bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Composites of Rice Husk/Wheat Straw with Pmdi Resin and Polypropylene
Authors: Frounchi Masoud , Dadbin Susan , Jahanbakhsh Javad , Janat-Alipour Mojtaba 
Published: September 2018

The application of agricultural fibers for making particleboards has been studied in two types of composites: (i) type I particleboards were composites of wheat straw and rice husk fibers with polymeric methylene di-phenyl diisocyanate resin (pMDI) as a binder made by compression moulding; (ii) type II particleboards were composites of rice husk and polypropylene made by extrusion and injection moulding. In type I particleboards, the effects of varying the resin content and various combinations of wheat straw/rice husk fibers were investigated and characterised in terms of physical and mechanical properties of particle boards such as modulus of rupture, modulus of elasticity, compression strength, density, dimensional stability and water absorption. Results indicated that with increasing binder content, the physical and mechanical properties were improved until an optimum level of binder content was reached. Particleboards made of wheat straw blended with 6% pMDI showed a maximum MOE. Dimensional stability and water absorption of particle-boards made by combining wheat straw and rice husks were superior to those made only from wheat straw. In type II particleboards, the non-polar polypropylene had poor affinity with rice husk, which resulted in weak interfacial adhesion and low mechanical properties. Tri-methoxy vinyl silane as coupling agent and maleic anhydride-grafted polypropylene (MAPP) as compatibiliser were used to obtain improved interfacial adhesion. The interface-treated composites were characterised by measuring tensile strength, tensile modulus, impact strength and optical microscopy. The combination of silane and MAPP proved effective in improving interfacial adhesion between polypropylene and rice husk. The improved interface allowed effective transfer of mechanical stress through boundary regions as verified by better mechanical properties. The latter was confirmed by the improved interface morphology of composites. The best impact strength result was obtained at a combination of 1.5 wt.% silane and 5 wt.% MAPP in all rice husk composites.
Characterisation and Properties of Abs Nanocomposite Prepared from Functionalised Montmorillonite Masterbatches
Authors: Xia Ying , Duan Xiaowei , Li Jianfeng , Han Jianzhu , Jian Xigao 
Published: September 2018

A new approach for the preparation of exfoliated acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene (ABS) nanocomposites is reported, involving two steps, i.e. the preparation of functionalised montmorillonite masterbatch (FMMT) and its melt blending with ABS. FMMT was prepared by adding acrylamide monomer (AA), organic-MMT (OMMT) and initiator dibenzoylperoxide (BPO) to ABS carrier which was first dissolved in 1,2-dichloroethane. IR, XRD and TEM analysis confirmed that AA was successfully grafted onto ABS and the masterbatch was a kind of intercalated nanocomposite. When FMMT was blended with ABS, the resulting ABS/FMMT composite had an exfoliated morphology judging from the results of XRD and TEM examination DSC and TGA data demonstrated that the thermal properties of ABS/FMMT nanocomposite were better than those of pure ABS and ABS/OMMT nanocomposites prepared by directly melt blending of OMMT with ABS. The increase in interfacial interaction and compatibility between ABS matrix and FMMT resulted in a remarkable improvement in the mechanical properties. The tensile modulus and strength were superior to those of ABS/OMMT, and the decrease in impact strength caused by OMMT was moderated.
Thermal Exchanges and Thermomechanical Couplings in Amorphous Polymers
Authors: Germaneau A. , Dupré J.C. 
Published: September 2018

During mechanical loading, the strain process can be accompanied by thermal effects generated by thermomechanical couplings. The aim of this work was the determination of energy (heat sources, mechanical energy, internal dissipated energy) during a mechanical test on polymer materials by observing strain and thermal data fields. Heat sources were calculated by establishing the heat equation using concepts of the classical thermodynamics of irreversible processes and applied to polymer materials. With a simple experimental set-up, we show that the thermal exchanges and the thermal losses in polymer samples are mainly induced by conduction and convective. The temperature at the surface was assumed to be equal to the average temperature in the thickness. We show that it is possible to obtain heat source values quantitatively without knowing their position and dimension along the thickness. It can also be difficult to calculate heat sources correctly because of lack of knowledge of the polymer property values involved in the heat equation (thermal conductivity, specific heat and heat transfer coefficient). So we present a procedure to determine these thermal parameters easily in our environmental conditions of work without making a mechanical hypothesis, and without knowing the heat source distribution because we analyse thermal data as soon as the heat source is switched off. In conclusion, we show an application involving a large strain mechanical test on a specimen of PC. The strain field is obtained by a mark tracking method. The energy balance has been calculated and associated with the volumetric deformation, showing the macroscopic and microscopic behaviour.
A New Method for Testing and Evaluating the Long-Time Resistance to Oxidation of Polyolefinic Products
Authors: Schröder Hartmut F. , Munz Martin , Böhning Martin 
Published: September 2018

Oxidative long time resistance is essential for many polyolefinic products, especially if repair or exchange is not possible as encountered in many building applications. For the time being, CE-standards for geosynthetics are covering the needs of a minimum lifetime of 25 years only, though many applications require longer lifetimes (up to 100 years and more). Testing long time oxidation resistance is complicated by the complex interplay of physico-chemical processes and reactions in combination with the need for relatively short testing durations, usually not exceeding 12 months. Thus, for normal atmospheric oven testing the use of temperatures clearly higher than 80 °C is inevitable. It should be noted that Arrhenius extrapolation exceeding the temperature range of experimental data by more than 20 K requires the consideration of additional safety factors in order to allow for possible changes of the apparent activation energy EA. In general, at elevated testing temperatures care has to be taken that oxygen diffusion does not become the rate limiting process. Furthermore, in many application environments the loss of antioxidants (and other components) is - besides oxidative deactivation - mainly due to extraction by aqueous media and not due to evaporation. For oven testing, however, frequently the latter is the case. With these limiting conditions in mind a test has been designed which in addition to elevated temperatures is accelerated by the presence of an increased oxygen pressure and a stirred aqueous medium. This enables us to perform durability tests at markedly lower temperatures with reasonable testing durations and significantly reduced diffusion limited oxidation (DLO) effects. Also it allows for physical and chemical impacts of aqueous media. Assessments of oxidative durability can be performed by autoclave immersion exposures at three different temperatures (usually 60, 70 and 80 °C) and 50 bar oxygen pressure and additionally at 80 °C and two different oxygen pressures (usually 10 and 20 bar). Results of such accelerated tests are evaluated by means of modified Arrhenius equations with the application of a 3D-regression analysis. Validation of the method is still at an early stage, like for most other lifetime test methods. For purpose of comparison, materials of approved durability were used, such as pipe materials of quality PE100 and PE 80 with well-known minimum lifetime determined according to ISO/TR 9010, i.e. by long-term failure tests under internal hydrostatic pressure at different temperatures and by evaluation using the Arrhenius law. Based on results of such tests it is supposed that a rather quick and relevant method is now at hand for testing the oxidation life of olefinic polymeric materials (like pressed plaques) or specimens of finished products like textiles, sheets, liners, pipes or composites. This test method should be very useful for the effective design of polymer formulations.
Characterization and Modeling of the Effect of Environmental Degradation on Interlaminar Shear Strength of Carbon/Epoxy Composites
Authors: Goruganthu Srikanth , Elwell Jason , Ramasetty Arun , Nair Abilash R. , Roy Samit , Haque Anwarul , Dutta Piyush K. , Kumar Ashok 
Published: September 2018

Accelerated ageing experiments have been conducted to address durability issues of carbon/epoxy composites to be used for emerging facilities and infrastructure, such as, bridges and buildings, in different climatic zones. The degradation of carbon/epoxy composites under UV, hygrothermal exposure, and applied tensile stress has been investigated. The tests were designed to capture the synergistic effects of field exposure and extreme temperatures, viz., hot/dry, hot/wet, cold/dry, and cold/wet conditions. Short beam shear tests (SBST) were performed for the determination of interlaminar shear strength (ILSS) of conditioned composite specimens. The hot/dry samples showed increased strength, while the hot/wet ones showed a decrease in strength. It is conjectured that conditioning at 90 °C possibly contributed to an increase in the ILSS from post curing. For the hot/wet samples (90 °C, immersed in water) the results indicate that strength degradation due to moisture-induced hydrolysis overshadowed the post-curing effect. The samples subjected to shear stress under hot conditions (90 °C) showed a higher ILSS, possibly due to improved crosslink density arising from post-cure. There is insignificant variation in the ILSS of UV treated and the UV untreated control samples. All the SBST test data reported in this work are from tests performed at room temperature and ambient humidity after environmental ageing. A two-dimensional cohesive layer constitutive model with a prescribed traction-separation law constructed from the basic principles of continuum mechanics, taking into account hygrothermal mechanisms that are likely to occur within a cohesive bi-material interface, such as between adjacent plies in a laminate, was applied to simulate interlaminar failure in the SBST specimens, using Finite Element Analysis (FEA). A phenomenological predictive model was developed using the finite element results.
Interface fluid syndrome secondary to endothelial failure due to toxic anterior segment syndrome after cataract surgery
Authors: Kasım Burcu , Koçluk Yusuf , Burcu Ayşe 
Published: September 2018

Purpose: To present a case of previous laser in situ keratomileusis with interface fluid syndrome secondary to toxic anterior segment syndrome following cataract surgery. Case report: A 52-year-old woman, complaining blurred vision in her right eye for 18 months after cataract surgery, was referred to our clinic. She was diagnosed with toxic anterior segment syndrome, postoperatively, which resolved in 3 days. She had a history of laser in situ keratomileusis surgery 15 years ago. Slit-lamp examination of the right eye showed corneal haze, limited to laser in situ keratomileusis flap. The patient was diagnosed with interface fluid syndrome secondary to endothelial decompensation due to toxic anterior segment syndrome. Descemet’s membrane endothelial keratoplasy was performed along with full thickness fenestrations in the laser in situ keratomileusis flap to the right eye of the patient. The fluid was resolved in 1 week and visual acuity was improved rapidly. Conclusion: This case shows the importance of considering the diagnosis and determining the specific etiology of interface fluid syndrome, even years after the laser in situ keratomileusis surgery, when endothelial cell function has been compromised with any factor, such as intraocular surgery and its complications.
Converting Waste Polystyrene into Adsorbent: Optimisation of Reaction Parameters and Properties
Authors: Bekri-Abbes* Imene , Bayoudh Sami , Baklouti Mohamed , Papon Eric , LeClercq Dominique 
Published: September 2018

In this study, we suggest a new and efficient technique to convert common waste polystyrene into a functional exchange polymer. Waste polystyrene was crushed into small pieces and immersed in sulfuric acid solution while we varied time, dimension of particles and temperature. It was found that for a temperature above 70°C and period of treatment of 2 hours, waste polystyrene became soluble in acidic solution. Best degree of sulfonation was obtained with samples treated at 60 °C for 2 hour (17.25%) and for 40°C for 4 hours (16.87%). For these samples, we evaluated some exchange properties such as: swelling behavior, wettability and cation exchange properties.
Evaluation of Pyrolytic Oil from Scrap Tires as Plasticizer of Rubber Compounds
Authors: Cataldo Franco 
Published: September 2018

A heavy fraction of oil obtained from pyrolysis of rubber crumb derived from scrap tires was studied by H-NMR and FT-IR spectroscopy in comparison to a distillate aromatic extract (DAE) derived from petroleum and currently used as plasticizer in rubber mixes. The spectral data suggest a rough chemical analogy between the two oils although the viscosity and the density of the pyrolysis oil are significantly lower that that of the aromatic extract suggesting a significantly lower average molecular weight for the pyrolytic oil in comparison to the reference DAE oil. The two oils were tested at 10 and 15 phr level in a NR-based formulation and the cure kinetics and the mechanical properties of the rubber compounds have been measured. The pyrolytic oil gives accelerated cure kinetics, reduced scorch safety and lower compound viscosity in comparison to reference compounds with DAE oil. The mechanical properties of the cured compounds prepared with pyrolysis oil from scrap tires appear similar to the reference compounds prepared with DAE oil. However, the ageing resistance of the pyrolysis oil are worse than the reference compound with DAE oil.
A Study of Relationships Between Content in Documents From Health Service Operational Plans and Documents From the Planning of New Healthcare Environments
Authors: Elf Marie , Lindahl Göran , Anåker Anna 
Published: September 2018

Aim: The aim was to investigate the content and quality of the governing documents created in the planning and design phase of new healthcare environments and in the related healthcare strategic and operational plans. Background: Quality deficits in buildings can often be traced back to the initial stages in the planning and design phase. Although large investments have been made to improve the process of planning new healthcare environments and linking the requirements to health service strategies, healthcare organizations rarely relate their strategy goals to the built environment. Method: A retrospective review of documents created in the planning and design stages of new healthcare environments and the operational plans of the target organizations was conducted. Results: The organizational operational plans did not contain any statements or information about the built environment or how a building could or should support the organization’s goals. Important information was frequently absent from the documents governing the planning and design of buildings. The documents lacked information about what and how to follow-up and what to measure once a construction project had been completed. There were no references to evidence. Conclusions: Poor documentation might undermine the quality of the planning and design phase and ultimately the opportunity to create environments that support health outcomes. Therefore, more emphasis must be placed on the importance of documentation but above all to strengthen and clarify the relationship between the healthcare organization strategy to achieve an effective and efficient care process and the intention made in the planning and design process.
Utilization of neonatal medication error prevention strategies: a clinical practice survey of Australian and New Zealand neonatal units
Authors: Matti Nadine , Nguyen Minh-Nha R. , Mosel Cassandra , Grzeskowiak Luke E. 
Published: September 2018

Background: Medication errors are common in neonatal care and can lead to significant harm. We sought to explore utilization of various medication error prevention strategies across Australian and New Zealand neonatal units (NNUs) through a clinical practice survey. Methods: An electronic survey was distributed in October 2016 to relevant staff at each of the 29 level III NNUs identified as members of the Australian and New Zealand Neonatal Network (ANZNN). The survey contained questions relating to a range of medication error prevention strategies identified from a previous systematic review on the topic. The evaluated interventions targeted different aspects of the medication-use process including prescribing, evaluation/checking of orders by clinical pharmacists, transmission, preparation and dispensing of orders, storage of medications, and medication administration. Results: From the 20 respondents, the evidence-based strategies most commonly utilized were use of smart pumps ( n = 18; 90%), and ward-based clinical pharmacists ( n = 17; 85%). Interventions least commonly utilized included barcode scanning with medication administration ( n = 0; 0%), electronic prescribing and clinical decision support ( n = 1; 5%), and dedicated medication administration nurse ( n = 2; 10%). The total number of evidence-based medication error prevention strategies utilized in each NNU ranged from 2 to 10 (median = 7), 10 of 16 strategies were utilized by less than 50% of NNUs. Conclusion: While evidence supports utilization of a number of medication error prevention strategies, these appear inconsistently utilized across current practice settings.
Does early onset asthma increase childhood obesity risk? A pooled analysis of 16 European cohorts
Authors: Contreras Zuelma A. , Chen Zhanghua , Roumeliotaki Theano , Annesi-Maesano Isabella , Baïz Nour , von Berg Andrea , Bergström Anna , Crozier Sarah , Duijts Liesbeth , Ekström Sandra , Eller Esben , Fantini Maria P. , Kjaer Henrik Fomsgaard , Forastiere Francesco , Gerhard Beatrix , Gori Davide , Harskamp-van Ginkel Margreet W. , Heinrich Joachim , Iñiguez Carmen , Inskip Hazel , Keil Thomas , Kogevinas Manolis , Lau Susanne , Lehmann Irina , Maier Dieter , van Meel Evelien R. , Mommers Monique , Murcia Mario , Porta Daniela , Smit Henriëtte A. , Standl Marie , Stratakis Nikos , Sunyer Jordi , Thijs Carel , Torrent Maties , Vrijkotte Tanja G.M. , Wijga Alet H. , Berhane Kiros , Gilliland Frank , Chatzi Leda 
Published: September 2018

The parallel epidemics of childhood asthma and obesity over the past few decades have spurred research into obesity as a risk factor for asthma. However, little is known regarding the role of asthma in obesity incidence. We examined whether early-onset asthma and related phenotypes are associated with the risk of developing obesity in childhood.This study includes 21 130 children born from 1990 to 2008 in Denmark, France, Germany, Greece, Italy, The Netherlands, Spain, Sweden and the UK. We followed non-obese children at 3–4 years of age for incident obesity up to 8 years of age. Physician-diagnosed asthma, wheezing and allergic rhinitis were assessed up to 3–4 years of age.Children with physician-diagnosed asthma had a higher risk for incident obesity than those without asthma (adjusted hazard ratio (aHR) 1.66, 95% CI 1.18–2.33). Children with active asthma (wheeze in the last 12 months and physician-diagnosed asthma) exhibited a higher risk for obesity (aHR 1.98, 95% CI 1.31–3.00) than those without wheeze and asthma. Persistent wheezing was associated with increased risk for incident obesity compared to never wheezers (aHR 1.51, 95% CI 1.08–2.09).Early-onset asthma and wheezing may contribute to an increased risk of developing obesity in later childhood.
Validation of the Jefferson Scale of Physician Empathy in Spanish medical students who participated in an Early Clerkship Immersion programme
Authors: Blanco José M. , Caballero Fernando , García Fernando J. , Lorenzo Fernando , Monge Diana 
Published: September 2018

Abstract
Background
The Jefferson Scale of Physician Empathy is the most widely used instrument to measure empathy in the doctor-patient relationship. This work pursued cultural adaptation and validation of the original scale, in its health professions version (JSE-HP), for medical students who participate in an Early Clerkship Immersion Programme of a Spanish university.

Methods
The questionnaire was replied by 506 1st, 2nd, 3rd and 5th year medical students from Universidad Francisco de Vitoria, Madrid, in 2014 and 2016. Internal consistency was analysed by means of Cronbach’s alpha, and reliability by means of test-retest using the intraclass correlation coefficient and the Bland-Altman method. The construct validity was checked by means of confirmatory factor analysis and association with other empathy-related variables. Criterion validity was compared using Davis’ Interpersonal Reactivity Index.

Results
Cronbach’s alpha was 0.82 (range 0.80–0.85). Item-total score correlations were positive and significant (median 0.45, p <  0.01). The test-retest intraclass correlation coefficient was 0.68 (0.42–0.82). The factor analysis confirmed the three original factors: “perspective taking”, “compassionate care” and “standing in the patient’s shoes”. Women and students who preferred specialities focused on persons obtained the best scores. The JSE-HP scores were positively correlated with Interpersonal Reactivity Index, personality traits were associated with empathy, clinical interview skills and Objective Structured Clinical Examinations.

Conclusion
The results support the validity and reliability of JSE-HP applied to Spanish medical students.