bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Synthesis, characterization, and properties of polyols from hydrogenated terpinene–maleic ester type epoxy resin
Authors: Wu Guo‐Min , Kong Zhen‐Wu , Huang Huan , Chen Jian , Chu Fu‐Xiang 
Published: May 2009

AbstractThree kinds of polyfunctional polyols with hydroxyl values of 180–320 mg/g were prepared by the reaction of hydrogenated terpinene–maleic ester type epoxy resin with secondary amines (diethylamine, N‐methylethanolamine, and diethanolamine), and the chemical structures were characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and NMR spectroscopy. These polyols were used in place of commonly used polyols to prepare two‐component polyurethanes when reacted with polyisocyanates. The crosslinking reactions of the polyols with polyisocyanate could be catalyzed by the tertiary amine groups included in the polyols, and the reaction rate was affected by hydrochloric acid and the polarity of the solvents. The mechanical, water‐resistance, and chemical‐resistance properties of the crosslinked products of the polyols were evaluated by standard tests, and the thermal properties were examined by differential scanning calorimetry and thermogravimetric analysis. The results show that these epoxy–urethane polymers, with glass‐transition temperatures (Tg's) in the range −5 to 37°C, had good thermally resistant properties, and the temperatures at 5% weight loss were in the range 235–280°C. All of the polymers formed transparent, strong, flexible films, with good chemical‐resistance properties and excellent impact strengths of greater than 50 cm, a flexibility of 0.5 mm, adhesions of 1–2, and pencil hardnesses of HB–2H. The larger OH functionality and OH value of the polyol resulted in higher Tg and pencil hardness values and better alcohol resistance and thermal stability in the crosslinked product of the polyol. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2009
Crystallinity development in cellular poly(lactic acid) in the presence of supercritical carbon dioxide
Authors: Mihai Mihaela , Huneault Michel A. , Favis Basil D. 
Published: May 2009

AbstractThis article investigates the crystallinity development in cellular poly(lactic acid) (PLA) and the effect of the achieved crystalline content on its properties and microstructure. Carbon dioxide (CO2) in its supercritical state was used as the expansion agent for three different grades of PLA that differed in terms ofL‐lactic acid content. Cellular PLA was produced on a twin‐screw extrusion line using capillary dies of various diameters. The obtained crystalline contents were measured by differential scanning calorimetry and X‐ray diffraction techniques. The morphology of the cellular structures was examined using scanning electron microscopy. The crystallinity developed on expansion depended onL‐lactic acid content, on supercritical CO2concentration, polymer flow rate, and die diameter. Cellular PLA, with densities as low as 30 kg/m3, was obtained under the most favorable conditions. It was shown that the crystallinity development in PLA enhances its cellular structure formation and enables the fabrication of quality cellular materials at lower CO2concentration. The presence of PLA crystallites within expanded cell walls leads to a peculiar 2D‐cavitation phenomena observed only in the cell walls of semicrystalline foams. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2009
Thermoforming starch‐graft‐polycaprolactone biocomposites via one‐pot microwave assisted ring opening polymerization
Authors: Chang Peter R. , Zhou Ziyan , Xu Peihu , Chen Yun , Zhou Shaofeng , Huang Jin 
Published: May 2009

AbstractA thermoformable starch‐graft‐polycaprolactone biocomposite was prepared by initiating ring‐open polymerization of caprolactone monomer onto starch under microwave irradiation. In this case, the thermoplastic and hydrophobic modification of starch could be realized by one‐pot grafting PCL, where the grafted PCL chains acted as the “plasticizing” tails of thermoforming and as the hydrophobic species of water‐resistance. The resultant biocomposites were injection‐molded as the sheets and their structure and properties were investigated by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, X‐ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, differential scanning calorimetry, dynamic mechanical analysis, contact angle measurement, and tensile testing. In this case, the grafted PCL chains entangled each other, and hence contributed to the strength and elongation of biocomposites. This work provided a simple strategy of one‐pot thermoplastic and hydrophobic modification of starch, and may be applied in a continuous process of modification, compounding, and molding. Meanwhile, the resultant biocomposites containing starch are believed to have a great potential application as an environment‐friendly and/or biomedical material. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2009
Cytotoxicity and hemocompatibility of a family of novel MeO‐PEG‐poly (D,L‐lactic‐co‐glycolic acid)‐PEG‐OMe triblock copolymer nanoparticles
Authors: He Lili , Yang Likai , Duan Yourong , Deng Li , Sun Xun , Gu Zhongwei , Zhang Zhi‐Rong 
Published: May 2009

AbstractA family of newly synthesized monomethoxy (polyethylene glycol)‐poly (D,L‐lactic glycolic acid)‐ monomethoxy(polyethylene glycol) (MeO‐PEG‐poly (D,L‐lactic‐co‐glycolic acid)‐PEG‐OMe, PELGE) biodegradable polymers are candidates for intravenous nanoparticle drug, because of their merits of biocompatibility and blood compatibility, and their capability of escaping from the endothelium system (RES) and adsorbing proteins. In the current research, relationships between composition, cytotoxicity, and hemocompatibility of a series of blank PELGE nanoparticles were investigated. Cytotoxicity on Chang cell lines was investigated using the methyl thiazolyl tetrazolium (MTT) assay. Human and rabbit blood were used in studies of red blood cell hemolysis, whole blood clotting time, plasma recalcification profiles, and red blood cell form and appearance in whole blood. The results suggested that the molecular weight of PEG used in the synthesis of polymers influenced their characteristics. Generally, as the molecular weight of PEG increased, increased cytotoxicity and hemocompatibility were observed. The RGR (relative growth rate) of PELGE nanoparticles synthesized with PEG 550 was above 70%, while that of PELGE nanoparticles synthesized with PEG 750 and PEG 2000 was in the range of 55–105% and 36–87% respectively. For PELGE nanoparticles synthesized with PEG 550, most hemolysis values were in the range of 1–3%, while for PELGE nanoparticles synthesized with PEG 750 and PEG 2000 hemolysis values were 1–2% and below 2%, respectively. None of the nanoparticles caused changes in red blood cell form or appearance. Based on the results, 12 kinds of PELGE were chosen for further studies. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 113: 2933–2944, 2009
ITCZ rather than ENSO signature for abrupt climate changes across the tropical Pacific?
Authors: Leduc Guillaume , Vidal Laurence , Tachikawa Kazuyo , Bard Edouard 
Published: May 2009

AbstractLatitudinal movements of the Intertropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ), analogous to its present-day seasonal shifts, and El Niño Southern Oscillation (ENSO)-type variability both potentially impacted rainfall changes at the millennial timescale during the last glacial period. In this study we compare tropical Pacific sedimentary records of paleoprecipitation to decipher which climate mechanism was responsible for the past rainfall changes. We find that latitudinal movements of the ITCZ are consistent with the observed rainfall patterns, challenging the ENSO hypothesis for explaining the rapid rainfall changes at low latitudes. The ITCZ-related mechanism appears to reflect large-scale atmospheric rearrangements over the tropical belt, with a pronounced Heinrich–Dansgaard/Oeschger signature. This observation is coherent with the simulated tropical rainfall anomalies induced by a weakening of the Atlantic thermohaline circulation in modeling experiments.
Reactome - a knowledgebase of human biological pathways
Authors: Jassal Bijay , Schmidt Esther , Wu Guanming , Vastrik Imre , Croft David , de Bono Bernard , Gopinath Gopal , Gillespie Marc , Jupe Steven , O'Kelly Gavin , Matthews Lisa , Garapati Phani , Caudy Michael , Kanapin Alexander , May Bruce , Mahajan Shahana , Birney Ewan , D'Eustachio Peter , Stein Lincoln 
Published: May 2009

AbstractReactome ("http://www.reactome.org":http://www.reactome.org) is an expert-authored, peer-reviewed knowledgebase of human reactions and pathways that functions as a data mining resource and electronic textbook. Its current release includes 2921 human proteins, 2871 reactions and 4167 literature citations. This curated dataset is integrated with a functional interaction network assembled computationally from non-curated sources of information including protein-protein interactions, gene co-expression, and gene ontology annotations, providing access. A new entity-level pathway viewer and improved search and data mining tools facilitate searching and visualizing pathway data and the analysis of user-supplied high-throughput data sets. Reactome has increased its utility to the model organism communities with improved orthology prediction methods allowing pathway inference for 22 species and through collaborations to create manually curated Reactome pathway datasets for species including Arabidopsis, Oryza sativa (rice), Drosophila and Gallus gallus (chicken). Reactome's data content and software can all be freely used and redistributed under open source terms. Reactome instances are cross-referenced to corresponding ones in databases including EntrezGene, OMIM, Ensembl, UniProt, the UCSC Genome Browser, KEGG, ChEBI, and Gene Ontology.
Multifrequency discrimination of fish and mysids
Authors: Axenrot Thomas , Ogonowski Martin , Sandström Alfred , Didrikas Tomas 
Published: May 2009

AbstractAxenrot, T., Ogonowski, M., Sandström, A., and Didrikas, T. 2009. Multifrequency discrimination of fish and mysids. – ICES Journal of Marine Science, 66: 1106–1110. The opossum shrimp (Mysis relicta) is common in many lakes in the northern parts of Eurasia and North America. The shrimp is often an important link in the foodweb for fish, either throughout life or in early life stages. Generally, quantitative measurements of mysids in large volumes of water are difficult to obtain with traditional sampling methods. In this pilot study, measurements of volume-backscattering strength (Sv) at 38, 120, and 200 kHz were used to separate backscattering from fish and mysids. Mysids were sampled with trawls. Where mysids were caught, the correlations between mysid biomass (dry weight) and mean Sv at 120 and 200 kHz were positive (r2 = 0.89 and 0.81, respectively). Where mysids were abundant, the Sv exhibited a characteristic frequency response. This was not found where mysids were scarce or absent. Therefore, areas with great abundances of mysids can be identified, and their biomasses estimated from data collected during ecosystem monitoring.
Informing practice: information experiences of ambulance officers in training and on‐road practice
Authors: Lloyd Annemaree 
Published: May 2009

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to present findings of an enquiry into the use and experience of information, in learning to become an ambulance officer. The paper aims to explore how the information environment is constituted for novice and experience practitioners. The paper also aims to consider what type of information is considered important by novice and experienced practitioners in learning about practice and profession.Design/methodology/approachThe study is approached from an information literacy (IL) perspective, where IL is viewed as the catalyst for learning about work and professional practice. It draws on constructivist‐influenced grounded theory method to explore how an IL experience is constituted for the worker.FindingsThree modalities of information which inform practice are described. IL is illustrated as more than just an experience with text or skills‐based literacy. It is viewed as socio‐cultural practice which is shaped by discourse.Research limitations/implicationsThe research was limited to an in‐depth exploration of one professional group in one geographic location.Practical implicationsThe study highlights the value of an IL approach to understanding how information is experienced in a workplace context.Originality/valueThis paper reports original research of significance to information professionals and educators.
Describing engineering documents with faceted approaches
Authors: Wild Peter J. , Giess Matt D. , McMahon Chris A. 
Published: May 2009

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to highlight the difficulty of applying faceted classification outside of library contexts and also to indicate that faceted approaches are poorly expressed to non‐experts.Design/methodology/approachThe faceted approach is being applied outside of its “home” community, with mixed results. The approach is based in part on examination of a broad base of literature and in part on results and reflections on a case study applying faceted notions to “real world” engineering documentation.FindingsThe paper comes across a number of pragmatic and theoretical issues namely: differing interpretations of the facet notion; confusion between faceted analysis and faceted classification; lack of methodological guidance; the use of simplistic domains as exemplars; description verses analysis; facet recognition is unproblematic; and is the process purely top‐down or bottom‐up.Research limitations/implicationsThat facet analysis is not inherently associated with a particular epistemology; that greater guidance about the derivation is needed, that greater realism is needed when teaching faceted approaches.Practical implicationsExperiences of applying faceted classifications are presented that can be drawn upon to guide future work in the area.Originality/valueNo previous work has reflected on the actual empirical experience used to create a faceted description, especially with reference to engineering documents.
Towards “metacognitively aware” IR systems: an initial user study
Authors: Gorrell Genevieve , Eaglestone Barry , Ford Nigel , Holdridge Peter , Madden Andrew 
Published: May 2009

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to describe: a new taxonomy of metacognitive skills designed to support the study of metacognition in the context of web searching; a data collection instrument based on the taxonomy; and the results of testing the instrument on a sample of university students and staff.Design/methodology/approachThe taxonomy is based on a review of the literature, and is extended to cover web searching. This forms the basis for the design of the data collection instrument, which is tested with 405 students and staff of Sheffield University.FindingsSubjects regard the range of metacognitive skills focused on as broadly similar. However, a number of significant differences in reported metacognition usage relating to age, gender and discipline.Practical implicationsThese findings contribute to the long‐term aims of the research which are to: develop a model of the actual and potential role of metacognition in web searching, and identify strategic “metacognitive interventions” that can be built into an intelligent information retrieval system, driven by the model, capable of enhancing retrieval effectiveness by compensating for metacognitive weaknesses on the part of the searcher.Originality/valueThe value of the paper lies in: the consideration of metacognition in the context of web searching, the presentation of an extensible taxonomy of metacognitive skills, development and testing of a prototype metacognitive inventory, finding of significant differences in reported metacognition usage according to age, gender and discipline, and reflection of the implications of the results for future research into web searching.
Building a virtual branch at Vancouver Public Library using Web 2.0 tools
Authors: Cahill Kay 
Published: May 2009

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to demonstrate the work undertaken by Vancouver Public Library (VPL) in an effort to convert its website into a true virtual branch, both through the functionality of the website itself and by extending its web presence on to external social networking sites.Design/methodology/approachVPL worked with its development partners to conduct a thorough community consultation to ensure that the new VPL website would be truly user‐focused. Since the site's launch, VPL has made strategic management of both its internal and external web presence a key organisational priority, reflected in its creation of two new professional positions which include co‐ordination of VPL's internal and external web presence as part of their job specification.FindingsVPL has demonstrated that it is possible to take a systematic, integrated, thoughtful approach to the adoption of Web 2.0 tools and technologies in order to enhance web services without sacrificing quality or control.Originality/valueAs many public libraries consider their options with regard to the integration of Web 2.0 tools and technologies, VPL offers an example of good practice in strategic selection and management of these tools to optimise the delivery of web‐based library services.
Implementation of RFID technology in University of Pune Library
Authors: Bansode Sadanand Y. , Desale Sanjay K. 
Published: May 2009

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to describe the implementation of a radio frequency identification (RFID) system in Pune University Library.Design/methodology/approachThe paper provides a brief overview of background of the project, barriers faced and changes that have been experienced after the implementation of the technology.FindingsAt the initial stage the library is facing problems with regard to the lack of availability of technology experts in the library for the RFID system and also for the software. Later on the library applied some solutions and tried to minimise the problems and now it has proved to be a boon for the library.Originality/valueThe paper provides insight for other academic libraries wishing to implement an RFID system.
Contract labour mobilisation in Chile's copper mining and forestry sectors
Authors: Durán‐Palma Fernando , López Diego 
Published: May 2009

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to provide an overview of recent developments in employment relations in Chile, focusing on recent episodes of contract labour mobilisation in the forestry and copper mining sectors.Design/methodology/approachThis paper is based on a consolidation of existing evidence from a range of primary, secondary and tertiary sources.FindingsThe paper demonstrates the inadequacy of Chile's employment relations institutions to protect vulnerable workers and shows the capacity of contract workers to overcome such limitations by recurring to mobilisation. It argues that contract labour mobilisation rather than a shift left in government seems to offer a more plausible explanation of current developments in Chilean employment relations.Research limitations/implicationsThe paper identifies salient issues but further research is necessary to understand the actual social processes of collective action involved in recent episodes of contract labour mobilisation.Practical implicationsThis information could contribute to better policy making, better management of the employment relationship, and informing the revitalisation of labour movements.Originality/valueThere are few studies on contract workers' collective action particularly in developing countries, and a contribution is made to critical debates on the sustainability of Chile's neoliberal socio‐economic and employment relations system.
Evidence on the role of age in team performance. A comparative study in Peru and Spain
Authors: Morales Carlos , Marquina Percy 
Published: May 2009

PurposeThe aim of this paper is to contribute empirical data around the under‐researched area of the relationship between age and team performance by comparing Latin‐American and European contexts.Design/methodology/approachThe paper adopts a quantitative approach. In total 205 surveys were conducted both in Spain (118) and in Peru (87).FindingsMain results show that age does not have a predictive value on perception of performance when performance is measured with teamwork variables; and, at the same time, the perception of the diversity degree moderates the relationship between age and performance.Originality/valueAn extensive bibliography already exists on age, tenure and performance, which explicitly accepts that age and tenure do and do not have an impact on team performance. At the same time, empirical evidence shows differences and similarities between people of different ages in company performance. However, there has been little research comparing Latin American and European contexts, on how age affects the perception which teams have of their own performance. This paper describes the similarities and differences in organisations from two culturally, politically and economically diverse areas, which at the same time are united by a common history.
The origins of employee wellbeing in Brazil: an exploratory analysis
Authors: Renwick Douglas 
Published: May 2009

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to detail the origins (or antecedents) of employee wellbeing (EWB) in Brazil.Design/methodology/approachThe paper examines and analyses historical data in diachronic mode to reveal the origins (antecedents) of EWB in Brazil, and details factors from them arising.FindingsNumerous factors emerge regarding the origins of EWB in Brazil, including, inter alia, traditions of landed estates employing slaves and countryside workers; historical social protest movements; a lack of free association for labour movements and rights associated with them; union recognition providing freedoms and protections in the employment relationship; pro‐worker political institutions emerging; worker campaigns for better quality of working life; a history of exclusion of worker interests by state bodies (and worker resistance to it); a need for worker representatives to gain political office to increase worker‐related discourse; contradictory results arising from relatively recent government policies; and new concerns, and enabling/restricting factors in EWB.Research limitations/implicationsThe paper provides a backdrop within which the context of, and future prospects for, EWB in Brazil can be assessed. Limitations are issues of cultural translation apply to the Brazilian context.Originality/valueHistorical data to contextualise EWB in Brazil, an under‐researched topic, is provided in the paper.