bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Differential ovarian expression of KiSS‐1 and GPR‐54 during the estrous cycle and photoperiod induced recrudescence in Siberian hamsters (Phodopus sungorus)
Authors: Shahed Asha , Young Kelly A. 
Published: October 2008

AbstractKisspeptins, coded by the KiSS‐1 gene, regulate aspects of the reproductive axis by stimulating GnRH release via the G protein coupled receptor, GPR54. Recent reports show that KiSS/GPR54 may be key mediators in photoperiod‐controlled reproduction in seasonal breeders, and that KiSS‐1/GPR54 are expressed in the hypothalamus, ovaries, placenta, and pancreas. This study examined the expression of KiSS‐1/GPR54 mRNA and protein in ovaries of Siberian hamsters (Phodopus sungorus). Ovaries from cycling hamsters were collected during proestrus (P), estrus (E), diestrus I (DI), and diestrus II (DII). To examine KiSS‐1/GPR54 during stimulated recrudescence, additional hamsters were maintained either in long day (LD 16L:8D, control) or short day (SD 8L:16D) for 14 weeks and then transferred to LD for 0–8 weeks. Staining of KiSS‐1/GPR54 protein was detected by immunohistochemistry in steroidogenic cells of pre‐antral and antral follicles, and corpora lutea. Immunostaining peaked in P and E, but decreased in the diestrus stages (P < 0.05). In recrudescing ovaries, KiSS‐1/GPR54 immunostaining was low after 14 weeks of SD exposure (post‐transfer [PT] week 0), and increased during the early weeks of recrudescence. Expression of KiSS‐1/GPR54 mRNA was low with short day exposure, but increased during recrudescence and was higher at PT week 8 as compared to PT weeks 0 and 2 (P < 0.05). The elevated KiSS‐1/GPR54 expression during P and E suggests a potential role in ovulation in Siberian hamsters. Transient increases in KiSS‐1/GPR54 expression following LD stimulation are also suggestive of possible involvement in ovulation and/or restoration of ovarian function. Mol. Reprod. Dev. 76: 444–452, 2009. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
A methodology for fast finite element modeling of electrostatically actuated MEMS
Authors: Sumant Prasad S. , Aluru Narayana R. , Cangellaris Andreas C. 
Published: October 2008

AbstractIn this paper, a methodology is proposed for expediting the coupled electro‐mechanical finite element modeling of electrostatically actuated MEMS. The proposed methodology eliminates the need for repeated finite element meshing and subsequent electrostatic modeling of the device during mechanical deformation. We achieve this by using an approximation of the charge density on the movable electrode in the deformed geometry in terms of the charge density in the non‐deformed geometry and displacements of the movable electrode. The electrostatic problem has to be solved only once and thus this method speeds up the coupled electro‐mechanical simulation process. The proposed methodology is demonstrated through its application to the modeling of four MEMS devices with varying length‐to‐gap ratios, multiple dielectrics and complicated geometries. Its accuracy is assessed through comparisons of its results with results obtained using both analytical solutions and finite element solutions obtained using ANSYS. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
A hypersingular time‐domain BEM for 2D dynamic crack analysis in anisotropic solids
Authors: Wünsche M. , Zhang Ch. , Kuna M. , Hirose S. , Sladek J. , Sladek V. 
Published: October 2008

AbstractA hypersingular time‐domain boundary element method (BEM) for transient elastodynamic crack analysis in two‐dimensional (2D), homogeneous, anisotropic, and linear elastic solids is presented in this paper. Stationary cracks in both infinite and finite anisotropic solids under impact loading are investigated. On the external boundary of the cracked solid the classical displacement boundary integral equations (BIEs) are used, while the hypersingular traction BIEs are applied to the crack‐faces. The temporal discretization is performed by a collocation method, while a Galerkin method is implemented for the spatial discretization. Both temporal and spatial integrations are carried out analytically. Special analytical techniques are developed to directly compute strongly singular and hypersingular integrals. Only the line integrals over an unit circle arising in the elastodynamic fundamental solutions need to be computed numerically by standard Gaussian quadrature. An explicit time‐stepping scheme is obtained to compute the unknown boundary data including the crack‐opening‐displacements (CODs). Special crack‐tip elements are adopted to ensure a direct and an accurate computation of the elastodynamic stress intensity factors from the CODs. Several numerical examples are given to show the accuracy and the efficiency of the present hypersingular time‐domain BEM. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Shape optimization of piezoelectric devices using an enriched meshfree method
Authors: Liu C. W. , Taciroglu E. 
Published: October 2008

AbstractWe present an enriched reproducing kernel particle method for shape sensitivity analysis and shape optimization of two‐dimensional electromechanical domains. This meshfree method incorporates enrichment functions for better representation of discontinuous electromechanical fields across internal boundaries. We use cubic splines for delineating the geometry of internal/external domain boundaries; and the nodal coordinates and slopes of these splines at their control points become the design parameters. This approach enables smooth manipulations of bi‐material interfaces and external boundaries during the optimization process. It also enables the calculation of displacement and electric‐potential field sensitivities with respect to the design parameters through direct differentiation, for which we adopt the classical material derivative approach. We verify this implementation of sensitivity calculations against an exact solution to a variant of Lamé's problem, and also, finite‐difference approximations. We follow a sequential quadratic programming approach to minimize the cost function; and demonstrate the utility of the overall technique through a model problem that involves the shape optimization of a piezoelectric fan. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Reactive doping of PAni–CSA and its use in microwave absorbing materials
Authors: Biscaro R. S. , Rezende M. C. , Faez R. 
Published: October 2008

AbstractConductive coatings have been studied for static dissipation and as microwave absorbing materials. The doping process of polyaniline (PAni), which makes it conductive, is an important stage that determines the coating performance. For this purpose, polyaniline was doped by reactive processing in a torque rheometer using different molar ratios between PAni and acid (PAni:CSA) at three different temperatures (80, 90, and 100°C). Aqueous solution doping was also used in the ratio of 1:2 of PAni/CSA, with the aim to investigate the influence of different methods of PAni doping on its characteristics and, consequently, on the performance of coatings. Thermal analyses of the processed materials showed that PAni doped by both routes, reactive and solution processing, showed similar behaviors. X‐ray diffraction analyses showed a semicrystalline structure for the PAni–CSA doped by reactive processing using high CSA concentrations and temperature. It was also observed that the doping process affects the dispersion of the components into the conductive coatings. Microwave absorption measurements (8–12 GHz) of PU‐doped PAni blends showed the dependence of the doping type, the PAni–CSA concentration, and the mixing conditions of the components on the coating performance; it was found up to 99% of attenuation of the incident radiation for some composites in a narrow frequency range. The microwave absorption efficiency of the coating samples prepared by using the reactive doping process indicates the advantage of this methodology over solution doping. Moreover, the reactive process addresses the environmental requirements. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The preparation and characterization of poly(acrylic acid‐co‐methacrylamide) gel and its use in the non‐competitive heavy metal removal
Authors: Çavuş Selva , Gürdağ Gülten , Sözgen Kevser , Gürkaynak M. Ali 
Published: October 2008

AbstractPoly(acrylic acid‐co‐methacrylamide), P(AA‐co‐MAAm), and poly(acrylic acid), PAA, gels were prepared and the use of these gels in the non‐competitive removal of Pb2+, Cu2+, and Cd2+ ions from aqueous solutions was investigated at room temperature. Characterization of the polymers was performed by FTIR spectroscopy both before and after adsorption of metal ions on P(AA‐co‐MAAM) or PAA. The equilibrium swelling values (ESVs) of both polymers were determined by gravimetric method. During the adsorption of metal ions on both polymers, residual metal ion concentration in the solution (by atomic absorption spectrophotometer (AAS)) and the solution pH were measured. The kinetics of the adsorption process was determined from the experimental results. Pseudo‐first and second‐order plots and the correlation coefficients showed that the kinetics of non‐competitive adsorption of Pb2+, Cu2+, and Cd2+ ions on P(AA‐co‐MAAM) or PAA is correlated best with pseudo‐second‐order process. While the removal order in the non‐competitive adsorption of heavy metal ions on PAA was Pb2+ (2.60 mmol g−1) > Cu2+ (1.04 mmol g−1) > Cd2+ (0.88 mmol g−1), it was in the order of Pb2+ (1.85 mmol g−1) > Cd2+ (0.70 mmol g−1) > Cu2+ (0.64 mmol g−1) for P(AA‐co‐MAAM) copolymer. The introduction of MAAm into PAA decreased the metal ion removal capacity of copolymer for Pb2+ and Cu2+ ions considerably, but it did not significantly affect that for Cd2+ ion. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Preparation of pyridine sulphonamide resin for the removal of dyes from aqueous solutions
Authors: Senkal Bahire Filiz , Tekin Emir Tugrul , Yavuz Erdem 
Published: October 2008

AbstractA pyridine sulfonamide containing resinous polymer has been prepared starting from crosslinked polystyrene 10% divinylbenzene (DVB) resin beads (420–590 µm) by the following series of reactions: chlorosulfonation and sulfonamidation with 4‐amino pyridine. Dye extraction experiments were carried out simply by contacting wetted resin samples with aqueous dye solutions at room temperature. Capacities were determined by colorimetric analysis of the residual dye contents. Dye sorption capacity of the resin was found to be 0.77 g per gram resin for calcon. This material is also able to remove the anionic dyes completely even from highly diluted aqueous dye solutions. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Do‐it‐yourself functionalized silicones part 1: basic methods for characterization of commercial products
Authors: Yactine Bashim , Boutevin Bernard , Ganachaud François 
Published: October 2008

AbstractConventional silicone fluids of varying composition, microstructure, and functionality are commercially available with a view to prepare films, elastomers, or resins. This paper is the first of a series of papers devoted to the synthesis, characterization, and application of vinyl and hydrido‐functionalized silicones. We present some basic analytical techniques useful to unacquainted people to fully characterize silicone fluids in terms of molar mass, purity, composition, structure, and functionality. Some commercial polymers were thus examined by size exclusion chromatography (SEC), from which molar masses were checked and compared with those from the provider (derived from viscosities). Two SEC‐derived techniques were used to confirm the perfect linearity of the chains. 1H and 29Si NMR spectrograms were recorded, from which chemical shifts gave the position of the functional groups (either at both chain‐ends or inside the chains) and from which intensities of the NMR signals provided quantitative data, namely number‐average molar mass Mn and contents of functional groups. In the final part, special emphasis is laid on the microstructure of the chains. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Outcome of high‐risk stage 3 neuroblastoma with myeloablative therapy and 13‐cis‐retinoic acid: A report from the Children's Oncology Group
Authors: Park Julie R. , Villablanca Judith G. , London Wendy B. , Gerbing Robert B. , Haas‐Kogan Daphne , Adkins E. Stanton , Attiyeh Edward F. , Maris John M. , Seeger Robert C. , Reynolds C. Patrick , Matthay Katherine K. 
Published: October 2008

AbstractBackgroundThe components of therapy required for patients with INSS Stage 3 neuroblastoma and high‐risk features remain controversial.ProcedureA retrospective cohort design was used to determine if intensive chemoradiotherapy with purged autologous bone marrow rescue (ABMT) and/or 13‐cis‐retinoic acid (13‐cis‐RA) improved outcome for patients with high‐risk neuroblastoma that was not metastatic to distant sites. We identified 72 patients with INSS Stage 3 neuroblastoma enrolled between 1991 and 1996 on the Phase 3 CCG‐3891 randomized trial. Patients were analyzed on an intent‐to‐treat basis using a log‐rank test.ResultsThe 5‐year event‐free survival (EFS) and overall survival (OS) rates for patients with Stage 3 neuroblastoma were 55 ± 6% and 59 ± 6%, respectively (n = 72). Patients randomized to ABMT (n = 20) had 5‐year EFS of 65 ± 11% and OS of 65 ± 11% compared to 41 ± 11 (P = 0.21) and 46 ± 11% (P = 0.23) for patients randomized to CC (n = 23), respectively. Patients randomized to 13‐cis‐RA (n = 23) had 5‐year EFS of 70 ± 10% and OS of 78 ± 9% compared to 63 ± 12% (P = 0.67) and 67 ± 12% (P = 0.55) for those receiving no further therapy (n = 16), respectively. Patients randomized to both ABMT and 13‐cis‐RA (n = 6) had a 5‐year EFS of 80 ± 11% and OS of 100%.ConclusionPatients with high‐risk Stage 3 neuroblastoma have an overall poor prognosis despite aggressive chemoradiotherapy. Further studies are warranted to determine if myeloablative consolidation followed by 13‐cis‐RA maintenance therapy statistically significantly improves outcome. Pediatr Blood Cancer 2009;52:44–50. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Non‐Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) in children with Nijmegen Breakage syndrome (NBS)
Authors: Dembowska‐Baginska Bozenna , Perek Danuta , Brozyna Agnieszka , Wakulinska Anna , Olczak‐Kowalczyk Dorota , Gladkowska‐Dura Malgorzata , Grajkowska Wieslawa , Chrzanowska Krystyna H. 
Published: October 2008

AbstractBackgroundDue to small number of patients with Nijmegen Breakage Syndrome (NBS) and Non‐Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) experience in their treatment is limited.ProcedureSince 1996, 17 patients with a median age of 9.5 years who had NBS, were treated for NHL. NHL type, stage, chemotherapy, dose modifications, chemotherapy delays, response to chemotherapy, toxicity, outcome and correlation of drug reduction with response to treatment and outcome were analyzed.ResultsNine patients had TNHL, eight BNHL. TNHL patients received BFM and BNHL LMB type protocols. Doses of cytostatics were reduced in the first chemotherapy courses. Further modifications depended on severity of complications. None of the patients complied with timing of chemotherapy. Complete remissions after induction were achieved in 8 of 9 TNHL and 3 out 8 of BNHL patients. All patients experienced grade 4 toxicities. Two patients died from complications. Six of 17 patients are alive. All received more than 80% of recommended doses of chemotherapy. No differences in the type, number of responses or grade 3 and 4 toxicities between patients receiving less or more than 80% of drug doses were observed. Treatment related deaths concerned patients who received less than 80% of drug doses.ConclusionsPatients with NBS develop both T and B cell lymphomas. Treatment outcome is poor and might be improved by administering over 80% of drug doses. Although toxicity often depends upon drug doses, our patients experienced equal grade 3 and 4 toxicities whether they received more or less than 80% of the chemotherapeutic agents. Pediatr Blood Cancer 2009;52:186–190. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Treatment of the X‐linked lymphoproliferative, Griscelli and Chédiak–Higashi syndromes by HLH directed therapy
Authors: Trottestam Helena , Beutel Karin , Meeths Marie , Carlsen Niels , Heilmann Carsten , Pašić Srdjan , Webb David , Hasle Henrik , Henter Jan‐Inge 
Published: October 2008

AbstractBackgroundGriscelli syndrome type 2 (GS2), the X‐linked lymphoproliferative (XLP) and the Chédiak–Higashi (CHS) syndromes are diseases that all may develop hemophagocytic syndromes. We wanted to investigate whether the treatment protocols for hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (HLH) can also be used for these syndromes.ProcedureIn the HLH‐94/HLH‐2004 treatment study registries, we evaluated all patients with GS2 (n = 5), XLP (n = 2) or CHS (n = 2) treated between 1994 and 2004.ResultsAll patients responded to the therapy, and all are alive but one (suffering from CHS), with a mean follow‐up of 5.6 years. All GS2, one XLP and one CHS patient underwent hematopoietic stem cell transplant. Mean follow‐up post transplant was 6.0 years. Six of the seven transplanted children achieved non‐active disease status at the time for SCT. Neurological sequelae were reported in all, except for the XLP patients.ConclusionsOur results indicate that HLH treatment can be an effective first line treatment to induce remission in patients with GS2, XLP and CHS that have developed a hemophagocytic syndrome. We suggest that these patients should be included as a separate cohort in the international HLH study. Pediatr Blood Cancer 2009;52:268–272. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Treatment of a CNS relapse while on therapy for Burkitt lymphoma
Authors: Burke Michael J. , Dayton Vanessa 
Published: October 2008

AbstractThe treatment of Burkitt lymphoma (BL) has come a long way in regards to survival, with the majority of even the advanced stage patients being cured. The prognosis for relapsed BL remains dismal, despite attempts to further intensify therapy. We report on a patient with advanced stage BL who relapsed in the CNS while on therapy. The patient was successfully treated with an intensified regimen based on a concentration times time (C × T) CNS‐directed model. Our experience shows both the feasibility and efficacy of such an approach in a patient with an otherwise very poor prognosis. Pediatr Blood Cancer 2009;52:290–292. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Prevalence and parental perceptions of complementary and alternative medicine use by children with cancer in a multi‐ethnic Southeast Asian population
Authors: Hamidah Alias , Rustam Zainudin A. , Tamil Azmi M. , Zarina Latiff A. , Zulkifli Zakaria S. , Jamal Rahman 
Published: October 2008

AbstractBackgroundThe purpose of the current study was to determine the prevalence of use of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) by children with cancer and to compare the characteristics of CAM users and CAM nonusers.MethodsA cross‐sectional study was performed at a pediatric oncology center in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. The parents of 97 children with cancer were interviewed using a structured questionnaire.ResultsOverall, 84.5% of the respondents had used CAM, and most of them believed that CAM provided a boost to the immune system, and used CAM with the intention to complement conventional treatment. The most frequently used CAM was water therapy (78%), followed by spirulina (33%), vitamin C (27%), multivitamin (23%), visit to traditional healers (22%), sea cucumber (Stichopus horrens) (15%), and Chinese traditional medicine (12%). The Malay (n = 67) were using more often (93%) CAM than non‐Malay (n = 30, use 67%, P = 0.001).ConclusionsCAM use is common among Malaysian children with cancer. Understanding the sociocultural dimension of patients' health beliefs is important to a successful treatment, and pediatric oncologists should ask for the use of CAM. Pediatr Blood Cancer 2009;52:70–74. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Ethnicity and characteristics of Hodgkin lymphoma in children
Authors: Stefan Daniela Cristina , Stones David , Dippenaar Anel , Kidd Martin 
Published: October 2008

AbstractAimTo identify ethnic group differences in the prognostic of Hodgkin lymphoma (HL) in South African children.Patients and MethodsIn order to create a larger database, cases were pooled from two South African hospitals: Tygerberg in the Western Cape and Bloemfontein Academic Complex in Free State. Self‐assigned ethnicity was used to allocate the children to the following groups: black, white, and colored (historical descendants of couples of distinct ethnicity, the “Cape colored” are the largest population group in Western Cape). Retrospective data over 21 years were obtained from the tumor registry. Age at presentation, sex, ethnic group, stage, histological type, treatment protocol, event‐free survival interval, and mortality were analyzed. The statistical significance of the findings was tested using the chi‐square, Mann–Whitney U, and Kruskal–Wallis tests, as indicated.ResultsThe study population of 138 comprised 78 black (56.5%), 38 colored (27.5%), and 22 white (16%) children under 15 years of age. There was a 3:1 predominance of the male gender. The median age at diagnosis was 8 years 11 months. Black patients presented at the youngest age (median 103 months), whereas white patients were the oldest at presentation (median age 133 months; P = 0.04).Forty‐five percent of all patients were seen in stage 2. Black and colored patients presented with significantly more advanced stage disease (P = 0.04) than whites. B symptoms were evenly distributed among ethnic groups; they increased the mortality ratio from 10% to 33% (P = 0.0019). Histologically, mixed cellularity was seen in 50% of the black children, while nodular sclerosis was found in 50% of whites. The overall survival rate is 79%, with 68% in whites, 84% in patients of mixed ethnicity, and 79% in blacks (P = 0.35).ConclusionsWhite children had the worst HL prognosis in this series, in spite of a less advanced stage at presentation. Pediatr Blood Cancer 2009;52:182–185. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Mechanical research of carbon nanotubes/PMMA composite films
Authors: Luo Jen‐Tsung , Wen Hua‐Chiang , Wu Wen‐Fa , Chou Chang‐Pin 
Published: October 2008

AbstractCarbon nanotubes (CNTs) are one of the best candidates for reinforcing the next generation of high‐performance nanocomposites owing to their excellent mechanical properties. In this study, CNTs were dispersed in polymethymethacrylate (PMMA) gel to enhance its mechanical strength. CNTs/PMMA composite films were fabricated using direct mixing and sonication. FTIR was utilized to observe the chemical structure and functional groups of the material components. The morphological feature and phase structure were observed via scanning electron microscope. A nanoindenter system was also applied to investigate the mechanical properties of composite films by a conventional method. CNTs were chemically treated by immersing them in acidic solutions to ensure extensive dispersion in the surrounding matrix. Most of the CNTs were dispersed uniformly therein. The effective dispersion of CNTs improves the mechanical performance of the composite film, wheras the poor dispersion reduces the performance. The solvent, solubility and attractive intermolecular forces, such as hydrogen bonds and Van Der Waal forces affect the dispersion of the CNTs. The carbonyl group, which was found on thecomposite film, contributed to the formation of a covalent bond between PMMA and the CNTs. The mechanical interaction between CNTs and the polymer was very complex. It was also governed by the interface interaction. The mechanical properties of the composite films improved as the concentration of CNTs increased. POLYM. COMPOS., 2008. © 2008 Society of Plastics Engineers