bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Modified polydimethylsiloxane/polystyrene blended IPN pervaporation membrane for ethanol/water separation
Authors: Ahmed Iqbal , Pa Nasrul Fikry Che , Nawawi Mohd Ghazali Mohd , Rahman Wan Aizan Wan Abd
Published: June 2011

In this article a modified polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) blended polystyrene (PS) interpenetrating polymer network (IPN) membranes supported by Teflon (polytetrafluoroethylene) ultrafiltration membrane were prepared for the separation of ethanol in water by pervaporation application. The relationship between the surface characteristics of the surface‐modified PDMS membranes and their permselectivity for aqueous ethanol solutions by pervaporation are discussed. The IPN supported membranes were prepared by sequential IPN technique. The IPN supported membrane were tested for the separation performance on 10 wt % ethanol in water and were characterized by evaluating their mechanical properties, swelling behavior, density, and degree of crosslinking. The results indicated that separation performance, mechanical properties, density, and the percentage of swelling of IPN membranes were influenced by degree of crosslink density. Depending on the feed temperature, the supported membranes had separation factors between 2.03 and 6.00 and permeation rates between 81.66 and 144.03 g m−2 h−1. For the azeotropic water–ethanol mixture (10 wt % ethanol), the supported membrane had at 30°C a separation factor of 6.00 and a permeation rate of 85 g m−2 h−1. Compared to the PDMS supported membranes, the PDMS/PS IPN supported blend membrane ones had a higher selectivity but a somewhat lower permeability. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2011
Interface adhesion properties of syndiotactic polypropylene/cellulose group composite: Relationship between chemical structure of coupling agent and reactivity for cellulose group
Authors: Nakatani Hisayuki , Iwakura Keisuke , Hamadate Masato , Okazaki Noriyasu , Aoyama Masakazu , Terano Minoru
Published: June 2011

Reinforcement of interfacial adhesion between syndiotactic polypropylene (SPP) and fibrous pure cellulose (FC) was performed by the FC silanizations with 3‐aminopropyltrimethoxysilane (APTMS), with hexyltrimethoxysilane (HTMS) and by an addition of a SPP grafted with dimethyl itaconate (SPP‐g‐DMI: number‐average molecular weight = 3.3 × 104, DMI cont. = 0.11 wt %), respectively. The adhesion and the morphology were improved by them, respectively. However, their behavior was considerably different. The hexyl group in the HTMS converted the FC surface into hydrophobicity, leading to the hindrance of the interhydrogen bonding in the FC. The silanized FC was embrittled with the increase of the degree of the silanization. In the case of the APTMS, the inter hydrogen bonding was kept because of the existence of the amino group. Whereas, the SPP‐g‐DMI was unable to penetrate into the cellulose because of its higher molecules, and the interhydrogen bonding was not hindered. The keeping the inter hydrogen bonding was important for the reinforcement of the tensile properties such as Young's modulus and tensile strength in the composite. Furthermore, the interfacial adhesion between the SPP and holocellulose (HC) was studied as well as the SPP/FC. Although the tensile properties were slightly improved by the APTMS silanization and by the addition of the SPP‐g‐DMI, respectively, the reactivity of the HC was much less than that of the FC. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2011
Low formaldehyde emission particleboard panels realized through a new acrylic binder
Authors: Amazio Paola , Avella Maurizio , Emanuela Errico Maria , Gentile Gennaro , Balducci Francesco , Gnaccarini Alessio , Moratalla Julian , Belanche Manuel
Published: June 2011

The effectiveness of acrylic resins as low formaldehyde emission binders for particleboard production was explored. In particular, a multifunctional methacrylic monomer, ethoxylated bisphenol A dimethacrylate, classified as nonskin and eyes irritant, was selected and tested. In comparison panels realized with classic urea‐formaldehyde (UF) binder were also prepared. No significant differences were found through the morpholocigal analysis of samples prepared with the two different binders. Moreover, particleboard panels realized with the acrylic binder showed better mechanical properties and lower water absorption and thickness swelling in comparison with corresponding panels realized with the UF binders. Furthermore, the replacement of the UF with the acrylic binder did not affect thermal insulation properties of the panels. Formaldehyde release tests revealed that particleboard panels obtained by applying the acrylic binder can be classified as E1 following the European classification and even F**** following the stricter Japanese classification. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2011
Synthesis and friction properties of copper/PMMA composites by soapless emulsion polymerization
Authors: Ma Xiaokun , Su Xiaodan , Zhou Bing , Zhao Xu , Tian Yumei , Wang Zichen
Published: June 2011

Copper (Cu)‐doped polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) composites were prepared by soapless emulsion polymerization. In this process, copper nanoparticles were modified by sodium oleate (SOA) and the surface property of Cu nanoparticles changed from hydrophilic to hydrophobic. The hydrophobic Cu nanoparticles could not only avoid the oxidation of Cu in air but also improve the compatibility between Cu nanoparticles and PMMA. The TEM micrographs revealed that Cu nanoparticles were encapsulated in PMMA polymer microspheres. In addition, the uniform Cu/PMMA composite microspheres could be synthesized in such a soapless emulsion polymerization process. It was worth mentioning that the friction property in oil was well improved when little nanocomposites were added into the base oil, which indicated that the composites can be widely used in lubricating oil. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2011
Synthesis and characterization of new benzoxazine‐based phenolic resins from renewable resources and the properties of their polymers
Authors: Li Shengfang , Yan Shilin , Yu Jianying , Yu Bo
Published: June 2011

Two types of novel benzoxazine‐based phenolic resins from phenol‐furfural (PFB) and cardanol‐furfural (CFB) resins had been synthesized and the highly thermally stable polybenzoxazines were obtained by the thermal cure of the corresponding benzoxazine‐based phenolic resins. The chemical structure of benzoxazine‐based phenolic resins derived from renewable resources was confirmed by Fourier transform infrared (FTIR), 1H NMR, and gel permeation chromatography (GPC). FTIR spectrum and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) showed that the monomers were thermally initiated and polymerized via ring‐opening polymerization. Thermogravimetric analysis indicated that the incorporation of furan groups could enhance the char yield and thermal stability. However, the long alkyl side chain from cardanol could increase the toughness, while decreasing the char yield and thermal stability. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2011
Synthesis of gold nanoparticles in hyperbranched polyol dispersions
Authors: Zhang Zhiliang , Shou Chongqi
Published: June 2011

In this study, a series of different generation hyperbranched poly(amine‐ester) with hydroxyl as terminal group were synthesized and used as protectants to synthesize gold nanoparticles with a facile and highly reproducible method. The effect of hyperbranched poly(amine‐ester) generation on size and their distribution of gold nanopartciels were discussed. The results of ultraviolet visible absorption spectroscopy, Transmission electron microscopy and scanning electron microscopy showed that the mean diameter were 24.3 ± 2.6 nm, 18.2 ± 2.1 nm, and 13.6 ± 1.5 nm corresponding to the different generation hyperbranched poly(amine‐ester), and the synthesized gold nanoparticles were almost monodisperse with a narrow size distribution. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2011
Effect of interchain interaction on optical properties of poly(p‐phenylene vinylene) derivative containing oxadiazole in backbone
Authors: Kong Fan , Fang Wendan , Yang Yimin , Qiu Teng
Published: June 2011

We have investigated the optical properties of poly [2‐methoxy‐5‐(2‐ethylhexyloxy)‐1,4‐phenylene vinylene] containing oxadiazole in backbone (MEH‐OPPV) in dilute tetrahydrofuran solution and solid solution films. There is a large dihedral angle between the two adjacent monomer units in MEH‐OPPV, which restrains interchain interactions and destroys the conjugation of the polymer to result in blue shifted absorption and emission spectra. The red shifted photoluminescence (PL) peak is continuously changed in the solid solution films with increasing the concentration of MEH‐OPPV. Comparison with the dilute solution, an obvious shoulder peak at 465 nm is found in the UV–vis absorption and PL excitation (PLE) spectra of the MEH‐OPPV film. The intensity of the PLE shoulder at 465 nm is increased with the concentration of MEH‐OPPV in the solid solution films, which is connected with the aggregation of the MEH‐OPPV chains. The interchain interactions are restrained and the π‐stack aggregates of the polymer chains can not form in the MEH‐OPPV due to the large dihedral angle, and then the interchain species are effectively suppressed in the MEH‐OPPV films. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2011
Low‐temperature UV irradiation induced the color change kinetics and the corresponding structure development of PVC film
Authors: Yi Chuanbin , Sun Yanhong , Pi Hong , Guo Shaoyun
Published: June 2011

The low‐temperature ultraviolet (UV) irradiation equipment, developed in our Lab, was used to study the photo‐aging of poly (vinyl chloride) (PVC) films at low temperature. The color change kinetics and corresponding structure development of PVC film during low‐temperature UV aging were studied through L*a*b* coordinates Commission International d' Eclau‐age (CIE 1976 color space) and Ultraviolet spectrophotometer (UV–vis) and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). It was found that the yellowness difference (▵b*) and color difference (▵E*) of the PVC film increased almost linearly with the aging time. Their values had a slower change at lower temperature. The kinetic study showed that the relationship between the velocity of coloration of the PVC film and the temperature agreed well with Arrhenius equation at low temperature. The activation energy of coloration of the PVC film was calculated. The FTIR spectra indicated that photo‐dehydrochloration, resulting in the generation of conjugated carbon–carbon double bonds, was the main reaction for PVC during photo‐aging at low temperature. Meanwhile, the photo‐oxidation was also obvious and could not be neglected. It clearly confirmed that the absorption peaks of conjugated carbon–carbon double bond increased and shifted to longer wavelength during photo‐aging in the UV‐abs analysis. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2011.
Synthesis and properties of novel 4,4′‐biphenylene‐bridged flame‐retardant cyanate ester resin
Authors: Zhang Zhongyun , Yu Ruobing , Wang Fan , Wang Jialiang , Jiao Yangsheng
Published: June 2011

The bisphenol‐containing 4,4′‐biphenylene moiety was prepared by the reaction of 4,4′‐bis(methoxymethyl) biphenyl with phenol in the presence of p‐toluenesulfonic acid. The bisphenol was end‐capped with the cyanate moiety by reacting with cyanogen chloride and triethylamine in dichloromethane. Their structures were confirmed by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, 1H‐NMR, and elemental analysis. Thermal behaviors of cured resin were studied by differential scanning calorimetry, dynamic mechanical analysis, and TGA. The flame retardancy of cured resin was evaluated by limiting oxygen index (LOI) and vertical burning test (UL‐94 test). Because of the incorporation of rigid 4,4′‐biphenylene moiety, the cyanate ester (CE) resin shows good thermal stability (Tg is 256°C, the 5% degradation temperature is 442°C, and char yield at 800°C is 64.4%). The LOI value of the CE resin is 42.5, and the UL‐94 rating reaches V‐0. Moreover, the CE resin shows excellent dielectric property (dielectric constant, 2.94 at 1 GHz and loss dissipation factor, 0.0037 at 1 GHz) and water resistance (1.08% immersed at boiling water for 100 h). © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2011
The mechanism for inorganic fillers accelerating and inhibiting the UV irradiation aging behaviors of rigid poly(vinyl chloride)
Authors: Zhang Xiaofei , Pi Hong , Guo Shaoyun
Published: June 2011

The UV irradiation aging behaviors of PVC composites with several inorganic fillers were studied through Fourier transform spectroscopy (FTIR), ultraviolet spectroscopy (UV‐Vis), differential scanning calorimeter (DSC), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and mechanical property test. It was found that incorporation of a small amount of the inorganic fillers such as CaCO3, talc and SiO2 could hold up the UV aging behaviors of PVC. Those filler‐filled PVC composites sheets after 20 days UV irradiation maintain lower carbonyl index (CI) and good appearance of surfaces, as compared with the corresponding neat PVC sheets, ascribed to high reflection of those fillers to UV light. While montmorillonite (MMT) and pyrophyllite fillers could accelerate the UV aging behaviors of PVC, which could be concluded from both the sharp increase of the CI and lower Tg due to the chain scission reactions because of their high absorbance of these fillers to UV light in 290–400 nm. In these two PVC composites, UV irradiation caused the deterioration of their mechanical properties and the appearance of rough, cracked and chalked surfaces after 20 days UV irradiation. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2011
Preparation of poly(vinylidene fluoride)/poly(methyl methacrylate) membranes by novel electrospinning system for lithium ion batteries
Authors: Li Xiaoyun , Cao Qi , Wang Xianyou , Jiang Shenghui , Deng Huayang , Wu Na
Published: June 2011

Fibrous membranes of poly(vinylidene fluoride)/poly(methyl methacrylate) (PVdF/PMMA) were fabricated by electrospinning method with different concentrations of polymer solution: 14, 16, and 18 wt %. The morphology of the electrospun membranes was observed by scanning electron microscopy. The images revealed that the nanofibers showed uniform diameter and no bead formation was observed with the concentration of 16 wt %. Also, the structure, crystallinity, ionic conduction, and electrochemical stability of the electrospun membranes were characterized. The results suggested that electrolyte uptake, ionic conduction, and electrochemical stability were improved by the addition of PMMA. Furthermore, with the 16 wt % concentration of the polymer solution, the membrane showed a high ionic conductivity of 3.5 mS cm−1 at room temperature and electrochemical stability of up to 5.1 V. We predicted that this new method may be very promising for preparing microporous PVdF/PMMA polymer electrolytes. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2011.
Surface and adhesion properties of poly(ethylene glycol) on polyester(polyethylene terephthalate) fabric surface: Effect of air‐atmospheric plasma treatment
Authors: Takke V. , Behary N. , Perwuelz A. , Campagne C.
Published: June 2011

The surface and adhesion properties of different molecular weight poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) (400, 1500, and 3000 g/mol) on untreated and air‐atmospheric plasma‐treated PET woven fabrics were studied, with the aim of developing durable hydrophilic PET fibrous structures. PEG application was carried out by padding of the PET fabric in aqueous solution of PEG followed by curing and drying. The surface properties of the PEG‐coated PET fabrics were then characterized using wicking test to measure the water contact angle (θ°) and capillary weight (Wc), and using atomic force microscopy (AFM) images in the tapping mode. Results showed that without a prior air‐atmospheric plasma treatment of the PET fabric, the water contact angle decreased and capillary weight increased with the three PEGs, implying an increase in the hydrophilicity of both inner and outer PET fabric fiber surface. Air‐plasma treatment of the PET fabrics before PEG coating increases further the hydrophilicity of the inner fabric fiber surface: the capillary weight was almost doubled in the case of the three PEGs. Best results were obtained with PEG 1500: water contact angle decreasing from 82° to 51°, and the capillary weight increasing from 11 mg to 134 mg. Moreover, wash fastness test at room temperature and at 80°C confirms improved adhesion of PEG‐1500 to the plasma‐treated PET woven fabric surface, while under the same conditions the plasma‐treated PET without PEG loses completely its hydrophilic character. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2011.
Adsorption removal of Cu2+ and Ni2+ from waste water using nano‐cellulose hybrids containing reactive polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxanes
Authors: Xie Kongliang , Jing Lixia , Zhao Weiguo , Zhang Yanli
Published: June 2011

Cellulose is an important biomass in natural material fields. Reactive polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxane (R‐POSS) bearing multi‐N‐methylol groups is novel high reactive POSS monomer. The nano‐cellulose hybrids containing R‐POSS were synthesized by crosslinking reaction. It was interesting to investigate properties and applications of hybrids containing R‐POSS. In this work, nano‐cellulose hybrids as novel biosorbent were used for adsorpting copper and nickel ions in aqueous solution. Adsorption kinetics and equilibrium isotherm of Cu2+ and Ni2+ on the nano‐cellulose hybrids were investigated. The results showed that R‐POSS had been grafted to cellulose macromolecule. The nano‐cellulose hybrids could form new adsorptive position for heavy metal ions. The adsorption capacities of hybrid materials were obviously higher than that of control cellulose. The adsorption of heavy metal ions on nano‐cellulose hybrids followed the second‐order model. The equilibrium isotherms for adsorpting copper and nickel ions on the hybrids followed Langmuir isotherm model. Nano‐cellulose materials containing POSS as biosorbents or ultrafiltration membranes would be used in separation of toxic heavy metal ions. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2011.
Impact damage sensing in glass fiber reinforced composites based on carbon nanotubes by electrical resistance measurements
Authors: Monti Marco , Natali Maurizio , Petrucci Roberto , Kenny José M. , Torre Luigi
Published: June 2011

In this article, we report an interesting employment of multi‐walled carbon nanotubes as a filler in the epoxy matrix of a glass fiber reinforced composite (FRP). The intrinsic electrical conductivity of carbon nanotubes made the development of a nanocomposite with enhanced electrical properties possible. The manufactured nanocomposite was subsequently employed in the production of a glass FRP. Due to the high aspect ratio of carbon nanotubes, very small amounts of these particles were sufficient to modify the electrical properties of the obtained glass fiber composites. Basically, a three‐phases material was developed, in which two phases were electrically insulating—epoxy matrix and glass fiber—and one phase highly conductive, the carbon nanotubes. The main goal of this study was to investigate the possibility of developing a glass fiber reinforced nanocomposite (GFRN), which is able to provide measurable electrical signals when subjected to a low‐velocity impact on its surface. Following this goal, the drop in the mechanical performance of the composite was evaluated before and after the impact. At the same time, the variation in its electrical resistance was measured. The results have shown that it is possible to associate the increase in electrical resistance of the composite with the formation of damages caused by impact. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2011
Ovarian Stem Cell Niche and Follicular Renewal in Mammals
Authors: Bukovsky Antonin
Published: June 2011

Stem cell niche consists of perivascular compartment, which connects the stem cells to the immune and vascular systems. During embryonic period, extragonadal primordial germ cells colonize coelomic epithelium of developing gonads. Subsequently, ovarian stem cells (OSC) produce secondary germ cells under the influence of OSC niche, including immune system‐related cells and hormonal signaling. The OSC in fetal and adult human ovaries serve as a source of germ and granulosa cells. Lack of either granulosa or germ cell niche will result in premature ovarian failure in spite of the presence of OSC. During perinatal period, the OSC transdifferentiate into fibroblast‐like cells forming the ovarian tunica albuginea resistant to environmental threats. They represent mesenchymal precursors of epithelial OSC during adulthood. The follicular renewal during the prime reproductive period (PRP) ensures that there are fresh eggs available for a healthy progeny. End of PRP is followed by exponentially growing fetal genetic abnormalities. The OSC are present in adult, aging, and postmenopausal ovaries, and differentiate in vitro into new oocytes. During in vitro development of large isolated oocytes reaching 200 μm in diameter, an ancestral mechanism of premeiotic nurse cells, which operates during oogenesis in developing ovaries from invertebrates to mammalian species, is utilized. In vitro developed eggs could be used for autologous IVF treatment of premature ovarian failure. Such eggs are also capable to produce parthenogenetic embryos like some cultured follicular oocytes. The parthenotes produce embryonic stem cells derived from inner cell mass, and these cells can serve as autologous pluripotent stem cells. Anat Rec, 2011. © 2011 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Cross‐ and Triple‐Ratios of Human Body Parts During Development
Authors: Lundh Torbjörn , Udagawa Jun , Hänel Sven‐Erik , Otani Hiroki
Published: June 2011

Recently developed landmark‐based geometric morphometry has been used to depict the morphological development of organisms. In geometry, four landmarks can be mapped to any other four by Möbius transformations, if the cross‐ratio of the landmarks is invariant and vice versa. To geometrically analyze the morphological development of the human body, we examined the cross‐ratio of three consecutive body parts that are segmented by four landmarks in their configuration. Moreover, we introduced the triple‐ratio of five landmarks that segments four consecutive parts (e.g., the shoulder, upper arm, forearm, and hand) and examined their growth patterns. The cross‐ and triple‐ratios of the upper limb and shoulder girdle in fetuses were constant when biomechanical landmarks were used, although the cross‐ratio of the upper limb varied when anatomical landmarks were used. The cross‐ratios of the lower limbs, trunk, and pelvic girdles in fetuses differed from their corresponding cross‐ratios in adults. These results suggest Möbius growth in the fetal upper limb and shoulder girdle but not in the other body parts examined. However, the growth balance of the three contiguous body parts was represented by the developmental change in the cross‐ratio. Therefore, the cross‐ and triple‐ratios may be applicable for simple but significant assessments of growth balance or proportion of the body parts. Anat Rec, 2011. © 2011 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Paleoneurology of Two New Neandertal Occipitals from El Sidrón (Asturias, Spain) in the Context of Homo Endocranial Evolution
Authors: Peña‐Melián Angel , Rosas Antonio , García‐Tabernero Antonio , Bastir Markus , De La Rasilla Marco
Published: June 2011

The endocranial surface description and comparative analyses of two new neandertal occipital fragments (labelled SD‐1149 and SD‐370a) from the El Sidrón site (Asturias, Spain) reveal new aspects of neandertal brain morphological asymmetries. The dural sinus drainage pattern, as observed on the sagittal‐transverse system, as well as the cerebral occipito‐petalias, point out a slightly differential configuration of the neandertal brain when compared to other Homo species, especially H. sapiens. The neandertal dural sinus drainage pattern is organized in a more asymmetric mode, in such a way that the superior sagittal sinus (SSS) drains either to the right or to the left transverse sinuses, but in no case in a confluent mode (i.e. simultaneous continuation of SSS with both right (RTS) and left (LTS) transverse sinuses). Besides, the superior sagittal sinus shows an accentuated deviation from of the mid‐sagittal plane in its way to the RTS in 35% of neandertals. This condition, which increases the asymmetry of the system, is almost nonexistent neither in the analyzed Homo fossil species sample nor in that of anatomically modern humans. Regarding the cerebral occipito‐petalias, neandertals manifest one of the lowest percentages of left petalia of the Homo sample (including modern H. sapiens). As left occipito‐petalia is the predominant pattern in hominins, it seems as if neandertals would have developed a different pattern of brain hemispheres asymmetry. Finally, the relief and position of the the cerebral sulci and gyri impressions observed in the El Sidrón occipital specimens look similar to those observed in modern H. sapiens. Anat Rec, 2011. © 2011 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Age‐Associated Changes of the Mandibular Foramen Position in Anteroposterior Dimension and of the Mandibular Angle in Dry Human Mandibles
Authors: Ashkenazi Malka , Taubman Lilach , Gavish Anat
Published: June 2011

The effect of age on the anteroposterior (A‐P) position of the mandibular foramen (MF) and on the size of the gonial angle (GA) was evaluated in this study. From an Israeli Bedouin population, 121 dry mandibles with primary (36), mixed (26), and permanent dentitions (59) were analyzed. The A‐P position of the MF perpendicular to the posterior border of the ramus was measured with a digital caliper. A mandibulometer was used to evaluate the GA. The MF distance from the posterior border of the ramus increased significantly with age by 66% from primary (7.75 mm) to permanent (12.9 mm; P < 0.001). Similarly, the MF distance from the posterior border of the ramus relative to the total ramus width in A‐P dimension increased significantly (21.4%) with altered dentitions from primary (0.28) to late permanent dentition (0.34; P < 0.001). The GA decreased significantly with age from 140.17° ± 5.9° (primary dentition) to 123.61° ± 6.9° (late permanent dentition; P < 0.001). The anterior movement of the MF and the decreased size of the GA that occurred with changing dentition were related to growth process. The MF moves anteriorly, and the GA decreases with age. Anat Rec, 2011. © 2011 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Shrinkage of Renal Tissue after Impregnation via the Cold Biodur Plastination Technique
Authors: Pereira‐Sampaio Marco A. , Marques‐Sampaio Beatriz P.S. , Sampaio Francisco J.B. , Henry Robert W.
Published: June 2011

Thorough dehydration is a key for good plastination and invariably it leads to shrinkage. Shrinkage during plastination has been studied to lesser extent. Shrinkage was studied in 10 pig kidneys including regional shrinkage (cortex, medulla, sinus) and at which stages of the process (dehydration, impregnation, curing) shrinkage occurred. Kidneys were fixation by perfusion of 10% neutral buffered formalin solution via the renal artery. The vessels and ureter were filled with colored silicone (Dow Corning, Silastic E RTV Silicone Rubber) and the kidneys were cut into one centimeter transverse slices. Two slices of each kidney were plastinated via the classic von Hagens' method. Slices were photographed at the same focal length after preparation and at the end of each stage of plastination. Slice surface area was determined by a point‐counting planimetry method. Post dehydration shrinkage of the kidney was 10.21% while post impregnation 10.11%. After completion of plastination, total area of kidney slice shrinkage was 19.72%. Cortical area shrunk 12.81% after dehydration and 13.16% after impregnation. After plastination, cortical area had shrunk 24.28%. No significant shrinkage occurred in the medulla and sinus. Results demonstrate that kidney shrinkage during impregnation is as intense as during dehydration. Significant shrinkage occurred in the renal cortex but not in the medulla and sinus. This demonstrates that different tissue types, even in the same specimen, have different rates of shrinkage during dehydration and impregnation. Therefore, plastinated specimens should be used carefully in research where obtaining measures is important. Anat Rec, 2011. © 2011 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
1‐Pentanoyl‐N‐{[2'‐(1H‐tetrazol‐5‐yl)biphenyl‐4‐yl]methyl}‐pyrrolidine‐2‐carboxamide: Investigation of Structural Variations
Authors: Catalano Alessia , Carocci Alessia , Di Mola Antonia , Bruno Claudio , Vanderheyden Patrick M. L. , Franchini Carlo
Published: June 2011

We recently reported a series of 1‐acyl‐N‐(biphenyl‐4‐ylmethyl)pyrrolidine‐2‐carboxamides as AT1 receptor ligands. The most potent compound of the series, 1‐pentanoyl‐N‐{[2'‐(1H‐tetrazol‐5‐yl)biphenyl‐4‐yl]methyl}‐pyrrolidine‐2‐carboxamide, showed an interesting affinity for the receptor. To investigate the influence of structure variations on affinity, the synthesis of additional compounds belonging to this series has been performed. Biological tests run on the newly synthesized compounds on CHO‐hAT1 cells stably expressing the human AT1 receptor confirm our previous hypothesis, i.e. that, within this series, the length of the acyl chain, the substitution of the amidic group and the nature of the acidic one are crucial for the receptor interaction, being a valeric chain, a secondary amidic function and the tetrazole moiety, respectively, the optimal ones.
Collaborative development of anatomy workshops for medical and dental students in Cambodia
Authors: Hayes Jennifer A. , Ivanusic Jason J. , le Roux Cara M. , Hatzopoulos Kate , Gonsalvez David , Hong Someth , Durward Callum
Published: June 2011

After Phnom Penh was liberated from the Khmer Rouge in 1979, health science education in Cambodia had to be completely rebuilt. In this article, the authors report the results of a teaching collaboration between the University of Melbourne (Australia), the International University (Cambodia), and the University of Health Sciences (Cambodia). The main objectives in this collaboration were to provide the opportunity for dental and medical students in Cambodia to attend resourced anatomy workshops and to provide an opportunity for anatomy teachers in Cambodia to gain experience in implementing anatomy workshops of the style that are routinely used in the medical and dental curricula at the University of Melbourne. Experienced anatomy educators from the Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, University of Melbourne, designed and resourced a series of workshops and then delivered these in collaboration with Cambodian teaching staff in Phnom Penh. The Cambodian students who participated in the workshops were incredibly engaged and enthusiastic. The students' evaluations (by questionnaire) indicated a very positive response to the workshops. All of the workshop resources were donated to the two universities so that the staff could continue to implement similar workshops, and plans were developed to continue our collaboration by developing more resourced workshops for this purpose in the future. Two staff members from Cambodia will travel to Melbourne to participate in anatomy workshops and dissection classes at the University of Melbourne. We hope that this extension of the collaboration provides further support and impetus for the development of anatomy education in Cambodia in the future. Anat Sci Educ © 2011 American Association of Anatomists.
Laser‐Induced Crystallization and Crystal Growth
Authors: Sugiyama Teruki , Masuhara Hiroshi
Published: June 2011

Recent streams of laser studies on crystallization and crystal growth are summarized and reviewed. Femtosecond multiphoton excitation of solutions leads to their ablation at the focal point, inducing local bubble formation, shockwave propagation, and convection flow. This phenomenon, called “laser micro tsunami” makes it possible to trigger crystallization of molecules and proteins from their supersaturated solutions. Femtosecond laser ablation of a urea crystal in solution triggers the additional growth of a single daughter crystal. Intense continuous wave (CW) near infrared laser irradiation at the air/solution interface of heavy‐water amino acid solutions results in trapping of the clusters and evolves to crystallization. A single crystal is always prepared in a spatially and temporally controlled manner, and the crystal polymorph of glycine depends on laser power, polarization, and solution concentration. Upon irradiation at the glass/solution interface, a millimeter‐sized droplet is formed, and a single crystal is formed by shifting the irradiation position to the surface. Directional and selective crystal growth is also possible with laser trapping. Finally, characteristics of laser‐induced crystallization and crystal growth are summarized.
Revisiting Keteniminium Salts: More than the Nitrogen Analogs of Ketenes
Authors: Madelaine Claire , Valerio Viviana , Maulide Nuno
Published: June 2011

Keteniminium salts are powerful electrophilic heterocumulene reagents well‐known for their selectivity and stereocontrol in [2+2] cycloadditions to olefins and carbonyl derivatives. Furthermore, they are readily accessible from stable and simple precursors under a variety of different conditions. Herein, we present the chemistry of keteniminium salts with the hindsight of time, describe preparation methods, recent [2+2] chemistry, mechanistic studies, and assorted applications that significantly extend the scope of utility of these unique electrophilic heterocumulenes.
Integrated macroalgae production for sustainable bioethanol, aquaculture and agriculture in Pacific island nations
Authors: Borines Myra G. , McHenry Mark P. , de Leon Rizalinda L.
Published: June 2011

The Philippine Biofuels Act of 2006 mandates domestic gasoline blending with bioethanol at a rate of 5% by 2009 and 2010, and 10% by 2011 (by volume). Akin to most biofuel policies, the Act aims to increase fuel supply security, reduce emissions, and stimulate regional development. However, the majority of biofuels blended are imported due to conventional food market demand for biofuel feedstocks, and limited domestic biofuel production capacity. A promising alternative domestic bioethanol feedstock is macroalgae (seaweed) species, of which the Philippines is already a major global commercial producer. The advantages of using particular non‐food macroalgae as a bioethanol feedstock include zero competition with agricultural food production, no freshwater requirement, high yields per area, zero fertilizer applications, and the pre‐existing markets for bioethanol macroalgae wastes. Adaptation of existing macroalgae farming methods, customized to high‐yielding non‐food bioethanol precursor species, can enable rapid expansion into industrial‐scale biofuel production, far exceeding terrestrial bioethanol yields in terms of per unit area. This work identifies the regional availability and supply of appropriate macroalgae species suitable for bioethanol production, and explores integrated production synergies and challenges for an environmentally sustainable macroalgae bioethanol industry suitable for a number of Pacific island nations. © 2011 Society of Chemical Industry and John Wiley & Sons, Ltd
Organization of straw‐to‐energy systems in Ukraine and Scandinavia
Authors: Voytenko Yuliya , Peck Philip
Published: June 2011

Ukraine (UA) faces broad needs for energy security enhancement, energy diversification, revitalization of agriculture, and improvements in the state of the environment. UA has large biomass‐for‐bioenergy potential, which can be leveraged to contribute to local/regional energy self‐sufficiency, rural development and diversification, and environmental improvement via fossil fuel substitution with local and more sustainable biofuels. However, the manner in which biomass energy utilization is emerging is poorly documented and its organizational basis is not well understood. This work focuses on bioenergy from agricultural waste as an early emergent area. It applies cross‐case analysis to nine straw‐fired installations in UA. Analysis yields three straw‐based frameworks for organization and action, including small‐scale local heat production, small‐scale local straw production for municipal fuel provision, and medium‐scale straw combustion for district heating (DH). The UA context is then compared to more advanced agro‐bioenergy sectors in Sweden (SE) and Denmark (DK) to delineate crucial factors for the growth of UA's embryonic sector. The study finds that evolution of individual business entrepreneurship qualities and knowledge dissemination are key parameters to move the sector forward at small to medium scale, while stable and targeted incentive based systems, national government support, and collective bioenergy stakeholder action are required for advance to medium and large scales. Barriers to the expansion of bioenergy in UA include low access to technology and funding, and a lack of knowledge on bioenergy funding schemes, and bioenergy in general.

The outcomes of the paper are principally transferable to other transition economies (EiTs). © 2011 Society of Chemical Industry and John Wiley & Sons, Ltd
Proteolytic processing of the p75 neurotrophin receptor: A prerequisite for signalling?
Authors: Skeldal Sune , Matusica Dusan , Nykjaer Anders , Coulson Elizabeth J.
Published: June 2011

The common neurotrophin receptor (p75NTR) regulates various functions in the developing and adult nervous system. Cell survival, cell death, axonal and growth cone retraction, and regulation of the cell cycle can be regulated by p75NTR‐mediated signals following activation by either mature or pro‐neurotrophins and in combination with various co‐receptors, including Trk receptors and sortilin. Here, we review the known functions of p75NTR by cell type, receptor‐ligand combination, and whether regulated intra‐membrane proteolysis of p75NTR is required for signalling. We highlight that the generation of the intracellular domain fragment of p75NTR is associated with many of the receptor functions, regardless of its ligand and co‐receptor interactions.
Growth and accumulation dynamics of poly(3‐hydroxyalkanoate) (PHA) in Pseudomonas putida GPo1 cultivated in continuous culture under transient feed conditions
Authors: Zinn Manfred , Durner Roland , Zinn Hanspeter , Ren Qun , Egli Thomas , Witholt Bernard
Published: June 2011

It has been shown that Pseudomonas putida GPo1 is able to grow in continuous culture simultaneously limited by ammonium (N source) and octanoate (C source), and concomitantly accumulate poly([R]‐3‐hydroxyalkanoate) (PHA). Under such growth conditions the material properties of PHA can be fine‐tuned if a second PHA precursor substrate is supplied. To determine the range of dual carbon and nitrogen (C, N)‐limited growth conditions, tedious chemostat experiments need to be carried out for each carbon source separately. To determine the growth regime, the C/N ratio of the feed (f) to a chemostat was changed in a stepwise manner at a constant dilution rate of 0.3/h. Dual‐(C, N)‐limited growth was observed between Cf/Nf ≤ 6.4 g/g and Cf/Nf >9.5 g/g. In the following, we analyzed alternative approaches, using continuous medium gradients at the same dilution rate, that do not require time consuming establishments of steady states. Different dynamic approaches were selected in which the Cf/Nf ratio was changed continuously through a convex increase of Cf, a convex increase of Nf, or a linear decrease of Cf (gradients 1, 2, and 3, respectively). In these experiments, the dual‐(C, N)‐limited growth regime was between 7.2 and 11.0 g/g · for gradient 1, 4.3 and 6.9 g/g for gradient 2, and 5.1 and 8.9 g/g for gradient 3. A mathematical equation was developed that compensated a time delay of the gradient that was caused by the wash‐in/wash‐out effects of the medium feed.
Two-stage hepatectomy for multiple bilobar colorectal liver metastases
Authors: Narita M , Oussoultzoglou E , Jaeck D , Fuchschuber P , Rosso E , Pessaux P , Marzano E , Bachellier P
Published: June 2011

Background

As surgical resection of colorectal liver metastases (CLM) remains the only treatment for cure, efforts to extend the surgical indications to include patients with multiple bilobar CLM have been made. This study evaluated the long-term outcome, safety and efficacy of two-stage hepatectomy (TSH) for CLM in a large cohort of patients.

Methods

Patients undergoing surgery between December 1996 and December 2009 were reviewed. The early postoperative and long-term outcomes as well as the patterns of failure to complete TSH and its clinical implications were analysed.

Results

Eighty patients were scheduled to undergo TSH. Sixty-one patients had completion of TSH combined with (58 patients), or without (3) portal vein embolization/ligation (PVE/PVL). Five patients were excluded after first-stage hepatectomy and 14 after PVE/PVL. The 5-year overall survival rate and median survival in patients who completed TSH were 32 per cent and 39·6 months respectively, and corresponding recurrence-free values were 11 per cent and 9·4 months respectively. Six patients were alive beyond 5 years after TSH. Multivariable logistic regression analysis showed that failure to complete TSH was driven by two independent prognostic scenarios: three or more CLM in the future remnant liver (FRL) combined with age over 70 years predicted tumour progression after first-stage hepatectomy, and three or more CLM in the FRL combined with carcinomatosis at the time of first-stage hepatectomy predicted the development of additional FRL metastases after PVE/PVL.

Conclusion

A therapeutic strategy using TSH provided acceptable long-term survival with no postoperative mortality. Further efforts are needed to increase the number of patients who undergo TSH successfully.
Determination of cyantraniliprole and its major metabolite residues in vegetable and soil using ultra‐performance liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry
Authors: Dong Fengshou , Liu Xingang , Xu Jun , Li Jing , Li Yuanbo , Shan Weili , Song Wencheng , Zheng Yongquan
Published: June 2011

A rapid, highly sensitive and selective method was developed for the determination of the cyantraniliprole and its major metabolite J9Z38 in cucumber, tomato and soil by ultra‐performance liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry (UPLC‐MS/MS). Target compounds were extracted with acetonitrile and an aliquot cleaned with primary and secondary amine. Two pairs of precursor product ion transitions for cyantraniliprole and J9Z38 were measured and evaluated. Average recoveries for cucumber, tomato and soil at three levels (10, 50 and 100 µg/kg) ranged from 74.7 to 96.2% with intra‐day relative standard deviation (RSD) of 2.6–15.1% and inter‐day RSD of 3.4–13.3%. The limit of quantitation for cyantraniliprole and J9Z38 were determined to be 5 and 10 µg/kg in samples (cucumber, tomato and soil), respectively. This method was used to determine the cyantraniliprole and J9Z38 residues in real cucumber, tomato and soil samples for studies on their dissipation. The trial results showed that the half‐lives of cyantraniliprole obtained after treatments were 2.2, 2.8 and 9.5 days in cucumber, tomato and soil in Zhejiang, respectively, and that the average levels of cyantraniliprole and J9Z38 residues in cucumber and tomato were all <0.01 mg/kg with the interval of 10 days after treatment. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The Concept of Leakage in Threat Assessment
Authors: Meloy J. Reid , O'Toole Mary Ellen
Published: June 2011

Leakage in the context of threat assessment is the communication to a third party of an intent to do harm to a target. Third parties are usually other people, but the means of communication vary, and include letters, diaries, journals, blogs, videos on the internet, emails, voice mails, and other social media forms of transmission. Leakage is a type of warning behavior that typically infers a preoccupation with the target, and may signal the research, planning, and implementation of an attack. Nomothetic data suggest that leakage occurs in a majority of cases of attacks on and assassinations of public figures, adult mass murders, adolescent mass murders, and school or campus shootings: very low‐frequency, but catastrophic acts of intended and targeted violence. Idiographic or case data illustrate the various permutations of leakage. We discuss the operational importance of the concept, place it in the context of other warning behaviors, emphasize the need for further research, and outline risk management strategies for the mitigation of such acts of violence in both law enforcement and clinical mental health settings. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Mock Jury Research: Where Do We Go from Here?
Authors: Wiener Richard L. , Krauss Daniel A. , Lieberman Joel D.
Published: June 2011

This paper reviews the four types of validity that make up Cook and Campbell's traditional approach for social science research in general and psychological research in particular: internal validity, statistical conclusion validity, external validity, and construct validity. The most important generalizability threat to the validity of jury research is not likely a selection main effect (i.e., the effect of relying solely on undergraduate mock jurors) but is more likely the interaction of sample with construct validity factors. Researchers who try to capture the trial process with experimental paradigms may find that undergraduate mock jurors react differently to those efforts than do more representative community samples. We illustrate these issues with the seven papers that make up this volume, and conclude by endorsing Diamond's call for a two‐stage research process in which findings with samples of convenience gradually add more realistic trial processes and representative samples to confirm the initial findings and increase the research program's credibility. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Failure analysis of engineering structures in undergraduate courses using optimization
Authors: Sivaselvan M. V.
Published: June 2011

In the design process for engineering structures, it is often of interest to determine the largest magnitude of a given form of load that can be applied on a structure before causing failure. This gives the factor of safety against failure. Determining the factor of safety entails analysis of a structure on the verge of failure, and is known as limit analysis. It is well known that limit analysis can be formulated as a constrained optimization problem. With robust computational tools for optimization having become readily available, it is possible to introduce the optimization‐based approach to limit analysis at various stages in the undergraduate civil engineering curriculum. In this article, we present three instances of limit analysis using an optimization‐based approach from (i) a sophomore level Statics course, (ii) a junior level Structural Analysis course, and (iii) a senior level Advanced Solid Mechanics course. These are based on materials presented by the author in undergraduate mechanics courses at the University of Colorado at Boulder. In each case, we develop a mathematical formulation and implement the computations in MATLAB. We use two optimization tools, one from the MATLAB Optimization Toolbox and the other called SeDuMi. Classroom experience has shown that the optimization‐based approach helps students recognize the underlying thread in seemingly disparate limit analysis problems. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Comput Appl Eng Educ 22:297–308, 2014; View this article online at wileyonlinelibrary.com/journal/cae; DOI 10.1002/cae.20555