bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Persistent allergic rhinitis has a moderate impact on the sense of smell, depending on both nasal congestion and inflammation
Authors: Guilemany José Maria , García‐Piñero Alfons , Alobid Isam , Cardelús Sara , Centellas Silvia , Bartra Joan , Valero Antonio , Picado César , Mullol Joaquim
Published: January 2009

Objectives/Hypothesis:

A degree of smell disturbance has been found in seasonal and perennial allergic rhinitis, but alterations in olfaction in patients with persistent allergic rhinitis (PER) have not yet been evaluated. The aims of the study were to evaluate the impact of PER on the sense of smell, and to characterize this impact based on self‐reported hyposmia (SRH) and PER severity.

Study Design/Methods:

A prospective controlled study was performed on 49 consecutive patients with PER. PER patients were subclassified depending on severity and the presence of SRH. Olfactory function was evaluated by the Barcelona Smell Test‐24 (BAST‐24) olfactometry for smell detection, identification, and forced choice for first and fifth cranial nerve (CN) dependent odors in comparison to a group of 60 healthy volunteers. In patients with SRH, obstruction was evaluated by peak nasal inspiratory flow (PNIF) and acoustic rhinometry; and nasal inflammation was evaluated by nasal nitric oxide (nNO).

Results:

Most patients with PER (67%) presented SRH. Moderate/severe PER (84.8%) predominated among patients with SRH, while mild PER (75%) predominated among patients without SRH. Smell detection, identification, and forced choice tests were significantly worse in PER patients (P < .05) than in healthy controls for the odors related to the first and fifth CN. Among subgroups, patients with moderate/severe PER and/or with SRH presented a significant reduction in smell detection (P < .05) compared to healthy controls. Nasal NO correlated (R: 0.4; P < .05) with loss of smell.

Conclusions:

Patients with PER have a moderate loss of smell (BAST‐24) with a higher impairment in those with self‐reported hyposmia and moderate‐to‐severe PER. These results suggest that the sense of smell should be further investigated in all patients with allergic rhinitis, both in a clinical setting and in clinical trials. Laryngoscope, 2009
Conchal cartilage butterfly graft in primary functional rhinoplasty
Authors: Friedman Oren , Cook Ted A.
Published: January 2009

Objective:

To validate the use of the conchal cartilage butterfly graft in primary functional rhinoplasty and to review our experience using this technique.

Study Design:

A retrospective analysis of patients who underwent conchal cartilage butterfly graft reconstruction of the nasal valve in primary rhinoplasty.

Method:

A retrospective analysis using patient questionnaires was performed. Data were collected to determine patient satisfaction about nasal breathing and cosmesis after the procedure.

Results:

Among the patients, 90% (n = 90) had improved breathing, 88% (n = 88) were satisfied with their postoperative cosmesis, and 89% said they would recommend the procedure to a friend who had similar preoperative symptoms.

Conclusion:

Conchal cartilage butterfly graft has now been shown to be successful in primary functional rhinoplasty, just as it has previously been proven effective in secondary rhinoplasty. Although we have had success with many techniques for the correction of internal nasal valve collapse, we have found the conchal cartilage butterfly graft to be another outstanding technique for the appropriately selected patient. Laryngoscope, 2009
Air quality influences the prevalence of hay fever and sinusitis
Authors: Bhattacharyya Neil
Published: January 2009

Objectives:

Determine associations between air quality and the prevalence of hay fever and sinusitis.

Study Design:

Cross‐sectional study.

Methods:

The National Health Interview Survey for the calendar years 1997–2006 adult sample was analyzed to determine for each calendar year the one‐year period prevalence of the two respiratory conditions, hay fever and sinusitis and the nonrespiratory (control) condition, weak/failing kidneys. From the Environmental Protection Agency, yearly historical data for air quality criteria pollutants, carbon monoxide, nitrous dioxide, sulfur dioxide, and particulate matter, were tabulated. Graphical and linear regression analyses were conducted for each disease condition against each of the air quality variables to determine if higher pollutant concentrations predicted a higher prevalence for the disease condition.

Results:

A total of 313,982 patients were studied over the 10 calendar years 1997–2006. Mean patient age increased very slightly from year to year (overall average, 45.2 years); the percentage of female patients remained the same. The air concentrations of each of the criteria pollutants decreased steadily over time with the exception of particular matter, which reached a plateau in the most recent 3 years. For each of the disease conditions a statistically significant relationship with air quality (all p < .001) was obtained. For the control condition of kidney failure/weakening, the standardized regression coefficient with air quality was very small (range: −0.001–0.004). For hay fever and sinusitis, substantially larger coefficients were obtained ranging from 0.0120–.016 and 0.013–0.027, respectively.

Conclusions:

Prevalence of hay fever and sinusitis are correlated with air quality. Improvements in air quality are associated with decreased prevalence of both hay fever and sinusitis. Laryngoscope, 2009
Iatrogenic tracheal rupture in children: A retrospective study
Authors: Schedlbauer Eva‐Maria , Todt Ingo , Ernst Arne , Seidl Rainer O.
Published: January 2009

Objectives:

Iatrogenic injuries to the trachea are rare, but life‐threatening complaints. Causes and treatment methods have been described for adults, but there is no literature on aetiology and treatment in children. We performed a retrospective study to examine the frequency, aetiology, and treatment of iatrogenic injuries to the trachea in children and to develop guidelines for their treatment and prevention.

Methods:

Retrospective study from 2000–2007 at a level I trauma centre. All iatrogenic injuries to the trachea between the cricoid cartilage and the level of the carina in children (ages 0–16) were included in the study.

Results:

Between 2000 and 2007, 18 tracheal injuries were treated, four of them in children (22%). The primary symptom in all cases was emphysema. Diagnosis was confirmed using flexible endoscopy. In all cases, the cause of the injury was intubation. Two cases of acute injury were treated conservatively by bridging the injury with a tube. Two cases were treated surgically by means of end‐to‐end anastomosis. In all cases, healing by first intention occurred. No stenoses were observed during follow‐up endoscopy.

Conclusions:

Acute tracheal ruptures in children can be treated conservatively by bridging the rupture with a tube. Injuries to the trachea in which the mucosa is damaged or in which other complications, such as fistulae, are present must be treated surgically. The prognosis for such injuries is good. Laryngoscope, 2009
Nanofibrilar Polyaniline: Direct Route to Carbon Nanotube Water Dispersions of High Concentration
Authors: Jiménez Pablo , Maser Wolfgang K. , Castell Pere , Martínez M. Teresa , Benito Ana M.
Published: January 2009

Water dispersible nanofibrilar polyaniline (NF‐PANI) provides a novel and direct route towards carbon nanotube water dispersions of high concentration. Carrying out the chemical synthesis of NF‐PANI in the presence of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) results in an entirely nanostructured nanofibrilar polyaniline/carbon nanotube (NF‐PANI/CNT) composite material that contains well segregated CNTs partially coated by NF‐PANI. This new approach is simple, fast, and inexpensive, and enables the direct preparation of stable and homogeneous dispersions of the composites in water at concentrations up to 10 mg · mL−1, even for the highest CNT loadings of 50 wt.‐% without the participation of surfactants or stabilizers.

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Understanding and enhancing the public's behavioural response to flood warning information
Authors: Parker D. J. , Priest S. J. , Tapsell S. M.
Published: January 2009

Drawing on evidence from the United Kingdom and elsewhere in Europe, this paper explores how people have responded to flood warning information and how these responses impact upon the effectiveness of a flood warning through saving lives and injuries, and reducing economic damages. Methods of flood warning that the public rely upon are discussed alongside empirical evidence of how flood victims prepare for, and respond to, flood warnings in rapid to medium‐onset floods. The paper investigates why some members of the public fail to act appropriately, or most effectively, to flood warning information, touching on ideas of a lack of understanding, mistrust in authority and a lack of ownership of flood reducing actions. The paper examines the styles of public learning about flood warning response which might be most appropriate and effective, and how recent positive steps to increase the public's understanding of effective response might be further enhanced in the United Kingdom. Copyright © 2009 Royal Meteorological Society
Images of poverty and attributions for poverty: does higher education moderate the linkage?
Authors: McWha Ishbel , Carr Stuart C.
Published: January 2009

‘Development Education’ is a topical phrase describing campaigns to raise public awareness about global poverty, but how do such processes interact with more formal learning experiences, for example in Higher Education? One hundred and seventy‐one final‐semester BusinessversusSocial Science University students experienced a conventionally ‘cropped’ (child's face only) versus ‘full’ (face‐plus‐context) campaign‐like image of a child in poverty. They also completed the attribution‐focused ‘Causes of Third‐World Poverty Questionnaire’ (CTWPQ). Business students tended to disagree less than social science students with blaming‐the‐poor for poverty. More importantly, a cropped image condition resulted in significantly elevated blame‐the‐poor scores among business students, but not those in social science. Interactions like this suggest that campaign images can be psychologically tailored to differently educated market segments.

Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Synthesis and modification of silicon‐containing polymers using ultrasound
Authors: Price Gareth J
Published: January 2009

The application of high‐intensity ultrasound to silicon backbone polymers, particularly polydimethylsiloxane and polyorganosilanes, is described. There are advantages in using ultrasound in both modifying the molecular weights or end‐group structures of preformed polymers and accelerating the course of polymerization reactions. Copyright © 2009 Society of Chemical Industry
Filtering strategies for improving protein identification in high‐throughput MS/MS studies
Authors: Salmi Jussi , Nyman Tuula A. , Nevalainen Olli S. , Aittokallio Tero
Published: January 2009

Despite the recent advances in streamlining high‐throughput proteomic pipelines using tandem mass spectrometry (MS/MS), reliable identification of peptides and proteins on a larger scale has remained a challenging task, still involving a considerable degree of user interaction. Recently, a number of papers have proposed computational strategies both for distinguishing poor MS/MS spectra prior to database search (pre‐filtering) as well as for verifying the peptide identifications made by the search programs (post‐filtering). Both of these filtering approaches can be very beneficial to the overall protein identification pipeline, since they can remove a substantial part of the time consuming manual validation work and convert large sets of MS/MS spectra into more reliable and interpretable proteome information. The choice of the filtering method depends both on the properties of the data and on the goals of the experiment. This review discusses the different pre‐ and post‐filtering strategies available to the researchers, together with their relative merits and potential pitfalls. We also highlight some additional research topics, such as spectral denoising and statistical assessment of the identification results, which aim at further improving the coverage and accuracy of high‐throughput protein identification studies.
Phase behavior study of poly(N‐tertbutylacrylamide‐co‐acrylamide) in the mixture of water–methanol: The role of polymer–nonsolvent second‐order interactions
Authors: Mahdavi Hossein , Mahdi Sadeghzadeh B. O. , Qazvini Nader Taheri
Published: January 2009

The phase behavior of poly(N‐tertbutylacrylamide‐co‐acrylamide) (PNTBAM) in pure water and mixture of water–methanol is studied at different temperatures. The different compositions of PNTBAM are prepared by free‐radical polymerization technique and their phase behavior is studied by turbidimetry. The effects of copolymer and solvent composition on the phase behavior of the copolymers are discussed. It has been suggested that the inhomogenities in polymer chains are responsible for lowering the rate of phase transition by increasing the N‐tertbutylacrylamide (NTBAM) and methanol contents in copolymer and mixture, respectively. For the first time we have revealed that there are second‐order binary interactions in the water–methanol which are dominant in the special range of copolymer composition. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part B: Polym Phys 47: 455–462, 2009
Atypical transition temperature dependence of poly(N‐isopropylacrylamide) and poly(N‐isopropylacrylamide‐co‐acrylamide) nanocomposites on the content of exfoliated montmorillonites
Authors: Yen Ming‐Huei , Lin King‐Fu
Published: January 2009

Exfoliated montmorillonite (MMT)/poly(N‐isopropylacrylamide) (PNIPAAm) and MMT/poly(N‐isopropylacrylamide‐co‐acrylamide) [P(NIPAAm‐co‐AAm)] nanocomposites were fabricated by soap‐free emulsion polymerization. Interestingly, as the content of MMT was increased from 0 to 10 wt %, the glass transition temperature of MMT/PNIPAAm was decreased from 145 to 122 °C, whereas that of the MMT/P(NIPAAm‐co‐AAm) increased from 95 to 153 °C. Although the lower critical solution temperature (LCST) of 32 °C for the MMT/PNIPAAm nanocomposites in aqueous solutions was slightly increased with the content of MMT, that of the MMT/P(NIPAAm‐co‐AAm) was decreased from 70 to 65 °C. A mechanism that the hydrogen bonds between the amide groups of PNIPAAm were interfered by the exfoliated MMT nano‐platelets for the MMT/PNIPAAm nanocomposites and the preferred absorption of acrylamide units to the MMT nanoplatelets rather than N‐isopropylacrylamide in the MMT/P(NIPAAm‐co‐AAm) nanocomposites was suggested to interpret these unusual transition behavior. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part B: Polym Phys 47: 524–530, 2009
Prediction of the flow‐induced crystallization in high‐density polyethylene by a continuum model
Authors: Yu Fengyuan , Zhang Hongbin , Wang Zhigang , Yu Wei , Zhou Chixing
Published: January 2009

In this work, the isothermal flow‐induced crystallization (FIC) of high‐density polyethylene (HDPE) under a simple shear flow was investigated. Two experimental modes, including steady shear and preshear treatment, were performed on the polymer melt. Based on the nonequilibrium thermodynamic theory, the FIC process of HDPE was predicted through the modification of a continuum FIC model. The theoretical predictions of the evolution of both the viscosity in steady shear flow and the complex modulus under preshear treatment were essentially related to the crystallinity of HDPE, in agreement with the experimental findings. Both experimental and predicted results showed that the applied flow field could accelerate the crystallization kinetics of HDPE significantly. However, the effect of the intensity of shear flow on the crystallization of HDPE was finite, showing a saturation phenomenon, namely, the accelerated degree of crystallization tending to level off when the shear rate was large enough. In additional, it was found that the predicted crystallinity of HDPE was very low in induction period either in steady shear flow or by preshear treatment. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part B: Polym Phys 47: 531–538, 2009
Effect of poly(butylene succinate) crystals on spherulitic growth of poly(ethylene oxide) in binary blends of the two substances
Authors: Ikehara Takayuki , Kurihara Hideo , Kataoka Toshiyuki
Published: January 2009

The effects of the lamellar growth direction, extinction rings, and spherulitic boundaries of poly(butylene succinate) (PBSU) on the spherulitic growth of poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO) were investigated in miscible blends of the two crystalline polymers. In the crystallization process from a homogeneous melt, PBSU first developed volume‐filling spherulites, and then PEO spherulites nucleated and grew inside the PBSU spherulites. The lamellar growth direction of PEO was identical with that of PBSU even when the PBSU content was about 5 wt %. PEO, which intrinsically does not exhibit banded spherulites, showed apparent extinction rings inside the banded spherulites of PBSU. The growth rate of a PEO spherulite, GPEO, was influenced not only by the blend composition and the crystallization temperature of PEO, but also by the growth direction with respect to PBSU lamellae, the boundaries of PBSU spherulites, and the crystallization temperature of PBSU, TPBSU. The value of GPEO first increased with decreasing TPBSU when a PEO spherulite grew inside a single PBSU spherulite. Then, GPEO decreased when TPBSU was further decreased and a PEO spherulite grew through many tiny PBSU spherulites. This behavior was discussed based on the aforementioned factors affecting GPEO. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part B: Polym Phys 47: 539–547, 2009
Linear dielectric response and dielectric relaxation behavior of bismuth‐doped (Ba1–xCax /2Srx /2)TiO3 ceramics
Authors: Yun Sining , Wang Xiaoli , Li Juanfei , Xu Delong
Published: January 2009

The structure and electrical properties of bismuth‐doped (Ba1–x Cax /2Srx /2)TiO3(BCST) (x ≤ 0.40) ceramics prepared using the solid‐state reaction were investigated. X‐ray diffraction (XRD) analysis shows that 5 at% of Bi doping can be fully incorporated into the perovskite lattice of BCST ceramics. BCST ceramic samples for x < 0.40 have almost the same Tm (Tm is designated as the temperature of the peak dielectric constant, at Tm where the dielectric peak occurs) for different frequencies, while an obvious dielectric relaxation behavior (DRB) is observed in Bi‐doped BCST. Bi doping causes Tm to shift to a lower temperature and results in an increase in the degree of diffusion and relaxation of the BCST ceramics. A random electric field is suggested to be responsible for the relaxor behavior observations. Double‐hysteresis loops are observed at lower temperatures in Bi‐doped BCST ceramics. The P–E relationship of Bi‐doped BCST ceramics shows the dielectric quasilinearity, which indicates that the random local field acts to strongly inhibit the nanodomains. (© 2009 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Growth of β‐Ga2O3 on Al2O3 and GaAs using metal‐organic vapor‐phase epitaxy
Authors: Gottschalch Volker , Mergenthaler Kilian , Wagner Gerald , Bauer Jens , Paetzelt Hendrik , Sturm Chris , Teschner Ulrike
Published: January 2009

Epitaxial layers of monoclinic β‐Ga2O3 were successfully grown on (0001) sapphire and ($ \bar 1 $11)As GaAs substrates using metal‐organic vapor‐phase epitaxy (MOVPE). Triethylgallium (TEGa) and N2O were used as precursors for gallium and oxygen, respectively. Growth conditions could be determined, where β‐Ga2O3 grows epitaxially on c ‐plane sapphire and ($ \bar 1 $11)As GaAs substrates. X‐ray diffraction (XRD) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) measurements identify a epitaxial relationship with ($ \bar 2 $01) β‐Ga2O3 || (0001) sapphire and ($ \bar 2 $01) β‐Ga2O3 || ($ \bar 1 $11)As GaAs. The observed sixfold rotational in‐plane symmetry results from differently oriented rotational domains of monoclinic β‐Ga2O3 with twofold symmetry. Thin films deposited on substrates of other orientation show the formation of the low‐temperature modification α‐Ga2O3. Optical transmission spectra measured in the spectral range from 200 nm to 2000 nm show a well‐distinct absorption edge at about 5 eV for layers grown on c ‐ and a ‐plane sapphire. (© 2009 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Top‐down processed silicon nanowire transistor arrays for biosensing
Authors: Vu Xuan Thang , Eschermann Jan Felix , Stockmann Regina , GhoshMoulick Ranjita , Offenhäusser Andreas , Ingebrandt Sven
Published: January 2009

We describe the fabrication, electrical and electrochemical characterization of silicon nanowire arrays, which were processed in a top‐down approach using combined nanoimprint lithography and wet chemical etching. We used the top silicon layer as contact line and observed an influence of implantation and subsequent annealing of these lines to the device performance. In addition we found a subthreshold slope dependence on wire size. When operated in a liquid environment, wires can be utilized as pH sensors. We characterized the pH sensitivity in the linear range and in the subthreshold operation regime. As a first proof‐of‐principle experiment for the later use of the sensors in bioassays, we monitored the buildup of polyelectrolyte multilayers on the wire surface. (© 2009 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Porous polyethylene terephthalate membranes in microfluidic applications
Authors: Derix J. , Gerlach G. , Wetzel S. , Perike S. , Funk R. H.
Published: January 2009

In this paper we present a method for the integration of porous track‐membranes into silicone based microfluidic devices. It is based on a surface modification of the membranes which enables us bonding it to silicone using a glue‐free plasma bonding process. The membrane can be structured into permeable and impermeable regions on a sub‐10 μm scale. This is achieved by combining polymer imprinting with a layer transfer technique. The membrane is characterized and a direct current microelectrode array is presented as an application example. (© 2009 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Diamond‐based DNA sensors: surface functionalization and read‐out strategies
Authors: Wenmackers Sylvia , Vermeeren Veronique , vandeVen Martin , Ameloot Marcel , Bijnens Nathalie , Haenen Ken , Michiels Luc , Wagner Patrick
Published: January 2009

This article reviews the current state‐of‐the art of diamond‐based DNA sensors. Some general concepts involved in biosensors are introduced and applied to DNA sensors. The properties of chemically vapor deposited (CVD) diamond relevant for this application are summed up, with special attention for the stability and bio‐compatibility of the material. Several routes to functionalize the diamond surface are considered. The physical properties of the obtained DNA layers are discussed in terms of surface density and molecular conformation. Possible read‐out strategies are evaluated, including optical and electronic sensing. With diamond‐based DNA sensors, real‐time and label‐free sensing is achieved. (© 2009 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
A robust formulation of the ensemble Kalman filter
Authors: Thomas S. J. , Hacker J. P. , Anderson J. L.
Published: January 2009

The ensemble Kalman filter (EnKF) can be interpreted in the more general context of linear regression theory. The recursive filter equations are equivalent to the normal equations for a weighted least‐squares estimate that minimizes a quadratic functional. Solving the normal equations is numerically unreliable and subject to large errors when the problem is ill‐conditioned. A numerically reliable and efficient algorithm is presented, based on the minimization of an alternative functional. The method relies on orthogonal rotations, is highly parallel and does not ‘square’ matrices in order to compute the analysis update. Computation of eigenvalue and singular‐value decompositions is not required. The algorithm is formulated to process observations serially or in batches and therefore easily handles spatially correlated observation errors. Numerical results are presented for existing algorithms with a hierarchy of models characterized by chaotic dynamics. Under a range of conditions, which may include model error and sampling error, the new algorithm achieves the same or lower mean square errors as the serial Potter and ensemble adjustment Kalman filter (EAKF) algorithms. Published in 2009 by John Wiley and Sons, Ltd.
Least Angle Regression and LASSO for Large Datasets
Authors: Fraley Chris , Hesterberg Tim
Published: January 2009

Least angle regression and LASSO (ℓ1‐penalized regression) offer a number of advantages in variable selection applications over procedures such as stepwise or ridge regression, including prediction accuracy, stability, and interpretability. We discuss formulations of these algorithms that extend to datasets in which the number of observations could be so large that it would not be possible to access the matrix of predictors as a unit in computations. Our methods require a single pass through the data for orthogonal transformation, effectively reducing the dimension of the computations required to obtain the regression coefficients and residual sum of squares to the number of predictors, rather than the number of observations. Copyright © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Statistical Analysis and Data Mining 1: 000‐000, 2009
The effects of absorption edge structure of atoms in x‐ray fluorescence analysis
Authors: Borkhodoev V. Ya.
Published: January 2009

The effects of the absorption edge structure in x‐ray fluorescence (XRF) manifest themselves as a very strong attenuation of the analytical line radiation when it is in the x‐ray absorption near edge structure (XANES) range. In this paper, this effect is exemplified by an ultra‐strong Ba‐caused attenuation of the Ce Lβ1 line. This case was experimentally studied. Comparison of measured and calculated relative intensities has shown that the actual mass attenuation coefficient of the Ce Lβ1 line in Ba is 1.6 times greater than known values. This is due to that the Ce Lβ1 line is within the initial range of L3 Ba absorption edge, i. e. the XANES range. Such an effect of the absorption edge structure of atoms must be considered using the fundamental parameters method in quantitative XRF analysis. This paper also presents some other possible cases of this effect. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Self‐enhancement effects on XRF K‐lines due to natural width
Authors: Fernandez Jorge E. , Scot Viviana
Published: January 2009

It is well known that the energy levels in the atom are defined within an energy width. Any electronic transition involving two or more levels shows a natural width given by the sum of the widths of the participating levels. Moreover, any XRF line appears to have a Lorentzian‐like distribution whose full width at half maximum is the natural width.

Since the Lorentzian distribution has long tails on both sides, the tails may cross above neighbour absorption edges giving rise to enhancement effects of a certain complexity.

In this article we discuss the self‐enhancement effects on XRF K‐lines in pure element samples having atomic numbers Z = 11–92. This study is performed with deterministic calculations. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Polymer/surfactant interactions
Authors: Goddard E. D. , Hannan R. B.
Published: January 2009

Abstract and Summary

Polyelectrolytes and oppositely charged surfactants form precipitation complexes which, in many cases, can be completely resolubilized by excess surfactant. In general, maximum precipitation appears to correspond to a single layer of surfactant adsorbed on the polymer, and the resolubilized form to a double layer of surfactant. Prior to formation of the latter, the complexes are highly surface active. An analysis of the solubility diagrams of a cationic hydroxyethyl cellulose derivative, and a homologous series of sodium alkyl sulfates, has provided a value of the adsorption energy, Φ, of these surfactants into the first layer. The value of Φ, viz., 1.1 kT per CH2 group, is somewhat higher than the corresponding value for micelle formation. Studies with a number of surfactants show that polymer/surfactant interaction is most favorable (a) the longer the hydrocarbon chain of the surfactant, (b) the straighter the chain, and (c) when the head group is terminal to the chain. Departures from these conditions reduce the extent of interaction and render difficult resolubilization of the complex. From results on a range of polymers, it is concluded that resolubilization of the precipitated complex is also difficult if the charge density of the polymer is too high.
The biodegradation of esters of α‐sulfo fatty acids
Authors: Maurer E. W. , Weil J. K. , Linfield W. M.
Published: January 2009

Abstract and Summary

Methyl and aminoalkyl esters of α‐sulfonated fatty acids in the C9‐C18 range were subjected to aerobic biodegradation in a controlled nutrient medium in which sewage microorganisms were used as the inoculum and the test compound was the sole source of carbon and energy. The extent of biodegration increased with increasing alkyl chain length of the α‐sulfo fatty acid and decreased with increasing substitution on the amino nitrogen and possibly with the increasing molecular weight of the substituent on the amino nitrogen atom. No connection was found between the degree of biodegradability and anti‐microbial activity of the test compounds. Methyl α‐sulfopalmitate was the compound of this study most inhibitory againstStaphylococcus aureus.
Lubricants and lubricant additives: III. Performance characteristics of some thioacetate, phosphorodithioate, and hexachlorocyclopentadiene derivatives of stearic acid amides and esters
Authors: Mod R. R. , Magne F. C. , Sumrell G. , Koos R. E.
Published: January 2009

Abstract and Summary

A number of N‐mono, N,N‐disubstitured amides, and esters of substituted fatty acids have been prepared and evaluated as base lubricants and lubricant additives for paraffin (S‐105) or diester (DOS) base oils. The effect of acetylthio, phosphorodithio, thio, chloro, and bromotrichloromethyl substituents, as well as hexachlorocyclopentadiene adducts upon performance as antiwear and extreme‐pressure lubricants was investigated. Sulfurized 1,4‐bis(pentachlorostearoyloxy)‐2‐butene was most effective in extreme‐pressure (EP) tests, both neat and as an additive for S‐105 and DOS base oils. Several of the phosphorodithio derivatives have good antiwear properties when formulated in one or both of the base oils, and were also fair EP additives. Of the addition compounds evaluated in this study, the phosphorodithio derivatives offer the most promise for development as antiwear additives for both paraffin and diester base oils. The sulfurized products offer the most promise as EP additives.
Fatty acid composition of tamarind kernel oil
Authors: Pitke P. M. , Singh P. P. , Srivastava H. C.
Published: January 2009

Abstract and Summary

The fatty acid composition (% by wt) of Tamarind (Tamarindus indica) kernel oil, as determined by gas liquid chromatography was: trace lauric acid, tracte myristic acid, 14.8% palmitic acid, 5.9% stearic acid, 27.0% oleic acid, 7.5% linoleic acid, 5.6% linolenic acid, 4.5% arachidic acid, 12.2% behenic acid, and 22.3% lignoceric acid.
Effect of concentration of some nickel catalyst poisons in oils on the course of hydrogenation
Authors: Drozdowski Bronislaw , Zajac Maria
Published: January 2009

Abstract and Summary

Hydrogenation has been carried out in a“dead‐end” type reactor with various types of nickel catalyst and with automatic recording of hydrogen absorption. Oils with varying concentrations of sulfur and phosporus compounds, fatty acids and their salts, as well as partly oxidized oil have been hydrogenated. The resulting kinetic curves are characteristic for each catalyst type and for each inhibitor. An increase in the poison concentration in the reaction system results in lengthening of the induction period apart from the decrease of catalyst activity.
T2 Mapping of Articular Cartilage of Glenohumeral Joint with Routine MRI Correlation—Initial Experience
Authors: Maizlin Zeev V. , Clement Jason J. , Patola Wayne B. , Fenton David M. , Gillies Jean H. , Vos Patrick M. , Jacobson Jon A.
Published: January 2009

The evaluation of articular cartilage currently relies primarily on the identification of morphological alterations of the articular cartilage. Unlike anatomic imaging, T2 mapping is sensitive to changes in the chemical composition and structure of the cartilage. Clinical evaluation of T2 mapping of the glenohumeral joint has not been previously reported. The objectives of this study were to evaluate the feasibility of magnetic resonance T2 mapping of the glenohumeral joint in routine clinical imaging, to assess the normal T2 mapping appearance of the glenohumeral joint, and to compare the findings on T2 maps to conventional MR pulse sequences. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) examinations of 27 shoulders were performed in a routine clinical setting. All studies included acquisition of T2 mapping using a dedicated software. The T2 maps were analyzed along with the routine MR exam and correlation of cartilage appearance on T2 map and on conventional MR sequences. T2 imaging maps were obtained successfully in all patients. T2 maps and routine MRI correlated in cases of normal cartilage and prolonged T2 values and cartilage defects. In four cases, increased T2 relaxation times in the cartilage and cartilage defects were more apparent on T2 maps. Acquisition of T2 maps at the time of routine MRI scanning is feasible and not time-consuming.
The roots of Chinese philosophy and culture — An introduction to “xiang” and “xiang thinking”
Authors: Shuren WANG
Published: January 2009

To grasp the truth in traditional Chinese classics, we need to uncover the long obscured “xiang” 象 (image) thinking, which has long been overshadowed by Occidentalism. “xiang thinking” is the most fundamental thought of human beings. The logic of linguistics all comes from “xiang thinking”. Through conceptual thinking, people can understand Western classics on metaphysics, yet they may not completely understand the various schools of Chinese classics. The difference between Chinese and Western ways of thinking originated in the difference of the basic views developed in the “Axial period”. Since Aristotle, Western metaphysical ideas have all been manifested in substantiality, objectivity, and being ready-made, whereas Chinese Taiji, Dao, Xin-xing, and Zen were manifested in the non-substantiality, non-objectivity, and non-ready-made-ness of a dynamic whole. To grasp substance, rational and logical thinking such as definition, judgment, and reasoning is necessary. On the other hand, to grasp Taiji, Dao, etc., which is a dynamic whole or non-substances, “xiang thinking”, which is related to perception and rich in poetic association, is essential. History has taught us a lesson, i.e., when we opened the window to logical thought, we closed that of “xiang thinking”. We should remember the words of Xu Guangqi, i.e., “To mingle harmoniously and understand thoroughly so as to excel”.
The boundaries of beauty in Pre-Qin Confucian aesthetics
Authors: Qian ZHANG
Published: January 2009

“Beauty” is a very important concept in Pre-Qin Confucian aesthetics. Pre-Qin Confucian aesthetics generally had two viewpoints when defining beauty: Negatively, by stressing that “beauty” in the aesthetic sense was not “good”; and positively, by stressing two factors: one, that beauty was related to “feeling” which was not an animal instinct, the other was that “beauty” was a special texture with a particular meaning. “Beauty” in Pre-Qin Confucian aesthetics may be defined as “texture (or form)” capable of communicating feeling or triggering a reaction of feeling.
From the “Alternative School of Principles” to the Lay Buddhism: On the conceptual features of modern Consciousness-Only School from the perspective of the evolution of thought during the Ming and Qing Dynasties
Authors: Zhiqiang ZHANG
Published: January 2009

The best representatives of the self-reflection of xinxue 心学 (the School of Mind) and its development during the Ming and Qing Dynasties are the three masters from the late Ming Dynasty. The overall tendency is to shake off the internal constraints of the School of Mind by studying the Confucian classics and history. During the Qing Dynasty, Dai Zhen had attempted to set up a theoretical system based on Confucian classics and history, offering a theoretical foundation for a new academic movement that gradually suspended issues studied by the School of Mind. But the suspension of these issues does not mean they were resolved. For Peng Shaosheng, xinzong 心宗 (the Doctrine of Mind) has emerged from a bottleneck in the development of the Confucian yi li zhi xue 义理之学 (doctrine of meanings and principles): The only way to find the transcendent connection between the doctrine of meanings and principles and the Dao was through the internality of belief. In this case, the Lay Buddhists, represented by Peng Shaosheng, Wang Dashen and Luo Yougao, as lixue biepai 理学别派 (Alternative School of Principles), played the role that the School of Mind had undertaken in the late Ming Dynasty, thus becoming a shelter for the Confucian doctrine of meanings and principles. To a certain extent, the revival of weishixue 唯识学 (the Consciousness-Only School) during modern times was simply a continuance of the “Alternative School of Principles”. It took over the Lay Buddhist theme of the doctrine of meanings and principles of the Qing Dynasty and tried to construct a new pattern of learning for Confucian classics that matched up with the doctrine of meanings and principles, offering a model of integration for the reconstruction of the Confucian tradition.
The foundation of phenomenological ethics: Intentional feelings
Authors: Wei ZHANG
Published: January 2009

E. Husserl’s reflections in Logical Investigations on “intentional feelings” and “non-intentional feelings” are significant in both his later ethical explorations and M. Scheler’s thought on ethics. Through the incorporation of the views of Husserl and Scheler, we find that the phenomenology of the intentional feeling-acts is not only the foundation of the non-formal ethics of values in Scheler’s phenomenology, but also at least the constitutive foundation of the ethics of Husserl’s first orientation.
Global and physical self‐esteem and body dissatisfaction as mediators of the relationship between weight status and being a victim of bullying
Authors: Fox Claire L. , Farrow Claire V.
Published: January 2009

Research has found evidence of a link between being overweight or obese and bullying/peer victimisation, and also between obesity and adjustment problems such as low self‐esteem and body dissatisfaction. Studies have also found that adjustment problems can put children at an increased risk of being bullied over time. However, to date the factors that place overweight or obese children at risk of being bullied have been poorly elucidated. Self‐report data were collected from a sample of 11–14 year olds (N = 376) about their weight status, about their experiences of three different types of bullying (Verbal, Physical and Social), their global self‐worth, self‐esteem for physical appearance, and body dissatisfaction. Overweight or obese children reported experiencing significantly more verbal and physical (but not social) bullying than their non‐overweight peers. Global self‐worth, self‐esteem for physical appearance and body dissatisfaction each fully mediated the paths between weight status and being a victim of bullying.
The Effect of Intravesical Single-Dose Mitomycin C in Recurrent Superficial Bladder Cancer
Authors: Grey Benjamin R. , Butler Joanne , Darling Richard A. , Govindaraju Senthil K. , O'Reilly Patrick H. , Collins Gerald N. , Neilson Donald , Adeyoju Adebanji A.B.
Published: January 2009

Objectives:

This study was designed to evaluate the efficacy of the intravesical instillation of single-dose Mitomycin C post-ablation of purely recurrent tumours.

Patients and methods:

Two patient groups with small-volume, low-grade (1 or 2), superficial (pTa) recurrent disease were studied. Sixty-seven patients at one institution received a single intravesical dose of Mitomycin C following tumour ablation using a Holmium YAG Laser. The other institution provided a control patient group of 68 patients treated with laser ablation alone. Patients were reviewed with regular flexible cystoscopies throughout the study period.

Results:

The groups were matched for age and the number and grade of tumours. Recurrence rates were lower, yet not to statistical significance, in the group receiving Mitomycin C post-intervention (48% vs. 62% ( p= 0.14) at 12 months and 76% vs. 82% at 24 months ( p = 0.64)). The observed beneficial effect at 12 months appeared to depreciate by 24 months. There was no significant improvement in the recurrence-free interval for the Mitomycin C group (log rank test p = 0.28).

Conclusions:

This study has failed to demonstrate a beneficial trend for the use of single-dose of Mitomycin C after ablation of recurrent superficial bladder cancer. Further evaluation in the form of a prospective trial is indicated.
Leucine‐rich hydrophobic clusters promote folding of the N‐terminus of the intrinsically disordered transactivation domain of p53
Authors: Espinoza-Fonseca L. Michel
Published: January 2009

Molecular dynamics simulations have been performed on the intrinsically disordered 39‐residue N‐terminal transactivation domain of p53 (p531‐39). Simulations not only revealed that p531‐39 is natively compact, but also possesses a folded structure. Furthermore, leucine‐rich hydrophobic clusters were found to play a crucial role in the formation and stabilization of the folded structure of p531‐39. Collapsing in the sub‐microsecond timescale might allow for rapid conformational turnovers of p531‐39, necessary for its efficient transactivation activity and modulation. Fast collapsing might be the result of unique conformational landscapes, featuring several energy minima separated by small energy barriers. It is suggested that IDPs with highly specialized functions in the cell, such as transactivation, possibly display more ordered patterns than their less specialized counterparts.
ZFAT is an antiapoptotic molecule and critical for cell survival in MOLT‐4 cells
Authors: Fujimoto Takahiro , Doi Keiko , Koyanagi Midori , Tsunoda Toshiyuki , Takashima Yasuo , Yoshida Yasuhiro , Sasazuki Takehiko , Shirasawa Senji
Published: January 2009

ZFAT (also known as ZNF406), originally identified as a candidate gene for autoimmune thyroid disease, encodes a zinc‐finger protein, however, its function has not been elucidated. Here, we report that human ZFAT protein is expressed in peripheral B and T lymphocytes and a human acute T lymphoblastic leukaemia cell line, MOLT‐4 cells. Intriguing is that mouse ZFAT expression in CD4+ lymphocytes is increased during blast formation. Furthermore, ZFAT‐knockdown in MOLT‐4 induces apoptosis via activation of caspases. These results suggested that ZFAT protein is a critical regulator involved in apoptosis and cell survival for immune‐related cells.
Differential effects of triterpene glycosides, frondoside A and cucumarioside A2‐2 isolated from sea cucumbers on caspase activation and apoptosis of human leukemia cells
Authors: Jin Jun-O , Shastina Valeria V. , Shin Sung-Won , Xu Qi , Park Joo-In , Rasskazov Valery A. , Avilov Sergey A. , Fedorov Sergey N. , Stonik Valentin A. , Kwak Jong-Young
Published: January 2009

Frondoside A is a pentaoside having an acetyl moiety at the aglycon ring and xylose as a third monosaccharide residue. Cucumarioside A2‐2 is a pentaoside having glucose as a third monosaccahride unit. We compared the effects of frondoside A and A2‐2 for cell death‐inducing capability with close attention paid to structure–activity relationships. Both frondoside A and A2‐2 strongly induced apoptosis of leukemic cells. Frondoside A‐induced apoptosis was more potent and rapid than A2‐2‐induced apoptosis. A2‐2‐induced but not frondoside A‐induced apoptosis was caspase‐dependent. This suggests that holothurians may induce apoptosis of leukemic cells caspase‐dependently or ‐independently, depending on the holothurian structure.
Effect of short‐ and long‐term exposition to high phenylalanine blood levels on oxidative damage in phenylketonuric patients
Authors: Sitta Angela , Barschak Alethéa G. , Deon Marion , Barden Amanda T. , Biancini Giovana B. , Vargas Paula R. , de Souza Carolina F. , Netto Cristina , Wajner Moacir , Vargas Carmen R.
Published: January 2009

Phenylketonuria is the most frequent disturbance of amino acid metabolism. Treatment for phenylketonuric patients consists of phenylalanine intake restriction. However, there are patients who do not adhere to treatment and/or are not submitted to neonatal screening. These individuals are more prone to develop brain damage due to long‐lasting toxic effects of high levels of phenylalanine and/or its metabolites. Oxidative stress occurs in late‐diagnosed phenylketonuric patients, probably contributing to the neurological damage in this disorder. In this work, we aimed to compare the influence of time exposition to high phenylalanine levels on oxidative stress parameters in phenylketonuric patients who did not adhere to protein restricted diet. We evaluated a large spectrum of oxidative stress parameters in plasma and erythrocytes from phenylketonuric patients with early and late diagnosis and of age‐matched healthy controls. Erythrocyte glutathione peroxidase activity and glutathione levels, as well as plasma total antioxidant reactivity were significantly reduced in both groups of patients when compared to the control group. Furthermore, protein oxidative damage, measured by carbonyl formation and sulfhydryl oxidation, and lipid peroxidation, determined by malondialdehyde levels, were significantly increased only in patients exposed for a long time to high phenylalanine concentrations, compared to early diagnosed patients and controls. In conclusion, exposition to high phenylalanine concentrations for a short or long time results in a reduction of non‐enzymatic and enzymatic antioxidant defenses, whereas protein and lipid oxidative damage only occurs in patients with late diagnosis.