bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Synthesis of transparent and thermally stable polycyanurates and their thermal rearrangement
Authors: Saito Yoshitaka , Matsumoto Hidetoshi , Higashihara Tomoya , Ueda Mitsuru 
Published: June 2013

ABSTRACTTransparent and thermally stable polycyanurates, whose solubility can be changed by thermal rearrangement, have been synthesized as functional films used in the multilayer coating process. Before the synthesis of polycyanurates, the model compound, 2,6‐bis(4‐methoxyphenyl)−6‐methoxy‐1,3,5‐triazine as a cyanurate is prepared and rearranged to an isocyanurate, 1,3‐bis(4‐methoxyphenyl)−5‐methyl‐1,3,5‐triazinane‐2,4,6‐trione in an excellent yield by thermal treatment. Based on this result, polycyanurates are prepared by the phase‐transfer‐catalyzed polycondensation of 2,4‐dichloro‐6‐methoxy‐1,3,5‐triazine with bisphenol monomers in the presence of quaternary ammonium salts. The polycyanurate obtained from 9,9‐bis(hydroxyphenyl)fluorene exhibits a high glass transition temperature at 251 °C. The solubility of polycyanurate films containing 1 wt % of tetrabutylammonium bromide can be changed by thermal rearrangement. The partially rearranged films keep high transparency and low birefringence. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem. 2013, 51, 3950–3955
Synthesis of high‐performance polyurethanes with rigid 5‐6‐5‐fused ring system in the main chain from naturally occurring myo‐inositol
Authors: Sudo Atsushi , Shibata Yoshiya , Miyamoto Ayano 
Published: June 2013

ABSTRACTA bisketal of myo‐inositol was used as a diol‐type monomer for synthesis of polyurethanes. The monomer was obtained by treatment of myo‐inositol with 1,1‐dimethoxycyclohexane in the presence of p‐toluenesulfonic acid as a catalyst. The ketalization resulted in the formation of a 5‐6‐5‐fused ring system, which endowed the diol‐type monomer with high rigidity. The diol readily reacted with diisocyanate to give the corresponding polyurethane, which exhibited excellent heat resistance due to the rigid 5‐6‐5 system in the main chain. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem. 2013, 51, 3956–3963
Formation of star‐like and linear nanofibers via controlled crystallization of poly(3‐dodecylthiophene)
Authors: Pan Zhongcheng , Ge Jing , Yang Hui , Peng Juan , Qiu Feng 
Published: June 2013

ABSTRACTWe report the crystalline behavior of poly(3‐dodecylthiophene) (P3DDT) in aged toluene solution and link structure differences with the nature of seed nuclei related to various dissolution way. By directly stirring the P3DDT toluene solution for dissolution, the surviving fragments served as seed nuclei and star‐like nanofibers were formed upon aging. While by heating the P3DDT solution for complete dissolution followed by cooling, the seed nuclei came from the π–π stacking of the planarized P3DDT chains and linear nanofibers were formed upon aging. Formation mechanisms and kinetics of different nanofibers are discussed in detail. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part B: Polym. Phys. 2013, 51, 1268–1272
Surface and bulk ordering in thin films of a symmetrical diblock copolymer
Authors: Ma Wei , Vodungbo Boris , Nilles Katja , Theato Patrick , Lüning Jan 
Published: June 2013

ABSTRACTAmphiphilic diblock copolymers have the ability to adapt their surface's molecular composition to the hydrophilicity of their environment. In the case of about equal volume fractions of the two polymer blocks, the bulk of these polymers is known to develop a laminar ordering. We report here our investigation of the relationship between bulk ordering and surface morphology/chemical composition in thin films of such an amphiphilic diblock copolymer. Upon annealing in vacuum, the expected lamella ordering in the bulk of the film is observed and we find the morphology of the film surface to be defined by the thickness of the as‐deposited film: If the as‐deposited thickness matches the height of a lamella stack, then the film exhibits a smooth surface. Otherwise, an incomplete lamella forms at the film surface. We show that the coverage of this incomplete layer can be quantified by X‐ray reflectivity. To establish the lamella ordering in the bulk, the film needs to be annealed above the glass temperature of the two blocks. Molecular segregation at the film surface, however, is already occurring at temperatures well below the glass temperature of the two blocks. This indicates that below the glass temperature of the blocks the bulk of the thin film is “frozen,” whereas the polymer chains composing the surface lamella have an increased mobility. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part B: Polym. Phys., 2013, 51, 1282–1287
The frequency of CFVD speed report for highway traffic
Authors: Chang Ming‐Feng , Chen Chi‐Hua , Lin Yi‐Bing , Chia Chung‐Yung 
Published: June 2013

AbstractThe control signals of cellular networks have been used to infer the traffic conditions of the road network. In particular, consecutive handover events are being used to estimate the traffic speed. During traffic congestion, consecutive handover events may be rare because vehicles move slowly, and thus very few or no speed reports would be generated from the congested area.However, the traffic speed report rate during traffic congestion has not been investigated in the literature. In this paper, we present an analytic model to estimate the speed report rate from cellular network signaling in steady traffic conditions, that is, the traffic speed and flow are assumed constant. Real field trial data were used to validate our analytic model. In addition, computer simulations were conducted to study how speed reports are generated in dynamic traffic conditions when traffic speed and flow change rapidly. Our study indicates that in a typical cell of length 1.5 km with a typical expected call holding time of 1 min, no speed report was generated from a congested three‐lane highway. Our study demonstrates that the lack of speed reports from consecutive handover events during rush hours indicates severe traffic congestion, and new methods that can estimate traffic speed from cellular network data during severe traffic congestion need to be developed. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Exploiting the channel using uninterrupted collision‐free MAC adaptation over IEEE 802.11 WLANs
Authors: Tuysuz Mehmet F. , Mantar Haci A. 
Published: June 2013

AbstractIEEE 802.11 wireless local area networks (WLANs) have reached an important stage and become a common technology for wireless access due to its low cost, ease of deployment, and mobility support. In parallel with the extensive growth of WLANs, the development of an efficient medium access control protocol that provides both high throughput performance for data traffic and quality of service support for real‐time applications has become a major focus in WLAN research. The IEEE 802.11 Distributed Coordination Functions (DCF/EDCA) provide contention‐based distributed channel access mechanisms for stations to share the wireless medium. However, performance of these mechanisms may drop dramatically because of high collision probabilities as the number of active stations increases. In this paper, we propose an adaptive collision‐free MAC adaptation. The proposed scheme prevents collisions and allows stations to enter the collision‐free state regardless of the traffic load (saturated or unsaturated) and the number of stations on the medium. Simulation results show that the proposed scheme dramatically enhances the overall throughput and supports quality of service for real‐time services over 802.11‐based WLANs. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Bioprocess development for nicotinic acid hydroxamate synthesis by acyltransferase activity of Bacillus smithii strain IITR6b2
Authors: Agarwal Shilpi , Gupta Meenu , Choudhury Bijan 
Published: June 2013

Abstract
In this work, acyltransferase activity of a new bacterial isolate Bacillus smithii strain IITR6b2 was utilized for the synthesis of nicotinic acid hydroxamate (NAH), a heterocyclic class of hydroxamic acid. NAH is an important pyridine derivative and has found its role as bioligand, urease inhibitor, antityrosinase, antioxidant, antimetastatic, and vasodilating agents. Amidase having acyltransferase activity with nicotinamide is suitable for nicotinic acid hydroxamate production. However, amidase can also simultaneously hydrolyze nicotinamide and nicotinic acid hydroxamate to nicotinic acid. Nicotinic acid is an undesirable by-product and thus any biocatalytic process involving amidase for nicotinic acid hydroxamate production needs to have high ratios of acyltransferase to amide hydrolase and acyltransferase to nicotinic acid hydroxamate hydrolase activity. Isolate Bacillus smithii strain IITR6b2 was found to have 28- and 12.3-fold higher acyltransferase to amide and hydroxamic acid hydrolase activities, respectively. This higher ratio resulted in a limited undesirable by-product, nicotinic acid (NA) synthesis. The optimal substrate/co-substrate ratio, pH, temperature, incubation time, and resting cells concentration were 200/250 mM, 7, 30 °C, 40 min, and 0.7 mgDCW ml−1, respectively, and 94.5 % molar conversion of nicotinamide to nicotinic acid hydroxamate was achieved under these reaction conditions. To avoid substrate inhibition effect, a fed-batch process based on the optimized parameters with two feedings of substrates (200/200 mM) at 40-min intervals was developed and a molar conversion yield of 89.4 % with the productivity of 52.9 g h−1 gDCW −1 was achieved at laboratory scale. Finally, 6.4 g of powder containing 58.5 % (w/w) nicotinic acid hydroxamate was recovered after lyophilization and further purification resulted in 95 % pure product.
Cloning, production, and functional expression of the bacteriocin sakacin A (SakA) and two SakA-derived chimeras in lactic acid bacteria (LAB) and the yeasts Pichia pastoris and Kluyveromyces lactis
Authors: Jiménez Juan J , Borrero Juan , Diep Dzung B , Gútiez Loreto , Nes Ingolf F , Herranz Carmen , Cintas Luis M , Hernández Pablo E 
Published: June 2013

Abstract
Mature sakacin A (SakA, encoded by sapA) and its cognate immunity protein (SakI, encoded by sapiA), and two SakA-derived chimeras mimicking the N-terminal end of mature enterocin P (EntP/SakA) and mature enterocin A (EntA/SakA) together with SakI, were fused to different signal peptides (SP) and cloned into the protein expression vectors pNZ8048 and pMG36c for evaluation of their production and functional expression by different lactic acid bacteria. The amount, antimicrobial activity, and specific antimicrobial activity of SakA and its chimeras produced by Lactococcus lactis subsp. cremoris NZ9000 depended on the SP and the expression vector. Only L. lactis NZ9000 (pNUPS), producing EntP/SakA, showed higher bacteriocin production and antimicrobial activity than the natural SakA-producer Lactobacillus sakei Lb706. The lower antimicrobial activity of the SakA-producer L. lactis NZ9000 (pNUS) and that of the EntA/SakA-producer L. lactis NZ9000 (pNUAS) could be ascribed to secretion of truncated bacteriocins. On the other hand, of the Lb. sakei Lb706 cultures transformed with the pMG36c-derived vectors only Lb. sakei Lb706 (pGUS) overproducing SakA showed a higher antimicrobial activity than Lb. sakei Lb706. Finally, cloning of SakA and EntP/SakA into pPICZαA and pKLAC2 permitted the production of SakA and EntP/SakA by recombinant Pichia pastoris X-33 and Kluyveromyces lactis GG799 derivatives although their antimicrobial activity was lower than expected from their production.
Effects of a Genetic Counseling Model on Mothers of Children with Down Syndrome: A Brazilian Pilot Study
Authors: Micheletto Marcos Ricardo Datti , Valerio Nelson Iguimar , Fett‐Conte Agnes Cristina 
Published: June 2013

AbstractDown syndrome occurs in approximately 1:600 live births. Genetic counseling is indicated for these families and may be beneficial for adaptation to the challenges that accompany by this diagnosis. Although the basic counseling goals are similar, there are many models of genetic counseling practiced around the world. The aim of this article is to report the results of a pilot study that evaluated the level of satisfaction with a model of service delivery of genetic counseling practiced in Brazil, the knowledge assimilated about Down syndrome and whether this process resulted in a feeling of well‐being and psychological support. Thirty mothers of under 6‐month‐old children with Down syndrome were interviewed after having two sessions of genetic counseling in a public healthcare service within a period of 30 days. A semi‐structured questionnaire was developed by the researchers to collect identification, socioeconomic and demographic data and to assess the client's satisfaction with the model of genetic counseling. Data were collected using both open and closed questions. The reported level of satisfaction was high. The knowledge assimilated about Down syndrome after only two sessions was considered technically vague by raters in 44 % of cases. Most mothers (96.7 %) reported that genetic counseling was beneficial and provided psychological support. The model was considered satisfactory, but further research is needed to identify ways to improve knowledge retention by this population. These results highlight the utility of referring families for genetic counseling when there is a suspicion of a diagnosis of Down syndrome.
Latent structure of posttraumatic stress disorder symptoms in an adolescent sample one month after an earthquake
Authors: Wang Richu , Wang Li , Li Zhongquan , Cao Chengqi , Shi Zhanbiao , Zhang Jianxin 
Published: June 2013

ABSTRACTIncreasing empirical studies suggest that the tripartite posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) model described in the DSM‐IV does not accurately account for the underlying PTSD factor structure, and several alternative models have been proposed. The present study investigated a newly refined, five‐factor model of PTSD symptoms in a sample of Chinese adolescent survivors of an earthquake. A total of 1198 middle school students (653 females, 526 males) with a mean age of 14.4 years (SD = 1.1, range: 11–18) participated in this study one month after an earthquake. The novel five‐factor model comprised of intrusion, avoidance, numbing, dysphoric arousal, and anxious arousal demonstrated significantly better fit than two alternative four‐factor models. Further analyses revealed differentiable relations between the PTSD factors and external measures of anxiety and depression. These findings provide empirical support for the robustness of five‐factor model, and carry implications for further reorganization of PTSD criteria.
Effect of a single preoperative dose of sublingual misoprostol on intraoperative blood loss during total abdominal hysterectomy
Authors: Biswas Jhuma , Chaudhuri Picklu , Mandal Apurba , Bandyopadhyay Sambhu Nath , Dasgupta Shyamal , Pal Anirban 
Published: June 2013

AbstractObjectiveTo investigate whether use of preoperative misoprostol can reduce blood loss during total abdominal hysterectomy (TAH).MethodsIn a randomized double‐blind placebo‐controlled trial at a tertiary care hospital in Kolkata, India, between March 2011 and April 2012, women (n = 132) undergoing TAH with or without bilateral salpingo‐oophorectomy for symptomatic myomas were randomly allocated to receive either 400 μg of misoprostol or placebo 30 minutes before surgery. The primary outcome measure was intraoperative blood loss was. The secondary outcomes were postoperative drop in hemoglobin, need for blood transfusion, and incidence of adverse effects.ResultsThe 2 groups were similar with regard to demographic and clinical characteristics. There was a significant reduction of blood loss during TAH after sublingual administration of misoprostol compared with placebo before surgery (356 mL vs 435 mL; P = 0.049). The mean postoperative hemoglobin concentration was higher (10.5 g/dL vs 9.5 g/dL; P < 0.001) and the postoperative drop in hemoglobin was smaller (1.1 g/dL vs 1.9 g/dL; P = 0.004) in the misoprostol group than in the placebo group. No significant adverse effects occurred in either group.ConclusionThe results showed that a single dose of misoprostol administered before abdominal hysterectomy resulted in a significant reduction of blood loss with minimal adverse effects.Clinical Trial Registry India ( www.ctri.nic.in): CTRI/2011/091/000216.
A systematic review of the evidence for complementary and alternative medicine in infertility
Authors: Clark Natalie A. , Will Matthew , Moravek Molly B. , Fisseha Senait 
Published: June 2013

AbstractBackgroundThe use of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) by patients and physicians has increased markedly in recent years. Many case reports, case series, and uncontrolled trials of varying quality have been completed; however, there is now a slowly increasing number of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) examining the use of CAM.ObjectivesTo identify, survey, and review RCTs investigating the use of CAM for infertility treatment.Search strategyThe MEDLINE and Cochrane databases were electronically searched.Selection criteriaRCTs examining modalities for treatment or improvement of health status were reviewed.Data collection and analysisRCTs were included based on use of objective measures, articles written in English, availability through the University of Michigan database, and clear published clinical outcomes.Main resultsThirty‐seven articles assessing a variety of CAM modalities met inclusion criteria. Acupuncture, selenium supplementation, weight loss, and psychotherapeutic intervention had 3 or more studies demonstrating beneficial effect. Other interventions had been studied less and evidence for them was limited.ConclusionsAlthough there is preliminary evidence of the effectiveness of some CAM interventions among infertile patients, many of these interventions require further investigation before they can be considered for routine clinical use.
Risk factors and perinatal outcomes associated with idiopathic small for gestational age Taiwanese newborns
Authors: Hung Tai‐Ho , Hsieh T'sang‐T'ang , Lo Liang‐Ming , Chiu Tsung‐Hung , Hsieh Ching‐Chang , Hsu Jenn‐Jeih 
Published: June 2013

AbstractObjectiveTo determine risk factors and perinatal outcomes associated with small for gestational age (SGA) neonates among healthy pregnant women.MethodsA retrospective cohort study was conducted of 49 945 women who gave birth at Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan, after 24 weeks of pregnancy. Idiopathic SGA newborns (n = 3398) were characterized by a birth weight below the 10th percentile for mean weight corrected for GA and fetal sex.ResultsRisk factors for idiopathic SGA newborns included hypercoiling of the umbilical cord (adjusted odds ratio [aOR], 3.3; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.6–7.0); prior fetal death (aOR, 2.8; 95% CI, 2.0–3.9); primiparity (aOR, 1.5; 95% CI, 1.4–1.7); adolescent pregnancy (aOR, 1.5; 95% CI, 1.2–2.0), low prepregnancy weight (aOR, 1.6; 95% CI, 1.5–1.8), low prepregnancy body mass index (aOR, 1.1; 95% CI, 1.0–1.3); short stature (aOR, 1.3; 95% CI, 1.1–1.4); and entangled umbilical cord (aOR, 1.1; 95% CI, 1.0–1.3). Idiopathic SGA newborns correlated with increased risk of adverse perinatal outcomes, including fetal death, low Apgar scores, oligohydramnios, placental abruption, and admission to the neonatal intensive care unit.ConclusionSome risk factors for idiopathic SGA newborns were modifiable, suggesting potential implications for public health.
Vaginal cuff dehiscence after hysterectomy
Authors: Koo Yu‐Jin , Kim Dae‐Yeon , Kim Jong‐Hyeok , Kim Yong‐Man , Kim Young‐Tak , Nam Joo‐Hyun 
Published: June 2013

AbstractObjectiveTo determine the incidence of vaginal cuff dehiscence (VCD) among women undergoing hysterectomy according to clinico‐surgical factors including surgical route, and to describe patient characteristics associated with VCD.MethodsIn a retrospective study, the medical records of all women who underwent hysterectomy between January 2005 and March 2011 at a university teaching hospital in Seoul, Republic of Korea, were reviewed. The incidence of VCD was determined in relation to the following factors: patient age, hysterectomy route, indication for hysterectomy, and extent of resection (either simple or radical hysterectomy).ResultsAmong 9973 hysterectomies, 37 (0.37%) cases of VCD were identified. The incidence of VCD was significantly higher after abdominal hysterectomy (0.6%) than after laparoscopic (0.2%) or vaginal (0.4%) hysterectomy (P = 0.016). Compared with laparoscopic approaches, abdominal hysterectomy was associated with a higher risk of VCD (odds ratio, 2.735; 95% confidence interval, 1.380–5.420). However, there was no significant difference in the incidence of VCD according to surgical indication or extent of resection.ConclusionLaparoscopic hysterectomy was found to be associated with a lower risk of VCD compared with abdominal hysterectomy. The lower risk is probably related to the different techniques used for colpotomy and cuff closure.
Understanding the relationship between access to care and facility‐based delivery through analysis of the 2008 Ghana Demographic Health Survey
Authors: Moyer Cheryl A. , McLaren Zoë M. , Adanu Richard M. , Lantz Paula M. 
Published: June 2013

AbstractObjectiveTo determine the types of access to care most strongly associated with facility‐based delivery among women in Ghana.MethodsData relating to the “5 As of Access” framework were extracted from the 2008 Ghana Demographic Health Survey and analyzed using multivariate logistic regression.ResultsIn all, 55.5% of a weighted sample of 1102 women delivered in a healthcare facility, whereas 45.5% delivered at home. Affordability was the strongest access factor associated with delivery location, with health insurance coverage tripling the odds of facility delivery. Availability, accessibility (except urban residence), acceptability, and social access variables were not significant factors in the final models. Social access variables, including needing permission to seek healthcare and not being involved in decisions regarding healthcare, were associated with a reduced likelihood of facility‐based delivery when examined individually. Multivariate analysis suggested that these variables reflected maternal literacy, health insurance coverage, and household wealth, all of which attenuated the effects of social access.ConclusionAffordability was an important determinant of facility delivery in Ghana—even among women with health insurance—but social access variables had a mediating role.
New global guidance supports community and lay health workers in postpartum hemorrhage prevention
Authors: Ejembi Clara Ladi , Norick Pamela , Starrs Ann , Thapa Kusum 
Published: June 2013

AbstractNew global guidance has emerged to support countries as they consider introducing or scaling‐up misoprostol for postpartum hemorrhage (PPH). The World Health Organization (WHO) and the International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics (FIGO) recognize the critical role that community and lay health workers play in preventing PPH and increasing access to misoprostol where skilled birth attendants are not available. As case examples from Nigeria and Nepal illustrate, community engagement and empowerment are critical strategies in successful misoprostol for PPH programs, and must increasingly be viewed as part of efforts to improve maternal health and achieve Millennium Development Goal 5.