bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Autoimmune lymphoproliferative syndrome: A cause of chronic splenomegaly, lymphadenopathy, and cytopenias in children—report on diagnosis and management of five patients
Authors: Alvarado Carlos S. , Straus Stephen E. , Li Shiyong , Dale Janet K. , Mann Karen , Le Anh , Lauer Stephen J. 
Published: May 2004

AbstractAutoimmune lymphoproliferative syndrome (ALPS) usually manifests in early childhood with splenomegaly, lymphadenopathy, and cytopenias. In most patients, it results from mutations in genes that regulate lymphocyte apoptosis via the Fas pathway. Here, we report five children with ALPS. All five children had splenomegaly, cytopenias, and hypertriglyceridemia at presentation; four had lymphadenopathy. Mutations in the Fas receptor gene were demonstrated in three children. Clinical picture is variable: in only one child manifestations are severe enough to require immunosuppressive therapy. Diagnosis of ALPS can be challenging and increased awareness of the disease can result in more directed diagnostic approaches as well as earlier initiation of treatment. Pediatr Blood Cancer 2004;43:164–169. © 2004 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
In situ melt grafting in carbon black/polyolefin composites and its influence on conductive performance
Authors: Hou Yan Hui , Zhang Ming Qiu , Rong Min Zhi 
Published: May 2004

AbstractTo improve the conductive properties of carbon‐black‐filled low‐density polyethylene, in situ grafting of certain monomers was applied during the melt compounding process. The experimental data obtained demonstrated that chemical bonding could thus be established between the fillers and the matrix polymer. The degree of enhancement of the filler/matrix interfacial interactions in the composites prepared in this way depends on the species of the grafting monomers being employed. When compared with the untreated carbon black composites, the composites manufactured through in situ melt grafting exhibited reduced room temperature resistivities and greatly increased positive temperature coefficient intensities, as well as favorable performance reproducibility. This proposed technical route has several advantages, including simplicity, low cost and easy control. Copyright © 2004 Society of Chemical Industry
Effect of monomer sequence on miscibility in statistical copolymer blends and estimation of segmental χ parameters from their miscibility
Authors: Sato Tsukasa , Ikeda Masatoshi , Sugawara Akira 
Published: May 2004

AbstractMiscibility in statistical AB/AB copolymers was investigated from the viewpoint of the copolymer sequence effect based on the Balazs theory. The AB copolymers used were poly[(p‐chlorostyrene)‐co‐(hexyl methacrylate)], poly(styrene‐co‐HMA) and poly[(methyl methacrylate)‐co‐HMA]. Miscibility in the former two systems displayed deviation from the Flory–Huggins theory extended to statistical copolymers, and such behavior was interpreted as the sequence effect based on the Balazs theory. From calculations of the probabilities, Z, of interactions between triads, changes in Z for AAA/BBB, AAA/BBA, AAA/ABA, AAB/BBB and BAB/BBB were remarkable around the miscibility boundaries. In order to obtain insight into the miscibility behavior, we related the interaction parameters for the triads, i.e. χAAA/BBA = χAAA/ABA, χAAB/BBB = χBAB/BBB, and χAAB/BBA = χBAB/BBA = χAAB/ABA = χBAB/ABA. Using the above treatment, the χ parameters were estimated from the experimental miscibility data. Reproducibility in miscibility was good for all of the systems. In addition, the parameters were comparable to those obtained by using the Cantow–Schulz assumption. Copyright © 2004 Society of Chemical Industry
Azeotropy in terpolymerizations
Authors: Azab MM 
Published: May 2004

AbstractTernary copolymerization of tri‐n‐butyltin acrylate (BTA) with methyl acrylate (MA), methyl methacrylate (MMA), styrene (ST), acrylonitrile (AN) and N‐methacryloyloxytetrabromophthalimide (NMTP) was carried out in solution at 65 °C in the presence of azobisisobutyronitrile (AIBN) as a free radical initiator. Experimental terpolymerization data agree well with calculations based on the Alfrey–Goldfinger equation. The determination of unitary, binary and ternary azeotropes of the systems studied was easily handled by a computer program. Ternary azeotropic compositions for BTA‐NMTP‐ST and BTA‐NMTP‐AN were 71:8:21 and 25:25:50 mol%, respectively. Selective unitary and binary azeotropic compositions were polymerized and the 26:20:54 results obtained show good agreement between the theoretical and experimental terpolymer compositions for each case. Also, pseudo‐azeotropic regions were identified where the deviation between feed and polymer composition is very small. The azeotropic points of the four systems were confirmed using Turasov et al's equations and were found to have satisfactory results. Copyright © 2004 Society of Chemical Industry
Development of DSM's hybrane® hyperbranched polyesteramides
Authors: Froehling Peer 
Published: May 2004

AbstractThe development of DSM's Hybrane® hyperbranched poly(ester amides) is described. The monomer (1) for the hyperbranched polyester is obtained from the reaction of a cyclic anhydride with diisopropanol amine, yielding a tertiairy amide with one COOH and two OH groups. Polycondensation takes place via an oxazolinium intermediate in bulk at relatively mild conditions in the absence of catalyst. The reaction has been scaled up to ton scale. By varying and combining anhydrides, and modification with several types of end groups, a large variety of structures with concomitant properties and industrial applications has been realized. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 42: 3110–3115, 2004
Polypyrrole film with striped pattern
Authors: Watanabe Masashi , Hirai Toshihiro 
Published: May 2004

AbstractWe produced a stripe‐patterned surface using a polypyrrole film and a polyurethane elastic sheet. The pattern was obtained as follows. First, we drew the polyurethane sheet. The polypyrrole film was then formed onto the sheet that was kept drawn. After releasing the drawing, we obtained a stripe‐patterned surface made of the polypyrrole film. The elongation ratio of the sheet and the thickness of the polypyrrole film controlled the width and the depth of the stripe. The width obtained ranged from ca. 5 to 100 μm and the depth ranged from ca. 1 to 15 μm. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part B: Polym Phys 42: 2460–2466, 2004
Study of the photodegradation of epoxy polymers with slow positron annihilation spectroscopy
Authors: Zhang R. , Gu X. , Chen H. , Zhang J. , Li Y. , Nguyen T. , Sandreczki T. C. , Jean Y. C. 
Published: May 2004

AbstractThe photodegradation of an amine‐cured epoxy coating after exposure to accelerated UV‐340 and UV‐313 irradiation was investigated with an atomic‐level technique, positron annihilation spectroscopy (PAS), which detected and characterized the free volumes and defects as a function of the depth. Significant changes in the subnanometer defect parameters S and W were observed as a function of the exposure time near the surface. This was interpreted as due to a loss of the free volume and hole fraction resulting from photodegradation. A dead layer near the surface, resulting from UV irradiation from the surface up to a thickness of 0.4 μm, at which there was nearly no positronium formation, was observed. Correlations between physical defects from PAS in terms of the free volumes and chemical defects from electron spin resonance spectroscopy in terms of free radicals and chemical structural changes measured by ultraviolet–visible and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy were established. A high sensitivity of PAS for detecting the early stage of degradation, on the order of hours for UV‐313 and on the order of days for UV‐340 irradiation, was observed. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part B: Polym Phys 42: 2441–2459, 2004
Micromachining of FM/M/FM films using an active Q‐switched Nd:YAG laser
Authors: Ahn Seong Joon , Kim Jong Hae , Kim Dae‐Wook , Kim Ho Seob , Kim Young Chul , Ahn Seungjoon , Kim CheolGi 
Published: May 2004

AbstractWe have optimized the operation conditions of the laser for the patterning in the FM/M/FM multi‐layer, which can be readily used for the fabrication of the micro thin‐film inductor. A diode‐pumped Nd:YAG laser was actively Q‐switched in order to obtain a high power short pulse laser beam whose spatial mode was TEM00 mode. The measured pulse width was about 200 ns, its peak power was 25 kW, and the used pulse repetition rate was set to be 5 kHz. The optimal energy of a laser pulse was found to be 5 mJ and the focused beam with diameter of 5–10 μm was launched to the FM/M/FM multi‐layer. Due to the high intensity of the laser beam, the major interaction between laser beam and the material is vaporization rather than melting. The pattern formed by this vaporization process was very clear and had a line width as narrow as 20 μm. (© 2004 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Magnetic properties of CoFe/FeZr/CoFe multilayers
Authors: Jun Kyung‐In , Lee J. H. , Shin K‐H. , Rhie K. , Lee B. C. 
Published: May 2004

AbstractMagnetic multilayers with the CoFe/FeZr (t nm)/CoFe structure were investigated, where the FeZr layer was a paramagnetic amorphous metallic alloy. Separate magnetization reversal was observed for two CoFe layers when t ≥ 2.0 nm, while they were not magnetically separable for t < 2 nm. For all FeZr thicknesses, neither the GMR effect, nor interlayer exchange coupling through the paramagnetic FeZr was observed, but a negative AMR of 0.25% was observed. The wave vector mismatch at the interface is suggested for the main reason. (© 2004 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
The antimicrobial activity of essential oils of Hypericum scabrum, Hypericum scabroides and Hypericum triquetrifolium
Authors: Kızıl Göksel , Toker Zuhal , Özen Hasan Çetin , Aytekin Çetin 
Published: May 2004

AbstractThe essential oils of Hypericum scabrum, Hypericum scabroides and Hypericum triquetrifolium were studied for the ﬁrst time for their antimicrobial activity against nine organisms. All the essential oils exhibited some broad spectrum antibacterial activity, at a concentration of 80 µg/mL. The essential oils of Hypericum species showed antibacterial activity against the tested organisms and a yeast. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Standard operating procedures for clinical research personnel ‐ Part 20
Authors: Bohaychuk Wendy , Ball C.D. Graham 
Published: May 2004

AbstractThis is the twentieth in a series of articles containing proposals for wording and content of Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for clinical research activities conducted by sponsors and Contract Research Organisations (CROs). The procedures include those required by the International Conference on Harmonisation (ICH), the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), many other guidelines and regulations, and 'best practice' observed by the authors. The model forms require modification for actual use. In this article, SOPs are presented for management of safety events: definitions for assessing safety events and sources of safety information (SOP 601); recording and reporting adverse events (SOP 602). (The full text of all 101 SOPs is available from the authors.) Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The impact of new regulations on computerized systems in a GCP regulated environment
Authors: D'Incerti Gilda , Valsecchi Giulia M. 
Published: May 2004

AbstractApproaches to computer system validation have changed considerably over the past few years. Rules and guidance documents are now focusing mainly on electronic records management, transmission and maintenance (with emphasis on data integrity and security). Strategies for the implementation and validation of computerized systems need to consider the opportunity to use tools such as process mapping and risk analysis to support the validation effort. In particular, process mapping is useful during theô user requirement definition phase, while risk analysis has became a key tool when defining the scope of computer system validation. These considerations can extend to the e‐CRF system used for collecting clinical trial data through the web. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Establishing a GLP compliance program for non‐toxicology safety studies
Authors: Li Henry , Hawlk Susan , Renfrow Hilton , Hartwell Randy , Chao Shih‐Fong , Sharp Garreth , Pilkington Connie , Petteway Steve , Remington Kathryn , Pifat Dominique 
Published: May 2004

AbstractGood Laboratory Practices (GLP) were originally promulgated for regulating non‐clinical laboratory safety studies, specifically, toxicology studies. Since the introduction of GLPs, regulatory agencies worldwide have increasingly required additional types of safety studies, such as viral clearance studies for plasma‐derived and biotechnology products, to be performed in accordance with the principles of the GLP regulations.Establishment of a GLP compliance program for non‐toxicology safety studies, however, has many challenges. In a viral validation study, a bench‐scale model of a manufacturing step is developed and is used to evaluate virus clearance, and so, many GLP elements such as the definitions for test article and test system, are not directly applicable. In spite of these difficulties, GLP concepts can be implemented as much as possible to ensure the integrity of the study.A GLP compliance program, with application to a number of disciplines, including viral validation, was established at Bayer HealthCare Biological Products Division. Integral to the effort was a multi‐functional team comprised of members from the quality Assurance Unit (QAU) and different departments within Research and Development (R&D). The team is primarily responsible for preparing, reviewing, and harmonizing the Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) used in all regulated non‐clinical laboratory studies. Through the effective interactions between R&D and QAU, study participants gain essential knowledge and experience in GLPs. In addition to performing audits, the QAU plays an important role in the implementation of strategies for GLP compliance. As a result, significant progress has been made toward meeting the challenges of establishing a GLP compliance program for non‐toxicology safety studies. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Resolution of issues in clinical trials that sponsors entrusted to Contract Research Organizations in and outside Japan
Authors: Noda Yoshihiro , Alaya Fumiko , Watanabe Hideki , Suzuki Tomomi , Suzuki Koichi , Nishimura Nobuhiko , Miida Hitoshi , Takezawa Masayuki 
Published: May 2004

AbstractThe difficulties Japanese sponsors experienced with Contract Research Organizations (CROs) (including Site Management Organizations (SMOs)) inside and outside Japan were analyzed to explore preventive measures from the viewpoint of the Japanese sponsor's quality assurance. The results of the analysis were grouped into four major service categories: monitoring, data management (DM), clinical laboratories and phase I sites. Characteristic issues were found in each category and there was also an indication of difficulties related to the difference in the interpretation of International Conference on Harmonization (ICH) Good Clinical Practice (GCP) guidelines between Japan and other countries. The corrective and preventive measures formulated in response to these issues were also discussed. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
What's new?
Authors: Hattemer‐Apostel Rita 
Published: May 2004

AbstractThe What's New? section in the Quality Assurance Journal aims to draw attention to items of importance to QA professionals. There is usually a three‐month interval between final submission of manuscripts and distribution of the journal. For this issue, the entries in the What's New? section arise from the period of 1 December 2003 to 29 February 2004. If you feel that there is any other new information that should be brought to the attention of readers, please let us know by e‐mailing
rha@verdandi.ch. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Fragmentation of conjugated amides at the CC(O) bond in electrospray mass spectrometry: a proton‐bound dimeric intermediate identified by the kinetic method
Authors: Tu Ya‐Ping 
Published: May 2004

AbstractFragmentation of protonated amides in mass spectrometry at the CC(O) bond, which competes with the C(O)N bond cleavage, was observed when the amide group is conjugated with an unsaturated moiety. In the case of N‐methylbenzamides bearing different substituents, this reaction gives rise to protonated methyl isocyanate and protonated benzenes. The kinetic method was applied to this reaction in spite of the fact that this is a fragmentation of a molecular species (rather than proton‐bound dimers). A correlation is established between the intensities of the two product ions and the proton affinities (PAs) of the corresponding fragment molecules, which is similar to that when the kinetic method is used in the determination of PAs on proton‐bound dimers. This result provides strong evidence that the reaction proceeds via a proton‐bound methyl isocyanate/benzene complex intermediate. In addition, the PA of isocyanic acid, which is involved in the fragmentation of unsubstituted benzamide, is compared with that of benzene and a downward revised value, 175 kcal/mol, is recommended. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Investigation of chiral reactions: the structural detection of new hydrogenated isocinchona alkaloids from mixtures without isolation using electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry
Authors: Bartók Mihály , Kele Zoltán , Sutyinszki Mária , Bucsi Imre , Felföldi Károly 
Published: May 2004

AbstractThe reaction mixture for the hydrogenation of ethyl pyruvate on Pt‐alumina catalyst modified with isocinchona alkaloids (α‐ICN (I) and β‐ICN (II)) was studied by electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry (ESI‐MS/MS). It was established that part of the chiral modifiers themselves are converted into ions of m/z 299, 305 and 309 in the course of chiral hydrogenation. The experimental data allowed the determination of the probable structure of the ions mentioned. According to ESI‐MS/MS spectra the structure of the new cinchona alkaloids was assumed: tetrahydro‐isocinchonines (III–VI), decahydro‐isocinchonines (VII, VIII) and hydrogenated compounds of VII and VIII by scission of their CN and CO bonds (IX/1, IX/2, X). Fragmentation pathways are proposed for these new compounds. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Rapid screening of plasma volume expanders in urine using matrix‐assisted laser desorption/ionisation time‐of‐flight mass spectrometry
Authors: Gallego Ricardo Gutiérrez , Segura Jordi 
Published: May 2004

AbstractThe use of plasma volume expanders, especially those based on chemically modified polysaccharides such as hydroxyethyl starch, has found its way from the medical field to the athletic community in the everlasting drive for performance enhancement. As such, plasma volume expanders have been placed on the list of banned substances by the International Olympic Committee, and in turn require accurate and sensitive analytical tools for their detection in complex biological matrices. Here we present a relatively straightforward method for the detection of polysaccharide‐based plasma volume expanders (PVE) in urine, based on the carefully controlled partial acid hydrolysis of urine (20 μL) in a total volume of 500 μL 4 M trifluoroacetic acid. Following the incubation (30 min at 100°C) an aliquot of the hydrolysate is dried, re‐suspended in the analytical matrix (e.g. 2,5‐dihydroxybenzoic acid) and examined by matrix‐assisted laser desorption/ionisation time‐of‐flight mass spectrometry (MALDI‐TOFMS). The obtained mass spectrometric profile reveals a high number of characteristic peaks in the mass range between 500 and 3000 Da, a region that in urine samples devoid of PVE appears relatively clean, and thus allows the unambiguous identification of the presence of such PVE. This approach is fast (the mass profile can be obtained within 90 min), highly sensitive (the effective sample amount on the MALDI target is equivalent to 100 nL urine), needs little sample handling (four steps), requires no derivatisation and is devoid of interference from other biomolecules. The approach has been worked‐out for hydroxy ethyl starch but can be applied to other polymer‐derived plasma expanders such as dextran and probably the newly developed acetyl starch. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
A voronoi diagram‐visibility graph‐potential field compound algorithm for robot path planning
Authors: Masehian Ellips , Amin‐Naseri M. R. 
Published: May 2004

AbstractNumerous methods have been developed to solve the motion planning problem, among which the Voronoi diagram, visibility graph, and potential fields are well‐known techniques. In this paper, a new path planning algorithm is presented where these three methods are integrated for the first time in a single architecture. After constructing the generalized Voronoi diagram of C‐space, we introduce a novel procedure for its abstraction, producing apruned generalized Voronoi diagram. A broad freeway net is then developed through a new α‐MID(maximal inscribed discs) concept. A potential function is assigned to the net to form an obstacle‐free network of valleys. Afterwards we take advantage of a bidirectional search, where the visibility graph and potential field modules execute alternately from both start and goal configurations. Asteepest descent mildest ascentsearch technique is used for local planning and avoiding local minima. The algorithm provides a parametric tradeoff between safest and shortest paths and generally yields shorter paths than the Voronoi and potential field methods, and faster than the visibility graph. It also performs well in complicated environments. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Three‐dimensional map building for mobile robot navigation environments using a self‐organizing neural network
Authors: Kim Min Young , Cho Hyungsuck 
Published: May 2004

AbstractIn recent years, mobile robots have been required to become more and more autonomous in such a way that they are able to sense and recognize the three‐dimensional space in which they live or work. In this paper, we deal with such an environment map building problem from three‐dimensional sensing data for mobile robot navigation. In particular, the problem to be dealt with is how to extract and model obstacles which are not represented on the map but exist in the real environment, so that the map can be newly updated using the modeled obstacle information. To achieve this, we propose a three‐dimensional map building method, which is based on a self‐organizing neural network technique called “growing neural gas network.” Using the obstacle data acquired from the 3D data acquisition process of an active laser range finder, learning of the neural network is performed to generate a graphical structure that reflects the topology of the input space. For evaluation of the proposed method, a series of simulations and experiments are performed to build 3D maps of some given environments surrounding the robot. The usefulness and robustness of the proposed method are investigated and discussed in detail. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.