bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Correlation between sub‐Tg relaxation processes and mechanical behavior for different hydrothermal ageing conditions in epoxy assemblies
Authors: Chevalier M. , Dantras E. , Tonon C. , Guigue P. , Lacabanne C. , Puig C. , Durin C.
Published: September 2009

The aim of this study is to understand aging phenomena by monitoring physical parameters after real and simulated aging experiments. This study focuses on aluminum‐epoxy assemblies, which are commonly used on spacecraft structures. Different samples are submitted to simulated aging tests. Influence of temperature and moisture is analyzed. Evolution with aging is characterized at two different scales. The macroscopic behavior of the assemblies is studied by single lap shear test. A decrease in the shear rupture stress is observed with increasing temperature and relative humidity. It is demonstrated that temperature has more important influence. The molecular behavior in the adhesive joint is studied by dynamic dielectric spectroscopy measurements. This experiment gives access to molecular mobility in the adhesive. Dipolar entities are identified as evolving with aging conditions. The temperature is more effective than moisture at this scale. An interpretation of the molecular mobility before and after aging shows that water is an important parameter of this study. A link between mechanical and molecular behavior with hydrothermal aging is found. The decrease of mechanical properties occurs while failures become interfacial. In the same time, the interactions between hydroxyether and water increase. The evolution of the macroscopic behavior of the bonded assemblies is due to this combination observed at different scales. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2010
Behavior of absorbed water in elongated polyamide 6
Authors: Sakai Eiichi , Kawagoe Makoto
Published: September 2009

The state of absorbed water in polyamide 6 elongated to several levels have been investigated in relation to the polymer microstructure. The absorption behavior of distilled water at 20°C was monitored until the saturation. Both the diffusion coefficient and the equilibrium content of water were increased by plastic elongation. The large elongation caused a reduction in the storage modulus and rises in the loss tangents for α‐ and β‐relaxations. The DSC measurements clearly indicated several exothermic peaks showing the presence of freezable bound water in the largely elongated specimen. These results suggest that some microstructural defects like voids are formed by the collapse of crystals by large elongation, and the water molecules are accumulated in such defects under weaker interaction with the surrounding polymer. Supposing the pore as the structural defect, the pore size distribution was obtained from the DSC curve by the method of thermoporosimetry. Assuming the cylindrical pores, they were characterized to have the total volume of about 13.5 × 10−4 mm3 g−1, the surface area of about 1.1 m2 g−1, and the average radius of about 2.5 nm, being appropriately called mesopore. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2010
A Study of the Thermodynamics and Kinetics of Copper Adsorption Using Chemically Modified Rice Husk
Authors: Jaman Hasanur , Chakraborty Debarati , Saha Papita
Published: September 2009

The use of rice husk as a low cost adsorbent for the removal of copper from wastewater has been explored in a laboratory scale experiment. The rice husk used for the study was treated with alkali to increase the sorption properties. The influence of metal ion concentration, weight of biosorbent, stirring rates, temperature and pH were also evaluated, and the results are fitted using adsorption isotherm models. From the experimental results it was observed that almost 90–98% of the copper could be removed using treated rice husk. The Langmuir adsorption isotherm, Freundlich isotherm and Tempkin isotherm models were used to describe the distribution of copper between the liquid and solid phases in batch studies, and it was observed that the Langmuir isotherm better represented the adsorption phenomenon. The experimental rate constant, activation energy, Gibbs free energy, enthalpy and entropy of the reaction were calculated in order to determine the mechanism of the sorption process.
Competitive Sorption of Antimony with Zinc, Nickel, and Aluminum in a Seaweed Based Fixed‐bed Sorption Column
Authors: Bakir Adil , McLoughlin Peter , Tofail Syed A. M. , Fitzgerald Eddy
Published: September 2009

The removal of heavy metals such as Ni(II), Zn(II), Al(III), and Sb(III) from aqueous metal solutions was investigated using novel, cost effective, seaweed derived sorbents. Studies with a laboratory scale fixed‐bed sorption column, using a seaweed waste material (referred to as waste Ascophyllum product (WAP)) from the processing of Ascophyllum nodosum as biosorbent, demonstrated high removal efficiencies (RE) for a variety of heavy metals including Ni(II), Zn(II) and Al(III), with 90, 90 and 74% RE achieved from initial 10 mg/L metal solutions, respectively. The presence of Sb(III) in multi component metal solutions suppressed the removal of Ni(II), Zn(II) and Al(III), reducing the RE to 28, 17 and 24%, respectively. The use of Polysiphonia lanosa as a biosorbent showed a 67% RE for Sb(III), both alone and in combination with other metals. Potentiometric and conductometric titrations, X‐ray photoelectron and mid‐infrared spectroscopic analysis demonstrated that carboxyl, alcohol, sulfonate and ether groups were heavily involved in Sb(III) binding by P. lanosa. Only carboxyl and sulfonate groups were involved in Sb(III) binding by WAP. Furthermore, a greater amount of weak acidic groups (mainly carboxylic functions) were involved in Sb(III) binding by P. lanosa, compared to WAP which involved a greater concentration of strong acidic groups (mainly sulfonates).
β‐Diketiminate Gallium Amides: Useful Synthons in Gallium Chemistry
Authors: Solis‐Ibarra Diego , Gómora‐Figueroa A. Paulina , Zavala‐Segovia Nieves , Jancik Vojtech
Published: September 2009

The facile preparation of β‐diketiminate gallium amides with general formulas of either LGa(NHR)2 {L = [HC{C(Me)N(Ar)}2]–, Ar = 2,6‐iPr2C6H3; R = Et (1), iPr (2), nBu (3), Ph (4)} or LGa(NHR)Cl [R = tBu (5); Et (6)] was accomplished by the reaction of LGaCl2 with the lithium salt of the corresponding amine in 1:2 (1–4) or 1:1 (5, 6) molar ratios. Compounds 1–6 are useful synthons for further synthesis, as the amide substituents are excellent leaving groups, and the resulting amines can be cleanly and easily removed from the reaction matrix. To demonstrate this, compounds 1 and 5 were treated with ethanol, leading to the alcoholysis products LGa(OEt)2 (8) and LGa(OEt)Cl (9), respectively. Furthermore, LGa(OH)2 can be obtained in an almost quantitative yield from thehydrolysis of compounds 1–4. Additionally, the aluminum analogue of 1 ― LAl(NHEt)2 (7) ― was obtained to prove that the method is also suitable for other metals. Compounds 1–9 were characterized by common spectroscopic methods, and compounds 1–8 were also characterized by X‐ray single‐crystal diffraction.(© Wiley‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, 69451 Weinheim, Germany, 2009)
Radical Addition of Ethers to Terminal Alkynes with High E‐Selectivity
Authors: Chen Zili , Zhang Yu‐Xin , An Yan , Song Xin‐Li , Wang Ya‐Hui , Zhu Li‐Li , Guo Lin
Published: September 2009

Direct radical additions of ethers to terminal alkynes were investigated by using Me2Zn/O2 as radical initiator to afford 2‐vinyl ether derivatives with high E‐selectivity, while reversed E/Z selectivity is obtained with Et3B/O2. Two competitive pathways are suggested for the formation of vinyl radical B: zinc‐radical exchange (route a) followed by protonation provides E‐configuration products exclusively through Zn(II) complexation. Hydrogen abstraction by vinyl radicals (route b) yields mainly Z isomers.(© Wiley‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, 69451 Weinheim, Germany, 2009)
A compact and high‐resolution version of a capacitively coupled contactless conductivity detector
Authors: Francisco Kelliton José Mendonça , do Lago Claudimir Lucio
Published: September 2009

An all‐in‐one version of a capacitively coupled contactless conductivity detector is introduced. The absence of moving parts (potentiometers and connectors) makes it compact (6.5 cm3) and robust. A local oscillator, working at 1.1 MHz, was optimized to use capillaries of id from 20 to 100 μm. Low noise circuitry and a high‐resolution analog‐to‐digital converter (ADC) (21 bits effective) grant good sensitivities for capillaries and background electrolytes currently used in capillary electrophoresis. The fixed frequency and amplitude of the signal generator is a drawback that is compensated by the steady calibration curves for conductivity. Another advantage is the possibility of determining the inner diameter of a capillary by reading the ADC when air and subsequently water flow through the capillary. The difference of ADC reading may be converted into the inner diameter by a calibration curve. This feature is granted by the 21‐bit ADC, which eliminates the necessity of baseline compensation by hardware. In a typical application, the limits of detection based on the 3σ criterion (without baseline filtering) were 0.6, 0.4, 0.3, 0.5, 0.6, and 0.8 μmol/L for K+, Ba2+, Ca2+, Na+, Mg2+, and Li+, respectively, which is comparable to other high‐quality implementations of a capacitively coupled contactless conductivity detector.
Prediction of spatially distributed seismic demands in specific structures: Ground motion and structural response
Authors: Bradley Brendon A. , Dhakal Rajesh P. , MacRae Gregory A. , Cubrinovski Misko
Published: September 2009

The efficacy of various ground motion intensity measures (IMs) in the prediction of spatially distributed seismic demands (engineering demand parameters, (EDPs)) within a structure is investigated. This has direct implications to building‐specific seismic loss estimation, where the seismic demand on different components is dependent on the location of the component in the structure. Several common IMs are investigated in terms of their ability to predict the spatially distributed demands in a 10‐storey office building, which is measured in terms of maximum interstorey drift ratios and maximum floor accelerations. It is found that the ability of an IM to efficiently predict a specific EDP depends on the similarity between the frequency range of the ground motion that controls the IM and that of the EDP. An IMs predictability has a direct effect on the median response demands for ground motions scaled to a specified probability of exceedance from a ground motion hazard curve. All of the IMs investigated were found to be insufficient with respect to at least one of magnitude, source‐to‐site distance, or epsilon when predicting all peak interstorey drifts and peak floor accelerations in a 10‐storey reinforced concrete frame structure. Careful ground motion selection and/or seismic demand modification is therefore required to predict such a spatially distributed demands without significant bias. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Comprehensive IMRT plus weekly cisplatin for advanced head and neck cancer: The University of Wisconsin experience
Authors: Traynor Anne M. , Richards Gregory M. , Hartig Gregory K. , Khuntia Deepak , Cleary James F. , Wiederholt Peggy A. , Bentzen Søren M. , Harari Paul M.
Published: September 2009

Background.

We retrospectively examined the treatment efficacy and toxicity profile of intensity‐modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) plus concurrent weekly cisplatin chemotherapy in patients with locoregionally advanced head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC).

Methods.

A total of 57 patients with stage III or IV HNSCC were treated with IMRT and concurrent weekly cisplatin (dosed at 30 mg/m2) between November 2001 and May 2007. The median prescription dose to the gross tumor volume was 70 Gy (using 2.0–2.2 Gy daily fractions).

Results.

In‐field tumor control at 2 years was 89.1%, locoregional control was 85.5%, and overall survival was 86.9%. The median radiation dose delivered was 70 Gy. The mean dose intensity of cisplatin administered was 25.7 mg/m2/week.

Conclusion.

Comprehensive head and neck IMRT to 70 Gy delivered with weekly cisplatin chemotherapy (30 mg/m2) is feasible and generally well tolerated. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Head Neck, 2010
A comparison of pre‐ and post‐remediation water quality, Mineral Creek, Colorado
Authors: Runkel Robert L. , Bencala Kenneth E. , Kimball Briant A. , Walton‐Day Katherine , Verplanck Philip L.
Published: September 2009

Pre‐ and post‐remediation data sets are used herein to assess the effectiveness of remedial measures implemented in the headwaters of the Mineral Creek watershed, where contamination from hard rock mining has led to elevated metal concentrations and acidic pH. Collection of pre‐ and post‐remediation data sets generally followed the synoptic mass balance approach, in which numerous stream and inflow locations are sampled for the constituents of interest and estimates of streamflow are determined by tracer dilution. The comparison of pre‐ and post‐remediation data sets is confounded by hydrologic effects and the effects of temporal variation. Hydrologic effects arise due to the relatively wet conditions that preceded the collection of pre‐remediation data, and the relatively dry conditions associated with the post‐remediation data set. This difference leads to a dilution effect in the upper part of the study reach, where pre‐remediation concentrations were diluted by rainfall, and a source area effect in the lower part of the study reach, where a smaller portion of the watershed may have been contributing constituent mass during the drier post‐remediation period. A second confounding factor, temporal variability, violates the steady‐state assumption that underlies the synoptic mass balance approach, leading to false identification of constituent sources and sinks. Despite these complications, remedial actions completed in the Mineral Creek headwaters appear to have led to improvements in stream water quality, as post‐remediation profiles of instream load are consistently lower than the pre‐remediation profiles over the entire study reach for six of the eight constituents considered (aluminium, arsenic, cadmium, copper, iron, and zinc). Concentrations of aluminium, cadmium, copper, lead, and zinc remain above chronic aquatic‐life standards, however, and additional remedial actions may be needed. Future implementations of the synoptic mass balance approach should be preceded by an assessment of temporal variability, and modifications to the synoptic sampling protocol should be made if necessary. Published in 2009 by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Targeting of plasmid DNA‐lipoplexes to cells with molecules anchored via a metal chelator lipid
Authors: Herringson Thomas P. , Patlolla Ram R. , Altin Joseph G.
Published: September 2009

Background

The ability to deliver plasmid DNA (pDNA) to specific cellsin vivois crucial for achieving efficient targeted transfection with nonviral vectors. We previously used stealth liposomes containing the chelator lipid 3(nitrilotriacetic acid)‐ditetradecylamine (NTA3‐DTDA) to target delivery of antigen and cytokines to immune cellsin vivo. In the present study, we utilized liposomes containing NTA3‐DTDA and the ionizable aminolipid 1,2‐dioleoyl‐3‐dimethyl‐ammonium‐propane (DODAP) to incorporate pDNA into complexes for targeting to cells.

Methods

Liposomes containing DODAP, NTA3‐DTDA and helper lipids were acidified (pH 5.5) and mixed with pDNA to form complexes. These lipoplexes were neutralized and engrafted with His‐tagged molecules for targeting to extracellular receptors. Targeted transfection efficiency was assessed using the enhanced green fluorescent protein reporter gene.

Results

Initial transfections of HEK‐293 cells using a His‐tagged peptide (T2) related to the Arg‐rich motif of HIV‐1 TAT protein resulted in a low transfection efficiency (<2.5%). Optimization of the lipid formulation and use of an endosome‐destabilizing peptide and inhibitor of DNase II, increased transfection approximately 20‐fold. These lipoplexes are approximately 250 nm in diameter, and transfection efficiencies were: approximately 50% for HEK‐293 cells targeted with lipoplexes containing pEGFP‐N1 and engrafted with T2, and 30–40% for HepG2 cells targeted with lipoplexes engrafted with a peptide specific for the VEGF receptor Flt‐1.

Conclusions

The results show that DODAP‐containing lipoplexes incorporating NTA3‐DTDA enable the engraftment of targeting molecules and the effective targeting of pDNA to cells in serum‐containing media, resulting in efficient transgene expression. The strategy may provide a convenient approach for targeting pDNA to cellsin vivoin therapeutic applications. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Retrievable vena cava filters: A clinical review
Authors: Tschoe Marianne , Kim Hyun S. , Brotman Daniel J. , Streiff Michael B.
Published: September 2009

Vena cava filters were developed as a method of preventing pulmonary embolism (PE) in patients with venous thromboembolism (VTE) at risk for bleeding from therapeutic anticoagulation. However, the long‐term complications of filter placement, such as caval thrombosis, have mitigated some of the benefits, particularly in those patients with only a temporary contraindication to anticoagulation. Retrievable filters were designed to avoid the long‐term risks of a permanent filter while still providing short‐term protection against PE. As a result, their use has expanded from patients with known thrombosis to those without VTE who are at high risk for developing PE. In this review, we discuss the different types of retrievable filters, indications for their placement, complications that can occur during and after placement, and their use as prophylaxis in surgical patients. Although the use of retrievable filters in patients with known VTE is clear, further studies are needed to establish their prophylactic efficacy in the surgical patient. Until this evidence is available, we recommend that retrievable filters should be used only in patients with acute VTE who are at risk for recurrent thromboembolism and have a transient risk for bleeding. Journal of Hospital Medicine 2009;4:441–448. © 2009 Society of Hospital Medicine.
Upper gastrointestinal hemorrhage: Have new therapeutics made a difference?
Authors: Whelan Chad T. , Kaboli Peter , Zhang Qi , Siddique Juned , Ye Siqin , Meltzer David O.
Published: September 2009

BACKGROUND:

To explore the distribution of etiologies and risk factors of upper gastrointestinal hemorrhage (UGH) in the context of new pharmacologic therapies that may alter the risk of UGH.

METHODS:

Retrospective study performed on eligible UGH inpatients at 2 academic medical centers, between July 1, 2001 and June 30, 2003. Administrative data and chart review were used to identify demographics, UGH risk factors, and UGH etiologies. Bivariate and multivariate analyses were performed to describe distributions and associations of risk factors and etiologies.

RESULTS:

UGH was identified in 227 subjects, with ED (n = 99; 44%), peptic ulcer disease (PUD) (n = 75; 33%), and variceal bleeds (n = 39; 17%) accounting for the majority of bleeds. Known risk factors for UGH occurred in 70% (n = 156) of subjects (prior UGH 43% [n = 90], nonsteroidal anti‐inflammatory drug (NSAID) use 23% [n = 52], aspirin [ASA] use 25% [n = 57], NSAID + ASA use 6.6% [n = 15]), while 19% (n = 42) were using a proton‐pump inhibitor (PPI) and 5% (n = 11) a cyclooxygenase‐2 (COX‐2) inhibitor. Subjects at site 1 were more likely to have ED (odds ratio [OR], 7.1; P < 0.001) and less likely to have variceal bleeding (OR, 0.12; P = 0.009) in multivariate analyses. Preventive therapy did not differ between sites.

CONCLUSIONS:

Unlike older studies, PUD was not the most common etiology, suggesting that advances in Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) eradication may affect the epidemiology of UGH. Despite advances in therapeutics of acid‐related disease, ED accounted for the majority of UGH. Most subjects had risk factors for UGH and most were not receiving protective therapy. Large between site‐differences in the distribution of etiologies existed. Journal of Hospital Medicine 2009;4:E6–E10. © 2009 Society of Hospital Medicine.
Trends in catheter ablation for atrial fibrillation in the United States
Authors: Kneeland Patrick P. , Fang Margaret C.
Published: September 2009

BACKGROUND:

There are few data on the use of catheter ablation for atrial fibrillation (AF) in the United States. We analyzed data from the National Hospital Discharge Survey (NHDS) to examine trends in the rate of catheter ablation for hospitalized patients with AF over a 15‐year period.

OBJECTIVE:

To examine rates of catheter ablation in patients with AF over time.

DESIGN:

All adult patients in the NHDS with an International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision, Clinical Modification (ICD‐9‐CM) code for AF from the years 1990 to 2005 were identified and assessed for the presence of a cardiac catheter ablation procedure code. Clinical characteristics associated with ablation were identified and multivariable logistic regression used to determine trends in the rate of ablation therapy over time.

RESULTS:

We identified 269,471 adults with AF. The rate of catheter ablation in AF patients increased from 0.06% in 1990 to 0.79% in 2005 (P < 0.001 for trend). Compared to those not undergoing ablation, ablated patients were younger (mean age 66 versus 76 years; P < 0.001), more likely to be male (57% versus 43%; P < 0.001), have private insurance (22% versus 11%; P < 0.001), and have a none of the following stroke risk factors: congestive heart failure, hypertension, age >75 years, diabetes mellitus, or stroke/transient ischemic attack (37% versus 16%; P < 0.001). Catheter ablation in AF patients increased by 15% per year over the time period (95% confidence interval [CI], 13%‐16%) and across all age groups, including in patients age ≥80 years (0.0% in 1990 and 0.26% in 2005; P < 0.001 for trend).

CONCLUSIONS:

The rate of catheter ablation in patients with AF is increasing significantly over time, even in the oldest patients. Journal of Hospital Medicine 2009;4:E1–E5. © 2009 Society of Hospital Medicine.
Improving internal medicine residents' performance, knowledge, and confidence in central venous catheterization using simulators
Authors: Millington Scott J. , Wong Roger Y. , Kassen Barry O. , Roberts James M. , Ma Irene W.Y.
Published: September 2009

BACKGROUND:

Efficacy of simulators in teaching central venous catheterization (CVC) in an internal medicine residency program is unknown.

OBJECTIVE:

To determine whether or not learning CVC on simulators is associated with improvement in performance of CVC, knowledge about the procedure, and self‐reported confidence.

METHODS:

All consenting first‐year internal medicine residents who completed training in CVC on simulators were included. Participants were evaluated pre‐ and post‐training by video‐recorded CVC insertion and multiple‐choice knowledge assessments. Procedural technique was rated in a blinded fashion by two independent adjudicators. Knowledge retention and self‐reported confidence were reassessed at 18 months.

MEASUREMENTS:

Primary outcome of CVC performance was assessed based on global rating score (minimum 1, maximum 5). Secondary measures include checklist score (out of ten), knowledge score and self‐reported confidence (6‐point Likert scale ranging from “none” to “complete”).

RESULTS:

Median global rating scores in 30 participants increased from 3.5 (IQR = 3‐4) to 4.5 (IQR = 4‐4.5) (P < 0.001). Checklist score increased from 9 (IQR = 6‐9.5) to 9.5 (IQR = 9‐9.5) (P < 0.001). Knowledge score increased from 65.7 ± 11.9% to 81.2 ± 10.7% (P < 0.001). Confidence increased from 3 (“moderate”, IQR = 2‐3) to 4 (“good”, IQR=3‐4) (P < 0.001). Sixteen participants completed the retention tests. Improvement in knowledge score and confidence at 18 months was retained compared with baseline (P = 0.002 and P < 0.0001 respectively).

CONCLUSIONS:

Use of simulators in teaching CVC in an internal medicine residency program results in improved procedural performance, knowledge, and self‐reported confidence. Improvement in knowledge and confidence was retained at 18 months. Journal of Hospital Medicine 2009;4:410–416. © 2009 Society of Hospital Medicine.
Joint capsule mast cells and neuropeptides are increased within four weeks of injury and remain elevated in chronic stages of posttraumatic contractures
Authors: Hildebrand Kevin A. , Zhang Mei , Hart David A.
Published: September 2009

Paul T. Salo, a contributor to this article, was mistakenly omitted from the list of authors. He should have been the third author with the same affiliation as the other three authors. The publisher regrets this error.

The article to which this Erratum refers was published in the October 2008 issue, pages 1313–1319.
Titanium dioxide synthesized using titanium chloride: size effect study using Raman spectroscopy and photoluminescence
Authors: Gupta Sanjeev K. , Desai Rucha , Jha Prafulla K. , Sahoo Satyaprakash , Kirin D.
Published: September 2009

Titanium dioxide nanocrystals were prepared by the wet chemical method and characterized by X‐ray diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), Raman scattering (RS) and photoluminescence techniques. The XRD pattern shows the formation of single phase anatase structure of average sizes ∼7 nm (sample A) and ∼15 nm (sample B) for two samples. Additionally, TEM and RS were used to confirm the anatase crystal structure for both samples. The PL spectra show that the intensity of the sample A is more than that of sample B, which has been attributed to defect(s) and particle size variation. A modified phonon confinement model incorporating particle size distribution function and averaged dispersion curves for two most dispersive phonon branch (Γ‐X direction) have been used to interpret the size effect in Raman spectra. The obtained Raman peak shift and full width at half‐maximum agree well with the experimental data. Our observations suggest that the phonon confinement effects are responsible for a significant shift and broadening for the Raman peaks. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The impact of breast MRI on surgical decision‐making: Are patients at risk for mastectomy?
Authors: Pettit Kelli , Swatske Mary Ellen , Gao Feng , Salavaggione Lorena , Gillanders William E. , Aft Rebecca L. , Monsees Barbara S. , Eberlein Timothy J. , Margenthaler Julie A.
Published: September 2009

Background and Objectives

The goal of the current study was to determine whether MRI impacts multidisciplinary treatment planning and if it leads to increased mastectomy rates.

Methods

A retrospective review was conducted of 441 patients treated for breast cancer between January 2005 and May 2008 who underwent breast MRI. Data included number of additional findings and their imaging and pathologic work‐up. This was analyzed to determine impact of MRI on treatment planning.

Results

Of 441 patients, 45% had ≥1 additional finding on MRI. Of 410 patients with complete records, 29% had changes in the treatment plan, including 36 patients who were initially considered for breast conservation but proceeded directly to mastectomy based on MRI findings of suspected multicentricity. Twenty‐three of those patients did not have a biopsy of the MRI lesion, with 87% having unicentric disease on final pathology. Overall, the mastectomy rate was 44%, which was significantly increased compared to patients not undergoing MRI (32%, P < 0.05).

Conclusions

Breast MRI alters the treatment planning for many patients with newly diagnosed breast cancer. Mastectomy rates are increased when MRI results alone direct surgical planning. Biopsy of MRI‐identified lesions should be performed to avoid over‐treatment. J. Surg. Oncol. 2009;100:553–558. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Heritability of depressive symptoms: a case study using a multilevel approach
Authors: Byers Amy L. , Levy Becca R. , Kasl Stanislav V. , Bruce Martha L. , Allore Heather G.
Published: September 2009

We present a case study using a multilevel modeling approach to determine whether depressive symptoms are affected by genetic factors. Existing studies examining this question have focused on twins. The present study built on the literature by conducting a preliminary study of the heritability of depressive symptoms within extended families. At the same time, this study assessed the need for adjustment of a heritability measure in a family study using a multigenerational sample. The sample consisted of 230 community‐dwelling extended families that included 431 adult offspring, comprising full siblings, half siblings and cousins that participated in the University of Southern California Longitudinal Study of Generations. All participants filled out the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression (CES‐D) scale. The multilevel analysis allowed us to model the natural hierarchy of the extended family. Results indicate that the proportion of the phenotypic variance for CES‐D that occurs due to genetic differences is not significantly larger than zero among these participants [h2 = 8.6%, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 0–57%, p = 0.71]. Our findings suggest that future studies examining depressive symptoms in this sample can focus on non‐genetic explanatory factors without the necessity to control for genetic variation. However, our study may be limited by measurement of prevalent depressive symptoms, which may not generalize to lifetime depressive symptoms. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The effect of experimental conditions on the detection of spermine in cell extracts and tissues
Authors: Spencer Nicholas G. , Eykyn Thomas R. , deSouza Nandita M. , Payne Geoffrey S.
Published: September 2009

The aim of this work was to investigate the effect of experimental conditions on the visibility of polyamines. In solution the chemical shift of the three groups of peaks (at approximately 1.8, 2.1 and 3.1 ppm) were found to be pH dependent. Relaxation times in aqueous solution at pH 7.0, 298 K and 11.74 T were measured to be: putrescine (T1 = 2.49 s, T2 = 2.07 s), spermidine (T1 = 1.27 s, T2 = 1.05 s) and spermine (T1 = 1.02 s, T2 = 0.82 s). Simple spin‐echo sequences could not be used to measure T2 as the spins also experience phase evolution from homonuclear coupling which imposes a modulation on the T2 decay curve. This modulation is eliminated by using CPMG sequences with an echo spacing of <500 µs. Relaxation times for spermine in solution in presence of metal ions and protein showed that metal ions had little effect on T2; however, addition of 15 mg/ml bovine serum albumin reduced T2 of spermine (0.41 s at 298 K and 0.19 s at 277 K) but was not as short as the T2 of the polyamine peak in prostatic tissue (0.03 s at 277 K). The MR visibility of polyamines in prostate cell extracts, PC‐3 xenograft (intact as well as extracted) and intact human prostatic tissues were investigated. Polyamines were not detected in methanol/chloroform extracts, but were visible in perchloric acid extracts of prostate tumour cells. No polyamines were detected in the HR MAS spectra of three samples of whole PC‐3 xenograft tissue studied. In summary, the chemical shift of polyamine species is pH dependent, while protein binding causes peak broadening and reduction in T2. Perchloric acid extraction improves visibility of intracellular polyamines, but whole tissue polyamines are not seen in xenografts without epithelial/ ductal structure. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Calcium supplementation, cardiovascular disease and mortality in older women
Authors: Shah Sunil M. , Carey Iain M. , Harris Tess , DeWilde Stephen , Cook Derek G.
Published: September 2009

Purpose

To investigate the long‐term cumulative effect of calcium and vitamin D supplementation on cardiovascular outcomes and death in older women.

Methods

We undertook an observational cohort study using UK electronic primary care records in the Doctor's Independent Network (DIN‐LINK) database; 9910 women aged 60–89 who started calcium and vitamin D supplementation between 2000 and 2005, with no heart disease or stroke history and who survived disease free for 2 years after supplement initiation were studied. The main outcome was first occurrence of myocardial infarction (MI), stroke or death more than 2 years after initiation.

Results

In the period from 2 years after supplement initiation, women who had received >600 days supplementation in these first 2 years were no more at risk of MI, stroke or death (hazard ratio 0.82 (0.67–1.01)) compared to women who received ≤90 days supplementation in the first 2 years. Outcomes in the first 2 years were analysed separately and showed similar baseline risks in our comparison groups.

Conclusion

Two years after initiation, women who have consistently received supplementation with calcium and vitamin D do not experience more cardiovascular events or deaths than women who received minimal supplementation. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Chemical modification and dechlorination of polyvinyl chloride by substitution with thiocyanate as a nucleophile
Authors: Kameda Tomohito , Ono Masahiko , Grause Guido , Mizoguchi Tadaaki , Yoshioka Toshiaki
Published: September 2009

This study examined the chemical modification of polyvinyl chloride (PVC) by substitution with SCN (thiocyanate) as a nucleophile. The effects of temperature, molar SCN/Cl ratio, and solvent on the substitution by SCN and the elimination of HCl were investigated. In SCN/EG (ethylene glycol) solution, the substitution/dechlorination ratio increased with decreasing temperature. The dechlorination yield increased with an increasing molar SCN/Cl ratio, favoring the substitution over the elimination. When N,N‐dimethylformamide (DMF) and dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) solutions were used as solvents, DMF favored the substitution, whereas DMSO favored the elimination. In the SCN/DMF solution, the substitution yield and the substitution/dechlorination ratio increased with increasing temperature. Higher temperatures favored the substitution over the elimination in SCN/DMF. Furthermore, the reaction of PVC in SCN/tetrahydrofuran (THF)‐DMSO (1:2) proceeded at room temperature, favoring the substitution over elimination. The isomerization of SCN was observed, resulting only in NCS (isothiocyanate) at room temperature and SCN (thiocyanate) at 190°C. POLYM. ENG. SCI., 2010. © 2009 Society of Plastics Engineers
Effects of addition of functionalized SEBS on rheological, mechanical, and tribological properties of polyamide 6 nanocomposites
Authors: Nishitani Yosuke , Yamada Yoshinao , Ishii Chiharu , Sekiguchi Isamu , Kitano Takeshi
Published: September 2009

The effects of the addition of styrene‐ethylene/butylene‐styrene copolymer (SEBS) with various functionalized groups on the rheological, mechanical, and tribological properties on polyamide 6 nanocomposite filled with layered silicate (PA6/Clay) were investigated. Four types of SEBS: unmodified SEBS (SEBS), maleic anhydride grafted SEBS (SEBS‐g‐MA), amine group grafted SEBS (SEBS‐g‐NH2), and carboxyl group grafted SEBS (SEBS‐g‐COOH) were added with PA6/Clay nanocomposite to prepare various polymer blends. These polymer blends were extruded by a twin screw extruder and injection molded. Dynamic viscoelastic properties of these blends in the molten state and their tensile, impact, and tribological properties were evaluated. The viscoelastic properties were found to increase with the addition of SEBS and were highly influenced by the types of functionalized groups contained. Influence of the addition of SEBS on the mechanical properties of these systems differed for each mechanical property. Although the tensile properties decreased with SEBS, Izod impact properties improved with the addition of various functionalized SEBS. These mechanical properties and viscoelastic properties correlated closely with the size of dispersed SEBS particles and interparticle distance. The tribological properties also improved with the addition of SEBS, and the influence of the amount added was higher than the type of SEBS used. POLYM. ENG. SCI., 2010. © 2009 Society of Plastics Engineers
Studies on the effect of movement during the cure on the mechanical properties of a silicone building joint sealant
Authors: White C.C. , Hunston D.L. , Williams R.S.
Published: September 2009

A novel sealant testing device was used to continuously monitor the mechanical properties of a one‐part silicone sealant for movement cycles initiated from 10 to 168 h after sample creation. These cure times fall between the proposed RILEM TC‐139 technical recommendation of 5 min and the ASTM C719 standard of 21 days. At 10 h of cure, enough crosslinking occurred before testing such that neither the overall movement history of the sample nor the deformation step shapes affected subsequent curing of the sealant. A critical parameter for sealant performance appears to be the extent of cure at the onset of movement. POLYM. ENG. SCI., 2010. © 2009 Society of Plastics Engineers
Simultaneously improving the toughness, flexural modulus and thermal performance of isotactic polypropylene by α‐β crystalline transition and inorganic whisker reinforcement
Authors: Cao Yewen , Feng Jiachun , Wu Peiyi
Published: September 2009

Magnesium salt (M‐HOS) whisker and β‐nucleating agent were introduced into polypropylene and their effects on the crystalline structures, morphologies, mechanical properties, and thermal resistance of polypropylene (PP) were investigated. The results of wide angle X‐ray diffraction (WAXD), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), and polar optical microscopy (POM) examinations suggested that the presence of the whisker did not cause any negative effect on the occurrence of β‐modification, and β‐phase became absolutely dominant form in β‐nucleated samples. The mechanical and thermal properties tests demonstrated that there is an excellent synergy between the β‐nucleating agent and the whisker. For PP composite containing 0.1 wt% of the β‐nucleating agent and 10 wt% of the whiskers, the Izod notched impact strength, elongation at break, flexural modulus, and heat deflection temperature were increased by 108, 194, 31, and 40%, respectively, compared with those of neat PP. By combining the toughening effect of α–β transition with the reinforcing effect of the whisker, simultaneous improvement in toughness, flexural modulus, and thermal performance of PP was successfully achieved. POLYM. ENG. SCI., 2009. © 2009 Society of Plastics Engineers
More than the Big Five: Egoism and the HEXACO model of personality
Authors: de Vries Reinout E. , de Vries Anita , de Hoogh Annebel , Feij Jan
Published: September 2009

Egoism is a personality trait that is associated with self‐enriching and self‐centred behaviours. Research has suggested that egoism lies beyond the Big Five personality factors. Recently, the HEXACO model of personality has been proposed as an alternative to the Big Five model. In three studies, the relation between the HEXACO Personality Inventory and egoism, conceptualized using three different questionnaires (DPQ Egoism, SPI Egotism and the Egoism Scale), is investigated. In all three studies, the HEXACO Honesty–Humility factor scale was the most important predictor of egoism. Additionally, in two studies in which FFM measures were used, the HEXACO Personality Inventory explained more variance in egoism than did the FFPI (Study 2) and the NEO‐PI‐R (Study 3). Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Surface Modification of Aluminum Using a Combined Technique of Barrel Nitriding and Plasma Nitriding
Authors: Okumiya Masahiro , Yoshida Masashi , Ichiki Ryuta , Tekmen Cagri , Khalifa Waleed , Tsunekawa Yoshiki , Tanaka Kazushi
Published: September 2009

In this study, a new nitriding process is proposed to produce the aluminum nitride on the aluminum surface. A process of combined barrel and plasma nitriding techniques was used. By using the barrel nitriding process, an aluminum nitride layer with high thickness can be formed within a matter of hours, and the surface hardness can be improved by using the plasma nitriding. It is suggested that a combined technique of the barrel nitriding and the plasma nitriding is one of the most promising surface treatments for the aluminum.
A wideband, directional model for the satellite‐to‐indoor propagation channel at S‐band
Authors: Perez‐Fontan F. , Hovinen V. , Schönhuber M. , Prieto‐Cerdeira R. , Teschl F. , Kyrolainen J. , Valtr P.
Published: September 2009

This paper presents a hybrid empirical‐statistical model for the satellite‐to‐indoor propagation channel at S‐band derived from measurements using a helicopter to simulate the satellite. The measurements have been carried out by means of a wideband, circularly polarized channel sounder in a SIMO (Single Input Multiple Output) configuration, allowing the derivation of entry loss, wideband and spatial model parameters. It is hoped that this paper will provide relevant information on the satellite‐to‐indoor channel given the large amount of experimental data available, covering a significant member of different buildings of various types, and the amount of measurement configurations: elevations and azimuths. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Quadratic inference functions in marginal models for longitudinal data
Authors: Song Peter X.‐K. , Jiang Zhichang , Park Eunjoo , Qu Annie
Published: September 2009

The quadratic inference function (QIF) is a new statistical methodology developed for the estimation and inference in longitudinal data analysis using marginal models. This method is an alternative to the popular generalized estimating equations approach, and it has several useful properties such as robustness, a goodness‐of‐fit test and model selection. This paper presents an introductory review of the QIF, with a strong emphasis on its applications. In particular, a recently developed SAS MACRO QIF is illustrated in this paper to obtain numerical results. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Influence of Reheating Method and Water Content on Change of the Physicochemical Properties of Retrograded Rice Starch
Authors: Han Sung‐Hee , Kim Min‐Jung , Lee Seog‐Won , Rhee Chul
Published: September 2009

The effect of the reheating method (microwave, autoclave and steam) and water content (65, 75, 85 and 95%) on change of the physicochemical properties of retrograded rice starch was investigated. The increment of gelatinization after heat treatment in the autoclave was the highest (44.9% at 95% water content), and it also showed an increasing trend regardless of reheating methods as the water content was increased from 65% to 95%. The water‐holding capacity (WHC) of the retrograded rice starch was increased compared to that of control after reheating regardless of reheating method and water content, and the maximum value (33.2%, w/v) was observed in the sample reheated with steam at a water content of 95%. The retrograded rice starch reheated in the autoclave showed a decreased peak viscosity, breakdown, final viscosity and setback. In particular, these parameters were lowest in samples reheated in an autoclave. Also, in the autoclaved samples the crystallinity of retrograded rice starch decreased as the water content increased. The microstructure of the reheated samples was filamentous type composed of numerous small cavities.
Influence of Heat‐Moisture Treatment and Acid Modifications on Physicochemical, Rheological, Thermal and Morphological Characteristics of Indian Water Chestnut (Trapa natans) Starch and its Application in Biodegradable Films
Authors: Singh Gagan Deep , Bawa Amrinder S. , Riar Charanjit S. , Saxena Dharmesh C.
Published: September 2009

Water chestnut starch was subjected to acid modification and heat‐moisture treatment. Hydrochloric acid was used for acid modification at three different concentrations (0.25 M, 0.5 M and 1 M) for 2 h. Modifications did not alter the granule morphology. Heat‐moisture treatment (HMT) resulted in slight reduction in the granular size of the starch granules. Acid modification lowered the amylose content, swelling power, water‐ and oil‐binding capacity but improved the solubility of starch to a considerable level. Light transmittance of acid‐modified (AM) starches improved significantly. A significant reduction in peak, trough, final and setback viscosity was observed by acid‐thinning. In case of heat‐moisture treated starch the final viscosity (Fv) was found to be even higher than the peak viscosity (Pv). Native water chestnut starch exhibited a lower onset temperature (To) and peak temperature (Tp) of gelatinization than the corresponding acid‐treated starches. Starch films prepared from native starch exhibited excellent pliability, whereas those prepared from AM and HMT starches showed good tensile strength. Starch films prepared from acid‐treated starches provided better puncture and tensile strength.
Starch as a Pore‐forming and Body‐forming Agent in Ceramic Technology
Authors: Gregorová Eva , Živcová Zuzana , Pabst Willi
Published: September 2009

Wheat and corn starch can be used for the preparation of porous alumina ceramics via the SCC (starch consolidation casting) process, resulting in porosities ranging from > 20% to approx. 50% (using nominal starch contents of 10 – 50%, v/v), with open porosity dominating (closed porosity < 6.5%). The character of porosity and the shape of the pores corresponds to the starch granules used, but the pore size is determined by a complex interplay between starch swelling (during the body‐forming step) and pore shrinkage (during sintering of the ceramic). Typically, for low starch contents (e.g. nominal starch contents of around 10%, v/v) starch swelling is a significant effect, and the pores after sintering are larger than the size of the starch granules. For higher starch contents swelling is constrained (by limited space and/ or water availability), and the matrix shrinkage during sintering overcompensates the swelling effect, so that the final pores in the ceramic can be significantly smaller than the original starch granule size. In this paper it is shown how porosity is related to pore size. In particular, it is demonstrated that the porosity indirectly determined from image analysis (via the median pore size) is closely related to the porosity directly measured via the Archimedes method. On the other hand, mercury porosimetry measures the distribution of pore throat sizes. With increasing starch content in the suspension, the pore throat size in the as‐fired ceramic materials increases, resulting in a more open microstructure.