bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Blending of NR/BR/EPDM by reactive processing for tire sidewall applications. I. Preparation, cure characteristics and mechanical properties
Authors: Sahakaro Kannika , Naskar Nityananda , Datta Rabin N. , Noordermeer Jacques W. M. 
Published: November 2006

AbstractEPDM incorporated into blends of natural rubber/butadiene rubber (NR/BR) improves ozone resistance. In this work, the inferior mechanical properties of NR/BR/EPDM blends generally obtained by conventional straight mixing are overcome by utilizing a reactive processing technique. The entire amount of curatives, based on a commonly employed accelerator N‐cyclohexyl‐2‐benzothiazole sulfenamide (CBS) and sulfur, is first added into the EPDM phase. After a thermal pretreatment step tuned to the scorch time of the EPDM phase, the modified EPDM is mixed with premasticated NR/BR. The reactive blend vulcanizates show a significant improvement in tensile properties: tensile strength and elongation at break, as compared to those prepared by straight mixing, in both gum and carbon black‐filled blends. The increase of tensile properties in gum and filled reactive blend vulcanizates does suggest that the reactive processing technique leads to more homogeneous blends due to, either a better crosslink distribution, or more homogeneous filler distribution, or both. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 103:2538–2546, 2007
Blending of NR/BR/EPDM by reactive processing for tire sidewall applications. II. Characterization
Authors: Sahakaro Kannika , Talma Auke G. , Datta Rabin N. , Noordermeer Jacques W. M. 
Published: November 2006

AbstractCure incompatibility in NR/BR/EPDM blends is a crucial problem, affecting blend properties. In a previous study, it was demonstrated that the mechanical properties of such blends can be significantly improved by utilizing a reactive processing technique, in which a pretreated EPDM is first prepared by incorporating all compounding ingredients in the EPDM and subsequent preheating, prior to crossblending with premasticated NR/BR. In the present article, the pretreated EPDM‐moieties are prepared using two different accelerators, N‐cyclohexyl‐2‐benzothiazole sulfenamide (CBS) and 6‐nitro MBTS. The latter was synthesized and applied for the purpose of IR characterization. The infrared (IR) spectra of the pretreated, extracted EPDM demonstrate absorption peaks associated with the IR absorption of the functional groups in the accelerator fragments, attached to the EPDM. NR/BR/EPDM (35/35/30) ternary blends are prepared by reactive mixing of the pretreated EPDM with CBS fragments attached with premasticated NR/BR on a two‐roll mill. Their blend morphological features are studied using the atomic force microscopy (AFM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) microscopic techniques, in comparison with those of blends prepared by a conventional straight mixing method. Both the tapping mode AFM phase images and TEM micrographs clearly show that reactive mixing leads to more homogeneous blends. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 103:2547–2554, 2007
A unifying approach for melt rheology of linear polystyrene
Authors: Kim Sung Hun , Teymour Fouad , Debling Jon A. 
Published: November 2006

AbstractSeveral studies of melt rheological properties of polystyrene have been conducted over the past 50 years. Several approaches, including empirical models, have been developed to understand the behavior of materials using simple equations. The existing melt rheology models are best suited for high‐molecular‐weight polymers whose Tg does not vary. In this work, a semiempirical viscosity equation has been derived, including the effect of Tg dependence on molecular weight, to describe the melt rheology of low‐molecular‐weight polymers. The equation is derived based on a combination of well‐known concepts, such as the effects of free volume and molecular dynamics on polymer rheology. This provides a better understanding of the rheological behavior in the low‐molecular‐weight regime with respect to temperature and molecular weight. Because of the industrial trend towards lower molecular weight materials for applications such as high solids coatings, this unifying approach, based on the free volume theory with a simple expression, is of extreme practical significance. This equation can predict the zero shear viscosity behavior for different molecular weights, including low‐molecular‐weight regions, and temperatures. Viscosity calculations using the empirical equation agree with published experimental data. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 103: 2597–2607, 2007
Role of additive HCL in the radiation‐induced grafting copolymerization of acrylic acid and sodium styrene sulfonate to high‐density polyethylene
Authors: Zu Jianhua , Hu Zhiqiang , Liu Ruiqin , Zhang Jianqiu , Gu Jianzhong , Tong Long , Liu Xinwen 
Published: November 2006

AbstractAcrylic acid and sodium styrene sulfonate were grafted onto high‐density polyethylene (HDPE) membrane by preirradiation, and we prepared a cation exchange membrane with strong acid and weak acid groups. The HCl was used as an additive to change the pH of grafting system, and the effect of pH on grafting yield was studied. In simultaneous radiation method, the overall grafting yield (Gt) and grafting yield of SSS onto HDPE (Gs) increased with decreasing of pH. In preirradiation method, Gt and Gs first increased with decreasing of pH, and the highest grafting yield was observed at pH = 2.80, then decreased if we further reduced the pH of the grafting system. Viscosity of grafting system was changed owing to the change of the ionization degree of polyacrylic acid in the presence of HCl, so that diffuse rate of monomers into matrix was affected. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 103: 2622–2626, 2007
Adhesion properties and thermal degradation of silicone rubber
Authors: Kim Eung‐Soo , Kim Hun‐Sik , Jung Seong‐Hun , Yoon Jin‐San 
Published: November 2006

AbstractSilicone rubber is suitable for the thermal insulator of the rocket motors owing to its heat resisting properties as well as its excellent elasticity and restoring force. However, the adhesion properties of the silicone rubber should be improved greatly to be used as the thermal insulator because of its poor adhesiveness coming from the low surface tension. Functional groups were incorporated through copolymerization to the silicone rubber to induce chemical reaction with the functional groups in the propellant/liner components to enhance the adhesion properties. Peeling tests results disclosed that the incorporation of amine groups was the most efficient for the adhesiveness enhancement and that addition of carbon black improved the adhesiveness still more. Stability against thermal degradation of the silicone rubber was examined by measuring the activation energy through the thermogravimetric analysis. The results revealed that the compounding of the Cloisite® clays boosted up the thermal stability of the silicone rubber much more greatly than that of carbon black. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 103: 2782–2787, 2007
Preparation and optimization of 2,4‐D loaded cellulose derivatives microspheres by solvent evaporation technique
Authors: Bahri Z. El , Taverdet J.‐L. 
Published: November 2006

AbstractControlled release herbicide formulations were prepared by microencapsulation using solvent evaporation technique. 2,4‐D was chosen as core material, which was microencapsulated in two cellulose derivatives as matrices: cellulose acetate butyrate butyryl (CAB) and ethylcellulose (EC). The work is intended to produce systems containing the herbicide to reduce its risks by dermal contact, evaporation, or degradation and to control the release of the active agent. The microspheres loaded by 2,4‐D were characterized by scanning electron microscopy and infrared spectroscopy. We have obtained microparticles in the range of D32 of 42–277 μm with CAB and 88–744 μm with EC by varying the process parameters. The drug entrapment was improved by controlling certain factors such as polymer/solvent ratio, pH of continuous phase, and organic phase solvent. The drug release was established in deionized water at pH = 5.5 and 25°C and the 2,4‐D concentrations were estimated by UV analysis. The release data were analyzed according to Fick's law and the results demonstrate that the release rate can be controlled by modifying the process parameters. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 103: 2742–2751, 2007
The modern furies: projection and superego subversion in the moral justification of violence
Authors: Poulton James 
Published: November 2006

AbstractThe moral rationalization of violence and prejudice has long been viewed by psychoanalysis as resulting from a subversion of superego functioning. Yet, the specific mechanisms by which such subversions occur have remained obscure. In this paper, the intrapsychic and intersubjective dynamics of rationalizations of violence are explored as they arise in the dyadic interactions of a married couple in psychoanalytic psychotherapy. Those dynamics are then extrapolated to larger group processes (e.g. sects, races, nations, etc.), with the aim of developing a more complete understanding of the cycles of hatred and violence that can occur between them. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
SPARC, an upstream regulator of connective tissue growth factor in response to transforming growth factor β stimulation
Authors: Zhou X. D. , Xiong M. M. , Tan F. K. , Guo X. J. , Arnett F. C. 
Published: November 2006

AbstractObjectiveTo differentiate the effects of inhibition of specific small interfering RNA (siRNA) of SPARC (secreted protein, acidic and rich in cysteine) and siRNA of connective tissue growth factor (CTGF) in cultured human fibroblasts, and to identify potential interrelationships between SPARC and CTGF.MethodsFibroblasts from skin biopsy specimens of 2 normal individuals were transfected with siRNA of SPARC and siRNA of CTGF. The fibroblasts were stimulated with or without transforming growth factor β1 (TGFβ1) and examined by real‐time quantitative reverse transcription–polymerase chain reaction to determine the transcription levels of several extracellular matrix genes.ResultsAfter exogenous TGFβ1 stimulation, both SPARC siRNA and CTGF siRNA showed a protective role against overexpression of collagen genes. Following TGFβ1 stimulation, SPARC siRNA–transfected fibroblasts showed a greater reduction in expression of the collagen genes compared with CTGF siRNA–transfected fibroblasts, as well as a significantly decreased expression of CTGF (P < 0.05). Using linear structure equations to quantitatively model a genetic network based on expression levels of each gene, a positive regulatory role of SPARC on CTGF, COL1A2, COL3A1, COL11A1, and TIMP3 was observed. However, the regulatory role of CTGF on SPARC appeared to be negative and very small, while the positive regulatory effects of CTGF on COL1A2, COL3A1, COL11A1, and TIMP3 were less than those of SPARC.ConclusionThe results of this quantitative comparison support the hypothesis that in these cultured fibroblasts, the regulatory effects of SPARC on some major extracellular matrix structural components are greater than those of CTGF. In addition, SPARC appears to regulate CTGF in a predominantly positive manner, while CTGF may act as a negative feedback control on SPARC following TGFβ stimulation.
Jun activation domain–binding protein 1 binds Smad5 and inhibits bone morphogenetic protein signaling
Authors: Haag Jochen , Aigner Thomas 
Published: November 2006

AbstractObjectiveBone morphogenetic proteins (BMPs) play an important role in the development and the homeostasis and pathology of cartilage tissue, particularly in the differentiation and anabolic activity of chondrocytes. The present study was undertaken to identify binding partners of the Smad proteins, the intracellular mediators of BMP activity, which might actively modify BMP signaling in chondrocytes.MethodsYeast 2‐hybrid technology was used to screen a complementary DNA library, constructed from human adult articular cartilage, for molecular binding partners of Smad5, a major intracellular mediator of BMP signaling. Primary interaction partners were verified by coimmunoprecipitation, and the relevance of the interactions to BMP signaling was evaluated by transcriptional reporter assay. Additionally, messenger RNA expression analysis (conventional and quantitative polymerase chain reaction) and immunostaining were performed in adult normal and osteoarthritic articular cartilage.ResultsWe identified a novel Smad5 interactor, Jun activation domain–binding protein 1 (Jab1), expressed in adult cartilage. The interaction was confirmed in coimmunoprecipitation experiments. Overexpression of Jab1 resulted in an attenuation of BMP‐dependent transcriptional responses, suggesting that Jab1 acts as an inhibitor of BMP signaling.ConclusionJab1 is a newly identified intracellular (negative) modulator of BMP signaling in chondrocytes and other cells. Jab1 represents an interesting molecule for understanding anabolic signaling in chondrocytes, as well as a potential therapeutic target for anabolic activation. Most interestingly, Jab1 appears to crosslink the BMP and interleukin‐1 pathways.
Analysis of IRF5 gene functional polymorphisms in rheumatoid arthritis
Authors: Rueda Blanca , Reddy M. V. Prasad Linga , González‐Gay Miguel A. , Balsa Alejandro , Pascual‐Salcedo Dora , Petersson Ingemar F. , Eimon Alicia , Paira Sergio , Scherbarth Hugo R. , Pons‐Estel Bernardo A. , González‐Escribano Maria F. , Alarcón‐Riquelme Marta E. , Martín Javier 
Published: November 2006

AbstractObjectiveRecent findings suggest that interferon regulatory factor 5 (IRF‐5) may play a crucial role in several cellular processes, including the transcription of genes for inflammatory cytokines. Two genetic variants of the IRF5 gene (rs2004640 in exon 1 and rs2280714 in the 3′‐untranslated region) have been shown to exert functional modifications affecting IRF5 messenger RNA splicing and expression, and have been associated with genetic predisposition to systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). The aim of this study was to analyze the possible contribution of the IRF5 gene to the predisposition to rheumatoid arthritis (RA).MethodsThree case–control cohorts from Spain (724 RA patients and 542 healthy controls), Sweden (281 RA patients 474 healthy controls), and Argentina (284 RA patients and 286 healthy controls) were independently analyzed. Genotyping for IRF5 rs2004640 and rs2280714 was performed using a TaqMan 5′ allele‐discrimination assay.ResultsIn the 3 cohorts studied, no statistically significant differences in allele or genotype frequencies of the rs2004640 and rs2280714 IRF5 polymorphisms were observed between RA patients and controls. Accordingly, haplotype analysis revealed that none of the IRF5 haplotypes was associated with genetic predisposition to RA.ConclusionOur results suggest that the IRF5 functional polymorphisms analyzed do not seem to be implicated in genetic susceptibility to RA.
The impact of survey data: Measuring success
Authors: Hamilton Elizabeth C. 
Published: November 2006

AbstractLarge national social surveys are expensive to conduct and to process into usable data files. The purpose of this article is to assess the impact of these national data sets on research using bibliometric measures. Peer‐reviewed articles from research using numeric data files and documentation from the Canadian National Population Health Survey (NPHS) were searched in ISI's Web of Science and in Scopus for articles citing the original research. This article shows that articles using NPHS data files and products have been used by a diverse and global network of scholars, practitioners, methodologists, and policy makers. Shifts in electronic publishing and the emergence of new tools for citation analysis are changing the discovery process for published and unpublished work based on inputs to the research process. Evidence of use of large surveys throughout the knowledge transfer process can be critical in assessing grant and operating funding levels for research units, and in influencing design, methodology, and access channels in planning major surveys. The project has gathered citations from the peer‐reviewed article stage of knowledge transfer, providing valuable evidence on the use of the data files and methodologies of the survey and of limitations of the survey. Further work can be done to expand the scope of material cited and analyze the data to understand how the longitudinal aspect of the survey contributes to the value of the research output. Building a case for continued funding of national, longitudinal surveys is a challenge. As far as I am aware, however, little use has been made of citation tracking to assess the long‐term value of such surveys. Conducting citation analysis on research inputs (data file use and survey products) provides a tangible assessment of the value accrued from large‐scale (and expensive) national surveys.
Variable and broad iron lines around black holes
Authors: Schartel N. 
Published: November 2006

Abstract“Variable and Broad Iron Lines around Black Holes” was the topic of the first scientific workshop organized by the XMMNewton Science Operations Centre. This foreword gives a brief introduction to the history of black hole research, which motivated the workshop's scientific topic. The organizing committees are listed and the meeting is shortly outlined. (© 2006 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
A short introduction to broad and variable iron lines around black holes
Authors: Fabian A. C. 
Published: November 2006

AbstractAccreting black holes often show iron line emission in their X‐ray spectra. When this line emission is very broad or variable then it is likely to originate from close to the black hole. The theory and observations of such broad and variable iron lines are briefly reviewed here. In order for a clear broad line to be found, one or more of the following have to occur: high iron abundance, dense disk surface and minimal complex absorption. Several excellent examples are found from observations of Seyfert galaxies and Galactic Black Holes. In several cases there is strong evidence that the black hole is rapidly spinning. Further examples are expected as more long observations are made with XMM‐Newton, Chandra and Suzaku. Intriguing instances of rapid variability of some narrow iron lines, both emission and absorption, have been reported. These may reflect variations in the irradiation or motion of physical structures on the accretion disk. (© 2006 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Amplification and variability of the AGN X‐ray emission due to microlensing
Authors: Popović L. Č. , Jovanović P. , Petrović T. , Shalyapin V. N. 
Published: November 2006

AbstractWe consider the contribution of microlensing to the AGN Fe Kα line and X‐ray continuum amplification and variation. To investigate the variability of the line and X‐ray continuum, we studied the effects of microlensing on quasar X‐ray spectra produced by crossing of a microlensing pattern across a standard relativistic accretion disk. To describe the disk emission we used a ray tracing method considering both metrics, Schwarzschild and Kerr. We found that the Fe Kα and continuum may experience significant amplification by a microlensing event (even for microlenses of very small mass). Also, we investigate a contribution of microlensing to the X‐ray variability of high‐redshifted QSOs, finding that cosmologically distributed deflector may contribute significantly to the X‐ray variability of high‐redshifted QSOs (z > 2). (© 2006 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
On the excitation of the Fe Kα line in AGNs by the impact of beams of highly relativistic electrons on the disk
Authors: Gómez de Castro A. I. , Antonicci A. 
Published: November 2006

AbstractThe propagation of highly relativistic electron beams in dense matter induces a cascade of secondary particles that spreads in the environment redistributing efficiently the beam energy in the medium. Such a highly relativistic beams are expected to be produced in the magnetic reconnection events associated with the flaring activity of the magnetized accretion disks of the AGNs. This contribution presents a quantitative analysis of the possible role of these beams in the excitation of the Fe Kα line. (© 2006 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
A short review of relativistic iron lines from stellar‐mass black holes
Authors: Miller J. M. 
Published: November 2006

AbstractIn this contribution, I briefly review recent progress in detecting and measuring the properties of relativistic iron lines observed in stellar‐mass black hole systems, and the aspects of these lines that are most relevant to studies of similar lines in Seyfert‐1 AGN. In particular, the lines observed in stellar‐mass black holes are not complicated by complex low‐energy absorption or partial‐covering of the central engine, and strong lines are largely independent of the model used to fit the underlying broad‐band continuum flux. Indeed, relativistic iron lines are the most robust diagnostic of black hole spin that is presently available to observers, with specific advantages over the systematics–plagued disk continuum. If accretion onto stellar‐mass black holes simply scales with mass, then the widespread nature of lines in stellar‐mass black holes may indicate that lines should be common in Seyfert‐1 AGN, though perhaps harder to detect. (© 2006 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
The onset of General Relativity: gravitationally redshifted emission lines
Authors: Müller A. 
Published: November 2006

AbstractWe study and quantify gravitational redshift by means of relativistic ray tracing simulations of emission lines. The emitter model is based on thin, Keplerian rotating rings in the equatorial plane of a rotating black hole. Emission lines are characterised by a generalized fully relativistic Doppler factor or redshift associated with the line core. Two modes of gravitational redshift, shift and distortion, become stronger with the emitting region closer to the Kerr black hole. Shifts of the line cores reveal an effect at levels of 0.0015 to 60% at gravitational radii ranging from 105to 2. The corresponding Doppler factors range from 0.999985 to 0.4048. Line shape distortion by strong gravity, i.e. very skewed and asymmetric lines occur at radii smaller than roughly ten gravitational radii. Gravitational redshift decreases with distance to the black hole but remains finite due to the asymptotical flatness of black hole space–time. The onset of gravitational redshift can be tested observationally with sufficient spectral resolution. Assuming a resolving power of ∼100000, yielding a resolution of ≈0.1 Å for optical and near‐infrared broad emission lines, the gravitational redshift can be probed out to approximately 75000 gravitational radii. In general, gravitational redshift is an indicator of black hole mass and spin as well as for the inclination angle of the emitter, e.g. an accretion disk. We suggest to do multi‐wavelength observations because all redshifted features should point towards the same central mass. (© 2006 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)