bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A Feeder-Free and Efficient Production of Functional Neutrophils from Human Embryonic Stem Cells
Authors: Saeki Koichi , Saeki Kumiko , Nakahara Masako , Matsuyama Satoko , Nakamura Naoko , Yogiashi Yoshiko , Yoneda Asako , Koyanagi Makoto , Kondo Yasushi , Yuo Akira
Published: October 2008

A novel, feeder-free hematopoietic differentiation protocol was established for highly efficient production of neutrophils from human embryonic stem cells (hESCs). For the induction of differentiation, spheres were generated in the presence of serum and cytokine cocktail and subjected to attachment culture on gelatin-coated plates. After approximately 2 weeks, a sac-like structure filled with abundant round cells emerged at the center of flattened spheres. After cutting off this sac-like structure, round cells actively proliferated, either floating in the supernatant or associated weakly with the adherent cells. Almost all of these round cells were CD45-positive hematopoietic cells with myeloid phagocytic markers (CD33 and CD11b), and approximately 30%–50% of the round cells were mature neutrophils, as judged from morphology, cytochemical characteristics (myeloperoxidase and neutrophil alkaline phosphatase), and neutrophil-specific cell surface markers (CD66b, CD16b, and GPI-80). In addition, hESC-derived neutrophils had chemotactic capacity in response to the bacterial chemotactic peptide formyl-methionyl-leucyl-phenylalanine and neutrophil-specific chemokine interleukin (IL)-8. Using “semipurified” neutrophils migrated to IL-8, both phagocytic and respiratory burst activities were demonstrated. Finally, it was shown that hESC-derived neutrophils had chemotactic activity in vivo in a murine air-pouch inflammatory model. The present results indicate successful induction of functional mature neutrophils from hESCs via highly efficient feeder-free differentiation culture system of human hematopoietic cells.
Cryopreservation of Neurospheres Derived from Human Glioblastoma Multiforme
Authors: Chong Yuk-Kien , Toh Tan-Boon , Zaiden Norazean , Poonepalli Anuradha , Leong Siew Hong , Ong Catherine Ee Ling , Yu Yiting , Tan Patrick B. , See Siew-Ju , Ng Wai-Hoe , Ng Ivan , Hande Manoor P. , Kon Oi Lian , Ang Beng-Ti , Tang Carol
Published: October 2008

Cancer stem cells have been shown to initiate and sustain tumor growth. In many instances, clinical material is limited, compounded by a lack of methods to preserve such cells at convenient time points. Although brain tumor-initiating cells grown in a spheroid manner have been shown to maintain their integrity through serial transplantation in immune-compromised animals, practically, it is not always possible to have access to animals of suitable ages to continuously maintain these cells. We therefore explored vitrification as a cryopreservation technique for brain tumor-initiating cells. Tumor neurospheres were derived from five patients with glioblastoma multiforme (GBM). Cryopreservation in 90% serum and 10% dimethyl sulfoxide yielded greatest viability and could be explored in future studies. Vitrification yielded cells that maintained self-renewal and multipotentiality properties. Karyotypic analyses confirmed the presence of GBM hallmarks. Upon implantation into NOD/SCID mice, our vitrified cells reformed glioma masses that could be serially transplanted. Transcriptome analysis showed that the vitrified and nonvitrified samples in either the stem-like or differentiated states clustered together, providing evidence that vitrification does not change the genotype of frozen cells. Upon induction of differentiation, the transcriptomes of vitrified cells associated with the original primary tumors, indicating that tumor stem-like cells are a genetically distinct population from the differentiated mass, underscoring the importance of working with the relevant tumor-initiating population. Our results demonstrate that vitrification of brain tumor-initiating cells preserves the biological phenotype and genetic profiles of the cells. This should facilitate the establishment of a repository of tumor-initiating cells for subsequent experimental designs.
Thromboxane A2 Induces Differentiation of Human Mesenchymal Stem Cells to Smooth Muscle-Like Cells
Authors: Kim Mi Ra , Jeon Eun Su , Kim Young Mi , Lee Jung Sub , Kim Jae Ho
Published: October 2008

Thromboxane A2 (TxA2) is involved in smooth muscle contraction and atherosclerotic vascular diseases. Accumulating evidence suggests a pivotal role for mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) in vascular remodeling. In the present study, we demonstrate for the first time that the TxA2 mimetic U46619 induces differentiation of human adipose tissue-derived MSCs (hADSCs) to smooth muscle-like cells, as demonstrated by increased expression of smooth muscle-specific contractile proteins such as α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA), calponin, smoothelin, and smooth muscle-myosin heavy chain. Using an in vitro collagen gel lattice contraction assay, we showed that U46619-induced expression of the contractile proteins was associated with increased contractility of the cells. U46619 increased the intracellular Ca2+ concentration in hADSCs and pretreatment of the cells with the thromboxane receptor antagonist SQ29548 or the calmodulin (CaM) inhibitor W13 abrogated the U46619-induced α-SMA expression and contractility, suggesting a pivotal role of Ca2+/CaM in the U46619-stimulated smooth muscle differentiation of hADSCs. In addition, U46619 elicited activation of RhoA in hADSCs, and pretreatment of the cells with the Rho kinase-specific inhibitor Y27632 or overexpression of the dominant-negative mutants of RhoA and Rho kinase blocked U46619-stimulated α-SMA expression and contractility. Furthermore, U46619 induced phosphorylation of myosin light chain (MLC) through CaM/MLC kinase- and Rho kinase-dependent pathways, and the MLC kinase inhibitor ML-7 abrogated U46619-induced α-SMA expression and contractility. These results suggest that U46619 induces differentiation of hADSCs to contractile smooth muscle-like cells through CaM/MLCK- and RhoA-Rho kinase-dependent actin polymerization.
Human Embryonic Stem Cell Differentiation Toward Regional Specific Neural Precursors
Authors: Erceg Slaven , Ronaghi Mohammad , Stojković Miodrag
Published: October 2008

Human embryonic stem cells (hESCs) are self-renewing pluripotent cells that have the capacity to differentiate into a wide variety of cell types. This potentiality represents a promising source to overcome many human diseases by providing an unlimited supply of all cell types, including cells with neural characteristics. Therefore, this review summarizes early neural development and the potential of hESCs to differentiate under in vitro conditions, examining at the same time the potential use of differentiated hESCs for therapeutic applications for neural tissue and cell regeneration.
Expression and significance of androgen receptor coactivators in urothelial carcinoma of the bladder
Authors: Boorjian Stephen A , Heemers Hannelore V , Frank Igor , Farmer Sara A , Schmidt Lucy J , Sebo Thomas J , Tindall Donald J
Published: October 2008

Urothelial carcinoma (UC) of the bladder is approximately three times more common in men than women. While the etiology for this gender difference in incidence remains unknown, a role for androgen receptor (AR) signaling has been suggested. The mechanisms by which AR activity is regulated in UC cells, however, are largely elusive. Here, we explore the significance of coregulators that are critical for the formation of a functional AR transcriptional complex, in UC cells. Using two AR-positive UC cell lines, TCC-SUP and UMUC3, we demonstrate the expression of the coactivators NCOA1, NCOA2, NCOA3, CREBBP, and EP300 in UC cells. small interfering RNA-mediated knockdown of the AR or any of these coactivators markedly impacted cell viability and abrogated androgen-dependent cell proliferation. Noteworthy, contrary to AR-positive prostate cancer cells, expression of these AR-associated coactivators was not androgen regulated in UC cells. To assess the clinical relevance of coactivator expression, we performed immunohistochemistry on paraffin-embedded sections from 55 patients with UC of the bladder. We found that while 24 out of 55 (44%) of tumors expressed the AR, each of the coactivators was expressed by 85–100% of the bladder cancers. Moreover, we noted a significant downregulation of NCOA1 expression in tumors versus adjacent, non-tumor bladder urothelium, with a mean of 68% (range 0–100) of tumor cells demonstrating NCOA1 staining versus a mean of 81% (range 0–90) of non-tumor cells (P=0.03). Taken together, our data suggest an important role for AR-associated coactivators in UC and point toward differences in the regulation of AR activity between bladder and prostate cancer cells.
Resource management in a changing and uncertain climate
Authors: Lawler Joshua J , Tear Timothy H , Pyke Chris , Shaw M Rebecca , Gonzalez Patrick , Kareiva Peter , Hansen Lara , Hannah Lee , Klausmeyer Kirk , Aldous Allison , Bienz Craig , Pearsall Sam
Published: October 2008

Climate change is altering ecological systems throughout the world. Managing these systems in a way that ignores climate change will likely fail to meet management objectives. The uncertainty in projected climate‐change impacts is one of the greatest challenges facing managers attempting to address global change. In order to select successful management strategies, managers need to understand the uncertainty inherent in projected climate impacts and how these uncertainties affect the outcomes of management activities. Perhaps the most important tool for managing ecological systems in the face of climate change is active adaptive management, in which systems are closely monitored and management strategies are altered to address expected and ongoing changes. Here, we discuss the uncertainty inherent in different types of data on potential climate impacts and explore climate projections and potential management responses at three sites in North America. The Central Valley of California, the headwaters of the Klamath River in Oregon, and the barrier islands and sounds of North Carolina each face a different set of challenges with respect to climate change. Using these three sites, we provide specific examples of how managers are already beginning to address the threat of climate change in the face of varying levels of uncertainty.
Diagnosis of ecosystem impairment in a multiple-stress context—how to formulate effective river basin management plans
Authors: de Zwart Dick , Posthuma Leo , Gevrey Muriel , von der Ohe Peter C , Deckere de Eric
Published: October 2008

The Water Framework Directive (WFD) of the European Union requires member states to attain a good ecological status for all water bodies by the year 2015. This implies that the bioecological protection endpoint itself is upfront, next to abiotic chemical quality standards, as tools to protect those endpoints. Within the requirements of the Directive, ecological status and abiotic conditions will be monitored extensively. Based on the analysis of the monitoring data, authorities are required to derive Programs of Measures (PoMs) for impacted sites. Optimization of these programs requires diagnosis, to provide site-specific or catchment-specific information on the causes of observed deviations from a good ecological status. This article shows one pilot analysis of monitoring data (Scheldt River, Belgium) compiled in the scope of the EU MODELKEY project. Ecological, ecotoxicological, and statistical models are combined to quantify local ecological impact magnitudes and to identify site-specific factors that are associated with those impacts. Results show significant ecological effects in terms of taxa loss at study sites, which are highly variable among sites, with variable combinations of environmental factors associated with those effects. The results of the diagnostic approach are discussed, which appear to be complementary to the assessment of chemical status required by the Directive. Both types of assessment are useful to assist in the derivation of optimized PoMs. In addition, it could be concluded that the acute toxic pressure parameter relates to reduced taxon abundance for more than half of the studied taxa and that this parameter relates to the fraction of taxa lost under field conditions. Finally, various lessons for the execution of monitoring programs are derived because the Scheldt (bio)monitoring data set has its weaknesses, although it can be seen as typical for current monitoring programs.
Flood risk assessment in european river basins—concept, methods, and challenges exemplified at the mulde river
Authors: Meyer Volker , Haase Dagmar , Scheuer Sebastian
Published: October 2008

Flood risk assessment is an essential part of flood risk management, a concept that is becoming more and more popular in European flood policy and is part of the new European Union flood directive. This paper gives a brief introduction into the general concept and methods of flood risk assessment. Furthermore, 3 problems in the practical application of flood risk assessment, particularly on the river basin scale, are discussed: First, uncertainties in flood risk assessment; second, the inclusion of social and environmental flood risk factors; and third, the consideration of the spatial dimension of flood risk. In the 2nd part of the paper a multicriteria risk mapping approach is introduced that is intended to address these 3 problems.
Hydraulic-Fracture Production Forecast in Tight-Gas Reservoirs Using Wireline Formation Testers
Authors: van Galen M. , Peterson G. , Lorincz C.
Published: October 2008

By using pressure and fluid indetification data gathered with pump-out wireline formation testers, operators can gain a better understanding of the reservoir, resulting in quality decisions concerning the economic feasibility of stimulating particular zones with hydraulic fractures. Permeabilities and extrapolated reservoir pressures are calculated by performing pressure transient analysis (PTA) on the gathered data. These key parameters can be combined with parameters estimated from petrophysical logs and/or correlations from neighboring wells, resulting in a production forecast for the effectiveness of a potential hydraulic fracture. Input parameters for this hydraulic fracture model can be varied to generate multiple scenario production forecasts. Based on these forecasts, a well-informed decision can be made on whether or not to stimulate a zone with a hydraulic fracture. The pressure tests are performed in cased-hole environments where zones can be isolated with a dual packer tool assembly after perforating. With the pump-out capability of this tool, multiple drawdown and buildup cycles are performed.
Reconciling Production Decline with Reservoir Connectivity: Field Study
Authors: Khasanov M. , Krasnov V. , Petrov A. , Kelkar M. , Bahar A.
Published: October 2008

In Priobskaya Field, one of the largest operated oil fields in Central Siberia, the production data from each well are gathered on a daily basis. In addition, well tests are conducted periodically to determine the efficacy of the fracture (every well is hydraulically fractured) as well as the near well bore permeability value. The field is under water flood, and as a result, the average pressure is above bubble point.

While analyzing the long term production data, it was observed that the declining production period is much longer than what is expected of a field producing above bubble point and is supported by injected water. This discrepancy was explained by using higher value of oil compressibility, although no lab evidence indicated that such compressibility exists. With the help of high value of oil compressibility, the long decline can be reproduced.

In this study, we investigated the reasons for long term decline by considering the connectivity of sands in the reservoir. We examined the fine scale models with the upscaled models and noticed that the connectivity of sands is substantially changed during the upscaling process. When a fine scale model is generated, lack of connectivity between injectors and producers resulted in some of the sands being depleted as if producing under solution gas drive mechanism. Depending on the connectivity between the injector and producer, the production from a well was a result of combination of water support and solution gas drive. The GOR of a producer well is affected as well as the decline in production. When the reservoir model is upscaled, the production decline is no longer observed due to enhanced connectivity between injector and producer. Under those conditions, the only way to match the reservoir performance is by using high oil compressibility.

The improved understanding of the relationship between fine scale connectivity and the flow behavior is very helpful in future reservoir management strategy. By observing producing gas oil ratios and relative declines, the operator would be able to determine the relative connectivity of sands between the injectors and producers. This would help re-assign injection volumes as well as potential locations of new producers and injectors
Real-Time Connectivity and the Potential Benefits to Appalachian Operations
Authors: Dwyer J. P. , Chmela W. , Lamborn R. K. , Colomb C. L. , Quinn T. H.
Published: October 2008

New advanced technologies are being introduced into unconventional resource basins at a record setting pace. As these new technologies are being implemented, connectivity - communication between the office and the rigsite - becomes increasingly important to the operator both in support of these technologies and for improving business efficiency. The benefits of officeto-rig connectivity are found in many places: rig de-manning, personnel development, multi-vendor data management, global support infrastructure, declining subject matter expertise, real-time decision making and remote control to name a few.

This paper will first provide a summary of new connectivity technologies and how they have developed into their current technical and commercial state. Next, the paper will explore the commercial drivers for new connectivity technologies and the potential for their application in the eastern basins of the United States. Examples are provided of improved operational and business performance as a result of applying these connectivity technologies. Finally, the paper will clear up some myths regarding the cost of implementation of leading edge connectivity technologies and make a business case for adopting the "right level" of connectivity to make operations more efficient.
Towards a Characteristic Equation for Permeability
Authors: Siddiqui A. A. , Ilk D. , Blasingame T. A.
Published: October 2008

The characterization of reservoir permeability (k) remains the elusive challenge in reservoir engineering. This work considers prior developments in an evolutionary sense, and, as with prior work, our goal is the development of a "characteristic permeability relation" (CPR). To this end, we have developed 5 CPR formulations — 3 of which could be considered modifications of "historical" models and 2 of which are "weighted" power law-exponential models.

In this work, we consider permeability to be only a function of two variables; k = f(ϕ,z) — porosity (ϕ) and z. Where, for this work, z is either the water saturation (Sw) or the Archie Formation Factor (F). Our rationale in considering k = f(ϕ,z) is two fold — first, such a formulation is a fundamental extension of the k = f(ϕ) correlation work by Archie (and countless others); and second, our validation datasets are limited to literature cases and cases obtained from industry sources — none of which would be considered suitable for extension beyond porosity plus another variable.

We demonstrate and validate our concept of a characteristic permeability relation (CPR) using various datasets obtained from the literature and from industry sources. In this work we show that each proposed relation has a unique character and performance — depending on primarily on the data, rather than the functional form of the permeability relation. Using the characteristic permeability relations developed in this work — the proposed permeability relations can be extended to other and other data types. It may also be possible to develop so-called "hydraulic flow unit" methods which can be used to segregate petrophysical data into depositional flow sequences.
Prevention of Geochemical Scaling in Hydraulically Created Fractures: Laboratory and Field Studies
Authors: Nguyen P. , Weaver J. , Rickman R.
Published: October 2008

Fracture conductivity values observed by well testing following hydraulic fracture stimulation treatments are often much lower than the values obtained by laboratory measurements for most proppants. In addition, many stimulated wells show loss of fracture conductivity with time, leading to reduced productivity and lost revenue.

This rapid loss in fracture conductivity has been attributed to frac gel damage, embedment, proppant crushing, and fines invasion. All these damage mechanisms have been well studied in the laboratory, resulting in materials and methods employed to minimize their effect on conductivity. While these methods have improved productivity, stimulated wells rarely achieve the theoretical conductivity expected from a given proppant. In addition, fracture conductivity often declines continuously, suggesting that there are other factors that influence long-term fracture conductivity.

Recently it was suggested that a freshly placed proppant bed in a hot formation could undergo a geochemical process called diagenesis. This process involves the dissolution of some proppant minerals and subsequent reaction with minerals that are present in connate formation water. These subsequent reactions lead to the formation of many clays and clay-like crystals in addition to amorphous, porosity-filling materials that progressively damage the conductivity of propped fractures.

This paper presents (1) results of a laboratory study aimed at quantifying this damage mechanism, (2) the development of multiple strategies to minimize this damage mechanism, and (3) field case studies analyzing production data to support two of these laboratory-indicated strategies.

Findings reported in this paper should have a significant impact on how proppants are selected for various fracturing applications. To achieve maximum fracture conductivity and sustained production, it is no longer acceptable to simply select the proppants, based on API conductivity, cost, and availability, but planners must also consider (1) potential in situ reactions that may shorten proppant life or (2) proppant treatments that can be applied to minimize the impact of these reactions.
Case History of 8-lbm/gal Water-Based-Fluid Field Trial
Authors: Green T. C. , Minnett B. , Cremer J.
Published: October 2008

Drilling with less than normal pressure fracture gradients has led to the necessity, design and implementation of novel systems delivering equivalent mud weights from 4 to 8 pounds per gallon (ppg). These fluids are not light weight fluids like air or foam, but are not as dense as heavier conventional fluids. This combination of a small amount of equipment plus a novel water base fluid system has resulted in reduced pressures while drilling with a simple adjustment in air flow. These middle weight fluids have been field tested with a low pressure cavitation mixer, and minimal air supply, similar to what a rig air system supplies.

An inhibitive low solids fluid weighing 8.7 pounds per gallon (ppg) arrived at the standpipe at less than 8.0 ppg equivalent, due to the novel air injection system used between the pits and the rig pump. The fluid circulated through the standard triplex rig pump, then the air broke out just before the fluid flowed over the shaker screens, with no problems. Conventional solids control equipment was used without adjustment.

Just less than 8 pounds per gallon was maintained for several hours while drilling ahead horizontally. Brief periods of equivalent density as low as 5 pounds per gallon were possible, and can be reasonably expected after equipment changes are made. The wellbore remained slick and stable, hole cleaning was good. Standpipe pressure was approximately 400 pounds per square inch less (1600 pounds per square inch versus 2000 pounds per square inch) compared to conventional unaerated fluid.

The fluid formulation included a small amount of potassium formate, clay/shale stabilizers, xanthan gum and an air dispersant. Fluid chemistry facilitated even smooth air entrainment with instant breakout at surface. The formulation was solids free, with no intent to build a filter cake. While conventional solids control equipment was used to remove drill solids, supplementary solids control equipment was identified as necessary to extend the ability to maintain the equivalent density at less than 8 ppg.

The cavitation mixer injects air into the liquid under pressure, just before the fluid flows into the rig pump. The field trial began to identify air and liquid flow supply requirements for consistent middle weight densities.
Assessing Nancy Pelosi
Authors: Peters Ronald M , Rosenthal Cindy Simon
Published: October 2008

Congressional scholars have devoted considerably more attention to describing and explaining congressional leadership than to evaluating it. The election of Nancy Pelosi as Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives provides fresh occasion for consideration of normative criteria for assessing leadership performance. In this article we develop a set of normative criteria grounded in congressional leadership theory. We discuss recent speakerships in relationship to these criteria. We then assess Speaker Pelosi's performance in the 110th Congress. We conclude that by each criterion, she has provided effective leadership; however, we regard any assessment at this point to be provisional. Important tests of her leadership are yet to come.
Effect of Concomitant Administration of Aqueous Extract of Pleurotus pulmonarius and Metformin in Diabetic Mice
Authors: Badole Sachin L. , Bodhankar Subhash L.
Published: October 2008

The present investigation studied the interaction of the aqueous extract of Pleurotus pulmonarius (Fr.) Quel.-Champ (Lentinacae) (called PP-aqu) with metformin on serum glucose level, body weight and oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) in alloxan-induced diabetes in mice. PP-aqu (500 mg/kg), metformin (250 and 500 mg/kg) singly and concomitantly were administered orally in alloxan-induced (70 mg/kg, i.v.) diabetic mice. In the acute study, serum glucose levels were determined at 0, 2, 4, 6 and 24 h after drug administration. The sub-acute study involved repeated administration of drugs for 14 days. In OGTT, D-glucose (2.5 g/kg) was administered in diabetic mice 30 min after pretreatment with PP-aqu (500 mg/kg), metformin (250 and 500 mg/kg) and their concomitant administration. The onset and peak antihyperglycaemic effect of PP-aqu (500 mg/kg) and metformin (250, 500 mg/kg) alone was 2 h. Onset of concomitant administration of PP-aqu (500 mg/kg) with metformin (250 and 500 mg/kg) was 2 h; the peak effect was 6 h and the duration of action was 24 h. Repeated administration (once a day for 14 days) of metformin, PP-aqu and their concomitant administration caused significant (P<0.001) reduction in the serum glucose level as compared to vehicle treated group. Concomitant treatment prevented decrease in body weight of diabetic mice. In OGTT, concomitant administration of PP-aqu with metformin increased glucose threshold. The concomitant administration of PP-aqu with metformin produced synergistic antihyperglycaemic effect than either drug alone.
Dynamic Simulation of Phenol Biodegradation in a Fluidized Bed Bioreactor Using Genetic Algorithm Trained Neural Network
Authors: Ananthula Venu Vinod , Goli Venkat Reddy , Murapaka Neelima
Published: October 2008

The aim of this work is to simulate the dynamic behavior of a phenol biodegradation process in a fluidized bed bioreactor (FBR). Pseudomonas putida is used for the biodegradation of phenol. A mathematical model was developed to describe the dynamic behavior of the biodegradation process. The model equations describing the process have been solved, and the rate of biodegradation and the biofilm thickness at different points of time have been determined. The mathematical model has been directly mapped onto the network architecture. The network is used to find an error function. Minimization of error function with respect to the network parameters (weights and biases) has been considered as training of the network. A real-coded genetic algorithm has been used for training the network in an unsupervised manner. The system is tested for two different inlet concentrations of feed. The results obtained are then compared with the experimental results. It is found that there is a good agreement between the experimental results and the results obtained from the model.
Numerical Analysis of Macro-Instability Characteristic in a Stirred Tank by Means of Large Eddy Simulations: Off-Bottom Clearance Effect
Authors: Nurtono Tantular , Setyawan Heru , Altway Ali , Winardi Sugeng
Published: October 2008

Low frequency and large scale flow variations, often called macro-instability (MI) phenomena, were studied by means of a combination of large eddy simulations (LES) and sliding mesh (SM) models. Numerical predictions of MI characterictic in a six-bladed Rushton turbine stirred tank were performed by varying the off-bottom clearance at constant impeller rotational speed. The occurrence of MI in this study was identified by two methods: observing visually the flow velocity vector field and analyzing the time-series data of both velocity in the bulk flow and dynamic pressure on the vessel wall. The transient flow field visualization revealed the secondary circulation flow and the asymmetrical flow pattern beside of the mean flow pattern. The high variation intensity of flow pattern variation was clearly identified in the region with smaller space. The flow pattern variation was corroborated with the presence of high amplitude peaks in the low frequency part of the frequency spectrum of flow velocity. The distinct peak that was usually designated as the frequency of MI revealed the characteristic of MI. The physical meaning of the frequency of MI was the periodical appearance of the pronounced flow pattern. The numerical predictions of the frequency of MI in the region below and above impeller studied in this paper were confirmed well with the experimental results reported by Matsuda et al. (2004). The numerical prediction of the dynamic pressure monitored on the tank wall was also in agreement with the flow velocity monitored in the bulk flow for indicating the MI phenomena. This way of monitoring will be useful for the study of MI in multiphase agitated tank in the near future and in the practical application.
Doxorubicin-transferrin conjugate selectively overcomes multidrug resistance in leukaemia cells
Authors: Łubgan Dorota , Jóźwiak Zofia , Grabenbauer Gerhard , Distel Luitpold
Published: October 2008

Neoplastic cells frequently have an increased number of transferrin receptors. Coupling transferrin to an anti-neoplastic drug has the potential to overcome multidrug resistance (MDR). The purpose of this study was to examine the distribution and action of doxorubicin-transferrin conjugate (DOXTRF) in a leukaemia cell line (HL60), a multidrug-resistant leukaemia cell line (HL60ADR) and a normal tissue cell line (human fibroblasts). The intracellular accumulation of DOX and DOX-TRF was monitored by direct fluorescence. More DOX-TRF than free DOX was delivered to the tumour cells, and consecutively the levels of DNA double-strand breaks and apoptosis increased even in the multidrug-resistant cell line. In the normal tissue cell line, DOX-TRF did not accumulate, and therefore, the levels of DNA double-strand breaks and apoptosis did not increase. Cell viability was determined using the MTT assay. The IC50 for DOX-TRF was lower than the IC50 value for the free drug in both leukaemia cell lines. The IC50 values for the HL60 cells were 0.08 μM for DOX and 0.02 μM for DOX-TRF. The IC50 values for HL60ADR cells were 7 μM for DOX and 0.035 μM for DOX-TRF. In conclusion, DOX-TRF was able to overcome MDR in the leukaemia cell lines while having only a very limited effect on normal tissue cells.
Toward Self-Generalizing Objects and On-the-Fly Map Generalization
Authors: Sabo Mamane Nouri , Bédard Yvan , Moulin Bernard , Bernier Eveline
Published: October 2008

Map generalization is a complex task that sometimes requires human intervention. In order to support such a process on the fly, we propose a generalization approach based on self-generalizing objects (SGOs) that encapsulate geometric patterns (forms common to several cartographic features), generalization algorithms, and spatial integrity constraints. During a database enrichment process, an SGO is created and associated with a cartographic feature or a group of features. Each SGO created is then transformed into a software agent (SGO agent) in a multi-agent on-the-fly map-generalization system. SGO agents are equipped with behaviours that enable them to coordinate the generalization process. This article presents the concept of the SGO and two prototypes developed to support this approach: a prototype for the creation of SGOs and another for the on-the-fly map generalization (which uses the created SGOs).
Proposed Cartographic Design Principles for 3D Maps: A Contribution to an Extended Cartographic Theory
Authors: Häberling Christian , Bär Hansruedi , Hurni Lorenz
Published: October 2008

Today, the technical generation of modern perspective views (so-called 3D maps) for static, animated, and dynamic use is highly advanced. Nevertheless, aspects of the design of such views and of their impact on readers have rarely been investigated in cartographic research. The establishment of cartographic design principles is missing, to a large extent. Within the framework of a research project, propositions for such principles were derived by evaluating settings and options for specific graphic variables. Based on an inventory of design aspects and graphic variables for 3D maps, selected cues for two major design aspects (degree of abstraction and size of map objects) and five different graphic variables (viewing inclination, zoom factor, light direction, haze density, and sky structure) were evaluated by means of 3D map examples and expert interviews. A set of cartographic design principles was derived from this evaluation and proposed for more detailed user tests. The proposed design principles could also be seen as the beginning of a framework to extend cartographic theory and assist map authors in the iterative design process.
The Enigmatic Enrolment Trend in US Map-Interpretation Courses
Authors: Green Jerry E. , Burns David U. , Green Toby P.
Published: October 2008

Enrolments in university-level map-interpretation courses have shown a conspicuous downward trend, despite an apparent need for the development of more and better map-interpretation skills. Possible reasons for this observed trend include other sources of competition, declining course offerings, termination of offerings, and changing curricular needs.
Health Care Aides' Struggle to Build and Maintain Relationships with Families in Complex Continuing Care Settings
Authors: McGilton Katherine S. , Guruge Sepali , Librado Ruby , Bloch Lois , Boscart Veronique
Published: October 2008

La recherche sur les relations entre les aides-soignants (AS) et les familles des clients est menée principalement dans le milieu des soins de longue durée, et elle offre peu de résultats sur la perception des AS. Sur la base des résultats d’une étude qualitative plus étendue à l'aide d’une méthode basée sur une théorie reposant sur les faits, le présent article traite des relations AS-famille dans le cadre de soins continus complexes (SCC). Des entrevues individuelles approfondies avec huit AS et un groupe de suivi avec les AS de trois établissements de SCC ont été analysées. l'établissement de relations avec les familles nécessitait «être présent pour eux et leurs parents», tout en maintenant des relations comprenant le fait d’avoir à «faire face à une déception». Parmi les facteurs influençant l'établissement et le maintien de relations AS-famille, il faut noter «avoir des membres d’un groupe de soutien», «avoir des ressources disponibles» et «établir une structure hiérarchique dans l'équipe des soins de santé». Les résultats soulignent l'importance de réduire l'unité et les facteurs organisationnels qui dérangent les relations AS-famille.
The Effect of Hearing Loss and Hearing Aids on the Use of Information and Communication Technologies by Community-Living Older Adults
Authors: Gonsalves Chris , Pichora-Fuller Margaret Kathleen
Published: October 2008

Les innovations en technologies de l'information et de la communication transforment la société. Toutefois, parmi les aînés résidant au Canada, seulement 1 sur 15 utilisait un ordinateur au tournant du millénium, et 1 sur 5 éprouve des difficultés auditives, visuelles ou de communication (Statistique Canada, 2000). Le but premier de l'étude est d’étudier le lien entre la déficience auditive et l'utilisation des technologies de l'information et de la communication chez les aînés. Un questionnaire portant sur l'utilisation des technologies a été administré à 135 aînés chez qui l'audition a été mesurée par audiométrie. Une corrélation a été démontrée entre l'audition et l'étendue d’utilisation des technologies de la communication, particulièrement en ce qui concerne les technologies nouvelles et spécialisées. Les aînés avec déficience auditive qui ne portent pas d’appareils auditifs n’utilisent pas d’autres technologies aussi fréquemment que leurs pairs ayant une bonne audition ou même ceux qui utilisent des appareils auditifs. De façon générale, l'aptitude et l'étendue d’utilisation des technologies de l'information et de la communication étaient plus élevés au sein de l'échantillon à l'étude comparativement aux résultats rapportés pour un échantillon national. Toutefois, les patrons d’utilisation des diverses technologies ainsi que les facteurs influençant leur utilisation étaient similaires dans les deux échantillons. Des recommandations touchant les études futures, les programmes d’éducation à la santé et la conception universelle sont proposées.
Caregiving: Predicting At-Risk Status
Authors: Chappell Neena L. , Dujela Carren
Published: October 2008

Malgré l'accent mis, lors de la recherche en gérontologie, sur les obligations en matière de prestation de soins, des études ont démontré que peu de dispensateurs de soins sont soumis à un trop lourd fardeau. Le présent article compare les prévisions des obligations particulières aux rôles et deux mesures de la qualité de vie chez les dispensateurs de soins soumis à des exigences importantes en matière de soins de santé afin d’évaluer les effets du rôle de chacun. l'étude a porté sur 92 dispensateurs communautaires de soins dans l'île de Vancouver, en Colombie-Britannique. Les prédicteurs comprenaient des facteurs primaires de stress, des ressources personnelles, et des facteurs socio-démographiques. Les exigences en matière de prestation de soins ont été la corrélation la plus significative des obligations particulières aux rôles, et elles avaient une importance indirecte en raison des obligations liées au bien-être général. La résilience avait un rapport important avec les trois résultats. Au cours de l'année de l'étude, les dispensateurs de soins se sont améliorés dans les trois résultats, mais ils n’ont pas réussi à prévoir ce changement. Les résultats suggèrent que les dispensateurs de soins peuvent être à la fois accablés et faire simultanément l'expérience d’un bien-être appréciable ou élevé, ce qui exige de ne pas généraliser à partir d’études limitées uniquement aux obligations des dispensateurs de soins lorsqu’il s’agit de présenter des recommandations sur l'ensemble de la vie de chacune de ces personnes.
Cries of Fire: Psychotherapy in Contemporary British and Irish Drama
Authors: Watson Ariel
Published: October 2008

The theatricality of the psychotherapeutic encounter has been evident since its origins: Freud complained in 1914 that the patient in the grip of transference-love “gives up her symptoms or pays no attention to them; indeed, she declares that she is well. There is a complete change of scene; it is as though some piece of make-believe had been stopped by the sudden irruption of reality – as when, for instance, a cry of fire is raised during a theatrical performance” (“Observations on Transference-Love”). In the century that followed Freud's observation, the theatre has shown a reciprocal interest in the dramatic possibilities of psychotherapy – the imbalances of power, incomplete access to knowledge and history, and confessional styles of narrative revelation. This theatrical interest in the dynamics of therapy is particularly striking in that it inevitably becomes self-reflexive, an examination of the negotiation of power, knowledge, and autonomy between therapist and patient, analyst and analysand, that ultimately uncovers anxieties about the spectator–actor relationship. In this article, three works from the millennial moment in the United Kingdom and Ireland – Sarah Kane's 4.48 Psychosis, Joe Penhall's Blue/Orange, and Conor McPherson's Shining City – reveal a shifting conception of how psychotherapy works as a theatrical and a metatheatrical device. Kane and Penhall's plays are produced in a historical context in Britain that is equally sceptical about the institutions of psychiatry and the idealism of anti-psychiatry, and McPherson's characters inhabit an Ireland caught in the ambiguous space between the sanitized, globalized conventions of weekly psychotherapy and the ghostly consolations and convictions of spirituality. All three plays suggest that psychotherapy in drama can function metaphorically and metatheatrically by leading us to examine how performances of identity, narrative-making, and interpretation play out both in the theatre and in life.
Bringing out the Acid: Noël Coward, Harold Pinter, Ivy Compton-Burnett and the Uses of Camp
Authors: Eltis Sos
Published: October 2008

Noël Coward's most famous plays fit closely with Sontag's description of the primary attributes of camp: flippant, stylized, ironic and self-consciously theatrical, artificial. But where Sontag defines the camp sensibility as disengaged and depoliticized, this article argues that Coward deploys a form of linguistic camp to destabilize judgements and challenge orthodoxies. As his characters switch rapidly and seamlessly among different linguistic registers and their associated sets of values and assumptions, any sense of normative or self-evident values is dissipated. Coward singled out Harold Pinter from all the “new wave” dramatists of the fifties and sixties, admiring him as a genuine original using language brilliantly and describing him as a “sort of Cockney Ivy Compton-Burnett.” Pinter and Compton-Burnett share Coward's particular form of linguistic camp, and their characters can be seen to deploy it to similar disruptive ends, unsettling moral and sexual judgements and challenging orthodoxy's claim to normality.
Availability and Structure of Ambulatory Rehabilitation Services: A Survey of Hospitals with Designated Rehabilitation Beds in Ontario, Canada
Authors: Landry Michel D. , Passalent Laura A. , Cott Cheryl A.
Published: October 2008

Purpose: To determine the degree to which ambulatory physical therapy (PT), occupational therapy (OT), and speech language pathology (SLP) services are available in hospitals with designated rehabilitation beds (DRBs) in Ontario, and to explore the structure of delivery and funding among services that exist.

Methods: Questions regarding ambulatory services were included in the System Integration and Change (SIC) survey sent to all hospitals participating in the Hospital Report 2005: Rehabilitation initiative.

Results: The response rate was 75.9% (41 of 54 hospitals). All hospitals surveyed provide some degree of ambulatory rehabilitation services, but the nature of these services varies according to rehabilitation client groups (RCGs). The majority of hospitals continue to deliver services through their employees rather than by contracting out or by creating for-profit subsidiary clinics, but an increasing proportion is accessing private sources to finance ambulatory services.

Conclusions: Most hospitals with DRBs provide some degree of ambulatory rehabilitation services. Privatization of delivery is not widespread in these facilities.
Direct percutaneous embolization of a carotid body tumor with Onyx
Authors: Elhammady Mohamed Samy A. , Farhat Hamad , Ziayee Habib , Aziz-Sultan Mohammad Ali
Published: October 2008

Carotid body tumors (CBTs) are rare highly vascular lesions that frequently require preoperative embolization to minimize surgical morbidity secondary to blood loss. Embolization has typically been performed via a transarterial route. However, this frequently results in incomplete devascularization of the tumor due to the complex angioarchitecture of the feeding arteries. Direct intralesional embolization has been used to gain easier accesses to the tumor vasculature and thus increase the likelihood of complete embolization. Cyanoacrylate glue has been the most commonly used embolic agent. The authors present a case of CBT that underwent direct intralesional embolization using Onyx (ev3; ethylene vinyl alcohol copolymer). To their knowledge, there have been no previous reports of direct percutaneous embolization of a CBT with this agent.
Management strategies for anterior cranial fossa (ethmoidal) dural arteriovenous fistulas with an emphasis on endovascular treatment
Authors: Agid Ronit , TerBrugge Karel , Rodesch Georges , Andersson Tommy , Söderman Michael
Published: October 2008

Object

Dural arteriovenous fistulas (DAVFs) of the anterior cranial fossa are rare lesions that can cause intracranial hemorrhage. Authors of previous reports mostly have described open surgical treatment for this fistula type. The authors' purpose in the present study was to describe their experience with anterior cranial fossa DAVFs, including their endovascular treatment.

Methods

All patients with anterior cranial fossa DAVFs diagnosed and treated in 3 separate institutions during the last 23 years were retrospectively identified. Clinical charts, imaging studies, and procedural notes were evaluated.

Results

Twenty-four patients (22 males and 2 females), ranging in age from 3 to 77 years, harbored 24 DAVFs in the anterior cranial fossa. Eleven patients were primarily treated with surgical disconnection and 2 with radiosurgery. Eleven patients were treated endovascularly; 7 of these patients (63.6%) were cured. In 4 cases of failed embolization, final disconnection was achieved through surgery. In fact, surgery was effective in disconnecting the fistula in 100% of cases. All endovascular procedures consisted of transarterial injections of diluted glue (N-butyl cyanoacrylate [NBCA]), and there were no complications. Brain edema developed around the venous pouch and confusion was apparent after venous disconnection in 1 surgically treated patient. No patient suffered a hemorrhage during the follow-up period.

Conclusions

Disconnection of an anterior cranial fossa DAVF by using transarterial catheterization through the ophthalmic artery and subsequent injection of NBCA is possible with a reasonable success rate and low risk for complications. In patients with good vascular access this procedure could be the treatment of choice, to be followed by open surgery in cases of embolization failure.