bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Assessing the dynamic‐downscaling ability over South America using the intensity‐scale verification technique
Authors: De Sales F. , Xue Y. 
Published: April 2010

AbstractThe National Centers for Environmental Prediction (NCEP) ETA regional circulation model (RCM) was one‐way nested in the T62 NCEP general circulation model for a series of 3‐month simulations of the austral summer and winter over South America (SA). The intensity‐scale verification technique (ISVT), based on the scale decomposition of precipitation skill score and energy relative difference, was used to quantitatively assess the dynamic‐downscaling ability of seasonal precipitation and inter‐annual precipitation difference. The ISVT showed that the RCM was able to add value to summer and winter rainfall forecasts over southern South America. Largest improvements were associated to precipitation events at spatial scales of about 400–800 km and rainfall rates above 4 mm day−1. In general, downscaling failed to yield better results over northern South America. In terms of inter‐annual precipitation difference, the RCM produced better results over southern South America, by simulating the increase in intense small‐scale events in the wet years. Analysis of meridional moisture flux associated with the South American low‐level jet (SALLJ) suggested that the Andean topography plays an important role in the RCM's rainfall simulations over the La Plata basin. A sensitivity test with lowered Andean topography heights produced weaker moisture advection by the SALLJ, and lower rainfall totals over that basin for both seasons. During summer, results showed that the reduced rainfall was associated with deteriorated simulations of mid‐ to large‐scale precipitation events, whereas during winter it was associated with deteriorated simulations of smaller‐scale events. Copyright © 2010 Royal Meteorological Society
Character study strengthening the heart of good leadership
Authors: Klann Gene 
Published: April 2010

AbstractIn recent years, headlines in the business pages have underscored the fact that some corporate leaders leave a lot to be desired in the area of character. Yet because it is subjective and controversial, the issue of character has largely been left out of the equation when it comes to training and preparing leaders. If undertaken with the right perspective, however, there are ways to develop character in leaders.
Ultra‐thin, Free‐Standing Proton‐Conducting Membrane with Organic/Inorganic Sandwich Structure
Authors: Li Haibin , Yi Man , Jiang Fengjing 
Published: April 2010

AbstractAn ultra‐thin, flexible, free‐standing, proton‐conducting membrane of (PEI/PCGF)/SiO2/(PEI/PCGF) with a sandwich structure has been prepared. Giant membranes with areas up to about 16 cm2 and thicknesses of 600 nm have been obtained. The inorganic silica layer suppresses methanol permeation, while the two organic layers provide sufficient mechanical strength and flexibility. This membrane exhibits efficient proton conductivity and low methanol permeability.magnified image
Amphiphilic Block Copolymers Containing Regioregular Poly(3‐hexylthiophene) and Poly(2‐ethyl‐2‐oxazoline)
Authors: Alemseghed Mussie G. , Servello John , Hundt Nadia , Sista Prakash , Biewer Michael C. , Stefan Mihaela C. 
Published: April 2010

AbstractPoly(3‐hexylthiophene)‐block‐poly(2‐ethyl‐2‐oxazoline) amphiphilic rod–coil diblock copolymers have been synthesized by a combination of Grignard metathesis (GRIM) and ring‐opening cationic polymerization. Diblock copolymers containing 5, 15, and 30 mol‐% poly(2‐ethyl‐2‐oxazoline) have been synthesized and characterized. The synthesized rod–coil block copolymers display nanofibrillar morphology where the density of the nanofibrills is dependent on the concentration of the poly(2‐ethyl‐2‐oxazoline) coil segment. The conductivity of the diblock copolymers was lowered from 200 to 35 S · cm−1 with an increase in the content of the insulating poly(2‐ethyl‐2‐oxazoline) block. By contrast, the field‐effect mobility decreased by 2–3 orders of magnitude upon the incorporation of the poly(2‐ethyl‐2‐oxazoline) insulating segment.magnified image
Processability, Structure and Mechanical Properties of Poly(ether imide)/Amorphous Copolyester Blends
Authors: Granado Ainhoa , Eguiazábal José Iqnacio , Nazábal Jon 
Published: April 2010

AbstractBlends of PEI with an amorphous copolyester (PCTG) were obtained by melt‐mixing followed by injection molding. The processability of PEI increased several times upon addition of just 10% PCTG, thus expanding the applications of PEI. All the blends showed a single Tg and most of them were transparent. However, they were biphasic as suggested by the widening of the Tg's and proved by SEM. A fine dispersed particle size and good adhesion level were also observed by SEM. The values of the modulus of elasticity and the yield stress appeared close the additivity rule, and were attributed to the combined effects of the density increase and orientation decrease in the blends. These morphological changes had a slightly negative influence on ductility which was nevertheless high.magnified image
Effect of Comonomer Content on the Behavior of Propylene Copolymer/Compatibilizer/Clay Nanocomposites
Authors: Palza Humberto 
Published: April 2010

AbstractA set of isotactic propylene copolymers with either 1‐hexene or 1‐octadecene were synthesized using a metallocene catalyst, and their nanocomposites with 5 wt.‐% of clay and 15 wt.‐% of compatibilizer were prepared and characterized. Clay intercalation and dispertion depend on the comonomer content in the matrix which improves at high short‐chain‐branching levels. The presence of both clay and compatibilizer increased the crystallization temperature of the matrix. A strong correlation between the elastic modulus of the matrix and its relative increase in the nanocomposite was observed. By adding clay and compatibilizer to the copolymer, the modulus can be increased by a factor of two. The results open new perspectives in the understanding of the effect of polyolefin topology on nanocomposites properties.magnified image
Using vignettes to study family consumption processes
Authors: Grønhøj Alice , Bech‐Larsen Tino 
Published: April 2010

AbstractThe use of vignettes for qualitative consumer research is discussed in this article. More specifically, vignettes are proposed as a useful research technique for conducting systematic and rigorous studies of consumer interaction processes, in particular as these relate to family consumption issues. Following an overview of methodological and practical problems of studying consumption interaction processes in families, a discussion of how vignettes may be used to enhance knowledge of family decision‐making processes in real‐life contexts is presented. Design implications are discussed and strategies for applying the vignette method are outlined and illustrated by two recent studies of pro‐environmental consumer behavior in a family context. The paper concludes with a discussion of the benefits and the possible pitfalls of using vignettes. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
The moderating effect of manipulative intent and cognitive resources on the evaluation of narrative ads
Authors: Wentzel Daniel , Tomczak Torsten , Herrmann Andreas 
Published: April 2010

AbstractThis research examines how salience of manipulative intent affects the evaluation of ads that are presented in a narrative or expository format. Study 1 shows that when manipulative intent is not salient, narrative ads are evaluated more positively than expository ads because they trigger a narrative processing style. When manipulative intent is salient, however, consumers regard the advertiser's tactics more suspiciously and adopt an analytical processing style to evaluate both narrative and expository ads. As a result, the relative advantage of narrative ads over expository ads disappears. A mediational analysis reveals that these effects are mediated by inferences of manipulative intent. Furthermore, Study 2 shows that cognitive load moderates these effects and that the negative impact of manipulative intent is significantly attenuated when cognitive load is high. Theoretical and managerial implications are discussed. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
B‐bounded nonlinear semigroups
Authors: Lisi Meri , Totaro Silvia 
Published: April 2010

AbstractIn this paper we study the properties of a new one parameter family of nonlinear operators which is a generalization of B‐bounded linear semigroups. This family is constructed by means of a nonlinear operator A and a linear operator B. We give also examples of problems which can be solved by using such a family. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
SP‐PLP‐EPR—A Novel Method for Detailed Studies into the Termination Kinetics of Radical Polymerization
Authors: Barth Johannes , Buback Michael 
Published: April 2010

AbstractSingle pulse–pulsed laser polymerization–electron paramagnetic resonance (SP‐PLP‐EPR) has been introduced as a powerful method for the very detailed analysis of termination kinetics. During polymerization an intense laser pulse is applied in order to almost instantaneously produce a burst of radicals. The decay of radical concentration is measured by highly time‐resolved EPR and is analyzed with respect to the rate coefficients for the termination of two radicals of identical size. SP‐PLP‐EPR experiments have been carried out for an itaconate monomer, for several methacrylates in bulk and in a solution of ionic liquids, for methacrylic acid in aqueous solution, and for the solution polymerization of butyl acrylate in toluene at low temperature. The data fully support the composite model, which assumes a stronger chain‐length dependence of termination for radicals of smaller size and a weaker one for large radicals. The SP‐PLP‐EPR technique is also applicable in systems with more than one type of growing radicals, as is the case with butyl acrylate polymerization at higher temperature and with RAFT polymerizations, where the novel method may be used for a comprehensive kinetic analysis.magnified image
Comparison of two methods for carboplatin dosing in children with retinoblastoma
Authors: Allen Steven , Wilson Matthew W. , Watkins Amy , Billups Catherine , Qaddoumi Ibrahim , Haik Barrett H. , Rodriguez‐Galindo Carlos 
Published: April 2010

AbstractBackgroundCarboplatin is the most effective drug in retinoblastoma but systemic clearance is variable in young patients. While most regimens use a flat dose, individualized targeting may provide a more adjusted systemic exposure.Patients and MethodsWe compared carboplatin doses between two groups of children with retinoblastoma that were treated using a flat dose of 560 mg/m2 or a targeted AUC of 6.5 using a modified Calvert formula.ResultsNinety‐eight patients with retinoblastoma received a total of 576 cycles of carboplatin (median 8 cycles). Fifty patients (51%) received a fixed dose per m2, 32 (33%) received a dose based on AUC, 1 patient received fixed dose per kilogram, and in 15 patients a combination AUC and fixed doses was used. The median cumulative carboplatin dose (mg/m2) for patients who received eight cycles using fixed per m2 dosing was 2151.8 (range, 1414.2–2852.0), compared to 1104.1 for nine patients who received eight cycles using Calvert dosing (range, 779.0–1992.7) (P < 0.001). For cycles given using AUC, the median percentage of the hypothetical fixed per m2 dose was 70% (range, 48–134%). Younger patients had larger differences. Patients receiving carboplatin based on fixed per m2 dosing were 3.0 times more likely to have a platelet transfusion (95% confidence interval, 1.3–7.3).ConclusionsCarboplatin administration needs to consider the changes in renal function occurring during the first months of life. The use of a targeted AUC provides the most accurate method; however, mg per kg of body weight dosing is a very reliable alternative method. Pediatr Blood Cancer 2010;55:47–54. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Application of digital image correlation method to biogel
Authors: Kwon H.J. , Rogalsky Allan D. , Kovalchick Christopher , Ravichandran Guruswami 
Published: April 2010

AbstractThis study adopts the digital image correlation (DIC) method to measure the mechanical properties under tension in agarose gels. A second polynomial stress–strain equation based on a pore model is proposed in this work. It shows excellent agreement with experimental data and was verified by finite element simulation. Evaluation of the planer strain field by DIC allows measurement of strain localization and Poisson's ratio. At high stresses, Poisson's ratio is found to exceed the standard assumption of 0.5 which is shown to be a result of pore water leakage. Local failure strains are found to be approximately twice those determined by crosshead displacements. Viscous properties of agarose gels are investigated by performing the tensile tests at various loading rates. Increases in loading rate do not cause much difference in the shape of stress–strain curves, but result in increases in ultimate stress and strain. POLYM. ENG. SCI., 50:1585–1593, 2010. © 2010 Society of Plastics Engineers
Study of solution properties of poly(deamino‐tyr‐tyr carbonate hexyl ester) by light scattering and viscometry in dilute and semidilute regime
Authors: Aschi Adel , Trabelsi Saber , Gharbi Abdelhafidh 
Published: April 2010

AbstractThe structure and properties of poly(deamino‐tyr‐tyr carbonate hexyl ester), in dilute and semidilute solutions, were studied using static, dynamic light scattering, and viscometry. The overlap concentration, c* is determined by viscosity. The angular dependence of Zimm plots shows no downturn at low angles. In addition, bimodal distribution curves were computed from the quasielastic measurements. The radius of gyration and the second virial coefficient A2 are found to be respectively 45.8 nm and 9.4 mol cm3 g−2. The correlation and persistence lengths are discussed. The poly (deamino‐tyr‐tyr carbonate hexyl ester) or poly(DTH‐carbonate) chain in THF, at T = 20°C, behaves as a wormlike chain with persistence length. The persistence length obtained using light scattering is compared with that obtained using viscosity with good agreement. These values obtained from these measurements reflect a high degree of local chain persistence. The reduced viscosity in dilute regime provides a value of apparent viscosity hydrodynamic radius three times lower than obtained by static light scattering. POLYM. ENG. SCI., 50:1605–1612, 2010. © 2010 Society of Plastics Engineers
Dielectric properties of polyethylene terephthalate/polyphenylene sulfide/barium titanate nanocomposite for application in electronic industry
Authors: Konieczna Monika , Markiewicz Ewa , Jurga Jan 
Published: April 2010

AbstractPolymer/ceramic nanocomposites designed for application as electronic packaging were prepared using corotating twin‐screw extruder. The dielectric properties of the composites made from polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polyphenylene sulfide, and barium titanate were studied as a function of BaTiO3 fraction in the range between 0.75 and 1.5 wt%. Processing parameters were optimized in order to obtain the nanocomposites with appropriate dielectric properties like dielectric permittivity ε′, dielectric losses ε″, and their temperature stability in a wide frequency range. The measurements showed the increase of the dielectric permittivity value ε′ in the composites in comparison to both pure polymers. The dielectric loss factor tgδ of the composites was found to be much smaller than that of the pure PET. The weak influence of the ceramics on the temperature stability of the dielectric properties of the composites was stated. POLYM. ENG. SCI., 50:1613–1619, 2010. © 2010 Society of Plastics Engineers
Dynamic mechanical properties and morphology of poly(benzyl methacrylate)/epoxy thermoset blends
Authors: Prolongo Margarita G. , Arribas Carmen , Salom Catalina , Masegosa Rosa M. 
Published: April 2010

AbstractPoly(benzyl methacrylate) (PBzMA)/epoxy thermoset blends of composition 5 to 25 wt% of PBzMA were prepared curing with 4,4′diaminodiphenylmethane (DDM), to study the influence of composition on the morphology and dynamic‐mechanical properties of the blends. The cured blends are phase separated in PBzMA‐rich phase and epoxy rich‐phase. As the PBzMA content increases, the morphology evolves from nodular, to combined and to totally inverted. The analysis of the α‐mechanical relaxations indicates that the glass transition temperatures (Tg) of PBzMA and of epoxy in the blends are different from the neat polymers, this is related to a noncomplete phase separation on curing. The profiles of the loss modulus‐temperature curves are correlated with the change in morphology that appears increasing the PBzMA content. The storage modulus‐temperature curves are highly dependent on the morphology of the samples. The storage modulus‐composition dependence is predicted using several models for two phase composites. POLYM. ENG. SCI., 50:1820–1830, 2010. © 2010 Society of Plastics Engineers
Effects of carbon nanotubes and their state of dispersion on the anionic polymerization of ϵ‐caprolactam: 1. Calorimetry
Authors: Penu Christian , Hu Guo‐Hua , Fonteix Christian , Marchal Philippe , Choplin Lionel 
Published: April 2010

AbstractThis work reports, for the first time, on the effect of carbon nanotubes (CNT) on the kinetics of the activated polymerization of lactams. Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) was chosen to study the kinetics of the activated anionic polymerization of ε‐caprolactam in the presence of multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNT). A statistical test was carried out to confirm the validity of the experimental approach. The presence of the MWCNT slowed down the polymerization rate. This inhibiting effect depended not only on the MWCNT content but also on its state of dispersion in the polymerizing system. An autocatalytic model coupled with an evolutionary algorithm showed that the MWCNT content had an effect on the autocatalysis while its state of dispersion had an effect on the apparent polymerization kinetic constant. POLYM. ENG. SCI., 2010. © 2010 Society of Plastics Engineers
Synthesis and properties of an electroactive alternating multi‐block copolymer of poly(ethylene oxide) and oligo‐aniline with high dielectric constant
Authors: Cui Lili , Chao Danming , Lu Xiaofeng , Zhang Junfeng , Mao Hui , Li Yongxin , Wang Ce 
Published: April 2010

AbstractA novel electroactive polymer that has alternating oligo‐aniline and flexible poly(ethylene oxide) segments in the main chain has been synthesized through oxidative coupling polymerization. The chemical structure of the electroactive copolymer was confirmed using Fourier transform infrared and NMR spectroscopy measurements. The electrochemical activity of the copolymer was tested in 1.0 mol L−1 H2SO4 aqueous solution and it shows two redox peaks. Moreover, the thermal properties of the copolymer were investigated using thermogravimetric analysis. The copolymer obtained has good solubility in some common organic solvents. The most important properties of the copolymer are its dielectric ones, which were also investigated. It has a very high dielectric constant at room temperature. Copyright © 2010 Society of Chemical Industry
Synthesis and properties of block poly(ether‐ester)s based on poly(ethylene oxide) and various hydrophobic segments
Authors: Quattrociocchi Gianandrea , Francolini Iolanda , Martinelli Andrea , D'Ilario Lucio , Piozzi Antonella 
Published: April 2010

AbstractTo obtain biodegradable amphiphilic block polymers for biomedical applications, a series of poly(ether‐ester)s based on poly(ethylene oxide) and various hydrophobic/hydrophilic segment ratios were synthesized by the solution polymerization technique. The polyesters were characterized using 1H NMR spectroscopy, elemental analysis, gel permeation chromatography, differential scanning calorimetry, thermogravimetric analysis and compression stress–strain measurements. The composition of the poly(ether‐ester)s agreed with the feed ratio. A study of the degree of phase segregation in the polymers evidenced that microphase mixing increases with the presence in the hydrophobic segments of polar groups able to establish interactions with the poly(ethylene oxide). This phase mixing increased the thermal stability of the acidic poly(ether‐ester)s. Nanospheres for drug delivery with an average diameter of 50 nm were obtained by employing the acidic poly(ether‐ester) showing less microphase segregation, while a scaffold structure with a homogeneous and highly interconnected porosity and an average pore size of approximately 15 µm for tissue engineering was prepared using the more hydrophobic copolymer not possessing functional groups. Compression mechanical measurements carried out on the scaffold showed that the more hydrophobic copolymer was suitable for tissue engineering applications. In order to obtain polymers employable both in drug delivery and in tissue engineering a series of block poly(ether‐ester)s showing various phase segregations were synthesized by varying the hydrophobic/hydrophilic segment ratio. Copyright © 2010 Society of Chemical Industry
Magnetic orientation of diamagnetic amorphous polymers
Authors: Garrido Leoncio 
Published: April 2010

AbstractMolecular order in an amorphous polymer with anisotropic magnetic susceptibility is altered by applying external magnetic fields. Disks of atactic polystyrene (a‐PS) are prepared by solvent casting outside or inside a magnet. The effect of the magnetic field on the polymer samples is investigated by magnetic levitation and solid state NMR spectroscopy. Magnetic levitation of the a‐PS disks shows that the orientation of disk symmetry axis with respect to the magnetic field gradient depends on the magnitude and direction of the applied field during casting. Similarly, carbon‐13 two‐dimensional cross‐polarization/magic angle spinning rotor‐synchronized NMR measurements in these samples show modulation patterns of the spinning side bands only on disks prepared in the presence of a magnetic field. These findings suggest that macromolecular order could be induced in a fluid or fluid–solid phase transition with cooperative segmental motions reorienting the diamagnetic susceptibility tensor to minimize the magnetic contribution to free energy of the sample. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part B: Polym Phys 48: 1009–1015, 2010
Modification of multiwall carbon nanotubes by grafting from controlled polymerization of styrene: Effect of the characteristics of the nanotubes
Authors: Albuerne Julio , Boschetti‐de‐Fierro Adriana , Abetz Volker 
Published: April 2010

AbstractLinear polystyrene chains were grown from the convex surface of two commercially available multiwall carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) with similar diameter but different lengths. The MWCNTs were supplied from Bayer Material Science® (purity >95%, external diameter = 13–16 nm, length = 1–10 μm, denoted MWCNTBMS95) and FutureCarbon GmbH (purity >99%, external diameter = 15 nm, length = 5–50 μm, denoted MWCNTFC99). The MWCNTs were oxidized with nitric acid, consecutively reacted with thionyl chloride, glycol or poly(ethylene glycol), 2‐bromo‐2‐methylpropionyl bromide and finally with styrene under atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP) conditions. The content of polystyrene grafted from the surface of the MWCNTs can be controlled by adjusting the molecular weight of the poly(ethylene glycol), the initiator concentration and the monomer to carbon nanotube weight ratio. Under comparable experimental conditions, a higher amount of polystyrene is grafted from the MWCNTBMS95 than from MWCNTFC99. The difference in dimensions and the state of aggregation of the carbon nanotubes influence the grafting from polymerization reactions, where relative shorter and tightly aggregated carbon nanotubes promote higher polymerizations yields than longer and less aggregated carbon nanotubes. The increase of the viscosity of the carbon nanotube dispersion decreases the polymer grafting content. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part B: Polym Phys 48: 1035–1046, 2010