bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Child care quality in different state policy contexts
Authors: Rigby Elizabeth , Ryan Rebecca M. , Brooks‐Gunn Jeanne 
Published: September 2007

AbstractUsing data from the Child Care Supplement to the Fragile Families and Child Wellbeing Study, we test associations between the quality of child care and state child care policies. These data, which include observations of child care and interviews with care providers and mothers for 777 children across 14 states, allow for comparisons across a broader range of policy regimes and care settings than earlier research on this topic. Using multilevel linear and logistic models, we found that more generous subsidy policies (that is, greater investment, higher income eligibility) were positively associated with the quality of care in nonprofit child care centers, as well as with the use of center care. The stringency of regulations (that is, teacher education requirements, teacher‐child ratios/thresholds) was also associated with both quality and type of care, but in more complex ways. Higher teacher training requirements were positively associated with the quality of both family child care and nonprofit centers, while more stringent regulations decreased the number of children attending center care. No links were found between state policies and the quality of for‐profit center care. The implications for policy makers, advocates, and policy analysts are discussed. © 2007 by the Association for Public Policy Analysis and Management
Dielectric relaxation of Ensaco®350G reinforced microcellular EPDM vulcanizates
Authors: Mahapatra S.P. , Sridhar V. , Chaudhary R.N.P. , Tripathy D.K. 
Published: September 2007

AbstractThe dielectric relaxation characteristics of microcellular EPDM vulcanizates has been studied as a function of variation in filler and blowing agent loadings in the frequency range of 100–106 Hz. The dielectric constant ε′ increases with increasing filler loadings at all frequencies. This has been explained on the basis of interfacial polarization of fillers in a heterogeneous medium. The effect of variation in filler and blowing agent loadings on the complex and real parts of impedance was distinctly visible. Which has been explained on the basis of relaxation dynamics of polymer chains in the vicinity of fillers. The phenomenon of percolation in the composites has been discussed based on the measured changes in electric conductivity and morphology of composites at different concentrations of the filler. The percolation threshold as studied by DC conductivity occurred near 40 phr of filler loading. SEM microphotographs showed agglomeration of the filler above this concentration and formation of a continuous network structure. POLYM. COMPOS., 28: 657–666, 2007. © 2007 Society of Plastics Engineers
Branched poly(styrene‐b‐tert‐butyl acrylate) and poly(styrene‐b‐acrylic acid) by ATRP from a dendritic poly(propylene imine)(NH2)64 core
Authors: Kim Young Hie , Ford Warren T. , Mourey Thomas H. 
Published: September 2007

AbstractWith the aim of creating highly branched amphiphilic block copolymers, the primary amine end groups of the poly(propylene imine) dendrimers DAB‐dendr‐(NH2)8 and DAB‐dendr‐(NH2)64 were converted to 2‐bromoisobutyramide groups. Poly (styrene‐b‐tert‐butyl methacrylate) (PS‐b‐PtBMA) was synthesized by ATRP from the eight end group initiator, and poly(styrene‐b‐tert‐butyl acrylate) (PS‐b‐PtBA) was synthesized from the 64 end group initiator. The tert‐butyl groups were removed to produce poly(styrene‐b‐methacrylic acid) (PS‐b‐PMAA) and poly(styrene‐b‐acrylic acid) (PS‐b‐PAA). Comparison of size exclusion chromatography (SEC) absolute molecular weight analyses of the polystyrenes with calculated molecular weights showed that the eight end group initiator produced a polystyrene with about eight branches, and that the 64 end group initiator produced polystyrene with many fewer than 64 branches. The PS‐b‐PtBA materials also have many fewer than 64 branches. The PS‐b‐PAA samples dissolved molecularly in DMF but formed aggregates in water even at pH 10. AFM images of the PS‐b‐PtBAs spin coated from THF and DMF onto mica showed aggregates. AFM images of the PS‐b‐PAAs spin coated from various mixtures of DMF and water at pH 10 showed flat disks and worm‐like images similar to those observed with linear PS‐b‐PAAs. Use of a PS‐b‐PAA and a PS‐b‐PMAA as templates for emulsion polymerization of styrene produced latexes 100–200 nm in diameter. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 45: 4623–4634, 2007
Production of active PET films: evaluation of scavenging activity
Authors: Galdi M. R. , Nicolais V. , Di Maio L. , Incarnato L. 
Published: September 2007

AbstractThe current trends in packaging technology are focusing on the development of functional materials that interact with the environment and with the food, playing an effective role in the preservation of quality. In particular, the so‐called active packaging technologies were developed as a response to the market needs for minimally treated foodstuffs, in order to preserve their freshness and flavours by regulating the gas composition of the packaging headspace through active scavengers. One of the most promising approaches for this technology is the incorporation of active scavengers into a polymeric matrix. Nevertheless, the design and the production of a functional and efficient active flexible package can be difficult to realize because of the complexity of the system. This work was thus focused on the production and the analysis of monolayer polyester films containing an oxygen scavenger. The active film was obtained by adding the active phase into a polyethylene terephthalate matrix during the extrusion process. The barrier properties of the films were investigated by means of conventional permeability measurement, to assess their activity with respect to oxygen. Additionally, the oxygen absorption of the active samples was analysed by an innovative oxygen meter system, in order to determine their scavenging capacity and reaction kinetics. The analysis of colour was carried out on packaged fresh apple slices, to verify if the active films produced were able to limit the oxidation processes on a sensitive food. Finally, the optical properties of the samples were investigated through haze measurements. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Multi robot mapping using force field simulation
Authors: Lakaemper Rolf , Adluru Nagesh , Jan Latecki Longin , Madhavan Raj 
Published: September 2007

AbstractThis paper describes a novel approach, called Force Field Simulation, to multi robot mapping that works under the constraints given in autonomous search and rescue robotics. Extremely poor prealignment, lack of landmarks, and minimal overlap between scans are the main challenges. The presented algorithm solves the alignment problem of such laser scans utilizing a gradient descent approach motivated by physics, namely simulation of movement of masses in gravitational fields, but exchanges laws of physics with constraints given by human perception. Experiments on different real world data sets show the successful application of the algorithm. We also provide an experimental comparison with classical ICP implementation and a Lu/Milios‐type alignment algorithm. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
The effects of pyridine derivative additives on interface processes at nanocrystalline TiO2 thin film in dye‐sensitized solar cells
Authors: Yin Xiong , Zhao Hui , Chen Liping , Tan Weiwei , Zhang Jingbo , Weng Yuxiang , Shuai Zhigang , Xiao Xurui , Zhou Xiaowen , Li Xueping , Lin Yuan 
Published: September 2007

Abstract2‐Methyl‐4‐propoxypyridine, a new pyridine derivative, has been synthesized and used as an additive in the liquid electrolyte of dye‐sensitized solar cells (DSSCs). Compared with 2‐methylpyridne and 4‐tert‐pyridine, they were employed to study the influence of the pyridine derivative additives on the rate of recombination at the electrode/dye/electrolyte interfaces and band edge shift of TiO2, which were measured by time‐resolved mid‐infrared absorption spectroscopy and Mott–Schottky analysis, respectively. It was found that the rate of interfacial charge recombination was enhanced when the pyridine derivative additives were present in the electrolyte. Meanwhile, the additives caused a negative shift of the band edge. However, the net effect of pyridine derivative addition was to improve the open‐circuit photovoltage according to the photoelectrochemical measurement, indicating that negative shift of conduction band of TiO2 was a predominant factor in improving the open‐circuit photovoltage. Also, the result was strongly supported by the dark current measurement. Therefore, it provides a microscopic account for the function of the pyridine derivative additives on the open‐circuit photovoltage enhancement of the DSSCs. Furthermore, the decrease of the short‐circuit photocurrent of the cells was also attributed to the slower dye regeneration due to the addition of additives from the results of cyclic voltammetry measurement. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Commissioning a new CT simulator II: virtual simulation software
Authors: Kearns D. , McJury M. 
Published: September 2007

AbstractThis paper continues the discussion on the commissioning tests performed on a new GE Lightspeed RT wide-bore computed tomography (CT) scanner, focusing on the GE Advantage Sim software (version 6.0).The tests performed and phantoms used to assess the virtual simulator functionality, including the 3D image display, contouring, treatment unit beam parameters, digitally reconstructed radiograph generation and image quality, isocentre generation and multi-modality image registration, are described.The series of tests performed showed the virtual simulation software to be working within acceptance tolerances suggested in the literature and baseline data have been obtained against which future comparisons of system performance have been made. Where no tolerances were available, we have suggested suitable values.
Ineffective Cricoid Pressure: The Critical Role of Formalised Training
Authors: Moos Daniel D. 
Published: September 2007

ABSTRACTThe application of cricoid pressure may help reduce the incidence of pulmonary aspiration in at-risk patients. Research has shown that most clinicians have a cognitive deficit concerning the correct amount of pressure to apply, anatomical landmarks and apply the incorrect amount of pressure. Too much pressure may lead to an airway obstruction or distorted view for laryngoscopy. Too little pressure may lead to pulmonary aspiration. It is imperative that clinicians who apply cricoid pressure have a thorough knowledge of basic anatomy, have a basic understanding of regurgitation/aspiration, indications, complications, contraindications and common problems/mistakes when applying cricoid pressure. Various teaching strategies to help the clinician apply correct and effective cricoid pressure have been described in the literature. All clinicians should be formally trained in the proper technique for the application of cricoid pressure.
Perioperative Behaviour: Is There a Lunar Influence?
Authors: James Lake Alfred Philip , Hodge Linda Anne 
Published: September 2007

ABSTRACTWorking in the community dental service for 16(LAH) and 19(APJL) years, in common we are sure with many readers, we have observed marked differences in perioperative behaviour which could not be adequately explained when all the other usually influencing factors appeared constant and sought an alternative explanation by evaluating any lunar influence.
Plant Functional Types and Plant Trait Measurements in the Eastern Ghats, South India
Authors: Anupama K. , Stephen A. , Aravajy S. , Orukaimani G. 
Published: September 2007

AbstractClassifying terrestrial plant species on the basis of function rather than on taxonomy facilitates addressing ecological questions at the scale of ecosystems, landscapes or Biomes. The concept of plant functional types (PFTs) helps handle taxonomic diversity, as it groups together species that share common attributes with respect to, e.g. life-form, phenology and bioclimatic limits. For some time now, large international efforts promoted by the IGBP-GCTE programme are underway to measure for a large number of species a shortlist of significant plant traits that would underlie such functional plant classification systems. The idea here is to help address vegetation responses to and vegetation effects on environmental changes such as climate changes, but also others such as landuse or other disturbances.A PFT classification obviously helps in the use of pollen assemblages to infer past ecosystem changes, especially ecosystem response to climate change, as this is more directly linked to changes in functional rather than taxonomic diversity of plants over temporal and spatial gradients. We present a comprehensive list of pollen taxa from our database of surface samples from Eastern Ghats, South India to which PFTs are assigned based on our field observations of the Ecology and Biology of individuals as well as the description of the flora and vegetation of the Eastern Ghats in standard published floras. Finally, we also present trait measurements such as specific leaf area (SLA) and thickness for a shortlist of the taxa listed above.
On the left periphery: Modal particles and complementisers
Authors:   Roussou
Published: September 2007

AbstractThe purpose of this paper is twofold: first, to provide a unified account of the particles þa, na and as in Greek, and second, to refine the articulated CP structure of Rizzi (1997). To this end, it is argued that þa, na, and as occupy the lower C head, which is specified for modality. The particles na and as further raise to a higher C head (partly similar to Rizzi’s Force), thus differing from þa. The distribution of topic and focus in relation to the particles and the typical complementisers oti and an is used as evidence for the postulation of an additional C head characterised as a subordinator/connector, typically occupied by the complementiser pu and optionally by oti and an. The resulting structure differs from Rizzi’s (1997) in that it provides a tripartite C structure and places FocusP/TopicP between the two higher C heads. In the light of this analysis we also consider the position of negation, as well as the position of the verb in imperatives and gerunds.
Review article:Crosslinguistic semantics and the study of Greek
Authors:   Giannakidou
Published: September 2007

AbstractThis paper describes and assesses the flow of ‘Greek semantics’, i.e. the study of semantic phenomena in the grammar of Greek, and of its syntax-semantics interface. Semantic studies of Greek started appearing in the late 1970’s and early 1980’s, and have been quite plentiful since then, with a well-defined formal semantic orientation in the 1990’s. The major topics in Greek semantics are discussed, including mood choice, sentential complementation, negation and polarity, tense-aspect modality, and ellipsis. Emphasis is given to how the semantic study of Greek connects to the larger crosslinguistic picture; more often than not, the results based on Greek call for modification of existing theories, and are shown to have significant theoretical implications for the overall design of grammar and, especially, the relation between morphology/syntax and semantics.
Review article:Aspects of Pontic grammar
Authors: Janse Mark 
Published: September 2007

AbstractThis paper is a review article of Drettas (1997), the first non-Greek grammar of Pontic. It discusses the theoretical framework of the grammar and the main features of Pontic. Special attention is given to those features which set Pontic apart from the rest of the Greek dialects. Finally, the question is raised as to whether Pontic is indeed a Greek dialect or rather a separate language.
The Active Imperfect of the verbs of the ‘2nd Conjugation’ in the Peloponnesian Varieties of Modern Greek
Authors: Pantelidis Nikolaos 
Published: September 2007

AbstractThe present paper treats the different types of formation and the inflectional patterns of the active imperfect of the verbs that in traditional grammar are known as verbs of the ‘2nd conjugation’ in the Peloponnesian varieties of Modern Greek (except Tsakonian and Maniot), mainly from a diachronic point of view. A reconstruction of the processes that led to the current situation is attempted and directions for further possible changes are suggested. The diachrony of the morphology of the imperfect of the ‘2nd conjugation’ in the Peloponnesian varieties involves developments such as morphologization of a phonological process and the evolution of number-oriented allomorphy at the level of aspectual markers, while at the same time offering interesting insights into the mechanisms and scope of morphological changes and the morphological structure of the Modern Greek verb. These developments can also offer important evidence for the process of dialectal differentiation of Medieval/‘Early Modern’ Greek.
Animacy, definiteness, and case in Cappadocian and other Asia Minor Greek dialects
Authors: Janse Mark 
Published: September 2007

AbstractThis article discusses the relation between animacy, definiteness, and case in Cappadocian and several other Asia Minor Greek dialects. Animacy plays a decisive role in the assignment of Greek and Turkish nouns to the various Cappadocian noun classes. The de­vel­opment of morphological definiteness is due to Turkish interference. Both features are important for the phenomenon of differential object marking which may be considered one of the most dis­tinctive features of Cappadocian among the Greek dialects.
Clitics and clause structure: The Late Medieval Greek system
Authors: Condoravdi Cleo , Kiparsky Paul 
Published: September 2007

AbstractWe rebut Pappas’s critique (this issue) of our treatment of Late Medieval Greek clausal syntax and clitic placement (Condoravdi & Kiparsky 2001), point out some weaknesses of his counterproposal, and suggest directions for further research.
Health Professionals’ Recognition of Co-Occurring Alcohol and Depressive Disorders in Youth: A Survey of Australian General Practitioners, Psychiatrists, Psychologists and Mental Health Nurses Using Case Vignettes
Authors: Lubman Dan I. , Hides Leanne , Jorm Anthony F. , Morgan Amy J. 
Published: September 2007

Objective: To examine whether health professionals who commonly deal with mental disorder are able to identify co-occurring alcohol misuse in young people presenting with depression. Method: Between September 2006 and January 2007, a survey examining beliefs regarding appropriate interventions for mental disorder in youth was sent to 1710 psychiatrists, 2000 general practitioners (GPs), 1628 mental health nurses, and 2000 psychologists in Australia. Participants within each professional group were randomly given one of four vignettes describing a young person with a DSM-IV mental disorder. Herein is reported data from the depression and depression with alcohol misuse vignettes. Results: A total of 305 psychiatrists, 258 GPs, 292 mental health nurses and 375 psychologists completed one of the depression vignettes. A diagnosis of mood disorder was identified by at least 83.8% of professionals, with no significant differences noted between professional groups. Rates of reported co-occurring substance use disorders were substantially lower, particularly among older professionals and psychologists. Conclusions: GPs, psychologists and mental health professionals do not readily identify co-occurring alcohol misuse in young people with depression. Given the substantially negative impact of co-occurring disorders, it is imperative that health-care professionals are appropriately trained to detect such disorders promptly, to ensure young people have access to effective, early intervention.
Overview of Psychiatric Ethics V: Utilitarianism and the Ethics of Duty
Authors: Robertson Michael , Morris Kirsty , Walter Garry 
Published: September 2007

Objective: The aim of this paper is to describe the ethical theories of utilitarianism and the ethics of duty (Kant's ethics) and to evaluate their value as theoretical bases of psychiatric ethics. Conclusions: Utilitarianism is a well-established moral philosophy and has significant instrumental value in dealing with common ethical problems faced by psychiatrists. Despite its capacity to generate solutions to ethical problems, utilitarianism requires a process of what Rawls described as ‘reflective equilibrium’ to avoid morally repugnant choices, based on utility. The criticisms of utilitarianism, such as the problems of quantifying utility and the responsibility for consequences, are very relevant for psychiatry. Singer's model of utilitarian thinking is particularly problematic for our profession. Kant's ethics provides the pretext for duty bound codes of ethics for psychiatrists, but suffers from problems of flawed claims to the universalizability prescribed by Kant's ‘categorical imperative’. Kant's valorization of reason as the core of the autonomy of persons is a valuable insight in understanding psychiatrists’ ethical obligations to their patients.
Medication Decision-Making by Adults with Borderline Personality Disorder
Authors: Stephan Alice , Krawitz Roy , Jackson Wendy 
Published: September 2007

Objective: The aim of this paper is to describe an effective construct for medication decision-making by adults diagnosed with borderline personality disorder. Conclusion: A collaborative decision-making process with an emphasis, wherever possible, on the decision-making of the adult diagnosed with borderline personality disorder, provides a relationship structure promoting effective medication decision-making.
What Makes Psychiatry such a Stressful Profession? A Qualitative Study
Authors: Fischer Jesse , Kumar Shailesh , Hatcher Simon 
Published: September 2007

Objective: We aimed to elucidate causative and protective factors associated with burnout in New Zealand psychiatrists, to identify signs and symptoms of the burnout syndrome, and to identify any difference in the perspectives of psychiatrists who scored high versus low on the emotional exhaustion (EE) subscale of the Maslach Burnout Inventory (MBI). Method: Twelve participants were randomly selected, six from each group of psychiatrists (high versus low EE). A face-to-face interview based on a semi-structured questionnaire was carried out with each participant. The interviews were recorded and transcribed verbatim. The transcriptions were manually analysed by two independent reviewers using a grounded theory approach for qualitative analysis. Results: Major features of burnout were changes in appearance, behaviour and mood. Causes of burnout identified were external, internal and interpersonal factors, and changing work environment. Protective factors associated with burnout included supportive relationships, extracurricular activities, variety in one's work, a positive attitude towards one's work and high job satisfaction. Conclusions: A preliminary profile of the burnout syndrome was established and has a potential role in the prevention of burnout in psychiatrists. Causative factors associated with burnout were identified and supported previous findings. Novel factors protective against burnout were suggested and require further investigation. No differences were apparent between the two subgroups of psychiatrists (high versus low EE).