bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Lean at Wiremold: Beyond manufacturing, putting people front and center
Authors: Fiume Orest J. 
Published: May 2004

AbstractWiremold spent nearly a decade interjecting Lean thinking into every aspect of its operations. Its noted success, the author believes, owes much to the company's ability to leverage a key asset—people. The lesson is that everything—organizational structure, culture, job design, and HR policies and programs—has to drive Lean behavior. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Cerebrospinal fluid insulin‐like growth factor (IGF‐1) and insulin‐like growth factor binding protein (IGFBP‐2) in children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia
Authors: Riikonen Raili , Vettenranta Kim , Riikonen Pekka , Turpeinen U. , Saarinen‐Pihkala Ulla M. 
Published: May 2004

AbstractBackgroundInsulin‐like growth factor‐1 (IGF‐1) has specific effects on axonal growth and myelination, low CSF IGF‐1 levels being found in some severe neurologic diseases. We studied the levels of CSF IGF‐1 and IGF binding protein‐2 (IGFBP‐2) in children with ALL to find out whether these levels correlated with any of the neurological deficits observed.MethodsIGF‐1 and IGFBP‐2 levels were prospectively measured by radioimmunoassay in the CSF of 14 children with ALL throughout the ALL chemotherapy. These were compared with the levels of 16 control subjects and of patient groups with severe neurological diseases.ResultsDuring induction, the children with ALL had subnormal CSF IGF‐1 levels which improved after 2 months. In seven individuals, two with severe vincristine polyneuropathy, the subnormal levels persisted throughout the chemotherapy.ConclusionsOur findings suggest impairment of the IGF‐1 trophic system during induction by a mechanism so far unknown. Correlation with disturbed neuronal function could not be statistically proven. © 2004 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Successful treatment of progressive stage 4s hepatic neuroblastoma in a neonate with intra‐arterial chemoembolization
Authors: Weintraub Michael , Bloom Allan I. , Gross Eitan , Revel‐Vilk Shoshana , Shahroor Sarit , Koplewitz Benjamin Z. , Freeman Arnold I. 
Published: May 2004

AbstractStage 4s neuroblastoma (NB) is a unique entity seen in infants less than 1 year of age, with metastatic disease confined to liver, skin, or bone marrow. Despite metastatic spread, stage 4s NB has a favorable outcome. An exception to this is seen in neonates who present with progressive enlargement of the liver with secondary respiratory compromise and liver failure. We describe a 4‐week‐old neonate who presented with 4s NB, with a rapidly enlarging liver, resulting in respiratory and hepatic failure, who had a rapid, sustained, and ongoing response to chemoembolization of the hepatic artery. This approach is feasible at this age, and may be effective in improving the outcome in this group of patients. © 2004 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Study of injection molded microcellular polyamide‐6 nanocomposites
Authors: Yuan Mingjun , Turng Lih‐Sheng , Gong Shaoqin , Caulfield Daniel , Hunt Chris , Spindler Rick 
Published: May 2004

AbstractThis study aims to explore the processing benefits and property improvements of combining nanocomposites with microcellular injection molding. The microcellular nanocomposite processing was performed on an injection‐molding machine equipped with a commercially available supercritical fluid (SCF) system. The molded samples produced based on the Design of Experiments (DOE) matrices were subjected to tensile testing, impact testing, Dynamic Mechanical Analysis (DMA), and Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) analyses. Molding conditions and nano‐clays have been found to have profound effects on the cell structures and mechanical properties of polyamide‐6 (PA‐6) base resin and nanocomposite samples. The results show that microcellular nanocomposite samples exhibit smaller cell size and uniform cell distribution as well as higher tensile strength compared to the corresponding base PA‐6 microcellular samples. Among the molding parameters studied, shot size has the most significant effect on cell size, cell density, and tensile strength. Fractographic study reveals evidence of different modes of failure and different regions of fractured structure depending on the molding conditions. Polym. Eng. Sci. 44:673–686, 2004. © 2004 Society of Plastics Engineers.
Comparison of methods for the detection of cocontinuity in poly(ethylene oxide)/polystyrene blends
Authors: Galloway Jeffrey A. , Macosko Christopher W. 
Published: May 2004

AbstractFour methods for detecting cocontinuity in a poly(ethylene oxide)/polystyrene (PEO/PS) system are compared: scanning electron microscopy (SEM) with image analysis, solvent extraction, electrical conductivity measurements, and rheological measurements. Measurements of the amounts of interfacial area using a novel image analysis method showed that the interfacial area reached local maxima at the boundaries of the region of cocontinuity. Solvent extraction experiments allowed the region of cocontinuity to be characterized based on the ability of the blends to maintain their shape during extraction and measurements of the degree of continuity of the PEO phase. Electrical conductivity measurements were modeled using percolation theory to estimate the minimum PEO concentration required to form a continuous phase. Rheological measurements showed that the elastic modulus measured at low frequencies reached local maxima at the boundaries of the region of cocontinuity. SEM with image analysis and solvent extraction provide the most quantitative information about the blend morphology and are the most powerful methods for characterizing the region of cocontinuity. Polym. Eng. Sci. 44:714–727, 2004. © 2004 Society of Plastics Engineers.
Birefringence prediction of optical media
Authors: Fan Bingfeng , Kazmer David O. , Bushko Wit C. , Theriault Richard P. , Poslinski Andrew J. 
Published: May 2004

AbstractThe flow and thermally induced birefringence of injection‐compression molded optical media such as compact discs and digital video discs is predicted by applying a stress‐optical rule to the flow and thermally induced stresses, which are estimated with a viscoelastic material model integrated into a non‐isothermal compressible flow simulation. The resulting model considers flow and cooling induced molecular orientation, and the transient effect of thermal stress and pressure. Contrary to previous research for polystyrene, the validated results indicate that, for polycarbonate, the magnitude of the thermally induced birefringence is comparable to the flow induced birefringence. Simulation results of the flow and thermally induced in‐plane birefringence for compact‐disc‐recordable moldings with an optical grade of polycarbonate compared well with experimental observations at different mold and melt temperatures. Both simulation and experiments indicate that mold and melt temperatures have a significant effect on the level of birefringence; increasing mold or melt temperature significantly reduces the birefringence. Polym. Eng. Sci. 44:814–824, 2004. © 2004 Society of Plastics Engineers.
Effect of the substituted benzene group on thermal and mechanical properties of epoxy resins initiated by cationic latent catalysts
Authors: Park Soo‐Jin , Seo Min‐Kang , Lee Jae‐Rock 
Published: May 2004

AbstractEpoxy resins (DGEBA) were cured by cationic latent thermal catalysts, that is, N‐benzylpyrazinium hexafluoroantimonate (BPH) and N‐benzylquinoxalinium hexafluoroantimonate (BQH) to investigate the effect of substituted benzene group on cure kinetics and mechanical properties of epoxy system. Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) was undertaken for activation energy of the system. It was also characterized in terms of flexural, fracture toughness, and Izod impact strengths for the mechanical tests. As a result, the cure reaction of both epoxy systems resulted in an autocatalytic kinetic mechanism accelerated by hydroxyl groups. Also, the conversion and cure activation energy of the DGEBA/BQH system were higher than those of DGEBA/BPH system. The mechanical properties of the DGEBA/BQH system were also superior to those of the DGEBA/BPH system, as well as the morphology. This was probably due to the consequence of the effect of the substituted benzene group of the BQH catalyst, resulting in increasing the crosslinking density and structural stability in the epoxy system studied. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part B: Polym Phys 42: 2419–2429, 2004
Structural dynamics of an ionotropic glutamate receptor
Authors: Kubo Minoru , Ito Etsuro 
Published: May 2004

AbstractIonotropic glutamate receptors (iGluRs) are postsynaptic ion channels involved in excitatory neurotransmission. iGluRs play important roles in development and in forms of synaptic plasticity that underlie higher order processes such as learning and memory. Neurobiological and biochemical studies have long characterized iGluRs in detail. However, the structural basis for the function of iGluRs has not yet been investigated, because there is insufficient information about their three‐dimensional structures. In 1998, a crystal structure called S1S2 lobes was first solved for the extracellular bilobed ligand‐binding domain of the GluR2 subunit. Since then, the crystal structures for the S1S2 lobes both in the apo and in various liganded states have been reported, and recent biophysical studies have further elucidated the dynamic aspects of the structure of the S1S2 lobes. In this review, the dynamic structures of the S1S2 lobes and their ligands are summarized, and the importance of their structural flexibility and fluctuation is discussed in light of the mechanisms of ligand recognition, activation, and desensitization of the receptor. Proteins 2004. © 2004 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Repacking of hydrophobic residues in a stable mutant of apocytochrome b562 selected by phage‐display and proteolysis
Authors: Feng Hanqiao , Bai Yawen 
Published: May 2004

AbstractTo test a hydrophobic core‐directed protein design approach, we previously have used phage‐display and proteolysis to select stably folded proteins from a library of mutants of apocytochrome b562. The consensus sequence of the selected mutants has hydrophilic residues at two of the three positions that are designed to form a hydrophobic core. To understand this unexpected result, we determined the high‐resolution structure of one of the selected mutants using multi‐dimensional nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR). The structure shows that the two hydrophilic residues in the consensus sequence were on the surface of the structure. Instead, two of their neighboring hydrophobic residues reorganized their side‐chain conformations and formed the hydrophobic core. This result suggests that the hydrophobic core‐directed protein design by phage‐display and proteolysis is a valid method in general but alternative hydrophobic packing needs to be considered in the initial design. The unexpected repacking of the hydrophobic residues also highlights the plastic nature of protein structures. Proteins 2004. © 2004 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Direct analysis of selected N‐acyl‐L‐homoserine lactones by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry
Authors: Cataldi T. R. I. , Bianco G. , Frommberger M. , Schmitt‐Kopplin Ph. 
Published: May 2004

AbstractA rapid, simple and selective method involving direct separation by gas chromatography (GC) with electron ionization mass spectrometry (EI‐MS) was employed to determine some N‐acylhomoserine lactones (AHLs). Using GC/EI‐MS, simultaneous separation and characterization of AHLs were possible without prior derivatization. Informative fragmentation patterns were obtained to identify the structures of N‐acyl chains of AHLs. Electron ionization resulted in a common fragmentation pattern with the most abundant ion at m/z 143 and other minor peaks at m/z 71, 57, and 43. The presence of AHLs in extracts of Burkholderia cepacia strains was achieved in selected ion monitoring mode by using the prominent fragment at m/z 143. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
An unusual cleavage reaction of a peptide observed during dithiotreitol and tris(2‐carboxyethyl)phosphine reduction: application to sequencing of HpTx2 spider toxin using nanospray tandem mass spectrometry
Authors: Legros Christian , Célérier Marie‐Louise , Guette Catherine 
Published: May 2004

AbstractA recombinant peptidic spider toxin, HpTx2, was investigated directly by nanoelectrospray tandem mass spectrometry (MS/MS). This 30‐residue toxin possesses a highly knotted structure with cystines arranged in close proximity. The low‐energy collision‐induced dissociation MS/MS spectrum of the [M+4H]4+ ion permitted characterization of the C‐terminal sequence of HpTx2 up to Cys26 that is involved in a disulfide bridge. Chemical pre‐treatment with DTT or TCEP was then investigated, and it was found that an unexpected cleavage reaction of HpTx2 gave two smaller peptides which were completely sequenced by MS/MS experiments using a Qq‐TOF mass spectrometer. This unusual hydrolysis reaction facilitated the determination of the complete sequence of the HpTx2 toxin. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Characterization of phenolic acids in black carrots (Daucus carota ssp. sativus var. atrorubens Alef.) by high‐performance liquid chromatography/electrospray ionization mass spectrometry
Authors: Kammerer Dietmar , Carle Reinhold , Schieber Andreas 
Published: May 2004

AbstractPhenolic acids were extracted from black carrot roots (Daucus carota ssp. sativus var. atrorubens Alef.) and a black carrot juice concentrate, and characterized by high‐performance liquid chromatography/electrospray ionization mass spectrometry. Most of the compounds detected were identified as depsides composed of p‐coumaric, caffeic and ferulic acids. Additionally, three hydroxybenzoic acid derivatives and one quercetin glycoside were detected. 5‐O‐Caffeoylquinic acid (chlorogenic acid) represented the predominant compound amounting to 657 mg/kg in the roots and 5815 mg/kg in the concentrate. The specific fragmentation patterns of mono‐ and dihydroxycinnamoylquinic acids allowed the distinction of several stereoisomers. The presence of 4‐O‐caffeoylquinic acid and several further hydroxycinnamic acid esters, together with compounds not belonging to the depside type, is reported for the first time. The present study reveals that the phenolic profile of black carrots is even more complex than hitherto assumed and may contribute to pigment stability of extracts derived from the roots. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Retrospective Study of Women Presenting with Axillary Metastases from Occult Breast Carcinoma
Authors: Blanchard D. Kay , Farley David R. 
Published: May 2004

AbstractAlthough palpable axillary lymphadenopathy is most often related to benign disorders, it may be a harbinger of an underlying advanced malignancy. Fewer than 1% of patients diagnosed with breast cancer initially present with axillary metastases as their only clinical manifestation. This study represents the Mayo Clinic experience with women with occult breast cancer who presented with axillary metastases. Among a group of 44 women undergoing axillary biopsy for a palpable mass, 35 had histologic evidence of a metastatic carcinoma of primary breast cancer origin. Our retrospective analysis focused on the workup, identification, treatment, and outcome of these 35 women. All 35 women had a palpable axillary nodule, no dominant breast mass, and normal mammograms and chest radiographs. Histologic analysis of the axillary node revealed a probable breast cancer in all patients. Long‐term follow‐up was available for 33 patients (mean 71.5 months, range 4–252 months). Mastectomy was performed as part of the primary treatment in 18 patients (51%), and among them a primary breast tumor was found in 6 (33%). Of the women who underwent mastectomy (n = 18) and for whom follow‐up data were available (n = 17), six developed tumor recurrence (35%), and four died of their disease (24%). Among the patients who did not undergo mastectomy (n = 17) as their primary treatment, follow‐up revealed that 12 (of 16) patients developed recurrent disease (75%), and 11 patients died of breast carcinoma (69%). Despite extensive clinical and radiologic evaluation, a primary tumor was not initially located in any of the 35 women with axillary metastases from a presumed occult breast carcinoma. As a consequence of aggressive surgical intervention, six primary breast cancers were located in mastectomy specimens, and those 17 patients followed after mastectomy fared significantly better than the 16 patients without mastectomy (p = 0.047).
Electronic fetal heart rate monitoring during cesarean section
Authors: Petrikovsky B. , Cohen M. , Fastman D. , Tancer M.L. 
Published: May 2004

AbstractFetal heart rate (FHR) response to cesarean section was studied in 65 patients. Induction of anesthesia, skin, fascial, peritoneal and bladder flap incisions were not associated with a change in FHR. Abdominal preparation was associated with FHR decelerations in 15% of cases. Myometrial incision was followed by FHR deceleration in 11% of cases. No correlation between the incision/delivery (I‐D) interval and FHR changes was seen.
Cervical incompetence: a 24‐year review
Authors: Chryssikopoulos A. , Botsis D. , Vitoratos N. , Loghis C. 
Published: May 2004

AbstractThree hundred nineteen cervical cerclages performed in 264 pregnant women were retrospectively studied. The diagnosis of cervical incompetence was established by the obstetrical history, hysterosalpingography, ultrasound screening and vaginal examination. All cervical cerclages were applied between 14 and 17 weeks gestation according to Shirodkar's technique except 49 emergency cases between 18 and 26 weeks gestation for which other techniques were chosen. The incidence of preterm deliveries (26–37 weeks gestation) decreased from 39.7% to 14.23% (P < 0.001) and that of full term pregnancies increased from 20.04% to 75.74% (P < 0.001). The number of neonates weighing ⩽2000 g decreased from 44.20% to 11.38% (P < 0.001) and those weighing ⩾2500 g increased from 44.83% to 75.82% (P < 0.001). Perinatal mortality after cerclage declined from 28.21% to 5.52% (P < 0.001). There was no increase in congenital defects. An increased rate of breech presentation (5.32%) and cesarian section (20.38%) was noticed. The repeated cerclage in consequent pregnancies did not seem to influence the duration of gestation. In emergency cases the rate of preterm deliveries was 53.06%, of full term pregnancies 12.25%, of newborns with birthweight ⩽2500 g 31.77% and of those with birthweight ⩾2500 g 19.23%. Perinatal mortality in emergency cases was 42.3%. An increase in aerobic and anaerobic pathological flora was noticed in postoperative cervical cultures.
A cost‐effective but safe protocol for the staging of invasive cervical carcinoma in a third world country
Authors: Du Toit J.P. 
Published: May 2004

AbstractThe treatment and prognosis of invasive cervical carcinoma depends on proper clinical staging. The prestaging investigations are time‐consuming and costly and 3rd world countries find it difficult to adhere to 1st world protocols. In the search for a more cost‐effective but safe protocol for pre‐treatment investigation the analysis of some of the special investigations performed on a total of 903 patients with invasive cervical carcinoma have proven beyond doubt that some of these investigations can be omitted without harming the patient. The Gynecologic Oncology Unit of the Tygerberg Hospital R.S.A. propose such a cost‐effective protocol provided some criteria are strictly adhered to in safeguarding proper health care.
Puerperal adynamic ileus
Authors: Leiberman J.R. , Mazor M. , Dreval D. 
Published: May 2004

AbstractPuerperal adynamic ileus includes acute mild and severe clinical manifestations. Acute severe puerperal adynamic ileus may constitute the clinical indication of a serious underlying disease, such as sepsis, rupture of uterus, intra‐abdominal or retroperitoneal bleeding, ureteral pathology, intra‐abdominal foreign body and internal diseases. Sometimes the diagnosis requires abdominal and chest X‐ray, uterine exploration and intravenous pyelography. Surgical treatment requires proper previous general evaluation; and fluids, electrolytes and plasma should be provided.
Testicular function in rats following immobilization stress
Authors: Murthy N.V.A. , Wray S.R. , Melville G.N. , Wynter H.H. , Santha Ram N.V. , Hari Haran N.V. 
Published: May 2004

AbstractStress is believed to influence male reproductive activity. Male rats were subjected to immobilization stress for 2 h/day for 30 days to assess the effects of stress on testicular function. Net mass of the testes, epididymes and the seminal vesicles, sperm morphology, number of epididymal sperms and percent progressive motility of the sperms were determined. Adrenal weights were significantly increased (P < 0.05) in the stressed animals. There was no significant difference between the control and the stressed animals with respect to testicular and epididymal weight, level of sperm production, progressive motility, seminal vesicular weight and abnormal forms. Histological examination also revealed a similarity in the structure of seminiferous tubules, adequacy of cell types of developing germ cells, structure of Leydig cells and epididymal lumina in both the groups. This study demonstrated a lack of significant effect of immobilization stress on testicular function in rats.
A multicenter international study on the activity of sulbactam/ampicillin, ampicillin, and cefoxitin against anaerobic bacteria and introduction of a new model of susceptibility testing in mixed infections
Authors: Heizmann W.R. , Heilmann F. , Werner H. 
Published: May 2004

AbstractSusceptibility of anaerobic clinical isolates from the United States, Canada, and Germany to sulbactam/ampicillin (1 + 2) (SBT/ AMP), ampicillin alone (AMP), and cefoxitin (CFX) was determined with a standard agar dilution test. The isolates included 192 strains of Bacteroides fragilis, 132 strains of other Bacteroides spp., and 19 strains of Clostridium spp. Against all species tested, SBT/ AMP was more active than AMP or CFX Results obtained by a new model of associative susceptibility testing indicated that susceptibility testing of single pathogens from polymicrobial infections is not necessarily reflective of the susceptibility of the pathogens at the site of infection. The results suggest that sulbactam is effective in associations of pathogens producing beta‐lactamases of Richmond‐Sykes types II–V and beta‐lactamases of anaerobic bacteria.
A comparison of ampicillin plus sulbactam versus clindamycin and gentamicin for treatment of postpartum infection
Authors: McGregor J.A. , Christensen F.B. 
Published: May 2004

AbstractThirty‐six hospitalized patients, 18 in each of two groups, with postpartum upper genital tract infection were enrolled in a randomized, prospective study comparing treatment with sulbactam/ampicillin, to treatment with clindamycin/gentamicin. One (5.5%) clinical failure was reported in each group. Side effects were minimal in both groups and did not warrant discontinuation of treatment. The in vitro activity of ampicillin versus sulbactam/ampicillin (1: 2) was evaluated and these data were compared with data from other drugs commonly used for aerobic and anaerobic infections. Sulbactam eliminated resistance to ampicillin in all anaerobic and most aerobic isolates.