bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Evaluation of a second‐generation portable blood lead analyzer in an occupational setting
Authors: Stanton Noel V. , Fritsch Tracy 
Published: October 2007

AbstractBackgroundA new blood lead testing instrument has qualities that make the instrument attractive for on‐site testing of occupational lead exposures. This study evaluated the accuracy of the instrument when used in a manufacturing setting, and examined the impact of blood storage and shipment on results.MethodsVenous blood specimens (n = 121) were obtained and immediately analyzed on‐site using the new instrument. They were then shipped to a reference laboratory and analyzed using electro‐thermal atomization atomic absorption spectrometry (ETAAS), and retested using the new instrument.ResultsThe cohort blood lead concentration averaged 40.1 µg/dl. Results obtained on the new analyzer with freshly collected blood averaged 38.7 µg/dl. The mean difference of 1.2 µg/dl on paired samples was not statistically significant. Following blood shipment and storage, results on the analyzer increased to an average of 42.4 µg/dl. The mean increase of 3.0 µg/dl on stored blood samples also failed to reach statistical significance. Under OSHA proficiency test acceptability requirements, 94% of the results had satisfactory agreement.ConclusionsThe new analyzer might be a useful tool for on‐site monitoring of occupational lead exposures. The manufacturer's instructions should be adhered to with respect to specimen age and storage requirements. Am. J. Ind. Med. 50:1018–1024, 2007. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Cancer incidence and mortality in a Swedish rubber tire manufacturing plant
Authors: Wingren Gun , Axelson Olav 
Published: October 2007

AbstractBackgroundA classification of 12 work categories was used to evaluate the cancer incidence and mortality among a cohort of Swedish rubber tire workers.MethodsCancer incidence and mortality in the cohort was compared with expected values from national rates. Standardized incidence and mortality ratios were calculated for the total cohort, for sub‐cohorts and with the inclusion of a latency requirement.ResultsAmong men, increased incidence and mortality risks were found for cancer in the larynx; SIR = 2.10; 95% confidence intervals (95% CI): 1.05–3.76, SMR = 2.08; 95% CI: 0.42–6.09. Increased risks were also seen for cancer in the trachea, bronchus, and lung; SIR = 1.62; 95% CI: 1.28–2.02, SMR = 1.54; 95% CI: 1.21–1.94, the incidence risk was highest among those with the longest exposure duration and among workers in compounding/mixing, milling, and maintenance. Decreased incidence risks were seen for cancer of the prostate (SIR = 0.74; 95% CI: 059–0.92) and skin (SIR = 0.57; 95% CI: 0.36–0.84).ConclusionsThe finding of an excess of tumors in the respiratory system is in agreement with earlier findings in other studies on rubber tire workers. The results on other cancer types are compared to earlier findings and related to work processes and chemical exposures of possible causal importance. Am. J. Ind. Med. 50:901–909, 2007. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
The Hunter–MacDonald syndrome with expanded phenotype including risk of meningioma: An update and review
Authors: Armstrong Linlea , Graham Gail E. , Schimke R. Neil , Collins Debra L. , Kirse Daniel J. , Costello Fiona , Ardinger Holly H. 
Published: October 2007

AbstractHunter–MacDonald syndrome (HMS) is a rare, autosomal dominant skeletal dysplasia with multiple malformations. The skeletal manifestations of HMS include short stature, scoliosis, epiphyseal dysplasia with early osteoarthritis leading to joint replacement, prominent humeral insertions for the deltoids, camptodactyly, subluxation of the thumbs, and malformed feet. Craniofacial manifestations include normal head circumference, tall forehead, bitemporal narrowing, ptosis, short palpebral fissures, and short philtrum. Decreased hearing acuity, transient cranial nerve palsies, congenital heart defects, and menigioma are also reported. Herein, we present two cases, and, through review of the manifestations of HMS in affected and at‐risk family members, we have observed that predisposition to brain tumor is a cardinal feature of this condition. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Effect of oxygen uptake and aromatization on the skin–core morphology during the oxidative stabilization of polyacrylonitrile fibers
Authors: Yu Mei‐Jie , Wang Cheng‐Guo , Bai Yu‐Jun , Xu Yong , Zhu Bo 
Published: October 2007

AbstractThe isothermal oxidative stabilization of polyacrylonitrile fibers has been carried out at 210, 230, and 250°C. The stabilized fibers, treated for different times, have been characterized with elemental analysis, wide‐angle X‐ray diffraction, optical microscopy, and field emission scanning electron microscopy. A parabola relationship has been established between the oxygen uptake and stabilization time, whereas the aromatization index shows a trend of moderate ascension, retention, and acceleration. With increasing temperature and time, the skin–core morphology of the stabilized fibers becomes more and more distinct, but the skin thickness is almost unchanged for 60 and 120 min at 250°C. The fracture mechanism is ductile fracture in the core but is brittle fracture in the skin. The results indicate that the initial rapid oxygen uptake at a high temperature and the subsequent intense aromatization are responsible for the formation of the skin–core morphology. On the basis of the isothermal stabilization, an onion‐like model is proposed for the structure of stabilized fibers that are treated by stepwise increasing temperatures in industrial production. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2008
Electrospinning of ultrafine cellulose fibers and fabrication of poly(butylene succinate) biocomposites reinforced by them
Authors: Han Seong Ok , Son Won Keun , Youk Ji Ho , Park Won Ho 
Published: October 2007

AbstractIn this study, electrospinning conditions for ultrafine cellulose fibers was systematically studied and poly(butylene succinate) biocomposites reinforced by the ultrafine cellulose fibers (cellulose/PBS biocomposite) were fabricated. The ultrafine cellulose fibers were electrospun from cellulose (DP = 700) solutions in N‐methylmorpholine‐N‐oxide hydrate (85/15 w/w) at 100°C. The optimal electrospinning concentration of the cellulose solutions was determined to be 7 wt % and the average diameter of the resulting cellulose fibers was 560 nm. The cellulose I structure of the native cellulose was converted to the cellulose II structure after electrospinning. The ultrafine cellulose fibers showed a reinforcing effect in the cellulose/PBS biocomposite, suggesting that they have potential applications as reinforcement fibers for biocomposites. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2008
Recycled carbon fiber filled polyethylene composites
Authors: McNally Tony , Boyd Peter , McClory Caroline , Bien Daniel , Moore Ian , Millar Bronagh , Davidson John , Carroll Tony 
Published: October 2007

AbstractComposites of recycled carbon fiber (CF) with up to 30 wt % loading with polyethylene (PE) were prepared via melt compounding. The morphology of the composites and the degree of dispersion of the CF in the PE matrix was examined using scanning electron microscopy, and revealed the CF to be highly dispersed at all loadings and strong interfacial adhesion to exist between the CF and PE. Raman and FTIR spectroscopy were used to characterize the surface chemistry and potential bonding sites of recycled CF. Both the Young's modulus and ultimate tensile stress increased with increasing CF loading, but the percentage stress at break was unchanged up to 5 wt % loading, then decreased with further successive addition of CF. The effect of CF on the elastic modulus of PE was examined using the Halpin‐Tsai and modified Cox models, the former giving a better fit with the values determined experimentally. The electrical conductivity of the PE matrix was enhanced by about 11 orders of magnitude on addition of recycled CF with a percolation threshold of 7 and 15 wt % for 500‐μm and 3‐mm thick samples. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2008
Tensile behavior of PVC‐coated woven membrane materials under uni‐ and bi‐axial loads
Authors: Chen Shouhui , Ding Xin , Fangueiro Raul , Yi Honglei , Ni Jing 
Published: October 2007

AbstractTensile characteristics are the most significant mechanical properties for coated woven fabrics as membrane materials used in lightweight constructions. Factors that might affect test results of the material under uni‐ and bi‐axial tensile loads are examined. After series of tensile tests on PVC‐coated membrane materials, it is demonstrated that (1) to measure the strains in the two perpendicular directions, the contact method by the needle extensometer does not interfere the correct data recording; (2) the positions where the strains are measured on specimens have a great influence on the test results of the stiffness and Poisson's ratio in warp direction under uni‐axial load; (3) to perform bi‐axial tensile tests the size of the cruciform specimen in bi‐axial tensile test can be much smaller than those suggested in the literature. The tensile behavior of coated membrane materials under bi‐axial loads are affected dramatically by the stress ratio in the warp and fill directions. Besides the residual strains of coated membrane materials are affected not only by the properties of the constituent yarns and woven structure but also by loading conditions during the coating process. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2008
The effect of the interface structure of different surface‐modified nano‐SiO2 on the mechanical properties of nylon 66 composites
Authors: Xu Xiangmin , Li Binjie , Lu Huimin , Zhang Zhijun , Wang Honggang 
Published: October 2007

AbstractThe nylon 66‐based nanocomposites containing two different surface‐modified and unmodified SiO2 nanoparticles were prepared by melt compounding. The interface structure formed in different composite system and their influences on material mechanical properties were investigated. The results indicated that the interfacial interactions differed between composite systems. The strong interfacial adhesion helped to increase tensile strength and elastic modulus of composites; whereas, the presence of modification layer in silica surface could enhance the toughness of composites, but the improvement of final material toughness was also correlated with the density of the adhered nylon 66 chains around silica nanoparticles. In addition, the results also indicated that the addition of surface‐modified silica nanoparticles has a distinct influence on the nonisothermal crystallization behavior of the nylon 66 matrix when compared with the unmodified silica nanoparticle. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2008
Morphology and Neurochemistry of Descending and Ascending Myenteric Plexus Neurons of Sheep Ileum
Authors: Mazzuoli Gemma , Mazzoni Maurizio , Albanese Valeria , Clavenzani Paolo , Lalatta‐Costerbosa Giovanna , Lucchi Maria L. , Furness John B. , Chiocchetti Roberto 
Published: October 2007

AbstractThe specific patterns of gastrointestinal motility in large herbivores may relate to differences in the organization of enteric nerve circuits, compared with other mammals. To investigate this possibility, we characterized the morphologies, chemical phenotypes, and projections of myenteric plexus (MP) neurons of the sheep ileum. Morphologies and projections were investigated after application of the carbocyanine dye (1,1′, di‐octadecyl‐3,3,3′,3′,‐tetramethylindo‐carbocyanine perchlorate, DiI) to fixed tissues. To study chemical phenotypes, the fluorescent tracer Fast Blue (FB) was injected into the wall of the ileum, in vivo, 12–14 cm oral to the ileo‐caecal junction. Over 80% of the descending and ascending DiI‐labeled neurons had typical Dogiel type I morphology, whereas only a few Dogiel type II neurons were observed. Nevertheless, there were long projections (up to 10 cm) of Dogiel type II neurons in both directions. Both type II and type I neurons were neurofilament immunoreactive (IR). We observed long projections of descending (up to 18 cm) and ascending (up to 12–14 cm) FB‐labeled MP neurons. Nitric oxide synthase (NOS)‐IR, peripheral choline acetyltransferase (pChAT)‐IR, and substance P (SP)‐IR occurred in both descending and ascending myenteric neurons. NOS‐IR was in approximately 60% of FB‐labeled descending and ascending neurons, whereas those expressing pChAT‐IR were 67 ± 15% and 60 ± 14%, respectively. Descending neurons expressing SP‐IR were 48 ± 15% and ascending were 56 ± 12%. NOS‐IR and pChAT‐IR, and SP‐IR and pChAT‐IR were commonly colocalized in both ascending and descending pathways. In descending pathways, almost all SP‐IR neurons were also pChAT‐IR (98 ± 3%) and NOS‐IR (99 ± 2 NOS+/SP+/pChAT−). Many FB‐labeled descending neurons showed both NOS‐ and pChAT‐IR. Descending neurons may represent inhibitory motor neurons (NOS+/SP+/pChAT−) and two classes of interneurons (pChAT+/NOS−, and pChAT+/NOS+/SP+). In ascending pathways, most neurons are pChAT+/NOS+/SP+. Thus, in sheep, ascending interneurons and ascending excitatory motor neurons both have the same phenotype, and other markers are needed to distinguish them. Anat Rec, 2007. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Thirty years of action for energy efficiency in buildings: what are the results?
Authors: Hens Hugo 
Published: October 2007

AbstractIn the autumn of 1973 a first energy crisis swept over the industrialized world. In 1979 a second followed. The first reactions in the West reflected panic, but soon a correcting policy emerged with rational use of energy as one of the corner stones. From the beginning, buildings got special attention. Their share in the annual national end energy consumption, in fact, was unexpectedly high, while less consumption of highly valued energy sources looked affordable without jeopardizing building usability. On the contrary, better was possible with less.One may expect that three decennia later, the results of such policy should be visible in terms of less energy consumed in buildings. This is not the case, at least not in Flanders, Belgium. Many reasons explain that anomaly. The average principal, designer, builder and contractor is not interested in energy efficiency. Investment costs and not future annual costs are the main concern. Legislation has been introduced reflecting a far too optimistic view on citizenship and thus, without any enforcement policy. The housing and tertiary building stock still expands, with a clear prosperity‐linked trend towards detached dwellings with low compactness and large floor area. Urban planning remains business as usual. And finally, policy makers forgot to consider rebound effects and the impact of lazy workmanship when predicting the efficiency of fabric and building services related measures, resulting in an overestimation of future avoided energy use, while at the same time they underestimated the inertia of such large system as the existing building stock, given the low retrofit and substitution rate.
Retrofitting of the Slovene Ethnographic Museum
Authors: Krainer Alesš , Perdan Rudi , Krainer Gal 
Published: October 2007

AbstractThe paper presents the technological part of activities executed in the framework of MUSEUMS Project. Astonishingly good results are only the visible part of an iceberg. The working process reveals that the R&D part of the efforts was in our case positively oriented activity, while the real problems appeared on the side of performance of birocracy on all levels, engineering management, designers not being used to new approaches and companies involved in the construction works, especially installations. There were two main fields of interventions: construction with new envelope design, new heating‐cooling wall panels system, which replaced the originally designed air condition system, and ventilation which is used for physiological and cooling purposes, as well as control and management system taking care as much as possible harmonization of the demands regarding temperature, humidity and air quality level, upgraded with permanent monitoring system. The authors are obliged to stress that the success of such projects depends on extensive collaboration of all involved partners from the very beginning.
Zur raumakustischen Situation des Orchester‐Dirigenten
Authors: Meyer Jürgen 
Published: October 2007

AbstractDer Klangeindruck, den ein Dirigent hat, wenn er im Konzertsaal vor einem Orchester steht, wird in erheblichem Maße durch das raumakustische Umfeld geprägt. Daher sind unter den vielfältigen Teil aspekten seiner klanglichen Gestaltung einige besonders anfällig für eine günstige oder ungünstige akustische Situation an seinem Pult. Es sind dies insbesondere die Beurteilung der Homogenität des Streicherklanges innerhalb der einzelnen Gruppen, die dynamische Balance zwischen den unterschiedlichen Instrumentengruppen, vor allem zwischen Bläsern und Streichern sowie eine Abschätzung der “Räumlichkeit” des Klanges, wie sie sich im Zuhörerbereich einstellt. Der Einfluss früher Wand‐ und Deckenreflexionen aus dem Nahbereich des Orchesters auf diese Teil aspekte wird im einzelnen dargestellt, wobei sich letztlich auch ergibt, dass sich die Anforderungen an eine optimale akustische Situation für den Dirigenten einerseits und die Spieler andererseits keineswegs in allen Punkten decken.
Künstliche Neuronale Netzwerke – ein Modelltyp mit Zukunft in der Bauphysik?
Authors: Schmid Margareta , Schmid Bernhard H. 
Published: October 2007

AbstractKünstliche Neuronale Netzwerke (Artificial Neural Networks, ANN) sind eine Gruppe von mathematischen Modellen, die erst vor wenigen Jahren in das Bauwesen allgemein und in die Bauphysik im besonderen Eingang gefunden hat. Aufgrund ihrer ausgeprägten Flexibilität werden ANNs auf eine laufend anwachsende Zahl verschiedenster Aufgabenstellungen angewandt. Der vorliegende Beitrag beschreibt zunächst die Funktionsweise und Eigenschaften des im Bauingenieurwesen meistverwendeten ANN‐Typs, des sogenannten Multilayer Perceptrons (MLP), und erörtert darauf aufbauend potentielle Anwendungsgebiete und einige bereits vorliegende Erfahrungen in der Bauphysik. Auf der Grundlage des derzeitigen Entwicklungsstands auf diesem Gebiet können Künstliche Neuronale Netzwerke als ein intelligenter und flexibler Berechnungsansatz vom Typ der ‘Black Box’‐Modelle charakterisiert werden, dessen Anwendungspotential in der Bauphysik sicherlich noch nicht ausgeschöpft ist.
Mental budgeting versus marginal decision making: training, experience and justification effects on decisions involving sunk costs
Authors: Fennema M. G. , Perkins Jon D. 
Published: October 2007

AbstractMany studies have shown that individuals make economically irrational decisions by using, rather than ignoring, sunk cost information. In this study, the effects of relevant academic training, financial experience and decision justification on investment decisions involving sunk costs were examined. Data on both the process (strategy) and outcome of the decisions were collected. The results indicate that practicing Certified Public Accountants (CPAs), Masters of Business Administration students (MBAs) and undergraduate accounting students perform better than undergraduate psychology students. The level of training, as measured by the number of college courses in managerial accounting, was found to be positively correlated with performance, while the level of experience, as measured by years of financially‐related work, was not. Justification was found to improve decisions only for those participants with significant work experience (MBAs and CPAs). Strategies used in this type of decision were examined with the surprising finding that economically rational decisions can be made even if sunk costs are not ignored. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Incidental environmental anchors
Authors: Critcher Clayton R. , Gilovich Thomas 
Published: October 2007

AbstractThree studies examined whether potential anchor values that are incidentally present in the environment can affect a person's numerical estimates. In Study 1, estimates of an athlete's performance were influenced by the number on his jersey. In Study 2, estimates of the proportion of sales in the domestic market were influenced by a product's model number. In Study 3, participants' estimates of how much they would spend at a restaurant were influenced by whether the restaurant was named “Studio 17” or “Studio 97.” These effects were not qualified by participants' expertise in the relevant domain (Study 1) or by their ability to subsequently recall the anchor value (Study 3). These findings document the existence of a new form of “basic anchoring” and suggest that not all basic anchoring effects are as fragile as the existing anchoring literature suggests. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
A recombinant triblock protein polymer with dispersant and binding properties for digital printing
Authors: Qi Min , O'Brien John P. , Yang Jianjun 
Published: October 2007

AbstractA structured triblock protein was designed to explore the potential of engineered peptides to function as high‐performance ink dispersants and binders. The protein consists of three functional elements, including a pigment binding domain, a hydrophilic linker, and a printing surface binding domain. To construct such a chimeric protein, a carbon black binding peptide, FHENWPS, and a cellulose binding peptide, THKTSTQRLLAA, were identified from phage display libraries through biopanning, based on their strong and specific binding affinities to carbon black and cellulose. They were used as carbon black and cellulose binding domains, respectively, in a recombinant triblock protein. A linker sequence, PTPTPTPTPTPTPTPTPTPTPTP, was adapted from endoglucanase A of the bacterium Cellulomonas fimi, as a small, rigid, and hydrophilic interdomain linker. When incorporated into the triblock structure between the carbon black and cellulose binding sequences, the linker sufficiently isolates these two elements and allows dual binding activity. The structured triblock protein was shown to disperse carbon black particles and attach it to paper surfaces. Thus, the utility of structured proteins having useful dispersant and binding properties for digital printing inks was demonstrated. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Biopolymers (Pept Sci) 90: 28–36, 2008.This 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