bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Synthesis of aliphatic polyesters by polycondensation using inorganic acid as catalyst
Authors: Sokolsky‐Papkov Marina , Langer Robert , Domb Abraham J.
Published: September 2009

An effective route for the synthesis of aliphatic polyesters made from adipic or sebacic acid and alkanediols, using inorganic acid as a catalyst is reported. The monomer composition, reaction time, catalyst type, and reaction conditions were optimized to yield polyesters with weight average molecular weights of 23,000 for adipic acid and 85,000 for sebacic acid‐based polyesters. The polymers melt at temperatures of 52–65°C and possess melt viscosity in the range of 5600–19,400cP. This route represents an alternative method for producing aliphatic polyesters for possible use in the preparation of degradable disposable medical supplies. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Preparation and characterization of PVDF microporous membrane with highly hydrophobic surface
Authors: Li Qian , Xu Zhen‐Liang , Liu Min
Published: September 2009

Using the mixture of triethyl phosphate (TEP) and N,N‐dimethylacetamide (DMAc) as solvent, PVDF microporous membranes with highly hydrophobic surface were prepared by a modified NIPS method with a dual coagulation process. The effects of the exposure time on these membranes before being immersed into the coagulation bath and the composition in the coagulation bath on precipitation rate, membrane morphology, membrane hydrophobicity, membrane mechanical property, and membrane performance were studied. The morphologies and hydrophobicities of PVDF microporous membranes were investigated by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and contact angle (CA) measurement. The precipitation processes were observed by light transmittance measurement. The pore size distribution was determined by liquid permeation technique. PVDF microporous membrane obtained by passing evaporation period of 60 min before being immersed into the water bath showed a high water CA of 122.1°. Using ethanol (EtOH) as coagulation bath, the water CAs of the top surface and bottom surface of the membrane increased to 125.9 and 132.6°, respectively. To further improve PVDF membrane hydrophobicity, a dual coagulation process was used and the mixed solvent (TEP–DMAc) was added into the first coagulation bath for 30 sec. Increase in the TEP–DMAc content led to the change in the morphology type of the membrane, that is, from an asymmetric structure with a dense top surface to a symmetric structure with a skinless top surface, and the pore size distribution widened greatly. By increasing the mass ratio of TEP to DMAc, the denseness of the membrane surface decreased significantly. Adding 60 wt% of TEP–DMAc to the first coagulation bath and the mass ratio of TEP to DMAc was 60:40, the CA reached to a maximum as high as 136.6°, and PVDF microporous membrane showed a high porosity of 80% and an excellent mechanical property of 3.14 MPa tensile strength and 61.79% elongation ratio. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
A new elaboration concept of polypropylene/unmodified Montmorillonite nanocomposites by reactive extrusion based on direct injection of polypropylene aqueous suspensions
Authors: Aloui M. , Soulestin J. , Lacrampe M.‐F. , Krawczak P. , Rousseaux D. , Marchand‐Brynaert J. , Devaux J. , Quiévy N. , Sclavons M.
Published: September 2009

Nanocomposites based on polypropylene (PP) and unmodified Montmorillonite were prepared using a novel elaboration route based on a water‐assisted extrusion process. Unmodified Montmorillonite, high shear compounding together with injection of aqueous suspension and reactive processing technology were used. Different aqueous suspensions containing cationic or anionic surfactants, and a compatibilizer (PP‐g‐MA) were injected during extrusion to promote clay dispersion. For a comparison purpose, a commercial PP/clay masterbatch was melt mixed to PP. Structural, morphological, and rheological characterizations indicate clearly that the cationic suspensions ease the dispersion of clay platelets in the PP matrix. No full exfoliation is, however, obtained, and the system remains still less homogeneous than the nanocomposite based on the commercial masterbatch. Nevertheless, mechanical and thermal characterizations of the nanocomposites based on cationic surfactants demonstrate the efficiency to disperse clay in the polymer matrix, and the effect on the ductility compared to usual PP nanocomposites is promising. POLYM. ENG. SCI., 2009. © 2009 Society of Plastics Engineers
Synthesis and characterization of phosphorus‐containing polysulfone
Authors: Petreus Oana , Avram Ecaterina , Serbezeanu Diana
Published: September 2009

Chemical modification of a chloromethylated polysulfone (CMPS) was performed by reacting the chlorometyl group with PH bond of 9,10‐dihydro‐oxa‐10‐phosphophenanthrene‐10‐oxide (DOPO). A kinetic study of phosphorylation of CMPS with different chlorine content was reported. The obtained polymers bearing cyclic bulky groups containing phosphorus were characterized by analytical methods; Fourier transforms spectroscopy (FTIR), and nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy (NMR). The thermal stability of phosphorus‐modified polysulfone was evaluated by dynamic thermogravimetric analysis in nitrogen gas. The polymers were readily soluble in polar organic solvent, such as N‐methylpyr‐rolidone (NMP), N,N‐dimethylacetamide (DMAc), and N,N‐dimethylformamide (DMF). Differential scanning calorimeter (DSC) and dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA) proved an amorphous morphology of these polymers. POLYM. ENG. SCI., 2010. © 2009 Society of Plastics Engineers
Development of a rheo‐dielectric sensor for online shear stress measurement during the injection molding process
Authors: Peng Yiyan , Li Haimei , Turng Lih‐Sheng
Published: September 2009

This study presents the development of a novel rheo‐dielectric sensing technique, based on dielectrostriction measurement, for online injection molding process monitoring. Dielectrostriction, defined as a variation of dielectric properties of material under deformation, detects evolution of molecular orientation during injection molding and enables online shear stress measurement. The dielectrostriction effect resembles the well‐known birefringence phenomenon. As birefringence in polymers is described by the stress‐optical relationship (Fuller, Optical Rheometry of Complex Fluids, Oxford University Press, New York (1995); Janeschitz‐Kriegl, Polymer Melt Rheology and Flow Birefringence, Springer, Berlin (1983); Saiz and Rainde, Dipole Moments and Birefringence of Polymers, Prentice‐Hall, New Jersey (1992)), a stress‐dielectric relationship exists for and is applicable to dielectrostriction. In addition,dielectrostriction measurements can be performed on both transparent and opaque materials with a much simpler data acquisition technique. To demonstrate the feasibility of the dieletrostriction measurement, a planar capacitor sensor rosette has been developed and attached to the surface of an injection mold to obtain the dielectrostriction signal under various processing conditions. The calculated shear stresses of polymer melts based on dielectrostriction signals were validated by agreement with simulation predictions. POLYM. ENG. SCI., 2010. © 2009 Society of Plastics Engineers
Preparation and biodegradation of copolyesters based on poly(ethylene terephthalate) and poly(ethylene glycol)/oligo(lactic acid) by transesterification
Authors: Tan Licheng , Chen Yiwang , Zhou Weihua , Li Fan , Chen Lie , He Xiaohui
Published: September 2009

The poly(ethylene terephthalate‐co‐ethyleneoxide‐co‐DL‐lactide) copolymers were successfully prepared by the melt reaction between poly(ethylene terephthalate), poly(ethylene glycol), and DL‐oligo(lactic acid) without any catalysts. The transesterification between ethylene terephthalate, ethyleneoxide, and lactide segments during the reaction was confirmed by the 1H NMR analysis. The effect of reaction temperatures and the starting feed ratios on the molecular microstructures, molecular weights, solubility, thermal properties, and degradability of the copolyesters was extensively studied. The values of crystallization temperature, melting temperature, crystallization, and melting enthalpy of the copolyesters were found to be influenced by the reaction temperatures, starting feed ratios, etc. The copolyesters showed good tensile properties and were found to degrade in the soil burial experiments during the period of 3 months. The morphology of the copolyester films were also investigated by scanning electron microscopy during soil burial degradation. POLYM. ENG. SCI., 2010. © 2009 Society of Plastics Engineers
Photopatterning and degradation study of dextran‐glycidyl methacrylate hydrogels
Authors: Lo Chi‐Wei , Jiang Hongrui
Published: September 2009

An approach to synthesizing photopatternable enzymatic degradable dextran hydrogel is presented. The glycidyl methacrylate derivatized dextran (Dex‐GMA) was first prepared by reacting dextran with glycidyl methacrylate at 45°C with grafting efficiency of 10%. The degree of substitution (DS) was confirmed by 1H‐NMR. Next, Dex‐GMA hydrogels were prepared by crosslinking in the presence of a crosslinker: N,N′‐ methylene‐bisacrylamide (NMBA), and a photoinitiator: 2,2′‐dimethoxy‐2‐phenyl acetophenone (DMPA) in dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) solution. Further, the Dex‐GMA hydrogels were photopatterned using liquid‐phase photopolymerization (LP3) technique. The structure size ranged from 5 mm to 300 μm and three different shapes of structures‐ ‐ —round, square, and star‐ ‐ —were demonstrated. The patterned Dex‐GMA hydrogel structures not only exhibited mechanical robustness but also biodegradability. The dextranase‐catalyzed degradation of Dex‐GMA hydrogels with different DS was investigated at 37°C. The morphology of the degraded Dex‐GMA hydrogels determined by SEM revealed the degree of enzymatic degradation due to dextranase. The Dex‐GMA hydrogel was fully degraded by dextranase with concentration of 2 U/ml in 5 days. The Dex‐GMA hydrogel also showed the ability to be readily integrated with microfluidics. POLYM. ENG. SCI., 2009. © 2009 Society of Plastics Engineers
Insulin pump therapy: pros and cons of continuous infusion
Authors: Pickup John
Published: September 2009

Insulin pump therapy is widely used throughout the world for type 1 diabetes, but uptake has been slow in the UK. Here, Professor Pickup discusses the advantages and disadvantages of CSII over MDI and describes NICE's recommendations on its usage. Copyright © 2009 Wiley Interface Ltd
Acne: guide to features and recommended management
Authors: Seaton Edward
Published: September 2009

Acne typically presents during puberty and can cause significant psychological morbidity and facial scaring. Our Drug review describes the underlying aetiology of acne development and the available treatments, followed by a review of the prescription data and sources of further information. Copyright © 2009 Wiley Interface Ltd
Negotiating un/familiar embodiments: investigating the corporeal dimensions of South Korean international student mobilities in Auckland, New Zealand
Authors: Collins Francis Leo
Published: September 2009

This paper discusses the friction involved in the transnational lives of South Korean international students living and studying in Auckland, New Zealand. In particular, it focuses on the ways in which these individuals negotiate familiar and unfamiliar embodiments as a part of their everyday lives in Auckland. Through three ethnographic case studies – the role of interpersonal networks in the negotiation of urban space, the online/off‐line use of internet cafes, and the story of a group of volunteer students – this paper reflects on the different processes of embodiment in ways that offer useful insights into practices and experiences of transnationalism. This includes understanding the small details of the everyday lives of international students in Auckland and the reciprocal relationship they have with other bodies and the urban spaces they come to inhabit. Moreover, the paper illustrates the manner that scholarly understandings of transnationalism can be expanded through a focus on the embodied dimensions of everyday life. It suggests that much of what is considered transnationalism is in fact part of the ordinary everyday practices that individuals such as international students use to negotiate and make familiar the different material and immaterial spaces they encounter in migration. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Correction for misclassification of a categorized exposure in binary regression using replication data
Authors: Dalen Ingvild , Buonaccorsi John P. , Sexton Joseph A. , Laake Petter , Thoresen Magne
Published: September 2009

Continuous epidemiologic exposure data are often categorized according to one or more cut points before inclusion in a regression analysis involving some outcome variable. If the original data are subject to measurement error, the categorized data will be afflicted with misclassification, which is differential, and which induces biases in naïve methods that ignore the misclassification. We propose a method for measurement error adjustment in these settings, when there are replicate data available on the original measurements, and when the outcome variable is dichotomous. Working on the continuous measurements, conditional densities of the exposure given the outcome are estimated and used to obtain odds ratios. The estimation of densities is done either parametrically or nonparametrically. The method is compared with the naïve approach of simply categorizing the erroneous mean measurements in simulation studies, and although the nonparametric method is more variable, it has the best overall performance, the greatest differences being observed in settings where the effects and/or the measurement errors are large. The performance of the parametric method is highly dependent on the model fit. Applying the methods to a real‐life data set from the Framingham Heart Study produced larger estimated odds ratios for coronary heart disease as a result of elevated systolic blood pressure, as compared with naïve odds ratios. We provide some discussion of alternative procedures that might be considered including regression calibration, SIMEX and the use of estimated misclassification probabilities. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Left ventricular cardiac function in fetuses with congenital diaphragmatic hernia and the effect of fetal endoscopic tracheal occlusion
Authors: Van Mieghem T. , Gucciardo L. , Doné E. , Van Schoubroeck D. , Graatsma E. M. , Visser G. H. A. , Verhaeghe J. , Deprest J.
Published: September 2009

Objectives

The pre‐existing compression of the left ventricle in congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH) could be aggravated by the amplified lung growth after fetoscopic endoluminal tracheal occlusion (FETO). Our aim was to document left ventricular (LV) size and function in fetuses with isolated left‐sided CDH and to document the effect of FETO on the fetal heart.

Methods

We determined cardiac axis, LV diameters, ejection fraction, shortening fraction, mitral E/A index and myocardial performance index (MPI) in 27 fetuses with isolated left‐sided CDH, and compared these with values in a reference population (n = 117). In fetuses with severe CDH that subsequently underwent FETO and/or reversal of occlusion, additional measurements were obtained 24 h before and after each fetal intervention. We recorded fetal electrocardiograms non‐invasively in six CDH fetuses and compared the duration of the QRS complex with data obtained from 12 controls.

Results

LV end‐diastolic diameter was 32% smaller in CDH fetuses than in controls (P < 0.0001) but LV function was comparable. QRS duration was no different between CDH and control fetuses. FETO did not affect cardiac size but reduced the MPI (P = 0.004). Reversal of FETO had no significant effect on cardiac size and function.

Conclusions

CDH fetuses have a smaller left ventricle than do healthy fetuses. There is no overall adverse impact of CDH and FETO on LV cardiac function. Copyright © 2009 ISUOG. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Gestational sac volume: comparison between SonoAVC and VOCAL measurements at 11 + 0 to 13 + 6 weeks of gestation
Authors: Borenstein M. , Azumendi Perez G. , Molina Garcia F. , Romero M. , Anderica J. R.
Published: September 2009

Objectives

To assess the novel three‐dimensional (3D) tool, Sonography‐based Automated Volume Count™ (SonoAVC) in the calculation of gestational sac volume at 11 + 0 to 13 + 6 weeks of gestation, to correlate the measurements with those obtained using Virtual Organ Computed‐aided AnaLysis™ (VOCAL) and to study the reproducibility of SonoAVC volume calculation of this irregularly shaped structure.

Methods

We acquired 3D volumes of the uterus in 65 pregnancies at 11 + 0 to 13 + 6 weeks of gestation. We performed volume calculation of the gestational sac, excluding the fetus and the placenta, using VOCAL with 15° 12‐step rotation. We then repeated the calculation with three different SonoAVC settings and compared both techniques. In 30 cases we assessed the reproducibility of the SonoAVC volume calculations.

Results

In 95% of cases it was possible to calculate the gestational sac volume with SonoAVC. This volume increased with advancing gestation and the volumes were expressed as delta values to compare the measurements made with VOCAL and the three different SonoAVC settings. There was no difference between delta values of gestational sac volume calculated using VOCAL and SonoAVC with high and medium growth settings. Reproducibility analysis showed good results.

Conclusion

Gestational sac volume calculation is feasible with SonoAVC in most cases and does not differ from that performed using VOCAL. High and medium growth SonoAVC settings seem to be more accurate for gestational sac volume calculation, although larger studies are required for standardization of the technique. The reproducibility analysis showed similar results to those previously published. Copyright © 2009 ISUOG. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Prognostic Significance of the Metastatic Lymph Node Ratio in Gastric Cancer Patients
Authors: Fukuda Naoto , Sugiyama Yasuyuki , Midorikawa Akira , Mushiake Hiroyuki
Published: September 2009

Background

Lymph node metastasis is considered one of the most important prognostic factors in gastric cancer. However, the optimal system for accurate staging of lymph node metastasis for patients with gastric cancer remains controversial. This study was designed to investigate the prognostic significance of the metastatic lymph node ratio (MLR), which is calculated by dividing the number of metastatic lymph nodes by the total number of nodes harvested from patients with gastric cancer.

Methods

We retrospectively analyzed the clinical data of 186 consecutive patients diagnosed with gastric cancer who underwent curative gastrectomy at our hospital. The lymph node status was classified according to three systems: the International Union Against Cancer/American Joint Committee on Cancer (UICC/AJCC) system; the Japanese Gastric Cancer Association (JGCA) system; and an MLR‐based system (MLR0: 0, MLR1: 0.01–0.19, MLR2: ≥0.2). The influence of the MLR on patient survival was determined using univariate Kaplan‐Meier survival analysis, the generalized Wilcoxon test, and analysis with the multivariate Cox proportional hazards model.

Results

The 5‐year survival rate of the patients with MLR0, MLR1, and MLR2 was 88.6%, 59.4%, and 13.4%, respectively. In addition to the MLR, the UICC/AJCC N category, JGCA n category, tumor stage (pT category), and tumor diameter significantly influenced the 5‐year survival rate, as determined by univariate analysis. Multivariate analyses revealed that of the three factors used to stage lymph node involvement, MLR was the most significant prognostic factor.

Conclusions

The MLR is an important and easy‐to‐assess prognostic factor that should be considered for staging lymph node metastasis in patients with gastric cancer.
Multi‐Factor Investigation of Early Postoperative Cardiac Arrhythmia for Elderly Patients with Esophageal or Cardiac Carcinoma
Authors: Xue Lei , Pan Tiewen , Xu Zhifei , Zhao Xuewei , Zhong Lei , Wu Lihui , Wu Bin , Qin Xiong
Published: September 2009

Background

The purpose of the present study was to analyze the risk multi‐factors of postoperative cardiac arrhythmia for elderly patients with esophageal or cardiac carcinoma.

Methods

A total of 756 operations for elderly patients (>65 years of age) with esophageal or cardiac carcinoma were performed in our department from January 1997 to December 2006. These included 197 cases (26.1%) of various types of cardiac arrhythmia after operation. Logistic regression was adopted to analyze the risk multi‐factors of postoperative cardiac arrhythmia.

Results

It showed that complications of other diseases before operation, selection of operation method, duration of anesthesia and operation, postoperative pain, anoxia, hypovolemia, acid–alkali disequilibrium, and electrolyte imbalance might be the risk factors of postoperative cardiac arrhythmia in elderly patients with esophageal or cardiac carcinoma, whereas minimally invasive endoscopic operation might be a protective factor.

Conclusions

In order to decrease the risk factors leading to postoperative cardiac arrhythmia for elderly patients with esophageal or cardiac carcinoma, it was necessary to completely evaluate the functions of heart and lung, improve the nutrition and metabolism of heart muscle, conduct effective breathing exercises, and correct the existing cardiac arrhythmia of such patients before operation, and perform the minimally invasive operation, shorten operation duration, relieve pain efficiently during the perioperative period, and correct hypovolemia and acid–alkali disequilibrium and electrolyte imbalance.
Self-Sustained Microwave Absorption Induced by Extremely High Radiation Intensities in Surface Electrons on Liquid Helium
Authors: Konstantinov Denis , Kono Kimitoshi
Published: September 2009

A new nonlinear-optical absorption effect is observed in electrons bound to the liquid helium surface. We study absorption of mm-wave radiation due to resonant excitation of electron bound states. Below 1 K, almost all electrons occupy the ground state. Therefore, the system should be transparent for resonant radiation connecting any two excited states. On the contrary, we observe strong absorption peaks associated with transitions between the first excited and the higher excited states. We show that this anomaly results from the bistability of the electron system induced by extremely high radiation intensities and the long electron relaxation time.
Preparation and Characterization of Covalently Binding of Rat Anti-human IgG Monolayer on Thiol-Modified Gold Surface
Authors: Lv Zhengjian , Wang Jianhua , Deng Linhong , Chen Guoping
Published: September 2009

The 16-mercaptohexadecanoic acid (MHA) film and rat anti-human IgG protein monolayer were fabricated on gold substrates using self-assembled monolayer (SAM) method. The surface properties of the bare gold substrate, the MHA film and the protein monolayer were characterized by contact angle measurements, atomic force microscopy (AFM), grazing incidence X-ray diffraction (GIXRD) method and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, respectively. The contact angles of the MHA film and the protein monolayer were 18° and 12°, respectively, all being hydrophilic. AFM images show dissimilar topographic nanostructures between different surfaces, and the thickness of the MHA film and the protein monolayer was estimated to be 1.51 and 5.53 nm, respectively. The GIXRD 2θ degrees of the MHA film and the protein monolayer ranged from 0° to 15°, significantly smaller than that of the bare gold surface, but the MHA film and the protein monolayer displayed very different profiles and distributions of their diffraction peaks. Moreover, the spectra of binding energy measured from these different surfaces could be well fitted with either Au4f, S2p or N1s, respectively. Taken together, these results indicate that MHA film and protein monolayer were successfully formed with homogeneous surfaces, and thus demonstrate that the SAM method is a reliable technique for fabricating protein monolayer.
Synthesis of Novel Flower-Like Zn(OH)F via a Microwave-Assisted Ionic Liquid Route and Transformation into Nanoporous ZnO by Heat Treatment
Authors: Song Jia-kui , Zheng Ming-bo , Yang Zhen-jiang , Chen Hui-qin , Wang Hai-yan , Liu Jin-song , Ji Guang-bin , Zhang Hai-qian , Cao Jie-ming
Published: September 2009

Zinc hydroxide fluoride (Zn(OH)F) with novel flower-like morphology has been prepared via a microwave-assisted ionic liquid route. The flower-like Zn(OH)F particle has six petals and every petal is composed of lots of acicular nano-structure. Nanoporous ZnO is obtained by thermal decomposition of as-prepared Zn(OH)F in air, and the flower-like morphology is well retained. In the process of synthesis, ionic liquid 1-Butyl-3-methylimidazolium tetrafluoroborate is used as both the reactant and the template.
Simple Systematic Synthesis of Periodic Mesoporous Organosilica Nanoparticles with Adjustable Aspect Ratios
Authors: Mohanty Paritosh , Landskron Kai
Published: September 2009

One-dimensional periodic mesoporous organosilica (PMO) nanoparticles with tunable aspect ratios are obtained from a chain-type molecular precursor octaethoxy-1,3,5-trisilapentane. The aspect ratio can be tuned from 2:1 to >20:1 simply by variation in the precursor concentration in acidic aqueous solutions containing constant amounts of triblock copolymer Pluronic P123. The mesochannels are highly ordered and are oriented parallel to the longitudinal axis of the PMO particles. No significant Si–C bond cleavage occurs during the synthesis according to29Si MAS NMR. The materials exhibit surface areas between 181 and 936 m2 g−1.
A Quaternary ZnCdSeTe Nanotip Photodetector
Authors: Chang SJ , Hsiao CH , Wang SB , Cheng YC , Li TC , Chang SP , Huang BR , Hung SC
Published: September 2009

The authors report the growth of needle-like high density quaternary Zn0.87Cd0.13Se0.98Te0.02nanotips on oxidized Si(100) substrate. It was found that average length and average diameter of the nanotips were 1.3 μm and 91 nm, respectively. It was also found that the as-grown ZnCdSeTe nanotips exhibit mixture of cubic zinc-blende and hexagonal wurtzite structures. Furthermore, it was found that the operation speeds of the fabricated ZnCdSeTe nanotip photodetector were fast with turn-on and turn-off time constants both less than 2 s.
Magnetic Properties of FePt Nanoparticles Prepared by a Micellar Method
Authors: Gao Y , Zhang XW , Yin ZG , Qu S , You JB , Chen NF
Published: September 2009

FePt nanoparticles with average size of 9 nm were synthesized using a diblock polymer micellar method combined with plasma treatment. To prevent from oxidation under ambient conditions, immediately after plasma treatment, the FePt nanoparticle arrays were in situ transferred into the film-growth chamber where they were covered by an SiO2 overlayer. A nearly complete transformation of L 10 FePt was achieved for samples annealed at temperatures above 700 °C. The well control on the FePt stoichiometry and avoidance from surface oxidation largely enhanced the coercivity, and a value as high as 10 kOe was obtained in this study. An evaluation of magnetic interactions was made using the so-called isothermal remanence (IRM) and dc-demagnetization (DCD) remanence curves and Kelly–Henkel plots (ΔM measurement). The ΔM measurement reveals that the resultant FePt nanoparticles exhibit a rather weak interparticle dipolar coupling, and the absence of interparticle exchange interaction suggests no significant particle agglomeration occurred during the post-annealing. Additionally, a slight parallel magnetic anisotropy was also observed. The results indicate the micellar method has a high potential in preparing FePt nanoparticle arrays used for ultrahigh density recording media.
In Vitro Simultaneous Transfer of Lipids to HDL in Coronary Artery Disease and in Statin Treatment
Authors: Lo Prete Ana C. , Dina Clederson H. , Azevedo Carolina H. , Puk Camila G. , Lopes Neuza H. M. , Hueb Whady A. , Maranhão Raul Cavalcante
Published: September 2009

The exchange of lipids with cells and other lipoproteins is a crucial process in HDL metabolism and for HDL antiatherogenic function. Here, we tested a practical method to quantify the simultaneous transfer to HDL of phospholipids, free‐cholesterol, esterified cholesterol and triacylglycerols and to verify the lipid transfer in patients with coronary artery disease (CAD) or undergoing statin treatment. Twenty‐eight control subjects without CAD, 27 with CAD and 25 CAD patients under simvastatin treatment were studied. Plasma samples were incubated with a donor nanoemulsion prepared by ultrasonication of the constituent lipids and labeled with radioactive lipids; % lipids transferred to HDL were quantified in the HDL‐containing supernatant after chemical precipitation of non‐HDL fractions and the nanoemulsion. The assay was precise and reproducible. Increase of temperature (4–37 °C), of incubation period (5 min to 2 h), of HDL‐cholesterol concentration (33–244 mg/dL) and of mass of nanoemulsion lipids (0.075–0.3 mg/μL) resulted in increased lipid transfer from the nanoemulsion to HDL. In contrast, increasing pH (6.5–8.5) and albumin concentration (3.5–7.0 g/dL) did not affect lipid transfer. There was no difference between CAD and control non‐CAD with regard to the lipid transfer, but statin treatment reduced the transfer to HDL of all four lipids. The test herein described is a valid and practical tool for exploring an important aspect of HDL metabolism.
Ratios of Regioisomers of Triacylglycerols Containing Dihydroxy Fatty Acids in Castor Oil by Mass Spectrometry
Authors: Lin Jiann‐Tsyh
Published: September 2009

The triacylglycerols (TAG) containing dihydroxy fatty acids have been recently identified by mass spectrometry in castor oil. These new dihydroxy fatty acids were proposed as 11,12‐dihydroxy‐9‐octadecenoic acid (diOH18:1), 11,12‐dihydroxy‐9,13‐octadecadienoic acid (diOH18:2) and 11,12‐dihydroxyoctadecanoic acid (diOH18:0). The ratios of regioisomers of the TAG were estimated by fragment ions from the loss of fatty acids at the sn‐2 position as α,β‐unsaturated fatty acids by electro spray ionization‐mass spectrometry of the lithium adducts (MS3). The content of regioisomeric diOH18:1‐OH18:1‐diOH18:1 (ABA, with two different fatty acids) was about 92% in the total of stereoisomeric diOH18:1‐OH18:1‐diOH18:1, OH18:1‐diOH18:1‐diOH18:1 and diOH18:1‐diOH18:1‐OH18:1 combined. The approximate contents of other regioisomers were as follows: diOH18:1‐OH18:1‐OH18:1 (92%), diOH18:1‐diOH18:0‐diOH18:1 (91%), diOH18:2‐OH18:1‐OH18:1 (80%) and diOH18:0‐OH18:1‐OH18:1 (96%). The ratios of regioisomers of TAG (ABC) containing three different fatty acids were estimated as about 7:1:2 (OH18:1:diOH18:1:diOH18:2) and about 7:2:1 (OH18:1:diOH18:0:diOH18:1). Ricinoleate (OH18:1) was predominately at the sn‐2 position of TAG (both AAB and ABC) containing dihydroxy fatty acids and ricinoleate. Dihydroxy fatty acids were mainly at the sn‐1,3 positions of TAG containing dihydroxy fatty acids and ricinoleate in castor oil. The ratios of the three regioisomers of TAG (ABC) containing three different fatty acids by mass spectrometry are first reported here.
Identification of colonization factors of enterotoxigenicEscherichia coliwith PCR-based technique
Authors: PUIPROM O. , CHANTAROJ S. , GANGNONNGIW W. , OKADA K. , HONDA T. , TANIGUCHI T. , SAWANPANYALERT P.
Published: September 2009

Colonization factors (CFs) mediate attachment of enterotoxigenicEscherichia coli(ETEC) to the intestinal mucosa and induce protective immunity against ETEC diarrhoea. We designed CF-specific polymerase chain reaction (PCR) primers, and developed a simple PCR-based genotypic CF identification method. ETEC strains (n=17) isolated from patients with diarrhoea in Thailand were examined for genotypical identification of CFs of ETEC strains. Coli surface antigen 6 (CS6) was the most common CF (29%), followed by CS13 (12%), colonization factor antigen I (CFA/I), CS2 and CS3, and CS17/CS19 (6% each), while 41% of the strains were negative. This simple PCR method for the detection of CF genes is useful for surveillance of ETEC infections in diagnostic laboratories.
DISCRETE FOURIER TRANSFORM FILTERS: CYCLE EXTRACTION AND GIBBS EFFECT CONSIDERATIONS
Authors: Hinich Melvin J. , Foster John , Wild Phillip
Published: September 2009

The purpose of this note is to analyze the capability of bandpass filters to extract a known periodicity. The specific bandpass filters considered are a conventional discrete Fourier transform (DFT) filter and the filter recently proposed by Iacobucci and Noullez. We employ simulation methods to investigate cycle extraction properties. We also examine the implications arising from the Gibbs effect in practical settings that typically confront applied macroeconomists
EXACT AND SUPERLATIVE PRICE AND QUANTITY INDICATORS
Authors: Diewert W. Erwin , Mizobuchi Hideyuki
Published: September 2009

The traditional economic approach to index number theory is based on a ratio of cost functions. Diewert defined superlative price and quantity indices as observable indices that were exact for a ratio of unit cost functions or for a ratio of linearly homogeneous utility functions. The present paper looks for counterparts to his results in the difference context, for both flexible homothetic and flexible nonhomothetic preferences. The Bennet indicators of price and quantity change turn out to be superlative for the nonhomothetic case. The underlying preferences are of the translation-homothetic form discussed by Balk, Chambers, Dickenson, Färe, and Grosskopf.
The Lambeth Conference 2008 and the Millennium Development Goals: A Botswana Perspective
Authors: Selwyn Mwamba Musonda Trevor
Published: September 2009

The Bishops of the Anglican Communion met on the campus of the University of Kent at Canterbury, England, for the Lambeth Conference in July 2008. The Conference took place at a time when the Anglican Communion was going through turbulence over the issue of human sexuality. Accordingly, there was much expectation that the Conference would inter alia discuss and come up with the way forward on the issue of homosexuality. Prudently, the Conference’s focus rested on the real Mission of the Church, epitomized by the Walk of Witness on July 24, 2009 from Whitehall and Westminster to Lambeth Palace. There, Archbishop Rowan Williams spoke of the Communion’s commitment to the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). It is within this context that this article seeks to discuss the issue of the MDGs in the context of the Lambeth Conference, from the perspective of Botswana. It is my intention to show that the Anglican Communion should be focused on the life and death issues of eradicating abject poverty, HIV and AIDS, malaria, bad governance, unjust trade policies and environment, rather than wasting valuable spiritual energy on the ‘luxury’ of human sexuality which is a non-issue for the poor.
Increased CO2 uptake due to sea ice growth and decay in the Nordic Seas
Authors: Rysgaard S. , Bendtsen J. , Pedersen L. T. , Ramløv H. , Glud R. N.
Published: September 2009

The uptake rates of atmospheric CO2 in the Nordic Seas are among the highest in the world's oceans. This has been ascribed mainly to a strong biological drawdown, but chemical processes within the sea ice itself have also been suggested to play a role. The importance of sea ice for the carbon uptake in the Nordic Seas is currently unknown. We present evidence from 50 localities in the Arctic Ocean that dissolved inorganic carbon is rejected together with brine from growing sea ice and that sea ice melting during summer is rich in carbonates. Model calculations show that melting of sea ice exported from the Arctic Ocean into the East Greenland current and the Nordic Seas plays an important and overlooked role in regulating the surface water partial pressure of CO2 and increases the seasonal CO2 uptake in the area by approximately 50%.
Remote sensing of nighttime F region peak height and peak density using ultraviolet line ratios
Authors: Dymond K. F.
Published: September 2009

We present a newly developed algorithm for simultaneously inferring the peak height and peak density of the O+ ions in the nighttime ionosphere. The technique relies on the simultaneous observation of the emissions of atomic oxygen at 130.4 and 135.6 nm that are primarily produced by radiative recombination, a natural decay process of the ionosphere. The 135.6 nm emission has become the workhorse for sensing O+ distribution from space from low‐Earth platforms where it has been used to infer the peak electron density. A previous study showed that the line ratio of the intensity of the 130.4/135.6 nm radiances is sensitive to the peak height of the ionosphere, as the ratio of the two radiances is dependent on the overlap of the O+ distribution with the thermospheric O layer. We present a new parametric study of these emissions using a new algorithm that permits the retrieval of the peak electron density and the peak height of the F region ionosphere from the measured radiances of the 135.6 and 130.4 nm emissions. We examine the sensitivity of the retrievals to the ionospheric and thermospheric state and to the signal‐to‐noise ratio of the observations. This new technique enables the determination of the peak height and peak density of the nighttime F region ionosphere as functions of latitude and longitude from nadir‐viewing geostationary satellites.
Variable late Neogene exhumation of the central European Alps: Low‐temperature thermochronology from the Aar Massif, Switzerland, and the Lepontine Dome, Italy
Authors: Vernon Antoine J. , van der Beek Peter A. , Sinclair Hugh D. , Persano Cristina , Foeken Jurgen , Stuart Finlay M.
Published: September 2009

Several recent studies proposed an important increase in exhumation rate in the western European Alps since circa 5–4 Ma. In order to assess potential spatial differences in exhumation histories, we present new apatite fission track (AFT) and apatite (U‐Th)/He (AHe) ages from the central Aar Massif (Guttannen area, Switzerland) and the western Lepontine Dome (Formazza area, Italy). Internal U/Th zoning in apatites explains alpha‐ejection‐corrected AHe ages that are older than the corresponding AFT ages in this study. A qualitative interpretation of AFT and AHe age‐elevation relationships suggests a two‐phase (9–7 and 5–3 Ma) exhumation scenario affecting the central Alps, with a stronger expression of the Pliocene signal in the Formazza area. However, a quantitative evaluation of exhumation scenarios using the 3‐D heat equation solver Pecube highlights the existence of several other likely scenarios, casting doubt on the validity of a qualitative interpretation of the age‐elevation relationships. In Formazza, scenarios suggested by quantitative modeling include continuous denudation at a rate of ∼750 m/Ma and a one‐step exhumation rate change from 300 to 1000 m/Ma at 5 Ma. In Guttannen, they include continuous denudation at a rate of ∼400 m/Ma with valley deepening and two periods of higher exhumation rate (increasing from 300 to 700 m/Ma repeatedly at 9–7 and at 5–3 Ma). Contingent upon further flexural isostatic modeling, the magnitude of exhumation recorded in the axial region of the Alps since circa 5 Ma does not appear sufficient to solely explain the denudation recorded in the North Alpine Foreland Basin.
Statistical power calculation and sample size determination for environmental studies with data below detection limits
Authors: Shao Quanxi , Wang You‐Gan
Published: September 2009

Power calculation and sample size determination are critical in designing environmental monitoring programs. The traditional approach based on comparing the mean values may become statistically inappropriate and even invalid when substantial proportions of the response values are below the detection limits or censored because strong distributional assumptions have to be made on the censored observations when implementing the traditional procedures. In this paper, we propose a quantile methodology that is robust to outliers and can also handle data with a substantial proportion of below‐detection‐limit observations without the need of imputing the censored values. As a demonstration, we applied the methods to a nutrient monitoring project, which is a part of the Perth Long‐Term Ocean Outlet Monitoring Program. In this example, the sample size required by our quantile methodology is, in fact, smaller than that by the traditional t‐test, illustrating the merit of our method.
Particle dynamics in a hydrodynamic separator subject to transient rainfall‐runoff
Authors: Sansalone John J. , Pathapati Subbu‐Srikanth
Published: September 2009

Analysis of unit operations to separate particulate matter (PM) transported by urban drainage is challenged by coupled hydrologic and mass transport and is commonly based on statistical flow indices. In this study the response of a hydrodynamic separator (HS) to unsteady runoff is modeled with computational fluid dynamics (CFD). Flow is modeled by a k‐ɛ model of turbulence with Lagrangian unsteady tracking for particle size distributions (PSDs). CFD results reproduced HS‐captured PM mass within 10%. Validated unsteady CFD results are compared to steady flow and PM event mean concentrations, indicating that event‐based flow statistics do not represent unsteady HS behavior. Mean and median flows underestimate effluent PM mass, while peak flow overestimates to a lesser magnitude depending on hydrologic and PM coupling. Unsteady flow and PSD coupling in the CFD model yield accurate predictive capability for PM separation by a physically validated unit operation (HS) compared to common event‐based flow statistics. While steady flow indices do not reproduce PM behavior for unit operations loaded by unsteady urban drainage, such indices are pragmatic and heuristic for initial phase pilot‐scale testing.
Ocean water vapor and cloud liquid water trends from 1992 to 2005 TOPEX Microwave Radiometer data
Authors: Keihm S. , Brown S. , Teixeira J. , Desai S. , Lu W. , Fetzer E. , Ruf C. , Huang X. , Yung Y.
Published: September 2009

The continuous 1992–2005 data set of the TOPEX Microwave Radiometer (TMR) has been reprocessed to provide global, zonal, and regional scale histories of overocean integrated water vapor (IWV) and cloud liquid water (CLW). Results indicate well‐defined trends in IWV on global and hemisphere scales, with values of 1.8 ± 0.4%/decade (60°S–60°N), 2.4 ± 0.4%/decade (0–60°N), and 1.0 ± 0.5%/decade (0–60°S). The uncertainties represent 1 standard deviation of the regressed slope parameter adjusted for lag 1 autocorrelation. These results are comparable to earlier results based on analyses of the multiinstrument SSM/I ocean measurements beginning in 1988. For the 1992–2005 interval, comparisons between SSM/I‐ and TMR‐derived IWV trends show remarkable agreement, with global trends differing by less than 0.3%/decade, comparable to the statistical uncertainty level and about one‐sixth of the global TMR‐derived trend. Latitudinal and regional analyses of IWV trends show large variability about the global mean, with synoptic scale variations of IWV trends ranging from ∼−8 to +8%/decade. Averaged over 5° latitude bands the IWV trends reveal a near zero minimum in the Southern Tropical Pacific and maximum values of ∼4%/decade over the 30–40N latitude band. Comparisons with band latitude averaged SST data over the same 1992–2005 interval roughly match a delta_IWV/delta_SST trend scaling of ∼11%/K, consistent with previously observed tropical and midlatitude seasonal variability. TMR‐derived CLW trends are fractionally comparable to the IWV trends. The CLW values are 1.5 ± 0.6%/decade (60°S–60°N), 2.0 ± 0.8%/decade (0–60°N), and 1.1 ± 0.8%/decade (0–60°S). When scaled to global mean CLW derived from SSM/I and compared seasonally, the TMR CLW variations exhibit excellent tracking with the SSM/I results. Unlike IWV, however, the CLW statistical uncertainties do not likely reflect the dominant error component in the retrieved trends. The 1992–2005 CLW trend estimates were particularly sensitive to short‐term trends in the first and last 2 years of the TMR archive. Additional errors difficult to quantify include strong aliasing effects from precipitation cells and uncertainties in the radiative transfer models utilized in the generation of the TMR CLW algorithm.
Shear–peel bond strength of orthodontic primers in wet conditions
Authors: Kula KS , Nash TD , Purk JH
Published: September 2009

Structured Abstract

Authors – Kula KS, Nash TD, Purk JH

Objective – The purpose of this in vitro study was to determine whether a hydrophilic primer (TransbondTM MIP, [MIP]) produces a significant difference in shear/peel bond strength compared with a traditional hydrophobic primer (TransbondTM XT, [XT]) in wet (W) or dry (D) conditions and if there is a difference in the site of bond failure.

Design – A randomized blinded in vitro design.

Setting and Sample Population – The University of Missouri‐Kansas City School of Dentistry. Forty extracted human premolars were divided into four test groups (n = 10 each): MIP‐dry conditions (MIPD), MIP‐wet conditions (MIPW), XT‐dry (XTD) and XT‐wet (XTW).

Experimental Variable – Orthodontic brackets were bonded to the teeth according to the manufacturer's directions except XTW and MIPW were exposed to moisture.

Outcome Measure – Shear/peel test 24 h after bonding using an Instron at a crosshead speed of 0.5 mm/min and the adhesive remnant index to determine the site of bond failure.

Results – The bond strengths (X ± SD) in MPa were XTD = 8.3 ± 2.3; XTW = 0.8 ± 0.7; MIPD = 7.5 ± 1.8 and MIPW = 7.9 ± 1.7. The shear/peel bond strengths were significantly different: XTD = MIPD = MIPW > XTW (p ≤ 0.01; two‐way ANOVA; Tukey HSD). The ARI scores were also significantly different: XTD = MIPD = MIPW > XTW (p ≤ 0.01; Chi‐square).

Conclusions – Orthodontists who suspect moisture contamination should use a hydrophilic primer during bonding procedures to maintain shear/peel bond strength.