bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
AN IMPROVED POPULATION BASED OPTIMIZATION SOLUTION METHOD BY COMBINING LOCAL AND GLOBAL SEARCHING
Authors: JIANG WEI , WANG XIAO-LONG , PANG XIU-LI
Published: October 2007

Optimization Solution Task is a typical and important task in many applications. Many optimization problems have been proved to be NP-hard problems, which cannot be solved by some predefined mathematic formulae. In this case, computer aided method is very helpful. While some local search algorithms are easily to fall into a local optimum solution. On contrast, the population based methods, such as Genetic Algorithms, Artificial Immune System, Autonomy Oriented Computing, are global search algorithms. However, they are not good at the local search. In this paper, an improved method is proposed by combining the local and global search ability, so as to improve the performance in terms of the convergence speed and the convergence reliability. We construct a generic form to deal with the common objective function space or the objective function with the partial derivative. In addition, we present an n-hold method in population based evolution method. The experiments indicate that our approach can effectively improve the convergence reliability, which is much concerned in some applications with the expensive executing expense.
Tissue engineering: a new frontier in physiological genomics
Authors: Petersen Matthew C. , Lazar Jozef , Jacob Howard J. , Wakatsuki Tetsuro
Published: October 2007

Considerable progress has been made in the last decade in the engineering and construction of a number of artificial tissue types. These constructs are typically viewed from the perspective of possible sources for implant and transplant materials in the clinical arena. However, incorporation of engineered tissues, often referred to as three-dimensional (3D) cell culture, also offers the possibility for significant advancements in research for physiological genomics. These 3D systems more readily mimic the in vivo setting than traditional 2D cell culture, and offer distinct advantages over the in vivo setting for some organ systems. As an example, cardiac cells in 3D culture 1) are more accessible for siRNA studies, 2) can be engineered with specific cell types, and 3) offer the potential for high-throughput screening of gene function. Here the state-of-the-art is reviewed and the applications for engineered tissue in genomics research are proposed. The ability to use engineered tissue in combination with genomics creates a bridge between traditional cellular and in vivo studies that is critical to enabling the transition of genetic information into mechanistic understanding of disease processes.
Long-Term Effect of Insulin Treatment in Cystic Fibrosis-Related Diabetes
Authors: Mohan Kamlesh , Israel Katherine L. , Miller Helen , Grainger Ruth , Ledson Martin J. , Walshaw Martin J.
Published: October 2007

Background: Although insulin treatment confers short-term benefit in cystic fibrosis-related diabetes (CFRD), few studies have compared its long-term effect on the clinical outcome. Objectives: In this study, we aimed to investigate the long-term impact of insulin treatment on pulmonary function, nutritional status and hospital admissions in patients with CFRD. Methods: We reviewed pulmonary function, body mass index (BMI) and hospital admissions 5 years before and 3 years after insulin therapy in 42 adult CFRD patients. Results: Prior to treatment, over a period of 5 years, the annual rate of change in forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1) was –3.2%, forced vital capacity (FVC) –2.5%, and BMI –0.07%. At treatment of CFRD (baseline), the mean FEV1 was 51.6% predicted (range 24–96), FVC 66.4% (range 29–103) and BMI 19.5 (range 15.3–29.5). At 3 months following insulin treatment, there was a significant improvement in all parameters, which was maintained at 1 year for FEV1 (55.1%; p < 0.002), 2 years for FVC (72.1%; p < 0.01) and at 3 years for BMI (20.4%; p < 0.002). After 3 months, FEV1 declined at a rate similar to that before treatment (–3.2 vs. –3.1% per year; p = 0.77), such that the mean FEV1 after treatment returned to pretreatment baseline values at 34 months. There was no difference in the number of hospital admissions with insulin treatment. Conclusions: Insulin enhances the nutritional state and temporarily improves pulmonary function in CFRD patients, on average delaying the decline in FEV1 by 34 months.
Validating a standards-based classroom assessment of English proficiency: A multitrait-multimethod approach
Authors: Llosa Lorena
Published: October 2007

The use of standards-based classroom assessments to test English learners' language proficiency is increasingly prevalent in the United States and many other countries. In a large urban school district in California, for example, a classroom assessment is used to make high-stakes decisions about English learners' progress from one level to the next, and as one of the criteria for reclassifying students as Fluent English Proficient. Yet many researchers have questioned the validity of using classroom assessments for making high-stakes decisions about students (Brindley, 1998; 2001; Rea-Dickins and Gardner, 2000). One way to investigate the validity of the inferences drawn from these assessments is to examine them in relation to other measures of the same ability. In this study, a multivariate analytic approach was used to examine the extent to which the English Language Development (ELD) Classroom Assessment measures the same constructs as the CELDT (California English Language Development Test), the statewide standardized test of English proficiency. Using confirmatory factor analysis of multitrait-multimethod data, this study investigates the construct validity of these measures by focusing on evidence of convergence, discrimination, and method effects longitudinally over three years. The study concludes that the evidence gathered via the ELD Classroom Assessment is consistent with that provided by the CELDT, the standardized measure.
Construct implications of including still image or video in computer-based listening tests
Authors: Ockey Gary J.
Published: October 2007

Over the past decade, listening comprehension tests have been converting to computer-based tests that include visual input. However, little research is available to suggest how test takers engage with different types of visuals on such tests. The present study compared a series of still images to video in academic computer-based tests to determine how test takers engage with these two test modes. The study, which employed observations, retrospective reports and interviews, used data from university-level non-native speakers of English. The findings suggest that test takers engage differently with these two modes of delivery. Specifically, while test takers engaged minimally and similarly with the still images, there was wide variation in the ways and degree to which they engaged with the video stimulus. Implications of the study are that computer-based tests of listening comprehension could include still images with only minimally altering the construct that is measured by audio-only listening tests, but the utilization of video in such computer-based tests may require a rethinking of the listening construct.
Review: Variability of host—pathogen interaction
Authors: Hermann Corinna
Published: October 2007

The course of every infection is different. The same pathogen can lead to subclinical, mild, severe or lethal infections in individuals. But is this just chance or determined by individual differences — on the side of the host as well as on the side of the pathogen? If so, we might need to consider these variations for treatment decisions. Indeed, we now understand that genetic polymorphisms and health status represent inborn and acquired risk factors. Similarly, pathogens impress with an increasing number of already identified virulence factors and host response modifiers. The emerging, more complex, view of the factors determining course and outcome of infections promises to enable more tailored and thus, hopefully, more effective treatment decisions.
Observing Potentiality in the Global City
Authors: Fussey Pete
Published: October 2007

This article examines how strategies originally developed to tackle “conventional” forms of criminality are increasingly aimed at averting terrorism in London's public spaces. A central theme regards the increasing orientation of these controlling strategies around (progressively asocial) technological surveillance. The utilization of closed-circuit television (CCTV) during terrorist campaigns in London since 1992 is examined. The potential efficacy of electronic surveillance is argued to be partly contingent on configurations of differing dissident groups. Although reactionary terrorist activity may be amenable to disruption through CCTV, the same does not necessarily apply for groups with more nebulous formations. Difficulties are identified in grafting crime-control surveillance strategies onto counterterrorism. Moreover, the postevent functionality of such surveillant applications emphasizes the role of the human agent and thus questions moves toward asocial strategies. Finally, a number of unintended corollary effects of such strategies, including their likely impact on the categorization and potential radicalization of individuals, are identified.
Surveillance, Security and Social Sorting
Authors: Lyon David
Published: October 2007

Security requirements have been raised to a high level in nation-states around the world following the 9/11 attacks. The resulting increase in routine surveillance of citizens, and especially of travelers, raises questions of sociological interest regarding the intensified means of technology-dependent governance common to many countries. The quality of social existence in a globalizing world is directly affected by the automated identification and social sorting systems proliferating especially at borders but also in everyday life. This article addresses two aspects of post-9/11 security and surveillance: the proliferation of new airport security measures and the emergence of the globalized ID. In both cases, standards are being harmonized such that similar measures are in place at many airports around the world and similar national ID card-and-registry systems are being established, each capable of sharing personal data cross-nationally. Implications for governance in general and civil liberties in particular are explored and critiqued.
Security and Surveillance in the Athens 2004 Olympics
Authors: Samatas Minas
Published: October 2007

This article demythologizes the expedient and costly operation for a “superpanopticon” in the Athens 2004 Olympics, the first Summer Olympic Games after the terrorist attacks of 9/11. The Olympic industry, reflecting international and interconnected political—economic, governmental, and corporate interests, exploited real and perceived terrorist threats to prescribe extremely high security requirements. The Athens 2004 Olympics was used as a testing ground for the latest antiterrorist superpanoptic technology, which crucially failed to work. The central surveillance integration security system (C4I), planned by Science Applications International Corporation, could not be implemented on time for the games; hence, the security of the last Athens Olympics was dependent on conventional means. Using primary and secondary sources, the article inquires into the interesting and troublesome story of the deficient electronic surveillance system, which became a technological nightmare. It raises serious skepticism about the real antiterrorist efficiency of high-tech surveillance systems.
Australian Biometrics and Global Surveillance
Authors: Wilson Dean
Published: October 2007

Following the events of September 11, 2001, biometric technologies have been widely deployed and promoted as a means of providing identity authentication and verification. This article uses the example of Australia to examine how global trends in biometric surveillance are played out within the boundaries of one nation-state. The article first examines the deployment of biometric technologies at the Australian border. It is suggested that although Australia follows global trends, these deployments are imbued with specific meanings in the local context. The discussion then examines new biometric databases being developed to collect and store information within the boundaries of the Australian state. The article concludes by suggesting that although the Australian experience bears specific local inflections, it nevertheless parallels global surveillance trends in the intensification of searchable databases engaged in processes of inclusion and exclusion.
Child Physical Abuse With and Without Other Forms of Maltreatment: Dysfunctionality Versus Dysnormality
Authors: Larrivée Marie-Claude , Tourigny Marc , Bouchard Camil
Published: October 2007

The fact that most etiological studies of physical abuse have not taken into account co-occurrence of different forms of maltreatment calls into question the validity of our knowledge on the subject. The aim of this study, therefore, is to compare the etiological patterns of cases of physical abuse reported to Quebec child protective services (CPS) according to whether the abuse occurs alone or co-occurs with other forms of maltreatment. The data are taken from the Quebec Incidence Study (QIS), which examined 4,929 reports investigated by Quebec CPS in the fall of 1998. The cases included 514 children who were physically abused: 269 of them were not subjected to any other type of maltreatment and 245 were also victims of one or two other forms of maltreatment. The survey form provided information on more than 30 characteristics of the children reported, their families, and their parental figures. Bivariate and direct logistic regression analyses revealed that the profile of physical abuse cases varies depending on whether the physical abuse occurs alone (what we are calling dysnormality) or in combination with one or two other forms of maltreatment (dysfunctionality). Those results will help deepen our etiological knowledge of physical abuse and may serve to inspire different types of intervention for the two groups of children.
Stress and Anger as Contextual Factors and Preexisting Cognitive Schemas: Predicting Parental Child Maltreatment Risk
Authors: Rodriguez Christina M. , Richardson Michael J.
Published: October 2007

Progress in the child maltreatment field depends on refinements in leading models. This study examines aspects of social information processing theory (Milner, 2000) in predicting physical maltreatment risk in a community sample. Consistent with this theory, selected preexisting schema (external locus-of-control orientation, inappropriate developmental expectations, low empathic perspective-taking ability, and low perceived attachment relationship to child) were expected to predict child abuse risk beyond contextual factors (parenting stress and anger expression). Based on 115 parents' self-report, results from this study support cognitive factors that predict abuse risk (with locus of control, perceived attachment, or empathy predicting different abuse risk measures, but not developmental expectations), although the broad contextual factors involving negative affectivity and stress were consistent predictors across abuse risk markers. Findings are discussed with regard to implications for future model evaluations, with indications the model may apply to other forms of maltreatment, such as psychological maltreatment or neglect.
Primary Prevention of Child Physical Abuse and Neglect: Gaps and Promising Directions
Authors: Klevens Joanne , Whitaker Daniel J.
Published: October 2007

Reviews on primary prevention have identified effective strategies to prevent child maltreatment but have ignored potentially promising interventions that have not yet been evaluated as well as gaps in the development of programs. The goal of this review was to identify these gaps and recommend future directions for developing interventions from a public health perspective. To this end, a systematic review of the literature for 1980-2004 utilizing existing databases and found 188 primary prevention interventions that addressed a broad range of risk factors was conducted. However, few had been rigorously evaluated, and only a handful demonstrated impact on child maltreatment or its risk factors. From a public health perspective, interventions that target prevalent and neglected risk factors such as poverty, partner violence, teenage pregnancy, and social norms tolerating violence toward children need to be developed and evaluated. In addition, more attention should be given to low cost interventions delivered to the public, by society, or that require minimal effort from recipients.
The Relative Importance of Online Victimization in Understanding Depression, Delinquency, and Substance Use
Authors: Mitchell Kimberly J. , Ybarra Michele , Finkelhor David
Published: October 2007

This article explores the relationship between online and offline forms of interpersonal victimization, with depressive symptomatology, delinquency, and substance use. In a national sample of 1,501 youth Internet users (ages 10-17 years), 57% reported some form of offline interpersonal victimization (e.g., bullying, sexual abuse), and 23% reported an online interpersonal victimization (i.e., sexual solicitation and harassment) in the past year. Nearly three fourths (73%) of youth reporting an online victimization also reported an offline victimization. Virtually all types of online and offline victimization were independently related to depressive symptomatology, delinquent behavior, and substance use. Even after adjusting for the total number of different offline victimizations, youth with online sexual solicitation were still almost 2 times more likely to report depressive symptomatology and high substance use. Findings reiterate the importance of screening for a variety of different types of victimization in mental health settings, including both online and offline forms.
A Systematic Review of Beliefs Involved in the Use of Complementary and Alternative Medicine
Authors: Bishop Felicity L. , Yardley Lucy , Lewith George T.
Published: October 2007

People might be attracted to and use complementary and alternative medicines (CAM) because they hold beliefs that are congruent with CAM. This article collates, examines and synthesizes the evidence surrounding this hypothesis. Most studies are cross-sectional and focus on a limited number of beliefs. Multivariate studies suggest that beliefs related to control and participation, perceptions of illness, holism and natural treatments, and general philosophies of life predict CAM use when controlling for demographic and clinical factors. Further research should examine the robustness of these relationships in different illness groups and the prospective relationships among beliefs and CAM use over time.
Running in the Family or Swimming in the Gene Pool
Authors: Riggs Abigail L. , Giuliano Traci A.
Published: October 2007

The present study sought to understand how the genetic component of a disease affects individual's risk perceptions. Specifically, participants read three scenarios that asked them to imagine that they had either genetic, ambiguous, of no family history for a hypothetical disease and to imagine that their parents' lifestyles were either healthy or unhealthy. As expected, when participants received an ambiguous family history (rather than a genetic history or no family history), they rated a healthy diet and exercise as more effective at preventing the disease when their parents lifestyles were discribed as unhealthy rather than healthy (N = 97)
Cancer Patients' Perceptions of Positive and Negative Illness-related Changes
Authors: Pinquart Martin , Fröhlich Cornelia , Silbereisen Rainer K.
Published: October 2007

We assessed perceived cancer-related change in 153 recently diagnosed patipents. High levels of social support and optimism at the start of chemotherapy predicted higher numbers of perceived positive changes and lower numbers of negative changes nine months later. Higher numbers of perceived gains predicted an increase in positive affect, and higher numbers of negative changes predicted an increase in negative affect at follow-up. We conclude that finding positive consequences of cancer promotes psychological well-being, but patients with low levels of psychosocial resources are at risk for finding nothing beneficial in adversity.
Attachment Style, Stigma and Psychological Distress among HIV+ Adults
Authors: Riggs Shelley A. , Vosvick Mark , Stallings Steve
Published: October 2007

This study explored the role of adult attachment style in reported experiences of HIV-related stigma, stress and depression in a diverse sample of HIV+ adults. Participants ( N = 288) recruited from AIDS service organizations were administered the Experiences in Close Relationships Scale, Perceived Stress Scale, CES-D, HIV Stigma Scale and a health information questionnaire. Adult romantic attachment style was significantly associated with perceived stress, depression and HIV-related stigma. Results of regression analyses supported contentions that in addition to HIV symptomatology, other psychosocial risk factors such as attachment style and stigma contribute to perceived stress and depression among HIV+ men and women.
Personality, Emotional Intelligence and Exercise
Authors: Saklofske Donald H. , Austin Elizabeth J. , Rohr Betty A. , Andrews Jac J.W.
Published: October 2007

The associations of personality and self-report emotional intelligence (EI) with attitudes to exercise and self-reported exercise behaviour were investigated in a sample of 497 Canadian undergraduates. A positive attitude to exercise was negatively associated with Neuroticism and uncorrelated with other personality traits and EI. Exercise behaviour was positively associated with Extraversion and EI and negatively associated with Neuroticism. Structural equation modelling indicated that EI mediated the relationship between personality and exercise behaviour. The interpretation of this result in terms of EI having some properties of a coping style is discussed.
Participation in Different Fields of Practice
Authors: Stephens Christine
Published: October 2007

`Participation' by community members in health-related programmes is an appealing concept that has not always been easy to achieve. Such programmes are often directed towards communities defined on the basis of neighbourhood or group identity. This article aims to develop an account of participation and identity by drawing on Bourdieu's theory of practice to understand participation as the practice of social identities structured by habitus, capital and field. Examples from interviews with members of one deprived neighbourhood illustrate the theory by showing that people may identify with their neighbourhood for certain social purposes, but have different identity practices in different fields of practice. Implications for community-based health programmes are briefly outlined.
Life Cycle Optimization of Extremely Low Energy Dwellings
Authors: Verbeeck Griet , Hens Hugo
Published: October 2007

A global methodology is developed to optimize concepts for extremely low energy dwellings, taking into account energy use, environmental impact, and financial costs over the life cycle of the buildings. Energy simulations are executed with TRNSYS. The ecological impact is evaluated through a life cycle inventory of the whole building, whereas costs are evaluated through a cost-benefit analysis. The multi-objective optimization problem is tackled by combining genetic algorithms and the Pareto concept. First, the optimization methodology is presented. Subsequently, the validity as well as the strengths and weaknesses of the methodology are discussed. Finally, the main results are presented followed by a discussion of the trade-off curves of primary energy consumption and net present value, an analysis of the embodied energy, and a study of the impact of economic parameters, such as price evolutions above inflation and discount rate.
Characterization of Moisture Transport Properties for Lightened Clay Brick — Comparison Between Two Manufacturers
Authors: Gómez I. , Sala J.M. , Millán J.A.
Published: October 2007

A previous paper (Gómez et al., 2007) details the results of the characterization of two types of lightened clay made by two manufacturers who use different additives. This article shows the results of the characterization of the moisture transfer properties of those same materials. Lightened clay is widely used in the construction sector because of the special characteristics conferred by its porous structure. However, its hygro-thermal properties may very considerably depending on the additives used in its manufacture. The properties measured here are water vapor permeability and liquid water permeability, in accordance with the permeability model (Carmeliet and Roels, 2001), rather than the diffusivity model (De Vries, 1987), using capillary pressure pc as a driving force instead of moisture content w. On the basis of these two permeability levels, the total permeability of each lightened clay is determined. Water vapor permeability is determined using the `cup' method (UNE-EN ISO 12572, 2002), while liquid water permeability is determined using the inverse method based on Boltzmann's transform, taking the transient moisture profiles obtained from X-ray analysis in a water absorption test (Roels and Carmeliet, 2006; Roels et al., 2003). As a result of these tests, very different permeability levels were detected in the two types of clay.
Effects of gastrointestinal tissue structure on computed dipole vectors
Authors: Austin Travis M , Li Liren , Pullan Andrew J , Cheng Leo K
Published: October 2007

Background

Digestive diseases are difficult to assess without using invasive measurements. Non-invasive measurements of body surface electrical and magnetic activity resulting from underlying gastro-intestinal activity are not widely used, in large due to their difficulty in interpretation. Mathematical modelling of the underlying processes may help provide additional information. When modelling myoelectrical activity, it is common for the electrical field to be represented by equivalent dipole sources. The gastrointestinal system is comprised of alternating layers of smooth muscle (SM) cells and Interstitial Cells of Cajal (ICC). In addition the small intestine has regions of high curvature as the intestine bends back upon itself. To eventually use modelling diagnostically, we must improve our understanding of the effect that intestinal structure has on dipole vector behaviour.

Methods

Normal intestine electrical behaviour was simulated on simple geometries using a monodomain formulation. The myoelectrical fields were then represented by their dipole vectors and an examination on the effect of structure was undertaken. The 3D intestine model was compared to a more computationally efficient 1D representation to determine the differences on the resultant dipole vectors. In addition, the conductivity values and the thickness of the different muscle layers were varied in the 3D model and the effects on the dipole vectors were investigated.

Results

The dipole vector orientations were largely affected by the curvature and by a transmural gradient in the electrical wavefront caused by the different properties of the SM and ICC layers. This gradient caused the dipoles to be oriented at an angle to the principal direction of electrical propagation. This angle increased when the ratio of the longitudinal and circular muscle was increased or when the the conductivity along and across the layers was increased. The 1D model was able to represent the geometry of the small intestine and successfully captured the propagation of the slow wave down the length of the mesh, however, it was unable to represent transmural diffusion within each layer, meaning the equivalent dipole sources were missing a lateral component and a reduced magnitude when compared to the full 3D models.

Conclusion

The structure of the intestinal wall affected the potential gradient through the wall and the orientation and magnitude of the dipole vector. We have seen that the models with a symmetrical wall structure and extreme anisotropic conductivities had similar characteristics in their dipole magnitudes and orientations to the 1D model. If efficient 1D models are used instead of 3D models, then both the differences in magnitude and orientation need to be accounted for.
Human agonistic TRAIL receptor antibodies Mapatumumab and Lexatumumab induce apoptosis in malignant mesothelioma and act synergistically with cisplatin
Authors: Belyanskaya Larisa L , Marti Thomas M , Hopkins-Donaldson Sally , Kurtz Stefanie , Felley-Bosco Emanuela , Stahel Rolf A
Published: October 2007

Background

The incidence of malignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM) is associated with exposure to asbestos, and projections suggest that the yearly number of deaths in Western Europe due to MPM will increase until 2020. Despite progress in chemo- and in multimodality therapy, MPM remains a disease with a poor prognosis. Inducing apoptosis by tumor necrosis factor-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL) or agonistic monoclonal antibodies which target TRAIL-receptor 1 (TRAIL-R1) or TRAIL-R2 has been thought to be a promising cancer therapy.

Results

We have compared the sensitivity of 13 MPM cell lines or primary cultures to TRAIL and two fully human agonistic monoclonal antibodies directed to TRAIL-R1 (Mapatumumab) and TRAIL-R2 (Lexatumumab) and examined sensitization of the MPM cell lines to cisplatin-induced by the TRAIL-receptor antibodies. We found that sensitivity of MPM cells to TRAIL, Mapatumumab and Lexatumumab varies largely and is independent of TRAIL-receptor expression. TRAIL-R2 contributes more than TRAIL-R1 to death-receptor mediated apoptosis in MPM cells that express both receptors. The combination of cisplatin with Mapatumumab or Lexatumumab synergistically inhibited the cell growth and enhanced apoptotic death. Furthermore, pre-treatment with cisplatin followed by Mapatumumab or Lexatumumab resulted in significant higher cytotoxic effects as compared to the reverse sequence. Combination-induced cell growth inhibition was significantly abrogated by pre-treatment of the cells with the antioxidant N-acetylcysteine.

Conclusion

Our results suggest that the sequential administration of cisplatin followed by Mapatumumab or Lexatumumab deserves investigation in the treatment of patients with MPM.
The contribution of peroxynitrite generation in HIV replication in human primary macrophages
Authors: Aquaro Stefano , Muscoli Carolina , Ranazzi Alessandro , Pollicita Michela , Granato Teresa , Masuelli Laura , Modesti Andrea , Perno Carlo-Federico , Mollace Vincenzo
Published: October 2007

Background

Monocytes/Macrophages (M/M) play a pivotal role as a source of virus during the whole course of HIV-1 infection. Enhanced oxidative stress is involved in the pathogenesis of HIV-1 infection. HIV-1 regulatory proteins induce a reduction of the expression and the activity of MnSOD, the mitochondrial isoform leading to a sustained generation of superoxide anions and peroxynitrite that represent important mediators of HIV-1 replication in M/M. MnTBAP (Mn(III)tetrakis(4-benzoic acid)porphrin chloride), a synthetic peroxynitrite decomposition catalyst, reduced oxidative stress subsequent to peroxynitrite generation.

Results

Virus production was assessed by p24 ELISA, western blot, and electron microscopy during treatment with MnTBAP. MnTBAP treatment showed a reduction of HIV-1 replication in both acutely and chronically infected M/M: 99% and 90% inhibition of p24 released in supernatants compared to controls, respectively. Maturation of p55 and p24 was strongly inhibited by MnTBAP in both acutely and chronically infected M/M. EC50and EC90are 3.7 (± 0.05) μM and 19.5 (± 0.5) μM, in acutely infected M/M; 6.3 (± 0.003) μM and 30 (± 0.6) μM, in chronically infected M/M. In acutely infected peripheral blood limphocytes (PBL), EC50and EC90are 7.4 (± 0.06) μM and of 21.3 (± 0.6) μM, respectively. Treatment of acutely-infected M/M with MnTBAP inhibited the elevated levels of malonildialdehyde (MDA) together with the nitrotyrosine staining observed during HIV-1 replication. MnTBAP strongly reduced HIV-1 particles in infected M/M, as shown by electron microscopy. Moreover, in presence of MnTBAP, HIV-1 infectivity was reduced of about 1 log compared to control.

Conclusion

Results support the role of superoxide anions in HIV-1 replication in M/M and suggest that MnTBAP may counteract HIV-1 replication in combination with other antiretroviral treatments.
Determination of HER2 status using both serum HER2 levels and circulating tumor cells in patients with recurrent breast cancer whose primary tumor was HER2 negative or of unknown HER2 status
Authors: Fehm Tanja , Becker Sven , Duerr-Stoerzer Silke , Sotlar Karl , Mueller Volkmar , Wallwiener Diethelm , Lane Nancy , Solomayer Erich , Uhr Jonathan
Published: October 2007

Introduction

At the time when metastatic disease is identified, assessment of human epidermal growth factor receptor (HER)2 status might help to optimize treatment decisions if HER2 status was not determined at first diagnosis and if HER2 positivity has been acquired during disease progression. Within this context, determination of serum HER2 or evaluation of HER2 status in circulating tumor cells (CTCs) may be of clinical relevance because metastatic tissue may be difficult to obtain for analysis as a result of its localization. The aim of this study was therefore to determine the HER2 status in serum and corresponding CTCs in patients with metastatic breast cancer whose primary tumors were HER2 negative or of unknown HER2 status.

Methods

Blood samples were obtained from 77 metastatic breast cancer patients with negative (n = 44) or unknown (n = 33) HER2 status. Serum HER2 was determined using a commercial HER2/neu ELISA kit. CTCs were detected by slide-based assay using immunomagnetic enrichment and characterized by phenotyping and genotyping. Alternatively, a commercial kit, based on RT-PCR, was used to detect and characterize CTCs.

Results

Twenty out of 77 patients with metastatic disease had elevated serum levels of HER2. Blood samples could be analyzed for the presence of CTCs in 67 patients. Eight out of 21 patients with detectable CTCs exhibited HER2 amplification. Twenty-three out of 77 patients were HER2 positive using at least one method. Concordance between HER2 status of CTCs and serum HER2 was observed in 15 of 21 patients (71%). In six patients conflicting results were obtained. Three patients with elevated serum HER2 status had HER2-negative CTCs, whereas three patients with HER2-positive CTCs had normal serum HER2 levels.

Conclusion

A subgroup of patients with initially negative or unknown HER2 status can have elevated serum HER2 levels and/or HER2-positive CTCs at the time of development of metastatic disease. Although only a small number of patients were studied, our observations are of clinical relevance because, currently, these patients do not have access to HER2-targeted therapy.
Numerical simulation of windshield defogging process
Authors: Croce G , D'Agaro P , De Angelis A , Mattiello F
Published: October 2007

A suite of routines for the prediction of environment moist condensation and evaporation on solid surfaces is presented. The physical problem requires the solution of the airflow field along a (cold) solid surface, the evaluation of the unsteady conduction through the solid itself, and the development of a suitable model for the heat and mass transfer through the thin water layer on the fogged surface. The routines for the unsteady simulation of the water layer development are designed as a purely interfacial procedure, minimizing the exchange of information with both the flow and the conductive solver. This allows the coupling with different solvers. Here, the model is used in connection with a commercial computational fluid dynamics solver, in order to predict the defogging process of a car windshield. The water layer is modelled as a collection of closely packed tiny droplets, leaving a portion of dry area among them. The effect of the contact angle is taken into account, and physical assumptions allow the local ratio of the wet surface to the dry surface to be defined for both the fogging and the defogging process.
Finite element-based parameter estimations for a characteristic simulation model of a hydraulically damped rubber mount for vehicle engines
Authors: Wang L-R , Wang J-C , Lu Z-H , Hagiwara I
Published: October 2007

The hydraulically damped rubber mount (HDM) is widely used for vibration isolation in automotive powertrains and other dynamic systems. In predictions of its dynamic characteristics, some key parameters or parametric characteristics in the lumped-parameter dynamic analysis model of an HDM, such as the volumetric elastic characteristics of fluid chambers and the equivalent piston cross-sectional area of the upper chamber, must be especially determined, because they are difficult to measure by experiment owing to fluid-structure interactions (FSIs). In this paper, a numerical simulation approach of volumetric elastic characteristics is developed on the basis of finite element analysis methods relating to rubber material hyperelasticity and hydrostatic FSI using ABAQUS software. Volumetric elastic characteristics of the upper fluid chamber, including the main rubber spring and/or uncoupling rubber membrane, and that of the lower fluid chamber are identified; volumetric stiffness and equivalent piston cross-sectional area are also calculated for further dynamic characteristic simulations of HDM. The contributions of different rubber parts to the volumetric elastic characteristics of the upper chamber are revealed. Predications of dynamic characteristics and frequency response analysis of a typical HDM with fixed decoupler verify the effectiveness of the proposed parameter identification method. The proposed simulation methods of volumetric elastic characteristics can be applied to other FSI systems.
Assessment of thermal comfort in a car cabin with sky-roof
Authors: Cascetta F , Musto M
Published: October 2007

The need to address the problem of thermal comfort inside a car cabin is becoming more significant for the automobile industry especially as recent developments in vehicle styling entail an increase in the glazed surfaces of the car, in particular for sky-roof models. The extended glazed surfaces produce an increase in radiative thermal loads on the area involved and so greater attention is being given to the enhancement and upgrading of the heating, ventilation, and air-conditioning system capacity, and efforts are being made to find solutions to the problem of thermal comfort inside the cabin.

This paper is a first experimental study which focuses on assessing the performance of four different types of special laminated sky-roof (with a low-emissivity internal surface). A performance comparison between special and traditional sky-roofs has been carried out in a field test (on the road) in summer conditions. The main results show that the special sky-roofs allow the temperature inside the car cabin to be reduced.
Modelling and simulation of a fuzzy controller of automatic transmission of a tracked vehicle in complicated driving conditions
Authors: Yi J , Wang X-L , Hu Y-J , Li C-G
Published: October 2007

Based on a human-vehicle-road closed-loop system of vehicle steering parameter, road surface status, and driver manipulating information, the primary principle of fuzzy intelligent shift control of a tracked vehicle is proposed and the simulation model of a drivetrain is established to adapt the automatic transmission to the complex driving conditions of a tracked vehicle. Using the fuzzy control theory, an intelligent fuzzy shift control system composed of a basic fuzzy shift strategy and a fuzzy modification module is developed to improve the dynamic characteristics and cross-country manoeuvrability. The simulation result shows that the fuzzy shift strategy can improve the shift quality of a tracked vehicle under manifold driving conditions and avoid shift cycling effectively, therefore proving that the intelligent fuzzy shift strategies are better.
Computational fluid dynamics simulation of in-cylinder flows in a motored homogeneous charge compression ignition engine cylinder with variable negative valve overlapping
Authors: Mahrous A-F M , Wyszynski M L , Wilson T , Xu H-M
Published: October 2007

In-cylinder air motion is one of the most important factors that control the degree of mixture preparation and thus is fundamental to improvements in the combustion process and overall engine performance. The major aim of this paper is to elucidate, through a predictive study, the main features of in-cylinder flow fields in a motored homogeneous charge compression ignition (HCCI) engine cylinder with variable negative valve overlapping (NVO). A commercial finite-volume computational fluid dynamics (CFD) package was used in the programme of simulation. The computational model was validated through a qualitative comparison between CFD results and the available experimental data. Thus one of the main developments presented in this study is the investigation of the intake process of the HCCI engine with various valve strategies, and it is perhaps the first time (to the current authors' best knowledge) that a direct comparison has been made of the results obtained in the same HCCI NVO motored engine using modelling and experimental approaches. The comparison illustrated a fair agreement between both sets of results, with some differences. A parametric predictive study of the effects of variable valve timings on the in-cylinder air motion has then been carried out. Three different sets of valve timings have been applied to the intake and exhaust valves to generate NVO of 70, 90, and 110 degrees of crank angle (°CA). The NVO was controlled by adjusting the times of exhaust valves closing (EVC) and intake valves opening (IVO) while keeping the times of exhaust valves opening (EVO) and intake valves closing (IVC) unchanged. The predicted results show a noticeable modification of the strength and the global direction of the in-cylinder charge motion as a result of increasing the magnitude of NVO. Modifications of in-cylinder swirl and tumble motions obtained by applying higher degrees of NVO are expected to have a considerable effect on the air-fuel mixture preparation process as well as the actual in-cylinder conditions at the end of the compression stroke.
Some aspects concerning the combination of downsizing with turbocharging, variable compression ratio, and variable intake valve lift
Authors: Clenci A C , Descombes G , Podevin P , Hara V
Published: October 2007

The inefficient running of the spark ignition engine at part loads due to the load control method but, mostly, their major weighting in the vehicle's operation time justifies the interest in the technical solutions, which act in this particular operating range. These drawbacks encountered at low part loads are even more amplified when considering larger engines. For instance, it is well known that, at the same engine load, a larger engine is more throttled than a smaller engine; therefore the concerns are the higher pumping work, the lower real compression ratio, and the overall mechanical efficiency, which is also lower. One solution is a reduction in the displacement without affecting the power output. This is what is now commonly known as the downsizing technique.

The combination of downsizing and uploading an engine has been known for a long time. However, the conversion, in an acceptable way, of this potential to actual practice is very challenging. On the one hand, the degree of the downsizing is related to the boost pressure. In order to cope with the knocking phenomenon, the downsized high-pressure turbocharged gasoline engine requires a lower volumetric compression ratio that limits the efficiency on part loads. Therefore, the degree of the downsizing has been limited and, thus, the possible fuel consumption reduction has not yet been fully achieved. On the other hand, other problems are encountered when considering a downsized turbocharged gasoline engine: insufficient low-end torque, poor starting performance, and turbo lag.

In order to solve these problems an effective combination of the downsized turbocharged gasoline engine with additional technologies is needed. Thus, the paper will present a so-called adaptive thermal engine, which has at the same time a variable compression ratio and a variable intake valve lift. It will then be demonstrated that it is highly suitable for turbocharging, thus resulting in a high downsizing factor.
Non-linear continuous-contact-force model for low-speed front-to-rear vehicle impact
Authors: Han I
Published: October 2007

The most common kind of vehicular accident is the low-speed front-to-rear impact that results in a high proportion of insurance claims and whiplash-associated disorders. The low-speed collisions have specific characteristics that differ from high-speed collisions and must be treated differently. This paper presents a fundamental non-linear continuous-contact-force model for the low-speed front-to-rear impact to simulate the accelerations, the velocities, and the contact force as functions of time. A smoothed Coulomb frictional force is used to represent the effect of braking, which was found to be significant in simulating low-speed front-to-rear impact. The intervehicular contact force is modelled using non-linear damping and spring elements with coefficients and exponents. This paper presents a method of estimating analytically the stiffness and damping coefficients. The exponent of the non-linear contact force model was determined to match the overall acceleration pulse shape and magnitude. The model can be used to determine ∇ V values and peak accelerations for the purpose of accident reconstruction and for injury biomechanics studies.
Multi-component fuel vaporization modelling and its effect on spray development in gasoline direct injection engines
Authors: Tonini S , Gavaises M , Arcoumanis C , Theodorakakos A , Kometani S
Published: October 2007

A multi-component fuel vaporization model has been developed and implemented into an in-house multi-phase computational fluid dynamics flow solver simulating the flow, spray, and air-fuel mixing processes taking place in gasoline direct injection (GDI) engines. Multi-component fuel properties are modelled assuming a specified composition of pure hydrocarbons. High-pressure and -temperature effects, as well as gas solubility and compressibility, are considered. Remote droplet vaporization is initially investigated in order to quantify and validate the most appropriate vaporization model for conditions relevant to those realized with GDI engines. Phenomena related to the fuel injection system and pressure-swirl atomizer flow as well as the subsequent spray development are considered using an one-dimensional fuel injection equipment model predicting the wave dynamics inside the injection system, a Eulerian volume of fluid-based two-phase flow model simulating the liquid film formation process inside the injection hole of the swirl atomizer and a Lagrangian spray model simulating the subsequent spray development, respectively. The computational results are validated against experimental data obtained in an optical engine and include laser Doppler velocimetry measurements of the charge air motion in the absence of spray injection and charge coupled device images of the fuel spray injected during the induction stroke. The results confirm that fuel composition affects the overall fuel spray vaporization rate, but not significantly relative to other flow and heat transfer processes taking place during the engine operation.