bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Impacts of High-Resolution Land Surface Initialization on Regional Sensible Weather Forecasts from the WRF Model
Authors: Case Jonathan L. , Crosson William L. , Kumar Sujay V. , Lapenta William M. , Peters-Lidard Christa D. 
Published: May 2008

Abstract
This manuscript presents an assessment of daily regional simulations of the Weather Research and Forecasting (WRF) numerical weather prediction (NWP) model initialized with high-resolution land surface data from the NASA Land Information System (LIS) software versus a control WRF configuration that uses land surface data from the National Centers for Environmental Prediction (NCEP) Eta Model. The goal of this study is to investigate the potential benefits of using the LIS software to improve land surface initialization for regional NWP. Fifty-eight individual nested simulations were integrated for 24 h for both the control and experimental (LISWRF) configurations during May 2004 over Florida and the surrounding areas: 29 initialized at 0000 UTC and 29 initialized at 1200 UTC. The land surface initial conditions for the LISWRF runs came from an offline integration of the Noah land surface model (LSM) within LIS for two years prior to the beginning of the month-long study on an identical grid domain to the subsequent WRF simulations. Atmospheric variables used to force the offline Noah LSM integration were provided by the North American Land Data Assimilation System and Global Data Assimilation System gridded analyses.
The LISWRF soil states were generally cooler and drier than the NCEP Eta Model soil states during May 2004. Comparisons between the control and LISWRF runs for one event suggested that the LIS land surface initial conditions led to an improvement in the timing and evolution of a sea-breeze circulation over portions of northwestern Florida. Surface verification statistics for the entire month indicated that the LISWRF runs produced a more enhanced and accurate diurnal range in 2-m temperatures compared to the control as a result of the overall drier initial soil states, which resulted from a reduction in the nocturnal warm bias in conjunction with a reduction in the daytime cold bias. Daytime LISWRF 2-m dewpoints were correspondingly drier than the control dewpoints, again a manifestation of the drier initial soil states in LISWRF. The positive results of the LISWRF experiments help to illustrate the importance of initializing regional NWP models with high-quality land surface data generated at the same grid resolution.
Using Self-Concept Instruments With High-Ability College Students
Authors: Rinn Anne N. , Cunningham Lindy G. 
Published: May 2008

This study investigated the reliability and validity of the academic subscales of Marsh's Self-Description Questionnaire III and Neeman and Harter's Self-Perception Profile for College Students for use with high-ability college students. Participants included 100 high-ability college students and 196 average-ability college students enrolled in a comprehensive university in the South. Data analysis estimates of internal consistency were moderate, and estimates of relationships with external validity criteria, namely, academic achievement, aspirations, and year in school, moderately supported the validity of each subscale. Results indicate some support for the use of each subscale with high-ability college students. Putting the Research to Use: Academic self-concept is a construct that likely affects multiple other academic areas, including academic achievement, educational aspirations, career aspirations, and retention. Among high-ability college students, academic self-concept may be related to participation in an honors program and living in an honors residence hall, which may further the academic, social, and emotional collegiate experience. Having a psychometrically sound measure of academic self-concept that is appropriate for use with high-ability college students will enable researchers to effectively study the academic self-concepts of high-ability college students. Traditional measures of academic self-concept are often validated on younger samples of high-ability students, but the research is lacking on validity research related to samples of college students.
Restrictive usage of monoclonal immunoglobulin λ light chain germline in POEMS syndrome
Authors: Abe Daijiro , Nakaseko Chiaki , Takeuchi Masahiro , Tanaka Hiroaki , Ohwada Chikako , Sakaida Emiko , Takeda Yusuke , Oda Kayo , Ozawa Shinichi , Shimizu Naomi , Masuda Shinichi , Cho Ryuko , Nishimura Miki , Misawa Sonoko , Kuwabara Satoshi , Saito Yasushi 
Published: May 2008

Abstract
POEMS syndrome is a rare plasma cell disorder characterized by peripheral neuropathy, monoclonal gammopathy, and high levels of serum vascular endothelial growth factor, the pathogenesis of which remains unclear. A unique feature of this syndrome is that the proliferating monoclonal plasma cells are essentially λ-restricted. Here we determined complete nucleotide sequences of monoclonal immunoglobulin λ light chain (IGL) variable regions in 11 patients with POEMS syndrome. The V-region of the Igλ gene of all 11 patients was restricted to the Vλ1 subfamily. Searching for homologies with IGL germlines revealed that 2 germlines, IGLV1-44*01 (9/11) and IGLV1-40*01 (2/10), were identified, with an average homology of 91.1%. The IGLJ3*02 gene was used in 11 of 11 re-arrangements with an average homology of 92.2%. These data suggest that the highly restricted use of IGL Vλ1 germlines plays an important role in the pathogenesis of POEMS syndrome.
Criticality of the Biological and Physical Stimuli Array Inducing Resident Cardiac Stem Cell Determination
Authors: Forte Giancarlo , Carotenuto Felicia , Pagliari Francesca , Pagliari Stefania , Cossa Paolo , Fiaccavento Roberta , Ahluwalia Arti , Vozzi Giovanni , Vinci Bruna , Serafino Annalucia , Rinaldi Antonio , Traversa Enrico , Carosella Luciana , Minieri Marilena , Di Nardo Paolo 
Published: May 2008

AbstractThe replacement of injured cardiac contractile cells with stem cell-derived functionally efficient cardiomyocytes has been envisaged as the resolutive treatment for degenerative heart diseases. Nevertheless, many technical issues concerning the optimal procedures to differentiate and engraft stem cells remain to be answered before heart cell therapy could be routinely used in clinical practice. So far, most studies have been focused on evaluating the differentiative potential of different growth factors without considering that only the synergistic cooperation of biochemical, topographic, chemical, and physical factors could induce stem cells to adopt the desired phenotype. The present study demonstrates that the differentiation of cardiac progenitor cells to cardiomyocytes does not occur when cells are challenged with soluble growth factors alone, but requires strictly controlled procedures for the isolation of a progenitor cell population and the artifactual recreation of a microenvironment critically featured by a fine-tuned combination of specific biological and physical factors. Indeed, the scaffold geometry and stiffness are crucial in enhancing growth factor differentiative effects on progenitor cells. The exploitation of this concept could be essential in setting up suitable procedures to fabricate functionally efficient engineered tissues.Disclosure of potential conflicts of interest is found at the end of this article.
The positives, protocols, and perils of genome‐wide association
Authors: Neale Benjamin M. , Purcell Shaun 
Published: May 2008

AbstractGenome‐wide association aims to comprehensively survey genetic variation for the purposes of disease and trait mapping. We provide a brief history of the development of genetic technology necessary to realize genome‐wide association. From there we identify and review the publicly available resources for conducting such work including the molecular technologies, genomic databases, and analytic tools. Following on from the analytic tools, we highlight common analytic considerations, ranging from study design, quality control, and data cleaning to association analysis and replication. We conclude with a look toward future developments such as the analysis of copy number variation and integration of expression and epigenetic phenomenon into genome‐wide association. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Effect of die geometry on foaming behaviors of high‐melt‐strength polypropylene with CO2
Authors: Lee Patrick C. , Kaewmesri Wanrudee , Wang Jing , Park Chul B. , Pumchusak Jantrawan , Folland Rick , Praller Andreas 
Published: May 2008

AbstractThis article reports on a systematic study that was conducted to investigate the effects of die geometry (i.e., pressure and pressure drop rate) on the cell nucleation and growth behaviors of noncrosslinked high‐melt‐strength (HMS) polypropylene (PP) foams blown with supercritical CO2. The experimental results showed that the cellular morphologies of PP foams were sensitive to the die geometry. Furthermore, the initial expansion behavior of the foam extrudate at the die exit was recorded using a high‐speed CCD camera. This enabled us to achieve a more thorough understanding of the effect of die geometry on both the initial expansion behavior and the final cellular morphology of HMS PP foams. The effect of die temperature on cell morphology was also studied. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 2008
Poly(p‐phenylene benzoxazole) fiber chemically modified by the incorporation of sulfonate groups
Authors: Jiang Jian Ming , Zhu Hui Jun , Li Guang , Jin Jun Hong , Yang Sheng Lin 
Published: May 2008

AbstractTwo kinds of modified poly(p‐phenylene benzoxazole) (PBO), the copolymer of TPA (SPBO) and p‐SPBO, containing ionic groups in the macromolecular chains were obtained by copolymerization from 1,3‐diamino‐4,6‐dihydroxybenzene dihydrochloride (DAR) and terephthalic acid (TPA), with the addition of selected amounts (1.5–5.0% molar ratio over DAR) of 5‐sulfoisophthalic acid monosodium salt or sulfoterephthalic acid monopotassium salt in place of the TPA, respectively, in poly(phosphoric acid) (PPA). The resultant PBO/PPA, SPBO/PPA, and p‐SPBO/PPA lyotropic liquid‐crystalline solutions were spun into fibers by a dry‐jet wet‐spinning technique. Chemically modified PBO fibers with sulfonate salt pendants in the polymer chains were obtained for the first time. The surface wetting behavior and interfacial shear strength between the fiber and epoxy resin were investigated. The interference of sulfonate salt pendants on the crystalline morphology was measured. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 2008
Chelation properties of poly(2‐hydroxy‐4‐acryloyloxybenzophenone) resins toward some divalent metal ions
Authors: Zalloum Ruba M. , Mubarak Mohammad S. 
Published: May 2008

AbstractThe chelation behavior of poly(2‐hydroxy‐4‐acryloyloxybenzophenone) [poly(2H4ABP) or polymer I] obtained through the free‐radical polymerization of 2‐hydroxy‐4‐acryloyloxybenzophenone monomer and for crosslinked polymers prepared from the monomer and known amounts of the crosslinker divinylbenzene (DVB) [4 mol % of DVB for polymer II, 8 mol % of DVB for polymer III, and 16 mol 16% of DVB for polymer IV] toward the divalent metal ions Cu2+, Ni2+, Zn2+, and Pb2+ in aqueous solution was studied by a batch equilibration technique as a function of contact time and pH. The effect of the crosslinker, DVB, was also studied. The metal‐ion uptake of the polymers was determined with atomic absorption spectroscopy, and the highest uptake was achieved at pH 7.0 for polymers I, II, III, and IV. The selectivity and binding capacity of the resins toward the investigated divalent metal ions are discussed. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 2008
Poly(styrene‐co‐vinylbenzophenone) as photoactive antimicrobial and selfdecontaminating materials
Authors: Hong Kyung Hwa , Sun Gang 
Published: May 2008

AbstractPhotoactive structures such as benzophenone chromophoric groups were incorporated onto polymers by using a Friedel‐Crafts acylation reaction. The structures and properties of the resultant polymers, poly (styrene‐co‐vinylbenzophenone) were evaluated as the ratio of benzoyl chloride to phenyl groups in polystyrene in the acylation bath increased. The results proved that the poly (styrene‐co‐vinylbenzophenone) in different contents of benzophenone groups was successfully prepared, and the contents of the benzophenone chromophoric group branched in the resultant polymer increased as the amount of benzoyl chloride in acylation bath increased. Also, the poly (styrene‐co‐vinylbenzophenone) copolymers revealed superior special activities such as antibacterial ability. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 2008
Nitroxide‐mediated synthesis of styrenic‐based segmented and tapered block copolymers using poly(lactide)‐functionalized TEMPO macromediators
Authors: Jabbar Rifat , Graffe Andres , Lessard Benoît , Marić Milan 
Published: May 2008

AbstractPoly(styrene)‐poly(lactide) (PS‐PLA), poly (tert‐butyl styrene)‐poly(lactide) (PtBuS‐PLA) diblocks, and poly(tert‐butyl styrene)‐poly(styrene)‐poly(lactide) (PtBuS‐PS‐PLA) segmented and tapered triblocks of controlled segment lengths were synthesized using nitroxide‐mediated controlled radical polymerization. Well‐defined PLA‐functionalized macromediators derived from hydroxyl terminated TEMPO (PLAT) of various molecular weights mediated polymerizations of the styrenic monomers in bulk and in dimethylformamide (DMF) solution at 120–130°C. PS‐PLA and PtBuS‐PLA diblocks were characterized by narrow molecular weight distributions (polydispersity index (Mw/Mn) < 1.3) when using the PLATmediator with the lowest number average molecular weightMn= 6.1 kg/mol while broader molecular weight distributions were exhibited (Mw/Mn= 1.47‐1.65) when using higher molecular weight mediators (Mn= 7.4 kg/mol and 11.3 kg/mol). Segmented PtBuS‐PS‐PLA triblocks were initiated cleanly from PtBuS‐PLA diblocks although polymerizations were very rapid with PS segments ∼ 5–10 kg/mol added within 3–10 min of polymerization at 130°C in 50 wt % DMF solution. Tapering from the PtBuS to the PS segment in semibatch mode at a lower temperature of 120°C and in 50 wt % DMF solution was effective in incorporating a short random segment of PtBuS‐ran‐PS while maintaining a relatively narrow monomodal molecular weight distribution (Mw/Mn≈ 1.5). © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 2008
A novel approach of measuring the dielectric properties of PET preforms for stretch blow moulding
Authors: Erbulut D. U. , Masood S. H. , Tran V. N. , Sbarski I. 
Published: May 2008

AbstractPolyethylene terephthalate (PET) is the most common plastic material used in injection stretch blow molding (ISBM) process for the manufacturing of bottles. The injection‐molded PET preform has to be preheated uniformly to a pliable state before the blowing stage of the process. Microwave technology offers a potentially more economical means for preheating the preform in place of the conventional infrared oven heating. For such applications, determination of dielectric properties of PET preform of a given geometry is essential. This article describes a novel approach of measuring the dielectric properties of PET preforms at microwave frequencies instead of the common experimental procedures used for such measurements. The dielectric properties are determined by using both CST Microwave Studio electromagnetic simulation software and the automatic network analyzer together. No complex mathematical solutions are required. Validation of this new approach has been made by comparing the measured dielectric properties of some polymers with those available in the published literature. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 2008
Local dynamics in epoxy coatings containing iron oxide nanoparticles by dielectric relaxation spectroscopy
Authors: Kortaberria G. , Arruti P. , Jimeno A. , Mondragon I. , Sangermano M. 
Published: May 2008

AbstractNanocomposites of photocurable epoxy resin and epoxy‐modified iron oxide magnetic nanoparticles were analyzed by dielectric relaxation spectroscopy to study the local dynamics at temperatures well below the glass‐transition temperature. Two secondary processes were detected, β and γ processes, but the second one was just detected at lower temperatures in the high‐frequency part of the spectra and moved out of the frequency range at higher temperatures. Data were fitted to the Havriliak–Negami and Arrhenius models, and the obtained parameters were analyzed. Relaxation times of the β secondary relaxation did not change with the nanoparticle content, but the relaxation strength increased. The increase could not be explained when we took into account the molecular origin of the relaxation. The presence of ferromagnetic nanoparticles enhanced the internal field and increased the relaxation strengths. Transmission electron microscopy images showed that the nanoparticles were well dispersed in the matrix, without magnetic agglomerates. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 2008
Preparation of polyethylene–octene elastomer foams by compression molding
Authors: Mao Yapeng , Qi Rongrong 
Published: May 2008

AbstractTo produce polyethylene–octene elastomer foams with compression molding, the influences of various activators on the thermal decomposition temperature of the chemical blowing agent azodicarbonamide were investigated with thermogravimetric analysis, which showed that the decomposition temperature of azodicarbonamide could be effectively reduced by the addition of zinc oxide/zinc stearate. The results of a moving die rheometer suggested that the vulcanization and blowing curves were influenced by the content of azodicarbonamide and temperature, and the optimum temperature was about 170°C. The morphology and physical properties of the microcellular polyethylene–octene elastomer were studied. The results indicated that the amount of azodicarbonamide and the processing temperature played important roles in the cell morphology and physical properties of polyethylene–octene elastomer foams. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 2008
Relationship between processing method and microstructural and mechanical properties of poly(ethylene terephthalate)/short glass fiber composites
Authors: Mondadori N. M. L. , Nunes R. C. R. , Zattera A. J. , Oliveira R. V. B. , Canto L. B. 
Published: May 2008

AbstractComposites of recycled poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET) reinforced with short glass fiber (GF) (0, 20, 30, and 40 wt %) were compounded in a single‐screw extruder (SSE) and in a intermeshing corotating twin‐screw extruder (TSE). An SSE fitted with a barrier double‐flight screw melting section in between two single‐flight sections and a TSE with a typical screw configuration for this purpose were used. The composites were subsequently injection molded at two different mold temperatures (10 and 120°C), with all other operative molding parameters kept constant. The effects of processing conditions on composite microstructure, PET degree of crystallinity, and composite mechanical properties were evaluated. Appropriate dispersive and distributive mixing of the glass fiber throughout the PET matrix as well as fine composite mechanical and thermal‐mechanical properties were achieved regardless of whether the composites were prepared in the SSE or TSE. The performance of the SSE was attributed to the efficiency of the barrier screw melting section in composite mixing. The mold temperature influenced the mechanical properties of the composites, by controlling of the degree of crystallinity of the PET in the composites. For a good balance of mechanical and thermal‐mechanical properties, high mold temperatures are desirable, typically, 120°C for a mold cooling time of 45 s. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 2008
New synthetic route for preparing CdS‐nanoparticle/polystyrene polymer shells hybrid materials
Authors: Liu Weijun 
Published: May 2008

AbstractIn this article we describe the combined use of γ‐irradiation initiated micro‐emulsion polymerization and redox interfacial‐initiated micro‐emulsion polymerization to prepare hollow polystyrene micro‐spheres with movable CdS nanoparticles inside (CdS@PSt) hybrid materials under room temperature and ambient pressure. First, mono‐dispersed CdS nanoparticles with diameters 50 nm were synthesized in inversed micro‐emulsion under γ‐irradiation. Then, CdS nanoparticles were coated with PSt via interfacial‐initiated micro‐emulsion polymerization with cumene hydroperoxide/ferrous sulfate (CHPO‐Fe2+) as the redox initiation pair. The resulted CdS@PSt hybrid materials were identified by transmission electron microscopy (TEM), field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), dynamic light scattering (DLS) and X‐ray powder diffraction (XRD). © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 2008
A study of pollutant concentration variability in an urban street under low wind speeds
Authors: Martin D. , Price C. S. , White I. R. , Nickless G. , Dobre A. , Shallcross D. E. 
Published: May 2008

AbstractThe short time‐scale variability in pollutant concentrations in an urban street under very low wind speed conditions and short source–receptor distance has been investigated using the inert tracer sulfur hexafluoride (SF6) as a continuous point‐source (release times ≥ 5 min), and fast detection using separation by gas chromatography coupled with a μ‐electron capture detector (ECD). The results are complex but can be broadly interpreted in terms of horizontal wind speed and direction coherence. Comparisons with a simple dispersion model suggest that observed time‐averaged maximum concentrations approach predicted values, whilst instantaneous maximum concentrations vary greatly and would therefore be difficult to predict. Copyright © 2008 Royal Meteorological Society
Language outcomes of toddlers with autism spectrum disorders: a two year follow‐up
Authors: Paul Rhea , Chawarska Katarzyna , Cicchetti Domenic , Volkmar Fred 
Published: May 2008

AbstractThirty‐seven children 15–25 months of age received clinical diagnoses of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and were re‐evaluated two years later. All subjects were judged to have retained a diagnosis of ASD at the follow‐up evaluation. Communication scores for the group as a whole during the first visit were significantly lower than nonverbal IQ. However, by the second visit, verbal and nonverbal scores were no longer significantly different. The group was divided into two subgroups, based on expressive language (EL) outcome at the second visit. The two groups were similar in the second year of life in terms of expressive communication skills and autistic symptoms, except for a trend toward more stereotypic and repetitive behavior in the worse outcome group. By the second visit, however, the groups differed significantly on all standard measures of expression and reception, as well as on autistic symptomotology and nonverbal IQ. When assessed during their second year, children who ended up in the better outcome group showed higher average nonverbal cognitive level, receptive language (RL) scores, number of sounds and words produced, use of symbolic play schemes, and response to joint attention bids. Regression analysis revealed that the variables for which significant differences between the two outcome groups in their second year of life were found provided significant prediction of EL outcome at age four. Stepwise regression identified RL and presence of stereotypic and repetitive at the first visit as significantly associated with EL outcome. Implications of these findings for early identification and intervention are discussed.