bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Internal Architecture of Zwitterionic Polymer Brushes Regulates Nonfouling Properties
Authors: Huang Chun‐Jen , Li Yuting , Krause Jordan B. , Brault Norman D. , Jiang Shaoyi 
Published: February 2012

AbstractIn this work, we study how film thickness and chain packing density affect the protein‐resistant properties of polymer brushes in complex media. Polymer brushes based on dual‐functional poly(carboxybetaine acrylamide) (pCB) were prepared via surface‐initiated photoiniferter‐mediated polymerization. By adjusting UV radiation time and solvent polarity, pCB films with different thicknesses can be achieved and characterized using an ellipsometer. The packing density of pCB polymer chains is directly related to the swelling ratio of swollen to collapsed film thicknesses. Results showed that the dry film thickness alone, used often in the literature, is not sufficient to correlate with nonfouling properties and the chain packing density must be considered for the design of nonfouling surface coatings.
Basal ganglia–premotor dysfunction during movement imagination in writer's cramp
Authors: Castrop Florian , Dresel Christian , Hennenlotter Andreas , Zimmer Claus , Haslinger Bernhard 
Published: February 2012

AbstractThe pathophysiology of idiopathic focal hand dystonia (writer's cramp) is characterized by deficient inhibitory basal ganglia function and altered cortical sensorimotor processing. To explore if this is already a primary finding in dystonia for internal movement simulation independent of dystonic motor output or abnormal sensory input, we investigated the neural correlates of movement imagination and observation in patients with writer's cramp. Event‐related fMRI was applied during kinesthetic motor imagery of drawing simple geometric figures (imagination task) and passively observing videos of hands drawing identical figures (observation task). Compared with healthy controls, patients with writer's cramp showed deficient activation of the left primary sensorimotor cortex, mesial and left dorsal premotor cortex, bilateral putamen, and bilateral thalamus during motor imagery. No significant signal differences between both groups were found during the observation task. We conclude that internal movement simulation and planning as tested during imagination of hand movements appear to be dysfunctional in patients with writer's cramp, whereas visual signal processing and observation‐induced activation are unaffected. Deficient basal ganglia–premotor activation could be a correlate of impaired basal ganglia inhibition and focusing during the selection of motor programs in dystonia. This finding seems to be an intrinsic deficit, as it is found during motor imagery in the absence of dystonic symptoms. © 2012 Movement Disorder Society
Characterization of Microwave‐Induced Electric Discharge Phenomena in Metal–Solvent Mixtures
Authors: Chen Wen , Gutmann Bernhard , Kappe C. Oliver 
Published: February 2012

AbstractElectric discharge phenomena in metal–solvent mixtures are investigated utilizing a high field density, sealed‐vessel, single‐mode 2.45 GHz microwave reactor with a built‐in camera. Particular emphasis is placed on studying the discharges exhibited by different metals (Mg, Zn, Cu, Fe, Ni) of varying particle sizes and morphologies in organic solvents (e.g., benzene) at different electric field strengths. Discharge phenomena for diamagnetic and paramagnetic metals (Mg, Zn, Cu) depend strongly on the size of the used particles. With small particles, short‐lived corona discharges are observed that do not lead to a complete breakdown. Under high microwave power conditions or with large particles, however, bright sparks and arcs are experienced, often accompanied by solvent decomposition and formation of considerable amounts of graphitized material. Small ferromagnetic Fe and Ni powders (<40 μm) are heated very rapidly in benzene suspensions and start to glow in the microwave field, whereas larger particles exhibit extremely strong discharges. Electric discharges were also observed when Cu metal or other conductive materials such as silicon carbide were exposed to the microwave field in the absence of a solvent in an argon or nitrogen atmosphere.
Mechanical properties and surface morphology of photodegraded polyoxymethylene modified by a core–shell acrylate elastomer with UV stabilization
Authors: Zhou Daojun , You Bin , Wu Guibo , Ren Xiancheng 
Published: February 2012

AbstractIn order to improve the photostability of polyoxymethylene (POM), a core‐shell acrylate elastomer with UV stabilization, i.e. poly[(methyl methacrylate)‐(butyl acrylate)‐2‐hydroxy‐4‐(3‐methacryloxy‐2‐hydroxypropoxy)benzophenone] (core‐shell poly(MMA‐BA‐BPMA)), was added into the POM matrix using a melt‐mixing method. The effect of the modification with core‐shell poly(MMA‐BA‐BPMA) on POM was compared with that of poly(MMA‐co‐BA‐co‐BPMA) copolymer. Scanning electron microscopy, metallographic microscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, differential scanning calorimetry, X‐ray diffraction and X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy were employed to characterize POM blends before and after UV irradiation, and the mechanical properties of the POM blends were investigated. The results showed that core‐shell poly(MMA‐BA‐BPMA) improved well the compatibility with and toughness of the POM matrix, and its light‐stable functional groups could increase the UV resistance of POM blends. During UV aging, the impact strength and elongation at break of POM/core‐shell poly(MMA‐BA‐BPMA) blends were retained, the growth rate of surface cracks of POM was inhibited effectively by core‐shell poly(MMA‐BA‐BPMA) and the degree of photo‐oxidation of POM blend surfaces was improved to a certain extent. Compared with poly(MMA‐co‐BA‐co‐BPMA), core‐shell poly(MMA‐BA‐BPMA) had a better UV stabilization effect on the POM matrix. Our results indicate that the core‐shell acrylate elastomer with toughening and UV stabilization functions can significantly improve the long‐term UV stability of POM. Copyright © 2012 Society of Chemical Industry
GPs' views on the content and quality of psychiatrists' clinic letters
Authors: Sain Kallol , Shah Nirmee , Hasan Syed 
Published: February 2012

AbstractEffective communication with other health professionals is extremely important in psychiatry and helps improve the quality of patient care. To assess the current standard, the authors audited the quality of psychiatrists' letters to GPs about patients in out – patient psychiatric care in the Heart of Birmingham and obtained feedback from the GPs on the content and quality of these letters. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Synthesis, surface properties, and morphologies of poly[methyl(3,3,3‐trifluoropropyl)siloxane]‐b‐polystyrene‐b‐poly(tert‐butyl acrylate) triblock copolymers by a combination of anionic ROP and ATRP
Authors: Yi Lingmin , Huang Chuanxia , Zhou Wei 
Published: February 2012

AbstractA series of well‐defined poly[methyl(3,3,3‐trifluoropropyl)siloxane]‐b‐polystyrene‐b‐poly(tert‐butyl acrylate) (PMTFPS‐b‐PS‐b‐PtBA) triblock copolymers were prepared by a combination of anionic ring‐opening polymerization of 1,3,5‐trimethyl‐1,3,5‐tris(3′,3′,3′‐trifluoropropyl)cyclotrisiloxane (F3), and atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP) of styrene (St) and tert‐butyl acrylate (tBA), using the obtained α‐bromoisobutyryl‐terminal PMTFPS (PMTFPS‐Br) as the macroinitiators. The ATRP of St from PMTFPS‐Br, as well as the ATRP of tBA from the obtained PMTFPS‐b‐PS‐Br macroinitiators, has typical characteristic of controlled/living polymerization. The results of contact angle measurements for the films of PMTFPS‐b‐PS‐b‐PtBA triblock copolymers demonstrate that the compositions have an effect on the wetting behavior of the copolymer films. For the copolymer films with different compositions, there may be different macroscale or nanoscale structures on the outmost layer of the copolymer surfaces. The films with high content of PtBA blocks exhibit almost no ordered microstructures on the outmost layer of the copolymer surfaces, even though they have microphase‐separated structures in bulk. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem, 2012
Investigation on dual properties of photosensitive thermotropic liquid‐crystalline poly(benzylidene‐ether)s containing alkanones and methylene spacers in the main chain
Authors: Balaji K. , Murugavel S. C. 
Published: February 2012

AbstractThermotropic main chain liquid‐crystalline poly (benzylidene‐ether)s were synthesized by Claisen‐Schmidt polycondensation reaction of 4,4′‐diformyl‐2,2′‐dimethoxy‐α,ω‐diphenoxyalkanes with acetone, cyclopentanone, and cyclohexanone. The diformyl precursors were synthesized from 4‐hydroxy‐3‐methoxybenzaldehyde with dibromoalkanes of varying spacer lengths. The structure of monomers and polymers was confirmed by elemental analyses, Fourier‐transform infrared, 1H NMR, and 13C NMR spectral analyses. The thermal properties were studied by thermogravimetric analysis and differential scanning calorimetry. Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) data revealed that the polymers were stable up to 285 °C and start degrading thereafter. Cyclopentanone‐containing polymers are more stable than cyclohexanone‐ and acetone‐containing polymers. The self‐extinguishing property of the synthesized polymers was studied by calculating the limiting oxygen index values using Van Krevelen's equation. The influence of the length of methylene spacer on phase transition was investigated using differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), and it was proved that the isotropic temperature decreases with an increase in the length of the spacer. Polarized optical microscopic study showed that cyclohexanone‐containing polymers exhibit nematic threadlike and nematic droplet texture. The photolysis of liquid‐crystal poly(benzylidene‐ether)s revealed that the Entgegen, Zusammen (EZ) photoisomerization proceeds in the system. The band gap energy was calculated from absorption spectra and is in the range of 3.05–3.37 eV and proved that the length of spacers has a significant influence on their absorption and emission. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem, 2012
Synthesis of poly(oligoaniline)s with structures controlled over three different oxidation states
Authors: Kim Taek‐Gyoung , Park Ji‐Woong 
Published: February 2012

AbstractWe synthesize poly(oligoaniline)s consisting of multiple oligoaniline units linked by alkane spacers with their structures and properties controlled over three different oxidation states. tert‐Butoxycarbonyl (t‐BOC)‐protected diamino‐oligoanilines are synthesized and polymerized with diisocyanatoalkanes to produce t‐BOC‐protected prepolymers. We obtain the unprotected poly(oligoaniline)s in leucoemeraldine base, emeraldine base, and emeraldine salt oxidation forms by using different deprotection conditions for each of them. Distinct routes to each oxidation form of poly(oligoaniline)s enable exploitation of the crystalline structure, electrochemical activity, or conductivity, which is expected from the oligoaniline‐based materials, as well as their excellent processability into thin films that arises from their polymeric nature. The results suggest that new functional materials based on poly(oligoaniline)s may be derived by developing efficient synthetic procedures to control the oxidation states, promising for creation of new nanostructured materials with electrochemical activities. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem, 2012
Four of a kind: Asthma control, FEV1, FeNO, and psychosocial problems in adolescents
Authors: Tibosch Marijke , de Ridder Jannemarie , Landstra Anneke , Hugen Cindy , Brouwer Marianne , Gerrits Peter , van Gent René , Roukema Jolt , Verhaak Christianne , Merkus Peter 
Published: February 2012

AbstractBackgroundMany adolescents have poor asthma control and are at high risk for psychosocial problems. However, structured assessment of asthma control or psychosocial problems is still not implemented in routine asthma care. Pediatricians typically rely on their clinical view and physiological measurements. To date, it is unknown whether clinical and patient reported outcomes are interrelated. Furthermore, there is no consensus on who should be the informant; the adolescent or his caregiver.Study Aim(s)This study aimed to assess the relationship between patient and caregiver reported outcomes [Asthma Control Questionnaire and Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ)] and physiological parameters (FEV1 and Fractional exhaled Nitric Oxide) in adolescents (aged 11–16) with asthma.MethodsA multicenter observational study was performed in four Dutch pediatric outpatient departments. Association between asthma control, physiological parameters, and results of psychosocial questionnaires completed by both adolescent and caregiver was analyzed.ResultsForty‐eight adolescents and their caregivers participated in this study. Asthma was uncontrolled in about 30%. Asthma control was not associated with age, gender, FEV1, FeNO, or psychosocial problems. Agreement between adolescents and caregivers about how well asthma was controlled was moderate (κ = 0.577, P < 0.01).DiscussionAsthma control, physiological parameters, and psychosocial problems are different domains of health status. It could be suggested to use validated patient and caregiver reported outcomes in routine adolescent asthma care.ConclusionPatient and caregiver reported outcomes on asthma control and the presence of psychosocial problems add valuable, unique information to physiological parameters in adolescent asthma management. Pediatr Pulmonol. 2012. 47:933–940. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
β2‐adrenoreceptor polymorphisms in asthmatic and non‐asthmatic schoolchildren from colombia and their relationship to treatment response
Authors: Isaza Carlos , Sepúlveda‐Arias Juan C. , Agudelo Bertha Inés , Arciniegas William , Henao Julieta , Porras Gloria L. , Beltrán Leonardo 
Published: February 2012

AbstractAsthma is a chronic and recurrent disease. Its high prevalence around the world is the result of a complex interaction between genetic and environmental factors. The genetic aspects of susceptibility, severity, and response to treatment in asthma are of great scientific interest. The purpose of the study was to establish the relationship between the Gln27Glu and Arg16Gly alleles of the β2‐adrenergic receptor (ADRB2) gene with respect to the susceptibility to and severity of asthma, as well as the response to treatment in mestizo schoolchildren. 109 schoolchildren with asthma diagnosis and 137 asymptomatic controls were genotyped for the Arg16Gly and Gln27Glu alleles of the ADRB2 gene by minisequencing. Allele, genotype, and haplotype frequencies of the ADRB2 gene between asthmatic and non‐asthmatic as well as demographic, clinical, and spirometric variables among asthmatic patients according to their genotype were compared. ADRB2 gene expression was determined by real‐time quantitative PCR. No statistical differences were found in allele, genotype, and haplotype frequencies of the ADRB2 gene between cases and controls. We did not find differences between asthmatic patients classified according to their ADRB2 genotypes and haplotypes when evaluating demographic, clinical, and spirometric variables. The ADRB2 genotype and haplotype are not associated with spirometric responses or ADRB2 gene expression after administration of a β‐2 agonist plus a glucocorticoid. These results suggest that in the group of mestizo schoolchildren studied, the Arg16Gly and Gln27Glu polymorphisms are not markers of susceptibility or severity of asthma and do not affect ADRB2 gene expression during the rescue therapy. Pediatr Pulmonol. 2012. 47:848–855. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Polymerase‐chain‐reaction‐based diagnosis of invasive fungal pulmonary infections in immunocompromised children
Authors: Kadmon Gili , Nahum Elhanan , Sprecher Hannah , Stein Jerry , Levy Itzhak , Schiller Ofer , Schonfeld Tommy 
Published: February 2012

AbstractObjectiveFungal pneumonia is a serious complication in immunocompromised children. It is difficult to diagnose because of the low sensitivity of clinical and standard laboratory tests. The aim of this study was to investigate the diagnostic impact of polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assays for fungal pathogens in bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) fluid.Study DesignBAL samples obtained from hospitalized immunocompromised patients with clinical pneumonia between January 2007 and June 2009 were processed for microscopy and cultures in addition to PCR‐based fungal assays. The results were compared between the standard and PCR methods.ResultsSeventy‐seven children with 100 episodes of pneumonia were included in the study. Fungal pathogens were detected by standard microbiological investigations in 10 episodes (10%) and by PCR‐based assays alone in 20 episodes (20%). There was no significant difference in clinical improvement or mortality rate between patients diagnosed by the different methods. In 61 episodes, no fungal pathogen was identified by either method. Prolonged antifungal therapy was avoided in 43 episodes.ConclusionPCR‐based assay for the diagnosis of fungal pulmonary infections may be a useful adjunct to clinical and standard microbiological techniques. The use of PCR may decrease the time to diagnosis, increase the rate of detection of fungal pathogens, and spare patients unnecessary antifungal treatment. Pediatr Pulmonol. 2012. 47:994–1000. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Baseline and post‐bronchodilator interrupter resistance and spirometry in asthmatic children
Authors: Beydon Nicole , Mahut Bruno , Maingot L. , Guillo H. , La Rocca M.C. , Medjahdi N. , Koskas M. , Boulé M. , Delclaux Christophe 
Published: February 2012

AbstractIn children unable to perform reliable spirometry, the interrupter resistance (Rint) technique for assessing respiratory resistance is easy to perform. However, few data are available on the possibility to use Rint as a surrogate for spirometry. We aimed at comparing Rint and spirometry at baseline and after bronchodilator administration in a large population of asthmatic children. We collected retrospectively Rint and spirometry results measured in 695 children [median age 7.8 (range 4.8–13.9) years] referred to our lab for routine assessment of asthma disease. Correlations between Rint and spirometry were studied using data expressed as z‐scores. Receiver operator characteristic curves for the baseline Rint value (z‐score) and the bronchodilator effect (percentage predicted value and z‐score) were generated to assess diagnostic performance. At baseline, the relationship between raw values of Rint and FEV1 was not linear. Despite a highly significant inverse correlation between Rint and all of the spirometry indices (FEV1, FVC, FEV1/FVC, FEF25–75%; P < 0.0001), Rint could detect baseline obstruction (FEV1 z‐score ≤ −2) with only 42% sensitivity and 95% specificity. Post‐bronchodilator changes in Rint and FEV1 were inversely correlated (rhô = −0.50, P < 0.0001), and Rint (≥35% predicted value decrease) detected FEV1 reversibility (>12% baseline increase) with 70% sensitivity and 69% specificity (AUC = 0.79). Rint measurements fitted a one‐compartment model that explained the relationship between flows and airway resistance. We found that Rint had poor sensitivity to detect baseline obstruction, but fairly good sensitivity and specificity to detect reversibility. However, in order to implement asthma guidelines for children unable to produce reliable spirometry, bronchodilator response measured by Rint should be systematically studied and further assessed in conjunction with clinical outcomes. Pediatr Pulmonol. 2012. 47:987–993. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
High Prevalence of Evolutionarily Conserved and Species-Specific Genomic Aberrations in Mouse Pluripotent Stem Cells
Authors: Ben-David Uri , Benvenisty Nissim 
Published: February 2012

Abstract
Mouse pluripotent stem cells (PSCs) are the best studied pluripotent system and are regarded as the “gold standard” to which human PSCs are compared. However, while the genomic integrity of human PSCs has recently drawn much attention, mouse PSCs have not been systematically evaluated in this regard. The genomic stability of PSCs is a matter of profound significance, as it affects their pluripotency, differentiation, and tumorigenicity. We thus performed a thorough analysis of the genomic integrity of 325 samples of mouse PSCs, including 127 induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC) samples. We found that genomic aberrations occur frequently in mouse embryonic stem cells of various mouse strains, add in mouse iPSCs of various cell origins and derivation techniques. Four hotspots of chromosomal aberrations were detected: full trisomy 11 (with a minimally recurrent gain in 11qE2), full trisomy 8, and deletions in chromosomes 10qB and 14qC-14qE. The most recurrent aberration in mouse PSCs, gain 11qE2, turned out to be fully syntenic to the common aberration 17q25 in human PSCs, while other recurrent aberrations were found to be species specific. Analysis of chromosomal aberrations in 74 samples of rhesus macaque PSCs revealed a gain in chromosome 16q, syntenic to the hotspot in human 17q. Importantly, these common aberrations jeopardize the interpretation of published comparisons of PSCs, which were unintentionally conducted between normal and aberrant cells. Therefore, this work emphasizes the need to carefully monitor genomic integrity of PSCs from all species, for their proper use in biomedical research.
Disclosure of potential conflicts of interest is found at the end of this article.
A survey on interactive games over mobile networks
Authors: Gerla M. , Maggiorini D. , Palazzi C.E. , Bujari A. 
Published: February 2012

ABSTRACTThe mobile revolution has brought us the possibility to enjoy our favorite applications anywhere and anytime. In this context, interactive games over mobile networks embody a fascinating case study both for their commercial success and for their technical challenges, thus, sparking interest and development. The current state of the art of interactive games over mobile networks is captured in this article. We discuss main requirements and analyze possible combinations of existing solutions to provide better support for highly interactive game sessions with mobile players. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.