bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Reinforcement of maleated natural rubber by precipitated silica
Authors: Sahakaro Kannika , Beraheng Sumsuriya 
Published: June 2008

AbstractGraft copolymers of maleic anhydride and natural rubber or so‐called maleated natural rubbers (MNRs) were prepared in a molten state with varying maleic anhydride contents from 4 to 10 phr. In this work, the filler–filler and filler–rubber interactions of the MNR and precipitated silica were investigated. The MNR compounds containing 40 phr of silica both with and without 9 wt % of silane coupling agent were prepared. By increasing the maleic anhydride contents, the Mooney viscosity and cure times were increased, but the torque differences and cure rate indices were decreased. Bound rubber was increased with increasing maleic anhydride content, indicating an increase of filler–rubber interaction. In case of the compounds without silane, the MNR with 6 phr of maleic anhydride showed the lowest filler–filler interaction as indicated by a decrease of storage modulus upon an increase of strain in the filled compound i.e., Payne effect. This MNR compound also yielded the optimum mechanical properties. It has been demonstrated that a use of MNR with appropriate maleic anhydride content can reduce filler–filler interaction dramatically and hence improve a silica dispersion, as confirmed by SEM micrographs, resulting in an enhancement of the mechanical and dynamical properties. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2008
Improvement in the flame retardancy of cotton fabric by admicellar polymerization of 2‐acryloyloxyethyl diethyl phosphate using an anionic surfactant
Authors: Siriviriyanun Ampornphan , O'Rear Edgar A. , Yanumet Nantaya 
Published: June 2008

AbstractThe phosphorus‐containing acrylate monomer, 2‐acryloyloxyethyl diethyl phosphate (ADEP), was synthesized and applied to cotton fabric by using admicellar polymerization. Sodium dodecylbenzene sulfonate was used as the anionic surfactant. The film of polymerized monomer (PADEP) formed on the cotton surface was characterized by FTIR‐ATR spectroscopy and SEM. Thermal and flame retardant properties of PADEP‐coated cotton were investigated by TGA and flammability tests. Results showed that PADEP polymer film was successfully formed on the cotton fabric. The TGA and DTG analyses showed that the phosphorus‐containing PADEP lowered the decomposition temperature of the treated fabric resulting in a higher char yield than in the case of untreated cotton. The flammability tests showed that the treated cotton had much improved flame retardancy property after the treatment. The treated fabric also retained its good pliability and soft touch with good air permeability. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2008
Imputation Strategies for Missing Continuous Outcomes in Cluster Randomized Trials
Authors: Taljaard Monica , Donner Allan , Klar Neil 
Published: June 2008

AbstractIn cluster randomized trials, intact social units such as schools, worksites or medical practices – rather than individuals themselves – are randomly allocated to intervention and control conditions, while the outcomes of interest are then observed on individuals within each cluster. Such trials are becoming increasingly common in the fields of health promotion and health services research. Attrition is a common occurrence in randomized trials, and a standard approach for dealing with the resulting missing values is imputation. We consider imputation strategies for missing continuous outcomes, focusing on trials with a completely randomized design in which fixed cohorts from each cluster are enrolled prior to random assignment. We compare five different imputation strategies with respect to Type I and Type II error rates of the adjusted two‐sample t ‐test for the intervention effect. Cluster mean imputation is compared with multiple imputation, using either within‐cluster data or data pooled across clusters in each intervention group. In the case of pooling across clusters, we distinguish between standard multiple imputation procedures which do not account for intracluster correlation and a specialized procedure which does account for intracluster correlation but is not yet available in standard statistical software packages. A simulation study is used to evaluate the influence of cluster size, number of clusters, degree of intracluster correlation, and variability among cluster follow‐up rates.We show that cluster mean imputation yields valid inferences and given its simplicity, may be an attractive option in some large community intervention trials which are subject to individual‐level attrition only; however, it may yield less powerful inferences than alternative procedures which pool across clusters especially when the cluster sizes are small and cluster follow‐up rates are highly variable. When pooling across clusters, the imputation procedure should generally take intracluster correlation into account to obtain valid inferences; however, as long as the intracluster correlation coefficient is small, we show that standard multiple imputation procedures may yield acceptable type I error rates; moreover, these procedures may yield more powerful inferences than a specialized procedure, especially when the number of available clusters is small. Within‐cluster multiple imputation is shown to be the least powerful among the procedures considered. (© 2008 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
1,3‐bis[N‐sulfonyl‐(1R,2S)‐1,3‐diphenyl‐2‐aminopropanol]benzene: An excellent ligand for titanium‐catalyzed asymmetric AlPh3(THF) additions to aldehydes
Authors: Hsieh Sheng‐Hsiang , Chen Chien‐An , Chuang Da‐Wei , Yang Mao‐Chih , Yang Hsu‐Tang , Gau Han‐Mou 
Published: June 2008

AbstractAsymmetric AlPh3 (THF) additions to a wide variety of aldehydes catalyzed by a titanium catalyst of 20 mol % 1,3‐bis[N‐sulfonyl‐(1R,2S)‐1,3‐diphenyl‐2‐aminopropanol]benzene (1) are reported. The catalytic system works excellently for aromatic aldehydes bearing either an electron‐donating or an electron‐withdrawing substituent on the aromatic ring to afford secondary diaryl alcohols in excellent isolated yields of ≥95% and excellent enantioselectivities of ≥94% ee. The phenyl addition to cinnamaldehyde or 2‐furylaldehyde gave corresponding secondary alcohols in 85% and 95% ee, respectively. For aliphatic aldehydes, increasing enantioselectivities of the addition products in terms of increasing steric sizes of aldehydes are observed, and this trend goes from the linear 1‐pentanal (87% ee), the secondary cyclohexylaldehyde (95% ee) or the 2‐methylpropanal (97% ee), to the tertiary 2,2‐dimethylpropanal (99% ee). Chirality, 2008. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Parallel programming on a high‐performance application‐runtime
Authors: Goscinski Wojtek James , Abramson David 
Published: June 2008

AbstractHigh‐performance application development remains challenging, particularly for scientists making the transition to a heterogeneous grid environment. In general areas of computing, virtual environments such as Java and .Net have proved to be successful in fostering application development, allowing users to target and compile to a single environment, rather than a range of platforms, instruction sets and libraries. However, existing runtime environments are focused on business and desktop computing and they do not support the necessary high‐performance computing (HPC) abstractions required by e‐Scientists. Our work is focused on developing an application‐runtime that can support these services natively. The result is a new approach to the development of an application‐runtime for HPC: the Motor system has been developed by integrating a high‐performance communication library directly within a virtual machine. The Motor message passing library is integrated alongside and in cooperation with other runtime libraries and services while retaining a strong message passing performance. As a result, the application developer is provided with a common environment for HPC application development. This environment supports both procedural languages, such as C, and modern object‐oriented languages, such as C#. This paper describes the unique Motor architecture, presents its implementation and demonstrates its performance and use. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Cooperative load balancing in distributed systems
Authors: Grosu D. , Chronopoulos A. T. , Leung M. Y. 
Published: June 2008

AbstractA serious difficulty in concurrent programming of a distributed system is how to deal with scheduling and load balancing of such a system which may consist of heterogeneous computers. In this paper, we formulate the static load‐balancing problem in single class job distributed systems as a cooperative game among computers. The computers comprising the distributed system are modeled as M/M/1 queueing systems. It is shown that the Nash bargaining solution (NBS) provides an optimal solution (operation point) for the distributed system and it is also a fair solution. We propose a cooperative load‐balancing game and present the structure of NBS. For this game an algorithm for computing NBS is derived. We show that the fairness index is always equal to 1 using NBS, which means that the solution is fair to all jobs. Finally, the performance of our cooperative load‐balancing scheme is compared with that of other existing schemes. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Refining the relationships of perfectionism, self‐efficacy, and stress to dieting and binge eating: Examining the appearance, interpersonal, and academic domains
Authors: Cain Angela S. , Bardone‐Cone Anna M. , Abramson Lyn Y. , Vohs Kathleen D. , Joiner Thomas E. 
Published: June 2008

AbstractObjective:This study investigated domain‐specific (appearance, interpersonal, and academic) interactive relationships of perfectionism, self‐efficacy, and stress to dieting and binge eating, positing that the level of weight/shape self‐efficacy would be pivotal in identifying elevated dieting versus elevated binge eating.Method:Participants were 406 randomly selected undergraduate women. At two time points (T1 and T2), 11 weeks apart, participants completed measures of dieting and binge eating attitudes/behaviors as well as domain‐specific measures of perfectionism and self‐efficacy (e.g., perfectionism related to appearance). Between T1 and T2, participants completed inventories weekly on the previous week's weight/shape, interpersonal, and academic stressors.Results:The combination of high interpersonal perfectionism, low interpersonal self‐efficacy, high interpersonal stress, and high weight/shape self‐efficacy was associated with the most elevated dieting. The hypothesized interactions related to the appearance and academic domains where not supported.Conclusion:These results highlight the interpersonal context for dieting and the unique relationship between weight/shape self‐efficacy and dieting. © 2008 by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Eat Disord 2008
Oxygen Reduction Kinetics of Lanthanum Manganite (LSM) Model Cathodes: Partial Pressure Dependence and Rate‐Limiting Steps
Authors: Fleig J. , Kim H.‐R. , Jamnik J. , Maier J. 
Published: June 2008

AbstractSr‐doped LaMnO3 (LSM) thin film microelectrodes prepared by pulsed laser deposition and photolithography on YSZ (yttria stabilised zirconia) electrolytes are investigated by impedance spectroscopy. Oxygen partial pressure (p), microelectrode diameter and microelectrode thickness are varied in order to achieve a mechanistic interpretation of the impedance spectra. By means of an equivalent circuit based on a continuum model a quantitative analysis of the spectra was possible and allowed a separation of the resistances associated with oxygen exchange at the surface of the LSM electrodes and oxide ion transport through the thin film electrodes. At low oxygen partial pressures (mbar range) the surface‐related resistance is rate limiting. On increasing p the transport resistance becomes larger while the surface resistance decreases and a change in the rate‐limiting step can be concluded for high p. Capacitances are interpreted in terms of processes at interfaces and stoichiometry changes in LSM (chemical capacitance). “The p dependence of the ionic conductivity and of the chemical diffusion coefficient of LSM is determined.”
Reproducibility of TMS—Evoked EEG responses
Authors: Lioumis Pantelis , Kičić Dubravko , Savolainen Petri , Mäkelä Jyrki P. , Kähkönen Seppo 
Published: June 2008

AbstractNavigated transcranial magnetic stimulation combined with electroencephalography (nTMS‐EEG), allows noninvasive studies of cortical excitability and connectivity in humans. We investigated the reproducibility of nTMS‐EEG in seven healthy subjects by repeating left motor and prefrontal cortical stimulation with a 1‐week interval. TMS was applied at three intensities: 90, 100, and 110% of subjects' motor threshold (MT). The TMS‐compatible neuronavigation system guaranteed precise repositioning of the stimulation coil. The responses were recorded by a 60‐channel whole head TMS‐compatible EEG amplifier. A high overall reproducibility (r > 0.80) was evident in nTMS‐EEG responses over both hemispheres for both motor and prefrontal cortical stimulation. The results suggest that nTMS‐EEG is a reliable tool for studies investigating cortical excitability changes in the test‐retest designs. Hum Brain Mapp, 2009. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Frontal operculum temporal difference signals and social motor response learning
Authors: Kumar Poornima , Waiter Gordon , Ahearn Trevor , Milders Maarten , Reid Ian , Steele J. Douglas 
Published: June 2008

AbstractSubstantial experimental evidence supports the theory that the dopaminergic system codes a phasic (short duration) signal predicting the delivery of primary reinforcers, such as water when thirsty, during Pavlovian learning. This signal is described by the temporal difference (TD) model. Recently, it has been suggested that the human dopaminergic system also codes more complex cognitive goal states, including those required for human social interaction. Using functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) with 18 healthy subjects, we tested the hypothesis that TD signals would be present during a Pavlovian learning task, and during a social motor response learning task. Using an identical model, TD signals were present in both tasks, although in different brain regions. Specifically, signals were present in the dorsal anterior cingulate, ventral striatum, amygdala, and thalamus with Pavlovian learning, and the dorsal anterior cingulate and bilateral frontal operculum with social motor response learning. The frontal operculum is believed to be the human homologue of the monkey mirror neuron system, and there is evidence which links the region with inference about other peoples' intentions and goals. The results support the contention that the human dopaminergic system predicts both primary reinforcers, and more complex cognitive goal states, such as motor responses required for human social group interaction. Dysfunction of such a mechanism might be associated with abnormal affective responses and incorrect social predictions, as occur in psychiatric disorders. Hum Brain Mapp 2009. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Resolution of sexual dysfunction during acute treatment of major depression with milnacipran
Authors: Baldwin David , Moreno Ricardo A. , Briley Mike 
Published: June 2008

AbstractObjectiveThe sexual function and enjoyment questionnaire (SFEQ) was developed to assess and detect changes in sexual function in men and women. The aim of the present study was to use the SFEQ to evaluate the effects of the serotonin‐noradrenaline reuptake inhibitor, milnacipran, in the treatment of depression in two culturally different populations.MethodsThe SFEQ was employed in two studies investigating milnacipran in the treatment of major depression: a 12‐week open study in Brazil and a 6‐week randomised controlled study in Europe.ResultsAt endpoint, 61.3% (Brazil) and 78.4% (Europe) of patients had ≥50% reduction of baseline Hamilton Depression Rating (HAMD) score. All SFEQ items showed improvements in sexual function in both studies at endpoint, 60% (Brazil) and 56% (Europe) of patients stating that their sexual desire was as great as or greater than it had been before their depressive episode.ConclusionsMilnacipran appears to improve sexual function in parallel with improvement in other symptoms of depression. The SFEQ is a sensitive instrument for measuring changes in sexual function and appears to be unaffected by cultural differences as shown by similar findings in Brazil and Europe. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The methylation status of RASSF1A promoter predicts responsiveness to chemotherapy and eventual cure in hepatoblastoma patients
Authors: Honda Shohei , Haruta Masayuki , Sugawara Waka , Sasaki Fumiaki , Ohira Miki , Matsunaga Tadashi , Yamaoka Hiroaki , Horie Hiroshi , Ohnuma Naomi , Nakagawara Akira , Hiyama Eiso , Todo Satoru , Kaneko Yasuhiko 
Published: June 2008

AbstractDespite the progress of therapy, outcomes of advanced hepatoblastoma patients who are refractory to standard preoperative chemotherapy remain unsatisfactory. To improve the mortality rate, novel prognostic markers are needed for better therapy planning. We examined the methylation status of 13 candidate tumor suppressor genes in 20 hepatoblastoma tumors by conventional methylation‐specific PCR (MSP) and found hypermethylation in 3 of the 13 genes. We analyzed the methylation status of these 3 genes (RASSF1A, SOCS1 and CASP8) in 97 tumors and found hypermethylation in 30.9, 33.0 and 15.5%, respectively. Univariate analysis showed that only the methylation status of RASSF1A but not the other 2 genes predicted the outcome, and multivariate analysis showed a weak contribution of RASSF1A methylation to overall survival. Using quantitative MSP, we found RASSF1A methylation in 44.3% of the 97 tumors. CTNNB1 mutation was detected in 67.0% of the 97 tumors. While univariate analysis demonstrated RASSF1A methylation, CTNNB1 mutation and other clinicopathological variables as prognostic factors, multivariate analysis identified RASSF1A methylation (p = 0.043; relative risk 9.39) and the disease stage (p = 0.002; relative risk 7.67) but not CTNNB1 mutation as independent prognostic factors. In survival analysis of 33 patients in stage 3B or 4, patients with unmethylated tumor had better overall survival than those with methylated tumor (p = 0.035). RASSF1A methylation may be a promising molecular‐genetic marker to predict the treatment outcome and may be used to stratify patients when clinical trials are carried out. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Effectual components on furrow infiltration
Authors: Nasseri A. , Neyshabori M. R. , Abbasi F. 
Published: June 2008

AbstractDesign, management and evaluation of furrow irrigation depend on how well infiltration characteristics are identified. Furrow infiltration varies with different variables, and modelling of such phenomena is a complex process at field scale. This research was conducted to quantify the contributions of opportunity time (τ), water flow depth (Dg), initial soil water content (θi), flow section area (A) and wetted perimeter (Wp), as independent variables, on cumulative infiltration (CI) variations using path analysis method; and to develop empirical relationships between field‐wide furrow infiltration and independent variables. Path analysis was used with the aim of scrutinizing direct (DT) and indirect (IDT) effects of five exogenous variables, namely τ, Dg, θi, A and Wp on the endogenous variable of CI. Furrow infiltration was measured by blocked furrow infiltrometers at 56 infiltration sites over a 70 × 130 m field plot. The furrow cross‐sections were taken using a profilometer, whereas flow section area and wetted perimeter were graphically determined from measured cross‐sections. Initial soil water content was obtained by means of the gravimetric method, with drying by the burning alcohol technique in the field. Results revealed that total effects of τ, Dg, θi, A and Wp on furrow infiltration were 0.790, 0.370, −0.359, 0.349 and 0.301; and DT effects of those variables were 92.4, 12.16, 36.50, 42.12 and 14.95% of their total effects, respectively. Consequently, the τ, θi, and A were recognized as the effectual components on the field‐wide furrow infiltration, on the basis of the largest direct effects of the variables. Total and the DT effects of Wp on CI were relatively diminutive compared with other variables. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Microfluidics and photonics for Bio‐System‐on‐a‐Chip: A review of advancements in technology towards a microfluidic flow cytometry chip
Authors: Godin Jessica , Chen Chun‐Hao , Cho Sung Hwan , Qiao Wen , Tsai Frank , Lo Yu‐Hwa 
Published: June 2008

AbstractMicrofluidics and photonics come together to form a field commonly referred to as ‘optofluidics’. Flow cytometry provides the field with a technology base from which both microfluidic and photonic components be developed and integrated into a useful device. This article reviews some of the more recent developments to familiarize a reader with the current state of the technologies and also highlights the requirements of the device and how researchers are working to meet these needs. (© 2008 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
An overview of the application of Fenton oxidation to industrial wastewaters treatment
Authors: Bautista P , Mohedano A F , Casas J A , Zazo J A , Rodriguez J J 
Published: June 2008

AbstractThis review provides updated information on the application of the Fenton process as an advanced oxidation method for the treatment of industrial wastewaters. This technology has been used in recent decades as a chemical oxidation process addressed to meet a variety of objectives including final polishing, reduction of high percentages of organic load in terms of chemical oxygen demand or total organic carbon and removal of recalcitrant and toxic pollutants thus allowing for further conventional biological treatment. The efficiency and flexibility of this technology has been proven with a wide diversity of effluents from chemical and other related industries or activities, including pharmaceutical, pulp and paper, textile, food, cork processing, and landfilling among others. Copyright © 2008 Society of Chemical Industry
Carpal tunnel syndrome: Clinical and sonographic follow‐up after surgery
Authors: Smidt Martijn H. , Visser Leo H. 
Published: June 2008

AbstractHigh‐resolution sonography has the same accuracy as electrophysiological studies in confirming the diagnosis in carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS), but the value of sonographic follow‐up after surgery requires prospective examination. The aims of the present study were to assess: (1) change in the size of the median nerve at the proximal carpal tunnel after surgery compared to conservative treatment, and (2) the correlation between sonographic characteristics and clinical outcome after surgery. Seventy‐nine patients undergoing surgery for CTS were assessed at least 6 months after surgery. The patients completed questionnaires and underwent sonography. Postoperative improvement was scored by the patient on a 6‐point ordinal transition scale ranging from “completely recovered” to “much worse.” The median cross‐sectional area of the median nerve at the proximal carpal tunnel decreased after surgery from 14 mm2 [interquartile range (IQR) 12–16 mm2] to 11.5 mm2 (IQR 11–13.5 mm2) (P < 0.0001); no significant changes in the cross‐sectional area occurred in symptomatic hands treated conservatively or in asymptomatic hands. Sonography at the time of diagnosis was not a predictor of postoperative outcome, but in this study only a relatively small number of patients had a poor postoperative outcome. Muscle Nerve, 2008