bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Biodegradable PEO/cellulose‐based solid–solid phase change materials
Authors: Pielichowska Kinga , Pielichowski Krzysztof
Published: January 2010

A series of poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO) blends with cellulose (CEL) or cellulose derivatives—carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC), cellulose acetate (CAC), and cellulose ether (CET)—has been investigated as phase change materials for thermal energy storage. For PEO/CEL blends solid–solid phase transition has been observed in the whole concentration's range; for PEO/CMC and PEO/CET blends solid–solid phase transition has been found for PEO content 25 or 50 and 25 wt%, respectively. Otherwise, solid–liquid phase transition takes place. MTDSC investigations revealed that for PEO/CEL and PEO/CMC blends transition the strongest recrystallization effect (as evidenced by exothermic effect in reversing heat flow) as melting process occurred. FTIR analysis shows a shift of the stretching vibration bands of both the proton‐donor OH groups from CEL and PEO due to intermolecular hydrogen interactions between the blends' components. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Maternal plasma soluble fms‐like tyrosine kinase‐1 and free vascular endothelial growth factor at 11 to 13 weeks of gestation in preeclampsia
Authors: Akolekar Ranjit , de Cruz Jader , Foidart Jean‐Michel , Munaut Carine , Nicolaides Kypros H.
Published: January 2010

Objective

To investigate the maternal plasma concentration of soluble fms‐like tyrosine kinase‐1 (sFlt‐1) and free vascular endothelial growth factor (free‐VEGF) at 11 to 13 weeks of gestation in patients destined to develop preeclampsia (PE) and to examine whether any possible differences in maternal plasma levels are related to uterine artery pulsatility index (PI) and maternal serum placental growth factor (PlGF).

Methods

Plasma free‐VEGF, plasma sFlt‐1, serum PlGF and uterine artery PI were measured at 11 to 13 weeks in 90 cases that subsequently developed PE and in 180 unaffected controls.

Results

In the majority of cases of PE and controls the levels of free‐VEGF were undetectable. In the pregnancies that developed PE, compared to unaffected controls, uterine artery PI was higher, serum PlGF was lower but there was no significant difference in levels of sFlt‐1.

Conclusion

Measurement of free‐VEGF and sFlt‐1 in maternal blood at 11 to 13 weeks of gestation is not useful in the prediction of pregnancies destined to develop PE. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The effect of different catalytic chain transfer agents on particle nucleation and the course of the polymerization in ab initio batch emulsion polymerization of methyl methacrylate
Authors: Smeets Niels M. B. , Jansen Tom G. T. , Sciarone Timo J. J. , Heuts Johan P. A. , Meuldijk Jan , Van Herk Alex M.
Published: January 2010

The effect a Co(II) based catalytic chain transfer agent (CCTA) has on the course of the polymerization and the product properties of an emulsion polymerization is governed by the intrinsic activity and the partitioning behavior of the catalyst. The effect on the conversion time history, the molecular weight distribution and the particle size distribution is evaluated in batch emulsion polymerization of methyl methacrylate for three different CCTAs, which cover a range of intrinsic activities and partitioning behaviors. It was demonstrated that radical desorption from the particle phase to the aqueous phase preceded by chain transfer is the main kinetic event controlling the course of the polymerization and the product properties in terms of the particle size distribution. The experimental results show that the aqueous phase solubility of the CCTA is the key parameter controlling the course of the polymerization and the particle size distribution. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 48: 1038–1048, 2010
Titanium‐mediated [CpTiCl2(OEt)] ring‐opening polymerization of lactides: A novel route to well‐defined polylactide‐based complex macromolecular architectures
Authors: Petzetakis Nikolaos , Pitsikalis Marinos , Hadjichristidis Nikos
Published: January 2010

Among three cyclopentadienyl titanium complexes studied, CpTiCl2(OEt), containing a 5% excess CpTiCl3, has proven to be a very efficient catalyst for the ring‐opening polymerization (ROP) of L‐lactide (LLA) in toluene at 130 °C. Kinetic studies revealed that the polymerization yield (up to 100%) and the molecular weight increase linearly with time, leading to well‐defined PLLA with narrow molecular weight distributions (Mw/Mn ≤ 1.1). Based on the above results, PS‐b‐PLLA, PI‐b‐PLLA, PEO‐b‐PLLA block copolymers, and a PS‐b‐PI‐b‐PLLA triblock terpolymer were synthesized. The synthetic strategy involved: (a) the preparation of OH‐end‐functionalized homopolymers or diblock copolymers by anionic polymerization, (b) the reaction of the OH‐functionalized polymers with CpTiCl3 to give the corresponding Ti‐macrocatalyst, and (c) the ROP of LLA to afford the final block copolymers. PMMA‐g‐PLLA [PMMA: poly(methyl methacrylate)] was also synthesized by: (a) the reaction of CpTiCl3 with 2‐hydroxy ethyl methacrylate, HEMA, to give the Ti‐HEMA‐catalyst, (b) the ROP of LLA to afford a PLLA methacrylic‐macromonomer, and (c) the copolymerization (conventional and ATRP) of the macromonomer with MMA to afford the final graft copolymer. Intermediate and final products were characterized by NMR spectroscopy and size exclusion chromatography, equipped with refractive index and two‐angle laser light scattering detectors. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 48: 1092–1103, 2010
Tailoring the liquid crystalline property via controlling the generation of dendronized polymers containing azobenzene mesogen
Authors: Yang Chang‐An , Wang Guo , Xie Helou , Wang Qing , Zhang Hailiang , Chen Erqiang , Zhou Qifeng
Published: January 2010

The first‐ and second‐generation dendronized polymers containing azobenzene mesogen were designed and successfully synthesized via free radical polymerization. The chemical structures of the monomers were confirmed by elemental analysis, 1H NMR, and 13C NMR. The molecular characterizations of the polymers were performed with 1H NMR and gel permeation chromatography. The phase structures and transition behaviors were studied using differential scanning calorimetry, polarized light microscopy, and small‐angle X‐ray scatter experiments. The experiment results revealed that the first‐generation dendronized polymer exhibited liquid crystalline behavior of the conventional side‐chain liquid crystalline polymer with azobenzene mesogen, that is, the polymer exhibited smectic phase structure at lower temperature and nematic phase structure at higher temperature. However, the second‐generation dendronized polymers exhibited more versatile intriguing liquid crystalline structures, namely smectic phase structure at lower temperature and columnar nematic phase structure at higher temperature, and moreover, the phase structure still remained before the decomposition temperature. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 48: 1149–1159, 2010
Host–guest complexation‐triggered chiroptical change of poly(phenylacetylene)s bearing binaphthocrown ether moieties on the main chain
Authors: Sakai Ryosuke , Yonekawa Takafumi , Otsuka Issei , Kakuchi Ryohei , Satoh Toshifumi , Kakuchi Toyoji
Published: January 2010

Diacetylene monomers with respective lengths of the oxyethylene chains were cyclopolymerized with a rhodium catalyst to produce novel poly(phenylacetylene)s bearing a different cavity size of the chiral crown ether in the repeating units (2a–c). In the circular dichroism spectra of the resulting polymers, characteristic Cotton effects were observed in the range from 350 to 500 nm corresponding to the absorption of the conjugated polymer backbone, indicating that the polymers possessed a helical structure with an excess single screw sense induced by the covalently bonded binaphthyl units. The host–guest complexation of 2a–c with achiral guests produced a chiroptical change based on the fluctuation in the main chain conformation. The behavior of the complexation‐induced chiroptical change was essentially dictated by the cavity size of the binaphthocrown ether units. Additionally, a chirality‐responsive helicity change was observed in the case of the complexation of 2a–c with chiral guests, which also depended on the crown ether size. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 48: 1197–1206, 2010
Suppressed molecular orientation in nylon 6/clay nanocomposite at large strain: Role of microvoiding
Authors: Na Bing , Xu Wenfei , Lv Ruihua , Tian Nana , Li Zhujun , Su Run , Fu Qiang
Published: January 2010

A micro‐FTIR measurement has been conducted to explore the molecular orientation of amorphous phase in the nylon 6/clay nanocomposite at large strain. Our results indicate that the molecular orientation in such a nanocomposite during stretching is lower than that observed for the pure nylon 6 counterpart, which is further evidenced by the true stress‐strain dependence. The relaxation of the molecular network, resulted from the destruction of γ‐crystals in part and mostly from microvoding (demonstrated by volume dilatation and 2D‐SAXS measurements), should be responsible for the suppressed molecular orientation in the nylon 6/clay nanocomposite. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part B: Polym Phys 48: 514–519, 2010
Chain orientation and distribution in ring‐banded spherulites formed in poly(ester urethane) multiblock copolymer
Authors: Wang Wei , Jin Ying , Yang Xiaoniu , Su Zhaohui
Published: January 2010

A poly(ester urethane) multiblock copolymer containing poly(ε‐caprolactone) glycol (PCL) soft segments gives ring‐banded spherulite as crystallized from its melted film. Analysis based on polarized light microscopy and atomic force microcopy revealed that the ring‐banded structures consist of alternate convex and concave bands as a consequence of rhythmic growth. These convex and concave bands, which are composed of flat‐on and edge‐on lamellae, show layered terrace‐like and fibrillar morphology, respectively. The chain orientation and composition distribution in the ring‐banded spherulites were further investigated using FTIR imaging. The convex bands are mainly PCL‐rich domains with perpendicular chain orientation to the substrate, and the concave bands are urethane‐rich domains, where the PCL chains are perpendicular to the radial growth directions of the spherulite but parallel to the film plane. The formation of different orientations in the convex and concave bands is attributed to the rhythmic growth behavior for the copolymers with composition distribution along the chains. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part B: Polym Phys 48: 541–547, 2010
On the multiple crystallization behavior of PTFE in PMMA/PTFE nanocomposites from core–shell nanoparticles
Authors: Laus Michele , Sparnacci Katia , Antonioli Diego , Deregibus Simone , Kapeliouchko Valerj , Palamone Giovanna , Poggio Tiziana , Zuccheri Giampaolo , Passeri Rosita
Published: January 2010

The peculiar thermal behavior of four PTFE/PMMA (Polymethylmethacrylate) core–shell nanoparticle samples, marked DV2M1, DV2M2, DV2M4, and DV2M6, was studied by combined differential scanning calorimetry and thermogravimetric analysis. The melting process of the PTFE in the various samples, subjected to annealing and thermal treatments, does not change. In contrast, a complex fractionated crystallization‐type behavior for the PTFE component was observed. The nanocomposite produced by the PMMA shell fluidification features a perfect dispersion of the nanometric PTFE cores. In these conditions, only one crystallization exotherm at very high undercooling is observed, possibly deriving from the homogeneous nucleation mechanism. In contrast, when high temperature thermal treatments cause the decomposition with partial loss of the PMMA shell and allows some cores to get in contact and merge, a crystallization process structured into several components is observed. This behavior indicates that different nucleation mechanisms are active, possibly involving the participation of distinct types of active nuclei with distinct crystallization efficiencies. Finally, when the PMMA shell amount is substantially reduced by the thermal degradation, only the expected crystallization process at moderate undercooling (310 °C) is observed, corresponding to the bulk crystallization induced by the most efficient heterogeneous nuclei. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part B: Polym Phys 48: 548–554, 2010
The impact of cancer and quality of life for post‐treatment non‐Hodgkin lymphoma survivors
Authors: Smith Sophia K. , Crespi Catherine M. , Petersen Laura , Zimmerman Sheryl , Ganz Patricia A.
Published: January 2010

Objective: Recent work suggests that perceptions of the impact of cancer on survivors' lives are associated with physical and mental health and quality of life (QOL) outcomes. This study examines the association between the Impact of Cancer Version 2 Scales (IOCv2) and these outcomes in a large sample of survivors of adult non‐Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL).

Methods: Participants completed a mailed survey to assess physical and mental health (SF‐36), cancer‐specific QOL (FACT‐G) and perceived impact of cancer (IOCv2). Hierarchical multiple regression models, in which demographic, clinical, psychosocial and IOCv2 measures were added sequentially, were employed to evaluate their contribution to explain variance in SF‐36 and FACT‐G scores.

Results: A total of 652 post‐treatment NHL survivors participated. Survivors with comorbidities and negative appraisals of life threat and treatment intensity reported worse physical and mental health and QOL (all p<0.05). After controlling for demographic and clinical characteristics, younger respondents reported better physical but worse mental health and QOL (all p<0.01). Lower IOCv2 Negative Impact (all p<0.001) and higher Positive Impact (all p<0.05) scores were associated with better physical and mental health and QOL after controlling for demographic, clinical and psychosocial characteristics.

Conclusions: Findings suggest that perceptions of cancer's impact on survivors' lives may influence or be influenced by health status and functioning and QOL. Longitudinal research is needed to establish causality, which could lead to the development of interventions targeting survivors' impact of cancer concerns, and ultimately to the enhancement of overall health and QOL. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Predictors of arm morbidity following breast cancer surgery
Authors: Hack Thomas F. , Kwan Winkle B. , Thomas‐MacLean Roanne L. , Towers Anna , Miedema Baukje , Tilley Andrea , Chateau Dan
Published: January 2010

Objective: Arm morbidity post‐breast cancer surgery is increasingly being recognized as a chronic problem for some women following breast cancer surgery. The purpose of this study was to examine demographic, disease, and treatment‐related predictors of a comprehensive array of chronic arm morbidity (pain, lymphedema, functional disability, and range of motion) post‐breast cancer surgery.

Methods: Women (n=316) with a non‐metastatic primary diagnosis of breast cancer were accrued from cancer centers in four Canadian cities. Patients completed a clinical assessment and measures of arm morbidity at 6–12 months post‐breast cancer surgery. The independent variables in the MANOVA to predict arm morbidity included: Lymph node management type, number of axillary nodes dissected, type of surgery, disease stage, presence of post‐operative infection, radiation to the axilla, body mass index (BMI), assessment time post‐surgery, education, and partner status.

Results: Pain was significantly predicted by axillary lymph node management, lack of a partner, and post‐operative infection; lymphedema by axillary lymph node management, number of axillary nodes dissected, radiation to the axilla, and having a modified radical mastectomy; functional disability by post‐operative infection and high BMI; and restricted external rotation by axillary lymph node management, low educational attainment, and advanced disease.

Conclusion: Comprehensive behavioral management and rehabilitation programs are needed to treat arm morbidity following breast cancer surgery. These programs should address the full scope of symptoms and associated psychosocial and functional sequelae. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Nanocomposites: An Ideal Coating Material to Reduce the Sensitivity of Hydrazinium Nitroformate (HNF)
Authors: Athar Javaid , Ghosh Mrinal , Dendage Pundalik S. , Damse Ramdas S. , Sikder Arun K.
Published: January 2010

Hydrazinium nitroformate (HNF), an energetic and eco‐friendly oxidizer, was desensitized successfully by changing its crystal size and shape and by coating with a nanocomposite. During crystallization, various methods were tried out which include mechanical stirring, ultrasound and using crystal shape modifiers (CSMs). Experimental results showed that the multi‐pronged approach to control the shape and size of the crystals by a careful choice of CSMs and crystallization method worked well to counter the preferential axial crystals growth, thus shifting the long needles to near cubical shape. Among various coating agents, a hydroxy‐terminated poly butadiene (HTPB)‐based clay nanocomposite was found to be most effective for reducing the friction and impact sensitivity of HNF. A Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) coupled with Energy Dispersive Spectroscopic (EDS) analysis was found to be a very reliable and most useful technique to assess the extent of coating on HNF so as to achieve a consistent figure of insensitivity. The coating material was stable as well as compatible with the HNF crystals as revealed by thermal analysis.
Measurement and analysis of truck and rail vibration levels in Thailand
Authors: Chonhenchob Vanee , Singh Sher Paul , Singh Jay Jagjit , Sittipod Sukasem , Swasdee Dathpan , Pratheepthinthong Supoj
Published: January 2010

Worldwide increase in trade, foreign direct investment, capital flows, migration and the spread of technology has caused an increased focus to be put on designing packages that can protect goods shipped globally. This requires a wide‐ranging understanding of the distribution environments on a global basis. Several past studies have mapped the vibration levels for surface transportation along the most popular shipment routes in countries such as Brazil, Canada, China, India and the USA. This study was conducted to provide a comprehensive understanding of the vibration levels observed for truck and rail shipments for major transportation routes in Thailand, one of the leading economies in the Southeast Asia region. Data recorders were used to collect the vibration data which were then analysed in terms of power spectral densities. Vibration levels observed from various segments of transportation are presented in the form of power density spectrums. Composite spectrums that can be used to simulate the measured vibration conditions in Thailand are presented. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Graft Polymerization of Vinyl Acetate onto Potato Starch Dissolved in an Alkaline Solution
Authors: Sedighian Amir , Moghbeli Mohammad R.
Published: January 2010

Graft polymerization of vinyl acetate (VAc) onto gelatinized and dissolved granular potato starch has been carried out using an initiation system of ceric ammonium nitrate (CAN)/nitric acid (HNO3) at 50°C. The granular starch was dissolved in an aqueous alkaline solution (0.25 M NaOH) for 24 h before graft reaction. The effects of reaction variables, such as the concentrations of acid, monomer, and initiator, on the grafting parameters of prepared starch/VAc copolymers have been investigated in both grafting methods for comparison. Although the scanning electron microscopy (SEM) images showed a rather similar homogeneous structure for dissolved and gelatinized starch, a higher grafting level, especially at lower monomer concentrations, was obtained for the copolymers prepared using the dissolved starch. A larger number of reactive sites uniformly created on the starch molecules led to greater accessibility of the monomer and improved considerably the grafting efficiency in the grafting conditions using the dissolved starch. The effects of the grafting methods on the microstructure, morphology, and thermal stability of the resulting copolymers have been studied by Fourier‐transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), respectively. The TGA results showed that the grafting of VAc onto dissolved starch led to the formation of more thermally stable graft copolymers.
Radiation‐Modified Carboxymethyl Starch Derivative as Metal Scavenger in Aqueous Solutions
Authors: Pant Bhoj Raj , Jeon Hye‐Jin , Park Chan‐Iee , Lee Byung Cheol , Park Ji Hyun , Song Hyun Hoon
Published: January 2010

Corn starch was chemically modified using sodium chloroacetate to yield carboxymethyl starch (CMS). The aqueous solutions of CMS at 15 and 50% (w/w) concentration were then irradiated by electron beam (EB) at various dosages (1, 2, 3, 5, 10, 20, and 50 kGy), resulting in a cross‐linked carboxymethyl starch (CCMS). The maximum gel fraction, i.e. the highest degree of cross‐linking, was achieved with a 50% (w/w) aqueous CMS solution irradiated at 2 kGy EB dosage. Metal removal efficiency of the CCMS was then evaluated for the extraction of copper (Cu) and cadmium (Cd) ions from aqueous solutions. Our results showed that the metal adsorption is pH dependent and the adsorption increases with increase of the pH of the metal solution from acidic towards neutral. The adsorption efficiency also showed the maximum value at the highest gel content, demonstrating the enhancement of adsorption by the physical entrapment of the ions in the CCMS network in addition to the primary chemical adsorption.
The examination of works of art using in situ XRF line and area scans
Authors: Trentelman Karen , Bouchard Michel , Ganio Monica , Namowicz Carole , Patterson Catherine Schmidt , Walton Marc
Published: January 2010

Spatially resolved element distributions generated by in situ X‐ray fluorescence (XRF) line and area scans are shown to provide information about works of art which may not be obtainable from single spot spectra. In addition to generating visually powerful element maps and line profiles, this method also generates a spectrum at each image point, and this large data set is available for additional analysis. When generating line and area scans in the study of works of art, the collection parameters—including X‐ray tube choice, spot size, step size, and scan time—must be optimized not only to produce the best signal, but also to perform the analysis within constraints imposed to ensure the security or safety of the object. Examples of the application of this method to several classes of works of art are presented, including illuminated manuscripts, paintings, bronze sculpture, and glazed ceramics. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
On modelling SH‐waves in a class of inhomogeneous anisotropic media via the Boundary Element Method
Authors: Daros C.H.
Published: January 2010

We present here a Boundary Element Method (BEM) implementation for SH harmonic waves in a class of inhomogeneous anisotropic media. The inhomogeneity is assumed to be the same not only for the stiffnesses, but also for the density. The implementation is based on a closed form fundamental solution for SH waves derived by Daros [C. H. Daros, A fundamental solution for SH‐waves in class of inhomogeneous anisotropic media, Int. J. Eng. Science 46 (2008) 809–817]. We show numerical results obtained by the traditional boundary integral equation. Moreover, the non‐hypersingular traction based BEM is also implemented, allowing the modelling of cracks in inhomogeneous anisotropic media. We obtain numerical results for the stress intensity factors (SIF) which are compared to previous published results.
Chronic Corrosive Injuries of the Stomach—A Single Unit Experience of 109 Patients Over Thirty Years
Authors: Ananthakrishnan N. , Parthasarathy G. , Kate Vikram
Published: January 2010

Background

Corrosive gastric injuries are not uncommon in developing countries because acids, which are more frequently associated with gastric injury, constitute the major type of offending chemical. The spectrum of gastric injury may vary from acute to varying types of chronic gastric involvement.

Methods

The 109 consecutive patients with chronic corrosive gastric injuries treated in a single tertiary care superspecialty institute over a period of 30 years were reviewed with special reference to presentation and problems in management.

Results

Acids contributed to 82.6% of chronic injuries. Chronic gastric injuries were usually one of five types in these patients. The majority had prepyloric strictures (83.5%). The remaining strictures were antral (4.6%), body (3.7%), pyloroduodenal (2.7%), or diffuse (5.5%).Twenty‐one (22.8%) patients had a delayed gastric outlet obstruction, and18 patients had a concomitant esophageal stricture requiring a bypass. Most of the patients with chronic injury underwent surgical correction with Billroth I gastrectomy (77.1%), loop gastrojejunostomy (11.0%), and distal gastrectomy with Polya reconstruction (3.7%). Other procedures performed were pyloroplasty in 1 patient and colonic conduit jejunal anastomosis in 6 patients. One patient (1%) died in the postoperative period.

Conclusions

The management of chronic corrosive gastric injury depends on the type of gastric involvement, the presence of co‐existent esophageal stricture, and the general condition of the patient. A limited resection of the affected stomach is the ideal procedure for the common type of gastric injury. In patients whose general condition prohibits major resection or where the stricture extends to the antrum the best treatment is a loop gastroenterostomy. Type III, IV, V strictures require individualized treatment. Delayed gastric outlet obstruction affects the treatment plan of combined gastric and esophageal injuries.
Ivor‐Lewis Esophagectomy With and Without Laparoscopic Conditioning of the Gastric Conduit
Authors: Schröder Wolfgang , Hölscher Arnulf H. , Bludau Marc , Vallböhmer Daniel , Bollschweiler Elfriede , Gutschow Christian
Published: January 2010

Background

Anastomotic leakage is still the major surgical complication following transthoracic esophagectomy with intrathoracic esophagogastrostomy (Ivor‐Lewis procedure). Modifications of this standard procedure aim to reduce postoperative morbidity and mortality.

Methods

In this retrospective analysis of a 12‐year period, 419 patients who had an Ivor‐Lewis (IL) procedure for esophageal carcinoma were included. Due to modifications of the standard procedure, two different groups were compared with respect to their mortality and anastomotic leakage rate. In 181 patients (43.1%), esophagectomy and gastric reconstruction was performed as a one‐stage procedure (classical IL group). Two hundred thirty‐eight patients (56.9%) underwent a modified IL procedure that included minimally invasive gastric mobilization and a two‐stage operation following ischemic conditioning of the gastric conduit.

Results

The hospital mortality rate was lower in the modified IL group without statistical significance (2.9 vs. 6.1%). Thirty‐five anastomotic leaks were diagnosed postoperatively, 17 in the classical IL group (9.4%) and 18 in the modified IL group (7.6%). The rate of late leakages (after the 10th postoperative day) was higher in the modified IL group. Septic complications and mortality following anastomotic leakage were less frequent in the modified IL group. Leaks in the classical IL group predominantly required rethoracotomy, whereas leaks of the modified IL group were sufficiently treated with endoscopic stenting.

Conclusions

Surgical modifications of the classical IL procedure, including a minimally invasive approach and ischemic conditioning of the gastric conduit, seem to reduce postoperative morbidity and mortality. However, due to the retrospective design of this study, the impact of other factors influencing the outcome cannot be ruled out.
Population characteristics of endangered species Taxus chinensis var. mairei and its conservation strategy in Shanxi, China
Authors: Zhang Jin‐Tun , Ru Wenming
Published: January 2010

The conservation of the endemic, endangered, and first‐class protected tree species, Taxus chinensis var. mairei (Lem. & H. Lev.) W. C. Cheng & L. K. Fu, is urgent in China. To assist the protection of this important medicinal plant species, the biological and ecological characteristics of its populations were investigated and analyzed in Shanxi. The study area, southeastern Shanxi, is a special region suitable for this species growth and development. The floristic composition, life form spectrum, and species diversity of T. chinensis var. mairei forests reflected the features of both warm‐temperate and subtropical regions. Size classes in DBH and static life table analysis showed that the population structure of T. chinensis var. mairei was of the increase‐type. Plant density, survivorship, and mortality decreased with increase in age. Distribution patterns of individuals were basically clumped and saplings tended to be distributed randomly. Disturbance from collection of leaves, branches, and stems for medicine was an important factor affecting population structure, dynamics, and distribution. The sex ratio of female/male and the efficiency of sexual reproduction were very low. The main way of reproduction for this species is vegetative propagation. Based on these characteristics, some suggestions, such as establishing nature reserves, improving population structure by cultivation and transplantation, developing seed gardens, and plantations, etc., for the conservation management of T. chinensis var. mairei and its forests in Shanxi are discussed.
Estimating Difficulty from Polytomous Categorical Data
Authors: Revuelta Javier
Published: January 2010

A comprehensive analysis of difficulty for multiple-choice items requires information at different levels: the test, the items, and the alternatives. This paper introduces a new parameterization of the nominal categories model (NCM) for analyzing difficulty at these three levels. The new parameterization is referred to as the NE–NCM and is statistically equivalent to the NCM. The NE–NCM is applied to a sample of responses from a logical analysis test. The results suggest that the individuals execute a self-terminated response process that is mostly determined by working memory load.
A Kinetics and Mechanism Investigation of the Nucleophilic Substitution Reaction of α‐Chlorododecyl Carboxylate with Trimethylamine
Authors: Wang Ze‐yun , Zhang Shu‐fen , Fang Yun , Yang Hui‐Yan , Qi Li‐yun
Published: January 2010

A nucleophilic substitution reaction was developed to synthesize the zwitterionic surfactant using a renewable natural fatty acid rather than a petroleum derivative as the raw material. The kinetics and mechanism of the nucleophilic substitution reaction of trimethylamine α‐chlorododecyl carboxylate with trimethylamine were investigated in protic and dipolar aprotic solvents including water, ethanol and N, N‐dimethyl formamide. The rate equations were derived using initial rates and the activation parameters in different solvents were determined empirically and compared with each other to obtain important information about the reaction mechanism. The overall second‐order reaction number and the negative activation entropy supported a bimolecular nucleophilic substitution (SN2) mechanism, combined with the pseudo‐first‐order kinetics for each reactant. The experimental results also showed that the reaction reactivity diminishes with the decrease in polarity of protic solvents. The typical dipolar aprotic solvent dimethyl formamide distinctively promoted the reaction in. This fact was successfully explained by the solvation rule for SN2 reactions.
Effect of the Previous Storage of Ripe Olives on the Oil Composition of Fruits
Authors: López‐López Antonio , Rodríguez‐Gómez Francisco , Cortés‐Delgado Amparo , García‐García Pedro , Garrido‐Fernández Antonio
Published: January 2010

This work consists of a detailed study on the changes that occur in the oil of olives (Manzanilla and Hojiblanca cultivars) when subjected to previous storage before their processing as ripe olives. Storage significantly (p < 0.05) increased acidity (0.998 and 0.438 g oleic acid/kg oil, respectively), peroxide value (10.21 and 13.86 mequiv O2/kg oil) and K270 (0.069 and 0.033) but decreased K232 (0.325 and 0.569). There was also a significant (p < 0.05) increment in polar compounds (3.17 and 0.78%, mainly due to the formation of diacylglycerols and fatty acids), OOO + PLP triacylglycerol (1.37% only in Manzanilla), and erythrodiol (with an increment of ≈20 mg/kg oil) but significantly (p < 0.05) decreased some triacylglycerols in Manzanilla (LLL, 0.022%; OLL, 0.243%; OOL + PoOO; 0.731%), polyunsaturated fatty acids (C18:2n‐6, 0.879 and 0.051 g/100 g oil while C18:2t, C18:3n‐6, practically disappeared) and Δ5‐avenasterol (9.16 and 9.75 mg/kg oil). In general, Hojiblanca cultivar was more resistant to fat deterioration than Manzanilla.
Well-posed elliptic Neumann problems involving irregular data and domains
Authors: Maz'ya Vladimir G. , Mercaldo Anna , Alvino Angelo , Cianchi Andrea
Published: January 2010

Non-linear elliptic Neumann problems, possibly in irregular domains and with data affected by low integrability properties, are taken into account. Existence, uniqueness and continuous dependence on the data of generalized solutions are established under a suitable balance between the integrability of the datum and the (ir)regularity of the domain. The latter is described in terms of isocapacitary inequalities. Applications to various classes of domains are also presented.

Nous considérons des problèmes de Neumann pour des équations elliptiques non linéaires dans des domaines éventuellement non réguliers et avec des données peu régulières. Un équilibre entre l'intégrabilité de la donnée et l'(ir)régularité du domaine nous permet d'obtenir l'existence, l'unicité et la dépendance continue de solutions généralisées. L'irrégularité du domaine est décrite par des inégalités « isocapacitaires ». Nous donnons aussi des applications à certaines classes de domaines.
Cognitive and behavioral interventions for the management of chronic neuropathic pain in adults – A systematic review
Authors: van de Wetering Elisabeth J. , Lemmens Karin M.M. , Nieboer Anna P. , Huijsman Robbert
Published: January 2010

Background: Chronic neuropathic pain is often associated with conditions such as depression and anxiety and strongly affects daily functioning and overall quality of life. It is argued, therefore, that psychosocial interventions should be added to traditional biomedical interventions. This systematic review evaluates the effectiveness of cognitive and behavioral interventions for the management of chronic neuropathic pain.

Methods: Electronic databases were searched for all types of studies. Studies were selected by predefined inclusion criteria. Methodological quality was assessed with the Health Technology Assessment‐Disease Management instrument. Furthermore, an explorative meta‐analysis of four selected studies was performed.

Results: Fourteen studies were assessed: three randomized controlled trials, three controlled before–after studies, seven uncontrolled before–after studies and one time series analysis. The findings of the meta‐analysis were not consistent with a significant effect on pain intensity. Only one study had good methodological quality; it showed some significant effects of the interventions, but only in female participants. Other studies of limited methodological quality did report positive effects on pain and quality of life.

Conclusions: This is the first systematic review that has evaluated the effectiveness of cognitive and behavioral techniques for the management of chronic neuropathic pain. Given the limited methodological quality, no informative conclusions can be drawn with respect to the study objective. However, this review does provide insight into the difficulties of this specific area, the need for a clear and widely accepted definition of neuropathic pain and the need for standardized multidimensional measurement instruments.
Marketing Strategy in an Internet-Enabled Environment: A Retrospective on the First Ten Years of JIM and a Prospective on the Next Ten Years
Authors: Varadarajan Rajan , Yadav Manjit S.
Published: January 2010

During the past decade, developments such as the rapid growth of the Internet, digitization of information products, and digitization of the information attributes of non-information products, has necessitated businesses to fundamentally rethink, as well as institute major changes in, their marketing strategies. Against this backdrop, we present a critical assessment of extant research on marketing strategy in an Internet-enabled environment viewed through the lens of research published in previous volumes of the Journal of Interactive Marketing (JIM), and speculate on the future of interactive marketing in the contexts of marketing practice, research in marketing and marketing education. Looking back, it is evident that marketing strategy and marketing operations have been transformed by the Internet in many ways. Looking ahead, it can be expected that marketing strategy and marketing operations will be even more extensively integrated and blended in the Internet-enabled market environment in the future.
Click Here for Internet Insight: Advances in Clickstream Data Analysis in Marketing
Authors: Bucklin Randolph E. , Sismeiro Catarina
Published: January 2010

Clickstream data are defined as the electronic record of Internet usage collected by Web servers or third-party services. The authors discuss the nature of clickstream data, noting key strengths and limitations of these data for research in marketing. The paper reviews major developments from the analysis of these data, covering advances in understanding (1) browsing and site usage behavior on the Internet, (2) the Internet's role and efficacy as a new medium for advertising and persuasion, and (3) shopping behavior on the Internet (i.e., electronic commerce). The authors outline opportunities for new research and highlight several emerging areas likely to grow in future importance. Inherent limitations of clickstream data for understanding and predicting the behavior of Internet users or researching marketing phenomena are also discussed.
A Strategic Perspective on Search Engines: Thought Candies for Practitioners and Researchers
Authors: Rangaswamy Arvind , Giles C. Lee , Seres Silvija
Published: January 2010

Search engines, such as Google and Yahoo! Search, are more than just portals or information tools. In fact, they are agents of a transformation that is making the business environment more transparent, and thus, potentially more competitive. This new environment is creating opportunities and challenges for businesses of every stripe. In this paper, we explore the following topics: (1) what are search engines exactly, (2) what businesses can do with search engines, (3) how are, and how should, senior executives be viewing the strategic impact of search engines, and (4) what are some important research issues for academics and practitioners that would help us gain a better understanding of the strategic impact of search engines.
Interactive Services: A Framework, Synthesis and Research Directions
Authors: Bolton Ruth , Saxena-Iyer Shruti
Published: January 2010

This article briefly reviews marketers’ current knowledge about interactive services. It defines interactive services as services that have some form of customer–firm interaction in an environment characterized by any level of technology (i.e., a high or low technology environment). Customers may interact with the firm's physical elements (including technology), processes and people in both service creation and delivery. Consequently, customer participation directly influences service quality and behavioral outcomes (e.g., service usage, repeat purchase behavior and word-of-mouth) — as well as firm outcomes (efficiency, revenues and profits). Hence, a recurring theme throughout our article is that the nature of customer participation is critically important for the effective creation and delivery of interactive services. The article identifies key research areas and their relevance to managerial practice. This analysis yields a set of research questions that provides an agenda for future research.
Probability Models for Customer-Base Analysis
Authors: Fader Peter S. , Hardie Bruce G.S.
Published: January 2010

As more firms begin to collect (and seek value from) richer customer-level datasets, a focus on the emerging concept of customer-base analysis is becoming increasingly common and critical. Such analyses include forward-looking projections ranging from aggregate-level sales trajectories to individual-level conditional expectations (which, in turn, can be used to derive estimates of customer lifetime value). We provide an overview of a class of parsimonious models (called probability models) that are well-suited to meet these rising challenges. We first present a taxonomy that captures some of the key distinctions across different kinds of business settings and customer relationships, and identify some of the unique modeling and measurement issues that arise across them. We then provide deeper coverage of these modeling issues, first for noncontractual settings (i.e., situations in which customer “death” is unobservable), then contractual ones (i.e., situations in which customer “death” can be observed). We review recent literature in these areas, highlighting substantive insights that arise from the research as well as the methods used to capture them. We focus on practical applications that use appropriately chosen data summaries (such as recency and frequency) and rely on commonly available software packages (such as Microsoft Excel).
Prospects for Personalization on the Internet
Authors: Montgomery Alan L. , Smith Michael D.
Published: January 2010

Personalization is a key component of an interactive marketing strategy. Its purpose is to adapt a standardized product or service to an individual customer's needs. The goal is to create profit for the producer and increased value for the consumer. This goal fits nicely into traditional notions of segmentation. Applications of personalization have advanced greatly in conjunction with the Internet, since it provides an environment that is information rich and well suited to interactivity. This article reviews past research on personalization and considers some examples of personalization in practice. We discuss what we believe are key problems and directions for personalization in the future.
Online Trust: State of the Art, New Frontiers, and Research Potential
Authors: Urban Glen L. , Amyx Cinda , Lorenzon Antonio
Published: January 2010

Online trust is growing in importance as a topic of study and its influence on Internet marketing strategies is increasing. “Online trust includes consumer perceptions of how the site would deliver on expectations, how believable the site's information is, and how much confidence the site commands.” (Bart, Yakov, Venkatesh Shankar, Fareena Sultan, and Glen L. Urban [2005], “Are the Drivers and Role of Online Trust the Same for All Web Sites and Consumers? A Large-Scale Exploratory Empirical Study,” Journal of Marketing, 69(4), 133–152). In this article, we review advances in online trust research based on an overarching framework, outlining the key insights learned so far. These insights include: online trust extends beyond privacy and security, is closely connected to website design, its formation is an ongoing process, and is heterogeneous across individuals and products. We propose several ideas for future research relating to multiple aspects of online research, such as the longitudinal component, multichannel element, global aspect, personalization and cross-disciplinary nature.
2008 DMEF Customer Lifetime Value Modeling (Task 2)
Authors: Jamal Zainab , Zhang Alex
Published: January 2010

We describe our approach for predicting individual donor's total gift amount over a two-year target period. We divide the donors into 8 segments; for each segment, we fit a logit model for predicting the probability of giving, and a log-linear model for predicting the amount of gifts conditional on a donor giving. We found that recency, frequency, and first gift amount are good predictors of the probability of giving, while time-weighted total gift amount in the past years is a good predictor for future gift amount.
The Roles of Modality Richness and Involvement in Shopping Behavior in 3D Virtual Stores
Authors: Jin Seung-A Annie
Published: January 2010

The rapid growth of e-commerce and consumers’ increasing use of 3D virtual worlds to make purchases have rendered it important to understand how consumers develop their buying intentions in this novel context. Drawing from literature on modality richness, this study examined the effects of pre-experimental product involvement and the modality of marketing information presentation on consumers’ product evaluations, buying intentions, and enjoyment of online shopping. The results of a 2 × 2 between-subjects experiment indicate significant interaction effects between modality richness and prior involvement. Consumers with low involvement are influenced by modality richness, whereas those with high involvement are not, thus confirming the moderating role of prior involvement for shopping behaviors inside 3D virtual environments. Managerial implications of these findings are discussed.
Attribute Perceptions, Customer Satisfaction and Intention to Recommend E-Services
Authors: Finn Adam , Wang Luming , Frank Tema
Published: January 2010

Academic research has focused on the quality perceptions that drive customer satisfaction as the key to achieving e-service success. This paper develops a process-based model that relates perceptions of managerially actionable site characteristics to online satisfaction, which mediates the effects of site characteristics on intention to recommend e-services. A unique data set provided by Web Mystery Shoppers International Inc. ( webmysteryshoppers.com ), a market research supplier, enables the model to be refined using data from samples of responses to each of the competitive websites for one financial service, and then to be tested using similar data for another financial e-service and then for a travel e-service. The model, which accounts for most of the variance in online satisfaction and online intention to recommend in the fitted data, is largely confirmed on cross validation. Process evaluations and satisfaction mediate the effects of actionable website characteristics on intention to recommend e-services.
The Impact of Website Quality on Information Quality, Value, and Loyalty Intentions in Apparel Retailing
Authors: Kim Hyejeong , Niehm Linda S.
Published: January 2010

This study investigated relationships among website quality, perceived information quality, perceived value, and loyalty intentions in the context of apparel online shopping. Analysis of data using structural equation modeling showed that among the website quality dimensions, interactivity, online completeness, ease of use, and entertainment significantly influence perceived information quality. Perceived information quality affects perceived value and loyalty intentions and perceived value influences loyalty intentions toward apparel retail websites. The post-hoc test revealed that entertainment and trust affect perceived value. Online completeness and entertainment were found to influence loyalty intentions. Strategic suggestions are provided for e-retailer improvement of website information quality, such as utilizing entertaining and engaging devices and designing their websites for consumer comprehension and enjoyment during the shopping experience.