bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Network analysis of reverse phase protein expression data: Characterizing protein signatures in acute myeloid leukemia cytogenetic categories t(8;21) and inv(16)
Authors: York Heather , Kornblau Steven M. , Qutub Amina Ann
Published: May 2012

Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) patients present with cancerous cells originating from bone marrow. Proteomic data onAMLpatient cells provides critical information on the key molecules associated with the disease. Here, we introduce a new computational approach to identify complex patterns in protein signaling from reverse phase protein array data. We analyzed the expression of 203 proteins in cells taken fromAMLpatients. Dominant overlapping protein networks between subtypes ofAMLpatients were characterized computationally, through a pairedt‐test approach looking at relative protein expression. In the first application of this method, we compared recurrent cytogenetic abnormalities inv(16) and t(8;21), both affecting core‐binding factor (CBFβ), to normalCD34+cells and to each other. Six hundred seventy‐eight sets of proteins were identified as significantly different in both inv(16) and t(8;21) compared to controls, at theBonferroni number, α < 2.44 × 10−6. We strengthened our predictions by comparing results to those obtained using lasso regression analysis. Signaling networks were constructed from the protein pairs that were significantly different in thet‐test and lasso regression analysis. Predicted networks were also compared to known networks from public protein–protein interaction and signaling databases. By characterizing unique “protein signatures” through this rapid computational analysis, and placing them in the context of canonical biological networks, we identify signaling pathways distinct to subcategories ofAMLpatients.
Pattern formation of colloidal suspensions by dip‐coating: An in situ grazing incidence X‐ray scattering study
Authors: Perlich J. , Schwartzkopf M. , Körstgens V. , Erb D. , Risch J. F. H. , Müller‐Buschbaum P. , Röhlsberger R. , Roth S. V. , Gehrke R.
Published: May 2012

Dip‐coating of a colloidal suspension is investigated in situ with microbeam grazing incidence small‐angle X‐ray scattering. We focus on the real‐time monitoring of a vertical dip‐coating process yielding insights into structural changes during pattern formation of the thin film. With the selected configuration a fixed spot on the sample surface is probed and the structural information at the time the contact line passes this spot is obtained, hence revealing the structure at the vicinity of the flowing meniscus owing to the microfocused beam. After dip‐coating the morphology is analyzed with atomic force microscopy, yielding real space information about the arrangement of individual nanoparticles at the film surface.

magnified image

GISAXS allows for in situ investigation of structure formation during dip‐coating. (© 2012 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Validation of Test Methods for Characterizing and Specifying Materials Used in the Construction of Sterilization Packaging
Authors: Berry Christopher William , Harding Lorraine
Published: May 2012

This article details the validation of preexisting test methods from EN 868 to enable their adoption into ISO 11607. ISO 11607‐1:2006 specifies the requirements and test methods for packaging materials and barrier systems, which are intended to maintain the sterility of terminally sterilized medical devices until the point of use. To evaluate each method, we conducted a precision experiment as described in ISO 5725‐2. The methods assessed are as follows: water repellency (EN 868 parts 2, 3, 6 and 7), pore size (EN 868 parts 2, 3, 6 and 7), chloride and sulfates content by hot extraction (ISO 9197 and ISO 9198). Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Ensemble forecasts of a flood‐producing storm: comparison of the influence of model‐state perturbations and parameter modifications
Authors: Leoncini G. , Plant R. S. , Gray S. L. , Clark P. A.
Published: May 2012

High‐resolution ensemble simulations (Δx = 1 km) are performed with the Met Office Unified Model for the Boscastle (Cornwall, UK) flash‐flooding event of 16 August 2004. Forecast uncertainties arising from imperfections in the forecast model are analysed by comparing the simulation results produced by two types of perturbation strategy. Motivated by the meteorology of the event, one type of perturbation alters relevant physics choices or parameter settings in the model's parametrization schemes. The other type of perturbation is designed to account for representativity error in the boundary‐layer parametrization. It makes direct changes to the model state and provides a lower bound against which to judge the spread produced by other uncertainties. The Boscastle has genuine skill at scales of approximately 60 km and an ensemble spread which can be estimated to within ∼ 10% with only eight members. Differences between the model‐state perturbation and physics modification strategies are discussed, the former being more important for triggering and the latter for subsequent cell development, including the average internal structure of convective cells.

Despite such differences, the spread in rainfall evaluated at skilful scales is shown to be only weakly sensitive to the perturbation strategy. This suggests that relatively simple strategies for treating model uncertainty may be sufficient for practical, convective‐scale ensemble forecasting. Copyright © 2012 Royal Meteorological Society and British Crown Copyright, the Met Office
Is unequal weighting significantly better than equal weighting for multi‐model forecasting?
Authors: DelSole Timothy , Yang Xiaosong , Tippett Michael K.
Published: May 2012

This article proposes a statistical test for whether a multi‐model combination with unequal weights has significantly smaller errors than a combination with equal weights. A combination with equal weights includes the case of a no‐skill model, in which all weights equal zero, and the multi‐model mean, in which all weights equal 1/M, where M is the number of models. The test is applied to seasonal hindcasts of 2 m temperature and precipitation generated by five state‐of‐the‐art coupled atmosphere–ocean models. The hypothesis of equal weights could not be rejected over 75% the globe for temperature and 90% of the land for precipitation, implying that strategies for unequal weighting of forecasts may be of value only over a relatively small fraction of the globe. The fact that the test does not require pre‐specifying a specific strategy for weighting forecasts suggests that it should be useful for exploring a wide range of multi‐model strategies. Copyright © 2012 Royal Meteorological Society
Enthalpies of formation of phosphorus and oxygen compounds determined by the correlation consistent composite approach
Authors: Morgon Nelson H.
Published: May 2012

The heats of formation of small molecules (O2, O3, P2, P4, PO, PO2, PO3, P2O, P2O2, and P4O6) have been determined by a modified version of the correlation consistent composite approach (ccCA). The equilibrium geometries and vibrational frequencies were computed via density functional theory, using the M06‐2X exchange‐correlation functional and 6‐31G(2df,p) basis sets. The original methodology requires CCSD(T) energy, which now is obtained by CR‐CCSD(T)_L method. The theoretical heats of formation, whose accuracy is estimated as ranging from ±4 to ±10 kJ mol−1, are closer to the available experimental data, but O3 and P4O6 are exceptions, exceed the desired value of ±10 kJ mol−1. The ccCA result for ozone (159.2 kJ mol−1) shows a deviation in comparison to experimental data (142.67 ± 1.7 kJ mol−1), but it is closer to the calculated value 154.0 kJ mol−1 by the high‐level quantum chemical calculation (W1U; Janoschek and Fabian, J. Mol. Struct.
2006, 780–781, 80). The value of heat formation to P4O6 was estimated to be −1706.3 kJ mol−1. This value is quite different of experimental data, and additional studies are needed to understand this deviation. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Studies of interaction between insulin and glutathione using electrospray ionization mass spectrometry
Authors: Du Yonggang , Zhang Ningbo , Cui Meng , Liu Zhiqiang , Liu Shuying
Published: May 2012

RATIONALE

The interaction of glutathione (GSH) with insulin plays an important role in the degradation or regulation of insulin. The characterization of the reaction products of GSH and insulin is very important for a proper understanding of the mechanism of insulin regulation of GSH.

METHODS

Solutions of insulin and glutathione were incubated under different experimental conditions in vitro. The reaction products were determined by electrospray ionization (ESI) ion trap mass spectrometry combined with Fourier transform ion cyclotron resonance (FTICR) mass spectrometry.

RESULTS

The multi‐reaction products were identified, including insulin A chain with two intrachain disulfides, insulin B chain with one intrachain disulfides, GSH‐modified insulin, GSH‐modified A chain, GSH‐modified B chain, aggregates of A chain and B chain, and reduced A chain and B chain. The binding site of the B chain with insulin was determined directly by tandem mass spectrometry (MS/MS) without enzyme digestion. It was found that the reaction between GSH and insulin was pH‐, O2‐ and temperature‐dependent.

CONCLUSIONS

The results provide insight into the interaction between GSH and insulin. It has also been demonstrated that ESI‐MS combined with high‐resolution FTICRMS and MS/MS provides a powerful tool for screening the reactions of proteins and small molecules. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Ultra low energy O2+ SIMS depth profiling of superficial poly(CuPc) and Co(II)T(o‐NH2)PP monomolecular layers
Authors: Dowsett M. G. , Morris R. J. H. , Adriaens A. , Wilson N. R.
Published: May 2012

Using an O2+ beam at 90 eV, close to the sputtering threshold, we have obtained depth profiles from superficial monolayers on gold. The samples were polymeric copper phthalocyanine (poly(CuPc)) (C32H12N8Cu)n and Co(II)T(o‐NH2)PP (5,10,15,20‐tetrakis‐(2‐aminophenyl) porphyrin‐cobalt(II)) (C44H28CoN4) monomolecular layers, deposited on gold films on silicon. The layer thicknesses, determined using atomic force microscopy, were ~4.5 nm for the poly(CuPc) and ~1.8 nm for the Co(II)T(o‐NH2)PP. The ion signals monitored included: poly(CuPc) layer: 63Cu+, 65Cu+, 30ON+ and 12 C+; Co(II)T(o‐NH2)PP layer: 59Co+, 30ON+ and 12 C+. Comparisons between 90 eV and 235 eV profiles from the layers and bare substrates showed that the monomolecular layers are resolvable at 90 eV and distinct from any surface contamination spike. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Signaling Profiling at the Single-Cell Level Identifies a Distinct Signaling Signature in Murine Hematopoietic Stem Cells
Authors: Du Juan , Wang Jinyong , Kong Guangyao , Jiang Jing , Zhang Jingfang , Liu Yangang , Tong Wei , Zhang Jing
Published: May 2012

Hematopoietic stem cell (HSC) function is tightly regulated by cytokine signaling. Although phospho-flow cytometry allows us to study signaling in defined populations of cells, there has been tremendous hurdle to carry out this study in rare HSCs due to unrecoverable critical HSC markers, low HSC number, and poor cell recovery rate. Here, we overcame these difficulties and developed a “HSC phospho-flow” method to analyze cytokine signaling in murine HSCs at the single-cell level and compare HSC signaling profile to that of multipotent progenitors (MPPs), a cell type immediately downstream of HSCs, and commonly used Lin− cKit+ cells (LK cells, enriched for myeloid progenitors). We chose to study signaling evoked from three representative cytokines, stem cell factor (SCF) and thrombopoietin (TPO) that are essential for HSC function and granulocyte macrophage-colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF) that is dispensable for HSCs. HSCs display a distinct TPO and GM-CSF signaling signature from MPPs and LK cells, which highly correlates with receptor surface expression. In contrast, although majority of LK cells express lower levels of cKit than HSCs and MPPs, SCF-evoked ERK1/2 activation in LK cells shows a significantly increased magnitude for a prolonged period. These results suggest that specific cellular context plays a more important role than receptor surface expression in SCF signaling. Our study of HSC signaling at the homeostasis stage paves the way to investigate signaling changes in HSCs under conditions of stress, aging, and hematopoietic diseases.
Men's health down under
Authors: Kirby Roger
Published: May 2012

Australia is a country where many men still take ‘Crocodile Dundee’ for a macho role model. Returning from the annual meeting of the Urological Society of Australia and New Zealand (USANZ), where I delivered a lecture on ‘The Trouble with Men’ and took part in a public forum on men's health, gives me pause to contemplate these issues in the southern hemisphere, and to suggest some solutions. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons
Advanced prostate cancer – lessons from the past for success in the future
Authors: Fizazi Karim , Payne Heather A. , Staffurth John
Published: May 2012

This report is based on a workshop seminar held during the 8th Annual Meeting of the British Uro‐oncology Group in York last September. The workshop contrasted the well‐known clinical trial failures of a number of promising drugs for castration‐resistant prostate cancer (CRPC) before 2009, with the rush of positive late‐phase trials reported over the past two years. The disappointing experiences of the earlier period were discussed in the context of optimising the chances of successfully developing emerging CRPC therapies. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons
Hormonal and Behavioral Variation in Pied Tamarins Housed in Different Management Conditions
Authors: Armstrong D. M. , Santymire R.M.
Published: May 2012

Pied tamarins are an endangered Amazonian primate that has limited breeding success in zoos. Unfortunately, little is known about their reproductive biology and adrenocortical activity. Objectives were: (1) determine if fecal hormones could be utilized to monitor gonadal and adrenocortical activity; (2) characterize male and female gonadal and adrenocortical hormones; and (3) determine if there were differences between adrenocortical activity and behavior in a nonbreeding, on‐exhibit (NB‐ON) pair compared to a breeding, off‐exhibit (B‐OFF) pair. Fecal samples were collected from four (two males; two females) individuals. Hormones were analyzed for fecal progesterone (FPM), androgen (FAM), and glucocorticoid (FGM) metabolites by enzyme immunoassay. Behavioral observations were conducted for 6 months. Data were collected on instantaneous behavior, location, and all occurrences of intraspecific behaviors. Fecal progesterone metabolites were validated by pregnancy (mean ± SE, pregnant: 28.47 ± 1.60 μg/g; nonpregnant: 8.63 ± 0.89 μg/g). Fecal androgen metabolites were higher (T = 31,971, P < 0.05) in the B‐OFF male (863.66 ± 46.30 μg/g) than the NB‐ON male (838.63 ± 60.70 μg/g). Fecal glucocorticoid metabolites were validated by response to veterinary procedure with elevated values (7.31 ± 1.48 μg/g) seven times the baseline (0.37 ± 0.04 μg/g) at 24‐hr postphysical. Females had higher baseline FGM than the males (P < 0.05). Baseline FGM were higher (P < 0.05) in the NB‐ON female (0.93 ± 0.03 μg/g) compared to the B‐OFF female (0.38 ± 0.02 μg/g). Similarly, the NB‐ON male's FGM baseline (0.71 ± 0.03 μg/g) were higher (P < 0.05) than the B‐OFF male (0.21 ± 0.01 μg/g). Behavioral data revealed stereotypical behaviors in the NB‐ON pair but no stereotypical behaviors in the B‐OFF pair. Fecal hormone monitoring and behavioral analysis may provide insight on the limited breeding success of pied tamarins in zoos. Zoo Biol. 32:299–306, 2013. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Effect of hypoxia on metabolic rate, core body temperature, and c‐fos expression in the naked mole rat
Authors: Nathaniel Thomas I. , Otukonyong Effiong , Abdellatif Ahmed , Soyinka Julius O.
Published: May 2012

Recent investigations of hypoxia physiology in the naked mole rat have opened up an interesting line of research into the basic physiological and genomic alterations that accompany hypoxia survival. The extent to which such findings connect the effect of hypoxia to metabolic rate (O2 consumption), core body temperature (Tb), and transcripts encoding the immediate early gene product (such as c‐fos) under a constant ambient temperature (Ta) is not well known. We investigated this issue in the current study. Our first sets of experiments measured Tb and metabolic rates during exposure of naked mole rats to hypoxia over a constant Ta. Hypoxia significantly decreased metabolic rates in the naked mole rat. Although core Tb also decreased during hypoxia, the effect of hypoxia in suppressing core Tb was not significant. The second series of experiments revealed that c‐fos protein and mRNA expression in the hippocampus neurons (CA1) increased in naked mole rats that were repeatedly exposed to 3% O2 for 60 min per day for 5 days when compared to normoxia. Our findings provide evidence for the up‐regulation of c‐fos and suppression of metabolic rate in hypoxia tolerating naked mole rats under constant ambient temperature. Metabolic suppression and c‐fos upregulation constitute part of the physiological complex associated with adaptation to hypoxia.
Reducing self‐control depletion effects through enhanced sensitivity to implementation: Evidence from fMRI and behavioral studies
Authors: Hedgcock William M. , Vohs Kathleen D. , Rao Akshay R.
Published: May 2012

Research suggests self‐control relies on a limited set of resources that can be diminished by use. Recent theories posit that there are two stages of self‐control: recognizing the need for control and implementing controlled responses. We conducted a functional magnetic resonance imaging experiment and an intervention experiment to investigate whether one or both stages were affected by the prior exercise of self‐control. Results from both experiments indicated that only the implementation stage was affected. Further, we demonstrate that self‐control can be increased by an intervention designed to boost implementation, as opposed to the recognition of the need to control one's responses.
The Content of the Psychological Work Contract for Frontline Police Officers
Authors: Cable Donald A.J.
Published: May 2012

Adding to the field of knowledge on the content of the psychological work contract, structured interviews with 35 frontline police officers generated 662 responses relating to the content of the psychological work contract for this employment sector. Analysis of these responses resulted in the development of an initial two-component measure of the contract. One component (17 items) reflected the obligations arising from the promises officers believed the organisation had made to them. The other component (19 items) reflected the obligations arising from the promises officers believed they had made to the organisation. The measure was included in a survey completed by 84 frontline police officers. Factor analysis revealed two factors in each component. For the organisation's obligations component, one factor reflected obligations related more to the organisational environment, whereas the other factor reflected obligations related more to the job environment. For the employee's obligations component, one factor reflected obligations related more to behaviours on the job, whereas the other factor reflected obligations related more to the pursuit of development opportunities. The nature of the relationships that emerged between the psychological contract and the nomological network variables included in the study provide strong support for the validity of this measure of the psychological contract.
Adapted task configuration of a reconfigurable binary parallel robot with

P

RRR

P

structure
Authors: Schütz Daniel , Raatz Annika , Hesselbach Jürgen
Published: May 2012

Binary-actuated robots offer a discrete workspace with the advantage that no feedback control is needed, as their actuators have two mechanical end-positions. This contribution focuses on a planar parallel robot with a PRRRP structure and driven by rodless pneumatic cylinders. Thus, the robot's workspace only features four destination points, which can be reached quickly and with high repeatability. Because of the fact that there is no possibility to reach in discrete points, an adapted task configuration is essential. The objective of this work is to establish and validate a synthesis and calibration technique for binary parallel robots with a PRRRP structure.
Estimating the Cost of Serious Injurious Falls in a Canadian Acute Care Hospital
Authors: Zecevic Aleksandra A. , Chesworth Bert M. , Zaric Gregory S. , Huang Qing , Salmon Anneke , McAuslan Deb , Welch Randy , Brunton Douglas
Published: May 2012

Les chutes représentent 40 pour cent des accidents d’hôpitaux et leurs conséquences vont de zéro à des blessures graves. Le but de cette étude a été d’estimer le coût moyen à l’hôpital de la durée du séjour (DS) associée aux chutes liées aux préjudices graves dans un hôpital de soins actifs. Nous avons utilisé les données de gestion des risques et des bases de données qui représentent les frais associés à une blessure grave après une chute à l’hôpital. On a comparé trente-sept patients blessés à 2,330 contrôles en utilisant le diagnostic le plus responsable médical, et par l’âge et par le sexe des patients. En utilisant les t-tests et la regréssion multivariée, on a comparé le coût et la DS. Les coûts moyens pour ceux qui se sont grièvement blessés en tombant, et pour les contrôles sans chutes, étaient DC 44,203 $ et DC 13,507 $ tandis ceux de la DS était, respectivement, 45 et 11 jours. Le coût des soins d’hospitalisation pour un patient qui a subi une chute résultante en blessures graves était 30,696 $ (95% IC : $25,158 – $36,781) supérieur au coût pour quelqu’un qui ne s’est pas tombé. Les gestionnaires d’hôpitaux jouent un rôle de premier plan en créant des programmes dans le réseau pour prévenir les chutes et réduire les coûts hospitaliers.
Stability of standing waves for a class of quasilinear Schrödinger equations
Authors: CHEN JIANQING , LI YONGQING , WANG ZHI-QIANG
Published: May 2012

This paper is concerned with the stability and instability of standing waves for the quasilinear Schrödinger equation of the form

which has been derived in many models from mathematical physics. We find the exact threshold depending upon the interplay of quasilinear and nonlinear terms that separates stability and instability. More precisely, we prove that for α ∈ and odd p ∈ , when $1 < p < 4\alpha -1 +{4\over N}$, the standing wave is stable, and when $4\alpha -1 +{4\over N} \leq p < 2\alpha\cdot 2^\ast -1$ (where $2\alpha\cdot 2^\ast = \frac{4N\alpha}{N-2}$ for N ≥ 3 and 2 α ċ 2* = +∞ for N = 2), the standing wave is strongly unstable. Our results show that the quasilinear term 2 α(△|φ|2α)|φ|2α−2φ makes the standing waves more stable, which is consistent with the physical phenomena.
Cardiovascular-associated tracheobronchial obstruction in children
Authors: Lai Shen-Hao , Liao Sui-Ling , Wong Kin-Sun
Published: May 2012

Tracheobronchial compression of cardiovascular origin is an uncommon and frequently unrecognised cause of respiratory distress in children. The compression may be due to encircling vessels or dilated neighbouring cardiovascular structures. Bronchoscopy and detailed radiography, especially computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging, are among the most powerful diagnostic tools. Few previous reports have addressed the relationship between bronchoscopic findings and underlying cardiovascular anomalies. The objective of this study was to correlate bronchoscopic and radiographic findings in children with cardiovascular-associated airway obstruction. A total of 41 patients were recruited for the study. Patients with airway obstruction were stratified on the basis of the aetiology of the cardiovascular structures and haemodynamics into an anatomy-associated group and a haemodynamics-associated group. In the anatomy-associated group, stenosis and malacia were found with comparable frequency on bronchoscopy, and the airway obstructions were mostly found in the trachea (71% of patients). In the haemodynamics-associated group, malacia was the most common bronchoscopic finding (85% of patients), and nearly all locations of airway involvement were in the airway below the carina (90% of patients). The tracheal compression was usually caused by aberrant systemic branching arteries in the anatomy-associated group. In the haemodynamics-associated group, the causal relationships varied. Tracheal compression was often caused by lesions of the main pulmonary artery and aorta, whereas obstruction of the right main bronchus was caused by lesions of the main pulmonary artery and right pulmonary artery. The causes of left main bronchus compression were more diverse. In summary, the bronchoscopic presentations and locations are quite different between these two groups.
Event-Related Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging Changes during Relational Retrieval in Normal Aging and Amnestic Mild Cognitive Impairment
Authors: Giovanello Kelly S. , De Brigard Felipe , Hennessey Ford Jaclyn , Kaufer Daniel I. , Burke James R. , Browndyke Jeffrey N. , Welsh-Bohmer Kathleen A.
Published: May 2012

The earliest cognitive deficits observed in amnestic mild cognitive impairment (aMCI) appear to center on memory tasks that require relational memory (RM), the ability to link or integrate unrelated pieces of information. RM impairments in aMCI likely reflect neural changes in the medial temporal lobe (MTL) and posterior parietal cortex (PPC). We tested the hypothesis that individuals with aMCI, as compared to cognitively normal (CN) controls, would recruit neural regions outside of the MTL and PPC to support relational memory. To this end, we directly compared the neural underpinnings of successful relational retrieval in aMCI and CN groups, using event-related functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI), holding constant the stimuli and encoding task. The fMRI data showed that the CN, compared to the aMCI, group activated left precuneus, left angular gyrus, right posterior cingulate, and right parahippocampal cortex during relational retrieval, while the aMCI group, relative to the CN group, activated superior temporal gyrus and supramarginal gyrus for this comparison. Such findings indicate an early shift in the functional neural architecture of relational retrieval in aMCI, and may prove useful in future studies aimed at capitalizing on functionally intact neural regions as targets for treatment and slowing of the disease course. (JINS, 2012, 18, 1–12)
A pain survey to support role development for Radiation Therapists in Ghana
Authors: Kyei K. A. , Engel-Hills P.
Published: May 2012

A research study was conducted at the radiation oncology department of a large teaching hospital in Ghana, to determine whether the use of a pain questionnaire would facilitate a contribution by the radiation therapists (RTs) to the management of pain in the patients undergoing external beam radiotherapy. The rationale for the study was to test the pain questionnaire as a tool for routine use by RTs and to increase the knowledge and skill of the RTs with regard to pain assessment in order that they could have an effective role in the multidisciplinary approach to pain management.

The pain questionnaire for administration by RTs was adapted as a tool for assessing pain. The tool and the process were tested in a prospective study of 90 participants who willingly consented to participate. The data was analysed as a means of evaluating the questionnaire and learning about pain in this group of cancer patients. The results of this analysis were integrated with the findings from textual data published in a previous paper.

Findings revealed that RTs could administer a limited pain questionnaire and use this for clinical assessment of patients with pain, refer patients who need urgent medical attention to the doctors, monitor the patients receiving radiotherapy and adjuvant chemotherapy as well as provide meaningful suggestions to the multidisciplinary team on the management of pain.

Through this reflective process it is recommended that because RTs have daily contact with patients during external beam radiotherapy treatment and because the majority of cancer patients in the study population experience pain, the RTs should enhance their knowledge of pain and participate in routine pain assessment. Through engagement in this role development the quality of care to the patient population in Ghana will be improved.
The reliability of quantitative thresholding methods for PET aided delineation of GTVs in Head and Neck tumours
Authors: Barrett S. , Appleyard R.
Published: May 2012

Introduction: PET–CT scans are commonly used for the purpose of gross tumour volume (GTV) delineation in head and neck cancers. Qualitative visual methods (QVM) are currently employed in most radiotherapy departments but these are subject to inter- and intra-observer variability. Quantitative thresholding methods which appear in the published literature are evaluated with respect to their reliability for delineation of GTVs in head and neck cancers.

Discussion: Image segmentation involves the application of a distinct value to all pixels or voxels in an image dataset. This is a complex process affected by numerous variables. Some of the following segmentation thresholds may be applied to automatically delineate specified regions. Standardised uptake value (SUV) is commonly used to apply a threshold for GTV delineation, however this leads to inappropriately large GTVs. A further common quantitative threshold is based on the maximum signal on the PET image relative to the background uptake, known as signal to background ratio (SBR). This method generates GTVs that correlate well with surgically removed tumour volumes. Applying a fixed threshold of a percentage of the maximal intensity uptake is also documented in the literature but was found to be unsuitable for the purpose of head and neck GTV contouring. Systems based on the physical features of the PET-CT images are also discussed and are found to produce very promising results.

Conclusion: A number of quantitative techniques are evaluated and currently the most suitable is found to be SBR, however even this method was not found to be entirely reliable. More promising techniques need further evaluation before they could be implemented clinically and a Radiation Oncologist or Nuclear Medicine Radiologist must still validate all GTVs produced by quantitative methods.
Dissolved organic carbon and chromophoric dissolved organic matter properties of rivers in the USA
Authors: Spencer Robert G. M. , Butler Kenna D. , Aiken George R.
Published: May 2012

Dissolved organic carbon (DOC) concentration and chromophoric dissolved organic matter (CDOM) parameters were measured over a range of discharge in 30 U.S. rivers, covering a diverse assortment of fluvial ecosystems in terms of watershed size and landscape drained. Relationships between CDOM absorption at a range of wavelengths (a254, a350, a440) and DOC in the 30 watersheds were found to correlate strongly and positively for the majority of U.S. rivers. However, four rivers (Colorado, Colombia, Rio Grande and St. Lawrence) exhibited statistically weak relationships between CDOM absorption and DOC. These four rivers are atypical, as they either drain from the Great Lakes or experience significant impoundment of water within their watersheds, and they exhibited values for dissolved organic matter (DOM) parameters indicative of autochthonous or anthropogenic sources or photochemically degraded allochthonous DOM and thus a decoupling between CDOM and DOC. CDOM quality parameters in the 30 rivers were found to be strongly correlated to DOM compositional metrics derived via XAD fractionation, highlighting the potential for examining DOM biochemical quality from CDOM measurements. This study establishes the ability to derive DOC concentration from CDOM absorption for the majority of U.S. rivers, describes characteristics of riverine systems where such an approach is not valid, and emphasizes the possibility of examining DOM composition and thus biogeochemical function via CDOM parameters. Therefore, the usefulness of CDOM measurements, both laboratory‐based analyses and in situ instrumentation, for improving spatial and temporal resolution of DOC fluxes and DOM dynamics in future studies is considerable in a range of biogeochemical studies.
Timescales for electron quasi‐linear diffusion by parallel and oblique lower‐band chorus waves
Authors: Mourenas D. , Artemyev A. V. , Ripoll J.‐F. , Agapitov O. V. , Krasnoselskikh V. V.
Published: May 2012

The loss of relativistic electrons from the Earth's radiation belts can be described in terms of the quasi‐linear pitch angle diffusion by cyclotron‐resonant waves, provided that their frequency spectrum is broad enough. Chorus waves at large wave‐normal angles with respect to the magnetic field are often present in CLUSTER and THEMIS measurements in the outer belt at moderate to high latitudes. An approximate analytical formulation of diffusion coefficients has been derived in the low‐frequency limit, leading to a simplified analytical expression of diffusion coefficients and lifetimes for energetic trapped electrons. Large values of the wave‐normal angles between the Gendrin and resonance angles are shown to induce important increases in diffusion, thereby strongly reducing the particle lifetimes (by almost two orders of magnitude). The analytical diffusion coefficients and lifetimes obtained here are found to be in a good agreement with full numerical calculations based on CLUSTER chorus waves measurements in the outer belt for electron energies ranging from 100 keV to 2 MeV. Such very oblique chorus waves could contribute to a predominantly perpendicular anisotropy of the global equatorial electron population on the dayside and to a relative isotropization at low energy under disturbed conditions. It is also suggested that they might play a significant role in pulsating auroras.
South Pole neutron monitor forecasting of solar proton radiation intensity
Authors: Oh S. Y. , Bieber J. W. , Clem J. , Evenson P. , Pyle R. , Yi Y. , Kim Y.‐K.
Published: May 2012

We describe a practical system for forecasting peak intensity and fluence of solar energetic protons in the tens to hundreds of MeV energy range. The system could be useful for forecasting radiation hazard, because peak intensity and fluence are closely related to the medical physics quantities peak dose rate and total dose. The method uses a pair of ground‐based detectors located at the South Pole to make a measurement of the solar particle energy spectrum at relativistic (GeV) energies, and it then extrapolates this spectrum downward in energy to make a prediction of the peak intensity and fluence at lower energies. A validation study based upon 12 large solar particle events compared the prediction with measurements made aboard GOES spacecraft. This study shows that useful predictions (logarithmic correlation greater than 50%) can be made down to energies of 40–80 MeV (GOES channel P5) in the case of peak intensity, with the prediction leading the observation by 166 min on average. For higher energy GOES channels, the lead times are shorter, but the correlation coefficients are larger.
Effect of Rate-Alteration on Speech Perception in Noise in Older Adults With Normal Hearing and Hearing Impairment
Authors: Adams Elizabeth M. , Gordon-Hickey Susan , Morlas Holly , Moore Robert
Published: May 2012

Purpose

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of using slow and fast speaking rates in competing noise on older adults with normal hearing (NH) and those with hearing impairment (HI).

Method

Thirty-four older adults (56–85 years) were grouped based on hearing ability—NH (
N
= 15) and HI (
N
= 19). Rate-altered Quick Speech-in-Noise Test (QuickSIN; Etymotic Research, 2001) stimuli were presented at 3 speech rates (slow, average, and fast), and the signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) loss was calculated for each.

Results

The older participants with HI had significantly higher SNR loss than the NH participants at all 3 speech rates. The NH participants showed improved speech perception in noise when a slow rate of speech was used. This benefit was not observed for the participants with HI. Both groups performed poorly with the fastest speech rate.

Conclusion

Results suggest that older adults with HI who are not wearing hearing aids are not able to take advantage of additional processing time afforded by the use of slow speaking rates when speech (70–75 dB HL) is presented in competing noise. Additionally, the use of a fast speaking rate significantly reduces an individual’s ability to perceive speech in noise, regardless of hearing status. Decreasing from a fast speaking rate to an average rate is beneficial and should be recommended by audiologists to increase the likelihood of older adults understanding speech in noise.
Association Between Cardiorespiratory Fitness and Hearing Sensitivity
Authors: Loprinzi Paul D. , Cardinal Bradley J. , Gilham Ben
Published: May 2012

Purpose

As a follow-up to previous smaller scale studies, the purpose of the present study was to examine the link between cardiorespiratory fitness and hearing sensitivity using a nationally representative U.S. sample of adults.

Method

Data from the 1999–2004 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES; U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention [CDC], 2011) were used in the analyses. After exclusions, the final sample included 1,082 NHANES participants ages 20–49 years. Maximum oxygen uptake (VO
2max
) was obtained from an established nonexercise prediction equation and through heart-rate extrapolation during a treadmill-based submaximal test. Audiometry data were objectively measured to obtain estimates of low (LPTA) and high (HPTA) pure-tone frequency average.

Results

VO
2max
was not associated with hearing sensitivity when using the heart-rate extrapolation method but was significantly associated with hearing sensitivity (for women) when applying the nonexercise prediction equation for both LPTA and HPTA (
p
< .01). Women with higher predicted cardiorespiratory fitness were 6% more likely than women with lower predicted cardio-respiratory fitness to have good hearing compared to worse hearing.

Conclusion

Cardiorespiratory fitness was associated with hearing sensitivity when using the nonexercise prediction equation to measure VO
2max
. Further studies are needed to confirm these findings. Findings suggest a potentially auditory-protective effect of cardiorespiratory fitness.
Assessing the Development of Binaural Integration Ability With the French Dichotic Digit Test: Écoute Dichotique de Chiffres
Authors: Jutras Benoît , Mayer David , Joannette Élyse , Carrier Marie-Eve , Chénard Gwendoline
Published: May 2012

Purpose

Binaural integration is assessed by dichotic listening tests. This study aimed to assess the development of binaural integration ability using a newly developed dichotic digit test in French.

Method

Twenty-eight children with normal hearing sensitivity and binaural integration capacity, assessed with a dichotic listening word test, participated in the study. The children were divided into 3 groups: nine 6-year-olds, nine 9-year-olds, and ten 12-year-olds. They completed 4 subtests with earphones at normal conversational level. Three subtests consisted of 1, 2, and 3 different digit pairs, respectively, between 1 and 9 that were sent dichotically to the ears. The fourth subtest consisted of 4 digits, but only the 2 middle digits were sent dichotically.

Results

Performance improved significantly as a function of age and decreased with increasing number of digits to be repeated. All groups performed significantly better on digits presented in the right ear than the left ear, and on the digit rather than the word test.

Conclusion

The new French dichotic digit test would be useful in assessing binaural integration in children. The 4 subtests make it suitable for inclusion in a test battery to assess central auditory processing in children and are an alternative, especially the fourth subtest, to the French version of the Staggered Spondaic Word Test (Rudmin & Normandin, 1983).
The Challenge of Detecting Minimal Hearing Loss in Audiometric Surveys
Authors: Schlauch Robert S. , Carney Edward
Published: May 2012

Purpose

This tutorial provides framework and context for understanding the complex interaction of hearing measurement methodology and cohort social factors, as well as their relation to approaches to data interpretation and identification of minimal hearing loss (HL) in audiometric surveys.

Method

Pertinent archival studies were reviewed, and an original analysis on U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) audiometric survey data from children (ages 6–19) was performed.

Conclusion

The definition of an otologically normal individual, the pass–fail criterion representing the upper limit of the range of normal hearing, and the quality of the audiometry affect the percentage of persons who are falsely identified as having a minimal HL. An upper limit of normal hearing of 15 dB HL yields an unacceptably high false-positive rate, particularly when the more variable higher audiometric frequencies are examined. When air-conduction thresholds are assessed in isolation to estimate potential noise damage, the failure to exclude persons who have possible middle and external ear problems, including earwax, results in high false-positive rates. When these factors and other limitations are considered, audiograms from teens from a recent CDC survey do not show evidence consistent with widespread noise-induced HL. Suggestions are made to improve the effectiveness of pure-tone audiometry and the identification of minimal HL.
Survey of Audiological Immittance Practices
Authors: Emanuel Diana C. , Henson Olivia E. C. , Knapp Rita R.
Published: May 2012

Purpose

The purpose of this study was to examine current immittance practices and trends over time, reasons why multifrequency (MF) and multicomponent (MC) tympanometry have been underused, and the prevalence of negative patient reactions to acoustic reflex (AR) testing.

Method

Two audiological practice surveys were conducted regarding tympanometry (2008,
n
= 156) and AR (2009,
n
= 90).

Results

Most respondents conduct tympanometry and AR threshold (ART) testing. MF and MC tympanometry were rarely reported, generally due to a lack of equipment and training. ART testing was reported most often using both ipsilateral and contralateral presentation. Contralateral testing has decreased over time. Patient complaints of discomfort following AR testing were common. Complaints of tinnitus or hearing loss were present, although rare.

Conclusion

Tympanometry and ART tests have remained popular for the past 30 years, whereas acoustic reflex decay (ARD) testing has decreased in popularity. MF and MC tympanometry are conducted infrequently. AR is frequently associated with discomfort but rarely associated with other symptoms. However, one respondent reported that AR testing had caused permanent tinnitus and hearing loss.
Hearing Aid Processing Changes Tone Burst Onset: Effect on Cortical Auditory Evoked Potentials in Individuals With Normal Audiometric Thresholds
Authors: Easwar Vijayalakshmi , Glista Danielle , Purcell David W. , Scollie Susan D.
Published: May 2012

Purpose

The validity of using the cortical auditory evoked potential (CAEP) as an objective measure of hearing aid outcome has been questioned in the literature due to stimulus modifications caused by hearing aid processing. This study aimed to investigate the effects of hearing aid processing on the CAEP elicited with tone bursts that may have altered onsets.

Method

CAEPs to unprocessed and hearing aid–processed tone bursts were obtained from 16 individuals with normal audiometric thresholds when the onset time, level, and signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) were matched between the 2 conditions. Tone bursts processed by the hearing aid were recorded in an anechoic box and were presented through insert receivers. Unprocessed tone bursts were superimposed with hearing aid noise floor to match the SNR of the hearing aid–processed tone bursts.

Results

Shortening of rise time and overshoot at the onset of the tone burst were evident in the hearing aid–processed stimuli. Statistical analysis of data showed no significant effects of hearing aid processing on the latency or amplitude of CAEP peaks (
p
> .05).

Conclusion

The changes in rise time occurring in the tone bursts due to hearing aid processing may not confound CAEP measures that are used to validate hearing aid fitting.
Ideal glass transitions by random pinning
Authors: Cammarota Chiara , Biroli Giulio
Published: May 2012

We study the effect of freezing the positions of a fraction
c
of particles from an equilibrium configuration of a supercooled liquid at a temperature
T
. We show that within the random first-order transition theory pinning particles leads to an ideal glass transition for a critical fraction
c
 = 
c

K

(
T
) even for moderate supercooling; e.g., close to the Mode-Coupling transition temperature. First we derive the phase diagram in the
T
 - 
c
plane by mean field approximations. Then, by applying a real-space renormalization group method, we obtain the critical properties for |
c
 - 
c

K

(
T
)| → 0, in particular the divergence of length and time scales, which are dominated by two zero-temperature fixed points. We also show that for
c
 = 
c

K

(
T
) the typical distance between frozen particles is related to the static point-to-set length scale of the unconstrained liquid. We discuss what are the main differences when particles are frozen in other geometries and not from an equilibrium configuration. Finally, we explain why the glass transition induced by freezing particles provides a new and very promising avenue of research to probe the glassy state and ascertain, or disprove, the validity of the theories of the glass transition.
Orally bioavailable small-molecule inhibitor of transcription factor Stat3 regresses human breast and lung cancer xenografts
Authors: Zhang Xiaolei , Yue Peibin , Page Brent D. G. , Li Tianshu , Zhao Wei , Namanja Andrew T. , Paladino David , Zhao Jihe , Chen Yuan , Gunning Patrick T. , Turkson James
Published: May 2012

Computer-aided lead optimization derives a unique, orally bioavailable inhibitor of the signal transducer and activator of transcription (Stat)3 Src homology 2 domain. BP-1-102 binds Stat3 with an affinity (KD) of 504 nM, blocks Stat3–phospho-tyrosine (pTyr) peptide interactions and Stat3 activation at 4–6.8 μM, and selectively inhibits growth, survival, migration, and invasion of Stat3-dependent tumor cells. BP-1-102–mediated inhibition of aberrantly active Stat3 in tumor cells suppresses the expression of c-Myc, Cyclin D1, Bcl-xL, Survivin, VEGF, and Krüppel-like factor 8, which is identified as a Stat3 target gene that promotes Stat3-mediated breast tumor cell migration and invasion. Treatment of breast cancer cells with BP-1-102 further blocks Stat3–NF-κB cross-talk, the release of granulocyte colony-stimulating factor, soluble intercellular adhesion molecule 1, macrophage migration-inhibitory factor/glycosylation-inhibiting factor, interleukin 1 receptor antagonist, and serine protease inhibitor protein 1, and the phosphorylation of focal adhesion kinase and paxillin, while enhancing E-cadherin expression. Intravenous or oral gavage delivery of BP-1-102 furnishes micromolar or microgram levels in tumor tissues and inhibits growth of human breast and lung tumor xenografts.