bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Bioactive components and antioxidant capacity of Ontario hard and soft wheat varieties
Authors: Ragaee S. , Guzar I. , Abdel-Aal E-S. M. , Seetharaman K.
Published: January 2012

Ragaee, S., Guzar, I., Abdel-Aal, E-S. M. and Seetharaman, K. 2012. Bioactive components and antioxidant capacity of Ontario hard and soft wheat varieties. Can. J. Plant Sci. 92: 19–30. Consumer awareness of food and health through improved diet has promoted research on the bioactive components of agricultural products. wholegrain wheat and products rich in wheat bran were found to inhibit oxidation of biologically important molecules such as DNA, LDL cholesterol and membrane lipids, and are linked with reduced incidence of several diseases. The main objective of the present study was to evaluate selected wheat varieties grown in Ontario based on their contents of bioactive compounds and antioxidant properties to identify potential candidates for the functional foods industry. The 21 wheat varieties obtained from different locations in Ontario varied significantly in soluble and bound phenolic acids, ranging between 114 to 155 and 805 to 1068 µg g−1, respectively. Dietary fiber fractions had narrow ranges being 2.8–4.0% for soluble dietary fiber and 10.1–13.0% for insoluble dietary fiber. Antioxidant capacity measured as DPPH radical inhibition ranged between 5.7–14.9% and 74.1–87.1% for soluble and bound phenolic compounds, respectively. The results demonstrate that certain wholegrain wheat varieties would be excellent sources of bioactive components.
Brevis spring triticale
Authors: McLeod J. G. , Randhawa H. S. , Ammar K. , Beres B. L. , Muri R. B.
Published: January 2012

McLeod, J. G., Randhawa, H. S., Ammar, K., Beres, B. L. and Muri, R. B. 2012. Brevis spring triticale. Can. J. Plant Sci. 92: 199–202. Brevis spring triticale (×Triticosecale Wittmack) is well adapted to the Canadian prairies with high grain yield in each of the soil zones. Brevis has reduced height compared with the check cultivars and excellent lodging resistance. Brevis matures in a similar number of days as Pronghorn and AC Certa and about 3d later than AC Ultima. It combines large heavy seed with test weight equal to that of AC Certa, the best check cultivar. Brevis is resistant to the prevalent races of leaf rust, stem rust and common bunt. Its reaction to Fusarium head blight is moderately susceptible to moderately resistant.
The Choice of Benthic Amphipod for Ecotoxicological Tests With Marine Sediments
Authors: Bertoletti E.
Published: January 2012

Recently, the ABNT-NBR 15638 standard was published normalizing the method of ecotoxicological test with whole sediment using the benthic amphipods Leptocheirus plumulosus and Tiburonella viscana. These test organisms are the most widely used for this matrix in studies of Brazilian marine and estuarine environments. In order to analyse some experimental conditions in toxicity tests with these two amphipods, data from a monitoring program conducted in the oceanic region of Santos-SP were compiled. The results of ecotoxicological tests with Leptocheirus plumulosus and Tiburonella viscana indicated that sediments in the region have low contamination levels. The precision within replicates used in the tests showed that the coefficient of variation was similar (CV = 22%) for both amphipods, however, there was a weak explanation with the intensity of the toxic effect in the Tiburonella viscana test. Regression analysis indicated significant correlation among the intensity of the toxic effect to Tiburonella viscana and the concentration of N-Kjeldahl, and also the proportion of silt+clay in sediments, which did not occur to Leptocheirus plumulosus. Based on present study and others, it was possible to estimate that survival of Tiburonella viscana is affected in sediments with low levels of contamination, but more than 33% of silt+clay (fines).
Assessment of Particulate Matter Genotoxicity at Limeira City (SP) Using the Micronucleus Assay in Tradescantia Pallida (TRAD-MCN)
Authors: Maziviero G. T. , Ferreira A. L. M. , Reganhan-Coneglian C. M. , Caloto-Oliveira A. , Almeida G. , Oliveira-Neto A. L.
Published: January 2012

The use of plants for air contamination biomonitoring has been increased due to the low costs and the easy application and handling. Thus, this study aimed to evaluate the genotoxic potential of inhalable particulate matter in the atmosphere of Limeira city (SP, Brazil) by assessing micronucleus (Trad-MCN) in Tradescantia pallida. Samples were collected from august 30th to October 8th, 2007 using large volume samplers (HI-VOL-PM10). The results indicated that particulate matter levels are within the tolerable limits defined by the legislation. However, they were higher than the annual average values. A genotoxic potential of the particulate matter was seen in some cases where micronucleus frequency more than double in relation to the control. As conclusion, Limeira air contaminants are potentially genotoxic, and the combination of micronucleuos assay and T. pallida showed a good sensibility, and can be used in further studies as a tool of air quality monitoring.
Fractionation of sulfur isotopes during heterogeneous oxidation of SO2 on sea salt aerosol: a new tool to investigate non-sea salt sulfate production in the marine boundary layer
Authors: Harris E. , Sinha B. , Hoppe P. , Foley S. , Borrmann S.
Published: January 2012

Abstract. The oxidation of SO2 to sulfate on sea salt aerosols in the marine environment is highly important because of its effect on the size distribution of sulfate and the potential for new particle nucleation from H2SO4 (g). However, models of the sulfur cycle are not currently able to account for the complex relationship between particle size, alkalinity, oxidation pathway and rate – which is critical as SO2 oxidation by O3 and Cl catalysis are limited by aerosol alkalinity, whereas oxidation by hypohalous acids and transition metal ions can continue at low pH once alkalinity is titrated. We have measured 34S/32S fractionation factors for SO2 oxidation in sea salt, pure water and NaOCl aerosol, as well as the pH dependency of fractionation, and demonstrated that sulfur isotopes can be effectively used to investigate the relative importance of different oxidation pathways in the marine boundary layer. Oxidation of SO2 by NaOCl aerosol was extremely efficient, with a reactive uptake coefficient of ~0.5, and produced sulfate that was enriched in 32S with αOCl = 0.9882 ± 0.0036 at 19 °C. Oxidation on sea salt aerosol was much less efficient than on NaOCl aerosol, suggesting alkalinity was already exhausted on the short timescale of the experiments. Measurements at pH = 2.1 and 7.2 were used to calculate fractionation factors for each step from SO2 (g) –> –> SO32−. Oxidation on sea salt aerosol resulted in a lower fractionation factor than expected for oxidation of SO32− by O3 (αseasalt = 1.0124 ± 0.0017 at 19 °C). Comparison of the lower fractionation during oxidation on sea salt aerosol to the fractionation factor for high pH oxidation shows HOCl contributed 29 % of S(IV) oxidation on sea salt in the short experimental timescale, highlighting the potential importance of hypohalous acids in the marine environment. The sulfur isotope fractionation factors measured in this study allow differentiation between the alkalinity-limited pathways – oxidation by O3 and by Cl catalysis (α34 = 1.0163 ± 0.0018 at 19 °C in pure water or 1.0199 ± 0.0024 at pH = 7.2) – which favour the heavy isotope, and the alkalinity non-limited pathways – oxidation by transition metal catalysis (α34 = 0.9905 ± 0.0031 at 19 °C, Harris et al., 2012a) and by hypohalites (α34 = 0.9882 ± 0.0036 at 19 °C) – which favour the light isotope. In combination with Δ17O measurements, this will allow quantification of the major SO2 oxidation pathways occurring in the marine environment.
Effect of mosaic representation of vegetation in land surface schemes on simulated energy and carbon balances
Authors: Li R. , Arora V. K.
Published: January 2012

Abstract. Energy and carbon balance implications of representing vegetation using a composite or mosaic approach in a land surface scheme are investigated. In the composite approach the attributes of different plant functional types (PFTs) present in a grid cell are aggregated in some fashion for energy and water balance calculations. The resulting physical environmental conditions (including net radiation, soil moisture and soil temperature) are common to all PFTs and affect their ecosystem processes. In the mosaic approach energy and water balance calculations are performed separately for each PFT tile using its own vegetation attributes, so each PFT "sees" different physical environmental conditions and its carbon balance evolves somewhat differently from that in the composite approach. Simulations are performed at selected boreal, temperate and tropical locations to illustrate the differences caused by using the composite versus mosaic approaches of representing vegetation. These idealized simulations use 50% fractional coverage for each of the two dominant PFTs in a grid cell. Differences in simulated grid averaged primary energy fluxes at selected sites are generally less than 5% between the two approaches. Simulated grid-averaged carbon fluxes and pool sizes at these sites can, however, differ by as much as 46%. Simulation results suggest that differences in carbon balance between the two approaches arise primarily through differences in net radiation which directly affects net primary productivity, and thus leaf area index and vegetation biomass.
Localising the nitrogen imprint of the Paris food supply: the potential of organic farming and changes in human diet
Authors: Billen G. , Garnier J. , Thieu V. , Silvestre M. , Barles S. , Chatzimpiros P.
Published: January 2012

Abstract. The Seine watershed has long been the food-supplying hinterland of Paris, providing most of the animal and vegetal protein consumed in the city. Nowadays, the shift from manure-based to synthetic nitrogen fertilisation, has made possible a strong land specialisation of agriculture in the Seine watershed: it still provides most of the cereal consumed by the Paris agglomeration, but exports 80% of its huge cereal production. On the other hand the meat and milk supply originates mainly from regions in the North and West of France, specialised in animal farming and importing about 30% of their feed from South America. As it works today, this system is responsible for a severe nitrate contamination of surface and groundwater resources. Herein two scenarios of re-localising Paris's food supply are explored, based on organic farming and local provision of animal feed. We show that for the Seine watershed it is technically possible to design an agricultural system able to provide all the plant- and animal-based food required by the population, to deliver sub-root water meeting the drinking water standards and still to export a significant proportion of its production to areas less suitable for cereal cultivation. Decreasing the share of animal products in the human diet has a strong impact on the nitrogen imprint of urban food supply.
The effects of five different defaunation methods on biogeochemical properties of intertidal sediment
Authors: Tolhurst T. J. , Chapman M. G. , Underwood A. J. , Cruz J. J.
Published: January 2012

Abstract. Various methods have been used to remove organisms from sediments to investigate structure and function of faunal assemblages in intertidal habitats. Nevertheless, little is known about how these treatments affect properties of the sediments themselves, although changing these properties may cause changes in the assemblages independently of other hypotheses being tested. This study assesses the efficacy of defaunation and effect on selected biogeochemical properties of five different methods of defaunating soft muddy sediments in an estuary. The methods were: removal and freezing of sediment, removal and oven-heating, freezing in situ with liquid N2, spraying with formalin and spraying with hydrogen peroxide. The first four of these methods have been used in previous studies, whilst the fifth was considered to be a potentially useful defaunator because it does not leave toxic residues. The first two methods required sediment to be brought back to the lab, disrupting the natural structure of the sediment; the last three were done in situ, with much less disturbance. Variables measured to assess effects of the treatments on the sediment were: amount of water, grain-size, total carbohydrate, suspension index (relative erosion rate), erosion threshold, chlorophylls-a and -b, colloidal carbohydrate, Fo (minimal fluorescence) and Fv/Fm (photosynthetic yield). There were no significant effects of any treatment on the first 4 variables. For the others, effects of defaunation varied from treatment to treatment and with time after treatment. Generally, the greatest disturbance was to the microphytobenthos (MPB, measured by chlorophyll and fluorescence) and related variables. For most treatments, recovery was rapid, but the effects of formalin and H2O2 persisted for a few days. Effects on physical properties of the sediment were largely minor and insignificant, removal and freezing or heating, however, caused major changes to the sediments because of the disturbances involved. Choosing the appropriate method of defaunation is very important if interpretations are not to be confounded between the effects of defaunation per se and any effects of changes in properties of sediments caused by the method used to defaunate experimental areas.
Phacoemulsification and goniosynechialysis for the management of refractory acute angle closure
Authors: Fakhraie Ghasem , Vahedian Zakieh , Moghimi Sasan , Eslami Yadollah , Zarei Reza , Oskouee Jafar Faraji
Published: January 2012

Purpose

To evaluate the effectiveness of phacoemulsification with goniosynechialysis in the management of refractory acute angle closure (AAC).

Methods

In this prospective, noncomparative interventional case series, patients with AAC who were unresponsive to medical and laser therapy were included. Success was defined as complete if intraocular pressure (IOP) had a drop of at least 30% and was between 6 and 21 mmHg without medication, and qualified if IOP was within that range with medication.

Results

A total of 24 patients with a mean age of 56 years (range 39-77) were treated. Mean follow-up time was 15.7±4.2 months (range 6-24). Mean preoperative and last visit IOPs were 34.27±7.23 mmHg and 17.5±3.21 mmHg, respectively (p<0.001). Mean number of glaucoma medication dropped from 3.67±0.48 to 0.63±1.05 (p<0.001). There was a positive correlation between the attack–surgery interval and last visit IOP (p<0.001, r=0.697). There was a negative correlation between the preoperative anterior chamber depth and last visit IOP drop (p=0.03, r=–0.56). Also, a positive correlation was found between the preoperative IOP and last visit IOP drop (p<0.001, r=0.896). At final visit, complete and qualified success was achieved in 17/24 (71%) and 5/24 (21%) cases, respectively. The most common intraoperative and postoperative complications were hyphema and anterior chamber fibrinous reaction, respectively.

Conclusions

Phacoemulsification with goniosynechialysis seems to be a safe and effective method for the management of patients with refractory AAC. This procedure can be considered for these patients before proceeding with filtering surgery.
Common and Uncommon Complications of Totally Implantable Central Venous Ports: A Pictorial Essay
Authors: Perdikakis Evangelos , Kehagias Elias , Tsetis Dimitrios
Published: January 2012

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to present the characteristic radiologic features of common and uncommon complications in totally implantable central venous ports.

Material and Methods

The authors reviewed 138 implantations of central venous ports in oncologic patients during an 18-month period and present the characteristic imaging features of the complications detected.

Results

All chest ports were placed via the internal jugular vein using both fluoroscopic and ultrasound guidance. The technical success rate was 99.3% (137/138). All catheter or port-related complications were retrospectively assessed. Sixteen complications were detected during the follow-up period, and catheter removal was required in 10 patients.

Conclusions

Image-guided central venous port catheter implantation is a very safe procedure with a low rate of complications. The typical imaging features of common and uncommon complications are very helpful in establishing the correct diagnosis and thus tailoring the appropriate therapy.
Pelvic Organ Prolapse and Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms: Experience from a High-Volume Uro-Gynecologic Center
Authors: Costantini Elisabetta , Lazzeri Massimo , Porena Massimo
Published: January 2012

Background

Female pelvic organ prolapse (POP) is a common condition that often leads to lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) and may require surgical intervention to alleviate those symptoms. However, tThe relationship between LUTS and pelvic organ descent however, remains unclear. The aim of this paper is to determine the correlation between LUTS and POP and changes after POP repair.

Methods

We retrospectively review female patients who attended our tertiary high- volume centre center for LUTS and POP, and underwent integral pelvic floor reconstruction.

Results

An overall of 256 patients presented with POP and LUTS and underwent POP repair. Most of 50% of patients reported two or more symptoms and only 4.2% were asymptomatic for LUTS. 189/256 (73.8%) patients had voiding symptoms and 39 a urodynamic detrusor overactivity. Thirteen suffered from hydronephrosis. 148/256 (57.8%) showed a stress urinary incontinence. All the patients underwent POP repair with or without contemporary anti- incontinence procedure.

Conclusions

Urologists and gynaecologists should recognisebe aware of the high frequency of the POP and LUTS association of POP and LUTS. POP repair my restore a normal situation but symptoms may last after the surgery or develop “de novo.”
Weighted Maximum-Clique Transversal Sets of Graphs
Authors: Lee Chuan-Min
Published: January 2012

A maximum-clique transversal set of a graph G is a subset of vertices intersecting all maximum cliques of G. The maximum-clique transversal set problem is to find a maximum-clique transversal set of G of minimum cardinality. Motivated by the placement of transmitters for cellular telephones, Chang, Kloks, and Lee introduced the concept of maximum-clique transversal sets on graphs in 2001. In this paper, we study the weighted version of the maximum-clique transversal set problem for split graphs, balanced graphs, strongly chordal graph, Helly circular-arc graphs, comparability graphs, distance-hereditary graphs, and graphs of bounded treewidth.
Pigtail Catheter Use for Draining Pleural Effusions of Various Etiologies
Authors: Bediwy Adel Salah , Amer Hesham Galal
Published: January 2012

Background. Use of small-bore pigtail catheter is a less invasive way for draining pleural effusions than chest tube thoracostomy. Methods. Prospectively, we evaluated efficacy and safety of pigtail catheter (8.5–14 French) insertion in 51 cases of pleural effusion of various etiologies. Malignant effusion cases had pleurodesis done through the catheter. Results. Duration of drainage of pleural fluid was 3–14 days. Complications included pain (23 patients), pneumothorax (10 patients), catheter blockage (two patients), and infection (one patient). Overall success rate was 82.35% (85.71% for transudative, 83.33% for tuberculous, 81.81% for malignant, and 80% for parapneumonic effusion). Nine cases had procedure failure, five due to loculated effusions, and four due to rapid reaccumulation of fluid after catheter removal. Only two empyema cases (out of six) had a successful procedure. Conclusion. Pigtail catheter insertion is an effective and safe method of draining pleural fluid. We encourage its use for all cases of pleural effusion requiring chest drain except for empyema and other loculated effusions that yielded low success rate.
Quantum Histories and Quantum Complementarity
Authors: Georgiev Danko
Published: January 2012

We discuss the origin of quantum complementarity using
Feynman's sum-over-histories approach to Quantum Mechanics (QM).
We analyze two experimental setups introduced by W. G. Unruh and
S. Afshar and show how one should consistently calculate the existence
of which-way information using interfering quantum histories. Then we
discuss the possible problems associated with the notion of which way
information and provide an explanation why Englert-Greenberger duality
relation cannot be violated experimentally if the standard QM postulates
are accepted.
Incidence of Listeria spp. in Dairy Cows Feed and Raw Milk in Latvia
Authors: Konosonoka I. H. , Jemeljanovs A. , Osmane B. , Ikauniece D. , Gulbe G.
Published: January 2012

Feed is a risk factor for poisoning the farm environment thus also fresh milk with pathogenic microorganisms of Listeria genus species. Listeria ivanovii, Listeria innocua, and Listeria seeligeri were isolated from 9.2%, but Listeria monocytogenes from 20.0% of feed samples. Most often different fodders (9.3%) and silage (4.7%) were contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes. Listeria genus species were isolated more often from feed prepared and used in organic dairy farm than from that used in conventional dairy farm, correspondingly 44.4% and 18.3%. No Listeria monocytogenes was found in bulk milk samples of organic dairy farm.
Colorful Polymer Compositions with Dyed Graphene Oxide Nanosheets
Authors: Shulga Y. M. , Baskakov S. A. , Muradyan V. E. , Voylov D. N. , Smirnov V. A. , Michtchenko A. , Cabañas-Moreno J. G. , Belay K. G. , Weatherford C. A. , Gutsev G. L.
Published: January 2012

A water suspension of graphene oxide nanosheets (GONSs) obtained via exfoliation of a graphite oxide was treated with a solution of rhodamine 6G. It was found that adding the dye results in the destruction of the GONS water suspension and the precipitation of dyed graphene oxide. The precipitate, washed out of the excess dye and subjected to a second dispersal via sonification, provides a stable suspension of dyed GONS in water or dimethylformamide. The GONS dyeing produces shifts of major absorption bands of the dye in solutions or in polymer compositions toward larger wavelengths. We also found that the stability of a dye subjected to ultraviolet irradiation increases if the dye is bound to a GONS. The increased stability resulted from excitation transfer from dye to a GO nanosheet and its subsequent reduction.
New Concepts in Median Nail Dystrophy, Onychomycosis, and Hand, Foot, and Mouth Disease Nail Pathology
Authors: Hoy Nathan Y. , Leung Alexander K. C. , Metelitsa Andrei I. , Adams Stewart
Published: January 2012

Nails are underutilized as diagnostic tools, despite being involved in many dermatologic conditions. This paper explores new concepts in the treatment of median nail dystrophy (MND), onychomycosis, and the nail pathology of hand, foot, and mouth disease (HFMD). A Pubmed database literature search was conducted for MND treatment, onychomycosis treatment, and HFMD nail pathology. Only papers published after January 2008 were reviewed. The results showed that 0.1% tacrolimus ointment can be an effective treatment for MND. Early studies on laser therapy indicate that it is a safe and efficacious treatment option for onychomycosis, compared to conventional oral antifungal agents. Vicks VapoRub (The Proctor & Gamble Company, Cincinnati, OH) is effective against onychomycosis and is a reasonable option in patients who choose to forgo conventional treatments. Lastly, there is evidence to support a correlation between HFMD and onychomadesis.
Invest in Financial Literacy
Authors: Bush Sarah B. , McGatha Maggie B. , Bay-Williams Jennifer M.
Published: January 2012

Budgeting credit card debt and calculating college costs provide real-world mathematical contexts.
Using Students' Interests as Algebraic Models
Authors: Whaley Kenneth A.
Published: January 2012

Incorporate real-life events and hobbies into cross-curriculum writing and mathematics.
Charge Formation, Recombination, and Sweep‐Out Dynamics in Organic Solar Cells
Authors: Cowan Sarah R. , Banerji Natalie , Leong Wei Lin , Heeger Alan J.
Published: January 2012

This article presents a critical discussion of the various physical processes occurring in organic bulk heterojunction (BHJ) solar cells based on recent experimental results. The investigations span from photoexcitation to charge separation, recombination, and sweep‐out to the electrodes. Exciton formation and relaxation in poly[N‐9″‐hepta‐decanyl‐2,7‐carbazole‐alt‐5,5‐(4′,7′‐di‐2‐thienyl‐2′,1′,3′‐benzothiadiazole) (PCDTBT) and poly‐3(hexylthiophene) (P3HT) are discussed based on a fluorescence up‐conversion study. The commonly accepted paradigm describing the conversion of incident photons into charge carriers in the BHJ material is re‐examined in light of these femtosecond time‐resolved measurements. Transient photoconductivity, time‐delayed collection field, and time‐delayed dual pulse experiments carried out on BHJ solar cells demonstrate the competition between carrier sweep‐out by the internal field and the loss of photogenerated carriers by recombination. Finally, an emerging hypothesis is discussed: that bimolecular recombination accounts for the majority of recombination from short circuit to open circuit in optimized solar cells, and that bimolecular recombination is bias‐ and charge‐density‐dependent. The study of recombination loss processes in organic solar cells leads to insights into what must be accomplished to achieve the “ideal” solar cell.
From Bulk to Monolayer MoS2: Evolution of Raman Scattering
Authors: Li Hong , Zhang Qing , Yap Chin Chong Ray , Tay Beng Kang , Edwin Teo Hang Tong , Olivier Aurelien , Baillargeat Dominique
Published: January 2012

Molybdenum disulfide (MoS2) is systematically studied using Raman spectroscopy with ultraviolet and visible laser lines. It is shown that only the Raman frequencies of $ E_{2{\rm g}}^1 $ and $ A_{{\rm 1g}}^{} $ peaks vary monotonously with the layer number of ultrathin MoS2 flakes, while intensities or widths of the peaks vary arbitrarily. The coupling between electronic transitions and phonons are found to become weaker when the layer number of MoS2 decreases, attributed to the increased electronic transition energies or elongated intralayer atomic bonds in ultrathin MoS2. The asymmetric Raman peak at 454 cm−1, which has been regarded as the overtone of longitudinal optical M phonons in bulk MoS2, is actually a combinational band involving a longitudinal acoustic mode (LA(M)) and an optical mode ($ A_{{\rm 2u}}^{} $). Our findings suggest a clear evolution of the coupling between electronic transition and phonon when MoS2 is scaled down from three‐ to two‐dimensional geometry.
Construction and Evaluation of Hemoglobin‐Based Capsules as Blood Substitutes
Authors: Jia Yi , Cui Yue , Fei Jinbo , Du Mingchun , Dai Luru , Li Junbai , Yang Yang
Published: January 2012

Hemoglobin‐based capsules for use as blood substitutes are successfully fabricated by covalent layer‐by‐layer assembly. Dialdehyde heparin (DHP) is used both as one of the wall components and a cross‐linker without employing other extraneous or toxic crosslinking agents. The biocompatibility of (Hb/DHP)6 microcapsules is evaluated through the 3‐(4,5‐dimethylthiazol‐2‐yl)‐2,5‐diphenyltetrazolium bromide) (MTT) assay and cell experiments. The hemocompatibility of (Hb/DHP)6 microcapsules is characterized in terms of prothrombin time, thrombin time, activated partial thromboplastin time, and hemolysis rate. The oxygen‐carrying capacity of the microcapsules is demonstrated by converting the deoxy‐Hb state of the microcapsules into the oxy‐Hb state. All these results demonstrate that the hemoglobin‐based microcapsules exhibit oxygen‐carrying capacity as well as biocompatibility and hemocompatility, indicating that the as‐prepared capsules have great potential to function as blood substitutes.
Experimental study of the role of the Weber and capillary numbers on Mesler entrainment
Authors: Saylor John. R. , Bounds Garrett D.
Published: January 2012

Mesler entrainment is the formation of a very large number of very small bubbles by a relatively low velocity drop impacting a liquid surface. The role of the Weber number in Mesler entrainment has received significant attention. However, the effect of the capillary number, which quantifies the relative importance of viscous and surface tension forces, has not been explored. This is due primarily to the fact that virtually all Mesler entrainment research has used a single liquid, water, as the working fluid. This, combined with certain experimental restrictions, makes difficult an independent variation of the Weber and capillary numbers. To address this problem, Mesler entrainment was investigated using two silicone oils, having kinematic viscosities of 0.65 cSt and 10.0 cSt, respectively, revealing the effect of the capillary number on Mesler entrainment, a result which has not been obtained heretofore. The silicone oils give extremely repeatable results when compared to water. © 2012 American Institute of Chemical Engineers AIChE J, 2012
Synergistic interaction of treatment and blending on the stability of high‐density polyethylene
Authors: Jeyakumar D. , Suresh G. , Mukesh Doble
Published: January 2012

Degradation of high‐density polyethylene (HDPE) films blended with 0.5, 1.0, and 2.0% metal ions (MIs; chromium = 36%, silicon = 8%, aluminum = 4%, and chlorine = 2%) and 5, 10, and 20% potato starch were studied under two different abiotic treatment conditions (they were either heated to 70°C or exposed to UV at 300–400 nm) for a period of 100 days. The addition of metals did not affect the mechanical strength of the polymer, whereas starch blending did. The latter turned the polymer yellow. HDPE with MIs exhibited higher levels of oxidation than the other samples. UV treatment affected the mechanical strength of the MI‐blended HDPE more than the other additive or the thermal treatment. The formation of extractable oxygenated compounds and unoxidized low‐molecular‐weight hydrocarbons increased with increasing concentration of additives in HDPE. The surface energy in all cases increased; this indicated that the polymers turned hydrophilic. The maximum weight loss (28%) was seen in the 2% MI‐blended HDPE exposed to UV followed by the 20% starch‐blended polymer exposed to heat (24%). These results indicate a synergy between blending and the treatment strategy; this also suggests an optimal waste‐disposal strategy. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2012
Structure–property evaluation of trisilanolphenyl POSS®/polysulfone composites as a guide to POSS melt blending
Authors: Milliman Henry W. , Sánchez‐Soto Miguel , Arostegui Asier , Schiraldi David A.
Published: January 2012

A series of polysulfone/phenyl trisilanol POSS nanocomposites were produced by melt blending by twin screw batch mixing. These materials were then injection molded, and their thermal, mechanical, and morphological properties were tested. The tensile properties of polysulfone were moderately compromised by the addition of phenyl TPOSS, because of the formation of large (∼ 1 μm) voided POSS aggregates. These domains however did cause the improvement of the impact resistance of the composites as described by the mechanism of crack pinning and bowing. Flexural properties remained essentially unchanged, which is attributed to the formation of an aggregate free‐skin layer, which formed in the injection molded parts. Thermal behavior of the composites also remained largely unchanged due to the lack of POSS‐polymer interactions on the molecular/chain segment scale. Initially, it was hypothesized that a high degree of POSS‐polymer interactions would be present in these composited based on examination of their chemical structures. This however, was not the case as phase separation was clearly present. This work highlights the need for a better understanding of the prediction of POSS‐polymer interaction. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2012
Role of three different carboxylic monomers in acrylate emulsion copolymerization in the presence of reactive emulsifier
Authors: Lu Deping , Xie Jin , Shen Ling , Zhao Qian , Yuan Tingting , Guan Rong
Published: January 2012

In this article, a series of carboxylated acrylate copolymer latices were prepared based on the semicontinuous emulsion polymerization via the pure monomer dropwise manner with three different kinds of carboxylic monomers in presence of reactive emulsifier. The effects of the carboxylic monomers [acrylic acid, methacrylic acid, and monobutyl itaconate (MBI)] on the conversion and the properties of acrylate latices and films have been investigated. The carboxylic groups (COOH) distribution of these three kinds of latices were investigated as well. The results show that the concentration of surface COOH (CS) and embedded COOH (Cb) both increase with the increase of the amount of carboxylic monomers. It shows that MBI, the most hydrophobic of the three carboxylic monomers used, tends to be concentrated inside the particle core, and the latex particles have a narrow size distribution. The results of common stability test have demonstrated that the stability of the latex is satisfactory. Moreover, the water absorption and the acid and alkaline resistance of the latex depend on the kind of carboxylic monomer. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2012
Relationship between morphology and rheology of PA/PE/Clay blend nanocomposites. I. PA matrix
Authors: Malmir S. , Razavi Aghjeh M. K. , Hemmati M. , Ahmadi Tehrani R.
Published: January 2012

Morphology and linear viscoelastic properties of PA/PE/Clay blend nanocomposites with and without compatibilizer (PE‐g‐MA) with PA as a matrix phase were studied. Using rheological and XRD analyses, it was shown that the clay exhibited higher dispersion in PA/PE blend than that in pure PA. It was attributed to the detachment of intercalated clay layers in PA matrix due to the stress transfer of PE particles and deformation flow field created between PE particles, leading to formation of stronger network. The presence of PE‐g‐MA further enhanced the clay dispersion in the blend. While the results of XRD were not able to accurately assess the morphology, using rheological analysis it was predicted that if the clay is first compounded with dispersed PE phase (PE+PE‐g‐MA), the clay could not leave the PE phase but PA diffuses to the composite droplets of (PE+PE‐g‐MA)/Clay to form phase within phase within phase morphology. SEM and TEM analyses confirmed the reliability of the prediction. It was demonstrated that the rheological studies has a reliable sensitivity to the clay dispersion, its localization, and phase morphology of blend nanocomposites. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2012
Fabrication and deodorizing efficiency of nanostructured core‐sheath TiO2 nanofibers
Authors: Park Soonjee , Kim Hae‐Rim , Bang Hyunsik , Fujimori Kazushige , Kim Byoung‐Suhk , Kim Soon‐Ho , Kim Ick‐Soo
Published: January 2012

In this work, we report the fabrication and deodorizing efficiency of nanostructured core‐sheath TiO2 nanofibers prepared by a combined technique of electrospinning and metallization. The morphologies and crystal structures of the resultant nanofibers were investigated by emission scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and wide angle X‐ray diffraction (WAXD), respectively. The influence of annealing conditions, such as annealing temperature and time, various titanium isopropoxide (TTIP) weight fractions, which are based on the weight of the poly(vinyl acetate) (PVAc), on morphologies and crystal structures was evaluated for the nanostructured core‐sheath TiO2 nanofibers. UV blocking properties and deodorizing efficiency were also measured by UV‐visible spectrometer and formaldehyde detector tube at room temperature, respectively. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2012
In situpolyaniline film formation using ferric chloride as an oxidant
Authors: Ayad Mohamad M. , Amer Wael A. , Whdan Mohamad
Published: January 2012

In situpolyaniline (PANI) films were grown from an aqueous hydrochloric acid solution on glass substrates via the chemical oxidation of aniline using hydrated ferric chloride, FeCl3.6H2O (FC). The effect of initial molar ratios of FC/aniline on the yield of PANI films was monitored using the quartz crystal microbalance technique. The morphology of the resultant polymer film and powder was examined using scanning electron microscopy. It was found that the film possesses a porous character; however, the polymer powder consists of small particles with interconnected nanofibers. The polymer powder formed in the bulk was characterized using the energy dispersive analysis of X‐ray, the X‐ray diffraction, and the thermal gravimetric analysis. A comparison between the PANI produced from FC and ammonium peroxydisulfate was considered and discussed. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2012
High dielectric constant and superparamagnetic polymer‐based nanocomposites induced by percolation effect
Authors: Wang Xinming , Li Weiping , Luo Laihui , Fang Zhao , Zhang Jing , Zhu Yuejin
Published: January 2012

To obtain the high dielectric constant and superparamagnetic composites for application in dielectric energy storage capacitors and other electromagnetic devices, the Fe3O4 nanoparticles have been embedded into polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) polymer. As expectation, a distinct percolation effect has been found in these composites, because of the good conductivity of Fe3O4 nanoparticles. The composites exhibit great increase of the dielectric constants and conductivities near the percolation threshold. The maximum of dielectric constant is up to 5240 at 100 Hz, which is the highest value reported to date among the PVDF based percolative composites. Meanwhile, the dielectric loss is controlled in the range of 0–2.2. These composites also exhibit superparamagnetic with the presence of Fe3O4 nanoparticles. The maximum of saturation magnetization is 30.8 emu/g. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2012
Grafting maleic anhydride onto EVA and effect on the physical and rheological properties of PETG/EVA‐g‐MAH blends
Authors: Hwang Sung Wook , Ryu Hee Chang , Kim Sang Woo , Park Hae Youn , Seo Kwan Ho
Published: January 2012

Maleic anhydride (MAH) was grafted onto ethylene vinyl acetate copolymer (EVA) in the internal mixer in the presence of dicumyl peroxide (DCP), and a prepared reactive compatibilizer, MAH‐g‐EVA, was blended with Poly (ethylene glycol‐co‐cyclohexane‐1,4‐dimethanol terephthalate) (PETG). The gel content determination and element analysis (EA) was performed to confirm the grafting reaction. It was found that grafting reaction of MAH on to EVA could compete with crosslinking reaction of DCP during the modification process. In addition, the introduction of small amount of MAH showed a great effect on reducing gel content by decreasing crosslink reaction. As MAH content increased, grafted MAH concentration increased, whereas the grafting yield decreased. It was also confirmed that MAH‐g‐EVA acted as a reactive compatibilizer in the blend with PETG, and enhanced compatibility by reacting with the hydroxyl end groups, OH, of PETG. Addition of EVA in the blend leads a plastic deformation of PETG, and MAH had a great effect on enhancing interfacial adhesion resulting in significant increasing of % strain; however, improved compatibility could not be changed much in low strain tensile strength and Young's modulus. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2012
A multiscale simulation of polymer processing using parameter‐based bridging in melt rheology
Authors: Masubuchi Yuichi , Uneyama Takashi , Saito Keiichi
Published: January 2012

To investigate the effect of molecular structure on macroscopic flow behavior of polymeric liquid, attempts have been made to embed the microscopic information into the flow simulation. Constitutive equation based on the theory of polymer dynamics is ideal but the theory is still under development. The CONNFFESSIT approach (where microscopic simulation is embedded into calculation grid in macroscopic simulation) is another promising direction but the computational cost is not practical yet. In this study, we propose another simple method using parameter‐based bridging where the parameters for phenomenological constitutive equations in macroscopic flow simulation are obtained from coarse‐grained molecular simulation. As an example, we performed a simulation of injection molding and examined the effect of molecular weight on warpage of the molded product. We used the primitive chain network simulation to calculate linear viscoelasticity of linear monodispersed polystyrenes from molecular weight. The obtained linear viscoelasticity was converted into the relaxation spectrum and into the flow curve to be used in the macroscopic simulations. From the flow curve, the parameters of an inelastic non‐Newtonian constitutive equation were obtained and used for the simulation of filling process. The relaxation spectrum was used to calculate residual stress from the flow profile in the filling process. From the residual stress and thermal shrinkage, warpage of the product was obtained. For the examined thin plate product, significant change in the warpage direction was demonstrated according to the molecular weight of the material. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2012
Distribution of Gephyrin‐Immunoreactivity in the Trigeminal Motor Nucleus: An Immunohistochemical Study in Rats
Authors: Li Zhihong , Ge Shunnan , Zhang Fuxing , Zhang Ting , Mizuno Noboru , Hioki Hiroyuki , Kaneko Takeshi , Gao Guodong , Li Jinlian
Published: January 2012

It has been established that a postsynaptic scaffolding protein, gephyrin, is essential for anchoring two main groups of inhibitory receptors, GABAA receptors (GABAARs) and glycine receptors (GlyRs), to the postsynaptic sites of neurons. The present study was primarily attempted to examine if expression patterns of gephyrin might be different between jaw‐closing (JC) and jaw‐opening (JO) motoneurons. The JC‐ and JO‐motoneurons in the rat trigeminal motor nucleus (Vm) were located in the dorsolateral (Vm.dl) and ventromedial (Vm.vm) divisions, respectively (Mizuno et al.,1975). Thus, immunoreactivity (IR) for gephyrin was investigated in the Vm: immunofluorescence histochemistry for gephyrin was combined with retrograde tract‐tracing of fluorogold (FG), which was injected into nerves innervating JC‐muscles or nerves innervating JO‐muscles; neuronal cells were counterstained with propidium iodide (PI). The Vm.dl was discriminated from the Vm.vm by the presence of vesicular glutamate transporter 1 (VGLUT1)‐immunopositive axon terminals, which were distributed in the Vm.dl but not in the Vm.vm (Pang et al., J Comp Neurol2009;512:595–612). Gephyrin‐IR showed a punctate pattern of fluorescence, and motoneuronal profiles were coated with small clusters of gephyrin‐immunopositive puncta throughout the Vm. The distribution density of such clusters was apparently higher in the Vm.dl than in the Vm.vm; this was confirmed quantitatively by a method similar to that described by Lorenzo et al. (Eur J Neurosci2006;23:3161–3170). On the basis of the present results, possible correlation between the distribution density of gephyrin clusters in the submembrane region of Vm motoneurons and that of axon terminals making inhibitory synapses on Vm motoneurons was discussed. Anat Rec, 2012. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Sustained response and prevention of damage progression in patients with neonatal‐onset multisystem inflammatory disease treated with anakinra: A cohort study to determine three‐ and five‐year outcomes
Authors: Sibley Cailin H. , Plass Nikki , Snow Joseph , Wiggs Edythe A. , Brewer Carmen C. , King Kelly A. , Zalewski Christopher , Kim H. Jeffrey , Bishop Rachel , Hill Suvimol , Paul Scott M. , Kicker Patrick , Phillips Zachary , Dolan Joseph G. , Widemann Brigitte , Jayaprakash Nalini , Pucino Frank , Stone Deborah L. , Chapelle Dawn , Snyder Christopher , Butman John A. , Wesley Robert , Goldbach‐Mansky Raphaela
Published: January 2012

Objective

Blocking interleukin‐1 with anakinra in patients with the autoinflammatory syndrome neonatal‐onset multisystem inflammatory disease (NOMID) reduces systemic and organ‐specific inflammation. However, the impact of long‐term treatment has not been established. This study was undertaken to evaluate the long‐term effect of anakinra on clinical and laboratory outcomes and safety in patients with NOMID.

Methods

We conducted a cohort study of 26 NOMID patients ages 0.80–42.17 years who were followed up at the NIH and treated with anakinra 1–5 mg/kg/day for at least 36 months. Disease activity was assessed using daily diaries, questionnaires, and C‐reactive protein level. Central nervous system (CNS) inflammation, hearing, vision, and safety were evaluated.

Results

Sustained improvements in diary scores, parent's/patient's and physician's global scores of disease activity, parent's/patient's pain scores, and inflammatory markers were observed (all P < 0.001 at 36 and 60 months). At 36 and 60 months, CNS inflammation was suppressed, with decreased cerebrospinal fluid white blood cell counts (P = 0.0026 and P = 0.0076, respectively), albumin levels, and opening pressures (P = 0.0012 and P < 0.001, respectively). Most patients showed stable or improved hearing. Cochlear enhancement on magnetic resonance imaging correlated with continued hearing loss. Visual acuity and peripheral vision were stable. Low optic nerve size correlated with poor visual field. Bony lesions progressed. Adverse events other than viral infections were rare, and all patients continued to receive the medication.

Conclusion

These findings indicate that anakinra provides sustained efficacy in the treatment of NOMID for up to 5 years, with the requirement of dose escalation. Damage progression in the CNS, ear, and eye, but not bone, is preventable. Anakinra is well tolerated overall.
Pericardiocentesis: A clinical anatomy review
Authors: Loukas M. , Walters A. , Boon J.M. , Welch T.P. , Meiring J.H. , Abrahams P.H.
Published: January 2012

The safe and successful performance of pericardiocentesis demands a working and specific knowledge of anatomy. Misunderstanding of anatomy may result in failure or serious complications. This review attempts to aid understanding of the anatomical framework, pitfalls, and complications of pericardiocentesis. Pericardiocentesis is carried out for aspiration of blood from the pericardial cavity in cases of cardiac tamponade and symptomatic pericardial effusion. In addition, this technique may be used for the diagnosis of neoplastic effusions, purulent pericarditis, and introduction of cytotoxic agents into the pericardial space. Most complications of the procedure are due to the needle penetrating the heart and surrounding structures such a coronary arteries, lungs, stomach, colon, and liver. These complications, if severe, may result in pneumothorax, hemothorax, arrhythmias, infections or arterial bleeding. Therefore, the more fluid or blood there is between the myocardium and pericardium—within the pericardial cavity— the less chance of complications. With a thorough knowledge of the complications, regional anatomy and rationale of the technique, and adequate experience, a pericardiocentesis can be carried out safely and successfully. Clin. Anat. 25:872–881, 2012. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.