bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Thermodynamically and kinetically favored locations of rice husk ash particles in the phase structure, and the properties of epoxidized natural rubber/thermoplastic polyurethane blends
Authors: Pongdong Wiphawadee , Kummerlöwe Claudia , Vennemann Norbert , Thitithammawong Anoma , Nakason Charoen 
Published: September 2018

ABSTRACTThis article aims to study the influences of the selective location of rice husk ash (RHA) particles on morphological, mechanical, and dynamic properties of epoxidized natural rubber and thermoplastic polyurethane blends (ENR/TPU). Thermodynamic aspects, that is, interfacial tension and work of adhesion were assessed from estimates based on surface tension. It was found that the RHA particles had stronger interactions with the ENR than the TPU, of the co‐continuous phases. The phase structure was mainly controlled by kinetic factors, particularly by the mixing sequence, and to a lesser degree by thermodynamics. Furthermore, the microstructure with RHA particles dispersed in the ENR co‐continuous phase was found to give enhanced mechanical properties. This might be attributed to the higher work of adhesion between ENR and RHA that stabilized the encapsulated RHA particles against shear and elongational stresses, during melt mixing and in the final products. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2018, 135, 46681.
Temperature‐responsive alginate‐g‐poly(N,N‐diethylacrylamide) copolymer: Synthesis, characterization, and swelling behavior
Authors: Işıklan Nuran , Altınışık Zeynep 
Published: September 2018

ABSTRACTTemperature‐responsive polymers have recently gained importance due to their applications in drug delivery. Herein, temperature‐responsive graft copolymer (Alg‐g‐PDEAAm) of alginate and N,N‐diethylacrylamide was synthesized by microwave‐assisted copolymerization using potassium persulfate/N,N,N′,N′‐tetramethylethylenediamine initiator system. The reaction conditions for the best grafting (331%) have been optimized by changing microwave irradiation time, temperature, N,N‐diethylacrylamide, and alginate concentrations. The spectroscopic characteristic, thermal properties, and surface morphology of the copolymers were investigated by FTIR, 1H‐NMR, DSC/TGA, XRD, gel permeation chromatography, and SEM. Furthermore, low critical solution temperatures of Alg‐g‐PDEAAm copolymers were detected by UV spectroscopy. Swelling ratio of graft microspheres was carried out at 25, 32, and 37 °C, and microspheres were found exhibiting temperature‐responsive property. Cytotoxicity test indicated the Alg‐g‐PDEAAm copolymer and its microsphere were biocompatible. Therefore, based on the results the synthesized temperature‐responsive copolymer could be considered as a promising biomaterial. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2018, 135, 46688.
Gelation studies on acrylic acid‐based hydrogels via in situ photo‐crosslinking and rheology
Authors: Magami Saminu M. , Williams Rhodri L. 
Published: September 2018

ABSTRACTThe gelation characteristics of acrylic acid (AA)‐based hydrogels were investigated using real time in situ photocrosslinking and rheological measurements. The gel point and gelation times were established using Winter–Chambon criteria. Frequency independence of tan δ was observed in all cases, such that G′ and G″ scaled as ∼ωn. The Flory–Stockmayer theory was used alongside other indices in order to probe the gelation and the post‐gelation characteristics of the critical gels and the fully formed hydrogels. Network relaxation exponents (n) were influenced by the concentrations of AA and methylene bis‐acrylamide. The gel stiffness (S) decreased with an increase in the concentration of the monomer and of the concentration of the crosslinker, while network branching decreased (lower fractal dimensions) at the gel point. The conversion at the gel point was found to be iso‐conversion with respect to the intensity of the UV irradiance used in the photocrosslinking reactions (1–20 mW/cm2). Thus, network clusters and the crosslinking reaction mechanism were the same irrespective of radiation intensity, although the rates of the reactions were affected. Having sufficient amounts of reactive species at the time of cure drive the crosslinking reactions beyond the gel point to greater crosslink density and smaller mesh sizes. The effects of auto‐acceleration and free‐volume were observed and shown to have key effects on the gelation mechanisms and the branching topographies of the network, when the concentration of the known polyacrylamide medium were not controlled. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2018, 135, 46691.
Optimization of PTFE/Cu/Al2O3 filled PMMA based composites on tribological properties using Taguchi design method
Authors: Gu Dapeng , Zhang Longxiao , Chen Suwen , Song Kefeng , Liu Shouyao 
Published: September 2018

ABSTRACTThe filling combination of polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE)/Cu/Al2O3 filled poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) based composites aiming at low friction and wear is optimized based on L9(34) by Taguchi method. The worn morphologies of PMMA based composites are analyzed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The PTFE transfer film and the wear debris on the steel ball surface are analyzed by SEM and X‐ray spectroscopy. It is observed that the friction and wear of PMMA can be obviously decreased by filling with PTFE, Cu, and Al2O3. PTFE has the most significant but Cu has the negligibly smallest contribution on both the friction coefficient and the wear rate. The lower friction coefficient (<0.2) appears by the combination of the mass ratio of PTFE larger than about 4.5% and the mass ratio of Al2O3 lower than ∼7.5%. The lower wear rate (<5 × 10−5 mm3/Nm) appears by the combination of the mass ratio of PTFE larger than about 5% and the mass ratio of Al2O3 lower than ∼8%, but it does not include that PTFE is greater than about 8.5% and Al2O3 is less than about 1.5%. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2018, 135, 46705.
Mechanical and dynamic‐mechanical properties of silane‐treated graphite nanoplatelet/epoxy composites
Authors: Lavoratti Alessandra , Zattera Ademir José , Amico Sandro Campos 
Published: September 2018

ABSTRACTThermoset resins are widely used for composite applications due to their excellent mechanical properties. To further enhance their performance, nanofillers such as graphite nanoplatelets (GrNP) have been used, and extra improvement may arrive from surface treating these fillers. This study aims to evaluate the influence of GrNP content and treatment with (3‐glycidyloxypropyl)trimethoxysilane and (3‐aminopropyl)triethoxysilane on curing behavior and mechanical and dynamic mechanical properties of GrNP/epoxy composites. Composites reinforced with 0.25 wt % GrNP displayed increased tensile strength by 11.8% compared to the neat resin. Addition of 0.5 wt % GrNP increased the glass transition temperature in 10°C compared to the neat polymer. Silane treated fillers showed an improvement in tensile strength and dynamic‐mechanical properties compared to the neat resin and non‐treated GrNP/epoxy composites at similar filler content. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2018, 135, 46724.
The interaction of thin polyaniline films with various H‐phosphonates: Spectroscopy and quantum chemical calculations
Authors: Morávková Zuzana , Trchová Miroslava , Dybal Jiří , Bláha Michal , Stejskal Jaroslav 
Published: September 2018

ABSTRACTThe conducting form of polyaniline (PANI) is formed by doping of non‐conducting PANI base usually by protonic acids. An alternative way of doping, consisting in an interaction via hydrogen bonding, has been previously proven for H‐phosphonates. In this study, PANI base films are exposed to various H‐phosphonates, changes in the structure of the films are analyzed by ultraviolet–visible, infrared, and Raman spectroscopies and spectroscopic data are compared with quantum chemical calculations. According to our results, the interaction of the PANI base films with H‐phosphonates is realized by hydrogen bonding between the imine nitrogen of PANI and the hydroxy group of the H‐phosphonate tautomeric form, i.e., phosphite. This is in the contrast to the PANI powders doped with H‐phosphonates where both interacting phosphite and non‐interacting H‐phosphonate forms were observed. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2018, 135, 46728.
Nanocomposites based on renewable thermoplastic polyurethane and chemically modified cellulose nanocrystals with improved mechanical properties
Authors: Prataviera Rogerio , Pollet Eric , Bretas Rosario E. S. , Avérous Luc , Lucas Alessandra A. 
Published: September 2018

ABSTRACTIn this study, freeze‐dried cellulose nanocrystals (CNC) from eucalyptus, redispersed in dimethylformamide, is grafted with a polyurethane‐based dimer to improve the interaction with the matrix, a biobased thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU). Dimer grafting onto CNC is confirmed by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. Wide‐angle X‐rays diffraction and thermogravimetry indicate that neither the CNC crystal structure nor its thermal stability are altered, but its crystalline fraction decreased due to the presence of the dimer on the CNC surface. TPU/CNC nanocomposite films are obtained by solvent casting. Nanocomposites with nanofiller content below the theoretical percolation threshold (3.9 wt %) do not present significant changes in the mechanical properties. However, nanocomposites with 5.0 wt % of treated CNC shown good elongation and a Young modulus increase of 55 and 30% when compared with the neat TPU and untreated nanocomposites of same composition, respectively. In addition to that, the CNC addition increases the film opacity. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2018, 135, 46736.
In situ synthesis of PBO‐α‐(amino phthalocyanine copper) composite fiber with excellent UV‐resistance and tensile strength
Authors: Li J. , Wang W. , Zhao L. , Li S. , Yang L. , Huang Y. 
Published: September 2018

ABSTRACTThe anti‐ultraviolet (UV) aging of the poly(p‐phenylene benzobisoxazole) (PBO) is very important and has been paid much attention recently. In this study, copolymerization of PBO and α‐amino phthalocyanine copper (α‐TDMACuPc) was carried out by in situ polymerization and the fiber was obtained by dry‐jet wet spinning in the liquid crystal state. Inducing of α‐TDMACuPc into PBO macromolecules improve the molecular network and enhanced the tensile strength of PBO fiber. With the capability of absorbing UV light into the PBO molecular chain, PBO copolymer fibers showed excellent anti‐UV aging performance and changed with the block structure. It is found that the retention of tensile strength after 100 h of UV irradiation was improved from 66.44% of PBO to 88.80% of PBO‐2.0 wt % α‐TDMACuPc fiber. Meanwhile, the degree of UV etching of the fibers decreased with the addition of α‐TDMACuPc. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2018, 135, 46870.
Potential use of microcapsules in manufacture of fibrous products: A review
Authors: Petrulis Donatas , Petrulyte Salvinija 
Published: September 2018

ABSTARCTThe present survey shows that microcapsules are used as effective tools for modification and functionalization of fibrous products. The core and shell materials of microcapsules can comprise various active ingredients in accordance with different requirements of final fibrous products. In this survey, the morphology, functional properties and added values of microcapsules, also such advanced types as nanocapsules, bi‐, multifunctional microcapsules, and their applications in smart and other modern products are described. Some relevant applications of microcapsules in industrial processes are briefly discussed. The techniques used to encapsulate the core ingredients are also overviewed. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2019, 136, 47066.
Extinction risk and conservation of marine bony shorefishes of the Greater Caribbean and Gulf of Mexico
Authors: Linardich Christi , Ralph Gina M. , Robertson David Ross , Harwell Heather , Polidoro Beth A. , Lindeman Kenyon C. , Carpenter Kent E. 
Published: September 2018

Abstract

Understanding the conservation status of species is important for prioritizing the allocation of resources to redress or reduce biodiversity loss. Regional organizations that manage threats to the marine biodiversity of the Caribbean and Gulf of Mexico seek to delineate conservation priorities.
This process can be usefully informed by extinction risk assessments conducted under the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List criteria: a widely used, objective method to communicate species‐specific conservation needs. Prior to the recent Red List initiatives summarized in this study, the conservation status was known for just one‐quarter of the 1360 Greater Caribbean marine bony shorefishes. During 10 Red List workshops, experts applied data on species' distributions, populations, habitats, and threats in order to assign an extinction risk category to nearly 1000 shorefishes that range in the Greater Caribbean. As conservation is mostly implemented at national and local levels, two more workshops assessed the Gulf of Mexico populations of 940 shorefishes using the regional Red List guidelines.
About 5% of these shorefishes are globally or regionally threatened, including 6% of Greater Caribbean endemics and 26% of Gulf endemics. About 9% of the species are Data Deficient. Species‐richness analyses show that the highest numbers of threatened species endemic to the Greater Caribbean are found in Belize, Panama, and the Cayman Islands. The most pervasive threats to the threatened and Near Threatened species are overexploitation, habitat degradation, and predation by the invasive lionfish. Half of the threatened species are experiencing multiple threats that are likely to amplify extinction risk.
Recommended actions, in addition to conducting diversity surveys in lesser explored areas, include improving fishery management, reducing habitat degradation, and controlling lionfish populations.
BODIES R US: Ethical Views on the Commercialization of the Dead in Medical Education and Research
Authors: Champney Thomas H. , Hildebrandt Sabine , Gareth Jones D. , Winkelmann Andreas 
Published: September 2018

Abstract

With the ongoing and expanding use of willed bodies in medical

education and research, there has been a concomitant rise in the need for willed

bodies and an increase in the means of supplying these bodies. A relatively

recent development to enlarge this supply has been the growth of for‐

profit willed body companies (“body brokers”) in the United States.

These companies advertise for donors, cover all cremation and other fees for the

donor, distribute the bodies or body parts nationally and internationally, and

charge their users for access to the body or body parts. In doing so, they

generate substantial profits. This review examines the historical development of

willed body programs, the legal and economic aspects of willed body programs, and

then provides an ethical framework for the use of willed bodies. The ethical

principles described include detailed informed consent from the donors,

comprehensive and transparent information about the process from the body

donation organizations, and societal input on the proper and legal handling of

willed bodies. Based on the ethical principles outlined, it is recommended that

there be no commercialization or commodification of willed bodies, and that

programs that use willed bodies should not generate profit.
Application of mini‐clinical evaluation exercise for assessing the integrated‐based learning during physical diagnostic course
Authors: Da Jingjing , Ran Yan , Pi Mingjing , Wu Jing , Dong Rong , Li Qian , Zhang Qian , Zhang Xiangyan , Zha Yan 
Published: September 2018

AbstractMedical education paradigm has been questioned for the requirements of improving the quality and quantity of medical students. This study was to explore the efficiency of integrated‐based learning (IBL) used mini‐clinical evaluation exercise (mini‐CEX) during physical diagnostics course. One hundred and eleven volunteered students were randomly divided into three groups: lecture‐based learning (LBL), case‐based learning (CBL), and IBL. Nephrotic syndrome was the teaching content. In the IBL group, students were provided the guideline and additional interpretation from the instructor about the basic knowledge related to disease as vertical integration curriculum. Their performance was evaluated by mini‐CEX and theoretical examination, respectively. All subjects have completed the study. The difference of five factors (medical interview, physical examination, clinical judgment, organizational effectiveness, and competence) in mini‐CEX between IBL, CBL, and LBL were statistically significant (p <0.05). Sample sizes of below, meets, and above the expectations of mini‐CEX in different instructional groups were statistically significant (X2 =17.842, p =0.001). The final exam scores in IBL group and the CBL group were significantly higher than that of LBL group (F =41.553, p =0.000). And the relationship of final exam score only in the IBL group was positive existed with medical interview (R =0.466, p =0.004), physical examination (R =0.328, p =0.048), professional attitude (R =0.366, p =0.026), and communication skill (R =0.412, p =0.011). Therefore, our study revealed the effect of IBL on the medical students’ skills. It highlights IBL could improve the physical examination, organizational effectiveness, and competence and the application of basic knowledge. © 2018 International Union of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, 46(5):417–423, 2018.
Effects of Centella asiatica extract on antioxidant status and liver metabolome of rotenone‐treated rats using GC–MS
Authors: Intararuchikul Thidarat , Teerapattarakan Narudol , Rodsiri Ratchanee , Tantisira Mayuree , Wohlgemuth Gert , Fiehn Oliver , Tansawat Rossarin 
Published: September 2018

AbstractCentella asiatica has been used as a culinary vegetable or medicinal herb. In this study, the hepatoprotective effect of the standardized extract of C. asiatica (ECa233) in rotenone‐treated rats was examined using a GC–MS‐based metabolomic approach. ECa233 contains >80% triterpenoids with a ratio of madecassoside to asiaticoside of 1.5(±0.5):1. Rats were randomly divided into three groups (with six rats/group): sham negative control, rotenone positive control and the ECa233 test group. Rats in the ECa233 group received 10 mg/kg ECa233 orally for 20 days, followed by 2.5 mg/kg intraperitoneal rotenone injection to induce toxicity before being sacrificed. Metabolomic analysis showed that supplementation of ECa233 protected rat liver against rotenone toxicity. Pipecolinic acid was one of the most important metabolites; its level was decreased in the rotenone group as compared with the control. Supplementation with ECa233 before administration of rotenone raised pipecolinic acid to levels intermediate between controls and rotenone alone. The metabolomics approach also helped discover a possible new genuine epimetabolite in the present work. Antioxidant tests revealed that ECa233 inhibited lipid peroxidation and increased catalase activities in liver tissue.
The impact of Environmental Protection Agency penalties on financial performance
Authors: Romero Jorge A. , Freedman Martin , O'Connor Neale G. 
Published: September 2018

AbstractThis study examines the impact of penalties assessed to publicly traded firms by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Specifically, we look at whether there is an impact on earnings for firms that were fined by the EPA. There are two competing predictions regarding the impact of environmental penalties on earnings. Either there is no negative impact because firms allocate allowances for regulatory breaches or there is a negative impact because investors and stockholders have a preference to invest in efficient firms. This study contributes to the extant literature examining improvements in the business decision making related to corporate environmental management.
The reform of computer experiment teaching based on O2O model
Authors: Wei Xisan , Gu Qiong , Luo Ying , Chen Geping 
Published: September 2018

AbstractIn this work, through integrate that teaching management system, the learn mode of the O2O is used to build a learner‐centered frame of the teaching reformation. This frame is supported by the O2O learning platform, with themed practical teaching and O2O model as the main body, and the “Thousand questions plan” and “Teachers guiding” system as two guarantee supports. In order to achieve high quality results, specific implementation plan, including management system and implementation measures has been formulated in teaching reform of O2O platform. The questionnaire shows that this system has mobilized the enthusiasm of teachers and students. By comparing the practice results of the experimental class and the control class, the effectiveness of the O2O teaching framework is verified, and the teaching reform is successful. Finally, this paper provides teaching inspiration and future research direction for educators and researchers.
Evaluation of the prognostic value of CD3, CD8, and FOXP3 mRNA expression in early‐stage breast cancer patients treated with anthracycline‐based adjuvant chemotherapy
Authors: Tsiatas Marinos , Kalogeras Konstantine T. , Manousou Kyriaki , Wirtz Ralph M. , Gogas Helen , Veltrup Elke , Zagouri Flora , Lazaridis Georgios , Koutras Angelos , Christodoulou Christos , Pentheroudakis George , Petraki Constantina , Bafaloukos Dimitrios , Pectasides Dimitrios , Kosmidis Paris , Samantas Epaminontas , Karanikiotis Charisios , Papakostas Pavlos , Dimopoulos Meletios‐Athanassios , Fountzilas George 
Published: September 2018

AbstractBackgroundTumor‐infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs) have been shown to be of prognostic value in several cancer types. In early breast cancer, TILs have a prognostic utility, as well, especially in HER2‐positive and triple‐negative breast cancer. TILs presence is broadly associated with improved survival; however, there is controversy regarding TILs subpopulations.Patients and methodsEarly‐stage breast cancer patients treated with anthracycline‐based chemotherapy within two randomized trials were included in the study. We evaluated, by qRT‐PCR, 826 tumor tissue samples for mRNA expression of CD3, CD8, and FOXP3 for potential prognostic significance in terms of disease‐free survival (DFS) and overall survival (OS).ResultsAfter a median follow‐up of 133.0 months, 255 patients (30.9%) had died and 314 (38.0%) had disease progression. In the univariate analysis, high CD3 and CD8 mRNA expression was found to be of favorable prognostic value for DFS (P = 0.007 and P = 0.016, respectively). In multivariate analyses, the association of high CD8 mRNA expression with increased DFS was retained (HR = 0.77, 95% CI 0.60‐0.998, Wald's P = 0.048), whereas that of high CD3 mRNA expression was of marginal statistical significance (HR = 0.77, 95% CI 0.59‐1.01, P = 0.059). Moreover, a significant interaction was observed between HER2 status and CD3 mRNA expression with respect to DFS (interaction P = 0.032). In the HER2‐positive subgroup, the hazard ratio associated with high CD3 mRNA expression was of greater magnitude (HR = 0.48, 95% CI 0.30‐0.76, P = 0.002) compared with the hazard ratio presented above, for the entire cohort. No significant findings were observed for FOXP3 in terms of DFS, while none of the studied markers were of prognostic value for OS.ConclusionsHigh CD3 and CD8 mRNA expression in early‐stage breast cancer patients is of prognostic value for decreased risk of relapse and, in the future, could potentially be of importance in deciding the most appropriate therapeutic strategy in light of the recent immune‐related treatment developments.