bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Negotiating Sissyphobia: A Critical/Interpretive Analysis of One “Femme” Gay Asian Body in the Heteronormative World
Authors: Eguchi Shinsuke
Published: March 2011

A selection of literature suggests that gay Asian men are considered unattractive and undesirable, because they are socially positioned as “feminine” in the gendered hierarchy of White centered hegemonic masculinity among gay men. However, the author questions why the discourse of oppression is the only way to interpret performative aspects of gay Asian cultural identity constructions in this multicultural and globalized era. In identifying with such labeling, he perceives multiple “realities” of performative aspects of its cultural identity constructions, since the perception of Asians in the West has been in constant change. Thus, this analysis utilizes performance autoethnography to explicate the author's personal text; the process of negotiating performative aspects of gay Asian cultural identity construction in the heteronormative world.
Contrast Effects of Stereotypes: “Nurturing” Male Professors are Evaluated More Positively Than “Nurturing” Female Professors
Authors: Meltzer Andrea L. , McNulty James K.
Published: March 2011

The stereotype that men are less nurturing than women frequently leads people to evaluate men less favorably than they evaluate equivalent women in situations that require nurturance and care. Nevertheless, theories of expectancy-violation suggest that such stereotypes may lead people to evaluate men who are unambiguously nurturing in such situations more positively than they evaluate equivalent women. Consistent with predictions, participants evaluated a hypothetical male professor who was described as “particularly nurturing” more favorably than they evaluated an equivalent female professor. This finding suggests that negative stereotypes do not always lead to less favorable evaluations; rather, negative stereotypes that are violated by unambiguous information can lead to more favorable evaluations through contrast effects.
Concerns with Men's Academic Motivation in Higher Education: An Exploratory Investigation of the Role of Masculinity
Authors: Kahn Jack S. , Brett Benjamin L. , Holmes Jessica R.
Published: March 2011

In the last twenty years, research has indicated that men as a social group are experiencing disproportionate difficulties in higher education. Typically, these problems have been addressed by investigating men as a homogenous sex, rather than employing gender awareness approaches that try to understand how the meaning of masculinity impacts motivation in higher education. This study was specifically interested in the relationship between conformity to masculine norms and academic motivation. Using exploratory canonical correlation analysis, two significant functions were revealed. The first, demonstrated that as conformity to masculine norms predictor variables: primacy of work decreases and playboy and violence increase, three types of intrinsic motivation decrease. The second function indicated that as conformity to masculine norms predictor variables emotional control, disdain for homosexuality, self-reliance, and winning decrease, two intrinsic motivation scores increase. Suggestions are given for further research in this area.
Randomized controlled trial of percutaneous vertebroplasty versus optimal medical management for the relief of pain and disability in acute osteoporotic vertebral compression fractures
Authors: Farrokhi Majid Reza , Alibai Ehsanali , Maghami Zohre
Published: March 2011

Object

Osteoporotic vertebral compression fractures (VCFs) are a major cause of increased morbidity in older patients. This randomized controlled trial compared the efficacy of percutaneous vertebroplasty (PV) versus optimal medical therapy (OMT) in controlling pain and improving the quality of life (QOL) in patients with VCFs. Efficacy was measured as the incidence of new vertebral fractures after PV, restoration of vertebral body height (VBH), and correction of deformity.

Methods

Of 105 patients with acute osteoporotic VCFs, 82 were eligible for participation: 40 patients underwent PV and 42 received OMT. Primary outcomes were control of pain and improvement in QOL before treatment, and these were measured at 1 week and at 2, 6, 12, 24, and 36 months after the beginning of the treatment. Radiological evaluation to measure VBH and sagittal index was performed before and after treatment in both groups and after 36 months of follow-up.

Results

The authors found a statistically significant improvement in pain in the PV group compared with the OMT group at 1 week (difference −3.1, 95% CI −3.72 to −2.28; p < 0.001). The QOL improved significantly in the PV group (difference −14, 95% CI −15 to −12.82; p < 0.028). One week after PV, the average VBH restoration was 8 mm and the correction of deformity was 8°. The incidence of new fractures in the OMT group (13.3%) was higher than in the PV group (2.2%; p < 0.01).

Conclusions

The PV group had statistically significant improvements in visual analog scale and QOL scores maintained over 24 months, improved VBH maintained over 36 months, and fewer adjacent-level fractures compared with the OMT group.
Three-dimensional somatotopic organization and probabilistic mapping of motor responses from the human internal capsule
Authors: Duerden Emma G. , Finnis Kirk W. , Peters Terry M. , Sadikot Abbas F.
Published: March 2011

Object

The somatotopic organization of the motor fibers within the posterior limb of the internal capsule (IC) in humans remains unclear. Several electrophysiological atlases created from stimulation during stereotactic neurosurgery have suggested that there is considerable overlap between representations of body parts. Overlap reported in these studies may have been due to linear scaling methods applied to the data that were unable to account for individual anatomical variability. In the current work, the authors attempted to overcome these limitations by using a nonlinear registration technique to better understand the spatial location and extent of the body-part representations in the IC.

Methods

Data were acquired during 30 cases of deep brain neurosurgery in which the IC was electrically stimulated to localize the ventrolateral nucleus for a subsequent thalamotomy or implantation of a thalamic deep brain stimulator. Motor responses from the tongue, face, arm, or leg were evoked in the IC and coded in the patient's native MR imaging space. The tagged MR images were then nonlinearly registered to a high-resolution template MR image. This work resulted in a functional electrophysiological atlas demonstrating the locations of body-part representations in the posterior limb of the IC that takes individual anatomical variability into account. To further understand the spatial location and extent of the motor responses, the electrophysiological data points were transformed into 3D probability maps that describe the likelihood of obtaining motor responses in the posterior limb of the IC.

Results

The analyses suggest a reliable face-anterior, arm-intermediate, and leg-posterior somatotopic organization in the posterior limb of the IC with little overlap between the body-part representations.

Conclusions

This probabilistic atlas of functional responses evoked by stimulating the posterior limb of the IC provides better understanding of the anatomical organization of descending motor fibers, can be used for indirect intraoperative confirmation of the location of the ventrolateral thalamus, and is applicable to clinical and research MR imaging studies requiring information on spatial organization of motor fibers at the thalamic level in the human brain.
Outcomes after incidental durotomy during first-time lumbar discectomy
Authors: Desai Atman , Ball Perry A. , Bekelis Kimon , Lurie Jon D. , Mirza Sohail K. , Tosteson Tor D. , Weinstein James N.
Published: March 2011

Object

Incidental durotomy is an infrequent but well-recognized complication during lumbar disc surgery. The effect of a durotomy on long-term outcomes is, however, controversial. The authors sought to examine whether the occurrence of durotomy during surgery impacts long-term clinical outcome.

Methods

Spine Patient Outcomes Research Trial (SPORT) participants who had a confirmed diagnosis of intervertebral disc herniation and were undergoing standard first-time open discectomy were followed up at 6 weeks and at 3, 6, and 12 months after surgery and annually thereafter at 13 spine clinics in 11 US states. Patient data from this prospectively gathered database were reviewed. As of May 2009, the mean (± SD) duration of follow-up among all of the intervertebral disc herniation patients whose data were analyzed was 41.5 ± 14.5 months (41.4 months in those with no durotomy vs 40.2 months in those with durotomy, p < 0.68). The median duration of follow-up among all of these patients was 47 months (range 1–95 months).

Results

A total of 799 patients underwent first-time lumbar discectomy. There was an incidental durotomy in 25 (3.1%) of these cases. There were no significant differences between the durotomy and no-durotomy groups with respect to age, sex, race, body mass index, herniation level or type, or the prevalence of smoking, diabetes, or hypertension. When outcome differences between the groups were analyzed, the durotomy group was found to have significantly increased operative duration, operative blood loss, and length of inpatient stay. However, there were no significant differences in incidence rates for nerve root injury, postoperative mortality, additional surgeries, or SF-36 scores for Bodily Pain or Physical Function, or Oswestry Disability Index scores at 1, 2, 3, or 4 years.

Conclusions

Incidental durotomy during first-time lumbar discectomy does not appear to impact long-term outcome in affected patients.
Subthalamic nucleus stimulation for Parkinson disease with severe medication-induced hallucinations or delusions
Authors: Umemura Atsushi , Oka Yuichi , Okita Kenji , Matsukawa Noriyuki , Yamada Kazuo
Published: March 2011

Object

Subthalamic nucleus deep brain stimulation (STN DBS) improves cardinal motor symptoms of Parkinson disease (PD) and reduces antiparkinsonian medication. Therefore, STN DBS seems to be well indicated for patients suffering from medication-induced psychotic symptoms. However, there are few available data dealing with the effect of STN DBS in this kind of patient. The authors studied the effect of STN DBS in patients with PD and severe medication-induced hallucinations or delusions.

Methods

The authors retrospectively reviewed the clinical course of 10 patients who suffered from severe medication-induced hallucinations or delusions and underwent bilateral STN DBS. Patients whose preoperative thought disorder score (Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale Part I, item 2) was 3 or more were enrolled in this study. All patients underwent cognitive function examination and brain perfusion SPECT preoperatively to exclude dementia with Lewy bodies.

Results

Subthalamic nucleus DBS yielded significant improvement of motor function in all patients. In 8 patients, psychotic symptoms completely disappeared with significant reduction of dopaminergic medication. In 2 patients, hallucinations and delusions deteriorated immediately after surgery despite complete withdrawal of antiparkinsonian medication. However, these psychotic symptoms completely disappeared after a few months with administration of antipsychotics, and no recurrence was observed afterward in either patient.

Conclusions

Subthalamic nucleus DBS is a good treatment option for patients with PD who are suffering severe medication-induced hallucinations or delusion. However, vigilance is needed, because temporary deterioration of psychotic symptoms may occur after surgery.
Entropy Measures vs. Kolmogorov Complexity
Authors: Teixeira Andreia , Matos Armando , Souto André , Antunes Luís
Published: March 2011

Kolmogorov complexity and Shannon entropy are conceptually different measures. However, for any recursive probability distribution, the expected value of Kolmogorov complexity equals its Shannon entropy, up to a constant. We study if a similar relationship holds for R´enyi and Tsallis entropies of order α, showing that it only holds for α = 1. Regarding a time-bounded analogue relationship, we show that, for some distributions we have a similar result. We prove that, for universal time-bounded distribution mt(x), Tsallis and Rényi entropies converge if and only if α is greater than 1. We also establish the uniform continuity of these entropies.
In-Vitro Antibacterial Properties of Crude Aqueous and n-Hexane Extracts of the Husk of Cocos nucifera
Authors: Akinyele Taiwo Adesola , Okoh Omobola Oluranti , Akinpelu David Ayinde , Okoh Anthony Ifeanyi
Published: March 2011

The increasing numbers of cases of antibiotic resistance among pathogenic bacteria such as Vibrio species poses a major problem to the food and aquaculture industries, as most antibiotics are no longer effective in controlling pathogenic bacteria affecting these industries. Therefore, this study was carried out to assess the antibacterial potentials of crude aqueous and n-hexane extracts of the husk of Cocos nucifera against some selected Vibrio species and other bacterial pathogens including those normally implicated in food and wound infections. The crude extracts were screened against forty-five strains of Vibrio pathogens and twenty-five other bacteria isolates made up of ten Gram positive and fifteen Gram negative bacteria. The aqueous extract was active against 17 of the tested bacterial and 37 of the Vibrio isolates; while the n-hexane extract showed antimicrobial activity against 21 of the test bacteria and 38 of the test Vibrio species. The minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) of the aqueous and n-hexane extracts against the susceptible bacteria ranged between 0.6–5.0 mg/mL and 0.3–5.0 mg/mL respectively, while the time kill study result for the aqueous extract ranged between 0.12 Log10 and 4.2 Log10 cfu/mL after 8 hours interaction in 1 × MIC and 2 × MIC. For the n-hexane extract, the log reduction ranged between 0.56 Log10 and 6.4 Log10 cfu/mL after 8 hours interaction in 1 × MIC and 2 × MIC. This study revealed the huge potential of C. nucifera extracts as alternative therapies against microbial infections.
Multi-Hop Routing-Based Optimization of the Number of Cluster-Heads in Wireless Sensor Networks
Authors: Nam Choon Sung , Han Young Shin , Shin Dong Ryeol
Published: March 2011

Wireless sensor networks require energy-efficient data transmission because the sensor nodes have limited power. A cluster-based routing method is more energy-efficient than a flat routing method as it can only send specific data for user requirements and aggregate similar data by dividing a network into a local cluster. However, previous clustering algorithms have some problems in that the transmission radius of sensor nodes is not realistic and multi-hop based communication is not used both inside and outside local clusters. As energy consumption based on clustering is dependent on the number of clusters, we need to know how many clusters are best. Thus, we propose an optimal number of cluster-heads based on multi-hop routing in wireless sensor networks. We observe that a local cluster made by a cluster-head influences the energy consumption of sensor nodes. We determined an equation for the number of packets to send and relay, and calculated the energy consumption of sensor networks using it. Through the process of calculating the energy consumption, we can obtain the optimal number of cluster-heads in wireless sensor networks.
Ouverture d'une rencontre
Authors: Ben Bachir Nourredine
Published: March 2011

Résumé L’auteur reprend l’introduction qu’il avait prononcée à Annecy en insistant sur la dimension de rencontre transférentielle entre l’analyste et le texte. De celle-ci surgissent des transformations témoignant des qualités inconscientes du texte dont les résonances chez le lecteur entraînent, au gré de la lecture, de véritables transformations psychiques. Au sein de la séance, mais aussi dans l’incessante construction de l’identité d’analyste, les textes littéraires se muent en véritables objets analytiques, parfois capables de fournir des concepts fondamentaux, à l’instar du complexe d’Œdipe issu de la pièce éponyme de Sophocle.
« Je or vent paix-là ». Un vers mallarméen de Césaire
Authors: Suréna Guillaume
Published: March 2011

Résumé Aimé Césaire, en compagnie de Hamlet, est un compagnon d’auto-analyse. En le rencontrant de temps en temps, j’ai toujours perçu sa volonté d’accéder à toutes les réalités inconscientes de la psyché. Prisonnier du coup de dés de la conscience coloniale, il a fait revenir à la conscience le crime perpétré contre nous et nous a sommé de penser « par nous-même » et « pour nous-même ». Je retrouve dans sa poésie les préoccupations de la psychanalyse freudienne : « le traumatisme d’être né », « le clivage du Moi », « la sexualité » et « le travail du deuil » …
« My idiotic book »
Authors: Poulain-Colombier Jacquelyne
Published: March 2011

Résumé Un Mémoire du Temps À Venir est basé sur une technique d’écriture qui incite le lecteur à apprendre d’une nouvelle expérience. Le modèle contrapuntique est proposé pour contenir le mouvement émotionnel de la multivalence et de la combinaison des thèmes et des voix. L’odyssée humaine qu’est le Mémoire , avec sa « science-fiction » d’un dialogue des parties prénatales et postnatales, intéresse aujourd’hui aussi bien des astrophysiciens, des chercheurs en néonatalité que des psychanalystes. Différents vertices sont mis en présence dont le représentant n’opère pas de la même façon dans la culture. La version de Bion, différente de celle de Freud, de l’intervention de P. A. dans le travail de culture est, à l’ère du « Saint Orgueil de notre civilisation », l’ordinateur et l’anthropotechnique, sans équivalent, car elle touche le « Saint Orgueil » lui-même.
A Brief History of IL-9
Authors: Goswami Ritobrata , Kaplan Mark H.
Published: March 2011

IL-9 was first described in the late 1980s as a member of a growing number of cytokines that had pleiotropic functions in the immune system. Although many biological functions have been attributed to IL-9, it remains an understudied cytokine. A resurgence of interest in IL-9 has been spurred by recent work demonstrating a role for IL-9 in regulating inflammatory immunity and defining the transcription factors that activate the Il9 gene in cells that most efficiently produce IL-9. In this review, we summarize the characterization of IL-9 biological activities, highlight roles for the cytokine that are clearly defined, and outline questions regarding IL-9 functions that still require further exploration.
Complete Families of Linearly Non-degenerate Rational Curves
Authors: DeLand Matthew
Published: March 2011

We prove that every complete family of linearly non-degenerate rational curves of degree e > 2 in ℙn has atmost n–1 moduli. For e = 2 we prove that such a family has at most n moduli. The general method involves exhibiting a map from the base of a family X to the Grassmannian of e-planes in ℙn and analyzing the resulting map on cohomology.
Mixed Norm Type Hardy Inequalities
Authors: Fiorenza Alberto , Gupta Babita , Jain Pankaj
Published: March 2011

Higher dimensional mixed norm type inequalities involving certain integral operators are characterized in terms of the corresponding lower dimensional inequalities.
2-Local Isometries on Spaces of Lipschitz Functions
Authors: Jiménez-Vargas A. , Villegas-Vallecillos Moisés
Published: March 2011

Let (X, d) be a metric space, and let Lip(X) denote the Banach space of all scalar-valued bounded Lipschitz functions ƒ on X endowed with one of the natural norms

where L(ƒ) is the Lipschitz constant of ƒ. It is said that the isometry group of Lip(X) is canonical if every surjective linear isometry of Lip(X) is induced by a surjective isometry of X. In this paper we prove that if X is bounded separable and the isometry group of Lip(X) is canonical, then every 2-local isometry of Lip(X) is a surjective linear isometry. Furthermore, we give a complete description of all 2-local isometries of Lip(X) when X is bounded.
Posthumous Reproduction and Its Legal Perspective
Authors: Ahluwalia Usha , Arora Mala
Published: March 2011

Assisted reproductive techniques allow us to use donated and cryopreserved gametes posthumously. This can pose legal issues, such as legitimacy of the child born, inheritance rights of the child, and life long psychosocial implications. The law in different countries takes a varied stand on it. Posthumous use of gametes must abide by the law of the land. A valid consent of the deceased is required. Mourning period of at least one year should be allowed prior to embarking on ART procedures on the surviving partner. The law regarding legitimacy of the child born after death or divorce of a spouse needs amendment. The psychological development of these children needs to be studied by long-term studies.
Unsuspected Acquired Hemophilia in a Patient with Severe Postpartum Hemorrhage
Authors: Pujar Yeshita V , Sherigar Bhavana Y , Patted Shobhana , Desai BR , Ruge Jayashree
Published: March 2011

A 24-year-old healthy multigravid patient developed postpartum hemorrhage 3 days post normal delivery. She underwent curettage × 3 followed by laparotomy and hysterectomy. Postoperatively she developed a subrectus hematoma that required laparotomy and drainage. Persistent bleeding per vaginum prompted a third laparotomy for internal iliac ligation, which could not be carried out due to massive retroperitoneal hematoma. She received multiple transfusions of blood and blood products. Her APTT was prolonged but DIC screen was negative. Prolonged APTT was not corrected by addition of normal plasma. This pointed to autoantibodies to factor VIII. She responded to immunosuppression with prednisolone and cyclophosphamide.
Community Organizing in Public Archaeology: Coalitions for the Preservation of a Hidden History in Florida
Authors: Baram Uzi
Published: March 2011

Looking for Angola, an interdisciplinary research project seeking material remains of an early nineteenth-century maroon community, has faced the challenges of locating archaeological remains in an urban environment. Public outreach and community involvement in Bradenton, Florida since 2004 has intersected with public archaeology as applied anthropology, service learning, and civic engagement.  The role of the archaeologist in these types of endeavors deserves continuing attention, and community organizing as inspired by Saul Alinsky is offered as a possibility in light of one of the survey areas facing development that threatened the homes of its residents, historic structures, and the archaeological record.  Community organizing is relevant for the continuing concerns in public archaeology for conservation, preservation, and collaborative commemoration of the past.
Saving Eighteenth-Century New Smyrnea: Public Archaeology in Action
Authors: Grange Roger
Published: March 2011

During the British Period in Florida the New Smyrnea settlement (1768-1777) was part of the British effort to populate East Florida. The settlement pattern of modern New Smyrna Beach overlaps that of eighteenth-century New Smyrnea creating a complex setting for historical and archaeological research. This paper reviews the efforts of local citizen volunteers, historians, archaeologists, and civic officials to recover part of their city’s heritage through archaeology and historical research. City, county, state, national, and international levels have been involved. Some sites have been excavated, others have been lost, and some have been preserved during the past decade and the future will bring many more challenges.
‘Impudent Lies’: Rhetoric and Reality in Wartime Heritage Protection, 1943-2003
Authors: Moshenska Gabriel
Published: March 2011

This paper offers a historical perspective on the current debates about the protection of museums, heritage and archaeological sites during warfare or civil conflict. Mortimer Wheeler’s experiences of heritage destruction in North Africa during the Second World War, despite government promises of protection, demonstrate striking parallels with events and debates following the 2003 invasion of Iraq. A comparison between these two episodes highlights a common political duplicity and disdain for heritage issues in wartime. This failure of formal mechanisms of heritage protection highlights the vital importance of heritage professionals maintaining international contact networks, even between combatant nations, to monitor and report threats to archaeological sites and museums.
Organocatalytic Multiple Cascade Reactions: A New Strategy for the Construction of Enantioenriched Tetrahydrocarbazoles
Authors: Cao Yi‐Ju , Cheng Hong‐Gang , Lu Liang‐Qiu , Zhang Ji‐Ji , Cheng Ying , Chen Jia‐Rong , Xiao Wen‐Jing
Published: March 2011

A novel cascade Friedel–Crafts alkylation/Michael addition/aromatization reaction of 2‐vinylindoles with α,β‐unsaturated aldehydes has been developed for the construction of functionalized tetrahydrocarbazoles. The products were obtained in up to 97% yield and with excellent stereoselectivities (ee up to>99%, dr up to>99:1).
Impact of prophylactic percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy on malnutrition and quality of life in patients with head and neck cancer — a randomized study
Authors: Silander Ewa , Nyman Jan , Bove Mogens , Johansson Leif , Larsson Sven , Hammerlid Eva
Published: March 2011

Background

The purpose of this randomized study was to examine if a prophylactic percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG) for enteral nutrition could prevent malnutrition, reduce hospital stay, and improve health‐related quality of life (HRQOL).

Methods

One hundred thirty‐four patients with advanced head and neck cancer were randomized to either prophylactic PEG (study group) or clinical praxis (control group). Patients' weight, body mass index (BMI), need for hospitalization, and HRQOL were noted at 7 occasions during 2 years.

Results

No difference in hospital stay was found. After 6 months, HRQOL was significantly better and the weight loss was significantly less in the study group. The number of malnourished patients were consistently about 10% lower in the study group during the first study year. The study group started to use enteral feeding significantly earlier and for a significantly longer time period (p < .0001).

Conclusion

Prophylactic PEG was associated with significantly earlier start and longer use of enteral nutrition, fewer malnourished patients over time, and improved HRQOL at 6 months posttreatment start. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Head Neck, 2012
Effect of leukotriene receptor antagonists on lung fibrosis in rats
Authors: Shaker Olfat G. , Sourour Doaa A.
Published: March 2011

To compare the effects of montelukast, prednisone and the combination of both drugs in a rat model of bleomycin‐induced lung fibrosis. Rats, injected intravenously with bleomycin daily for five consecutive days, were treated with either montelukast, prednisone or a combination of both drugs orally daily for 35 days starting 14 days after the commencement of the first dose of bleomycin. Montelukast‐treated rats showed reduction in collagen deposition by 29% and significant reduction in lung hydroxyproline content by 32%. Prednisone produced nonsignificant difference in collagen deposition and in lung hydroxyproline content compared with the bleomycin group. There was also a significant reduction in collagen deposition and hydroxyproline content in montelukast and prednisone treated rats by 15 and 17%, respectively, compared with bleomycin group. A significant reduction occurred in the mean area percentage of myofibroblast α smooth muscle actin in montelukast and montelukast and prednisone‐treated groups by 41 and 37%, respectively, with nonsignificant difference in prednisone‐treated rats as compared with the bleomycin group. Montelukast may be therapeutically effective for inhibiting further progression of lung fibrosis through inhibition of α‐SMA positive myofibroblasts. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Trabecular bone texture detected by plain radiography and variance orientation transform method is different between knees with and without cartilage defects
Authors: Wolski Marcin , Stachowiak Gwidon W. , Dempsey Alasdair R. , Mills Peter M. , Cicuttini Flavia M. , Wang Yuanyuan , Stoffel Karl K. , Lloyd David G. , Podsiadlo Pawel
Published: March 2011

The objective of this work is to evaluate differences in trabecular bone (TB) texture between subjects with and without tibiofemoral cartilage defects using a variance orientation transform (VOT) method. A case–control study was performed in subjects without radiographic knee osteoarthritis (OA) (K&L grade <2) matched on sex, BMI, age, knee compartment, and meniscectomy where cases (n = 28) had cartilage defects (grade ≥2) and controls (n = 28) had no cartilage defects (grade <2). Cartilage defects were assessed from MRI using validated methods. The VOT was applied to TB regions selected on medial and lateral compartments in knee X‐rays and fractal signatures (FS) in the horizontal (FSH) and vertical (FSV) directions, and along the roughest part of TB (FSSta) and texture aspect ratio signatures (StrS), at different trabecular image sizes (0.30–0.70 mm) were calculated. Compared with controls, FSV for cases were higher (p < 0.011) at image sizes 0.30–0.40 mm and 0.45–0.55 mm in the medial compartment. In the lateral compartment, FSH and FSSta for cases were higher (p < 0.028) than those for controls at 0.30–0.40 mm and 0.45–0.55 mm, while FSV was higher (p < 0.02) at 0.30–0.40 mm. TB texture roughness was greater in subjects with cartilage defects than in subjects without, suggesting thinning and fenestration of TB occur early in OA and that the VOT identifies changes in TB in knees with early cartilage damage. No differences in StrS (p > 0.05) were found. © 2011 Orthopaedic Research Society Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Orthop Res 29: 1161–1167, 2011
Multiplicity of active centres in the cationic polymerization of p‐methoxystyrene
Authors: Sauvet G. , Moreau M. , Sigwalt P.
Published: March 2011

A common ion salt effect on the propagation rate constant was studied in the cationic polymerization of p‐methoxystyrene initiated by Ph3C+SbCl−6 in CH2Cl2 at + 10°C. The polymodal molecular weight distribution of the polymers was resolved into four distinct populations, of which three are formed simultaneously at the beginning of the reaction. Influences of conversion, temperature, initial monomer concentration, degree of dissociation of the active centres and composition of solvent mixtures on the proportions of the three populations led to their attribution to three types of slowly exchanging propagating species. From most reactive to least reactive, the species are: 1) monomer‐solvated cations (free ions and ion pairs); 2) dichloromethane‐solvated cations (free ions and ion pairs); 3) polymer‐solvated free cations (intramolecular interaction between the delocalized carbocation and the aromatic ring of the penultimate unit) in equilibrium with contact ion pairs. Absolute propagation rate constants were estimated for each species. Equilibria shifted towards the most reactive species at low temperature, which explains the apparent negative activation energy previously observed.
Oligomers as initiators of free radical polymerization
Authors: Braun Dietrich
Published: March 2011

Methyl methacrylate, benzyl methacrylate, butyl methacrylate, and methacrylic acid can be polymerized by 1, 2, 2‐tetraphenyl‐1, 2‐diphenoxyethane (TPPA), 1, 1, 2, 2‐tetraphenyl‐1, 2‐bis‐(trimethylsiloxy) ethane (TPSA), and 1, 1, 2, 2‐tetraphenyl‐1, 2‐dicyanoethane (TPCA) (1–3). The polymerization with these initiators is characterized by three steps; in the first period oligomers from MMA and initiator radicals are formed by primary radical termination.
Thermotropic mesophases in linear polysiloxanes
Authors: Godovsky Yuli K. , Papkov Vladimir S.
Published: March 2011

Flexible linear polysiloxanes with inorganic backbones such as poly(diethylsiloxane) and poly‐(dipropylsiloxane) contain no traditional mesogenic groups neither in the main chain nor in side chains and, nevertheless, they are able to form thermotropic mesophases. Recent developments in the study of thermodynamics, kinetics, structure and morphology of these mesophase polymers are considered. The temperature interval of existence of the mesophase is strongly dependent on the length of side radicals and molecular weight. These dependences are examined in detail. X‐ray structure and the optical textures seen in the polarizing microscope are discussed. It is shown that large mesophase lamellae represent a very characteristic feature of the morphology of poly(diethylsiloxane). The linear growth rate of the lamellae and the overall calorimetric kinetics of the mesophase formation have been studied at various temperatures and the results obtained have been analyzed using the Avrami equation and the kinetic theory of the linear growth. As a result of the kinetic analysis two‐dimensional growth has been suggested in accordance with the microscopic observation. The formation of the mesophase in slightly crosslinked poly(diethylsiloxane) samples can be initiated by stretching. The stress‐strain and thermomechanic (deformation calorimetry data) behaviour of such samples is briefly discussed.
Elastomer‐modified epoxies and their utility in composities ‐ a review
Authors: Siebert Alan R.
Published: March 2011

The concept of modifying epoxy resins with carboxyl‐reactive butadiene‐acrylonitrile liquid and solid elastomers has been extensively documented in the last 10–15 years in the open literature. Review articles by this author and R. S. Drake have appeared over the last 10 years describing this work. More recently, amine‐reactive butadiene‐acrylonitrile liquid copolymers were developed as modifiers for two part epoxy systems under ambient or slightly elevated temperature cure conditions. Much of the work described in the open literature centers on the mechanisms by which these two‐phase systems work and their utility in structural adhesives. However, these modified epoxies also find utility as matrix resins in composites. This paper will be a review of the open journal and patent literature on the use of the carboxyl and amine‐reactive elastomer‐modified epoxies as matrix resins for composites. It will deal with the theoretical aspects of that work as well as describing and showing practical composite applications for these systems.
Fracto‐emission from neat epoxy resin
Authors: Dickinson J. T. , Jensen L. C. , Bhattacharya S. K.
Published: March 2011

Fracto‐emission is the emission of particles (e.g. electrons, photons, ions, neutral species) due to crack growth in materials. These emissions can be related to a number of fracture related phenomena including microcracking, crack speed of dynamic crack growth, locus of fracture (in filled materials), and potentially the extent of crack branching. Here, we examine the emission of electrons, positive ions, and photons during and following the fracture of a neat epoxy resin subjected to tensile and tensile impact loading in vacuum. Experiments which detect correlations of crack tip position and emission intensity show that the emissions occur during and following fracture. We also illustrate that observed variations of the fracture surface morphology under different loading conditions correlated with characteristics of the photon and charged particle emission. For example, regions of the surface exhibiting the highest degree of surface roughness resulted in more intense emission.
Acceleration mechanisms in curing reactions involving model systems
Authors: Fedtke Manfred
Published: March 2011

The mechanisms involving some of the most common accelerators in the curing reactions of epoxy resins have been investigated by use of model systems. Phenyl glycidyl ether was used as a model compound. The characterization of the reaction products was mainly carried out by High‐Performance‐Liquid‐Chromatography and by preparative methods. Special attention was paid to the oligomerization reactions of the oxirane ring in the presence of tertiary amines. Three different types of oligomers depending on phenyl glycidyl ethers are discussed. The mechanisms of multifunctional accelerators such as imidazoles or phenol‐MANNICH‐base‐compounds are much more difficult. The extraordinary interaction of imidazoles depends on the formation of different oligomers. Furthermore, the cleavage of the imidazole ring was observed. It is possible that the glycidyl ether oligomerization plays an important role in understanding the network structure. Some aspects of the accelerating effect of tertiary amines in the curing of glycidyl ethers with acid anhydrides were likewise discussed. The results obtained using these model reactions may be applied to influence the curing process in commercial epoxy resin systems.
Molecular weight determination by the small‐angle scattering method without using absolute intensities and contrast
Authors: Pleštil Josef
Published: March 2011

A procedure for the molecular weight determination from small‐angle data on a relative scale without knowledge of contrast has been suggested. The contrast may be determined from measurements of scattering curves using at least two concentrations of the dispersed compound. With absolute intensities the method yields the value of excess scattering amplitude. The procedure is applied to the recently published scattering data on bovine serum albumin.
High performance liquid chromatography of glycoconjugates
Authors: El Rassi Ziad , Truei Yunghuoy , Horváth Csaba
Published: March 2011

Stationary phases were prepared for the analytical and micropreparative high performance affinity chromatography of carbohydrates and glycoproteins by covalent attachment of lectins and certain biogenic amines to the surface of microparticulate, macroporous diol‐silica. Columns packed with immobilized concanavalin A or wheat germ agglutinin afforded rapid separation of both glycoproteins and low molecular weight carbohydrates. The combined use of the two lectins in a mixed bed column or in two columns in series by sequential elution with the appropriate haptenic sugars facilitated the separation of mixtures having a broad range of complex carbohydrates. Chromatographic experiments for the study of the interaction of certain biogenic amines with immobilized glycoproteins used as the stationary phase led to the development of siliceous bonded phases with serotonin, tryptamine or phenylpropanolamine ligates. The sorbents thus obtained were mildly hydrophobic and cationic in contact with eluents of pH 8 or less. They were used for the separation of various carbohydrates; in addition they also proved effective for the separation of protein mixtures under conditions similar to those customarily employed in electrostatic or hydrophobic interaction chromatography.
Development of microbiosensors
Authors: Karube Isao
Published: March 2011

Semiconductor fabrication technology was used for development of ion sensitive field effect transistor (ISFET) and micro‐electrodes which have been utilized as transducers of enzyme‐based microbiosensors. A urea sensor consisted of two ISFETs; one ISFET is urease‐coated ISFET and the other ISFET is reference ISFET. A linear relationship was obtained between the initial rate of voltage change and the logarithm of urea concentration over the range 1.3 to 16.7 mM. ATP and hypoxanthine sensors were also developed utilizing ISFET as a transducer. Furthermore, microelectrodes such as hydrogen peroxide and oxygen sensors were prepared by the silicone fabrication technology. A glucose sensor consisted of a hydrogen peroxide electrode and immobilized glucose oxidase membrane. A linear relationship was observed between the current increase and the concentration of glucose (1–100 mg dl−1). A microoxygen electrode was constructed from Au electrodes, polymer matrix containing alkaline electrolyte and a photocross‐linkable polymer membrane. This electrode was used as a transducer in microglucose sensor. A microglutamic acid sensor is also described.
Ablative photodecomposition and modification of polymer surfaces with the excimer laser radiation
Authors: Lazare S. , Granier V.
Published: March 2011

Ablative Photodecomposition of organic polymers, discovered by Srinivasan (IBM, USA) in 1982, is the object of intense research. This spontaneous ablation obtained by absorption of the high intensity, pulsed, far‐UV, radiation of the excimer laser allows micro‐ and submicroscopic etching of heat‐sensitive and soft materials (polymers and living tissue). Numerous applications are foreseen in various fields like microelectronics and microsurgery. Applications in basic research are also being developed. For instance, changes of the morphology of the surface by ablation give information on the microstructure in poly(ethylene terephthalate) films. The present status of the mechanism is described.
Ultrasonically controlled polymeric drug delivery
Authors: Kost J. , Leong K. , Langer R.
Published: March 2011

The area of polymeric controlled drug delivery systems has been a field of increasing interest. However, relatively little attention has been given to developing systems in which the rate of delivery can be manipulated externally. We now report that release rates of biologically active substances from a polymeric matrix can be repeatedly modulated from a position external to the environment of use by ultrasonic energy. The ultrasound affects the degradation rate of bioerodible polymers as well as permeation through non‐erodible polymers. The system has been shown to be responsive in vivo. Skin histopathology of the ultrasound treated area didn't reveal any differences between the treated skin and the untreated controls.
Synthesis, characterization and recent developments of liquid crystalline polymers
Authors: Noël C.
Published: March 2011

Recent developments of polymer liquid crystals (PLCs) are reviewed. The virial expansion method of Onsager and the lattice model used by Flory to appreciate the most relevant parameters in establishing mesomorphic behavior in polymeric systems are presented. These and other theoretical predictions are confirmed by numerous experiments. Both lyotropic (polymer solutions) and thermotropic (polymer melts) types of PLCs are considered with emphasis placed on the latter. The general properties of mesophases formed by such polymers are surveyed and some chemical structures capable of producing mesophases are classified in relation to their ability to form lyotropic and thermotropic systems. The synthetic routes, the effects of polymer structure on physical properties, and applications of two major classes of lyotropic systems (polypeptides, polyamides) and of a range of potentially important thermotropic polymers are discussed.
Ageing, weathering and stabilisation of polymers
Authors: Scott Gerald
Published: March 2011

The common chemical basis of thermal ageing and weathering are outlined, and the mechanisms of antioxidant action which follow from thermal and photo‐oxidation are discussed. The physical behaviour of antioxidants and stabilisers in polymers is assuming increasing importance as the polymer environment becomes more aggressive, and the rationale for the development of polymer‐bound antioxidants is discussed.
Microscopic FT‐IR analysis of blends from functionalized polyolefins and poly(vinyl chloride) or polystyrene
Authors: Benedetti E. , Galleschi F. , D'Alessio A. , Ruggeri G. , Aglietto M. , Ciardelli F. , Pracella M.
Published: March 2011

Binary mixtures consisting of ethylene‐propylene copolymer functionalized with diethyl maleate (FEP) and poly(vinyl chloride) or polystyrene have been studied by means of the microscope‐FT‐IR system. Parallel DSC measurements have been carried out on the functionalized ethylene‐propylene copolymer/poly(vinyl chloride) mixtures. Intermolecular interactions involving the carbonyl of the ester groups of the copolymer and the methin hydrogen of poly(vinyl chloride), through hydrogen bonding, have been evidenced in the various microareas of the samples. Intensity of these effects depends on composition in different domains of the blends. An increase of the gauche sequences with respect to the long and short trans sequences of poly‐(vinyl chloride) chains has been detected with increasing the content of FEP. The partial compatibility of FEP/poly (vinyl chloride) blends has been confirmed by DSC measurements.
Interpretation of micromechanical measurements on butyl acrylate, vinyl acetate based systems: Role of interfaces in “polymer‐polymer composites”
Authors: Cavaille J. Y. , Jourdan C. , Perez J. , Guillot J.
Published: March 2011

Films were obtained by coalescence of different types of latex particles; the purpose of this work was to get informations on the geometric arrangement (so called “morphology”) of the different phases and on the role of interfaces. Such informations are difficult to get by direct investigations (weak contrast in Transmission Electron Microscopy, poor information provided by X‐ray measurements on amorphous polymers …) the analysis of experimental data obtained in high resolution mechanical spectrometry appears powerful: it is possible, for instance, to estimate the profile gradient of composition at the interface. Comparison is made between the morphology of the different phases in some films and the correspondent structure of particles.
Influence of the catalyst system on the morphology, structure and conductivity of a new type of polyacetylene
Authors: Theophilou Nicolas , Naarmann Herbert
Published: March 2011

Different new catalysts based on transition metal compounds of groups IVb, Vb, VIb and VIIIb combined with a reducing agent such as: triethylaluminium and butyllithium in various solvents; toluene and silicone oil, were used for the polymerization of acetylene. By changing the catalyst, cocatalyst, solvent and polymerization conditions, a large variety of polyacetylenes were obtained. The polyacetylenes were characterized by SEM, FTIR and C13 NMR spectroscopies. Some of the new polymers were stretched mechanically and then doped with iodine. Thus highly conducting thick (20μm) and transparent films (0.1 μm) were obtained, with conductivities of 20000 ω−0.cm−1 and 8000 ω−1.cm−1, respectively.

After modification of the standard catalyst system (Ti(OC4H9) 4‐Al (C2H5) 3‐silicone oil) by the introduction of some additional reducing agents, conductivities as high as 120000 ω−1.cm−1, after elongation and iodine doping of the polymers, were reached.

In this paper we present also a comparative stability study of the new (CH)x films and powders.
Substituent positional variations and the lithographic properties of poly(methylstyrene‐CO‐chloromethylstyrene) resist systems
Authors: Griffiths Llŷr G. , Jones Richard G. , Brambley David R. , Tate Philip Miller
Published: March 2011

The lithographic performances of structurally different copolymers of methylstyrene (ortho‐, meta‐ and para‐isomers) and chloromethylstyrene (meta‐ and para‐isomers) have been assessed. Linear correlations of the data, based on Charlesby's theory of radiation‐induced crosslinking of polymers, demonstrate that sensitivity and contrast are functionally related for this system. Variation of the structure of the chloromethylstyrene component of the copolymers had little effect on the lithographic parameters, but the effect of structural variation of the methylstyrene component was pronounced, the order of increasing sensitivity being ortho < meta < para.