bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
An experimental investigation of fracture by cavitation of model elastomeric networks
Authors: Cristiano Antonella , Marcellan Alba , Long Rong , Hui Chung‐Yuen , Stolk Jan , Creton Costantino 
Published: May 2010

AbstractA new methodology to investigate the failure of elastomers in a confined geometry has been developed and applied to model end‐linked polyurethane elastomers. The experimental in situ observations show that the elastomers fail by the growth of a single cavity nucleated in the region of maximum hydrostatic stress. Tests carried out at different temperatures for the same elastomer show that the critical stress at which this crack grows is not proportional to the Young's modulus E but depends mainly on the ratio between the mode I fracture energy GIC and E. A reasonable fit of the data can be obtained with a model of cavity expansion by irreversible fracture calculating the energy release rate by finite elements with a strain hardening constitutive equation. Comparison between different elastomers shows that the material containing both entanglements and crosslinks is both tougher in mode I and more resistant to cavitation relative to its elastic modulus. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part B: Polym Phys 48:1409–1422, 2010
Large deformations in oriented polymer glasses: Experimental study and a new glass‐melt constitutive model
Authors: De Focatiis Davide S. A. , Embery John , Buckley C. Paul 
Published: May 2010

AbstractAn experimental study was made of the effects of prior molecular orientation on large tensile deformations of polystyrene in the glassy state. A new hybrid glass‐melt constitutive model is proposed for describing and understanding the results, achieved by parallel coupling of the ROLIEPOLY molecularly‐based melt model with a model previously proposed for polymer glasses. Monodisperse and polydisperse grades of polystyrene are considered. Comparisons between experimental results and simulations illustrate that the model captures characteristic features of both the melt and glassy states. Polystyrene was stretched in the melt state and quenched to below Tg, and then tensile tested parallel to the orientation direction near the glass transition. The degree of strain‐hardening was observed to increase with increasing prior stretch of molecules within their entanglement tubes, as predicted by the constitutive model. This was explored for varying temperature of stretching, degree of stretching, and dwell time before quenching. The model in its current form, however, lacks awareness of processes of subentanglement chain orientation. Therefore, it under‐predicts the orientation‐direction strain hardening and yield stress increase, when stretching occurs at the lowest temperatures and shortest times, where it is dominated by subentanglement orientation. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part B: Polym Phys 48: 1449–1463, 2010
Damage of semicrystalline polyamide 6 assessed by 3D X‐ray tomography: From microstructural evolution to constitutive modeling
Authors: Laiarinandrasana L. , Morgeneyer T. F. , Proudhon H. , Regrain C. 
Published: May 2010

AbstractIn this study an attempt is made to link the damage and microstructural evolution of semicrystalline polymers, in particular polyamide 6, to the macroscopic material behavior during tensile and creep tests. Tensile specimens, removed before failure were seen to have undergone striction. They were examined using synchrotron radiation tomography. These samples showed elongated axisymmetric columns of voids separated by thin ligaments of material. These observations were confirmed and refined through a cryofractography experiment of a different tensile sample, stopped before failure. An attempt was made to obtain quantitative data about void volume fraction and morphology through image analysis. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part B: Polym Phys 48: 1516–1525, 2010
Unique plastic and recovery behavior of nanofilled elastomers and thermoplastic elastomers (Payne and Mullins effects)
Authors: Merabia Samy , Sotta Paul , Long Didier R. 
Published: May 2010

AbstractWe have proposed recently that the mechanical properties of nano‐filled elastomers are governed by the kinetics of rupture and re‐birth of glassy bridges which link neighboring nanoparticles and allow for building large rigid clusters of finite life‐times. The latter depend on parameters such as the temperature, the nanoparticle‐matrix interaction, and the distance between neighboring fillers. Most importantly these life‐times depend on the history of deformation of the samples. We show that this death and re‐birth process allows for predicting unusual non‐linear and plastic behavior for these systems. We study in particular the behavior after large deformation amplitude cycles. At some point we put the systems at rest under large deformation, and let the stress relax in this new deformed state. During this relaxation process the life‐time of glassy bridges increases progressively, even for large deformation states. The systems thus acquire a new reference state, which corresponds to a plastic deformation. The stretching energy of the polymer strands of the rubbery matrix is larger than in the initial undeformed state, but this effect is compensated by a new configuration of glassy bridges, which are much stiffer. For plastic deformations of less than about 10%, the new system acquires mechanical properties around this new reference state which are very close to those of the initial system. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part B: Polym Phys 48: 1495–1508, 2010
Effect of molecular orientation on the fracture behavior of carbon black‐filled natural rubber compounds
Authors: Marano Claudia , Calabrò Roberto , Rink Marta 
Published: May 2010

AbstractThe fracture behavior of carbon black‐filled natural rubber compounds, differing in filler content, was studied performing tensile tests in biaxial loading conditions, using a central notched cross‐shaped specimen. The test consisted of two steps: a drawing step was initially performed loading the specimen in the direction parallel to the notch plane, up to different draw ratios, and then the specimen was loaded in the direction normal to the notch plane up to fracture. Using a fracture mechanics approach, the fracture toughness was evaluated as a function of the draw ratio applied in the drawing step. A correlation between the fracture phenomenology observed and molecular orientability and orientation was attempted. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part B: Polym Phys 48: 1509–1515, 2010
A pilot investigation of a multidisciplinary quality of life intervention for men with biochemical recurrence of prostate cancer
Authors: Ames Steven C. , Tan Winston W. , Ames Gretchen E. , Stone Ronald L. , Rizzo Thomas D. , Crook Julia E. , Williams Christopher R. , Werch Chudley E. , Clark Matthew M. , Rummans Teresa A. 
Published: May 2010

AbstractObjective: This pilot project evaluated the acceptability and estimated the effect size of a tailored multidisciplinary quality of life (MQOL) intervention for men who have biochemical recurrence of prostate cancer.Methods: Participants included 57 men with localized prostate cancer with biochemical recurrence (Median=76 years; 89% White). Participants were randomized to wait list control which offered the intervention upon conclusion of the study (n=27) or to an eight‐session group‐based, MQOL (n=30) intervention. Assessments were completed at baseline, end of treatment, and 6 months post‐treatment.Results: MQOL was acceptable as indicated by favorable participant retention (100% retained), treatment compliance (97% attended > 6 treatment sessions), and high ratings of helpfulness (80% rated helpfulness > 4 on 5‐point scale). MQOL had a favorable impact on the mental health composite score of the Short Form‐36 at the end of treatment but not at 6 months (effect size=0.52 and −0.04); health‐related QOL as measured by the Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy—Prostate at the end of treatment and 6 months (effect size=0.14 and 0.10); and prostate cancer specific anxiety as measured by the Memorial Anxiety Scale for Prostate Cancer at the end of treatment and 6 months (effect size=0.45 and 0.23).Conclusions: This pilot project provides preliminary data supporting the premise that a tailored behaviorally based MQOL intervention for men with biochemical recurrence of prostate cancer is acceptable to men and might reduce prostate cancer specific anxiety and enhance QOL. Further research examining the efficacy of this intervention in a larger randomized trial is warranted.Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Perceived threat and PTSD symptoms in women undergoing surgery for gynecologic cancer or benign conditions
Authors: Posluszny Donna M. , Edwards Robert P. , Dew Mary Amanda , Baum Andrew 
Published: May 2010

AbstractObjective: We sought to examine levels of perceived threat and traumatic stress symptoms both before and in the short‐ and long‐term period after surgery and associated care in women diagnosed with gynecologic cancer or benign conditions.Methods: Women with advanced‐stage cancer (n=22), early‐stage cancer (n=31), benign gynecologic disease (n=33), and no disease (n=25; post‐annual pelvic examination) completed questionnaires (Perceived Threat, Impact of Event Scale (IES), and Post‐Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD Checklist (PCL)) on three occasions: 1 week before surgery (Time 1), 7 weeks after surgery or comparable time (Time 2), and 16 months after surgery (Time 3).Results: Perceived threat did not differ across disease groups at Time 1, but there were differences at both later times (F(2, 93.1)=11.83; p<0.001; group×time interaction); women with advanced cancer reported the highest levels. IES scores were consistently higher for the disease groups compared with the no‐disease group (F(3,104.2)=11.19; p<0.001), but were not significantly different from one another. IES scores declined over time, most markedly for the three disease groups (group×time interaction (F(6,163.8)=2.60; p=0.02). Survival analysis indicated significant differences across the groups in risk of estimated PTSD [Wilcoxon χ2 (3, N=96)=7.83, p=0.050] with 34% of advanced cancer, 16% of early cancer, and 15% of benign disease groups reaching estimated PTSD criteria.Conclusions: Women with gynecologic cancer, regardless of stage, and women with benign conditions experience heightened traumatic stress at the time of diagnosis, and some continue to be distressed many months afterwards. Broad‐based screening and intervention for traumatic stress symptoms may be warranted. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Individual and dyadic relations between spiritual well‐being and quality of life among cancer survivors and their spousal caregivers
Authors: Kim Youngmee , Carver Charles S. , Spillers Rachel L. , Crammer Corinne , Zhou Eric S. 
Published: May 2010

AbstractObjectives: There is evidence that cancer generates existential and spiritual concerns for both survivors and caregivers, and that the survivor's spiritual well‐being (SWB) is related to his/her own quality of life (QOL). Yet the degree to which the SWB of each member of the couple has an independent association with the partner's QOL is unknown. Thus, this study examined individual and dyadic associations of SWB with the QOL of couples dealing with cancer.Methods: A total of 361 married survivor–caregiver dyads participating in the American Cancer Society's Study of Cancer Survivors‐I and Quality of Life Survey for Caregivers provided complete data for the study variables. SWB was measured using 12‐item Functional Assessment of Chronic Illness Therapy‐Spiritual Well‐Being (assessing faith, meaning, and peace) and QOL was measured using Medical Outcomes Study 36‐Item Short Form Health Survey.Results: Actor and Partner Interdependence Model analyses revealed that each person's SWB was the strongest correlate of his or her own mental health (higher SWB, better mental health). Each person's SWB was also positively related to his or her partner's physical health.Conclusions: Results suggest that the ability to find meaning and peace may be an important part of overall well‐being during the cancer experience for both survivors and caregivers. Interventions designed to assist survivors and caregivers to enhance their ability to find meaning and peace in the cancer experience may help them improve mental health of their own and the physical health of partners when they are dealing with cancer beyond the initial phase of the illness trajectory. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The preferences and experiences of different bisphosphonate treatments in women with breast cancer
Authors: Fallowfield L. , Stebbing J. , Braybrooke J. , Langridge C. , Jenkins V. 
Published: May 2010

AbstractObjective: The objective of this study was to examine women's experiences with oral and intravenous (i.v.) bisphosphonate therapy, the impact that treatment had on bone pain and Quality of Life (QoL), and their preferences if choice were available between oral and i.v. administration.Methods: This was a prospective study of women with metastatic breast cancer receiving either oral or i.v. bisphosphonate therapy. Semi‐structured interview techniques and QoL questionnaires were employed. Participants in the study were interviewed three times, once in person and twice by telephone.Results: A total of 79 patients from eight UK hospitals participated in the study; 35 were receiving oral bisphosphonate medication and 44 i.v. treatments. Self‐reported adherence to oral therapy was good although 21% had chosen not to take their drugs at some time. Most had adapted their lifestyle to accommodate oral therapy with 29/37(74%) completely satisfied. However 9/37(24%) expressed dissatisfaction with constraints especially the time required to stand upright after taking their tablets. By 6 months 23/25 (91%) of patients receiving (i.v.) therapies were generally satisfied with the frequency and 22/25 (88%) with the convenience especially if given concurrently with chemotherapy. Overall 25/54 (46%) patients reported improved bone pain scores on the validated FACT‐BP scale from baseline to 6 months.Conclusions: Both oral and i.v. therapies have disadvantages but were acceptable to most patients some of whom had reduced bone pain over time. More data regarding acceptability, adherence, and patients' preference for bisphosphonate therapies are required. Until randomised trials demonstrate superior efficacy for one mode of bisphosphonate therapy over another, we suggest offering patients a choice of bisphosphonate therapy. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Satisfaction with follow‐up consultations among younger adults treated for cancer: the role of quality of life and psychological variables
Authors: Michel Gisela , Greenfield Diana , Absolom Kate , Eiser Christine ,   on behalf of the Late Effects Group Sheffield
Published: May 2010

AbstractObjective: Given increased survival rates and treatment‐related late effects, follow‐up for cancer survivors is increasingly recommended. However, information about adverse events (e.g. possibility of late effects) may be distressing for the cancer survivor and lead to poor clinic attendance. Survivor satisfaction with appointments and the information provided are important. The Monitoring Process Model provides a theoretical framework to understand how survivors cope with threatening information, and consequences for follow‐up care. Our aims were to describe satisfaction with routine follow‐up and association between monitoring/blunting and satisfaction with care.Methods: Three hundred and forty‐nine patients [aged 18–45 years with a history of haematological, germ cell, breast or childhood cancer, >5 years from diagnosis without relapse (>2 years for germ cell survivors) and with a follow‐up appointment during the study period] were identified from hospital databases. Participants completed questionnaires before (T1) and after a routine appointment (T2).Results: Two hundred and seventy‐nine (79.9%) questionnaires were completed at T1 and 198 (56.7%) at T2. Clinic satisfaction was higher with shorter waiting time, longer consultation and more topics discussed, but not associated with monitoring. High monitors reported more psychological problems, more importance of clinic attendance and greater value of support groups and professional counselling.Conclusions: Satisfaction with follow‐up is high among young adult cancer survivors. Follow‐up was rated more highly by higher monitors, supporting previous findings that monitors seek out health care information. Provision of additional support services might increase satisfaction among survivors with psychological and social problems. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Influence of Physical Characteristics and Ingredients on the Minimum Burning Pressure of Ammonium Nitrate Emulsions
Authors: Turcotte Richard , Goldthorp Sandra , Badeen Christopher M. , Feng Hongtu , Chan Sek Kwan 
Published: May 2010

AbstractIt has been well established that sustained combustion in ammonium nitrate water‐based emulsions (AWEs) can only occur if the ambient pressure is held above some threshold value, usually referred to as the ‘minimum burning pressure’ (MBP). For the commercial explosives industry, a good knowledge of the MBP for particular AWE formulations is essential to estimate safe operating pressures for the associated manufacturing and handling processes. In these processes, AWE products are most often pumped in closed systems and at elevated temperature. While previous studies have established that the MBP can depend critically on major ingredients, its dependence on physical characteristics such as temperature and viscosity had never been investigated. Moreover, the consequences of alterations in measurement methodologies on the resulting measured MBP values had not been studied.
Intensive Training of Subjects with Chronic Hemiparesis on a Motorized Cycle Combined with Functional Electrical Stimulation (FES): A Feasibility and Safety Study
Authors: Alon Gad , Conroy Vincent M. , Donner Thomas W. 
Published: May 2010

AbstractBackground and Purpose. This study tested the safety and ability of subjects with chronic hemiplegia to tolerate intensive training using a motorized cycle combined with functional electrical stimulation (FES) system. Methods. A case series of 10 subjects with chronic stroke participated in 30‐minute three times per week cycling on a stationary motorized cycling system combined with FES (RT300TM). The stimulation activated the dorsal and plantar flexors, the quadriceps and the hamstrings using four channels and a stimulation pattern that assisted cycling motion of the paretic lower limb. Patients were instructed to cycle as close as possible to 60 rpm and the resistance to cycling was gradually increased using a computer‐based algorism. The training lasted eight weeks. Results. All 10 participants completed the training without adverse reactions to the training or the FES. The kcal utilized during the training increased significantly (p = 0.0003) between session 1 (2.2 ± 0.47), session 12 (4.3 ± 1.2) and session 24 (7.5 ± 1.8). Peak pedaling power increased from 6.5 ± 0.5 W pre‐training to 18.0 ± 5.4 W post‐training. Locomotion variables that improved significantly were time to complete the get up and go test (45.4 ± 54.9 seconds vs. 34.0 ± 31.8 seconds) a 24.6% improvement (p = 0.03) and gait velocity, which increased 25.0% from 0.4 ± 0.3 m/sec to 0.5 ± 0.4 m/sec (p = 0.01). Conclusion. Using a motorized cycle combined with FES intensive training appears safe and can be tolerated by patients with chronic stroke of wide age range, diverse severity of cardio‐pulmonary deconditioning, motor loss and locomotor deficits. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
A cytochrome c fusion protein domain for convenient detection, quantification, and enhanced production of membrane proteins in Escherichia coli—Expression and characterization of cytochrome‐tagged Complex I subunits
Authors: Gustavsson Tobias , Trane Maria , Moparthi Vamsi K. , Miklovyte Egle , Moparthi Lavanya , Górecki Kamil , Leiding Thom , Årsköld Sindra Peterson , Hägerhäll Cecilia 
Published: May 2010

AbstractOverproduction of membrane proteins can be a cumbersome task, particularly if high yields are desirable. NADH:quinone oxidoreductase (Complex I) contains several very large membrane‐spanning protein subunits that hitherto have been impossible to express individually in any appreciable amounts in Escherichia coli. The polypeptides contain no prosthetic groups and are poorly antigenic, making optimization of protein production a challenging task. In this work, the C‐terminal ends of the Complex I subunits NuoH, NuoL, NuoM, and NuoN from E. coli Complex I and the bona fide antiporters MrpA and MrpD were genetically fused to the cytochrome c domain of Bacillus subtilis cytochrome c550. Compared with other available fusion‐protein tagging systems, the cytochrome c has several advantages. The heme is covalently bound, renders the proteins visible by optical spectroscopy, and can be used to monitor, quantify, and determine the orientation of the polypeptides in a plethora of experiments. For the antiporter‐like subunits NuoL, NuoM, and NuoN and the real antiporters MrpA and MrpD, unprecedented amounts of holo‐cytochrome fusion proteins could be obtained in E. coli. The NuoHcyt polypeptide was also efficiently produced, but heme insertion was less effective in this construct. The cytochrome c550 domain in all the fusion proteins exhibited normal spectra and redox properties, with an Em of about +170 mV. The MrpA and MrpD antiporters remained functional after being fused to the cytochrome c‐tag. Finally, a his‐tag could be added to the cytochrome domain, without any perturbations to the cytochrome properties, allowing efficient purification of the overexpressed fusion proteins.
High resolution X‐ray structures of mouse major urinary protein nasal isoform in complex with pheromones
Authors: Perez‐Miller Samantha , Zou Qin , Novotny Milos V. , Hurley Thomas D. 
Published: May 2010

AbstractIn mice, the major urinary proteins (MUP) play a key role in pheromonal communication by binding and transporting semiochemicals. MUP‐IV is the only isoform known to be expressed in the vomeronasal mucosa. In comparison with the MUP isoforms that are abundantly excreted in the urine, MUP‐IV is highly specific for the male mouse pheromone 2‐sec‐butyl‐4,5‐dihydrothiazole (SBT). To examine the structural basis of this ligand preference, we determined the X‐ray crystal structure of MUP‐IV bound to three mouse pheromones: SBT, 2,5‐dimethylpyrazine, and 2‐heptanone. We also obtained the structure of MUP‐IV with 2‐ethylhexanol bound in the cavity. These four structures show that relative to the major excreted MUP isoforms, three amino acid substitutions within the binding calyx impact ligand coordination. The F103 for A along with F54 for L result in a smaller cavity, potentially creating a more closely packed environment for the ligand. The E118 for G substitution introduces a charged group into a hydrophobic environment. The sidechain of E118 is observed to hydrogen bond to polar groups on all four ligands with nearly the same geometry as seen for the water‐mediated hydrogen bond network in the MUP‐I and MUP‐II crystal structures. These differences in cavity size and interactions between the protein and ligand are likely to contribute to the observed specificity of MUP‐IV.