bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Blends of poly(vinyl chloride) (PVC)/natural rubber‐g‐(styrene‐co‐methyl methacrylate) for improved impact resistance of PVC
Authors: Arayapranee W. , Prasassarakich P. , Rempel G. L. 
Published: May 2004

AbstractTo improve the mechanical properties of poly(vinyl chloride) (PVC), the possibility of combining PVC with elastomers was considered. Modification of natural rubber (NR) by graft copolymerization with methyl methacrylate (MMA) and styrene (St) was carried out by emulsion polymerization by using redox initiator to provide an impact modifier for PVC. The impact resistance, dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) of St and MMA grafted NR [NR‐g‐(St‐co‐MMA)]/PVC (graft copolymer product contents of 5, 10, and 15%) blends were investigated as a function of the amount of graft copolymer product. It was found that the impact strength of blends was increased with an increase of the graft copolymer product content. DMA studies showed that NR‐g‐(St‐co‐MMA) has partial compatibility with PVC. SEM confirmed a shift from brittle failure to ductility with an increase graft copolymer content in the blends. The mechanical properties showed that NR‐g‐(St‐co‐MMA) interacts well with PVC and can also be used as an impact modifier for PVC. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 93: 1666–1672, 2004
Modeling of ultrasonic processing
Authors: Roylance Margaret , Player John , Zukas Walter , Roylance David 
Published: May 2004

AbstractCuring of fiber‐reinforced thermoset polymer composites requires an elevated temperature to accelerate the crosslinking reaction and also hydrostatic pressure to consolidate the part and suppress the formation of voids. These processing conditions can be provided by autoclaves of appropriate size, but these are expensive and sometimes difficult to schedule. Ultrasonic debulking followed by oven cure is an attractive alternative to autoclave cure. In this technique a movable “horn” driven at ultrasonic frequency is applied to the surface of the uncured part. This generates pressure and at the same time produces heating by viscoelastic dissipation. The part can be debulked to net shape and staged through the action of the ultrasound. There are a large enough number of experimental parameters in ultrasonic debulking and staging to make purely empirical process optimization difficult, and this paper outlines numerical simulation methods useful in understanding and developing the process. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 93: 1609–1615, 2004
Preparation and electrorheological characteristics of β‐cyclodextrin–epichlorohydrin–starch polymer suspensions
Authors: Gao Ziwei , Zhao Xiaopeng 
Published: May 2004

AbstractThree environment friendly β‐cyclodextrin polymer electrorheological (ER) particles (NS‐β‐CDP, WSS‐β‐CDP, and CLS‐β‐CDP) were synthesized by copolymerization through a mixture of β‐cyclodextrin (β‐CD) and epichlorohydrin in the absence of starch or in the presence of water‐soluble and water‐insoluble starch, respectively. The electrorheological properties of suspensions in silicone oil were then investigated under direct current (dc) electric fields. It was found that the yield stress of the typical WSS‐β‐CDP ER fluid was 6.2 kPa in 4 kV/mm, which is 35% higher than that of NS‐β‐CDP and similar to that of CLS‐β‐CDP. In the meantime, it can display a high ER performance even over a range of 65–95°C. The structures of these polymers were characterized by FT‐IR and Raman spectrometry, respectively. The results demonstrated that all of these polymers keep the original structural character of β‐CD and the copolymerizations between starch and β‐CD indeed occur. Furthermore, it was found that there was some relationship between the characteristic strength of polymers and their dielectric properties. Hence, the improvement of copolymer dielectric properties resulted in the enhancement of ER effects. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 93: 1681–1686, 2004
Biaxially self‐reinforced high‐density polyethylene prepared by dynamic packing injection molding. II. Microstructure investigation
Authors: Lei Jun , Jiang Chaodong , Shen Kaizhi 
Published: May 2004

AbstractDifferential scanning calorimetry, wide‐angle X‐ray diffraction, small‐angle X‐ray scattering, and transmission electron microscope are employed to study the microstructure of biaxially self‐reinforced high‐density polyethylene (HDPE) prepared in uniaxial oscillating stress field by dynamic packing injection molding. The results indicate that the biaxial self‐reinforcement of HDPE is mainly due to the existence of interlocking shish‐kebab morphology (i.e., zip fastener structure), along with the orientation of lamellae and molecular chains and the enhanced crystallinity. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 93: 1591–1596, 2004
Spot signatures of a solar‐type dynamo in close binary stars
Authors: Holzwarth V. 
Published: May 2004

AbstractMagnetic activity signatures in the atmosphere of active stars can be used to place constrains on the underlying processes of flux transport and dynamo operation in its convective envelope. The ‘solar paradigm’ for magnetic activity suggests that the magnetic field is amplified and stored at the base of the convection zone. Once a critical field strength is exceeded, perturbations initiate the onset of instabilities and the growth of magnetic flux loops, which rise through the convection zone, emerge at the stellar surface, and eventually lead to the formation of starspots and active regions. In close binaries, the proximity of the companion star breaks the rotational symmetry. Although the magnitude of tidal distortions is rather small, non‐linear MHD simulations have nevertheless shown in the case of main‐sequence binary components that they can cause non‐uniform surface distributions of flux tube eruptions. The present work extends the investigation to post‐mainsequence components to explore the specific influence of the stellar structure on the surface pattern of erupting flux tubes. In contrast to the case of main‐sequence components, where the consistency between simulation results and observations supports the presumption of a solar‐like dynamo mechanism, the numerical results here do not recover the starspot properties frequently observed on evolved binary components. This aspect points out an insufficiency of the applied flux tube model and leads to the conclusion that additional flux transport and possibly amplification mechanisms have to be taken into account. (© 2004 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Astrophysical supplements to the ASCC‐2.5. I. Radial velocity data
Authors: Kharchenko N.V. , Piskunov A.E. , Scholz R.‐D. 
Published: May 2004

AbstractWe present a catalogue of radial velocities of Galactic stars with high precision astrometric data CRVAD which is the result of the cross‐identification of star lists from the General Catalog of Average Radial Velocities (GCRV) and from the homogeneous All‐sky Compiled Catalogue of 2.5Million Stars (ASCC‐2.5). The CRVAD includes accurate J2000 equatorial coordinates, proper motions and trigonometric parallaxes in the Hipparcos system, Johnson's BV photometric data, spectral types, multiplicity and variability flags from the ASCC‐2.5, and radial velocities, stellar magnitudes and spectral types from the GCRV for 34553 ASCC‐2.5 stars. The CRVAD was used for the construction of a sample of standard stars with accurate astrometric, photometric and radial velocity data for the RAVE project. A second application of the CRVAD , the radial velocity determination for 292 open clusters (including 97 with previously unknown radial velocities), using their newly defined members from proper motions and photometry in the ASCC‐2.5, is briefly described. (© 2004 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Continuous tooth replacement: the possible involvement of epithelial stem cells
Authors: Huysseune Ann , Thesleff Irma 
Published: May 2004

AbstractEpithelial stem cells have been identified in integumental structures such as hairs and continuously growing teeth of various rodents, and in the gut. Here we propose the involvement of epithelial stem cells in the continuous tooth replacement that characterizes non‐mammalian vertebrates, as exemplified by the zebrafish. Arguments are based on morphological observations of tooth renewal in the zebrafish and on the similarities between molecular control of hair and tooth formation. Dissection of the molecular cascades underlying the regulation of the epithelial stem cell niche might open perspectives for new regenerative treatment strategies in clinical dentistry. BioEssays 26:665–671, 2004. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Bioengineering nitrogen acquisition in rice: can novel initiatives in rice genomics and physiology contribute to global food security?
Authors: Britto Dev T. , Kronzucker Herbert J. 
Published: May 2004

AbstractRice is the most important crop species on earth, providing staple food for 70% of the world's human population. Over the past four decades, successes in classical breeding, fertilization, pest control, irrigation and expansion of arable land have massively increased global rice production, enabling crop scientists and farmers to stave off anticipated famines. If current projections for human population growth are correct, however, present rice yields will be insufficient within a few years. Rice yields will have to increase by an estimated 60% in the next 30 years, or global food security will be in danger. The classical methods of previous green revolutions alone will probably not be able to meet this challenge, without being coupled to recombinant DNA technology. Here, we focus on the promise of these modern technologies in the area of nitrogen acquisition in rice, recognizing that nitrogen deficiency compromises the realization of rice yield potential in the field more than any other single factor. We summarize rice‐specific advances in four key areas of research: (1) nitrogen fixation, (2) primary nitrogen acquisition, (3) manipulations of internal nitrogen metabolism, and (4) interactions between nitrogen and photosynthesis. We develop a model for future plant breeding possibilities, pointing out the importance of coming to terms with the complex interactions among the physiological components under manipulation, in the context of ensuring proper targeting of intellectual and financial resources in this crucial area of research. BioEssays 26:683–692, 2004. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
The ends of a continuum: genetic and temperature‐dependent sex determination in reptiles
Authors: Sarre Stephen D. , Georges Arthur , Quinn Alex 
Published: May 2004

AbstractTwo prevailing paradigms explain the diversity of sex‐determining modes in reptiles. Many researchers, particularly those who study reptiles, consider genetic and environmental sex‐determining mechanisms to be fundamentally different, and that one can be demonstrated experimentally to the exclusion of the other. Other researchers, principally those who take a broader taxonomic perspective, argue that no clear boundaries exist between them. Indeed, we argue that genetic and environmental sex determination in reptiles should be seen as a continuum of states represented by species whose sex is determined primarily by genotype, species where genetic and environmental mechanisms coexist and interact in lesser or greater measure to bring about sex phenotypes, and species where sex is determined primarily by environment. To do otherwise limits the scope of investigations into the transition between the two and reduces opportunities to use studies of reptiles to advance understanding of vertebrate sex determination generally. BioEssays 26:639–645, 2004. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
ALIX‐ing phospholipids with endosome biogenesis
Authors: Dikic Ivan 
Published: May 2004

AbstractEndosomes, which comprise a diverse population of membrane vesicles and tubules, sort proteins and lipids to various cellular destinations. The organization and functions of these pleiomorphic cellular organelles have been extensively studied. Matsuo et al.1 now provide new exciting evidence on the role of lysobiphosphatidic acid (LBPA), a resident phospholipid of internal vesicles of the late endosome, in the control of membrane invagination and endosome biogenesis. In vivo, LBPA functions are controlled by the adaptor protein Alix and depend on pH gradients along the endosomal compartments. BioEssays 26:604–607, 2004. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Psychologic distress after disclosure of genetic test results regarding hereditary nonpolyposis colorectal carcinoma
Authors: Murakami Yoshie , Okamura Hitoshi , Sugano Kokichi , Yoshida Teruhiko , Kazuma Keiko , Akechi Tatsuo , Uchitomi Yosuke 
Published: May 2004

AbstractBACKGROUNDTo the authors' knowledge, there have been few studies of the psychologic distress after disclosure of genetic test results for hereditary nonpolyposis colorectal carcinoma (HNPCC). The objectives of this study were to identify the prevalence rates and predictors of psychologic distress and to evaluate the feelings of guilt after disclosure of the test results in Japanese probands and unaffected relatives.METHODSProbands and unaffected relatives were interviewed immediately after the first genetic counseling session for HNPCC and again 1 month after disclosure of the genetic test results. The prevalence of major and minor depression, acute stress disorder (ASD), posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and posttraumatic stress symptoms (PTSS) were assessed using the Structured Clinical Interview based on the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 3rd edition revised (DSM‐III‐R) or the DSM‐IV; feelings of guilt were investigated using a numeric scale and a semistructured interview.RESULTSAmong 47 participants who completed the baseline interview, 42 participants (89%) completed the 1‐month follow‐up interview. Although none of the participants met the criteria for major depression, ASD, or PTSD at the follow‐up interview, 3 of 42 participants (7%) met the criteria for minor depression and 2 participants (5%) had PTSS. The only predictor of psychologic distress found was the presence of a history of major or minor depression (odds ratio, 19.41; 95% confidence interval, 1.42–264.95; P < 0.05). Five of 42 participants (12%) had feelings of guilt.CONCLUSIONSDisclosure of genetic test results for HNPCC may not cause significant psychologic distress in Japanese probands or relatives. However, healthcare providers should not neglect to assess these individuals for psychologic responses, such as minor depression and PTSS. Cancer 2004. © 2004 American Cancer Society.
Accounting for the cost of occupational accidents
Authors: Rikhardsson Pall M. 
Published: May 2004

AbstractOccupational accidents are a substantial expense to society and individual companies. This loss of value could be avoided by preventing occupational accidents from happening. When focusing on accident prevention, an extra incentive for managers could be to illustrate the actual financial consequences for the company. This, however, presents some challenges due to the current set‐up of many management accounting systems. The paper explores these issues in the context of the Systematic Accident Cost Analysis (SACA) project, which was carried out during 2001 by The Aarhus School of Business and PricewaterhouseCoopers Denmark with financial support from The Danish National Working Environment Authority. It focused on developing and testing a method for the evaluation of the occupational costs and how this might be linked to management accounting and control systems. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd and ERP Environment.
Managing the interface between suppliers and organizations for environmental responsibility – an exploration of current practices in the UK
Authors: Holt Diane 
Published: May 2004

AbstractThis paper examines the supplier management activities undertaken by a sample of 149 UK based organizations, with particular focus on the role of supplier assessment and supplier coaching, education or mentoring. This study identifies that larger, higher risk organizations are beginning to reach out to their suppliers, primarily through assessment and evaluation, and to a lesser extent through supplier education, mentoring or coaching. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd and ERP Environment.
Project PASCALEA – public and stakeholder consultation in developing high‐profile corporate environmental strategy
Authors: Collins Linda , Usher Sam 
Published: May 2004

AbstractThis paper looks at corporate social responsibility in the context of public and stakeholder dialogue and engagement. It demonstrates how this can contribute to the development of a long‐term environmental management strategy. It shows how government, stakeholder and economic pressure can encourage companies to positively engage their stakeholders.Using an example from the nuclear industry the paper describes how the importance of engaging in stakeholder dialogue and consultation has been recognized and how this can contribute to more positive stakeholder relationships.In 2002, AWE plc commissioned a major independent public and stakeholder consultation exercise (Project PASCALEA). Environmental Consultants from NNC Ltd. were commissioned to manage and execute the project, together with recognized consultation specialists from the IEPPP, Lancaster University. The case study gives an insight into the consultation methodology adopted and evaluates how the outcomes from the project contributed towards the successful delivery of AWE's corporate environmental management goals. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd and ERP Environment.
The effect of a herbal medicine (Mao‐to) for the prevention of interferon‐induced psychiatric complications in chronic hepatitis C: a pilot study
Authors: Kainuma Mosaburo , Hikiami Hiroaki , Nozaki Kazuya , Hayashi Katsumi , Shimada Yutaka , Terasawa Katsutoshi 
Published: May 2004

AbstractObjectiveTo evaluate the efficacy of a herbal medicine (Mao‐to) on psychiatric complications caused by IFN, and to examine the relationship between depression and microcirculation.MethodsTwelve patients with chronic hepatitis C and a past history of IFN‐induced depression were enrolled in this study. Their mental state was evaluated by the self‐rating depression scale (SDS)≧40, or M‐R of the Cornell medical index (CMI)≧10. Each patient received a daily dose of 6 million units of IFN‐β for 8 weeks, and Mao‐to was given orally four times a day during the IFN‐β course.ResultsAll patients in this study completed a full course of IFN. Mean CMI scores (M‐R) had significantly decreased at the end of the treatment. Mean erythrocyte aggregability and erythrocyte deformability had also significantly decreased at the end of treatment.ConclusionMao‐to might be useful for preventing the incidence of depression in patients with chronic hepatitis C being treated with IFN. The mechanism by which Mao‐to prevents depression is suggested to be through the improvement of microcirculation. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Managing water amongst competing uses: the Usangu wetland in Tanzania
Authors: Franks Tom , Lankford Bruce , Mdemu Makarius 
Published: May 2004

AbstractDemand for water in the Usangu Basin is driven by a number of competing uses. These include domestic supplies, irrigated agriculture, livestock, fishing, maintenance of the Usangu wetland, a National Park and major hydroelectric system downstream. As a result of a number of driving forces including the growing population, the water resources of the basin are becoming increasingly stressed, and downstream flows have now reduced to zero during the dry season. The paper is based on recent work to study to situation and work with local stakeholders to develop a sustainable management plan for the basin.Irrigated rice is by far the biggest user of water in the basin. The paper traces the successful development of irrigation there since the 1950s, based both on state‐managed mechanised farms and on smallholder production. However, the expansion of irrigation has been a major factor in the change in water availability downstream, particularly as the cropping calendar expands into the dry season, when river flows are at their lowest.A number of initiatives are under way to try to reduce the impact of irrigation on the basin's water resources. These include projects to increase irrigation efficiency in smallholder systems, and improvements to water management institutions and processes. The aim is to restore dry season flows for downstream users by the year 2010. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
New 2D graphical representation of DNA sequences
Authors: Liao Bo , Wang Tian‐Ming 
Published: May 2004

AbstractWe consider a 2D graphical representations of DNA sequences, which avoids loss of information associated with crossing and overlapping of the corresponding curve. We outline an approach, which is based on the construction of a three‐component vector whose components are the normalized leading eigenvalues of the L/L matrices associated with DNA. The examination of similarities/dissimilarities among the coding sequences of the first exon of β‐globin gene of different species illustrates the utility of the approach. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Comput Chem 25: 1364–1368, 2004
Detoxification of sugarcane bagasse hemicellulosic hydrolysate with ion‐exchange resins for xylitol production by calcium alginate‐entrapped cells
Authors: de Carvalho Walter , Canilha Larissa , Mussatto Solange I , Dragone Giuliano , Morales Martha LV , Solenzal Ana Irene N 
Published: May 2004

AbstractThis study describes the performance of four different resins, in sequence, to detoxify sugarcane bagasse hemicellulosic hydrolysate and to improve xylitol production by calcium alginate‐entrapped Candida guilliermondii FTI20037 cells under conditions of low oxygen concentration. The treatment resulted in a removal of 82.1% furfural, 66.5% hydroxymethylfurfural, 61.9% phenolic compounds derived from lignin degradation, 100% chromium, 46.1% zinc, 28.5% iron, 14.7% sodium and 3.5% nickel. On the other hand, the removal of acetic acid was not significant. A xylitol yield factor (YP/S) of 0.62 g g−1 and a volumetric productivity (Qp) of 0.24 g dm−3 h−1 were attained in the fermentation process for xylitol production from detoxified hydrolysate. Copyright © 2004 Society of Chemical Industry