bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Penalty Function Finite Element Analysis of Steady Viscous Incompressible Flow in Rotating Coordinates
Authors: Rosen M. C. , Allaire P. E. , Rice J. G.
Published: April 2015

Finite element methods for incompressible viscous flow in turbomachines have not been presented in the literature previously. This paper develops a penalty function primitive variable method including Coriolis and centrifugal force terms for steady flow in a rotating coordinate system. Simplex elements are used with the result of solution times comparable to equivalent finite different solutions. Example cases considered are Couette flow, Poiseuille flow, flow over a step and flow in a rotating channel. Both laminar and turbulent flows are discussed. The accuracy of computed solutions compares well with theoretical solutions and experimental measurements.
Update of Full Scale Catalytic Burner Testing for Combustion Turbines
Authors: Pillsbury Paul W.
Published: April 2015

As described previously in ASME papers, an effort has been underway to apply the emission reduction advantages of catalytic oxidation to practical burners for the large combustion turbines used in electrical power generation. A two-stage design is used to cover the operating range. Results are presented for high pressure combustion rig tests in the primary, secondary, and combined modes, as well as during transition. The fuel for this series, was No. 2 distillate oil. The work was supported by the Electric Power Research Institute, the Westinghouse Electric Corp., and the Engelhard Corp. The results define more clearly the highest priority areas for further development with this technology.
Initial Development of the AGT 100 Advanced Gas Turbine
Authors: Johnson Richard A.
Published: April 2015

The first year of development of an advanced unique gas turbine engine has been completed. Mechanical shakedown, through 100% speed, was accomplished with minimum failure damage to hardware. Design changes corrected problems encountered. Significant numbers of ceramic components were engine tested. The value of a flexible electronic control system, a parallel regenerator rig program, and ceramic component proof testing has been demonstrated.

Critical test measurements, available computer models, and the totality of the engine environment were shown to be vital ingredients of the development process.
Materials Selection for Gas Turbine Seal Ring Applications
Authors: Tawancy H. M. , Bickel E. J.
Published: April 2015

Many alloys are available to designers for seal ring applications in aircraft and industrial gas turbines. In this paper, the capabilities of a number of alloys are reviewed. Emphasis is placed on thermal expansion, density, environmental resistance, high-temperature strength, microstructural stability after exposure to elevated temperatures, weldability, and brazability. Among the alloys considered, the Ni-Cr-Mo HASTELLOY® alloy S offers a potentially useful combination of properties for seal ring applications.
Preliminary Study on Forward Loaded Cascades Designed With Inverse Method for Low Pressure Turbine
Authors: Hashimoto Keisuke , Kimura Takeyoshi
Published: April 2015

To reduce the number of the turbine vanes or the solidity as far as possible without increasing energy loss, the preliminary study on so called forward loaded turbine cascades had been done. These new cascades were designed for the typical velocity diagrams of the first and the second stage of a jet engine low pressure turbine. With regard to the design procedures, the improved inverse method based on the channel flow method and also boundary layer analysis technique were employed to optimize the surface velocity distributions, and then, compute the cascade geometry. These forward loaded cascades, and the stage-of-the-art aft loaded conventional ones designed for almost equivalent velocity diagrams had been tested in the High Speed Cascade Wind Tunnel of KHI’s Technical Institute. These forward loaded cascades had shown the lower kinetic energy loss coefficient characteristics and the wider useful incidence ranges over the wider region extended to the high subsonic regime comparing with the aft loaded ones, in spite of its higher loading. In addition to some main parts of the design procedures, theoretical and experimental results are discussed.
The Influence of Different Geometries for a Vaned Diffuser on the Pressure Distribution in a Centrifugal Compressor
Authors: Teipel Ingolf
Published: April 2015

In this paper the transonic flow field in a vaned diffuser of a contrifugal compressor has been studied. Different geometries of the diffuser blades have been considered. Particularly with respect to the pressure field it is important to understand their influence on the development of the shock waves. For this problem a centrifugal compressor with high pressure ratio per stage has been examined. It is assumed that the impeller speed is so large that the flow may become transonic at the impeller exit. To calculate flows with shocks a time-marching method is used for solving the two-dimensional Euler equations in a conservative form. A MacCormack’s second order difference scheme is applied. There are two important points which have been studied in this paper. Firstly the geometry of the blades as far as the thickness distribution is concerned is kept unchanged and only the stagger angle has been altered. The performance maps of these diffusers and their effect on the whole machine will be discussed. Secondly the results which have been obtained by using vanes with different thickness distributions will be presented. Mean values of the quantities used for the performance map will be shown. Wall pressure distributions as well as fields of isobars and of constant Mach numbers will be demonstrated to provide a better understanding of the pressure recovery in centrifugal compressor diffusers.
Torsional/Lateral Coupling in Geared Rotors
Authors: Iannuzzelli Raymond J. , Elward Robert M.
Published: April 2015

The torsional and lateral rotor dynamic analyses of most turbomachinery designs are usually conducted independently, however, for a certain class of turbomachinery, e.g., geared compressors, the torsional and lateral vibrations are coupled due to the offset centerlines of the geared rotors. This paper develops and verifies the appropriate coupling matrix. An analysis is then presented of a multistage, geared compressor showing the effects of coupling. Test data is also presented.
Ceramic Components for the AGT 100 Engine
Authors: Helms H. E. , Heitman P. W.
Published: April 2015

Engineering use of ceramic components in heat engines is approaching a state-of-readiness for production in the near future. Use of ceramic components should begin with less demanding structural production parts and evolve to include the most demanding structural production parts. The AGT 100 program is one of several advanced technology efforts leading to this production goal.
Stalled Flow Performance for Axial Compressors: I — Axisymmetric Characteristic
Authors: Koff S. G. , Greitzer E. M.
Published: April 2015

A study of stalled flow performance of multistage compressors is presented. A new compressor characteristic is developed, describing the axisymmetric pumping performance over the entire compressor flow range, including reversed flow. This axisymmetric characteristic is required in any current rotating stall model. It is possible for the axisymmetric performance to rise above the measured stall point pressure rise, thus indicating greater unstalled pressure rise potential. In this context, the axisymmetric characteristic in forward flow is viewed as paralleling diffuser performance. A simple two-dimensional reversed flow model is presented, and is shown to be in reasonable agreement with available high backflow compressor data. The model predicts that the blade stagger angle greatly influences the reversed flow characteristic. Calculations are carried out using the rotating stall model of Moore and the axisymmetric characteristic developed herein, and a technique is suggested for estimating the axisymmetric curve over the entire flow range.
Clonal status of actionable driver events and the timing of mutational processes in cancer evolution
Authors: McGranahan Nicholas , Favero Francesco , de Bruin Elza C. , Birkbak Nicolai Juul , Szallasi Zoltan , Swanton Charles
Published: April 2015

Pan-cancer analysis of tumor subclonal structures uncovers widespread intratumor heterogeneity in actionable driver events and reveals mutational processes fueling their selection.
The emerging field of mobile health
Authors: Steinhubl Steven R. , Muse Evan D. , Topol Eric J.
Published: April 2015

Mobile technologies can transform clinical research and health care worldwide—and save money.
STING agonist formulated cancer vaccines can cure established tumors resistant to PD-1 blockade
Authors: Fu Juan , Kanne David B. , Leong Meredith , Glickman Laura Hix , McWhirter Sarah M. , Lemmens Edward , Mechette Ken , Leong Justin J. , Lauer Peter , Liu Weiqun , Sivick Kelsey E. , Zeng Qi , Soares Kevin C. , Zheng Lei , Portnoy Daniel A. , Woodward Joshua J. , Pardoll Drew M. , Dubensky Thomas W. , Kim Young
Published: April 2015

Cyclic dinucleotide formulated cancer vaccine combined with PD-1 blockade can induce regression of tumors that do not express PD-L1 constitutively.
Calciphylaxis in the absence of renal failure and hyperparathyroidism in a nonagenarian
Authors: Chan Shuang Quan , Wagner Irene , Vittor Grace Sylvia
Published: April 2015

Calciphylaxis is a rare, potentially life-threatening syndrome of progressive cutaneous necrosis from calcium deposition. It is well described in uraemic diseases. However, its mechanism is poorly understood and information on non-uraemic causes is lacking. This is the first report of a biopsy-proven non-uraemic calciphylaxis in a nonagenarian.
A rare case of bilateral cystic partially differentiated nephroblastoma recurring as bilateral cystic Wilms tumour
Authors: Kurian Jujju Jacob , Ninan Pradeep Joseph
Published: April 2015

Childhood cystic partially differentiated nephroblastoma (CPDN) is an uncommon renal neoplasm. Bilateral CPDN or CPDN co-existing with a cystic nephroma/Wilms tumour is extremely rare. Treatment of CPDN is by complete surgical excision. Although local recurrences are uncommon, distant metastases have not been described. We present a case of bilateral CPDN that, after complete excision, recurred as bilateral cystic Wilms tumour. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first reported case in the literature where a bilateral CPDN has recurred as bilateral Wilms tumour.
F-MARC: promoting the prevention and management of sudden cardiac arrest in football
Authors: Kramer Efraim Benjamin , Dvorak J , Schmied C , Meyer T
Published: April 2015

Sudden cardiac death is the most common cause of unnatural death in football. To prevent and urgently manage sudden cardiac arrest on the football field-of-play, F-MARC (FIFA Medical and Research Centre) has been fully committed to a programme of research, education, standardisation and practical implementation. This strategy has detected football players at medical risk during mandatory precompetition medical assessments. Additionally, FIFA has (1) sponsored internationally accepted guidelines for the interpretation of an athlete's ECG, (2) developed field-of-play-specific protocols for the recognition, response, resuscitation and removal of a football player having sudden cardiac arrest and (3) introduced and distributed the FIFA medical emergency bag which has already resulted in the successful resuscitation of a football player who had a sudden cardiac arrest on the field-of-play. Recently FIFA, in association with the Institute of Sports and Preventive Medicine in Saarbrücken, Germany, established a worldwide Sudden Death Registry with a view to documenting fatal events on the football field-of-play. These activities by F-MARC are testimony to FIFA's continued commitment to minimising sudden cardiac arrest while playing football.
001 OP: UCL QUALITATIVE HEALTH RESEARCH SYMPOSIUM 2015: ENRICHING QUALITATIVE INQUIRY IN HEALTH
Authors: Baim-Lance A , Black G , Llewellyn H , McGregor LM , Vindrola-Padros C , Vňuková M , Vrinten C
Published: April 2015

The field of health research appears increasingly open to qualitative approaches. We celebrate the rise in qualitative and mixed methods publications and the marked presence of qualitative researchers in academic centres of health research. However, we note enduring tensions between the conceptual and methodological approaches of qualitative research and those of a quantitative paradigm, generally more familiar to health practitioners, policymakers and often other researchers. In some instances, qualitatively-oriented investigations continue to conflict with the expectations within health research to provide concrete and timely findings and recommendations. These concerns foreground questions to be explored around the applicability, value, contribution, legitimacy and limitations of qualitative inquiry within the prevailing research culture.

In recognition of these questions, we curated a day long symposium around abstracts submitted in response to an open, internationally disseminated call, framed to create a productive space for the critical examination of the current state of qualitative health research, and the exploration of ways to enable its enrichment.

We organised the papers, posters, keynote address and panel discussion into three themes. The first,Problematising the research landscape, reflects on particular issues arising when we ‘do’ qualitative research. The second,Re-approaching familiar frameworks, explores the application of epistemological traditions of the social sciences to understand health, and to consider what underpins how we frame and treat such topics. The third,Imagination at work—enriching the potential, attends to the prospects of bringing new approaches into research, sometimes borrowed from other fields.

The symposium facilitated engagement with current research and reflections on connecting methodological advances with theoretical traditions amidst challenges of carrying out applied health research. A perceived need exists for qualitative researchers to concertedly promote and enrich our contributions without homogenising or obscuring what our approach has to offer. This could be achieved through the continued development of a common platform for qualitative research that facilitates collaborations and fosters interdisciplinary education and training. This symposium represents critical steps towards these aims, to be further developed through the convening of future events.
009 OP: A SOCIOGRAM IS WORTH A THOUSAND WORDS: PROPOSING A METHOD FOR THE VISUAL ANALYSIS OF NARRATIVE DATA
Authors: Contandriopoulos D , Larouche C
Published: April 2015

This presentation proposes and showcases an innovative method for the visual analysis of narrative data. This method rests on three steps: the transformation of narrative data into relational data, the use of graph optimization algorithms derived from social network analysis (SNA), and, finally, the visual analysis of the resulting sociograms. This method was developed and pilot tested in the context of a research project about stakeholders' views on the strengths and problems of Quebec's health care system, and the solutions needed to increase its performance and sustainability.

SNA is a transdisciplinary methodological approach focused on understanding the structure of the relations that connect different elements. The scope of its application is very wide, from understanding the structure of molecular interactions and disease transmission in epidemiology to the analysis of kinship structures and community organization in anthropology. Although SNA has a long tradition in social sciences, its mainstream acceptance is recent.

This presentation begins with a brief summary of the specificity, origins and evolution of SNA tools, followed by a discussion on how the reliance on relational analysis differentiates SNA from other paradigms used in qualitative and quantitative analysis. It then provides an overview of the narrative data analysis method we developed and illustrates it via a case study on different perspectives of the Quebec health care system. Lastly, we outline the originality, potential and applicability of using SNA-based methods to analyse narrative data collected in qualitative health research.

We will argue here that examining how actors and their opinions constitute a network-like structure offers promising ways of interpreting data. In our research, the use of this method presented two main advantages. It provided powerful data visualization that facilitated the inductive identification of the underlying structure of our data. It also revealed the complexities of the links between differently positioned actors in the Quebec health care system that a personal attribute-based analytic method would have overlooked.
Persuasion to use personal protective equipment in constructing subway stations: application of social marketing
Authors: Shamsi Mahmoud , Pariani Abbas , Shams Mohsen , Soleymani-nejad Marzieh
Published: April 2015

To study the effects of an intervention based on social marketing to persuade workers to use personal protective equipment (PPE) in constructing subway stations in Isfahan, Iran. This was a quasi-experimental study. Two stations were selected as intervention and control groups. Intervention was designed based on results of a formative research. A free package containing a safety helmet with a tailored message affixed to it, mask and gloves and an educational pamphlet was delivered to the intervention group. After 6 weeks, behaviours in the intervention and control stations were measured using an observational checklist. After the intervention, the percentage of workers who used PPE at the intervention station increased significantly. OR for helmet and mask usage was 7.009 and 2.235, respectively, in the intervention group. Social marketing can be used to persuade workers to use PPE in the workplace.
Aneurysm coil embolization: cost per volumetric filling analysis and strategy for cost reduction
Authors: Wang Charlie , Ching Esteban Cheng , Hui Ferdinand K
Published: April 2015

Background

One of the primary device expenditures associated with the endovascular treatment of aneurysms is that of detachable coils. Analyzing the cost efficiency of detachable coils is difficult, given the differences in design, implantable volume, and the presence of additives. However, applying a volume per cost metric may provide an index analogous to unit price found in grocery stores.

Methods

The price information for 509 different coils belonging to 31 different coil lines, available as of September 2013, was obtained through the inventory management system at the study site, and normalized to the price of the least expensive coil. Values were used to calculate the logarithmic ratio of volume over cost.

Results

Operator choice among coil sizes can vary the material costs by five-fold in a hypothetical aneurysm.

Conclusions

The difference in coil costs as a function of cost per volume of coil can vary tremendously. Using the present pricing algorithms, using the longest available length at a particular helical dimension and system yields improved efficiency.
Investigation of the performance of low-dosage hydrate inhibitors combined with wax inhibitors for a mixed CH4-CO2 gas hydrate formation
Authors: Lang Xuemei , Lv Pingping , Xu Shurui , Li Baoyao , Fan Shuanshi , Wang Yanhong
Published: April 2015

Within the oil and gas industry, low-dosage hydrate inhibitors (LDHIs) are a proven technology to control hydrates. Besides hydrate inhibitors, wax inhibitors (WIs) are frequently injected to prevent wax buildup in the crude oil pipeline. However, little attention has been focused on the effect of wax inhibitors on the performance of LDHIs. In this study, performance tests of 3 LDHIs in the presence of wax inhibitors were carried out for a 67% CH4/33% CO2 gas hydrate formation. Using the isothermal cooling method at pressures of 9 MPa and temperatures of 4 °C (subcooling is 9 °C), the results showed that the induction time of CH4-CO2 gas hydrate formation with LDHI/WI was shorter than the system with only LDHI. During the growth period, when the concentration of the WIs was 1 mass%, the growth time of the system with LDHI/WI was prolonged. Taking the induction time and the growth time into consideration, it was found that WIs had a more negative impact on the kinetic hydrate inhibitor performance at low dosage. The effect of WIs at high concentration could be negligible.
Exploring forest productivity at an early age after fire: a case study at the northern limit of commercial forests in Quebec
Authors: Van Bogaert Rik , Gauthier Sylvie , Raulier Frédéric , Saucier Jean-Pierre , Boucher Dominique , Robitaille André , Bergeron Yves
Published: April 2015

Interest in northern forests is increasing worldwide for both timber production and climate change mitigation. Studies exploring forest productivity at an early age after fire and its determining factors are greatly needed. We studied forest productivity, defined as the combined quality of stocking and growth, of 116 10- to 30-year-old postfire sites. The sites were spread over a 90 000 km2 area north of the Quebec commercial forestry limit and were dominated by Picea mariana (Mill.) B.S.P. and Pinus banksiana Lamb. Seventy-two percent of our sites were classified as unproductive, mainly because of poor growth. Because growth was mostly determined by climatic factors, afforestation alone may not be sufficient to increase stand productivity in our study area. In addition, our results suggest that P. banksiana on dry sites may be less resilient to fire than previously thought, presumably because of poor site quality and climate. Overall, this is one of the first studies to explore productivity issues at an early age in natural northern forests, and the analysis scheme that defines forest productivity as the result of growth and stocking could provide a useful tool to identify similar issues elsewhere.
LIPSCHITZ EQUIVALENCE OF TOTALLY DISCONNECTED GENERAL SIERPINSKI TRIANGLES
Authors: ZHU ZHI-YONG
Published: April 2015

Given an integer n ≥ 2 and an ordered pair (A, B) with A ⊂ {k1α + k2β : k1+ k2≤ n - 1 and k1, k2∈ ℕ ∪{0}} and B ⊂ {k1α + k2β : 2 ≤ k1+ k2≤ n and k1, k2∈ ℕ}, where [Formula: see text]. Let T ≔ T(A, B) be unique compact set of ℝ2satisfying the set equation: T = [(T+A)∪(B-T)]/n. In this paper, we show that such self-similar sets which are totally disconnected are determined to within Lipschitz equivalence by their Hausdorff dimension.
A Novel Approach for Buckling Analysis of Pretwisted Spatially Curved Beams by State Equations
Authors: Kuo S. R. , Yang Judy P. , Yang Y. B.
Published: April 2015

Based on force equilibrium and rigid body considerations, a novel approach is proposed for deriving the state equations and then the buckling equations of pretwisted spatially curved beams. Based on statical consideration of an infinitesimal element from the last calculated configuration [Formula: see text] to the current configuration [Formula: see text], a set of condition equations for the state matrix is derived. Next, by enforcing the rigid body rule for the beam, another set of condition equations for the state matrix is derived. From these two sets of equations, the state matrix of the beam is derived that leads directly to the buckling differential equations. The merit of the proposed approach is that it only requires simple differential and matrix operations. No hidden errors are possible because no higher-order terms need to be treated. In addition, a direct link is established between the straight and curved beam theories. Finally, examples are provided to demonstrate the application of the theory to the buckling analysis of various curved beams, including the helical ones.
Homological Dimensions with Respect to a Semidualizing Module and Tensor Products of Algebras
Authors: Salimi Maryam , Tavasoli Elham , Yassemi Siamak
Published: April 2015

Let C be a semidualizing module for a commutative ring R. It is shown that the [Formula: see text]-injective dimension has the ability to detect the regularity of R as well as the [Formula: see text]-projective dimension. It is proved that if D is dualizing for a Noetherian ring R such that id R(D) = n < ∞, then [Formula: see text] for every flat R-module F. This extends the result due to Enochs and Jenda. Finally, over a Noetherian ring R, it is shown that if M is a pure submodule of an R-module N, then [Formula: see text]. This generalizes the result of Enochs and Holm.
On Skew Triangular Matrix Rings
Authors: Habibi M. , Moussavi A. , Alhevaz A.
Published: April 2015

Let R be a ring with an endomorphism σ. We show that the clean property and various Armendariz-type properties of R are inherited by the skew matrix rings S(R,n,σ) and T(R,n,σ). They allow the construction of rings with a non-zero nilpotent ideal of arbitrary index of nilpotency which inherit various interesting properties of rings.
Growth in Infinite Groups of Infinite Subsets
Authors: Button J. O.
Published: April 2015

Given an infinite group G, we consider the finitely additive invariant measure defined on finite unions of cosets of finite index subgroups. We show that this shares many properties with the size of subsets of a finite group, for instance we can obtain equivalent results on the Ruzsa distance and product free sets. In particular, if G has infinitely many finite index subgroups, then it has subsets S of measure arbitrarily close to 1/2 with square S2 having measure less than 1. We also examine properties of the Ruzsa distance on the set of finite index subgroups of an infinite group, whereupon it becomes a genuine metric.
Body Sensor Network for Ubiquitous Health Monitoring
Authors: Ji Lianying , Kang Tongbi , Tian Lingtong , Xiong Meijun , Xiao Wendong , Wu Jiankang
Published: April 2015

A body sensor network system has been developed for ubiquitous health monitoring of multiple mobile subjects, which is referred to as UbiHealth. On the body, there are micro-sensors to capture physiological signals of electrocardiography (ECG), blood pressure, respiration and temperature, as well as context information of activity and position. Sensors are coordinated by an on-body gateway, where data are collected, pre-processed and wirelessly sent to the server. The server receives, stores and processes signals from multiple gateways, providing overview of those subjects on a local map, and real-time health status of individual subjects. The application scenarios include, for example, health monitoring for rescue team members in a hazard, and elderly health monitoring in a community.
Functional link between the hypocretin and serotonin systems in the neural control of breathing and central chemosensitivity
Authors: Corcoran Andrea E. , Richerson George B. , Harris Michael B.
Published: April 2015

Serotonin (5-HT)-synthesizing neurons of the medullary raphe are putative central chemoreceptors, proposed to be one of potentially multiple brain stem chemosensitive cell types and loci interacting to produce the respiratory chemoreflex. Hypocretin-synthesizing neurons of the lateral hypothalamus are important contributors to arousal state, thermoregulation, and feeding behavior and are also reportedly involved in the hypercapnic ventilatory response. Recently, a functional interaction was found between the hypocretin system and 5-HT neurons of the dorsal raphe. The validity and potential significance of hypocretin modulation of medullary raphe 5-HT neurons, however, is unknown. As such, the purpose of this study was to explore functional interactions between the hypocretin system and 5-HT system of the medullary raphe on baseline respiratory output and central chemosensitivity. To explore such interactions, we used the neonatal in vitro medullary slice preparation derived from wild-type (WT) mice (normal 5-HT function) and a knockout strain lacking all central 5-HT neurons ( Lmx1b f/f/p mice). We examined effects of acidosis, hypocretin-1, a hypocretin receptor antagonist (SB-408124), and the effect of the antagonist on the response to acidosis. We confirmed the critical role of 5-HT neurons in central chemosensitivity given that the increased hypoglossal burst frequency with acidosis, characteristic of WT mice, was absent in preparations derived from Lmx1b f/f/p mice. We also found that hypocretin facilitated baseline neural ventilatory output in part through 5-HT neurons. Although the impact of hypocretin on 5-HT neuronal sensitivity to acidosis is still unclear, hypocretins did appear to mediate the burst duration response to acidosis via serotonergic mechanisms.
SNCAGene, but NotMAPT, Influences Onset Age of Parkinson’s Disease in Chinese and Australians
Authors: Huang Yue , Wang Gang , Rowe Dominic , Wang Ying , Kwok John B. J. , Xiao Qin , Mastaglia Frank , Liu Jun , Chen Sheng-Di , Halliday Glenda
Published: April 2015

Background.α-Synuclein (SNCA) and microtubule-associated protein tau (MAPT) are the two major genes independently, but not jointly, associated with susceptibility for Parkinson’s disease (PD). TheSNCAgene has recently been identified as a major modifier of age of PD onset. WhetherMAPTgene synergistically influences age of onset of PD is unknown.Objective. To investigate independent and joint effects ofMAPTandSNCAon PD onset age.Methods. 412 patients with PD were recruited from the Australian PD Research Network (123) and the Neurology Department, Ruijin Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiaotong University, China (289).MAPT(rs17650901) tagging H1/H2 haplotype andSNCA(Rep1) were genotyped in the Australian cohort, andMAPT(rs242557, rs3744456) andSNCA(rs11931074, rs894278) were genotyped in the Chinese cohort. SPSS regression analysis was used to test genetic effects on age at onset of PD in each cohort.Results.SNCApolymorphisms associated with the onset age of PD in both populations.MAPTpolymorphisms did not enhance such association in either entire cohort.Conclusion. This study suggests that, in both ethnic groups,SNCAgene variants influence the age at onset of PD andα-synuclein plays a key role in the disease course of PD.
Glucocorticoid-Induced Tumour Necrosis Factor Receptor-Related Protein: A Key Marker of Functional Regulatory T Cells
Authors: Ronchetti Simona , Ricci Erika , Petrillo Maria Grazia , Cari Luigi , Migliorati Graziella , Nocentini Giuseppe , Riccardi Carlo
Published: April 2015

Glucocorticoid-induced tumour necrosis factor receptor-related protein (GITR, TNFRSF18, and CD357) is expressed at high levels in activated T cells and regulatory T cells (Tregs). In this review, we present data from mouse and human studies suggesting that GITR is a crucial player in the differentiation of thymic Tregs (tTregs), and expansion of both tTregs and peripheral Tregs (pTregs). The role of GITR in Treg expansion is confirmed by the association of GITR expression with markers of memory T cells. In this context, it is not surprising that GITR appears to be a marker of active Tregs, as suggested by the association of GITR expression with other markers of Treg activation or cytokines with suppressive activity (e.g., IL-10 and TGF-β), the presence of GITR+cells in tissues where Tregs are active (e.g., solid tumours), or functional studies on Tregs. Furthermore, some Treg subsets including Tr1 cells express either low or no classical Treg markers (e.g., FoxP3 and CD25) and do express GITR. Therefore, when evaluating changes in the number of Tregs in human diseases, GITR expression must be evaluated. Moreover, GITR should be considered as a marker for isolating Tregs.
Managing the Newsvendor Modeled Product System with Random Capacity and Capacity-Dependent Price
Authors: Li Qingying , Dong Ciwei , Zhuang Ruixin
Published: April 2015

We consider a newsvendor modeled product system, where the firm provides products to the market. The supply capacity of the product is random, so the firm receives either the amount of order quantity or the realized capacity, whichever is smaller. The market price is capacity dependent. We consider two types of production cost structures: the procurement case and the in-house production case. The firm pays for the received quantity in the former case and for the ordered quantity in the latter case. We obtain the optimal order quantities for both cases. Comparing with the traditional newsvendor model, we find that the optimal order quantity in both the procurement case and the in-house production case are no greater than that in the traditional newsvendor model with a fixed selling price. We also find that the optimal order quantity for the procurement case is greater than that for the in-house production case. Numerical study is conducted to investigate the sensitivity of the optimal solution versus the distribution of the random capacity/demand.
Analysis of Coinfections with A/H1N1 Strain Variants among Pigs in Poland by Multitemperature Single-Strand Conformational Polymorphism
Authors: Lepek Krzysztof , Pajak Beata , Rabalski Lukasz , Urbaniak Kinga , Kucharczyk Krzysztof , Markowska-Daniel Iwona , Szewczyk Boguslaw
Published: April 2015

Monitoring and control of infections are key parts of surveillance systems and epidemiological risk prevention. In the case of influenza A viruses (IAVs), which show high variability, a wide range of hosts, and a potential of reassortment between different strains, it is essential to study not only people, but also animals living in the immediate surroundings. If understated, the animals might become a source of newly formed infectious strains with a pandemic potential. Special attention should be focused on pigs, because of the receptors specific for virus strains originating from different species, localized in their respiratory tract. Pigs are prone to mixed infections and may constitute a reservoir of potentially dangerous IAV strains resulting from genetic reassortment. It has been reported that a quadruple reassortant, A(H1N1)pdm09, can be easily transmitted from humans to pigs and serve as a donor of genetic segments for new strains capable of infecting humans. Therefore, it is highly desirable to develop a simple, cost-effective, and rapid method for evaluation of IAV genetic variability. We describe a method based on multitemperature single-strand conformational polymorphism (MSSCP), using a fragment of the hemagglutinin (HA) gene, for detection of coinfections and differentiation of genetic variants of the virus, difficult to identify by conventional diagnostic.
Phyllodes Tumor of the Breast Metastasizing to the Vulva
Authors: Ajenifuja Olusegun Kayode , Kolomeyevskaya Nonna , Habib Fadi , Odunsi Adekunle , Lele Shashikant
Published: April 2015

Phyllodes tumors of the breast are rare breast tumors that resemble fibroadenoma. They are composed of two types of tissues: stromal and glandular tissues. Unlike fibroadenoma, they are commonly found in the third decade of life and they tend to grow more rapidly. Depending on the relative components of the cells and mitotic activity, they are classified into benign, borderline, and malignant. They are usually present as a lump in the breast. Phyllodes tumors are usually managed by wide excision. The excision should be wide enough to ensure a tumor-free margin. Recurrence rate is very high and most recurrences are usually local. Metastasis to the vulva has not been reported.
An Enhanced Communication Protocol for Location Privacy in WSN
Authors: Abuzneid Abdel-Shakour , Sobh Tarek , Faezipour Miad
Published: April 2015

Wireless sensor network (WSN) is built of many sensor nodes. The sensors can sense a phenomenon, which will be represented in a form of data and sent to an aggregator for further processing. WSN is used in many applications, such as object tracking and security monitoring. The objects in many situations need physical and location protection. In addition to the source location privacy, sink location privacy should be provided. Providing an efficient location privacy solution would be challenging due to the open nature of the WSN. Anonymity is a key solution for location privacy. We present a network model that is protected against local, multilocal, and global adversaries that can launch sophisticated passive and active attacks against the WSN.
Identification of Novel Breast Cancer Subtype-Specific Biomarkers by Integrating Genomics Analysis of DNA Copy Number Aberrations and miRNA-mRNA Dual Expression Profiling
Authors: Li Dongguo , Xia Hong , Li Zhen-ya , Hua Lin , Li Lin
Published: April 2015

Breast cancer is a heterogeneous disease with well-defined molecular subtypes. Currently, comparative genomic hybridization arrays (aCGH) techniques have been developed rapidly, and recent evidences in studies of breast cancer suggest that tumors within gene expression subtypes share similar DNA copy number aberrations (CNA) which can be used to further subdivide subtypes. Moreover, subtype-specific miRNA expression profiles are also proposed as novel signatures for breast cancer classification. The identification of mRNA or miRNA expression-based breast cancer subtypes is considered an instructive means of prognosis. Here, we conducted an integrated analysis based on copy number aberrations data and miRNA-mRNA dual expression profiling data to identify breast cancer subtype-specific biomarkers. Interestingly, we found a group of genes residing in subtype-specific CNA regions that also display the corresponding changes in mRNAs levels and their target miRNAs’ expression. Among them, the predicted direct correlation of BRCA1-miR-143-miR-145 pairs was selected for experimental validation. The study results indicated that BRCA1 positively regulates miR-143-miR-145 expression and miR-143-miR-145 can serve as promising novel biomarkers for breast cancer subtyping. In our integrated genomics analysis and experimental validation, a new frame to predict candidate biomarkers of breast cancer subtype is provided and offers assistance in order to understand the potential disease etiology of the breast cancer subtypes.
Hafnia alveiUrosepsis in a Kidney Transplant Patient
Authors: Stanic Mario , Meusburger Edgar , Hartmann Gabriele , Lhotta Karl
Published: April 2015

Hafnia alvei, a gram-negative facultative anaerobic, rod-shaped bacterium, is a rare cause of infection in humans. We report on a renal transplant patient who developedH. alveipyelonephritis and urosepsis. The source of infection remains enigmatic but is most likely the intestinal tract. Appropriate antibiotic therapy with cefepime followed by oral ciprofloxacin brought about rapid resolution of symptoms and complete recovery.H. alveimay cause severe infection in transplant patients without predisposing factors such as hospitalization, invasive procedures, or antibiotic treatment.
NHANES 2009–2012 Findings: Association of Sexual Behaviors with Higher Prevalence of Oral Oncogenic Human Papillomavirus Infections in U.S. Men
Authors: Chaturvedi Anil K. , Graubard Barry I. , Broutian Tatevik , Pickard Robert K.L. , Tong Zhen-yue , Xiao Weihong , Kahle Lisa , Gillison Maura L.
Published: April 2015

The incidence of human papillomavirus (HPV)–positive oropharyngeal cancers is higher and increasing more rapidly among men than women in the United States for unknown reasons. We compared the epidemiology of oral oncogenic HPV infection between men and women ages 14 to 69 years (N = 9,480) within the U.S. National Health and Nutritional Examination Surveys (NHANES) 2009–2012. HPV presence was detected in oral DNA by PCR. Analyses were stratified by gender and used NHANES sample weights. Oral oncogenic HPV prevalence was higher among men than women (6.6% vs. 1.5%, P < 0.001), corresponding to 7.07 million men versus 1.54 million women with prevalent infection at any point in time during 2009–2012. Prevalence increased significantly with age, current smoking, and lifetime number of sexual partners for both genders (adjusted Ptrend < 0.02). However, men had more partners than women (mean = 18 vs. 7, P < 0.001). Although oncogenic HPV prevalence was similar for men and women with 0 to 1 lifetime partners, the male–female difference in prevalence significantly increased with number of lifetime partners (adjusted prevalence differences for none, 1, 2–5, 6–10, 11–20, and 20+ partners = 1.0%, 0.5%, 3.0%, 5.7%, 4.6%, and 9.3%, respectively). Importantly, the per-sexual partner increase in prevalence was significantly stronger among men than among women (adjusted synergy index = 3.3; 95% confidence interval, 1.1–9.7), and this increase plateaued at 25 lifetime partners among men versus10 partners among women. Our data suggest that the higher burden of oral oncogenic HPV infections and HPV-positive oropharyngeal cancers among men than women arises in part from higher number of lifetime sexual partners and stronger associations with sexual behaviors among men. Cancer Res; 75(12); 2468–77. ©2015 AACR.
Carotenoid Intake from Natural Sources and Head and Neck Cancer: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis of Epidemiological Studies
Authors: Leoncini Emanuele , Nedovic Darko , Panic Nikola , Pastorino Roberta , Edefonti Valeria , Boccia Stefania
Published: April 2015

Because of their role as antioxidants, the intake of carotenoids has been hypothesized to reduce the risk of head and neck cancer (HNC). We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis of the epidemiological studies to investigate whether the intake of specific carotenoids from dietary sources, as well as combined carotenoids, is associated with the risk of HNC according to cancer subsites. A comprehensive literature search of the Medline and Scopus databases was conducted. Sixteen articles were identified from the literature search, of which 15 were case–control studies and one prospective cohort study. The risk reduction associated with β-carotene equivalents intake was 46% (95% CI, 20%–63%) for cancer of oral cavity and 57% (95% CI, 23%–76%) for laryngeal cancer. Lycopene and β-cryptoxanthin also reduced the risk for laryngeal cancer; the ORs for the highest category compared with the lowest one of carotenoid intake were 50% (95% CI, 11%–72%) and 59% (95% CI, 49%–67%), respectively. Lycopene, α-carotene, and β-cryptoxanthin were associated with at least 26% reduction in the rate of oral and pharyngeal cancer (95% CI, 2%–44%). Our systematic review and meta-analysis on dietary carotenoids intake and HNC showed carotenoids to act protectively against HNC, in relation to most of single nutrients and subsites. Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev; 24(7); 1003–11. ©2015 AACR.
CCR 20th Anniversary Commentary: The Development of Breast Cancer Molecular Subtyping
Authors: Nielsen Torsten O. , Perou Charles M.
Published: April 2015

In the August 15, 2004, issue of Clinical Cancer Research, Nielsen and colleagues demonstrated how a cancer subtype identified by gene expression profiling could be validated using a widely accessible technology (immunohistochemistry). This opened the door to large-scale studies of archival cohorts and clinical trials, which allowed detailed clinical understanding of a new genomic discovery. Clin Cancer Res; 21(8); 1779–81. ©2015 AACR.

See related article by Nielsen et al., Clin Cancer Res 2004;10(16) Aug 15, 2004;5367–74
Analyses of 7,635 Patients with Colorectal Cancer Using Independent Training and Validation Cohorts Show That rs9929218 in CDH1 Is a Prognostic Marker of Survival
Authors: Smith Christopher G. , Fisher David , Harris Rebecca , Maughan Timothy S. , Phipps Amanda I. , Richman Susan , Seymour Matthew , Tomlinson Ian , Rosmarin Dan , Kerr David , Chan Andrew T. , Peters Ulrike , Newcomb Polly A. , Idziaszczyk Shelley , West Hannah , Meade Angela , Kaplan Richard , Cheadle Jeremy P.
Published: April 2015

Purpose: Genome-wide association studies have identified numerous loci associated with colorectal cancer risk. Several of these have also been associated with patient survival, although none have been validated. Here, we used large independent training and validation cohorts to identify robust prognostic biomarkers for colorectal cancer.

Experimental Design: In our training phase, we analyzed 20 colorectal cancer-risk SNPs from 14 genome-wide associated loci, for their effects on survival in 2,083 patients with advanced colorectal cancer. A Cox survival model was used, stratified for treatment, adjusted for known prognostic factors, and corrected for multiple testing. Three SNPs were subsequently analyzed in an independent validation cohort of 5,552 colorectal cancer patients. A validated SNP was analyzed by disease stage and response to treatment.

Results: Three variants associated with survival in the training phase; however, only rs9929218 at 16q22 (intron 2 of CDH1, encoding E-cadherin) was significant in the validation phase. Patients homozygous for the minor allele (AA genotype) had worse survival (training phase HR, 1.43; 95% confidence intervals; CI, 1.20–1.71, P = 5.8 × 10−5; validation phase HR, 1.18; 95% CI, 1.01–1.37, P = 3.2 × 10−2; combined HR, 1.28; 95% CI, 1.14–1.43, P = 2.2 × 10−5). This effect was independent of known prognostic factors, and was significant amongst patients with stage IV disease (P = 2.7 × 10−5). rs9929218 was also associated with poor response to chemotherapy (P = 3.9 × 10−4).

Conclusions: We demonstrate the potential of common inherited genetic variants to inform patient outcome and show that rs9929218 identifies approximately 8% of colorectal cancer patients with poor prognosis. rs9929218 may affect CDH1 expression and E-cadherin plays a role in epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition providing a mechanism underlying its prognostic potential. Clin Cancer Res; 21(15); 3453–61. ©2015 AACR.
Targeting RAS Membrane Association: Back to the Future for Anti-RAS Drug Discovery?
Authors: Cox Adrienne D. , Der Channing J. , Philips Mark R.
Published: April 2015

RAS proteins require membrane association for their biologic activity, making this association a logical target for anti-RAS therapeutics. Lipid modification of RAS proteins by a farnesyl isoprenoid is an obligate step in that association, and is an enzymatic process. Accordingly, farnesyltransferase inhibitors (FTI) were developed as potential anti-RAS drugs. The lack of efficacy of FTIs as anticancer drugs was widely seen as indicating that blocking RAS membrane association was a flawed approach to cancer treatment. However, a deeper understanding of RAS modification and trafficking has revealed that this was an erroneous conclusion. In the presence of FTIs, KRAS and NRAS, which are the RAS isoforms most frequently mutated in cancer, become substrates for alternative modification, can still associate with membranes, and can still function. Thus, FTIs failed not because blocking RAS membrane association is an ineffective approach, but because FTIs failed to accomplish that task. Recent findings regarding RAS isoform trafficking and the regulation of RAS subcellular localization have rekindled interest in efforts to target these processes. In particular, improved understanding of the palmitoylation/depalmitoylation cycle that regulates RAS interaction with the plasma membrane, endomembranes, and cytosol, and of the potential importance of RAS chaperones, have led to new approaches. Efforts to validate and target other enzymatically regulated posttranslational modifications are also ongoing. In this review, we revisit lessons learned, describe the current state of the art, and highlight challenging but promising directions to achieve the goal of disrupting RAS membrane association and subcellular localization for anti-RAS drug development. Clin Cancer Res; 21(8); 1819–27. ©2015 AACR.

See all articles in this CCR Focus section, “Targeting RAS-Driven Cancers.”