bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Neuromotor effects of short‐term and long‐term exposures to trichloroethylene in workers
Authors: Murata Katsuyuki , Inoue Osamu , Akutsu Masanori , Iwata Toyoto 
Published: May 2010

AbstractBackgroundHealth effects of long‐term exposure to organic solvents at low levels are a major concern in industrialized countries. To assess the neuromotor impact of trichloroethylene objectively, static postural sway and hand tremor parameters, along with urinary trichloroethanol (TCOH) and trichloroacetic acid (TCAA) levels, were investigated in 57 workers without obvious neurological disorders and 60 control subjects.MethodsThe workers had been occupationally exposed to trichloroethylene for 0.1–37 years. The cumulative exposure index (CEI) was calculated from their occupational history and total trichloro‐compounds (TCOH + TCAA).ResultsMedian levels in the workers were 1.7 mg/L for TCOH and 2.5 mg/L for TCAA, and the maximum ambient trichloroethylene concentration was estimated to be <22 ppm from the previously reported equation using TCOH + TCAA. Sway parameters with eyes open and tremor intensity in dominant hand were significantly larger in the exposed workers than in the control subjects when adjusting for possible confounders. A significant dose–effect association was seen between two sway parameters and urinary TCOH level in the workers. Tremor intensities in non‐dominant hand differed significantly among three groups of the workers divided according to the CEI.ConclusionsThese findings suggest that trichloroethylene exposure, even at low levels of less than the short‐term exposure limit by the ACGIH, can affect the neuromotor function of workers. The postural instability appears to result from recent exposure, and the increased tremor may occur due to short‐term and long‐term exposures. Hereafter, such objective measures, along with subjective symptoms, should be carefully used for the occupational exposure limit setting. Am. J. Ind. Med. 53:915–921, 2010. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
New evidence on the health hazards and control of metalworking fluids since completion of the OSHA advisory committee report
Authors: Mirer Franklin E. 
Published: May 2010

AbstractBackgroundMetalworking fluids (MWF) are used in the manufacture of engines, transmissions, chassis parts and other products. In 2003, OSHA denied a union petition to promulgate a standard for MWF. The 3rd Circuit Court of Appeals rejected a union lawsuit to compel OSHA to regulate MWF. OSHA relied exclusively on the 1999 Metal Working Fluids Standards Advisory Committee report, therefore, only evidence available before 1999 was quoted supporting the denial. This review was conducted to identify studies published since 1998.MethodsElectronic reference sources were queried for the terms for metalworking fluids, machining fluids, cutting fluids, cutting oils, coolants, machining, and machinist. All items returned were reviewed for relevance to MWF regulation.ResultsThe review noted 227 reports in the peer reviewed literature directly relevant to regulation of MWF exposures. Of these, 26 addressed cancer; 58 respiratory effects; 32 skin effects or absorption; 45 microbial contaminants; and 76 exposure measurements and controls. Three major studies identified excess cancer including lung, liver, pancreatic, laryngeal, and leukemia associated with MWF exposures. Reports strengthened associations of asthma and hypersensitivity pneumonitis with recent exposure to MWF.ConclusionsMaterial new evidence demonstrates significant risks to material impairment of health at prevailing exposure levels and feasibility of lower exposure limits. Am. J. Ind. Med. 53:792–801, 2010. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Solution polymerization of N‐vinylcaprolactam in 1,4‐dioxane. Kinetic dependence on temperature, monomer, and initiator concentrations
Authors: Medeiros Simone F. , Barboza Jayne C. S. , Ré Maria I. , Giudici Reinaldo , Santos Amilton M. 
Published: May 2010

AbstractThe kinetics of the solution free radical polymerization of N‐vinylcaprolactam, in 1,4‐dioxane and under various polymerization conditions was studied. Azobisisobutyronitrile and 3‐mercaptopropionic acid were used as initiator and as chain transfer agent (CTA), respectively. The influence of monomer and initiator concentrations and polymerization temperature on the rate of polymerizations (Rp) was investigated. In general, high conversions were obtained. The order with respect to initiator was consistent with the classical kinetic rate equation, while the order with respect to the monomer was greater than unity. The overall activation energy of 53.6 kJ mol−1 was obtained in the temperature range 60–80 °C. The decreasing of the absolute molecular weights when increasing the CTA concentration was confirmed by GPC/SEC/LALS analyses. It was confirmed by UV‐visible analyses the effect of molecular weights on the lower critical solution temperature of the polymers. It was also verified that the addition of the CTA influenced the kinetic of the polymerizations. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2010
Effects of glycerol content and film thickness on the properties of vital wheat gluten films cast at pH 4 and 11
Authors: Cho S.‐W. , Gällstedt M. , Hedenqvist M. S. 
Published: May 2010

AbstractThis study deals with the optical properties and plasticizer migration properties of vital wheat gluten (WG) films cast at pH 4 and 11. The films contained initially 8, 16, and 25 wt % glycerol and were aged at 23°C and 50% relative humidity for at least 17 weeks on a paper support to simulate a situation where a paper packaging is laminated with an oxygen barrier film of WG. The films, having target thicknesses of 50 and 250 μm, were characterized visually and with ultraviolet/visible and infrared spectroscopy; the mass loss was measured by gravimetry or by a glycerol‐specific gas chromatography method. The thin films produced at pH 4 were, in general, more heterogeneous than those produced at pH 11. The thin pH 4 films consisted of transparent regions surrounding beige glycerol‐rich regions, the former probably rich in gliadin and the latter rich in glutenin. This, together with less Maillard browning, meant that the thin pH 4 films, in contrast to the more homogeneous (beige) thin pH 11 films, showed good contact clarity. The variations in glycerol content did not significantly change the optical properties of the films. All the films showed a significant loss of glycerol to the paper support but, after almost 9 months, the thick pH 11 film containing initially 25 wt % glycerol was still very flexible and, despite a better contact to the paper, had a higher residual glycerol content than the pH 4 film, which was also more brittle. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2010
Preparation and characterization of graphene/poly(vinyl alcohol) nanocomposites
Authors: Jiang Lei , Shen Xiao‐Ping , Wu Ji‐Li , Shen Ke‐Cheng 
Published: May 2010

AbstractGraphene (GE)‐based nanocomposites are emerging as a new class of materials that hold promise for many applications. In this article, we present a general approach for the preparation of GE/poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) nanocomposites. The basic strategy involved the preparation of graphite oxide from graphite, complete exfoliation of graphite oxide into graphene oxide sheets, followed by reduction to GE nanosheets, and finally, the preparation of the GE/PVA nanocomposites by a simple solution‐mixing method. The synthesized products were characterized by X‐ray diffraction, field emission scanning electron microscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, thermogravimetry, and differential scanning calorimetry analysis. The GE nanosheets were well dispersed in the PVA matrix, and the restacking of the GE sheets was effectively prevented. Because of the strong interfacial interaction between PVA and GE, which mainly resulted from the hydrogen‐bond interaction, together with the improvement in the PVA crystallinity, the mechanical properties and thermal stability of the nanocomposites were obviously improved. The tensile strength was increased from 23 MPa for PVA to 49.5 MPa for the nanocomposite with a 3.25 wt % GE loading. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2010
Influence of environmental conditioning on the shear behavior of poly(phenylene sulfide)/glass fiber composites
Authors: Costa A. P. , Botelho E. C. , Pardini L. C. 
Published: May 2010

AbstractAdvanced thermoplastic composites are an alternative because of their ease of processing and storage. Poly(phenylene sulfide) (PPS) stands out among these materials because of its structural characteristics; for instance, it provides size, shape, and thermal stability, low moisture absorption, excellent chemical resistance, and good mechanical properties, including flexure, strength, and shear properties, compared to thermoset composites. Thus, the objective of this study was to evaluate the influence of environmental conditioning on the shear strength behavior of PPS/glass fiber composites. For this reason, first, some samples were treated to UV‐light exposure in a chamber. Other samples were immersed in seawater and hygrothermal baths simultaneously. They were tested with the interlaminar shear strength (ILSS) and Iosipescu shear test methods. The shear values obtained for the treated samples were compared against the dry sample values. For all samples tested with the ILSS and Iosipescu methods, the results indicate that the PPS/glass fiber composites presented a decrease in shear strength after they were submitted to hygrothermal and seawater solution conditioning. The moisture absorption was not uniform throughout the material, and wet conditioning induced strong matrix plasticization, which reduced the shear strength values of the laminates. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2010
Effect of weight ratio of thermoplastic and thermosetting boron‐containing phenolic resin on mechanical, bonding, and ablative properties of thermal insulating composites
Authors: Gao Guoxin , Zhang Zhicheng , Li Xuefei , Meng Qingjie , Zheng Yuansuo , Jin Zhihao 
Published: May 2010

AbstractTo improve the tensile strength, the bond strength, and the ablation resistant properties as well as the elongation at break of the short aramid fibers reinforced EPDM‐based thermal insulation composites, two kinds of boron‐containing phenolic resin, thermoplastic (TPBPR) and thermosetting (TSBPR), were added into the composites with a series of weight ratio of TPBPR and TSBPR, such as 0 : 20, 5 : 15, 10 : 10, 15 : 5, and 20 : 0. The effects of TPBPR and TSBPR weight ratio on the mechanical, bonding, and ablative properties of the composites were investigated systematically, respectively. The results showed that the crosslink density, the tensile strength, the bond strength, and the ablation resistant abilities of the composites decrease continuously with the increasing weight ratio, which confirms that the mechanical reinforcement and the ablation resistant abilities of TSBPR are higher than that of TPBPR. However, the elongation increases sharply with TPBPR and TSBPR weight ratio increasing. Therefore, the optimal weight ratio of TPBPR and TSBPR should be 10 : 10 to obtain the very thermal insulation composites with the excellent comprehensive properties. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2010
Pressure dependence of the CO2/propylene oxide copolymerization catalyzed by zinc glutarate
Authors: Jintang Duan , Jiajun Wang , Lianfang Feng , Long Wang , Xueping Gu 
Published: May 2010

AbstractThe pressure dependence of the CO2/propylene oxide copolymerization catalyzed by zinc glutarate was studied in this article. The effects of pressure on the product composition, yield, backbone structure of poly(propylene carbonate) (PPC), molecular weight and its distribution, and thermal stability were systematically investigated. Low pressure favored formation of byproducts (cyclic carbonate and polyether), whereas PPC still covered the majority of the product under 0.5 MPa. The copolymerization rate increased with pressure increasing under low pressures. Higher pressure led to a decline in the polymer yield because of catalyst/epoxide dilution. On the other hand, the carbonate linkage fraction decreased slightly with the drop of pressure, from 99% at 5.2 MPa to 96% at 0.5 MPa. All the PPCs synthesized under different pressures exhibited high molecular weights and broad distributions. However, the polymer prepared under 0.5 MPa possessed a relatively lower thermal stability than others. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2010
Rapid homogeneous preparation of cellulose graft copolymer in BMIMCL under microwave irradiation
Authors: Lin Chun‐Xiang , Zhan Huai‐Yu , Liu Ming‐Hua , Fu Shi‐Yu , Huang Liang‐Hui 
Published: May 2010

AbstractAcrylic acid(AA) was grafted onto cellulose in homogeneous media by using ammonium persulfate as an initiator in the presence of N,N′‐methylenebisacrylamide as a crosslinker under microwave (MW) irradiation. The powerful and highly efficient direct solvent, 1‐butyl‐3‐methylinidazolium chloride ionic liquid was used as the solvent for the dissolution of cellulose and the media for the homogeneous graft polymerization of AA onto cellulose. The use of MW resulted in a drastic reduction of reaction time: 3 min irradiation was sufficient, compared with 30 min to 5 h, as conventional heating was used. Investigation was conducted on the effect of reaction parameters, such as monomer concentration, crosslinker dosage, exposure temperature and exposure time. The structure of the graft copolymer was confirmed by IR spectrum, thermogravimetric analyzer, and scanning electron microscope. The results show that the MW irradiation method can increase the reaction rate. And the graft copolymer is also an effective metal ion adsorbent. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2010
Molecular and Cellular Mechanisms of Ectodomain Shedding
Authors: Hayashida Kazutaka , Bartlett Allison H. , Chen Ye , Park Pyong Woo 
Published: May 2010

AbstractThe extracellular domain of several membrane‐anchored proteins is released from the cell surface as soluble proteins through a regulated proteolytic mechanism called ectodomain shedding. Cells use ectodomain shedding to actively regulate the expression and function of surface molecules, and modulate a wide variety of cellular and physiological processes. Ectodomain shedding rapidly converts membrane‐associated proteins into soluble effectors and, at the same time, rapidly reduces the level of cell surface expression. For some proteins, ectodomain shedding is also a prerequisite for intramembrane proteolysis, which liberates the cytoplasmic domain of the affected molecule and associated signaling factors to regulate transcription. Ectodomain shedding is a process that is highly regulated by specific agonists, antagonists, and intracellular signaling pathways. Moreover, only about 2% of cell surface proteins are released from the surface by ectodomain shedding, indicating that cells selectively shed their protein ectodomains. This review will describe the molecular and cellular mechanisms of ectodomain shedding, and discuss its major functions in lung development and disease. Anat Rec, 293:925–937, 2010. © 2010 Wiley–Liss, Inc.
Temporal Changes in Expression of FoxA1 and Wnt7A in Isolated Adult Human Alveolar Epithelial Cells Enhanced by Heparin
Authors: Apparao K.B.C. , Newman Donna R. , Zhang Huiying , Khosla Jody , Randell Scott H. , Sannes Philip L. 
Published: May 2010

AbstractPre‐ and postnatal developmental studies of the lung have provided compelling evidence demonstrating multiple factors that orchestrate alveolar epithelial cell differentiation. The extent to which reactivation of certain developmental pathways in the adult might influence the course of differentiation of alveolar type 2 cells (AT2) into AT1 cells is not known. In this study, we examined selected members of the forkhead (Fox) family of transcription factors and the Wnt (wingless) family of signaling proteins for expression during human alveolar cell differentiation in vitro and determined their potential responses to sulfated components of extracellular matrix (ECM), like those shed from cell surfaces or found in basement membrane and modeled by heparin. Isolated adult human AT2 cells cultured over a 9‐day period were used to define the temporal profile of expression of targeted factors during spontaneous differentiation to AT1‐like cells. FoxA1 protein was upregulated at early to intermediate time points, where it was strongly elevated by heparin. Gene expression of wnt7A increased dramatically beginning on day 3 and was enhanced even further on days 7 and 9 by heparin, whereas protein expression appeared at days 7 and 9. These temporal changes of expression suggest that sulfated ECMs may act to enhance the increase in FoxA1 at the critical juncture when AT2 cells commence the differentiation process to AT1 cells, in addition to enhancing the increase in wnt7A when the AT1 cell phenotype stabilizes. Collectively, these factors may act to modulate differentiation in the adult human pulmonary alveolus. Anat Rec, 293:938–946, 2010. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Anatomical Sciences Education vol.3, issue 3, 2010 cover image
Authors: Chan Lap Ki 
Published: May 2010

AbstractMedical students at the University of Hong Kong learn about the development of the gastrointestinal tract using the “midgut‐rotation apron” worn by their gross anatomy instructor. The midgut, represented by a tube attached to the apron, can be pulled out and manipulated to simulate the elongation and rotation of the midgut. In this issue of ASE, Dr. Lap Ki Chan shares his experiences using this and other simple tools to promote active learning during gross anatomy sessions.
An unsupervised heuristic‐based hierarchical method for name disambiguation in bibliographic citations
Authors: Cota Ricardo G. , Ferreira Anderson A. , Nascimento Cristiano , Gonçalves Marcos André , Laender Alberto H. F. 
Published: May 2010

AbstractName ambiguity in the context of bibliographic citations is a difficult problem which, despite the many efforts from the research community, still has a lot of room for improvement. In this article, we present a heuristic‐based hierarchical clustering method to deal with this problem. The method successively fuses clusters of citations of similar author names based on several heuristics and similarity measures on the components of the citations (e.g., coauthor names, work title, and publication venue title). During the disambiguation task, the information about fused clusters is aggregated providing more information for the next round of fusion. In order to demonstrate the effectiveness of our method, we ran a series of experiments in two different collections extracted from real‐world digital libraries and compared it, under two metrics, with four representative methods described in the literature. We present comparisons of results using each considered attribute separately (i.e., coauthor names, work title, and publication venue title) with the author name attribute and using all attributes together. These results show that our unsupervised method, when using all attributes, performs competitively against all other methods, under both metrics, loosing only in one case against a supervised method, whose result was very close to ours. Moreover, such results are achieved without the burden of any training and without using any privileged information such as knowing a priori the correct number of clusters.
Dynamic network rewiring determines temporal regulatory functions in Drosophilamelanogaster development processes
Authors: Kim Man‐Sun , Kim Jeong‐Rae , Cho Kwang‐Hyun 
Published: May 2010

AbstractThe identification of network motifs has been widely considered as a significant step towards uncovering the design principles of biomolecular regulatory networks. To date, time‐invariant networks have been considered. However, such approaches cannot be used to reveal time‐specific biological traits due to the dynamic nature of biological systems, and hence may not be applicable to development, where temporal regulation of gene expression is an indispensable characteristic. We propose a concept of a “temporal sequence of network motifs”, a sequence of network motifs in active sub‐networks constructed over time, and investigate significant network motifs in the active temporal sub‐networks of Drosophila melanogaster. Based on this concept, we find a temporal sequence of network motifs which changes according to developmental stages and thereby cannot be identified from the whole static network. Moreover, we show that the temporal sequence of network motifs corresponding to each developmental stage can be used to describe pivotal developmental events.
Clathrin‐mediated endocytosis: What works for small, also works for big
Authors: Pizarro‐Cerdá Javier , Bonazzi Matteo , Cossart Pascale 
Published: May 2010

AbstractClathrin and the endocytosis machinery has recently been described as being required in mammalian cells for the internalization of large particles including pathogenic bacteria, fungi, and large viruses. These apparently unexpected observations, within the framework of the classical mechanisms for the formation of clathrin‐coated vesicles, are now considered as examples of a new non‐classical function of clathrin, which can promote the internalization of membrane domains associated to planar clathrin lattices. The role of actin downstream of clathrin seems to be critical for this still poorly characterized process. The historical frontier between endocytosis and phagocytosis is vanishing in the light of this new role for clathrin.
High‐throughput DNA sequencing – concepts and limitations
Authors: Kircher Martin , Kelso Janet 
Published: May 2010

AbstractRecent advances in DNA sequencing have revolutionized the field of genomics, making it possible for even single research groups to generate large amounts of sequence data very rapidly and at a substantially lower cost. These high‐throughput sequencing technologies make deep transcriptome sequencing and transcript quantification, whole genome sequencing and resequencing available to many more researchers and projects. However, while the cost and time have been greatly reduced, the error profiles and limitations of the new platforms differ significantly from those of previous sequencing technologies. The selection of an appropriate sequencing platform for particular types of experiments is an important consideration, and requires a detailed understanding of the technologies available; including sources of error, error rate, as well as the speed and cost of sequencing. We review the relevant concepts and compare the issues raised by the current high‐throughput DNA sequencing technologies. We analyze how future developments may overcome these limitations and what challenges remain.