bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Translational Stroke Research of the Combination of Thrombolysis and Antioxidant Therapy
Authors: Amaro Sergio , Chamorro Ángel
Published: April 2011

Stroke is an enormous public health problem with an imperative need for more effective therapy. Recombinant tissue plasminogen activator is the only licensed drug for acute stroke, but its efficacy may be limited by the toxicity of the compound and by reperfusion injury. The coadministration of neuroprotective drugs could augment the value of thrombolytic therapy, but the evidence in support of this approach is scarce. The use of the free radical trapping NXY-059, either with or without recombinant tissue plasminogen activator, was not successful in Phase III studies. However, these results could reflect its weak antioxidant capacity, poor blood–brain barrier penetration, and lack of synergism with recombinant tissue plasminogen activator as well as the overly broad treatment window used in the reported trials. This article contends that further translational research should explore newer antioxidant drugs in combination with thrombolytic agents, but only if the combination yields additive or synergistic effects in preclinical thromboembolic models or in biomarker-assisted Phase II studies. Edaravone and novel nitrones endowed with a better pharmacokinetic profile or multitarget and thrombolytic activity are discussed as well as the latest research data on uric acid, a strong endogenous antioxidant in blood that is early consumed after acute stroke. The coadministration of uric acid and recombinant tissue plasminogen activator has shown to provide synergistic neuroprotection in experimental thromboembolic models and to lessen several biomarkers of oxidative stress in patients with acute stroke. The clinical efficacy of uric acid is currently under investigation in a Phase III trial that follows current recommendations of also evaluating surrogate biomarkers of treatment effects.
Gender Effect According to Item Directionality on the Perceived Stress Scale for Adults With Multiple Sclerosis
Authors: Gitchel W. Dent , Roessler Richard T. , Turner Ronna C.
Published: April 2011

Assessment is critical to rehabilitation practice and research, and self-reports are a commonly used form of assessment. This study examines a gender effect according to item wording on the Perceived Stress Scale for adults with multiple sclerosis. Past studies have demonstrated two-factor solutions on this scale and other scales measuring stress-related constructs with factor loadings being determined by item wording. Moreover, women have typically scored higher on these measured constructs. However, a literature review reveals that this gender difference often manifests only on the factor composed of negatively worded items. This study extends this line of research by examining gender differences on the Perceived Stress Scale on the negatively worded items at both the item and bundle levels after controlling for responses on the positively worded items. Implications of this study on the field of rehabilitation are discussed.
White Attitudes toward Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action
Authors: DiTomaso Nancy , Parks-Yancy Rochelle , Post Corinne
Published: April 2011

White attitudes toward equal opportunity and affirmative action are explored through semi-structured interviews with 246 middle and working class respondents from three areas of the USA. Both working and middle class interviewees espouse a consistent and coherent view: that opportunity is widespread for anyone willing to take advantage of it, that facing adverse conditions or obstacles is not a sufficient excuse for lack of success, and that government help in the form of affirmative action gives women and/or minorities unfair advantage over men and/or whites. In the responses, however, we also find that whites apply standards to others about being the ‘best person for the job’ that they do not apply to themselves in their own career histories. Using the interviews with these respondents, we explore the implications of this inconsistency in how whites apply normative standards about what constitutes merit and fairness. This research helps elucidate the meaning of previous research on white racial attitudes.
The design of a mobile autonomous robot for indoor security applications
Authors: Carnegie D A , Loughnane D L , Hurd S A
Published: April 2011

This paper describes the design of a low-cost (below US $2000) autonomous guided vehicle (AGV) intended for indoor security applications. The vehicle is highly manoeuvrable, allowing it to navigate around obstacles easily. To succeed in its security application, the AGV is designed to be visually significant, stable (to resist accidental or deliberate tipping), able to operate for extended periods and has the ability to notify a human supervisor should particular situations occur. The AGV possesses sufficient processing power and sensor capability to operate autonomously.
A novel system for automatic measurement and inspection of parallel screw threads
Authors: Gadelmawla E S
Published: April 2011

Because of the importance of screw threads in machine elements, screw thread measurement and inspection has been debated extensively for more than 20 years. There are about 30 separate geometrical features and dimensional characteristics in the design and construction of screw threads. Therefore many methods have been developed for measuring and inspecting these features. Most of these methods are limited to measuring or inspecting a small number of features. In this paper, a novel system has been developed, using a Measurescope, personal computer and developed software, for measuring and inspecting most of the common types of screw thread. The system is capable of measuring the most common features of screw threads (16 features). Repeatability of measurements is also provided to obtain accurate measurements and useful statistical parameters. In addition, the system is capable of inspecting threads based on a reference thread and given tolerances for the measured features. The traceability process and the uncertainty budget of the developed system are presented. The developed software, named AutoMIST, is fully written in house using Microsoft Visual C++ 6.0 and it is ready to run on any Windows®rG environment.
Integrating novelty detection, neural networks and conventional tools for pattern recognition in multivariate processes
Authors: Zorriassatine F , Guh R-S , Parkin R M , Coy J
Published: April 2011

Statistical process control (SPC) charts are powerful tools that are used to improve quality, increase uniformity and minimize production costs in manufacturing. Neural networks (NNs) have been successfully applied to interpret univariate SPC charts. Despite the growing importance and popularity of multivariate SPC (MSPC), the published literature on the application of NNs to SPC has not adequately discussed the issues related to application of NNs to MSPC for pattern recognition. This paper uses the chi-squared ( x2) statistic as a compact format for representing the input to NNs specialized in positive identification of selected subclasses of multivariate non-random patterns. It is imperative to maintain the reliability of decisions by such specialist NNs in order to convince process operators of their benefits. Therefore, to address the above requirement, this report also shows how novelty detection (ND) can be used as a filter to allow only relevant abnormal patterns to be processed by appropriate specialist NNs. Finally, a new framework within which specialist NNs can complement the decisions of ND and other MSPC techniques is outlined.
Grindability of glass-inlaid zirconia for fibre-optic connectors
Authors: Yin L , Huang H
Published: April 2011

This paper reports on the grindability of glass-inlaid zirconia structure for fibre-optic connectors using metal-bonded diamond wheels with different grit sizes. The surface roughnesses of the glass fibre and zirconia ferrule were investigated as functions of diamond grit, grinding speed and feed rate. The results showed a distinct difference in responses for the two materials with respect to surface roughness and material removal. The combined structure was directly ground to obtain surface roughnesses Ra of the fibre and ferrule smaller than 30 and 90 nm respectively. The surface roughness values for the two materials both decreased with a decrease in diamond grit size, but the reduction in surface roughness for the fibre was not significant when the grit size was smaller than 15 μm. A higher grinding speed did not always give a better surface finish for the two materials. The feed rate was crucial for material removal mechanisms in the grinding of the glass fibre-zirconia ferrule, especially in glass grinding where there was a critical threshold for a brittle-ductile transition.
Optimization of combustor wall heat transfer and pollutant emissions for preliminary design using evolutionary techniques
Authors: Rogero J. M. , Rubini P. A.
Published: April 2011

This paper presents the concept and application of a design optimization toolbox, based upon evolutionary techniques, for the preliminary design of a gas turbine combustor. The toolbox has been designed to interface with existing analysis packages and to perform optimization in parallel over a heterogeneous network of workstations. The optimization capabilities of the toolbox are demonstrated for gas turbine combustor design by automatically attaining 22 performance targets in a combustor design while performing minimization of wall cooling flow and NO x, emissions.
A practical approach to the hydraulic design and performance analysis of a mixed-flow pump for marine waterjet propulsion
Authors: Oh H. W. , Yoon E. S. , Kim K. S. , Ahn J. W.
Published: April 2011

The hydraulic design optimization and performance analysis of a mixed-flow pump for marine waterjet propulsion has been carried out using mean streamline analysis and three-dimensional computational fluid dynamics (CFD) code. In the present study, conceptual design optimization has been formulated with a nonlinear objective function to minimize fluid dynamic losses and then a commercial CFD code was incorporated to allow for detailed flow dynamic phenomena in the pump system. The newly designed mixedflow model pump has been tested in the laboratory. Predicted performance curves by the CFD code agree fairly well with experimental data for a newly designed mixed-flow pump over the normal operating conditions. The design and prediction methods presented herein can be used efficiently as a unified hydraulic design process of mixed-flow pumps for marine waterjet propulsion.
Our debates: Finding, fixing, and enacting reality
Authors: Morawski Jill
Published: April 2011

Working in the long historical shadow of what has been taken to be debates between quantitative and qualitative methods, Osatuke and Stiles (2011), Westerman (2011), and Yanchar (2011) seek to move beyond those debates and even the various détentes posed in mixed-methods research. Their projects can be assessed in terms of this seemingly permanent shadow and also within a broader framing of the political, ethical, epistemic, and ontological stakes that abide in methodological decisions. Taking a broad historical and meta-theoretical perspective illuminates both the boldness and the limitations of the three papers. Especially notable are their procedures for abandoning the Archimedean distanced observational stance, replacing it with intersubjective, relational processes of knowledge seeking.
Influence of selenium and/or magnesium on alleviation alcohol induced oxidative stress in rats, normalization function of liver and changes in serum lipid parameters
Authors: Markiewicz-Górka Iwona , Zawadzki Marcin , Januszewska Lidia , Hombek-Urban Katarzyna , Pawlas Krystyna
Published: April 2011

The aim of this study was to evaluate the attenuating effect of given selenium and/or magnesium on ethanol-induced oxidative stress, disturbances of liver function and cholesterol metabolism. Forty male rats were divided into five groups: C – control, Et – intoxicated with alcohol (15% solution in drinking water), Et + Mg, Et + Se, Et + Mg + Se – intoxicated with alcohol and supplemented with selenium (0.4 mg Se/l water), magnesium (100 mg Mg/l water) and combination of Se and Mg, respectively. The experiment was carried out over the 3 months. The results show that the chronic ingestion of alcohol induces lipid peroxidation and histopathological changes in liver. Supplementation with magnesium only partially alleviates oxidative stress and damages in this tissue. The both selenium alone and combination of magnesium and selenium significantly elevated total antioxidant status (TAS) in serum, activity of glutathione peroxidase and ratio of reduced glutathione to oxidized glutathione (GSH/GSSG) in liver and retarded oxidative stress and histopathological changes in this tissue. Chronic administration of ethanol (alone and with magnesium) resulted in significant decrease in the serum total cholesterol and retardation in the body weight gain in comparison with the control group. In the groups supplemented with selenium and selenium and magnesium simultaneously, concentration of total cholesterol in serum and body gains was similar to the control group. Supplementation of Se or selenium and magnesium simultaneously significantly enhances antioxidant defence and is more effective against alcohol-induced oxidative stress, disturbance of liver function and cholesterol metabolism than the separate use of magnesium.
Being There in Spirit, Fire, and Mind: Expressive Roles Among Nonresidential African American Fathers
Authors: Hammond Wizdom Powell , Caldwell Cleopatra Howard , Brooks Cassandra , Bell Lee
Published: April 2011

Objective: This exploratory qualitative study examined factors contributing to expressive father role negotiation, salience, and commitment in a sample of nonresidential African American fathers (n = 18). Method: Two focus groups were conducted between 2000 and 2001 in a Midwestern city to understand factors that strengthen and diminish bonds between nonresidential African American fathers and their sons. Results: Results indicate that nonresidential fathers deepened their expressive role commitment by reflecting on socioemotional voids in their paternal relationships and negotiating role strains produced as they weighed giving time versus giving money. Conclusions: Findings support the need to foster expressive role commitment among nonresidential African American fathers as a strategy for enhancing child involvement. Social work research, interventions, and practice implications are discussed.
Synthesis in policy impact assessment
Authors: Radej Bojan
Published: April 2011

Impact evaluators of large-scale and multi-domain policy proposals have had difficulties in aggregating detailed assessment results into summative evaluative conclusions. Assumptions about how to aggregate impacts from micro to macro level across multiple evaluation domains (economic, social, natural environment) differ and different approaches produce different end results. An aggregation problem arises because different policy impacts are not fully commensurable across scales (micro-meso-macro) and across domains of evaluation. A new approach to synthesis of results is proposed that takes incommensurability of policy impacts into account. Detailed impact assessments results are first partially aggregated into an input-output matrix of assessment domains (meso level) and then non-diagonally situated partial aggregates, defined as secondary impacts, are correlated. The aggregation problem is illustrated by the comparative assessment of the sustainability of the development program for the Pomurje region of Slovenia using three methods: micro (no aggregation of impact results), macro (full aggregation) and meso (partial aggregation) approaches. Only the meso approach is consistent with the complexity of the challenge.
Disagreement, confusion, disapproval, turn elicitation and floor holding: Actions as accomplished by ellipsis marks-only turns and blank turns in quasisynchronous chats
Authors: Keng Wee Ong Kenneth
Published: April 2011

This study evidences turn actions done by ellipsis marks-only turns and blank turns as employed in quasisynchronous chats that are not discussed in prior literature. A brief introduction to the research background of ellipsis marks in online chats is followed by a description of the data collected before delving into the actions done by ellipsis marks-only turns and blank turns. Data were culled from multi-party chats among tertiary students during a critical reasoning class. A Conversation Analysis-informed approach is applied in this article to analyze the preference organization of elliptical turns that illustrate several turn actions which include responses signaling disagreement, confusion and disapproval besides initial actions of eliciting responses and holding the floor. More than punctuation marks or paralinguistic restitution of silences, their interpersonal meaningfulness in sequential context and differentness/similarity vis-a-vis temporal silences are demonstratively shown in microscopic and interpretive description of chat excerpts.
Effect of operating condition on particulate matter and nitrogen oxides emissions from a heavy-duty direct injection natural gas engine using cooled exhaust gas recirculation
Authors: McTaggart-Cowan G P , Rogak S N , Hill P G , Bushe W K , Munshi S R
Published: April 2011

Two methods for reducing nitrogen oxides (NOX) emissions from direct injection, compression ignition, heavy-duty engines are exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) and the high-pressure direct injection of natural gas. Tests combining these two techniques were carried out on a single-cylinder research engine (SCRE) based on a modified heavy-duty automotive engine. No attempt was made to optimize the engine's combustion chamber or the injector geometry for EGR operation. The SCRE's independent charge-air system allowed for more controlled testing over a wider range of test variables than can be carried out by a standard engine. These tests investigated the effects of cooled EGR on particulate matter (PM) and NOX emissions while varying the injection timing, engine speed, equivalence ratio and intake manifold pressure. The results suggested that, with EGR, higher equivalence ratios reduced power-specific NOX but increased PM emissions. Increasing the charge mass at a constant EGR fraction resulted in significant reductions in PM, at the cost of slightly increased NOX By advancing the injection timing at high EGR fractions, PM emissions and fuel efficiency were improved, with only a slight increase in NOX emissions compared to the more retarded injection timings. The engine speed influenced the amount of EGR that could be recirculated, with lower speeds resulting in higher achievable EGR fractions. These results suggest that EGR fractions in excess of 20 per cent can achieve NOX reductions beyond 75 per cent, without causing unacceptable increases in PM emissions or significant reductions in fuel efficiency.
Mixture distribution and flame propagation in a heavy-duty liquid petroleum gas engine with liquid phase injection
Authors: Oh S , Bae C
Published: April 2011

Enhanced mixture preparation by liquid phase injection on to the port could promote the application of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) in spark ignition (SI) engines. Mixture distribution and flame propagation of the liquid phase LPG injection (LPLI) engine with a large bore size were investigated in a single-cylinder optical engine which had optical accesses through both sides of the cylinder liner and bottom of the piston. LPG fuel distribution was visualized quantitively by the acetone planar laser-induced fluorescence (PLIF) method. In addition, a series of bottom-view images were taken by direct visualization using a high-speed camera. Flow conditions were varied with the shapes of intake port and piston geometries characterized by different swirl and squish flows. The effects of fuel injection timings were also studied to characterize the mixture preparation for open-valve injection and closed-valve injection.

Stronger swirl with a swirl ratio of 3.4 and squish flow with a cylindrical piston bowl shape showed faster flame propagations under the open-valve injection condition with preferable mixture formation. On the contrary, closed-valve injection caused the undesirable mixture distribution of the mixture at the ignition, which led to a leaner mixture distribution near the spark plug.
Modern Languages in Scotland
Authors: Doughty Hannah
Published: April 2011

This article critically examines the state (extent of provision) and status (public esteem) of modern language education in Scotland, which as a constituent part of the United Kingdom has its own independent education system. The notion of social capital, as conceptualized by Putnam and others, is used to show how attempts by language professionals in Scottish universities to create social ‘bridges’ and ‘linkages’ with stakeholders in schools have so far not been able to stem an overall downward trend in language study. As a major educational reform is getting underway in Scottish secondary schools, there may be increased opportunities for higher education language staff to build strategic networks but, it is argued, underlying support at the macro level is needed to ensure that such initiatives can be sustained more widely and consistently. Consideration is given to possible future actions.
Stability, crisis, and other reasons for optimism
Authors: Levine Glenn S.
Published: April 2011

This article presents a brief overview of the state of university language education in the United States. Despite the impact of the world economic crisis on university language education in the United States, the profession has not yet been impacted to the extent many believe it has. Current scholarly debates allow for both a sober assessment of and an optimistic perspective on the field’s trajectory in recent years. A brief summary is offered of recent enrollments in university courses in languages other than English, which shows that enrollments have indeed remained stable, though even these stable numbers point toward shortcomings in the place of language education in academia overall. The key points of the 2007 Modern Language Association Ad Hoc Committee Report, ‘Foreign languages and higher education: New structures for a changed world’, are then presented, along with some scholarly responses to it. The report, and especially the academic debate it sparked, point toward a period of transformation in university language education; an increased attention to crucial links between theory, curriculum, research, and pedagogical practice; and an encouraging mood of advocacy for language education that transcends the defensive response to program reductions and eliminations.
A framework for understanding leadership and individual requisite complexity
Authors: Lord Robert G. , Hannah Sean T. , Jennings Peter L.
Published: April 2011

This paper examines the relation of individual perceptual, conscious, and self-regulatory processes to the generation of requisite complexity in formal and informal leaders. Requisite complexity is a complex adaptive systems concept that pertains to the ability of a system to adjust to the requirements of a changing environment by achieving equivalent levels of complexity. We maintain that requisite complexity has both static and dynamic aspects that involve four domains (general, social, self, and affective complexity), with each being more or less important for leaders depending upon the task requirements they face. Dynamic complexity draws on these static components and also creates new aspects of complexity through the interaction of mental processes. The implications of these issues for understanding leader adaptation and development are also discussed.
A different look at why selection procedures work
Authors: Kleinmann Martin , Ingold Pia V. , Lievens Filip , Jansen Anne , Melchers Klaus G. , König Cornelius J.
Published: April 2011

Personnel selection procedures such as assessment centers, structured interviews, and personality inventories are useful predictors of candidates' job performance. In addition to existing explanations for their criterion-related validity, we suggest that candidates' ability to identify the criteria used to evaluate their performance during a selection procedure contributes to the criterion-related validity of these procedures. Conceptually, the ability to identify criteria can be framed in the broader literature on peoples' ability to read situational cues. We draw on both theory and empirical research to outline the potential this ability has to account for selection results and job performance outcomes. Finally, implications for future research are presented.
The genome of self-complementary adeno-associated viral vectors increases Toll-like receptor 9–dependent innate immune responses in the liver
Authors: Martino Ashley T. , Suzuki Masataka , Markusic David M. , Zolotukhin Irene , Ryals Renee C. , Moghimi Babak , Ertl Hildegund C. J. , Muruve Daniel A. , Lee Brendan , Herzog Roland W.
Published: April 2011

Although adeno-associated viral (AAV) vectors have been successfully used in hepatic gene transfer for treatment of hemophilia and other diseases in animals, adaptive immune responses blocked long-term transgene expression in patients on administration of single-stranded AAV serotype-2 vector. More efficient vectors have been developed using alternate capsids and self-complimentary (sc) genomes. This study investigated their effects on the innate immune profile on hepatic gene transfer to mice. A mild and transient up-regulation of myeloid differentiation primary response gene (88), TLR9, TNF-α, monocyte chemotactic protein-1, IFN-γ inducible protein-10, and IFN-α/β expression in the liver was found after single-stranded AAV vector administration, regardless of the capsid sequence. In contrast, scAAV vectors induced higher increases of these transcripts, upregulated additional proinflammatory genes, and increased circulating IL-6. Neutrophil, macrophage, and natural killer cell liver infiltrates were substantially higher on injection of scAAV. Some but not all of these responses were Kupffer cell dependent. Independent of the capsid or expression cassette, scAAV vectors induced dose-dependent innate responses by signaling through TLR9. Increased innate responses to scAAV correlated with stronger adaptive immune responses against capsid (but not against the transgene product). However, these could be blunted by transient inhibition of TLR9.
Osteopontin, asbestos exposure and pleural plaques: a cross-sectional study
Authors: Mastrangelo Giuseppe , Marangi Gianluca , Ballarin Maria N , Michilin Silvia , Fabricio Aline SC , Valentini Flavio , Lange John H , Fedeli Ugo , Cegolon Luca , Gion Massimo
Published: April 2011

Background

Osteopontin (OPN) is a plasma protein/cytokine produced in excess in several malignancies. In a recent study OPN was reported as being related to the duration of asbestos exposure and presence of benign asbestos-related diseases; however, it was unclear whether this protein was an indicator of exposure or effect.

Methods

In 193 workers, 50 with pleural plaques (PP), in whom different indicators of past asbestos exposure were estimated, OPN plasma levels were assessed using commercial quantitative sandwich enzyme immunoassays according to the manufacturer's instructions.

Results

Osteopontin increased with increasing age and several aspects of asbestos exposure, without differences related to the presence of pleural plaques. At multivariable regression analysis, the explanatory variables with a significant independent influence on OPN were length of exposure (positive correlation) and time elapsed since last exposure (positive correlation).

Conclusions

Since asbestos in lung tissue tends to wane over time, OPN should decrease (rather than increase) with time since last exposure. Therefore, OPN cannot be a reliable biomarker of exposure nor effect (presence of pleural plaques).
Systematic review on the treatment of pentoxifylline in patients with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease
Authors: Li Wenjun , Zheng Liu , Sheng Chunjun , Cheng Xiaoyun , Qing Liu , Qu Shen
Published: April 2011

Background

As an anti-TNF agent that targets inflammatory process directly, Pentoxifylline has been investigated for treatment of NASH in individual studies and pilot trials for years. We summarized the available information and generating hypotheses for future research.

Data Sources

Google, Cochrane, MEDLINE, and EMBASE and theChinese Biomedicaldata bases for studies restricted to pentoxifylline treatment in humans with NAFLD in all languages until June 2010. Six studies (2 randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trials; 4 prospective cohort studies) extracted from 11604 references.

Results

Pentoxifylline-treated patients showed a significant decrease AST (n = 37,P= 0.01) and ALT (n = 50,P= 0.03), but no significant effect on IL-6 (n = 36,P= 0.33) and TNF-α (n = 68,P= 0.26) compared with Placebo or UDCA-controlled groups. Improvement in one or more histological variables was reported in two trails, only 1 study showed a reduction in of one or two points in fibrosis stage.

Limitations

The trails did not consistently report all of the outcomes of interest. Sample sizes (117 patients totally) were small and only 2 out of 6 studies had a randomized, controlled design.

Conclusion

Pentoxifylline reduce AST and ALT levels and may improve liver histological scores in patients with NALFD/NASH, but did not appear to affect cytokines. Large, prospective, and well-designed randomized, controlled studies are needed to address this issue. Novel therapeutic targets for activation of inflammatory signaling pathways by fat also merit investigation.
Stereotactic body radiation therapy for melanoma and renal cell carcinoma: impact of single fraction equivalent dose on local control
Authors: Stinauer Michelle A , Kavanagh Brian D , Schefter Tracey E , Gonzalez Rene , Flaig Thomas , Lewis Karl , Robinson William , Chidel Mark , Glode Michael , Raben David
Published: April 2011

Background

Melanoma and renal cell carcinoma (RCC) are traditionally considered less radioresponsive than other histologies. Whereas stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT) involves radiation dose intensification via escalation, we hypothesize SBRT might result in similar high local control rates as previously published on metastases of varying histologies.

Methods

The records of patients with metastatic melanoma (n = 17 patients, 28 lesions) or RCC (n = 13 patients, 25 lesions) treated with SBRT were reviewed. Local control (LC) was defined pathologically by negative biopsy or radiographically by lack of tumor enlargement on CT or stable/declining standardized uptake value (SUV) on PET scan. The SBRT dose regimen was converted to the single fraction equivalent dose (SFED) to characterize the dose-control relationship using a logistic tumor control probability (TCP) model. Additionally, the kinetics of decline in maximum SUV (SUVmax) were analyzed.

Results

The SBRT regimen was 40-50 Gy/5 fractions (n = 23) or 42-60 Gy/3 fractions (n = 30) delivered to lung (n = 39), liver (n = 11) and bone (n = 3) metastases. Median follow-up for patients alive at the time of analysis was 28.0 months (range, 4-68). The actuarial LC was 88% at 18 months. On univariate analysis, higher dose per fraction (p < 0.01) and higher SFED (p = 0.06) were correlated with better LC, as was the biologic effective dose (BED, p < 0.05). The actuarial rate of LC at 24 months was 100% for SFED ≥45 Gy v 54% for SFED <45 Gy. TCP modeling indicated that to achieve ≥90% 2 yr LC in a 3 fraction regimen, a prescription dose of at least 48 Gy is required. In 9 patients followed with PET scans, the mean pre-SBRT SUVmax was 7.9 and declined with an estimated half-life of 3.8 months to a post-treatment plateau of approximately 3.

Conclusions

An aggressive SBRT regimen with SFED ≥ 45 Gy is effective for controlling metastatic melanoma and RCC. The SFED metric appeared to be as robust as the BED in characterizing dose-response, though additional studies are needed. The LC rates achieved are comparable to those obtained with SBRT for other histologies, suggesting a dominant mechanism of in vivo tumor ablation that overrides intrinsic differences in cellular radiosensitivity between histologic subtypes.
An outcome analysis of self-expandable metallic stents in central airway obstruction: a cohort study
Authors: Chung Fu-Tsai , Chen Hao-Cheng , Chou Chun-Liang , Yu Chih-Teng , Kuo Chih-Hsi , Kuo Han-Pin , Lin Shu-Min
Published: April 2011

Background

Self-expandable metallic stents (SEMSs) have provided satisfactory management of central airway obstruction. However, the long-term benefits and complications of this management modality in patients with benign and malignant obstructing lesions after SEMS placement are unclear. We performed this cohort study to analyze the outcomes of Ultraflex SEMSs in patients with tracheobronchial diseases.

Methods

Of 149 patients, 72 with benign and 77 with malignant tracheobronchial disease received 211 SEMSs (benign, 116; malignant, 95) and were retrospectively reviewed in a tertiary hospital.

Results

The baseline characteristics of patients who received SEMS implantation for benign conditions and those who underwent implantation for malignant conditions were significantly different. These characteristics included age (mean, 63.9 vs. 58; p < 0.01), gender (male, 62% vs. 90%; p < 0.0001), smoking (47% vs. 85%; p < 0.0001), forced expiratory volume in 1 second (mean, 0.9 vs. 1.47 L/s; p < 0.0001), follow-up days after SEMS implantation (median; 429 vs. 57; p < 0.0001), and use of covered SEMS (36.2% vs. 94.7%; p < 0.0001). Symptoms improved more after SEMS implantation in patients with benign conditions than in those with malignant conditions (76.7% vs. 51.6%; p < 0.0001). The overall complication rate after SEMS implantation in patients with benign conditions was higher than that in patients with malignancy (42.2% vs. 21.1%; p = 0.001). Successful management of SEMS migration, granulation tissue formation, and SEMS fracture occurred in 100%, 81.25%, and 85% of patients, respectively.

Conclusions

Patients who received SEMS implantation owing to benign conditions had worse lung function and were older than those who received SEMS for malignancies. There was higher complication rate in patients with benign conditions after a longer follow-up period owing to the nature of the underlying diseases.
Coherence and curvature attributes on preconditioned seismic data
Authors: Chopra Satinder , Misra Somanath , Marfurt Kurt J.
Published: April 2011

Seismic data are usually contaminated with both random and coherent noise, even when the data have been properly migrated and are multiple-free. Seismic attributes are particularly effective at extracting subtle features from relatively noise-free data. Certain types of noise can be addressed by the interpreter through careful structure-oriented filtering or postmigration footprint suppression. However, if the data are contaminated by multiples or are poorly focused and imaged due to inaccurate velocities, the data need to go back to the processing team.
Locating groundwater resources for Aboriginal communities in remote and arid parts of South Australia
Authors: Inverarity K. , Heinson G. , Pedler-Jones D. , Costar A. , Wurst S. , McLean G. , Simmons C.
Published: April 2011

Finding and utilizing reliable water supplies for desert communities is important but difficult and expensive. This is especially the case in the remote north and northwest of South Australia, where there are a number of small Aboriginal communities with populations of less than a hundred people. Rainfall is sparse and intermittent (less than 200 mm/yr), and residents rely on groundwater for nonpotable supplies. Previous drilling in shallow sediments aiming for porous aquifers has led to problems with long-term well production. More recent wells targeting deeper fractured rock aquifers are showing more promise; unfortunately, such boreholes are more expensive and difficult to install. The aim of our work is to use natural-source magnetotelluric (MT) imaging to try and identify better sites for bores, and therefore reduce the risk of drilling a dry well. We hope to do this by imaging the 3D conductivity structure, allowing the identification of possible aquifers, and also by measuring the anisotropy due to water-bearing fractures, through the sensitivity of natural-source MT responses to electrically anisotropic layers in the subsurface. The first phase of our work, described here, is to test the method at a site where the hydrogeology is relatively well understood. The second phase will apply it to a community in need.
The establishment of a geophysics field camp in northern Thailand
Authors: Liberty Lee , Wood Spencer , van Wijk Kasper , Hinz Emily , Mikesell Dylan , Singharajawarapan Fongsaward , Shragge Jeffrey
Published: April 2011

As a participant in SEG's Geoscientists Without Borders program, we have developed a geophysics field camp in northern Thailand to train students and professionals from throughout Southeast Asia in field-based geophysical methods. Over the past two years, faculty, technicians, professionals, and students from 18 institutions and 11 countries have acquired, processed, and interpreted geophysical data at field sites in and around Chiang Mai, Thailand. Participation from undergraduate students, graduate students, and private and public sector geoscience professionals provides a broad base of experience, background, and insight. Our training has provided opportunities for cross-cultural collaboration and education, and a greater use of field-based geophysical methods for academic, private sector, and government agencies throughout Southeast Asia.
SID-1 is a dsRNA-selective dsRNA-gated channel
Authors: Shih Joseph D. , Hunter Craig P.
Published: April 2011

Systemic RNAi in Caenorhabditis elegans requires the widely conserved transmembrane protein SID-1 to transport RNAi silencing signals between cells. When expressed in Drosophila S2 cells, C. elegans SID-1 enables passive dsRNA uptake from the culture medium, suggesting that SID-1 functions as a channel for the transport of double-stranded RNA (dsRNA). Here we show that nucleic acid transport by SID-1 is specific for dsRNA and that addition of dsRNA to SID-1 expressing cells results in changes in membrane conductance, which indicate that SID-1 is a dsRNA gated channel protein. Consistent with passive bidirectional transport, we find that the RNA induced silencing complex (RISC) is required to prevent the export of imported dsRNA and that retention of dsRNA by RISC does not seem to involve processing of retained dsRNA into siRNAs. Finally, we show that mimics of natural molecules that contain both single- and double-stranded dsRNA, such as hairpin RNA and pre-microRNA, can be transported by SID-1. These findings provide insight into the nature of potential endogenous RNA signaling molecules in animals.
A Level-3 Reformulation-Linearization Technique-Based Bound for the Quadratic Assignment Problem
Authors: Hahn Peter M. , Zhu Yi-Rong , Guignard Monique , Hightower William L. , Saltzman Matthew J.
Published: April 2011

We apply the level-3 reformulation-linearization technique (RLT3) to the quadratic assignment problem (QAP). We then present our experience in calculating lower bounds using an essentially new algorithm based on this RLT3 formulation. Our method is not guaranteed to calculate the RLT3 lower bound exactly, but it approximates this lower bound very closely and reaches it in some instances. For Nugent problem instances up to size 24, our RLT3-based lower bound calculation solves these problem instances exactly or serves to verify the optimal value. Calculating lower bounds for problem sizes larger than size 27 still presents a challenge because of the large amount of memory needed to implement the RLT3 formulation. Our presentation emphasizes the steps taken to significantly conserve memory by using the numerous problem symmetries in the RLT3 formulation of the QAP. We implemented this RLT3-based bound calculation in a branch-and-bound algorithm. Experimental results project significant runtime improvement over all other published QAP branch-and-bound solvers.
Multiple-Constraint Choice Models with Corner and Interior Solutions
Authors: Satomura Takuya , Kim Jaehwan , Allenby Greg M.
Published: April 2011

A choice model based on direct utility maximization subject to an arbitrary number of constraints is developed and applied to conjoint data. The model can accommodate both corner and interior solutions, and it provides insights into the proportion of respondents bound by each constraint. Application to volumetric choice data reveals that the majority of respondents make choices consistent with price and quantity restrictions. Estimates based on a single monetary-constraint choice model are shown to lead to biased estimates of the monetary value of attribute levels.
A Regime-Switching Model of Cyclical Category Buying
Authors: Park Sungho , Gupta Sachin
Published: April 2011

In many categories consumers display cyclical buying: they repeatedly purchase in the category for several periods, followed by several periods of not buying. We believe that the cyclicality is a manifestation of cross-category substitution by the consumer, caused by “variety-seeking” tendencies as well as by the firm's marketing activities in all relevant categories. We propose a Markov regime-switching random coefficient logit model to represent these behaviors as stochastic switching between high and low category purchase tendencies. The main feature of the proposed model is that it divides the stream of purchase decisions of a consumer into distinct regimes with different parameter values that characterize high versus low purchase tendencies. In an empirical application of the model to purchases of yogurt-buying households, we find that as many as 38.3% households display cyclicality between high and low yogurt-purchasing tendencies. Predictions from our proposed model track observed yogurt purchases of households over time closely, and the model also fits better than two benchmark models. Alternating between high and low purchase tendencies may correspond with changing levels of consumer inventory in a substitute category. If one ignores this phenomenon, a correlation between yogurt inventory and the error term in utility arises, leading to biased estimates. Also, we show that cyclicality in buying has a key implication for a firm's price promotion strategies: a price reduction that is offered to a household during its high purchasing tendency period will result in greater increases in sales than one that is offered during its low purchasing period. This opens up a new dimension for enhancing the effectiveness of promotions—customized timing of price reductions.
A Preliminary Examination of Crime Analysts' Views and Experiences of Comparative Case Analysis
Authors: Burrell Amy , Bull Ray
Published: April 2011

Comparative Case Analysis (CCA), typically conducted by crime analysts, uses crime scene behaviours to try to identify series of crimes committed by the same offender. Accurate identification of series of offences allows the police to pool resources and evidence, thereby boosting the potential to identify and apprehend the offender. This paper discusses the results of a survey of a sample of crime analysts working in two UK police forces about their views and experiences of CCA. The results focus on how CCA is conducted, what evidence and information is considered, and how useful CCA is to criminal investigation. Suggestions for how CCA might be developed further are also included.
Becoming Resilient: Overturning Common Sense — Part 1
Authors: Jenkins Alan
Published: April 2011

How might we engage with the concept resilience in a world obsessed with the measurement and cataloguing of deficits and virtues alike; with predicting outcomes, producing certainty and the reification of stable identity? This article is based on a plenary address presented to the Australian Family Therapy Conference in 2009 and takes Deleuze's paraphrase of the 17th century philosopher, Spinoza as a point of departure from common sense views of identity. Can resilience be possessed by some as a personal quality enhancing their coping skills or might resilience be a vital aspect of living which passes through us? Perhaps resilience bounces back towards us and enables the unsettling of dogmatic beliefs and a stable sense of identity Enquiry might then shift from the moral; What kind of person am I? How should I live? towards an ethical position of wonder; What else might there be? What might I be capable of?This article invites an ethical exploration of desire, its capture and of resistance and explores the politics of identity; illustrated with men's journeys of struggle with violence, sexuality and belonging and the discovery of ethics and generous forms of love in the face of adversity.
Oocytes in sheep homozygous for a mutation in bone morphogenetic protein receptor 1B express lower mRNA levels of bone morphogenetic protein 15 but not growth differentiation factor 9
Authors: Crawford Janet L , Heath Derek A , Reader Karen L , Quirke Laurel D , Hudson Norma L , Juengel Jennifer L , McNatty Kenneth P
Published: April 2011

The aim of this study was to test the hypothesis that the high ovulation rate in ewes (BB) homozygous for a mutation in the bone morphogenetic protein receptor type 1B (BMPR1B) gene is linked to lower BMP15 and/or GDF9 mRNA in oocytes compared with those in wild-type (++) ewes. Cumulus cell–oocyte complexes (COC) and granulosa cells (GC) were recovered from ≥1 mm diameter follicles of BB and ++ ewes during a prostaglandin-induced follicular phase. Expression levels of GDF9 and BMP15 were measured by multiplex qPCR from individual COC. The gonadotropin-induced cAMP responses of the GC from each non-atretic follicle were measured following treatment with FSH or human chorionic gonadotropin. In a separate validation experiment, GDF9 and BMP15 expression was present only in oocytes and not in cumulus cells. There was no effect of follicular diameter on oocyte-derived GDF9 or BMP15 mRNA levels. The mean expression levels of BMP15, but not GDF9, were significantly lower in all non-atretic follicles, including the subsets containing either FSH- or LH-responsive GC in BB, compared with ++, ewes. No genotype effects were noted for FSH-induced cAMP production by GC either with respect to dose of, or number of follicles responding to, FSH. However, ovaries from BB ewes contained significantly more follicles responsive to LH, with respect to cAMP production in GC. We propose that these findings are consistent with the hypothesis that the higher ovulation rate in BB sheep is due, at least in part, to lower oocyte-derived BMP15 mRNA levels together with the earlier onset of LH-responsiveness in GC.