bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
High‐dose intravenous methotrexate followed by autologous stem cell transplantation as a potentially effective therapy for neurolymphomatosis
Authors: Ghobrial Irene M. , Buadi Francis , Spinner Robert J. , Colgan Joseph P. , Wolanskyj Alexandra P. , Dyck P. James , Witzig Thomas E. , Micallef Ivana N. , O'Neill Brian Patrick
Published: April 2004

BACKGROUND

Neurolymphomatosis (NL) is a rare neurologic manifestation of systemic lymphoma characterized by lymphomatous infiltration of the peripheral nervous system. The diagnosis of NL is difficult and requires a multidisciplinary approach for obtaining an adequate biopsy specimen of the suspected nerve. The prognosis of patients with NL has been poor because adequate penetration of chemotherapy into the nervous system is difficult.

METHODS

The authors presented the case of a 37‐year‐old man who was treated for Ann Arbor Stage IVB diffuse large B‐cell lymphoma. The patient developed disease recurrence in the sciatic nerve without systemic involvement.

RESULTS

The patient achieved a clinical response after receipt of high‐dose intravenous methotrexate followed by high‐dose chemotherapy and autologous stem cell transplant.

CONCLUSIONS

The authors reported this case to highlight the effectiveness of this regimen in a rare and fatal disorder. In the current study they also reviewed the literature regarding the diagnosis, prognosis, and treatment of NL. Cancer 2004. © 2004 American Cancer Society.
On semiclassical (zero dispersion limit) solutions of the focusing nonlinear Schrödinger equation
Authors: Tovbis Alexander , Venakides Stephanos , Zhou Xin
Published: April 2004

We calculate the leading‐order term of the solution of the focusing nonlinear (cubic) Schrödinger equation (NLS) in the semiclassical limit for a certain one‐parameter family of initial conditions. This family contains both solitons and pure radiation. In the pure radiation case, our result is valid for all times t ≥ 0. We utilize the Riemann‐Hilbert problem formulation of the inverse scattering problem to obtain the leading‐order term of the solution. Error estimates are provided. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Facial wiping in the rat fetus: Variation of chemosensory stimulus parameters
Authors: Brumley Michele R. , Robinson Scott R.
Published: April 2004

Fetal rats reliably express a facial wiping response to novel chemosensory stimuli. Previous research has examined facial wiping as an early form of motor coordination and as a behavioral indicator of sensory responsiveness. The present study examined how variation in stimulus parameters of lemon odor infusion (concentration, volume, and infusion time) affected the wiping response of E20 rat fetuses. Infusions of higher concentration or greater volume generally elicited wiping responses of greater duration and more strokes. Most facial wipes involved strokes by single forelimbs; however, bilaterally synchronous wiping was expressed only in bouts of at least seven wipes, and was facilitated by stimuli of moderate intensity. These findings suggest that the total number of wiping strokes or bout duration are well suited as measures of overall sensory responsiveness in the fetus and that chemosensory stimulus parameters exert a permissive influence on interlimb coordination during a bout of facial wiping. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Dev Psychobiol 44: 219–229, 2004.
Environmental enrichment and development of cage stereotypy in Orange‐winged Amazon parrots (Amazona amazonica)
Authors: Meehan C. L. , Garner J. P. , Mench J. A.
Published: April 2004

Stereotypies are abnormal repetitive behaviors that often develop in animals housed in impoverished environments. Stereotypy represents the interaction of several complex developmental phenomena. To characterize the temporal nature of stereotypy increase (escalation) and decrease (attenuation), we monitored changes in stereotypy performance in young Orange‐winged Amazon parrots reared either in barren cages or cages provided with enrichments designed to facilitate foraging and locomotion. Unenriched parrots developed significantly more stereotypy than enriched parrots, and the mean time to stereotypy onset and the rate and magnitude of stereotypy increase also differed between the two groups. We then provided enrichment to the birds that had been reared in the barren cages. Following a 4‐week delay, stereotypy was significantly reduced. These results show that stereotypy can be both prevented and reversed with appropriate environmental modification and illustrate how studying this behavior at many points over time can provide insights into its ontogeny. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Dev Psychobiol 44: 209–218, 2004.
MicroITIES Detection of Adenosine Phosphates
Authors: Qian Quansheng , Wilson George S. , Bowman‐James Kristin
Published: April 2004

The complexation between a triamide ligand derived from tris‐2‐(aminoethyl)amine: N‐{2‐[bis‐(2‐(4‐tert‐butylbenzoyl)‐aminoethyl)‐amino]‐ethyl}4‐tert‐butylbenzamide, L, and the three adenosine‐containing nucleotides, ATP, ADP, and AMP, was investigated by facilitated ion transfer processes through a microhole array film. Differential pulse voltammetry (DPV) was used to measure the transfer currents for the respective nucleotides. The three nucleotides were found to have different transfer potentials with transfer currents proportional to their aqueous concentrations. Based on the differences of the transfer potentials, it is concluded that the host ligand, L, interacts with the phosphate moiety and the Gibbs transfer energy is dominated by the charge generated by the phosphate groups. The linear relationship between the current response and nucleotide concentration forms the basis of an anion sensor with a dynamic range from 0.1 mM to 5 mM.
Elevated Temperature Electrochemical Studies of Preoxidized Nickel Electrodes in the Presence of Sulfide
Authors: Streeter Ian , Giovanelli Debora , Wildgoose Gregory G. , Lawrence Nathan S. , Jiang Li , Jones Timothy G. J. , Compton Richard G.
Published: April 2004

The electrochemical response of a preoxidized nickel electrode to increasing additions of sulfide has been examined over temperature range from 25 to 70 °C. In the presence of sulfide a stripping like response was observed at all temperatures. The results detailed show that as the temperature is increased the sensitivity increases from 3.4 to 13.5 A M−1 for the determination of sulfide.
Stripping Chronopotentiometry with Dry‐Preservable Supporting Electrolyte
Authors: Maccà Carlo , Soldà Lidia , Voltan Riccardo , Calliari Irene
Published: April 2004

The determination of some toxic metals by stripping chronopotentiometry with a supporting solution having an unconventional composition has been investigated with the aim of using such components in disposable measuring cells preservable in dry state and quite ready for use, only needing addition of a small volume of sample. The new supporting solution is prepared with a solid strong acid, p‐toluenesulfonic acid, in the place of the inorganic acids commonly used to improve the cation availability. The other components are, as usual, sodium chloride, which fixes the potential of the screen‐printed silver – silver chloride reference electrode, and mercury(II) chloride as the plating agent. This supporting solution has been tested in batch measurements with the mercury film glassy carbon electrode as well as with screen‐printed carbon‐ink electrodes, either with mercury film or bare. The physical shape of the mercury layer electrolytically deposited on screen‐printed carbon‐ink electrodes from a supporting solution containing 0.1 M p‐toluenesulfonic acid and 0.1 M sodium chloride has been investigated by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and energy dispersive spectrometry (EDS) microanalysis. In chronopotentiometric stripping p‐toluenesulfonic acid performs as well as the usual inorganic strong acids, particularly in terms of sensitivity. At 0.1 mol dm−3 it proved very suitable for the determination of toxic metals, in particular lead(II), at levels down to a few μg dm−3. The overall results appear promising and can open new avenues for preparing disposable cells for on‐field stripping chronopotentiometric determination of toxic metals.
Voltammetric Oxidation of Drugs of Abuse I. Morphine and Metabolites
Authors: Garrido J. M. P. J. , Delerue‐Matos C. , Borges F. , Macedo T. R. A. , Oliveira‐Brett A. M.
Published: April 2004

A detailed study of the electrochemical oxidative behavior of morphine in aqueous solution is reported. Through the synthesis of several metabolites and derivatives, pseudomorphine, morphine N‐oxide, normorphine, dihydromorphine and 2‐(N,N‐dimethylaminomethyl)morphine, and their voltammetric study it was possible to identify the oxidation peaks for morphine. The anodic waves are related with the oxidation of phenolic and tertiary amine groups. It is also possible to verify that a poorly defined peak observable during morphine oxidation is not a consequence of further oxidation of pseudomorphine but due to formation of a dimer during phenolic group oxidation. The results obtained and especially those regarding the formation of a new polymer based on a CO coupling could be useful for clarifying the discoloration phenomenon occurring during storage of morphine solutions as well as leading to a better understanding of its oxidative metabolic pathways.
Voltammetric Oxidation of Drugs of Abuse II. Codeine and Metabolites
Authors: Garrido J. M. P. J. , Delerue‐Matos C. , Borges F. , Macedo T. R. A. , Oliveira‐Brett A. M.
Published: April 2004

The oxidation of codeine on glassy carbon electrodes has been studied in detail using differential pulse voltammetry. The results obtained using a glassy carbon electrode clearly show a much more complex oxidation mechanism than that previously reported when platinum and gold electrodes were used. To clarify the codeine oxidative profile, several metabolites and analogues of this alkaloid, codeine N‐oxide, norcodeine, dihydrocodeine, acetylcodeine and 6‐chlorodesoxycodeine, were synthesized and studied. It was deduced that the anodic waves observed in codeine oxidation are related to the presence of methoxy, hydroxy and tertiary amine groups. Due to the similarity of potentials at which these oxidative processes take place, at some pHs an overlap of peaks occurs and only one anodic wave is observed.
Determination of Active Ingredients of Polygonum cuspidatum Sied. et Zucc. by Capillary Electrophoresis with Electrochemical Detection
Authors: Chu Qingcui , Peng Youyuan , Ye Jiannong
Published: April 2004

High‐performance capillary electrophoresis with electrochemical detection (CE‐ED) was employed to analyze active ingredients of Polygonum cuspidatum Sied. et Zucc. in crude herbs and compound medicines. trans‐Resveratrol, emodin, chrysophanol, and rhein are major important active ingredients. Operated in a wall‐jet configuration, a 300 μm diameter carbon‐disk electrode was used as the working electrode, which exhibits good response at +950 mV (vs. SCE) for the four analytes. Under the optimum conditions, these analytes were base‐line separated within 27 min in a borax buffer (pH 8.7). Notably, excellent linearity was obtained over two orders of magnitude with detec tion limit (S/N=3) ranged from 4.2×10−7 to 5×10−8 g mL−1 for all analytes. This method was successfully used in the analysis of Polygonum cuspidatum Sied. et Zucc. and Jindan tablets with relatively simple extraction procedures, and the assay results were satisfactory.
Determination of Ethylenethiourea (ETU) at Trace Levels in Water Samples by Cathodic Stripping Voltammetry
Authors: de Carvalho Leandro M. , do Nascimento Paulo C. , Bohrer Denise , Del‐Fabro Luciana
Published: April 2004

A stripping voltammetric method for the determination of ethylenethiourea in water samples is described based on its adsorptive deposition at the hanging mercury drop electrode (HMDE). In a borate buffer (pH 9.0) as supporting electrolyte, ETU is deposited at +100 mV (vs. Ag/AgCl) and stripped during the cathodic scan. The linear range for the measurements was from 2.0 to 100 μg L−1, with a detection limit calculated as 1.4 μg L−1 after a deposition time of 300 s and a RSD of 1.9% (n=5) for 50 μg L−1 of ETU measured. The interferences of some organic compounds and metallic ions were tested. Recoveries between 93 and 110% were obtained using the standard addition method for spiked samples of natural and drinking waters. The method is rapid and applicable in the monitoring of ETU residues in water samples.
Selective Electrochemical Analysis of Various Metal Ions at an EDTA Bonded Conducting Polymer Modified Electrode
Authors: Rahman Md. Aminur , Park Deog Su , Won Mi‐Sook , Park Su‐Moon , Shim Yoon‐Bo
Published: April 2004

An EDTA‐bonded conducting polymer modified electrode was prepared and characterized by FT‐IR. The modified electrode was used for the selective electrochemical analysis of various trace metal ions such as, Cu(II), Hg(II), Pb(II), Co(II), Ni(II), Fe(II), Cd(II), and Zn(II) at the different pHs by linear sweep and square wave voltammetry. Dynamic ranges were obtained using square wave voltammetry from 0.1 μM to 10.0 μM for Co(II), Ni(II), Cd(II), Fe(II), and Zn(II) and 0.5 nM to 20 nM for Cu(II), Hg(II), and Pb(II) after 10 min of preconcentration. The detection limits were determined to be 0.1 nM, 0.3 nM, 0.4 nM, 50.0 nM, 60.0 nM, 65.0 nM, 80.0 nM, and 90.0 nM for Cu(II), Hg(II), Pb(II), Co(II), Ni(II), Cd(II), Fe(II), and Zn(II), respectively. The technique offers an excellent way for the selective trace determination of various heavy metal ions in a solution.
Strengthening of moment‐resisting frame structures against near‐fault ground motion effects
Authors: Alavi Babak , Krawinkler Helmut
Published: April 2004

Near‐fault ground motions with forward directivity are characterized by a large pulse. This pulse‐like motion may cause a highly non‐uniform distribution of story ductility demands for code‐compliant frame structures, with maximum demands that may considerably exceed the level of code expectations. Strengthening techniques for multi‐story frame structures are explored with the objective of reducing maximum drift demands. One option is to modify the code‐based SRSS distribution of story shear strength over the height by strengthening of the lower stories of the frame. The modified distribution reduces the maximum story ductility demand, particularly for weak and flexible structures. However, this strengthening technique is less effective for stiff structures, and is almost ineffective in cases in which the maximum demand occurs in the upper stories, i.e. strong and flexible structures. As an alternative, the benefits of strengthening frames with elastic and inelastic walls are evaluated. The effects of adding walls that are either fixed or hinged at the base are investigated. It is demonstrated that strengthening with hinged walls is very effective in reducing drift demands for structures with a wide range of periods and at various performance levels. Wall inelastic behavior only slightly reduces the benefits of strengthening with hinged walls.Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Semi‐active fuzzy control for seismic response reduction using magnetorheological dampers
Authors: Choi Kang‐Min , Cho Sang‐Won , Jung Hyung‐Jo , Lee In‐Won
Published: April 2004

A semi‐active fuzzy control strategy for seismic response reduction using a magnetorheological (MR) damper is presented. When a control method based on fuzzy set theory for a structure with a MR damper is used for vibration reduction of a structure, it has an inherent robustness, and easiness to treat the uncertainties of input data from the ground motion and structural vibration sensors, and the ability to handle the non‐linear behavior of the structure because there is no longer the need for an exact mathematical model of the structure. For a clipped‐optimal control algorithm, the command voltage of a MR damper is set at either zero or the maximum level. However, a semi‐active fuzzy control system has benefit to produce the required voltage to be input to the damper so that a desirable damper force can be produced and thus decrease the control force to reduce the structural response. Moreover, the proposed control strategy is fail‐safe in that the bounded‐input, bounded‐output stability of the controlled structure is guaranteed. The results of the numerical simulations show that the proposed semi‐active control system consisting of a fuzzy controller and a MR damper can be beneficial in reducing seismic responses of structures. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Fundamental study on the response characteristics of drivers during an earthquake based on driving simulator experiments
Authors: Maruyama Yoshihisa , Yamazaki Fumio
Published: April 2004

After the 1995 Kobe earthquake, the expressway structures in Japan were retrofitted and they will not now be seriously damaged under a certain level of strong earthquake motion. However, the stability of a moving vehicle has not been investigated yet. It has been reported that drivers feel seismically induced vibrations, especially in the transverse direction of vehicles. Owing to this phenomenon, drivers have some difficulty in controlling the vehicles during strong shaking. For further safety promotion of the expressway networks, it is important to understand the drivers' reactions to seismic motion. The present authors have performed a series of seismic response analyses of a moving vehicle to investigate its response characteristics based on numerical simulation. However, the responses of the driver were not considered in the simulation process. In order to investigate the drivers' reactions during an earthquake, a series of virtual tests were conducted using a driving simulator. This driving simulator has six servomotor‐powered electric actuators that control its motions. Several types of tests were carried out for different examinees to investigate drivers' responses while controlling the simulator under seismic motion. The results of this study showed that a larger response time lag to strong shaking and over turning of the steering wheel may shift the vehicle into the next lane. According to this finding, trafficaccidents could possibly occur under strong ground shaking in the case of heavy traffic. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Increased adenoviral transduction efficacy in human laryngeal carcinoma cells resistant to cisplatin is associated with increased expression of integrin αvβ3 and coxsackie adenovirus receptor
Authors: Ambriović‐Ristov Andreja , Gabrilovac Jelka , Čimbora‐Zovko Tamara , Osmak Maja
Published: April 2004

In our study, we investigated molecular mechanisms of increased adenoviral transduction efficacy in cisplatin‐resistant human laryngeal carcinoma cells CA3ST as compared to parental cells HEp2. Using reverse transcription‐PCR, the genes potentially implicated in adenoviral entry were screened. In cisplatin‐resistant cells, only upregulation of αvβ3 integrin was detected, which was additionally confirmed by flow cytometry. Moderately increased expression of CAR was determined in cisplatin‐resistant CA3ST cells using flow cytometry and measurement of wild‐type adenovirus Ad5CMVβgal attachment. In order to test the implication of αvβ3 integrin in transduction efficacy, 6 HEp2‐derived αvβ3‐expressing clones with graded expression of αvβ3 were isolated. To a certain degree of density, expression of αvβ3 positively correlated with Ad5CMVβgal transduction efficacy (i.e., increased viral transduction), suggesting a role of αvβ3 in transduction efficacy. However, HEp2 clones with the highest αvβ3 expression were negatively correlated with transduction efficacy (i.e., decreased viral transduction). This was shown to be associated with downregulation of αvβ5 integrin, also involved in viral transduction, in clones with the highest αvβ3 expression. The implication of CAR in increased adenoviral transduction efficacy in cisplatin resistant CA3ST cells was further assessed by transduction experiments using adenoviral mutant Ad5FbΔ639 whose entry is only to a very small extent dependent on the presence of CAR. Indeed, Ad5FbΔ639 infected 2.5‐fold more, in comparison to wild‐type adenovirus, which infected 5‐fold more efficiently resistant CA3ST cells than parental HEp2 cells, indicating that increased expression of CAR contributes to increased efficacy of adenoviral transduction. Thus, the data presented provide evidence that both αvβ3 integrin and CAR are involved in increased adenoviral transduction efficacy in cisplatin resistant CA3ST cells. These findings may have significant implications in human gene therapy using adenoviruses, especially in patients after unsuccessful cisplatin treatment. © 2004 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
American equity mutual funds in European markets: Hot hands phenomenon and style analysis
Authors: Papadamou Stephanos , Siriopoulos Costas
Published: April 2004

We studied empirically American no‐load equity mutual funds that invest in European stocks and keep their managers for more than three years, in order to investigate the persistence of the short‐term performance, and the related investment style. The results showed an underperformance compared to the Eurostoxx index and a ‘hot hands’ phenomenon does not persist, with some exceptions. Mutual funds that performed well in a five‐month evaluation period continued to generate superior performance in the next four months. According to style analysis a portfolio constructed by growth‐large, growth‐medium and value‐large capitalization stocks outperformed any other investment style. However, well‐diversified funds were the most mean–variance efficient, style‐consistent funds. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The stabilization properties of fixed and floating exchange rate regimes
Authors: Pilbeam Keith
Published: April 2004

This paper investigates the price and output stabilization properties of fixed and floating exchange rates using a small open economy model. The performance of the two regimes is compared in the face of money demand, aggregate demand and aggregate supply shocks. It is shown that the ranking of the two regimes is extremely sensitive to the weighting of the objective function as between price and output stability, the type of shock impinging upon the economy, the values of structural parameters of the economy and institutional features such as the degree of wage indexation within the economy. The results obtained suggest that estimates of the income elasticity of money demand, the elasticity of aggregate demand to changes in both the real exchange rate and the real interest rate, and the degree of openness of the economy are likely to be important to policymakers when making the choice of exchange rate regime. Neither regime can be said to be dominant in all circumstances. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Capital mobility and inflation persistence: theory and evidence from Greece
Authors: Karfakis Costas , Moschos Demetrios , Sidiropoulos Moïse
Published: April 2004

This paper examines the relationship between the openness of the capital account and inflation persistence. In the theoretical part we find that in a fixed (floating) exchange rate regime inflation persistence is negatively (positively) associated with the intensity of capital controls. In the empirical part of the paper we analyse the dynamics of the inflation rate in Greece by associating inflation persistence with the capital account openness and we find evidence in favour of a positive relationship. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Analysing changes in market integration through a cross‐sectional test for the law of one price
Authors: Gluschenko Konstantin
Published: April 2004

This paper presents a theoretical argument that the relationship between price differences and per capita income differences across locations can be used as a cross‐sectional test for the law of one price. Since the relationship should be statistically insignificant or very weak in an integrated economy, its strength can measure the extent of goods market integration. A sequence of cross‐sectional estimations for a number of points in time provides the temporal pattern of integration, so enabling changes in integration to be traced. The basic equation may be augmented by additional variables representing potential culprits behind market segmentation so as to estimate their impeding impact to integration. This methodology is empirically verified by applying it to the Russian domestic market. It is found that integration of Russia's goods market tends to improve with time; a number of culprits behind market segmentation are identified. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Foreign university graduates in the Greek labour market: Employment, salaries and overeducation
Authors: Lianos Theodore P. , Asteriou D. , Agiomirgianakis G.M.
Published: April 2004

Greece is ranked among the first countries of the world in terms of student migration, while compared with other EU countries Greece has the highest number of students studying in other member states. Although the issue of migrating Greek students is constantly analysed in the newspapers, and often in relation to the educational policy adopted in Greece,1most of the academic literature (Kanellopoulos and Psacharopoulos, 1997) is focused either on the cost side of this phenomenon in terms of expenditure and its implications for the balance of payments or on the loss of brains (Brain Drain) when the best students remain abroad. So far, to the best of our knowledge, no research effort has been devoted to examining how well these students perform in the Greek labour market when they return home after completion of their studies. More specifically, in this paper we examine the performance of foreign university graduates with respect to three aspects: (a) the length of time between the completion of their studies and employment; (b) the extent to which these graduates are employed in professions for which they studied; and (c) the extent to which they are overqualified in the performance of the job which they hold. Our findings suggest that (i) EU graduates are better placed in the Greek labour market, from an employability point of view, compared with graduates from all other countries and also get higher salaries compared with those who have been educated elsewhere, and particularly those educated in the Balkan countries; (ii) factors leading to higher returns after graduation are previous work experience, whether the graduate had worked systematically in the past and also if their qualification is at MSc/MA level or higher. Moreover, graduates perceiving that their qualifications are higher than their job requirements are getting higher returns; (iii) graduates with parents having a university qualification do not consider themselves as overqualified. This probably indicates that the perception of being overeducated or not is based to some degree on past family achievements and consequently one's decision to undertake studies, and the level of these studies, is taken on family, social and cultural grounds; (iv) overeducation does not place graduates in a better position from the point of view of employability, however, overeducated graduates do have higher salaries. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The sequential issue in free trade areas: Policy implication for Korea
Authors: Lee Jong Eun
Published: April 2004

This paper addresses the sequential issue of countries entering into a Free Trade Area. Korea, China, Japan and the United States are the objects of investigation. Different sequences are ranked in terms of the present value of Korea's GDP using a computable general equilibrium model, and the sequence Korea–China–US–Japan was the best. Each sequence is evaluated from the perspective of globalization, which allows us to foresee both momentum and inertia of trade liberalization. The study will provide a deeper understanding of regionalism and globalization in the context of the regionalism versus multilateralism debate. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Optimal linear perfect hash families with small parameters
Authors: Barwick S. G. , Jackson Wen‐Ai , Quinn Catherine T.
Published: April 2004

A linear (qd,q,t)‐perfect hash family of sizesconsists of a vector spaceVof orderqdover a fieldFof orderqand a sequence ϕ1,…,ϕsof linear functions fromVtoFwith the following property: for alltsubsetsX⊆V, there existsi∈ {1,·,s} such that ϕiis injective when restricted toF. A linear (qd,q,t)‐perfect hash family of minimal sized( – 1) is said to be optimal. In this paper, we prove that optimal linear (q2,q, 4)‐perfect hash families exist only forq = 11 and for all prime powersq> 13 and we give constructions for these values ofq. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Comb Designs 12: 311–324, 2004
Cube factorizations of complete graphs
Authors: Adams Peter , Bryant Darryn , Maenhaut Barbara
Published: April 2004

A cube factorization of the complete graph on n vertices, Kn, is a 3‐factorization of Kn in which the components of each factor are cubes. We show that there exists a cube factorization of Kn if and only if n ≡ 16 (mod 24), thus providing a new family of uniform 3‐factorizations as well as a partial solution to an open problem posed by Kotzig in 1979. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Block transitive Steiner systems with more than one point orbit
Authors: Evans David M.
Published: April 2004

For all ‘reasonable’ finitet,k, ands, we construct at‐(ℵ0,k, 1) design and a group of automorphisms which is transitive on blocks and hassorbits on points. In particular, there is a 2‐(ℵ0, 4, 1) design with a block‐transitive group of automorphisms having two point orbits. This answers a question of P. J. Cameron and C. E. Praeger. The construction is presented in a purely combinatorial way, but is a by‐product of a new way of looking at a model‐theoretic construction of E. Hrushovski. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Elastase: A predictive marker of inflammation and/or infection
Authors: Mania‐Pramanik Jayanti , Potdar Shobha S. , Vadigoppula Ashok , Sawant Shankar
Published: April 2004

The present study was undertaken to estimate elastase in biological fluids and assess its usefulness as an indicator of inflammation/infection. Elastase was measured in seminal plasma, serum, urine, and cervical specimens using a specific substrate and was expressed in arbitrary units (AU). It was found to be stable over a period of 3 weeks. The intra‐ and interassay variation of elastase assay was between 2.3 to 6.8% and 7.3 to 9.9%, respectively. The assay was validated by comparing it with other methods that are available for the detection of infections. Sensitivity of the assay indicating inflammation/infection in these samples varied between 70.9 to 87.3%. The results obtained suggest that the presence of elastase in specimens may be used as a nonspecific indicator and could be used to screen inflammation/infection in a limited resource setting. J. Clin. Lab. Anal. 18:153–158, 2004. © 2004 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Determining shelf life by comparing degradations at elevated temperatures
Authors: Magari Robert T. , Munoz‐Antoni Ileana , Baker Jennifer , Flagler Daniel J.
Published: April 2004

The degradation of a biological product follows a specific pattern that depends on the kinetics of the chemical reaction. For most biological and pharmaceutical products, accelerated stability tests are preferred to establish shelf life. We describe a new approach for accelerated stability tests, for situations in which the Arrhenius equation is not appropriate. This approach consists of estimating stability at elevated temperatures and comparing these results with the stability estimates for a similar product with a known shelf life. In this article, “Test” refers to Immuno‐Trol™ Low Cells, and “Control” (the product with a known shelf life) refers to Immuno‐Trol™ Cells. The degradation rates and stabilities at elevated temperatures of three antigens of the Test are estimated and compared to their respective Control values. Most of the degradation occurs at the beginning of the experimental period and then slows down until it levels off to form a plateau at the minimum level. Both Control and Test showed similar degradation patterns at three elevated temperatures, indicating that they both have the same mechanism of degradation. Thus, it is expected that they will degrade similarly at storage temperature and have nonsignificantly different shelf lives. The approach for accelerated stability testing discussed here is applicable to situations in which the Arrhenius equation is not appropriate, and the chemical properties of both the Test and Control products are similar. J. Clin. Lab. Anal. 18:159–164, 2004. © 2004 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Change in relative mobility of M protein following neuraminidase treatment in patients with multiple myeloma and monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance
Authors: Kurihara Yuriko , Iijima Shiro , Fukushima Kouhei , Hosaka Toshiaki , Shiba Kiyoko
Published: April 2004

The aim of this study was to clarify the relationship between the relative mobility of M protein in various disease states using cellulose acetate membrane electrophoresis. To examine the carbohydrate chain of the M protein, sera from patients with multiple myeloma (MM), various cancers, and benign disease were treated with neuraminidase.

The relative mobility in benign disease and MM patient sera following neuraminidase treatment varied among individuals, while that of IgG M protein in sera from cancer patients was from 0.2 to 0.3. Thus, the relative mobility in cancer patients was narrower than in those with MM or benign disease.

However, after neuraminidase treatment, there was no significant difference between relative mobility in cancer patient's sera and those in other disease patients. J. Clin. Lab. Anal. 18:182–186, 2004. © 2004 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Measurement of faecal immunoglobulin a levels in young children
Authors: Dion Carine , Montagne Paul , Bene Marie Christine , Faure Gilbert
Published: April 2004

A nephelometric immunoassay was developed to quantify immunoglobulin A (IgA) in children's stools. This method enables IgA in faecal protein extracts to be measured over a large range of concentrations (1.61–51.50 mg/L) with good accuracy (linear recovery in dilution‐overloading assay) and precision (within‐ and between‐run coefficients of variation (CVs) of 1–6%). An excellent recovery (105%) was obtained in stool samples overloaded by purified colostral IgA, demonstrating that the method used for faecal IgA extraction is adapted, not to induce significant IgA degradation, and probably allow a complete extraction of IgA. The amount of faecal IgA, as determined in stool samples from 125 children (6–24 months old), was an average of 14 mg per 100 g of stools (about 10% of the total protein stool content), with large individual variation (3–30 mg per 100 g of stools). No correlation was observed between faecal IgA amounts and the children's age or sex. Such an immunoassay could enable exhaustive noninvasive investigations of the maturation of the intestinal immune system, as well as accurate studies of the effect of oral dietary supplementation on IgA regulation. J. Clin. Lab. Anal. 18:195–199, 2004. © 2004 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Clinical evaluation of cobas core anti‐dsDNA EIA quant
Authors: González Concepción , Guevara Paloma , García‐Berrocal Belén , Alejandro Navajo José , Manuel González‐Buitrago José
Published: April 2004

The measurement of antibodies to double‐stranded DNA (anti‐dsDNA) is a useful tool for the diagnosis and monitoring of patients with connective tissue diseases, particularly systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). The aim of the present study was to compare a new enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) for the measurement of anti‐dsDNA antibodies, which uses purified double‐stranded plasmid DNA as the antigen (anti‐dsDNA EIA Quant; Roche Diagnostics, Mannheim, Germany), with an established ELISA. The clinical usefulness of this new ELISA was also assessed. We measured anti‐dsDNA antibodies in 398 serum samples that were divided into four groups: 1) routine samples sent to our laboratory for an antinuclear antibody (ANA) test (n=229), 2) samples from blood donors (n=74), 3) samples from patients with SLE (n=48), and 4) samples from patients with other autoimmune diseases (n=47). The methods used were the Cobas Core Anti‐dsDNA EIA Quant (Roche Diagnostics, Mannheim, Germany) and the Anti‐dsDNA test (Gull Diagnostics, Bois d'Arcy, France). We obtained a kappa index and Spearman correlation coefficient in the comparative study, and sensitivity, specificity, predictive values, and likelihood ratios in the clinical study. The results obtained show a good agreement between the two methods in both the qualitative results (κ=0.91) and the quantitative data (r=0.854). The best accuracy, predictive values, likelihood ratios, and correlation with active disease were obtained with the Roche anti‐dsDNA assay. J. Clin. Lab. Anal. 18:200–205, 2004. © 2004 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Levels of urinary matrix metalloproteinase‐9 (MMP‐9) and renal injuries in patients with type 2 diabetic nephropathy
Authors: Tashiro Kyoichi , Koyanagi Ichiro , Ohara Ikko , Ito Takamichi , Saitoh Akemi , Horikoshi Satoshi , Tomino Yasuhiko
Published: April 2004

To determine correlations among the levels of urinary MMP‐9 and type‐IV collagen, hyperglycemia, urinary protein excretion, and renal injuries in patients with type 2 diabetic nephropathy, we measured levels of urinary MMP‐9 and protein, blood urea nitrogen (BUN), serum creatinine (s‐Cr), fasting plasma glucose (FPG), and glycohemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) in 47 diabetic patients and 14 healthy adults. Urinary type‐IV collagen was also measured in 28 diabetic patients and seven healthy adults. Patients with diabetic nephropathy were divided into two groups: 1) patients with normoalbuminuria or microalbuminuria (0–299 mg/g·Cr; n=27), and 2) patients with macroalbuminuria (>300 mg/g·Cr; n=20). The mean level of urinary MMP‐9 in group 2 was significantly higher than those in healthy adults (P<0.05), and the levels of urinary MMP‐9 in patients with diabetic nephropathy increased in accordance with the clinical stage of the disease. The levels of urinary MMP‐9 tended to be correlated with HbA1c in these patients, but the correlation was not statistically significant. The mean level of urinary type‐IV collagen in group 2 of patients with diabetic nephropathy was significantly higher than that in group 1 and healthy adults. Levels of urinary type‐IV collagen in patients with diabetic nephropathy also increased in accordance with the clinical stage of the disease. The results suggest that measurements of urinary MMP‐9, as well as urinary type‐IV collagen, may be useful for evaluating the degree of renal injuries in patients with type 2 diabetic nephropathy, especially in the early stage. J. Clin. Lab. Anal. 18:206–210, 2004. © 2004 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Sero epidemiology of Bordetella pertussis immune responses in a healthy population in northern Greece
Authors: Polyzou A. , Pournaras S. , Dafni U. , Sofianou D. , Christeli E. , Patrinos S. , Tsakris A.
Published: April 2004

A seroepidemiological study was conducted on a representative sample of the northern Greek population (healthy individuals, age range=1 day to 80 years) to assess the prevalence of antibodies to pertussis toxin (PT) and filamentous hemagglutinin (FHA). Antibody concentrations were significantly elevated with age (analysis of variance (ANOVA), P<0.001). In addition, a significant increase in antibody levels was detected in subjects >50 years old compared to children aged 5–10 years (post‐hoc Scheffe analysis, P=0.007). These data suggest that pertussis occurs frequently in Greek adults, and that sometimes a fifth booster vaccine dose is not given after the second year of life. Routine revaccination with the acellular vaccine for children >4 years of age, adolescents, and adults should be considered in order to ensure effective protection of the whole population. J. Clin. Lab. Anal. 18:211–214, 2004. © 2004 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Environmental assessment in early process development
Authors: Biwer Arno , Heinzle Elmar
Published: April 2004

A short‐cut method for environmental assessment during process development is presented. The method can deal with data uncertainties in early phases, includes all relevant environmental impacts, and is simple and easy to apply. Therefore, it can be used in early phases of process development. The environmental relevance of each substance is represented by the Environmental Factors. These factors are derived from 14 impact categories, where each compound is classified using an ABC methodology. The impact categories are then grouped into six impact groups: Resources, Grey Input, Component Risk, Organisms, Air and Water/Soil. From these, input and output environmental factors are deduced. This factor is combined with mass balance data to yield a number of indices that can be used to optimize the environmental performance of a process in an integrated manner. The method is applied to three case studies: a comparison of chemical and biotechnological production of 6‐aminopenicillanic acid, a comparison of two process alternatives in the enzymatic production of α‐cyclodextrin and the development of a new process for the fermentative production of pyruvate. Copyright © 2004 Society of Chemical Industry
Utilizing ultraviolet photooxidation as a pre‐treatment of volatile organic compounds upstream of a biological gas cleaning operation
Authors: Koh Loo‐Hwa , Kuhn David CS , Mohseni Madjid , Allen D Grant
Published: April 2004

Laboratory experiments were conducted to evaluate the potential to utilize ultraviolet (UV) photooxidation as a pre‐treatment to render recalcitrant volatile organic compounds into more biodegradable compounds. α‐Pinene was selected due to its low water solubility and low biodegradability. α‐Pinene‐contaminated gaseous streams with inlet loadings between 250 and 2500 g m−3 h−1 were passed through an annular reactor equipped with a UV lamp that emitted light at 254 nm and 185 nm wavelengths. The outlet stream containing UV photooxidation intermediates was then sparged through nanopure water that was then analyzed for its total organic carbon (TOC) content and subjected to batch biodegradability tests. UV photooxidation effectively degraded α‐pinene with a maximum removal rate of about 700 g m−3 h−1. The removal rate followed first order kinetics at low inlet loadings (less than 1200 g m−3 h−1) and approached zero order behavior at higher inlet loadings. The principal oxidizing species in the reactor was ozone. Of the total α‐pinene removed, measured as TOC, 50% was converted to water‐soluble and more biodegradable intermediates. The biodegradability of the resultant intermediates was similar to that of methyl ethyl ketone (MEK), which is 3–30 times more biodegradable than α‐pinene. These results show that the use of UV photooxidation is a promising and effective pre‐treatment technique for enhancing the biodegradability of hydrophobic and recalcitrant organic compounds such as α‐pinene. Copyright © 2004 Society of Chemical Industry
Simultaneous removal of atrazine and nitrate using a biological granulated activated carbon (BGAC) reactor
Authors: Herzberg Moshe , Dosoretz Carlos G , Tarre Sheldon , Michael Beliavsky , Dror Minz , Green Michal
Published: April 2004

The objective of this research was to characterize the performance of granulated activated carbon (GAC) as a carrier for Pseudomonas ADP in a non‐sterile continuous fluidized bed reactor for atrazine degradation under anoxic conditions. The GAC was compared with two non‐adsorbing carriers: non‐adsorbing carbon particles (‘Baker product’) having the same surface area available for biofilm growth as the GAC, and sintered glass beads. The initial atrazine degradation efficiency was higher than 90% in the reactors with the non‐adsorbing carriers, but deteriorated to 20% with time due to contamination by foreign denitrifying bacteria. In contrast, no deterioration was observed in the biological granulated activated carbon (BGAC) reactor. A maximal atrazine volumetric and specific degradation rate of 0.820 ± 0.052 g atrazine dm−3 day−1 and 1.7 ± 0.4 g atrazine g−1 protein day−1 respectively were observed in the BGAC reactor. Concurrent atrazine biodegradation and desorption from the carrier was shown and an effluent concentration of 0.002 mg dm−3 (below the EPA standard) was achieved in the BGAC reactor. The advantages of the BGAC reactor over the non‐adsorbing carrier reactors can probably be explained by the adsorption–desorption mechanism providing favorable microenvironmental conditions for atrazine–degrading bacteria. Copyright © 2004 Society of Chemical Industry
Effect of adsorption characteristics of a modified cellulase on indigo backstaining
Authors: Mamma Diomi , Kalantzi Styliani A , Christakopoulos Paul
Published: April 2004

The effect of limited proteolysis (digestion) of a commercial cellulase preparation (Ecostone® L350) on backstaining with indigo was investigated. The influence of protease (papain) concentration on limited proteolysis of cellulase preparation was studied, applying different ratios of papain/cellulase (w/w). Changes in adsorption on Avicel cellulose of the non‐digested compared with the papain‐digested Ecostone® L350 were examined using the Langmuir adsorption isotherm. The non‐digested Ecostone® L350 exhibited stronger interaction to Avicel cellulose compared with the digested form, while the maximum efficiency of cellulase adsorption to Avicel cellulose decreased after digestion. When papain‐digested Ecostone® L350 was applied on cotton fabrics during the dyeing procedure with indigo, a reduction of indigo backstaining was obtained compared with the non‐digested Ecostone® L350. Copyright © 2004 Society of Chemical Industry
Efficiency of naphthalene biodegradation by Pseudomonas putida G7 in soil
Authors: Filonov Andrei E , Puntus Irina F , Karpov Alexander V , Kosheleva Irina A , Kashparov Konstantin I , Slepenkin Anatoly V , Boronin Alexander M
Published: April 2004

The efficiency of naphthalene degradation by Pseudomonas putida G7 in soil was assessed using a mathematical model. The number of microorganisms and the concentration of naphthalene in soil samples were monitored. The feasibility of a spectrofluorometric method for naphthalene assay in soil samples was compared with high pressure liquid chromatography. A proposed mathematical model described the growth of the naphthalene‐degrading strains and the consumption of substrates (naphthalene, naphthalene degradation intermediates and soil organic substances) in soil. To describe the growth kinetics of microorganisms having high affinity to substrates with low solubility, two differential equations with substrate exponent 2/3 were proposed. These equations were used to describe utilization of soil organic matter. The model parameters characterize the growth rates for different substrates and respective yield coefficients, specific bacterial death and adaptation rates, and also the rates of PAHs degradation and evaporation. These characteristics can be used in choosing the bacterial strains for biopreparations and efficient clean‐up biotechnology of polluted soils. Copyright © 2004 Society of Chemical Industry
A study of the aroma of fried bacon and fried pork loin
Authors: Timón María L , Carrapiso Ana I , Jurado Ángela , van de Lagemaat Jürgen
Published: April 2004

Aroma compounds in the headspace volatiles of fried bacon and fried pork loin were identified. The concentrations of volatiles in bacon were much lower than those in pork loin, except for nitrogen compounds. It is likely that these differences were caused by the presence of nitrite in bacon. Characteristic aromas for fried bacon, described variously as bacon‐, fried meat‐, roast meat‐ and cooked meat‐like, were found through olfactory testing. These aromas were not present in the pork loin samples. Compounds such as pyrazines, pyridines and furans are thought to be responsible for these meaty aromas. Copyright © 2004 Society of Chemical Industry
Cover Picture: Macromol. Mater. Eng. 3/2004
Authors: Granado Ainhoa , Eguiazábal José I. , Nazábal Jon
Published: April 2004

Cover: The picture on the cover shows the morphology of the skin of a 80/20 amorphous polyamide/poly(amino‐ether) blend.

Further details can be found in the Full Paper by A. Granado, J. I. Eguiazábal,* and J. Nazábal on page 281.