bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Enabling a High Fidelity Dynamics Simulation of CAD Assemblies in a Virtual Environment for Machine Design
Authors: Yue Cong , Su Hai-Jun , Alvarez Juan Camilo , Ge Qiaode Jeffrey
Published: November 2010

This paper presents a software architecture that enables VRMDS (Virtual Reality Mechanism Design Studio) to simulate multi-body dynamics of computer-aided design (CAD) assemblies. VRMDS is a recently developed virtual environment dedicated to the conceptual design of mechanisms and machines. It allows users to build spatial or planar mechanisms through intuitive operations. In this paper, we develop Python’s parsing modules that import CAD assembly models in either XML or MDL format files into VRMDS and visualize them through the use of WRL or OSG geometry files. CAD assembly models consist of parts as well as kinematic constraints among them. These parts and constraints can be translated into links and kinematic joints of mechanisms and machines. The dynamics simulation for the assembly is achieved by MATLAB SimMechanics solver that communicates with VRMDS through a dedicated Pymat interface and M-script files. Finally, two case studies are provided to demonstrate the feasibility and validity of using assembly models in this virtual reality system for mechanism design. The high fidelity of the SimMechanics dynamics solver makes the simulation justified scientifically. The result is a highly integrated virtual reality design environment that is dedicated to both the concept design and virtual prototyping of machines.
A Benchmarking Method to Investigate Co-Design Virtual Environments for Enhancing Industrial Collaboration
Authors: Germani Michele , Mengoni Maura , Peruzzini Margherita
Published: November 2010

One of the most significant challenge of Virtual Reality (VR) in industry is to support the interaction with product models while enhancing the collaborative product development (CPD) by improving team working in the extended enterprise. The process success highly depends on how information flows and which representational means and supporting environments are adopted. This paper explores the impact of VR applications on collaboration focusing on co-design requirements, participants behavior and exploited interaction modalities. A benchmarking method is defined to select the proper co-design virtual environment for specific forms of collaboration carried out in different time-space domains. It adopts protocol analysis techniques to objectify both practical and cognitive human factors and it applies Quality Functional Deployment (QFD) matrices to correlate collaboration requirements and tools functionalities. Experimental tests have been carried out on synchronous and remote co-design activities, where VR tools have been poorly exploited. Achieved results highlight main limitations and strengths of the analysed technologies, addressing future developments in collaborative virtual environments.
Software-Agent Supported Virtual Experimental Environment for Virtual Prototypes of Mechatronic Systems
Authors: Radkowski Rafael , Waßmann Helene
Published: November 2010

This paper presents a virtual experimental environment for testing virtual prototypes of intelligent mechatronic systems. A virtual prototype is a computer internal model of a real product. Virtual environments are used to verify the functionality of these virtual prototypes during the product development process. But normally, the virtual environments are composed manually. Engineers model the set of virtual prototypes and the relations between them manually. Furthermore, a lack of formal test methods exists for testing virtual prototypes of mechatronic systems. This paper presents software agents, which detect relations between virtual prototypes in a virtual environment, automatically. The concept of the agent-supported virtual environment is presented as well as the data needed by the agents for identifying relations between the virtual prototypes. The concept has been tested. One of the examples is described.
Perceiving Events in Simulated Environments: The Role of Expectation Driven Processes
Authors: Pierce Devin , Lu Shulan , Harter Derek
Published: November 2010

Recent evidence suggests that when observing real-world events involving humans, people constantly monitor perceptual features that guide conceptual understanding of ongoing events. The current work asks if people monitor and interpret perceptual features (risks) differently when viewing events involving virtual characters in simulated environments. This investigation stems from theories of grounded cognition, which maintain that the environment in which cognitive processes take place affects the characters of the processes. An eye-tracking study was conducted. The results provide evidence that when perceiving events in simulated environments, people perform expectation driven processing more extensively, and that there is a temporal lag of monitoring perceptual features and integrating them into ongoing event representations.
Virtual Reality Development for Engineering Applications
Authors: Chen Guoheng , Moreland John , Ratko Daniel , Jin Li , Shen Hao , Wu Bin , Zhou Chenn Q.
Published: November 2010

Virtual Reality (VR) is an emerging technology that creates a computer-generated immersive environment to provide users a realistic experience. VR has been applied to an increasing number of fields across different disciplines. Considerable progress has been made to apply VR to the engineering field, allowing the user to interpret data. However, the implementation of VR in complex simulation applications requires further and specific developments to more effectively and efficiently visualize the numerical models. The present study focuses on developing a solution to convert and visualize simulation results as well as constructing virtual engineering processes for industrial training in a VR system. By integrating and customizing multiple software packages, several functionalities have been designed and introduced to the VR package for interactive visualization. The newly developed integration of VR and engineering simulation has provided an efficient means of visualizing and analyzing huge amounts of numerical data in a virtual environment. This integration offers a technology to aid the design and optimization of industrial processes by empowering people to work collaboratively and intuitively to reduce design time for better engineering solutions. The VR based applications provide a virtual operating environment for the purpose of research and development as well as education and training.
Human Brain Diffusion Tensor Imaging Visualization With Virtual Reality
Authors: Chen Bin , Moreland John
Published: November 2010

Magnetic resonance diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) is sensitive to the anisotropic diffusion of water exerted by its macromolecular environment and has been shown useful in characterizing structures of ordered tissues such as the brain white matter, myocardium, and cartilage. The water diffusivity inside of biological tissues is characterized by the diffusion tensor, a rank-2 symmetrical 3×3 matrix, which consists of six independent variables. The diffusion tensor contains much information of diffusion anisotropy. However, it is difficult to perceive the characteristics of diffusion tensors by looking at the tensor elements even with the aid of traditional three dimensional visualization techniques. There is a need to fully explore the important characteristics of diffusion tensors in a straightforward and quantitative way. In this study, a virtual reality (VR) based MR DTI visualization with high resolution anatomical image segmentation and registration, ROI definition and neuronal white matter fiber tractography visualization and fMRI activation map integration is proposed. The VR application will utilize brain image visualization techniques including surface, volume, streamline and streamtube rendering, and use head tracking and wand for navigation and interaction, the application will allow the user to switch between different modalities and visualization techniques, as well making point and choose queries. The main purpose of the application is for basic research and clinical applications with quantitative and accurate measurements to depict the diffusivity or the degree of anisotropy derived from the diffusion tensor.
Automated Weld Integrity Analysis Using 3D Point Data
Authors: Swanson Matthew , Johnson Eric , Stoytchev Alexander
Published: November 2010

This paper describes a method for non-destructive evaluation of the quality of welds from 3D point data. The method uses a stereo camera system to capture high-resolution 3D images of deposited welds, which are then processed in order to extract key parameters of the welds. These parameters (the weld angle and the radius of the weld at the weld toe) can in turn be used to estimate the stress concentration factor of the weld and thus to infer its quality. The method is intended for quality control applications in manufacturing environments and aims to supplement, and even eliminate, the manual inspections which are currently the predominant inspection method. Experimental results for T-fillet welds are reported.
Product Behaviour Simulation in Mixed Reality
Authors: Bruno Fabio , Cosco Francesco , Luchi Maria Laura , Muzzupappa Maurizio
Published: November 2010

The use of Mixed Reality in the product development process is emerging as a promising solution that combines the advantages of virtual and rapid prototyping. A mixed prototype is usually based on a physical mock-up on which the visual appearance of the product is superimposed thanks to the augmented reality technologies. An open issue in mixed prototyping is the reduction of time and efforts required to generate and update the behaviour model of the product. This paper presents a Mixed Reality environment in which the product behaviour is simulated using the same models and the same software employed by the engineers in the design phase. This approach guarantees the reliability of the simulation and allows a strong reduction of the time needed to develop the digital prototype. Moreover the paper presents an innovative technique, specifically studied for the simulation of electrical appliances, that aims to make the user able to naturally interact with the mixed prototype. This technique is able to manage the occlusion between real and virtual objects and the interpretation of the user’s gestures while he/she is interacting with the elements of the product interface. The novelty of the technique is that it does not require any specific device like data-gloves or tracking systems.
Identification of Hematopoietic Stem Cell–Specific miRNAs Enables Gene Therapy of Globoid Cell Leukodystrophy
Authors: Gentner Bernhard , Visigalli Ilaria , Hiramatsu Hidefumi , Lechman Eric , Ungari Silvia , Giustacchini Alice , Schira Giulia , Amendola Mario , Quattrini Angelo , Martino Sabata , Orlacchio Aldo , Dick John E. , Biffi Alessandra , Naldini Luigi
Published: November 2010

Hematopoietic stem cell–specific microRNAs allow regulation of therapeutic transgene expression and enable effective gene therapy of globoid cell leukodystrophy.
Does Pandemic A/H1N1 Virus Have the Potential To Become More Pathogenic?
Authors: Ilyushina Natalia A. , Ducatez Mariette F. , Rehg Jerold E. , Marathe Bindumadhav M. , Marjuki Henju , Bovin Nicolai V. , Webster Robert G. , Webby Richard J.
Published: November 2010

Epidemiologic observations that have been made in the context of the current pandemic influenza virus include a stable virulence phenotype and a lack of propensity to reassort with seasonal strains. In an attempt to determine whether either of these observations could change in the future, we coinfected differentiated human airway cells with seasonal oseltamivir-resistant A/New Jersey/15/07 and pandemic A/Tennessee/1-560/09 (H1N1) viruses in three ratios (10:90, 50:50, and 90:10) and examined the resulting progeny viruses after 10 sequential passages. When the pandemic virus was initially present at multiplicities of infection equal to or greater than those for the seasonal virus, only pandemic virus genotypes were detected. These adapted pandemic strains did, however, contain two nonsynonymous mutations (hemagglutinin K154Q and polymerase acidic protein L295P) that conferred a more virulent phenotype, both in cell cultures and in ferrets, than their parental strains. The polymerase acidic protein mutation increased polymerase activity at 37°C, and the hemagglutinin change affected binding of the virus to α2,6-sialyl receptors. When the seasonal A/H1N1 virus was initially present in excess, the dominant progeny virus was a reassortant containing the hemagglutinin gene from the seasonal strain and the remaining genes from the pandemic virus. Our study demonstrates that the emergence of an A/H1N1 pandemic strain of higher virulence is possible and that, despite their lack of detection thus far in humans, viable seasonal/pandemic virus reassortants can be generated.

IMPORTANCE
This report supplies a key piece of information for investigating future evolution scenarios of pandemic A/H1N1 influenza in the human population. We report that the emergence of an A/H1N1 pandemic strain of higher virulence is possible and that, despite their lack of detection thus far in humans, viable seasonal/pandemic virus reassortants can be generated.
Automated external defibrillator use at NCAA Division II and III universities
Authors: Drezner J A , Rogers K J , Horneff J G
Published: November 2010

Objective

The placement of automated external defibrillators (AEDs) at collegiate sporting venues is a growing trend. The purpose of this study was to investigate the prevalence, location and past utilisation of AEDs atNational Collegiate Athletic Association(NCAA) Division II and III universities.

Design

Cross-sectional survey.

Setting

NCAA Division II and III universities.

Participants

Questionnaires were mailed to the head athletic trainer at NCAA Division II and III (N=711) colleges and universities in the fall of 2003. Findings were compared to previously published results at Division I institutions.

Main outcome measure

Prevalence, location and past utilisation of AEDs.

Results

Completed surveys were returned by 254 NCAA Division II and III institutions for a 35.7% response rate (254/711). 205 (81%) institutions had at least one AED in the university athletic setting, with a median of 2 AEDs per institution (range 1–9). Athletic training rooms (75%) were the most likely location to place an AED. Twelve cases of AED use for sudden cardiac arrest were reported with 67% (8/12) occurring in older non-students, 16% (2/12) in intercollegiate athletes and 16% (2/12) in students (non-intercollegiate athletes). The AED deployed a shock in eight cases. 8 of 12 (66%) victims were immediately resuscitated, but only 4 survived to hospital discharge (overall survival 33%). None of the intercollegiate athletes or students survived.

Conclusions

Most NCAA Division II and III institutions that responded to the survey have implemented AEDs in their athletic programs, although they have a lower prevalence of AEDs than previously reported at Division I universities. Although no benefit was demonstrated in a small number of intercollegiate athletes, AEDs were successfully used in older individuals on campus with cardiac arrest.
Expression of CTGF and Cyr61 in colorectal cancer
Authors: Ladwa Rahul , Pringle Howard , Kumar Rohan , West Kevin
Published: November 2010

Background

The CCN genes encode secreted extracellular matrix proteins cysteine rich-61 (Cyr61), connective tissue growth factor (CTGF) and nephroblastoma overexpressed (Nov). They are involved in diverse cellular functions. Expression of these factors in tumours has produced conflicting results. More recently, research has focused on molecular biomarkers to indicate progression of a disease or the susceptibility of the disease to a given treatment.

Aims

The purpose of this study was to determine the expression of CTGF and Cyr61 genes and proteins in colorectal cancer. Expression was compared with various clinicopathological parameters including Dukes' stage and TNM stage. We determined the in vitro effects of hypoxia on Cyr61 and CTGF expression in colorectal cancer cell lines.

Results

Hypoxia significantly reduced CTGF mRNA expression (p<0.01) in HT29 and Caco-2 cell lines. Cyr61 was induced (p<0.01) in HT29 cell lines but significantly reduced (p<0.01) in Caco-2 cell lines under hypoxic conditions. High levels of CTGF and Cyr61 mRNA were found in colorectal cancer compared with normal colon (p<0.05). Expression was reduced in more advanced cancers (Dukes' C vs Dukes' A and B). There was a significant association between CTGF protein expression and advancing Dukes' stage (p<0.01), T stage (p<0.01) and lymph-node involvement (p<0.05), but there was no significant association between Cyr61 expression and clinicopathological parameters.

Conclusion

Upregulation of Cyr61 and CTGF gene expression in colorectal cancer suggests they have a role in tumour initiation or development. However, the genes are not as highly expressed in advanced stages of colorectal cancer, suggesting their role may be important at an early stage of tumour development. These genes maybe used as early biomarkers to risk-stratify patients. Hypoxia alters the expression of these genes in colorectal cancer cell lines. Further studies are needed to determine whether targeting these genes would be useful in future therapy.
Secondhand smoke exposure and the risk of hearing loss
Authors: Fabry David A , Davila Evelyn P , Arheart Kristopher L , Serdar Berrin , Dietz Noella A , Bandiera Frank C , Lee David J
Published: November 2010

Hearing loss has been associated with tobacco smoking, but its relationship with secondhand smoke is not known. We sought to investigate the association between secondhand smoke exposure and hearing loss in a nationally representative sample of adults. The National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES), a nationally representative cross-sectional dataset, was utilised to investigate the association between secondhand smoke exposure and hearing loss. Data collected from non-smoking participants aged 20-69 years were included in the analysis if they had completed audiometric testing, had a valid serum continue value, and provided complete smoking, medical co-morbidity and noise exposure histories (N=3307). Hearing loss was assessed from averaged pure-tone thresholds over low- or mid-frequencies (500, 1000 and 2000 Hz) and high-frequencies (3000, 4000, 6000 and 8000 Hz), and was defined as mild or greater severity (pure-tone average in excess of 25 dB HL). Second-Hand Smoke (SHS) exposure was significantly associated with increased risk of hearing loss for low-/mid-frequencies (adjusted OR=1.14; 95% CI 1.02-1.28 for never smokers and 1.30; 1.10–1.54 for former smokers) and high-frequencies (1.40; 1.22–1.81 for former smokers), after controlling for potential confounders. Findings from the present analysis indicate that SHS exposure is associated with hearing loss in non-smoking adults.
Spatial and temporal influence of glaciers and rivers on the sedimentary environment in Sassenfjorden and Tempelfjorden, Spitsbergen
Authors: Forwick Matthias , Vorren Tore O. , Hald Morten , Korsun Sergei , Roh Yul , Vogt Christoph , Yoo Kyu-Cheul
Published: November 2010

Multiproxy analyses including hydrographical, geochemical, foraminferal, lithological and geophysical data reveal variable influences of the glaciers Tunabreen and von Postbreen as well as the river Sassenelva on the sedimentary environment in two Spitsbergen fjords during the Late Weichselian and the Holocene. Grounded ice covered the study area during the last glacial. The glacier fronts retreated stepwise during the latest Weichselian/earliest Holocene, and the glaciers were probably small during the early Holocene. A growth of Tunabreen occurred between 6 and 4 cal ka BP. Reduced input from Tunabreen from
c.
3.7 cal ka BP was probably a result of suppressed iceberg rafting related to the enhanced formation of sea ice and/or reduced meltwater runoff. During the past two millennia, the glacier fronts advanced and retreated several times. The maximum Holocene glacier extent was reached at the end of a surge of von Postbreen in AD 1870. Characteristics of the modern glaciomarine environment include: (1) different colours and bulk-mineral assemblages of the turbid waters emanating from the main sediment sources; (2) variable locations of the turbid-water plumes as a consequence of wind forcing and the Coriolis effect; (3) stratified water masses during summers with interannual variations; (4) increasing productivity with increasing distance from the glacier fronts; (5) foraminifera-faunal assemblages typical for glacierproximal settings; and (6) periodical mass-transport activity.
Paraglacial slope instability in Scottish fjords: examples from Little Loch Broom, NW Scotland
Authors: Stoker Martyn S. , Wilson Charles R. , Howe John A. , Bradwell Tom , Long David
Published: November 2010

Lateglacial–Holocene fjord sediments in Little Loch Broom preserve evidence of extensive slope instability. The major area of reworking is in the outer loch and mid-loch sill region where ice-contact/ice-proximal deposits of the Lateglacial Assynt Glaciogenic Formation have been disrupted by sliding and mass-flow processes linked to the Little Loch Broom Slide Complex and the adjacent Badcaul Slide. Mass failure was instigated about 14–13 ka BP, and is probably the response of the landscape to deglaciation immediately following the removal of ice support during glacial retreat. An initial phase of translational sliding was followed by rotational sliding, as revealed by the superimposition of scallop-shaped slumps on a larger-scale rectilinear pattern of failure. Paraglacial landscape readjustment may also have been enhanced by episodic seismic activity linked to glacio-isostatic unloading. In the inner fjord, evidence of Holocene mass failure includes the Ardessie debris lobe and a discrete intact slide block preserved within the postglacial basinal deposits. The former is a localized accumulation linked to a fluvial catchment on the adjacent An Teallach massif. These mass-transport deposits may represent an ongoing response to paraglacial processes, albeit much reduced (relative to the major slides) in terms of sediment supply to the fjord.
Variations in organic carbon flux and stagnation periods during the last 2400 years in a Skagerrak fjord basin, inferred from benthic foraminiferal δ
13
C
Authors: Filipsson Helena L. , Nordberg Kjell
Published: November 2010

A well-dated high-resolution δ
13
C record of the last 2400 a, based on the benthic foraminifer
Cassidulina laevigata
, is presented for Gullmar Fjord, Sweden. The time interval covers the Roman Warm Period (RWP), the Viking Age/Medieval Warm Period (VA/MWP), the Little Ice Age (LIA) and the most recent warming. There is little variation in the δ
13
C record until the early Viking Age (AD 800), when the δ
13
C signal becomes significantly more negative and continues to decrease throughout the VA/MWP. The δ
13
C signal increases both at the beginning and at the end of the LIA but is marked by more negative values during the larger part of the period. Since about 1970, the δ
13
C values are more negative than the long-term average. This general negativity of the record may result from a higher flux of organic matter, possibly of terrestrial origin due to land-use changes together with moderate changes in stagnation periods since the VA/MWP. In most recent times, the oceanic Suess effect together with increased number of extended stagnation periods are probably the main causes of the shift towards more negative δ
13
C values.
Scottish west coast fjords since the last glaciation: a review
Authors: Mcintyre Kate L. , Howe John A.
Published: November 2010

Evidence from seismic profiles, sidescan and multibeam sonar surveys and sediment cores reveal important information about the depositional history of Scotland's fjords during the last deglacial transition and the subsequent Holocene. Devensian glaciation removed pre-existing sediments both inside and outside the fjord basins, and deposited a diamict over much of the subsequent erosional surface. Glaciomarine sequences deposited during the initial retreat of this ice margin are mainly preserved in the sea area outside the fjords. Younger glaciomarine units present within the fjord basins are often attributed to the later Younger Dryas re-advance (12.8–11.5 ka BP). Younger Dryas ice reworked Devensian sediments, depositing terminal moraines at the mouths of a number of fjords and glaciomarine units within the basins during its retreat. Ice margins oscillated throughout deglaciation, although the latter stages of post-Younger Dryas retreat may have occurred rapidly with topographic pinning an important factor in determining the style of retreat. Holocene records from the fjords are limited, but tentatively support the onshore evidence for a tundra-style landscape in the earliest Holocene, followed by a warming of the climate and, latterly (
c
. 2000 ka BP), increasing humidity. In the more recent past, human activities such as deforestation, fishing, aquaculture and industry have been recorded in the fjord sediments.
Modern glacimarine processes and potential future behaviour of Kronebreen and Kongsvegen polythermal tidewater glaciers, Kongsfjorden, Svalbard
Authors: Trusel Luke D. , Powell R. D. , Cumpston R. M. , Brigham-Grette J.
Published: November 2010

Glacimarine dynamics and associated sedimentary processes are closely tied to glacial regime and reflect dominant climatic conditions. Quantitative measurements for subpolar glaciers, such as sediment yield, are limited especially near glacial termini where most sediment accumulates. Here we characterize the modern glacimarine environment, quantify sediment flux and yield, document landform genesis and hypothesize potential future behaviour of Kronebreen and Kongsvegen glaciers in inner Kongsfjorden, Svalbard. A minimum of 6.74×10
3
g m
−2
d
−1
(at least 300 mm a
−1
) of glacimarine sediment is building a grounding-line fan via submarine stream discharge from Kronebreen. Average daily sediment flux to the ice-contact basin is recorded to be 2.6×10
3
g m
−2
d
−1
or an average annual flux of 1.56×10
5
g m
−2
a
−1
. We measure an average annual ice-contact sediment yield of 1.20×10
4
tonnes km
−2
a
−1
associated with the rapid genesis of grounding-line landforms. With forecasted warming we expect meltwater volumes and sediment flux to increase. Grounding-line deposits may aggrade above water, tending to stabilize the terminus at least initially if the sediment is sufficient to counteract total terminus ablation. This would hold until either the glaciers next surge or climatic warming ablates the glaciers through surface melting.
Preferred locomotor phase of activity of lumbar interneurons during air-stepping in subchronic spinal cats
Authors: AuYong Nicholas , Ollivier-Lanvin Karen , Lemay Michel A.
Published: November 2010

Spinal locomotor circuits are intrinsically capable of driving a variety of behaviors such as stepping, scratching, and swimming. Based on an observed rostrocaudal wave of activity in the motoneuronal firing during locomotor tasks, the traveling-wave hypothesis proposes that spinal interneuronal firing follows a similar rostrocaudal pattern of activation, suggesting the presence of spatially organized interneuronal modules within the spinal motor system. In this study, we examined if the spatial organization of the lumbar interneuronal activity patterns during locomotor activity in the adult mammalian spinal cord was consistent with a traveling-wave organizational scheme. The activity of spinal interneurons within the lumbar intermediate zone was examined during air-stepping in subchronic spinal cats. The preferred phase of interneuronal activity during a step cycle was determined using circular statistics. We found that the preferred phases of lumbar interneurons from both sides of the cord were evenly distributed over the entire step cycle with no indication of functional groupings. However, when units were subcategorized according to spinal hemicords, the preferred phases of units on each side largely fell around the period of extensor muscle activity on each side. In addition, there was no correlation between the preferred phases of units and their rostrocaudal locations along the spinal cord with preferred phases corresponding to both flexion and extension phases of the step cycle found at every rostrocaudal level of the cord. These results are consistent with the hypothesis that interneurons operate as part of a longitudinally distributed network rather than a rostrocaudally organized traveling-wave network.
The Ability to Form Primary Tumor Xenografts Is Predictive of Increased Risk of Disease Recurrence in Early-Stage Non–Small Cell Lung Cancer
Authors: John Thomas , Kohler Derek , Pintilie Melania , Yanagawa Naoki , Pham Nhu-An , Li Ming , Panchal Devang , Hui Frances , Meng Fannong , Shepherd Frances A. , Tsao Ming-Sound
Published: November 2010

Purpose: Primary tumor xenografts (PTXG) established directly from patients' primary tumors in immunosuppressed animals might represent the spectrum of histologic complexity of lung cancers better than xenografts derived from established cell lines. These models are important in the study of aberrant biological pathways in cancers and as preclinical models for testing new therapeutic agents. However, not all primary tumors engraft when implanted into immunosuppressed mice. We have investigated factors that may influence the ability of primary non–small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) to form xenografts and their association with clinical outcome.

Experimental Design: Tumor fragments from patients undergoing curative surgery were implanted into NOD-SCID (nonobese diabetic-severely combined immunodeficient) mice within 24 hours of surgery. Patient characteristics for tumors that engrafted (XG) and did not engraft (no-XG) were compared. Patient tumor DNA was profiled for the presence of 238 known mutations in 19 cancer-associated genes by using the MassARRAY platform.

Results: Xenografts were established and passaged successfully from 63 of 157 (40%) implanted NSCLCs. Tumor factors associated with engraftment included squamous histology, poor differentiation, and larger tumor size. Significantly fewer EGFR (epidermal growth factor receptor)-mutated tumors engrafted (P = 0.03); conversely, more K-RAS–mutated tumors engrafted (P = 0.05). In multivariate analysis including age, sex, stage, and mutation, patients with XG tumors had significantly shorter disease-free survival compared with no-XG patients (hazard ratio: 7.0, 95% CI: 3.1–15.81; P < 0.000003).

Conclusion: PTXGs closely mirror the histology and molecular profiles of primary tumors and therefore may serve as important preclinical models. Tumors that engraft are biologically more aggressive and may be more representative of cancers with a higher propensity to relapse after surgery. Clin Cancer Res; 17(1); 134–41. ©2010 AACR.
Effect of S-1 Adjuvant Chemotherapy on Survival following Recurrence and Efficacy of First-Line Treatment in Recurrent Gastric Cancer
Authors: Hasegawa Hiroko , Fujitani Kazumasa , Kurokawa Yukinori , Hirao Motohiro , Nakazuru Shoichi , Mita Eiji , Tsujinaka Toshimasa
Published: November 2010

Background: As S-1 monotherapy has recently become the standard adjuvant regimen for stage II-III gastric cancer patients after curative gastrectomy in Japan, the question whether adjuvant S-1 affects the subsequent clinical course of relapsed patients has attracted great concern. Patients and Methods: We retrospectively evaluated the effect of adjuvant S-1 on survival following recurrence and efficacy of first-line treatment in patients with recurrent gastric cancer after curative gastrectomy. A total of 89 patients were evaluated. Thirty patients received adjuvant S-1 (cohort A), 10 patients were given adjuvant chemotherapy with other oral 5-FU agents (cohort B) and 49 patients received no adjuvant chemotherapy (cohort C). Results: Median survival time following recurrence was 287 days in cohort A, 451 days in B and 547 days in C, with a significant difference between A and C (p = 0.0034). Response rates of the first-line chemotherapy after recurrence were 6.7, 30.0 and 42.9% in cohorts A, B and C, respectively, with a significant difference between A and C (p = 0.0007). On multivariate analysis, S-1 adjuvant chemotherapy was independently associated with poor prognosis after recurrence (hazard ratio 2.64). Conclusion: S-1 adjuvant chemotherapy significantly reduced survival and response to first-line chemotherapy following recurrence in patients with recurrent gastric cancer.
Exploration of a Hypothesized Independent Association of a Common 9p21.3 Gene Variant and Ischemic Stroke in Patients with and without Angiographic Coronary Artery Disease
Authors: Plant Sheila R. , Samsa Greg P. , Shah Svati H. , Goldstein Larry B.
Published: November 2010

Background: Single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) at the chromosome 9p21.3 locus are associated with coronary artery disease (CAD). An association of this genomic region with ischemic stroke independent of its effect on CAD could suggest an additional, stroke-specific pathophysiological relationship. Methods: Medical record review was used to identify 548 patients without a history of cerebrovascular disease and 232 who had a verified ischemic stroke or transient ischemic attack (TIA) from the Duke CATHGEN biorepository of patients who had a cardiac catheterization. ANCOVA and multivariable logistic regression modeling were performed to determine independent genetic associations between the key chromosome 9p21.3 SNP, rs10757278, and ischemic stroke by comparing allele frequencies between 229 patients with stroke or TIA and an equal number of matched nonstroke controls, adjusting for other risk factors. In a secondary analysis, controls were further divided based on the presence (n = 353) or absence (n = 195) of angiographic CAD. Results: Allele frequencies were similar between patients with and without a history of ischemic stroke in both additive (p = 0.83) and dominant (p = 0.92) models of genetic risk. There was no association between rs10757278 allele frequency and stroke status based on the presence or absence of angiographically demonstrated CAD in nonstroke controls (ANCOVA, p = 0.99). Conclusion: These results provide no evidence of a stroke-specific association of the 9p21.3 locus regardless of the presence or absence of angiographic CAD and highlight the need for larger studies to further evaluate this hypothesized relationship.
Changes of Tear Film Function after Pterygium Operation
Authors: Wang Shili , Jiang Bo , Gu Yangshun
Published: November 2010

Objective: To assess changes of tear film function in patients with pterygium after pterygium excision combined with limbal-conjunctival autograft transplantation. Methods: Sixty eyes of 60 patients were entered in the study. The Schirmer test, tear breakup time (BUT) and mucus fern test (MFT) were evaluated in the patients before and after pterygium excision combined with limbal-conjunctival autograft transplantation. Results: Compared with the opposite healthy eyes, the BUT and MFT in the eyes with pterygium were significantly different before the operation (p < 0.05); however, there was no significant difference in the results of the Schirmer test (p > 0.05). The results of the BUT and MFT in the eyes with pterygium were significantly different before and 4 weeks after the operation (p < 0.05). The BUT was prolonged from 9.89 ± 3.95 to 12.78 ± 4.12 s, and the ratio of normal crystallization in the MFT increased from 46.7 to 80.0%. There was no significant difference in the Schirmer test results before and after the operation (p > 0.05). Conclusion: Tear functions were abnormal in the eyes with pterygium. Pterygium excision combined with limbal-conjunctival autograft transplantation can partially restore the tear film function into normal state, and the tear film function was stable 4 weeks after surgery.
Can Mortality Data Be Used to Estimate Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis Incidence?
Authors: Marin Benoît , Couratier Philippe , Preux Pierre-Marie , Logroscino Giancarlo
Published: November 2010

Background: Because studies of the incidence of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) have uncertain feasibility and high costs, mortality rates are often used to provide an estimate. We performed a systematic review of the literature concerning mortality related to ALS. We aimed to use well-known criteria of good epidemiological practice to assess the methodological quality of the studies. Methods: A Medline and ScienceDirect literature search was performed to identify studies on ALS mortality published from 1971 to 2009. The literature was examined following 6 criteria. Results: Of the 29 studies examined, almost all presented a clear definition of the population at risk, but 55% of the papers did not report on the accuracy of death certificates, and the use of both ‘underlying’ and ‘contributory’ causes of death was identified in only 41% of cases. When comparing ALS mortality data between calendar dates, the codes from the International Classification of Diseases were consistent overall, except in 3 studies. A majority of articles that compared mortality patterns between geographical regions or ethnic groups discussed the key issues of comparability of health care and equality of access. Overall, among the 29 ALS mortality studies, only 3 complied with all the criteria. In 2 of them, the mortality rates were highly consistent with available incidence data. Conclusion: Only few studies on mortality data followed a high-quality methodology. When studies complied with the criteria, they showed good accuracy with regard to incidence rates. The criteria used in this study could also be used to guide future studies based on mortality data.
The Nature Theater of Oklahoma's Aesthetics of Fun
Authors: Anderson-Rabern Rachel
Published: November 2010

New York's Nature Theater of Oklahoma stages devised work that explores the experiential and aesthetic properties of fun. Their particular presentation of everyday source material resists idealism while irreverently yet sincerely proposing ways of living: attentively, and with pleasure.
The Labor of Architecting
Authors: Wickstrom Maurya
Published: November 2010

In Architecting, the TEAM inaugurates a unique form of theatrical labor. This labor moves beyond identitarian politics to imagine, in the midst of neoliberalism's tendencies to development through destruction, an entirely new kind of space in which an Idea, in Alain Badiou's sense, is resurrected.
Art in the Age of Political Correctness: Race in the TEAM's Architecting
Authors: Daniel Rachel Jessica
Published: November 2010

The TEAM's award-winning play Architecting is primarily about the reconstruction of the South during the Civil War and after Hurricane Katrina. Through Architecting, the TEAM, an all-white theatre company, comments on American race relations by engaging in an ethical performance of blackness.
“Comedy, Truth, and, like, Real Shit”: Derek Ahonen, the Amoralists, and the Well-Made Play
Authors: Cesare T. Nikki
Published: November 2010

Derek Ahonen, playwright, director, and founding member of the Amoralists, describes the journeys he takes his characters and audiences on in his plays, as well as the journey of the Amoralists themselves—from literally betting on their success in Las Vegas to finding an unlikely but snug niche as the well-made-playmakers on the contemporary avantgarde theatre scene.
Noise Annoyance As Reported by 8- to 14-Year-Old Children
Authors: Babisch Wolfgang , Schulz Christine , Seiwert Margarete , Conrad André
Published: November 2010

Relationships between transportation noise and the level of annoyance attributed to a certain noise source are well established in adults. Little is known about the noise annoyance in children. The authors assessed the reported annoyance due to different noise sources of 8- to 14-year-old children in a representative population and compared the results with existing data on adults. The primary focus was on road traffic noise because of its pervasiveness. From all over Germany, 1,048 children were randomly selected. They completed a questionnaire regarding living conditions, including noise annoyance from different noise sources such as road traffic noise. The percentage of children’s homes located on busy roads was 16.5%, and approximately half of the children (47.7%) had their bedroom facing the street. Among the 8- to 10-year-olds, 7.3% were annoyed by road traffic noise during daytime (“yes” on a dichotomous annoyance scale). Among the 11- to 14-year-olds, 16.4% were at least “slightly” annoyed by road traffic noise during daytime (sum of the upper four categories of a 5-point annoyance scale). Compared with regularly reported representative data on adults, the relative frequency of children annoyed by road traffic noise at home was considerably lower.
Discussing sexual and relationship health with young people in an acute children’s hospital
Authors: Bray Lucy , McKenna Jacqueline , Sanders Caroline , Pritchard Erica
Published: November 2010

The barriers to initiating and holding conversations about sexual and relationship health with young people are under researched within the acute paediatric care setting, with the majority of research focussing on these discussions within primary care settings. This qualitative research study aimed to explore how healthcare professionals discussed sexual and relationship health with young people within an acute care context. Six semi-structured focus groups were held with healthcare professionals ( n = 24) from within an acute children’s hospital. This inquiry highlighted different approaches of professionals to initiating and engaging in conversations with young people, which included avoidance, reluctance and confidence. The professionals’ ability to open dialogues with young people was influenced by their levels of knowledge and information, their personal beliefs and the availability of private time and space. Those conversations that did take place focussed on physiology, fertility or medication and did not frequently explore issues of relationships and sexuality. Further training and education is needed to equip staff to initiate and engage in discussions about sexual health.
Novel therapies for Hodgkin lymphoma
Authors: Sweetenham John W.
Published: November 2010

In recent years, improved understanding of the biology of Hodgkin lymphoma (HL) has uncovered many potential targets for the treatment of this disease. Clarification of the B-cell origin of the Hodgkin Reed Sternberg (HRS) cell and of the complex interactions between the HRS cell and the HL microenvironment have provided new insights into the pathophysiology of HL and identified extracellular and intracellular molecules which are essential for HRS survival. New agents directed at these molecules are now in early phase clinical trials.
Rectal laterally spreading tumors successfully treated in two steps by endoscopic submucosal dissection and endoscopic mucosal resection
Authors: Stroppa Italo , Milito Giovanni , Lionetti Raffaella , Palmieri Giovanni , Cadeddu Federica , Pallone Francesco
Published: November 2010

Background

Endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) is an advanced technique of therapeutic endoscopy alternative to endoscopic mucosal resection (EMR) for superficial gastrointestinal neoplasms >2 cm. ESD allows for the direct dissection of the submucosa and large lesions can be resected en bloc. ESD is not limited by resection size, increases histologically complete resection rates and may reduce the local recurrence.

Nevertheless, the technique is time-consuming, technically demanding and associated with a high complication rate. To reduce the risk of complications, different devices and technical advances have been proposed with conflicting results and, still, ESD en bloc resections of huge lesions are associated with increased complications.

Case Presentation

We successfully used a combined ESD/EMR technique for huge rectal laterally spreading tumors (LSTs). ESD was used for circumferential resection of 2/3 of the lesion followed by piecemeal resection (2-3 pieces) of the central part of the tumour.

In all three patients we obtained the complete dissection of the polyp and the complete histological evaluation in absence of complications and recurrence at 6 months' follow up.

Conclusions

In the treatment of rectal LSTs, the combined treatment - ESD/EMR resection may be considered a suitable therapeutic option, indicated in selected cases as an alternative to surgery, in which the two techniques are neither reliable nor safe separately. However, to confirm our results, larger trials with longer follow up are required together with improvement of the technique and of the technical devices.
Association of serum markers with improvement in clinical response measures after treatment with golimumab in patients with active rheumatoid arthritis despite receiving methotrexate: results from the GO-FORWARD study
Authors: Visvanathan Sudha , Rahman Mahboob U , Keystone Edward , Genovese Mark , Klareskog Lars , Hsia Elizabeth , Mack Michael , Buchanan Jacqui , Elashoff Michael , Wagner Carrie
Published: November 2010

Introduction

The goal of this study was to identify serum markers that are modulated by treatment with golimumab with or without methotrexate (MTX) and are associated with clinical response.

Methods

Sera were collected at weeks 0 and 4 from a total of 336 patients (training dataset, n = 100; test dataset, n = 236) from the GO-FORWARD study of patients with active rheumatoid arthritis despite MTX. Patients were randomly assigned to receive placebo plus MTX; golimumab, 100 mg plus placebo; golimumab, 50 mg plus MTX; or golimumab, 100 mg plus MTX. Subcutaneous injections were administered every 4 weeks. Samples were tested for select inflammatory, bone, and cartilage markers and for protein profiling using multianalyte profiles.

Results

Treatment with golimumab with or without MTX resulted in significant decreases in a variety of serum proteins at week 4 as compared with placebo plus MTX. The American College of Rheumatology (ACR) 20, ACR 50, and Disease Activity Score (DAS) 28 responders showed a distinct biomarker profile compared with nonresponding patients.

Conclusions

ACR 20 and ACR 50 responders among the golimumab/golimumab + MTX-treated patients had a distinct change from baseline to week 4 in serum protein profile as compared with nonresponders. Some of these changed markers were also associated with multiple clinical response measures and improvement in outcome measures in golimumab/golimumab + MTX-treated patients. Although the positive and negative predictive values of the panel of markers were modest, they were stronger than C-reactive protein alone in predicting clinical response to golimumab.

Trial registration

http://ClinicalTrials.gov identification number: NCT00264550.