bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Metalization of polypropylene. I. Synthesis and melt free‐radical grafting of novel maleimides and methacrylates containing chelating moieties
Authors: Knaus Simone , Liska Alexander , Sulek Peter 
Published: September 2003

AbstractSeveral chelating monomers with methacrylate and maleimide residues as polymerizable groups and diketone and aspartic acid residues as metal‐bonding groups were synthesized. A long‐chain aliphatic spacer was introduced to increase the solubility of the monomers in the polymer melt and to enhance the compatibility of grafted side chains and homopolymers with polypropylene (PP). PP was functionalized by melt free‐radical grafting, and some properties of the modified polymer were investigated. The grafting of a chelating methacrylic ester by injection molding afforded grafting yields of 30–50%. A comparison with products obtained by the grafting of commercially available acetoacetoxy methyl methacrylate showed the beneficial effect of the aliphatic spacer with respect to the grafting yield as well as the tensile strength and flexural modulus. The grafting of an aspartic acid based maleimide in an extruder afforded grafting yields of 80–95% and a significant increase in the surface wettability, as shown by contact‐angle measurements. A comparative study using samples obtained by the grafting of maleimidobenzoic acid indicated that the homogeneity‐increasing effect of the spacer was neutralized by the detrimental effect of the dicarboxylic chelating group. Nevertheless, the results showed that the maleimides were well suited for grafting by reactive extrusion because of their low susceptibility to homopolymerization under melt‐processing conditions. Preliminary metalization experiments showed the feasibility of plating without the use of corrosive etchants. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 41: 3400–3413, 2003
Graft copolymerization of butyl acrylate and 2‐ethyl hexyl acrylate from labile chlorines of poly(vinyl chloride) by atom transfer radical polymerization
Authors: Bicak Niyazi , Ozlem Mesut 
Published: September 2003

AbstractTrace amounts of labile chlorines present in poly(vinyl chloride) (PVC) were found to act as initiation sites for the preparation of graft copolymers of PVC by copper‐mediated atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP). High grafting yields were attained during the graft copolymerizations of n‐butyl acrylate (161.8%) and 2‐ethyl hexyl acrylate (51.2%) in 7.5 h. In both cases, the grafting proceeded with first‐order kinetics with respect to the monomer concentrations, this being typical for ATRP. Gel permeation chromatography traces of the resulting products did not exhibit additional peaks attributable to the formation of free homopolymers. The presented procedure offers an efficient means of preparing self‐plasticized PVC structures. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 41: 3457–3462, 2003
Perspectives of patients with cystic fibrosis on preventive counseling and transition to adult care
Authors: Zack Julie , Jacobs Carolyn P. , Keenan Peter M. , Harney Kathy , Woods Elizabeth R. , Colin Andrew A. , Emans S. Jean 
Published: September 2003

AbstractThe purpose of this study was to investigate how adolescents and adults with cystic fibrosis (CF) view preventive counseling and their transition to adult‐centered care within a children's hospital. Thirty‐two patients ≥16 years old diagnosed with CF were recruited from a pediatric tertiary care setting. During face‐to‐face interviews, patients were asked 27 structured questions and completed a 30‐item self‐administered questionnaire on preventive counseling by healthcare providers and on transition issues. The median age of patients was 25.5 years (range, 16–43 years); 69% of patients identified a pulmonologist as their “main doctor,” even though 78% had a primary care provider. Participants felt that 13–16 years of age was the best time for them to begin spending time alone with their main doctor. Less than half of the participants recalled receiving preventive counseling during the previous 12 months, and more patients wanted to discuss issues than actually did. Qualitative data emphasized the importance of independence in making decisions in healthcare and establishing relationships with providers, and many patients did not desire to transfer care to an adult hospital. Participants identified adult‐focused services such as inpatient rooms, discussion groups, work options, and social service support that would enhance care. In conclusion, the majority of adolescent/young adult patients with CF receiving care in a pediatric institution reported satisfaction with their healthcare. However, patients identified preventive issues that they desired to be more regularly addressed, starting in early adolescence, and changes in the delivery of services to enhance transition to adult‐oriented care. This study underscored the understanding of the integration of transition planning into the facilitation of healthcare decision‐making by the adolescent in issues of self‐care, sexuality, education, and finances. Future initiatives to enhance the care of patients with CF should provide training of pulmonologists in preventive care and increased attention to helping patients utilize appropriate primary‐care services during the adult years. In addition, prospective studies are needed to compare outcomes of CF patients who have transitioned and transferred to adult hospitals and those transitioning to adult‐oriented services in a pediatric institution. Pediatr Pulmonol. 2003; 36:376–383. © 2003 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Dornase alfa in the treatment of cystic fibrosis in Europe: A report from the Epidemiologic Registry of Cystic Fibrosis
Authors: Hodson M.E. , McKenzie S. , Harms H.K. , Koch C. , Mastella G. , Navarro J. , Strandvik B. 
Published: September 2003

AbstractDornase alfa (Pulmozyme®) treatment for patients with cystic fibrosis (CF) has been shown to improve pulmonary function and reduce exacerbations of infection in a number of placebo‐controlled double‐blind studies. Data in the Epidemiologic Registry of Cystic Fibrosis (ERCF) in November 1998 were used to assess the long‐term effectiveness in routine clinical practice of dornase alfa in terms of pulmonary function and frequency of acute pulmonary exacerbations in CF. At that time, the ERCF contained data on 13,684 CF patients, with a mean observation period of 2.3 years. To be included in the analysis, patients had to have 2 years of data in the Registry in appropriate detail. Overall, untreated patients showed a decline in forced expiratory volume in 1 sec over a 2‐year period of −2.3% predicted, but treated patients were stable, showing a change of 0.3% predicted, i.e., a treatment benefit of 2.5%. Compared to untreated patients, there were 25 fewer exacerbations per 100 treated patients per year. The analysis suggested that younger patients were likely to benefit more from treatment. The findings of randomized clinical trials were supported by the data collected in routine clinical practice. Pediatr Pulmonol. 2003; 36:427–432. © 2003 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Exhaled nitric oxide is age‐dependent in asthma
Authors: Avital Avraham , Uwyyed Kamal , Berkman Neville , Bar‐Yishay Ephraim , Godfrey Simon , Springer Chaim 
Published: September 2003

AbstractWe determined whether the exhaled nitric oxide (eNO) level in asthmatics is age‐dependent. Eighty‐seven asthmatic patients aged 2–41 years were studied. Hyperreactivity to adenosine 5′‐monophosphate (AMP) was used to confirm asthma (≤200 mg/ml). In the younger group of children (2–5 years), AMP challenge was performed by the provocation concentration causing wheeze (PCW) method, while in the older groups of patients (6–41 years), regular spirometry was used. Exhaled NO was measured in the younger group by the tidal breathing method (TBm) and in the older subjects by the slow vital capacity method (SVCm). TBm and SVCm were compared in 21 other subjects, and there was a significant correlation between the two values (r = 0.96, P < 0.0001). The equation of correlation between the two methods was eNOTBm = 0.78eNOSVCm − 0.51. Within asthmatic patients, we found a significant increase in eNO with age (P < 0.0001), while there was no significant difference in AMP reactivity (P = 0.35). We conclude that eNO in asthmatic patients is age‐dependent, with lower values in young children. Pediatr Pulmonol. 2003; 36:433–438. © 2003 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Does vitamin D administered to children with asthma treated with inhaled glucocorticoids affect short‐term growth or bone turnover?
Authors: Schou Anders J. , Heuck Carsten , Wolthers Ole D. 
Published: September 2003

AbstractOur objective was to assess whether administration of 25‐OH‐vitamin D to children with asthma treated with inhaled dry‐powder budesonide 400 μg daily affects short‐term growth or markers of bone turnover. We utilized a randomized, double‐blind, two‐period crossover trial with run‐in and washout periods of 2 weeks and treatment periods of 4 weeks duration. The setting was an Outpatient clinic in a secondary referral center. Subjects included 14 boys and 3 girls with a mean age of 11.7 (range, 6.1–14.4) years. Interventions included 15 μg (600 IU) 25‐OH‐vitamin D (cholecalciferol) in one tablet ABCDin® once daily in the morning. Primary outcome measures were: lower leg growth rate, serum osteocalcin, and serum markers of type I collagen turnover, i.e., the amino terminal propeptide of type I procollagen (PINP), the carboxy terminal propeptide of type I procollagen (PICP) (formation markers), and the carboxy terminal pyridinoline cross‐linked telopeptide of type I collagen (ICTP) (degradation markers). Secondary outcome measures were parameters of asthma control and serum 25‐OH‐vitamin D. Lower leg growth rate was 0.22 mm/week during vitamin D and 0.25 mm/week during placebo treatment (NS). Osteocalcin was 59.9 and 57.8 μg/l during vitamin D and placebo treatment, respectively, PINP 574 and 565 μg/l, PICP 381 and 382 μg/l, and ICTP 11.5 and 11.1 μg/l, respectively (NS). Serum 25‐OH‐vitamin D was 76.3 nmol/l and 48.2 nmol/l, respectively (P < 0.001). There were no statistically significant differences in measures of pulmonary function. In conclusion, administration of 25‐OH‐vitamin D does not affect short‐term growth or markers of bone turnover in children with asthma treated with inhaled dry‐powder budesonide 400 μg daily. Pediatr Pulmonol. 2003; 36:399–404. © 2003 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Effect of montelukast on time‐course of exhaled nitric oxide in asthma: Influence of LTC4 synthase A−444C polymorphism
Authors: Whelan Glenn J. , Blake Kathryn , Kissoon Niranjan , Duckworth Laurie J. , Wang Jainwei , Sylvester James E. , Lima John J. 
Published: September 2003

AbstractLeukotrienes (LT) mediate inflammation in asthma. The fraction of exhaled nitric oxide (FENO) is thought to be a sensitive and reproducible method for assessing airway inflammation in asthmatics and the anti‐inflammatory effects of drugs. A number of factors are known to contribute to intrapatient variation in FENO which can confound interpretation. The aims of this study were to characterize the time‐course of FENO, determine the effect of montelukast on the time‐course of FENO, and evaluate the influence of the LTC4 synthase A−444C polymorphism on montelukast‐evoked changes in FENO. Following a 2‐week run‐in, 7 males and 5 females with asthma, 10–16 years old, received 5 or 10 mg of montelukast or an identical placebo at bedtime for 7 days in double‐blind, crossover fashion, followed by a 7‐day washout. FENOwas quantified every 30 min for 3 or 6 hr at baseline and on days 1, 2, 3, and 7 of treatment. A time‐averaged value for FENO was calculated (FENO*), and % changes in FENO* relative to baseline vs. time following placebo and montelukast were compared. The genotype of the A−444C polymorphism was determined by PCR and RFLP. FENO varied markedly as a function of time in each patient. Time‐averaged values of FENO (FENO*) during placebo and montelukast treatment were similar. Montelukast significantly reduced the slope of the % change in FENO* vs. time curve in heterozygotes (n = 4), but not in A/A homozygotes (n = 8). These data suggest that heterozygotes respond better to montelukast compared to A/A homozygotes, at least with respect to changes in FENO. We conclude that assessment of inflammation or the anti‐inflammatory effects of drugs in asthma based on single determinations of FENO can be misleading. We further conclude that the A−444C polymorphism in the LTC4 synthase gene probably contributes to interpatient variability in montelukast‐evoked changes in FENO* and warrants further study. Pediatr Pulmonol. 2003; 36:413–420. © 2003 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Pulmonary malacoplakia in an immunocompetent girl: A case report
Authors: Kumar Prashant , Rassl D.M. , Hamilton J.R.L. , Spencer D.A. 
Published: September 2003

AbstractMalacoplakia is an unusual inflammatory condition with distinctive histologic features. Involvement of the lung is quite uncommon and is rarely described in paediatrics. We report on a case of pulmonary malacoplakia in a teenage girl. Pediatr Pulmonol. 2003; 36:450–452. © 2003 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Social support, self‐efficacy and trauma in new recruits and experienced firefighters
Authors: Regehr Cheryl , Hill John , Knott Theresa , Sault Bill 
Published: September 2003

AbstractThis study compared new fire recruits in the first week of employment and following a 10‐week training period with a group of experienced firefighters. Results suggest that new firefighter recruits enter the fire service with considerable experience of exposure to critical events. Nevertheless, a significant linear relationship was found between years of experience and levels of traumatic stress and depression. Further, this study revealed that experienced firefighters had lower levels of social support and lower self‐efficacy than the new recruits. As these variables were associated with traumatic stress and depressive symptoms, it is concerning that these protective factors appear to diminish with time. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Job stress, personality, and psychological distress as determinants of somatization and functional somatic syndromes in a population of nurses
Authors: De Gucht Véronique , Fischler Benjamin , Heiser Willem 
Published: September 2003

AbstractThe objective of the present study was to examine the respective contribution of job stress dimensions (work demands, job control, and social support at work), personality traits (neuroticism and alexithymia), and psychological distress (anxiety and depression) to somatization in a population of nurses. Therefore, a number of logistic regression analyses were conducted, with the presence versus absence of three functional somatic syndromes (functional dyspepsia (FD), irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), and idiopathic chronic fatigue (CF) and current somatization, defined as the presence of at least two medically unexplained symptoms (median number of symptoms for the sample) and four medically unexplained symptoms (highest quartile for the sample) during the past month, as the outcome variables. The results pointed out that job stress dimensions significantly and independently contributed to IBS (job control) and CF (work demands). The personality trait neuroticism was a significant predictor of both current somatization and functional somatic syndromes, whereas alexithymia primarily predicted the presence of more severe and/or more enduring forms of somatization. Finally, three out of five outcome variables were predicted by psychological distress. Future studies should examine (a) to what extent distinct patterns of associations can be found between specific job stress dimensions on the one hand, and specific functional somatic syndromes on the other and (b) the potential interaction between job stress and personality dimensions in determining somatization. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Social support has both positive and negative effects on the relationship of work stress and alcohol consumption
Authors: Hagihara Akihito , Miller Alan S. , Tarumi Kimio , Nobutomo Koichi 
Published: September 2003

AbstractPrevious studies imply that certain combinations of work stressors, social support (SS), and other conditions could lead to both increased and decreased alcohol consumption. Thus, we evaluated both positive and negative influences of social support on the work stress–alcohol consumption relationship in a general population. The study design was a cross‐sectional survey. Of a probability sample of persons 25 years of age or older and living in the United States (n = 3617), subjects who drank and who were without missing values with respect to study variables were analysed (n = 967 or 94). Since previous studies have suggested the necessity of adopting the sensitivity hypothesis (i.e. different stressors require different social supports), hierarchical regression analyses were carried out to test the effects of interactions between two types of social support (e.g. family social support or out‐of‐family social support) and two types of work stressors (e.g. job psychological demand, job decision latitude) on alcohol consumption. Our analysis verified that (1) social support had both positive and negative effects on the work stress–alcohol relationship. Specifically, (2) interactions between physical activity and decision latitude, and between child support and psychological job demand were related to decreased alcohol consumption. However, (3) interactions between spouse support and decision latitude, and between informal social integration and psychological job demand, were related to increased alcohol consumption. It has been suggested that social support is not of universal benefit in reducing excessive drinking and may sometimes be a reinforcing factor. Since the external validity of these findings might be limited because of the small sample size in some analyses, further study is necessary. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Cultural and gender differences in perceiving stressors: a cross‐cultural investigation of African and Western students in Chinese colleges
Authors: Hashim Ismail Hussein , Zhiliang Yang 
Published: September 2003

AbstractThis study was aimed to provide basic information about stress perceptions among overseas college students in China. In addition, it was also aimed at determining whether differences exist between cultures in their ways of perceiving stressors. To attain the research goals, Study Abroad Stress Survey (SASS) was administered to 82 Africans (46 men and 36 women), and 74 Westerners (32 men and 42 women) in 11 universities in Beijing, Shanghai, and Guangzhou. Percentages of subjects' responses on SASS items were calculated to judge variations that exist between Africans and Westerners and between male and female in their perception of stressors. Results indicated that academic and interpersonal sources of stress were the most common stressors perceived by the two groups. High pressure and challenges perceived by both African and Western students were classified as daily strains. No group differences existed in subtotal perceptions for the four categories of stress measured. Group variations existed only in their sub‐divisional areas of stress. Both male and female students tend to experience the highest stress levels due to daily strains. Minor differences in perception of stressors such as attaining lower grades, missing too many classes, and working with unfamiliar peoples were concluded between male and female students. The study has suggested a need for cross‐cultural orientation of students in an effort to promote effective coping and health during a study abroad experience which will offer them an opportunity to learn and grow. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Secondary school physics teachers' conceptions of scientific evidence: An exploratory case study
Authors: Taylor Joseph A. , Dana Thomas M. 
Published: September 2003

AbstractThis article describes an exploratory case study of secondary school physics teachers' conceptions of scientific evidence. The nature of teachers' conceptions of evidence was derived from an analysis of data collected from 1 preservice and 2 in‐service teachers. Each teacher responded to a series of research prompts in multiple interviews and handwritten tasks. In these research prompts, the teachers thought aloud while designing experiments and critically evaluating student‐collected data as presented in hypothetical classroom scenarios. Spoken and written data were recorded. The data set was coded and analyzed using standard qualitative analysis techniques. Data from this study suggest that, while contemplating the reliability and validity of hypothetical student‐generated scientific evidence, the teachers frequently intertwined conceptions of evidence with subject matter concepts centrally relevant to the hypothetical investigation. Data also indicate that the relationship between subject matter knowledge and conceptions of evidence was more pronounced for some conceptions of evidence than for others. Results suggest that a fuller study is warranted. Suggestions for future research include exploring such relationships in other physics content areas as well as other scientific disciplines. Implications for science teacher education suggest that science and science methods courses should encourage preservice teachers to engage in original scientific research, as well as participate in peer review and critique. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Res Sci Teach 40: 721–736, 2003
Encouraging and analyzing student questions in a large physics course: Meaningful patterns for instructors
Authors: Harper Kathleen A. , Etkina Eugenia , Lin Yuhfen 
Published: September 2003

AbstractIn a large introductory physics course, structured weekly journals (weekly reports) regularly encouraged students to ask questions about the material. The resulting questions were collected for one quarter and coded based on difficulty and topic. Students also took several conceptual tests during the quarter. The reports contained more questions than typically observed in a college classroom, but the number of questions asked was not correlated to any measure of conceptual performance. Relationships among different types of questions and performance on these tests were explored. Deeper‐level questions that focus on concepts, coherence of knowledge, and limitations were related to the variance in student conceptual achievement. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Res Sci Teach 40: 776–791, 2003