bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Crystallization behavior and morphological development of isotactic polypropylene blended with nanostructured polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxane molecules
Authors: Chen Jean‐Hong , Chiou Young‐Di 
Published: June 2006

AbstractThe thermal properties and morphological development of isothermally crystallized isotactic polypropylene (iPP) blended with nanostructured polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxane (POSS) molecules at very small loading of POSS were studied with differential scanning calorimeter (DSC), thermal gravimetric analysis, dynamic mechanical analysis, polarized optical microscopy (POM), and wide‐angle X‐ray diffraction (WAXD). The result of DSC indicated that the crystallization rate of iPP increases with the increase in POSS contents during crystallization; moreover, the melting temperature of iPP/POSS nanocomposites slightly decreases, while the heat of fusion increases with the addition of POSS molecules at melting and remelting traces. The storage modulus and thermal stability, respectively, remarkably decrease, while the glass transition temperature of isothermally crystallized iPP/POSS nanocomposites increases slightly with the increase in POSS contents. The morphologies results of WAXD and POM show that the POSS molecules form about 35 nm sized nanocrystals and aggregate to form thread‐like and network structure morphologies, respectively, in the molten state even when the POSS content is very small. These results, therefore, suggest that the interaction force between the POSS molecules should be larger than the force between POSS molecules and iPP matrix; however, those interactions depend on the chain length of functionalized substituents on the POSS cage. Therefore, the POSS molecules aggregate forming nanocrystals and act as an effective nucleating agent for iPP and influence the thermal properties of iPP/POSS nanocomposites due to the shorter chain length of functionalized substituents, methyl, on the POSS cage. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part B: Polym Phys 44: 2122–2134, 2006
Investigations of secondary explosions induced by venting
Authors: Chen Zhihua , Fan Baochun , Jiang Xiaohai , Ye Jingfang 
Published: June 2006

AbstractA series of vented explosion tests were performed in a small‐scale cylindrical vessel using a short discharge duct. Overpressure–time profiles were recorded with five transducers both inside and outside of the vessel. Visualization of the flow field is provided by a high‐speed shadowgraph imaging system using sequential shadowgraphs. As is well known, two or more pressure peaks can occur during explosion venting, one from the vent rupture and the other from a secondary explosion induced by combustion of the vented combustible gases. Three typical distinct processes of vented explosions were found. Variations in intensity of the secondary explosion were measured as a function of vent burst pressure, ignition location, blockage ratio at the vent, and equivalence ratio of the fuel. © 2006 American Institute of Chemical Engineers Process Saf Prog, 2006
Effect of packaging film on the quality of ‘Chaoyang’ honey peach fruit in modified atmosphere packages
Authors: An Jianshen , Zhang Min , Zhan Zhonggang 
Published: June 2006

AbstractThe quality of honey peach fruit stored at 2°C in modified atmosphere packages was studied. Three different thickness low‐density polyethylene (LDPE) films were used as packaging films. Honey peach fruits of ‘chaoyang’ were packaged in LDPE bags 15, 25 and 40µm thick and control (air). The respiration rate, O2 and CO2 concentrations in the packages, flesh colour, total soluble solid (TSS), titratable acidity (TA), flesh firmness (FF) and membrane integrity of the fruits were monitored. Compared to the control, MAP treatments inhibited the climacteric peak, avoided the increase of flesh colour, decreased the development of softness and retarded the reduction of TTS, TA and membrane integrity. Significant differences in the quality of the fruits were found between the three packages and the control (p ≤ 0.05). After 20 days at 2°C within the LDPE25 bags, a steady‐state atmosphere of 5% CO2 + 4% O2 was reached. Honey peaches stored in these bags showed the best quality at the end of the storage. Copyright copy; 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The Effect of Variable Selection on the Non‐linear Modelling of Oestrogen Receptor Binding
Authors: Ghafourian Taravat , Cronin Mark T. D. 
Published: June 2006

AbstractOestrogen Receptor Binding Affinity (RBA) is often used as a measure of the oestrogenicity of endocrine disrupting chemicals. Quantitative Structure–Activity Relationship (QSAR) modelling of the binding affinities has been performed by three‐dimensional approaches such as Comparative Molecular Field Analysis (CoMFA). Such techniques are restricted, however, for chemically diverse sets of chemicals as the alignment of molecules is complex. The aim of the present study was to use non‐linear methods to model the RBA to the oestrogen receptor of a large diverse set of chemicals. To this end, various variable selection methods were applied to a large group of descriptors. The methods included stepwise regression, partial least squares and recursive partitioning (Formal Inference Based Recursive Modelling, FIRM). The selected descriptors were used in Counter‐Propagation Neural Networks (CPNNs) and Support Vector Machines (SVMs) and the models were compared in terms of the predictivity of the activities of an external validation set. The results showed that although there was a certain degree of similarities between the structural descriptors selected by different methods, the predictive power of the CPNN and SVM models varied. Although the variables selected by stepwise regression led to poor CPNN models they resulted in the best SVM model in terms of predictivity. The parameters selected by some of the FIRM methods were superior in CPNN.
Methanolothermal Synthesis of [Mn(en)3][Mn2(SbSe4)2(en)4(H2O)] [Mn(en)3][{Mn(en)2(H2O)}2(μ‐SbSe4)][Mn(μ‐SbSe4)(en)2]Cl2 representing the First Example of a Transition Metal‐containing Ternary Catena‐Selenidoantimonate(V)
Authors: van Almsick Tobias , Sheldrick William S. 
Published: June 2006

Abstract[Mn(en)3][Mn2(SbSe4)2(en)4(H2O)] (1) and [Mn(en)3][{Mn(en)2(H2O)}2 (μ‐SbSe4)] [Mn(μ‐SbSe4)(en)2]Cl2 (2) may be prepared by methanolothermal reaction of Mn(OOCCH3)2 · 4H2O with elemental Sb and Se in the presence of CsCl in a 1:1 CH3OH/en mixture at 190°C. The [Mn2(SbSe4)2(en)4(H2O)]2− anions of 1 contain two [Mn(en)2]2+ fragments bridged by a single Se atom of an SbSe44− anion in a 1κSe: 2κSe manner. The remaining sites in the MnII octahedral coordination spheres are occupied by a κSe coordinating [SbSe4]3− anion and a water ligand, respectively. In contrast, black coloured 2 contains both polymeric $^{1}_{\infty}$[{Mn(μ‐SbSe4)(en)2}‐] anions and disordered dinuclear [{Mn(en)2(H2O)}2(μ‐SbSe4)]+ cations.
Layered Crystal Structure and Vibrational Spectra of Sodium Trichloromethanesulfonate – An Eperimental and Theoretical Study
Authors: Tuttolomondo M. E. , Piro O. E. , Varetti E. L. , Altabef A. Ben 
Published: June 2006

AbstractThe NaCCl3SO3.H2O salt was studied by X‐ray diffraction methods, which show that it crystallizes in the monoclinic P21/c space group, with a = 12.558(5), b = 5.814(3), c = 10.679(5) Å, β = 103.76(3)°, and Z = 4. The solid is arranged into neutral slabs, parallel to each other and to the crystal bc plane, being each slab held mainly by ionic forces. An infrared and Raman study of that compound was also performed and an assignment of the observed spectral features was made, correcting results previously reported by other authors. The vibrational study was supported by quantum chemistry calculations at the DFT level, from which the theoretical frequencies of vibration and a force field for the anion were obtained. That force field was subsequently adjusted to reproduce the set of experimental frequencies.
‘Between a rock & a hard place’: North Africa as a region of emigration, immigration & transit migration
Authors: Baldwin-Edwards Martin 
Published: June 2006

The prevailing Eurocentric perspective on Mediterranean migration lies almost exclusively in the security paradigm, focusing upon African illegal migration to Europe and disregarding the role of migration in the socio-economic development of the African continent. The older emigration histories of North African countries are diverse, with Morocco, Tunisia and Algeria linked to France as a destination country, Libya as an immigration country, and Egypt linked with other Arab countries for temporary migration alongside permanent migration to Anglophone countries. More recent changes include the emergence of southern Europe as destination countries for all except Libyans, and all of North Africa turned into transit countries for migrants from sub-Sahara Africa and Asia.
The ‘new migrations’ from and through North Africa are described, along with known major migration routes and data on interceptions of illegal migrants by southern European countries. North African policy responses are also identified, noting especially the failure of all countries in the region to observe international human rights standards. Finally, I outline the ‘failed policy’ of the European Union, which simply continues the securitisation approach previously pursued by Spain and Italy, neglecting the fundamental realities of Africa as a new continent of emigration. Furthermore, European policy promotes the human rights abuses of North Africa with regard to illegal migrants and asylum-seekers, yet welcomes skilled (as opposed to semiskilled) African migrants to European territory. Europe thus guarantees the continuation of African underdevelopment – seeking to avoid its negative symptom of mass emigration and asylum-seeking whilst benefiting from the migration to Europe of skilled African workers.
The role of future ICT in city development
Authors: Pearson Ian 
Published: June 2006

PurposeThe purpose of this article is to explore the role of information and communications technologies (ICT) in creating cities that are attractive, healthy and prosperous places to live, work and visit.Design/methodology/approachConsiders technological developments in information and communications technologies in the short‐ and medium‐term and their application in the urban environment.FindingsIT is developing faster than ever and will be a useful tool in the redevelopment of cities. Short‐term developments such as wireless LANs may be unglamorous but have large potential for opening up new areas of opportunities, both in social and business uses. In the mid‐term, these networks will combine with ambient intelligence to make a smart digital air overlay, making every part of a city electronically enabled. The result will be big improvement in public transport and city architecture. Other IT developments will improve health, governance and security. If managed well, future urban society will be happier, less lonely, more prosperous, healthier and more involved in decision making.Originality/valueOffers a personal view of the ways in which advances in information technologies can make a positive contribution to urban environments over the next ten to 15 years.
Towards a clarification of probability, possibility and plausibility: how semantics could help futures practice to improve
Authors: van der Helm Ruud 
Published: June 2006

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to discuss the clarification of three qualifiers “probable”, “possible” and “plausible”, which are often used interchangeably in foresight and futures studies practice, but which could obtain added value through a careful distinction. In general, it shows the importance of language as the main tool for futures practitioners.Design/methodology/approachEmploys semantic and conceptual research.FindingsDistinction of the three qualifiers has not only semantic importance; it also leads to a better conception of what futures practice could work towards.Practical implicationsFutures practitioners should more carefully apply their vocabulary, since it is their main tool. By carefully distinguishing probability, possibility and plausibility, a better focus on the purpose of futures practice becomes attainable.Originality/valueVery little effort is spent on the working of language in futures studies. Besides glossaries, there is very little work done in sharpening this major tool. The semantic confusion that reigns within the foresight/futures studies community is mainly due to a lack of involvement in this clarification process. Applied semantics is often considered as burdensome, whereas it should be at the core of how the future is being conceptualized.
Association between ADAM33 polymorphisms and adult asthma in the Japanese population
Authors: Hirota T. , Hasegawa K. , Obara K. , Matsuda A. , Akahoshi M. , Nakashima K. , Shirakawa T. , Doi S. , Fujita K. , Suzuki Y. , Nakamura Y. , Tamari M. 
Published: June 2006

SummaryBackground
ADAM33, a member of the ADAM (a disintegrin and metalloprotease) family, is a putative asthma susceptibility gene recently identified by positional cloning. It is important to know whether the association exists in ethnically diverse populations.Objective
To assess whether genetic functional variants of ADAM33 relate to the susceptibility or some phenotypes in adult patients with bronchial asthma in a Japanese population.Methods
We searched for single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in ADAM33 by PCR‐directed sequencing and identified 48 SNPs. Fourteen SNPs were selected with regard to the LD pattern, and genotyped by Taq‐Man and PCR–RFLP methods. We conducted an association study of ADAM33 with 504 adult asthmatic patients and 651 controls, and haplotype analyses of related variants were performed.Results
Significant associations with asthma were found for the SNPs T1 (Met764Thr), T2 (Pro774Ser), S2 and V−3 (with the lowest P‐value for T1, P=0.0015; OR 0.63). We analysed the haplotype using these four polymorphisms, and found a positive association with haplotype CCTG (P=0.0024).Conclusion
Our results replicate associations reported recently in other ethnic populations, and suggest that the ADAM33 gene is involved in the development of asthma through genetic polymorphisms.
Surfactant protein D inhibits early airway response in Aspergillus fumigatus‐sensitized mice
Authors: Erpenbeck V. J. , Ziegert M. , Cavalet‐Blanco D. , Martin C. , Baelder R. , Glaab T. , Braun A. , Steinhilber W. , Luettig B. , Uhlig S. , Hoymann H. G. , Krug N. , Hohlfeld J. M. 
Published: June 2006

SummaryBackground
The surfactant protein SP‐D has been reported to reduce bronchial hyper‐responsiveness, blood eosinophilia, and T‐helper type 2 cytokines in models of allergic asthma. However, little is known about the functional effect of SP‐D on the early airway response upon allergen inhalation, which is an important feature of this disease.Objective
We investigated whether SP‐D is able to reduce the immediate allergen‐induced mediator release and the early bronchial obstruction in addition to its effects on airway inflammation and bronchial hyperresponsiveness in an Aspergillus fumigatus mouse asthma model.Methods
A. fumigatus‐sensitized mice were treated with a recombinant fragment of human SP‐D or placebo. Lung functions were measured in orotracheally intubated, spontaneously breathing animals using body plethysmography. In addition, passively sensitized precision‐cut lung slices (PCLS) were used to determine the effect of SP‐D on allergen‐induced histamine release.Results
SP‐D inhibited the allergen‐induced early airway response and reduced airway hyperresponsiveness compared with placebo. Eosinophilia in bronchoalveolar lavage and lung tissue was reduced after SP‐D treatment, possibly by reducing eotaxin levels in the lung. Furthermore, SP‐D treatment reduced the allergen‐induced histamine release from PCLS.Conclusions
These data suggest that SP‐D not only reduces allergen‐induced eosinophilic inflammation and airway hyperresponsiveness but also provides protection against early airway obstruction by inhibition of early mediator release.
Snow depth, soil freezing, and fluxes of carbon dioxide, nitrous oxide and methane in a northern hardwood forest
Authors: GROFFMAN PETER M. , HARDY JANET P. , DRISCOLL CHARLES T. , FAHEY TIMOTHY J. 
Published: June 2006

AbstractSoil–atmosphere fluxes of trace gases (especially nitrous oxide (N2O)) can be significant during winter and at snowmelt. We investigated the effects of decreases in snow cover on soil freezing and trace gas fluxes at the Hubbard Brook Experimental Forest, a northern hardwood forest in New Hampshire, USA. We manipulated snow depth by shoveling to induce soil freezing, and measured fluxes of N2O, methane (CH4) and carbon dioxide (CO2) in field chambers monthly (bi‐weekly at snowmelt) in stands dominated by sugar maple or yellow birch. The snow manipulation and measurements were carried out in two winters (1997/1998 and 1998/1999) and measurements continued through 2000. Fluxes of CO2 and CH4 showed a strong seasonal pattern, with low rates in winter, but N2O fluxes did not show strong seasonal variation. The snow manipulation induced soil freezing, increased N2O flux and decreased CH4 uptake in both treatment years, especially during winter. Annual N2O fluxes in sugar maple treatment plots were 207 and 99 mg N m−2 yr−1 in 1998 and 1999 vs. 105 and 42 in reference plots. Tree species had no effect on N2O or CO2 fluxes, but CH4 uptake was higher in plots dominated by yellow birch than in plots dominated by sugar maple. Our results suggest that winter fluxes of N2O are important and that winter climate change that decreases snow cover will increase soil:atmosphere N2O fluxes from northern hardwood forests.
GLUT1 and p63 expression in endometrial intraepithelial and uterine serous papillary carcinoma
Authors: Idrees M T , Schlosshauer P , Li G , Burstein D E 
Published: June 2006

Aims : To analyse the expression patterns of GLUT1, p63 and p53 and the possible correlation between these markers in uterine serous papillary carcinoma (USPC) and endometrial intraepithelial carcinoma (EIC).Methods and results : Fourteen cases of USPC, 12 of which also showed EIC, were examined for GLUT1, p63 and p53 immunoreactivity. Four‐micrometre sections from formalin‐fixed paraffin‐embedded tissue were immunostained using commercially available primary antibodies and Dako Envision Plus reagents for visualization. Membranous GLUT1 immunoreactivity was observed in all cases, including all 14 invasive tumours (100%) and 11 of 12 associated EICs (92%), and was confined to neoplastic cells. In USPC, staining tended to be strongest in superficial antistromal regions. p63 positivity was found in 8/14 (57%) USPCs and 9/12 (75%) associated EICs. In 11 cases p53 was overexpressed in both invasive USPC (11/14; 79%) and EIC (11/12; 92%). p53+ USPCs tended to be positive for p63, whereas p53– USPCs were also negative for p63.Conclusions : GLUT1 is expressed in the vast majority of USPC and EIC, suggesting a biological role during the early steps of carcinogenesis in endometrial serous neoplasms. GLUT1 expression may be induced by hypoxia‐related as well as other mechanisms.
KIT immunohistochemistry and mutation status in gastrointestinal stromal tumours (GISTs) evaluated for treatment with imatinib
Authors: Loughrey M B , Trivett M , Beshay V , Dobrovic A , Kovalenko S , Murray W , Lade S , Turner H , McArthur G A , Zalcberg J , Waring P M 
Published: June 2006

Aims : With the availability of effective but expensive treatment in the form of imatinib, accurate diagnosis of gastrointestinal stromal tumour (GIST) is extremely important. The aims of this study were: to describe the clinicopathological, immunohistochemical and molecular features of cases referred to a cancer centre with a possible diagnosis of GIST; to identify pitfalls in the performance and interpretation of KIT immunohistochemistry; to define the role of KIT mutation testing in making a diagnosis of GIST.Methods and results : Morphological review, KIT immunohistochemistry and mutation testing were performed on all cases referred with a diagnosis of GIST or where the diagnosis was under serious consideration on the basis of KIT immunopositivity with a view to treating with imatinib. Thirty‐seven cases met the inclusion criteria. Of these, 26 were classified as GIST and 11 as non‐GIST. Most GISTs showed strong diffuse membranous, cytoplasmic or paranuclear KIT immunopositivity. Some non‐GISTs demonstrated patchy cytoplasmic KIT immunopositivity related to the immunohistochemical protocol used in the external laboratory, which led to erroneous diagnoses of GIST in nine (24%) cases. KIT mutations involving exons 11 or 9 were identified in 22 (88%) GISTs tested and none of the non‐GISTs.Conclusions : An accurate diagnosis of GIST can be made on clinicopathological and immunohistochemical criteria without the need for mutational analysis in most cases, provided proper attention is paid to the immunohistochemical protocol used and, most importantly, control material. False‐positive diagnoses of GIST potentially leading to inappropriate treatment with imatinib are more common than missed diagnoses.
Metaplastic breast carcinomas are basal‐like tumours
Authors: Reis‐Filho J S , Milanezi F , Steele D , Savage K , Simpson P T , Nesland J M , Pereira E M , Lakhani S R , Schmitt F C 
Published: June 2006

Aims : Recently, an immunohistochemical panel comprising antibodies against HER2, oestrogen receptor (ER), epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) and cytokeratin (CK) 5/6 was reported to identify basal‐like breast carcinomas, as defined by cDNA microarrays. Our aim was to analyse a series of metaplastic breast carcinomas (MBCs) using this panel plus two other basal markers (CK14 and p63) and progesterone receptor (PR), to define how frequently MBCs show a basal‐like immunophenotype.Methods and results : Sixty‐five cases were retrieved from the pathology archives of the authors' institutions and reviewed by three of the authors. Immunohistochemistry with antibodies for HER2, ER, EGFR, CK5/6, CK14 and p63 was performed according to standard methods. All but six cases (91%) showed the typical immunoprofile of basal‐like tumours (ER– and HER2–, EGFR+ and/or CK5/6+). When CK14 and p63 were added to the panel, two additional cases could be classified as basal‐like. The majority of MBCs lacked PR, except 4/19 (21%) carcinomas with squamous metaplasia.Conclusions : Our results demonstrate that MBCs show a basal‐like phenotype, regardless of the type of metaplastic elements. Moreover, as these neoplasms frequently overexpress EGFR (57%), patients with MBC may benefit from treatment with anti‐EGFR drugs.