bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Dimension estimate of the exponential attractor for the chemotaxis‐growth system
Authors: Efendiev Messoud , Kläre Michael , Lasser Rupert 
Published: December 2006

AbstractWe consider a chemotaxis‐growth model which takes into account diffusion, chemotaxis, production of chemical substance, and growth. We present estimates from above and below of the fractal dimension dim𝔐 of the exponential attractor 𝔐 in terms of the coefficients of the system. Comparisons are made between the sizes of the global and exponential attractors. Numerical simulations are presented which confirm the analytical results obtained. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Myopathy associated with anti–signal recognition peptide antibodies: Clinical heterogeneity contrasts with stereotyped histopathology
Authors: Dimitri Dalia , Andre Chantal , Roucoules Jacques , Hosseini Hassan , Humbel René‐Louis , Authier François‐Jérôme 
Published: December 2006

AbstractWe report three patients with anti–signal recognition particle antibodies who had different presenting clinical pictures, mimicking acute polymyositis, limb‐girdle muscular dystrophy, and acute rhabdomyolysis. Muscle biopsies typically showed necrotizing myopathy with little or no inflammation and deposits of membrane attack complex (C5b‐9) in endomysial capillaries. The clinical course was severe in two patients and mild in one. The combination of corticosteroid with either an immunosuppressive agent or intravenous immunoglobulins was required to improve the condition of these patients. Muscle Nerve, 2006
Epidemiology of cauda equina and conus medullaris lesions
Authors: Podnar Simon 
Published: December 2006

AbstractThe epidemiology of cauda equina and conus medullaris lesions is not well known, and this study aimed to provide further information on this topic. In the period 1996–2004, patients fulfilling the clinical, electrodiagnostic, and radiological criteria for such lesions were identified. For cauda equina/conus medullaris lesions an annual incidence rate of 3.4/1.5 per million, and period prevalence of 8.9/4.5 per 100,000 population were calculated. The values obtained are probably valid estimates of the incidence and prevalence of these lesions in developed countries. Muscle Nerve, 2006
Intrinsic laryngeal muscles are spared from myonecrosis in the mdx mouse model of Duchenne muscular dystrophy
Authors: Marques Maria Julia , Ferretti Renato , Vomero Viviane Urbini , Minatel Elaine , Neto Humberto Santo 
Published: December 2006

AbstractIntrinsic laryngeal muscles share many anatomical and physiological properties with extraocular muscles, which are unaffected in both Duchenne muscular dystrophy and mdx mice. We hypothesized that intrinsic laryngeal muscles are spared from myonecrosis in mdx mice and may serve as an additional tool to understand the mechanisms of muscle sparing in dystrophinopathy. Intrinsic laryngeal muscles and tibialis anterior (TA) muscle of adult and aged mdx and control C57Bl/10 mice were investigated. The percentage of central nucleated fibers, as a sign of muscle fibers that had undergone injury and regeneration, and myofiber labeling with Evans blue dye, as a marker of myofiber damage, were studied. Except for the cricothyroid muscle, none of the intrinsic laryngeal muscles from adult and old mdx mice showed signs of myofiber damage or Evans blue dye labeling, and all appeared to be normal. Central nucleation was readily visible in the TA of the same mdx mice. A significant increase in the percentage of central nucleated fibers was observed in adult cricothyroid muscle compared to the other intrinsic laryngeal muscles, which worsened with age. Thus, we have shown that the intrinsic laryngeal muscles are spared from the lack of dystrophin and may serve as a useful model to study the mechanisms of muscle sparing in dystrophinopathy. Muscle Nerve, 2006
Mechanically evoked sensory and motor responses to dynamic compression of the ulnar nerve
Authors: Clarke Elizabeth C. , McNulty Penelope A. , Macefield Vaughan G. , Bilston Lynne E. 
Published: December 2006

AbstractMechanical deformation of a peripheral nerve can evoke action potentials in sensory and motor axons. The generation of these impulses with brief stimuli (<0.5 s) and their relationship to the deformation conditions have not been systematically studied in human subjects. Controlled compression stimuli over a range of amplitudes, durations, and loading rates were delivered to the ulnar nerve at the medial epicondyle in awake human subjects. Compound muscle action potentials were recorded from the first dorsal interosseous muscle. Subjects rated the magnitude of evoked paresthesias. Mechanically evoked motor and sensory responses varied linearly with the magnitude (P < 0.001) and rate of deformation (P < 0.01), but not the duration, and occurred only during the compression phase. Cutaneous axons had lower mechanical thresholds than motor axons. We relate these findings to the viscoelastic properties of peripheral nerves and differences in biophysical properties of cutaneous and motor axons. Muscle Nerve, 2006
Physical activity and motor decline in older persons
Authors: Buchman A.S. , Boyle P.A. , Wilson R.S. , Bienias Julia L. , Bennett D.A. 
Published: December 2006

AbstractWe tested the hypothesis that physical activity modifies the course of age‐related motor decline. More than 850 older participants of the Rush Memory and Aging Project underwent baseline assessment of physical activity and annual motor testing for up to 8 years. Nine strength measures and nine motor performance measures were summarized into composite measures of motor function. In generalized estimating equation models, global motor function declined during follow‐up (estimate, −0.072; SE, 0.008;P< 0.001). Each additional hour of physical activity at baseline was associated with about a 5% decrease in the rate of global motor function decline (estimate, 0.004; SE, 0.001;P= 0.007). Secondary analyses suggested that the association of physical activity with motor decline was mostly due to the effect of physical activity on the rate of motor performance decline. Thus, higher levels of physical activity are associated with a slower rate of motor decline in older persons. Muscle Nerve, 2006
Mechanomyographic and electromyographic responses to stimulated and voluntary contractions in the dorsiflexors of young and old men
Authors: Shima Norihiro , McNeil Chris J. , Rice Charles L. 
Published: December 2006

AbstractThe effect of age on mechanomyography (MMG) has not been examined for electrically evoked contractions. Similar to torque, we expected that postactivation potentiation of the MMG would differ between young and old subjects. Additionally, under voluntary conditions, we compared normalized MMG and electromyographic (EMG) signals in relation to torque, and expected that MMG, unlike EMG, would be affected by age. In 10 young and 10 old men, electrical stimulation was delivered before and after a 10‐s maximal voluntary contraction (MVC) to assess potentiation of contractile (twitch torque; Pt), electrical (M‐wave amplitude), and mechanical (MMG amplitude) properties of the dorsiflexors. Subsequently, subjects performed voluntary contractions at 20%, 40%, 60%, 80%, and 100% MVC for calculation of normalized MMG–torque and EMG–torque relationships. Following the MVC, Pt and evoked MMG were larger than at rest in both groups, but M‐wave amplitude was unchanged. Twitch potentiation was greater in young than old, whereas evoked MMG was unaffected by age. Under voluntary conditions, values for MMG and EMG were similar between groups, except for greater MMG at MVC in young men. The shape of MMG and EMG relationships to torque was similar only in young men. Using the aging model, our results indicate that potentiation of the mechanical components (MMG) differ from those of twitch torque. Furthermore, the comparison of normalized voluntary MMG with age provides additional support for the concept of age‐related motor unit remodeling. Muscle Nerve, 2006
Myopathy associated with gluten sensitivity
Authors: Hadjivassiliou Marios , Chattopadhyay Arup K. , Grünewald Richard A. , Jarratt John A. , Kandler Rosalind H. , Rao D. G. , Sanders D. S. , Wharton S. B. , Davies‐Jones G. A. B. 
Published: December 2006

AbstractAtaxia and peripheral neuropathy are the most common neurological manifestations of gluten sensitivity. Myopathy is a less common and poorly characterized additional neurological manifestation of gluten sensitivity. We present our experience with 13 patients who presented with symptoms and signs suggestive of a myopathy and in whom investigation led to the diagnosis of gluten sensitivity. Three of these patients had a neuropathy with or without ataxia in addition to the myopathy. The mean age at onset of the myopathic symptoms was 54 years. Ten patients had neurophysiological evidence of myopathy. Inflammatory myopathy was the most common finding on neuropathological examination. One patient had basophilic rimmed vacuoles suggestive of inclusion‐body myositis. Six patients received immunosuppressive treatment in addition to starting on a gluten‐free diet; five improved and one remained unchanged. Among seven patients not on immunosuppressive treatment, four showed clinical improvement of the myopathy with a gluten‐free diet. The improvement was also associated with reduction or normalization of serum creatine kinase level. The myopathy progressed in one patient who refused the gluten‐free diet. Myopathy may be another manifestation of gluten sensitivity and is likely to have an immune‐mediated pathogenesis. A gluten‐free diet may be a useful therapeutic intervention. Muscle Nerve, 2006
A total ALE FE formulation for axisymmetric and torsional problems (including viscoplasticity, thermodynamic coupling and dynamics)
Authors: Celigoj C. C. , Außerlechner P. 
Published: December 2006

AbstractThis paper—first—extends a recent ‘assumed enhanced deformation gradient’ finite ring(segment) element (Int. J. Numer. Methods Eng. 2001; 50:899–918.) to Arbitary Lagrange Euler (ALE) computations, by setting up the assumed tensor on the computational configuration, and—second—shows an elegant way of incorporating dynamics into real ALE computations (no splitting into purely—Lagrange steps and then—remeshing steps), by introducing material mesh velocities and accelerations and spatial mesh velocities and accelerations. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Analysis of modified Reynolds equation using the wavelet‐multigrid scheme
Authors: Bujurke N.M. , Salimath C.S. , Kudenatti Ramesh B. , Shiralashetti S.C. 
Published: December 2006

AbstractThe combined study of effects of surface roughness and poroelasticity on the squeeze film behavior of bearings in general and that of synovial joints in particular are presented. The modified form of Reynolds equation, which incorporates the randomized roughness structure as well as elastic nature of articular cartilage, is derived. Christensen stochastic theory describing roughness structure of cartilage surfaces is used by assuming the roughness asperity heights to be small compared to the film thickness. A recently developed wavelet‐multigrid method is used for the solution of Reynolds equation. The method has the greatest advantage of minimizing the errors using wavelet transforms in obtaining accurate solution, as grid size tends to zero. Based on the results obtained, the influence of roughness and elasticity on bearing characteristics are discussed in some detail. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Numer Methods Partial Differential Eq 2007
Factors in successful program implementation in Russia during the transition: pilot programs as a guide
Authors: Struyk Raymond J. 
Published: December 2006

AbstractWhile much of the implementation literature over the past several decades has recognised the importance of context (e.g. in issues of institutional culture, degree of hierarchy), little of the literature comparing the results of numerous program implementation experiences examines the experience of non‐Western contexts. This study seeks to partially fill this gap by applying the ‘conventional wisdom’ of implementation theory to program implementation experience in Russia. We analyse the implementation of 18 demonstration projects in Russia against 9 success factors identified in the implementation literature. Most of the pilots involved multiple cities; so there are a total of 48 city‐case observations to study. Overall, the findings are that the factors associated with successful program implementation among OECD countries are also those at work in Russia's transitional economy. The weights associated with the various factors may differ, however. One could imagine, for example, that political support counts for more in Russia than in the western local governments. One might also believe that opportunities for learning from other implementers could be more important in the West, where professional associations are more highly developed. The core finding of consistency should be valuable to administrators across transitional economies who can now refer to the rich findings of implementation research with greater confidence of its applicability to their programs. Perhaps equally important is the finding that some of the same factors predominantly associated with successful or troubled implementation in Russia have similar effects in implementation examples drawn from transition and developing nations; there are, however, some important differences. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Recombinant tissue plasminogen activator may reduce frequency of central venous access device infection in hemophilia patients undergoing immune tolerance therapy
Authors: Dunn Amy L. , Abshire Thomas C. 
Published: December 2006

AbstractMany patients with hemophilia, particularly those with inhibitory antibodies, utilize central venous access devices (CVADs) to facilitate frequent infusions. Infection of these devices is a common complication of factor replacement therapy. This communication reports our center's experience with CVAD infection in three patients with severe hemophilia A undergoing immune tolerance therapy (ITT) in whom intermittent infusions of recombinant tissue plasminogen activator (rTPA, Cathflo™ Activase®) were utilized. In this small experience, patients experienced a decreased frequency of gram‐positive infections when receiving routine rTPA treatments. Larger randomized trial should be performed in this patient population at high risk of CVAD infection. Pediatr Blood Cancer 2008;50:627–629. © 2006 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Serum levels of mannose‐binding lectin and the risk of fever in neutropenia pediatric cancer patients
Authors: Schlapbach L.J. , Aebi C. , Otth M. , Luethy A. Ridolfi , Leibundgut K. , Hirt A. , Ammann R.A. 
Published: December 2006

AbstractBackgroundFever in neutropenia (FN) is a frequent complication in pediatric oncology. Deficiency of mannose‐binding lectin (MBL), an important component of innate immunity, is common due to genetic polymorphisms, but its impact on infections in oncologic patients is controversial. This study investigated whether MBL serum levels at cancer diagnosis are associated with the development of FN in pediatric cancer patients.ProcedureSerum MBL was measured using ELISA. Frequency, duration, and cause of FN were assessed retrospectively. Association with MBL level was analyzed using uni‐ and multivariate Poisson regression taking into account both intensity and duration of chemotherapy.ResultsIn 94 children, with a cumulative follow‐up time of 81.7 years, 177 FN episodes were recorded. Patients with both very low MBL levels (<100 µg/L; risk ratio (RR), 1.93; 95% CI, 1.14–3.28; P = 0.014) and normal MBL levels (≥1,000 µg/L; RR, P = 0.011) had significantly more frequent FN episodes than patients with low MBL levels (100–999 µg/L). Patients with very low MBL levels had significantly more episodes of FN with severe bacterial infection (bacteremia or pneumonia; RR, 4.49; 1.69 = 11.8; P = 0.003), while those with normal MBL levels had more FN episodes with no microbial etiology identified (RR, 1.85; 1.14 = 3.03; P = 0.014).ConclusionsVery low MBL levels are associated with more frequent FN episodes, mainly due to severe bacterial infections. The surprising finding that children with normal MBL levels had more frequent FN episodes than those with low MBL levels needs testing in prospective studies. Pediatr Blood Cancer 2007;49:11–16. © 2006 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Characterisation of gamma‐irradiated polyetherimide films with infrared spectroscopy and thermally stimulated current measurements
Authors: Smaoui Hichem , Mzabi Nissaf , Guermazi Hajer , Mlik Youssef , Agnel Serge , Toureille Alain , Schué François 
Published: December 2006

AbstractThe performance of insulators is usually affected by the presence of space charges. The evolution of these charges under applied constraints in many cases leads to the degradation of these materials. To evaluate the performance of an insulator it is necessary to study the evolution of the physical and chemical properties in the presence of space charges. In this paper, the effect of gamma irradiation on the space charge behaviour in polyetherimide (PEI; Ultem 1000) has been investigated at different radiation doses. Space charge measurements were made using thermally stimulated currents. Infrared spectroscopy characterisation was performed to investigate the effect of gamma irradiation on the physicochemical properties of PEI. The results obtained show minor differences in the infrared spectra, mainly in the 410 cm−1 region. It is found that irradiation leads to a few structural changes in the material. The thermostimulated depolarisation current (TSDC) results show that β relaxations in PEI are affected by gamma irradiation. The activation energies of dipoles were calculated from the TSDC curves. Copyright © 2006 Society of Chemical Industry
Study of biomineralization of poly(vinyl alcohol)‐based scaffolds using an alternate soaking approach
Authors: Bajpai AK , Singh Raghvendra 
Published: December 2006

AbstractThe present work adds to the continuing efforts of designing a natural bone‐like structure by synthesizing a semi‐interpenetrating polymer network (IPN) of poly(vinyl alcohol)–poly[(acrylic acid)‐co‐acrylonitrile] and impregnating hydroxyapatite (HAP) into the polymer matrix by an alternate soaking process. The prepared HAP–polymer scaffolds were characterized using techniques like Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, X‐ray diffraction, differential scanning calorimetry, thermogravimetric analysis and environmental scanning electron microscopy. The biomineralized semi‐IPN was evaluated for water sorption capacity and the data were utilized for calculating network parameters such as average molecular weight between crosslinks (Mc) and crosslink density (q). The impregnated HAP was quantified as a function of the chemical architecture of the semi‐IPN, number of reaction cycles and temperature of the swelling bath. Copyright © 2006 Society of Chemical Industry
Organosoluble and light‐colored fluorinated polyimides derived from 5,5′‐bis[4‐(4‐amino‐2‐trifluoromethylphenoxy) phenyl]‐4,7‐methanohexahydroindan
Authors: Yang Chin‐Ping , Su Yu‐Yang , Hsu Mei‐Yuan 
Published: December 2006

AbstractA novel bis(ether amine) monomer, 5,5′‐bis[4‐(4‐amino‐2‐trifluoromethylphenoxy)phenyl]‐4,7‐methanohexahydroindan (2), was synthesized through the nucleophilic aromatic substitution reaction of 5,5′‐bis‐(4‐hydroxyphenyl)‐4,7‐methanohexahydroindan with 2‐chloro‐5‐nitrobenzotrifluoride to yield the intermediate dinitro compound, followed by catalytic reduction with hydrazine and Pd/C. A series of polyimides were synthesized from 2 and various aromatic dianhydrides using a standard two‐stage process with chemical or thermal imidization of poly(amic acid). All of these polymer films were soluble in amide‐type solvents above 10% w/v, had tensile strengths of 97–117 MPa, and the 10% weight loss temperature was above 464 °C with their residues exceeding 46% at 800 °C in nitrogen. Compared with the non‐fluorinated polyimides, the fluorinated series were observed to have lower dielectric constants (2.92–3.28 at 1 MHz) and lower moisture absorptions (0.15–0.43 wt%) as well as lower color intensity and better solubility. Copyright © 2006 Society of Chemical Industry
Characteristics of dual‐type electrochromic devices based on poly(ethylene oxide) copolymers
Authors: Yildiz Huseyin Bekir , Sahin Elif , Cirpan Ali , Toppare Levent , Yagci Yusuf 
Published: December 2006

AbstractDual‐type polymer electrochromic devices based on [(3‐thienyl)methylmethacrylate]‐co‐[p‐vinyl benzyloxy poly(ethylene oxide)]/polythiophene and thiophene‐capped poly(ethylene oxide)/polythiophene and ethylene dioxythiophene were constructed via electropolymerization. Spectroelectrochemistry, switching ability and stability of the devices were investigated using UV‐visible spectrophotometry and cyclic voltammetry. These devices exhibit low switching voltages and short switching times with reasonable switching stability under atmospheric conditions. Copyright © 2006 Society of Chemical Industry
Preparation, characterization, and mechanical properties of microcellular poly(aryl ether ketone) foams
Authors: Wang Dong , Jiang Wei , Gao Hong , Jiang Zhenhua 
Published: December 2006

AbstractHigh‐performance microcellular closed‐cell foams were prepared by a two‐stage batch foaming process from fluorinated poly(ether ether ketone) and characterized by scanning electronic microscopy, tensile, and dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA). The effects of saturation pressure and temperature on the cell size, cell density, and bulk density of porous materials had been discussed. The resulting materials had average cell diameters in the range 3–17 μm, and cell densities (Nf) in the order of 0.6 × 109–1.39 × 1010 cells/cm3. The porosity (Vf) was in the range of 0.2–0.85. In contrast, experimental values of Young's moduli were in good agreement with theoretically predicted values, but the relative strengths were somewhat lower than that predicted. The relaxation mechanism of microcellular was systematically investigated by DMA. The dynamic mechanical spectrometry showed that the storage modulus curve at high temperature region appeared a peak and the loss modulus was lower as compared to their solid counterparts. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part B: Polym Phys 45: 173–183, 2007
Kinetics of melting and characterization of the thermodynamic and kinetic properties of syndiotactic polystyrene
Authors: Sorrentino A. , Pantani R. , Titomanlio G. 
Published: December 2006

AbstractA study of the crystallization process of syndiotactic polystyrene is carried out, with particular emphasis on the effect of previous melt annealing on the subsequent crystallization kinetics and polymorphism, with a combination of thermal analysis, infrared spectroscopy, and X‐ray diffraction. An effort is made to obtain quantitative results in terms of the relative crystallinity content of the α and β phases after a given thermal treatment. A kinetics of melting for the crystalline memory is proposed, which enables the determination of the time at a given temperature that ensures the complete fusion of the α crystals. This leads to a generalization of the effects of the time–temperature couple on the memory effect. A particular protocol is identified, which upon solidification from the melt induces the development of just one crystalline phase, either α or β. This allows the determination of the enthalpy of crystallization, the maximum attainable crystal volume fraction, the crystallization half‐time as a function of temperature, and the Avrami index for each of the two crystalline phases. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part B: Polym Phys 45: 196–207, 2007