bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Possibilities of preparation of exotic radionuclide samples at PSI for scientific investigations
Authors: Schumann D. , Stowasser T. , Dressler R. , Ayranov M. 
Published: July 2013

Summary
The interactions of high-energy protons with matter produce a large variety of radionuclides due to the diversity of the induced nuclear reactions. Some of those isotopes are very rare, exotic, and, in many cases, difficult to produce by complementary methods. Valuable isotopes, interesting for scientific and technological applications, can be extracted from samples stemming from the surroundings or components of a proton accelerator, in particular if the load of the initial particle current is relatively high (esp. in the Megawatt range). Since PSI operates one of the most powerful high-energy proton accelerators world-wide, this facility is best-suited for an R&D program aimed at “harvesting” such isotopes. An initiative called ERAWAST (Exotic Radionuclides from Accelerator Waste for Science and Technology) was started in 2006 in order to identify and motivate potential users. After six years, first achievements as well as realistic future plans for front-end experiments are available. The present contribution describes radiochemical separation techniques for selected examples, summarizes the most prominent results and gives an outlook on the upcoming experiments within the scope of the ERAWAST program.
Synthesis and Characterization of Yttrium Titanate and Er doped Yttrium Titanate Nanofibers
Authors: Mondal Kanchan , Hartman Kaleb , Trifon George , Dasgupta Debalina , Bolin Matthew , Dasari Mallika , Tsai Chung Ying 
Published: July 2013

ABSTRACTYttrium titanate belongs to a family of compounds called pyrochlores with significant properties such as ionic conduction, optical non-linearity and radiation tolerance that have resulted in applications thermal barrier coatings, high-permittivity dielectrics, and materials for safe disposal of actinide-containing nuclear waste, and hydrogen storage material. The application of these materials in ODS ferritic steels, photocatalytic water splitting and a more efficient host material than TiO2 for Er3+ luminescence have been evaluated. ErxY2-xTi2O7 has tremendous applications in fiber amplifiers, integrated optical devices and selective emitters for thermophotovoltaic applications. Since 1-D nanostructures are deemed to be important building blocks for future optical and optoelectronic nanodevices, we have used electrospinning methods to synthesize nanofibers and freestanding, non-woven nanofibers membranes of single phase yttrium titanate and ErxY2-xTi2O7 (Er/(Ti+Er) at. ratio= 0 -15 %) with diameters less than 150 nm and have characterized the physical, thermal and optical properties of these nanofibers.
Preparation and Characterization of Photopatternable
BaTiO3 /Polymer Composites
Authors: Popielarz Roman , Chiang C.K. , Nozaki Ryusuke , Obrzut Jan 
Published: July 2013

ABSTRACTThe dielectric properties of acrylic resin composites filled with
BaTiO3, have been evaluated over a broad frequency range.
These materials were used as models to study the dielectric response in
polymer composite films for de-coupling capacitance applications. A series
of photocurable resin formulations were prepared and photocured into films
of approximately 100 μm to 120 μm thick. Dielectric permittivity of the
materials was investigated at frequencies from 100 Hz to 10 GHz and
temperatures from –140 °C to +150 °C. The dielectric constant of the
composites reached 35 at 1 GHz. A high frequency dielectric relaxation
process was identified and related to the molecular structure of the polymer
matrix.
Fabrication of silicon nanowire network in aluminum thin films
Authors: Liu Vincent H. , Abu-Safe Husam H. , Naseem Hameed A. , Brown William D. 
Published: July 2013

AbstractThe formation of isolated silicon nanowires and silicon nanowire networks using aluminum thin film is investigated. The formation mechanism of the network mainly depends on the diffusion of silicon in the aluminum thin film. The silicon stops at the film grain boundaries. The continuous accumulations of silicon at these boundaries give raise to a continuous network of silicon nanowires. Characterization of the nanowires has been done using scanning electron microscopy and energy dispersive x-ray spectroscopy. These results are unique in the fact that the nanowires found are grown in a horizontal fashion instead of the more common vertical direction. Most of the nanowires have a diameter of about 60 nm and a length of over 10 μm.
Influence of Objective Three-Dimensional Measures and Movement Images on Surgeon Treatment Planning for Lip Revision Surgery
Authors: Trotman Carroll-Ann , Phillips Ceib , Faraway Julian J. , Hartman Terry , Van Aalst John A. 
Published: July 2013

Objective To determine whether a systematic evaluation of facial soft tissues of patients with cleft lip and palate, using facial video images and objective three-dimensional measurements of movement, change surgeons' treatment plans for lip revision surgery. Design Prospective longitudinal study. Setting The University of North Carolina School of Dentistry. Patients, Participants A group of patients with repaired cleft lip and palate (n =21), a noncleft control group (n = 37), and surgeons experienced in cleft care. Interventions Lip revision. Main Outcome Measures (1) facial photographic images; (2) facial video images during animations; (3) objective three-dimensional measurements of upper lip movement based on z scores; and (4) objective dynamic and visual three-dimensional measurement of facial soft tissue movement. Results With the use of the video images plus objective three-dimensional measures, the operating surgeon changed the problem list of the surgical treatment plan for 86% of the patients (95% confidence interval, 0.64 to 0.97) and the surgical goals for 71% of the patients (95% confidence interval, 0.48 to 0.89). The surgeon group varied in the percentage of patients for whom the problem list was modified, ranging from 24% (95% confidence interval, 8% to 47%) to 48% (95% confidence interval, 26% to 70%) of patients, and the percentage for whom the surgical goals were modified, ranging from 14% (94% confidence interval, 3% to 36%) to 48% (95% confidence interval, 26% to 70%) of patients. Conclusions For all surgeons, the additional assessment components of the systematic valuation resulted in a change in clinical decision making for some patients.
Dyeing of multiple types of fabrics with a single reactive azo disperse dye
Authors: Zhang Wei , Wu Cheng 
Published: July 2013

AbstractThree novel reactive azo disperse dyes were prepared using 7-acetamide-4-hydroxy-2-naphthalene sodium sulphate as the precursor. The structure of the dyes has the combined characteristics of reactive, disperse, and cationic dyes. Under alkaline conditions (pH 9), the dyes can be applied to cotton, silk, wool, and nylon. Under neutral conditions, they can be used to dye polyester. Under acidic conditions (pH 4.5), they can colour acrylic fabric after conversion of the tertiary amine group to the quaternary ammonium cation. The colour-fastness of the dyed fabrics were also evaluated.
Anoxic granulated biomass and its storage
Authors: Drtil Miloslav , Babjakova Lenka , Imreova Zuzana , Jonatova Ivana 
Published: July 2013

AbstractLaboratory experiments involving shutdown and repeated start-up of a denitrification USB reactor with granulated anoxic biomass were conducted in order to find suitable conditions for a safe storage period of the biomass. Anoxic granulated biomass stored under anaerobic conditions for a half year period at 6°C and for a half month period at 18–20°C retained its activity and granular morphology. Storage of anoxic granules under anaerobic conditions for a half year period at 18–20°C led to the loss of the biomass original activity and a significant portion of the granules disintegrated. Anoxic granulated biomass stored for a one and a half month period under endogenous anoxic conditions at 18–20°C retained its activity and granular morphology. A two month storage under endogenous anoxic conditions at 18–20°C was too long and the shutdown of the reactor had to be followed by repeated anoxic granulation. Minimum loading of the USB reactor with N-NO3 to maintain endogenous anoxic conditions in the sludge bed was in the range of 0.06–0.1 kg of N-NO3 per m3 per day. Restart of the USB reactor can be accelerated by an addition of anaerobic granulated biomass.
Modeling of supercritical fluid extraction of flavonoids from Calycopteris floribunda leaves
Authors: Liu Xiong , Yang Dong-Liang , Liu Jia-Jia , Xu Kuan , Wu Guo-Hui 
Published: July 2013

AbstractThe aim of this study was to obtain flavonoids extracts from Calycopteris floribunda leaves using supercritical fluid extraction (SFE) with CO2 and a co-solvent. Pachypodol, a potential anticancer drug lead compound separated from the extracts, was examined. Classical organic solvent extraction (CE) with ethanol was performed to evaluate the high pressure method. HPLC analysis was introduced to interpret the differences between SFE and CE extracts in terms of antioxidant activity and the concentration of pachypodol. SFE kinetics and mathematical modeling of the overall extraction curves (OEC) were investigated. Evaluation of the models against experimental data showed that the Sovová model performs the best. The supercritical fluid extraction process was optimized using a central composite design (CCD), where temperature and pressure were adjusted. The optimal conditions of SFE were: pressure of 30 MPa and temperature of 35°C.
Survey of recreational use of The Las Kabacki
forest nature reserve in Warsaw (Poland)
Authors: Malinowska Ewa , Szumacher Iwona 
Published: July 2013

Abstract
This paper discusses recreational use of protected land with the example of Las Kabacki, a forest located in the southern part of Warsaw, in the vicinity of the district of Ursynów. The area has been excluded from traditional forest cultivation since 1938. From 1980 onwards it has enjoyed the status of a reserve due to its natural resources and scenic attributes. Highly developed and densely populated residential areas (Natolin-Wyżyny and Kabaty) lie adjacent to the northern border of the forest. For their inhabitants, Las Kabacki is a key recreational area. This results in a functional and spatial conflict of interests between nature protection objectives on the one hand and the recreational needs of inhabitants on the other hand. To find the answer to the question of how to match the interests of a natural reserve with leisure requirements, users of Las Kabacki were asked for their opinions regarding the following issues: the natural values of the reserve and their perception, forms of preferred recreational behaviour in the reserve, awareness of threats to the natural environment in the reserve arising from anthropogenic pressure, readiness to resign from preferred forms of leisure in favour of protecting nature, and possibilities for eliminating the conflict of interests between the recreational use of the reserve and protection of its natural values. Also, two SWOT analyses were carried out aimed at determining a nature conservation strategy in the reserve as well as its leisure use.
High‐throughput microsatellite marker development for the distylous herb Primula mistassinica (Primulaceae)
Authors: Matheny Hannah , Edwards Joan , Maroja Luana S. 
Published: July 2013

• Premise of the study: Twelve microsatellite markers were developed for Primula mistassinica, a distylous, diploid arctic‐alpine plant. The markers will be used to investigate the landscape genetics of a disjunct population on Isle Royale, Michigan, and the phylogeographic patterns of the species.• Methods and Results: We used Roche/454 high‐throughput technology to sequence microsatellite‐enriched regions in the P. mistassinica genome. We developed 12 polymorphic microsatellite primer sets. These loci contained di‐, tri‐, and tetranucleotide repeats with two to nine alleles per locus when assessed in 23 individuals.• Conclusions: Understanding the historical movements of P. mistassinica will provide insight to the survival prospects of current Arctic plant populations, which face the pressures of global, anthropogenic climate change.
Development of microsatellites for Verbenoxylum reitzii (Verbenaceae), a tree endemic to the Brazilian Atlantic Forest
Authors: Thode Verônica A. , Backes Alice , Mader Geraldo , Kriedt Raquel , Bonatto Sandro L. , Freitas Loreta B. 
Published: July 2013

• Premise of the study: Microsatellite markers were developed for Verbenoxylum reitzii (Verbenaceae), a tree endemic to the Brazilian Atlantic Forest, to investigate their usefulness in population genetic studies. The loci were tested for cross‐amplification in the related genera Recordia and Duranta.• Methods and Results: Eleven polymorphic microsatellite markers were isolated from an enriched library of V. reitzii and characterized. The primers were tested on 60 individuals from three populations of this species. The number of alleles per locus ranged from two to 11, and the observed and expected heterozygosities varied from 0.0 to 1.0 and from 0.088 to 0.758, respectively. Ten loci successfully amplified in R. boliviana and all failed in D. vestita.• Conclusions: Our results suggest the usefulness of the microsatellite loci developed here to access genetic variability for phylogeographic and population genetic studies in V. reitzii, which are important for the conservation of this rare species.
Disaster risk assessment at Roburnia Plantation, Mpumalanga, South Africa
Authors: Makhado Rudzani A. , Saidi Amani T. 
Published: July 2013

This study reports about disaster risk assessment undertaken at Roburnia Plantation, Mpumalanga Province, South Africa. Both quantitative and qualitative approaches were followed to collect data. A total of eight experienced foresters and fire fighters were purposively sampled for interview at Roburnia Plantation. A questionnaire survey was also used to collect the data. Risk levels were quantified using the risks equations of Wisner et al. (2004) and the United Nations International Strategy for Disaster Reduction (UNISDR 2002). Data were analysed using descriptive and inferential statistics. Analysis of variance (ANOVA, single factor) was also applied. This study found that Roburnia Plantation is highly exposed to fire risks. The mean (± s.d.) output from the Wisner risk equation shows that fire is the highest risk at 7.7 ± 0.3, followed by harsh weather conditions at 5.6 ± 0.4 and least by tree diseases, pests and pathogens at 2.3 ± 0.2. Similarly, the mean (± s.d.) output from the UNISDR risk equation also shows that fire is the highest risk at 2.9 ± 0.2, followed by harsh weather conditions at 2.2 ± 0.3 and least by tree diseases, pests and pathogens at 1.3 ± 0.2. There was no significant deference in the risk analysis outputs (p = 0.13). This study also found that the number of fire incidents were low during summer, but increased during winter and spring. This variation is mainly due to a converse relationship with rainfall, because the availability of rain moistens the area as well as the fuel. When the area and fuel is moist, fire incidents are reduced, but they increase with a decrease in fuel moisture.
A Choice‐Based Screening Method for Compulsive Drug Users in Rats
Authors: Lenoir Magalie , Augier Eric , Vouillac Caroline , Ahmed Serge H. 
Published: July 2013

AbstractWe describe a protocol for screening compulsive drug users among cocaine self‐administering rats, the most frequently used animal model in addiction research. Rats are first trained on several alternating days to self‐administer either cocaine (i.v.) or saccharin‐sweetened water (by mouth)—a potent, albeit nonessential, nondrug reward. Then rats are allowed to choose between the two rewards over several days until the preference stabilizes. Most rats choose to stop using cocaine and pursue the alternative reward. Only a minority of Wistar strain rats (generally 15%) persist in taking the drug, regardless of the severity of past cocaine use and even when made hungry and offered the possibility to relieve their physiological need. Persistence of cocaine use in the face of a high‐stakes choice is a core defining feature of compulsion. This choice‐based screening method for compulsive drug users is easy to implement, has several important applications, and compares well with other methods in the field. Curr. Protoc. Neurosci. 64:9.44.1‐9.44.17. © 2013 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Animal Models of Post‐Traumatic Stress Disorder
Authors: Cohen Hagit , Matar Michael A. , Joseph Zohar 
Published: July 2013

AbstractAnimal behavioral studies have commonly regarded the entire group of animals subjected to the study conditions as homogeneous, disregarding individual differences in response patterns. The following discussion will focus on a method of analyzing data that aims to model clinical diagnostic criteria applied to individual patterns of response using data from behavioral measures, and employing cut‐off scores to distinguish between extremes of response versus non‐response and the sizeable proportion of study subjects in‐between them. This protocol unit will present the concept of the model and its background, provide detailed protocols for each of its components, and present a selection of studies employing and examining the model, alongside the underlying translational rationale of each.Curr. Protoc. Neurosci. 64:9.45.1‐9.45.18. © 2013 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
State estimation of discrete‐time systems with arbitrarily correlated noises
Authors: Liu Wei 
Published: July 2013

SUMMARYIn this paper, the state estimation problem for discrete‐time systems is considered where the noises affecting such systems do not require any constraint condition for the correlation and distribution, that is, the noises can be arbitrarily correlated and arbitrarily distributed random vector. For this, two filtering algorithms based on the criterion of linear minimum mean‐square error are proposed. The first algorithm is an optimal algorithm that can exactly compute the linear minimum mean‐square error estimate of system states. The second algorithm is a suboptimal algorithm that is proposed to reduce the computation and storage load of the proposed optimal algorithm. Computer simulations are carried out to evaluate the performance of the proposed algorithms. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Nanoscale Topography and Chemistry Affect Embryonic Stem Cell Self‐Renewal and Early Differentiation
Authors: LaPointe Vanessa L. S. , Fernandes Ana Tiago , Bell Nia C. , Stellacci Francesco , Stevens Molly M. 
Published: July 2013

AbstractAdherent cells respond to a wide range of substrate cues, including chemistry, topography, hydrophobicity, and surface energy. The cell‐substrate interface is therefore an important design parameter in regenerative medicine and tissue engineering applications, where substrate cues are used to influence cell behavior. Thin films comprising 4.5 nm (average diameter) gold nanoparticles coated with a mixture of two alkanethiols can confer hemispherical topography and specific chemistry to bulk substrates. The behavior of murine embryonic stem cells (ESCs) on the thin films can then be compared with their behavior on self‐assembled monolayers of the same alkanethiols on vapor‐deposited gold, which lack the topographical features. Cells cultured both with and without differentiation inhibitors are characterized by immunofluorescence for Oct4 and qPCR for Fgf5, Foxa2, Nanog, Pou5f1, and Sox2. Nanoscale chemistry and topography are found to influence stem cell differentiation, particularly the early differentiation markers, Fgf5 and Foxa2. Nanoscale topography also affects Oct4 localization, whereas the chemical composition of the substrate does not have an effect. It is demonstrated for the first time that ESCs can sense topographical features established by 4.5 nm particles, and these findings suggest that nanoscale chemistry and topography can act synergistically to influence stem cell differentiation. This study furthers the understanding of the effects of these substrate properties, improving our ability to design materials to control stem cell fate.
Silver Nanoparticles Impregnated Alginate–Chitosan‐Blended Nanocarrier Induces Apoptosis in Human Glioblastoma Cells
Authors: Sharma Shilpa , Chockalingam S. , Sanpui Pallab , Chattopadhyay Arun , Ghosh Siddhartha Sankar 
Published: July 2013

AbstractHerein, a green method for the development of a novel biodegradable silver nanoparticles (NPs) impregnated alginate–chitosan‐blended nanocarrier (Ag NPs–Alg–Chi NC) is reported. The synthesis of Ag NPs–Alg–Chi NC is based on the polyelectrolyte complex formation between alginate and chitosan. The composite NC is characterized by ultraviolet–visible spectroscopy, transmission electron microscopy, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, and X‐ray diffraction. The Ag NPs in the NC are found to elicit anticell proliferative effect on refractory U87MG (human glioblastoma) cells at IC50 of 2.4 μg mL−1 for Ag NPs. The cell cycle analysis shows extensive DNA damage. Elevation in reactive oxygen species level indicates induction of oxidative stress in treated cells. Mitochondrial dysfunction in cell death is evident from the depolarization of mitochondrial membrane potential (ΔΨm). Fluorescence and SEM images of the treated cells reveal nuclear and morphological changes characteristic of apoptosis, which is further confirmed by TUNEL assay. The induction of apoptosis at low concentration of Ag NPs present in Ag NPs–Alg–Chi NC in comparison with free Ag NPs makes it a promising tool for cancer therapy.
Doxorubicin Conjugate of Poly(Ethylene Glycol)‐Block‐Polyphosphoester for Cancer Therapy
Authors: Sun Chun‐Yang , Dou Shuang , Du Jin‐Zhi , Yang Xian‐Zhu , Li Ya‐Ping , Wang Jun 
Published: July 2013

AbstractPolyphosphoesters with repeating phosphoester linkages in the backbone can be easily functionalized, are biodegradable and potentially biocompatible, and may be potential candidates as polymer carriers of drug conjugates. Here, the efficacy of a polyphosphoester drug conjugate as an anticancer agent in vivo is assessed for the first time. With controlled synthesis, doxorubicin conjugated to poly(ethylene glycol)‐block‐polyphosphoester (PPEH–DOX) via labile hydrazone bonds form spherical nanoparticles in aqueous solution with an average diameter of ≈60 nm. These nanoparticles are effectively internalized by MDA‐MB‐231 breast cancer cells and release the conjugated doxorubicin in response to the intracellular pH of endosomes and lysosomes, resulting in significant antiproliferative activity in cancer cells. Compared with free doxorubicin injection, PPEH–DOX injection exhibits much longer circulation behavior in the plasma of mice and leads to enhanced drug accumulation in tumor cells. In an MDA‐MB‐231 xenograft murine model, inhibition of tumor growth with systemic delivery of PPEH–DOX nanoparticles is more pronounced compared with free doxorubicin injection, suggesting the potential of polyphosphoesters as carriers of drug conjugates in cancer therapy.