bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Fast‐GC–conventional quadrupole mass spectrometry in essential oil analysis
Authors: Rubiolo Patrizia , Liberto Erica , Sgorbini Barbara , Russo Rossana , Veuthey Jean‐Luc , Bicchi Carlo 
Published: April 2008

AbstractThis study reports on the compatibility of a conventional quadrupole MS (qMS) as detector for Fast‐GC in terms of separation, identification, and quantitation when applied to the analysis of peppermint essential oil (e.o.), adopted as representative of this field. The influence of Fast‐GC carried out on a 10 m×0.1 mm id narrow bore column with temperature programmes from 20 to 60°C/min on the results of a qMS in total ion chromatograms (TIC) at different speeds (from 999 and 11 111 amu/s) and SIM modes was evaluated on ten differently abundant components characterizing peppermint e.o. Separation measure (S), peak capacity (n), and half height peak width were taken as separation parameters; match quality, number of scans per peak (NP), spectral skewing, and TIC area repeatability were used for identification. Quantitation was in SIM mode and NP, dwell time, SIM area repeatability and calibration curves, LOD, and LOQ of the selected components were measured. The results show that the peppermint e.o. markers can successfully be analysed qualitatively and quantitatively by F‐GC–qMS up to temperature programmes of 60°/min provided that a suitable scan speed is applied. Fast‐GC–qMS reduces analysis time by a factor greater than ten and gives results that are qualitatively reliable and quantitatively comparable to those obtained by conventional GC–qMS.
Preparation of Chitinous Compound/Gelatin Composite and Their Biological Application
Authors: Nagahama Hideaki , New Nitar , Jayakumar Rangasamy , Furuike Tetsuya , Tamura Hiroshi 
Published: April 2008

AbstractChitin, a natural abundant polysaccharide, have been investigated as prospected biochemical material due to its several biological advantages. It is insoluble in the most of the organic solvents due to its rigid crystalline structure. However, chitin regenerated hydrogel (RG) has been prepared by using the saturated calcium solvent system under mild conditions. And also, swelling hydrogel (SG) was prepared by using water. In this study, we prepared the suspension of chitinous hydrogel, and applied to fabricated the chitinous compound/gelatin composite sheets. Additionally, N‐acetyl D‐(+)‐glucosamine was added into some composite sheets. We investigated the mechanical properties and growth of NIH/3T3 fibroblast cell for the prepared composite sheet.
Ultraviolet Protection Characteristics of Silicone/Titanium Dioxide Composite Sheets
Authors: Seetapan Nispa , Panyathammaporn Thammarat 
Published: April 2008

AbstractSilicone/titanium dioxide (TiO2) composite sheets were prepared from TiO2 particles and silicone elastomer by a compression‐molding process at 140 °C. The particles were produced through sol‐gel method, and emulsion technique consecutively. The prepared composite sheets with thickness of 0.8 mm had ultraviolet radiation protection property such that the transmission of ultraviolet (UV) B ray through the sheets was less than 1%. The UVA ray transmitted the sheets in the range of 0.02–4% at 320 nm and 2–43% at 400 nm, depending on the amount of TiO2 emulsion presented in the silicone elastomer. The composite sheets still remained transparent since the transmission of the visible light through the sheets was up to 60%. On the other hand, the transmissions of UVB ray, UVA ray, and visible light through the pure silicone elastomer sheets were in the range of 47–58%, 58–71%, and 71–88%, respectively. Comparable with silicone elastomer sheets, the addition of TiO2 emulsion resulted in the composite sheets with higher strain and lower modulus; however, these differences in tensile properties were up to the amount of the emulsion in the silicone elastomer.
Polymer‐Based Superhydrophobic Coating Fabricated from Polyelectrolyte Multilayers of Poly(allylamine hydrochloride) and Poly(acrylic acid)
Authors: Nimittrakoolchai On‐uma , Supothina Sitthisuntorn 
Published: April 2008

AbstractSuperhydrophobic films mainly based on poly(allylamine hydrochloride) (PAH) and poly(acrylic acid) (PAA) polyelectrolyte multilayer have been deposited onto cleaned glass substrate by a layer‐by‐layer dip coating method. 3 bilayers of the PAH and PAA was directly coated onto the substrate as an underlying layer for subsequent coating. Desired surface roughness on the polyelectrolyte bilayers was created by etching the bilayers in hydrochloric acid solution so as to create the open pore having suitable size at the surface. Then, nanoparticles such as SiO2 and TiO2 of various sizes were deposited onto the etched polyelectrolyte bilayers. Finally, the surfaces were further modified with semifluorinated silane followed by cross‐linking at 180 °C for 2 h to obtain desirable surface morphological features. The effect of etching time and addition of nanoparticles on surface morphology was investigated using an atomic force microscope (AFM). Wetting ability of the prepared film was determined by measuring water droplet contact angle using a goniometer. Adhesion between the superhydrophobic films and the substrate was evaluated by using a standard tape test method (D3359). The adhesion was improved by reducing the organic content in the films.
Ultrafine Electrospun Conducting Polymer Blend Fibers and Their Photoluminescence Properties
Authors: Chuangchote Surawut , Sagawa Takashi , Yoshikawa Susumu 
Published: April 2008

AbstractUltrafine poly(2‐methoxy‐5‐(2′‐ethylhexyloxy)‐1,4‐phenylene‐vinylene) (MEH‐PPV)/polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) blend fibers with the average diameters ranging from 625 nm to 1.46 µm were prepared by electrospinning of polymer blend solutions in the mixed solvent of chlorobenzene and methanol. The average diameter of fibers was found to decrease with initial increase in the applied electrical potential and composition of MEH‐PPV, reach a minimum value at an intermediate value, and increase with further increase in the applied electrical potential and composition of MEH‐PPV, while it was found to decrease with increasing collection distance. PVP was easily removed from MEH‐PPV/PVP fibers by the Soxhlet extraction, and after the removal of PVP at high composition of MEH‐PPV, pure MEH‐PPV fibers were obtained as a ribbon‐like structure aligned with wrinkled surface in fiber direction. The increase in MEH‐PPV composition and the removal of PVP from as‐spun MEH‐PPV/PVP fibers resulted in a significant blue‐shift in UV‐Vis absorption peak and red‐shift in PL peak.
Novel Interpenetrating Networks (IPNs) Hydrogels Prepared In Situ by Liquid‐Phase Photopolymerization
Authors: Yongmei Jiang , Yang Liu , Yun Ma , Xiaoli Liu , Zongyi Qin , Meifang Zhu , Adler H. J. 
Published: April 2008

AbstractNovel interpenetrating networks (IPNs) hydrogels responsive to temperature were prepared in situ by liquid‐phase photopolymerization. The first network of the IPNs (poly isopropyl acrylamide) were formed with a special kind of hectorite (Laponite XLS) modified by tetrasodium pyrophosphate as cross‐linker and 2‐oxogultaric acid as photoinitiator. The samples were subsequently immersed in an acrylamide (AAm) aqueous solution for at least one day for preparing IPNs hydrogels, in which acrylamide aqueous solution containing N,N′‐Dimetyl acrylamide (MBAA) as cross‐linker and 2‐oxogultaric acid as photoinitiator. Then the second networks were in situ formed by introducing ultraviolet light irradiated PNIPAAm gels. The swelling/deswelling behaviors of IPNs hydrogels were measured. Compared with the corresponding nanocomposite PNIPAAm hydroges(NC hydrogels), chemically cross‐linked PNIPAAm and PAAm IPNs hydrogels, the results indicate that the new IPN hydrogel has a faster deswelling rate above its LCST (≈32 °C). The effect was explained as being an additional contribution of the PAAm chains in IPN hydrogels, which may act as a water‐releasing channel when the hydrophobic aggregation of PNIPA takes place.
Thermal Properties and Crystallization Behaviors of Polylactide and Its Enantiomeric Blends
Authors: Opaprakasit Pakorn , Opaprakasit Mantana 
Published: April 2008

AbstractThermal properties and crystallization behaviors of polylactide and its enantiomeric blends are investigated. DSC results demonstrate that only homopolymer crystallite is observed in PDLA and PLLA single polymers. A relatively stronger crystal structure, stereocomplex, can be achieved by mixing the two PLAs in a 1:1 ratio. For non‐equimolar blends, both types of crystallites are formed at lower temperature than that of the single polymer counterparts. The degree of reduction in crystallization temperature is dependent on the degree of deviation of blend content from the equimolar value and the mobility of the polymer chain. The composition of the two crystallite domains is also dependent on the blend content, where the stereocomplex content is maximized in a 1:1 blend, and decreases upon varying the mixing ratio from equimolar value. Infrared spectroscopy is employed to follow the crystallization mechanisms of the non‐equimolar blend. Results indicate a domination of stereocomplex formation band characteristics, despite evidences suggesting an existent of homopolymer crystallite formation, probably due to the involvement of CH··OC hydrogen bonding, which leads to larger change in dipole moment responsible for infrared transitions.
Preparation and Physico‐Chemical Characteristics of N‐Maleoyl Chitosan Films
Authors: Vanichvattanadecha Chutima , Supaphol Pitt , Rujiravanit Ratana 
Published: April 2008

AbstractN‐Maleoyl chitosan (N‐MC), a water‐soluble derivative of chitosan, was synthesized by N‐carboxyacylation of chitosan and maleic anhydride. N‐MC films were prepared by solvent casting and kept in a desiccator for different time intervals in order to obtain N‐MC films with different degrees of cross‐linking. The swelling characteristic of N‐MC films was investigated. When the ageing time increased from 5 to 30 d, the swelling of the N‐MC films decreased from ∼475 to ∼160% and the weight loss decreased from ∼25 to ∼8%, corresponding to the increase in the cross‐linking density from 0.86 × 10−6 to 8.97 × 10−6 mol · cm−3. Additionally, the swelling behavior of the N‐MC films was influenced by changes in either the pH or the ionic strength of the media.
Synthesis and Characterization of UV‐Curable Poly(dimethylsiloxane) Dimethacrylate
Authors: Thavornyutikarn Boonlom , Janvikul Wanida 
Published: April 2008

AbstractThis paper presents a new route to the synthesis of UV‐curable poly(dimethylsiloxane) dimethacrylate (PDMSDMA). PDMSDMA was essentially prepared by modification of poly(dimethylsiloxane), bis(3‐aminopropyl) terminated (PDMS‐NH2) with methacrylic anhydride (MAA). The synthesized products were cured under UV in the presence of camphorquinone (CQ) used as a photoinitiator. The chemical structure of PDMSDMA samples was analyzed by FT‐IR and 1H‐NMR spectroscopy. The 1H‐NMR spectrum of PDMSDMA revealed new peaks at 3.20 ppm, corresponding to methylene protons in CH2NH, and 5.25 and 5.65 ppm, corresponding to vinylic protons in NHCOCCH3CH2. The chemical structure of the cured products and the degree of curing were determined by solid state 13C CP/MAS NMR and FT‐IR (Micro‐ATR) spectroscopy. Various parameters, such as concentration of methacrylic anhydride, amount of camphorquinone, and curing time, were studied.
Determination of Operating Conditions of Ethylene/1‐Octene Copolymerization Using Artificial Neural Network (ANN)
Authors: Anantawaraskul Siripon , Toungsetwut Mahapon , Pinyapong Ratchadaporn 
Published: April 2008

AbstractAn artificial neural network (ANN) is applied to determine appropriate parameters in copolymerization of ethylene and 1‐octene via metallocene catalytic system for producing a copolymer with desired chain microstructures. The polymerization parameters of interests are polymerization temperature, ethylene pressure, and the amount of hydrogen used. The ANN used is a feed‐forward network with a back propagation learning method and has a 5‐6‐6‐3 architecture. When comparing with both training and testing experimental data sets, it was found that ANN can provide a good guesstimation of polymerization parameters.
Physical and Electrical Properties of Chlorophyllin/Carboxymethyl Chitin and Chlorophyllin/Carboxymethyl Chitosan Blend Films
Authors: Thanpitcha Tuspon , Sirivat Anuvat , Jamieson Alexander M. , Rujiravanit Ratana 
Published: April 2008

AbstractBlend films consisting of chlorophyllin dispersed in carboxymethyl chitin (CM‐chitin) and carboxymethyl chitosan (CM‐chitosan) were prepared by solution casting and characterized for their physical and electrical properties. Homogeneous films were obtained having chlorophyllin content up to 50 wt% in the CM‐chitin matrix and 30 wt% in the CM‐chitosan matrix. Agglomeration of chlorophyllin particles in the chlorophyllin/CM‐chitosan blend was observed, when chlorophyllin content reached 50 wt%. The electrical conductivity of CM‐chitosan was higher than that of CM‐chitin by approximately 2 orders of magnitude due to the higher content of amino polar groups. The electrical conductivity increased with increasing chlorophyllin content. The addition of metal ion salts improved the electrical conductivity of the blend films.
Electromechanical Responses of a Crosslinked Polydimethylsiloxane
Authors: Niamlang Sumonman , Sirivat Anuvat 
Published: April 2008

AbstractA high molecular weight polydimethylsiloxane, PDMS, gel was prepared and investigated as an electroactive polymer actuator. Electromechanical properties of the PDMS gels were measured under an oscillatory shear mode at the temperature of 27 °C to determine the effects of crosslink ratio and electric field strength. The storage modulus, G′, of PDMS gel increases linearly with crosslink density but nonlinearly with electric field. The increase in the storage modulus with crosslink density is due to the increase in the number of junction points and strands. With increasing electric field strength, the storage modulus increases as the electric field induces dipole moments generating the electrostatic forces within the matrices. The gel with the crosslink ratio of 0.01 possesses the highest G′ sensitivity of 41% at 2 kV/mm. The temporal response of PDMS gels upon repeated applications of electric field strength of 2 kV/mm was investigated. For the crosslink PDMS (Nc/Nm = 0.01) system, at the electric field of 2 kV/mm, G′ immediately increases and rapidly reaches a steady‐state value. With electric field off, G′ decreases and nearly recovers its original value. The crosslinked PDMS (Nc/Nm = 0.01) is nearly a reversible system. Finally, we investigated the bending response of the PDMS films, suspended in silicone oil between copper electrodes. From the deformation data, we estimated the dielectrophoresis force, FD, to be a linear function of electric field strength.
Selective inhibitors of picornavirus replication
Authors: De Palma Armando M. , Vliegen Inge , De Clercq Erik , Neyts Johan 
Published: April 2008

AbstractPicornaviruses cover a large family of pathogens that have a major impact on human but also on veterinary health. Although most infections in man subside mildly or asymptomatically, picornaviruses can also be responsible for severe, potentially life‐threatening disease. To date, no therapy has been approved for the treatment of picornavirus infections. However, efforts to develop an antiviral that is effective in treating picornavirus‐associated diseases are ongoing. In 2007, Schering‐Plough, under license of ViroPharma, completed a phase II clinical trial with Pleconaril, a drug that was originally rejected by the FDA after a New Drug Application in 2001. Rupintrivir, a rhinovirus protease inhibitor developed at Pfizer, reached clinical trials but was recently halted from further development. Finally, Biota's HRV drug BTA‐798 is scheduled for phase II trials in 2008. Several key steps in the picornaviral replication cycle, involving structural as well as non‐structural proteins, have been identified as valuable targets for inhibition. The current review aims to highlight the most important developments during the past decades in the search for antivirals against picornaviruses. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Med Res Rev, 28, No. 6, 823–884, 2008
Repopulation of donor cells from the recipient following extremity graft: Studies using the LACZ transgenic rat
Authors: Muramatsu Keiichi , Kuriyama Ryutaro , Taguchi Toshihiko 
Published: April 2008

AbstractCell traffic from the recipient into the graft, so called graft chimerism, appears to play a major role in graft acceptance. This study was conducted using LacZ transgenic rats to define recipient cell migration into whole‐limb grafts. Eighteen hind limb transplants were performed across LacZ+ transgenic and LacZ− rats. LacZ expression was evaluated by X‐gal staining. Intense LacZ expression was observed at the interfollicular epidermis in the skin component of LacZ− limb grafts 48 weeks after transplant. Muscle fibers and cartilage showed intense LacZ expression in LacZ+ limb grafts at 48 weeks but no expression in LacZ− grafts. Polymerase chain reaction studies confirmed the presence of the LacZ gene in the bone and skin of LacZ− limb grafts and in the muscle of LacZ+ grafts. Our results demonstrate that there is a gradual increase in repopulation of recipient cells in grafted skin and bone tissues, but muscle and cartilage tissues retain donor cell origin. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc. Microsurgery, 2008.
Complexation study of midazolam hydrochloride with β‐cyclodextrin: NMR spectroscopic study in solution
Authors: Ali Syed Mashhood , Upadhyay Santosh Kumar 
Published: April 2008

Abstract1H NMR spectroscopic study of midazolam hydrochloride (MDL), β‐cyclodextrin (β‐CD) and their mixtures confirmed the formation of β‐CD‐MDL inclusion complex in aqueous solution. The stoichiometry of the complexes was determined by Scott's method to be 1:1, and the association constant (Ka) was calculated to be 108 M−1. It was confirmed on the basis of 2D ROESY spectral data that only a fluorine‐substituted aromatic ring acted as guest in complexation. Most of the aromatic signals of MDL exhibited induced shift changes as well as splitting, in the presence of β‐CD, indicating chiral differentiation of MDL by β‐CD. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Models of judicial administration and the independence of the judiciary: a comparison of Romanian self‐management and the Czech executive model
Authors: Smith B. C. 
Published: March 2008

AbstractThe Rule of Law is a necessary condition for economic, social and political development in countries undergoing transition from authoritarianism to democracy. The Rule of Law requires an independent judiciary, one that is impartial and insular. In Eastern Europe democratic transition has produced two models of judicial administration: judicial self‐management and the executive model. Romania is a case of the former, the Czech Republic an instance of the latter. Comparison of the two cases suggests that while political developments are important to the preservation of judicial independence, the consolidation of democracy and the organisation of the judiciary are in a reciprocal relationship. The organisation of the judiciary is necessary for the legislative transparency and oversight of the executive branch which in turn guards against the politicisation of judicial management, with its adverse consequences for the independence of the judiciary and ultimately the Rule of Law. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Intensive induction chemotherapy followed by high dose chemotherapy with autologous hematopoietic progenitor cell rescue in young children newly diagnosed with central nervous system atypical teratoid rhabdoid tumors
Authors: Gardner Sharon L. , Asgharzadeh Shahab , Green Adam , Horn Biljana , McCowage Geoffrey , Finlay Jonathan 
Published: April 2008

AbstractBackgroundCentral nervous system (CNS) atypical teratoid rhabdoid tumors (AT/RT) are rare tumors of childhood with a dismal prognosis. Historically, surgery and standard dose chemotherapy have resulted in a median survival of 8.5 months from diagnosis.MethodsThirteen children newly diagnosed with CNS AT/RT were treated with either the “Head Start I” (HS I) or “Head Start II” (HS II) regimens. Therapy included resection followed by five cycles of cisplatin, vincristine, cyclophosphamide, and etoposide. High dose methotrexate was added to each of the five induction courses in HS II. Consolidation for both regimens included carboplatin, thiotepa, and etoposide with autologous hematopoietic progenitor cell rescue (AHPCR).ResultsSix children, median age of 36 months, were treated on HS I between 1992 and 1997. Seven children, median age of 28 months, were treated on HS II between 1997 and 2002. One patient received craniospinal irradiation following AHPCR but prior to recurrence. There are presently three event‐free survivors 42+, 54+, and 67+ months following diagnosis; none received RT. All three survivors were enrolled on HS II. Eight patients died of disease (six on HS I); one patient died from infection; one patient died from secondary malignancy following treatment for recurrent AT/RT.ConclusionThree of seven children with CNS AT/RT treated on HS II have experienced long term remissions. Long term survival can be achieved in a subset of young children with CNS AT/RT following resection with the use of multi‐drug chemotherapy including high dose methotrexate and myeloablative chemotherapy without radiation therapy (RT). Pediatr Blood Cancer 2008;51:235–240. © 2006 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Risk of drug‐related problems for various antibiotics in hospital: assessment by use of a novel method
Authors: Blix Hege Salvesen , Viktil Kirsten K. , Moger Tron Anders , Reikvam Aasmund 
Published: April 2008

AbstractPurposeTo investigate the use of antibiotics in hospitals, to explore drug‐related problems (DRPs) linked to antibiotics and to introduce a novel way of expressing the risks accompanying use of various antibiotics.MethodsPatients from internal medicine departments in four Norwegian hospitals were prospectively included in 2002. Demographics, drugs used, medical history, laboratory data and clinical/pharmacological risk factors were recorded. DRPs were identified by clinical pharmacists and assessed in multidisciplinary hospital teams. A new term, the drug risk ratio, was established and defined as the number of times the antibiotic was associated with DRPs in relation to the number of times it was used.ResultsOut of the 668 patients included, 283 patients (42%) used antibiotics (AB users). AB users were older (76.2 vs. 73.9), used more drugs on admission (5.1 vs. 4.4) and had more DRPs (3.0 vs. 2.2) than non‐users.The DRP categories no further need for drug, non‐optimal drug and non‐optimal dose were most frequently observed. The drug risk ratio, calculated for 12 antibiotic groups, was highest for aminoglycosides (0.77), β‐lactamase‐resistant penicillins (0.56), macrolides (0.54) and quinolones (0.48) and lowest for first‐ and third‐generation cephalosporins, 0.17 and 0.13, respectively.ConclusionsNearly half of the hospitalised patients were prescribed antibiotics and antibiotic associated DRPs occurred frequently. The drug risk ratio for the different antibiotic groups varied with a factor of six from the lowest to the highest. A high drug risk ratio would alert of antibiotics which require heightened awareness when going to be used in clinical practice. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.