bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Prolonged Serologically Active Clinically Quiescent Systemic Lupus Erythematosus: Frequency and Outcome
Authors: STEIMAN AMANDA J. , GLADMAN DAFNA D. , IBAÑEZ DOMINIQUE , UROWITZ MURRAY B. 
Published: July 2010

Objective.Some patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) are clinically quiescent despite persistent serologic activity. We determined the frequency of serologically active clinically quiescent (SACQ) SLE and its outcomes in prospectively followed patients with SLE.Methods.Patients with SLE followed between July 1970 and April 2008 with visits ≤ 18 months apart were identified. SACQ was defined as a ≥ 2-year sustained period without clinical activity with persistent serologic activity (increased anti-dsDNA and/or hypocomplementemia), during which antimalarials but neither steroids nor immunosuppressives were permissible. Characteristics of patients with an SACQ period and its features were analyzed. To determine flare predictors, anti-dsDNA and complement levels in SACQ patients who experienced flare were compared to levels in those who did not. Descriptive statistics were used; comparisons were made using t tests and chi-squared tests.Results.Of the patients studied, 56/924 (6.1%) were SACQ. They differed significantly from the non-SACQ SLE population only in the presenting SLE Disease Activity Index 2000 (7.34 vs 10.1 in non-SACQ), and frequency of steroid use (33.9% vs 60.8% in non-SACQ) and immunosuppressive use (3.6% vs 19.4% in non-SACQ) at first visit. Median SACQ period was 158 weeks. Thirty-three (58.9%) patients who were SACQ experienced flare (at median 155 weeks), 6 (10.7%) became clinically and serologically quiescent (236 weeks), and 17 continued to be SACQ (159 weeks). Common flare manifestations were arthritis, mucous membrane involvement, and sterile pyuria. Fluctuations in anti-dsDNA or complement levels did not predict flare.Conclusion.Fifty-nine percent of SACQ patients experienced flare, but after a median of 3 years. Fluctuations in complement and anti-dsDNA levels did not predict flare, thus treatment decisions in these patients must rely upon close clinical observation. Alternative predictive biomarkers warrant study.
Electronic Circular Dichroism Spectroscopy
Authors: Zsila Ferenc 
Published: June 2010

AbstractElectronic circular dichroism (ECD or CD) is the manifestation of the important property of chiral compounds to absorb left and right circularly polarized light to different extents. Electronic circular dichroism (CD) spectroscopy technique has been used for investigation of chiral drugs and other pharmaceutical preparations. This article focuses on basic features, instrumentation, advantages, limitations, and practical applications of electronic circular dichroism (CD) spectroscopy in pharmaceutical sciences.
Statistical Tools
Authors: Christensen Antje , Esbjerg Sille 
Published: June 2010

AbstractTo the practitioner, statistics is a tool to better understand the numerical data that are abundant in a modern production environment. It is a set of tools to distinguish the probable from improbable, and find the most appropriate explanation for observations. This article focuses on various statistical tools, including data, graphs, descriptive statistics, measures of location, measures of variation, outliers, distributions, sampling, statistical process control (SPC), hypothesis testing, ANOVA, linear regression, non‐linear regression, design of experiments, time series analysis, and multivariate analysis.
Graphene and Graphene Oxide: Synthesis, Properties, and Applications
Authors: Zhu Yanwu , Murali Shanthi , Cai Weiwei , Li Xuesong , Suk Ji Won , Potts Jeffrey R. , Ruoff Rodney S. 
Published: June 2010

AbstractThere is intense interest in graphene in fields such as physics, chemistry, and materials science, among others. Interest in graphene's exceptional physical properties, chemical tunability, and potential for applications has generated thousands of publications and an accelerating pace of research, making review of such research timely. Here is an overview of the synthesis, properties, and applications of graphene and related materials (primarily, graphite oxide and its colloidal suspensions and materials made from them), from a materials science perspective.
Experimental investigation of a circulating fluidized‐bed reactor to capture CO2 with CaO
Authors: Rodríguez N. , Alonso M. , Abanades J. C. 
Published: June 2010

AbstractCalcium looping processes for capturing CO2 from large emissions sources are based on the use of CaO particles as sorbent in circulating fluidized‐bed (CFB) reactors. A continuous flow of CaO from an oxyfired calciner is fed into the carbonator and a certain inventory of active CaO is expected to capture the CO2 in the flue gas. The circulation rate and the inventory of CaO determine the CO2 capture efficiency. Other parameters such as the average carrying capacity of the CaO circulating particles, the temperature, and the gas velocity must be taken into account. To investigate the effect of these variables on CO2 capture efficiency, we used a 6.5 m height CFB carbonator connected to a twin CFB calciner. Many stationary operating states were achieved using different operating conditions. The trends of CO2 capture efficiency measured are compared with those from a simple reactor model. This information may contribute to the future scaling up of the technology. © 2010 American Institute of Chemical Engineers AIChE J, 57: 000–000, 2011
An overview on controllability analysis of chemical processes
Authors: Yuan Zhihong , Chen Bingzhen , Zhao Jinsong 
Published: June 2010

AbstractControllability is one of the most important aspects of chemical process operability, because it can be used to assess the attainable operation of a given process and improve its dynamic performance. The purpose of this article is to outline the main methodologies that have been developed to deal with the assessment of process controllability and the improvement of its controllability characteristics. Several existing controllability assessment methods are reviewed and discussed. For improving the controllability characteristic of a process, there are two main design methods: the optimization‐based method and the controllability indices‐based anticipating sequential method. Advantages and disadvantages of these techniques are discussed. It has been emphasized that bifurcation analysis, as a powerful nonlinear analysis tool, could provide important guidance for making processes more controllable by eliminating or avoiding some undesirable behaviors of processes. Further challenges and developments in the field of process controllability are identified. © 2010 American Institute of Chemical Engineers AIChE J, 2010
Parallel hydrogenation for the quantification of wetting efficiency and liquid–solid mass transfer in a trickle‐bed reactor
Authors: van Houwelingen Arie Jan , Nicol Willie 
Published: June 2010

AbstractA novel method for the measurement of wetting efficiency in a trickle‐bed reactor under reaction conditions is introduced. The method exploits reaction rate differences of two first‐order liquid‐limited reactions occurring in parallel, to infer wetting efficiencies without any other knowledge of the reaction kinetics or external mass transfer characteristics. Using the hydrogenation of linear‐ and isooctenes, wetting efficiency is measured in a 50‐mm internal diameter, high‐pressure trickle‐bed reactor. Liquid–solid mass transfer coefficients are also estimated from the experimental conversion data. Measurements were performed for upflow operation and two literature‐defined boundaries of hydrodynamic multiplicity in trickle flow. Hydrodynamic multiplicity in trickle flow gave rise to as much as 10% variation in wetting efficiency, and 10–20% variation in the specific liquid–solid mass transfer coefficient. Conversions for upflow operation were significantly higher in trickle‐flow operation, because of complete wetting and better liquid–solid mass transfer characteristics. © 2010 American Institute of Chemical Engineers AIChE J, 2011.
An abnormal nonhyperdiploid karyotype is a significant adverse prognostic factor for multiple myeloma in the bortezomib era
Authors: Tan Daryl , Teoh Gerrard , Lau L.C. , Lim Alvin , Lim T.H. , Yap K.C. , Premalatha1 P. , Lao Z.T. , Wee Nelson , Choo Christine , Wee H.C. , Su S. , Lee Y.S. , Lee L.H. , Hwang William , Goh Y.T. 
Published: June 2010

AbstractMultiple myeloma is clinically heterogeneous and risk stratification is vital for prognostication and informing treatment decisions. As bortezomib is able to overcome several high‐risk features of myeloma, the validity of conventional risk‐stratification and prognostication systems needs to be reevaluated. We study the survival data of 261 previously untreated myeloma patients managed at our institution, where bortezomib became available from 2004 for the treatment of relapse disease. Patient and disease characteristics, and survival data were evaluated overall, and with respect to bortezomib exposure. Overall, the international staging system (ISS), metaphase karyotyping and interphase fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) were discerning of survival outcomes, where the median for the entire cohort was 5.2 years. However, when stratified by bortezomib exposure, only metaphase karyotyping was still discriminating of long‐term prognosis. The presence of an abnormal nonhyperdiploid karyotype overrides all other clinical and laboratory parameters in predicting for a worse outcome on multivariate analysis (median survival 2.6 years,P= 0.001), suggesting that bortezomib used at relapse is better able to overcome adverse risk related to high tumor burden (as measured by the ISS) than adverse cytogenetics on conventional karyotyping. Metaphase karyotyping provides additional prognostic information on tumor kinetics where the presence of a normal diploid karyotype in the absence of any high‐risk FISH markers correlated with superior survival and could act as a surrogate for lower plasma cell proliferation. Am. J. Hematol., 2010. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Thermal and mechanical properties of compression‐molded pMDI‐reinforced PCL/gluten composites
Authors: Mohamed Abdellatif , Finkenstadt Victoria L. , Gordon Sherald H. , Palmquist Debra E. 
Published: June 2010

AbstractMany biopolymers and synthetic polymers composites were developed by different researchers for environmental protection and for cost reduction. One of these composites is polycaprolactone (PCL) and vital wheat gluten or wheat flour composites were prepared and compatibilized with polymeric diphenylmethane diisocyanate (pMDI) by blending and compression‐molding. PCL/pMDI blend exhibited glass transition (Tg) at −67°C (0.20 J/g/°C) and vital gluten at 63°C (0.45 J/g/°C), whereas no Tg was recorded for wheat flour. Although Tg was unmistakable for either PCL or gluten, all composite exhibited one Tg, which is strong indication of interaction between PCL and the fillers. Several samples amongst the blended or compression‐molded composites exhibited no Tg signifying another confirmation of interaction. The ΔH of the endothermic (melting) and the exothermic (crystallization) for PCL was decreased as the percentage of gluten or flour increased, whereas the overall ΔH was higher for all composites compared to the theoretical value. The presence of pMDI appeared to strengthen the mechanical properties of the composites by mostly interacting with the filler (gluten or flour) and not as much with PCL. The FTIR analysis ruled out covalent interaction between PCL, pMDI, or the fillers but suggested the occurrence of physical interactions. Based on the data presented here and the data published earlier, the presence of pMDI did not change the nature of interaction between PCL and gluten, but it improved the mechanical properties of the composite. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2010
Residual stress and viscoelastic deformation of film insert molded automotive parts
Authors: Kim Seong Yun , Kim Sung Ho , Oh Hwa Jin , Lee Seung Hwan , Youn Jae Ryoun 
Published: June 2010

AbstractComplex automotive parts were produced by film insert molding and the ejected parts were annealed to investigate the viscoelastic deformation. Warpage of the part was predicted by numerical simulation of mold filling, packing, and cooling stages with non‐isothermal three‐dimensional flow analysis. The flow analysis results were transported to a finite element stress analysis program and the stress analysis was performed by using time‐temperature superposition principle to investigate viscoelastic deformation. Predicted residual stresses, viscoelastic deformation, and warpage showed good agreement with experimental results. Thermal shrinkage of the inserted film and relaxation of the residual stress affected the viscoelastic deformation of the part significantly during annealing. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2010
Evolution of fiber morphology during electrospinning
Authors: Fang Jian , Wang Hongxia , Niu Haitao , Lin Tong , Wang Xungai 
Published: June 2010

AbstractIn this study, the morphological evolution of poly(acrylonitrile) (PAN) nanofibers during electrospinning was examined via immersion precipitation of newly electrospun filaments in ethanol, and subsequently associating the fiber morphologies with the electrospinning distances (2 to 10 cm). We have observed that an uneven fiber stretching happened throughout the electrospinning process. A massive filament‐thinning took place at the initial stage of whipping instability, and fiber stretching at the later whipping stage was mainly concentrated on the bead sections, leading to improved uniformity of the resultant fibers. This work has provided a new insight into the fiber formation mechanism in the electrospinning process. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2010
Metallic oxides as fire retardants and smoke suppressants in flexible poly(vinyl chloride)
Authors: Rodolfo Antonio , Innocentini Mei Lucia Helena 
Published: June 2010

AbstractCombustion and smoke emission properties of PVC compounds, modified with copper (II), molybdenum, and zinc oxides, were studied using cone calorimeter, limiting oxygen index (LOI) and thermogravimetry coupled with mass spectrometry (TG/MS). Results showed that the metal oxides have a very significant effect on the combustion and smoke suppression properties of the PVC compounds. The results also confirmed the anticipation mechanisms of the dehydrochlorination reactions, reductive coupling, and elimination of benzene resulting from the presence of copper (II), molybdenum, and zinc, indicated by the increasing content of postcombustion char residue and the significant reduction in benzene production, indicated by the MS measurements performed. The results also provide indications that the combination of the copper (II) and molybdenum oxides is the one with the best balance of combustion properties, as it reduced the heat released and promoted the suppression of smoke more efficiently. The formulations containing ZnO, because of their strong Lewis acid character, indicated a less pronounced reduction of smoke released during the combustion process, when compared with copper (II) and molybdenum oxides. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2010
Gelatin based pH‐sensitive hydrogels for colon‐specific oral drug delivery: Synthesis, characterization, and in vitro release study
Authors: Raafat Amany I. 
Published: June 2010

AbstractBased on gelatin (Gltn) and acrylic acid (AAc), biodegradable pH‐sensitive hydrogel was prepared using gamma radiation as super clean source for polymerization and crosslinking. Incorporation of PAAc in the prepared hydrogel was confirmed by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). The effect of PAAc content on the morphological structure of the prepared hydrogel swollen at pH 1, 5, and 7 was examined using scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The results showed the dependence of the porous structure of the prepared hydrogels on AAc content and the pH of the swelling medium. Swelling properties of gelatin/acrylic acid copolymer hydrogels with different AAc contents were investigated at different pH values. Swelling data showed that the prepared hydrogels possessed pronounced pH sensitivity. In vitro release studies were performed to evaluate the hydrogel potential as drug carrier using ketoprofen as a model drug. Experimental data showed that the release profile depends on both hydrogel composition and pH of the releasing medium. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2010
Preparation and characterization of porous poly(vinylidene fluoride) membranes for dehumidification with poly(ethylene glycol) as an additive
Authors: Pei Lixia , Zhao Weijie , Zhang Lizhi 
Published: June 2010

AbstractPorous poly(vinylidene fluoride) (PVDF) membranes for dehumidification were prepared from a PVDF/dimethylformamide/water system by phase inversion with poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) as an additive at various concentrations (1.2, 1.8, and 2.4%) and with various molecular weights (1000, 2000, and 6000). The surface morphologies of the resultant membranes were characterized with scanning electron microscopy and atomic force microscopy, and the pore diameter, porosity, and pore size distribution of the membranes were also determined by a gas‐sorption method. The influence of the concentration and molecular weight of PEG on water‐vapor transport through the membranes was evaluated. The moisture‐transport property of the membranes was improved significantly with increases in the concentration and molecular weight of PEG, and a membrane with good moisture permeability was obtained with 2.4% PEG‐6000 as an additive. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2010
Didecyl ester of 4‐sulfophthalic acid as a plast dopant and emulsifier in the chemical polymerization of aniline into polyaniline salt
Authors: Palaniappan Srinivasan , Ajit Singh 
Published: June 2010

AbstractPolyaniline salt was synthesized through the chemical oxidation of aniline with sodium persulfate as the oxidant and didecyl ester of 4‐sulfophthalic acid via three different polymerization pathways (aqueous, emulsion, and interfacial). In these polymerization processes, the ester acted as a novel plast dopant and as an emulsifier. The yield, conductivity, and number of ester units present in the polyaniline salts were determined. A polyaniline salt prepared by emulsion polymerization was soluble in chloroform and showed excellent solution‐processing properties. Polyaniline samples prepared by aqueous or interfacial polymerization were not soluble in chloroform. A soluble polyaniline salt was successfully synthesized through the washing of an organic layer containing the polyaniline salt with water in emulsion polymerization. X‐ray diffraction spectra of polyaniline salts prepared by the three different methods showed an ordered, layer‐type supramolecular structure. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2010
Removal of basic dyes from aqueous medium using novel poly(MAA)‐cross linked pregelled starch graft copolymer
Authors: Mostafa Kh. M. , Samarkandy Abdul Rahim , El‐Sanabary A. A. 
Published: June 2010

AbstractWastewater from textile industries may contain a variety of dyes that have to be removed before their discharge into waterways. For this purpose, pregelled starch (PG) as one of the most abundant biodegradable carbohydrate polymer was first cross linked with epichlorohydrin to obtain insoluble cross‐linked pregelled starch (CPS). The latter was graft copolymerized with different amounts of methacrylic acid (MAA) using potassium persulphate as initiator. This was done to obtain six levels of poly(MAA)‐cross linked pregelled starch graft copolymers (PMCPS) having different graft yields (expressed as meq COOH/100 g starch) with increasing order and designated as (PMCPS 1 to PMCPS 6). The latter copolymers were used to remove basic dyes namely (safranine T, methylene blue, crystal violet) from their solution and filtered to form polymer—dyes complex. Major factors affecting the dyes removal such as dye concentration, pH, polymer dose, treatment time, agitation speed, and extent of grafting were studied in detail. It was found from the obtained results that; the % dye removal increased by (a) increasing the dye concentration and pH within the range studied; (b) increasing the agitation speed until ≥ 40 rpm then leveled off thereafter; (c) increasing the polymer dosage from 0.25 to 3.0 g/L then leveled off thereafter; (c) increasing the time of the reaction up to 60 minute then leveled off after that; and (d) increasing the extent of grafting of PMCPS i.e., from PMCPS 1 to PMCPS 6. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2010
Study on the properties of the epoxy‐matrix composites filled with thermally conductive AlN and BN ceramic particles
Authors: Zhu B. L. , Ma J. , Wu J. , Yung K. C. , Xie C. S. 
Published: June 2010

AbstractTo develop new composites with sufficiently high thermal conductivity and suitably controlled Dk value for PCBs application, the composites were prepared from epoxy and AlN or BN fillers, and the effects of content, size, size distribution, and morphology of two fillers on the thermal and dielectric properties of the composites were investigated. The results showed that either AlN or BN fillers can greatly increase Tg and thermal conductivity, decreasing CTE and Df, and suitably controlling the increase of Dk. At the same filler content, BN‐filled composites exhibit better thermal performance and dielectric properties compared to AlN‐filled composites. In the case of BN‐filled composites, it is found that platelet‐shaped micro‐BN filled composite has lower Tg and higher CTE compared with particle‐shaped nano‐BN filled composite, but its thermal conductivity is remarkably higher than that of nano‐BN filled composite. When hybrid BN fillers are used, thermal conductivity further increases. For micro‐ or nano‐BN filled composite, the composite shows decreased Tg and increased Dk at high fraction of BN, but hybrid BN‐filled composite still has high Tg and similar Dk with epoxy even if at high fraction of BN. Compared with single‐sized AlN‐filled composite, it is found that hybrid‐sized AlN‐filled composite has higher Tg and lower CTE, but has lower thermal conductivity. To predict thermal conductivity and Dk in the investigated materials system, different models reported in the literature were analyzed and compared with the experimental data. Finally, suitable models were recommended. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2010
Life‐span phenotypes of elav and Rbp9 in Drosophila suggest functional cooperation of the two elav‐family protein genes
Authors: Toba Gakuta , Yamamoto Daisuke , White Kalpana 
Published: June 2010

AbstractThe ELAV family of RNA‐binding proteins is involved in various aspects of the post‐transcriptional regulation of gene expression, from alternative splicing to translation. The members of this family have been shown to interact with each other and have been suggested to function as homo‐ and/or hetero‐multimers. However, the functional interactions among them have not been demonstrated in vivo. In this study, we examined the genetic interaction between elav and Rbp9, two of the three genes encoding ELAV‐family proteins in Drosophila. Mutants of both elav and Rbp9 showed shorter life spans than the control, with elav showing a shorter life span than Rbp9. The survival curve of elav‐Rbp9 double‐mutant flies was indistinguishable from that of elav single‐mutant flies, suggesting that both mutations affect longevity through the same pathway. Considering the fact that both genes are co‐expressed in adult neurons, we hypothesize that ELAV and Rbp9 cooperate to maintain the functional integrity of the adult nervous system. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.