bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Water‐mediated transport in ion‐containing polymers
Authors: Hickner Michael A. 
Published: October 2011

AbstractWater‐mediated ion conduction enables high conductivity in hydrated polymer membranes commonly used in electrochemical devices. Understanding the coupling of the absorbed water with the polymer matrix and the dynamics of water inside the polymer network across the full range of length scales in the membrane is important for unraveling the structure–property relationships in these materials. By considering the water behavior in ion‐containing polymers, next‐generation fuel cell membranes are being designed that exceed the conductivity of the state‐of‐the‐art materials and have optimized conductivity and permeability that may be useful in other types of devices such as redox flow batteries. Water–polymer associations can be exploited to tune the transport and mechanical property tradeoffs in these polymers. Measurements of water motion provide important criteria for assessing the factors that control the performance of these types of materials. This review article discusses current understanding of water behavior in ion‐containing polymers and the relationship between water motion and ion and molecular transport. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part B: Polym Phys, 2011
The Role of Albumin and Fibronectin in the Adhesion of Fibroblasts to Plasma Polymer Surfaces
Authors: Zelzer Mischa , Albutt Darren , Alexander Morgan R. , Russell Noah A. 
Published: October 2011

AbstractPlasma polymer coatings are widely applied to the modification of biomaterial surfaces. In order to understand the role of the surface in the adhesion of cells to these materials, it is necessary to understand how protein adsorption is influenced by the plasma polymer surface chemistry. In coated scaffolds, plasma polymerised allylamine has been found to encourage fibroblast adhesion while plasma polymerised hexane reduces cell adhesion. To study the role of proteins in this process, albumin and fibronectin are pre‐adsorbed individually, competitively or sequentially to the plasma polymer surfaces before seeding them with a culture of 3T3 fibroblasts. Significant dependence upon the protein pre‐adsorption was seen in the adhered cell numbers. In situ measurements of protein adsorption using a quartz crystal microbalance help to elucidate the factors that govern the observed cellular response. The measured protein adsorption is rationalised in terms of our knowledge of the surface chemistry of these plasma polymers. We found that high cell adhesion is related to the ability of fibronectin to displace albumin. This ability is reduced on the hydrophobic plasma polymer as well as by adsorbing albumin and fibronectin sequentially.magnified image
Association between parental smoking behavior and children's respiratory morbidity: 5‐year study in an urban city of South Korea
Authors: Jung Jae Woo , Ju Young Su , Kang Hye Ryun 
Published: October 2011

AbstractIntroductionAfter intensive tobacco control efforts in recent decades, the prevalence of active smoking has decreased. However, the hazardous effect of indirect exposure to cigarette smoke is often underestimated, especially in children. We aimed to investigate the effect of parental smoking on the respiratory morbidity of the children of parents who smoke by evaluating the relationship between parental smoking behavior and children's respiratory symptoms.MethodsWe conducted a cross‐sectional follow‐up study of 31,584 children aged 6–11 in an urban community in Anyang City, Korea. The children's parents were asked about their smoking status and completed questionnaires regarding their children's symptoms related to asthma and other upper or lower respiratory illnesses. Our analysis focused on a comparison of the frequency of respiratory and ocular symptoms according to parental smoking status, whether it was non‐smoking (Non‐S), indirect passive smoking (third‐hand smoking, THS) or direct passive smoking (second‐hand smoking, SHS).ResultsThe children with Non‐S patients were 40.9%, THS group 40.6%, and SHS group 18.5%. THS group showed lower ORs for most respiratory symptoms when compared with those of SHS group, however, THS group revealed increased ORs compared with Non‐S in cough‐related symptoms. There was a linear trend in frequencies of cough and sputum‐related symptoms according to the degree of exposure to cigarette smoke (P < 0.05).ConclusionThe prevalence of respiratory symptoms increased in children exposed to parental smoking including SHS and THS. To avoid the risk of respiratory and allergic disease by environmental tobacco smoke, absolute smoking cessation by parents is strongly recommended. Pediatr Pulmonol. 2012; 47:338–345. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Progression of lung disease in primary ciliary dyskinesia: Is spirometry less accurate than CT?
Authors: Maglione Marco , Bush Andrew , Montella Silvia , Mollica Carmine , Manna Angelo , Esposito Antonietta , Santamaria Francesca 
Published: October 2011

AbstractDespite its extensive use, there is no evidence that spirometry is useful in the assessment of progression of lung disease in primary ciliary dyskinesia (PCD). We hypothesize that high‐resolution computed tomography (HRCT) is a better indicator of PCD lung disease progression than spirometry. We retrospectively evaluated two paired spirometry and HRCT examinations from 20 PCD patients (age, 11.6 years; range, 6.5–27.5 years). The evaluations were performed in stable state and during unstable lung disease. HRCT scans were scored blind by two raters. Compared to the first assessment, at the second evaluation spirometry did not change while HRCT scores significantly worsened (P < 0.01). Age was significantly related to HRCT total (r = 0.5; P = 0.02) and bronchiectasis scores (r = 0.5; P = 0.02). At both evaluations, HRCT total score correlated with FEV1 (r = −0.5, P = 0.01; r = −0.7, P = 0.001, respectively) and FVC Z scores (r = −0.6, P = 0.006; r = −0.7, P = 0.001, respectively), and bronchiectasis score was related to FEV1 (r = −0.5, P = 0.03; r = −0.6; P = 0.002, respectively) and FVC Z scores (r = −0.6, P = 0.008; r = −0.7, P = 0.001, respectively). No relationship was found between the change in HRCT scores and the change in spirometry. In PCD, structural lung disease may worsen despite spirometry being stable. Pediatr Pulmonol. 2012; 47:498–504. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Surface passivation of phosphorus‐diffused n+‐type emitters by plasma‐assisted atomic‐layer deposited Al2O3
Authors: Hoex B. , van de Sanden M. C. M. , Schmidt J. , Brendel R. , Kessels W. M. M. 
Published: October 2011

AbstractIn recent years Al2O3 has received tremendous interest in the photovoltaic community for the application as surface passivation layer for crystalline silicon. Especially p‐type c‐Si surfaces are very effectively passivated by Al2O3, including p‐type emitters, due to the high fixed negative charge in the Al2O3 film. In this Letter we show that Al2O3 prepared by plasma‐assisted atomic layer deposition (ALD) can actually provide a good level of surface passivation for highly doped n‐type emitters in the range of 10–100 Ω/sq with implied‐Voc values up to 680 mV. For n‐type emitters in the range of 100–200 Ω/sq the implied‐Voc drops to a value of 600 mV for a 200 Ω/sq emitter, indicating a decreased level of surface passivation. For even lighter doped n‐type surfaces the passivation quality increases again to implied‐Voc values well above 700 mV. Hence, the results presented here indicate that within a certain doping range, highly doped n‐ and p‐type surfaces can be passivated simultaneously by Al2O3. (© 2012 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Counter‐ion effects of A‐ and B‐type poly(dG)·Poly(dC) and poly(dA)·Poly(dT) DNA by elongation method
Authors: Xie Peng , Liu Kai , Gu Fenglong , Aoki Yuriko 
Published: October 2011

AbstractThe elongation method was developed to calculate the local density of states (LDOS) at ab initio molecular orbital (MO) level. This method is performed on eight types of DNA molecules: namely, a pitch of A‐ and B‐ type poly(dA)·poly(dT) and poly(dG)·poly(dC), and they are neutralized by H+ and Na+, respectively. The difference of total energy between elongation and conventional calculations in each step is considerably small in the order of 10−9 hartree/atom for 20 units of B‐type poly(dA)·poly(dT) model. When the figures of total DOS of each model was compared, the energy gap of model containing Na+ is smaller than that of corresponding model containing H+. The LDOS for each model estimated by elongation method can well reproduce the results by conventional method. The LDOS figures show that the valence bands in A‐ and B‐type DNA are formed by the highest occupied MOs (HOMOs) of adenine/guanine. Na+ can greatly decrease the energy of lowest unoccupied MO (LUMO) and consequently decrease the energy gap between LUMO and HOMO. The electron transfer between stacking adenine/guanine and sodium would play an important role in the conductivity of A‐ and B‐type DNA. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Quantum Chem, 2012
Development of an analytical model for generation expansion planning as a tool to provide guidelines for preventing instability in the long‐term electricity market
Authors: Goldani Saeed Reza , Ghazi Reza , Mashhadi Habib Rajabi 
Published: October 2011

AbstractThis paper considers the problem of deciding multiperiod investments for generation expansion planning (GEP) in restructured power systems. This problem has presented a challenge for both market managers and suppliers regarding the stability in the electricity market and minimum income for suppliers over the planning period. In this paper, an analytical model for studying the GEP problem from the viewpoint of a central management entity is presented. The aim of this method is to establish a dynamic balance between energy supply and demand by adjustment of GEP over the horizon of planning so that not only the expected profit is provided for all new generating plants but the long‐term stability in the electricity market is also improved. This analytical model can be utilized by regulatory bodies to obtain some guidelines and thereby to set their policies for improving GEP and preventing instability in the long‐term electricity market. To do so, in this study, the uncertainties of demand and supply have been modeled through two stochastic processes. Furthermore, the market price dynamics and their mutual effects on the GEP's results have been considered. Finally, this nonlinear dynamic optimization problem is solved using a modified genetic algorithm (GA). The efficiency and ability of the proposed method are examined on a test power system. © 2011 Institute of Electrical Engineers of Japan. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Evaluation of 2 cable restraints with minimum loop stops to capture coyotes
Authors: Etter Dwayne R. , Belant Jerrold L. 
Published: October 2011

AbstractWe compared efficiency and selectivity of 2 cable restraints with a 10.8‐cm‐ (larger) or 8.9‐cm‐ (smaller) diameter minimum loop stop to live‐capture coyotes (Canis latrans) in Michigan, USA. Cable restraints were set for 3,166 (larger) and 1,175 (smaller) trap‐nights, respectively, during March 2008 and January–March 2009. Capture efficiency was 64% (n = 22 coyotes) and 100% (n = 11 coyotes) for cable restraints with larger and smaller diameter minimum loop stops, respectively. Coyotes captured in cable restraints with larger or smaller minimum loop stops were similar in size. Selectivity of cable restraints with larger and smaller minimum loop stops was 100% and 79%, respectively; nontarget species captured included white‐tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) and northern raccoon (Procyon lotor). Based on our findings, we recommend the smaller minimum loop stop diameter for capture of coyotes. We also recommend further testing of cable restraints and set placement for coyotes to improve capture efficacy. © 2011 The Wildlife Society.
Interspecific variation in wildlife hazards to aircraft: Implications for airport wildlife management
Authors: DeVault Travis L. , Belant Jerrold L. , Blackwell Bradley F. , Seamans Thomas W. 
Published: October 2011

AbstractUnderstanding the relative hazards of wildlife to aircraft is important for developing effective management programs. We used Federal Aviation Administration National Wildlife Strike Database records from 1990 to 2009 in the United States to rank the relative hazard of wildlife to aircraft. We summarized data for 77 species or species groups with ≥20 records where collisions occurred ≤500 ft (152 m) above ground level. We also assessed the effects of avian body mass, body density, and group size on relative hazard scores. The 3 most hazardous species or species groups were mule deer (Odocoileus hemionus), white‐tailed deer (O. virginianus), and domestic dogs. “Other geese” (snow goose [Chen caerulescens], brant [Branta bernicla], and greater white‐fronted goose [Anser albifrons]) was the most hazardous bird group. Ten of the 15 most hazardous bird species or species groups are strongly associated with water. Avian body mass was strongly associated with percentage of all strikes that caused damage, but not for species exceeding median body mass (1,125 g) of birds in damaging strikes. In contrast, percentage of damaging strikes increased when multiple birds were involved, but only for those species with body mass ≥1,125 g. Managers should prioritize efforts that will reduce habitat suitability for those species most hazardous to aircraft. We recommend use of exclusion (e.g., fences) for managing large mammals and habitat modifications (e.g., reductions in standing water) accompanied by hazing for reducing bird use of airports. We also recommend that evaluations of jet turbine engine performance following bird ingestions consider using multiple birds with body mass >1,000 g. © 2011 The Wildlife Society.
Fungal decomposition of woody debris of Castanopsis sieboldii in a subtropical old‐growth forest
Authors: Fukasawa Yu , Osono Takashi , Takeda Hiroshi 
Published: October 2011

AbstractFungi, especially basidiomycetes, are the primary agents of woody debris decomposition in terrestrial forest ecosystems. However, quantitative data regarding the abundance and decay activity of wood‐inhabiting fungi are lacking, especially for tropical and subtropical areas. This study demonstrates the dynamics of decay columns of wood‐inhabiting fungi within decaying woody debris of Castanopsis sieboldii and the wood decay activities of those fungi in a subtropical natural forest. Among six basidiomycetes and two ascomycetes observed as sporocarps on fallen boles of C. sieboldii, Microporus affinis was most abundantly observed in terms of frequency of sporocarps and as percentage area of decay columns within cross‐sections of boles, especially those in the early stages of decomposition. In decay columns of M. affinis, both acid‐unhydrolyzable residue (AUR) and holocellulose decayed simultaneously, and wood relative density decreased to 45.8% of that of fresh C. sieboldii wood. A pure culture decay test under laboratory conditions showed that M. affinis was a strong decomposer of AUR and holocellulose. These results suggest that M. affinis has a central role in lignocellulose decomposition of wood of C. sieboldii in the early stages of decomposition.
The hydrodynamics of confined dispersions
Authors: Swan James W. , Brady John F. 
Published: October 2011

AbstractA method is proposed for computing the low-Reynolds-number hydrodynamic forces on particles comprising a suspension confined by two parallel, no-slip walls. This is constructed via the two-dimensional analogue of Hasimoto’s solution (J. Fluid Mech., vol. 5, 1959, pp. 317–328) for a periodic array of point forces in a viscous, incompressible fluid, and, like Hasimoto, the summation of interactions is accelerated by substitution and superposition of ‘Ewald-like’ forcing. This method is akin to the accelerated Stokesian dynamics technique (J. Fluid Mech., vol. 448, 2001, pp. 115–146) and models the suspension dynamics with log–linear computational scaling. The effectiveness of this approach is demonstrated with a calculation of the high-frequency dynamic viscosity of a colloidal dispersion as function of volume fraction and channel width. Similarly, the short-time self-diffusivity for and the sedimentation rate of spherical particles in a confined suspension are determined. The results demonstrate the influence of confining geometry on the transport of small particles, which is becoming increasingly important for micro- and biofluidics.
JENSEN TYPE INEQUALITIES FOR Q-CLASS FUNCTIONS
Authors: MOSLEHIAN MOHAMMAD SAL , KIAN MOHSEN 
Published: October 2011

AbstractSome inequalities of Jensen type for Q-class functions are proved. More precisely, a refinement of the inequality f((1/P)∑ ni=1pixi)≤P∑ ni=1(f(xi)/pi) is given in which p1,…,pn are positive numbers, P=∑ ni=1pi and f is a Q-class function. The notion of the jointly Q-class function is introduced and some Jensen type inequalities for these functions are proved. Some Ostrowski and Hermite–Hadamard type inequalities related to Q-class functions are presented as well.
Population dynamics and reproduction of wild longsnout seahorseHippocampus reidi
Authors: Mai Ana C.G. , Velasco Gonzalo 
Published: October 2011

Life-history characteristics such as growth, mortality, and size at sexual maturity of the seahorseHippocampus reidiwere investigatedin situin north-eastern Brazil from August 2006 to July 2007. The von Bertalanffy growth constantKwas estimated at 1.195 year−1and L∞was set as 20 cm according to Taylor's relationship, using a Lmaxof 19 cm. The smallest male with a brood pouch and the smallest male with a fully mature pouch measured 9 and 9.5 cm (height), respectively, while the smallest mature female measured 8.8 cm. Appropriate reproductive individuals were recorded throughout the study, with peaks from May to November. The size of first effective reproduction (carrying embryos) was 12.4 cm for males, a value higher than previously reported. Estimated instantaneous rate of natural mortality ranged from 1.43 to 1.58 year−1. The estimated life span for the species was 30 months.
Residually finite actions and crossed products
Authors: KERR DAVID , NOWAK PIOTR W. 
Published: October 2011

AbstractWe study a notion of residual finiteness for continuous actions of discrete groups on compact Hausdorff spaces and how it relates to the existence of norm microstates for the reduced crossed product. Our main result asserts that an action of a free group on a zero-dimensional compact metrizable space is residually finite if and only if its reduced crossed product admits norm microstates, i.e., is an MF algebra.
Does the design of extra-care housing meet the needs of the residents? A focus group study
Authors: BARNES SARAH , TORRINGTON JUDITH , DARTON ROBIN , HOLDER JACQUETTA , LEWIS ALAN , McKEE KEVIN , NETTEN ANN , ORRELL ALISON 
Published: October 2011

ABSTRACTThe study objective was to explore the views of residents and relatives concerning the physical design of extra-care housing. Five focus groups were conducted with residents in four extra-care schemes in England. One focus group was carried out with relatives of residents from a fifth scheme. Schemes were purposively sampled to represent size, type, and resident tenure. Data were analysed thematically using NVivo 8. Two over-arching themes emerged from the data: how the building supports the lifestyle and how the building design affects usability. Provision of activities and access to amenities were more restrictive for residents with disabilities. Independent living was compromised by building elements that did not take account of reduced physical ability. Other barriers to independence included poor kitchen design and problems doing laundry. Movement around the schemes was difficult and standards of space and storage provision were inadequate. The buildings were too hot, too brightly lit and poorly ventilated. Accessible external areas enabled residents to connect with the outside world. The study concluded that, while the design of extra-care housing meets the needs of residents who are relatively fit and healthy, those with physical frailties and/or cognitive impairment can find the building restrictive resulting in marginalisation. Design across the dependency spectrum is key in meeting the needs of residents. Inclusive, flexible design is required to benefit residents who are ageingin situand have varying care needs.
Substitution between formal and informal care: a ‘natural experiment’ in social policy in Britain between 1985 and 2000
Authors: PICKARD LINDA 
Published: October 2011

ABSTRACTThis paper is concerned with the issue of substitution between formal and informal care in Britain between 1985 and 2000. This period provides the conditions for a ‘natural experiment’ in social policy. During the late 1980s/early 1990s, there was an increase in long-stay residential care for older people, which came to an end around the mid-1990s. The paper examines whether this increase in formal services led to a decline in informal care, and whether this was subsequently reversed. The focus is on provision of intense informal care by adult children to their older parents, trends in which are identified using General Household Survey data. The paper shows that there was a decline in provision of intense and very intense co-resident care for older parents between 1985 and 1995, which came to an end in the mid-1990s. These trends in intergenerational care were negatively related to changes in long-stay residential care. In particular, controlling for age and disability, there was evidence of substitution between nursing home/hospital care and very intense co-resident care for older parents. A key policy implication is that an expansion of very intense formal services for older people could bring about a decline in very intense intergenerational care. The paper relates these findings to the current debate on reform of the long-term care system in England.
Choosing health technology assessment and systematic review topics: The development of priority-setting criteria for patients’ and consumers’ interests
Authors: Bastian Hilda , Scheibler Fülöp , Knelangen Marco , Zschorlich Beate , Nasser Mona , Waltering Andreas 
Published: October 2011

Background: The Institute for Quality and Efficiency in Health Care (IQWiG) was established in 2003 by the German parliament. Its legislative responsibilities are health technology assessment, mostly to support policy making and reimbursement decisions. It also has a mandate to serve patients’ interests directly, by assessing and communicating evidence for the general public.Objectives: To develop a priority-setting framework based on the interests of patients and the general public.Methods: A theoretical framework for priority setting from a patient/consumer perspective was developed. The process of development began with a poll to determine level of lay and health professional interest in the conclusions of 124 systematic reviews (194 responses). Data sources to identify patients’ and consumers’ information needs and interests were identified.Results: IQWiG's theoretical framework encompasses criteria for quality of evidence and interest, as well as being explicit about editorial considerations, including potential for harm. Dimensions of “patient interest” were identified, such as patients’ concerns, information seeking, and use. Rather than being a single item capable of measurement by one means, the concept of “patients’ interests” requires consideration of data and opinions from various sources.Conclusions: The best evidence to communicate to patients/consumers is right, relevant and likely to be considered interesting and/or important to the people affected. What is likely to be interesting for the community generally is sufficient evidence for a concrete conclusion, in a common condition. More research is needed on characteristics of information that interest patients and consumers, methods of evaluating the effectiveness of priority setting, and methods to determine priorities for disinvestment.