bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Technical and clinical evaluation of anti‐ribosomal P protein immunoassays
Authors: Mahler M. , Kessenbrock K. , Raats J. , Fritzler M.J. 
Published: June 2004

AbstractAutoantibodies to the three ribosomal phospho (‐P) proteins P0, P1, P2, referred to as Rib‐P, are specifically found in 10–40% of patients with systemic lupus erythematosus. The variations in the observed frequency of these autoantibodies is related to a number of factors such as the test system used to detect the antibodies. Several immunoassays that were designed for research and diagnostic laboratory use have been developed. The autoantigens employed in these tests include native proteins, recombinant polypeptides, and synthetic peptides. In this study, we compared the technical and clinical accuracy of anti‐Rib‐P antibody assays from different commercial suppliers including ELISA systems and a novel addressable laser bead assay (from Euroimmun, MBL, Pharmacia Diagnostics, INOVA). Although the assays from all suppliers used in this study performed well in the technical part of the study, relatively poor correlations and significant differences in the clinical accuracy were found. Based on the results, we conclude that the detection of anti‐Rib‐P antibodies strongly depends on both the nature of the antigen and the detection system. We recommend that anti‐Rib‐P assays should be standardized on an international level. The Varelisa® Rib‐P profile and the addressable laser bead Rib‐P assays represent promising tools and platforms for the detection of anti‐Rib‐P antibodies in the future. J. Clin. Lab. Anal. 18:215‐223, 2004. © 2004 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
β‐trace protein, a new marker of GFR, may predict the early prognostic stages of patients with type 2 diabetic nephropathy
Authors: Kobata Mami , Shimizu Ayumi , Rinno Hisaki , Hamada Chieko , Maeda Kunimi , Fukui Mitsumine , Saito Kensuke , Horikoshi Satoshi , Tomino Yasuhiko 
Published: June 2004

AbstractThe relationship between serum levels of β‐trace protein (BTP) or serum creatinine (s‐Cr) and the prognostic stages of type 2 diabetic nephropathy was determined. Serum samples from 174 patients with type 2 diabetes were obtained from Juntendo University Hospital, Tokyo, and Juntendo Urayasu Hospital, Chiba, Japan. They were classified into four groups according to the Report of the Ministry of Health and Welfare of Japan (1991, p 251–256) as follows: Stage I (normoalbuminuric stage), Stage II (microalbuminuric stage), Stage IIIA (macroalbuminuric stage without renal dysfunction), Stage IIIB (macroalbuminuric stage with renal dysfunction), and Stage IV (renal failure stage). Among these patients, 68 were Stage I, 29 Stage II, 32 Stage IIIA, 17 Stage IIIB, and 28 Stage IV. Levels of serum BTP were measured using the nephelometric assay on a BNA II analyzer (Dade Behring Diagnostics, Marburg, Germany). The mean levels of serum BTP in Stage IIIA were significantly higher than those in Stage I or II (P<0.00001, P<0.002, respectively). However, the mean levels of s‐Cr in Stage IIIA were not significantly higher than that in Stage I or II. In conclusion, serum BTP was a good marker for the identification of early renal impairment in type 2 diabetes. J. Clin. Lab. Anal. 18:237–239, 2004. © 2004 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Immunoglobulin (Ig) M antibody against myelin associated glycoprotein (MAG): A comparison of methods
Authors: Jaskowski T.D. , Martins T.B. , Litwin C.M. , Hill H.R. 
Published: June 2004

AbstractThe presence of immunoglobulin (Ig)M antibody against myelin associated glycoprotein (MAG) has been associated with autoimmune demyelinating, sensorimotor neuropathies. Approximately 50% of patients with IgM paraproteinemia and associated peripheral neuropathy possess antibodies against MAG. These autoantibodies are thought to interfere with the process of myelination, myelin maintenance, or axon‐Schwann cell interaction. The detection of these autoantibodies is useful to the clinician and is suggestive of active demyelination in a peripheral neuropathy. Our objective in this study was to compare the results obtained using three different methods (dual enzyme immunoassay [EIA], immunofluorescent antibody [IFA] and Western blot [WB]) for detecting IgM antibody against MAG in patients suspected of having autoimmune demyelinating neuropathies. Since the dual EIA utilized two different antigens, results from this assay were separated into two groups: MAG and sulfate‐3‐glucuronyl paragloboside (SGPG). When compared to WB (gold standard), percent agreement, sensitivity, and specificity for EIA and IFA are as follows: MAG EIA (68.3, 100.0, and 60.6); SGPG EIA (95.1, 100.0, and 93.9); and myelin IFA (97.6, 100.0, and 97.0). The authors conclude that the SGPG EIA and myelin IFA compared well with the standard WB method when detecting IgM antibody against MAG (100 kD). Many sera demonstrated reactivity on the MAG EIA that were negative by WB (100 kD glycoprotein). The authors recommend screening for MAG IgM in suspected patient sera by SGPG EIA or myelin IFA and utilizing these same methods to titer sera confirmed positive by WB. J. Clin. Lab. Anal. 18:247–250, 2004. © 2004 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Decreased neurogenesis after cholinergic forebrain lesion in the adult rat
Authors: Cooper‐Kuhn Christiana M. , Winkler Jürgen , Kuhn H. Georg 
Published: June 2004

AbstractAdult neurogenesis has been shown to be regulated by a multitude of extracellular cues, including hormones, growth factors, and neurotransmitters. The cholinergic system of the basal forebrain is one of the key transmitter systems for learning and memory. Because adult neurogenesis has been implicated in cognitive performance, the present work aims at defining the role of cholinergic input for adult neurogenesis by using an immunotoxic lesion approach. The immunotoxin 192IgG‐saporin was infused into the lateral ventricle of adult rats to selectively lesion cholinergic neurons of the cholinergic basal forebrain (CBF), which project to the two main regions of adult neurogenesis: the dentate gyrus and the olfactory bulb. Five weeks after lesioning, neurogenesis, defined by the number of cells colocalized for bromodeoxyuridine (BrdU) and the neuronal nuclei marker NeuN, declined significantly in the granule cell layers of the dentate gyrus and olfactory bulb. Furthermore, immunotoxic lesions to the CBF led to increased numbers of apoptotic cells specifically in the subgranular zone, the progenitor region of the dentate gyrus, and within the periglomerular layer of the olfactory bulb. We propose that the cholinergic system plays a survival‐promoting role for neuronal progenitors and immature neurons within regions of adult neurogenesis, similar to effects observed previously during brain development. As a working hypothesis, neuronal loss within the CBF system leads not only to cognitive deficits but may also alter on a cellular level the functionality of the dentate gyrus, which in turn may aggravate cognitive deficits. © 2004 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Variability of the North Atlantic subtropical high and associations with tropical sea‐surface temperature
Authors: Hasanean H. M. 
Published: June 2004

AbstractBased on generated time series of the central pressure of the subtropical high, the behaviour of this atmospheric centre of action has been examined since 1950 with regard to the inter‐annual variations, persistence, linear trends, abrupt change, spectral analysis and interactions. The year‐to‐year variations in the central pressure of the subtropical high are considerable. The pronounced strengthening of the subtropical high during approximately the last 20 years is its most remarkable feature. Variations in the subtropical high's intensity seem to follow a cyclic pattern. Statistically significant abrupt onset events are found, with the majority occurring in winter. Increasing and decreasing episodes have occurred in the late 1960s and early 1980s. According to spectral analysis, it can be assumed that the centre of action of the subtropical high is characterized by non‐periodic behaviour. The peaks occur only at the lowest frequency. The quasi‐biennial oscillation may affect the subtropical high in the winter season, whereas the North Atlantic Ocean may affect the subtropical high in summer. There is no detectable connection between El Niño–southern oscillation and the subtropical high in either season. The subtropical high has been affected by sea‐surface temperatures of the north and south tropical Atlantic, with negative and positive signs respectively in the winter season. Interactions between the subtropical high and sea‐surface temperatures over the tropical Atlantic Ocean are absent in the summer season. Copyright © 2004 Royal Meteorological Society
Recent changes in rainfall and rainy days in Ethiopia
Authors: Seleshi Yilma , Zanke Ulrich 
Published: June 2004

AbstractChanges in annual, June–September and March–May rainfall and rainy days herein (defined as a day with rainfall greater than 1 mm) have been analysed based on 11 key stations located in different climatic zones of Ethiopia over the common period 1965–2002. The progressive Mann–Kendall trend test shows that there is no trend in the annual rainfall total, the seasonal rainfall total or rainy days over central, northern and northwestern Ethiopia in the period 1965–2002. In contrast, the annual and the June–September total rainfalls for the eastern (Jijiga, 137 mm/decade), southern (Negele, 119 mm/decade) and southwestern (Gore 257 mm/decade) stations show a significant decline since about 1982. Correlation analysis shows that the decline of rainfall in eastern, south and southwestern Ethiopia is caused by the corresponding persistent warming of the South Atlantic Ocean over the period approximately from 1986 to 2002. The sea‐surface temperature (SST) over the tropical eastern Pacific Ocean is not significantly correlated with the main rainfall of the semi‐arid lowland areas of eastern, southern, and southwestern Ethiopia, except at marginal zones in transition to the Ethiopian Highlands.June–September rainfall over the Ethiopian Highlands is positively correlated to the equatorial east Pacific sea‐level pressure and the southern oscillation index, and negatively correlated to SST over the tropical eastern Pacific Ocean as expected, confirming again that warm El Niño–southern oscillation episodes are associated with below‐average June–September rainfall over the Ethiopian Highlands. Copyright © 2004 Royal Meteorological Society
Health‐related quality of life in Huntington's disease: A comparison of two generic instruments, SF‐36 and SIP
Authors: Ho Aileen K. , Robbins Anna O.G. , Walters Stephen J. , Kaptoge Stephen , Sahakian Barbara J. , Barker Roger A. 
Published: June 2004

AbstractWhereas several clinical endpoints in monitoring the response to treatment in patients with Huntington's disease (HD) have been explored, there has been a paucity of research in the quality of life in such patients. The aim of this study was to validate the use of two generic health‐related quality of life instruments (the Short Form 36 health survey questionnaire [SF‐36] and the Sickness Impact Profile [SIP]) and to evaluate their psychometric properties. We found that both instruments demonstrated acceptable convergent validity and reliability for patients and carers. However, there was an advantage in using the SF‐36 because of its more robust construct validity and test–retest reliability; furthermore, motor symptoms appeared to influence some strictly nonmotor dimensions of the SIP. On a pragmatic level, the SF‐36 is shorter and quicker to administer and, therefore, easier for patients at various stages of the disease to complete. Thus, the SF‐36 would appear to be the recommended instrument of choice for patients with HD and their carers, although further work needs to be done to investigate the sensitivity of this instrument longitudinally. © 2004 Movement Disorder Society
Size effect on fracture energy induced by non‐locality
Authors: Jirásek M. , Rolshoven S. , Grassl P. 
Published: June 2004

AbstractExperimental results available in the literature indicate that the nominal fracture energy of concrete (defined as total work of fracture divided by the ligament area) depends on the size of the specimen. Theoretical modelling of the size effect on nominal fracture energy based on a non‐local constitutive model is attempted in this paper. The influence of various details of the integral‐type non‐local formulation, e.g. of the specific form of non‐local averaging in the vicinity of a physical boundary, is studied and a physical explanation is provided. The numerical results are compared to experimental data for notched compact tension specimens, and conclusions are drawn for individual formulations. It is shown that the best agreement with experimentally observed trends is achieved if the notch is modelled as a layer of completely damaged material. Fitting of the size effects on both strength and fracture energy permits a unique identification of the model parameters. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
A micromechanical approach to the strength criterion of Drucker‐Prager materials reinforced by rigid inclusions
Authors: Barthélémy Jean‐François , Dormieux Luc 
Published: June 2004

AbstractAt the microscopic scale, concrete can be considered as a frictional matrix (cement paste) surrounding rigid inclusions (aggregate or sand inclusions). The present paper proposes a theoretical approach to the strength criterion of such a composite material. It is shown that the macroscopic stress states on the yield surface can be obtained from the solution to non‐linear viscous problems defined on a representative volume element. The practical determination of the yield surface implements a non‐linear homogenization scheme based on the modified secant method. The role of the interface between the matrix and the inclusions is also investigated. Two extreme modellings are considered: perfect bonding and non‐frictional interfaces. In both cases, the method yields a macroscopic strength criterion of the Drucker–Prager type. The macroscopic friction angle is a function of that of the matrix and of the volume fraction of the inclusions. In the case of perfect bonding, the inclusions have a reinforcing effect. In contrast, this may not be true for a non‐frictional interface. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Double brittle‐to‐ductile transition in bending of fibre reinforced concrete beams with rebars
Authors: Carpinteri Alberto , Ferro Giuseppe , Ventura Giulio 
Published: June 2004

AbstractThe bridged crack model has been demonstrated to be an efficient numerical tool for investigating the behaviour of structural elements in bending. In the model, Linear Elastic Fracture Mechanics concepts are used to determine the equilibrium and the compatibility equations of a beam segment subjected to bending in presence of a mode I crack. Recently, the model has been extended to include the presence of closing stresses as a function of the crack opening in addition to steel reinforcement closing traction. This allows the characterization of the mechanical behaviour of fibre reinforced structural elements. Some new techniques, recently introduced for reducing significantly the computing time in presence of cohesive stresses, are presented in the paper and the model is extended by a criterion for detecting concrete crushing in compression. Some experimental results are commented in this light. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Boundary layer in shape optimization of convective fins using a meshfree approach
Authors: Bobaru Florin , Rachakonda Srinivas 
Published: June 2004

AbstractWe show how shape optimization of fin arrays for increased heat flux through the base under area constraint leads to non‐existence of optimal solutions. An additional constraint in terms of the boundary layer eliminates the apparent paradox. We consider a variable heat transfer coefficient and we use a fixed‐point iteration scheme to solve the resulting non‐linear boundary value problem for the steady‐state heat operator with temperature, flux, and convection boundary conditions. We propose a simple yet effective algorithm for evaluating the boundary layer constraint and eliminating the constraint violation. There are large shape changes between the initial and final design but no remeshing is required because we use a meshfree method that is not sensitive to shape distortion of integration cells as long as they remain convex. The resulting optimal unit cell is repeated by periodicity to produce the optimal fin array. The obtained shapes display similarities to shapes seen in natural systems governed by diffusion/convection and conduction processes. A length‐scale for the unit cell is naturally introduced by the non‐overlap condition imposed on the thermal boundary layer in the cooling ambient fluid. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Algebraic grid generation on trimmed parametric surface using non‐self‐overlapping planar Coons patch
Authors: Wang Charlie C. L. , Tang Kai 
Published: June 2004

AbstractUsing a Coons patch mapping to generate a structured grid in the parametric region of a trimmed surface can avoid the singularity of elliptic PDE methods when only C1 continuous boundary is given; the error of converting generic parametric C1 boundary curves into a specified representation form is also avoided. However, overlap may happen on some portions of the algebraically generated grid when a linear or naïve cubic blending function is used in the mapping; this severely limits its usage in most of engineering and scientific applications where a grid system of non‐self‐overlapping is strictly required. To solve the problem, non‐trivial blending functions in a Coons patch mapping should be determined adaptively by the given boundary so that self‐overlapping can be averted. We address the adaptive determination problem by a functional optimization method. The governing equation of the optimization is derived by adding a virtual dimension in the parametric space of the given trimmed surface. Both one‐ and two‐parameter blending functions are studied. To resolve the difficulty of guessing good initial blending functions for the conjugate gradient method used, a progressive optimization algorithm is then proposed which has been shown to be very effective in a variety of practical examples. Also, an extension is added to the objective function to control the element shape. Finally, experiment results are shown to illustrate the usefulness and effectiveness of the presented method. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Mesh‐free simulation of ductile fracture
Authors: Simonsen Bo Cerup , Li Shaofan 
Published: June 2004

AbstractThis paper is concerned with mesh‐free simulations of crack growth in ductile materials, which is a major technical difficulty in computational mechanics. The so‐called reproducing kernel particle method, which is a member of the mesh‐free method family, is used together with the Gurson–Tvergaard–Needleman constitutive model for simulation of ductile fracture. A study has been carried out to compare the proposed mesh‐free simulation with the available experimental results and previous finite element simulations for crack propagation in a three‐point‐bending steel specimen. The results show that the mesh‐free simulation agrees well with experimental results, and it is confirmed that the proposed method provides a convenient and yet accurate means for simulation of ductile fracture. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
A novel technique for determination of histories of SIF distributions along 3D crack fronts of a body subjected to thermal shock
Authors: Lu Yan‐Lin , Huang Xian‐Ping , Lu Cong‐Da , Weng Xiao‐Hong 
Published: June 2004

AbstractThe thermal weight function (TWF) is dependent only on the crack configuration and body geometry, and is independent of temperature fields. TWF is independent of time during thermal shock, so the whole variation of transient stress intensity factors (SIFs) can be directly calculated through integration of products of TWF and transient temperatures and temperature gradients. The basic equation for the 3D TWF method for Mode I is derived. Then a novel technique, referred to as the multiple virtual crack extension (MVCE) technique, is proposed to solve the basic equations in the 3D TWF method. The specially selected linearly independent VCE modes are directly used as shape functions for the interpolation of unknown SIFs. The coefficient matrix of the final system of equations is a triple‐diagonal matrix and the values of the coefficients on the main diagonal are usually large. The system of equations has good numerical properties. The number of linearly independent VCE modes which can be introduced in a problem is unlimited. The complex situations that the SIFs vary dramatically along the crack fronts can be numerically well simulated by the MVCE technique. Examples show that the scheme is of very high efficiency and of good accuracy. The results show that the histories of SIF distributions along 3D crack fronts are very complex. In order to understand the behaviour of 3D cracks correctly it should be calculated in detail. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Faunal Exploitation during the Middle Palaeolithic in south‐eastern France and north‐western Italy
Authors: Valensi Patricia , Psathi Eleni 
Published: June 2004

AbstractSix Middle Palaeolithic sites (Lazaret, Madonna dell'Arma, Caverna delle Fate, Arma delle Manie, Santa Lucia Superiore and San Francesco), dated from Oxygen Isotopic Stages 6 to 3 (OIS 6 to 3), have been studied from a zooarchaeological and palaeoecological point of view. The sites have yielded faunal assemblages rich in cervids, generally dominated by Cervus elaphus. The frequency of other ungulate taxa is inextricably linked to the topography of each site, as well as to climatic and environmental conditions. Taphonomic analysis indicates that humans were the main agents of accumulation of the large mammal remains. Mortality and seasonality data show various patterns of age distribution of the ungulate species, and suggest that there is no relation between the occupation season of these sites and the hunting of a particular species. The dominance of red deer can be explained by their natural abundance and by their high rendering in terms of hunting transport, meat quantity, and other useful materials like skins, tendons, and soon. Neanderthal subsistence strategies do not show any evolution in the studied area during the period of Oxygen Isotopic Stages 6 to 3. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.