bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Clearance kinetics of hepatitis C virus under different antiviral therapies
Authors: Torre Francesco , Giusto Rosella , Grasso Alessandro , Brizzolara Renata , Campo Nadia , Sinelli Nicoletta , Balestra Vincenzo , Picciotto Antonino 
Published: August 2002

AbstractInterferon alpha (IFN) has been the standard treatment for hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection. Using the kinetic curves of viral clearance, this study compared three treatment regimes based on IFN alone or in combination with Amantadine or Ribavirin to determine the mechanisms of action and the most suitable way to use these drugs. The early clearance kinetics of HCV were studied in 22 patients with chronic hepatitis C under different antiviral treatments: IFN 3 MU daily (7 pts); IFN 3 MU daily plus Amantadine 200 mg (7 pts); and IFN 3 MU daily plus Ribavirin 1–1.2 gr (8 pts), for 6 months. HCV‐RNA was assessed qualitatively and quantitatively on serial samples. The HCV‐RNA decay curves suggested a different behaviour of viral clearance induced by the three treatments. While no significant differences were present in the first 6 hours, between 6 to 12 hours Ribavirin induced a rapid decline in the viral load. Amantadine seemed to accelerate it in the third phase (12 to 30 hours) and to provoke a more pronounced viral decline when compared to IFN alone (P < 0.05) or to IFN plus Ribavirin (P < 0.025) (baseline to 30 hours). Thus, while IFN remains the principal antiviral drug, Amantadine upholds the viral decline. Ribavirin, although synergistic with IFN, does not seem to improve the IFN effect during the earliest phase of treatment but probably supports the effects of IFN later on. A new dynamic approach to HCV treatment can therefore be developed. J. Med. Virol. 64:455–459, 2001. © 2001 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
The mortar edge element method on non‐matching grids for eddy current calculations in moving structures
Authors: Rapetti F. 
Published: August 2002

AbstractThe subject presented in this paper concerns the approximation of the eddy current problem in non‐stationary geometries with sliding interfaces. The physical system is supposed to be composed of two solid parts: a fixed one (stator) and a moving one (rotor) which slides in contact with the stator. We consider a two‐dimensional mathematical model based on the transverse electric formulation of the eddy currents problem in the time domain and the primary unknown is the electric field vector. The first‐order approximation of the problem that we propose here is based on the mortar element method combined with the edge element discretization in space and an implicit Euler scheme in time. Numerical results illustrate the accuracy of the method and allow to understand the influence of the rotor movement on the currents distribution. Copyright © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
High extracellular γ‐aminobutyric acid protects cultured neurons against damage induced by the accumulation of endogenous extracellular glutamate
Authors: Velasco Iván , Tapia Ricardo 
Published: August 2002

AbstractThe glutamate uptake inhibitor L‐trans‐2,4‐pyrrolidine‐dicarboxylate (PDC) induces glutamate accumulation and neuronal damage in cultured cells. We have used dissociated cortical cells in culture to study whether the toxicity induced by inhibiting glutamate uptake with PDC could be blocked by the simultaneous inhibition of γ‐aminobutyric acid (GABA) uptake, because both types of transporters are affected during an ischemic event. After 6 hr of exposure to 100 μM GABA or to four different GABA uptake inhibitors, the concentration of extracellular GABA was augmented from the basal 2 μM value to about 25 μM and 5 μM, respectively. These increases, however, did not result in protection against the neuronal damage induced by the accumulation of extracellular glutamate because of the simultaneous exposure to PDC. In contrast, when 100 μM GABA and an inhibitor of GABA uptake were added, after 6 hr the concentrations of GABA reached 50 μM, and neurons were protected from PDC‐induced toxicity. The addition of the GABAA and GABAB receptor agonists muscimol and baclofen also partially protected against PDC‐induced damage. The results suggest that the excitotoxic damage resulting from chronic gradual elevation of extracellular glutamate may be prevented by high concentrations of extracellular GABA, an effect mediated by activation of GABAA and GABAB receptors. © 2002 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Recent studies on the roles of antiglycosphingolipids in the pathogenesis of neurological disorders
Authors: Ariga Toshio , Miyatake Tadashi , Yu Robert K. 
Published: August 2002

AbstractEvidence is mounting to suggest a causal role of humoral immunity arising from antiglycosphingolipid (GSL) antibodies in a variety of neurological disorders. These disorders include the demyelinating and axonal forms of Guillain‐Barre syndrome, multifocal motor neuropathy, chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyradiculoneuropathy, and IgM paraproteinemia. Many claims have been made regarding other neurological disorders, which should be carefully scrutinized for their validity, based on several criteria proposed in this review. These criteria include 1) characterization of the causative antigens and immunoglobulins, 2) correlation of the pathological lesions and clinical manifestation of the antigens, 3) establishment of animal models using pure GSLs as the antigens, 4) immunopathogenic mechanisms of the neurodenerative process, 5) mechanisms for the malfunctioning of blood–nerve barrier and the ensuing leakage of circulating antibodies into peripheral nerve parenchyma, and 6) the roles of anti‐GSL antibodies that may cause humorally mediated nerve dysfunction and injury as well as interference with ion channel function at the node of Ranvier, where carbohydrate epitopes are located. Finally, the origin of the anti‐GSL antibodies is discussed in light of the recent circumstantial evidence pointing to a molecular mimicry mechanism with infectious agents. With a better understanding of the immunopathogenic mechanisms, it will then be possible to devise rational and effective diagnostic and therapeutic strategies for the treatment of these neurological disorders. J. Neurosci. Res. 65:363–370, 2001. © 2001 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Identification of a positive regulatory element in the myelin‐specific promoter of the PMP22 gene
Authors: Hai Mehreen , Bidichandani Sanjay I. , Patel Pragna I. 
Published: August 2002

AbstractOver‐ and under expression of the 22 kDa peripheral myelin protein (PMP22) results in dysmyelinating peripheral neuropathies, such as Charcot‐Marie‐Tooth disease type 1A (CMT1A) and hereditary neuropathy, with the liability to pressure palsies (HNPP). Expression of the PMP22 gene is driven by two alternative promoters, P1 and P2, with transcripts originating from P1 associated with peripheral nerve myelination by Schwann cells. Transient transfections of constructs containing P1 (3.5 kb) or P2 (2.5 kb) resulted in high levels of reporter gene expression in the RT4‐D6P2T schwannoma cell line. Serial deletions of P1 revealed that region P1‐A (–105 to –43), situated upstream of the minimal promoter, contained a positive regulatory element. The 62 bp P1‐A region conferred in cis a sevenfold increase in expression of luciferase driven by a heterologous promoter in an orientation‐dependent manner. Interspecies comparison of the P1‐A region revealed a 98% degree of identity between the human, mouse, and rat sequences. A prominent sequence‐dependent DNA–protein complex (C‐I) was detected in electrophoretic mobility shift assays with P1‐A using RT4‐D6P2T nuclear extract and was localized to a minimal 21 bp region within P1‐A. Site‐directed mutagenesis of this region revealed nucleotides at positions –46 to –43 as being necessary for formation of C‐I. Functional analysis of the mutated P1‐A element indicated that positions –46 and –45 were essential for transactivation mediated by this element. Characterization of the transacting factor(s) interacting with this key regulatory element will shed light on its role in regulating peripheral nerve myelination. J. Neurosci. Res. 65:508–519, 2001. © 2001 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
The analysis of El Niño and La Niña signals in streamflows of Turkey
Authors: Kahya Ercan , Çağatay Karabörk M. 
Published: August 2002

AbstractA group of earlier investigations has identified some specific regions over the world in which hydrometeorological surface parameters (i.e. precipitation and streamflow) appear to have consistent relationships with the extreme phases of the Southern Oscillation (SO). This paper examines a climatic link between the monthly streamflows in Turkey and the tropical El Niño and La Niña events using a large data set and comprehensive empirical methodology. Coherent and significant streamflow responses were detected in two core regions, namely the northwestern Anatolia (NWA) and the eastern Anatolia (EA). The areal extent of both regions with a defined seasonal signal for the case of each tropical event was determined. Some subregions whose indications are considered to be better than those for the whole core region were also isolated within the core region. In the Susurluk subregion identified in the NWA, the April–October seasonal positive streamflow anomalies were found to have a highly significant relation with the El Niño events. Although there is a possibility that the NWA region is influenced by the El Niño events, this was not confirmed by the hypergeometric test used to assign a significance level for the relationship. A similar analysis has shown that the La Niña events have no noticeable influences on streamflows in the NWA. For the EA region, above normal conditions have been observed during the April(0)–November(0) period and the May(0)–February(+) period for the El Niño and La Niña events, respectively. Moreover, the annual cycle analysis somewhat implies a modulation of regional streamflow in the core regions during the signal period. In some parts of the core regions, correlation results confirm these signals. The results of this study are discussed and are said to be in agreement with the most relevant previous studies concerning precipitation to understand complex global circulation dynamics. In conclusion, mid‐latitude streamflow responses to the extreme phases of SO are detectable over Turkey. Copyright © 2001 Royal Meteorological Society
The relationship between total quality management (TQM) and corporate strategy: the strategic impact of TQM
Authors: Leonard Denis , McAdam Rodney 
Published: August 2002

Abstract
This paper examines the relationship between Total Quality Management (TQM) and Corporate Strategy by investigating the strategic impact of TQM on organizations. There is a paucity of in‐depth research examining this complex relationship.
The research methodology is a grounded theory inductive approach involving nineteen case studies. In this approach the dialogue and storytelling within the research study enables key constraints and areas of interest in the TQM/Strategy discourse to emerge.
The key findings indicate that: (1) in many cases the bureaucratic/functional approach to strategy is paralleled in the approach to TQM; (2) a number of organizations had difficulty in identifying the ‘driving’ influences of TQM in relation to corporate strategy; (3) TQM is found to be a useful catalyst for developing corporate strategy; (4) some organizations were found to restrict their TQM efforts to operational levels rather than adopting Strategic Total Quality Management.
Copyright © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The effect of drying on black tea quality
Authors: Temple S J , Temple C M , Boxtel A J B van , Clifford M N 
Published: August 2002

AbstractDrying is an important part of tea manufacture, where enzyme reactions in earlier phases are terminated by heat and moisture loss, and new compounds are produced by the action of heat. This work is an attempt to quantify the temperatures required to produce the desired changes without damage through exposure to excess heat. Experiments were carried out giving already‐dried tea further heat exposure, drying tea from wet dhool in a thin layer, and drying a larger sample in a batch fluidized bed dryer. Temperatures in the range of 60–140 °C were used. Effects were monitored by commercial tasters, thin layer chromatography, reverse phase HPLC and size exclusion HPLC. Exposure to at least 80 °C was found to be necessary for quality development. For periods of less than 1 min, tea particle temperatures of up to 120 °C may be tolerated, but, in general, temperatures of 110 °C and above may be considered deleterious. Inlet air temperatures may be in excess of these values, but only while drying rates are high. The stewing phenomenon, cited by several authors, could not be found when drying times of less than 15 min were used.© 2001 Society of Chemical Industry
Physicochemical properties and application of pullulan edible films and coatings in fruit preservation
Authors: Diab Tony , Biliaderis Costas G , Gerasopoulos Dimitrios , Sfakiotakis Evangelos 
Published: August 2002

AbstractThe effects of water, sorbitol and a sucrose fatty acid ester (SE) on the water sorption behaviour and thermal and mechanical properties of pullulan‐based edible films as well as the physiological responses of fruit coated with pullulan have been studied. Incorporation of sorbitol or SE in pullulan films resulted in lower equilibrium moisture contents at low to intermediate water activities (aw), but much higher moisture contents at aw > 0.75; estimates of monolayer values (within 4.1–5.9 gH2O kg−1 solids) were given by application of the Brunauer–Emmett–Teller (BET) and Guggenheim–Anderson–DeBoer (GAB) models. A single glass–rubber transition (Tg), attributed to the polysaccharide component, was detected by calorimetry and dynamic mechanical thermal analysis (DMTA) at a sorbitol level of 15–30% DM. With both tests the strong plasticising action of water and polyol was evident in the thermal curves, and the Tg vs moisture content data were successfully fitted to the Gordon–Taylor empirical model. Multifrequency DMTA measurements provided estimates for the apparent activation energy of the glass transition in the range of ˜ 300–488 kJ mol−1. With large‐deformation mechanical testing, large decreases in Young's moduli (tensile and three‐point bend tests) were observed as a result of water‐ and/or polyol‐mediated glass‐to‐rubber transition of the polymeric films. In the moisture content range of 2–8%, increases in flexural modulus (E) and maximum stress (σmax) with small increases in moisture content were found for films made of pullulan or pullulan mixed with 15% DM sorbitol; a strong softening effect was observed when the water content exceeded this range. Addition of sorbitol increased the water vapour transmission rate of the films, whereas addition of SE had the opposite effect. Application of a pullulan/sorbitol/SE coating on strawberries resulted in large changes in internal fruit atmosphere composition which were beneficial for extending the shelf‐life of this fruit; the coated fruit showed much higher levels of CO2, a large reduction in internal O2, better firmness and colour retention and a reduced rate of weight loss. In contrast, similar studies on whole kiwifruits showed increased levels of internal ethylene, which caused acceleration of fruit ripening during storage.© 2001 Society of Chemical Industry
Chemometric analyses of ‘Golden Smoothee’ apples treated with two preharvest calcium spray strategies in the growing season
Authors: Benavides A , Recasens I , Casero T , Puy J 
Published: August 2002

AbstractChemometric techniques were used to analyse the effects of two preharvest calcium strategies applied to increase the calcium content and improve the quality of Golden Smoothee apples after prolonged storage in controlled atmosphere, ultralow‐oxygen (CA‐ULO; 1% O2, 2% CO2) conditions. In a two‐year study the strategies applied by sprays were started 10 and 60 days after full bloom (DAFB) with 10 and six calcium sprays respectively at 15 day intervals throughout the growing season. The most effective results for increasing the calcium content of the apples were attained when the calcium was applied from 60 DAFB with six sprays. Although the chamber effect and mainly the length of storage differentiate the fruits much more than the calcium spray strategies, the evaluation of the results suggests that calcium and firmness remain correlated for up to 4 months of cold storage under CA‐ULO conditions. The effect of calcium decreases with storage time. Titratable acidity and bitter pit incidence correlated negatively with calcium content in year 2. Comparison of the results obtained in the two years indicates that the relationship between calcium and the quality attributes depends not only on the calcium content per se, but also on other factors such as the nutritional status.© 2001 Society of Chemical Industry
The effectiveness of environmental interpretation at resource‐Sensitive tourism destinations
Authors: Kuo I‐Ling 
Published: August 2002

AbstractThe process of appropriate visitor management is an integral part of sound tourism management. Visitor management includes the development and implementation of rules and regulations with respect to visitor activity, which in turn provides the guidelines for visitors. On the other hand, it also aims to create enjoyable visitor experiences in the hope that visitors will appreciate the value of the site. Environmental interpretation in a resource‐sensitive tourism destination is considered to be an effective visitor management strategy that helps to encourage visitors to adopt more appropriate behaviour in order to sustain the development of tourism. This paper aims to examine the processes and purposes of visitor management and environmental interpretation, including relevant definitions and functions. The characteristics of visitor management and environmental interpretation, and how to increase their effectiveness, also are addressed. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Detailed combustion kinetics of cyclopentadiene studied in a shock‐tube
Authors: Burcat Alexander , Dvinyaninov Michael , Olchanski Erna 
Published: August 2002

AbstractMixtures of cyclopentadiene and oxygen diluted in argon were used to obtain ignition delay data in a single pulse shock‐tube. The temperatures ranged from 1278–2110 K and the experimental pressures were between 2.43 and 12.45 atm. The fuel concentrations ranged from 0.5 to 2.5% and the oxygen concentrations were between 3.3 and 16.6%. A Semenov ignition delay expression was determined:
τ = 10−12.5 exp(+34500/RT) [C5H6]0.06 [O2]−0.95 [Ar]0.29 sec
The concentrations are in mol/cc and the activation energy is in cal/mol. Gas‐chromatographic analyses were run on samples quenched before the ignition. The kinetics of combustion of cyclopentadiene was modeled with a full scheme containing 439 elementary reactions and a reduced scheme containing 125 reactions. Both ignition delay times and product distribution served as modeling targets. The mechanism of combustion of cyclopentadiene is discussed in connection to the combustion of aromatic fuels. © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Int J Chem Kinet 33: 491–508, 2001
Selective removal of residual composite from dental enamel surfaces using the third harmonic of a Q‐switched Nd:YAG laser
Authors: Alexander Robert , Xie John , Fried Daniel 
Published: August 2002

AbstractBackground and ObjectiveConventional methods of residual composite removal after the debonding of orthodontic brackets involve the use of abrasives that damage the underlying enamel. The objective of this study was to demonstrate that 355‐nm laser pulses with a pulse width of 10 ns are well suited for the removal of composite through selective laser ablation.Study Design/Materials and MethodsThe residual composite remaining on the surface of extracted human third molars and bovine incisors was removed using multiple laser pulses from the third harmonic (355‐nm) of a Q‐switched Nd:YAG laser.ResultsThere is selective ablation of composite from the enamel surface without any discernable damage to the underlying enamel.ConclusionThis study demonstrates that 355‐nm, 10 ns laser pulses can be used for the selective ablation of dental composite without thermal or mechanical damage to the underlying enamel. Lasers Surg. Med. 30:240‐245, 2002. © 2002 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Histologic evaluation of a millisecond Nd:YAG laser for hair removal
Authors: Goldberg David J. , Silapunt Sirunya 
Published: August 2002

AbstractBackgroundHirsutism and hypertrichosis are common problems. Laser‐assisted hair removal has recently become a popular method to remove unwanted hair. However, histologic changes of the hair follicle after exposure to laser continue to require further investigation.ObjectiveTo determine the thermal effect of a millisecond Nd:YAG hair removal laser.MethodsSix patients with black hair were treated with 50 msec pulsed Nd:YAG laser at fluences 30, 50 or 100 J/cm2. Histologic examinations were performed on each laser‐treated site at 24–72 hours after laser exposure.ResultsFluence–dependent selective thermal injury to follicles was seen. The average depth of acute laser injury at fluences 30, 50 and 100 J/cm2 were 1.06, 0.85 and 1.11 millimeters, respectively.ConclusionsLong‐pulsed millisecond Nd:YAG lasers produce selective thermal damage of hair follicles. Varied laser fluences used in this study did not statistically alter the degree of thermal injury. Lasers Surg. Med. 28:159–161, 2001. © 2001 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Are performance appraisals a bureaucratic exercise or can they be used to enhance sales‐force satisfaction and commitment?
Authors: Pettijohn Charles , Pettijohn Linda S. , Taylor Albert J. , Keillor Bruce D. 
Published: August 2002

AbstractIn some sales organizations the performance appraisal is treated as a bureaucratic exercise. As such, sales managers may essentially conduct appraisals in an arbitrary and perfunctory manner. This behavior could be based on the belief that conducting performance appraisals requires considerable amounts of time and effort, generates few rewards, and adds considerably to the manager's level of conflict and stress. The purpose of this research is to examine the relationships existing between performance appraisals, salesperson organizational commitment, and job satisfaction. If various characteristics of performance appraisals that build commitment and satisfaction could be identified, then managers may be more capable of using performance appraisals that yield positive results. A survey of 185 retail salespeople and 58 retail sales managers provided the data required to evaluate the relationship between satisfaction, commitment, and various aspects of performance appraisals. The results of the study indicate that managerially mediated factors may be used to enhance salesperson job satisfaction and organizational commitment. © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
A scale to measure the cognitive control form of perceived control: Construction and preliminary assessment
Authors: Faranda William T. 
Published: August 2002

AbstractThis article explores the notion that the evaluation process for services may include some variables not typically associated with the evaluation of physical goods. Evidence exists that enhanced perceptions of control may contribute to the pleasantness of service experiences. Although three forms of perceived control—behavioral, decisional, and cognitive—have been utilized as experimental manipulations of individuals' control, established measures exist for the first two forms only. Through two studies, this research develops a measure for perceived cognitive control and reports exploratory modeling with the construct within the disconfirmation paradigm and extensive tests of the measure's validation. The two‐dimensional scale evidences unidimensionality, strong internal consistency, and convergent and discriminant validity. Assessment of relationships between the perceived cognitive control scale and numerous, related constructs supports criterion‐related validity and nomological validity. © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.