bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Vision-Related Quality of Life Assessment Using the NEI-VFQ-25 in Adolescents and Young Adults With a History of Congenital Cataract
Authors: Kirwan Caitriona , Lanigan Bernadette , O’Keefe Michael 
Published: May 2011

Purpose:
To assess vision-specific health-related quality of life in adolescents and young adults with a history of congenital cataract using the National Eye Institute 25-item Visual Function Questionnaire (NEI-VFQ-25).

Methods:
A retrospective chart review was performed for patients who underwent surgery aged younger than 24 months. Those 13 years or older at follow-up were selected for inclusion. Educational attainment was determined. A control group of healthy individuals of similar age with no visual complaints also completed the questionnaire.

Results:
Sixteen patients with a history of unilateral cataract (mean age: 17.8 ± 2.8 years), 22 with bilateral cataract (19.5 ± 4.6 years), and 15 controls (17.9 ± 2.5 years) were included in the study. The bilateral cataract group had greater difficulty with near and distance activities compared with the unilateral group, and had significantly lower vision-specific social functioning, role difficulties, mental health, and composite scores. Comparing the unilateral cataract and control groups, there was no significant difference in ocular pain, vision-specific social functioning, role difficulties, and dependency scores between both groups.

Conclusion:
Patients with unilateral cataract had fewer difficulties performing near and distance activities and certain vision-specific tasks than the bilateral group, but both groups were comparable in terms of general vision scores. The control group had better scores than the unilateral group in some, but not all, categories and better than the bilateral group in most. Educational achievements were high in both cataract groups. All attended main stream school and many attended university.
Basophils, IgE, and Autoantibody-Mediated Kidney Disease
Authors: Bosch Xavier , Lozano Francisco , Cervera Ricard , Ramos-Casals Manuel , Min Booki 
Published: May 2011

Abstract
Basophils are of interest in immunology due to their ability to produce a Th2-signature cytokine, IL-4, following activation. A new understanding of the role of basophils in immunity shows novel functions at a cellular level through which basophils influence adaptive immunity. This review summarizes new advances in basophil biology and discusses new roles for basophils in human disease, especially in the mediation of the pathogenesis of lupus nephritis. Recently, basophils have been shown to contribute to self-reactive Ab production in systemic lupus erythematosus and may enhance pre-existing loss of B cell tolerance, suggesting that basophils, IL-4, and IgE mediate the pathogenesis of lupus nephritis by promoting the Th2 environment and activating autoreactive B cells. In addition to envisaging exciting therapeutic prospects, these novel findings open the way for the study of basophils in other autoimmune and renal diseases.
Complemented Subspaces of Linear Bounded Operators
Authors: Bahreini Manijeh , Bator Elizabeth , Ghenciu Ioana 
Published: May 2011

AbstractWe study the complementation of the spaceW(X,Y) of weakly compact operators, the spaceK(X,Y) of compact operators, the spaceU(X,Y) of unconditionally converging operators, and the spaceCC(X,Y) of completely continuous operators in the spaceL(X,Y) of bounded linear operators fromXtoY. Feder proved that ifXis infinite-dimensional andc0↪Y, thenK(X,Y) is uncomplemented inL(X,Y). Emmanuele and John showed that ifc0↪K(X,Y), thenK(X,Y) is uncomplemented inL(X,Y). Bator and Lewis showed that ifXis not a Grothendieck space andc0↪Y, thenW(X,Y) is uncomplemented inL(X,Y). In this paper, classical results of Kalton and separably determined operator ideals with property (∗) are used to obtain complementation results that yield these theorems as corollaries.
Casimir Operators and Nilpotent Radicals
Authors: Ndogmo J. C. 
Published: May 2011

AbstractIt is shown that a Lie algebra having a nilpotent radical has a fundamental set of invariants consisting of Casimir operators. A different proof is given in the well known special case of an abelian radical. A result relating the number of invariants to the dimension of the Cartan subalgebra is also established.
Visual Quality after Acrysof IQ ReSTOR Intraocular Lens Implantation in Eyes with High Myopia
Authors: Wang Qing , Zhao Guiqiu , Wang Qian , Jia Wenyan 
Published: May 2011

Purpose To evaluate the visual performance of patients with high myopia with diffractive multifocal intraocular lens (MIOL) as compared with aspheric monofocal intraocular lens (IOL). Methods A prospective nonrandomized controlled study was conducted. Consecutively, 36 patients with senile cataract (72 eyes) received phacoemulsification and IOL implantation: 12 patients (24 eyes) were implanted with AcrySof IQ ReSTOR SN6AD3 IOL, 12 patients (24 eyes) were implanted with AcrySof IQ ReSTOR SN6AD1 IOL, and another 12 patients (24 eyes) were implanted with AcrySof IQ SN60WF as control group. All patients were assessed at 6 months postoperatively in these aspects: uncorrected and best-corrected visual acuities for distance (5 mo), intermediate (60 cm), and near (30 cm), modulation transfer function, and defocus curve. Patient satisfaction (spectacle independence, glare or halo disturbance, and overall satisfaction) was assessed by a questionnaire. Results At 6 months postoperatively, both uncorrected and distance-corrected intermediate and near visual acuity were significantly better in multifocal groups than the control monofocal group (p<0.01). Intermediate visual acuity in the SN6AD1 group was a little higher than that in the SN6AD3 group (p<0.05); conversely, the near visual acuity in the SN6AD3 group was better than in the SN6AD1 group (p<0.05). Modulation transfer function with a 5.0-mm aperture was similar in the 3 groups and there was no statistically significant difference. Patients in both multifocal groups reported excellent overall spectacle independence and satisfaction with the IOLs. Conclusions Compared with aspheric monofocal IOL, AcrySof ReSTOR IQ multifocal IOLs could provide a functional vision range from near to distance, resulting in high level of spectacle independence and satisfaction among patients with high myopia.
Electronic Trap States in Methanofullerenes
Authors: Schafferhans Julia , Deibel Carsten , Dyakonov Vladimir 
Published: May 2011

AbstractThe trap states in three fullerene derivatives, namely PC61BM ([6,6]‐phenyl C61 butyric acid methyl ester), bisPC61BM (bis[6,6]‐phenyl C61 butyric acid methyl ester) and PC71BM ([6,6]‐phenyl C71 butyric acid methyl ester), are investigated by means of thermally stimulated current measurements (TSC). Thereby, the lower limit of the trap densities for all studied methanofullerenes is on the order of 1022 m−3, with the highest trap density in bisPC61BM and the lowest in PC61BM. Fractional TSC measurements on PC61BM reveal a broad trap distribution instead of discrete trap levels, with activation energies ranging from 15 meV to 270 meV and the maximum at about 75 meV. The activation energies of the most prominent traps in the other two fullerene derivatives are significantly higher, at 96 meV and 223 meV for PC71BM and 184 meV for bisPC61BM, respectively. The influence of these findings on the performance of organic solar cells is discussed.
Cortical bone mass and geometry: Age, sex, and intraskeletal variation in nineteenth‐century Euro‐Canadians
Authors: Doyle L. Elizabeth , Lazenby Richard A. , Pfeiffer Susan 
Published: May 2011

AbstractObjectives:This study seeks to understand the interaction of cortical bone strength and mass within individuals and across age‐groups in male and female adults from a relatively active, long‐lived nineteenth‐century Euro‐Canadian population.Methods:Strength and relative cortical area are measured in paired femora (weight‐bearing elements) and metacarpals (manipulative elements) from 139 adults (M = 82; F = 52). Sex and age patterns are tested using linear multiple regression and analysis of covariance. Intra‐individual divergence between femora and metacarpals is quantified using the Pearson residual from regression of femur on metacarpal values. Association of residuals with age is tested with curve estimation, factorial analysis of variance and X2 tests.Results:Strength is maintained but cortical mass declines with age. In females, the slope of cortical mass against age is steeper in the metacarpal than in the femur. However, the degree of divergence between femur and metacarpal within individuals does not increase clearly with age.Conclusions:Age change in bone strength is systemically controlled and homeostatic, but change in bone mass may vary with limb‐specific mechanical environment, particularly in females. However, the distribution of within‐individual divergence between femur and metacarpal values suggests that idiosyncratic factors, rather than age, have the strongest influence on intraskeletal divergence. Attempts to reconstruct skeletal ageing in past populations may benefit from an approach that models whole‐bone integrity, rather than bone mass alone, and that represents age‐related variation in both weight‐bearing and nonweight‐bearing sites. Am. J. Hum. Biol., 2011. © 2011 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Polymerization of acrylamide in a micellar medium: Inhibition effect of surfactants
Authors: Niranjan P. S. , Tiwari Amit Kumar , Upadhyay Santosh Kumar 
Published: May 2011

AbstractThe polymerization of acrylamide (AM) in an aqueous medium and in the presence of anionic [sodium lauryl sulfates (NaLS)], cationic [cetyltrimethyl ammonium bromide (CTAB)], and nonionic (Brij‐35) surfactants was carried out at 60°C with potassium persulfate as the initiator. The percentage conversion and rate of polymerization (Rp) decreased in the presence of the surfactant, and the inhibition effect of the surfactant was in the order CTAB > Brij‐35 > NaLS. The viscosity data, namely, the intrinsic viscosity, viscosity‐average molecular weight, and shape factor, were also obtained in each case. The polymer was characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and thermogravimetric analysis. The inhibition effect of the surfactant on Rp of AM was explainable on the basis of hydrophobic and electrostatic interactions during the association/binding between the surfactant and monomeric free radical of the monomer. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2011
Study on the effect of inorganic salts on the alignment of electrospun fiber
Authors: Song Botao , Cui Wenguo , Chang Jiang 
Published: May 2011

AbstractWell‐aligned and highly ordered architectures are always required in many fields, such as tissue engineering, electronics, and preparation of composite materials. In this study, electrospun mats with well‐aligned fibers and various fiber assemblies were successfully fabricated by electrospinning of poly(vinylbutyral) (PVB)/inorganic salt solution under the optimal salt condition. Then, the effect of inorganic salts on the degree of electrospun fiber alignment was comprehensively investigated, and the results indicated that the viscosity and conductivity of the solutions were the key factors influencing the degree of fiber alignment. It was expected that this simple and feasible method could be helpful for the fabrication of the well‐aligned electrospun fibers and various fiber assemblies. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2011
Facile preparation of cds quantum dots using hyperbranched poly(amidoamine)s with hydrophobic end‐groups as nanoreactors
Authors: Shi Yunfeng , Liu Lanbo , Tu Chunlai , Zhu Lijuan , Yan Deyue , Li Guolin , Guo Fulin , Zhu Xinyuan 
Published: May 2011

AbstractHyperbranched poly(amidoamine)s with methyl ester terminals (HPAMAM) were synthesized by one‐pot approach and subsequently used as nanoreactors to prepare CdS quantum dots (QDs). HPAMAM could bind Cd2+ through their internal amines, while the external methyl ester groups prevented the aggregation of polymers. After reaction with S2−, CdS QDs sequestered within individual hyperbranched polymers were obtained. The resulting CdS/HPAMAM nanocomposites were characterized by dynamic light scattering, transmission electron microscopy, ultraviolet‐visible spectroscopy, photoluminescence spectroscopy, and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, confirming the formation of CdS QDs with small particle size and narrow size‐distribution. Furthermore, the effects of Cd2+/S2− ratio and aging time on the photoluminescence of CdS QDs were also investigated. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2011
Construction of hemocompatible polycarbonate urethane with sulfoammonium zwitterionic polyethylene glycol
Authors: Guo Jintang , Feng Yakai , Ye Yaqin , Zhao Haiyang 
Published: May 2011

AbstractThe novel hydrophilic sulfoammonium zwitterionic polyethylene glycol (SAPEG) macromolecule was designed and synthesized using polyethylene glycol (PEG, Mw = 1000) as the starting agent. The sulfoammonium zwitterionic PEG was grafted onto polycarbonate urethane (PCU) via two ways: (1) direct grafting of SAPEG onto PCU using diisocyanate as a spacer; (2) grafting of PEG mono(N,N‐dimethyl glycine)ester (APEG) onto the PCU with diisocyanate, and then reacting with 1,3‐propanesulfone via ring‐opening reaction to form sulfoammonium zwitterionic structure. The X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) was used to analyze the elements of the grafted materials. The results showed that the sulfur contents on the modified PCU were 0.5 and 0.9% for both grafting methods, respectively, indicating sulfoammonium zwitterionic PEG has successfully been grafted onto PCU chains. The low‐water contact angle showed that the modified PCUs were higher hydrophilic than unmodified PCU. The results of hemolysis test and cytotoxicity test indicated that blood compatibility of the modified PCU was better than that of the unmodified PCU. The modified PCUs are preferred candidates for blood‐contacting implants or devices due to the hemocompatibility and nontoxicity in vitro. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2011
Dielectric barrier discharge plasma induced surface modification of polyester/cotton blended fabrics to impart water repellency using HMDSO
Authors: Palaskar Shital , Kale Kiran H. , Nadiger G. S. , Desai A. N. 
Published: May 2011

AbstractContinuous treatment of polyester/cotton blended fabric samples was carried with hexamethyldisiloxane (HMDSO) plasma on the pilot scale atmospheric pressure plasma reactor. The mixture of helium and argon was used as carrier gas for generating dielectric barrier discharge plasma. The effect of discharge power and treatment time on the water repellent properties of samples were evaluated with contact angle (CA) and spray test measurements. Spray test and CA results showed improved resistance to wetting with water. The effect of discharge conditions on the surface morphology and surface chemistry of plasma treated samples were investigated by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopic analysis, respectively. The presence of Si‐O‐Si and Si‐CH3groups in the structure of plasma polymer deposited at the surface of P/C samples was revealed by FTIR spectroscopy. Further, structural differences in HMDSO plasma polymer deposited under different discharge conditions were reported with reference to organic/inorganic nature of plasma polymer. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2011.
Stability of two‐phase polymerization of acrylamide in aqueous poly(ethylene glycol) solution
Authors: Lü Ting , Shan Guorong , Shang Songmin 
Published: May 2011

AbstractA poly(acrylamide) (PAM) aqueous dispersion with high solid was successfully synthesized through two‐phase polymerization of acrylamide (AM) in aqueous poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) solution. To prepare stable PAM aqueous dispersion, the effects of initiator, monomer and PEG concentration on the stability of the aqueous two‐phase polymerization system were investigated in detail. Dynamic light scattering (DLS) was applied to study the evolution of the size and size distribution of the aqueous PAM droplet in the initial stage of polymerization. A droplet aggregation period was found in the initial stage, in which the PAM coagulum is easy to be generated below the conversion of about 5% due to high polymerization rate. By analyzing the effects of PEG on the stability of this polymerization system, it was found that PEG plays both precipitant and stabilizer role. When PEG concentration ranges from 12 to 24%, increasing its use would promote the droplet stabilization; however, when PEG concentration exceeds 28%, increasing its use may accelerate the droplet formation which does not further favor the droplet stabilization. Furthermore, the viscosity evolution during the polymerization under various reaction conditions was determined by rotational viscometer on line. When monomer concentration exceeded 8%, increasing the initiator or monomer concentration would result in that the polymer produced in the continuous phase could not be separated in time due to the high viscosity. All these results demonstrated that the slower the polymerization rate is, the more stable PAM aqueous dispersion will be. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2011
Acrylonitrile/acrylamidoxime/2‐acrylamido‐2‐ methylpropane sulfonic acid‐based hydrogels: Synthesis, characterization and their application in the removal of heavy metals
Authors: Atta Ayman M. , Ismail Husein S. , Mohamed Hamed M. , Mohamed Zakaa M. 
Published: May 2011

AbstractCrosslinked acrylonitrile/acrylamidoxime/2‐acrylamido‐2‐methylpropane sulfonic acid (AN/AAx/AMPS)‐based hydrogels were prepared by free radical crosslinking solution polymerization technique. The chemical structures of the hydrogels were characterized by FT‐IR analysis. The morphology of the dry hydrogel sample was examined by scanning electron microscope (SEM). These hydrogels were used for the removal of Cd(II), Cu(II), and Fe(III) ions from their aqueous solutions. The influence of the uptake conditions such as pH, time and initial feed concentration on the metal ion binding capacity of hydrogel was also tested. The selectivity of the hydrogel towards the different metal ions tested was arranged in the order of Cd(II) > Fe(III) > Cu(II). It was observed that the specific interaction between metal ions and ionic comonomer in the hydrogel affected the metal binding capacity of the hydrogel. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2011
Structure of PAN precursor in thermal‐induced gel spinning
Authors: Chen Huifang , Du Weiping , Ye Wu , Pan Ding 
Published: May 2011

AbstractThe thermal‐induced gel spinning of polyacrylonitrile/dimethyl sulfoxide/water solutions were performed. The structure and performance of the PAN precursor fibers were characterized by mechanical properties testing, swelling capacity testing, scanning electron microscopy, and X‐ray diffraction. The effects of the water content, polymer concentration, coagulation bath temperature, and draw ratio on the cross‐sectional morphology, structure, and tensile properties are reported. The results show that 2% water content is optimal due to dispersed small pores found in the fibers' cross section. With the coagulating bath temperature decreased, the large pores in fibers also decreased. Large pores almost disappeared up to −9°C. The mechanical properties of the PAN fibers increased with the enhancement of PAN concentration, while the decrease of the coagulating bath temperature or water content would induce the improvement of the fibers' mechanical properties. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2011
Electrochemical immobilization of ascorbate oxidase in poly(3,4‐ethylenedioxythiophene)/multiwalled carbon nanotubes composite films
Authors: Liu Ming , Wen Yangping , Li Dong , He Haohua , Xu Jingkun , Liu Congcong , Yue Ruirui , Lu Baoyang , Liu Guodong 
Published: May 2011

AbstractImmobilization of ascorbate oxidase (AO) in poly(3,4‐ethylenedioxythiophene) (PEDOT)/multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) composite films was achieved by one‐step electrochemical polymerization. The PEDOT/MWCNTs/AO modified electrode was fabricated by the entrapment of enzyme in conducting matrices during electrochemical polymerization. The PEDOT/MWCNTs modified electrodes were investigated by cyclic voltammetry and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy. The experimental results showed that the composite films exhibited better mechanical integrity, electrochemical activity, higher electronic and ionic conductivity, and larger redox capacitance compared with pure PEDOT films, which would be beneficial to the fabrication of PEDOT/MWCNTs/AO electrochemical biosensors. The scanning electron microscopy studies revealed that MWCNTs served as backbone for 3,4‐ethylenedioxythiophene (EDOT) electropolymerization. Furthermore, the resulting enzyme electrode could be used to determine L‐ascorbic acid successfully, which demonstrated the good bioelectrochemical catalytic activity of the immobilized AO. The results indicated that the PEDOT/MWCNTs composite are a good candidate material for the immobilization of AO in the fabrication of enzyme‐based biosensor. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2011
New polyamides and polyesteramides incorporated with bis(carboxy‐substituted) hydrazines: Synthesis and characterization
Authors: Kandile Nadia G. , Nasr Abir S. 
Published: May 2011

AbstractThe present article endeavors to synthesize new polyamides via direct polycondensation of various diamines [hexamethylene diamine, ρ‐phenylene diamine, 2,5‐bis(m‐aminobenzylidene) cyclopentanone, and 2,6‐bis(m‐aminobenzylidene)cyclohexanone] with different bis(carboxy‐substituted) hydrazines such as [1,2‐bis(3‐carboxy acrylyl)hydrazine and 1,2‐bis(3‐carboxybenzoyl) hydrazine]. The polycondensation reaction of 1,2‐bis(3‐p‐hydroxyanilide acrylyl) hydrazine with the same bis(carboxy‐substituted) hydrazines gave polyester amides. The polycondensation process was run in the presence of CaCl2, triethylphosphite, and pyridine as a catalyst. These polymers were characterized by FTIR, 1H‐NMR, solubility, TGA, DSC, X‐ray, mechanical properties, and electrical conductivity. The electrical conductivity measurements showed that all new polymers show promise as insulators. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2011