bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A comparative study of water dispersible polyaniline nanocomposites prepared by laccase‐catalyzed and chemical methods
Authors: Shumakovich G. P. , Vasil'eva I. S. , Morozova O. V. , Khomenkov V. G. , Staroverova I. N. , Budashov I. A. , Kurochkin I. N. , Boyeva J. A. , Sergeyev V. G. , Yaropolov A. I.
Published: March 2010

A comparative study of chemical and enzymatic methods of aniline polymerization was carried out. Fungal laccase from Trametes hirsuta was used in the synthesis of polyaniline nanoparticles made with poly(2‐acrylamido‐2‐methyl‐1‐propanesulfonic acid) (PAMPS). Template polymerization of aniline was carried out in aqueous buffer. It was shown that the laccase had high long‐term and operating stabilities under acidic condition favorable for synthesis of conducting polyaniline. UV‐vis, FTIR spectroscopy, and cyclic voltammetry analysis are used for the characterization of the polyelectrolyte complexes of polyaniline and PAMPS. The incorporation of the polymeric acid in polyaniline has been demonstrated by atomic force microscopy. The size and morphology of the nanoparticles of the polyaniline–PAMPS complexes depended on the method of the synthesis. A comparison of some physical and chemical properties of water dispersible conducting polyaniline–PAMPS was performed under production by enzymatic and chemical methods. It was found a difference in structures and some physicochemical properties of polyaniline colloids prepared by chemical and laccase‐catalyzed methods. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2010
Cryostructuring of polymer systems. XXX. Poly(vinyl alcohol)‐based composite cryogels filled with small disperse oil droplets: A gel system capable of mechanically induced releasing of the lipophilic constituents
Authors: Podorozhko Elena A. , Korlyukov Alexander A. , Lozinsky Vladimir I.
Published: March 2010

Composite heterophase poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) cryogels containing entrapped small droplets of Vaseline oil have been prepared and studied. Such oil‐filled cryogels were formed via freeze–thaw treatment of freshly prepared oil‐in‐water emulsions containing varied volume fraction of lipophilic phase, and the influence of the amount of this phase, as well as the effects of freezing conditions on the physicomechanical (shear moduli) and thermal (gel fusion temperature and fusion enthalpy) characteristics of resulting composites have been explored. It was shown that over certain range of PVA concentrations in aqueous phase and a range of volume fraction of the hydrophobic phase its microdroplets performed as “active” fillers causing an increase in both the gel strength and the heat endurance of composites. The light microscopy data on the morphological features of such filled PVA cryogels revealed the effect of diminution in size of oil droplets entrapped in the gel matrix as compared with the initial emulsions. This effect can be explained by the disintegrating action of crushing and shear stresses arising upon the system freezing and growth of ice crystals. The oil‐filled PVA cryogels were found to be capable of gradually releasing the lipophilic constituents (the Rose hips oil, in this case) in response to the cyclic mechanical compression. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2010
Electrochemistry and electrocatalysis with hemoglobin in hollow polyelectrolyte fibrous mats
Authors: Song Min , Jiang Hui , Wang Xuemei , Ge Liqin
Published: March 2010

To form the PS/PAH fibers, positively charged poly(allylamine hydrochloride) (PAH) was coated on the surface of polystyrene (PS) fibers. Then, the ordered Hb‐PS/PAH film was prepared by the self‐assembly of hemoglobin (Hb) on the surface of fibers and characterized by electrochemical and spectroscopic methods. Cyclic voltammetry of the self‐assembled Hb‐PS/PAH films modified on glassy carbon electrode (GCE) displayed a quasi‐reversible electrochemical response in pH 5.0 buffers. Moreover, the Hb‐PS/PAH films also exhibited the electrocatalytic activity to the reduction of H2O2. Consequently, the Hb‐PS/PAH films are favorable for the direct electrochemistry of heme containing proteins, suggesting their potential application as the promising sensitive biosensor. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2010
Novel hydrogels of PVP–CMC and their swelling effect on viscoelastic properties
Authors: Roy Niladri , Saha Nabanita , Kitano Takeshi , Saha Petr
Published: March 2010

Polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) and carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) mixed hydrogels were prepared by heat treatment. The physical characteristics of the hydrogels were studied by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and scanning electron microscopy. The swelling study of the hydrogels in water shows remarkable water absorption property. The swelling effect on the rheological behavior of PVP‐, PVP–CMC‐, and CMC‐based hydrogels was investigated to judge its application on uneven surface of body. The rheological properties (storage modulus, loss modulus, and complex viscosity) of samples before drying and swelled (15, 30, and 60 min) were measured against angular frequency and composition. The hydrogel containing PVP/CMC ratio of 20 : 80 appeared to be the best hydrogel from rheological and water absorbent points of view. These properties and low cost of the materials utilized in this work suggest that this hydrogel is a viable alternative product for dressing materials. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2010
Surface functionalization of polypropylene nonwovens by metallic deposition
Authors: Tao Dan , Feng Quan , Gao Dawei , Pan Liang , Wei Qufu , Wang Dejuan
Published: March 2010

In this study, melt‐blown polypropylene (PP) nonwovens were used as substrates for the metallic deposition of copper. The substrates were pretreated by O2 plasma, followed by treatments such as sensitization, activation, and reduction. The effects of the copper sulfate concentration, reaction temperature, and plasma power on the conductivity and adhesion strength of the PP nonwovens were investigated after copper deposition. The morphology of the PP nonwovens after copper deposition, analyzed by scanning electron microscopy and atomic force microscopy, revealed that copper nanoclusters were deposited on the fiber surface with a smooth surface morphology and dense structure. X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy indicated that the copper was present mainly in the form of the elementary substance, which coexisted with a little Cu2+. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2010
Polyamide 6 nanofibrous nonwovens via electrospinning
Authors: Marsano Enrico , Francis Lijo , Giunco Francesco
Published: March 2010

Electrospinning of Polyamide 6 (PA 6) in 2,2,2‐trifluoroethanol (TFE) was investigated for the fabrication of nanofibrous nonwoven membranes useful for separation systems. The effects of solution characteristics such as concentration and conductivity as well as the effects of processing conditions such as relative humidity and applied potential on the resultant nonwoven fibers were studied. By changing the relative humidity of the electrospinning chamber and the conductivity of the solvent, it is possible to modulate the fiber's size and consequently the porosity of the mats. The morphology of the electrospun PA 6 nanofibers was observed by scanning electron microscopy. The mechanical properties of the nanofibers were also studied. The results showed that PA 6 nanofibers having a diameter ranging from 100 to 600 nm, has been successfully prepared. The electrospun PA 6 nanofiber mats show good mechanical properties, such as a high‐tensile strength (12 ± 0.2 MPa) and elongation (300% ± 50%). The strength of the web was high enough to use as filter without the need of any supporting matrix and could be applicable in the field of self‐supporting membranes. The X‐ray and DSC analyses of the PA 6 electrospun fibers show the presence of the γ‐form of PA 6 crystallite that is usually obtained in the condition where a high stress of the fibers is applied. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2010
Effect of halocarbon promoters on polyethylene properties using MgCl2 (ethoxide type)/TiCl4/AlEt3/H2 catalyst system
Authors: Bahri‐Laleh Naeimeh , Abbas‐Abadi Mehrdad Seifali , Haghighi Mehdi Nekoomanesh , Akbari Zahra , Tavasoli Mohamad Reza , Mirjahanmardi Seyed Heydar
Published: March 2010

In our previous study we found that addition of proper amount of halocarbons (HC) including chlorocyclohexane (CHC), chlorocyclopentane (CHP), butylchloride (BC), 1,4‐dichlorobutane (DCB), and chloroform (C) to the MgCl2 (Ethoxide type)/TiCl4/AlEt3 catalytic system leads to a strong productivity improvement. In this study, the effect of these halocarbons on the properties of resulting polymers was investigated using H2 as chain transfer agent at optimum HC/Ti molar ratio. The nature of halocarbon compound had a strong effect on polymer properties as well as on development of polymerization activity. Effect of halocarbon promoters on the polymer melt flow index (MFI), melt flow ratio (MFR), particle size distribution (PSD), bulk density, wax amount, crystallinity, and thermal properties of the polymers were studied. Results showed that, in the presence of halocarbons, polyethylenes with higher MFI and bulk density, broader MFR and lower wax amount have been obtained. Also, sieve analysis showed that, in the presence of halocarbons as promoter, polymers had better particle size distribution (PSD). DSC analysis showed that the Tm of PEs prepared with the different promoters were in the region commonly reported for HDPE and was not affected substantially by halocarbons, but, the crystallinity of the polymers has been improved using halocarbon promoters. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2010
Investigation of sorption/swelling characteristics of chemically crosslinked AAm/SMA hydrogels as biopotential sorbent
Authors: Karadağ Erdener , Kırıştı Tayfun , Kundakcı Semiha , Üzüm Ömer Barış
Published: March 2010

The aim of this study was to investigate the equilibrium swelling and sorption properties of chemically crosslinked copolymeric hydrogels as biopotential sorbent consisting of acrylamide (AAm) and sodium methacrylate (SMA). Highly swollen AAm/SMA hydrogels were prepared by free‐radical polymerization in aqueous solution of AAm with SMA as comonomer and three multifunctional crosslinkers such as 1,4‐butanediol dimethacrylate, ethylene glycol dimethacrylate, and trimethylolpropane triacrylate. Swelling experiments were performed in aqueous urea solutions and safranin T at 25°C, gravimetrically. The hydrogels showed enormous swelling in aqueous (urea/water or dye/water) medium and displayed swelling characteristics that were highly depended on the chemical composition of the hydrogels. Some parameters related swelling and diffusion behavior were investigated. The values of the equilibrium percentage swelling values of AAm/SMA hydrogels were between 585 and 19,900%. The numbers determining the type of diffusion (n) are between 0.54 and 0.99. Hence, the diffusion type was found to be non‐Fickian in character for the hydrogels. Chemically crosslinked AAm/SMA hydrogels were used in experiments on sorption of water‐soluble monovalent cationic dye such as safranin T (Basic red 2, ST). For sorption of cationic dye, ST into the hydrogels was studied by batch sorption technique at 25°C. The sorption capacity of AAm/SMA hydrogels was investigated. At the end of the experiments, 17.91–83.78 ST% adsorptions were determined. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2010
Silver‐loaded lyocell fibers modified by tempo‐mediated oxidation
Authors: Praskalo‐Milanovic J. Z. , Kostic M. M. , Dimitrijevic‐Brankovic S. I. , Skundric P. D.
Published: March 2010

The purpose of this research was to accomplish antimicrobial properties in lyocell fibers by Ag+ ions sorption from aqueous silver nitrate solution. Sorption properties of lyocell fibers were improved by the selective TEMPO‐mediated oxidation, i.e. oxidation with sodium hypochlorite and catalytic amount of sodium bromide and 2,2,6,6‐tetramethylpiperidine‐1‐oxy radical (TEMPO). The most suitable experimental conditions for the selective TEMPO‐mediated oxidation were determined by changing oxidation conditions: concentration of sodium hypochlorite, as well as duration of sorption. The obtained results showed that the maximum sorption capacity (0.809 mmol of Ag+ ions per gram of fibers) of modified lyocell fibers was obtained for the sample modified with 4.84 mmol NaClO per gram of cellulose, during 1 h. The antifungal activity of the TEMPO‐oxidized lyocell fibers with silver ions against fungi from the Candida family, Candida albicans (ATCC 24433), and antibacterial activity against two strains: Staphylococcus aureus (ATCC 25923) and Escherichia coli (ATCC 25922) were confirmed in vitro. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2010
Nanocapsules embedded in natural rubber latex gloves
Authors: Tanpantree Saovaree , Opaprakasit Pakorn , Loykulnant Surapich , Kangwansupamonkon Wiyong , Tangboriboonrat Pramuan
Published: March 2010

To prepare medical gloves containing disinfectant agent, poly(methyl acrylate) (PMA) with $\overline{M}$w of 550 K was synthesized via the iniferter technique and then used for encapsulating disinfectant agent, i.e., chlorhexidine digluconate (CHD), droplets. The CHD‐PMA nanocapsules suspended in a sodium dodecyl sulfate aqueous solution having 93% encapsulation efficiency were successfully embedded between the outermost and inner layers of γ‐radiation vulcanized natural rubber (RVNR) latex films by the coagulant dipping process. A RVNR/CHD‐PMA nanocapsules/RVNR three‐layer structure was revealed by the contact angle measurement, ATR‐FTIR and SEM. Both the tensile strength and elongation at break of the three‐layer film were also measured. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2010
Caseinate based biodegradable films with improved water resistance
Authors: Audic Jean‐Luc , Chaufer Bernard
Published: March 2010

Proteins are considered as an interesting alternative to traditional synthetic polymers in packaging applications. Sodium caseinate based films can be used in such area, but some of their properties need to be improved. The objective of this work was to improve water resistance of caseinate based films plasticized with triethanolamine (TEA). First, plasticized films were crosslinked by formaldehyde (HCHO) or by electron beam irradiation. The crosslinking efficiency was correlated to the decrease of protein solubility in water determined from a 280 nm absorbance method. The comparison between the two crosslinking methods showed that formaldehyde crosslinking was significantly more efficient than irradiation. The HCHO crosslinking technique was selected for the following of the study. Nevertheless, even for highly crosslinked samples, the plasticizer exuded out of the film. A second part of this work was focused on the effect of surface modification on plasticizer exudation in TEA plasticized caseinate films. Considering that silicone grease coating onto the film surface was able to control TEA exudation, surface modifying additives (SMA) based on NaCAS and organo‐silicones were used to modify films surface properties. Surface wettability and energy were determined from contact angle measurements. TEA exudation ratios in water were also monitored for films containing SMA. SMA were less efficient in controlling TEA exudation rates but could significantly reduce surface energy to 42 mJ m2. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2010
Churches that enhance spirituality and wellbeing
Authors: Ellsworth Robert B. , Ellsworth Janet B.
Published: March 2010

From examining thousands of surveys from 174 congregations, we earlier identified 29 aspects of ministry with strong links to spiritual and emotional wellbeing and increased the number of people coming (Ellsworth & Ellsworth, International Journal of Applied Psychoanalytic Studies, 6(1), 46–60, 2009). This paper explores what happened when church leaders strengthened these aspects. In examining over 12,000 surveys from 37 congregations that surveyed twice, we discovered that 20 of the 29 aspects had a major impact on changing more lives and attracting more people.

This paper identifies and discusses the 20 ministry essentials that actually helped congregations experience higher levels of emotional wellbeing, spiritual growth, and/or attracted more people. We also explore the question; can congregant's emotional wellbeing impact people in the larger community? Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Mean citation rate per article in mathematics journals: Differences from the scientific model
Authors: Bensman Stephen J. , Smolinsky Lawrence J. , Pudovkin Alexander I.
Published: March 2010

This paper analyzes the applicability of the article mean citation rate measures in theScience Citation Index Journal Citation Reports(SCI JCR) to the five JCR mathematical subject categories. These measures are the traditional 2‐year impact factor as well as the recently added 5‐year impact factor and 5‐year article influence score. Utilizing the 2008 SCI JCR, the paper compares the probability distributions of the measures in the mathematical categories to the probability distribution of a scientific model of impact factor distribution. The scientific model distribution is highly skewed, conforming to the negative binomial type, with much of the variance due to the important role of review articles in science. In contrast, the three article mean citation rate measures' distributions in the mathematical categories conformed to either the binomial or Poisson, indicating a high degree of randomness. Seeking reasons for this, the paper analyzes the bibliometric structure of Mathematics, finding it a disjointed discipline of isolated subfields with a weak central core of journals, reduced review function, and long cited half‐life placing most citations beyond the measures' time limits. These combine to reduce the measures' variance to one commensurate with random error. However, the measures were found capable of identifying important journals. Using data from surveys of the Louisiana State University (LSU) faculty, the paper finds a higher level of consensus among mathematicians and others on which are the important mathematics journals than the measures indicate, positing that much of the apparent randomness may be due to the measures' inapplicability to mathematical disciplines. Moreover, tests of the stability of impact factor ranks across a 5‐year time span suggested that the proper model for Mathematics is the negative binomial.
A highly sensitive LC‐MS/MS method for the determination of S‐citalopram in rat plasma: application to a pharmacokinetic study in rats
Authors: Suresh P. S. , Giri Sanjeev , Husain Raghib , Mullangi Ramesh
Published: March 2010

A highly sensitive, rapid assay method has been developed and validated for the estimation of S‐citalopram (S‐CPM) in rat plasma with liquid chromatography coupled to tandem mass spectrometry with electrospray ionization in the positive‐ion mode. The assay procedure involves a simple liquid–liquid extraction of S‐CPM and phenacetin (internal standard, IS) from rat plasma with t‐butyl methyl ether. Chromatographic separation was operated with 0.2% formic acid:acetonitrile (20:80, v/v) at a flow rate of 0.50  mL/min on a Symmetry Shield RP18 column with a total run time of 3.0  min. The MS/MS ion transitions monitored were 325.26 → 109.10 for S‐CPM and 180.10 → 110.10 for IS. Method validation and pre‐clinical sample analysis were performed as per FDA guidelines and the results met the acceptance criteria. The lower limit of quantitation achieved was 0.5  ng/mL and the linearity was observed from 0.5 to 5000  ng/mL. The intra‐ and inter‐day precisions were in the range of 1.14–5.56 and 0.25–12.3%, respectively. This novel method has been applied to a pharmacokinetic study and to estimate brain‐to‐plasma ratio of S‐CPM in rats. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Applications of capillary electrophoresis with capacitively coupled contactless conductivity detection (CE‐C4D) in pharmaceutical and biological analysis
Authors: Elbashir Abdalla A. , Aboul‐Enein Hassan Y.
Published: March 2010

Conductivity detection, which is universal in capillary electrophoresis (CE), has received considerable attention, since the introduction of the axial capacitively coupled contactless detector C4D in 1998. This detector is made of two electrodes which are placed cylindrically around the CE capillary and connected to the AC oscillator. The distance between the electrodes is the detection gap. In this review, applications of CE and MCE with C4D in pharmaceutical and biological analysis are presented.
Caffeine and paraxanthine HPLC assay for CYP1A2 phenotype assessment using saliva and plasma
Authors: Perera Vidya , Gross Annette S. , McLachlan Andrew J.
Published: March 2010

Caffeine has been extensively used as a probe to measure CYP1A2 activity in humans with caffeine clearance or the paraxanthine (major metabolite of caffeine) to caffeine concentration ratio being regarded as the preferred metric. A simple reverse‐phased C18HPLC assay using ethyl acetate liquid–liquid extraction was developed to quantitate caffeine and paraxanthine concentrations in saliva and plasma. The mobile phase consisted of acetonitrile–acetic acid–H2O (100:1:899) and analytes were quantitated with UV detection at 280 nm. The extraction recovery for paraxanthine and caffeine was approximately 70% in both saliva and plasma. The assay was linear over the concentration ranges 0.05–2.50 and 0.05–5.00 µg/mL, for paraxanthine and caffeine, respectively, in saliva. In plasma the assay was linear over the ranges 0.025–2.50 and 0.025–5.00 µg/mL for paraxanthine and caffeine, respectively. Intra‐ and inter‐assay precision and accuracy were less than 15%. Detection limits were 0.015 µg/mL for paraxanthine and caffeine in saliva, while it was 0.005 µg/mL for paraxanthine and caffeine in plasma. Utility was established in samples collected from two healthy volunteers who abstained from caffeine for 24 h and received a single 100 mg oral dose of caffeine. The assay developed is a robust, simple and precise technique to measure caffeine and paraxanthine in saliva and plasma of healthy volunteers after a single oral dose of caffeine. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Scientific computing with Java
Authors: Knoll P. , Mirzaei S.
Published: March 2010

In this work we aimed to use examples from various fields (physics, medicine and structural biology) and several mathematical libraries for Java (COLT and JLAPACK) to demonstrate the advantages of scientific computing using Java. We also compared the runtimes of different Java compilers (Sun, IBM and Blackdown) and found that IBM's Java compiler results in the smallest CPU time. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Comput Appl Eng Educ 18: 495–501, 2010; View this article online at wileyonlinelibrary.com; DOI 10.1002/cae.20217
Design of an interactive pipeline inspection VR system
Authors: Karkoub M. , Her M.‐G. , Chen J.‐M.
Published: March 2010

Pipeline inspection is a costly and necessary task for oil producing companies. Moreover, it requires very specialized equipment and specific knowhow to analyze the results of the inspection. In this article, we present a novel interactive pipeline inspection system that could be used to educate students and engineers about the process. A motion simulator is built and used in conjunction with a virtual reality (VR) environment that will allow the operator feel as if s/he is inside the pipe and recognize the various types of defects that might be encountered. A haptic interface device is used in the setup which will alert the operator about the presence of a defect. The control scheme for the simulator uses the change in velocity and acceleration that the operator imposes on the joystick, the environmental changes imposed on the motion simulator, and the haptic feedback to the operator to maneuver the simulator in the real environment. The stability of the closed‐loop system is analyzed based on the Nyquist stability criteria. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Comput Appl Eng Educ 19: 814–825, 2011
Using computer software packages to enhance the teaching in Engineering Management Science—part 2: Programming techniques
Authors: Ku H. , Fulcher R.
Published: March 2010

This article is the second article in a series of sharing the experience of using different software packages in the delivery of Engineering Management Science coded as ENG4004, in the Bachelor of Engineering and Bachelor of Engineering Technology programs offered by the University of Southern Queensland. The article describes how the authors use different software packages to solve the programming techniques problems of the course. Sometimes more than one package is required for the effective delivery of a topic of the course. The needs for the usage were also explained. The assessments of the course were also studied and reviewed. How the software packages met the objectives of the module were also discussed together with the desired learning outcomes of students. The comparative measure of the two packages used, Excel in MS Office 2007 and Quantitative Methods‐Production and Operations Management(POM‐QM) for Windows 3 ended with the former as winner. It can be argued that the students' learning experience and satisfaction will be greatly increased with the software packages while the cost to the university will be minimal. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Comput Appl Eng Educ 20: 114–123, 2012
A computer‐aided educational tool for induction motors
Authors: Gencer Cetin , Gedikpinar Mehmet
Published: March 2010

The computer‐aided educational tools have gained popularity in the last years with successful implementation in many areas, including in engineering education. These tools are aimed to help the students for visualization of the concepts and to provide the graphical feedback during the learning process. This paper presents a computer‐aided educational tool for induction motors, which is a part of laboratories in the electrical machinery courses. This tool helps to students and educators in subject to teaching/of the equivalent circuit, and the vector/phasor diagrams in induction motors. The tool software was prepared in DELPHI environment. It has flexible structure which is enable to users to change motor label values, and to solve equivalent circuit parameters and winding account. The proposed educational tool was utilized in laboratories of electric machinery courses and well received by students. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Comput Appl Eng Educ 20: 503–509, 2012
Development of an experimental system for teaching induction motors with fault detection and diagnosis capabilities
Authors: Pires V. Fernão , Martins J. F. , Amaral Tito G.
Published: March 2010

The study of fault detection and diagnosis of electrical machines, in particular induction motors, as well as the teaching of their behavior requires practical experience in this field. To provide this experience to the students this paper presents an experimental system that can be used with a standard industrial electrical induction machine. This system is based on only one healthy induction machine that is operated under faulty operating modes. Several fault types such as stator winding faults, bearing faults, or broken bars can be tested. The developed system also allows testing the behavior of the electrical machine for different load types. Several typical loads in which the torque depends of time or speed were implemented. The system is based on computer equipment with a DSPIC, a testing system and an induction machine. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Comput Appl Eng Educ 20: 611–618, 2012
Simulation tool for teaching and learning 3D kinematics workspaces of serial robotic arms with up to 5‐DOF
Authors: Mateo Sanguino T.J. , Andújar Márquez J.M.
Published: March 2010

This work develops a new educational simulation tool whose objective is to make attractive and practical teaching and learning in kinematics of serial robotic arms. At engineering laboratories in which practices with robotic arms are necessary for understanding fundamental concepts of theory, students need to accomplish a complete study attending to different aspects related with kinematics. Its graphic user interface (GUI) is a straight‐forward and easy‐to‐follow Denavit–Hartenberg (DH)‐based method which helps at engineering practices without requiring a programming knowledge. We develop, in a theoretical way, both forward (FK) and inverse kinematics (IK), which are necessary to demonstrate the study of an educational robotic arm as a practical case. The interactive simulation tool allows defining DH parameters and geometry in serial arms with up to 5 degrees of freedom (DOF). Thus, the interest of this work lies in an innovative graphic environment which teaching professionals can use to study DH convention, observe the movement of serial robotic manipulators and map both forward and joint workspaces in a visual manner. This process is much simpler that interpreting the results in an analytic way. Furthermore, the generic capabilities of this simulation tool allow comparing different robot arm configurations (considering its physical parameters and mechanical characteristics previously known), both if robotic arms are physically available or not in lab. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Comput Appl Eng Educ 20: 750–761, 2012
The posthuman: the end and the beginning of the human
Authors: Campbell Norah , O'Driscoll Aidan , Saren Michael
Published: March 2010

Posthumanism is used as a collective term to understand “any discursive or bodily configuration that displaces the human, humanism, and the humanities” (Halberstam and Livingston 1995:vii, emphasis added). There are compelling reasons for introducing posthumanism to consumer research. Consumer research often theorises technology as an externalised instrument that the human creates, uses, and controls. In the 21st century we are beginning to realise that, far from being a mere tool, technology is the centre of critical thought about culture and about nature. It has recently been suggested that marketing and consumer research now need to think about technology in a manner which reflects its ubiquity, its deeper symbolic and aesthetic dimensions, and the ways in which it can radically change humanness and human‐centred approaches to researching the world. Posthumanism is fundamental to theorising humanness in an era that is witnessing the complexification of new technologies. To follow a posthuman mode of thinking will lead to important ethical and metaphysical insights.

Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Exercise training increases hepatic endoplasmic reticulum (er) stress protein expression in MTP‐inhibited high‐fat fed rats
Authors: Chapados Natalie Ann , Lavoie Jean‐Marc
Published: March 2010

The purpose of the study was: (1) to determine the effects of microsomal triglyceride transfer protein (MTP) inhibition on endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress in liver, and (2) to determine if this response is altered in exercise‐trained rats. Female Sprague‐Dawley rats (6 weeks) fed either a standard (SD) or a high‐saturated fat (HF; 43% as energy) diet were trained (Tr) or kept sedentary (Sed) for 6 week. Exercise training consisted of continuous running on a motor‐driven rodent treadmill 5 times/week. Ten days before the end of these interventions, rats were administrated (ip) daily a MTP inhibitor (MTPX) or a placebo (P). MTPX injection resulted in a large (p < 0.01) liver triacylglycerol (TAG) accumulation in SD and HF‐fed rats (∼200 mg g−1), irrespective of the training status, while plasma TAG levels were largely (∼80%) decreased (p < 0.01). MTPX injection in HF but not in SD‐fed animals resulted in an increase in BiP/GRP78, ATF6, PERK, and XBP‐1 mRNA levels, (p < 0.01) indicating an increase in the unfolding protein response (UPR) to ER stress. Interestingly, exercise training in rats fed the HF diet resulted in a further increase in BiP/GRP78 and XBP‐1 mRNA levels in MTPX animals (p < 0.01). It is concluded that: (1) ER stress induced by MTPX occurs only in HF‐fed rats despite the fact that liver TAG levels were largely increased in both dietary models; (2) the increase in gene expression of UPR markers with training may constitute a protective mechanism against ER stress in liver. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The Effect of Incorporating Fréchet Dendrons into Rotaxanes and Molecular Shuttles Containing the 1,2‐Bis(pyridinium)ethane⊂[24]Crown‐8 Templating Motif
Authors: Tramontozzi David A. , Suhan Natalie D. , Eichhorn S. Holger , Loeb Stephen J.
Published: March 2010

Fréchet‐type dendrons (G0–G3) were added as both axle stoppering units and cyclic wheel appendages in a series of [2]rotaxanes, [3]rotaxanes, and molecular shuttles that employ 1,2‐bis(pyridinium)ethane axles and 24‐membered crown ethers wheels. The addition of dendrimer wedges as stoppering units dramatically increased the solubility of simple [2]rotaxanes in nonpolar solvents. The X‐ray structure of a G1‐stoppered [2]rotaxane shows how the dendritic units affect the structure of the interlocked components. Increased solubility allows observation of how the interaction of dendritic units on separate components in interlocked molecules influences switching properties and molecular size. In a series of [2]rotaxane molecular shuttles incorporating two recognition sites, it was demonstrated that an increase in generation on either the stoppering unit or cyclic wheel could influence both the rate of shuttling and the site preference of the wheel on the axle.
Zusammenhang zwischen dem Trocknungsverlauf und Gutsdicke bei wasserfeuchten, plattenförmigen Gütern Teil 2: Einfache Umrechnungsmethoden für die Trocknungszeit
Authors: Gierecki Ł. , Kind M.
Published: March 2010

Konvektionstrockner für plattenförmige Güter werden in vielen Industriebranchen eingesetzt. Da der Investitionsaufwand und Energieverbrauch von sehr langen Trocknern erheblich sind, werden die Trockner zur Verbesserung der Wirtschaftlichkeit in mehrere Trocknungszonen aufgeteilt. Die einzelnen Trocknerzonen werden durch die entsprechende Wahl von unterschiedlichen Lufttemperaturen und Luftgeschwindigkeiten optimiert. Die Produktqualität spielt bei dem Optimierungsprozess eine wichtige Rolle. Wird im Produktionsprozess die Gutsdicke variiert, so müssen die Trocknungsbedingungen entsprechend modifiziert werden, um eine gleichbleibende Produktqualität zu gewährleisten. Oft stehen bei der Auslegung von Trocknern die Trocknungsverlaufskurven oder Betriebsdaten von bereits arbeitenden Trocknern zur Verfügung. Will man anhand dieser Daten einen Trockner für eine neue Plattendicke auslegen, so stellt sich die Frage, mit welcher Methode sich die vorhandenen Daten auf die neue Plattendicke übertragen lassen. Diese interessante Frage soll im Folgenden anhand eines durch experimentelle Daten geprüften Modells beantwortet werden.
Mikrostrukturapparate im verfahrens‐ und anlagentechnischen Praktikum
Authors: Maikowske S. , Brandner J. J. , Lange R.
Published: March 2010

Mikrostrukturapparate eröffnen der Verfahrenstechnik neue leistungsstarke Wege der Prozessführung. Daher wird die Mikroverfahrenstechnik seit einiger Zeit als entscheidende und zukunftsweisende Schlüsseltechnologie in den Bereichen Prozessintensivierung und maßgeschneiderte Prozessführung innerhalb der Verfahrenstechnik betrachtet. Für die weitere Verbreitung und Anwendung dieser Technologie ist es unabdingbar, die Konzepte und Ideen der Mikroverfahrenstechnik dem Ingenieurnachwuchs bereits im Studium zu unterbreiten.
Multivariate Kalibrierung, Selektivität und die SBC‐Methode
Authors: Marbach R.
Published: March 2010

Die Kalibrierung multivariater Messinstrumente wie z. B. Spektrometer ist einfacher als in der Literatur üblicherweise suggeriert. In Finnland wird seit 2001 eine moderne Methode zur multivariaten Kalibrierung eingesetzt (Science Based Calibration (SBC)), die die meisten der traditionell mit dem Begriff Chemometrie assoziierten Probleme eliminiert. Die Methode kombiniert die besten Eigenschaften der beiden vorher separat existierenden Ansätze, d. h. die Vorhersagegenauigkeit der statistischen Kalibrierung (Partial Least Squares (PLS) etc.) mit der Einfachheit der klassischen Kalibrierung (spektrales Fitting). Zeitaufwand und Kosten für die Kalibrierung werden im Vergleich zur heute üblichen PLS‐Methode deutlich reduziert. Die Notwendigkeit, absichtlich Variationen in einem ansonsten stabilen Prozess einzuführen (Kalibrierstandards) gibt es nicht mehr. Die Selektivität der Messung kann aus spektroskopischen Grundprinzipien nachgewiesen werden, d. h. ohne die Notwendigkeit einer Referenzmethode. Diese und andere Vorteile ergeben sich aus der Tatsache, dass die Kalibrierung – vergleichbar zum univariaten Fall – für den Benutzer transparent wird.
Does customer engagement with internet based services influence adoption of other new products?
Authors: White Darin W. , Harrison Joe C. , Turner Sam
Published: March 2010

The impact of the Internet on how and when individuals decide to adopt new products and services remains a critical yet under examined topic. This research examines the linkage between Internet use and the new product diffusion process through the examination of a very large, detailed, Internet usage dataset. Our 12‐month longitudinal analysis of 34,731 customers' Internet related behaviours indicates that the introduction of Internet based services is positively correlated with expedited adoption behaviour. Customers that utilized a company's Internet related service innovations were over twice as likely to adopt the company's new product offering during the first year of introduction. We conclude by discussing the implications and need for additional research. Copyright © 2010 ASAC. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Cost‐effectiveness of treatment and endoscopic surveillance of precancerous lesions to prevent gastric cancer
Authors: Yeh Jennifer M. , Hur Chin , Kuntz Karen M. , Ezzati Majid , Goldie Sue J.
Published: March 2010

BACKGROUND:

Although surveillance for Barrett esophagus and other gastrointestinal precancerous conditions is recommended, no analogous guidelines exist for gastric lesions. The objective of this study was to estimate the clinical benefits and cost‐effectiveness of treatment and endoscopic surveillance to prevent gastric cancer.

METHODS:

The authors developed a state‐transition decision model for a cohort of US men with a recent incidental diagnosis of gastric precancerous lesions (dysplasia, intestinal metaplasia, or atrophy). Strategies included 1) no surveillance or treatment and 2) referral for surveillance and treatment, and varied by surveillance frequency (none, every 10 years, every 5 years, or every year) and treatment modality for dysplastic and cancerous lesions (surgery or endoscopic mucosal resection [EMR]). The term “post‐treatment surveillance” was restricted to surveillance of individuals after treatment. Data were based on published literature and databases. Outcomes included lifetime gastric cancer risk, quality‐adjusted life expectancy, lifetime costs, and incremental cost‐effectiveness ratios.

RESULTS:

For a cohort of men with dysplasia aged 50 years, the lifetime gastric cancer risk was 5.9%. EMR with annual surveillance reduced the lifetime cancer risk by 90% and cost $39,800 per quality‐adjusted life year (QALY). Addition of post‐treatment surveillance every 10 years provided little incremental benefit (∼5%) but cost >$1 million per QALY. Results were most sensitive to surgical risks and the proportion of lesions completely removed with EMR. For intestinal metaplasia, surveillance every 10 years reduced lifetime cancer risk by 61% and cost $544,500 per QALY.

CONCLUSIONS:

EMR with surveillance every 1 to 5 years for gastric dysplasia was promising for secondary cancer prevention and had a cost‐effectiveness ratio that would be considered attractive in the United States. Endoscopic surveillance of less advanced lesions did not appear to be cost‐effective, except possibly for immigrants from high‐risk countries. Cancer 2010. © 2010 American Cancer Society.
Association between YKL‐40 and adult primary astrocytoma
Authors: Zhang Wei , Kawanishi Masahiko , Miyake Keisuke , Kagawa Masahiro , Kawai Nobuyuki , Murao Koji , Nishiyama Akira , Fei Zhou , Zhang Xiang , Tamiya Takashi
Published: March 2010

BACKGROUND:

The YKL‐40 coding chitinase 3‐like 1 gene is 1 of the most overexpressed genes in human glioblastomas. The objectives of this study were to explore YKL‐40 protein expression status and World Health Organization (WHO) pathologic grades of primary human astrocytoma and to investigate the role of YKL‐40 in the proliferation of both established and primary astrocytoma cells in vitro.

METHODS:

WHO grade 1, 2, 3, and 4 primary astrocytomas (210 patients) were evaluated for YKL‐40 protein expression status in immunohistochemical analyses. In addition, after transfection with a plasmid that contained YKL‐40 small‐interfering RNA (siRNA), cell proliferation and the cell cycle were measured with a cell‐viability assay and flow cytometry. Expression levels of phosphorylated, total mitogen‐activated protein kinase (MAPK) and protein kinase B (AKT) were detected by Western blot analysis.

RESULTS:

The percentage of positive cells and the staining intensity differed significantly between different pathologic tumor grades (P < .001). The YKL‐40 immunoreactivity score increased markedly with increased pathologic grade (F = 18.89; P < .001). In the in vitro experiment, the cell cycle was arrested in G1 phase. An inhibitor of the p38 MAPK, SB203580, could partially abrogate the cell proliferation inhibition effect by siRNA treatment. The expression levels of phosphorylated extracellular signal‐regulated kinase 1/2 and phosphorylated AKT were notably decreased in siRNA‐transfected U87 cells. In contrast, the expression levels of phosphorylated p38 and phosphorylated c‐jun N‐terminal kinase 1 and 2 increased significantly (P < .01).

CONCLUSIONS:

YKL‐40 expression status correlated well with the pathologic grade of primary astrocytomas. The current results also indicted that YKL‐40 plays a pivotal role in glioma cell proliferation through activation of the MAPK and AKT pathways. YKL‐40 may be an attractive target for glioma therapy. Cancer 2010. © 2010 American Cancer Society.
Extensive inguinal lymphadenectomy improves overall 5‐year survival in penile cancer patients
Authors: Johnson Timothy V. , Hsiao Wayland , Delman Keith A. , Jani Ashesh B. , Brawley Otis W. , Master Viraj A.
Published: March 2010

BACKGROUND:

European Urological Association guidelines recommend potentially curative inguinal lymphadenectomy for certain cases of penile cancer such as grade 3 and pT2‐4 lesions, among others. Anecdotally, the authors have noticed that few patients undergo inguinal lymphadenectomy. Therefore, they assessed the frequency of inguinal lymphadenectomy and the impact of dissection extent on survival using the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) database.

METHODS:

The authors queried 17 SEER registries from 1988 through 2005 for grade 3 and pT2‐4 penile cancer patients without distant metastases. Univariate and multivariate analyses examined predictors of inguinal lymphadenectomy. Kaplan‐Meier and Cox regression analyses assessed overall 5‐year survival across patient‐ and disease‐related characteristics for patients receiving inguinal lymphadenectomy involving <8 or ≥8 lymph nodes, the latter a surrogate for extent of dissection based on other malignancies.

RESULTS:

Of 593 patients enrolled, only 26.5% received inguinal lymphadenectomy. In addition to grade 3 (P = .031) and pT2‐4 disease (P = .004), age <65 years (P < .001) and marital status (P = .002) were significantly associated with receiving lymph node dissection. Increased overall 5‐year survival (hazard ratio, 0.54; 95% confidence interval, 0.36‐0.79) was observed in patients of all ages who received lymphadenectomy involving ≥8 lymph nodes.

CONCLUSIONS:

A significant number of penile cancer patients at risk for metastases have not received potentially curative inguinal lymphadenectomy. Patients receiving inguinal lymphadenectomy involving ≥8 lymph nodes experienced improved overall 5‐year survival. Guidelines should not only be given more emphasis, but possibly be updated to reflect the benefit of extensive lymph node dissection in high‐risk penile cancer patients. Cancer 2010. © 2010 American Cancer Society.
Sharp interface limit for invariant measures of a stochastic Allen‐Cahn equation
Authors: Weber Hendrik
Published: March 2010

The invariant measure of a one‐dimensional Allen‐Cahn equation with an additive space‐time white noise is studied. This measure is absolutely continuous with respect to a Brownian bridge with a density that can be interpreted as a potential energy term. We consider the sharp interface limit in this setup. In the right scaling this corresponds to a Gibbs‐type measure on a growing interval with decreasing temperature. Our main result is that in the limit we still see exponential convergence towards a curve of minimizers of the energy if the interval does not grow too fast. In the original scaling, the measure is concentrated on configurations with precisely one jump. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Periodic Orbits near equilibria
Authors: Barreira Luis , Llibre Jaume , Valls Claudia
Published: March 2010

Lyapunov, Weinstein, and Moser obtained remarkable theorems giving sufficient conditions for the existence of periodic orbits emanating from an equilibrium point of a differential system with a first integral. Using averaging theory, we establish a similar result for a differential system without assuming the existence of a first integral. Our result can also be interpreted as a kind of special Hopf bifurcation. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Solution‐Processed Organic Photovoltaic Cells with Anthracene Derivatives
Authors: Chung Dae Sung , Park Jong Won , Yun Won Min , Cha Hyojung , Kim Yun‐Hi , Kwon Soon‐Ki , Park Chan Eon
Published: March 2010

Solution‐processed small‐molecule bulk heterojunction photovoltaic cells are fabricated by using [6,6]‐phenyl‐C61‐butyric acid methyl ester (PCBM) as electron acceptor and triisopropylsilylethynyl anthracene (TIPSAnt) derivatives substituted with naphthalene (TIPSAntNa) and bithiophene (TIPSAntBT) as electron donors. In contrast to TIPS–pentacene, the TIPSAnt derivatives are not susceptible to Diels–Alder reactions with PCBM when processed in solution, as confirmed by UV/Vis measurements. Photoluminescence quenching measurements show exciton diffusion lengths of 5 and 3 nm for TIPSAntBT and TIPSAntNa, respectively. Blending TIPSAntBT and TIPSAntNa with PCBM (1:1, 1:2, 1:3, and 1:4 weight ratios) produces films that possess adequate hole and electron mobilities. The morphological changes that result from varying the blending ratio range from obvious phase‐segregated crystalline domains at a 1:1 ratio to homogeneous, nearly amorphous phases at a 1:4 ratio. Bulk heterojunction solar cells prepared by using a TIPSAntBT:PCBM blend reach power conversion efficiencies as high as 1.4 %.