bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Ten‐year rate of longitudinal change in neurocognitive and motor function in prediagnosis Huntington disease
Authors: Solomon Andrea C. , Stout Julie C. , Weaver Marjorie , Queller Sarah , Tomusk Allison , Whitlock Kathryn Burr , Hui Siu L. , Marshall Jeanine , Jackson Jacqueline Gray , Siemers Eric R. , Beristain Xabier , Wojcieszek Joanne , Foroud Tatiana
Published: September 2008

Longitudinal studies of neurocognitive function in prediagnosis Huntington disease (pre‐HD) have been few, and duration of follow‐up has been brief. In this study, 155 individuals at‐risk for HD completed a battery of cognitive and motor tasks at two study visits ∼10 years apart. Participants were classified as: (1) at‐risk, without the CAG expansion (healthy controls, NC; n = 112), or (2) CAG expanded (CAG+; n = 43). To examine the rate of decline at different stages of the pre‐HD period, participants in the CAG+ group were further characterized as converters (i.e., individuals who developed manifest HD over the course of the study; n = 21) or nonconverters (n = 22), and their performances were compared. The CAG+ group exhibited faster rates of neurocognitive decline over the course of the study, relative to the NC group. In addition, more rapid decline was associated with closer proximity to estimated age of disease onset in the CAG+ group. Faster rates of motor and psychomotor decline were observed in the CAG+ converter group, relative to the nonconverters. These findings suggest that neurocognitive decline in pre‐HD, particularly in motor and psychomotor domains, begins insidiously and accelerates as individuals approach disease onset. © 2008 Movement Disorder Society
Movement disorders in musicians
Authors: Jankovic Joseph , Ashoori Aidin
Published: September 2008

The focus of this article is to review the epidemiology, phenomenology, pathophysiology, genetics, and treatment of movement disorders, particularly task‐specific dystonia, in musicians. The goal is to draw attention to this group of neurological disorders among musicians, music teachers, and healthcare professionals and to highlight the importance of early diagnosis, therapeutic options, and preventive measures. To increase professional and public awareness and to facilitate the recognition of music‐related neurological problems, we suggest that “medical problems of musicians” be included in curriculum of music schools and medical schools. © 2008 Movement Disorder Society
Consanguineous Iranian kindreds with severe Tourette syndrome
Authors: Motlagh Maria G. , Seddigh Arshia , Dashti Behnoosh , Leckman James F. , Alaghband‐Rad Javad
Published: September 2008

The search for vulnerability genes for Tourette syndrome has been ongoing for nearly three decades. The contribution of recessive loci with reduced penetrance is one possibility that has been difficult to explore. Homozygosity mapping has been successfully used to detect recessive loci within populations with high rates of consanguinity. Using this technique, even quite small inbred families can be informative due to autozygosity in which the two alleles at an autosomal locus are identical by descent (i.e., copies of a single ancestral gene). To explore the utility of this approach, we identified 12 consanguineous Iranian families. Remarkably, these families were seen with an unusual natural history characterized by the early onset of vocal tics and coprolalia and frequent comorbidity with obsessive‐compulsive disorder. Genotyping the affected and unaffected members of these pedigrees has the potential to identify rare recessive contributions to this disorder. © 2008 Movement Disorder Society
Cost‐effectiveness of123I‐FP‐CIT SPECT in the differential diagnosis of essential tremor and Parkinson's disease in Italy
Authors: Antonini Angelo , Berto Patrizia , Lopatriello Stefania , Tamma Filippo , Annemans Lieven , Chambers Mike
Published: September 2008

Economic evaluation (Italian NHS perspective) modeling123I‐FP‐CIT SPECT (DaTSCAN®) compared to clinical judgment alone for differentiating essential tremor (ET) from Parkinson's Disease (PD). A 5‐year Markov model was constructed to assess the cost‐effectiveness of123I‐FP‐CIT SPECT to differentiate ET from PD in patients referred to a movement disorder specialist in Italy. Published data and a double‐round, Delphi panel of 12 specialists populated the model. Effectiveness was expressed as the projected Years on potentially beneficial therapy (PBTYs). Costs were expressed in Euros (2005 values). The model suggests that over 5 years, the “current” diagnostic pathway generated an average of 2.3 PBTYs/patient at an estimated cost of €8,864.123I‐FP‐CIT SPECT generated an average of 4.1 PBTYs/patient at an estimated cost of €8,422, which represented an additional 1.8 PBTYs at a cost saving of €442/patient (€341 when discounted at 5%). The estimated cost‐effectiveness of123I‐FP‐CIT SPECT is under €1,000 per PBTY gained when the underlying disease prevalence is high (55–70%), and cost‐saving at prevalence under 55%.123I‐FP‐CIT SPECT is likely to be regarded as economically advantageous to differentiate ET from PD, increasing time on potentially beneficial therapy at a lower overall cost to the healthcare system. © 2008 Movement Disorder Society
The PSP‐associated MAPT H1 subhaplotype in Guadeloupean atypical Parkinsonism
Authors: Camuzat Agnès , Romana Marc , Dürr Alexandra , Feingold Josué , Brice Alexis , Ruberg Merle , Lannuzel Annie
Published: September 2008

The aim of this study was to determine whether the H1 subhaplotype in MAPT associated with progressive supranuclear palsy (PSP) in Caucasians confers risk for PSP‐like atypical parkinsonism in Guadeloupe, a tauopathy. Guadeloupean controls and patients with atypical and idiopathic parkinsonism and ethnically and age‐matched controls were genotyped for H1 and H2 alleles, then for the H1 subhaplotype associated with PSP in Caucasians, using previously described haplotype‐tagging single nucleotide polymorphisms (Ht‐SNPs) in linkage disequilibrium at the MAPT locus. Most Guadeloupean controls and patients were homozygous for the H1 allele; only 5% were heterozygous for the H2 allele, consistent with the European contribution to the racial admixture in Guadeloupe, but equivalent to the frequency found in Caucasian PSP patients. The frequencies of the Ht‐SNPs used to determine the PSP‐associated H1 subhaplotype in both Guadeloupean controls and parkinsonians were similar, indicating that the H1 subhaplotype associated with PSP in Caucasians was not a risk factor for PSP‐like atypical parkinsonism in Guadeloupe. Interestingly, they were also similar to the frequencies in Caucasian PSP patients. The major H1 subhaplotype in Guadeloupe, determined by analysis of linkage desequibrium, differed from the major Caucasian subhaplotype, but corresponded to minor alleles previously described. © 2008 Movement Disorder Society
NMR and theoretical study of the cooperative interaction of hydrated proton with dibenzo‐24‐crown‐8
Authors: Kříž Jaroslav , Dybal Jiří , Budka Jan , Makrlík Emanuel
Published: September 2008

Interaction of hydrated protons (HPs) with dibenzo‐24‐crown‐8 (DBC in nitrobenzene‐d5 was studied by 1H and 13C NMR under assistance of ab initio‐density functional theory (DFT) quantum calculations. HPs were afforded by hydrogen bis(1,2‐dicarbollyl) cobaltate (HDCC) with 3.5 M excess of H2O. The forming of a complex between HP and DBC leads to marked and additive relative shifts of both 1H and 13C signals. This was utilized for the estimation of the stabilization constant K of the complex. Its value is at least 106 l/mol, which agrees with the result of independent extraction method (logK = 6.3). Using absolute integral intensities of the HP signal in a water‐saturated system, it was shown that the form of HP present in the complex must be H5O2+, in accord with formerly published structure of the complex in crystalline form. The investigation of the dynamics of exchange between bound and free DBC by transverse relaxation using variably spaced pulses in the Carr–Purcell–Meiboom–Gill (CPMG) sequence or on‐resonance rotating‐frame relaxation with variable spin‐lock field intensity was partly hampered by the fast relaxation of some signals in the complex because of relative immobilization of its internal motions. In order to remove these effects, a pulse sequence dipolar interaction‐free transverse relaxation (DIFTRE) for static DIFTRE was devised and the MLEV17 pulse sequence with high intensity of electromagnetic field was used in a separate series of experiments. Using the results of these latter experiments, the correlation time of exchange was established to be about 0.8 ms, which complied with the shape of the spectra. The accompanying ab initio DFT calculations showed that the apparent symmetry of the molecules of both DBC and its complex with H5O2+ was probably the result of averaging of energetically close conformations (five for DBC and four for the complex). Both NMR and the calculations show that the basic mode of binding of the ion in the complex is analogous to that found in crystal but the most pronounced conformation is slightly different. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Epithelial stem cells in corneal regeneration and epidermal gene therapy
Authors: Pellegrini G , Rama P , Mavilio F , De Luca M
Published: September 2008

Regenerative medicine refers to innovative therapies aimed at the permanent restoration of diseased tissues and organs. Regeneration of self‐renewing tissues requires specific adult stem cells, which need to be genetically modified to correct inherited genetic diseases. Cultures of epithelial stem cells permanently restore severe skin and mucosal defects, and genetically corrected epidermal stem cells regenerate a normal epidermis in patients carrying junctional epidermolysis bullosa. The keratinocyte stem cell is therefore the only cultured stem cell used both in cell therapy and gene therapy clinical protocols. Epithelial stem cell identification, fate and molecular phenotype have been extensively reviewed, but not in relation to tissue regeneration. In this paper we focus on the localization and molecular characterization of human limbal stem cells in relation to corneal regeneration, and the gene therapy of genetic skin diseases by means of genetically modified epidermal stem cells. Copyright © 2008 Pathological Society of Great Britain and Ireland. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
TTF1 expression in non‐small cell lung carcinoma: association with TTF1 gene amplification and improved survival
Authors: Perner S , Wagner PL , Soltermann A , LaFargue C , Tischler V , Weir BA , Weder W , Meyerson M , Giordano TJ , Moch H , Rubin MA
Published: September 2008

Acquired chromosomal aberrations play an important role in tumour development and progression. Such genetic alterations occur in a significant proportion of non‐small cell lung carcinomas (NSCLCs) and include amplification of 14q13.3, which contains the TTF1 gene. We asked whether TTF1 amplification is associated with increased TTF1 protein expression in NSCLCs, and whether TTF1 is associated with clinicopathological features, including patient survival. We used a FISH assay and quantitative immunohistochemical staining to interrogate a population‐based cohort of 538 NSCLCs from Swiss patients for TTF1 amplification and protein expression. We found TTF1 amplification in ∼13% of adenocarcinomas (ACs) and in ∼9% of squamous cell carcinomas (SCCs) and TTF1 amplification was associated with increased TTF1 protein expression. High‐level TTF1 expression was significantly associated with smaller tumour size, female gender and longer overall survival only among ACs (median survival 82 versus 28 months; p = 0.002). On multivariate analysis, high TTF1 expression was an independent predictor of favourable prognosis in patients with AC [hazard ratio, 0.56 (95% CI 0.38–0.83); p = 0.008]. We conclude that TTF1 amplification is a mechanism of high‐level TTF1 expression in a subset of NSCLCs. When expressed at high levels, this routinely used diagnostic marker is also an independent biomarker of favourable prognosis in AC. Copyright © 2008 Pathological Society of Great Britain and Ireland. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
5α‐Dihydrotestosterone (DHT) retards wound closure by inhibiting re‐epithelialization
Authors: Gilliver SC , Ruckshanthi JPD , Hardman MJ , Zeef LAH , Ashcroft GS
Published: September 2008

The ongoing search for explanations as to why elderly males heal acute skin wounds more slowly than do their female counterparts (and are more strongly disposed to conditions of chronic ulceration) has identified endogenous oestrogens and androgens as being respectively enhancers and inhibitors of repair. We previously demonstrated that blocking the conversion of testosterone to 5α‐dihydrotestosterone (DHT) limits its ability to impair healing, suggesting that DHT is a more potent inhibitor of repair than is testosterone. The present study aimed to delineate the central mechanisms by which androgens delay repair. Whilst the contractile properties of neither rat woundsin vivonor fibroblast‐impregnated collagenous discsin vitroappeared to be influenced by androgen manipulations, the global blockade of DHT biosynthesis markedly accelerated re‐epithelialization of incisional and excisional wounds and reduced local expression of β‐catenin, a key inhibitor of repair. Moreover, DHT retarded thein vitromigration of epidermal keratinocytes following scratch wounding. By contrast, it failed to influence the migratory and proliferative properties of dermal fibroblasts, suggesting that its primary inhibitory effect is upon re‐epithelialization. These novel findings may be of particular significance in the context of chronic ulceration, for which being male is a key risk factor. Copyright © 2008 Pathological Society of Great Britain and Ireland. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The EWSR1/NR4A3 fusion protein of extraskeletal myxoid chondrosarcoma activates the PPARG nuclear receptor gene
Authors: Filion C , Motoi T , Olshen AB , Laé M , Emnett RJ , Gutmann DH , Perry A , Ladanyi M , Labelle Y
Published: September 2008

The NR4A3 nuclear receptor is implicated in the development of extraskeletal myxoid chondrosarcoma (EMC), primitive sarcoma unrelated to conventional chondrosarcomas, through a specific fusion with EWSR1 resulting in an aberrant fusion protein that is thought to disrupt the transcriptional regulation of specific target genes. We performed an expression microarray analysis of EMC tumours expressing the EWSR1/NR4A3 fusion protein, comparing their expression profiles to those of other sarcoma types. We thereby identified a set of genes significantly overexpressed in EMC relative to other sarcomas, including PPARG and NDRG2. Western blot or immunohistochemical analyses confirm that PPARG and NDRG2 are expressed in tumours positive for EWSR1/NR4A3. Bioinformatic analysis identified a DNA response element for EWSR1/NR4A3 in the PPARG promoter, and band‐shift experiments and transient transfections indicate that EWSR1/NR4A3 can activate transcription through this element. Western blots further show that an isoform of the native NR4A3 receptor lacking the C‐terminal domain is very highly expressed in tumours positive for EWSR1/NR4A3, and co‐transfections of this isoform along with EWSR1/NR4A3 indicate that it may negatively regulate the activity of the fusion protein on the PPARG promoter. These results suggest that the overall expression of PPARG in EMC may be regulated in part by the balance between EWSR1/NR4A3 and NR4A3, and that PPARG may play a crucial role in the development of these tumours. The specific up‐regulation of PPARG by EWSR1/NR4A3 may also have potential therapeutic implications. Copyright © 2008 Pathological Society of Great Britain and Ireland. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
A new role for the neuronal ubiquitin C‐terminal hydrolase‐L1 (UCH‐L1) in podocyte process formation and podocyte injury in human glomerulopathies
Authors: Meyer‐Schwesinger C , Meyer TN , Münster S , Klug P , Saleem M , Helmchen U , Stahl RAK
Published: September 2008

Glomerular epithelial cell (podocyte) injury is characterized by foot process retraction, slit diaphragm reorganization, and degradation of podocyte‐specific proteins. However, the mechanisms underlying podocyte injury are largely unknown. The ubiquitin C‐terminal hydrolase‐L1 (UCH‐L1) is a key modulator of ubiquitin modification in neurons. Like neurons, UCH‐L1 expression was associated with an undifferentiated status in cultured human podocytes, whereas differentiation and arborization decreased UCH‐L1 and monoUb expression. Inhibition of UCH‐L1 induced time and concentration‐dependent process formation with α‐actinin‐4 distribution to the cell membrane and processes. An immunohistochemical approach was used to evaluate whether UCH‐L1 expression was associated with podocyte injury in 15 different human glomerular diseases. Whereas normal kidneys expressed no UCH‐L1 and little ubiquitin, a subset of human glomerulopathies associated with podocyte foot process effacement (membranous nephropathy, SLE class V, FSGS) de novo expressed UCH‐L1 in podocyte cell bodies, nuclei, and processes. Interestingly, UCH‐L1 expression correlated with podocyte ubiquitin content and internalization of the podocyte‐specific proteins nephrin and α‐actinin‐4. In contrast, minimal change glomerulonephritis, a reversible disease, demonstrated minimal UCH‐L1 and ubiquitin expression with intact α‐actinin‐4 but internalized nephrin. Glomerular kidney diseases typically not associated with foot process effacement (SLE class IV, ANCA+ necrotizing GN, amyloidosis, IgA nephritis) expressed intermediate to no UCH‐L1 and ubiquitin. These studies show a role for UCH‐L1 and ubiquitin modification in podocyte differentiation and injury. Copyright © 2008 Pathological Society of Great Britain and Ireland. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Preparation and friction properties of PBT/MMT composites
Authors: Mu Bo , Wang Qihua , Wang Tingmei , Wang Honggang , Jian Lingqi , Pei Xianqiang
Published: September 2008

Poly(butylene terephthalate)/clay composites were prepared by direct melt compounding. Two structures were formed as confirmed by XRD and transmission electron microscopy. The presence of MMT layers does not change the crystal structure and the degree of crystallinity of PBT matrix. The tribological behaviors of neat PBT and PBT/clay composites were studied by the means of a pin‐on‐disk apparatus. It was found that the intercalation of organoclay could help reduce the friction coefficient and the specific wear rate of PBT, while the addition of natural clay was harmful to the friction coefficient and wear resistance of the polymer matrix. The different tribological behaviors of the composites are due to their different morphologies and the difference in the interfacial adhesion between the matrix and the clay platelets. POLYM. COMPOS., 2009. © 2008 Society of Plastics Engineers
Promoting the adhesion of high‐performance polymer fibers using functional plasma polymer coatings
Authors: Sugihara H. , Jones F.R.
Published: September 2008

Plasma‐copolymerized functional coatings of acrylic acid and 1,7‐octadiene were deposited onto high strength, high modulus, poly‐p‐phenylene benzobisoxazole (PBO) fibers. X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) with trifluoroethanol derivatization confirmed that the PBO fibers were covered completely with the plasma copolymer and that the coating contained a quantitative concentration of carboxylic acid groups. Microdebond single filament adhesion and interlaminar shear strength (ILSS) tests were used to evaluate the interfacial strength of epoxy resin composites containing these functionalized PBO fibers. Both the interfacial shear strength (IFSS) obtained from single filament tests, and the ILSS of high volume fraction composites were a function of the surface functionality of the fibers so that there was a good correlation between ILSS and IFSS data. The tensile strengths of single fibers with or without coating were comparable, demonstrating that the fiber surface was not damaged in the plasma‐coating procedure. Indeed, the statistical analysis showed that Weibull modulus was increased. Therefore, plasma‐polymerized coatings can be used to control the interfacial bond between PBO fibers and matrix resins and act as a protective size for preserving the mechanical properties of the fibers. POLYM. COMPOS., 2009. © 2008 Society of Plastics Engineers
Use of different alkylammonium salts in clay surface modification for epoxy‐based nanocomposites
Authors: Nakas G. Ipek , Kaynak Cevdet
Published: September 2008

Layered silicates become widely used reinforcement material in the polymer nanocomposite production in recent years due to their high aspect ratio, ease of processing, and low cost. In this present study, the aim was to evaluate the usability of a raw clay source (Resadiye, Turkey) in the production of epoxy/clay nanocomposites and to investigate the effects of different surface modifiers. For this purpose, raw Na–montmorillonite clay was first purified and then surface modified by using different types of alkylammonium salts: tetramethyl ammonium bromide, benzyl triethyl ammonium bromide, dodecyl trimethyl ammonium bromide, hexadecyl trimethyl ammonium bromide, and octadecyl trimethyl ammonium bromide. Purification and surface modification of this clay were evaluated by using the following analyses; X‐ray diffraction (XRD), cation exchange capacity (CEC), particle size distribution, and dissolved organic content. These analyses simply indicated that surface modification increased both interlayer spacing between the silicate layers and CEC of the clay. These improvements were directly proportional with the chain length of the surface modifier. Nanocomposite specimens were produced by adding 0.5 wt% surface modified clay into the epoxy matrix. These specimens were characterized by XRD, Si‐mapping facility of SEM, and mechanical tests. XRD results indicated an exfoliated structure whereas Si‐mapping showed the uniform distribution of clay particles in epoxy, leading to improved mechanical properties, for instance more than 100% increase in fracture toughness of the neat epoxy specimen. POLYM. COMPOS., 2009. © 2008 Society of Plastics Engineers
Preparation and properties of nanoparticle and long‐fiber‐reinforced unsaturated polyester composites
Authors: Zhou Gang , Movva Siva , Lee L. James
Published: September 2008

In this study, a new approach was used to prepare polymer composites reinforced by both nanoparticles and continuous fibers. Carbon nanofibers were prebound onto glass fiber mats, and then unsaturated polyester composites were prepared by vacuum‐assisted resin transfer molding. Mechanical and thermal properties of these composites were measured and compared with those of the composites synthesized by premixing carbon nanofibers with the polymer resin. Flexural strength and modulus of composites improved with the incorporation of nanoparticles. Specifically, the property improvement was higher in the case of the composites prepared by the new prebound method. It was also found that carbon nanofibers increased the glass transition temperature and reduced the thermal expansion coefficient of unsaturated polyester composites. POLYM. COMPOS., 2009. © 2008 Society of Plastics Engineers
Epoxy‐ and polyester‐based composites reinforced with glass, carbon and aramid fabrics: Measurement of heat capacity and thermal conductivity of composites by differential scanning calorimetry
Authors: Cecen Volkan , Tavman Ismail H. , Kok Mediha , Aydogdu Yildirim
Published: September 2008

The primary purpose of the study is to investigate the temperature dependence of heat capacity and thermal conductivity of composites having different fiber/matrix combinations by means of heat‐flux differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). The materials used as samples in this study were epoxy‐ and polyester‐based composites. Noncrimp stitched glass, carbon, and aramid fabric were used as reinforcements for making unidirectional composites. For the heat capacity measurements the composite sample and a standard material are separately subjected to same linear temperature program. By recording the heat flow rate into the composite sample as a function of temperature, and comparing it with the heat flow rate into a standard material under the same conditions, the temperature dependence of heat capacity of the composite sample is determined. Measurements were carried out over a wide range of temperatures from about 20 to 250°C. The differential scanning calorimeter was adapted to perform the thermal conductivity measurements in the direction perpendicular to the fiber axis over the temperature range of 45–235°C. The method used in this study utilizes the measurement of rate of heat flow into a sensor material during its first‐order phase transition to obtain the thermal resistance of a composite material placed between the sensor material and the heater in the DSC. POLYM. COMPOS., 2009. © 2008 Society of Plastics Engineers
Structural and mechanical properties of polystyrene nanocomposites with 1D titanate nanostructures prepared by an extrusion process
Authors: Umek Polona , Huskić Miroslav , Škapin Andrijana Sever , Florjančič Urška , Zupančič Barbara , Emri Igor , Arčon Denis
Published: September 2008

Polystyrene (PS) nanocomposites with titanate nanotubes and titanate nanoribbons were prepared by an extrusion process at 180°C. Nanocomposites with 1 wt% of nanofillers and pure PS that had also been exposed to the extrusion process were comparatively examined with scanning electron microscopy (SEM), electron dispersive X‐ray spectrometry (EDS) mapping, solid state proton nuclear magnetic resonance measurements (1H NMR), tensile tests, and shear creep measurements. SEM images and EDS mapping analysis show that titanate nanoribbons homogeneously distribute at a micrometer length‐scale in the PS matrix during the extrusion process. This is not the case for titanate nanotubes, which show a stronger tendency to form clusters. Solid state 1H NMR studies, however, proved that the nanocomposites are inhomogeneous at a nanometric scale where structural components with highly mobile PS molecules coexist with domains of rigid PS molecules. Differences in the 1H spin‐lattice relaxation at and above the glass transition temperature Tg = 373 K suggest that nanofillers affect the thermodynamic properties of nanocomposite domains. Only a slight increase in mechanical tensile properties was observed in the case of the nanocomposite containing 1 wt% of titanate nanoribbons (TiNRs) probably reflecting a weak interaction between the polymer matrix and the nanofiller. Nevertheless, our results prove that the use of functionalized TiNRs may, in combination with the extrusion process, represent a very promising starting point for the preparation of TiNR nanocomposites at the industrial level. POLYM. COMPOS., 2009. © 2008 Society of Plastics Engineers
Fabrication and properties of clay‐supported carbon nanotube/poly (vinyl alcohol) nanocomposites
Authors: Zhao Yong‐Qing , Lau Kin‐Tak , Wang Zhe , Wang Zhi‐Cai , Cheung Hoi‐Yan , Yang Zhi , Li Hu‐Lin
Published: September 2008

Clay‐supported carbon nanotubes (Cs‐CNTs) were used as novel nanofillers to improve the thermal and mechanical properties of a polymer. Cs‐CNT/poly (vinyl alcohol) (PVA) nanocomposite films were successfully fabricated, and their relative properties were investigated by using differential scanning calorimetry, thermogravimetric analysis, and dynamic mechanical analysis. Experimental results showed that the thermal stability and dynamic mechanical properties of PVA were remarkably enhanced by incorporating the Cs‐CNTs into PVA matrix. The largest Tg difference of 14°C was obtained between pure PVA and PVA nanocomposite with 7 wt% Cs‐CNTs. Moreover, the storage modulus of PVA was significantly improved by 133% at 50°C, when 7 wt% Cs‐CNTs was added to PVA matrix. POLYM. COMPOS., 2009. © 2008 Society of Plastics Engineers
Optical, rheological, and thermal properties of hollow glass bead filled isotactic polypropylene
Authors: Zhu Lin , Xu Xinhua , Song Na , Tang Xiangyang
Published: September 2008

Hollow glass beads (HGB) were mixed into isotactic polypropylene (iPP) by an internal mixer and the effect of HGB concentration on optical, rheological, and thermal properties of iPP/HGB composites was studied. The dispersion of treated and nontreated HGB in the iPP matrix and the crystal habit of iPP in the composites were examined by phase contrast microscopy. Dynamic rheological measurements were carried out in the melt state in the oscillatory shear mode. The data were analyzed to yield the variations of rheological properties of the composites when the HGB were added. The influence of HGB concentration on the thermal properties including the crystallization and melting behaviors of the composites was studied by means of differential scanning calorimeter and wide angle X‐ray diffraction. It was found that the addition of HGB had effect on the crystallization and melting behaviors of the composites, including that HGB had a weak nucleating effect in the matrix and promoting the formation of β‐crystals of iPP. POLYM. COMPOS., 2009. © 2008 Society of Plastics Engineers
Calorimetric studies on an anhydride‐cured epoxy resin from diglycidyl ether of bisphenol‐A and diglycidyl ether of poly(propylene glycol). I. Onset of diffusion control during isothermal polymerization
Authors: Xu Jianjun , Holst Marco , Wenzel Mirko , Alig Ingo
Published: September 2008

Calorimetric studies on a series of anhydride‐cured epoxy resins, in which the epoxy oligomer is a mixture of diglycidyl ether of bisphenol‐A (DGEBA) and diglycidyl ether of poly(propylene glycol) (DGEPPG) in different mole ratios, were carried out. DGEPPG is a flexible epoxy oligomer that was used to tune glass transition temperature for the fully reacted epoxy resin. Conversion versus time curves for the systems with different DGEBA/DGEPPG mole ratios (not including the neat DGEPPG system) were found to overlap with each other in mass‐controlled reaction regime, indicating similar reactivities of epoxy groups in both epoxy oligomers. Onset of diffusion‐controlled reaction regime for different systems was estimated by fitting the conversion versus time data using a phenomenological kinetic equation, as well as from direct comparison of the conversion versus time curves. For the systems (i.e., 0, 10, and 30% DGEPPG) that vitrify during reaction, the crossover from mass‐controlled to diffusion‐controlled reaction occurs close to the onset of the vitrification, where Tg is about 25–30 K below the reaction temperature. For the system (i.e., 50% DGEPPG system) that does not vitrify during the reaction, such crossover still occurs when the Tg of the mixture reaches a value about 25 K below the reaction temperature. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part B: Polym Phys 46: 2155–2165, 2008
The effect of ions irradiation on the thermal properties of poly(ether ether ketone)
Authors: Al Lafi Abdul G. , Hay James N. , Parker David J.
Published: September 2008

The effect of irradiating amorphous poly (ether ether ketone), PEEK, with ions, 11 MeV proton (H+), and 25.6 MeV helium (He2+), has been investigated focusing on the changes in thermal properties. The extent of chain scission and crosslinking was evaluated using the Charlesby‐Pinner equation. Crosslinking increased the glass transition temperature (Tg) in line with the DiBenedetto equation from which the crosslinking constant for each ion was calculated. The effect of irradiation on the thermal degradation kinetics was studied in an argon atmosphere at a constant heating rate by mean of the Chang and the second Kissinger methods. Irradiation significantly reduced the thermal stability of the polymer and its service lifetime. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part B: Polym Phys 46: 2212–2221, 2008
Poly(L‐lactide)/layered double hydroxides nanocomposites: Preparation and crystallization behavior
Authors: Pan Pengju , Zhu Bo , Dong Tungalag , Inoue Yoshio
Published: September 2008

Novel nanocomposites from poly(L‐lactide) (PLLA) and an organically modified layered double hydroxide (LDH) were prepared using the melt‐mixing technique. The structure and crystallization behavior of these nanocomposites were investigated by means of wide‐angle X‐ray diffraction (WAXD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), and polarized optical microscopy (POM). WAXD results indicate that the layer distance of dodecyl sulfate‐modified LDH (LDH‐DS) is increased in the PLLA/LDH composites, compared with the organically modified LDH. TEM analysis suggests that the most LDH‐DS layers disperse homogenously in the PLLA matrix in the nanometer scale with the intercalated or exfoliated structures. It was found that the incorporation of LDH‐DS has little or no discernable effect on the crystalline structure as well as the melting behavior of PLLA. However, the crystallization rate of PLLA increases with the addition of LDH‐DS. With the incorporation of 2.5 wt % LDH‐DS, the PLLA crystallization can be finished during the cooling process at 5 °C/min. With the addition of 5 wt % LDH‐DS, the half‐times of isothermal melt‐crystallization of PLLA at 100 and 120 °C reduce to 44.4% and 57.0% of those of the neat PLLA, respectively. POM observation shows that the nucleation density increases and the spherulite size of PLLA reduces distinctly with the presence of LDH‐DS. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part B: Polym Phys 46: 2222–2233, 2008
Study of clay nanocomposites of the biodegradable polyhexamethylene succinate. Application of isoconversional analysis to nonisothermal crystallization
Authors: Gestí S. , Zanetti M. , Lazzari M. , Franco L. , Puiggalí J.
Published: September 2008

Nanocomposites of organomodified montmorillonites and the biodegradable polyester derived from hexanediol and succinic acid were prepared by the solution‐casting method using chloroform as solvent. Samples were studied by means of X‐ray diffraction and transmission electron microscopy. Intercalated structures differentiated by the stacking mode between silicate layers were observed. The highest variability in interlayer spacing was found when C30B organoclay was added. In this case, hydroxyl groups of the modifier could interact with polar carbonyl groups of the polyester. Thermal stability and crystallization behavior under both isothermal and nonisothermal conditions were evaluated. The overall crystallization rate of the intercalated nanocomposites was higher than that of the neat polyester due to a significant increase in their nucleation density, which compensated for their lower crystal growth rate. Isoconversional analysis was used to determine effective activation energies and to estimate nucleation and transport energy parameters from nonisothermal hot crystallization experiments. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part B: Polym Phys 46: 2234–2248, 2008
Self‐assembly of polymer‐coated ferromagnetic nanoparticles into mesoscopic polymer chains
Authors: Benkoski Jason J. , Bowles Steven E. , Jones Ronald L. , Douglas Jack F. , Pyun Jeffrey , Karim Alamgir
Published: September 2008

The self‐assembly of dispersed polymer‐coated ferromagnetic nanoparticles into micron‐sized one‐dimensional mesostructures at a liquid–liquid interface was reported. When polystyrene‐coated Co nanoparticles (19 nm) are driven to an oil/water interface under zero‐field conditions, long (≈ 5 μm) chain‐like assemblies spontaneously form because of dipolar associations between the ferromagnetic nanoparticles. Direct imaging of the magnetic assembly process was achieved using a recently developed platform consisting of a biphasic oil/water system in which the oil phase was flash‐cured within 1 s upon ultraviolet light exposure. The nanoparticle assemblies embedded in the crosslinked phase were then imaged using atomic force microscopy. The effects of time, temperature, and colloid concentration on the self‐assembly process of dipolar nanoparticles were then investigated. Variation of either assembly time t or temperature T was found to be an interchangeable effect in the 1D organization process. Because of the dependence of chain length on the assembly conditions, we observed striking similarities between 1D nanoparticle self‐assembly and polymerization of small molecule monomers. This is the first in‐depth study of the parameters affecting the self‐assembly of dispersed, dipolar nanoparticles into extended mesostructures in the absence of a magnetic field. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.* J Polym Sci Part B: Polym Phys 46: 2267–2277, 2008
Tracking humoral responses using self assembling protein microarrays
Authors: Ramachandran Niroshan , Anderson Karen S. , Raphael Jacob V. , Hainsworth Eugenie , Sibani Sahar , Montor Wagner R. , Pacek Marcin , Wong Jessica , Eljanne Mariam , Sanda Martin G. , Hu Yanhui , Logvinenko Tanya , LaBaer Joshua
Published: September 2008

The humoral immune response is a highly specific and adaptive sensor for changes in the body's protein milieu, which responds to novel structures of both foreign and self antigens. Although Igs represent a major component of human serum and are vital to survival, little is known about the response specificity and determinants that govern the human immunome. Historically, antigen‐specific humoral immunity has been investigated using individually produced and purified target proteins, a labor‐intensive process that has limited the number of antigens that have been studied. Here, we present the development of methods for applying self‐assembling protein microarrays and a related method for producing 96‐well formatted macroarrays for monitoring the humoral response at the proteome scale. Using plasmids encoding full‐length cDNAs for over 850 human proteins and 1700 pathogen proteins, we demonstrate that these microarrays are highly sensitive, specific, reproducible, and can simultaneously measure immunity to thousands of proteins without a priori protein purification. Using this approach, we demonstrate the detection of humoral immunity to known and novel self‐antigens, cancer antigens, autoimmune antigens, as well as pathogen‐derived antigens. This represents a powerful and versatile tool for monitoring the immunome in health and disease.
Photolysis of the herbicide sulcotrione: formation of a major photoproduct and its toxicity evaluation
Authors: Halle Alexandra ter , Wiszniowski Jaroslaw , Hitmi Adnane , Ledoigt Gérand , Bonnemoy Frédérique , Bonnet Jean‐Louis , Bohatier Jacques , Richard Claire
Published: September 2008

BACKGROUND: Sulcotrione is a selective herbicide marketed for use in maize since 1993, but its environmental fate is not yet fully elucidated. A major metabolite resulting from cleavage between the two ring moieties, leading to 2‐chloro‐4‐mesylbenzoic acid (CMBA), has been identified; it presents a rather low toxicity. In photochemical studies this compound has also been claimed to be formed in high proportions. The present authors recently found that, under irradiation, sulcotrione mainly yields a cyclization product (CP). Thus, Sulcotrione photochemistry is still a matter of debate. The aim of the present work was to give an unequivocal answer to this issue. The potential toxicity of CP, CMBA and sulcotrione towards three organisms considered as representative of aquatic ecosystems was also evaluated.

RESULTS: The main transformation product of sulcotrione is the cyclization product (CP), and CMBA is formed in smaller amounts. For the toxicological approach, the tested organisms were a bacterium, Vibrio fischeri (Bejerinck) Lehmann & Neumann, an alga, Pseudokirchneriella subcapitata (Korshikov) Hindak, and a protozoan, Tetrahymena pyriformis (Ehrenberg) Lwoff. Sulcotrione is more harmful towards the alga, but CP is more toxic to the bacterium and the protozoan. It must be noted that the measured toxicities are nonetheless rather low.

CONCLUSION: On irradiation, sulcotrione mainly gives the photocyclization product, which presents a higher toxicity than sulcotrione and CMBA. This cyclization product should thus be considered in sulcotrione environmental risk assessment. Copyright © 2008 Society of Chemical Industry
Differential toxicity of Bacillus thuringiensis strains and their crystal toxins against high‐altitude Himalayan populations of diamondback moth, Plutella xylostella L.
Authors: Mohan Muthugounder , Sushil Satya N , Selvakumar Govindan , Bhatt Jagadish C , Gujar Govind T , Gupta Hari S
Published: September 2008

BACKGROUND: Diamondback moth, Plutella xylostella (L.), is a major insect pest of crucifers in the biodiversity‐rich north‐western Indian Himalayan hills. The present investigation was aimed at determining the susceptibility pattern of P. xylostella populations collected from different locations of this region to autochthonous and standard Bacillus thuringiensis strains.

RESULTS: Among the reference as well as indigenous B. thuringiensis strains tested, sub spp. kurstaki HD‐1, kurstaki HD‐73, galleriae HD‐8, local galleriae/colmeri strain BtOa1 and some of their Cry1 class toxins were found to be highly toxic. Surprisingly, the sub sp. tolworthi HD‐125, local tolworthi strain BtHa1 and Cry9 class toxins were found to be non‐toxic. Midgut homogenate from fourth‐instar larvae was found to activate 130 kDa protoxin from the local tolworthi strain BtHa1 into 68 kDa toxin, but failed to exert any larval mortality, probably owing to lack of receptor binding.

CONCLUSION: The present study provides valuable baseline susceptibility data for the deployment of B. thuringiensis‐based control methods, as well as for future monitoring of development of resistance in P. xylostella to B. thuringiensis in this ecologically sensitive region. Copyright © 2008 Society of Chemical Industry
Molecular Docking and 3‐D QSAR Studies of Substituted 2,2‐Bisaryl‐Bicycloheptanes as Human 5‐Lipoxygenase‐Activating Protein (FLAP) Inhibitors
Authors: Ma Xiang , Zhou Lu , Zuo Zhi‐Li , Liu Jian , Yang Min , Wang Rong‐Wei
Published: September 2008

Leukotrienes have been shown to be involved in a variety of diseases such as cardiovascular diseases, cancer, asthma, ulcerative colitis, and rhinitis. 5‐Lipoxygenase‐Activating Protein (FLAP) was found to be a key enzyme of leukotriene synthesis. Comparative Molecular Field Analysis (CoMFA) and molecular docking studies were carried out on a series of substituted 2,2‐bisaryl‐bicycloheptanes FLAP inhibitors. The docking results provided a reliable conformational alignment scheme for 3‐D QSAR model. Based on the docking conformations, highly predictive CoMFA model was performed with a leave‐one‐out cross‐validated q2 of 0.651. The noncross‐validated analysis with four optimum components revealed a conventional r2 value of 0.972, F=175.674, and an estimated standard error of 0.169. The predictive ability of this model was validated by the testing set with a conventional r2 value of 0.920. The analyses may be used to design more potent FLAP inhibitors and predict their activities prior to synthesis.
The charge capacitance of the chemical bond: Application to bonds containing metals
Authors: Holt Asbjørn , Karlström Gunnar , Roos Björn O.
Published: September 2008

The charge capacitance of metal containing complexes are studied. For molecules with multiple bonding between the metal atoms it is found that the charge capacitance is correlated to the maximum bond order, natural bond order, and to some extent the effective bond order. Furthermore the charge capacitance of some methylidene metal dihydride complexes are studied. These molecules have agostic interactions of varying strength, and it is concluded that this strength is very well reflected in the charge capacitances of the systems. In accordance with the definition of agostic interactions it is therefor concluded that the charge capacitance holds information about the strength of covalent interactions. The effect therefore on the agostic interactions upon substitution of one of the hydrogen atoms with fluorine in the methylidene metal complexes is studied, and found to reduce the agostic interactions. It is also demonstrated that there is an agostic interaction in an ArCrCrAr complex. The distance dependence of the charge capacitance is also discussed. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Quantum Chem, 2009
Towards a new index for environmental sustainability based on a DALY weighting approach
Authors: Blanc Isabelle , Friot Damien , Margni Manuele , Jolliet Olivier
Published: September 2008

Composite indicators are synthetic indices that are used to rank country performances in specific policy areas. Many do, however, suffer from methodological difficulties. Specific difficulties linked to indices for environmental sustainability are analyzed through the illustration of several sets. The most critical issues are linked with a poor analytical framework and a lack of common unit for the aggregation. Some measure directly the state of the environment while other use proxies such as pressure or response indicators or even a mix of these. A new composite index for environmental sustainability was developed in the EU project EPSILON, which aimed at assessing European regional sustainability for policy decision making related to the improvement of regional sustainability. Indicators are expressed according to a coherent framework issuing from the ‘driving force–pressure–state–impact–response’ approach with an innovative weighting scheme derived from human health impact assessment based on disability adjusted life years (DALYs). Results are compared with a more conventional aggregation technique based on an equal weighting coupled to various normalization techniques. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd and ERP Environment.
Operationalization and contextualization of sustainability at the local level
Authors: Hartmuth Gerhard , Huber Katja , Rink Dieter
Published: September 2008

Due to its fuzziness, the model of sustainable development has to be particularized and contextualized before it can be used as a yardstick. A local indicator system for two German cities has been developed to meet these requirements using a new conceptualization of sustainability. Initially, local problem areas were identified in a bottom‐up approach by local authority personnel. These problem areas were contrasted with a set of sustainability rules, which had been systematically derived from a basic sustainability norm that gives minimum requirements for sustainable development. Indicators were specified at the interface between local problem areas and sustainability rules. The indicators are expected to provide information on whether the city is over time becoming closer to or farther removed from the respective sustainability goals in its problem areas. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd and ERP Environment.