bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Complementary and alternative medicine use in Gilles de la Tourette syndrome
Authors: Kompoliti Katie , Fan Wenqin , Leurgans Sue 
Published: August 2009

AbstractThe aim of this study was to describe the use of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) in patients with Tourette syndrome (TS) and explore associations with CAM use. In recent years CAM use has increased, but rates of CAM use in TS patients are not reported. Consecutive TS patients or their parent(s), seen in an academic movement disorder center, completed a questionnaire regarding their use of CAM. One hundred TS patients or parents completed the questionnaire, mean age 21.5 ± 13.5, 76 males, 87 Caucasians. Sixty four patients had used at least one CAM modality. CAM treatments used were prayer (28), vitamins (21), massage (19), dietary supplements (15), chiropractic manipulations (12), meditation (10), diet alterations (nine), yoga (nine), acupuncture (eight), hypnosis (seven), homeopathy (six), and EEG biofeedback (six). Fifty six percent of patients using CAM reported some improvement. Users paid out of pocket for 47% of treatments pursued, and 19% of these payers received partial reimbursement by third party payer. Users and non‐users did not differ in age, gender, race, income, educational level, general health, tic severity, medication use for TS, current satisfaction from medications or experience of side effects from medications. CAM use was associated with the presence of affective disorder (P = 0.004), but not with either ADHD or OCD. Among CAM users, 80% initiated CAM without informing their doctor. CAM is commonly used in children and adults with TS, and often without the neurologist's knowledge. Physicians should inquire about CAM to understand the spectrum of interventions that patients with TS use. © 2009 Movement Disorder Society
Molecular characterization and polyadenylation‐regulated expression of cyclin B1 and Cdc2 in porcine oocytes and early parthenotes
Authors: Zhang Ding‐Xiao , Cui Xiang‐Shun , Kim Nam‐Hyung 
Published: August 2009

AbstractMeiotic maturation of mammalian oocytes is controlled by the maturation/M‐phase promotion factor (MPF), a complex of Cdc2 kinase and cyclin B protein. To better understand the molecular mechanism of oocyte maturation, we characterized porcine cyclin B1 and Cdc2 genes, both of which are widely expressed in pig tissues. We further analyzed their expression profiles during in vitro maturation of pig oocyte and early embryonic development at both the mRNA and protein level. Two isoforms of cyclin B1, comprising the same open reading frame but differing in 3′‐UTR length, were identified. Cyclin B1 transcripts was up‐regulated after 30 hr of maturation, while Cdc2 mRNA levels were unchanged during maturation except for a sharp decline at 44 hr. Cyclin B1 protein synthesis increased with oocyte maturation. Cdc2 protein expression was relatively low during 0–18 hr, followed by a higher level of expression up to 44 hr of maturation. Poly(A)‐test PCR clearly revealed that both cyclin B1 isoforms underwent cytoplasmic polyadenylation starting around 18–24 hr during maturation, while a substantial de‐adenylation and degradation of Cdc2 isoforms were observed in metaphase II oocytes and during embryo development after parthenogenetic activation. Porcine MII oocytes derived from small follicles (≤3 mm) and bad quality 2‐cell parthenotes showed lower developmental competence and lower levels of cyclin B1 protein, and Cdc2 mRNA or both gene mRNAs, respectively, compared to their control counterparts. These results suggested that cyclin B1 was regulated posttranscriptionally by cytoplasmic polyadenylation during porcine oocyte maturation. Further, the decreased expression of maternal cyclin B1 and Cdc2 at the mRNA or protein level in developmentally incompetent oocytes and embryos was responsible for, at least in part, a profound defect in further embryonic development. Mol. Reprod. Dev. 77: 38–50, 2010. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Synthesis of high‐impact biodegradable multiblock copolymers comprising of poly(butylene succinate) and poly(1,2‐propylene succinate) with hexamethylene diisocyanate as chain extender
Authors: Zheng Liuchun , Li Chuncheng , Huang Weiguo , Huang Xi , Zhang Dong , Guan Guohu , Xiao Yaonan , Wang Dujing 
Published: August 2009

AbstractBlock copolymers demonstrate excellent thermal and mechanical properties superior to their corresponding random copolymers and homopolymers. However, it is difficult to synthesize block copolymers comprising of different polyester segments by copolycondensation due to the serious transesterification reaction. In this study, multiblock copolymers comprising of two different polyester segments, i.e. crystallizable poly(butylene succinate) (PBS) and amorphous poly(1,2‐propylene succinate) (PPSu), were synthesized by chain‐extension with hexamethylene diisocyanate (HDI). Amorphous PPSu segment was incorporated to improve the impact strength of PBS. The copolymers were characterized by GPC, laser light scattering (LLS), NMR, DSC, and mechanical testing. The results of 13C NMR spectra suggest that multiblock copolymers with regular sequential structure have been successfully synthesized. The data of DSC and mechanical testing indicate that block copolymers possess excellent thermal and mechanical properties with satisfactory tensile strength and extraordinary impact strength achieving upto 1900% of pure PBS. The influence of PPSu ratio and chain length of both the segments on the thermal and mechanical properties was investigated. The incorporation of an amorphous soft segment PPSu imparts high‐impact resistance to the copolymers without obviously decreasing the melting point (Tm). The favorable mechanical and thermal properties of the copolymers also depend on their regular sequential structure. At the same time, the introduction of amorphous PPSu segment enhances the enzymatic degradation rate of the multiblock copolymers. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Evaluating the processability of film blowing resins
Authors: Tiang Jen Shueng , Dealy John M. 
Published: August 2009

AbstractA key factor that limits the production rate in film blowing is bubble instability. Although processing conditions play an important role, it is well known that some resins are more resistant to instabilities than others. It is clear that long‐chain branching enhances stability, but it is not currently possible to model the process with sufficient accuracy to establish a quantitative relationship between rheological properties and blown film processability. It would thus be useful to be able to compare the processabilities of film resins by means of a laboratory measurement. We compared two laboratory tests that may be helpful in evaluating the ability of a resin to resist instabilities in the film blowing process. One of these was a film resin tester designed to simulate some aspects of the film blowing process, and the other was an extensional rheometer. We used a set of polyethylene resins that had been used previously in an extensive study of blown film stability. The extensional rheometer clearly shows the superiority of low‐density polyethylene but is not able to distinguish among polymers of other types. The melt tester, on the other hand, is sensitive to differences among linear polymers. POLYM. ENG. SCI., 2009. © 2009 Society of Plastics Engineers
Electrical conductivity and thermal properties of acrylonitrile‐butadiene‐styrene filled with multiwall carbon nanotubes
Authors: Wang Wen‐Yi , Luo Guo‐Hua , Wei Fei , Luo Jian 
Published: August 2009

AbstractComposites of Acrylonitrile‐butadiene‐styrene (ABS) and multiwall carbon nanotubes (MWNTs) have been prepared via solution‐blending. The electrical conductivity of these composites is analyzed. The MWNT‐filled ABS shows percolation point of the electrical conductivity at low filler loadings (1–2 wt%). The micro‐structure of the composites is also analyzed by scanning electron microscopy showing that the nanotubes are dispersed quite homogeneously in the polymer‐matrix. The thermogravimetric analysis is used to study the thermal degradation of ABS/MWNTs composites in nitrogen. MWNTs tend to destabilize the ABS matrix in the 220–450°C degradation regions but improve the thermal stability in the 425–850°C regions. With further addition of MWNTs, the features of the destabilization in the 220–450°C degradation region did not change much but in the 425–850°C degradation process, the MWNTs reinforced stabilization and the quality of the char residue of amorphous carbon deposition was improved. POLYM. ENG. SCI., 2009. © 2009 Society of Plastics Engineers
Properties of ultrahigh‐molecular‐weight polyethylene nanocomposite films containing different functionalized multiwalled carbon nanotubes
Authors: Ko Jeong‐Ho , Chang Jin‐Hae 
Published: August 2009

AbstractWe compared the thermomechanical properties, morphologies, gas permeabilities, and electrical conductivities of ultrahigh‐molecular‐weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) nanocomposite films containing two types of functionalized multiwalled carbon nanotubes (functionalized MWNTs). Both 2‐hydroxyethyl triphenyl phosphonium‐MWNT (Ph3P‐MWNT) and 1,1,1,3,3,3‐hexafluoro‐2‐phenyl‐2‐propanol‐MWNT (CF3‐MWNT) were used as reinforcing fillers in the fabrication of UHMWPE hybrid films. UHMWPE nanocomposites with various functionalized MWNT contents were solution‐cast to produce the films. The thermomechanical properties and morphologies of the UHMWPE hybrid films were then characterized using differential scanning calorimetry, thermogravimetric analysis, electron microscopy, and mechanical tensile analysis. Transmission electron microscopy studies showed that some of the MWNT particles were dispersed homogeneously within the polymer matrix (on the nanoscale), whereas others were agglomerated. We also found that the addition of only a small amount of functionalized MWNTs was sufficient to improve the thermomechanical properties and the gas barrier of the UHMWPE hybrid films. Even, those hybrid films with low functionalized MWNT contents (i.e., <1 wt%) were found to exhibit much better thermomechanical properties than the pure UHMWPE films. On the other hand, the values of the electrical conductivity remained constant, regardless of the amount of functionalized MWNTs. POLYM. ENG. SCI., 2009. © 2009 Society of Plastics Engineers
Polymer electrolyte membranes for high‐temperature fuel cells based on aromatic polyethers bearing pyridine units
Authors: Kallitsis Joannis K , Geormezi Maria , Neophytides Stylianos G 
Published: August 2009

AbstractThis review is focused on the design and synthesis of new high‐temperature polymer electrolytes based on aromatic polyethers bearing polar pyridine moieties in the main chain. Such materials are designed to be used in polymer electrolyte fuel cells operating at temperatures higher than 100 °C. New monomers and polymers have been synthesized and characterized within this field in respect of their suitability for this specific application. Copolymers with optimized structures in order to combine excellent film‐forming properties with high mechanical, thermal and oxidative stability and controlled acid uptake have been synthesized which, after doping with phosphoric acid, result in ionically conducting membranes. Such materials have been studied in respect of their conductivity under various conditions and used for the construction of membrane‐electrode assemblies (MEAs) which are used for fuel cells operating at temperatures up to 180 °C. New and improved, in terms of oxidative stability and mechanical properties in the doped state, polymeric membranes have been synthesized and used effectively for MEA construction and single‐cell testing. Copyright © 2009 Society of Chemical Industry
Synthesis of fluoro‐substituted silole‐containing conjugated materials
Authors: Horst Sven , Evans Nicholas R. , Bronstein Hugo A. , Williams Charlotte K. 
Published: August 2009

Abstract2,5‐Dihydroxyboryl‐1,1‐dimethyl‐3,4‐bis(3‐fluorophenyl)‐silole (2a) was prepared in 40% overall yield by reaction between 3‐fluorophenyl‐acetylene and dichlorodimethylsilane to yield bis[2(3‐fluorophenyl)ethynyl]dimethylsilane (1a), which subsequently undergoes a reductive cyclization reaction using an excess of lithium naphthalenide. The fluoro substituted silole was applied as a co‐monomer in the Suzuki polycondensation reaction with 2,7‐dibromo‐9,9‐dioctyl‐fluorene. An oligomer (3a) with a degree of polymerization of 6 was prepared and compared with an oligomer without fluoro substitution on the silole (3b), with a degree of polymerization of 4. The new oligomers were spin coated onto glass slides and showed weak green photoluminescence (PL) in the solid state. Cyclic voltammetry, visible absorption spectroscopy, and density functional theory calculations showed that the fluoro substituents were sufficiently electron withdrawing to lower both the highest occupied molecular orbital and the lowest unoccupied molecular orbital in the oligomer. Two further alternating co‐oligomers were prepared from 2,5‐dihydroxyboryl‐1,1‐dimethyl‐3,4‐bis(phenyl)‐silole (2b) and 1,3‐dibromo‐5‐fluoro‐benzene (4a) or 1,3‐dibromobenzene (4b). These oligomers both had degrees of polymerization of 8 and showed green PL in the solid state. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 47: 5116–5125, 2009
Simplified synthesis of spiro‐bridged ladder‐type poly(p‐phenylene)
Authors: Wang Baoling , Forster Michael , Preis Eduard , Wang Huan , Ma Yuguang , Scherf Ullrich 
Published: August 2009

AbstractIn this study, a simplified route to synthesize soluble, spiro‐bridged ladder‐type poly(p‐phenylene)s (spiro‐LPPP) was developed. The new, simplified synthesis route for spiro‐LPPP involves two reaction steps: a single‐stranded precursor polymer containing diaryloylbenzene building blocks was obtained by the Suzuki reaction, followed by a subsequent twofold cyclization cascade using methanesulfonic acid to form the target spiro‐LPPP. Spiro‐LPPP shows a well‐defined chemical structure, high molecular weight (Mn of 17,500 g/mol with a polydispersity index of 2.0), excellent thermal stability (5% weight loss at 370 °C), and good solubility in common organic solvents. Spiro‐LPPP emits blue light (λmax,em = 455 nm) with the high solution PL quantum yield (94%). The spectral properties of spiro‐LPPP in the solid state are very similar to the solution properties, thus indicating a low degree of intermolecular aggregation. After annealing a thin film of spiro‐LPPP to 120 °C in air for 3 to 24 h, its emission spectrum is unchanged, reflecting excellent thermooxidative stability. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 47: 5137–5143, 2009
Humoral immune response against 38‐ and 16‐kDa mycobacterial antigens in childhood tuberculosis
Authors: Senol Gunes , Ecevit Cigdem , Öztürk Aysel 
Published: August 2009

AbstractSeveral enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assays (ELISAs) based on mycobacterial antigens have been tried for the rapid diagnosis of tuberculosis (TB). In this study, the value of the 16 and 38‐kDa mycobacterial antigens in the diagnosis of TB was investigated in pediatric patients in Izmir, Turkey in whom they were found using clinical and/or bacteriological methods. A commercial ELISA kit was used for measuring IgG against 38 and 16‐kDa recombinant antigens. The humoral immune response was analyzed in a group of 32 TB patients (24 pulmonary, 3 lymphadenitis and 2 pleuritis, 2 meningitis and a disseminated TB) and in control groups consisting of 20 healthy children and 20 pulmonary diseases other than TB cases. The sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, and the negative predictive value of the test were found to be 25%, 90%, 66.7%, and 60%, respectively, in the TB cases. The ELISA test shows very good specificity, but low level of sensitivity and negative predict value. It was thought that it might be used in combination with other methods to increase diagnostic accuracy, especially for culture‐negative TB pediatric cases, which are difficult to diagnose. Pediatr Pulmonol. 2009; 44:839–844. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Microstructural, electrical, magnetic and spectroscopic properties of PbOSb2O3As2O3:MnO glass ceramics
Authors: Padmanabham A. , Satyanarayana T. , Gandhi Y. , Veeraiah N. 
Published: August 2009

AbstractPbOSb2O3As2O3 glasses mixed with different concentrations of MnO (ranging from 0 to 5.0 mol%) were crystallized. The samples were characterized by X‐ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy and differential thermal analysis techniques. Dielectric properties over a range of frequency and temperature, optical absorption, fluorescence IR, ESR and magnetic susceptibility at room temperature have been studied. The X‐ray diffraction studies have revealed the presence of Pb5Sb2O8, PbSb2O6, SbAsO4, Mn2Sb2O7, Mn3Sb2O6, Mn2O3, MnAsO4 and Pb5Sb4O11 crystalline phases in these samples. The DTA studies have indicated the spreading of the crystallization from inside to the surface of the samples as the concentration of the crystallizing agent is increased. The IR studies have pointed out the existence of conventional AsO3 and SbO3 structural units in the glass ceramic samples. These studies have further indicated the decreasing concentration of symmetrical structural vibrational groups with increase in the concentration of MnO. The results of various studies viz., also been reported. The results of optical absorption, ESR, luminescence and magnetic susceptibility studies have been analysed in the light of different oxidation states and environment of manganese ions in the glass ceramic network.
X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy study of sodium–copper–germanate glasses
Authors: Mekki A. , Khattak G. D. 
Published: August 2009

AbstractSodium germanate glasses containing copper oxide with the nominal composition (0.70 − x) GeO20.30Na2OxCuO, (x in the range 0–0.15 mol%), were prepared and their structure as well as the valence state of the copper ions have been investigated by X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). The absence of “shake up” satellite peak in the Cu 2p spectra for glasses with x = 0.05 and 0.15 suggests the presence of copper in the Cu+ state for these glasses while the presence of both oxidation states (Cu+ and Cu2+) in the glass with x = 0.10 has been concluded from the presence of satellite structure of the Cu 2p core level spectra as well as the observation of asymmetry in the Cu 2p spectra. A deconvolution procedure has been undertaken to determine quantitatively the Cu2+/Cutotal ratio for x = 0.10 glass composition. The non‐bridging oxygen content, obtained from the deconvolution of the O 1s core level spectra, increases with increasing copper oxide content indicating that copper acts as a network modifier. The Ge 3d core level spectra show asymmetry and were fitted with two contributions, one due to Ge atoms in Ge (IV) coordination and the other due to Na 2p core level spectra which were overlapping with the Ge 3d peaks.
Fabrication study of AlN solar‐blind (<280 nm) MSM photodetectors grown by low‐temperature deposition
Authors: Chen Meei‐Ru , Chang S. H. , Chen Tzu Chieh , Hsu Chih‐Hsiang , Kao H. L. , Chyi Jen‐Inn 
Published: August 2009

AbstractAlN, an important semiconductor with the widest band gap among III‐nitrides, was employed to construct solar blind metal–semiconductor–metal photodetectors (MSM‐PDs). MSM‐PDs were fabricated on AlN epitaxial thin films deposited on GaN/sapphire using a helicon sputtering system at a low temperature of 300 °C. The dark current of the device is as low as 200 fA at 20 V and the photocurrent illuminated by a D2 lamp increases more than two orders of magnitude. The photocurrent increases almost linearly with the incident optical power at the wavelength of 200 nm. The results show that the low temperature grown AlN MSM device is suitable for the application of deep UV detection.
Chemistry and electronic properties of ferromagnetic metal‐organic semiconductor interfaces: Fe on CuPc
Authors: Aristov V. Yu. , Molodtsova O. V. , Ossipyan Yu. A. , Doyle B. P. , Nannarone S. , Knupfer M. 
Published: August 2009

AbstractThe chemistry and electronic properties of the interfaces formed between the ferromagnetic metal (Fe) and the model organic semiconductor copper phthalocyanine are investigated in ultra‐high vacuum conditions for the case of metal deposition onto the organic molecular thin film. The studies were performed by means of core‐level and valence‐band high‐resolution photoemission electron spectroscopy (PES) as well as near‐edge X‐ray absorption fine structure using synchrotron radiation. Metal overlayer formation on the top of the organic semiconductor was observed without substantial penetration of deposited metal species into the organic film. At the thin interface layer the ferromagnetic metal shows strong chemical interaction with the nitrogen and carbon of the organic films. Moreover, our results infer that, as a consequence of Fe deposition onto CuPc, central copper atoms of the organic molecules at the interface are reduced from Cu(II) to Cu(I), while Fe atoms are oxidized and/or the ferromagnetic metal replaces this central Cu atom. Further optimization of such an interface is thus required to allow and/or facilitate the injection of spin‐polarized carriers into organic semiconductors.
Vertically aligned diamond nanowires: Fabrication, characterization, and application for DNA sensing
Authors: Yang Nianjun , Uetsuka Hiroshi , Williams Oliver A. , Osawa Eiji , Tokuda Norio , Nebel Christoph E. 
Published: August 2009

AbstractIn this review, we introduce a novel procedure to fabricate vertically aligned diamond nanowires with controlled geometrical properties like length and distance between wires by use of nanodiamond particles as a hard mask and by use of reactive ion etching. We summarize the characterizations of nanowires by atomic force microscopy and scanning tunneling microscopy as well as electrochemical techniques. In the last section, we show biofunctionalization of nucleic acid molecules on diamond nanowires using electrochemically bond nitrophenyl molecules as linker for deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) sensing. The tip biofunctionalization and performance of as‐prepared DNA sensors are discussed in detail.
Doping‐induced changes in the valence band edge structure of homoepitaxial B‐doped diamond films below Mott's critical density
Authors: Takeuchi D. , Ogura M. , Tokuda N. , Okushi H. , Yamasaki S. 
Published: August 2009

AbstractHeavily boron‐doped p‐type diamond is a key material for developing diamond‐based applications in various fields. We obtain information about changes in the valence band edge of homoepitaxial boron‐doped diamond films around and below Mott's critical density for a metal–non‐metal transition. For a boron concentration of about 2–3 × 1020 cm−3, where this transition is expected to occur, a metal‐like behaviour is observed at room temperature (RT) with the Fermi‐level lying 0.1 eV above the valence band edge. For a boron concentration about 4 × 1019 cm−3, which is well below the critical density, the valence band edge is quite different from that of lightly doped samples. It is proposed as an explanation for these experimental differences that the excited‐states of acceptors overlap.