bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The 2004 ISMS Practice Prize Winner—Sales Territory Design: Thirty Years of Modeling and Implementation
Authors: Zoltners Andris A. , Sinha Prabhakant
Published: October 2005

Sales territory alignment is the assignment of accounts and their associated selling activities to salespeople and teams. Models, systems, processes, and wisdom have evolved over 1,500 project implementations for 500 companies with 500,000 sales territories.

Optimization models have evolved over time to explicitly consider travel time along road networks and customer disruption. Personal computers with continually increasing speeds and storage capabilities, the Internet, and mapping databases have enabled the development of systems that communicate alignments visually to sales managers. Because of their combinatorial complexity, multiple conflicting objectives, and personnel aspects that touch everyone in the salesforce, the alignment models were unable to completely solve the sales territory alignment issues faced by companies. Consequently, processes that add local managerial knowledge were used to communicate and enhance model-derived solutions, while achieving very high implementation rates.

The territory alignment team gains knowledge with every sales territory alignment. Alignment insights get codified. Alignment experts improve every model-derived solution. This wisdom becomes part of subsequent alignments and triggers further innovation. Over time, the role of processes and wisdom becomes larger than the role of the models and systems.
Practice Prize Reports
Authors: Sinha Ashish , Inman J. Jeffrey , Wang Yantao , Park Joonwook , Tellis Gerard J. , Chandy Rajesh K. , MacInnis Deborah , Thaivanich Pattana
Published: October 2005

The Practice Prize Reports consist of one article with two parts as follows: “Sinha, Ashish, J. Jeffrey Inman, Yantao Wang, Joonwook Park. Attribute drivers: A factor analytic choice map approach for understanding choices among SKUs” and “Tellis, Gerard J., Rajesh K. Chandy, Deborah MacInnis, Pattana Thaivanich. “Modeling the microeffects of television advertising: Which ad works, when, where, for how long, and why?”
Reality consumed by realty: the ecological costs of ‘development’ in Leslie Marmon Silko’s Almanac of the Dead
Authors: Tillett Rebecca
Published: October 2005

Published to coincide with the quincentennial celebrations of Columbus’s ‘discovery’ of the New World, the Native American writer Leslie Marmon Silko’s apocalyptic 1991 novel, Almanac of the Dead, is a harsh highly politicized indictment of 500 years of
colonialism, inhumanity and genocide. Silko clearly presents a diverse range of pertinent political issues that are of crucial significance to many contemporary tribal communities within the United States. This article analyses Silko’s concern with ecological issues; with the symbiotic
relationship between Native American communities and the land; with the ways in which contemporary exploitation of both Native American lands and their natural resources by the highly powerful energy multinationals are replacing the symbiotic with the parasitic; and with the potential human
and ecological costs.
Placebo Effects of Marketing Actions: Consumers May Get What They Pay For
Authors: Shiv Baba , Carmon Ziv , Ariely Dan
Published: October 2005

The authors demonstrate that marketing actions, such as pricing, can alter the actual efficacy of products to which they are applied. These placebo effects stem from activation of expectancies about the efficacy of the product, a process that appears not to be conscious. In three experiments, the authors show that consumers who pay a discounted price for a product (e.g., an energy drink thought to increase mental acuity) may derive less actual benefit from consuming this product (e.g., they are able to solve fewer puzzles) than consumers who purchase and consume the exact same product but pay its regular price. The studies consistently support the role of expectancies in mediating this placebo effect. The authors conclude with a discussion of theoretical, managerial, and public policy implications of the findings.
Decomposing the Promotional Revenue Bump for Loyalty Program Members versus Nonmembers
Authors: Van Heerde Harald J. , Bijmolt Tammo H.A.
Published: October 2005

Loyalty programs lead to a natural split of a firm's customer base into members and nonmembers. To manage both groups effectively, it is essential to know how marketing activities, such as promotions, affect both groups' contributions to revenues. The authors model each group's contribution as the number of daily buyers times their average expenditures. The model also includes the number of nonbuyers because they may return as customers. Moreover, nonbuyers may influence the expenditures of other customers through crowding effects, and they use personnel time. Model application to two years of daily data from six clothing stores reveals that the number of nonmembers who buy is much more responsive to price discounts than the number of members who buy. Thus, the decomposition of the promotional revenue bump is strongly moderated by the percentage price discount and the communication mode: direct mail to members only and door-to-door flyers to members and nonmembers.
Does Loving a Brand Mean Loving Its Products? the Role of Brand-Elicited Affect in Brand Extension Evaluations
Authors: Yeung Catherine W.M. , Wyer Robert S.
Published: October 2005

Three studies examine the influence of brand-elicited affect on consumers' evaluations of brand extensions. When a brand spontaneously elicits affective reactions, consumers appear to form an initial impression of the brand's new extension based on these reactions. The affect that they experience for other reasons and attribute to the brand can influence this impression as well. Their later evaluations of the extension are then based on this impression. This is true regardless of the similarity between the extension and the core brand. These results contrast with evidence that affect influences brand extension evaluations through its mediating impact on perceptions of core-extension similarity. This latter influence occurs only when consumers are explicitly asked to estimate the extension's similarity to the core before they evaluate it.
How Potential Conflict Drives Channel Structure: Concurrent (Direct and Indirect) Channels
Authors: Vinhas Alberto Sa , Anderson Erin
Published: October 2005

The authors study business-to-business manufacturers' simultaneous usage of vertically integrated (direct) and third-party (indirect) channels of distribution to serve one geographical market (possibly comprising several market segments) with the same product line. Most theoretical approaches to vertical integration of the distribution function pose the classic question of whether to forward integrate or use independent entities. Having concurrent channels means doing both. This phenomenon is poorly understood, even though it has been growing rapidly. The authors argue that under certain circumstances, it is impossible for manufacturers to prevent channel types from competing with each other, either because both channel types contact the same customer or because the customer sets them in competition against each other. The authors argue that when these situations are frequent or more consequential for the parties involved, firms reduce their usage of concurrent channels to prevent severe channel conflict. The authors posit five such circumstances. Using original data from prominent manufacturers operating in competitive markets worldwide, they model usage of both types of channels to cover one geography with the same products. They find substantial support for their model. Furthermore, in a subset of firms that use both channel types in the same market, they model the degree to which direct and indirect channels compete destructively against each other when contacting the same customers. The authors find that suppliers reduce such behavior by incurring costs to differentiate each channel's offerings, setting out ”rules of engagement,” and compensating both channel types when either one makes a sale.
SER-7, aCaenorhabditis elegans5-HT7-like Receptor, Is Essential for the 5-HT Stimulation of Pharyngeal Pumping and Egg Laying
Authors: Hobson Robert J , Hapiak Vera M , Xiao Hong , Buehrer Kara L , Komuniecki Patricia R , Komuniecki Richard W
Published: October 2005

Serotonin (5-HT) stimulates both pharyngeal pumping and egg laying in Caenorhabditis elegans. Four distinct 5-HT receptors have been partially characterized, but little is known about their function in vivo. SER-7 exhibits most sequence identity to the mammalian 5-HT7 receptors and couples to a stimulation of adenyl cyclase when expressed in COS-7 cells. However, many 5-HT7-specific agonists have low affinity for SER-7. 5-HT fails to stimulate pharyngeal pumping and the firing of the MC motorneurons in animals containing the putative ser-7(tm1325) and ser-7(tm1728) null alleles. In addition, although pumping on bacteria is upregulated in ser-7(tm1325) animals, pumping is more irregular. A similar failure to maintain “fast pumping” on bacteria also was observed in ser-1(ok345) and tph-1(mg280) animals that contain putative null alleles of a 5-HT2-like receptor and tryptophan hydroxylase, respectively, suggesting that serotonergic signaling, although not essential for the upregulation of pumping on bacteria, “fine tunes” the process. 5-HT also fails to stimulate egg laying in ser-7(tm1325), ser-1(ok345), and ser-7(tm1325) ser-1(ok345) animals, but only the ser-7 ser-1 double mutants exhibit an Egl phenotype. All of the SER-7 mutant phenotypes are rescued by the expression of full-length ser-7∷gfp translational fusions. ser-7∷gfp is expressed in several pharyngeal neurons, including the MC, M2, M3, M4, and M5, and in vulval muscle. Interestingly, 5-HT inhibits egg laying and pharyngeal pumping in ser-7 null mutants and the 5-HT inhibition of egg laying, but not pumping, is abolished in ser-7(tm1325);ser-4(ok512) double mutants. Taken together, these results suggest that SER-7 is essential for the 5-HT stimulation of both egg laying and pharyngeal pumping, but that other signaling pathways can probably fulfill similar roles in vivo.
Triglyceride Pools, Flight and Activity Variation at the Gpdh Locus in Drosophila melanogaster
Authors: Merritt Thomas J S , Sezgin Efe , Zhu Chen-Tseh , Eanes Walter F
Published: October 2005

We have created a set of P-element excision-derived Gpdh alleles that generate a range of GPDH activity phenotypes ranging from zero to full activity. By placing these synthetic alleles in isogenic backgrounds, we characterize the effects of minor and major activity variation on two different aspects of Gpdh function: the standing triglyceride pool and glycerol-3-phosphate shuttle-assisted flight. We observe small but statistically significant reductions in triglyceride content for adult Gpdh genotypes possessing 33–80% reductions from normal activity. These small differences scale to a notable proportion of the observed genetic variation in triglyceride content in natural populations. Using a tethered fly assay to assess flight metabolism, we observed that genotypes with 100 and 66% activity exhibited no significant difference in wing-beat frequency (WBF), while activity reductions from 60 to 10% showed statistically significant reductions of ∼7% in WBF. These studies show that the molecular polymorphism associated with GPDH activity could be maintained in natural populations by selection in the triglyceride pool.
Pleiotropic Effects of the Duplicate Maize FLORICAULA/LEAFY Genes zfl1 and zfl2 on Traits Under Selection During Maize Domestication
Authors: Bomblies Kirsten , Doebley John F
Published: October 2005

Phenotypic variation on which selection can act during evolution may be caused by variation in activity level of developmental regulatory genes. In many cases, however, such genes affect multiple traits. This situation can lead to co-evolution of traits, or evolutionary constraint if some pleiotropic effects are detrimental. Here, we present an analysis of quantitative traits associated with gene copy number of two important maize regulatory genes, the duplicate FLORICAULA/LEAFY orthologs zfl1 and zfl2. We found statistically significant associations between several quantitative traits and copy number of both zfl genes in several maize genetic backgrounds. Despite overlap in traits associated with these duplicate genes, zfl1 showed stronger associations with flowering time, while zfl2 associated more strongly with branching and inflorescence structure traits, suggesting some divergence of function. Since zfl2 associates with quantitative variation for ear rank and also maps near a quantitative trait locus (QTL) on chromosome 2 controlling ear rank differences between maize and teosinte, we tested whether zfl2 might have been involved in the evolution of this trait using a QTL complementation test. The results suggest that zfl2 activity is important for the QTL effect, supporting zfl2 as a candidate gene for a role in morphological evolution of maize.
A Novel Murine Gene, Sickle tail, Linked to the Danforth's short tail Locus, Is Required for Normal Development of the Intervertebral Disc
Authors: Semba Kei , Araki Kimi , Li Zhengzhe , Matsumoto Ken-ichirou , Suzuki Misao , Nakagata Naoki , Takagi Katsumasa , Takeya Motohiro , Yoshinobu Kumiko , Araki Masatake , Imai Kenji , Abe Kuniya , Yamamura Ken-ichi
Published: October 2005

We established the mutant mouse line, B6;CB-SktGtAyu8021IMEG (SktGt), through gene-trap mutagenesis in embryonic stem cells. The novel gene identified, called Sickle tail (Skt), is composed of 19 exons and encodes a protein of 1352 amino acids. Expression of a reporter gene was detected in the notochord during embryogenesis and in the nucleus pulposus of mice. Compression of some of the nuclei pulposi in the intervertebral discs (IVDs) appeared at embryonic day (E) 17.5, resulting in a kinky-tail phenotype showing defects in the nucleus pulposus and annulus fibrosus of IVDs in SktGt/Gt mice. These phenotypes were different from those in Danforth's short tail (Sd) mice in which the nucleus pulposus was totally absent and replaced by peripheral fibers similar to those seen in the annulus fibrosus in all IVDs. The Skt gene maps to the proximal part of mouse chromosome 2, near the Sd locus. The genetic distance between them was 0.95 cM. The number of vertebrae in both [Sd +/+ SktGt] and [Sd SktGt/+ +] compound heterozygotes was less than that of Sd heterozygotes. Furthermore, the enhancer trap locus Etl4lacZ, which was previously reported to be an allele of Sd, was located in the third intron of the Skt gene.
Genomic Survey of Gene Expression Diversity inArabidopsis thaliana
Authors: Kliebenstein Daniel J , West Marilyn A L , van Leeuwen Hans , Kim Kyunga , Doerge R W , Michelmore Richard W , St. Clair Dina A
Published: October 2005

Differential gene expression controls variation in numerous plant traits, such as flowering time and plant/pest interactions, but little is known about the genomic distribution of the determinants of transcript levels and their associated variation. Affymetrix ATH1 GeneChip microarrays representing 22,810 genes were used to survey the transcriptome of seven Arabidopsis thaliana accessions in the presence and absence of exogenously applied salicylic acid (SA). These accessions encompassed ∼80% of the moderate- to high-frequency nucleotide polymorphisms in Arabidopsis. A factorial design, consisting of three biological replicates per accession for the two treatments at three time points (4, 28, and 52 hr post-treatment), and a total of 126 microarrays were used. Between any pair of Arabidopsis accessions, we detected on average 2234 genes (ranging from 1428 to 3334) that were significantly differentially expressed under the conditions of this experiment, using a split-plot analysis of variance. Upward of 6433 genes were differentially expressed between at least one pair of accessions. These results suggest that analysis of additional genetic, developmental, and environmental conditions may show that a significant fraction of the Arabidopsis genome is differentially expressed. Examination of sequence diversity demonstrated a significant positive association with diversity in gene expression.
Hull wastewater flow transfer tunnel: tunnel collapse and causation investigation
Authors: Grose W. J. , Benton L.
Published: October 2005

The Kingston upon Hull wastewater tunnel was 80% complete in 1999 when a collapse occurred 200 m behind the tunnel boring machine. The majority of the tunnel was in glacial soils, although the collapse occurred in a relatively short length of tunnel in alluvium. There were no obvious reasons for the collapse, so an investigation was undertaken to examine systematically all credible factors. It was concluded that the primary factors leading to the collapse were an extensive layer of single-sized fine sand under considerable water pressure beneath the tunnel, and a leak large enough to admit sand particles. The leak was most likely caused by differential movement between the tunnel and an access shaft immediately adjacent to the seat of the collapse, a consequence of relatively compressible peat at the crown of the tunnel that was probably adversely affected by the stress relief of boring the tunnel. The paper describes the works under construction, the collapse and the events leading up to it, and the investigation after the event. The most likely reasons for the collapse are presented, together with the steps taken to ensure that the remainder of the tunnelling progressed safely.
Evaluating stiffness and strength of pavement materials
Authors: Sawangsuriya A. , Edil T. B.
Published: October 2005

Current mechanical empirical-based pavement design requires use of the mechanical properties of pavement materials. For quantitative evaluations of the mechanical properties (i.e. stiffness and strength), field tests are emphasised. In this paper, a recently developed instrument called the soil stiffness gauge (SSG) and the dynamic cone penetrometer (DCP) have been used to assess respectively the in-situ stiffness and strength of natural earthen materials, industrial byproducts, and chemically stabilised soils from ten highway construction sites around the state of Wisconsin, USA. The SSG and DCP survey data were analysed to develop a relationship between the SSG stiffness and DCP penetration index (DPI) values for individual material types and for all materials combined. A simple linear semi-logarithmic model is obtained between the SSG stiffness and DPI values, with the coefficient of determination, R2, ranging from 0·47 to 0·75 for individual material types and an R2 value of 0·72 for all materials combined. The SSG stiffness and DPI values can be also correlated with the modulus (E) and California bearing ratio (CBR) of the materials respectively. A good relationship is obtained between E from the SSG and CBR from the DCP, and is compared with the well-known equations developed by Powell et al. and AASHTO as well as other available correlations from different in-situ tests: the falling weight deflectometer, German light drop weight, and plate load tests. Finally, the proposed power model is validated with a data set from two other test sites. Either or both devices show good potential for future use in pavement and subgrade materials evaluation. The in-situ stiffness and strength properties of various materials can be rapidly and directly monitored in companion with the conventional compaction control tests during pavement construction. The modulus of pavement and subgrade materials is uniquely related to CBRs regardless of soil type and site, and their relationship is also applicable to both as-compacted and post-construction states.
In situ temperature measurements provide new insight into the performance of jet grouting
Authors: Brandstätter C. , Lackner R. , Mang H. A.
Published: October 2005

In this paper, a new approach for the determination of properties of soil improved by means of jet grouting is proposed. It is characterised by the combination of in situ temperature measurements and a material model for early-age cement-based materials. The latter allows the simulation of the thermochemical problem governing the hydration process. The deviation between the given temperature measurements and the numerical results is minimised by adapting the unknown parameters—the radius of the jet-grouted column and the unknown cement content in the jet-grouted soil. The parameter set yielding the lowest deviation provides an estimate for the radius of the jet-grouted column and the cement content of the jetgrouted soil. The application of the proposed mode of parameter identification to a jet-grouting construction site in Vienna is presented at the end of the paper.

Dans cet exposé, nous proposons une nouvelle approche pour déterminer les propriétés d'un sol amélioré par injection de ciment sous pression. Elle se caractérise par une combinaison de mesures de température in situ et par une modélisation des matériaux à base de ciment de la première époque. Cette dernière permet la simulation du problème thermochimique gouvernant le processus d'hydratation. Nous minimisons la déviation entre les mesures de températures données et les résultats numériques en adaptant les paramètres non connus ' c'est-à-dire le rayon de la colonne cimentée sous pression et la teneur inconnue en ciment dans le sol cimenté sous pression. Le lot de paramètres donnant la déviation la plus basse donne une estimation du rayon de la colonne cimentée sous pression et de la teneur en ciment du sol cimenté sous pression. Nous présentons dans cet exposé l'application du mode proposé d'identification de paramètres à un site de construction à cimentation sous pression à Vienne.
Concrete strength for fire safety design
Authors: Hertz K. D.
Published: October 2005

Idealised data have been derived for the compressive strength of a number of concretes for fire safety design. The data are derived from the author's own research including test series not published before and from more than 400 other test series comprising approximately 3000 specimens known from literature and personal contact. The data cover a variety of concretes with aggregates such as siliceous materials, limestone, granite, sea gravel, pumice, and expanded clay to fire-resistant concrete based on chamotte or Danish mo-clay. Processes are briefly described that are responsible for the deterioration of the materials when they are heated and when they are cooled down after a fire. In addition, it is explained how variations of the concrete composition influences the deterioration. Necessary characteristics of design methods are derived for variable fire courses based on analyses of consequences of material deterioration. The paper serves as a basis for a number of papers presenting calculation methods developed by the author for load-bearing capacity of any structure of any concrete at any time of any fire exposure. Some of these methods and related materials data are adopted in the CEN: ENV 1992-1-2 code and national codes such as the Danish DS411. The present paper serves as a part of the documentation for the methods and it is therefore also a supporting document for these standards.
An experimental relationship between complete liquid saturation and violent damage in concrete submitted to high temperature
Authors: Dal Pont S. , Colina H. , Dupas A. , Ehrlacher A.
Published: October 2005

This paper presents a damage mechanism for high performance concrete at high temperature. Crack opening in concrete is related to water thermal dilation: the aim of this work is to propose a low-cost method for verifying, for a given concrete formulation, this damage mechanism and, at least, warn against spalling risk. Concrete specimens (discs of diameter 150 mm and 50 mm thickness) were heated on one face up to a temperature of about 280°C. The temperature and gas pressure fields were constantly measured during the tests. The analysis of the results, together with the curve of the saturating vapour pressure allowed the establishment of a singular and original relationship between the pressure curves, leading to a possible explanation of concrete hygro-thermal damaging and spalling. This experimental correlation underlines the significant role of gas and liquid water inside concrete and allows a deeper understanding of concrete at high temperature
Coping With Daily Living: Housing, Finances, Transportation, Medical Care
Authors: Olness Karen , Loue Sana
Published: October 2005

Elderly adults with cognitive impairment may face considerable hurdles in navigating through the tasks of daily living. These difficulties may result from such factors as diminished organizational skills, reduced physical mobility, reduced financial resources, perceptual lapses, and reduced attention, among others. The individuals may find it particularly problematic to identify and maintain suitable housing, to manage finances, to manage their transportation and/or utilize public transit. Individuals are also vulnerable to various forms of abuse and neglect due to their impairment. We present various cases to illustrate such situations and suggest strategies to ameliorate these difficulties.
Cognitively Impaired Elderly and Their Adult Children
Authors: Loue Sana
Published: October 2005

An aging parent’s development of a cognitive impairment requires significant changes in the lives of that individual and his or her family. Adult children may be required to assume caregiving responsibilities and may experience feelings of loss, as well as conflicting feelings of guilt, apprehension, anger, and resentment towards these responsibilities. This article explores the dynamic that underlies these sentiments and suggests strategies to maximize parent-child communication and facilitate the relationship between cognitively impaired elderly adults and their adult children.
Fluorescence Regeneration as a Signaling Principle for Choline and Carnitine Binding: A Refined Supramolecular Sensor System Based on a Fluorescent Azoalkane
Authors: Bakirci H. , Nau W. M.
Published: October 2005

The fluorescent azoalkane, 2,3‐diazabicyclo[2.2.2]oct‐2‐ene (DBO), forms inclusion complexes with p‐sulfonatocalix[4]arene (CX4). The binding constants are on the order of 103 M–1 in water. The addition of CX4 to DBO solutions results in an efficient fluorescence quenching (up to 90 %). This supramolecular system can be used as a truly water‐soluble sensor system to signal the binding of organic ammonium ions over a large pH range. Addition of choline and carnitine derivatives and tetraalkylammonium ions results in regeneration of this fluorescence, from which the binding constants (KC = 103–105 M–1) are calculated by means of a competitive complexation model. Electrostatic effects are observed, namely, a more‐than‐one order of magnitude weaker binding of the carnitines in neutral solution.
Visualization and in situ analysis of leukocyte trafficking into the ankle joint in a systemic murine model of rheumatoid arthritis
Authors: Gál István , Bajnok Éva , Szántó Sándor , Sarraj Bara , Glant Tibor T. , Mikecz Katalin
Published: October 2005

Objective

To describe the kinetics of leukocyte migration into a distal joint during the development of chronic inflammation in a murine model of rheumatoid arthritis (RA), to identify leukocyte subpopulations recruited in the synovial vessels, and to test in real time the effects of an antiinflammatory compound on leukocyte–endothelial cell interactions in the arthritic joint.

Methods

We used intravital video microscopy (IVM), which was adapted to the microcirculation of the mouse ankle, to monitor the kinetics of leukocyte–endothelium interactions (rolling and firm adhesion) during the onset and progression of proteoglycan‐induced arthritis (PGIA), a chronic autoimmune model of RA. Subpopulations of rolling and adherent leukocytes were identified by in vivo immunostaining. Leukocyte extravasation into the ankle joint was verified histologically.

Results

Between the onset of arthritis and the beginning of the destructive phase of PGIA, we found a steady increase in the number of leukocytes that exhibited firm adherence to the endothelium of synovial vessels, which clearly underscores the chronic, self‐perpetuating character of joint inflammation in this autoimmune model. We showed, however, that granulocytes, and not T cells, constituted the major cell population that was continuously recruited to the inflamed ankle. Using IVM, we could detect instant changes in leukocyte adhesion behavior in the synovial vessels of the arthritic joint upon administration of a compound that antagonizes leukocyte rolling.

Conclusion

IVM of the microcirculation of the mouse ankle could become an essential tool for investigating the mechanisms that regulate leukocyte migration to the joint in systemic models of RA as well as for preclinical testing of antiinflammatory therapies.
Optimizing imaging after coarctation stenting: The clinical utility of multidetector computer tomography
Authors: Sridharan Shankar , Yates Robert , Taylor Andrew M.
Published: October 2005

Following stenting for coarctation of the aorta, it can be difficult to image the stent adequately using cross‐sectional echocardiography. Unless there is marked clinical concern regarding stent patency, repeat cardiac catheterization is not warranted. Multidetector computed tomography (MDCT) is a useful alternative imaging modality. We report a case that highlights the clinical utility of MDCT for imaging patients who have had stenting of aortic coarctation. MDCT clearly revealed stent fracture as the cause of late stent failure and recoarctation. © 2005 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Long‐term disease‐free survival of patients with radically resected thymomas
Authors: Claudio Mineo Tommaso , Ambrogi Vincenzo , Mineo Davide , Baldi Alfonso
Published: October 2005

BACKGROUND

Despite radical surgical resection, thymomas often recur. The objective of the current retrospective study was to investigate the prognostic relevance of the expression of cell‐cycle proteins in these neoplasms to formulate a possible therapeutic surveillance strategy for the prevention of recurrence.

METHODS

The authors retrospectively reviewed the main clinicopathologic factors, including the World Health Organization (WHO) classification, of patients with thymoma who had undergone radical surgical resection. Specimens were studied using immunohistochemistry and the expression of cell‐cycle proteins (i.e., p21, p27, and p53) was assessed. Univariate and multivariate analysis of predicting survival prognostic factors were performed.

RESULTS

The authors analyzed 88 patients with thymoma who underwent radical surgical resection at the study institution. According to the Masaoka staging system, 41 patients had Stage I disease, 31 patients had Stage II disease, and 16 patients had Stage III disease. There were 24 tumor recurrences (27.3%), 4 of which were local, 16 of which were distant intrathoracic, and 4 of which were extrathoracic. The second radical resection provided a disease‐free survival rate that was similar to the first. Only Masaoka stage (P = 0.001), WHO classification (P=0.001), high expression of p53 (P=0.03), and low expression of p21 (P=0.02) and p27 (P=0.001) were found to be correlated with a reduced disease‐free survival. Low p27 expression was found to be the most significant predictive factor of a short disease‐free survival (P=0.001), especially when associated with low p21 expression and high p53 expression (P=0.0001).

CONCLUSIONS

Long‐term disease‐free survival in thymoma patients treated with radical surgical resection was found to be correlated with Masaoka stage, WHO classification, and expression of cell‐cycle proteins, with the latter found to be the most significant predictive factor. Functional cooperation between cell‐cycle proteins might constitute another level of regulation in tumor growth. More careful surveillance should be adopted whenever there is negative cell‐cycle protein expression. Cancer 2005. © 2005 American Cancer Society.
Two‐grid covolume schemes for elliptic problems
Authors: Wang Cheng , Huang Ziping , Li Likang
Published: October 2005

In this paper, we present and analyse some local and parallel covolume algorithms for second‐order elliptic problems. We first prove some local a priori error estimates for covolume method. With these results, we shall apply the two‐grid strategy to covolume approximation to give two novel covolume algorithms, and show that the convergence rates of these algorithms are optimal in piecewise H1‐norm. Numerical results confirming the theory are also provided. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Solution of the 3D linear hydrodynamic equations using an enhanced eigenfunction approach
Authors: Davies Alan M.
Published: October 2005

A method is presented for solving the 3D hydrodynamic equations in homogeneous sea regions using the Galerkin approach in the vertical with a mixed basis set. The basis set is composed of eigenfunctions of the eddy viscosity profile and a fixed function through the vertical, the amplitude of which is related to the externally applied surface wind stress. By this means the high‐shear near‐surface layer, which has previously been difficult to resolve using eigenfunction expansions, is accurately represented in the solution.

The computational advantages of this approach compared with other basis functions, in terms of computer time and memory, and the ease of implementation on parallel processors with vector facilities are briefly discussed.

The accuracy of the method and the choice of the additional function is demonstrated for the problem of wind‐induced currents in a rectangular sea region.

Calculations clearly show that for wind‐induced currents this new approach is significantly more accurate than the ‘classical’ eigenfunction method. Also, the new method retains the advantages of the eigenfunction approach, namely insight into the mechanisms involved and ease of implementation on vector‐parallel computers, together with minimization of computer time and memory.
Numerical solution of the Navier‐Stokes equations using a finite element method
Authors: Mehta R. C. , Jayachandran T. , Sastri V. M. K.
Published: October 2005

A finite element algorithm for solving the Navier‐Stokes equations is presented for the analysis of high‐speed viscous flows. The algorithm uses triangular elements. The unsteady equations are integrated to steady state with a Runge‐Kutta time‐marching scheme. A postprocessing artificial dissipation term is introduced to stabilize the computations and to dampen dissipation errors. Numerical results are compared with the calculation of uniform flow on a rectangular region which encounters an embedded oblique shock. A shock/turbulent boundary layer problem is also solved and results are compared with experimental data. It is shown that the postprocessing smoothing term and boundary conditions similar to the finite difference method work well in the present numerical studies.
Multidomain collocation techniques for a viscous compressible flow
Authors: Kjellmert Bo
Published: October 2005

This paper presents a viscous compressible flow problem to which an equilibrium solution, in terms of density and velocity, can be given implicitly by elementary functions. The corresponding initial boundary value problem is solved by time discretization by the Crank‐Nicolson method, Newton linearization and space discretization using multidomain Chebyshev collocation techniques. The physical interval is covered by subintervals of equal length. Each subinterval utilizes the same number of collocation points and each interface consists of one or two points. Six ways of patching are tested. All of them yield solutions with spectral accuracy for a few time steps, but only three are stable in the long run. Details of the density evolution are illustrated.
An improved implicit finite‐difference scheme for boundary‐layer flows
Authors: El‐Shaarawi M. A. I. , Sarhan A.
Published: October 2005

The paper presents a modification to two well‐known non‐iterative implicit finite‐difference schemes for confined and unconfined boundary‐layer‐type flows. The modification aims at improving the accuracy of these schemes by reducing the adverse effect of linearization, which is inherent in both of them. Using the present improved scheme, the same level of accuracy of the results could be obtained with large mesh sizes in the flow direction (coarse grid). The modification is done by adding a local iterative procedure at each computational step in the flow (marching) direction. As an example, to demonstrate the proposed modification, the simple case of developing forced convection in the entry region of concentric annuli has been considered. The results are presented, which prove the applicability of the proposed modification and show its effect on the obtained accuracy and on the required computer time.
A finite element solution of the time‐dependent incompressible Navier–Stokes equations using a modified velocity correction method
Authors: Ren Guang , Utnes Torbjørn
Published: October 2005

A finite element solution of the two‐dimensional incompressible Navier–Stokes equations has been developed. The present method is a modified velocity correction approach. First an intermediate velocity is calculated, and then this is corrected by the pressure gradient which is the solution of a Poisson equation derived from the continuity equation. The novelty, in this paper, is that a second‐order Runge–Kutta method for time integration has been used. Discretization in space is carried out by the Galerkin weighted residual method. The solution is in terms of primitive variables, which are approximated by polynomial basis functions defined on three‐noded, isoparametric triangular elements. To demonstrate the present method, two examples are provided. Results from the first example, the driven cavity flow problem, are compared with previous works. Results from the second example, uniform flow past a cylinder, are compared with experimental data.
A method for finite element parallel viscous compressible flow calculations
Authors: Dutto Laura C. , Habashi Wagdi G. , Robichaud Michel P. , Fortin Michel
Published: October 2005

This paper presents the parallelization aspects of a solution method for the fully coupled 3D compressible Navier‐Stokes equations. The algorithmic thrust of the approach, embedded in a finite element code NS3D, is the linearization of the governing equations through Newton methods, followed by a fully coupled solution of velocities and pressure at each non‐linear iteration by preconditioned conjugate gradient‐like iterative algorithms. For the matrix assembly, as well as for the linear equation solver, efficient coarse‐grain parallel schemes have been developed for shared memory machines, as well as for networks of workstations, with a moderate number of processors. The parallel iterative schemes, in particular, circumvent some of the difficulties associated with domain decomposition methods, such as geometry bookkeeping and the sometimes drastic convergence slow‐down of partitioned non‐linear problems.
Minimum drag shape in two‐dimensional viscous flow
Authors: Kim Do Wan , Kim Moon‐uhn
Published: October 2005

The problem of finding the shape of a body with smallest drag in a flow governed by the two‐dimensional steady Navier‐Stokes equations is considered. The flow is expressed in terms of a streamfunction which satisfies a fourth‐order partial differential equation with the biharmonic operator as principal part. Using the adjoint variable approach, both the first‐ and second‐order necessary conditions for the shape with smallest drag are obtained. An algorithm for the calculation of the optimal shape is proposed in which the first variations of solutions of the direct and adjoint problems are incorporated. Numerical examples show that the algorithm can produce the optimal shape successfully.
Biodegradation and bioabsorption innovation of the functionally graded bovine bone–originated apatite with blood permeability
Authors: Akazawa Toshiyuki , Murata Masaru , Sasaki Tomoya , Tazaki Junichi , Kobayashi Masayoshi , Kanno Tohru , Nakamura Katsuo , Arisue Makoto
Published: October 2005

Bioabsorbable and functionally graded apatite (fg‐HAp) ceramics were designed using bovine bone by the calcination and partial dissolution–precipitation methods. The fg‐HAp ceramics that were developed had gradual distributions of the degree of crystallinity and the grain size of single‐phase hydroxyapatite from the surface layer of the pore wall to the bulk structure region. Calcination at 1073K gave a specific surface area of 30 m2 · g−1 and porosities of 60–80%. The pore structure of the fg‐HAp was classified into two regions: a macro‐pore region (100–600 μm) originating from spongy bone and a micro‐pore region (10–160 nm) related to body fluid permeation and blood permeability. By implantation in subcutaneous tissue of rat, it was confirmed that body fluid permeated the bulk region of the fg‐HAp ceramics through the micro‐pores. The volumetric populations occupied by body fluid were 60% at 4 weeks and 68% at 8 weeks in the ceramics explants, indicating drastic bioabsorption, although the body fluid was found to be immunopositive for an albumin as the main serum protein in blood. On the fg‐HAp ceramics developed here, the bioabsorption rate could be controlled by careful selection of the calcination temperature. These ceramics can be applied as new biomimetic ceramics exhibiting surface and bulk degradations and cellular absorption by giant cells. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res, 2006
Characterization and optimization of experimental variables within a reproducible bladder encrustation model and in vitro evaluation of the efficacy of urease inhibitors for the prevention of medical device‐related encrustation
Authors: Jones David S. , Djokic Jasmina , Gorman Sean P.
Published: October 2005

This study presents a reproducible, cost‐effective in vitro encrustation model and, furthermore, describes the effects of components of the artificial urine and the presence of agents that modify the action of urease on encrustation on commercially available ureteral stents. The encrustation model involved the use of small‐volume reactors (700 mL) containing artificial urine and employing an orbital incubator (at 37°C) to ensure controlled stirring. The artificial urine contained sources of calcium and magnesium (both as chlorides), albumin and urease. Alteration of the ratio (% w/w) of calcium salt to magnesium salt affected the mass of encrustation, with the greatest encrustation noted whenever magnesium was excluded from the artificial urine. Increasing the concentration of albumin, designed to mimic the presence of protein in urine, significantly decreased the mass of both calcium and magnesium encrustation until a plateau was observed. Finally, exclusion of urease from the artificial urine significantly reduced encrustation due to the indirect effects of this enzyme on pH. Inclusion of the urease inhibitor, acetohydroxamic acid, or urease substrates (methylurea or ethylurea) into the artificial medium markedly reduced encrustation on ureteral stents. In conclusion, this study has described the design of a reproducible, cost‐effective in vitro encrustation model. Encrustation was markedly reduced on biomaterials by the inclusion of agents that modify the action of urease. These agents may, therefore, offer a novel clinical approach to the control of encrustation on urological medical devices. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part B: Appl Biomater, 2006
Hemocompatibility of low‐friction boron–carbon–nitrogen containing coatings
Authors: Maitz M. F. , Gago R. , Abendroth B. , Camero M. , Caretti I. , Kreissig U.
Published: October 2005

Mechanical heart valves are exposed to extreme mechanical demands, which require a surface showing not only nonhaemostatic properties, but also wear resistance and low friction. As alternative to different forms of amorphous carbon (a‐C), so‐called diamond‐like carbon (DLC), the suitability of boron carbonitride (BCN) coatings is tested here for hemocompatible coatings. They have similar mechanical properties like a‐C surfaces, but superior chemical stability at ferrous substrates or counterparts. BCN films with different nitrogen content were compared with hydrogenated a‐C films regarding their mechanical properties, surface energy, adsorption of albumin and fibrinogen, blood platelet adherence, and activation of the contact system of the clotting cascade and kinin system. Similar mechanical properties and biological response have been found in the BCN films with respect to a‐C, indicating the potential of these coatings for biomedical applications. The increase in the crystallinity and tribological properties of the BCN samples with a higher incorporation of N was also followed by a lower protein adsorption and low activation of the contact system, but an increased adherence of thrombocytes. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part B: Appl Biomater, 2006
GROMACS: Fast, flexible, and free
Authors: Van Der Spoel David , Lindahl Erik , Hess Berk , Groenhof Gerrit , Mark Alan E. , Berendsen Herman J. C.
Published: October 2005

This article describes the software suite GROMACS (Groningen MAchine for Chemical Simulation) that was developed at the University of Groningen, The Netherlands, in the early 1990s. The software, written in ANSI C, originates from a parallel hardware project, and is well suited for parallelization on processor clusters. By careful optimization of neighbor searching and of inner loop performance, GROMACS is a very fast program for molecular dynamics simulation. It does not have a force field of its own, but is compatible with GROMOS, OPLS, AMBER, and ENCAD force fields. In addition, it can handle polarizable shell models and flexible constraints. The program is versatile, as force routines can be added by the user, tabulated functions can be specified, and analyses can be easily customized. Nonequilibrium dynamics and free energy determinations are incorporated. Interfaces with popular quantum‐chemical packages (MOPAC, GAMES‐UK, GAUSSIAN) are provided to perform mixed MM/QM simulations. The package includes about 100 utility and analysis programs. GROMACS is in the public domain and distributed (with source code and documentation) under the GNU General Public License. It is maintained by a group of developers from the Universities of Groningen, Uppsala, and Stockholm, and the Max Planck Institute for Polymer Research in Mainz. Its Web site ishttp://www.gromacs.org. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Comput Chem 26: 1701–1718, 2005