bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Oncologist Assisted Spiritual Intervention Study (OASIS): Patient Acceptability and Initial Evidence of Effects
Authors: Kristeller Jean L. , Rhodes Mark , Cripe Larry D. , Sheets Virgil 
Published: March 2006

Purpose: Individuals with serious illness often desire to discuss spiritual concerns with their physician, yet substantial barriers exist to doing so, including limited evidence of value. This study evaluated acceptability, impact on satisfaction with care and on quality of life (QOL) of a brief (5–7 minute) semi-structured exploration of spiritual/religious concerns. Patients and Methods: 118 consecutive patients of four oncologist-hematologists (95% recruitment; 55.1% female, 91.5% Caucasian, 81.3% Christian) with mixed diagnoses, duration (51.7% diagnosed within 2 years) and prognosis (54.2% in active treatment) were alternately assigned to receive the intervention or usual care during an office visit. Assessment occurred just prior to the visit, immediately after, and after 3 weeks. Measures included the FACT-G QOL and FACIT-Sp (Spiritual Well-Being) Scales; BSI Depression Scale; the PCAS Interpersonal and Communication scales; and ratings of acceptability. Results: Oncologists rated themselves as comfortable during the inquiry with 85% of patients. Of patients, 76% felt the inquiry was “somewhat” to “very” useful. At 3 weeks, the intervention group had greater reductions in depressive symptoms ( F = 7.57, p < .01), more improvement in QOL ( F = 4.04, p < .05), and an improved sense of interpersonal caring from their physician ( F = 4.79, p < .05) relative to control patients. Effects on QOL remained after adjusting for other variables, including relationship to physician. Improvement on Functional Well-being was accounted for primarily by patients lower on baseline spiritual well-being (beta = .293, p < .001). Conclusions: This study supports the acceptability of a semi-structured inquiry into spiritual concerns related to coping with cancer; furthermore, the inquiry appears to have a positive impact on perception of care and well-being.
Family Attitudes toward Transgendered People in Turkey: Experience from a Secular Islamic Country
Authors: Polat Aslihan , Yuksel Sahika , Discigil Aysun Genc , Meteris Handan 
Published: March 2006

Objective: In Turkey, an individual with gender identity disorder is stigmatized and isolated from society. The family largely reflects and reinforces these negative views because gender crossing poses a threat to the normatively sanctioned gender classification. Methods: We examined the acceptance of gender identity differences by the families in 47 relatives of 39 transgendered individuals who applied to a psychiatry clinic for sex reassignment. Results: Half of the relatives who came to the interview were mothers. While 85.1% of the families considered themselves as secular muslims, 14.9% were very religious. They first noticed the gender identity disorder during puberty (70.2%) or prepuberty (17%). In 63.8% it was remarked that it was a shocking experience. One-third of them felt responsible for it. While 65.9% tried to change the situation by coercion, only 27.7% adopted a supportive attitude. The majority of families tried to conceal the situation from their immediate environment and one-third did not even inform their closest relatives. For half of relatives the mass media was their only source of information whereas one-third received information from doctors. Most of the families were satisfied with the treatment. Family members also reported that the conformity of the transgendered relative within the family improved. Of the family members, 40.4% accepted the transgendered identity and approved the sex reassignment surgery as a final step. Conclusion: Involvement of family members in the process of change for the transgendered individual is important for both the family as well as the individual concerned.
Studies on miscibility of dehydrated castor oil epoxy blend with poly(methyl methacrylate)
Authors: Ashraf S. M. , Ahmad Sharif , Riaz Ufana , Sharma H. O. 
Published: February 2006

AbstractOil epoxies can be used as plasticizers in the processing of hard polymers. For this purpose dehydrated castor oil epoxy (DCOE), a product from sustainable resource, has been chosen for blending with poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) to investigate the compatibility of this blend pair. Blends of DCOE/PMMA were prepared in the weight ratios 80/20, 60/40, 40/60, and 20/80 through solution method by mixing in dimethylsulphoxide. Free‐standing films of the blend were cast and the miscibility of the two components was investigated by viscosity and ultrasonic measurements, which provided valuable information on the degree of compatibility of the pairs of blends in solution. The compatibility was also examined by differential scanning calorimetry and scanning electron microscopy. All the studies revealed that DCOE was immiscible with PMMA. However, the appearance and texture of the films were not found to show any visible change over several months, which indicates stability of this blend system. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 100: 3094–3100, 2006
Dynamic modeling and experimental evaluation of olefin copolymerization with vanadium‐based catalysts
Authors: Pourhossaini Mohammad Reza , Vasheghani‐Farahani Ebrahim , Gholamian Maryam , Gholamian Mahmood 
Published: February 2006

AbstractIn this study, we developed a mathematical model for olefin copolymerization using soluble Ziegler–Natta catalysts in a semibatch reactor to predict the reaction rate and polymer characteristics (i.e., molecular weight, polydispersity, and ethylene content) as functions of the reaction parameters (i.e., time, temperature, pressure, concentrations, and so on) accurately. The proposed model differs from others because it considers the olefin copolymerization as a dynamic process and applies double moments for two reactants (ethylene and propylene) in the presence of hydrogen. To establish the model validity, the copolymerization was performed with VOCl3Al2Et3Cl3 systems with hydrogen as a molecular weight controlling agent. The dynamic model was able to reproduce the experimental data within experimental accuracy and accurately demonstrated the fundamental importance of the polymerization variables on the final properties of the polymer material in the copolymerization of ethylene and propylene with Al/V ratios of up to 28 before synthesis. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 100: 3101–3110, 2006
Structure and thermal behaviour of nylon 6 nanocomposites
Authors: Zhao Xiong‐Yan , Wang Ming‐Zhu 
Published: February 2006

AbstractIn this article, nylon 6/clay nanocomposites with 5 wt % clay (NCN5) were prepared by a twin screw extruder. The effects of annealing including solid‐state annealing (170 and 190°C) and melt‐state annealing (240°C) on the polymorphic behavior and thermal property of NCN5 and nylon 6 have been comparatively studied as a function of annealing time using modified differential scanning calorimetry (MDSC) and wide‐angle X‐ray diffraction. It was demonstrated that NCN5 and nylon 6 exhibit a similar polymorphic behavior when they were annealed at 190°C for different time durations. As the annealing temperature was elevated to 240°C, significant differences in thermal behavior and polymorphism between NCN5 and nylon 6 could be found. For example, the α crystal became the absolutely dominating crystalline phase for NCN5 sample independent on the annealing durations, whereas the formation of γ crystal is greatly enhanced in neat nylon 6 with increasing annealing time. Moreover, a small endothermic peak is observed around 180°C in both nylon 6 and NCN5 samples annealed at 170 and 190°C, which might be related to the melting of microcrystals formed in the amorphous regions during annealing. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 100: 3116–3122, 2006
Investigations on the formation of composites by injection molding of PA6 and different grafted polypropylenes and their blends
Authors: Nagel Jürgen , Scheidler Doreen , Hupfer Bernd , Bräuer Matthias , Pleul Dieter , Vogel Claus , Lehmann Dieter , Amesöder Simon 
Published: February 2006

AbstractBlends of different types of polypropylenes (PP) with polyamide 6 (PA6) were produced by extrusion. The PPs used were a PP homopolymer, a maleic anhydride‐grafted homopolymer, and an acrylic acid‐grafted homopolymer. The blends were characterized by DSC measurements, selective extraction, infrared spectroscopy, REM microscopy, melt rheology, and their mechanical properties. Three types of interactions in the blends as well as in two‐component composites mold by the core‐back process could be identified. Blends of PP with PA6 were not compatible, and two‐component bars could not be produced. Blends of PPgAA and PA6 were made compatible during reactive extrusion. Two‐component bars could be produced only with a blend containing 50 wt % PA6. The composite formation was based on the interdiffusion of PA6 in both components and the reactive compatibilization in the blends. Blends of PPgMAn were also compatibilized during reactive extrusion. The composite formation on two‐component injection molding was based on two mechanisms: the interdiffusion at sites, where PA6 chains of both the components came into contact, and an interfacial reaction, where PPgMAn and PA6 came into contact. The interfacial reaction was supported by the high mobility of the first component at the temperature of the melt of the second component. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 100: 2992–2999, 2006
Thermal degradation and biodegradability of poly (lactic acid)/corn starch biocomposites
Authors: Ohkita Tsutomu , Lee Seung‐Hwan 
Published: February 2006

AbstractThermal degradation and biodegradability of poly (lactic acid) (PLA) and poly (lactic acid)/corn starch (PLA/CS) composites with and without lysine diisocyanate (LDI) were evaluated by thermogravimetric analysis measurement and enzymatic degradation using Proteinase K and burial tests, respectively. Thermal stability was decreased by addition of CS and the composites with LDI showed higher thermal degradation temperature than those without LDI. In enzymatic biodegradation, the weight remaining of all samples decreased almost linearly with time. The addition of CS resulted in a faster rate of degradation and the composites with LDI were more difficult to degrade than those without it. In the composite without LDI, the degradation was faster at the interface between PLA and CS, showing deep and wide clearance, but degradation starting at the interface was not clearly observed in the composite with LDI. There was no considerable difference in molecular weight and distribution of the samples after enzymatic degradation. The lactic acid content of the water‐soluble product obtained after enzymatic degradation increased with degradation time. In burial tests, pure PLA was little degraded but the composites gradually degraded. The degradation of the composite without LDI was faster than that of the composite with LDI. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 100: 3009–3017, 2006
Study of rheological behavior of hydrophobically modified hydroxyethyl cellulose
Authors: Li Qin , Ye Lin , Cai Yi , Huang Ronghua 
Published: February 2006

AbstractHydrophobically modified hydroxyethyl cellulose (BD‐HAHEC) was synthesized by the macromolecular reaction of hydroxyethyl cellulose (HEC) with bromododecane (BD). Study of the effects of polymer concentration, shear rate, temperature, and electrolytes on the rheological behavior of BD‐HAHEC indicated that the polymers had high viscosity, excellent viscosity retention in brine water, good thermal stability, and surface activity. Furthermore, investigation of the micromorphology of BD‐HAHEC solutions revealed the close relationship of rheological behavior and a hydrophobically associating effect. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 100: 3346–3352, 2006
Water‐absorptive blend fibers of copoly(acrylic acid–acrylamide) and poly(vinyl alcohol)
Authors: Ding Yuanrong , Xiao Changfa , An Shulin , Jia Guangxia 
Published: February 2006

AbstractThrough the addition of N‐hydroxymethyl acrylamide as a potential crosslinker, water‐absorptive blend fibers of copoly(acrylic acid–acrylamide) and poly(vinyl alcohol) with three‐dimensional network structures were prepared with heat‐crosslinking technology after fiber formation. Fourier transform infrared, scanning electron microscopy, dynamic mechanical analysis, and thermogravimetry were used to analyze the structures and properties of the fibers. The tensile behavior and absorbent capacities of the fibers were also studied. The results showed that there were lots of chemical crosslinking points in the fibers, the compatibility of copoly(acrylic acid–acrylamide) and poly(vinyl alcohol) was perfect, and the tensile properties of the fibers could be improved effectively through stretching in a vapor bath. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 100: 3353–3357, 2006
Preparation and adsorption behavior for metal ions of cyclic polyamine derivative of chitosan
Authors: Yang Zhikuan , Shu Junlin , Zhang Lin , Wang Yuting 
Published: February 2006

AbstractThe new macrocyclic polyamine derivatives of chitosan were synthesized by reacting epoxy‐activated macrocyclic tetra‐amine with C6 hydroxyl or C2 amino group in chitosan. The obtained copolymers contain amino functional groups in its skeleton and secondary amines, and more polar hydroxyl groups. Elemental analysis, infrared spectra, and solid‐state 13C NMR analysis confirmed their structures. The adsorption behavior of the macrocyclic polyamine grafted chitosan for Ag+, Pb2+, Hg2+, and Cr3+ were investigated. The experimental results showed that the two novel derivatives of chitosan have high adsorption capacity and good selectivity for some metal ions. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 100: 3018–3023, 2006
Thermal degradation study of poly(1‐oxotrimethylene) in aqueous composite metal salt solutions
Authors: Morita Toru , Kato Jinichiro 
Published: February 2006

AbstractPoly(1‐oxotrimethylene) (ECO) was dissolved in an aqueous composite metal salt solution, and the ECO solution was heated at different temperatures and then used for wet spinning. Within a certain heating time, ECO fibers with a tenacity of 17.6 cN/dtex (2.3 GPa) or greater were successfully produced through hot drawing 16–17 times after drying. Over a certain heating time, however, the strength of the ECO fibers drastically decreased. A higher heating temperature shortened the heating time at which the drastic decrease in the maximum tenacity began. On the basis of ultraviolet measurements of the undrawn fibers, heating ECO in the aqueous composite metal salt solution promoted the thermal degradation of ECO because of aldol condensation or Paal–Knorr furan synthesis. The thermal degradation due to these intermolecular or intramolecular crosslinking reactions was resistant to the molecular orientation of ECO by the hot drawing of the undrawn fibers and reduced the strength of the ECO fibers by producing defects in the filament. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 100: 3358–3363, 2006
Modification of ethylene acrylic acid film for antimicrobial activity
Authors: Matche R. S. , Kulkarni Ganesh , Raj Baldev 
Published: February 2006

AbstractBenzoyl chloride is commonly used as a food preservative to control microbial contamination by reducing the growth rate and maximum growth population and extending the lag period of the target microorganisms. Benzoyl chloride was successfully incorporated into a matrix of an ethylene acrylic acid polymer. The reaction of benzoyl chloride with ethylene acrylic acid was confirmed by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. The antimicrobial activity of modified ionomer films was studied through the monitoring of the growth of Penicillium sp. and Aspergillus sp. on the modified films. An untreated film did not show any inhibition of microbial growth. The inhibition activity was least in an ionomer film treated with acid and benzoyl chloride, and this was followed by a film treated with alkali and benzoyl chloride. The maximum inhibition was observed in a film treated just with benzoyl chloride. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 100: 3063–3068 2006
High‐molecular‐weight polyacrylonitrile by atom transfer radical polymerization
Authors: Hou Chen , Qu Rongjun , Liu Junshen , Ying Liang , Wang Chengguo 
Published: February 2006

AbstractA single‐pot atom transfer radical polymerization was used for the first time to successfully synthesize polyacrylonitrile with a molecular weight higher than 80,000 and a narrow polydispersity as low as 1.18. This was achieved with CuBr/isophthalic acid as the catalyst, 2‐bromopropionitrile as the initiator, and N,N‐dimethylformamide as the solvent. The effects of the solvent on the polymerization of acrylonitrile were also investigated. The induction period was shorter in N,N‐dimethylformamide than in propylene carbonate and toluene, and the rate of the polymerization in N,N‐dimethylformamide was fastest. The molecular weight of polyacrylonitrile agreed reasonably well with the theoretical molecular weight in N,N‐dimethylformamide. When chlorine was used in either the initiator or the catalyst, the rate of polymerization showed a trend of decreasing, and the molecular weight deviated from the theoretical predication significantly. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 100: 3372–3376, 2006
Application of factorial experimental design to the study of the suspension polymerization of β‐cyclodextrin and epichlorohydrin
Authors: Romo Ana , Peñas Francisco Javier , Sevillano Xabier , Isasi José Ramón 
Published: February 2006

AbstractThe suspension polymerization of β‐cyclodextrin (β‐CD) with epichlorohydrin (EP) has been studied using a fractionated factorial design with two levels and six variables (β‐CD:EP molar ratio, NaOH concentration, temperature, stirring speed, delay time before paraffin addition, and β‐CD concentration). Different variables, such as the amount of β‐CD in the product, particle size, degree of swelling, and sorption capacity, have been analyzed as the responses for the synthesized polymers. The experimental design approach permitted to select the optimal conditions of synthesis depending on the desired features of the product. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 100: 3393–3402, 2006
Particle‐induced myeloperoxidase release in serially diluted whole blood quantifies the number and the phagocytic activity of blood neutrophils and opsonization capacity of plasma
Authors: Lilius Esa‐Matti Eino , Nuutila Jari Timo Juhani 
Published: February 2006

AbstractLuminol‐amplified chemiluminescence (CL) from phagocytes has previously been shown to be almost completely dependent on the release of myeloperoxidase (MPO) from azurophilic granules. We measured the luminol‐amplified chemiluminescence response (WBCL) by using serially diluted whole blood. In these experiments, non‐opsonized and serum‐opsonized zymosan (NWBCL and OWBCL, respectively) were used concurrently as phagocytosable particles. We found two whole‐blood dilution ranges with clinical significance: first, <0.04% of whole blood in the reaction volume, where MPO released by the zymosan‐activated leukocyte population came almost totally from neutrophils and the OWBCL response could be exploited as a measure of a neutrophil count in a given blood specimen, despite the pathophysiological state of the host. In contrast, the NWBCL response was two‐fold in blood samples from bacterial infection patients compared to those of controls and patients with viral infection, suggesting the use of NWBCL for the differential diagnosis of bacterial infections from viral infections; second, 0.16–1.2% of whole blood in the reaction volume, where the opsonization capacity of plasma (OC50) can be determined. We also found that at whole blood content >0.04%, erythrocytes quickly start to absorb chemiluminescence light, and that at whole blood content >1.2%, plasma proteins, most probably albumin and fibrinogen, start to inhibit MPO release. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Surface characterization of human serum albumin and sodium perfluorooctanoate mixed solutions by pendant drop tensiometry and circular dichroism
Authors: Messina Paula , Prieto Gerardo , Dodero Verónica , Cabrerizo‐Vílchez M. A. , Maldonado‐Valderrama J. , Ruso Juan M. , Sarmiento Félix 
Published: February 2006

AbstractThe interfacial behavior of mixed human serum albumin (HSA)/sodium perfluorooctanoate (C8FONa) solutions is examined by using two experimental techniques, pendant drop tensiometry and circular dichroism spectroscopy. Through the analysis of the surface tension of the mixed solutions, surface competitive adsorption at the air–water interface between C8FONa and HSA is detected. The dynamic adsorption curves exhibit the distinct regimes in their time‐dependent surface tension. The nature of these regimes is further analyzed in terms of the variation of the molecules surface areas. As a consequence, a compact and dense structure was formed where protein molecules were interconnected and overlapped. Thus, a reduction of the area occupied per molecule from 100 to 0.2 nm2 is interpreted as a gel‐like structure at the surface. The presence of the surfactant seems to favor the formation of this interfacial structure. Finally, measurements of circular dichroism suggests a compaction of the protein due to the association with the surfactant given by an increase of α‐helix structure in the complexes as compared to that of pure protein. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Biopolymers 82: 261–271, 2006This article was originally published online as an accepted preprint. The “Published Online” date corresponds to the preprint version. You can request a copy of the preprint by emailing the Biopolymers editorial office at biopolymers@wiley.com
Long-term follow-up of strictureplasty for Crohn's disease
Authors: Fearnhead N S , Chowdhury R , Box B , George B D , Jewell D P , Mortensen N J McC 
Published: February 2006

Abstract

Background
Strictureplasty is an effective means of alleviating obstructive Crohn's disease while conserving bowel length. The aim of this study was to establish long-term outcomes of strictureplasty.

Methods
Between 1978 and 2003, 479 strictureplasties were performed in 100 patients during 159 operations. Information on Crohn's disease, medical therapy, laboratory indices, surgical details, complication rates and outcomes was recorded. The primary endpoint was abdominal reoperation.

Results
Mean follow-up was 85·1 (range 0·2–240·9) months. The overall morbidity rate was 22·6 per cent, with septic complications in 11·3 per cent, obstruction in 4·4 per cent and gastrointestinal haemorrhage in 3·8 per cent. The 30-day mortality rate was 0·6 per cent and the procedure-related series mortality rate 3.0 per cent. Perioperative parenteral nutrition was the only marker for morbidity (P &lt; 0·001). Reoperation rates were 52 per cent at a mean of 40·2 (range 0·2–205·8) months after a first, 56 per cent at 26·1 (range 3·5–63·5) months after a second, 86 per cent at 27·4 (range 1·4–74·5) months after a third, and 62·5 per cent at 25·9 (range 7·3–70·5) months following a fourth strictureplasty procedure. The major risk factor for reoperation was young age (P &lt; 0·001).

Conclusion
Long-term follow-up has confirmed the safety of strictureplasty in Crohn's disease. Morbidity is appreciable, although the surgical mortality rate is low. Reoperation rates are comparable following first and repeat strictureplasty procedures.