bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Emerging Issues in Compensation Valuation for Oil Spillage in the Niger Delta Area of Nigeria
Authors: Babawale Gabriel Kayode 
Published: March 2013

Abstract: Oil spillage often impacts substantial land area with grave consequences on the vegetation, economic crops/trees, aquatic life, and the entire eco-system. The impact of oil spills is often widespread and could persists for several years with attendant adverse repercussions on both the health and means of livelihood of people living within the impacted area. For this and other reasons, claims arising from oil spillage often run into billions of naira (N) [1US$=N165]. Given the magnitude of the consequential loss and claim, the onus is on the claimant to produce credible evidence to prove that he actually suffered the nature and extent of the injury alleged. This paper reviewed certain fundamental errors that have become commonplace among Nigerian valuers in the discharge of their role of assisting the court to arrive at a just compensation payable for oil spillage in the Niger Delta area of Nigeria. The data used were obtained from valuation reports which the author was privileged to critique as a consultant to a major oil exploration and marketing company in Nigeria. it was found that most of the valuationÂ reports contained flagrant errors and fell short of best practices because less than the required effort is devoted to prosecuting this somewhat complex and highly technical valuation; and more specifically, little attention is paid to the provisions of relevant laws and the standards prescribed by valuation regulatory bodies, which are usually the basis for all statutory valuations.
Polylactide foams prepared by a traditional chemical compression‐molding method
Authors: Luo Yu , Zhang Jiuli , Qi Rongrong , Lu Jiaqi , Hu Xinli , Jiang Pingkai 
Published: March 2013

AbstractTo reduce environmental pollution and oil shortages, biodegradable polylactide (PLA) from plants was used to replace synthetic plastic from petroleum. In this study, high‐melt‐viscosity PLA was achieved through theinsitureaction of carboxyl‐ended polyester (CP) and solid epoxy (SE) first; then, PLA foams were successfully prepared by a chemical compression‐molding method. The detailed foaming factors were also studied, including the decomposition temperature of the blowing agent, the foam temperature, and the open‐mold temperature. The results reveal that the obtained PLA foams had good water absorption and degradable properties, and the foam density was low as 0.16 g/cm3. Moreover, the effects of the CP/SE concentration and the AC content on the properties of the foams were also investigated. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci., 2013
Morphology and mechanical properties of ethylene‐vinyl acetate rubber/polyamide thermoplastic elastomers
Authors: Wu Wenjing , Wan Chaoying , Zhang Yong 
Published: March 2013

AbstractHigh performance thermoplastic elastomers based on ethylene‐vinyl acetate rubber (EVM) and ternary polyamide copolymer (tPA) were prepared through a dynamic vulcanization process in the presence of dicumyl peroxide (DCP). The morphology, crystallization, and mechanical properties of the EVM/tPA blends were studied. A phase transition of EVM/tPA blend was observed at a weight ratio of 60/40. The presence of EVM increased the melting enthalpy at the high temperature of tPA, ascribing to the heterogeneous nucleating effect of EVM. The tensile strength of EVM/tPA (70/30) blends was increased up to 20.5 MPa as the DCP concentration increased to 3.5 phr, whereas the elongation at break of the blends kept decreasing as the DCP concentration increased. The addition of ethylene‐acrylic acid copolymer (EAA) or maleic anhydride‐grafted EVM (EVM‐g‐MAH) to the EVM/tPA blends both induced finer dispersion of the EVM particles in the tPA phase and improvement in the tensile strength and elongation at break of the blends, which were ascribed to the compatibilization of EAA or EVM‐g‐MAH. Finally, a high performance EVM/tPA (70/30) thermoplastic elastomer with Shore A hardness of 75, tensile strength of 24 MPa, elongation at break of 361%, and set at break of 20% was obtained by adding 5 wt % of EVM‐g‐MAH and 3.5 phr DCP. It has great potential in automotive and oil pipeline applications. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci., 2013
Microwave‐absorbing performance and mechanical properties of poly(vinyl chloride)/acrylonitrile–butadiene rubber thermoplastic elastomers filled with multiwalled carbon nanotubes and silicon carbide
Authors: Zhang Shuang , Zhai Yinghao , Zhang Yong 
Published: March 2013

AbstractPoly(vinyl chloride) (PVC)/acrylonitrile–butadiene rubber (NBR) were mixed with multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) and silicon carbide (SiC) to prepare microwave‐absorbing composites. The complex permittivity, direct‐current (dc) conductivity, microwave‐absorbing performance, morphology, and mechanical properties of the composites were studied. The real and imaginary parts of the permittivity of the composites increased with increasing MWCNT content. The premixing of the MWCNTs with PVC was more beneficial to the dispersion of MWCNTs; this led to a higher dc conductivity and permittivity and better microwave‐absorbing performance than the premixing of MWCNTs with NBR for the PVC/NBR/MWCNT composites. The PVC/NBR/MWCNT composites had a minimum reflection loss (RLmin) of −49.5 dB at the optimum thickness of 1.96 mm. The efficient microwave absorption of the PVC/NBR/MWCNT composites was due to a high dielectric loss and moderate permittivity. The incorporation of SiC into the PVC/NBR/MWCNT composites increased the real and imaginary parts of permittivity of the composites. When the SiC content was 70 phr, RLmin decreased to −34.9 dB at a thickness of 3 mm. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci., 2013
Using synchrotron FTIR spectroscopy to determine secondary structure changes and distribution in thermoplastic protein
Authors: Bier James Michael , Verbeek Casparus Johannes Reinhard , Lay Mark Christopher 
Published: March 2013

AbstractBlood meal is a high protein, low value by‐product of the meat processing industry that can be converted into a thermoplastic material by extrusion with a combination of a surfactant, urea, a reducing agent, water, and plasticiser. Changes in protein structure after each processing step (mixing with additives, extrusion, injection molding, and conditioning) were explored using synchrotron FTIR microspectroscopy. Blood meal particles were found to have higher β‐sheet content around the perimeter with a randomly structured core. α‐Helices were either located near the core or were evenly distributed throughout the particle. Structural rearrangement consistent with consolidation into a thermoplastic was seen after extrusion with processing additives, resulting in reduced α‐helices and increased β‐sheets. Including triethylene glycol as a plasticiser reduced α‐helices and β‐sheets in all processing steps. At all processing stages, regions with increased β‐sheets could be identified suggesting blood meal‐based thermoplastics should be considered as a semicrystalline polymer where clusters of crystalline regions are distributed throughout the disordered material. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci., 2013
Development of HDPE/EPDM‐g‐TMEVS nanocomposites with enhanced electrical and flame properties
Authors: Divya V. C. , Pattanshetti V. V. , Suresh R. , Sailaja R. R. N. 
Published: March 2013

AbstractNanoclay reinforced HDPE/silane grafted EPDM composites have been developed using an epoxy functionalized HDPE as compatibilizer.The nanoclay has been varied from 0% to 10% in the composites along with the incorporation of compatibilizer and without compatibilizer in a brabender plasticorder.The dielectric and fire retardant properties of these nanocomposites have been examined. Addition of nanoclay enhanced char formation with increased values of limiting oxygen index. Electrical properties such as volume and surface Resistivity improved with addition of nanoclay and compatibilizer. The values of tan δ increased with increase in grafted EPDM and silanated nanoclay loading. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci., 2013
Ultrasonic sealing versus heat conductive sealing of polyethylene/polybutene‐1 peel films
Authors: Nase Michael , Bach Sascha , Zankel Armin , Majschak Jens‐Peter , Grellmann Wolfgang 
Published: March 2013

AbstractThe ultrasonic sealing (USS) is a new and modern possibility to seal peel films for packaging, for example for food and for medical packages. The heat conductive sealing (HCS) in contrast is already well described in science and practice. This study is a comparison of the effectiveness of both the USS and the HCS method using low‐density polyethylene/isotactic polybutene‐1 peel films. The influence of the recipe of the film, i.e., the amount of the peel component used and the thickness of the peel layer, as well as the sealing parameters, i.e., the sealing temperature, time, and pressure in case of HCS and the sealing force, time, and amplitude in case of USS, on the peel behavior were investigated. To characterize the peel behavior, the peel force, the maximum peel force, and the fracture mechanics, energy release rate were used. The sealing force has a strong impact on the peel properties. This behavior is similar to the influence of the sealing temperature. The peel behavior can be adjusted by varying the content of isotactic polybutene‐1. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci., 2013
Electrically conductive poly(3,4‐ethylenedioxythiophene)–polystyrene sulfonic acid/polyacrylonitrile composite fibers prepared by wet spinning
Authors: Liu Yin , Li Xin , Lü Jing Chun 
Published: March 2013

AbstractComposite conductive fibers based on poly(3,4‐ethylenedioxythiophene) (PEDOT)–polystyrene sulfonic acid (PSS) blended with polyacrylonitrile (PAN) were prepared via a conventional wet‐spinning process. The influences of the PEDOT–PSS content on the electrical conductivity, thermal stability, and mechanical properties of the composite fibers were investigated. The fibers with 1.83 wt % PEDOT–PSS showed a conductivity of 5.0 S/cm. The breaking strength of the fibers was in the range 0.36–0.60 cN/dtex. The thermal stability of the PEDOT–PSS/PAN composite fibers was similar to but slightly lower than that of the pure PAN. The X‐ray diffraction results revealed that both the pure PAN and PEDOT–PSS/PAN composite fibers were amorphous in phase, and the crystallization of the latter was lower than that of the former. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci., 2013
Sensing of large strain using multiwall carbon nanotube/segmented polyurethane composites
Authors: Bautista‐Quijano J.R. , Avilés F. , Cauich‐Rodriguez J.V. 
Published: March 2013

AbstractMultiwall carbon nanotube (MWCNT)/elastomeric composite films were fabricated using two segmented polyurethanes: an in‐house synthesized one (SPU) and a commercial medical grade one (Tecoflex®, TF). Electrical, mechanical, and electromechanical (piezoresistive) properties of both composites were evaluated as a function of the MWCNT weight concentration (1–10 wt %). An increase in electrical conductivity for both types of polymers was observed for MWCNT concentrations as low as 1 wt %. The electrical conductivity of MWCNT/TF composites was higher than that achieved for MWCNT/SPU composites. Mechanical properties of 8 wt % MWCNT/SPU composites showed a threefold increase in stiffness compared to neat SPU. The changes in electrical resistance of the composites showed higher sensitivity to strain for lower MWCNT concentrations. The piezoresistive signal of the composites allows to measure strains up to ∼400% before electrical depercolation occurs. The strain at which electrical depercolation occurs depends on the conductivity of the composite in its unloaded state. This kind of composites may find sensing applications in prosthetics, biomedical devices, and smart textiles. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci., 2013
High conductivity of polyaniline‐silver synthesized in situ by additional reductant
Authors: Xia Lixing , Zhao Cuilian , Yan Xin , Wu Zhenjun 
Published: March 2013

AbstractPolyaniline (PANI)‐silver complex was obtained from in situ reduction of hydrochloric acid‐doped PANI by the addition of sodium borohydride. The morphology and structure of the complex were characterized by scanning electron microscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, and X‐ray diffraction. Four‐probe measurements and thermogravimetric analysis were employed to investigate electrical conductivity, thermal stability, and silver content. Conductivity of the PANI‐silver composite was up to 535.22 S cm−1 and silver content was 38.48 wt % as determined from the molar ratio of sodium borohydride to silver nitrate of 1.2 used during the synthesis. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci., 2013
LC analysis and pharmacokinetic study of synthetic piperlonguminine in rat plasma after oral administration
Authors: Sarnaizul Erdenebaatar , Borjihan Gereltu , Baigude Huricha , Aona  , Menghe  , Narisu  , Zhaorigetu  
Published: March 2013

ABSTRACTOnly one kind of synthesized alkaloid, piperlonguminine, was used to understand the interference of the other alkaloids in pharmacokinetic study using HPLC/UV in rat plasma after oral administration. Compared with the previous report, it was clarified that mixed alkaloids such as piperine and the other extract from Piper longum Linn did not interfere with the results. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Determination of alachlor residues in pepper and pepper leaf using gas chromatography and confirmed via mass spectrometry with matrix protection
Authors: Rahman Md. Musfiqur , Sharma Hiron Moy , Park Jong‐Hyouk , Abd El‐Aty A. M. , Choi Jeong‐Heui , Nahar Nilufar , Shim Jae‐Han 
Published: March 2013

ABSTRACTAlachlor residues were determined in pepper and pepper leaf, after 49 days of manufacturer‐recommended single‐ and double‐dose application to the soil and plant. The samples were extracted with acetonitrile, partitioned with n‐hexane, and purified through solid‐phase extraction, and finally detected with a gas chromatography–microelectron capture detector. The linearity of the analytical response across the studied range of concentrations (0.05–4.0 µg/mL) was excellent, obtaining coefficients of determination (r2) of 0.999. Recovery studies were carried out on spiked pepper and pepper leaf samples, at two concentrations levels (0.2 and 1.0 mg/kg), with three replicates performed at each level. Mean recoveries of 73.1–109.0% with relative standard deviations of 1.3–2.3% were obtained. The method was successfully applied to field samples, and alachlor residue was found in pepper (0.02 mg/kg) and pepper leaf (0.03 mg/kg), at levels lower than the maximum residue limits (0.2 mg/kg) set by the Korea Food and Drug Administration. The field‐detected residues were further confirmed with gas chromatography–mass spectrometry with the help of pepper leaf matrix protection. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Calot's triangle
Authors: Abdalla Sala , Pierre Sacha , Ellis Harold 
Published: March 2013

AbstractCalot's triangle is an anatomical landmark of special value in cholecystectomy. First described by Jean‐François Calot as an “isosceles” triangle in his doctoral thesis in 1891, this anatomical space requires careful dissection before the ligation and division of the cystic artery and cystic duct during cholecystectomy. The modern definition of the boundaries of Calot's triangle varies from Calot's original description, although the exact timing of this change is not entirely clear. The structures within Calot's triangle and their anatomical relationships can present the surgeon with difficulties, particularly when anatomical variations are encountered. Sound knowledge of the normal anatomy of the extrahepatic biliary tract and vasculature, as well as understanding of congenital variation, is thus essential in the prevention of iatrogenic injury. The authors describe the normal anatomy of Calot's triangle and common anatomical anomalies. The incidence of structural injury is discussed, and new techniques in surgery for enhancing the visualisation of Calot's triangle are reviewed. © .
Pharmacokinetic Profile of Orally Administered Scyllo‐Inositol (Elnd005) in Plasma, Cerebrospinal Fluid and Brain, and Corresponding Effect on Amyloid‐Beta in Healthy Subjects
Authors: Liang Earvin , Garzone Pamela , Cedarbaum Jesse M. , Koller Martin , Tran Thao , Xu Victor , Ross Brian , Jhee Stanford S. , Ereshefsky Larry , Pastrak Aleksandra , Abushakra Susan 
Published: March 2013

AbstractELND005 (scyllo‐inositol), an endogenous inositol stereoisomer, is being investigated as an oral treatment for Alzheimer's disease (AD). Pharmacokinetics of ELND005 in plasma, cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), and brain was characterized in healthy young subjects. Eight men received 2000 mg ELND005 every 12 hours for 10 days. Plasma and CSF samples were collected at predetermined time points; ELND005 and amyloid‐beta (Aβ) fragments were measured by validated bioanalytical methods. Brain ELND005 levels, estimated by 1H Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy (MRS) scans were obtained from gray/white matter voxels at baseline and Day 8. ELND005 was well‐tolerated during the study. During the apparent steady state, ELND005 plasma levels rapidly peaked at 39.8 µg/mL and decreased to an average trough concentration of 10.6 µg/mL at the end of the 12‐hour dosing regimen. In contrast, CSF drug levels slowly peaked at 13.7 µg/mL and remained near the same level with average trough concentrations of 12.4 µg/mL. At Day 8, Brain ELND005 concentrations increased by 58–76% compared to baseline levels. The CSF concentrations achieved in this study were similar to those associated with efficacy in transgenic models of AD. No changes were detected in plasma and CSF levels of Aβ fragments.
Pharmacokinetics and Bioequivalence Evaluation of 2 Loxoprofen Tablets in Healthy Egyptian Male Volunteers
Authors: Helmy Sally A. 
Published: March 2013

AbstractThe objective of this study was to assess the in vitro dissolution and to evaluate the bioavailability of two brands of Loxoprofen sodium dihydrate tablets. Loxoprofen tablets (68.1 mg loxoprofen sodium dihydrate equivalent to 60 mg loxoprofen; test) relative to Roxonin tablets (68.1 mg loxoprofen sodium dihydrate equivalent to 60 mg loxoprofen; reference). In vitro study was adopted to determine and compare the dissolution behavior of both products. In vivo study was conducted according to a single‐center, randomized, single‐dose, and laboratory‐blinded, 2‐period, 2‐sequence, crossover design with a washout period of 1 week. Under fasting conditions, 24 healthy Egyptian adult male volunteers were randomly allocated to receive a single dose of either test or reference product. Blood samples were collected at specified time intervals, and plasma was analyzed for loxoprofen concentrations using a validated high‐performance liquid chromatography assay method. The pharmacokinetic parameters Cmax, AUC0–t, AUC0–∞, tmax, and t1/2 were determined from plasma concentration–time profiles. The 90% confidence intervals for the ratio Cmax, AUC0–t, and AUCt–∞ of the test product over those of reference were within the acceptable range (0.8–1.25) for bioequivalence. On the basis of these results, the two‐loxoprofen formulations are considered bioequivalent.
Model‐Supported Development of CS‐8635: A Fixed‐Dose Combination of Olmesartan, Amlodipine, and Hydrochlorothiazide
Authors: Song SaeHeum , Carrothers Timothy J. , Moore Helen , Green Michelle , Miller Raymond , Rohatagi Shashank , Lee James , Wang Antonia , Melino Michael , Patel Manini , Heyrman Reinilde , Salazar Daniel E. 
Published: March 2013

AbstractCS‐8635, a fixed‐dose triple combination of olmesartan, amlodipine, and hydrochlorothiazide, was developed to address the growing need for additional blood pressure (BP) reduction in patients not controlled with dual‐combination therapies. Prior to Phase III, modeling and simulation (M&S) was conducted to estimate the additional BP lowering effect of CS‐8635 compared to the respective dual combinations. The Phase III study evaluated CS‐8635 BP lowering effects only at the highest dose strength among the five dose strengths to be developed. Post‐trial M&S was performed using an integrated dataset from three Phase III programs; CS‐8635 plus two prior dual combinations. M&S robustly estimated and described the BP lowering effects of CS‐8635 evaluated in a clinical setting. Furthermore, M&S evaluated BP lowering effects of the additional four dose strengths not studied. In summary, M&S aided the development of the clinical study and full characterization of the BP lowering effects of CS‐8635 across intermediate doses.
Glycerol Phenylbutyrate in Patients With Cirrhosis and Episodic Hepatic Encephalopathy: A Pilot Study of Safety and Effect on Venous Ammonia Concentration
Authors: Ghabril Marwan , Zupanets Igor A. , Vierling John , Mantry Parvez , Rockey Don , Wolf David , O'Shea Robert , Dickinson Klara , Gillaspy Heather , Norris Catherine , Coakley Dion F. , Mokhtarani Masoud , Scharschmidt Bruce F. 
Published: March 2013

AbstractGlycerol tri‐(4‐phenylbutyrate) (glycerol phenylbutyrate, GPB, HPN‐100) mediates waste nitrogen excretion through conjugation with glutamine to form phenylacetylglutamine which is excreted in urine. This pilot study was performed to assess tolerability and effect on venous ammonia concentration in patients with cirrhosis and hepatic encephalopathy (HE). Patients underwent one week of 6 mL (6.6 g) twice daily (BID). GPB dosing followed by 3 weeks of 9 mL (9.9 g) BID dosing and underwent repeated blood sampling for ammonia concentration and pharmacokinetics. Fifteen patients were enrolled. Ammonia concentrations were lowest after overnight fast and increased post‐prandially. Fasting ammonia concentrations were lower on GPB compared to baseline, with a decrease on the eighth day of 6 mL BID dosing to 45.4 (27.9) µmol/L (ULN ∼48 µmol/L) (P < .05). Nine milliliters BID yielded similar lowering but was associated with more adverse events and higher phenylacetate (PAA) plasma concentrations (PAA Cmax of 144 [125] vs. 292 [224] µg/mL on 6 and 9 mL, respectively). GPB dosed at 6 mL BID lowered fasting ammonia levels in cirrhotic patients with HE as compared with baseline, was better tolerated than 9 mL BID, and is appropriate for further evaluation in patients with cirrhosis and episodic HE.
Effect of Multiple‐Dose Diltiazem on the Pharmacokinetics of the Renin Inhibitor ACT‐077825
Authors: Dingemanse Jasper , Nicolas Laurent B. , van Bortel Luc 
Published: March 2013

AbstractThis open‐label, randomized study evaluated the effects of steady‐state diltiazem on the pharmacokinetic, safety, and tolerability profile of a single dose of the novel renin inhibitor ACT‐077825. Twelve healthy Caucasian male subjects (20–50 years) received in treatment sequence A, a single dose of 100 mg ACT‐077825 (Days 1 and 17), and oral diltiazem 300 mg once daily (Days 14–26). In treatment sequence B, subjects received a single dose of 100 mg ACT‐077825 (Days 4 and 22) and oral diltiazem 300 mg once daily (Days 1–13). ACT‐077825 alone and combined with diltiazem was generally well tolerated. On average, the systemic exposure to ACT‐077825 was higher in the presence of diltiazem. For AUC0–∞ and t1/2, the upper limit of the 90% confidence interval (CI) of the geometric mean ratios was outside the study‐specific 0.5–2.0 equivalence boundaries, that is, 1.92 (90% CI: 1.30, 2.83) and 1.58 (90% CI: 1.22, 2.04), respectively. In conclusion, diltiazem markedly affected the pharmacokinetics of ACT‐077825, probably via inhibition of CYP3A4 activity, without changing its safety and tolerability profile in healthy male subjects. Whether such an interaction will require for therapeutic dose adjustment of ACT‐077825 co‐administered with diltiazem has to be assessed once the dose‐response relationship of ACT‐077825 in hypertensive patients is determined.