bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Effect of nanosized carbon black on the morphology, transport, and mechanical properties of rubbery epoxy and silicone composites
Authors: Ali Raza Mohsin , Westwood Aidan , Stirling Chris , Brydson Rik , Hondow Nicole 
Published: April 2012

AbstractThree different types of nanosized carbon black (CB), Printex XE2 (CBP), Vulcan XC72, and Printex 140 U (CBU), were dispersed by mechanical mixing in rubbery epoxy (RE) and silicone to produce composites. It was found that the maximum possible loading of CB in the polymers depended on the surface area of CB. For a given loading, all three CBs produced similar improvements in the thermal conductivity of the resulting composites, but their effects on the electrical conductivity varied and ranged from insulating composites with CBU to conducting composites with CBP. CBP produced a greater improvement in the electrical conductivity than the thermal conductivity of the polymers compared to the other CBs. This was attributed to the high structure of CBP, which led to the formation of a concatenated structure within the matrix. The CB/silicone composites had a similar thermal conductivity to that of the CB/RE composites, but only the CBP/silicone composite produced at 8 wt % loading was electrically conducting. The compression and hardness properties of RE were also significantly improved with the addition of CB. However, in the case of silicone, only CBP had a considerable effect on the compression properties. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2012
Electrospun poly(lithium 2‐acrylamido‐2‐methylpropanesulfonic acid) fiber‐based polymer electrolytes for lithium‐ion batteries
Authors: Cui Wei‐Wei , Tang Dong‐Yan 
Published: April 2012

AbstractNovel single‐ion conducting polymer electrolytes based on electrospun poly(lithium 2‐acrylamido‐2‐methylpropanesulfonic acid) (PAMPSLi) membranes were prepared for lithium‐ion batteries. The preparation started with the synthesis of polymeric lithium salt PAMPSLi by free‐radical polymerization of 2‐acrylamido‐2‐methylpropanesulfonic acid, followed by ion‐exchange of H+ with Li+. Then, the electrospun PAMPSLi membranes were prepared by electrospinning technology, and the resultant PAMPSLi fiber‐based polymer electrolytes were fabricated by immersing the electrospun membranes into a plasticizer composed of ethylene carbonate and dimethyl carbonate. PAMPSLi exhibited high thermal stability and its decomposition did not occur until 304°C. The specific surface area of the electrospun PAMPSLi membranes was raised from 9.9 m2/g to 19.5 m2/g by varying the solvent composition of polymer solutions. The ionic conductivity of the resultant PAMPSLi fiber‐based polymer electrolytes at 20°C increased from 0.815 × 10−5 S/cm to 2.12 × 10−5 S/cm with the increase of the specific surface area. The polymer electrolytes exhibited good dimensional stability and electrochemical stability up to 4.4 V vs. Li+/Li. These results show that the PAMPSLi fiber‐based polymer electrolytes are promising materials for lithium‐ion batteries. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2012
Combined effect of isophthalic acid and polyethylene glycol in polyethylene terephthalate polymer on thermal, mechanical, and gas transport properties
Authors: Mohan T. P. , George A. Prem , Kanny K. 
Published: April 2012

AbstractThe objective of this article is to study the combined effect of isophthalic acid (IPA) and polyethylene glycol (PEG‐400) in PET polymer and film on thermal, mechanical, and gas transport properties. The purpose of developing this material is to reduce the melting point, improve mechanical, thermal, and gas barrier properties. The chosen raw materials, namely, IPA and PEG for copolyester synthesis will replace partially the acid and diol monomers of PET. The molar concentration of comonomers (IPA and PEG‐400) were varied from 2 to 50% and the result shows that the gas barrier properties (namely O2, CO2, N2, and water vapor transmission rate), mechanical, and thermal properties were lesser than that of PET polymer. On improving the crystallinity of PET‐isophthalate‐PEG (PET‐IP) copolymer, barrier properties are improved than that of PET polymer. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2012
The evolution of structure and properties of poly(p‐phenylene terephthalamide) during the hydrothermal aging
Authors: Li Chang‐Sheng , Zhan Mao‐Sheng , Huang Xian‐Cong , Zhou Hong 
Published: April 2012

AbstractThe evolution of structure and properties of poly(p‐phenylene terephthalamide) (PPTA) with different hydrothermal aging temperatures were systematically investigated. The cooperative change in tensile strength and reduced viscosity upon aging time indicated a direct chemical structure‐property correlation. The linear relationship between tensile strength and reduced viscosity was explored. Wide angle X‐ray diffraction measurements disclosed the crystal structure of aramid fibers was stable with aging time and temperature. Fiber exhibited skin and core structure in different ways. Cracks and microfilbrils were observed in the core after hydrothermal aging, while the structure was unchanged in the skin. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy also proved that the chemical structure of the skin was not affected by degradation. The results elucidated the hydrolysis of amide function happened in amorphous or bundles between microfibrils in the core rather than in skin of the fiber. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2012
β‐Blockers in Heart Failure: Benefits of β‐Blockers According to Varying Male Proportions of Study Patients
Authors: He Yong‐Ming , Yang Xiang‐Jun , Zhao Xin , Cheng Xu‐Jie , Xu Hai‐Feng , Qian Yun‐Xia , Li Xun 
Published: April 2012

AbstractBackground:In patients with heart failure (HF), b‐blockers reduce mortality. It's not known whether the beneficial effects of the b‐blockers were associated with the differing male proportions of study patients. It also remains to be clarified regarding the true beneficial effects of the 3 b‐blockers recommended by the guideline on mortality in the real world.Hypothesis:The benefits of b‐blockers in HF patients were sex‐related different.Methods:Randomized, placebo controlled clinical trials were included if they evaluated the beneficial effects of the three b‐blockers on mortality and on hospital admissions on an intention‐to‐treat basis, and lasted at least 3 months.Results:Twenty‐eighty trials with 14,829 patients were included. The b‐blockers significantly reduced all cause mortality by 29.6%, cardiac death by 29.8%, sudden death by 49.4%, respectively. The magnitude of benefits of b‐blockers in HF patients was increased with the increased male proportion. A similar magnitude of reduction in all cause mortality was observed among the three b blockers. A trend toward to reduced cardiac death was observed among the three b blockers, but only in bisoprolol was this statistically different (RR, 0.72; 95%CI, [0.59–0.87]). Metoprolol was significantly superior to carvedilol (P = 0.008) or bisoprolol (P = 0.034) in reduced sudden death.Conclusions:In patients with HF, the 3 commonly used b‐blockers significantly reduced mortality. Greater benefits of b‐blockers were observed in the higher male proportion studies. The metoprolol was significantly superior to carvedilol or bisoprolol in reduced sudden death. Additional trials are required to determine whether the benefits of b‐blockers will be observed in female HF patients. Clin. Cardiol. 2012 DOI: 10.1002/clc.21985The authors have no funding, financial relationships, or conflicts of interest to disclose.
Clinical Characteristics, Sex Hormones, and Long‐Term Follow‐Up in Swiss Postmenopausal Women Presenting With Takotsubo Cardiomyopathy
Authors: Brenner Roman , Weilenmann Daniel , Maeder Micha T. , Jörg Lucas , Bluzaite Ina , Rickli Hans , De Pasquale Gabriella , Ammann Peter 
Published: April 2012

AbstractBackground:The overwhelming majority of patients with stress cardiomyopathy (SC) are postmenopausal women, suggesting an important pathophysiologic role of the female sex hormones. Preliminary data suggest that myocardial stunning might be provoked by estrogen deficiency.Hypothesis:We hypothesized that, compared with age‐ and gender‐matched patients with myocardial infarction (MI) or patients with normal coronary arteries, patients with SC would exhibit altered levels of sex hormones. Furthermore, we aimed to describe the clinical course and the pattern of sex hormones of the SC patients during long‐term follow‐up.Methods:Blood samples obtained on hospital admission were analyzed for estradiol (E2), progesterone (P), luteinizing hormone (LH), and follicle‐stimulating hormone (FSH) in women with SC (n = 17), age‐matched women with acute MI (n = 16), and women with normal coronary arteries (n = 15). Six years after the initial event, SC patients underwent a clinical and echocardiographic follow‐up and reassessment of sex hormones.Results:Estrogen concentrations at hospital admission were significantly higher in the SC group compared with the MI and the control groups, with no difference in P, FSH, and LH concentrations. Follow‐up E2 after 6 years in SC patients was lower than during the acute SC episode. Follow‐up P in these patients was lower than P in the MI and control groups during the acute event, with a similar trend for E2. After a median follow‐up of 6.4 years, 1 sudden cardiac death occurred and 2 patients suffered from SC recurrence.Conclusions:During the acute event, E2 concentrations are elevated in postmenopausal SC patients compared with women with acute MI or with normal coronary arteries. The higher E2 concentrations might have exerted atheroprotective effects and thus diverted the stress response to SC rather than MI. Recurrence and/or sudden cardiac death remains a potential risk of SC. Clin. Cardiol. 2012 DOI: 10.1002/clc.21986Roman Brenner, MD, and Daniel Weilenmann, MD, contributed equally to this work and should be considered first authors.The authors have no funding, financial relationships, or conflicts of interest to disclose.
Inhaled Low‐Dose Iloprost for Pulmonary Hypertension: A Prospective, Multicenter, Open‐Label Study
Authors: Sun Yun‐Juan , Xiong Chang‐Ming , Shan Guang‐Liang , Gu Qing , Zeng Wei‐Jie , Lu Xian‐Ling , Zhu Feng , Liu Zhi‐Hong , Ni Xin‐Hai , He Jian‐Guo ,   on behalf of the Iloprost Therapy on Pulmonary Hypertension Study Group
Published: April 2012

AbstractBackground:Inhaled iloprost (average >30 µg/d) has been considered an effective treatment for severe pulmonary hypertension (PH). Further evidence also showed that low‐dose iloprost given intravenously was equally effective as high‐dose iloprost in the therapy of systemic sclerosis.Hypothesis:Patients with pulmonary hypertension will benefit from inhalation of low‐dose iloprost.Methods:Sixty‐two patients with PH were enrolled and initiated with neubulizedlow‐dose iloprost (2.5 µg per inhalation, 6× daily) for 24 weeks in 13 medical centers in China. Efficacy endpoints included changes in 6‐minute walk distance (6MWD), World Health Organization functional class (WHO‐FC), and hemodynamic parameters.Results:Fourteen patients (22.6%) prematurely discontinued the study: 8 due to clinical worsening (6 in WHO‐FCIII–IV at baseline), 4 because of protocol change, and 2 patients lost during follow‐up. In the remaining 48 patients, 6MWD was increased from 356 ± 98 meters to 414 ± 99 meters (P < 0.001) and WHO‐FC improved significantly (P = 0.006) after 24‐week inhalation therapy. Cardiac output, cardiac index, and mixed venous oxygen saturation improved significantly compared with baseline (n = 34, P < 0.05). Most of the hemodynamic parameters improved significantly in patients in WHO‐FC II (P < 0.05) but not in patients in WHO‐FCIII–IV.Conclusions:Low‐dose iloprost inhalation significantly improved exercise capacity and functional status in patients with PH. It was well tolerated. The improvement of hemodynamics was confirmed in patients with WHO‐FCI–II but not in patients with WHO‐FCIII–IV, suggesting the importance of early treatment in patients with advanced disease stages. Clin. Cardiol. 2012 DOI: 10.1002/clc.21987This study was supported by National Grant from the Ministry of Science and Technology (Beijing, China, project number 2006BAI01A07) and the Capital Development Scientific Fund (Beijing, China, project number 2005‐1018). The authors have no other funding, financial relationships, or conflicts of interest to disclose.
Maternal depression and infant daytime cortisol
Authors: Azak Schale , Murison Robert , Wentzel‐Larsen Tore , Smith Lars , Gunnar Megan R. 
Published: April 2012

AbstractThe effect of maternal depressive disorder on infant daytime cortisol production was studied in three groups of infants; one group with mothers with comorbid depression and anxiety (n = 19), a second group with mothers with depression only (n = 7), and a third group with non‐depressed mothers (n = 24). The infants' cortisol production pattern was measured when they were 6, 12, and 18 months old in combination with repeated measures of parenting stress and depression symptoms. Multilevel modeling analyses showed that infants of mothers with comorbid depression and anxiety had relatively higher cortisol production from morning to bedtime and higher bedtime values as compared to infants of non‐depressed mothers and infants of depressed only mothers when they were 6 and 12 months old, but not when 18 months old. The results were interpreted in light of possible changes in the infants' stress regulatory capacities or changes in maternal coping strategies at infant age 18 months. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Dev Psychobiol 55: 334–351, 2013
Development of active controlled retrieval during middle childhood
Authors: Dionne Joannie , Cadoret Geneviève 
Published: April 2012

AbstractThe aim of this study was to examine the development of active controlled memory retrieval in children. Active retrieval is an effortful retrieval required to disambiguate information stored in memory. Brain imaging studies and monkey experiments have shown that the ventrolateral prefrontal cortex (VLPFC) is specifically engaged in this retrieval in both adult humans and monkeys. Three groups of 6‐, 8‐, and 11‐year‐old children and adults were tested on an active retrieval task. Results showed a marked difference in performance between 6‐year olds, who made more errors and had longer response time, and 8‐ and 11‐year olds, who had performance similar to adults. These results provide evidence that the VLPFC and the network supporting its top–down modulation undergo substantial maturational changes between 6 and 8 years old, giving children better active control of visual memory. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Dev Psychobiol 55: 443–449, 2013
Sex, horizontal transmission, and multiple hosts prevent local adaptation of Crithidia bombi, a parasite of bumblebees (Bombus spp.)
Authors: Erler Silvio , Popp Mario , Wolf Stephan , Lattorff H. Michael G. 
Published: April 2012

AbstractLocal adaptation within host‐parasite systems can evolve by several non‐exclusive drivers (e.g., host species‐genetic adaptation; ecological conditions‐ecological adaptation, and time‐temporal adaptation). Social insects, especially bumblebees, with an annual colony life history not only provide an ideal system to test parasite transmission within and between different host colonies, but also parasite adaptation to specific host species and environments. Here, we study local adaptation in a multiple‐host parasite characterized by high levels of horizontal transmission. Crithidia bombi occurs as a gut parasite in several bumblebee species. Parasites were sampled from five different host species in two subsequent years. Population genetic tools were used to test for the several types of adaptation. Although we found no evidence for local adaptation of the parasite toward host species, there was a slight temporal differentiation of the parasite populations, which might have resulted from severe bottlenecks during queen hibernation. Parasite populations were in Hardy‐Weinberg equilibrium and showed no signs of linkage disequilibrium suggesting that sexual reproduction is an alternative strategy in this otherwise clonal parasite. Moreover, high levels of multiple infections were found, which might facilitate sexual genetic exchange. The detection of identical clones in different host species suggested that horizontal transmission occurs between host species and underpins the lack of host‐specific adaptation.
Transforming growth factor‐α mediates estrogen‐induced upregulation of glutamate transporter GLT‐1 in rat primary astrocytes
Authors: Lee Eunsook , Sidoryk‐Wegrzynowicz Marta , Yin Zhaobao , Webb Anton , Son Deok‐Soo , Aschner Michael 
Published: April 2012

AbstractGlutamate transporter‐1 (GLT‐1) plays a central role in preventing excitotoxicity by removing excess glutamate from the synaptic clefts. 17β‐Estradiol (E2) and tamoxifen (TX), a selective estrogen receptor (ER) modulator, afford neuroprotection in a range of experimental models. However, the mechanisms that mediate E2 and TX neuroprotection have yet to be elucidated. We tested the hypothesis that E2 and TX enhance GLT‐1 function by increasing transforming growth factor (TGF)‐α expression and, thus, attenuate manganese (Mn)‐induced impairment in astrocytic GLT‐1 expression and glutamate uptake in rat neonatal primary astrocytes. The results showed that E2 (10 nM) and TX (1 μM) increased GLT‐1 expression and reversed the Mn‐induced reduction in GLT‐1, both at the mRNA and protein levels. E2/TX also concomitantly reversed the Mn‐induced inhibition of astrocytic glutamate uptake. E2/TX activated the GLT‐1 promoter and attenuated the Mn‐induced repression of the GLT‐1 promoter in astrocytes. TGF‐α knockdown (siRNA) abolished the E2/TX effect on GLT‐1 expression, and inhibition of epidermal growth factor receptor (TGF‐α receptor) suppressed the effect of E2/TX on GLT‐1 expression and GLT‐1 promoter activity. E2/TX also increased TGF‐α mRNA and protein levels with a concomitant increase in astrocytic glutamate uptake. All ERs (ER‐α, ER‐β, and G protein‐coupled receptor 30) were involved in mediating E2 effects on the regulation of TGF‐α, GLT‐1, and glutamate uptake. These results indicate that E2/TX increases GLT‐1 expression in astrocytes via TGF‐α signaling, thus offering an important putative target for the development of novel therapeutics for neurological disorders. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Training Ethnic Minority Graduate Students in a White Man's Program: Don't Get Bucked Off!
Authors: Barcus Carolyn G. , Crowley Susan L. 
Published: April 2012

This is a narrative journey of a Blackfeet woman as she learned to help ethnic minority students navigate graduate training. The talk reflects the holistic, contextual, and interdependent characteristics of Native American culture blended with the culture of the West. Insights from working with horses are included because they have much to teach people.Esta es la narración de la trayectoria de una mujer de la tribu Pies Negros que aprendió a ayudar a los estudiantes de minorías étnicas a desenvolverse en sus estudios universitarios. El discurso refleja las características holísticas, contextuales e interdependientes de la cultura de los Nativos Americanos mezclada con la cultura occidental. Se incluyen observaciones obtenidas a partir del trabajo con caballos, porque tienen mucho que enseñar a los humanos.
Cultural Adaptation for Therapy With American Indians and Alaska Natives
Authors: Gray Jacqueline S. , Rose WanmdiWi J. 
Published: April 2012

Because of the paucity of research on evidence‐based treatments with American Indian/Alaska Native (AI/AN) clients, this article addresses barriers to that research and how to adapt treatment to make it more culturally appropriate and acceptable to AI/AN clients so they might benefit from and remain in treatment.Debido a la escasez de investigación sobre tratamientos basados en la evidencia con clientes Indoamericanos/Nativos de Alaska (AI/AN, por sus siglas en inglés), este artículo trata las barreras para ese tipo de investigación y cómo adaptar el tratamiento para hacerlo más apropiado culturalmente y aceptable para los clientes AI/AN, para que puedan beneficiarse del mismo y permanecer en tratamiento.
A curative cryosurgical technique for advanced cancer of sacrococcygeal pilonidal sinuses
Authors: Almeida‐Gonçalves José Carlos 
Published: April 2012

AbstractBackground and ObjectiveMalignant degeneration of pilonidal sinuses of the sacrococcygeal region is rare but quite serious, as the tumor soon perforates the sacral fascia and becomes adherent to the irregular posterior aspect of the sacrum, making it very difficult, if not impossible, to remove all neoplastic tissue by conventional surgery, hence the high recurrence rate and poor prognosis. A new cryosurgical technique to treat advanced sacrococcygeal pilonidal cancer is herein presented.Materials and MethodsSeven men aged 30–75 (mean: 54.4 years) with advanced squamous‐cell carcinomas (four primary, three recurrent) arising in sacrococcygeal pilonidal sinuses were treated with open and thick liquid nitrogen spray—two freeze‐thaw cycles. Temperature monitoring was made by thermocouples.ResultsLocal eradication was achieved in all cases; one patient, however, died of metastatic disease 10 months after treatment, without local recurrence. One patient had a recurrence, or a new tumor, 8 years after treatment and was again submitted to aggressive cryosurgery followed by plastic surgery. He was followed for 14 years without recurrence. The follow‐up of the remaining six patients ranges between 7 and 18 years.ConclusionTo the author's knowledge, this is the first series of carcinomas of sacrococcygeal pilonidal sinuses successfully treated by cryosurgery. J. Surg. Oncol. 2012; 106:504–508. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Proposal of new classification for stage III breast cancer on the number and ratio of metastatic lymph nodes
Authors: Zhu Cong , Wu Xiong‐Zhi 
Published: April 2012

AbstractBackgroundThe objective of the retrospective study was to confirm whether the current staging system of stage III was appropriate for breast cancer.MethodsFour hundred fifteen patients with breast cancer in stage III were analyzed. The survival analysis was performed by Kaplan–Meier.ResultsSurvival time of the patients with T1N3M0 was significantly better than the patients with other subgroups of stage IIIC (T2,3,4N3M0) and similar that of patients with T4N0,1,2M0 who formed the stage IIIB group based on pN stage. Tumor size, number of positive lymph nodes and lymph node ratio (LNR) were associated with overall survival (OS). The greatest survival difference was found when 0.60 as the cutoff point of LNR for the patients with current stage IIIC (pN3). rN1 included the patients in pN3 with LNR ≤0.60 and rN2 included the patients in pN3 with LNR >0.60. Survival time of the patients with T1,2,3,4N3(rN1)M0 and T1N3(rN2)M0 was differently better than the patients with T2,3,4N3(rN2)M0 and similar that of patients with T4N0,1,2M0.ConclusionWe suggested current staging system should be modified combining pN with rN. We presumed the patients with T1N3M0 and T2,3,4N3(rN1)M0 disease were excluded from the current stage IIIC and included in stage IIIB group. J. Surg. Oncol. 2012; 106:696–702. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.