bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Co(III) complex mediated microwave‐assisted synthesis of PAN
Authors: Biswal Trinath , Samal Ramakanta , Sahoo Prafulla K.
Published: March 2010

Free radical polymerization of acrylonitrile (AN) is efficiently, easily, and quickly achieved in the presence of Co(III) complex, [Co(III) en3]Cl3 and ammonium persulphate (APS) in domestic microwave oven. The rate of polymerization depends on the power and time of microwave irradiation, and is independent of the technique employed (periodic or continuous irradiation). The conversion of monomer to the polymer was mostly excellent in gram scale. Irradiation at low power and time produced more homogeneous polymers with high molecular weight and low polydispersity when compared with the polymer formed by conventional heating method. The interaction of reacting components was monitored by UV–visible spectrometer. The average molecular weight was derived by GPC and viscosity methods and sound velocity by ultrasonic interferometer. The uniform and reduced molecular size was characterized by transmission electron microscopy, the diameter of PAN particles being in the range 220–250 nm in microwave and 120–530 nm in conventional heating methods. From the kinetic results, the rate of polymerization (Rp) was expressed as

© 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2010
Structure and properties of Cu(II) complex bamboo pulp fabrics
Authors: Qin Zhongyue , Chen Yuyue , Zhang Peng , Zhang Guangyu , Liu Yan
Published: March 2010

Cu(II) complex bamboo pulp fabric (CBPF) was prepared by treating bamboo pulp fabric with the copper liquor. Washing fastness and the releases of Cu(II) were measured by the washing test. Antibacterial performance of CBPF against Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus was evaluated. The morphology of Cu(II) on the fiber surface was characterized with scanning electron microscope. FTIR spectroscopy and X‐ray photoelectron spectrometry were used to detect the chemical bonding between Cu(II) and cellulose. X‐ray diffraction, thermogravimetry and mechanical test were used to investigate the effect of Cu(II) on the crystallinity, thermal stability, and mechanical property of bamboo fabric. The results showed that Cu(II) ion was bonded to fiber surface, especially via forming metal complex with hydroxyl of cellulose, and the resultant complex CBPF demonstrated excellent antibacterial activity and good thermal stability. In comparison with those of the bamboo pulp fabric in the condition that mechanical properties have no significant change, the crystallinity was decreased from 44.8% to 40.5% after treatment. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2010
Spirituality and the twelve steps
Authors: Mullins James W.
Published: March 2010

This paper relates to the Spirituality of Twelve Step Programs. The Twelve Steps are normally thought of as a spiritual and not a religious program. A brief history of the Twelve Steps as related to Alcoholics Anonymous with specific reference to Carl Jung is given. The author then relates the application of Twelve Steps to his own life. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Selective Hydrogenolysis of Glycerol to Propylene Glycol on Cu–ZnO Composite Catalysts: Structural Requirements and Reaction Mechanism
Authors: Wang Shuai , Zhang Yichi , Liu Haichao
Published: March 2010

Cu–ZnO catalysts were prepared by homogeneous coprecipitation with varying Cu/Zn atomic ratios (0.4–2:1). The catalysts were examined in selective hydrogenolysis of glycerol to propylene glycol. Although propylene glycol selectivities remained essentially constant (over 93 %) on the different Cu–ZnO catalysts, the turnover frequencies changed markedly with the Cu/Zn ratio, and reached the greatest value at the ratio of 1:1. Such activity dependence on the Cu/Zn ratio was in parallel with the change in the interaction between Cu and ZnO and in the Cu microstrain, as a consequence of the effects on the crystalline phases of hydroxycarbonate precursors for the Cu–ZnO catalysts, reflecting the structural requirements for glycerol hydrogenolysis. The hydrogenolysis mechanism was also examined and apparently involves kinetically relevant glycerol dehydrogenation to glyceraldehyde on Cu–ZnO and subsequent glyceraldehyde dehydration and hydrogenation to propylene glycol. The mechanism is consistent with the observed superior activities of the more strained Cu particles, and the higher propylene glycol selectivities obtained at higher glycerol and hydrogen concentrations. These findings provide a rationale for the design of more effective Cu‐based catalysts in selective hydrogenolysis of glycerol and other biomass‐derived polyols, for example, by synthesis of highly strained Cu particles strongly interacting with ZnO or other oxide supports.
Explicit nonlinear predictive control for a magnetic levitation system
Authors: Ulbig A. , Olaru S. , Dumur D. , Boucher P.
Published: March 2010

The paper presents a methodology for the construction of an explicit nonlinear control law via approximation of the nonlinear constrained finite‐time optimal control (CFTOC). This is achieved through an approximate mapping of a general nonlinear system in a set of linear piecewise affine (PWA) systems. The key advantages of this methodology are two‐fold. First, the construction of an analytic solution of the CFTOC problem leads to an efficient explicit implementation. Second, by taking advantage of model predictive control's systematic fashion to handle constraints, an improved performance can be obtained for the closed‐loop system. The proposed theory is applied in real‐time for a system with fast dynamics: a magnetic levitation benchmark. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley and Sons Asia Pte Ltd and Chinese Automatic Control Society
Sensitive and selective liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry method for the determination of metoclopramide in human plasma: application to a bioequivalence study
Authors: Inamadugu Jaswanth Kumar , Damaramadugu Rajasekhar , Mullangi Ramesh , Ponneri Venkateswarlu
Published: March 2010

A simple, sensitive and rapid method has been developed and validated for determination of the metoclopramide (MCP) in 100 μL human plasma. The analytical procedure involves a liquid–liquid extraction method using tramadol as an internal standard (IS). Chromatographic separation was carried out on a HyPURITY ADVANCE column using a mobile phase consisting of acetonitrile and 10 mm ammonium acetate buffer in the ratio of 80:20 (v/v) at a flow rate of 0.3 mL/min. The total run time of analysis was 2.5 min and elution of MCP and IS occurred at 0.9 and 1.3 min, respectively. A linear response function was established for the range of concentrations 0.53–42.07 ng/mL (r > 0.99). The intra‐ and inter‐day precision values for MCP met the acceptance as per FDA guidelines. MCP was stable in a battery of stability studies viz., bench‐top, auto‐sampler and freeze–thaw cycles. The developed assay method was successfully applied to an oral bioequivalence study in humans. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Determination of sphingosine kinase activity in biological samples by liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry
Authors: Lan Tian , Bi Huichang , Xu Suowen , Le Kang , Xie Zhiyong , Liu Yiwei , Huang Heqing
Published: March 2010

Sphingosine kinase (SphK) is a key enzyme in modulating the levels of sphingosine 1‐phosphate (S1P) as well as an important enzyme in numerous biological responses. Using C17‐sphingosine as a substrate, we established a rapid, sensitive and highly efficient method for determination of SphK activity by analyzing the product C17‐sphingosine 1‐phosphate (C17‐S1P) using liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry. The standard curve for C17‐S1P was linear over a wide range (10–1000  ng/mL) with correlation coefficient (r2) greater than 0.999. The lower limit of quantification for C17‐S1P was 10  ng/mL. The Km values for C17‐sphingosine and ATP were determined to be 28.17 and 188.5  mM, respectively. More importantly, the SphK activity dramatically increased in cultured HEK 293 cells expressing wild‐type SphK1 as well as cells treated with tumor necrosis factor‐a, a sphingosine kinase activator. In contrast, the SphK activity decreased in cultured HEK 293 cells treated with dimethylsphngosine, a sphingosine kinase inhibitor. In conclusion, this method was sensitive and rapid in the determination of SphK acitivity, providing striking utilities in exploring the sphingosine kinase signaling pathway and screening active compounds targeting SphK activity. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Determination of piracetam in rat plasma by LC–MS/MS and its application to pharmacokinetics
Authors: Wang Xianqin , Zhu Jiayin , Xu Renai , Yang Xuezhi , Wu Haiya , Lin Dan , Ye Faqing , Hu Lufeng
Published: March 2010

A sensitive and selective liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry method for the determination of piracetam in rat plasma was developed and validated over the concentration range of 0.1–20 µg/mL. After addition of oxiracetam as internal standard, a simplified protein precipitation with trichloroacetic acid (5%) was employed for the sample preparation. Chromatographic separation was performed by a Zorbax SB‐Aq column (150 × 2.1 mm, 3.5 µm). The mobile phase was acetonitrile–1% formic acid in water (10:90 v/v) delivered at a flow rate of 0.3 mL/min. The MS data acquisition was accomplished in multiple reaction monitoring mode with a positive electrospray ionization interface. The lower limit of quantification was 0.1 µg/mL. For inter‐day and intra‐day tests, the precision (RSD) for the entire validation was less than 9%, and the accuracy was within the 94.6–103.2% range. The developed method was successfully applied to pharmacokinetic studies of piracetam in rats following single oral administration dose of 50 mg/kg. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
A sensemaking approach to trade‐offs and synergies between human and ecological elements of corporate sustainability
Authors: Angus‐Leppan Tamsin , Benn Suzanne , Young Louise
Published: March 2010

This paper considers the complex relationships between the human and ecological elements of sustainability that exist in the minds of stakeholders and argues that a sensemaking approach allows these to be better understood and compared. This is supported by the results of a study, set in a financial institution, exploring the relationships between these non‐financial elements of corporate sustainability. The viewpoints of middle management, branch and contact centre employees, executives, a community consultative council, suppliers and a community partner of a large Australian bank obtained in in‐depth interviews are analysed and compared utilizing an innovative methodology of semantic analysis. We find that these stakeholders' perceptions of the human–ecological relationship differ by group, containing different mixes of trade‐offs and synergies between the non‐financial elements of corporate sustainability. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd and ERP Environment.
Stalkers and harassers of British Royalty: an exploration of proxy behaviours for violence
Authors: James David V. , Mullen Paul E. , Meloy J. Reid , Pathé Michele T. , Preston Lulu , Darnley Brian , Farnham Frank R. , Scalora Mario J.
Published: March 2010

Study of risk factors for violence to prominent people is difficult because of low base rates. This study of harassers of the royal family examined factors suggested in the literature as proxies for violence—breaching security barriers, achieving proximity, approach with a weapon, and approach with homicidal ideation. A stratified sample of different types of approach behaviour was randomly extracted from 2,332 Royalty Protection Police files, which had been divided into behavioural types. The final sample size was 275. Significant differences in illness symptomatology and motivation were found for each proxy group. Querulants were significantly over‐represented in three of the four groups. There was generally little overlap between the proxy groups. There is no evidence of the proxy items examined being part of a “pathway to violence”. Different motivations may be associated with different patterns of risk. Risk assessment must incorporate knowledge of the interactions between motivation, mental state, and behaviour. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Simple R programs for statistical distributions most commonly used in engineering
Authors: Nadarajah Saralees
Published: March 2010

The log normal, Weibull and gamma distributions are the most popular models used in engineering. In this technical note, we provide simple programs for fitting these three distributions, for generating random samples from them and for computing such quantities as the probability density function, cumulative distribution function, quantile function, expected value and the variance. An application of the programs to fracture data is illustrated. The programs are written in R: a freely downloadable statistical software. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Comput Appl Eng Educ 19: 826–834, 2011
A 3D learning tool for a hydroelectric unit
Authors: de Sousa Marcos Paulo Alves , Filho Manoel Ribeiro , Nunes Marcus Vinícius Alves , Lopes Andrey da Costa
Published: March 2010

This paper presents a new learning system for a hydroelectric unit of energy (HUE) by using desktop virtual reality (VR) techniques. The software offers the possibility to understand the relation between the physical structures of a UHE, through computer simulations, graphical outputs, and animations. Three learning courses are offered. Educative is the first course that allows familiarizes the student with the structure and with the constituent pieces of a HUE, as well its general and technical information. The second course, maintenance, uses the learning approach based on practice and offers different learning levels, divided into three modes: automatic, guided, and exploratory, in which these modes are accessed according to the acquired degree of knowledge by the user in relation to maintenance procedures. The last course, operation learning, allows the student to visualize the operation of HUE during a certain event as the electromechanical dynamics of the turbine‐generator assemblage in the virtual world by the visualization of several requisite conditions before the startup procedure of HUE. Finally, it was made a performance comparison between the Electrical Engineering students which used the learning module with the case where that was not adopted. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Comput Appl Eng Educ 20: 269–279, 2012
Courseware design of project research based on interactive game design
Authors: Wu YuLung
Published: March 2010

Interactive game design stretches over two domain knowledge: games and interactive technologies. The two so different domains are too difficult for students to learn at same time. In this research, the course design of interactive game design is based on motion‐sensing technology and presents a multiple input interface development platform. Finally, three case studies are presented to verify that the proposed framework is useful for educating of project research. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Comput Appl Eng Educ 20: 510–517, 2012
A software tool for studying the flexible AC transmission systems (FACTS) devices in an electric power system designed for post‐graduate and Stage‐II Bologna students
Authors: Azbe Valentin , Mihalic Rafael
Published: March 2010

This paper presents a computer program that is used in a course in order to clarify the impact of FACTS devices on the operation of an electric‐power system. It can graphically represent the active and the reactive power and the phasors of the voltages and currents in a two‐machine system incorporating various FACTS devices. The program is available on the web (http://lpee.fe.uni‐lj.si/index.php?option=com_content&%20view=category&%20layout=blog&%20id=42&%20Itemid=29). © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Comput Appl Eng Educ 20: 540–546, 2012
Modeling an immersive VR driving learning platform in a web‐based collaborative design environment
Authors: Liang Janus S.
Published: March 2010

A fully spatial immersive and interactive visualizations system that provides extremely vivid stereoscopic views of sceneries in 3D is developed based on the technologies of CAD, database, distributed virtual reality and computing networking. The platform, immersive VR automotive driving learning (imseADL), is developed in a web‐based collaborative design environment at the YTIT for teaching and research. The platform will can also be tools for complex system analysis and design, such as collision, stability for driving, safety, etc., in the future. In addition, the computer generated images (objects and scenes) can be tailored made to produce any simulated environment for training and skill evaluation purposes within a short period of time. In this paper, based on the analysis of the dynamic nature of collaborative design process, a new framework of collaborative design for modeling an imseADL is described. This framework adopts an agent‐based approach and relocates designers, system and the supporting agents in a unified knowledge representation scheme for imseADL design. A prototype system of the proposed framework is implemented and its feasibility is evaluated using a real design scenario whose objective is designing an imseADL. Meanwhile, the imseADL will also provide a means for learners to study their operations without the need to physically visiting these facilities. More importantly, experiments can be performed on the virtual scenes whereby operation and design parameters can be changed in a safe and controlled situation. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Comput Appl Eng Educ 20: 553–567, 2012
Construction and evaluation of Flash Media Server based collaborative virtual hydraulic circuits/equipments
Authors: Gao Zhenguo , Cai Shaobin , Zhao Yunlong , Liu Yanwen , Xu He
Published: March 2010

Collaboration generally leads to better learning outcomes than individual work, and efficient communication is of essential importance to collaborative learning environments. Adobe's Flash Media Server (FMS) together with its Flash provides an efficient a platform for developing collaborative learning environments. Using FMS, we have designed and developed a collaborative learning environment targeted for students' self‐teaching of hydraulic experiments. The collaborative learning environment consists of multi‐user collaboration supporting courseware modules called as virtual hydraulic circuits/equipments. In this paper, the Modeler‐View‐Controller (MVC) architecture designed for the collaborative courseware modules was provided, and key steps of developing such modules using FMS were described. The effect of the courseware modules in helping students in making preparations for actual experiments was examined, and students' attitudes toward the modules were surveyed and analyzed. Results showed that collaborative courseware modules can lead to better learning outcome, and efficient communication especially audio communication is more preferred by the tested students. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Comput Appl Eng Educ 20: 579–593, 2012
Development of a web‐based educational interface using MATLAB builder NE with Web Figure for digital modulation techniques
Authors: Bayilmis Cuneyt
Published: March 2010

Web‐based educational interfaces are becoming more and more popular in engineering education. It is an extremely easy, fast, and economic way of training and learning. In this work, a web‐based educational interface using MATLAB builder NE with Web Figure has been developed. It aims at improving the students' understanding of digital modulation techniques employed in the communication systems course. Especially, use of the Web Figure provides a much more comprehensible way to convey the related modulation techniques through graphical presentations with theoretical details when required. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Comput Appl Eng Educ 20: 604–610, 2012
On emotions and salsa: some thoughts on dancing to rethink consumers
Authors: Hewer Paul , Hamilton Kathy
Published: March 2010

Dance forms are a big business, highly marketable commoditized cultural universes, with a plethora of markets constructed around their spirit, vitality and possibilities. In this paper, we explore one particular dance form, that of Salsa, arguing that as consumer researchers we look for a more vibrant vocabulary and mindset with which to capture the experiential and transcendental nature of such social associations. We demonstrate that the metaphor of dancing is useful to revitalize our notions of consumer actions; taking them out of the grey mundane of calculative and rational action into the possibilities of emotional economies constructed around the effervescence and vitality of the social (cf. Maffesoli, 1996).

Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Consumers' transformations in a liquid society: introducing the concepts ofautobiographical‐concernanddesire‐assemblage
Authors: Gaviria Pilar Rojas , Bluemelhuber Christian
Published: March 2010

In our fast‐paced world, consumers are increasingly exposed to transformation, for instance, in the form of divorce or emigration. These transformations are associated with a willingness to embrace changes in personal consumption. From a temporal perspective, contemporary consumer research on transformations has favoured one point of view – past or future – such as the research done on possible future selves or on feelings of nostalgia.

However, a more integrated perspective, in which both past and future become dynamically involved in ensuring individual life continuity, still seems to be lacking. It is our belief that the philosophical concepts ofexistential hermeneuticsandnarrative identitycan stimulate researchers into closing this research gap.

According toexistential hermeneutics, human beings are essentially self‐interpreters. They deal with the nature of their own existence by disclosing their personal possibilities and updating former experiences in new life contexts. This self‐interpreter condition is articulated in the multiple self‐narratives that an individual can construct. The narrative acts as a form of support in the process of constructing a personal identity, by offering stability and continuity to the fragmented life experiences of a rapidly mutating world.

Based on these philosophical concepts, the specific goal of this paper is to propose two major implications for research on consumer life transformations: theautobiographical‐concern– the existential pre‐occupation of making a personal life‐narrative coherent by interpreting simultaneously one's own personal past and future – and the understanding of desire as being a constructivist exercise –desire‐assemblage– that may accompany this phenomenon.

Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Showing doing. The art–science debate in a performative perspective
Authors: Bode Matthias
Published: March 2010

The relationship between art and science plays an important role in the evolution of Interpretive Consumer Research (ICR). The discussion is currently stuck between a conception of art as mimesis (imitating reality), and as poiesis (imaginative creation of reality). The consequence is an inability to move beyond the frame of art or science and release the potentials of both sides. This paper introduces a performative perspective on art in a research context. Instead of separating art and science, a performative perspective tends to integrate both aspects in a processual and behavioural way. A central aspect is the concept of performance as restored behaviour that is characterized by a tension between the mimetic and the ‘real’. Hereby, the act of ‘doing something’ transforms into ‘showing doing’. Social and aesthetic behaviour becomes intertwined and advances a traditional, object‐oriented concept of art. In a performativity context, doing research also becomes another form of ‘showing doing’ with an enactement impact. Such a perspective goes beyond a view which sees art only as a data source or an additional element of presenting research results. Art as a performance disrupts the linear notion of the research process, so that artistic modes and performances are at the intersection of method, research, object of research and representation of research.

Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Die nicht‐wässrige Sol‐Gel‐Synthese – eine Alternative für die Herstellung hochqualitativer Metalloxid‐ Nanopartikel
Authors: Garnweitner G. , Grote C.
Published: March 2010

Aufgrund des wachsenden Bedarfs an Metalloxid‐Nanopartikeln für verschiedenste Anwendungen mit steigenden Anforderungen ist ihre gezielte Herstellung in definierten Größen und Formen sowie ihre Stabilisierung gegen Agglomeration von großer Bedeutung. Insbesondere Nanopartikel ternärer oder dotierter Metalloxide, die als funktionale Materialien benötigt werden, sind heute kaum in größeren Mengen zugänglich. Es wird die nicht‐wässrige Sol‐Gel‐Synthese von Nanopartikeln vorgestellt, die eine Herstellung hochkristalliner Nanopartikel für verschiedenste Metalloxide bereits bei relativ niedrigen Reaktionstemperaturen erlaubt und ihre effektive Stabilisierung zur Herstellung stabiler Dispersionen zulässt.
Patlak plot analysis CT‐GFR for the determination of renal function: comparison of normal dogs with autologous kidney transplant dogs
Authors: Alexander K. , Authier S. , del Castillo J. R. E. , Arora V. , Qi S. , Guillot M. , Beauchamp G. , Troncy E.
Published: March 2010

Glomerular filtration rate (GFR) can be determined using Patlak plot analysis with single‐slice dynamic computed tomography (CT). Acute autologous graft failure has several causes, all of which induce a measurable decrease in glomerular filtration rate. This study demonstrated in an experimental model of canine autologous renal transplant that CT‐derived renal plasma clearance was significantly lower (p = 0.002) in dogs having undergone transplant (0.077 ± 0.058 ml min−1 ml renal tissue−1) compared with control dogs (0.396 ± 0.139 ml min−1 ml renal tissue−1). A significant negative curvilinear relationship was seen between serum creatinine and total renal plasma clearance (R2 = 0.84,p = 0.0001). Alterations in renal time attenuation curve shape in dogs having undergone transplant may have been related to increased renal vascular resistance related to tubular necrosis. CT‐GFR may be a useful experimental tool in the evaluation of renal dysfunction in transplant models. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Survival outcomes for clonal evolution in chronic myeloid leukemia patients on second generation tyrosine kinase inhibitor therapy
Authors: Verma Dushyant , Kantarjian Hagop , Shan Jianqin , O'Brien Susan , Estrov Zeev , Garcia‐Manero Guillermo , Koller Charles , Borthakur Gautam , Cortes Jorge
Published: March 2010

BACKGROUND:

Clonal evolution is frequently detected in patients developing resistance to imatinib. The outcome of patients with clonal evolution treated with second generation tyrosine kinase inhibitors is not known.

METHODS:

The authors analyzed the outcome of 177 CML patients after second tyrosine kinase inhibitor therapy.

RESULTS:

Ninety‐five patients were in chronic phase, 30 had clonal evolution, 28 were in accelerated phase (AP), and 24 were in AP plus clonal evolution. Major cytogenetic response rates were 58%, 54%, 28%, and 13%; 2‐year overall survival (OS) rates were 86%, 73%, 68%, and 33%; and 2‐year event‐free survival (EFS) rates were 69%, 67%, 31%, and 8%, respectively. The hematologic and cytogenetic response rates, OS, and EFS were no different between patients in chronic phase with clonal evolution and patients with chronic phase and no clonal evolution. However, clonal evolution had a significant adverse impact when associated with other features of AP. On multivariate analysis, clonal evolution had no independently significant effect on achieving major cytogenetic response on the second generation tyrosine kinase inhibitors. The factors predicting increasing major cytogenetic response to second generation tyrosine kinase inhibitors were prior achievement of major cytogenetic response with imatinib, higher hemoglobin levels, no splenomegaly, lower percentage of Philadelphia chromosome‐positive metaphases, and no prior chemotherapy.

CONCLUSIONS:

Clonal evolution constitutes a heterogeneous entity with variable outcome with second generation tyrosine kinase inhibitors, with trisomy 8, chromosome 17, and complex abnormalities having the worst outcome, regardless of the number of metaphases involved. The molecular events behind these abnormalities and potential therapeutic approaches directed at them need to be defined. Cancer 2010. © 2010 American Cancer Society.
Clinical and pathologic factors that predict lymph node yield from surgical specimens in colorectal cancer
Authors: Chou Joanne F. , Row David , Gonen Mithat , Liu Yi‐Hai , Schrag Deborah , Weiser Martin R.
Published: March 2010

BACKGROUND:

The National Quality Forum endorses the recommendation of examining at least 12 lymph nodes (LNs) from colorectal cancer (CRC) specimens. However, heterogeneity in LN harvest exists. The objective of this study was to investigate the clinicopathologic factors that influence LN yield.

METHODS:

The authors used the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results database to identify patients who were diagnosed with stage I, II, and III CRC between 1994 and 2005. Poisson regression was used to model the number of LNs examined as a function of individual clinicopathologic factors, including age, sex, race, year of diagnosis, geographic region, anatomic site, preoperative radiation, tumor size, tumor classification, tumor differentiation, and LN positivity.

RESULTS:

In total, 153,483 patients with CRC were identified. The mean number of LNs examined (± standard deviation) was 12 (±9.3). Separate multivariate analyses revealed that age, year of diagnosis, tumor size, and tumor classification were significant predictors of LN yield for colon and extraperitoneal rectal cancers (P < .01 for all covariates). Tumor location and radiotherapy were significant predictors of LN yield in patients with colon cancer and rectal cancer, respectively. Overall LN yields increased between 2% and 3% annually.

CONCLUSIONS:

Despite the increasing yields observed over time, patients with rectal cancer and older patients who had distally located, early colon cancer were less likely to meet the benchmark yield of 12 LNs. Further investigation into how LN yield is influenced by alterable factors, such as the extent of mesenteric resection and the pathologic technique, as well as nonalterable factors, such as patient age and tumor location, may reveal innovative ways to improve current staging methods. Cancer 2010. © 2010 American Cancer Society.
Dose‐dense temozolomide regimens
Authors: Neyns Bart , Tosoni Alicia , Hwu Wen‐Jen , Reardon David A.
Published: March 2010

Temozolomide is an oral alkylating agent with established antitumor activity in patients with primary brain tumors and melanoma. The originally approved temozolomide dosing regimen is 150 to 200 mg/m2 per day (Days 1 to 5 every 28‐day cycle [5 of 28 days]). However, extended dosing regimens (eg, 7 of 14 days, 21 of 28 days, 6 of 8 weeks, or continuously daily) allow for administration of a higher cumulative dose per cycle and have been shown to deplete O6‐methylguanine‐DNA methyltransferase, which may enhance cytotoxic activity. This article reviews efficacy and safety data from studies that investigated dose‐dense temozolomide regimens in patients with recurrent glioma and advanced metastatic melanoma. The clinical benefits of these dose‐dense regimens compared with the standard 5 of 28‐day regimen have yet to be established. Although the toxicity profile of dose‐dense temozolomide is generally similar to that of the standard 5 of 28‐day regimen, it is associated with an increased incidence and severity of lymphocytopenia. The clinical management of temozolomide‐associated lymphodepletion and the potential risks and benefits of extended dosing with temozolomide are discussed. Preclinical and clinical evidence suggests that temozolomide‐associated lymphodepletion may enhance the host immune response to tumor‐associated antigens and/or immunotherapy and may overcome tumor‐mediated immunosuppression. Further studies exploring the clinical implications of lymphodepletion are warranted. Cancer 2010. © 2010 American Cancer Society.
Role and treatment of early maladaptive schemas in vietnam veterans with PTSD
Authors: Cockram David M. , Drummond Peter D. , Lee Christopher W.
Published: March 2010

The role of early maladaptive schemas in understanding and treating post‐traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) was investigated. The first study examined the role of perceived adverse parenting and early maladaptive schemas in the development of PTSD in Australian and New Zealand Vietnam war veterans (n = 220). Veterans diagnosed with PTSD scored higher on the Young Schema Questionnaire (L3) and had higher scores on the Measure of Parental Style than veterans not diagnosed with PTSD. The results suggest that early maladaptive schemas have an important role in the development or maintenance of PTSD in Vietnam veterans. The second study measured at baseline, termination and 3 months the early maladaptive schemas, PTSD, anxiety and depression of war veterans (n = 54) participating in a PTSD group treatment programme that included schema‐focused therapy. Scores on the PTSD Checklist, the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale, and 17 schemas decreased significantly after treatment. Change scores for the schema treatment were compared with change scores of war veterans (n = 127) who had completed a manualized cognitive–behavioural therapy programme without schema‐focused therapy. Pre‐treatment measures were similar in both groups. Nevertheless, PTSD and anxiety improved more significantly for the schema‐focused therapy group. Together, these findings support the feasibility of schema‐focused therapy to assist veterans with PTSD. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Key Practitioner Message:

War veterans with PTSD may have high levels of early maladaptive schemas.

Early maladaptive schemas, possibly arising from adverse parenting, may be a vulnerability factor for PTSD.

Addressing early maladaptive schemas, with schema‐focused therapy, should be considered within PTSD treatment programmes.
Diagnosis and formulation: what should we tell the students?
Authors: Carey Timothy A. , Pilgrim David
Published: March 2010

Appropriately assessing and coherently conceptualising psychological problems are important precursors to delivering effective interventions. In this regard, trainee psychologists and, in particular, clinical psychology trainees, are faced with a dilemma. Training programme documentation is unequivocal in its emphasis on formulation in preference to diagnosis. In practice, however, diagnosis is often seen as an important skill for a clinician to develop. A lack of clarity concerning the relationship between diagnosis and formulation is reflected in the literature. In this paper we highlight training programme documentation from both Australia and the United Kingdom to illustrate the clarity that exists. We also summarise the literature with regard to the confusion surrounding the relationship between formulation and diagnosis and we explore the concept of psychiatric diagnosis from a definitional perspective. It appears that even the creators of psychiatric classificatory systems are not clear about exactly what a psychiatric diagnosis is. We conclude by offering some suggestions to improve the situation and to assist psychologists to make a greater contribution to the understanding and amelioration of psychological distress. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Key Practitioner Message:

• The use of formulation, rather than diagnosis, is endorsed in training guidelines for psychologists and should be the method of choice for practicing psychologists.
Expansion of regulatory T cells via IL‐2/anti‐IL‐2 mAb complexes suppresses experimental myasthenia
Authors: Liu Ruolan , Zhou Qinghua , La Cava Antonio , Campagnolo Denise I. , Van Kaer Luc , Shi Fu‐Dong
Published: March 2010

Human autoimmune diseases are often characterized by a relative deficiency in CD4+CD25+ regulatory T cells (Treg). We therefore hypothesized that expansion of Treg can ameliorate autoimmune pathology. We tested this hypothesis in an experimental model for autoimmune myasthenia gravis (MG), a B‐cell‐mediated disease characterized by auto‐Ab directed against the acetylcholine receptor within neuromuscular junctions. We showed that injection of immune complexes composed of the cytokine IL‐2 and anti‐IL‐2 mAb (JES6‐1A12) induced an effective and sustained expansion of Treg, via peripheral proliferation of CD4+CD25+Foxp3+ cells and peripheral conversion of CD4+CD25−Foxp3− cells. The expanded Treg potently suppressed autoreactive T‐ and B‐cell responses to acetylcholine receptor and attenuated the muscular weakness that is characteristic of MG. Thus, IL‐2/anti‐IL‐2 mAb complexes can expand functional Treg in vivo, providing a potential clinical application of this modality for treatment of MG and other autoimmune disorders.
Recent Advances in Understanding the Capacitive Storage in Microporous Carbons
Authors: Daffos B. , Taberna P.‐L. , Gogotsi Y. , Simon P.
Published: March 2010

This paper presents a review of our recent work on capacitance of carbide‐derived carbons (CDCs). Specific capacitance as high as 14 μF cm–2 or 160 F g–1 was achieved using CDCs with tailored subnanometer pore size, which is significantly higher than 6 μF cm–2 or 100 F g–1 for conventional activated carbons. Such high capacitance was obtained in several types of organic electrolytes with or without solvent. A maximum is obtained for the carbons with the mean pore size close to the bare ion size, ruling out the traditional point of view that mesoporosity is highly required for maximum capacitance. Surprisingly, carbons with subnanometer porosity exhibit high capacitance retention, since only a 10% loss is measured when 6 A g–1 discharge is drawn. These findings show the importance of fitting the ion size with the mean pore size. The double layer theory falls short to explain such charge storage mechanisms at the nanometer scale; thus atomistic modelling is required to find out an alternative charge storage model.
Glial progenitors in the brainstem give rise to malignant gliomas by platelet‐derived growth factor stimulation
Authors: Masui Kenta , Suzuki Satoshi O. , Torisu Rina , Goldman James E. , Canoll Peter , Iwaki Toru
Published: March 2010

Glial progenitors in the white matter and the subventricular zone are the major population of cycling cells in the postnatal central nervous system, and thought to be candidates for glioma‐initiating cells. However, less is known about the dividing cell populations in the brainstem than those in the cerebrum, leading to the lag of basic understanding of brainstem gliomas. We herein demonstrate much fewer cycling glial progenitors exist in the brainstem than in the cerebrum. We also show that infecting brainstem glial progenitors with PDGFB‐green fluorescent protein (GFP)‐expressing retrovirus induced tumors that closely resembled human malignant gliomas. Of note, brainstem tumors grew more slowly than cerebral tumors induced by the same retrovirus, and >80% tumor cells in the brainstem consisted of GFP‐positive, infected progenitors while GFP‐positive cells in the cerebral tumors were <20%. These indicate that cerebral tumors progressed rapidly by recruiting resident progenitors via paracrine mechanism whereas brainstem tumors grew more slowly by clonal expansion of the infected population. The cerebral and brainstem glial progenitors similarly showed reversible dedifferentiation upon PDGF stimulation in vitro and did not show the intrinsic difference in terms of the responsiveness to PDGF. We therefore suggest that slower, monoclonal progression pattern of the brainstem tumors is at least partly due to the environmental factors including the cell density of the glial progenitors. Together, these findings are the first implications regarding the cell‐of‐origin and the gliomagenesis in the brainstem. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Glial glycine transporter 1 function is essential for early postnatal survival but dispensable in adult mice
Authors: Eulenburg Volker , Retiounskaia Marina , Papadopoulos Theofilos , Gomeza Jesús , Betz Heinrich
Published: March 2010

The glycine transporter 1 (GlyT1) is expressed in astrocytes and selected neurons of the mammalian CNS. In newborn mice, GlyT1 is crucial for efficient termination of glycine‐mediated inhibitory neurotransmission. Furthermore, GlyT1 has been implicated in the regulation of excitatory N‐methyl‐D‐asparate (NMDA) receptors. To evaluate whether glial and neuronal GlyT1 have distinct roles at inhibitory synapses, we inactivated the GlyT1 gene cell type‐specifically using mice carrying floxed GlyT1 alleles GlyT1(+)/+). GlyT1(+)/(+) mice expressing Cre recombinase in glial cells developed severe neuromotor deficits during the first postnatal week, which mimicked the phenotype of conventional GlyT1 knock‐out mice and are consistent with glycinergic over‐inhibition. In contrast, Cre‐mediated inactivation of the GlyT1 gene in neuronal cells did not result in detectable motor impairment. Notably, some animals deficient for glial GlyT1 survived the first postnatal week and did not develop neuromotor deficits throughout adulthood, although GlyT1 expression was efficiently reduced. Thus, glial GlyT1 is critical for the regulation of glycine levels at inhibitory synapses only during early postnatal life. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Astrocytic endogenous glial cell derived neurotrophic factor production is enhanced by bone marrow stromal cell transplantation in the ischemic boundary zone after stroke in adult rats
Authors: Shen L. H. , Li Y. , Chopp M.
Published: March 2010

Bone marrow stromal cells (BMSCs) facilitate functional recovery in rats after focal ischemic attack. Growing evidence suggests that the secretion of various bioactive factors underlies BMSCs' beneficial effects. This study investigates the expression of glial cell derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF) in the ischemic hemisphere with or without BMSC administration. Adult male Wistar rats were subjected to 2 h of middle cerebral artery occlusion followed by an injection of 3 × 106 BMSCs (n = 11) or phosphate‐buffered saline (n = 10) into the tail vein 24 h later. Animals were sacrificed seven days later. Single and double immunohistochemical staining was performed to measure GDNF, Ki67, doublecortin, and glial fibrillary acidic protein expression as well as the number of apoptotic cells along the ischemic boundary zone (IBZ) and/or in the subventricular zone (SVZ). BMSC treatment significantly increased GDNF expression and decreased the number of apoptotic cells in the IBZ (P < 0.05). GDNF expression was colocalized with GFAP. Meanwhile, BMSCs increased the number of Ki‐67 positive cells and the density of DCX positive migrating neuroblasts (P < 0.05). GDNF expression was significantly increased in single astrocytes collected from animals treated with BMSCs, and in astrocytes cocultured with BMSCs after OGD (P < 0.05). Our data suggest that BMSCs increase GDNF levels in the ischemic hemisphere; the major source of GDNF protein is reactive astrocytes. We propose that the increase of GDNF in response to BMSC administration creates a hospitable environment for local cellular repair as well as for migrating neuroblasts from the SVZ, and thus contributes to the functional improvement. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Spatial and temporal variability of flood seasonality in Wales
Authors: Macdonald Neil , Phillips Ian D. , Mayle Gareth
Published: March 2010

High‐magnitude floods across Europe within the last decade have resulted in the widespread reassessment of flood risk; this coupled with the introduction of the Water Framework Directive (2000) has increased the need for a detailed understanding of seasonal variability in flood magnitude and frequency.

Mean day of flood (MDF) and flood seasonality were calculated for Wales using 30 years of gauged river‐flow records (1973–2002). Noticeable regional variations in timing and length of flood season are evident, with flooding occurring earlier in small catchments draining higher elevations in north and mid‐west Wales. Low‐altitude regions in West Wales exposed to westerly winds experience flooding during October–January, while large eastern draining catchments experience later flooding (January–February). In the northeast and mid‐east regions December–January months experience the greatest number of floods, while the southeast has a slightly longer flood season (December–February), with a noticeable increase in January floods. Patterns obtained from MDF data demonstrate their effectiveness and use in analysing regional patterns in flood seasonality, but catchment‐specific determinants, e.g. catchment wetness, size and precipitation regime are important factors in flood seasonality. Relatively strong correlations between precipitation and flood activity are evident in Wales, with a poorer relationship between flooding and weather types and the North Atlantic Oscillation (NAO). Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Detection of trends in hydrological extremes for Canadian watersheds
Authors: Burn Donald H. , Sharif Mohammed , Zhang Kan
Published: March 2010

The potential impacts of climate change can alter the risk to critical infrastructure resulting from changes to the frequency and magnitude of extreme events. As well, the natural environment is affected by the hydrologic regime, and changes in high flows or low flows can have negative impacts on ecosystems. This article examines the detection of trends in extreme hydrological events, both high and low flow events, for streamflow gauging stations in Canada. The trend analysis involves the application of the Mann–Kendall non‐parametric test. A bootstrap resampling process has been used to determine the field significance of the trend results. A total of 68 gauging stations having a nominal record length of at least 50 years are analysed for two analysis periods of 50 and 40 years. The database of Canadian rivers investigated represents a diversity of hydrological conditions encompassing different extreme flow generating processes and reflects a national scale analysis of trends. The results reveal more trends than would be expected to occur by chance for most of the measures of extreme flow characteristics. Annual and spring maximum flows show decreasing trends in flow magnitude and decreasing trends in event timing (earlier events). Low flow magnitudes exhibit both decreasing and increasing trends. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.