bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Orientation control in nanoparticle filled block copolymer cold zone annealed films
Authors: Samant Saumil , Hailu Shimelis T. , Al‐Enizi Abdullah M. , Karim Alamgir , Raghavan Dharmaraj 
Published: March 2015

ABSTRACTNanoparticles provide an attractive route to modifying polymer thin film properties, yet controlling the dispersion and morphology of functionalized nanoparticle filled films is often difficult. Block copolymers can provide an ideal template for directed assembly of nanoparticles under controlled nanoparticle‐polymer interactions. Previously we observed that neat films of cylinder forming poly(styrene‐b‐methyl methacrylate) PS‐b‐PMMA block copolymer (c‐BCP) orient vertically with dynamic sharp thermal cold zone annealing (CZA‐S) over wide range of CZA‐S speed (0.1–10) μm/s. Here, we introduce a low concentration (1–5 wt %) of nanoparticles of phenolic group functionalized CdS (fCdS‐NP), to PMMA cylinder forming polystyrene‐b‐poly (methyl methacrylate) block copolymer (c‐BCP) films. Addition of the fCdS‐NP induces a vertical to horizontal orientation transition at low CZA‐S speed, V = 5 μm/s. The orientation flip studies were analyzed using AFM and GISAXS. These results confirm generality of our previously observed orientation transition in c‐BCP under low speed CZA‐S with other nanoparticles (gold [Au‐NP], fulleropyrrolidine [NCPF‐NP]) in the same concentration range, but reveal new aspects not previously examined: (1) A novel observation of significant vertical order recovery from 5–10% vertical cylindrical fraction at V = 5 μm/s to 46–63% vertical cylindrical fraction occurring at high CZA‐S speed, V = 10 μm/s for the fCdS nanoparticle filled films. (2) We rule out the possibility that a nanoparticle wetting layer on the substrate is responsible for the vertical to horizontal flipping transition. (3) We demonstrate that the orientation flipping results can be achieved in a nanoparticle block copolymer system where the nanoparticles are apparently better‐dispersed within only one (matrix PS) domain unlike our previous nanoparticle system studied. We consider facile processing conditions to fabricate functionalized nanoparticles filled PS‐PMMA block copolymer films with controlled anisotropy, a useful strategy in the design of next generation electronic and photonic materials. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part B: Polym. Phys. 2015, 53, 604–614
Comparative evaluation of root canal preparations of maxillary first molars with self‐adjusting file, reciproc single file, and revo‐s rotary file: A micro‐computed tomography study
Authors: Ahmetoglu Fuat , Keles Ali , Simsek Neslihan , Ocak M.Sinan , Yologlu Saim 
Published: March 2015

SummaryThis study was aimed to use micro‐computed tomography (μ‐CT) to evaluate the canal shaping properties of three nickel‐titanium instruments, Self‐Adjusting File (SAF), Reciproc, and Revo‐S rotary file, in maxillary first molars. Thirty maxillary molars were scanned preoperatively by using micro‐computed tomography (μ‐CT) scans at 13,68 μm resolution. The teeth were randomly assigned to three groups (n = 10). The root canals were shaped with SAF, Reciproc, and Revo‐S, respectively. The shaped root canals were rescanned. Changes in canal volumes and surface areas were compared with preoperative values. The data were analyzed using Kruskal‐Wallis and Conover's post hoc tests, with p < .05 denoting a statistically significant difference. Preoperatively canal volumes and surface area were statistically similar among the three groups (p > .05). There were statistically significant differences in all measures comparing preoperative and postoperative canal models (p = 0.0001). These differences occurred after instrumentation among the three experimental groups showed no statistically significant difference for volume (p > .05). Surface area showed the similar activity in buccal canals in each of the three techniques whereas no statistically significant difference was detected among surface area, the SAF, and the Revo‐S in the palatal (P) canal. Each of three shaping system showed the similar volume activity in all canals, but SAF and Revo‐S provided more effectively root planning in comparison with Reciproc in P canal. SCANNING 37:218–225, 2015. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Signal transduction in inherited metabolic disorders: a model for a possible pathogenetic mechanism
Authors: Boneh Avihu 
Published: March 2015

AbstractSignal transduction is the process by which external or internal signals exert their intracellular biological effects and by which intracellular communication is regulated. An important component of the signalling pathway is the second messenger, which is produced upon stimulation of the cell and mediates its effects downstream through phosphorylation and dephosphorylation of target proteins. Intracellular accumulation or deficiency of metabolites that serve as second messengers, due to inborn errors of their metabolism, may lead to perturbation of signalling pathways and disruption of the balance between them, serving as a missing link between the genotype, biochemical phenotype and clinical phenotype. The main second messengers that are putatively associated with the pathogenesis of IEM are ‘bioactive lipids’ (complex lipids and long‐chain fatty acids), ‘calcium’, ‘stress’ (osmotic, reactive oxygen/nitorgen species, misfolded proteins and others) and ‘metabolic’ (AMP/ATP ratio, leucine, glutamine). They act through protein kinase C, calcium dependent kinases (CamK) and phosphatase (CN), ‘stress‐mediated’ kinases (MAPK) and AMP/ATP‐dependent kinase (AMPK). These signalling pathways lead to cell proliferation, inflammatory response, autophagy (and mitophagy) and apoptosis, suggesting that there are only few final common pathways involved in this pathogenetic mechanism. Questions remain regarding the complexity of the effects of the accumulating metabolites on different signalling pathways, and regarding the relative role and origin of ‘proxy’ second messengers such as reactive oxygen species. A better understanding of the signalling pathways in IEM may enhance the development of novel therapies in situations where normalising intracellular concentrations of the second messenger is impossible or impractical.
The Perennial Problem of Variability In Adenosine Triphosphate (ATP) Tests for Hygiene Monitoring Within Healthcare Settings
Authors: Whiteley Greg S. , Derry Chris , Glasbey Trevor , Fahey Paul 
Published: March 2015

OBJECTIVETo investigate the reliability of commercial ATP bioluminometers and to document precision and variability measurements using known and quantitated standard materials.METHODSFour commercially branded ATP bioluminometers and their consumables were subjected to a series of controlled studies with quantitated materials in multiple repetitions of dilution series. The individual dilutions were applied directly to ATP swabs. To assess precision and reproducibility, each dilution step was tested in triplicate or quadruplicate and the RLU reading from each test point was recorded. Results across the multiple dilution series were normalized using the coefficient of variation.RESULTSThe results for pure ATP and bacterial ATP from suspensions ofStaphylococcus epidermidisandPseudomonas aeruginosaare presented graphically. The data indicate that precision and reproducibility are poor across all brands tested. Standard deviation was as high as 50% of the mean for all brands, and in the field users are not provided any indication of this level of imprecision.CONCLUSIONSThe variability of commercial ATP bioluminometers and their consumables is unacceptably high with the current technical configuration. The advantage of speed of response is undermined by instrument imprecision expressed in the numerical scale of relative light units (RLU).Infect Control Hosp Epidemiol2015;00(0):1–6
Mixed convection in a periodically heated channel
Authors: Hossain M. Z. , Floryan J. M. 
Published: March 2015

Mixed convection in a channel with flow driven by a pressure gradient and subject to spatially periodic heating along one of the walls has been studied. The pattern of the heating is characterized by the wavenumber${\it\alpha}$and its intensity is expressed in terms of the Rayleigh number$\mathit{Ra}_{p}$. The primary convection has the form of counter-rotating rolls with the wavevector parallel to the wavevector of the heating. The resulting net heat flow between the walls increases proportionally to$\mathit{Ra}_{p}$but the growth saturates when$\mathit{Ra}_{p}=O(10^{3})$. The most effective heating pattern corresponds to${\it\alpha}\approx 1$, as this leads to the most intense transverse motion. The primary convection is subject to transition to secondary states with the onset conditions depending on${\it\alpha}$. The conditions leading to transition between different forms of secondary motion have been determined using the linear stability theory. Three patterns of secondary motion may occur at small Reynolds numbers$\mathit{Re}$, i.e. longitudinal rolls, transverse rolls and oblique rolls, with the critical conditions varying significantly as a function of${\it\alpha}$. An increase of${\it\alpha}$leads to the elimination of the longitudinal rolls and, eventually, to the elimination of the oblique rolls, with the transverse rolls assuming the dominant role. For large${\it\alpha}$, the transition is driven by the Rayleigh–Bénard mechanism; while for${\it\alpha}=O(1)$, the spatial parametric resonance dominates. The global flow characteristics are identical regardless of whether the heating is applied at the lower or the upper wall.
Contingencies between verbs, body parts, and argument structures in maternal and child speech: a corpus study
Authors: MAOUENE JOSITA C. , SETHURAMAN NITYA , MAOUENE MOUNIR M. , OTIENO SANGO 
Published: March 2015

abstractPrior work on argument structure development has shown connections between abstract verb meaning and argument structure; neuroimaging and behavioral studies have shown connections between verb meaning and body effectors. Here we examine the contingencies between verbs, their most likely body region pairing, and argument structure. We ask whether the verbs used in six common syntactic frames are specifically linked to one of three main regions of the body:head, arm, leg.The speech of 20-month-olds (N= 67), 28-month-olds (N= 27), and their mothers (N= 54) (CHILDES: MacWhinney, 2000) was examined for the use of early-learned verbs (MCDI: Fenson, Dale, Reznick, Bates, Thal, & Pethick, 1994). In total, 89 verb types in 3321 utterances were coded for their associations with thehead, arm, andlegbody regions (associations taken from Maouene, Hidaka, & Smith, 2008). Significant non-random relations are found both overall and for each age group in analyses using multiple chi-square tests of independence and goodness-of-fit. These results are discussed in terms of their relevance for both argument structure development and embodied cognition, as evidence supporting a developmental path that has not been previously examined, in which the infant can use early and concrete perception-action information to learn later abstract syntactic achievements.
Evaluation of different lactation curve models fitted for milk viscosity recorded by an automated on-line California Mastitis Test
Authors: Neitzel Anne-Christin , Stamer Eckhard , Junge Wolfgang , Thaller Georg 
Published: March 2015

Laboratory somatic cell count (LSCC) records are usually recorded monthly and provide an important information source for breeding and herd management. Daily milk viscosity detection in composite milking (expressed as drain time) with an automated on-line California Mastitis Test (CMT) could serve immediately as an early predictor of udder diseases and might be used as a selection criterion to improve udder health. The aim of the present study was to clarify the relationship between the well-established LSCS and the new trait,‘drain time’, and to estimate their correlations to important production traits. Data were recorded on the dairy research farm Karkendamm in Germany. Viscosity sensors were installed on every fourth milking stall in the rotary parlour to measure daily drain time records. Weekly LSCC and milk composition data were available. Two data sets were created containing records of 187 692 milkings from 320 cows (D1) and 25 887 drain time records from 311 cows (D2). Different fixed effect models, describing the log-transformed drain time (logDT), were fitted to achieve applicable models for further analysis. Lactation curves were modelled with standard parametric functions (Ali and Schaeffer, Legendre polynomials of second and third degree) of days in milk (DIM). Random regression models were further applied to estimate the correlations between cow effects between logDT and LSCS with further important production traits. LogDT and LSCS were strongest correlated in mid-lactation (r = 0·78). Correlations between logDT and production traits were low to medium. Highest correlations were reached in late lactation between logDT and milk yield (r = −0·31), between logDT and protein content (r = 0·30) and in early as well as in late lactation between logDT and lactose content (r = −0·28). The results of the present study show that the drain time could be used as a new trait for daily mastitis control.
Clinical significance of granulation tissue after transoral laser microsurgery for glottic cancer
Authors: Rioja E , Blanch J-L , Borés A , Bernal-Sprekelsen M , Vilaseca I 
Published: March 2015

AbstractBackground:Granulation tissue after transoral laser microsurgery can make it difficult to distinguish between normal healing and tumour recurrence.Materials and methods:We carried out a retrospective analysis of 316 consecutive glottic carcinomas (Tis–T3). Presence of granulation tissue at one and six months was correlated with demographic and clinical data, tumour and surgical characteristics, and tumour relapse.Results:Granulation tissue appeared in 53.8 per cent of patients at month 1, resolving spontaneously in 41.8 per cent. Revision surgery was performed in 60.1 per cent and was effective in 41.1 per cent. At month 6, 14.9 per cent of patients presented with granulation tissue. In 74.5 per cent the tissue was surgically removed and was positive for malignancy in 62.9 per cent. Tumour relapse presented in 29.4 per cent with granulation tissue at month 1 and in 61.7 per cent at month 6 (p= 0.000). Granulation tissue at month 1 correlated with thyroid cartilage exposure and continued smoking. At month 6, granulation tissue correlated with thyroid cartilage exposure, the affected surgical margins and diabetes.Conclusion:Granulation tissue after transoral laser microsurgery is frequent. When it persists at six months, revision surgery is formally recommended.
Malaria and immunity during pregnancy and postpartum: a tale of two species
Authors: McLEAN A. R. D. , ATAIDE R. , SIMPSON J. A. , BEESON J. G. , FOWKES F. J. I. 
Published: March 2015

SUMMARYIt is well established that pregnant women are at an increased risk ofPlasmodium falciparuminfection when compared to non-pregnant individuals and limited epidemiological data suggestPlasmodium vivaxrisk also increases with pregnancy. The risk ofP. falciparumdeclines with successive pregnancies due to the acquisition of immunity to pregnancy-specificP. falciparumvariants. However, despite similar declines inP. vivaxrisk with successive pregnancies, there is a paucity of evidenceP. vivax-specific immunity. Cross-species immunity, as well as immunological and physiological changes that occur during pregnancy may influence the susceptibility to bothP. vivaxandP. falciparum. The period following delivery, the postpartum period, is relatively understudied and available epidemiological data suggests that it may also be a period of increased risk of infection toPlasmodiumspp. Here we review the literature and directly compare and contrast the epidemiology, clinical pathogenesis and immunological features ofP. vivaxandP. falciparumin pregnancy, with a particular focus on studies performed in areas co-endemic for both species. Furthermore, we review the intriguing epidemiology literature of bothP. falciparumandP. vivaxpostpartum and relate observations to the growing literature pertaining to malaria immunology in the postpartum period.
Pick and place trajectory planning of planar 3-RRR parallel manipulator in the presence of joint clearance
Authors: Farajtabar M. , Daniali H. M. , Varedi S. M. 
Published: March 2015

SUMMARYIn this paper, the pick and place trajectory planning of a planar 3-RRR parallel manipulator is studied in the presence of joint clearance, which is one of the main sources of error in the positioning accuracy. Joint clearance can be modeled as a massless virtual link, with its direction determined from dynamic analysis. A 3–4–5 interpolating polynomial is used to plan the trajectories for the manipulator in the vertical and horizontal planes, in the presence of clearances. We compare the trajectories with those in the ideal cases, i.e., without clearances at the joints, and demonstrate that one can easily compensate for the errors in the trajectories by appropriate changes of the inputs. A similar method works for the compensation of the errors due to clearances at the joints, in trajectory planning of any parallel manipulator with any running speeds and payloads.
Women and Self-employment in Post-socialist Rural China: Side Job, Individual Career or Family Venture
Authors: Song Jing 
Published: March 2015

AbstractThe rise of private sector business in urban China has led to more women engaging in low-end self-employment. This study, however, reveals a more complicated story in the countryside. Drawing on in-depth interviews conducted in a Chinese village, this study finds that the women took the lead in developing sideline self-employment and were then attracted to rural wage employment in the 1980s. With the privatization of rural industries and the rise of capital-intensive self-employment in the 1990s, some women were forced into low-end self-employment, but others were attracted to high-end self-employment, forging individual careers and family ventures. In more recent times, younger women have been more inclined to work on-and-off, balancing self-employment pursuits with the desire to be a good mother. This pattern marks a shift from the continuous multitasking practised by the older generation.
Iodine deficiency during pregnancy: a national cross-sectional survey in Latvia
Authors: Konrade Ilze , Kalere Ieva , Strele Ieva , Makrecka-Kuka Marina , Jekabsone Anna , Tetere Elina , Veisa Vija , Gavars Didzis , Rezeberga Dace , Pīrāgs Valdis , Lejnieks Aivars , Dambrova Maija 
Published: March 2015

AbstractObjectiveLow iodine intake during pregnancy may cause thyroid dysfunction, which results in inadequate fetal brain development. In the absence of a universal salt iodization programme, we conducted a nationwide survey of iodine deficiency in pregnant women in Latvia.DesignA countrywide twenty-cluster survey, with at least twenty women per cluster. Participants completed a questionnaire on dietary habits concerning iodine intake (n 739). Thyroid function (thyroid-stimulating hormone, free thyroxine and thyroperoxidase antibodies) was measured (n 550). Urinary iodine was measured using the ammonium persulfate method (n 696).SettingThe survey was performed in all regions of Latvia during the spring and autumn seasons in 2013.SubjectsPregnant women (n 829).ResultsThe median creatinine (Cr)-standardized urinary iodine concentration (UIC) was 80·8 (interquartile range (IQR) 46·1–130·6) µg/g Cr or 69·4 (IQR 53·9–92·6) µg/l during pregnancy, and 81 % of pregnant women had UIC levels below the WHO recommended range of 150–250 µg/g Cr. The UIC was lowest during the first trimester of pregnancy, 56·0 (IQR 36·4–100·6) µg/g Cr, reaching higher concentrations of 87·5 (IQR 46·4–141·7) µg/g Cr and 86·9 (IQR 53·8–140·6) µg/g Cr in the second and third trimesters, respectively. Women taking supplements containing ≥150 µg iodine (6·8 % of respondents) had non-significantly higher UIC than did women without supplementation (96·2 v. 80·3 µg/g Cr, respectively, P=NS). Thyroperoxidase antibody concentration did not correlate significantly with UIC: Spearman’s ρ=−0·012, P=0·78.ConclusionsThe median UIC indicates iodine deficiency in pregnant women in Latvia. Iodine supplementation (150 µg daily) and regular UIC monitoring should be suggested to overcome iodine deficiency and to reach the recommended levels without inducing autoimmune processes.
Embedding electronic decision-support tools for suspected cancer in primary care: a qualitative study of GPs’ experiences
Authors: Dikomitis Lisa , Green Trish , Macleod Una 
Published: March 2015

AimThe purpose of this evaluation was to obtain views from general practitioners (GPs) who piloted the electronic risk assessment tools (eRATs) for suspected lung or colorectal cancer. We wanted to find out whether GPs were able to integrate these tools into their everyday practice. We were also keen to identify facilitators and barriers to their more widespread use.BackgroundCancer remains one of UK’s biggest health problems, in terms of morbidity and mortality. Comparative European data show that five-year survival figures for many cancers are lower in the United Kingdom than in comparable European countries. eRATs are intended to aid recognition of symptoms of lung and colorectal cancers in patients aged 40 years and over.MethodsThis was a qualitative study; telephone interviews were conducted with 23 GPs who piloted the eRATs. A systematic qualitative analysis was applied to the data. The normalisation process model was used after data collection. This theory-driven conceptual framework was used to examine the operationalisation of this intervention in Primary Care.FindingsElectronic decision-support tools appear to be useful additions to the resources available to GPs in order to assist them with recognizing potential cancer symptoms. However, the tools need to be refined in order to integrate them into GP practice. The tools raised GPs’ awareness about cancer because of the prompt facility of the software, although this also raised the potential of ‘prompt fatigue’. GPs constantly receive alerts via their clinical system, particularly related to the Quality and Outcomes Framework. The integration of eRATs into routine practice could be engendered by improvement to the training packages that accompany them, and by its delivery via a platform compatible with all GP clinical systems.
Attention and Response Control in ADHD. Evaluation through Integrated Visual and Auditory Continuous Performance Test.
Authors: Moreno-García Inmaculada , Delgado-Pardo Gracia , Roldán-Blasco Carmen 
Published: March 2015

AbstractThis study assesses attention and response control through visual and auditory stimuli in a primary care pediatric sample. The sample consisted of 191 participants aged between 7 and 13 years old. It was divided into 2 groups: (a) 90 children with ADHD, according to diagnostic (DSM-IV-TR) (APA, 2002) and clinical (ADHD Rating Scale-IV) (DuPaul, Power, Anastopoulos, & Reid, 1998) criteria, and (b) 101 children without a history of ADHD. The aims were: (a) to determine and compare the performance of both groups in attention and response control, (b) to identify attention and response control deficits in the ADHD group. Assessments were carried out using the Integrated Visual and Auditory Continuous Performance Test (IVA/CPT, Sandford & Turner, 2002). Results showed that the ADHD group had visual and auditory attention deficits, F(3, 170) = 14.38; p < .01, deficits in fine motor regulation (Welch´s t-test = 44.768; p < .001) and sensory/motor activity (Welch’st-test = 95.683, p < .001; Welch’s t-test = 79.537, p < .001). Both groups exhibited a similar performance in response control, F(3, 170) = .93, p = .43.Children with ADHD showed inattention, mental processing speed deficits, and loss of concentration with visual stimuli. Both groups yielded a better performance in attention with auditory stimuli.