bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Effect of Coating of Ammonium Perchlorate with Fluorocarbon on Ballistic and Sensitivity Properties of AP/Al/HTPB Propellant
Authors: Nandagopal S. , Mehilal M. , Tapaswi M. A. , Jawalkar S. N. , Radhakrishnan K. K. , Bhattacharya B. 
Published: December 2009

AbstractFluorocarbon polymers are used to enhance thermal stability and electrostatic protection of composite propellant compositions. A precipitation technique has been developed to coat ammonium perchlorate (AP) using a copolymer of hexafluoropropylene and vinylidene fluoride (HFP‐VF) with the help of solvent‐counter solvent method. The coated AP has been used to prepare propellant compositions in different ratio based on hydroxyl terminated polybutadiene (HTPB), aluminium powder along with uncoated AP and studied for viscosity build‐up and visco‐elastic behaviour as well as mechanical, ballistic, thermal and sensitivity properties keeping 86% solid loading. The data on viscosity build‐up indicate that as the percentage of viton coated AP increases end of mix viscosity and viscosity build‐up increase accordingly. The mechanical properties data reveal that tensile strength and percentage elongation are found in increasing order. The burn rate of the composition also increases on higher percentage of HFP‐VF coated AP. The thermal stability of composition increases as the percentage of HFP‐VF coated AP increases. The data on sensitivity indicate that impact sensitivity decreases on increasing the percentage of HFP‐VF coated AP while no change is observed in friction sensitivity value.
Metal–Fluorocarbon Pyrolants: X. Influence of Ferric Oxide/Silicon Additive on Burn Rate and Radiometric Performance of Magnesium/Teflon/Viton® (MTV)
Authors: Koch Ernst‐Christian 
Published: December 2009

AbstractBoth burn rate, u (mm s−1) and mass consumption rate, $\rm{\dot m }$ (g s−1 cm−2) of fuel rich magnesium/Teflon/Viton® (MTV) (45/50/5) upon addition of silicon/ferric oxide for part of the PTFE decrease by 16 and 11%, respectively. However, the spectral efficiency Eβ (J g−1 sr−1) increases by 24% in the 3–5 μm band.
Preliminary findings on OSHA's refinery NEP
Authors: Lay James , Long Lisa A. , Marshall Michael 
Published: December 2009

AbstractOn June 7, 2007, the US Occupational Safety & Health Administration initiated a Petroleum Refinery Process Safety Management (PSM) National Emphasis Program (Refinery NEP) in response to a large number of fatal or catastrophic incidents in the petroleum refining industry. The program's intent is to inspect all refineries under federal jurisdiction within 2 years using a newly developed inspection protocol.This article briefly describes the inspection protocol, progress in completing the inspections, and review findings from this NEP and other PSM inspections conducted since 1992. Data on which paragraphs of the PSM standards were most frequently cited is included. Published 2009 American Institute of Chemical Engineers Process Saf Prog, 2010
Highly stable hydrophilic surfaces of PDMS thin layer obtained by UV radiation and oxygen plasma treatments
Authors: de Menezes Atayde Cleuson , Doi Ioshiaki 
Published: December 2009

AbstractSurface modification of polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS, Sylgard 184) was carried out by O2 plasma and UV in broadband mode/O2 plasma treatments with different exposure times, and studied in terms of hydrophilic stability. Water contact angle measurements, Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) and Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM) were used for the analysis of the modified surface and hydrophilic stability of the PDMS films. The results show reasonably good hydrophilic stability in the range of a week with a contact angle of around 70° for O2 plasma treated samples, whereas a more high hydrophilic stability, with a low contact angle of 65° up to 15 days, was observed for UV/O2 plasma treated PDMS. FTIR analysis of the samples reveals significant oxidation noted by large presence of Si‐O‐Si, and Si‐OH bonds on the PDMS surface, which improves the affinity with water molecules and increases the hydrophilicy. (© 2010 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
The physics of highly ordered molecular rows
Authors: Blankenburg S. , Rauls E. , Schmidt W. G. 
Published: December 2009

AbstractFirst‐principles calculations are used to rationalize the formation of well‐separated molecular rows of glutamic acid on Ag(110) and DEB on Au(111) upon adsorption. The different mechanisms for the row separation are analyzed in detail.The analysis of the energetics underlines the importance of long‐range dispersive interactions, which we find crucial to reproduce the experimental results for both systems (© 2010 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Impedance spectroscopy of AlGaN/GaN HEMTs in contact with culture media
Authors: Witte Hartmut , Charpentier Michael , Warnke Christian , Mueller Mathias , Guenther Kay‐Michael , Dadgar Armin , Krost Alois 
Published: December 2009

AbstractTwo different high electron mobility transistor (HEMT) structures based on AlGaN/GaN heterojunctions in contact with electrolyte media of different pH‐values and conductances were characterized by impedance spectroscopy. The main differences between both structures are the arrangement of the metal electrodes to the electrolyte and the resistivity of the two dimensional electron gas (2DEG). In structure #1 the 2DEG current path causes dispersion at low frequencies within the imaginary plot which strongly depends on the electrolyte conductance but not the pH‐value. At higher frequencies an additional dispersion caused by the dispersion of the electrolyte solution itself is observed which decreases with increasing electrolyte conductance.With structure #2 a direct correlation between the pH‐value of the electrolyte, the DC‐current and the impedance at 1 kHz was verified. But, at higher frequencies the impedance only depends on the electrolyte conductance. This dependence on the electrolyte conductance is associated with a dominant current path from the contacts through the 2DEG and shows a similar behavior as the low frequency dispersion in structure #1. Consequently, both the pH‐value and the conductance of an electrolyte can be analyzed with one HEMT using different measurement frequencies. (© 2010 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Anticonvulsant effects of Searsia dentata (Anacardiaceae) leaf extract in rats
Authors: Pedersen Mikael E. , Baldwin Roger A. , Niquet Jerome , Stafford Gary I. , van Staden Johannes , Wasterlain Claude G. , Jäger Anna K. 
Published: December 2009

AbstractSearsia species are used in South Africa to treat epilepsy. Previous studies have demonstrated an in vitro N‐methyl‐D‐aspartic acid (NMDA) receptor antagonistic effect of the ethanolic leaf extract. The aim of this study was to evaluate the potential anticonvulsant properties of the ethanolic extract of S. dentata in various animal models of epilepsy. The extract was submitted to a screening in anticonvulsant assays including NMDA‐, kainic acid (KA)‐, pentylenetetrazol (PTZ)‐ and bicuculline (BIC)‐induced seizures in rats. The extract protected 47% of the PN 18 Wistar pups (postnatal day 18, date of birth PN 0) (p < 0.05, n > 10) against NMDA‐induced seizures and significantly delayed the onset of PTZ‐induced seizures (p < 0.05, n > 8) at a dose of 250 mg/kg. A dose optimum was detected at 500 mg/kg for protection against KA‐(63% protection, p < 0.05, n > 8) and BIC‐induced seizures (50% protection, p < 0.05, n > 8) in young adult and PN 18 rats, respectively. The ethanolic extract of S. dentata showed anticonvulsive properties in several models of epilepsy. These results are compatible with previous findings of NMDA receptor antagonism. Due to the complex composition of the extract, the effect might be caused by more than one compound. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Effect of a novel botanical agent Drynol Cibotin on human osteoblast cells and implications for osteoporosis: promotion of cell growth, calcium uptake and collagen production
Authors: Wegiel Barbara , Persson Jenny L 
Published: December 2009

AbstractOsteoporosis is a widespread problem afflicting millions of people. Drynol Cibotinis is a newly developed proprietary botanical combination of eight botanicals including Angelica sinensis, Glycine max, Wild yam, Ligustrum lucidum, Astragalus membranaceus, Cuscuta chinensis, Psoraleae corylifoliae, and Drynaria fortune. Each of the botanicals has been used in traditional Chinese medicine to treat osteoporosis. The effect of Drynol Cibotinis, with the specific combination of these anti‐osteoporosis botanicals for promoting bone growth, was examined in this study. The effects of Drynol Cibotin on cell growth, apoptosis, cell spreading, calcium uptake and production of bone matrix proteins Collagen I and Laminin B2 on human osteoblast cells were assessed by BrdU incorporation, TUNEL assay, cell staining, intracellular Ca2+ measurement and Western blot analysis. The results showed that Drynol Cibotin significantly increased cell proliferation and inhibited apoptosis in osteoblasts (P < 0.01). In addition, Drynol Cibotin was found to promote cell spreading and greatly increase calcium uptake both instantaneously and in the long term (P < 0.01). Furthermore, Drynol Cibotin significantly increased production of two key extracellular matrix proteins in bone cells: Collagen I and Laminin B2. These results indicate that Drynol Cibotin alone or in combination with amino acids and vitamins may have prophylactic potentials in osteoporosis. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Effect of Buguzhi (Psoralea corylifolia fruit) extract on bone formation
Authors: Wong R. W. K. , Rabie A. B. M. 
Published: December 2009

AbstractThe objective of the study is to compare the amount of new bone produced by Buguzhi (Psoralea corylifolia fruit) extract in collagen matrix to that produced and collagen matrix in vivo. Eighteen bone defects, 5 mm by 10 mm, were created in the parietal bone of 9 New Zealand white rabbits. Six defects were grafted with Buguzhi extract mixed with collagen matrix. Six defects were grafted with collagen matrix alone (positive control) and 6 were left empty (negative control). Animals were sacrificed on day 14 and the defects were dissected and prepared for histological assessment. Quantitative analysis of new bone formation and bone cells was made on 100 sections (50 sections for each group) using image analysis. A total of 275% more new bone was present in defects grafted with Buguzhi extract in collagen matrix than those grafted with collagen matrix. No bone was formed in the negative control group. The amount of bone cells was also significantly greater in the Buguzhi group than in the positive control group. To conclude, Buguzhi extract in collagen matrix has the effect of increasing new bone formation locally in vivo. Buguzhi extract in collagen matrix can be used as a bone graft material. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The leishmanicidal effect of (3S)‐16,17‐didehydrofalcarinol, an oxylipin isolated from Tridax procumbens, is independent of NO production
Authors: Martín‐Quintal Zhelmy , del Rosario García‐Miss María , Mut‐Martín Mirza , Matus‐Moo Abril , Torres‐Tapia Luis W. , Peraza‐Sánchez Sergio R. 
Published: December 2009

AbstractThe in vitro leishmanicidal effect of (3S)‐16,17‐didehydrofalcarinol (1) isolated from Tridax procumbens whole plant against Leishmania mexicana, the causative agent of cutaneous leishmaniasis (chiclero's ulcer) in the New World, was investigated. This oxylipin showed significant in vitro activity against promastigotes and intracellular amastigotes of L. mexicana. Its inhibitory effect on amastigotes was not due to activation of NO in recombinant γ‐interferon‐stimulated macrophages, since the production of NO was decreased in presence of the oxylipin. This is the first report on the leishmanicidal activity against the intracellular stage (amastigote) of the oxylipin (3S)‐16,17‐didehydrofalcarinol. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
River flood plains are model ecosystems to test general hydrogeomorphic and ecological concepts
Authors: Tockner Klement , Lorang Mark S. , Stanford Jack A. 
Published: December 2009

AbstractA major challenge in ecology is to link patterns and processes across different spatial and temporal scales. Flood plains are ideal model ecosystems to study (i) the processes that create and maintain environmental heterogeneity and (ii) to quantify the effects of environmental heterogeneity on ecosystem functioning and biodiversity. Fluvial processes of cut‐and‐fill alluviation create new channels, bars and benches within a flood plain that in turn provides new surface for subsequent vegetative recruitment and growth resulting in a shifting mosaic of interconnected aquatic and terrestrial habitat patches. Composition and spatial arrangement of these habitat patches control the movement of organisms and matter among adjacent patches; and the capacity of a habitat to process matter depends on the productivity of adjacent patches and on the exchange among these patches. The exchange of matter and organisms among habitats of different age and productivity is often pulsed in nature. Small pulses of a physical driver (e.g. short‐term increase in flow) can leach large amounts of nutrients thereby stimulating primary production in adjacent aquatic patches, or trigger mass emergence of aquatic insects that may in turn impact recipient terrestrial communities. Hence, biodiversity in a river corridor context is hierarchically structured and strongly linked to the dynamic biophysical processes and feedback mechanisms that drive these chronosequences over broad time and space scales. Today, the active conversion of degraded ecosystems back to a more heterogeneous and dynamic state has become an important aspect of restoration and management where maintaining or allowing a return to the shifting habitat mosaic dynamism is the goal with the expected outcome greater biodiversity and clean water among other valuable ecosystem goods and services. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Compact plasma source for removal of hydrocarbons for surface analysis
Authors: Dukes Catherine A. , Baragiola Raúl A. 
Published: December 2009

AbstractA low–energy, constricted‐anode Anders‐type plasma source was built and tested for the chemical removal of adventitious carbon on surfaces. Oxygen plasma, generated in the source, extends to the sample surface through an aperture in the anode. This plasma reacts with surface hydrocarbons and removes them in less than a minute without influencing the intrinsic surface stoichiometry of nonoxidizing samples such as minerals, glasses, and metal oxides. Adventitious carbon removal is critical for accurate binding energy determination and quantitative measurements in XPS and AES, particularly in multicomponent materials. We measure the plasma to be composed primarily of O+ and O2+, with minor H+, H2+, and O++ components. Ion energy distributions were measured for O+ and O++ and show all emitted ions have energies less than 50 eV, confirming chemical desorption as the primary removal mechanism. The plasma source, easily built ‘in house’, is compact and can be mounted on a 2.75‐in flange for in situ specimen cleaning prior to surface analysis. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
A secondary reanalysis of student perceptions of non‐traditional writing tasks over a ten year period
Authors: McDermott Mark A. , Hand Brian 
Published: December 2009

AbstractThis study aims to add to the growing research related to the implementation of non‐traditional writing tasks in classrooms to encourage science literacy. A secondary reanalysis methodology was employed to review student interviews collected as a part of several individual studies during a ten year research program. This method established an interpretive framework different than the particular frameworks guiding the individual studies. In doing so, a greater ability to generalize findings was sought. Main assertions emerging from the student responses analyzed include recognition of benefits of non‐traditional writing, recognition of the need for particular task characteristics to encourage these benefits, and recognition of greater cognitive activity than is present in typical science classroom writing. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Res Sci Teach 47: 518–539, 2010
In‐utero evaluation of the fetal umbilical–portal venous system: two‐ and three‐dimensional ultrasonic study
Authors: Kivilevitch Z. , Gindes L. , Deutsch H. , Achiron R. 
Published: December 2009

AbstractObjectivesTo describe the normal anatomy of the fetal umbilical–portal venous system (UPVS) and to assess possible anatomical variants of the main portal vein (MPV) insertion into the portal sinus (PS).MethodsThis was a prospective cross‐sectional study of low‐risk patients between 14 and 36 weeks of gestation. Two‐ (2D) and three‐dimensional (3D) ultrasound techniques combined with color and high‐definition flow Doppler were used to evaluate the fetal UPVS. The standard transverse plane of the fetal upper abdomen, used for measuring the abdominal circumference, was taken in all cases as the point of reference. A longitudinal section was taken to identify the normal course of the umbilical vein and ductus venosus (DV). We performed offline analysis of all gray‐scale and color Doppler 2D and 3D volume datasets.ResultsTwo hundred and eight fetuses were included in the study. The umbilical vein was observed to course in a cephalad direction from its entry point into the fetal abdomen, joining the L‐shaped PS, a confluence of vessels that is the main segment of the left portal vein (LPV). Three branches emerge from the LPV: two to the left, the inferior and superior branches, and one to the right, the medial branch. The main LPV then courses abruptly to the right. Following the emergence of the DV, the communication of the MPV with the LPV marks the point at which the vessel becomes the right portal vein (RPV), giving rise to its anterior and posterior branches. We were able to define three main variants of connection between the MPV and the PS. In 140 (67.3%) fetuses the MPV was connected to the LPV in an end‐to‐side T‐shaped anastomosis, in 26 (12.5%) fetuses the MPV connected with a side‐to‐side X‐shaped anastomosis and in 30 (14.4%) fetuses the two vessels ran in parallel with a short communicating segment, in an H‐shaped anastomosis. In the remaining 12 (5.7%) cases classification into one of these three groups was not possible due to intermediate morphology.ConclusionsKnowing the normal anatomy of the UPVS and being aware of the possible variants of the connection between the MPV and the PS is a fundamental requirement for accurate prenatal diagnosis of the anomalies of the fetal UPVS. Copyright © 2009 ISUOG. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Increased nuchal translucency with normal karyotype: a follow‐up study of 100 cases supplemented with CGH and MLPA analyses
Authors: Schou K. V. , Kirchhoff M. , Nygaard U. , Jørgensen C. , Sundberg K. 
Published: December 2009

AbstractObjectiveTo evaluate whether high‐resolution comparative genomic hybridization (HR‐CGH) and subtelomeric and syndrome‐specific multiplex ligation‐dependent probe amplification (MLPA) would detect minor chromosomal aberrations in fetuses with increased nuchal translucency thickness (NT) and normal karyotype on conventional karyotyping.MethodsChorionic villus samples from 100 fetuses with NT ≥ 99th percentile and normal G‐banding analysis and MLPA for detection of aneuploidies for chromosomes 13, 18, 21, X and Y were included. Examinations were supplemented by HR‐CGH and MLPA for syndromes and subtelomeric regions. Pregnancy outcome was followed up.ResultsAmong 80 liveborn children who were followed up, three (4%) had syndromes involving mental retardation, including a case of Sotos syndrome caused by a de novo mutation. 15% of fetuses were lost during pregnancy due to abnormalities and termination. The rate of adverse outcome overall was 18%. HR‐CGH and MLPA did not detect any chromosomal aberrations associated with the syndromes.ConclusionThe rate of adverse outcome was similar to levels recorded in the literature. Using CGH and MLPA did not increase the detection rate of genetic disease, which supports the current approach of repeated ultrasound examinations in these high‐risk pregnancies. Copyright © 2009 ISUOG. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Defects on endoanal ultrasound and anal incontinence after primary repair of fourth‐degree anal sphincter rupture: a study of the anal sphincter complex and puborectal muscle
Authors: Sakse A. , Secher N. J. , Ottesen M. , Starck M. 
Published: December 2009

AbstractObjectivesTo perform three‐dimensional endoanal ultrasound (EAUS) after primary repair of fourth‐degree anal sphincter rupture (ASR) and correlate the sonographic defects with anal incontinence (AI); to measure the axial and sagittal thickness and angle of the puborectal muscle (PRM) as well as the length of the anal canal, and then correlate these measures with AI; and to assess the interobserver measurement agreement between an inexperienced and an experienced sonologist.MethodsEAUS was offered to 84 consecutive women, who were asked to answer a validated questionnaire after fourth‐degree ASR. AI was graded according to the Wexner score and EAUS defects were graded according to the Starck score.ResultsSixty‐one women (73%) answered the questionnaire. The median (range) follow‐up time was 5.1 (1.3–8.7) years. Thirty‐three (54%) of these women underwent EAUS and were included in the study. There was no difference in the incontinence scores between women who underwent EAUS and those who did not. Eleven of the women who underwent EAUS (33%) were continent, 22 women (67%) had flatus incontinence at least once a month, of whom 12 also had incontinence for liquid stool and two had incontinence for solid stool. The median Wexner score was 2 (range, 0–12). Five of the patients (15%) had no ultrasound defects. All of the patients with Wexner scores ≥ 4 had a Starck score of ≥ 10. No association between ultrasound defects and AI was demonstrated, however, the angle of the PRM and parity were associated with Starck score. No clear association between the measurements of the PRM and AI was shown. The experienced observer detected more of the small defects than did the inexperienced observer.ConclusionIn a 1–9‐year follow‐up period after primary suture of fourth‐degree ASR, the frequency of AI was high, at 67%. No clear association was seen between AI and sphincter defects detected on ultrasonography. There was an association between the angle of the PRM and the extent of ultrasound defects. Copyright © 2009 ISUOG. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Bedside estimation of Down syndrome risk from second‐trimester ultrasound prenasal thickness
Authors: Maymon R. , Moskovitch M. , Levinsohn‐Tavor O. , Weinraub Z. , Herman A. , Cuckle H. 
Published: December 2009

AbstractObjectivesTo construct tables for ‘bedside’ estimation of Down syndrome risk based on maternal age and ultrasound prenasal thickness (PT) measurements.MethodsLikelihood ratios were calculated using a log Gaussian model of the PT distribution in multiples of the gestational age‐specific median (MoM). The model parameters were derived from 80 Down syndrome and 850 unaffected pregnancies scanned at 14–27 weeks; these data had been published previously, in three series, except for 18 Down syndrome and 119 affected pregnancies. The means were estimated as the median, and the SDs as the 10th–90th range divided by 2.563.ResultsA log Gaussian model fitted well the distribution of PT values in Down syndrome and unaffected pregnancies with medians of 1.31 MoM and 1.01 MoM, and log10 SDs of 0.075 and 0.082, respectively.ConclusionsThe tables provide a simple ‘bedside’ estimation of Down syndrome risk without the need for computerized software or complicated calculations. More prospective data on PT in combination with other first‐ and second‐trimester screening markers are needed. Copyright © 2009 ISUOG. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.