bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Regularity Lemma for k‐uniform hypergraphs
Authors: Rödl Vojtěch , Skokan Jozef 
Published: June 2004

AbstractSzemerédi's Regularity Lemma proved to be a very powerful tool in extremal graph theory with a large number of applications. Chung [Regularity lemmas for hypergraphs and quasi‐randomness, Random Structures Algorithms 2 (1991), 241–252], Frankl and Rödl [The uniformity lemma for hypergraphs, Graphs Combin 8 (1992), 309–312; Extremal problems on set systems, Random Structures Algorithms 20 (2002), 131–164] considered several extensions of Szemerédi's Regularity Lemma to hypergraphs. In particular, [Extremal problems on set systems, Random Structures Algorithms 20 (2002), 131–164] contains a regularity lemma for 3‐uniform hypergraphs that was applied to a number of problems. In this paper, we present a generalization of this regularity lemma to k‐uniform hypergraphs. Similar results were recently independently and alternatively obtained by W. T. Gowers. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Random Struct. Alg., 2004
Tragverhalten von Einfeldverbundträgern mit Stegöffnungen
Authors: Zhou Donghua 
Published: June 2004

AbstractAngesichts der nur wenigen vorliegenden rechnerischen Untersuchungen von Einfeldverbundträgern mit Stegöffnungen werden hier Ergebnisse der nichtlinearen Nachrechnungen von Versuchsträgern mit einer Stegöffnung präsentiert. Hieraus lassen sich einige interessante Erkenntnisse ableiten.
Flexural strength–ductility performance of flanged beam sections cast of high‐strength concrete
Authors: KWAN A. K. H. , AU F. T. K. 
Published: June 2004

AbstractFlanged sections are often used for long‐span concrete beams to maximize their structural efficiency. However, although for the same sectional area a flanged section could render a higher flexural strength, it would also lead to a lower flexural ductility, especially when heavily reinforced. Thus, when evaluating the flexural performance of a beam section, both the flexural strength and ductility need to be considered. In this study, the post‐peak flexural behaviour of flanged sections is evaluated by means of an analytical method that uses the actual stress–strain curves of the materials and takes into account strain reversal of the tension reinforcement. From the numerical results, the flexural strength–ductility performance of flanged sections is investigated by plotting the strength and ductility that could be simultaneously achieved in the form of design graphs. It is found that (1) at the same overall dimensions and with the same amount of reinforcement provided, a flanged section has lower flexural ductility than a rectangular section; (2) at the same overall dimensions, a flanged section has inferior strength–ductility performance compared to a rectangular section; and (3) at the same sectional area, a flanged section has better strength–ductility performance compared to a rectangular section. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Shaking‐table test of a friction‐damped frame structure
Authors: LIAO WEN‐I , MUALLA IMAD , LOH CHIN‐HSIUNG 
Published: June 2004

AbstractThis paper presents results from an international research project devoted to evaluating the seismic performance of a three‐storey steel frame structure equipped with a friction‐damping device (FDD) recently developed at the Technical University of Denmark. Experimental results indicate that the FDD performed very well in reducing the lateral storey drifts of the test frame. Numerical simulation of the seismic response of the primary and friction‐damped frame was also conducted. This paper also compares the predictions of the displacement demand from the test results with those obtained by the capacity spectrum method. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Low concentration of oxidant and nitric oxide donors stimulate proliferation of human endothelial cells in vitro
Authors: Łuczak Katarzyna , Balcerczyk Aneta , Soszyński Mirosław , Bartosz Grzegorz 
Published: June 2004

AbstractProliferation of human umbilical vein endothelial cells in vitro was inhibited by high concentrations of oxidants and nitric oxide donors but stimulated by low (micromolar or submicromolar) concentrations of hydrogen peroxide, menadione, tert‐butyl hydroperoxide, AAPH, nitroglycerin, SIN‐1 and sodium nitroprusside. The stimulation seems to be dependent upon generation of secondary reactive oxygen species as inferred from attenuation of cell proliferation by superoxide dismutase and catalase. These results point to another type of possible artefact of cell culture, viz. stimulation of cell proliferation by low concentrations of oxidants.
A mitochondrial DNA PCR–RFLP marker for population studies of the black scabbardfish (Aphanopus carbo)
Authors: Quinta Ricardo , Gomes Laurentina , Teia dos Santos Ana 
Published: June 2004

AbstractBlack scabbardfish (Aphanopus carbo), a commercially valuable marine fish off Portugal and the Madeira Archipelago, was surveyed for mitochondrial DNA variation of part of the cytochrome b gene. In all, 51 fish from three Northeast Atlantic localities were examined using ten restriction enzymes. Overall nucleon diversity was 0.180. Genetic differentiation (θ=0.25) was significant; the Madeira Archipelago sample was distinguishable from samples from the other two localities. The approach should be useful for a more extensive study of black scabbardfish populations.
Neuropeptides and non‐human primate social deficits associated with pathogenic rearing experience
Authors: Winslow James T. 
Published: June 2004

AbstractThere is a persuasive evidence that autism is highly heritable and likely to be substantially determined by polygenic mechanisms. Nevertheless, some intriguing findings in children raised in conditions of extreme social deprivation suggest that an autistic‐like syndrome may occur as a consequence of environmental conditions. A particularly close model of this human syndrome has been studied in rhesus monkeys for almost half a century. Monkeys reared in pathogenic rearing conditions manifest considerable deficits in social interaction and increased self‐directed behaviors. We have been interested in the possibility that disruptions in normal social development in non‐human primates might be expressed in neuropeptide systems which have emerged in rodent studies as important candidates for a unique social biology. In recent studies, we have described persistently reduced CSF OT levels in male rhesus monkeys with significant social deficits. We also found that OT levels were positively related to the expression of affiliative social behaviors. Alterations were also detected in both CRH and AVP receptor binding patterns in limbic structures likely to influence social and emotional development. Taken together, these data suggest that abnormal rearing influences the development of brain systems critical to normal social and emotional competence in rhesus monkeys and may contribute to the development of autistic‐like symptomatology associated with pathogenic rearing histories.
Behavioral and growth effects induced by low dose methamphetamine administration during the neonatal period in rats
Authors: Williams Michael T. , Moran Mary S. , Vorhees Charles V. 
Published: June 2004

AbstractThe investigation of methamphetamine exposure during neonatal development in rats has demonstrated that long‐term spatial learning deficits are induced. A previous dose–response study showed that administration of 5 mg/kg methamphetamine, four times daily from postnatal days 11 to 20 produced these deficits, although the effects were not as severe as at higher doses of 10 or 15 mg/kg. This study examined concentrations of methamphetamine at or below 5 mg/kg given over the same period of time. Five different concentrations of methamphetamine (i.e., 5, 2.5, 1.25, 0.625, or 0) were administered every 2 h four times daily from postnatal days 11 to 20. Body weights, zero maze performance, and Morris water maze learning were examined. A dose‐dependent decrease in body weight was observed during the period of methamphetamine administration and these lower weights continued throughout adulthood for the 5, 2.5, and 1.25 mg/kg concentrations, although the adult decreases were negligible. No differences were noted in the zero maze. In the Morris water maze during the acquisition period, dose‐dependent differences in spatial orientation were seen, however non‐dose related deficits were observed for other parameters. During the shifted platform phase (“reversal”), a similar dose‐dependent difference in spatial orientation was observed, although no other effects were noted during this phase. Females performed worse than males regardless of treatment or the phase of learning in the Morris water maze. These data suggest that even lower doses of methamphetamine can alter learning and memory in adulthood, although with less consistent results than with doses higher than 5 mg/kg/dose. These data would caution against even casual use of methamphetamine by women during pregnancy since even low doses could alter the ability of the child to learn.
Anabolic and catabolic mRNA levels of the intervertebral disc vary with the magnitude and frequency of in vivo dynamic compression
Authors: MacLean Jeffery J. , Lee Cynthia R. , Alini Mauro , Iatridis James C. 
Published: June 2004

AbstractThe goal of this study was to characterize the anabolic and catabolic mRNA response of the disc to dynamic loading to determine if variations in the magnitude and/or frequency of loading could elicit different cellular responses. Sixty‐eight Wistar rats were instrumented with an Ilizarov‐type device spanning caudal disc 8–9. Seventy‐two hours after surgery, animals were anesthetized and loaded at either 1 or 0.2 MPa at a frequency of 1, 0.2 or 0.01 Hz for 2 h (6 groups). The surgical control (Sham) animals underwent anesthesia with no loading. Loaded (c8‐9) and internal‐control discs (c6‐7 and c10‐11) were dissected and annulus and nucleus tissue were separately analyzed by real‐time RT‐PCR for levels of anabolic (collagen‐1A1, collagen‐2A1, aggrecan) and catabolic (MMP‐3, MMP‐13, ADAMTs‐4) mRNA. In the nucleus, a frequency‐dependent response was seen at 1 MPa with anabolic genes stimulated at 0.01 Hz and catabolic genes at 1 Hz. In the annulus all frequencies resulted in significant up‐regulation of catabolic mRNA at 1 MPa loading. In general loading at 0.2 MPa or 0.2 Hz had little effect on gene expression. The results suggest that gene expression of the annulus appears to be more dependent on the magnitude of applied stress, while the nucleus is both magnitude‐ and frequency‐dependent. © 2004 Orthopaedic Research Society. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
Which Matters Most? Comparing the Impact of Issues and the Economy in American, British and Canadian Elections
Authors: BLAIS ANDRÉ , TURGEON MATHIEU , GIDENGIL ELISABETH , NEVITTE NEIL , NADEAU RICHARD 
Published: June 2004

The objective of this study is to assess and compare the relative impact of issues and the economy on the vote in democratic elections. There is a rich and vast literature dealing with issue voting and an equally impressive literature concerning economic voting. For the most part, however, these amount to two separate streams of research. Relatively little attention has been paid to where these literatures overlap and less still to the simple but basic question: which matters most, the issues or the economy?The main debate in the issue voting literature recently has been between the directional and proximity models. That debate, engaging both technical and conceptual issues, has focused entirely on how issues play in an election, whether voters prefer the party that is closest to their own position or the party that is the strongest defender of their side on an issue. The question of how much issues affect the vote, however, has been neglected. Indeed, both the proximity and directional schools implicitly agree that issues matter, and so challenge the Michigan school's strong scepticism on the import of issues. Given that the difference between the two models is often quite small, a more fruitful line of investigation might be to return to the equally fundamental ‘how much’ question.
Realizing the potential of electron cryo-microscopy
Authors: Henderson Richard 
Published: June 2004

1. Introduction 32. Background 53. 2D crystals 74. 1D crystals (helical arrays) 85. Icosahedral single particles 86. Single particles with lower symmetry 97. Cellular and subcellular electron tomography 108. Conclusion and future prospects 109. References 11Structural analysis by electron microscopy of biological macromolecules or macromolecular assemblies embedded in rapidly frozen, vitreous ice has made great advances during the last few years. Electron cryo-microscopy, or cryo-EM, can now be used to analyse the structures of molecules arranged in the form of two-dimensional crystals, helical arrays or as single particles with or without symmetry. Although it has been possible, using crystalline or helical specimens, to reach a resolution adequate to build atomic models (4 Å), there is every hope this will soon also be possible with single particles. Small and large single particles present different obstacles to progress.
Conservation and restoration of electroacoustic musical instruments at the Musée de la Musique, Paris
Authors: RAMEL SYLVIE 
Published: June 2004

The Museum of Music in Paris possesses a collection of 280 instruments from the twentieth century. Most of them belong to the general families of electric and electronic musical instruments, which we will call ‘electrophones’, in deference to the name chosen by Curt Sachs (1940). The instruments are gathered in families so that the whole collection illustrates the milestones of the twentieth century; for instance, the museum has a large set of diverse Ondes Martenot. However, due to its scarcity, the Trautonium is represented by one of Oscar Sala's Mixtur-Trautonia.Like any museum, we have to encourage the conservation of this heritage. To maintain a large collection of electrophones like the one we have, a specific knowledge base has to be developed. We have been working on this aspect of the project for the past two years. From the onset, it was decided to start the collection with the Ondes Martenot. Our aim was to define a model approach that could also be applied to other electric and electronic instruments. This work involves organising the instruments, studying them in order to outline conditions of appropriate conservation, and determining which kind(s) of restoration should be undertaken.A first step has been to gather all information necessary to understanding the instrument and its mode of performance. With this goal in mind, we have taken a complete inventory of our collection with the aim of coming up with a first assessment of the state of the instruments and determining whether to allow performers to play them. Thanks to this work, we were able to start taking precautionary measures against degradation; we are now also able to answer many questions relevant to the restoration and conservation of this collection.
Reflections on the analysis of artificial vocality: representations, tools and prospective
Authors: BOSSIS BRUNO 
Published: June 2004

Initially a result of talking heads, followed by the arrival of telephony and the gramophone, the use of artificial vocality within musical composition is becoming more and more common as different laboratories acquire devices enabling the manipulation of sound. Following Pierre Schaeffer's first experiments in Paris, many composers became interested in the expressive resources of the mechanical voice, the results of which are now present in a large corpus of electroacoustic works. By its very nature, artificial vocality establishes a new link between the vocal quality of a sound event (its vocality) and technology (its artificiality) within this type of music.How then, can the musicologist study artificial vocality and the works in which it is used? Which tools should be used? What makes the analysis of artificial vocality so specific? Is it possible to create new tools for the analysis of artificial vocality within electroacoustic music?In the search for answers to these questions, many difficulties present themselves. The first concerns the modes of representation and the methods used to analyse artificial vocality. On top of this, real reflection is needed concerning the disparity of technological tools used in analysis and the need for the application of a certain methodology in order to classify them. The starting point will be the establishment of a typology. Finally, the idea of being able to compare different representations of the same work using sophisticated tools will open the way to the discovery of new analytical approaches. Seeking freedom from the relative blindness caused by the over-specialisation and rigidity of technological tools is now an urgent necessity, particularly when considering artificial vocality.
The importance of the level of metronidazole resistance for the success of Helicobacter pylori eradication
Authors: Wheeldon T.‐U. , Granström M. , Hoang T. T. H. , Phuncarg D. C. , Nilsson L. E. , Sörberg M. 
Published: June 2004

SummaryAims : To evaluate the role of antibiotic susceptibility for the treatment outcome of proton pump inhibitor‐dependent and independent Helicobacter pylori eradication regimens.Methods : In a placebo‐controlled clinical study of peptic ulcer patients with H. pylori infection, patients were randomized to receive lansoprazole, clarithromycin and tinidazole twice‐daily, clarithromycin and tinidazole once‐daily with lansoprazole or with placebo. Helicobacter pylori status was assessed by culture and antibiotic susceptibility by E‐test minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) in 205 clinical isolates.Results : Primary resistance to clarithromycin and metronidazole was 1 and 76%, respectively. In metronidazole susceptible strains eradication rates were similar at > 90% for all treatment groups (P = 0.49). With low‐level metronidazole resistance (4 μg/mL < MIC < 256 μg/mL), eradication rates were similar at >75% (P = 0.80). The major difference was found at high‐level metronidazole resistance (MIC ≥ 256 μg/mL) with 95%, 58% and 21% eradication in the lansoprazole, clarithromycin and tinidazole twice‐daily, lansoprazole, clarithromycin and tinidazole once‐daily and placebo, clarithromycin and tinidazole once‐daily groups, respectively (P < 0.001).Conclusion : In the absence of antibiotic resistance, a once‐daily therapy of only clarithromycin and tinidazole can achieve a high rate of H. pylori eradication. Such a combination could offer a simpler and cheaper treatment option for developing countries. The standard, twice‐daily proton pump inhibitor‐based triple therapy was shown to be efficient in H. pylori eradication even in the presence of high‐level metronidazole resistance.
The safe threshold for gluten contamination in gluten‐free products. Can trace amounts be accepted in the treatment of coeliac disease?
Authors: Collin P. , Thorell L. , Kaukinen K. , Mäki M. 
Published: June 2004

SummaryBackground : Gluten contamination in gluten‐free products cannot totally be avoided. The safe threshold for gluten remains obscure.Aim : The purpose was to estimate a reasonable limit for residual gluten, based on current literature and measurement of gluten in gluten‐free products on the market.Methods : The gluten content of 59 naturally gluten‐free and 24 wheat starch‐based gluten‐free products were analysed by enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay. The daily intake of flours was calculated in 76 adults on gluten‐free diet, and the intake compared with mucosal histology.Results : A number of both naturally gluten‐free (13 of 59) and wheat starch‐based gluten‐free (11 of 24) products contained gluten from 20 to 200 ppm (=mg/kg). The median daily flour consumption was 80 g (range: 10–300). Within these limits, the long‐term mucosal recovery was good.Conclusions : The threshold for gluten‐contamination can safely be set at 100 ppm. Provided that the daily flour intake is even 300 g, a level of 100 ppm results in 30 mg of gluten intake. This has been shown to be safe, when correlated to histology, in clinical and challenge studies. The level can be achieved by the industry, and does not make the diet too cumbersome.
Comparison of transarterial chemoembolization and percutaneous acetic acid injection as the primary loco‐regional therapy for unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma: a prospective survey
Authors: Huo T. , Huang Y.‐H. , Wu J.‐C. , Chiang J.‐H. , Lee P.‐C. , Chang F.‐Y. , Lee S.‐D. 
Published: June 2004

SummaryBackground : Transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) and percutaneous acetic acid injection (PAI) are effective loco‐regional therapies for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).Aim : To compare the therapeutic efficacy of TACE vs. PAI for unresectable HCC.Methods : A total of 310 patients with unresectable HCCs (size ≤6 cm) undergoing TACE (n = 195) or PAI (n = 115) were studied prospectively. Overall and progression‐free survivals were measured endpoints.Results : The overall survival was not significantly different between the two groups (P = 0.508). Among 129 patients with large (3.1–6 cm) HCCs, the overall survival was significantly better for the TACE group (P = 0.018). Cox multivariate analysis showed that Child‐Pugh B [relative risk (RR): 4.2, 95% confidence interval (CI): 2.3–7.7, P < 0.001] and PAI therapy (RR: 1.4, 95%: 1.0–1.9, P = 0.057) were poor prognostic predictors; the progression‐free survival was also significantly better in the TACE group (P = 0.038). Among 181 patients with small (≤3 cm) HCCs, there was no significant difference of overall survival (P = 0.265) or progression‐free survival (P = 0.146) between the two groups; Child‐Pugh B was the only prognostic factor predicting a decreased survival (RR: 2.8, 95% CI: 1.7–4.8, P < 0.001).Conclusions : Patients with large HCC undergoing TACE tend to have a more favourable long‐term outcome. For small HCC, either TACE or PAI therapy could be recommended as the primary treatment modality.
Cholestatic pruritus – the role of cutaneous mast cells and nerves
Authors: O'Keeffe C. , Baird A. W. , Nolan N. , McCormick P. A. 
Published: June 2004

SummaryBackground : The pathogenesis of pruritus in cholestatic liver disease is poorly understood. Cutaneous mast cells and nerves are thought to contribute to pruritus in several dermatological diseases.Aim : To determine if cutaneous mast cell density, neural density and mast cell–neural interaction are increased in patients with pruritus and cholestatic liver disease.Methods : Skin biopsy specimens from (i) patients with pruritus due to cholestatic liver disease (CLDP+; n = 6), (ii) patients with chronic liver disease without pruritus (CLDP−; n = 5), and (iii) healthy controls (n = 6) were studied. Biopsies were dual stained immunohistochemically for mast cells and nerves.Results : Mast cell density in the control group was not significantly different from that in CLDP+ group or from that in the CLDP− group. Similarly neural density was not significantly different between groups when assessed either in terms of total nerve area, or in terms of the number of neural elements seen. The frequency of mast cell–nerve contact was not significantly different between groups.Conclusions : These findings suggest that mast cells, nerves or interaction between the two may not contribute to cholestatic pruritus. Therefore, therapies targeted at cutaneous mast cells or nerves are unlikely to be of benefit.