bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Mid‐MIS3 climate inferred from reconstructing the Dalijia Shan ice cap, north‐eastern Tibetan Plateau
Authors: WANG JIE , CUI HANG , HARBOR JONATHAN M. , ZHENG LIMIN , YAO PAN 
Published: August 2015

ABSTRACTThe local last glacial maximum (LGML) on Dalijia Shan occurred during mid‐marine isotope stage 3 (MIS3), which is consistent with some Tibetan Plateau records, but asynchronous with the MIS2 global Last Glacial Maximum (LGMG). Paleoclimatic reconstructions are key to advancing understanding such spatial and temporal patterns of paleoglaciation. Using multiple methods we reconstructed mid‐MIS3 equilibrium‐line altitude (ELA) on Dalijia Shan and inferred temperature depressions. Geomorphic ELA reconstructions combined with empirical data on current ELA temperature and precipitation yield a mid‐MIS3 ELA of 4000 ± 78 m a.s.l. (618–851 m lower than current, and a temperature depression of 3.3–6.8 °C). Independent glacial modeling using the degree‐day approach suggests a mid‐MIS3 ELA between 3971 and 4024 m a.s.l. and a temperature depression of 4.2–5.6 °C. The consistency of these results indicate that mid‐MIS3 temperature depressions in the Dalijia Shan region were 3.3–6.8 °C, which is less than the LGMG temperature depression inferred from regional climatic proxy data. Combined with other proxy data, this suggests that the LGML glacial advance in Dalijia Shan resulted from lower temperatures and slightly reduced precipitation compared with present, whereas the LGMG advance was more restricted because much colder conditions were combined with much lower precipitation.
Bistable nano‐structured photoalignment surface by nanoimprint lithography
Authors: Lee Chung‐Yung , Tseng Man‐Chun , Ho Jacob Yeuk‐Lung , Chigrinov Vladimir G. , Kwok Hoi‐Sing 
Published: August 2015

AbstractA novel nano‐structured photoalignment surface is proposed and demonstrated. Such alignment surface has bistable azimuthal alignment directions for the liquid crystal molecules. The new alignment surface has a structure of stacking a photo‐polymerizable photoalignment polymer on top of a nano‐sized groove surface. The photoalignment polymer and groove surface have different azimuthal alignment directions but the same azimuthal anchoring energies. The fabrication of the nano‐sized groove is based on nano‐imprint lithography. Hence, the size and depth are controllable, where no random process is involved. The alignment surface is robust, stable, reliable, reproducible and suitable for mass manufacturing. Such alignment surface can be applied to fabricate a π/2 bistable twisted nematic (π/2‐BTN) display which has better optical performances than the traditional π‐BTN display.
Effect of Divalent Metal Ions on Curing Characteristics and Dynamic Mechanical Properties of Natural Rubber
Authors: Utara Songkot , Saengsila Paibool 
Published: August 2015

SummaryThe study examined the effects of three different divalent metal ions (Ca2+, Cu2+ and Fe2+) upon the curing characteristics and dynamic mechanical properties of vulcanised natural rubber with respect to scorch and cure times, cure rate index, storage modulus (E′) and damping peaks (tanδmax). The metal ions were added to natural rubber latex solutions at three concentrations of 20, 100 and 500 ppm, respectively. It was found that scorch and cure times increased with increasing metal ion concentration, with a decrease in cure rate index. Longer scorch and cure times were observed in the case of Cu2+, also with a lower cure rate index. Storage modulus values decreased with increasing metal ion concentration, with the exception of Ca2+, which produced the highest E′ value. The damping peaks of filled natural rubber decreased with increasing metal ion concentration. The smallest ion (Cu2+) also led to a decrease in the damping peak. The Tg of the natural rubber was unaffected by either concentration or type of metal ion.
Influence of Oxirane Ring and Phenylenediamine Structures in Modified Palm Processing Oils on Properties of ENR/PP TPVs
Authors: Thitithammawong Anoma , Nakason Charoen , Hayichelaeh Chesidi 
Published: August 2015

SummaryN‐phenyl‐p‐phenylenediamine modified epoxidized palm oil (m‐EPO) was synthesized and applied as an alternative processing oil in laboratory tests of rubber compounding. The effects of added functionalities in the chemical structure of m‐EPO on the properties of ENR/PP TPVs were investigated. Palm oil (PO), epoxidized palm oil (EPO), and petroleum based white oil (WO) were used in this comparative study. The results show that oxirane rings and amine structures on N‐phenyl‐p‐phenylenediamine promoted the compatibility of processing oil with ENR molecules, due to structural similarity and interactions between polar functional groups. Furthermore, the amine structures enhanced the formation of active sulfurating agent for sulfur vulcanization. Therefore, increased torque differences with shorter cure times were observed for ENR vulcanizates with m‐EPO, relative to those of the TPVs with the other oils. Also, there were clear improvements in the tensile strength and the elongation at break stemming from the fine morphology of the vulcanized ENR particles. This indicates that the novel m‐EPO processing oil is a competitive alternative for the rubber industry in terms of its technical performance.
Glycidyl Methacrylate Grafted Polylactic Acid: Morphological Properties and Crystallization Behavior
Authors: Kangwanwatthanasiri Parina , Suppakarn Nitinat , Ruksakulpiwat Chaiwat , Ruksakulpiwat Yupaporn 
Published: August 2015

SummaryIn this study, physical properties of glycidyl methacrylate grafted polylactic acid (PLA‐g‐GMA) were studied and compared with those of polylactic acid (PLA). PLA‐g‐GMA was prepared by using an internal mixer. Differences in crystallization characteristics between PLA‐g‐GMA and PLA were observed from X‐ray diffraction (XRD). After applying tensile stress to PLA‐g‐GMA and PLA samples, diffraction peak (2θ) at about 29° was clearly occurred only in PLA‐g‐GMA samples. This implies that small crystals may be formed during applying tensile stress to PLA‐g‐GMA. The stress‐strain curve of PLA‐g‐GMA exhibits necking and cold drawing characteristic which was not observed in PLA. Fracture behavior in the tensile test changed from the brittle fracture of neat PLA to the ductile fracture of PLA‐g‐GMA. Fibrillar structure of PLA‐g‐GMA from tensile fractured surface were observed by scanning electron microscope (SEM). In contrast, PLA did not show fibrillar structure from SEM micrographs. From differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), PLA‐g‐GMA shows lower glass transition temperature (Tg) and crystallization temperature (Tc) than PLA. Melt crystallization during cooling was observed only from PLA‐g‐GMA. Moreover, PLA‐g‐GMA showed only one melting peak while PLA showed two melting peaks. This indicated different types of crystal forms between PLA‐g‐GMA and PLA. Crystal forms in PLA‐g‐GMA may be less perfect and can be rearranged due to higher chain flexibility during tensile stress. Thus, significantly higher elongation at break of PLA‐g‐GMA was obtained compared to that of PLA.
Silk Semi‐Interpenetrating Network Hydrogels for Biomedical Applications
Authors: Thananukul Kamonchanok , Jarruwale Pakkamon , Suttenun Nuchada , Thordason Pall , Punyamoonwongsa Patchara 
Published: August 2015

SummaryThe Bombyx mori silk fibroin (SF) has recently received much attention as promising hydrogel matrices due to its biocompatibility, hydrophilicity and good permeability. Beside these, porous SF is too brittle in its dry state that does not provide sufficient strength for practical use. To overcome this drawback, semi‐interpenetrating networks of SF were synthesized by a redox‐initiated reaction using poly(ethylene glycol) diacrylate (PEGa) as a precursor to form a primary network. Various hydrogel properties, including swelling ability, gelation kinetics, morphology and drug release, were evaluated through both physical and spectroscopic techniques. For all hydrogels, the gelation time, sol‐gel fraction and equilibrium water content (EWC) were found to decrease with the increasing of PEGa content. Moreover, a sustained delivery of a model compound, Rhodamine B, was also observed. This could be explained in terms of tighter interconnected network and the retardation effects mediated by SF. The proposed method had thus, demonstrated its potential use to improve performance of silk‐based materials for drug delivery applications.
New Environmentally Benign Polymers Produced by Copolymerization with α‐Angelicalactone
Authors: Tarabanko Valery E. , Kaygorodov Konstantin L. 
Published: August 2015

SummaryNovel biodegradable polymer materials have been synthesised via copolymerization of styrene, or caprolactam, or ethyleneterephthalate oligomers, or methylmethacrylate with comparatively small amounts (1–20 mol. %) of α‐angelicalactone (AL) or polyangelicalactone (PAL). The molecular mass (up to 150000 amu), tensile strength (up to 170 MPa for ethyleneterephthalate‐AL copolymers), elongation at break, and yield strength of the polymers have been measured. Generally, the AL additives change the polymer strength characteristics by not more than 10–20%. Biodegradation of the synthesised polymers have been studied in the forest soil and in the composting plant wastes under conditions of anaerobic or aerobic digestion. Aerobic composting with plant wastes allows complete degradation of the AL‐containing copolymers within 9–25 weeks, except for the ethyleneterephthalate‐AL copolymers, which lose only 14–22% of the mass during 20 weeks of composting. The AL‐free homopolymers are essentially not digested under the conditions examined.
Reactive Blending of Poly(l‐lactide) and Chemically‐Modified Starch Grafted with a Maleic Anhydride‐Methyl Methacrylate Copolymer
Authors: Bunkerd Ratthaphat , Molloy Robert , Punyodom Winita , Somsunan Runglawan 
Published: August 2015

SummaryBlends of poly(l‐lactide) (PLL) and chemically‐modified native cassava starch (CMS) have been prepared by melt mixing and then fabricated into thin films for property testing. The CMS was prepared by copolymerizing maleic anhydride and methyl methacrylate in solution in dimethyl sulfoxide in the presence of the dissolved starch. The objective was for the poly(maleic anhydride‐co‐methyl methacrylate), P(MAH‐co‐MMA), copolymer formed to then graft onto the starch via the reaction between its anhydride groups and the hydroxyl groups of the starch. The rationale behind this chemical modification was to improve the compatibility of the starch particles with the PLL matrix via intermolecular transesterification reactions during melt blending. As a result, the enhanced interfacial adhesion between the PLL and the CMS would lead to an improvement in mechanical properties such as tensile strength and toughness compared to the PLL blended with the unmodified native starch. This paper describes some of the results from this work.
Preparation of Surface‐Modified Silica Particles from Rice Husk Ash and Its Composites with Degradable Polylactic Acid
Authors: Opaprakasit Pakorn , Boonpa Siriporn , Jaikaew Narisara , Petchsuk Atitsa , Tangboriboonrat Pramuan 
Published: August 2015

SummaryA method for preparation of silica particles from rice husk ash (RHA) is developed for use as fillers in an enhancement of gas permeability of polylactic acid (PLA) resin. Silica particles are produced in a one‐step process by employing PLA‐grafted‐chitosan copolymer (PCT) as a polymeric surfactant. Particles with an average size of ca. 30 micron, which are smaller than those obtained from a conventional method, are obtained. The major advantage of this technique is its ease of operation, in which mechanical grinding is not required. The resulting particles are then used in preparation of PLA/silica composites by varying the silica contents from 0–2.0 wt %. The PCT copolymer is present as a coating layer on the particles surface, which promotes compatibility with the PLA matrix. Gas permeability (water vapor, carbon dioxide, and oxygen) and mechanical properties of the composite films are examined. Enhancements in gas permeability and selectivity are achieved, with slight drops in mechanical properties. The materials have high potential for use as degradable packaging films with tunable gas permeability.
Hyperlipidemia‐induced hepatic and small intestine ER stress and decreased paraoxonase 1 expression and activity is associated with HDL dysfunction in Syrian hamsters
Authors: Stancu Camelia S. , Carnuta Mihaela G. , Sanda Gabriela M. , Toma Laura , Deleanu Mariana , Niculescu Loredan S. , Sasson Shlomo , Simionescu Maya , Sima Anca V. 
Published: August 2015

ScopeWe aimed at investigating the mechanisms linking hyperlipidemia (HL) with dysfunctional HDL and its main antioxidant enzyme, paraoxonase1 (PON1). PON1 expression and activity was determined in the small intestine, liver, and sera of normal and HL hamsters and associated with the ER stress (ERS) and the development of aortic valve lesions.Methods and resultsMale Golden Syrian hamsters were fed standard chow (N) or standard diet with 3% cholesterol and 15% butter for 16 weeks. All hamsters on fat diet developed HL, 50% also hyperglycemia (HLHG) and a fourfold increased homeostasis model assessment of insuline resistance. PON1 expression was reduced in the small intestine and liver (N > HL > HLHG) along with the increased extent of ERS, oxidized lipids, and decreased expression of liver X receptors beta (LXRβ) in the small intestine, peroxisome proliferator‐activated receptor‐γ (PPARγ) in the liver, and of the glucose transporter 4 in the myocardium. Serum PON1 levels decreased along with the increase of oxidized LDL and lesion areas of the aortic valves (N > HL > HLHG).ConclusionThe fat diet activates the ERS and oxidative stress, decreases LXRβ, PPARγ, and PON1 in the small intestine, liver, and sera of all HL animals, in parallel with the appearance of atherosclerotic lesions in the aortic valves.
Collagen-DerivedN-Acetylated Proline-Glycine-Proline in Intervertebral Discs Modulates CXCR1/2 Expression and Activation in Cartilage Endplate Stem Cells to Induce Migration and Differentiation Toward a Pro-Inflammatory Phenotype
Authors: Feng Chencheng , Zhang Yang , Yang Minghui , Huang Bo , Zhou Yue 
Published: August 2015

AbstractThe factors that regulate the migration and differentiation of cartilage endplate stem cells (CESCs) remain unknown. N-Acetylated proline-glycine-proline (N-Ac-PGP) is a chemokine that is involved in inflammatory diseases. The purpose of this study was to detect N-Ac-PGP in degenerative intervertebral discs (IVDs) and to determine its roles in the migration and differentiation of CESCs. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry results indicated that the levels of the proteases that generate N-Ac-PGP as well as N-Ac-PGP levels themselves increase with the progression of IVD degeneration. Immunohistochemistry and an N-Ac-PGP generation assay demonstrated that nucleus pulposus (NP) cells generate N-Ac-PGP from collagen. The effects of N-Ac-PGP on the migration and differentiation of CESCs were determined using migration assays, RT-PCR, immunoblot analysis, and ELISA. The results showed that the expression of N-Ac-PGP receptors (CXCR1 and CXCR2) in CESCs was upregulated by N-Ac-PGP. Additionally, N-Ac-PGP induced F-actin cytoskeletal rearrangement in CESCs and increased CESC chemotaxis. Furthermore, N-Ac-PGP recruited chondrocytes and spindle-shaped cells from the cartilage endplate (CEP) into the NP in vivo. These spindle-shaped cells expressed CD105 and Stro-1 (mesenchymal stem cell markers). N-Ac-PGP induced the differentiation of CESCs toward a pro-inflammatory phenotype with increased production of inflammatory cytokines rather than toward an NP-like phenotype. Our study indicated that, in the complex microenvironment of a degenerative disc, N-Ac-PGP is generated by NP cells and induces the migration of CESCs from the CEP into the NP. N-Ac-PGP induces a pro-inflammatory phenotype in CESCs, and these cells promote the inflammatory response in degenerative discs. Stem Cells 2015;33:3558–3568
Developing interpretive power in science teaching
Authors: Rosebery Ann S. , Warren Beth , Tucker‐Raymond Eli 
Published: August 2015

AbstractEarly career teachers rarely receive sustained support for addressing issues of diversity and equity in their science teaching. This paper reports on design research to create a 30 hour professional development seminar focused on cultivating the interpretive power of early career teachers who teach science to students from historically non‐dominant communities. Interpretive power refers to teachers’ attunement to (a) students’ diverse sense‐making repertoires as intellectually generative in science and (b) expansive pedagogical practices that encourage, make visible, and intentionally build on students’ ideas, experiences, and perspectives on scientific phenomena. The seminar sought to integrate student sense‐making, scientific subject matter, teaching practice, and matters of equity and diversity on the same plane of professional inquiry by engaging participants in: (a) learning plant science; (b) analyzing classroom cases; (c) experimenting with expansive discourse practices in their classrooms; and (d) analyzing their classroom experiments in relation to student sense‐making and expansive pedagogy. Twenty‐eight teachers participated in two cycles of design research. An interview‐based transcript analysis task captured shifts in teachers’ interpretive power through their participation in the seminar. Findings showed that the teachers developed greater attunement to: complexity in students’ scientific ideas; the intellectual generativity of students’ sense‐making; student talk as evidence of in‐process, emergent thinking; and co‐construction of meaning in classroom discussions. Findings also showed that participants developed deeper understanding of the functions of expansive teaching practices in fostering student sense‐making in science and greater commitment to engaging in expansive practices in their classroom science discussions. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Res Sci Teach 53: 1571–1600, 2016
Extensive Necrotising Enterocolitis: Objective Evaluation of the Role of Second‐Look Laparotomy in Bowel Salvage and Survival
Authors: Tan Yew‐Wei , Merchant Julia , Sharma Videha , Davies Brian , Singh Shailinder , Stewart Richard , More Bharat 
Published: August 2015

AbstractAimWe investigated the role and outcome of a planned second‐look laparotomy (SLL) in preserving bowel in extensive necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC).MethodsExtensive NECs managed surgically in a tertiary centre in 2006–2009 were retrospectively studied to include patients planned for an SLL. End points were bowel salvage rate and survival outcomes. Results were median (ranges), and statistical significance was P < 0.05.Main resultsIn 4 years, 34 NECs required a laparotomy, and 9 extensive NECs who required an SLL were included. The gestation at birth was 27 (24–38) weeks, birth weight was 1120 (580–2835) g, and first laparotomy performed on day 34 (2–77) of life, with SLL performed 2 (1–3) days after initial laparotomy. Commonest indications for SLL were doubtful bowel viability and physiological instability. 3 died before SLL. Patients who survived to have an SLL (n = 6) had remaining small bowel length of 41 (25–70) cm, overall small bowel salvage rate 51 % (0–100 %), and 30‐day survival 5/6 (83 %). Four patients survived for 1 year, their length of NICU stay was 114 (76–120) postoperative days, time on PN was 84 postoperative days (71 days–17 months), including one patient with short bowel syndrome who achieved enteral autonomy at 17 months; one late mortality had short bowel syndrome after further bowel resection for bowel obstruction, developed intestinal failure associated liver disease, and died before 1 year of life following liver transplant.ConclusionSLL is a viable approach for extensive NEC. It offered bowel salvage rate of 51 % and long‐term PN‐free survival of 44 %, in the patient group who would have had significant risk of mortality and major morbidity.
Evaluating the Incidence, Cause, and Risk Factors for Unplanned 30‐Day Readmission and Emergency Department/General Practitioner Visit After Short‐Stay Thyroidectomy
Authors: Lang Brian Hung‐Hin , Chow Felix Che‐Lok 
Published: August 2015

AbstractBackground
Unplanned 30‐day readmission and emergency department (ED)/general practitioner (GP) visit after thyroidectomy are important healthcare quality measures and may reduce any cost savings from performing it as a short‐stay (<24‐h admission) procedure. Our study aimed to examine the incidence, cause, and risk factors for unplanned 30‐day readmissions and ED/GP visits together following short‐stay thyroidectomy.MethodsOne‐thousand and four patients who underwent short‐stay thyroidectomy were reviewed. A territory‐wide electronic medical record system was used to capture all unplanned readmissions and ED/GP visits within 30 days of thyroidectomy. Actual date and reason for readmission or ED/GP visit were recorded. Other preoperative and perioperative variables were collected prospectively.ResultsOf the 80 (8.0 %) unplanned readmissions and ED/GP visits, 38 (47.5 %) were readmissions and 42 (52.5 %) were ED/GP visits only. The three most common causes of unplanned readmission and ED/GP visit were symptomatic hypocalcemia (n = 20, 25.0 %), upper respiratory symptoms (n = 15, 18.8 %), and wound complaints (n = 8, 10.0 %). However, in the multivariate analysis, only American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) class III (β coefficient = 0.981, odds ratio 2.586 (95 % CI 1.353–4.943), p = 0.004) and renal insufficiency (RI) (β coefficient = 1.062, odds ratio 2.892 (95 % CI 1.109–7.544), p = 0.030) were independent risk factors for unplanned 30‐day readmission and ED/GP visit.ConclusionThe overall incidence of unplanned 30‐day ED/GP visit after thyroidectomy was 8.0 % with approximately half requiring readmission. The most common cause for unplanned ED/GP visit was symptomatic hypocalcemia (25.0 %), and it was attributed to patient non‐compliance to prescribed supplements. ASA class III and RI were significant independent risk factors for unplanned 30‐day readmission and ED/GP visit.
Clinical Impact of Anatomical Liver Resection for Hepatocellular Carcinoma with Pathologically Proven Portal Vein Invasion
Authors: Matsumoto Takatsugu , Kubota Keiichi , Aoki Taku , Iso Yukihiro , Kato Masato , Shimoda Mitsugi 
Published: August 2015

AbstractBackgroundPortal vein invasion (PVI) is known to be a poor prognostic factor for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) patients. Anatomical liver resection (ALR) is a preferable procedure for treating HCC. However, the effect of ALR for HCC with PVI has not been fully evaluated. The aim of this study is to investigate the survival benefit of ALR for HCC patients with or without pathologically proven portal vein invasion (pPVI).MethodsCurative hepatic resection was performed for a single HCC in 313 patients. The patients were divided into two groups according to the absence or presence of pPVI (absence: n = 216, presence: n = 97). These groups were then subclassified by the surgical procedures employed (ALR or non‐ALR), and the clinical characteristics and stratified prognoses were compared according to the surgical procedure between the subgroups. Uni‐ and multivariate analyses were performed to explore the significant prognostic factors.ResultsAmong the patients without pPVI, there was no significant difference in postoperative survival between the groups. However, among the patients with pPVI, both the 5‐year overall and recurrence‐free survival rates in the ALR group were significantly higher than those in the non‐ALR group (46.1 % vs. 16.3 %; p = 0.0019 and 33.8 % vs. 0 %; p = 0.0010). Multivariate analyses revealed that tumor differentiation and intraoperative blood loss (IOB) were associated with postoperative survival in patients without pPVI. On the other hand, in patients with pPVI, ALR, serum AFP level, and IOB were associated with postoperative survival.ConclusionALR confers a survival benefit for HCC patients with pPVI.