bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Swelling behaviour of hydrogels from methacrylic acid and poly(ethylene glycol) side chains by magnetic resonance imaging
Authors: Prior‐Cabanillas Alberto , Barrales‐Rienda José M , Frutos Gloria , Quijada‐Garrido Isabel 
Published: January 2007

AbstractThe swelling behaviour of hydrogels of methacrylic acid and poly(ethylene glycol) monomethyl ether monomethacrylate macromonomer, P[(MAA)‐co‐(PEGMEMA)], copolymers was investigated. Under pH 7, characteristic sigmoidal swelling appears depending on composition. This anomalous swelling phenomenon is related to the ability of moieties in the comonomeric units COOH and [OCH2CH2] to form complexes by hydrogen bonding, stabilized by hydrophobic interactions. The swelling was followed using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) providing spatial and temporal resolution. Data from MRI are compared with gravimetric results and photographs during swelling. In the MRI images two processes were distinguished, corresponding to a swollen external region in contrast to a rigid core which starts to swell after a lag time depending on sample composition. Microscopic and macroscopic results are in good agreement. Copyright © 2007 Society of Chemical Industry
Effect of silane‐grafted polypropylene on the morphology of polypropylene and nylon 6/clay composites
Authors: Shim Jae Hun , Joo Jung Hiuk , Jung Sung Hun , Yoon Jin‐San 
Published: January 2007

AbstractPolypropylene (PP)/nylon 6/clay composites were prepared by compounding of PP, which had previously been treated with two kinds of silane compounds, with a master batch composed of 90 wt % of nylon 6 and 10 wt % of octadecyl amine‐modified sodium montmorillonite (NM10). The morphology of the composites was investigated by means of SEM, TEM, XRD, and energy‐dispersive X‐ray analysis. All of the composites exhibited a phase‐separated morphology, irrespective of whether the PP was modified with the silane compounds or not. However, adhesive strength between the modified PP and NM10 was stronger than that between neat PP and NM10. Moreover, the PP grafted with 3‐(trimethoxysilyl)propyl methacrylate (PP2) reacted with the silanol groups of the clay to form PP‐clay hybrid during the compounding, which acted as a compatibilizer for the PP/nylon 6/clay composite. PP2NM composite (PP2/NM10 80/20 on weight basis) exhibited a peculiar morphology, in that the PP‐rich phase formed island domains within the nylon 6‐rich domains, which were in turn dispersed in the PP‐rich continuous matrix. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part B: Polym Phys 45: 607–615, 2007.
By modulating androgen receptor coactivators, daidzein may act as a phytoandrogen
Authors: Chen Jen‐Jih , Chang Hong‐Chiang 
Published: January 2007

AbstractBACKGROUNDTo identify the phytoandrogen from phytohormone, we established an assay to assess the androgenicity of phytoestrogens by using androgen receptor (AR) cofactors to modulate the AR transcriptional activity.METHODSA Dual‐luciferase reporter assay was used to evaluate the transcriptional activity of AR stimulated by the phytoestrogen daidzein.RESULTSThe Dual luciferase data showed that daidzein can enhance androgenic effects in AR negative PC‐3 cells cotransfected with AR and AR cofactors. In AR and ARA70 positive LNCaP cells, daidzein can enhance ARA55‐mediated induction of AR transcriptional activity. With increasing amounts of transfected ARA55, AR transcriptional activity was enhanced by daidzein in a dose‐dependent manner.CONCLUSIONSAlthough daidzein is a phytoestrogen, it can create androgenic effects when cells are cotransfected with AR cofactors. When screening for phytoandrogens, the modulating effects of AR cofactors with AR should be considered in the assay system. Prostate 67: 457–462, 2007. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
GCP‐mediated growth inhibition and apoptosis of prostate cancer cells via androgen receptor‐dependent and ‐independent mechanisms
Authors: Tepper Clifford G. , Vinall Ruth L. , Wee Christopher B. , Xue Lingru , Shi Xu‐Bao , Burich Rebekah , Mack Philip C. , de Vere White Ralph W. 
Published: January 2007

AbstractBACKGROUNDGenistein combined polysaccharide (GCP) is a nutritional supplement that can inhibit prostate cancer growth experimentally and clinically. It is composed predominantly of the isoflavones genistein, daidzein, and glycitein, which have anti‐cancer properties. Although genistein is well studied, the properties of GCP are not well defined. The goal of this work was to better characterize the signaling pathways impacted by GCP in an effort to optimize its efficacy.METHODSCell growth and apoptosis were evaluated by MTS proliferation, caspase‐based assays, and flow cytometry. Modulation of androgen receptor (AR) levels and activation status of signaling molecules were monitored by immunoblot analysis. AR function was measured by evaluating prostate‐specific antigen (PSA) message and protein levels and by reporter assays.RESULTSGCP inhibited proliferation of androgen‐dependent LNCaP and androgen‐independent LNCaP‐p53GOF and 22Rv1 cell lines in a dose‐dependent manner and cells were more responsive in the presence of androgen. GCP markedly suppressed mTOR‐p70S6K signaling while Akt and p53 were only modestly modulated. GCP significantly attenuated androgen signaling as evidenced by diminished AR protein levels and a consequent reduction in transcriptional activity and PSA expression. AR expression was enhanced by de‐repression of translation with inhibitors of PI3K‐Akt‐mTOR signaling and by inhibition of proteasome‐dependent degradation. Neither inhibitor could counteract GCP‐mediated AR downregulation, suggesting the involvement of a mechanism(s) independent of these pathways.CONCLUSIONSOur results suggest that GCP mediates growth inhibition and apoptosis through multiple mechanisms including (1) molecular mimicry of androgen ablation (via AR downregulation) and (2) by providing an AR‐independent, pro‐apoptotic signal (mTOR inhibition). Prostate 67: 521–535, 2007. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Optical brightener M2R destroys the peritrophic membrane of Spodoptera exigua (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) larvae
Authors: Zhu Rong , Liu Kaiyu , Peng Jianxin , Yang Hong , Hong Huazhu 
Published: January 2007

AbstractObservations under an environmental scanning electron microscope showed that the peritrophic membrane (PM) of Spodoptera exigua (Hübner) was smooth without pores, but there were many pores and slits in the PM of larvae fed with 10 g L−1 optical brightener Calcofluor white M2R. After incubation of S. exigua PM in vitro with 10 g L−1 M2R, a significant amount of proteins was released from the PM structure. M2R disrupted the structure of larval PM, resulting in greatly increased permeability and increased larval susceptibility to Syngrapha falcifera multiple nucleopolyhedrovirus infection. Continuous feeding of larvae on a diet treated with a 10 g L−1 M2R solution significantly retarded larval development and resulted in high mortality. The destructive effect of M2R on PM was transient and reversible, depending on the presence of M2R within the midgut. Copyright © 2007 Society of Chemical Industry
A two‐stage phase II trial design utilizing both primary and secondary endpoints
Authors: Lin Xun , Allred Randy , Andrews Glen 
Published: January 2007

AbstractPhase II trials in oncology drug development are usually conducted to perform the initial assessment of treatment activity. The common designs in this setting, for example, Simon 2‐stage designs, are often developed based on testing whether a parameter of interest, usually a proportion (e.g. response rate), is less than a certain level or not. These designs usually consider only one parameter. However, sometimes we may encounter situations where we need to consider not a single parameter, but multiple parameters. This paper presents a two‐stage design in which both primary and secondary endpoints are utilized in the decision rules. The family‐wise Type 1 error rate and statistical power of the proposed design are investigated under a variety of situations by means of Monte‐Carlo simulations. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Optimizing product design using quantitative quality function deployment: a case study
Authors: Lai Xin , Tan Kay‐Chuan , Xie Min 
Published: January 2007

AbstractIn this paper, we examine the applicability of quality function deployment (QFD) in optimizing product design. QFD is a systematic process that can help businesses to focus on their customers. In recent years, many quantitative QFD methods have been developed. However, only a small number of case studies have been reported on their use. For this research a case study on personal computer design was conducted. It demonstrates that quantitative QFD can be successfully implemented in product design. Some limitations are highlighted. Practical suggestions on implementing quantitative QFD are also discussed. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Robust QFD: framework and a case study
Authors: Kim Kwang‐Jae , Kim Deok‐Hwan , Min Dae‐Kee 
Published: January 2007

AbstractQuality function deployment (QFD) provides a specific approach for ensuring quality throughout each stage of the product development. Since the focus of QFD is placed on the early stage of product development, the uncertainty in the input information of QFD is inevitable. If the uncertainty is neglected, the QFD analysis results can be misleading. This paper proposes an extended version of the QFD methodology, called Robust QFD, which is capable of considering the uncertainty of the input information and the resulting variability of the output. The proposed framework aims to model, analyze, and dampen the effects of the uncertainty and variability in a systematic manner. The proposed framework is demonstrated through a case study on the ADSL‐based high‐speed Internet service. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Fortification of Six Sigma: expanding the DMAIC toolset
Authors: Tang Loon Ching , Goh Thong Ngee , Lam Shao Wei , Zhang Cai Wen 
Published: January 2007

AbstractSix Sigma as a quality improvement framework cannot remain static if it is to sustain its value for businesses beyond the first waves of applications. This paper explores the possibilities of enhancing the usefulness and effectiveness of Six Sigma by the integration of established Operations Research/Management Science (OR/MS) techniques. In this paper, we elucidate the needs for OR/MS techniques to enhance Six Sigma deployment in operational and transactional environments and propose a new training roadmap for core Six Sigma professionals (Six Sigma Black Belts) which incorporates these techniques. A matrix relating the components of the proposed training curriculum to the actual deliverables during implementation for a hybrid of operational and transactional environments is also presented. A practical case study is also presented to demonstrate the usefulness of the OR/MS tools in a typical transactional environment. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Renewing warranty and preventive maintenance for products with failure penalty post‐warranty
Authors: Chen Jih‐An , Chien Yu‐Hung 
Published: January 2007

AbstractFor products sold with a warranty, preventive maintenance (PM) by either the manufacturer and/or the buyer has an effect on the total cost for both parties. In this investigation, we use a model to study the effect of PM carried out by the buyer on items sold under a free‐replacement renewing warranty. For the manufacturer, if the product fails during the warranty period, it shall either be repaired (minor failure) or replaced completely (catastrophic failure) by a new one with a new warranty and at no cost to the buyer. When the product is out‐of‐warranty and if the product fails due to a catastrophic failure before its useful life limit, the buyer will incur a penalty cost, the amount of which depends on the failure time. Under such a framework, the cost model is derived and the effects of three PM options on the cost are examined both from the manufacturer's and buyer's perspectives. The results show that a significant cost saving can be obtained by taking the optimal PM action route. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Quantum wave packet dynamics on multidimensional adaptive grids: Applications of the moving boundary truncation method
Authors: Pettey Lucas R. , Wyatt Robert E. 
Published: January 2007

AbstractRecently, we reported a novel method for integrating the time dependent Schrödinger equation which used hydrodynamic quantum trajectories to adapt the boundaries of a fixed spatial grid. The moving boundary truncation (MBT) method significantly reduced the number of grid points needed to perform accurate calculations while maintaining stability during the time propagation. In this work, the method is extended to multidimensional examples. The application of MBT to scattering on 2D and 3D potential energy surfaces shows a greater decrease in the number of grid points needed compared with full fixed grids while maintaining excellent accuracy and stability, even for very long propagation times. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Quantum Chem, 2007
A sensitive confirmatory method for aflatoxins in maize based on liquid chromatography/electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry
Authors: Cavaliere Chiara , Foglia Patrizia , Guarino Chiara , Nazzari Manuela , Samperi Roberto , Laganà Aldo 
Published: January 2007

AbstractA liquid chromatography/electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry (LC/ESI‐MS/MS) method for measurement of aflatoxins B1, B2, G1, and G2 in maize is described. Aflatoxins (AFs) were extracted from 1 g samples by using tri‐portions of acetonitrile/water (80:20, v/v) (10 + 7 + 7 mL), and 2/5 of the extract diluted to 500 mL by water was cleaned up with a 100 mg Carbograph‐4 cartridge. After the addition of the internal standard AFM1, the final extract was analyzed by LC/ESI‐MS/MS in positive ion mode using multiple reaction monitoring with a triple‐quadrupole instrument. A C18 column thermostatted at 45°C with a mobile phase gradient of acetonitrile/water with 2 mmol/L ammonium formate was used. Although the matrix suppression effect was negligible, quantitation was achieved by an external calibration procedure using matrix‐matched standard solutions to improve accuracy. Sample recoveries at four spiking levels ranged from 81 to 101% (relative standard deviation (RSD) ≤12%), and the method quantification limit ranged from 0.1 to 0.6 µg/kg. This method is sensitive, accurate and selective, and can thus be applied as a confirmatory procedure in establishing non‐compliance with EU permitted maximum levels (2 µg/kg for aflatoxin B1 and 4 µg/kg for total AFs in corn products). This work also includes an application to samples obtained from retail markets and from experimental trial fields. Of the 48 samples, 15 were found to be contaminated with AFs and, of these, 5 did not comply with European Union legislation (AFB1 ≤2 µg/kg). Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Use of novel nest boxes by carmine bee‐eaters (Merops nubicus) in captivity
Authors: Elston Jennifer J. , Carney Jennifer , Quinones Glorieli , Sky Christy , Plasse Chelle , Bettinger Tammie 
Published: January 2007

AbstractCarmine bee‐eaters make attractive additions to zoo aviaries but breeding programs have had challenges and limited success. The objectives of this study were to document nesting behavior of Carmine bee‐eaters in a captive setting and compare reproductive success between a novel nest box (plastic, 17 × 30 × 22 cm) and a PVC pipe model used previously (30 cm long, 8 cm in diameter). Three bee‐eater pairs were given access to seven nest chambers (six novel boxes, one PVC model). Behavioral observations occurred during a 15‐min period in the morning or afternoon before egg production and continued until chicks fledged for a total of 87 observation periods (21.75 hr). All occurrences by an individual bird entering or exiting a nest tunnel, food provision, and the time (min) spent inside a nest cavity were documented. Additionally, daily temperature within each nest chamber was recorded. Before eggs were produced the average daily temperature (23.02°C) within the nest chambers did not differ, suggesting that nest cavity choice was not influenced by temperature. No differences were detected among pairs in percent of observed time spent inside their nest cavities or number of times a nest tunnel was entered during the incubation or fledging periods. During incubation females spent a greater percent of observed time inside the nest cavity than males (P=0.02). During the fledging period food provision did not differ between the pairs, however males entered their nest tunnels more often per hour than females (P=0.03), and males tended to provide food more often than females (P=0.053). Two pairs nested in novel nest boxes and successfully fledged one chick each. The pair that nested in the PVC model did not fledge a chick. A nest box that aids in keeping eggs intact is essential for breeding bee‐eaters in captivity, and maintaining captive populations will provide opportunities for zoo visitors to enjoy these birds and will reduce the need to remove birds from the wild. Zoo Biol 0:1–13, 2007. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Antioxidant Distributions and Triacylglycerol Molecular Species of Sesame Seeds (Sesamum indicum)
Authors: Yoshida Hiromi , Tanaka Megumi , Tomiyama Yuka , Mizushina Yoshiyuki 
Published: January 2007

AbstractExtracted lipids from sesame (Sesamum indicum) seeds of three varieties were determined by high‐performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) for endogenous antioxidants. The molecular species and fatty acid (FA) distribution of triacylglycerol (TAG) isolated from total lipids in sesame seeds were analyzed by a combination of argentation thin‐layer chromatography (TLC) and gas chromatography (GC), and were investigated in relation to their antioxidant distribution. γ‐Tocopherol was present in highest concentration, and δ‐, and α‐tocopherols were very small amounts. Sesamin and sesamolin were the main lignan components. A modified argentation‐TLC procedure, developed to optimize the separation of the complex mixture of total TAG, provided 12 different groups of TAG, based on both the degree of unsaturation and the total acyl‐chain length of FA groups. With a few exceptions, the major TAG components were SM2 (6.5–6.7%), SMD (19.8–20.7%), M2D (15.0–26.3%), MD2 (23.6–35.0%), and D3 (7.7–10.7%) (where S denotes a saturated FA, M denotes a monoene, D denotes a diene, and T denotes a triene). It seems that the three varieties were highly related to each other based on the FA composition of the TAG as well as the distribution pattern in the different TAG molecular species. These results suggest that there are no essential differences in the oil components among the three varieties.
Interference of Saturated Fats in the Determination of Low Levels of trans Fats (below 0.5%) by Infrared Spectroscopy
Authors: Mossoba M. M. , Kramer J. K. G. , Milosevic V. , Milosevic M. , Azizian H. 
Published: January 2007

AbstractThe mandate to label food products with the content of total trans fatty acids has led to an increase in demand for sensitive and accurate methodologies for the rapid quantitation of trans fats. Unfortunately, the latest official infrared (IR) spectroscopic method lacks the required sensitivity. A more sensitive IR procedure that requires the measurement of the height of the second derivative (2D) of the trans absorption band at 966 cm−1 was recently proposed; however, a reported inconsistency at low trans levels between GC (0% of total fat) and IR (1.2% of total fat) results for a fully hydrogenated vegetable oil could not be reconciled, and triggered further investigations. For the first time, we recognize and report the presence of weak interference bands (962–956 cm−1) attributed to saturated fats in the IR spectra of trans fats; these interference bands have an adverse impact on the sensitivity and accuracy of the IR determination at low trans levels (≤0.5% of total fat). Therefore, weak spectral features observed at energies below the one expected for trans bands (966 cm−1) in test samples high in saturated fat (coconut oil and cocoa butter) must not be mistaken for trans bands.
ON ELLIPTIC PROBLEMS IN DOMAINS WITH UNBOUNDED BOUNDARY
Authors: Molina Juan , Molle Riccardo 
Published: January 2007

AbstractThe paper deals with problems of the type $-\Delta u+a(x)u=|u|^{p-2}u$, $u\gt0$, with zero Dirichlet boundary condition on unbounded domains in $\mathbb{R}^N$, $N\geq2$, with $a(x)\geq c\gt0$, $p\gt2$ and $p\lt2N/(N-2)$ if $N\geq3$. The lack of compactness in the problem, related to the unboundedness of the domain, is analysed. Moreover, if the potential $a(x)$ has $k$ suitable ‘bumps’ and the domain has $h$ suitable ‘holes’, it is proved that the problem has at least $2(h+k)$ positive solutions ($h$ or $k$ can be zero). The multiplicity results are obtained under a geometric assumption on $\varOmega$ at infinity which ensures the validity of a local Palais–Smale condition.
ON CONNECTIONS BETWEEN DELTA-CONVEX MAPPINGS AND CONVEX OPERATORS
Authors: Veselý Libor , Zajíček Luděk 
Published: January 2007

AbstractWe study conditions under which every delta-convex (d.c.) mapping is the difference of two continuous convex operators, and vice versa. In particular, we prove that each d.c. mapping $F:(a,b)\to Y$ is the difference of two continuous convex operators whenever $Y$ belongs to a large class of Banach lattices which includes all $L^{p}(\mu)$ spaces ($1\leq p\leq\infty$). The proof is based on a result about Jordan decomposition of vector-valued functions. New observations on Jordan decomposition of finitely additive vector-valued measures are also presented.
APPROXIMATING NUMBERS WITH MISSING DIGITS BY ALGEBRAIC NUMBERS
Authors: Kristensen Simon 
Published: January 2007

AbstractWe show that for a given base $b$ and a proper subset $E\subset\{0,\dots,b-1\}$, $\#E\ltb-1$, the set of numbers $x\in[0,1]$ that have no digits from $E$ in their expansion to base $b$ consists almost exclusively of $S^*$-numbers of type at most $\min\{2,\log b/\log(b-\#E)\}$. We also give upper bounds on the Hausdorff dimension of some exceptional sets.