bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
On‐line optimizing control of bulk polymerization of methyl methacrylate: Some experimental results for heater failure
Authors: Mankar Raju B. , Saraf Deoki N. , Gupta Santosh K.
Published: October 2002

An experimental unit has been assembled to carry out on‐line optimizing control of the bulk polymerization of methyl methacrylate (MMA). A rheometer‐reactor assembly is used. Temperature and viscosity measurements are used to describe the state of the system. The polymerization is carried out under an off‐line computed optimal temperature history, Top(t). A planned disturbance (heating system failure) is introduced at time t1. This disturbance leads to a fall in the temperature of the reaction mass. A new optimal temperature history, Treop(t), is re‐computed on‐line and is implemented on the reaction mass at time t2, when the heating is resumed. This procedure helps ‘save the batch’. A genetic algorithm is used to compute this reoptimized temperature history in a short period of ∼2 min of real time. The feasibility of the on‐line optimizing control scheme has been demonstrated experimentally. Replicable results for the viscosity history, η(t), of the polymerizing mass under several non‐isothermal conditions have been obtained. These experimental results are quite trustworthy, even though the model predictions are only in approximate agreement with them, perhaps because of the extreme sensitivity of results to the values of the model parameters. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 85: 2350–2360, 2002
Durability of poly(dimethylsiloxane) when exposed to chlorine gas
Authors: Eikeland M. S. , Hägg M.‐B. , Brook M. A. , OttØy M. , Lindbråthen A.
Published: October 2002

Highly crosslinked poly(dimethylsiloxane) (PDMS) is discussed as an alternative membrane material for the gas separation of highly concentrated chlorine gas (90–95 vol %) and oxygen, due to an initial high permeation for Cl2 and a high selectivity of Cl2/O2. It was found that the separation properties of the PDMS membrane change over time upon exposure to aggressive chlorine gas; the flux will go down, and the material may even degrade if not appropriately prepared and protected. The PDMS was exposed to chlorine gas over 4 weeks in a glass chamber at both 30 and 60°C and analysed by (FTIR). The membranes were exposed to chlorine gas in a permeation cell with measurements of the permeability of N2, O2, and Cl2 at regular intervals. The temperature range for the permeation measurements was 30–100°C, and the pressure difference over the membrane was ca. 2 bar. The time of exposure in the permeation cell was several weeks. The absorption of N2, O2, and Cl2 in the PDMS at temperatures in the same range was also measured. This article discusses the durability of the highly crosslinked PDMS membrane following chlorine exposure. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 85: 2458–2470, 2002
DNA/lipid complex organogel with shape‐memory behavior
Authors: Liu Wen Guang , Zhang Jian Rong , De Yao Kang
Published: October 2002

DNA and amphiphilic N,N,N‐trimethyl‐N‐hexadecylammonium bromide (THAB) were stoichiometrically mixed together to produce a DNA–lipid complex, which was dissolved in dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) at 65°C and then crosslinked with isophorone diisocyanate (IPDI). The obtained organogel swelled reversibly in DMSO, responding to the variation of temperature. Interestingly, we observed that the gel exhibited a temperature‐dependent shape‐memory behavior. Above 65°C, whatever the shape the gel was deformed to, it could retain the new shape as the temperature was decreased to room temperature, while, when the gel was heated to 65°C again, it could recover its initial shape. The shape‐memory characteristic is supposedly originated from the transition between the close‐packed and the destroyed DNA/lipid conformation. The elastic urethane crosslinking bonds between base‐pair sites act as a fixing phase. The gel holds promise in its application as a gentle actuator. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 86: 259–263, 2002
Aircraft‐coating weathering studies by analytical methods
Authors: Usmani Arthur M. , Donley Mike
Published: October 2002

We predicted the life of an aircraft coating through the characterization of slightly weathered samples. To accomplish this, we completed accelerated weathering of a flat aircraft coating in a xenon‐arc weather‐o‐meter for 0, 500, 1000, 1500, 2000, 2500, and 3000 h. Equatorial mount with mirrors for acceleration with aqua (EMMAQUA) exposures equivalent to 0, 6, 12, 18, 24, 30, 36, 42, and 48 months were also completed in this work. To determine coating‐film degradation, we used electron spectroscopy for chemical analysis, also known as XPS, and L*a*b* color measurement. Nonlinear regression estimations were performed on selected measurements from the test data. Two models were used. The first was the Weibull‐type model. The second was a Gauss‐type model that had also been used in previous work on decay processes. The second model generally provided a better fit as determined by asymptotic R2 statistics. Secondary‐ion mass spectroscopy data did not produce data consistent with decay functions. The models better described the data from color change measurements and XPS. Fourier transform infrared data fit the models but not as well as XPS and color measurement. Furthermore, data from EMMAQUA exposures fit better than data from the xenon‐arc weather‐o‐meter. In the model development work, we used single points for both measurement and exposure. The models can be refined with a high degree of predictive precision if replicates of 10 measurements and replicates of 5 exposures are performed; we plan to report these findings in the future. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 86: 294–313, 2002
Effect of temperature on the crosslink densities of nitrile rubber and carboxylated nitrile rubber with zinc peroxide
Authors: Ibarra L. , Alzorriz M.
Published: October 2002

We studied the crosslinking of conventional nitrile rubber with metal peroxide at varying temperatures. Crosslink density, measured by swelling in the solvent until equilibrium, and the reaction rate increased with temperature, suggesting that crosslinking is a function of peroxide decomposition. At a specific reaction time, some peroxide remained in the unreacted form in the final product. This was not observed when the reaction temperature was sufficiently high to achieve total decomposition of the peroxide (190–200°C). When a carboxylated nitrile rubber was crosslinked, the same results were obtained. However, in this case, exclusively ionic or a combination of ionic and covalent crosslinks were generated, depending on the vulcanization temperature used. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 86: 335–340, 2002
Recycling polyethylene from automotive fuel tanks
Authors: Gorrasi Giuliana , Maio Luciano Di , Vittoria Vittoria , Acierno Domenico
Published: October 2002

Polyethylene (PE) from postuse automotive fuel tanks is considered a valuable material for mechanical recycling, and we assessed its properties, paying particular attention to transport properties and processability. The characterization included the study of the sorption–desorption isotherms, the rheological analysis of the molten materials and their processability. In particular, we obtained, sorption‐–desorption isotherms using a model molecule (n‐heptane) to simulate contact with the fuel. The measurements were carried out on films of PE blend for tanks and separately on the components of the blend. Rotational rheometry was carried out on scraps from used tanks and on virgin material for comparison. We performed some extrusion tests to evaluate the possibility of mechanical recycling of the postuse materials. In particular, we examined the melt‐fracture incoming conditions by making use of a twin‐screw extruder with a round die. Stress–strain measurements were carried out on films of virgin and used material, obtained with a press on a laboratory scale to evaluate the change of the mechanical properties of a manufacture obtained by reprocessing a polymer aged in contact with a mixture of liquids. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 86: 347–351, 2002
Reactive compatibilization of maleated polypropylene and maleated poly(styrene‐b‐butadiene‐b‐styrene) blends
Authors: Wilhelm Helena Maria , Felisberti Maria Isabel
Published: October 2002

Blends of maleated polypropylene with maleic anhydride (PP–MAH) and maleated styrene–butadiene–styrene triblock copolymer with maleic anhydride (SBS–MAH) were compatibilized with 4,4′‐diaminediphenylmethane, at various concentrations, as the coupling agent for the functionalized polymers. Their properties were compared with those of the corresponding blends of PP–MAH and styrene–butadiene–styrene triblock copolymer. The blends containing 15 and 50 wt % elastomers were prepared in a mixer at 190°C and 55 rpm. Torque measurements and solubility tests suggested a graft copolymerization during the melt blending of PP–MAH and SBS–MAH. Infrared spectroscopy was used to characterize the graft copolymer formed during the melt blending of the maleated polymers. The blends presented a morphology of a disperse elastomer phase in a continuous PP–MAH matrix. The size of the elastomeric domains decreased as the diamine and anhydride molar ratio increased. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 02: 366–371, 2002
Adhesives for bead fusion of recycled expandable polystyrene
Authors: Lye S. W. , Aw H. S. , Lee S. G.
Published: October 2002

Expandable polystyrene (EPS) is a plastic cellular material that is commonly used in the packaging industry. Its growing uses have led to environmental concerns over resource sustainability and the dwindling availability of landfill spaces. Although existing approaches to control and manage EPS wastes are available, much effort is still needed to recycle as much of the used materials via developing new processes or applications. This article looks into a new approach using adhesives to promote EPS bead fusion. Two sets of test specimens made of 100% recycled EPS using spray adhesive and powder adhesive were investigated. Their mechanical behaviors of these two adhesive EPS samples were studied. These specimens were compared with the commercially available ones produced using steam injection molding and direct microwave molding. From the findings, the powder adhesive specimens were found to be quite comparable to the steam‐injected ones in terms of better cushioning property, shape definitions, smaller dimensional and density variations than those of sprayed adhesive and microwave ones. The results highlight that powder adhesive mixed with 100% recycled EPS offer a new “green” approach in EPS production with low initial capital outlay and shorter production lead time. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 86: 456–462, 2002
Geoelectrical investigation beneath Behbiet ElHigara and ElKom ElAkhder archaeological sites, Samannud area, Nile Delta, Egypt
Authors: Ibrahim E. H. , ElGamili M. M. , Hassaneen A. Gh. , Soliman M. N. , Ismael A. M.
Published: October 2002

Geoelectrical resistivity and resistance geoscanning techniques were conducted on Behbiet ElHigara and ElKom ElAkhder archeological sites for two purposes. The first was aimed to study the palaeohydrography and the subsurface geological picture of these sites; for this purpose, 19 vertical electric soundings were conducted along two E–W profiles across the sites. The results indicate that both archaeological sites represent buried high sand gizeras occupied by the ancient Egyptians as they were safe from the high floods and near to the freshwater courses that passed by the sites. The second purpose was to delineate any buried archaeological remains under the soil. For this purpose, resistance geoscanning survey was conducted on the two sites, together with three detailed and shallow geoelectric resistivity profiles along ElKom ElAkhder for more confirmation. The results indicate that the low‐resistivity clayey deposits predominate on the two sites. Behbiet ElHigara is characterized by shallow, circular and small‐extent anomalies that could be referred to small granitic blocks at shallow depths, whereas at ElKom ElAkhder, a high resistivity anomaly embedded within a low resistivity clayey facies was noticed: this could represent the buried sand gezira (islet) of ElKom ElAkhder. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Treatment of rheumatoid arthritis with anakinra, a recombinant human interleukin‐1 receptor antagonist, in combination with methotrexate: Results of a twenty‐four–week, multicenter, randomized, double‐blind, placebo‐controlled trial
Authors: Cohen Stanley , Hurd Eric , Cush John , Schiff Michael , Weinblatt Michael E. , Moreland Larry W. , Kremer Joel , Bear Moraye B. , Rich William J. , McCabe Dorothy
Published: October 2002

Objective

To evaluate the efficacy and safety of anakinra in combination with methotrexate (MTX) in patients with active rheumatoid arthritis (RA).

Methods

Patients with moderate‐to‐severe active RA who were receiving MTX for 6 consecutive months, with stable doses for ≥3 months (those with disease duration of >6 months but <12 years) were randomized into 6 groups: placebo or 0.04, 0.1, 0.4, 1.0, or 2.0 mg/kg of anakinra administered in a single, daily, subcutaneous injection. The primary efficacy end point was the proportion of subjects who met the American College of Rheumatology 20% improvement criteria (attained an ACR20 response) at week 12.

Results

A total of 419 patients were randomized in the study. Patient demographics and disease status were similar in the 6 treatment groups. The ACR20 responses at week 12 in the 5 active treatment plus MTX groups demonstrated a statistically significant (P = 0.001) dose‐response relationship compared with the ACR20 response in the placebo plus MTX group. The ACR20 response rate in the anakinra 1.0‐mg/kg (46%; P = 0.001) and 2.0‐mg/kg (38%; P = 0.007) dose groups was significantly greater than that in the placebo group (19%). The ACR20 responses at 24 weeks were consistent with those at 12 weeks. Similar improvements in anakinra‐treated subjects were noted in individual ACR components, erythrocyte sedimentation rate, onset of ACR20 response, sustainability of ACR20 response, and magnitude of ACR response. Anakinra was safe and well tolerated. Injection site reaction was the most frequently noted adverse event, and this led to premature study withdrawal in 7% (1.0‐mg/kg group) to 10% (2.0‐mg/kg group) of patients receiving higher doses.

Conclusion

In patients with persistently active RA, the combination of anakinra and MTX was safe and well tolerated and provided significantly greater clinical benefit than MTX alone.
Local interleukin‐12 gene transfer promotes conversion of an acute arthritis to a chronic destructive arthritis
Authors: Joosten Leo A. B. , Heuvelmans‐Jacobs Marleen , Lubberts Erik , Van De Loo Fons A. J. , Bakker Andrew C. , Helsen Monique M. A. , Richards Carl D. , Van Den Berg Wim B.
Published: October 2002

Objective

To determine whether local overexpression of interleukin‐12 (IL‐12), a pleiotropic cytokine that promotes the development of naive T cells into Th1 cells, could aggravate murine streptococcal cell wall (SCW)‐induced arthritis, a model of acute arthritis.

Methods

C57BL/6 mice were injected intraarticularly with saline or with 107 plaque‐forming units of control vector (Ad5del70‐3) or IL‐12 vector (AdmIL‐12.1) into the right knee joint 1 day before intraarticular injection of 25 μg of SCW fragments. The development of joint swelling, changes in chondrocyte proteoglycan (PG) synthesis, and joint destruction were examined thereafter.

Results

In normal joints, high levels of IL‐12 (20 ng/ml on day 1) could be detected after application of the AdmIL‐12.1 vector. After 14 days, expression of IL‐12 was still found locally, but IL‐12 alone did not induce protracted inflammation. Local expression of IL‐12, in combination with SCW, markedly aggravated SCW‐induced arthritis, as determined by enhanced joint swelling and prolonged inhibition of chondrocyte PG synthesis. Histologic examination on day 21 showed a chronic inflammatory process, with persistent cartilage PG depletion, cartilage erosion, and VDIPEN neoepitope expression (indicative of metalloproteinase activation). The mixture of IL‐12 with SCW fragments did not lead to a chronic destructive process in mice deficient for recombination‐activating gene 2, indicating the involvement of lymphocytes. In addition, systemic flare of smoldering SCW arthritis, produced by intravenous injection of SCW fragments, was only seen in the AdmIL‐12/SCW group.

Conclusion

These results indicate that local overexpression of IL‐12 promotes conversion of an acute arthritis to a chronic destructive immune‐mediated process, which is more susceptible to flares.
Etanercept versus methotrexate in patients with early rheumatoid arthritis: Two‐year radiographic and clinical outcomes
Authors: Genovese Mark C. , Bathon Joan M. , Martin Richard W. , Fleischmann Roy M. , Tesser John R. , Schiff Michael H. , Keystone Edward C. , Wasko Mary Chester , Moreland Larry W. , Weaver Arthur L. , Markenson Joseph , Cannon Grant W. , Spencer‐Green George , Finck Barbara K.
Published: October 2002

Objective

To compare the clinical and radiographic outcomes in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) who received monotherapy with either etanercept or methotrexate (MTX) for 2 years and to assess the safety of this therapy.

Methods

In the Enbrel ERA (early rheumatoid arthritis) trial, 632 patients with early, active RA were randomized to receive either twice‐weekly subcutaneous etanercept (10 mg or 25 mg) or weekly oral MTX (mean dosage 19 mg per week) for at least 1 year in a double‐blind manner. Following the blinded phase of the trial, 512 patients continued to receive the therapy to which they had been randomized for up to 1 additional year, in an open‐label manner. Radiograph readers remained blinded to treatment group assignment and the chronologic order of images.

Results

At 24 months, more 25‐mg etanercept patients than MTX patients met American College of Rheumatology 20% improvement criteria (72% and 59%, respectively; P = 0.005), and more had no increase in total score and erosion scores on the Sharp scale (P = 0.017 and P = 0.012, respectively). The mean changes in total Sharp score and erosion score in the 25‐mg etanercept group (1.3 and 0.66 units, respectively) were significantly lower than those in the MTX group (3.2 and 1.86 units, respectively; P = 0.001). Significantly more patients in the 25‐mg etanercept group (55%) than in the MTX group (37%) had at least 0.5 units of improvement in the Health Assessment Questionnaire disability index (P < 0.001). Fewer patients in the etanercept group than in the MTX group experienced adverse events or discontinued treatment because of adverse events.

Conclusion

Etanercept as monotherapy was safe and was superior to MTX in reducing disease activity, arresting structural damage, and decreasing disability over 2 years in patients with early, aggressive RA.
Role of NOD2 variants in spondylarthritis
Authors: Crane Alison M. , Bradbury Linda , van Heel David A. , McGovern Dermot P. B. , Brophy Sinead , Rubin Laurence , Siminovitch Katherine A. , Wordsworth B. Paul , Calin Andrei , Brown Matthew A.
Published: October 2002

Objective

To investigate the role of the gene NOD2 in susceptibility to, and clinical manifestations of, ankylosing spondylitis (AS).

Methods

A case–control study of NOD2 polymorphisms known to be associated with Crohn's disease (CD) (Pro268Ser, Arg702Trp, Gly908Arg, and Leu1007fsinsC) was performed in 229 cases of primary AS with no diagnosed inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), 197 cases of AS associated with IBD (referred to as colitic spondylarthritis; comprising 78 with CD and 119 with ulcerative colitis [UC]), and 229 ethnically matched, healthy controls. Associations between NOD2 polymorphisms and several clinical features of AS, including disease severity assessed by questionnaire and age at spondylarthritis onset, were also investigated. Exclusion linkage mapping of chromosome 16 was performed in a separate group of 185 multicase families with AS.

Results

An association was identified between Gly908Arg and UC spondylarthritis (P = 0.016, odds ratio [OR] 4.6, 95% confidence interval [95% CI] 1.3–16), and a nonsignificant trend with a similar magnitude was observed in association with CD spondylarthritis (P = 0.08, OR 3.9, 95% CI 0.8–18). The Pro268Ser variant was inversely associated with UC spondylarthritis (P = 0.003, OR 0.55, 95% CI 0.37–0.82), but not with CD spondylarthritis. No association was demonstrated between NOD2 variants and primary AS, or between other variants of NOD2 and either UC or CD spondylarthritis. Carriage of the Pro268Ser polymorphism was associated with greater disease activity as measured by the Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Index (P = 0.002). Although patients with CD had a younger age at spondylarthritis onset than did those with UC (22.4 years versus 26.4 years; P = 0.01), no association was noted between the NOD2 variants linked with CD and age at spondylarthritis onset. In primary AS, the presence of a gene with a magnitude of association >2.0 was excluded (exclusion logarithm of odds score less than −2.0), and no association was observed with the microsatellite D16S3136.

Conclusion

NOD2 variants do not significantly affect the risk of developing primary AS, but may influence susceptibility to, and clinical manifestations of, colitic spondylarthritis.
Association of interleukin‐4 and interleukin‐1B gene variants with Larsen score progression in rheumatoid arthritis
Authors: Genevay Stéphane , Di Giovine Francesco S. , Perneger Thomas V. , Silvestri Tania , Stingelin Sibylle , Duff Gordon , Guerne Pierre‐André
Published: October 2002

Objective

To perform a genetic association study using markers in the interleukin‐1 (IL‐1) gene cluster and the IL‐4/IL‐4 receptor system genes, seeking evidence for involvement in the onset or the erosive outcome of rheumatoid arthritis (RA).

Methods

We tested the allelic distribution of IL‐1A (+4845), IL‐1B (−511), IL‐1B (+3954), IL‐1RN (+2018), IL‐4 variable number of tandem repeat (VNTR), and IL‐4R (+1902) in 233 patients with RA, 99 with polymyalgia rheumatica, and 148 ethnically matched controls. We analyzed the frequency of these gene variants in respect to presence of disease, but also to the degree of radiologic erosions (Larsen score) as a function of disease duration in 157 patients who had available radiographs of both hands.

Results

None of the 6 genetic polymorphisms was significantly different in frequency between RA patients and healthy controls or patients with polymyalgia rheumatica. Among RA patients, the rarer (#2) alleles of IL‐4 VNTR and IL‐1B (−511) were both associated with a milder Larsen score progression: The slope of Larsen progression in the rare allele groups diverged significantly from those of the frequent allele groups after approximately 20 years of disease duration (P< 0.001).

Conclusion

None of the markers tested were shown to be associated with increased or decreased risk of RA. The rarer alleles of IL‐4 VNTR and IL‐1B (−511) appear to be associated with a less severe course in RA of long duration.
T cell receptor repertoire of T cells in the kidneys of patients with lupus nephritis
Authors: Murata Hideyuki , Matsumura Ryutaro , Koyama Akio , Sugiyama Takao , Sueishi Makoto , Shibuya Kazuko , Tsutsumi Akito , Sumida Takayuki
Published: October 2002

Objective

To determine the role of T cells in the pathogenesis of lupus nephritis (LN).

Methods

Renal biopsy specimens from 12 patients with systemic lupus erythematosus were used for the experiments. We analyzed T cell receptor (TCR) Vβ1–20 family genes on intrarenal T cells and on peripheral blood lymphocytes (PBLs) by nested reverse transcriptase–polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and Southern blot analysis. Nucleotide sequence was determined in the third complementarity‐determining region of the TCR Vβ gene in expanded T cells. Messenger RNA (mRNA) expression levels of Th1 and Th2 cytokines on infiltrating T cells were measured by nested PCR.

Results

The repertoire of TCR Vβ in intrarenal T cells was relatively restricted compared with that in PBLs. The TCR Vβ8 and TCR Vβ20 genes were preferentially expressed in 6 of 12 patients (50%) and the TCR Vβ9 and TCR Vβ14 genes were expressed in 5 of 12 patients (42%). Junctional sequences of complementary DNA encoding the TCR Vβ8 and TCR Vβ20 genes in intrarenal T cells showed oligoclonal expansion, indicating antigen‐driven stimulation. Interleukin‐4 (IL‐4) and IL‐10 mRNA were highly expressed on intrarenal T cells, while interferon‐γ mRNA was not detected.

Conclusion

Our findings suggest that T cells infiltrating the kidneys of patients with LN may recognize restricted epitopes on antigens and function as Th2‐type T cells.
Domain visualization using VxInsight® for science and technology management
Authors: Boyack Kevin W. , Wylie Brian N. , Davidson George S.
Published: October 2002

We present the application of our knowledge visualization tool, VxInsight®, to enable domain analysis for science and technology management within the enterprise. Data mining from sources of bibliographic information is used to define subsets of information relevant to a technology domain. Relationships between the individual objects (e.g., articles) are identified using citations, descriptive terms, or textual similarities. Objects are then clustered using a force‐directed placement algorithm to produce a terrain view of the many thousands of objects. A variety of features that allow exploration and manipulation of the landscapes and that give detail on demand, enable quick and powerful analysis of the resulting landscapes. Examples of domain analyses used in S&T management at Sandia are given.
Information seeking and mediated searching. Part 5. User–intermediary interaction
Authors: Ellis David , Wilson T.D. , Ford Nigel , Foster Allen , Lam H.M. , Burton R. , Spink Amanda
Published: October 2002

This article is the fifth in a series of articles from our study examining information‐seeking behavior in relation to information‐retrieval (IR) interaction. This article focuses on the examination of the interaction variables within Saracevic's (1989) triadic IR model. The analysis involved an examination of the information‐searching behavior of academic researchers during a mediated interaction with an IR system, particularly concentrating on the interaction between the information seeker, the search intermediary, and the IR system. To explore the variables during mediated search interaction, two small‐scale studies of mediated on‐line searching were conducted at the University of Sheffield. The studies involved mainly qualitative data analysis of interview transcripts and on‐line search results, together with quantitative data analysis of questionnaire results. The studies specifically investigated: (1) aspects of the mediated search process, (2) relevant information sources, and (3) interaction measures derived from search logs and tape transcripts, and related interaction measures. Findings include: (1) a number of different types of interactions were identified, (2) the presearching interactions between information seeker and intermediary aided the information seeker to identify their idea and problem, and (3) most information seekers in this study were at the problem definition stage or problem resolution stage following the search process. From this research, it is clear that the interaction did affect the search process. The intermediary helped the users to identify their search terms more clearly and focus on the references obtained. In most cases, the users and intermediary considered the communication process very effective, and the interactions that took place during the on‐line search were found to affect the users' perceptions of the problem, personal knowledge, and relevance judgments. The interaction process aided the users to obtain very useful results with help from the intermediary. In general, the users gave a positive evaluation of the retrieved answers in terms of focus, completeness, novelty, and degree of nonrelevancy.
The Fox and the thyroid: The amphioxus perspective
Authors: Mazet Françoise
Published: October 2002

The evolutionary origins of several vertebrate organs are still controversial. The thyroid is classically thought to derive directly from the endostyle (a pharyngeal organ found in urochordates, cephalochordates and lampreys). Several molecular and biochemical lines of evidence agree with this scenario. However, a recent paper,1 describing the expression of a FoxE ortholog in amphioxus, suggests that some molecular pathways might actually have been recruited from an adjacent region of the pharynx. Although additional data from urochordates and lamprey are needed to confirm this hypothesis; these results propose an interesting new scenario for thyroid evolution that involved the reorganisation of genetical and morphological features in the pharyngeal endoderm in order to give rise to a entirely new organ. They also give an indication that the ancestral role of the FoxE gene family was probably limited to the differentiation of part of the pharynx. BioEssays 24:696–699, 2002. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Intermolecular Overhauser effects in fluoroalcohol solutions of cyclo‐alanylglycine
Authors: Strickler M. A. , Gerig J. T.
Published: October 2002

Interactions between the diketopiperazine cyclo‐alanylglycine and four fluorinated alcohols in water–fluoroalcohol mixtures were examined by 1H{19F} intermolecular nuclear Overhauser effects (NOE) experiments. The alcohols studied were trifluoroethanol, hexafluoroacetone trihydrate, 1,1,1,3,3,3‐hexafluoroisopropanol and perfluoro‐t‐butanol. The experimental methods used permit detection of solvent–solute NOEs of 0.1% or less. Solute and solvent diffusion coefficients were determined and apparent molecular radii of the fluoroalcohols estimated. Using these data, it was shown that observed 1H{19F} intermolecular NOEs are consistent with expectations based on theory. A method for extending conventional theory to take into account the shape of a solute and the exposure of its hydrogens to solvent is described. This approach gives reasonable agreement with experimental results, particularly if it is assumed that solute–solvent interactions take place in such a way that the fluorines of a fluoroalcohol are preferentially oriented toward the solute during solute–solvent encounters. The results support the suggestion that intermolecular 1H{19F} NOEs may become a useful tool for studies of peptide and protein conformations in fluoroalcohol–water solvent mixtures. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Biopolymers 64: 227–235, 2002
Predicting amino acid residues responsible for enzyme specificity solely from protein sequences
Authors: Shaw Eudean , Dordick Jonathan S.
Published: October 2002

We describe a general, modular method for developing protocols to identify the amino acid residues that most likely define the division of a protein superfamily into two subsets. As one possibility, we use PROBEto gather superfamily members and perform an ungapped alignment. We then use a modified BLOSUM62substitution matrix to determine the discriminating power of each column of aligned residues. The overall method is particularly useful for predicting amino acids responsible for substrate or binding specificity when no structures are available. We apply our method to three pairs of protein classes in three different superfamilies, and present our results, some of which have been experimentally verified. This approach may accelerate the elucidation of enzymic substrate specificity, which is critical for both mechanistic insights into biocatalysis and ultimate application. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Biotechnol Bioeng 79: 295–300, 2002.
Fractional precipitation of plasmid DNA from lysate by CTAB
Authors: Lander Russel J. , Winters Michael A. , Meacle Francis J. , Buckland Barry C. , Lee Ann L.
Published: October 2002

Preparative‐scale purification of plasmid DNA has been attempted by diverse methods, including precipitation with solvents, salts, and detergents and chromatography with ion‐exchange, reversed‐phase, and size‐exclusion columns. Chromatographic methods such as hydrophobic interaction chromatography (HIC), reversed phase chromatography (RPC), and size exclusion chromatography (SEC) are the only effective means of eliminating the closely related relaxed and denatured forms of plasmid as well as endotoxin to acceptable levels. However, the anticipated costs of manufacturing‐scale chromatography are high due to (a) large projected volumes of the high‐dosage therapeutic molecule and (b) restricted loading of the large plasmid molecule in the pores of expensive resins. As an alternative to chromatography, we show herein that precipitation with the cationic detergent, cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB), is effective for selective precipitation of plasmid DNA from proteins, RNA, and endotoxin. Moreover, CTAB affords novel selectivity by removal of host genomic DNA and even the more closely related relaxed and denatured forms of plasmid as earlier, separate fractions. Finally, plasmid that has been precipitated by CTAB can be purified by selectively dissolving under conditions of controlled salt concentration. The selectivity mechanism is most likely based upon conformational differences among the several forms of DNA. As such, CTAB precipitation provides an ideal nonchromatographic capture step for the manufacture of plasmid DNA. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Biotechnol Bioeng 79: 776–784, 2002.
Effects of mood and emotion on juror processing and judgments
Authors: Semmler Carolyn , Brewer Neil
Published: October 2002

This study explored the influence of mood and emotion on mock‐jurors' processing of testimonial inconsistencies, perceptions of witness credibility and offender culpability, and verdicts. Jurors' mood and testimonial consistency were manipulated using a simulated trial with a 2 (mood: sad/neutral)×2 (testimonial consistency: consistent/inconsistent) between‐groups design. Sad mood resulted in more accurate reporting of testimonial inconsistencies, a finding consistent with previous research indicating more substantive processing in association with sad mood. Direct relationships between veridicality and number of inconsistencies detected and mock‐juror judgments were also observed. Although anger was not experimentally manipulated, the data suggest that trial circumstances which arouse anger in jurors may impair processing and also bias their judgments of witnesses and defendants. Possible directions for research on mood and emotion in the courtroom context are suggested. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The current state of faculty development in two‐year colleges
Authors: Murray John P.
Published: October 2002

This chapter provides a brief overview of the history of faculty development efforts at community colleges and a summary of the research. The chapter also discusses how community colleges can implement a successful faculty development program.
Long‐term clinical outcomes after coronary angioplasty using long stents in small coronary vessels
Authors: Danzi Gian Battista , Sesana Marco , Capuano Cinzia , Di Blasi Alberto , Baviera Luisa , Baglini Roberto
Published: October 2002

The role of coronary stenting in challenging situations, such as small vessels and long lesions, remains controversial. The aim of this study was to examine the procedural, in‐hospital, and long‐term clinical outcomes of patients undergoing angioplasty with long stents in small coronary vessels. We evaluated the procedural success rate and clinical outcomes in 252 consecutive subjects treated by means of the implantation of a single coronary stent in vessels with a mean reference diameter of < 2.5 mm; 128 patients received a short stent (≤ 16 mm) and 124 a long stent (≥ 18 mm). Lesion morphology was more complex in patients treated with long stents (P < 0.05). The mean stent length was 14 ± 2 mm in the short‐stent group and 25 ± 3 mm in the long‐stent group (P < 0.001). The overall procedural success rate (98.4% vs. 97.6%; P = NS) and the rate of major in‐hospital adverse events (death, acute myocardial infarction, or target vessel revascularization; 1.6% vs. 2.4%; P = NS) was similar in the two groups. After 11.7 ± 7 months of follow‐up, there was no difference in the incidence of mortality and myocardial infarction (5% vs. 6.6%; P = NS), but revascularization tended to occur more frequently in the patients treated with long stents (21.7% vs. 13.9%; P = NS). In conclusion, the procedural success rate of single short or long stents in small coronary vessels was similar. Although the incidence of target vessel revascularization tended to be higher in the patients treated with longer stents, 2‐year event‐free survival was equivalent in the two groups (65% vs. 70%; P = NS). Cathet Cardiovasc Intervent 2002;56:300–304. © 2002 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Results of the Jostent coronary stent graft implantation in various clinical settings: Procedural and follow‐up results
Authors: Gercken Ulrich , Lansky Alexandra J. , Buellesfeld Lutz , Desai Kartik , Badereldin Magdy , Mueller Ralf , Selbach Guido , Leon Martin B. , Grube Eberhard
Published: October 2002

The Jostent coronary stent graft (CSG) is composed of a PTFE layer sandwiched between two stainless steel stents, initially introduced for the treatment of coronary perforations and aneurysms with excellent results. By providing a mechanical barrier, this stent design also may be beneficial in the treatment of complex ulcerated lesions and in‐stent restenosis by preventing debris protrusion and neointimal proliferation through the stent struts. To evaluate the safety and efficacy of this stent graft, we implanted 78 CSGs in 70 patients for a broad range of indications, including coronary perforations, aneurysms, degenerated saphenous vein grafts, complex lesions, and in‐stent restenosis. The primary angiographic success rate (95.9%) was high, and using intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) guidance during stent implantation and high inflation pressures (19.3 ± 3.2 atm), stent expansion with optimal symmetry was achieved in 94.7%. One limitation of the Jostent CSG was the side‐branch occlusion rate (18.6%) and the resulting non‐Q‐wave infarction rate in seven cases (mean CK elevation, 238 U/l), acute Q‐wave MI in two cases, and transient ventricular fibrillation in one patient after occlusion of the proximal RCA side branch without further complications. Subacute stent thrombosis occurred in four cases (5.7%) 7 to 70 days after stent implantation, despite using combined antiplatelet therapy with aspirin (ASA), ticlopidine, and/or clopidogrel for 30 days. Angiographic follow‐up was available in 56 patients (80.0%) after a mean of 159 ± 49 days, and follow‐up IVUS was available in 38 cases. The overall restenosis rate (> 50% diameter stenosis) was 31.6% manifest primarily as edge restenosis (29.8% stent edge vs. 8.8% stent center; P < 0.001). IVUS examinations showed a minimal late lumen loss of 0.4 ± 2.2 mm2 within the center of the stent graft vs. 3.2 ± 2.3 mm2 at the stent edges (P < 0.001). The restenosis rate in the prespecified subgroups was 33.3% for saphenous vein grafts (2/6 lesions), 30.0% in complex lesions (6/20 lesions), and 38.5% (10/26 lesions) for the treatment of in‐stent restenosis. Implantation of the Jostent CSG is feasible and safe, even in complex lesion subsets, and is associated with high primary success rates provided major side branches are avoided. The use of this stent may require an extended time course of antiplatelet therapy. Frequent focal stent edge renarrowing influences the overall restenosis rate. However, in treatment of complex in‐stent restenosis and vein graft lesions, stent grafts may offer benefit over conventional therapies. Covered stents such as the JoMed coronary stent graft may become essential for bailout treatment of coronary perforations. Cathet Cardiovasc Intervent 2002;56:353–360. © 2002 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Functional evaluation of steal by unligated first intercostal branch before transcatheter embolization in recurrent angina after a LIMA‐LAD graft
Authors: Morocutti Giorgio , Gasparini Daniele , Spedicato Leonardo , Gelsomino Sandro , Paparella Gaetano , Bernardi Guglielmo , Fioretti Paolo
Published: October 2002

Unligated side branches of the left internal mammary artery (LIMA) have been indicated as a cause of coronary steal resulting in postoperative angina. Although a number of studies have reported successful embolization of the side branches to relieve angina, this phenomenon is still controversial and it has been either emphasized or rejected in studies that attempted to obtain hemodynamic evidence of the steal using angiographic and intravascular Doppler techniques. In this case study, we tried to reproduce physiological decrease in the muscular and coronary beds as it could occur during activity. Our results, using an intracoronary Doppler wire with adenosine combined with forced ventilation, showed that a trial occlusion of the LIMA side branch with a balloon technique can demonstrate whether the flow through the LIMA would increase after embolization of the side branch. Cathet Cardiovasc Intervent 2002;56:373–376. © 2002 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Iodide‐induced sialadenitis complicating coronary angiography
Authors: Ben‐Ami Ronen , Zeltser David , Herz Itzhak , Mardi Tamar
Published: October 2002

Sialadenitis is an uncommon complication of intravenous administration of iodinated contrast medium. We present two cases of iodide‐induced sialadenitis following coronary angiography. Clinical features and clues to differentiation from suppurative sialadenitis are discussed. The mechanism for aseptic iodide‐induced sialadenitis remains unclear, but prognosis with conservative treatment is apparently good. Sialadenitis may recur with subsequent administration of contrast medium. Cathet Cardiovasc Intervent 2002;57:50–53. © 2002 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Predicting melting temperature (Tm) of oligoribonucleotide duplex by neural network
Authors: Ma Lixin , Cheng Changmei , Miyajima Hiromi , Zhao Yufen , Herdewijn Piet
Published: October 2002

A straightforward method to predict melting temperatures of RNA duplexes by artificial neural network is developed. The network consists of three layers in which there are 12 input layer units (10 nearest neighbors and two terminals), two hidden layer units and one output layer unit (melting temperature). It is found that the predicted data for the test set agree with the measured data quite well (AD = 3.7 K, R2 = 0.9359, SEP = 4.17 for NN1; AD = 2.85 K, R2 = 0.8843, SEP = 3.43 for NN2). This method omits the determination of thermodynamic parameters and therefore is a simpler way to predict the stability of RNA duplex. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Sorting of raw materials with focus on multiple end‐product properties
Authors: Berget Ingunn , Næs Tormod
Published: October 2002

In industry, variability in raw material quality often leads to unstable end‐product quality. By sorting the raw materials into homogeneous groups, stability and quality of the end‐product can be improved. The optimal splitting and the corresponding optimal process settings in each category can be found by fuzzy clustering. In the single‐response case the distance between groups and objects is defined as the predicted response's distance to the target. When there are multiple responses, the distance between an object and a category can be based either on a quadratic loss function that weights the different responses or on desirability functions. Another approach is to put restrictions on the less important responses when optimizing the process variables. These three methods are discussed and illustrated by an example. The constrained approach was not suited for the example treated, while the other two approaches gave similar solutions to the optimization problem. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Evaluation of chemotherapy response in pediatric bone sarcomas by [F‐18]‐fluorodeoxy‐D‐glucose positron emission tomography
Authors: Hawkins Douglas S. , Rajendran Joseph G. , Conrad Ernest U. , Bruckner James D. , Eary Janet F.
Published: October 2002

BACKGROUND

Response to neoadjuvant chemotherapy is a significant prognostic factor for osteosarcoma (OS) and the Ewing sarcoma family of tumors (ESFT). Conventional radiographic imaging does not discriminate between responding and nonresponding osseous tumors. [F‐18]‐fluorodeoxy‐D‐glucose (FDG) positron emission tomography (PET) is a noninvasive imaging modality that accurately predicts histopathologic response in patients with various malignancies. To describe the FDG PET imaging characteristics and to determine the correlation between FDG PET imaging and chemotherapy response in children with bone sarcomas, we reviewed our single institution experience.

METHODS

Thirty‐three pediatric patients with OS or ESFT with osseous primary sites were evaluated by FDG PET. All patients received standard neoadjuvant chemotherapy. FDG PET standard uptake values before (SUV1) and after (SUV2) chemotherapy were analyzed and correlated with chemotherapy response assessed by histopathology in surgically excised tumors. Twenty‐six patients had SUV1, SUV2, and surgical excision.

RESULTS

Although the mean SUV1 in children with OS or ESFT were similar (8.2. vs. 5.3, P = 0.13), mean SUV2 for OS patients was greater than the values for ESFT patients (3.3 vs. 1.5, P = 0.01). All ESFT patients and 28% of OS patients had a favorable histologic response to chemotherapy (≥ 90% necrosis). Combining ESFT and OS patients, both SUV2 and the ratio of SUV2 to SUV1 (SUV2:SUV1) were correlated with histologic response (P = 0.01 for both comparisons).

CONCLUSION

FDG PET evaluation of pediatric bone sarcomas demonstrated significant alteration in response to neoadjuvant chemotherapy. SUV2 and SUV2:SUV1 correlated with histopathologic assessment of response and potentially could be used as a noninvasive surrogate to predict response in patients. Cancer 2002;94:3277–84. © 2002 American Cancer Society.

DOI 10.1002/cncr.10599
High‐density allelotyping of chromosome 8p in hepatocellular carcinoma and clinicopathologic correlation
Authors: Chan Kok‐Lung , Man‐Fong Lee Joyce , Guan Xin‐Yuan , Fan Sheung‐Tat , Oi‐Lin Ng Irene
Published: October 2002

BACKGROUND

Allelic deletions are frequent genetic alterations in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).

METHODS

To evaluate the allelic losses on chromosome 8p in HCC patients and define their clinicopathologic significance, we performed high‐density allelotyping on 8p in 60 patients with HCC and analyzed the clinicopathologic correlation.

RESULTS

Using 24 microsatellite markers, allelic losses on 8p were frequent. Loss of heterozygosity (LOH) at one or more loci was observed in 34 (57%) HCC patients. When the allelic losses were compared between groups categorized by clinicopathologic variables, significant correlation was found between tumors with interstitial losses and larger tumor size (> 5 cm; P = 0.026). In addition, allelic loss at D8S298 at 8p22 was associated closely with venous permeation, tumor microsatellite formation, and larger tumor size (P = 0.019, 0.024, and 0.007, respectively). LOH at locus D8S1721 at 8p23.1 was seen more frequently in nonencapsulated tumors (P = 0.007) and LOH at D8S1771 at 8p21.3 was associated with a larger tumor size and poorer cellular differentiation (P = 0.018 and 0.049, respectively).

CONCLUSIONS

Allelic losses on 8p are frequent in HCC patients. Association of allelic losses at specific loci on 8p with a more aggressive tumor behavior suggests that loss/inactivation of putative tumor suppressor gene(s) located at these regions may confer a tumor growth advantage and contribute to the progression of HCC. Cancer 2002;94:3179–85. © 2002 American Cancer Society.

DOI 10.1002/cncr.10612