bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Missional church and local constraints: A Dutch perspective
Authors: Brouwer Rein
Published: December 2009

The missional church concept promises to guide local churches in the direction of a new identity and mission. It is a response to a sense of ecclesiological and congregational urgency that is felt all over the world. In Africa, North America and Europe, churches and local faith communities have been challenged by the changes in the religious state of affairs since the 1960s. Whether we still call it �secularisation� or rephrase it as �differentiated transformation�, the face of religion is changing globally. In many parts of the world, this raises a feeling of crisis that gives way to the redef nition of the mission and purpose of the church. �Missional church�, however, is a precarious concept. Nobody disagrees with the intention but can it be more than an inspiring vision? In order to realise this vision, a multi-layered and multi-dimensional analysis of �culture� is essential. We should move the analysis beyond the philosophical interpretation of relatively abstract and evasive macro-level processes, such as �modernity� and �post-modernity�. The future of the missional church depends on a differentiated and empirical, informed perspective on culture. For this purpose, this article proposes the concept of ecology: A system of diverse populations, including populations of congregations and faith communities, that interacts with these populations and with their specific environments. Preparing a missional congregation for the future should be accompanied with a thorough empirical investigation into the ecology of the congregation. We should be thinking intensively about and looking for vital ecologies.
The importance of pursuing a histological diagnosis in the hiv setting
Authors: Fernando KA , Acharya S , Arumainayagam JT
Published: December 2009

A 40-year-old heterosexual African man was admitted with fever, night sweats and lymphadenopathy. His human immunodeficiency virus antibody test was positive. Initial lymph node biopsy revealed reactive hyperplasia only. He was empirically treated for tuberculosis. However, symptoms persisted and a repeat lymph node biopsy was obtained, which confirmed Hodgkin’s disease. This emphasises the need to pursue histological diagnosis in such patients with persisting symptoms.
Factitious disorder (Munchausen’s syndrome)
Authors: Steel RM
Published: December 2009

Factitious disorder, often referred to as Munchausen’s syndrome, is a condition in which sufferers present to healthcare professionals seeking investigation and treatment for signs and symptoms that they have consciously fabricated for no obvious reason. Factitious presentations have been described all over the world, in every medical specialty and in every age group, yet by its very nature factitious disorder is difficult to study. There is therefore a dearth of evidence in the literature relating to epidemiology, aetiology and therapeutics. The disorder is notoriously difficult to recognise in clinical practice and there are as yet no definitive treatment options available. This article provides a brief overview of the literature before offering guidance on the diagnosis and management of factitious disorder presenting in the general hospital. It also considers fabricated or induced illness, also known as Munchausen’s syndrome by proxy.
Photoenzymatic Reduction of CC Double Bonds
Authors: Grau Maria Mifsud , van der Toorn John C. , Otten Linda G. , Macheroux Peter , Taglieber Andreas , Zilly Felipe E. , Arends Isabel W. C. E. , Hollmann Frank
Published: December 2009

A simplified procedure for cell‐free biocatalytic reductions of conjugated CC double bonds using old yellow enzymes (OYEs) is reported. Instead of indirectly regenerating YqjM (an OYE homologue from B. subtilis) or NemA (N‐ethylmaleimide reductase from E. coli) via regeneration of reduced nicotinamide cofactors, we demonstrate that direct regeneration of catalytically active reduced flavins is an efficient and convenient approach. Reducing equivalents are provided from simple sacrificial electron donors such as ethylenediaminetetraacetate (EDTA), formate, or phosphite via photocatalytic oxidation. This novel photoenzymatic reaction scheme was characterized. Up to 65% rates of the NADH‐driven reaction were obtained while preserving enantioselectivity. The chemoselectivity of the novel approach was exclusive. Even when using crude cell extracts as biocatalyst preparations, only CC bond reduction was observed while ketone and aldehyde groups remained unaltered. Overall, a simple and practical approach for photobiocatalytic reductions is presented.
Ruthenium Catalyzed Selective Regio‐and‐Mono‐Allylation of Cyclic 1,3‐Diketones Using Allyl Alcohols as Substrates
Authors: Gruber Stefan , Pregosin Paul S.
Published: December 2009

The new ruthenium‐sulfonate catalyst Ru(Cp*)(η3‐C3H5) (p‐CH3C6H4SO3)2, (Cp*=pentamethylcyclopentadienyl), rapidly and regioselectively mono‐allylates dimedone to the branched products using substituted allyl alcohols as substrates, without acid, base or other additives, under relatively mild conditions. We consider the ruthenium sulfonate to be a “green” alternative in that it uses allyl alcohols as substrate, (rather than carbonates, acetates, etc.) and therefore does not waste the leaving group. The catalyst induces rapid double allylation of various 1,3‐diketones in high yield using allylic alcohol.
Pyranoside Phosphite‐Oxazoline Ligand Library: Highly Efficient Modular P,N Ligands for Palladium‐Catalyzed Allylic Substitution Reactions. A Study of the Key Palladium Allyl Intermediates
Authors: Mata Yvette , Pàmies Oscar , Diéguez Montserrat
Published: December 2009

We have screened a library of modular phosphite‐oxazoline ligands for asymmetric allylic substitution reactions. The library is efficiently prepared from the commercially available and cheap D‐glucosamine. The introduction of a phosphite moiety into the ligand design is highly advantageous for the product outcome. Therefore, this ligand library affords good‐to‐excellent reaction rates [TOFs up to 600 mol substrate×(mol Pd×h)−1] and enantioselectivities (ees up to 99%) and, at the same time, shows a broad scope for mono‐, di‐ and trisubstituted linear hindered and unhindered substrates and cyclic substrates. The NMR studies on the palladium allyl intermediates provide a deeper understanding about the effect of the ligand parameters on the origin of enantioselectivity.
Catalytic Asymmetric Synthesis of Branched Chiral Allylic Phenyl Ethers from (E)‐Allylic Alcohols
Authors: Olson Angela C. , Overman Larry E. , Sneddon Helen F. , Ziller Joseph W.
Published: December 2009

The first di‐μ‐amidate dipalladium complexes and a new di‐μ‐carboxylate dipalladium complex of the COP (cobalt oxazoline palladacycle) palladium(II) catalyst family are reported and characterized crystallographically. The di‐μ‐amidate complex 3 and its enantiomer (ent‐3) are the first asymmetric catalysts that allow commercially available, or readily accessible, (E)‐2‐alken‐1‐ols to be transformed to enantioenriched branched allylic aryl ethers upon reaction of their trichloroacetimidate derivatives with phenols. The 3‐aryloxy‐1‐alkene products are formed in high enantiomeric purity (typically 90–98% ee) and useful yields (61–88%).
Binuclear Iron(III) Phthalocyanine(μ‐Oxodimer)‐Catalyzed Oxygenation of Aromatic Hydrocarbons with Iodosylbenzene Sulfate and Iodosylbenzene as the Oxidants
Authors: Neu Heather M. , Yusubov Mekhman S. , Zhdankin Viktor V. , Nemykin Victor N.
Published: December 2009

Two binuclear iron(III) phthalocyanine‐(μ‐oxodimer) complexes were tested in catalytic oxygenation reactions of several aromatic hydrocarbons using iodosylbenzene (PhIO)n or oligomeric iodosylbenzene sulfate [(PhIO)3SO3]n as the oxidants. Results of this study demonstrate that [(PhIO)3SO3]n is the most reactive oxygenating reagent that can be used as a safe and convenient alternative to the thermally unstable and potentially explosive iodosylbenzene. The pyridine‐containing binuclear μ‐oxobis{iron(III)‐pyridino[3,4]‐9(10),16(17),23(24)‐tri‐tert‐butyltribenzoporphyrazine} is significantly more active as compared to the traditional μ‐oxobis[iron(III)‐2,9(10),16(17),23(24)‐tetra‐tert‐butylphthalocyanine].
Organocatalysis in Natural Product Synthesis: A Simple One‐Pot Approach to Optically Active β‐Diols
Authors: Andersen Nikolaj Røjkjær , Hansen Signe Grann , Bertelsen Søren , Jørgensen Karl Anker
Published: December 2009

Optically active β‐diols have been prepared using an organocatalytic one‐pot approach from α,β‐unsaturated aldehydes using (E)‐benzaldehyde oxime as nucleophile in an oxa‐Michael reaction with subsequent in situ reduction or Grignard addition. With this protocol at hand, two biologically active compounds, an insect sex pheromone and a glycerol kinase substrate have been synthesized.
Social dynamics and individual plasticity of infant care behavior in cooperatively breeding cotton‐top tamarins
Authors: Zahed Sofia Refetoff , Kurian Aimee V. , Snowdon Charles T.
Published: December 2009

Individual variation in infant caretaking behavior is prevalent among marmoset and tamarin monkeys. Although most group members participate in infant care, the timing and amount provided differs greatly. In this study, we quantified general trends in infant carrying behavior by using a longitudinal database that included 11 years of instantaneous scan observations following 80 births of cotton‐top tamarins. Using detailed focal observations on a subset of the same families (10 births) we identified influences that affected expression of infant care at the group and individual levels. Fathers were the primary carriers and paternal carry time gradually decreased with increasing infant age. Paternal carry time also decreased significantly with an increasing number of older sibling helpers. Most fathers began to carry on the first day postpartum. However, we report circumstances in which fathers delayed carrying until almost a month postpartum. Fathers retrieved infants the most, although adult brothers' rates of retrievals peaked and surpassed fathers' rates during week 4 postpartum. Fathers delayed rejection of infants until week 4, whereas mothers rejected infants immediately and throughout the eight weeks. Nonetheless, infants climbed onto their mothers more than onto any other family member. Mothers showed a high initial investment in carrying during the first two weeks, decreasing quickly thereafter. Maternal contributions to infant carrying remained low and relatively consistent regardless of group size. However, mothers dramatically increased their infant carrying behavior in families in which fathers were absent. Older siblings cared for infants more than did younger siblings, and brothers retrieved and carried infants more than did sisters. Individual expression of infant care changed to accommodate infant needs and changed according to varying social dynamics and circumstances across litters. Am. J. Primatol. 72:296–306, 2010. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Ontogeny of robusticity of craniofacial traits in modern humans: A study of South American populations
Authors: Gonzalez Paula N. , Perez S. Ivan , Bernal Valeria
Published: December 2009

To date, differences in craniofacial robusticity among modern and fossil humans have been primarily addressed by analyzing adult individuals; thus, the developmental basis of such differentiation remains poorly understood. This article aims to analyze the ontogenetic development of craniofacial robusticity in human populations from South America. Geometric morphometric methods were used to describe cranial traits in lateral view by using landmarks and semilandmarks. We compare the patterns of variation among populations obtained with subadults and adults to determine whether population‐specific differences are evident at early postnatal ontogeny, compare ontogenetic allometric trajectories to ascertain whether changes in the ontogeny of shape contribute to the differentiation of adult morphologies, and estimate the amount of size change that occurs during growth along each population‐specific trajectory. The results obtained indicate that the pattern of interpopulation variation in shape and size is already established at the age of 5 years, meaning that processes acting early during ontogeny contribute to the adult variation. The ontogenetic allometric trajectories are not parallel among all samples, suggesting the divergence in the size‐related shape changes. Finally, the extension of ontogenetic trajectories also seems to contribute to shape variation observed among adults. Am J Phys Anthropol 2010. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Preparation and characterization of a low‐formaldehyde‐emission methylol urea/triethanolamine copolymer composite
Authors: Barminas J. T. , Osemeahon S. A.
Published: December 2009

A low‐formaldehyde‐emission methylol urea/triethanolamine composite was synthesized through in situ esterification of formaldehyde with triethanolamine and subsequent copolymerization of the synthesized polyester with methylol urea. The effects of the addition of triethanolamine to the polymerization process on some physical properties of the synthesized copolymer were evaluated. The copolymer was characterized with IR spectroscopy and macrophase‐separation techniques. At a given triethanolamine concentration, the composite exhibited macrophase‐separation behavior between that of pure methylol urea and pure polyester. IR spectra showed the presence of the polyester moiety in the composite. The values of the moisture uptake, formaldehyde emission, melting point, and elongation at break of the copolymer were within acceptable levels required in the coating industry. Therefore, the methylol urea/polyester copolymer resin could have potential as a binder in the coating industry. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2010
Compatible and crystallization properties of poly(lactic acid)/poly(butylene adipate‐co‐terephthalate) blends
Authors: Yeh Jen‐Taut , Tsou Chi‐Hui , Huang Chi‐Yuan , Chen Kan‐Nan , Wu Chin‐San , Chai Wan‐Lan
Published: December 2009

Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), wide angle X‐ray diffraction (WAXD) and dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA) properties of poly(lactic acid)/ poly(butylene adipate‐co‐terephthalate) (PLA/PBAT) specimens suggest that only small amounts of poor PLA and/or PBAT crystals are present in their corresponding melt crystallized specimens. In fact, the percentage crystallinity, peak melting temperature and onset re‐crystallization temperature values of PLA/PBAT specimens reduce gradually as their PBAT contents increase. However, the glass transition temperatures of PLA molecules found by DSC and DMA analysis reduce to the minimum value as the PBAT contents of PLAxPBATy specimens reach 2.5 wt %. Further morphological and DMA analysis of PLA/PBAT specimens reveal that PBAT molecules are miscible with PLA molecules at PBAT contents equal to or less than 2.5 wt %, since no distinguished phase‐separated PBAT droplets and tan δ transitions were found on fracture surfaces and tan δ curves of PLA/PBAT specimens, respectively. In contrast to PLA, the PBAT specimen exhibits highly deformable properties. After blending proper amounts of PBAT in PLA, the inherent brittle deformation behavior of PLA was successfully improved. Possible reasons accounting for these interesting crystallization, compatible and tensile properties of PLA/PBAT specimens are proposed. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2010
Preparation and properties of polyhydroxybutyrate blended with different types of starch
Authors: Zhang Min , Thomas Noreen L.
Published: December 2009

This study examines the properties of polyhydroxybutyrate (PHB) when blended with two types of maize starch, Starch 1 (containing 70% amylose) and Starch 2 (containing 72% amylopectin). The PHB/starch blends were prepared by melt compounding at a ratio of 70/30 by weight and characterized in terms of their morphology, structure, thermal, rheological, and mechanical properties. The results show that starch granules act as a filler in PHB/starch blends and also act as a nucleating agent causing a very significant reduction in the size of the PHB spherulites. There were found to be significant improvements in thermal, rheological, and mechanical properties, and these were greater for blends containing Starch 1 than those containing Starch 2. These improvements are attributed to enhanced hydrogen bonding between PHB and Starch 1 with high‐amylose content. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2010
Improving the aging resistance of styrene‐butadiene‐styrene tri‐block copolymer and application in polymer‐modified asphalt
Authors: Li Yintao , Li Linfan , Zhang Yan , Zhao Sufang , Xie Leidong , Yao Side
Published: December 2009

Thermal oxidation process of styrene‐butadiene‐styrene (SBS) copolymer was studied by using a variety of analytical and spectroscopic methods including thermal analysis, dynamic mechanical analysis and FTIR spectroscopy. The experimental results indicate that the thermal oxidation process of SBS is a free radical self‐catalyzed reaction containing four steps (initiation, growth, transfer, and termination of the chain) with both crosslinking and scission and the latter is confirmed to be the main process. The antioxidants 1010 as scavenger of free radicals and 168 acting decomposition of hydroperoxides were used to improve the oxidation aging resistance of SBS copolymer. It has been found that synergic effect of 1010 and 168 may be the best in practice and 0.2 wt % 1010 + 0.4 wt % 168 can effectively prevent SBS from the thermal oxidation at certain temperature. Furthermore, the aging resistance of the SBS‐modified asphalt was improved by addition of complex antioxidants. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2010
Light cured fluoride filled denture‐coating materials
Authors: Kodkeaw Panarat , Phankosol Piyawat , Jiratumnukul Nantana
Published: December 2009

Light cured denture‐coating materials were prepared by formulating an acrylate monomer with a photoinitiator system (camphorquinone and dimethylaminoethyl methacrylate) using one of three base monomers [bisphenol A glycerolate diacrylate (Bis‐GDA), glycerol 1,3‐diglycerolate diacrylate (GDA), and diurethane dimethacrylate (DU‐DMA)] each with four diluents [triethylene glycol dimethacrylate (TEGDMA), di(ethylene glycol) methyl ether methacrylate, 2‐hydroxyethyl methacrylate (HEMA), and methacrylic acid (MAA)] at a fixed 1 : 1 molar ratio of base monomer to diluent. The twelve formulations were then evaluated for their surface hardness and water sorption as coating materials. The DU‐DMA/MAA, DU‐DMA/HEMA, Bis‐GDA/HEMA, and GDA/MAA based coatings provided a high level of both surface hardness and water sorption properties. When sodium fluoride (NaF) or calcium fluoride (CaF2) was incorporated into those formulations, the fluoride ion release rate from all four NaF containing coating materials was extremely high in the first week, decreasing sharply in the second week and then decreasing in the later 2 weeks. In contrast, the CaF2 containing coating materials showed a slower sustained rate of fluoride ion release over the 4‐week test period, with the DU‐DMA/HEMA based coating having a fluoride ion release pattern that meets the requirements for dental use. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2010
Inhibitive effect of polyacrylamide grafted with fenugreek mucilage on corrosion of mild steel in 0.5 M H2SO4 at 35°C
Authors: Srivastava Varsha , Banerjee Sitashree , Singh M. M.
Published: December 2009

The inhibitive effect of polyacrylamide grafted with fenugreek mucilage, a natural grade polysaccharide, on the corrosion of mild steel in 0.5M H2SO4 has been investigated by weight loss, potentiodynamic polarization and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy. An inhibition efficiency of 78% has been obtained at a concentration as low as 1 ppm and efficiency as high as 96% at 100 ppm. The polarization studies reveal that it acts as a predominantly cathodic inhibitor. The adsorption of this inhibitor on the mild steel surface obeys a Langmuir adsorption isotherm. The deposited films on the electrode surface have been analyzed by using microscopic techniques. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2010
Studies on dry‐jet‐wet spun polyurethane fibers. II. Effect of polyurethane shore hardness on spinnability and fiber properties
Authors: Raghunath Reddy G. V. , Deopura B. L. , Joshi Mangala
Published: December 2009

This article reports a study on the spinnability of three different ester type thermoplastic polyurethanes (TPUs) with shore hardness 75A, 85A, 92A using the dry‐jet‐wet spinning method. The three grades have been analyzed by FTIR, GPC, and 1H‐NMR to establish the difference among them. FTIR indicated that all the three grades were chemically similar and GPC suggests that molecular weight increased with increase in shore hardness. Compositional analysis indicates that the hard segment content increases with increase in shore hardness. Shear viscosity of TPU dope solution increases with increase in shore hardness. Of the three different grades of TPUs studied, only the grades with shore hardness of 85A and 92A are spinnable under the experimental conditions. The fiber properties of three different grades have been compared. Fibers spun with the shore hardness of 85A have good elastomeric properties compared with the other two grades. Lab spun fibers have also been compared with the commercial spandex fibers. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2010
Microwave plasma‐initiated grafting of acrylic acid on Celgard 2500 membrane to prepare alkaline battery separators—Characteristics of process and product
Authors: Gancarz Irena , Bryjak Marek , Kunicki Jerzy , Ciszewski Aleksander
Published: December 2009

A process of plasma‐initiated grafting of acrylic acid on commercial porous polypropylene membrane was studied. The influence of parameters of the plasma (power, gas pressure, time plasma‐sample distance, sample arrangement) and grafting (solvent composition, monomer concentration, time, inhibitor presence) on the degree of grafting, amount of homopolymer produced and surface electrical resistance was determined. A degree of grafting up to 18 mmol/g was obtained, which resulted in sample resistance as low as 30 mΩ cm2. The molecular weight of AAc homopolymer that can be assumed as equal to the MW of grafted chains, ranged from 25,000 to 50,000,000 da. SEM and water permeability measurements show that grafting causes filling of the pores, which, however, does not stop K+ ions from penetrating the membrane. The performance of nickel‐cadmium cells with acrylic acid grafted membranes as separator is also presented. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2010
Biodegradable polyesterurethane networks for controlled release of aspirin
Authors: Zhang Shifeng , Feng Yakai , Zhang Li , Guo Jintang , Xu Yongshen
Published: December 2009

In this article, poly(D,L‐lactide‐co‐glycolide)urethane (PULG) networks were prepared from hydroxyl telechelic star‐shaped oligo(D,L‐lactide‐co‐glycolide) coupled with 1,6‐diisocyanate‐2,2,4‐trimethylhexane and 1,6‐diisocyanate‐2,4,4‐trimethylhexane or isophorone diisocyanate. The release of model drug aspirin (ASP) from biodegradable polyesterurethane networks was studied in phosphate buffered saline pH = 7.0 at 37°C. PULG networks turned from transparent to opaque after ASP loading. PULG networks with lower crosslinking density always resulted in higher drug loaded content. The results of differential scanning calorimetry and scanning electron microscope measurements demonstrated that ASP was uniformly distributed in the networks. The drug release courses of ASP from PULG networks in phosphate buffered saline pH = 7.0 at 37°C could be divided into three stages. Firstly, ASP release was at approximately uniform rate from PULG networks; Secondly, the release rate obviously increased due to the degradation of the PULG networks; Thirdly, the release rate decreased gradually because most of the ASP had diffused out of the PULG networks. The crosslinking density of polyesterurethane networks also affected both degradation of the polymer networks and drug release rate. The in vitro release test revealed that ASP accelerated the degradation process of PULG, which exhibited a typical erosion‐controlled release mechanism. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2010
Effect of platinum salt concentration on the electrospinning of polyacrylonitrile/platinum acetylacetonate solution
Authors: Lin Zhan , Woodroof Mariah D. , Ji Liwen , Liang Yinzheng , Krause Wendy , Zhang Xiangwu
Published: December 2009

The preparation and characterization of electrospun polyacrylonitrile (PAN)/platinum(II) acetylacetonate composite nanofibers were investigated. The solution properties, such as viscosity, surface tension, and conductivity, of Pt‐acetylacetonate‐added PAN solutions in N,N‐dimethylformamide were measured, and their influences on the resulting fiber structure were also determined. At low Pt salt concentrations, the addition of Pt salt increased the fiber diameter but did not change the fiber diameter distribution. However, the fiber diameter decreased, and the fiber diameter distribution became broader when the Pt salt concentration went beyond a critical value. The structure of the electrospun fibers was determined by the formation of polymer–salt– solvent interactions, which changed the balance among the viscosity, surface tension, and conductivity of the solutions. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2010
Nonisothermal crystallization behavior and mechanical properties of poly(butylene succinate)/silica nanocomposites
Authors: Bian Junjia , Han Lijing , Wang Xuemei , Wen Xin , Han Changyu , Wang Shusheng , Dong Lisong
Published: December 2009

Silica nanoparticles and poly(butylene succinate) (PBS) nanocomposites were prepared by a melt‐blending process. The influence of silica nanoparticles on the nonisothermal crystallization behavior, crystal structure, and mechanical properties of the PBS/silica nanocomposites was investigated. The crystallization peak temperature of the PBS/silica nanocomposites was higher than that of neat PBS at various cooling rates. The half‐time of crystallization decreased with increasing silica loading; this indicated the nucleating role of silica nanoparticles. The nonisothermal crystallization data were analyzed by the Ozawa, Avrami, and Mo methods. The validity of kinetics models on the nonisothermal crystallization process of the PBS/silica nanocomposites is discussed. The approach developed by Mo successfully described the nonisothermal crystallization process of the PBS and its nanocomposites. A study of the nucleation activity revealed that the silica nanoparticles had a good nucleation effect on PBS. The crystallization activation energy calculated by Kissinger's method increased with increasing silica content. The modulus and yield strength were enhanced with the addition of silica nanoparticles into the PBS matrix. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2010
Poly(ethylene glycol)/poly(methyl methacrylate) blends as novel form‐stable phase‐change materials for thermal energy storage
Authors: Sarı Ahmet , Alkan Cemil , Karaipekli Ali , Uzun Orhan
Published: December 2009

In this study, we focused on the preparation and characterization of poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG)/poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) blends as novel form‐stable phase‐change materials (PCMs) for latent‐heat thermal energy storage (LHTES) applications. In the blends, PEG acted as a PCM when PMMA was operated as supporting material. We subjected the prepared blends at different mass fractions of PEG (50, 60, 70, 80, and 90% w/w) to leakage tests by heating the blends over the melting temperature of the PCM to determine the maximum encapsulation ratio without leakage. The prepared 70/30 w/w % PEG/PMMA blend as a form‐stable PCM was characterized with optical microscopy and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. The thermal properties of the form‐stable PCM were measured with differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). DSC analysis indicated that the form‐stable PEG/PMMA blend melted at 58.07°C and crystallized at 39.28°C and that it had latent heats of 121.24 and 108.36 J/g for melting and crystallization, respectively. These thermal properties give the PCMs potential LHTES purposes, such as for solar space heating and ventilating applications in buildings. Accelerated thermal cycling tests also showed that the form‐stable PEG/PMMA blend as PCMs had good thermal reliability and chemical stability. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2010
Annealing effect on poly(vinylidene fluoride/trifluoroethylene) (70/30) copolymer thin films above the melting point
Authors: Li Weiping , Yu Lijia , Zhu Yuejin , Hua Dayin , Wang Jun , Luo Laihui , Zhang Jing
Published: December 2009

To further understand crystallization behaviors above the melting temperature (Tm), the morphologies and structure of ferroelectric poly(vinylidene fluoride/trifluoroethylene) [P(VDF–TrFE); 70/30] copolymer films at different temperatures were studied by atomic force microscopy, differential scanning calorimetry, and X‐ray diffraction (XRD). We found that there was a structural change in the P(VDF–TrFE) copolymer film above Tm, which corresponded to the transition from tightly arrayed grains to fiberlike crystals. For the samples annealed above Tm, heat treatment reduced the density of gauche defects and caused a better arrangement of the crystalline phase. So those samples were in the ferroelectric phase without gauche defects, with one sharp diffraction peak reflected in the XRD curves. It was helpful to further make clear the thermal behaviors from the melts of the P(VDF–TrFE) copolymers and discuss their application under higher temperatures. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2010
Upper tag ontology for integrating social tagging data
Authors: Ding Ying , Jacob Elin K. , Fried Michael , Toma Ioan , Yan Erjia , Foo Schubert , Milojević Staša
Published: December 2009

Data integration and mediation have become central concerns of information technology over the past few decades. With the advent of the Web and the rapid increases in the amount of data and the number of Web documents and users, researchers have focused on enhancing the interoperability of data through the development of metadata schemes. Other researchers have looked to the wealth of metadata generated by bookmarking sites on the Social Web. While several existing ontologies have capitalized on the semantics of metadata created by tagging activities, the Upper Tag Ontology (UTO) emphasizes the structure of tagging activities to facilitate modeling of tagging data and the integration of data from different bookmarking sites as well as the alignment of tagging ontologies. UTO is described and its utility in modeling, harvesting, integrating, searching, and analyzing data is demonstrated with metadata harvested from three major social tagging systems (Delicious, Flickr, and YouTube).
The w‐index: A measure to assess scientific impact by focusing on widely cited papers
Authors: Wu Qiang
Published: December 2009

Based on the principles of the h‐index, I propose a new measure, the w‐index, as a particularly simple and more useful way to assess the substantial impact of a researcher's work, especially regarding excellent papers. The w‐index can be defined as follows: If w of a researcher's papers have at least 10w citations each and the other papers have fewer than 10(w+1) citations, that researcher's w‐index is w. The results demonstrate that there are noticeable differences between the w‐index and the h‐index, because the w‐index plays close attention to the more widely cited papers. These discrepancies can be measured by comparing the ranks of 20 astrophysicists, a few famous physical scientists, and 16 Price medalists. Furthermore, I put forward the w(q)‐index to improve the discriminatory power of the w‐index and to rank scientists with the same w. The factor q is the least number of citations a researcher with w needed to reach w+1. In terms of both simplicity and accuracy, the w‐index or w(q)‐index can be widely used for evaluation of scientists, journals, conferences, scientific topics, research institutions, and so on.
Effects of 1α,25‐dihydroxyvitamin D3on transporters and enzymes of the rat intestine and kidneyin vivo
Authors: Chow Edwin C. Y. , Sun Huadong , Khan Ansar A. , Groothuis Geny M. M. , Pang K. Sandy
Published: December 2009

1α,25‐Dihydroxyvitamin D3(1,25(OH)2D3), the natural ligand of the vitamin D receptor (VDR), was found to regulate bile acid related transporters and enzymes directly and indirectly in the rat intestine and liverin vivo. The kidney is another VDR‐rich target organ in which VDR regulation on xenobiotic transporters and enzymes is ill‐defined. Hence, changes in protein and mRNA expression of nuclear receptors, transporters and enzymes of the rat intestine and kidney in response to 1,25(OH)2D3treatment (0 to 2.56 nmol/kg/day intraperitoneally in corn oil for 4 days) were studied. In the intestine, protein and not mRNA levels of Mrp2, Mrp3, Mrp4 and PepT1 in the duodenum and proximal jejunum were induced, whereas Oat1 and Oat3 mRNA were decreased in the ileum after 1,25(OH)2D3treatment. In the kidney, VDR, Cyp24, Asbt and Mdr1a mRNA and protein expression increased significantly (2‐ to 20‐fold) in 1,25(OH)2D3‐treated rats, and a 28‐fold increase of Cyp3a9 mRNA but not of total Cy3a protein nor Cyp3a1 and Cyp3a2 mRNA was observed, implicating that VDR played a significant, renal‐specific role in Cyp3a9 induction. Additionally, renal mRNA levels of PepT1, Oat1, Oat3, Ostα, and Mrp4, and protein levels of PepT1 and Oat1 were decreased in a dose‐dependent manner, and the ∼50% concomitant reduction in FXR, SHP, HNF‐1α and HNF‐4α mRNA expression suggests the possibility of cross‐talk among the nuclear receptors. It is concluded that the effects of 1,25(OH)2D3changes are tissue‐specific, differing between the intestine and kidney which are VDR‐rich organs. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Adhesions and incisional hernias following laparoscopic versus open surgery for colorectal cancer in the CLASICC trial
Authors: Taylor G W , Jayne D G , Brown S R , Thorpe H , Brown J M , Dewberry S C , Parker M C , Guillou P J
Published: December 2009

Background

This study investigated adhesive intestinal obstruction (AIO) and incisional hernia (IH) in patients undergoing laparoscopically assisted and open surgery for colorectal cancer.

Methods

In a case-note review of patients randomized to the Medical Research Council's Conventional versus Laparoscopic-Assisted Surgery In Colorectal Cancer (CLASICC) trial, primary and key secondary endpoints were AIO and IH admission rates respectively.

Results

Of 411 patients, 11 were admitted for AIO: four (3·1 per cent) of 131 patients in the open arm of the trial versus seven (2·5 per cent) of 280 in the laparoscopic arm (difference 0·6 (95 per cent confidence interval (c.i.) − 2·9 to 4·0) per cent). Thirty-six patients developed IH: 12 (9·2 per cent) after open versus 24 (8·6 per cent) after laparoscopic surgery (difference 0·6 (95 per cent c.i. − 5·3 to 6·5) per cent). Results by actual procedure showed higher AIO and IH rates in the 24·5 per cent of patients who converted from laparoscopic to open surgery (AIO: 2·3, 2·0 and 6 per cent; IH: 8·6, 7·4 and 11 per cent—for open, laparoscopic and converted operations respectively).

Conclusion

Although this study has not confirmed that laparoscopic surgery reduces rates of AIO and IH after colorectal cancer surgery, trends suggest that a reduction in conversion to open surgery and elimination of port-site hernias may produce such an effect. Registration number for CLASICC trial: ISRCTN74883561 (http://www.controlled-trials.com).
Importance of clear resection margins in anorectal malignant melanoma
Authors: Nilsson P J , Ragnarsson-Olding B K
Published: December 2009

Background

Anorectal melanoma is rare and surgery is the recommended primary treatment. There has been some debate whether abdominoperineal resection (APR) or local excision is most appropriate. The aim of this study was to provide a population-based analysis of symptoms, treatment and outcome.

Methods

From the Swedish National Cancer Registry, 251 patients with anorectal melanoma were identified from 1960 to 1999. Medical reports were collected and reviewed retrospectively. R0 resection was defined by clear macroscopic margins and a pathology report showing a margin greater than 10 mm. Survival was compared with the log rank test, and Cox multivariable analysis was performed.

Results

APR and local excision was performed in 66 and 86 patients respectively. Median survival after surgery was 14 months, with no statistically significant difference between the two groups. Seventy-two patients in whom an R0 resection was achieved, irrespective of approach, had a significantly better overall 5-year survival rate than patients with involved margins (19 versus 6 per cent; P < 0·001). Multivariable analysis showed resection status and tumour stage to be independent prognostic variables.

Conclusion

Both APR and LE seem appropriate for anorectal melanoma provided clear margins can be achieved; prognosis is poor regardless of surgical approach.
Population-based trend analysis of 2813 patients undergoing laparoscopic sigmoid resection
Authors: Guller U , Rosella L , Karanicolas P J , Adamina M , Hahnloser D
Published: December 2009

Background

The use of laparoscopic sigmoid resection for diverticular disease has become increasingly popular. The objective of this trend analysis was to assess whether clinical outcomes following laparoscopic sigmoid resection for diverticular disease have improved over the past 10 years.

Methods

The analysis was based on the prospective database of the Swiss Association of Laparoscopic and Thoracoscopic Surgery. Some 2813 patients undergoing elective laparoscopic sigmoid resection for diverticular disease from 1995 to 2006 were included. Unadjusted and risk-adjusted analyses were performed.

Results

Over time, there was a significant reduction in the conversion rate (from 27·3 to 8·6 per cent; Ptrend < 0·001), local postoperative complication rate (23·6 to 6·2 per cent; Ptrend = 0·004), general postoperative complication rate (14·6 to 4·9 per cent; Ptrend = 0·024) and reoperation rate (5·5 to 0·6 per cent; Ptrend = 0·015). Postoperative median length of hospital stay significantly decreased from 11 to 7 days (Ptrend < 0·001).

Conclusion

This first trend analysis in the literature of clinical outcomes after laparoscopic sigmoid resection, based on almost 3000 patients, has provided compelling evidence that rates of postoperative complications, conversion and reoperation, and length of hospital stay have decreased significantly over the past 10 years.
A major trauma centre is a specialty hospital not a hospital of specialties
Authors: Davenport R A , Tai N , West A , Bouamra O , Aylwin C , Woodford M , McGinley A , Lecky F , Walsh M S , Brohi K
Published: December 2009

Background

High estimates of preventable death rates have renewed the impetus for national regionalization of trauma care. Institution of a specialist multidisciplinary trauma service and performance improvement programme was hypothesized to have resulted in improved outcomes for severely injured patients.

Methods

This was a comparative analysis of data from the Royal London Hospital (RLH) trauma registry and Trauma Audit and Research Network (England and Wales), 2000–2005. Preventable mortality was evaluated by prospective analysis of the RLH performance improvement programme.

Results

Mortality from critical injury at the RLH was 48 per cent lower in 2005 than 2000 (17·9 versus 34·2 per cent; P = 0·001). Overall mortality rates were unchanged for acute hospitals (4·3 versus 4·4 per cent) and other multispecialty hospitals (8·7 versus 7·3 per cent). Secondary transfer mortality in critically injured patients was 53 per cent lower in the regional network than the national average (5·2 versus 11·0 per cent; P = 0·001). Preventable death rates fell from 9 to 2 per cent (P = 0·040) and significant gains were made in critical care and ward bed utilization.

Conclusion

Institution of a specialist trauma service and performance improvement programme was associated with significant improvements in outcomes that exceeded national variations.
Liver resection under total vascular exclusion with or without preceding Pringle manoeuvre
Authors: Fu S-Y , Lau W Y , Li A-J , Yang Y , Pan Z-Y , Sun Y-M , Lai E C H , Zhou W-P , Wu M-C
Published: December 2009

Background

Adequate control of bleeding is crucial during liver resection. This study analysed the safety and efficacy of hepatectomy under total hepatic vascular exclusion (THVE) in patients with tumours encroaching or infiltrating the hepatic veins and/or the inferior vena cava (IVC).

Methods

All patients undergoing liver resection with THVE between January 2000 and July 2006 were identified from a prospectively collected database containing 2400 patients. Data on patient demographics, surgical procedure and outcome were collected.

Results

A total of 87 patients scheduled for liver resection under THVE were identified, 77 with malignant tumours and ten with benign disease. THVE could not be used in two patients (2 per cent) owing to haemodynamic intolerance during trial clamping. Seventeen patients received simultaneous clamping of the portal triad and vena cava, and 68 had portal triad clamping followed by concomitant portal and vena cava clamping. The mean(s.d.) duration of THVE was 28·3(7·5) and 18·7(5·2) min respectively. Overall postoperative complication and operative mortality rates were 53 and 2 per cent respectively. Mean(s.d.) hospital stay was 16·8(4·7) days.

Conclusion

Major hepatic resection for tumours encroaching on the hepatic veins or IVC can be carried out under THVE with reasonable morbidity and mortality.
Blumgart anastomosis for pancreaticojejunostomy minimizes severe complications after pancreatic head resection (Br J Surg 2009; 96: 741–750)
Authors: Grobmyer S R , Kooby D A , Hochwald S N , Blumgart L H
Published: December 2009

The Editors welcome topical correspondence from readers relating to articles published in the Journal. Responses should be sent electronically via the BJS website (www.bjs.co.uk). All letters will be reviewed and, if approved, appear on the website. A selection of these will be edited and published in the Journal. Letters must be no more than 250 words in length.
Phosphopantetheinylation and Specificity of Acyl Carrier Proteins in the Mupirocin Biosynthetic Cluster
Authors: Shields Jennifer A. , Rahman Ayesha S. , Arthur Christopher J. , Crosby John , Hothersall Joanne , Simpson Thomas J. , Thomas Christopher M.
Published: December 2009

Acyl carrier proteins are vital for the biosynthesis of fatty acids and polyketides. The mupirocin biosynthetic cluster of Pseudomonas fluorescens encodes eleven type I ACPs embedded in its multifunctional polyketide synthase (PKS) proteins plus five predicted type II ACPs (mAcpA‐E) that are known to be essential for mupirocin biosynthesis by deletion and complementation analysis. MupN is a putative Sfp‐type phosphopantetheinyl transferase. Overexpression of three type I and three type II mupirocin ACPs in Escherichia coli, with or without mupN, followed by mass spectroscopy revealed that MupN can modify both mupirocin type I and type II ACPs to their holo‐form. The endogenous phosphopantetheinyl transferase of E. coli modified mAcpA but not mAcpC or D. Overexpression of the type II ACPs in macp deletion mutants of the mupirocin producer P. fluorescens 10586 showed that they cannot substitute for each other while hybrids between mAcpA and mAcpB indicated that, at least for mAcpB, the C‐terminal domain determines functional specificity. Amino acid alignments identified mACPs A and D as having C‐terminal extensions. Mutation of these regions generated defective ACPs, the activity of which could be restored by overexpression of the macp genes on separate plasmids.
Enantio‐ and Diastereoselective Chemoenzymatic Synthesis of C2‐Symmetric Biaryl‐Containing Diols
Authors: Burda Edyta , Bauer Walter , Hummel Werner , Gröger Harald
Published: December 2009

An enantio‐ and diastereoselective synthesis of C2‐symmetric diols bearing a biphenyl‐framework has been developed by means of an enzymatic reduction of the corresponding diketones, which were prepared by a Suzuki coupling reaction. Furthermore, a chemoenzymatic one‐pot synthesis of a C2‐symmetric diol in aqueous media has been realized through combination of the Suzuki coupling reaction and enzymatic reduction. Chiral stereoisomers of the biaryl‐containing diols are prepared with diastereomeric ratios in excess of 25:1 and enantiomeric excesses of greater than 99 %.
Catalysis in Carbon Nanotubes
Authors: Serp Philippe , Castillejos Eva
Published: December 2009

Catalysis is currently recognized as a potential field of application for carbon nanotubes, and throughout the past decade the number of publications and patents on this subject has been increasing exponentially. In most of these cases, the use of these nanomaterials as support structures facilitates better performances than conventional supports. To date, most of the research has focused on supported metal catalysts, in which the active phase is located on the external surface of the carbon nanotubes. The selective deposition of metallic nanoparticles in the inner cavity of nanotubes, which could allow the exploitation of advantageous confinement effects, has received much less attention. In this Minireview, the different strategies for the preparation of such nanocatalysts, as well as the benefits that could be expected from the resultant confinement effects are presented, with the aim of highlighting their potential use in catalysis.
Dissymmetries in fluorescence excitation and emission from single chiral molecules
Authors: Hassey‐Paradise Ruthanne , Cyphersmith Austin , Tilley Anna May , Mortsolf Tim , Basak Dipankur , Venkataraman Dhandapani , Barnes Michael D.
Published: December 2009

Chirality in molecular systems plays profoundly important roles in chemistry and physics. Most chemistry students are introduced to the concept of chirality through demonstrations of the interaction of chiral molecules with polarized light manifested as an “optical rotation” leading to the “(+)” and “(−)” [or dextrorotatory (d‐) and levorotatory (l‐)] designations of chiral compounds, with the subsequent determination of absolute stereochemical configuration by chemical or physical means enabling application of the familiar “R” and “S” labels. Although the intrinsic molecular parameters that control the dissymmetric light‐matter interaction in chiral systems are well understood, we have only recently begun to ask questions regarding the role of local molecular environment and hidden heterogeneities associated with the ensemble‐averaged molecular chiroptical response. In this mini‐review, we discuss some of our recent research on application of single‐molecule spectroscopy as a tool for probing heterogeneities and fluctuations of chiroptical dissymmetries in condensed phase. Chirality 21:E265–E276, 2009. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.