bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
A multicenter, prospective, clinical trial evaluating a novel adhesive baseplate (Provox StabiliBase) for peristomal attachment of postlaryngectomy pulmonary and voice rehabilitation devices
Authors: Hilgers Frans J. M. , Dirven Richard , Wouters Yannick , Jacobi Irene , Marres Henri A. M. , van den Brekel Michiel W. M. 
Published: August 2012

AbstractObjectives/Hypothesis:Assessment of a novel adhesive baseplate (Provox StabiliBase) for heat and moisture exchanger (HME) and/or automatic speaking valve (ASV) application.Study Design:Prospective, clinical, multicenter trial.Methods:This was a trial in laryngectomized patients comparing their usual adhesive with the trial adhesive. Primary outcome measure was overall patient preference; additional outcome parameters possibly explaining patients' preferences were 1) patient tolerance and preference with respect to daily handling of the adhesive; 2) adhesive lifespan, and 3) voice and speech with the adhesives. Study specific questionnaires, visual analog scales, patients' diaries, and stoma assessments were used for data collection.Results:In total, 58 of the 65 laryngectomized individuals entered in the study completed the trial. Patients' overall preference for the new device was high (76%; P < .001). Significantly better performance was found for the trial adhesive with respect to ease of application (P = .034), fit (P < .001), and air leakage through the adhesive (P < .001). Comfort and stoma depth correlated weakly (r = 0.297; P = .024; deeper stoma–more comfort with StabiliBase). The adhesive lifespan with HME is significantly increased (1.7 times and 15.7 hours‐plus airtight use; P < .001). This longer lifespan coincided with somewhat increased dirtying of the adhesive (P = .02). There were no serious adverse events.Conclusions:The StabiliBase adhesive for peristomal attachment of HMEs and/or ASVs was preferred by 76% of study participants and showed a promising prolonged lifespan. This new device further increases the options for stoma attachment in laryngectomized individuals, and subsequently the availability of optimal voice and pulmonary rehabilitation for a larger proportion of patients. Laryngoscope, 2012
Mapping the frontal sinus ostia using virtual endoscopy
Authors: Dearking Amy C. , Pallanch John F. 
Published: August 2012

AbstractObjectives/Hypothesis:To determine the relative location of the frontal sinus opening to other frontal cells using virtual endoscopy; and to assess whether the relative location of the frontal sinus ostium can be predicted.Study Design:Retrospective analysis of high‐resolution computed tomography scans from 50 adult patients without frontal sinus disease or previous sinus surgery.Methods:Using virtual endoscopy software, 100 frontal recesses were mapped for the presence and relative position of the frontal sinus ostium to the following cells: agger nasi (ANC); frontal bullar; frontal types 1, 2, and 3; supraorbital ethmoid; suprabullar; and intersinus septal cells.Results:ANC and frontal type 3 cells were present in 92% and 45% of frontal recesses, respectively. All other cell types had a prevalence of ≤25%. Fifty percent of recesses had two rows of ostia anterior to posterior (AP), and the frontal opening was anterior in 52%. When there were three rows of cells AP (39%), the frontal opening was in the center in 64% of cases. Thirty‐five percent of recesses had two rows of ostia medial to lateral (ML), and the frontal opening was medial 80% of the time. When there were three rows of openings ML (45%), the frontal opening was in the center 56% of the time.Conclusions:The frontal sinus recess is variable and complex. Virtual endoscopy can be used to analyze the frontal recess and assist in presurgical planning. Although there is variability in the ostial configuration present in the frontal recess, the probable position of the frontal sinus ostium can be predicted. Laryngoscope, 2012
The importance of ulceration of cutaneous melanoma of the head and neck: A comparison of ear (pinna) and nonear sites
Authors: Augenstein Adam C. , Capello Zachary J. , Little Jarrod A. , McMasters Kelly M. , Bumpous Jeffrey M. 
Published: August 2012

AbstractObjectives/Hypothesis:To compare clinicopathologic and prognostic factors associated with ear melanomas and nonear melanomas of the head and neck (H&N).Study Design:Post hoc analysis of the database from a multi‐institutional, prospective, randomized study.Methods:Clinicopathologic factors were assessed and correlated with survival and recurrence. Univariate and multivariate analysis of prognostic factors affecting disease‐free survival (DFS) and overall survival (OS) were performed.Results:Of 405 patients with H&N melanomas ≥1.0 mm Breslow thickness, 59 patients had melanomas of the ear. Most were Caucasian (96.6%) males (79.7%) with a mean age of 52 years. The mean Breslow thickness was 2.5 mm; 34.5% had signs of ulceration. Sentinel lymph node (SLN) positivity was seen in 7.1%. The incidence of locoregional and distant recurrence were similar. OS for ear melanoma was significantly impacted by ulceration status (P = .013), whereas both ulceration and SLN positivity predicted survival in nonear melanoma (P < .001 and P = .015, respectively). Thicker melanomas in the nonear group demonstrated significantly decreased DFS, whereas other factors in both groups lost their predictive value (P = .035).Conclusions:In the Sunbelt Melanoma Trial, ulceration was the strongest predictor of overall survival in melanoma of the ear. Ulceration and SLN status correlated with poorer OS in nonear melanoma of the H&N, whereas increasing depth correlated with poorer DFS in those same patients. Recurrence and survival were not impacted by anatomic site, but the prognostic significance of ulceration, thickness, and SLN status in the H&N may vary with the site of the melanoma. Laryngoscope, 2012
Checking the harness: Safety for living liver donors
Authors: Simpson Mary Ann , Pomfret Elizabeth A. 
Published: August 2012

Key Points
1. Expertise in hepatobiliary surgery.
2. Donor selection criteria.
3. Selective liver biopsy in donors.
4. Accurate determination of hepatic volumes and anatomy.
5. Extent of donor hepatectomy.
6. Donor psychosocial evaluation.
7. Catastrophic events.
8. Long-term follow up. Liver Transpl, 2012. © 2012 AASLD.
Poly(ethylene imine)s as Antimicrobial Agents with Selective Activity
Authors: Gibney Katherine A. , Sovadinova Iva , Lopez Analette I. , Urban Michael , Ridgway Zachary , Caputo Gregory A. , Kuroda Kenichi 
Published: August 2012

AbstractWe report the structure–activity relationship in the antimicrobial activity of linear and branched poly(ethylene imine)s (L‐ and B‐PEIs) with a range of molecular weights (MWs) (500–12 000). Both L‐ and B‐PEIs displayed enhanced activity against Staphylococcus aureus over Escherichia coli. Both B‐ and L‐PEIs did not cause any significant permeabilization of E. coli cytoplasmic membrane. L‐PEIs induced depolarization of S. aureus membrane although B‐PEIs did not. The low MW B‐PEIs caused little or no hemolysis while L‐PEIs are hemolytic. The low MW B‐PEIs are less cytotoxic to human HEp‐2 cells than other PEIs. However, they induced significant cell viability reduction after 24 h incubation. The results presented here highlight the interplay between polymer size and structure on activity.magnified image
Conjectures of Rado and Chang and special Aronszajn trees
Authors: Todorčević Stevo , Torres Pérez Víctor 
Published: August 2012

AbstractWe show that both Rado's Conjecture and strong Chang's Conjecture imply that there are no special ℵ2‐Aronszajn trees if the Continuum Hypothesis fails. We give similar result for trees of higher heights and we also investigate the influence of Rado's Conjecture on square sequences.
Percolated Network Structure Formation and Rheological Properties in Nylon 6/Clay Nanocomposites
Authors: Mizuno Chihiro , John Baiju , Okamoto Masami 
Published: August 2012

AbstractTo understand the effect of the percolated clay network structure formed by the exfoliated clay layers in nanocomposites, the clay network structure in nylon‐6‐based nanocomposites is characterized using TEM and FFT analyses. A MMT volume fraction between 0.013 and 0.014 is the percolation threshold for strong network formation. The volume spanning MMT network leads to a very high flow activation energy as compared with that of neat nylon 6, resulting in the pseudo‐solid like response under molten state in N6CNs. A canonical NVT‐MD simulation was conducted in the system made up by nylon 6 molecules/Si(OH)4 molecules. The formation of the strong interfacial interaction between nylon 6 molecules and Si(OH)4 molecules induced by OH groups is suggested. magnified image
Pyridine‐Modified Polymer as a Non‐Covalent Compatibilizer for Multi‐Walled CNT/Poly[ethylene‐co‐(methacrylic acid)] Composites Fabricated by Direct Melt Mixing
Authors: Cohen Eyal , Ophir Amos , Kenig Shmuel , Barry Carol , Mead Joey 
Published: August 2012

AbstractMulti‐wall CNT/poly[ethylene‐co‐(methacrylic acid)] composites were prepared by melt mixing. To improve dispersion and promote polymer/nanotube interactions, a novel non‐covalent compatibilizer is synthesized by reacting the polymer with 4‐(aminomethyl)pyridine. The composite based on the pristine polymer shows electrical and rheological percolation thresholds at nanotube loadings of 1.85 and 1.4 wt%, respectively. When 5 wt% of the pyridine‐modified compatibilizer is added, the corresponding values are reduced to 1.44 and 0.8 wt%, respectively. The electrical resistivity decreases even further as 10 wt% of the novel dispersing agent is used. Microscopy and Raman spectroscopy confirm the improved dispersion and π‐interactions established during melt mixing. magnified image
Glucose‐Regulated Insulin Release from Acid‐Disintegrable Microgels Covalently Immobilized with Glucose Oxidase and Catalase
Authors: Wu Yonghao , Hu Huamin , Hu Jinming , Liu Shiyong 
Published: August 2012

AbstractThe fabrication of a novel type of positively charged acid‐disintegrable microgel loaded with insulin by electrostatic interactions and covalently immobilized with glucose oxidase (GOx) and catalase by inverse emulsion polymerization is reported, aiming for glucose‐regulated insulin release by utilizing GOx/catalase cascade enzymatic reactions to trigger local pH decrease and acid‐cleavage of crosslinking moieties. At the same time, a local pH decrease within the microgels also leads to the diminishment of net surface negative charges of encapsulated insulin. The above two factors both synergistically contribute to the prominently enhanced insulin release at high glucose levels (∼10–20 mM) compared to that in the absence of glucose.
Electrophysiological and ultrasonographic findings in ulnar neuropathy with martin‐gruber anastomosis
Authors: Cho Nam Soon , Kim Dong Hwee , Kim Min Young , Park Byung Kyu 
Published: August 2012

IntroductionIt is important to understand the presence of Martin‐Gruber anastomosis in patients with complete ulnar neuropathy at the elbow. Case Report: We describe a patient with complete ulnar neuropathy at the elbow and Martin‐Gruber anastomosis in the forearm, mimicking incomplete ulnar neuropathy with complete conduction block in the forearm segment. Ultrasonography of the ulnar nerve around the elbow demonstrated severe swelling of the ulnar nerve, which was compatible with severe ulnar neuropathy at the elbow. Conclusions: This case report demonstrates that combination of ultrasonography with electrophysiological studies can provide more detailed information about the changes of nerve structures and lesion sites. Muscle Nerve, 2013
Synergistic effects of polyethylene glycol and ammonium polyphosphate on intumescent flame‐retardant polypropylene
Authors: Li Xiuyun , Yan Tairong , Hu Xiaoping , Wang Ke , Fu Qiang 
Published: August 2012

AbstractA novel flame‐retardant system of isotactic polypropylene (iPP) is prepared using polyethylene glycol (PEG) and ammonium polyphosphate (APP). The flammability of iPP/PEG/APP composites containing 20 wt% APP improves with the increase of PEG concentration in the range of 3–15 wt%. The limit oxygen index (LOI) of iPP/PEG/APP composites reaches up to 30% with 15 wt% PEG concentration in the composites. At the same time, the mechanical properties of iPP/PEG/APP composites demonstrate that PEG can enhance toughness of iPP/APP composites. The results of cone calorimetry prove the synergistic effects of PEG and APP on intumescent flame‐retardant iPP, and those of the thermogravimetric analysis(TGA) reveal that iPP/PEG/APP samples decompose faster than iPP/APP composites. Investigated by scanning electronic microscopy (SEM), the morphology and structures of residues generated during LOI tests confirm the formation of effective char layer, and that the improvement of the flame retardancy and the impact strength of the composites are thanks to the presence of PEG. POLYM. ENG. SCI., 2013. © 2012 Society of Plastics Engineers
Isothermal crystallization kinetics and melting behaviors of poly(butylene terephthalate) and poly(butylene terephthalate‐co‐fumarate) copolymer
Authors: Xiao Xiaoling , Zeng Zuoxiang , Xue Weilan , Kong Qingjuan , Zhu Wanyu 
Published: July 2012

AbstractThe isothermal crystallization kinetics and melting behaviors after isothermal crystallization of poly(butylene terephthalate) (PBT) and poly(butylene terephthalate‐co‐fumarate) (PBTF) containing 95/5, 90/10, and 80/20 molar ratios of terephthalic acid/fumaric acid were investigated by differential scanning calorimetry. The equilibrium melting temperatures of these polymers were estimated by Hoffman–Weeks equation. So far as the crystallization kinetics was concerned, the Avrami equation was applied and the values of the exponent n for all these polymers are in the range of 2.50–2.96, indicating that the addition of fumarate does not affect the geometric dimension of PBT crystal growth. Crystallization activation energy (ΔE) and nucleation constant (Kg) of PBTF copolymers are higher than that of PBT homopolymer, suggesting that the introduction of fumarate hinders the crystallization of PBT in PBTF. POLYM. ENG. SCI., 2013. © 2012 Society of Plastics Engineers
Studies of new oligomer–metal complexes and their antibacterial activities
Authors: Azarudeen Raja S , Burkanudeen Abdul R 
Published: August 2012

AbstractA new oligomeric ligand was synthesized from anthranilic acid and 2‐aminopyridine with formaldehyde using a condensation technique in the presence of acid medium. Oligomer–metal complexes were prepared involving transition metal ions Cu(II), Mn(II) and Zn(II) using the synthesized oligomer as ligand. The oligomeric ligand and its metal complexes were characterized using various spectral techniques such as Fourier transform infrared, electronic, electron spin resonance, 1H NMR and 13C NMR. Gel permeation chromatography was used to determine number‐, weight‐ and size‐average molecular weights of the oligomeric ligand. The surface characteristics and nature of the oligomeric ligand and its metal complexes were examined using scanning electron microscopy and X‐ray diffraction analysis. The thermal properties and degradation behaviour of the oligomeric ligand and its complexes were investigated using thermogravimetric analysis. Kinetic and thermodynamic studies of the ligand and its metal complexes were carried out using Freeman–Carroll (FC) and Sharp–Wentworth (SW) methods. From the thermogravimetric data, kinetic and thermodynamic parameters such as activation energy, order of reaction, entropy change, apparent entropy, frequency factor and free energy change were calculated. The activation energy was further calculated from the Phadnis‐Deshpande (PD) method and the degradation mechanism for the thermal decomposition reaction is proposed. The activation energy calculated from the FC and SW methods was in good agreement with that calculated from the PD method. The oligomeric ligand and its metal complexes were screened for antibacterial activity. It was found that the synthesized compounds were potent antibacterial agents. © 2012 Society of Chemical Industry
Multi‐walled carbon nanotubes as unexpected accelerators of chemical reactions
Authors: Courbaron Gilbert Anne‐Claude , Billon Laurent , El Bounia Noureddine , Derail Christophe 
Published: August 2012

AbstractThe influence of carbon nanotubes on various chemical reactions has been examined. These reactions include epoxy crosslinking, in situ polymerization of copolymers in the presence of carbon nanotubes and thermal degradation of a thermoplastic matrix. The various characterizations were based on different types of analyses, including differential scanning calorimetry, proton nuclear magnetic resonance, size exclusion chromatography and thermogravimetric analysis. In each case, we show that the presence of multi‐walled carbon nanotubes accelerates the process. © 2012 Society of Chemical Industry
Polyelectrolyte complex nanoparticles from chitosan and poly(acrylic acid) and Polystyrene‐block‐poly(acrylic acid)
Authors: Rolland Julien , Guillet Pierre , Schumers Jean‐Marc , Duhem Nicolas , Préat Véronique , Gohy Jean‐François 
Published: July 2012

AbstractInterpolymer polyelectrolyte complexes of chitosan (CS) with poly(acrylic acid) homopolymers and polystyrene‐block‐poly(acrylic acid) diblock copolymers were prepared and characterized. The influence of the positive/negative charge balance (charge ratio), pH, and ionic strength were thoroughly studied by dynamic light scattering. The existence of a strong polyelectrolyte effect was also highlighted in this study. Domains of stability, in which nanoparticle sizes are smaller than 100 and 200 nm for complexes of CS with the homopolymer and copolymer, respectively, were identified and confirmed by scanning electron microscopy and atomic force microscopy. The charged nature of the surface of the nanoparticles was evidenced by Zeta potential measurements. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem, 2012
Thermoresponsive graphene oxide‐PNIPAM nanocomposites with controllable grafting polymer chains via moderate in situ SET–LRP
Authors: Deng Yan , Zhang Jin Zhong , Li Yongjun , Hu Jianhua , Yang Dong , Huang Xiaoyu 
Published: August 2012

AbstractIn this study, we report a mild and efficient strategy for growing thermosensitive polymers directly from the surface of exfoliated graphene oxide (GO). Exfoliated GO sheets were sequentially subject to the epoxide ring‐opening reaction with tris(hydroxymethyl) aminomethane (TRIS) to increase the amount of reactive sites, the esterification with 2‐bromo‐2‐methylpropionyl bromide to introduce the Br‐containing initiating groups, and the surface‐initiated single electron transfer–living radical polymerization of N‐isopropylacrylamide (NIPAM) to tune the molecular weights of grafted polymers. All these reactions were performed at ambient temperature without losing any other oxygen‐containing functionality on GO. The resulting TRIS‐GO‐PNIPAM nanocomposites still maintain the separated single layers in dispersion, and the dispersibilities in organic solvents are significantly improved. Meanwhile, the aqueous dispersion of TRIS‐GO‐PNIPAM shows reversible temperature switching self‐assembly and disassembly behavior at about 40°C. Such smart graphene‐based hybrid materials are promising for applications in nanoelectronics, sensors, and microfluidic switches. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem, 2012
Optically active core/shell nanoparticles prepared using self‐assembled polymer micelle as reactive nanoreactor
Authors: Zhang Haiyang , Ding Lei , Chen Yu , Yang Wantai , Deng Jianping 
Published: August 2012

AbstractThis article reports on optically active core/shell nanoparticles constituted by chiral helical polymers and prepared by a novel approach: using self‐assembled polymer micelles as reactive nanoreactors. Such core/shell nanoparticles were composed of optically active helical‐substituted polyacetylene as the core and thermosensitive poly(N‐isopropylacrylamide) as the shell. The synthetic procedure is divided into three major steps: (1) synthesis of amphiphilic diblock copolymer bearing polymerizable C[tbond]C bonds via atom transfer radical polymerization, followed by (2) self‐assembly of the diblock copolymer to form polymer micelles; and (3) catalytic emulsion polymerization of substituted acetylene monomer conducted using the polymer micelles as reactive nanoreactors leading to the core/shell nanoparticles. The core/shell nanoparticles simultaneously exhibited remarkable optical activity and thermosensitivity. The facile, versatile synthesis methodology opens new approach toward preparing novel multifunctional core/shell nanoparticles.© 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem, 2012
Aggregation behavior of organic‐soluble semi‐aromatic polyimides in N‐methylpyrrolidone systems
Authors: Ogata Yoichi , Fujita Kenji , Nakanishi Megumi , Okaniwa Motoki , Sekiguchi Manabu 
Published: July 2012

AbstractAggregation behavior of the organic‐soluble semi‐aromatic polyimides, whose degrees of imidization range from 69 to 96%, obtained using 4,4′‐oxydianiline, 4,4′‐diamino‐3,3′dihydroxybiphenyl, and bicyclo[2.2.2]‐oct‐7‐ene‐2,3,5,6‐tetracarboxylic dianhydride (BCDA) in N‐methylpyrrolidone (NMP), NMP/cyclohexanone, and NMP/γ‐butyrolactone (BCDA‐based polyimides) were studied by static light scattering (SLS) and dynamic light scattering (DLS). The DLS analyses for the multirelaxation modes demonstrated the specific character unlike flexible polymers that the single BCDA‐based polyimide chains first associate with each other to form small clusters in the dilute region, and then expand to large aggregates by the entanglements between the small clusters with an increasing concentration into the semi‐dilute region. Given the semi‐aromatic structure of BCDA‐based polyimides weakening the charge transfer (CT) interaction between the diamine and the dianhydride unit, it is concluded that the unique aggregation behavior of BCDA‐based polyimides is dominated by the balance between the driving force for the “organic solubility” given by both the increase in bulkiness and the decrease in the CT interaction, and that for the “organic insolubility” derived from both the hydrogen‐bonded interaction of the phenolic hydroxyl groups and the π–π interaction of the phenyl rings. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part B: Polym Phys, 2012
Stereochemical heterogeneity of biodegradable poly(L‐lactide) homopolymer as revealed by temperature rising elution fractionation and successive self‐nucleation/annealing thermal fractionation
Authors: Luo Jun , Huo Fei , Lin Hui , Lin Zhouli , Chen Zhengjian , Yuan Fang , Jiang Hongliang , Wang Hongjun , Tu Kehua , Liu Dingrong , Tan Songwei , Wang Li‐Qun 
Published: July 2012

AbstractCommercial poly(L‐lactide) is typically heterogeneous in chain structure due to the existence of a small amount of D‐lactyl units that are produced by the racemization reactions during the synthesis. In this article, the stereochemical heterogeneity of two commercial poly(L‐lactide) was investigated with temperature rising elution fractionation (TREF) and successive self‐nucleation/annealing (SSA) thermal fractionation. For both samples, three fractions were collected and characterized with rotatory power analysis and DSC. The fractions show distinct optical purity and DSC results, which reflect the structure differences among them directly. After SSA treatment, the observation of multiple endotherms for each physically separated fraction confirms the fractionated sample contains a heterogeneous intermolecular and intramolecular distribution of defects. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part B: Polym Phys, 2012