bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Photoinduced Electron Transfer Between Mono-6-p-nitrobenzoyl--cyclodextrin and Adamantanamine-Cn-Co/Ni-porphyrins
Authors: Wen Guo-tao , Zhu Man-zhou , Hu Hui-yuan , Meng Xiang-ming , Wang Zhuo , Guo Qing-xiang
Published: January 2011

Two series monotailed porphyrins, Cobalt-5-{4-[-(1-adamantaneamino) alkyloxy]phenyl}-10,15,20-triphenyl porphyrinate (CoPCnA, n=4,5,6) and Nickel-5-{4-[-(1-adamantaneamino)alkyloxy]phenyl}-10,15,20-triphenyl porphyrinate (NiPCnA, n=4,5,6), were synthesized, in which the porphyrin moiety was connected to 1-adamantanamine via a flexible hydrocarbon chain. The fluorescence quenching between these donor substrates and mono-6-p-nitrobenzoyl--cyclodextrin (NBCD) was studied in detail. Distinct fluorescence quenching occured in these supramolecular systems. This quenching was attributed to the photoinduced electron transfer (PET) inside the supramolecular assembly between the porphyrin donors and cyclodextrin acceptors. Detailed Stern-Volmer constants were measured and they were partitioned into dynamic Stern-Volmer quenching constants and static binding constants. It was demonstrated that the PET interaction between the porphyrin subunits and NBCD is indeed effective.
Hydrous Ruthenium Oxide with High Rate Pseudo-Capacitance Prepared by a New Sol-Gel Process
Authors: Wang Xiao-feng , You Zheng , Ruan Dian-bo
Published: January 2011

A kind of ruthenium oxide with smaller particles and higher porosity was prepared by a sol-gel process with RuCl3xH2O and NaHCO3 solution. Several details concerning this new material, including crystal structure, particle size as functions of the temperature, and electrochemical properties were also reported. The optimal annealing temperature was 210 C and the powder annealed at this temperature had a rate capacitance of 541 F/g. In addition, the rate capacitance of the composite electrode reached 802 F/g after 10% carbon black was added, much higher than any previously reported value. High energy density supercapacitors were built with the newly discovered electrode material. Energy densities as high as 67 J/g were obtained based on the RuO2xH2O alone. By introducing the highly porous carbon black into the electrode, energy densities great than 100 J/g could be achieved. The power density of the capacitor was enhanced significantly.
Growth and Stabilization of Silver Nanoplates in Aqueous Solvent Monitored Through UV-Vis Spectra
Authors: Tian Xue-lin , Wang Wei-hua , Chen Kai , Cao Geng-yu
Published: January 2011

Silver nanoplates were prepared through a visible light induced reduction process by a reaction between sodium citrate and silver nitrate in an aqueous solvent at room temperature. UV-Vis spectra were employed to monitor the growth of the silver nanoplates. The resulting spectra indicated that, at an early stage, the products were spherical particles with planar nanoparticles appearing and growing subsequently. In the last stages of the process, some spherical particles were consumed by the growth of the nanoparticles, through an Ostwald ripening mechanism. Furthermore, it was found that the addition of either Poly(Vinyl Pyrrolidone) (PVP) or excessive citrate could stabilize the colloidal system effectively, and that rigorous stirring was necessary for the anticipant products. Introduction of a large quantities of sodium hydroxide can dramatically accelerate the reactive rate of the photoreduction process.
Quasi-classical Trajectory Study on the H++H2 Reaction
Authors: Song Hui , Wang Xiu-yan , Skodje Rex. T. , Yang Xue-ming
Published: January 2011

Quasi-classical trajectory (QCT) calculations on the H++H2 reaction system were carried out on a new potential energy surface (PES). Theoretical calculations show that the angular distribution of the forward and backward products is roughly symmetric for the title reaction. The product rotational state distribution was also determined at a few collision energies. In the collision energy range from 0.124 eV to 1.424 eV, the integral cross section for this system monotonically decreases with the collision energy. A comparison with the experimental result of the ion-molecule reaction was also made, the agreement is generally good.
Experimental Study of Premixed Stoichiometric Ethylene/Oxygen/Argon Flame
Authors: Zhang Qing , Li Yu-yang , Tian Zhen-yu , Zhang Tai-chang , Wang Jing , Qi Fei
Published: January 2011

A comprehensive experimental study of the premixed ethylene/oxygen/argon flame at 2.667 kPa with a stoichiometric equivalence ratio (=1) was performed with the tunable synchrotron photoionization and molecular-beam sampling mass spectrometry techniques. The isomers of most observed species in the flame were unambiguously identified by measurements of the photoionization efficiency spectra, e.g. C3H4, C2H4O and C4H4. The mole fraction profiles of species up to C7H8 were measured by scanning the burner position at the selected photon energies near ionization thresholds, and the flame temperature profile was obtained by using Pt/Pt-13%Rh thermocouple. Compared with the previous studies, a lot of new flame species: C3H2, C3H3, C3H5, C2H6O, C4H2, C4H4, C4H6, C3H4O, C3H6O, C3H8O, C5H6, C4H8O and C7H8, were observed. A series of free radicals in the flame are detected to be CH3, C2H3, C2H5, HCO, C3H3 and C3H5. Based on the experimental work, a reduced reaction mechanism was developed including 40 species and 223 reactions. Modeling and measurements agree well for the major species and most intermediates. A detailed kinetic model is desired for this flame.
Theoretical Study on Geometrical and Electronic Properties of Anionic and Neutral V2O6 Clusters
Authors: Chen Zhao-ying , Yang Jin-long
Published: January 2011

The geometrical and electronic properties of the anionic and neutral V2O6 clusters were studied with the spin unrestricted hybrid density functional B3LYP method. The calculated ground states of both clusters are different from the previous theoretical results. The ground state of V2O6 is found to be a doublet with C2v symmetry, while a doublet with D2h symmetry was previously obtained by Vyboishchikov and Sauer. For neutral V2O6, the ground state is an open-shell singlet with D2h symmetry whose energy is very close to that of the triplet state. In contrast, a closed-shell singlet with D2h symmetry was obtained by Vyboishchikov and Sauer, and Calatayud et al. found a triplet ground state with Cs symmetry. Moreover, the calculated adiabatic and vertical detachment energies of the anion cluster are in much better agreement with the experimental results of photoelectron spectroscopy than previous theoretical values.
Photo-electrochemical Lithium Insertion Characteristics of Carbon Nanotubes Modified with SrTiO3 Photocatalyst
Authors: Huang Hui , Zhang Wen-kui , Gan Yong-ping , Zhang Lei , Wang Chen
Published: January 2011

Perovskite-type SrTiO3 nanoparticles were synthesized by direct hydrolysis-precipitation method and were employed to modify the surface of the carbon nanotubes to form a SrTiO3/CNTs composite. The photo-electrochemical lithium insertion characteristics of the SrTiO3/CNTs composite under xenon light irradiation were investigated. The results show that the light irradiation has little influence on the specific capacity of the CNTs electrode. However, for the SrTiO3/CNTs electrode irradiated by light, the lithium insertion capacity reaches about 251 mAh/g, much higher than that without light irradiation (170 mAh/g). Cyclic voltammetry test reveals that the light irradiation can remarkably increase the reaction currents of lithium insertion and extraction. This may be attributed to the photo-excited intercalation of Li-ions into the CNTs by the SrTiO3 photocatalyst when irradiated by light.
Photoinduced Electron Transfer in Dumbbell-type Fullerene Dyad
Authors: Hu Hui-yuan , Zhu Man-zhou , Zhang Zhi-ping , Wen Guo-tao , Fu Yao , Guo Qing-xiang
Published: January 2011

1,3-Dipolar cycloaddition of DTE-azomethine ylides (DTE: dithienyl-ethene) to C60 in refluxed toluene was used to synthesize novel dumbbell-type fullerene dimer 1. For the sake of comparison, the monoadduct 2 were also synthesized. The molecular geometries of these two compounds were determined by theoretical calculations with HF-3/21G method. UV-Vis and fluorescence experiments were carried out in solvents with different polarity at the room temperature. All the results indicated the existence of a photoinduced intramolecular electron transfer process between the donor and acceptor moieties.
Simple Synthesis of Single-crystalline Nanoplates of Magnesium Oxide
Authors: Niu Hai-xia , Yang Qing , Yu Fei , Tang Kai-bin , Zhou Wei
Published: January 2011

Single-crystalline nanoplates of magnesium oxide were successfully synthesized through a calcinations route from the newly produced Mg(OH)2 precursors, which were directly prepared from the commercial bulk magnesium powders under a hydrothermal process in the absence of any additions. Scanning electron microscope (SEM) analysis indicated that the nanoplates were 2-6 m in average width and about 80 nm in thickness. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) images revealed that there was large quantity of nanopores with diameters ranging from 5 to 40 nm distributed in these nanoplates. The room-temperature photoluminescence (PL) spectrum of the nanoplates illustrated a strong blue emission band at 416 nm and a weak green emission band at 559 nm. Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET) analysis exhibited a feature of high surface of 127.21 m2/g for the products. The fabrication mechanism of the product was also discussed.
Physisorption of Hydrogen in A, X and ZSM-5 Types of Zeolites at Moderately High Pressures
Authors: Du Xiao-ming , Wu Er-dong
Published: January 2011

The hydrogen adsorption properties and uptake capacities of the A, X and ZSM-5 types of zeolites were investigated at temperatures of 77, 195 and 293 K and pressures up to 7 MPa, using a conventional volumetric adsorption apparatus. All hydrogen adsorption isotherms were basically type I, but the maximum in isotherm, a unique feature of supercritical adsorption, was observed at high pressures of 2-5 MPa at 77 K. The isosteric heats of adsorption were determined from the isotherms and the factors that influence their variations were discussed. Different types of zeolites exhibited remarkably different hydrogen uptake, based on both the framework structure and the nature of the cations present. The highest gravimetric storage capacity of 2.55wt% was obtained for NaX-type zeolite at 4 MPa and 77 K. In CaA, NaX and ZSM-5 types of zeolites, hydrogen uptakes were proportional to the specific surface areas, which were associated with the available void volumes of the zeolites. A threshold in hydrogen adsorption observed in NaA and KA was attributed to a pore blocking effect by large cations in KA. A ratio of the kinetic diameter of adsorbate to the effective opening diameter of zeolite was used to judge the blocking effect for physisorption.
Fluorescence Enhancement of Polyamine Derivatives of 1,8-Naphthalimide with Transition Metal Ions
Authors: Wen Guo-tao , Zhu Man-zhou , Wang Zhuo , Meng Xiang-ming , Hu Hui-yuan , Guo Qing-xiang
Published: January 2011

A series of fluorescent chemosensors 1-3 were synthesized to detect transition metal ions. At the room temperature, fluorescence intensities of these chemosensors in acetonitrile without transition metal ions were found to be very weak, due to the process of the efficient intramolecular photoinduced electron transfer (PET). However, after addition of the transition metal ions, the chemosensor 1-3 exhibits obvious fluorescence enhancement. Moreover, the intensity of the fluorescence emission of chemosensors increases significantly in the presence of Zn2+ and Cd2+. The fluorescent chemosensors with different polyamine as receptors show diverse affinity abilities to the transition metal ions and signal the receptor-metal ion interaction by the intensity change of fluorescence emission.
Synthesis and Photoluminescence of SiOxNanotubes
Authors: Jiang Hai-feng , Chen Yi-qing , Zhou Qing-tao , Su Yong , Zhang Shu-yuan , Xiao Hai-hua
Published: January 2011

Amorphous SiOx nanotubes with homogeneous diameters were fabricated in large-scale on silicon substrate by thermal evaporation method, with liquid gallium as medium. The average diameter of tubes is about 80 nm and the length is more than 10m, with small ratio between the inner and outer diameter of the tube. The silicon element in the substrate and the residual oxygen element in reaction chamber were first dissolved into liquid Ga. Then the SiOx precipitated from the surface of gallium droplet, forming the nanotube structure with Ga droplet being the center. The room temperature photoluminescence measurements under excitation at 260 nm show that the SiOx nanotubes has a strong blue emission at 453 nm with two shoulders at 410 and 480 nm respectively, which may be related to oxygen defects. The preparation method improved the traditional complicated method and also provided a new way to fabricate SiOx nanotubes in large quantity.
Dielectric Properties of Self-assembled Monolayers of Dithiols
Authors: Luo Jiang-long , Xia Chen
Published: January 2011

Dielectric properties of dithiol self-assemble monolayers (SAMs) under ac electric field were presented. Using a Hg-SAM/SAM-Hg junction, the ac impedances of dithiol SAMs were measured using a sinusoidal perturbation of 30 mV (peak-to-peak) with the frequency ranging from 1 Hz to 1 MHz at zero bias. The contributions from dithiol SAMs and solvent interlayers were separated due to their different behaviors at ac impedance. The peak position in the loss spectra (the plot of tg vs. frequency) moves to low frequency with the increase of chain length of dithiols. Using a correlation of peak position with the chain length, the active energies of 23-39 meV for dithiol SAMs of C6-C10 under an ac electric field were derived.
Fabrication and Photocatalysis of TiO2 Flower-like Nanostructures
Authors: Wang Yan-zong , Hong Xun , Wang Guan-zhong , Wang Xiao-ping
Published: January 2011

TiO2 nanostructures were fabricated by a reaction of Ti foils in H2O2 solution at mild temperature. Porous TiO2 nanostructures, well-adhered to Ti foil surfaces, were formed at 80C in 10 min, and then flower- like and rod nanostructures formed in succession after a longer reaction time. Samples prepared at 80C for 4 h are amorphous, and anatase-dominated crystal phase emerged in the sample prepared for as long as 10 h. Almost pure anatase phase were obtained in TiO2 nanostructures by annealing the samples at a temperature of 300C. Photocatalysis of the TiO2 nanostructures was characterized by the degradation of RhB dye molecules in an aqueous solution exposed to ultraviolet light. Results show a 7 cm2 annealed TiO2 flower-like nanostructure having the degradation rate of RhB as fast as 29.8 times that of the dye solution exposed to ultraviolet light alone.
Quality indicators and specifications for key analytical-extranalytical processes in the clinical laboratory. Five years’ experience using the Six Sigma concept
Authors: Llopis Ma Antònia , Trujillo Gloria , Llovet Ma Isabel , Tarrés Ester , Ibarz Mercè , Biosca Carme , Ruiz Rosa , Kirchner Ma Jesus Alsina , Alvarez Virtudes , Busquets Glòria , Doménech Ma Vicenta , Figueres Carme , Minchinela Joana , Pastor Rosa Ma , Perich Carmen , Ricós Carmen , Sansalvador Mireia , Palmada Margarita Simón
Published: January 2011

Background: The results of 5 years of experience (2004–2008) with process-based quality management using quality indicators for key laboratory processes (analytic and extra-analytic) in a group of clinical laboratories affiliated with the Catalan Health Institute are presented. Our purpose was to analyze the evolution of the indicators, identify processes that require corrective measures, and obtain specifica tions that are more robust than the preliminary ones proposed in a previous study by the same group.

Methods: The yearly average was recorded for each indicator in each laboratory, the yearly interlaboratory median was calculated, and the changes occurring were studied to determine their continuity in the 5-year period. For each indicator, the average of the yearly medians was calculated and the results transformed to the Six Sigma scale to estimate the degree of control over the related process. It was suggested to establish the yearly interlaboratory median as the desirable specification for each indicator.

Results: The medians for most indicators were stable during the period studied. Thus, the specifications proposed in the first study were considered robust in these cases. The Six Sigma statistic provided added value in this study because it enabled detection of processes that should be improved, in which case the specifications proposed were considered provisional despite their stability. After identifying processes that have the greatest impact on patient safety, the group set a specification of 0%, regardless of the actual specification obtained, although the members are conscious of the difficulty in attaining this level of quality. Certain processes that are in a period of change obtained specifications that are considered in a phase of consolidation.

Conclusions: The results for indicators related with sample collection indicate that the process is stable and well controlled. However, based on the results for Hemolyzed serum sample, the group saw the need for installing centrifuges in all phlebotomy centers and established a recommendation to unify the system for measuring hemolysis. The indicator External control exceeds acceptance limit clearly highlighted the need to rigorously monitor the analytic phase of the clinical laboratory. The values obtained for the indicator Reports from referred tests exceed delivery time show that there is considerable deviation regarding the expected report delivery time, whereas for in-house laboratory reports, delivery time is satisfactory.
B-type natriuretic peptide measurement in primary care; magnitude of associations with cardiovascular risk factors and their therapies. Observations from the STOP-HF (St. Vincent’s Screening TO Prevent Heart Failure) study
Authors: Conlon Carmel M. , Dawkins Ian , O’Loughlin Christina , Gibson Denise , Kelleher Cecily C. , Ledwidge Mark , McDonald Kenneth
Published: January 2011

Background: An effective prevention strategy for heart failure in primary care requires a reliable screening tool for asymptomatic ventricular dysfunction. Preliminary data indicate that B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) may be suitable for this task. However, for the most effective use of this peptide, the interrelationships between associated risk factors and their therapies on BNP, and in particular their magnitude of effect, needs to be established in a large primary care population. Therefore, the objective of the study was to establish the extent of the association between BNP, cardiovascular risk factors and their therapies.

Methods: BNP measurement and clinical review was preformed on 1122 primary care patients with cardiovascular risk factors. Multivariate analyses identified significant associates of BNP concentrations which were further explored to establish the magnitude of their association.

Results: Associates of BNP were age (1.36-fold increase in BNP/decade), female (1.28), β-blockers (1.90), myocardial infarction (1.36), arrhythmia (1.98), diastolic blood pressure; all p<0.01. A novel method was devised that plotted median BNP per sliding decade of age for the various combinations of these principal associates.

Conclusions: The data presented underline the importance of considering several clinical and therapeutic factors when interpreting BNP concentrations. Most of these variables were associated with increased concentrations, which may in part explain the observed false-positive rates for detecting ventricular dysfunction using this peptide. Furthermore, the design of studies or protocols using BNP as an endpoint or a clinical tool should take particular account of these associations. This analysis provides the foundation for age, risk factor and therapy adjusted reference ranges for BNP in this setting.
Natural Disaster and Crisis: Lessons Learned about Cleft and Craniofacial Care from Hurricane Katrina and the West Bank
Authors: Van Aalst John A. , Strauss Ronald P. , Fox Lynn , Cassell Cynthia H. , Stein Margot , Moses Michael , Alexander Mary Ellen
Published: January 2011

Cleft care is generally characterized by staged, carefully timed surgeries and long-term, team-centered follow-up. Acute and chronic crises can wreak havoc on the comprehensive team care required by children with craniofacial anomalies. In addition, there is evidence that crises, including natural disasters and chronic disruptions, such as political turmoil and poverty, can lead to an increased incidence of craniofacial anomalies. The purpose of this article is to delineate the impact of acute and chronic crises on cleft care. Hurricane Katrina in New Orleans, Louisiana, in 2005, resulted in an acute crisis that temporarily disrupted the infrastructure necessary to deliver cleft care; chronic turmoil in the West Bank/Palestine has resulted in an absence of infrastructure to deliver cleft care. Through these central examples, this article will illustrate—through the prism of cleft care—the need for (1) disaster preparedness for acute crises, (2) changing needs following acute crises that may lead to persistent chronic disruption, and (3) baseline and long-term monitoring of population changes after a disaster has disrupted a health care delivery system.
Ask the Expert
Authors: Lipson Marjorie Y.
Published: January 2011

Marjorie Y. Lipson replies to questions posed via Facebook on the topic of Response to Intervention.
Drawing on Text Features for Reading Comprehension and Composing
Authors: Risko Victoria J. , Walker‐Dalhouse Doris , Bridges Erin S. , Wilson Ali
Published: January 2011

Students read multiple‐genre texts such as graphic novels, poetry, brochures, digitized texts with videos, and informational and narrative texts. Features such as overlapping illustrations and implied cause‐and‐effect relationships can affect students' comprehension. Teaching with these texts and drawing attention to organizational features hold promise for deepening students' interest, engagement, and comprehension and enhancing complexity of their compositions.
Stories From Hopescapes
Authors: Harris Violet J.
Published: January 2011

Author Virginia Hamilton had the gift of creating lyrical phrases that captured the complexities of life. Among her most notable phrase is the idea of the “hopescape,” the metaphoric description of the pains and joys, triumphs and defeats, longing, and dreams that make us human. The publication of an edited volume that compiles a sampling of Hamilton's provocative ideas serves as a foundation on which to examine the hopescapes that are found in various types of literature.
Promoting Literacy Development for Beginning English Learners
Authors: Bauer Eurydice Bouchereau , Arazi Juliana
Published: January 2011

Studies show that teachers struggle with meeting the needs of immigrant students, especially recent arrivals (Szente, Hoot, & Taylor, 2006; Tadesse, Hoot, & Watson‐Thompson, 2009). To some extent, this is due to the instructional method and unfamiliar curriculum to the students. This column presents elements of one teacher's literacy instruction with a newly arrived English Learner (EL) as he developed his language and literacy skills. The teacher supported the student by previewing the text, discussing key vocabulary words, writing short sentences that connect personal information with that of the character in the text, creating bilingual dictionaries for learning words, simple expressions, and English grammatical structures, linking personal classroom experiences with events/actions in the text, using the native language to make concepts and Ideas comprehensible, participating in guided reading instruction, engaging in story retelling, and writing a summary of the text.
A Logical Letter‐Sound System in Five Phonic Generalizations
Authors: Gates Louis , Yale Ian
Published: January 2011

In five phonic generalizations, this article introduces a logical system of letter–sound relationships. Ranging from 91% to 99% phonic transparency, these statements generalize a study of 16,928 words in children's literature. The r‐controlled vowels aside, the analysis shows 54 basic transparent letters and letter combinations, 39 transparent phonograms, and 11 nontransparent phonic cells. The generalizations—written in basic, phonogram, and unfit clauses—begin with the following five basic clauses: (1) single vowels usually have their short sound; (2) final single vowel‐consonant‐e words usually have a long first vowel and a silent final e (–VCe); (3) vowel digraphs usually have one or one of two sounds; (4) single consonants usually have one or one of two sounds; and (5) consonant di/trigraphs usually have one or one of two sounds. In total, single letters, di/trigraphs, –VCe, phonograms, and unfit cells comprise a coherent phonic system. The article concludes with teaching suggestions.
Why the Dog Eats Nikki's Homework: Making Informed Assignment Decisions
Authors: Voorhees Susan
Published: January 2011

Homework is an instructional staple for most classroom teachers; however, considerable debate over the effectiveness of homework has been at the center of discussions among researchers, administrators, educators, parents, and students. Rather than continuing the battle as to whether or not homework enriches learning, it appears the more commonsense question is “How can we improve on the quality of homework assigned to students so that it is doable and appropriate?” In order to provide effectual homework tasks, responsive teachers have knowledge of, and consider, their students' reading abilities. Therefore, this article presents homework guidelines and practical interventions for teachers to use when designing out‐of‐school literacy tasks based on the components of the Simple Reading Assessment Model – SRAM.
How to Teach Expository Text Structure to Facilitate Reading Comprehension
Authors: Akhondi Masoumeh , Malayeri Faramarz Aziz , Samad Arshad Abd
Published: January 2011

Expository text offers particular challenges to the reader because of the abstract and unfamiliar concepts that it presents. In order to solve these problems in reading classes, students should be taught the hierarchical structure of the expository text and the interrelationships among ideas. This is what experts in this field refer to as text structure. Reading researchers have argued that knowledge of text organization, or structure, is an important factor for text comprehension. In this article, we review techniques and procedures in how to teach text structure in reading classes in order to facilitate comprehension of the expository texts.
Triple-Negative Breast Cancer: An Unmet Medical Need
Authors: Hudis Clifford A. , Gianni Luca
Published: January 2011

Triple-negative breast cancer, characterized by tumors that do not express estrogen receptor (ER), progesterone receptor (PR), or HER-2 genes, represents an important clinical challenge because these cancers do not respond to endocrine therapy or other available targeted agents. The metastatic potential in triple-negative breast cancer is similar to that of other breast cancer subtypes, but these tumors are associated with a shorter median time to relapse and death. One important goal is therefore the identification of prognostic factors and markers to reliably select high and low risk subsets of patients with triple-negative disease for different treatment approaches of subtypes with differential responsiveness to specific agents. However, a reliable prognostic marker has been elusive, and markers have been inconsistently useful. For example, epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) has been studied, but there is still a lack of agreement on a standard assay or cutoff for EGFR expression levels with respect to prognosis. Similarly, because triple-negative status is sometimes used as a surrogate for basal-like breast cancer, specific basal markers have been explored. Indeed, trials designed to accrue patients with basal-like breast cancer using ER/PR and HER-2 negativity may provide only an approximation of the triple-negative population and are sometimes reanalyzed using more specific indicators like CK 5/6, EGFR status, and others, again marred by discordances. Chemotherapy remains the mainstay of treatment of triple-negative breast cancer, but important limitations still need to be overcome in the next few years if any significant clinical strides are to be made. Current treatment strategies for triple-negative disease include anthracyclines, taxanes, ixabepilone, platinum agents, and biologic agents. More recently, EGFR inhibition has been proposed as a therapeutic mechanism in triple-negative breast cancer, again with mixed results. Agents that target poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase and androgen receptors have also been proposed in these patients or subsets of them, and ongoing trials should result in definitive guidance with respect to the value of these agents in triple-negative disease.

Triple-negative breast cancer is clearly a distinct clinical subtype, from the perspective of both ER and HER-2 expression, but further subclassification is needed. At present, there is not a clear, proven effective single agent that targets a defining vulnerability in triple-negative breast cancer. This article will review the clinical problem of triple-negative disease, potential prognostic factors, demonstrated efficacy of currently available therapeutic options, and new potential therapies.
Targeting the Phosphoinositide-3 (PI3) Kinase Pathway in Breast Cancer
Authors: Baselga José
Published: January 2011

The phosphoinositide-3 kinase (PI3K) pathway has been identified as an important target in breast cancer research for a number of years, but is new to most clinicians responsible for the daily challenges of breast cancer management. In fact, the PI3K pathway is probably one of the most important pathways in cancer metabolism and growth. Mutations in the PI3K pathway are frequent in breast cancer, causing resistance to human epidermal growth factor receptor 2–targeted agents and, possibly, to hormonal agents as well. Available agents that affect the PI3K pathway include monoclonal antibodies and tyrosine kinase inhibitors, as well as PI3K inhibitors, Akt inhibitors, rapamycin analogs, and mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) catalytic inhibitors. Multiple PI3K inhibitors are currently under development, including pure PI3K inhibitors, compounds that block both PI3K and mTOR (dual inhibitors), pure catalytic mTOR inhibitors, and inhibitors that block Akt. It is likely that these agents will have to be given in combination with other signal inhibitors because anti-mTOR agents and PI3K inhibitors may result in the activation of compensatory feedback loops that would in turn result in decreased efficacy. This article reviews current data related to the PI3K pathway, its role in breast cancer, the frequency with which PI3K is aberrant in breast cancer, and the potential clinical implications of using agents that target the PI3K pathway.
Breast Cancer Management: Opportunities and Barriers to an Individualized Approach
Authors: Perez Edith A.
Published: January 2011

A personalized approach to breast cancer management is increasingly possible with state of the art diagnostics and treatments. However, many challenges still exist in choosing the right therapeutic strategy and the right dosing for a specific patient population. Biomarkers such as estrogen receptor, progesterone receptor, and HER-2 status are used to tailor therapy, but success rates with targeted therapy suggest that appropriate patient populations still require greater definition. The introduction of the genomic era has likewise advanced the ability to offer a tailored approach to breast cancer management, but much work is still needed in this area as well. Microarray-based gene expression profiles have demonstrated initial promise, but we need a better understanding of more complex tumor signaling pathways. Strategies include annotated tumor specimens, next-generation gene sequencing, proteomics, and metabolomics. An individualized approach to breast cancer management has the potential to offer clear clinical benefits and the ability to bring more tailored, cost-effective strategies to the market. The current issues facing the delivery of individualized breast cancer care will be the focus of this discussion.
The Biological Framework: Translational Research from Bench to Clinic
Authors: Yarden Yosef
Published: January 2011

The understanding of cellular signaling pathways in malignant tumors is an important aspect of cancer research and modern targeted therapy strategies. Growth factors and their receptors in particular are critical to modern cancer therapy research, because these factors control all phases of tumor development and metastasis. Most importantly, growth factors are responsible for cell survival under cytotoxic drugs and radiotherapy. These growth factor signaling pathways are composed of complex networks that have adapted to efficiently respond to certain disturbances, such as a single agent that targets one aspect of the pathway. Meanwhile, multiple insults to the pathway, such as combination therapy regimens, are known to be effective in shutting down these pathways and, consequently, killing the tumor cell. Research is currently under way to find new ways to exploit fragile aspects of oncogenic networks, such as uncommon, multiple perturbations that target essential hubs through immunotherapy, combinations of antibodies, heat shock protein inhibitors, or novel drug combinations. Complex growth factor signaling networks and novel methods to shut down these networks are described within a framework of engineering and mathematical concepts.
Chemotherapy: Updates and New Perspectives
Authors: Swain Sandra M.
Published: January 2011

Treatment options for patients with breast cancer have progressively improved over the past 40 years, from an era of no chemotherapy to the introduction of taxanes, hormonal therapy, and biologic therapy. These advances have resulted in substantial, 15%–20% improvements in clinical outcomes. However, progress has yet to be made to improve the prognosis in many breast cancer patients, and research is currently under way to test new tools, or new applications of older tools, to advance breast cancer management. Chemotherapy clearly remains a cornerstone of adjuvant breast cancer treatment, because breast cancer can be very sensitive to the currently available agents. Meanwhile, the era of a one-size-fits-all approach to breast cancer management is over, and the maximum potential of chemotherapy should now be reached by targeting specific populations. Effective biomarkers are therefore needed to optimize chemotherapy, define more selective populations, and clearly tailor treatment. This paper discusses recent data, including new trials that are more fully incorporating current knowledge with respect to molecular markers and the underlying biology of breast cancer.
New Developments in Hormone Receptor–Positive Disease
Authors: Piccart-Gebhart Martine J.
Published: January 2011

Of more than one million women diagnosed with breast cancer each year, approximately 700,000 have hormone receptor (HR)+ disease. Although endocrine therapy has revolutionized breast cancer management and substantially improved outcomes in these patients, the optimal management of these patients remains a significant challenge. For instance, the threshold for adding adjuvant chemotherapy is a topic of continuing debate, and the most effective regimens that include endocrine therapy and chemotherapy are still under debate as well. Tumor markers, such as Ki-67, and host markers, such as cytochrome P450 2D6, are being studied as potential tools to offer more tailored adjuvant endocrine therapy. Current research suggests that luminal A and luminal B cancers are two completely different diseases, and work is being performed to better distinguish between these two disease types and deliver more effective therapy to individual patients. This article addresses these important outstanding issues with respect to HR+ disease.
A New Look at Node-Negative Breast Cancer
Authors: Harbeck Nadia , Thomssen Christoph
Published: January 2011

Node-negative breast cancer is a prevalent form of the disease worldwide, particularly in regions with rigorous screening and disease awareness efforts. Although there is a common biology between node-negative and node-positive breast tumors, it is still important to specifically address risk assessment and predictive factors in node-negative breast cancer. The relative risks and benefits are more pronounced in these patients, but there is no single prognostic factor available for deciding whether to administer chemotherapy and selecting the best adjuvant chemotherapy regimen. In the absence of universal predictive factors, the trend is to give chemotherapy to all patients to ensure the highest possibility for cure. Tumor grade is important in that it is predictive of risk over time, but lacks standardization. Adjuvant! Online, a web-based algorithm, is also used to guide treatment decisions. Recently, the urokinase-type plasminogen activator (uPA) and plasminogen activator inhibitor type 1 (PAI-1) biomarkers have been used to determine disease risk and, consequently, determine whether or not chemotherapy is needed. However, the assay requires a fresh-frozen tissue sample, which is not always feasible. The oncotype DX® genomic assay has also been used to help prognosis estimation and treatment decisions. It is currently under evaluation in conjunction with the uPA/PAI-1 assay in the Plan B trial. The question that remains in adjuvant chemotherapy today for patients with node-negative disease is proper patient selection. Node-negative breast cancer does not automatically suggest a good prognosis, or the preclusion of chemotherapy benefits, and additional biomarkers are needed to help identify patients who do benefit from chemotherapy.
Molecular Stratification of Triple-Negative Breast Cancers
Authors: Perou Charles M.
Published: January 2011

Research focused on the analysis and classification of breast tumors, primarily using DNA microarrays and patterns of gene expression, has resulted in distinct tumor subtypes. Although no knowledge of patient survival or outcomes was used to derive these gene descriptions, these different classes based upon patterns of gene expression have important prognostic implications. Predictive markers in estrogen receptor–negative and triple-negative disease will be particularly important because in the absence of therapy, these tumor subtypes tend to have a poor prognosis. In addition, the claudin-low subgroup has been found to be common within the triple-negative cancers and may have further prognostic and therapeutic implications. Patients with triple-negative breast cancer do benefit from chemotherapy, but better treatment options are needed that are less toxic, reduce the risk of disease progression, and are more targeted to this patient population. Potential treatments include poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase inhibitors, and therapies that target cancer stem cells could also have an important impact in these patients. This article will focus on the molecular stratification of triple-negative breast cancers and the therapeutic implications of these classifications.
Directed Therapy of Subtypes of Triple-Negative Breast Cancer
Authors: Carey Lisa A.
Published: January 2011

In developed countries, there has been a remarkable improvement in mortality from breast cancer, but almost all of that benefit has occurred in the estrogen receptor (ER)+ and human epidermal growth factor receptor (HER)-2+ subsets. Triple-negative breast cancer, defined as tumors that are negative for ER, progesterone receptor, and HER-2, represent a minority of breast cancers. However, because of the poor prognosis in this particular subtype, triple-negative disease accounts for a disproportionate number of metastatic cases and breast cancer deaths. While chemotherapy is effective in triple-negative disease, research continues to better target therapies and predict prognosis. Recent studies have suggested a link between BRCA mutations and triple-negative disease, but the nature of this link remains opaque. Antiangiogenic agents such as bevacizumab have demonstrated efficacy across subtypes. More recently, poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase inhibitors appear to take advantage of the concept of synthetic lethality, or dual pathway inhibition, in attacking triple-negative and BRCA-associated tumors. These and other studies in triple-negative disease will help us to better identify effective treatment options and improve outcomes in these patients. This article addresses the nature of, and therapeutic strategies for, triple-negative breast cancer.
Coming of Age: Breast Cancer in Seniors
Authors: Muss Hyman B.
Published: January 2011

In the U.S., cancer is a disease of aging. The average 65-year-old patient has an anticipated life expectancy of 20 years, and clinicians should take this into account when making breast cancer management decisions. However, older breast cancer patients can present with wide variations in health status, and treatment in older patients should therefore include a careful evaluation of comorbidities, physical function, polypharmacy, and other issues that could potentially impact a patient's ability to undergo chemotherapy without excessive risk. Evaluation tools are under development, including potential molecular markers, to identify which older patients are the best candidates for chemotherapy, as well as those more susceptible to actually developing cancer. Standard chemotherapy regimens are just as effective in older patients as they are in the younger population, and can substantially prolong life expectancy when used in the right patients. This article discusses breast cancer in seniors, including the epidemiology of breast cancer in these patients, the potential impact of comorbidities, and effective adjuvant therapy in selected older patients.
Light-emitting diodes and their applications in energy-saving lighting
Authors: Moram Michelle A.
Published: January 2011

New light-emitting diode technology offers significant promise for reducing energy usage in lighting and display applications. This paper introduces light-emitting diodes, sets their performance in context and predicts how an ultimate reduction of up to 15% of our total electricity consumption could be achieved if light-emitting diodes were to replace existing forms of household, commercial and street lighting. This would be achieved not only through the increased luminous efficacy of light-emitting diode light sources, but also by increasing the power factor of the entire lighting unit and by introducing control systems that take advantage of the long-lasting, fully dimmable nature of light-emitting diodes. However, the high cost of light-emitting-diode-based lighting is the main barrier to widespread consumer uptake. Consequently, this paper outlines routes towards improved performance and lower costs, both for light-emitting diodes and the units they are built into. Because light-emitting diode lighting can offer additional benefits not offered by current technology, such as their application in indoors wireless data transfer, commercial breakthrough will be driven initially by demand for niche applications. In the long term, however, low-cost light-emitting diode lighting technology is likely to play a significant role in energy demand reduction both in the developed and the developing world.
Operation of the 2030 GB power generation system
Authors: Gerber Annelies , Awad Bieshoy , Ekanayake Janaka Bandara , Jenkins Nicholas
Published: January 2011

A GB electricity generation system for 2030 with a large amount of renewables is studied. Its ability to meet projected 2030 demand on a half-hourly basis is investigated for two extreme weeks of the year: winter maximum demand and summer minimum demand. For each week, either operating costs or carbon dioxide emissions were optimised. The effects of a carbon price of £30/t or £75/t on the power production of different generating units, the carbon intensity and operating costs are shown. Load reduction through demand-side management during the winter maximum demand week was necessary for 10–15 h. During the summer minimum demand week, wind curtailment of 5 GWh occurred only when carbon dioxide emissions were optimised.
Briefing: Navigating the UK energy funding landscape
Authors: Hardy Jeff
Published: January 2011

The Energy Generation and Supply Knowledge Transfer Network has developed a free online Energy Funding Landscape Navigator which takes users through the energy funding landscape, providing clear guidance on the key public bodies and support mechanisms for UK energy projects. Users can search a live list of energy research, development, demonstration and deployment opportunities and can get help in finding the right partners to build project teams. Developed by the UK Energy Research Centre, the Navigator addresses feedback from the research, development, demonstration and deployment community, which indicated that the myriad of schemes to access public support for energy innovation was confusing and that opportunities were being missed. The Navigator is particularly valuable to smaller technology companies who struggle to keep up to speed with the myriad of support mechanisms in the UK. The Navigator also fulfils an important role to keep up to date with the evolution of the energy innovation landscape as the UK low-carbon energy strategy develops. For example, the Navigator was a central point of information for the energy community for tracking developments after the 2010 comprehensive spending review.
Achieving zero carbon code level 6 for the Kingspan Lighthouse building
Authors: Holden Katherine , Twinn Chris
Published: January 2011

The Kingspan Lighthouse building is the first house to achieve the highest level of the Code for Sustainable Homes, level 6. One of the key requirements for a house to achieve level 6 is that it is ‘net zero carbon’ for all its energy use, meaning that it generates as much energy annually from renewable sources as it uses. The house was designed first to need less energy to run and second to source the remaining energy required from renewable sources. The house has high levels of energy efficiency. Reducing electricity demands was paramount, as this is the most expensive form of renewable energy to produce. Renewable energy is supplied by photovoltaic panels for electricity, and solar thermal panels and a biomass boiler for hot water and heating. The house has many other sustainable features, including water conservation. The costs of this zero carbon home are considered and the many opportunities for future potential cost savings are identified. The paper also includes consideration of the use of biomass for renewable heat. Implications for zero carbon design and policy making are discussed along with how such demonstration projects have been influential on the government’s proposed zero carbon definition.