bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The physiotherapy management of patients undergoing thoracic surgery: a survey of current practice in Australia and New Zealand
Authors: Reeve Julie , Denehy Linda , Stiller Kathy 
Published: January 2007

AbstractBackground and Purpose. Physiotherapy is considered an essential component of the management of patients after thoracotomy, yet the type of interventions utilized, and evidence for their efficacy, has not been established. The aim of the present study was to ascertain the current physiotherapy management of patients undergoing thoracotomy and the factors influencing practice among different providers. Method. A purpose‐designed postal questionnaire was distributed to senior physiotherapists in all thoracic surgical units throughout Australia and New Zealand (n = 57). Results. A response rate of 81% was obtained (n = 46). Pre‐operatively, 16 respondents (35%) reported assessing all thoracotomy patients. The majority of respondents (n = 44; 96%) indicated that all patients were seen by physiotherapists after surgery, with 29 respondents (63%) performing prophylactic physiotherapy interventions to prevent post‐operative pulmonary complications. Respondents reported that physiotherapy treatment was usually commenced on day one post‐operatively (n = 37; 80%) with the most commonly used treatment interventions being deep breathing exercises, the active cycle of breathing techniques, cough, forced expiration techniques and sustained maximal inspirations. Most respondents reported that patients first sat out of bed (n = 41; 89%), commenced shoulder range of movement (n = 23; 50%) and walking (n = 32; 70%) on day one post‐operatively. The majority of respondents reported that they offered no post‐operative pulmonary rehabilitation (n = 25; 54%), outpatient follow‐up (n = 43; 94%) or post‐thoracotomy pain management (n = 40; 87%). Respondents indicated that personal experience, literature recommendations and established practice were the factors which most influenced physiotherapy practice. Conclusion. Most patients after thoracotomy receive physiotherapy assessment and/or treatment in the immediate post‐operative period, but only one‐third were routinely seen pre‐operatively and relatively few were reviewed following discharge from hospital. Further studies are required to guide physiotherapists in determining the efficacy of their practices for patients undergoing thoracotomy. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Auxetic behaviour from rotating semi‐rigid units
Authors: Grima J. N. , Zammit V. , Gatt R. , Alderson A. , Evans K. E. 
Published: January 2007

AbstractAuxetics (i.e. systems with negative Poisson's ratios) exhibit the unexpected feature of becoming fatter when stretched and narrower when compressed. This property is highly desirable as it imparts many beneficial effects on the material's macroscopic properties. Recent research suggests that in an idealised scenario, systems composed of connected ‘rigid squares’ can exhibit auxetic behaviour (Poisson's ratio = –1) due to a mechanism involving relative rotation of the squares. This paper shows through force‐field based molecular modelling simulations that although ‘rotating squares’ are responsible for negative Poisson's ratios in various zeolite frameworks, in these real materials, the squares are not rigid and the auxeticity is not as pronounced as in the ‘idealised’ model. In view of this, a new model system made from connected ‘semi‐rigid’ squares is proposed and analytical equations for the mechanical properties of this new model system are derived and discussed. It will be shown that the Poisson's ratios in this new model are highly dependent on the extent of rigidity of the squares and the direction of loading. It will also be shown that this new model provides a better description for the behaviour of auxetic zeolite frameworks than the original ‘rotating rigid squares’ model. (© 2007 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
On the existence of negative pressure states
Authors: Imre Attila R. 
Published: January 2007

AbstractAlthough pressure is usually believed to be an always positive quantity, negative pressure states exists since the beginning of the Universe and they have been studied since Huygens. These states are metastable and therefore mistakenly thrown out from calculations and neglected in experiments as non‐existing or unaccessible ones although they exist and they can be accessed. Recent theories suggest that normal materials (without any special structure) under negative pressure can be auxetic. In this short review paper we would like to demonstrate the existence of negative pressure states and discuss the limiting negative pressure for condensed matters (liquids and solids). (© 2007 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Novel structure and swelling dynamics of nanocomposite ultrathin films
Authors: Mukherjee M. , Singh A. 
Published: January 2007

AbstractStructure and swelling dynamics of ultrathin films of CdS–polyacrylamide nanocomposite material were studied using gravimetric techniques and X‐ray reflectivity. Ultrathin films of the polymer and the nanocomposite were coated on hydrophilic Si(100) substrate using spin coating. The thickness of the composite films vary non‐monotonically with spinning speed and were found to lie in discrete “bands” of thicknesses separated by “forbidden regions” unlike pure polymer films. Modified internal structure of the coils due to polymer–particle interaction was found to play a significant role in describing the novel features of the nanocomposite films. To study the mass uptake, the films were exposed to the H2O vapour and the weights of the films were recorded as functions of exposure time. The observed non‐Fickian transport was explained in terms of alignment of free volume due to confinement of restricted polymer chains. To study swelling dynamics, the films were exposed to the H2O vapour and X‐ray reflectivity scans were collected as functions of exposure time. The swelling dynamics of the nanocomposite films were explained in terms of a model which takes into account the polymer‐particle interaction. A fraction of polymer segments that are in direct contact with the nanoparticles observed slower dynamics as compared to the free chain swelling. Larger values of excluded volume parameters corresponding to restricted segments as compared to the free segments were explained in terms of enhancement of monomer‐monomer interaction through particle attachment. (© 2007 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Strain rate dependence of stiffness and Poisson's ratio of auxetic open cell PU foams
Authors: Pastorino P. , Scarpa F. , Patsias S. , Yates J. R. , Haake S. J. , Ruzzene M. 
Published: January 2007

AbstractThe paper describes the manufacturing and tensile testing of auxetic (negative Poisson's ratio) thermoplastic polyurethane and polyester urethane foams, under quasi‐static and constant strain rate loading. The foams are produced from conventional flexible polyurethane basis following a manufacturing route developed in previous works. The Poisson's ratio behaviour over compressive strain has been analyzed using an Image Data processing technique based on Edge Detection from digital images recorded using camcorders and high speed cameras. The measurements indicate that higher strain rate loading implies stiffening effects on the stress–strain curves, and significant increase of the magnitudes of the Poisson's ratios with increasing compressive strains. (© 2007 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Young's and shear moduli and Poisson's ratio for elastic media of high and middle symmetry
Authors: Paszkiewicz T. , Wolski S. 
Published: January 2007

AbstractUsing bases of fourth rank tensorial bases of [V2]2 symmetry elaborated by Walpole we obtained expressions for inverse of Young's modulus E (n), inverse of shear modulus G (m, n) and Poisson's ratio v (m, n), which depend on components of the stiffness tensor S, on direction cosines of vectors n of uniaxial load and the vector m of lateral strain with crystalline symmetry axes. Crystalline media of high and medium symmetries are considered. Such representation yields decomposition of the above elastic characteristics to isotropic and anisotropic parts. Expressions for Poisson's coefficient are well suited for studying the property of auxeticity. (© 2007 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Exploration of high and negative Poisson's ratio elastomer‐matrix laminates
Authors: Peel L. D. 
Published: January 2007

AbstractElastomer‐matrix composites show promise for high Poisson's ratio and negative Poisson's ratio (auxetic) applications due to high orthotropy. There are approximately five orders of magnitude between the axial stiffness of high modulus graphite fibres and the stiffness of low durometer elastomers. Although the maximum Poisson's ratio for isotropic elastomers is 0.5, it is easily shown that inplane Poisson's ratios twice unity can be obtained with a graphite/epoxy angle‐ply laminate at 25°. Chou and others have predicted inplane Poisson's ratios greater than 7 for certain cord‐rubber combinations. Peel previously predicted inplane Poisson's ratios higher than 32 and less than –60. Preliminary experimental results have produced inplane Poisson's ratios as high as 14. Certain combinations of un‐balanced highly orthotropic laminates may also produce inplane negative Poisson's ratios. Inplane Poisson's ratios, experimentally obtained from two laminate configurations with approximately the same axial stiffness are compared. A symmetric, balanced laminate produced an inplane Poisson's ratio of 3.7; while an unbalanced laminate with an equivalent axial stiffness produced an average inplane Poisson's ratio of –1.5. Certain high and negative Poisson's ratio elastomer‐matrix laminates appear to have quasi anti‐symmetric relationships about 0°, although laminate designers may consider dual angle‐ply laminates to be the more likely counterpart to the unbalanced dual angle auxetic laminates. Unbalanced symmetric laminates experience significantly more inplane shear deformation when axially loaded than their balanced counterparts. The high shear may be desirable for damping applications, but less desirable otherwise. (© 2007 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Stability of elastic material with negative stiffness and negative Poisson's ratio
Authors: Xinchun Shang , Lakes Roderic S. 
Published: January 2007

AbstractStability of cuboids and cylinders of an isotropic elastic material with negative stiffness under partial constraint is analyzed using an integral method and Rayleigh quotient. It is not necessary that the material exhibit a positive definite strain energy to be stable. The elastic object under partial constraint may have a negative bulk modulus K and yet be stable. A cylinder of arbitrary cross section with the lateral surface constrained and top and bottom planar surfaces is stable provided the shear modulus G > 0 and –G /3 < K < 0 or K > 0. This corresponds to an extended range of negative Poisson's ratio, –∞ < ν < –1. A cuboid is stable provided each of its surfaces is an aggregate of regions obeying fully or partially constrained boundary conditions. (© 2007 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Computer simulation of heat transfer through a ferrofluid
Authors: Strek Tomasz , Jopek Hubert 
Published: January 2007

AbstractThe viscous, two‐dimensional, incompressible and laminar time dependent heat transfer flow through a ferromagnetic fluid is considered in this paper. The flow takes place in channel between two parallel flat plates under the influence of the magnetic dipole located below the channel. It is assumed that there are no electric field effects and the variation in the magnetic field vector, which could occur due to temperature gradients within the ferrofluid, is negligible. This magneto‐thermo‐mechanical problem is governed by dimensionless equations. Results are obtained using computational fluid dynamics code COMSOL with modifications to account for the magnetic term (the Kelvin body force or the thermal power) when needed. (© 2007 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Screening of some medicinal plants from cameroon for β‐Lactamase inhibitory activity
Authors: Gangoué‐Piéboji Joseph , Baurin Stéphane , Frère Jean‐Marie , Ngassam Pierre , Ngameni Bathelemy , Azebaze Anatole , Pegnyemb Dieudonné Emmanuel , Watchueng Jean , Goffin Colette , Galleni Moreno 
Published: January 2007

AbstractIn efforts to find new bioactive β‐lactamase inhibitors, this study investigated 16 Cameroonian plants belonging to 10 families which were evaluated for anti‐β‐lactamase activity. The investigation showed that extracts 2, 6, 3 and 5 of the 16 plants investigated presented interesting in vitro β‐lactamase inhibition (over 90%), respectively, of the β‐lactamases TEM‐1, OXA‐10, IMP‐1 and P99. These extracts were from Mammea africana (all β‐lactamases), Garcinia lucida, G. kola (OXA‐10, IMP‐1 and P99), Bridelia micrantha (OXA‐10, P99), Ochna afzelii (OXA‐10, P99), Prunus africana (IMP‐1) and Adenia lobata (TEM‐1). After elimina tion of tannins (according to the European Pharmacopoeia) the extracts from B. micrantha, G. lucida and M. africana were tested further for their anti‐β‐lactamase activity. The extracts from B. micrantha and G. lucida exhibited potent inhibitory activity, respectively, of β‐lactamase OXA‐10 (IC50 = 0.02 mg/mL) and P99 (IC50 = 0.01 mg/mL). The anti‐β‐lactamase activity of M. africana extract was weak. The isolation and the structural elucidation of the active constituents of G. lucida and B. micrantha will provide useful leads in the development of β‐lactamase inhibitors. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Atractylenolide I and atractylenolide III inhibit Lipopolysaccharide‐induced TNF‐α and NO production in macrophages
Authors: Li Cui‐qin , He Lang‐Chong , Jin Ju‐qing 
Published: January 2007

AbstractIn order to clarify the mechanism involved in the antiinflammatory activity of atractylenolide I and atractylenolide III from the rhizomes of Atractylodes macrocephala Koidz, their effects on tumor necrosis factor‐α (TNF‐α) and nitric oxide (NO) production in peritoneal macrophages were examined. Atractylenolide I and atractylenolide III decreased the TNF‐α level in LPS‐stimulated peritoneal macrophages in a dose‐dependent manner, their IC50 values were 23.1 µm and 56.3 µm, respectively. RT‐PCR analysis indicated that they inhibited TNF‐α mRNA expression. Furthermore, they inhibited NO production in LPS‐activated peritoneal macrophages, the IC50 value of atractylenolide I was 41.0 µm, and the inhibition ratio of 100 µm of atractylenolide III was 45.1% ± 6.2%. The activity analysis of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) indicated that they could inhibit the activity of iNOS, their IC50 values were 67.3 µm and 76.1 µm, respectively. Western blot analysis showed that atractylenolide I and atractylenolide III attenuated LPS‐induced synthesis of iNOS protein in the macrophages, in parallel. These results imply that the antiinflammatory mechanism of atractylenolide I and atractylenolide III may be explained at least in part, by the inhibition of TNF‐α and NO production. Atractylenolide I showed more potent inhibition than atractylenolide III in the production of TNF‐α and NO in LPS‐activated peritoneal macrophages. So, atractylenolide I could be a candidate for the development of new drugs to treat inflammatory diseases accompanied by the overproduction of TNF‐α and NO. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Determination of antioxidant and radical scavenging activity of Basil (Ocimum basilicum L. Family Lamiaceae) assayed by different methodologies
Authors: Gülçin İlhami , Elmastaş Mahfuz , Aboul‐Enein Hassan Y. 
Published: January 2007

AbstractThe antioxidant properties of plants have been investigated, in the light of recent scientific developments, throughout the world due to their potent pharmacological activities and food viability. Basil (Ocimum basilicum L. Family Lamiaceae) is used as a kitchen herb and as an ornamental plant in house gardens. In the present study, the possible radical scavenging and antioxidant activity of the water (WEB) and ethanol extracts (EEB) of basil was investigated using different antioxidant methodologies: 1,1‐diphenyl‐2‐picryl‐hydrazyl (DPPH) free radical scavenging, scavenging of superoxide anion radical‐generated non‐enzymatic system, ferric thiocyanate method, reducing power, hydrogen peroxide scavenging and metal chelating activities. Experiments revealed that WEB and EEB have an antioxidant effects which are concentration‐dependent. The total antioxidant activity was performed according to the ferric thiocyanate method. At the 50 µg/mL concentration, the inhibition effects of WEB and EEB on peroxidation of linoleic acid emulsion were found to be 94.8% and 97.5%, respectively. On the other hand, the percentage inhibition of a 50 µg/mL concentration of BHA, BHT and α‐tocopherol was found to be 97.1%, 98.5% and 70.4% inhibition of peroxidation of linoleic acid emulsion, respectively. In addition, WEB and EEB had effective DPPH radical scavenging, superoxide anion radical scavenging, hydrogen peroxide scavenging, reducing power and metal chelating activities. Additionally, these various antioxidant activities were compared with BHA, BHT and α‐tocopherol as reference antioxidants. The additional total phenolic content of these basil extracts was determined as the gallic acid equivalent and were found to be equivalent. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Rapid protein identification using a disposable on‐line clean‐up/concentrating device and electrospray ionization mass spectrometry
Authors: Tsai Chu‐Yun , Pai Pei‐Jing , Ho Yi‐Hsin , Lu Jyh‐Feng , Wang Jinn‐Shyan , Lin Wann‐Yin , Her Guor‐Rong 
Published: January 2007

AbstractA simple, low‐cost, expedient method has been developed for identification of proteins isolated from two‐dimensional (2D) gels. The method described uses a disposable on‐line clean‐up device, a syringe infusion pump and electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (ESI‐MS). The on‐line clean‐up and concentrating device is a tapered capillary column filled with 1.5 cm of 5 µm C18 particles. The short column was easily prepared and was connected directly to the ESI source through a low‐flow ESI sprayer. Peptides resulting from enzymatic digestion of proteins were eluted from the short column isocratically using a syringe infusion pump and analyzed by ESI‐MS. This simple set‐up was found useful in the analysis of proteins isolated from 2D gels. Compared to the more conventional micro‐liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry (µLC/MS/MS), this method can identify proteins rapidly without the need for an HPLC pump and removes the problem of cross‐contamination caused by system carryover. These advantages make the method described competitive with conventional LC/MS even though the latter method gives slightly expanded sequence coverage. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
A rapid method for quantitatively estimating metabolites in human plasma in the absence of synthetic standards using a combination of liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry and radiometric detection
Authors: Yu ChungPing , Chen Cathy L. , Gorycki Frances L. , Neiss Thomas G. 
Published: January 2007

AbstractAn approach to estimating the levels of drug‐related metabolites in human plasma in the absence of synthesized chemical standards has been developed. High‐performance liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry (LC/MS) in combination with radiometric detection was used in this method. Biologically derived [14C] metabolites from preclinical in vitro and in vivo matrices are used as [14C] metabolite standards and their concentrations in matrices are calculated based on the corresponding radioactivity. The amount of drug‐related metabolites in human plasma samples can be estimated by determining relative MS responses of metabolites between plasma and [14C] metabolite standards, and using the calculated concentrations of metabolite standards as calibrants. An example for the estimation of metabolites in human plasma was used to demonstrate the utility of this methodology. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Issues in applied statistics for public health bioterrorism surveillance using multiple data streams: research needs
Authors: Rolka Henry , Burkom Howard , Cooper Gregory F. , Kulldorff Martin , Madigan David , Wong Weng‐Keen 
Published: January 2007

AbstractThe objective of this report is to provide a basis to inform decisions about priorities for developing statistical research initiatives in the field of public health surveillance for emerging threats. Rapid information system advances have created a vast opportunity of secondary data sources for information to enhance the situational and health status awareness of populations. While the field of medical informatics and initiatives to standardize healthcare‐seeking encounter records continue accelerating, it is necessary to adapt analytic and statistical methodologies to mature in sync with sibling information science technologies. One major right‐of‐passage for statistical inference is to advance the optimal application of analytic methodologies for using multiple data streams in detecting and characterizing public health population events of importance. This report first describes the problem in general and the data context, then delineates more specifically the practical nature of the problem and the related issues. Approaches currently applied to data with time‐series, statistical process control and traditional inference concepts are described with examples in the section on Statistics and the Role of the Analytic Surveillance Data Monitor. These are the techniques that are providing substance to surveillance professionals and enabling use of multiple data streams. The next section describes use of a more complex approach that takes temporal as well as spatial dimensions into consideration for detection and situational awareness regarding event distributions. The space–time statistic has successfully been used to detect and track public health events of interest. Important research questions which are summarized at the end of this report are described in more detail with respect to the methodological application in the respective sections. This was thought to help elucidate the research requirements as summarized later in the report. Following the description of the space–time scan statistical application; this report extends to a less traditional area of promise given what has been observed in recent application of analytic methods. Bayesian networks (BNs) represent a conceptual step with advantages of flexibility for the public health surveillance community. Progression from traditional to the more extending statistical concepts in the context of the dynamic status quo of responsibility and challenge, leads to a conclusion consisting of categorical research needs. The report is structured by design to inform judgment about how to build on practical systems to achieve better analytic outcomes for public health surveillance. There are references to research issues throughout the sections with a summarization at the end, which also includes items previously unmentioned in the report. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Stem‐cutting size of kola (Cola indica)
Authors: Famaye AO , Oloyede AA , Adeyemi EA 
Published: January 2007

AbstractPropagation success of stem cuttings of kola (Cola indica) was assessed with four node levels, with or without hormone treatment. Hormone treatment was not beneficial. The three‐node cuttings (without hormone) gave the highest rooting success. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd