bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Biodeterioration of Mineral Materials
Authors: Gaylarde Christine , Morton Glyn
Published: November 2003

Biofilms and Mineral Materials

Deterioration Processes

Nonbiological Weathering Processes

Biological Weathering—Biodeterioration and Biodegradation

Silicon and Silicates

Limestone, Shale, and Sandstone

Cement and Concrete
Cold Shock
Authors: Phadtare Sangita , Inouye Masayori
Published: November 2003

Cold Shock Response

Cold Acclimation Proteins
Subaerial Communities
Authors: Nienow James A.
Published: November 2003

Diversity of Subaerial Communities

The Subaerial Habitat

Adaptations to the Subaerial Environment

Significance of the Subaerial Community

Prospects

Acknowledgments
Tracers in Groundwater: Use of Microorganisms and Microspheres
Authors: Harvey Ronald W. , Harms Hauke
Published: November 2003

History of Microbial Tracers in Groundwater

Hydrologic Studies

Public Health Studies

Bioaugmentation/Biorestoration Studies
Inorganic Nutrient Use by Marine Microorganisms
Authors: Kirchman David L.
Published: November 2003

The Major Nutrients

Trace Elements as Enzyme Cofactors

Sodium, Chlorine, Potassium, and Calcium: Osmotic Balance and Salt Bridges
Viruses and Protozoan Parasites in Aquatic Sediments
Authors: Karim Mohammad R. , Gerba Charles P.
Published: November 2003

Occurrence of Viruses and Parasites in Aquatic Sediments

Detection of Parasites in the Sediment

Survival of Viruses in Sediments

Survival of Protozoan Parasites in Sediments
LymeBorreliosis
Authors: Baranton Guy
Published: November 2003

Definition

History

Bacteriology

Physiology‐Metabolism

Epidemiology and Ecology

Virulence and Pathogenesis

Symptomatology (2)

Prevention and Treatment of Lyme Borreliosis
Pathogens in Environmental Biofilms
Authors: Keevil C. William
Published: November 2003

Biofilm Structure

Autochthonous Biofilm Microflora

Autochthonous Biofilm Pathogens

Allochthonous Biofilm Pathogens

Biofilm Safe Haven
Prochlorococcus
Authors: Campbell Lisa
Published: November 2003

Discovery

Methods of Detection and Cultivation

Description

Ecology

Physiology and Growth

Dynamics ofProchlorococcusPopulations

Genetic Diversity inProchlorococcusPopulations

Phylogeny

Genome Sequencing
Bioaerosols in Industrial Settings
Authors: Martinez Kenneth F. , Trout Douglas , Kanwal Richard
Published: November 2003

Biotechnology

Machining

Waste Treatment and Handling

Wood Processing

Textile Industry

Food Processing
Desulfurization of Fossil Fuels
Authors: Ohshiro Takashi , Izumi Yoshikazu
Published: November 2003

Microbial Degradation and Desulfurization of Dibenzothiophene

Genes for DBT Desulfurization

Enzymes for DBT Desulfurization

Effect of Hydrocarbon on Microbial DBT Desulfurization

Desulfurization of DBT Derivatives or Petroleum Feedstocks

Coal Desulfurization
Endosymbiosis in Ecology and Evolution
Authors: Corsaro Daniele , Venditti Danielle
Published: November 2003

Definitions

Symbiotrophic Systems

Reproductive Parasites

Endosymbionts and the Origin of Emerging Pathogens

Symbioses and Evolution
Metabolism of Mixtures of Organic Substrates
Authors: Egli Thomas
Published: November 2003

Laboratory Versus Nature: Contrasting Scenarios for Pollutant Biodegradation

Batch Culture Systems: Diauxic Growth Versus Mixed Substrate Growth

Mixed Substrate Growth in Continuous Culture Systems Limited by the Carbon/Energy Source

Threshold Concentrations for Utilization and Induction
Caves and Mines Microbiological Sampling
Authors: Moser Duane P. , Boston Penelope J. , Martin Harris W.
Published: November 2003

Sampling Air‐Filled Caves

Sampling Water‐Filled Caves

Sampling Underground Mines
Halogenated Aromatics: Fate and Microbial Degradation
Authors: Adriaens Peter , Barkovskii Andrei L.
Published: November 2003

Background

Fundamentals of Aryl Halide Degradation

Ecology of Aryl Halide Degradation

Microbial‐Environmental Matrix Interactions
Cold Adapted Microorganisms: Use in Biotechnology
Authors: Allen David , Huston Adrienne , Wells Lloyd , Deming Jody
Published: November 2003

Underlying Principles and Molecular Genetic Technologies

Cold‐Active Enzymes

Bioremediation

Some Future Applications of Cold‐Adapted Microorganisms
Paleolimnology: Use of Siliceous Structures of Chrysophytes as Biological Indicators in Freshwater Systems
Authors: Siver Peter A.
Published: November 2003

Anatomy of the Siliceous Cell Covering

Cyst Structure and Morphology

Distribution of Chrysophytes along Environmental Gradients and their use as Paleolimnological Indicators
Disinfection: Chlorine, Monochloramine, and Chlorine Dioxide
Authors: Rice Eugene W.
Published: November 2003

CTConcept

Chlorine

Chloramine

Chlorine Dioxide
Subsurface Microorganisms: Ecological significance
Authors: Fredrickson James K.
Published: November 2003

Energy Sources

Physical Considerations

Microbial Distributions in the Subsurface

Sampling and Microbial Enumeration Issues

General Microbiological Characteristics of the Subsurface
Subsurface Samples: Collection and Processing
Authors: Long Philip E. , Griffin W. Timothy , Phelps Tommy J.
Published: November 2003

Evaluating Research Objectives and Sample Needs

Assessing the Sampling Target

Selecting a Sampling Technology

Quality Assurance

Sample Processing

Future Developments
Microbial Flocs Suspended Biofilms
Authors: Liss Steven N.
Published: November 2003

Environmental Significance of Flocs in Natural and Engineered Systems

Structural and Physicochemical Properties of Floc

Diffusional Gradients in Microbial Floc

Interfacial Forces in Floc Formation

Mechanisms of Floc Formation

Physiological Factors Affecting Floc Formation and Properties

Methods for Analyzing Floc

Acknowledgments
Sea Ice Microorganisms
Authors: Gradinger Rolf
Published: November 2003

Different Types of Ice

Primary Producers Within the Ice

Nutrient Concentrations

Bacteria in Sea Ice

Adaption to the Environment

Grazing on the Sea Ice Algal Biomass
Methanotrophic Bacteria
Authors: Graham David W. , Kim Hyung J. , Lindner Angela S.
Published: November 2003

Classification of Methanotrophs

Biochemistry and Molecular Biology of Methanotrophic Bacteria

Ecology of Methanotrophic Bacteria

Methanotrophs and Biotechnology
Stress Response in Bacteria: Heat Shock
Authors: de Macario Everly Conway , Macario Alberto J. L.
Published: November 2003

Terminology

Retrospective and Definitions

Beyond Cells

Properties

Heat Shock and Other Stressors

Heat‐Shock Proteins

Regulation

Regulatory Circuits and Networks

Proteolysis

Chaperones and Proteases in Regulation

New Looks of an Old Theme

Thermotolerance and the Future
Planktonic Microorganisms: Bacterioplankton
Authors: Ochs Clifford A.
Published: November 2003

Plankton

Bacterioplankton

The Physicochemical Environment of Aquatic Ecosystems

Bacterioplankton Modes of Energy Conservation and Carbon Metabolism

Bacterioplankton Taxonomic Diversity

A Modern View of Bacterioplankton Taxonomic Diversity

Bacterioplankton of the Domain Bacteria

Bacterioplankton of the Domain Archaea

Spatial and Temporal Patterns in Bacterioplankton Metabolism and Taxonomic Diversity

Bacterioplankton Abundance, Biomass, and Production

The Factors that Control How Fast Bacterioplankton Grow

Bacterioplankton Mortality

The Ecological Significance of the Bacterioplankton

Importance in the Food Web

The Major Questions Regarding Bacterioplankton
Prognostic Factors: Principles and Applications
Authors: Gospodarowicz Mary K. , O'Sullivan Brian , Koh Eng‐Siew
Published: November 2003

Since the beginning of time, man has wanted to prognosticate, or “know before.” This desire explains the popularity of psychics and astrologers. After the birth of the idea of chance, prediction of the future has been largely handed over to statisticians. In studies of cancer and other diseases, identification of prognostic factors is the present‐day equivalent of predicting the future. Nonetheless, it would be implausible to believe that we can predict precisely for the individual patient. In reality, all we can provide are statements of probability, and even these are more accurate for groups of patients, the study of whom provides us with our knowledge about prognosis. Furthermore, the practical management of cancer patients requires us to make predictions and decisions for individuals, and the challenge of prognostication is to link the individual patient to the collective population of patients with the same disease.

In this chapter we deal with the rationale for prognostic factors and describe classifications of these factors with attention to those used in this book. We also discuss potential endpoints relevant to oncology, the taxonomy of prognostic factors, and their applications in practice. Most importantly, we introduce a concept of a management scenario that forms the basis for defining prognosis at a given point in the course of disease.
Extrahepatic Bile Ducts
Authors: Sobin L.H. , Wittekind Ch.
Published: November 2003

The TNM system is used to describe and classify cancer stages and progression based on the assessment of three components:

T

The extent of the primary tumour

N

The absence or presence and extent of regional lymph node metastasis

M

The absence or presence of distant metastasis.

TNM classification for the above site is described under the following headings:

Rules for classification with the procedures for assessing T, N, and M categories; additional methods may be used when they enhance the accuracy of appraisal before treatment

Anatomical sites and subsites where appropriate

Definition of the regional lymph nodes

TNM Clinical classification

pTNM Pathological classification

G Histopathological grading

Stage grouping

Summary
Carcinoma of Skin (Excluding Eyelid, Vulva, and Penis)
Authors: Sobin L.H. , Wittekind Ch.
Published: November 2003

The TNM system is used to describe and classify cancer stages and progression based on the assessment of three components:

T

The extent of the primary tumour

N

The absence or presence and extent of regional lymph node metastasis

M

The absence or presence of distant metastasis.

TNM classification for the above site is described under the following headings:

Rules for classification with the procedures for assessing T, N, and M categories; additional methods may be used when they enhance the accuracy of appraisal before treatment

Anatomical sites and subsites where appropriate

Definition of the regional lymph nodes

TNM Clinical classification

pTNM Pathological classification

G Histopathological grading

Stage grouping

Summary
Carcinoma of Conjunctiva
Authors: Sobin L.H. , Wittekind Ch.
Published: November 2003

The TNM system is used to describe and classify cancer stages and progression based on the assessment of three components:

T

The extent of the primary tumour

N

The absence or presence and extent of regional lymph node metastasis

M

The absence or presence of distant metastasis.

TNM classification for the above site is described under the following headings:

Rules for classification with the procedures for assessing T, N, and M categories; additional methods may be used when they enhance the accuracy of appraisal before treatment

Anatomical sites and subsites where appropriate

Definition of the regional lymph nodes

TNM Clinical classification

pTNM Pathological classification

G Histopathological grading

Stage grouping

Summary
Carcinoma of Lacrimal Gland
Authors: Sobin L.H. , Wittekind Ch.
Published: November 2003

The TNM system is used to describe and classify cancer stages and progression based on the assessment of three components:

T

The extent of the primary tumour

N

The absence or presence and extent of regional lymph node metastasis

M

The absence or presence of distant metastasis.

TNM classification for the above site is described under the following headings:

Rules for classification with the procedures for assessing T, N, and M categories; additional methods may be used when they enhance the accuracy of appraisal before treatment

Anatomical sites and subsites where appropriate

Definition of the regional lymph nodes

TNM Clinical classification

pTNM Pathological classification

G Histopathological grading

Stage grouping

Summary
H
odgkin Lymphoma
Authors: Sobin L.H. , Wittekind Ch.
Published: November 2003

At the present time it is not considered practical to propose a TNM classification for Hodgkin lymphoma.

Following the development of the Ann Arbor classification for Hodgkin lymphoma in 1971, the significance of two important observations with major impact on staging has been appreciated. First, extralymphatic disease, if localized and related to adjacent lymph node disease, does not adversely affect the survival of patients. Second, laparotomy with splenectomy has been introduced as a method of obtaining more information on the extent of the disease within the abdomen.

A stage classification based on information from histopathological examination of the spleen and lymph nodes obtained at laparotomy cannot be compared with another without such exploration. Therefore, two systems of classification are presented, a clinical (cS) and a pathological (pS).
Polymer‐Mediated Alignment of Carbon Nanotubes under High Magnetic Fields
Authors: Garmestani H. , Al‐Haik M.S. , Dahmen K. , Tannenbaum R. , Li D. , Sablin S.S. , Hussaini M.Y.
Published: November 2003

Alignment of single‐walled carbon nanotubes in a bulk epoxy matrix (see Figure) has been achieved through the processing of the composite inside a high magnetic field (15–25 T). The self‐organization of the epoxy chains inside the magnetic field mediated the reorientation process of the single‐walled carbon nanotubes. The alignment becomes more pronounced as a function of the magnetic field strength.
Nanoscale Data Recording on an Organic Monolayer Film
Authors: Wu H.M. , Song Y.L. , Du S.X. , Liu H.W. , Gao H.J. , Jiang L. , Zhu D.B.
Published: November 2003

A “y” formed by nine nanoscale recording marks (see Figure) has been made successfully on an organic thin film by applying voltage pulses between a scanning tunneling microscopy (STM) tip and the highly ordered pyrolytic graphite substrate. The average size of the recorded marks is 1.1 nm in diameter, corresponding to a data storage density of ∼ 1013  bits cm–2. The recording mechanism is discussed according to experiment and calculation.
Fabrication of Crystalline, Highly Ordered Three‐Dimensional Silica Monoliths (HOM‐n) with Large, Morphological Mesopore Structures
Authors: El‐Safty S.A. , Hanaoka T.
Published: November 2003

Highly ordered silica monoliths (see Figure) with three‐dimensional structures have been fabricated using microemulsion lyotropic liquid crystal phases of Brij 56 as templates under acidic conditions, without loss of the mesoscopic order. The results reveal that the synthetic methodology can effectively control the 3D mesopore morphology. Crystalline, millimeter‐sized particles and various geometrical cubic phases have been synthesized.
Ordered Mesoporous Niobium Oxide Film: A Novel Matrix for Assembling Functional Proteins for Bioelectrochemical Applications
Authors: Xu X. , Tian B.Z. , Kong J.L. , Zhang S. , Liu B.H. , Zhao D.Y.
Published: November 2003

The immobilization of cytochrome c (Cyt‐c) in ordered mesoporous niobium oxide thin films is investigated for the first time. The direct electrochemical behavior of Cyt‐c assembled onto the inorganic matrix (see Figure) and the electrocatalytic properties of this assembly are studied. The results open a new doorway for the application of niobium oxides as bioanalytical devices.
Spontaneous Organization of Three‐Dimensionally Packed Trigonal Selenium Microspheres into Large‐Area Nanowire Networks
Authors: Cao X. , Xie Y. , Li L.
Published: November 2003

Nanowire networks of trigonal selenium (see Figure) have been prepared over a large area through a spontaneous organization process. This has been realized via the vapor deposition of selenium and subsequent crystallization. The network of selenium nanowires is expected to find applications in nanoscale circuits as well as nanoscale electronic and photon devices.
Simple Solid‐Phase Synthesis of Hollow Graphitic Nanoparticles and their Application to Direct Methanol Fuel Cell Electrodes
Authors: Han S. , Yun Y. , Park K.‐W. , Sung Y.‐E. , Hyeon T.
Published: November 2003

Hollow graphitic nanoparticles (see Figure) have been synthesized by the simple heat treatment of a mixture containing a polymeric carbon precursor and a transition metal salt, followed by oxidation. When these particles are used as a catalyst support for a direct methanol fuel cell (DMFC) electrode, the current density and maximum power density of the catalyst supported on these particles is higher than those of a commercial catalyst.
Reduction and cyclization to form poly(benzimidazole amide imide) copolymers
Authors: Wang Huei‐Hsiung , Wu Shu‐Ping
Published: November 2003

Poly(amide imide) copolymers were synthesized with different molar ratios of 4,4‐diphenylmethane diisocyanate, two types of aromatic dianhydrides (pyromellitic dianhydride (PMDA) and 3,3′,4,4′‐sulfonyl diphthalic anhydride (DSDA)), and a diacid, which was derived from 3,3′‐dinitrobenzidine and isophthaloyl chloride in a previous work. In this study, the copolymers were further reacted with a reducing agent, and the nitro groups in the copolymers were hydrogenated into amine groups. Then, the amine‐group‐containing poly(amide imide) copolymers were cyclized at 180°C to form the poly(benzimidazole imide amide) copolymers in poly(phosphoric acid), which acted as a cyclizing agent. The resultant copolymers were soluble in sulfuric acid and poly(phosphoric acid) at room temperature and in sulfolane or N‐methyl‐2‐pyrrolidone under heating to 100°C with 5% lithium chloride. According to wide‐angle X‐ray diffraction, all the copolymers were amorphous. According to thermal analysis, the glass‐transition temperature ranged from 270 to 322°C, and the 10% weight‐loss temperature ranged from 460 to 541°C in nitrogen and from 441 to 529°C in air. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 91: 378–386, 2004
Studies on semi‐interpenetrating polymer network based on nitrile rubber and poly(methyl methacrylate)
Authors: Samui A. B. , Dalvi V. G. , Patri M. , Chakraborty B. C. , Deb P. C.
Published: November 2003

Sequential interpenetrating polymer networks (IPNs) based on nitrile rubber and poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) were synthesized. IPN compositions were varied by varying the swelling time. Two methods were adopted for making IPNs. The first method is “single‐step IPN” (SIPN) and the second method is “multistep IPN” (MIPN). The compositions were fixed around 90, 80, 70, 60 and 50% of NBR. In SIPN mode, swelling in monomer and subsequent curing was done once. In MIPN mode, swelling in monomer and curing was repeatedly done. Tensile strength of IPNs was found to increase with PMMA content, MIPN showing higher strength compared to SIPN. Dynamic modulus showed a similar trend. The tan δ value was found to decrease with PMMA content. At 62/38 nitrile rubber (NBR)/PMMA, MIPN composition isolated tan δ peaks appeared near glass transition temperatures of NBR and PMMA, respectively. Scanning electron micrograph showed phase‐separated morphology at the same MIPN composition. Solvent resistance increased with IPN formation maintaining higher resistance for MIPN compared to SIPN. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 91: 354–360, 2004
Effect of addition of oligobetapinene on morphology, thermal and gas permeation properties in blends with HDPE
Authors: Mendes Luis C. , Jatobá Lívia F. C. , Ferreira Anderson F. , Garcia Maria E. F.
Published: November 2003

Binary blends of high density polyethylene (HDPE) and oligobetapinene (OBP) were prepared by melt mixing. The morphology, thermal and permeability properties of compression molded and slow cooled films are reported. Applying the first‐derivative procedure on differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) traces, we have detected the temperature of glass transition (Tg) of HDPE as a large peak centered from −125 to −100°C. In the blends, we observed that the OBP molecules were able to resolve the transition into two components. The lower one was ascribed to the γ‐transition of HDPE, and the upper one was attributed to its Tg. The OBP molecules also formed another transition at a higher temperature. The blends were composed at least of three distinct phases, likely composed of amorphous HDPE with some amount of OBP molecules, amorphous OBP with some polyolefin and crystalline HDPE. The scanning electron microscopy (SEM) investigations revealed segregation of the components. The permeation to CO2 of plain HDPE and 90/10 blends was similar, but at higher concentrations of oligomer, the value was slightly higher than that of neat HDPE. The decrease of overall crystallinity was counterbalanced by the presence of an OBP rich phase in the blend and could explain the slight increase in permeability of the film blends. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 91: 315–320, 2004
Concentration dependency of interaction parameter between PVC and plasticizers using inverse gas chromatography
Authors: Huang Jan‐Chan , Deanin Rudolph D.
Published: November 2003

The inverse gas chromatography method was extended to study the concentration dependent Flory–Huggins interaction parameter between poly(vinyl chloride) (PVC) and plasticizers using literature data. For both PVC/polyadipate and PVC/epoxidized soybean oil (ESO) systems, the miscibility was better at the high PVC end. The specific interaction between PVC and plasticizers was estimated from the difference between the experimental results and the enthalpies of mixing predicted by the solubility parameter model. The interaction was negative and skewed toward the high PVC end, and rendered the overall interaction parameter negative at high PVC compositions. Chemical potential was used to determine the phase composition of PVC/plasticizer mixtures. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 91: 146–156, 2004
Preparation of crosslinked carboxymethylated chitin derivatives by irradiation and their sorption behavior for copper(II) ions
Authors: Zhao Long , Mitomo Hiroshi , Yoshii Fumio , Kume Tamikazu
Published: November 2003

To obtain highly efficient adsorbents that were insoluble in acidic and basic aqueous solutions, we synthesized new types of crosslinked chitin derivatives (carboxymethylchitin and carboxymethylchitosan) with ionizing radiation, and we investigated the sorption of Cu(II) ions onto these crosslinked chitin derivatives. Sorption kinetic studies indicated the rapid removal of copper(II) ions from the aqueous solutions. Also, isothermal sorption data revealed that Cu(II) was removed by these crosslinked carboxymethylated chitin derivatives with high efficiency. Sorption isothermal data were interpreted well by the Langmuir equation. The uptake of Cu(II) ions was 161 mg/g on crosslinked carboxymethylchitin and 172 mg/g on crosslinked carboxymethylchitosan at pH 5.5. A low pH was favorable for Cu(II) desorption. The Cu(II) ions were desorbed from the crosslinked matrix rapidly and completely after a treatment in a diluted HCl solution, and at the same time, the adsorbents were regenerated to be used again to adsorb heavy metal ions. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 91: 556–562, 2004
Preparation of novel heterogeneous cation‐permeable membranes from blends of sulfonated poly(phenylene sulfide) and poly(ether sulfone)
Authors: Hu Keyan , Xu TongWen , Yang WeiHua , Fu Yanxun
Published: November 2003

Novel heterogeneous cation‐exchange membranes using poly (ether sulfone)(PES) as binder and sulfonated poly(phenylene sulfide) (SPPS) powder as polyelectrolyte were prepared by the solution casting‐immersion method. Compared with a conventional route for heterogeneous membrane, the steps of milling resin into fine powders and the pressing at high temperature are avoided, and thus permits a simple technique for the preparation of such membrane. The effect of the particle size and loading of SPPS resin on the properties of the membranes such as ion‐exchange capacity, water content, electrical resistance, transport number, diffusion coefficient of electrolytes, etc., have been studied. It is shown that the membrane fundamental properties are largely dependent on both the resin loading and the particle size of SPPS resin. By adjusting these two important parameters, one can obtain heterogeneous membrane with both good conductivity, selectivity, and proper water content for different industrial purposes such as electrodialysis, diffusional dialysis, etc. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 91: 167–174, 2004
Trehalose‐based thermosetting resins. I. Synthesis and thermal properties of trehalose vinylbenzyl ether
Authors: Teramoto Naozumi , Shibata Mitsuhiro
Published: November 2003

Trehalose vinylbenzyl ether was synthesized from trehalose andp‐chloromethylstyrene (CMS) in DMSO in the presence of powdered NaOH. The structure of the product was characterized by IR and1H NMR spectroscopy. Degree of substitution (DS) on a trehalose unit calculated from the1H NMR spectrum varied from 2.4 to 3.2 by changing the feed ratio ofp‐chloromethylstyrene to trehalose. Thermal properties of the resin were analyzed by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). DSC analysis revealed that the resin DS 2.4 has one exothermal peak at 132°C, whereas the resins DS 2.8 and 3.0 have two exothermal peaks. Furthermore, the resin DS 3.2 was found to have only one exothermal peak at 191°C. Dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA) and thermomechanical analysis (TMA) revealed that the cured resin has one transition, implying a glass transition. Biodegradability was assayed by the BOD method, and several percent of the cured resin was found to be degraded with activated sludge for 50 days. Further degradation, however, was not observed. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 91: 46–51, 2004
High‐speed melt spinning of various grades of polylactides
Authors: Schmack G. , Tändler B. , Optiz G. , Vogel R. , Komber H. , Häußler L. , Voigt D. , Weinmann S. , Heinemann M. , Fritz H.‐G.
Published: November 2003

Five kinds of polylactides (PLAs), with different D‐lactide contents and tacticities, were subjected to high‐speed melt‐spinning experiments. In addition to stereochemical purity, the PLA types differed in molecular mass and molecular mass distribution. The properties of the different PLA materials were characterized by thermogravimetry, differential scanning calorimetry, dynamic mechanical analysis, size exclusion chromatography, and 1H‐NMR and 13C‐NMR spectroscopy. The material was spun with a high‐speed spinning process within the range 2000–5000 m/min. The physical and tensile properties of the fibers were determined. The maximum tensile properties of the fibers were a 300 MPa tenacity at an elongation at break of 30% and a tensile modulus of 6.8 GPa. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 91: 800–806, 2004
Melt‐compounded natural rubber nanocomposites with pristine and organophilic layered silicates of natural and synthetic origin
Authors: Varghese Siby , Karger‐Kocsis J.
Published: November 2003

Composites based on natural rubber (NR) and containing organophilic and pristine layered silicates of natural and synthetic origin were produced by melt compounding and sulfur curing. The curing, thermomechanical, and mechanical properties of the mixes, which contained 10 phr (parts per hundred parts of rubber) silicates, were determined. The dispersion of the silicates was studied by X‐ray diffraction (XRD) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Organophilic clays accelerated the sulfur curing of NR, which was believed to occur because of a complexation reaction in which the amine groups of the clay intercalants participated. The property improvements caused by the fillers were ranked as follows: organophilic clays > pristine synthetic layered silicate (sodium fluorohectorite) > pristine natural clay (purified sodium bentonite) > precipitated nonlayered silica (used as a reference). This was attributed to partial intercalation of the organophilic clay by NR on the basis of XRD and TEM results and to the high aspect ratio of the fluorohectorite. Apart from intercalation, severe confinement (i.e., the collapse of the interlayer distance) of the organoclays was observed. This peculiar feature was traced to the formation of a zinc coordination complex, which extracted the amine intercalant of the organoclays, thus causing the collapse of the layers. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 91: 813–819, 2004
Resin‐vulcanized NBR: Suitability of rheometric parameters for the calculation of cure kinetic constants—Part II
Authors: Sousa Ana M. F. , Peres Augusto C. C. , Nunes Regina C. R. , Visconte Leila L. Y. , Furtado Cristina R. G.
Published: November 2003

In a previous work, two methods using rheometric parameters to calculate the kinetic constant were compared, and the results showed that the higher significative variables could be accurately determinated in opposition to the lower significative ones. Thus, a modification is suggested in this article, by limiting the conversion of the cure reaction to 80% to minimize the effects due to the deceleration curing. This allowed a precise determination of which variables have an effective influence on the cure kinetic constant. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 91: 506–509, 2004
Synthesis and properties of UV‐curable poly(imideurethane) acrylates
Authors: Meledyn M. , Paszkiewicz R. , Masiulanis B.
Published: November 2003

Poly(imideurethane) acrylates (PIUAs) were obtained in solution by a three‐step method, from cycloaliphatic diisocyanate, benzophenone tetracarboxylic acid dianhydride, three kinds of diols, and two kinds of monohydroxyacrylic esters (HEA, PETA). These polymers were used as components of the photosensitive compositions together with two reactive diluents and four photoinitiators. Using a mercury lamp (power 375 W) and Irgacure 907 as the photoinitiator some compositions spin coated on glass were cured rapidly within 10–30 s. In the preliminary photolithographic study with less advantageous exposure of λmax 406 nm, patterns with 10‐μm resolution were acquired. The cured PIUAs exhibited in thermogravimetric analysis a superior thermostability to 400°C than known poly(urethaneacrylates) and poly(urethaneimide) acrylates from aromatic diisocyanates. DSC and DMTA were used to characterize the thermomechanical stability and the glass‐transition temperatures of the PIUA segments. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 91: 971–980, 2004
Graft copolymerization of methyl methacrylate onto starch using a Ce(IV)–glucose initiator system
Authors: Sangramsingh N. M. , Patra B. N. , Singh B. C. , Patra C. M.
Published: November 2003

Graft copolymerization of methyl methacrylate onto starch was carried out in aqueous medium using Ce(IV)–glucose initiator in the temperature range 40–60°C. Effects of concentration of Ce(IV), glucose, H2SO4, monomer, and starch on grafting were investigated. Percentages of grafting were evaluated and compared. The overall energy of activation was calculated from the effects of time and temperature of polymerization. The reaction mechanism was also discussed. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 91: 981–990, 2004
Synthesis and characterization of polyaniline prepared in formic acid medium
Authors: Dan Ananya , Sengupta P. K.
Published: November 2003

The oxidative polymerization of aniline in formic acid (HCOOH) medium was investigated using formic acid of different strengths (5–25N). It was observed that a certain portion of the total polymer (∼ 10%) remains soluble in the reaction medium. The UV–visible absorption spectra of the reaction mixtures in dilute and concentrated HCOOH indicate different initial reaction pathways and intermediates occurring under the conditions employed. It was found that the reaction yield and intrinsic viscosity of the polymer were dependent on the synthesis parameters. By contrast, the electrical conductivity was not sensitive to most of these variables. Elemental analysis revealed that the chemical composition of polyaniline (PANI)–formic acid salt is 4 : 2.2, indicating two units of formate anions present per four‐unit polymer chain containing 3 : 1 ratio of benzenoid to quinonoid moieties. Spectroscopic results showed that PANI prepared in HCOOH exists in an emeraldine oxidation state. A transmission electron micrograph of the soluble portion showed a wide distribution of spherical particles of different diameters in the range 20–200 nm. The thermal stability and crystalline structure of PANI–formic acid salt and its base form were ascertained by thermogravimetric analysis and wide‐angle X‐ray diffraction (WAXD) study, respectively. The base form of the polymer was stable up to 400°C and the acid form showed evolution of formic acid dopant in the temperature range 200–300°C. WAXD study showed a pseudo‐orthorhombic crystal structure for PANI–formic acid salt. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 91: 991–999, 2004
Preparation of pH‐sensitive poly(vinyl alcohol‐g‐methacrylic acid) and poly(vinyl alcohol‐g‐acrylic acid) hydrogels by gamma ray irradiation and their insulin release behavior
Authors: Park Sung‐Eun , Nho Young‐Chang , Lim Youn‐Mook , Kim Hyung‐Il
Published: November 2003

A series of pH‐responsive hydrogels were studied as potential drug carriers for the protection of insulin from the acidic environment of the stomach before releasing in the small intestine. Hydrogels based on poly(vinyl alcohol) networks grafted with acrylic acid or methacrylic acid were prepared by a two‐step process. Poly(vinyl alcohol) hydrogels were prepared by gamma ray irradiation (50 kGy) and then followed by grafting either acrylic acid or methacrylic acid onto these poly(vinyl alcohol) hydrogels with subsequent irradiation (5–20 kGy). These graft hydrogels showed pH‐sensitive swelling behavior and were used as carriers for the controlled release of insulin. The in vitro release of insulin was observed for the insulin‐loaded hydrogels in a simulated intestinal fluid (pH 6.8) but not in a simulated gastric fluid (pH 1.2). The release behavior of insulin in vivo in a rat model confirmed the effectiveness of the oral delivery of insulin to control the level of glucose. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 91: 636–643, 2004
Synthesis, characterization, and microsphere formation of galactosylated chitosan
Authors: Zhang Can , Ping Qineng , Ding Ya , Cheng Yao , Shen Jian
Published: November 2003

Chitosan derivative with galactose groups, which was recognized specifically by the asialoglycoprotein receptor (ASGR), was synthesized by introduction of the galactose group into the amino group of chitosan. The chemical structure of galactosylated chitosan was characterized by FT‐IR, 1H‐NMR, 13C‐NMR, WAXD, and DSC techniques. The results indicated that although acyl reaction on the part of amino groups of chitosan took place, the degree of galactosylated substitution was 20%, and the crystallization, solubility, stability, and other physical properties were different from chitosan. Microspheres of chitosan and galactosylated chitosan were prepared by the physical precipitation and coacervation method with sodium sulfate, respectively. The characterizations of microspheres were determined by means of scanning electron microscopy (SEM), particle size/ζ potential analysis, and DSC methods. Spherical, positively charged chitosan and galactosylated chitosan microspheres were formed, with an average diameter of 0.54 and 1.05 μm, and average ζ potential of +17 mV and +15 mV, respectively. The novel galactosylated chitosan microspheres may be used as a potential drug delivery system with passive and active hepatic targeting properties. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 91: 659–665, 2004
Characterization of birefringent distribution of high‐modulus PET fibers by senarmont compensation method
Authors: Yu Weidong
Published: November 2003

The birefringent distribution of poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET) fibers has been measured by means of Senarmont's compensation in this article. The difference from the traditional method is that two new approaches (i.e., measuring the shift of either straight fringes on a fiber cylinder or arched fringes on a fiber wedge) are established to figure out the cross‐birefringence at different thicknesses of the fiber. Further, the fiber radial birefringent distribution is estimated by both using a series of theoretical models and their algorithms and by measuring with the fiber‐wedge method combined with deferential calculation. There exists high coincidence between theoretical and measured values and the PET fiber is a skin‐core structure of macromolecular orientation. Meanwhile, the experimental results show that (1) the double‐angle measurement set a fiber at both the 0° and the 90° positions is necessary for high accuracy; (2) the setting of each optical element and the fiber is vitally important to obtain the exactly compensated values; and (3) the bulk birefringence is correlated with the measured initial modulus of the PET fibers. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 91: 598–608, 2004
The effect of organoclay on the mechanical properties and morphology of injection‐molded polyamide 6/polypropylene nanocomposites
Authors: Chow W. S. , Ishak Z. A. Mohd. , Ishiaku U. S. , Karger‐Kocsis J. , Apostolov A. A.
Published: November 2003

Nanocomposites containing a thermoplastic blend and organophilic layered clay (organoclay) were produced by melt compounding. The blend composition was kept constant [polyamide 6 (PA6) 70 wt % + polypropylene (PP) 30 wt %], whereas the organoclay content was varied between 0 and 10 wt %. The mechanical properties of the nanocomposites were determined on injection‐molded specimens in both tensile and flexural loading. Highest strength values were observed at an organoclay content of 4 wt % for the blends. The flexural strength was superior to the tensile one, which was traced to the effect of the molding‐induced skin‐core structure. Increasing organoclay amount resulted in severe material embrittlement reflected in a drop of both strength and strain values. The morphology of the nanocomposites was studied by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), energy‐dispersion X‐ray analysis (EDX), and X‐ray diffraction (XRD). It was established that the organoclay is well dispersed (exfoliated) and preferentially embedded in the PA6 phase. Further, the exfoliation degree of the organoclay decreased with increasing organoclay content. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 91: 175–189, 2004
Novel degradable superabsorbent materials of silicate/acrylic‐based polymer hybrids
Authors: Ye Hua , Zhao Jian‐Qing , Zhang Yong‐Hua
Published: November 2003

Novel superabsorbent materials, inorganic–organic hybrids, were synthesized by polymerizing acrylic acid or acrylamide with sodium silicate without any other crosslinking agent. The crosslinking bonds of SiOC form through the reaction of carboxyl groups with silanol groups (SiOH) existing in reaction system. Results of FTIR, swelling, and degrading experiments show that the crosslinking degree increased as the mol ratio of silicate increased in a certain range. The hybrids possess the properties of high absorbency and high absorption rate in both distilled water and normal saline solution. Because of the hydrolysis of SiOC bonds in aqueous solution, the hybrid hydrogels can degrade in days, and maybe beneficial to environment protection. This property is quite different from those superabsorbent polymer crosslinked with organic crosslinking agent. By monitoring the temperature of the reaction system, sodium silicate was also found to facilitate the trommsdorff effect in polymerization process. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 91: 936–940, 2004
Mechanical properties of glass fabric/polyester composites: Effect of silicone coatings on the fabrics
Authors: Pavlidou S. , Mai S. , Zorbas T. , Papaspyrides C. D.
Published: November 2003

An experimental investigation was carried out to study the effect of a silicone coating on the mechanical properties of polyester/woven glass fabric composites, fabricated by resin transfer molding. E‐glass woven fabrics were coated with a silicone elastomer by solution dip coating. The effect of variation of silicone amounts on the impact resistance, toughness, and mechanical properties of the composite was determined. Short beam shear tests were performed to assess the effect of coating on the adhesion of the fiber to the matrix. The coated specimens exhibited worse interlaminar shear strength over that of uncoated fabrics. Three‐point bending tests were also performed to investigate the effect of the coating on flexural properties. Whereas flexural strength and Young's modulus decreased with increasing amount of coating, the toughness, represented by the area under the stress–strain curve, presented a maximum. Finally, notched Izod impact tests were carried out and the curve for the energy absorbed during impact versus the amount of coating also appeared to have a maximum, indicating an interesting slot for optimum impact performance. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 91: 1300–1308, 2004
Synthesis and characterization of water‐dispersed flame‐retardant polyurethane resin using phosphorus‐containing chain extender
Authors: Çelebi Funda , Polat Osman , Aras Leyla , Gündüz Güngör , Akhmedov Idris M.
Published: November 2003

In this research, a flame‐retardant water‐dispersed polyurethane resin was synthesized through incorporating phosphonate groups into the polyurethane structure in the chain‐extension step. A phosphorus‐containing reactive flame‐retardant compound was synthesized for this purpose. First, bis(4‐nitrophenyl)phenyl phosphine oxide was synthesized and then converted to bis(4‐amino phenyl)phenyl phosphine oxide (BAPPO) by reducing its nitro groups into amines. The obtained products were characterized by IR, 1H‐NMR, and 31P‐NMR, and the thermal properties of the polymers were determined by DSC analysis. The BAPPO‐containing polyurethane showed physical properties that were almost similar to those of phosphorus‐free polyurethane and exhibited good flame resistance with a limiting oxygen index value of 27. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 91: 1314–1321, 2004
Polymer gel electrolytes prepared from P(EG‐co‐PG) and their nanocomposites using organically modified montmorillonite
Authors: Jung H. R. , Cho M. S. , Ahn J. H. , Nam J. D. , Lee Y.
Published: November 2003

Polymer gel electrolytes were prepared by thermal crosslinking reaction of a series of acrylic end‐capped poly(ethylene glycol) and poly(propylene glycol) [P(EG‐co‐PG)] having various geometries and molecular weights. Acrylic end‐capped prepolymers were prepared by the esterification of low molecular weight (Mn: 1900–5000) P(EG‐co‐PG) with acrylic acid. The linear increase in the ionic conductivity of polymer gel electrolyte films was observed with increasing temperature. The increase in the conductivity was also monitored by increasing the molecular weight of precursor polymer. Nanocomposite electrolytes were prepared by the addition of 5 wt % of organically modified layered silicate (montmorillonite) into the gel polymer electrolytes. The enhancement of the ionic conductivity as well as mechanical properties was observed in the nanocomposite systems. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 91: 894–899, 2004
Nonisothermal crystallization of PP/nano‐SiO2 composites
Authors: Qian Jiasheng , He Pingsheng , Nie Kangming
Published: November 2003

The kinetics of nonisothermal crystallization of polypropylene (PP) containing nanoparticles of silicon dioxide (SiO2) were investigated by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) at various cooling rates. Several different analysis methods were used to describe the process of nonisothermal crystallization. The results showed that the Ozawa equation and Mo's treatment could describe the nonisothermal crystallization of the composites very well. The nano‐SiO2 particles have a remarkable heterogeneous nucleation effect in the PP matrix. The rate of crystallization of PP/nano‐SiO2 is higher than that of pure PP. By using a method proposed by Kissinger, activation energies have been evaluated to be 262.1, 226.5, 249.5, and 250.1 kJ/mol for nonisothermal crystallization of pure PP and PP/nano‐SiO2 composites with various SiO2 loadings of 1, 3, and 5%, respectively. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 91: 1013–1019, 2004
Mechanical properties of polyurethane film exposed to solutions of nonoxynol‐9 surfactant and poly(ethylene glycol)
Authors: McDermott Martin K. , Schroeder LeRoy W. , Balsis Shay L. , Paradiso Nicole A. , Byrne Michelle L. , Briber Robert M.
Published: November 2003

Mechanical properties of two polyether urethane films (Estane and Tecoflex) were studied after exposure to solutions of nonoxynol 9 (N9) surfactant and poly(ethylene glycol) 400 (PEG) for various times. Large amounts of N9 were absorbed from N9/PEG solutions, resulting in soft‐segment plasticization and lower mechanical properties. As the N9 concentration increased, Estane absorbed more liquid and its mechanical properties decreased more compared to Tecoflex, although the mechanical properties of Estane were higher than Tecoflex at low concentrations of N9. Hard‐segment domain disruption is probably not occurring because the relationship between the elastic modulus and polymer volume fraction followed Flory's theory for swollen elastic rubber networks and the liquids do not fully dissolve the polymers. The diffusion behavior of N9 and PEG was observed to follow Fickian behavior. Most of the absorption and decrease in mechanical properties occurred within the first 20 h after soaking, implying that additional loss in strength over longer times would be minimal. Mechanical property anisotropy suggests that condoms should be cut from Estane film in an orientation that optimizes the property–orientation relationship for specific end uses. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 91: 1086–1096, 2004
Electrically conductive composites based on epoxy resin containing polyaniline–DBSA‐ and polyaniline–DBSA‐coated glass fibers
Authors: Jia W. , Tchoudakov R. , Segal E. , Narkis M. , Siegmann A.
Published: November 2003

Four kinds of polyaniline (PANI)‐coated glass fibers (GF–PANI) combined with bulk PANI particles were synthesized. GF–PANI fillers containing different PANI contents were incorporated into an epoxy–anhydride system. The best conductivity behavior of the epoxy/GF–PANI composites was obtained with a GF–PANI filler containing 80% PANI. Such a composite shows the lowest percolation threshold at about 20% GF–PANI or 16% PANI (glass fiber‐free basis). The PANI‐coated glass fibers act as conductive bridges, interconnecting PANI particles in the epoxy matrix, thus contributing to the improvement of the conductivity of the composite and the lower percolation threshold, compared with that of a epoxy/PANI–powder composite. Particularly, the presence of glass fibers significantly improves the mechanical properties, for example, the modulus and strength of the conductive epoxy composites. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 91: 1329–1334, 2004