bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Living cationic polymerization of vinyl ethers in the presence of a strong base: Poisonous or helpful?
Authors: Yonezumi Motomasa , Takano Nanako , Kanaoka Shokyoku , Aoshima Sadahito 
Published: September 2008

AbstractA quite small dose of a poisonous species was found to induce living cationic polymerization of isobutyl vinyl ether (IBVE) in toluene at 0 °C. In the presence of a small amount of N,N‐dimethylacetamide, living cationic polymerization of IBVE was achieved using SnCl4, producing a low polydispersity polymer (weight–average molecular weight/number–average molecular weight (Mw/Mn) ≤ 1.1), whereas the polymerization was terminated at its higher concentration. In addition, amine derivatives (common terminators) as stronger bases allow living polymerization when a catalytic quantity was used. On the other hand, EtAlCl2 produced polymers with comparatively broad MWDs (Mw/Mn ∼ 2), although the polymerization was slightly retarded. The systems with a strong base required much less quantity of bases than weak base systems such as ethers or esters for living polymerization. The strong base system exhibited Lewis acid preference: living polymerization proceeded only with SnCl4, TiCl4, or ZnCl2, whereas a range of Lewis acids are effective for achieving living polymerization in the conventional weak base system such as an ester and an ether. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 46: 6746–6753, 2008
Preparation of star block copolymers with polystyrene‐block‐poly(ethylene oxide) as side chains on hyperbranched polyglycerol core by combination of ATRP with atom transfer nitroxide radical coupling reaction
Authors: Liu Chao , Pan Mugang , Zhang Yi , Huang Junlian 
Published: September 2008

AbstractThe star block copolymers with polystyrene‐block‐poly(ethylene oxide) (PS‐b‐PEO) as side chains and hyperbranched polyglycerol (HPG) as core were synthesized by combination of atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP) with the “atom transfer nitroxide radical coupling” (“ATNRC”) reaction. The multiarm PS with bromide end groups originated from the HPG core (HPG‐g‐(PS‐Br)n) was synthesized by ATRP first, and the heterofunctional PEO with α‐2,2,6,6‐tetramethylpiperidinyl‐1‐oxy group and ω‐hydroxyl group (TEMPO‐PEO) was prepared by anionic polymerization separately using 4‐hydroxyl‐2,2,6,6‐tetramethylpiperidinyl‐1‐oxy (HTEMPO) as parents compound. Then ATNRC reaction was conducted between the TEMPO groups in PEO and bromide groups in HPG‐g‐(PS‐Br)n in the presence of CuBr and pentamethyldiethylenetriamine (PMDETA). The obtained star block copolymers and intermediates were characterized by gel permeation chromatography, nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy, fourier transform‐infrared in detail. Those results showed that the efficiency of ATNRC in the preparation of multiarm star polymers was satisfactory (>90%) even if the density of coupling cites on HPG was high. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 46: 6754–6761, 2008
A comparative analysis of SET‐LRP of MA in solvents mediating different degrees of disproportionation of Cu(I)Br
Authors: Lligadas Gerard , Percec Virgil 
Published: September 2008

AbstractCu(I)Br/Me6‐TREN species are unstable and disproportionate into metallic Cu(0) and Cu(II)Br2/Me6‐TREN in DMSO, whereas in toluene are stable and do not undergo disproportionation, at least at 25 °C. To estimate the role of the disproportionating solvent in single electron‐transfer living radical polymerization (SET‐LRP) a comparative analysis of Cu(0)/Me6‐TREN‐catalyzed polymerization of MA initiated with methyl 2‐bromopropionate at 25 °C was performed in DMSO and toluene. A combination of kinetic experiments and chain end analysis by 500‐MHz1H NMR spectroscopy was used to demonstrate that disproportionation represents the crucial requirement for a successful SET‐LRP of MA at 25 °C. In DMSO a perfect SET‐LRP occurs and yields close to 100% conversion in 45 min. A first order polymerization in growing species up to 100% conversion and a PMA with perfectly functional chain ends are obtained. However, in toluene within 17 h only about 60% conversion is obtained, the polymerization does not show first order in growing species and therefore is not a living polymerization. Moreover, at 60% conversion the resulting PMA has only 80% active chain ends. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 46: 6880–6895, 2008
Screening for distress can predict loss of follow‐up and treatment in cancer patients: results of development and validation of the Distress Inventory for Cancer Version 2
Authors: Thomas B. C. , Thomas I. , Nandamohan V. , Nair M. K. , Pandey M. 
Published: September 2008

AbstractIntroduction: The evidence suggests that in most instances distress from cancer goes unrecognised. There has been substantial work in screening for distress leading to development in practice guidelines recommending screening for distress. There is a need to identify distress early in the continuum, where suitable and timely interventions will benefit the patient. The Distress Inventory for Cancer (DIC) was designed for this.Methods: The present study reports the improved psychometric properties of the second version of the DIC (DIC 2). A standardisation sample of 520 patients was administered the 73‐item draft questionnaire as well as the Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy—General (FACT‐G). Additional 240 patients were administered Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) besides the final DIC 2 and FACT‐G. Internal consistency was measured with the Cronbach's alpha. Chi‐square, odds ratio, and binary logistic regression were used to compare the results of three tools and to establish validity.Results: A principal factor analysis of the 73‐item draft questionnaire with varimax rotation in a six‐factor structure resulted in 33 items. Activity of daily living emerged as a single item domain. The FACT‐G scores negatively correlated with DIC 2 scores, while emotional distress of DIC 2 overlapped with anxiety in HADS. DIC 2 significantly predicted patient non‐compliance to treatment and follow‐up.Conclusion: The results show a suitable internal consistency, construct, and convergent/divergent validity of the global distress measure (DIC 2). The DIC 2 also demonstrates a predictive function for future negative clinical behaviour, the knowledge of which may facilitate better intervention triage. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Optimal nonlinear objective analysis
Authors: Lorenc Andrew C. 
Published: September 2008

AbstractSome practical problems in objective analysis for numerical weather prediction are best solved by using nonlinear analysis equations. They include the existence of nonlinear prior constraints on the analysis, and the use of observations which are nonlinearly related to the analysis parameters, or which have non‐Gaussian error distributions. Bayesian methods are used to derive equations for the optimal (maximum likelihood) nonlinear analysis. It is shown how to incorporate a strong constraint that the four‐dimensional evolution of the analysis should be consistent with a NWP model, by reduction of the control variable to the space‐dimensioned initial field for the model. The iterative solution of the nonlinear analysis equation then involves the integration of the NWP model, and its adjoint.The behaviour of the nonlinear equations is demonstrated with a simple one‐dimensional shallow‐water model. It is shown that time‐tendency information, and indirect observations such as wind speed, or the movement of a tracer, can be used in the analysis. The resulting forecasts are better than those made from an analysis from a traditional analysis‐forecast cycle. The nonlinear method is shown to be capable of ‘moving’ a discontinuity similar to a front, to fit observations defining its position, thus giving an analysis with more detail than would be expected from the spatial resolution of the observations. The incorporation of additional nonlinear constraints, such as that used in initialization, is demonstrated. The method can be used to effectively reject observations with gross errors, by specifying a non‐Gaussian error distribution. However, this generates multiple minima which complicate the search for the best analysis, so the complex decision‐taking algorithms associated with other methods of quality control are not avoided.The convergence properties of iterative methods of solution, and approximations to the ideal equations, are studied, in order to provide some indication as to whether the nonlinear effects might be allowed for in a practical analysis scheme.
Semiparametric Bayesian modeling of random genetic effects in family‐based association studies
Authors: Zhang Li , Mukherjee Bhramar , Hu Bo , Moreno Victor , Cooney Kathleen A. 
Published: September 2008

AbstractWe consider the inference problem of estimating covariate and genetic effects in a family‐based case‐control study where families are ascertained on the basis of the number of cases within the family. However, our interest lies not only in estimating the fixed covariate effects but also in estimating the random effects parameters that account for varying correlations among family members. These random effects parameters, though weakly identifiable in a strict theoretical sense, are often hard to estimate due to the small number of observations per family. A hierarchical Bayesian paradigm is a very natural route in this context with multiple advantages compared with a classical mixed effects estimation strategy based on the integrated likelihood. We propose a fully flexible Bayesian approach allowing nonparametric modeling of the random effects distribution using a Dirichlet process prior and provide estimation of both fixed effect and random effects parameters using a Markov chain Monte Carlo numerical integration scheme. The nonparametric Bayesian approach not only provides inference that is less sensitive to parametric specification of the random effects distribution but also allows possible uncertainty around a specific genetic correlation structure. The Bayesian approach has certain computational advantages over its mixed‐model counterparts. Data from the Prostate Cancer Genetics Project, a family‐based study at the University of Michigan Comprehensive Cancer Center including families having one or more members with prostate cancer, are used to illustrate the proposed methods. A small‐scale simulation study is carried out to compare the proposed nonparametric Bayes methodology with a parametric Bayesian alternative. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
When work strain transcends psychological boundaries: an inquiry into the relationship between time pressure, irritation, work–family conflict and psychosomatic complaints
Authors: Höge Thomas 
Published: September 2008

AbstractAgainst the theoretical background of the effort–recovery model and the action regulation theory, the author presents a cross‐sectional questionnaire study testing hypotheses about the relationship between work‐related time pressure, cognitive and emotional irritation, work–family conflict and psychosomatic complaints. Subjects were 576 female home care nurses. Results of a path analysis show that the relation of time pressure and psychosomatic complaints is partially mediated by experiencing a work–family conflict; also the relation of time pressure and work–family conflict is partially mediated by cognitive and emotional irritation. It is argued that cognitive and emotional irritation are fruitful concepts for a more comprehensive understanding of the relationship between work stressors and the development of strain‐based work–family conflict. Implications for the prevention of work–family conflict are outlined. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Relationships between self‐efficacy, social support and stress coping strategies in Chinese primary and secondary school teachers
Authors: Shen Yan E. 
Published: September 2008

AbstractThis study explored whether stress coping strategies could be predicted by general self‐efficacy and social support. Primary and secondary teachers (n = 530) completed measures of coping strategies, general self‐efficacy and social support. The results showed that teachers' general self‐efficacy and social support had direct and indirect predictive effects on different coping strategies, and they have more significant predictive effects on certain types of coping strategies. Teachers with higher general self‐efficacy and social support tended to adopt adaptive coping strategies or emotion‐oriented coping strategies. The study suggested that social support and self‐efficacy should be important factors to be considered when designing a prevention or intervention programme in the guidance of teachers' coping strategies and psychological counselling. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Role of clinical and ultrasound findings in the diagnosis of retained products of conception
Authors: Abbasi S. , Jamal A. , Eslamian L. , Marsousi V. 
Published: September 2008

AbstractObjectiveTo assess the role of clinical and ultrasound findings as predictors of retained products of conception (RPOC) in women with a suspicion of incomplete miscarriage.MethodsThis was a retrospective study of 91 patients admitted for suspected RPOC after spontaneous first‐trimester miscarriage who were evacuated surgically, and for whom histopathological reports were available. All the women underwent transvaginal sonography after their miscarriage. The decision to evacuate the uterus was based on vaginal bleeding, lower abdominal pain and/or sonographic findings of hyperechoic material or endometrial thickness more than 8 mm. Maternal age, gestational age, clinical signs and symptoms and sonographic findings were recorded. Clinical and sonographic findings were compared with the histopathological reports and the sensitivity and specificity of vaginal bleeding, abdominal pain and sonographic appearance of the endometrium for detecting the products of conception were assessed.ResultsHistopathological analysis confirmed the presence of chorionic villi in 55 women (60%) and decidua in 36 (40%). Vaginal bleeding was more frequent in women with RPOC (P < 0.001), whilst lower abdominal pain was a more frequent symptom in those with decidua (P = 0.019). The ultrasound finding of hyperechoic material had a sensitivity of 78%, specificity of 100% and positive and negative predictive values of 100% and 75%, respectively, in predicting RPOC. Vaginal bleeding as a predictor of RPOC had a sensitivity of 93%, specificity of 50%, and positive and negative predictive values of 74% and 82%, respectively. The combination of hyperechoic material and/or vaginal bleeding increased the sensitivity to 98% and negative predictive value to 95%. There was no significant difference in endometrial thickness between the two groups.ConclusionThe ultrasound finding of hyperechoic material is the best predictor for diagnosing RPOC. In the absence of hyperechoic material and vaginal bleeding, RPOC are extremely unlikely. Copyright © 2008 ISUOG. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Microdetermination of the major individual isothiocyanates and oxazolidinethione in rapeseed
Authors: Youngs C. G. , Wetter L. R. 
Published: September 2008

AbstractA method has been developed for the quantitative determination of the major individual thioglucosides (as their aglycones) in rapeseed on a micro scale. The thioglucosides in the meal were hydrolyzed with myrosinase (B.C. 3.2.3.1, thioglucoside glucohydrolase), and the released aglycones were extracted with methylene chloride. The 3‐butenyl and 4‐pentenyl isothiocyanates were determined by gas‐liquid chromatography. The 5‐vinyl‐2‐oxazolidinethione was determined on an aliquot of the same extract by ultraviolet absorption.Five to 20 milligrams of seed or meal were used, and one operator could analyze 24 samples per day. The standard deviation was ŷ3% for the isothiocyanates and ŷ6% for the oxazolidinethione. The limit of detection was 0.1 mg per gram of meal for the isothiocyanates and 0.3 mg per gram of meal for the oxazolidinethione. Small amounts of phenylethyl isothiocyanate and two unidentified isothiocyanates were also found.
Oil content, fatty acid composition, and other agronomic characteristics of sunflower introductions
Authors: Cummins D. G. , Marion J. E. , Craigmiles J. P. , Burns R. E. 
Published: September 2008

AbstractTwenty sunflower(Helianthus annuus L.) introductions and the variety Mammoth Kussian were grown at Experiment, Georgia. Total oil, fatty acid composition, and other agronomic characteristics were used to evaluate the various introductions. Total oil content varied from 17.7 to 32.7%. All introductions were relatively low in palmitic, stearic, linolenic, and behenic acids. About 90% of the oil was composed of oleic and linoleic acids, and there was considerable variation in the ratios of these two fatty acids. Seed yields varied from 329 to 3,224 lb per acre and were related to the number and size of flowers. The more profusely flowering and higher yielding introductions originated in countries of lower latitudes.
Assessment of the Content and Process of Genetic Counseling: A Critical Review of Empirical Studies
Authors: Meiser Bettina , Irle Jennifer , Lobb Elizabeth , Barlow‐Stewart Kristine 
Published: September 2008

AbstractThis article reviews studies that assessed the process and content of genetic counseling communication. A systematic search of the literature was undertaken of studies that audio‐ or videotaped genetic counseling sessions conducted by genetics health care providers and subjected them to communication analyses. A total of 18 studies (published in 34 articles) were identified that met the eligibility criteria. Studies show that providers speak more than clients, that a large proportion of communication is biomedical rather than psychosocial and that the teaching model of genetic counseling is widely implemented. Higher levels of counselor facilitation of understanding and empathic responses, lower levels of verbal dominance (ratio of counselor to client talk) and the provision of a summary letter of the consultation are associated with more positive client outcomes. Findings from these studies should be used as an evidence base for teaching and continuing education of genetic counseling providers.
Studies of Membrane Topology of Mitochondrial Cholesterol Hydroxylases CYPs 27A1 and 11A1
Authors: Pikuleva Irina A. , Mast Natalia , Liao Wei‐Li , Turko Illarion V. 
Published: September 2008

AbstractMitochondrial cytochrome P450 enzymes (CYP or P450, EC 1.14.13.15) play an important role in metabolism of cholesterol. CYP27A1 hydroxylates cholesterol at position 27 and, thus, initiates cholesterol removal from many extrahepatic tissues. CYP11A1 is a steroidogenic P450 that converts cholesterol to pregnenolone, the first step in the biosynthesis of all steroid hormones. We utilized a new approach to study membrane topology of CYPs 27A1 and 11A1. This approach involves heterologous expression of membrane‐bound P450 in E. coli, isolation of the P450‐containing E. coli membranes, treatment of the membranes with protease, removal of the digested soluble portion and extraction of the membrane‐associated peptides, which are then identified by mass spectrometry. By using this approach, we found four membrane‐interacting peptides in CYP27A1, and two peptides in CYP11A1. Peptides in CYP27A1 represent a contiguous portion of the polypeptide chain (residues 210–251) corresponding to the putative F‐G loop and adjacent portions of the F and G helices. Peptides in CYP11A1 are from the putative F‐G loop (residues 218–225) and the C‐terminal portion of the G helix (residues 238–250). This data is consistent with those obtained previously by us and others and provide new information about the membrane topology of CYPs 27A1 and 11A1.
Investigation of the Parameters Affecting the Cetane Number of Biodiesel
Authors: Wadumesthrige Kapila , Smith Jeremiah C. , Wilson John R. , Salley Steven O. , Ng K. Y. Simon 
Published: September 2008

AbstractThe cetane number is the most significant property for measuring the ignition quality of fuels for compression ignition diesel engines. In this study, the derived cetane number (DCN) of several types of biodiesel, biodiesel components and ultra‐low sulfur diesel (ULSD) was determined using an Ignition Quality Tester (IQT™). The chemical structure of FAME leads to a higher cetane number of biodiesel compared to ULSD. The contribution to DCN from minor components present in biodiesel is not significant. Oxidation of biodiesel samples results in higher DCN values while depending on the conditions of oxidation. A greater than 25% increase was observed when oxidation was carried out in a way to retain volatile oxidative products such as carboxylic acids and aldehydes. Accelerated oxidation of cotton seed oil (CSO) biodiesel at 110 °C and 10 L/min air flow rate after 210 min resulted in a loss of 14% of the FAME content, of which 10% can be attributed to the oxidation of methyl linoleate (C18:2), whereas oxidation of soy bean oil (SBO) biodiesel resulted in a loss of 21% total FAME after 210 min. A significant amount of methyl linolenate (C18:3) remained un‐reacted after 210 min of oxidation. Ambient oxidation of distilled biodiesel samples resulted in a very high cetane number. Oxidative products such as aldehydes, hydroperoxides and oligomers of FAME are probably responsible for this higher DCN. This study enhances the understanding of the effect of composition on the cetane number of biodiesel as well as the effect of oxidative aging on both biodiesel composition and the resultant DCN.
A study testing the usefulness of a dish-based food-frequency questionnaire developed for epidemiological studies in Korea
Authors: Kim Young Ok , Kim Mi Kyung , Lee Sang-Ah , Yoon Young Mi , Sasaki Satoshi 
Published: September 2008

The purpose of the present study was to test the usefulness of dish items selected in developing a dish-based FFQ (DFFQ) to be used for epidemiological studies in Korea. The dietary data of 6817 subjects from the 2001 Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey were used for the analysis. The 24 h recall method was employed for the dietary survey. Initially, ninety-five dish items were selected in developing the DFFQ based on consumption frequency, contribution of selected nutrients and coverage of between-person variations. The usefulness of the selected ninety-five dish items was tested based on their degree of contribution in supplying nutrients in the cumulative percentage contribution (cPC), as well as on their degree of explanation for between-person variation in the cumulative regression coefficient (cMRC). According to the results, the ninety-five selected dish items accounted for an average of 92·3 % of seventeen nutrients consumed by the study subjects based on cPC estimation. The top twenty items among the ninety-five dish items covered 70 to 91 % of the between-person variation for the seventeen nutrients based on cMRC estimation. Thus, the results suggest that the ninety-five items would be useful in developing a FFQ for use in epidemiological studies of Koreans, within less than 10 % underestimation.
The Polish Writing Profession: 1944–56
Authors: Tighe Carl 
Published: September 2008

Citizens of the Polish People's Republic have a right to enjoy cultural achievements and to participate creatively in the development of their national culture …. The Polish People's Republic is concerned for the all-round development of scholarship, literature, and the arts, and surrounds with particular care the creative intelligentsia and those engaged in scientific, educational, literary and artistic work.The Constitution of the Polish People's Republic, 1952.