bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Novel grafted nafion membranes for proton‐exchange membrane fuel cell applications
Authors: Eldin M. S. Mohy , Elzatahry A. A. , El‐Khatib K. M. , Hassan E. A. , El‐Sabbah M. M. , Abu‐Saied M. A. 
Published: July 2010

AbstractNovel poly(glycidyl methacrylate)‐grafted Nafion–phosphoric acid membranes for direct‐oxidation methanol fuel cells were prepared with a potassium persulfate chemical initiation system for the first time. The introduced epoxy groups were converted to amine groups through a reaction with ethylenediamine, which consequently doped with phosphoric acid (PO3H) groups. The latter significantly contributed to enhancing the ion‐exchange capacity, mechanical properties, and thermal stability. Factors affecting the modification steps were studied. Changes in the chemical and morphological structure were verified through Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, TGA, and scanning electron microscopy characterization. Various grafting percentages (GP%'s) up to 32.31% were obtained. As a result, the thickness of the grafted membranes increased. Furthermore, the methanol permeability of the modified membranes was reduced with increasing grafted polymer content compared with that of the Nafion membrane. An 83.64% reduction in the methanol permeability was obtained with a polymer grafted content of 18.27%. Finally, the efficiency factor for all of the modified Nafion membranes was enhanced compared with that of Nafion. A fourfold improvement was obtained with membranes with a GP% of 18.27% as a maximum value. Such promising results nominate the used technique as a one for the improvement of Nafion membrane efficiency. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2011
Lymphangiogenesis Is Upregulated in Kidneys of Patients With Multiple Myeloma
Authors: Zimmer Julia K. , Dahdal Suzan , Mühlfeld Christian , Bergmann Ivo P. , Gugger Mathias , Huynh‐Do Uyen 
Published: July 2010

AbstractNeolymphangiogenesis has recently been demonstrated in transplanted kidneys as well as in chronic interstitial nephritis and IgA nephropathy. However, its significance in kidney disease remains to be defined and a systematic study of renal lymphangiogenesis is warranted. We investigated patients with multiple myeloma (MM) presenting in the great majority with acute renal insufficiency. Controls were allograft kidney donors and patients with renal insufficiency due to acute renal failure (ARF). Lymph vessel length density (LVD) was quantified immunohistochemically by means of antipodoplanin staining followed by computer‐assisted stereology. The mean LVD in kidneys of patients with MM (23.19 mm−2) was higher when compared with allograft donors (7.42 mm−2, P = 0.0003) and patients with ARF (6.78 mm−2, P = 0.0002). The higher LVD was significantly associated with interstitial inflammation, and the newly formed lymph vessels were accompanied by diffuse and nodular interstitial infiltrates composed mainly of CD20+ B cells and CD27+ plasma cells. The infiltrates in patients with MM also displayed a higher expression of the B‐cell chemoattractant CXCL13. These results demonstrate for the first time that lymphangiogenesis is a prominent feature in MM kidneys and that it is associated with a significant accumulation of macrophages, CD20+ and CD27+ B lymphocytes. Further studies should clarify whether these changes represent a beneficial or detrimental factor in the progression of the myeloma‐related kidney damage. Anat Rec 293:1497–1505, 2010. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
The Cytoskeletal Regulator Zyxin is Required for Viability in Drosophila melanogaster
Authors: Renfranz Patricia J. , Blankman Elizabeth , Beckerle Mary C. 
Published: July 2010

AbstractThe zyxin family of proteins function as cytoskeletal regulators in adhesion, actin assembly, and cell motility. Though fibroblasts derived from zyxin‐null mice show striking defects in motility and response to mechanical stimuli, the mice are viable and fertile. In Drosophila melanogaster, the family is represented by a single homologue, Zyx102. To study the role of zyxin during development, we generated a zyx102 RNA‐interference transgenic line that allows for the conditional knockdown of Zyx102. When UAST‐zyx102‐dsRNAi expression is driven broadly by Actin5C‐GAL4, loss of Zyx102 results in lethality during the pharate adult stage, a narrow developmental window during which the fly must molt, resorb molting fluid, fill adult trachea with air, and execute a behavioral program to eclose. Zyx102 knockdown animals attempt to emerge, but their adult trachea do not fill with air. If dissected from the pupal case, knockdown individuals appear morphologically normal, but remain inviable. Anat Rec 293:1455–1469, 2010. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Sampled‐data state feedback stabilization of a class of nonlinear systems based on Euler approximation
Authors: Malik Fahad Mumtaz , Malik Mohammad Bilal , Munawar Khalid 
Published: July 2010

AbstractIn this paper, sampled‐data control of locally Lipschitz nonlinear systems is studied. The controller is designed entirely in the discrete‐time domain. The design is based on the approximate discrete‐time model of the continuous‐time system obtained using the Euler method. The analyses of the closed loop system establish trajectory convergence, which implies asymptotic/exponential convergence for arbitrarily small sampling time. The major contribution of this paper is that asymptotic/exponential convergence of the closed loop system is proved under some additional conditions for a sufficiently small but nonzero sampling time. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley and Sons Asia Pte Ltd and Chinese Automatic Control Society
Explaining adult age differences in decision‐making competence
Authors: Bruine de Bruin Wändi , Parker Andrew M. , Fischhoff Baruch 
Published: July 2010

ABSTRACTStudies on aging‐related changes in decision making report mixed results. Some decision‐making skills decline with age, while others remain unchanged or improve. Because fluid cognitive ability (e.g., reasoning, problem solving) deteriorates with age, older adults should perform worse on decision‐making tasks that tap fluid cognitive ability. However, performance on some decision‐making tasks may require experience, which increases with age. On those tasks, older adults should perform at least as well as younger adults. These two patterns emerged in correlations between age and component tasks of Adult Decision‐Making Competence (A‐DMC), controlling for demographic variables. First, we found negative relationships between age and performance on two tasks (Resistance to Framing, Applying Decision Rules), which were mediated by fluid cognitive ability. Second, performance on other tasks did not decrease with age (Consistency in Risk Perception, Recognizing Age‐group Social Norms) or improved (Under/Overconfidence, Resistance to Sunk Costs). In multivariate analyses, performance on these tasks showed independent positive relationships to both age and fluid cognitive ability. Because, after controlling for fluid cognitive ability, age becomes a proxy for experience, these results suggest that experience plays no role in performing the first set of tasks, and some role in performing the second set of tasks. Although not all decision‐making tasks showed age‐related declines in performance, older adults perceived themselves as worse decision makers. Self‐ratings of decision‐making competence were related to fluid cognitive ability and to decision‐making skills that decreased with age—but not to decision‐making skills that increased with age. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Big decisions by small networks
Authors: Schuster Stefan 
Published: July 2010

AbstractThe primate brain is able to guide complex decisions that can rapidly be adapted to changing constraints. Unfortunately, the vast numbers of highly interconnected neurons that seem to be needed make it difficult to study the cellular mechanisms that underlie the flexible combination of stored and acute information during a decision. Established simpler networks, particularly with few and identified neurons, would lend themselves more readily to such a dissection. But can simple networks implement complex and flexible decisions similarly? After a brief overview of complex decisions in primates and of decision‐making in simple networks, I argue that simpler systems can combine complexity with accessibility at the cellular level. Indeed, examination of a network in fish may help in dissecting key mechanisms of complex and flexible decision‐making in an established model of synaptic plasticity at the level of identified neurons.
A novel silicon patch‐clamp chip permits high‐fidelity recording of ion channel activity from functionally defined neurons
Authors: Py Christophe , Denhoff Mike W. , Martina Marzia , Monette Robert , Comas Tanya , Ahuja Tarun , Martinez Dolores , Wingar Simon , Caballero Juan , Laframboise Sylvain , Mielke John , Bogdanov Alexei , Luk Collin , Syed Naweed , Mealing Geoff 
Published: July 2010

AbstractWe report on a simple and high‐yield manufacturing process for silicon planar patch‐clamp chips, which allow low capacitance and series resistance from individually identified cultured neurons. Apertures are etched in a high‐quality silicon nitride film on a silicon wafer; wells are opened on the backside of the wafer by wet etching and passivated by a thick deposited silicon dioxide film to reduce the capacitance of the chip and to facilitate the formation of a high‐impedance cell to aperture seal. The chip surface is suitable for culture of neurons over a small orifice in the substrate with minimal leak current. Collectively, these features enable high‐fidelity electrophysiological recording of transmembrane currents resulting from ion channel activity in cultured neurons. Using cultured Lymnaea neurons we demonstrate whole‐cell current recordings obtained from a voltage‐clamp stimulation protocol, and in current‐clamp mode we report action potentials stimulated by membrane depolarization steps. Despite the relatively large size of these neurons, good temporal and spatial control of cell membrane voltage was evident. To our knowledge this is the first report of recording of ion channel activity and action potentials from neurons cultured directly on a planar patch‐clamp chip. This interrogation platform has enormous potential as a novel tool to readily provide high‐information content during pharmaceutical assays to investigate in vitro models of disease, as well as neuronal physiology and synaptic plasticity. Biotechnol. Bioeng. 2010;107:593–600. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Systematic review of the benefits and risks of neoadjuvant chemoradiation for oesophageal cancer
Authors: Courrech Staal E F W , Aleman B M P , Boot H , van Velthuysen M-L F , van Tinteren H , van Sandick J W 
Published: July 2010

Abstract

Background
Surgery alone for locally advanced oesophageal cancer is associated with low cure rates. The benefits and risks of neoadjuvant chemoradiation for patients with oesophageal cancer were evaluated.

Methods
A systematic review of publications between 2000 and 2008 on neoadjuvant chemoradiation for oesophageal cancer was undertaken.

Results
Thirty-eight papers comprising 3640 patients met the inclusion criteria. Chemoradiation regimens varied widely with a predominance of 5-fluorouracil/cisplatin chemotherapy. Chemoradiation-related toxicity was reported in only ten studies and consisted mainly of neutropenia. The chemoradiation-related mortality rate was 2·3 per cent. The mean R0 resection rate and pathological complete response (pCR) rate were 88·4 and 25·8 per cent respectively. Postoperative morbidity was not uniformly reported. The in-hospital mortality rate after oesophagectomy following chemoradiation was 5·2 per cent. Five-year survival rates varied from 16 to 59 per cent in all patients and from 34 to 62 per cent in those with a pCR. Chemoradiation had a temporary negative effect on quality of life.

Conclusion
Neoadjuvant chemoradiation regimens for oesophageal cancer vary widely. Besides traditional outcome variables (such as survival), other parameters should be analysed (for example toxicity) to assess whether the risks of chemoradiation are sufficiently compensated for by the benefits.
Use of third party information in child custody evaluations
Authors: Bow James N. 
Published: July 2010

AbstractThis article reviews the use of third party information and its potential to increase the accuracy and usefulness of child custody evaluations. Legal and admissibility issues are reviewed, along with the types of third party information commonly utilized. Factors impacting such data sources are discussed, as well as the importance of determining the degree to which independent sources point to the same conclusion. Suggestions are provided for selecting, contacting, and interviewing collateral sources, and ways of assessing, utilizing, and reporting collateral data are described. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Accessibility to a parent's psychotherapy records in custody disputes: How can the competing interests be balanced?
Authors: Stansbury Carlton D. 
Published: July 2010

AbstractOne of the issues that commonly arises in custody disputes1 is whether one parent or the court may obtain access to the records of the other parent's mental health treatment.2 The answer to this question varies across jurisdictions given that states do not treat the medical/psychological therapeutic privilege uniformly. These differences demonstrate the competing interests whenever a party's mental health records become an issue in a custody proceeding, and the attempt to balance the interests when the therapeutic privilege is asserted.3 This article will examine the balancing challenge, review the scope and function of the psychotherapist–patient privilege, discuss different states' approaches to the balancing challenge, and propose that preserving the privilege creates the most effective, long‐term balance. The article concludes with strategies on addressing privilege issues in custody cases. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Marital commitment, money and marriage preparation: What changes after the wedding?
Authors: Burgoyne Carole Bourne , Reibstein Janet , Edmunds Anne Mary , Routh David Anthony 
Published: July 2010

AbstractThis paper explores conceptions of commitment and styles of money management in heterosexual couples at two points in time: Just before the wedding (T1) and about a year later (T2). It also examines the potential effects of using FOCCUS as a form of marriage preparation (MP). Forty‐two couples were recruited at T1 and randomly allocated to either A MP group and a group that would not be offered any marriage preparation ‐ the Non‐Marriage Preparation group (NMP). Individual, in‐depth, semi‐structured interviews were carried out at T1 and T2, recorded and fully transcribed. A thematic analysis (TA) yielded three themes or levels of commitment which were used to categorize couples at T1 and T2. Their money management styles were defined based on Pahl's (1989) typology. The results showed that conceptions of commitment had developed slightly overall by T2, and had been enhanced in the MP group. At T2, a more elaborated conception of commitment was associated with a greater tendency to treat money as a collective resource. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Tuning in and tuning out: media multitasking among young consumers
Authors: Bardhi Fleura , Rohm Andrew J. , Sultan Fareena 
Published: July 2010

Abstract

While commercial media are increasingly attended to in multitasking contexts, advertising research is dominated by sequential marketing communication models where the consumer is a passive receiver of one type of media at a time. This study examine's media multitasking behaviors and experiences among young consumers. Media multitasking is the practice of participating in multiple exposures to two or more commercial media forms at a single point in time, including traditional, online, social, and entertainment media. Prior research argues that multitasking results in diminished comprehension and performance. Through a qualitative approach with a sample of 64 young consumers involving interviews and collages, this study highlights the paradoxical experiences of media multitasking. The authors develop a conceptual model that explains the personal benefits and costs associated with media multitasking, and proposes its impact on consumers' motivation, ability and opportunity (the MAO model) to process commercial media content. Further, the study suggests an inverted‐U relationship between media multitasking and the MAO model and proposes four behavioral coping moderators to this relationship.
Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Controlled Synthesis of Water‐Dispersible Faceted Crystalline Copper Nanoparticles and Their Catalytic Properties
Authors: Wang Yanfei , Biradar Ankush V. , Wang Gang , Sharma Krishna K. , Duncan Cole T. , Rangan Sylvie , Asefa Tewodros 
Published: July 2010

AbstractWe report a solution‐phase synthetic route to copper nanoparticles with controllable size and shape. The synthesis of the nanoparticles is achieved by the reduction of copper(II) salt in aqueous solution with hydrazine under air atmosphere in the presence of poly(acrylic acid) (PAA) as capping agent. The results suggest that the pH plays a key role for the formation of pure copper nanoparticles, whereas the concentration of PAA is important for controlling the size and geometric shape of the nanoparticles. The average size of the copper nanoparticles can be varied from 30 to 80 nm, depending on the concentration of PAA. With a moderate amount of PAA, faceted crystalline copper nanoparticles are obtained. The as‐synthesized copper nanoparticles appear red in color and are stable for weeks, as confirmed by UV/Vis and X‐ray photoemission (XPS) spectroscopy. The faceted crystalline copper nanoparticles serve as an effective catalyst for N‐arylation of heterocycles, such as the CN coupling reaction between p‐nitrobenzyl chloride and morpholine producing 4‐(4‐nitrophenyl)morpholine in an excellent yield under mild reaction conditions. Furthermore, the nanoparticles are proven to be versatile as they also effectively catalyze the three‐component, one‐pot Mannich reaction between p‐substituted benzaldehyde, aniline, and acetophenone affording a 100 % conversion of the limiting reactant (aniline).
Hydrogen‐Bond‐Guided Self‐Assembly of Nucleotides on a Receptor‐Array Surface
Authors: Turygin Dmitry S. , Subat Michael , Arslanov Vladimir V. , König Burkhard , Kalinina Maria A. 
Published: July 2010

AbstractThe hydrogen‐bond‐guided self‐assembly of 5′‐ribonucleotides bearing adenine(A), cytosine (C), uracil (U), or guanine (G) bases from aqueous solution on a lipid‐like surface decorated with synthetic bis(ZnII–cyclen) (cyclen=1,4,7,10‐tetraazacyclodododecane) metal–complex receptor sites is described. The process was studied by using surface plasmon resonance spectroscopy. The data show that the mechanism of nucleotide binding to the 2D template is influenced by the chemistry of the bases and the pH value of the solution. In a neutral solution of pH 7.5, the process is cooperative and selective with respect to Watson–Crick pairs (A–U and C–G), which form stable double planes in accordance with the Chargaff rule. In a more acidic solution at pH 6.0, the interactions between complementary partners become non‐cooperative and the surface also stabilizes mismatched and wobble pairs due to the pH‐induced changes in the receptor coordination state. The results suggest that hydrogen bonding plays a key role in the self‐assembly of complementary nucleotides at the lipid‐like interface, and the cooperative character of the process stems from the ideal matching of the orientation and chemistry of all the interacting components with respect to each other in neutral solution.
Multistep Virtual Screening for Rapid and Efficient Identification of Non‐Nucleoside Bacterial Thymidine Kinase Inhibitors
Authors: Zander Johannes , Hartenfeller Markus , Hähnke Volker , Proschak Ewgenij , Besier Silke , Wichelhaus Thomas A. , Schneider Gisbert 
Published: July 2010

AbstractAntimicrobial activity of trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole (SXT) against Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) is antagonized by thymidine, which is abundant in infected or inflamed human tissue. To restore the antimicrobial activity of SXT in the presence of thymidine, we screened for small‐molecule inhibitors of S. aureus thymidine kinase with non‐nucleoside scaffolds. We present the successful application of an adaptive virtual screening protocol for novel antibiotics using a combination of ligand‐ and structure‐based approaches. Two consecutive rounds of virtual screening and in vitro testing were performed that resulted in several non‐nucleoside hits. The most potent compound exhibits substantial antimicrobial activity against both methicillin‐resistant S. aureus strain ATCC 700699 and nonresistant strain ATCC 29213, when combined with SXT in the presence of thymidine. This study demonstrates how virtual screening can be used to guide hit finding in antibacterial screening campaigns with minimal experimental effort.
To improve investors' valuation of accounting earnings in emerging markets: evidence from Taiwan
Authors: Chen Anlin , Kao Lanfeng , Tsao Meilan 
Published: July 2010

AbstractThe valuation of accounting earnings is related to the level of earnings management used by the firm. In emerging markets where earnings management is typically pervasive, investors lose confidence in accounting earnings and thus tend to under‐value earnings. Using data from Taiwan, we show that better governance characteristics are associated with improved investor valuation of accounting earnings. Under weaker governance structures, such as excessive control on the part of majority shareholders, small board size, and chief executive officer/chairman of the board duality, the market tends to under‐value accounting earnings. Reducing controlling shareholders' ownership, increasing board size, and reinforcing the monitoring function of the board improves investors' ability to value accounting earnings. Copyright © 2010 ASAC. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Free Amino Acids Content in Some Halophytes under Salinity Stress in Arid Environment, Jordan
Authors: Nasir Farah Al , Batarseh Mufeed , Abdel‐Ghani Adel H. , Jiries Anwar 
Published: July 2010

AbstractThe variation in free amino acids concentration was examined in halophytes under salt stress conditions during spring and autumn in an arid environment, Jordan. The experiment was conducted in the southern region of the Jordan valley, using four different halophytes namely: Atriplex halimus, Atriplex nummularia, Tamarix aphylla L., and Portulaca oleracea L.Free amino acid concentrations showed changeable patterns under salinity stress conditions compared to the non‐stress (control) with respect to plant species and seasonal variation. In general, the amino acid pool during the spring experienced increases in A. halimus with increasing salinity; and decreased in A. nummularia, P. oleracea L., and T. aphylla L., respectively. Whereas, during the autumn, the overall amino acids decreased in A. halimus and A. nummularia, and increased in T. aphylla L. and P. oleracea with increasing salinity. The amino acid pool concentrations of A. halimus L. during the autumn was similar to that in spring under stress condition. Similarly, T. aphylla L. and P. oleracea showed higher rates in the autumn. In contrast, A. nummularia L. exhibited a slight increase in amino acid composition in the autumn under stress conditions.The plantation of salt tolerant plants such as halophytes in saline sodic soils showed an effective decline in soil salinity and can be recommended to be used as a bioreclamation method instead of the traditional leaching method, which requires large amount of fresh water.