bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The effect of annealing on the crystallization of poly(ethylene terephthalate)/polycarbonate blends
Authors: Kong Y. , Hay J. N. 
Published: April 2004

AbstractThe effect of annealing on the morphology and subsequent crystallization kinetics of poly (ethylene terephthalate)/polycarbonate blends have been investigated using differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), polarized light microscopy, and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). During annealing transesterification and phase coarsening occurred, and the final properties were compromizes between these two competing effects. Initially, the effect of phase separation dominated and the rate of cold crystallization of PET increased. Transesterification, however, became increasingly important and the rate of crystallization decreased progressively until finally the blend completely lost the ability to crystallize. At this stage in the reaction a single glass transition was observed and uniform glassy material observed in the SEM. The maximum crystallinity of the blend achieved on heating showed the same trend in first increasing and then decreasing with annealing time. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part B: Polym Phys 42: 2129–2136, 2004
Existential plight of adult daughters following their mother's breast cancer diagnosis
Authors: Raveis Victoria H. , Pretter Sheindy 
Published: April 2004

AbstractDaughters caring for a mother with breast cancer represent a vulnerable population. They are confronted with having to integrate their emotional reactions to their mother's illness while simultaneously processing concerns about their own personal susceptibility. Through their caregiving, daughters obtain intimate knowledge of their mother's breast cancer experience. As part of a study of breast cancer survivorship and the family, in‐depth interviews were conducted with a diverse sample of adult daughters caring for their mother with breast cancer. Analysis of the daughters' narratives documents that their mother's cancer diagnosis subjects them to a period of crisis fraught with severe emotional distress and life and death concerns that parallels the ‘existential plight’ that patients encounter following the cancer diagnosis and inception of treatment. Specifically, the daughters' accounts demonstrate that the diagnosis intensified their bond with their ill mother, while also presenting challenges in their relationship. It precipitated a re‐definition of personal values and altered their perceived future. Their mother's illness prompted recognition of increased family risk and rendered daughters with a heightened sense of personal vulnerability. Clinicians need to appreciate the extent to which daughters can be impacted by their mother's cancer experience. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Dynamic behavior of respiratory system during nasal continuous positive airway pressure in spontaneously breathing premature newborn infants
Authors: Magnenant E. , Rakza T. , Riou Y. , Elgellab A. , Matran R. , Lequien P. , Storme L. 
Published: April 2004

AbstractThe end‐expiratory lung‐volume level of premature newborn infants is maintained above passive resting volume during active breathing, through the combination of reduced time constant and high respiratory rate. To determine whether nasal continuous positive airway pressure (NCPAP) alters this characteristic dynamic breathing pattern, we studied the effects of various NCPAP levels on the dynamic elevation of end‐expiratory lung volume level (ΔEELV) in spontaneously breathing premature newborn infants, using respiratory inductive plethysmography (RIP). Eleven premature newborn infants with moderate respiratory failure were included. NCPAP levels were set in a random order to 0, 2, 4, and 6 cm H2O. Tidal volume (Vt), rib‐cage contribution to Vt (%RC), phase angle between abdominal and thoracic motions (θ), respiratory rate (RR), and inspiratory and expiratory times (Ti and Te) were continuously recorded by RIP. The slope of the linear part of the expiratory flow‐volume relation was extrapolated up to zero flow level to evaluate the dynamic elevation of the functional residual capacity (FRC) (ΔEELV). The time‐constant of the respiratory system (τRS) was calculated as the slope of the linear part of the expiratory flow‐volume loop. At NCPAP = 6 cm H2O, ΔEELV reached 0.6 ± 0.2 times the Vt at NCPAP = 0 cm H2O. An increase in NCPAP level resulted in a significant decrease in ΔEELV (P < 0.01). A decrease in ΔEELV during NCPAP was associated with a significant increase in Te from 0.62 ± 0.13 sec at NCPAP = 0 cm H2O to 0.80 ± 0.07 sec at NCPAP = 6 cm H2O (P < 0.05), and a decrease in τRSfrom 0.4 ± 0.1 sec at NCPAP = 0 cm H2O to 0.24 ± 0.04 sec at NCPAP = 6 cm H2O (P < 0.01). These results indicate that the characteristic spontaneous breathing pattern causing a dynamic elevation of FRC is abolished by NCPAP. We speculate that the dynamic volume‐preserving mechanisms resulting from expiratory flow braking are no longer required during NCPAP, as the constant pressure may passively elevate FRC. Pediatr Pulmonol. 2004; 37:485–491. © 2004 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Sleep‐disordered breathing in 3,680 Greek children
Authors: Kaditis Athanasios G. , Finder Jonathan , Alexopoulos Emmanouel I. , Starantzis Konstantinos , Tanou Kalliopi , Gampeta Stella , Agorogiannis Eleftherios , Christodoulou Sofia , Pantazidou Anastasia , Gourgoulianis Konstantinos , Molyvdas Paschalis Adam 
Published: April 2004

AbstractThe goal of the present investigation was to describe the prevalence of and clinical factors associated with sleep‐disordered breathing in children and adolescents. Children and adolescents (3,680 in all, 1–18 years old) attending schools in central Greece were surveyed by questionnaires distributed to parents. We found a similar prevalence of habitual snoring (present every night) among three different age groups (5.3%, 4%, and 3.8% in 1–6‐, 7–12‐, and 13–18‐year‐old subjects,P = NS). Several children with an adenoidectomy and/or tonsillectomy were snoring every night (6.1%), whereas sleepiness at school was more common in habitual snorers than in nonhabitual snorers (4.6 vs. 2%,P = 0.03). Seventy randomly selected subjects among 307 snorers without adenoidectomy and/or tonsillectomy underwent polysomnography. The estimated frequency of obstructive sleep apnea‐hypopnea among children without adenoidectomy and/or tonsillectomy was 4.3%. Factors associated with snoring were: male gender (odds ratio 1.5 (confidence interval, 1.2–1.9)); chronic rhinitis (2.1 (1.6–2.7)); snoring in father (1.5 (1.2–1.9)), mother (1.5 (1.1–2.0)), or siblings (1.7 (1.2–2.4)); adenoidectomy in mother (1.5 (1.0–2.2)); and passive smoking (1.4 (1.1–1.8)). In conclusion, snoring every night was equally prevalent in younger and older ages, more frequent in males, and present even in some children with a history of adenoidectomy and/or tonsillectomy. Chronic rhinitis, family history of snoring, and exposure to cigarette smoke were associated with an increased frequency of habitual snoring. Pediatr Pulmonol. 2004; 37:499–509. © 2004 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Urban air pollution and children's asthma: What do parents and health professionals think?
Authors: Stevens Emma , Cullinan Paul , Colvile Roy 
Published: April 2004

AbstractOur objective was to explore and compare, in the context of other exposures, lay and professional perceptions of the links between urban air pollution and children's asthma. We used a triangulated survey approach, using quantitative questionnaire surveys enriched by qualitative interviews. Derivation of indicators of actual local air quality used modelled air pollution and a geographical information system. Our setting involved families and community health professionals in the London borough of Ealing, and pediatric respiratory specialists across the United Kingdom. Participants included 863 parents of children aged 3–11 years, 151 reporting currently asthmatic children, of whom 20 were extensively interviewed; 98 local general practitioners and 50 practice nurses; and 75 paediatric respiratory consultants and 55 specialist nurses. Main outcome measures involved views about the links between urban air pollution and children's asthma, relative to other triggers. Comparison of assessments of local air quality, with actual pollution levels, was made by parents with and without asthmatic children. Many parents were unsure as to what factors initiate asthma, but the most frequently cited was traffic pollution; it was also considered important in the exacerbation of asthma. Health professionals' assessments were inconsistent: specialists conformed to the dominant literature dismissing strong links between air pollution and asthma, while local clinicians reflected the views of parents in their community. Surrounding parents' views were difficulties defining exposures to urban air pollution, underlying concerns about risks to general health, perceived lack of control, unclear expert opinion, and widely accepted informal “messages” which assumed strong links. Parents with experience of asthma were found to have significantly less accurate (negatively biased) perceptions of local air quality. In conclusion, reactions to uncertainty surrounding associations between asthma and urban air pollution varied: parents' concerns were heightened (and propagated by other influences), specialist clinicians were dismissive, and community clinicians fell between these extremes. Pediatr Pulmonol. 2004; 37:530–536. © 2004 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Tobacco smoke exposure, wheeze, and atopy
Authors: Murray Clare S. , Woodcock Ashley , Smillie Frazer I. , Cain Greg , Kissen Patricia , Custovic Adnan 
Published: April 2004

AbstractWe investigated the effect of in utero and postnatal environmental tobacco smoke (ETS) exposure on respiratory symptoms and atopy in the first 3 years of life in children at high risk of allergic disease (both parents atopic). Three hundred and sixty‐nine children were followed from birth and reviewed at ages 1 and 3 years (respiratory questionnaire, skin testing). Parental smoking questionnaires were administered, and plasma cotinine in cord and peripheral blood (at age 1 year) was measured (capillary column gas‐liquid chromatography). Wheezing starting in the first year of life was significantly more common in children of smoking mothers (54.2% vs. 39.5%, P = 0.017), but not wheezing starting after age 1 year (10.8% vs. 10.9%, smoking and nonsmoking mothers, P = 0.99). Detectable cord cotinine was not associated with wheeze. More frequent wheeze in infancy was significantly more common in those with detectable 1‐year cotinine (e.g., wheeze without colds, 17.8% vs. 5.6%, P = 0.02; wheeze most days, 6.5% vs. 0%, P = 0.04). ETS exposure was not associated with atopy. In the multivariate regression analysis, maternal smoking during pregnancy and/or in the first year of life remained associated with wheeze in the first year of life (odds ratio, 1.88; 95% confidence interval, 1.14–3.12; P = 0.01). ETS exposure in “high‐risk” infants increases the risk of wheezing starting in the first year of life, but not after age 1 year. However, ETS exposure has little or no effect on the development of atopy. Measurement of plasma cotinine was no more useful than tobacco exposure assessment by questionnaire in our cohort. Pediatr Pulmonol. 2004; 37:492–498. © 2004 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Single‐breath exhaled nitric oxide in preschool children facilitated by a servo‐controlled device maintaining constant flow
Authors: Silkoff Philip E. , Bates Christopher A. , Meiser John B. , Bratton Donna L. 
Published: April 2004

AbstractFractional concentration of exhaled nitric oxide (FENO), an index of airway inflammation, is optimally measured in adults and school‐age children using a single‐breath online (SBOL) exhalation at constant flow. However, preschool‐aged (<6 years old) children have difficulty exhaling at constant flow, and alternative methods are needed. We employed a servo‐controlled variable resistance device (servo device) that controls expiratory flow while allowing the child to vary expiratory pressure. To validate this device, 8 children (aged 6–12 years) performed SBOL exhalations with and without the servo device at expired flow rates between 20–50 ml/sec. We then studied 32 young children aged 24–71 months with the servo device alone at exhalation flows of 30, 40, and 50 ml/sec. Test difficulty (TD) with each method was rated by questioning the older children, or as observed by the physician obtaining the data in the younger children (0 = no difficulty, 1 = mild difficulty, 2 = moderate difficulty, and 3 = unable to perform test). In the older children, SBOL exhalations with and without the servo device demonstrated equivalent flow‐dependence of FENO values. Test difficulty was low (0.125–0.625) at all flow rates, with excellent agreement between the two methods (P < 0.001). Twenty‐eight young children (<6 years old) were able to complete measurements at all three flow rates evaluated. The 4 subjects who were not able to successfully complete all the measurements were between 2–3 years old (mean 2.75 ± SD). Exhaled NO (mean ± SD; ppb) was 8.8 (±6.2), 10.6 (±6.7), and 13.2 (±8.8) ppb at flows of 50 ml/sec, 40 ml/sec, and 30 ml/sec, respectively. Mean values of SD scores were 1.00, 1.14, and 1.43 at flows of 50, 40, and 30 ml/sec, respectively (P = NS). In conclusion, exhaled NO measurement by the SBOL method was facilitated in preschool children by the use of a servo‐controlled variable resistance device. This device may allow these measurements to be applied to aid in the diagnosis and treatment of asthma in the preschool child, where spirometry is generally impossible. Pediatr Pulmonol. 2004; 37:554–558. © 2004 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Mass spectrometric characterization of two novel inflammatory peptides from the venom of the social wasp Polybia paulista
Authors: de Souza Bibiana Monson , Marques Mauricio Ribeiro , Tomazela Daniela Maria , Eberlin Marcos Nogueira , Mendes Maria Anita , Palma Mario Sergio 
Published: April 2004

AbstractThe social wasp P. paulista is relatively common in southeast Brazil causing many medically important stinging incidents. The seriousness of these incidents is dependent on the amount of venom inoculated by the wasps into the victims, and the characteristic envenomation symptoms are strongly dependent on the types of peptides present in the venom. In order to identify some of these naturally occurring peptides available in very low amounts, an analytical protocol was developed that uses a combination of reversed‐phase and normal‐phase high‐performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) of wasp venom for peptide purification, with matrix‐assisted laser desorption/ionization time‐of‐flight post‐source decay mass spectrometry (MALDI‐Tof‐PSD‐MS) and low‐energy collision‐induced dissociation (CID) in a quadrupole time‐of‐flight tandem mass spectrometry (QTof‐MS/MS) instrument for peptide sequencing at the sub‐picomole level. The distinction between Leu and Ile was achieved both by observing d‐type fragment ions obtained under CID conditions and by comparison of retention times of the natural peptides and their synthetic counterparts (with different combinations of I and/or L at N‐ and C‐terminal positions). To distinguish the isobaric residues K and Q, acetylation of peptides was followed by Q‐Tof‐MS analysis. The primary sequences obtained were INWLKLGKMVIDAL‐NH2 (MW 1611.98 Da) and IDWLKLGKMVMDVL‐NH2 (MW 1658.98 Da). Micro‐scale bioassay protocols characterized both peptides as presenting potent hemolytic action, mast cell degranulation, and chemotaxis of polymorphonucleated leukocyte (PMNL) cells. The primary sequences and the bioassay results suggest that these toxins constitute members of a new sub‐class of mastoparan toxins, directly involved in the occurrence of inflammatory processes after wasp stinging. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Discovery of okadaic acid esters in the toxic dinoflagellate Dinophysis acuta from New Zealand using liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry
Authors: Suzuki T. , Beuzenberg V. , Mackenzie L. , Quilliam M. A. 
Published: April 2004

AbstractThe dinoflagellate Dinophysis acuta has been associated with various incidents of diarrhetic shellfish poisoning. A sample of Dinophysis acuta collected from New Zealand waters in 2002 was previously found to contain high levels of pectenotoxins, but only a very low level of the diarrhea‐inducing okadaic acid (OA). After hydrolysis under basic conditions, however, the concentration of OA increased substantially, indicating the presence of conjugated forms of OA. Using various liquid chromatography/electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry (LC/ESI‐MS/MS) techniques, a number of OA esters were detected in the original extract. The principal compound was identified as a C8 diol‐ester of OA (OA‐D8), which had been identified previously in another dinoflagellate, Prorocentrum lima. The retention time, as well as positive and negative ion MS, MS/MS and UV spectra of the D. acuta compound, matched exactly those of OA‐D8 isolated from P. lima. In addition to OA‐D8, several other novel OA esters were detected in the D. acuta but these have not yet been identified. This is the first report identifying the presence of OA esters in Dinophysis species. Copyright © 2004 Crown in the right of Canada. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Coordination chemistry of chromium‐Salen complexes studied by electrospray ionization mass spectrometry
Authors: Kumar M. Kiran , Prabhakar S. , Kumar M. Ravi , Reddy T. Jagadeshwar , Premsingh S. , Rajagopal S. , Vairamani M. 
Published: April 2004

AbstractThe gas‐phase coordination behavior of the [CrIII(Salen)]PF6 complex at the free axial positions has been studied in the presence of amines as ligands (propylamine and a series of diamines) under electrospray ionization conditions. The [CrIII(Salen)]+ complex formed stable five‐ and six‐coordinated complex ions, [CrIII(Salen)(L)]+ and [CrIII(Salen)(L)2]+, respectively, where L = solvent molecule or amine. When diamines were used as ligands, abundant [CrIII(Salen)(L)]+ ions were observed in which two axial positions of the [CrIII(Salen)]+ species are occupied by the two amino groups of the diamine ligand. The relative abundances of ligated complex ions, fragment ions, and solvent adducts of fragment ions in the ESI mass spectra, were found to depend on the cone voltage used to record the spectrum. The ESI mass spectra of [CrIII(Salen)]+ in the presence of diamines as ligands, and experiments on ligand‐pickup in the collision cell, clearly demonstrated that the [CrIII(Salen)(L)]+ complex ion is stable for 1,2‐diaminoethane and 1,3‐diaminopropane. The stability of [CrIII(Salen)(L)]+ ions gradually decreased from 1,4‐diaminobutane to 1,6‐diaminohexane, and then showed a slight increase for 1,7‐diaminoheptane and 1,8‐diaminooctane. The collision‐induced dissociation spectra of [CrIII(Salen)(L)]+ ions support the above observations. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Simple fabrication of a structured matrix‐assisted laser desorption/ionization target coating for increased sensitivity in mass spectrometric analysis of membrane proteins
Authors: Redeby Theres , Roeraade Johan , Emmer Åsa 
Published: April 2004

AbstractA new prestructured target plate for matrix‐assisted laser desorption/ionization (MALDI) was developed specifically for hydrophobic integral membrane proteins. This sample support contains predefined concentrating sample spots with a focusing effect on droplets with a high content of hexafluoroisopropanol (HFIP). This fluorinated organic solvent is advantageous for solubilizing hydrophobic proteins that are not soluble in water or the organic solvents normally used in sample preparation protocols for MALDI‐MS. The prestructured plate was constructed by coating a regular steel plate with a thin layer of a silicone polymer, leaving sample spots of bare steel. Fabrication of the concentrating silicone structure was fast and very straightforward, without expensive or complicated equipment. Removing the layer, and thus regenerating the steel plate, was done by a simple washing procedure. The application and cleaning procedure are not constrained by a particular design of sample support or to any specific brand of mass spectrometer. When using the prestructured MALDI plate with HFIP as the sample solvent for 17 pmol of a cyanogen bromide digest of the highly hydrophobic membrane protein bacteriorhodopsin, an improved focusing effect and an increase of more than five‐fold in average sensitivity were observed, compared with a regular steel target. Experimental results show a two‐fold increase in average sensitivity when the new prestructured target plate was used, compared with a commercially available concentrating support. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Corporate elites and corporate strategy: how demographic preferences and structural position shape the scope of the firm
Authors: Jensen Michael , Zajac Edward J. 
Published: April 2004

AbstractThis study combines elements of the upper echelons and agency perspectives to resolve some of the ambiguity surrounding how corporate elites affect corporate strategy. We propose and test the notion that while differences in individual characteristics of corporate elites may imply different preferences for particular corporate strategies such as diversification and acquisitions, these basic preferences, when situated in different agency contexts (e.g., CEO, outsider director, non‐CEO top management team member), generate very different strategic outcomes. Our detailed empirical findings, based on extensive longitudinal governance and corporate strategy data from large U.S. corporations, also highlight the pitfalls of using aggregate units of analysis (e.g., board of directors or top management team) when studying the influence of corporate elites on corporate strategy. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Do early birds get the returns? An empirical investigation of early‐mover advantages in acquisitions
Authors: Carow Kenneth , Heron Randall , Saxton Todd 
Published: April 2004

AbstractWe explore whether pioneering advantages exist for early‐mover acquirers in industry acquisition waves by examining both combined (target and acquirer) and acquirer stock returns. Combined abnormal returns are higher for acquisitions that occur at the beginning of acquisition waves. However, for acquirers' returns, only strategic pioneers—those acting in manners consistent with having superior information—capture significant advantages. Specifically, early‐mover acquirers who realize superior stock returns are those that conduct acquisitions in related industries, during industry expansionary phases, and finance their acquisitions as financial theory suggests they should when they possess an informational advantage—with cash. Our findings extend the first‐mover literature to corporate practices and link these practices to acquisition returns. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Scalability of a scheduling scheme for energy aware sensor networks
Authors: Dewasurendra Duminda , Mishra Amitabh 
Published: April 2004

AbstractScalability of algorithms used in wireless sensor networks is a critical issue due to the extremely high node numbers and relatively high node density. Few recent studies analyze the scalability of algorithms in wireless ad‐hoc networks. Yet there is no significant research done on scalability of algorithms used in wireless sensor networks. In this paper, we present a brief survey of recent research on scalability of protocols for wireless ad‐hoc networks followed by a scalability analysis of a typical cross‐layer scheduling scheme used to improve energy efficiency in wireless sensor networks. Results show severe degradations of per‐node and per‐flow throughput indicating that such scheduling algorithms used in wireless sensor networks are far less scalable than the algorithms used in their ad‐hoc counterparts. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.