bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Study on mechanical and flow properties of acrylonitrile‐butadiene‐styrene/poly(methyl methacrylate)/nano‐calcium carbonate composites
Authors: Zhang Aimin , Zhao Guoqun , Guan Yanjin , Chen Guowen 
Published: December 2009

AbstractAcrylonitrile‐butadiene‐styrene (ABS)/poly(methyl meth‐acrylate) (PMMA)/nano‐calcium carbonate (nano‐CaCO3) composites were prepared in a corotating twin screw extruder. Four kinds of nano‐CaCO3 particles with different diameters and surface treatment were used in this study. The properties of the composites were analyzed by tensile tests, Izod impact tests, melt flow index (MFI) tests, and field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM). This article is focused on the effect of nano‐CaCO3 particles' size and surface treatment on various properties of ABS/PMMA/nano‐CaCO3 composites. The results show that the MFI of all the composites reaches a maximum value when the content of nano‐CaCO3 is 4 wt%. In comparison with untreated nano‐CaCO3 composites, the MFI of stearic acid treated nano‐CaCO3 composites is higher and more sensitive to temperature. The tensile yield strength decreases slightly with the increase of nano‐CaCO3 content. However, the size and surface treatment of nano‐CaCO3 particles have little influence on the tensile yield strength of composites. In contrast, all of nano‐CaCO3 particles decrease Izod impact strength significantly. Stearic acid treated nano‐CaCO3 composites have superior Izod impact strength to untreated nano‐CaCO3 composites with the same nano‐CaCO3 content. Furthermore, the Izod impact strength of 100 nm nano‐CaCO3 composites is higher than that of 25 nm nano‐CaCO3 composites. POLYM. COMPOS., 31:1593–1602, 2010. © 2009 Society of Plastics Engineers
PAPP‐A and free ß‐hCG stability in first trimester serum using PerkinElmer AutoDELFIA® and DELFIA® Xpress systems
Authors: Cowans Nicholas J. , Stamatopoulou Anastasia , Hellström Johanna , Mäkelä Minna‐Maarit , Spencer Kevin 
Published: December 2009

AbstractBackgroundIn this study we aim to investigate the stability of free‐β‐hCG and PAPP‐A over time in serum and whole blood in typical routine temperatures.MethodsSerum pools were stored under the following temperatures: 30°C, room temperature, refrigerator temperature and −20°C, for up to 240 days. Stability of the markers in whole blood was examined in a shorter study and compared to serum. Samples were analysed using the AutoDELFIA® and DELFIA® Xpress analysers.ResultsOn the AutoDELFIA®, considering a 10% change acceptable, PAPP‐A levels are stable in serum for 142 days at refrigerator temperature, 37 days at room temperature and 20 days at 30°C. Free‐β hCG is stable in serum for 94 days at refrigerator temperature, 3 days at room temperature and 12 h at 30°C. There was no significant change with either analyte after −20°C storage for up to 240 days or after six repeated freeze–thaw cycles. In whole blood, free‐β hCG levels increased more rapidly compared to serum, especially at 30°C.ConclusionNormal handling of samples is only likely to minimally effect the risk assessment of chromosomal anomalies. However, careful attention should be paid to minimise the increase of free‐β hCG levels in samples shipped as whole blood. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Signal detection for vaccine side effects that have not been specified in advance
Authors: Walker Alexander M. 
Published: December 2009

AbstractAn information‐theoretic definition of similarity proposed by Dekang Lin in 1998 appears to have attractive properties for identifying medically similar cases in a large database. Examination of similar cases that appear following vaccination may provide a way of detecting previously unexpected associations. A key element here is the inclusion of shared time‐since‐vaccination as a dimension of similarity while considering concordance on many other features. The system is potentially much more sensitive to patterns with multiple features than are very large, high‐dimension contingency tables. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Measuring exacerbations in obstructive lung disease
Authors: Velthove Karin J. , Souverein Patrick C. , van Solinge Wouter W. , Leufkens Hubert G. M. , Lammers Jan‐Willem J. 
Published: December 2009

AbstractPurposeUsing hospitalization always has been seen as a solid measurement for exacerbation in pharmacoepidemiology, but might lead to an underestimation of disease exacerbation because of a trend towards outpatient care. The aim of this study was to quantify the incidence of different exacerbation markers in obstructive lung disease and to identify predictors for these exacerbation markers.MethodsWe conducted a cohort study using the PHARMO record linkage system, including demographic details and complete medication histories of more than two million community‐dwelling residents in the Netherlands from 1985 onwards. Eligible patients were adult users of inhaled corticosteroids (ICS). Outcome parameters were hospitalization and short courses of systemic corticosteroids. Patients were allowed to have multiple exacerbations during follow‐up.ResultsWe identified 5327 patients. During follow‐up, 8635 exacerbations occurred in 2332 patients with a trend in time towards treating exacerbations out of the hospital (p‐value 0.003). Of all patients with exacerbations, 73% was not hospitalized during follow‐up. Exacerbations were associated with high‐dose ICS use (adjusted RR 1.4; 95% CI 1.2–1.7) and chronic systemic corticosteroid use (adjusted RR 1.9; 95%CI 1.6–2.2).ConclusionsUsing hospitalization only as exacerbation marker leads to underestimating the exacerbation rate, because of exacerbation treatment out of the hospital. Patients with obstructive lung disease using chronic systemic corticosteroids or high‐dose ICS use are more prone to exacerbations. This implies that these patients should be monitored carefully to prevent recurrent exacerbations which are detrimental for their prognosis and quality of life. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Trends in the non‐steroidal anti‐inflammatory drug market in six Central–Eastern European countries based on retail information
Authors: Inotai András , Hankó Balázs , Mészáros Ágnes 
Published: December 2009

AbstractPurposeThe objective of this study was to evaluate the non‐steroidal anti‐inflammatory drug market of six Central and Eastern European countries. Trends and similarities were compared across the examined countries.MethodsThe Intercontinental Marketing Service Health database was used to determine consumption data between the years 2000 and 2007. We applied the anatomical therapeutical chemical‐defined daily dose method, focussing on three major non‐steroidal anti‐inflammatory drug groups: conventional non‐steroidal anti‐inflammatory drugs, ‘stronger cyclooxygenase 2 inhibitors’ (all together as: non‐cyclooxygenase 2 selective non‐steroidal anti‐inflammatory drugs) and selective cyclooxygenase 2 inhibitors. The main outcome measure was defined daily dose/1000 inhabitants/day. Different active agents have been distinguished between the three major groups.ResultsIn total the non‐steroidal anti‐inflammatory drug group reached a 42.82–74.17 defined daily dose/1000 inhabitants/day volume in 2007, with an average total increase of 25.1% between 2002 and 2007. In the conventional non‐steroidal anti‐inflammatory drug group, diclofenac and ibuprofen have attained the highest consumption. Our results show a notable increase (325%, 2002–2007) of the ‘stronger cyclooxygenase 2 inhibitor group’ (nimesulide and meloxicam). Trends of selective cyclooxygenase 2 inhibitor volumes differ within the observed countries.ConclusionDifferences in the six countries concerning their NSAID consumption and market trends could not be explained with the inequalities in patient characteristics. The conventional NSAID retail gave the majority of the total NSAID market. The consumption of selective COX2 inhibitors in all of the six countries were much lower than in the US or Australia. The NSAID risk profile in the region is comparable to previous studies in other countries. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Chiral copolymers of (R)‐N‐(1‐phenylethyl) methacrylamide and 2‐hydroxyethyl methacrylate: copolymerization characteristics and chiroptical properties
Authors: Bag Dibyendu S , Rao KU Bhasker 
Published: December 2009

AbstractThe aim of this investigation was the copolymerization of a chiral monomer, (R)‐N‐(1‐phenylethyl) methacrylamide, with an achiral monomer, 2‐hydroxyethyl methacrylate (HEMA). The copolymerization characteristics as well as the chiroptical properties (optical rotation and circular dichroism) and their variation with copolymer composition and temperature are discussed. The copolymers are statistical and enriched in HEMA. The monomer reactivity ratio of the chiral monomer (r1) is 0.133 whereas that of HEMA (r2) is 1.042 based on the Kelen–Tudos method. The sequence of consecutive chiral monomer units predominates for a feed composition between 0.5 and 0.9 (mole fraction). On the other hand, the sequence of HEMA is uniform and it predominates for a feed composition of around 0.5 (mole fraction). The chiroptical properties of the copolymers do not vary linearly with the content of chiral units in the copolymers. The optical rotation and circular dichroism attain optimum values above 30–40 mol% of chiral monomer units in the copolymers. However, the circular dichroism of the copolymers varies linearly with the temperature. The chiral monomer being a more bulky structure is less reactive than HEMA. The nonlinear variation of chiroptical properties of the copolymers with the content of chiral units may be due to the secondary interaction in the copolymers associated with the hydrogen bonding involving the amide linkage (CONH) present in the pendant chromophore of the chiral monomer as well as the hydroxyl pendant group of HEMA and also the aromatic π–π interaction. Copyright © 2009 Society of Chemical Industry
Dispersity in polymer science (IUPAC Recommendation 2009)
Authors: Stepto R. F. T. 
Published: December 2009

AbstractThis recommendation defines just three terms, viz., 1. molar‐mass dispersity, relative‐molecular‐mass dispersity, or molecular‐weight dispersity, 2. degree‐of‐polymerization dispersity, and 3. dispersity. “Dispersity” is a new word, coined to replace the misleading, but widely used term “polydispersity index” for M̄w/M̄n and X̄w/X̄n. The document, although brief, also has a broader significance in that it seeks to put the terminology describing dispersions of distributions of properties of polymeric (and non‐polymeric) materials on an unambiguous and justifiable footing. Copyright © 2009 Society of Chemical Industry
Cancer‐related concerns of spouses of women with breast cancer
Authors: Fletcher Kristin A. , Lewis Frances Marcus , Haberman Mel R. 
Published: December 2009

AbstractObjective: To describe spouses' reported cancer‐related demands attributed to their wife's breast cancer, and to test the construct and predictive validity of a brief standardized measure of these demands.Methods: Cross‐sectional and longitudinal data were obtained from 151 spouses of women newly diagnosed with non‐metastatic breast cancer. Descriptive statistics were computed to describe spouses' dominant cancer‐related demands, and multivariate regression analyses tested the construct and predictive validity of the standardized measure.Results: Five categories of spouses' cancer‐related demands were identified, such as concerns about spouses' own functioning, wife's well‐being and response to treatment, couples' sexual activities, the family's and children's well‐being, and the spouses' role in supporting their wives. A 33‐item short version of the standardized measure of cancer demands demonstrated construct and predictive validity that was comparable to a 123‐item version of the same questionnaire. Greater numbers of illness demands occurred when spouses were more depressed and had less confidence in their ability to manage the impact of the cancer (F=18.08 (3,103), p<0.001). Predictive validity was established by the short form's ability to significantly predict the quality of marital communication and spouses' self‐efficacy at a 2‐month interval.Conclusion: The short version of the standardized measure of cancer‐related demands shows promise for future application in clinic settings. Additional testing of the questionnaire is warranted. Spouses' breast cancer‐related demands deserve attention by providers. In the absence of assisting them, spouses' illness pressures have deleterious consequences for the quality of marital communication and spouses' self‐confidence. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Flow Dynamic Characterization of Cylindrical Particles
Authors: Asif Mohammad 
Published: December 2009

AbstractA detailed experimental characterization of the flow dynamics of a closely sized sample of cylindrical particles is reported here. Issues relevant to the design of reacting and nonreacting fluid‐solid contacting devices, e.g., pressure drop behavior, fluidization behavior and settling behavior, both in Stokes law as well as the intermediate region, were investigated. The common approach of extending correlations meant for predicting the fluid dynamic parameters of spherical particles to nonspherical particles, with the help of the sphericity shape factor, such that particle diameter is the product of the equivalent volume diameter and the sphericity of the nonspherical particle, was examined here. Notwithstanding the simplicity of this approach, caution must be exercised as far as fluid dynamic parameters thus obtained are concerned. Significant error was observed here in all cases. However, improved predictions were obtained using available correlations whose parameters were optimized using a database of nonspherical particles.
The High‐Pressure Characterization of Energetic Materials: Diaminotetrazolium Nitrate (HDAT‐NO3)
Authors: Ciezak Jennifer A. 
Published: December 2009

AbstractIn‐situ high‐pressure room temperature synchrotron X‐ray diffraction and optical Raman and infrared spectroscopy were used to examine the structural properties, equation of state, and vibrational dynamics of diaminotetrazolium nitrate (HDAT‐NO3). The X‐ray measurements show that the pressure–volume relations remain smooth to 12 GPa. X‐ray diffraction measurements at pressures above 12 GPa were not possible in this study because of sample decomposition resulting from several factors. X‐ray diffraction reveals no indication of a phase transition to at least 12 GPa, but slight variations in the c/b unit cell ratio suggests modifications within the hydrogen bonding sub‐lattice. Vibrational measurements show the ambient phase of HDAT‐NO3 to remain the dominant phase to 33 GPa.
Efficacy of vaporised ethyl formate/carbon dioxide formulation against stored‐grain insects: effect of fumigant concentration, exposure time and two grain temperatures
Authors: Damcevski Katherine A , Dojchinov Greg , Woodman James D , Haritos Victoria S 
Published: December 2009

AbstractBACKGROUND: The ethyl formate/carbon dioxide (CO2) formulation Vapormate™ is a rapid‐acting fumigant being developed for the control of stored‐grain insects. The effects have been investigated of concentration, exposure times of 1, 3, 24 and 72 h and two grain temperatures, 15 and 25 °C, on its efficacy against mixed‐stage cultures of Sitophilus oryzae (L.) Tribolium castaneum (Herbst) and strongly phosphine‐resistant Rhyzopertha dominica (F.) strain QRD569.RESULTS: High mortalities (≥92%) of mixed‐stage cultures of all three species were obtained when grain was fumigated with the formulation (193 g m−3 ethyl formate) for 1 h. Complete control of R. dominica QRD569 and T. castaneum was achieved with 63 and 76 g m−3 ethyl formate respectively, with exposure for 24 h, whereas mean mortality of S. oryzae was 86% under the same conditions. Mortalities of S. oryzae juvenile stages were significantly lower than adults under the conditions tested, which was due to pronounced tolerance of mid‐stage pupae to the fumigant. Reducing grain temperature from 25 to 15 °C had no effect on insect mortality.CONCLUSION: Ethyl formate/CO2 formulation is highly effective against stored‐grain insects over a range of concentrations and exposure times. Efficacious fumigations were conducted in as little as 1 h, and a strongly phosphine‐resistant R. dominica strain was readily controlled with the fumigant. Copyright © 2009 CSIRO, Australia. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd
More than methods: learning from research with children seeking asylum in Ireland
Authors: White Allen , Bushin Naomi 
Published: December 2009

AbstractIn this paper we explore the ways in which the methodological and analytical complexities that are encountered when researching with children have stimulated particular approaches that are useful to consider in the context of research with both adults and children who are refugees or seeking asylum. We draw upon ideas related to performativity to argue that the methods and activities we employ in research encounters ‘in‐the‐field’ play a key role in facilitating research participants' efforts to express their subjectivities and identities. Drawing on fieldwork with children in an accommodation centre for asylum‐seeking families in Ireland, we argue that using child‐centred research methods can be understood as specific moments within which materials become available for research participants (children) to develop and enhance their social and cultural identities in many different ways. The use of multiple and participatory methods that children engaged with, adapted or ignored (as they chose), enabled and resulted in children representing themselves as individuals in families seeking asylum, rather than as ‘asylum‐seeker children’. This paper supports work that suggests that ways of approaching participatory research with children may be useful when researching other populations, but it goes beyond this point to assert that research encounters may provide participants with exceptional resources for explaining their lives. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Graphene growth by molecular beam epitaxy using a solid carbon source
Authors: Moreau E. , Ferrer F. J. , Vignaud D. , Godey S. , Wallart X. 
Published: December 2009

AbstractThe direct elaboration of graphene by molecular beam epitaxy (MBE) has been studied, using a solid carbon source. Successful growth has been achieved on both the carbon and silicon terminated faces of silicon carbide substrates in the temperature range 1000–1100 °C, as confirmed by low energy electron diffraction (LEED) and X‐ray photoemission spectroscopy (XPS) analysis. Atomic force microscopy (AFM) observations show that the initial substrate structure, i.e. flat atomic terraces and half‐period high steps, remains almost unaffected during the growth, contrary to what is observed following the graphitization process.
Top‐ and side‐gated epitaxial graphene field effect transistors
Authors: Li Xuebin , Wu Xiaosong , Sprinkle Mike , Ming Fan , Ruan Ming , Hu Yike , Berger Claire , de Heer Walt A. 
Published: December 2009

AbstractThree types of first generation epitaxial graphene (EG) field effect transistors (FET) are presented and their relative merits are discussed. Graphene is epitaxially grown on both the carbon and silicon faces of hexagonal silicon carbide and patterned with electron beam lithography. The channels have a Hall bar geometry to facilitate magnetoresistance measurements. FETs patterned on the Si‐face exhibit off‐to‐on channel resistance ratios that exceed 30. C‐face FETs have lower off‐to‐on resistance ratios, but their mobilities (up to 5000 cm2/Vs) are much larger than that for Si‐face transistors. Initial investigations into all‐graphene side‐gate FET structures are promising. Conductivity (left panel) and transport resistances ρxx and ρxy of a top gate graphene Hall bar on SiC Si‐face, showing a sign reversal of the hall coefficient at the resistance peak.magnified image
In vitro cytotoxic, antiprotozoal and antimicrobial activities of medicinal plants from Vanuatu
Authors: Bradacs Gesine , Maes Louis , Heilmann Jörg 
Published: December 2009

AbstractSixty‐three extracts obtained from 18 plants traditionally used in the South Pacific archipelago Vanuatu for the treatment of infectious diseases were screened for antimicrobial and antiprotozoal activities. In addition, the extracts were subjected to a detailed analysis on cytotoxic effects toward a panel of human cancer cell lines, designed as a smaller version of the NCI60 screen. Intriguingly, 15 plant extracts exhibited strong cytotoxic effects specific for only one cancer cell line. Extracts of the leaves of Acalypha grandis Benth. significantly affected Plasmodium falciparum without showing obvious effects against the other protozoa tested. The leaves of Gyrocarpus americanus Jacq. displayed significant activity against Trypanosoma b. brucei and the leaves of Tabernaemontana pandacaqui Lam. I as well as the stems of Macropiper latifolium (L.f.) against Trypanosoma cruzi. In contrast none of the extracts showed relevant antibacterial or antifungal activity. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Prediction of Ion Drift Times for a Proteome‐Wide Peptide Set Using Partial Least Squares Regression, Least‐Squares Support Vector Machine and Gaussian Process
Authors: Liu Xiuhong , Liang Jun , Fan Jicai , Shang Zhicai 
Published: December 2009

AbstractQuantitative structure‐property relationships (QSPRs) have been developed to predict the ion mobility spectrometry (IMS) drift time tD for a set of 1481 peptides generated by protease digestion of the Drosophila melanogaster proteome using information directly derived from molecular structures. The relationship between peptide structure and the drift time tD was constructed by using partial least squares regression (PLS), least‐squares support vector machine (LSSVM) and Gaussian process (GP) coupled with genetic algorithm‐variable selection. Among these models, the linear PLS was incapable of capturing all dependences in this peptide system; nonlinear LSSVM and GP methods presented a good statistical performance on reproducing peptide mobility behavior. Moreover, since GP was able to handling both linear and nonlinear‐hybrid relationship, it gave a stronger fitting ability and a better predictive power than the LSSVM. Systematic analysis of the GP model showed that diversified properties contribute remarkable effect to the relationship between the drift time and the peptide structure. Particularly, the structural topological information and charge distribution contribute significantly to the drift time of peptides.