bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Study of the rheological properties of polypropylene/talc/nanoclay ternary hybrid nano composites
Authors: Alavi M. , Esfandeh M. , Morshedian J. , Jahani Y. 
Published: July 2017

AbstractModification of polypropylene (PP) properties by the addition of particulate fillers has been of interest for several years. In the recent years, the simultaneous use of nanofillers and conventional reinforcing fillers and study of the effect of these hybrid systems on various properties of composite has gained the attention of many researchers. In this paper, nanocomposites based on PP/Talc/Nanoclay were prepared at various filler levels via melt compounding of the ingredients in a twin-screw extruder. Here, a polypropylene grafted maleic anhydride (PP-g-MA)/Nanoclay master batch was prepared at 140 oC. The masterbatch was then used to prepare ternary compounds through a simultaneous feeding system, in a ZSK extruder at 210 °C. The extrudate was granulated and then re-extruded through a slit die, to prepare the test specimens. SEM and XRD analysis were used to characterise the systems. Rheological behaviour of the specimens was studied using a parallel plate rheometer. In the ternary blend on comparing with the neat PP, the complex viscosity (η*) is increased with increasing overall filler content; however, at low frequencies this increase is governed by the content of nano filler while at high frequencies it is mainly determined by talc content. A similar trend was also observed for the variations of storage modulus (G′) and loss modulus (G″) with frequency. The results showed that the simultaneous use of nano and micro size fillers considerably affects the melt elasticity. It is believed that the hybrid system increases the hydrodynamic effect of filler particles in the molecular motion of the polymer.
Correlation between solution and gel properties of copolymers of acrylamide and diallyldimethylammonium chloride
Authors: Marcelo Gema , Saiz Enrique , Tarazona M. Pilar 
Published: July 2017

AbstractSeveral copolymers formed by acrylamide and diallyldimethyl ammonium chloride containing different fractions of charged diallyl residues, x, were synthesized. Solution properties of linear samples of these copolymers were studied by size exclusion chromatography coupled to differential refractive index and light scattering detectors, which allowed the determination of molecular weight averages, molecular dimensions, scaling law coefficients, and unperturbed dimensions. The results were compared with those of the corresponding homopolymers i.e., polyacrylamide and poly(diallyldimethylammonium chloride). On the other hand, crosslinked samples of the copolymers were prepared and their swelling in water was studied. The correlation between the solution properties of the linear samples and the swelling behaviour of their crosslinked counterparts can be illustrated through the relationship between the characteristic ratio of the unperturbed dimensions and the equilibrium degree of swelling since both magnitudes exhibit a similar dependence on x. Moreover, this dependence is not linear and it passes through a maximum at ca. x ≈ 0.5.
Kinetics and thermodynamics of indanthrene textile dye adsorption onto chitosan
Authors: Chaves José Alberto P. , Bezerra Cícero Wellington B. , Santana Sirlane Aparecida A. , Schultz Mário S. , Silva Hildo Antônio S. , Penha Rosiane S. , Vieira Adriana P. , G. de Souza Antônio 
Published: July 2017

AbstractThe kinetics and equilibrium of Indanthrene Olive Green (IOG) adsorption on chitosan, from aqueous solutions, have been investigated. The chitosan was characterized by XRD, average degree of deacetylation (DD), TGA/DTG, IR, SEM and specific BET surface area. Batch adsorptions experiments were carried out in different pH and dye concentration. An acidic pH condition (4.0 to 6.0) was favorable to the adsorption process. The adsorption followed secondorder rate kinetics and the experimental equilibrium data followed Langmuir isotherm, suggesting that chemisorption might be the major adsorption mode. The adsorptions also occurred on chitosan fibers, being significantly lower than that of crushed chitosan. Thermodynamic parameters ( ΔG°, ΔH°, and S°) were calculated. The positive values of ΔH° (161.7 kJ mol-1) and S° (559.9 J mol-1 K-1) suggest that the adsorption is endothermic and that during this adsorption process the randomness of the system increases. A simplified adsorption model is also proposed.
Preparation and characterization of 1,2,4,5-benzenetetra carboxylic-chitosan
Authors: Julkapli Nurhidayatullaili Muhd , Ahmad Zulkifli , Akil Hazizan Md 
Published: July 2017

AbstractChemically cross-linked chitosan (MC) containing 1,2,4,5- benzenetetracarboxylic acid (BCA) as the cross-linking agent was prepared to improve the metal ions absorption capacity of native chitosan (NC) and limit its biodegradability. The Fourier transform infra-red (FTIR) and proton neutron magnetic resonance (1H NMR) results showed that BCA was successfully linked onto N-position of NC. The crystalline nature of NC was reduced significantly after cross-linking as examined by X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis. Therefore, the glass transition temperature (Tg) of MC was higher than NC as reported by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). Moreover, thermogravimetric (TGA) analysis showed that, MC had better thermal stability than NC. Morphology changes on the surface of NC and MC were characterized by field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM) and showed that MC had more porous surface than NC. In pH medium of 3 to 6, MC had excellent Cu (II) ions absorption capacity with a maximum 16 % higher than NC.
Comparison of Different Approaches for Measuring Tibial Cartilage Thickness
Authors: Maier Jennifer , Black Marianne , Bonaretti Serena , Bier Bastian , Eskofier Bjoern , Choi Jang-Hwan , Levenston Marc , Gold Garry , Fahrig Rebecca , Maier Andreas 
Published: July 2017

AbstractOsteoarthritis is a degenerative disease affecting bones and cartilage especially in the human knee. In this context, cartilage thickness is an indicator for knee cartilage health. Thickness measurements are performed on medical images acquired in-vivo. Currently, there is no standard method agreed upon that defines a distance measure in articular cartilage. In this work, we present a comparison of different methods commonly used in literature. These methods are based on nearest neighbors, surface normal vectors, local thickness and potential field lines. All approaches were applied to manual segmentations of tibia and lateral and medial tibial cartilage performed by experienced raters. The underlying data were contrast agent-enhanced cone-beam C-arm CT reconstructions of one healthy subject’s knee. The subject was scanned three times, once in supine position and two times in a standing weight-bearing position. A comparison of the resulting thickness maps shows similar distributions and high correlation coefficients between the approaches above 0.90. The nearest neighbor method results on average in the lowest cartilage thickness values, while the local thickness approach assigns the highest values. We showed that the different methods agree in their thickness distribution. The results will be used for a future evaluation of cartilage change under weight-bearing conditions.
MRI in medium-chain acyl-coenzyme a dehydrogenase deficiency: neuroimaging during the first month
Authors: Talamanca Lorenzo Figà , Pasquini Luca , Napolitano Antonio , Longo Daniela 
Published: July 2017

AbstractBackground:Medium-chain acyl-coenzyme A dehydrogenase (MCAD) is the most common genetic disorder of fatty acid oxidation, which presents before the age of 2 with the onset of acute hypoketotic hypoglycemia, and is typically precipitated by stress.Case presentation:We report serial brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) changes, including MR spectroscopy (MRS) and diffusion weighted imaging (DWI), in a patient with a classical MCAD presentation, compared with five healthy controls.Conclusions:Through this unique case we analyze the evolution of radiological findings during the first month of illness and we highlight the pivotal role of MRI, especially DWI, in the early diagnosis of the decompensated state of the disease.
Adjuvant administration of 17-α-hydroxy-progesterone caproate in women with three or more second trimester pregnancy losses undergoing cervical cerclage is no more effective than cerclage alone
Authors: Samson Fernand D. , Merriman Amanda L. , Tate Danielle L. , Apostolakis-Kyrus Katherine , Gomez Luis M. 
Published: July 2017

AbstractObjective:To investigate the role of adjuvant 17-α-hydroxy-progesterone caproate (17OHP-C) in reducing the risk of preterm delivery <34 weeks and adverse perinatal outcomes in women with ≥3 second trimester pregnancy losses attributed to cervical insufficiency undergoing prophylactic cerclage.Material and methods:Retrospective cohort study of women with prophylactic cerclage placed between 2006 and 2014 divided into a cohort of (i) those receiving adjuvant 17OHP-C (n=43), and (ii) controls with cerclage alone (n=59).Results:Demographic characteristics were comparable in both groups. There was no significant difference in gestational age at delivery between the cerclage-17OHP-C group (33.4±5.6 weeks) and the cerclage-alone group (34.4±4.6 weeks); P=0.33. We noted a non-significant increase for deliveries <34 weeks in the cerclage-17OHP-C group (44.2%) compared to controls (28.8%) which remained non-significant after adjusting for confounders; P=0.46. There was no statistically significant difference in the rate of delivery <37, 32, 28 and 24 weeks. Adverse neonatal outcomes were comparable in both groups (cerclage-17OHP-C 48.8% vs. cerclage-alone 39%); P=0.43.Conclusion:Intramuscular 17OHP-C in combination with prophylactic cerclage in women with cervical insufficiency and ≥3 second trimester pregnancy losses had no synergistic effect in reducing the rate of recurrent preterm birth or improving perinatal outcomes.
Causes of death among full term stillbirths and early neonatal deaths in the Region of Southern Denmark
Authors: Basu Millie Nguyen , Johnsen Iben Birgit Gade , Wehberg Sonja , Sørensen Rikke Guldberg , Barington Torben , Nørgård Bente Mertz 
Published: July 2017

AbstractObjective:We examined the causes of death amongst full term stillbirths and early neonatal deaths.Methods:Our cohort includes women in the Region of Southern Denmark, who gave birth at full term to a stillborn infant or a neonate who died within the first 7 days from 2010 through 2014. Demographic, biometric and clinical variables were analyzed to assess the causes of death using two classification systems: causes of death and associated conditions (CODAC) and a Danish system based on initial causes of fetal death (INCODE).Results:A total of 95 maternal-infant cases were included. Using the CODAC and INCODE classification systems, we found that the causes of death were unknown in 59/95 (62.1%). The second most common cause of death in CODAC was congenital anomalies in 10/95 (10.5%), similar to INCODE with fetal, genetic, structural and karyotypic anomalies in 11/95 (11.6%). The majority of the mothers were healthy, primiparous, non-smokers, aged 20–34 years and with a normal body mass index (BMI).Conclusion:Based on an unselected cohort from an entire region in Denmark, the cause of stillbirth and early neonatal deaths among full term infants remained unknown for the vast majority.
Impacts of Hyperbolic Discounting on Inventory Replenishment Policy Under Inflation
Authors: Zhou Yongwu , Lin Zhaozhan 
Published: July 2017

AbstractConsidering time inconsistency and inter-temporal preference of the decision maker who is facing inter-temporal choices, this paper employs hyperbolic discounting to reflect these characteristics in governing inventory replenishment policy under inflation. The authors take the subjective perception of the decision maker and the objective indicator from the capital market into consideration. The decision maker’s subjective perception includes confidence towards future value of money and anxiety to return the money, while the objective indicator is represented by the compounded discount rate. The results suggest that over the given planning horizon, with more confidence, inventory policy of larger order quantity and smaller order frequency should be adopted; with more anxiety within a threshold, inventory policy of smaller order quantity and larger order frequency should be adopted, and with more anxiety beyond this threshold, inventory policy keeps unchanged; with a larger discount rate, inventory policy of smaller order quantity and larger order frequency should be adopted.
New records of the rare bat Vampyressa melissa Thomas, 1926 (Chiroptera: Phyllostomidae: Stenodermatinae) from the eastern slope of the Andes in the Colombian Orinoco basin
Authors: Rodríguez-Posada Miguel E. , Morales-Martínez Darwin M. , Gutiérrez-Sanabria Diego R. , Calderón-Capote María C. , Fernández-Rodríguez Camilo 
Published: July 2017

Abstract

Vampyressa melissa (Thomas, 1926) is a rare species listed as vulnerable by IUCN. Its distribution encompasses the eastern slope of the Andes from Peru to Colombia. However, the northern part of its distribution exhibits a gap of 1050 km. Here, we record two new localities for V. melissa in the eastern foothills of the Colombian Andes, filling the distribution gap 223 km to the south of the northern most known locality and 822 km to the north of the nearest locality in Ecuador. Finally, we propose hypotheses about the factors that could determine the rarity category of this species.
Excitability of high-energy ultraviolet radiation for Dy3+ in antimony phosphate glasses
Authors: Zhu Cailing , Zhang Jingjing , Wang Zhiqiang , Lin Hai 
Published: July 2017

Abstract
Dy3+ doped antimony phosphate (ZASP) glasses are synthesized and the specificity of the luminescence behavior is demonstrated. Different from the conventional long-wave ultraviolet (UVA) exciting cases, the excitable area of Dy3+ doped ZASP glasses is extended to high-energy ultraviolet radiation including medium-wave ultraviolet (UVB) and short-wave ultraviolet (UVC) spectral regions. The quantum efficiency for 4F9/2 level of Dy3+ in low- and medium-concentration Dy2O3 doping cases reaches 95.0 % and 66.7 %, respectively, confirming the emission effectiveness from Dy3+ in ZASP glasses. The values of energy-transfer probability (P) have obvious difference while using 340 nm and 540 nm as monitoring wavelengths, so asthe energy-transfer efficiencies (η), which are related to the energy-transfer processes from discrepant Sb3+ donors to Dy3+ acceptors, were in-equivalent. The effective excitability of high-energy ultraviolet radiation illustrates that Dy3+ doped ZASP glasses are a promising candidate in developing visible light sources, display devices and tunable visible lasers.
Gas-sensing properties and in-situ diffuse-reflectance Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy study of diethyl ether adsorption and reactions on SnO2 film
Authors: Wang Ning , Huang Kaijin , Song Jian 
Published: July 2017

Abstract
Diethyl ether is a common industrial reagent and medical anesthetic. It is necessary to carry out real-time monitoring of this molecule due to its harmful effects on human health. In this paper, a highly sensitive diethyl ether SnO2 gas-sensing material has been prepared by a sol-gel method. The gas sensitivity was tested by a home-made gas-sensing equipment. The surface adsorption and reaction processes between the SnO2 gas-sensing film and the diethyl ether have been studied by in situ diffuse-reflectance Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (DRFT-IR) at different temperatures. The results show that the SnO2 gas-sensing material has high sensitivity to diethyl ether, and the lowest detection limit can reach 1 ppm. Furthermore, ethyl (CH3CH2●), oxoethyl (CH3CH2O●), ethanol (CH3CH2OH), formaldehyde (HCHO), acetaldehyde (CH3CHO), ethylene (C2H4), H2O and CO2 surface species are formed during diethyl ether adsorption at different temperatures. A possible mechanism of the reaction process is discussed.
Kontrastive Untersuchung von Sprachhandlungsmustern
Authors: Gladrow Wolfgang , Kotorova Elizaveta 
Published: July 2017

SummaryThe increased interest in the analysis of human verbal behavior leads to the need to define a basic unit of communication sphere, which could serve as the basis of its analysis. The first part of the article provides an overview of different speech units proposed by various authors, such as aspeech act(J. Austin and J. Searle),speech genre(M. M. Bachtin),speech action pattern(K. Ehlich and J. Rehbein). As a conclusion to the overview, the authors propose their own interpretation of the basic unit of communication, which they call “speech behavior pattern” (SBP). The illocutionary content and general organization of SBP can be considered universal, while its realization in a language is culturally conditioned and therefore may vary significantly in different language communities. Utterances constituting a certain SBP are organized as a field, which includes a prototypical center and a gradually formed periphery. The second part of the article considers the major factors and components of the contrastive analysis of SBP including: definition of illocutionary goal, identifying communicative-pragmatic factors and the implementation of major structural forms of SBP, contrastive description of the structure and hierarchy of communicative-pragmatic fields in the languages under analysis. Finally, the article reveals differences between the notions of equivalence and adequacy and describes possible relations between them in contrastive linguistics.
On the Macedonian Perfect(s) in the Balkan Context
Authors: Makarova Anastasia 
Published: July 2017

Summary
The article provides a comparative analysis of three different forms of perfect in the western Macedonian dialects which are further compared with analogous forms in the Albanian and the Aromanian languages. It is found out that each of the perfect forms has its own range of use: the perfect of sum došol type performs the majority of modal functions (admirative, renarrative, optative); the perfects of imam dojdeno and sum dojden types are used primarily in the resultative and experiential contexts.
Implementation of a Personalized, Cost-Effective Physical Therapy Approach (Coach2Move) for Older Adults: Barriers and Facilitators
Authors: van de Sant Arjan J. W. , de Vries Nienke M. , Hoogeboom Thomas J. , Nijhuis-van der Sanden Maria W. G. 
Published: July 2017

Background and Purpose:
This article reports on a recent randomized clinical trial that showed a personalized approach to physical therapy (Coach2Move) by a physical therapist specialized in geriatrics (PTG) to be more cost-effective than usual physical therapy care in people with mobility problems (n = 130, mean age = 78 years).

Methods:
We used an explanatory mixed-methods sequential design alongside the randomized clinical trial to gain insight into (a) the contrast between the 2 interventions, (b) the fidelity of the Coach2Move delivery; (c) PTGs' experiences of Coach2Move; and (d) possible barriers and facilitators for future implementation. The study included 13 PTGs educated in the strategy and 13 physical therapists with expertise in geriatrics delivering the usual care. In total, 106 medical records were available for assessment: 57 (85%) Coach2Move, 49 (75%) usual care. Quantitative process indicators were used to analyze electronic medical records to determine contrasts in the phases of clinical reasoning. The fidelity of the delivery was tested using indicator scores focusing on 4 key elements of Coach2Move. In-depth interviews with Coach2Move therapists were thematically analyzed to explore experiences and facilitators/barriers related to implementation.

Results and Discussion:
Indicator scores showed significant and clinically relevant contrasts in all phases of clinical reasoning, with consistently higher scores among PTGs, except for the treatment plan. Moreover, the fidelity of Coach2Move delivery was more than 70% in all phases, except the evaluation phase (53%). Experiences of Coach2Move were positive. In particular, extended intake allowing motivational interviewing, physical examination and an in-depth problem analysis, and shared goal setting were considered valuable. Facilitators for implementation were the addition of a Coach2Move medical record, frequent coaching by the researcher, and readiness to change in the therapist. Barriers were (1) having to use 2 parallel electronic medical record systems, (2) having to clear the calendar to schedule an intake of 90 minutes, (3) fear of losing income, (4) the sense that patients do not want to change their lifestyle, and (5) not acknowledging that increasing physical activity is an important goal for older adults with mobility problems.

Conclusions:
Physical therapy based on the Coach2Move strategy is substantially different from usual care. Future implementation should focus on increasing regular evaluation and feedback, taking into account individuals' contextual factors, and improving organizational facilities while mitigating income loss.
Persepsi atlet pelajar: tingkah laku kejurulatihan sukan balapan dan padang
Authors: Ling Jasmine Chiu Hung , Soh Kim Geok , Talib Othman , Yusof Aminuddin 
Published: July 2017

Dalam konteks mendalami pengetahuan kejurulatihan dalam sukan di Malaysia khususnya di Sarawak, kajian ini bertujuan untuk mengkaji persepsi atlet pelajar terhadap tingkah laku kejurulatihan, di samping mengenal pasti tingkah laku kejurulatihan yang diingini oleh atlet pelajar serta tingkah laku yang sedia ada pada kejurulatihan sukan balapan dan padang negeri Sarawak. Kajian ini merupakan kajian deskriptif yang menggunakan kaedah persampelan rawak berstrata mengikut saiz kumpulan sama (equal-size groups in stratified sampling). Responden kajian terdiri daripada 252 orang atlet pelajar sekolah menengah (lelaki, n = 162; perempuan, n = 162) yang berumur 13 hingga 18 tahun dan pernah mewakili bahagian masing-masing dalam pertandingan. Soal selidik Skala Kepimpinan untuk Sukan (LSS) yang dibangunkan oleh Chelladurai dan Saleh (1980) telah diadaptasikan dan digunakan sebagai intrumen kajian untuk mengukur 5 tingkah laku kejurulatihan. Daripada persepsi atlet pelajar sukan balapan dan padang Sarawak terhadap tingkah laku kejurulatihan, didapati bahawa tingkah laku yang dingini oleh atlet pelajar adalah sama dengan tingkah laku kejurulatihan yang sedia ada pada jurulatih. Kajian mendapati bahawa tingkah laku yang diingini oleh atlet pelajar mengikut keutamaan adalah tingkah laku Arahan dan Latihan (M = 4.33, SP = 0.67), diikuti oleh tingkah laku Maklum Balas Positif (M = 4.14, SP = 0.74). Dapatan persepsi atlet pelajar terhadap tingkah laku yang kerap sedia ada pada jurulatih pula adalah tingkah laku arahan dan latihan (M = 4.13, SP = 0.68), diikuti tingkah laku maklum balas positif (M = 3.89, SP = 0.75). Secara kesimpulannya, didapati bahawa persepsi atlet terhadap tingkah laku kejurulatihan adalah tidak berbeza dari segi jantina, kedua-dua atlet lelaki dan perempuan menyatakan pandangan yang serupa dalam tingkah laku kejurulatihan yang diingini dan tingkah laku kejurulatihan yang sedia ada pada jurulatih, iaitu tingkah laku Arahan dan Latihan.