bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Influence of stretching ratio and salt concentration on the porosity of polypropylene films containing sodium chloride particles
Authors: Sängerlaub Sven , Böhmer Maik , Stramm Cornelia 
Published: December 2012

AbstractThe incorporation of salt in a polymer matrix could potentially achieve a humidity‐regulating film system of high porosity for packaging applications. In this study, sodium chloride (NaCl) powder was used as a model substance for humidity‐regulating fillers in polypropylene films. A polypropylene homopolymer was extrusion‐blended with NaCl at concentrations of 0.03, 0.06, 0.12, and 0.24 g NaCl·g film–1. Films were produced and were subsequently oriented mono and biaxially. At stretching ratios (SRs) of between 2 and 25 a porosity of 20% v/v to 50% v/v was achieved. The porosity positively correlated with the SR. An empirical model based on ellipsoids that approximated the correlation between the SR and the porosity was developed. This correlation offers a basis for further studies on other salt‐polymer systems that have undergone differing orientation processes. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci., 2013
Design of vascular prostheses by melt electrospinning—structural characterizations
Authors: Mazalevska Olga , Struszczyk Marcin Henryk , Krucinska Izabella 
Published: December 2012

AbstractThe general objective of this research is to use melt electrospinning to design and fabricate semibiodegradable and multilayered fibrous structures that have potential applications for cardiovascular implants, including small‐diameter (<6 mm) blood vessels replacements. In the first stage of the study, as described in this article, flat fibrous structures from polypropylene and polylactide polymers were fabricated. The fabrication stage was necessary to determine the effect of the polymers' melt mass flow rate, melt electrospinning processing parameters (as a working distance and spinning voltage) on the resulting fiber diameter and on other physical and structural properties of the fibrous structures. An analysis of the effects of the processing parameters on the fabrication of the fibrous structures and the selection of the appropriate polymers for the final multilayered tubular structure were also performed. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci., 2013
Investigation of stress relaxation behavior of carbon‐containing shape memory epoxy composites
Authors: Yun Songjian , Liang Xiaoyan 
Published: December 2012

AbstractA series of shape memory epoxy composites reinforced by varied carbon‐black (CB) contents were prepared. Stress relaxation tests were preformed to characterize the viscoelastic behavior of the specimens at different temperatures. An empirical rheological model was used to simulate the impacts of the temperature and CB content on the viscoelastic behavior of the materials. The results show that the additive of CB particles can significantly improve the stiffness and decrease viscoelastic properties of shape memory epoxy. In addition, parameter analyses in the theoretical simulation present a further understanding about the impact of the additives on the properties of SMPs. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci., 2013
Talking about death: Implementing peer discussion as a coping mechanism to overcome fears about dissection, death, and dying
Authors: Kotzé Sanet Henriët , Mole Calvin Gerald 
Published: December 2012

AbstractMany studies have reported on the perceptions of medical students toward dissection. It is important to understand the feelings and symptoms experienced during dissection so that they can be adequately handled. Prior to dissection, first year students are given lectures on aspects of dissection, death and dying, and death rituals in various cultures. Two separate questionnaires, one given during the first week of dissection and another given one month into the program were then completed anonymously by dissection groups. The questions were designed to be open‐ended, thereby encouraging group discussion amongst students. The questionnaires were used to determine the perception of students to dissection and to discover if these perceptions change during the dissection program. The first questionnaire revealed that students do experience fears and anxiety prior to and at the beginning of dissection; however, most of these fears dissipated by the time of the second questionnaire. One month into dissection students cited talking to peers as their main coping mechanism and fewer students mentioned emotional detachment from their cadaver as a coping mechanism, as was the case in the first questionnaire. Dissection was perceived as a positive experience by our student cohort and most students cited the main advantage of dissection as the ability to visualize organs in three dimensions. The comprehensive answers received from the students indicated that thorough discussion of feelings amongst peers occurred, introducing students to an important coping mechanism at an early stage of their learning. Anat Sci Educ. © 2013 American Association of Anatomists.
Staphylococcus bacteriophage tails with bactericidal properties: New findings
Authors: Biddappa Appaiah Chemira , Sundarrajan Sudarson , Ramalinga Anupama Byrappa , Sriram Bharathi , Padmanabhan Sriram 
Published: December 2012

AbstractThe development of lytic bacteriophages as therapeutic products is an attractive alternative to antibiotics. In this study, we evaluated the potential of phage tails for lysing Gram‐positive bacteria. Phage P954, a well‐characterized temperate staphylococcal phage, was found to adsorb to a large number of Staphylococcus aureus clinical isolates, although it lyses only 24% of the tested isolates. However, P954 phage tails generated by interruption of phage assembly were bactericidal against all the phage‐resistant isolates. Phage tail preparations were trypsin sensitive with an apparent molecular weight of over 300 kDa. PCR analysis of the P954 phage‐resistant isolates indicated the integration of P954‐like prophages into the host genomes. Our study demonstrates for the first time that P954 bacteriophage tails have a much broader host range than the intact phage because phage tails are not affected by superinfection immunity or vulnerable to host restriction endonucleases.
Sonderfälle des Trittschallschutzes Teil 2: Treppensanierungen, Terrassen, Balkone, Estriche auf Gummischrotbahnen
Authors: Sälzer Elmar , Maack Jürgen , Möck Thomas 
Published: December 2012

AbstractSeit Jahrzehnten besteht bei der Planung von Gebäuden das Problem, dass der größte Teil der praktisch vorkommenden Konstruktionen, die Anforderungen an den Trittschallschutz unterliegen, mit dem Instrumentarium von DIN 4109:1989‐11 “Schallschutz im Hochbau“ rechnerisch nicht oder nicht wirtschaftlich nachweisbar ist. Auch der in Kürze neu erscheinende Entwurf zu DIN 4109 hat in dieser Beziehung nur unwesentliche Fortschritte gemacht. Im vorliegenden Aufsatz wird dargestellt, welche Parameter des Trittschallschutzes bei Nachweisen angesetzt werden können, wenn DIN 4109 hierzu keine Angaben macht. Darüber hinaus werden für spezielle Konstruktionen entsprechende Hinweise gegeben, bei deren rechnerischem Nachweis mit Einzahlangaben (z. B. Berechnungen des Norm‐Trittschallpegels mit der bewerteten Trittschallminderung) unbefriedigende Ergebnisse aufgrund des Verlaufs der Trittschallminderung über der Frequenz gegeben sind. In Teil 1 wurden leichte, harte Beläge mit definierter Trittschalldämmung (Laminat, Parkett, Fliesen) und Trockenkonstruktionen (Trockenestriche und Trockenhohlraumböden sowie Terrassenbeläge) behandelt. Im vorliegenden 2. Teil wird insbesondere über die Sanierung von Treppen in Bezug auf den Trittschall‐ schutz, Balkone mit ihren besonderen Randbedingungen und speziell über Estriche auf Gummischrotbahnen unter besonderer Berücksichtigung der Zulassung derartiger Beläge berichtet.Special impact sound insulation cases, Part 2: Staircases, terraces, balconies, screed on rubber fibre boards. For a long time now it has not been feasible, or not economically feasible, using the methods provided by DIN 4109 11/89 “Sound insulation in buildings”, to provide calculated evidence for the majority of constructions that are in common use which are subject to impact sound insulation requirements. Even the new draft of DIN 4109 which is due to be published shortly has not made any significant progress in the matter. The article below illustrates which parameters can be used for providing evidence of impact sound insulation in cases where DIN 4109 does not provide any guidance. In addition, information is supplied for special constructions in which the calculated evidence using single‐number data input (e. g. calculating the standard impact sound level using the respective impact sound reduction value) leads to unsatisfactory results due to the curve of impact sound reduction values over the range of frequencies. Part 1 of the article investigated hard, lightweight floor finishes with defined impact sound insulation (laminate, parquet, tiles) and dry constructions (dry and raised floor constructions and terrace flooring). Part 2 presented here reports especially on the refurbishment of staircases in order to achieve improved impact sound insulation, balconies with their special requirements and screeds on rubber insulation mats, with special emphasis on the approval of such floor finishes.
Zur Anwendung reaktiver Brandschutzsysteme auf Stahlzuggliedern
Authors: Hothan Sascha , Häßler Dustin 
Published: December 2012

AbstractReaktive Brandschutzsysteme werden in zunehmendem Maße zum Schutz von sichtbaren Stahlkonstruktionen eingesetzt, weil mit den relativ geringen Beschichtungsdicken das architektonische Erscheinungsbild der Konstruktionen erhalten bleibt. Die Verwendbarkeit der Systeme wird durch nationale und europäische technische Zulassungen geregelt. Die Zulassungen erlauben eine Anwendung auf zugbeanspruchten Bauteilen nur unter Einschränkungen. Eine Verwendung der Systeme auf Zuggliedern mit Vollquerschnitt ist derzeit nicht abgedeckt. Dieser Beitrag beschreibt die aktuelle Situation zur Anwendung reaktiver Brandschutzsysteme und erläutert die physikalisch‐technischen Hintergründe. Ferner wird anhand eines Beispiels außerhalb des Anwendungsbereiches der Zulassungen gezeigt, wie eine Anwendung auf Zuggliedern mit rundem Vollquerschnitt im Rahmen einer Zustimmung im Einzelfall ermöglicht werden kann. In einem weiteren Abschnitt werden die jüngsten Forschungsergebnisse aus einem durch das Deutsche Institut für Bautechnik geförderten und durch die Bundesanstalt für Materialforschung und ‐prüfung bearbeiteten Vorhabens vorgestellt. Das Forschungsvorhaben verfolgt das Ziel, eine Anwendung reaktiver Brandschutzsysteme auf Zuggliedern mit Vollquerschnitten auf Grundlage von Zulassungen allgemein zu ermöglichen.Application of reactive fire protection systems to steel rods in tension. The application of intumescent coatings for fire protection of steel constructions is increasing. Thanks to the relative thin thickness of the coatings, the typical visual appearance of the structures can be preserved. The applicability of the systems is regulated by the national German as well as European technical approvals. According to the approvals, the application on steel members in tension is only allowed with limitations. Especially, the application on solid steel rods in tension is currently not yet covered. This contribution first explains the actual state of the art of the application of reactive fire protection systems to steel structures. Technical background information is provided. Furthermore, a case study is presented in order to illustrate the limitations in the scope of the approvals and a possible approach to allow the application of intumescent coatings on solid steel rods via an approval for a specific construction project. After that, the latest scientific results of a research project funded by the German National Institute of Building Technology (DIBt) and conducted by the Federal Institute for Materials Research and Testing (BAM) are described. The objective of the project is to enable the application of intumescent coatings on solid steel rods in tension within the scope of approvals in general.
Pre‐ and Postnatal Development in the Cynomolgus Monkey Following Administration of ABT‐874, a Human Anti‐IL‐12/23p40 Monoclonal Antibody
Authors: Enright Brian P. , Tornesi Belen , Weinbauer Gerhard F. , Blaich Guenter 
Published: December 2012

BACKGROUNDABT‐874 is an anti‐IL‐12/23 monoclonal antibody that binds to the p40 subunit of human IL‐12 and IL‐23. As part of its preclinical safety assessment, studies were conducted to assess its potential effects on pre‐ and postnatal development in cynomolgus monkeys.METHODSIn the embryo‐fetal development studies, ABT‐874 was administered once weekly subcutaneously to adult female cynomolgus monkeys at doses of 0, 5, 25, or 100 mg/kg during gestation days (GD) 20 to 48. Fetuses were examined for external, visceral, and skeletal development on GD 100 or 150. In the pre‐ and postnatal study, ABT‐874 was administered once weekly subcutaneously to adult female cynomolgus monkeys at doses of 10, 50, or 200 mg/kg from GD 20 through postpartum day 182. Infants were examined from birth up to 9 months of age for morphological and functional development. Potential effects on the infant immune system were evaluated by immunophenotyping of peripheral blood lymphocytes and by T‐dependent antibody response to KLH.RESULTSThere was no ABT‐874‐related maternal toxicity or adverse effects on fetuses or infants. ABT‐874 was present in maternal and fetal serum at GD 100 and 150, and in infant serum through day 63 postbirth. ABT‐874 was also present at low levels in breast milk through postpartum day 175.CONCLUSIONSExposure of cynomolgus monkey fetuses and infants to ABT‐874 had no adverse effects on embryo‐fetal or postnatal development.
Wüstennavigatoren en miniature
Authors: Wehner Rüdiger 
Published: December 2012

AbstractCataglyphis, eine rein tagaktive, hoch hitzetolerante Wüstenrennameise, bedient sich bei ihren weiträumigen Futtersuchläufen eines reichhaltigen Navigationsinstrumentariums. Als basaler Mechanismus dient ihr ein Wegintegrator, der alle eingeschlagenen Richtungen und zurückgelegten Distanzen zu einem Navigationsvektor verrechnet, mit dem die Tiere dann einen zuvor besuchten Geländepunkt geradlinig ansteuern können. Die nötige Kompassinformation entnimmt der Integrator dem polarisierten Himmelslicht (über spezialisierte Photorezeptoren am dorsalen Augenrand), die Entfernungsinformation den Beinbewegungen und dem im ventralen Sehfeld wahrgenommenen Bildfluss. Der Wegintegrator funktioniert vom ersten Auslauf an und bleibt auch später bei jedem Lauf ununterbrochen eingeschaltet. Er bildet den Rahmen, innerhalb dessen zusätzlich Landmarkeninformation erworben werden kann. Dabei nehmen die Tiere über die Weitwinkeloptik ihrer Komplexaugen Panoramabilder von bestimmten Geländepunkten und Routen auf. Bei späteren Läufen werden diese eingespeicherten Referenzbilder abgerufen und mit der jeweils aktuellen Situation verglichen (Bildvergleichsverfahren). Die verschiedenen Navigationsinstrumente sind im Cockpit von Cataglyphis netzwerkartig verbunden und können je nach Kontext flexibel zum Einsatz kommen.
Auf der Mauer, auf der Lauer: Die Vielfalt der Garten‐Wanzen
Authors: Petrischak Hannes 
Published: December 2012

AbstractDie meisten Garten‐Bewohner verharren während der kalten Jahreszeit unter Laub, in der Erde oder auch gut getarnt als Ei oder Puppe an trockenen Pflanzen, bis der Frühling sie hervorlockt. Dennoch regt sich auch jetzt Leben: Viele Vögel kommen als Wintergäste in den Siedlungsbereich. Und sogar einige Insekten zeigen sich. So lassen sich manche Wanzen in dieser Zeit gut beobachten – überhaupt treten sie rund ums Jahr überaus vielgestaltig in unseren Gärten in Erscheinung.
Percutaneous revascularization improves outcomes in patients with prior coronary artery bypass surgery
Authors: Gyenes Gabor , Norris Colleen M. , Graham Michelle M. ,   for the APPROACH Investigators
Published: December 2012

BackgroundAlthough ACC/AHA guidelines recommend a low threshold for catheterization after coronary artery bypass surgery (CABG), in clinical practice repeat revascularization often appears unfeasible and data on outcomes are scarce.MethodsUsing APPROACH, a clinical data collection and outcome monitoring initiative in Alberta, Canada, we analyzed nonemergency repeat catheterization, revascularization, and mortality rates of all patients with previous CABG, grouped by indication (acute coronary syndromes [ACS], stable angina [SA]) and compared to those of the cohort without previous CABG.ResultsOf 7,127 patients, 31.5%, and 11% received percutaneous revascularization (PCI), or reoperation, respectively. Significantly more post‐CABG patients were managed medically as compared with the overall APPROACH cohort of coronary disease patients (57.5% vs. 41.5%—P < 0.001). Post CABG patients with ACS received PCI more often than those with SA (36.4% vs. 24.8%). PCI was associated with improved both non‐adjusted and adjusted mortality by 22 and 19%, respectively (P < 0.001) during a follow‐up of up to 14 years. Patients with diabetes had a higher mortality rate than those without at 1‐, 5‐, and 10‐year follow‐up in every treatment group. However PCI was associated with a similar improvement in mortality (HR: 0.76 [95% SD: 0.65–0.90]) in diabetic patients (HR: 0.85 [95% SD: 0.75–0.96]) when compared to medical management.ConclusionSignificantly fewer post‐CABG patients received repeat revascularization than all‐comers however; PCI was associated with improved mortality in both the diabetic and the nondiabetic patient population. These findings support the practice of attempting revascularization in post‐CABG patients, particularly in those with an ACS. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Hospital volume of percutaneous radiofrequency ablation is closely associated with treatment outcomes for patients with hepatocellular carcinoma
Authors: Lu Li‐Chun , Shao Yu‐Yun , Kuo Raymond N. C. , Lin Zhong‐Zhe , Yeh Yi‐Chun , Shau Wen‐Yi , Hsu Chih‐Hung , Cheng Ann‐Lii , Lai Mei‐Shu 
Published: December 2012

AbstractBACKGROUND:Hospital volume for several major operations is associated with treatment outcomes. In this study, the authors explored the influence of hospital radiofrequency ablation (RFA) volume on the prognosis of patients who received RFA for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).METHODS:The authors searched for all patients who were diagnosed with stage I or stage II HCC from 2004 to 2006 and who received RFA as first‐line therapy in a population‐based cohort. Overall survival (OS) and liver cancer‐specific survival (CSS) were compared according to hospital volume. A Cox proportional hazards model was used for multivariate analysis.RESULTS:In total, 661 patients received first‐line RFA for stage I and II HCC in 28 hospitals. Among these, there were 480 patients (72.6%) in the high‐volume group (those who received RFA at hospitals that treated >10 first‐line patients per year), and there were 181 patients (27.4%) in the low‐volume group (those who received RFA at hospitals that treated ≤10 first‐line patients per year). The sex, age, stage, tumor size, and year of diagnosis for patients in the 2 groups did not differ significantly. Patients in the high‐volume group demonstrated significantly longer OS and CSS than those in the low‐volume group (5‐year OS rate, 58.7% vs 47.2%; P = .001; 5‐year CSS rate, 67.1% vs 57.1%; P = .009). After adjusting for covariates, high‐volume hospitals remained an independent predictor of longer OS (hazard ratio, 0.57; P < .001) and CSS (hazard ratio, 0.57; P = .003).CONCLUSIONS:Patients who received first‐line RFA for HCC in high‐volume hospitals demonstrated better survival outcomes. Cancer 2013. © 2012 American Cancer Society.
Adherence to national guidelines for antiemesis prophylaxis in patients undergoing chemotherapy for lung cancer
Authors: Gomez Daniel R. , Liao Kai‐Ping , Giordano Sharon , Nguyen Hoang , Smith Benjamin D. , Elting Linda S. 
Published: December 2012

AbstractBACKGROUND:Nausea and vomiting (N/V) during chemotherapy can have profound clinical and economic consequences. Effective antiemetic agents are available for prophylaxis, but barriers may prevent their use. For this population‐based study, the authors assessed the rates of antiemetic prophylaxis use, and predictors of such use, among patients who were receiving platinum‐based chemotherapy for lung cancer between 2001 and 2007.METHODS:The authors searched the Texas Cancer Registry–Medicare‐linked database for individuals aged >65 years who received platinum‐based chemotherapy within 12 months after a first diagnosis of lung cancer from 2001 to 2007; and all patients had continuous Medicare Part A and Part B coverage for the same period. Adherence to recommended regimens for N/V prophylaxis (established by the National Comprehensive Cancer Network) was scored as a binary variable (adherent vs nonadherent) and was calculated as the percentages of treated patients receiving each recommended agent within 1 day of beginning chemotherapy. Logistic regression with stepwise selection was used to examine whether patient characteristics influenced adherence.RESULTS:Of 4566 selected patients, adherence rates for the receipt of serotonin antagonists (eg, ondansetron) with dexamethasone were 60% to 90% regardless of whether the chemotherapy agent was considered moderately or highly emetogenic. The receipt of substance‐P antagonists was much less common (<10%) during any period. On multivariate logistic regression modeling, variables that predicted adherence were older age, white race, higher median income, and concurrent radiation therapy.CONCLUSIONS:Recommended use of antiemetics for prophylaxis, especially substance‐P antagonists, during chemotherapy for lung cancer is suboptimal. Factors that were correlated with adherence suggest socioeconomic barriers in the community. Cancer 2013. © 2012 American Cancer Society.
An improved baseline model for a human arterial network to study the impact of aneurysms on pressure‐flow waveforms
Authors: Low K. , van Loon R. , Sazonov I. , Bevan R. L. T. , Nithiarasu P. 
Published: December 2012

SUMMARYIn this study, an improved and robust one‐dimensional human arterial network model is presented. The one‐dimensional blood flow equations are solved using the Taylor‐locally conservative Galerkin finite element method. The model improvements are carried out by adopting parts of the physical models from different authors to establish an accurate baseline model. The predicted pressure‐flow waveforms at various monitoring positions are compared against in vivo measurements from published works. The results obtained show that wave shapes predicted are similar to that of the experimental data and exhibit a good overall agreement with measured waveforms. Finally, computational studies on the influence of an abdominal aortic aneurysm are presented. The presence of aneurysms results in a significant change in the waveforms throughout the network. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Design and implementation of a high‐efficiency LiFePO4 battery charger for electric vehicle applications
Authors: Chiu Huang‐Jen , Lo Yu‐Kang , Tseng Po‐Jung , Liu Yu‐Chen , Chang Yu‐Chen , Liao Ym‐Min , Jen Kuo‐Kuang , Fu Kuo‐Sheng , Chung Chih‐Hsien , Chen Kun‐Feng 
Published: December 2012

ABSTRACTThis letter studies and implements a high‐efficiency LiFePO4 battery charger. The modular design can satisfy the requirements of series/parallel charging for electric vehicle applications. A CC‐CC‐CV charging scheme is also realized to meet the characteristics of LiFePO4 battery stacks. A 2 kW laboratory prototype is built and tested. The experimental results are shown to verify the feasibility of the proposed scheme. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.