bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Comparative study of the dielectric properties of natural‐fiber–matrix composites and E‐glass–matrix composites
Authors: Triki A. , Guicha M. , Ben Hassen Med , Arous M.
Published: November 2012

In this work, we undertook a comparative study of the dynamic dielectric analysis of two composites: natural‐fiber‐reinforced unsaturated polyester (NFRUP) and E‐glass‐mat‐reinforced unsaturated polyester (EGMRUP). In both composites, two common relaxation processes were identified, the first of which was the α‐mode relaxation associated with the glass transition of the matrix. The second one was associated with conductivity that occurred because of the carriers' charge diffusion and was observed at temperatures above the glass transition and at low frequencies. However, the interfacial or Maxwell–Wagner–Sillars polarization was noticed only in the NFRUP composite. This dielectric study also revealed that compared to E‐glass fibers, natural fibers enhanced the thermal insulation in the composite. Also, the study of the fiber adhesion in the matrix with scanning electron microscopy, differential scanning calorimetry, and tensile testing revealed a great compatibility of the fibers with the matrix in both composites. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci., 2013
Operating window of solution casting, part I: Newtonian fluids
Authors: Huang Yuan‐Chan , Wang Tai‐Zan , Tsai Chi‐Ping , Liu Ta‐Jo
Published: November 2012

An experimental study was carried out to investigate the fluid mechanics of solution casting. Newtonian glycerol solutions were used as test fluids and were casted on the polyethylene terephthalate films. The focus of this study is on the evaluation of the operating window, i.e., a region for stable and uniform processing. Different types of defects such as stable or unstable poolings, vibrating edges, and air entrainment outside the operating windows were observed. The effects of two different start‐up approaches on the operating window were studied. One of the key operating parameters is the maximum casting velocity Vmax for stable operation. The fluid viscosity is the most critical parameter on Vmax. It was found that if the gap between the slot die exit and the moving film substrate is smaller than 600 μm, Vmax might go down and then go up as the fluid viscosity increases. On the other hand, if the gap is larger than 600 μm, Vmax will decrease as the fluid viscosity increases. Competition of two different types of defects, i.e., unstable pooling and air entrainment, can decide Vmax, as evidenced by the observation on the fluid motion and dynamic contact angles of different cases. The importance of different forces on Vmax was also analyzed. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci., 2013
Influences of compatibilizers on rheology and mechanical properties of propylene random copolymer/styrene‐ethylene‐butylene‐styrene block copolymer/organic‐montmorillonite nanocomposites
Authors: Liu Binbin , Shangguan Yonggang , Song Yihu , Zheng Qiang
Published: November 2012

Propylene random copolymer (PPR)/styrene‐ethylene‐butylene‐styrene block copolymer (SEBS)/compatibilizer/organic‐montmorillonite (OMMT) quaternary nanocomposites and PPR/compatibilizer/OMMT ternary nanocomposites were prepared via two‐stage melt blending and influences of compatibilizers, maleic anhydride (MA) grafted styrene‐ethylene‐butylene‐styrene copolymer (SEBS‐g‐MA), poly(octene‐co‐ethylene) (POE‐g‐MA), or propylene block copolymers (PPB‐g‐MA), on rheology and mechanical properties of the nanocomposites were investigated. The results of X‐ray diffraction measurement and transmission electron microscopy observation showed that OMMT layers were mainly intercalated in the nanocomposites except for the mainly exfoliated structure in the quaternary nanocomposites using POE‐g‐MA as compatibilizer. The nanocomposites exhibited pseudo‐solid like viscoelasticity in low frequencies and shear‐thinning in high shear rates. As far as OMMT dispersion was concerned, POE‐g‐MA was superior to SEBS‐g‐MA and PPB‐g‐MA, which gives rise to the highest viscosities in both the ternary and quaternary nanocomposites. The quaternary nanocomposites containing POE‐g‐MA were endowed with balanced toughness and rigidity. It was suggested that a suitable combination of compatibilizer and SEBS was an essentially important factor for adjusting the OMMT dispersion and distribution, the rheological and mechanical performances of the nanocomposites. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci., 2013
Electric field‐induced stretch of pyrene‐labeled diblock weak polyelectrolyte in dilute solution monitored by steady‐state fluorescence
Authors: Tan Qian , Shu Xiang , Yi Jie , Zhang Hai‐Liang
Published: November 2012

Pyrene‐labeled diblock weak polyelectrolyte of poly (2‐hydroxyethyl methacrylate)‐b‐poly (2‐(dimethylamino) ethyl methacrylate) (Py‐PHEMA‐b‐PDMAEMA) was successfully synthesized by atom transfer radical polymerization. The behavior of electric field induced diblock polyelectrolyte chain stretch in dilute solution was investigated by steady‐state fluorescence spectroscopy. The effect of diblock polyelectrolyte concentration, pH value, salt concentration, and solvent viscosity on electric field‐induced stretch was thoroughly investigated by the ratio (IE/IM) of excimer‐to‐monomer emission intensities obtained from the steady‐state fluorescence spectroscopy. The results indicate that the weak diblock polyelectrolyte coil undergoes a stretching process in an external electric field, resulting in the electric field‐induced stretch. An increasing polyelectrolyte concentration is advantageous to electric field‐induced stretch. The degree of electric field‐induced stretch is increased with the decrease of pH value by adding acid. In the presence of NaCl, the degree of electric field‐induced stretch is increased with an increasing of salt concentration. However, an increase of solvent viscosity is disadvantageous to electric field‐induced stretch. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci., 2013
Assessment of antibacterial activity of herbal finished surface modified polypropylene nonwoven fabric against bacterial pathogens of wound
Authors: Nithyakalyani Dhanapalan , Ramachandran Thangavelu , Rajendran Ramasamy , Mahalakshmi Muthusamy
Published: November 2012

The field of medical textiles, an antimicrobial textile in particular is interdisciplinary. Antimicrobial textiles are mainly used in medical and healthcare environments to control the proliferation of microorganisms. The present work is aimed to study the antimicrobial activity of the air plasma treated (PT) nonwoven polypropylene fabric coated with herbs, which can be used as wound dressing. Surface modification of the nonwoven polypropylene fabric was performed using air plasma. The air PT fabric was finished with the methanolic extracts of 11 medicinal herbs. Their antibacterial activities were analyzed against Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli. Of these, three herbs namely Ficus bengalensis, Cleome viscosa, and Areca catechu showed good activity against S. aureus and Escherichia coli. The antibacterial activity of the air PT polypropylene fabric coated with 1 : 1 : 1 combination of the abovementioned herbs was also assessed as per AATCC 100 method and it was found to be 99%. The herbal finished fabric was tested against the predominant wound isolates by agar diffusion method. The results showed excellent antibacterial activity against Staphylococcus sp., good antibacterial activity against Bacillus sp., Escherichia sp., Klebsiella sp., Pseudomonas sp., Serratia sp., and Proteus sp. thus proving its potential as wound dressing. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci., 2013
Microencapsulation of imidazole curing agent by solvent evaporation method using W/O/W emulsion
Authors: Shin Min Jae , Shin Young Jae , Hwang Seung Won , Shin Jae Sup
Published: November 2012

The epoxy–imidazole resin system is used to form the anisotropic conducting film. The latent character of the system is very significant. In this study, imidazole (Im) or 2‐methylimidazole (2MI) was encapsulated for the latent curing system to use in the reaction of epoxy resin. Polycaprolactone was used as a wall material, and the solvent evaporation method was used to form the microcapsule using W/O/W emulsion. The shelf life of the microcapsules was studied for the epoxy resin, and the curing behavior of the microcapsules for epoxy resin was examined using a differential scanning calorimeter. The curing times at 150 and 180°C were estimated using an indentation method. The microcapsules of Im or 2MI exhibited a long shelf life for epoxy resin. When comparing the results of the previous methods with the results of this study using the W/O/W emulsion, finer microcapsules were formed and the microcapsule has longer shelf life. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci., 2013
Influence of diblock addition on tack in a polyacrylic triblock copolymer/tackifier system measured using a probe tack test
Authors: Yamamura Kazuhiro , Fujii Syuji , Nakamura Yoshinobu , Fujiwara Kazuko , Hikasa Shigeki , Urahama Yoshiaki
Published: November 2012

The influence of diblock copolymer addition on the tack properties of a polyacrylic triblock copolymer/tackifier system was investigated. For this purpose, poly(methyl methacrylate)‐block‐poly(n‐butyl acrylate)‐block‐poly(methyl methacrylate) triblock copolymer (MAM) and a 1/1 blend with a diblock copolymer consisting of the same components (MA) were used as base polymers, and a tackifier was added in amounts ranging from 10 to 30 wt %. The temperature dependence of tack was measured by a probe tack test. The tack of MAM/MA at room temperature was significantly higher than that of MAM, and the improvement of MAM/MA upon the addition of the tackifier was higher than that of MAM. The peeling process at the probe/adhesive interface during the probe tack test was observed using a high‐speed microscope. It was found that for MAM/MA, cavitation was caused in the entire adhesive layer, and peeling initiation was delayed by the absorption of strain energy due to deformation of the adhesive layer. In contrast, for MAM, peeling progressed linearly from the edge to the center of the probe. The greater flexibility of the soft block chain in the diblock copolymer resulted in improved interfacial adhesion. 1H pulse nuclear magnetic resonance analysis showed that the addition of the tackifier improved the cohesive strength of the adhesive. Adhesion strength is affected by two factors: the development of interfacial adhesion and cohesive strength. In the MAM/MA/tackifier system, the presence of MA and the tackifier improved the interfacial adhesion and cohesive strength, respectively. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci., 2013
Stem cells of the respiratory system: From identification to differentiation into functional epithelium
Authors: Green Michael D. , Huang Sarah X.L. , Snoeck Hans‐Willem
Published: November 2012

We review recent progress in the stem cell biology of the respiratory system, and discuss its scientific and translational ramifications. Several studies have defined novel stem cells in postnatal lung and airways and implicated their roles in tissue homeostasis and repair. In addition, significant advances in the generation of respiratory epithelium from pluripotent stem cells (PSCs) now provide a novel and powerful platform for understanding lung development, modeling pulmonary diseases, and implementing drug screening. Finally, breakthroughs have been made in the generation of decellularized lung matrices that can serve as a scaffold for repopulation with respiratory cells derived from either postnatal or PSCs. These studies are a critical step forward towards the still distant goal of stem cell‐based regenerative medicine for diseases of lung and airways.
Risk factors for major morbidity after liver resection for hepatocellular carcinoma
Authors: Sadamori H , Yagi T , Shinoura S , Umeda Y , Yoshida R , Satoh D , Nobuoka D , Utsumi M , Fujiwara T
Published: November 2012

Background

Bile leakage, and organ and/or space surgical-site infection (SSI) are common causes of major morbidity after partial hepatectomy for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). The purpose of this study was to analyse risk factors for major morbidity and to explore strategies for its reduction after partial hepatectomy for HCC.

Methods

Risk factors for bile leakage and organ/space SSI were analysed in patients who underwent partial hepatectomy for HCC between 2001 and 2010. The causes, management and outcomes of intractable bile leakage requiring endoscopic therapy or percutaneous transhepatic biliary drainage were analysed. In addition, causative bacteria, outcomes and characteristics of organ/space SSI were investigated. Risk factors were identified using multivariable analysis.

Results

Some 359 patients were included in the analysis. The prevalence of bile leakage and organ/space SSI was 12·8 and 8·6 per cent respectively. Repeat hepatectomy and an operating time of at least 300 min were identified as independent risk factors for bile leakage. The main causes of intractable bile leakage were latent strictures of the biliary system caused by previous treatments for HCC and intraoperative injury of the hepatic duct during repeat hepatectomy. Independent risk factors for organ/space SSI were repeat hepatectomy and bile leakage. Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus was detected more frequently in organ/space SSI after repeat hepatectomy than after initial partial hepatectomy.

Conclusion

Repeat hepatectomy and prolonged surgery were identified as risk factors for bile leakage after liver resection for HCC. Bile leakage and repeat hepatectomy increased the risk of organ/space SSI.
Integration of patient-reported outcome measures with key clinical outcomes after immediate latissimus dorsi breast reconstruction and adjuvant treatment
Authors:   The Prospective Trial Management Group, Winters Z E , Haviland J , Balta V , Benson J , Reece-Smith A , Betambeau N
Published: November 2012

Background

Clinical evidence on patient-reported outcome measures (PROMS) in breast reconstruction is lacking. The aim of this study was to evaluate PROMs in implant-assisted latissimus dorsi (LDI) or tissue-only autologous latissimus dorsi (ALD) flap reconstruction in relation to complications and adjuvant treatments.

Methods

This was a prospective cohort study involving six UK centres. Eligible patients had primary early-stage breast cancer. The European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer quality-of-life questionnaire (QLQ)-C30 and QLQ-BR23, Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy—Breast Cancer scale (FACT-B), Body Image Scale, and Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale were completed before operation and at 3, 6 and 12 months after surgery.

Results

A total of 182 patients (82 LDI and 100 ALD) were recruited between 2007 and 2010 with symptomatic (59·9 per cent) or screen-detected (39·6 per cent) cancers. Some 64·3 per cent had lymph node-negative disease; 30 per cent of the LDI group had radiotherapy, compared with 53·0 per cent in the ALD group (P = 0·004). Early complications up to 3 months after surgery were reported in 66 and 51·0 per cent of patients in the LDI and ALD groups respectively (P = 0·062) and long-term complications (4–12 months) in 48 and 45·0 per cent (P = 0·845). Role functioning and pain (P = 0·002 for both) were adversely affected in the ALD group compared with results in the LDI group, with no significant effects of radiotherapy on any health-related quality of life (HRQL). Chemotherapy and early complications adversely affected HRQL, which improved between 3 and 12 months after surgery (P < 0·010 for all).

Conclusion

There is evidence of similar HRQL between types of latissimus dorsi breast reconstruction for up to a year after surgery. There appear to be no overarching effects for radiotherapy after mastectomy on the specific HRQL domains studied in the short term. The identification of variables that affect HRQL is important, including their integration into the analysis of PROMs.
Expression of cell adhesion molecules and prognosis in breast cancer
Authors: Saadatmand S , de Kruijf E M , Sajet A , Dekker-Ensink N G , van Nes J G H , Putter H , Smit V T H B M , van de Velde C J H , Liefers G J , Kuppen P J K
Published: November 2012

Background

Cell adhesion molecules (CAMs) play an important role in the process of metastasis. The prognostic value of tumour expression of N-cadherin, E-cadherin, carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) and epithelial CAM (Ep-CAM) was evaluated in patients with breast cancer.

Methods

A tissue microarray of the patient cohort was stained immunohistochemically for all markers and analysed by microscopy. Expression was classified into two categories, with the median score as cut-off level. For CEA, the above-median category was further subdivided in two subgroups based on staining intensity (low or high intensity).

Results

The cohort consisted of 574 patients with breast cancer with a median follow-up of 19 years. Below-median expression of E-cadherin (P = 0·015), and above-median expression of N-cadherin (P = 0·004), Ep-CAM (P = 0·046) and CEA (P = 0·001) all resulted in a shorter relapse-free period. Multivariable analysis revealed E-cadherin and CEA to be independent prognostic variables. Combined analysis of CEA and E-cadherin expression showed a 3·6 times higher risk of relapse for patients with high-intensity expression of CEA, regardless of E-cadherin expression, compared with patients with below-median CEA and above-median E-cadherin tumour expression (hazard ratio 3·60, 95 per cent confidence interval 2·12 to 6·11; P < 0·001). An interaction was found between expression of these two CAMs (P < 0·001), suggesting a biological association.

Conclusion

Combining E-cadherin and CEA tumour expression provides a prognostic parameter with high discriminative power that is a candidate tool for prediction of prognosis in breast cancer.
Graphics processing unit optimizations for the dynamics of the HIRLAM weather forecast model
Authors: Vu V.T. , Cats G. , Wolters L.
Published: November 2012

Programmable graphics processing units (GPUs) nowadays offer tremendous computational resources for diverse applications. In this paper, we present the implementation of the dynamics routine of the HIRLAM weather forecast model on the NVIDIA GTX 480. The original Fortran code has been converted manually to C and CUDA. Empirically, it is determined what the optimal number of grid points per thread is, and what the best thread and block structures are. A significant amount of the elapsed time consists of transferring data between CPU and GPU. To reduce the impact of these transfer costs, we overlap calculation and transfer of data using multiple CUDA streams. We developed an algorithm that enables our code generator CTADEL to generate automatically the optimal CUDA streams program. Experiments are performed to find out if the applicability of GPUs is useful for Numerical Weather Prediction, in particular for the dynamics part. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Instruction scheduling and transformation for a VLIW unified reduced instruction set computer/digital signal processor processor with shared register architecture
Authors: Lee Cheng‐Yu , Hung Min‐Chin , Chang Rong‐Guey
Published: November 2012

The popularity of multimedia applications made them a major theme in embedded systems. The key component for supporting multimedia application well is embedded processor. Thus, we have designed and implemented an embedded processor, called UniDual processor, to achieve this objective. Its key features are the integration of instructions of reduced instruction set computers (RISCs) and digital signal processors (DSPs) as well as the support of special instruction set and shared‐based clustered register architecture. However, an important issue of UniDual that remains open is how to efficiently allocate registers.

In this paper, we present a scheduling and instruction transformation approach to resolve the aforementioned issue. The proposed approach schedules instructions and then transforms overlapped instructions into RISC and DSP instructions by taking communication overhead and hardware limitations into account. Compared with the greedy approach, the evaluation shows that our work is relatively effective in performance and code size reduction. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Genetic algorithm in finding Pareto frontier of optimizing data transfer versus job execution in grids
Authors: Taheri Javid , Zomaya Albert Y. , Khan Samee U.
Published: November 2012

This work presents a genetic algorithm (GA)‐based optimization technique, called GA‐ParFnt, to find the Pareto frontier for optimizing data transfer versus job execution time in grids. As the performance of a generic GA is not suitable to find such Pareto relationship, major modifications are applied to it so that it can efficiently discover such relationship. The frontier curve representing this relationship is then matched against performance of several scheduling techniques—for both data intensive and computationally intensive applications—to measure their overall performances. Results show that few of these algorithms are far from the Pareto front despite their claims of being efficient in optimizing their targeted objectives. Results also provide invaluable insights into this formidable problem and should aid in the design of future schedulers. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Invasion history and demographic pattern of Cryphonectria hypovirus 1 across European populations of the chestnut blight fungus
Authors: Bryner Sarah F. , Rigling Daniel , Brunner Patrick C.
Published: November 2012

We reconstructed the invasion history of the fungal virus Cryphonectria hypovirus 1 (CHV‐1) in Europe, which infects the chestnut blight fungus Cryphonectria parasitica. The pattern of virus evolution was inferred based on nucleotide sequence variation from isolates sampled across a wide area in Europe at different points in time. Phylogeny and time estimates suggested that CHV‐1 was introduced together with its fungal host to Europe and that it rapidly colonized the central range along the south facing slopes of the Alps and the north‐east facing slopes of the Dinaric Alps. These central populations were the source for two waves of simultaneous invasions toward the southern Balkans and Turkey, as indicated by migration rates. Our results showed that the evolutionary scenarios for CHV‐1 and C. parasitica were spatially congruent. As infection with CHV‐1 reduces the pathogenicity of C. parasitica toward the chestnut tree, CHV‐1 invasions of the newly established C. parasitica populations probably prevented the development of devastating chestnut blight epidemics in Europe. We propose that in this, and supposedly in other pathosystems, geographic, vegetation‐related, demographic, economic, and political factors may help explain the correlated invasion pattern of a parasite and its host.
Development of multireflection absorption spectroscopy device using ultraviolet LEDs
Authors: Fukuchi Tetsuo , Shiina Tatsuo
Published: November 2012

An ultraviolet absorption spectroscopy device using light‐emitting diodes (LEDs) as the light source was constructed. The measurement cell, light source, and transmitting and receiving optics were installed on a breadboard measuring 30 × 30 cm. A measurement optical path length of 1 m was made possible by multireflection optics. The device can mount two LEDs in tandem, and the transmitted light is coupled to an optical fiber, which is connected to a compact spectrometer. Two LEDs with center wavelengths of 280 and 295 nm were used to provide an emission spectrum which covered the peak region of the absorption spectrum of SO2 . Experiments confirmed the linearity of the absorption coefficient measured by the device for SO2 concentrations in the range of 16 to 800 ppm. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Electron Comm Jpn, 95(12): 62–68, 2012; Published online in Wiley Online Library (wileyonlinelibrary.com). DOI 10.1002/ecj.11419
Emergence of migration behavior and adaptiogenesis to environments with sensory agents: Multigenerational migration of the monarch butterfly
Authors: Suetsugu Katsuya , Mutoh Atsuko , Kato Shohei , Kunitachi Tsutomu , Itoh Hidenori
Published: November 2012

An artificial ecosystem model was developed to study complex behavior of real organisms. The subject of the research is multigenerational migration of the Monarch butterfly in North America, and we approached the problem from an evolutionary simulation. The ecosystem consists of artificial agents and five areas. The model is based on real organisms and the areas where they live simulated with a genetic algorithm. We then designed a model of agents that have genetic factors. These genetic factors determine the behavioral strategies, physical features, and transformational strategies of the agent. Each area is modeled on areas where we can see the migration of the Monarch, and the environmental factors of each area change periodically. Because of the genetic factor of the agent and the change of the environmental factors, the agent adapts to the environment and evolves gradually by using a genetic algorithm. Results of the evolutionary simulation show that multigenerational migration behavior of the agent emerges as its genetic factors adapt to periodic changes of the environmental factors in their evolution. The migration process of agents and their genetic factors are discussed, and the migration of the agent and that of the Monarch butterfly are compared. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Electron Comm Jpn, 95(12): 46–55, 2012; Published online in Wiley Online Library (wileyonlinelibrary.com). DOI 10.1002/ecj.11422
Deviance in group decision making: Group‐member centrality alleviates negative consequences for the group
Authors: Rijnbout Jasmine S. , McKimmie Blake M.
Published: November 2012

Research on the effects of deviance during group decision making has shown that although it can lead to increased innovation and creativity within the group, group members often dislike the deviant member and rate group morale as lower because of dissent during the decision‐making process. The current study (N = 101) uses an information processing approach to examine the effect of deviance on decision outcomes as well as investigate how the perceived position of group members can influence whether they are given leeway to voice dissent. Results found that deviance can improve group decision making without incurring social costs when a deviant group member occupies a central position within the group. These findings are novel within the field of deviance research yet are consistent with research on group criticism and idiosyncrasy credit and therefore have significant implications for literature on the effect of group deviance and the application of deviance techniques within organisational and educational settings. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Determination of electrokinetic and hydrodynamic parameters of proteins by modeling their electrophoretic mobilities through the electrically charged spherical porous particle
Authors: Deiber Julio A. , Piaggio Maria V. , Peirotti Marta B.
Published: November 2012

This work explores the possibility of using the electrically charged “spherical porous particle” (SPP) to model the electrophoretic mobility of proteins in the low charge regime. In this regard, the electrophoretic mobility expression of the charged SPP (Hermans–Fujita model) is used and applied here to BSA and staphylococcal nuclease for different protocol pH values. The SPP is presented within the general framework of the “spherical soft particle” as described in the literature. The physicochemical conditions required to model proteins as SPP from their experimentally determined electrophoretic mobilities are established. It is shown that particle permeability and porosity and chain packing and friction fractal dimensions are relevant structural properties of proteins when hydrodynamic interaction between amino acid residues is present. The charge regulation phenomenon of BSA and staphylococcal nuclease with pIs ≈ 5.71 and 9.63, respectively, is described through the SPP within a wide range of bulk pH values. These case studies illustrate when the average regulating of the protein domain is lower and higher than the protocol pH. Further research for using the general spherical soft particle is also proposed on the basis of results and main conclusions.
Determination of electrokinetic and hydrodynamic parameters of proteins by modeling their electrophoretic mobilities through the electrically charged spherical soft particle
Authors: Deiber Julio A. , Piaggio María V. , Peirotti Marta B.
Published: November 2012

This work explores the possibility of using the electrically charged “spherical soft particle” (SSP) to model the electrophoretic mobility of proteins in the low charge regime. The general framework concerning the electrophoretic mobility of the SSP already presented in the literature is analyzed and discussed here in particular for polyampholyte‐polypeptide chains. In this regard, this theory is applied to BSA for different protocol pH values. The physicochemical conditions required to model proteins as SSP from their experimentally determined electrophoretic mobilities are established. In particular, the protein charge regulation phenomenon and the SSP particle core are included to study BSA having isoelectric point pI ≈ 5.71, within a wide range of bulk pH values. The results of this case study are compared with previous ones concerning the spherical porous particle and the spherical hard particle with occluded water. A discussion of chain conformations in the SSP polyampholyte layer is presented through estimations of the packing and friction fractal dimensions.
The use of a multichannel capillary for electrophoretic separations of mixtures of clinically important substances with contactless conductivity and UV photometric detection
Authors: Tůma Petr , Opekar František , Samcová Eva , Štulík Karel
Published: November 2012

A fused‐silica capillary with a common outer diameter, 360 μm, but containing seven internal channels, each 28 μm in diameter (a multichannel capillary), has been tested on electrophoretic separations of mixtures of dopamine, adrenaline, and noradrenaline, using a contactless conductivity and UV photometric detection. It has been demonstrated that the sensitivity of the detection of these neurotransmitters in multichannel capillary, in comparison with those obtained for a standard singlechannel capillary with similar cross‐sectional area, is comparable to that for the contactless conductivity and is about 50% higher for the UV photometry. The sensitivity is increased without loss of the separation efficiency, in contrast to UV detection with bubble cell. Further possibilities of using a multichannel capillary are demonstrated on separations of mixtures of inorganic cations (K+, Ba2+, Na+, Mg2+, and Li+) and mixtures of glucose and ribose. The main advantage of multi‐channel capillary in comparison with a singlechannel capillary with the same cross‐sectional area becomes apparent in separations in background electrolytes of high conductivity.
An experimental investigation on seawater SO2 scrubbing for marine application
Authors: Caiazzo Giuseppe , Langella Giuseppe , Miccio Francesco , Scala Fabrizio
Published: November 2012

A seawater spray scrubber was set up and tested with focus to desulfurization of marine engine exhaust gas. Experimental tests were carried out simulating typical exhaust conditions of a marine diesel engine burning heavy fuel oil and using real seawater. Different flue gas flow rates, seawater flow rates, and SO2 concentrations were tested. Liquid‐to‐gas ratios were in the range 1–10 × 10−3. A comparison between seawater and distilled water was also carried out to elucidate the effect of seawater alkalinity. In all conditions, the liquid phase was analyzed for alkalinity, pH, and sulfate content before and after the tests. Finally, the spray droplet size distribution was measured as a function of liquid flow rate.

Experimental results indicated that seawater performed better than distilled water, by exploiting its inherent alkalinity. The desulfurization performance was improved by increasing the liquid flow rate and the gas residence time and by decreasing the SO2 concentration. SO2 capture efficiencies up to 93% were measured under the present operating conditions. The experimental data were further compared with calculations performed with an available model for SO2 absorption in fall‐down droplets within a simple plug‐flow reactor. Model calculations were carried out by using all parameters' values as measured in the present experimental campaign. Model results well fit the experimental data, even if a slight underestimation of the desulfurization efficiency is reported. The likely reasons are the assumed plug flow of gas as well as the neglected contribution to SO2 capture by water film falling at the wall. © 2012 American Institute of Chemical Engineers Environ Prog, 32: 1179–1186, 2013
Multicriteria mapping of stakeholder preferences for the sustainability of the Brazilian program for biodiesel production and use
Authors: Mendes Pietro A.S. , Barros Allan Kardec , d'Avila Luiz Antonio , Antunes Adelaide M.
Published: November 2012

The aim of this article is to prioritize the factors and alternatives relating to the reference conditions for the biodiesel production chain for the Brazilian Program for Biodiesel Use and Production. Multicriteria mapping of stakeholders' preferences was used to structure 20 interviews with specialists from Brazil representing three key areas (academy, industry, and regulatory bodies). The methodology started with a review of the literature on the sustainability of the biodiesel production chain based on market data, a review of 138 scientific articles indexed in the CAPES “Web of Science” database, which were searched using “biodiesel” and “sustainability” as keywords, and an analysis of the sustainability criteria used in related legislation and voluntary sustainability initiatives. Next, the reference conditions for the sustainability of the biodiesel production chain were structured, starting with the links and then the factors and their respective impacts and prioritizations given by the stakeholders. The results obtained from all the respondents indicate that the six most critical parameters are: improving the productive capacity of the land, non deforestation, production inputs, land access, engine problems, and land use for food production, which jointly accounted for 55.5% of the total priorities. © 2012 American Institute of Chemical Engineers Environ Prog, 32: 1262–1270, 2013
Influence of extraction treatment on olive tree (Olea europaea) pruning lignin structure
Authors: Toledano Ana , Erdocia Xabier , Serrano Luis , Labidi Jalel
Published: November 2012

Olive tree pruning lignin was studied to be considered as a raw material candidate for biorefinery. Different extraction treatments (organosolv treatment: 60% wt ethanol, 180°C, 90 min; alkali treatment: 90 to 100°C, 7.5% wt NaOH, 90 min; and autohydrolysis process: 180°C, 30 min) were applied to extract lignin. The isolated lignins were deeply characterized to study the effect of the applied extraction conditions on lignin properties. Isolated lignins compositions were measured by determining acid insoluble lignin, acid soluble lignin, sugar content, and ash content. Functional groups (carboxyl groups, carbonyl groups, and OH‐phenolic groups) were analyzed to evaluate the reactivity of the different lignins. Nitrobenze oxidation, structure analyses (attenuated‐total reflection infrared spectroscopy and heteronuclear single quantum coherence) and high performance size exclusion chromatography analyses were carried out to meet olive tree pruning lignin structure. Organosolv treatment yielded the purest lignin while autohydolyisis process yielded medium purity lignin with low molecular weight. Finally, lignin obtained from alkali treatment was very impure and had high inorganic content and sugar contamination. © 2012 American Institute of Chemical Engineers Environ Prog, 32: 1187–1194, 2013
An Option‐Based Approach to Risk Arbitrage in Emerging Markets: Evidence from Taiwan Takeover Attempts
Authors: Lin Luke , Lan Li‐Huei , Chuang Shuang‐shii
Published: November 2012

Predicting the accuracy rate of takeover completion is the major key to risk arbitrage returns. In emerging markets, data on takeover attempts are either unavailable or of poor quality. Therefore, this paper proposes an option‐based approach to improve the accuracy of prediction. Empirical research on Taiwan takeovers shows that by this approach, the accuracy rate is 71.15%—considerably higher than the average of 54.81% using qualitative models. There exist, on average, three opportunities to close arbitrage positions, at a time before completion dates, when the target and acquiring stock prices converge. The annualized abnormal return is 42.19% greater than it would otherwise be. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Upregulation of brain‐derived neurotrophic factor expression in nodose ganglia and the lower brainstem of hypertensive rats
Authors: Vermehren‐Schmaedick Anke , Jenkins Victoria K. , Hsieh Hui‐ya , Brown Alexandra L. , Page Mollie P. , Brooks Virginia L. , Balkowiec Agnieszka
Published: November 2012

Hypertension leads to structural and functional changes at baroreceptor synapses in the medial nucleus tractus solitarius (NTS), but the underlying molecular mechanisms remain unknown. Our previous studies show that brain‐derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) is abundantly expressed by rat nodose ganglion (NG) neurons, including baroreceptor afferents and their central terminals in the medial NTS. We hypothesized that hypertension leads to upregulation of BDNF expression in NG neurons. To test this hypothesis, we used two mechanistically distinct models of hypertension, the spontaneously hypertensive rat (SHR) and the deoxycorticosterone acetate (DOCA)‐salt rat. Young adult SHRs, whose blood pressure was significantly elevated compared with age‐matched Wistar‐Kyoto (WKY) control rats, exhibited dramatic upregulation of BDNF mRNA and protein in the NG. BDNF transcripts from exon 4, known to be regulated by activity, and exon 9 (protein‐coding region) showed the largest increases. Electrical stimulation of dispersed NG neurons with patterns that mimic baroreceptor activity during blood pressure elevations led to increases in BDNF mRNA that were also mediated through promoter 4. The increase in BDNF content of the NG in vivo was associated with a significant increase in the percentage of BDNF‐immunoreactive NG neurons. Moreover, upregulation of BDNF in cell bodies of NG neurons was accompanied by a significant increase in BDNF in the NTS region, the primary central target of NG afferents. A dramatic increase in BDNF in the NG was also detected in DOCA‐salt hypertensive rats. Together, our study identifies BDNF as a candidate molecular mediator of activity‐dependent changes atbaroafferent synapses during hypertension. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Elevated serum haptoglobin after traumatic brain injury is synthesized mainly in liver
Authors: Yang Shuguang , Ma Yanhong , Liu Yong , Que Haiping , Zhu Changqiang , Liu Shaojun
Published: November 2012

Haptoglobin (Hp), an acute‐phase response protein, is typically increased in the serum of adults after acute tissue injury. It is an antioxidant and may function as an injury‐induced neuroprotective protein. However, the source of increased Hp is not clear. To investigate its source, we compared its time course expression profile in serum from rats with or without traumatic brain injury (TBI). Elevated Hp levels revealed by proteomic analysis were confirmed by Western blot, semiquantitative PCR, and real‐time PCR. We found that Hp protein and mRNA levels were increased after TBI in both serum and liver, especially in liver. Both in vivo and in vitro data showed that Hp expression was increased in rat and human (HL7702) liver cells upon treatment with TBI serum. Addition of anti‐interleukin‐6 (IL‐6) antibody downregulated the expression of Hp in liver cells induced by serum derived from rats and in liver of rats after TBI. These findings suggest that the increased Hp in serum came from the liver in response to TBI and that IL‐6 is an important mediator of this induction. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Random‐effects meta‐analysis of time‐to‐event data using the expectation–maximisation algorithm and shrinkage estimators
Authors: Simmonds Mark C , Higgins Julian PT , Stewart Lesley A
Published: November 2012

Meta‐analysis of time‐to‐event data has proved difficult in the past because consistent summary statistics often cannot be extracted from published results. The use of individual patient data allows for the re‐analysis of each study in a consistent fashion and thus makes meta‐analysis of time‐to‐event data feasible. Time‐to‐event data can be analysed using proportional hazards models, but incorporating random effects into these models is not straightforward in standard software.

This paper fits random‐effects proportional hazards models by treating the random effects as missing data and applying the expectation–maximisation algorithm. This approach has been used before by using Markov chain Monte Carlo methods to perform the expectation step of the algorithm. In this paper, the expectation step is simplified, without sacrificing accuracy, by approximating the expected values of the random effects using simple shrinkage estimators. This provides a robust method for fitting random‐effects models that can be implemented in standard statistical packages. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Failure behaviour of carbon/carbon composite under compression
Authors: Horvath J. , Tushtev K. , Grathwohl G. , Koch D.
Published: November 2012

In dieser Arbeit wurden die Eigenschaften eines Kohlenstoff‐Faserverbundwerkstoffs unter quasistatischer Druckbelastung untersucht und modellhaft beschrieben. Der Werkstoff wurde durch Pyrolyse hergestellt und besteht aus bidirektional verstärkten Gewebelagen. Für die Druckversuche wurde eine Vorrichtung zur Vermeidung überlagerter Biegebeanspruchung angefertigt. Das Spannungs‐Dehnungsverhalten dieses Werkstoffs wurde schon in verschiedenen Veröffentlichungen wiedergegeben. Hier wird auf das Bruchverhalten eingegangen und die experimentellen Ergebnisse aus den Druckversuchen den Kennwerten aus Zug‐ und Scherversuchen gegenübergestellt. Die unterschiedlichen Druck‐ und Zugeigenschaften von Steifigkeit, Querkontraktion und Festigkeit wurden bewertet. Unterschiede zwischen Zug‐ und Druckverhalten ergeben sich bei Belastung in Faserrichtung durch lokales Ausknicken und Rissschließung. Erfolgt die Belastung nicht in Faserrichtung, führen überlagerte Druck‐Normalspannungen zu erhöhter Scherreibung.
Comparative topographic study of surface micro‐relief of primary martensite plates in shape memory alloys with different crystalline structures
Authors: Suru M.‐G. , Bujoreanu L.‐G.
Published: November 2012

The surface micro‐reliefs of primary martensite plates, representative for two shape memory alloys (SMAs) with different crystalline structures were compared from qualitative and quantitative point of view by scanning electron microscopy and atomic force microscopy, respectively. Qualitative evaluations revealed larger widths and heights of the primary plates of ε hexagonal close packed (hcp) martensite, in an Fe‐Mn‐Si‐Cr‐Ni SMA than those of β2′ orthorhombic (9R) martensite, in a Cu‐Zn‐Al SMA. Quantitative evaluations were based on systematic dimensional measurements of the width and height of primary plate profiles. The measurements were performed on one hundred and twenty five profiles, five on each martensite plate belonging to five typical groups of primary plates, with length above 50 micrometers, of both ε hcp and β2′ 9R martensites. In order to compare the topographies of the two types of plates a statistical evaluation of the dimensional intervals of width and height of measured plates was performed.
Material stability analysis of rock joints
Authors: Duriez Jérôme , Darve Félix , Donzé Frédéric‐Victor , Nicot François
Published: November 2012

For prediction of rockfalls, the failure of rock joints is studied. Considering these failures as constitutive instabilities, a second‐order work criterion is used because it explains all divergence instabilities (flutter instabilities are excluded). The bifurcation domain and the loading directions of instabilities, which fulfill the criterion, are determined for any piecewise linear constitutive relation. The instability of rock joints appears to be ruled by coupling features of the behavior (e.g., dilatancy). Depending on the loading parameters, instabilities can lead to failure, even before the plastic limit criterion. Results for two given constitutive relations illustrate the approach. Some given loading paths are especially considered. Constant volume (undrained) shear and τ‐constant paths are stable or not depending on the link between the deviatoric stress and strain along undrained paths, as found for soils. Some unstable loading paths are illustrated. Along these paths, failure before the plastic limit criterion is possible. The corresponding failure rules are determined. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Palm oil‐based unsaturated polyester: Activation energy and swelling properties
Authors: Lai Choay‐Mon , Rozman Hj. Din , Tay Guan‐Seng
Published: November 2012

In this study, unsaturated polyester (UP) resin based on palm oil was synthesized. Palm oil monoglyceride (POMG) was obtained by alchoholysis process of palm oil at 230°C for 3 h. Then, POMG was treated with maleic anhydride (MA) at different ratio of POMG:MA to produce UP resin. The products were then characterized using Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectrometer and proton nuclear magnetic resonance (1H‐NMR) spectrometer. FTIR and 1H‐NMR spectrum analyses confirmed that the unsaturated group of MA was chemically attached to POMG. The activation energy of POMG/MA reaction was also studied. The results showed that the ratio of reactants and the presence of 2‐methylimidazole influenced the activation energy of reaction. The prepared UP resin was mixed with 35% of styrene, 0.3% of cobalt naphthenate, and 1% of methyl ethyl ketone peroxide before it was subjected to curing process. The effect of POMG/MG ratio on swelling properties of the cured UP was studied, and the result indicated that toluene and cured UP resin were compatible. POLYM. ENG. SCI., 2013. © 2012 Society of Plastics Engineers
Branched copolymers with biodegradable core and pendant oxirane groups
Authors: Neugebauer Dorota , Maksym‐Bębenek Paulina , Mielańczyk Anna , Biela Tadeusz
Published: November 2012

The reactive oxirane groups were incorporated into the macromolecule as substituents in the side chains of loosely‐grafted copolymer or in the arms of star‐shaped copolymer using glycidyl methacrylate (GMA) in the controlled atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP). The branched GMA copolymers with various architectures were obtained by using hydrophobic copolymers containing six and seven units of caprolactone 2‐(methacryloyloxy)ethyl ester (CLMA) functionalized with bromoester groups, and trifunctional poly(ε‐caprolactone) (PCL), as well as hydrophilic tri‐, and six‐functional acetal derivatives of D‐glucopyranosides as (macro)initiators with biodegradable and biocompatible properties. The well‐defined copolymers with core‐shell structures and polymerization degrees of GMA in the range of 20–100 per side chain/arm at 20–70% of monomer conversion within 1–6 h and narrow molecular weight distributions (Mw/Mn = 1.14–1.4) were obtained. POLYM. ENG. SCI., 2013. © 2012 Society of Plastics Engineers