 model of habitat use into k separate additive components each representing independent combinations of species–habitat relationships to identify the ecological minimums required by sage‐grouse. We constructed the model from abiotic, land cover, and anthropogenic variables measured at leks (breeding) and surrounding areas within 5 km. We evaluated model partitions using a random subset of leks and historic locations and selected D2 (k = 10) for mapping a habitat similarity index (HSI). Finally, we delineated connectivity by converting the mapped HSI to a resistance surface. Sage‐grouse required sagebrush‐dominated landscapes containing minimal levels of human land use. Sage‐grouse used relatively arid regions characterized by shallow slopes, even terrain, and low amounts of forest, grassland, and agriculture in the surrounding landscape. Most populations were interconnected although several outlying populations were isolated because of distance or lack of habitat corridors for exchange. Land management agencies currently are revising land‐use plans and designating critical habitat to conserve sage‐grouse and avoid endangered species listing. Our results identifying attributes important for delineating habitats or modeling connectivity will facilitate conservation and management of landscapes important for supporting current and future sage‐grouse populations.
Implementing Liquid‐Crystalline Properties in Single‐Stranded Dinuclear Lanthanide Helicates
Authors: Terazzi Emmanuel , Zaïm Amir , Bocquet Bernard , Varin Johan , Guénée Laure , Dutronc Thibault , Lemonnier Jean‐François , Floquet Sébastien , Cadot Emmanuel , Heinrich Benoît , Donnio Bertrand , Piguet Claude 
Published: April 2013

AbstractThe connection of flexible protodendritic wedges to the bis‐tridentate rigid polyaromatic ligand L1 provides amphiphilic receptors L5 and L6; their reduced affinities for complexing trivalent lanthanides (Ln = La, Y, Lu) in organic solvent (by fifteen orders of magnitude!) prevent the formation of the expected dinuclear triple‐stranded helicates [Ln2(Lk)3]6+. This limitation could be turned into an advantage because L1 or L6 can be treated with [Ln(hfac)3] (Hhfac = 1,1,1,5,5,5‐hexafluoro‐2,4‐pentanedione) to give neutral single‐stranded [Ln2(Lk)(hfac)6] complexes with no trace of higher‐order helicates. Whereas ligands L1 and L5 are not liquid crystals, L6 can be melted above room temperature (41 °C) to give a nematic mesophase, and its associated dinuclear helical complex [Y2(L6)(hfac)6] self‐organises at the same temperature into a fluidic smectic mesophase.
Amplified Electrochemical DNA Sensor Based on Polyaniline Film and Gold Nanoparticles
Authors: Saberi Reyhaneh‐Sadat , Shahrokhian Saeed , Marrazza Giovanna 
Published: April 2013

AbstractIn this work, an electrochemical DNA biosensor, based on a dual signal amplified strategy by employing a polyaniline film and gold nanoparticles as a sensor platform and enzyme‐linked as a label, for sensitive detection is presented. Firstly, polyaniline film and gold nanoparticles were progressively grown on graphite screen‐printed electrode surface via electropolymerization and electrochemical deposition, respectively. The sensor was characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), cyclic voltammetry and impedance measurements. The polyaniline‐gold nanocomposite modified electrodes were firstly modified with a mixed monolayer of a 17‐mer thiol‐tethered DNA probe and a spacer thiol, 6‐mercapto‐1‐hexanol (MCH). An enzyme‐amplified detection scheme, based on the coupling of a streptavidin‐alkaline phosphatase conjugate and biotinylated target sequences was then applied. The enzyme catalyzed the hydrolysis of the electroinactive α‐naphthyl phosphate to α‐naphthol; this product is electroactive and has been detected by means of differential pulse voltammetry. In this way, the sensor coupled the unique electrical properties of polyaniline and gold nanoparticles (high surface area, fast heterogeneous electron transfer, chemical stability, and ease of miniaturisation) and enzymatic amplification. A linear response was obtained over a concentration range (0.2–10 nM). A detection limit of 0.1 nM was achieved.
Analytical and experimental investigations on seismic performance of exterior beam–column subassemblages of existing RC‐framed building
Authors: Sasmal Saptarshi , Ramanjaneyulu K. , Novák Balthasar , Lakshmanan N. 
Published: April 2013

SUMMARYSeismic performance of exterior beam–column subassemblages of reinforced concrete structure designed and detailed on the basis of the provisions of Eurocode and Indian Standards at different stages of their evolution is evaluated. Performance of the subassemblages designed and detailed according to the three different stages of codal evolution (gravity load design, ‘Nonductile’, and ‘Ductile’) is evaluated through analytical formulations and experimental investigations. In the ‘NonDuctile’ specimens, it has been observed that the shear distortion and degradation in stiffness and strength are significantly high. Performance of the ‘Ductile’ specimens based on Eurocode and Indian Standards is almost similar in terms of strength and stiffness degradation. Nevertheless, the specimen designed on the basis of Indian Standard shows higher energy dissipation at a given drift ratio. In the analytical study, shear and flexural failure of members of subassemblage and shear failure of the joint are considered as possible modes of failure of the beam–column subassemblage. For evaluating the shear strength of the joint region, a soften strut‐and‐tie model is used. Analytically obtained strengths based on the failure criteria of different components of the specimens have been first validated with experimental results and then used to determine the strength of the specimens. The investigation could indicate even the mode of failure at local level. It is utmost important to mention here that even the ductile specimens dissipate most of the energy through the development of damage in the joint region, which is neither desirable nor safe for the stability of whole structure. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
An overview of proactive wind turbine control
Authors: Stotsky Alexander , Egardt Bo , Carlson Ola 
Published: April 2013

AbstractRecent achievements in the proactive turbine control, based on the upwind speed measurements, are described in a unified framework (as an extension of the tutorial [1]), that in turn represents a systematic view of the control activity carried out within the Swedish Wind Power Technology Center (SWPTC). A new turbine control problem statement with constraints on blade loads is reviewed. This problem statement allows the design of a new class of simultaneous speed and pitch control strategies based on the preview measurements and look‐ahead calculations. A generation of a piecewise constant desired pitch angle profile which is calculated using the turbine load prediction is reviewed in this article as one of the most promising approaches. This in turn allows the reduction of the pitch actuation and the design of the collective pitch control strategy with the maximum possible actuation rate. Two turbine speed control strategies based on one‐mass and two‐mass models of the drivetrain are also described in this article. The strategies are compared to the existing drivetrain controller. Moreover, postprocessing technique that can be used for estimation of the turbine parameters with improved performance is also discussed. Postprocessing‐based estimation of the turbine inertia moment is given as an example. All the results are illustrated by simulations with a wind speed record from the Hönö turbine, located outside of Gothenburg, Sweden.
The diagnosis, prevalence and outcome of delirium in a cohort of older people with mental health problems on general hospital wards
Authors: Whittamore Kathy H. , Goldberg Sarah E. , Gladman John R.F. , Bradshaw Lucy E. , Jones Rob G. , Harwood Rowan H. 
Published: April 2013

ObjectivesThis paper aimed to measure the prevalence and outcomes of delirium for patients over 70 admitted to a general hospital for acute medical care and to assess the validity of the Delirium Rating Scale‐Revised‐98 (DRS‐R‐98) in this setting.MethodsProspective study in a British acute general hospital providing sole emergency medical services for its locality. We screened consecutive patients over 70 with an unplanned emergency hospital admission and recruited a cohort of 249 patients likely to have mental health problems. They were assessed for health status at baseline and followed over 6 months. A sub‐sample of 93 participants was assessed clinically for delirium.Results27% (95% confidence interval (CI) 23–31) of all older medical patients admitted to hospital had DRS‐diagnosed delirium, and 41% (95% CI 37–45) had dementia (including 19% with co‐morbid delirium and dementia). Compared with clinician diagnosis, DRS‐R‐98 sensitivity was at least 0.75, specificity 0.71. Compared with reversible cognitive impairment, sensitivity was at least 0.50, specificity 0.67. DRS‐diagnosed delirium was associated with cognitive impairment, mood, behavioural and psychological symptoms, activities of daily living, and number of drugs prescribed, supporting construct validity. Of those with DRS‐diagnosed delirium, 37% died within 6 months (relative risk 1.4, 95% CI 0.97–2.2), 43% had reversible cognitive impairment, but only 25% had clinically important recovery in activities of daily living. Behavioural and psychological symptoms were common and mostly resolved, but new symptoms frequently developed.ConclusionDelirium is common. Some, but not all, features are reversible. DRS‐R‐98 has reasonable validity in populations where co‐morbid dementia is prevalent. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Thermospheric zonal mean winds and tides revealed by CHAMP
Authors: Lieberman R. S. , Akmaev R. A. , Fuller‒Rowell T. J. , Doornbos E. 
Published: April 2013

AbstractWe present direct, global observations of longitudinally averaged CHAMP zonal winds gathered between 2003 and 2007. A diurnal variation dominates the global zonal wind. Westward flows are observed from the early morning through afternoon hours, while eastward flows peak in the evening. A semidiurnal harmonic is also present, with magnitudes that are approximately one third of the diurnal harmonic. The time mean wind indicates westward winds over much of the globe, with weak superrotation (+E, or eastward winds) that is symmetric about the equator during equinox, and confined to the winter hemisphere at solstice. Diurnal and time mean CHAMP winds agree fairly well with the Whole Atmosphere Model. Some differences are observed in the semidiurnal and higher‒order tidal winds, that underscore the challenges of modeling the sources, sinks, and mean wind effects upon tides between the surface and 400 km.
Reconstructive algorithm and classification system for transoral oropharyngeal defects
Authors: de Almeida John R. , Park Richard Chan Woo , Villanueva Nathaniel L. , Miles Brett A. , Teng Marita S. , Genden Eric M. 
Published: April 2013

BackgroundTransoral techniques for oropharyngeal tumors, such as transoral robotic surgery (TORS) and transoral laser microsurgery, require new reconstructive considerations.MethodsDefects from 92 patients undergoing TORS were classified into 4 classes. A reconstruction algorithm was followed. Perioperative outcomes and complications were assessed. Forty‐seven patients completed the MD Anderson Dysphagia Inventory (MDADI) swallowing questionnaire and a modified Velopharyngeal Insufficiency Quality of Life (VPIQL) questionnaire postoperatively.ResultsThe most common reconstructions involved velopharyngoplasties with local flaps (39%), local flaps alone (25%), or secondary healing (20%). More advanced defects (class III and IV defects) required regional and free flaps more often. No significant differences were found in MDADI scores or VPIQL scores among the 4 defect classes. Only adjuvant radiotherapy was a predictor of poor swallowing (p = .02).ConclusionThe classification system for transoral oropharyngeal defects maps defects into 4 classes and guides the reconstructive thought process. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Head Neck 36: 934–941, 2014
Bringing antiretroviral therapy (ART) closer to the end‐user through mobile clinics and home‐based ART: systematic review shows more evidence on the effectiveness and cost effectiveness is needed
Authors: Mdege Noreen Dadirai , Chindove Stanley 
Published: April 2013

SUMMARYBackgroundHome‐based antiretroviral therapy (ART) and ART through mobile clinics can potentially increase access to ART for large numbers of people, including hard‐to‐reach populations. We reviewed literature on the effectiveness and cost implications of the home‐based ART and mobile clinic ART models.MethodsWe searched Medline, Embase, PsycInfo, CINAHL, Cochrane Library, Web of Knowledge and Current Controlled Trials Register for articles published up to March 2012. We included non‐randomised and randomised controlled clinical trials that recruited HIV/AIDS positive adults with or without prior exposure to ART.ResultsSix studies were included in the review, with only four effectiveness studies (all evaluating home‐based ART and none for mobile clinic ART) and four studies reporting on the cost implications. The evidence suggests home‐based ART is as effective as health facility‐based ART, including on clinical outcomes, viral load and CD4+ count. However, three of these studies were very small. Studies suggest health facility‐based ART is the most cost‐effective, followed by mobile‐clinic ART, with home‐based ART being the least cost‐effective.ConclusionsEvidence on the effectiveness and cost implications of mobile clinic and home‐based ART is currently limited. Although the few available studies suggest home‐based ART can potentially be as effective as health facility‐based ART, there is need for more research before robust conclusions can be made. Results from the few available studies also suggest that health facility‐based ART is the most cost‐effective. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Challenges for exposure prediction in ecological risk assessment
Authors: Di Guardo Antonio , Hermens Joop LM 
Published: April 2013

Abstract
Evaluating organism exposure in the ecosystems is a difficult task and can be carried out measuring or predicting concentrations in the environment. Although current regulatory approaches favor a modeling approach, they either use a static representation of the environment and of the chemical discharge or a simplified dynamic approach (e.g., dealing with pesticides). Improving the ecological realism of exposure prediction offers a number of challenges. Some are related to the understanding of basic mechanisms such as bioavailability and the determination of internal exposure or the need to develop new paradigms for polar and ionized chemicals. Other issues are the need to provide monitoring data to understand the environmental fate of chemical mixtures, polar and ionized chemicals and metabolites, to understand the complexity of exposure in spatially and temporally variable environments. Exposure models require the development of suitable approaches to simulate the complexity of exposure in the ecosystems including the development of a variety of temporal and spatial scenarios and the integration of submodels (such as aquatic and terrestrial food webs). Finally, the integration of dynamic exposure and effect models is envisaged to fully carry out a more realistic ecological risk assessment. Integr Environ Assess Manag 2013;9:e4–e14. © 2013 SETAC
Proteomic profiling of halloysite clay nanotube exposure in intestinal cell co‐culture
Authors: Lai Xianyin , Agarwal Mangilal , Lvov Yuri M. , Pachpande Chetan , Varahramyan Kody , Witzmann Frank A. 
Published: April 2013

ABSTRACTHalloysite is aluminosilicate clay with a hollow tubular structure with nanoscale internal and external diameters. Assessment of halloysite biocompatibility has gained importance in view of its potential application in oral drug delivery. To investigate the effect of halloysite nanotubes on an in vitro model of the large intestine, Caco‐2/HT29‐MTX cells in monolayer co‐culture were exposed to nanotubes for toxicity tests and proteomic analysis. Results indicate that halloysite exhibits a high degree of biocompatibility characterized by an absence of cytotoxicity, in spite of elevated pro‐inflammatory cytokine release. Exposure‐specific changes in expression were observed among 4081 proteins analyzed. Bioinformatic analysis of differentially expressed protein profiles suggest that halloysite stimulates processes related to cell growth and proliferation, subtle responses to cell infection, irritation and injury, enhanced antioxidant capability, and an overall adaptive response to exposure. These potentially relevant functional effects warrant further investigation in in vivo models and suggest that chronic or bolus occupational exposure to halloysite nanotubes may have unintended outcomes. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Similarities and differences between sexes in regional loss of cortical and trabecular bone in the mid-femoral neck: The AGES-Reykjavik longitudinal study
Authors: Johannesdottir Fjola , Aspelund Thor , Reeve Jonathan , Poole Kenneth E , Sigurdsson Sigurdur , Harris Tamara B , Gudnason Vilmundur G , Sigurdsson Gunnar 
Published: April 2013

ABSTRACT

The risk of hip fracture rises rapidly with age, and is notably higher in women. After falls and prior fragility fractures, the main clinically recognized risk factor for hip fracture is reduced bone density. To better understand the extent to which femoral neck density and structure change with age in each sex, we carried out a longitudinal study in subjects not treated with agents known to influence bone mineral density (BMD), to investigate changes in regional cortical thickness, as well as cortical and trabecular BMD at the mid-femoral neck. Segmental quantitative computed tomography (QCT) analysis was used to assess bone measurements in two anatomic subregions, the superolateral (superior) and inferomedial (inferior). A total of 400 older individuals (100 men and 300 women, aged 66–90 years) who were participants in the Age Gene/Environment Susceptibility-Reykjavik Study (AGES-Reykjavik), were studied. Participants had two QCT scans of the hip over a median follow-up of 5.1 years (mean baseline age 74 years). Changes in bone values during follow-up were estimated from mixed effects regression models. At baseline women had lower bone values in the superior region than men. At follow-up all bone values were lower in women, except cortical volumetric bone mineral density (vBMD) inferiorly. The relative losses in all bone values estimated in the superior region were substantially (about threefold) and significantly greater compared to those estimated in the inferior region in both sexes. Women lost cortical thickness and cortical vBMD more rapidly than men in both regions; and this was only weakly reflected in total femoral neck dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA)-like results. The higher rate of bone loss in women at critical locations may contribute materially to the greater femoral neck fracture incidence among women than men. © 2013 American Society for Bone and Mineral Research.
A Model‐Based Approach to Predict Longitudinal HbA1c, Using Early Phase Glucose Data From Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus Patients After Anti‐Diabetic Treatment
Authors: Kjellsson Maria C. , Cosson Valérie F. , Mazer Norman A. , Frey Nicolas , Karlsson Mats O. 
Published: April 2013

AbstractPredicting late phase outcomes from early‐phase findings can help inform decisions in drug development. If the measurements in early‐phase differ from those in late phase, forecasting is more challenging. In this paper, we present a model‐based approach for predicting glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c) in late phase using glucose and insulin concentrations from an early‐phase study, investigating an anti‐diabetic treatment. Two previously published models were used; an integrated glucose and insulin (IGI) model for meal tolerance tests and an integrated glucose‐red blood cell‐HbA1c (IGRH) model predicting the formation of HbA1c from the average glucose concentration (Cg,av). Output from the IGI model was used as input to the IGRH model. Parameters of the IGI model and drug effects were estimated using data from a phase1 study in 59 diabetic patients receiving various doses of a glucokinase activator. Cg,av values were simulated according to a Phase 2 study design and used in the IGRH model for predictions of HbA1c. The performance of the model‐based approach was assessed by comparing the predicted to the actual outcome of the Phase 2 study. We have shown that this approach well predicts the longitudinal HbA1c response in a 12‐week study using only information from a 1‐week study where glucose and insulin concentrations were measured.