bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Morphological investigations of block sulfonated poly(arylene ether ketone) copolymers as potential proton exchange membranes
Authors: Zhao Chengji , Lin Haidan , Li Xianfeng , Na Hui 
Published: June 2010

AbstractA series of block sulfonated poly(arylene ether ketone) (SPAEK) copolymers with different block lengths and ionic contents were synthesized by a two‐stage process. The morphology of these block SPAEK copolymers was investigated by various methods, such as differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), transmission electron microscope (TEM), and small angle X‐ray scattering (SAXS). Dark colored ionic domains of hundreds of nanometers spreading as a cloud‐like belt were observed in TEM images. The sizes of the ionic domains as a function of block copolymer composition were determined from SAXS curves. The results for the evolution of ionic domains revealed that the block copolymers exhibited more clearly phase‐separated microstructure with increasing ionic contents and hydrophobic sequence lengths. Proton conductivity is closely related to the microstructure, especially the presence of large interconnected ionic domains or ionic channels. Block SPAEK membranes have interconnected ionic clusters to provide continuous hydrophilic channels, resulting in higher proton conductivity. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Recognition of diabetic retinopathy in retinal photographs can be improved with a basic education programme
Authors: Vaughan L , Shotliff M , Zalin B , Duncan G , Shotliff K 
Published: June 2010

AbstractEvery person with diabetes in the United Kingdom should have access to annual digital retinal photographs to screen for diabetic retinopathy. Our experience is that medical students, junior hospital doctors and general practitioners are all concerned that they may not be able to interpret these pictures. We examined several different groups to determine their baseline level of knowledge and to see if minimal education could improve their ability to diagnose diabetic retinopathy in retinal photographs.Twenty‐eight fourth‐year medical students, 16 foundation year 1 (FY1) doctors, 17 core medical trainees/specialist medical registrars and 12 general practitioners were each shown 20 retinal images. All images were 45° macula centred retinal photographs: 10 normal and 10 with diabetic retinopathy. Participants were asked to classify them as normal or abnormal (diabetic retinopathy present) both before and after a five‐minute educational session on the lesions seen in diabetic retinopathy.The results showed that 3.6% (1/28) of medical students pre‐education and 25% (7/28) post‐education achieved a sensitivity >80% and specificity >95%, as per national guidelines. Mean sensitivities improved from 78% to 89% for fourth‐year medical students, 71.9% to 83.1% for FY1 doctors, 88% to 91% for core medical trainees/specialist registrars and 61% to 82% for general practitioners.Health care professionals are increasingly able to access retinal images and are concerned that they may not be able to interpret these images. While the baseline ability of these groups to screen for diabetic retinopathy was variable, their accuracy was significantly improved with a simple and brief intervention. These results suggest that all participants should revise their knowledge on this topic and others should think about doing so. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons.
Grafting polyamide 6 onto multi‐walled carbon nanotubes using microwave irradiation
Authors: Huang Shu , Liu Tianxi , Zhang Wei‐De , Tjiu Wuiwui Chauhari , He Chaobin , Lu Xuehong 
Published: June 2010

AbstractChemical reactions under microwave irradiation can be very efficient, with a significant shortening of reaction time. Few studies have reported the use of microwaves to functionalize carbon nanotubes. In the work reported, a new method of formulating functionalized multi‐walled carbon nanotubes (MWNTs) was developed by covalent grafting of polyamide 6 (PA6) chains onto the carbon nanotubes assisted by microwave irradiation. PA6 chains were grafted onto acidified MWNTs through condensation reaction between the carboxylic groups of the MWNTs and the terminal amine groups of PA6 using microwave radiation heating. The functionalized carbon nanotubes (MWNT‐g‐PA6) were characterized systematically using infrared and Raman spectroscopy, transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). TEM showed that the surface of the MWNTs was covered with a layer of PA6. TGA results indicated that the MWNT‐g‐PA6 contained about 47 wt% of polymer. A novel, convenient and efficient functionalization approach is reported, involving covalently grafting PA6 chains onto MWNTs assisted by microwave irradiation. Copyright © 2010 Society of Chemical Industry
Study of novel biodegradable thermo‐sensitive hydrogels of methoxy‐poly(ethylene glycol)‐block‐polyester diblock copolymers
Authors: Chen Chin Fu , Lin Carl Tsai Yu , Chu I Ming 
Published: June 2010

AbstractA series of biodegradable thermo‐sensitive hydrogels were synthesized by ring‐opening polymerization of methoxy‐poly(ethylene glycol) (mPEG) and various ester monomers, i.e. D,L‐lactide, glycolide, β‐propiolactone, δ‐valerolactone and ε‐caprolactone. The copolymers were characterized using 1H NMR spectroscopy and gel permeation chromatography. The micelle properties were also measured. The results indicated that the diblock copolymers formed nano‐micelles at low concentrations in aqueous phase. The lower critical solution temperatures of the diblock copolymers were above 35 °C at 1 wt%. As the temperature increased above room temperature, the diblock copolymer solutions underwent a sol‐to‐gel phase transition, which was manifested in viscosity increases, indicative of the formation of a gel. The mPEG–polyester diblock copolymer solutions exhibited sol‐gel transition behavior as a function of temperature and polymer concentration. Copyright © 2010 Society of Chemical Industry
Local‐fields and disorder effects in free‐standing and embedded Si nanocrystallites
Authors: Guerra Roberto , Degoli Elena , Marsili Margherita , Pulci Olivia , Ossicini Stefano 
Published: June 2010

AbstractThe case study of a 32‐atoms Si nanocrystallite (NC) embedded in a SiO2 matrix, both crystalline and amorphous, or free‐standing with different conditions of passivation and strain is analyzed through ab‐initio approaches. The Si32/SiO2 heterojunction shows a type I band offset highlighting a separation between the NC plus the interface and the matrix around. The consequence of this separation is the possibility to correctly reproduce the low energy electronic and optical properties of the composed system simply by studying the suspended NC plus interface oxygens with the appropriate strain. Moreover, through the definition of an optical absorption threshold we found that, beside the quantum confinement trend, the amorphization introduces an additional redshift that increases with increasing NC size, i.e. the gap tends faster to the bulk limit. Finally, the important changes in the calculated DFT‐RPA optical spectra upon inclusion of local fields point towards the need of a proper treatment of the optical response of the interface region.
Single AlxGa1−xAs nanowires probed by Raman spectroscopy
Authors: Buick Benjamin , Speiser Eugen , Prete Paola , Paiano Pasquale , Lovergine Nicola , Richter Wolfgang 
Published: June 2010

AbstractThe stoichiometry of single ternary III–V semiconductor nanowires was analyzed by Raman spectroscopy. Free‐standing AlxGa1−xAs nanowires were obtained through metal organic vapor phase epitaxy (MOVPE) by the vapor liquid solid (VLS) mechanism on GaAs substrates. The as‐grown nanowires were studied with a scanning confocal Raman spectrometer (spatial resolution ≈300 nm). They were located by Rayleigh imaging and individual nanowires selected for Raman spectroscopy. The acquired spectra exhibit 2‐mode behavior. The stoichiometry of single nanowires was determined based on the frequencies of the GaAs‐ and AlAs‐like transversal optical (TO) and longitudinal optical (LO) peaks with an accuracy of below 10%. Measurements at different positions along the axis revealed variations of the composition within single nanowires. This non‐uniformity evidences that the nanowires possess an internal structure.
The use of change detection as a method of objectively evaluating labels
Authors: Bix Laura , Kosugi Wataru , Bello Nora , Sundar Raghav , Becker Mark 
Published: June 2010

AbstractThis study introduces the use of change detection, a technique used in cognitive psychology to measure attentional scan paths, as a way to objectively evaluate the prominence of varied label elements. There are two major objectives related to this work: (a) to develop change detection software and methodology for label use; and (b) to compare the relative prominence of different label elements on a beverage container. Six label elements (i.e. treatments) were analysed, namely: the manufacturer name, the product name and a warning dot with text in three colours. Study results suggest that experimental set‐up can significantly impact results, specifically the position of the change (p = 0.0078) and the order of appearance (p = 0.069). This is not only important from an experimental design perspective, but also could lead to insights regarding the attentive behaviours of people as they purchase, select and use products. With regard to the elements of the labels tested, we identified a significant difference on time to detect a change (p < 0.0001). Time required for the manufacturer's name, Asahi Breweries, was significantly longer than for any of the other label elements (p < 0.0001). Pairwise comparisons indicated that for the warning dot, red text was located marginally faster than the warning printed in black (p = 0.0566). Change detection offers the promise to objectively evaluate the relative prominence of a label (or a scene) but is quicker and cheaper than other methods, such as eye tracking, that are currently utilized for this purpose. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Review of cytomegalovirus seroprevalence and demographic characteristics associated with infection
Authors: Cannon Michael J. , Schmid D. Scott , Hyde Terri B. 
Published: June 2010

AbstractCytomegalovirus establishes a lifelong latent infection following primary infection that can periodically reactivate with shedding of infectious virus. Primary infection, reactivation and reinfection during pregnancy can all lead to in utero transmission to the developing fetus. Congenital CMV infections are a major cause of permanent hearing loss and neurological impairment. In this literature review, we found that CMV infection was relatively common among women of reproductive age, with seroprevalence ranging from 45 to 100%. CMV seroprevalence tended to be highest in South America, Africa and Asia and lowest in Western Europe and United States. Within the United States, CMV seroprevalence showed substantial geographic variation as well, differing by as much as 30 percentage points between states, though differences might be explained by variation in the types of populations sampled. Worldwide, seroprevalence among non‐whites tended to be 20–30 percentage points higher than that of whites (summary prevalence ratio (PR) = 1.59, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.57–1.61). Females generally had higher seroprevalences than males, although in most studies the differences were small (summary PR = 1.13, 95% CI=1.11–1.14). Persons of lower socioeconomic status were more likely to be CMV seropositive (summary PR = 1.33, 95% CI = 1.32–1.35). Despite high seroprevalences in some populations, a substantial percentage of women of reproductive age are CMV seronegative and thus at risk of primary CMV infection during pregnancy. Future vaccine or educational campaigns to prevent primary infection in pregnant women may need to be tailored to suit the needs of different populations. Published in 2010 by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Analysis of multi‐arm tumor growth trials in xenograft animals using phase change adaptive piecewise quadratic models
Authors: Roy Choudhury Kingshuk , Kasman Ian , Plowman Greg D. 
Published: June 2010

AbstractXenograft trials allow tumor growth in human cell lines to be monitored over time in a mouse model. We consider the problem of inferring the effect of treatment combinations on tumor growth. A piecewise quadratic model with flexible phase change locations is proposed to model the effect of change in therapy over time. Each piece represents a growth phase, with phase changes in response to change in treatment. Piecewise slopes represent phase‐specific (log) linear growth rates and curvature parameters represent departure from linear growth. Trial data are analyzed in two stages: (i) subject‐specific curve fitting (ii) analysis of slope and curvature estimates across subjects. A least‐squares approach with penalty for phase change point location is proposed for curve fitting. In simulation studies, the method is shown to give consistent estimates of slope and curvature parameters under independent and AR (1) measurement error. The piecewise quadratic model is shown to give excellent fit (median R2=0.98) to growth data from a six armed xenograft trial on a lung carcinoma cell line. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Facile Synthesis, Silanization, and Biodistribution of Biocompatible Quantum Dots
Authors: Ma Nan , Marshall Ann F. , Gambhir Sanjiv S. , Rao Jianghong 
Published: June 2010

AbstractA facile strategy for the synthesis of silica‐coated quantum dots (QDs) for in vivo imaging is reported. All the QD synthesis and silanization steps are conducted in water and methanol under mild conditions without involving any organometallic precursors or high‐temperature, oxygen‐free environments. The as‐prepared silica‐coated QDs possess high quantum yields and are extremely stable in mouse serum. In addition, the silanization method developed here produces nanoparticles with small sizes that are difficult to achieve via conventional silanization methods. The silica coating helps to prevent the exposure of the QD surface to the biological milieu and therefore increases the biocompatibility of QDs for in vivo applications. Interestingly, the silica‐coated QDs exhibit a different biodistribution pattern from that of commercially available Invitrogen QD605 (carboxylate) with a similar size and emission wavelength. The Invitrogen QD605 exhibits predominant liver (57.2% injected dose (ID) g−1) and spleen (46.1% ID g−1) uptakes 30 min after intravenous injection, whereas the silica‐coated QDs exhibit much lower liver (16.2% ID g−1) and spleen (3.67% ID g−1) uptakes but higher kidney uptake (8.82% ID g−1), blood retention (15.0% ID g−1), and partial renal clearance. Overall, this straightforward synthetic strategy paves the way for routine and customized synthesis of silica‐coated QDs for biological use.
Multilayer Stacked Low‐Temperature‐Reduced Graphene Oxide Films: Preparation, Characterization, and Application in Polymer Memory Devices
Authors: Liu Juqing , Lin Zongqiong , Liu Tianjun , Yin Zongyou , Zhou Xiaozhu , Chen Shufen , Xie Linghai , Boey Freddy , Zhang Hua , Huang Wei 
Published: June 2010

AbstractHighly reduced graphene oxide (rGO) films are fabricated by combining reduction with smeared hydrazine at low temperature (e.g., 100 °C) and the multilayer stacking technique. The prepared rGO film, which has a lower sheet resistance (≈160–500 Ω sq−1) and higher conductivity (26 S cm−1) as compared to other rGO films obtained by commonly used chemical reduction methods, is fully characterized. The effective reduction can be attributed to the large “effective reduction depth” in the GO films (1.46 µm) and the high C1s/O1s ratio (8.04). By using the above approach, rGO films with a tunable thickness and sheet resistance are achieved. The obtained rGO films are used as electrodes in polymer memory devices, in a configuration of rGO/poly(3‐hexylthiophene) (P3HT):phenyl‐C61‐butyric acid methyl ester (PCBM)/Al, which exhibit an excellent write‐once‐read‐many‐times effect and a high ON/OFF current ratio of 106.
Temporal vertical profiling
Authors: Hauswirth Matthias , Sweeney Peter F. , Diwan Amer 
Published: June 2010

AbstractModern systems are enormously complex; many applications today comprise millions of lines of code, make extensive use of software frameworks, and run on complex, multi‐tiered, run‐time systems. Understanding the performance of these applications is challenging because it depends on the interactions between the many software and the hardware components. This paper describes and evaluates an interactive and iterative methodology, temporal vertical profiling, for understanding the performance of applications. There are two key insights behind temporal vertical profiling. First, we need to collect and reason across information from multiple layers of the system before we can understand an application's performance. Second, application performance changes over time and thus we must consider the time‐varying behavior of the application instead of aggregate statistics. We have developed temporal vertical profiling from our own experience of analyzing performance anomalies and have found it very helpful for methodically exploring the space of hardware and software components. By representing an application's behavior as a set of metrics, where each metric is represented as a time series, temporal vertical profiling provides a way to reason about performance across system layers, regardless of their level of abstraction, and independent of their semantics. Temporal vertical profiling provides a methodology to explore a large space of metrics, hundreds of metrics even for small benchmarks, in a systematic way. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Career anchors: A comparison between organization‐assigned and self‐initiated expatriates
Authors: Cerdin Jean‐Luc , Pargneux Marie Le 
Published: June 2010

AbstractIn the present study, based on the theory of fit, we have tested hypotheses on a sample of 303 French expatriates, comparing career anchors between assigned and self‐initiated expatriates. We found that lifestyle and internationalism are both very important anchors for assigned as well as self‐initiated expatriates, although most anchors differ among these groups. Furthermore, we have introduced a measure of the internationalism career anchor that presents promising psychometric characteristics. Our results provide important theoretical and practical implications. In particular, they show that both assigned expatriates and self‐initiated expatriates can be engaged in a boundaryless career. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Frequent business travelers across Europe: Career aspirations and implications
Authors: Demel Barbara , Mayrhofer Wolfgang 
Published: June 2010

AbstractIn human resource management (HRM) and career research, the focus has typically been on traditional expatriates (e.g., Mayrhofer, Sparrow, & Zimmermann, 2008). Even though alternative forms of international mobility, such as flexpatriates (i.e., frequent business travelers and international commuters; Mayerhofer, Hartmann, & Herbert, 2004), have become quite common, this trend still seems to be neglected in research (e.g., Harris, Brewster, & Erten, 2005). This empirical article presents career aspirations of Austrian flexpatriates as well as perceived consequences of frequent flying on future careers, private life, and well‐being. The results are compared with selected theoretical concepts from career and career‐success literature. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Exploring organizational and individual career goals, interactions, and outcomes of developmental international assignments
Authors: Dickmann Michael , Doherty Noeleen 
Published: June 2010

AbstractThis study uses the intelligent careers framework to investigate individual and organizational mobility goals. It explores the interactions of individual attitudes and behaviors with organizational approaches to managing mobility. Individual and organizational data were gathered in a global fast‐moving consumer goods firm. The findings showed that individuals wanted to add to each of their three career capital areas through an international assignment (IA). Because the organizational context during and after the IA was not perceived to facilitate the growth of all three ways of knowing, international assignees acted as “career capitalists.” They used extraorganizational mechanisms to acquire career capital. Some actions were regarded as dysfunctional by the organization and led to interventions aimed at career capital management. A range of organizational and individual outcomes are outlined and career capital propositions developed. The article includes the professional implications for international mobility and career capital management. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Characteristics of international work: Narratives of the global manager
Authors: Cappellen Tineke , Janssens Maddy 
Published: June 2010

AbstractThis study extends our understanding of the notion of the global manager by empirically examining their personal experiences as coordinators across multiple geographies and cultures. Basing our work on in‐depth interviews, we study narrative fragments of 45 global managers, identifying the most prominent issues in fulfilling the job of worldwide coordinator and the impact of their work on their personal life. The findings further indicate that global managers' experiences are characterized by three tensions: distance versus closeness, hierarchy versus culture, and work flexibility versus family equilibrium. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Understanding self‐initiated expatriates: Career experiences of Lebanese self‐initiated expatriates in France
Authors: Al Ariss Akram , Özbilgin Mustafa 
Published: June 2010

AbstractDrawing on a field study based on interviews with 43 Lebanese skilled self‐initiated expatriates from the Paris region in France and six policymakers and immigration specialists, the article offers an alternative to theories of management that frame expatriate careers as either organizationally or individually driven. In doing so, we explicate how the international work experiences of self‐initiated expatriates can be captured in ways true to their nature as multifaceted and multilevel phenomena. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Reconstruction of fetal and infant anatomy using rapid prototyping of post-mortem MR images
Authors: Schievano Silvia , Sebire Neil J. , Robertson Nicola J. , Taylor Andrew M. , Thayyil Sudhin 
Published: June 2010

Abstract

Objectives
The recent decline in autopsy rates and lack of human anatomical material donated for research and training has resulted in issues for medical training in the United Kingdom. This study aims to examine the feasibility of making accurate three-dimensional (3D) models of the human body and visceral organs using post-mortem magnetic resonance (MR) imaging and rapid prototyping.

Methods
We performed post-mortem MR imaging using a 3D T2-weighted sequence in 11 fetuses and infants, before autopsy, using either a 1.5-T or 9.4-T MR scanner. Internal organs were reconstructed in silico and 3D models were created by rapid prototyping.

Results
The median gestation of fetuses was 20 (range 19–30) weeks and the median age of infants was 12 (range 8–16) weeks. Models created by rapid prototyping accurately depicted structural abnormalities and allowed clear visualisation of 3D relationships.

Conclusions
Accurate 3D modelling of anatomical features from post-mortem imaging in fetuses and infants is feasible. These models could have a large number of medical applications, including improved parental counselling, invaluable teaching resources and significant medico-legal applications to demonstrate disease or injury, without the need to show actual autopsy photographs.