bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Increased Sensitivity of the European Medicines Agency Algorithm for Classification of Childhood Granulomatosis with Polyangiitis
Authors: URIBE AMÉRICA G. , HUBER ADAM M. , KIM SUSAN , O’NEIL KATHLEEN M. , WAHEZI DAWN M. , ABRAMSON LESLIE , BASZIS KEVIN , BENSELER SUSANNE M. , BOWYER SUZANNE L. , CAMPILLO SARAH , CHIRA PETER , HERSH AIMEE O. , HIGGINS GLORIA C. , EBERHARD ANNE , EDE KALEO , IMUNDO LISA F. , JUNG LAWRENCE , KINGSBURY DANIEL J. , KLEIN-GITELMAN MARISA , LAWSON ERICA F. , LI SUZANNE C. , LOVELL DANIEL J. , MASON THOMAS , McCURDY DEBORAH , MUSCAL EYAL , NASSI LORIEN , RABINOVICH EGLA , REIFF ANDREAS , ROSENKRANZ MARGALIT , SCHIKLER KENNETH N. , SINGER NORA G. , SPALDING STEVEN , STEVENS ANNE M. , CABRAL DAVID A. ,   A Registry for Children with Vasculitis e-entry (ARChiVe) Network
Published: May 2012

Objective.

Granulomatosis with polyangiitis (Wegener’s; GPA) and other antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody (ANCA)-associated vasculitides (AAV) are rare in childhood and are sometimes difficult to discriminate. We compared use of adult-derived classification schemes for GPA against validated pediatric criteria in the ARChiVe (A Registry for Childhood Vasculitis e-entry) cohort, a Childhood Arthritis and Rheumatology Research Alliance initiative.

Methods.

Time-of-diagnosis data for children with physician (MD) diagnosis of AAV and unclassified vasculitis (UCV) from 33 US/Canadian centers were analyzed. The European Medicines Agency (EMA) classification algorithm and European League Against Rheumatism/Paediatric Rheumatology International Trials Organisation/Paediatric Rheumatology European Society (EULAR/PRINTO/PRES) and American College of Rheumatology (ACR) criteria for GPA were applied to all patients. Sensitivity and specificity were calculated (MD-diagnosis as reference).

Results.

MD-diagnoses for 155 children were 100 GPA, 25 microscopic polyangiitis (MPA), 6 ANCA-positive pauciimmune glomerulonephritis, 3 Churg-Strauss syndrome, and 21 UCV. Of these, 114 had GPA as defined by EMA, 98 by EULAR/PRINTO/PRES, and 87 by ACR. Fourteen patients were identified as GPA by EULAR/PRINTO/PRES but not by ACR; 3 were identified as GPA by ACR but not EULAR/PRINTO/PRES. Using the EMA algorithm, 135 (87%) children were classifiable. The sensitivity of the EMA algorithm, the EULAR/PRINTO/PRES, and ACR criteria for classifying GPA was 90%, 77%, and 69%, respectively, with specificities of 56%, 62%, and 67%. The relatively poor sensitivity of the 2 criteria related to their inability to discriminate patients with MPA.

Conclusion.

EULAR/PRINTO/PRES was more sensitive than ACR criteria in classifying pediatric GPA. Neither classification system has criteria for MPA; therefore usefulness in discriminating patients in ARChiVe was limited. Even when using the most sensitive EMA algorithm, many children remained unclassified.
Applications of Building Information Modeling in Cost Estimation of Infrastructure Bridges
Authors: Marzouk Mohamed , Hisham Mohamed
Published: May 2012

Bridge Information Modeling (BrIM) is considered an innovation in bridge engineering and construction industry. This paper presents a methodology for using BrIM as an assisting tool in performing detailed cost estimates. The methodology depends on integrating visualization feature of BrIM with specific attributes of the BrIM model intelligent components. A program developed using C# language is used to extract the visualization conclusions and other components’ attributes to MS Excel spreadsheet. This sheet assists in performing detailed cost estimate, and reviewing the estimate. The paper also presents a methodology for generating cash flow and required payments. This methodology depends on integrating the developed program with 4D feature of BrIM.
The Role of the Creation and Sharing of Digital Media Content in Participatory E-Planning
Authors: Saad-Sulonen Joanna
Published: May 2012

Participatory e-planning research and practice has focused on the institutional context of citizen participation in urban planning. Thus, it has mostly addressed the use and development of tools that support modes of participation compatible with the existing urban planning or governance processes. The author argues that another type of participation exists, which is also relevant to the development of participatory e-planning. This type of participation emerges from the practices associated with the creation and sharing of digital content, which are afforded by new media technologies. This article defines participatory e-planning as the site of active stakeholder involvement, not only in the traditional collaborative urban planning activities, but also in the co-production and sharing of media content, as well as in the configuration of the supporting technologies. By examining three cases of participatory e-planning in Helsinki, the author answers the following questions: What kinds of activities associated with the creation and sharing of digital media content take place in the context of participatory e-planning? What are the consequences of these activities for urban planning processes? What are the consequences of these activities for the technological development for participatory e-planning?
Designing Tutorial Modalities and Strategies for Digital Games
Authors: White Matthew M.
Published: May 2012

Contemporary digital games do little to help novice and disadvantaged players wanting to learn to play. The novice-expert divide is a significant barrier for entry for disadvantaged groups who want to play digital games; this is especially true for women (Jenson, Fisher, & De Castell, 2011). In response to this problem, three new tutorial modalities and strategies for World of Warcraft (WoW) were designed in an attempt to improve the existing tutorials. These new tutorials offered different modalities of instruction, as well as instructional strategies in assisting players. Results suggest that players react favourably to a faded or “just-in-time” instructional strategy, showing significantly increased motivation for play, engagement, and play mastery. Implications for game design, and specifically game tutorial design, are discussed.
Response Surface Modeling and Grey Relational Analysis to Optimize Turning Parameters with Multiple Performance Characteristics
Authors: Abhang L. B. , Hameedullah M.
Published: May 2012

Optimization of process parameters is the key step in response surface methods to achieve high quality without cost inflation. The multi-response optimization of the machining parameters viz, chip-tool interface temperature, main cutting force and feed force on lathe turning of En-31 steel as alloy steel using RSM with grey relational analysis is reported. A grey relational grade obtained from the grey relational analysis is used to solve the turning operations with multiple performance characteristics. The models were developed using response surface methodology. Optimal cutting parameters can be determined by RSM method using the grey relational grade as the performance index. Chip-tool interface temperature, main cutting force, and feed force are important characteristics in turning operations. Using these characteristics, the cutting operations, including cutting velocity, feed rate, depth of cut, and effective tool nose radius, are optimized. A model is developed to correlate the multiple performance characteristic called grey relational grade and turning parameters and a new combination of RSM and grey relational analysis is proposed. The grey relational grades were significantly affected by cutting parameters and tool nose radius. Optimal parameter setting is determined for the multi-performance characteristic.
A Comparison of the CDIO and EUR-ACE Quality Assurance Systems
Authors: Malmqvist Johan
Published: May 2012

The CDIO approach intends to raise the quality of engineering education programs, worldwide by including a number of quality assurance (QA) tools such as the CDIO Standards, Syllabus, and self-evaluation model. CDIO programmes are also evaluated by external standards. Therefore, a CDIO programme needs a quality assurance system that fulfills external requirements and is able to produce the necessary evidence and documentation with minimal additional effort above and beyond the CDIO QA components. Efficient execution of this task requires understanding the similarities and differences between the CDIO and external quality assurance systems, in this case, the European Accreditation of Engineering Programmes (EUR-ACE) system. This article compares and contrasts these two QA approaches, in particular the CDIO Syllabus and the EUR-ACE programme outcomes and the CDIO Standards and EUR-ACE accreditation criteria. Also considered are the pros and cons of a continuous improvement rating scale-based system and a threshold-based accreditation model.
How to Ensure Sustainable Development of Agribusiness in the Conditions of Trade Integration
Authors: Erokhin Vasily , Ivolga Anna
Published: May 2012

The World Trade Organization (WTO) is currently the leading international organization regulating the issues of liberalization of international trade. In October 2011 the long process of Russia-WTO negotiations was completed. The problem is that the Russian accession into WTO is more related to the general unification of Russian trade policy, not to the effective development of agricultural production. Russian agricultural producers are against integration into the global trade system in the frameworks of WTO. National agricultural production would not be able to compete effectively with foreign producers in the conditions of free market. The complex of supportive measures for Russian agribusiness is needed from the national government, but the situation is worsened by the global financial crisis and lack of budget resources. The paper discusses an overview of the WTO principles in agriculture and possible support measures for the Russian agriculture in the conditions of trade integration.
Multifunctional Agriculture as an Assumption and a Condition for Rural Development in Serbia
Authors: Vukovic Predrag , Kljajic Nataša , Arsic Slavica
Published: May 2012

Through its “synergic” character and multiplied effects which it has on total agricultural development in the environments in which it is being developed through the concept of agriculture’s multifunctionality, tourism offers a chance to alleviate negative tendencies and processes that burden villages in Serbia. Chronological review of the development of the concept of multifunctionality is determined within this work and it is pointed to the possibility of complementary development of agriculture and rural tourism. This work also points to recent accomplished results in Serbia.
Functional Link Artificial Neural Networks for Software Cost Estimation
Authors: Rao B. Tirimula , Dehuri Satchidananda , Mall Rajib
Published: May 2012

Software cost estimation is the process of predicting the effort required to develop a software system. Software development projects often overrun their planned effort as defined at preliminary design review. Software cost estimation is important for budgeting, risk analysis, project planning, and software improvement analysis. In this paper, the authors propose a faster functional link artificial neural network (FLANN) based software cost estimation. By means of preprocessing, i.e., optimal reduced datasets (ORD), the authors make the functional link artificial neural network faster. Optimal reduced datasets, which reduce the whole project base into small subsets that consist of only representative projects. The representative projects are given as input to FLANN and tested on eight state-of-the-art polynomial expansions. The proposed methods are validated on five real time datasets. This approach yields accurate results vis-à-vis conventional FLANN, support vector machine regression (SVR), radial basis function (RBF), classification, and regression trees (CART).
Why Using Actor Network Theory (ANT) Can Help to Understand the Personally Controlled Electronic Health Record (PCEHR) in Australia
Authors: Muhammad Imran , Teoh Say Yen , Wickramasinghe Nilmini
Published: May 2012

Globally, healthcare reforms are being initiated to address the tremendous challenges facing healthcare systems. Without exception these reforms include the implementation of a variety of e-health solutions. Such e-health solutions are complex and have far reaching implications. In this paper, the authors argue that while these implementations and adoptions of e-health solutions are necessary, it is essential that an appropriate lens of analysis should be used to maximise and sustain the benefits of IS/IT (information systems/information technology) in healthcare delivery. Hence, in this paper, the authors proffer Actor-Network Theory (ANT) as an appropriate lens to evaluate these various e-health solutions and illustrate, in the context of the Personally Controlled Electronic Health Record (PCEHR), the chosen e-health solution for Australia.
Improvements in Audit Risks Related to Information Technology Frauds
Authors: Askary Saeed , Goodwin David , Lanis Roman
Published: May 2012

In this paper, the authors examine how different types of fraud in most Information Technology (IT) environments affect an audit risk model from 2001 through 2008. Variations in IT fraud are questionable for determining the audit risks that affect audit quality and report. The data sources in this study came from the Computer Crime and Security Survey report (CSI) 2008. By relating different IT fraud to audit risk components through trend analysis in IT fraud improvements from 2001 to 2008, the authors measured declined percentages for control risks, inherent risks, and detection risks. They found that an improvement in control risks has been achieved up to 52.80%, 43% for detection risks, and 14% for inherent risks. An overall improvement in audit risk is 47.5%, which is a considerable development in audit quality. The study shows that progress in detecting IT fraud positively reduced audit risks and has significantly increased the audit quality since 2001.
On Improving the Visibility of Hard-Measurable Process Performance
Authors: Pidun Tim , Felden Carsten
Published: May 2012

Performance measurement systems (PMS) are necessary to ensure adequate information supply to management, but an information gap exists between process analysis and execution. PMS predominantly rely on countable, objective measures, but are also designed to deliver additional viewpoints to foster necessary explanations to measurements. Still, there is no definition of how well these approaches work in delivering sufficient explanatory information. The introduced concept of visibility of performance explains how the explication of process performance information leads to additional interpretation possibilities in performance measurement to deliver embedded and rich knowledge. It is tested on a business case, in which additional subjective information could be explicated through the application of a suitable Performance Assessment Model. The result of the explication of this knowledge is an enhanced comprehension of performance that bridges the information gap between operative and strategic level.
The Knowledge Spectrum
Authors: Randles Theodore J. , Blades Christopher D. , Fadlalla Adam
Published: May 2012

Like Chemistry’s Table of Elements, the Knowledge Spectrum organizes information about knowledge and supports the decomposition of intelligent behavior into its cognitive elements. Building on the Knowledge Combustion analogy, the Knowledge Spectrum places seven knowledge types on a continuum and explains the relation between information, pragmatic knowledge, and semantic knowledge. By explaining the influence of coordination, control, and semantics, the body/mind dichotomy of technical knowledge is extended. While the Knowledge Spectrum provides a static view of knowledge, its underlying premises provide one that is dynamic. According to knowledge chemistry principles, different knowledge types must interact to permit intelligent action, and more complex knowledge types (technical, semantic, and structuring causes) subsume more primitive ones (rules, signals, and maps). By explaining the role of pragmatic knowledge, this paper lends support for the revised knowledge-KM pyramid and advances efforts to catalog and audit knowledge resources and to assess cognitive force.
Sustainability and Anticipatory Governance in Synthetic Biology
Authors: Wiek Arnim , Guston David , Frow Emma , Calvert Jane
Published: May 2012

A prominent imaginary of synthetic biology is the sustainability of bio-based technologies. In this paper, the authors discuss various reports, papers, and activities in synthetic biology in relation to a core set of principles of sustainability, paying particular attention to the concept of “prudent vigilance” as introduced by the report by the U.S. Presidential Commission for the Study of Bioethical Issues. The authors introduce two additional concepts – anticipatory governance and transformational sustainability science – and outline an approach for systematically incorporating sustainability considerations into the development of synthetic biology that addresses the challenges and opportunities presented by the field in a more robust way than prudent vigilance. The authors conclude that an opportunity exists to shape synthetic biology toward sustainable outcomes and make recommendations for how research funders might seize this opportunity.
ICT Strategy4Development
Authors: Rizk Nagla , Kamel Sherif
Published: May 2012

In 2011, Egypt’s uprising was realized due to a large number of reasons, including the capitalization on information and communication technology (ICT) as an enabling platform. The experience in Egypt demonstrated the impact of ICT. However, its effect on societal transformation is not yet completed. A need exists to revisit the newly emerging role that ICT can play in the 21st century that goes beyond socioeconomic development and growth. ICT strategy development and implementation must cater to the different needs of the community while realizing universal access in terms of ICT literacy and its effective utilization for developmental purposes. Building the ICT infrastructure and infostructure in the development process must be coupled with concrete projects and initiatives that engage the society at large with its multiple stakeholders from public, private, government, and civil society organizations irrespective of their locations or background. This article describes the evolution of the ICT sector in Egypt with an emphasis on national ICT strategy development and deployment as an integral element of Egypt’s overall development process within the context of a an emerging economy and the various growing potentials ICT offers for its socioeconomic development.
Ovarian Small Cell Carcinoma Complicated by Carcinomatous Meningitis
Authors: Kira Naoko , Takai Noriyuki , Ishii Terukazu , Kai Kentaro , Nishida Masakazu , Nasu Kaei , Kashima Kenji , Narahara Hisashi
Published: May 2012

Meningeal metastasis is rare in the clinical course of ovarian carcinoma and its prognosis is extremely poor. We experienced a case of carcinomatous meningitis from metastatic ovarian small cell carcinoma. A 33-year-old woman with atypical genital bleeding, was diagnosed with a right ovarian tumor and referred to our department. She underwent a total abdominal hysterectomy, bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy, omentectomy, and lymphadenectomy. It was an optimal debulking surgery. She was diagnosed with ovarian carcinoma classified as Stage IIIc according to the Féderation Internationale de Gynécologie et d'Obstétrique classification system. Histological findings showed small cell carcinoma of the pulmonary type. The tumor was bilateral with paraaortic lymph node involvement. The patient was treated with irinotecan and cisplatin (CPT-P therapy). After 4 courses of CPT-P therapy, multiple liver metastases and Virchow's lymph node metastases were found. She was treated with amrubicin as a second-line chemotherapy, but the treatment was ineffective. Five months after surgery, the patient complained of severe headache and nausea. Lumbar puncture was performed and cytology was positive. Magnetic resonance brain imaging indicated meningeal thickening. The patient was diagnosed with meningeal metastasis and received 19-Gy whole cranial irradiation. In spite of these treatments, her disease progressed rapidly and she was often drowsy. She died of aspiration pneumonia 6 months after surgery.
Phase transitions in presence of surfactants: From discrete to continuum
Authors: Alicandro Roberto , Cicalese Marco , Sigalotti Laura
Published: May 2012

We study by

\Gamma

-convergence the discrete-to-continuum limit of the Blume–Emery–Griffiths model describing the phase transition of a binary mixture in presence of a third surfactant phase. In the case of low surfactant concentration we study the dependence of the surface tension on the density of the surfactant and we describe the microstructure of the ground states. We then consider more general (n-dimensional) energies modeling phase transitions in presence of different species of surfactants and, in the spirit of homogenization theory, we provide an integral representation result for their

\Gamma

-limit. As an application we study the ground states of these systems for prescribed volume fractions of the phases.
¿Existe el síndrome de burnout en los profesionales de la salud de las unidades de hemodiálisis de la región de Murcia?
Authors: Fernández Gúzman Isabel , Fernández Márquez Mª Carmen , Rabadán Anta Rafael , Navalón Vila Conrado , Martínez Espejo Mª Dolores
Published: May 2012

El contacto directo y continuo con pacientes renales en tratamiento sustitutivo con hemodiálisis así como con situaciones dónde el dolor, sufrimiento y desesperanza están presentes puede convertirse en una fuente de estrés y conducir al desarrollo de lo que se ha denominado "síndrome de estar quemado" o Burnout. El objetivo principal de este estudio fue medir el nivel de Burnout, la ansiedad y depresión en los profesionales de todas las unidades de diálisis de la Región de Murcia, así como su relación con la edad, tipo de unidad en la que se trabaja (pública o privada concertada) y tiempo en la profesión. Resulta necesaria la prevención y detección de este síndrome por las consecuencias que puede llegar a tener en el profesional. El estudio realizado es de tipo descriptivo, transversal y multicéntrico. Los instrumentos utilizados fueron el Cuestionario para la Evaluación del Síndrome de Quemarse por el Trabajo de Gil-Monte, el Inventario de Ansiedad Rasgo-Estado de Spielberger y el Inventario de Depresión de Beck. El análisis de los resultados obtenidos pone de manifiesto que el nivel global de burnout entre los profesionales de la nefrología de la Región de Murcia se sitúa en un nivel medio-bajo (Mdn=1.13), encontrándose diferencias marginalmente significativas (p=.082) entre aquellos que trabajan en unidades públicas y los que desarrollan su profesión en clínicas concertadas, que presentaron un promedio ligeramente superior. Asimismo se constatan diferencias significativas (p<.0001) entre los distintos centros de diálisis de la Región.
The influence of landslide shape and continental shelf on landslide generated tsunamis along a plane beach
Authors: Renzi E. , Sammarco P.
Published: May 2012

Abstract. This work proposes an advancement in analytical modelling of landslide tsunamis propagating along a plane beach. It is divided into two parts. In the first one, the analytical two-horizontal-dimension model of Sammarco and Renzi (2008) for tsunamis generated by a Gaussian-shaped landslide on a plane beach is revised and extended to realistic landslide shapes. The influence of finiteness and shape of the slide on the propagating waves is investigated and discussed. In the second part, a new model of landslide tsunamis propagating along a semi-plane beach is devised to analyse the role of the continental platform in attenuating the wave amplitude along the shoreline. With these parameters taken into account, the fit with available experimental data is enhanced and the model completed.
Analysis of the Effects of Breast Reconstruction in Breast Cancer Patients Receiving Radiotherapy after Mastectomy
Authors: Kim Seong Hwan , Kim Jeong Min , Park Sun Hyung , Lee Sam Yong
Published: May 2012

Background Immediate breast reconstruction after mastectomy and delayed breast reconstruction with post-supplementary treatment are the two types of breast reconstruction currently performed when treating breast cancer. Post-mastectomy radiation therapy (PMRT) not only reduces local recurrence but also improves overall survival. However, the complications and survival rates associated with PMRT need to be clear when determining the timing of breast reconstruction. Accordingly, we investigated the optimal timing of breast reconstruction by observing patients who underwent mastectomy followed by PMRT, based on their overall health and aesthetic satisfaction.

Methods We retrospectively reviewed 21 patients who underwent breast reconstruction with PMRT between November 2004 and November 2010. We collected data regarding the various methods of mastectomy, and the modality of adjuvant therapy, such as chemotherapy, hormone therapy, and radiotherapy. Telephone interviews were conducted to study the general and aesthetic satisfaction.

Results Patients who received PMRT after breast reconstruction showed a greater complication rate than those undergoing breast reconstruction after PMRT (P=0.02). Aesthetic satisfaction was significantly higher in the groups undergoing breast reconstruction after PMRT (P=0.03). Patients who underwent breast reconstruction before PMRT developed complications more frequently, but they expressed greater aesthetic satisfaction with the treatment.

Conclusions It is recommended that the complication rates and aesthetic satisfaction after breast reconstruction be carefully considered when determining the optimal timing for radiotherapy.
Atención y reparación psicosocial en contextos de violencia sociopolítica: una mirada reflexiva
Authors: Arévalo Naranjo Liz
Published: May 2012

This article reflects on the results of a specific experience in psychosocial evaluation of victims of sociopolitical violence in Colombia in two cases covered by the Inter-American Court for Human Rights – CIDH – in Colombia. Based on the analysis of the results obtained in the evaluations we present various hypotheses built from a systemic and constructionist point of view, which can be extended to the rest of the victim population, taking into account that the effects of the violent events and the continuous revictimization scenarios to which they are subjected are quite similar despite the deep differences in the development of the conflict at a local level. Also, the article presents a relational analysis of the effects that the Justice and Peace law has generated considering several aspects which, when interrelated, come to question their contribution to the psychosocial recovery process in the victims of sociopolitical violence in Colombia. Finally we present some elements aimed at the consolidation of proposals which articulate psychosocial elements to the reparation processes which currently take place in the country.
Hombres en situación de desplazamiento: transformaciones de la masculinidad
Authors: Tovar Guerra Claudia , Pavajeau Delgado Carol
Published: May 2012

This article demonstrates the lack of academic and political attention regarding the situation of forcibly displaced men in Colombia. It analyzes the way the problem of displacement reconfigures masculinities at the same time that it generates tensions, reactions, and transformations in the way that men think about their own gender. It alludes to the social implications of this situation, encouraging us to think about the topic from a psychosocial perspective in order to design useful accompaniment strategies to move towards gender equity in this area.
¿Estados fallidos o conceptos fallidos? La clasificación de las fallas estatales y sus problemas
Authors: Gutiérrez Sanín Francisco
Published: May 2012

The problem of “State Failiures” is currently one of the main challenges faced by the international policy led by the United States. In general, First World countries consider that crisis and state failure are the primary source of terrorism, violence, internal conflict, and civil war and promote migration waves, destabilize neighboring nations, and have the tendency of disturbing economic relations. The need to neutralize this foreseen risk has led some high global impact agencies to develop indicators for identifying, evaluating, and monitoring weak states, thereby constructing a base of information which aids the international community in their decision making, and allowing for the analysis and conceptualization of the subject in specialized literature. The objective of this article is to propose a critical evaluation of said indicators, use them as a window through which relevant literature can be observed, and discuss how Colombia’s situation can be interpreted from there.
Novel Biodegradable and Biocompatible Poly(3‐hydroxyoctanoate)/Bacterial Cellulose Composites
Authors: Basnett Pooja , Knowles Jonathan C. , Pishbin Fatemah , Smith Caroline , Keshavarz Tajalli , Boccaccini Aldo R. , Roy Ipsita
Published: May 2012

Novel poly(3‐hydroxyoctanoate), P(3HO), and bacterial cellulose composites have been developed. P(3HO) is hydrophobic in nature whereas bacterial cellulose is extremely hydrophilic in nature. Therefore, homogenized bacterial cellulose has been chemically modified in order to achieve compatibility with the P(3HO) matrix. Modified bacterial cellulose microcrystals and P(3HO) have been physically blended and solvent casted into two‐dimensional composite films. Mechanical characterization shows that the Young's modulus of the P(3HO)/bacterial cellulose composites is significantly higher in comparison to the neat P(3HO) film. The melting temperature (Tm) of the composites is lower while the glass transition temperature (Tg) is higher than the neat P(3HO) film. Also, the composite film has a rougher surface topography as compared to the neat P(3HO) film. A month's in vitro degradation study has been carried out in Dulbeccos modified eagle medium and in phosphate buffer saline. The incorporation of modified bacterial cellulose microcrystal in the P(3HO) film has increased the degradability of the composite film. Finally, in vitro biocompatibility studies using human microvascular endothelial cells established the biocompatibility of the P(3HO)/bacterial cellulose microcrystal films. The cell proliferation was 50–110% higher on the P(3HO)/bacterial cellulose composites as compared to the neat P(3HO) film. Hence, in this study, for the first time, P(3HO)/bacterial cellulose composites have been developed. The addition of bacterial cellulose has resulted in properties that are highly desirable for medical applications including the development of biodegradable stents.
Nationwide energy supply chain analysis for hybrid feedstock processes with significant CO2 emissions reduction
Authors: Elia Josephine A. , Baliban Richard C. , Floudas Christodoulos A.
Published: May 2012

Integrating diverse energy sources to produce cost‐competitive fuels requires efficient resource management. An optimization framework is proposed for a nationwide energy supply chain network using hybrid coal, biomass, and natural gas to liquids (CBGTL) facilities, which are individually optimized with simultaneous heat, power, and water integration using 162 distinct combinations of feedstock types, capacities, and carbon conversion levels. The model integrates the upstream and downstream operations of the facilities, incorporating the delivery of feedstocks, fuel products, electricity supply, water, and CO2 sequestration, with their geographical distributions. Quantitative economic trade‐offs are established between supply chain configurations that (a) replace petroleum‐based fuels by 100%, 75%, and 50% and (b) utilize the current energy infrastructures. Results suggest that cost‐competitive fuels for the US transportation sector can be produced using domestically available coal, natural gas, and sustainably harvested biomass via an optimal network of CBGTL plants with significant GHG emissions reduction from petroleum‐based processes. © 2012 American Institute of Chemical Engineers AIChE J, 2012
Paternal age effect on age of onset in bipolar I disorder is mediated by sex and family history
Authors: Grigoroiu‐Serbanescu Maria , Wickramaratne Priya J. , Mihailescu Radu , Prelipceanu Dan , Sima Dorina , Codreanu Marina , Grimberg Mihaela , Elston Robert C.
Published: May 2012

This study investigated for the first time in the psychiatric literature the effect of parental age on age‐of‐onset (AO) in bipolar I disorder (BPI) in relation to proband sex and family history (FH) for major psychoses in a sample of 564 BPI probands. All probands, 72.68% of their first‐degree and 12.13% of their second‐degree relatives were directly interviewed. The FH‐method was used for all unavailable relatives. The diagnoses were made according to DSM‐IVTR. The impact of parental age on proband early/late AO was evaluated through logistic regression with the cut‐off for early AO determined through commingling analysis. We found evidence for a significant influence of increasing paternal age, and especially age ≥35 years, on AO of BPI disorder in the total sample (OR = 0.54, CI: 0.35–0.80), in the female subsample (OR = 0.44, CI: 0.25–0.78), in the sporadic subsample (OR = 0.64, CI: 0.38–0.95), and in the subsample with FH of recurrent unipolar major depression (Mdd‐RUP) (OR = 0.55, CI: 0.34–0.87). No significant effect of paternal age on disease AO was found in patients with FH of bipolar (BP), schizoaffective disorders (SA), or schizophrenia (SCZ), nor in males. Mean age was significantly higher in fathers of sporadic cases and of cases with FH of Mdd‐RUP than in fathers of cases with FH of BP/SA/SCZ (P = 0.011). Maternal age had no significant effect either in the total sample or in subsamples defined by proband sex or FH. In conclusion, in our sample increasing paternal age lowered the onset of BPI selectively, the effect being related to the female sex and FH‐type. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Mild cognitive impairment identified in older individuals with down syndrome by reduced telomere signal numbers and shorter telomeres measured in microns
Authors: Jenkins Edmund C. , Ye Lingling , Velinov Milen , Krinsky‐McHale Sharon J. , Zigman Warren B. , Schupf Nicole , Silverman Wayne P.
Published: May 2012

Previously, we established that short‐term T lymphocyte cultures from people with Down syndrome (DS) and dementia (Alzheimer's disease) had shorter telomeres than did those from age‐ and sex‐matched people with DS only, quantified as significantly reduced numbers of signals of peptide nucleic acid (PNA) telomere probes in whole metaphases [Jenkins et al. (2008); Neurosci Lett 440:340–343] as well as reduced telomere probe light intensity values in interphases [Jenkins et al. (2010); Neurobiol Aging 31:765–771]. We now describe shorter telomere length in adults with DS and mild cognitive impairment (MCI) compared to age‐ and sex‐matched individuals with DS without MCI. Telomere length is quantified by reduced telomere signal numbers and shorter chromosome 1 telomeres measured in micrometers (microns). These findings were in agreement with quantitative light intensity measurements of chromosome 1 and chromosome 21 PNA telomere probes with and without the use of a “normalizing ratio” involving the fluorescence exhibited by a PNA probe for centromere 2, and with the use of light intensity measurements of interphase preparations. Most importantly, the distributions of chromosome 1 telomere lengths (in microns) were completely non‐overlapping for adults with and without MCI, indicating that this measure has great promise as a biomarker for MCI as well as dementia in this population. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Rheological and mechanical behavior of ethyl vinyl acetate/low density polyethylene blends for injection molding
Authors: Iannaccone Antonio , Amitrano Salvatore , Pantani Roberto
Published: May 2012

Ethyl vinyl acetate (EVA) is normally injection molded to produce parts with specific properties of flexibility and energy absorption. However, the produced objects often present an excessive flexibility. Furthermore, EVA presents a high viscosity for injection molding technology, and this compels the operator to apply high hydraulic pressures. The addition of PolyEthylene (PE) can provide a higher rigidity to the products, improve the flowability of the melt during processing, and at the same time reduce the cost of the products. In this work, several blends of EVA and low density polyethylene are prepared by melt mixing and injection molded. Rheological, calorimetric, and tensile tests are conducted on the molded specimens with the aim of understanding the performances of the materials also in the view of scrap recycling. On pursuing the mentioned goals, the behavior of the blends in the molten state, during crystallization and in the solid state was analyzed by comparing the experimental data with mixing rules to gather information concerning the morphology of the systems. All the results show that both the melt viscosities of the elastic moduli present significant deviations from the mixing rules, indicating that a phase inversion takes place on increasing the amount of EVA, both in molten and in solid state. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci., 2013
Tracking the fate of seed particles in dispersion polymerization: Preparation and application of fluorescent polymer particles
Authors: Song Zhipeng , Daniels Eric S. , David Sudol E. , Gilchrist James F. , Klein Andrew , El‐Aasser Mohamed S.
Published: May 2012

The mechanism of seeded dispersion polymerization of methyl methacrylate (MMA) was investigated by employing submicron fluorescent polymer particles as seed. These poly(methyl methacrylate) latex particles, containing fluorescent material, were synthesized by a two‐step miniemulsion polymerization process and then applied in the seeded dispersion polymerization of MMA. The seed particles were located by tracking the fluorescent signal in the micron‐size final particles. The analysis of the final particles showed that most of them contained more than two seed particles. On average, there were 3.7 seed particles in each final particle as obtained under the given conditions of the seeded dispersion polymerization. The location of the seed within the particles being well‐separated from each other was considered to indicate that the aggregation of the particles did not occur immediately, but took place after some particle growth had first taken place. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci., 2013
Preparation of regenerated wool keratin films from wool keratin–ionic liquid solutions
Authors: Li Rong , Wang Dong
Published: May 2012

The regenerated wool keratin films were prepared from the wool keratin/ionic liquid solutions through water, methanol and ethanol as coagulation solvents in this article. It could be suggested from the results that [AMIM]+·Cl− ionic liquid has higher solubility for wool keratin fibers than [BMIM]+·Cl− ionic liquid. IR data showed the part of the disulfide bonds was broken during the dissolution. It could be seen from XRD data that the regenerated films exhibited a β‐sheet structure and the disappearance of the α‐helix structure. TGA curves indicated that the thermal stability of regenerated wool keratin films decreased slightly compared to nature wool fibers. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci., 2013
Thermomechanical and water‐responsive shape memory properties of carbon nanotubes‐reinforced hyperbranched polyurethane composites
Authors: Rana Sravendra , Cho Jae Whan , Park Jong‐Shin
Published: May 2012

Shape memory composites of hyperbranched polyurethane (HBPU) and acid‐treated multi‐walled carbon nanotubes (MWNTs) were prepared using an in situ polymerization method. HBPUs with different hard segments contents were synthesized via the A2 + B3 approach using poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) as a soft segment, 4,4′‐methylene bis(phenylisocynate), castor oil, and 1,4‐butanediol as hard segment. Compared to HBPU, the HBPU/MWNT composites showed faster shape recovery and double the shape recovery stress in the thermomechanical shape memory test, which was dependent on the MWNTs content and HBPU hard segment content. The water‐responsive shape memory effect of HBPU/MWNT composites was considered to result from the combined contribution of hydrophilic PEG and well dispersed MWNTs in highly branched HBPU molecules. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci., 2013
Effect of the unidirectional drawing on the thermal and mechanical properties of PLA films with different L‐isomer content
Authors: Velazquez‐Infante J. C. , Gamez‐Perez J. , Franco‐Urquiza E. A. , Santana O. O. , Carrasco F. , Ll Maspoch M.
Published: May 2012

This work simulates the thermoforming process of two different L‐isomer content PLA grades (95.6 and 98%), studying the influence on the induced morphology and the variation in the thermal and tensile properties. The thermoforming process was simulated with uniaxial tensile tests performed at different temperatures and strain rates, reporting the tensile behavior before, during, and after the test. The resulting structural changes were analyzed by wide‐angle X‐ray scattering and Fourier transformed infrared spectroscopy. Thermal characterization was carried out with differential scanning calorimetry and dynamomechanical thermal analysis. The results showed that, regardless the L‐isomer content, drawing at 70°C produced a stable mesomorphic phase that showed greater tensile properties than the original films. This mesomorphic phase, indeed, could be reordered into a crystalline structure under mild annealing conditions (5 min/75°C), if compared with those needed for similar amorphous PLA specimens (60 min/120°C), thus providing a processing opportunity for obtaining thermally stable PLA products at temperatures above 100°C. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci., 2013
Membranes of poly(phenylene oxide) and its copolymers: Synthesis, characterization, and application in recovery of propylene from a refinery off‐gas mixture
Authors: Gajbhiye Susheela Bai
Published: May 2012

Copolymers of 2,6‐dimethyl‐phenol (DMP) and 2,6‐diphenyl‐phenol (DPP) were synthesized in the initial molar ratio of 100 : 0 (S(PPO)), 90 : 10 (Co‐A), 75 : 25 (Co‐B), 65 : 35 (Co‐C), and 0 : 100 (PDPPO). Dense membranes of 30 μm thickness were tested for single gas permeation and binary mixture separation of 55:45 (in mol %) propylene‐propane at 30°C ± 2°C. Their performance was ultimately examined in the enrichment of propylene from a refinery off‐gas mixture (ROG or also called as absorber tail gas, ATG) having the same composition as the ATG of a fluid catalytic cracking (FCC) unit of HPCL refinery, Visakhapatnam. The mixture contains C1–C5 hydrocarbons and nonhydrocarbons such as CO, CO2, H2, and N2. A detailed permeation study of the hydrocarbon part of ATG revealed that using S(PPO) and Co‐A, propylene could be upgraded from ∼ 29 mol % (on nonhydrocarbon free basis) to 62.2 and 74.4 mol % with propylene/propane selectivity ratio of 5.99 and 8.45, respectively. The structure of polymers was characterized by Fourier transform infrared (FTIR), proton nuclear magnetic resonance (Proton NMR), viscosity measurements. Scanning electron microscope (SEM), wide angle X‐ray diffraction (WAXD), density and fractional free volume measurements were used for studying membrane morphology. Dynamic mechanical thermal analyzer (DMTA) and tensile testing were carried to find glass transition temperature (Tg) and mechanical properties. The relative differences observed in gas permeation of these polymers were correlated with the physical properties measured. S(PPO) and Co‐A were identified as potential materials for the upgradation of propylene from refinery off‐gas streams. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci., 2013
Fabrication of polymethyl methacrylate/polysulfone/nanoceramic composites for orthopedic applications
Authors: Bhat Kalambettu Aravind , Leo Prakash P. , Manoharan Niranjanaa , Lakshmibai A. , Sangeetha Dharmalingam
Published: May 2012

We report the fabrication of polymethyl methacrylate/polysulfone/nanohydroxyapatite (PMMA/PSu/nHA) and PMMA/PSu/nanotitania (PMMA/PSu/nTiO2) composites using N′N′‐methylene‐bis‐acrylamide (MBA) to crosslink PMMA and act as a blending agent. The composite was made porous by incorporating polyethylene glycol as the pore‐forming agent. The blend between PMMA and PSu was confirmed using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). The surface morphology of the composites analyzed using scanning electronic microscopy (SEM) revealed the porous structure and the wide distribution of the fillers that were found to aggregate at higher concentrations. The maximum tensile strength observed for composites was with 5% nHA (23 MPa) and 7.5% TiO2 (30 MPa). The TGA of the composites showed better thermal stability with increase in the filler concentrations. The X‐ray diffraction analysis showed that appearance of new peaks in the blend polymers indicating a strong interaction between PMMA and PSu. The surface of the composites was coated with amoxicillin and its efficiency was examined by the Zone of Inhibition test using Streptococcus mutans. The bioactivity of the composites was evaluated by immersing them in simulated body fluid and examining their surface for the formation of calcium‐phosphate layer using SEM and EDAX. Bioactivity was found to increase with increase in filler content. The in vitro biocompatibility of the composites, evaluated using monkey kidney epithelial cells by MTT assay showed that the composites containing nHA showed better cell viability than the composites with nTiO2. The study showed that the composites with nTiO2 exhibited better strength when compared with nHA composites while the later exhibited better biocompatibility. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci., 2013
1,3‐bis(benzoxazine) from cashew nut shell oil and diaminodiphenyl methane and its composites with wood flour
Authors: Agag Tarek , An Si Young , Ishida Hatsuo
Published: May 2012

Cashew nut oil‐based benzoxazine monomer has been synthesized applying solvent‐less method through the Mannich reaction of cashew nut shell oil as phenol, amine, and formaldehyde. A difunctional 1,3‐benzoxazine is synthesized using diaminodiphenyl methane as the amine component. 1H and 13C‐nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy are used to characterize the structure of the monomers. Wood flour is used to prepare composites, making both reinforcement and matrix resin the materials derived from renewable resources. Observation of catalytic effects on DSC exothermic temperature and crosslink density by the added wood flour is discussed. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci., 2013
Fire resistance of hybrid building materials
Authors: Papanicolaou G. C. , Lagas G. , Mimigiannis N. I.
Published: May 2012

In this work, an experimental procedure was conducted to investigate the effect of weight content of short E‐glass fibers on the degradation of flexural properties of a hybrid building material, when exposed to a direct gas (propane/butane) flame for varying time intervals. This experimental procedure is aiming on one hand to define the role that E‐glass fibers play on the degradation of the flexural properties of the materials tested, as well as to provide a sufficient quantity of experimental data which will allow to quantitatively predict the observed degradation of the aforementioned properties due to exposure to direct gas flame using the Residual Property Model (R.P.M.) developed by the first author and already successfully applied to a number of different materials subjected to a combination of different damage sources. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci., 2013