bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Dose-Adjusted EPOCH-Rituximab Combined With Fludarabine Provides an Effective Bridge to Reduced-Intensity Allogeneic Hematopoietic Stem-Cell Transplantation in Patients With Lymphoid Malignancies
Authors: Salit Rachel B. , Fowler Daniel H. , Wilson Wyndham H. , Dean Robert M. , Pavletic Steven Z. , Dunleavy Kieron , Hakim Frances , Fry Terry J. , Steinberg Seth M. , Hughes Thomas E. , Odom Jeanne , Bryant Kelly , Gress Ronald E. , Bishop Michael R.
Published: February 2012

Purpose

There is currently no standard chemotherapy regimen for patients with lymphoid malignancies being considered for reduced-intensity conditioning allogeneic hematopoietic stem-cell transplantation (RIC-alloHSCT). The ideal regimen would provide disease control and result in lymphocyte depletion to facilitate engraftment. To this end, we developed a novel regimen by adding fludarabine to dose-adjusted continuous-infusion etoposide, prednisone, vincristine, cyclophosphamide, and doxorubicin plus with or without rituximab (DA-EPOCH-F/R).

Patients and Methods

One hundred forty-seven patients with lymphoid malignancy (median age, 50 years) who had heavily pretreated (median prior regimens, three) and chemo-refractory (47%) disease were treated with DA-EPOCH-F/R before RIC-alloHSCT. Patients received one to three consecutive cycles until achieving lymphocyte depletion (CD4+ count < 200/μL) or progressive disease.

Results

Overall response rate was 41%; 39% of patients had stable disease. Toxicity included grade 4 neutropenia in 65% and thrombocytopenia in 25% of patients. DA-EPOCH-F/R resulted in lymphocyte depletion (P < .001), which was inversely associated with serum interleukin (IL) 7 and IL-15 levels. Of 147 patients, 143 patients proceeded to RIC-alloHSCT. Patients with lower CD3+ (P < .001), CD4+ (P < .001), and CD8+ (P < .001) T-cell counts after DA-EPOCH-F/R were more likely to achieve full donor lymphoid chimerism by day +14 after transplant. Relative to nonresponders to DA-EPOCH-F/R, patients with complete and partial response had increased event-free survival (77.4 v 4.8 months; P < .001) and overall survival (98.5 v 16.2 months; P < .001).

Conclusion

DA-EPOCH-F/R safely provides tumor cytoreduction and lymphocyte depletion, thereby offering a bridge to RIC-alloHSCT in patients with aggressive lymphoid malignancies.
Meeting the Decision-Making Preferences of Patients With Breast Cancer in Oncology Consultations: Impact on Decision-Related Outcomes
Authors: Brown Richard , Butow Phyllis , Wilson-Genderson Maureen , Bernhard Juerg , Ribi Karin , Juraskova Ilona
Published: February 2012

Purpose

To investigate how involvement preferences of patients with breast cancer change during the treatment decision-making process and determine the impact of meeting patients' expectations on decision-making outcomes.

Patients and Methods

Participants were 683 patients with breast cancer from 62 oncologists in five different countries recruited to an International Breast Cancer Study Group (IBCSG 33-03) project. Questionnaires elicited patients' pre- and postconsultation preferences for involvement in treatment decision making and whether these were met or not. Decision-related outcomes were assessed postconsultation.

Results

Before the consultation, most patients preferred shared or patient-directed treatment decision making. After the consultation, 43% of patients' preferences changed, and most shifted toward patient-directed decisions. The actual postconsultation decision was more likely to be made according to postconsultation rather than preconsultation preferences. Compared with patients who were less involved than they had hoped to be, patients who were as involved as they had hoped to be or were even more involved in decision making had significantly better decision-related outcomes. This was true regardless of whether preference change occurred.

Conclusion

Many patients with early-stage breast cancer have treatment options and approach treatment decisions with a desire for decisional control, which may increase after their consultation. Patients' ultimate involvement preferences were more likely to be consistent with the way the decision was actually made, suggesting that patients need to feel concordance between their preference and the actual decision. Patients who directed decisions, even if more than they hoped for, fared better on all decision-related outcomes. These results emphasize the need for oncologists to endorse and facilitate patient participation in treatment decision making.
Human pre-implantation embryo development
Authors: Niakan Kathy K. , Han Jinnuo , Pedersen Roger A. , Simon Carlos , Pera Renee A. Reijo
Published: February 2012

Understanding human pre-implantation development has important implications for assisted reproductive technology (ART) and for human embryonic stem cell (hESC)-based therapies. Owing to limited resources, the cellular and molecular mechanisms governing this early stage of human development are poorly understood. Nonetheless, recent advances in non-invasive imaging techniques and molecular and genomic technologies have helped to increase our understanding of this fascinating stage of human development. Here, we summarize what is currently known about human pre-implantation embryo development and highlight how further studies of human pre-implantation embryos can be used to improve ART and to fully harness the potential of hESCs for therapeutic goals.
Dual transcriptional activities of SIX proteins define their roles in normal and ectopic eye development
Authors: Anderson Abigail M. , Weasner Bonnie M. , Weasner Brandon P. , Kumar Justin P.
Published: February 2012

The SIX family of homeodomain-containing DNA-binding proteins play crucial roles in both Drosophila and vertebrate retinal specification. In flies, three such family members exist, but only two, Sine oculis (So) and Optix, are expressed and function within the eye. In vertebrates, the homologs of Optix (Six3 and Six6) and probably So (Six1 and Six2) are also required for proper eye formation. Depending upon the individual SIX protein and the specific developmental context, transcription of target genes can either be activated or repressed. These activities are thought to occur through physical interactions with the Eyes absent (Eya) co-activator and the Groucho (Gro) co-repressor, but the relative contribution that each complex makes to overall eye development is not well understood. Here, we attempt to address this issue by investigating the role that each complex plays in the induction of ectopic eyes in Drosophila. We fused the VP16 activation and Engrailed repressor domains to both So and Optix, and attempted to generate ectopic eyes with these chimeric proteins. Surprisingly, we find that So and Optix must initially function as transcriptional repressors to trigger the formation of ectopic eyes. Both factors appear to be required to repress the expression of non-retinal selector genes. We propose that during early phases of eye development, SIX proteins function, in part, to repress the transcription of non-retinal selector genes, thereby allowing induction of the retina to proceed. This model of repression-mediated induction of developmental programs could have implications beyond the eye and might be applicable to other systems.
Effects of selenium on the vessel walls and anti-elastin antibodies in spontaneously hypertensive rats
Authors: Ruseva Boryana , Atanasova Milena , Georgieva Miglena , Shumkov Nikolay , Laleva Pavlina
Published: February 2012

Selenium (Se) is an exogenous antioxidant that performs its role via expression of selenoproteins. Pathological changes of the structure of the vessel wall, elastin turnover and collagen production may lead to increased stiffness of the vessels with decreased blood flow to the peripheries. The level of anti-elastin antibodies (AEABs) may give information for elastin metabolism. The aim of the study is to investigate the influence of Se intake on the vessel wall changes and production of AEABs in spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR). Twenty-four male, 32-week-old SHR were used, divided into three groups, G1, G2 and G3. Before blood and morphological testing, G1 received a low-Se diet for eight weeks, G2 received a diet with adequate Se content and G3 received a diet with Se supplementation. The Se nutritional status was assessed by determination of glutathione peroxidase-1 (GPx-1) activity in whole blood, using the ‘Ransel’ kit. The rats from group G3 showed higher GPx-1 activity and lower level of AEABs than the other groups ( P = 0.021), and the aortic wall histology showed slight degenerative changes compared with other rats. A low-Se diet caused severe changes to the aortic wall's ultrastructure, whereas Se supplementation slowed the changes down. The morphometry revealed a thicker abdominal aortic wall in rats of G1 compared with the other groups, and reduced thickness of the wall of the left coronary artery in G3 compared with the other groups ( P < 0.05). Our results have shown that low Se intake leads to severe changes in the vessel walls in SHR, whereas selenium supplementation slows down the elastin degradation and degenerative changes of the vessel walls.
A new uranyl benzoate species characterized by different spectroscopic techniques
Authors: Lütke Laura , Moll H. , Bernhard G.
Published: February 2012

For the first time in the aqueous phase the existence of a U(VI)-benzoate complex with a 1:2 stoichiometry could be proven. Using UV-Vis spectroscopy and especially cryo time-resolved laser-induced fluorescence spectroscopy (TRLFS) it was possible to characterize this complex in detail.

Room temperature TRLFS measurements revealed a static as well as a dynamic ligand-initiated quench process in the U(VI)-benzoic acid system. At these conditions no luminescence emission resulting from complex formation was found. Consequently cryo TRLFS was applied to increase the maximum detectable benzoate:U(VI) ratio. By this for the first time a luminescence spectrum of the 1:2 U(VI)-benzoate complex could be determined. This species is characterized by emission bands at 467, 485, 505, 526, and 550 nm which are blue-shifted compared to the ones of the UO22+ion. The luminescence lifetime of the 1:2 complex amounts to 9.21±0.01 μs at −18 ºC compared to 150.4±0.5 μs for UO22+.

The stability constant of the newly found species logβ120has been calculated to be 4.48±0.24. The stability constant of the 1:1 complex was validated to amount to 2.64±0.19. UV-Vis spectroscopy combined with factor analysis yielded the molar absorption spectrum of the 1:2 U(VI)-benzoate species which is characterized by absorption bands at 406, 418, 432.5, 447, and 461 nm and a molar absorption coefficient of 22 L mol−1cm−1.
Urocortin-dependent effects on adrenal morphology, growth, and expression of steroidogenic enzymes in vivo
Authors: Riester Anna , Spyroglou Ariadni , Neufeld-Cohen Adi , Chen Alon , Beuschlein Felix
Published: February 2012

Urocortin (UCN) 1, 2, and 3 are members of the corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF) family that display varying affinities to the CRF receptor 1 (CRFR1 (CRHR1)) and 2 (CRFR2 (CRHR2)). UCNs represent important modulators of stress responses and are involved in the control of anxiety and related disorders. In addition to the CNS, UCNs and CRFRs are highly expressed in several tissues including the adrenal gland, indicating the presence of UCN-dependent regulatory mechanisms in these peripheral organ systems. Using knockout (KO) mouse models lacking single or multipleUcngenes, we examined the potential role of the three differentUcns on morphology and function of the adrenal gland. Adrenal morphology was investigated, organ size, cell size, and number were quantified, and growth kinetics were studied by proliferative cell nuclear antigen staining andCcnd1expression analysis. Furthermore, mRNA expression of enzymes involved in steroidogenesis and catecholamine synthesis was quantified by real-time PCR. Following this approach,Ucn2,Ucn1/Ucn2dKO andUcn1/Ucn2/Ucn3tKO animals showed a significant cellular hypotrophy of the adrenal cortex and an increase inCcnd1expression, whereas in all other genotypes, no changes were observable in comparison to age-matched controls. For steroidogenesis,Ucn2/Ucn3dKO animals displayed the most pronounced changes, with significant increases in all investigated enzymes, providing indirect evidence for increased stress behavior. Taken together, these data suggest that mainlyUcn2andUcn3could be involved in adrenal stress response regulation whileUcn2additionally appears to play a role in morphology and growth of the adrenal gland.
The Effort‐reward Imbalance Questionnaire in Greek: Translation, Validation and Psychometric Properties in Health Professionals
Authors: Msaouel Pavlos , Keramaris Nikolaos C , Apostolopoulos Alexandros P , Syrmos Nikolaos , Kappos Theocharis , Tasoulis Athanasios , Tripodaki Elli‐Sophia , Kagiampaki Evangelia , Lekkas Ioannis , Siegrist Johannes
Published: February 2012

The Effort‐reward Imbalance Questionnaire in Greek: Translation, Validation and Psychometric Properties in Health Professionals: Pavlos MSAOUEL, et al. Greek Junior Doctors and Health Scientists Society, Greece—

Objectives

The aim of the present study was to translate, adapt and validate the Effort‐reward imbalance (ERI) questionnaire in a sample of Greek healthcare professionals.

Methods

An internationally recommended methodology was followed to perform translation of the ERI instrument into the Greek language. The questionnaire was then randomly administered to 600 Greek physicians, nurses, physiotherapists and laboratory staff, and 456 questionnaires with no missing data on the ERI items were returned (76% response rate). Tool validation included assessment of internal consistency, factorial structure, discriminant validity and presence of floor or ceiling effects. Criterion validity was demonstrated by investigating the association of theoretically relevant ERI summary measurements with respondents' self‐rated health.

Results

The Greek version of the ERI questionnaire showed good psychometric properties. Cronbach's alpha values were 0.79, 0.72 and 0.75 for the three ERI scales of effort, reward and overcommitment respectively. Exploratory factor analysis yielded a 5‐factor solution that closely reflected the original theoretical ERI model. Significant associations were found between respondents' age, gender and specific occupation with ERI scores. ERI ratio and “overcommitment” scores in the highest tertiles were associated with elevated odds ratios (OR) of below‐average self rated health (OR=5.38, 95% confidence intervals 1.77 to 16.38, p=0.003, and OR=3.41, 95% confidence intervals 1.39 to 8.38, p=0.007, respectively).

Conclusions

The translated and adapted Greek version is comparable with the original ERI instrument in terms of validity and factorial structure and is suitable for assessment of the psychosocial work environment of Greek healthcare professionals.
Growth and Development in a Child With Resistance to Thyroid Hormone and Ectopic Thyroid Gland
Authors: Heather Natasha , Hall Kate , Neas Katherine , Potter Howard , Wiltshire Esko
Published: February 2012

Resistance to thyroid hormone is an uncommon problem, which has rarely been associated with thyroid dysgenesis. We report a case with both thyroid gland ectopy and resistance to thyroid hormone and, thus, a reduced capacity to produce and respond to thyroid hormone. The patient presented at 2 years of age with developmental delay, dysmorphic features, and elevation in both thyroxine and thyrotropin. We document her response to therapy with thyroxine, with particular regard to her growth and development. Persistent elevation of thyrotropin is commonly recognized during treatment of congenital hypothyroidism. Resistance to thyroid hormone may be an important additional diagnosis to consider in cases where thyrotropin remains persistently elevated.
The Population Cost-effectiveness of Interventions Designed to Prevent Childhood Depression
Authors: Mihalopoulos Cathrine , Vos Theo , Pirkis Jane , Carter Rob
Published: February 2012

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES:

Depression in childhood and adolescence is common and often persists into adulthood. This study assessed the population-level cost-effectiveness of a preventive intervention that screens children and adolescents for symptoms of depression in schools and the subsequent provision of a psychological intervention to those showing elevated signs of depression. The target population for screening comprised 11- to 17-year-old children and adolescents in the 2003 Australian population.

METHODS:

Economic modeling techniques were used to assess the incremental cost-effectiveness of the intervention compared with no intervention. The perspective was that of the health sector, and outcomes were measured by using disability-adjusted life-years (DALYs). Multivariate probabilistic and univariate sensitivity testing was applied to quantify variations in the model parameters.

RESULTS:

The modeled psychological intervention had an incremental cost-effectiveness ratio of $5400 per DALY averted, with just 2% of iterations falling above a $50 000 per DALY value-for-money threshold. Results were robust to model assumptions.

CONCLUSIONS:

After school screening, screening and the psychological intervention represent good value-for-money. Such an intervention needs to be seriously considered in any national package of preventive health services. Acceptability issues, particularly to intervention providers, including schools and mental health professionals, need to be considered before wide-scale adoption.
OFET Sensors with Poly 3-hexylthiophene and Pentacene as Channel Materials for Ionizing Radiation
Authors: Raval Harshil N. , Rao V. Ramgopal
Published: February 2012

Pentacene and poly 3-hexylthiophene (P3HT) are the most promising p-type organic semiconducting materials for fabrication of organic field effect transistors (OFETs). OFETs with aforesaid organic semiconducting materials have been demonstrated as total dose detectors for ionizing radiation, wherein the changes in the electrical characteristic parameters, such as, increase in the OFF current, increase in the ON current, change in the current ratio, shift in the threshold voltage, change in the subthreshold swing, etc., were used as a measure of ionizing radiation dose. Upon exposure to ionizing radiation P3HT based OFET sensor has shown an OFF current sensitivity of 4.4 nA/Gy while pentacene based OFET sensor has shown an OFF current sensitivity of 26.7 nA/Gy for a total of 50 Gy dose of ionizing radiation. Change in the conductivity of the thin-films of pentacene and P3HT were observed and compared using electrostatic force microscopy (EFM) imaging before and after exposure to ionizing radiation. Effects of ionizing radiation on the energy band structures of the organic semiconducting materials, pentacene and P3HT, have been studied using UV-visible spectroscopy. Moreover, analysis of UV-visible spectra of the thin-films suggested the generation of energy states in larger quantity in case of pentacene thin-film as compared to P3HT thin-film upon exposure to the same dose of ionizing radiation. These results confirm the higher sensitivity observed in pentacene OFET sensor as compared to P3HT OFET sensor in terms of the change in electrical parameters.
Novel Porous Composite Material Containing Catalytic Nanoparticles for Hydrogen Production from Biofuel
Authors: Hotz Nico
Published: February 2012

In this study, a novel flow-based method is presented to place catalytic nanoparticles into a reactor by sol-gelation of a porous ceramic consisting of copper-based nanoparticles, silica sand, ceramic binder, and a gelation agent. This method allows for the placement of a liquid precursor containing the catalyst into the final reactor geometry without the need of impregnating or coating of a substrate with the catalytic material. The so generated foam-like porous ceramic shows properties highly appropriate for use as catalytic reactor material, e.g., reasonable pressure drop due to its porosity, high thermal and catalytic stability, and excellent catalytic behavior.

The catalytic activity of micro-reactors containing this foam-like ceramic is tested in terms of their ability to convert alcoholic biofuel (e.g. methanol) to a hydrogen-rich gas mixture with low concentrations of carbon monoxide (up to 75% hydrogen content and less than 0.2% CO, for the case of methanol). This gas mixture is subsequently used in a low-temperature fuel cell, converting the hydrogen directly to electricity. A low concentration of CO is crucial to avoid poisoning of the fuel cell catalyst. Since conventional Polymer Electrolyte Membrane (PEM) fuel cells require CO concentrations far below 100 ppm and since most methods to reduce the mole fraction of CO (such as Preferential Oxidation or PROX) have CO conversions of up to 99%, the alcohol fuel reformer has to achieve initial CO mole fractions significantly below 1%. The catalyst and the porous ceramic reactor of the present study can successfully fulfill this requirement.

The results of the present study confirm that product gas mixtures with up to 75% hydrogen content and less than 0.2% CO content can be achieved, which is an excellent result. The reactor temperature can be kept as low as 220°C while obtaining a methanol conversion of up to 70%. The used PROX catalyst showed selective CO conversion rates above 99.5% for temperatures between 80 and 100°C in presence of large molar fractions of H2O and CO2.
Photo-induced changes in the Langmuir adsorption constants of metal oxide layers in self-cleaning cation sensors.
Authors: Foran Philip S. , Boxall Colin
Published: February 2012

For the first time, we have used a metal oxide-coated quartz crystal microbalance (QCM) to measure Cs+ adsorption onto illuminated and un-illuminated mesoporous TiO2 (m-TiO2) films by microgravimetric means in-situ. In the simplest case, such experiments yield two parameters of interest: K, the Langmuir adsorption coefficient and mmax the maximum mass of adsorbate to form a complete monolayer at the m-TiO2-coated quartz crystal piezoelectric surface. Importantly, we have found that illumination of the m-TiO2 film with ultra bandgap light results in an increase in mmax i.e. illumination allows for greater adsorption of substrate to occur than in the dark. Our studies also show that under illumination, K also increases indicating a higher affinity for surface adsorption. The photoinduced change in mmax and K are thought to be due to an increase in surface bound titanol groups, thus increasing the number of available adsorption sites – and so providing evidence to support the notion of photoinduced adsorption processes in photocatalytic systems. These findings have implications for the development of a reversible adsorption based microgravimetric sensor for Cs+.
Photoluminescence and Raman scattering studies of GaN nanowires obtained by top-down and bottom-up approaches
Authors: Stoica Toma , Haab Anna , Griesche David , Mikulics Martin , Limbach Friederich , Schumann Timo , Gotschke Tobias , Sutter Eli , Calarco Raffaella , Hardtdegen Hilde , Grützmacher Detlev
Published: February 2012

We present comparative studies of optical properties of GaN nanowires (NWs) obtained by two different self-formation techniques: Plasma-Assisted Molecular Beam Epitaxy (PAMBE) growth; and plasma etching of GaN layers deposited by Metal-Organic Vapor Phase Epitaxy (MOVPE). The effects of the coalescence process on grown NW and plasma-induced defects in etched NWs have been studied by photoluminescence (PL) and Raman scattering. In MBE grown NWs, the coalescence-associated defects are extended toward the NW top for intermediate Ga flux. Using High Resolution Electron Microscopy of reactive plasma etching (RIE) NWs, it was found that NWs obtained with an optimal combination of inductive (ICP) and capacitive (RF) plasma are free of extended structural defects. The PL efficiency is strongly increased in plasma etched NWs. However, plasma-induced point defects have to be taken into account for explaining the changes of the PL spectra. Less plasma-induced degradation is observed for high ICP/RF power ratios.
Numerical simulation of shaking-table tests on soil-stabilized, geosynthetic-reinforced quay-wall structures
Authors: Ye B. , Ye G.L. , Nagaya J. , Sugano T.
Published: February 2012

ABSTRACT: A new kind of quay-wall structure using geosynthetics has been proposed for renovating existing sheet-pile quay-wall structures to increase their earthquake resistance capability. The proposed structure adopts the combined techniques of stabilized soil and geogrid for a quay-wall, which is referred to simply as an ‘SG-WALL'. The seismic performance of the SG-WALL structure was investigated through a series of shaking-table tests. The test results showed that the SG-WALL structure has a high seismic resistance. A numerical simulation of the shaking-table tests was performed to reproduce the experimental results. The primary objectives of the simulation were to assess the accuracy of the numerical methods adopted in this study in predicting the dynamic responses of the SG-WALL structure, and to identify the key factors that influence its seismic performance. It was found that the displacement of the quay wall during shaking is not sensitive to the length of the geogrid, but the length of the stabilized soil plays a significant role in restricting the displacement of the quay-wall.
Stress distribution and development within geosynthetic-reinforced soil slopes
Authors: Yang K.-H. , Zornberg J.G. , Liu C.-N. , Lin H.-D.
Published: February 2012

ABSTRACT: Numerical methods combined with centrifuge tests are used to investigate the distribution and development of soil stresses and reinforcement tensile loads in geosynthetic-reinforced soil (GRS) structures. In this study, system stability indicated by the factor of safety (FS) of GRS slopes is calculated by limit equilibrium analysis. Stress information under various stress states is evaluated using finite element analysis. Advanced models and an integration algorithm are implemented in finite element code to enhance the simulation results. The proposed numerical models are validated by centrifuge tests of two GRS slopes with different backfill densities. Numerical results indicate that soil stress mobilisation can be described by the soil stress level S, which is defined as the ratio of the current stress status to peak failure criteria. For both slope models, as loading increases, backfill stresses develop and propagate along the potential failure surface. Mobilisation of soil stress was non-uniform along the failure surface. Immediately after the stress level reaches peak (S = 1), strength softening initiates at the top and toe of the slope at approximately FS = 1.2. The slope settlement rate and reinforcement tensile load increase significantly when soil softening begins. The softening occurs randomly and irregularly along the failure surface, and the formation of the soil-softening band completes at approximately FS = 1.1. The failure surface corresponds to the locus of intense soil strains and the maximum tensile loads at each reinforcement layer. Additionally, the numerical results show that the initiation of soil softening and the failure of the slope occurred earlier in the slope model with low backfill density. The numerical results support the view that peak shear strength, not residual shear strength, governs system stability. Last, the distribution of maximum reinforcement tensile loads with depth was highly uniform at low g-level and became trapezoidal at high g-level. The peak value was located at approximately mid-height of the reinforced slopes. This observation contradicted the triangular distribution with depth assumed in current design methodologies for geosynthetic structures.
An Analytical Solution for Water Coning in Vertical Wells
Authors: Tabatabaei M.. , Ghalambor A.. , Guo B..
Published: February 2012

Optimizing the completion interval to minimize water coning has been long recognized as a challenge in the industry. After reviewing the mechanism of water coning, a simple analytical model is presented in this study for water-coning systems in high-conductivity reservoirs (reservoirs with low pressure gradient). This model is applicable to predict the critical rate and to determine the optimum wellbore penetration for achieving maximum water-free production rate of vertical oil wells.

The developed model predicts the critical rate on the basis of a radial/spherical/combined (RSC) 3D flow field assumption that takes into account the effect of permeability anisotropy, density difference between water and oil, and limited wellbore penetration. Moreover, optimum wellbore penetration into the oil zone has been determined by maximizing the critical rate. This analytical model reveals the optimum wellbore penetration in high-conductivity reservoirs to be almost half of the pay-zone thickness, depending on the radius of wellbore and drainage area, pay-zone thickness, and the permeability anisotropy of the reservoir.
Critical Oil Rate and Well Productivity in Cold Production From Heavy-Oil Reservoirs
Authors: Guo Boyun , Gao Deli , Ai Chi , Qu Jianfang
Published: February 2012

Cold heavy-oil production with sand (CHOPS) has been widely used for recovering heavy oil from unconsolidated sandstones (UCSs). Although this technology is considered to be mature in some oil fields in Canada, there are some technical issues that need to be addressed when this technology is transferred to fields in other parts of the world. These issues are primarily related to the variations in local geological and reservoir conditions. One of the concerns is whether the designed well production rate is high enough to self-clean the wellbore against sand accumulation. During planning of CHOPS completions, it is imperative to know if the designed fluid-production rate will be adequate to carry sand to surface, especially when horizontal wells are employed, where a significant amount of sand can accumulate in the horizontal wellbore that can kill the well. However, it is not clear what constitutes the "adequate" fluid-production rate. A theoretical investigation of sand transport in heavy oil was conducted in this study. A critical fluid-production rate was defined to quantitatively describe the "adequate" production rate required to carry sand to surface in vertical, inclined, and horizontal wells. Also developed in this study is a CHOPS-well deliverability model based on self-stimulation of reservoir and oil/water/gas/solid four-phase flow in the production string. Combined use of the critical-production-rate model and the well-deliverability model allows for optimal selection of pumps that will ensure the smooth production of fluids in CHOPS operations. This paper provides petroleum engineers with essential knowledge and information for planning CHOPS well completions.
Effect of Composite Insertion Technique on Cuspal Deflection Using an In Vitro Simulation Model
Authors: Jafarpour S , El-Badrawy W , Jazi HS , McComb D
Published: February 2012

Objective

The objective of this study was to investigate, by simulation, the effect of conventional composite resin insertion techniques on cuspal deflection using bonded typodont artificial teeth. The deflection produced by a new low-shrinkage composite was also determined.

Materials and Methods

Sixty standardized MOD preparations on ivorine maxillary premolars were prepared: group A at 4 mm depth and group B at 6 mm depth. Each group was further subdivided according to composite insertion technique (n=6), as follows: 1) bulk insertion, 2) horizontal increments, 3) tangential increments, and 4) a modified tangential technique. Preparations were microetched, acid-cleaned, and bonded with adhesive resin to provide micromechanical attachment before restoration with a conventional composite (Spectrum TPH3, Dentsply). Two additional subgroups at 4 mm and 6 mm depth (n=6) were restored in bulk using low-shrinkage composite (Filtek LS, 3M/ESPE). All groups received the same total photo-polymerization time. Cuspal deflection was measured during the restorative procedure using two Linear Variable Differential Transformers attached to a data acquisition system.

Results

The average cuspal deflections for group A were 1) 40.17 ± 1.18 μm, 2) 25.80 ± 4.98 μm, 3) 28.27 ± 5.12 μm, and 4) 27.33 ± 2.42 μm. The deflections in group B were 1) 38.82 ± 3.64 μm, 2) 50.39 ± 9.17 μm, 3) 55.62 ± 8.16 μm, and 4) 49.61 ± 8.01 μm. Cuspal flexure for the low-shrinkage composite was 11.14 ± 1.67 μm (group A: 4 mm depth) and 16.53 ± 2.79 μm (group B: 6 mm depth).

Conclusions

All insertion techniques using conventional composite caused cuspal deformation. In general, deeper preparations showed increased cuspal deflection—except in the case of bulk insertion, which was likely affected by decreased depth of cure. Cuspal movement using low-shrinkage composite was significantly reduced.
Clinical Evaluation of a Low-shrinkage Composite in Posterior Restorations: One-Year Results
Authors: Baracco B , Perdigão J , Cabrera E , Giráldez I , Ceballos L
Published: February 2012

Objectives

The aim of this study was to compare the one-year clinical performance of three restorative systems, which included a novel low-shrinkage composite and two bonding strategies.

Materials and Methods

Twenty-five patients received three Class I (occlusal) or Class II restorations performed with one of three restorative systems: Filtek Silorane Restorative System (FS); Adper Scotchbond 1 XT, a two-step etch-and-rinse adhesive, with Filtek Z250 (XT); and Adper Scotchbond SE, a two-step self-etch adhesive, with Filtek Z250 (SE). All materials were applied following the manufacturer's instructions. Two independent observers evaluated the restorations at baseline, after six months, and after one year, according to the United States Public Health System modified criteria. The Kruskal-Wallis test and the Mann-Whitney U-test were computed to compare the behavior of the restorative systems; Friedman and Wilcoxon tests were used to analyze the intrasystem data (α=0.05).

Results

All restorations were evaluated at one year. FS and XT performed statistically similarly at one year, but marginal staining for SE was statistically worse. Intrasystem comparisons between baseline and one year also showed deterioration of marginal staining for SE, while a deterioration of the marginal adaptation was recorded for both SE and FS. XT was the only system for which there was no statistical change of the parameters measured in this study.

Conclusions

Both restorative systems using self-etch adhesives showed a tendency to degradation of marginal adaptation after one year of clinical use, compared to baseline values. Although the clinical performance of FS was deemed acceptable after one year, this study did not find any advantage of the silorane-based composite over the methacrylate-based composite. The low-shrinkage associated with FS may not be a determinant factor for clinical success.
Selective Enamel Etching: Effect on Marginal Adaptation of Self-Etch LED-Cured Bond Systems in Aged Class I Composite Restorations
Authors: Souza-Junior EJ , Prieto LT , Araújo CTP , Paulillo LAMS
Published: February 2012

The aim of this study was to evaluate the influence of previous enamel etch and light emitting diode (LED) curing on gap formation of self-etch adhesive systems in Class I composite restorations after thermomechanical aging (TMA). Thus, on 192 human molars, a box-shaped Class I cavity was prepared maintaining enamel margins. Self-etch adhesives (Clearfil SE and Clearfil S3) were used to restore the preparation with a microhybrid composite. Before application of the adhesives, half of the teeth were enamel etched for 15 seconds with 37% phosphoric acid; the other half were not etched. For the photoactivation of the adhesives and composite, three light-curing units (LCUs) were used: one polywave (Ultra-Lume LED 5, UL) and two single-peak (FlashLite 1401, FL and Radii-cal, RD) LEDs. After this, epoxy resin replicas of the occlusal surface were made, and the specimens were submitted to TMA. New replicas were made from the aged specimens for marginal adaptation analysis by scanning electron microscopy. Data were submitted to Kruskal-Wallis and Wilcoxon tests (α=0.05). Before TMA, when enamel was etched before the application of S3, no gap formation was observed; however, there were gaps at the interface for the other tested conditions, with a statistical difference (p≤0.05). After TMA, the selective enamel etching previous to the S3 application, regardless of the LCU, promoted higher marginal adaptation compared to the other tested groups (p≤0.05). Prior to TMA, higher marginal integrity was observed, in comparison with specimens after TMA (p≤0.05). With regard to Clearfil SE and Clearfil Tri-S cured with FL, no differences of gap formation were found between before and after aging (5.3 ± 3.8 and 7.4 ± 7.5, respectively), especially when the Clearfil Tri-S was used in the conventional protocol. When cured with RD or UL and not etched, Clearfil Tri-S presented the higher gap formation. In conclusion, additional enamel etching promoted better marginal integrity for Clearfil Tri-S, showing it to be an efficient technique for Class I composite restorations. The two-step self-etch adhesive was not influenced by selective enamel etching or by the LED-curing unit.
In Vitro and In Vivo Evaluations of Three Computer-Aided Shade Matching Instruments
Authors: Yuan K , Sun X , Wang F , Wang H , Chen J
Published: February 2012

This study evaluated the accuracy and reliability of three computer-aided shade matching instruments (Shadepilot, VITA Easyshade, and ShadeEye NCC) using both in vitro and in vivo models. The in vitro model included the measurement of five VITA Classical shade guides. The in vivo model utilized three instruments to measure the central region of the labial surface of maxillary right central incisors of 85 people. The accuracy and reliability of the three instruments in these two evaluating models were calculated. Significant differences were observed in the accuracy of instruments both in vitro and in vivo. No significant differences were found in the reliability of instruments between and within the in vitro and the in vivo groups. VITA Easyshade was significantly different in accuracy between in vitro and in vivo models, while no significant difference was found for the other two instruments. Shadepilot was the only instrument tested in the present study that showed high accuracy and reliability both in vitro and in vivo. Significant differences were observed in the L*a*b* values of the 85 natural teeth measured using three instruments in the in vivo assessment. The pair-agreement rates of shade matching among the three instruments ranged from 37.7% to 48.2%, and the incidence of identical shade results shared by all three instruments was 25.9%. As different L*a*b* values and shade matching results were reported for the same tooth, a combination of the evaluated shade matching instruments and visual shade confirmation is recommended for clinical use.
Influence of Volumetric Shrinkage and Curing Light Intensity on Proximal Contact Tightness of Class II Resin Composite Restorations: In Vitro Study
Authors: El-Shamy H , Saber MH , Dörfer CE , El-Badrawy W , Loomans BAC
Published: February 2012

Background

Proximal contact tightness of class II resin composite restorations is influenced by a myriad of factors. Previous studies investigated the role of matrix band type and thickness, consistency of resin composite, and technique of placement. However, the effect of volumetric shrinkage of resin and intensity of curing light has yet to be determined. Thus, the aim of this study was to identify the influence of these factors on the proximal contact tightness when restoring class II cavity preparations in vitro.

Methods

Sixty artificial molars were restored with either a low-shrinkage (Filtek Silorane, 3M ESPE) or a conventional (Z100, 3M ESPE) composite and polymerized with low-intensity (Smartlite IQ2, Dentsply) or high-intensity light curing units (DemiTM, Kerr). Proximal contact tightness was measured using the Tooth Pressure Meter. Data were statistically analyzed using one-way analysis of variance and Tukey post hoc test.

Results

Use of low-shrinkage composite (Filtek Silorane) resulted in significantly tighter proximal contacts compared to the use of conventional composite (Z100) when cured with the same polymerization unit (p<0.001). Moreover, the low-intensity curing unit (IQ2) resulted in significantly tighter contacts than the high-intensity unit when material is constant (p<0.001).

Conclusions

Low-shrinkage resin composite and low curing light intensity is associated with tighter proximal contact values.
Equiconnected spaces and Baire classification of separately continuous functions and their analogs
Authors: Karlova Olena , Maslyuchenko Volodymyr , Mykhaylyuk Volodymyr
Published: February 2012

We investigate the Baire classification of mappings f: X × Y → Z, where X belongs to a wide class of spaces which includes all metrizable spaces, Y is a topological space, Z is an equiconnected space, which are continuous in the first variable. We show that for a dense set in X these mappings are functions of a Baire class α in the second variable.
Proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9: A new target molecule for gene therapy
Authors: Banaszewska Anna , Piechota Michal , Plewa Robert
Published: February 2012

Proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 (PCSK9) has emerged as a novel target for controlling plasma levels of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) and decreasing the risk of cardiovascular diseases. At present it is clear that the major classes of commonly prescribed lipid-lowering medications increase serum PCSK9 levels and fail to protect a significant percentage of patients from cardiovascular events. Therefore development of new LDL-C lowering medications that either do not increase circulating PCSK9 levels or work through inhibition of PCSK9 expression and protease activity is a highly desirable approach to overcome hypercholesterolemia. Since there are several agents which are being evaluated in human preclinical and clinical trials, this review summarizes current therapeutic strategies targeting PCSK9, including specific antibodies, antisense oligonucleotides, small interfering RNAs (siRNAs) and other small-molecule inhibitors.
Palaeoecology, facies and stratigraphy of shallow marine macrofauna from the Upper Oligocene (Palaeogene) of the southern Pre-North Sea Basin of Astrup (NW Germany)
Authors: Diedrich Cajus
Published: February 2012

The 22 meter thick marine carbonate Upper Oligocene series of Astrup (NW Germany) is correlated with the Chattian type section of Doberg. It indicates a more constrained palaeogeographical and biostratigraphical position ranging from the biozones of Chlamys (C.) decussata (upper Chattian A) to Chlamys (C.) semistriatus (lower Chattian C). The macrofauna can be subdivided into three main benthic communities: A. the „coarse gravel spondylid beach fauna“ of the shore zone with „pebble beach facies“ dominated by sessile brachiopods, large balanids, spondylids, oysters or small regular echinoids. Borings are common in pebbles; B. the „glauconite fine gravel brachiopod-bryozoan littoral fauna“ of the shallow subtidal zone where a terebratulid/lithothamnid dominated fauna/flora is present. The rhodophyceans were most possibly anker stones and substrates for cirripeds and serpulids; C. the „glauconite carbonate sand phytal fauna“ of the shallow subtidal zone with a rich benthic mollusc dominated fauna. Indirect evidence for seagrass and macroalgae occurs on the attachment negatives of balanids and oysters, and also on Cibicides foraminifera or bryozoans like Cellepora. The facies types along the Wiehengebirge Island and Teutoburger Wald Peninsula coasts of the southern Pre-North Sea Basin differ with respect to their benthic communities to that of the siliciclastic Leipziger and the Rhenish Bay facies.
Malak Hifni Nasif
Authors: Yousef Hoda
Published: February 2012

Malak Hifni Nasif (1886–1918), one of Egypt’s early feminist writ­ers, stood at the crossroads of many political and social tensions of her day. Situated between the potential contradictions of Egyptian nationalism, Islamic reform, and Westernization, Nasif provides an important lens through which to examine the relationship between feminism and colonial enterprise in the tumultuous milieu of the early twentieth century. This paper contends that, in order to understand Nasif’s construction of her own feminist agenda, one must first examine the pervasive presence of the “colonial” as a distinct site of inquiry—one that must be extracted from the larger and more ambiguous category of “European.” By teasing out the difference between European versus colonial interactions with feminism, we get a clearer view of the process by which Nasif was able to negotiate an indigenous feminist agenda within and against the power structures of both Egyptian society and colonial rule.
Developing Fluorescent Hyaluronan Analogs for Hyaluronan Studies
Authors: Wang Wei , Cameron Arlin G. , Ke Shi
Published: February 2012

Two kinds of fluorescent hyaluronan (HA) analogs, one serving as normal imaging agent and the other used as a biosensitive contrast agent, were developed for the investigation of HA uptake and degradation. Our approach of developing HA imaging agents depends on labeling HA with varying molar percentages of a near-infrared (NIR) dye. At low labeling ratios, the hyaluronan uptake can be directly imaged while at high labeling ratios, the fluorescent signal is quenched and signal generation occurs only after degradation. It is found that the conjugate containing 1%–2% NIR dye can be used as a normal optical imaging agent, while bioactivable imaging agents are formed at 6% to 17% dye loading. It was determined that the conjugation of dye to HA with different loading percentages does not impact HA biodegradation by hyaluronidase (Hyal). The feasibility of using these two NIR fluorescent hyaluronan analogs for HA investigation was evaluated in vivo with optical imaging. The data demonstrates that the 1% dye loaded fluorescent HA can be used to monitor the behavior of HA and its fragments, whereas bioactivatable HA imaging agent (17% dye in HA) is more suitable for detecting HA fragments.
Social Network Extraction and Analysis Based on Multimodal Dyadic Interaction
Authors: Escalera Sergio , Baró Xavier , Vitrià Jordi , Radeva Petia , Raducanu Bogdan
Published: February 2012

Social interactions are a very important component in people’s lives. Social network analysis has become a common technique used to model and quantify the properties of social interactions. In this paper, we propose an integrated framework to explore the characteristics of a social network extracted from multimodal dyadic interactions. For our study, we used a set of videos belonging to New York Times’ Blogging Heads opinion blog. The Social Network is represented as an oriented graph, whose directed links are determined by the Influence Model. The links’ weights are a measure of the “influence” a person has over the other. The states of the Influence Model encode automatically extracted audio/visual features from our videos using state-of-the art algorithms. Our results are reported in terms of accuracy of audio/visual data fusion for speaker segmentation and centrality measures used to characterize the extracted social network.
Les charges en France et en Allemagne : les vérités qui dérangent
Authors: Lagarde Henri , Kopp Clément
Published: February 2012

Résumé Pour étudier les différentiels de charge entre la France et l’Allemagne, Henri Lagarde se plonge dans le maquis des fiscalités et étudie avec Clément Kopp la façon dont nos entreprises peuvent faire face aux à-coups de la conjoncture. Le résultat est inquiétant...
À quoi servent les paradis fiscaux ?
Authors: Chavagneux Christian
Published: February 2012

Résumé Plus de la moitié des flux financiers transitent par des paradis fiscaux, qui privent les États de recettes importantes et sont au cœur de l’instabilité de la finance mondiale. La mobilisation internationale actuelle arrivera-t-elle à endiguer le phénomène ?