bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Cerebral measurements and their correlation with the onset age and the duration of opioid abuse
Authors: Kivisaari, MD, PhD Reetta , Rapeli, Psyc. Lic. Pekka , Van Leemput, PhD Koen , Kähkönen, MD, PhD Seppo , Puuskari, MD Varpu , Jokela, MD Olga , Autti, MD, PhD Taina
Published: July 2011

Background: Opioid-dependent patients have been shown to have structural brain alterations. This study focuses on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) measurements of brain and their correlation with the onset age and the duration of opioid abuse.Methods: Brain MRI was obtained from 17 opioid-dependent patients (mean age 34 years, SD 7 years) and 17 controls. Compulsive opioid use had begun between ages 15 and 31 (mean 20) and had continued from 5 to 26 years. All patients were tobacco smokers, six had also abused amphetamines and 11 benzodiazepines. Relative volumes of cerebral white matter (WM), gray matter (GM), and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) spaces were measured. In addition, Sylvian fissure ratio (SFR), bifrontal ratio, and midsagittal cerebellar vermian area were correlated with the onset age and the duration of opioid abuse.Results: The total volume (GM + WM + CSF) of the cerebrum was significantly smaller in patients than in controls (Mann-Whitney U-test, p = 0.026) as well as the absolute volumes of GM and WM (p = 0.014 and p = 0.007, respectively). There was no significant difference in GM and WM volumes normalized with total cerebral volume. In contrast, the absolute volume of CSF did not significantly differ between the groups, but the relative volume of CSF was significantly higher in opioid dependents (p = 0.029). SFR and bifrontal ratio were larger in opioid dependents than in controls (p = 0.005 and p = 0.013). The SFR correlated negatively (p = 0.017, r = −0.569) and the area of vermis cerebelli correlated positively (p = 0.043, r = 0.496) with the onset age of opioid abuse. The length of opioid abuse and the area of vermis cerebellum had a negative correlation (p = 0.038, r = −0.523) even though the areas of cerebellar vermis did not significantly differ between opioid dependents and controls. The authors speculate that the onset of substance abuse in adolescence or early adulthood may have in part disturbed the late brain maturation process, as in normal development, the dorsolateral frontal cortex and superior parts of the temporal lobes are the last to maturate. Also, the cerebellar vermis may be affected by early onset substance abuse. It is possible that the brain is more vulnerable to substance abuse at a young age than later in life.
Analgesic and adverse effects of a fixed-ratio morphine-oxycodone combination (MoxDuo®) in the treatment of postoperative pain
Authors: Richards, MD, PhD Patricia , Riff, MD Dennis , Kelen, RN Robin , Stern, PhD Warren
Published: July 2011

Objective: To compare efficacy and safety profiles of an immediate-release morphine and oxycodone Dual-Opioid® combination (MoxDuo®) versus its individual components and versus its morphine-equivalent doses in moderate to severe postoperative pain patients.Design: Randomized, double-blind, 48-hour, parallel-treatment, multicenter, six-arm study of MoxDuo.Setting: Six US centers.Patients: Within 6 hours after bunionectomy surgery, patients were eligible if they reported pain intensity 2 on the 4-point Likert scale and 4 on an 11-point Numerical Pain Rating Scale (197 randomly assigned; 175 completers).Interventions: MoxDuo 12 mg/8 mg, MoxDuo 6 mg/4 mg, morphine 12 mg, oxycodone 8 mg, morphine 6 mg, or oxycodone 4 mg (all administered q6h).Main outcome measure: Sum of pain intensity differences 0-24 hours after the first dose of study medication (SPID24) and percentage of patients with moderate to severe nausea, emesis, or dizziness.Results: SPID24 was significantly better in the MoxDuo 12 mg/8 mg group when compared with its individual components (morphine 12 mg [p = 0.009] and oxycodone 8 mg [p = 0.037]), and when compared with MoxDuo 6 mg/4 mg (p = 0.011; 54.3 vs 28.5, 35.7, and 30.0, respectively). MoxDuo 6 mg/4 mg and its morphine-equivalent doses (morphine 12 mg and oxycodone 8 mg) had comparable analgesic effects. There was a 50-75 percent reduction in moderate to severe adverse events (AEs) commonly associated with opioids (ie, nausea, vomiting, and dizziness) in the MoxDuo 6 mg/4 mg group when compared with its morphineequivalent dose groups.Conclusions: MoxDuo produced superior analgesic effects when compared with its individual components, but comparable efficacy when compared with its morphine-equivalent doses. Common AEs were reduced at least 50 percent with MoxDuo when compared with its morphine-equivalent doses. MoxDuo may be an improved intervention in the management of moderate to severe acute pain.
Morphology, composition and mixing state of individual carbonaceous aerosol in urban Shanghai
Authors: Fu H. , Zhang M. , Li W. , Chen J. , Wang L. , Quan X. , Wang W.
Published: July 2011

Abstract. 834 individual aerosol particles were collected during Octoberober and Novemberember 2010 in urban Shanghai, China. Morphologies, compositions and mixing states of carbonaceous aerosols were investigated by transmission electron microscopy (TEM) coupled with energy-dispersive X-ray (EDX). Structures of some particles were verified using selected-area electron diffraction (SAED). Among the aerosol particles observed, carbonaceous aerosols were categorized into five types: polymeric organic compound (POC), soot, tar ball, char, and biogenic particle. Based on the detailed TEM-EDX analysis, most of particles were coated with secondary organic aerosols (SOA), which commonly formed through condensation or heterogeneous reactions of precursor gases on pre-existing particles. The internally particles of sulphates, organics and soot were encountered frequently. Such internally mixed particles may be preferentially formed during a stagnated air mass which often occurred during serious pollution events, such as a haze episode on 13 Novemberember. Although relative number counts varied with different species, sulphates (38 %–71 %) and soot (11 %–22 %) constituted the most dominant species observed in the samples. With an exception of the sample collected during a dust storm on 12 Novemberember, soil-derived particles (68 %) were relatively more frequently observed. Of particular interest was the biogenic particles encountered almost as frequently as soot on the sample collected on 13 November (18 % vs. 22 %). The result from air mass back-trajectory analysis indicated that these particles were marine-originated, most likely from the Yellow Sea.
Tropical seaways played a more important role than high latitude seaways in Cenozoic cooling
Authors: Zhang Z. , Nisancioglu K. H. , Flatøy F. , Bentsen M. , Bethke I. , Wang H.
Published: July 2011

Abstract. Following the Early Eocene climatic optimum (EECO, ~55–50 Ma), climate deteriorated and gradually changed the earth from a greenhouse into an icehouse, with major cooling events at the Eocene-Oligocene boundary (∼34 Ma) and the Middle Miocene (∼15 Ma). It is believed that the opening of the Drake Passage had a marked impact on the cooling at the Eocene-Oligocene boundary. Based on an Early Eocene simulation, we study the sensitivity of climate and ocean circulation to tectonic events such as the closing of the West Siberian Seaway, the deepening of the Arctic-Atlantic Seaway, the opening of the Drake Passage, and the constriction of the Tethys and Central American seaways. The opening of the Drake Passage, together with the closing of the West Siberian Seaway and the deepening of the Arctic-Atlantic Seaway, weakened the Southern Ocean Deep Water (SODW) dominated ocean circulation and led to a weak cooling at high latitudes, thus contributing to the observed Early Cenozoic cooling. However, the later constriction of the Tethys and Central American Seaways is shown to give a strong cooling at southern high latitudes. This cooling was related to the transition of ocean circulation from a SODW-dominated mode to the modern-like ocean circulation dominated by North Atlantic Deep Water (NADW).
HESS Opinions "On forecast (in)consistency in a hydro-meteorological chain: curse or blessing?"
Authors: Pappenberger F. , Cloke H. L. , Persson A. , Demeritt D.
Published: July 2011

Abstract. Flood forecasting increasingly relies on numerical weather prediction forecasts to achieve longer lead times. One of the key difficulties that is emerging in constructing a decision framework for these flood forecasts is what to dowhen consecutive forecasts are so different that they lead to different conclusions regarding the issuing of warnings or triggering other action. In this opinion paper we explore some of the issues surrounding such forecast inconsistency (also known as "Jumpiness", "Turning points", "Continuity" or number of "Swings"). In thsi opinion paper we define forecast inconsistency; discuss the reasons why forecasts might be inconsistent; how we should analyse inconsistency; and what we should do about it; how we should communicate it and whether it is a totally undesirable property. The property of consistency is increasingly emerging as a hot topic in many forecasting environments.
Thermodynamic constraints on effective energy and mass transfer and catchment function
Authors: Rasmussen C.
Published: July 2011

Abstract. Understanding how water, energy and carbon are partitioned to primary production and effective precipitation is central to quantifying the limits on critical zone evolution. Recent work suggests quantifying energetic transfers to the critical zone in the form of effective precipitation and primary production provides a first order approximation of critical zone process and structural organization. However, explicit linkage of this effective energy and mass transfer (EEMT; W m−2) to critical zone state variables and well defined physical limits remains to be developed. The objective of this work was to place EEMT in the context of thermodynamic state variables of temperature and vapor pressure deficit, with explicit definition of EEMT physical limits using a global climate dataset. The relation of EEMT to empirical measures of catchment function was also examined using a subset of the Model Parameter Estimation Experiment (MOPEX) catchments. The data demonstrated three physical limits for EEMT: (i) an absolute vapor pressure deficit threshold of 1200 Pa above which EEMT is zero; (ii) a temperature dependent vapor pressure deficit limit following the saturated vapor pressure function up to a temperature of 292 K; and (iii) a minimum precipitation threshold required from EEMT production at temperatures greater than 292 K. Within these limits, EEMT scales directly with precipitation, with increasing conversion of the precipitation to EEMT with increasing temperature. The state-space framework derived here presents a simplified framework with well-defined physical limits that has the potential for directly integrating regional to pedon scale heterogeneity in effective energy and mass transfer relative to critical zone structure and function within a common thermodynamic framework.
Prognostic Variables and Surgical Management of Foot Melanoma: Review of a 25-Year Institutional Experience
Authors: Rashid Omar M. , Schaum Julia C. , Wolfe Luke G. , Brinster Nooshin K. , Neifeld James P.
Published: July 2011

Introduction. Cutaneous foot melanoma is rare, challenging to manage, and not adequately examined in the literature. This study evaluated the prognostic variables and surgical management of foot melanoma. Materials and Methods. Foot melanoma cases managed at an academic center from 1985 to 2010 were retrospectively reviewed. Results. 46 patients were identified with a broad range of demographic characteristics. Overall recurrence was 32.6%: 19% acral lentiginous, 57% nodular, 66% superficial spreading, 30% melanoma unspecified, 50% severely atypical; 53% ulcerated, 23% nonulcerated; 29% on the dorsum of the foot, 17% heel, 60% ankle, 22% toe, 50% plantar; 0% <1 mm thick, 47% 1–4 mm, 33% >4 mm. 13 had positive nodes, 4 (31%) of whom recurred. Prognostic factors and recurrence did not correlate, and survival was 96% with a median followup of 91 months. Conclusions. Aggressive management of foot melanoma may result in excellent long-term survival even following disease recurrence.
Cephalometric Evaluation of the Effect of Complete Dentures on Retropharyngeal Space and Its Effect on Spirometric Values in Altered Vertical Dimension
Authors: Gupta Prachi , Thombare Ram , Pakhan A. J. , Singhal Sameer
Published: July 2011

Role of complete dentures in reducing apnea-hypoapnea index in edentulous obstructive sleep apnea patient has shown promising results in previous studies. This study was undertaken to ascertain the role of complete denture and complete denture with slight increase in vertical dimension using custom made occlussal jig, on retropharyngeal space, posterior airway space, pharyngeal depth, and spirometric readings in comparison with those in edentulous group. Significant changes were observed in both intervention groups and thus, paving the way for doing further research for the consideration of using complete denture with modifications as an oral appliance in edentulous obstructive sleep apnea patient.
Bibliographies Made Easy: A Guide to Using Citation Software to Create Bibliographies
Authors: Vivek S.
Published: July 2011

Managing references, inserting citations, and creating bibliographies take a considerable amount of our time in the academic world. Help is now available in the form of citation software that could easily help us produce highly professional bibliographies easily. This article provides a beginners guide to such software with tips on using them effectively. Curr. Protoc. Essential Lab. Tech. 5:A.5D.1‐A.5D.7. © 2011 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Economic burden of obesity in primary total knee arthroplasty
Authors: Dowsey Michelle M. , Liew Danny , Choong Peter F. M.
Published: July 2011

Objective

To compare the hospital inpatient costs between nonobese and obese patients and estimate the economic burden of obesity in primary total knee arthroplasty (TKA).

Methods

A cost identification study was conducted in a consecutive cohort of 530 patients who underwent TKA between 2006 and 2007 at a university‐affiliated tertiary referral center in Melbourne, Australia. Total hospital inpatient costs incurred at the study institution associated with the index surgery and subsequent related emergency presentations and readmissions during the episode of care were captured. Predictor variables of interest were obesity and body mass index (BMI), and the outcomes of interest were total hospital inpatient costs for the index surgery and episode of care, defined as the first 12 months following TKA. Multivariate linear regression techniques were used to examine the association between the predictors of interest and hospital costs, adjusting for clinically relevant variables.

Results

Economic data were analyzed in 521 patients, of which 317 (60.8%) were obese. Obesity was associated with higher inpatient index surgery costs (+$1,226.89 [95% confidence interval (95% CI) $82.25, $2,371.52]; P = 0.036) and episode of care costs (+$1,821.36 [95% CI $244.93, $3,397.79]; P = 0.024). Each unit increase in BMI was also associated with higher inpatient index surgery costs ($128.91 [95% CI $34.53, $223.28]; P = 0.008) and total episode of care costs ($158.79 [95% CI $28.54, $289.05]; P = 0.017).

Conclusion

The estimated significant additional annual obesity‐related expenditure reported in this study establishes a rationale to trial and evaluate interventions that target weight loss in obese patients undergoing TKA from both a quality of life and economic perspective.
Mathematics and the Sensible World: Representing, Constructing, Simulating
Authors: Dahan‐Dalmedico Amy
Published: July 2011

The Paris‐based scientific historian Amy Dahan‐Dalmedico asks why a knowledge of numbers, algebra and abstract forms should be key to our understanding of the sensible world. As she reveals, mathematics, like the world itself, has shifted and fluctuated over time since its earliest origins in ancient Egypt. Evolving and morphing as a discipline, it has covered a diverse range of practices and theories. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
IJP Explained: Parametric Mathematics in Practice
Authors: Legendre George L
Published: July 2011

Mathematics provides the underlying principles for IJP Corporation, the London‐based practice, led by AD Guest‐Editor George L Legendre. Eschewing packaged software, IJP develops its own equations, while its spatial model is underwritten by mathematical surfaces. Legendre describes the pervasive influence of the discipline across the office's output. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Lost in Parameter Space?
Authors: Scheurer Fabian , Stehling Hanno
Published: July 2011

Rather than eradicating the need for mathematics in architectural practice, computation has intensified it. As Fabian Scheurer and Hanno Stehling of designtoproduction explain, the uneven flow of a complex design from computer‐aided design (CAD) to computer‐aided engineering (CAE) and through to computer‐aided manufacturing (CAM) necessitates an understanding of abstract mathematical concepts that facilitate communication, precision and an accurate assessment of quality throughout the process. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Implicit Fields© ‐ MOCAPE Shenzhen PRC
Authors: Legendre George L , Kahlen Max
Published: July 2011

During late 2007, guest‐editor George L Legendre of IJP Corporation and Max Kahlen of Dyvik & Kahlen, Architecture, joined forces to develop a competition design for the Museum of Contemporary Art and Planning Exhibition (MOCAPE); in Shenzhen. One of the great challenges of the brief was the subdivision of a great expanse of programmed spaces. In order to tackle this, they created the design concept of ‘natural erosion’ for which they developed their own parametric surface model, the implicit field©. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Less Answers More Questions
Authors: McLean Will
Published: July 2011

Is architecture heading for a ‘procedural mathematic cul‐de‐sac’? Are architects just too ready to settle for the ‘well‐defined certainty of parametricism’, having got stuck on a mathematics of pattern? Will McLean, Senior Lecturer at the University of Westminster, urges designers to open themselves up to the wider delights of mathematics and the full range of possibilities that the discipline has to offer. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Why does starvation make bones fat?
Authors: Devlin Maureen J.
Published: July 2011

Body fat, or adipose tissue, is a crucial energetic buffer against starvation in humans and other mammals, and reserves of white adipose tissue (WAT) rise and fall in parallel with food intake. Much less is known about the function of bone marrow adipose tissue (BMAT), which are fat cells found in bone marrow. BMAT mass actually increases during starvation, even as other fat depots are being mobilized for energy. This review considers several possible reasons for this poorly understood phenomenon. Is BMAT a passive filler that occupies spaces left by dying bone cells, a pathological consequence of suppressed bone formation, or potentially an adaptation for surviving starvation? These possibilities are evaluated in terms of the effects of starvation on the body, particularly the skeleton, and the mechanisms involved in storing and metabolizing BMAT during negative energy balance. Am. J. Hum. Biol., 2011. © 2011 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Moderne biomolekulare Massenspektrometrie und ihre Bedeutung für die Erforschung der Struktur, der Dynamik und des Aufbaus von Viren
Authors: Uetrecht Charlotte , Heck Albert J. R.
Published: July 2011

Entwickelt vor über einem Jahrhundert und beliebter denn je, findet die Massenspektrometrie als analytisches Verfahren heute in beinahe allen Bereichen der Naturwissenschaften Anwendung. Entwicklungen in den letzten beiden Jahrzehnten ermöglichten die Erforschung von Proteinen, sogar intakten Proteinkomplexen, und eine ernsthafte Nutzung in der Strukturbiologie. In diesem Aufsatz beschreiben wir die wachsende Bedeutung der Massenspektrometrie und ihrer technischen Spielarten für die Strukturbiologie anhand einer ausführlichen Betrachtung der strukturellen Virologie. Wir gehen auf die Entwicklung der Massenspektrometrie zu einem Werkzeug ein, das einzigartige Informationen über Struktur, Konformation, Topologie, Aufbau und Funktion von viralen Protein(komplex)en liefern kann, was schließlich in der direkten Analyse von intakten Viruskapsiden mit einer Masse von mehreren Millionen Dalton gipfelt. Die Massenspektrometrie wird heute zur Bearbeitung weitreichender Fragen der Virologie genutzt und hilft so z. B. zu klären, wie Viren aufgebaut werden und wie sie mit ihrem spezifischen Wirt interagieren.
Effects of crystal phase transformation on tensile properties of polybutene‐1/cellulose composites
Authors: Nakatani Hisayuki , Yamada Yuuta , Takahashi Yuuta , Terano Minoru
Published: July 2011

Morphologies and tensile properties of polybutene‐1 (PB), PB/fibrous cellulose (FC), and the PB/silanized FC with 3‐aminopropyltrimethoxysilane (APTMS) composites were studied. The scanning electron microscope micrographs exhibited the adherent PB parts on the FC and the silanized FC, suggesting that there was a certain affinity of PB to them. The spherulite observation suggested that there existed a secondary bonding between the PB and the FC or the silanized FC. These tensile properties were remarkably affected by the PB crystal phase transformation from the metastable tetragonal (II) to the stable hexagonal (I) phase. The transformation caused the ageing embrittlement even at r.t. In particular, the ageing embrittlement rate of the PB/silanized FC was much higher than other samples. Because the silanized FC became the excellent nucleating agent for the PB crystallization, the PB/silanized FC was found to easily form the thicker lamella having a higher probability of containing a crystal defect to serve as a starting point of the transformation. The higher transformation rate depended on the thicker lamella formation rate and its amount. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2011
Effect of molecular weight and content of PDMS on morphology and properties of silicone‐modified epoxy resin
Authors: Sobhani Sarah , Jannesari Ali , Bastani Saeed
Published: July 2011

To achieve a stable blend of a bisphenol A type epoxy resin and poly(dimethylsiloxane) (PDMS), reaction between hydroxyl (OH) groups of the epoxy and silanol groups of hydroxyl‐terminated(HT) PDMS has been investigated. The chemical structures of the HTPDMS‐modified epoxies were characterized by Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) and 1H‐ and 13C‐NMR spectroscopy. To allow further understanding of the influence of viscosity and content of HTPDMS on the blend morphology, four different viscosities of HTPDMS were used in three content levels. The morphologies of modified epoxy resins were observed with optical microscopy. The modified epoxies were cured with a cycloaliphatic polyamine. The morphologies of modified epoxies were investigated by using scanning electron microscopy (SEM)/energy dispersive X‐ray (EDX) technique. The cured films showed droplet in matrix morphology with different mean droplets size which was influenced by the viscosity and the content of the incorporated HTPDMS. To illustrate the effect of the morphologies of the cured samples on mechanical properties, tensile strength tests were performed. The introduction of HTPDMS into the epoxy altered the tensile behavior according to its viscosity and content. Surface properties of the cured films were evaluated by sessile drop method. The results clearly indicate that the hydrophilic surface of the epoxy turns to a hydrophobic one due to the modification with HTPDMS. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2011.
New low bandgap conjugated polymer derived from 2, 7‐carbazole and 5, 6‐bis(octyloxy)‐4, 7‐di(thiophen‐2‐yl) benzothiadiazole: Synthesis and photovoltaic properties
Authors: Ding Ping , Chu Cheng‐Che , Zou Yingping , Xiao Dequan , Pan Chunyue , Hsu Chain‐Shu
Published: July 2011

To develop conjugated polymers with low bandgap, deep HOMO level, and good solubility, a new conjugated alternating copolymer PC‐DODTBT based on N‐9′‐heptadecanyl‐2,7‐carbazole and 5, 6‐bis(octyloxy)‐4,7‐di(thiophen‐2‐yl)benzothiadiazole was synthesized by Suzuki cross‐coupling polymerization reaction. The polymer reveals excellent solubility and thermal stability with the decomposition temperature (5% weight loss) of 327°C. The HOMO level of PC‐DODTBT is ‐5.11 eV, indicating that the polymer has relatively deep HOMO level. The hole mobility of PC‐DODTBT as deduced from SCLC method was found to be 2.03 × 10−4 cm2/Versus Polymer solar cells (PSCs) based on the blends of PC‐DODTBT and [6,6]‐phenyl‐C71‐butyric acid methyl ester (PC71BM) with a weight ratio of 1:2.5 were fabricated. Under AM 1.5 (AM, air mass), 100 mW/cm−2 illumination, the devices were found to exhibit an open‐circuit voltage (Voc) of 0.73 V, short‐circuit current density (Jsc) of 5.63 mA/cm−2, and a power conversion efficiency (PCE) of 1.44%. This photovoltaic performance indicates that the copolymer is promising for polymer solar cells applications. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2011
Influence of selected photoinitiators on important properties of photoreactive acrylic pressure‐sensitive adhesives
Authors: Czech Zbigniew , Butwin Agnieszka , Głuch Urszula , Kabatc Janina
Published: July 2011

Photoreactive solvent‐borne pressure‐sensitive adhesives are not commercially available in the market. The reason for it is that the UV‐initiated crosslinking has sense only in the case of solvent‐free self‐adhesive systems. Investigations conducted in Institute of Chemical Organic Technology have shown that the photoreactive solvent‐borne acrylic PSA are conventional crosslinked solvent‐borne acrylic PSA used as crosslinking agents typical metal chelates as titanium acetylacetonate (TiACA), aluminum acetylacetonate (AlACA) or thermal reactive crosslinker melamine‐formaldehyde resin Cymel 303 clear considered. The main purpose of the investigation was to study the influence of diverse photoinitiators on main properties, such as shrinkage, tack, peel adhesion, and shear strength of solvent‐based acrylic pressure‐sensitive adhesives. The interesting alternative to conventional photoinitiators is unsaturated photoinitiators described in this article. Following unsaturated photoinitiators were used: 4‐acryloyloxy benzophenone, 4‐acryloyloxyethoxy benzophenone, and 4‐acryloyloxybutoxy benzophenone. The influence of the crosslinking agents or crosslinking methods was determined in relation to the reaction time and to the concentration versus adhesion properties. The increase of photoinitiator concentration causes in the decrease of the shrinkage. Increasing the UV dose during the crosslinking of acrylic PSA film leads clearly to better shrinkage resistance. The best results of the lowest shrinkage value of 0.35% were given by using 4‐acryloyloxy benzophenone. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2011
Effects of incorporating technique and silver colloid content on antibacterial performance for thermoplastic films
Authors: Pongnop Wedchayan , Sombatsompop Kwannate , Kositchaiyong Apisit , Sombatsompop Narongrit
Published: July 2011

Antibacterial efficacies of various thermoplastics, such as medium‐density polyethylene (MDPE), polystyrene (PS), polyethylene terephthalate (PET) and polyvinyl chloride (PVC) containing nano‐silver colloids were studied under a wide range of testing conditions. The effects of nano‐silver colloid content and the silver‐polymer contact time were of our main interests and quantitatively assessed by shake flask method coupled with a plate‐count‐agar (PCA) technique using Escherichia coli as testing bacteria. Two different methods were used for incorporating the nano‐silver colloids into the thermoplastics, these being spray‐coating and melt‐blending techniques. The experimental results suggested that all neat thermoplastics alone could not generally inhibit the E. coli growth, suggesting that all thermoplastics exhibited nonbactericidal behavior. However, neat PVC appeared to show a retarding effect for the E. coli growth. In addition, coating silver colloid onto all types of thermoplastic substrates could inhibit the E. coli growth up to 99.9% at the optimum silver content of 50 ppm for PS, PET and PVC and of 75 ppm for MDPE. The optimum contact time for all thermoplastics was 150 min. Among the thermoplastics used, PVC exhibited the highest % E. coli reduction, and this was confirmed by the higher silver content via Atomic Absorption Spectrometry (AAS) technique. For a given silver content, the spray‐coating technique could give better dispersion level of silver throughout the thermoplastic films and this led to more effective antibacterial performance as compared with the dry‐blending technique. In PVC sample, the contact angle value appeared to increase with the addition of silver content for both incorporating techniques. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2011.
Use of sulfonation procedure for the development of thermally stabilized isotactic polypropylene fibers prior to carbonization
Authors: Karacan Ismail , Benli Huseyin
Published: July 2011

Thermally stabilized isotactic polypropylene fibers were developed using sulfonation procedure prior to carbonization stage. Sulfonation was performed to make the fibers infusible, intractable, and insoluble with concentrated sulfuric acid (approx. 95–97% conc.) at a temperature of 120°C for sulfonation times ranging from 0.5 to 8 h. Sulfonation results in highly crosslinked structures which are thermally stabilized thus making the structure suitable to withstand the high temperatures involved in the carbonization stages. Structural characterization of sulfonated polypropylene fiber was carried out using combination of elemental analysis, differential scanning calorimetry, thermogravimetric analysis, and infra‐red spectroscopy techniques with the aim of following the structural developments at a molecular level. Precursor fibers sulfonated for sulfonation times of 6 h or longer retained up to 46% of their mass at 1000°C. DSC and IR‐spectroscopy observations indicate the gradual loss of isotacticity and crystallinity with the progress of sulfonation treatment. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2011
Doxorubicin‐loaded ultrafine PEG‐PLA fiber mats against hepatocarcinoma
Authors: Lu Tiancheng , Jing Xiabing , Song Xiangfu , Wang Xiuran
Published: July 2011

The purpose of this study was to evaluate both cytotoxicity in vitro and in vivo anticancer activities of implantable doxorubicin hydrocloride (Dox)‐loaded diblock copolymer poly(ethylene glycol)‐b‐poly(L‐lactic acid) (PEG‐PLA) fiber mats (hereafter medicated mats). For in vitro evaluation, SMMC7721 cells were directly exposed to the medicated fiber mats, followed with MTT assay. For in vivo evaluation, the medicated mats were locally implanted into H22 tumor‐bearing mice, followed with detection of Fas protein and flow cytometry analysis. The results showed that in vitro cytotoxicity of medicated fibers were sustained throughout the whole experiment process with the degradation of fiber matrix, while that of pure Dox was reduced in six days; medicated fibers had superior in vivo anticancer activities to pure Dox (P < 0.01). In conclusion, Doxorubicin‐loaded PEG‐PLA electrospun fiber mats had the properties of loading doxorubicin hydrochloride (Dox) and sustained release of Dox from medicated fiber matrix and apparently retained both in vitro cytotoxicity and in vivo anticancer activities in a long term. Medicated fiber mats are therefore suitable for a local therapy device. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2011
Nanocomposites based on ionene–bentonite used to treat oily water
Authors: Mansur Claudia R. E. , Oliveira Roberta S. , Akeda Vanessa , Queirós Yure G. C. , Spinelli Luciana S. , Lucas Elizabete F.
Published: July 2011

A large number of processes are used to treat the oily water (oil emulsions in water) produced in the petroleum industry. The treatment strategy depends not only on the strictness of the environmental requirements in the jurisdiction where the water is discharged, but also on the relative treatment cost. The present study reports tests to assess the effectiveness of removing oil from oily water by adsorption in polymer nanocomposites. These composites were prepared from ionenes (cationic polyelectrolytes) and sodium bentonite or organophilic bentonite. They were characterized by infrared spectrometry, thermogravimetry, X‐ray fluorescence, and X‐ray diffraction. The oil‐removal effectiveness was evaluated by mixing nanocomposites and oily water in a shaker bath (batch test). In the tests conducted only with treated sodium bentonite and organophilic bentonite, the oil removal was ∼ 70%, whereas the use of polymer nanocomposites raised the adsorption of oil to ∼ 90%. These values depended on the mass of material, concentration of oil in the contaminated water, and the contact time. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2011
Isothermal crystallization kinetics and melting behavior of polyamide 11/silica nanocomposites prepared by in situ melt polymerization
Authors: Zhang Yunsheng , Wang Biaobing , Hu Guosheng
Published: July 2011

Polyamide 11 (PA 11)/silica nanocomposites were prepared via in situ melt polymerization by the dispersion of hydrophobic silica in 11‐aminoundecanoic acid monomer. Their isothermal crystallization process and melting behaviors were analyzed by differential scanning calorimetry. The isothermal crystallization kinetics was analyzed by the Avrami equation. The obtained data showed that the model of nucleation and growth of PA 11 was not affected after the incorporation of silica and was a mixture with two‐dimensional, circular, three‐dimensional growth with thermal nucleation. Double and single melting peaks were observed depending on the crystallization temperature. The equilibrium melting point of samples was evaluated, and the spherulites growth kinetics parameters and fold surface free energy were further calculated according to the classical theories. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2011
Photopolymerization of 1‐adamantyl acrylate pohotoinitiated by free radical photoinitiators
Authors: Wang Kemin , Cui Rong , Gu Juming , Yu Qiang , Ma Guiping , Nie Jun
Published: July 2011

1‐Adamantyl acrylate was synthesized by reacting of 1‐adamantanol with acryloyl chloride in the presence of tertiary amine. The structure of monomer was characterized by FTIR and 1H NMR spectroscopy. The influence of photoinitiator and monomer types on the photopolymerization kinetics of this monomer was investigated by real‐time infrared spectroscopy (RTIR). In the UV curing system, the introduction of 1‐adamantyl acrylate could significantly reduce the polymerization shrinkage. Thermogravimetric analysis of 1‐adamantyl acrylate indicated that 1‐adamantyl acrylate polymer has higher thermal stability than that of general commercial products. The results indicated that the synthesized monomer has good curing performance. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2011
Investigation of melting behaviors and crystallinity of linear polyamide with high‐aliphatic content
Authors: Kaya Ethem , Mathias Lon J.
Published: July 2011

The melting behaviors and crystal structures of a long alkyl chain polyamide and nylon 18 18, were investigated under annealing and isothermal crystallization conditions. Nylon 18 18 showed multiple melting peaks in differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) thermograms depending on thermal history of the samples. The origin of the multiple melting peaks may be a result of a melting and recrystallization mechanism during DSC scans. Wide‐angle X‐ray diffraction patterns showed two new diffraction peaks, which appeared at 0.44 and 0.37 nm, and are characteristic peaks of α‐form (triclinic structure) of even–even nylons with increasing annealing temperature. The intensities of these peaks increased, and they split further apart, with elevated annealing temperatures. The solid‐state 15N CP/MAS NMR spectra of the nylon 18 18 samples that had been quenched and annealed also confirmed the α‐crystalline form. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2011
Objective physical activity measurement in the osteoarthritis initiative: Are guidelines being met?
Authors: Dunlop Dorothy D. , Song Jing , Semanik Pamela A. , Chang Rowland W. , Sharma Leena , Bathon Joan M. , Eaton Charles B. , Hochberg Marc C. , Jackson Rebecca D. , Kwoh C. Kent , Mysiw W. Jerry , Nevitt Michael C. , Hootman Jennifer M.
Published: July 2011

Objective

Osteoarthritis (OA) clinical practice guidelines identify a substantial therapeutic role for physical activity, but objective information about the physical activity of this population is lacking. The aim of this study was to objectively measure levels of physical activity in adults with knee OA and report the prevalence of meeting public health physical activity guidelines.

Methods

Cross‐sectional accelerometry data from 1,111 adults with radiographic knee OA (49–84 years old) participating in the Osteoarthritis Initiative accelerometry monitoring ancillary study were assessed for meeting the aerobic component of the 2008 Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans (≥150 minutes/week moderate‐to‐vigorous–intensity activity lasting ≥10 minutes). Quantile regression was used to test median sex differences in physical activity levels.

Results

Aerobic physical activity guidelines were met by 12.9% of men and 7.7% of women with knee OA. A substantial proportion of men and women (40.1% and 56.5%, respectively) were inactive, having done no moderate‐to‐vigorous activity that lasted 10 minutes or more during the 7 days. Although men engaged in significantly more moderate‐to‐vigorous activity (average daily minutes 20.7 versus 12.3), they also spent more time in no or very‐low‐intensity activity than women (average daily minutes 608.2 versus 585.8).

Conclusion

Despite substantial health benefits from physical activity, adults with knee OA were particularly inactive based on objective accelerometry monitoring. The proportions of men and women who met public health physical activity guidelines were substantially less than those previously reported based on self‐reported activity in arthritis populations. These findings support intensified public health efforts to increase physical activity levels among people with knee OA.
Extrinsic analysis on manifolds is computationally faster than intrinsic analysis with applications to quality control by machine vision
Authors: Bhattacharya R. N. , Ellingson L. , Liu X. , Patrangenaru V. , Crane M.
Published: July 2011

In our technological era, non‐Euclidean data abound, especially because of advances in digital imaging. Patrangenaru (‘Asymptotic statistics on manifolds’, PhD Dissertation, 1998) introduced extrinsic and intrinsic means on manifolds, as location parameters for non‐Euclidean data. A large sample nonparametric theory of inference on manifolds was developed by Bhattacharya and Patrangenaru (J. Stat. Plann. Inferr., 108, 23–35, 2002; Ann. Statist., 31, 1–29, 2003; Ann. Statist., 33, 1211–1245, 2005). A flurry of papers in computer vision, statistical learning, pattern recognition, medical imaging, and other computational intensive applied areas using these concepts followed. While pursuing such location parameters in various instances of data analysis on manifolds, scientists are using intrinsic means, almost without exception. In this paper, we point out that there is no unique intrinsic analysis because the latter depends on the choice of the Riemannian metric on the manifold, and in dimension two or higher, there are infinitely such nonisometric choices. Also, using John Nash's celebrated isometric embedding theorem and an equivariant version, we show that for each intrinsic analysis there is an extrinsic counterpart that is computationally faster and give some concrete examples in shape and image analysis. The computational speed is important, especially in automated industrial processes. In this paper, we mention two potential applications in the industry and give a detailed presentation of one such application, for quality control in a manufacturing process via 3D projective shape analysis from multiple digital camera images. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Development of SNAP‐Tag Fluorogenic Probes for Wash‐Free Fluorescence Imaging
Authors: Sun Xiaoli , Zhang Aihua , Baker Brenda , Sun Luo , Howard Angela , Buswell John , Maurel Damien , Masharina Anastasiya , Johnsson Kai , Noren Christopher J. , Xu Ming‐Qun , Corrêa Ivan R.
Published: July 2011

The ability to specifically attach chemical probes to individual proteins represents a powerful approach to the study and manipulation of protein function in living cells. It provides a simple, robust and versatile approach to the imaging of fusion proteins in a wide range of experimental settings. However, a potential drawback of detection using chemical probes is the fluorescence background from unreacted or nonspecifically bound probes. In this report we present the design and application of novel fluorogenic probes for labeling SNAP‐tag fusion proteins in living cells. SNAP‐tag is an engineered variant of the human repair protein O6‐alkylguanine‐DNA alkyltransferase (hAGT) that covalently reacts with benzylguanine derivatives. Reporter groups attached to the benzyl moiety become covalently attached to the SNAP tag while the guanine acts as a leaving group. Incorporation of a quencher on the guanine group ensures that the benzylguanine probe becomes highly fluorescent only upon labeling of the SNAP‐tag protein. We describe the use of intramolecularly quenched probes for wash‐free labeling of cell surface‐localized epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) fused to SNAP‐tag and for direct quantification of SNAP‐tagged β‐tubulin in cell lysates. In addition, we have characterized a fast‐labeling variant of SNAP‐tag, termed SNAPf, which displays up to a tenfold increase in its reactivity towards benzylguanine substrates. The presented data demonstrate that the combination of SNAPf and the fluorogenic substrates greatly reduces the background fluorescence for labeling and imaging applications. This approach enables highly sensitive spatiotemporal investigation of protein dynamics in living cells.
Coronary stenting through 4 french diagnostic catheter
Authors: Meier Bernhard , Binder Ronald K. , Vogel Rolf
Published: July 2011

A first case of coronary stent implantation through a 4 French diagnostic catheter is described.© 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc
Correlates on MSCT of paravalvular aortic regurgitation after transcatheter aortic valve implantation using the medtronic corevalve prosthesis
Authors: Schultz Carl J. , Tzikas Apostolos , Moelker Adriaan , Rossi Alexia , Nuis Rutger‐Jan , Geleijnse Marcel M. , van Mieghem Nicolas , Krestin Gabriel P. , de Feyter Pim , Serruys Patrick W. , de Jaegere Peter P.
Published: July 2011

Background: To investigate the causes of paravalvular aortic regurgitation (PAR) after the implantation of the Medtronic CoreValve prosthesis (MCRS). Methods and Results: Fifty‐six patients underwent MSCT before TAVI with a MCRS and PAR was assessed with transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) between 5 and 10 days after TAVI. The aortic annulus smallest and largest orthogonal diameters and the mean diameter from the area were determined on MSCT on an axial image at the nadir of all three native leaflets. PAR was related to relevant anatomical structures on MSCT according to a clockface in the orientation of the parasternal short axis view on TTE. PAR ≥ 1 was present in 25% of the patients and was associated with a larger annulus, a lower degree of over sizing and with more aortic root calcification. On MSCT post TAVI malapposition was seen predominantly at the aorto‐mitral fibrous continuity and the aspect of the largest diameter of the aortic annulus on the inside curve of the ascending aorta. PAR was predominantly seen at these two anatomic locations and less frequent in the area that contains the ventricular membranous septum and the area between the non‐ and right coronary sinus. Conclusions: Mild to moderate PAR is common after TAVI with the MCRS. The availability of additional (larger) prosthesis sizes in combination with improved sizing based on mean annulus diameter (e.g., DCSA) may help to reduce PAR. © 2011 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Percutaneous treatment of severe diffuse stenosis in heavily calcified infrarenal abdominal aorta using iliac extender endoprosthesis
Authors: Chehab Bassem , Vamanan Karthik , Gupta Kamal
Published: July 2011

Severe, concentric calcific stenosis of the infrarenal abdominal aorta (IAA) is an uncommon but technically challenging problem. In diffuse, heavily calcific lesions are generally not treated with balloon expandable or self‐expanding stents. There is concern of aortic rupture, incomplete apposition, and underexpansion. Such lesions are mostly treated with aortobifemoral or extra‐anatomic bypass surgery. Using three case examples, we describe the feasibility of endovascular treatment for severely calcific IAA with use of iliac extender limbs of commercially available aortic stent grafts and discuss the role of preprocedural CT scan in case planning. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Mechanisms and Efficiency of the Simultaneous Removal of Metals and Cyanides by Using Ferrate(VI): Crucial Roles of Nanocrystalline Iron(III) Oxyhydroxides and Metal Carbonates
Authors: Filip Jan , Yngard Ria A. , Siskova Karolina , Marusak Zdenek , Ettler Vojtech , Sajdl Petr , Sharma Virender K. , Zboril Radek
Published: July 2011

The reaction of potassium ferrate(VI), K2FeO4, with weak‐acid dissociable cyanides—namely, K2[Zn(CN)4], K2[Cd(CN)4], K2[Ni(CN)4], and K3[Cu(CN)4]—results in the formation of iron(III) oxyhydroxide nanoparticles that differ in size, crystal structure, and surface area. During cyanide oxidation and the simultaneous reduction of iron(VI), zinc(II), copper(II), and cadmium(II), metallic ions are almost completely removed from solution due to their coprecipitation with the iron(III) oxyhydroxides including 2‐line ferrihydrite, 7‐line ferrihydrite, and/or goethite. Based on the results of XRD, Mössbauer and IR spectroscopies, as well as TEM, X‐ray photoelectron emission spectroscopy, and Brunauer–Emmett–Teller measurements, we suggest three scavenging mechanisms for the removal of metals including their incorporation into the ferrihydrite crystal structure, the formation of a separate phase, and their adsorption onto the precipitate surface. Zn and Cu are preferentially and almost completely incorporated into the crystal structure of the iron(III) oxyhydroxides; the formation of the Cd‐bearing, X‐ray amorphous phase, together with Cd carbonate is the principal mechanism of Cd removal. Interestingly, Ni remains predominantly in solution due to the key role of nickel(II) carbonate, which exhibits a solubility product constant several orders of magnitude higher than the carbonates of the other metals. Traces of Ni, identified in the iron(III) precipitate, are exclusively adsorbed onto the large surface area of nanoparticles. We discuss the relationship between the crystal structure of iron(III) oxyhydroxides and the mechanism of metal removal, as well as the linear relationship observed between the rate constant and the surface area of precipitates.