bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Isothermal crystallization kinetics of polypropylene/POSS composites
Authors: Zhou Zhiyong , Cui Limei , Zhang Yong , Zhang Yinxi , Yin Nianwei 
Published: July 2008

AbstractPolypropylene (PP)/octavinyl polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxane (POSS) composites were prepared by two different processing methods: reactive blending and physical blending, and the crystallization behavior of PP and PP/POSS composites was studied by means of differential scanning calorimetry and polarized optical microscope. The results showed that the crystallization of PP in PP/POSS composites was strongly influenced by the different processing methods. POSS particles can act as effective nucleating agent, accelerating the crystallization of PP. The crystallization rate increased more dramatically for the reactive blending composite due to the stronger nucleating effect of PP grafted POSS. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part B: Polym Phys 46: 1762–1772, 2008
Evaluation of ammonium terminated PMMA as compatibilizers for monomer casting polyamide6/clay nanocomposites
Authors: Wu Tongfei , Liu Andong , Xie Tingxiu , Yang Guisheng 
Published: July 2008

AbstractThe compatibilization effects provided by ammonium terminated PMMA(PMMA‐t‐NH3+) on monomer casting polyamide6 (MCPA6)/clay(pristine sodium montmorillonite) nanocomposites were studied in this article. PMMA‐t‐NH3+ used in this study was prepared by radical polymerization using 2‐aminoethanethiol hydrochloride as chain transfer agent. MCPA6/clay/PMMA‐t‐NH3+ nanocomposites were prepared by in situ anionic ring‐opening polymerization of ε‐caprolactam. X‐ray diffraction and transmission electron microscopy plus rheological measurement were used to characterize those nanocomposites. The results indicated that PMMA‐t‐NH3+ would be a good compatibilizer for this system. With PMMA‐t‐NH3+ content increasing, a better dispersion of clay was successfully achieved in the MCPA6 matrix. Furthermore, analysis using differential scanning calorimetry indicated that well dispersed clay layers limited the mobility of the MCPA6 molecule chains to crystallize, reduce the crystalline degree, and favor the formation of the γ‐crystalline form of the MCPA6 matrix. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part B: Polym Phys 46: 1802–1810, 2008
Lectures on scattering amplitudes via AdS/CFT
Authors: Alday L.F. 
Published: July 2008

AbstractWe review recent progress on computing scattering amplitudes of planar 𝒩 = 4 super Yang‐Mills at strong coupling by using the AdS/CFT duality. We consider in detail the scattering of four gluons and do explicit computations by using both, dimensional regularization and a cut‐off in the radial direction. The later scheme is particularly appropriate for understanding the conformal properties of the amplitudes.
Non‐unimodular reductions and N = 4 gauged supergravities
Authors: Petropoulos P.M. 
Published: July 2008

AbstractWe analyze the class of four‐dimensional N = 4 supergravities obtained by gauging the axionic shift and axionic rescaling symmetries. These theories are formulated with the machinery of embedding tensors and shown to be deducible from higher dimensions using a Scherk–Schwarz reduction with a twist by a non‐compact symmetry. This allows to evade the usual unimodularity requirement and completes the dictionary between heterotic gaugings and fluxes, at least for the “geometric sector”.
A and B branes from N = 2 superspace
Authors: Sevrin A. , Staessens W. , Wijns A. 
Published: July 2008

AbstractWe present a manifestly supersymmetric description of A and B branes on Kähler manifolds using a completely local N = 2 superspace formulation of the world‐sheet nonlinear σ‐model in the presence of a boundary. In particular, we show that an N = 2 superspace description of type A boundaries is possible. This leads to a concrete realization of the still poorly understood coisotropic A branes. We also discuss briefly how the superspace description of a B brane provides an efficient way to compute higher loop β‐functions. In particular, we sketch how one obtains the fourth order derivative correction to the Born‐Infeld action by using a β‐function method.
Attractors in black
Authors: Bellucci S. , Ferrara S. , Marrani A. 
Published: July 2008

AbstractWe review recent results in the study of attractor horizon geometries (with non‐vanishing Bekenstein‐Hawking entropy) of dyonic extremal d = 4 black holes in supergravity. We focus on 𝒩 = 2, d = 4 ungauged supergravity coupled to a number nVof Abelian vector multiplets, outlining the fundamentals of the special Kähler geometry of the vector multiplets' scalar manifold (of complex dimension nV), and studying the${1 \over 2}$‐BPS attractors, as well as the non‐BPS (non‐supersymmetric) ones with non‐vanishing central charge. For symmetric special Kähler geometries, we present the complete classification of the orbits in the symplectic representation of the classical U‐duality group (spanned by the black hole charge configuration supporting the attractors), as well as of the moduli spaces of non‐BPS attractors (spanned by the scalars which are not stabilized at the black hole event horizon). Finally, we report on an analogous classification for 𝒩 >2‐extended, d = 4 ungauged supergravities, in which also the 1/𝒩‐BPS attractors yield a related moduli space.
Both β‐actin and GAPDH are useful reference genes for normalization of quantitative RT‐PCR in human FFPE tissue samples of prostate cancer
Authors: Mori Ryutaro , Wang Qingcai , Danenberg Kathleen D. , Pinski Jacek K. , Danenberg Peter V. 
Published: July 2008

AbstractBACKGROUNDβ‐Actin and glyceraldehyde‐3‐phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPDH) have been frequently considered as constitutive house keeping genes for RT‐PCR and used to normalize changes in specific gene expressions. However, these expressions have been shown to be affected by the sample type and experimental conditions. We investigated which housekeeping gene is useful to study gene expression of paraffin embedded human tissue samples of prostate cancer.METHODSFifteen pairs of cancer and corresponding normal tissue were obtained from patients with prostate cancer. We evaluated gene expression of β‐actin, GAPDH, androgen receptor (AR), and heat‐shock 70‐kd protein 5 (HSPA5) using laser captured microdissection and quantitative RT‐PCR. AR and HSPA5 gene expression were normalized to each of these reference genes using the 2−ΔΔCt method of relative quantification. The quantity 2Ct(normal)−Ct(cancer) divided by ratio of cDNA(cancer)/cDNA (normal) was used for comparing differences between cancer and normal tissue in GAPDH and β‐actin expression.RESULTSCt value of β‐actin was significantly correlated with that of GAPDH (r = 0.443, P = 0.014). AR and HSPA5 gene expression levels using β‐actin for normalization were significantly correlated with these gene expression levels using GAPDH (AR; r = 0.689, P = 0.004, HSPA5; r = 0.879, P < 0.001). Both reference genes were expressed more highly in cancer tissue than in normal tissue, with that of GAPDH being significantly different between cancer tissue and normal tissue (P = 0.029).CONCLUSIONSThe good correlation between gene expression values obtained when using β‐actin and GAPDH as reference genes suggests that either gene is a valid denominator for gene expression studies in prostate cancer.Prostate 68: 1555–1560, 2008. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Geographical mobility over the life course: motivations and implications
Authors: Geist Claudia , McManus Patricia A. 
Published: July 2008

AbstractStudies of geographical mobility are typically divided into studies of residential mobility, which are assumed to be motivated by family factors, and studies of migration, which are assumed to be motivated by the opportunities for realising economic gains as a result of the move. We use a life course approach and data from the 1999–2005 March Annual Social and Economic Supplement of the Current Population Survey to investigate the age trajectories of both residential mobility and migration among American adults. We find that mobility trajectories and motivations for moves vary by economic status and family status; that quality of life motivations and family factors account for a substantial proportion of long‐distance as well as short‐distance moves; and that both residential mobility and migration are associated with an increased risk of economic instability and family and employment changes in the year following the move. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Spectral response characterization of a‐Si:H‐based MIS‐type photosensors
Authors: Fernandes M. , Vygranenko Y. , Fantoni A. , Martins R. , Vieira M. 
Published: July 2008

AbstractThis paper reports on a method and a test setup developed to measure the transient dark current and the spectral response characteristics of a‐Si:H MIS photosensors. Using this method the segmented‐gate/SiNx/a Si:H/n+/ITO structures have been characterized under different biasing conditions. The dependences of the dark and light signals on the refresh pulse amplitude, offset voltage and pulse width were measured and analyzed. It is found that the amplitude of the timedependent component of the leakage current associated with charge trapping at the insulator‐semiconductor interface can be significantly reduced by adjusting the offset voltage. The observed bias dependence of the spectral response characteristics is explained by analyzing the charge carrier transport in the absorption layer at different wavelengths of the incident light. (© 2008 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Rapid and sensitive screening and characterization of phenolic acids, phthalides, saponins and isoflavonoids in Danggui Buxue Tang by rapid resolution liquid chromatography/diode‐array detection coupled with time‐of‐flight mass spectrometry
Authors: Qi Lian‐Wen , Wen Xiao‐Dong , Cao Jun , Li Chang‐Yin , Li Ping , Yi Ling , Wang Yu‐Xia , Cheng Xiao‐Lan , Ge Xiao‐Xiao 
Published: July 2008

AbstractA novel rapid resolution liquid chromatography (RRLC) method coupled with diode‐array detection (DAD) and time‐of‐flight mass spectrometry (TOFMS) in both positive and negative modes has been developed for quick and sensitive identification of the major compounds in Danggui Buxue Tang (DBT) preparation. Significant advantages of the use of RRLC with 1.8‐µm porous particles include the much higher speed of chromatographic separation and great enhancement in sensitivity, compared with the conventional high‐performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). With dynamic adjustment of the key role as fragmentor voltage in TOFMS, an efficient transmission of the ions was achieved to obtain the best sensitivity for providing the molecular formula for each analyte, and abundant fragment ions for structural information. The structural characterization of the major compounds in DBT was elucidated with authentic standards by DAD‐TOF/MS, including phenolic acids, phthalides, saponins and isoflavonoids. The targets were rapidly screened from the complicated DBT matrix using a narrow mass window of 0.01 Da to restructure extracted ion chromatograms. By accurate mass measurements within 3 ppm error for each molecular ion and subsequent fragment ions, ten phenolic acids and phthalides including three groups of isomers, thirteen major saponins with a 20,24‐epoxy‐9,19‐cyclolanostane‐3,6,16,25‐tetrol skeleton, sixteen isoflavonoids, corresponding glycosides, malonylglycosides, and acetylglycosides were identified in DBT preparation. The appropriate fragmentation pathways for them were also proposed based on definite elemental composition of the fragment ions. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Profiling and biomarker identification in plasma from different Zucker rat strains via high mass accuracy multistage mass spectrometric analysis using liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry with a quadrupole ion trap‐time of flight mass spectrometer
Authors: Loftus Neil , Miseki Kozo , Iida Junko , Gika Helen G. , Theodoridis Georgios , Wilson Ian D. 
Published: July 2008

AbstractHigh mass accuracy electrospray ionisation multistage tandem mass spectrometry (MSn) was applied to metabolite profiling studies on plasma samples derived from two strains of rat (the Zucker (fa/fa) obese strain and the normal wild type). Using a quadrupole ion trap time‐of‐flight (QIT‐TOF) mass spectrometer, metabolite profiling software was applied to locate components of biological significance that could account for the differences between the two strains of rat and a formula prediction software tool was used to help identify individual components. The primary factor discriminating between the two populations was the concentration of endogenous lipids. In the Zucker (fa/fa) obese strain, the dominant ion signals and MSn spectra were in agreement with lysoglycerophosphocholine components such as palmitoyllysophosphatidylcholine, 1‐oleoylglycerophosphocholine, 1‐octadecyl‐sn‐glycero‐3‐phosphocholine and 1‐stearoylglycerophosphocholine and these were found in relatively higher concentrations compared to the normal wild type. Components were identified using high mass accuracy MSn data, formula prediction software and by agreement with published mass spectra through internet databases, rather than using a conventional approach with authentic standards. This application shows that the use of high mass accuracy electrospray ionisation MSn together with a software tool can be used effectively to detect and characterise unknown analytes in complex matrices, and represents a promising approach for future profiling studies. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Clinical features and treatment of adenovirus infections
Authors: Lenaerts Liesbeth , De Clercq Erik , Naesens Lieve 
Published: July 2008

AbstractAdenoviruses (Ads) are common opportunistic pathogens that are rarely associated with severe clinical symptoms in healthy individuals. In contrast, in patients with compromised immunity, Ad infections often result in disseminated and potentially life‐threatening disease. Among these are AIDS patients, individuals with hereditary immunodeficiencies and recipients of solid organ or haematopoietic stem cell transplants (HSCT) who receive immunosuppressive therapy. The latter account for the largest number of severe Ad infections. There is currently no formally approved antiviral therapy for the treatment of severe Ad keratoconjunctivitis and life‐threatening Ad infections in immunocompromised patients. Here we update current knowledge on Ad biology, the clinical features observed in different patient groups and specific immune responses towards Ad infections. In addition, we review current and future treatment options, including: (i) the antiviral drugs cidofovir, ribavirin and new investigational compounds, as evaluated in the clinic or in relevant animal models, as well as (ii) novel immunotherapeutic strategies. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Continuous decompression with intramedullary nailing for the treatment of unicameral bone cysts
Authors: Masquijo Julio Javier , Baroni Eduardo , Miscione Horacio 
Published: July 2008

Purpose To evaluate the efficacy of decompression of unicameral bone cysts (UBCs) of the long bones with intramedullary nailing and to compare responses to treatment according to location. Materials and methods We evaluated 48 consecutive patients treated between January 1988 and June 2000. Mean age was 10.3 years. Mean follow-up was 9.8 years. Evaluation was performed according to the radiographic criteria of Capanna. Results UBCs were located in the proximal humerus ( n = 24), humeral shaft ( n = 2), proximal femur ( n = 19), distal tibia ( n = 2) and fibula ( n = 1). A total of 62.5% presented a pathological fracture. Successful results were observed in 89.5% (26 total healing, 17 healing with residual radiolucent areas), and there were four recurrences and, in one case, no response to treatment. There was more healing in the humerus than in the femur (92.3% versus 84.2%), and more tendency to restitution ad integrum, although the difference was not statistically significant ( P = 0.1499). Conclusions Intramedullary nailing is a minimally invasive method, which permits early stability and decompresses the cyst allowing healing. Significant differences were not observed among results from different locations.
On the BP-homology of 2e × 2e
Authors: Zárate Leticia 
Published: July 2008

AbstractWe study υ0- and υ1-divisibility properties of the [2e]-series associated to the universal 2-typical formal group law. This allows us to identify elements annihilating the toral class τ in BP*(2e × 2e). We conjecture that these elements form a minimal system of generators of the annihilator ideal of τ. This would provide a Landweber-type presentation for the BP-homology of 2e × 2e from which the relation hom:dimBP (Z2e × Z2e) = 2 would be an easy consequence.
COMMUNITY PERCEPTIONS ON THE COMMUNITY-DIRECTED TREATMENT AND SCHOOL-BASED APPROACHES FOR THE CONTROL OF SCHISTOSOMIASIS AND SOIL-TRANSMITTED HELMINTHIASIS AMONG SCHOOL-AGE CHILDREN IN LUSHOTO DISTRICT, TANZANIA
Authors: MASSA K. , MAGNUSSEN P. , SHESHE A. , NTAKAMULENGA R. , NDAWI B. , OLSEN A. 
Published: July 2008

SummaryThe success of the Community-Directed Treatment (ComDT) approach in the control of onchocerciasis and filariasis has caught the attention of other disease control programmes. In this study the ComDT approach was implemented and compared with the school-based approach for control of schistosomiasis and soil-transmitted helminthiasis among school-age children in Lushoto District, Tanzania. This was a qualitative study, consisting of in-depth interviews with village leaders, community drug distributors (CDDs) and schoolteachers, as well as focus group discussions with separate groups of mothers and fathers to assess the perceptions and experiences of the villagers on the implementation of the two approaches. It was found that the villagers accepted the ComDT approach and took the responsibility of selecting the CDDs, organizing and implementing their own method of distributing drugs to the school-age children in their villages. The ComDT approach was well received and was successfully implemented in the villages. Although the villagers pointed out the limitation in reaching the non-enrolled children in the school-based approach, they also expressed satisfaction with this approach. This study suggests that the ComDT approach is well accepted and can be implemented effectively to ensure better coverage of especially non-enrolled school-age children.
SOCIOECONOMIC AND DEMOGRAPHIC DIVERSITY IN THE HEALTH STATUS OF ELDERLY PEOPLE IN A TRANSITIONAL SOCIETY, KERALA, INDIA
Authors: MINI G. K. 
Published: July 2008

SummaryKerala State in India is the most advanced in terms of demographic and epidemiological transition and has the highest proportion of elderly population. The study examines the socio-demographic correlates of health status of elderly persons in Kerala in terms of three components: perceived health status, physical mobility and morbidity level. Overall health status was measured by combining the above three components of health status. Data from the 60th National Sample Survey Organization (NSSO) on Condition and Health Care of the Aged in Kerala in 2004 was used for the study. Significant socio-demographic differentials in health status were noted. While women report less morbidity, perceived well-being and physical mobility was better for men. This anomaly can be explained by variations in the components of socio-demographic factors. The findings call for urgent health care strategies for elderly persons in different socio-demographic groups in transitional Indian states like Kerala.
On the use of experimental diets for physiological studies of hydrozoans
Authors: Dudgeon Steve , Benes Kylla M. , Krueger Stacy A. , Kübler Janet , Mroz Paul , Slaughter Christin T. 
Published: July 2008

Recent studies of hydrozoans suggest that metabolic factors associated with the physiology of gastrovascular fluid transport play a role in regulating morphogenetic development of colonies. In that context, the objective of this study was to develop a system to experimentally control diets of hydrozoans in culture that could be used to test effects of specific compounds. This diet delivery system consisted of a known concentration of homogenate of brine shrimp nauplii that was solidified in a 1% agar block cut to the size of, and containing the equivalent of, a single, 2-day old brine shrimp nauplius larva. We tested the utility of this system by comparing the frequencies of ingestion, and rates of gastrovascular transport and growth following feeding, between polyps ofPodocoryna carneafed either a single brine shrimp nauplius (controls) or an agar cube including brine shrimp homogenate. Polyps fed experimental diets showed similar rates of gastrovascular transport (6 and 12 h after feeding) and growth (24 h after feeding) to those of polyps fed a brine shrimp nauplius suggesting that no significant artefacts existed associated with these response variables. However, the frequency of ingestion of experimental foods by polyps was much less than that by control polyps. These results imply that this system of delivery of experimental diets has potential as a means to manipulate physiological state and assay the effects on morphogenesis of hydrozoan colonies, but must first overcome limitations of low ingestion frequency.
Significance of isolated antibody to hepatitis B core antigen in Dutch national vaccination campaign of behavioural high-risk groups
Authors: KOENE R. P. M. , GOTZ H. M. , VAN DEN HOEK J. A. R. , HEIJNEN M. L. A. , VAN STEENBERGEN J. A. , KROES A. C. M. 
Published: July 2008

SUMMARYIn the Dutch national vaccination campaign for behavioural risk groups, anti-HBcore is used as the primary HBV screening test. Samples with positive results undergo testing for active infection (HBsAg) but are otherwise accepted as indicating past infection, thereby assuming immunity. This study evaluated evidence for immunity in the target population screened on the basis of this algorithm, by re-analysing 1000 anti-HBcore-positive blood samples equally divided among risk groups: 14·7% of confirmed anti-HBcore lacked anti-HBs (‘isolated’ anti-HBcore). Independent risk factors for isolated anti-HBcore were risk group, HCV infection in hard-drug users (DU) and origin from Sub-Saharan Africa. After extrapolation, the proportion of participants who were said to be immune but lacked any additional evidence of immunity amounted to 9·6% (ranging from 12·5% in DU to 6·5% in men who have sex with men). It is recommended that as a minimum anti-HBs screening is included in testing algorithms used to determine vaccination programmes for risk groups, in particular in DU.
A continuous common-source outbreak of campylobacteriosis associated with changes to the preparation of chicken liver pâté
Authors: O'LEARY M. C. , HARDING O. , FISHER L. , COWDEN J. 
Published: July 2008

SUMMARYIn December 2006 an outbreak of Campylobacter infection occurred in Forth Valley, Scotland, affecting 48 people over a 3-week period. All cases dined at restaurant A. We conducted a cohort study in a party of 30 who ate lunch at restaurant A on 21 December to identify the vehicle of infection. Of 29 respondents, the attack rate in those who ate chicken liver pâté was 86% (6/7) compared to 0% (0/22) for those who did not. Between 1 December and 1.30 p.m. on 21 December the restaurant had used a different method of cooking the pâté. No cases reported dining at the restaurant after this time. The outbreak's duration suggested a continuous source. This is the first continuous source outbreak of Campylobacter documented in Scotland. Chicken liver pâté was the most likely vehicle of infection. This outbreak illustrates the hazards associated with undercooking Campylobacter-contaminated food.