bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Preparation, properties, and applications of acrylic–polyurethane hybrid emulsions in extinction electrophoresis
Authors: Ou Juhua , Yang Yong , Gan Jianqun , Ha Chengyong , Zhang Min
Published: October 2013

Aqueous acrylic–polyurethane hybrid emulsions (PUA) were fabricated by semibatch emulsion copolymerization using a mixture of acrylic (AC) monomers in the presence of an isocyanate terminated polyurethane (PU). The effects of PU content on the morphology of the hybrid emulsions and film properties were here investigated in detail using FT‐IR, UV, TEM, and SEM. TEM images clearly showed that hybrid emulsions exhibited a core‐shell structure before neutralization. However, after neutralization with N,N‐dimethylethanolamine, the typical particles exhibited phase inversion, producing particles with irregular hemispheres shapes and diameters about 0.5 μm. SEM images showed that the film surface became rougher as PU content increased, peaking at 10 wt %, the gloss of this film was 23.1 (60°). The UV transmittance spectra of the PUA hybrid emulsion within a wavelength range 700–200 nm decreased as PU content increased. This was consistent with the changes in the surface roughness of the film. Electrophoresis took place on an aluminum alloy surface and the product was dried at 120°C. The film exhibited excellent mechanical performance due to curing reaction between the NCO group on PU and hydroxyl group on the AC copolymer. The gloss of the film was found to be as low as 4.0 after electrophoresis testing. These films may be useful in practical extinction electrophoresis. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2014, 131, 40078.
Environmental aging of cold‐cured epoxy‐silica hybrids prepared by sol−gel process
Authors: Lionetto Francesca , Frigione Mariaenrica
Published: October 2013

The article investigates the effects of long term environmental aging on thermal and mechanical properties of epoxy‐silica hybrids. These nanostructured materials, prepared by non‐aqueous sol‐gel process and in situ generation of nanosilica during epoxy curing at room temperature, present the potential to be used as cold‐cured adhesives for civil engineering and Cultural Heritage applications. A specifically developed conditioning procedure for these cold‐cured nanostructured materials was applied before moisture/water absorption tests. The work evidenced the superior durability of the studied epoxy‐silica hybrid, which kept its performances in severe, but realistic, environmental conditions with respect to traditional epoxy adhesives. The reduction in the glass transition temperature and mechanical properties of the studied epoxy‐silica hybrid, observed in the first weeks of environmental aging, was followed by a significant recovery. This was attributed to two concomitant phenomena: the reactivation of the incomplete curing reactions in the epoxy domains and the continuation of the condensation reactions in the siloxane domains activated by the absorbed water. Finally, the Fickian behavior, presented by the studied epoxy‐silica hybrid, was used as an indirect indication of the homogeneity of achieved microstructure, with well dispersed silica nanostructures in the epoxy network. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2014, 131, 40093.
Preparation of polyurethane foams using fractionated products in liquefied wood
Authors: Xu Junming , Jiang Jianchun , Hse Chung‐Yun , Shupe Todd F.
Published: October 2013

Liquefaction of sawdust was studied using glycerol and methanol as mix solvents. A new bio‐polyol product consisting of high purity multi‐hydroxy compounds was obtained by precipitation of the hydrophobic organics from the liquefied product in an aqueous solution. As identified by GC‐MS, the dominate components in bio‐polyol were glycerol, glycerol derivatives, and multiple types of sugar derivatives. By using the mass ratio of m (sawdust) : m (glycerol) = 1 : 1, the total content of multi‐hydroxy compounds reached 90.84%. The hydroxyl number of the bio‐polyol was 1287 mgKOH/g with a rotational viscosity of 1270 cP. Preparation of polyurethane foams using bio‐polyol and isocyanate was also studied. Water was used as an environmental friendly blowing agent. The factors that influence the cell structure of foams (i.e., catalyst, dosage of blowing agent, and mass ratio of bio‐polyol to PEG‐400 were studied. The compressive strength of the synthesized foam was 150 Kpa, which met the requirement of Chinese specification for rigid foams. The synthesized foams were characterized by FTIR, SEM, and TG. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2014, 131, 40096.
Adaptive e‐learning system based on agents and object petri nets (AELS‐A/OPN)
Authors: Hammami Salah , Mathkour Hassen
Published: October 2013

Agent technology plays an important role in today's software development at the industrial level and brings advantages to the development of educational applications. The main focus of the multi‐agent systems community has been on the development of concepts, architectures, interaction techniques, and general approaches to the analysis and specification of multi‐agent systems. We introduce herein a novel concept involving the development of an e‐Learning system architecture that explores several recent technologies, including multi‐agent technology and adaptive e‐Learning. The main concern of our research is twofold: to build a multi‐agent architecture that provides the ability to adapt to the learner's preferences in the e‐Learning environment and to analyze and control the communication and interactions among the different agents of the proposed system. Toward this aim, we present a distributed intelligent blackboard agent that ensures the communication among the participating agents. Furthermore, we describe a formal model that can be used to specify the message exchanges and their synchronization using Object Petri Nets. An exploratory implementation has been developed and conducted in practice. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Comput Appl Eng Educ 23:170–190, 2015; View this article online at wileyonlinelibrary.com/journal/cae; DOI 10.1002/cae.21587
Three‐year outcomes of a once daily fractionation scheme for accelerated partial breast irradiation (APBI) using 3‐D conformal radiotherapy (3D‐CRT)
Authors: Goyal Sharad , Daroui Parima , Khan Atif J. , Kearney Thomas , Kirstein Laurie , Haffty Bruce G.
Published: October 2013

The aim of this study was to report 3‐year outcomes of toxicity, cosmesis, and local control using a once daily fractionation scheme (49.95 Gy in 3.33 Gy once daily fractions) for accelerated partial breast irradiation (APBI) using three‐dimensional conformal radiotherapy (3D‐CRT). Between July 2008 and August 2010, women aged ≥40 years with ductal carcinoma in situ or node‐negative invasive breast cancer ≤3 cm in diameter, treated with breast‐conserving surgery achieving negative margins, were accrued to a prospective study. Women were treated with APBI using 3–5 photon beams, delivering 49.95 Gy over 15 once daily fractions over 3 weeks. Patients were assessed for toxicities, cosmesis, and local control rates before APBI and at specified time points. Thirty‐four patients (mean age 60 years) with Tis 0 (n = 9) and T1N0 (n = 25) breast cancer were treated and followed up for an average of 39 months. Only 3% (1/34) patients experienced a grade 3 subcutaneous fibrosis and breast edema and 97% of the patients had good/excellent cosmetic outcome at 3 years. The 3‐year rate of ipsilateral breast tumor recurrence (IBTR) was 0% while the rate of contralateral breast events was 6%. The 3‐year disease‐free survival (DFS), overall survival (OS), and breast cancer‐specific survival (BCSS) was 94%, 100%, and 100%, respectively. Our novel accelerated partial breast fractionation scheme of 15 once daily fractions of 3.33 Gy (49.95 Gy total) is a remarkably well‐tolerated regimen of 3D‐CRT‐based APBI. A larger cohort of patients is needed to further ascertain the toxicity of this accelerated partial breast regimen.
Laminar Forced Convection of a Water‐TiO2 Nanofluid in Annuli Considering Mass Conservation for Particles
Authors: Bahiraei M. , Hosseinalipour S. M. , Hangi M.
Published: October 2013

Hydrothermal characteristics of a water‐TiO2 nanofluid were evaluated numerically within annuli considering the effects of particle migration. The convective heat transfer coefficients increased at both inner and outer walls of the annulus by raising the concentration. Along the annulus, the friction coefficient decreased more rapidly at lower Reynolds numbers. Taking the particle migration into account, a nonuniform concentration distribution was observed at the annulus cross section, higher heat transfer coefficients were obtained at both walls, and the velocity profile became flatter. In addition, the influence of thermophoresis on the convective heat transfer proved to be more significant than that of Brownian diffusion.
Enantioselective Bioaccumulation and Dissipation of Soil‐Associated Metalaxyl Enantiomers in Tubifex
Authors: Di Shanshan , Liu Tiantian , Lu Yuele , Zhou Zhiqiang , Diao Jinling
Published: October 2013

Many pesticides are chiral compounds and stereochemistry is an important factor for any reaction of chiral structures in biological systems. In this study, experiment about bioaccumulation of the two metalaxyl enantiomers in Tubifex (Oligochaeta, Tubificida) was conducted in laboratory aquatic ecosystems. Terrestrial soil spiked with two dose levels of metalaxyl was employed as the artificial bottom substrate. A method of determination of metalaxyl enantiomers in tubifex tissue, soil and overlying water were developed by HPLC. During a 14‐day exposure, concentrations of metalaxyl in tubifex increased with the of soil concentration, however, the enantioselective bioaccumulation was only detected at high‐dose exposure group, with the preferential accumulation of (‐)‐(R)‐metalaxyl. The bioturbation activity of tubifex decreased water clarity and released soil‐associated metalaxyl to overlying water. In those experiments where tubifex was exposed to metalaxyl from soil, pore water and overlying water, each route contributed to the total body burden, and our results indicated the pore water and soil are the primary exposure routes for high‐dose exposure concentration treatment. Chirality 26:33–38, 2013. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Relationship of myocardial infarction to presence of angina pectoris in patients with coronary heart disease: Lack of abolition of angina by infarction
Authors: Amsterdam E. A. , Lee G. , Mathews E. A. , Mason D. T.
Published: October 2013

To evaluate the relationship between myocardial infarction and angina pectoris, history of symptomatic coronary heart disease was analyzed in 146 patients who had had documented myocardial infarction. There were 126 males and 70 females of mean age 55 years (range 32 to 70 years). Infarction had occurred 6 to 63 months prior to the study (mean: 30 months). Angina pectoris occurred at some time during the clinical course of 75 patients (51%), and 71 patients (49%) had not experienced angina. In the majority of the group with angina (n = 39; 52%) the symptom had not been present before infarction, appearing initially thereafter. Angina was present both before and after infarction in 31 patients (41%). In only 5 patients (7%) was precedent angina lost after infarction. Angina was, therefore, present in 70 of 146 patients (48%) after, compared to 36 patients (25%) before, infarction and in 86% (31/36) of patients with angina before infarction it persisted following the attack. Prior angina following myocardial infarction was not related to increased activity since in the majority of patients activity level was less after than before infarction. Post‐infarction cardiac failure, which developed in 9 patients who had prior angina, was not associated with abolition of angina in any of this group. It is concluded that: 1. angina is frequent after myocardial infarction, 2. when present before infarction it usually persists thereafter, 3. angina commonly appears as a new symptom after infarction when not previously present and 4. disappearance of angina after infarction is distinctly uncommon.
Effect of carbocromen induced coronary vasodilatation on myocardial metabolism in coronary artery disease
Authors: Kjekshus J. K. , Simonsen S. , Bøhmer T.
Published: October 2013

Myocardial metabolism was studied during coronary vasodilatation by carbocromen during atrial pacing in patients with coronary arteriosclerotic disease. Coronary sinus flow was measured by the continuous infusion thermodilution technique. Carbocromen increased myocardial flow by the same amount at rest and during pacing‐induced tachycardia. The administration of carbocromen did not interfere with myocardial oxygen consumption, free fatty acid (FFA) uptake, pulmonary or systemic hemodynamics. Atrial pacing above the anginal threshold increased lactate and hypoxanthine excretion to the coronary sinus, but to a greater extent during carbocromen treatment. Thus, carbocromen is a specific coronary vasodilator acting independently of pacing induced vasodilatation. Metabolic data indicate a small but unfavourable effect on ischemic metabolism which might be due to a “coronary steal”.
The significance of systolic anterior motion (SAM) on the mitral valve echo pattern in hypertrophic cardiomyopathy
Authors: Gehrke J. , Goodwin J. F.
Published: October 2013

The systolic anterior motion (SAM) of valve structures in the mitral echogram in hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) has previously been considered to be anterior motion and re‐opening of mitral valve leaflets, causing left ventricular outflow tract (LVOT) obstruction and mitral regurgitation. Fifteen patients with HCM underwent cardiac catheterisation and were also examined by M‐scan and mechanical real‐time B‐scan techniques. In all patients SAM was seen during M‐scan echocardiography. The mitral valve leaflets were visualised during the entire cardiac cycle during real‐time B‐scanning without showing any re‐opening in systole. Thickened papillary muscles have been observed in 12 patients and prominent chordae tendineae moving in the opposite direction to the anterior mitral valve leaflet in 10 patients. Four patients with SAM did not show mitral regurgitation during left ventricular angiography. In two patients without fixed haemodynamic obstruction, a complete SAM touching the interventricular septum was observed with prolonged apposition in one case. These findings suggest that SAM is due to the motion of chordae tendineae and/or papillary muscles traversing the single dimensional ultrasonic beam in systole, thus producing single linear or multiple spotty echoes within SAM. The mechanism of the upward motion of the subvalvular mitral valve apparatus in systole appears to be due to forceful contraction of the apical left ventricular posterior wall. The observation of SAM in patients without HCM also indicates that its presence during single dimensional echocardiography is neither diagnostic nor specific for HCM, LVOT obstruction or mitral regurgitation, and contradicts the assumption that the anterior mitral valve leaflet plays a significant role in the mechanism of LVOT obstruction. The salient feature of all conditions associated with abnormal mitral subvalvular motion is hyperkinetic contraction of the apical left ventricular posterior wall. Hyperkinetic left ventricular ejection appears to be the main factor in the complex development of an LVOT gradient in hypertrophic cardiomyopathy.
Indication and clinical significance of exercise surface mapping
Authors: Fox K. M. , Selwyn A. P. , Shillingford J. P.
Published: October 2013

A technique of recording electrocardiographic maps after exercise is described. This technique allows a measurement to be made of the area of ST segment changes that are projected onto the front of the chest after exercise. A comparison of the sensitivity and specificity of this technique with the orthogonal lead system and a single chest lead showed that praecordial exercise mapping was significantly superior to the other two lead systems in the diagnosis of ischaemic heart disease and may help in identifying patients with extensive disease. In addition information obtained from praecordial exercise mapping can be used to increase the data that are obtained from Holter monitoring of ST segments. The place of the technique in the management of medical and surgical treatment remains to be evaluated.
Cardiocirculatory adjustments during pregnancy — An echocardiographic study
Authors: Laird‐Meeter K. , van de Ley G. , Bom T. H. , Wladimiroff J. W. , Roelandt J.
Published: October 2013

Adaptation of the circulation to pregnancy occurs via a complicated series of changes not yet completely understood. To define pertinent alterations, echocardiographic measurements of left ventricular function were performed every 4 weeks in 13 normal pregnant women. Six weeks postpartum each woman was reexamined; thus each woman served as her own nonpregnant control. Left ventricular dimensions, left ventricular wall thickness, shortening fraction, and rate of change of these measurements were recorded. As expected, cardiac output was increased throughout pregnancy. Up to 20 weeks gestation this occurred via an increased heart rate. After 20 weeks gestation stroke volume increased significantly, with 20% at 20‐26 weeks up to 30% at term (p < 0.01). With the end‐diastolic wall thickness remaining equal, myocardial hypertrophy occurred. This was corroborated by an increase in end‐systolic left ventricular wall thickness towards term: from 13.8 mm (S.D. ± 1.73) in early pregnancy to 16.6 mm (S.D. ± 1.62) at term, with end‐systolic left ventricular dimension unchanged. It was concluded that during pregnancy the mechanism to produce a higher cardiac output shifts from an increase in cardiac frequency to elevation of stroke volume with concomitant myocardial hypertrophy. Due to changes in heart rate and afterload, no conclusions could be drawn regarding myocardial contractility.
Intra‐aortic balloon pumping device for infants
Authors: Fukumasu H. , Blaylock R. , Veasy L. G. , Pons A. B. , Nielsen S. D. , Lawson J. L. , Kolff W. J.
Published: October 2013

The miniature components of an intra‐aortic balloon pumping system (IABP) have been successfully developed in this laboratory and have been effectively tested both in vitro and in 32 in vivo experiments using small animals weighing 3.5‐18 kg. It is reasonable to assume that IABP can be successfully employed for clinical use in infants and small children.
Left ventricular ejection fraction changes during recovery from treadmill exercise: A preliminary report of a new method for detecting coronary artery disease
Authors: Battler A. , Slutsky R. , Pfisterer M. , Ashburn W. , Froelicher V.
Published: October 2013

To test the value of combining treadmill exercise with radionuclide angiography for detecting exercise‐induced left ventricular dysfunction, ejection fractions were calculated at rest, peak supine bicycle exercise, and during three supine post‐treadmill recovery periods (2‐4 min, recovery 1; 4‐6 min, recovery 2; 8‐10 min, recovery 3) in ten coronary artery disease patients and eight normal subjects. Both the normal subjects and coronary artery disease patients had normal resting ejection fractions (>0.50). In the normal subjects the mean ejection fraction increased significantly (p<0.005) from rest (0.61 ± 0.03) to peak supine bicycle exercise (0.71 ± 0.04), and the mean ejection fraction also remained significantly higher (p<0.005) at rest than during 10 min post‐treadmill exercise. However, the coronary artery disease patients did not significantly change the mean ejection fraction from rest (0.59±0.06) to peak supine bicycle exercise (0.55±0.08), and the average ejection fraction during each one of the post‐treadmill recovery periods was not significantly different from rest. At the third recovery period all the normals but no coronary artery disease patients had higher ejection fraction than the resting ejection fraction. We thus conclude that the magnitude of change in ejection fraction from rest to 8‐10 min post‐treadmill exercise in patients with normal resting ejection fraction may be helpful in identifying those with coronary disease.
Echoventriculography in acute myocardial infarction. IV. Infarct size and reliability by pathologic anatomic correlations
Authors: Heikkilä J. , Nieminen M. S.
Published: October 2013

A morphologic–echocardiographic comparison was carried out in 24 consecutive patients to determine the accuracy of multidirectional single‐beam echocardiography in imaging the size and site of 22 fatal acute myocardial infarctions and of 2 postinfarction ventricular aneurysms treated surgically.

Echocardiography never missed the infarction, regardless of whether the infarction was anterior or posterior. The correlation between the echocardiographic and pathologic anatomic extent of infarct, as expressed by a percentage of the left ventricular horizontal circumference, was r = 0.88 (p<0.001). One hundred four of one hundred eleven infarcted segments (94%) were detected by echo; only the posterior septal and the most lateral segments of the left ventricle tended to remain out of range of the method. The regional asynergy at the center of the infarcted region was clear‐cut—systolic thickening was never seen and the systolic wall motion was paradoxical in 75% of the patients (mean, −2.0±2.0 mm). Analysis of the regional function from multiple sites characterized reduction of the left ventricular performance (p<0.0005) better than did the ejection fraction in the presence of asynergy. An old postinfarction scar was differentiated from the acute necrosis.

Thus, segmental left ventricular akinesis or paradoxical motion as seen by multidirectional echocardiography permits noninvasively a reliable estimation of the extent of acute myocardial infarction.
The effects of propranolol on myocardial perfusion and metabolism during acute regional ischaemia
Authors: Fox K. M. , Selwyn A. P. , Welman E.
Published: October 2013

The unique physical properties of the short‐lived inert and freely diffusing isotope 81mkrypton allow a continuous observation to be made of regional myocardial perfusion. Eighteen dogs were anaesthetised and a reversible snare placed on the left anterior descending coronary artery (LAD). 81mKrypton was used to study regional myocardial perfusion, and myocardial metabolism was assessed using the epicardial ECG and release of creatine kinase activity (CK). Six dogs did not undergo LAD occlusion (“sham operated”); in six other dogs the LAD was occluded (controls), and another six dogs were given propranolol, 0.5 mg/kg, 20 min after LAD occlusion. All the parameters were measured before and for 5 h after LAD occlusion. When compared to controls, dogs treated with propranolol showed significant improvement (p<0.01) in regional myocardial perfusion; smaller loss of electrically active myocardium for any given degree of early ST‐segment elevation; and a delay in the release of CK activity from a local coronary vein. These results suggest that propranolol exerts a beneficial effect following the development of acute myocardial infarction.
Preload reduction with right ventricular pacing: Effects on left ventricular hemodynamics and contractile pattern
Authors: Hamby R. I. , Aintablian A.
Published: October 2013

Studies were performed in 32 patients to evaluate left ventricular pressure‐volume changes and contractile pattern during right ventricular pacing as compared to normal sinus rhythm. Coronary artery disease was present in 27 patients, while 5 patients (control group) had no evidence of coronary artery or left ventricular disease. Studies were performed during both normal sinus rhythm and right ventricular pacing at comparable heart rates, utilizing angiographic methods to determine heart volumes. Right ventricular pacing in all patients resulted in decreased left ventricular systolic (p< 0.01) and diastolic (p< 0.01) pressures and decreased stroke work (p< 0.001). In the control group, right ventricular pacing caused a decrease in left ventricular end‐diastolic volume (p< 0.01) and stroke volume (p< 0.01), with no change in ejection fraction. The patients with coronary artery disease were divided into four groups, dependent on the left ventricular contractile pattern during normal sinus rhythm and the percentage of change in hemiaxis shortening during right ventricular pacing. In group A (six patients with asynergy) and group B (seven patients with asynergy), there was no significant change in the percentage of hemiaxis shortening during right ventricular pacing when compared to normal sinus rhythm. Ventricular volume studies in these patients (groups A and B) were similar to the control groups and no change in contractile pattern was observed during pacing. In group C, twelve patients had asynergy and a 10% increase in percentage of hemiaxis shortening during right ventricular pacing when compared to normal sinus rhythm. Right ventricular pacing resulted in decreased end‐diastolic pressure (p< 0.01) and end‐diastolic volume (p< 0.001), no change in stroke volume, and an increased ejection fraction (p< 0.01). Contractile patterns improved in all patients in group C during pacing. Group D consisted of two patients with asynergy and a 10% decrease in percentage of hemiaxis shortening during pacing, associated with a decrease in end‐diastolic volume and ejection fraction with deterioration of left ventricular contractile pattern.

These results indicate that right ventricular pacing in patients with coronary artery disease decreases preload, which may be accompanied by improved left ventricular contractile pattern (11/27) and in some patients (2/27) deterioration of left ventricular function.
Relationship of circulating thyroid antibodies to coronary artery disease
Authors: Piziak V. K. , Litman G. I. , Bratcher T.
Published: October 2013

A study of the relationship between circulating thyroid antibodies and coronary artery disease was performed. In 180 patients, the state of the coronary arteries was determined by cardiac catheterization and antithyroglobulin and antimicrosomal antibodies were measured using immunoprecipitation. The prevalence of risk factors for coronary artery disease and the mean age of the groups with and without coronary artery disease were similar. There was no significant difference in the prevalence of thyroid antibodies in patients with or without coronary artery disease.
Two‐channel ECG monitoring in the coronary care unit
Authors: Hasin Y. , Freiman I. , Gotsman M. S.
Published: October 2013

We describe the installation and clinical application of a two‐channel monitoring system in the intensive coronary care unit using a single patient cable and two exchangeable ECG modules. Routine use of this system during a period of three years has shown that it has many advantages in the precise documentation and diagnosis of transient cardiac arrhythmias and for the recognition and localization of ischemic episodes.
Massive prostatic infarction following aortocoronary bypass surgery: A report of two cases
Authors: Taussig A. S. , Hurst J. W. , Ambrose S. S. , Sewell C. W.
Published: October 2013

We present two patients who had massive prostatic infarctions following coronary bypass surgery. Whereas small areas of prostatic infarction are commonly seen in urologic practice, massive infarction is rarely seen. Massive prostatic infarction has been observed under conditions similar to those occurring with bypass surgery, so no claim is made that the condition occurs uniquely in patients who have recently undergone bypass surgery. Since coronary bypass surgery is commonly performed and since the procedure is often done on men with prostatic hyperplasia, we can reasonably expect to see this condition more commonly that we have in the past. It is our hope that others will be alerted to this condition and look for it in patients with prostatism who undergo coronary bypass surgery, other types of cardiac surgery, and any condition where prostatism and hypotension are present and pressor agents are used in treatment.
Plasma‐Based Indoor Air Cleaning Technologies: The State of the Art‐Review
Authors: Bahri Mitra , Haghighat Fariborz
Published: October 2013

The negative impact of the presence of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) on indoor air quality has motivated researchers to develop different air treatment technologies. Although, building mechanical ventilation systems can provide a comfortable thermal indoor environment, they are not capable of removing the VOCs effectively. Thus, other components must be integrated with them to be able to carry out this function. Plasma‐based air treatment techniques are a series of processes in which a high voltage discharge is used for elimination of VOCs. Development of plasma‐based methods, and their capabilities for chemical gas decomposition, has motivated designers to employ these methods for indoor air purification. This paper addresses the outcomes of a critical literature review on plasma‐based air cleaner technologies, thermal to non‐thermal plasma and plasma catalyst, and their application for indoor environment VOCs removal. The reaction mechanism, effect of different parameters on the performance of the method, and abilities and limitations of these methods are discussed. Different types of reactors and the most common used catalysts are classified. The role of the presence of the catalyst in improving the non‐thermal plasma efficiency is reviewed. Finally, the scope of the future work to enhance the performance of this method for application in sustainable buildings is discussed.
The effect of photoreceptor degeneration on ganglion cell morphology
Authors: O'Brien E.E. , Greferath U. , Fletcher E.L.
Published: October 2013

Retinitis pigmentosa refers to a family of inherited photoreceptor degenerations resulting in blindness. During and after photoreceptor loss, neurons of the inner retina are known to undergo plastic changes. Here, we have investigated in detail whether ganglion cells are altered at late stages of degeneration, well after the total loss of photoreceptors. We used mice, rd1‐Thy1, that carry a mutation in the β‐subunit of phosphodiesterase 6 and a fluorescent protein that labels a subset of ganglion cells and B6‐Thy1 control mice. Retinal wholemounts from mice aged 3–11 months were processed for immunohistochemistry and analyzed. Ganglion cells were classified based on soma area, dendritic field size, and branching of dendrites. The dendritic fields of some ganglion cells were further analyzed for their length, area and quantity of branching points. There was a decrease in size and level of branching of A2, B1, and D type ganglion cells in the degenerated retina at 11 months of age. In contrast, C1 ganglion cells remained unchanged. In addition, there was a shift in the proportion of ganglion cells ramifying in the different layers of the inner plexiform layer. Careful analysis of the dendrites of ganglion cells revealed some projecting to new, more distal regions of the inner plexiform layer. We propose that these changes in ganglion cell morphology could impact the function of individual cells as well as the retinal circuitry in the degenerated retina. J. Comp. Neurol. 522:1155–1170, 2014. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Crystal structures of X‐phase in the Sb–Te binary alloy system
Authors: Kifune K. , Fujita T. , Tachizawa T. , Kubota Y. , Yamada N. , Matsunaga T.
Published: October 2013

It is well known that the Sb–Te binary system has a large number of incommensurately or commensurately modulated structures between Sb and Sb2Te3 compounds. These structures, which are long‐period trigonal stacking structures, possess their own modulation period γ, according to their composition in the thermal equilibrium. However, the structure of sputtered Sb–Te films with various compositions between the two compounds at both ends formed in a non‐thermal equilibrium showed smaller γ values, than those expected from their compositions without exception. A smaller γ value implies that its structure is closer to that of Sb with the shortest period in all Sb–Te modulated structures. With increase in temperature, all these transient structures with smaller γ, however, became stable, accompanying an increase of γ to acquire their original modulated structures.
The Role of the Gas Phase in Graphene Formation by CVD on Copper
Authors: Trinsoutrot Pierre , Rabot Caroline , Vergnes Hugues , Delamoreanu Alexandru , Zenasni Aziz , Caussat Brigitte
Published: October 2013

Graphene synthesis on copper foils is experimentally studied at 1000°C under various methane partial pressures. A decrease in the carbon supply permits the formation of larger graphene flakes with fewer layers and crystalline defects. An influence of the copper foil confinement on graphene nucleation and growth is shown. Then, methane pyrolysis is simulated using the Fluent Ansys® code. The model shows that, at 1000°C, CH4 is decomposed to form gaseous saturated and unsaturated species. This means that two types of unsaturated species can co‐exist during graphene synthesis, the first one arising in the reactor volume from methane pyrolysis, and the second one only forming in the vicinity of copper, thanks to its catalytic activity.
Comparative phylogeographic study of Hosta sieboldiana and Hosta albomarginata (Asparagaceae) in Japan
Authors: Lee Sangryong , Maki Masayuki
Published: October 2013

We analyzed variations in chloroplast DNA (cpDNA) in the widespread herbaceous species Hosta sieboldiana and Hosta albomarginata across large portions of their geographic ranges in the Japanese archipelago. Our objective was to compare the phylogeographic histories and phylogeographic structures of the two congeneric species in the Japanese archipelago. The location of the study is Japanese archipelago. We sequenced 1380 bp of noncoding cpDNA from 45 populations of H. sieboldiana (n = 362) and 55 populations of H. albomarginata (n = 436) to assess genetic variations within and among populations across almost the entire distributions of the species in Japan. Extant patterns of geographic structure were analyzed using statistical parsimony networks and spatial analysis of molecular variance (SAMOVA). We also used Monmonier's algorithm to detect genetic barriers between regions. Relationships between the populations were examined using a neighbor‐joining (NJ) method. Four haplotypes were found for H. sieboldiana, whereas eight haplotypes were identified for H. albomarginata. Total genetic haplotype diversity (hT) and within‐population haplotype diversity (hS) for H. sieboldiana were 0.352 and 0.040, respectively, while the values for H. albomarginata were 0.529 and 0.085, respectively. The population differentiations (GST) for H. sieboldiana and H. albomarginata were 0.839 and 0.886, respectively. The SAMOVA analysis revealed two clusters in H. sieboldiana and four clusters in H. albomarginata. Differentiations between and among the clusters were supported by the BARRIER analysis and the NJ tree. We detected differences in the population genetic structure between the two species. We found that H. sieboldiana had lower haplotype diversity than H. albomarginata. These results may be partially explained by the difference in ecological habitats and geographic distributions between the species. Hosta albomarginata is more widely distributed than H. sieboldiana in East Asia including Russia, and this large distribution range would enable more chances to intraspecific gene flow.
DoE (Design of Experiments) Assisted Allylic Hydroxylation of Enones Catalysed by a Copper–Aluminium Mixed Oxide
Authors: García‐Cabeza Ana Leticia , Marín‐Barrios Rubén , Azarken Redouan , Moreno‐Dorado F. Javier , Ortega María J. , Vidal Hilario , Gatica José M. , Massanet Guillermo M. , Guerra Francisco M.
Published: October 2013

The allylic hydroxylation of enones using dioxygen as the oxidant has been studied. The reaction was first examined in the absence of any catalyst, using β‐ionone as a model substrate. Then a new copper–aluminium mixed oxide, Cu–Al Ox, was prepared and characterized in order to be used as a catalyst. This oxide showed good activity, and provided the corresponding γ‐ or ϵ‐hydroxylated enones, starting from different α,β‐ or α,β,γ,δ‐unsaturated ketones. In all cases, the yields were significantly improved compared to experiments run in the absence of the catalyst. The reaction was selective, and the formation of epoxides or other overoxidation products was detected only to a minor extent. The described procedure is a technically straightforward synthetic alternative to those methods described to date involving many reaction steps or toxic reagents. The reactions were optimized using design of experiments techniques (DoE).
Platinum Ultramicroelectrodes Modified with Electrogenerated Surfactant‐Templated Mesoporous Organosilica Films: Effect of Film Formation Conditions on Its Performance in Preconcentration Electroanalysis
Authors: Herzog Grégoire , Vodolazkaya Natalya A. , Walcarius Alain
Published: October 2013

Pt µdisc electrodes have been modified by mesoporous organosilica thin films by electrochemically assisted self‐assembly (EASA) of mercaptopropyltrimethoxysilane (MPTMS), tetraethoxysilane (TEOS), and the surfactant cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB). The EASA process involves the generation of hydroxide ions at the electrode/solution interface, upon the application of a cathodic current density, leading to TEOS and MPTMS polycondensation around the CTAB template and concomitant growing of a thiol‐functionalized mesoporous film onto the electrode surface. The experimental conditions (current density, deposition time, silane concentration and molar ratio between surfactant template and silane) were optimised to form a thin and permeable film likely to be used in preconcentration electroanalysis. The morphology of the film electrodes were characterised by scanning electron microscopy. The permeability properties of the modified Pt µdisc electrodes have been evidenced by cyclic voltammetry using Ru(NH3)63+ as a redox probe. The best parameters identified for the film preparation are a current density of − 8 mA cm−2 applied for 15 s in a solution containing 110 mM of hydrolysed silane precursors and 70.4 mM of CTAB. Pt µdisc electrodes modified in these conditions were used for the open‐circuit preconcentration of Hg(II) species prior to their detection by anodic stripping voltammetry in a mercury‐free solution. In the optimized conditions, a sensitivity of 14.3 mA cm−2 µM−1 was obtained for the 0.02–0.08 µM concentration range. The analytical performance of such organosilica films could decay by up to two orders of magnitude for the materials prepared in conditions other than the optimized ones, highlighting the need for a fine control of the deposition parameters to elaborate sensors based on such modified ultramicroelectrodes.
Equivalent force control method for substructure pseudo‐dynamic test of a full‐scale masonry structure
Authors: Chen Zaixian , Xu Guoshan , Wu Bin , Sun Yongtao , Wang Huanding , Wang Fenglai
Published: October 2013

The effectiveness of equivalent force control (EFC) method has been experimentally validated through hybrid tests with simple specimens. In this paper, the EFC method is applied for the MDOF pseudo‐dynamic substructure tests in which a three‐storey frame‐supported reinforced concrete masonry shear wall with full scale is chosen as physical substructure. The effects of equivalent force controller parameters on the response performance are studied. Analytical expressions for the controller parameter ranges are derived to avoid response overshooting or oscillation and are verified by numerical simulation. The controller parameters are determined based on analytical and numerical studies and used in the actual full‐scale pseudo‐dynamic test. The test results show good tracking performance of EFC, which indicates a successful test. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Optimal channel sensing maximising sum rate in cognitive radio with multiple secondary links
Authors: Yu Heejung
Published: October 2013

The channel sensing problem maximising the sum rate of primary and secondary users in cognitive radio networks is considered. Previously, the optimal sensing characteristics, that is false alarm and detection probabilities, in cognitive radio with single secondary user were investigated. In this paper, we extend to cases with multiple secondary users, and the characteristics of a sum rate and the optimal sensing are investigated under a given primary activity factor. Additionally, the asymptotic behaviour of the optimal sensing point is examined as the number of secondary users increases under the round robin and p‐ALOHA multiple access schemes. It is shown that the optimal sensing point converges to a constant, which is determined by the primary activity factor, primary and secondary link qualities. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Efficient stochastic FEM for flow in heterogeneous porous media. Part 1: random Gaussian conductivity coefficients
Authors: Traverso L. , Phillips T.N. , Yang Y.
Published: October 2013

This paper is concerned with the development of efficient iterative methods for solving the linear system of equations arising from stochastic FEMs for single‐phase fluid flow in porous media. It is assumed that the conductivity coefficient varies randomly in space according to some given correlation function and is approximated using a truncated Karhunen–Loève expansion. Distinct discretizations of the deterministic and stochastic spaces are required for implementations of the stochastic FEM. In this paper, the deterministic space is discretized using classical finite elements and the stochastic space using a polynomial chaos expansion. The highly structured linear systems which result from this discretization mean that Krylov subspace iterative solvers are extremely effective. The performance of a range of preconditioned iterative methods is investigated and evaluated in terms of robustness with respect to mesh size and variability of the conductivity coefficient. An efficient symmetric block Gauss–Seidel preconditioner is proposed for problems in which the conductivity coefficient has a large standard deviation.The companion paper, herein, referred to as Part 2, considers the situation in which Gaussian random fields are transformed into lognormal ones by projecting the truncated Karhunen–Loève expansion onto a polynomial chaos basis. This results in a stochastic nonlinear problem because the random fields are represented using polynomial chaos containing terms that are generally nonlinear in the random variables. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Fabrication of Solid Oxide Fuel Cells with a Thin (La0.9Sr0.1)0.98(Ga0.8Mg0.2)O3–δ Electrolyte on a Sr0.8La0.2TiO3 Support
Authors: Miller E. C. , Gao Z. , Barnett S. A.
Published: October 2013

This paper describes Sr0.8La0.2TiO3 (SLT)‐supported solid oxide fuel cells with a thin (La0.9Sr0.1)0.98Ga0.8Mg0.2O3–δ (LSGM) electrolyte and porous LSGM anode functional layer (AFL). Optimized processing for the SLT support bisque firing, LSGM electrolyte layer co‐firing, and LSGM AFL colloidal composition is presented. Cells without a functional layer yielded a power density of 228 mW cm–2 at 650 °C, while cells with a porous LSGM functional layer yielded a power density of 434 mW cm–2 at 650 °C. Cells with an AFL yielded a higher open circuit voltage, possibly due to reduced Ti diffusion into the electrolyte. Infiltration produced Ni nanoparticles within the support and AFL, which proved crucial for the electrochemical activity of the anode. Power densities increased with increasing Ni loadings, reaching 514 mW cm–2 at 650 °C for 5.1 vol.% Ni loading. Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy analysis indicated that the cell resistance was dominated by the cathode and electrolyte resistance with the anode resistance being relatively small.
Synthesis and Characterization of the 2‐Methylaminopyridine‐functionalized Polystyrene Resin‐supported Pd(II) Catalyst for the Mizoroki–Heck and Sonogashira Reactions in Water
Authors: Bakherad Mohammad , Amin Amir Hosein , Gholipoor Farzaneh
Published: October 2013

A new polystyrene‐anchored Pd(II) pyridine complex is synthesized and characterized. This Pd(II) pyridine complex behaves as a very efficient heterogeneous catalyst in the Heck reaction of methyl acrylate with aryl halides and the Sonogashira reaction of terminal alkynes with aryl halides in water. Furthermore, the catalyst shows good thermal stability and recyclability. This polymer‐supported Pd(II) catalyst could easily be recovered by simple filtration of the reaction mixture and reused for more than five consecutive trials without a significant loss in its catalytic activity.
How to resolve the caudal septal deviation?: Clinical outcomes after septoplasty with bony batten grafting
Authors: Chung Yong S. , Seol Jeong‐Hun , Choi Jee‐Min , Shin Dong‐Hyuk , Kim Yong W. , Cho Jae H. , Kim Jin K.
Published: October 2013

Objectives/Hypothesis

Caudal septal deviation interrupts normal nasal breathing, due to the narrowing of the external valve area and nasal valve angle. In this study, we found a different approach for correction of caudal septal deviation with no associated deformity of the external nose.

Study Design

Individual case–control study.

Methods

The 39 patients completed questionnaires by interviews postoperatively for assessment of nasal obstruction. In addition, patients assessed the severity of their nasal symptoms (i.e., mouth breathing, mouth dryness, hyposmia, rhinorrhea, epistaxis, snoring, postnasal drip, and headache) preoperatively and postoperatively using a visual analog scale (VAS). Improvement in the treatment of nasal obstruction using a VAS and a questionnaire for subjective satisfaction were evaluated 3 months after septoplasty. To evaluate outcomes objectively, endoscopic photographs of the nasal cavity and acoustic rhinometry before and after surgery were evaluated. For comparison between preoperative and postoperative status, the Wilcoxon signed ranks test was used.

Results

Patients reported a significant decrease in the VAS severity of all nasal symptoms. The minimal cross‐sectional area (MCA1) of the convex side after vascular constriction using acoustic rhinometry showed significant widening. Patients were divided into a turbinoplasty group and a nonturbinoplasty group, and the turbinoplasty group showed a significant increase in both the convex side and concave side in MCA1 and in the convex side in the anterior portion of the inferior turbinate.

Conclusions

Endonasal septoplasty using bony batten grafting for caudal septal deviation resulted in an improvement of nasal obstruction symptoms and acoustic rhinometry components.

Level of Evidence

3b Laryngoscope, 124:1771–1776, 2014