bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Effects of gamma radiation on properties of halogen‐free flame retardant EPDM‐PVMQ rubber blends
Authors: Wang Qiaoe , Ye Hong 
Published: November 2010

AbstractIn this study, the effects of gamma radiation on properties of ethylene–propylene–diene monomer (EPDM) and its blends with phenyl vinyl methyl silicon rubber (PVMQ) were studied. The samples were irradiated with the dose rate of 171.7 Gy/min, and the total dose was up to 500 kGy. Mechanical properties, electrical insulation, limiting oxygen index (LOI), crosslink density, and ATR‐FTIR spectroscopy of the rubber were carried out to characterize the properties via irradiation. The results indicated that PVMQ acted as an irradiation degradation retarder for EPDM. After a postvulcanized period corresponding to 50 kGy dose, the elongation at break and electrical insulation decreased with LOI unaffected, while the crosslink density and tensile strength presented a complicated change with the increasing of radiation dose. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2011
Development of a thermosensitive grafted drug delivery system—synthesis and characterization of NIPAAm‐based grafts and hydrogel structure
Authors: Ankareddi Induvadana , Brazel Christopher S. 
Published: November 2010

AbstractA thermosensitive grafted hydrogel was investigated for heating‐activated drug release. The hydrogel was created by grafting oligomers of N‐isopropylacrylamide‐co‐acrylamide (AAm) to a poly(2‐hydroxyethyl methacrylate), or PHEMA, hydrogel. N‐Isopropylacrylamide‐co‐AAm oligomers were synthesized with a range of compositions to raise the lower critical solution temperature (LCST) above physiological temperature. PHEMA hydrogels with these thermosensitive grafts were synthesized by free‐radical solution polymerization, using an acrylated version of the oligomers. The oligomers were characterized for their molecular weight, LCSTs, and rate of response to a change in temperature. With the flexibility in tuning their properties by varying reaction parameters, these oligomers present possibilities in several fields, including drug delivery. The impact of cross‐linking agent type and the amount and presence of grafts on the polymer network structure was found by determining the hydrogel mesh sizes. PHEMA gels cross‐linked with methylenebisacrylamide had larger mesh sizes than those cross‐linked with ethylene glycol dimethacrylate. Increasing amounts of cross‐linking agent decreased mesh sizes. LCSTs exhibited by oligomers were slightly lower than those exhibited by polymer gels of the same composition. The grafting reaction was found to have only a slight impact on the hydrogel mesh size. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2011
Organic–Inorganic Hybrid Saponites Obtained by Intercalation of Titano‐Silsesquioxane
Authors: Carniato Fabio , Bisio Chiara , Gatti Giorgio , Guidotti Matteo , Sordelli Laura , Marchese Leonardo 
Published: November 2010

AbstractThe synthesis and characterization of two bifunctional composite materials based on synthetic saponite clays is here presented. These materials were prepared by intercalation of a Ti‐containing aminopropylisobutyl polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxane (Ti‐NH2POSS) in synthetic saponite samples containing interlayer sodium (Na‐SAP) or protons (H‐SAP). Hybrid organic–inorganic materials, Ti‐NHM‐1 and Ti‐NHM‐2, were obtained upon ion exchange. Structural, spectroscopic, and thermal properties of both hybrid materials were investigated in detail along with their catalytic activity in cyclohexene oxidation.
Robust estimation for discrete time‐varying systems with limited communication capacity
Authors: Wang Bao‐Feng , Guo Ge 
Published: November 2010

AbstractIn this paper, we consider the state estimation problem for linear discrete time‐varying systems subject to limited communication capacity which includes measurement quantization, random transmission delay and data‐packet dropouts. Based on transforming the three communication limitations into the system with norm‐bounded uncertainties and stochastic matrices, we design a robust filter such that, for all the communication limitations, the error state of the filtering process is mean square bounded. An upper bound on the variance of the state estimation error is first found, and then, a robust filter is derived by minimizing the prescribed upper bound in the sense of the matrix norm. It is shown that the desired filter can be obtained in terms of the solutions to two Riccati‐like difference equations which also provide a recursive algorithm suitable for online computation. A simulation example is presented to demonstrate the effectiveness and applicability of the proposed algorithm.Copyright © 2010 John Wiley and Sons Asia Pte Ltd and Chinese Automatic Control Society
Pharmacokinetics of mirodenafil and Its two metabolites, SK3541 and SK3544, in spontaneously or DOCA–salt‐induced hypertensive rats
Authors: Lee Young S. , Choi Young H. , Yoon In S. , Kim Tae K. , Ryu Keun H. , Lee Bong‐Y. , Lee Myung G. 
Published: November 2010

AbstractHypertension is the most common comorbidity and major risk factor in patients with erectile dysfunction. The pharmacokinetics of mirodenafil, used for the treatment of erectile dysfunction, after the intravenous and oral administration (20 mg/kg) to 6‐week‐old rats (with blood pressure within the normotensive range) and 16‐week‐old spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHRs) and their age‐matched control normotensive Kyoto–Wistar (KW) rats, and 16‐week‐old deoxycorticosterone acetate–salt‐induced hypertensive rats (DOCA–salt rats) and their age‐matched control Sprague–Dawley (SD) rats were compared. It was found that time‐averaged renal clearance (Clr) was of minor importance and that time‐averaged non‐renal clearance (Clnr) was dominant. In both 6‐ and 16‐week‐old SHRs, theClnrs and areas under the curve (AUCs) of intravenous mirodenafil were significantly smaller and greater than those of the controls, but in 16‐week‐old DOCA–salt rats, they were comparable to the controls. Although theAUCof oral mirodenafil in 16‐week‐old SHRs was comparable to the controls, theClnrs (or total body clearances,Cls) of intravenous mirodenafil and intestinal intrinsic clearances were significantly smaller than the controls and comparable to the controls for both 6‐ and 16‐week‐old SHRs, unlike in the 16‐week‐old DOCA–salt rats. The above data suggest that the significantly smallerClnrand greaterAUCof intravenous mirodenafil and comparableAUCof oral mirodenafil in 16‐week‐old SHR could be due to the hereditary characteristics of SHRs, and not due to the hypertensive state itself. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Long-term follow-up of patients with a painless inguinal hernia from a randomized clinical trial
Authors: Chung L , Norrie J , O'Dwyer P J 
Published: November 2010

Abstract

Background
Up to one-third of patients with an inguinal hernia have no symptoms from the hernia. The aim of this study was to determine the long-term outcome of patients with a painless inguinal hernia randomized to observation or operation.

Methods
Some 160 men aged 55 years or more with a painless inguinal hernia were randomized to observation or operation between 2001 and 2003. All were invited to attend a research clinic at 6 and 12 months, and 5 years after randomization. Those unable to attend for clinical review were sent a questionnaire based on the clinical review pro forma.

Results
After a median follow-up of 7·5 (range 6·2–8·2) years, 42 men had died (19 in the observation and 23 in the operation group); 46 of the 80 men randomized to observation had conversion to operation. The estimated conversion rate (using the Kaplan–Meier method) for the observation group was 16 (95 per cent confidence interval 9 to 26) per cent at 1 year, 54 (42 to 66) per cent 5 years and 72 (59 to 84) per cent at 7·5 years. The main reason for conversion was pain in 33 men, and two presented with an acute hernia. Sixteen men developed a new primary contralateral inguinal hernia and three had recurrent hernias. There have been 90 inguinal hernia repairs in the 80 patients randomized to surgery compared with 56 in those randomized to observation.

Conclusion
Most patients with a painless inguinal hernia develop symptoms over time. Surgical repair is recommended for medically fit patients with a painless inguinal hernia.
Beyond textbook illustrations: Hand‐held models of ordered DNA and protein structures as 3D supplements to enhance student learning of helical biopolymers
Authors: Jittivadhna Karnyupha , Ruenwongsa Pintip , Panijpan Bhinyo 
Published: November 2010

AbstractTextbook illustrations of 3D biopolymers on printed paper, regardless of how detailed and colorful, suffer from its two‐dimensionality. For beginners, computer screen display of skeletal models of biopolymers and their animation usually does not provide the at‐a‐glance 3D perception and details, which can be done by good hand‐held models. Here, we report a study on how our students learned more from using our ordered DNA and protein models assembled from colored computer‐printouts on transparency film sheets that have useful structural details. Our models (reported in BAMBED 2009), having certain distinguished features, helped our students to grasp various aspects of these biopolymers that they usually find difficult. Quantitative and qualitative learning data from this study are reported. Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Education Vol. 38, No. 6, pp. 359‐364, 2010
Bi‐national and interdisciplinary course in enzyme engineering
Authors: Kuhn Misty L. , Figueroa Carlos M. , Aleanzi Mabel , Olsen Kenneth W. , Iglesias Alberto A. , Ballicora Miguel A. 
Published: November 2010

AbstractHigher education institutions and scientific funding agencies are emphasizing international projects that involve the integration and synergy between research groups, particularly if different disciplines are involved. Students with an education that reflects these trends will have more tools to succeed in the future, but it is challenging to provide this type of learning experience. Here we present the organization of a bi‐national course with the goals to teach students protein structure/function relationships, which give them actual research experience in both computational and experimental laboratories, and engage them in an international networking experience. Two collaborative learning courses were organized at Loyola University Chicago (USA) and Universidad Nacional del Litoral (Argentina) for graduate and advanced undergraduate students. Multiple instructors at different stages in their careers gave lectures during the course and were able to interact with students on a one‐on‐one basis. Nearly every student from both institutions thoroughly enjoyed this approach, and they learned more about protein structure and gained important tools for their own research. We believe that this type of course design is applicable and transferable to other institutions and areas of science. We found that the combination of international networking and incorporation of actual research projects ignited the enthusiasm of students and instructors. Due to the success of these courses, we planned to incorporate them as regular series in our curriculum. Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Education Vol. 38, No. 6, pp. 370‐379, 2010
Extracardiac coronary arterial anastomoses
Authors: Loukas Marios , Hanna Michael , Chen Justin , Tubbs R. Shane , Anderson Robert H. 
Published: November 2010

AbstractThe collateral arterial circulation of the heart has been extensively studied. However, less attention has been paid to extracardiac anastomoses, which may also be of significant clinical importance. In this review, we will describe the most common types of these anastomoses, which include bronchial to coronary arteries and internal thoracic to coronary arteries. In a much lesser degree, anastomoses between coronary arteries and pericardiacophrenic branches of the internal thoracic arteries, anterior mediastinal arteries, intercostal arteries, and esophageal arterial branches have also been described. Knowledge of the likely morphology and function of the anastomoses, therefore, could prove helpful in the clinical evaluation of patients with myocardial ischemia, particularly when selecting candidates for myocardial revascularization. Clin. Anat. 24:137–142, 2011. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Deep palmar communications between the ulnar and median nerves
Authors: Loukas Marios , Bellary Sharath S. , Tubbs R. Shane , Shoja Mohammadali M. , Cohen‐Gadol Aaron A. 
Published: November 2010

AbstractInnervation of the hand is supplied via the radial, median, and ulnar nerves. A common border of sensory distribution between the ulnar and median nerves is along the fourth digit. However, this sensory distribution may be affected by communication between these two nerves. Among the known communications between the median and ulnar nerves, the deep anastomotic branch in the hand is the least described and rarely illustrated in the literature. This study aims to provide data on the prevalence of a deep communicating branch via cadaveric dissection. We examined 50 hands taken from 25 adult cadavers. Communicating branches were found in 16% of the hands examined, with rami occurring bilaterally in two specimens. By describing the origin and pathway of this communicating branch, we hope to provide surgeons and clinicians with knowledge that may help avoid iatrogenic injuries. Clin. Anat. 24:197–201, 2011. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Pilot Development of Polygeneration Process of Circulating Fluidized Bed Combustion combined with Coal Pyrolysis
Authors: Qu X. , Liang P. , Wang Z. , Zhang R. , Sun D. , Gong X. , Gan Z. , Bi J. 
Published: November 2010

AbstractA pilot polygeneration process of a 75 t h–1 circulating fluidized bed (CFB) boiler combined with a moving bed coal pyrolyzer was developed based on laboratory‐scale experimental results. The process operation showed good consistency and integration between boiler and pyrolyzer. Some critical operating parameters such as hot ash split flow from the CFB boiler to the pyrolyzer, mixing of hot ash and coal particles, control of pyrolysis temperature and solid inventory in the pyrolyzer, and pyrolysis gas clean‐up were investigated. Yields of 6.0 wt‐% tar and 8.0 wt‐% gas with a heating value of about 26 MJ m–3 at 600 °C were obtained. Particulate content in tar was restrained less than 4.0 wt‐% by using a granular filter of the moving bed. Operation results showed that this pilot polygeneration process was successfully scaled up.
Interaction study with rats given two flame retardants: polybrominated diphenyl ethers (Bromkal 70‐5 DE) and chlorinated paraffins (Cereclor 70L)
Authors: Lundstedt‐Enkel Katrin , Karlsson Daniel , Darnerud Per Ola 
Published: November 2010

AbstractThis study explored possible interaction effects on animal liver microsomal enzymes and thyroid hormones of two flame retardants: Bromkal 70‐5 DE, a mixture of polybrominated diphenyl ethers (hereafter called PBDE); and Cereclor 70L, a mixture of chlorinated paraffins (hereafter called CP).Female Sprague‐Dawley rats were exposed to these compounds in dose ranges of 1.3–18.7 mg/kg bw/day (PBDE) and 1–55 mg/kg bw/day (CP), by gavage for 14 days. Biological responses were measured on liver somatic index (LSI) and hepatic enzyme activity of (a) ethoxyresorufin‐O‐deethylase (EROD) (indicating CYP1A1 activity), (b) pentoxyresorufin‐O‐depentylase (PROD) (indicating CYP2B activity) and (c) the phase II conjugation enzyme uridine diphosphoglucuronosyl transferase (UDP‐GT). The levels of total and free thyroxine hormone in rat plasma (TT4 and FT4, respectively) were also measured. In the experimental work, a Doehlert uniform shell design was used in order to select the combination of concentrations of PBDE and CP administered to the rats. Eight different combinations were used, including a control. The measured responses were modelled with multiple linear regression (MLR), giving response surface plots. The results showed strong synergism between the two flame retardants at one particular exposure combination, resulting in increased hepatic microsomal enzyme responses and decreased serum T4 concentrations. Notably, the exposure combination causing the most marked effects represented intermediate doses of both substances. The mechanisms behind the observed effects are unknown, but may involve induction or inhibition of enzyme systems. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Deamidation and Transamidation of Substance P by Tissue Transglutaminase Revealed by Electron‐Capture Dissociation Fourier Transform Mass Spectrometry
Authors: Fornelli Luca , Schmid Adrien W. , Grasso Luigino , Vogel Horst , Tsybin Yury O. 
Published: November 2010

AbstractTissue transglutaminase (tTGase) catalyzes both deamidation and transamidation of peptides and proteins by using a peptidyl glutamine as primary substrate. A precise consensus sequence for the enzyme is unknown and the ratio between deamidated and transamidated (or cross‐linked) reaction products is highly substrate‐dependent. Due to its overlapping body distribution with tTGase and ease of manipulation with tandem mass spectrometry, we used the neuropeptide substance P as a model to investigate the associated enzymatic kinetics and reaction products. Online liquid‐chromatography Fourier‐transform ion‐cyclotron‐resonance mass spectrometry (FT‐ICR MS) combined with electron‐capture dissociation (ECD) was employed to study the tTGase‐induced modifications of substance P. A particular strength of ECD for peptide‐enzyme reaction product monitoring is its ability to distinguish isomeric amino acids, for example, Glu and iso‐Glu, by signature product ions. Our studies show that the primary reaction observed is deamidation, with the two consecutive glutamine residues converted sequentially into glutamate: first Gln5, and subsequently Gln6. We then applied ECD FT‐ICR MS to identify the transamidation site on an enzymatically cross‐linked peptide, which turned out to correspond to Gln5. Three populations of substance‐P dimers were detected that differed by the number of deamidated Gln residues. The higher reactivity of Gln5 over Gln6 was further confirmed by cross‐linking SP with monodansylcadaverine (MDC). Overall, our approach described herein is of a general importance for mapping both enzymatically induced post‐translational protein modifications and cross‐linking. Finally, in vitro Ca‐signaling assays revealed that the main tTGase reaction product, the singly deamidated SP (RPKPEQFFGLM‐NH2), has increased agonist potency towards its natural receptor, thus confirming the biologically relevant role of deamidation.
Density Functional Theory Study of the Interaction between Guanine and Catechin
Authors: Cai Wanfei , Wu Hanying , Wang Xiaolan , Li Laicai , Tian Anmin , Huang Ningbew 
Published: November 2010

AbstractThe interacting patterns and mechanism of the catechin and guanine have been investigated with the density functional theory B3LYP method by 6‐31G* basis set. Fourteen stable structures for the catechin‐guanine complexes have been found which form two hydrogen bonds at least. The results indicate that the complexes are mainly stabilized by the hydrogen bonding interactions. At the same time, the number and strength of hydrogen bond play a co‐determinant parts in the stability of the complexes which can form two or more hydrogen bonds. Theories of atoms in molecules (AIM) and natural bond orbital (NBO) have been adopted to investigate the hydrogen bonds involved in all systems. The interaction energies of all complexes have been corrected for basis set superposition error (BSSE), ranging from −38.86 to −14.56 kJ/mol. The results showed that the hydrogen bonding contributes to the interaction energies dominantly. The corresponding bonds stretching motions in all complexes are red‐shifted relative to that of the monomer, which is in agreement with experimental results.
Photodegradation of Rhodamine B on Sulfur Doped ZnO/TiO2 Nanocomposite Photocatalyst under Visible‐light Irradiation
Authors: Guo Jianfeng , Li Jingxia , Yin Anyuan , Fan Kangnian , Dai Weilin 
Published: November 2010

AbstractSulfur doped ZnO/TiO2 nanocomposite photocatalysts were synthesized by a facile sol‐gel method. The structure and properties of catalysts were characterized by X‐ray diffraction (XRD), X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), UV‐vis diffusive reflectance spectroscopy (DRS) and N2 desorption‐adsorption isotherm. The XRD study showed that TiO2 was anatase phase and there was no obvious difference in crystal composition of various S‐ZnO/TiO2. The XPS study showed that the Zn element exists as ZnO and S atoms form SO2−4. The prepared samples had mesoporosity revealed by N2 desorption‐adsorption isotherm result. The degradation of Rhodamine B dye under visible light irradiation was chosen as probe reaction to evaluate the photocatalytic activity of the ZnO/TiO2 nanocomposite. The commercial TiO2 photocatalyst (Degussa P25) was taken as standard photocatalyst to contrast the prepared different photocatalyst in current work. The improvement of the photocatalytic activity of S‐ZnO/TiO2 composite photocatalyst can be attributed to the suitable energetic positions between ZnO and TiO2, the acidity site caused by sulfur doping and the enlargement of the specific area. S‐3.0ZnO/TiO2 exhibited the highest photocatalytic activity under visible light irradiation after Zn amount was optimized, which was 2.6 times higher than P25.
Synthesis, Characterization and Nuclease Activity of Ternary Copper(II) Complexes Containing Dipyrido[3,2‐a:2′,3′‐c]‐phenazine and L‐α‐Amino Acids
Authors: Chen Jiayang , Ren Xiangxiang , Le Xueyi , Feng Xiaolong 
Published: November 2010

AbstractTwo new complexes: [Cu(dppz)(L‐val)(H2O)]ClO4 (1) and [Cu(dppz)(L‐tyr)(H2O)]ClO4·1.5H2O (2) (dppz=dipyrido[3,2‐a:2′,3′‐c]phenazine, L‐val=L‐valinate, L‐tyr=L‐tyrosinate) have been synthesized and investigated by elemental analysis, molar conductivity, UV‐Vis and IR spectroscopies. Complex 1 has been structurally characterized by the single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction method, which crystallizes in the triclinic space group P‐1 in a unit cell of a=0.9095(2) nm, b=1.3301(3) nm, c=1.3552(3) nm, α =93.518(3) °, β=97.192(3) °, γ=106.361(3) °, V=1.5526(6) nm3, Z=2, Dc=1.598 g·cm−3, µ=0.849 mm−1. The DNA binding and cleavage properties of the complexes have been studied by UV spectroscopy, fluorescence spectroscopy, viscosity measurement and agarose gel electrophoresis. The results show that the complexes can bind DNA by intercalation and cleave pBR322 DNA by free hydroxyl radical induced by the complexes in the presence of ascorbate, giving the order of the binding abilities and cleavage activity of the complexes to DNA: complex 2>1.
Effect of Temperature on Cd2+ Sorption by Mixed Oxides of Iron and Silicon
Authors: Mustafa Syed , Waseem Muhammad , Naeem Abdul , Shah Khizar Hussain , Ahmad Tauqeer , Safdar Muhammad 
Published: November 2010

AbstractThe current study focuses on the synthesis and sorption properties of two mixed oxides of iron and silicon prepared by physical mixing (M1) and sequential precipitation methods (M2). Both the mixed oxides were synthesized from equimolar ratios of Fe(OH)3 and SiO2 and characterized for surface area, EDX, XRD and PZC. The surface area, micropore volume and average pore width of the oxide M1 were higher as compared to the oxide M2. However, potentiometric titrations revealed that mixed oxide synthesized by this method had a very high capacity towards Cd2+ ions as compared to the mixed oxide M1. Sorption of Cd2+ ions at pH 5 on mixed oxide, M2 was found to increase with temperature in the range 288 to 318 K. Langmuir equation was found applicable to the sorption data with R2>0.99. Entropy (ΔS⊖), enthalpy (ΔH⊖) and free energy changes (ΔG⊖) were calculated which revealed the process to be endothermic and spontaneous in nature.