bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The rebuilding of the ventilation cavernat the Tauern Tunnel /
Authors: Bacher Michael , Brandtner Markus , Kohlböck Bernhard , Santner Josef
Published: August 2010

This report gives an overview of the ventilation scheme for both tubes of the Tauern Tunnel with particular attention to the rebuilding of the multi‐storey ventilation cavern. The cavern was designed and constructed in the 1970s – along with most of the ventilation system – and provides the ventilation for the central sections of both tubes with a ventilation shaft about 600 mm deep. While the original scheme intended sheet metal ducts partly suspended from the cavern vault, all the extract air ducts now had to be constructed of reinforced concrete as part of the construction of the second tube on account of the requirement for fire resistance. This also included the replacement of existing suspended sheet metal ducts.

The design work was a particular challenge because the structural design and detailing also had to consider the complicated existing structure and the aerodynamic (flow resistance) and logistical (maintenance of traffic and continuous operation of ventilation) aspects.

Im vorliegenden Bericht wird eine Übersicht über das Lüftungskonzept der beiden Röhren des Tauerntunnels gegeben, wobei besonders auf die Umbauarbeiten der mehrgeschossigen Lüfterkaverne eingegangen wird. Die Kaverne wurde – wie der Großteil der Lüftungsanlage – bereits in den 1970‐er Jahren für beide Tunnelröhren geplant und errichtet und gewährleistet mit einem rund 600 m hohen Lüftungsschacht die Be‐ und Entlüftung der zentralen Lüftungsabschnitte für beide Tunnelröhren. Während beim ursprünglichen Konzept zum Teil vom Kavernengewölbe abgehängte Blechkanäle vorgesehen waren, müssen im Zuge des Neubaus der zweiten Tunnelröhre und der Sanierung der Bestandsröhre sämtliche Abluftkanäle wegen der geforderten Hitzebeständigkeit in Stahlbetonbauweise ausgeführt werden. Daher musste auch für die bereits bestehenden, aufgehängten Blechkanäle Ersatz geschaffen werden.

Die Planungsarbeiten erwiesen sich als besonders herausfordernd, da die statisch‐konstruktive Planung auch die komplexen bestehenden Bauwerke und zusätzlich lüftungstechnische (Strömungswiderstand) und logistische (Verkehrsaufrechterhaltung und laufender Lüftungsbetrieb) Aspekte zu berücksichtigen hatte.
The use of smartphones for clinical communication on internal medicine wards
Authors: Wu Robert C. , Morra Dante , Quan Sherman , Lai Sannie , Zanjani Samira , Abrams Howard , Rossos Peter G.
Published: August 2010

BACKGROUND:

Communication between clinicians is hampered by the frequent difficulty in reaching the most responsible physician for a patient as well as the use of outdated methods such as numeric paging. The aim of this study was to evaluate the use of smartphones to improve communication on internal medicine wards.

METHOD:

At the Toronto General Hospital, residents were provided with smartphones. To simplify reaching the most responsible resident for a patient, a smartphone designated as “Team BlackBerry” was also carried by each senior resident and then passed to the resident covering the team at night and on weekends. Nurses were able to send email messages or call smartphones directly.

RESULTS:

There were on average of 9.1 incoming calls, 6.6 outgoing calls, 14.3 received emails, and 2.8 sent emails per day to each Team BlackBerry. Team BlackBerrys received up to 35 calls and 57 emails per day. Residents strongly preferred the smartphones over conventional paging with perceived improvements in all items measured and felt that it improved efficiency and communication. Although nurses perceived a reduction in the time required to contact a physician (27.6 vs. 11 minutes P < 0.001), their overall satisfaction with physician's response time for urgent issues did not improve significantly.

DISCUSSION:

When smartphones were used for clinical communication, residents perceived an improvement in communication with them. Residents strongly preferred emails as opposed to telephone calls as the prime method of communication. Further objective evaluation is necessary to determine if this intervention improves efficiency and more importantly, quality of care. Journal of Hospital Medicine 2010. © 2010 Society of Hospital Medicine.
Role of hemorrhage in the induction of systemic inflammation and remote organ damage: Analysis of combined pseudo‐fracture and hemorrhagic shock
Authors: Pfeifer Roman , Kobbe Philipp , Darwiche Sophie S. , Billiar Timothy R. , Pape Hans‐Christoph
Published: August 2010

This study was performed to analyze the role of hemorrhage‐induced hypotension in the induction of systemic inflammation and remote organ dysfunction. Male C57/BL6 mice (6‐ to 10‐week old and 20–30 g) were used. Animals were either subjected to pseudo‐fracture [PF; standardized soft‐tissue injury and injection of crushed bone, PF group: n = 9], or PF combined with hemorrhagic shock (HS + PF group: n = 6). Endpoint was 6 h. Systemic inflammation was assessed by IL‐6 and IL‐10 levels. Myeloperoxidase (MPO) and NF‐κB activity in the lung and liver tissue were obtained to assess remote organ damage. The increases of systemic cytokines are similar for animals subjected to PF and PF + HS (IL‐6: 189 pg/ml ± 32.5 vs. 160 pg/ml ± 5.3; IL‐10: 60.3 pg/ml ± 15.8 vs. 88 pg/ml ± 32.4). Furthermore, the features (ALT; NF‐κB) of liver injury are equally elevated in mice subjected to PF (76.9 U/L ± 4.5) and HS + PF (80 U/L ± 5.5). Lung injury, addressed by MPO activity was more severe in group HS + PF (2.95 ng/ml ± 0.32) than in group PF (1.21 ng/ml ± 0.2). Both PF and additional HS cause a systemic inflammatory response. In addition, hemorrhage seems to be associated with remote affects on the lung. © 2010 Orthopaedic Research Society. Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Orthop Res 29:270–274, 2011
Intracellular tension in periosteum/perichondrium cells regulates long bone growth
Authors: Foolen Jasper , van Donkelaar Corrinus C. , Ito Keita
Published: August 2010

Perichondrium/periosteum is involved in regulating long bone growth. Long bones grow faster after removal or circumferential division of periosteum. This can be countered by culturing them in conditioned medium from perichondrium/periosteum cells. Because both complete removal and circumferential division are effective, we hypothesized that perichondrium/periosteum cells require an intact environment to release the appropriate soluble factors. More specifically, we propose that this release depends on their ability to generate intracellular tension. This hypothesis was explored by modulating the ability of perichondrium/periosteum cells to generate intracellular tension and monitoring the effect thereof on long bone growth. Perichondrium/periosteum cells were cultured on substrates with different stiffness. The medium produced by these cultures was added to embryonic chick tibiotarsi from which perichondrium/periosteum was either stripped or left intact. After 3 culture days, long bone growth was proportionally related to the stiffness of the substrate on which perichondrium/periosteum cells were grown while they produced conditioned medium. A second set of experiments demonstrated that the effect occurred through expression of a growth‐inhibiting factor, rather than through the reduction of a stimulatory factor. Finally, evidence for the importance of intracellular tension was obtained by showing that the inhibitory effect was abolished when perichondrium/periosteum cells were treated with cytochalasin D, which disrupts the actin microfilaments. Thus, we concluded that modulation of long bone growth occurs through release of soluble inhibitors by perichondrium/periosteum cells, and that the ability of cells to develop intracellular tension through their actin microfilaments is at the base of this mechano‐regulated control pathway. © 2010 Orthopaedic Research Society. Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Orthop Res 29:84–91, 2011
Trauma centrality and PTSD in veterans returning from Iraq and Afghanistan
Authors: Brown Adam D. , Antonius Daniel , Kramer Michael , Root James C. , Hirst William
Published: August 2010

Research has demonstrated that the extent to which an individual integrates a traumatic event into their identity (“trauma centrality”) positively correlates with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptom severity. No research to date has examined trauma centrality in individuals exposed to combat stress. This study investigated trauma centrality using the abridged Centrality of Event Scale (Berntsen & Rubin, 2006) among Operation Enduring Freedom/Operation Iraqi Freedom combat veterans (n = 46). Multiple regression analyses demonstrated that trauma centrality predicted PTSD symptoms. Trauma centrality and PTSD symptoms remained significantly correlated when controlling for depression in subgroups of veterans with or without probable PTSD. This study replicates and extends findings that placing trauma at the center of one's identity is associated with PTSD symptomatology.
PTSD among a treatment sample of repeat DUI offenders
Authors: Peller Allyson J. , Najavits Lisa M. , Nelson Sarah E. , LaBrie Richard A. , Shaffer Howard J.
Published: August 2010

Recent studies indicate that posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is one of the most common psychiatric comorbidities among driving‐under‐the‐influence (DUI) offenders in treatment. Investigation of DUI offenders' PTSD and clinical characteristics could have important implications for prevention and treatment. This prospective study examined the demographic and clinical characteristics of repeat DUI offenders with PTSD symptoms at baseline and 1‐year follow‐up. Seven hundred twenty‐nine DUI offenders admitted to a 2‐week inpatient program participated in the study. Participants with PTSD evidenced more severe psychiatric comorbidity and reported a higher DUI recidivism rate at 1‐year than those without PTSD. This study suggests a need to address PTSD among DUI offenders, as well as to further develop methodologies for accurately reporting DUI recidivism.
Posttraumatic growth in exposure therapy for PTSD
Authors: Hagenaars Muriel A. , van Minnen Agnes
Published: August 2010

This study aims to increase our understanding of trauma positive outcomes by (a) exploring associations between posttraumatic growth and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and (b) investigating posttraumatic growth course and its impact on exposure treatment. In 80 mixed trauma PTSD patients, growth was negatively related to PTSD symptoms, especially emotional numbing. Sixty‐five PTSD patients also completed Prolonged Exposure therapy with pretreatment and posttreatment assessments. Posttraumatic growth—New Possibilities and Personal Strength—increased during exposure therapy, and these increases were associated to decreases of PTSD symptoms. Pretreatment posttraumatic growth, more specifically the Appreciation of Life subscale, predicted better treatment outcome after controlling for pretreatment PTSD. The results indicate that posttraumatic growth may be a valuable new concept in trauma therapy.
Eighteen years of experience in Mohs micrographic surgery and conventional excision for nonmelanoma skin cancer treated by a single facial plastic surgeon and pathologist
Authors: van der Eerden Paul A. , Prins M. Eric F. , Lohuis Peter J. F. M. , Balm Fons A. J. M. , Vuyk Hade D.
Published: August 2010

Objectives/Hypothesis:

To determine and compare the efficacy of Mohs micrographic surgery (MMS)‐ and conventional excision (CE)‐confirmed resection of nonmelanoma skin cancers (NMSCs).

Study Design:

Retrospective cohort study.

Methods:

A retrospective cohort study of NMSCs treated in a tertiary referral center by a single facial plastic surgeon and a group of five histopathologists over an 18‐year period. The treatment modality was either MMS or CE. The primary outcome measure was recurrence of disease. The secondary outcome measure was the size of resulting surgical excision defect.

Results:

Between 1990 and 2008, 795 patients were treated with MMS and 709 with CE. The median follow‐up period for MMS was 24 months and for CE 16 months. Disease recurred in 6/795 and 7/709 patients, respectively (P = .78). Analysis of the resection defects with general linear models adjusted for localization and primary or recurrent disease showed significantly smaller defects after MMS (P = .008).

Conclusions:

This study demonstrates that: 1) MMS and CE are safe in terms of recurrence rates in NMSCs; 2) MMS can be performed adequately by an experienced facial plastic surgeon in close collaboration with a group of pathologists; and 3) the advantage of MMS is that resection defects can be minimized in important aesthetic and functional areas, such as the nose and eyelid, possibly facilitating the reconstruction. Laryngoscope, 2010
Hedgehog antagonist GDC‐0449 is effective in the treatment of advanced basal cell carcinoma
Authors: Amin Shivan H. , Tibes Raoul , Kim Ji‐Eon , Hybarger C. Patrick
Published: August 2010

Objectives/Hypothesis:

To demonstrate the efficacy of the hedgehog pathway inhibitor GDC‐0449 in the treatment of advanced basal cell carcinoma.

Design Study:

Case series.

Methods:

Three patients treated in a referral center for locally advanced basal cell carcinoma, one with metastases, were referred for treatment in a GDC‐0449 phase I clinical trial. The treatment was once per day continuous therapy with oral GDC‐0449.

Results:

Two patients showed complete clinical and radiologic resolution of disease, whereas one patient had significant reduction in tumor burden with radiologic evidence of slowly progressive local disease. Side effects were taste changes, mild to moderate hair loss, and muscle cramps in one patient.

Conclusions:

GDC‐0449 showed significant inhibitory activity in the treatment of advanced basal cell carcinoma.
Tourette's syndrome in adults
Authors: Jankovic Joseph , Gelineau‐Kattner Rose , Davidson Anthony
Published: August 2010

Tourette's syndrome (TS) is defined as motor and phonic tics starting before age 18 years, and therefore most studies have focused on childhood TS, whereas the disorder in adults has not been well characterized. We reviewed medical records of all new TS patients referred to our Movement Disorders Clinic over the past 5 years, 19 years or older on initial evaluation and compared them with 100 TS patients 18 years or younger. The mean age at initial visit of 43 adult TS patients was 58.8 ± 6.7 years, whereas the mean age at initial visit of children with TS was 12.9 ± 2.0 years. Of the adult TS patients, 35 (81.4%) had a history of tics with onset before the age of 18 years (mean age at onset: 8.5 ± 3.4 years), with 8 (18.6%) reporting first occurrence of tics after the age of 18 years (mean age at onset: 37.8 ± 13.2 years). Only two (4.7%) patients reported tic onset after the age of 50 years. Adult patients with TS had significantly more facial and truncal tics, and a greater prevalence of substance abuse and mood disorders, but fewer phonic tics, and lower rates of attention‐deficit hyperactivity disorder and oppositional behavior than children with TS. Adult TS largely represents reemergence or exacerbation of childhood‐onset TS. During the course of TS, phonic and complex motor tics, self‐injurious behaviors, and attention‐deficit hyperactivity disorder tend to improve, but facial, neck, and trunk tics dominate the adult TS phenotype. In addition, adults with TS are more likely to exhibit substance abuse and mood disorders compared with children with TS. © 2010 Movement Disorder Society
Structure and optoelectronic properties of PbSe quantum dots /PVA. Does the polymer molecular weight matter?
Authors: Mahmoud Waleed E.
Published: August 2010

Polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) with different molecular weights (8000, 14,000, and 132,000 g/mol) capped lead selenide (PbSe) quantum dots (QDs) are prepared. The nanocomposites are characterized by X‐ray diffraction (XRD) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). XRD and TEM studies show that the particle size of PbSe QDs decrease with the increase in PVA molecular weight and/or PVA amount. This may be due to the increase in molecular weight inhibiting further growth of PbSe into the polymer matrix. Thermogravimetric analysis showed that the introduction of PbSe QDs into PVA decreases the crystallinity of the polymer. The optical absorption spectroscopy of prepared nanocomposites showed that the absorption peaks are strongly shifted to the lower wavelength (blue shift) from near infrared region to visible region by increasing the PVA molecular weight. The (I–V) characteristic curves of the PVA/PbSe nanocomposite films under illumination showed a photovoltaic cell‐like behavior. The results indicated that as the molecular weight of polymer increases, the conversion efficiency increases. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Synthesis and Characterisation of α‐Glycosyloxyamides Derived from Cyanogenic Glycosides
Authors: Sendker Jandirk , Nahrstedt Adolf
Published: August 2010

Introduction – After exposure to oxidative stress, the leaves of some cyanogenic plants contain primary α‐glycosyloxyamides with structures corresponding to their original cyanogenic glycosides.

Objectives –

The aim of this study was to prepare such amides from their nitrile precursors and to characterise the new substances in order to facilitate their early identification in forthcoming studies.

Methods – A simple but highly specific method is described for the in‐vitro synthesis of the amides from their nitrile glycoside precursors using the Radziszewski reaction with hydrogen peroxide and a single‐step purification of the reaction product. A TLC method is presented for the preliminary and fast identification of the α‐glycosyloxyamides.

Results – Following this procedure, seven representative α‐glycosyloxyamides, five of them new, were obtained and analytically characterised by means of 1H, 13C NMR and ATR‐IR spectroscopy, highlighting the differences from their respective nitrile glycoside precursors.

Conclusion – Thus, α‐glycosyloxyamides can be obtained in sufficient amounts and purity to serve as references for further studies on the catabolism of cyanogenic glycosides and the detoxification of cyanogenic foodplants using the new aspect of nitrile hydrolysis with (endogenous) hydrogen peroxide. Copyright © 2010 JohnWiley & Sons, Ltd.
Experimental and theoretical investigation of a new rapid switching near‐infrared electrochromic conjugated polymer
Authors: Wu Han‐Yu , Wang Kun‐Li , Jiang Jyh‐Chiang , Liaw Der‐Jang , Lee Kueir‐Rarn , Lai Juin‐Yih , Chen Ci‐Liang
Published: August 2010

A new rapid switching near‐IR electrochromic conjugated propeller‐shape polymer (PBTPAFL) with lower oxidation potential containing a di‐triarylamine group was synthesized via Suzuki coupling approach. The observed UV‐vis‐NIR absorption changes in the PBTPAFL film at various potentials are fully reversible and associated with strong color changes from the original light green to dark green and then to a Prussian blue. Excellent continuous cyclic stability of the electrochromic characteristics with a rapid color switching time 2.58 s and bleaching time 1.76 s was found as well. Compared with P1 and P2, the introduction of more electron‐donating propyl phenyl group in the para position of PBTPAFL lowered the oxidative potential and prevented coupling reaction during the electrochromic procedure. The high molecular weight conjugated polymer having high thermal stability with Td10 more than 450 °C has excellent solubility in common organic solvents such as NMP, THF, chloroform, toluene, xylene, and benzene at room temperature (25 °C) due to the propeller‐shape structure and long alkyl chain on fluorene. Herein, from the combination of the experimental and computational study, we proposed a mechanism on the basis of the molecular orbital theory to explain the electrochromic oxidation behavior. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 48: 3913–3923, 2010.
Characterization of poly(methyl methacrylate) nanoparticles prepared by nanoprecipitation using analytical ultracentrifugation, dynamic light scattering, and scanning electron microscopy
Authors: Perevyazko Igor , Vollrath Antje , Hornig Stephanie , Pavlov Georges M. , Schubert Ulrich S.
Published: August 2010

Nanoprecipitation represents an effective method for the production of polymeric nanoparticles. This technique was used to prepare nanoparticles from solutions of poly(methyl methacrylate) and its copolymers. Since the regulation of main parameters like particle size, particle size distribution, and molar particle mass is very important for future applications, the stable nanoparticle dispersions were examined by scanning electron microscopy, velocity sedimentation, and dynamic light scattering, whereby advantages and disadvantages of each characterization techniques are discussed. Polydispersities of particle size distributions are determined by the ratio of dw/dn, where dw and dn are weight‐ and number‐average diameters, respectively. The particle characteristics strongly depend on the chemical structure of the polymers and the way of preparation and, therefore, vary in the studied cases in the range of 6 < dw < 680 nm, whereas the polydispersity index dw/dn changes in the range of 1.02 to 1.40. It is shown that nanoparticles in a desirable size range can be prepared by solvent–nonsolvent methods (dialysis technique or dropping technique). © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 48: 3924–3931, 2010
Synthesis of polyoxazolines using glycerol carbonate derivative and end chains functionalization via carbonate and isocyanate routes
Authors: Giardi Chloe , Lapinte Vincent , Nielloud Françoise , Devoisselle Jean‐Marie , Robin Jean‐Jacques
Published: August 2010

We report the cationic ring‐opening polymerization of 2‐methyl‐2‐oxazoline (MOx) using bio‐based initiator (GCTs). The functional initiator GCTs was prepared by tosylation of the corresponding alcohol: glycerol carbonate (GC). The termination stage of the polymerization was achieved in presence of KOH and the telechelic polyoxazoline carrying five‐membered cyclic carbonate and oxazolium end groups (GC‐POxium) was converted to ((HO)2‐POx‐OH) carrying α‐diol and ω‐hydroxyl groups. End‐functionalized polyoxazolines (HO)2‐POx‐OH with Mn ranging from 4200 to 8400 g mol−1 were synthesized. According to GPC results, the polymerizations of MOx using GCTs and other initiator coming from 1,2‐isopropylidene‐glycerol (Solk‐Ts) were compared. On the basis of FTIR and NMR spectroscopies, the chemical modification of end chains of polyoxazolines was investigated by two alternative synthetic routes. The isocyanate route is a postpolymerization urethanization. The nucleophilic reactivity of the α‐diol and ω‐hydroxyl groups of (HO)2‐POx‐OH was studied with functional isocyanate (TESPI). In the carbonate route, the electrophilic reactivity of α‐ and ω‐end groups of GC‐POxium were explored with amine. It was demonstrated that during the termination stage of the polymerization in presence of allylamine both urethane linker in α‐end chain was synthesized and the ω‐oxazolium group was converted into terminal amine. The carbonate route is an alternative to synthesize urethane without isocyanate. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 48: 4027–4035, 2010
Kinetics of bulk azide/alkyne “click” polymerization
Authors: Sheng Xia , Mauldin Timothy C. , Kessler Michael R.
Published: August 2010

A bulk step‐growth polymerization of multifunctional azides and alkynes through the copper (I)‐catalyzed azide‐alkyne cycloaddition (CuAAC) reaction is described. The polymerization kinetics of two systems containing different diynes, bisphenol E diyne (BE‐diyne)/bisphenol A bisazide (BA‐bisazide) and tetraethylene glycol diyne (TeEG‐diyne)/BA‐bisazide, are evaluated by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), shear rheology, and thermogravimetric analysis. The effects of catalyst concentration on reaction kinetics are investigated in detail, as are the thermal properties (glass transition and decomposition temperatures) of the formed polymers. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 48: 4093–4102, 2010
Single‐molecule imaging of photodegradation reaction in a chiral helical π‐conjugated polymer chain
Authors: Shinohara Ken‐ichi , Kodera Noriyuki , Oohashi Takashi
Published: August 2010

How does the chemical reaction of a single polymer chain progress? This question is not proven, as long as it is studied the data of the ensemble average from the large number of molecules. In this study, we succeeded for the first time in the direct measurement of when, where, and how the chemical reaction of a polymer chain proceeds on a nanometer scale. That is, single‐molecule imaging of the photodegradation reaction of a chiral helical π‐conjugated polymer following laser irradiation of 405 nm was conducted. Analysis of the chemical kinetics showed that the photodegradation of the single polymer chain proceeded stepwise as a quantum phenomenon. When the motility of the chain‐end increased, reactivity of the photodegradation increased. It was also discovered that the photodegradation of the polymer chain proceeded continuously in one direction, like the “domino effect.” Our method allowed dynamic imaging of single polymer chains at a solid/liquid interface, and hence can be applied to the study of many types of polymers. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 48: 4103–4107, 2010
Mesophase structure of low‐wetting liquid crystalline polyacrylates with new perfluoroalkyl benzoate side groups
Authors: Martinelli Elisa , Paoli Francesca , Gallot Bernard , Galli Giancarlo
Published: August 2010

The synthesis, thermal behavior, bulk microstructure, and wettability of new polyacrylates carrying spaced 4‐perfluorohexylpropyl benzoate and 4‐perfluorooctylpropyl benzoate units in the side groups were investigated. X‐ray diffraction analysis proved the formation of different smectic mesophases (SmI2, SmF2, and SmC2) and the evolution of their structures and lattice parameters with temperature. The mesophase polymorphic behavior depended on the length of the perfluorinated chain segment in the repeat unit. The electron density profiles along the smectic layer normal were drawn and provided a deeper insight into the packing of the side chains in a tilted, double layer structure. Thin polymer films were cast from solution, and their low wettability was established by measurements of contact angles with different probing liquids. We suggest that the hydrophobicity and lipophobicity of the films are enhanced by the mesophase surface structure which is mediated by the high‐order, mesophase bulk structure. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 48: 4128–4139, 2010
Effect of poly(ethylene oxide) on the structure and properties of poly(vinyl alcohol)
Authors: Li Li , Chen Ning , Wang Qi
Published: August 2010

To improve the drawability of poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) thermal products, poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO), a special resin with good flexibility, excellent lubricity, and compatibility with many resins, was applied, and the Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), and wide‐angle X‐ray diffraction (WXRD) were adopted to study the hydrogen bonds, water states, thermal properties, crystal structure, and nonisothermal crystallization of modified PVA. It was found that PEO formed strong hydrogen bonds with water and PVA, thus weakened the intra‐ and inter‐hydrogen bonds of PVA, changed the aggregation states of PVA chains, and decreased its melting point and crystallinity. Moreover, the interactions among PVA, water, and PEO retarded the water evaporation and made more water remain in the system to plasticize PVA. The existence of PEO also slowed down the melt crystallization process of PVA, however, increased the nucleation points of system, thus made more and smaller spherulites formed. The weakened crystallization capability of PVA and the lubrication of PEO made PVA chains to have more mobility under the outside force and obtain high mechanical properties. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part B: Polym Phys 48: 1946–1954, 2010
Toughening of polycarbonate by core‐shell latex particles: Influence of particle size and spatial distribution on brittle‐ductile transition
Authors: Xu Huijun , Tang Songchao , Yang Long , Hou Wenting
Published: August 2010

The impact toughness of polycarbonate modified with acrylic core‐shell latex particles was investigated. Addition of impact modifiers with size ranging from 115.7 to 231.4 nm can result in maximum impact strength. Equations for spatial distribution of modified particles were proposed to associate the interparticle distance with particle size and modifier volume fraction in terms of two possible morphologies, given by T = d[0.91/(φ)1/3 − 1] or T = d[0.88/(φ)1/3 − 1]. The influence of particle size on brittle‐ductile transition was also studied. The results indicated that critical interparticle distance was not a definitive value and had a narrow region. Moreover, there existed a linear relationship between critical interparticle distance and modifier size, that is, critical interparticle distance would enlarge with the increasing of core‐shell particle size. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part B: Polym Phys 48: 1970–1977, 2010
Swelling behavior of chemically crosslinked PVA gels in mixed solvents
Authors: Kudo Shuhei , Otsuka Emiko , Suzuki Atsushi
Published: August 2010

We report the swelling behavior of chemically crosslinked polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) gels with different degrees of hydrolysis in water, several organic solvents, and their mixed solvents. The gels were dried after gelation and were put into their respective solvents. The gel volume in pure water decreased with increasing temperatures, and the total changes increased with decreasing degrees of hydrolysis. The swelling ratio depends on the solvent and its concentration. In the cases of mixed solvents of methanol–water, ethanol–water, and acetone–water, the gels shrank continuously with increasing concentrations of solvents and reached the collapsed state in the pure organic solvent. In the case of dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO), on the other hand, the gels shrunk, swelled, and finally reached the swollen state in pure DMSO. Results of measurements using Fourier Transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and X‐ray diffraction (XRD) suggested that crosslinks and microcrystallites were formed due to hydrogen bonds during the drying process after gelation. The hydrogen bonds were partly destroyed in a rich solvent, but the residual hydrogen bonds had an essential role in determining the swelling behavior in a poor solvent. The swelling behavior and the possible phase transition of the present system are discussed in terms of the solubility of polymers with different degrees of hydrolysis in given mixed solvents and in terms of the formation and destruction of physical crosslinks in the chemical PVA gels. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part B: Polym Phys 48: 1978–1986, 2010
Flow‐induced particle orientation and rheological properties of suspensions of organoclays in thermoplastic resins
Authors: Rajabian Mahmoud , Naderi Ghasem , Carreau Pierre J. , Dubois Charles
Published: August 2010

The influence of nano‐scale particles on the viscoelastic properties of polymer suspensions is investigated. We have developed a simulation technique for the particle orientation and polymer conformation tensors to study various features of the suspensions. The nano‐particles are modeled as thin rigid oblate spheroid particles and the polymers as FENE‐P type viscoelastic and Newtonian fluid. Both interparticle and polymer‐particle interactions have been taken into account in our numerical computations. The nonlinear viscoelastic properties of nanocomposites of layered silicate particles in non‐Newtonian fluids are examined at the start‐up of shear flow and are interpreted using the model to examine the effects of model parameters as well as flow conditions on particle orientation, viscosity, and first normal stress difference of the suspensions. We have studied the microstructure of polymer‐clay nanocomposites using X‐ray diffraction (XRD) scattering and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The rheology of these nanocomposites in step‐shear is shown to be fairly well predicted by the model. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part B: Polym Phys 48: 2003–2011, 2010
Identification and Imaging of 15N labeled cells with ToF‐SIMS
Authors: Tyler Bonnie J. , Takeno Marc M. , Hauch Kip D.
Published: August 2010

Stable isotope labeling may provide a novel method for tracking stem cells once they have been injected into a human or animal host. Here, we present a simple pilot study to determine the potential for using ToF‐SIMS to detect and localize 15N labeled cells in tissue biopsies for use in cell therapy studies. For this pilot study, 3T3 fibroblasts were grown in normal media and in two different media containing 15N labeled amino acids. Samples containing a mixture of 15N labeled and unlabeled cells were prepared, fixed and dried for analysis and were then imaged using a bunched Bi3+ primary ion source. The cells containing 15N labeled amino acids could be readily distinguished using nitrogen‐containing peaks which have been previously associated with the labeled amino acids. Contrast was sufficient to allow easy identification of labeled cells in both sparsely and densely plated cultures. Multivariate analysis showed that the image contrast could be improved by including peaks originating from characteristic fragments of the labeled amino acids as well as lower mass NH4+ and CH4N+ peaks. Additional work is being pursued to determine and improve the longevity of the label. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The Retinoid Signaling Pathway Inhibits Hematopoiesis and Uncouples from the Hox Genes During Hematopoietic Development
Authors: Szatmari Istvan , Iacovino Michelina , Kyba Michael
Published: August 2010

Retinoic acid (RA) is a well-established inducer of Hox genes during development of neurectoderm, however effects of RA on Hox expression are poorly defined in mesoderm and not defined in the hematopoietic compartment. Both Hox genes and retinoid signaling have been suggested to modulate hematopoietic stem cell (HSC) self-renewal, supporting the notion that RA signaling might drive HSC self-renewal through Hox gene induction. Here, we investigate this possibility by comprehensively evaluating Hox gene expression using mouse embryonic stem cells differentiated in vitro. In unspecified mesoderm, we find that RA coordinately upregulates anterior 3′ Hox genes from clusters A, B, and C, and downregulates posterior 5′ Hox genes from clusters A–D. However, hematopoietic development of mesoderm was inhibited by RA, and we find further that retinoids are entirely dispensable for hematopoiesis in vitro. More surprisingly, in fully specified hematopoietic progenitors, Hox genes are refractory to regulation by RA, although other RA targets are normally regulated. Pulses of RA exposure demonstrate that the Hox complexes are decoupled from RA regulation progressively in lateral plate mesoderm as it undergoes hematopoietic specification. Thus, Hox genes are targets of the RA pathway only in selected cell types, and are clearly not regulated by RA in the earliest hematopoietic progenitors. We propose that the developmental uncoupling of the Hox complexes protects the Hox code from potential RA signaling centers as HSCs migrate or circulate during development.
Notch Activation Differentially Regulates Renal Progenitors Proliferation and Differentiation Toward the Podocyte Lineage in Glomerular Disorders
Authors: Lasagni Laura , Ballerini Lara , Angelotti Maria Lucia , Parente Eliana , Sagrinati Costanza , Mazzinghi Benedetta , Peired Anna , Ronconi Elisa , Becherucci Francesca , Bani Daniele , Gacci Mauro , Carini Marco , Lazzeri Elena , Romagnani Paola
Published: August 2010

Glomerular diseases account for 90% of end-stage kidney disease. Podocyte loss is a common determining factor for the progression toward glomerulosclerosis. Mature podocytes cannot proliferate, but recent evidence suggests that they can be replaced by renal progenitors localized within the Bowman's capsule. Here, we demonstrate that Notch activation in human renal progenitors stimulates entry into the S-phase of the cell cycle and cell division, whereas its downregulation is required for differentiation toward the podocyte lineage. Indeed, a persistent activation of the Notch pathway induced podocytes to cross the G2/M checkpoint, resulting in cytoskeleton disruption and death by mitotic catastrophe. Notch expression was virtually absent in the glomeruli of healthy adult kidneys, while a strong upregulation was observed in renal progenitors and podocytes in patients affected by glomerular disorders. Accordingly, inhibition of the Notch pathway in mouse models of focal segmental glomerulosclerosis ameliorated proteinuria and reduced podocyte loss during the initial phases of glomerular injury, while inducing reduction of progenitor proliferation during the regenerative phases of glomerular injury with worsening of proteinuria and glomerulosclerosis. Taken altogether, these results suggest that the severity of glomerular disorders depends on the Notch-regulated balance between podocyte death and regeneration provided by renal progenitors.
The efficacy of laparoscopic uterosacral nerve ablation (LUNA) in the treatment of unexplained chronic pelvic pain: a randomized controlled trial
Authors: El-Din Shawki Hossam
Published: August 2010

The aim of this work is to explore the efficacy , safety, and patients' satisfaction of laparoscopic uterosacral nerve ablation (LUNA) in relief of pain in women with chronic pelvic pain in whom diagnostic laparoscopy reveals either no pathology or mild endometriosis (AFS score ≤5). The study was a prospective, single-blind, randomized trial with 12 months follow-up. It was conducted at the endoscopy unit of the Gynecology Department of El Minia University Hospital, Egypt. One hundred ninety Egyptian women consented to participate in the study. These eligible patients were randomized using computer-generated tables and were divided into two equal groups, including the control group (diagnostic laparoscopy with no pelvic denervation) and the study group (diagnostic laparoscopy plus LUNA). Diagnostic laparoscopy with or without laparoscopic uterosacral nerve ablation was done. There were no statistically significant difference between both groups regarding the efficacy and the overall success rate (between group I and group II, it was 77.64%, 76.47%, and 74.11% versus 79.06%, 75.58%, and 73.25% at 3, 6, and 12 months, respectively) and the cumulative patients' satisfaction rate (it was 74.11%, 74.11%, and 71.76% versus 75.58%, 75.58%, and 72.09% at 3, 6, and 12 months between group I and group II, respectively; P ≤ 0.05). There was no statistically significant difference between both groups as regards the effectiveness of LUNA in the treatment of primary (spasmodic) and secondary (congestive) dysmenorrhea (P ≤ 0.05), while there was a statistically significant difference between both groups in the treatment of dyspareunia (P ≥ 0.05). LUNA can be a last alternative option in well-selected patients for control of chronic pelvic pain without endometriosis; however, its effectiveness may not extend to other indications. Also, preliminary experience in the treatment of primary deep dyspareunia presents a promising perspective on the management of deep dyspareunia, especially if it will involve a team of social, psychological, and gynecological specialists.
Fertility preservation for boys with cancer
Authors: Fujita Kazutoshi , Tsujimura Akira
Published: August 2010

Childhood cancer is a curable disease due to the development of chemo‐ and radiation therapies, but long‐term survivors suffer late side‐effects including infertility. Cytotoxic agents and radiation impair spermatogenesis and cause oligospermia or azoospermia as well as genetic damage in sperm. To date, the only established option to preserve fertility is cryopreservation of sperm before treatment and artificial reproduction techniques, if men with cancer can ejaculate, but only a quarter of men have banked sperm. Lack of information is the most common reason for failing to bank sperm. However, prepubertal patients who have only spermatogonia and spermatocytes in their testes do not benefit from cryopreservation of their sperm and assisted reproductive techniques. Thus, the only available option is to harvest testicular tissues before treatment for cryopreservation, from which immature germ cells can somehow be maturated. Autotransplantation of germ cells into the testis holds promise for fertility restoration, but contamination by malignant cells may induce relapse. Fluorescence‐activated cell sorting (FACS) with two surface markers could exclude contaminated leukemic cells from murine germ cells, and transplantation of sorted germ cells successfully restored fertility without transmission of leukemia. Human germ cells could be also isolated from human leukemia and lymphoma cell lines by FACS using surface markers. Before autotransplantation can be applied clinically, some issues, including the risk of contamination by malignant cells and in vitro propagation of spermatogonial stem cells, should be resolved.
Cyclic cytidine 3′,5′‐monophosphate (cCMP) signals via cGMP kinase I
Authors: Desch Matthias , Schinner Elisabeth , Kees Frieder , Hofmann Franz , Seifert Roland , Schlossmann Jens
Published: August 2010

We analysed the function and intracellular signalling of the cyclic pyrimidinic nucleotide cCMP. The membrane‐permeable cCMP analogue dibutyryl‐cCMP mediated mouse aorta relaxation. cCMP activated purified cGMP‐dependent protein kinase (cGK) Iα and Iβ and stimulated cGK in aorta lysates. cCMP‐induced relaxation was abolished in cGKI‐knockout tissue. Additionally, deletion of inositol–trisphosphate receptor associated cGKI substrate (IRAG) suppressed cCMP‐mediated relaxation. Signalling of cCMP via cGKI/IRAG appears to be of broader physiological importance because cCMP‐mediated inhibition of platelet aggregation was absent in cGKI‐ and IRAG‐deficient platelets. These results demonstrate that cCMP acts as intracellular messenger molecule, most unexpectedly utilizing the cGMP signal transduction pathway.
Easier is not always better: The moderating role of processing type on preference fluency
Authors: Nielsen Jesper H. , Escalas Jennifer Edson
Published: August 2010

Prior research has shown that preference fluency (i.e., the subjective feeling that forming a preference is easy or difficult) systematically influences consumer choices. When deciding on an option feels difficult, or requires effort, consumers are likely to select a different option or defer the decision. We find that under conditions of narrative processing, difficulty in processing can actually improve preferences because more effort leads to more transportation, or immersion, into the story, thus enhancing brand evaluations. Three experiments demonstrate that the effect of preference fluency reverses when consumers think about a brand as part of a story.
A globally important wild yak Bos mutus population in the Arjinshan Nature Reserve, Xinjiang, China
Authors: Buzzard Paul J. , Zhang Hui Bin , Xü Dong Hua , Wong How Man
Published: August 2010

The wild yak Bos mutus is one of the most charismatic members of the Tibet/Qinghai Plateau fauna, and 19th century explorers to the plateau described vast herds. Overhunting, in particular, has greatly reduced wild yak populations and forced them into remote areas. The species is categorized as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List and as a Class 1 protected animal in China. Introgression with domestic yaks is another threat, and the wild yak population of the Arjinshan Nature Reserve is particularly important because Uigher herders in and around Arjinshan do not have the tradition of raising yaks. We provide information on the status of the wild yak in Arjinshan based on observations in 1993 and on vehicle surveys during 1998–2009 and point samples from 2009. The steppes of north-east Arjinshan are the most important area, and we saw c. 1,700 yaks there in winter 2008. We saw more yaks in the north-east on similar routes driven in winter 2008 compared to winter 2005, suggesting that the wild yak population in Arjinshan is stable or increasing.
The Private Cost of Long-Term Care in Canada: Where You Live Matters
Authors: Fernandes Natasha , Spencer Byron G.
Published: August 2010

Les Canadiens s’attendent le même accès aux soins de santé, qu’ils soient riches ou pauvres, et n’importe où ils vivent, souvent sans frais directs au point de service. Toutefois, nous trouvons que le coût privé de soins de longue durée diffère grandement partout au pays, et dans les provinces, nous trouvons des variations importantes, selon le niveau de revenu, l’état matrimonial et, au Québec seulement, selon les actifs détenus. Une personne non-mariée avec un revenu moyen devrait payer plus de deux fois autant dans les provinces de l’Atlantique qu’au Québec, tandis qu’un couple, dont une personne a besoin de soins, paierait quatre fois plus en Terre-Neuve comme en Alberta.
‘It is nice to see someone coming in’: Exploring the Social Objectives of Meals-on-Wheels
Authors: Timonen Virpi , O’Dwyer Ciara
Published: August 2010

Malgré le fait que La Popote roulante a des aspects nutritionnels et sociales, il y a un manque de recherche sur les objectifs sociaux de ce service. Cette étude a pour but de développer une compréhension des objectifs sociaux du programme et d’explorer l’étendue à laquelle ils sont remplis par La Popote roulante en Irlande. Un examen de la littérature a suggéré que potentiellement le service peut répondre à trois objectifs sociaux : (a) offrant des repas aux destinataires avec contact social, (b) aidant à revigorer un intérêt dans les repas en les faisant plus réguliers et (c) aidant à développer l’acceptation du service. Des entrevues ont été menées avec 66 destinataires de repas à explorer ces thèmes et les augmenter si nécessaire. Les résultats de l’étude montrent que les destinataires des repas dérivent du service un contact social limité; que les heures des repas bien reglées n’étaient pas important pour la plupart des destinataires; et même que beaucoup étaient peu disposés à accepter le service.
Self-case study as a catalyst for personal development in cognitive therapy training
Authors: Fraser Niccy , Wilson Jan
Published: August 2010

Personal development is a vital requirement of counsellor development, and educators need to consider how best to promote and support students’ personal development throughout training. ‘Self-case study’ can provide both learning and personal development opportunities for counselling students. This qualitative narrative study explores seven students’ perspectives about their experiences of completing a self-case study as a learning requirement for a compulsory introductory course in cognitive therapy at undergraduate level. Unstructured individual interviews were used for data collection. Data analysis involved identifying themes and analysing the narrative structure of stories. The findings emphasized the view that self-case study provides useful learning opportunities in the areas of theory, practice and personal development. Most participants described transformational life changes resulting from completing a self-case study. This paper presents selected findings. The ethical issues and limitations of this study are discussed. Self-case study is recommended as a potentially effective education strategy.