bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Long-term occupational outcomes of endotoxin exposure and the effect of exposure cessation
Authors: Skogstad Marit , Sikkeland Liv Ingunn Bjoner , Øvstebø Reidun , Haug Kari Bente Foss , Heldal Kari Kulvik , Skare Øivind , Kongerud Johny , Kierulf Peter , Eduard Wijnand
Published: August 2011

Objective

To study the possible respiratory and haematological effects of endotoxin exposure to bacterial single-cell protein (BSCP) in workers during a follow-up period of 5 years including 4 years of exposure and 1 year without exposure.

Methods

The study included 28 workers examined in 2002–2005 and 1 year after exposure termination in 2007. The arithmetic mean endotoxin exposure was 5800–11 000 EU/m3among the high exposure group and 390 EU/m3in the low exposure group. Assessment of lung function included spirometry and gas diffusion in 2003, 2004 and 2007. Rhinometry was performed in 2004 and 2007. Blood analysis included leukocyte cell count and measurement of the acute phase proteins: C-reactive protein, interleukin-6, eosinophilic cationic protein, macrophage inflammatory protein-1α, monocyte chemoattractant protein-1, chemoattractant protein RANTES, platelet-derived growth factor BB, fibrinogen and D-dimer.

Results

In the low exposure group, but not in the high exposure group, there were significant improvements in both forced vital capacity (FVC) (290 ml) and forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1) (180–210 ml) (p=0.004–0.03) 1 year after the end of exposure. The number of leukocytes and eosinophilic cationic protein and D-dimer levels increased significantly with increasing endotoxin exposures and decreased significantly 1 year after exposure termination. Changes in acute phase proteins suggested exposure-related tolerance.

Conclusions

An inflammatory tendency during an exposure period of 4 years seems to reverse 1 year after cessation of exposure to endotoxins from a single species. Lung function improved significantly among workers exposed to low levels of endotoxin but not among the highly exposed workers.
Mitochondrial and cytosolic calcium in rat hearts under high-K+ cardioplegia and pyruvate: mechano-energetic performance
Authors: Consolini A.E. , Ragone M.I. , Bonazzola P.
Published: August 2011

High-K+-cardioplegia (CPG) and pyruvate (Pyr) are used as cardioprotective agents. Considering that mitochondria play a critical role in cardiac dysfunction, we investigated the effect of CPG on mitochondrial Ca2+ uptake and sarcorreticular (SR) calcium handling. Cytosolic and mitochondrial Ca2+, as well as mitochondrial membrane potential (ΔΨm) were assessed in rat cardiomyocytes by confocal microscopy. Mechano-calorimetrical correlation was studied in perfused hearts. CPG did not modify JC-1 (ΔΨm), but transiently increased, by up to 1.8 times, the Fura-2 (intracellular Ca concentration, [Ca2+]i) and Rhod-2 (mitochondrial free Ca concentration [Ca2+]m) fluorescence of resting cells, with exponential decays. The addition of 5 µmol·L–1 thapsigargin (Tpg) increased the Rhod-2 fluorescence in a group of cells without any effect on the Fura-2 signal. In rat hearts perfused with CPG, 1 µmol·L–1 Tpg decreased resting heat rate (ΔHr: –0.44 ± 0.07 mW·g–1), while the addition of 5 µmol·L–1 KB-R7943 increased resting pressure (ΔrLVP by +5.26 ± 1.10 mm Hg; 1 mm Hg = 133.322 Pa). The addition of 10 mmol·L–1 Pyr to CPG increased Hr (+3.30 ± 0.24 mW·g–1) and ΔrLVP (+2.2 ± 0.4 mm Hg), which are effects potentiated by KB-R7943. The results suggest that under CPG, (i) there was an increase in [Ca2+]i and [Ca2+]m (without changing ΔΨm) that decayed by exothermic removal mechanisms; (ii) mitochondrial Ca2+ uptake contributed to the removal of cytosolic Ca2+, in a process that was potentiated by inhibition of sarco–endoplasmic reticulum Ca2+-ATPase (SERCA), and reduced by KB-R7943; (iii) under these conditions, SERCA represents the main energetic consumer; (iv) Pyr increased the energetic performance of hearts,mainly by inducing mitochondrial metabolism.
A BOUNDED FINITE-DIFFERENCE DISCRETIZATION OF A TWO-DIMENSIONAL DIFFUSION EQUATION WITH LOGISTIC NONLINEAR REACTION
Authors: MACÍAS-DÍAZ J. E.
Published: August 2011

In the present manuscript, we introduce a finite-difference scheme to approximate solutions of the two-dimensional version of Fisher's equation from population dynamics, which is a model for which the existence of traveling-wave fronts bounded within (0,1) is a well-known fact. The method presented here is a nonstandard technique which, in the linear regime, approximates the solutions of the original model with a consistency of second order in space and first order in time. The theory of M-matrices is employed here in order to elucidate conditions under which the method is able to preserve the positivity and the boundedness of solutions. In fact, our main result establishes relatively flexible conditions under which the preservation of the positivity and the boundedness of new approximations is guaranteed. Some simulations of the propagation of a traveling-wave solution confirm the analytical results derived in this work; moreover, the experiments evince a good agreement between the numerical result and the analytical solutions.
CASIMIR EFFECT WITH A HELIX TORUS BOUNDARY CONDITION
Authors: ZHAI XIANG-HUA , LI XIN-ZHOU , FENG CHAO-JUN
Published: August 2011

We use the generalized Chowla–Selberg formula to consider the Casimir effect of a scalar field with a helix torus boundary condition in the flat (D + 1)-dimensional spacetime. We obtain the exact results of the Casimir energy density and pressure for any D for both massless and massive scalar fields. The numerical calculation indicates that once the topology of spacetime is fixed, the ratio of the sizes of the helix will be a decisive factor. There is a critical value r c of the ratio r of the lengths at which the pressure vanishes. The pressure changes from negative to positive as the ratio r passes through r c increasingly. In the massive case, we find the pressure tends to the result of massless field when the mass approaches zero. Furthermore, there is another critical ratio of the lengths [Formula: see text] and the pressure is independent of the mass at [Formula: see text] in the D = 3 case.
HAMILTONIAN EMBEDDING OF EINSTEIN–HILBERT ACTION IN (1+1) DIMENSIONS
Authors: MONEMZADEH M. , NIKOOFARD V. , RAMEZANI-ARANI R.
Published: August 2011

Canonical analysis of constraint structure of Einstein–Hilbert action in (1+1) dimensions possesses a mixed constrained model. By means of finite order BFT approach in the extended phase space, it converts to a fully gauge-invariant model. Embedded Hamiltonian in this extended phase space is independent of momenta similar to the classical Hamiltonian.
CORRELATIONS OF TWO PHOTONS AT HADRON COLLIDERS
Authors: KOZLOV G. A.
Published: August 2011

We study the Bose–Einstein correlations of two photons and their coherent properties that can provide the information about the spacetime structure of the emitting source through the Higgs–boson decays into two photons. We argue that such an investigation could probe the Higgs–boson mass. The model is rather sensitive to the temperature of the environment and to the external distortion effect in medium.
SUSY DARK MATTER IN LIGHT OF CDMS/XENON LIMITS
Authors: YANG JIN MIN
Published: August 2011

We briefly review the current CDMS/XENON constraints on the neutralino dark matter in three popular supersymmetric models: the minimal (MSSM), the next-to-minimal (NMSSM) and the nearly minimal (nMSSM). The constraints from the dark matter relic density and various collider experiments are also taken into account. The conclusion is that for each model the current CDMS/XENON limits can readily exclude a large part of the parameter space allowed by other constraints and the future SuperCDMS or XENON100 can cover most of the allowed parameter space. The implication for the Higgs search at the LHC is also discussed. It is found that in the currently allowed parameter space the MSSM charged Higgs boson is quite unlikely to be discovered at the LHC while the neutral Higgs bosons H and A may be accessible at the LHC in the parameter space with a large μ parameter.
SIGNATURES OF DARK MATTER IN INERT TRIPLET MODELS
Authors: ARAKI TAKESHI , GENG C. Q. , NAGAO KEIKO I.
Published: August 2011

In this talk, we will review the signatures of dark matter in two inert triplet models. For the first model with the hypercharge Y = 0, the dark matter mass around 5.5 TeV is favored by both the WMAP data and the direct detection. In contrast, for the second model of Y = 2, it is excluded by the direct detection experiments although dark matter with its mass around 2.8 TeV is allowed by WMAP.
SOFT LEPTOGENESIS AND GRAVITINO DARK MATTER IN GAUGE MEDIATION
Authors: HAMAGUCHI KOICHI , YOKOZAKI N.
Published: August 2011

In gauge mediated SUSY breaking models, the gravitino is generally the lightest SUSY particle and can be a candidate for a dark matter. However the viable abundance of the gravitino requires rather low reheating temparature. With this low reheating temparature, it is difficult to explain the baryon asymmetry of the universe with thermal leptogenesis. We consider the extended scenario of the gauge mediation, which generates A-terms. In this extended scenario, soft leptogenesis works successfully with the low reheating temperature. Therefore we can explain the baryon asymmetry and gravitino dark matter simultaneously.
Piramal Diagnostics
Authors: Dwivedi Neeraj , Singh Arvinder
Published: August 2011

The case presents a decision situation facing the Vice President of strategic planning at Piramal Diagnostics Limited, who has to formulate the future growth strategy and decide on the roadmap. The company is the largest player in the organized medical diagnostics industry in India and has shown attractive growth in the past few years. The case describes the structural characteristics of the medical diagnostics industry in India and follows it with a description of the strengths and weaknesses of Piramal Diagnostics and the strategies adopted by it. The Vice President is expected to choose an appropriate strategic option to help the company achieve its ambitious growth target.
Existence of Periodic Solutions for a Class of Discrete Hamiltonian Systems
Authors: Zhang Qiongfen , Tang X. H. , Zhang Qi-Ming
Published: August 2011

By applying minimax methods in critical point theory, we prove
the existence of periodic solutions for the following discrete Hamiltonian systems
Δ2u(t − 1)+∇F(t, u(t)) = 0, where t ∈ ℤ, u ∈ ℝN, F : ℤ × ℝN → ℝ, F(t, x) is continuously differentiable in x for every t ∈ ℤ and is T‐periodic in t; T is a positive integer.
A Novel Hybrid Function Projective Synchronization between Different Fractional‐Order Chaotic Systems
Authors: Zhou Ping , Yang Xiao-You
Published: August 2011

An adaptive hybrid function projective synchronization (AHFPS) scheme between different fractional‐order chaotic systems with uncertain system parameter is addressed in this paper. In this proposed scheme, the drive and response system could be synchronized up to a vector function factor. This proposed scheme is different with the function projective synchronization (FPS) scheme, in which the drive and response system could be synchronized up to a scaling function factor. The adaptive controller and the parameter update law are gained. Two examples are presented to demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed scheme.
3-Point Block Methods for Direct Integration of General Second-Order Ordinary Differential Equations
Authors: Ehigie J. O. , Okunuga S. A. , Sofoluwe A. B.
Published: August 2011

A Multistep collocation techniques is used in this paper to develop a 3-point explicit and implicit block methods, which are suitable for generating solutions of the general second-order ordinary differential equations of the form . The derivation of both explicit and implicit block schemes is given for the purpose of comparison of results. The Stability and Convergence of the individual methods of the block schemes are investigated, and the methods are found to be 0-stable with good region of absolute stability. The 3-point block schemes derived are tested on standard mechanical problems, and it is shown that the implicit block methods are superior to the explicit ones in terms of accuracy.
Application of the Homotopy Perturbation Method for Solving the Foam Drainage Equation
Authors: Fereidoon Abdolhosein , Yaghoobi Hessameddin , Davoudabadi Mohammadreza
Published: August 2011

We use homotopy perturbation method (HPM) to handle the foam drainage equation. Foaming occurs in many distillation and absorption processes. The drainage of liquid foams involves the interplay of gravity, surface tension, and viscous forces. The concept of He′s homotopy perturbation method is introduced briefly for applying this method for problem solving. The results of HPM as an analytical solution are then compared with those derived from Adomian′s decomposition method (ADM) and the variational iteration method (VIM). The results reveal that the HPM is very effective and convenient in predicting the solution of such problems, and it is predicted that HPM can find a wide application in new engineering problems.
Foraging Behavior ofPraon volucre(Hymenoptera: Braconidae) a Parasitoid ofSitobion avenae(Hemiptera: Aphididae) on Wheat
Authors: Farhad Afrooz , Talebi Ali Asghar , Fathipour Yaghoub
Published: August 2011

Host stage preference, functional response and, mutual interference ofPraon volucre(Haliday) (Hym.: Braconidae) parasitizing the grain aphid,Sitobion avenae(Fabricius) (Hem.: Aphididae), were investigated under laboratory conditions. Host stage preference was evaluated at25±1°C,60±5% relative humidity and a photoperiod of 16:8 h (L : D), under choice and no-choice tests. Functional response was done under five constant temperatures (10, 15, 20, 25, and 30°C),60±5% relative humidity and a photoperiod of 16:8 h. (L : D).Praon volucreparasitized all nymphal instars and adults of the grain aphid but strongly preferred to oviposit into second-instar nymphs in both choice and no-choice conditions. Results of logistic regression revealed a type II functional response for all temperatures tested. The handling time (Th) and searching efficiency (a) were estimated using the Rogers equation. The maximum estimate of searching efficiency occurred at 15°C and 20°C (both0.05±0.01 h-1) and decreased to0.01±0.01 h-1at30±1°C. The minimum estimate of handling time was1.02±0.11 h at 25°C and increased to5.31±0.82 h at30±1°C. The maximum rate of parasitism was 23.52 aphids/female/day at 25°C. With parasitoid density increasing from 1 to 8, the per capita searching efficiency decreased from 0.12 h-1to 0.06 h-1. The results suggested thatP. voluvrehas the potential to be a biocontrol agent ofS. avenae. However, evaluation of foraging behavior warrants further investigation under field conditions.
Possible Relationships between Seep Carbonates and Gas Hydrates in the Miocene of the Northern Apennines
Authors: Conti Stefano , Fontana Daniela
Published: August 2011

In the Miocene of the northern Apennines, a widespread carbonate precipitation was induced by the expulsion of methane-rich fluids. Numerous outcrops of carbonate masses share sedimentological, textural and geochemical features with present-day gas hydrate-associated carbonates. We hypothesize the contribution of paleo-gas hydrate destabilization on the base of the heavy oxygen isotope signature, the presence of distinctive sedimentary features (breccias, pervasive nonsystematic fractures, and soft sediment deformation), the close association between seep carbonates and sedimentary instability, and the huge dimensions of seep carbonates bearing brecciated structures.
Premature Birth with Complicated Perinatal Course Delaying Diagnosis of Prader-Willi Syndrome
Authors: Ciana G. , Fertz M. C. , Pecile V. , Demarini S.
Published: August 2011

Prader-Willi syndrome in the newborn is essentially characterized by marked hypotonia, feeding difficulties, hypogonadism, and possible characteristic facial features. However, diagnosis at this age may be particularly difficult, and dysmorphic features may be subtle or absent. Prematurity can furthermore delay clinical features recognition and typical complications due to preterm birth may contribute to divert the diagnosis. We describe a preterm baby with a complicated perinatal course later diagnosed as PWS.
Neuroprotective Effect ofUncaria rhynchophyllain Kainic Acid-Induced Epileptic Seizures by Modulating Hippocampal Mossy Fiber Sprouting, Neuron Survival, Astrocyte Proliferation, and S100B Expression
Authors: Liu Chung-Hsiang , Lin Yi-Wen , Tang Nou-Ying , Liu Hsu-Jan , Hsieh Ching-Liang
Published: August 2011

Uncaria rhynchophylla(UR), which is a traditional Chinese medicine, has anticonvulsive effect in our previous studies, and the cellular mechanisms behind this are still little known. Because of this, we wanted to determine the importance of the role of UR on kainic acid- (KA-) induced epilepsy. Oral UR for 6 weeks can successfully attenuate the onset of epileptic seizure in animal tests. Hippocampal mossy fiber sprouting dramatically decreased, while neuronal survival increased with UR treatment in hippocampal CA1 and CA3 areas. Furthermore, oral UR for 6 weeks significantly attenuated the overexpression of astrocyte proliferation and S100B proteins but not γ-aminobutyric acid A (GABAA) receptors. These results indicate that oral UR for 6 weeks can successfully attenuate mossy fiber sprouting, astrocyte proliferation, and S100B protein overexpression and increase neuronal survival in KA-induced epileptic rat hippocampus
Vertex-Disjoint Subtournaments of Prescribed Minimum Outdegree or Minimum Semidegree: Proof for Tournaments of a Conjecture of Stiebi
Authors: Lichiardopol Nicolas
Published: August 2011

It was proved (Bessy et al., 2010) that for r≥1, a tournament with minimum semidegree at least 2r−1 contains at least r vertex-disjoint directed triangles. It was also proved (Lichiardopol, 2010) that for integers q≥3 and r≥1, every tournament with minimum semidegree at least (q−1)r−1 contains at least r vertex-disjoint directed cycles of length q. None information was given on these directed cycles. In this paper, we fill a little this gap. Namely, we prove that for d≥1 and r≥1, every tournament of minimum outdegree at least ((d2+3d+2)/2)r−(d2+d+2)/2 contains at least r vertex-disjoint strongly connected subtournaments of minimum outdegree d. Next, we prove for tournaments a conjecture of Stiebitz stating that for integers s≥1 and t≥1, there exists a least number f(s,t) such that every digraph with minimum outdegree at least f(s,t) can be vertex-partitioned into two sets inducing subdigraphs with minimum outdegree at least s and at least t, respectively. Similar results related to the semidegree will be given. All these results are consequences of two results concerning the maximum order of a tournament of minimum outdegree d (of minimum semidegree d) not containing proper subtournaments of minimum outdegree d (of minimum semidegree d).
Numerov′s Method for a Class of Nonlinear Multipoint Boundary Value Problems
Authors: Wang Yuan-Ming , Wu Wen-Jia , Scalia Massimo
Published: August 2011

The purpose of this paper is to give a numerical treatment for a class of nonlinear multipoint boundary value problems. The multipoint boundary condition under consideration includes various commonly discussed boundary conditions, such as the three‐ or four‐point boundary condition. The problems are discretized by the fourth‐order Numerov′s method. The existence and uniqueness of the numerical solution are investigated by the method of upper and lower solutions. The convergence and the fourth‐order accuracy of the method are proved. An accelerated monotone iterative algorithm with the quadratic rate of convergence is developed for solving the resulting nonlinear discrete problems. Some applications and numerical results are given to demonstrate the
high efficiency of the approach.
Impact of Mutual Coupling and Polarization of Antennas on BER Performances of Spatial Multiplexing MIMO Systems
Authors: Zheng Jianfeng , Li Yue , Feng Zhenghe
Published: August 2011

This paper is aimed at studying the impacts of mutual coupling, matching networks, and polarization of antennas on performances of Multiple-Input Multiple-Output (MIMO) systems employing Spatial Multiplexing (SM). In particular, the uncoded average Bit Error Rate (BER) of MIMO systems is investigated. An accurate signal analysis framework based on circuit network parameters is presented to describe the transmit/receive characteristics of the matched/unmatched antenna array. The studied arrays consist of matched/unmatched compact copolarization and polarization diversity antenna array. Monte-Carlo numerical simulations are used to study the BER performances of the SM MIMO systems using maximum-likelihood and/or zero-forcing detection schemes. The simulation results demonstrate that the use of matching networks can improve the BER performance of SM MIMO systems significantly, and the BER performance deterioration due to antenna orientation randomness can be compensated by use of polarization diversity antenna arrays.
Markov Models for Image Labeling
Authors: Chen S. Y. , Tong Hanyang , Cattani Carlo
Published: August 2011

Markov random field (MRF) is a widely used probabilistic model for expressing interaction of different events. One of the most successful applications is to solve image labeling problems in computer vision. This paper provides a survey of recent advances in this field. We give the background, basic concepts, and fundamental formulation of MRF. Two distinct kinds of discrete optimization methods, that is, belief propagation and graph cut, are discussed. We further focus on the solutions of two classical vision problems, that is, stereo and binary image segmentation using MRF model.
A Phase I Pharmacokinetic and Pharmacodynamic Study of Dalotuzumab (MK-0646), an Anti-Insulin-like Growth Factor-1 Receptor Monoclonal Antibody, in Patients with Advanced Solid Tumors
Authors: Atzori Francesco , Tabernero Josep , Cervantes Andrés , Prudkin Ludmila , Andreu Jordi , Rodríguez-Braun Edith , Domingo Amparo , Guijarro Jorge , Gamez Cristina , Rodon Jordi , Di Cosimo Serena , Brown Holly , Clark Jason , Hardwick James S. , Beckman Robert A. , Hanley William D. , Hsu Karl , Calvo Emiliano , Roselló Susana , Langdon Ronald B. , Baselga José
Published: August 2011

Purpose: Insulin-like growth factor-1 receptor (IGF-1R) mediates cellular processes in cancer and has been proposed as a therapeutic target. Dalotuzumab (MK-0646) is a humanized IgG1 monoclonal antibody that binds to IGF-1R preventing receptor activation. This study was designed to evaluate the safety and tolerability of dalotuzumab, determine the pharmacokinetic (PK) and pharmacodynamic (PD) profiles, and identify a recommended phase II dose.

Experimental Design: Patients with tumors expressing IGF-1R protein were allocated to dose-escalating cohorts of three or more patients each and received intravenous dalotuzumab weekly, every 2 or 3 weeks. Plasma was collected for PK analysis. Paired baseline and on-treatment skin and tumor biopsy samples were collected for PD analyses.

Results: Eighty patients with chemotherapy-refractory solid tumors were enrolled. One dose-limiting toxicity was noted, but a maximum-tolerated dose was not identified. Grade 1 to 3 hyperglycemia, responsive to metformin, occurred in 15 (19%) patients. At dose levels or more than 5 mg/kg, dalotuzumab mean terminal half-life was 95 hours or more, mean Cmin was more than 25 μg/mL, clearance was constant, and serum exposures were approximately dose proportional. Decreases in tumor IGF-1R, downstream receptor signaling, and Ki67 expression were observed. 18F-Fluorodeoxy-glucose positron emission tomography metabolic responses occurred in three patients. One patient with Ewing's sarcoma showed a mixed radiologic response. The recommended phase II doses were 10, 20, and 30 mg/kg for the weekly, every other week, and every third week schedules, respectively.

Conclusions: Dalotuzumab was generally well-tolerated, exhibited dose-proportional PK, inhibited IGF-1R pathway signaling and cell proliferation in treated tumors, and showed clinical activity. The low clearance rate and long terminal half-life support more extended dosing intervals. Clin Cancer Res; 17(19); 6304–12. ©2011 AACR.
Phase II Trial of Dasatinib in Patients with Metastatic Breast Cancer Using Real-Time Pharmacodynamic Tissue Biomarkers of Src Inhibition to Escalate Dosing
Authors: Herold Christina I. , Chadaram Vijaya , Peterson Bercedis L. , Marcom P. Kelly , Hopkins Judith , Kimmick Gretchen G. , Favaro Justin , Hamilton Erika , Welch Renee A. , Bacus Sarah , Blackwell Kimberly L.
Published: August 2011

Purpose: A phase II study of dasatinib, an inhibitor of multiple oncogenic tyrosine kinases including Src, was conducted to evaluate 16-week progression-free rate and tolerability in patients with previously treated metastatic breast cancer (MBC). Real-time assessment of potential tissue biomarkers of Src inhibition was used to optimize dosing.

Experimental Design: Eligibility criteria required that patients have measurable MBC, biopsiable tumor, and unlimited prior therapies. For the analysis of change in protein biomarkers of Src inhibition, focal adhesion kinase, paxillin, and p-Src, patients underwent metastatic biopsies at baseline and 4 weeks. Patients who tolerated the starting dose of dasatinib (50 or 70 mg orally twice daily) for the first 28-day cycle, and displayed suboptimal Src inhibition, were escalated to a higher dose (70 or 100 mg).

Results: The trial was closed early with 31 patients because of a statistical boundary that required at least 4 (13%) patients without disease progression to continue accrual. These 31 patients had a median of 2 prior lines of chemotherapy for MBC. The most notable toxicity was pleural effusions in 16 patients (52%). Twenty patients had evaluable metastatic biopsies. None of the tumors showed the predefined optimal level of Src inhibition at week 4.

Conclusions: Single-agent dasatinib did not exhibit significant antitumor activity in patients with heavily pretreated MBC. There were no clinically meaningful decreases before and after dasatinib exposure between exploratory tissue biomarkers of Src inhibition which may be attributable to challenges in defining biomarker endpoints for multitargeted tyrosine kinase inhibitors. Clin Cancer Res; 17(18); 6061–70. ©2011 AACR.
Lung Cancer Risk Prediction to Select Smokers for Screening CT—a Model Based on the Italian COSMOS Trial
Authors: Maisonneuve Patrick , Bagnardi Vincenzo , Bellomi Massimo , Spaggiari Lorenzo , Pelosi Giuseppe , Rampinelli Cristiano , Bertolotti Raffaella , Rotmensz Nicole , Field John K. , DeCensi Andrea , Veronesi Giulia
Published: August 2011

Screening with low-dose helical computed tomography (CT) has been shown to significantly reduce lung cancer mortality but the optimal target population and time interval to subsequent screening are yet to be defined. We developed two models to stratify individual smokers according to risk of developing lung cancer. We first used the number of lung cancers detected at baseline screening CT in the 5,203 asymptomatic participants of the COSMOS trial to recalibrate the Bach model, which we propose using to select smokers for screening. Next, we incorporated lung nodule characteristics and presence of emphysema identified at baseline CT into the Bach model and proposed the resulting multivariable model to predict lung cancer risk in screened smokers after baseline CT. Age and smoking exposure were the main determinants of lung cancer risk. The recalibrated Bach model accurately predicted lung cancers detected during the first year of screening. Presence of nonsolid nodules (RR = 10.1, 95% CI = 5.57–18.5), nodule size more than 8 mm (RR = 9.89, 95% CI = 5.84–16.8), and emphysema (RR = 2.36, 95% CI = 1.59–3.49) at baseline CT were all significant predictors of subsequent lung cancers. Incorporation of these variables into the Bach model increased the predictive value of the multivariable model (c-index = 0.759, internal validation). The recalibrated Bach model seems suitable for selecting the higher risk population for recruitment for large-scale CT screening. The Bach model incorporating CT findings at baseline screening could help defining the time interval to subsequent screening in individual participants. Further studies are necessary to validate these models. Cancer Prev Res; 4(11); 1778–89. ©2011 AACR.
Functional Viability Profiles of Breast Cancer
Authors: Brough Rachel , Frankum Jessica R. , Sims David , Mackay Alan , Mendes-Pereira Ana M. , Bajrami Ilirjana , Costa-Cabral Sara , Rafiq Rumana , Ahmad Amar S. , Cerone Maria Antonietta , Natrajan Rachael , Sharpe Rachel , Shiu Kai-Keen , Wetterskog Daniel , Dedes Konstantine J. , Lambros Maryou B. , Rawjee Teeara , Linardopoulos Spiros , Reis-Filho Jorge S. , Turner Nicholas C. , Lord Christopher J. , Ashworth Alan
Published: August 2011

The design of targeted therapeutic strategies for cancer has largely been driven by the identification of tumor-specific genetic changes. However, the large number of genetic alterations present in tumor cells means that it is difficult to discriminate between genes that are critical for maintaining the disease state and those that are merely coincidental. Even when critical genes can be identified, directly targeting these is often challenging, meaning that alternative strategies such as exploiting synthetic lethality may be beneficial. To address these issues, we have carried out a functional genetic screen in >30 commonly used models of breast cancer to identify genes critical to the growth of specific breast cancer subtypes. In particular, we describe potential new therapeutic targets for PTEN-mutated cancers and for estrogen receptor–positive breast cancers. We also show that large-scale functional profiling allows the classification of breast cancers into subgroups distinct from established subtypes.

Significance: Despite the wealth of molecular profiling data that describe breast tumors and breast tumor cell models, our understanding of the fundamental genetic dependencies in this disease is relatively poor. Using high-throughput RNA interference screening of a series of pharmacologically tractable genes, we have generated comprehensive functional viability profiles for a wide panel of commonly used breast tumor cell models. Analysis of these profiles identifies a series of novel genetic dependencies, including that of PTEN-null breast tumor cells upon mitotic checkpoint kinases, and provides a framework upon which additional dependencies and candidate therapeutic targets may be identified. Cancer Discovery; 1(3); 260–73. © 2011 AACR.

Read the Commentary on this article by Beijersbergen and Bernards, p. 205

This article is highlighted in the In This Issue feature, p. 189
Impact of Sirolimus-Eluting Stent Fracture on 4-Year Clinical Outcomes
Authors: Umeda Hisashi , Kawai Tomoko , Misumida Naoki , Ota Tomoyuki , Hayashi Kazutaka , Iwase Mitsunori , Izawa Hideo , Sugino Shigeo , Shimizu Takeshi , Takeichi Yasushi , Ishiki Ryoji , Inagaki Haruo , Ozaki Yukio , Murohara Toyoaki
Published: August 2011

Background—

Although stent fracture (SF) after sirolimus-eluting stent (SES) implantation has been recognized as one of the predisposing factors of in-stent restenosis, it remains uncertain whether SF can increase the risk of major adverse cardiac events (MACE), especially beyond 1 year after SES implantation. The aim of this study was to assess the impact of SF relative to non-SF on 4-year clinical outcomes after treatment with SES of comparable unselected lesions.

Methods and Results—

A total of 874 lesions in 793 patients undergoing SES implantation and subsequent angiography 6 to 9 months after index procedure were analyzed. At 6- to 9-month angiographic follow-up, SF was identified in 70 of 874 lesions (8.0%). In-stent late loss was significantly higher in SF lesions versus non-SF lesions (0.42±0.59 mm versus 0.13±0.49 mm,
P
<0.001), resulting in a significantly higher in-stent restenosis rate (21.4% versus 4.1%,
P
<0.001). At 4 years, SF versus non-SF was associated with a significantly higher MACE rate (23.2% versus 12.6%,
P
=0.014), mainly driven by significantly higher target-lesion revascularization (18.8% versus 10.2%,
P
=0.029) rate. Adverse effects of SF on clinical outcomes occurred mostly within the first year (17.4% versus 6.6%,
P
=0.001), with similar MACE rate between 1 and 4 years (5.8% versus 5.9%,
P
=0.611). No significant differences between SF versus non-SF patients were observed in the cumulative frequency of very late stent thrombosis (2.9% versus 1.4%,
P
=0.281), death (0% versus 2.1%,
P
=0.252), or myocardial infarction (5.8% versus 2.9%,
P
=0.165).

Conclusions—

SF of SES was associated with higher MACE rate up to 1 year, mainly driven by higher target-lesion revascularization, whereas no significant association was evident between years 1 and 4.
Contribution of Subregions of Human Frontal Cortex to Novelty Processing
Authors: Løvstad Marianne , Funderud Ingrid , Lindgren Magnus , Endestad Tor , Due-Tønnessen Paulina , Meling Torstein , Voytek Bradley , Knight Robert T. , Solbakk Anne-Kristin
Published: August 2011

Novelty processing was studied in patients with lesions centered in either OFC or lateral pFC (LPFC). An auditory novelty oddball ERP paradigm was applied with environmental sounds serving as task irrelevant novel stimuli. Lesions to the LPFC as well as the OFC resulted in a reduction of the frontal Novelty P3 response, supporting a key role of both frontal subdivisions in novelty processing. The posterior P3b to target sounds was unaffected in patients with frontal lobe lesions in either location, indicating intact posterior cortical target detection mechanisms. LPFC patients displayed an enhanced sustained negative slow wave (NSW) to novel sounds not observed in OFC patients, indicating prolonged resource allocation to task-irrelevant stimuli after LPFC damage. Both patient groups displayed an enhanced NSW to targets relative to controls. However, there was no difference in behavior between patients and controls suggesting that the enhanced NSW to targets may index an increased resource allocation to response requirements enabling comparable performance in the frontal lesioned patients. The current findings indicate that the LPFC and OFC have partly shared and partly differential contributions to the cognitive subcomponents of novelty processing.
Two Hemispheres for Better Memory in Old Age: Role of Executive Functioning
Authors: Angel Lucie , Fay Séverine , Bouazzaoui Badiâa , Isingrini Michel
Published: August 2011

This experiment explored the functional significance of age-related hemispheric asymmetry reduction associated with episodic memory and the cognitive mechanisms that mediate this brain pattern. ERPs were recorded while young and older adults performed a word-stem cued-recall task. Results confirmed that the parietal old/new effect was of larger latency and reduced magnitude and less lateralized in the older group than the young group. Correlational and regression analyses indicated that the degree of laterality of brain activity determines the accuracy of memory performance and mediates age-related differences in memory performance among older participants. They also confirmed a cascade model in which the individual level of executive functioning of older adults mediates age-related differences in the degree of lateralization of brain activity, which in turn mediates age-related differences in memory performance.
Frontal Oscillatory Dynamics Predict Feedback Learning and Action Adjustment
Authors: van de Vijver Irene , Ridderinkhof K. Richard , Cohen Michael X
Published: August 2011

Frontal oscillatory dynamics in the theta (4–8 Hz) and beta (20–30 Hz) frequency bands have been implicated in cognitive control processes. Here we investigated the changes in coordinated activity within and between frontal brain areas during feedback-based response learning. In a time estimation task, participants learned to press a button after specific, randomly selected time intervals (300–2000 msec) using the feedback after each button press (correct, too fast, too slow). Consistent with previous findings, theta-band activity over medial frontal scalp sites (presumably reflecting medial frontal cortex activity) was stronger after negative feedback, whereas beta-band activity was stronger after positive feedback. Theta-band power predicted learning only after negative feedback, and beta-band power predicted learning after positive and negative feedback. Furthermore, negative feedback increased theta-band intersite phase synchrony (a millisecond resolution measure of functional connectivity) among right lateral prefrontal, medial frontal, and sensorimotor sites. These results demonstrate the importance of frontal theta- and beta-band oscillations and intersite communication in the realization of reinforcement learning.
How To Mind Your Own Business: Thoreau on Political Indifference
Authors: Mckenzie Jonathan
Published: August 2011

Critics have long been unable to square Henry D. Thoreau's individualist philosophy with his intermittent political participation. In order to clarify Thoreau's intentions, this essay offers an explication of Thoreau's defense of political indifference as a unique and challenging response to the United States' political problems during the mid-nineteenth-century.
Piscatorial Politics: Fishery Regulation and the Economic Future of Rhode Island, 1869–1872
Authors: Bryan William D.
Published: August 2011

As competing factions debated the cause of declining fish populations in early 1870s Rhode Island, the crisis took on a political character. That, in turn, shaped the creation and early progress of the United States Commission of Fish and Fisheries, the nation's first federal conservation agency, presumably dedicated to a scientific approach to fisheries regulation.
The Long-Term Effects of Paternal Imprisonment on Criminal Trajectories of Children
Authors: Rakt Marieke van de , Murray Joseph , Nieuwbeerta Paul
Published: August 2011

This study investigates the effects of fathers’ imprisonment on criminal convictions of their children (aged 18 to 30). Unique official data of the Criminal Career and Life Course Study (CCLS) are used on a nationally representative sample of Dutch men convicted in 1977. Growth curve analysis is used to establish the influence of paternal imprisonment on the development of criminal careers of children. Special attention is paid to the timing and the duration of the imprisonment. The authors demonstrate an association between fathers’ imprisonment and child convictions, especially when fathers are imprisoned when the child is between 0 and 12 years old. When fathers’ criminal history is controlled for, the influence of paternal imprisonment becomes much weaker, although it remains significant. The dose–response relationship between the length of the father’s imprisonment and children’s convictions disappears after controlling for other variables. In the Netherlands, effects of paternal imprisonment on children are very weak and similar to the effects found in another study in Sweden. More research is needed to adequately test the mechanisms causing the relationship between paternal imprisonment and child crime.
Unsafe at Any Age
Authors: Mersky Joshua P. , Topitzes James , Reynolds Arthur J.
Published: August 2011

Objectives. This study compares the effects of childhood maltreatment and adolescent maltreatment on delinquency and crime, including violent and nonviolent offending. Methods. Data were derived from the Chicago Longitudinal Study, a prospective investigation of 1,539 underprivileged, minority subjects. Results. Results confirmed that rates of overall delinquency, along with violent, drug, and property offending specifically, were elevated among childhood and adolescent maltreatment victims compared to their nonmaltreated peers. Childhood maltreatment was associated with delinquency independent of adolescent maltreatment, and strong connections between adolescent maltreatment and delinquency were present independent of prior victimization. Childhood maltreatment was also significantly related to a panel of adult crime measures, while the effects of adolescent maltreatment on adult crime were less robust. Conclusions. The study findings suggest that maltreatment at any age increases the risk of future offending, implying that investments in prevention and intervention strategies throughout childhood and adolescence may reduce delinquency and crime.
Sketch-based wrinkle generation for three-dimensional virtual garment prototyping
Authors: Jiang JuanFen , Zhong Yueqi , Wang ShanYuan
Published: August 2011

Wrinkles and folds are the most important properties determining the style of garment. In this paper, we propose a sketch-based method to generate arbitrary wrinkle shapes for three-dimensional (3D) garment prototyping. The user is required to draw wrinkle strokes on the original garment model in the front view and the back view. These two-dimensional strokes are then transferred into 3D shapes in terms of mesh deformations including Loop subdivision, Laplacian mesh optimization, and mean-value encoding/decoding. Various examples have validated the effectiveness of our proposed method, which can be regarded as a novel approach in 3D garment prototyping.
Silvering of inert polyethylene terephthalate textile materials: The factors of adjustment on silver release, part II
Authors: Onggar Toty , Cheng Tong , Hund Heike , Hund Rolf-Dieter , Cherif Chokri
Published: August 2011

The aim of this research is to develop a textile product to prevent and eliminate biological contaminations in drinking water and other liquid-leading systems. Herein, the adjustment of the silver release from silvered textile materials with the retention of the antibactericidal qualities has been studied. The limited values for silver in drinking water in Germany (100 µg/l) must be considered as well. Moreover, the factors of the adjustment of the silver release, such as the concentration of the silver on the one hand and the reduction agent, the silvering process, the thermal fixation time and temperature, the size of the silver particles, and the thickness of the silver layer on the surface of textile materials for the silvering on the other hand have been systematically examined by using polyethylene terephthalate (PET) materials as a basis. Silver concentration in the elution has been detected by means of atom absorption spectroscopy (ZEEnit 700, Analytics Jena, Germany). The amount of silver taken up by PET was weighed after was under a constant heat of 900°C for 4 h.
Effect of water pressure on absorbency of hydroentangled greige cotton non-woven fabrics
Authors: Sawhney Paul , Allen Chuck , Reynolds Michael , Condon Brian , Slopek Ryan
Published: August 2011

A greige (non-bleached) cotton lint was used to fabricate non-woven fabrics on a Fleissner MiniJet, using different water pressures for the fiber entanglements. The greige cotton and its hydroentangled non-woven fabrics were primarily tested for their hexane extracts (waxes) and water-soluble (sugars) contents using the AATCC TM97 Standard Extraction Test. Tests have shown that a water pressure of 125 Bar or higher almost totally removed the greige cotton’s inherent hydrophobic waxes and water-soluble sugars. This discovery is a significant milestone in the development of greige cotton-based non-wovens because it could change the greige cotton’s native hydrophobic character into a desirable hydrophilic character for many end-uses. In fact, the AATCC Test Method 79-2007 has confirmed that the greige cotton non-wovens fabricated with high water pressure of 125 Bar are absorbent, as indicated by the 1-second time or less it took for the water drop to completely diffuse onto the fabric surface.
The effect of fibre volume fraction on damage initiation and propagation of woven carbon-epoxy multi-layer composites
Authors: Karahan Mehmet
Published: August 2011

In the current study, the mechanical behaviour, damage initiation and propagation properties of 2 × 2-twill woven carbon composites with various fibre volume fractions, under uni-axial tension in the warp direction, were investigated. Observations of damage were made using acoustic emission (AE), x-ray and microscopy techniques. The mechanical properties and strain values of the composite damage thresholds were determined. The strain levels at which AE events were recorded for the first time (i.e. the εmin values) were affected by variations in fibre volume fraction; however, characteristic strain values indicating damage initiation (i.e. ε1 and ε2) were not affected by variations in fibre volume fraction.
Modeling Individual Differences in Numerical Reasoning Speed as a Random Effect of Response Time Limits
Authors: Semmes Robert , Davison Mark L. , Close Catherine
Published: August 2011

If numerical reasoning items are administered under time limits, will two dimensions be required to account for the responses, a numerical ability dimension and a speed dimension? A total of 182 college students answered 74 numerical reasoning items. Every item was taken with and without time limits by half the students. Three psychometric models were fit to the data—one including no time-limit effect, one including a fixed time-limit effect, and one including a random effect of time limits. The latter model best fit the data, suggesting that a speed dimension, the random effect of time limits, is needed to account for time-limited responses. The estimated reliability of the Speed scores was .39. Despite this low reliability, Speed scores were correlated with American College Testing (ACT) math scores and response times. Speed scores added significantly to the ACT math score variance accounted for by the numerical reasoning dimension in the model. A within-person log-odds ratio interpretation of the Speed score is proposed. Possible methods of improving Speed score reliability and methods for studying the speed dimension are discussed.
Modified Genioglossus Advancement and Uvulopalatopharyngoplasty in Patients with Obstructive Sleep Apnea
Authors: Emara Tarek Abdelzaher , Omara Tharwat Abdelzaher , Shouman Waheed Mohamed
Published: August 2011

Objective

To describe modification of the originally described genioglossus muscle advancement and its clinical assessment in the treatment of patients with obstructive sleep apnea.

Study Design

Prospective study.

Setting

University medical hospital.

Subjects and Methods

Twenty‐three patients with obstructive sleep apnea underwent modified genioglossus muscle advancement with uvulopalatopharyngoplasty. All patients were evaluated before and 6 months after surgery by history taking, clinical examination, Epworth Sleepiness Scale evaluation, fiber‐optic nasopharyngoscopy, cephalometry, panoramic X‐ray, and nocturnal polysomnography.

Results

Postoperative mean ± SD apnea‐hypopnea index (AHI) decreased from 40.7 ± 17.4 to 15.4 ± 10.7 (P =. 00; 95% confidence interval [CI], 18.4 to 32.27). With a success rate defined as AHI <20 and a 50% decrease in AHI of the preoperative value, the surgical success rate was 86.9%. Cephalometry analysis showed a significant difference between preoperative and postoperative findings, including a posterior airway space that increased a mean ± SD from 8.1 ± 2.5 to 12.3 ± 3.7 mm (P =. 00; 95% CI, −5.89 to −3.0), position of the mandible to the cranial base (SNB degree) that increased from 77.3 ± 2.7 to 78.5 ± 1.3 (P =. 005; 95% CI, −2.11 to −0.4), and improved palatal parameters. The mean (SD) average depth of the osteotomy and genioglossus advancement was 11.8 ± 2.6 mm. None of the 23 patients had mandible fracture, aesthetic changes of the chin, or detachment of the advanced genioglossus muscle.

Conclusion

The modification described in this technique permits complete and safe capture and advancement of the whole genioglossus muscle, leading to satisfactory expansion of the retrolingual airway without stripping, detachment of the advanced genioglossus muscle, mandible fracture, or aesthetic changes of the chin.