bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Sales promotion strategies and belief in luck
Authors: Prendergast Gerard P. , Thompson Edmund R.
Published: October 2008

The effect of buyer belief in good luck on the propensity to select a sales promotion strategy involving a lucky draw (e.g., sweepstakes) is investigated using a sample of 699 individuals in Hong Kong. Using subscales from Darke and Freedman's (1997b) Belief in Good Luck Scale, it is found that a belief in being personally lucky is associated with selecting a lucky draw over other sales promotions options, but that a general belief in the phenomenon of luck is not. Moreover, it is found that perceived utility of the lucky‐draw prize is consistently associated with the option to select a lucky draw over other sales promotion strategies. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Need for cognitive closure and information search strategy
Authors: Choi Jong An , Koo Minkyung , Choi Incheol , Auh Seigyoung
Published: October 2008

The authors investigated whether need for cognitive closure (NFCC) affected one's style of information search (attribute‐based search vs. alternative‐based search) in consumer choice. There has been growing interest in NFCC in marketing and its relationship to consumer information processing. However, no study to date has examined the different information search strategies that consumers employ when they (1) possess different levels of NFCC or (2) are exposed to situations that evoke more or less NFCC. Across two studies where Study 1 measured NFCC while Study 2 manipulated NFCC, the authors commonly found that higher NFCC compared to lower NFCC resulted in (1) a greater preference for the attribute‐based search over the alternative‐based search and (2) a consideration of a smaller amount of information to make a final choice. Implications for consumer information processing and sales strategies are discussed along with future research directions. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Release of DEFB126 from macaque sperm and completion of capacitation are triggered by conditions that simulate periovulatory oviductal fluid
Authors: Tollner Theodore L. , VandeVoort Catherine A. , Yudin Ashley I. , Treece Cathy A. , Overstreet James W. , Cherr Gary N.
Published: October 2008

Capacitation of macaque sperm in vitro has been achieved efficiently only with the addition of both cyclic nucleotides and methylxanthines. The use of these exogenous sperm activators clouds an understanding of the normal mechanisms underlying capacitation and may slow early embryo development following in vitro fertilization (IVF). We demonstrate that culture medium which simulates periovulatory oviductal fluid with respect to bicarbonate (HCO3−) and glucose concentration induces capacitation in a high percentage of macaque sperm as determined by the ability of sperm to undergo both the release of coating protein DEFB126 and the zona pellucida‐induced acrosome reaction (AR). Few sperm were able to undergo the AR following 6 hr incubation in medium containing either 35 mM HCO3− (∼7.2 pH) or 90 mM HCO3− (∼pH 7.8) with 5 mM glucose. When glucose concentration was lowered to 0.5 mM to match levels reported for women at midcycle, the AR rate increased significantly in sperm incubated in both levels of HCO3−, indicating that glucose interferes with sperm responsiveness to increasing HCO3− concentration observed in the primate oviduct during ovulation. Even greater synchronization of capacitation could be achieved with nonphysiologic extremes of alkalinity or energy substrate deprivation. In the latter case, sperm achieved high rates of IVF. A shift in pH from 7.2 to 7.8 in a HEPES‐buffered medium was sufficient to remove DEFB126 from the surface of most sperm after only 3 hr. The loss of DEFB126 from sperm under periovulaory fluid conditions has implications for the timing of release of sperm from the oviductal reservoir. Mol. Reprod. Dev. 76: 431–443, 2009. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Acid peptidase activity released from in vitro produced porcine embryos: A candidate marker to predict developmental competence
Authors: Telugu Bhanu Prakash V.L. , Spate Lee , Prather Randall S. , Green Jonathan A.
Published: October 2008

The ability to efficiently create high quality embryos, competent to produce normal viable offspring in vitro, facilitates diverse technological advancements in animal agriculture and assisted reproduction. Current methods for evaluation of embryos are predominantly based on morphological characteristics which are prone to potential bias of the scorer. Metabolic and genetic markers have also been explored for quality assessment, but they are cost prohibitive or require longer periods of time for evaluation. We hypothesized that secreted enzymes could provide another means of embryo quality assessment. In this report, we provide evidence that medium conditioned by porcine embryos often has proteolytic activity that operates in acidic conditions (acid peptidase activity or APA). The APA could be inhibited by pepstatin A, suggesting that the activity is derived from one or more aspartic peptidases. We also provide evidence that single embryos, incubated for as few as 24 hr, released enough APA that it was possible to measure it accurately at day 5 of culture. We also observed that such activity on day 6 could be positively correlated with advanced developmental stage and embryo quality. In addition, those embryos that were graded identically by morphological evaluations often differed in the amount of APA—with some being significantly higher than the experimental threshold value. Therefore, the APA of embryos might serve as an additional marker for evaluation of embryos. Mol. Reprod. Dev. 76: 417–428, 2009. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Differential ovarian expression of KiSS‐1 and GPR‐54 during the estrous cycle and photoperiod induced recrudescence in Siberian hamsters (Phodopus sungorus)
Authors: Shahed Asha , Young Kelly A.
Published: October 2008

Kisspeptins, coded by the KiSS‐1 gene, regulate aspects of the reproductive axis by stimulating GnRH release via the G protein coupled receptor, GPR54. Recent reports show that KiSS/GPR54 may be key mediators in photoperiod‐controlled reproduction in seasonal breeders, and that KiSS‐1/GPR54 are expressed in the hypothalamus, ovaries, placenta, and pancreas. This study examined the expression of KiSS‐1/GPR54 mRNA and protein in ovaries of Siberian hamsters (Phodopus sungorus). Ovaries from cycling hamsters were collected during proestrus (P), estrus (E), diestrus I (DI), and diestrus II (DII). To examine KiSS‐1/GPR54 during stimulated recrudescence, additional hamsters were maintained either in long day (LD 16L:8D, control) or short day (SD 8L:16D) for 14 weeks and then transferred to LD for 0–8 weeks. Staining of KiSS‐1/GPR54 protein was detected by immunohistochemistry in steroidogenic cells of pre‐antral and antral follicles, and corpora lutea. Immunostaining peaked in P and E, but decreased in the diestrus stages (P < 0.05). In recrudescing ovaries, KiSS‐1/GPR54 immunostaining was low after 14 weeks of SD exposure (post‐transfer [PT] week 0), and increased during the early weeks of recrudescence. Expression of KiSS‐1/GPR54 mRNA was low with short day exposure, but increased during recrudescence and was higher at PT week 8 as compared to PT weeks 0 and 2 (P < 0.05). The elevated KiSS‐1/GPR54 expression during P and E suggests a potential role in ovulation in Siberian hamsters. Transient increases in KiSS‐1/GPR54 expression following LD stimulation are also suggestive of possible involvement in ovulation and/or restoration of ovarian function. Mol. Reprod. Dev. 76: 444–452, 2009. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
A methodology for fast finite element modeling of electrostatically actuated MEMS
Authors: Sumant Prasad S. , Aluru Narayana R. , Cangellaris Andreas C.
Published: October 2008

In this paper, a methodology is proposed for expediting the coupled electro‐mechanical finite element modeling of electrostatically actuated MEMS. The proposed methodology eliminates the need for repeated finite element meshing and subsequent electrostatic modeling of the device during mechanical deformation. We achieve this by using an approximation of the charge density on the movable electrode in the deformed geometry in terms of the charge density in the non‐deformed geometry and displacements of the movable electrode. The electrostatic problem has to be solved only once and thus this method speeds up the coupled electro‐mechanical simulation process. The proposed methodology is demonstrated through its application to the modeling of four MEMS devices with varying length‐to‐gap ratios, multiple dielectrics and complicated geometries. Its accuracy is assessed through comparisons of its results with results obtained using both analytical solutions and finite element solutions obtained using ANSYS. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
A hypersingular time‐domain BEM for 2D dynamic crack analysis in anisotropic solids
Authors: Wünsche M. , Zhang Ch. , Kuna M. , Hirose S. , Sladek J. , Sladek V.
Published: October 2008

A hypersingular time‐domain boundary element method (BEM) for transient elastodynamic crack analysis in two‐dimensional (2D), homogeneous, anisotropic, and linear elastic solids is presented in this paper. Stationary cracks in both infinite and finite anisotropic solids under impact loading are investigated. On the external boundary of the cracked solid the classical displacement boundary integral equations (BIEs) are used, while the hypersingular traction BIEs are applied to the crack‐faces. The temporal discretization is performed by a collocation method, while a Galerkin method is implemented for the spatial discretization. Both temporal and spatial integrations are carried out analytically. Special analytical techniques are developed to directly compute strongly singular and hypersingular integrals. Only the line integrals over an unit circle arising in the elastodynamic fundamental solutions need to be computed numerically by standard Gaussian quadrature. An explicit time‐stepping scheme is obtained to compute the unknown boundary data including the crack‐opening‐displacements (CODs). Special crack‐tip elements are adopted to ensure a direct and an accurate computation of the elastodynamic stress intensity factors from the CODs. Several numerical examples are given to show the accuracy and the efficiency of the present hypersingular time‐domain BEM. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Shape optimization of piezoelectric devices using an enriched meshfree method
Authors: Liu C. W. , Taciroglu E.
Published: October 2008

We present an enriched reproducing kernel particle method for shape sensitivity analysis and shape optimization of two‐dimensional electromechanical domains. This meshfree method incorporates enrichment functions for better representation of discontinuous electromechanical fields across internal boundaries. We use cubic splines for delineating the geometry of internal/external domain boundaries; and the nodal coordinates and slopes of these splines at their control points become the design parameters. This approach enables smooth manipulations of bi‐material interfaces and external boundaries during the optimization process. It also enables the calculation of displacement and electric‐potential field sensitivities with respect to the design parameters through direct differentiation, for which we adopt the classical material derivative approach. We verify this implementation of sensitivity calculations against an exact solution to a variant of Lamé's problem, and also, finite‐difference approximations. We follow a sequential quadratic programming approach to minimize the cost function; and demonstrate the utility of the overall technique through a model problem that involves the shape optimization of a piezoelectric fan. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Reactive doping of PAni–CSA and its use in microwave absorbing materials
Authors: Biscaro R. S. , Rezende M. C. , Faez R.
Published: October 2008

Conductive coatings have been studied for static dissipation and as microwave absorbing materials. The doping process of polyaniline (PAni), which makes it conductive, is an important stage that determines the coating performance. For this purpose, polyaniline was doped by reactive processing in a torque rheometer using different molar ratios between PAni and acid (PAni:CSA) at three different temperatures (80, 90, and 100°C). Aqueous solution doping was also used in the ratio of 1:2 of PAni/CSA, with the aim to investigate the influence of different methods of PAni doping on its characteristics and, consequently, on the performance of coatings. Thermal analyses of the processed materials showed that PAni doped by both routes, reactive and solution processing, showed similar behaviors. X‐ray diffraction analyses showed a semicrystalline structure for the PAni–CSA doped by reactive processing using high CSA concentrations and temperature. It was also observed that the doping process affects the dispersion of the components into the conductive coatings. Microwave absorption measurements (8–12 GHz) of PU‐doped PAni blends showed the dependence of the doping type, the PAni–CSA concentration, and the mixing conditions of the components on the coating performance; it was found up to 99% of attenuation of the incident radiation for some composites in a narrow frequency range. The microwave absorption efficiency of the coating samples prepared by using the reactive doping process indicates the advantage of this methodology over solution doping. Moreover, the reactive process addresses the environmental requirements. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The preparation and characterization of poly(acrylic acid‐co‐methacrylamide) gel and its use in the non‐competitive heavy metal removal
Authors: Çavuş Selva , Gürdağ Gülten , Sözgen Kevser , Gürkaynak M. Ali
Published: October 2008

Poly(acrylic acid‐co‐methacrylamide), P(AA‐co‐MAAm), and poly(acrylic acid), PAA, gels were prepared and the use of these gels in the non‐competitive removal of Pb2+, Cu2+, and Cd2+ ions from aqueous solutions was investigated at room temperature. Characterization of the polymers was performed by FTIR spectroscopy both before and after adsorption of metal ions on P(AA‐co‐MAAM) or PAA. The equilibrium swelling values (ESVs) of both polymers were determined by gravimetric method. During the adsorption of metal ions on both polymers, residual metal ion concentration in the solution (by atomic absorption spectrophotometer (AAS)) and the solution pH were measured. The kinetics of the adsorption process was determined from the experimental results. Pseudo‐first and second‐order plots and the correlation coefficients showed that the kinetics of non‐competitive adsorption of Pb2+, Cu2+, and Cd2+ ions on P(AA‐co‐MAAM) or PAA is correlated best with pseudo‐second‐order process. While the removal order in the non‐competitive adsorption of heavy metal ions on PAA was Pb2+ (2.60 mmol g−1) > Cu2+ (1.04 mmol g−1) > Cd2+ (0.88 mmol g−1), it was in the order of Pb2+ (1.85 mmol g−1) > Cd2+ (0.70 mmol g−1) > Cu2+ (0.64 mmol g−1) for P(AA‐co‐MAAM) copolymer. The introduction of MAAm into PAA decreased the metal ion removal capacity of copolymer for Pb2+ and Cu2+ ions considerably, but it did not significantly affect that for Cd2+ ion. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Preparation of pyridine sulphonamide resin for the removal of dyes from aqueous solutions
Authors: Senkal Bahire Filiz , Tekin Emir Tugrul , Yavuz Erdem
Published: October 2008

A pyridine sulfonamide containing resinous polymer has been prepared starting from crosslinked polystyrene 10% divinylbenzene (DVB) resin beads (420–590 µm) by the following series of reactions: chlorosulfonation and sulfonamidation with 4‐amino pyridine. Dye extraction experiments were carried out simply by contacting wetted resin samples with aqueous dye solutions at room temperature. Capacities were determined by colorimetric analysis of the residual dye contents. Dye sorption capacity of the resin was found to be 0.77 g per gram resin for calcon. This material is also able to remove the anionic dyes completely even from highly diluted aqueous dye solutions. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Do‐it‐yourself functionalized silicones part 1: basic methods for characterization of commercial products
Authors: Yactine Bashim , Boutevin Bernard , Ganachaud François
Published: October 2008

Conventional silicone fluids of varying composition, microstructure, and functionality are commercially available with a view to prepare films, elastomers, or resins. This paper is the first of a series of papers devoted to the synthesis, characterization, and application of vinyl and hydrido‐functionalized silicones. We present some basic analytical techniques useful to unacquainted people to fully characterize silicone fluids in terms of molar mass, purity, composition, structure, and functionality. Some commercial polymers were thus examined by size exclusion chromatography (SEC), from which molar masses were checked and compared with those from the provider (derived from viscosities). Two SEC‐derived techniques were used to confirm the perfect linearity of the chains. 1H and 29Si NMR spectrograms were recorded, from which chemical shifts gave the position of the functional groups (either at both chain‐ends or inside the chains) and from which intensities of the NMR signals provided quantitative data, namely number‐average molar mass Mn and contents of functional groups. In the final part, special emphasis is laid on the microstructure of the chains. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Outcome of high‐risk stage 3 neuroblastoma with myeloablative therapy and 13‐cis‐retinoic acid: A report from the Children's Oncology Group
Authors: Park Julie R. , Villablanca Judith G. , London Wendy B. , Gerbing Robert B. , Haas‐Kogan Daphne , Adkins E. Stanton , Attiyeh Edward F. , Maris John M. , Seeger Robert C. , Reynolds C. Patrick , Matthay Katherine K.
Published: October 2008

Background

The components of therapy required for patients with INSS Stage 3 neuroblastoma and high‐risk features remain controversial.

Procedure

A retrospective cohort design was used to determine if intensive chemoradiotherapy with purged autologous bone marrow rescue (ABMT) and/or 13‐cis‐retinoic acid (13‐cis‐RA) improved outcome for patients with high‐risk neuroblastoma that was not metastatic to distant sites. We identified 72 patients with INSS Stage 3 neuroblastoma enrolled between 1991 and 1996 on the Phase 3 CCG‐3891 randomized trial. Patients were analyzed on an intent‐to‐treat basis using a log‐rank test.

Results

The 5‐year event‐free survival (EFS) and overall survival (OS) rates for patients with Stage 3 neuroblastoma were 55 ± 6% and 59 ± 6%, respectively (n = 72). Patients randomized to ABMT (n = 20) had 5‐year EFS of 65 ± 11% and OS of 65 ± 11% compared to 41 ± 11 (P = 0.21) and 46 ± 11% (P = 0.23) for patients randomized to CC (n = 23), respectively. Patients randomized to 13‐cis‐RA (n = 23) had 5‐year EFS of 70 ± 10% and OS of 78 ± 9% compared to 63 ± 12% (P = 0.67) and 67 ± 12% (P = 0.55) for those receiving no further therapy (n = 16), respectively. Patients randomized to both ABMT and 13‐cis‐RA (n = 6) had a 5‐year EFS of 80 ± 11% and OS of 100%.

Conclusion

Patients with high‐risk Stage 3 neuroblastoma have an overall poor prognosis despite aggressive chemoradiotherapy. Further studies are warranted to determine if myeloablative consolidation followed by 13‐cis‐RA maintenance therapy statistically significantly improves outcome. Pediatr Blood Cancer 2009;52:44–50. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Non‐Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) in children with Nijmegen Breakage syndrome (NBS)
Authors: Dembowska‐Baginska Bozenna , Perek Danuta , Brozyna Agnieszka , Wakulinska Anna , Olczak‐Kowalczyk Dorota , Gladkowska‐Dura Malgorzata , Grajkowska Wieslawa , Chrzanowska Krystyna H.
Published: October 2008

Background

Due to small number of patients with Nijmegen Breakage Syndrome (NBS) and Non‐Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) experience in their treatment is limited.

Procedure

Since 1996, 17 patients with a median age of 9.5 years who had NBS, were treated for NHL. NHL type, stage, chemotherapy, dose modifications, chemotherapy delays, response to chemotherapy, toxicity, outcome and correlation of drug reduction with response to treatment and outcome were analyzed.

Results

Nine patients had TNHL, eight BNHL. TNHL patients received BFM and BNHL LMB type protocols. Doses of cytostatics were reduced in the first chemotherapy courses. Further modifications depended on severity of complications. None of the patients complied with timing of chemotherapy. Complete remissions after induction were achieved in 8 of 9 TNHL and 3 out 8 of BNHL patients. All patients experienced grade 4 toxicities. Two patients died from complications. Six of 17 patients are alive. All received more than 80% of recommended doses of chemotherapy. No differences in the type, number of responses or grade 3 and 4 toxicities between patients receiving less or more than 80% of drug doses were observed. Treatment related deaths concerned patients who received less than 80% of drug doses.

Conclusions

Patients with NBS develop both T and B cell lymphomas. Treatment outcome is poor and might be improved by administering over 80% of drug doses. Although toxicity often depends upon drug doses, our patients experienced equal grade 3 and 4 toxicities whether they received more or less than 80% of the chemotherapeutic agents. Pediatr Blood Cancer 2009;52:186–190. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Treatment of the X‐linked lymphoproliferative, Griscelli and Chédiak–Higashi syndromes by HLH directed therapy
Authors: Trottestam Helena , Beutel Karin , Meeths Marie , Carlsen Niels , Heilmann Carsten , Pašić Srdjan , Webb David , Hasle Henrik , Henter Jan‐Inge
Published: October 2008

Background

Griscelli syndrome type 2 (GS2), the X‐linked lymphoproliferative (XLP) and the Chédiak–Higashi (CHS) syndromes are diseases that all may develop hemophagocytic syndromes. We wanted to investigate whether the treatment protocols for hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (HLH) can also be used for these syndromes.

Procedure

In the HLH‐94/HLH‐2004 treatment study registries, we evaluated all patients with GS2 (n = 5), XLP (n = 2) or CHS (n = 2) treated between 1994 and 2004.

Results

All patients responded to the therapy, and all are alive but one (suffering from CHS), with a mean follow‐up of 5.6 years. All GS2, one XLP and one CHS patient underwent hematopoietic stem cell transplant. Mean follow‐up post transplant was 6.0 years. Six of the seven transplanted children achieved non‐active disease status at the time for SCT. Neurological sequelae were reported in all, except for the XLP patients.

Conclusions

Our results indicate that HLH treatment can be an effective first line treatment to induce remission in patients with GS2, XLP and CHS that have developed a hemophagocytic syndrome. We suggest that these patients should be included as a separate cohort in the international HLH study. Pediatr Blood Cancer 2009;52:268–272. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Treatment of a CNS relapse while on therapy for Burkitt lymphoma
Authors: Burke Michael J. , Dayton Vanessa
Published: October 2008

The treatment of Burkitt lymphoma (BL) has come a long way in regards to survival, with the majority of even the advanced stage patients being cured. The prognosis for relapsed BL remains dismal, despite attempts to further intensify therapy. We report on a patient with advanced stage BL who relapsed in the CNS while on therapy. The patient was successfully treated with an intensified regimen based on a concentration times time (C × T) CNS‐directed model. Our experience shows both the feasibility and efficacy of such an approach in a patient with an otherwise very poor prognosis. Pediatr Blood Cancer 2009;52:290–292. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Prevalence and parental perceptions of complementary and alternative medicine use by children with cancer in a multi‐ethnic Southeast Asian population
Authors: Hamidah Alias , Rustam Zainudin A. , Tamil Azmi M. , Zarina Latiff A. , Zulkifli Zakaria S. , Jamal Rahman
Published: October 2008

Background

The purpose of the current study was to determine the prevalence of use of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) by children with cancer and to compare the characteristics of CAM users and CAM nonusers.

Methods

A cross‐sectional study was performed at a pediatric oncology center in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. The parents of 97 children with cancer were interviewed using a structured questionnaire.

Results

Overall, 84.5% of the respondents had used CAM, and most of them believed that CAM provided a boost to the immune system, and used CAM with the intention to complement conventional treatment. The most frequently used CAM was water therapy (78%), followed by spirulina (33%), vitamin C (27%), multivitamin (23%), visit to traditional healers (22%), sea cucumber (Stichopus horrens) (15%), and Chinese traditional medicine (12%). The Malay (n = 67) were using more often (93%) CAM than non‐Malay (n = 30, use 67%, P = 0.001).

Conclusions

CAM use is common among Malaysian children with cancer. Understanding the sociocultural dimension of patients' health beliefs is important to a successful treatment, and pediatric oncologists should ask for the use of CAM. Pediatr Blood Cancer 2009;52:70–74. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Ethnicity and characteristics of Hodgkin lymphoma in children
Authors: Stefan Daniela Cristina , Stones David , Dippenaar Anel , Kidd Martin
Published: October 2008

Aim

To identify ethnic group differences in the prognostic of Hodgkin lymphoma (HL) in South African children.

Patients and Methods

In order to create a larger database, cases were pooled from two South African hospitals: Tygerberg in the Western Cape and Bloemfontein Academic Complex in Free State. Self‐assigned ethnicity was used to allocate the children to the following groups: black, white, and colored (historical descendants of couples of distinct ethnicity, the “Cape colored” are the largest population group in Western Cape). Retrospective data over 21 years were obtained from the tumor registry. Age at presentation, sex, ethnic group, stage, histological type, treatment protocol, event‐free survival interval, and mortality were analyzed. The statistical significance of the findings was tested using the chi‐square, Mann–Whitney U, and Kruskal–Wallis tests, as indicated.

Results

The study population of 138 comprised 78 black (56.5%), 38 colored (27.5%), and 22 white (16%) children under 15 years of age. There was a 3:1 predominance of the male gender. The median age at diagnosis was 8 years 11 months. Black patients presented at the youngest age (median 103 months), whereas white patients were the oldest at presentation (median age 133 months; P = 0.04).

Forty‐five percent of all patients were seen in stage 2. Black and colored patients presented with significantly more advanced stage disease (P = 0.04) than whites. B symptoms were evenly distributed among ethnic groups; they increased the mortality ratio from 10% to 33% (P = 0.0019). Histologically, mixed cellularity was seen in 50% of the black children, while nodular sclerosis was found in 50% of whites. The overall survival rate is 79%, with 68% in whites, 84% in patients of mixed ethnicity, and 79% in blacks (P = 0.35).

Conclusions

White children had the worst HL prognosis in this series, in spite of a less advanced stage at presentation. Pediatr Blood Cancer 2009;52:182–185. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Mechanical research of carbon nanotubes/PMMA composite films
Authors: Luo Jen‐Tsung , Wen Hua‐Chiang , Wu Wen‐Fa , Chou Chang‐Pin
Published: October 2008

Carbon nanotubes (CNTs) are one of the best candidates for reinforcing the next generation of high‐performance nanocomposites owing to their excellent mechanical properties. In this study, CNTs were dispersed in polymethymethacrylate (PMMA) gel to enhance its mechanical strength. CNTs/PMMA composite films were fabricated using direct mixing and sonication. FTIR was utilized to observe the chemical structure and functional groups of the material components. The morphological feature and phase structure were observed via scanning electron microscope. A nanoindenter system was also applied to investigate the mechanical properties of composite films by a conventional method. CNTs were chemically treated by immersing them in acidic solutions to ensure extensive dispersion in the surrounding matrix. Most of the CNTs were dispersed uniformly therein. The effective dispersion of CNTs improves the mechanical performance of the composite film, wheras the poor dispersion reduces the performance. The solvent, solubility and attractive intermolecular forces, such as hydrogen bonds and Van Der Waal forces affect the dispersion of the CNTs. The carbonyl group, which was found on thecomposite film, contributed to the formation of a covalent bond between PMMA and the CNTs. The mechanical interaction between CNTs and the polymer was very complex. It was also governed by the interface interaction. The mechanical properties of the composite films improved as the concentration of CNTs increased. POLYM. COMPOS., 2008. © 2008 Society of Plastics Engineers
Synthesis and characterization of hydrogels based on gamma irradiation of acrylic acid and methacrylic acid
Authors: El‐Din Horia M. Nizam , Hegazy El‐Sayed A. , Ibraheim Doaa M.
Published: October 2008

In this work, hydrogels based on different ratios of acrylic acid (AAc) and methacrylic acid (MAc) monomers were prepared by gamma radiation copolymerization. The hydrogels were characterized by IR spectroscopy and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). The effect of temperature and pH on the degree of swelling of AAc/MAc hydrogels was also studied. The results showed that the gel fraction of AAc is relatively higher than MAc, while the gel fraction of AAc/MAc hydrogels decreased slightly with increasing the ratio of MAc monomer in the initial solution. The IR spectroscopic analysis indicates the formation of copolymer networks and the presence of hydrogen bonding. The thermal study showed that PAAc hydrogel displayed higher thermal stability than PMAc and AAc/MAc hydrogels, over the studied compositions. The results showed that PAAc hydrogel reached equilibrium swelling state in water after 4 h, whereas PMAc and AAc/MAc hydrogels reached the equilibrium after 7 h. In this regard, AAc/MAc hydrogels showed degree of swelling in water lower than PAAc and higher than PMAc hydrogels. It was found that the swelling of the hydrogels based on AAc and MAc monomers or their copolymers increases with increasing temperature up to 50°C. Moreover, it was observed that the degree of swelling of hydrogels were not affected by increasing the pH values up to 4 and increased greatly within the pH values from 5 to 9. POLYM. COMPOS., 2009. © 2008 Society of Plastics Engineers
Wollastonite‐reinforced polypropylene composites modified with novel metallocene EPR copolymers. I. Phase structure and morphology
Authors: Švab Iztok , Musil Vojko , Pustak Anđela , Šmit Ivan
Published: October 2008

Supermolecular structure of isotactic polypropylene/wollastonite/metallocene propylene–ethylene copolymers (iPP/W/EPR) composites was studied as a function of elastomer content (from 0 to 20 vol%) by optical, scanning, and transmission electron microscopy, wide‐angle X‐ray diffraction, and differential scanning calorimetry. Both, wollastonite and dispersed EPR particles, homogeneously incorporated into the iPP matrix, and affected the final phase structure and morphology of the iPP/wollastonite/EPR composites. Wollastonite particles were orientated plane‐parallel to the sample surface and hindered spherulite growth of the iPP matrix. EPRs enhanced plane‐parallel orientation of wollastonite and simultaneously enhanced the spherulite and crystallite growth in the iPP matrix during the solidification of polymer melt. Ternary iPP/wollastonite/EPR composites exhibited significant prevalence of separated microphase morphology (over core‐shell morphology) because of constitution similarity of P‐E and iPP chains. POLYM. COMPOS., 2009. © 2008 Society of Plastics Engineers.
Processing and modeling of the mechanical behavior of natural fiber thermoplastic composite: Flax/polypropylene
Authors: El‐Sabbagh A. , Steuernagel L. , Ziegmann G.
Published: October 2008

A proposed modeling approach to calculate the mechanical properties of thermoplastic matrices reinforced with natural fibers is suggested. This model aims to solve the great deviation trends observed in the fiber content especially out of the range 10–40% volume fraction vf. The model considers the transfer of fiber load hand over from fibers pull out to fiber load bearing. Different cases of the matrices are studied. Namely, matrix with either elastic or elastic plastic behavior, matrix with either brittle or ductile failure strain in comparison with the reinforcing fiber. Length and orientation efficiency factors for stiffness and strength are exploited. Another factor describing the even distribution of the fibers and the amount of corresponding matrix in adhesion is developed. This factor gives insight to the compounding process. Experimental plan is carried out to investigate the fiber loading of 0–50% vf and different matrices namely polypropylene PP and maleated anhydride polypropylene MAPP. The suggested model is tested versus both the current experimental data and the literature results. The model shows good matching with the experimental results in a big domain of the fiber vf. POLYM. COMPOS., 2009. © 2008 Society of Plastics Engineers
Dynamic mechanical study of clay dispersion in maleated polypropylene/organoclay nanocomposites
Authors: Wang Yeh , Huang Syh‐W. , Guo Jiang‐Y.
Published: October 2008

Morphological characteristics and the dynamic mechanical properties of maleic anhydride grafted polypropylene (PPgMA) and its clay‐filled nanocomposites with different degrees of clay exfoliation have been investigated. Fully and partially exfoliated samples were prepared through powered sonication and melt blending, respectively. Our results indicated that both mechanical α and β relaxations can be identified. The glass (β) transition of the nanocomposites shifted to slightly lower temperatures for nearly all formulations because of reduced chain cooperative motion. However, the broad α transition became more distinct with increasing clay loading for sonicated nanocomposites, and shifted to higher temperatures due to chain confinement of amorphous polymer chains in the crystalline region. The reinforcement in the glassy storage modulus E′ of PPgMA was examined by the Halpin–Tsai theory. The high aspect ratio of clay stacks in the fully exfoliated nanocomposites resulted in a significant increase in reinforcing efficiency. POLYM. COMPOS., 2009. © 2008 Society of Plastics Engineers
Statistical characteristics of out‐of‐plane permeability for plain‐woven structure
Authors: Song Young Seok , Heider Dirk , Youn Jae Ryoun
Published: October 2008

Since out‐of‐plane permeability of fiber preforms is a function of the number and arrangement of stacked layers, either many layers of preforms or numerous experiments are required to obtain an exact out‐of‐plane permeability experimentally. The reason is that there exist nesting and phase shifting when the preforms are laid up. From a statistical viewpoint, the effect of the number of preform layers on the out‐of‐plane permeability was analyzed by adopting an analytical model proposed in this study. Numerical simulation for a unit‐cell constructed based on geometry of the preform was carried out to validate the analytical model as well as experimental measurements of the permeability. POLYM. COMPOS., 2009. © 2008 Society of Plastics Engineers
Numerical analysis of parametric effects on consolidation of angle‐bended composite laminates
Authors: Li Yanxia , Li Min , Zhang Zuoguang , Gu Yizhuo
Published: October 2008

In the previous study, the finite element formulation has been developed by our group based on two‐dimensional resin flow and fiber compaction model. Good agreement between simulations and experimental results was found under the one‐dimensional flow condition. In this article, the two‐dimensional model was used to simulate the consolidation of angle‐bended laminates with the convex tool in autoclave process. The effects of material properties on the consolidation were studied. It was found that the fiber bed shear modulus significantly affects the compaction behavior in the corner section of angle‐bended laminate, the fiber bed compaction property decide the laminate deformation, and the resin viscosity and fiber bed permeability affect the rate of laminate compaction and consolidation time. The angle‐bended T700/BMI QY8911‐Ilaminates were manufactured in autoclave process. The experimental data validate the numerical simulation method for the consolidation of the angle‐bended laminates. These results are greatly helpful for the optimization of processing parameters, improvement of composite parts quality, and reduction of the fabrication cost. POLYM. COMPOS., 2009. © 2008 Society of Plastics Engineers
Repeated impact behavior of glass/epoxy laminates
Authors: Icten Bulent Murat
Published: October 2008

The response of glass–epoxy composites to repeated impact for various impact energies ranging from 5 to 15 J was investigated. Specimens with two different stacking sequences were studied; [0/90/0/90]S and [0/90/+45/−45]S. In addition to the room temperature, impact tests were also performed at −40°C environmental test temperature for impact energy of 15 J. Contact force‐deflection and energy‐time curves at each test and the number of impacts to failure (Nf) were obtained for each experiment. Compression after impact (CAI) tests were also conducted to determine the residual load carrying capacity of the damaged specimens. POLYM. COMPOS., 2009. © 2008 Society of Plastics Engineers
Increasing the mass accuracy of high‐resolution LC‐MS data using background ions – a case study on the LTQ‐Orbitrap
Authors: Scheltema Richard A. , Kamleh Anas , Wildridge David , Ebikeme Charles , Watson David G. , Barrett Michael P. , Jansen Ritsert C. , Breitling Rainer
Published: October 2008

With the advent of a new generation of high‐resolution mass spectrometers, the fields of proteomics and metabolomics have gained powerful new tools. In this paper, we demonstrate a novel computational method that improves the mass accuracy of the LTQ‐Orbitrap mass spectrometer from an initial ±1–2 ppm, obtained by the standard software, to an absolute median of 0.21 ppm (SD 0.21 ppm). With the increased mass accuracy it becomes much easier to match mass chromatograms in replicates and different sample types, even if compounds are detected at very low intensities. The proposed method exploits the ubiquitous presence of background ions in LC‐MS profiles for accurate alignment and internal mass calibration, making it applicable for all types of MS equipment. The accuracy of this approach will facilitate many downstream systems biology applications, including mass‐based molecule identification, ab initio metabolic network reconstruction, and untargeted metabolomics in general.
Control of the mushroom phorid fly, Megaselia halterata (Wood), with plant extracts
Authors: Erler Fedai , Polat Ersin , Demir Halil , Cetin Huseyin , Erdemir Tugba
Published: October 2008

BACKGROUND: The most serious insect pest problems affecting the cultivation of mushroom [Agaricus bisporus (Lange) Imbach] in Turkey are mushroom flies (sciarids, cecids and phorids). Mushroom phorid fly, Megaselia halterata (Wood), is the most common insect pest species during April‐October. The aim of this study was to evaluate the potential for eight botanical materials (two commercial neem‐based products and six hot‐water plant extracts) to control M. halterata populations in three successive growing periods.

RESULTS: Treatment efficacy was evaluated by assessing adult emergence and sporophore damage rates compared with that of a standard insecticide, chlorpyrifos‐ethyl (positive control). All plant extracts caused significant reductions in the mean number of emerging adults and sporophore damage rates compared with the water‐treated control (negative control). Reduction in adult emergence in both neem treatments, Neemazal and Greeneem oil, was greater than that in the positive control. While Neemazal and Origanum onites L. extract had significantly lower sporophore damage rates than the positive control, there were no significant differences between the chlorpyrifos‐ethyl, Greeneem oil and Pimpinella anisum L. extract treatments.

CONCLUSION: The results suggest that both neem products and hot‐water extracts of O. onites and P. anisum may be potential alternatives to conventional pesticides for the control of mushroom phorid fly. Copyright © 2008 Society of Chemical Industry
Kinetics of the thermal decomposition in CsH2PO4 superprotonic crystal
Authors: Baranov A. I. , Kopnin E. M. , Grebenev V. V. , Sin A. , Dubitsky Yu. , Caracino P.
Published: October 2008

Thermal stability of CsH2PO4 was investigated in an extended temperature range below and above the superprotonic transition. Single and polycrystalline samples were studied by optical microscopy and measurements of ac conductivity using different electrodes. The kinetics of CsH2PO4 thermal decomposition and the influence of different factors such as quality of the sample and especially its surface, heating rate, type of electrodes and atmosphere were studied in detail. Different stages of this process were identified such as induction time, surface nucleation, intensive growth of the nuclei until decomposition products completely cover the surface of the sample and growth of this layer into bulk of the crystal. Two clearly different high‐conductive states with the conductivities 0.04 S cm–1 and 0.003 S cm–1, which appear during the decomposition process, were found for the first time. (© 2009 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Electron paramagnetic resonance and electron‐nuclear double resonance of nonequivalent Yb3+ centers in stoichiometric lithium niobate
Authors: Malovichko Galina , Bratus1 Victor , Grachev Valentin , Kokanyan Edward
Published: October 2008

Lithium niobate crystals doped with ytterbium were studied using Electron Paramagnetic Resonance (EPR) and Electron Nuclear Double Resonance (ENDOR). The tremendous narrowing of EPR lines in nearly stoichiometric samples, when compared to those in congruent samples, allowed us to distinguish nine non‐equivalent centers, as well as line splitting caused by the hyperfine interaction of ytterbium electrons with the nuclear spins of two magnetic isotopes, 171Yb and 173Yb. Eight of the nine centers are described for the first time. It was found that three of the centers have axial C3 symmetry, and all others have the lowest C1 symmetry due to the presence of intrinsic defects and/or charge compensation defects in the near neighborhood of Yb3+. Characteristics of the g ‐tensor for all of the centers and hyperfine tensors for axial centers were determined. The ENDOR observations of Nb nuclei in the nearest neighborhood of Yb13+ gave direct evidence that the dominated axial Yb1 center has no charge compensator in its nearest surroundings (distant charge compensation mechanism). Both the EPR and ENDOR data for the main axial ytterbium center are explained by a supposition that Yb3+ ions substitute for Li+. Possible models for low‐symmetry centers are discussed. The obtained numerous spectroscopic parameters can be used as cornerstones for model calculations of Yb3+ centers in lithium niobate. (© 2009 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
The FM/AFM bilayer Bethe lattice with FM or AFM interlayer interactions
Authors: Albayrak Erhan
Published: October 2008

The bilayer Bethe lattice with the Ising spins of the top layer having only ferromagnetic (FM) interactions and the spins of the bottom one having only antiferromagnetic (AFM) interactions were allowed to interact via the interlayer interaction either FM or AFM type. The problem was analyzed by using the exact recursion relations in a pairwise approach for given coordination numbers q = 3, 4 and 6 with equal external magnetic fields acting on the layers. The phase diagrams of the model were obtained on different planes for given system parameters by studying the ground state (GS) phase diagrams and the thermal variations of the order parameters and the response functions, i.e. the susceptibility and the specific heat, in detail. The model with five distinct GS configurations presents only the second‐order phase transition lines, i.e. the lines of the Néel temperatures TN. Two TN's were obtained for q = 6 in the transition regions from the AFM phases to the FM phases at low temperatures, as a result the TN lines show reentrant behavior for q = 6. (© 2009 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
On the band gap location and core spectra of orthorhombic IV–VI compounds SnS and SnSe
Authors: Makinistian L. , Albanesi E. A.
Published: October 2008

While the orthorhombic IV–VI compounds show the typical layered behavior of that crystallography, we show that the presence of sulphur induces important changes to the band gap behaviour: both in its location, and in its character as well. Our modelling of tin sulfide (SnS) and tin selenide (SnSe), performed within an ab initio density‐functional theory (DFT) with a FP‐LAPW method, shows that the spin–orbit interaction produces slight splittings of bands in both compounds, especially in the conduction band, which are in very good agreement with measured values of the core spectra. In addition to these splittings, for SnS we found the novel feature that the spin–orbit relocates the band gap in the BZ, while it does not affect that of SnSe. Furthermore, several aspects of the crystals anisotropy may be explained upon our results on the hybridized band structure, the density of states (DOS) and the optical spectra (complex dielectric function and absorption coefficient). We satisfactorily compare our results with those available in the literature. (© 2009 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Hypothetically superhard boron carbide structures with a B11C icosahedron and three‐atom chain
Authors: Aydin Sezgin , Simsek Mehmet
Published: October 2008

The structural and mechanical properties are investigated for the phases of superhard boron carbide, B4C, by performing DFT/PW91 level calculations. In addition to B12 icosahedra and CCC chains, we suggest new types of hypothetically stable rhombohedral structures of boron carbide, configurations that consist of one icosahedron, B11C, and a three‐atom chain such as CBC, CCB and BCC. Our results indicate that all phases are promising superhard materials, the hardness of all of them being greater than 40 GPa. (© 2009 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
General form of Maxwell equations for metamaterials study
Authors: Cho Kikuo
Published: October 2008

Based on a new, more complete form of macroscopic Maxwell equations, we discuss its influence on the studies of metamaterials, where coexisting electric and magnetic polarizations make unusual EM responses. The new scheme is derived by applying a long‐wavelength approximation to the fundamental equations of microscopic non‐local response theory, and it requires only one susceptibility tensor χcm (ω, k) to take care of all the electric and magnetic polarizations and their mutual interference in the different‐order terms of the wave vector k. This scheme reduces to the conventional one in the absence of chiral symmetry, while the Drude–Born–Fedorov equations for the phenomenological description of a chiral medium turn out to be incorrect near the resonance frequency. In the conventional description of a non‐chiral medium in terms of ε and μ, it is required to use the magnetic susceptibility defined with respect, not to H, but to B with poles at magnetic transition energies. (© 2008 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)