bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Pelvic Organ Prolapse and Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms: Experience from a High-Volume Uro-Gynecologic Center
Authors: Costantini Elisabetta , Lazzeri Massimo , Porena Massimo 
Published: January 2012

Background Female pelvic organ prolapse (POP) is a common condition that often leads to lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) and may require surgical intervention to alleviate those symptoms. However, tThe relationship between LUTS and pelvic organ descent however, remains unclear. The aim of this paper is to determine the correlation between LUTS and POP and changes after POP repair. Methods We retrospectively review female patients who attended our tertiary high- volume centre center for LUTS and POP, and underwent integral pelvic floor reconstruction. Results An overall of 256 patients presented with POP and LUTS and underwent POP repair. Most of 50% of patients reported two or more symptoms and only 4.2% were asymptomatic for LUTS. 189/256 (73.8%) patients had voiding symptoms and 39 a urodynamic detrusor overactivity. Thirteen suffered from hydronephrosis. 148/256 (57.8%) showed a stress urinary incontinence. All the patients underwent POP repair with or without contemporary anti- incontinence procedure. Conclusions Urologists and gynaecologists should recognisebe aware of the high frequency of the POP and LUTS association of POP and LUTS. POP repair my restore a normal situation but symptoms may last after the surgery or develop “de novo.”
Charge Formation, Recombination, and Sweep‐Out Dynamics in Organic Solar Cells
Authors: Cowan Sarah R. , Banerji Natalie , Leong Wei Lin , Heeger Alan J. 
Published: January 2012

AbstractThis article presents a critical discussion of the various physical processes occurring in organic bulk heterojunction (BHJ) solar cells based on recent experimental results. The investigations span from photoexcitation to charge separation, recombination, and sweep‐out to the electrodes. Exciton formation and relaxation in poly[N‐9″‐hepta‐decanyl‐2,7‐carbazole‐alt‐5,5‐(4′,7′‐di‐2‐thienyl‐2′,1′,3′‐benzothiadiazole) (PCDTBT) and poly‐3(hexylthiophene) (P3HT) are discussed based on a fluorescence up‐conversion study. The commonly accepted paradigm describing the conversion of incident photons into charge carriers in the BHJ material is re‐examined in light of these femtosecond time‐resolved measurements. Transient photoconductivity, time‐delayed collection field, and time‐delayed dual pulse experiments carried out on BHJ solar cells demonstrate the competition between carrier sweep‐out by the internal field and the loss of photogenerated carriers by recombination. Finally, an emerging hypothesis is discussed: that bimolecular recombination accounts for the majority of recombination from short circuit to open circuit in optimized solar cells, and that bimolecular recombination is bias‐ and charge‐density‐dependent. The study of recombination loss processes in organic solar cells leads to insights into what must be accomplished to achieve the “ideal” solar cell.
From Bulk to Monolayer MoS2: Evolution of Raman Scattering
Authors: Li Hong , Zhang Qing , Yap Chin Chong Ray , Tay Beng Kang , Edwin Teo Hang Tong , Olivier Aurelien , Baillargeat Dominique 
Published: January 2012

AbstractMolybdenum disulfide (MoS2) is systematically studied using Raman spectroscopy with ultraviolet and visible laser lines. It is shown that only the Raman frequencies of $ E_{2{\rm g}}^1 $ and $ A_{{\rm 1g}}^{} $ peaks vary monotonously with the layer number of ultrathin MoS2 flakes, while intensities or widths of the peaks vary arbitrarily. The coupling between electronic transitions and phonons are found to become weaker when the layer number of MoS2 decreases, attributed to the increased electronic transition energies or elongated intralayer atomic bonds in ultrathin MoS2. The asymmetric Raman peak at 454 cm−1, which has been regarded as the overtone of longitudinal optical M phonons in bulk MoS2, is actually a combinational band involving a longitudinal acoustic mode (LA(M)) and an optical mode ($ A_{{\rm 2u}}^{} $). Our findings suggest a clear evolution of the coupling between electronic transition and phonon when MoS2 is scaled down from three‐ to two‐dimensional geometry.
Construction and Evaluation of Hemoglobin‐Based Capsules as Blood Substitutes
Authors: Jia Yi , Cui Yue , Fei Jinbo , Du Mingchun , Dai Luru , Li Junbai , Yang Yang 
Published: January 2012

AbstractHemoglobin‐based capsules for use as blood substitutes are successfully fabricated by covalent layer‐by‐layer assembly. Dialdehyde heparin (DHP) is used both as one of the wall components and a cross‐linker without employing other extraneous or toxic crosslinking agents. The biocompatibility of (Hb/DHP)6 microcapsules is evaluated through the 3‐(4,5‐dimethylthiazol‐2‐yl)‐2,5‐diphenyltetrazolium bromide) (MTT) assay and cell experiments. The hemocompatibility of (Hb/DHP)6 microcapsules is characterized in terms of prothrombin time, thrombin time, activated partial thromboplastin time, and hemolysis rate. The oxygen‐carrying capacity of the microcapsules is demonstrated by converting the deoxy‐Hb state of the microcapsules into the oxy‐Hb state. All these results demonstrate that the hemoglobin‐based microcapsules exhibit oxygen‐carrying capacity as well as biocompatibility and hemocompatility, indicating that the as‐prepared capsules have great potential to function as blood substitutes.
Experimental study of the role of the Weber and capillary numbers on Mesler entrainment
Authors: Saylor John. R. , Bounds Garrett D. 
Published: January 2012

AbstractMesler entrainment is the formation of a very large number of very small bubbles by a relatively low velocity drop impacting a liquid surface. The role of the Weber number in Mesler entrainment has received significant attention. However, the effect of the capillary number, which quantifies the relative importance of viscous and surface tension forces, has not been explored. This is due primarily to the fact that virtually all Mesler entrainment research has used a single liquid, water, as the working fluid. This, combined with certain experimental restrictions, makes difficult an independent variation of the Weber and capillary numbers. To address this problem, Mesler entrainment was investigated using two silicone oils, having kinematic viscosities of 0.65 cSt and 10.0 cSt, respectively, revealing the effect of the capillary number on Mesler entrainment, a result which has not been obtained heretofore. The silicone oils give extremely repeatable results when compared to water. © 2012 American Institute of Chemical Engineers AIChE J, 2012
Synergistic interaction of treatment and blending on the stability of high‐density polyethylene
Authors: Jeyakumar D. , Suresh G. , Mukesh Doble 
Published: January 2012

AbstractDegradation of high‐density polyethylene (HDPE) films blended with 0.5, 1.0, and 2.0% metal ions (MIs; chromium = 36%, silicon = 8%, aluminum = 4%, and chlorine = 2%) and 5, 10, and 20% potato starch were studied under two different abiotic treatment conditions (they were either heated to 70°C or exposed to UV at 300–400 nm) for a period of 100 days. The addition of metals did not affect the mechanical strength of the polymer, whereas starch blending did. The latter turned the polymer yellow. HDPE with MIs exhibited higher levels of oxidation than the other samples. UV treatment affected the mechanical strength of the MI‐blended HDPE more than the other additive or the thermal treatment. The formation of extractable oxygenated compounds and unoxidized low‐molecular‐weight hydrocarbons increased with increasing concentration of additives in HDPE. The surface energy in all cases increased; this indicated that the polymers turned hydrophilic. The maximum weight loss (28%) was seen in the 2% MI‐blended HDPE exposed to UV followed by the 20% starch‐blended polymer exposed to heat (24%). These results indicate a synergy between blending and the treatment strategy; this also suggests an optimal waste‐disposal strategy. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2012
Structure–property evaluation of trisilanolphenyl POSS®/polysulfone composites as a guide to POSS melt blending
Authors: Milliman Henry W. , Sánchez‐Soto Miguel , Arostegui Asier , Schiraldi David A. 
Published: January 2012

AbstractA series of polysulfone/phenyl trisilanol POSS nanocomposites were produced by melt blending by twin screw batch mixing. These materials were then injection molded, and their thermal, mechanical, and morphological properties were tested. The tensile properties of polysulfone were moderately compromised by the addition of phenyl TPOSS, because of the formation of large (∼ 1 μm) voided POSS aggregates. These domains however did cause the improvement of the impact resistance of the composites as described by the mechanism of crack pinning and bowing. Flexural properties remained essentially unchanged, which is attributed to the formation of an aggregate free‐skin layer, which formed in the injection molded parts. Thermal behavior of the composites also remained largely unchanged due to the lack of POSS‐polymer interactions on the molecular/chain segment scale. Initially, it was hypothesized that a high degree of POSS‐polymer interactions would be present in these composited based on examination of their chemical structures. This however, was not the case as phase separation was clearly present. This work highlights the need for a better understanding of the prediction of POSS‐polymer interaction. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2012
Role of three different carboxylic monomers in acrylate emulsion copolymerization in the presence of reactive emulsifier
Authors: Lu Deping , Xie Jin , Shen Ling , Zhao Qian , Yuan Tingting , Guan Rong 
Published: January 2012

AbstractIn this article, a series of carboxylated acrylate copolymer latices were prepared based on the semicontinuous emulsion polymerization via the pure monomer dropwise manner with three different kinds of carboxylic monomers in presence of reactive emulsifier. The effects of the carboxylic monomers [acrylic acid, methacrylic acid, and monobutyl itaconate (MBI)] on the conversion and the properties of acrylate latices and films have been investigated. The carboxylic groups (COOH) distribution of these three kinds of latices were investigated as well. The results show that the concentration of surface COOH (CS) and embedded COOH (Cb) both increase with the increase of the amount of carboxylic monomers. It shows that MBI, the most hydrophobic of the three carboxylic monomers used, tends to be concentrated inside the particle core, and the latex particles have a narrow size distribution. The results of common stability test have demonstrated that the stability of the latex is satisfactory. Moreover, the water absorption and the acid and alkaline resistance of the latex depend on the kind of carboxylic monomer. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2012
Relationship between morphology and rheology of PA/PE/Clay blend nanocomposites. I. PA matrix
Authors: Malmir S. , Razavi Aghjeh M. K. , Hemmati M. , Ahmadi Tehrani R. 
Published: January 2012

AbstractMorphology and linear viscoelastic properties of PA/PE/Clay blend nanocomposites with and without compatibilizer (PE‐g‐MA) with PA as a matrix phase were studied. Using rheological and XRD analyses, it was shown that the clay exhibited higher dispersion in PA/PE blend than that in pure PA. It was attributed to the detachment of intercalated clay layers in PA matrix due to the stress transfer of PE particles and deformation flow field created between PE particles, leading to formation of stronger network. The presence of PE‐g‐MA further enhanced the clay dispersion in the blend. While the results of XRD were not able to accurately assess the morphology, using rheological analysis it was predicted that if the clay is first compounded with dispersed PE phase (PE+PE‐g‐MA), the clay could not leave the PE phase but PA diffuses to the composite droplets of (PE+PE‐g‐MA)/Clay to form phase within phase within phase morphology. SEM and TEM analyses confirmed the reliability of the prediction. It was demonstrated that the rheological studies has a reliable sensitivity to the clay dispersion, its localization, and phase morphology of blend nanocomposites. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2012
Fabrication and deodorizing efficiency of nanostructured core‐sheath TiO2 nanofibers
Authors: Park Soonjee , Kim Hae‐Rim , Bang Hyunsik , Fujimori Kazushige , Kim Byoung‐Suhk , Kim Soon‐Ho , Kim Ick‐Soo 
Published: January 2012

AbstractIn this work, we report the fabrication and deodorizing efficiency of nanostructured core‐sheath TiO2 nanofibers prepared by a combined technique of electrospinning and metallization. The morphologies and crystal structures of the resultant nanofibers were investigated by emission scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and wide angle X‐ray diffraction (WAXD), respectively. The influence of annealing conditions, such as annealing temperature and time, various titanium isopropoxide (TTIP) weight fractions, which are based on the weight of the poly(vinyl acetate) (PVAc), on morphologies and crystal structures was evaluated for the nanostructured core‐sheath TiO2 nanofibers. UV blocking properties and deodorizing efficiency were also measured by UV‐visible spectrometer and formaldehyde detector tube at room temperature, respectively. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2012
In situpolyaniline film formation using ferric chloride as an oxidant
Authors: Ayad Mohamad M. , Amer Wael A. , Whdan Mohamad 
Published: January 2012

AbstractIn situpolyaniline (PANI) films were grown from an aqueous hydrochloric acid solution on glass substrates via the chemical oxidation of aniline using hydrated ferric chloride, FeCl3.6H2O (FC). The effect of initial molar ratios of FC/aniline on the yield of PANI films was monitored using the quartz crystal microbalance technique. The morphology of the resultant polymer film and powder was examined using scanning electron microscopy. It was found that the film possesses a porous character; however, the polymer powder consists of small particles with interconnected nanofibers. The polymer powder formed in the bulk was characterized using the energy dispersive analysis of X‐ray, the X‐ray diffraction, and the thermal gravimetric analysis. A comparison between the PANI produced from FC and ammonium peroxydisulfate was considered and discussed. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2012
High dielectric constant and superparamagnetic polymer‐based nanocomposites induced by percolation effect
Authors: Wang Xinming , Li Weiping , Luo Laihui , Fang Zhao , Zhang Jing , Zhu Yuejin 
Published: January 2012

AbstractTo obtain the high dielectric constant and superparamagnetic composites for application in dielectric energy storage capacitors and other electromagnetic devices, the Fe3O4 nanoparticles have been embedded into polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) polymer. As expectation, a distinct percolation effect has been found in these composites, because of the good conductivity of Fe3O4 nanoparticles. The composites exhibit great increase of the dielectric constants and conductivities near the percolation threshold. The maximum of dielectric constant is up to 5240 at 100 Hz, which is the highest value reported to date among the PVDF based percolative composites. Meanwhile, the dielectric loss is controlled in the range of 0–2.2. These composites also exhibit superparamagnetic with the presence of Fe3O4 nanoparticles. The maximum of saturation magnetization is 30.8 emu/g. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2012
Grafting maleic anhydride onto EVA and effect on the physical and rheological properties of PETG/EVA‐g‐MAH blends
Authors: Hwang Sung Wook , Ryu Hee Chang , Kim Sang Woo , Park Hae Youn , Seo Kwan Ho 
Published: January 2012

AbstractMaleic anhydride (MAH) was grafted onto ethylene vinyl acetate copolymer (EVA) in the internal mixer in the presence of dicumyl peroxide (DCP), and a prepared reactive compatibilizer, MAH‐g‐EVA, was blended with Poly (ethylene glycol‐co‐cyclohexane‐1,4‐dimethanol terephthalate) (PETG). The gel content determination and element analysis (EA) was performed to confirm the grafting reaction. It was found that grafting reaction of MAH on to EVA could compete with crosslinking reaction of DCP during the modification process. In addition, the introduction of small amount of MAH showed a great effect on reducing gel content by decreasing crosslink reaction. As MAH content increased, grafted MAH concentration increased, whereas the grafting yield decreased. It was also confirmed that MAH‐g‐EVA acted as a reactive compatibilizer in the blend with PETG, and enhanced compatibility by reacting with the hydroxyl end groups, OH, of PETG. Addition of EVA in the blend leads a plastic deformation of PETG, and MAH had a great effect on enhancing interfacial adhesion resulting in significant increasing of % strain; however, improved compatibility could not be changed much in low strain tensile strength and Young's modulus. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2012
A multiscale simulation of polymer processing using parameter‐based bridging in melt rheology
Authors: Masubuchi Yuichi , Uneyama Takashi , Saito Keiichi 
Published: January 2012

AbstractTo investigate the effect of molecular structure on macroscopic flow behavior of polymeric liquid, attempts have been made to embed the microscopic information into the flow simulation. Constitutive equation based on the theory of polymer dynamics is ideal but the theory is still under development. The CONNFFESSIT approach (where microscopic simulation is embedded into calculation grid in macroscopic simulation) is another promising direction but the computational cost is not practical yet. In this study, we propose another simple method using parameter‐based bridging where the parameters for phenomenological constitutive equations in macroscopic flow simulation are obtained from coarse‐grained molecular simulation. As an example, we performed a simulation of injection molding and examined the effect of molecular weight on warpage of the molded product. We used the primitive chain network simulation to calculate linear viscoelasticity of linear monodispersed polystyrenes from molecular weight. The obtained linear viscoelasticity was converted into the relaxation spectrum and into the flow curve to be used in the macroscopic simulations. From the flow curve, the parameters of an inelastic non‐Newtonian constitutive equation were obtained and used for the simulation of filling process. The relaxation spectrum was used to calculate residual stress from the flow profile in the filling process. From the residual stress and thermal shrinkage, warpage of the product was obtained. For the examined thin plate product, significant change in the warpage direction was demonstrated according to the molecular weight of the material. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2012
Distribution of Gephyrin‐Immunoreactivity in the Trigeminal Motor Nucleus: An Immunohistochemical Study in Rats
Authors: Li Zhihong , Ge Shunnan , Zhang Fuxing , Zhang Ting , Mizuno Noboru , Hioki Hiroyuki , Kaneko Takeshi , Gao Guodong , Li Jinlian 
Published: January 2012

AbstractIt has been established that a postsynaptic scaffolding protein, gephyrin, is essential for anchoring two main groups of inhibitory receptors, GABAA receptors (GABAARs) and glycine receptors (GlyRs), to the postsynaptic sites of neurons. The present study was primarily attempted to examine if expression patterns of gephyrin might be different between jaw‐closing (JC) and jaw‐opening (JO) motoneurons. The JC‐ and JO‐motoneurons in the rat trigeminal motor nucleus (Vm) were located in the dorsolateral (Vm.dl) and ventromedial (Vm.vm) divisions, respectively (Mizuno et al.,1975). Thus, immunoreactivity (IR) for gephyrin was investigated in the Vm: immunofluorescence histochemistry for gephyrin was combined with retrograde tract‐tracing of fluorogold (FG), which was injected into nerves innervating JC‐muscles or nerves innervating JO‐muscles; neuronal cells were counterstained with propidium iodide (PI). The Vm.dl was discriminated from the Vm.vm by the presence of vesicular glutamate transporter 1 (VGLUT1)‐immunopositive axon terminals, which were distributed in the Vm.dl but not in the Vm.vm (Pang et al., J Comp Neurol2009;512:595–612). Gephyrin‐IR showed a punctate pattern of fluorescence, and motoneuronal profiles were coated with small clusters of gephyrin‐immunopositive puncta throughout the Vm. The distribution density of such clusters was apparently higher in the Vm.dl than in the Vm.vm; this was confirmed quantitatively by a method similar to that described by Lorenzo et al. (Eur J Neurosci2006;23:3161–3170). On the basis of the present results, possible correlation between the distribution density of gephyrin clusters in the submembrane region of Vm motoneurons and that of axon terminals making inhibitory synapses on Vm motoneurons was discussed. Anat Rec, 2012. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Sustained response and prevention of damage progression in patients with neonatal‐onset multisystem inflammatory disease treated with anakinra: A cohort study to determine three‐ and five‐year outcomes
Authors: Sibley Cailin H. , Plass Nikki , Snow Joseph , Wiggs Edythe A. , Brewer Carmen C. , King Kelly A. , Zalewski Christopher , Kim H. Jeffrey , Bishop Rachel , Hill Suvimol , Paul Scott M. , Kicker Patrick , Phillips Zachary , Dolan Joseph G. , Widemann Brigitte , Jayaprakash Nalini , Pucino Frank , Stone Deborah L. , Chapelle Dawn , Snyder Christopher , Butman John A. , Wesley Robert , Goldbach‐Mansky Raphaela 
Published: January 2012

AbstractObjectiveBlocking interleukin‐1 with anakinra in patients with the autoinflammatory syndrome neonatal‐onset multisystem inflammatory disease (NOMID) reduces systemic and organ‐specific inflammation. However, the impact of long‐term treatment has not been established. This study was undertaken to evaluate the long‐term effect of anakinra on clinical and laboratory outcomes and safety in patients with NOMID.MethodsWe conducted a cohort study of 26 NOMID patients ages 0.80–42.17 years who were followed up at the NIH and treated with anakinra 1–5 mg/kg/day for at least 36 months. Disease activity was assessed using daily diaries, questionnaires, and C‐reactive protein level. Central nervous system (CNS) inflammation, hearing, vision, and safety were evaluated.ResultsSustained improvements in diary scores, parent's/patient's and physician's global scores of disease activity, parent's/patient's pain scores, and inflammatory markers were observed (all P < 0.001 at 36 and 60 months). At 36 and 60 months, CNS inflammation was suppressed, with decreased cerebrospinal fluid white blood cell counts (P = 0.0026 and P = 0.0076, respectively), albumin levels, and opening pressures (P = 0.0012 and P < 0.001, respectively). Most patients showed stable or improved hearing. Cochlear enhancement on magnetic resonance imaging correlated with continued hearing loss. Visual acuity and peripheral vision were stable. Low optic nerve size correlated with poor visual field. Bony lesions progressed. Adverse events other than viral infections were rare, and all patients continued to receive the medication.ConclusionThese findings indicate that anakinra provides sustained efficacy in the treatment of NOMID for up to 5 years, with the requirement of dose escalation. Damage progression in the CNS, ear, and eye, but not bone, is preventable. Anakinra is well tolerated overall.