bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
A monolithic smoothing‐gap algorithm for contact‐impact based on the signed distance function
Authors: Belytschko T. , Daniel W. J. T. , Ventura G. 
Published: August 2002

AbstractA new algorithm has been developed for smoothing the surfaces in finite element formulations of contact‐impact. A key feature of this method is that the smoothing is done implicitly by constructing smooth signed distance functions for the bodies. These functions are then employed for the computation of the gap and other variables needed for implementation of contact‐impact. The smoothed signed distance functions are constructed by a moving least‐squares approximation with a polynomial basis. Results show that when nodes are placed on a surface, the surface can be reproduced with an error of about one per cent or less with either a quadratic or a linear basis. With a quadratic basis, the method exactly reproduces a circle or a sphere even for coarse meshes. Results are presented for contact problems involving the contact of circular bodies. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
How Quality Award‐Winning Governments Handle Customer Service
Authors: Kline James J. 
Published: August 2002

AbstractRecognizing that customer service is becoming an increasingly important function of government, quality award‐winning governments, at all levels and around the world, are not only seeking customer feedback, but are incorporating customer satisfaction measures into their strategic plans. Thus, they are setting customer standards that are evaluated regularly, benchmarking customer service procedures against the best in business, and including customer service training, benchmarking, and customer satisfaction performance measures in labor contracts. This article, which examined the customer service practices of quality award‐winning governments at the federal, state, and local level in the United Kingdom, United States, and Australia, demonstrates the worldwide nature of the quality improvement and customer satisfaction effort. © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Galectin‐3 is differentially expressed during peripheral nerve development: Dependence on the Schwann cell phenotype
Authors: Pesheva Penka , Nellen Joerg , Biersack Hans‐Juergen , Probstmeier Ranier 
Published: August 2002

AbstractWhereas the animal lectin galectin‐3 is only barely detectable in the adult sciatic nerve, its expression level is substantially upregulated in the damaged nerve (1). In the present study, we demonstrate that in the mouse, the expression of galectin‐3 increases during normal peripheral nerve development and is further potentiated in the adult sciatic nerve under conditions of in vitro degeneration. In cell cultures derived from neonatal sciatic nerve galectin‐3 is expressed by about 50% of L1‐positive Schwann cells. Comparable results were obtained for cultured late immature Schwann cells derived from hindlimbs of 17.5‐day‐old mouse embryos. In cell cultures derived from hindlimbs of 14‐day‐old embryos, by contrast, only about 5% of the L1‐positive early immature Schwann cells expressed galectin‐3. Our findings demonstrate that the upregulation of galectin‐3 expression by activated adult Schwann cells is not a part of a dedifferentiation program, but rather attributes to a phenotype specific for injury‐activated Schwann cells.
Extension of high‐order compact schemes to time‐dependent problems
Authors: Spotz W. F. , Carey G. F. 
Published: August 2002

AbstractIn this article, we present an extension of our previous approaches for steady‐state higher‐order compact (HOC) difference methods to time‐dependent problems. The formulation also provides a framework for similar treatment of other HOC spatial schemes. A stability analysis is provided for transient convection‐diffusion in 1D and transient diffusion in 2D. Supporting numerical experiments are included to illustrate stability and accuracy as well as oscillatory and dissipative behavior. © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Numer Methods Partial Differential Eq 17: 657–672, 2001
Solomon Islands: blending traditional power and modern structures in the state
Authors: Turnbull Jane 
Published: August 2002

AbstractBy mid‐2001, the Solomon Islands government was on the edge of bankruptcy after two years of unrest on Guadalcanal. Solomon Islanders' hopes that the national government can improve their living standards have been dashed, only 23 years after British colonial rule ended on these South‐West Pacific islands. The reasons for the state's limited capacity to facilitate development extend much further than the financial crisis, as a comparison between power relations typically institutionalized in Western liberal democratic states and those institutionalized in the Solomons state shows. The Solomons state is a syncretism of traditional political practices and modern structures. Many of these traditional practices are impeding development. Recent neo‐liberal reforms championed by the previous government, the Asian Development Bank and other aid agencies did little to address these practices and were terminated in the unrest in 2000. If the state is to improve the living standards of ordinary Solomon Islanders, changes in structure, such as the state governments being established following the Townsville Peace Agreement, are not the sole answer. There also need to be changes in the political practices of both officials and politicians at national and local level. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
What determines the value of life? a meta‐analysis
Authors: Mrozek Janusz R. , Taylor Laura O. 
Published: August 2002

AbstractA large literature has developed in which labor market contracts are used to estimate the value of a
statistical life (VSL). Reported estimates of the VSL vary substantially, from less than $100,000
to more than $25 million. This research uses meta‐analysis to quantitatively assess the VSL
literature. Results from existing studies are pooled to identify the systematic relationships between VSL
estimates and each study's particular features, such as the sample composition and research methods. This
meta‐analysis suggests that a VSL range of approximately $1.5 million to $2.5 million
(in 1998 dollars) is what can be reasonably inferred from past labor‐market studies when
“best practice” assumptions are invoked. This range is considerably below many previous qualitative
reviews of this literature. © 2002 by the Association for Public Policy Analysis and Management.
Chemical and electrochemical synthesis of homopolymer and copolymers of 3‐methoxyethoxythiophene with aniline, thiophene and pyrrole for studies of their gas and vapour sensing
Authors: Hosseini S. Hossein , Entezami Ali A. 
Published: August 2002

AbstractHerein we report chemical and electrochemical formation of poly(3‐methoxyethoxythiophene) and its copolymers with aniline, thiophene and pyrrole which give highly conducting polymeric materials. These are soluble in common organic solvents in the conducting state. The response mechanism of these compounds, to a selection of gases and vapours, was investigated using two techniques: measurement of conductance and mass changes using a four probe method and X‐ray fluorescence (XRF) device, respectively. Prepared films were exposed to hydrogen halides, hydrogen cyanide, halogens, monochloroacetic acid (MCAA), 1‐3‐5 trichloromethylbenzene (TCMB), methylbenzyl bromide (MBB), bromoacetone (BA) and cyanogen bromide (CB). These gas sensors may have advantages compared to other sensors in their ability to operate at room temperature, low concentration, stability in air, sufficient diffusion and their selectivity. Copyright © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Polymerization of anilinium–DBSA in the presence of clay particles: kinetics and formation of core‐shell structures
Authors: Jia W. , Segal E. , Narkis M. , Siegmann A. 
Published: August 2002

AbstractThis paper is an extension of previous work on polymerization of anilinium–DBSA (dodecylbenzenesulfonic acid) in an aqueous dispersion in the presence of mica or talc silicate particles. The presence of mica or talc particles greatly accelerates the polymerization process of anilinium‐DBSA and an encapsulated structure is formed as well. The catalytic effect of various metallic cations which exist in the chemical compositions of mica or talc on the polymerization kinetics of anilinium‐DBSA was investigated. The conductivity results along with microscopy observations prove a well formed encapsulated structure for the polyaniline/mica composites, but less for the polyaniline/talc composites. The anilinium‐DBSA complex and mica aqueous dispersions pretreated at different temperatures prior to polymerization have shown a significant effect on the polymerization rate of anilinium‐DBSA. The higher the dispersion temperature, the higher is the polymerization rate found. Copyright © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Protecting polymers in suspension of metal nanoparticles
Authors: Hirai Hidefumi , Yakura Noboru 
Published: August 2002

AbstractPoly(N‐vinyl‐2‐pyrrolidone) (PVP) was chosen as a protecting polymer for its large protective value among homopolymers. Suspensions of palladium (Pd) nanoparticles were prepared by refluxing solutions of palladium(II) chloride and PVP in methanol. The mean diameter of Pd nanoparticles without adsorbed layer of PVP was controlled in the range 1.1–2.5 nm. The concentration of free PVP in the methanol suspension was determined by using aminoethylated poly(acrylamide) gel beads which adsorbed selectively the PVP‐protected Pd nanoparticles. The amount of PVP adsorbed on Pd nanoparticles increased linearly with the 0.45 power of weight‐averaged molecular weight (Mw) of PVP. The thickness of adsorbed layer of PVP was estimated from the sedimentation coefficient of the PVP‐protected Pd nanoparticles. The adsorbed layer thickness increased linearly with the 0.55 power of Mw of PVP. The radius gyration of free PVP in methanol increased linearly also with the 0.55 power of Mw of PVP. The catalytic activity of the suspension of Pd nanoparticles was determined in the hydrogenation of 1,3‐cyclooctadiene. The activity depended more effectively on the specific surface area of Pd nanoparticles than the adsorbed layer thickness. On the basis of these results, the conformation of protecting PVP molecule on the surface of Pd nanoparticles was proposed. Copyright © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
NG2/HMPG modulation of human articular chondrocyte adhesion to type VI collagen is lost in osteoarthritis
Authors: Midwood Kim S. , Salter Donald M. 
Published: August 2002

AbstractNG2/human melanoma proteoglycan (HMPG) is a chondroitin sulphate proteoglycan (CSPG), expressed by chondrocytes in fetal and in normal and osteoarthritic (OA) adult articular cartilage. NG2/HMPG is a receptor for extracellular matrix proteins, including type VI collagen, and regulates β1 integrin binding to fibronectin. This study was undertaken to identify whether NG2/HMPG had similar activities in human articular chondrocytes (HACs). Normal and OA adult HAC adhesion to fibronectin, type II or type VI collagen was assessed using a methylene blue assay. The requirement for integrins, NG2/HMPG, and integrin‐associated signalling molecules was investigated using anti‐β1 integrin and anti‐HMPG antibodies and pharmacological inhibitors of signalling molecules. The adhesion of normal and OA HACs to fibronectin, type II and type VI collagen was β1 integrin‐dependent. Normal HAC adhesion to type VI collagen was stimulated by anti‐HMPG antibodies. This effect was inhibited by pertussis toxin. Anti‐HMPG antibodies had no effect on OA chondrocyte adhesion to type VI collagen, or on normal and OA cell adhesion to fibronectin and type II collagen. The results show that NG2/HMPG modulates integrin‐mediated interactions of normal HACs with type VI collagen. Loss of this activity may be of importance in the progression of osteoarthritis. Copyright © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Barley polyamine oxidase: characterisation and analysis of the cofactor and the N‐terminal amino acid sequence
Authors: Radová Anna , Šebela Marek , Galuszka Petr , Frébort Ivo , Jacobsen Susanne , Faulhammer Heinz G. , Peč Pavel 
Published: August 2002

AbstractThis paper reports the first purification method developed for the isolation of an homogeneous polyamine oxidase (PAO) from etiolated barley seedlings. The crude enzyme preparation was obtained after initial precipitation of the extract with protamine sulphate and ammonium sulphate. The enzyme was further purified to a final homogeneity (by the criteria of isoelectric focusing and SDS–PAGE) using techniques of low pressure chromatography followed by two FPLC steps. The purified yellow enzyme showed visible absorption maxima of a flavoprotein at 380 and 450 nm: the presence of FAD as the cofactor was further confirmed by measuring the fluorescence spectra. Barley PAO is an acidic protein (pI 5.4) containing 3% of neutral sugars: its molecular mass determined by SDS–PAGE was 56 kDa, whilst gel permeation chromatography revealed the higher value of 76 kDa. The N‐terminal amino acid sequence of barley PAO shows a high degree of similarity to that of maize PAO and to several other flavoprotein oxidases. The polyamines spermine and spermidine were the only two substrates of the enzyme with Km values 4 × 10−5 and 3 × 10−5 M and pH optima of 5.0 and 6.0, respectively. Barley polyamine oxidase is markedly inhibited by acridine dyes and hydrazines. Weak inhibition was observed with substrate analogues, aminoaldehydes, metal chelating agents and several other compounds. Copyright © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Studies towards the detection and identification of sesquiterpene pyridine alkaloids in Peritassa campestris by mass spectrometry
Authors: Rodrigues‐Fo Edson , Barros Fábio A. P. , Fernandes João B. , Silva M. Fátima das G. F. da 
Published: August 2002

AbstractSesquiterpene pyridine alkaloids were analysed in Peritassa campestris by mass spectrometric techniques such as ESI‐MSMS and GCMS. Ten alkaloids previously isolated from this plant and fully identified by other physical methods, including NMR spectroscopy and X‐ray diffraction, were carefully studied by MS. It was observed that the low mass ions detected at m/z 178 and 206 in both MS techniques tested were characteristic of evoninic and wilfordic acids, which are part of the macrolactone in these sesquiterpene alkaloids. The intensity of a fragment ion detected at m/z 93 in CAD, and especially in EI, spectra was found to be diagnostic in distinguishing between evoninoates and wilfordates. Running parent/daughter or GCMS experiments enabled these substances to be detected in crude fractions of P. campestris. Parent ion scans of m/z 206 were very as a first analysis of an alkaloid mixture. Copyright © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Mitochondrial DNA depletion presenting prenatally with skin edema and multisystem disease immediately after birth
Authors: Arnon Shmuel , Aviram Rami , Dolfin Tzipora , Regev Rivka , Litmanovits Ita , Tepper Ronnie , Elpeleg Orly N. 
Published: August 2002

AbstractWe describe two newborn sisters who presented in the third trimester with diminished fetal movements and skin edema, but with no other signs of hydrops fetalis. Within hours of birth, both developed profound lactic acidemia, followed by multi‐organ failure. In muscle mitochondria, the activity of all enzymatic complexes that contain mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA)‐encoded subunits was markedly decreased. Southern blot analysis revealed a profound reduction in the mtDNA/nuclear DNA ratio, implying mtDNA depletion. The prenatal identification of skin edema in two patients with mtDNA depletion, and its absence in a healthy sibling, suggest that skin edema should be regarded as a novel manifestation of mtDNA depletion. This finding shows that mtDNA depletion can present prenatally and, consequently, may aid the clinician in making a diagnosis, prenatally, of this genetic defect. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Greenberg dysplasia: first reported case with additional non‐skeletal malformations and without consanguinity
Authors: Horn L.‐C. , Faber R. , Meiner Annchristin , Piskazeck U. , Spranger J. 
Published: August 2002

AbstractThe original article to which this Erratum refers was published in Prenatal Diagnosis 20(12) 2000, 1008–1011.
Clinical characteristics of patients with diabetic foot problems: changing patterns of foot ulcer presentation
Authors: Oyibo S. O. , Jude E. B. , Voyatzoglou D. , Boulton A. J. M. 
Published: August 2002

AbstractAimsPatients with diabetic foot complications vary demographically and invariably have other co‐morbidities that affect quality of life. The aim of this study was to identify some clinical characteristics of such patients and to reveal any changes over the recent decades.MethodsCase notes of patients referred to the Manchester Diabetic Foot Clinic during a 7 year period were examined. Patient demographics, referral source and reason for referral, previous amputations, and diabetes complications at presentation were recorded.Results298 patients (185 males) newly attended the foot clinic during the 7 year period (1990–1996). Mean ± SD age and duration of diabetes was 62.5 ± 13.1 and 14.9 ± 11.6 years, respectively. Most patients (73.3%) had type 2 diabetes and 86.7% attended because of foot ulceration. Ulcers were mainly neuroischaemic (52.3%) and located on the forefoot (76.7%). Eighty per cent of patients had clinical evidence of peripheral neuropathy, 60% had peripheral arterial disease (only a third of whom were symptomatic) and 70% had multiple diabetic complications. Hypertension (48.1% versus 32.1%, p = 0.007) and previous amputation (15.2% versus 5.4%, p = 0.01) were commoner in males. Females had a greater prevalence of multiple foot ulcers (21.5% versus 12.7%, p = 0.03), compared with males.ConclusionPatients with diabetic foot ulcers have multiple diabetic complications and tend to have predominantly neuroischaemic ulcers. These clinical characteristics are bound to have significant impact on treatment costs and mortality in such patients. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Non‐steroidal anti‐inflammatory drug prescribing patterns in general practice: comparison of a general practitioner‐based survey and a pharmacy‐based survey in France
Authors: Clinard François , Sgro Catherine , Bardou Marc , Dumas Monique , Hillon Patrick , Bonithon‐Kopp Claire 
Published: August 2002

AbstractPurposeIn order to assess biases occurring in primary care prescription studies, we compared non‐steroidal anti‐inflammatory drug (NSAID) prescribing patterns reported by general practitioners directly (GP‐based survey) and from a pharmacy‐based survey of general practitioner prescribing (pharmacy‐based survey).MethodsVolunteer GPs of the administrative area of Côte d'Or (France) returned a mailed questionnaire on NSAID prescribing patterns for consecutive patients seen during a 2‐month period. In order to obtain a reference basis, pharmacies of the same administrative area provided all prescriptions that included NSAIDs during a 1‐week period originating in general practice.ResultsThe rate of participation was 25% for the GPs and 40% for the pharmacies. Participant GPs were representative of GPs of the area with regard to sex, year of graduation and practice area but pharmacies from rural areas were over‐represented. The GP‐based survey and the pharmacy‐based survey provided respectively 770 and 1050 prescriptions. There were no differences between either survey in the type of NSAIDs prescribed and in the most frequently associated drugs. GPs who volunteered in the GP survey prescribed NSAIDs more frequently orally and at higher doses than GPs involved in the pharmacy‐based survey. They also prescribed more gastroprotective drugs, especially in the elderly. None of these results could be explained by differences in patient characteristics and GP practice areas.ConclusionGPs who actively participate in prescription surveys exhibit prescribing patterns that fit better with official recommendations than the average. Although selection biases cannot be ruled out, it is suggested that some changes in GP prescription habits may have been induced by the survey itself. Copyright © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Results of a postal survey of the reasons for non‐response by doctors in a Prescription Event Monitoring study of drug safety
Authors: Key Cheryl , Layton Deborah , Shakir Saad A. W. 
Published: August 2002

AbstractPurposeA Prescription Event Monitoring (PEM) study was carried out by the Drug Safety Research Unit (DSRU) to monitor the safety of irbesartan, an angiotensin II antagonist, immediately after launch in the United Kingdom in September 1997. The DSRU ‘green form’ questionnaire response rate was lower than expected. The manufacturer was conducting a concurrent postmarketing surveillance study. The aim of this cross‐sectional study, was to identify reasons for non‐response by general practitioners in England.MethodsIn PEM, questionnaires are posted to the prescribing general practitioner approximately 6 months after the date of the first prescription for each patient, requesting details of clinical events recorded in the patients' notes since starting treatment. Those that failed to respond were sent a second questionnaire, including tick box questions to elucidate reasons for non‐response.ResultsA total of 21.3% (3088/14502) second send forms were returned. There were 1747 tick box responses. The most common reason specified for non‐response was ‘I was too busy’ (31.2%) followed by ‘no payment included’ (13.4%). Participation in another study accounted for only 3.4%.ConclusionsThe concurrent postmarketing surveillance study was not a significant factor. The general practitioner's workload appeared to have a far larger impact. While research remains a non‐core activity and receives no payment, participation is likely to fall. Researchers need to find means of benefiting the general practitioner if participation is to continue. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Utilization pattern of metamizole in northern Sweden and risk estimates of agranulocytosis
Authors: Bäckström M. , Hägg S. , Mjörndal T. , Dahlqvist R. 
Published: August 2002

AbstractObjectiveThis study was carried out in order to investigate the utilization pattern of metamizole to better estimate the quantitative risk of agranulocytosis since a cluster of such cases have been observed in Sweden.MethodsCases of agranulocytosis submitted to the Swedish Adverse Drug Reactions Advisory Committee (SADRAC) between 1996 and 1999 were identified. Based on the utilization pattern of metamizole in inpatients at three hospitals and in outpatients in two counties in northern Sweden risk estimates of agranulocytosis during metamizole treatment were estimated. The utilization of metamizole was investigated by scanning 3567 case records at 10 hospital departments as well as stored prescriptions at six pharmacies during a 3‐month study period.ResultsTen cases of agranulocytosis during treatment with metamizole have been reported to SADRAC over the period 1996 to 1999. During the 3‐month study period metamizole was prescribed to 666 (19%) inpatients. Of these, approximately 96% received the drug for less than 1 week, 7.2% had used the drug previously. At the participating pharmacies 112 metamizole prescriptions for outpatients were found. The drug was prescribed in 34% for less than 1 week, in 28% for 7–15 days, and in 38% for more than 15 days. The mean prescribed daily dose was 2.7 g. Given certain assumptions including the actual amounts prescribed the calculated risks of agranulocytosis would be approximately one out of every 31 000 metamizole‐treated inpatients and one of every 1400 metamizole‐treated outpatients.ConclusionThis study indicates that in most inpatients the use of metamizole in northern Sweden was within the approved indications for the drug. However, a considerable number of outpatients received the drug for a longer time than recommended and this may carry an increased risk for developing agranulocytosis. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.