bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Importance of Brain Banks for Molecular Neuropathological Research: The New South Wales Tissue Resource Centre Experience
Authors: Dedova Irina , Harding Antony , Sheedy Donna , Garrick Therese , Sundqvist Nina , Hunt Clare , Gillies Juliette , Harper Clive G.
Published: January 2009

New developments in molecular neuropathology have evoked increased demands for postmortem human brain tissue. The New South Wales Tissue Resource Centre (TRC) at The University of Sydney has grown from a small tissue collection into one of the leading international brain banking facilities, which operates with best practice and quality control protocols. The focus of this tissue collection is on schizophrenia and allied disorders, alcohol use disorders and controls. This review highlights changes in TRC operational procedures dictated by modern neuroscience, and provides examples of applications of modern molecular techniques to study the neuropathogenesis of many different brain disorders.
Molecules’ Highlights in 2008 and a Look Forward to 2009
Authors: Lin Shu-Kun , McPhee Derek
Published: January 2009

As has now become a custom for Molecules, as one year ends and another starts its Publisher and Editor-in-Chief would like to take stock of our progress in 2008 and offer our readership a preview of things to come in 2009. Just as we had hoped in last year’s editorial [1], the year that just concluded proved to be another outstanding one for MDPI's flagship journal Molecules. By year’s end we had published 239 papers and three Editorials or Editor's Notes for a total of 3,252 pages. While the 8% growth in the number of papers published compared to 2007 may appear modest, the number of pages published represented a 22% increase over the prior year, and was largely attributable to the increase in the number of reviews published. [...]
Energy Efficient Sensor Scheduling with a Mobile Sink Node for the Target Tracking Application
Authors: Maheswararajah Suhinthan , Halgamuge Saman , Premaratne Malin
Published: January 2009

Measurement losses adversely affect the performance of target tracking. The sensor network’s life span depends on how efficiently the sensor nodes consume energy. In this paper, we focus on minimizing the total energy consumed by the sensor nodes whilst avoiding measurement losses. Since transmitting data over a long distance consumes a significant amount of energy, a mobile sink node collects the measurements and transmits them to the base station. We assume that the default transmission range of the activated sensor node is limited and it can be increased to maximum range only if the mobile sink node is out-side the default transmission range. Moreover, the active sensor node can be changed after a certain time period. The problem is to select an optimal sensor sequence which minimizes the total energy consumed by the sensor nodes. In this paper, we consider two different problems depend on the mobile sink node’s path. First, we assume that the mobile sink node’s position is known for the entire time horizon and use the dynamic programming technique to solve the problem. Second, the position of the sink node is varied over time according to a known Markov chain, and the problem is solved by stochastic dynamic programming. We also present sub-optimal methods to solve our problem. A numerical example is presented in order to discuss the proposed methods’ performance.
Fungal and mycotoxin contamination in Bt maize and non-Bt maize grown in Argentina
Authors: Barros G. , Magnoli C. , Reynoso M. , Ramirez M. , Farnochi M. , Torres A. , Dalcero M. , Sequeira J. , Rubinstein C. , Chulze S.
Published: January 2009

A Bt maize hybrid and its non-transgenic counterpart harvested during 2002/2003 and 2003/2004 harvest seasons from different locations within the maize-growing area in Argentina were compared for fungal and mycotoxin contamination.Fusariumspecies were the most prevalent on both genotypes with an isolation frequency >60% across all locations. The percentage of infection was lower in Bt maize than in non-Bt maize (P<0.05). There were no statistical differences in infection percentage due to genotype, fungicide treatment and their interactions. Fumonisins were detected in all of the samples from all locations and genotypes. Total fumonisin levels (fumonisins B1, B2and B3) in the Bt and the non-Bt hybrid were significantly different (P<0.001), with lower toxin levels in the Bt maize in all locations but one evaluated during the two harvest season. There was no significant difference in deoxynivalenol levels between Bt and non-Bt maize. Application of the fungicide tebuconazole did not alter either the infection or the toxin levels in the Bt and non-Bt maize hybrid.
Ochratoxin A in avicultural meat production: chemical and histological effects
Authors: Bozzo G. , Ceci E. , Pinto P. , Bonerba E. , Martella V. , Terio E. , Tantillo G.
Published: January 2009

Ochratoxins are fungal secondary metabolites that may contaminate various foods and beverages. Ochratoxins
may undergo bio-concentration in some animal tissues/organs and reach concentrations in meat products that
are not acceptable for human consumption. The intake of ochratoxins by humans may result in typical syndromes
(nephrotoxicity, carcinogenicity, teratogenicity and immunotoxicity) and has been associated with Balkan Endemic
Nephropathy. In this study we evaluated the effects and the dynamics of accumulation of ochratoxin A in the organs
and tissues after prolonged exposure (40 days) in broilers through their productive cycle. Cytological and histological
examinations revealed severe alterations in the hepatic and renal tissues only in animals fed with high dosages (200
µg/kg) of ochratoxin A. But the toxin was detected at levels of 0.78-2.15 µg/kg at day 10 in the tissues of animals
that were given feed containing 100 µg/kg, a dosage of ochratoxin A admitted by the current EU recommendation
and Italian legislation, and that did not display gross or histo-pathological lesions. Consumption of ochratoxin
A-contaminated avian meat, containing such ochratoxin concentrations, could pose a health risk for some human
categories. Intensification of surveillance for fungal toxins in animal feeds is advisable in order to understand and
prevent this risk.
El movimiento de los diplomados en paro de Marruecos. Desafíos a la improbabilidad de una acción colectiva
Authors: Emperador Badimon Montserrat
Published: January 2009

La acción reivindicativa de los diplomados en paro de Marruecos plantea, desde hace 15 años, un reto a las principales conclusiones de los trabajos sobre acción colectiva de desempleados. El fenómeno es sintomático de un conjunto de dinámicas que atraviesan el espacio socio-político marroquí, como el fracaso del modelo educativo, la ineficiente utilización de los recursos públicos, la cultura de la cooptación de líderes sociales, entre otros. Pese a haberse convertido en una constante del espacio reivindicativo marroquí, las movilizaciones de parados nunca ha sido objeto de estudio. En este trabajo presentaremos a los actores reivindicativos después de haber repasado algunas referencias bibliográficas sobre movilizaciones de parados. Señalaremos los elementos que, con respecto a esta literatura, puede aportar nuestro caso, sobretodo en lo que se refiere al proceso de definición del paro como problema público y argumento de acción de protesta. Concluiremos con una reflexión sobre el valor de las interacciones con el campo político de una movilización que se proclama “apolítica”.
Análisis de la división del trabajo doméstico en los hogares españoles
Authors: Balcell s i Ventura Laia
Published: January 2009

¿Experimentan las mujeres una doble carga laboral? ¿Son las mujeres responsables de las tareas domésticas en los hogares? ¿Qué explica la variación en patrones de distribución de trabajo doméstico que tiene lugar a través de las familias? En este artículo se abordan estas cuestiones partiendo de dos marcos teóricos opuestos: el marco de la New Home Economics, y el del Capital Social, que se ponen a prueba a partir de datos de la Encuesta de Fecundidad y Familia de 1995. Los resultados apuntan hacia la validez de la perspectiva sociológica: las familias donde el marido tiene un estatus laboral medio presentan patrones más equitativos de distribución del trabajo doméstico. Adicionalmente, los resultados confirman la importancia de variables actitudinales como la religiosidad para explicar patrones de división del trabajo doméstico: las mujeres más tradicionales son las que experimentan una mayor doble carga.
Nanoindentation Studies Reveal Material Properties of Viruses
Authors: Roos Wouter H. , Wuite Gijs J. L.
Published: January 2009

Over the last years, a paradigm shift has occurred from approaching viruses solely as disease‐bringing agents toward regarding them as functional nanoparticles, and a perfect example of Nature's capability to self‐assemble complex, multicomponent materials at the nanoscale. Viruses are now used as templates for constructing specific nanocontainers, either by changing the properties of the viruses themselves or by copying their compact, shelled structure into engineered materials, which are able to encapsulate various agents. To exploit the mechanisms used by nature to create functional nanocontainers, we need to understand what their material and biomechanical properties are. Nanoindentation, a technique based on atomic force microscopy, is perfectly suited to determine these characteristics. Here, we discuss the advances this research field has achieved, exploring prokaryotic (bacteriophages) as well as eukaryotic viruses. The material properties of viral shells (capsids) and of more complex viral assemblies are analyzed and compared. We discuss the Young's modulus of capsids, the maximal forces viruses can withstand, and explore the occurrence of material fatigue in nanosize objects. Finally, the impact of internalized materials and of specific alterations to the capsid proteins on the particle's mechanical strength is analyzed.
Are enhancement technologies “unnatural”? Musings on recent Christian conversations
Authors: Lustig Andrew
Published: January 2009

Although distinctions between therapy and enhancement are difficult to draw with precision, especially in marginal cases, recent Christian discussions of enhancement technologies accept the general plausibility of distinctions drawn between therapeutic interventions and enhancement technologies by appealing to general understandings of nature and human nature. However, such appeals continue to be plagued by conceptual imprecision on several matters, including the status of nature as a source of moral insight, the scope of human responsibility in light of God's purposes, and the effects of sin and finitude on human freedom. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
The patient as person in an increasingly gene‐centric universe: How healthcare professionals should think about genomics and evolution
Authors: Jackson Timothy P.
Published: January 2009

In the past, the primary threat to the patient as person was a medical utilitarianism that would sacrifice the individual for the collective, that would coercively (ab)use a person for the sake of an in‐group's health or happiness. Today, the threat is not only from vainglorious social groups but also from valorized genes and genomes. An over‐valuation of genes risks making persons seem epiphenomenal. A central thesis of this article is that religious healthcare professionals have unique resources to combat this. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Asymmetry of the os pubis: Implications for the Suchey‐Brooks method
Authors: Overbury Rebecca S. , Cabo Luis L. , Dirkmaat Dennis C. , Symes Steven A.
Published: January 2009

Studies of skeletal development frequently document populational incidences of bilateral asymmetry. Degenerative morphological skeletal changes, attributed to age related and irregular ossification, may also progress asymmetrically, either as the result of asymmetric biomechanical factors expressed over the lifespan, asymmetric expression of physiological processes, or progressive magnification of asymmetry acquired previously during development. This study illustrates the effects of bilateral asymmetry on age at death estimates obtained from human skeletal remains. The Suchey‐Brooks method, which uses the pubic symphyseal face for age estimation (Katz and Suchey, Am J Phys Anthropol 69 1986 427–435), was selected for the study based on its widespread use. Asymmetry in the Suchey‐Brooks symphyseal age phases was found in over 60% of a sample composed of 20th century White male individuals from 18 to 86 years of age (N = 130). However, results suggest that the presence of asymmetry does not compromise the accuracy of the Suchey‐Brooks method if the morphologically older symphyseal face of an asymmetric individual is used to estimate age at death. In addition, weak directional asymmetry and a correlation between age and asymmetry were found. This suggests that a comparison of asymmetry in this area with that in other skeletal areas, where the factors originating and influencing asymmetry are better understood, may be useful in better understanding the biological processes which underlie the age markers used in the Suchey‐Brooks method. Am J Phys Anthropol 2009. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Paleoepidemiological patterns of interpersonal aggression in a prehistoric central California population from CA‐ALA‐329
Authors: Jurmain Robert , Bartelink Eric J. , Leventhal Alan , Bellifemine Viviana , Nechayev Irina , Atwood Melynda , DiGiuseppe Diane
Published: January 2009

Interpersonal aggression is assessed paleoepidemiologically in a large skeletal population from the CA‐ALA‐329 site located on the southeastern side of San Francisco Bay, California. This comprehensive analysis included all currently recognized skeletal criteria, including craniofacial fracture, projectile injury, forearm fracture, and perimortem bone modification. Craniofacial injury is moderately common, showing an adult prevalence of 9.0% with facial lesions accounting for >50% of involvement. Clinical studies suggest that such separate evaluation of facial involvement provides a useful perspective for understanding patterns of interpersonal aggression. In this group male facial involvement is significantly greater than in females, paralleling the pattern found widely in contemporary populations as well as in African apes. When compared to other North American skeletal samples the prevalence of adult cranial vault injury (3.3%) and especially projectile injury (4.4%) are quite high. However, well documented populations from southern California show markedly higher prevalence for both types of skeletal markers of aggression. Forearm fracture is also assessed using a rigorous radiographic methodology and results suggest that these injuries are not reliable indicators of interpersonal aggression. Lastly, perimortem bone modification was not observed in this population, although it has been recorded from other (older) sites nearby. This study provides an evaluation of multiple skeletal markers of interpersonal aggression in the largest sample from a single site yet reported in North America and, joined with consideration of cultural context, helps further illuminate both geographic and temporal patterns of interpersonal aggression in California. Am J Phys Anthropol, 2009. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Kohlenhydrat‐2‐desoxy‐2‐phosphonate: einfache Synthese und Horner‐Emmons‐Reaktion
Authors: Elamparuthi Elangovan , Linker Torsten
Published: January 2009

Phosphor trifft Kohlenhydrate: Aus Dimethylphosphit und Cer(IV)‐ammoniumnitrat (CAN) gebildete Phosphonylradikale wurden an Glycale 1 addiert. Die Produkte 2 entstehen in guten Ausbeuten; durch eine Horner‐Emmons‐Reaktion werden sie in 3,6‐Dihydro‐2H‐pyrane 3 überführt. Die Sequenz zeichnet sich durch einfache Vorstufen und die geringe Stufenzahl aus, wobei der Austausch von Sauerstoff durch Phosphor in der 2‐Position mit Hexosen, Pentosen und Disacchariden gelingt.

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Revisiting Prussian Blue Analogues with Solid‐State MAS NMR Spectroscopy: Spin Density and Local Structure in [Cd3{Fe(CN)6}2]⋅15 H2O
Authors: Flambard Alexandrine , Köhler Frank H. , Lescouëzec Rodrigue
Published: January 2009

Keine legendäre preußische Ordnung! Leerstellen sind in Preußischblau‐Analoga nicht zufällig verteilt, und die Spindichte am Cd2+ variiert mit der Zahl an umgebenden paramagnetischen Ionen. Dies ergaben Festkörper‐113Cd‐NMR‐Studien an [Cd3{Fe/Co(CN)6}2]⋅15 H2O, in denen das Vorliegen einer geringen, aber signifikanten Spindichte an den beobachteten 113Cd‐Kernen die spektrale Auflösung verbessert.

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Carbohydrate‐2‐deoxy‐2‐phosphonates: Simple Synthesis and Horner–Emmons Reaction
Authors: Elamparuthi Elangovan , Linker Torsten
Published: January 2009

Phosphorus meets carbohydrates: Dimethyl phosphite reacts with ceric(IV) ammonium nitrate (CAN) to give phosphonyl radicals that add to glycals 1. The derivatives 2 were isolated in high yields and during a subsequent Horner–Emmons reaction underwent an interesting elimination to give 3,6‐dihydro‐2H‐pyrans 3. The short sequence with simple precursors is applicable to the transformation of hexoses, pentoses, and disaccharides. Bn=benzyl.

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Nanophotonic Ion Production from Silicon Microcolumn Arrays
Authors: Walker Bennett N. , Razunguzwa Trust , Powell Matthew , Knochenmuss Richard , Vertes Akos
Published: January 2009

Nanoantennas for ions: Silicon microcolumn arrays harvest light from a laser pulse to produce ions. The system behaves like a quasi‐periodic antenna array with ion yields that show profound dependence on the plane of polarization and the angle of incidence of the laser beam. Photonic ion sources promise to enable enhanced control of ion production on a micro‐ and nanometer scale and direct integration with miniaturized analytical devices.

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Palladium‐catalyzed electroless plating of gold on latex particle surfaces
Authors: Kim Hyungsoo , Daniels Eric S. , Dimonie Victoria L. , Klein Andrew
Published: January 2009

Gold can be deposited onto a latex particle surface via the growth of metal islands with the electroless plating method. A new method is proposed for the electroless plating of gold on the surface of poly(styrene‐co‐vinylimidazole) latex particles, which is catalyzed by palladium present on the latex particle surfaces. The palladium ions are anchored to the latex particle surfaces by the formation of a palladium–imidazole complex, and palladium nanoparticles are nucleated by a reductant. These palladium islands act as catalytic sites, so gold is preferentially deposited onto the latex particle surfaces. Transmission electron microscopy, X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy, and sucrose density gradient column results indicate that the palladium is associated with the imidazole‐functionalized latex particles. Different gold loading levels and reductant types were explored. Latex particles were partially encapsulated by finely dispersed gold nanoparticles less than 2 nm in diameter or by gold islands with sizes ranging from 10 to 100 nm up to a gold loading level of 3.1 mg of Au/m2 of latex. However, using higher gold loading levels led to uncontrollable electroless plating of gold because gold reduction in the water phase became very dominant even in the presence of catalytic palladium on the latex particle surface. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2009
Dynamic mechanical, rheological, and thermal properties of intercalated polystyrene/organomontmorillonite nanocomposites: Effect of clay modification on the mechanical and morphological behaviors
Authors: Nayak Sanjay K. , Mohanty Smita
Published: January 2009

Polystyrene (PS)/organomontmorillonite nanocomposites were prepared by melt processing with a twin‐screw extruder. Sodium montmorillonite was organically modified with stearyl trimethyl ammonium chloride to evaluate the effect of clay modification on the performance of the nanocomposites. A comparative account of nanocomposites prepared with the commercial clay Cloisite 20A (C20A) is presented. X‐ray diffraction studies indicated that the clay layers were completely dispersed, and a delaminated structure was formed in the case of C20A/PS and organomontmorillonite/PS nanocomposites. The dispersion characteristics of the clays within the matrix polymer were further investigated through transmission electron microscopy analysis. Mechanical tests revealed increases in the tensile, flexural, and impact strengths of 83, 55, and 74%, respectively, for C20A/PS nanocomposites at a 5% clay loading. The viscoelastic response of the nanocomposites, studied with dynamic mechanical analysis, also showed a substantial increase in the storage modulus of the nanocomposites with the incorporation of organically modified nanoclays. Furthermore, the melt‐state rheology of the organically modified nanocomposites displayed three distinct regions—glassy, plateau, and terminal—from the high‐frequency region to the low‐frequency region, with a considerable increase in the storage modulus in the glassy and terminal regions. Differential scanning calorimetry and thermogravimetric analysis were also used to evaluate the effect of the addition of nanoclays on the glass‐transition temperature and thermal stability of the PS matrix. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2009
Physical and mechanical properties of poly(methyl methacrylate)‐grafted natural rubber synthesized by methyl methacrylate photopolymerization initiated by N,N‐diethyldithiocarbamate functions previously created on natural rubber chains
Authors: Derouet D. , Tran Q. N. , Leblanc J. L.
Published: January 2009

Well‐defined poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA)‐grafted natural rubbers (NRs) were prepared to study the structure–property relationships. Syntheses were achieved by the photopolymerization of methyl methacrylate initiated by N,N‐diethyldithiocarbamate groups created beforehand in side positions on the NR chains. With this procedure, good control of the graft density and PMMA content could be obtained. Thermal, morphological, and mechanical properties of NR‐g‐PMMA copolymers were studied as a function of the NR/PMMA composition and graft density. NR‐g‐PMMAs containing 15–80% grafted PMMA showed characteristics of heterogeneous materials (characterized by two glass‐transition temperatures, those of PMMA and NR, in differential scanning calorimetry). Under these conditions, they developed the morphology of thermoplastic elastomers with PMMA nodules dispersed in the rubber matrix when the PMMA content was near 20%; conversely, they developed the morphology of softened thermoplastics with rubber nodules dispersed in PMMA when the PMMA content was near 80%. Graft copolymers containing about 20% PMMA remained essentially rubbery, but they were already different from pure NR. On the other hand, the thermal stability of NR wash improved after the introduction of PMMA grafts onto NR chains. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2009
Preparation and drug‐release behavior of minocycline‐loaded poly[hydroxyethyl methacrylate‐co‐poly(ethylene glycol)–methacrylate] films
Authors: Bayramoğlu Gülay , Batislam Ertan , Arica M. Yakup
Published: January 2009

In this work, biocompatible hydrogel matrices for wound‐dressing materials and controlled drug‐release systems were prepared from poly[hydroxyethyl methacrylate‐co‐poly(ethylene glycol)–methacrylate] [p(HEMA‐co‐PEG–MA] films via UV‐initiated photopolymerization. The characterization of the hydrogels was conducted with swelling experiments, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, thermogravimetric analysis (differential scanning calorimetry), and contact‐angle studies. The water absorbency of the hydrogel films significantly changed with the change of the medium pH from 4.0 to 7.4. The thermal stability of the copolymer was lowered by an increase in the ratio of poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) to methacrylate (MA) in the film structure. Contact‐angle measurements on the surface of the p(HEMA‐co‐PEG–MA) films demonstrated that the copolymer gave rise to a significant hydrophilic surface in comparison with the homopolymer of 2‐hydroxyethyl methacrylate (HEMA). The blood protein adsorption was significantly reduced on the surface of the copolymer hydrogels in comparison with the control homopolymer of HEMA. Model antibiotic (i.e., minocycline) release experiments were performed in physiological buffer saline solutions with a continuous flow release system. The amount of minocycline release was shown to be dependent on the HEMA/PEG–MA ratio. The hydrogels have good antifouling properties and therefore are suitable candidates for wound dressing and other tissue engineering applications. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2009
Method for the preparation of hydrophilic/hydrophobic patterned surfaces with photoinitiated hydrosilylation
Authors: Furukawa Yutaka , Hoshino Taiki , Morizawa Yoshitomi
Published: January 2009

Recently, there has been considerable interest in hydrophilic/hydrophobic patterned surfaces because they serve as important templates for the selective deposition of various materials. We report a novel and simple method for the creation of hydrophilic/hydrophobic patterned surfaces using soft UV irradiation (365‐nm wavelength). The method employs a photoinitiated hydrosilylation reaction of vinyl‐terminated polydimethylsiloxane with HSi groups catalyzed by platinum(II) acetylacetonate. In UV‐irradiated regions, the photohydrosilylation reaction occurs, forming hydrophobic regions. In unirradiated regions, the remaining HSi groups are converted into HOSi groups in the presence of aqueous sodium hydroxide to form hydrophilic regions. The photoinitiated hydrosilylation reaction is completed within a little over 1 min, and this has been confirmed by reflection–absorption spectroscopy. The value of the water contact angle for the hydrophilic regions is about 10°, and that for the hydrophobic regions is about 103°. The success of pattern formation at the micrometer scale has been confirmed by scanning electron microscopy. The difference in the chemical structure at the surface has been confirmed by the decoration of the hydrophilic regions by a fluorescent dye and characterization with a fluorescence analyzer. Atomic force microscopy has shown that the height of the hydrophobic regions is about 20 nm. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2009
Synthesis of resole‐type phenolic beads from phenol and formaldehyde by suspension polymerization technique
Authors: Singh Arjun , Yadav Rakesh Kumar , Srivastava Anurag
Published: January 2009

The phenolic beads (PB) in macrosize range were obtained by mixing phenol and formaldehyde in the presence of basic catalyst by suspension polymerization. In this reaction, the triethylamine (TEA), poly(vinyl alcohol), and hexamethylenetetramine (HMTA) were used as initiator, stabilizer, and crosslinking agent, respectively. The resulting PB within size range 0.1–2.0 mm was obtained in this polymerization reaction, carried out at temperature 96°C ± 1°C with agitation rate 475 rpm for 4 h. The effects of different variables such as, formaldehyde to phenol ratio (F/P) by mole, initiator concentration, concentration of crosslinking agent, and temperature on the particle sizes of PB and its formation were investigated. The particle size and its distribution were shown to be dependent on the F/P ratio, initiator concentration, and temperature. The average particle size of PB increased with increasing F/P ratio by mole in the reaction mixture. The average particle size of PB decreased with increasing TEA concentration. The particle size distribution of PB became narrow in size range 0.9–1.3 mm with 86% of yield of 1.0% by weight. As far as the crosslinking is concerned, the uncured phenolic resin was formed in the reaction solution when the reaction was performed in the absence of HMTA at 96°C ± 1°C for 4 h. The amount cured PB formed increased with increase in the concentration of HMTA. The surface morphology, shape and size of PB were studied using scanning electron microscopy. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2009
Rapid calcification on solution blending of homogenous PHBV/collagen composite
Authors: Yingjun Wang , Gang Wu , Xiaofen Chen , Jiandong Ye , Kun Wei
Published: January 2009

Developing of a surface hybrid calcium phosphate‐degradable polymer materials is always attractive since it could have high bone bonding ability and proper mechanical properties as natural bone substitute. In this article, a solution blending method was used to make the poly‐[(3‐hydroxybutyrate)‐co‐(3‐hydroxyvalerate)] (PHBV)/collagen composite with high surface calcium apatite deposition capability. Before the blending, the pseudo ternary phase diagram of CH3COOH‐CHCl3/PHBV‐H2O/collagen at 20°C was plotted. Three compositions selected from the homogenous zone in the diagram were chosen to fabricate the PHBV/collagen composites. Water contact angle, water absorbance ratio, and FTIR spectra showed the collagen contents in the final composites increased with its original blending ratio. The composite with the highest collagen content was chosen for the biomineralization experiment in simulated calcium solution (SCS). Scanning electronic microscopy showed the morphology of the deposition changing from porous structure to plate structure. The FTIR spectra displayed the precipitate was calcium phosphate containing collagen content. The X‐ray Diffractometer spectra displayed that the precipitate has the similar characteristic peaks as calcium apatite and the crystalline increased with the biomineralization time. The concentration of calcium and hydrogenphosphate ions in the SCS monitored in the first 4 h decreased to 29.5 and 1.8 ppm, respectively. The Ca/P of the precipitate stabilized at 1.3 in the first 4 h. The FTIR spectra showed that the amide absorption band shifted to low wavelength, which was caused by the electrostatic force between the calcium ions and the amide bond p‐π conjugation system. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2009
Thermal and mechanical properties of copolymers of methyl methacrylate with N‐aryl itaconimides
Authors: Chauhan Rashmi , Choudhary Veena
Published: January 2009

The article describes the preparation of cast copolymer sheets of methyl methacrylate with varying mole fractions of N‐(p‐methoxyphenyl) itaconimide/N‐(2‐methoxy‐5‐chlorophenyl) itaconimide/N‐(3‐methoxy‐5‐chlorophenyl) itaconimide monomers by bulk copolymerization using azobisisobutyronitrile as an initiator. The effect of incorporation of varying mole fractions of N‐arylsubstituted itaconimides in poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) backbone on the thermal, optical and physicomechanical properties of cast acrylic sheets were evaluated. The glass transition temperature and the thermal stability increased with increasing amounts of itaconimides in the polymer backbone. An increase in tensile strength, flexural strength, and storage modulus was also observed. The impact strength decreased marginally upon incorporation of imides into the polymer backbone. A slight decrease in the transparency and a significant increase (4–50%) in the haze was observed. The chemical resistance of PMMA remains unaffected by copolymerization. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2009
PP/ABS blends with carbon black: Morphology and electrical properties
Authors: Hom Sheleena , Bhattacharyya Arup R. , Khare Rupesh A. , Kulkarni Ajit R. , Saroop Madhumita , Biswas Amit
Published: January 2009

Phase morphology of melt‐mixed polypropylene (PP)/acrylonitrile‐butadiene‐styrene (ABS) blends was found to be blend ratio dependent, viz., matrix‐particle dispersed type of morphology which was observed up to 30 wt % of ABS level beyond which the morphology showed co‐continuous type. The domain size of 80/20 PP/ABS blends was found to decrease significantly at 10 wt % carbon black (CB) level, and in case of 70/30 blends morphology was transformed into co‐continuous type in the presence of CB, which was retained up to 60 wt % ABS. The finer morphological features were associated with the compatibilizing action of CB particles. Continuous network was achieved through aggregated CB particles predominantly in the PP phase wherein one could find CB‐rich PP phase and CB‐less PP phase. Solution experiments further supported the existence of CB particles preferentially in the PP phase. AC electrical conductivity measurements indicated a 3D network‐like structure of CB aggregates in the co‐continuous compositions which showed enhanced electrical conductivity as compared to the matrix‐dispersed type of morphology in 80/20 PP/ABS blends which exhibited insulating behavior. On increasing ABS content in the blends the electrical conductivity decreased progressively due to a difficulty in retaining 3D continuous network of CB aggregates especially at 40/60 composition. Increased processing temperature led to a higher electrical conductivity in the respective blends. Dielectric measurements revealed the existence of metallic type of conduction in the co‐continuous compositions. However, 80/20 blends showed low ε′ value. Overall, structure property relationship studies were conducted in PP/ABS blends with CB. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2009
Electrochromic properties of a copolymer of 1‐4‐di[2,5‐di(2‐thienyl)‐1H‐1‐pyrrolyl]benzene with EDOT
Authors: Kiralp S. , Camurlu P. , Gunbas G. , Tanyeli C. , Akhmedov I. , Toppare Levent
Published: January 2009

Homopolymer of 1‐4‐di[2,5‐di(2‐thienyl)‐1H‐1‐pyrrolyl]benzene and its copolymer with 3,4‐ethylenedioxythiophene (EDOT) were electrochemically synthesized and characterized. Resulting homopolymer and copolymer films have distinct electrochromic properties. At the neutral state, homopolymer has λmax due to the π‐π* transition as 410 nm and Eg was calculated as 2.03 eV. The resultant copolymer revealed multichromism through the entire visible region, displaying red‐violet, brownish yellow green, and blue colors with the variation of the applied potential. For the copolymer, λmax and Eg were found to be 450 nm and 1.66 eV, respectively. Double potential step chronoamperometry experiment shows that homopolymer and copolymer films have good stability, fast switching times, and high optical contrast in NIR region as 41 and 30%, respectively. Copolymerization with EDOT not only decreases the band gap, Eg, but also enhances the electrochromic properties. Hence, electrochemical copolymerization is considered to be a powerful tool to improve the electrochromic properties of N‐substituted 2,5‐di(2‐thienylpyrrole) derivatives. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2009
Physical and electrochemical behaviors of directly polymerized sulfonated poly(arylene ether ketone sulfone)s proton exchange membranes with different backbone structures
Authors: Wang Zhe , Ni Hongzhe , Zhao Chengji , Zhang Mingyao , Na Hui
Published: January 2009

Sulfonated poly(ether ether ketone sulfone) (SPEEKS) and sulfonated poly(ether ether ketone ketone sulfone) (SPEEKKS) copolymers with different degree of sulfonation (DS) were synthesized by aromatic nucleophilic polycondensation of disodium 3,3′‐disulfonate‐4,4′‐dichloro‐diphenylsulfone (SDCDPS), tertbutylhydroquione, and 4,4′‐difluorobenzophenone or 1,4′‐bi(4‐fluorobenzoyl) benzene. Prepared sulfonated copolymers were characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectra, thermogravimetric analysis, and differential scanning calorimetry. The transmission electron microscope was used to investigate the microstructure of membranes. The different distance between two adjacent sulfonic groups in two series of membranes resulted in different physical and electrochemical properties between two kinds of membranes with the same DS. The proton conductivity, ionic exchange capacity and water uptake of SPEEKS membranes were higher than those of SPEEKKS membranes while the mechanical strength of SPEEKS membranes was lower than that of SPEEKKS membranes at the same DS. Moreover, the SPEEKKS membranes with DS equals to 0.8 showed a good combination of a high proton conductivity (0.046 S/cm at 25°C, 0.061 S/cm at 80°C), acceptable water uptake (33–65 wt %), excellent mechanical strength (tensile strength reached 49.7 MPa), and good thermal properties (Tg above 250°C, Td5% above 300°C). It suggested that this could be a promising membrane for proton exchange membrane fuel cell application. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2009
Protection of SEBS/PS blends against gamma radiation by aromatic compounds
Authors: Chen Jian , Huang Xingyi , Jiang Pingkai , Wang Genlin
Published: January 2009

We reported the effects of four kinds of aromatic compounds (diphenylacetylene, biphenyl, anthracene, pyrene) on the gamma‐irradiation resistance of the styrene‐ethylene‐butylene‐styrene/polystyrene (SEBS/PS) blends. It was found that, after gamma irradiation, the blends with aromatic additives had improved mechanical, dielectric, and thermal characteristics when compared with those samples without additives, and that among the four compounds, pyrene was shown to be the most effective additive. The rheological results were consistent with the changes of mechanical, dielectric, and thermal properties, and the blends with pyrene had the lowest values of melt‐flow rate after gamma irradiation. The possible mechanism of the effects of the aromatic compounds on the irradiation resistance SEBS/PS blends was also suggested. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2009
Information myths and intimate partner violence: Sources, contexts, and consequences
Authors: Westbrook Lynn
Published: January 2009

Survivors of intimate partner violence face more than information gaps; many face powerful barriers in the form of information myths. Triangulating data from in‐depth interviews and community bulletin board postings, this study incorporates insights from survivors, police, and shelter staff to begin mapping the information landscape through which survivors move. An unanticipated feature of that landscape is a set of 28 compelling information myths that prevent some survivors from making effective use of the social, legal, economic, and support resources available to them. This analysis of the sources, contexts, and consequences of these information myths is the first step in devising strategies to counter their ill effects.
Blobgects: Digital museum catalogs and diverse user communities
Authors: Srinivasan Ramesh , Boast Robin , Becvar Katherine M. , Furner Jonathan
Published: January 2009

This article presents an exploratory study of “Blobgects,” an experimental interface for an online museum catalog that enables social tagging and blogging activity around a set of cultural heritage objects held by a preeminent museum of anthropology and archaeology. This study attempts to understand not just whether social tagging and commenting about these objects is useful but rather whose tags and voices matter in presenting different “expert” perspectives around digital museum objects. Based on an empirical comparison between two different user groups (Canadian Inuit high‐school students and museum studies students in the United States), we found that merely adding the ability to tag and comment to the museum's catalog does not sufficiently allow users to learn about or engage with the objects represented by catalog entries. Rather, the specialist language of the catalog provides too little contextualization for users to enter into the sort of dialog that proponents of Web 2.0 technologies promise. Overall, we propose a more nuanced application of Web 2.0 technologies within museums—one which provides a contextual basis that gives users a starting point for engagement and permits users to make sense of objects in relation to their own needs, uses, and understandings.
Polyamines protect rat embryo in vitro from high glucose‐induced developmental delay and dysmorphogenesis
Authors: Chirino‐Galindo Gladys , Baiza‐Gutman Luis A. , Barrera‐Escorcia Eduardo , Palomar‐Morales Martín
Published: January 2009

BACKGROUND: Pregnancy in mammals with diabetes mellitus results in low birth weight, malformations, and intrauterine death. Parenteral application of natural polyamines or their precursor, L‐arginine, to diabetic pregnant rats partially prevents the alterations of development caused by diabetes mellitus. This experiment has been designed to understand if this preventive action also occurs in rat whole embryo in culture. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Rat embryos of gestational day 10 were cultured for 24 h in normal medium, high glucose medium, or high glucose medium supplemented with polyamines or L‐arginine, and furthermore embryo growth and development were evaluated. RESULTS: L‐arginine and putrescine partially prevents the dysmorphogenic effects of high glucose, whereas spermidine and spermine prevent these effects almost completely. CONCLUSIONS: Polyamines directly protect the embryo from the toxic effect of high glucose concentration on growth and development, although the mechanism remains to be elucidated. Birth Defects Res (Part B)86:58‐64, 2009 ©2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Using Arabidopsis genetic sequences to teach bioinformatics
Authors: Zhang Xiaorong
Published: January 2009

This article describes a new approach to teaching bioinformatics using Arabidopsis genetic sequences. Several open‐ended and inquiry‐based laboratory exercises have been designed to help students grasp key concepts and gain practical skills in bioinformatics, using Arabidopsis leucine‐rich repeat receptor‐like kinase (LRR RLK) genetic sequences. In these exercises, students are asked to explore the intimate relationship between the structure and functions of LRR RLKs and to understand the diverse signaling roles of LRR RLKs in Arabidopsis. Students are also required to identify LRR RLK paralogs and orthologs and to analyze their evolutionary and functional relationships using bioinformatics software. Through these exercises, students are expected to gain the ability to search databases to retrieve genetic data and analyze them using a variety of bioinformatics tools.
An empirical analysis of green supply chain management in the German automotive industry
Authors: Thun Jörn‐Henrik , Müller Andrea
Published: January 2009

The purpose of this paper is the empirical investigation of the status quo of green supply chain management in the German automotive industry from a practitioner's point of view. Several aspects of green supply chain management, such as the point of time of implementation, the driving forces, the relevance of intended goals and their particular realization and the adoption of eco‐programs with suppliers and customers as well as internal and external barriers are analyzed. Furthermore, the link to different performance criteria is tested by inductive statistics in order to show the potential of green supply chain management for competitiveness. For this study, managers from the automotive supply industry in Germany were asked about their estimations in this regard. The main conclusion is that managers express the need for green supply chain management on the one hand but also see corresponding problems in terms of required resources on the other hand. Furthermore, the analyses show that green supply chain management leads to higher performance in terms of several performance criteria. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd and ERP Environment.
Conspicuous donation behaviour: scale development and validation
Authors: Grace Debra , Griffin Deborah
Published: January 2009

This paper builds on the concept of conspicuous donation behaviour (CDB) through further conceptualisation and operationalisation of this construct. The paper reports on developing the CDB scale via a three‐stage process, which includes five data collections using a total of 1311 respondents. The data analysis indicates that the resulting eight‐item (two factor) CDB scale has face, content, convergent, discriminant and predictive validity and the CDB scale is reliable across samples. The CDB scale has the potential for significant usage in the development and testing of theory, as well as in practical applications.

Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The application of Memory‐Work in consumer research
Authors: Thomsen Thyra Uth , Hansen Torben
Published: January 2009

Memory‐Work is by origin a feminist, social constructionist method devoted to the investigation of socially constructed and culturally embedded phenomena. In this paper, Memory‐Work is presented to consumer research in order to (1) widen the methodological scope of interpretive consumer research and thus advance new insights, (2) present a method well known to other scientific fields that may supplement micro‐social studies of consumer's practices with more macro‐cultural insights, and finally (3) to illustrate the application of the general method to the study of consumer behaviour. Apart from a few notable exceptions, Memory‐Work has not yet been applied to consumer research and its benefits for this kind of research have not been discussed. This paper seeks to fill this gap, by illustrating how consumer research may apply and benefit from Memory‐Work.

Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
ChemInform Abstract: Penkvilksite‐2O: Na2TiSi4O11×2H2O.
Authors: Cadoni Marcella , Ferraris Giovanni
Published: January 2009

ChemInform is a weekly Abstracting Service, delivering concise information at a glance that was extracted from about 200 leading journals. To access a ChemInform Abstract of an article which was published elsewhere, please select a “Full Text” option. The original article is trackable via the “References” option.
ChemInform Abstract: Ternary Phosphides Ce3Zn2‐xP4 and Ce4Zn2‐xP5 — Stacking Variants of CeP6 Octahedra and ZnP4 Tetrahedra.
Authors: Lincke Hannes , Hermes Wilfried , Nilges Tom , Poettgen Rainer
Published: January 2009

ChemInform is a weekly Abstracting Service, delivering concise information at a glance that was extracted from about 200 leading journals. To access a ChemInform Abstract of an article which was published elsewhere, please select a “Full Text” option. The original article is trackable via the “References” option.
ChemInform Abstract: Synthesis and Characterization of Alkali‐Metal Tin(II) Phosphates: Na10Sn31(HPO4)6 (P2O7)6(PO4)12 and K2SnP2O7.
Authors: Weng Sheng‐Feng , Chen Kuei‐Bo , Lee Chi‐Shen
Published: January 2009

ChemInform is a weekly Abstracting Service, delivering concise information at a glance that was extracted from about 200 leading journals. To access a ChemInform Abstract of an article which was published elsewhere, please select a “Full Text” option. The original article is trackable via the “References” option.
ChemInform Abstract: Structures and Magnetic Properties of Some Layered Iodides Ln2Co2I (Ln: La, Y, Pr, Nd, Tb—Ho).
Authors: Lefevre C. , Hoch C. , Kremer R. K. , Simon A.
Published: January 2009

ChemInform is a weekly Abstracting Service, delivering concise information at a glance that was extracted from about 200 leading journals. To access a ChemInform Abstract of an article which was published elsewhere, please select a “Full Text” option. The original article is trackable via the “References” option.
ChemInform Abstract: Metastable Cd4Sb3: A Complex Structured Intermetallic Compound with Semiconductor Properties.
Authors: Tenga Andreas , Lidin Sven , Belieres Jean‐Philippe , Newman N. , Wu Yang , Haeussermann Ulrich
Published: January 2009

ChemInform is a weekly Abstracting Service, delivering concise information at a glance that was extracted from about 200 leading journals. To access a ChemInform Abstract of an article which was published elsewhere, please select a “Full Text” option. The original article is trackable via the “References” option.
ChemInform Abstract: Positive and Negative Magnetodielectric Effects in A‐Site Ordered (BiMn3)Mn4O12 Perovskite.
Authors: Imamura Naoki , Karppinen Maarit , Motohashi Teruki , Fu Desheng , Itoh Mitsuru , Yamauchi Hisao
Published: January 2009

ChemInform is a weekly Abstracting Service, delivering concise information at a glance that was extracted from about 200 leading journals. To access a ChemInform Abstract of an article which was published elsewhere, please select a “Full Text” option. The original article is trackable via the “References” option.