bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Characterization of a novel KRAS mutation identified in Noonan syndrome
Authors: Razzaque Md. Abdur , Komoike Yuta , Nishizawa Tsutomu , Inai Kei , Furutani Michiko , Higashinakagawa Toru , Matsuoka Rumiko
Published: February 2012

Noonan syndrome (NS) is the most common non‐chromosomal syndrome seen in children and is characterized by short stature, dysmorphic facial features, chest deformity, a wide range of congenital heart defects and developmental delay of variable degree. Mutations in the Ras/mitogen‐activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling pathways cause about 70% of NS cases with a KRAS mutation present in about 2%. In a cohort of 65 clinically confirmed NS patients of Japanese origin, we screened for mutations in the RAS genes by direct sequencing. We found a novel mutation in KRAS with an amino acid substitution of asparagine to serine at codon 116 (N116S). We analyzed the biological activity of this mutant by ectopic expression of wild‐type or mutant KRAS. NS‐associated KRAS mutation resulted in Erk activation and active Ras–GTP levels, and exhibited mild cell proliferation. In addition, kras‐targeted morpholino knocked‐down zebrafish embryos caused heart and craniofacial malformations, while the expression of mutated kras resulted in maldevelopment of the heart. Our findings implicate that N116S change in KRAS is a hyperactive mutation which is a causative agent of NS through maldevelopment of the heart. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Dextrocardia, atrial septal defect, severe developmental delay, facial anomalies, and supernumerary ribs in a child with a complex unbalanced 8;22 translocation including partial 8p duplication
Authors: Pope Kathleen , Samanich Joy , Ramesh K.H. , Cannizzaro Linda , Pan Qiulu , Babcock Melanie
Published: February 2012

We report on a child with dextrocardia, atrial septal defect (ASD), severe developmental delay, hypotonia, 13 pairs of ribs, left preauricular choristoma, hirsutism, and craniofacial abnormalities. Prenatal cytogenetic evaluation showed karyotype 46,XY,?dup(8p)ish del(8)pter. Postnatal array CGH demonstrated a 6.8 Mb terminal deletion at 8p23.3–p23, an interstitial 31.1 Mb duplication within 8p23.1–p11, and a terminal duplication of 0.24 Mb at 22q13.33, refining the karyotype to 46,XY,der(8)dup(8)(p23.1p11.1)t(8;22)(p23.1;q13.1).ish der(8)dup(8)(p23.1p11.1)t(8;22)(p23.1;q13.1) (D8S504‐,MS607 + ,ARSA + ,D8Z1 + , RP115713 + +). Previous reports of distal 8p deletion, 8p duplication, and distal 22q duplication have shown similar manifestations, including congenital heart disease, intellectual impairment, and multiple minor anomalies. We correlate the patient's clinical findings with these particular areas of copy number. This case study supports the use of aCGH to identify subtle chromosomal rearrangement in infants with cardiac malformation as their most significant or only apparent birth defect. Additionally, it illustrates why aCGH is essential in the description of chromosome rearrangements, even those seemingly visible via routine karyotype. This method shows that there is often greater complexity submicroscopically, essential to an adequate understanding of a patient's genotype and phenotype. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Non‐immune hydrops fetalis: A short review of etiology and pathophysiology
Authors: Bellini Carlo , Hennekam Raoul CM
Published: February 2012

Hydrops fetalis is an excessive accumulation of fetal fluid. Hydrops is traditionally classified into either immune or non‐immune hydrops (NIHF), but in practice, nowadays in the Western world >90% of hydrops is of non‐immune origin. The basis of the disorder is an imbalance in the regulation of fetal fluid movement between the vascular and interstitial space. We previously suggested a diagnostic flow‐chart for NIHF. In this short review we describe the main mechanisms leading to NIHF. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Chromosome 22q11.2 duplication is rare in a population‐based cohort of Danish children with cardiovascular malformations
Authors: Agergaard Peter , Olesen Charlotte , Østergaard John Rosendahl , Christiansen Michael , Sørensen Karina Meden
Published: February 2012

The prevalence of the 22q11.2 duplication is unknown in children with cardiovascular malformations (CVMs). As most individuals with the duplication are detected in the search for other conditions, especially the 22q11.2 deletion, CVMs associated with the duplication are subject to referral bias. We circumvented this bias by investigating the prevalence of the 22q11.2 duplication in a population‐based cohort of children with CVMs. The study population was defined as children born in 2000–2008, who were registered in the Danish National Patient Registry with a diagnosis of CVM from one of the two national university departments of pediatric cardiology. Sensitive multiplex ligation‐dependent probe amplification was performed on dried blood spot samples from each individual's neonatal screening test. The study population consisted of 2,952 children with CVMs, 2,424 of whom were eligible for genetic testing; 13 individuals (0.5% [0.3–0.9%]) carried the duplication. Nine individuals (69%) had not previously been tested for a copy number variation on chromosome 22q11.2 in the clinical setting for children with CVMs. We conclude that 22q11.2 duplication is rare in children with CVMs, and is primarily found in malformations that are also associated with the 22q11.2 deletion. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Informing on prenatal screening for Down syndrome prior to conception. An empirical and ethical perspective
Authors: Schoonen Marleen , van der Zee Boukje , Wildschut Hajo , de Beaufort Inez , de Wert Guido , de Koning Harry , Essink‐Bot Marie‐Louise , Steegers Eric
Published: February 2012

In most Western countries, information on prenatal screening for Down syndrome is provided in the first‐trimester of pregnancy. The purpose of this study was to examine whether this information should additionally be provided before pregnancy to improve the informed decision‐making process. In an empirical study, we obtained data from pregnant women with respect to their preferences regarding information on prenatal screening preconceptionally. Questionnaire data (n = 510) showed that 55.7% of responding women considered participating in prenatal screening for Down syndrome before pregnancy. 28.0% of women possessed information on prenatal screening preconceptionally. 84.6% preferred not to receive information preconceptionally in retrospect. In an ethical analysis, we elaborated on these preferences by weighing pros and cons. We considered two arguments against the provision of information on prenatal screening preconceptionally: women's preference to receive information in a step‐by‐step manner, and the risk of providing a directive message. We identified three reasons supporting its provision preconceptionally: the likelihood of making an informed decision could, firstly, be increased by “unchaining” the initial information from possible subsequent decisions, and, secondly, by providing women sufficient time to deliberate. Thirdly, the probability of equal access to prenatal screening may increase. To conclude with, we propose to incorporate an information offer on prenatal screening for Down syndrome in preconception care consultations. By offering information, instead of providing information, prospective parents are enabled to either accept or decline the information, which respects both their right to know and their right not‐to‐know. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Particle injection into a chain: decoherence versus relaxation for Hermitian and non‐Hermitian dynamics
Authors: Gebhard F. , zu Münster K. , Ren J. , Sedlmayr N. , Sirker J. , Ziebarth B.
Published: February 2012

A model system for the injection of fermionic particles from filled source sites into an empty chain is investigated. The ensuing dynamics for Hermitian as well as for non‐Hermitian time evolution, where the particles cannot return to the bath sites (quantum ratchet), is studied. A non‐homogeneous hybridization between bath and chain sites permits transient currents in the chain. Non‐interacting particles show decoherence in the thermodynamic limit: the average particle number and the average current density in the chain become stationary for long times, whereas the single‐particle density matrix displays large fluctuations around its mean value. Using the numerical time‐dependent density‐matrix renormalization group (t‐DMRG) method it is demonstrated, on the other hand, that sizable density‐density interactions between the particles introduce relaxation which is by orders of magnitudes faster than the decoherence processes.
Rotational quantum impurities in a metal: Stability of the 2‐channel Kondo fixed point in a magnetic field
Authors: Ballmann K. , Kroha J.
Published: February 2012

A three‐level system with partially broken SU(3) symmetry immersed in a metal, comprised of a unique non‐interacting ground state and two‐fold degenerate excited states, exhibits a stable two‐channel Kondo fixed point within a wide range of parameters, as has been shown in previous work. Such systems can, for instance, be realized by protons dissolved in a metal and bound in the interstitial space of the host lattice, where the degeneracy of excited rotational states is guaranteed by the space inversion symmetry of the lattice. We analyze the robustness of the 2CK fixed point with respect to a level splitting of the excited states and discuss how this may explain the behavior of the well‐known dI/dV spectra measured by Ralph and Buhrman on ultrasmall quantum point contacts in a magnetic field.
Potential use of oil palm sap on lactic acid production and product adsorption on Dowex™ 66 resin as adsorbent
Authors: Chooklin Supasit , Kaewsichan Lupong , Kaewsrichan Jasadee
Published: February 2012

Lactic acid is a product that finds several applications in food, cosmetic, pharmaceutical, and chemical industries. The main objective of this work is to evaluate potential use of the oil palm (Elaeis guineensis) sap as a substrate by Lactobacillus casei. The effects of pH control and nutrient supplement of oil palm sap on fermentation performance were investigated. In this report, when oil palm sap was used as a carbon source for L. casei, pH control did not significantly affect lactic acid production. The addition of de Man, Rogosa, and Sharpe medium improved the biomass and the product yield for which the lactic acid production in static flask at 37 °C and pH 5.5 using 20 g L−1 of total sugar was improved to 0.55 g L−1 h−1. Oil palm sap could serve as a good potential source of raw materials for efficient production of lactic acid by L. casei. When lactic acid was separated from the fermentation broth with Dowex™ 66 resin by water as eluant, the desorption yield was 75.16%. © 2012 Curtin University of Technology and John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Membrane treatment of oily wastewater from refinery processes
Authors: Madaeni S. S. , Gheshlaghi A. , Rekabdar F.
Published: February 2012

Oily wastewater is produced in oil refining processes. This waste is usually treated by a number of physical, chemical, and biological techniques in water treatment units of oil refinery before being disposed in environment or reused as agricultural water. One of the treatment techniques for oil separation from wastewater is membrane filtration. This paper presents the performances of hydrophilic microfiltration (MF GRM) and ultrafiltration (UF GRM) polymeric membranes challenged with synthetic feed (gas oil dispersed in water) and oily wastewater effluent of American Petroleum Institute unit in refinery. A comparison was carried out under optimum conditions and in cross‐flow mode in laboratory scale. The effects of operating parameters (i.e. pressure and cross‐flow velocity) on flux and rejection were elucidated. The flux of MF GRM membrane for real feed within the first 2 h of filtration was low compared with synthetic feed because of the presence of solid and colloidal particles in the real feed. The oil rejection (around 99%) for synthetic feed was higher compared with real feed. Similar trend was found for both UF GRM and MF GRM membranes. © 2012 Curtin University of Technology and John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Adaptive soft sensors using local partial least squares with moving window approach
Authors: Liu Jialin , Chen Ding‐Sou , Lee Ming‐Wei
Published: February 2012

Developing soft sensors for an industrial process, the colinearity of the predictor variables and the time‐varying nature of the process need to be concerned. In many industrial applications, the partial least square (PLS) has been proven to be able to capture the linear relationship between input and output variables for a local operating region; therefore, the PLS model needs to be adapted to accommodate the time‐varying nature of the process. In this paper, a fast‐moving window algorithm is derived to update the PLS model. The proposed approach adapted the parameters of the inferential model with the dissimilarities between the new and oldest data and incorporated them into the kernel algorithm for the PLS. The computational loading of the model adaptation was therefore independent of the window size. Because a moving window approach is sensitive to outliers, the confidence intervals for the primary variables were created on the basis of the prediction uncertainty. The inferential model would not be misled by the outliers from the online analyzers, whereas the model could be updated during the transition stage. An industrial example, predicting oxygen concentrations in the air separation process, demonstrated the effectiveness of the proposed approach for the process industry. Copyright © 2012 Curtin University of Technology and John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Design and evaluation of aspirin‐loaded water‐in‐oil‐in‐water submicron multiple emulsions generated using two‐stage ultrasonic cavitational emulsification technique
Authors: Tang Siah Ying , Sivakumar Manickam
Published: February 2012

The main goal of the present work was to develop a novel aspirin containing water‐in‐oil‐in‐water (W/O/W)‐type submicron multiple emulsions via two‐stage ultrasound cavitational emulsification using Span 80 and Cremophor EL as lipophilic and hydrophilic emulsifiers for the formation of primary and secondary emulsions, respectively. Effect of the following parameters, i.e. concentration of emulsifiers, ultrasonic amplitude and second sonication period on the mean droplet diameter, polydispersity index, droplet size stability and drug entrapment efficiency was studied. The osmotic behavior of the ultrasonically prepared multiple emulsions was also studied with different glucose concentrations in the inner and outer aqueous phases. The presence of gelatin played an important role in preventing interdroplet coalescence via formation of interfacial rigid film. Core shell type of multiple droplets with mean droplet diameter of around 400 nm was produced using 1.25% w/w Span 80 and 0.5% w/w Cremophor EL. The experimental results have shown that the long‐term stability of the W/O/W multiple emulsions is significantly improved with the addition of both 0.5% w/w of glucose and 1% w/w of gelatin in the inner phase. This investigation has clearly proved that the use of ultrasound cavitation is an efficient yet promising approach in the generation of stable and uniform submicron multiple emulsions of aspirin. Copyright © 2012 Curtin University of Technology and John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Synthesis, characterization, and study of antibacterial activity of homopolymers and copolymers of 4‐benzyloxyphenylacrylates for pressure‐sensitive adhesive application
Authors: Mageswari S. , Subramanian K.
Published: February 2012

Poly(4‐benzyloxyphenylacrylate) and its copolymers with glycidyl methacrylate were synthesized from the monomer, 4‐benzyloxyphenylacrylate (4‐BOPA) by free radical solution polymerization. The synthesized homopolymers and copolymers were characterized by UV, FTIR, 1H‐NMR, and 13C‐NMR spectroscopic techniques. The thermal stability of the polymers was performed by thermogravimetric analysis in inert atmosphere. The glass transition temperatures of the polymers were determined by differential scanning calorimeter. The lap shear strength of the polymers was determined by Universal testing machine. The antibacterial activities of the polymers were also studied by UV spectroscopy. The results of the TGA analysis showed that the polymers possess good stability even beyond 250°C. Different concentrations of the polymer solutions were prepared and tested for their adhesive strength by applying them between leather strips. Thus, the results of the study reveal that the poly(4‐benzyloxyphenylacrylate‐co‐glycidyl methacrylate) has good adhesive strength compared with poly(4‐BOPA), which can be used for its adhesive property suitable for high temperature applications, which can also resist the bacterial growth on the applied surface of the material. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2012
Facile and efficient route for preparation of polypyrrole‐ZnO nanocomposites: Microstructural, optical, and charge transport properties
Authors: Chougule M. A. , Sen S. , Patil V. B.
Published: February 2012

Polypyrrole (PPy) nanocomposites reinforced with zinc oxide (ZnONPs) nanoparticles are fabricated by spin coating method. The polymer nanocomposite films were characterized by X‐ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Fourier transform infrared (FTIR), UV‐vis spectroscopy and two probe technique. The results were compared with PPy film. Powder XRD analysis demonstrates the crystalline structure of ZnO nanostructures, as well as their corresponding nanocomposites. The SEM images of the nanocomposites show uniform distribution of the ZnO NPs in the PPy matrix. The overall grain size was found to change in nanocomposite films. In the FTIR spectra, the characteristic peaks of pure PPy are observed to shift to higher wave number revels the different interfacial interactions between the ZnO NPs and the PPy matrix. In the UV‐vis spectra, absorption peak of PPy shifts to lower wavelengths indicating poor conjugation. The electrical resistivity of PPy‐ZnO nanocomposites is observed to depend strongly on the particle loadings and the morphology. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2012
Influence of the morphology on the fire behavior of a polycarbonate/poly(butylene terephthalate) blend
Authors: Sonnier Rodolphe , Viretto Amandine , Taguet Aurélie , Lopez‐Cuesta José‐Marie
Published: February 2012

Polycarbonate/Poly(butylene terephthalate) (PC/PBT) blends are used in various industrial sectors, particularly in the cable industry. In this work, the fire behavior of PC/PBT blends was studied for the entire range of blend composition to investigate the relation between fire properties and blend morphology. The morphology of the binary blends used presents a phase inversion point for 25–30 wt % PBT. Various tests have been performed to characterize the fire behavior [limiting oxygen index (LOI), epiradiator test, cone calorimeter, and pyrolysis combustion flow calorimeter (PCFC)]. A change in fire behavior has been observed when the PBT content increases from 20 to 30 wt %, corresponding to the phase inversion, from a continuous rich‐PC phase to a continuous rich‐PBT phase. Consequently, it can be suggested that the control of the morphology of binary polymer blends is crucial to improve their fire properties. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2012
Study of lysozyme‐polymer composite microparticles in supercritical CO2
Authors: Chen Ai‐Zheng , Pu Xi‐Ming , Yin Guang‐Fu , Zhao Chen , Wang Shi‐Bin , Liu Yuan‐Gang , Wang Guang‐Ya , Kang Yong‐Qiang
Published: February 2012

Lysozyme‐loaded polymeric composite microparticles were successfully coprecipitated by solution‐enhanced dispersion by supercritical CO2 (SEDS), starting with a homogeneous organic solvent solution of lysozyme/poly(L‐lactide)/poly(ethylene glycol) (lysozyme/PLLA/PEG). The effects of different drug loads (5, 8, and 12% w/w), PLLA Mw (10, 50, 100, and 200 kDa), PEG contents (0, 10, 30, and 50% PEG/(PLLA+PEG) w/w), and PEG Mw (400, 1000, and 4000 kDa) on the surface morphology, particle size, and drug release profile of the resulting composite microparticles were investigated. The results indicate that the size of the microparticles decreased and the rate of drug release increased with an increase in drug load, PEG content, or PEG Mw; the particle size first increased and then decreased with an increase in PLLA Mw, and the drug release was controlled by both particle size and PLLA Mw. The Fourier transform infrared spectrometer analysis and circular dichroism spectra measurement reveal that no significant changes occurred in the molecular structures during the SEDS processing, which is favorable to the production of protein–polymer composite microparticles for a protein drug delivery system. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2012
Study of structural and thermal properties of electron beam irradiated polymethylmethacrylate/bisphenol‐A‐polycarbonate blends
Authors: Magida M. M.
Published: February 2012

Polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) and bisphenol‐A‐polycarbonate (PC) polymer blends are prepared by solution casting technique using tetrahydrofuran as a solvent. The structural properties of the polymer blends before and after they had been irradiated to electron beam accelerator was investigated by color strength, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and FTIR spectroscopy. The thermal properties such as TGA and DSC were investigated. The TGA thermograms showed that the thermal stability of the unirradiated polymer blends PMMA/PC increases with increasing the ratios of PC component in the blend. Also, it was found that the presence of PC polymer in the blend affords protection against radiation degradation and improves their thermal stability. The DSC scans show a single Tg intermediate between PMMA and PC indicate the existence of specific interactions between PMMA and PC polymers in the blend. An intimate blends are reflected by substantial shifts in the frequencies of the PMMA and PC CO vibration obtained by FTIR. SEM confirms the homogeneity of the blend. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 125:3184–3190, 2012
Influence of poly(ether imide) on the free volume hole size and distributions in poly(ether ether ketone)
Authors: Ramani R. , Alam S.
Published: February 2012

Blends of poly(ether ether ketone) (PEEK) and poly(ether imide) (PEI) were examined for their miscibility at the nanoscopic level using positron annihilation lifetime spectroscopy (PALS) and modulated differential scanning calorimetry (MDSC). The free volume results obtained from PALS reveal that PEEK and PEI exhibit high degree of miscibility showing interlamellar segregation when the PEI content in the blend is ≥50%. Although the average free volume sizes of PEEK and PEI are nearly same, a clear distinction could be made from their size distribution. The free volume of PEI is found to be narrow as compared with PEEK. Also, herein, we provide the first evidence of the influence of interlamellar segregation on the free volume distribution in a polymer blend. The crystalline structure of the blend was studied by X‐ray scattering and the surface morphology was examined by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The MDSC results indicate the presence of a possible rigid amorphous fraction (RAF) and corroborate the positron lifetime and X‐ray scattering results. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2012
The interfacial modification of rice straw fiber reinforced poly(butylene succinate) composites: Effect of aminosilane with different alkoxy groups
Authors: Zhao Yang , Qiu Jianhui , Feng Huixia , Zhang Min
Published: February 2012

The effect of aminosilane on the properties of rice straw fiber (RSF) reinforced poly(butylene succinate) (PBS) composites was studied. RSF was pretreated with four different aminosilane coupling agents, 3‐aminopropyltriethoxysilane (APTES), 3‐aminopropyltrimethoxysilane (APTMES), 3‐(2‐aminoethylaminopropyl)triethoxysilane (AEAPTES), and 3‐(2‐aminoethylaminopropyl)‐trimethoxysilane (AEAPTMES). The results of Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and ζ potential measurements confirmed that amino groups were introduced to the silane‐treated RSF (TRSF) for all four silane coupling agents. The results also indicated a higher degree of hydroxyl ion adsorption by the fiber surface, which was chemically grafted by silane hydroxyl, was obtained with ethoxy silane than with methoxy silane. This difference might be because the relative rates of hydrolysis and ensuing silanol self‐condensation of methoxy silane were too fast to reduce the number of silanol groups grafted on the fiber surface. The TRSF composite produced clearly enhanced tensile properties for the aminosilane coupling agents having ethoxy groups. The AEAPTES‐RSF‐PBS composite showed the highest tensile strength. It might be because of the higher amino content of AEAPTES than APTES; the amino groups on the surface of TRSF were confirmed by FT‐IR to react with the carbonyl groups of PBS to form a blue‐shifted hydrogen bond. The water absorption process of composites was found to follow the kinetics and mechanisms described by Fick's theory. The aminosilane treatment significantly reduced the moisture diffusion coefficient but did not change the mechanism of water adsorption. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2012
ABA low molar mass triblock copolymers in reverse emulsions: A rheological study
Authors: Gonzalez Juan M. , Rodrigues Jorge de A. , Nascimento Regina S. V.
Published: February 2012

The effect of blocks length and molar mass of ABA triblock copolymers on the rheological behavior of water in oil (w/o) emulsions was investigated. Emulsion parameters such as water droplet concentration (and droplet size) of a series of inverted emulsion systems were evaluated. All copolymer/emulsion systems studied showed a non‐Newtonian behavior, and the presence of the copolymer in the emulsion system led to an increase of the low shear viscosity when the size of the midblock of the copolymer was in a specific size range. This suggests the formation of a transient network through the interconnection, by the copolymer, of the smaller water droplets present in the emulsion. Consequently, the systems behave as w/o emulsions containing reversibly crosslinked oil‐soluble polymers in the continuous phase, resulting in a pronounced shear thinning behavior. For the different emulsions studied, the relative viscosity increased, with few exceptions, with increasing droplet concentration. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2012
Anomalous attenuation and structural origin of positive temperature coefficient (PTC) effect in a carbon black (CB)/poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET)/polyethylene (PE) electrically conductive microfibrillar polymer composite with a preferential CB distribution
Authors: Dai Kun , Zhang Yi‐Chuan , Tang Jian‐Hua , Ji Xu , Li Zhong‐Ming
Published: February 2012

This article reports the positive temperature coefficient (PTC) and negative temperature coefficient (NTC) effects of a carbon black (CB)‐filled electrically conductive microfibrillar poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET)/polyethylene (PE) composite (FCMC). The composite contains in situ polymer microfibrils in the matrix of another polymer with CB particles selectively localized at microfibrils' surfaces. Anomalous attenuations of PTC and NTC intensities (IPTC and INTC) of FCMC were observed during heating–cooling runs (HCRs) and long‐term isothermal treatments. Particularly, when the isothermal treatment time was 32 h, the IPTC decreased from 5.5 in the original sample to only 0.5, showing a tremendous attenuation ratio of up to 91%, and the NTC effect was completely eliminated. On the contrary, attenuations of PTC and NTC effects in a common conductive polymer composite (CCPC) were so weak as to be negligible through the same thermal treatments. Microstructural changes of the conductive network by Brownian motion and large size of the conductive component‐CB coated PET microfibrils are both responsible for the great reductions in IPTC and INTC. The present results strongly suggest that thermal field induced microstructural transformation by Brownian motion helps to reveal the origin of PTC and NTC effects. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2012
Physicochemical characterization of lignin fractions sequentially isolated from bamboo (Dendrocalamus brandisii) with hot water and alkaline ethanol solution
Authors: Shi Zheng‐Jun , Xiao Ling‐Ping , Jia‐Deng  , Xu Feng , Sun Run‐Cang
Published: February 2012

Nine lignin fractions from bamboo (Dendrocalamus brandisii) were sequentially isolated with hot water at 80, 100, and 120°C for 3 h and 60% aqueous ethanol containing 0.25, 0.5, 1.0, 2.0, 3.0, and 5.0% NaOH at 80°C for 3 h. Molecular weight and purity analysis revealed that the lignin fractions isolated by hot water (L1, L2, and L3) had lower weight‐average molecular weights (between 1350 and 1490 g mol−1) and contained much higher amounts of associated hemicelluloses (between 9.26 and 22.29%), while the lignin fractions isolated by alkaline aqueous ethanol (L4, L5, L6, L7, L8, and L9) had higher weight‐average molecular weights (between 2830 and 3170 g mol−1) and contained lower amounts of associated hemicelluloses (between 0.63 and 1.66%). Spectroscopy (UV, FTIR, 13C‐NMR, and HSQC) analysis showed that the bamboo (Dendrocalamus brandisii) lignin was typical grass lignin, consisting of p‐hydroxyphenyl (H), guaiacyl (G), and syringyl (S) units. The major interunit linkages presented in the alkaline aqueous ethanol extractable bamboo lignin were β‐O‐4′ aryl ether linkages (about 74.3%), followed by β‐β′ resinol‐type linkages and β‐1′ spirodienone‐type linkages (both for 7.8%), together with small amounts of β‐5′ phenylcoumaran (6.8%) and p‐hydroxycinnamyl alcohols end groups (3.1%). In addition, a small percentage (1.0%) of the lignin side‐chain was found to be acetylated at the γ‐carbon, predominantly over syringyl units. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2012
Behavior of semi IPN hydrogels composed of PEG and AAm/SMA copolymers in swelling and uptake of Janus Green B from aqueous solutions
Authors: Üzüm Ömer Barış , Karadağ Erdener
Published: February 2012

Semi‐interpenetrating polymer network (semi IPN) hydrogels of poly(ethylene glycol; PEG) were prepared as a water adsorbent for dye (Janus Green B) sorption. For this, PEG and copolymer of acrylamide/sodium methacrylate (AAm/SMA) were prepared by polymerization of aqueous solution of acrylamide (AAm), sodium methacrylate (SMA) using ammonium persulfate (APS)/N,N,N′,N′‐tetramethylethylenediamine (TEMED) as redox initiating pair in presence of PEG and poly(ethylene glycol)dimethacrylate (PEGDMA) as crosslinker. FTIR spectroscopy was used to identify the presence of different repeating units in the semi IPNs. Some swelling and diffusion characteristics were calculated for different semi IPNs and hydrogels prepared under various formulations. Water uptake and dye sorption properties of AAm/SMA hydrogels and AAm/SMA/PEG semi IPNs were investigated as a function of chemical composition of the hydrogels. Janus Green B have used in sorption studies. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2012
Shaping the landscape of research in information systems from the perspective of editorial boards: A scientometric study of 77 leading journals
Authors: Cabanac Guillaume
Published: February 2012

Characteristics of the Journal of the American Society for Information Science and Technology and 76 other journals listed in the Information Systems category of the Journal Citation Reports–Science edition 2009 were analyzed. Besides reporting usual bibliographic indicators, we investigated the human cornerstone of any peer‐reviewed journal: its editorial board. Demographic data about the 2,846 gatekeepers serving in information systems (IS) editorial boards were collected. We discuss various scientometric indicators supported by descriptive statistics. Our findings reflect the great variety of IS journals in terms of research output, author communities, editorial boards, and gatekeeper demographics (e.g., diversity in gender and location), seniority, authority, and degree of involvement in editorial boards. We believe that these results may help the general public and scholars (e.g., readers, authors, journal gatekeepers, policy makers) to revise and increase their knowledge of scholarly communication in the IS field. The EB_IS_2009 dataset supporting this scientometric study is released as online supplementary material to this article to foster further research on editorial boards.
Relationship between wintertime precipitation in South China and air–sea heat fluxes
Authors: Li Weibiao , Feng Jiaxin , Chen Shumin , Wang Lei
Published: February 2012

Multivariate analyses show that the variability of winter precipitation anomalies in South China has strong geographical dependence on the latent heat flux (LHF) anomalies over the South China Sea (SCS) and the Kuroshio Current regions. The precipitation is above (below) normal if the LHF from ocean to atmosphere is below (above) normal. Moreover, this relationship is significantly modulated by the local atmospheric circulation anomalies. Copyright © 2012 Royal Meteorological Society
Flow‐injection chemiluminescence determination of haemoglobin in the blood
Authors: Traore Zoumana Sekou , Shah Syed Mazhar , Su Xingguang
Published: February 2012

In this study, a sensitive and simple flow‐injection chemiluminescence (CL) method was developed for the quantitative analysis of haemoglobin. The method is based on the ability of haemoglobin to enhance the CL signal generated by a H2O2–K4Fe(CN)6–fluorescein alkaline system enhanced by CdTe quantum dots. Under the optimized conditions, haemoglobin can be detected in concentration range 7.35 × 10–9–2.5 × 10–6 mol/L, with a detection limit (3σ) of 1.8 × 10–9 mol/L and a relative standard deviation (RSD; for 5 × 10–7 mol/L haemoglobin) of 2.06% (n = 11). The present CL method was successfully applied for the determination of haemoglobin in three kinds of blood samples taken from an infant, an adult man, an adult woman and two reference samples. Compared with previous reports, the CL method described in this work is simple and rapid, with high sensitivity. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The Inconsistency of Inconsistency Scales: A Comparison of Two Widely Used Measures
Authors: Nikolova Natalia L. , Hendry Melissa C. , Douglas Kevin S. , Edens John F. , Lilienfeld Scott O.
Published: February 2012

This study compared the inconsistent responding validity scales of the Personality Assessment Inventory (PAI) and the Psychopathic Personality Inventory (PPI)/PPI‐Revised (PPI‐R) in two correctional samples to determine the extent to which they overlap in identifying invalid profiles. Results revealed substantial differences in the way the inconsistent responding validity scales of these measures performed. In particular, the PAI identified far fewer participants as having responded inconsistently compared with the PPI/PPI‐R. We discuss the implications of our findings for clinical practice, and potential concerns with the use of a single measure to identify inconsistent responding in clinical practice and research. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
A recurrent variant branch of the inferior alveolar nerve: Is it unique?
Authors: Buch Hasmukh A. , Agnihotri Rajendra G.
Published: February 2012

The only named branch of the inferior alveolar nerve (IAN) before it enters the mandibular foramen is the mylohyoid nerve. However, several variations have been reported in the literature. In this study, a recurrent variant branch of the IAN arising just below the origin of the mylohyoid nerve was investigated in adult Indian cadavers allotted for dissection to the first year dental students of Government Dental College, Ahmedabad (India). The dissection was performed by the lateral approach to the infratemporal fossa. The nerve was found in 12 of 35 sides (34.3%) and 8 of 18 cadavers (44.4%). Thus, in our study it was not a rare variation of the IAN, where in most cases it innervated the lateral pterygoid muscle. In some cases, it terminated in the lateral pterygoid muscle. In others, it penetrated the muscle to join the anterior or posterior division of the mandibular nerve or its branches; thus, the variant nerve in such cases might be regarded as an additional root of the IAN. Because the concerned primordia of the nerves and muscles migrate extensively during development and growth, alternative routes of migration may bring about variants like the one under study. The variant appeared to be unique in some of its features. It may be asource of neuropathic and referred pain. Failure of the conventional inferior alveolar nerve block anesthesia and the peripheral neurectomy used for the treatment of trigeminal neuralgia may be partly due to the presence of this variation. Clin. Anat. 25:437–443, 2012. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Kinetics of Methanol Oxidation over Mesoporous Perovskite Catalysts
Authors: Nair Mahesh Muraleedharan , Kleitz Freddy , Kaliaguine Serge
Published: February 2012

By using the nanocasting method, a series of mixed metal perovskite oxides with general formula LaBO3 (B=Mn, Co, Fe) were synthesized with use of ordered mesoporous KIT‐6 silica as a hard template. Even though the resulting materials were not found to be the exact replica of the template, extremely high values of Brunauer–Emmett–Teller specific surface areas (110–155 m2 g−1) were obtained for the materials. The redox properties of nanocast mesoporous perovskites were determined by performing temperature‐programmed reduction and temperature‐programmed desorption of oxygen. Catalytic activity was monitored by using methanol oxidation as a model reaction over mesoporous LaMnO3, and the first kinetic model was developed for the same. Nanocast mesoporous LaMnO3 catalysts were found to show the highest conversion efficiency for methanol under steady‐state conditions as compared with both LaCoO3 and LaFeO3 nanocasts and with LaMnO3 samples prepared by using other methods. This result is clearly associated with the higher specific surface area of this nanocast perovskite. Furthermore, these materials were found to be stable under conditions prevailing in the reactor. Reaction rates obtained from the experimental conversions at various space velocities (19 500–78 200 h−1) for nanocast LaMnO3 were found to follow a rate equation that depends on the partial pressure of methanol. Using the rate constants obtained, the value of activation energy and pre‐exponential factor were determined from the Arrhenius plot. The calculated values of conversions from the rates modified with surface areas were found to agree with the experimental conversions, which in turn reflect the proportionality of rates to the specific surface area.
ChemInform Abstract: Synthesis of Ag‐Based Bulk Metallic Glass in the Ag—Mg—Ca—[Cu] Alloy System.
Authors: Laws Kevin J. , Shamlaye Karl F. , Ferry Michael
Published: February 2012

A number of new Ag‐based bulk metallic glasses in the title systems are prepared by induction melting.
ChemInform Abstract: Structural, Optical and Photoconductivity Characteristics of Manganese Doped Cadmium Sulfide Nanoparticles Synthesized by Co‐Precipitation Method.
Authors: Mishra Sheo K. , Srivastava Rajneesh K. , Prakash S G. , Yadav Raghvendra S. , Panday A. C.
Published: February 2012

Mn‐doped CdS nanoparticles are prepared by coprecipitation from Cd(OAc)2, Mn(OAc)2, and Na2S in a mixture of EtOH and H2O.
ChemInform Abstract: Magnetic and Moessbauer Spectroscopic Characterization of EuNi2Sb2.
Authors: Schellenberg Inga , Eul Matthias , Poettgen Rainer
Published: February 2012

The title compound is prepared by arc melting of the elements and characterized by powder XRD, magnetic measurements, and Moessbauer spectroscopy.
ChemInform Abstract: Structure and Electrochemistry of Two‐Electron Redox Couples in Lithium Metal Fluorophosphates Based on the Tavorite Structure.
Authors: Ellis Brian L. , Ramesh T. N. , Davis Linda J. M. , Goward Gillian R. , Nazar Linda F.
Published: February 2012

Electrochemical results show that both intercalation of Li in LiVPO4F producing Li2VPO4F and deintercalation yielding VPO4F proceed by a two‐phase mechanism.
ChemInform Abstract: Mixed Tetrahedral Zintl Clusters: Single Crystal Structure Determination of [Si4‐xGex]4‐, [(MesCu)2(Si4‐xGex)]4‐, and the 29Si MAS NMR Spectra of A4Si2Ge2 (A: K, Rb).
Authors: Waibel Markus , Raudaschl‐Sieber Gabriele , Faessler Thomas F.
Published: February 2012

Single crystals of composition K4Si1.6Ge2.4 and Rb4Si1.1Ge2.9 proving the existence of heteroatomic [Si4‐xGex]4‐ Zintl clusters are obtained from the elements [600 °C, sealed Ta container, 10 h].
ChemInform Abstract: Palladium‐Catalyzed Cross‐Coupling Reaction of N‐Alkoxyimidoyl Bromides and Its Application to One‐Pot Synthesis of N‐Arylamines.
Authors: Ueda Masafumi , Sugita Shoichi , Aoi Naoki , Sato Aoi , Ikeda Yuki , Ito Yuta , Miyoshi Tetsuya , Naito Takeaki , Miyata Okiko
Published: February 2012

Sonogashira and Suzuki—Miyaura coupling reactions of N‐alkoxyimidoyl bromides give versatile ketoxime ethers (III) and (VI), respectively.
ChemInform Abstract: Chemoselective Activation of Trimethylsilyl Enol Ether Functionalities in the Presence of Silyl‐Protected Alcohols by Trimethylsilyl—Nonaflyl Exchange.
Authors: Boltukhina Ekaterina V. , Sheshenev Andrey E. , Lyapkalo Ilya M.
Published: February 2012

A highly selective procedure is developed without affecting other trialkylsilyl‐protected hydroxy groups.
ChemInform Abstract: Three‐Component Coupling of Arynes and Organic Bromides.
Authors: Yoshida Hiroto , Asatsu Yuji , Mimura Yasuhiro , Ito Yu , Ohshita Joji , Takaki Ken
Published: February 2012

A novel three‐component reaction of benzyne derivatives and alkynyl halides (III), (V) with isocyanides (II) or (XII) is presented, where in situ generated dipoles can be captured with halogen cations and alkynyl anions to furnish alkynyl aryl imines (IV) and (VI).
ChemInform Abstract: Effect of Halogenation Reagents on Halocyclization and Overman Rearrangement of Allylic Trichloroacetimidates.
Authors: Liu Na , Schienebeck Casi M. , Collier Michelle D. , Tang Weiping
Published: February 2012

Optimized conditions are developed using DCH as chlorinating agent.
ChemInform Abstract: DABCO‐Triggered Mild Cascade Reaction of Electron‐Deficient Cyclopentadienone: Facile and Efficient Synthesis of Condensed Carbocycles.
Authors: Yamaguchi Koki , Eto Masashi , Higashi Kenta , Yoshitake Yasuyuki , Harano Kazunobu
Published: February 2012

The reaction of the fully substituted cyclopentadienone (I) with 4‐arylbut‐3‐yn‐2‐ones is found to give mixtures of bicyclic carbocycles (III) and tetracyclic products (IV).
ChemInform Abstract: Asymmetric Allylic Monofluoromethylation and Methylation of Morita—Baylis—Hillman Carbonates with FBSM and BSM by Cooperative Cinchona Alkaloid/FeCl2 Catalysis.
Authors: Furukawa Tatsuya , Kawazoe Jumpei , Zhang Wei , Nishimine Takayuki , Tokunaga Etsuko , Matsumoto Takashi , Shiro Motoo , Shibata Norio
Published: February 2012

Asymmetric allylic monofluoromethylation of Morita—Baylis—Hillman products with FBSM (II) proceeds with high yields and enantioselectivities in the presence of (DHQD)2AQN organocatalyst.
ChemInform Abstract: Mild and Efficient Nitration of Aromatic Compounds Mediated by Transition‐Metal Complexes.
Authors: Abdulla Abdulla , Amina S. , Kumar Y. Arun , Arifuddin M. , Rajanna K. C.
Published: February 2012

With similar yields also Mn(acac)3, [Ni(NH3)6]Cl2, [Ni(en)3]S2O3 or Hg[Co(SCN)4] transition metal complexes can be used.
ChemInform Abstract: Highly Efficient Copper‐ and Palladium‐Free One‐Pot Coupling of Alkynes with Sodium Carboxylate Salts Using Cyanuric and Magnesium Chlorides.
Authors: Rad Mohammad Navid Soltani , Behrouz Somayeh
Published: February 2012

A convenient protocol is developed for the preparation of ynones.
ChemInform Abstract: Rhodium(I)‐Catalyzed 1,4‐Addition of Arylboronic Acids to Acrylic Acid in Water: One‐Step Preparation of 3‐Arylpropionic Acids.
Authors: Vautravers Nicolas R. , Breit Bernhard
Published: February 2012

The reaction shows a wide functional group tolerance.
ChemInform Abstract: C—N Bond Cleavage of Benzylic Enaminones in the Presence of Acetyl or Aroyl Chlorides: A Novel One‐Pot Synthesis of N‐Acetyl or N‐Aroyl β‐Benzylidene α‐Amino Acid Esters.
Authors: Alizadeh Abdolali , Sabahnoo Hamideh , Zohreh Nasrin , Noaparast Zohreh , Zhu Long‐Guan
Published: February 2012

The three‐component synthesis involves addition of benzylamines to the diesters, trapping of the resulting benzylic enaminones with acid chlorides and a 1,3‐benzyl shift.
ChemInform Abstract: A Convenient Synthetic Route to 2,4,6‐Tris(chlorosulfonyl)‐ and 2,4,6‐Tris(fluorosulfonyl)phenol, Aniline and Chlorobenzene.
Authors: Boiko Vladimir N. , Filatov Andrey A. , Yagupolskii Yurii L. , Tyrra Wieland , Naumann Dieter , Pantenburg Ingo , Fischer Hendrik T. M. , Schulz Frank
Published: February 2012

Convenient procedures for the synthesis of the title compounds and for the preparation of a variety of 2,4,6‐tris(fluorosulfonyl)phenolates are presented.
ChemInform Abstract: A Highly Active and Reusable Self‐Assembled Poly(imidazole/palladium) Catalyst: Allylic Arylation/Alkenylation.
Authors: Sarkar Shaheen M. , Uozumi Yasuhiro , Yamada Yoichi M. A.
Published: February 2012

The supramolecular composite is successfully applied in the reactions of allylic acetates with tetraarylborates, aryl‐ and alkylboronic acids and dibutyl vinylboronate.
ChemInform Abstract: Pd(II)‐Catalyzed Cross‐Coupling of C(sp2)—H Bonds and Alkyl—, Aryl—, and Vinyl—Boron Reagents via Pd(II)/Pd(0) Catalysis.
Authors: Wasa Masayuki , Chan Kelvin S. L. , Yu Jin‐Quan
Published: February 2012

The versatile protocol for the synthesis of the compounds (III), (X), (XII) can also be applied to the functionalization of the derivatives of the commercial drugs ibuprofen (IV) and naproxen (VII).
ChemInform Abstract: Highly Efficient Microwave‐Assisted Substitution of β‐Dicarbonyl Compounds with Secondary Alcohols Using Fluoroboric Acid as the Catalyst.
Authors: Liu Peinian , Xia Fei , Ren Yujie , Chen Junqin
Published: February 2012

If the reaction is conducted in the presence of primary alcohols the respective yields are either low or the reaction does not proceed at all.
ChemInform Abstract: Wittig Olefination of Trifluoromethyl Ketones and Allylic Carbonates Mediated by Phosphines.
Authors: Wang Tong , Shen Li‐Tao , Ye Song
Published: February 2012

The procedure affords trifluoromethyl dienes with excellent (E,E)‐selectivity.
ChemInform Abstract: Synthesis of Unsymmetrically Substituted Pyrene Derivatives Through (6‐Bromo‐3,8‐dibutylpyren‐1‐yl)trimethylsilane.
Authors: Sato Akihiro H. , Maeda Mine , Mihara Shigenori , Iwasawa Tetsuo
Published: February 2012

A straightforward synthesis of title compounds such as (VI) is achieved starting from key precursor (I).
ChemInform Abstract: Silver Catalyzed Intramolecular Cyclization for Synthesis of 3‐Alkylideneoxindoles via C—H Functionalization.
Authors: Wang Hong‐Li , Li Zhe , Wang Gang‐Wei , Yang Shang‐Dong
Published: February 2012

A novel protocol for the synthesis of 3‐alkylideneoxindoles via Ag‐catalyzed aromatic C—H functionalization of diazoamides is given.
ChemInform Abstract: Regioselective Synthesis of 3,3‐Bis(indolyl)propanoic Acid Derivatives by Iron(III)‐Catalyzed Hydroarylation of Propynoic Acid Derivatives with Indoles.
Authors: Kutubi Md. Shahajahan , Kitamura Tsugio
Published: February 2012

Double hydroarylation of electron‐deficient propynoic acid derivatives (II) and (V) with indoles (I) and (IV) is smoothly achieved in the presence of FeCl3—AgOTf catalytic system to give various bis(indolyl)propanoates (III) and (VII), resp., as potent biomedical agents.
ChemInform Abstract: Oxidative Cyclization of 2‐Aryl‐3‐arylamino‐2‐alkenenitriles to N‐Arylindole‐3‐carbonitriles Mediated by NXS/Zn(OAc)2.
Authors: Yan Qiao , Luo Ji , Zhang‐Negrerie Daisy , Li Hui , Qi Xiuxiang , Zhao Kang
Published: February 2012

The simple, inexpensive, and efficient method allows the preparation of N‐arylindole‐3‐carbonitriles and related compounds like (IX) and (XI).