bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Plasma Technology, Nanoengineering of Advanced Materials
Authors: Manolache Sorin , Sasmazel Hilal Turkoglu , Uygun Aysegul , Oksuz Lutfi 
Published: April 2012

AbstractIn the last century Langmuir started the investigation of plasma. Since then scientists have been investigating the great energetic potential of plasma chemistry for chemical transformations, macromolecular depositions and surface modification of materials, especially polymers. Recently, nanoscale investigations in various scientific fields point out the importance of nanostructures (nanoparticles, nanopatterns, nanotopographies, nanocomposites) for advanced material properties and for extending these properties (eg, mechanical, electrical, hydrophilicity, hydrophobicity, etc.) beyond typical material properties.Plasmas have unique properties due to high energetic level combined with presence of very active species: radicals, ions and electrons; complex chemical mechanisms can develop to deposit macromolecular layers or to produce nanostructures on various surfaces for advanced material properties beyond bulk properties of polymers.Cold plasma as source for charged particles was used to induce nanotopographies on homopolymeric surfaces and for surface nanoengineering of polymers using vacuum operated or atmospheric pressure non‐equilibrium barrier discharge reactors. SEM and AFM analyses reveal the presence of nanotopographies on the treated surfaces. Physical factors control the process below the glass‐transition temperature,Tgand chemical factors dominate the process aboveTg. Charges are tools that open‐up new ways for nanoengineering of the polymers' surfaces with specific functionalities / topography. Future nanomanufacturing techniques can generate anti‐scratch, superhydrophobic or superhydrophilic properties on surface of everyday use polymeric products by simple and convenient plasma enhanced processes.
A Single Component Conducting Polymer Hydrogel as a Scaffold for Tissue Engineering
Authors: Mawad Damia , Stewart Elise , Officer David L. , Romeo Tony , Wagner Pawel , Wagner Klaudia , Wallace Gordon G. 
Published: April 2012

AbstractConducting polymers (CPs) have exciting potential as scaffolds for tissue engineering, typically applied in regenerative medicine applications. In particular, the electrical properties of CPs has been shown to enhance nerve and muscle cell growth and regeneration. Hydrogels are particularly suitable candidates as scaffolds for tissue engineering because of their hydrated nature, their biocompatibility, and their tissue‐like mechanical properties. This study reports the development of the first single component CP hydrogel that is shown to combine both electro‐properties and hydrogel characteristics. Poly(3‐thiopheneacetic acid) hydrogels were fabricated by covalently crosslinking the polymer with 1,1′‐carbonyldiimidazole (CDI). Their swelling behavior was assessed and shown to display remarkable swelling capabilities (swelling ratios up to 850%). The mechanical properties of the networks were characterized as a function of the crosslinking density and were found to be comparable to those of muscle tissue. Hydrogels were found to be electroactive and conductive at physiological pH. Fibroblast and myoblast cells cultured on the hydrogel substrates were shown to adhere and proliferate. This is the first time that the potential of a single component CP hydrogel has been demonstrated for cell growth, opening the way for the development of new tissue engineering scaffolds.
Autism and epistemology III: Child development, behavioral stability, and reliability of measurement
Authors: Fisch Gene S. 
Published: April 2012

AbstractEarly diagnosis and treatment of autism increases the likelihood that symptoms associated with the disorder can be alleviated. However, the behaviors of both typically and atypically developing young infants and toddlers are quite variable and often change as these children age. Studies have shown that this is the case for same‐aged children who are diagnosed with autistic disorder (AD) or other Pervasive Developmental Disabilities (PDDs). Therefore, an early accurate assessment of AD or PDD may be problematic. Moreover, instruments used to make the diagnosis may not be as reliable as desired. Statistics employed to evaluate diagnostic accuracy and behavioral stability of instruments' or clinicians' assessments suggest that their diagnoses have been only moderately successful. In addition, the statistics themselves have limitations that would suggest that the measures of diagnostic accuracy and behavioral stability implemented may not be as effective as they would seem. A resolution to these problems is proposed. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Reduced telomere length in individuals with FMR1 premutations and full mutations
Authors: Jenkins Edmund C. , Tassone Flora , Ye Lingling , Hoogeveen André T. , Brown W. Ted , Hagerman Randi J. , Hagerman Paul J. 
Published: April 2012

AbstractWe reported previously that 10 older men (66.4 ± 4.6 years) with premutation alleles (55–200 CGG repeats) of the FMR1 gene, with or without FXTAS, had decreased telomere length when compared to sex‐ and age‐matched controls. Extending our use of light intensity measurements from a telomere probe hybridized to interphase preparations, we have now found shortened telomeres in 9 younger male premutation carriers (31.7 ± 17.6 years). We have also shown decreased telomere length in T lymphocytes from 6 male individuals (12.0 ± 1.8 years) with full mutation FMR1 alleles (>200 CGG repeats). These findings support our hypothesis that reduced telomere length is a component of the sub‐cellular pathology of FMR1‐associated disorders. The experimental approach involved pair‐wise comparisons of light intensity values of 20 cells from an individual with either premutation or full mutation CGG‐repeat expansions relative to an equivalent number of cells from a sex‐ and age‐matched control. In addition, we demonstrated reduced telomere size in T‐lymphocyte cultures from eight individuals with the FMR1 premutation using six different measures. Four relied on detection of light intensity differences, and two involved measuring the whole chromosome, including the telomere, in microns. This new approach confirmed our findings with light intensity measurements and demonstrated the feasibility of direct linear measurements for detecting reductions in telomere size. We have thus confirmed our hypothesis that reduced telomere length is associated with both premutation and full mutation‐FMR1 alleles and have demonstrated that direct measurements of telomere length can reliably detect such reductions. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Marfanoid habitus, inguinal hernia, advanced bone age, and distinctive facial features: A new collagenopathy?
Authors: Mégarbané André , Hanna Nadine , Chouery Eliane , Jalkh Nadine , Mehawej Cybel , Boileau Catherine 
Published: April 2012

AbstractWe report on two sibs, a girl, and a boy, with tall stature, long, and triangular faces, prominent foreheads with high frontal hairlines, telecanthus, downward slanting of the palpebral fissures, ptosis of the eyelids, everted lower eyelids, large ears, long noses, full, and everted vermilions, highly arched and narrow palates, tooth crowding, thin and long uvulae, coloboma of the alae, hyperextensible joints, long digits, positive thumb signs, flat feet, slightly diminished muscle strength, myopia, astigmatia, inguinal hernia, and vesical diverticula. Total body X‐rays showed the presence of advanced bone age in both sibs and bilateral hallux valgus in the girl. Array‐CGH did not reveal any pathological CNV. Molecular analysis of FBN1, FBN2, TGFBR1, TGFBR2, and CHST14 gene was normal, and SNP linkage analysis excluded more candidate genes. Differential diagnoses and the possibility that we might be reporting on a hitherto unreported syndrome are discussed. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
A child with an inherited 0.31 Mb microdeletion of chromosome 14q32.33: Further delineation of a critical region for the 14q32 deletion syndrome
Authors: Holder J. Lloyd , Lotze Timothy E. , Bacino Carlos , Cheung Sau‐Wai 
Published: April 2012

AbstractChromosome 14q32.3 deletions are uncommon, with most described patients harboring a ring chromosome 14. Only 15 deletions have been described not associated with ring formation or other complex chromosomal rearrangements. Here, we describe a child with the smallest deletion of chromosome 14q32.3 reported in the literature. This child's deletion encompasses at most 0.305 Mb and six genes including NUDT14, BRF1, BTBD6, PACS2, MTA1, and TEX22. He has similar clinical findings, including mild facial dysmorphisms and intellectual disability, as other individuals with much larger deletions of the terminus of the long arm of chromosome 14. This suggests that the genes deleted in our patient contribute to the 14q32 deletion syndrome. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Microdeletion 19p13.2 in an almost 5‐year‐old boy
Authors: Haberlandt Edda , Spreiz Ana , Sigl Sara Baumgartner , Janetschek Carolin , Röthlisberger Benno , Zotter Sibylle , Rostasy Kevin , Zschocke Johannes , Kotzot Dieter 
Published: April 2012

AbstractDeletions of the short arm of chromosome 19 are rarely found by conventional cytogenetic techniques. This region has a high gene density and this is likely the reason why deletions in this region are associated with a severe phenotype. Since the implementation of modern high‐resolution SNP‐ and CGH‐array techniques more cases have been reported. Here, we present an almost 5‐year‐old boy with intellectual disability, minor dysmorphisms, febrile seizures, and a de novo deletion of 834.2 kb on 19p13.2 encompassing 32 genes. The deletion was found by the Illumina® Infinium HD Human1M‐Duo v1 BeadChip SNP‐array and confirmed by the NimbleGen Human CGH 2.1M Whole Genome Tiling v2.0D oligonucleotide array. PCR amplification of the junction fragment and subsequent sequencing defined the breakpoints and indicated that formation was mediated by non‐allelic homologous recombination (NAHR). The phenotype of our patient shows that microrearrangements even at gene‐dense chromosomes may result in mild clinical consequences. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Transmission of the rare HRAS mutation (c. 173C > T; p.T58I) further illustrates its attenuated phenotype
Authors: Gripp Karen W. , Hopkins Elizabeth , Serrano Alvaro , Leonard Norma J. , Stabley Deborah L. , Sol‐Church Katia 
Published: April 2012

AbstractCostello syndrome was delineated based on its distinctive phenotype including severe failure‐to‐thrive with macrocephaly, characteristic facial features, hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, papillomata, malignant tumors, and cognitive impairment. Heterozygous germline mutations in the proto‐oncogene HRAS cause Costello syndrome, and its inheritance pattern would thus be autosomal dominant. With exception of two instances of parental mosaicism, one presumed gonadal and the other proven somatic mosaicism for the p.G12S change, all published cases resulted from de novo mutations, typically arising in the paternal germline. More than 90% of these mutations affect the glycine residues in position 12 or 13, and result in a gain‐of‐function of the altered protein. A rare heterozygous HRAS alteration (c.173C > T; p.T58I) associated with an attenuated phenotype was previously reported in one patient. We identified two additional individuals with this mutation, father and son. Further studies supported origin of the alteration in the grand‐paternal germline. Transmission of the mutation underscores its attenuated phenotype compatible with reproduction. We reviewed the phenotype in the newly identified individuals (Patient 1, 2) and include updated information on the first previously reported individual with HRAS p.T58I (Patient 3). Macrocephaly was present in all three. Cardiac findings included hypertrophic cardiomyopathy with double‐chambered right ventricle; or mitral valve prolapse in one patient each. While subtle neurologic abnormalities or developmental delay were present in all, only one showed significant cognitive and functional impairment. None developed papillomata or a malignant tumor. Genetic counseling for Costello syndrome needs to take into consideration the particular HRAS mutation. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Identification of a CACNA2D4 deletion in late onset bipolar disorder patients and implications for the involvement of voltage‐dependent calcium channels in psychiatric disorders
Authors: Van Den Bossche Maarten J. , Strazisar Mojca , De Bruyne Stephan , Bervoets Chris , Lenaerts An‐Sofie , De Zutter Sonia , Nordin Annelie , Norrback Karl‐Fredrik , Goossens Dirk , De Rijk Peter , Green Elaine K. , Grozeva Detelina , Mendlewicz Julien , Craddock Nick , Sabbe Bernard G. , Adolfsson Rolf , Souery Daniel , Del‐Favero Jurgen 
Published: April 2012

AbstractThe GWAS‐based association of CACNA1C with bipolar disorder (BPD) is one of the strongest genetic findings to date. CACNA1C belongs to the family of CACN genes encoding voltage‐dependent calcium channels (VDCCs). VDCCs are involved in brain circuits and cognitive processes implicated in BPD and schizophrenia (SZ). Recently, it was shown that rare copy number variations (CNVs) are found at an increased frequency in SZ and to a lesser extent also in BPD, suggesting the involvement of CNVs in the causation of these diseases. We hypothesize that CNVs in CACN genes can influence the susceptibility to BPD, SZ, and/or schizoaffective disorder (SZA). A search for CNVs in eight CACN genes in a patient‐control sample of European decent was performed. A total of 709 BP patients, 645 SZ patients, 189 SZA patients, and 1,470 control individuals were screened using the Multiplex Amplicon Quantification (MAQ) method. We found a rare, partial deletion of 35.7 kb in CACNA2D4 in two unrelated late onset bipolar I patients and in one control individual. All three deletions shared the same breakpoints removing exons 17–26 of CACNA2D4, comprising part of the CACHE domain. Based on the data we cannot claim causality to BPD of the identified CACNA2D4 deletion but nevertheless this deletion can be important in unraveling the underlying processes leading to psychiatric diseases in general and BPD in particular. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Poly(2‐alkyloyloxyethylacrylate) and poly(2‐alkyloyloxyethylacrylate‐co‐methylacrylate) comblike polymers as novel phase‐change materials for thermal energy storage
Authors: Alkan Cemil , Ensari Ömer Faruk , Kahraman Derya 
Published: April 2012

AbstractA series of poly(2‐alkyloyloxyethylacrylate) and poly(2‐alkyloyloxyethylacrylate‐co‐methylacrylate) polymers as novel polymeric phase‐change materials (PCMs) were synthesized starting from 2‐hydroxyethylacrylate and fatty acids. The chemical structure and crystalline morphology of the synthesized copolymers were characterized with Fourier transform infrared and 1H‐NMR spectroscopy and polarized optical microscopy, respectively, and their thermal energy storage properties and thermal stability were investigated with differential scanning calorimetry and thermogravimetric analysis, respectively. The thermal conductivities of the PCMs were also measured with a thermal property analyzer. Moreover, thermal cycling testing showed that the copolymers had good thermal reliability and chemical stability after they were subjected to 1000 heating/cooling cycles. The synthesized poly(2‐alkyloyloxyethylacrylate) polymers and poly(2‐alkyloyloxyethylacrylate‐co‐methylacrylate) copolymers as novel PCMs have considerable potential for thermal energy storage and temperature‐control applications. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2012
Melt index prediction by RBF neural network with an ICO‐VSA hybrid optimization algorithm
Authors: Huang Mingyu , Liu Xinggao , Li Jiubao 
Published: April 2012

AbstractMelt index (MI) is considered as one of the most significant parameter to determine the quality and the grade of the practical polypropylene polymerization products. A novel ICO‐VSA‐RNN (RBF neural network with ICO‐VSA algorithm) MI prediction model is proposed based on radial basis function (RBF) neural network and improved chaos optimization (ICO), and variable‐scale analysis (VSA), where the ICO is first added and then combined with the VSA to overcome the defects of ICO and VSA, then the parameters of the RBF neural network are optimized with them. At last, the RBF neural network model for MI prediction model is developed. Further researches on the optimal RBF neural network model of MI prediction are carried out with the data from a real industrial plant, and the prediction results show that the performance of this prediction model is much better than the RBF neural network model without optimization. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2012
Synthesis and curing of liquid crystalline epoxy resin based on asymmetric mesogen
Authors: Xiao Yong , Cao Lu , Feng Jinhua , Yuan Liangjie 
Published: April 2012

AbstractA novel liquid crystalline epoxy resin (LCER) derived from asymmetric mesogen unit was synthesized. Its structure and liquid crystalline behavior were characterized by hydrogen nuclear magnetic resonance (H‐NMR), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), polarized optical microscopy (POM). The results indicated that the LCER converted to a nematic phase at 85°C during heating and finally became isotropic at 145°C. The curing behavior and phase behavior of the LCER with 4,4′‐diaminodiphenyl methane and methyl hexahydrophthalic anhydride were also studied by DSC and POM, respectively. Their apparent activation energy (Ea) was evaluated according to the Ozawa's isoconversional method. The results suggested that autocatalytic reaction had occurred in these two systems. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2012
Heterogeneous synthesis of chelating resin organophosphonic acid‐functionalized silica gel and its adsorption property of heavy metal ions from fuel ethanol solutions
Authors: Wang Zengdi , Yin Ping , Qu Rongjun , Xu Qiang 
Published: April 2012

AbstractIn this study, chelating resin silica gel chemically modified by poly(triethylenetetramine bis(methylenephosphonic acid)) (denoted as SG‐Cl‐T‐P) was successfully developed by heterogeneous synthesis method and used for adsorptive removal of heavy metal ions from fuel ethanol solutions, and the relevant modified organic group was calculated by DFT method at the B3LYP/6‐31 + G(d) level. SG‐Cl‐T‐P was characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectrometer, scanning electron microscope, energy dispersive X‐ray analysis system, porous analysis, etc. SG‐Cl‐T‐P has been used to investigate the adsorption of Hg(II),Cu(II), Mn(II), Co(II), Zn(II), Ni(II), Fe(III), and Cd(II) metal ions from ethanol solutions. The research results revealed that it has the better adsorption capacity for Hg(II) and Cd(II). © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2012
Modeling the mechanical properties of notched aluminum—epoxy particulate composites
Authors: Papanicolaou G.C. , Xepapadaki A.G. , Angelakopoulos G.A. 
Published: April 2012

AbstractThe aim of the present investigation is to study both the influence of particle weight fraction (0–50%) and the effect of the notch length on the static mechanical properties of aluminum particle epoxy composites. Experimental results in both cases were compared with three different theoretical models, previously developed by the first author and presented in a series of publications. First, for the evaluation of the maximum strength the particle sectioning model (PSM) was applied. Next, for the evaluation of the elastic modulus as a function of aluminum powder weight fraction, the interphase model (IM) was applied. Finally, in the case of notches' length influence, the residual property model, (RPM), was applied. This model can be applied for the description of the residual behavior of materials after any type of damage. In all cases, predicted values showed a satisfactory agreement with experimental findings. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2012
Study on pentaerythritol–zinc as a novel thermal stabilizer for rigid poly(vinyl chloride)
Authors: Xu Shilu , Li Degang , Yu Xianjin , Zhang Yali , Yu Yuanzhang , Zhou Min , Tang Shouyu 
Published: April 2012

AbstractPentaerythritol–zinc (penzinc) was prepared by a solid‐phase reaction technique. The principal volatile products of the reaction between pentaerythritol and ZnO were analyzed with a coupled thermogravimetry—mass spectrometery system. The results indicated that a large amount of water was formed at the reaction temperature. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) results showed the appearance of penzinc as flaky particles. Accordingly, the penzinc obtained through the dehydration between pentaerythritol and ZnO is likely to be a monopentaerythritol complex, such as zinc monoglycerolate. The thermal stability of poly(vinyl chloride) (PVC) with penzinc as a thermal stabilizer was investigated by a Congo Red test, Oven aging test and thermal gravimetric analysis (TGA). The Congo Red test showed the thermal stability time of PVC with penzinc was 38 min, longer than those with commercial thermal stabilizers. TGA indicated that the penzinc had little impact on the thermal degradation of PVC, but could increase the mass of residues. Oven aging test showed that the penzinc could significantly retard the discoloration during the long‐term decomposition of PVC. Meanwhile, no “zinc burning” was observed in the PVC with penzinc. These results indicate that the penzinc is an excellent thermal stabilizer for rigid PVC. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2012
Poly(lactic acid)‐modified films for food packaging application: Physical, mechanical, and barrier behavior
Authors: Siracusa Valentina , Blanco Ignazio , Romani Santina , Tylewicz Urtzula , Rocculi Pietro , Rosa Marco Dalla 
Published: April 2012

AbstractPoly(lactic acid) (PLA) is now a very attractive polymer for food packaging application because in addition of being thermoplastic, biodegradable, compostable, and produced from renewable resources, it shows same behavior in mechanical, thermal, and barrier properties comparable to the most used synthetic polymers like polystyrene and poly(ethylene terephthalate). In this work, we take into consideration four commercial PLA films, natural‐ and surface‐modified, to make a correlation between mechanical, thermal, and barrier properties due to the surface modification, to well understand whether PLA is adapt to packaging application, especially in the food field. Films were studied by tensile testing, simultaneous differential thermal analysis/thermogravimetry, differential scanning calorimetry, permeation to carbon dioxide and oxygen at different temperature (7 and 23°C) and FTIR spectroscopic analysis. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2012