bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Treating Anemia of Cancer with Every-4-Week Darbepoetin Alfa: Final Efficacy and Safety Results from a Phase II, Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Study
Authors: Gordon David , Nichols Gwen , Ben-Jacob Ali , Tomita Dianne , Lillie Tom , Miller Carole
Published: June 2008

Darbepoetin alfa is an erythropoiesis-stimulating agent (ESA) approved for treating chemotherapy-induced anemia. This phase II, double-blind, placebo-controlled study examined the efficacy of darbepoetin alfa for treating anemia of cancer (AoC) in patients not receiving chemotherapy or radiotherapy. Patients were randomized 3:1 to receive darbepoetin alfa (6.75 μg/kg) or placebo every 4 weeks; the end of the study was at week 17. The primary endpoint was the percentage of patients with a hematopoietic response. Secondary endpoints included transfusion incidence and safety parameters. Efficacy analyses were performed on 162 patients in the darbepoetin alfa group and 56 patients in the placebo group. The Kaplan–Meier percentages of patients who achieved a hematopoietic response (darbepoetin alfa, 69%; placebo, 24%) or achieved the target hemoglobin (darbepoetin alfa, 85%; placebo, 50%) differed significantly between treatment groups. The transfusion incidence did not differ between treatment groups probably because of the low baseline transfusion rates in AoC patients. The incidence of adverse events (including on-study deaths) was similar in both groups. In conclusion, darbepoetin alfa appeared to be well tolerated and significantly increased hemoglobin levels in these AoC study patients.
Trastuzumab in the Adjuvant Treatment of Early-Stage Breast Cancer: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials
Authors: Dahabreh Issa J. , Linardou Helen , Siannis Fotios , Fountzilas George , Murray Samuel
Published: June 2008

Learning Objectives

After completing this course, the reader will be able to: Summarize the main characteristics and findings of randomized controlled trials evaluating trastuzumab for the adjuvant treatment of early-stage breast cancer.Use combined-effect estimates provided by meta-analysis to appraise the risks and benefits of trastuzumab treatment in the adjuvant setting.Identify the links between basic science and drug development that led to the successful clinical use of trastuzumab, as well as the gaps in the existing evidence base regarding its use in breast cancer treatment.

CME This article is available for continuing medical education credit at CME.TheOncologist.com

Background.

We performed a systematic review and meta-analysis to compare treatment outcomes for human epidermal growth factor receptor (HER)-2–positive breast cancer patients receiving adjuvant chemotherapy with or without trastuzumab.

Methods.

We identified randomized clinical trials comparing adjuvant chemotherapy with or without trastuzumab in patients with resectable breast cancer. Fixed-effects meta-analysis was used to combine data.

Results.

Five eligible trials were identified, reporting outcomes on 13,493 women. Fixed-effects analysis showed disease-free survival to be superior for trastuzumab-treated patients (risk ratio [RR], 0.62; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.56–0.68). Superiority was also observed for patients receiving trastuzumab with respect to mortality (RR, 0.66; 95% CI, 0.57–0.77), locoregional recurrence (RR, 0.58; 95% CI, 0.43–0.77), and distant recurrence (RR, 0.60; 95% CI, 0.52–0.68). Patients receiving trastuzumab with chemotherapy had a higher risk for congestive heart failure (RR, 7.60; 95% CI, 4.07–14.18) and left ventricular ejection fraction decline (RR, 2.09; 95% CI, 1.84–2.37). A higher risk for central nervous system metastasis as the first recurrence event (RR, 1.60; 95% CI, 1.06–2.40) was also noted in patients receiving trastuzumab.

Conclusions.

The use of trastuzumab should be considered an integral part of the adjuvant therapy of HER-2–positive breast cancer patients.
Pediatric Central Nervous System Germ Cell Tumors: A Review
Authors: Echevarría Maria E. , Fangusaro Jason , Goldman Stewart
Published: June 2008

Learning Objectives

After completing this course, the reader will be able to: Discuss the basic epidemiology of pediatric CNS GCTs.Perform the diagnostic workup and full evaluation that is necessary when evaluating a patient with a suspected CNS GCT.Select among the different therapeutic alternatives employed in treating children with a CNS GCT.

CME This article is available for continuing medical education credit at CME.TheOncologist.com

Central nervous system (CNS) germ cell tumors (GCTs) represent approximately 3% of primary pediatric brain tumors and encompass a wide pathologic spectrum. CNS GCTs are most commonly located in the pineal and suprasellar regions of the brain and can be divided into major groups including germinomas and nongerminomatous GCTs (NGGCTs), with teratomas often considered a separate category. The clinical presentation varies by location and size, and it frequently includes endocrine abnormalities, visual changes, and signs of increased intracranial pressure. Neuroimaging studies cannot differentiate GCTs from other tumors, and therefore, the diagnosis usually requires histologic confirmation. The rare exceptions are the cases where characteristic elevations of tumor markers, including alpha-fetoprotein and/or β-human chorionic gonadotropin are documented in the serum and/or cerebrospinal fluid. In these cases, the imaging findings along with the tumor marker elevation may be diagnostic in themselves without the need for tissue confirmation.

Treatment and prognosis differ greatly between groups. Germinomas have a superior prognosis than NGGCTs. Five-year overall survival rates >90% were reported initially with the use of craniospinal irradiation. More recently, the use of chemotherapy in addition to radiation therapy has afforded the ability to decrease the dose and volume of radiation therapy without affecting survival rates. NGGCTs are less radiosensitive than germinomas, but the use of adjuvant chemotherapy has improved survival rates in this group as well. The standard management for CNS GCTs remains controversial. Treatment regimens aimed to improve progression-free and overall survival times are ongoing.
Commentary: Let the Tail Wag the Dog: The Case for Radioimmunotherapy of Low-Grade Follicular Lymphoma
Authors: Plastaras John P. , Glatstein Eli , Schuster Stephen J.
Published: June 2008

This commentary reviews the Buchegger et al. manuscript published in this issue of The Oncologist. The authors concur with Buchegger et al. and advocate greater use of radioimmunotherapy in advanced-stage low-grade follicular lymphoma.
Thermodynamics-based constitutive framework for unsaturated soils. 1: Theory
Authors: Li X. S.
Published: June 2008

Unlike the elastoplastic modelling of saturated soil behaviour, the constitutive modelling of unsaturated soils has not been firmly based on engineering science, and in particular on the thermodynamic laws. To establish a thermodynamics-based modelling framework for unsaturated soils, one needs to examine and deal with the work–energy–dissipation relations for an open multiphase thermodynamic system, as well as the coupling effects among the phases. This paper presents the detailed derivation of such a modelling framework, with all major assumptions clearly stated. This framework will pave a way for developing specific unsaturated soil models with an examinable basis.
The concept of a ‘Reynolds–Taylor state’ and the mechanics of sands
Authors: Collins I. F. , Muhunthan B. , Tai A. T. T. , Pender M. J.
Published: June 2008

A novel conceptual model of the mechanics of sands is developed within a thermomechanical framework. Central to this model is the realisation that volume changes in granular materials are induced by two mechanisms. One is purely kinematic, and is a result of individual grains having to move over each other in a shear deformation: the ‘Reynolds effect’. This is the defining characteristic of the mechanics of granular materials. The second cause of volume changes is as a direct response to changes in stress, as in any standard continuum. These conceptual ideas are used to systematically develop a family of elastic/plastic models, involving non-associated flow rules, isotropic and kinematic hardening, and induced anisotropy. The recognition of the two distinct mechanisms of volume change shows that the classical concept of a critical state must be replaced with the more general concept of a ‘Reynolds–Taylor state’ to better explain the observed experimental behaviour in sands. In this state, which is attained early on in a deformation, the sand is still dilating but the difference between the stress and dilation ratios is constant (Taylor's stress–dilatancy relation), as is the effective pressure. In a general deformation, the shear stress, and stress and voids ratios, do not become constant until later in the deformation, when a critical state is finally attained. However, in the particular case of a drained triaxial test, the stress ratio is also constant when this state has been reached, even though the sample is still dilating. These predictions are shown to be in accord with experimental data from a series of drained tests.
On certain critical material and testing characteristics affecting shear band development in sand
Authors: Gajo A. , Muir Wood D. , Bigoni D.
Published: June 2008

Laboratory tests on samples of sand typically show instabilities in response related to shear band nucleation and evolution. Influences of constitutive characteristics (for instance, plastically driven elastic anisotropy), sensitivity to changes in constitutive parameters, and effects of testing conditions (for instance, related to stress conditions or to membrane penetration or stretching) on different types of material instability occurring in the post-localisation behaviour of sand specimens are investigated. Comparison between model prediction and available experiments shows that certain constitutive and testing features, which do not much influence the global response of a sample, may nevertheless strongly affect the critical and post-critical behaviours. The results obtained show that the proposed approach is general enough to permit the investigation of effects of experimental features that have not previously been studied.
Monotonic and cyclic behaviour of sand under torsional loading
Authors: Georgiannou V. N. , Tsomokos A. , Stavrou K.
Published: June 2008

Comprehensive tests were performed to obtain the stress–strain and stiffness characteristics of a fine uniform sand in a hollow cylinder apparatus under monotonic and cyclic torsional loading. Unstable response with a sudden reduction in shear strength after peak was observed under undrained monotonic loading. After a quasi-steady state the specimens showed a phase transformation and a tendency to dilation. Drained torsional hollow cylinder tests showed an equivalent characteristic state marking the transition between contractant and dilatant behaviour and the same line at phase transformation as their undrained counterparts. The instability line, defined under monotonic loading, appears to form a boundary to the behaviour of sand under cyclic loading. Unstable behaviour is introduced when the effective stress path followed by the specimen during cyclic loading reaches the instability line at a shear strain of approximately 0·5%. The first loading cycle is at variance with the following cycles in terms of the stress–dilatancy relationship in drained or the excess pore water pressure generation in undrained torsional hollow cylinder tests. The liquefaction, stiffness and damping characteristics of the sand have been defined.
A new yield and failure criterion for geomaterials
Authors: Mortara G.
Published: June 2008

This paper proposes a new isotropic yield and failure criterion for geomaterials under general stress conditions. The new criterion is a function of the three stress invariants and the paper shows the well known criteria by Matsuoka & Nakai (1974) and Lade & Duncan (1975) are included in the new formulation. In order to include different features characterising soil and rock behaviour, the obtained function is successively modified to account for tensile strength and curvature in meridian planes. The influence of each parameter is discussed and finally the comparison between the new criterion and some experimental data on soils and rocks is shown. Finally, the domain of the new criterion is analysed in order to show if the yield function takes negative values also outside the shown elastic domain.
Use of diaphragm walls to mitigate ground movements induced by tunnelling
Authors: Bilotta E.
Published: June 2008

Tunnelling in urban areas can damage the existing buildings and underground services, as a consequence of ground movements induced by excavation. In this paper the potential of a vertical diaphragm wall to modify the displacement field induced by tunnel excavation is investigated. A series of centrifuge tests were performed in which a diaphragm wall was embedded to one side of a tunnel. The location of the wall, its length, thickness and the roughness of the wall–soil interface were varied. In addition, a series of numerical analyses were carried out to supplement the experimental data. It was observed that the field of displacements was modified in different ways, depending on the combination of the above factors, and the sensitivity of the problem to the variation of each factor is discussed. An efficiency parameter is defined that expresses the ability of the wall to modify the reference (no wall) profile of settlements.
Establishing a minimum standard for collaborative research in federal environmental agencies
Authors: Matso Kalle E , Dix Molly O'Donovan , Chicoski Benjamin , Hernandez Debra L , Schubel Jerry R
Published: June 2008

There is a general consensus that—given the magnitude of the challenges facing our nation's natural resource managers—the rate, efficiency, and effectiveness of linking research to decision making must be enhanced. Many reports have touched on this issue, most of them culminating with the exhortation to “foster more interactions between scientists and users,” but very few documents provide details or assign responsibility to drive the interactions that most agree should happen. As a result, many natural science and engineering programs “talk the talk”—that is, they say they do collaborative research with intended users; however, upon inspection, few of them “walk the walk” by effectively supporting collaboration throughout the research process. Moreover, when called to support transition to application in specific ways, research agencies often balk, most often objecting that research programs cannot afford to take any support away from funding more research. They may also argue that science works best for society when it is freed from concerns related to application. In this paper we will 1) review the cultural conflict that often underlies disagreements about collaborative research, 2) offer details on the basic ingredients required to achieve a minimum standard for collaborative research, 3) suggest an approach for determining the appropriate level of support for collaborative research, given various research goals, and 4) recommend specific steps for motivating scientists and stakeholders to participate in collaborative research.
Work-Related Illness—Continued Progress Requires Better Metrics
Authors: Harrison Myron
Published: June 2008

Management systems depend upon accurate measures of outcomes in order to pursue continuous improvement. Work-related illnesses are defects or noncompliances in an occupational safety and health management system. The ascertainment of these incidents is very difficult due to the characteristics of illness. This paper describes the development of an indicator for "exposure incidents" that serves as a leading indicator for the risk of work-related illness.

Work-related illness – continued progress requires better metrics

"It ain’t what you don’t know that gets you into trouble. It’s what you know for sure, that just ain’t so." Mark Twain
Neurophysiological Pathways to Obesity: Below Awareness and Beyond Individual Control
Authors: Cohen Deborah A.
Published: June 2008

A global obesity epidemic is occurring simultaneously with ongoing increases in the availability and salience of food in the environment. Obesity is increasing across all socioeconomic groups and educational levels and occurs even among individuals with the highest levels of education and expertise in nutrition and related fields. Given these circumstances, it is plausible that excessive food consumption occurs in ways that defy personal insight or are below individual awareness. The current food environment stimulates automatic reflexive responses that enhance the desire to eat and increase caloric intake, making it exceedingly difficult for individuals to resist, especially because they may not be aware of these influences. This article identifies 10 neurophysiological pathways that can lead people to make food choices subconsciously or, in some cases, automatically. These pathways include reflexive and uncontrollable neurohormonal responses to food images, cues, and smells; mirror neurons that cause people to imitate the eating behavior of others without awareness; and limited cognitive capacity to make informed decisions about food. Given that people have limited ability to shape the food environment individually and no ability to control automatic responses to food-related cues that are unconsciously perceived, it is incumbent upon society as a whole to regulate the food environment, including the number and types of food-related cues, portion sizes, food availability, and food advertising.
Changes in Functional Walking Distance and Health-Related Quality of Life After Gastric Bypass Surgery
Authors: Tompkins James , Bosch Pamela R , Chenowith Rochelle , Tiede Judy L , Swain James M
Published: June 2008

Background and Purpose

Early physical functional changes after gastric bypass surgery (GBS) are unclear, and the relationship between these changes and health-related quality of life (HR-QOL) has not been reported. We measured distances from a 6-minute walk test (6MWT) and scores on the 36-Item Short-Form Health Survey (SF-36) before and after GBS.

Subjects and Methods

Twenty-five people undergoing GBS completed the SF-36 and 6MWT presurgically and at the 3-month and 6-month follow-up visits. Ratings of perceived exertion (RPE) were measured during 6MWTs.

Results

Presurgical walking distance (X̅±SD; 414.1±103.7 m) was 55%±14% of normative values. Distances increased significantly at 3 months (505.2±98.0 m) and at 6 months (551.5±101.2 m). Final RPEs decreased significantly, and HR-QOL improved significantly. Both physical and mental health components of the SF-36 improved significantly. Distance was inversely correlated with body mass throughout the study and positively correlated with the SF-36 Physical Component Summary change from 3 to 6 months.

Discussion and Conclusions

Improved functional capacity was associated with enhanced HR-QOL. At 6 months, walking distances remained 75% of those for age-matched peers who had normal weight.
Rho-kinase inhibitor and Nicotinamide Adenine Dinucleotide PHosphate oxidase inhibitor prevent impairment of endothelium-dependent cerebral vasodilation by acute cigarette smoking in rats
Authors: Iida Hiroki , Iida Mami , Takenaka Motoyasu , Fukuoka Naokazu , Dohi Shuji
Published: June 2008

Introduction. We previously reported that acute cigarette smoking can cause a dysfunction of endothelium-dependent vasodilation in cerebral vessels, and that blocking the angiotensin II (Ang II) type 1 (AT1) receptor with valsartan prevented this impairment. Our aim was to investigate the effects of a Rho-kinase inhibitor (fasudil) and a Nicotinamide Adenine Dinucleotide PHosphate (NADPH) oxidase inhibitor (apocynin) on smoking-induced endothelial dysfunction in cerebral arterioles.

Method. In Sprague—Dawley rats, we used a closed cranial window preparation to measure changes in pial vessel diameters following topical acetylcholine (ACh) before smoking. After one-minute smoking, we again examined the arteriolar responses to ACh. Finally, after intravenous fasudil or apocynin pre-treatment we re-examined the vasodilator responses to topical ACh (before and after cigarette smoking).

Results. Under control conditions, cerebral arterioles were dose-dependently dilated by topical ACh (10-6 M and 10-5 M). One hour after a one-minute smoking (1 mg-nicotine cigarette), 10-5 M ACh constricted cerebral arterioles. However, one hour after a one-minute smoking, 10-5 M ACh dilated cerebral pial arteries both in the fasudil pre-treatment and the apocynin pre-treatment groups, responses that were significantly different from those obtained without fasudil or apocynin pre-treatment.

Conclusion. Thus, inhibition of Rho-kinase and NADPH oxidase activities may prevent the above smoking-induced impairment of endothelium-dependent vasodilation.
Primary hyperaldosteronism due to adrenal microadenoma: a curable cause of refractory hypertension
Authors: Myint Khin Swe , Watts Michaela , Appleton Derris S , Lomas David J , Jamieson Neville , Taylor Kevin P , Coghill Stuart , Brown Morris J
Published: June 2008

The diagnosis of primary hyperaldosteronism due to microadenoma or unilateral adrenal hyperplasia can be challenging, since hypokalaemic alkalosis, high plasma aldosterone and a definite adenoma on imaging may all be absent.

Method and result. We describe three cases of resistant hypertension (on > 5 antihypertensives) where hyperaldosteronism was suspected because of a suppressed plasma renin level despite treatment with multiple drugs which normally elevate renin. Renin mass was measured by a double-site chemi-immunoluminometric assay. All patients had normal plasma aldosterone levels. Hypokalaemia was present in the first two cases but computed tomography did not show clear cut adenomas.Adrenal vein sampling (AVS) revealed lateralisation (> 4 times higher aldosterone to cortisol ratio (ACR) on the affected than contra-lateral side).The third patient was normokalaemic and AVS showed only minimal lateralisation (ACR 1.3:1).The severe hypertension in all cases was reversed by adrenalectomy, with blood pressure falling to target despite withdrawal of all but one to two drugs.

Conclusions. The robotic assay of renin mass permits rapid detection of patients in whom plasma renin is suppressed below the normal range. A suppressed plasma renin indicates abnormal Na+-retention, and — when not overcome by drugs such as angiotensin-converting enzyme-inhibitors or angiotensin receptor blockers — may be the only clue to a curable adrenal adenoma.AVS is required to demonstrate lateralisation of aldosterone secretion, justifying adrenalectomy.
Effect of losartan on exercise tolerance and echocardiographic parameters in patients with mitral regurgitation
Authors: Sekuri Cevad , Utuk Ozan , Bayturan Ozgur , Bilge Ali , Kurhan Ziya , Tavli Talat
Published: June 2008

Objectives. The aim of this study was to assess the effects of losartan treatment on exercise tolerance and echocardiographic parameters in patients with mitral regurgitation (MR) secondary to mitral valve prolapse or rheumatic heart disease.

Methods. Twenty-seven patients (14 males, 13 females, mean age 51±11, range 21—76) with moderate MR due to mitral valve prolapse or rheumatic heart disease were examined by means of Doppler echocardiography.The subjects were submitted to treadmill exercise tests using the modified Bruce protocol at baseline, after six hours and after the six-week treatment period to be evaluated based on their exercise tolerance. Mitral Regurgitant Volume (MRV), effective regurgitant orifice diameter, left atrial volume, left ventricle (LV) end-diastolic volume index, LV end-systolic volume index, LV ejection fraction (LVEF), left ventricle mass index were calculated at baseline and after six weeks of treatment with single dose of losartan (50 mg/day).

Results. Total treadmill exercise time increased from 477.7±147.9 to 535.7±149.0 seconds after six hours (p<0.01) and to 559.6±142.8 seconds after six weeks of treatment. Also, metabolic equivalent values increased following six hours of first dose and six weeks of losartan treatment (from 10.9±2.9 to R11.8±3.1, p=0.006 and 12.4±3.1, p=0.002; respectively). However, peak exercise systolic blood pressure (BP) was reduced after six hours and six weeks of treatment, and resting diastolic BP did not change after six hours but reduced at the end of the treatment period. MR volume decreased significantly from 29.3±14.1 ml to 25.1±14.8 ml, (p=0.025) without significant change in regurgitant orifice diameter (0.72±0.37 cm vs. 0.66±0.37 cm, p=NS), left atrium diameter and area while LVEF increased from 51.70±13.37 to 54.11—11.75 (p=0.015) with losartan.

Conclusion. We conclude that the angiotensin II receptor antagonist losartan improves exercise tolerance and echocardiographic parameters in patients with moderate MR.
Systemic and local effects of angiotensin II blockade in experimental diabetic nephropathy
Authors: Vieitez Paula , Gómez Oscar , Uceda Esther R , Vera María Eugenia , Molina-Holgado Eduardo
Published: June 2008

Introduction. Our objective was to evaluate the effect of blocking the renin-angiotensin system (RAS) on the expression of transforming growth factor-beta 1 (TGF-β1), platelet derived growth factor-B (PDGF-B), tumour necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in diabetic kidney glomeruli.

Materials and Method. 1) Uninephrectomised streptozotocin induced diabetic rats were treated during eight months with vehicle (CD) or irbesartan (ID). Uninephrectomised non-diabetic rats were used as control group (ND). Protein urinary excretion and morphological renal damage were analysed. Glomerular expression of TGF-β1, PDGF-B, VEGF and TNF-α were evaluated by Western blot and Immunohistochemistry. 2) Isolated glomeruli of diabetic rats were incubated 24-hours in the presence of different doses of irbesartan. Glomerular expression of TGF-β1, PDGF-B,TNF-α and VEGF were determined by Western blot.

Results. ND and ID presented lower renal injury and proteinuria than CD (p<0.05). Glomerular expression of TGF-β1, PDGF-B,TNF-α and VEGF were similar in ND and ID, but lower than in CD (p<0.05). In addition, in isolated diabetic rat glomeruli, irbesartan reduced the content of all these factors.

Conclusion. Systemic and local administration of irbesartan lowers glomerular expression of TGF-β1, PDGF-B, VEGF and TNF-α.These data suggest that part of the effect of lowering the expression of these growth factors and cytokines is due to a direct blockade of glomerular RAS.
Corn and Cellulosic Ethanol Cause Major Problems
Authors: Pimentel David , Pimentel Marcia
Published: June 2008

Crops for biofuels squanders cropland, water, and energy resources vital for food production needed for people.
Biofuel Impacts on World Food Supply: Use of Fossil Fuel, Land and Water Resources
Authors: Pimentel David , Marklein Alison , Toth Megan A. , Karpoff Marissa , Paul Gillian S. , McCormack Robert , Kyriazis Joanna , Krueger Tim
Published: June 2008

The rapidly growing world population and rising consumption of biofuels are increasing demand for both food and biofuels. This exaggerates both food and fuel shortages. Using food crops such as corn grain to produce ethanol raises major nutritional and ethical concerns. Nearly 60% of humans in the world are currently malnourished, so the need for grains and other basic foods is critical. Growing crops for fuel squanders land, water and energy resources vital for the production of food for human consumption. Using corn for ethanol increases the price of U.S. beef, chicken, pork, eggs, breads, cereals, and milk more than 10% to 30%.
Density Functionals of Chemical Bonding
Authors: Putz Mihai V.
Published: June 2008

The behavior of electrons in general many-electronic systems throughout the density functionals of energy is reviewed. The basic physico-chemical concepts of density functional theory are employed to highlight the energy role in chemical structure while its extended influence in electronic localization function helps in chemical bonding understanding. In this context the energy functionals accompanied by electronic localization functions may provide a comprehensive description of the global-local levels electronic structures in general and of chemical bonds in special. Becke-Edgecombe and author’s Markovian electronic localization functions are discussed at atomic, molecular and solid state levels. Then, the analytical survey of the main workable kinetic, exchange, and correlation density functionals within local and gradient density approximations is undertaken. The hierarchy of various energy functionals is formulated by employing both the parabolic and statistical correlation degree of them with the electronegativity and chemical hardness indices by means of quantitative structure-property relationship (QSPR) analysis for basic atomic and molecular systems.
CFD Studies on Biomass Thermochemical Conversion
Authors: Wang Yiqun , Yan Lifeng
Published: June 2008

Thermochemical conversion of biomass offers an efficient and economically process to provide gaseous, liquid and solid fuels and prepare chemicals derived from biomass. Computational fluid dynamic (CFD) modeling applications on biomass thermochemical processes help to optimize the design and operation of thermochemical reactors. Recent progression in numerical techniques and computing efficacy has advanced CFD as a widely used approach to provide efficient design solutions in industry. This paper introduces the fundamentals involved in developing a CFD solution. Mathematical equations governing the fluid flow, heat and mass transfer and chemical reactions in thermochemical systems are described and sub-models for individual processes are presented. It provides a review of various applications of CFD in the biomass thermochemical process field.
Climate Change and Tourism in Northwestern Europe: Impacts and Adaptation
Authors: Nicholls Sarah , Amelung Bas
Published: June 2008

Each summer millions of northern Europeans have historically escaped the unfavorable weather conditions in their countries in search of the traditional "sun, sand, and sea" vacation in the Mediterranean region. Climate change may alter this longstanding tourism flow, however. Based
on combination of a series of scientific climate change scenarios with the Tourism Climatic Index (TCI), a method of evaluating a location's climate for general tourism activity, this article examines projected changes in climatic suitability for tourism in northwestern Europe. Under all the
scenarios considered, peak season conditions throughout northwestern Europe are projected to improve over the course of the coming century. In addition, the length of the peak season is also projected to increase in many regions, encompassing not only summer, but extending also into spring
and autumn. Our findings suggest that projected climate change could considerably enhance northwestern Europe's competitive advantage relative to the Mediterranean in the summer season. Such shifts in climatic suitability could potentially have substantial impacts on the volumes, spatial distributions,
and timing of travel within and to Europe. Together, these alterations to tourism activity have profound implications for the operation of the European tourism industry, from the planning, location, and development of new accommodations, transportation routes, and attractions, to the staffing
and operation of existing enterprises. As discussed further in the article, the ability of tourism businesses to successfully adapt to these new conditions is likely to depend heavily on their recognition of climate change as an issue (i.e., the adoption of a proactive rather than reactive
stance); to their organizational flexibility; and to the mobility of their capital investments.
Japanese Working Holiday Makers in Australia: Subculture and Resistance
Authors: Maksay Arpad
Published: June 2008

This article explores the experiences of Japanese youth in Australia on working holiday visas. Unlike previous studies, which have concentrated on the structural effects that Working Holiday Makers (WHMs) have on employment and tourism, this study adopts an approach that focuses on
individual working holiday makers. The research was qualitative and aimed to reveal junctures for understanding and theorizing Japanese WHMs. The main hypothesis is that as a group, Japanese WHMs form a distinctive subculture within Australia. In relation to subculture, they form and maintain
social links and a strong sense of collective identity with other Japanese WHMs. In particular, the trip around Australia is understood as the central ritual as well as the context within which the subculture is formed.
Landscape as Theme Park: Demographic Change, Tourism, Urbanization, and the Fate of Communities in 21st Century Japan
Authors: Eades Jerry , Cooper Malcolm
Published: June 2008

In this article the authors address a simple question: What will the already observable demographic changes mean for tourism in Japan, apart from the presence of older people? Indeed, if the population will be nearly halved in the next 50 years, one must actually address the question
of whether many of the more peripheral communities in Japan will survive at all, or whether they resemble the ghost villages in Shiga prefecture to the east of Lake Biwa. Some pointers to the fate of these communities can already be discerned in a series of studies carried out in the last
20 years. On the basis of selected case studies this article projects this process over the next 50 years to see what the impact will be on the Japanese rural periphery and on patterns of tourism. Japan as a whole has an extraordinary concentration of theme parks and other tourist facilities
based on notions of identity and heritage. The title of this article refers to the fact that many communities in Japan are already turning their landscapes into quasi, if not actual, theme parks in order to attract tourists, capital and, especially, more residents. Over the next 50 years this
process of conversion could become a Darwinian struggle for survival as the population diminishes outside Japan's major cities.
Applying Importance–Performance Analysis for Japanese Senior Travelers to Hawaii
Authors: Okata Yuko , Inui Yuka , Lankford Samuel V. , Scholl Kathy
Published: June 2008

Seniors are a growing segment among Japanese outbound travelers. Given that Hawaii is one of the most visited destinations by Japanese travelers, it is expected that the proportion of seniors will continue to grow in accordance with social trends of aging adults in Japan. The purpose
of this article is to examine the satisfaction of Japanese senior travelers based on their expectations of important destination attributes of the Hawaiian Islands in relation to the travelers' performance judgment of these attributes. This study employs an Importance–Performance Analysis
(IPA) to determine critical attributes of this destination. A focus group with tourism industry professionals resulted in 15 distinct attributes of Hawaii as a tourist destination. Respondents rated the importance level of each attribute on a 6-point Likert scale ranging from 1 = not important
to 6 = extremely important. In addition, respondents evaluated Hawaii's performance of these same destination attributes on another 6-point Likert scale, ranging from 1 = very poor to 6 = excellent. Questions also focused on the travelers' trip-related characteristics and demographics. Respondents
were selected from Japanese travelers who were 20 years or older, and had visited Hawaii for pleasure travel. Of the 211 questionnaires collected, 73 of the surveys were completed by Japanese travelers over the age of 50. Of this group, senior travelers were mostly satisfied with the destination
attributes of Hawaii, specifically those factors that were related to Hawaii's natural resources as well as the characteristics related to a comfortable trip. Interestingly, the features related to physical activities such as golfing, water sports, and outdoor activities were not viewed as
important travel destination attributes for Hawaii for both seniors and the younger Japanese travelers. On the other hand, improvement in local transportation and accommodations were destination attributes that travelers felt needed attention. These results provide some useful insights for
developing effective marketing strategies to attract Japanese senior travelers to Hawaii, as well as the usefulness of using the IPA methodology.
A cross‐phyla response to Daphnia chemical alarm substances by an aquatic oligochaete
Authors: Kaliszewicz Anita , Uchmański Janusz
Published: June 2008

Although chemical alarm substances from damaged heterospecifics have been well documented to induce defense mechanisms in potential prey, data about antipredator responses to alarm cues from prey organisms of a distinct phylum are scarce. In this study, we analyze the response of an oligochaete to chemical alarm substances from distantly related cladocerans. We conducted laboratory experiments to investigate whether the aquatic oligochaete Stylaria lacustris detects and responds to alarm substances from Daphnia. The oligochaetes were exposed to alarm substances from Daphnia magna, which is a member of the same prey guild, and D. hyalina, which is vulnerable to different predators. S. lacustris increased the fission rate in response to cues from conspecifics and the heterospecific D. magna. These species share common predators, especially damselfly larvae and hydras. In contrast, chemical cues released from D. hyalina did not induce an increase in the reproductive rate of the oligochaetes. D. hyalina is a pelagic species and is not included in the diet of predators preying upon S. lacustris. Our results indicate cross‐phyla responses among invertebrates (Annelida and Arthropoda), and suggest strong selection pressures to respond to heterospecific alarm substances. The oligochaete S. lacustris is able to differentiate chemical substances released from damaged Daphnia of two different species. These results show that alarm cues released from damaged Daphnia may be species‐specific. However, further studies on the chemical structure of alarm substances in cladocerans are needed to support this hypothesis.
Use of end caps in elastic stable intramedullary nailing of femoral and tibial unstable fractures in children: Preliminary results in 11 fractures
Authors: Nectoux E. , Giacomelli M. C. , Karger C. , Gicquel P. , Clavert J. M.
Published: June 2008

Background

Elastic stable intramedullary nailing (ESIN) is used routinely world-wide for treating femoral and tibial shaft fractures in children before skeletal maturity. Overall, ESIN allows rapid limb mobilisation with few complications. However, many centres have experienced some complications resulting from secondary fracture displacement, especially in heavy adolescents and in spiroid or complex fractures due to changes in the nail's position, leading to limb shortening, malrotation and malalignment. End caps were designed by the AO expert group to address these complications.

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to evaluate the efficiency, safety and tolerance of this new device in our first series of ten patients and 11 fractures.

Methods

Prospective follow-up of our first ten patients operated on with end caps.

Results

Our results show that there were no serious complications at a mean follow-up of 13.1 months. There was only one 10-mm leg shortening in a patient in whom the end caps could not be properly inserted. There were no infections, no additional pain and no skin irritation. The use of end caps eased the removal of the nails after bone healing, thereby preventing the formation of ossification over the tips of the nails and appeared to protect the skin next to the nail tip.

Conclusion

These results seem to prove the advantage of using end caps when performing ESIN in lower limb shaft fractures in children. A longer follow-up that includes more patients and a randomised prospective study should be carried out in the future to determine more precisely the indications of this new device.
Morphogenesis of human endothelial cells is inhibited by DAB2 via Src
Authors: Orlandini Maurizio , Nucciotti Sara , Galvagni Federico , Bardelli Monia , Rocchigiani Marina , Petraglia Felice , Oliviero Salvatore
Published: June 2008

Disabled‐2 (DAB2) is an adaptor protein implicated in signal transduction pathways and in protein traffic regulation. Here, we show that DAB2 is highly expressed in human endothelial cells. DAB2 silencing in endothelial cells by lentiviral‐mediated small hairpin RNA expression affects cell migration and differentiation into capillary‐like structures while increasing cell proliferation and viability. DAB2 knockdown causes activation of the Src‐FAK signal pathway, extracellular‐signal regulated kinase and c‐Jun NH2‐terminal kinase activation, and inhibition of p38 phosphorylation. In DAB2 silenced endothelial cells, pharmacological inhibition of Src with its specific inhibitor PP2 abolishes focal adhesion kinase activation and restores differentiation of endothelial cells. These results suggest that DAB2, via Src and focal adhesion signaling, plays a role in human endothelial cell function.
Ribonuclease activity is a common property of Arabidopsis CCCH‐containing zinc‐finger proteins
Authors: Addepalli Balasubrahmanyam , Hunt Arthur G.
Published: June 2008

The CCCH class of zinc fingers occurs in a large number of Arabidopsis proteins. Previous studies revealed that one such protein is a nuclease, the activity of which is attributable to one of the CCCH motifs. To examine whether nuclease activity is a more general characteristic of CCCH zinc finger containing proteins, five other such Arabidopsis proteins were assayed for a similar activity. The results indicate that all of these proteins possess nuclease activity. Thus, nuclease activity may be a common characteristic of Arabidopsis CCCH‐containing proteins.
Statins activate a mitochondria‐operated pathway of apoptosis in breast tumor cells by a mechanism regulated by ErbB2 and dependent on the prenylation of proteins
Authors: Herrero-Martin Griselda , López-Rivas Abelardo
Published: June 2008

Statins are inhibitors of the mevalonate synthesis pathway that induce apoptosis in tumor cells although the apoptotic mechanism activated by statins remains to be elucidated. We have examined the role of the mitochondria‐operated pathway of apoptosis in the cell death induced by statins in breast tumor cells and its regulation by protein prenylation and ErbB2 overexpression. Lovastatin treatment down‐regulates the expression of Bcl‐2 and activates apoptosis through a mitochondria‐operated, ErbB2‐ regulated mechanism. Apoptosis induced by statins is independent of their effects on cholesterol synthesis and involves protein prenylation. Our results indicate that prenylation of apoptosis‐regulating proteins is a key event in the survival of breast tumor cells and this requirement could be circumvented in cells overexpressing the oncogene ErbB2.
What's in a name? Coming to terms with the child's linguistic environment
Authors: SAXTON MATTHEW
Published: June 2008

This article reviews the proliferation of terms that have been coined to denote the language environment of the young child. It is argued that terms are often deployed by researchers without due consideration of their appropriateness for particular empirical studies. It is further suggested that just three of the dozen or more available terms meet the needs of child language researchers in most instances: child-directed speech, infant-directed speech and exposurelanguage. The phenomena denoted by these terms are then considered. The term register is generally borrowed for this purpose from sociolinguistics. However, close inspection of this concept reveals that the notion of register needs to be constrained, in specified ways, in order to be of any real value within the field of child language research.
Morphosyntax in children with word finding difficulties
Authors: MURPHY VICTORIA A. , DOCKRELL JULIE , MESSER DAVID , FARR HANNAH
Published: June 2008

Children with word finding difficulties (CwWFDs) are slower and less accurate at naming monomorphemic words than typically developing children (Dockrell, Messer & George, 2001), but their difficulty in naming morphologically complex words has not yet been investigated. One aim of this paper was to identify whether CwWFDs are similar to typically developing children at producing inflected (morphologically complex) words. A second aim was to investigate whether the dual-mechanism model could account for the use of morphology in a sample of CwWFDs, exemplifying the notion that regular inflections are part of a rule-based system and computed on-line, while irregular inflections are retrieved directly from the associative system (Pinker, 1999). The inflectional knowledge of a group of CwWFDs was compared against a group of language age-matched typically developing peers in three experiments. In Experiment 1 children produced the past tenses of high- and low-frequency regular and irregular English verbs. In Experiment 2 children generalized their knowledge of the past tense system onto nonsense verbs and in Experiment 3 children produced past tenses of verbs used in either a denominal or a verb root context. In each of these three studies, the CwWFDs performed similarly to matched typical children, suggesting that they do not have a selective problem with morphosyntactic features of words. The findings provide mixed support for the dual-mechanism model.
Fast mapping by bilingual preschool children
Authors: KAN PUI FONG , KOHNERT KATHRYN
Published: June 2008

Previous studies show that young monolingual children's ability to ‘fast map’ new word forms is closely associated with both their age and existing vocabulary knowledge. In this study we investigate potential relationships between age, fast mapping skills and existing vocabulary knowledge in both languages of developing bilingual preschool children. Participants were twenty-six typically developing children, ages 3 ; 0 to 5 ; 3. All children learned Hmong as their primary home language (L1) and English as a second language (L2). Fast mapping and vocabulary knowledge tasks were administered in L1 and L2. For vocabulary knowledge, scores were comparable in L1 and L2; for fast mapping, scores were somewhat greater in L1 than L2. In contrast to previous findings with monolingual children, fast mapping performance was not related to age or existing vocabulary knowledge in either Hmong or English. There were, however, significant positive and negative cross-language correlations between L1 fast mapping and L2 vocabulary.
Early perception–late comprehension of grammar? The case of verbal -s: a response to de Villiers & Johnson (2007)
Authors: SODERSTROM MELANIE
Published: June 2008

Two recent papers (de Villiers & Johnson, 2007; Johnson, de Villiers & Seymour, 2005) have claimed that children have difficulty with verbal -suntil five–six-years-old. This contrasts with perceptual studies showing evidence for sensitivity to the grammatical properties of verbal -sas young as 1; 4. These apparently conflicting findings can be reconciled by differentiating between early perceptual grammatical knowledge and later semantic comprehension.