bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Study on morphology of ternary polymer blends. II. Effect of composition
Authors: Hemmati M. , Nazokdast H. , Shariat Panahi H. 
Published: August 2002

AbstractThe composition effect on morphology of polypropylene/ethylene–propylene–diene terpolymer/polyethylene (PP/EPDM/PE) and polypropylene/ethylene–propylene–diene terpolymer/polystyrene (PP/EPDM/PS) ternary blends has been investigated. In all of the blends, polypropylene as the major phase was blended with two minor phases, that is, EPDM and PE or PS. From morphological studies using the SEM technique a core–shell morphology for PP/EPDM/PE and separated dispersed morphology for PP/EPDM/PS were observed. These results were found to be in agreement with the theoretical predictions. The composition of components affected only the size of dispersed phases and had no appreciable effect on the type of morphology. The size of each dispersed phase, whether it forms core or shell or disperses separately in matrix, can be related directly to its composition in the blend. © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 82: 1138–1146, 2001
Influence of cooling rate on pVT‐data of semicrystalline polymers
Authors: Zuidema H. , Peters G. W. M. , Meijer H. E. H. 
Published: August 2002

AbstractFor numerical simulations of the injection‐molding process, an accurate description of the specific volume is needed to predict differential shrinkage during and after molding, which causes thermally induced stresses and controls the dimensional accuracy and long‐term dimensional stability. For amorphous polymers, for which it can often be assumed that cooling‐rate dependence can be ignored, standard techniques enable measurements of the specific volume as a function of temperature and pressure. For semicrystalline polymers, the situation is more complicated since the specific volume depends strongly on the degree of crystallinity, which itself depends on the thermomechanical history, that is, temperature and pressure (for quiescent crystallization). This requires the use of a combined experimental–numerical technique to interpret the data and to determine the specific volume. Standard equipment can only be used at relatively low cooling rates. Since high cooling rates are present during injection molding, improved experimental techniques must be designed. A setup based on the confining fluid technique is built, which can reach cooling rates to 60 Ks−1 and pressures to 20 × 106 Pa. During an experiment, the specific volume is measured together with the temperature history and pressure. Using an accurate model to calculate the crystalline structure, together with a specific‐volume model which depends on this structure, enables the determination of model parameters. Comparing both the measurements and the model predictions, leads to the conclusion that modeling of the crystallization kinetics results in accurate predictions of the specific volume. © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 82: 1170–1186, 2001
Chorioallantoic membrane capillary bed: A useful target for studying angiogenesis and anti‐angiogenesis in vivo
Authors: Ribatti Domenico , Nico Beatrice , Vacca Angelo , Roncali Luisa , Burri Peter H. , Djonov Valentin 
Published: August 2002

AbstractThe chick embryo chorioallantoic membrane (CAM) is an extraembryonic membrane that is commonly used in vivo to study both angiogenesis and anti‐angiogenesis. This review 1) summarizes the current knowledge about the structure of the CAM's capillary bed; 2) discusses the controversy about the existence of a single blood sinus or a capillary plexus underlying the chorionic epithelium; 3) describes a new model of the CAM vascular growth, namely the intussusceptive mode; 4) reports findings regarding the role played by endogenous fibroblast growth factor‐2 in CAM vascularization; and 5) addresses the use and limitations of the CAM as a model for studying angiogenesis and anti‐angiogenesis. Anat Rec 264:317–324, 2001. © 2001 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Neural regeneration and the peripheral olfactory system
Authors: Schwob James E. 
Published: August 2002

AbstractThe peripheral olfactory system is able to recover after injury, i.e., the olfactory epithelium reconstitutes, the olfactory nerve regenerates, and the olfactory bulb is reinnervated, with a facility that is unique within the mammalian nervous system. Cell renewal in the epithelium is directed to replace neurons when they die in normal animals and does so at an accelerated pace after damage to the olfactory nerve. Neurogenesis persists because neuron‐competent progenitor cells, including transit amplifying and immediate neuronal precursors, are maintained within the population of globose basal cells. Notwithstanding events in the neuron‐depleted epithelium, the death of both non‐neuronal cells and neurons directs multipotent globose basal cell progenitors, to give rise individually to sustentacular cells and horizontal basal cells as well as neurons. Multiple growth factors, including TGF‐α, FGF2, BMPs, and TGF‐βs, are likely to be central in regulating choice points in epitheliopoiesis. Reinnervation of the bulb is rapid and robust. When the nerve is left undisturbed, i.e., by lesioning the epithelium directly, the projection of the reconstituted epithelium onto the bulb is restored to near‐normal with respect to rhinotopy and in the targeting of odorant receptor‐defined neuronal classes to small clusters of glomeruli in the bulb. However, at its ultimate level, i.e., the convergence of axons expressing the same odorant receptor onto one or a few glomeruli, specificity is not restored unless a substantial number of fibers of the same type are spared. Rather, odorant receptor‐defined subclasses of neurons innervate an excessive number of glomeruli in the rough vicinity of their original glomerular targets. Anat Rec (New Anat) 269:33–49, 2002. © 2002 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Spinal fusion with recombinant human growth and differentiation factor‐5 combined with a mineralized collagen matrix
Authors: Spiro Robert C. , Thompson Andrea Y. , Poser James W. 
Published: August 2002

AbstractThe availability of recombinant osteoinductive growth factors and new osteoconductive matrices offers an alternative to the use of autogenous bone (autograft) for grafting indications. This study evaluates the bone‐forming activity of a mineralized collagen matrix combined with recombinant human growth and differentiation factor‐5 in a rabbit posterolateral spinal fusion model. The activity of three distinct matrix‐growth factor formulations is assessed by radiographic, histologic, and mechanical strength methods. Results show that the radiographic density, histologic quality, and mechanical strength of fusion at 12 weeks post‐treatment rank consistently within the treatment groups. Optimal formulations are shown to perform similar to autograft in both the rate and strength of fusion. Fusion rates as high as 80% are observed within specific matrix/growth factor formulations. The average biomechanical strength of treated motion segments in the most efficacious formulation is 82% higher than that obtained with autograft, although this difference is not statistically significant. The fusion mass formed in response to matrix/growth factor formulations is composed of normal trabecular bone with a thin outer cortical plate and modest hematopoietic bone marrow. These results demonstrate that the combination of a mineralized collagen matrix with recombinant human growth and differentiation factor‐5 maximizes the inherent conductive and inductive properties of each component, respectively, to provide an effective alternative to autograft for bone grafting procedures. Anat Rec 263:388–395, 2001. © 2001 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
COBRA combination therapy in patients with early rheumatoid arthritis: Long‐term structural benefits of a brief intervention
Authors: Landewé Robert B. M. , Boers Maarten , Verhoeven Arco C. , Westhovens Rene , van de Laar Mart A. F. J. , Markusse Harry M. , van Denderen J. Christiaan , Westedt Marie Louise , Peeters Andre J. , Dijkmans Ben A. C. , Jacobs Piet , Boonen Annelies , van der Heijde Désirée M. F. M. , van der Linden Sjef 
Published: August 2002

AbstractObjectiveThe Combinatietherapie Bij Reumatoide Artritis (COBRA) trial demonstrated that step‐down combination therapy with prednisolone, methotrexate, and sulfasalazine (SSZ) was superior to SSZ monotherapy for suppressing disease activity and radiologic progression of rheumatoid arthritis (RA). The current study was conducted to investigate whether the benefits of COBRA therapy were sustained over time, and to determine which baseline factors could predict outcome.MethodsAll patients had participated in the 56‐week COBRA trial. During followup, they were seen by their own rheumatologists and were also assessed regularly by study nurses; no treatment protocol was specified. Disease activity, radiologic damage, and functional ability were the primary outcome domains. Two independent assessors scored radiographs in sequence according to the Sharp/van der Heijde method. Outcomes were analyzed by generalized estimating equations on the basis of intent‐to‐treat, starting with data obtained at the last visit of the COBRA trial (56 weeks after baseline).ResultsAt the beginning of followup, patients in the COBRA group had a significantly lower mean time‐averaged 28‐joint disease activity score (DAS28) and a significantly lower median radiologic damage (Sharp) score compared with those in the SSZ monotherapy group. The functional ability score (Health Assessment Questionnaire [HAQ]) was similar in both groups. During the 4–5 year followup period, the time‐averaged DAS28 decreased 0.17 points per year in the SSZ group and 0.07 in the COBRA group. The Sharp progression rate was 8.6 points per year in the SSZ group and 5.6 in the COBRA group. After adjustment for differences in treatment and disease activity during followup, the between‐group difference in the rate of radiologic progression was 3.7 points per year. The HAQ score did not change significantly over time. Independent baseline predictors of radiologic progression over time (apart from treatment allocation) were rheumatoid factor positivity, Sharp score, and DAS28.ConclusionAn initial 6‐month cycle of intensive combination treatment that includes high‐dose corticosteroids results in sustained suppression of the rate of radiologic progression in patients with early RA, independent of subsequent antirheumatic therapy.
Rheumatoid factor is the major predictor of increasing severity of radiographic erosions in rheumatoid arthritis: Results from the Norfolk Arthritis Register Study, a large inception cohort
Authors: Bukhari M. , Lunt M. , Harrison B. J. , Scott D. G. I. , Symmons D. P. M. , Silman A. J. 
Published: August 2002

AbstractObjectiveTo identify the relative contributions of clinical and laboratory variables, determined at baseline, in predicting the deterioration of radiographic damage 5 years after presentation in patients with inflammatory polyarthritis.MethodsData from 439 subjects who sought primary care for inflammatory polyarthritis were analyzed. All subjects had paired radiographs, of which the first was obtained within 24 months of presentation and the second at 5 years after presentation. The contribution of baseline clinical and laboratory variables in predicting the degree of radiologic severity as judged by the Larsen score was assessed at both time points. Additionally, the role of these factors in predicting change after adjustment for baseline severity was also measured.ResultsBy 5 years, 49% of subjects had evidence of erosions. The median Larsen score on the first film was 2 (interquartile range [IQR] 0–10) and the median score on the followup film was 7 (IQR 1–25). These corresponded to a median deterioration of 3 (IQR 0–14) in all subjects, whereas those subjects with evidence of erosions at first film showed a median deterioration of 15 (IQR 6–29) on followup. The rheumatoid factor (RF) status, C‐reactive protein levels, the presence of nodules, and number of swollen joints at baseline were all predictive of radiographic severity at first film. Not surprisingly, the baseline radiographic score was a predictor of severity of deterioration. However, after adjusting for baseline severity, a high titer of RF (>1:160) was also an independent predictor of deterioration over 5 years: individuals with an initial RF at that level had a progression in their Larsen score that was 2.3 times (95% confidence interval 1.7–3.2) higher than that in the RF‐negative individuals. Apart from this, only age had an independent effect, after adjusting for baseline severity, in predicting increasing radiographic joint damage.ConclusionHigh‐titer RF is an important variable in predicting continuing severity of radiographic damage during the first 5 years after presentation with inflammatory polyarthritis.
Reproductive factors and the risk of scleroderma: An Italian case–control study
Authors: Edith Pisa Federica , Bovenzi Massimo , Romeo Luciano , Tonello Alberta , Biasi Domenico , Bambara Lisa Maria , Betta Alberto , Barbone Fabio 
Published: August 2002

AbstractObjectiveTo investigate the association between scleroderma (systemic sclerosis; SSc) and reproductive factors in a hospital‐based case–control study conducted at the University Hospital of Verona in Northeastern Italy.MethodsForty‐six confirmed cases of SSc in women (42 with diffuse SSc and 4 with limited SSc) and 153 female control subjects with orthopedic disorders were recruited at the University Hospital. For each subject, information on age at first pregnancy, number of children and abortions, and use of oral contraceptives was obtained by means of a structured questionnaire, and information on the subject's occupational history and lifestyle factors was also sought.ResultsParous women had a reduced risk of SSc (age‐adjusted odds ratio [OR] 0.3, 95% confidence interval [95% CI] 0.1–0.8) compared with nulliparous women. The risk decreased with an increasing number of children: the age‐adjusted OR was 0.6 (95% CI 0.2–1.7) for those women who had had 1 child, 0.3 (95% CI 0.1–0.7) for those having had 2 children, and 0.3 (95% CI 0.1–0.8) for those having had 3 or more children. Abortive pregnancies were inversely related to SSc risk: for women who had an abortion, the OR was 0.5 (95% CI 0.2–1.5) compared with women with no history of abortion. The overall history of any pregnancy (abortive or age‐adjusted complete) was associated with a reduced risk of SSc (age‐adjusted OR 0.3, 95% CI 0.1–0.7).ConclusionSince the incidence of SSc is higher in women and has its peak after childbearing age, it has been hypothesized that immunobiologic modifications during pregnancy may be associated with SSc development. Our findings showing a reduced risk of SSc among parous women seem to exclude the possibility of pregnancy itself as a risk factor for SSc. The role of HLA compatibility between the mother and the fetus, however, should be evaluated in further research.
Risk factors for positive minor salivary gland biopsy findings in Sjögren's syndrome and dry mouth patients
Authors: Brennan Michael T. , Sankar Vidya , Leakan Rose Anne , Kleiner David , Atkinson Jane C. , Wilkinson William E. , Baum Bruce J. , Pillemer Stanley R. 
Published: August 2002

AbstractObjectiveTo investigate risk factors for positive minor salivary gland biopsy results in Sjögren's syndrome (SS) and dry mouth patients.MethodsA total of 289 patients with dry mouth symptoms were evaluated. Potential risk factors for positive minor salivary gland biopsy results (>1 focus of lymphocytes) were studied in 2 phases. In phase 1, predictor variable candidates were identified for the test study (phase 2). Odds ratios were calculated for predictor variables.ResultsIgG, IgA, keratoconjunctivitis sicca, and sex, identified as the best predictor variables from phase 1 data, were included in a logistic regression model using phase 2 data. Only IgG demonstrated association with biopsy results (χ2 = 20.4, P = 0.0001). An elevated IgG level (>1,482 mg/dl) had a high specificity (97% and 97%), high positive predictive value (PPV) (97% and 97%), but poor sensitivity (40% and 45%) in predicting positive biopsy results and SS, respectively.ConclusionElevated serum IgG levels best predicted a positive biopsy result and SS with high PPV and specificities.
Joint protection and home hand exercises improve hand function in patients with hand osteoarthritis: A randomized controlled trial
Authors: Stamm Tanja Alexandra , Machold Klaus Peter , Smolen Josef Sebastian , Fischer Sabine , Redlich Kurt , Graninger Winfried , Ebner Wolfgang , Erlacher Ludwig 
Published: August 2002

AbstractObjectiveTo determine the effect of joint protection and home exercises on hand function of patients with hand osteoarthritis (OA).MethodsRandomized, controlled, 3‐month trial with a blinded assessor. Primary outcome parameter was grip strength; secondary parameters were Health Assessment Questionnaire and visual analog scales (VAS) for pain and global hand function. Forty patients with hand OA were randomly assigned to 2 groups: One group received instruction for joint protection and home hand exercises (JPE group), the control group received an information session about hand OA.ResultsGrip strength improved by 25% in the JPE group (right hand, P < 0.0001; left hand, P = 0.0005), but not in the control group. Global hand function (by VAS) improved in a larger proportion (65%) of patients in the JPE group (P < 0.05).ConclusionsJoint protection and hand home exercises, easily administered and readily acceptable interventions, were found to increase grip strength and global hand function.
Design criteria for children's Web portals: The users speak out
Authors: Large Andrew , Beheshti Jamshid , Rahman Tarjin 
Published: August 2002

AbstractFour focus groups were held with young Web users (10 to 13 years of age) to explore design criteria for Web portals. The focus group participants commented upon four existing portals designed with young users in mind: Ask Jeeves for Kids, KidsClick, Lycos Zone, and Yahooligans! This article reports their first impressions on using these portals, their likes and dislikes, and their suggestions for improvements. Design criteria for children's Web portals are elaborated based upon these comments under four headings: portal goals, visual design, information architecture, and personalization. An ideal portal should cater for both educational and entertainment needs, use attractive screen designs based especially on effective use of color, graphics, and animation, provide both keyword search facilities and browsable subject categories, and allow individual user personalization in areas such as color and graphics.
European research letter: Cross‐language system evaluation: The CLEF campaigns
Authors: Peters Carol , Braschler Martin 
Published: August 2002

AbstractThe goals of the CLEF (Cross‐Language Evaluation Forum) series of evaluation campaigns for information retrieval systems operating on European languages are described. The difficulties of organizing an activity which aims at an objective evaluation of systems running on and over a number of different languages are examined. The discussion includes an analysis of the first results and proposals for possible developments in the future.
The range inter‐event process in a symmetric birth–death random walk
Authors: Vallois Pierre , Tapiero Charles S. 
Published: August 2002

AbstractThis paper provides new results for the range inter‐events process of a birth–death random walk. Motivations for determining and using the inter‐range event distribution have two sources. First, the analytical results we obtain are simpler than the range process and make it easier, therefore, to use statistics based on the inter‐range event process. Further, most of the results for the range process are based on long‐run statistical properties which limits their practical usefulness while inter‐range events are by their nature ‘short‐term’ statistics. Second, in many cases, data on amplitude change are easier to obtain and calculate than range and standard deviation processes. As a results, the predicted statistical properties of the inter‐range event process can provide an analytical foundation for the development of statistical tests that may be used practically. Application to outlier detection, volatility and time‐series analysis is discussed. Copyright © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
On testing of parameters in modulated power law process
Authors: Muralidharan K. 
Published: August 2002

AbstractThe modulated power law process (MPLP) is often used to model failure data from repairable system, when both renewal type behaviour and time trends are present. The MPLP allows for the failure rate of a system to be affected by the failure and repair. Since the MLEs of the estimates do not have closed form expressions, they have to be approximated, and hence deriving a test procedure will be difficult. Black and Rigdon (1996) have proposed asymptotic MLEs and asymptotic likelihood ratio tests for the parameters which also do not have closed form expressions and hence are not easy for application. In this paper, we derive a closed form expression for the test statistics which is simple and easy to apply for testing (i) H0:β=1 versus H1:β≠1 whenκis known and (ii) H0: (β=1 andκ=1) versus H1: (β≠1 orκ≠1). The simulation study for percentiles and powers are given. We also compare the performance of the test with that of Black and Rigdon's (1996) test. Some numerical examples are also provided to illustrate the testing procedures. Copyright © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Effect of age and single versus multiple dose pharmacokinetics of letrozole (Femara®) in breast cancer patients
Authors: Pfister Christian U. , Martoni Antonio , Zamagni Carlo , Lelli Giorgio , De Braud Filippo , Souppart Claire , Duval Martine , Hornberger Ulrike 
Published: August 2002

AbstractLetrozole (trademark Femara®) is a new orally active, potent and selective aromatase inhibitor for the hormonal treatment of advanced breast cancer in postmenopausal women. The pharmacokinetics of letrozole and the suppression of peripheral estrogens were studied in 28 breast cancer patients after a single dose and at steady state. The pharmacokinetics of two distinct age groups (⩾50, ⩽65, N=15 and ⩾70 years old, N=9) were compared. There were no significant differences in area under the curve (AUC) or terminal half‐life between the two age groups neither after a single dose nor at steady state. However, when comparing steady state to single dose kinetics, half‐life and AUC increased significantly by 42% (90% CI: 1.13, 1.78) and 28% (90% CI: 1.12, 1.47), respectively. This deviation from linearity was probably due to a partial saturation or auto‐inhibition of the dominant metabolic clearance mechanism of letrozole. At steady state, approximately 70% of the administered dose was excreted in urine as unchanged letrozole (6.0±3.8%) or as the glucuronide of the major, pharmacologically inactive metabolite CGP44645 (64.2±22.7%). A single dose of letrozole caused suppression of serum estrogen levels close to the quantification limit of the assay. No difference between single dose suppression and suppression at steady state could be detected. Copyright © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.