bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Hybrid poly(ethylene terephthalate)/silica nanocomposites prepared by in‐situ polymerization
Authors: Lu Hong , Wang Hailun , Zheng Anna , Xiao Huining 
Published: January 2007

AbstractThe nanocomposites, based on hybrid poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET)/silica nanoparticles, were prepared via in‐situ condensation polymerization of terephthalic acid and ethylene glycol in the presence of silica nanoparticles pretreated with a silane coupling agent. Such a polymerization process ensured that the silica nanoparticles were well dispersed in PET matrix with the size ranging from 40 to 60 nm, which was confirmed by transmission electron microscope (TEM) observation. Attributed to the unique bonding between SiO2 nanoparticle and PET, the crystallization behavior of PET was improved significantly, at a low temperature in particular. To further explore the effects of silica nanoparticles on crystallization, extensive differential scanning calorimeter (DSC) measurements were performed in an attempt to reveal the impact of the morphology of the dispersed silica nanoparticle (i.e., sphere or gel‐like) on the peak temperature during melting as well as the amount of heat involved in crystallization. The influences of the structure of polyether glycol (PEG) used for PET preparation as well as the addition of glass fibres (GF) were also investigated using DSC. It was concluded that the synergy among silica nanoparticles, modified PEG, and GFs lowers both Tg and Tm of PET, thus facilitating the injection processes in application. POLYM. COMPOS. 28:42–46, 2007. © 2007 Society of Plastics Engineers
Long‐term psychosocial adjustment of older vs younger survivors of breast and endometrial cancer
Authors: Kornblith Alice B. , Powell Mark , Regan Meredith M. , Bennett Samantha , Krasner Carolyn , Moy Beverly , Younger Jerry , Goodman Annekathyrn , Berkowitz Ross , Winer Eric 
Published: January 2007

AbstractBackground: The study's objective was to test whether there were signfiicant differences in adjustment between younger and older breast and endometrial cancer survivors.Methods: Two hundred and fifty‐two breast and endometrial cancer survivors participated in this study, ranging in age from either 18 to 55 years old or 65 years old or older. Survivors were interviewed by telephone at study entry and 12 months, using a battery of measures to assess their adjustment, physical functioning, and treatment‐related physical problems.Results: With an average of 3.7 years since treatment completion, almost all survivors reported good adjustment to having had cancer. While most differences in psychosocial adjustment between groups were small, younger survivors reported significantly worse adaptation than older survivors, as measured by the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS, p<0.0001), Appearance‐Orientation Scale (AOS, body image; p=0.02), Fear of Recurrence (p<0.0001), Distress about Long‐term Treatment‐Related Cancer Problems (p=0.01), and Number of Sexual Problems Attributed to Cancer (p<0.0001).Conclusion: Survivors reported few cancer‐related problems with only a small subset reporting problems in adjustment. Although differences were small, younger cancer survivors reported significantly worse adaptation than older survivors. Much of the adaptation to having had cancer may have already occurred in long‐term survivors. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Diagnostic value of serum antibodies in early Pseudomonas aeruginosa infection in cystic fibrosis patients
Authors: Ratjen Felix , Walter Hanna , Haug Maria , Meisner Christoph , Grasemann Hartmut , Döring Gerd 
Published: January 2007

AbstractSpecific serum antibodies could be helpful in defining the status of Pseudomonas aeruginosa infection as well as the response to early intervention treatment in patients with cystic fibrosis (CF). We used 1,791 serum samples from 375 European CF patients with known respiratory microbiology status to define titers of P. aeruginosa antibodies directed against alkaline protease (AP), elastase (ELA), and exotoxin A (ExoA). Pseudomonas antibody titers were also measured in a separate cohort of 56 patients undergoing antibiotic treatment for eradication of P. aeruginosa. At a specificity of 97.5%, the sensitivity was highest for antibodies against AP (85.4%), followed by ELA (76.2%) and ExoA (72.0%). AP, ELA, or ExoA antibody titers were significantly higher (P < 0.001) in patients chronically infected with P. aeruginosa compared to patients with negative cultures. The sensitivity of the combined three ELISAs was higher than that for any single ELISA alone. Based on the newly defined cut‐off levels, positive serum antibody titers against at least one of the three antigens were present in 43% of patients with new onset of P. aeruginosa infection. Longitudinal assessment of antibody titers assessed before and after inhaled antibiotic therapy in patients with first P. aeruginosa isolation showed a significant decrease in antibody titers against AP and ExoA in patients clearing P. aeruginosa infection, whereas titers increased in patients in whom antibiotic therapy failed to eradicate the organism. Antibody testing against AP, ELA, and ExoA offers high sensitivity and specificity for the presence of P. aeruginosa in respiratory cultures of CF patients. Although serum antibody titers are on average low at the time of first P. aeruginosa isolation from respiratory specimens, they may be useful to monitor response to therapy. However, because variability between patients is considerable, treatment decisions should not be based on P. aeruginosa antibody levels alone. Pediatr Pulmonol. 2007; 42:249–255. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Cytokine induction by respiratory syncytial virus and adenovirus in bronchial epithelial cells
Authors: Yoon Jong‐Seo , Kim Hyun‐Hee , Lee Yoon , Lee Joon‐Sung 
Published: January 2007

AbstractIn order to broaden our knowledge of the primary immune responses to respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) and adenovirus infections, we compared the concentrations of interleukin (IL)‐6, IL‐8, and regulated on activation, normal T cell expressed and secreted (RANTES) produced in vitro during RSV and adenovirus infections of bronchial epithelial cells. We infected BEAS‐2B cells—a human bronchial epithelial cell line—with RSV, adenovirus serotype 3, or serotype 7 and measured the concentrations of IL‐6, IL‐8, and RANTES in the cell culture supernatants. When the multiplicity of infection (MOI) was 1, RSV induced the production of markedly higher concentrations of IL‐6, IL‐8, and RANTES than the adenovirus. When the MOI of the adenovirus was increased to 100, the production of IL‐6 and IL‐8 increased. However, the amounts produced were still lower than those produced by RSV with the MOI of 1. There was no statistically significant increase in the production of RANTES in spite of the MOI of the adenovirus was increased to 100. Adenovirus serotype 7 induced the production of considerably more IL‐6 and IL‐8 than serotype 3 in the MOI of 100. However, neither adenovirus serotype triggered an increase in the production of RANTES in spite of the MOI of 100. This demonstrates that RSV could have a superior capacity to stimulate the production of IL‐6, IL‐8, and RANTES in the bronchial epithelial cells. This study may help to explain the differences in the clinical outcomes of RSV and adenovirus infections. Pediatr Pulmonol. 2007; 42:277–282. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Impact of a new biopesticide produced by Paenibacillus sp. strain B2 on the genetic structure and density of soil bacterial communities
Authors: Selim Sameh , Martin‐Laurent Fabrice , Rouard Nadine , Gianinazzi Silvio , van Tuinen Diederik 
Published: January 2007

AbstractThe effect of paenimyxin, a new biopesticide produced by Paenibacillus sp. strain B2, on the density of soil bacterial communities was assessed by colony counting and by 16S rDNA and nirK quantitative polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Paenimyxin had a negative effect on the bacterial colony‐forming unit (CFU) number, which was significantly reduced 2 and 4 days after treatment. The effect of paenimyxin on cultivatable bacteria was negligible 7 days after treatment. Approximately 107 16S rDNA sequences per gram of soil (dry weight) were detected by quantitative PCR in all samples. Paenimyxin did not affect the quantification of 16S rDNA or of the denitrifying bacterial community. In addition, RISA fingerprinting showed that the genetic structure of the bacterial communities was significantly modified 2 days after paenimyxin application at 50 µM and 4 days after treatment at lower concentrations (0.5 and 5 µM). The impact of paenimyxin treatment on the genetic structure of soil bacterial communities was transient, as no effect could be observed after 7, 14 and 28 days when compared with the untreated control. Copyright © 2007 Society of Chemical Industry
Discovering natural kinds of robot sensory experiences in unstructured environments
Authors: Grollman Daniel H. , Jenkins Odest Chadwicke , Wood Frank 
Published: January 2007

AbstractWe address the symbol grounding problem for robot perception through a data‐driven approach to deriving categories from robot sensor data. Unlike model‐based approaches, where human intuitive correspondences are sought between sensor readings and features of an environment (corners, doors, etc.), our method learns intrinsic categories (or natural kinds) from the raw data itself. We approximate a manifold underlying sensor data using Isomap nonlinear dimension reduction and apply Bayesian clustering (Gaussian mixture models) with model identification techniques to discover categories (or kinds). We demonstrate our method through the learning of sensory kinds from trials in various indoor and outdoor environments with different sensor modalities. Learned kinds are then used to classify new sensor data (out‐of‐sample readings). We present results indicating greater consistency in classifying sensor data employing mixture models in nonlinear low‐dimensional embeddings. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
The DARPA LAGR program: Goals, challenges, methodology, and phase I results
Authors: Jackel L. D. , Krotkov Eric , Perschbacher Michael , Pippine Jim , Sullivan Chad 
Published: January 2007

AbstractThe DARPA Learning Applied to Ground Vehicles (LAGR) program is accelerating progress in autonomous, perception‐based, off‐road navigation in unmanned ground vehicles (UGVs) by incorporating learned behaviors. In addition, the program is using passive optical systems to accomplish long‐range scene analysis. By combining long‐range perception with learned behavior, LAGR expects to make a qualitative break with the myopic, brittle behavior that characterizes most UGV autonomous navigation in unstructured environments. The very nature of testing navigation in unstructured, off‐road environments makes accurate, objective measurement of progress a challenging task. While no absolute measure of performance has been defined by LAGR, the Government Team managing the program has created a relative measure: the Government Team tests navigation software by comparing its effectiveness to that of fixed, but state‐of‐the‐art, navigation software running on a standardized vehicle on a series of varied test courses. Starting in March 2005, eight performers have been submitting navigation code for Government testing on such a standardized Government vehicle. As this text is being written, several teams have already demonstrated leaps in performance. In this paper we report observations on the state of the art in autonomous, off‐road UGV navigation, we explain how LAGR intends to change current methods, we discuss the challenges we face in implementing technical aspects of the program, we describe early results, and we suggest where major opportunities for breakthroughs exist as LAGR progresses. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Electronic structure of SP2 trap states in amorphous carbon
Authors: Fotopoulos N. , Xanthakis J. P. 
Published: January 2007

AbstractAmorphous carbon, a‐C:H, contains an unusually high number of defect states, typically 1019/cm3. These states play a major role in the process of field electron emission from a‐C:H since they inhibit (by trapping) the transport of electrons from the cathode to the amorphous carbon film/vacuum interface. In this paper we examine the electronic structure of two of these defects, the pentagon–heptagon pair and a broken carbon double bond (by the addition of one hydrogen at one of the two carbon atoms). These defects are expected to be found in a graphitic environment in a‐C:H. To obtain their electronic structure, we construct large enough graphitic clusters, embed the defects at their center and then use typical semiempirical quantum chemical methods such as the PM3 method—which is a parameterized Hartree–Fock method—to calculate the energy levels in the gap and the binding energies. Both defects produce energy levels just above the highest occupied molecular orbital (HOMO) of the graphite levels, but the pentagon–heptagon pair has a much higher binding energy, making it more stable. From the difference in binding energy, we conclude that the pentagon–heptagon pair is far more stable. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Local electric field and enhancement factor around nanographitic structures embedded in amorphous carbon
Authors: Kokkorakis G. C. , Xanthakis J. P. 
Published: January 2007

AbstractAmorphous pure sp2 bonding carbon films are believed to contain elongated or columnar regions of graphitic character. Although these regions must be very rare, as all molecular dynamics simulations show, they have a profound effect on the field emission capability of this flat material because they provide an internal field‐enhancement mechanism. In this paper, we calculate the internal local field around such columnar regions, with the additional restriction that they do not make contact with the cathode; otherwise the problem has a well‐known solution. Our problem is physically and mathematically more complicated, as now the ‘metallic region’ surface is not equipotential with the cathode. We have managed to solve it by requiring that the total charge on the columnar metallic structure is zero. Our findings show that such regions produce an enhancement factor that is a fraction (typically 0.5) of the known ratio h/r (h = height and r = radius). As these structures become longer and approach the cathode, this fraction increases towards unity, but not linearly. A sudden jump occurs when contact with the cathode is established. The most interesting result is the following: Just before contact with the cathode, the local field at the cathode‐facing end of such a structure increases considerably above the value h/r. The physical ramifications of these results are discussed, especially in relation to emission onset. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
An improved reconstruction procedure for the correction of local magnification effects in three‐dimensional atom‐probe
Authors: De Geuser F. , Lefebvre W. , Danoix F. , Vurpillot F. , Forbord B. , Blavette D. 
Published: January 2007

AbstractA new 3DAP reconstruction procedure is proposed that accounts for the evaporation field of a secondary phase. It applies the existing cluster selection software to identify the atoms of the second phase and, subsequently, an iterative algorithm to homogenise the volume laterally. This procedure, easily implementable on existing reconstruction software, has been applied successfully on simulated and real 3DAP analyses. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Towards the three‐dimensional field ion microscope
Authors: Vurpillot F. , Gilbert M. , Deconihout B. 
Published: January 2007

AbstractThree‐dimensional field ion microscope (FIM) images have been reconstructed using the successive images of an FIM movie. This capability opens a new dimension to the observation with the FIM of various crystallographic features, such as vacancies, dislocations, grain boundaries or precipitates. By piling up the images in a 3D matrix, darkly imaging precipitates in an AlSm alloy are reconstructed in three dimensions. The resolution of the instrument is proved to be better than 0.05 nm in depth and 0.3 nm laterally in favourable cases. This enables a dislocation in Fe to be observed in 3D. Raw reconstructions are, however, slightly distorted. Atomic lines are curved because the basic reconstruction method does not fully take into account the shape of the sample tip. An improved reconstruction method is proposed. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Toward a laser assisted wide‐angle tomographic atom‐probe
Authors: Deconihout B. , Vurpillot F. , Gault B. , Da Costa G. , Bouet M. , Bostel A. , Blavette D. , Hideur A. , Martel G. , Brunel M. 
Published: January 2007

AbstractThis paper reports preliminary results showing that the use of femtosecond laser pulses enables the field evaporation of single atoms, from specimens with a tip‐like shape, without significant specimen heating. It is shown that the field evaporation is assisted by the laser field, which is enhanced by the sub wavelength dimensions of the tip. It is also shown that laser pulsing leads to a high mass resolution, making the use of energy compensating devices in a wide‐angle three‐dimensional atom‐probe ineffectual. In addition, the performances of a position‐sensitive detector that fulfills the wide‐angle 3DAP requirements are presented. The emergence of the third generation of tomographic atom‐probe with (i) wide‐angle analysis capabilities and (ii) a field of application that is extended to poor conductive or insulating materials is then discussed. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Microchemical characterization of phases in Inconel 706 and DT 706 alloys after aging
Authors: Kindrachuk V. , Wanderka N. , Banhart J. , Mukherji D. , Del Genovese D. , Rösler J. 
Published: January 2007

AbstractThe microchemical characterization of Inconel 706 and its modification DT 706 was studied after aging at 750 °C for 5000 h and 750 h, respectively. Characterization of the precipitates and the matrix was carried out by three‐dimensional atom probe and by transmission electron microscopy.The γ′‐ and γ″‐precipitates grow in DT 706 alloy after aging for 750 h. At this stage, the intragranular nucleation of the η‐phase also takes place. Decrease of Ti content in the γ′‐phase of about 4.5 at.% and decrease of Nb in the γ″‐phase of 4 at.% were measured and compared with the unaged Inconel 706. After 5000 h aging time, only the η‐plates remain in Inconel 706 embedded in the matrix. The volume fraction of the matrix increases up to 93% in comparison with the unaged alloy. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
3D atom probe investigation of (Fe/Dy) magnetic multilayers
Authors: Tamion A. , Cadel E. , Bordel C. , Blavette D. 
Published: January 2007

Abstract(Fe 3nm/Dy 2nm)30 multilayers were deposited at 300 and 600 K by thermal evaporation under ultrahigh vacuum on (111) oriented Si substrates and investigated by SQUID magnetometry. Their hysteresis loops show that the magnetic properties strongly depend on the deposition temperature, since the perpendicular magnetic anisotropy (PMA) is much higher for the sample deposited at 600 K. To understand this phenomenon, a careful investigation of the structure and chemistry of the multilayers was carried out using a 3D atom probe. Some (Fe/Dy) multilayers were deposited on W tips at room temperature and analysed by tomographic atom probe. A 3D reconstruction and a composition profile were obtained, which made it possible to observe the structure and composition of the multilayer at the atomic scale. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Effects of the stockperson on dairy cow behaviour and milk yield
Authors: Hanna D. , Sneddon I. A. , Beattie V. E. , Breuer K. 
Published: January 2007

AbstractThe relationship between stockperson behaviour, measured as verbal and physical interactions with the dairy cows (no.=210), during milking and the subsequent milk yield obtained was examined. The numbers of steps and kicks made by the cows during milking was recorded. The behaviour of two stockteams, each consisting of two stockmen, were recorded over 10 weekend sessions. The two teams varied in the types of interactions and when the stockteam that performed more positive interactions worked with the cows (team A), the cows had a significantly higher milk yield (P<0·05) although this difference was small (17·54 v. 17·44 kg). When team A was milking the cows also stepped and kicked on the platform significantly more (P<0·05) compared with team B. The results also indicated that while each stockteam tended to interact with the same cows each session, different stockpersons interacted with different cows. These findings highlight the importance of the rôle of the stockperson in milk output and dairy cow behaviour in a commercial setting.
Fluctuation and criteria of porcine fat firmness
Authors: Nishioka T. , Irie M. 
Published: January 2007

AbstractFat quality, in particular, firmness is a main contributor to meat appearance, shelf life, taste, and human health. The current study was conducted to examine the fluctuation and criteria of porcine fat firmness. Several physiochemical methods were performed on 237 porcine perirenal fat samples that were obtained randomly from a commercial market. The relationship between perirenal fat and the middle subcutaneous fat layer was investigated to predict carcass fat quality. Each physiochemical property of the perirenal fat showed considerable variation as a 40-fold difference in firmness was observed between the most extreme samples. Differences between these extremes were 19°C in melting point, 0·0043 for refractive index, and 18 g per 100 g fatty acid methyl esters for saturated fatty acids (SFA) concentration. Strong curvilinear relationships were found between Instron and sensory firmness scores (R=0·90–0·96, no.=24). On the basis of these relationships, classification of the perirenal fats obtained from the commercial market was defined. Fats possessing firmness values of less than 7 N have undesirable fat quality, whereas fat samples with values greater than 16 N were not popular in the market. From these data, we conclude that fats of 7–16 N in firmness value were preferred by consumers. Firmness values of perirenal fat samples correlated significantly with the stearic acid (C18:0) and SFA concentrations of samples of the middle subcutaneous fat layer (r=0·68, 0·57, P<0·01). These results indicate that there are wide fluctuations in the porcine fat quality, and that fats ranging in Instron firmness values between 7 and 16 N are most acceptable to consumers. And, subcutaneous fat may prove to be a valuable indicator of whole body pork fat quality.