bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Testing objective measures of motor impairment in early Parkinson's disease: Feasibility study of an at‐home testing device
Authors: Goetz Christopher G. , Stebbins Glenn T. , Wolff David , DeLeeuw William , Bronte‐Stewart Helen , Elble Rodger , Hallett Mark , Nutt John , Ramig Lorraine , Sanger Terence , Wu Allan D. , Kraus Peter H. , Blasucci Lucia M. , Shamim Ejaz A. , Sethi Kapil D. , Spielman Jennifer , Kubota Ken , Grove Andrew S. , Dishman Eric , Taylor C. Barr 
Published: December 2008

AbstractWe tested the feasibility of a computer based at‐home testing device (AHTD) in early‐stage, unmedicated Parkinson's disease (PD) patients over 6 months. We measured compliance, technical reliability, and patient satisfaction to weekly assessments of tremor, small and large muscle bradykinesia, speech, reaction/movement times, and complex motor control. relative to the UPDRS motor score. The AHTD is a 6.5″ × 10″ computerized assessment battery. Data are stored on a USB memory stick and sent by internet to a central data repository as encrypted data packets. Although not designed or powered to measure change, the study collected data to observe patterns relative to UPDRS motor scores. Fifty‐two PD patients enrolled, and 50 completed the 6 month trial, 48 remaining without medication. Patients complied with 90.6% of weekly 30‐minute assessments, and 98.5% of data packets were successfully transmitted and decrypted. On a 100‐point scale, patient satisfaction with the program at study end was 87.2 (range: 80–100). UPDRS motor scores significantly worsened over 6 months, and trends for worsening over time occurred for alternating finger taps (P = 0.08), tremor (P = 0.06) and speech (P = 0.11). Change in tremor was a significant predictor of change in UPDRS (P = 0.047) and was detected in the first month of the study. This new computer‐based technology offers a feasible format for assessing PD‐related impairment from home. The high patient compliance and satisfaction suggest the feasibility of its incorporation into larger clinical trials, especially when travel is difficult and early changes or frequent data collection are considered important to document. © 2008 Movement Disorder Society
Immune‐mediated myositis in Crohn's disease
Authors: Shimoyama Takashi , Tamura Yohei , Sakamoto Tsuyoshi , Inoue Kiyoharu 
Published: December 2008

AbstractWe report a patient with uncontrolled Crohn's disease who presented with progressive weakness of proximal muscles and a marked elevation of serum creatine kinase. Muscle biopsy from the left deltoid exhibited myositic changes with inflammatory infiltrates in the perimysium, endomysium, and perivascular locations. Most were stained as CD68‐positive macrophages, whereas some were CD4‐ and CD8‐positive T lymphocytes. Due to uncontrolled bowel inflammation, several fistulae were found in the descending colon, and partial colectomy was performed. An examination of the resected colon exhibited inflammation of the bowel structure surrounded mainly by CD68‐positive macrophages. The histopathological findings of the descending colon were analogous to those of the muscle. After an increased dose of mesalazine and partial colectomy, her muscle symptoms improved. These findings suggest that the myositis in Crohn's disease is immune‐mediated and that treatment of bowel inflammation should be emphasized as opposed to steroid or other immunosuppressive therapy. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Muscle Nerve 39: 101–105, 2009
Coexistence of myasthenia gravis and serological markers of neurological autoimmunity in neuromyelitis optica
Authors: McKeon Andrew , Lennon Vanda A. , Jacob Anu , Matiello Marcelo , Lucchinetti Claudia F. , Kale Nilufer , Chan Koon H. , Weinshenker Brian G. , Apiwattinakul Metha , Wingerchuk Dean M. , Pittock Sean J. 
Published: December 2008

AbstractWe systematically evaluated the frequency of neurological disorders and muscle and neural autoantibodies in 177 patients with neuromyelitis optica (NMO) and in 250 control subjects (173 healthy; 77 multiple sclerosis, MS, patients). An excess of myasthenia gravis (MG, 2%), and muscle‐type acetylcholine receptor antibody (11%) was detected among NMO patients. The presence of neural or muscle autoantibodies was more common in NMO patients (34%) than in MS patients or healthy controls (7%), P < 0.0001. The coexistence of NMO and MG should be considered in atypical or refractory presentations of either disorder. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Muscle Nerve 39: 87–90, 2009
Single muscle fiber contractile properties in adults with muscular dystrophy treated with MYO‐029
Authors: Krivickas Lisa S. , Walsh Ronan , Amato Anthony A. 
Published: December 2008

AbstractMyostatin inhibitors are being investigated as treatments for myopathies. We assessed single muscle fiber contractile properties before and after 6 months of study drug in 6 patients with facioscapulohumeral, Becker, and limb‐girdle muscular dystrophy. Five of the patients received MYO‐029, a myostatin inhibitor, and 1 received placebo. The chemically skinned single muscle fiber preparation was used to measure single fiber force, specific force, maximum unloaded shortening velocity, power, and specific power in type I and IIa fibers from each subject. In 4 of 5 patients who received MYO‐029, improvement was seen in single muscle fiber contractile properties; thus, there may be a beneficial effect of myostatin inhibition on muscle physiology at the cellular level. No improvement was seen in the patient who received placebo. This finding may be clinically relevant in spite of the fact that quantitative muscle strength measurements in our patients did not improve. Further studies of myostatin inhibition as a treatment for muscular dystrophy are warranted, and single muscle fiber contractile studies are a useful assay for muscle function at the cellular level. Muscle Nerve 39: 3–9, 2009
Motor unit changes in thoracic paraspinal muscles in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis
Authors: de Carvalho Mamede , Pinto Susana , Swash Michael 
Published: December 2008

AbstractIn 38 amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) patients and 28 controls, we performed motor unit potential (MUP) analysis in the C‐6 and T‐5 paraspinal and biceps muscles. In ALS cases, we found similar abnormalities in MUPs in paraspinal and limb muscles. Fasciculation potentials (FPs) were more frequent in biceps than in paraspinal muscles, but fibrillation potentials and positive sharp waves (fibs‐sw) were equally frequent in all three muscles. These results confirm the value of paraspinal MUP analysis in the diagnosis of ALS. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Muscle Nerve 39: 83–86, 2009
Intrinsic laryngeal muscles are spared from degeneration in the dy3k/dy3k mouse model of congenital muscular dystrophy type 1A
Authors: Häger Mattias , Durbeej Madeleine 
Published: December 2008

AbstractDeficiency of laminin α2 chain leads to a severe form of congenital muscular dystrophy (MDC1A). Here, we analyzed whether the intrinsic laryngeal muscles (ILM) are spared in the dy3K/dy3K mouse model of complete laminin α2 chain absence. No muscle degeneration was evident; expression of various laminin chains was similar to that of limb muscles, and sustained integrin α7B expression was noted in laminin α2 chain‐deficient ILM. We conclude that ILM are spared in MDC1A. Muscle Nerve 39: 91–94, 2009
Piecewise constant level set method for structural topology optimization
Authors: Wei Peng , Wang Michael Yu 
Published: December 2008

AbstractIn this paper, a piecewise constant level set (PCLS) method is implemented to solve a structural shape and topology optimization problem. In the classical level set method, the geometrical boundary of the structure under optimization is represented by the zero level set of a continuous level set function, e.g. the signed distance function. Instead, in the PCLS approach the boundary is described by discontinuities of PCLS functions. The PCLS method is related to the phase‐field methods, and the topology optimization problem is defined as a minimization problem with piecewise constant constraints, without the need of solving the Hamilton–Jacobi equation. The result is not moving the boundaries during the iterative procedure. Thus, it offers some advantages in treating geometries, eliminating the reinitialization and naturally nucleating holes when needed. In the paper, the PCLS method is implemented with the additive operator splitting numerical scheme, and several numerical and procedural issues of the implementation are discussed. Examples of 2D structural topology optimization problem of minimum compliance design are presented, illustrating the effectiveness of the proposed method. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
On the application of generalized integral transform technique to wind‐induced vibrations on overhead conductors
Authors: Matt Carlos Frederico Trotta 
Published: December 2008

AbstractThe aim of the present paper is to describe the application of the generalized integral transform technique (GITT) for the theoretical analysis of wind‐induced vibrations on overhead conductors. In the mathematical model adopted, the complicated helicoidal geometry of the conductor is simplified by treating it as a homogeneous taut string simple supported at both ends. Solving the governing partial differential equation through the GITT approach, one derives purely analytical or analytical–numerical solutions for the conductor transverse displacement as a function of both position and time. In order to highlight the potential and flexibility of the GITT approach to account for realistic features of the phenomenon, three particular cases of practical interest are analyzed in detail, for which benchmark results are provided: (i) the damped‐free vibrations of the conductor; (ii) the harmonic‐forced vibrations of the conductor without and with Stockbridge dampers; and (iii) the forced vibrations of the conductor under a non‐linear wind excitation. The current results may be combined with previous analytical predictions to compute the conductor amplitudes and bending strains at critical locations. Although this work is focused on a taut string model for the conductor, the approach described herein may be easily extendable to the beam model. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Using a signed distance function for the simulation of metal forming processes: Formulation of the contact condition and mesh adaptation. From a Lagrangian approach to an Eulerian approach
Authors: Bruchon J. , Digonnet H. , Coupez T. 
Published: December 2008

AbstractThis paper proposes to use the metric properties of the distance function between two bodies in contact (or gap function) in simulations involving contact problems. First, the normal vectors, which are involved in the formulation of the contact condition, are defined through the gradient of this distance function. This definition avoids to deal with the numerical penetration parameter, which is generally introduced otherwise. Furthermore, it allows the contact problem to be extended in a simple way to an Eulerian formulation. Second, this paper investigates two mesh adaptation strategies based on the properties of the distance function. The first strategy consists in building a size map according to the values of this function, in order to refine locally the mesh, and consequently to improve the description of the contact surface. The second strategy consists in adapting locally the mesh to the geometry of the contact surface. This anisotropic adaptation is performed by constructing a metric map that allows the mesh size to be imposed in the direction of the distance function gradient. A lot of elements are saved when compared with the isotropic case. Throughout this paper, many numerical simulations are presented in the context of the forging process: the deformable material is pressed between two rigid tools. Furthermore, the algorithm used to calculate the signed distance to a surface mesh is detailed in appendix of this paper. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Gender comparisons of perceived benefits of and barriers to physical activity in middle school youth
Authors: Robbins Lorraine B. , Sikorskii Alla , Hamel Lauren M. , Wu Tsu‐Yin , Wilbur JoEllen 
Published: December 2008

AbstractPerceived benefits of and barriers to physical activity (PA) reported by 206 middle school boys and girls in a survey were compared. Only “take care of myself, stay in shape, and be healthier” emerged as a greater benefit for girls than boys. Among students not on a sports team, boys reported fewer barriers than girls. Among those selecting an active pursuit, boys perceived more barriers than girls. When controlling for sports team participation and perceived benefits and barriers, boys reported more minutes of vigorous PA than girls. As boys and girls reported relatively similar benefits of and barriers to PA, nurse counseling with both groups can focus on the same information. Effort is particularly needed to increase PA among girls. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Res Nurs Health 32:163–176, 2009
Single step synthesis of poly(3‐octylthiophene)/multi‐walled carbon nanotube composites and their characterizations
Authors: Kim Hee Jin , Koizhaiganova Raushan , Vasudevan T. , Sanjeeviraja C. , Lee Mu Sang 
Published: December 2008

AbstractThe transport properties of conducting polymers are known to be greatly influenced by the chemical unsaturation surrounding the polymer backbone, besides favorable conformation of the side chains present. Polymeric composites with multi‐walled carbon nanotubes (MWNT) can provide a good conductive path at relatively low carbon contents, as these have high aspect ratio, specific surfaces and are cost effective. Hence their use in various applications such as organic LED, solar cells and supercapacitors are very much anticipated. In this respect poly(3‐octylthiophene)/MWNT composites have been prepared by an “insitu” polymerization process in chloroform medium with FeCl3 oxidant at room temperature. The composites were characterized by Fourier Transfer Infrared spectroscopy (FT‐IR), Raman, work function and X‐ray diffraction (XRD) measurements. The results indicate only a weak π‐π interaction between the moieties, in the absence of a strong covalent bonding. The ultraviolet–visible (UV–Vis) measurements also support this view. The photoluminescence (PL) quenching indicates the effectiveness of the interface in the formation of the donor–acceptor type composite. The conductivity of the composites is followed by a four probe technique to understand the conduction mechanism. The Hall voltage measurement is followed to monitor carrier concentrations and mobilities. The impressive conductivity and mobility values encourage the utility of the composites as photovoltaic material. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Synthesis of sulfonated aromatic poly(ether amide)s and their application to proton exchange membrane fuel cells
Authors: Jo Tae Soo , Ozawa Coreen H. , Eagar Bryce R. , Brownell Lacie V. , Han Daehyun , Bae Chulsung 
Published: December 2008

AbstractA series of wholly aromatic sulfonated poly(ether amide)s (SPEAs) containing a sulfonic acid group on the dicarbonyl aromatic ring were prepared via a polycondensation reaction of sulfonated terephthalic acid (STA), terephthalic acid (TA), and aromatic diamine monomers. The degree of sulfonation was readily controlled by adjusting the monomer feed ratio of STA and TA in the polymerization process, and randomly sulfonated polymers with an ion exchange capacity (IEC) of 1.0–1.8 mequiv/g were prepared using this protocol. The chemical structures of randomly sulfonated polymers were characterized using NMR and FT‐IR spectroscopies. Gel permeation chromatography analysis of SPEAs indicated the formation of high‐molecular‐weight sulfonated polymer. Tough and flexible SPEA membranes were obtained from solution of N,N‐dimethylacetamide, and thermogravimetric analysis of these membranes showed a high degree of thermal stability. Compared with previously reported sulfonated aromatic polyamides, these new SPEAs showed a significantly lower water uptake of 10–30%. In proton conductivity measurements, ODA‐SPEA‐70 (IEC = 1.80 mequiv/g), which was obtained from polycondensation of 4,4′‐oxydianiline and 70 mol % STA, showed a comparable proton conductivity (105 mS/cm) to that of Nafion 117 at 80 °C. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 47: 485–496, 2009
ROMP‐NMP‐ATRP combination for the preparation of 3‐miktoarm star terpolymer via click chemistry
Authors: Gozgen Aziz , Dag Aydan , Durmaz Hakan , Sirkecioglu Okan , Hizal Gurkan , Tunca Umit 
Published: December 2008

AbstractA combination of ring opening metathesis polymerization (ROMP) and click chemistry approach is first time utilized in the preparation of 3‐miktoarm star terpolymer. The bromide end‐functionality of monotelechelic poly(N‐butyl oxanorbornene imide) (PNBONI‐Br) is first transformed to azide and then reacted with polystyrene‐b‐poly(methyl methacrylate) copolymer with alkyne at the junction point (PS‐b‐PMMA‐alkyne) via click chemistry strategy, producing PS‐PMMA‐PNBONI 3‐miktoarm star terpolymer. PNBONI‐Br was prepared by ROMP of N‐butyl oxanorbornene imide (NBONI) 1 in the presence of (Z)‐but‐2‐ene‐1,4‐diyl bis(2‐bromopropanoate) 2 as terminating agent. PS‐b‐PMMA‐alkyne copolymer was prepared successively via nitroxide‐mediated radical polymerization (NMP) of St and atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP) of MMA. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 47: 497–504, 2009
Disperse red 1 end capped oligoesters. Synthesis by noncatalyzed ring opening oligomerization and structural characterization
Authors: Peptu Cristian , Harabagiu Valeria , Simionescu Bogdan C. , Adamus Grazyna , Kowalczuk Marek , Nunzi Jean‐Michel 
Published: December 2008

AbstractThe synthesis of novel azofunctional oligoesters through bulk ring opening of ε‐caprolactone and D,L‐lactide (LA) at 100 and 130 °C, respectively, mediated by N‐ethyl‐N‐(2‐hydroxyethyl)‐4‐(4‐nitrophenylazo)aniline (Disperse Red 1) (DR1) is described. The synthetic procedure allows “clean” products because no catalysts were used in the reaction. Moreover, DR1 moiety is showed for the first time to promote the ring opening of cyclic esters. The molecular structure of the obtained oligoesters was established by NMR spectroscopy, MALDI ToF MS and electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (ESI MS). ESI‐MS/MS fragmentation experiments were used to demonstrate the nature of the chain end groups (hydroxyl and DR1). Intermolecular transesterification reactions were proved by mass spectrometry studies at least in the case of LA oligomerization. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 47: 534–547, 2009
Photoinduced unzipping depolymerization of poly(olefin sulfone)s possessing photobase generator and base amplifier
Authors: Sasaki Takeo , Yaguchi Hiroaki 
Published: December 2008

AbstractThe photoinduced depolymerization of poly(olefin sulfone)s was investigated. Poly(olefin sulfone)s possessing base‐amplifying groups were synthesized. A photobase‐generating compound was mixed with poly(olefin sulfone)s and irradiated with 254 nm UV light. The decomposition ratio was significantly enhanced in poly(olefin sulfone)s that possessed base‐amplifying groups. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 47: 602–613, 2009
Novel well‐defined glycopolymers synthesized via the reversible addition fragmentation chain transfer process in aqueous media
Authors: Deng Zhicheng , Ahmed Marya , Narain Ravin 
Published: December 2008

AbstractWe describe here the direct synthesis of novel gluconamidoalkyl methacrylamides by reacting D‐gluconolactone with aminoalkyl methacrylamides. The glycomonomers were then successfully polymerized via the reversible addition‐fragmentation chain transfer process (RAFT) using 4‐cyanopentanoic acid dithiobenzoate (CTP) as chain transfer agent and 4,4′‐azobis(4‐cyanovaleric acid) (ACVA) as the initiator in aqueous media. Well‐defined polymers were obtained as revealed by gel permeation chromatography. Diblock copolymers were then synthesized by the macro‐CTA approach. The cationic glycopolymers were subsequently used in the formation of nanostructures via the complexation with plasmid DNA. As noted by dynamic light scattering, monodisperse nanoparticles were obtained via the electrostatic interaction of the cationic glycopolymer with DNA. The sizes of the nanoparticles formed were found to be stable and independent of pH. In vitro cell viability studies of the glycopolymers were carried out using HELA cell lines. The RAFT synthesized glycopolymers and cationic glyco‐copolymers revealed to be nontoxic. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 47: 614–627, 2009
Synthesis of the four‐arm star‐block copolymer [PVC‐b‐PBA‐CH(CH3)COOCH2]4C by SET‐DTLRP initiated from a tetrafunctional initiator
Authors: Percec Virgil , Sienkowska Monika J. 
Published: December 2008

AbstractPentaerythritol tetrakis(2‐iodopropionate) was used as a tetrafunctional initiator for the Na2S2O4 catalyzed SET‐DTLRP of n‐butyl acrylate in water at room temperature. The resulting tetrafunctional poly(n‐butyl acrylate) macroinitiator with Mn = 14,864 or Mn = 3627 per arm was used to initiate the SET‐DTLRP of vinyl chloride and provide the first examples of four‐arm star‐block copolymers [PVC‐b‐PBA‐CH(CH3)COOCH2]4C. The Mn of the PVC segment from each arm of the four‐arm star‐block copolymer varied between 353 and 33,622. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 47: 628–634, 2009
Synthesis of α,ω‐di(iodo)PVC and of four‐arm star PVC with identical active chain ends by SET‐DTLRP of VC initiated with bifunctional and tetrafunctional initiators
Authors: Sienkowska Monika J. , Percec Virgil 
Published: December 2008

AbstractNa2S2O4‐catalyzed single‐electron transfer – degenerative chain transfer‐mediated living radical polymerization (SET‐DTLRP) of VC initiated with the bifunctional initiators 1,2‐bis(iodopropionyloxy)ethane, dimethyl 2,5‐diiodohexanedioate, and bis(2‐methoxyethyl)‐2,5‐diiodohexanedioate as well as the tetrafunctional initiator pentaerythritol tetrakis(2‐iodopropionate) is reported. This SET‐DTLRP was performed in water at ambient temperature in the presence of polyvinyl alcohol and hydroxypropyl methylcellulose surfactants and provides methods for the synthesis of α,ω‐di(iodo)PVC with two identical active chain ends and of four‐arm star PVC with four identical active chain ends. These difunctional and tetrafunctional derivatives of PVC are also macroinitiators for the synthesis of ABA triblock copolymers and four‐arm star block copolymers. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 47: 635–652, 2009