bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Influence of compatibilizers on mechanical properties, crystallization, and morphology of polypropylene/scrap rubber dust blends
Authors: Phinyocheep P. , Axtell F. H. , Laosee T. 
Published: October 2002

AbstractPolypropylene blends containing a dispersed phase of scrap rubber dusts obtained from sport shoes manufacture; midsole (M, vulcanized EVA foam) and outsole (O, vulcanized rubber blend of NR, SBR, and BR) were studied. The influence of various compatibilizers on the mechanical properties of these blends were investigated. Significant development of impact strength was attained by using 6 and 10 phr of styrene–ethylene–butylene–styrene (SEBS) and maleic anhydride‐grafted styrene–ethylene–butylene–styrene (SEBS‐g‐MA) as compatibilizers for both compounds filled with midsole and outsole dusts. The tensile strength of each compound was slightly decreased when the compatibilizer loading increased, whereas the elongation at break was significantly increased. The enhancements of the impact strength and the elongation at break are believed to arise from reduction of interfacial tension between two phases of the rubber and the PP, which results in some reduction of the particle size of the fillers. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) confirmed the evidence of the reduction of scrap rubber dust into small rubber particle sizes in the compound, and also showed the occurrence of some fibrils. Optical microscopy (crossed polars) observations suggested that the addition of the rubber dust resulted in a less regular spherulite texture and less sharp spherulite boundaries. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 86: 148–159, 2002
The effect of mercapto‐modified ethylene–vinyl acetate (EVA) on curing parameters, mechanical properties, and thermal properties of vulcanized styrene–butadiene rubber (SBR)/EVA blends
Authors: Soares Bluma G. , Alves Fabrício F. , Oliveira Marcia G. , Moreira Ana C. F. 
Published: October 2002

AbstractThe effect of EVA functionalized with mercapto groups (EVALSH) on the compatibilization of SBR and EVA copolymer blends was investigated in vulcanized systems based on sulfur or dicumyl peroxide (DCP). The presence of EVALSH resulted in an improvement of the tensile properties, indicating the reactive compatibilizing effect of this compound. The best mechanical performance was achieved with the sulfur‐curing system for both compatibilized and noncompatibilized blends. The blend systems were also analyzed by scanning electron microscopy, differential scanning calorimetry, and dynamic‐mechanical analysis. The crystallinity of the EVA phase was significantly affected by the presence of the EVALSH, whereas no substantial change was detected on the damping properties or the glass transition temperature of the SBR phase. Considering the aging properties, the presence of EVALSH increases the thermal stability of the blends vulcanized with DCP. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 86: 239–249, 2002
Effect of maturation on the bulk viscosity and molecular chain length of cuplump natural rubber
Authors: Ehabe E. , Le Roux Y. , Ngolemasango F. , Bonfils F. , Nkeng G. , Nkouonkam B. , Sainte‐Beuve J. , Gobina M. S. 
Published: October 2002

AbstractThe effects of the maturation and storage of naturally coagulated latex, generally termed cuplumps, on some bulk rheological properties and on parameters characterizing the macromolecular chain length were investigated for natural rubbers of different clonal typologies. The sensitivity of the clonal material to the degradative effects of cuplump maturation increased with the level of tree energetic metabolism, with the most metabolically active plant materials (e.g., PB 235) being most sensitive, whereas the less active clone PB 217 was less sensitive. A definite relationship evolves between Hevea tree metabolism and the stability of the structure of the biosynthesized rubber. The results presented here highlight at a macromolecular level the effects of maturation previously demonstrated on bulk processing parameters. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 86: 703–708, 2002
Raman spectra of high‐density, low‐density, and linear low‐density polyethylene pellets and prediction of their physical properties by multivariate data analysis
Authors: Sato Harumi , Shimoyama Masahiko , Kamiya Taeko , Amari Toru , Šašic Slobodan , Ninomiya Toshio , Siesler Heinz W. , Ozaki Yukihiro 
Published: October 2002

AbstractRaman spectra have been measured for pellets of five samples of high‐density polyethylene (HDPE), seven samples of low‐density polyethylene (LDPE), and six samples of linear low‐density polyethylene (LLDPE). The obtained Raman spectra have been compared to find out characteristic Raman bands of HDPE, LDPE, and LLDPE. Principal component analysis (PCA) was applied to the Raman spectra in the 1600–650 cm−1 region after multiplicative scatter correction (MSC) to discriminate the Raman spectra of the three different PE species. They are classified into three groups by a score plot of PCA factor 1 vs. 2. HDPE with high density and high crystallinity gives high scores on the factor 1 axis, while LDPE with low density and low crystallinity yields negative scores on the same axis. It seems that factor 1 reflects the density or crystallinity. A PC weight loadings plot for factor 1 shows six upward peaks corresponding to the bands arising from the crystalline parts or all‐trans (CH2)n groups and seven downward peaks ascribed to the bands of the amorphous or anisotropic regions and those arising from the short branches. Partial least‐squares (PLS‐1) regression was applied to the Raman spectra after MSC to propose calibration models that predict the density, crystallinity, and melting points of the polyethylenes. The correlation coefficient was calculated to be 0.9941, 0.9800, and 0.9709 for the density, crystallinity, and melting point, respectively, and their root‐mean‐square error of cross validation (RMSECV) was found to be 0.0015, 3.3707, and 2.3745, respectively. The loadings plot of factor 2 for the prediction of melting point is largely different from those for the prediction of density and crystallinity. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 86: 443–448, 2002
Conduction system abnormalities in rat embryos induced by maternal hyperthermia
Authors: Aoyama Naoyoshi , Yamashina Shohei , Poelmann Robert E. , Gittenberger‐De Groot Adriana C. , Izumi Tohru , Soma Kazui , Ohwada Takashi 
Published: October 2002

AbstractMaternal hyperthermia induces severe malformations in the central nervous system (CNS) in both humans and laboratory animals. These phenomena are accompanied by apoptotic cell death, especially in the developing CNS. Cardiovascular malformations in conjunction with skeletal and CNS abnormalities have been reported in embryos of laboratory animals. In rats, hyperthermic treatment at 43°C for 15 min at day 9 of pregnancy induced various severe external malformations in embryos, such as exencephaly, spina bifida, microphthalmia, anophthalmia, facial cleft or defect, generalized edema, and cardiovascular abnormalities. Examination of the embryonic heart revealed abnormal formation of the conduction system. Although hyperthermia causes marked hemodynamic defects, we could not obtain direct proof of a link between hemodynamic alteration by hyperthermia and malformations of the conduction system. Anat Rec 267:213–219, 2002. © 2002 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Reduction of joint inflammation and bone erosion in rat adjuvant arthritis by treatment with interleukin‐17 receptor IgG1 Fc fusion protein
Authors: Bush Katherine A. , Farmer Katherine M. , Walker Judith S. , Kirkham Bruce W. 
Published: October 2002

AbstractObjectiveTo investigate the role of interleukin‐17 (IL‐17) in inflammatory arthritis by blockade with an IL‐17 receptor/human IgG1 Fc fusion protein (muIL‐17R:Fc) in adjuvant‐induced arthritis (AIA) in the rat.MethodsAIA was induced in 39 DA rats with the use of Freund's complete adjuvant. Rats received either 7.3 or 20 mg/kg of muIL‐17R:Fc or phosphate buffered saline intraperitoneally every other day from the time of arthritis induction for ∼17 days. Paw volume, arthritis severity, and weight were assessed every 3–4 days. Rats were killed between days 21 and 23 postinduction. Ankles were removed for quantitative radiology and histology and for immunohistochemistry for T cells.ResultsTreatment with muIL‐17R:Fc attenuated paw volume in a dose‐dependent manner. Both the 7.3 and 20 mg/kg doses of muIL‐17R:Fc significantly reduced radiographic scores in the treated rats compared with the controls. The 20 mg/kg dose of muIL‐17R:Fc significantly reduced histology scores compared with the controls. T cell numbers were unchanged in the muIL‐17R:Fc–treated rats as a function of dose.ConclusionIn vivo blockade of IL‐17 by muIL‐17R:Fc treatment attenuated AIA and reduced joint damage, suggesting that IL‐17 plays an important role in the inflammation and joint destruction of AIA. IL‐17 may be a potential therapeutic target for inflammatory diseases in humans, such as rheumatoid arthritis.
Macrophage subpopulations in rheumatoid synovium: Reduced CD163 expression in CD4+ T lymphocyte–rich microenvironments
Authors: Fonseca J. E. , Edwards J. C. W. , Blades S. , Goulding N. J. 
Published: October 2002

AbstractObjectiveThe cell surface glycoprotein CD163 is a member of the cysteine‐rich scavenger receptor family, highly specific for leukocytes of the mononuclear phagocyte lineage. In vitro, it is induced by glucocorticoids, interleukin‐6 (IL‐6), and IL‐10 and down‐regulated by interferon‐γ (IFNγ), indicating that it has a role in antiinflammatory or other immunomodulatory pathways. We assessed CD163 expression in microenvironments within rheumatoid arthritis (RA) synovium to clarify the relationships among CD4+ T lymphocytes, IFNγ, and macrophage function in RA.MethodsDouble immunofluorescence and serial immunoenzymatic studies were performed on normal, osteoarthritic, and RA synovium and tonsil with antibodies to CD163, CD45, CD68, CD14, CD3, CD4, CD8, CD19, and IFNγ.ResultsCD163 was observed on all CD14+ cells in synovium and tonsil with the exception of cells within larger T lymphocyte clusters in synovium and within tonsillar follicles. All brightly CD14+ cells in or around vessel walls (interpreted as immigrant monocytes) were CD163+. CD163 labeled fewer cells than did CD68 in synovial intima, but all CD45+ intimal cells were CD163+. CD4+,IFNγ+ T lymphocytes in RA synovium were chiefly localized within clusters containing CD68+, CD163− cells.ConclusionWithin RA synovium, CD163 has major advantages as a macrophage marker and does not appear to be restricted to “mature” macrophages. CD163 discriminates between synovial macrophages and synovial intimal fibroblasts, which also stain positively for CD68 in diseased tissue.
Increased thickness of the arterial intima‐media detected by ultrasonography in patients with rheumatoid arthritis
Authors: Kumeda Yasuro , Inaba Masaaki , Goto Hitoshi , Nagata Mayumi , Henmi Yasuko , Furumitsu Yutaka , Ishimura Eiji , Inui Kentaro , Yutani Yasutaka , Miki Takami , Shoji Tetsuo , Nishizawa Yoshiki 
Published: October 2002

AbstractObjectiveTo determine whether arterial wall thickening is advanced in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients compared with healthy controls by measuring the intima‐media thickness (IMT) of the common carotid and femoral arteries, and to evaluate the factors associated with arterial IMT in patients with RA.MethodsWe studied 138 RA patients and 94 healthy controls (matched for age, sex, and other major risk factors for atherosclerosis). IMT was measured on digitized still images of the common carotid and femoral arteries obtained by high‐resolution ultrasonography (10‐MHz in‐line Sectascanner). Laboratory variables relevant to RA activity were measured by routine methods. The degree of RA progression was assessed by scoring (Larsen method) metacarpophalangeal (MCP) joints on hand radiographs. Activities of daily living were determined by a modified Health Assessment Questionnaire (M‐HAQ) score, and physical activity levels were assessed by ultrasound measurement of the calcaneus (expressed as the osteo‐sono assessment index [OSI] Z score).ResultsCommon carotid and femoral artery IMTs were significantly higher (P < 0.05) in RA patients (mean ± SD 0.641 ± 0.127 and 0.632 ± 0.125 mm, respectively) compared with controls (0.576 ± 0.115 and 0.593 ± 0.141 mm, respectively). Multiple regression analysis revealed a significant association between RA and the common carotid artery IMT. Moreover, the common carotid artery IMT in RA patients was positively associated with disease duration, the MCP joint Larsen score, and the M‐HAQ score, and was negatively associated with the calcaneus OSI Z score. No significant association was found between corticosteroid treatment and common carotid artery IMT.ConclusionRA patients exhibited greater thickness of the common carotid and femoral arteries than healthy controls. The duration and severity of RA and decreased activities of daily living, but not corticosteroid treatment, were independently associated with the increased arterial wall thickness.
The effect of anti‐CD40 ligand antibody on B cells in human systemic lupus erythematosus
Authors: Huang Weiqing , Sinha Jayashree , Newman Jeffrey , Reddy Bhoompally , Budhai Lalbachan , Furie Richard , Vaishnaw Akshay , Davidson Anne 
Published: October 2002

AbstractObjectiveTo determine the immunologic effects of anti–CD40 ligand (anti‐CD40L) therapy in 5 patients with systemic lupus erythematosus nephritis who participated in an open‐label study of a humanized anti‐CD40L monoclonal antibody.MethodsSerum and peripheral blood mononuclear cells were obtained before, during, and after treatment, and the frequency of Ig and anti‐DNA antibody–secreting B cells was analyzed by enzyme‐linked immunospot assay and by analysis of Epstein‐Barr virus (EBV)–transformed B cell lines. To determine the effect of treatment on somatic mutation of Ig genes, reverse transcriptase–polymerase chain reaction was performed on messenger RNA from 4 patients, using primers specific for the DP‐47 heavy chain gene and for IgG. Finally, B cell phenotype was investigated using flow cytometry.ResultsEven a brief period of treatment with anti‐CD40L markedly reduced the frequency of IgG and IgG anti‐DNA antibody–producing B cells, and these changes persisted for several months after cessation of treatment. To confirm these findings, EBV‐transformed B cell lines were screened from each of 3 patients, and a 10‐fold decrease in anti‐DNA antibody–secreting cell lines was found after treatment in all 3 patients. Few differences in mutation patterns were observed before and after treatment; however, the frequency of germline‐encoded DP‐47 sequences was significantly increased before treatment and normalized following treatment. Flow cytometric analysis of B cells revealed expansion of a CD27−/IgD− B cell subset in some of the patients, which did not change with treatment.ConclusionThese are the first mechanistic studies of the effect of anti‐CD40L therapy in human autoimmune disease. The results suggest that further studies of CD40L blockade are warranted.
Costimulatory blockade in patients with rheumatoid arthritis: A pilot, dose‐finding, double‐blind, placebo‐controlled clinical trial evaluating CTLA‐4Ig and LEA29Y eighty‐five days after the first infusion
Authors: Moreland Larry W. , Alten Rieke , Van Den Bosch Filip , Appelboom Thierry , Leon Marc , Emery Paul , Cohen Stanley , Luggen Michael , Shergy William , Nuamah Isaac , Becker Jean‐Claude 
Published: October 2002

AbstractObjectiveT cells are involved in the pathogenesis of rheumatoid arthritis (RA). In animal models of autoimmune diseases, blockade of costimulatory molecules on antigen‐presenting cells has been demonstrated to be effective in preventing or treating this disease by preventing T cell activation. To date, the effect of costimulatory blockade in patients with RA is unknown. The goal of this multicenter, multinational study was to determine the safety and preliminary efficacy of costimulatory blockade using CTLA‐4Ig and LEA29Y in RA patients who have been treated unsuccessfully with at least 1 disease‐modifying agent.MethodsCTLA‐4Ig, LEA29Y (0.5, 2, or 10 mg/kg), or placebo was administered intravenously to 214 patients with RA. Patients received 4 infusions of study medication, on days 1, 15, 29, and 57, and were evaluated on day 85. The primary end point was the proportion of patients meeting the American College of Rheumatology 20% improvement criteria (ACR20). All patients were monitored for treatment safety and tolerability.ResultsCTLA‐4Ig and LEA29Y infusions were well tolerated at all dose levels. Peri‐infusional adverse events were carefully monitored, and showed similar incidence across all dose groups with the exception of headaches, which were slightly more frequent in the 2 treatment groups. The incidence of discontinuations due to worsening of RA was 19%, 12%, and 9% at 0.5, 2, and 10 mg/kg, respectively, in the CTLA‐4Ig–treated patients and 3%, 3%, and 6% at 0.5, 2, and 10 mg/kg, respectively, in the LEA29Y‐treated patients (versus 31% in the placebo group). ACR20 responses on day 85 had increased in a dose‐dependent manner (23%, 44%, and 53% of CTLA‐4Ig–treated patients and 34%, 45%, and 61% of LEA29Y‐treated patients at 0.5, 2.0, and 10 mg/kg, respectively, versus 31% of placebo‐treated patients).ConclusionBoth of the costimulatory blocking molecules studied were generally safe and well tolerated. As compared with placebo, both CTLA‐4Ig and LEA29Y demonstrated efficacy in the treatment of RA.
Role of the Fcγ receptor IIa polymorphism in susceptibility to systemic lupus erythematosus and lupus nephritis: A meta‐analysis
Authors: Karassa Fotini B. , Trikalinos Thomas A. , Ioannidis John P. A. 
Published: October 2002

AbstractObjectiveTo assess the impact of the Fcγ receptor type IIa (FcγRIIa)–R/H131 polymorphism on the risk for systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and development of lupus nephritis.MethodsA meta‐analysis was performed based on the Medline and Embase databases (last retrieval August 2001), assessment of bibliographies of pertinent articles, and additional data gathered after contact with primary investigators.ResultsA total of 25 comparisons from 17 studies involving R/H131 genotyping of 1,405 patients with lupus nephritis, 1,709 SLE patients without nephritis, and 2,580 non‐SLE controls were included. No association between RR genotype and risk of lupus nephritis relative to both other genotypes (odds ratio [OR] 1.05, 95% confidence interval [95% CI] 0.88–1.27) was demonstrated in the total meta‐analysis or in any racial subgroup. The RR genotype was more frequent in SLE patients as a whole (OR 1.30, 95% CI 1.10–1.52) and in SLE patients without nephritis (OR 1.27, 95% CI 1.04–1.55) compared with disease‐free controls. A potential dose–response relation between the R131 allele and the risk of SLE was also identified, with an OR of 1.23 for RR versus RH (95% CI 1.03–1.46). The OR was 1.55 for RR versus HH (95% CI 1.21–1.98). There was no significant heterogeneity between racial subgroups. The population‐attributable fractions of SLE cases due to the FcγRIIa‐R131 allele were 13%, 40%, and 24% in subjects of European, African, and Asian descent, respectively.ConclusionThe FcγRIIa‐R/H131 polymorphism represents a significant risk factor for SLE but has no clear effect on susceptibility for lupus nephritis.
Reduction of CpG‐induced arthritis by suppressive oligodeoxynucleotides
Authors: Zeuner Rainald A. , Ishii Ken J. , Lizak Martin J. , Gursel Ihsan , Yamada Hiroshi , Klinman Dennis M. , Verthelyi Daniela 
Published: October 2002

AbstractObjectiveBacterial DNA contains immunostimulatory CpG motifs that cause inflammation when injected into the knee joints of normal mice. We examined whether synthetic oligodeoxynucleotides (ODN) that suppress CpG‐induced immune responses prevent CpG‐induced arthritis.MethodsCpG, suppressive, and/or control ODN were injected into the knees of BALB/c mice. Joint swelling and inflammation were evaluated by physical measurement, by histologic analysis of joint tissue, and by magnetic resonance imaging.ResultsImmunostimulatory CpG DNA induced local arthritis, characterized by swelling of the knee joints, the presence of inflammatory cell infiltrates, the perivascular accumulation of mononuclear cells, and hyperplasia of the synovial lining. Administering suppressive (but not control) ODN reduced the manifestations and severity of arthritis up to 80%.ConclusionSuppressive ODN may be useful for the prevention or treatment of arthritis induced by bacterial DNA.
Data discretization for novel relationship discovery in information retrieval
Authors: Benoît G. 
Published: October 2002

AbstractThis article describes an information retrieval, visualization, and manipulation model. After term or phrases have been input for a query, the system designed on this model offers the user multiple ways to exploit the retrieval set via an interactive interface. The retrieved data are clustered into thematic concepts related to the query, represented on screen as a grid of nodes. Users of the system may manipulate the retrieval set to explore document–document, document–concept, concept–concept relationships in the retrieval set that might otherwise be masked by altering (a) the discrete grid size of the display, (b) the influence, or weight, of various document terms and properties, and (c) mixed levels of granularity. As these factors are reweighed, the display is updated in real‐time to expose unanticipated document relationships, and shifts in cluster membership. The article outlines the mathematical model and then describes an information‐retrieval application built on the model to search structured and full‐text files. The application, written in Java, uses a small test collection of Dialog and Swiss‐Prot documents.
Work tasks and socio‐cognitive relevance: A specific example
Authors: Hjørland Birger , Christensen Frank Sejer 
Published: October 2002

AbstractThis article presents a concrete example of a work task: a doctor treating a patient suffering from schizophrenia. It is outlined how work task, work situation, perceived work situation, task complexity, information need, information seeking and topicality, situational relevance, relevance assessment (including a discussion of system relevance and algorithmic relevance) and work task fulfillment may be understood. Relevance is defined as something serving as a tool to a goal. “Tool” understood in the widest possible sense, including ideas, meanings, theories and documents as tools.
Judging the accuracy of a likelihood judgment: the case of smoking risk
Authors: Windschitl Paul D. 
Published: October 2002

AbstractA standard method for assessing whether people have appropriate internal representations of an event's likelihood is to check whether their subjective probability or frequency estimates for the event correspond with the assumed objective value for that event. When a person's estimate for the event exceeds its assumed objective probability or frequency, the person's expectancy for the event is concluded to be greater than warranted. This paper describes three lines of reasoning as to why conclusions of this sort can be problematic. Recently published findings as well as data from two new experiments are described to support this main thesis. The case of smoking risk is used to illustrate the more general problem, and issues that must be considered to avoid or contend with the problem are discussed. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.