bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Effect of corn‐zein coating on the mechanical properties of polypropylene packaging films
Authors: Tihminlioglu Funda , Atik İsa Doğan , Özen Banu 
Published: July 2010

AbstractIn this study, a novel film structure of corn zein coated on polypropylene (PP) synthetic films for food packaging applications was developed, and the mechanical properties of the resulting coated film, as affected by the coating formulation, were investigated. Composite structures of PP films coated with corn zein were obtained through a simple solvent casting method. Different amounts of corn zein (5 and 15%) were dissolved in 70 and 95% aqueous ethanol solution at 50°C. Solutions of corn zein plasticized with poly(ethylene glycol) and glycerol (GLY) at various levels (20 and 50%) were applied on corona‐discharge‐treated PP. A statistical analysis based on full factorial design was performed to examine the influence of the coating formulation on the final properties of the corn‐zein‐coated PP films. A significant (p < 0.05) improvement in the coated film's mechanical properties was observed compared to those of the uncoated PP. The effect of the plasticization of the coating solutions was also quite significant. In general, GLY provided better improvements in the mechanical properties of the corn‐zein‐coated PP films. The statistical analysis of the results showed that the corn‐zein and plasticizer concentrations and plasticizer type used in the coating formulations were more effective parameters and had significant effects on the mechanical behavior of the coated PP films. In conclusion, corn‐zein coatings could have potential as alternatives to conventional synthetic polymers used in composite multilayer structures for food packaging applications. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2011
Studies on effect of improved d‐spacing of montomorillonite on properties of poly(vinyl chloride) nanocomposites
Authors: Shimpi N. G. , Mishra S. 
Published: July 2010

AbstractSurface modification of montomorillonite for improvement in d‐spacing was done by column chromatography with quaternary long chain ammonium salt having cation exchange capacity of 110 meq/100 g. Organically modified montomorillonite (OMMT)/poly(vinyl chloride) (PVC) nanocomposites were prepared through direct melt compounding on a conventional twin screw extruder. Because of improved d‐spacing of OMMT, the polymer chains get exfoliated in between the plates of clay and dispersed uniformly. The mechanical properties of the nanocomposites were found to be appreciable at 12 wt % loading of OMMT. Moreover, rheological data, such as torque, fusion time, viscosity, and shear rate were also recorded on Brabender Plasticorder. The improvement in mechanical properties with increase in amount of OMMT loading is evidenced from reduction in shear viscosity and torque. Also nanoclay is acting as a lubricating agent with packing effect, which reduces the torque with decrease in viscosity along with increment in elongation at break. Because of soft nature of OMMT and improvement in d‐spacing the processing of PVC becomes easier, and hence, OMMT is playing a dual role as a (i) good processing aid and (ii) filler. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2011
Realisation of a fully‐deterministic microlensing observing strategy for inferring planet populations
Authors: Dominik M. , Jørgensen U.G. , Rattenbury N.J. , Mathiasen M. , Hinse T.C. , Calchi Novati S. , Harpsøe K. , Bozza V. , Anguita T. , Burgdorf M.J. , Horne K. , Hundertmark M. , Kerins E. , Kjærgaard P. , Liebig C. , Mancini L. , Masi G. , Rahvar S. , Ricci D. , Scarpetta G. , Snodgrass C. , Southworth J. , Street R.A. , Surdej J. , Thöne C.C. , Tsapras Y. , Wambsganss J. , Zub M. 
Published: July 2010

AbstractWithin less than 15 years, the count of known planets orbiting stars other than the Sun has risen from none to more than 400 with detections arising from four successfully applied techniques: Doppler‐wobbles, planetary transits, gravitational microlensing, and direct imaging. While the hunt for twin Earths is on, a statistically well‐defined sample of the population of planets in all their variety is required for probing models of planet formation and orbital evolution so that the origin of planets that harbour life, like and including ours, can be understood. Given the different characteristics of the detection techniques, a complete picture can only arise from a combination of their respective results. Microlensing observations are well‐suited to reveal statistical properties of the population of planets orbiting stars in either the Galactic disk or bulge from microlensing observations, but a mandatory requirement is the adoption of strictly‐deterministic criteria for selecting targets and identifying signals. Here, we describe a fully‐deterministic strategy realised by means of the ARTEMiS (Automated Robotic Terrestrial Exoplanet Microlensing Search) system at the Danish 1.54‐m telescope at ESO La Silla between June and August 2008 as part of the MiNDSTEp (Microlensing Network for the Detection of Small Terrestrial Exoplanets) campaign, making use of immediate feedback on suspected anomalies recognized by the SIGNALMEN anomaly detector. We demonstrate for the first time the feasibility of such an approach, and thereby the readiness for studying planet populations down to Earth mass and even below, with ground‐based observations. While the quality of the real‐time photometry is a crucial factor on the efficiency of the campaign, an impairment of the target selection by data of bad quality can be successfully avoided. With a smaller slew time, smaller dead time, and higher through‐put, modern robotic telescopes could significantly outperform the 1.54‐m Danish, whereas lucky‐imaging cameras could set new standards for high‐precision follow‐up monitoring of microlensing events (© 2010 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Predicting elections from the most important issue: A test of the take‐the‐best heuristic
Authors: Graefe Andreas , Armstrong J. Scott 
Published: July 2010

AbstractWe used the take‐the‐best heuristic to develop a model to forecast the popular two‐party vote shares in U.S. presidential elections. The model draws upon information about how voters expect the candidates to deal with the most important issue facing the country. We used cross‐validation to calculate a total of 1000 out‐of‐sample forecasts, one for each of the last 100 days of the ten U.S. presidential elections from 1972 to 2008. Ninety‐seven per cent of forecasts correctly predicted the winner of the popular vote. The model forecasts were competitive compared to forecasts from methods that incorporate substantially more information (e.g., econometric models and the Iowa Electronic Markets). The purpose of the model is to provide fast advice on which issues candidates should stress in their campaign. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Effect of video self‐monitoring on procedural integrity
Authors: Pelletier Kelly , McNamara Bethany , Braga‐Kenyon Paula , Ahearn William H. 
Published: July 2010

AbstractA video self‐monitoring treatment package was used to evaluate the procedural integrity of staff implementing behavioral guidelines for one child with autism. Staff members with low procedural integrity scores were asked to participate. The treatment package incorporated an implementation video which reviewed the relevant behavioral guidelines and a procedural integrity monitoring system. Each participant was taught to score a pre‐training video, which highlighted components of implementing behavioral guidelines, with a procedural integrity tool denoting correct implementation of the procedures. The participant then scored their own baseline video using a similar tool constructed to highlight the target student's behavior plan. Participant scores were compared to experimenter scores and verbal feedback was given by the experimenter if the scores varied. Results showed increased procedural integrity implementing the behavior guidelines from baseline to 100% implementation for two out of three participants. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Web‐based tutor for interactive design of single‐span and continuous steel beams
Authors: Wang Nengmou , Adeli Hojjat 
Published: July 2010

AbstractThe senior author developed the approach of interactive computer‐aided design of steel structures on the first‐generation personal computers in mid‐1980s. The goal of this research is to develop web‐based courseware to complement undergraduate teaching of structural steel design. Java Applets are being developed for interactive design of steel beams, compression members, beam‐columns, connections, and plate girders. In this article, an example applet, called Beam Tutor, is presented for design of single‐span and multi‐span steel beams. It can design a variety of beam types such as simply‐supported, cantilever, propped, fixed, and multi‐span continuous beams subjected to a multitude of loadings including linearly varying load according to two different codes of the American Institute of Steel Construction: Allowable Stress Design (ASD) and Load and Resistance Factor Design (LRFD) Specifications. With the help of the web‐based courseware, students can find answers to many what‐if scenarios quickly. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Comput Appl Eng Educ 20: 383–389, 2012
Bans against corporal punishment: a systematic review of the laws, changes in attitudes and behaviours
Authors: Zolotor Adam J. , Puzia Megan E. 
Published: July 2010

AbstractTwenty‐four countries have passed legislative bans on corporal punishment since the passage of the Convention on the Rights of the Child. This systematic review briefly reviews the arguments for corporal punishment bans and the contents and context of the current legal bans. All such bans have occurred in representative governments. Following this background, the paper will examine the impacts of the laws with regard to attitudes regarding corporal punishment and parental discipline behaviours. It is clear from the findings of this systematic review that legal bans on corporal punishment are closely associated with decreases in support of and use of corporal punishment as a child discipline technique. However, it is less clear if such legislative bans always generally precede a decline in popular support for corporal punishment or result from such a decline in popular support. The known impact of such bans on child physical abuse will then be reviewed. The paper concludes with a policy analysis framework for considering new legislation to ban corporal punishment. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Glutathione cycle in stable chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
Authors: Biljak Vanja Radišić , Rumora Lada , Čepelak Ivana , Pancirov Dolores , Popović‐Grle Sanja , Sorić Jasna , Grubišić Tihana Žanić 
Published: July 2010

AbstractChronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is characterized by chronic inflammation and oxidant/antioxidant imbalance. Glutathione is the most abundant cellular low‐molecular weight thiol and the glutathione redox cycle is the fundamental component of the cellular antioxidant defence system. Concentration of total glutathione and catalytic activities of glutathione peroxidase and glutathione reductase were determined in peripheral blood of patients (n = 109) and healthy subjects (n = 51). Concentration of total glutathione in patients was not changed in comparison to healthy controls. However, we found statistically significant difference between patients with moderate and severe disease stages. Glutathione reductase activity was increased, while glutathione proxidase activity was decreased in the patients with COPD, when compared to healthy controls. We found no significant difference in glutathione peroxidase and glutathione reductase activities between stages. Patients who smoked had lower concentration of total glutathione compared with former smokers and never‐smoking patients. Lung function parameters were inversely associated with glutathione level. Evidence is presented for differential modulation of glutathione peroxidase and glutathione reductase activities in peripheral blood of patients with stable COPD. We suppose that in addition to glutathione biosynthesis, glutathione reductase‐dependent regulation of the glutathione redox state is vital for protection against oxidative stress. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Cancer‐upregulated gene 2 (CUG2) overexpression induces apoptosis in SKOV‐3 cells
Authors: Lee Sunhee , Koh Wansoo , Kim Hyun‐Taek , Kim Cheol‐Hee , Lee Soojin 
Published: July 2010

AbstractCancer‐upregulated gene 2 (CUG2) was originally identified as a potential oncogene commonly up‐regulated in various human cancers. Recently, CUG2 was also identified as a new member of a centromere protein complex, important in the formation of a functional kinetochore complex. Presently, we report the pro‐apoptotic effect of CUG2 when this gene was overexpressed in the SKOV‐3 human ovarian cancer cell line. Apoptotic cell death mediated by CUG2 overexpression was independently demonstrated using cell viability determination, flow cytometry analysis, chromosome fragmentation assay, and the cleavage of the death substrate poly(ADP‐ribose) polymerase. Moreover, activation of caspase‐3 and ‐8 and the cytoplasmic translocation of mitochondrial cytochrome c were evident upon CUG2 expression. Apoptotic cell death was also observed during early development of zebrafish when CUG2 was overexpressed in zebrafish embryo. We propose that high expression of CUG2 induces apoptotic cell death. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Window consensus PCA for multiblock statistical process control: adaption to small and time‐dependent normal operating condition regions, illustrated by online high performance liquid chromatography of a three‐stage continuous process
Authors: Ferreira Diana L. S. , Kittiwachana Sila , Fido Louise A. , Thompson Duncan R. , Escott Richard E. A. , Brereton Richard G. 
Published: July 2010

AbstractA method for multiblock statistical process control is described, involving the computation of Q and D statistics both for individual blocks and for the overall process using window consensus principal components analysis (WCPCA). The approach overcomes two common problems. The first is a small normal operating conditions (NOC) region, which is done by determining the Q‐statistic limits and D statistics using leave‐one‐out (LOO) residuals and scores, rather than employing the residuals and scores of a single training set model obtained from the entire NOC region. The second overcomes the problem of temporal drift of the process and/or measurement technique by updating the NOC covariance matrix to adapt to normal process changes. The unifying multiblock statistical process control and relevant statistics are adapted to cope with these issues and are illustrated in this paper using CPCA as applied to online high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) of a three‐stage continuous process. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Comparison of multivariate methods for quantitative determination with transmission Raman spectroscopy in pharmaceutical formulations
Authors: Fransson Magnus , Johansson Jonas , Sparén Anders , Svensson Olof 
Published: July 2010

AbstractThe use of transmission Raman spectroscopy for quantitative assessment of pharmaceutical tablets using different multivariate approaches was investigated. Although Raman spectroscopy is most often used in backscatter geometry, in this paper a transmission approach was utilized, where the Raman scattered light is detected at the back side of the tablets. Raman spectra were recorded using a dispersive spectrometer with a 785 nm excitation laser and a typical exposure time of 10 s. The tablets were loaded to a 32‐position sample rack and measured by an automated procedure. Tablets with variation in content of paracetamol were manufactured. The data were evaluated with respect to the content of paracetamol, using partial least squares (PLS) and multivariate curve resolution (MCR). In addition, classical least squares (CLS), curve fitting and peak ratios were included for comparison. MCR, CLS and PLS gave comparable results with relative prediction errors for an independent test set in the range of 2.4–3.4%. Curve fitting and peak ratios gave higher prediction errors, typically around 4 and 6%, respectively. Interestingly, quantitative models based on only two samples in the calibration sets resulted in almost as good results as if half of the available tablets were included in the calibration. Due to the simple calibration models and the selective Raman spectra, the loadings and spectra were easy to interpret for all the multivariate methods used in this paper. The implications for content uniformity analysis by using transmission Raman in this simplified approach are discussed. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
New Tris(hydroxypyridinones) as Iron and Aluminium Sequestering Agents: Synthesis, Complexation and In Vivo Studies
Authors: Chaves Sílvia , Marques Sérgio M. , Matos André M. F. , Nunes Andreia , Gano Lurdes , Tuccinardi Tiziano , Martinelli Adriano , Santos M. Amélia 
Published: July 2010

AbstractTwo new tripodal tris(3‐hydroxy‐4‐pyridinone) hexadentate chelators—NTA(BuHP)3and NTP(PrHP)3(NTA=nitrilotriacetic acid, NTP=nitrilotripropionic acid, HP=hydroxypyridone)—have been developed and studied in solution for their iron and aluminium binding affinity, and also assayed in vivo for their capacity to remove metal from an animal model that is overloaded. These chelators are positional isomers, possessing identical general structures based on aminotricarboxylic acid skeletons attached to three bidentate 3‐hydroxy‐4‐pyridinones (3,4‐HPs), but differing in the position of the amide linkage along the chelating “arm”. In spite of expected differences in the tripodal ligands, such as acidity and hydrogen‐bonding networks, they share important properties, namely, a mild hydrophilic character (log Pca. −1.2 to −1.4) and a strong chelating affinity for Fe and Al (pFe=27.9 and pAl=22.0 for NTA(BuHP)3; pFe=29.4 and pAl=22.4 for NTP(PrHP)3). They also evidenced identical effects on the biodistribution and on the excretion of a radiotracer (67Ga) previously administered to mice, as models of iron overload animals. Comparison of the new compounds with reported analogues shows good improvement in terms of solution and in vivo sequestering properties, thus giving support to expectations about their potential clinical application as metal removal agents.
Evaluation of lymph node counts in primary retroperitoneal lymph node dissection
Authors: Thompson R. Houston , Carver Brett S. , Bosl George J. , Bajorin Dean , Motzer Robert , Feldman Darren , Reuter Victor E. , Sheinfeld Joel 
Published: July 2010

AbstractBACKGROUND:Lymph node counts are a measure of quality assurance and are associated with prognosis for numerous malignancies. To date, investigations of lymph node counts in testis cancer are lacking.METHODS:By using the Memorial Sloan‐Kettering Testis Cancer database, the authors identified 255 patients who underwent primary retroperitoneal lymph node dissection (RPLND) for nonseminomatous germ cell tumors (NSGCTs) between 1999 and 2008. Features that were associated with lymph node counts, positive lymph nodes, the number of positive lymph nodes, and the risk of positive contralateral lymph nodes were evaluated with regression models.RESULTS:The median (interquartile range [IQR]) total lymph node count was 38 lymph nodes (IQR, 27‐53 total lymph nodes), and it was 48 (IQR, 34‐61 total lymph nodes) during the most recent 5 years. Features that were associated with higher lymph node count on multivariate analysis included high‐volume surgeon (P = .034), clinical stage (P = .036), and more recent year of surgery (P < .001); whereas pathologist was not associated significantly with lymph node count (P = .3). Clinical stage (P < .001) and total lymph node count (P = .045) were associated significantly with finding positive lymph nodes on multivariate analysis. The probability of finding positive lymph nodes was 23%, 23%, 31%, and 48% if the total lymph node count was <21, 21 to 40, 41 to 60, and >60, respectively. With a median follow‐up of 3 years, all patients remained alive, and 16 patients developed recurrent disease, although no patients developed recurrent disease in the paracaval, interaortocaval, para‐aortic, or iliac regions.CONCLUSIONS:The current results suggested that >40 lymph nodes removed at RPLND improve the diagnostic efficacy of the operation. The authors believe that these results will be useful for future trials comparing RPLNDs, especially when assessing the adequacy of lymph node dissection. Cancer 2010. © 2010 American Cancer Society.
Gemcitabine metabolic and transporter gene polymorphisms are associated with drug toxicity and efficacy in patients with locally advanced pancreatic cancer
Authors: Tanaka Motofumi , Javle Milind , Dong Xiaoqun , Eng Cathy , Abbruzzese James L. , Li Donghui 
Published: July 2010

AbstractBACKGROUND:It has not been well established whether genetic variations can be biomarkers for clinical outcome of gemcitabine therapy. The purpose of this study was to identify single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of gemcitabine metabolic and transporter genes that are associated with toxicity and efficacy of gemcitabine‐based therapy in patients with locally advanced pancreatic cancer.METHODS:The authors evaluated 17 SNPs of the CDA,dCK, DCTD, RRM1, hCNT1‐3, and hENT1 genes in 149 patients with locally advanced pancreatic cancer who underwent gemcitabine‐based chemoradiotherapy. The association of genotypes with neutropenia, tumor response to therapy, overall survival, and progression‐free survival (PFS) was analyzed by logistic regression, log‐rank test, Kaplan‐Meier plot, and Cox proportional hazards regression.RESULTS:The CDA A‐76C, dCK C‐1205T, RRM1 A33G, and hENT1 C913T genotypes were significantly associated with grade 3 to 4 neutropenia (P = .020, .015, .003, and .017, respectively).The CDA A‐76C and hENT1 A‐201G genotypes were significantly associated with tumor response to therapy (P = .017 and P = .019). A combined genotype effect of CDA A‐76C, RRM1 A33G, RRM1 C‐27A, and hENT1 A‐201G on PFS was observed. Patients carrying 0 to 1 (n = 64), 2 (n = 50), or 3 to 4 (n = 17) at‐risk genotypes had median PFS times of 8.3, 6.0, and 4.2 months, respectively (P = .002).CONCLUSIONS:The results indicated that some polymorphic variations of drug metabolic and transporter genes may be potential biomarkers for clinical outcome of gemcitabine‐based therapy in patients with locally advanced pancreatic cancer. Cancer 2010. © 2010 American Cancer Society.