bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Public Health Needs Assessments of Tutuila Island, American Samoa, After the 2009 Tsunami
Authors: Choudhary Ekta , Chen Tai-Ho , Martin Colleen , Vagi Sara , Roth Joseph , Keim Mark , Noe Rebecca , Ponausuia Seiuli Elisapeta , Lemusu Siitia , Bayleyegn Tesfaye , Wolkin Amy 
Published: October 2012

ABSTRACTObjective: An 8.3 magnitude earthquake followed by tsunami waves devastated American Samoa on September 29, 2009, resulting in widespread loss of property and public services. An initial and a follow-up Community Needs Assessment for Public Health Emergency Response (CASPER) objectively quantified disaster-affected population needs.Methods: Using a 2-stage cluster sampling method of CASPER, a household questionnaire eliciting information about medical and basic needs, illnesses, and injuries was administered. To assess response efforts, percent changes in basic and medical needs, illnesses, and injuries between the initial and follow-up CASPER were calculated.Results: During the initial CASPER (N = 212 households), 47.6% and 51.6% of households reported needing a tarpaulin and having no electricity, respectively. The self-reported greatest needs were water (27.8%) and financial help with cleanup (25.5%). The follow-up CASPER (N = 207 households) identified increased vector problems compared to pre-tsunami, and food (26%) was identified as the self-reported greatest need. As compared to the initial CASPER, the follow-up CASPER observed decreases in electricity (−78.3%), drinking water (−44.4%), and clothing (−26.6%).Conclusion: This study highlights the use of CASPER during the response and recovery phases following a disaster. The initial CASPER identified basic needs immediately after the earthquake, whereas the follow-up CASPER assessed effectiveness of relief efforts and identified ongoing community needs.(Disaster Med Public Health Preparedness. 2012;6:209–216)
Nuclear Power Plant Emergency Preparedness: Results From an Evaluation of Michigan's Potassium Iodide Distribution Program
Authors: Zwolinski Laura R. , Stanbury Martha , Manente Susan 
Published: October 2012

ABSTRACTBackground: In 2009, the Michigan Department of Community Health (MDCH) made potassium iodide (KI), a nonprescription radio-protective drug, available by mailing vouchers redeemable at local pharmacies for KI tablets, at no cost to residents living within 10 miles of Michigan's 3 nuclear power plants (NPPs). MDCH conducted an evaluation of this program to determine Michigan's KI coverage and to assess general emergency preparedness among residents living near the NPPs.Methods: KI coverage was estimated based on redeemed voucher counts and the 2010 Census. Telephone surveys were administered to a random sample (N = 153) of residents living near Michigan's NPPs to evaluate general emergency preparedness, reasons for voucher use or nonuse, and KI knowledge.Results: Only 5.3% of eligible residences redeemed KI vouchers. Most surveyed residents (76.5%) were aware of living near an NPP, yet 42.5% reported doing “nothing” to plan for an emergency. Almost half of surveyed voucher users did not know when to take KI or which body part KI protects. Among voucher nonusers, 48.0% were either unaware of the program or did not remember receiving a voucher.Conclusions: Additional efforts are needed to ensure that all residents are aware of the availability of KI and that recipients of the drug understand when and why it should be taken. Minimal emergency planning among residents living near Michigan's NPPs emphasizes the need for increased emergency preparedness and awareness. Findings are particularly salient given the March 2011 Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant emergency in Japan.(Disaster Med Public Health Preparedness. 2012;6:263–269)
The Contribution of Residents Who Cooperate With Ring-Vaccination Measures Against Smallpox Epidemic
Authors: Sato Hiroki , Sakurai Yutaka 
Published: October 2012

ABSTRACTObjectives:Establishing containment measures against the potential spread of the smallpox virus has become a major issue in the public health field since the 2001 anthrax attacks in the United States. The primary objective of the study was to investigate the relationship between the level of activity of public health agencies and the voluntary cooperation of residents with ring-vaccination measures against a smallpox epidemic.Methods:A discrete-time, stochastic, individual-based model was used to simulate the spread of a smallpox epidemic that has become a more pressing topic due to 9/11 and to assess the effectiveness of and required resources for ring-vaccination measures in a closed community. In the simulation, we related sensitive tracing to the level of activity of the public health agency and strict isolation to the level of voluntary cooperation from residents.Results:Our results suggest that early and intensive case detection and contact tracing by public health agencies can reduce the scale of an epidemic and use fewer total resources. In contrast, voluntary reporting by the traced contacts of symptom onset after vaccination had little impact on the scale of epidemic in our model. However, it reduced the total required resources, indicating that citizens' voluntary cooperation would contribute to reducing the burden on public health agencies.Conclusions:We conclude that a combined effort on the part of public health agencies and residents in performing containment measures is essential to quickly ending a smallpox epidemic.(Disaster Med Public Health Preparedness. 2012;6:270–276)
Personal Disaster Preparedness: An Integrative Review of the Literature
Authors: Kohn Sivan , Eaton Jennifer Lipkowitz , Feroz Saad , Bainbridge Andrea A. , Hoolachan Jordan , Barnett Daniel J. 
Published: October 2012

ABSTRACTExperts generally agree that individuals will require partial or complete self-sufficiency for at least the first 72 hours following a disaster. In the face of pervasive environmental and weather hazards, emerging biological threats, and growing population densities in urban areas, personal preparedness is critical. However, disaster planners and policymakers require further information to create meaningful improvements to this aspect of disaster preparedness. A systematic review of the literature was conducted to determine the state of evidence concerning personal disaster preparedness. The purpose of this integrative review is to describe and analyze the professional literature as an intended basis for advancing the field of disaster management research and practice. Included in the review were 36 studies that met the predetermined inclusion criteria. The current evidence indicates that factors influencing preparedness attitudes and behaviors are complex and multifaceted, including demographic characteristics, trust in government efforts, previous exposure to a disaster, and number of dependents in a household. Furthermore, certain population groups, households, and individuals have different disaster preparedness needs and vulnerabilities. This constellation of findings has significant implications for community and national emergency planning and policymaking.(Disaster Med Public Health Preparedness. 2012;6:217–231)
Analysis of the International and US Response to the Haiti Earthquake: Recommendations for Change
Authors: Kirsch Thomas , Sauer Lauren , Guha Sapir Debarati 
Published: October 2012

ABSTRACTThe 2010 earthquake in Haiti was unprecedented in its impact. The dual loss of the Haitian government and United Nations (UN) leadership led to an atypical disaster response driven by the US government and military. Although the response was massive, the leadership and logistical support were initially insufficient, and the UN cluster system struggled with the overwhelming influx of nontraditional agencies and individuals, which complicated the health care response. Moreover, the provision of care was beyond the country's health care standards. The management of the US government resembled a whole-of-government domestic response, combined with a massive military presence that went beyond logistical support. Among the most important lessons learned were the management of the response and how it could be strengthened by adapting a structure such as the domestic National Response Framework. Also, mechanisms were needed to increase the limited personnel to surge in a major response. One obvious pool has been the military, but the military needs to increase integration with the humanitarian community and improve its own humanitarian response expertise. In addition, information management needs standardized tools and analysis to improve its use of independent agencies.(Disaster Med Public Health Preparedness. 2012;6:200–208)
Recent Progress in the Synthesis of Spherical Titania Nanostructures and Their Applications
Authors: Chen Dehong , Caruso Rachel A. 
Published: October 2012

AbstractRecent progress in the fabrication and application of diverse spherical titania nanostructures, including mesoporous spheres, spherical flaky assemblies, and dendritic particles of variable diameter and monodispersity in size, is summarized in this article. Utilizing different synthesis strategies, spherical titania nanostructures with tailored polymorphs (including amorphous, anatase, rutile, brookite and TiO2‐B), particle sizes (from tens of nanometers to millimeters), monodispersity, porosity, and variable surface properties have been produced. Such spherical titania nanostructures show realized and potential applications in the areas of chromatographic separation, lithium‐ion batteries, dye‐sensitized solar cells, photocatalytic oxidation and water splitting, photoluminescence, electrorheological fluids, catalysis, gas sensing, and anticancer intracellular drug delivery. Gaining further understanding of both synthesis design and application of these materials will promote the commercialization of such spherical titania nanostructures in the future.
Photoalignment and Surface‐Relief‐Grating Formation are Efficiently Combined in Low‐Molecular‐Weight Halogen‐Bonded Complexes
Authors: Priimagi Arri , Saccone Marco , Cavallo Gabriella , Shishido Atsushi , Pilati Tullio , Metrangolo Pierangelo , Resnati Giuseppe 
Published: October 2012

AbstractIt is demonstrated that halogen bonding can be used to construct low‐molecular‐weight supramolecular complexes with unique light‐responsive properties. In particular, halogen bonding drives the formation of a photoresponsive liquid‐crystalline complex between a non‐mesogenic halogen bond‐donor molecule incorporating an azo group, and a non‐mesogenic alkoxystilbazole moiety, acting as a halogen bond‐acceptor. Upon irradiation with polarized light, the complex exhibits a high degree of photoinduced anisotropy (order parameter of molecular alignment > 0.5). Moreover, efficient photoinduced surface‐relief‐grating (SRG) formation occurs upon irradiation with a light interference pattern, with a surface‐modulation depth 2.4 times the initial film thickness. This is the first report on a halogen‐bonded photoresponsive low‐molecular‐weight complex, which furthermore combines a high degree of photoalignment and extremely efficient SRG formation in a unique way. This study highlights the potential of halogen bonding as a new tool for the rational design of high‐performance photoresponsive suprastructures.
Using Lenses to Improve the Output of a Patterned Luminescent Solar Concentrator
Authors: Tsoi Shufen , Broer Dirk J. , Bastiaansen Cees W. M. , Debije Michael G. 
Published: October 2012

AbstractPrevious work demonstrated that reabsorption, a major loss mechanism in luminescent solar concentrators (LSCs), could be reduced by patterning luminescent dyes on the device surface; emission efficiency improved considerably. However, total light output decreased due to reduced absorption of the incident light. The results of adding a (poly)carbonate lens system to a patterned waveguide to focus more of the incident light on the line patterns are presented in this work. We demonstrate a set of parameters wherein a patterned LSC with lens system on a white background can outperform a standard fully‐covered waveguide using a similar scatterer.
Synthesis, structure, and mechanical properties of castor oil‐based polyamidoamines toughened epoxy coatings
Authors: Abbasi Ehsan , Vatankhah Mohammad , Hosseini Yaser , Amin Ariana Mohammad , Ayazi Masoumeh 
Published: October 2012

AbstractA series of toughened epoxy systems was prepared via crosslinking of diglycidyl ether of bisphenol A with castor oil‐based polyamidoamines as curing agents. To this aim two series of polyamidoamines were synthesized in two steps from the reaction of castor oil with triethylenetetramine and then reaction of these products with dissolved salicylic acid in dimethyl formamide (DMF). The structure of the compounds was confirmed by FTIR spectra, GC‐Mass and1H‐NMR spectroscopy. The mechanical properties, adhesion and water resistance of polyamine and polyamidoamines cured epoxy systems were studied. It was found that significant improvement in toughness and adhesion of the epoxy films was achieved by using polyamidoamines as curing agents. The results showed a great enhancement in toughness and adhesion properties of the epoxy coats proportional to increasing castor oil weight ratio, and/ or using salicylic acid and DMF. Furthermore, polyamidoamines cured samples showed higher water resistance and less degradation in hot water immersion tests than polyamine cured samples. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci., 2013
Polymeric homogeneous composite membranes for separations in organic solvents
Authors: Fontananova Enrica , Di Profio Gianluca , Artusa Francesco , Drioli Enrico 
Published: October 2012

AbstractA new generation of organic solvent nanofiltration (NF) composite membranes was prepared combining a support layer with a selective layer made both from the same polymeric material (P84 copolyimide). These membranes, homogeneous in composition, but composite in structure, were defined as polymeric homogeneous composite (PHC) membranes. The composite membranes have the advantage over the asymmetric ones that each layer can be optimized independently. Moreover, the use of the same material for the preparation of both, the selective and the support layer, ensures a high affinity between the two layers and increases the long‐term stability of the composite membranes, reducing the possibility of delamination phenomena. In the design of the PHC membranes, a great attention was devoted to the support layer development. The effects of the composition of the casting solutions on the structure of porous P84 copolyimide membranes were investigated allowing to identify the conditions for the preparation of highly permeable, chemically, and mechanically stable P84 sponge like porous membranes. PHC membranes were prepared by coating and controlled solvent evaporation of a P84 solution on the optimized support crosslinked by reaction with a diamine (1,5‐diamino‐2‐methylpentane). Pure solvent permeation test and rejection experiments were carried out on the P84 supports and the corresponding PHC membranes in aggressive organic solvents like N‐methyl‐2‐pyrrolidone and N,N‐dimethyformamide, in which the original polymer was soluble. The PHC membrane resulted completely stable over long times (>96 h). © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci., 2013
Synthesis and characterization of biodegradable polyurethanes based on L‐cystine/cysteine and poly(ϵ‐caprolactone)
Authors: Wang Jing , Zheng Zhen , Wang Quan , Du Pengfei , Shi Jinjun , Wang Xinling 
Published: October 2012

AbstractTunable biodegradable polyurethanes (PUs) with favorable mechanical properties were synthesized from 1,6‐hexamelthylene diisocyanate (HDI) as the hard segment, poly(ϵ‐caprolactone) (PCL) as the soft segment, and L‐cystine ester as chain extender. The structure of PUs was confirmed by FTIR and 1H‐NMR. The results of differential scanning calorimeter, thermogravimetric analysis, dynamic mechanical analysis, and tensile test revealed that the thermal and mechanical properties of PUs were strongly influenced by the molecular weight of soft segment PCL. In the presence of glutathione, the disulfide group cleaved into thiols, realizing the PUs degraded and the molecular weight decreased. For PU [550], it remained only 50% of the original Mw. Evaluation of cell viability demonstrated the nontoxicity of the PUs, which facilitated their potential in biomedical applications. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci., 2013
Fabrication of low surface free energy automotive clear coats: Mechanical and surface chemistry studies
Authors: Mohammad Rabea A. , Mohseni M. , Yari H. , Ramezanzadeh B. 
Published: October 2012

AbstractThis work aims at improving the surface chemistry and the mechanical properties of a commercial acrylic–melamine clear coat using a functional siliconized additive. The resistance of films against biological degradation was then investigated using pancreatin (simulated bird droppings) and Arabic gum (simulated tree gum). Variations in the surface and bulk chemical structures, as well as the thermomechanical characteristics of the clear coats at different concentrations of the additive, were investigated by a wide range of techniques inclusive of contact angle measurement, gonio‐spectrophotometery, dynamic mechanical thermal analysis (DMTA), energy‐dispersive spectroscopy, atomic force microscope, optical microscope, and attenuated totalreflectance Fourier transform infrared (ATR‐FTIR) spectroscopy. Negligible effect of additive on color change was revealed. It was shown that even at low loadings of additive it could migrate to the surface, producing hydrophobic films with very low surface free energies with water contact angle exceeding 100°. In addition, it was found by DMTA and ATR‐FTIR studies that the functional additive was covalently attached to the acrylic–melamine chains through its hydroxyl groups. However, phase separation was observed at high concentrations of additive, leading to reduced crosslinking density. The clear coat resistance against pancreatin and Arabic gum was improved using optimum concentrations of the additive. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci., 2013
Study of glycidyl ether as a new kind of modifier for urea‐formaldehyde wood adhesives
Authors: Ye Jun , Qiu Teng , Wang Haiqiao , Guo Longhai , Li Xiaoyu 
Published: October 2012

AbstractIn this work, the multiepoxy functional glycidyl ether (GE) modified urea‐formaldehyde (UF) resins were synthesized via a traditional alkaline‐acid process under low formaldehyde/urea (F/U) molar ratio. The synthesized resins were characterized by 13C magnetic resonance spectroscopy (13C‐NMR), indicating that GE can effectively react with UF resins via the ring‐opening reaction of epoxy groups. Moreover, the residual epoxy groups of GE could also participate in the curing reaction of UF resins, which was verified by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. The storage stability of GE‐modified UF resins and the thermal degradation behavior of the synthesized resins were evaluated by using optical microrheology and thermogravimetric analysis, respectively. Meanwhile, the synthesized resins were further employed to prepare the plywood with the veneers glued. For the modification on bonding strength and formaldehyde emission of the plywood, the influences of addition method, type, and amount of GE were systematically investigated. The performance of UF adhesives were remarkably improved by the modification of GE around 20–30% (weight percentage of total urea) in the acidic condensation stage during the resin synthesis. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci., 2013
Evolution of the wettability between carbon fiber and epoxy as a function of temperature and resin curing
Authors: Li Min , Yuan Chao , Wang Shao Kai , Gu Yi Zhuo , Potter Kevin , Zhang Zuo Guang 
Published: October 2012

AbstractThis article focuses on experimental studies on the wetting behavior between different carbon fibers (CFs) and epoxy as function of temperature, hardener addition, and progressive curing of the resin. The results indicate that surface sizing plays a key role in wettability of the CF with epoxy. There is a critical temperature for good‐wetting of DGEBA‐DDS mixture/CF. Complete wetting can be obtained for resin/CF after a period of curing time. Moreover, chemical reactions can not only improve the wettability but also strengthen interactions between the curing resin and CF. These results could provide an essential implication for understanding the formation process of interphase region of CF/epoxy composites. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci., 2013
Enhanced Performance of Quasi‐Solid‐State Dye‐Sensitized Solar Cells by Branching the Linear Substituent in Sensitizers Based on Thieno[3,4‐c]pyrrole‐4,6‐dione
Authors: Feng Quanyou , Zhang Weiyi , Zhou Gang , Wang Zhong‐Sheng 
Published: October 2012

AbstractThieno[3,4‐c]pyrrole‐4,6‐dione‐based organic sensitizers with triphenylamine (FNE38 and FNE40) or julolidine (FNE39 and FNE41) as electron‐donating unit have been designed and synthesized. A linear hexyl group or a branched alkyl chain, the 2‐ethylhexyl group, is incorporated into molecular skeleton of the dyes to minimize intermolecular interactions. The absorption, electrochemical, and photovoltaic properties for these sensitizers were then systematically investigated. It is found that the sensitizers have similar photophysical and electrochemical properties, such as absorption spectra and energy levels, owing to their close chemical structures. However, the quasi‐solid‐state dye‐sensitized solar cells (DSSCs) based on the two types of sensitizers exhibit very different performance parameters. Upon the incorporation of the short ethyl group on the hexyl moiety, enhancements in both open‐circuit voltage (Voc) and short‐circuit current (Jsc) are achieved for the quasi‐solid‐state DSSCs. The Voc gains originating from the suppression of charge recombination were quantitatively investigated and are in good agreement with the experimentally observed Voc enhancements. Therefore, an enhanced solar energy conversion efficiency (η) of 6.16 %, constituting an increase by 23 %, is achieved under standard AM 1.5 sunlight without the use of coadsorbant agents for the quasi‐solid‐state DSSC based on sensitizer FNE40, which bears the branched alkyl group, in comparison with that based on FNE38 carrying the linear alkyl group. This work presents a design concept for considering the crucial importance of the branched alkyl substituent in novel metal‐free organic sensitizers.