bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Impact of water environmental change and migration of radionuclides on Hokutolite conservation in Peito (Taiwan)
Authors: Lin Chun-Chih , Tsai Tsuey-Lin , Lung Chia-Chi 
Published: January 2012

AbstractChemical factors (including pH, redox potential, content of total organic compound (TOC) and major ions) and U/Th-series radionuclides in the hot-spring water environment of Peito were determined to investigate the impact of environmental change and migration of radionuclides in water on conserving the precious mineral, hokutolite, in Peito (Taiwan). The activity concentrations of U/Th increased withEhand those of Cl−and SO42−.234U/238U ratios were nearly >1 ascribed to Szilárd–Chalmers effect andα-recoil.230Th/234U ratios were <1 resulting from complexation with chloride and sulfate ions.228Ra and226Ra activities were governed by pH,Ehand SO42−concentration. Disequilibria of228Th/228Ra and228Ra/232Th were evident attributed to complexation of Th with major anions and co-precipitation of radium with (Ba,Pb)SO4. Alpha-recoil caused the enrichment of228Ra and apparent disequilibrium of232Th/228Th. A mechanism illustrating the radiochemistry involving the formation of hokutolite in Peito was derived accordingly. The water environment of the studied area was found apparently changed in light of the variation of temperature, TOC and concentration ratio of Ba/Pb, which resulted from the channeling of hot spring water and the release of household waste water. The water environmental change can thus hinder the migration of radionuclides as well as the formation of hokutolite so that the performance of hokutolite conservation can be decreased. Immediate enactment of regulations for conserving hokutolite in Peito was therefore suggested in this research.
Depth dependent osmotic and swelling properties of cartilage
Authors: Silva Candida , Horkayne-Szakaly Iren , Chandran Preethi , Dimitriadis Emilios K. , Lin David , Papanicolas Christopher , Basser Peter J. , Horkay Ferenc 
Published: January 2012

ABSTRACTArticular cartilage is a low-friction, load-bearing tissue located at joint surfaces. It experiences static and dynamic forces including shear, compression and tension. We investigate the relationship between structure and function by measuring the osmotic and mechanical properties in cartilage layers as a function of the distance from the articular surface. Atomic force microscopy is used to probe the mechanical properties at high spatial resolution. The mechanical measurements are complemented by osmotic swelling pressure observations made on the same samples using a novel tissue osmometer. The results show that the osmotic modulus significantly depends on the distance from the articular surface. Its value is highest in the deep zone and lowest in the middle zone.
Examination of the properties of the interface of a-SiNx:H/Si in crystalline silicon solar cells and its effect on cell efficiency
Authors: Lamers Machteld W.P.E. , Butler Keith , Romijn Ingrid G. , Harding John , Weeber Arthur W. 
Published: January 2012

ABSTRACTNitridation is the process in which, during the initial growth of a-SiNx:H layers on Si surfaces, nitrogen (N) is incorporated into Si lattice near its surface. We show that this nitridation process affects the density of interface states (Dit) and fixed charges (Qf) at the interface. These parameters determine the effective surface passivation quality of the layers. The nitridation can be tuned independently of the growth of a-SiNx:H layers by using a plasma treatment prior to actual a-SiNx:H layer deposition. It is shown that the Qf can be varied from 2·1012 to 15·1012 cm-2 without changing the a-SiNx:H deposition process. It is demonstrated that in our case and processing window, Qf is the determining factor in surface passivation quality in the range of 2·1012 to 8·1012 cm-2. For higher values of Qf, Dit has increased significantly and has become dominant thereby reducing the passivation quality. It is shown that the passivation can be controlled independently of the a-SiNx:H deposition process. On completed solar cells this variation in Qf due to nitridation results in a change in open-circuit voltage, Voc, of almost 20mV.
Measuring size-dependent mechanical properties of electrospun polystyrene fibers using in-situ AFM-SEM
Authors: Bailey Russell J. , Cortes-Ballesteros Beatriz , Zhang Hao , Wang Congwei , Barber Asa H. 
Published: January 2012

ABSTRACTThe mechanical properties of individual electrospun polystyrene fibers with sub-micron diameters were measured using a combination of atomic force microscopy (AFM) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The strain to failure of the electrospun fibers was observed to increase as the fiber diameter decreased. This size dependent mechanical behavior in individual electrospun polystyrene fibers indicates a suppression of localized failure and a shift away from crazing that is dominant in bulk samples.
Template-Free Synthesis of Ellipsoidal Silica Nanoparticles
Authors: Zhang Henan , Akins Daniel L. 
Published: January 2012

ABSTRACTFor a sol-gel process occurring in a water/oil (w/o) system, the self-assembly of silica nuclei can be controlled by close control of synthesis conditions. We have synthesized ellipsoidal or spherical silica particles by a template-free scheme that involves controlling surface tension on silica nuclei through via use of different volume ratios of a w/o micellar system.
Optical characterization of a InGaN/GaN microcavity with epitaxial AlInN/GaN bottom DBR
Authors: Franke A. , Bastek B. , Sterling S. , August O. , Petzold S. , Veit P. , Christen J. , Moser P. , Wieneke M. , Berger C. , Bläsing J. , Dadgar A. , Krost A. 
Published: January 2012

ABSTRACTResonant coupling of an optical mode confined within a microcavity and an emitter is the basic prerequisite for the observation of Bose-Einstein condensation phenomena and the development of novel optical devices based on cavity polaritons.We demonstrate highly spatially resolved 2” wafer characterization of the reflectivity and emission properties of a nitride based multi quantum well semi microcavity (i.e. structure without top Bragg reflector) to verify resonant regions. Photoluminescence and reflectivity spectra recorded at the same positions on the wafer exhibit a strong spatial dependence of the multi quantum well emission and the center wavelength of the stop band of the bottom Bragg reflector across the sample. Resonance, i.e., matching of the emission and the center wavelength of the stop band, is found in a region 8 mm off the center of the wafer.The thickness profile across the AlInN/GaN Bragg reflector and multi quantum well layers was obtained by x-ray mappings over the full wafer. A perfect correlation between the local optical properties and the x-ray thickness distribution is found. Additional transmission electron microscopy investigations indicate a complete crack free structure and smooth interfaces between the layers within the Bragg reflector making the structure appropriate for strong coupling applications.
1.54μm luminescence of β-FeSi2 grown on Au-coated Si substrates
Authors: Akiyama Kensuke , Funakubo Hiroshi , Itakura Masaru 
Published: January 2012

ABSTRACTA clear PL spectrum was observed from β-FeSi2 grains on gold (Au)-coated (100)Si substrates, and indicated the formation of crystal with the same high quality level as the β-FeSi2 on a copper (Cu)-coated Si substrate. Moreover, the temperature dependence of photoluminescence peak intensities showed lower density of the nonradiative recombination center in β-FeSi2 grains on Au-coated Si substrates than that of β-FeSi2 film on Cu-coated Si. Au was not detected in β-FeSi2 grains by STEM-EDX observation, while Cu was observed in the grains and grain boundaries of β-FeSi2 and rolled as non-radiative recombination center.
Manipulating 3C-SiC Nanowire Morphology through Gas Flow Dynamics
Authors: Teker Kasif , Otto Jesse M. 
Published: January 2012

ABSTRACTCreation of nanoscale building blocks with various sizes and shapes are critical for the progress of nanotechnology. Silicon carbide nanostructures attract interest due to their applications in optoelectronic devices, sensors, high-power/high temperature electronics, and thermoelectrics. This paper presents a detailed study of SiC nanowire morphology change through gas flow dynamics. SiC nanowire synthesis has been carried out by chemical vapor deposition using hexamethyldisilane (HMDS) as source material on SiO2/Si substrate. The study has been limited to several catalyst materials, including nickel (nanoparticle and thin film), cobalt nanoparticles, and gold thin film. The growth runs have been carried out at 1000oC under H2 as carrier gas with flow rates varying from 100 to1000 sccm. A significant change in morphology has been observed. At high flow rates, the nanowires are highly curved and contain sharp kinks, while the nanowires are straight and longer at lower flow rates. Moreover, it is important to note that the flow rate has influenced the nanowire growth-yield significantly. As small as 8nm-diameter SiC nanowire has been observed, as determined by transmission electron microscopy (TEM). These findings will help in controlling the morphology of the SiC nanowires. The fabricated nanowires have also been characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), x-ray diffraction (XRD), and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR).
Alternative Sintering Approaches for Fast Sintering of Inkjet Printed Nanoparticles for R2R Applications
Authors: Perelaer Jolke , Schubert Ulrich S. 
Published: January 2012

ABSTRACTWithin the last decades, inkjet printing technology has developed from only a text and graphic industry to a major topic of scientific research and R&D. Inkjet printing can be used as a highly reproducible non-contact patterning technique to print at high speeds either small or large areas with high quality features; it requires only small amounts of functional materials, which immediately favors production costs. Furthermore, inkjet printing reduces the amount of processing steps due to its additive technique of materials deposition, which further decreases productions costs as well as time.This contribution provides a number of alternative approaches to sinter inkjet printed metal precursor materials at temperatures that are compatible with cost-effective polymer foils. The prepared features can serve as interconnects and contacts for microelectronic applications, such as OLED and OPV.
Mating Frequency and Fecundity in the Emerald Ash Borer Agrilus planipennis (Coleoptera: Buprestidae)
Authors: Rutledge Claire E , Keena Melody A 
Published: January 2012

Abstract
The consequences of single versus multiple mating on the longevity, fecundity, and fertility of female emerald ash borers Agrilus planipennis (Fairmaire) were examined. In the first treatment, dissections of the common oviduct showed that 43 of 52 singly-mated females had received spermatophores. In the next two treatments, females were observed to mate one time, then housed either alone (observed separate) or with their mate (observed together). In the fourth treatment, females were paired with a randomly chosen male (unobserved together). Weight (0.0428 ± SE 0.0008 g) and longevity (50.5 ± SE 1.6 d) of female beetles did not differ among treatments. Fecundity, but not fertility, had a significant positive correlation with longevity in all treatments. Almost all of the females ‘Observed together’ laid eggs (87%, N = 31), while significantly fewer females ‘unobserved together’ (61%, N = 31) and ‘Observed separate’ (54%, N = 31) did. The fecundity of females that did lay eggs did not differ among treatments. Based on our results a single mating may be sufficient to ensure maximal fecundity for females, but there is potential for failure of any one mating, and no apparent cost to multiple mating. Thus, multiple mating is likely the best strategy for female emerald ash borers to maximize fecundity. The implications of results for laboratory rearing, and potential population level effects are discussed.
Association Between Periodontitis and Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease in a Chinese Population
Authors: Si Yan , Fan Hong , Song Yiqing , Zhou Xuan , Zhang Jing , Wang Zuomin 
Published: January 2012

Background: A relationship between periodontitis and chronic respiratory disease has been suggested by recent studies. The aim of this study is to explore the association between periodontitis and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) in a Chinese population.Methods: We conducted a case‐control study of 581 COPD cases and 438 non‐COPD controls. Lung function examination, a 6‐minute walk test, and the British Medical Research Council questionnaire were performed. Periodontal clinical examination index included probing depth (PD), attachment loss (AL), bleeding index (BI), plaque index (PI), and alveolar bone loss. A validated index for predicting COPD prognosis, the body mass index, airflow obstruction, dyspnea, and exercise capacity (BODE) index, was also calculated.Results: Participants with more severe COPD were more likely to have severe periodontal disease. PD, AL, PI, alveolar bone loss, and the number of teeth were significantly associated with all stages of COPD (all P <0.001). When compared to controls (BODE = 0), participants with higher BODE scores had significantly higher AL (P <0.001), BI (P = 0.027), PI (P <0.001), alveolar bone loss (P <0.001), and the number of teeth (P <0.001). PI appeared to be the main periodontal health‐related factor for COPD, with an odds ratio (OR) = 9.01 (95% CI = 3.98 to 20.4) in the entire study population OR = 8.28 (95% CI = 2.36 to 29.0), OR = 5.89 (95% CI = 2.64 to 13.1), and OR = 2.46 (95% CI = 1.47 to 4.10) for current, smokers, and non‐smokers, respectively.Conclusion: Our study found a strong association between periodontitis and COPD, and PI seemed to be a major periodontal factor for predicting COPD among Chinese adults.
Gingival Crevicular Fluid and Plasma Acute‐Phase Cytokine Levels in Different Periodontal Diseases
Authors: Becerik Sema , Öztürk Veli Özgen , Atmaca Harika , Atilla Gül , Emingil Gülnur 
Published: January 2012

Background: The aim of the present study is to investigate gingival crevicular fluid (GCF) and plasma acute‐phase cytokines, interleukin‐1β (IL‐1β), interleukin‐6 (IL‐6), interleukin‐11 (IL‐11), oncostatin M (OSM), and leukemia inhibitory factor (LIF) levels in patients with different periodontal diseases.Methods: Eighty individuals were included in this study; 20 with chronic periodontitis (CP), 20 with generalized aggressive periodontitis (GAgP), 20 with gingivitis, and 20 classified as healthy (H). Probing depth, clinical attachment level, plaque index, and papilla bleeding index were recorded. Plasma and GCF IL‐1β, IL‐6, IL‐11, OSM, and LIF levels were analyzed by enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay.Results: CP and GAgP groups had significantly higher GCF IL‐1β, IL‐6, and IL‐11 levels when compared with the H group (P <0.05). Conversely, GCF LIF levels of the CP and GAgP groups were lower than those of the H group (P <0.05). GCF OSM levels did not differ significantly among study groups. Plasma levels of all the cytokines studied were not significantly different among the study groups.Conclusions: Based on the present data, elevated IL‐1β, IL‐6, and IL‐11 GCF levels, but not plasma levels, are suggested as reliable inflammatory biomarkers in periodontal diseases. Decreased LIF levels in diseased groups might reflect the possible beneficial effects of LIF in the modulation of inflammatory response in gingiva.
Pulmonary Hypertension in Elderly Patients with Diastolic Dysfunction and Preserved Ejection Fraction
Authors: Afshar Majid , Collado Fareed , Doukky Rami 
Published: January 2012

Purpose:Patients with diastolic dysfunction may have a disproportionate degree of elevation in pulmonary pressure, particularly in the elderly. Higher pulmonary vascular resistance in the elderly patients with heart failure but preserved ejection fraction suggests that beyond the post-capillary contribution of pulmonary venous congestion, a pre-capillary component of pulmonary arterial hypertension occurs. We aim to identify if pulmonary vascular resistance in elderly patients with diastolic dysfunction is disproportionately higher than patients with systolic dysfunction independent of filling pressures.Methods:389 patients identified retrospectively between 2003- 2010; elderly with preserved ejection fraction, elderly with depressed ejection fraction, and primary arterial hypertension who underwent right-heart catheterization at Rush University.Results:No significant difference in pulmonary vascular resistance between systolic and diastolic dysfunction. The mean difference in pulmonary vascular resistance was not statistically significant at 0.40 mmHg·min/l (95% CI -3.03 to 3.83) with similar left ventricular filling pressures with mean difference of 3.38 mmHg (95% CI, -1.27 to 8.02). When adjusted for filling pressures, there remained no difference in pulmonary vascular resistance for systolic and diastolic dysfunction. The mean pulmonary vascular resistance is more elevated in systolic heart failure compared to diastolic heart failure with means 3.13 mmHg·min/l and 3.52 mmHg·min/l, respectively.Conclusion:There was no other association identified for secondary pulmonary hypertension other than diastolic dysfunction and chronic venous pulmonary hypertension. Our results argue against any significant arterial remodeling that would lead to disproportionate pre-capillary hypertension, and implies that treatment should focus on lowering filling pressure rather than treating the pulmonary vascular tree.
Supracondylar Osteotomies of Posttraumatic Distal Humeral Deformities in Young Adults - Technique and Results
Authors: Buß Fokko Richard , Schulz Arndt-Peter , Lill Helmut , Voigt Christine 
Published: January 2012

Background:Cubitus varus deformity is the most common late complication after distal humeral fractures in children. Typical symptoms are increasing instability especially the posterolateral rotatory instability (POLRI), lateral elbow pain and cosmetic problems. Different ways of correction have been described but a gold standard has not yet been established.Methods:In this study the clinical outcome 6,5 months after supracondylar closed wedge osteotomy stabilized with locking plates in four young adults was investigated: three with a posttraumatic varus deformity and one with a posttraumatic valgus deformity of the distal humerus.Results:All patients showed good or excellent results in the Mayo Elbow Performance Score (MEPS) and the Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand score (DASH). In one case, a revision because of a delayed union was necessary, in another case a preexisting pseudarthrosis of the radial epicondyle remained. Neither a residual instability of the elbow joint, nor any significant prominence of the lateral epicondyle was observed.Conclusion:The supracondylar closed wedge osteotomy stabilized by a locking plate is an effective procedure for the correction of posttraumatic distal humerus deformities in young adults with good final functional results.
Superposition operator on the space of sequences almost converging to zero
Authors: Alekhno Egor 
Published: January 2012

Abstract
We study the superposition operator f on on the space ac
0 of sequences almost converging to zero. Conditions are derived for which f has a representation of the form f
x = a+bx +g
x, for all x ∈ ac
0 with a = f 0, b ∈ D(ac
0), g a superposition operator from ℓ∞ into I(ac
0), D(ac
0) = {z: zx ∈ ac
0 for all x ∈ ac
0}, and I(ac
0) the maximal ideal in ac
0. If f is generated by a function f of a real variable, then f is linear. We consider the conditions for which a bounded function f generates f acting on ac
0 and the conditions for which there exists a sequence y ∈ ac
0 such that y − f
y ∈ ac
0. In terms of f, criteria for the boundedness, continuity, and sequential σ(ac
0ℓ1)-continuity of f on ac
0 are given. It is shown that the continuity of f is equivalent to the weak sequential continuity. Finally, properties of spaces D(ac
0) and I(ac
0) are studied, and in particular it is established that the inclusion I(ac
0) ⊕ {λe: λ ∈ ℝ} ⊂ D(ac
0) is proper, where e = (1, 1, …). By means of D(ac
0), a number of Banach-Mazur limit properties are derived.
Association between weight status and recreational drug abuse in Korean adolescents
Authors: Baek Seong-Ik , So Wi-Young 
Published: January 2012

AbstractThe purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between weight status and recreational drug use in Korean adolescents. A total of 72,399 adolescent students (38,152 boys and 34,247 girls) from the middle first to high third grade participated in the 5th Korea Youth Risk Behaviour Web-based Survey (KYRBWS-V) project in 2009. They were assessed for body mass index (BMI) and recreational drug abuse. The associations between BMI and recreational drug use were examined using multivariable logistic regression analysis after adjusting for the covariate variables of age, smoking frequency and cigarette consumption, frequency of alcohol consumption and severe alcohol intoxication, amount of alcohol consumed, parents’ education level, economic status, sedentary activities during the week, mental stress, sleep duration, frequency of vigorous and moderate physical activities, and muscular strength exercises during the week. For boys, the odds ratio (OR) (95% confidence interval [CI]) between overweight and drug use were 0.990 (0.723–1.356; p = 0.950) for almost none, 0.939 (0.521–1.693; p = 0.834) for past use, and 0.791 (0.385–1.624; p = 0.523) for present use. The OR (95% CI) between obesity and drug use was 0.731(0.508–1.052; p = 0.091) for almost none, 0.755 (0.389–1.465; p = 0.407) for past use, and 0.701 (0.314–1.565; p = 0.386) for present use. For girls, the OR (95% CI) between overweight and drug use was 1.112 (0.702–1.763; p = 0.650) for almost none, 1.103 (0.464–2.619; p = 0.825) for past use, and 0.927 (0.267–3.218; p = 0.905) for present use. The OR (95% CI) between obesity and drug abuse was 0.594 (0.261–1.352; p = 0.215) for almost none, 1.318 (0.462–3.764; p = 606) for past use, and <0.001(<0.001–<0.001; p = 0.998) for present use. We concluded that recreational drug use had no correlation with overweight and obesity in Korean adolescents.
Different decision tree induction strategies for a medical decision problem
Authors: Burduk Robert , Wozniak Michal 
Published: January 2012

AbstractThe paper presents a comparative study of selected recognition methods for the medical decision problem -acute abdominal pain diagnosis. We consider if it is worth using expert knowledge and learning set at the same time. The article shows two groups of decision tree approaches to the problem under consideration. The first does not use expert knowledge and generates classifier only on the basis of learning set. The second approach utilizes expert knowledge for specifying the decision tree structure and learning set for determining mode of decision making in each node based on Bayes decision theory. All classifiers are evaluated on the basis of computer experiments.