bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Improved simulation of Australian climate and ENSO‐related rainfall variability in a global climate model with an interactive aerosol treatment
Authors: Rotstayn Leon D. , Collier Mark A. , Dix Martin R. , Feng Yan , Gordon Hal B. , O'Farrell Siobhan P. , Smith Ian N. , Syktus Jozef 
Published: May 2009

AbstractWe assess the simulation of Australian mean climate and rainfall variability in a new version of the CSIRO coupled ocean–atmosphere global climate model (GCM). The new version, called Mark 3.6 (Mk3.6), differs from its recent predecessors (Mk3.0 and Mk3.5) by inclusion of an interactive aerosol scheme, which treats sulfate, dust, sea salt and carbonaceous aerosol. Other changes include an updated radiation scheme and a modified boundary‐layer treatment. Comparison of the mean summer and winter climate simulations in Mk3.6 with those in Mk3.0 and Mk3.5 shows several improvements in the new version, especially regarding winter rainfall and sea‐level pressure. The improved simulation of Australian mean seasonal climate is confirmed by calculation of a non‐dimensional skill score (the ‘M‐statistic’), using data from all four seasons. However, the most dramatic improvement occurs in the model's simulation of the leading modes of annual rainfall variability, which we assess using empirical orthogonal teleconnections (EOTs). Compared to its predecessors and several international GCMs, Mk3.6 is best able to capture the spatial pattern of the leading rainfall mode, which represents variability due to the El Niño Southern Oscillation (ENSO). Mk3.6 is also best able to capture the spatial pattern of the second rainfall mode, which corresponds to increased rainfall in the northwest, and decreased rainfall over eastern Australia. We propose a possible mechanism for the improved simulation of rainfall variability in terms of the role of interactive dust in Mk3.6. By further suppressing convection over eastern Australia during El Niño events, dust feedbacks may enhance rainfall variability there, in tune with the model's ENSO cycle. This suggests that an interactive aerosol treatment may be important in a GCM used for the study of Australian climate change and variability. Mechanistic sensitivity studies are needed to further evaluate this hypothesis. Copyright © 2009 Royal Meteorological Society
SPECT‐CT compared with conventional imaging modalities for the assessment of the varus and valgus malaligned hindfoot
Authors: Knupp Markus , Pagenstert Geert I. , Barg Alexej , Bolliger Lilianna , Easley Mark E. , Hintermann Beat 
Published: May 2009

AbstractThe combined single‐photon emission computed tomography and conventional computed tomography (SPECT/CT) technique has increased the sensitivity and specificity of bone scans. We examined the value of using SPECT/CT for the assessment of coronal plane hindfoot deformities. Twenty‐seven patients with varus (11 patients) or valgus (16 patients) malalignment of the hindfoot were assessed using radiography, conventional CT, bone scintigraphy, and SPECT/CT. The amount of deformity, stage of osteoarthritis, and level of activation on bone scans and SPECT/CT were measured. Activation was assessed in 12 regions of interest. The stage of osteoarthritis seen on plain radiographs correlated significantly with the level of activation detected on bone scans (p < 0.05). No correlation was observed between the amount of deformation and activity, and between bone scan activation and signs of osteoarthritis on CT scans. The varus malaligned ankles showed higher radioisotope uptake in the medial areas, while the valgus malaligned ankles showed increased uptake in the lateral areas (p < 0.05). SPECT/CT may be a valuable tool for the assessment and staging of osteoarthritis. Our findings underline the adverse effects of coronal plane deformity of the hindfoot. In addition, results from this study provide useful information for future basic research on coronal plane deformity of the hindfoot and for determining appropriate surgical approaches. © 2009 Orthopaedic Research Society. Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Orthop Res 27:1461–1466, 2009
Measuring stresses in thin metal films by means of Raman microscopy using silicon as a strain gage material
Authors: Wermelinger Thomas , Charpentier Christophe , Yüksek Müge Deniz , Spolenak Ralph 
Published: May 2009

AbstractMechanical stresses in microelectronics and micro‐electromechanical systems may influence the reliability of applications and devices. The origin of the stresses can be because of the joining of dissimilar materials with regard to the thermal expansion coefficient, electromigration or the deposition process utilized. Stresses can lead to delamination, crack formation and stress migration and therefore to a failure of the device. Identifying the locations of highest stresses in a device is crucial for reliability improvement. Currently, both Laue X‐ray micro diffraction and convergent‐beam electron diffraction are able to locally determine the stresses in thin metal films. Here, we propose a modified method of indirect Raman microspectroscopy to measure stresses with a lateral resolution in the submicrometer range at a laboratory scale. The method encompasses the crystallization of an amorphous silicon layer by local laser annealing and its subsequent usage as a strain gage. Stresses in an aluminum thin film were determined as a function of temperature. In addition to the average stress, the stress distribution could be monitored. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The role of guidelines in quality improvement for cancer surgery
Authors: Browman George P. , Brouwers Melissa 
Published: May 2009

AbstractIn February 2008, Cancer Surgery Alberta hosted a conference on surgical outcomes and quality. The objective here is to review the interactions between quality/outcomes and guidelines, highlighting surgeons' roles. Potential interactions between quality measurement and guidelines are discussed. We analyzed data from practitioner surveys about guidelines to determine surgeons' participation compared with other specialists. The response rate of surgeons in both community‐based and academic practices to guideline development surveys was equivalent to other cancer disciplines. J. Surg. Oncol. 2009;99:467–469. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Outcome—more than just operative mortality
Authors: Brennan Murray F. , Radzyner Mark , RubIn David M. 
Published: May 2009

AbstractHistorical reviews of outcome following major operations for cancer have focused on the readily measurable, operative mortality. The interrelationship of surgeon and institutional volume to improved perioperative outcome has been confirmed. More current studies now relate long term cancer survival to other issues of specialization, volume, payor and institution. The challenge is to determine what volume thresholds are sufficient for acceptable outcomes. J. Surg. Oncol. 2009;99:470–477. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Standardized synoptic cancer pathology reporting: A population‐based approach
Authors: Srigley John R. , McGowan Tom , MacLean Andrea , Raby Marilyn , Ross Jillian , Kramer Sarah , Sawka Carol 
Published: May 2009

AbstractCancer pathology reports contain information which is critical for patient management and for cancer surveillance, resource planning, and quality purposes. The College of American Pathologists (CAP) has defined scientifically validated content of checklists that form the basis for synoptic cancer pathology reporting. We outline how the CAP standards were implemented in a large Canadian province over a 3‐year period resulting in improvements in rates of synoptic reporting and completeness of cancer pathology reporting. J. Surg. Oncol. 2009;99:517–524. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Synthesis and application of novel phenylboronate affinity materials based on organic polymer particles for selective trapping of glycoproteins
Authors: Preinerstorfer Beatrix , Lämmerhofer Michael , Lindner Wolfgang 
Published: May 2009

AbstractWe report on synthesis concepts for the fabrication of various novel phenylboronate affinity materials based on polymethacrylate epoxy beads (Fractogel® EMD Epoxy (M) 40–90 μm) and the testing of these functionalized polymer particles for selective trapping of a glycoprotein from a standard mixture containing a glycosylated and a nonglycosylated protein. Two inherently different approaches for the functionalization of the bare beads with boronate groups have been elucidated. In the first, the epoxy residues of the polymer particles were converted into reactive thiol groups which were subsequently used as anchor moieties for the immobilization of 4‐vinylphenylboronic acid by radical addition or radical polymerization reaction. Three different ways for the generation of sulfhydryl groups have been examined leading to materials with distinct linker chemistries. In the second and more straightforward approach, the epoxy groups were reacted with 4‐mercaptophenylboronic acid. The novel materials were thoroughly characterized by (i) quantitation of the sulfur content by elemental analysis, (ii) reactive sulfhydryls were determined in a photospectrometric assay, (iii) boron content was measured by inductively coupled plasma‐atomic emission spectrometry, and (iv) the amount of reactive boronate groups was evaluated in a fast binding assay employing adenosine as test compound. A maximum concentration of 1.2 mmol boronate groups per gram dry beads could be achieved by the presented synthesis routes. Employing the novel phenylboronate affinity materials in capture and release experiments in the batch mode, a standard glycoprotein, viz. transferrin (Tf) from human serum was separated from a nonglycosylated protein, BSA. A commercial boronate affinity material based on 3‐aminophenylboronic acid modified agarose gel was employed as reference material and was found to perform significantly worse compared to the herein presented novel polymethacrylate particles.
Screening of acetylcholinesterase inhibitors by CE after enzymatic reaction at capillary inlet
Authors: Martín‐Biosca Yolanda , Asensi‐Bernardi Lucia , Villanueva‐Camañas Rosa M. , Sagrado Salvador , Medina‐Hernández Maria J. 
Published: May 2009

AbstractIn this study the development of a procedure based on capillary electrophoresis after enzymatic reaction at capillary inlet methodology for the screening and in vitro evaluation of the biological activity of acetylcholinesterase (AChE) inhibitors is presented. The progress of the enzymatic reaction of the hydrolysis of acetylthiocholine at pH 8 in the presence of AChE and the inhibitor studied is determined by measuring at 230 nm the peak area of the reaction product thiocholine (TCh). In the method employed the capillary was first filled with 30 mM borate‐phosphate buffer (pH 8.0) and subsequently, plugs of: (i) water, (ii) AChE solution, (iii) substrate solution with or without inhibitor, (iv) AChE solution, and (v) water, were hydrodynamically injected into the capillary, and were allowed to stand (and react) during a waiting period of 2 min. The applicability of the proposed methodology to estimate different kinetic parameters of interest such as inhibition constants Ki, identification of inhibitory action mechanism and IC50, is evaluated using compounds with known activity, tacrine edrophonium, and neostigmine. The results obtained are compared with bibliographic values and confirm the effectiveness of the methodology proposed. Finally a method for AChE Inhibitor screening is proposed.
Application of immunoaffinity capillary electrophoresis to the measurements of secreted cytokines by cultured astrocytes
Authors: Kalish Heather , Phillips Terry M. 
Published: May 2009

AbstractThe ability of the central nervous system (CNS) to act in conjunction with the immune system has been of great interest to both neurobiologists and immunologists. Previous studies have shown that astrocytes can be stimulated, by various peptides, to act as immune regulators within the CNS and release cytokines and chemokines. However, the regulatory mechanism of astrocytes is still poorly understood. Our present study describes a micro‐device capable of monitoring the growth and stimulation of 20 astrocytes by vasoactive intestinal peptide. A microdialysis needle was used to collect the secretion by products, which were analyzed by immunoaffinity capillary electrophoresis (ICE) for the secretion of pro‐inflammatory cytokines, IL‐1α, IL‐1β, IL‐6, and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)‐α; hemopoetic cytokines, IL‐3, granulocyte colony‐stimulating factor (G‐CSF), macrophage colony‐stimulating factor (M‐CSF), granulocyte/macrophage colony‐stimulating factor (GM‐CSF); and chemokines; regulated upon activation normal T‐cell expression sequence (RANTES), macrophage inflammatory protein (MIP)‐1α and MIP‐1β. Vasoactive intestinal peptide stimulated astrocytes showed an almost immediate release of pro‐inflammatory cytokines and chemokines, with an increase over baseline ranging from 3 to 15 fold, while no substantial increase over baseline was observed for hemopoetic cytokines. This system demonstrates the ability to isolate individual cells in a closely controlled environment and identify and quantify their analytes.
Fast gas chromatography: Applications in milk fat analysis
Authors: Povolo Milena , Contarini Giovanna 
Published: May 2009

AbstractIn our society saving time is important because time is money. For this reason the development of instrumentation able to perform analytical determinations with a high speed is an on‐going matter, particularly regarding routine control analyses. In the last few years the possibility of performing gas chromatographic analysis in a very short time has been increasing. In this paper a general overview of fast chromatography and our experience of its application to the analysis of milk fat triacylglycerols is reported.
Characterization of atmospheric optical turbulence for laser propagation
Authors: Mahalov A. , Moustaoui M. 
Published: May 2009

AbstractThe performance of imaging or transmission systems is limited by atmospheric inhomogeneities and fluctuations. Temperature and pressure variations associated with turbulent eddies cause random fluctuations of the refractive index structure constant (Cn2), which distort optical waves. The distortions may lead to significant blurring, scintillations, broadening and wander of the laser beam. High resolution nested numerical simulations are used to predict and characterize Optical Turbulence (OT) induced by jet streams and gravity waves under various local atmospheric conditions. Non‐homogeneous, anisotropic, non‐Kolmogorov patchy shear‐stratified turbulence in the Upper Troposphere and Lower Stratosphere (UTLS) requires that a fine mesh be used to resolve stiff velocity and temperature gradient profiles. Computational approach is based on nesting and refined vertical gridding in nested mesoscale/microscale codes. This methodology is applied to the analysis of field data from observations. Local distributions of simulated optical turbulence in the UTLS are obtained using very high resolution explicit simulations and parametrization formula. They show strongly laminated structures with thin layers of high values of the refractive index. These optical layers are characterized by steep vertical gradients of potential temperature and are located at the edges of relatively well mixed regions produced by shear instabilities and wave breaking.
Control of Induced Chirality in Optically Active Poly(N‐propargylcarbamate) Films by Solvent Vapor
Authors: Fukushima Toshiyuki , Tsuchihara Kenji 
Published: May 2009

AbstractChiral polyethyne derivatives with lyotropic liquid‐crystalline properties are found to be able to self‐assemble, forming two chiral organizations with opposite handedness in solid thin films by selection of the casting solvent and its concentration. After the film preparation, chiral organization could also be induced by simple exposure to an appropriate organic solvent's vapor for several minutes without thermal treatment. Furthermore, irreversible inversion of the handedness of the chiral organization in the film could be achieved by exposure to solvent vapor.magnified image
Ferroelectric Poly(vinylidene fluoride‐trifluoroethylene‐chlorotrifluoroethylene)s: Effect of Molecular Weight on Dielectric Property
Authors: Zhao Chuanqi , Guo Maotian , Lu Yingying , Wang Qing 
Published: May 2009

AbstractA series of ferroelectric poly(vinylidene fluoride‐trifluoroethylene‐ chlorotrifluoroethylene), P(VDF‐TrFE‐CTFE), have been synthesized by a two‐step approach. The first step is copolymerization of VDF and CTFE via solution or suspension methods to produce P(VDF‐CTFE) copolymers with different molecular weights. The second step is partial de‐chlorination to convert copolymers into P(VDF‐TrFE‐CTFE) terpolymers with precisely controlled compositions. The effect of molecular weight, molecular weight distribution and uniaxially stretching on the dielectric properties has been investigated over a broad range of temperature and frequency. The X‐ray diffraction patterns and DSC curves demonstrate the coexistence of the multiple phases in the terpolymers. The dielectric spectra depict the local relaxation processes and relaxor ferroelectric behavior on the basis of the dielectric loss tangent as a function of temperature.
Surface Modification of Polydimethylsiloxane Substrates with Nonfouling Poly(Poly(ethylene glycol)methacrylate) Brushes
Authors: Tugulu Stefano , Klok Harm‐Anton 
Published: May 2009

AbstractThis contribution presents a new strategy to grow nonfouling poly (poly(ethylene glycol)methacrylate) (PPEGMA) brushes from polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) substrates. The strategy presented here is based on the use of a sequence of vapor deposition/hydrolysis cycles to generate a surface‐confined atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP)‐initiator functionalized interpenetrating polymer network (IPN) layer. In contrast to most other approaches that have been developed to graft thin polymer layers from PDMS substrates, this technique obviates the need for UV/ozone pretreatment of the PDMS substrate. It is shown that the surface‐confined ATRP‐initiator functionalized IPN layer can be used to grow PPEGMA brushes in a controlled fashion and that the resulting PPEGMA coating significantly reduces nonspecific protein adsorption as compared to unmodified PDMS substrates.
What Factors Determine Hierarchical Structure of Microbial Cellulose – Interplay among Physics, Chemistry and Biology –
Authors: Koizumi Satoshi , Tomita Yoko , Kondo Tetsuo , Hashimoto Takeji 
Published: May 2009

AbstractA microbial cellulose film (pellicle), prepared by Acetorbactor xylinum, is a supramolecule system, absorbing a huge amount of water (99% by weight). To elucidate the affinity to water, we investigated the hierarchical structure in a pellicle by using ultra‐small‐angle and small‐angle neutron scattering, observing a wide range of length scales from nm to µm. We successfully determined mass fractal dimensions for the amorphous structure, which hierarchically varies local concentration fluctuations, bundle and network, appeared as the length scale increases. On a basis of these findings, we discuss to address a question what factors determine the hierarchy in the microbial cellulose. This is a new topic of soft matter science, regarded as reaction‐induced self‐assembly in a non‐equilibrium open system, therein soft matter physics, biochemistry and cell biology crucially interplay.
Thermoplastic Starch
Authors: Stepto R.F.T. 
Published: May 2009

AbstractThe thermoplastics processing of native starch in the presence of water is a recent development with very wide possible applications. Eventually, oil‐based polymer materials have to be replaced in many applications by sustainable, inexpensive, natural materials from renewable resources. The present contribution focuses on the injection moulding of starch. The bases of the processing and the thermal and molecular changes occurring are described. In addition, the rheological behaviour of starch‐water melts during processing is analysed quantitatively to give apparent melt viscosities. The dimensional, thermal and mechanical properties of moulded thermoplastic starch polymer (TSP) materials and the products presently being produced from them are discussed.
Poly(methyl methacrylate) Membrane: Dynamic Measurement of Concentrations During Water‐Induced Phase Separation
Authors: Karimi Mohammad , Kish Mohammad Haghighat 
Published: May 2009

AbstractThe properties of membranes produced by nonsolvent‐induced phase separation (NIPS) depend on the rate of mass transfer of mobile components. This paper reports the use of Fourier transform infrared‐attenuated total reflectance (FTIR‐ATR) using principle component regression (PCR) analysis to study the compositional change of polymer solution immersed into the water prior to the phase demixing. To correlate the compositional change with the macroscopic structure, the observation on the dynamics of NIPS is made by a low magnification optical microscope equipped with a video camera. The morphology of the films was also examined by scanning electron microscope. Acetone and N, N‐dimethylformamide were chosen as solvents to present different behavior of poly (methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) solutions during the NIPS process. The ratio of solvent and nonsolvent exchange, flux ratio $d\phi _2 /d\phi _1 $ shows the mass transfer in the homogeneous polymer solution after immersion in a nonsolvent bath. The results show that the flux ratio ($d\phi _2 /d\phi _1 $) is affected by solvents which probably affects the ultimate structures of the precipitated polymer.
Dynamics of Poly(vinylmethyl ether) Blends with a Strongly Interassociating Copolymer
Authors: Masser Kevin A. , Runt James 
Published: May 2009

AbstractWe apply broadband dielectric relaxation spectroscopy to probe the dynamics of hydrogen bonded polymer blends. A copolymer consisting of 2,3‐dimethylbutadiene (DMB) [86%] and p‐(hexafluoro‐2‐hydroxyl‐2‐propyl)styrene (HFS) [14%] was synthesized and blended with poly(vinylmethyl ether) (PVME). The copolymer is capable of forming strong intermolecular hydrogen bonds, while minimizing the degree of intramolecular associations, and its blends with PVME are predicted to be miscible over the entire composition range. Two segmental processes, α and α1, are present in blends containing 26, 50, and 76 weight percent copolymer. The slower process (α1) is assigned to the segmental motion of the intermolecularly associated copolymer, and the faster process (α) to segmental motions of PVME modified by the HFS:DMB copolymer. A relaxation associated with residual water is present in the glassy state. A local process due to motions of the PVME ether groups (β) is also present in the glassy state, and does not change with blend composition.
Preparation and Properties of Biodegradable Slow‐Release PAA Superabsorbent Matrixes for Phosphorus Fertilizers
Authors: Tyliszczak B. , Polaczek J. , Pielichowski J. , Pielichowski K. 
Published: May 2009

AbstractBiodegradable superabsorbent matrixes for a slow‐release fertilizer were prepared by using crosslinked acrylic acid and water‐soluble granular phosphorus fertilizer KH2PO4. The effects of the amount of crosslinker, initiator and phosphorus fertilizer concentration on water absorption were investigated and optimized. The products show excellent slow release and water‐retention capacity, being nontoxic in soil and environment‐friendly, and could be useful especially in agricultural and horticultural applications. The results showed that the hydrogel structure and swelling capacity was affected by various factors, such as concentration of crosslinker and initiator, as well as by the amount of KH2PO4.