bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
A new mechanism for the electrospinning of nanoyarns
Authors: Bazbouz Mohamed Basel , Stylios George K. 
Published: October 2011

AbstractA new electromechanical mechanism for spinning “core electrospun nanoyarn” is researched, designed, and implemented. SEM images have shown that the deposited nanofibers were wrapped helically around the core filament resulting in a core electrospun nanoyarn. The parameters of this mechanism such as feed‐in angles, twist rates, and take‐up speeds are analytically investigated. Twist rates of 500 to 750 revolutions per minute, core feed‐in angle of 0°, and take‐up speed of 1.5 cm/s were found optimum for successfully producing core electrospun nanoyarn. This nanoyarn is expected to find many applications in industrial and medical textiles. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2012
Hydrogel membranes based on gum tragacanth with tunable structure and properties. I. Preparation method using Taguchi experimental design
Authors: Kiani A. , Shahbazi M. , Asempour H. 
Published: October 2011

AbstractGum tragacanth (GT) was exploited to create a series of novel hydrogel membranes with diverse swelling properties. The films of this biopolymer were crosslinked with applying heat only, as well as application of four types of chemical crosslinking reagents, including glycerin, ethylene glycol, triethylene glycol, and glutaraldehyde. The effects of the crosslinking agent concentration, crosslinking reaction temperature (57–97°C) and reaction time (2–24 h) on the equilibrium swelling of each series of the synthesized hydrogels were investigated by the aid of Taguchi method of experimental design. This approach facilitated the study of interaction of a large number of variables spanned by factors and their levels with a small number of experimental runs. In all cases, it was found that by increasing the concentration of each type of the crosslinking reagent and extension of the crosslinking reaction time, the swelling capacity of the prepared hydrogel films decreased. However, by increasing the crosslinking temperature, the equilibrium swelling capacity changed by passing through a minimum. As a whole, the equilibrium swelling values of the hydrogels proved that a broad range of hydrogel membranes having the crosslinking densities of 0.83–23.87 × 10−6 mol/cm3 and swelling capacities of 120–1580 g/g was achieved successfully from GT. Thus, GT was assigned as a promising biopolymer for preparing membranes with diverse structural and swelling characteristics. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2012
A new tri‐functional azetidine compound for self‐curing aqueous‐based PU system
Authors: Wang Shih‐Chieh , Chen Po‐Chen , Hwang Jing‐Zhong , Huang Chi‐Yuan , Yeh Jen‐Taut , Chen Kan‐Nan 
Published: October 2011

AbstractA mono‐azetidine compound had been demonstrating a ring opening reaction with carboxylic acid (e.g., trimethylacetic acid, TMAA) and that resulted in an amino ester bond formation at ambient temperature. A triazetidine compound (trimethylolpropane tris(1‐azetidinyl)propionate, TMPTA‐AZT) was obtained via Michael addition of azetidine (AZT) to trimethylolpropane triacrylate (TMPTA). The carboxylic groups of anionic aqueous‐based polyurethanes (PU) served as internal emulsifier, which stabilized PU dispersion and also served as PU curing sites. The triazetidine compound (TMPTA‐AZT) was introduced into anionic aqueous‐based PU dispersion as a new latent curing agent and that mixture became a single‐component self‐curable aqueous PU system. A crosslinked PU film was obtained from this PU system on drying at ambient temperature. The final polymer performance properties demonstrated the crosslinking behaviors of this new curing agent, TMPTA‐AZT, with carboxylic ion‐containing aqueous‐based PU resins. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2012
Electrical conductivity modeling of carbon black/polycarbonate, carbon nanotube/polycarbonate, and exfoliated graphite nanoplatelet/polycarbonate composites
Authors: Via Michael D. , King Julia A. , Keith Jason M. , Bogucki Gregg R. 
Published: October 2011

AbstractAdding conductive carbon fillers to electrically insulating thermoplastic polymers increases the resulting composite's electrical conductivity, which would enable them to be used in electrostatic dissipative and semiconductive applications. In this study, varying amounts of carbon black (CB: 2 to 10 wt %), multiwalled carbon nanotubes (CNT: 0.5 to 8 wt %), or exfoliated graphite nanoplatelets (GNP: 2 to 15 wt %) were added to polycarbonate (PC) and the resulting composites were tested for electrical conductivity (EC = 1/electrical resistivity). The percolation threshold was ∼ 1.2 vol % CNT, ∼ 2.4 vol % CB, and ∼ 4.6 vol % GNP. In addition, three EC models (Mamunya, additive, and general effective media) were developed for the CB/PC, CNT/PC, and GNP/PC composites. The general effective media (GEM) model showed the best agreement with the experimental results over the entire range of filler concentrations (above and below the percolation threshold) for all three composite systems. In addition, the GEM model can be easily adapted for composites containing combinations of different conductive fillers. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2012
Annealing‐induced high impact toughness of polypropylene/CaCO3 nanocomposites
Authors: Lin Yong , Chen Haibin , Chan Chi‐Ming , Wu Jingshen 
Published: October 2011

AbstractOur previous study (Macromolecule 2008, 41, 9204–9213) reported that annealing significantly increased the impact toughness of polypropylene (PP)/calcium carbonate (CaCO3) nanocomposites. We further investigated the underlying mechanism and report the results in this article. The impact strength of a high‐molecular‐weight PP filled with 20 wt % CaCO3 nanoparticles increased to 890 J/m upon 155°C‐annealing, about 20 times that of neat unannealed PP. This exceptionally high impact toughness is partially attributed to the high‐molecular‐weight PP, which provided strong ligaments. Moreover, this high‐molecular‐weight PP has a low concentration of cross‐hatched structure upon annealing, indicating that the cross‐hatched structure, which was suspected to be responsible for the annealing‐induced high impact toughness in the previous study, is in fact irrelevant to the annealing‐promoted impact toughness. A large number of cavities were observed in the impact‐fractured annealed nanocomposites because the difference in the stiffness between the crystalline and amorphous regions was enlarged upon annealing. These cavities, formed in the early stage of deformation, may have contributed to the annealing‐induced high impact toughness because these numerous cavities, in addition to the debonding of the CaCO3 nanoparticles, further released the plastic constraint of the PP matrix. Massive plastic deformation, therefore, became operative, leading to large energy dissipation. In addition, we found that the tensile toughness of the annealed nanocomposites was considerably reduced due to a significant reduction in the strain‐at‐break because the numerous cavities caused an earlier development of macro‐cracks, leading to smaller strain‐at‐breaks. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2012
Autoantibodies to estrogen receptor α interfere with T lymphocyte homeostasis and are associated with disease activity in systemic lupus erythematosus
Authors: Colasanti Tania , Maselli Angela , Conti Fabrizio , Sanchez Massimo , Alessandri Cristiano , Barbati Cristiana , Vacirca Davide , Tinari Antonella , Chiarotti Flavia , Giovannetti Antonello , Franconi Flavia , Valesini Guido , Malorni Walter , Pierdominici Marina , Ortona Elena 
Published: October 2011

AbstractObjectiveEstrogens influence many physiologic processes and are also implicated in the development or progression of numerous diseases, including autoimmune disorders. Aberrations of lymphocyte homeostasis that lead to the production of multiple pathogenic autoantibodies, including autoantibodies specific to estrogen receptor (ER), have been detected in the peripheral blood of patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). This study was undertaken to assess the presence of both anti‐ERα and anti‐ERβ antibodies in sera from patients with SLE, to analyze the effect of these antibodies on peripheral blood T lymphocyte homeostasis, and to evaluate their role as determinants of disease pathogenesis and progression.MethodsAnti‐ER antibody serum immunoreactivity was analyzed by enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay in samples from 86 patients with SLE and 95 healthy donors. Phenotypic and functional analyses were performed by flow cytometry and Western blotting.ResultsAnti‐ERα antibodies were present in 45% of the patients with SLE, whereas anti‐ERβ antibodies were undetectable. In healthy donors, anti‐ERα antibodies induced cell activation and consequent apoptotic cell death in resting lymphocytes as well as proliferation of anti‐CD3–stimulated T lymphocytes. A significant association between anti‐ERα antibody values and clinical parameters, i.e., the SLE Disease Activity Index and arthritis, was found.ConclusionOur data suggest that anti‐ERα autoantibodies interfere with T lymphocyte homeostasis and are significantly associated with lupus disease activity.
Intellectual diversity and the faculty composition of iSchools
Authors: Wiggins Andrea , Sawyer Steven 
Published: October 2011

AbstractWe provide evidence and discuss findings regarding the intellectual distribution and faculty composition of academic units involved in the iSchool community. To better understand the intellectual heritage and major influences shaping the development of the individual and collective identities in iSchools, we develop a classification of the intellectual domains of iSchool faculty education. We use this to develop a descriptive analysis of the community's intellectual composition. The discussion focuses on characterizing intellectual diversity in the iSchools. We conclude with a discussion of the potential implications of these trends relative to the future development of the iSchool community.
Metal‐Ion‐Promoted Electron Transfer between Tetrathiafulvalene and Quinone Units Within a Calix[4]arene Framework and Tuning through Coordination of the Neighboring Crown Ether with a Sodium Cation
Authors: Sun Fei , Hu Fang , Zhang Guanxin , Zhang Deqing 
Published: October 2011

AbstractA new calix[4]arene 1 with tetrathiafulvalene (TTF), quinone, and crown ether units in the lower rim was designed and synthesized with the aim to investigate the possibility to tune the metal‐ion promoted electron transfer by coordination of the crown ether unit with additional metal ions. Both absorption and electron spin resonance (ESR) spectroscopic studies clearly indicate that electron transfer occurs efficiently from TTF to the quinone units in the presence of Sc3+/Pb2+/Zn2+. Moreover, the intramolecular electron transfer within 1 induced by Zn2+ can be switched off by addition of Na+ and further turned on by addition of either Sc3+ or Pb2+.
Pregnancy complications and obstetric suboptimality in association with autism spectrum disorders in children of the nurses' health study II
Authors: Lyall Kristen , Pauls David L. , Spiegelman Donna , Ascherio Alberto , Santangelo Susan L. 
Published: October 2011

AbstractThe authors examined pregnancy and obstetric complications in association with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) in children of participants from the Nurses' Health Study II, a prospective national cohort with information collected through biennial mailed questionnaires since 1989. Logistic regression was used to obtain crude and adjusted odds ratios for ASD, and by diagnostic subgroup. Seven hundred and ninety‐three cases were reported among 66,445 pregnancies. Pregnancy complications and obstetric suboptimality factors were assessed by maternal report of occurrence in first birth and, in secondary analyses, in any birth. Complications and a suboptimality score were significantly associated with having a child with ASD (OR 1.49, 95% CI 1.26, 1.77, P<0.0001 for pregnancy complications in first birth and 2.76, 95% CI 2.04, 3.74, P<0.0001 comparing individuals with four or more obstetric suboptimality factors in first birth to those with none; results similar when assessed in any birth). In particular, gestational diabetes was associated with a significantly increased risk of ASD in results of primary and sensitivity analyses (OR in primary analysis = 1.76, 95% CI 1.34, 2.32, P<0.0001); suboptimal parity and suboptimal age‐at‐first‐birth were also individual factors associated with ASD. Associations were similar by diagnostic subgroup, suggesting autism, Asperger syndrome, and other Pervasive Developmental Disorders are all associated with pregnancy complications. Consistent with previous research, the general class of pregnancy complications was associated with ASD as a whole. Additional work will be required to more fully assess the role of gestational diabetes. Autism Res 2012,5:21–30. © 2011 International Society for Autism Research, Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
The Emit® 2000 Cyclosporine Specific Assay, Extended Range: Development of an application protocol for the V‐Twin® Analyzer
Authors: Morjana Nihmat , Yau Harriet , Rea Diane , Ruttle Doris , Jones Heather , Siefring Jr. Gerald , Christenson Robert 
Published: October 2011

AbstractWe evaluated a new protocol for measurement of cyclosporine A (CsA) 2 H after dose (C2) on the V‐Twin® analyzer. Imprecision, recovery, and linearity were determined using CsA‐spiked blood pools. Accuracy was evaluated using specimens from renal, cardiac, and liver transplant patients, and results were compared with those from liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry (LC–MS/MS) and the Abbott TDx®/TDxFLx® assay. Cross‐reactivity and interferences were assessed in the presence of 800 ng/mL CsA. Imprecision coefficients of variation were 3.3%–4.8% (within run) and 5.9%–8.7% (total). Recovery was within 10% of the expected values. Linearity was 350–2,000 ng/mL. Calibration was stable for ≥ 2 weeks. Method comparison showed regression statistics: V‐Twin® = 1.01 × LC tandem MS + 36.1, r = 0.971; V‐Twin® = 1.13 × Abbott − 92.4, r = 0.969. Metabolite cross‐reactivity and interference (endogenous substances and drugs) were within ±10%. The C2 protocol on the V‐Twin® analyzer provides acceptable assay performance and accurate determination of whole blood CsA drawn at 2 H after dose.
Role of mammography in the triple assessment of single-quadrant breast symptoms (Br J Surg 2011; 98: 951–955)
Authors: Lal A , Evoy D , Geraghty J , McDermott E 
Published: October 2011

Abstract
The Editors welcome topical correspondence from readers relating to articles published in the Journal. Responses should be sent electronically via the BJS website (www.bjs.co.uk). All letters will be reviewed and, if approved, appear on the website. A selection of these will be edited and published in the Journal. Letters must be no more than 250 words in length.
Flocculation and transcriptional adaptation to fermentation conditions in a recombinant wine yeast strain defective for KNR4/SMI1
Authors: Penacho Vanessa , Blondin Bruno , Valero Eva , Gonzalez Ramon 
Published: October 2011

AbstractKNR4 defective recombinant wine yeast strains were previously shown to oversecrete mannoproteins during alcoholic fermentation and, depending on the genetic background, to contribute to protein stability of white wines. We have tried to get a deeper insight into the consequences of KNR4 deletion in a wine yeast strain, from both a biological and an enological standpoint, and to understand the mechanisms leading to improved mannoprotein release. In fermentation experiments, followed by aging on lees, and compared to the parent strain, the recombinant strain shows increased release of mannoproteins during the fermentation but little increase during aging. Mannoprotein release by the recombinant strain takes place mainly during the fermentation step. In contrast, autolysis of the recombinant strain keeps going after aging for 78 days. In addition, the recombinant strain is moderately flocculent, which would be interesting for the production of sparkling wines. This might be related to changes in the expression of Flo1p‐regulated genes. The new biological processes affected by KNR4 deletion in wine yeasts, as revealed by this transcriptomic study are flocculation, adaptation to anaerobiosis, oxidative stress response, and ethanol tolerance, as well as FKS1 overexpression; but no overexpression was detected for genes coding for major structural mannoproteins of the cell wall. © 2011 American Institute of Chemical Engineers Biotechnol. Prog., 2012
Shear‐induced changes in membrane fluidity during culture of a fragile dinoflagellate microalga
Authors: Gallardo‐Rodríguez J.J. , García‐Camacho F. , Sánchez‐Mirón A. , López‐Rosales L. , Chisti Y. , Molina‐Grima E. 
Published: October 2011

AbstractThe commonly used shear protective agent Pluronic F68 (PF68) was toxic to the marine dinoflagellate microalga Protoceratium reticulatum, but had a shear‐protective effect on it at concentrations of ≤0.5 g L−1. Supplementation of P. reticulatum cultures with PF68 actually increased the fluidity of the cell membrane; therefore, the shear protective effect of PF68 could not be ascribed to reduced membrane fluidity, an explanation that has been commonly used in relation to its shear protective effect on animal cells. Data are reported on the membrane fluidity of P. reticulatum and its response to the presence of PF68 under sublethal and lethal turbulence regimens. The membrane fluidity was found to depend strongly on the level of lipoperoxides in the cells produced under lethal agitation. © 2011 American Institute of Chemical Engineers Biotechnol. Prog., 2012
The Taming of CN7−: The Azidotetrazolate 2‐Oxide Anion
Authors: Klapötke Thomas M. , Piercey Davin G. , Stierstorfer Jörg 
Published: October 2011

AbstractThe highly sensitive 5‐azidotetrazolate anion was oxidized to its correspondingN‐oxide by aqueous oxidation in a buffered oxone solution to the azidotetrazolate 2‐oxide anion. After acidic extraction and neutralization with ammonia, the ammonium salt was isolated. Several energetic salts of this novel anion were prepared from the ammonium salt, and in all cases were found to be of lower sensitivity than the corresponding 5‐azidotetrazolate salt while still being highly sensitive towards mechanical stimuli. Explosive performances (detonation velocity, detonation pressure) of applicable salts were also found to be higher than the non‐N‐oxide variants. Preparation of the free acid 2‐hydroxy‐5‐azidotetrazole was achieved by protonation of the anion and identified by NMR spectroscopy, whereas the majority of the azidotetrazolate 2‐oxide salts have unequivocal crystallographic proof.
Paste engineering: Multi‐Phase materials and multi‐phase flows
Authors: Wilson D. I. , Rough S. L. 
Published: October 2011

AbstractThe multi‐phase nature of granular pastes, coupled with their non‐Newtonian rheology and inherent inhomogeneity, makes characterisation and prediction of flow behaviour challenging. We focus on ‘stiff’ pastes which can maintain their shape after extrusion. We describe how the approach presented by Benbow and Bridgwater can be used to predict the deformation and flow behaviour of such materials. Illustrations are drawn from industrial pastes and applications studied in our group. Its basis in viscoplasticity and pure plasticity is discussed. Problems associated with ‘stiff’ pastes are highlighted. Finally, a roadmap is presented summarising how we think the progress of paste understanding needs to be developed. © 2011 Canadian Society for Chemical Engineering
An object‐oriented bulk synchronous parallel library for multicore programming
Authors: Yzelman A.N. , Bisseling Rob H. 
Published: October 2011

SUMMARYWe show that the bulk synchronous parallel (BSP) model, originally designed for distributed‐memory systems, is also applicable for shared‐memory multicore systems and, furthermore, that BSP libraries are useful in scientific computing on these systems. A proof‐of‐concept MulticoreBSP library has been implemented in Java, and is used to show that BSP algorithms can attain proper speedups on multicore architectures. This library is based on the BSPlib implementation, adapted to an object‐oriented setting. In comparison, the number of function primitives is reduced, while the overall design simplicity is improved. We detail applying the BSP model and library on the sparse matrix–vector (SpMV) multiplication problem, and show by performing numerical experiments that the resulting BSP SpMV algorithm attains speedups, in one case reaching a speedup of 3.5 for 4 threads. Whereas not described in detail in this paper, algorithms for the fast Fourier transform and the dense LU decomposition are also investigated; in one case, attaining superlinear speedups of 5 for 4 threads. The predictability of BSP algorithms in the case of the SpMV is also investigated. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The Disclosure of Environmental Capital Expenditures: Evidence from the Electric Utility Sector in the USA
Authors: Silva‐Gao Lucia 
Published: October 2011

ABSTRACTThis research provides evidence that companies may disclose environmental capital expenditures to inform investors of a proactive environmental strategy. For a sample of electric utilities in the USA, the results show that companies with lower rates of emissions of three greenhouse gases are more likely to report amounts of environmental capital expenditure. These companies also have higher overall capital spending intensity and better financial performance. Therefore, the results support voluntary disclosure theory arguments, rather than legitimacy theory arguments. Firms with superior performance may disclose environmental capital spending to send a strong signal to investors of commitment to improvement of environmental performance and to differentiate themselves from competitors. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd and ERP Environment.
The effect of siblings on early development: A potential contributor to personality differences in mammals
Authors: Hudson Robyn , Bautista Amando , Reyes‐Meza Verónica , Montor Jorge Morales , Rödel Heiko G. 
Published: October 2011

AbstractAlthough most mammals grow up in the company of same or different age sibs (or half sibs), surprisingly little attention has been given to how relations among them might influence the development of individual differences in morphology, physiology, and behavior. Here we review evidence from our work on domestic and wild European rabbits, and more recently on laboratory rats, mice, and domestic cats, supporting the proposition that in mammals early sibling relations contribute to the development of individual differences in these three domains and thereby to long‐term behavioral differences of the kind we might consider part of an animal's behavioral style or personality. First we report a consistent and marked negative relation between litter size and individuals' body mass at birth and weaning, as well as marked within‐litter differences in prenatal body mass and placental efficiency. We then report individual differences in preweaning behaviors associated with these morphological variables such as position occupied in the litter huddle and development of motor ability, as well as physiological differences in thermoregulation, immune parameters, and endocrine indicators of stress. Finally, we report first evidence from wild rabbits that early relations among littermates may have long‐term consequences for individual differences in behavioral style. We conclude that in mammals, individual differences in early growth, physiology and behavior potentially important for the development of animal personality, are shaped to an appreciable extent by early sibling relations and that this little‐researched field deserves closer attention. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Dev Psychobiol 53:564–574, 2011.