bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Endocrine Outcomes for Children With Embryonal Brain Tumors After Risk-Adapted Craniospinal and Conformal Primary-Site Irradiation and High-Dose Chemotherapy With Stem-Cell Rescue on the SJMB-96 Trial
Authors: Laughton Stephen J. , Merchant Thomas E. , Sklar Charles A. , Kun Larry E. , Fouladi Maryam , Broniscer Alberto , Morris E. Brannon , Sanders Robert P. , Krasin Matthew J. , Shelso John , Xiong Zang , Wallace Dana , Gajjar Amar 
Published: February 2008

Purpose To estimate the cumulative incidence of specific hormone deficiencies and the influence of hypothalamic-pituitary (HP) axis radiation dose in a cohort of children with embryonal brain tumors treated with risk-adapted craniospinal irradiation (CSI), conformal primary site irradiation, and high-dose chemotherapy. Patients and Methods Clinical data and HP axis radiation dosimetry data were obtained from 88 eligible children. All patients received regular endocrine follow-up that included screening tests of thyroid function and stimulation testing for growth hormone deficiency (GHD), and adrenocorticotropin hormone deficiency. Results The cumulative incidence of GHD, thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) deficiency, adrenocorticotropic hormone deficiency, and primary hypothyroidism at 4 years from diagnosis was 93% ± 4%, 23% ± 8%, 38% ± 6%, and 65% ± 7%, respectively. Radiation dosimetry to the HP axis was associated only with the development of TSH deficiency; the 4-year cumulative incidence was 44% ± 19% and 11% ± 8% (P = .014) for those receiving more or less than the median dose to the hypothalamus (≥ 42 v < 42 Gy), respectively. The median dose of CSI for the average-risk (AR) patients was 23.4 and 39.6 Gy (36 to 40.5 Gy) for the high-risk patients. The estimated mean decline in height Z-score after radiation therapy was greater in high-risk patients (−0.65 units/yr) when compared with AR patients (−0.54 units/yr; P = .039). Conclusion Pediatric patients with CNS embryonal tumors are at high risk for treatment-related hormone deficiencies. GHD and primary hypothyroidism were diagnosed in a majority of subjects relatively soon after the completion of therapy. Radiation dose to the hypothalamus in excess of 42 Gy was associated with an increase in the risk of developing TSH deficiency.
Synthesis of ethylene maleic anhydride copolymer containing fungicides and evaluation of their effect for wood decay resistance
Authors: Chen George C. 
Published: February 2008

Abstract
The aim of the present study was to combat wood decay based on the approach controlled-release biocides from polymers. The possibility of introducing polymer-bonded fungicides into the cell lumens was investigated. The synthesis of ethylene maleic anhydride copolymer containing pentachlorophenol (penta) and 8-hydroxy quinoline (8HQ) in N, N dimethyl formamide is described. It was demonstrated that the penta-bonded acrylate is a poly(ethylene co-dipentachlorophenyl diacrylate), which has a disubstituted pentachlorophenyl group linked through two acrylate ester bonds. The reaction of ethylene maleic anhydride copolymer with 8-hydroxy quinoline leads to products containing 44.8% poly(ethylene co-8-hydroxy quinolinyl acrylate) and 55.2% of unreacted poly(ethylene co-maleic anhydride). Wood impregnated with the polymers described prevented decay by a brown- and white-rot fungus, even after water leaching. Wood treated with the fungicide pentachlorophenol (penta) alone prevented only decay by a brown-rot fungus. An advantage is that high loading of penta in polymer can be achieved. Moreover, there is a slow-release effect on the active agent due to hydrolysis of ester bonds. The decay resistance of wood treated with poly(ethylene co-8-quinolinyl acrylate) was similar to that of wood impregnated with 8-hydroxy quinoline.
The fate of phosphorus in the bleaching of spruce TMP with the new bleaching agent – THPS
Authors: Hu Thomas Q. , Yu Eric , James Brian R. , Marcazzan Paolo 
Published: February 2008

Abstract
Tetrakis(hydroxymethyl)phosphonium sulfate (THPS) is a newly discovered, phosphorus-based bleaching agent that has been successfully tested in a pulp mill trial. The fate of phosphorus (P) and the chemistry in the course of THPS bleaching of a spruce TMP have been studied. The amount of P introduced into the THPS-bleached pulp depends on THPS dose and the bleaching conditions and it correlates well with the brightness gain. The P introduced into THPS-bleached pulp is covalently bonded to the pulp. The THPS-bleached and tetraethylphosphonium chloride-treated pulps have been additionally treated with calcium chloride before P analysis, and the results of these experiments support the covalent bonding hypothesis. Bleaching with 0.1 and 3.0% THPS (% based on oven-dried pulp) at 60 and 110°C leads to pulps with 0.13 and 2.17 mg P g-1 pulp, respectively, which corresponds to 0.08 and 1.4% THPS. More precisely, P is covalently bonded to lignin chromophores, such as lignin coniferaldehydes. This was found by P-content analysis, UV-visible spectroscopy, and 31P{1H} NMR studies of a crude milled wood lignin (crude MWL) and a partially purified MWL isolated from a THPS-bleached pulp.
Going Beyond the Fab Five: Helping Students Cope With the Unique Linguistic Challenges of Expository Reading in Intermediate Grades
Authors: Fang Zhihui 
Published: February 2008

As students transition from primary to intermediate grades, the kind of materials that they are expected to read and write become more heavily dominated by expository texts. Expository texts contain grammatical patterns that are distinct from those used in primary‐grade storybooks. These linguistic features pose new comprehension challenges for students.This article identifies some of the special linguistic features of expository texts and describes several classroom‐based strategies for helping students develop insights on the language through which expository texts are constructed. It argues that reading instruction for intermediate grades needs to go beyond the “Fab Five” (i.e., phonemic awareness, phonics, fluency, vocabulary, comprehension strategies) endorsed by the National Reading Panel in the United States to include tasks that specifically address the unique linguistic challenges of expository reading.
Around the Block and Around the World: Teaching Literacy Across Cultures
Authors: Williams Bronwyn T. 
Published: February 2008

As the use of English spreads around the world, it is important to remember that there is not now just one English but multiple “world englishes.” Many scholars and teachers have argued that language changes to adapt to different cultural contexts. This world of rapid cross‐cultural communication is the world in which our students read and write. In fact, many students, through e‐mail, instant messaging, or online games, are already engaged in reading and writing with young people in other countries. They live their literate lives with increasing contact with people in countries they may never visit, and their literate identities will be read by people in cultures unfamiliar to them.Such literacy practices should make teachers question how best to teach reading and writing in an age of cross‐cultural communication. We need to help students explore how multiple world englishes influence how standardized English is taught and how it is affected by issues of language, culture, and power. Finally, we must find ways to use the new technologies that allow us to communicate across borders as pedagogical tools to teach students about writing and reading in a cross‐cultural world.
Associations Between Diabetes and Clinical Markers of Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia Among Community-Dwelling Black and White Men
Authors: Sarma Aruna V. , Burke James P. , Jacobson Debra J. , McGree Michaela E. , St. Sauver Jennifer , Girman Cynthia J. , Lieber Michael M. , Herman William , Macoska Jill , Montie James E. , Jacobsen Steven J. 
Published: February 2008

OBJECTIVE—The aim of this study was to examine associations between diabetes and clinical markers of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) in community-dwelling white and black men aged 40–79 years.
RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS—Data from the Olmsted County Study of Urinary Symptoms and Health Status and the Flint Men's Health Study were combined for a total study sample of 2,484 men. Severity of lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS), peak urinary flow rates, prostate volume, and serum prostate-specific antigen (PSA) levels were examined by self-reported physician-diagnosed diabetes.
RESULTS—Overall, 170 men (6.8%) reported a history of diabetes. Increased irritative LUTS and specifically nocturia were positively associated with diabetes. These patterns were consistent across race and persisted after adjustment for age, BMI, and various indicators of socioeconomic status. Furthermore, the relationship between irritative LUTS and diabetes was greater in black men. No significant associations were observed between diabetes and prostate volume, PSA level, and peak urinary flow rate.
CONCLUSIONS—Our multiethnic community-based study demonstrates positive associations between diabetes and irritative LUTS and nocturia. Moreover, the association between irritative LUTS and diabetes is increased in black men. There was no strong evidence for an association between diabetes and BPH across measures more specific to BPH (i.e., prostate volume, PSA, and peak urinary flow rate). Taken together, our findings suggest that the presence of diabetes may be less related to prostate growth and more related to the dynamic components of lower urinary tract function. Further evaluations of the association between diabetes and BPH and related racial variations are warranted.
Spanish Diabetes Self-Management With and Without Automated Telephone Reinforcement
Authors: Lorig Kate , Ritter Philip L. , Villa Frank , Piette John D. 
Published: February 2008

OBJECTIVE—To determine 1) whether participants in the Spanish Diabetes Self-Management Program (SDSMP), when compared at 6 months to randomized control subjects, would demonstrate improvements in health status, health behaviors, and self-efficacy; and 2) whether SDSMP participants receiving monthly automated telephone reinforcement would maintain improvements at 18 months better than those not receiving reinforcement.RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS—A total of 567 Spanish-speaking adults with type 2 diabetes were randomized to a usual-care control group or 6-week community-based, peer-led SDSMP. SDSMP participants were re-randomized to receive 15 months of automated telephone messages or no reinforcement. A1C was measured at baseline and 6 and 18 months. All other data were collected by self-administered questionnaires.RESULTS—At 6 months SDSMP participants compared with control subjects demonstrated improvements in A1C (−0.4%), health distress, symptoms of hypo- and hyperglycemia, and self-efficacy (P &lt; 0.05). At 18 months all improvements persisted (P &lt; 0.05). SDSMP participants also demonstrated improvements in self-rated health and communication with physicians, had fewer emergency room visits (−0.18 visits in 6 months, P &lt; 0.05), and trended toward fewer visits to physicians. At 18 months the only difference between reinforced and nonreinforced participants was increased glucose monitoring for the reinforcement group.CONCLUSIONS—The SDSMP demonstrated effectiveness in lowering A1C and improving health status. Reinforcement did not add to its effectiveness. Given the high needs of the Spanish-speaking population, the SDSMP deserves consideration for implementation.
Skin Autofluorescence
Authors: Gerrits Esther G. , Lutgers Helen L. , Kleefstra Nanne , Graaff Reindert , Groenier Klaas H. , Smit Andries J. , Gans Rijk O. , Bilo Henk J. 
Published: February 2008

OBJECTIVE—Skin autofluorescence is a noninvasive measure of the level of tissue accumulation of advanced glycation end products, representing cumulative glycemic and oxidative stress. Recent studies have already shown a relationship between skin autofluorescence and diabetes complications, as well as the predictive value of skin autofluorescence for total and cardiovascular mortality in type 2 diabetes. Our aim was to investigate the predictive value of skin autofluorescence for the development of microvascular complications in type 2 diabetes.
RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS—At baseline, skin autofluorescence of 973 type 2 diabetic patients with well-controlled diabetes was noninvasively measured with an autofluorescence reader. The aggregate clinical outcome was defined as the development of any diabetes-associated microvascular complication of 881 surviving patients, which was assessed at baseline and at the end of follow-up. Single end points were the development of diabetes-associated retinopathy, neuropathy, and (micro)albuminuria.
RESULTS—After a mean follow-up period of 3.1 years, baseline skin autofluorescence was significantly higher in patients who developed any microvascular complication, neuropathy, or (micro)albuminuria but not in those who developed retinopathy. Multivariate analyses showed skin autofluorescence as a predictor for development of any microvascular complication along with A1C, for development of neuropathy along with smoking, and for development of (micro)albuminuria together with sex, A1C, and diabetes duration. Skin autofluorescence did not have predictive value for the development of retinopathy, albeit diabetes duration did.
CONCLUSIONS—Our study is the first observation of skin autofluorescence measurement as an independent predictor of development of microvascular complications in type 2 diabetes.
A Thermoresponsive Membrane for Chiral Resolution
Authors: Yang Mei , Chu Liang‐Yin , Wang Hai‐Dong , Xie Rui , Song Hang , Niu Catherine Hui 
Published: February 2008

AbstractA novel thermoresponsive membrane for chiral resolution with high performance has been developed. The membrane exhibits chiral selectivity based on molecular recognition of beta‐cyclodextrin (β‐CD) and thermosensitivity based on the phase transition of poly(N‐isopropylacrylamide) (PNIPAM). Linear PNIPAM chains were grafted onto porous nylon‐6 membrane substrates by using a plasma‐graft pore‐filling polymerization method; the chains thus acted as microenvironmental adjustors for β‐CD molecules. β‐CD moieties were introduced into the linear PNIPAM chains by a chemical grafting polymerization method and acted as chiral selectors. The phase transition of grafted PNIPAM chains affects the microenvironment of β‐CD molecules and, thus, the association between β‐CD and guest molecules. The chiral selectivity of the prepared thermoresponsive membranes in chiral resolution operated at temperature below the lower critical solution temperature (LCST) of PNIPAM is higher than that of membranes with no thermosensitivity. Furthermore, the decomplexation ratio of enantiomer‐loaded thermoresponsive membranes in decomplexation at temperatures above the LCST is much higher than that of membranes with no thermosensitivity. Thus, by simply changing the operation temperature, high, selective chiral resolution and efficient membrane regeneration are achieved. The proposed membrane provides a new and efficient way to solve the difficult decomplexation problem of chiral solid membranes, which is highly attractive for chiral resolution.
Structure–property relationships of thermoplastic polyurethane elastomers based on polycarbonate diols
Authors: Eceiza A. , Larrañaga M. , de la Caba K. , Kortaberria G. , Marieta C. , Corcuera M. A. , Mondragon I. 
Published: February 2008

AbstractThe phase‐separation behavior and morphology of polycarbonate‐based polyurethanes were investigated as a function of the soft‐segment molecular weight and chemical structure and the 4,4′‐diphenylmethane diisocyanate/1,4‐butanediol based hard‐segment contents. Polarized optical microscopy and atomic force microscopy images showed that the surface morphologies changed as the soft‐segment molecular weight and hard‐segment content varied and also when the sample preparation conditions were modified. An increase in the soft‐ and hard‐segment lengths led to increased phase separation with respect to the lower molecular weight soft segment, and this showed an interlocked and connected morphology of intermixed soft and hard domains. The surface morphology of phase‐separated polyurethanes with hard segments composed of more than four to five 4,4′‐diphenylmethane diisocyanate units contained globular hard‐segment domains formed by spherulites, in which the size and connectivity between the branched lamellae changed with the hard‐segment size. Interlamellar areas related to the soft segment were seen in the spherulites. Variations in the hard‐segment spherulites were observed for polyurethanes based on soft segments of different molecular weights. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2008
What is user engagement? A conceptual framework for defining user engagement with technology
Authors: O'Brien Heather L. , Toms Elaine G. 
Published: February 2008

AbstractThe purpose of this article is to critically deconstruct the term engagement as it applies to peoples' experiences with technology. Through an extensive, critical multidisciplinary literature review and exploratory study of users of Web searching, online shopping, Webcasting, and gaming applications, we conceptually and operationally defined engagement. Building on past research, we conducted semistructured interviews with the users of four applications to explore their perception of being engaged with the technology. Results indicate that engagement is a process comprised of four distinct stages: point of engagement, period of sustained engagement, disengagement, and reengagement. Furthermore, the process is characterized by attributes of engagement that pertain to the user, the system, and user‐system interaction. We also found evidence of the factors that contribute to nonengagement. Emerging from this research is a definition of engagement—a term not defined consistently in past work—as a quality of user experience characterized by attributes of challenge, positive affect, endurability, aesthetic and sensory appeal, attention, feedback, variety/novelty, interactivity, and perceived user control. This exploratory work provides the foundation for future work to test the conceptual model in various application areas, and to develop methods to measure engaging user experiences.
Application of high‐performance tangential flow filtration (HPTFF) to the purification of a human pharmaceutical antibody fragment expressed in Escherichia coli
Authors: Lebreton Bénédicte , Brown Arick , van Reis Robert 
Published: February 2008

AbstractHigh‐performance tangential flow filtration (HPTFF) is shown to successfully enable concentration, purification and formulation in a single unit operation. This is illustrated with feedstreams comprising recombinant proteins expressed in Escherichia coli (E. coli). Using positively charged cellulosic membranes of 100 kDa molecular weight cut‐off and operating under a selected range of buffer pH and ionic strength at a filtrate flux of 100 L m−2 h−1, a 10‐fold removal of E. coli host cell proteins (HCP) was obtained with an overall process yield of 98%. The HPTFF performance was shown to be robust and reproducible. In addition, the novel charged membrane was regenerated and re‐used seven times without loss of selectivity or throughput. When compared with a conventional purification scheme, the proposed process results in the elimination of one chromatographic step, a 12% yield improvement and a significant reduction in purification cost of goods. Biotechnol. Bioeng. 2008;100: 964–974. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Transseptal puncture for catheter ablation of atrial fibrillation after device closure of patent foramen ovale
Authors: Zaker‐Shahrak Ruzbeh , Jürg Fuhrer  , Meier Bernhard 
Published: February 2008

AbstractThe technique of transseptal puncture for catheter ablation of atrial fibrillation after percutaneous closure of a foramen ovale with the Amplatzer Occluder is demonstrated based on 2 representative cases. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Catalytic Liquid Phase Oxidation of Toluene to Benzoic Acid
Authors: Gizli A. , Aytimur G. , Alpay E. , Atalay S. 
Published: February 2008

AbstractThe production of benzoic acid from toluene in the liquid phase with pure oxygen was studied. Investigations have been carried out with a view to determining the most suitable reaction conditions with respect to operating variables including oxygen flow rate, reaction temperature, batch time and catalyst loading. In a series of batch experiments carried out at 4 atm, the optimum values of mole ratio of oxygen to toluene, temperature, reaction time, and catalyst loading were found to be 2, 157 °C, 2 h and 0.57 g/L, respectively. In addition, a kinetic study was carried out by taking into consideration the optimum reaction conditions. The model dependent on the formation of benzyl radical was found to be feasible for describing the catalytic oxidation of toluene to benzoic acid in the liquid phase. The activation energy was determined as 40 kJ/mol.
Characterization and Activity of Cu/ZSM5 Catalysts for the Oxidation of Phenol with Hydrogen Peroxide
Authors: Maduna Valkaj K. , Katovic A. , Tomašic V. , Zrncevic S. 
Published: February 2008

AbstractThe heterogeneous catalytic wet peroxide oxidation (CWPO), involving total oxidation of organic compounds to CO2 and H2O is a possible path for the treatment of toxic and bio‐refractory wastewater streams. The aim of this work was to synthesize and characterize three Cu/ZSM5 catalysts prepared by direct hydrothermal synthesis. The mass ratio of the active metal component in the zeolite ranged from 1.62–3.24 wt %. These materials were tested for CWPO of aqueous phenol in a stainless steel Parr reactor, in batch operation under mild conditions (at atmospheric pressure and a temperature of 353 K). The catalyst weight was 0.1 g dm–3 and the initial concentration of phenol and hydrogen peroxide were 0.01 mol dm–3 and 0.1 mol dm–3, respectively. The catalysts were characterized by powder X‐ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), AAS and ICP‐MS. Their catalytic performance was monitored in terms of phenol and total organic carbon (TOC) conversion, hydrogen peroxide decomposition, by‐product distribution and the degree of copper leached into the aqueous solution. The experimental results indicated that within 180 min, these catalysts facilitated almost complete elimination of phenol and a significant removal of chemical oxygen demand, without significant leaching of Cu ions from the zeolite. The Cu/ZSM5‐DHS3 catalyst with the highest copper loading was proven to be the best candidate. The useful fraction of hydrogen peroxide that contributed to the removal of the organic compounds quantified in terms of selectivity, S, indicated that the CWPO selectivity was always less than 100 %, which meant that there was some self‐degradation of oxidant. It was also shown that oxidation of phenol took place on the catalyst surface via a heterogeneous mechanism, and that the contribution of any homogeneous reaction mechanism was not significant.