bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Permeability and Conductivity Studies on Ionomer‐Polysilsesquioxane Hybrid Materials
Authors: Karthikeyan Chedarampet S. , Nunes Suzana P. , Schulte Karl 
Published: January 2006

AbstractSummary: Hybrid materials based on sulphonated poly(ether ether ketone) (SPEEK, ionomer) and (RSiO1.5)n network (polysilsequioxane) were prepared by sol‐gel process. Two different precursors namely aminopropyl trimethoxysilane (APTMS) and imidazoleglycidoxypropyl trimethoxysilane (IGPTMS) were utilized to generate (RSiO1.5)n in SPEEK matrix by sol‐gel process. 29Si MAS NMR confirmed the formation of RSiO3/2 network structure inside the matrix. Characterisation of the hybrid materials showed lower methanol and water permeability compared to the plain SPEEK. They are therefore promising materials as membranes for direct methanol fuel cells applications. The hybrid material derived from amino group was more effective in decreasing the permeability than the material derived from imidazole group. However, the proton conductivity of the latter was higher than the material derived from amino group. The results indicate that hybrid material prepared from imidazole containing silane is more suitable as a membrane for direct methanol fuel cell than the one prepared from amino carrying silane because it fulfils the two main requirements, namely low methanol permeability and reasonably good proton conductivity.Figure shows a network of silica phase in SPEEK matrix.magnified imageFigure shows a network of silica phase in SPEEK matrix.
Depression of involuntary activity in muscles paralyzed by spinal cord injury
Authors: Butler Jane E. , Godfrey Sharlene , Thomas Christine K. 
Published: January 2006

AbstractInvoluntary muscle contractions are common after spinal cord injury (SCI). Increased sensitivity to Ia muscle afferent input may contribute to the development of these spasms. Since tendon vibration results in a period of postactivation depression of the Ia synapse, we sought to determine whether Achilles tendon vibration (80 HZ for 2 s) altered involuntary contractions evoked by superficial peroneal nerve (SPN) stimulation (5 pulses at 300 HZ) in paralyzed leg muscles of subjects with chronic (>1 year) SCI. Responses to SPN stimulation that were conditioned by vibration were reduced in 66% of trials (by 33 ± 12% in tibialis anterior and 40 ± 16% in soleus). These reductions in electromyographic activity are unlikely to be mediated by changes at the Ia synapse or motoneuron because vibration did not alter the magnitude of the soleus H reflex. The electromyographic reductions may involve long‐lasting neuromodulatory effects on spinal inhibitory interneurons or synapses involved in the flexor reflex pathway. Vibration‐evoked depression of electromyographic activity may be clinically useful in controlling involuntary muscle contractions after SCI. Muscle Nerve, 2006
Targeted suppression of an amyloidogenic transthyretin with antisense oligonucleotides
Authors: Benson Merrill D. , Kluve‐Beckerman Barbara , Zeldenrust Steven R. , Siesky Angela M. , Bodenmiller Diane M. , Showalter Aaron D. , Sloop Kyle W. 
Published: January 2006

AbstractTransthyretin (TTR) amyloidosis, the most common form of hereditary systemic amyloidosis, is characterized clinically by adult‐onset axonal neuropathy and restrictive cardiomyopathy. More than 85 mutations in transthyretin have been found to cause this hereditary disease. Since essentially all circulating TTR is of hepatic origin, orthotopic liver transplantation has been used as the only specific form of therapy. Unfortunately, in many patients amyloid deposition continues after orthotopic liver transplantation, indicating that mutant TTR is no longer required for progression of the disease after tissue deposits have been initiated. As a first step toward medical treatment of this disease, we have employed antisense oligonucleotides (ASOs) to inhibit hepatic expression of TTR. A transgenic mouse model carrying the human TTR Ile84Ser mutation was created and shown to express high levels of human mutant transthyretin. TTR ASOs suppressed hepatic TTR mRNA levels and serum TTR levels by as much as 80%. Suppression of hepatic synthesis of transthyretin may offer a medical treatment for transthyretin systemic amyloidosis. Muscle Nerve, 2006
Variability in conduction of the lateral femoral cutaneous nerve
Authors: Shin Yong Beom , Park Jae Heung , Kwon Dong Rak , Park Byung Kyu 
Published: January 2006

AbstractThe purpose of this study was to establish a reliable technique for assessing conduction in the lateral femoral cutaneous nerve (LFCN), bearing in mind its anatomical variation. Based on our anatomical study, normative values were obtained in 40 healthy nerves. The optimal stimulation site was located 1 cm or more medial to the anterior superior iliac spine (ASIS) in 93% of cases and over the ASIS in 7%. Sensory nerve action potentials (SNAPs) were recorded simultaneously along an imaginary line between the ASIS and the lateral border of the patella and 2 cm medial to this line. Side‐to‐side variability in amplitude was 31% for the recording from the line and 30% for the medial recording. The variability significantly decreased to 16% when the higher value of each side was compared. Therefore, the measurement of higher amplitude recorded at two different sites may minimize interside variability and improve the diagnostic utility of the LFCN conduction study. Muscle Nerve, 2006
Response of the dropped head/bent spine syndrome to treatment with intravenous immunoglobulin
Authors: Dominick Justin , Sheean Geoffrey , Schleimer Jonathan , Wixom Christopher 
Published: January 2006

AbstractWeakness of neck extension causing a dropped head may result from many neuromuscular disorders. One etiology is isolated neck extensor myopathy. A similar focal myopathy of the lower axial muscles may cause the bent spine syndrome, which manifests as flexion of the trunk and inability to stand upright. Combination of both dropped head and bent spine myopathies is uncommon. Inflammation is usually not pronounced in these conditions and response to immunosuppressive treatment is rare. We present an 81‐year‐old man who developed progressive weakness of neck and trunk extension over several months, with a prominent inflammatory process in the thoracic paraspinal muscles, which responded dramatically to treatment with intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIg). This case, together with other rare reports, suggests that the presence of inflammation in the biopsy of an affected muscle may predict treatment response. Muscle Nerve, 2006
Meralgia paresthetica: Clinical and electrophysiological diagnosis in 120 cases
Authors: Seror P. , Seror R. 
Published: January 2006

AbstractWe report the results of clinical and electrophysiological examinations in 131 cases of meralgia paresthetica (MP) among 120 unselected patients, 69 men and 51 women, aged 15–81 years. All patients experienced permanent or intermittent pain, and all but one had permanent sensory impairment of the thigh. The lateral aspect of the thigh was solely involved in 88 cases and the anterior aspect was also or exclusively involved in 32 cases. The right thigh was involved 62 times and the left 58 times. Symptom duration varied from 2 weeks to 20 years. The initial diagnosis was meralgia paresthetica in 47 cases (39%), root disease in 35 cases, and osteoarthritis in 6 cases; no diagnosis was proposed in the 32 remaining cases. Two cases had undergone previous spine surgery for disk herniation, with no benefit. A precise cause could explain the lateral femoral cutaneous nerve (LFCN) lesion in 46 cases, the other 74 cases being considered idiopathic (25% of patients were obese). Only one case required surgery to relieve symptoms. LFCN conduction was studied orthodromically, distally from the anterior superior iliac spine. The side‐to‐side amplitude ratio (ssRatio) was greater than 2.3 in 118 of 120 patients (98.3%) and was a better index to confirm a lesion of the LFCN than SNAP amplitude, which was abnormal (less than 3 μV) in 88 cases (73.3%). Only two of the 11 bilateral cases had an ssRatio lower than 2.3 (they were both 2.0). An ssRatio of 2.3 or more and a SNAP amplitude lower than 3 μV provided a specificity of 98.75% or more. The mean axonal loss was 88%. These clinical and electrophysiological data highlight the central role the neurophysiologist should play in diagnosing MP by means of an LFCN conduction study. Muscle Nerve, 2006
Sensitivity of repetitive facial‐nerve stimulation in patients with myasthenia gravis
Authors: Zinman Lorne H. , O'Connor Paul W. , Dadson Keith E. , Leung Rita C. M. , Ngo Mylan , Bril Vera 
Published: January 2006

AbstractRepetitive stimulation of the facial nerve is commonly performed in cases of suspected myasthenia gravis (MG) because bulbar weakness is often present, but the most sensitive facial muscle is unknown. We compared the sensitivity of repetitive nerve stimulation (RNS) to the frontalis and nasalis muscles in 244 patients with suspected MG. We found no difference in sensitivity of RNS when recording from these muscles in both ocular and generalized MG. In addition, we confirmed the low sensitivity of RNS for ocular (18%) or generalized (47%) MG. The specificity of facial RNS for both muscles was 100% and, in certain circumstances, may obviate the need for further diagnostic testing. Muscle Nerve, 2006
A new one‐point quadrature enhanced assumed strain (EAS) solid‐shell element with multiple integration points along thickness—part II: nonlinear applications
Authors: Alves de Sousa Ricardo J. , Cardoso Rui P. R. , Fontes Valente Robertt A. , Yoon Jeong‐Whan , Grácio José J. , Natal Jorge Renato M. 
Published: January 2006

AbstractIn this work the recently proposed Reduced Enhanced Solid‐Shell (RESS) finite element, based on the enhanced assumed strain (EAS) method and a one‐point quadrature integration scheme, is extended in order to account for large deformation elastoplastic thin‐shell problems. One of the main features of this finite element consists in its minimal number of enhancing parameters (one), sufficient to circumvent the well‐known Poisson and volumetric locking phenomena, leading to a computationally efficient performance when compared to other 3D or solid‐shell enhanced strain elements. Furthermore, the employed numerical integration accounts for an arbitrary number of integration points through the thickness direction within a single layer of elements. The EAS formulation comprises an additive split of the Green–Lagrange material strain tensor, making the inclusion of nonlinear kinematics a straightforward task. A corotational coordinate system is used to integrate the constitutive law and to ensure incremental objectivity. A physical stabilization procedure is implemented in order to correct the element's rank deficiencies. A variety of shell‐type numerical benchmarks including plasticity, large deformations and contact are carried out, and good results are obtained when compared to well‐established formulations in the literature. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
A fast method for the solution of a hypersingular integral equation arising in a waveguide scattering problem
Authors: Monegato G. , Orta R. , Tascone R. 
Published: January 2006

AbstractIn this paper we study the time‐harmonic electromagnetic scattering problem associated with a T‐junction between two rectangular waveguides. This junction is composed by an infinite (primary) waveguide and by a semi‐infinite (secondary) waveguide with the same height and coupled through a common aperture.A standard calculation reduces Maxwell equations to a simpler scalar two‐dimensional non‐homogeneous Helmholtz equation, to which the domain decomposition technique is applied. In each wave‐guide the scattered electric field satisfies a non‐homogeneous Helmholtz equation with homogeneous boundary conditions. An integral representation for this field is then obtained, from which the corresponding expression for the scattered magnetic field follows. By enforcing the continuity of the tangential component of the total electric and magnetic fields generated in the two separate waveguides at their interface, we obtain a hypersingular integral equation defined on an interval. From the solution of this equation the scattering matrix of the junction is easily computed.The integral equation has two kernels given in terms of series expansions. Our analysis determines the relevant singular components and shows that besides the standard second‐order hypersingularity, one of the kernels also has a fixed‐point second‐order hypersingularity at each endpoint of the interval of integration.The equation is finally solved by means of a Galerkin method, whose implementation is performed quite efficiently, so that the overall numerical method is very fast and accurate. The complete numerical solution is presented in the form of parametric plots and convergence results are discussed. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Localized remeshing techniques for three‐dimensional metal forming simulations with linear tetrahedral elements
Authors: Son Il‐Heon , Im Yong‐Taek 
Published: January 2006

AbstractThe localized remeshing technique for three‐dimensional metal forming simulations is proposed based on a mixed finite element formulation with linear tetrahedral elements in the present study. The numerical algorithm to generate linear tetrahedral elements is developed for finite element analyses using the advancing front technique with local optimization method which keeps the advancing fronts smooth. The surface mesh generation using mesh manipulations of the boundary elements of the old mesh system was made to improve mesh quality of the boundary surface elements, resulting in reduction of volume change in forming simulations. The mesh quality generated was compared with that obtained from the commercial CAD package for the complex geometry like lumbar. The simulation results of backward extrusion and bevel gear and spider forgings indicate that the currently developed simulation technique with the localized remeshing can be used effectively to simulate the three‐dimensional forming processes with a reduced computation time. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Vacuolated neuroblastoma cells mimicking FAB L3 lymphoblasts in bone marrow aspirates
Authors: Alcasabas Patricia , Dettore Andrew , Özgönenel Bülent , Bhambhani Kanta , Ravindranath Yaddanapudi , Savaşan Süreyya 
Published: January 2006

AbstractAbundant cytoplasmic vacuolation of neuroblasts has been noted on bone marrow aspirate (BMA) smears of two patients with metastatic neuroblastoma. Occasional tumor cells were dispersed as individual cells as well as in clumps. These cells had basophilic cytoplasm and several nucleoli, reminiscent of L3 lymphoblast morphology. Flow cytometric analysis of the bone marrow mononuclear cells and neuron‐specific enolase staining of the bone marrow biopsy samples further distinguished the cells as neuroblasts. Cytoplasmic vacuolations of neuroblasts may be a feature of metastatic neuroblastoma cells in BMA smears. Pediatr Blood Cancer 2007;48:227–229. © 2006 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) initiation without intubation in two children with mediastinal malignancy
Authors: Wickiser Jonathan E. , Thompson Marita , Leavey Patrick J. , Quinn Charles T. , Garcia Nilda M. , Aquino Victor M. 
Published: January 2006

AbstractWe report the cases of two children presenting with severe airway compromise secondary to a mediastinal malignancy managed with extracorporeal membrane oxygenation without intubation. Results are presented on the use of ECMO as a primary means of stabilizing a pediatric patient with a critical mediastinal mass, thus providing another management strategy for this difficult situation. Pediatr Blood Cancer 2007;49:751–754. © 2006 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
High‐dose cyclophosphamide inhibition of humoral immune response to murine monoclonal antibody 3F8 in neuroblastoma patients: Broad implications for immunotherapy
Authors: Kushner Brian H. , Cheung Irene Y. , Kramer Kim , Modak Shakeel , Cheung Nai‐Kong V. 
Published: January 2006

AbstractBackgroundThe murine monoclonal antibody 3F8 mediates lysis of neuroblastoma (NB) by complement and leukocytes (including neutrophils) but is neutralized if human anti‐mouse antibody (HAMA) forms. We assessed the impact on rapid HAMA formation of prior chemotherapy in NB patients.MethodsFor the 153 patients treated with 3F8 after conventional therapy (Group 1), the analysis included time from chemotherapy to the start of 3F8. For the 103 patients treated with 3F8 after myeloablative alkylator‐based therapy (MAT) (Group 2), the analysis included both chemotherapy administered before stem‐cell collection and time from MAT to the start of 3F8.ResultsIn Group 1, the incidence of HAMA‐positivity was significantly lower if patients received high‐dose cyclophosphamide (HD‐Cy, ≥4,000 mg/m2) before 3F8 treatment (P < 0.001). In addition, HAMA‐positivity was least likely if 3F8 treatment was initiated <90 days post‐HD‐Cy (2/76 compared to 3/19 first treated at 90–120 days, and 17/27 first treated at >120 days, P < 0.001). In Group 2 patients who were transplanted with stem cells collected after HD‐Cy, HAMA‐positivity occurred in 1/60 patients treated <90 days post‐MAT versus 13/23 treated >90 days post‐MAT (P < 0.001). Among Group 2 patients transplanted with stem cells collected after no prior HD‐Cy, the incidence of HAMA‐positivity was significantly higher (15/19, P < 0.001), including 5/7 whose 3F8 treatment began <90 days post‐MAT.ConclusionsHD‐Cy reliably blocks humoral responses to a murine antibody. This capacity to prevent host rejection of foreign or not fully humanized proteins raises the possibility of a broad role for HD‐Cy in immunotherapeutic strategies. Pediatric Blood Cancer © 2006 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Crystal structure at 1.45‐Å resolution of the major allergen endo‐β‐1,3‐glucanase of banana as a molecular basis for the latex‐fruit syndrome
Authors: Receveur‐Bréchot Véronique , Czjzek Mirjam , Barre Annick , Roussel Alain , Peumans Willy J. , Van Damme Els J.M. , Rougé Pierre 
Published: January 2006

AbstractResolution of the crystal structure of the banana fruit endo‐β‐1,3‐glucanase by synchrotron X‐ray diffraction at 1.45‐Å resolution revealed that the enzyme possesses the eightfold β/α architecture typical for family 17 glycoside hydrolases. The electronegatively charged catalytic central cleft harbors the two glutamate residues (Glu94 and Glu236) acting as hydrogen donor and nucleophile residue, respectively. Modeling using a β‐1,3 linked glucan trisaccharide as a substrate confirmed that the enzyme readily accommodates a β‐1,3‐glycosidic linkage in the slightly curved catalytic groove between the glucose units in positions −2 and −1 because of the particular orientation of residue Tyr33 delimiting subsite −2. The location of Phe177 in the proximity of subsite +1 suggested that the banana glucanase might also cleave β‐1,6‐branched glucans. Enzymatic assays using pustulan as a substrate demonstrated that the banana glucanase can also cleave β‐1,6‐glucans as was predicted from docking experiments. Similar to many other plant endo‐β‐1,3‐glucanases, the banana glucanase exhibits allergenic properties because of the occurrence of well‐conserved IgE‐binding epitopes on the surface of the enzyme. These epitopes might trigger some cross‐reactions toward IgE antibodies and thus account for the IgE‐binding cross‐reactivity frequently reported in patients with the latex‐fruit syndrome. Proteins 2006. © 2006 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
The use of uncertainty analysis for the design of container closures
Authors: Yoxall By A. , Langley J. , Janson R. , Wearn J. , Manson G. 
Published: January 2006

AbstractUnderstanding how easy packaging is to open is becoming a major area of interest for the packaging industry. Designing packaging to meet the direct needs of the consumer has been termed ‘inclusive design’. However, there are differing parameters that may affect the ease of opening a product. This paper outlines how the use of uncertainty analysis coupled with ‘inclusive design’ techniques can help manufacturers understand which parameters are important for product ‘openability’. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The counting lemma for regulark‐uniform hypergraphs
Authors: Nagle Brendan , Rödl Vojtěch , Schacht Mathias 
Published: January 2006

AbstractSzemerédi's Regularity Lemma proved to be a powerful tool in the area of extremal graph theory. Many of its applications are based on its accompanying Counting Lemma: IfGis an ℓ‐partite graph withV(G) =V1∪ … ∪Vℓand ∣︁Vi∣︁ =n for all i∈ [ℓ], and all pairs (Vi,Vj)areε‐regular of density d for1 ≤i≤j≤ ℓandε ≪d,then G contains$(1\pm f_{\ell}(\varepsilon))d^{\ell \choose 2}\times n^{\ell}$cliquesKℓ,where fℓ(ε) → 0asε → 0.Recently, Rödl and Skokan generalized Szemerédi's Regularity Lemma from graphs tok‐uniform hypergraphs for arbitraryk≥ 2. In this paper we prove a Counting Lemma accompanying the Rödl–Skokan hypergraph Regularity Lemma. Similar results were independently obtained by Gowers.Such results give combinatorial proofs to the density result of Szemerédi and some of the density theorems of Furstenberg and Katznelson. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Random Struct. Alg., 2006
Genetic association studies: Design, analysis and interpretation
Authors: Lewis Cathryn M. 
Published: January 2006

Abstract
This paper provides a review of the design and analysis of genetic association studies. In case control studies, the different contingency tables and their relationships to the underlying genetic model are defined. Population stratification is discussed, with suggested methods to identify and correct for the effect. The transmission disequilibrium test is provided as an alternative family-based test, which is robust to population stratification. The relative benefits of each analysis are summarised.
TAMAL: an integrated approach to choosing SNPs for genetic studies of human complex traits
Authors: Hemminger Bradley M. , Saelim Billy , Sullivan Patrick F. 
Published: January 2006

Abstract
Summary: Investigators conducting studies of the molecular genetics of complex traits in humans often need rationally to select a set of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) from the hundreds or thousands available for a candidate gene. Accomplishing this requires integration of genomic data from distributed databases and is both time-consuming and error-prone. We developed the TAMAL (Technology And Money Are Limiting) web site to help identify promising SNPs for further investigation. For a given list of genes, TAMAL identifies SNPs that meet user-specified criteria (e.g. haplotype tagging SNPs or SNP predicted to lead to amino acid changes) from current versions of online resources (i.e. HapMap, Perlegen, Affymetrix, dbSNP and the UCSC genome browser).
Availability: TAMAL is a platform independent web-based application available free of charge at
Contact: pfsulliv@med.unc.edu
Supplementary information: