bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Learning from dam removal monitoring: Challenges to selecting experimental design and establishing significance of outcomes
Authors: Kibler K. M. , Tullos D. D. , Kondolf G. M. 
Published: June 2010

AbstractAs the decommissioning of dams becomes a common restoration technique, decisions about dam removals must be based on sound predictions of expected outcomes. Results of past and ongoing dam removal monitoring are an important source of information that practitioners may utilize to evolve predictive and decision‐making tools, emphasizing the need for thorough and defensible documentation of dam removal outcomes. However, as dam removals challenge many basic assumptions of conventional experimental designs and data analysis techniques, the quality of information available to aid decision‐making may be questionable or misleading.Nevertheless, some study design principles and analysis procedures may be robust to the challenges presented by dam removal research. To assist managers in undertaking dam removal monitoring, this article discusses the assets and limitations of monitoring and analysis options available for dam removal studies, with emphasis on selecting a rigorous experimental design and determining significance of results.As the chosen monitoring design will influence the appropriateness of applying standard analytical methods, particularly statistical hypothesis testing, researchers should carefully consider constraints inherent to dam removal studies when designing a monitoring plan and assigning significance to observed changes. Ecological significance is often the most justifiable method for framing significance of dam removal outcomes, though it may be complicated by identification of environmentally significant thresholds. Another alternative is evaluation of the practical significance of results, when observed changes exceed measurement error and background variability. Establishing practical significance may be informative when statistical and ecological significance is inappropriate or impossible to determine. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The impact of dams on flood flows in the United States
Authors: FitzHugh Thomas W. , Vogel Richard M. 
Published: June 2010

AbstractNatural flood regimes provide a wide array of important ecological functions. Our goal is to assess the hydrologic impact of dams on flood flows throughout the United States. Regional regression models of the median annual 1‐day maximum flow were developed as a function of natural watershed characteristics, dam storage, and population density. Most of the regressions have adjusted R2 values in excess of 0.80, and overall the models covered 78% of the area of the continental U.S. Alteration of flood flows is present in every region of the country, and is more severe west of the Mississippi and especially in the southern Great Plains, desert Southwest, and northern California. The percent of U.S. rivers with greater than a 25% reduction in the median annual flood is 55% for large rivers, 25% for medium rivers, and 10% for small rivers. The majority of freshwater ecoregions in the country have at least 10% of their rivers with 25% or greater alteration in all three river size classes. A simple model based on the ratio of dam storage to mean annual runoff was developed for assessing alteration in ungauged rivers, and was found to be generally useful for classifying rivers into categories of potential alteration. Overall, we document the alteration of natural flood flows across the U.S. in more detail than has been previously accomplished, and demonstrate the efficacy of multivariate regional regression models and other indicators for assessing hydrologic alteration. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Mathematical model to identify nitrogen variability in large rivers
Authors: Ani E.‐C. , Hutchins M. , Kraslawski A. , Agachi P. S. 
Published: June 2010

AbstractThe river Swale in Yorkshire, northern England has been the subject of many studies concerning water quality. This paper builds on existing data resources and previous 1D river water quality modelling applications at daily resolution (using QUESTOR) to provide a different perspective on understanding pollution, through simulation of the short‐term dynamics of nutrient transport along the river. The two main objectives are (1) building, calibration and evaluation of a detailed mathematical model (Advection‐Dispersion Model: ADModel), for nutrient transport under unsteady flow conditions and (2) the development of methods for estimating key parameters characterizing pollutant transport (velocity, dispersion coefficient and transformation rates) as functions of hydrological parameters and/or seasonality.The study of ammonium and nitrate has highlighted temporal variability in processes, with maximum nitrification and denitrification rates during autumn. Results show that ADModel is able to predict the main trend of measured concentration with reasonable accuracy and accounts for temporal changes in water flow and pollutant load along the river. Prediction accuracy could be improved through more detailed modelling of transformation processes by taking into account the variability of factors for which existing data were insufficient to allow representation. For example, modelling indicates that interactions with bed sediment may provide an additional source of nutrients during high spring flows. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The control of surface segregation of blend films using stereocomplex formation between enantiomeric polylactide chains
Authors: Lee Won‐Ki , Wells David D. , Goacher Robyn E. , Gardella Joseph A. 
Published: June 2010

AbstractThis study investigated the stereocomplex‐induced surface structure of enantiomeric poly(lactide) (PLA) blend films by time‐of‐flight secondary ion mass spectrometry (TOF‐SIMS). The design of the blend systems was based on the principle of surface segregation of a modified component with a low surface energy, fluorine‐end‐capped PLLA (F‐PLLA). Analysis of F‐PLLA/PDLA and F‐PLLA/PLLA blends, yielded a difference in the ion beam‐induced behavior between fluorine and lactide groups. In addition, a completely phase‐separated sample of PLLA with the fluorine end‐capping agent cast onto the surface was used for a real analysis of peak intensities from the two components, simulating bulk compositions. The two blend systems, uncomplexed (F‐PLLA/PLLA) and complexed (F‐PLLA/PDLA) blends, showed quite different surface structures: namely, a higher fluorine concentration was observed in the uncomplexed blends while the complexed blends showed a wider range of fluorine concentrations, depending on the degree of complexation. This indicates that the complexed blends offer a greater level of control over the surface fluorine concentration because this concentration changes more significantly with the blend composition (or the degree of complexation). Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
SIMS and thermal evolution analysis of oxygen in Zr‐1%Nb alloy after high‐temperature transitions
Authors: Lorincik J. , Klouc̆ek V. , Negyesi M. , Kabátová J. , Novotný L. , Vrtilkova V. 
Published: June 2010

AbstractThe concentration of oxygen in the primary β‐phase of Zr‐1%Nb alloy was investigated using SIMS and thermal evolution analysis (TEA). The specimens were as‐received or preoxidized in water vapor (425 °C/10,7 MPa) to simulate the reactor conditions. Then the specimens were exposed to hot water vapor (0,1 MPa) and high temperatures (950–1200 °C) for variable time intervals, which simulated the Loss of Coolant Accident (LOCA). The specimens were quenched in water with ice. Both SIMS and TEA quantitative results were in good agreement and were correlated with the mechanical properties (microhardness, residual ductility), which depend on the oxygen concentration and are important for the safety analyses assessment. The ceiling concentration of oxygen in the β‐phase was established based on the experimental results of SIMS and TEA. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Spin‐resolved photoemission microscopy and magnetic imaging in applied magnetic fields
Authors: Kronast F. , Schlichting J. , Radu F. , Mishra S.K. , Noll T. , Dürr H.A. 
Published: June 2010

AbstractWe describe a novel experimental facility at the BESSY II synchrotron, aiming at probing element‐specific magnetic properties at the nm‐length scale. It consists of a novel photoemission electron microscope with photoelectron spin analysis combined with a microfocus beamline and full X‐ray polarization control. The facility is capable of magnetic imaging in applied fields allowing the observation of magnetic switching phenomena on a 30‐nm‐length scale. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Novel anodic aluminum oxide‐based nanofabrication: applications in physics and biology
Authors: Moyen E. , Sahaf H. , Macé M. , Masson L. , Sengupta K. , Hanbücken M. 
Published: June 2010

AbstractPorous anodic aluminum oxide (AAO) membranes with varying but controlled morphology are used in several complementary experiments in physics and biology. The present paper gives a description of the membrane fabrication procedure and presents a selection of applications based on the use of the membranes when used as evaporation masks in growth experiments, as masks in reactive ion etching experiments or as molds to fabricate arrays of ordered polymer nanopillars. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Rank friction: an ordinal approach to persistent profitability
Authors: Powell Thomas C. , Reinhardt Ingo 
Published: June 2010

AbstractWe present an ordinal method for studying persistence in firm profitability. The method is based on the degree of stability in a ranked performance distribution over time. The method gives a numerical index of rank friction (Rf) that can be applied to any ranked data over any period of time. Rf is nonparametric and can be used to test theoretical assumptions in strategic management. We illustrate the method in an empirical study of 40 years of profit data in 12 industries. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
A component‐based development process for trustworthy systems
Authors: Mohammad Mubarak , Alagar Vangalur 
Published: June 2010

SUMMARYThis paper introduces a new process for a rigorous component‐centered development of trustworthy systems. The rationale for our perspective of the process is two‐fold. The activities prescribed in a conventional software engineering development process are neither suitable nor sufficient for developing component‐based systems. Component‐based development methods that are currently practised do not support the explicit specification of trustworthiness properties, and are not based on rigorous principles. Hence they are not suitable for developing trustworthy systems. Trustworthiness is regarded as a composite nonfunctional property comprising the four attributes safety, security, availability, and reliability. They must be rigorously defined for components and systems composed from them. It is essential that the process enforces a direct evidence of trustworthiness in the systems that are developed following the process. Consequently, the development process, in addition to being reuse‐oriented, component‐oriented, and rigorous in all phases of the system lifecycle, should maintain the chain of evidence that the trustworthiness properties are preserved in every activity of every phase of system development. The proposed process includes several parallel interrelated tracks including component development, component assessment, component reuse, and component‐based system development and prescribes specific activities and tools for ensuring trustworthiness in all activities. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The physicochemical and binder properties of starch from Persea americana Miller (Lauraceae)
Authors: Builders Philip F. , Nnurum Abigail , Mbah Chukwuemaka C. , Attama Anthony A. , Manek Rahul 
Published: June 2010

AbstractAvocado starch was extracted from the kernels of the fruit Persea americana Miller (Fam. Lauraceae) and evaluated for its potential as an alternative to maize starch as a pharmaceutical excipient. Its physicochemical and thermal properties were evaluated and compared with those of maize starch. Granules prepared with avocado and maize starch pastes as binder were evaluated for their flow, friability and compaction characteristics. The average yield of starch extracted from the fresh kernels of P. americana was 20.5 ± 0.55% w/w. The scanning electron micrograph (SEM) showed that avocado starch has two characteristic granule shapes; triangular and circular both having an approximate equal distribution. The triangular shaped granules are larger (28 to 32 µm) than the circular (6 to 9 µm). The foaming capacity of avocado starch was 19.05 ± 0.6%, its swelling, moisture uptake and paste clarity were generally lower than that of the maize starch. Avocado starch gel exhibited an extent of syneresis after freeze–thaw that increased cumulatively with increase in number of freeze–thaw cycles. The glass transition (Tg) and gelatinisation temperatures for avocado starch were higher than that of maize starch. The melting temperatures (Tm), ash value, as well as the various densities of avocado starch showed similarities with those of maize starch. The granules prepared with avocado starch pastes as binder showed superior compactibility and mechanical strength to those of maize starch but with similar flow characteristics. Avocado starch generally showed distinct physicochemical and binder properties with some similarities to the standard maize starch.
Short‐term wind speed prediction in wind farms based on banks of support vector machines
Authors: Ortiz‐García Emilio G. , Salcedo‐Sanz Sancho , Pérez‐Bellido Ángel M. , Gascón‐Moreno Jorge , Portilla‐Figueras Jose A. , Prieto Luis 
Published: June 2010

AbstractWind speed prediction is a key point in the management of wind farms because it is directly related to the power produced by each of a farm's turbines. Wind speed prediction is usually one of the most important tasks in wind farming, and companies that manage these farms invest large amounts of money to improve their prediction systems. In this paper, we propose an improvement to an existing wind speed prediction system, using banks of regression Support Vector Machines (SVMr) for a final regression step in the system. Several novel SVMr structures are proposed in this paper to manage the diversity in input data arising from the use of different global forecasting models and several parameterizations of a mesoscale model, included in the basic version of the prediction system. We show that the system implementing SVMr banks outperforms the basic system without taking into account diversity in the input data. It also performs better than a similar system using banks of multi‐layer perceptrons. All the tests are carried out using real data from several wind turbines on a wind farm in southeast Spain. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Encoded anisotropic particles for multiplexed bioanalysis
Authors: Cederquist Kristin B. , Dean Stacey L. , Keating Christine D. 
Published: June 2010

AbstractEncoded anisotropic nano‐ and microparticles represent an exciting new class of detection and identification strategies for bioanalysis. These particles are synthesized in a number of different ways and can be encoded by shape, composition, topographical features, or optical properties. In this review, we explore synthetic methods for the formation of anisotropic encoded particles and evaluate these systems as multiplexed biosensing platforms. Suspension arrays using anisotropic particles have been used to detect a range of biological species including proteins, nucleic acids, spores, cells, and small molecules. Because in many cases a large number of codes should be obtainable, the potential exists for high levels of multiplexing (thousands or more). The bulk of work in this area to date has focused on initial proof of principle synthesis and identification; however, multiplexed bioassays have been demonstrated for a number of different anisotropic carrier particles and are beginning to be adopted in commercial assays.WIREs Nanomed Nanobiotechnol2010 2 578–600This article is categorized under:Diagnostic Tools > In Vitro Nanoparticle-Based Sensing
Bioresponsive polymers for the delivery of therapeutic nucleic acids
Authors: Edinger Daniel , Wagner Ernst 
Published: June 2010

AbstractPolymers present an interesting option for the delivery of genes and other therapeutic nucleic acids. In the delivery process, the polymeric carriers face many different delivery tasks and different physiological microenvironments. Polymers can be designed to respond to microenvironmental differences with changes in their physio‐chemical properties, enabling them to perform individual delivery tasks. Cleavage of covalent bonds, disassembly of noncovalent interactions, changes of protonation, conformation, or hydrophilicity/lipophilicity, can trigger such dynamic physicochemical adjustments. The polymeric carrier has to stably bind the therapeutic nucleic acid during the extracellular delivery phase and protect it against degradation in the bloodstream. At the intracellular site of action, the polyplex has to disassemble to an extent that the nucleic acid is functionally accessible. Polyplexes need to be shielded in the circulation and be inert against numerous possible biological interactions, but should actively interact with the target cell surface by electrostatic or ligand receptor interactions. Lipid‐membrane destabilization at the cell membrane or nontarget sites is usually associated with undesired cytotoxicity, the analogous biophysical event, however, is required within an endocytic vesicle for polyplex transfer into the cytosol. Strategies will be presented how bioresponsive polymers can be designed and incorporated into polyplexes. Examples include dynamic stabilization of the polymer/nucleic acid core and transient activation of properties required for crossing lipid‐membrane barriers. Bioresponsive delivery domains at the polyplex surface required for shielding, deshielding, and cell targeting also contribute to better performance. WIREs Nanomed Nanobiotechnol 2011 3 33–46 DOI: 10.1002/wnan.97This article is categorized under:

Therapeutic Approaches and Drug Discovery > Nanomedicine for Oncologic Disease
A global view of regulations affecting nanomaterials
Authors: Hansen Steffen F. 
Published: June 2010

AbstractThe 2000s have been characterized by an unprecedented exploration into research and development of nanotechnology and nanomaterials. Despite a slow start, new regulatory initiatives are popping up like mushrooms internationally. Many of these initiatives have yet to materialize themselves or are soft law initiatives, and their impact on the development of more authoritative and prescriptive regulatory measures is most likely to be limited. This is due to a number of transnational regulatory challenges that include: (1) whether to adapt existing legislation or develop a new regulatory framework, (2) whether nanomaterials should be considered as different from their bulk counterparts, (3) how to define nanotechnology and nanomaterials, and (4) how to deal with the profound limitations of risk assessment when it comes to nanomaterials. In this opinion, I discuss these and related issues and conclude that the development of a new authoritative and prescriptive regulatory framework might be the only way to effectively address these challenges while ensuring a transparent and informed decision‐making process. WIREs Nanomed Nanobiotechnol 2010 2 441–449This article is categorized under:

Toxicology and Regulatory Issues in Nanomedicine > Regulatory and Policy Issues in Nanomedicine
Parental alcohol dependence, socioeconomic disadvantage and alcohol and cannabis dependence among young adults in the community
Authors: Melchior M. , Choquet M. , Le Strat Y. , Hassler C. , Gorwood P. 
Published: June 2010

AbstractWe tested the hypothesis that socioeconomic disadvantage exacerbates the intergenerational transmission of substance dependence. Among 3056 community-based young adults (18–22 years, 2007), the prevalence of alcohol dependence (WHO AUDIT, 5.8%) and cannabis dependence (DSM IV criteria, 7.3%) was doubled in the presence of combined parental alcohol dependence and socioeconomic disadvantage.
Epidemiology of stillbirth and strategies for its prevention in Vietnam
Authors: Hirst Jane E. , Arbuckle Susan M. , Do Trong M.H. , Ha Lieu T.T. , Jeffery Heather E. 
Published: June 2010

AbstractObjectiveTo describe major epidemiologic and placental findings regarding stillbirth in Vietnam.MethodsA cross‐sectional study of all stillbirths in a tertiary referral facility in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, was performed. Detailed examination of each infant, placental pathology, and semi‐structured maternal interviews were conducted according to the Perinatal Society of Australia and New Zealand Perinatal Death Classification guidelines. Maternal, fetal, and placental characteristics were examined.ResultsBetween December 8, 2008, and January 9, 2009, there were 4694 live births and 122 stillbirths at the facility. In total, 107 (87.7%) cases were included in the study. Low education level was associated with a lack of prenatal care; induced abortion accounted for 34.6% of fetal deaths (gender selection was not the reason); 35.5% of infants were born at 22–28 weeks of gestation; 31.8% of stillbirths were small for gestational age; histologic evidence of chorioamnionitis was present in 40.2% of cases. Calcium supplements were less likely to have been taken in cases in which death from hypertension occurred. α‐Thalassemia was the main cause of fetal hydrops (6.2%).ConclusionImproving access to prenatal care and prenatal calcium and iron supplementation, and screening for congenital abnormalities and α‐thalassemia may help to reduce rates of perinatal death in Vietnam.
Dating gestational age by last menstrual period, symphysis‐fundal height, and ultrasound in urban Pakistan
Authors: Jehan Imtiaz , Zaidi Shahida , Rizvi Sameera , Mobeen Naushaba , McClure Elizabeth M. , Munoz Breda , Pasha Omrana , Wright Linda L. , Goldenberg Robert L. 
Published: June 2010

AbstractObjectiveTo compare the accuracy of the reported date of the last menstrual period (LMP) with that of symphysis‐fundal height (SFH) in the estimation of gestational age (GA), using an ultrasound (US) scan as reference.MethodsGestational age was concurrently assessed by the 3 methods in this prospective, population‐based, pregnancy‐outcome study conducted in Hyderabad, Pakistan, from June 18, 2003, through August 31, 2005, with 1128 women between 20 and 26 weeks of a singleton pregnancy.ResultsThe mean GA was less by ultrasound than by SFH measurement or the reported LMP, and the mean differences with the US result were statistically significant (P < 0.001 for both). At delivery, about 75% of the GA values estimated by SFH measurement were within 7 days and almost 91% were within 14 days of the estimation by ultrasound, compared with 65% and 82% for the GA estimated by the reported LMP. Moreover, using the US as reference, the SFH correctly classified 84% of the term, 68% of the preterm, and 86% of the post‐term deliveries (weighted κ = 0.58) compared with the corresponding 79%, 61%, and 55% predicted by the reported LMP (weighted κ = 0.44).ConclusionThe SFH measurement was found to be more accurate than the reported LMP as a tool to estimate GA and therefore date of delivery, but neither were as accurate as a US scan.