bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Pulmonary Bacterial Pathogens in Patients with Cystic Fibrosis
Authors: Kolarova-Yaneva Nadia , Edreva Valentina , Yanev Nikolay , Beshev Lyubomir , Nedkova Vania 
Published: January 2024

The aim of the research is to perform microbiological analysis of respiratory tract samples in patients with cystic fibrosis and to verify the aetiology, prevalence and antibiotic sensitivity of the isolated pathogens.
Sixteen patients with cystic fibrosis aged from 3 months to 30 years were included. Twenty-nine respiratory and one digestive tract samples were tested. The identification of isolated pathogens was performed using conventional\break methods and automated miniAPI and VITEK 2 systems (bioMerieux, France). Antibiotic sensitivity of all isolates was determined by a disk diffusion test or the minimum inhibitory concentration method.
A total of 34 microbial strains from 15 patients were isolated: Gram-positive bacteria 12 (35.29%), Gram-negative bacteria 20 (58.82%) and yeast-like fungi 2 (5.88%). S. aureus is the dominant pathogen among Gram-positive bacteria. Most of the Gram-negative bacteria are identified as P. aeruginosa and other non-fermenting glucose bacteria and the rest as H. influenzae and E. coli. P. aeruginosa was isolated from patients in different age groups. The strains showed good sensitivity to antibiotics.
Microorganisms isolated from the respiratory tract in patient with cystic fibrosis vary over the period of follow-up. Gram-negative bacteria, especially P. aeruginosa, are dominant but showed good sensitivity to antimicrobial agents and no multidrug-resistant strains were isolated.
Do you even exercise, ref? Exploring habits of Spanish basketball referees during practice and matches
Authors: Suárez-Iglesias David , González-Devesa Daniel , Ayán Carlos , Sánchez-Sixto Alberto , Vaquera Alejandro 
Published: January 2024

Background
Basketball referees are a vital part of the organised competition system, although they remain an “outgroup” in sport. While physical development and fitness programming are deemed necessary for basketball officiating excellence, there is a paucity of literature exploring strategies for physical fitness management in this population.

Methods
This research was a nationwide cross-sectional, self-administered online survey conducted in 2021. A sample of 628 (531 males, 97 females) referees from 18 regional referee organisations in Spain provided individual responses to gather information on demographic details, level of participation in refereeing, physical fitness practices, and match-day exercise-based regimens. The data were described using summary statistics, and the associations of the assessed variables were subsequently calculated using contingency tables.

Results
Our findings reveal that a large fraction of the Spanish basketball referee population focuses on aerobic (83%) and strength (73.6%) activities, while less attention is paid to speed (36.9%) and flexibility (23.2%), and agility, coordination, and balance tasks are somewhat overlooked. No significant differences were observed among the referee categories regarding weekly training days or session duration, with most training for 15–60 min per session. Elite referees were more likely to hire personal trainers and engage in strength and flexibility exercises. Sub-elite referees showed a higher tendency to perform stretching and joint mobility activities post-match, while regional referees did so less frequently. Approximately 30.7% of referees across all competitive levels engaged in re-warm-up (RW-U) activities, with stretching and joint mobility being the most prevalent.

Conclusions
Spanish basketball referees participate in routine physical exercise and fitness practices, irrespective of their competition level. While warm-up activities are prevalent, some sub-elite and regional referees do not consistently perform them, and re-warm-up routines are not extensively embraced.
Does Monetary Policy Influence Non-performing Loans of Listed Commercial Banks in Kenya?
Authors: Koskei Loice , Samoei Daniel 
Published: January 2024

The Kenya banking sector plays a crucial role in Kenya’s economy despite the prevailing macroeconomic headwinds in the Country. The Banking Sector Industry Report of 2023 indicated that the banking sector contributed to 66% of gross domestic product as of December 2022. The high levels of non-performing loans remain a concern in the Kenya banking sector. The study sought to assess the influence of monetary policy on non-performing loans in the banking sector in Kenya. The target population is all listed commercial banks in Kenya. Using monthly secondary data from November 2019 to September 2023 obtained from the Central Bank of Kenya, the study utilized a multiple regression model to estimate the influence of monetary policy on the percentage growth of nonperforming loans of listed commercial banks in Kenya. Findings pointed out that Repo rates and Treasury bill rates do not influence non-performing loans of listed commercial banks in Kenya as measured by the gross non-performing loans ratio as exhibited by the P-values of 0.327866 and 0.577173 respectively, which is greater than 0.05. The results also implied that the central bank rate and interbank rates do influence non-performing loans of listed commercial banks in Kenya as measured by the gross non-performing loans ratio as illustrated by the P-values of 0.028844 and 0.00018 respectively, which is less than 0.05. According to the findings, the study recommends that policymakers should prioritize creating a strong financial ecosystem so that monetary policy can be utilized to regulate commercial bank interest rates. This will, in effect, serve to decrease the expansion of non-performing loans, reduce risk and entice competitors into the financial sector, enhance the capital base, increase lending to promote feasible projects, and, as a result, stimulate the country's growth.
Sustainability of Livelihood of Tribal Society in Rural Odisha Through Upskilling the Youth Mass: An Empirical Study
Authors: Das Kishore Kumar 
Published: January 2024

Aims: The current study's objective is to examine the characteristics of skills of tribal young people living in rural areas of Odisha & suggest the skill programme which can develop their sustainable livelihood.
Sample: The present study focusses on the rural tribal youths of Keonjhar district of Odisha. The study's target population includes young people who were between the ages of 15 and 29. There were 270 responders in the sample, with 55.7 percent men and 46.3 percent women.
Study Design: This is a concurrent study that has used a mix of qualitative and quantitative methods. The survey was conducted using a Likert Scale questionnaire. Finally, SPSS was used to process the data and present a descriptive view of the results with figure, table and chart.
Place and Duration of Study: The place of the study consists of Odisha’s rural district Keonjhar and the data were collected during the 2nd half of 2023.
Results: The preceding study that demonstrated that skill development for rural youth can promote sustainable livelihood in Odisha supported how young people saw the training in skill development.
Conclusion: The report concluded that state youth policies be implemented in spirit, including agricultural-based skill training; that the federal government and the state make greater investments in programs like "start-up" schemes for scheduled caste and scheduled tribe in isolated rural areas; and that the government take responsibility for the market.
Nutrition composition and anthocyanin content of mulberry fruits (Morus alba L.) by different ripening stage grown in the south of Thailand, applicants in sorbet and sherbet ice-cream and analysis of physical, chemical and sensory evaluation
Authors: Sangteerakij Duangkamon , Rodyu Sauwanee , Junden Sirisopa 
Published: January 2024

This experiment was study on properties of each ripening stage of mulberry fruits and conducted study of physical and chemical properties of mulberry fruit at each ripening stage and apply mulberry fruit in ice cream products. Mulberry at fully-ripened stage showed higher phenolic, flavonoid and anthocyanin content. Mulberry fruits were used to make four different types of ice cream; sorbet, sherbet, milk, and yogurt. The sensory qualities of mulberry ice cream were studied (9-point hedonic scale), and the results revealed that mulberry sherbet ice cream had the highest overall acceptability, followed by mulberry sorbet ice cream. The physical, chemical, nutrition composition, and microbiological properties of mulberry sherbet and sorbet ice cream were investigated further. Due to the presence of fresh milk in the composition, sherbet ice cream has a higher overrun and lightness (L*) than sorbet ice cream. The mulberry sherbet ice cream had more incredible energy, energy from fat, total fat, saturated fat, cholesterol, protein, total carbohydrates, calcium, dietary fiber and phenolic compounds. This study shows that mulberry has beneficial properties in terms of consumer acceptance and
health benefits, particularly in mulberry sherbet ice cream. All mulberry ice creams had been sanitized and were suitable to consume. As a result, mulberry ice cream formulations can add value to agricultural products and suggested for commercialization.
Effects of copolyester/polycarbonate blend composition on the thermal diffusivity of dye transfer printing
Authors: Miyata Tadakazu , Inaki Kanako , Morikawa Junko , Satoto Rahmat , Hashimoto Toshimasa 
Published: February 2004

AbstractThe effect of the blend composition on the thermal diffusivity for blends of a poly(ethylene‐co‐cyclohexane 1,4‐dimethanol terephthalate) (PETG) and a bisphenol‐A polycarbonate (PC) that have been used as base films for a thermal dye transfer (TDT) printing system was examined. The inflection point in the thermal diffusivity measured by temperature wave analysis almost matched the inflection point of storage modulus measured by dynamic mechanical analysis. This result implied that the temperature dependence of thermal diffusivity related to the change in the microstructure of the PETG/PC blend. Furthermore, the correlation between the printing sensitivity and the thermal diffusivity at the actual thermal head temperature of TDT printing was found. The thermal diffusivity increased with increasing PC content, while the printing sensitivity decreased. The PETG/PC blend film suitable for the TDT printing base film could be obtained by adjusting the PC content in the blend. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 92: 72–76, 2004
Creep–recovery experimental investigation of crude oil–polymer emulsions
Authors: Ghannam Mamdouh T. 
Published: February 2004

AbstractViscoelastic behavior of crude oil–Alcoflood polymer emulsions in terms of creep and recovery is extensively investigated using RheoStress RS100. Three different types of Alcoflood polymers in the concentration range of 100–104 ppm are covered. North sea crude oil with a concentration range of 10–75% by volume is employed for emulsion preparation. All viscoelastic tests of crude oil–polymer emulsions are carried out under 0.1 Pa of shear stress to make sure that the investigated behavior lies within the linear viscoelastic range. The viscoelastic behavior of crude oil–polymer emulsion is strongly influenced by crude oil concentration, Alcoflood concentration, and Alcoflood type. The viscoelastic behavior of crude oil–Alcoflood polymer emulsions can be simulated using the Maxwell model or the Burger model depending upon the polymer concentration. The Maxwell model can be used over the polymer concentration range of 0–5000 ppm, whereas the Burger model covers the higher polymer concentration range. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 92: 226–237, 2004
Hydrophobically modified acrylamide‐based polybetaines. I. Synthesis, characterization, and stimuli‐responsive solution behavior
Authors: Johnson Kathryn M. , Fevola Michael J. , McCormick Charles L. 
Published: February 2004

AbstractAcrylamide‐based, hydrophobically modified (HM) polybetaines containing N‐butylphenylacrylamide (BPAM) and varying amounts of the sulfobetaine monomer 3‐(2‐acrylamido‐2‐methylpropanedimethylammonio)‐1‐propanesulfonate (AMPDAPS) or the carboxybetaine monomer 4‐(2‐acrylamido‐2‐methylpropyldimethylammonio)butanoate (AMPDAB) were synthesized by micellar copolymerization. The corresponding control (co)polymers lacking BPAM or betaine comonomers were also prepared. The terpolymers were characterized by 13C‐NMR and UV spectroscopy, classical light scattering, and potentiometric titration. Low charge density polymers contained 3.9–8.6 mol % betaine, whereas the high charge density systems contained 17–25 mol % betaine; the HM polymers contained up to 1.0 mol % BPAM as the hydrophobe. The weight‐average molecular weights of the polymers ranged from 4.19 × 105 to 1.29 × 106 g/mol, and most HM polymers exhibited negative second virial coefficients. The pKa of the carboxybetaine moieties was found to increase with increasing levels of hydrophobic and betaine comonomer incorporation. The response of aqueous polymer solutions to various external stimuli, including changes in solution pH and electrolyte concentration, was investigated using rheological analysis. The solution behavior of the polymers was characteristic of HM polyacrylamides and acrylamide‐based polyzwitterions. The high charge density HM polycarboxybetaine exhibited unusual solution behavior that can be explained in terms of electrostatic, hydrophobic, and hydrogen‐bonding associations. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 92: 647–657, 2004
Wood bonding by mechanically‐induced in situ welding of polymeric structural wood constituents
Authors: Gfeller B. , Properzi M. , Zanetti M. , Pizzi A. , Pichelin F. , Lehmann M. , Delmotte L. 
Published: February 2004

AbstractMechanically induced wood fusion welding, without any adhesive, is shown here to yield rapidly bonding wood joints satisfying the relevant requirements for structural application. The mechanism of mechanically induced vibrational wood fusion welding is shown to be due mostly to the melting and flowing of amorphous cells–interconnecting polymer material in the structure of wood, mainly lignin, but also some hemicelluloses. This causes a partial detachment, the “ungluing,” of long wood cells and wood fibers and the formation of an entanglement network drowned in a matrix of melted material which then solidifies, thus forming a wood cell/fiber entanglement network composite with a molten lignin polymer matrix. During the welding period some of the detached wood fibers which are no longer being held by the interconnecting material are pushed out of the joint as excess fiber. Crosslinking chemical reactions of lignin and carbohydrate‐derived furfural also occur. Their presence has been identified by CP‐MAS 13C‐NMR. These reactions, however, are relatively minor contributors during the very short welding period. Their contribution increases after welding has finished, which explains why relatively longer holding times under pressure after the end of welding contribute strongly to obtaining a good bond. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 92: 243–251, 2004
Melt rheology and morphology of uncompatibilized and in situ compatibilized nylon‐6/ethylene propylene rubber blends
Authors: Oommen Zachariah , Zachariah Sisy R. , Thomas Sabu , Groeninckx Gabriel , Moldenaers Paula , Mewis Jan 
Published: February 2004

AbstractMelt rheology and morphology of nylon‐6/ethylene propylene rubber (EPR) blends were studied as a function of composition, temperature, and compatibilizer loading. Uncompatibilized blends with higher nylon‐6 content (N90 and N95) and rubber content (N5 and N10) had viscosities approximately intermediate between those of the component polymers. A very clear negative deviation was observed in the viscosity–composition curve over the entire shear rate range studied for blends having composition N30, N50, and N70. This was associated with the interlayer slip resulting from the high‐level incompatibility between the component polymers. The lack of compatibility was confirmed by fracture surface morphology, given that the dispersed domains showed no sign of adhesion to the matrix. The phase morphology studies indicated that EPR was dispersed as spherical inclusions in the nylon matrix up to 30 wt % of its concentration. A cocontinuous morphology was observed between 30 and 50 wt % nylon and a phase inversion beyond 70 wt % nylon. Various models based on viscosity ratios were used to predict the region of phase inversion. Experiments were also carried out on in situ compatibilization using maleic anhydride–modified EPR (EPR‐g‐MA). In this reactive compatibilization strategy, the maleic anhydride groups of modified EPR reacted with the amino end groups of nylon. This reaction produced a graft copolymer at the blend interface, which in fact acted as the compatibilizer. The viscosity of the blend was found to increase when a few percent of modified EPR was added; at higher concentrations the viscosity leveled off, indicating a high level of interaction at the interface. Morphological investigations indicated that the size of the dispersed phase initially decreased when a few percent of the graft copolymer was added followed by a clear leveling off at higher concentration. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 92: 252–264, 2004
Blends of ultrasonically devulcanized and virgin carbon black filled ethylene–propylene–diene monomer rubbers
Authors: Yun Jushik , Isayev A. I. 
Published: February 2004

AbstractUltrasonically devulcanized ethylene–propylene–diene monomer (dEPDM) rubber was blended with virgin ethylene–propylene–diene monomer (vEPDM) rubber. The properties of these blends were investigated and compared with those of blends of ground ethylene–propylene–diene monomer (gEPDM) and vEPDM. The dynamic properties and curing characteristics were studied. The dynamic properties of the uncured blends showed that the gEPDM/vEPDM compounds were more elastic than the dEPDM/vEPDM compounds at a low frequency range, whereas the opposite trend was observed at a high frequency range. In contrast, the dynamic properties of gEPDM/vEPDM vulcanizates were less elastic than those of dEPDM/vEPDM vulcanizates at a low frequency range. The curing characteristics of the blends indicated that an increase in the dEPDM content in the dEPDM/vEPDM blends reduced the scorch time and the maximum torque and increased the minimum torque. A similar but more pronounced tendency was also found for the gEPDM/vEPDM blends. The tensile properties of the dEPDM/vEPDM vulcanizates were much better than those of the gEPDM/vEPDM vulcanizates, indicating the significant benefit of ultrasonic devulcanization. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 92: 132–138, 2004
Reaction study of water‐borne polyurethanes based on isophorone diisocyanate, dimethylol propionic acid, and poly(hexane neopentyl adipate glycol)
Authors: Zhang Shubiao , Miao Wei , Zhou Yu 
Published: February 2004

AbstractThe reaction of isophorone diisocyanate (IPDI) with poly(hexane neopentyl adipate glycol) (HNA) and dimethylol propionic acid (DMPA) was researched through an analysis of the contents of the NCO groups of the prepolymers through which water‐borne polyurethanes (PUs) could be formed. The reaction activity of DMPA with IPDI was studied and compared to that of HNA on the basis of an investigation into the effects of the temperature and catalyst on the prepolymerization and the viscosity of the prepolymers. The results showed that the reaction of IPDI with DMPA was much slower than the reaction of HNA, and so DMPA was concluded to be a relatively inert nucleophilic reagent for attacking IPDI. A temperature of 80°C was suitable, with dibutyl tin dilaurate as a catalyst, for producing prepolymers from IPDI and mixtures of HNA and DMPA, whereas 60°C without catalysis was enough to complete the reaction of IPDI with HNA. This study may be helpful in understanding the prepolymerization of water‐borne PUs and in manufacturing them. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 92: 161–164, 2004
Doping level change of polyaniline film during its electrochemical growth process
Authors: Liu Chen , Zhang Jiaxin , Shi Gaoquan , Chen Feng'en 
Published: February 2004

AbstractPolyaniline (PANI) films doped with hydrochloric acid have been electrochemically deposited on mirrorlike platinum electrode surfaces by a cyclic voltammogram method. The Raman spectra of doped PANI films were investigated by excitation with a 633‐ or 785‐nm laser beam. It was found that the overall features of the Raman spectra depend strongly on the film thickness, due mainly to that the doping level of PANI film increases during the film‐growth process. X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopic (XPS) analysis and ultraviolet (UV)‐visible absorption spectrum results also confirmed this finding. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 92: 171–177, 2004
Effects of glycerol and PE‐g‐MA on morphology, thermal and tensile properties of LDPE and rice starch blends
Authors: Wang Y.‐J. , Liu W. , Sun Z. 
Published: February 2004

AbstractThe effects of glycerol and polyethylene‐grafted maleic anhydride (PE‐g‐MA) on the morphology, thermal properties, and tensile properties of low‐density polyethylene (LDPE) and rice starch blends were studied by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), differential scanning calorimetry, and the Instron Universal Testing Machine, respectively. Blends of LDPE/rice starch, LDPE/rice starch/glycerol, and LDPE/rice starch/glycerol/PE‐g‐MA with different starch contents were prepared by using a laboratory scale twin‐screw extruder. The distribution of rice starch in LDPE matrix became homogenous after the addition of glycerol. The interfacial adhesion between rice starch and LDPE was improved by the addition of PE‐g‐MA as demonstrated by SEM. The crystallization temperatures of LDPE/rice starch/glycerol blends and LDPE/rice starch/glycerol/PE‐g‐MA blends were similar to that of pure LDPE but higher than that of LDPE/rice starch blends. Both the tensile strength and the elongation at break followed the order of rice starch/LDPE/glycerol/PE‐g‐MA blends > rice starch/LDPE/glycerol > LDPE/rice starch blends. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 92: 344–350, 2004
Crystallization behavior of starch‐filled polypropylene
Authors: Liu Wanjun , Wang Ya‐Jane , Sun Zhenhua 
Published: February 2004

AbstractStarches of different granule sizes, including corn, rice, and amaranth starches, were used to prepare starch‐filled polypropylene (PP) and the effect of starch granule size on crystallization behavior PP was investigated. Differential scanning calorimetry and scanning electron microscopy were used to monitor the energy changes of the crystallization of the melt and to characterize the morphology of PP/starch composites, respectively. Little interaction was observed between starch and PP despite the difference in starch granule size. The crystallization temperature of PP decreased with the addition of starch and this decrease became more apparent with increasing starch granule size. During nonisothermal crystallization, the dependency of the relative degree of crystallinity on time was described by the Avrami equation. The addition of starch decreased the overall crystallization rate of PP, which was attributed to an increase in the activation energy of crystallization under nonisothermal conditions according to the Kissinger equation. An increase in starch granule size of starch would increase the crystallization activation energy of PP and consequently decrease its crystallization rate. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 92: 484–492, 2004