bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Longitudinal evaluation of early and late anthracycline cardiotoxicity in children with AML
Authors: Creutzig Ursula , Diekamp Sylke , Zimmermann Martin , Reinhardt Dirk 
Published: December 2006

AbstractBackgroundAnthracyclines are effective antineoplastic drugs in acute myelogenous leukemia (AML). However, their use is limited by cardiomyopathy, which occurs in children already at cumulative doses of 300 mg/m2 (given as daunorubicin equivalent).ProcedureTo evaluate anthracycline‐associated cardiomyopathy in pediatric AML‐patients, the incidence of early and late (>1 year after intensive AML chemotherapy) clinical and subclinical cardiotoxicity was analyzed out of a total of 1,207 patients <18 years treated between 1993 and 2003 in trials AML‐BFM93/98: 1,010 protocol patients with de novo AML, 121 with Down syndrome (DS)‐AML, and 76 with secondary AML. The cumulative dose of anthracyclines was generally risk‐adapted: 300–450 mg/m2 using 1–4‐hr infusions of anthracyclines with the assumed lowest cardiotoxic potential. Eight hundred eighty‐five patients (73%) were eligible for the analysis of early and 547 (45%) of late cardiotoxicity (1,399 follow‐up data).ResultsThirty‐eight patients (4.3%), including 3 DS‐AML and 1 secondary AML, suffered from early cardiomyopathy. After 5 years, four patients showed temporarily or persistently a reduced shortening fraction, which led to death in one DS‐AML patient. Including these 4 patients, late cardiomyopathy was seen in 16 patients (cumulative incidence after 11 years: 5% ± 1%). Nine patients (2.5 ± 1%) showed clinical symptoms, five of them had persistent abnormal shortening fraction. Late subclinical cardiomyopathy occurred temporarily in seven patients. Late clinical cardiomyopathy mainly affected patients with a second anthracycline therapy (secondary malignancy) and those with early cardiotoxicity.ConclusionIn spite of a highly intensive and effective treatment, the frequency of anthracycline‐associated cardiomyopathy was low in the AML‐BFM studies. Pediatr Blood Cancer 2007;48:651–662. © 2006 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
MRI findings in Shwachman diamond syndrome
Authors: Ruggiero Antonio , Molinari Francesco , Coccia Paola , Attinà Giorgio , Maurizi Palma , Riccardi Riccardo , Bonomo Lorenzo 
Published: December 2006

AbstractShwachman Diamond Syndrome (SDS) is a rare congenital disorder characterized by pancreatic insufficiency, bone marrow dysfunction, and skeletal changes. Because of the heterogeneous clinical presentation and the limits of laboratory tests that assess pancreatic insufficiency, the diagnosis of SDS can be challenging. Pancreatic lipomatosis, a typical feature of this syndrome, is also difficult to assess by direct tissue sampling. In these circumstances, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) provides a readily available, noninvasive tool to evaluate the pancreatic fat content. We report a case of a 12‐month‐old male in which abdominal MRI was used to confirm the clinical diagnosis of SDS. Pediatr Blood Cancer 2008;50:352–354. © 2006 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Current awareness: Pharmacoepidemiology and drug safety
Authors:   John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Published: December 2006

AbstractIn order to keep subscribers up‐to‐date with the latest developments in their field, John Wiley & Sons are providing a current awareness service in each issue of the journal. The bibliography contains newly published material in the field of pharmacoepidemiology and drug safety. Each bibliography is divided into 20 sections: 1 Books, Reviews & Symposia; 2 General; 3 Anti‐infective Agents; 4 Cardiovascular System Agents; 5 CNS Depressive Agents; 6 Non‐steroidal Anti‐inflammatory Agents; 7 CNS Agents; 8 Anti‐neoplastic Agents; 9 Haematological Agents; 10 Neuroregulator‐Blocking Agents; 11 Dermatological Agents; 12 Immunosuppressive Agents; 13 Autonomic Agents; 14 Respiratory System Agents; 15 Neuromuscular Agents; 16 Reproductive System Agents; 17 Gastrointestinal System Agents; 18 Anti‐inflammatory Agents ‐ Steroidal; 19 Teratogens/fetal exposure; 20 Others. Within each section, articles are listed in alphabetical order with respect to author. If, in the preceding period, no publications are located relevant to any one of these headings, that section will be omitted.
Moisture absorption effects on the thermal and mechanical properties of wood flour/linseed oil resin composites
Authors: Mosiewicki Mirna A , Borrajo Julio , Aranguren Mirta I 
Published: December 2006

AbstractThe thermal and mechanical behavior of new natural polymeric composite materials after exposure to humid environments must be well known and understood in order to predict their performance in final applications. For this reason, composites made from unsaturated polyesters based on linseed oil and filled with wood flour were exposed to environments of different relative humidities and their final properties were measured. In general, the equilibrium moisture content increased as the wood flour percentage increased. Dynamic mechanical tests performed in temperature scan mode were carried out in order to monitor the changes resulting from moisture absorption on the main transition temperature of the matrix (Tα). The temperature of this transition decreased as the amount of absorbed water increased, but the effect was partially reversible by re‐drying the samples. The mechanical properties were also strongly affected by moisture. The flexural modulus and ultimate stress of the composites decreased after equilibration in humid environments. Copyright © 2006 Society of Chemical Industry
High‐pressure infrared absorption spectroscopy of poly(methyl methacrylate)
Authors: Emmons E. D. , Kraus R. G. , Duvvuri Srividya S. , Thompson J. S. , Covington A. M. 
Published: December 2006

AbstractHigh‐pressure Fourier‐transform infrared absorption spectroscopy was used to study poly(methyl methacrylate) in a diamond anvil cell at pressures up to ≈8 GPa. The positions of the vibrational modes were measured as a function of pressure. The data were analyzed to determine mode Grüneisen parameters and bond anharmonicities. The vibrational modes were analyzed using models that include both volume independent and dependent Grüneisen parameters, and the different models were compared. The vibrational frequency shifts as a function of pressure were found to be consistent with those measured for similar types of bonds in other molecules. This data may find applications where polymers are subjected to large pressures, including shock compression experiments. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part B: Polym Phys 45: 358–367, 2007
Poly(propylene isophthalate), poly(propylene succinate), and their random copolymers: Synthesis and thermal properties
Authors: Soccio M. , Finelli L. , Lotti N. , Gazzano M. , Munari A. 
Published: December 2006

AbstractPoly(propylene isophthalate) (PPI), poly(propylene succinate) (PPS), and poly(propylene isophthalate/succinate) (PPI‐PPS) random copolymers were synthesized and characterized in terms of chemical structure and molecular weight. The thermal behavior was examined by TGA and DSC. All the polymers showed a good thermal stability. At room temperature, they appeared as semicrystalline materials, except 20PPI‐PPS and 30PPI‐PPS: the main effect of copolymerization was a lowering in the amount of crystallinity and a decrease of Tm with respect to homopolymers. A crystalline phase of PPI and PPS was evidenced at high content of PI or PS units, respectively. Amorphous samples were obtained after melt quenching and an increment of Tg, with the increment of PI units, was observed. This behavior was explained as due to the presence of stiff phenylene groups. The Wood equation described well Tg‐composition data. Lastly, the presence of a rigid‐amorphous phase was evidenced in copolymers, differently from the two homopolymers. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part B: Polym Phys 45: 310–321, 2007.
Novel glycosylated [Lys7]‐dermorphin analogues: synthesis, biological activity and conformational investigations
Authors: Biondi Laura , Filira Fernando , Giannini Elisa , Gobbo Marina , Lattanzi Roberta , Negri Lucia , Rocchi Raniero 
Published: December 2006

AbstractSyntheses of the [Lys7]‐ and [Hyp6,Lys7]‐dermorphin analogues in which either Tyr5 or Hyp6 are O‐glucosylated are described. For comparison, the carbohydrate‐free peptides have also been prepared. Structural investigations by FT‐IR and CD measurements were carried out on the synthetic analogues and some preliminary pharmacological experiments were also performed.The biological potency of the glucosylated analogues was compared with that of the µ‐opioid receptor agonist dermorphin in GPI preparations. Glucosylation of either Tyr5 or Hyp6 reduces the potency of both [Lys7]‐dermorphin and [Hyp6,Lys7]‐dermorphin. The effect induced by the Tyr5 glucosylation is quite strong and the potency of both peptides is reduced by about 150 times. A similar but less dramatic effect is induced by the glucosylation of the Hyp6 residue, and the potency of the parent peptide is reduced by about 15 times. The presence of acetyl groups on the sugar hydroxyl functions further reduces the agonistic potency of the glucosylated analogues. The analgesic potency of [Hyp6,Lys7]‐, [Hyp(βGlc)6,Lys7]‐ and [Tyr(βGlc)5,Lys7]‐dermorphin were also tested in vivo by the tail‐flick test. The glucosylated hydroxyproline‐containing analogue is 8–10 times less active than the parent peptide, but its analgesic effect lasts significantly longer. Copyright © 2006 European Peptide Society and John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The virtuous cycle: incremental changes and a process‐based sustainable development
Authors: Newman Lenore 
Published: December 2006

AbstractSustainable development is a contested concept, but continues to be popular at all levels of organization. At the grassroots level, many groups are creating networks to address ecological and social issues associated with sustainable development. These groups do not always achieve their objectives as originally envisioned, but, as shown through the examination of a grassroots effort to create a pedestrian zone, a partial success can be an important step in the process of sustainable development. Such efforts can increase local social capital and thus the ability to address sustainable development issues, they can serve as educational examples that increase general knowledge of alternative development models and they can inspire similar efforts in other places. There is a need to document such grassroots sustainable development initiatives in order to provide templates for other interested groups. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd and ERP Environment.
Stabilities in field electron emissions from noble‐metal covered W nano‐tips: apex structure dependence
Authors: Itagaki T. , Rokuta E. , Kuo H.‐S. , Nomura K. , Ishikawa T. , Cho B.‐L. , Hwang I.‐S. , Tsong T. T. , Oshima C. 
Published: December 2006

AbstractWe observed field emission microscopy (FEM) patterns of noble‐metal (NM) covered W nano‐tips with three different apex structures fabricated by field evaporation. Each of the three tips was terminated with a single atom, three atoms or ten atoms. We investigated the temporal changes in the FEM of these tips to discuss the stabilities in the spatial distributions of the field emission (FE) beams. The single‐atom tip showed two characteristics that were superior to the others. First, the beams emitted from the single‐atom tip were the most collimated among the three tips (the semi‐cone angle of 1.0° , FWHM). Second, adsorption of residual gas had little influence on FE from the single‐atom tip, while the other tips were easily contaminated even at ultra high vacuum, resulting in the emission fluctuation. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Diversification and performance: evidence from East Asian firms
Authors: Chakrabarti Abhirup , Singh Kulwant , Mahmood Ishtiaq 
Published: December 2006

AbstractWe examine the impact of diversification on performance for firms operating in different institutional environments during a relatively stable period and during a major economy‐wide shock. We locate our study in six Asian countries at different levels of institutional development. Results indicate that diversification negatively impacts performance in more developed institutional environments while improving performance only in the least developed environments. Even in the least developed institutional environments, diversification offers limited benefits when an economy‐wide shock strikes. Though successful diversifiers are sometimes affiliated with business groups, diversification is associated with poorer performance for both affiliated firms and independent firms. In sum, we find that the outcomes of diversification are influenced by institutional environments, economic stability and affiliation with business groups. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Assessing risks and opportunities of technology infusion in system design
Authors: Smaling Rudolf , Weck Olivier de 
Published: December 2006

AbstractMost new technologies only deliver value once they are infused into a parent system. While the literature on innovation itself is abundant, there is a lack of understanding and methodology in terms of evaluating both the risks and opportunities of new technologies not in isolation, but in terms of their integration into a parent system in a wider regulatory and competitive context. This paper presents a technology infusion assessment methodology to quantify the potential performance benefits of new technologies using multiobjective Pareto analysis. Moreover, the costs of infusing new technologies are also considered using the concept of architectural invasiveness relative to a baseline system. The degree of invasiveness of different system architectures is related to the amount of design change required to accommodate the new technology. This is quantified with a component‐based change Design Structure Matrix (DSM). Risks and opportunities are quantified by evaluating the utility of future benefits and costs of a new technology against uncertain exogenous variables such as gains made by competing technologies and potential future regulatory actions. The technology infusion methodology is demonstrated for a hydrogen‐enhanced combustion engine, where the effects of integrating a plasma fuel reformer are quantified and discussed in terms of fuel economy, NOx emissions, and add‐on vehicle costs. The methodology is generally applicable to support quantitative analysis of technology infusion problems in system design. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Syst Eng 10: 1– 25, 2007
Measuring the Value of Flexibility in Space Systems: A Six‐Element Framework
Authors: Nilchiani Roshanak , Hastings Daniel E. 
Published: December 2006

AbstractFor many engineering systems, flexibility is an important attribute that allows them to adapt to emerging changes. The existence of flexibility can help space systems adapt themselves to internal/external changes, or even take advantage of new possibilities while in space. Given the potential upfront cost of designing an engineering system to be more flexible, there is a need for a comprehensive framework that allows decision‐makers to measure the value of flexible systems design in its different dimensions. Based on insights from the flexibility literature, this paper proposes a unified and comprehensive framework for measuring the value of flexibility in space systems based on six fundamental elements through which flexibility in engineering systems can be mapped. While the illustrative case study presented in this paper focuses on the value of flexibility in a space system, DARPA's Orbital Express program, this framework could generally be applicable for many other engineering systems. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Syst Eng 10: 26–44, 2007
Effect of metallised carbon content of collector strip on the wear of contact wire–collector strip pair in railway systems
Authors: Pizzigoni B. , Collina A. , Flapp B. , Melzi S. 
Published: December 2006

AbstractAmong the topics related to the interaction between the contact wire of the overhead line and the collector strip, the wear that takes place at the contact interface, depending on both electrical and mechanical quantities, represents an important aspect of maintenance costs, affecting the mean lifetime of collectors, in terms of travelled kilometers (in terms of tenth of thousands), and contact line duration, in terms of years (between 15 and 40). Due to its importance in the global maintenance of both rolling stock and infrastructure, this topic deserved the attention of several regulations in the last decade.In order to investigate the effects of electro‐mechanical wear on both contact wire and contact strip, a new test equipment has been designed and installed at Politecnico di Milano. A series of tests have been performed, involving different kinds of collector strip materials and contact conditions, tested at varying speeds and current intensities.This investigation concerned different collector strip configurations intended for 3kV D.C. lines. The combination of different contents of copper and metallised carbon in the collector has been found to influence the wear rate of both collector strip and contact wire. Differences in wear up to four times for the former and up to six times for the latter have been found depending on the composition of the collector. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Feedforward tracking control for non‐uniform Timoshenko beam models: combining differential flatness, modal analysis, and FEM
Authors: Becker J. , Meurer T. 
Published: December 2006

AbstractThis paper considers the feedforward tracking control problem for flexible structures with spatially varying geometrical and material parameters. The design approach is illustrated for a Timoshenko beam model and is based on the Riesz spectral properties of the system operator, which allow to determine the modal system representation. This serves as the starting point for the derivation of an infinite‐dimensional inverse system description in terms of a so‐called flat output parameterizing modal states and input. Convergence of the resulting parameterizations can be ensured by appropriate motion planning. The feedforward control design methodology is further complemented to compute appropriate control commands directly from finite element approximations of the considered structure. As a result, feedforward tracking control design for flexible structures with complex geometry, boundary conditions, or material parameters can be performed within a general framework. Simulation scenarios for feedforward boundary control of a clamped‐free Timoshenko beam model with variable system parameters illustrate the usefulness of the approach.
The arithmetic mean property for rotational symmetrical inclusions with rotational symmetrical eigenstrains
Authors: Xu B.X. , Wang M.Z. 
Published: December 2006

AbstractEshelby proved in 1957 that the strain field within a homogeneous ellipsoidal inclusion embedded in an infinite isotropic media is uniform, when the eigenstrain prescribed in the inclusion is uniform. This uniform strain field property was conjectured to hold exclusively for the ellipsoidally shaped inclusions. In recent studies the authors have discovered the arithmetic mean properties of the strains for N‐fold (N is greater than 2 but unequal to 4) rotational symmetrical inclusions with uniform eigenstrains, called the arithmetic mean theorem of the Eshelby tensors. In this paper, we investigate the two‐dimensional rotational symmetrical inclusions with rotational symmetrical eigenstrains. It is shown that for N‐fold (N is greater than 4) rotational symmetrical inclusions with the same fold rotational symmetrical eigenstrains which are constant on the boundary of the inclusion, the arithmetic mean of the strains at N rotational symmetrical points presents special properties: For the points outside the inclusion, the arithmetic mean vanishes; for the points inside the inclusion, the arithmetic mean is in direct proportion to the eigenstrain on the boundary of the inclusion, with the coefficient tensor equal to the Eshelby tensor for circular inclusions. It is followed that the average strain over the inclusion domain and the line average of strains along a concentric circle inside the inclusion also equal the eigenstrains on the boundary of the inclusion multiplied by the Eshelby tensor for circular inclusions. These properties obtained in this paper can be safely reduced to the results for uniform eigenstrains shown in our former works.
Serum concentrations of amino acids, fatty acids, lipoproteins, vitamins A and E, and minerals in apparently healthy, free‐ranging southern giraffe (Giraffa camelopardalis giraffe)
Authors: Schmidt Debra A. , Ball Ray L. , Grobler Douw , Ellersieck Mark R. , Griffin Mark E. , Citino Scott B. , Bush Mitchell 
Published: December 2006

AbstractThis pilot project began establishing a nutritional profile for free‐ranging giraffe. The results will be used as a tool to begin assessing the nutritional status of captive giraffe. In October 2004 serum samples were collected opportunistically from seven adult and 17 sub‐adult giraffe being anesthetized for different studies. Seventeen animals were from Double Drift Game Reserve and seven animals were from Kariega Private Game Reserve. The serum samples were analyzed for circulating concentrations of amino acids, fatty acids, lipoproteins, vitamins, and minerals. Information from 15 serum samples collected from anesthetized giraffe in Kruger National Park during April and August 2003 was included in the calcium and phosphorus concentration data. No significant differences were identified between genders. Significant differences between locations were identified for concentrations of certain amino acids, fatty acids, and lipoproteins. Differences between locations are likely due to different nutrient concentrations of foods and possibly the result of different animal densities forcing different food choices among locations. This pilot project may expand to include changes in circulating nutrient concentrations for free‐ranging giraffe as is influenced by other locations, seasonal food availability, and different giraffe subspecies. Zoo Biol 0:1–13, 2007. © 2006 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Is Nasogastric or Nasojejunal Decompression Necessary after Gastrectomy? A Prospective Randomized Trial
Authors: Carrère Nicolas , Seulin Patrick , Julio Charles Henri , Bloom Eric , Gouzi Jean‐Luc , Pradère Bernard 
Published: December 2006

AbstractBackgroundNasogastric decompression has been routinely used in most major abdominal operations to prevent the consequences of postoperative ileus. The aim of the present study was to assess the necessity for routine prophylactic nasogastric or nasojejunal decompression after gastrectomy.MethodsA prospective randomized trial included 84 patients undergoing elective partial or total gastrectomy. The patients were randomized to a group with a postoperative nasogastric or nasojejunal tube (Tube Group, n = 43) or to a group without a tube (No‐tube Group, n = 41). Gastrointestinal function, postoperative course, and complications were assessed.ResultsNo significant differences in postoperative mortality or morbidity, especially fistula or intra‐abdominal sepsis, were observed between the groups. Passage of flatus (P < 0.01) and start of oral intake (P < 0.01) were significantly delayed in the Tube Group. Duration of postoperative perfusion (P = 0.02) and length of hospital stay (P = 0.03) were also significantly longer in the Tube Group. Rates of nausea and vomiting were similar in the two groups. Moderate to severe discomfort caused by the tube was observed in 72% of patients in the Tube Group. Insertion of a nasogastric or nasojejunal tube was necessary in 5 patients in the No‐tube Group (12%).ConclusionsRoutine prophylactic postoperative nasogastric decompression is unnecessary after elective gastrectomy.