bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Patterns of monoclonal immunoglobulins and serum free light chains are significantly different in black compared to white monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance (MGUS) patients
Authors: Weiss Brendan M. , Minter Alex , Abadie Jude , Howard Robin , Ascencao Joao , Schechter Geraldine P. , Kuehl Michael , Landgren Ola 
Published: March 2011

AbstractMonoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance (MGUS), the precursor to multiple myeloma, is more common in blacks than whites. The serum free light chain (sFLC) assay is an important prognostic test in MGUS, but no study has evaluated sFLC levels and ratios in black MGUS patients. One‐hundred and twenty‐five black MGUS patients at two urban centers were compared to the white population of the Mayo Clinic. The median age for blacks was 73 years [41–94] and 75% were male. The M‐protein isotype in blacks was 81% IgG, 13% IgA, 2% IgM, and 4% biclonal compared to 70%, 12%, 16%, and 2%, respectively, in whites, (P < 0.0005). The median M‐protein concentration for blacks was 0.44 gm/dL (trace‐2.33) compared to 1.2 gm/dl in whites. An abnormal sFLC ratio was present in 45% of black compared to 33% of white (P = 0.01) patients. Using the Mayo Clinic risk model, black patients had a significantly lower proportion of higher risk MGUS compared to whites: low 43%, low‐intermediate 45%, high‐intermediate 10%, and high 2% (P = 0.014). Black patients with MGUS have significantly different laboratory findings compared to whites. The biologic basis for these disparities and their effect on prognostic assessment is unknown. Prognostic models based on these biomarkers should be used cautiously in nonwhite populations. Am. J. Hematol. 2011. © 2011 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
The blood–spinal cord barrier: Morphology and Clinical Implications
Authors: Bartanusz Viktor , Jezova Daniela , Alajajian Betty , Digicaylioglu Murat 
Published: March 2011

AbstractThe blood–spinal cord barrier (BSCB) is the functional equivalent of the blood–brain barrier (BBB) in the sense of providing a specialized microenvironment for the cellular constituents of the spinal cord. Even if intuitively the BSCB could be considered as the morphological extension of the BBB into the spinal cord, evidence suggests that this is not so. The BSCB shares the same principal building blocks with the BBB; nevertheless, it seems that morphological and functional differences may exist between them. Dysfunction of the BSCB plays a fundamental role in the etiology or progression of several pathological conditions of the spinal cord, such as spinal cord injury, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, and radiation‐induced myelopathy. This review summarizes current knowledge of the morphology of the BSCB, the methodology of studying the BSCB, and the potential role of BSCB dysfunction in selected disorders of the spinal cord, and finally summarizes therapeutic approaches to the BSCB. Ann Neurol 2011;
Many fields interaction: Beam splitters and waveguide arrays
Authors: Mar‐Sarao R. , Soto‐Eguibar F. , Moya‐Cessa H. 
Published: March 2011

AbstractWe study the interaction of many fields. We obtain an effective Hamiltonian for this system by using a method recently introduced that produces a small rotation to the Hamiltonian that allows to neglect some terms in the rotated Hamiltonian. We show that coherent states remain coherent under the action of a quadratic Hamiltonian and by solving the eigenvalue and eigenvector problem for tridiagonal matrices we also show that a system of n interacting harmonic oscillators, initially in coherent states, remain coherent during the interaction.
Neural network‐based controller design of a batch reactive distillation column under uncertainty
Authors: Konakom Kwantip , Kittisupakorn Paisan , Mujtaba Iqbal M. 
Published: March 2011

ABSTRACTThis paper presents the use of neural network‐based model predictive control (NNMPC) incorporated with a neural network (NN) estimator for handling the predefined optimal policy tracking of a batch reactive distillation. The predefined optimal policy has been determined by dynamic optimization strategy. Then, the NNMPC incorporated with the NN estimator has been implemented to provide tracking of the obtained optimal policy. The NN model in the MPC algorithm gives as a one‐step‐ahead prediction of states, and it is therefore used in every iteration over a prediction horizon. Thus, the measured distillate composition at current time, needed as one of NN model inputs, is needed. However, the composition measurement is rarely available online in practice. Hence, an NN estimator is developed to estimate the current composition from the available measured composition with delay of 10 min. Both NNs are trained based on Levenberg–Marquardt algorithm. It has been found that the NNMPC provides satisfactory control performance for set point tracking problems. The robustness of the NNMPC is investigated with respect to parametric plant uncertainties and temperature measurement noise. Comparisons are made with a proportional integral derivative (PID) controller incorporated with the NN estimator. The results show that the NNMPC provides better control performance than the PID controller in all cases. © 2011 Curtin University of Technology and John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Studies of the externally heat‐integrated double distillation columns (EHIDDiC)
Authors: Liu Gongxun , Chen Zidong , Huang Kejin , Shi Zhengyuan , Chen Haisheng , Wang Shaofeng 
Published: March 2011

AbstractIn terms of the separation of an ideal binary mixture of hypothetical components A and B, the synthesis and design of the externally heat‐integrated double distillation columns (EHIDDiC) are studied under the assumption of a constant pressure elevation from the low‐pressure (LP) to the high‐pressure (HP) distillation columns involved. It is found that employing one to three external heat exchangers can be a reasonable design option for the EHIDDiC. When multiple external heat exchangers (e.g. more than three external heat exchangers) have been adopted, the process configuration must be carefully determined because the increase in the number of stages externally heat‐integrated might not necessarily be beneficial to the system performance in this situation. This phenomenon has been caused by the strong mass and heat coupling between the HP and LP distillation columns involved and reflects also the unique characteristic of the EHIDDiC. For the reduction of capital investment, the total external heat exchange areas should be installed through as small a number of heat exchangers as possible and the extreme situation comes to the employment of a single external heat exchanger, thereby requiring subtle wisdom in arranging the total heat transfer areas between the HP and LP distillation columns involved. These insightful findings are of great significance to process synthesis and design. In addition, a novel decentralized control scheme is proposed for the operation of the EHIDDiC. Copyright © 2011 Curtin University of Technology and John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
A study on the financial approach of risk assessment using chemical accident records in chemical process industries
Authors: Jang Namjin , Koo Jamin , Kim Hosoo , Shin Dongil , Sup Yoon En 
Published: March 2011

AbstractUsually, risk assessment is a combination of risk analysis and risk appraisal to evaluate the consequences and frequencies of hazardous events. The acceptability of the exposed risk is also judged in the process. In this regard, the financial risk matrix could be a useful tool based on the frequency and expected loss of damage. Thus, it is adopted in this study where a financial approach has been taken in risk assessment; the proposed methodology uses frequencies from chemical accident records and value at risk (VaR). The methodology consists of mainly five steps. It starts with hazard identification, and is followed by adjustment of history‐based accident frequencies by using severity ratios. Then, accident probability and expected damage loss are estimated. The results obtained in the previous two steps are combined to compute VaR for the target process; this value is mapped with financial risk matrix to re‐evaluate accident frequency. As an illustrative case, Texas BP refinery accident in 2005 is studied according to the proposed methodology. The results indicate that the financial risk increased from a low level to a medium high level after the occurrence of the tragic accident. As similar accidents frequently occurred for the same process, the risk of the process should have been increased. This proposed method can reflect this dynamic change in risks with the help of accident records and their impacts. Copyright © 2011 Curtin University of Technology and John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Synergistic effect of metal oxides on the flame retardancy and thermal degradation of novel intumescent flame‐retardant thermoplastic polyurethanes
Authors: Lin Mo , Li Bin , Li Qifei , Li Sheng , Zhang Shengqiang 
Published: March 2011

AbstractThe synergistic effects of some metal oxides on novel intumescent flame retardant (IFR)–thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) composites were evaluated by limiting oxygen index (LOI), vertical burning test (UL‐94), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), cone calorimetry, and scanning electron microscopy. The experimental data indicated that the metal oxides enhanced the LOI value and restricted the dropping of the composites. The IFR–TPU composites passed the UL‐94 V‐0 rating test (1.6 mm) in the presence of magnesium oxide (MgO) and ferric oxide (Fe2O3) at 35 wt % IFR loading, whereas only the MgO‐containing IFR–TPU composite reached a UL‐94 V‐0 rating at 30 wt % IFR loading. The TGA results show that the metal oxides had different effects on the process of thermal degradation of the IFR–TPU compositions. MgO easily reacted with polyphosphoric acid generated by the decomposition of ammonium polyphosphate (APP) to produce magnesium phosphate. MgO and Fe2O3 showed low flammability and smoke emission due to peak heat release rate, peak smoke production rate, total heat release, and total smoke production (TSP). However, zinc oxide brought an increase in the smoke production rate and TSP values. Among the metal oxides, MgO provided an impressive promotion on the LOI value. The alkaline metal oxide MgO more easily reacted with APP in IFRs. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2011
Preparation and properties of transparent zinc oxide/silicone nanocomposites for the packaging of high‐power light‐emitting diodes
Authors: Sun Yuping , Gu Aijuan , Liang Guozheng , Yuan Li 
Published: March 2011

AbstractNew transparent zinc oxide (ZnO)/silicone nanocomposites with outstanding integrated properties, including a high UV‐shielding efficiency and transparency, bigger thermal conductivity, and lower dielectric constant, were successfully developed; they were prepared by the uniform dispersion of organic modified nano‐ZnO in a silicone matrix through in situ polymerization. The ZnO precursor was prepared by a direct precipitation method, which was then calcinated at different temperatures to produce nano‐ZnO with various morphologies and sizes. The effects of the size, surface nature, and content of nano‐ZnO on the key properties (e.g., optical and dielectric properties, thermal conductivities) of the composites were systematically investigated. The results show that the organic nano‐ZnO prepared by 3‐methacryloxypropyltrimethoxysilane can increase the dispersion of nano‐ZnO in silicone resin, and the interfacial adhesion between inorganic and organic phases, and consequently improve the integrated properties of nanocomposites. The increase of the particle content and size of ZnO in composites can lead to high thermal conductivity and UV‐shielding efficiency but lower visible‐light transparency, so there is an optimum content and size of ZnO in composites to obtain the best integrated properties of the composites. Specifically, the nanocomposite containing 0.03 wt % organic nano‐ZnO with an average size of 46 ± 0.4 nm not only had a high visible‐light transparency, UV‐shielding efficiency, and thermal conductivity but also possessed a low dielectric constant and loss and met the requirements of high‐performance electronic packaging for high‐power light‐emitting diodes. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2011
Ultraviolet photopolymerization induced by a triazine derivative
Authors: Jiang Mingyan , Wang Kemin , Ma Guiping , Jian Lu , Juan Xu , Yu Qiang , Nie Jun 
Published: March 2011

Abstract2‐(3,4‐Methdioxyphenyl)‐4,6‐bis(trichloromethyl)‐ 1,3,5‐triazine (MBTTR) was used as a photoinitiator for the polymerization of acrylate monomer. Ultraviolet–visible absorption spectroscopy was used to investigate the photochemical behavior during the photophysical process. The photopolymerization kinetics were monitored by real‐time Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. The polymerization rates of the acrylates were significantly higher than those of the methacrylates. When MBTTR induced the polymerization of trimethylolpropane triacrylate, there was an optimum polymerization rate and the final conversion was obtained at 0.1 wt % MBTTR. MBTTR was an inefficient photoinitiator for ethyl vinyl. The final conversions of tripropylene glycol diacrylate induced by MBTTR and triazine/1,3‐benzodioxole were similar. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2011
Supramolecular bionanocomposites, part 2: Effects of carbon nanoparticle surface functionality on polylactide crystallization
Authors: Sobkowicz Margaret J. , Sosa Rodolfo , Dorgan John R. 
Published: March 2011

AbstractTwo types of supramolecular carbon nanostructures, carbon nanospheres (CNS) and multiwalled carbon nanotubes, (MWCNTs) are investigated for their potential as nanofillers in the bioplastic polylactide (PLA). Modification of the surfaces of both carbon nanostructures by covalent attachment of dodecylamine is accomplished and the effects of this compatibilizing functionality are explored. Crystallization kinetics, thermal properties, and mechanical properties are investigated. Addition of a small amount of carbon to the PLA increases the thermal stability by as much as 20–30°C. Incorporation of the MWCNT and CNS increases the heat distortion temperature by up to 10°C. Speed up in crystallization rate is observed for small to intermediate loading levels; however, at higher nanofiller loading, the rate decreases. Functionalized nanostructures are more effective at increasing crystallization rates than unfunctionalized nanostructures. It is concluded that the dodecylamine (DDA) grafted to the carbon surfaces aids in dispersing the materials and preventing aggregation, thereby providing higher surface area for heterogeneous nucleation of the biopolymer. The resulting materials are composed of the supramolecular carbon nanostructure embedded in a semicrystalline biopolymer matrix. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2011
Rice hull biocomposites, part 2: Effect of the resin composition on the properties of the composite
Authors: Quirino Rafael L. , Larock Richard C. 
Published: March 2011

AbstractA free radical thermoset resin consisting of a copolymer of conjugated linseed oil (CLO) or conjugated soybean oil (CSO), n‐butyl methacrylate (BMA), divinylbenzene (DVB), and maleic anhydride (MA) has been reinforced with rice hulls. Composites containing 70 wt % of the filler were compression molded, the conjugated oil content in the resin was kept constant at 50 wt %, and the relative amounts of BMA, DVB, and MA were varied to afford composites with different resin compositions. Tensile tests, DMA, thermogravimetric analysis, and Soxhlet extraction of the different composites prepared have been used to establish the relationship between resin composition and the properties of the composites. Overall, the mechanical properties tend to improve when MA is introduced into the resin. Scanning electron microscopy of selected samples showed a better filler–resin interaction for MA‐containing composites and samples prepared from CLO exhibit better properties than those prepared from CSO. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2011
Measurement of the variation of crystal lattice structures of ethylene copolymers with high‐resolution cryogenic FTIR spectroscopy
Authors: Su Zhiqiang , Li Qing , Cao Li , Chen Xiaonong 
Published: March 2011

AbstractHigh‐resolution cryogenic Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) was used to measure the variation of the unit cell volume of ethylene‐octene copolymers (EG) in this study. It was found that both the comonomer content and thermal history have great influence on the crystal lattice structure of ethylene polymers. With the increase of the octene content, the unit cell volume of EG copolymers expand, and quenching treatment favors the increase of distance between two molecular chains in orthorhombic crystals and causes more crystal lattice deformation. Compared with traditional wide‐angle X‐ray diffraction method, high‐resolution cryogenic FTIR spectroscopy, as a powerful technique for measuring the changes of crystal lattice structures of polyethylene and ethylene copolymers, can provide more accurate information on the characterization of the changes of crystal lattice structures of semicrystalline polymers. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2011
High activity of rare earth tetrahydroborates for ring‐opening polymerization of ω‐pentadecalactone
Authors: Nakayama Yuushou , Watanabe Naoki , Kusaba Keisuke , Sasaki Kenta , Cai Zhengguo , Shiono Takeshi , Tsutsumi Chikara 
Published: March 2011

AbstractRing‐opening polymerization of ω‐pentadecalactone (PDL) by tetrahydroborate complexes of rare earth metals, Ln(BH4)3(THF)3 (Ln = La (1), Nd (2), Y (3)), was studied. These complexes showed high activity for PDL polymerization in THF at 60°C. Among the complexes 1–3, the neodymium complex 2 was most active. The obtained poly(PDL) was demonstrated to be hydroxy‐telechelic by 1H‐NMR and MALDI‐TOF MS spectroscopy. Biodegradation of the poly(PDL) in compost at 60°C was investigated, where 18% weight loss of the samples was observed after 280 days. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2011
Curing behavior and dielectric properties of hyperbranched poly(phenylene oxide)/cyanate ester resins
Authors: Huang Pingzhen , Gu Aijuan , Liang Guozheng , Yuan Li 
Published: March 2011

AbstractA novel hyperbranched poly(phenylene oxide) (HBPPO) modified 2,2′‐bis(4‐cyanatophenyl) isopropylidene (BCE) resin system with significantly reduced curing temperature and outstanding dielectric properties was developed, and the effect of the content of HBPPO on the curing behavior and dielectric properties as well as their origins was thoroughly investigated. Results show that BCE/HBPPO has significantly lower curing temperature than BCE owing to the different curing mechanisms between the two systems, the difference also brings different crosslinked networks and thus dielectric properties. The dielectric properties are frequency and temperature dependence, which are closely related with the content of HBPPO in the BCE/HBPPO system. BCE/2.5 HBPPO and BCE/5 HBPPO resins have lower dielectric constant than BCE resin over the whole frequency range tested, while BCE/10 HBPPO resin exhibits higher dielectric constant than BCE resin in the low frequency range (<104 Hz) at 200°C. At 150°C or higher temperature, the dielectric loss at the frequency lower than 102 Hz becomes sensitive to the content of HBPPO. These phenomena can be attributed to the molecular relaxation. Two relaxation processes (α‐ and β‐relaxation processes) are observed. The β‐relaxation process shifts toward higher frequency with the increase of temperature because of the polymer structure and chain flexibility; the α‐relaxation process appears at high temperature resulting from the chain‐mobility effects. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2011
Population structure of the migratory fish Prochilodus lineatus (Characiformes) from rio Grande basin (Brazil), an area fragmented by dams
Authors: Garcez Riviane , Calcagnotto Daniela , De Almeida‐Toledo Lurdes Foresti 
Published: March 2011

Abstract
Prochilodus lineatus (Prochilodontidae, Characiformes) is a migratory species of great economic importance both in fisheries and aquaculture that is found throughout the Jacuí, Paraíba do Sul, Paraná, Paraguay and Uruguay river basins in South America. Earlier population studies of P. lineatus in the rio Grande basin (Paraná basin) indicated the existence of a single population; however, the range of this species has been fragmented by the construction of several dams. Such dams modified the environmental conditions and could have constrained the reproductive migration of P. lineatus, possibly leading to changes in the population genetic structure.
In order to evaluate how genetic diversity is allocated in the rio Grande basin, 141 specimens of P. lineatus from eight collection sites were analysed using polymerase chain reaction–restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR‐RFLP) with 15 restriction enzymes.
Forty‐six haplotypes were detected, and 70% of them are restricted. The mean genetic variability indexes (h = 0.7721 and π = 1.6%) were similar to those found in natural populations with a large effective size. Fst and Exact Test values indicated a lack of structuring among the samples, and the model of isolation by distance was tested and rejected.
The haplotype network indicated that this population of P. lineatus has been maintained as a single variable stock with some differences in the genetic composition (haplotypes) between samples. Indications of population expansion were detected, and this finding was supported by neutrality tests and mismatch distribution analyses.
The present study focused on regions between dams to serve as a parameter for further evaluations of genetic variability and the putative impact of dams and repopulation programmes in natural populations of P. lineatus. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Eine Bemerkung zur Frage einer sonnennahen interstellaren Absorption
Authors: Schmidt H. 
Published: March 2011

AbstractEine von Charlier festgestellte und von Brill behandelte Abhängigkeit der absoluten Helligkeiten der B‐Sterne von der scheinbaren Helligkeit wird neu diskutiert und mit der Existenz einer langgestreckten Dunkelwolke in der Umgebung der Sonne in Zusammenhang gebracht.
Beitrag zur Bestimmung einer Doppelsternbahn
Authors: Harting H. 
Published: March 2011

AbstractDer folgende Beitrag zur Bestimmung der Bahn des Doppelsternes 42 Comae Berenices beschäftigt sich mit den bis zum Jahr 1891 angestellten Beobachtungen, die in einer bisher nicht veröffentlichten umfangreichen Arbeit untersucht wurden. Dank den seither bekanntgegebenen Messungen sind bereits die Bahnelemente genau bestimmt, so daß sich ein näheres kritisches Eingehen auf die älteren Beobachtungen in dieser Arbeit erübrigt. Es werden zwei Verfahren für die Ableitung der Elemente angegeben, und zwar sowohl aus den Distanzen allein, wie aus diesen zusammen mit den Positionswinkeln. Zum Schluß wird dann das vollständige, aus allen Beobachtungen ermittelte Elementen‐system, sowie dessen mittlere Fehler und die der Gewichtseinheiten von Distanz und Positionswinkel angegeben. Für die zweite Methode wird gleichfalls ein kurzes Zahlenbeispiel mitgeteilt.