bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Planning your global strategy
Authors: Sánchez Carol , Goldberg Stephen R. 
Published: August 2005

AbstractSound conventional thinking and due diligence aren't enough for international initiatives. When you do business abroad, you've got to grapple with additional cultural, legal, and other challenges. What should you consider before doing business internationally? The authors offer solid advice for planning your global strategy. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Going offshore? Try this first!
Authors: Devane Tom 
Published: August 2005

AbstractMost companies feel intense pressure from global competition. Low offshore labor rates make moving offshore a tempting strategy. But many firms don't consider all the factors success demands before making the leap. And they don't try to improve a process before deciding to go offshore. The author shows how you may be able to avoid going offshore—and if you can't, how to steer clear of common offshoring perils. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
The decline of euro M&A
Authors: Benet Bruce A. , Godwin Joseph H. , Goldberg Stephen R. 
Published: August 2005

AbstractWhen the European community adopted the euro as a common currency, pundits were optimistic. It was supposed to open the way for beneficial mergers. But much of the expected merger mania never materialized. What happened? © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
SEC, PCAOB Tackle financial reporting crisis
Authors: Rouse Robert W. 
Published: August 2005

AbstractThe last American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA) Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) Conference set an all‐time attendance record. Our correspondent reports on what was on the regulators' minds as they grappled with the recent financial reporting crisis. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
How much did audit committees report prior to SOX?
Authors: Pandit Ganesh M. , Subrahmanyam Vijaya 
Published: August 2005

AbstractRecent corporate scandals—fueled partly by audit failures—have focused attention on how effective audit committees have been. The Sarbanes‐Oxley Act (SOX) imposed increased responsibility on audit committees. But how negligent were they prior to SOX? How proactive were they? © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
MEK hyperphosphorylation coincides with cell cycle shut down of cultured smooth muscle cells
Authors: Vogel Sabina , Kubin Thomas , von der Ahe Dietmar , Deindl Elisabeth , Schaper Wolfgang , Zimmermann René 
Published: August 2005

AbstractSmooth muscle cells (SMCs) form the backbone of arteries and their proliferation hallmarks collateral vessel growth, a process termed arteriogenesis, as well as pathogenic responses such as restenosis. Since signaling pathways in SMCs are the main targets for therapeutic interventions, we aimed to determine how and to what extent the activation of the ubiquitous MEK–ERK signaling pathway correlates with important in vivo phenomena such as dedifferentiation, nuclear activation, and proliferation of SMCs. Specificity of this pathway was monitored using MEK inhibitors UO126 and PD98059 in platelet derived growth factor‐AB (PDGF‐AB) and fibroblast growth factor‐2 (FGF‐2)‐stimulated SMCs. PDGF‐AB induced a rapid MEK activation followed by phosphorylation of the MEK substrates ERK1/2, while FGF‐2 showed a less pronounced and delayed activation. Both growth factors triggered a marked phosphorylation of c‐Myc and expression of Egr1. Pretreatment with MEK inhibitors suppressed the activation of the ERK cascade, abolished the downregulation of desmin and led to cell‐cycle arrest. However, the reversibility of p27Kip1 downregulation by UO126 was mainly observed after PDGF‐AB stimulation, indicating MEK independent p27Kip1 downregulation by FGF‐2. Surprisingly, treatment of SMCs with UO126 or PD98059 increased the level of MEK phosphorylation in a dose‐dependent manner at serine residues 217/221 in the presence as well as in the absence of both growth factors. Our results strongly imply that depending on the environmental context phosphorylation of serines 217/221 serves as an “on” as well as an “off ” switch. © 2005 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.The original article to which this Erratum refers was published online on 26 May 2005 J Cell Physiol 2005;DOI 10.1002/jcp.20437.
Morphological variation of the thoracolumbar vertebrae inMacropodidaeand its functional relevance
Authors: Chen Xinmin , Milne Nick , O'Higgins Paul 
Published: September 2005

AbstractThe present study was designed to investigate how the form of the marsupial thoracolumbar vertebrae varies to cope with the particular demands of diverse loading and locomotor behaviors. The vertebral columns of 10 species ofMacropodidae, with various body masses and modes of locomotion, together with two other arboreal marsupials, koala and cuscus, were selected. Seventy‐four three‐dimensional landmark coordinates were acquired on each of the 10 last presacral vertebrae of the 70 vertebral columns. The interspecific variations of the third lumbar vertebra (L3, which approximates the mean) and the transitional patterns of the thoracolumbar segments were examined using the combined approach of generalized Procrustes analysis (GPA) and principal components analysis (PCA). The results of analyses of an individual vertebra (L3) and of the transitional patterns indicate significant interspecific differences. In the L3 study the first PC shows allometric shape variation, while the second PC seems to relate to adaptation for terrestrial versus arboreal locomotion. When the L3 vertebrae of the common spotted cuscus and koala are included for comparison, the vertebra of the tree kangaroo occupies an intermediate position between the hopping kangaroo and these arboreal marsupials. The L3 vertebrae in the arboreal marsupials possess a distinct dorsoventrally expanded vertebral body, and perpendicularly orientated spinous and transverse processes. The results of the present study suggest that vertebral shape in the kangaroo and wallaroos provides a structural adaptation to hopping through a relatively enlarged loading area and powerful lever system. In contrast, the small‐sized bettongs (or rat kangaroos) have a relatively flexible column and elongated levers for the action of back muscles that extend and laterally flex the spine. The complex pattern of vertebral shape transition in the last 10 presacral vertebrae was examined using PCAs that compare between species information about vertebral shape variation along the thoracolumbar column. The results reinforce and emphasize important aspects of the patterns of variation seen in the detailed analysis of the third lumbar vertebra. The results also imply that size, spinal loading pattern, and locomotor behavior exert an influence on shaping the vertebra. Further, the morphological adaptations are consistent within these marsupials and this opens up the possibility that this kind of analysis may be useful in making functional inferences from fossil material. J. Morphol. © 2005 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Uniaxial Drawing of Poly[(R)‐3‐hydroxybutyrate]/Cellulose Acetate Butyrate Blends and Their Orientation Behavior
Authors: Park Jun Wuk , Tanaka Toshihisa , Doi Yoshiharu , Iwata Tadahisa 
Published: August 2005

AbstractSummary: Miscible blends of PHB and CAB were prepared by the solvent‐casting method with various blend compositions, and their orientation behavior was investigated during uniaxial drawing. X‐ray analysis revealed that the orientation of the crystallizable PHB component in the drawn PHB/CAB blends was changed from c‐axis‐orientation to a‐axis‐orientation with increasing CAB content. The a‐axis‐orientation was a result from the a‐axis‐oriented crystal growth caused by the intramolecular nucleation and the confined crystal growth. For quantitative assessment of the chain orientation, the Hermans orientation functions of the two respective components were obtained from the polarized FT‐IR measurements. The orientation function of pure PHB stretched to 5 times of its initial length was approximately 0.8. However the value decreased rapidly with increasing CAB content, and it turned to a negative value from 30 wt.‐% CAB content. This indicates that the PHB chains were aligned perpendicular to the drawing direction. On the contrary, the value of the CAB component remained almost unchanged at about 0.1 regardless of the blend composition and the annealing time, indicating that the CAB chains were constantly oriented parallel to the drawing direction without any chain relaxation. In addition, SAXS analysis suggested that the lamellar stacking direction also changed from parallel to perpendicular in the stretching direction with increasing CAB content.Wide‐ and small‐angle X‐ray diffractions of PHB/CAB blends.magnified imageWide‐ and small‐angle X‐ray diffractions of PHB/CAB blends.
Multiphysics Modelling of Volume Phase Transition of Ionic Hydrogels Responsive to Thermal Stimulus
Authors: Li Hua , Wang Xiaogui , Wang Zijie , Lam K. Y. 
Published: August 2005

AbstractSummary: This paper presents the analysis of the volume phase transition of ionic thermo‐sensitive hydrogels to thermal stimulus through mathematical modelling. The model is termed the multi‐effect‐coupling thermal‐stimulus (MECtherm) model and it considers the effects of multi‐phases and multi‐physics. Its application to steady‐state analysis of the hydrogels in swelling equilibrium is validated against available experimental data for the relation between volume swelling ratio and temperature, in which very good agreement is achieved. The phenomenon of volume phase transition is studied for the thermal‐stimulus responsive hydrogel. The numerical studies predict well the influences of initially fixed charge density and initial volume fraction of polymeric network on the swelling equilibrium of the hydrogels.Comparison of numerical simulations with the experimental swelling data for the thermo‐sensitive PNIPA hydrogels in pure water.magnified imageComparison of numerical simulations with the experimental swelling data for the thermo‐sensitive PNIPA hydrogels in pure water.
Effect of High‐Energy Vibromilling on Interfacial Interaction and Mechanical Properties of PVC/Nano‐CaCO3 Composites
Authors: Tian Manhong , Chen Guangshun , Guo Shaoyun 
Published: August 2005

AbstractSummary: The effects of interfacial interaction between nano‐CaCO3 and PVC on mechanical properties and morphology of PVC/nano‐CaCO3 composites were studied. Nano‐CaCO3 was treated with vibromilling in the presence of PVC and coupling agents. The mechanical properties of PVC/treated nano‐CaCO3 are remarkably improved. Transmission electron microscopy results revealed that vibromilled nano‐CaCO3 particles are well dispersed in PVC matrix with good homogeneity and well adhered to PVC matrix. Molau test indicated that chemical reaction between newly formed surface of nano‐CaCO3 and PVC or coupling agent took place. Theoretical calculation results show that the interfacial interaction between PVC and nano‐CaCO3 are substantially improved through vibromilling treatment of nano‐CaCO3 in the presence of PVC and coupling agent.Molau test results of the samples in THF.magnified imageMolau test results of the samples in THF.
Preparation and Characterization of Polycarbonate/Poly(propylene)/Attapulgite Ternary Nanocomposites with the Morphology of Encapsulation
Authors: Gao Xiang , Mao Li‐xin , Jin Ri‐guang , Zhang Li‐qun , Tian Ming 
Published: August 2005

AbstractSummary: Ternary nanocomposites based on polycarbonate (PC), poly(propylene) (PP), and attapulgite (AT) were prepared via the method of two‐step melt blending, by which the AT was blended with PP prior to compound with PC. Structure and properties of the ternary PC/PP/AT nanocomposites were investigated. The degradation of PC triggered by AT during direct blending process can be inhibited effectively by using two‐step melt blending. It was found that the morphology of encapsulation structure like sandbag was formed in PC matrix, where PP encapsulated AT fibrillar single crystals. DSC experiments showed that in PC/PP/AT ternary nanocomposites, AT had a strong heterophase nucleation effect on PP, resulting in the enhancement of crystallization degree and the crystallization temperature of PP. DMA and mechanical property results showed that the ternary nanocomposites exhibited good balanced toughness and stiffness.TEM photograph of PC/PP/AT ternary nanocomposite.magnified imageTEM photograph of PC/PP/AT ternary nanocomposite.
Ultrafine Electrospun Polyamide‐6 Fibers: Effects of Solvent System and Emitting Electrode Polarity on Morphology and Average Fiber Diameter
Authors: Supaphol Pitt , Mit‐uppatham Chidchanok , Nithitanakul Manit 
Published: August 2005

AbstractSummary: In the present contribution, polyamide‐6 (PA‐6) solutions were prepared in various pure and mixed‐solvent systems and later electrospun with the polarity of the emitting electrode being either positive or negative. The PA‐6 concentration in the as‐prepared solutions was fixed at 32% w/v. Some of the solution properties, i.e., shear viscosity, surface tension, and conductivity, were measured. Irrespective of the polarity of the emitting electrode, only the electrospinning of PA‐6 solution in formic acid (85 wt.‐% aqueous solution) produced uniform electrospun fibers, while solutions of PA‐6 in m‐cresol or sulfuric acid (either 20 or 40 wt.‐% aqueous solution) did not. In the mixed‐solvent systems, formic acid (85 wt.‐% aqueous solution) was blended with m‐cresol, sulfuric acid (either 20 or 40 wt.‐% aqueous solution), acetic acid, or ethanol in the compositional range of 10–40 vol.‐% (based on the amount of the minor solvent). Generally, the average fiber diameter increased with increasing amount of the minor solvent or liquid. Interestingly, the diameters of the fibers obtained under the negative electrode polarity were larger than those obtained under the positive one.Optical images of electrospun fibers from solutions of polyamide‐6 in a mixed solvent of 85 wt.‐% formic acid and 20 vol.‐% m‐cresol under positive (left) and negative (right) electrode polarity.magnified imageOptical images of electrospun fibers from solutions of polyamide‐6 in a mixed solvent of 85 wt.‐% formic acid and 20 vol.‐% m‐cresol under positive (left) and negative (right) electrode polarity.
Swelling and Adsorption Properties of Hydrophobic Poly[(N‐(3‐(dimethylamino)propyl)methacrylamide)‐co‐(lauryl acrylate)] Hydrogels in Aqueous Solutions of Surfactants
Authors: Çaykara Tuncer , Birlik Gökçen 
Published: August 2005

AbstractSummary: The swelling and adsorption behavior of a series of hydrophobic poly[(N‐(3‐(dimethylamino)propyl)methacrylamide)‐co‐(lauryl acrylate)] [P(DMAPMA‐co‐LA)] hydrogels was studied as a function of temperature in aqueous solutions of the anionic surfactant sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) and the cationic surfactant dodecyltrimethylammonium bromide (DTAB). Between 0 and 41.7 mol‐% of lauryl acrylate (LA) were used as a hydrophobic comonomer in the hydrogel synthesis. In SDS solutions, the equilibrium swelling ratio of the hydrogels decreased with increasing temperature. At SDS concentrations below 0.0083 M, the hydrogels exhibited an almost linear swelling behavior. However, for SDS concentrations above 0.0083 M, non‐linear swelling behavior was observed in the range 28–36 °C. In contrast to the SDS solutions, in all DTAB solutions the equilibrium swelling ratio of the hydrogels increased with increasing temperature and a positive temperature sensitive property was shown for all P(DMAPMA‐co‐LA) hydrogels. The adsorption capacities of the hydrogels in aqueous solutions of SDS and DTAB were determined via surface tension measurements. An increase in the LA content in the hydrogel caused an increase in the amount of adsorbed surfactant molecules in both media.Effect of the DTAB concentration on the adsorption capacities of P(DMAPMA‐co‐LA) hydrogels.magnified imageEffect of the DTAB concentration on the adsorption capacities of P(DMAPMA‐co‐LA) hydrogels.
Thermal Degradation Behavior of Poly(propylene) with a Novel Silicon‐Containing Intumescent Flame Retardant
Authors: Li Qiang , Jiang Pingkai , Wei Ping 
Published: August 2005

AbstractSummary: A novel intumescent flame retardant (PSiNII), containing silicon, phosphorus and nitrogen, has been synthesized and incorporated into poly(propylene) (PP). The flame retardancy of PP/PSiNII, evaluated by the limiting oxygen index (LOI) value, can be enhanced up to 29.5 vol.‐% from 17.4 vol.‐% with 20% total loading amount of PSiNII. The thermal degradation behavior of PP/PSiNII are investigated by thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) under nitrogen and air, and pressure differential scanning calorimetry (PDSC) under 1.5 MPa of oxygen. The PP/PSiNII‐3 degrades at 400 °C for different time, and the process is investigated by FTIR which indicates there is PO in the char. The morphologies of char formed at 400 °C for 10 min and after LOI test are investigated by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The morphological structure of the char exhibits the swollen cells in the inner and a smooth outer surface, which do good to the thermal properties and fire performance of PP. The thermal stability of PP is improved by incorporating PSiNII.Inner surface of PP/PSiNII‐3 after LOI test.magnified imageInner surface of PP/PSiNII‐3 after LOI test.
Metallized Organoclays as New Intermediates for Aqueous Nanohybrid Dispersions, Nanohybrid Catalysts and Antimicrobial Polymer Hybrid Nanocomposites
Authors: Weickmann Hans , Tiller Joerg C. , Thomann Ralf , Mülhaupt Rolf 
Published: August 2005

AbstractSummary: The chemical metallization of aqueous bentonite dispersions afforded stable aqueous hybrid nanoparticle dispersions containing simultaneously dispersed sodium bentonite nanoplatelets together with bentonite supported silver, palladium, or copper nanoparticles with average metal nanoparticle diameters varying between 14 and 40 nm. Such aqueous bentonite/metal hybrid nanoparticle dispersions were blended with cationic PMMA latex to produce PMMA hybrid nanocomposites containing exfoliated polymer‐grafted organoclay together with bentonite supported metal nanoparticles. This dispersion blend formation was investigated with respect to the role of nanostructure formation and mechanical properties. Palladium/bentonite hybrid dispersions were used as catalysts for hydrogenation reactions and the electroless plating of copper. In contrast to the conventional organoclay nanocomposites, the PMMA hybrid nanocomposites, containing simultaneously dispersed organoclay nanoplatelets together with organoclay supported silver nanoparticles, exhibited high antimicrobial activity against the ubiquitous bacterium Staphylococcus aureus, even at low silver content.Preparation of a polymer hybrid nanocomposite.magnified imagePreparation of a polymer hybrid nanocomposite.
Limitation of the Coalescence of Evolutive Droplets by the Use of Copolymers in a Thermoplastic/Thermoset Blend
Authors: Meynie Laure , Habrard Alexia , Fenouillot Françoise , Pascault Jean‐Pierre 
Published: August 2005

AbstractSummary: Polystyrene (PS)/epoxy‐amine (DGEBA‐MDEA) is a thermoplastic/thermoset precursor blend which is miscible at high temperature (177 °C), and which phase separates under the polymerization of the epoxy‐amine system. Previous studies have shown that the morphology of this blend polymerized under shear is coarse and irregular because the dispersed epoxy‐amine domains coalesce before they gel. Several styrene‐methyl methacrylate and a styrene‐butadiene‐styrene block copolymers have been added to the PS/DGEBA‐MDEA 60/40 blend in order to limit the coalescence and thus obtain a finer morphology. Two of the copolymers used were reactive either with the epoxy or with the amine. It was shown that the addition of 15 wt.‐% of non reactive copolymer had a positive but limited effect on the size of the final epoxy‐amine particles. The copolymer remained at the interface at the early stages of the polymerization. However, it was pulled out by the shear forces around the gel point of the epoxy domains. Most of the non reactive copolymer was present in the shape of micelles at the end of the process. On the other hand, the reactive copolymers were able to establish covalent bonds with the epoxy‐amine drops and hence were not extracted at all. Consequently they allowed the decrease the size of the particles by a factor of 15. Despite this, the observation of the morphology at different stages of the polymerization has revealed that the copolymer moved at the interface of the epoxy domains during the collision of two droplets. The movements of fluids into the epoxy domains pushed the copolymer out of the inter‐droplet zone so that it could not prevent the drainage of the liquid film between the droplets and consequently their coalescence.TEM showing that the layer of copolymer (in dark grey) has moved along the interface of epoxy‐amine drops during their successful collision in a polystyrene‐rich matrix.magnified imageTEM showing that the layer of copolymer (in dark grey) has moved along the interface of epoxy‐amine drops during their successful collision in a polystyrene‐rich matrix.
The negative ion chemistry of nitric oxide in the gas phase
Authors: Chacko Silvi A. , Wenthold Paul G. 
Published: September 2005

AbstractNitric oxide is not only an important biological molecule with varied indispensable physiological roles but also shows interesting chemical reactivity both in gas‐phase and solution phase. Even though it is a small molecule with an extremely low electron affinity, the reactivity of NO in the gas‐phase is not just limited to electron‐transfer or adduct formation. NO can behave both as an electrophile with closed‐shell anions or as a radical with open‐shell anions. Its reactivity with open‐shell anions is characteristic and varied leading to interesting rearrangements. Nitric oxide anion undergoes spin‐forbidden proton transfer with strong acids. Also, the ability of NO to serve both as one‐electron or three‐electron donor ligand can result in adduct formation or substitution reactions with transition metal complexes. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Are non‐binding contracts really not worth the paper?
Authors: Irlenbusch Bernd 
Published: September 2005

AbstractWe experimentally investigate behavior in sequential one‐shot transactions which are governed by non‐binding contracts. In a second, incomplete information treatment, contracts are binding for some players. While according to traditional game‐theoretical analysis no trade is expected in the first treatment, full trade should result in the latter. However, we find that trade is even higher in the non‐binding contract treatment. On the one hand, non‐binding contracts—although they are cheap talk—do guide behavior, especially at the beginning of a business relationship, while reciprocal reactions prevail later on. On the other hand, in the treatment with binding contracts cooperative behavior appears to be crowded out. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.