bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Plagiarism and medical writing
Authors: Sriganesh Vasumathi , Iyer Parvati
Published: October 2009

Plagiarism constitutes an action where authors use matter from different publications, usually without referencing them, and try to pass it off as their own work. Plagiarism seems to have increased with the availability of Internet access, simply because so much matter is easily available and it is so easy to copy matter. This appears to be happening across the world and is significantly prevalent in India as well. Recent medical literature suggests that while plagiarism is definitely a punishable offence, there is a deep need to educate writers on the nuances of plagiarism. This article attempts to explain, and illustrate with examples, what kind of writing is considered plagiarism and what is not. We have also touched upon some implications of plagiarism.
Primary effusion lymphoma involving three body cavities
Authors: Brimo Fadi , Popradi Gizelle , Michel René P , Auger Manon
Published: October 2009

Primary effusion lymphoma (PEL) is a human herpes virus-8 (HHV8)-associated large-cell non-Hodgkin lymphoma localized in body cavities and presenting as pleural, peritoneal, or pericardial lymphomatous effusions. It typically affects immunocompromised patients and usually involves only one body site. We describe herein a case of PEL affecting three body cavity sites in an immunocompetent patient. A 69-year-old HIV-negative man presented with upper gastrointestinal bleeding and ascites. An examination of the fluid by cytology showed large atypical lymphocytes with abundant basophilic cytoplasm, either central or eccentric nuclei having irregular outlines, and multiple prominent nucleoli. The neoplastic cells showed positive staining for CD45, CD3, HHV8 latent nuclear antigen (LNA), and Epstein-Barr virus-encoded RNA. A diagnosis of PEL was rendered. Despite chemotherapy and valganciclovir, the disease progressed to involve the pleural and pericardial cavities and the patient died 5 months following the initial diagnosis. Although PEL is a B-cell lymphoma, it is usually of null phenotype by immunohistochemistry, and can rarely aberrantly express T-cell markers, as seen in the current case. The key to the diagnosis of PEL rests on identifying HHV8 in the neoplastic cells. Therefore, restricting the term of PEL only to those cases that are HHV8 positive is important in order to differentiate PEL from other lymphomas that can present as serous effusions and that carry, in general, a more favorable prognosis than PEL
Ciliated foregut cyst of the pancreas: Preoperative diagnosis using endoscopic ultrasound guided fine needle aspiration cytology—A case report with a review of the literature
Authors: Dua Kulwinder S , Vijayapal Aravind S , Kengis Janis , Shidham Vinod B
Published: October 2009

A 51-year-old male presented with a 4-month history of abdominal pain, decreased appetite, and postprandial bloating. A CT scan showed a solitary, 5.3 × 4.4 cm, cystic lesion in the body/tail of the pancreas. Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography did not show communication between the pancreatic duct and the cystic lesion. Endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) examination revealed a 6.9 × 2.4 cm cystic lesion in the body/tail region of the pancreas without septae or solid components. The pancreatic parenchyma, pancreatic duct, and common bile duct were unremarkable. EUS-guided fine needle aspiration (EUS-FNA) was performed using a 22-gauge EchotipTM needle. Only a few drops of viscous fluid could be aspirated. Papanicolaou-stained direct smears and SurePath (Autocyte) preparations were evaluated. The direct smears were hypocellular; however, the concentration method producing liquid-based cytology preparation showed detached ciliary tufts (degenerated debris with ciliated cellular fragments of cell tops without nuclei) and occasional intact ciliated cells consistent with a ciliated foregut cyst. Although benign, the cyst was resected to alleviate the symptoms. The surgical pathology confirmed the benign preoperative interpretation of the ciliated foregut cyst. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first case of pancreatic ciliated foregut cyst reported to be diagnosed preoperatively by EUS-FNA. For a proper preoperative cytologic diagnosis, the needle rinses should be processed adequately. Otherwise, these hypocellular specimens with mucin may be misinterpreted as mucinous cystic lesions.
Molecular Epidemiology of American Tegumentary Leishmaniasis in Panama
Authors: Miranda Aracelis , Carrasco Ricardo , Paz Hector , Pascale Juan M. , Samudio Franklyn , Saldaña Azael , Santamaría Giovanna , Mendoza Yaxelis , Calzada Jose E.
Published: October 2009

American tegumentary leishmaniasis is an increasing public health problem in Panama. This study describes the clinical characteristics and the molecular epidemiology of leishmaniasis in Panama over a 5-year period (2004–2008). Additionally, we applied a polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP)–based assay to identify Leishmania species in clinical isolates, skin scrapings, and sandflies specimens. Whereas 60.3% of cases were detected with conventional parasitologic techniques (smear or in vitro culture), the PCR detected 72% positive patients. Our clinical-epidemiologic data corroborate the high incidence of L. (Viannia) panamensis and provide evidence of peridomestic and/or domestic transmission. Mucosal involvement was observed in 4.2% of the patients. The overall natural infection rate with Leishmania in 103 pools of sandflies was 0.46%. Lutzomyia gomezi and Lutzomya panamensis were the prevalent species incriminated as vectors at the capture sites in central Panama. This study contributes to a better knowledge of the current epidemiology of tegumentary leishmaniasis in Panama.
Adaptation of a Thai Multidrug-Resistant C2A Clone of Plasmodium falciparum to Aotus Monkeys and Its Preliminary in vivo Antimalarial Drug Efficacy-Resistance Profile
Authors: Obaldía Nicanor , Milhous Wilbur , Kyle Dennis
Published: October 2009

A multidrug-resistant (MDR) clone of Plasmodium falciparum (C2A) from Thailand was adapted through serial passage to Aotus monkeys. During adaptation, the parasite showed resistance to a single 20 or 40 mg/kg oral dose of mefloquine (MQ). Infection was only cured when MQ was administered orally at 40 mg/kg once in combination with intravenous artesunic acid at 20 mg/kg for 3 days. Similarly, the parasite clone was found to be resistant to quinine, failing at 20 mg/kg orally for 5 days in combination with an experimental dihydrofolate reductase (DHFR) inhibitor (WR297608) at 10, 20, or 40 mg/kg orally for 3 days, and with atovaquone/proguanil at 25 mg/kg for 3 days. This new model will allow in vivo testing of new antimalarial compounds or their combinations against a currently circulating MDR P. falciparum strain.
Cervical Schistosomiasis as a Risk Factor of Cervical Uterine Dysplasia in a Traveler
Authors: Dzeing-Ella Arnaud , Mechaï Frédéric , Consigny Paul-Henri , Zerat Laurent , Viard Jean-Paul , Lecuit Marc , Lortholary Olivier
Published: October 2009

Female genital schistosomiasis (FGS) may be under-recognized in endemic areas as a cause of cervical dysplasia, neoplasia, infertility, and as a facilitator of the transmission of HIV. To the best of our knowledge, few cases of FGS mimicking neoplasia have been reported in travelers. We report a clinical case of a 34-year-old white woman who presented with a severe cervical dysplasia, without any features of human papilloma virus infection, 2 years after bathing in a waterfall, a source of schistosomiasis, in Mali. Schistosomes eggs were found on the conization. Management included conization and medical treatment, resulting in a full clinical and histologic recovery. FGS should be kept in mind as a possible cause of cervical dysplasia in endemic areas. Medical treatment with praziquantel improves this condition.
Feeding and Defecation Patterns of Rhodnius nasutus (Hemiptera; Reduviidae), A Triatomine Native to an Area Endemic for Chagas Disease in the State of Ceará, Brazil
Authors: Oliveira Tiago G. , Carvalho-Costa Filipe A. , Sarquis Otília , Lima Marli M.
Published: October 2009

The importance of Rhodnius nasutus in the transmission of Chagas disease in northeastern Brazil was investigated regarding feeding and defecation patterns of this triatomine under laboratory conditions. An average of 30 samples were studied for each instar, from fourth-instar nymphs onward. On average, 86.4% started feeding after less than 10 minutes. In terms of the duration of feeding, 53.3% of fourth instar nymphs, 81.9% of fifth-instar nymphs, 21.9% of males, and 36.7% of females fed for more than 15 minutes. In all groups, there were insects that defecated and urinated during feeding; adult males defecated the most and fourth instar nymphs defecated the least. The results demonstrate that R. nasutus may be considered an efficient T. cruzi vector because it avidly searches for a food source, has a lengthy feeding time with low probability of interruption during feeding, and achieves a high percentage of engorgement.
Development of an Alamar Blue™ Viability Assay in 384-Well Format for High Throughput Whole Cell Screening of Trypanosoma brucei brucei Bloodstream Form Strain 427
Authors: Sykes Melissa L. , Avery Vicky M.
Published: October 2009

There is an urgent need for new compounds for the drug development pipeline for treatment of patients with African sleeping sickness. One approach for identifying such compounds is by high throughput screening (HTS) of compound collections. For time and cost considerations, there is a need for the development of an assay that uses at least 384-well formats. To our knowledge, there are currently no viability assays for whole cell screening of trypanosomes in the 384-well plate format. We have developed and optimized an Alamar Blue viability assay in a 384-well format for Trypanosoma brucei brucei bloodstream form strain 427 (BS427). The assay had a Z′ > 0.5 and tolerated a final dimethyl-sulfoxide concentration of 0.42%. Drug sensitivity was compared with those reported from previously developed 96-well methods and was found to be comparable. The sensitivity and cost benefit of the Alamar Blue assay make it an excellent candidate for HTS application.
Crimean-Congo Hemorrhagic Fever Virus as a Nosocomial Pathogen in Iran
Authors: Mardani Masoud , Keshtkar-Jahromi Maryam , Ataie Behrooz , Adibi Peyman
Published: October 2009

Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever (CCHF) is a viral disease with several different modes of transmission. We describe the manifestations, outcome, and likely modes of transmission for three nosocomial cases. All threee cases were healthcare workers (two men and one woman). They had fever, myalgia, and petechia. Disseminated intravascular coagulation resulted in the death occurred in the woman. Because this disease is manifested with non-specific influenza-like symptoms, diagnosis can be difficult. Data for these patients can be used to investigate airborne or sexual transmission of this virus, although neither route was substantiated for these patients. Use of universal precautions and early case detection are the most helpful strategy for preventing nosocomial transmission of CCHF.
Molecular Epidemiology of Chagas Disease in the Wild Transmission Cycle: The Evaluation in the Sylvatic Vector Mepraia spinolai from an Endemic Area of Chile
Authors: Coronado Ximena , Rozas Marlene , Botto-Mahan Carezza , Ortíz Sylvia , Cattan Pedro E. , Solari Aldo
Published: October 2009

The sylvatic transmission cycle of Chagas disease in Chile is composed of wild mammals and insects of the genus Mepraia. We determined infection rates and Trypanosoma cruzi genotypes in Mepraia spinolai. We collected 227 insects from two ecologically contrasting areas to assess T. cruzi infection. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-amplified minicircle DNAs were characterized by Southern blot and hybridization tests with genotype-specific probes. Infection in insects from the more fertile area was almost 2-fold higher than in the poorer area. The genotype TCI was the most prevalent and other genotypes such as TCIIb, TCIId, and TCIIe were found at lower rates. The areas differed in their genotype distribution but not in their genotype diversity. We suggest that the difference in abundance and richness of mammals between the areas may be producing the detected infection levels in vectors. Our results are compared with those reported for mammals from the same area.
Clinical Course of Monoclonal and Oligoclonal Gammopathies in Patients Infected with Orientia tsutsugamushi
Authors: Park Do-Sim , Cho Ji-Hyun , Lee Jae-Hoon , Lee Key-Earn
Published: October 2009

Although we have encountered many cases of monoclonal gammopathies (MGs) or oligoclonal gammopathies (OGs) in patients with Orientia tsutsugamushi infections, the clinical course of MG/OG associated with these infections has rarely been reported. We serially monitored 18 cases of MG/OG that appeared in the acute phase or early convalescent phase of scrub typhus. All MGs/OGs associated with infection with O. tsutsugamushi disappeared 7–15 weeks after treatment with doxycycline. In three cases of scrub typhus, MGs/OGs appeared before seropositive conversion (presence of antibodies against O. tsutsugamushi) and disappeared before seronegative conversion. Understanding our cases may be helpful for relevant clinical counseling and making appropriate medical decisions to avoid unnecessary invasive or cost-intensive diagnostic procedures for MGs/OGs in scrub typhus, especially in disease-endemic areas. We also suggest that 2–4 months after antibiotic treatment might be the optimal follow-up time to observe the disappearance of MGs/OGs associated with O. tsutsugamushi infections.
Biological Resistance of Hydroxychloroquine for Plasmodium vivax Malaria in the Republic of Korea
Authors: Lee Sei Won , Lee Minhee , Lee Dae Dong , Kim Changsoo , Kim Yeon-Joo , Kim Jung-Yeon , Green Michael D. , Klein Terry A. , Kim Heung Chul , Nettey Henry , Ko Dong Hoon , Kim Hyungsuk , Park Inho
Published: October 2009

The Republic of Korea (ROK) Army instituted a vivax malaria chemoprophylaxis program (hydroxychloroquine [HCQ] 400 mg per week) in 1997 that was expanded to nearly 200,000 soldiers by 2007, raising concerns for the emergence of drug-resistant vivax malaria. Therefore, a study of whole blood HCQ concentrations for all malaria patients admitted to four ROK Army hospitals was conducted from June through September 2007. For all 142 vivax malaria patients enrolled, fevers returned to normal by Day 3 post-treatment and all thin blood films were negative for parasites by Day 7. Pre-treatment whole blood concentrations of HCQ for 14 patients were > 100 ng/mL. Eight of the patients were enrolled in the ROK Army chemoprophylaxis program that reported taking HCQ as directed, with the last pill taken ≥ 4 days before diagnosis. Although there was no evidence of clinical resistance, chemoprophylaxis data indicates the biological resistance or tolerance to HCQ in ROK.
Pharmacokinetic Profiles of Artesunate After Single Intravenous Doses at 0.5, 1, 2, 4, and 8 mg/kg in Healthy Volunteers: A Phase I Study
Authors: Li Qigui , Cantilena Louis R. , Leary Kevin J. , Saviolakis George A. , Miller R. Scott , Melendez Victor , Weina Peter J.
Published: October 2009

The pharmacokinetics of good manufacturing process injection of artesunate (AS) were evaluated after single doses at 0.5, 1, 2, 4, and 8 mg/kg with a 2-minute infusion in 40 healthy subjects. Drug concentrations were analyzed by validated liquid chromatography and mass spectrometry system (LC-MS/MS) procedures. The drug was immediately converted to dihydroartemisinin (DHA), with elimination half-lives ranging 0.12–0.24 and 1.15–2.37 hours for AS and DHA, respectively. Pharmacokinetic model-dependent analysis is suitable for AS, whereas DHA fits both model-dependent and -independent methods. Although DHA concentration was superior to that of AS with a 1.12–1.87 ratio of area under the curve (AUC)DHA/AS, peak concentration of AS was much higher than that of DHA, with a 2.80- to 4.51-fold ratio of peak concentration (Cmax AS/DHA). Therefore, AS effectiveness has been attributed not only to its rapid hydrolysis to DHA, but also to itself high initial Cmax.
Aspergillus flavus Brain Abscesses Associated with Hepatic Amebiasis in a Non-neutropenic Man in Senegal
Authors: Brun Sophie , Fekkar Arnaud , Busse Antoine , Seilhean Danielle , Lecsö Marylin , Adler Dan , Prodanovic Hélène , Mazier Dominique , Datry Annick
Published: October 2009

A non-neutropenic man living in Senegal was repatriated to France for liver amebic abscesses associated with brain abscesses presumed to be of amebic origin. Surprisingly, the post-mortem examinations of brain abscesses showed Aspergillus flavus. The route of infection by A. flavus in this particular context is discussed.
Vestibular-Evoked Myogenic Potential (VEMP) in the Evaluation of Schistosomal Myeloradiculopathy
Authors: Felipe Lilian , Gonçalves Denise Utsch , Tavares Maurício Campelo , Sousa-Pereira Sílvio Roberto , de Figueiredo Antunes Carlos Maurício , Lambertucci José Roberto
Published: October 2009

Schistosomal myeloradiculopathy (SMR) is the most severe and disabling form of schistosomiasis. The diagnosis is based on clinical, laboratory, and image data. Vestibular-evoked myogenic potential (VEMP) is a neurophysiologic test that assesses the vestibulospinal pathway through acoustic or galvanic stimuli. The aim of this study was to evaluate cervical spinal abnormalities in patients with SMR. Fifty-two subjects were evaluated, of whom 29 had SMR and 30 did not (normal control). Normal VEMP was observed in all volunteers without SMR. Abnormal VEMP was recorded in 34% of the group with SMR. After treatment, abnormal VEMP was found in 80% of those with persistent neurologic abnormalities. VEMP is a functional test, and the alteration may precede image abnormalities. This procedure may be useful for early diagnosis of schistosomal cervical spinal cord involvement.
Non-destructive Determination of Age and Species of Anopheles gambiae s.l. Using Near-infrared Spectroscopy
Authors: Mayagaya Valeliana S. , Michel Kristin , Benedict Mark Q. , Killeen Gerry F. , Wirtz Robert A. , Ferguson Heather M. , Dowell Floyd E.
Published: October 2009

Determining malaria vector species and age is crucial to measure malaria risk. Although different in ecology and susceptibility to control, the African malaria vectors Anopheles gambiae sensu stricto and An. arabiensis are morphologically similar and can be differentiated only by molecular techniques. Furthermore, few reliable methods exist to estimate the age of these vectors, which is a key predictor of malaria transmission intensity. We evaluated the use of near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) to determine vector species and age. This non-destructive technique predicted the species of field-collected mosquitoes with approximately 80% accuracy and predicted the species of laboratory-reared insects with almost 100% accuracy. The relative age of young or old females was predicted with approximately 80% accuracy, and young and old insects were predicted with ≥ 90% accuracy. For applications where rapid assessment of the age structure and species composition of wild vector populations is needed, NIRS offers a valuable alternative to traditional methods.
Statins Fail to Improve Outcome in Experimental Cerebral Malaria and Potentiate Toll-Like Receptor-Mediated Cytokine Production by Murine Macrophages
Authors: Helmers Andrew J. , Gowda D. Channe , Kain Kevin C. , Liles W. Conrad
Published: October 2009

Cerebral malaria is responsible for a large proportion of the estimated one million deaths caused by Plasmodium falciparum malaria annually. This disease is associated with excessive pro-inflammatory cytokine production resulting from dysregulated host responses to infection. On the basis of reports indicating potent activity against host-mediated inflammatory disorders such as sepsis, we examined the activity of statins (3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-coenzyme A reductase inhibitors) on malaria-associated inflammation in vivo and in vitro. Simvastatin failed to improve survival or alter parasitemia in C57BL/6 mice infected with Plasmodium berghei ANKA, an experimental model of cerebral malaria. In vitro statin treatment potentiated production of tumor necrosis factor and interleukin-6 by murine peritoneal macrophages in response to P. falciparum glycosylphosphatidyl inositol, a Toll-like receptor 2 (TLR2) ligand. Statin treatment also potentiated pro-inflammatory cytokine production stimulated by a panel of TLR2 and TLR4 ligands. Our results indicate that statins fail to confer protection in experimental cerebral malaria and potentiate TLR-mediated pro-inflammatory cytokine production by primary murine macrophages.
Syndromic Approach to Treatment of Snake Bite in Sri Lanka Based on Results of a Prospective National Hospital-Based Survey of Patients Envenomed by Identified Snakes
Authors: Ariaratnam Christeine A. , Sheriff Mohamed H. Rezvi , Arambepola Carukshi , Theakston R. David G. , Warrell David A.
Published: October 2009

Of 860 snakes brought to 10 hospitals in Sri Lanka with the patients they had bitten, 762 (89%) were venomous. Russell’s vipers (Daboia russelii) and hump-nosed pit vipers (Hypnale hypnale) were the most numerous and H. hypnale was the most widely distributed. Fifty-one (6%) were misidentified by hospital staff, causing inappropriate antivenom treatment of 13 patients. Distinctive clinical syndromes were identified to aid species diagnosis in most cases of snake bite in Sri Lanka where the biting species is unknown. Diagnostic sensitivities and specificities of these syndromes for envenoming were 78% and 96% by Naja naja, 66% and 100% by Bungarus caeruleus, 14% and 100% by Daboia russelii, and 10% and 97% by Hypnale hypnale, respectively. Although only polyspecific antivenoms are used in Sri Lanka, species diagnosis remains important to anticipate life-threatening complications such as local necrosis, hemorrhage and renal and respiratory failure and to identify likely victims of envenoming by H. hypnale who will not benefit from existing antivenoms. The technique of hospital-based collection, labeling and preservation of dead snakes brought by bitten patients is recommended for rapid assessment of a country’s medically-important herpetofauna.
The Microscopic Agglutination Test (MAT) Is an Unreliable Predictor of Infecting Leptospira Serovar in Thailand
Authors: Smythe Lee D. , Wuthiekanun Vanaporn , Chierakul Wirongrong , Suputtamongkol Yupin , Tiengrim Surapee , Dohnt Michael F. , Symonds Meegan L. , Slack Andrew T. , Apiwattanaporn Apichat , Chueasuwanchai Sunee , Day Nicholas P. , Peacock Sharon J.
Published: October 2009

A prospective study in Thailand identified 106 patients with culture-proven leptospirosis. The accuracy of the microscopic agglutination test (MAT) in predicting the infecting serovar was evaluated in 78/106 (74%) patients with a diagnostic titer. MAT correctly determined the infecting serovar in 26 cases (33%), indicating that this assay is a poor predictor of infecting serovar in our setting.
Co-Infection of Leishmania (Viannia) braziliensis and HIV: Report of a Case of Mucosal Leishmaniasis in Cochabamba, Bolivia
Authors: Torrico Faustino , Parrado Rudy , Castro Rosario , Marquez Carla Jimena , Torrico Mary Cruz , Solano Marco , Reithinger Richard , García Ana Lineth
Published: October 2009

We describe the first case of Leishmania/HIV co-infection reported in Bolivia. Initially hospitalized with a diagnosis of pneumonia and bronchitis, the patient had numerous cutaneous and mucosal lesions caused by Leishmania (Viannia) braziliensis. The patient was also diagnosed as severely immunocompromised because of HIV infection.
Clinical Factors Predictive of Encephalitis Caused by Angiostrongylus cantonensis
Authors: Sawanyawisuth Kittisak , Takahashi Ken , Hoshuyama Tsutomu , Sawanyawisuth Kanlayanee , Senthong Vichai , Limpawattana Panita , Intapan Pewpan M. , Wilson Donald , Tiamkao Somsak , Jitpimolmard Suthipun , Chotmongkol Verajit
Published: October 2009

Angiostrongylus cantonensis is mainly caused eosinophilic meningitis in humans, whereas a minority of patients develop encephalitic angiostrongyliasis (EA). EA is an extremely fatal condition, and the clinical factors predictive of EA have never been reported. A comparison study was conducted in a hospital situated in an endemic area of Thailand. We enrolled 14 and 80 angiostrongyliasis patients who developed encephalitis and meningitis, respectively. Logistic regression analysis was used to assess the clinical variables predictive of encephalitis. Age (adjusted odds ratio [OR], 1.22; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.05–1.42), duration of headache (adjusted OR, 1.26; 95% CI, 1.03–1.55), and fever > 38.0°C (adjusted OR, 37.05; 95% CI, 1.59–862.35) were identified as statistically significant factors for EA prediction. Elderly patients with angiostrongyliasis experiencing fever and prolonged headaches were at the highest risk of developing EA.
Explanation of Key Error and Uncertainty Concepts and Terms
Authors: Mari Luca P.
Published: October 2009

In the formal expression of any measurement result, the measurand value must be stated together with an estimation of its quality, which reports all the nonidealities affecting the measurement procedure with respect to both its definition and its empirical accomplishment. Traditionally accounted for in terms of errors, such a quality estimate is evaluated and formalized as a measurement uncertainty that can be assigned by suitably combining the available objective and subjective information according to a standard formal procedure. This procedure is briefly discussed and a practical example of its application is shown.
Error Models, Error Budgets and their Calculation
Authors: Palenčár Rudolf
Published: October 2009

The error model is defined, providing information on the behavior of a measuring system in time with regard to errors. Error budget principles for measuring systems are introduced in this section. Propagation of the measurement errors and related uncertainties is explained. An example of the indirect measurement of the current is used for detailed description of error calculations.
Characteristics of Temperature Measurement
Authors: McGhee Joseph
Published: October 2009

Temperature, despite being a long‐known physical variable, had a tortuous development until it was identified to be a ‘mode of motion’ within materials. This article covers the concept of temperature, its historical development and how it is classified and standardized. A simple guide to the selection of the kind of sensor needed for a given range of temperature is included.
On the statistical analysis of quantized Gaussian AR(1) processes
Authors: Rásonyi M.
Published: October 2009

A discrete‐time stable Gaussian autoregressive process is considered, which is observed with a fixed precision only. A law of large numbers—uniformly in the autoregression, mean and variance parameters—is proved for the log‐likelihood function of the observations through establishing a mixing property. Exponential stability of the corresponding filter is also derived. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Preparation and characterization of nano‐CaCO3 encapsulated with polyacrylic and its application in PVC toughness
Authors: Wang Nongyue , She Qingyan , Xu Hongping , Yao Yanmei , Zhang Liqun , Qu Xiongwei , Zhang Liucheng
Published: October 2009

The properties and morphology of nano‐calcium carbonate (nano‐CaCO3) modified with the titanate coupling agent isopropyl trioleoyl titanate (IPTT) were characterized by Fourier transform infrared, thermogravimetric analyses, surface tension, and transmission electron microscopy. The results showed that the grafting ratio of IPTT on the surface of nano‐CaCO3 (IPTT‐Ca) increased with IPTT content. IPTT‐Ca/PBA/PMMA (IPTT‐Ca/ACR, PBA/PMMA core‐shell polymer, referred to ACR) latexes were prepared by seeded emulsion polymerization. They were then used to mix with PVC resin. The outer layer (PMMA) enhanced the dispensability of IPTT‐Ca/ACR in the PVC matrix by increasing the interfacial interaction of these composite particles with PVC. The notched impact strengths of the blends were influenced by the weight ratio of IPTT‐Ca to BA/MMA monomers, the weight ratio of BA/MMA. The relationships between the mechanical properties and the core‐shell composite structures were elaborated. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2010
Microwave‐assisted preparation of polylactide/organomontmorillonite nanocomposites via in situ polymerization
Authors: Cao Hailei , Wang Peng , Yuan Weibo , Lei Haifen
Published: October 2009

Microwave technology was introduced to assist the synthesis of polylactide (PLA)/organomontmorillonite (OMMT) nanocomposites in bulk by the in situ ring‐opening polymerization of D,L‐lactide. Factors that influenced the polymerizing effects, such as the microwave power, irradiation time, and dosages of the catalyst and OMMT, were studied in terms of tensile strength. The polymerization time was decreased dramatically to 10 min under 90 W of microwave irradiation, and the mechanical and thermal properties of the PLA/OMMT nanocomposites were significantly improved. The composite with the highest mechanical properties was obtained when the dosages of the OMMT and the catalyst were 1.0 and 0.6 wt % of the lactide, respectively. The initial decomposition temperature of the PLA/OMMT(1.0 wt % OMMT) nanocomposite was heightened 11.5°C compared with that of pure PLA. The results of scanning electron microscopy confirmed an improvement in the toughness with the addition of OMMT. The transmission electron microscopy and X‐ray diffraction results indicate that an exfoliated and intercalated nanocomposite was successfully prepared. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2010
Novel method of synthesizing poly(ether sulfone) membranes containing two solvents and a lithium chloride additive and their performance
Authors: Ahmed Iqbal , Idris Ani , Pa Nasrul Fikry Che
Published: October 2009

The influence of a lithium chloride (LiCl) additive on poly(ether sulfone) (PES) membranes was investigated. A microwave technique was used to prepare membrane dope solutions, and two different types of solvent systems were used: single‐solvent (SS) and double‐solvent (DS) systems. In the SS system, PES was dissolved in N,N‐dimethylformamide (DMF), and In the DS system, PES was dissolved in DMF and acetone. In the DS system, the control ratio of DMF to acetone was kept at 3.47, and the concentration of LiCl in both solvent systems was varied from 1 to 4 wt %. We observed that the microwave technique was able to dissolve the polymer rapidly, in less than 1 h. The performance of the PES membrane was evaluated in terms of poly(ethylene glycol) separation and molecular weight cutoff (MWCO). The results reveal that the presence of LiCl improved both the flux and rejection rates, and its concentration was best kept at 3 wt % for the tested conditions. In addition, we found that the mean pore size of the membranes produced from the DS system was smaller and the MWCO was lower as compared to the SS system. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2010
Optimization of air flow field of the melt blowing slot die via numerical simulation and genetic algorithm
Authors: Sun Yafeng , Wang Xinhou
Published: October 2009

The air flow field plays a key role in melt blowing. In this article, an optimal design procedure that improves the airflow field of melt blowing is proposed. A parameter, stagnation temperature which is a combination of static temperature and kinetic temperature, is proposed to evaluate the air flow field. The stagnation temperature is obtained via computer simulation, while optimization is accomplished by genetic algorithm. Four main geometry parameters of the slot die: slot width, nose piece width, slot angle, and setback are investigated. The optimal results were achieved in the 40th generation. The results also show that the smaller slot angle and larger slot width can result in the higher stagnation temperature. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2010
Synthesis of polystyrene nanocapsules by redox interface‐initiated inversed microemulsion polymerization for drug release
Authors: Liu Weijun , He Guanghong , He Zhicai
Published: October 2009

Polystyrene nanocapsules with a diameter of 140 nm and a water‐soluble sodium salicylate core were prepared by redox interface‐initiated emulsion polymerization (RIEP) in an inversed microemulsion with cumene hydroperoxide/iron(II) sulfate as the redox initiation couple. The morphology of the nanocapsules was characterized by transmission electron microscopy and field emission scanning electron microscopy. Dynamic light scattering was used to determine the nanocapsule size and polydispersity (0.14–0.20). The release of sodium salicylate from the nanocapsules was monitored by ultraviolet–visible spectroscopy. All of the results indicate that the fabrication of core–shell nanocapsules with the water‐soluble active chemical as the core via RIEP was successful. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2010
Heat‐sealing properties of soy protein isolate/poly(vinyl alcohol) blend films: Effect of the heat‐sealing temperature
Authors: Su Jun‐Feng , Wang Xin‐Yu , Huang Zhen , Yuan Xiao‐Yan , Li Min , Xia Wen‐Long , Feng Cai‐Ling
Published: October 2009

To promote the heat‐sealing properties of soy protein isolate (SPI) films applied in the packaging field, we mixed a synthetic polymer of poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) with SPI to fabricate blend films by a solution‐casting method in this study. To clarify the relationship between the heat‐sealing properties and the heat‐sealing temperature, strength, melting process, crystalline structure, and microstructure, variations of the heat‐sealing parts of the films were evaluated by means of differential scanning calorimetry, tensile testing, scanning electron microscopy, X‐ray diffraction, and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, respectively. The test results showed that both the PVA and glycerol contents greatly affected the melting behavior and heat of fusion of the SPI/PVA blends; these blend films had a higher melting temperature than the pure SPI films. The peel strength and tensile strength tests indicated that the long molecular chain of PVA had a main function of enhancing the mechanical properties above the melting temperature. With increasing heat‐sealing temperature, all of the mechanical properties were affected by the microstructure of the interface between the laminated films including the chain entanglement, crystallization, and recrystallization. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2010
Unlubricated rolling and sliding wear against steel of carbon‐black‐reinforced and in situ cured polyurethane containing ethylene/propylene/diene rubber compounds
Authors: Xu D. , Karger‐Kocsis J.
Published: October 2009

The dry rolling and sliding friction and wear of ethylene/propylene/diene rubber containing carbon black and in situ cured polyurethane (EPDM+PUR_CB) were studied. For rolling and sliding tests against steel counterparts, different experimental conditions and tribotests were selected. The apparent network properties and phase structures of the rubbers were derived from dynamic mechanical thermal analysis and atomic force microscopy results. It was concluded that in EPDM+PUR_CB, both rubber phases, present in a 1 : 1 ratio, were continuous (interpenetrating network). The coefficient of friction (COF), specific wear rate (Ws), and heat development during the tribotests were determined. The carbon black and polyurethane contents did not much influence the COF in rolling wear tests. Ws of the ethylene/propylene/diene rubber containing carbon black went through a minimum as a function of the carbon black content. Ws of the EPDM+PUR_CB compounds decreased monotonously with an increasing amount of carbon black. The incorporation of polyurethane into the ethylene/propylene/diene rubber compounds decreased the resistance to rolling wear markedly. With carbon black filling of the ethylene/propylene/diene rubber–polyurethane compound, the COF and Ws increased and dramatically decreased, respectively, under sliding wear. The wear mechanisms were inspected with scanning electron microscopy and discussed as a function of recipe modifications and changes in the testing conditions. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2010
A novel method for obtaining a high‐concentration chitosan solution and preparing a high‐strength chitosan hollow‐fiber membrane with an excellent adsorption capacity
Authors: Han Wei , Bai Renbi
Published: October 2009

The biopolymer chitosan (CS) has been widely studied for various environmental and biomedical applications. However, the production of homogeneous CS solutions with high concentrations and the preparation of CS hollow‐fiber membranes with high mechanical strengths for practical applications have been a great challenge so far. In this study, a novel dilute‐dissolution and evaporating‐concentration method was developed to allow highly concentrated homogeneous CS solutions to be easily prepared (up to 18 wt % as compared to ≤5 wt % prepared by the conventional method). CS hollow‐fiber membranes prepared from high‐concentration CS solutions showed greatly improved mechanical strengths (with tensile strengths up to 3.4 MPa), comparable to or even better than other hollow fibers made from many conventional industrial synthetic polymers. The prepared hollow‐fiber membranes were found to possess very high adsorption capacities for heavy‐metal ions (up to 206.6 mg of Cu2+/g of CS fiber at pH 5), which were attributed to the low crystallinity of CS and the porous structure achieved in the hollow‐fiber membranes. As a potential application example, the performance of the prepared hollow fibers for the adsorption of copper ions in real wastewater from a wafer fabrication factory in Singapore was also examined. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2010
The pyrolysis behaviors of polyimide foam derived from 3,3′,4,4′‐benzophenone tetracarboxylic dianhydride/4,4′‐oxydianiline
Authors: Shen Yan‐Xia , Zhan Mao‐Sheng , Wang Kai , Li Xiao‐Huan , Pan Pi‐Chang
Published: October 2009

The thermal stability and pyrolysis behaviors of polyimide (PI) foam derived from 3,3′,4,4′‐benzophenone tetracarboxylic dianhydride (BTDA)/4,4′‐oxydianiline (4,4′‐ODA) in air and in nitrogen were studied. The decomposition products of PI foam were analyzed by thermogravimetry‐Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (TG‐FTIR). Several integral and differential methods reported in the literatures were used in decomposition kinetics analysis of PI foam. The results indicated that the PI foam was easier to decompose in air than in nitrogen, with ∼ 55% residue remaining in nitrogen versus zero in air at 800oC. The main pyrolysis products were CO2, CO, and H2O in air and CO2, CO, H2O, and small organic molecules in nitrogen. The different dynamic methods gave similar results that the apparent activation energies, pre‐exponential factors, and reaction orders were higher in nitrogen than those in air. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2010
Compression set property and stress–strain behavior during compression of polysulfide sealants
Authors: Lu Yu , Shen Mingxia , Ding Xiaodong , Quan Yiwu , Chen Qingmin
Published: October 2009

In this article, mechanical and compression set properties, swelling property, and stress–strain behavior during compression of polysulfide sealants based on different polysulfide resin were investigated. The results showed that molecular weight and cross‐linking agent of liquid polysulfide resin had significant influence on mechanical and compression set properties of the sealants. The sealants based on higher molecular weight polysulfide resin had higher mechanical properties. At the same time, lower cross‐linking agent in polysulfide resin produced lower cross‐link density and higher swelling property, which resulted in higher compression set value of the sealant. However, when different molecular weight polysulfide resins were used in the sealant simultaneously, the testing results indicated that the compression performance of the sealants was significantly enhanced, while mechanical properties of the sealants kept nearly unchanged. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2010
Metal ion binding properties of novel wool powders
Authors: Naik Radhika , Wen Guiqing , MS Dharmaprakash , Hureau Sabrina , Uedono Akira , Wang Xungai , Liu Xin , Cookson Peter G. , Smith Suzanne V.
Published: October 2009

Wool fibres have shown potential for the removal and recovery of toxic chemical and metal ions; however, their slow kinetics of binding has limited their widespread application. In this study three wool powders have been prepared from chopped wool fibre using various milling operations. Brunauer, Emmett, Teller analysis (BET) showed negligible change in surface area and Positron annihilation lifetime spectroscopy indicated no change in nanoporosity of the powders on processing. Binding of the transition metal ions, Co2+, Cu2+, and Cd2+ was investigated over the pH range 3–9 at ambient temperature (23°C) using their respective radioisotopes (i.e. 57Co, 64Cu, or 109Cd). The optimum pH for binding of Cu2+ and Cd2+ was in the range 6–8, while Co2+ absorption peak was sharp at pH 8. The rate of uptake of Cu2+ for each of the wool powder was dramatically faster (∼ 42 fold) than that of the wool fibre. In comparison with commercial cation exchange resins, the wool powders showed significantly higher (two to nine fold) metal ion loading capacity. Selective binding of the metal ions could be enhanced by varying pH and/or incubation times. The use of radioisotopes to monitor the metal ion binding allowed the development of a highly sensitive and rapid high‐throughput analysis method for assessing wool powder binding properties. The ability to produce large quantities of wool powders and their ease of handling indicate that they have potential for application in separation and recovery of metal ions from industrial effluents and environmental waterways. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2010
Synthesis of copolymer of aniline and pyrrole by inverted emulsion polymerization method for supercapacitor
Authors: Palaniappan Srinivasan , Sydulu Singu Bal , Srinivas Pabba
Published: October 2009

Copolymer of aniline and pyrrole was synthesized by inverted emulsion polymerization method by oxidizing aniline and pyrrole using benzoyl peroxide in presence of sodium laurylsulphate surfactant and p‐toluenesulphonic acid. Copolymer samples were characterized by infrared, X‐ray diffraction and scanning electron microscopic techniques and compared their properties with the corresponding homopolymers. The optimum reaction conditions for the preparation of copolymer with reasonably good yield (1.72 g) and conductivity (7.3 × 10−2 S/cm) were established. The synthesis procedure was extended to prepare copolymer samples using various protonic acids. Electrochemical characterization such as cyclic voltammetry, charge‐discharge and impedance were carried out on symmetrical supercapacitor cell consists of poly(aniline‐co‐pyrrole)‐p‐toluenesulfonic acid salt, wherein, the copolymer salt was synthesized using equal amount of aniline and pyrrole monomers. The values of specific capacitance, energy and power densities for poly(aniline‐co‐pyrrole)‐p‐toluenesulfonic acid system (PANI‐PPy) were calculated from charge‐discharge studies and are found to be 21 F/g, 5.7 Wh/Kg and 100 W/Kg respectively. Impedance analysis showed specific capacitance value (57 F/g) at 0.01 Hz at 0.22 V. Among the copolymer salts, copolymer prepared with sulfuric acid showed higher capacitance (66 F/g). © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2010
Reactions of palm oil‐based mcl‐PHAs with epoxidized natural rubber
Authors: Lee Siang Yin , Hassan Aziz , Tan Irene K. P. , Terakawa Katsumi , Ichikawa Naoya , Gan Seng Neon
Published: October 2009

A palm oil‐based medium‐chain‐length polyhydroxyalkanoate (mcl‐PHA) was allowed to react with epoxidized natural rubber (ENR). There was no noticeable reaction at ambient temperature for short reaction times. However, after 30 min at 170°C, the mcl‐PHA underwent thermal degradation to generate carboxylic terminal groups that attacked the epoxy groups of the ENR. Evidence of the ring‐opening reaction was provided by both FTIR and 1H‐NMR. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2010
Dry and durable electro‐active paper actuator based on natural biodegradable polymer
Authors: Cai Zhijiang , Kim Jaehwan
Published: October 2009

This article describes a dry and durable electro‐active paper (EAPap) actuator based on natural biodegradable polymer: cellulose and chitosan. To fabricate this actuator, cellulose and chitosan were dissolved in trifluoroacetic acid. The solution was cast to form a film followed by depositing thin gold electrode on both sides of the film. The actuator was actuated under AC voltage at an ambient condition by changing the actuation voltage, frequency, and time. The actuator revealed a large bending displacement under low voltage, electrical power consumption at low humidity condition. This cellulose–chitosan blended EAPap actuator is suitable for dry and durable actuator. Details about the fabrication, durability, electrical power consumption, and characteristics as well as morphology of the actuator are explained. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2010
Characterization of the fracture behavior of glass fiber reinforced thermoplastics based on PP, PE‐HD, and PB‐1
Authors: Schoßig Marcus , Grellmann Wolfgang , Mecklenburg Thomas
Published: October 2009

This article deals with the influence of the polymeric matrix, such as isotactic polypropylene (iPP), polyethylene (PE‐HD), and isotactic polybutene‐1 (iPB‐1), and the glass fiber content on the material behavior of short glass fiber reinforced thermoplastics. The glass fiber content of all materials ranged between 0 and 50 wt %, which corresponds to a volume content between 0 and approx. 0.264. To describe the mechanical properties of all materials, the stiffness, strength, hardness, and toughness behavior were determined. The crack toughness behavior regarding unstable crack propagation was also assessed by applying fracture mechanics concepts. It was found that the energy‐determined J‐values for the PP material system reach their maximum at a glass fiber content of 0.135. In contrast, the crack toughness of the PE‐HD materials increases continuously with increasing glass fiber content due to the unchanged deformation ability at simultaneously increasing strength. The toughness level of the PB‐1 materials is nearly the same independent of the glass fiber content due to the opposite trend of the load and the deformation ability. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2010