bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Explicit finite element perfectly matched layer for transient three‐dimensional elastic waves
Authors: Basu Ushnish 
Published: July 2008

AbstractThe use of a perfectly matched layer (PML) model is an efficient approach toward the bounded‐domain modelling of wave propagation on unbounded domains. This paper formulates a three‐dimensional PML for elastic waves by building upon previous work by the author and implements it in a displacement‐based finite element setting. The novel contribution of this paper over the previous work is in making this finite element implementation suitable for explicit time integration, thus making it practicable for use in large‐scale three‐dimensional dynamic analyses. An efficient method of calculating the strain terms in the PML is developed in order to take advantage of the lack of the overhead of solving equations at each time step. The PML formulation is studied and validated first for a semi‐infinite bar and then for the classical soil–structure interaction problems of a square flexible footing on a (i) half‐space, (ii) layer on a half‐space and (iii) layer on a rigid base. Numerical results for these problems demonstrate that the PML models produce highly accurate results with small bounded domains and at low computational cost and that these models are long‐time stable, with critical time step sizes similar to those of corresponding fully elastic models. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
A TLM method for steady‐state convection–diffusion: Some additions and refinements
Authors: Kennedy Alan , O'Connor William J. 
Published: July 2008

AbstractA recent paper introduced a novel and efficient scheme, based on the transmission line modelling (TLM) method, for solving steady‐state convection–diffusion problems. This paper shows how this one‐dimensional scheme can be adapted to include reaction and source terms and how it can be implemented with non‐equidistant nodes. It introduces new ways of calculating the necessary model parameters which can improve the accuracy of the scheme, shows how steady‐state solutions can be obtained directly, and compares results with those from two finite difference (FD) methods. While the cost of implementation is higher than for the FD schemes, the new TLM scheme can be significantly more accurate, especially when convection dominates. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Reliability and validity of the Sexual Pressure Scale for Women‐Revised
Authors: Jones Rachel , Gulick Elsie 
Published: July 2008

AbstractSexual pressure among young urban women represents adherence to gender stereotypical expectations to engage in sex. Revision of the original five‐factor Sexual Pressure Scale was undertaken in two studies to improve reliabilities in two of the five factors. In Study 1 the reliability of the Sexual Pressure Scale for Women‐Revised (SPSW‐R) was tested, and principal components analysis was performed in a sample of 325 young, urban women. A parsimonious 18‐item, four‐factor model explained 61% of the variance. In Study 2 the theory underlying sexual pressure was supported by confirmatory factor analysis using structural equation modeling in a sample of 181 women. Reliabilities of the SPSW‐R total and subscales were very satisfactory, suggesting it may be used in intervention research. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Res Nurs Health 32:71–85, 2009
A novel depolymerization of nylons in ionic liquids
Authors: Kamimura Akio , Yamamoto Shigehiro 
Published: July 2008

AbstractTreatment of a polyamide such as Nylon‐6 in ionic liquids at 300°C resulted in the effective depolymerization to monomeric amides, which were readily isolated through direct distillation from the reaction pot. The ionic liquids were recycled and they still worked as good reaction media after being used five times. The present method provides a new usage of ionic liquids that will serve as a key material for realizing zero‐emission chemical recycling process of plastics. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Antibacterial effect of silver nanoparticles deposited on corona‐treated polyester and polyamide fabrics
Authors: Radetić Maja , Ilić Vesna , Vodnik Vesna , Dimitrijević Suzana , Jovančić Petar , Šaponjić Zoran , Nedeljković Jovan M. 
Published: July 2008

AbstractThe possibility of using a corona treatment (electrical discharge at atmospheric pressure) for fiber surface activation, which can facilitate the loading of silver nanoparticles (NPs) from colloids onto the polyester (PES) and polyamide (PA) fabrics and thus improve their antibacterial properties, was studied. Bactericidal efficiency and its laundering durability on silver‐loaded fabrics for Gram‐positive bacteriumStaphylococcus aureusand Gram‐negative bacteriumEscherichia coliwere evaluated. The fiber morphology after corona treatment and subsequent loading of silver NPs was followed by SEM. Corona‐treated fabrics loaded with silver NPs exhibited better antibacterial properties in comparison with untreated fabrics. In order to obtain acceptable laundering durability, it is necessary to use highly concentrated silver colloids. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Expression of G protein‐coupled receptor kinase 4 is associated with breast cancer tumourigenesis
Authors: Matsubayashi J , Takanashi M , Oikawa K , Fujita K , Tanaka M , Xu M , Blasi A De , Bouvier M , Kinoshita M , Kuroda M , Mukai K 
Published: July 2008

AbstractG‐protein‐coupled receptor kinases (GRKs) comprise a family of seven mammalian serine/threonine protein kinases that phosphorylate and regulate agonist‐bound, activated, G‐protein‐coupled receptors (GPCRs). GRKs and β‐arrestins are key participants in the canonical pathways leading to phosphorylation‐dependent GPCR desensitization, endocytosis, intracellular trafficking and resensitization. Here we show that GRK4 isoforms are expressed in human breast cancer but not in normal epithelia. In addition, GRK4‐over‐expressing cells activated the mitogen‐activated protein kinase (MAPK) mediated by ERK 1/2 and JNK phosphorylation in breast cancer‐derived cell lines. Furthermore, suppression of β‐arrestins decreased GRK4‐stimulated ERK 1/2 or JNK phosphorylations. These data indicate that high‐level expression of GRK4 may activate MAPK signalling pathways mediated by β‐arrestins in breast cancer cells, suggesting that GRK4 may be implicated in breast cancer carcinogenesis. Copyright © 2008 Pathological Society of Great Britain and Ireland. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
A prospective, randomized study comparing cefozopran with piperacillin–tazobactam plus ceftazidime as empirical therapy for febrile neutropenia in children with hematological disorders
Authors: Sato Tomonobu , Kobayashi Ryoji , Yasuda Kazue , Kaneda Makoto , Iguchi Akihiro , Kobayashi Kunihiko 
Published: July 2008

AbstractBackgroundThe aim of this randomized study was to evaluate the efficacy of cefozopran monotherapy and piperacillin–tazobactam plus ceftazidime (PIPC/TAZ + CAZ) combination therapy in pediatric neutropenic patients.ProcedureA total of 51 patients with 138 episodes of febrile neutropenia received antibiotic therapy. Of these episodes, 95 were considered eligible for the study. The episodes were treated randomly with either piperacillin–tazobactam (125 mg/kg/day) plus ceftazidime (100 mg/kg/day) or with cefozopran (100 mg/kg/day). Success was defined as resolution of fever and clinical signs of infection within 120 hr following initiation of antibiotic therapy. Duration of neutropenia did not differ statistically between the two groups, and resolution of fever in all cases without complication was seen before recovery from severe neutropenia.ResultsThe overall success rate was 61%. There was no statistically significant difference between the two groups: 53% for PIPC/TAZ + CAZ versus 69% for cefozopran (P = 0.122). Blood cultures were positive in eight episodes (8.4%), but there were not deaths as a result of infection.ConclusionBoth cefozopran and PIPC/TAZ + CAZ combination therapy are safe and well tolerated in pediatric neutropenic patients. Our results show that cefozopran is a good candidate for monotherapy for neutropenic fever. Pediatr Blood Cancer 2008;51:774–777. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Combined test + inhibin A at week 13 in contingent sequential testing: an interesting alternative for first‐trimester prenatal screening for Down Syndrome
Authors: Ramos‐Corpas D. J. , Santiago J. C. 
Published: July 2008

AbstractObjectiveTo analyze various possibilities of using dimeric inhibin A (DIA) as a first‐trimester marker, during week 13, for diverse sequential strategies together with the combined test (CT) [which uses pregnancy‐associated plasma protein A, free beta‐human chorionic gonadotrophin and nuchal translucency].MethodWe analyzed three sequential strategies (nondisclosure, stepwise and contingent) for measuring DIA in week 13. Multivariate Gaussian modelling was used to estimate second‐trimester, false‐positive and detection rates. Model parameters were taken from the Serum, Urine and Ultrasound Screening Study (SURUSS) assay.ResultsThe three sequential strategies provided high and comparable levels of effectiveness, with false‐positive rate for fixed detection rate of 85% and detection rate for fixed false‐positive rate of 5% values of about 91 and 2%, respectively. The contingent strategy (with two CT risk cutoffs, of 1 in 50 and 1 in 2000) produced a screening‐positive rate of 0.8% with CT, while only 23% of the women needed subsequent DIA measurement.ConclusionsFirst‐trimester sequential screening using CT together with DIA measurement in week 13 is capable of producing results that are comparable with those of the integrated test, with the additional advantage that the final result is obtained earlier. It is recommended that this strategy be evaluated in large‐scale prospective studies. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Acceptance of preimplantation genetic diagnosis for β‐thalassemia in Lebanese women with previously affected children
Authors: Farra Chantal , Nassar Anwar H. , Usta Ihab M. , Salameh Pascale , Souaid Mirna , Awwad Johnny 
Published: July 2008

AbstractObjectiveThe aim of the study was to assess the rate of acceptance of preimplantation genetic diagnosis (PGD) as an alternative to prenatal diagnosis in Lebanese women with previously affected children with homozygous β‐thalassemia.MethodsWomen with a previously affected child attending a nongovernmentally funded thalassemia care center between 1 June 2005 and 31 May 2007 were offered a genetic counseling session. This was followed by administering a questionnaire through direct interview.ResultsAll 97 women approached accepted to participate in the study (100% response rate). Sixty eight per cent of women considered PGD a better alternative to prenatal diagnosis. The most important perceived advantage of PGD was the avoidance of termination of an affected pregnancy.ConclusionsPGD is an acceptable alternative to conventional prenatal diagnosis in women at risk of conceiving a child affected with β‐thalassemia. This is particularly true in countries of the Middle‐East where therapeutic abortions for fetal indications are prohibited by the law and religion. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Properties of new nanocomposite triblock copolymer gels based on expandable graphite
Authors: Paglicawan Marissa A. , Kim Jin Kuk 
Published: July 2008

AbstractIn this work, we investigated the effect of expandable graphite (EG) on the property of triblock copolymer prepared from a poly(styrene‐b‐(ethylene‐co‐butylene)‐b‐styrene) (SEBS) imbibed with an EB‐compatible hydrocarbon oil. The rheological properties showed that at a temperature between 30 and 40°C below the gel point, the triblock copolymer gels had a dynamic storage modulus (G′) greater than loss modulus (G‵), thereby indicating that at ambient temperature, a physical network is still present in spite of the addition of nanoparticles. Dynamic rheological measurements of the resultant nanocomposite triblock copolymer gels confirmed that the addition of EG affects the linear viscoelastic properties and maximum operating temperature of the parent triblock copolymer gels. The mechanical properties showed only marginal increase, which can be attributed to the poor dispersion that leads to agglomeration of particle into micrometer size stacks, and thus the particles behave only as inorganic fillers. The morphology and X‐ray diffraction revealed that the EG used to generate nanocomposite triblock copolymer gels is dispersed generally within the swollen copolymer and/or solvent. POLYM. ENG. SCI., 2008. © 2008 Society of Plastics Engineers
Effect of molecular weight and end capping on poly(lactic‐co‐glycolic acid) ultrasound contrast agents
Authors: Eisenbrey J.R. , Burstein O. Mualem , Wheatley M.A. 
Published: July 2008

AbstractUltrasound contrast agents (CA) consist of stabilized gas bubbles that, when injected intravenously, provide an acoustic impedance mismatch, producing additional contrast to a diagnostic ultrasound scan. These agents must be smaller than 8 μm in order to pass safely through the capillaries, contain gas for an impedance mismatch and should be stable enough to survive the duration of the imaging session. A double emulsion technique has previously been optimized within our laboratory to create CA with 50:50 poly (lactic‐co‐glycolic acid) (PLGA). Although a great deal of research has focused on the effects of molecular weight and end capping on solid PLGA particles, very little has been done to examine the effects of these parameters on hollow CAs formed in a double emulsion. Non‐end capped PLGA was found to provide maximum enhancement at a molecular weight of 66.0 kDa, giving an ultrasound enhancement of roughly 18.5 dB. The enhancement demonstrated by CA formed using the end‐capped PLGA rose to a maximum enhancement of 19 dB at the highest commercially available molecular weight of 82.4 kDa. A strong correlation was seen between ultrasound enhancement, stability under ultrasonic conditions, surface morphology and zeta potential. This study shows the influence of polymer characteristics on the resulting properties of CA and the ability to tailor CAs to particular applications by varying the polymer choice. POLYM. ENG. SCI., 2008. © 2008 Society of Plastics Engineers
In situ reactive compatibilization of aramid/polystyrene blends using amine‐functionalized polystyrene
Authors: Shabbir Saima , Zulfiqar Sonia , Ahmad Zahoor , Sarwar Muhammad Ilyas 
Published: July 2008

AbstractHigh molecular weight aramid chains (Ar) were synthesized from aromatic diamine and diacid chloride. Amine functionality was introduced to polystyrene (PS) in two steps i.e., nitration followed by reduction producing amino functional polystyrene (APS) which serves as a reactive compatibilizer, being reactive with the Ar end‐groups. APS was characterized by FTIR, NMR spectral data, and exploited in the preparation of Ar/APS blends, and the effect of reactive compatibilization on blend morphology and interfacial adhesion was explored. Two blend systems Ar/PS and Ar/APS were investigated over a range of PS or APS ratios. To assess the effect of amine units incorporated in PS, on the compatibility with Ar; morphology, thermal, and mechanical properties were probed. Incorporation of reactivity into the system has resulted in significant refinement of the blend morphology and augmentation of thermal stability. The in situ generation of APS‐g‐Ar copolymers during solution mixing of APS and Ar was evaluated using spectroscopic analysis. In addition to stabilizing the microstructure, in situ compatibilization was found to alter the mechanical properties of the Ar/APS interface. Ar/APS blend containing 10 wt% APS was found to demonstrate optimum mechanical reinforcement as complemented by the optimal thermal and morphological profiles of 10 wt% Ar/APS blend. POLYM. ENG. SCI., 2008. © 2008 Society of Plastics Engineers
Dendrimer‐like miktoarm star terpolymers: A3‐(B‐C)3 via click reaction strategy
Authors: Altintas Ozcan , Demirel A. Levent , Hizal Gurkan , Tunca Umit 
Published: July 2008

AbstractTwo samples of dendrimer‐like miktoarm star terpolymers: (poly(tert‐butyl acrylate))3‐(polystyrene‐poly(ε‐caprolactone))3 (PtBA)3‐(PS‐PCL)3, and (PS)3‐(PtBA‐poly(ethylene glycol)3 were prepared using efficient Cu catalyzed Huisgen cycloaddition (click reaction). As a first step, azido‐terminated 3‐arm star polymers PtBA and PS as core (A) were synthesized by atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP) of tBA and St, respectively, followed by the conversion of bromide end group to azide. Secondly, PS‐PCL and PtBA‐PEG block copolymers with alkyne group at the junction as peripheral arms (B‐C) were obtained via multiple living polymerization mechanisms such as nitroxide mediated radical polymerization (NMP) of St, ring opening polymerization (ROP) of ε‐CL, ATRP of tBA. Thus obtained core and peripheral arms were linked via click reaction to give target (A)3‐(B‐C)3 dendrimer‐like miktoarm star terpolymers. (PtBA)3‐(PS‐PCL)3 and (PS)3‐(PEG‐PtBA)3 have been characterized by GPC, DSC, AFM, and SAXS measurements. (PtBA)3‐(PS‐PCL)3 did not show any self‐organization with annealing due to the miscibility of the peripheral arm segments. In contrast, the micro‐phase separation of the peripheral arm segments in (PS)3‐(PtBA‐PEG)3 resulted in self‐organized phase‐separated morphology with a long period of ∼ 13 nm. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 46: 5916–5928, 2008
Emulsion and controlled miniemulsion polymerization of the renewable monomer γ‐methyl‐α‐methylene‐γ‐butyrolactone
Authors: Qi Genggeng , Nolan Michael , Schork F. Joseph , Jones Christopher W. 
Published: July 2008

AbstractThe kinetics of free‐radical emulsion polymerization of γ‐methyl‐α‐methylene‐γ‐butyrolactone (MeMBL), a renewable monomer related to methyl methacrylate, are presented in detail for the first time, and stable polymer latices are prepared. The effects of different reaction parameters on free‐radical emulsion polymerization of MeMBL are presented. Homogeneous nucleation is asserted to be the dominant path for particle formation. Miniemulsion copolymerization of MeMBL and styrene is also reported. In this case, the homogeneous nucleation process appears limited when using an oil soluble initiator. Both the RAFT miniemulsion polymerizations and RAFT bulk polymerizations are well controlled and narrow polydispersity copolymers are produced. Rate retardation is observed in the RAFT miniemulsion polymerizations compared with the free‐radical polymerization and RAFT bulk polymerizations and the possible causes of the retardation are discussed. The reactivity ratios of MeMBL and styrene in RAFT bulk copolymerization are also determined. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 46: 5929–5944, 2008
Effect of Zn Powders on the Thermal Decomposition of Ammonium Perchlorate
Authors: Song Meirong , Chen Miao , Zhang Zhijun 
Published: July 2008

AbstractIn this paper, the catalytic effect of Zn nanopowders on thermal decomposition of ammonium perchlorate (AP) as well as those of Zn micropowders has been investigated using differential thermal analysis (DTA). The results show that both nanometer and micrometer Zn powders show similar excellent catalytic effect on the decomposition of AP, while the total heat releases of AP added by Zn nanopowders are generally higher than those of AP added by Zn micropowders. In addition, an attempt has been made to explain the observed results with the help of theoretical considerations and data generated during this work.
Isotope fractionation factors of N2O diffusion
Authors: Well Reinhard , Flessa Heinz 
Published: July 2008

AbstractIsotopic signatures of N2O are increasingly used to constrain the total global flux and the relative contribution of nitrification and denitrification to N2O emissions. Interpretation of isotopic signatures of soil‐emitted N2O can be complicated by the isotopic effects of gas diffusion. The aim of our study was to measure the isotopic fractionation factors of diffusion for the isotopologues of N2O and to estimate the potential effect of diffusive fractionation during N2O fluxes from soils using simple simulations. Diffusion experiments were conducted to monitor isotopic signatures of N2O in reservoirs that lost N2O by defined diffusive fluxes. Two different mathematical approaches were used to derive diffusive isotope fractionation factors for 18O (ε18O), average 15N (εbulk) and 15N of the central (α‐) and peripheral (β‐) position within the linear N2O molecule (ε15Nα, ε15Nβ). The measured ε18O was −7.79 ± 0.27‰ and thus higher than the theoretical value of −8.7‰. Conversely, the measured εbulk (−5.23 ± 0.27‰) was lower than the theoretical value (−4.4‰). The measured site‐specific 15N fractionation factors were not equal, giving a difference between ε15Nα and ε15Nβ (εSP) of 1.55 ± 0.28‰. Diffusive fluxes of the N2O isotopologues from the soil pore space to the atmosphere were simulated, showing that isotopic signatures of N2O source pools and emitted N2O can be substantially different during periods of non‐steady state fluxes. Our results show that diffusive isotope fractionation should be taken into account when interpreting natural abundance isotopic signatures of N2O fluxes from soils. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Simultaneous determination of cyclophosphamide, ifosfamide, doxorubicin, epirubicin and daunorubicin in human urine using high‐performance liquid chromatography/electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry: bioanalytical method validation
Authors: Sottani Cristina , Rinaldi Paola , Leoni Emanuela , Poggi Guido , Teragni Cristina , Delmonte Angelo , Minoia Claudio 
Published: July 2008

AbstractA reversed‐phase high‐performance liquid chromatography (rp‐HPLC) system interfaced with an electrospray ionization (ESI) source coupled to tandem mass spectrometry (MS/MS) was developed and validated for the determination of cyclophosphamide (CP), ifosfamide (IF), daunorubicin (DNR), doxorubicin (DXR), and epirubicin (EPI) in human urine. The analysis of samples containing multiple analytes with a dissimilar range of polarities was carried out using a conventional reversed‐phase chromatographic BDS Hypersil C8 column. The analytical run was 15 min. The triple quadrupole mass spectrometer was operated in positive ion mode and multiple reaction monitoring (MRM) was used for drug quantification. The method was validated over a concentration range of 0.2 to 4.0 µg · L−1for CP, IF, DXR, EPI and 0.15–2.0 µg · L−1for DNR in human urine. The lower limit of quantification (LLOQ) was 0.2 µg · L−1for CP, IF, EPI and was set at 0.3 and 0.15 µg · L−1for DXR and DNR, respectively. The relative standard deviations (RSD%) were <11.2% for inter‐ and intra‐day precisions. The overall accuracy was also within 114.7% for all analytes at the concentrations of the quality control samples. The potential of ionization suppression resulting from the endogenous biological material on the rp‐HPLC/MS/MS method was evaluated and measured. The feasibility of the proposed HPLC/ESI‐MS/MS procedure was demonstrated by analyzing urine samples from pharmacy technicians and nurses working in hospitals or personnel employed in drug‐manufacturing plants. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.