bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Effects of vitamin D supplementation on mortality in critically ill patients: a systematic review and meta-analysis.
Authors: Lisboa Neide Barreto da Silva , Carvalho Jozélio Freire de
Published: February 2024

Objective: This study aimed to use a meta-analysis to evaluate whether vitamin D supplementation can improve critically ill patients' parameters.Materials and Methods: A systematic review of the literature and meta-analysis was performed using the electronic databases PubMed, Cochrane, Medline, and Scielo. The selected studies are randomized controlled trials (RCTs) that evaluate the effect of vitamin D supplementation in critically ill patients over 18 years of age and are available in full. All of the articles involved randomized clinical trials that analyzed the effects of vitamin supplementation on mortality, length of ICU stay, length of hospital stay, and use of mechanical ventilation.

Results: The meta-analysis revealed that vitamin D supplementation in critically ill patients can reduce mortality in 28-30 days [RR =0.76 (95%CI: 0.57-1.00, p=0.05)] (p=0.85), hospital mortality (p=0.14), length of ICU stays (p=0.11), length of hospital stays (p=0.08) and time of mechanical ventilation (p=0.32).Conclusion: This meta-analysis demonstrated that vitamin D supplements in critically ill patients show a reduction in mortality in 28-30 days. Thus, it is suggested that critically ill patients who are 18 years of age or older should receive a dose of vitamin D greater than 150,000IU to obtain this benefit.
Intestinal helminthic parasites in Columba livia (Columbiformes: Columbidae) in southern Brazil: do seasons influence helminth infections in the Neotropical region?
Authors: Santos Carolina Caetano dos , Mascarenhas Carolina Silveira , Teixeira Kimberly Tuane da Silveira , Martins Natália Soares , Motta Sara Patron da , Farias Nara Amélia da Rosa
Published: February 2024

Objective: The aim of this study was to analyze intestinal helminthic infections in pigeons Columba livia Gmelin, 1789 (Columbiformes: Columbidae) which were collected in three different seasons in southern Brazil. Material and methods: Ninety birds (hosts) were captured in the urban area in Pelotas, Rio Grande do Sul (RS) state, Brazil, in autumn, winter and spring in 2018 and 2019. Results: Helminths species and their prevalences were: Ascaridia columbae (33.33%), Baruscapillaria obsignata (23.33%) (Nematoda), Brachylaima mazzantii (3.33%) (Digenea), Skrjabinia sp. (11.11%) and Killigrewia sp. (3.33%) (Cestoda). Prevalence and mean intensity of infection in the three collection periods did not show any significant difference, except A. columbae, which was more prevalent in autumn than in spring. Conclusion: Results showed that abiotic and environmental conditions found in the region were suitable for the development of intestinal helminths associated with C. livia in the sampling periods in southern Brazil.
A luta de classes e a produção do ser social: as lutas sociais como trabalho socialmente necessário
Authors: Dalmagro Sandra Luciana , Frizzo Giovanni
Published: February 2024

O objetivo deste trabalho é compreender as lutas sociais como necessidade humana de produção do ser social. Através de uma reflexão exploratória e descritiva, argumentamos sobre a gênese do ser social que produz a vida através do trabalho e que a partir das contradições originadas na propriedade privada dos meios de produção, constituiu a divisão em classes sociais que se confrontam no antagonismo existente entre os interesses das classes em disputa. A partir desta base, argumentamos que o trabalho socialmente necessário e as organizações coletivas da luta social são interdependentes: é a organização coletiva que poderá eliminar com a apropriação privada do trabalho, ao tempo em que as lutas coletivas da classe se constituem em trabalho socialmente necessário.
Políticas públicas e interseccionalidade: debatendo gênero, raça e classe no sistema socioeducativo
Authors: Letícia dos Santos Carmem , Pessoa Nunes Wilsomar , Passos Silva Alderyce , Guimarães Jairo de Carvalho
Published: February 2024

O objetivo do estudo é discutir políticas públicas tendo como base a interseccionalidade entre gênero, raça e classe no sistema socioeducativo. A metodologia compreendeu estudo bibliográfico, permitindo um aprofundamento dos fenômenos a partir de bases de dados pesquisadas. Concluiu-se que a incorporação do gênero, raça e classe no sistema socioeducativo potencializa as discriminações, opressões e punições das adolescentes privadas de liberdade. Assim, destaca-se a necessidade de formular políticas públicas interseccionais que apontem as dimensões estruturantes e contemplem as demandas das adolescentes como enfrentamento da violência institucional. Propõe-se discutir o projeto de privação de liberdade, a qual objetiva manter os aspectos ideológicos e conservadores para manutenção da ordem.
A heteronormatividade como estranhamento: contribuições marxistas à crítica da sua construção social
Authors: Ribeiro de Souza Djonatan Kaic
Published: February 2024

Este artigo, a partir do complexo do estranhamento desenvolvido por György Lukács, visa a contribuir criticamente para os estudos acerca da construção social da heterossexualidade. A heteronormatividade é compreendida como um constructo histórico da produção social da natureza sexual do corpo e dos regimes de normalização sexual. A síntese a que se chega é a de que o estranhamento sexual é amadurecido nas sociedades capitalistas, sendo um resultado histórico da naturalização da sexualidade.
O Segundo Sexo no canteiro de obras da Construção Civil
Authors: Ferreira Marina
Published: February 2024

Este artigo analisa a inserção das mulheres no setor da construção civil, em particular nos canteiros de obra, e identifica a divisão sexual presente nesses espaços. Nosso objetivo é estudar de que forma o desempenho desigual dos corpos feminino e masculino no processo de execução de determinadas atividades no canteiro de obras acarreta em diferenças de produtividade, e por consequência, de captação de mais-valor pelo capitalista. Importa refletir sobre os conceitos de sexo e gênero e de que forma as diferenças entre os sexos se correlacionam com a divisão sexual do trabalho. Conclui que as diferenças entre os sexos influenciam na forma de inserção das mulheres no trabalho nos canteiros de obra da construção civil.
Gênero, raça e migrações internacionais: um debate marxista
Authors: Rocha Lemos Patrícia , Shinohara Roncato Mariana
Published: February 2024

O artigo analisa as migrações internacionais a partir da Teoria da Reprodução Social, destacando que a mobilidade do trabalho é moldada pelo local social das mulheres no processo de reprodução social. Em contexto de crise, a lógica generificada e racializada da força de trabalho imigrante tanto se apresenta como funcional, como é parte de sua determinação. A crescente demanda pelo trabalho imigrante para a reposição geracional no país receptor é mobilizada a partir de processo de desumanização da força de trabalho e de mecanismos diferenciados que buscam reduzir ao mínimo as suas condições de reprodução e rebaixar o preço da força de trabalho local. O texto apresenta um debate teórico relativo aos fenômenos migratórios atuais e suas contradições.
A tradição marxista, as organizações de esquerda e o movimento LGBTQIA+: polêmicas históricas e tensões contemporâneas
Authors: Green James
Published: February 2024

James N. Green é, hoje, um grande brasilianista. Prestes a aposentar-se de uma carreira admirada como docente e pesquisador da renomada Universidade de Brown, pertencente ao seleto grupo da Ivy League (as oito universidades mais tradicionais dos EUA), o historiador tem uma longa trajetória de colaboração com o Brasil. Nas últimas décadas, ele viveu por anos em nosso país, engajou-se politicamente em organizações revolucionárias e do movimento LGBTQIA+ brasileiros, dedicou-se à produção de livros e artigos sobre história da ditadura e sobre questões de gênero e sexualidade. Sua tese de doutorado, publicada aqui sob o título Além do Carnaval: a homossexualidade masculina no Brasil do século XX (Editora Unesp), é um dos trabalhos acadêmicos pioneiros no campo. Nesta entrevista, James retoma sua trajetória de ativismo e de produção intelectual nos EUA e no Brasil, traçando uma análise profunda sobre os desafios postos ao cruzamento entre os marxismos e as lutas por liberdade sexual de gênero, com um olhar acurado e crítico às experiências passadas do século XX, bem como anunciando suas apostas e perspectivas para a luta anticapitalista no século XXI.
Marxismo, gênero, sexualidade e a luta anticapitalista: debates e controvérsias
Authors: Martins de Paula Helga Maria , Godoi Moraes Lívia de Cássia , Magalhães da Silva Márcio , Lemos Márcia , Quinalha Renan
Published: February 2024

A proposta desse dossiê é divulgar pesquisas e colocar em discussão a luta de classes e as opressões no processo de superação do modo de produção capitalista. O ponto de partida são as reflexões balizadas pelo arcabouço teórico-metodológico do Materialismo Histórico e Dialético, que considerem exploração, subjetivação, alienação e consciência no exame das temáticas compreendidas como centrais para este debate: crise do capital e crise da reprodução social; gênero, raça, classe, sexualidades e crítica da economia política: leituras marxistas; neoliberalismo, privatização dos serviços essenciais e a classe trabalhadora racializada e LGBT; migração, mundialização neoliberal e o deslocamento de mulheres; Estado, direito e opressões de gênero; feminismo marxista, trabalho e organização sindical; análises em torno do trabalho doméstico e da maternidade privatizada; políticas sexuais e movimentos sociais; família como unidade de  reprodução do capital, ascensão conservadora e pessoas LGBT's; a prostituição/trabalho sexual, a moral burguesa e a legalização; sexualidade e gênero na educação; Marxismo e teoria queer; feminismos marxista, socialista, materialista, transfeminismo, virada linguística e as lutas anticapitalistas.
Nitrilotriacetic Acid Functionalized Graft Copolymers: A Polymeric Interface for Selective and Reversible Binding of Histidine‐Tagged Proteins
Authors: Zhen G. , Falconnet D. , Kuennemann E. , Vörös J. , Spencer N. D. , Textor M. , Zürcher S.
Published: September 2005

A series of novel graft copolymers, poly(L‐lysine)‐graft‐poly(ethylene glycol) (PLL‐g‐PEG) with 28, 46, and 96 % of the PEG chains carrying a terminal nitrilotriacetic acid (NTA) group, have been synthesized. Through electrostatic interactions, these polycationic graft copolymers assemble spontaneously from aqueous solution onto negatively charged surfaces, forming polymeric monolayers that present NTA groups at controlled surface densities. Such NTA‐presenting surfaces on a highly PEGylated background are attractive sensor platforms for the reversible binding, through Ni2+ ions, of histidine (His)‐tagged biomolecules such as proteins and antibodies. With these three polymers, NTA‐ligand surface densities of 16, 23, and 37 pmol cm–2, respectively, have been obtained. The surface assembly of the polymers, as well as their sensing performance, has been monitored quantitatively using in‐situ optical‐waveguide light‐mode spectroscopy. The NTA‐functionalized PLL‐g‐PEG surfaces prove to be highly resistant to non‐specific adsorption in contact with human serum, while allowing the specific and reversible surface binding of the 6 × His‐tagged green fluorescent protein (GFP)uv‐6His in its native conformation. The amount of GFPuv‐6His immobilized on the polymeric surface increases with increasing NTA surface density. Furthermore, micropatterns consisting of NTA‐functionalized PLL‐g‐PEG in a background of PLL‐g‐PEG are produced using the “molecular assembly patterning by lift‐off” technique. Exposure to Ni2+ and GFPuv‐6His results in a protein pattern of excellent contrast, as judged by fluorescence microscopy. The NTA‐functionalized PLL‐g‐PEG surface is considered to be a promising sensor platform for binding 6 × His‐tagged proteins, thanks to the simplicity and cost‐effectiveness of the surface modification protocol, the high specificity and nearly quantitative reversibility of the protein binding, and the potential for fabricating microarrays of multiple capture molecules.
Silicon Nanocrystals: Photosensitizers for Oxygen Molecules
Authors: Kovalev D. , Fujii M.
Published: September 2005

Molecular oxygen plays an important role in many of the chemical reactions involved in the synthesis of biological life. In this review, we explore the interaction between O2 and silicon nanocrystals, which can be employed in the photosynthesis of singlet oxygen. We demonstrate that nanoscale Si has entirely new properties owing to morphological and quantum size effects, i.e., large accessible surface areas and excitons of variable energies and with well‐defined spin structures. These features result in new emerging functionality for nanoscale silicon: it is a very efficient spin‐flip activator of O2, and therefore, a chemically and biologically active material. This whole effect is based on energy transfer from long‐lived electronic excitations confined in Si nanocrystals to surrounding O2 via the exchange of single electrons of opposite spin, thus enabling the spin‐flip activation of O2. Further, we discuss the implications of these findings for physics, chemistry, biology, and medicine.
Road Map for the Controlled Synthesis of CdSe Nanowires, Nanobelts, and Nanosaws—A Step Towards Nanomanufacturing
Authors: Ma C. , Wang Z. L.
Published: September 2005

One‐dimensional (1D) nanostructures of CdSe have been found to exhibit morphologies of nanowires, nanobelts, and nanosaws, but their synthesis is by trial and error. To meet the needs of large‐scale, controlled, and designed synthesis of nanostructures, it is imperative to systematically find experimental conditions under which the desired nanostructures are synthesized reproducibly, in large quantity, and with controlled morphology. This article reports the first systematic study on the growth of 1D CdSe nanostructures by a vapor–liquid–solid (VLS) process by varying a wide range of experimental conditions. Over 150 experiments have been conducted to investigate the morphology dependence of three different types of nanostructures: nanowires, nanobelts, and nanosaws, over various substrate temperatures and pressures. The results of this work yield a road map for the controlled growth of 1D CdSe nanostructures. This research serves as a guidance and “menu” for scaling up of the synthesis of CdSe nanostructures. This is a key step towards the controlled synthesis of nanostructures to meet the needs of many industrial applications of nanomanufacturing.
Centrifugal drum filtration: I. A compression rheology model of cake formation
Authors: Barr John D. , White Lee R.
Published: September 2005

A compression rheology model is used to describe the behavior of networking solids undergoing centrifugal filtration under batch operation. A description of the batch filtration process is accomplished through the use of the rheologic functions for compressive yield stress py(ϕ) and the hydrodynamic resistance R(ϕ), with a characteristic pressure scaling, timescaling, and membrane resistance. Comparison of the results of this model to those found in engineering text books indicates that noncompression models fail to describe the variation in the cake resistance. The compression rheology model also predicts that the effective cake resistance is approximately 20% larger than that predicted by conventional theory. © 2005 American Institute of Chemical Engineers AIChE J, 2006
Development of potentially biodegradable polyamide‐6 and polyvinyl alcohol blends: Physico‐mechanical properties, thermal properties, and soil test
Authors: Ramaraj B. , Poomalai P.
Published: September 2005

Blends of polyamide‐6 with 5, 7.5, 10, 15, and 20 wt % of polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) were prepared by the extruding in a corotating twin‐screw extruder. The extrudate strands were cut into pellets and injection‐molded to make test specimens. These specimens were tested for physico‐mechanical properties such as tensile strength, impact strength, density, water absorption, hardness, and thermal characteristics by differential scanning calorimetry, heat distortion temperature (HDT), vicat softening point (VSP), and melt flow index. The prepared blends show enhanced biodegradation, water absorption, and density, but it is observed that the introduction of PVA into the polyamide–6 matrix shows considerable reduction in tensile strength, impact strength, HDT, VSP, and hardness initially, but subsequent addition does not show significant reduction because of the enhanced interaction between amide groups of polyamide‐6 and hydroxyl groups of PVA. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 98: 2339–2346, 2005
Flame‐retardant effect of polyaniline coating deposited on cellulose fibers
Authors: Stejskal Jaroslav , Trchová Miroslava , Sapurina Irina
Published: September 2005

Filtration paper was coated with a thin polyaniline film. The content of conducting polymer was 8.2 and 6.3 wt % for polyaniline hydrochloride and polyaniline base, respectively. After burning, the coated material retains the original fibrilar morphology of cellulose. The polyaniline coating converts to solid carbonaceous products. The resulting structure prevents the formation of gaseous carbon oxides by restricting the access of oxygen to cellulose. While the ash from the uncoated paper after burning is 0.005 wt %, the microtubular residue of polyaniline‐coated paper is 16–24 wt % of the original mass. The flame‐retardant performance of polyaniline and poly(1,4‐phenylenediamine) coatings was comparable both for the protonated forms and the corresponding bases. The conversion of polyaniline‐coated cellulose fibers to solid pyrolytic products was characterized by FTIR and Raman spectroscopies. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 98: 2347–2354, 2005
Effect of processing conditions on the structure and properties of polypropylene spunbond fabrics
Authors: Nanjundappa Rammohan , Bhat Gajanan S.
Published: September 2005

The structure and properties of a spunbond fabric are determined by numerous process variables. The development of fiber morphology is influenced and controlled by extrusion and quenching conditions. The properties of the fabric are the result of the properties of the filaments, their arrangement in the web, and the bonding conditions. It is therefore critical to understand the relationship between the process conditions and the properties of the fabrics produced. This study was conducted to investigate the effects of some of the important process variables on the structure and properties of the filaments and ultimately on that of the fabrics. Process variables such as polymer throughput rate, cooling and suction air speed, web basis weight, and bonding temperature were investigated. Filament samples were collected before bonding and were analyzed for various properties such as crystallinity, crystallite size, birefringence, density, thermomechanical stability, and tensile properties. The fabric samples were analyzed for tensile properties, tear strength, stiffness, and crystallinity. Ruptured strips obtained from the tensile test were observed with a scanning electron microscope to understand the failure mechanism. The results were statistically analyzed to evaluate the effect of process variables on the properties and to predict the properties for different process conditions. The findings are helpful in determining the optimum processing conditions so as to achieve the desired properties. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 98: 2355–2364, 2005
Morphology and thermo‐mechanical properties of compatibilized polyimide‐silica nanocomposites
Authors: Al‐Kandary Sh. , Ali A. A. M. , Ahmad Z.
Published: September 2005

Polyimide‐silica nanocomposites have been prepared from an aromatic polyamic acid derived from pyromellitic dianhydride and oxydianiline and a silica network using the sol‐gel reaction. Compatibilization of the two components was achieved by modifying the silica network with imide linkages. Morphology, thermal, and mechanical properties of these composite materials were studied as a function of silica content and compared with the one in which reinforcement of the polyimide was achieved using a pure silica network. There was considerable reduction in the silica particle size with more homogeneous distribution in the matrix when imide spacer groups were introduced in the silica network. The tan δ spectra obtained from dynamic thermal mechanical analysis shows a large increase in the glass transition temperature with increasing silica content for the compatibilized system in contrast to the un‐compatibilized one. Mechanical properties of the polyimide composites improved due to better interaction between the organic and inorganic phases. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 98: 2521–2531, 2005
Enhancement of radiation‐resistant effect in ethylene–vinyl acetate copolymers by the formation of ethylene–vinyl acetate copolymers/clay nanocomposites
Authors: Zhang Wei‐An , Fang Yue‐E
Published: September 2005

Ethylene–vinyl acetate (EVA) copolymers/clay nanocomposites, prepared by using nonreactive organophilic clay and reactive organophilic clay, were characterized by X‐ray diffraction and by high‐resolution transmission electron microscopy. The influence of gamma irradiation on the structure and properties of the pure EVA and EVA/clay nanocomposites was systematically investigated. In the presence of gamma radiation, the clay can effectively restrain the increase of the storage modulus of EVA/clay nanocomposites, which was supported by dynamical mechanical analysis. Gamma irradiation had almost no effect on the thermal properties of EVA/clay nanocomposites by using nonreactive organophilic clay, but it obviously improved the thermal stability of EVA/clay nanocomposites by using reactive organophilic clay. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 98: 2532–2538, 2005
Study on surface fluorinating for reducing attenuation of polymethyl methacrylate polymer optic fiber
Authors: Jiu‐Rong Chu , Li‐Sheng Zhong , Xu‐Ming Wen , Chuan‐Xiang Xu
Published: September 2005

The effects of surface fluorinating on the F/C ratio of polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) are investigated. The F/C ratio of PMMA increased when the fluorinating temperature was enhanced or the fluorinating time was prolonged and then was apt to be invariable. The attenuation of the polymer optical fiber (POF) was obviously reduced after PMMA POF was surface fluorinated. Finally, the mechanism of reducing attenuation of POF is discussed. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 98: 2369–2372, 2005
Effect of electron donors on 1,3‐butadiene polymerization by a Ziegler–Natta catalyst based on neodymium
Authors: Coutinho Fernanda M. B. , Rocha Tereza C. J. , Mello Ivana L. , Nunes Denise S. S. , Soares Bluma G. , Costa Marcos A. S.
Published: September 2005

High‐cis polybutadiene produced by catalyst systems based on a rare earth is an elastomer used to produce green tires. This type of tire presents lower rolling resistance, which allows higher fuel economy, and thus fewer chemical compounds are discharged into the atmosphere. In this work, the influence of electron donors [tetrahydrofuran (THF) and tetramethylethylenediamine (TMEDA)] present in the polymerization solvent on the microstructure and molecular weight characteristics of the polybutadiene produced by neodymium catalysts was studied. The catalyst synthesis was carried out in glass bottles for 1 h at a temperature between 5 and 10°C. The catalyst components were diisobutylaluminum hydride, neodymium versatate, and tert‐butyl chloride. The polymerization reaction was carried out for 2 h. The reaction temperature was kept at 70± 3°C. The addition of TMEDA or THF above a determined concentration reduced the catalytic activity, molecular weight, and concentration of cis‐1,4 units (<96%), whereas the polydispersity increased. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 98: 2539–2543, 2005
Tensile mechanical properties of sulfonated poly(ether ether ketone) (SPEEK) and BPO4/SPEEK membranes
Authors: Reyna‐Valencia A. , Kaliaguine S. , Bousmina M.
Published: September 2005

A study to evaluate the tensile mechanical properties of sulfonated poly(ether ether ketone) (SPEEK) and BPO4/SPEEK composite membranes has been carried out. It is aimed to give an assessment of these materials for applications in proton exchange membrane fuel cells. The stress–strain response of the membranes was measured as a function of the degree of sulfonation (DS) and the filler–matrix ratio. In addition, the effects of immersion in water at various temperatures were explored in situ by means of a homemade testing chamber fitted to the tensile analyzer. The results indicate that the DS has an important influence on the final mechanical behavior of the membranes. The introduction of the BPO4 solid filler leads to deterioration in mechanical performance compared to unfilled SPEEK. A general picture of the microstructural features influencing the mechanical properties of SPEEK and BPO4/SPEEK membranes is proposed. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 98: 2380–2393, 2005
Use of Fourier transform infrared and second derivative ultraviolet spectrometry in determining polystyrene–poly(4‐vinylpyridine) blend composition
Authors: Meal Larie
Published: September 2005

Polymer blend usage has increased in recent years as the blends provide a convenient means for modifying polymer properties. It is often necessary to be able to determine the percentages or ratios of polymers present in a blend. One blend of interest is the immiscible blend of polystyrene (PS) and poly(4‐vinylpyridine) (P4VP). The percentages were determined by two methods: Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy and second derivative ultraviolet (UV) spectroscopy. The peak ratio versus percentage polymer technique was used in both methods. For FTIR, the ratio of the absorbance values of the out‐of‐plane CH bending vibration of P4VP at 822 cm−1 and the aromatic C  C stretch for PS at 1493 cm−1 were ratioed. For derivative UV, the vibrational structure of the aromatic secondary bands was used: 269 nm minimum for PS and the 271 nm maximum for P4VP. Both methods gave excellent and comparable results. The derivative UV determination had the advantage of requiring less sample due to its greater sensitivity. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 98: 2422–2426, 2005
Process efficiency and long‐term performance of α‐tocopherol in film‐blown linear low‐density polyethylene
Authors: Strandberg Clara , Albertsson Ann‐Christine
Published: September 2005

α‐Tocopherol was compared with a commercial phenolic antioxidant (Irganox 1076) as a long‐term and process antioxidant in film‐blown and compression‐molded linear low‐density polyethylene. The antioxidant function of α‐tocopherol was high in the film‐blown material, especially in the processing, according to oxygen induction time measurements with differential scanning calorimetry. The residual content of α‐tocopherol after processing, determined with chromatographic techniques, was less than that of the commercial phenolic antioxidant in both the film‐blown and compression‐molded materials. The process stabilizing efficiency was nevertheless higher for the material containing α‐tocopherol. During the long‐term stabilization, the efficiency of α‐tocopherol was less than that of the commercial phenolic stabilizer Irganox 1076 in the thin films, according to chemiluminescence and infrared measurements. The long‐term efficiency in the compression‐molded samples stabilized with α‐tocopherol or Irganox 1076 was equally good because of the low loss of both α‐tocopherol and Irganox 1076 from the thicker films. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 98: 2427–2439, 2005
Polymers, composites, and characterization of conducting polyfuran and poly(2‐bromoaniline)
Authors: Gök Ayşegül , Sari Bekir , Talu Muzaffer
Published: September 2005

This article is a duplicate of an article previously published in the Journal of Applied Polymer Science, Vol. 98, No. 5, December 5, 2005, pp. 2048‐2057 http://doi.wiley.com/10.1002/app.22404

We regret any inconvenience this may have caused.
Synthesis of glycidyl amine adducts and their copolymerization with glycidyl methacrylate
Authors: Gawdzik Barbara , Kovtun Oksana
Published: September 2005

Syntheses of new adducts from glycidyl methacrylate and the following amines: aniline, p‐phenylenediamine, 4,4′‐oxydianiline, 4,4′‐diaminodiphenylmethane, 4,4′‐diaminodiphenyl sulfone, 4,4′‐thiodianiline, and 4,4′‐diaminodicyclohexylmethane, are presented. These adducts were copolymerized with glycidyl methacrylate. The curing process was initiated thermally and by UV light. Thermomechanical properties of the obtained compositions were studied. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 98: 2461–2466, 2005
Thermal decomposition kinetics of thermotropic liquid crystalline polyesterimides
Authors: Chi Zhenguo , Yao Xiandong , Zhang Yi , Xu Jiarui
Published: September 2005

We investigated the thermal decomposition behavior of three groups of polyesterimides that had been synthesized from different compositions of monomers that were added in different. We characterized these polymers with thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and calculated the apparent activation energy (Ea) associated with the thermal decomposition process by the Ozawa method. The results showed that the Ea of the polyesterimides was correlated with the length of the methylene spacer and the content of the 4,4′‐dihydroxybenzophenone monomer. The polyesterimide with four methylene spacers in the main chain had a higher Ea than that with six methylene spacers. The polyesterimide with a higher 4,4′‐dihydroxybenzophenone content provided better thermal stability. The Ea of the polyesterimides also depended on the sequence in which the monomers were added during the copolycondensation process. The Ea of these polyesterimides followed the order: p‐hydroxybenzoic acid added first > p‐hydroxybenzoic acid mixed 4,4′‐dihydroxybenzophenone adding > 4,4′‐dihydroxybenzophenone added first. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 98: 2467–2472, 2005
Characterization of the skin orientation of thermotropic liquid‐crystalline copolyester moldings with near‐edge X‐ray absorption fine structure
Authors: Bubeck Robert A. , Thomas Lowell S. , Rendon Stanley , Burghardt Wesley R. , Hexemer Alexander , Fischer Daniel A.
Published: September 2005

The process of injection‐molding net‐shape parts from thermotropic liquid‐crystalline polymers results in a skin‐core macrostructure. The underlying orientation in the core and the skin may differ both in magnitude and direction. A combination of near‐edge X‐ray absorption fine structure (NEXAFS) spectroscopy and two‐dimensional wide‐angle X‐ray scattering (2D WAXS) in transmission was used to characterize the orientation in injection‐molded plaques fabricated from thermotropic liquid‐crystalline copolyesters based on either 4,4′‐dihydroxy‐α‐methylstilbene or 6‐hydroxy‐2‐naphthoic acid/6‐hydroxybenzoic acid. NEXAFS is presented as a noninvasive in situ means of determining surface layer orientation that samples to a depth of as little as 2 nm and does not require slicing or ultramicrotoming of the samples. The effects of various processing conditions on the surface orientation in the region of the centerline of square injection‐molded plaques are presented and discussed. Comparisons are made between orientation parameters obtained by 2D WAXS in transmission, which is dominated by the microstructure in the core, and the NEXAFS technique. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 98: 2473–2480, 2005
Glucose oxidase electrodes based on microstructured polypyrrole films
Authors: Ma Mingming , Qu Liangti , Shi Gaoquan
Published: September 2005

Highly sensitive glucose oxidase (GOD) electrodes were fabricated on the basis of microstructured polypyrrole (PPy) films. The microstructures of the PPy films had a morphology like cups and were arranged in a density of approximately 4000 units/cm2. GOD was immobilized in microstructured PPy films coated on a Pt or stainless steel (SS; AISI 321) substrate electrode. The GOD/PPy/Pt electrode showed a linear response to glucose concentrations in the range of 0–17 mM at a potential of 0.4 V (vs a saturated calomel electrode). Its sensitivity was measured to be approximately 660 nA/(mM cm2) at 15°C, and the response time (t95%) was approximately 20 s. In comparison, the sensitivity of the GOD/PPy/Pt electrode based on a flat PPy film was only approximately 330 nA/(mM cm2) under the same conditions. The sensitivity of the microstructured GOD/PPy/Pt electrode could be increased to as high as approximately 2400 nA/(mM cm2) at 37°C. The microstructured GOD/PPy/SS electrode had a sensitivity of approximately 550 nA/(mM cm2) and a t95% value of approximately 30 s at 15°C and 0.4 V. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 98: 2550–2554, 2005
Preparation of a new type of ion‐exchange membrane based on sulfonated poly(ether ether ketone ketone)s
Authors: Li Xianfeng , Zhao Chengji , Lu Hui , Wang Zhe , Jiang Wei , Na Hui
Published: September 2005

Novel sulfonated poly(ether ether ketone ketone)s were prepared directly by nucleophilic polycondensation. They showed excellent thermal stability and good solubility and could be easily cast into tough membranes. The sulfonated membranes showed swelling of 16.08–26.71% and an ion‐exchange capacity of 1.01–1.57. The transport properties of different cations (H+, Na+, and K+) of membranes based on these polymers were evaluated. The potential for ion‐exchange membranes looks good. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 98: 2481–2486, 2005
Crosslinking structures and dyeing kinetics of cotton cellulose treated with a steeped process
Authors: Chen Hung‐En , Chen Jui‐Chin , Yao Wei‐Hua , Tsou Chi‐Hui , Chen Cheng‐Chi
Published: September 2005

A steeped procedure was introduced to the durable press finishing process in this study to study some physical properties, the crosslinking structure, and the pore structure. The results showed that the values of the dry and wet crease recovery angles of fabrics treated with the steep–pad–dry–cure process were higher than those of fabrics treated with the pad–dry–cure process, and those phenomena increased with higher steeped temperatures and longer times. The lengths of the crosslinks for the steep–pad–dry–cure process were higher than those for the pad–dry–cure process at a given number of crosslinks per anhydroglucose unit. The fabrics treated with the steep–pad–dry–cure process had higher values of the dye absorption, rate constant, and structural diffusion resistance constant than those treated with the pad–dry–cure process at the same dyeing temperature; however, they had lower values of the equilibrium absorption and activation energy than those treated with the pad–dry–cure process. The results of thin‐layer chromatography, H‐NMR, 13C‐NMR, and IR analyses suggested that self‐condensation between the crosslinking agents occurred during the steeped procedure. Additionally, the steep–pad–dry–cure‐treated fabric had more inner agent distribution than the pad–dry–cure‐treated fabric. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 98: 2555–2562, 2005
Mechanical and flame‐retarding properties of styrene–butadiene rubber filled with nano‐CaCO3 as a filler and linseed oil as an extender
Authors: Mishra S. , Shimpi N. G.
Published: September 2005

A nanosize CaCO3 filler was synthesized by an in situ deposition technique, and its size was confirmed by X‐ray diffraction. CaCO3 was prepared in three different sizes (21, 15, and 9 nm). Styrene–butadiene rubber (SBR) was filled with 2–10 wt % nano‐CaCO3 with 2% linseed oil as an extender. Nano‐CaCO3–SBR rubber composites were compounded on a two‐roll mill and molded on a compression‐molding machine. Properties such as the specific gravity, swelling index, hardness, tensile strength, abrasion resistance, modulus at 300% elongation, flame retardancy, and elongation at break were measured. Because of the reduction in the nanosize of CaCO3, drastic improvements in the mechanical properties were found. The size of 9 nm showed the highest increase in the tensile strength (3.89 MPa) in comparison with commercial CaCO3 and the two other sizes of nano‐CaCO3 up to an 8 wt % loading in SBR. The elongation at break also increased up to 824% for the 9‐nm size in comparison with commercial CaCO3 and the two other sizes of nano‐CaCO3. Also, these results were compared with nano‐CaCO3‐filled SBR without linseed oil as an extender. The modulus at 300% elongation, hardness, specific gravity, and flame‐retarding properties increased with a reduction in the nanosize with linseed oil as an extender, which helped with the uniform dispersion of nano‐CaCO3 in the rubber matrix. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 98: 2563–2571, 2005
Aberrant retinal projections in congenitally deaf mice: How are phenotypic characteristics specified in development and evolution?
Authors: Hunt Deborah L. , King Bryan , Kahn Dianna M. , Yamoah Ebenezer N. , Shull Gary E. , Krubitzer Leah
Published: October 2005

The contribution of sensory input to the formation of sensory system‐specific (sensoritopic) connections of the thalamus and midbrain was investigated using mice lacking the Na+‐K+‐2Cl− cotransporter (NKCC1) or the plasma membrane Ca2+‐ATPase isoform2 (PMCA2). Because these mice are congenitally deaf, the developing nervous system has no exposure to sensory‐driven neural activity from the auditory system. Here we compared the retinofugal pathway in normal and congenitally deaf mice using intraocular injections of neuroanatomical tracers into each eye, and relating tracer patterns to identified thalamic nuclei and superior colliculus layers. We demonstrate that loss of such activity results in aberrant projections of the retina into nonvisual auditory structures such as the medial geniculate nucleus and the intermediate layers of the superior colliculus. These findings indicate that activity from peripheral sensory receptor arrays is necessary not only for the refinement of developing connections within a unimodal structure, but for the establishment of sensoritopic or sensory‐specific connections of unimodal and multimodal structures. We hypothesize that specification of such connections may occur through the modulation of spatial expression patterns of molecules known to be involved in the development of topography of connections between brain structures, such as the ephrins, via activity‐dependent, CRE‐mediated gene expression. © 2005 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Yeast expression of the VP8* fragment of the rotavirus spike protein and its use as immunogen in mice
Authors: Andrés Isabel , Rodríguez‐Díaz Jesús , Buesa Javier , Zueco Jesús
Published: September 2005

The VP8* fragment from the rotavirus spike protein was expressed as a fusion protein with two different cell wall proteins of Saccharomyces cerevisiae, Icwp (Ssr1p) and Pir4, to achieve cell wall targeting or secretion to the growth medium of the fusion proteins. Two different host strains were used for the expression of the fusion proteins, a standard S. cerevisiae strain and a mnn9 glycosylation deficient strain, the later to reduce hyper‐glycosylation. The Icwp‐VP8* fusion could only be detected in the growth medium, indicating that the presence of the VP8* moiety interferes with the anchorage of Icwp to the cell wall. In the case of the Pir4‐VP8* fusion proteins, we achieved cell wall targeting or secretion depending on how the gene fusion had been performed. In all cases, the fusion proteins expressed in the mnn9 strain showed a reduced level of glycosylation. Mice were inoculated intraperitoneally either with Pir4‐VP8* or Icwp‐VP8* fusion proteins purified from the growth medium of mnn9 strains expressing them or with whole cells of an mnn9 strain expressing a Pir4‐VP8 fusion protein on its cell walls. Hundred percent of mice inoculated with the Pir4‐VP8* fusion protein and 25% of those inoculated with the Icwp‐VP8* fusion protein showed high titers of anti‐VP8* antibodies. No specific immune response was detected in those mice inoculated with whole cells. Finally, susceptibility to rotavirus infection of the offspring of immunized dams was determined and protection was found in a percentage of approximately 60% with respect to the control group. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Parallel analysis of mutant human glucose 6‐phosphate dehydrogenase in yeast using PCR colonies
Authors: Merritt Joshua , Butz James A. , Ogunnaike Babatunde A. , Edwards Jeremy S.
Published: September 2005

We demonstrate a highly parallel strategy to analyze the impact of single nucleotide mutations on protein function. Using our method, it is possible to screen a population and quickly identify a subset of functionally interesting mutants. Our method utilizes a combination of yeast functional complementation, growth competition of mutant pools, and polymerase colonies. A defined mutant human glucose‐6‐phosphate‐dehydrogenase library was constructed which contains all possible single nucleotide missense mutations in the eight‐residue glucose‐6‐phosphate binding peptide of the enzyme. Mutant human enzymes were expressed in a zwf1 (gene encoding yeast homologue) deletion strain of Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Growth rates of the 54 mutant strains arising from this library were measured in parallel in conditions selective for active hG6PD. Several residues were identified which tolerated no mutations (Asp200, His201 and Lys205) and two (Ile199 and Leu203) tolerated several substitutions. Arg198, Tyr202, and Gly204 tolerated only 1‐2 specific substitutions. Generalizing from the positions of tolerated and non‐tolerated amino acid substitutions, hypotheses were generated about the functional role of specific residues, which could, potentially, be tested using higher resolution/lower throughput methods. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Dioxygenation of naphthalene by Pseudomonas fluorescens N3 dioxygenase: Optimization of the process parameters
Authors: Di Gennaro P. , Conforti P. , Lasagni M. , Bestetti G. , Bernasconi S. , Orsini F. , Sello G.
Published: September 2005

The bioconversion of naphthalene to the 1,2‐dihydro‐1,2‐dihydroxy derivative was performed in good yield using an Escherichia coli recombinant strain carrying Pseudomonas fluorescens N3 dioxygenase. However, the efficiency of such transformation is affected by many process parameters, and their optimization is essential to the scaling up of the process. The following process parameters were considered for optimization: cell concentration together with the corresponding glucose concentration (DCW/L); pH of medium; temperature; stirring speed; air flow; substrate concentration; Fe2+ concentration; microelements concentration; reaction volume. We used a two‐step multivariate experimental design to select important variables and assign them optimal values. The most significant parameters were selected by adopting a Plackett–Burman design, and were then correlated, using a full factorial design, with the experimental results. The experimental results illustrate that the optimized process of recombinant whole cell biotransformation in two‐liquid phase systems enhances the naphthalene dihydrodiol yield threefold. This biotransformation opens the way to future experiments involving different substrates. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Simultaneous determination of five aristolochic acids and two aristololactams in Aristolochia plants by high‐performance liquid chromatography
Authors: Zhang Cuiying , Wang Xuan , Shang Mingying , Yu Jie , Xu Yuqiong , Li Zhenguo , Lei Liucheng , Li Xiaomei , Cai Shaoqing , Namba Tsuneo
Published: October 2005

An HPLC method was developed for the simultaneous determination of five aristolochic acids (AAs) and two aristololactams (ALs) in the following six Chinese drugs derived from Aristolochia species. Samples were analyzed on a C18 column with acetonitrile and 3.7 mm phosphoric acid buffer gradient elution, detected at 260 nm. Assay was linear over the range (µg/mL) 0.386–38.6 for aristolochic acid Va, 0.632–63.2 for aristolochic acid IVa, 0.200–20.0 for 9‐hydroxy aristolochic acid I, 0.352–35.2 for aristololactam II, 0.296–29.6 for aristolochic acid II, 0.274–27.4 for aristololactam I and 3.12–312 for aristolochic acid I. Average recoveries (%) of samples were 102.0, 95.9, 99.2, 102.2, 97.2, 97.1 and 97.8 for these seven constituents, respectively. The detection limit and retention time for the seven constituents ranged from 10.0 to 15.8 ng/mL and from 12 to 21 min. As a result of drug determination, contents (in mg/g) were as follows: AA‐I, 0.69–1.77; AA‐II, 0.02–0.18; 9‐OH AA‐I, 0.04–0.12; AA‐IVa, 0.76–3.36; AA‐Va, 0.04–0.31; AL‐I, 0.07–0.36; and AL‐II, 0.01–0.09 in Madouling; AA‐I, 0.03–0.41; AA‐II, 0.01–0.11; 9‐OH AA‐I, 0.00–0.60; AA‐IVa, 0.00–0.77; AA‐Va, 0.00–0.14; and AL‐I, 0.00–0.04 in Tianxianteng; AA‐I, 1.19–4.71; and AA‐II, 0.24–1.69 in Qingmuxiang; AA‐I, 2.79–5.48; AA‐II, 1.06–1.86; 9‐OH AA‐I, 0.01–0.09; AA‐IVa, 0.38–0.69; AA‐Va, 0.00–0.61; AL‐I, 0.00–0.02; and AL‐II, 0.00–0.02 in Bei‐madouling‐gen; AA‐I, 0.64–4.23; AA‐II, 0.06–0.40; and AA‐IVa, 0.08–0.25; in Guangfangji; and AA‐I, 1.88–9.72; AA‐II, 0.26–1.88; and AA‐IVa, 0.09–0.52 in Guanmutong. The other constituents were not detected in Tianxianteng, Qingmuxiang, Guangfangji and Guanmutong. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Design, Synthesis and Biological Evaluation of Sugar‐Derived Ras Inhibitors
Authors: Peri Francesco , Airoldi Cristina , Colombo Sonia , Martegani Enzo , van Neuren Anske Stephanie , Stein Matthias , Marinzi Chiara , Nicotra Francesco
Published: September 2005

The design and synthesis of novel Ras inhibitors with a bicyclic scaffold derived from the natural sugar D‐arabinose are presented. Molecular modelling showed that these ligands can bind Ras by accommodating the aromatic moieties and the phenylhydroxylamino group in a cavity near the Switch II region of the protein. All the synthetic compounds were active in inhibiting nucleotide exchange on p21 human Ras in vitro, and two of them selectively inhibited Ras‐dependent cell growth in vivo.
A Mass Spectrometric and Molecular Modelling Study of Cisplatin Binding to Transferrin
Authors: Khalaila Isam , Allardyce Claire S. , Verma Chandra S. , Dyson Paul J.
Published: September 2005

A combination of mass spectrometry, UV/Vis spectroscopy and molecular modelling techniques have been used to characterise the interaction of cisplatin with human serum transferrin (Tf). Mass spectrometry indicates that cisplatin binds to the hydroxy functional group of threonine 457, which is located in the iron(III)‐binding site on the C‐terminal lobe of the protein. UV/Vis spectroscopy confirms the stoichiometry of binding and shows that cisplatin and iron(III) binding are competitive. The binding of cisplatin has been modelled by using molecular dynamic simulations and the results suggest that cisplatin can occupy part of both the iron(III)‐ and carbonate‐binding sites in the C‐terminal lobe of the protein. Combined, the studies suggest that cisplatin binding sterically restricts iron(III) binding to the C‐terminal lobe binding site, whereas the N‐terminal lobe binding site appears to be unaffected by the cisplatin interaction, possibly allowing the iron(III)‐induced conformational change necessary for binding to a Tf receptor.