bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Short-Term Impact of Cancer Prevention and Screening Activities on Quality of Life
Authors: Cullen Jennifer , Schwartz Marc D. , Lawrence William F. , Selby Joe V. , Mandelblatt Jeanne S.
Published: February 2004

Purpose

There are few data on the short-term effects of participating in cancer prevention activities, undergoing genetic risk assessment, or having routine screening. The objective of this article is to systematically review existing research on short-term effects of prevention, genetic counseling and testing, and screening activities on quality of life.

Methods

We conducted a MEDLINE search for original research studies that were published between January 1, 1985, and December 31, 2002, and conducted in North America or Western Europe. Data were abstracted and summarized using a standardized format.

Results

We reviewed 210 publications. Most studies focused on psychological states (anxiety, depression), symptoms, or general health status. One hundred thirty-one studies used 51 previously validated noncancer instruments. Many researchers (12.6%) also added cancer-specific measures, such as perceived cancer risk or symptom indices. Only one study measured satisfaction or quality of provider-client communication. While one report examined lost workdays, no other economic consequences of short-term outcomes were evaluated. Among seven studies that assessed short-term outcomes preferences, only four specifically used time trade-off or linear rating scale methods. No study used standard gamble or willingness-to-pay methods. The overwhelming majority of research indicated that short-term effects were transient. Only two studies linked short-term effects to long-term cancer-related health behaviors such as repeat screening.

Conclusion

There is considerable heterogeneity in short-term outcome measurement. Clinicians need to be aware of potential for short-term, transient adverse effects. The impact of short-term experiences should to be linked to long-term health status and use of services.
Phase II Study of Ecteinascidin-743 in Advanced Pretreated Soft Tissue Sarcoma Patients
Authors: Yovine A. , Riofrio M. , Blay J.Y. , Brain E. , Alexandre J. , Kahatt C. , Taamma A. , Jimeno J. , Martin C. , Salhi Y. , Cvitkovic E. , Misset J.L.
Published: February 2004

Purpose

A multicenter phase II study evaluating efficacy, safety, and pharmacokinetics of ecteinascidin-743 (ET-743) in pretreated advanced soft tissue sarcoma patients.

Patients and Methods

Patients received ET-743 1,500 μg/m2 (24-hour intravenous infusion) every 3 weeks (group 1, 26 patients with one to two prior single agents or one previous combination chemotherapy; group 2, 28 patients with three or more prior single agents or two or more previous combination chemotherapies).

Results

Patients (30 women, 24 men) had a median age of 48 years (range, 22 to 71 years); 41% had leiomyosarcoma (eight of 22 of uterine origin), a median of two involved organs (range, one to four), and 93% had documented progressive disease at study entry. Patients received a median of three cycles (range, one to 20); 28% received six or more cycles. Fifty-two patients were assessable for response (WHO criteria): two partial responses, four minor responses, and nine with stable disease (≥ 6 months). Three patients were rendered tumor free after surgery. Median progression-free survival was 1.9 months (range, 0.69 to 17.90 months); 24% of patients were progression free at 6 months. Median survival was 12.8 months, with 30% of patients alive at 2 years. Four patients withdrew because of treatment-related toxicity. Two treatment-related deaths occurred (renal failure and febrile neutropenia, and rhabdomyolysis and decompensated cirrhosis, respectively) that were probably related to protocol eligibility violations. Reversible grade 3 to 4 AST or ALT occurred in 50% of patients and grade 3 to 4 neutropenia occurred in 61% of patients, with six episodes of febrile neutropenia. Nausea, vomiting, and asthenia were prevalent but mild and manageable.

Conclusion

With a 4% overall response rate (95% CI, 0.5 to 12.8) and an 11% rate of third-party-verified tumor regression (overall response rate + minor response), ET-743 has a 24% 6-month disease progression control rate, confirming evidence of antitumoral activity and a manageable safety profile in patients experiencing disease progression with pretreated soft tissue sarcoma.
Hypofractionated Palliative Radiotherapy (17 Gy per two fractions) in Advanced Non–Small-Cell Lung Carcinoma Is Comparable to Standard Fractionation for Symptom Control and Survival: A National Phase III Trial
Authors: Sundstrøm Stein , Bremnes Roy , Aasebø Ulf , Aamdal Steinar , Hatlevoll Reidulv , Brunsvig Paal , Johannessen Dag Clement , Klepp Olbjørn , Fayers Peter M. , Kaasa Stein
Published: February 2004

Purpose

To investigate whether the effect of hypofractionated thoracic radiotherapy (TRT) is comparable to more standard fractionated radiotherapy (RT) in advanced non–small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC).

Patients and Methods

A total of 421 patients with locally advanced stage III or stage IV NSCLC tumors were included. Inclusion criteria were inoperable, disease too advanced for curative radiotherapy, and chest symptoms or central tumor threatening the airways. Patients were randomly assigned to three arms: A, 17 Gy per two fractions (n = 146); B, 42 Gy per 15 fractions (n = 145); and C, 50 Gy per 25 fractions (n = 130). Four hundred seven patients were eligible for the study; 395 patients (97%) participated in the health-related quality-of-life (HRQOL) study. The European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer (EORTC) Quality of Life Questionnaire (QLQ)-C30 and EORTC QLQ-lung cancer–specific module (LC13) were used to investigate airway symptom relief and changes in HRQOL. Assessments were performed before TRT and until week 54. Clinicians' assessments of symptom improvement were at 2, 6, and 14 weeks after completion of TRT. The patients were observed for a minimum of 3 years.

Results

Baseline prognostic data were equally distributed in the treatment groups. Patient compliance with respect to the HRQOL investigation was minimum 74%. HRQOL and symptom relief were equivalent in the treatment arms. No significant difference in survival among arms A, B, and C was found, with median survival 8.2, 7.0, and 6.8 months, respectively.

Conclusion

Our data indicate that protracted palliative TRT renders no improvement in symptom relief, HRQOL, or survival when compared with short-term hypofractionated treatment in advanced NSCLC.
Prevalence and Predictors of Psychological Distress Among Women With Ovarian Cancer
Authors: Norton Tina R. , Manne Sharon L. , Rubin Stephen , Carlson John , Hernandez Enrique , Edelson Mitchell I. , Rosenblum Norman , Warshal David , Bergman Cynthia
Published: February 2004

Purpose

To identify the prevalence of psychological distress among women with ovarian cancer and to examine the association between these symptoms of distress and demographic and medical variables.

Patients and Methods

Participants were 143 women with ovarian cancer. Forty-eight percent of participants had been diagnosed with advanced-stage disease (stage III or IV) and most (80%) were currently receiving treatment. Psychological distress was assessed with the following measures: the Beck Depression Inventory, the Mental Health Inventory, the Impact of Events Scale, and a questionnaire regarding mental health service use.

Results

Approximately one fifth of women reported moderate to severe levels of distress, and more than half reported high stress responses to their cancer and its treatment. Most participants (60%) were not using any mental health services or psychotropic medications. There was also evidence to suggest that younger patients, patients with more advanced or recurrent disease, and patients who had more recently been diagnosed with ovarian cancer experienced greater psychological distress.

Conclusion

These findings indicate that psychological distress and high stress responses to cancer are prevalent among women with ovarian cancer, suggesting they should be carefully evaluated to determine whether treatment for these symptoms is warranted.
Time Course of Tumor Metabolic Activity During Chemoradiotherapy of Esophageal Squamous Cell Carcinoma and Response to Treatment
Authors: Wieder Hinrich A. , Brücher Björn L.D.M. , Zimmermann Frank , Becker Karen , Lordick Florian , Beer Ambros , Schwaiger Markus , Fink Ulrich , Siewert Jörg Rüdiger , Stein Hubert J. , Weber Wolfgang A.
Published: February 2004

Purpose

To evaluate the time course of therapy-induced changes in tumor glucose use during chemoradiotherapy of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) and to correlate the reduction of metabolic activity with histopathologic tumor response and patient survival.

Patients and Methods

Thirty-eight patients with histologically proven intrathoracic ESCC (cT3, cN0/+, cM0) scheduled to undergo a 4-week course of preoperative simultaneous chemoradiotherapy followed by esophagectomy were included. Patients underwent positron emission tomography with the glucose analog fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG-PET) before therapy (n = 38), after 2 weeks of initiation of therapy (n = 27), and preoperatively (3 to 4 weeks after chemoradiotherapy; n = 38). Tumor metabolic activity was quantitatively assessed by standardized uptake values (SUVs).

Results

Mean tumor FDG uptake before therapy was 9.3 ± 2.8 SUV and decreased to 5.7 ± 1.9 SUV 14 days after initiation of chemoradiotherapy (−38% ± 18%; P < .0001). The preoperative scan showed an additional decrease of metabolic activity to 3.3 ± 1.1 SUV (P < .0001). In histopathologic responders (< 10% viable cells in the resected specimen), the decrease in SUV from baseline to day 14 was 44% ± 15%, whereas it was only 21% ± 14% in nonresponders (P = .0055). Metabolic changes at this time point were also correlated with patient survival (P = .011). In the preoperative scan, tumor metabolic activity had decreased by 70% ± 11% in histopathologic responders and 51% ± 21% in histopathologic nonresponders.

Conclusion

Changes in tumor metabolic activity after 14 days of preoperative chemoradiotherapy are significantly correlated with tumor response and patient survival. This suggests that FDG-PET might be used to identify nonresponders early during neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy, allowing for early modifications of the treatment protocol.
Gefitinib in Combination With Gemcitabine and Cisplatin in Advanced Non–Small-Cell Lung Cancer: A Phase III Trial—INTACT 1
Authors: Giaccone Giuseppe , Herbst Roy S. , Manegold Christian , Scagliotti Giorgio , Rosell Rafael , Miller Vincent , Natale Ronald B. , Schiller Joan H. , von Pawel Joachim , Pluzanska Anna , Gatzemeier Ulrich , Grous John , Ochs Judith S. , Averbuch Steven D. , Wolf Michael K. , Rennie Pamela , Fandi Abderrahim , Johnson David H.
Published: February 2004

Purpose

The purpose of this study was to determine whether the addition of the epidermal growth factor receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitor gefitinib (Iressa, ZD1839; AstraZeneca, Wilmington, DE) to standard first-line gemcitabine and cisplatin provides clinical benefit over gemcitabine and cisplatin alone in patients with advanced or metastatic non–small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Gefitinib has demonstrated encouraging efficacy in advanced NSCLC in phase II trials in pretreated patients, and a phase I trial of gefitinib in combination with gemcitabine and cisplatin showed favorable tolerability.

Patients and Methods

This was a phase III randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, multicenter trial in chemotherapy-naive patients with unresectable stage III or IV NSCLC. All patients received up to six cycles of chemotherapy (cisplatin 80 mg/m2 on day 1 and gemcitabine 1,250 mg/m2 on days 1 and 8 of the 3-week cycle) plus either gefitinib 500 mg/d, gefitinib 250 mg/d, or placebo. Daily gefitinib or placebo was continued until disease progression. End points included overall survival (primary), time to progression, response rates, and safety evaluation.

Results

A total of 1,093 patients were enrolled. There was no difference in efficacy end points between the treatment groups: for the gefitinib 500 mg/d, gefitinib 250 mg/d, and placebo groups, respectively, median survival times were 9.9, 9.9, and 10.9 months (global ordered log-rank [GOLrank] P = .4560), median times to progression were 5.5, 5.8, and 6.0 months (GOLrank; P = .7633), and response rates were 49.7%, 50.3%, and 44.8%. No significant unexpected adverse events were seen.

Conclusion

Gefitinib in combination with gemcitabine and cisplatin in chemotherapy-naive patients with advanced NSCLC did not have improved efficacy over gemcitabine and cisplatin alone. The reasons for this remain obscure and require further preclinical testing.
Predictors of Sexual Functioning in Ovarian Cancer Patients
Authors: Carmack Taylor Cindy L. , Basen-Engquist Karen , Shinn Eileen H. , Bodurka Diane C.
Published: February 2004

Purpose

To characterize sexual functioning of ovarian cancer patients and identify factors predicting sexual activity, functioning or satisfaction, discomfort, and habit or frequency.

Patients and Methods

Data were collected on 232 women with epithelial ovarian cancer, 47% of whom were receiving treatment.

Results

Fifty percent of the patients had engaged in sexual activity in the past month. Of those who were sexually active, 47% reported no or little desire, 80% reported problems with vaginal dryness, and 62% reported pain or discomfort during penetration. Of those who were sexually inactive, reasons included no partner (44.1%), lack of interest (38.7%), physical problems making sex difficult (23.4%), and fatigue (10.8%). Partner factors also were identified, including physical problems (16.2%), lack of interest (15.3%), and fatigue (5.4%). A multivariate model was used to predict sexual activity and included demographic, medical, and psychosocial factors as predictors. Women who were married (P < .001), were younger than 56 years (P < .001), were not receiving active treatment (P < .01), had a longer time since original diagnosis (P = .104), and liked the appearance of their bodies (P = .004) were more likely to be sexually active. Univariate analyses indicated that demographic, medical, and psychosocial factors are significantly associated with sexual functioning or satisfaction, sexual discomfort, and sexual frequency or habit.

Conclusion

Sexual rehabilitation for ovarian cancer patients should address management of physical and psychologic symptoms and include the patient's partner when appropriate.
Randomized Phase II Study of Multiple Dose Levels of CCI-779, a Novel Mammalian Target of Rapamycin Kinase Inhibitor, in Patients With Advanced Refractory Renal Cell Carcinoma
Authors: Atkins Michael B. , Hidalgo Manuel , Stadler Walter M. , Logan Theodore F. , Dutcher Janice P. , Hudes Gary R. , Park Young , Liou Song-Heng , Marshall Bonnie , Boni Joseph P. , Dukart Gary , Sherman Matthew L.
Published: February 2004

Purpose

To evaluate the efficacy, safety, and pharmacokinetics of multiple doses of CCI-779, a novel mammalian target of rapamycin kinase inhibitor, in patients with advanced refractory renal cell carcinoma (RCC).

Patients and Methods

Patients (n = 111) were randomly assigned to receive 25, 75, or 250 mg CCI-779 weekly as a 30-minute intravenous infusion. Patients were evaluated for tumor response, time to tumor progression, survival, and adverse events. Blood samples were collected to determine CCI-779 pharmacokinetics.

Results

CCI-779 produced an objective response rate of 7% (one complete response and seven partial responses) and minor responses in 26% of these advanced RCC patients. Median time to tumor progression was 5.8 months and median survival was 15.0 months. The most frequently occurring CCI-779–related adverse events of all grades were maculopapular rash (76%), mucositis (70%), asthenia (50%), and nausea (43%). The most frequently occurring grade 3 or 4 adverse events were hyperglycemia (17%), hypophosphatemia (13%), anemia (9%), and hypertriglyceridemia (6%). Neither toxicity nor efficacy was significantly influenced by CCI-779 dose level. Patients were retrospectively classified into good-, intermediate-, or poor-risk groups on the basis of criteria used by Motzer et al for a first-line metastatic RCC population treated with interferon alfa. Within each risk group, the median survivals of patients at each dose level were similar.

Conclusion

In patients with advanced RCC, CCI-779 showed antitumor activity and encouraging survival and was generally well tolerated over the three dose levels tested.
Revenue Management Under a General Discrete Choice Model of Consumer Behavior
Authors: Talluri Kalyan , van Ryzin Garrett
Published: February 2004

Customer choice behavior, such as buy-up and buy-down, is an important phenomenon in a wide range of revenue management contexts. Yet most revenue management methodologies ignore this phenomenon—or at best approximate it in a heuristic way. In this paper, we provide an exact and quite general analysis of this problem. Specifically, we analyze a single-leg reserve management problem in which the buyers' choice behavior is modeled explicitly. The choice model is very general, simply specifying the probability of purchase for each fare product as a function of the set of fare products offered. The control problem is to decide which subset of fare products to offer at each point in time. We show that the optimal policy for this problem has a quite simple form. Namely, it consists of identifying an ordered family of “efficient“ subsets S1, …, Sm, and at each point in time opening one of these sets Sk, where the optimal index k is increasing in the remaining capacity x and decreasing in the remaining time. That is, the more capacity (or less time) available, the further the optimal set is along this sequence. We also show that the optimal policy is a nested allocation policy if and only if the sequence of efficient sets is nested, that is S1⊆ S2⊆ … ⊆Sm. Moreover, we give a characterization of when nesting by fare order is optimal. We also develop an estimation procedure for this setting based on the expectation-maximization (EM) method that jointly estimates arrival rates and choice model parameters when no-purchase outcomes are unobservable. Numerical results are given to illustrate both the model and estimation procedure.
Coordinating Contracts for Decentralized Supply Chains with Retailer Promotional Effort
Authors: Krishnan Harish , Kapuscinski Roman , Butz David A.
Published: February 2004

In this paper, a risk-neutral manufacturer sells a single product to a risk-neutral retailer. The retailer chooses inventories ex ante and promotional effort ex post. If the wholesale price exceeds marginal production cost, the retailer orders fewer than the joint profit-maximizing inventories. If the manufacturer attempts to coordinate inventories by buying back unsold units, then the retailer's promotional incentives are dulled. Under very general assumptions on the form of the effort function, we show that buy-backs adversely affect supply chain profits, and higher buy-back prices imply lower profits. Also, while a buy-back alone cannot coordinate the channel, coupling buy-backs with promotional cost-sharing agreements (if effort cost is observable), offering unilateral markdown allowances ex post (if demand is observable but not verifiable), or placing additional constraints on the buy-back (if demand is observable and verifiable) does result in coordination. This problem is not limited to returns policies but is shown to hold for a much larger set of contracts. The results are quite robust (e.g., when the retailer chooses effort before observing demand), but coordinating contracts become more problematic if, for example, the retailer also stocks substitutes for the manufacturer's product. Other model extensions are also discussed.
Supply Contracts, Profit Sharing, Switching, and Reaction Options
Authors: Kamrad Bardia , Siddique Akhtar
Published: February 2004

A common theme in the studies of flexible supply contracts has been the producer's profit-maximization problem without regard to the suppliers' reactions. However, suppliers do react and protect their downside against producer's operating policies by revising their strategies in a manner consistent with their profitmaximization objectives. This fact motivates our work. Using a real-options (contingent claims) approach, we analyze and value supply contracts in a setting characterized by exchange rate uncertainty, supplier-switching options, order-quantity flexibility, profit sharing, and supplier reaction options. We also use basic diversification concepts, from portfolio theory, to analyze risk reduction in a unique framework. Given this setup, we explicitly model how flexibility can be mutually beneficial to both the producer and the suppliers. Using this model, we concurrently solve and examine the dual optimization problem for the suppliers and the producer. Our approach also endogenizes the extent and degree of profit sharing through the resulting optimal policies. We also analyze what induces the producer and the suppliers to accept flexibility in their contracts.
Metaheuristics with Local Search Techniques for Retail Shelf-Space Optimization
Authors: Lim Andrew , Rodrigues Brian , Zhang Xingwen
Published: February 2004

Efficient shelf-space allocation can provide retailers with a competitive edge. While there has been little study on this subject, there is great interest in improving product allocation in the retail industry. This paper examines a practicable linear allocation model for optimizing shelf-space allocation. It extends the model to address other requirements such as product groupings and nonlinear profit functions. Besides providing a network flow solution, we put forward a strategy that combines a strong local search with a metaheuristic approach to space allocation. This strategy is flexible and efficient, as it can address both linear and nonlinear problems of realistic size while achieving near-optimal solutions through easily implemented algorithms in reasonable timescales. It offers retailers opportunities for more efficient and profitable shelf management, as well as higher-quality planograms.
Joint Inventory Replenishment and Component Allocation Optimization in an Assemble-to-Order System
Authors: Akçay Yalçin , Xu Susan H.
Published: February 2004

This paper considers a multicomponent, multiproduct periodic-review assemble-to-order (ATO) system that uses an independent base-stock policy for inventory replenishment. Product demands in each period are integer-valued correlated random variables, with each product being assembled from multiple units of a subset of components. The system quotes a prespecified response time window for each product and receives a reward if the demand for that product is filled within its response time window. We formulate a two-stage stochastic integer program with recourse to determine the optimal base-stock policy and the optimal component allocation policy for the ATO system. We show that the component allocation problem is a general multidimensional knapsack problem (MDKP) and is NP-hard. We propose a simple, order-based component allocation rule and show that it can be solved in either polynomial or pseudopolynomial time. We also use the sample average approximation method to determine the optimal base-stock levels and compare it with two variations of the equal fractile heuristic. Intensive testing indicates that our solution method for each stage of the stochastic program is robust, effective, and that it significantly outperforms existing methods. Finally, we discuss several managerial implications of our findings.
Five Decades of Operations Management and the Prospects Ahead
Authors: Chopra Sunil , Lovejoy William , Yano Candace
Published: February 2004

Operations and Supply Chains is the current title for a department that has evolved through several different titles in recent years, reflecting its evolving mission from a focus on classical operations research at the time of ORSA's founding 50 years ago toward an embrace of a broader body of theory. Throughout this evolution, the focus on applied problems and the goal of improving practice through the development of suitable theory has remained constant

The Operations and Supply Chains Department promotes the theory underlying the practice of operations management, which encompasses the design and management of the transformation processes in manufacturing and service organizations that create value for society. Operations is the function that is uniquely associated with the design and management of these processes. The problem domains of concern to the department have been, and remain, the marshalling of inputs, the transformation itself, and the distribution of outputs in pursuit of this value-creating end. Over the past 50 years the department has had a variety of titles, reflecting an evolving understanding of the boundaries of the operations function.

In this article we celebrate past accomplishments, identify current challenges, and anticipate a future that is as exciting and opportunity-rich as any our field has seen.
The Big Triangle Small Triangle Method for the Solution of Nonconvex Facility Location Problems
Authors: Drezner Zvi , Suzuki Atsuo
Published: March 2004

In this paper we propose to modify the big square small square global optimization search in the plane with a big triangle small triangle approach. The triangulation of the feasible region is obtained by using Voronoi diagrams. The resulting algorithm was tested on the obnoxious facility location and the attraction-repulsion Weber problems with excellent results.
Metallic Conductivity in a Polyoxovanadate Radical Salt of Bis(ethylenedithio)tetrathiafulvalene (BEDT‐TTF): Synthesis, Structure, and Physical Characterization of β″‐(BEDT‐TTF)5[H3V10O28]·4H2O
Authors: Coronado E. , Galán‐Mascarós J. R. , Giménez‐Saiz C. , Gómez‐García C. J. , Martínez‐Ferrero E. , Almeida M. , Lopes E. B.
Published: February 2004

The first hybrid radical salt of bis(ethylenedithio)tetrathiafulvalene (BEDT‐TTF) using a polyoxovanadate as the counterion, (BEDT‐TTF)5[H3V10O28]·4H2O, has been obtained and characterized. It contains segregated mixed‐valence 2D stacks of organic radicals interleaved by anionic layers of [H3V10O28]3– anions (see Figure). This compound exhibits high electrical conductivity at room temperature and metallic behavior down to low temperatures.
Tough Nanostructured Metals at Cryogenic Temperatures
Authors: Wang Y. M. , Ma E. , Valiev R. Z. , Zhu Y. T.
Published: February 2004

Copper, titanium, and iron with grain sizes of the order of 100 nm were prepared by severe plastic deformation. At 77 K these materials offer very high yield strength coupled with high ductility, uniform tensile strains, and long‐term stability. These properties demonstrate a nanomaterials advantage for science and engineering endeavors that employ or encounter cryogenic temperatures. The Figure shows ductile deformation in the nanostructured Fe.
Adsorption and Self‐Assembly of C70 Molecules at the Au(111)/n‐Tetradecane Interface: A Scanning Tunneling Microscopy Study
Authors: Katsonis N. , Marchenko A. , Fichou D.
Published: February 2004

An STM study of C70 (sub‐)monolayers deposited at an n‐tetradecane/Au(111) interface (see Figure) is reported. The adsorption of C70 and C60 are compared in the light of their geometric and electronic differences. While C60 is a strained spherical cage, C70 has a reduced symmetry and an ellipsoidal shape. The structural differences between the C60 and C70 (sub‐)monolayers are discussed in terms of commensurability between the adsorbate and the Au (111) lattices.
Tuning Polymer Nanocomposite Morphology: AC Electric Field Manipulation of Epoxy–Montmorillonite (Clay) Suspensions
Authors: Koerner H. , Jacobs J. D. , Tomlin D. W. , Busbee J. D. , Vaia R. A.
Published: February 2004

AC electric field alignment (see Figure) offers a route to composite films with unusual physical properties, in numerous geometries and applicable to a wide range of organically modified layered silicates. Exchangeable organic cations on the aluminosilicate surface are suspected to cause the induced dipole. Orientational, compositional, and translational control of nanoparticles, paralleling efforts in electric field‐trapping and traveling wave applications, could be achieved.
A Solid‐State Organic Electronic Wettability Switch
Authors: Isaksson J. , Tengstedt C. , Fahlman M. , Robinson N. , Berggren M.
Published: February 2004

Solid‐state devices based on soluble polymers on a rigid substrate, with the active surface facing the environment, have been designed and characterized. The contact angles and spreading of water droplets can be reversibly controlled by electrochemically reducing or oxidizing a polymer surface (see Figure).
Engineered Planar Defects Embedded in Opals
Authors: Palacios‐Lidón E. , Galisteo‐López J. F. , Juárez B. H. , López C.
Published: February 2004

A method for the fabrication of engineered planar defects inside opals (see Figure) is presented. These defects act as photonic microcavities, introducing a localized state in the gap. The scalability of the defect allows for the tuning of the spectral position of the defect by changing the size of the defect relative to the periodicity of the lattice.
Coating Carbon Nanotubes with Rare Earth Oxide Multiwalled Nanotubes
Authors: Fu L. , Liu Z. M. , Liu Y. Q. , Han B. X. , Wang J. Q. , Hu P. A. , Cao L. C. , Zhu D. B.
Published: February 2004

Using a simple low‐temperature chemical‐solution method, multi‐walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) coated with crystalline multi‐walled europium oxide nanotubes have been successfully synthesized (see Figure). The studies conducted show that such MWCNTs provide an opportunity for synthesising various rare earth oxide nanotubes, including non‐layered structure compounds, potentially useful for nanoscale optoelectronic devices.
Magnetic Ceramic Films from a Metallopolymer Resist Using Reactive Ion Etching in a Secondary Magnetic Field
Authors: Clendenning S. B. , Han S. , Coombs N. , Paquet C. , Rayat M. S. , Grozea D. , Brodersen P. M. , Sodhi R. N. S. , Yip C. M. , Lu Z.‐H. , Manners I.
Published: February 2004

Magnetic ceramic films containing metal‐rich nanoworm reticulations 200–550 nm wide have been fabricated from a highly metallized metallopolymer resist (see Figure) using oxygen or hydrogen plasma reactive ion etching in a secondary magnetic field. Applications may be found in spintronics and logic circuits.
Dielectric Planar Defects in Colloidal Photonic Crystal Films
Authors: Tétreault N. , Mihi A. , Míguez H. , Rodríguez I. , Ozin G. A. , Meseguer F. , Kitaev V.
Published: February 2004

A straightforward synthetic route to produce colloidal photonic crystals containing dielectric planar defects of controlled thickness (see Figure) is presented. Allowed states that arise within the stop band as a result of this doping greatly modify the reflectance properties of the crystals, in good agreement with theoretical predictions.
Design and Fabrication of BN‐Sheathed ZnS Nanoarchitectures
Authors: Zhu Y.‐C. , Bando Y. , Yin L.‐W.
Published: February 2004

An effective route has been developed (see Figure) to fabricate 3D ZnS nanoarchitectures. Twin crystals of ZnS whiskers are first fabricated, onto which nanobranches are grown that are sheathed with BN shells. Arrays of ZnS nanobranches were crystallographically aligned on ZnS twin crystals forming ordered nanoarchitectures. The insulating and protecting sheath of BN was completely coated on the ZnS nanoarchitectures to enhance their stability.
Heat transfer to fine powders in a bubbling fluidized bed with sound assistance
Authors: Huang DeShau , Levy Edward
Published: February 2004

Most of the published research on heat transfer in a fluidized bed is focused on Geldart type B and D particles, while there is little information available on heat transfer to fine powders (Geldart group C). Previous studies of fine powder fluidization with sound assistance have shown that stable bubbling can be achieved with sound assistance. In this study, experiments were performed to measure bubble behavior and heat‐transfer coefficients around a horizontal tube in a fine powder fluidized bed with sound assistance. Two types of data are presented as functions of excess air velocity and sound pressure level—average and local heat‐transfer coefficients and bubble frequency, packet residence time, and the fraction of the particle packet contact time. A packet renewal model with a gas film at the tube surface is proposed to explain the heat‐transfer data. © 2004 American Institute of Chemical Engineers AIChE J, 50: 302–310, 2004
Rate‐based nonisothermal LLX model and its experimental validation
Authors: Sanpui Debjit , Singh Manish K. , Khanna Ashok
Published: February 2004

Most of the current open literature handles liquid–liquid extraction (LLX) using equilibrium and/or isothermal models. However, in most industrial applications, the assumption of equilibrium and isothermal operation is not reasonable. A rate‐based nonequilibrium model for both the mass and energy transfer in LLX during the three distinct stages of drop formation—drop, fall or rise, and drop coalescence—has been developed. These three hydrodynamic phenomena affect the mass transfer between dispersed and continuous phases for which a parallel–parallel mass‐transfer resistance model has been incorporated. Because of the very large number of computations associated with repeated calculations of mass‐transfer coefficients a local model has been proposed. We have compared our rate‐based simulator with two other commercial simulators and our bench‐scale experiments have been done for toluene–acetone–water and methyl isobutyl ketone–acetic acid–water systems. Stagewise mass and energy transfer and the hydrodynamics features have been compared between the experimental and the simulation runs. Relative‐error square analysis (for the concentration profiles) shows that our simulation results are two orders of magnitude better in comparison to other commercial simulators. © 2004 American Institute of Chemical Engineers AIChE J, 50: 368–381, 2004
Ab initio group contribution method for activation energies for radical additions
Authors: Saeys Mark , Reyniers Marie‐Françoise , Marin Guy B. , Van Speybroeck Veronique , Waroquier Michel
Published: February 2004

Accurate activation energies for 67 hydrocarbon radical addition and β‐scission reactions are calculated with the CBS‐QB3 ab initio method. An extension of Benson's group additivity method to activation energies is introduced. The underlying hypotheses, that is, the group concept and the additivity approximation, are validated with ab initio data. Standard activation group additivity values are obtained from the ab initio calculations for reactions involving primary, secondary, tertiary alkylic, allylic, benzylic, and vinylic radicals. The proposed group contribution method yields accurate activation energies for radical addition and for β‐scission reactions. The effect of substituents on the carbon atoms of the reactive center on the activation energy can be as large as 95 kJ/mol for the adding radical, and 187 kJ/mol for the product radical of the β‐scission. Non‐nearest‐neighbor effects such as gauche and cis interactions have an influence of less than 3 kJ/mol per interaction on the activation energies. However, for hydrocarbons that are heavily branched near the reactive center, these interactions can become important. © 2004 American Institute of Chemical Engineers AIChE J, 50: 426–444, 2004
On the activity of ions and the junction potential: Revised values for all data
Authors: Wilczek‐Vera Grazyna , Rodil Eva , Vera Juan H.
Published: February 2004

This work presents an in‐depth study of the interrelation between the junction potential EJ and the activity of individual ions. The need to correct for the sign of the junction potential employed in previous publications is used to confirm that the calibration of the ion‐selective electrodes largely cancels errors in the estimation of EJ. Revised values of the activity coefficients of individual ions are presented for all systems previously measured. A rederivation of Henderson equation is used to clarify the interpretation of its terms for asymmetric electrolytes. A new analytical equation to calculate EJ is derived and tested. This equation corrects for the nonideality of solutions and for the concentration dependence of the conductivity. The correction for nonideality is only necessary for the ions present in both the sample and the reference electrode solutions. The new equation represents a major improvement over the Henderson equation for EJ calculations. © 2004 American Institute of Chemical Engineers AIChE J, 50: 445–462, 2004
Molecular modeling of binary liquid‐phase adsorption of aromatics in silicalite
Authors: Chempath Shaji , Snurr Randall Q. , Low John J.
Published: February 2004

Adsorption in the zeolite silicalite from binary liquid mixtures of p‐xylene, m‐xylene, and toluene was investigated using grand canonical Monte Carlo (GCMC) simulations. The results obtained agree well with experimental excess adsorption isotherms from the literature. The agreement is very good when the zeolite is modeled using the PARA form of the silicalite structure, but the results obtained with the native ORTHO structure are in some cases even qualitatively wrong. This supports the previous suggestion that the structure of silicalite undergoes a transition from ORTHO to PARA upon adsorption of aromatic molecules. Molecular‐level details of the energetics and siting within the zeolite provide insights into the macroscopic behavior. The simulated single‐component and binary results were used to test ideal adsorbed solution theory for these systems. © 2004 American Institute of Chemical Engineers AIChE J, 50: 463–469, 2004
Phase equilibrium in supercritical CO2 mixtures using a modified Kwak‐Mansoori mixing rule
Authors: Valderrama José O. , Alvarez Victor H.
Published: February 2004

The mixing rules proposed by Kwak and Mansoori for the Peng‐Robinson equation of state have been modified to describe vapor‐liquid equilibrium in mixtures that contain supercritical CO2. Data in the literature for nine binary liquid—vapor systems containing supercritical CO2 are used for testing the modified models. The systems studied were binary mixtures containing carbon dioxide with lauric acid, palmitic acid, oleic acid, linoleic acid, 1‐octanol, 1‐decanol, 2‐methyl‐1‐pentanol, α‐pinene, and limonene. The modifications studied included the introduction of a nonquadratic mixing rule proposed by one of the authors and a different interaction parameter for the volume constant of the equation of state. Compared to results in the literature, the Kwak‐Mansoori combining rules and the proposed empirical modifications give lower deviations in correlating the solute concentration in the vapor phase, the most important variable for the design of supercritical extraction processes. Contrary to arguments found in the literature, it is also demonstrated that a severe test for an equation of state and its mixing rules is the correlation of the solute concentration in vapor—liquid mixtures. © 2004 American Institute of Chemical Engineers AIChE J, 50: 480–488, 2004
Pore‐structure analysis by using nitrogen sorption and mercury intrusion data
Authors: Tsakiroglou Christos D. , Burganos Vasilis N. , Jacobsen Joachim
Published: February 2004

A multistep methodology is developed for the characterization of the pore structure of mesoporous materials from experimental data of mercury intrusion and nitrogen adsorption/desorption. The pore‐space geometry is described by the pore‐ and throat‐size distributions and pore‐shape factors, while the pore‐network topology (connectivity) and spatial pore‐size correlations are embedded in suitably selected accessibility functions. Analytical mathematical models of the relevant processes are integrated into numerical codes, developed in the environment of a commercial software package of nonlinear parameter estimation. The methodology is evaluated and calibrated with respect to the well‐known parameter values of “theoretical” test materials, and is subsequently applied to the characterization of the pore structure of four samples of porous alumina. © 2004 American Institute of Chemical Engineers AIChE J, 50: 489–510, 2004
Youth blood pressure levels in Samoa in 1979 and 1991–93
Authors: Roberts Sarah T. , McGarvey Stephen T. , Viali Satupaitea , Quested Christine
Published: February 2004

Blood pressure (BP) levels were studied in 524 youth ages 4–19.9 years who reside in Samoa. The data were collected in two separate cross‐sectional samples taken in 1979 (n = 292) and in 1991–93 (n = 232). BP was compared between these two study samples to evaluate the temporal change in BP among youth in response to the processes of economic modernization in Samoa, and specifically on how temporal increases in body size influenced BP levels. Proportions of youth with elevated BP levels were estimated using the Second Task Force criteria. In males and females 10–19 years, age‐adjusted systolic BP was significantly higher in the 1991–93 sample than in the 1979 sample, and the difference became insignificant after adjustment for body mass index. The proportion of those ages 10–19 years with elevated BP ranged from 11–15% in the 1979 study sample and was ∼25% in the 1991–93 study sample. There appears to be a temporal trend of increasing adiposity and BP in those 10–19 years and the BP differences are attributable to the higher levels of adiposity. Am. J. Hum. Biol. 16:158–167, 2004. © 2004 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Bone mineral density is related to blood pressure in men
Authors: Larijani Bagher , Bekheirnia Mir Reza , Soltani Akbar , Khalili‐Far Alireza , Adibi Hossein , Jalili Reza Baradar
Published: February 2004

The aim of this study was to determine the relationships between bone mineral density (BMD) and blood pressure in 214 men, age 20–76. BMD measurements were done by dual X‐ray absorptiometry using a Lunar DPXMD densitometer at the lumbar spine (L2–L4) and different femoral regions. Systolic (SBP) and diastolic (DBP) blood pressure were measured using an MPC‐350 sphygmomanometer. Physicians gathered demographic data and participants' dietary intake of calcium were determined by using food frequency questionnaires. After adjusting for age, body mass index, dietary calcium, and exercise history, multiple linear regression models showed that DBP was negatively related to femoral neck BMD (β = −0.145, P = 0.032) and just shy of significant association with femoral neck BMC (β = −0.114, P = 0.079). SBP was correlated with femoral neck (r = −0.171, P = 0.012) and Ward's (r = −0.186, P = 0.006) BMD but not after adjusting for possible confounders. Further studies are needed to determine whether elevated blood pressure is causally related to the development of low bone mass. Am. J. Hum. Biol. 16:168–171, 2004. © 2004 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Proportion of homosexual men who owe their sexual orientation to fraternal birth order: An estimate based on two national probability samples
Authors: Blanchard Ray , Bogaert Anthony F.
Published: February 2004

Homosexuality in men correlates with an individual's number of older brothers, greater numbers of older brothers being associated with a greater probability of homosexuality. There are reasons to believe that this relationship is causal rather than merely statistical, that is, that older brothers produce the increase in the probability of homosexuality for later‐born males. It is possible, under this assumption, to estimate the proportion of homosexual men who can attribute their sexual orientation to their birth order among their brothers (fraternal birth order). This statistic, the population attributable fraction (PAF), was computed on the combined archival data of 2,256 heterosexual and 71 homosexual men examined in survey studies of sexual behavior in the UK and the USA. The PAF was 28.6%, with 95% confidence limits of 14.8% and 48.0%. These limits encompass the PAF of 15.1% previously estimated with a Canadian sample. The results indicate that the proportion of homosexual men whose sexual orientation is attributable to fraternal birth order constitutes a minority, but not a negligible minority, of all homosexual men. The fraternal birth order effect may reflect the progressive immunization of some mothers to Y‐linked antigens by each succeeding male fetus, and the concomitantly increasing effects of antimale antibodies on the sexual differentiation of the brain in each succeeding male fetus. Am. J. Hum. Biol. 16:151–157, 2004. © 2004 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Asbestos in brakes: Exposure and risk of disease
Authors: Lemen Richard A.
Published: February 2004

Asbestos has been incorporated into friction products since the early 1900s. Epidemiological studies have been equivocal in their analysis of the incidence of disease among mechanics servicing brakes. Decomposition of asbestos occurs during the normal usage of the brake due to thermal decomposition into forsterite, although not all asbestos is so converted. Short fibers, below 5 μm in length, are also found in brake products. Several facts are discussed including the toxicity of the remaining asbestos fibers, short asbestos fibers, and the health implications of exposure to forsterite. Control methodologies, when used appropriately, have reduced exposure to asbestos during brake servicing, but have not been able to entirely eliminate exposure to asbestos, thus bring into question the controlled use of asbestos for friction product such as brakes. Even the so called “controlled” use of asbestos containing brakes poses a health risk to workers, users, and their families. Am. J. Ind. Med. 45:229–237, 2004. © 2004 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Overcoming recruitment challenges in construction safety intervention research
Authors: Kidd Pamela , Parshall Mark , Wojcik Susan , Struttmann Tim
Published: February 2004

Background

Recruiting workers in small construction companies and securing their participation in voluntary safety programs or safety research poses unique challenges. Worker turnover and worksite changes contribute to difficulties in locating and enrolling participants. Economic pressures and time demands potentially threaten ongoing participation.

Methods

Six simulation exercises designed to reduce back and fall injuries in small construction companies were developed based on data from focus groups of workers and company owners. Working with a workers' compensation insurer, we had access to owner‐operators of general, heavy, and special trade construction companies reporting less than $10,000 in payroll expenses. Recruitment methods included a participation incentive, mailed invitations followed by phone contacts, and follow‐up reminders.

Results

Despite using recruitment methods recommended in the literature, participation rates were low over a 2‐year intervention period. Because of these difficulties, factors affecting participation or nonparticipation became an additional research focus. Owners' perceptions of already having a good safety record and of the time demands of participation were the most commonly cited reasons for not participating.

Conclusions

Literature on recruitment emphasizes processes and procedures under investigator control rather than understanding potential participants' judgments about the adequacy of their existing practices and the potential benefits of intervention participation relative to potential time and productivity trade‐offs. Greater attention to such judgments may enhance recruitment and participation in under‐studied and difficult to access populations. Am. J. Ind. Med. 45:297–304, 2004. © 2004 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.