bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
STRUCTURAL AND ELECTRONIC PROPERTIES OF α-TiNX (X:F, Cl, Br, I): AN AB INITIO STUDY
Authors: ALTINTAS BAHADIR
Published: February 2011

The electronic and lattice properties of α-TiNX (X:F, Cl, Br, I) were investigated from first principles. Ab initio calculations for geometry optimization, electronic band structure and zone-center phonon calculations have been carried out by using plane-wave pseudopotential method which is not examined before. From the electronic structure calculation, band gaps have been found as 1.23 eV, 0.955 eV, 0.897 eV for TiNF , TiNCl , TiNBr while there is no band gap for TiNI . This result can separate TiNI from other metal nitride halides which are semiconductor. Band structure calculations showed that increasing the electropositivity of halogen atom in TiNX systems decreasing the fermi energy level or in other words shift the valance bonds to higher energy. Also zone center phonon modes show that the vibrational frequencies are increasing by atomic number of halogens. Heavier halogen atom makes the system vibrate more slowly and as expected to reduce vibrational frequency.
The role of geoarchaeology in extending our perspective
Authors: Wilson Lucy
Published: February 2011

Specialists and the general public alike are very aware of human impacts on our environment. Climate change, deforestation, desertification, soil erosion and other topics are currently much in the news, but human influence on the environment is not a new phenomenon. Geoarchaeologists study the traces of human interactions with the geosphere dating back to ancient times, as well as up to and in the present. Geoarchaeological investigations provide the key to recognizing landscape and environmental change within a region, as well as reconstructing ancient landscapes and palaeoclimatic regimes. Such an interdisciplinary approach makes it possible to interpret the ways that humans affect the geosphere, through such things as subsistence and resource exploitation activities, settlement location, and local and regional land-use patterns. This approach also allows us to determine the effects of environmental change on human societies. For millennia, humans have been coping with, or provoking, environmental change. We have exploited, extracted, over-used but also in many cases nurtured the resources that the geosphere offers. In the geoarchaeological perspective, human life has never been separate from nature. Geoarchaeology can thus provide a more inclusive and longer-term view of human–geosphere interactions, and serve as a valuable aid to those who try to determine sustainable policies for the future.
Reconstruction of the fire history in the
Siedlungskammer
Burgweinting (Bavaria, Germany) in relation to settlement and environmental history
Authors: Raab A. , Brützke W. , Christophel D. , Völkel J. , Raab T.
Published: February 2011

Palaeoenvironmental investigations were carried out in the
Siedlungskammer
(prehistoric settlement area) Burgweinting (Regensburg, Bavaria, Germany) to reveal past settlement conditions and human impact on the environment. Two sequences were obtained from the Islinger Mühlbach Fen, in close proximity to the archaeological excavation site in Burgweinting, which documents an almost continuous settlement history since the Neolithic Period. The analyses of the sequences comprise stratigraphic, geochemical and microscopic charcoal analyses. For chronological information, radiocarbon dating was conducted on a total of 10 samples. Thus, the first long-term fire record was reconstructed for the investigation area, and the results were correlated, based on radiocarbon dating, with the available environmental information and settlement history in the
Siedlungskammer
Burgweinting. The fire record reveals an almost continuous, but alternating fire history. Furthermore, it shows that fire played an important role in the
Siedlungskammer
Burgweinting and that most probably as early as the Mesolithic hunterer–gatherers deliberately used fire.
Holocene land use in western Sicily: a geoarchaeological perspective
Authors: Heinzel Chad , Kolb Michael
Published: February 2011

Geoarchaeological research within Sicily continues to characterize the effects of anthropogenic and geological processes upon the island's Holocene alluvial landscape developments. Interdisciplinary approaches have been used including geomorphological mapping, archaeological survey and excavations to characterize land-use practices though the mid- to late Holocene. Landscape development changes are recorded in the alluvial sediments as a consequence of land use by the indigenous and Roman settlers of Sicilian valleys in the Nebrodi and Polizzo Mountains. A marked change in erosion has been identified during the late Roman occupation of Sicily, probably as a product of intensive pastoralism and land clearing. Sedimentation during indigenous hilltop occupation of north–central and western Sicily was dominated by coarse-grained (cobble or boulder) deposits attributed to flash-flooding. Sedimentation that temporally coincided with the Greek and later Roman occupation of the adjacent valleys is marked by fine-grained deposits. These data continue to support the geological and archaeological interpretations of human–landscape interactions in Sicily. Furthermore, such geoarchaeological data may be used in models to strengthen our present and future landscape conservation methods.
Alluvial stratigraphy and geoarchaeology in the Big Fork River Valley, Minnesota: human response to Late Holocene environmental change
Authors: Hill Christopher L. , Rapp George , Jing Zhichun
Published: February 2011

The Late Quaternary geomorphology and stratigraphy of the Big Fork River valley, within the Rainy River basin of northern Minnesota, reveals evidence of prehistoric human interaction with late Holocene riverine environments. By 11 000
14
C BP, deglaciation made the region inhabitable by human groups using Clovis artefacts. Human habitation would also have been possible during the Moorhead low-water stage of glacial Lake Agassiz, starting at 10 500
14
C BP. Near its confluence with the Rainy River, the valley floor of the Big Fork valley consists of a floodplain complex and two terraces. The multi-component stratified Hannaford site is situated within the active floodplain. Overbank deposits contain artefacts in primary context, whereas artefacts within the point bar deposits are in secondary archaeological context; these deposits are associated with changing alluvial settings as the river moved eastward. Aggradation of the valley fill beneath the lowest surface (T
0
, floodplain complex) began by 3000 years ago and is associated with human activities focused on seasonal fishing and the use of riparian resources from 1300 to 650
14
C BP.
Effect of antioxidant supplementation on insulin sensitivity in response to endurance exercise training
Authors: Yfanti Christina , Nielsen Anders R. , Åkerström Thorbjörn , Nielsen Søren , Rose Adam J. , Richter Erik A. , Lykkesfeldt Jens , Fischer Christian P. , Pedersen Bente K.
Published: February 2011

While production of reactive oxygen and nitrogen species (RONS) is associated with some of the beneficial adaptations to regular physical exercise, it is not established whether RONS play a role in the improved insulin-stimulated glucose uptake in skeletal muscle obtained by endurance training. To assess the effect of antioxidant supplementation during endurance training on insulin-stimulated glucose uptake, 21 young healthy (age 29 ± 1 y, BMI 25 ± 3 kg/m2) men were randomly assigned to either an antioxidant [AO; 500 mg vitamin C and 400 IU vitamin E (α-tocopherol) daily] or a placebo (PL) group that both underwent a supervised intense endurance-training program 5 times/wk for 12 wk. A 3-h euglycemic-hyperinsulinemic clamp, a maximal oxygen consumption (V̇o2max) and maximal power output (Pmax) test, and body composition measurements (fat mass, fat-free mass) were performed before and after the training. Muscle biopsies were obtained for determination of the concentration and activity of proteins regulating glucose metabolism. Although plasma levels of vitamin C ( P < 0.05) and α-tocopherol ( P < 0.05) increased markedly in the AO group, insulin-stimulated glucose uptake increased similarly in both the AO (17.2%, P < 0.05) and the PL (18.9%, P < 0.05) group in response to training. V̇o2maxand Pmaxalso increased similarly in both groups (time effect, P < 0.0001 for both) as well as protein content of GLUT4, hexokinase II, and total Akt (time effect, P ≤ 0.05 for all). Our results indicate that administration of antioxidants during strenuous endurance training has no effect on the training-induced increase in insulin sensitivity in healthy individuals.
Assessing vesicoureteral reflux in live inbred mice via ultrasound with a microbubble contrast agent
Authors: Paredes Jose , Sims-Lucas Sunder , Wang Hang , Lu Weining , Coley Brian , Gittes George K. , Bates Carlton M.
Published: February 2011

Vesicoureteral reflux (VUR) is a common pediatric anomaly linked to renal scarring and hypertension. Although there are many mouse VUR models, cystograms have previously only been performed in euthanized animals, thus preventing serial assessments for VUR in the same animal and not delineating “live” physiology. Our purpose was to develop a live murine cystogram assay that could be used serially to track reflux. We injected microbubbles via transurethral catheters into bladders of C57BL6/J and C3H/HeJ inbred mouse strains that are known to have low and high VUR rates, respectively. We performed ultrasound to visualize microbubbles in the renal pelvis to determine feasibility of the procedure. We then repeated the microbubble ultrasound using a transducer allowing for visualization of both kidneys and ureters simultaneously and for 3 dimensional (3D) reconstruction. We then performed “euthanized” cystograms on all mice for comparison. C3H/HeJ mice had a strong and persistent microbubble signal in the renal pelvis and ureters bilaterally with low-contrast infusion volumes (<100 μl) and similarly showed bilateral reflux by euthanized cystograms. With larger infused volumes (≥150 μl), C57BL6/J mice had small volumes of microbubbles in the renal pelvis that cleared quickly and did not show reflux on euthanized cystograms. Thus, using animal models of known VUR, we demonstrate the utility of contrast-enhanced ultrasound to visualize reflux in live mice.
Separability of stimulus parameter encoding by on-off directionally selective rabbit retinal ganglion cells
Authors: Nowak Przemyslaw , Dobbins Allan C. , Gawne Timothy J. , Grzywacz Norberto M. , Amthor Franklin R.
Published: February 2011

The ganglion cell output of the retina constitutes a bottleneck in sensory processing in that ganglion cells must encode multiple stimulus parameters in their responses. Here we investigate encoding strategies of On-Off directionally selective retinal ganglion cells (On-Off DS RGCs) in rabbits, a class of cells dedicated to representing motion. The exquisite axial discrimination of these cells to preferred vs. null direction motion is well documented: it is invariant with respect to speed, contrast, spatial configuration, spatial frequency, and motion extent. However, these cells have broad direction tuning curves and their responses also vary as a function of other parameters such as speed and contrast. In this study, we examined whether the variation in responses across multiple stimulus parameters is systematic, that is the same for all cells, and separable, such that the response to a stimulus is a product of the effects of each stimulus parameter alone. We extracellularly recorded single On-Off DS RGCs in a superfused eyecup preparation while stimulating them with moving bars. We found that spike count responses of these cells scaled as independent functions of direction, speed, and luminance. Moreover, the speed and luminance functions were common across the whole sample of cells. Based on these findings, we developed a model that accurately predicted responses of On-Off DS RGCs as products of separable functions of direction, speed, and luminance ( r = 0.98; P < 0.0001). Such a multiplicatively separable encoding strategy may simplify the decoding of these cells' outputs by the higher visual centers.
Receptor saturation controls short-term synaptic plasticity at corticothalamic synapses
Authors: Sun Yan-Gang , Beierlein Michael
Published: February 2011

Glutamatergic synapses of layer 6 corticothalamic (CT) neurons form a major excitatory input onto thalamic relay cells, allowing neocortex to continuously control sensory information processing in thalamic circuits. CT synapses display both short- and long-term forms of use-dependent synaptic enhancement, mediated at least in part by increases in the probability of transmitter release. At some synapses, such increases in release probability are accompanied by a higher degree of multivesicular release (MVR) and larger glutamate transients at individual release sites, resulting in the saturation of postsynaptic receptors. The extent to which MVR and postsynaptic saturation interact and control short-term plasticity at CT synapses is not known. Here we examined two distinct presynaptic forms of short-term enhancement, facilitation and augmentation, at CT synapses contacting relay neurons in the ventrobasal nucleus of the mouse thalamus. We found that, in the presence of the low-affinity antagonist γ-d-glutamylglycine, to relieve postsynaptic dl-α-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methylisox azole-propionic acid (AMPA) receptor saturation, the magnitude of facilitation and augmentation increased. Whereas receptor saturation was prominent for both AMPA and N-methyl-d-aspartate receptors, desensitization of AMPA receptors did not significantly alter short-term plasticity. Our results suggest that at CT synapses the activity-dependent increase in synaptic strength is controlled by postsynaptic receptor saturation.
Deciphering the luteal transcriptome: potential mechanisms mediating stage-specific luteolytic response of the corpus luteum to prostaglandin F2α
Authors: Mondal Mohan , Schilling Beau , Folger Joe , Steibel Juan Pedro , Buchnick Heli , Zalman Yulia , Ireland James J. , Meidan Rina , Smith George W.
Published: February 2011

The objective of this study was to identify prostaglandin F2α (PG)-induced changes in the transcriptome of bovine corpora lutea (CL) that are specific to mature, PG-responsive (day 11) CL vs. developing (day 4) CL, which do not undergo luteolysis in response to PG administration. CL were collected at 0, 4, and 24 h after PG injection on days 4 and 11 of the estrous cycle ( n = 5 per day and time point), and microarray analysis was performed with GeneChip Bovine Genome Arrays. Data normalization was performed with affy package and significance testing with maanova from Bioconductor. Significance (relative to 0 h time point) was declared at fold change >2.0 or <0.5 and false discovery rate of <5%. At 4 and 24 h after PG, 221 (day 4) and 661 (day 11) and 248 (day 4) and 1,421 (day 11) regulated genes, respectively, were identified. The accentuated gene expression response in day 11 CL was accompanied by specific enrichment of PG-regulated genes in distinctive gene ontology categories (immune related and other), particularly at 24 h after injection. Specificity in putative transcription factor binding sites was observed among PG-regulated genes on day 11 vs. day 4, including a potential association of ETS transcription factors with acute PG-induced gene expression specific to day 11 CL. Temporal and PG-induced regulation of abundance of mRNA for ETS transcription factor family members linked to the stage-specific response to PG was not observed. Increased abundance of protein and/or mRNA for six PG-regulated putative ETS-responsive genes was noted in day 11 but not day 4 CL. Results reveal insight into stage-specific gene expression in bovine CL in response to PG and potential transcriptional mediators of luteolysis.
MicroRNA as a Novel Modulator in Head and Neck Squamous Carcinoma
Authors: Chen Li-Hsin , Tsai Kun-Ling , Chen Yi-Wei , Yu Cheng-Chia , Chang Kuo-Wei , Chiou Shi-Hwa , Ku Hung-Hai , Chu Pen-Yuan , Tseng Ling-Ming , Huang Pin-I , Lo Wen-Liang
Published: February 2011

MicroRNAs have emerged as important regulators of cell proliferation, development, cancer formation, stress responses, cell death, and other physiological conditions in the past decade. On the other hand, head and neck cancer is one of the top ten most common cancers worldwide. Recent advances in microRNAs have revealed their prominent role in regulating gene expression and provided new aspects of applications in diagnosis, prognosis, and therapeutic strategies in head and neck squamous carcinoma. In the present paper, we focus on microRNAs showing significant differences between normal and tumor cells or between cells with differential ability of metastasis. We also emphasize specific microRNAs that could modulate tumor cell properties, such as apoptosis, metastasis, and proliferation. These microRNAs possess the potential to be applied on clinical therapy in the future.
A Controversial Role for IL‐12 in Immune Response and Bone Resorption at Apical Periodontal Sites
Authors: Queiroz-Junior Celso Martins , Silva Marcelo José Barbosa , Corrêa Jôice Dias , Madeira Mila Fernandes Moreira , Garlet Thiago Pompermaier , Garlet Gustavo Pompermaier , Cunha Fernando Queiroz , Teixeira Mauro Martins , Silva Tarcília Aparecida da
Published: February 2011

Periapical lesions are inflammatory conditions of tooth periapical tissues, triggered by dental pulp infection and characterized by exudation of immune cells to the affected tissues and production of inflammatory mediators such as cytokines. The inflammatory periapical reaction is mainly driven by Th1, Th2, and Th17 responses, and such polarization may modulate progression of the disease and expression of bone proresorptive cytokines. IL‐12 is a potent inducer of IFN‐γ production, which stimulates Th1 effector cells. Many evidences have shown a positive correlation between the bone resorptive cytokine IL‐1β and the production of IL‐12 and IFN‐γ. Furthermore, IL‐12 may have a potential role in the release of bone resorptive mediators and blockade of Th2 cytokines, affecting the progression of periapical bone loss. Nevertheless, IL‐12 and IFN‐γ have also been described as suppressors of osteoclast differentiation and activation, favoring bone maintenance. This paper focuses on the controversial roles of IL‐12 in periapical lesions.
Performance Study of Multilayered Multistage Interconnection Networks under Hotspot Traffic Conditions
Authors: Vasiliadis Dimitris , Rizos George , Vassilakis Costas
Published: February 2011

The performance of Multistage Interconnection Networks (MINs) under hotspot traffic, where some percentage of the traffic is targeted at single nodes, which are also called hot spots, is of crucial interest. The prioritizing of packets has already been proposed at previous works as alleviation to the tree saturation problem, leading to a scheme that natively supports 2-class priority traffic. In order to prevent hotspot traffic from degrading uniform traffic we expand previous studies by introducing multilayer Switching Elements (SEs) at last stages in an attempt to balance between MIN performance and cost. In this paper the performance evaluation of dual-priority, double-buffered, multilayer MINs under single hotspot setups is presented and analyzed using simulation experiments. The findings of this paper can be used by MIN designers to optimally configure their networks.
Analysis of the Consecutive Mean Excision Algorithms
Authors: Vartiainen Johanna , Lehtomäki Janne , Saarnisaari Harri , Juntti Markku
Published: February 2011

The backward and forward consecutive mean excision (CME/FCME) algorithms are diagnostic methods for outlier (signal) detection. Since they are computationally simple,
they have applications for both narrowband signal detection in cognitive radios and
interference suppression. In this paper, a theoretical performance analysis framework of
the CME algorithms is presented. The analysis provides simple tests of the detectability
of the signals based on their shape in the considered domain (e.g., spectrum). As a
consequence, results can be used to quickly check whether the CME/FCME algorithms
are usable for a given problem or not without the need to resort to time consuming
computer simulations. The computer simulations for random and orthogonal frequency
division multiplexing (OFDM) signals show that the presented analysis is able to predict
the detectability of signals well.
Effects of Training and Detraining on Physical Fitness, Physical Activity Patterns, Cardiovascular Variables, and HRQoL after 3 Health-Promotion Interventions in Institutionalized Elders
Authors: Lobo Alexandrina , Carvalho Joana , Santos Paula
Published: February 2011

The purpose of this study is to assess the effects of different strategies of health on the levels of physical activity (PA), physical fitness (PF), cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factors and quality of life (QoL) of the institutionalized elderly. Concurrently studies were made of the effect of detraining on these same variables. In this investigation we carried out a prospective longitudinal study with an experimental design, with 1 year plus 3 months of a detraining period. Methodology. (a) A questionnaire with socio-demographic characteristics and a QoL scale (MOS SF-36); (b) Functional Fitness Test to assess PF; (c) An MTI Actigraph to evaluate the PA; (d) Biochemical analysis of blood, blood pressure and bio-impedance. The Main Results Indicated That: (i) ST significantly improved strength and body flexibility and AT the aerobic endurance, agility/dynamic balance and lower strength and flexibility; (ii) Implications of detraining were more evident on the PA groups in the lower body flexibility, which is associated with agility/dynamic balance and lower strength in the AT group; (iii) Cardiovascular variables improved significantly especially blood pressure, cholesterol and glucose in the ST and HDL in the AT group; not having undergone significant changes with the detraining. The results of this thesis contribute positively to highlight the importance of PA in the promotion of health, prevention and reduction of CVD risk factors and the improvement of the PF and QoL.
Convergence of Paths for Perturbed Maximal Monotone Mappings in Hilbert Spaces
Authors: Qing Yuan , Qin Xiaolong , Zhou Haiyun , Kang ShinMin
Published: February 2011

Let "Equation missing" be a Hilbert space and "Equation missing" a nonempty closed convex subset of "Equation missing". Let "Equation missing" be a maximal monotone mapping and "Equation missing" a bounded demicontinuous strong pseudocontraction. Let "Equation missing" be the unique solution to the equation "Equation missing". Then"Equation missing" is bounded if and only if "Equation missing" converges strongly to a zero point of A as "Equation missing" which is the unique solution in "Equation missing", where "Equation missing" denotes the zero set of "Equation missing", to the following variational inequality "Equation missing", for all "Equation missing".
Electromagnetic Problems Solving by Conformal Mapping: A Mathematical Operator for Optimization
Authors: Calixto Wesley Pacheco , Alvarenga Bernardo , da Mota Jesus Carlos , Brito Leonardo da Cunha , Wu Marcel , Alves Aylton José , Neto Luciano Martins , Antunes Carlos F. R. Lemos
Published: February 2011

Having the property to modify only the geometry of a polygonal structure, preserving its physical magnitudes, the Conformal Mapping is an exceptional tool to solve
electromagnetism problems with known boundary conditions. This work aims to introduce a new developed mathematical operator, based on polynomial extrapolation. This operator has the capacity to accelerate an optimization method applied in conformal mappings, to determinate the equipotential lines, the field lines, the capacitance, and the permeance of some polygonal geometry electrical devices with an inner dielectric of permittivity ε. The results obtained in this work are compared with other simulations performed by the software of finite elements method, Flux 2D.
Evaluation of Fatigue Life Reliability of Steering Knuckle Using Pearson Parametric Distribution Model
Authors: Azrulhisham E. A. , Asri Y. M. , Dzuraidah A. W. , Nik Abdullah N. M. , Shahrum A. , Che Hassan C. H.
Published: February 2011

Steering module is a part of automotive suspension system which provides a means for an accurate vehicle placement and stability control. Components such as steering knuckle are subjected to fatigue failures due to cyclic loads arising from various driving conditions. This paper intends to give a description of a method used in the fatigue life reliability evaluation of the knuckle used in a passenger car steering system. An accurate representation of Belgian pave service loads in terms of response-time history signal was obtained from accredited test track using road load data acquisition. The acquired service load data was replicated on durability test rig and the SN method was used to estimate the fatigue life. A Pearson system was developed to evaluate the predicted fatigue life reliability by considering the variations in material properties. Considering random loads experiences by the steering knuckle, it is found that shortest life appears to be in the vertical load direction with the lowest fatigue life reliability between 14000–16000 cycles. Taking into account the inconsistency of the material properties, the proposed method is capable of providing the probability of failure of mass-produced parts.
Developing Central Nervous System and Vulnerability to Platinum Compounds
Authors: Bernocchi G. , Bottone M. G. , Piccolini V. M. , Dal Bo V. , Santin G. , De Pascali S. A. , Migoni D. , Fanizzi F. P.
Published: February 2011

Comparative studies on the effects of the platinum complexes in use or in clinical trials are carried out in order to discover differences in the neurotoxic potential and the reversibility of neurotoxicity. In this paper, we summarized the current literature on neurotoxicity and chemoresistance of cisplatin (cisPt) and discussed our recent efforts on the interference of cisPt and a new platinum compound [Pt(O,O′-acac)(γ-acac)(DMS)] (PtAcacDMS), with high specific reactivity with sulphur ligands instead of nucleobases as cisPt, on some crucial events of rat postnatal cerebellum development. The acute effects of drug treatments on cell proliferation and death in the external granular layer and granule cell migration and the late effects on the dendrite growth of Purkinje cells were evaluated. Together with the demonstrated antineoplastic effectivenessin vitro, compared with cisPt, data suggest a lower neurotoxicity of PtAcacDMS, in spite of its presence in the brain that involves considerations on the blood brain barrier permeability.
Modulation of Acetylation: Creating a Pro‐survival and Anti‐Inflammatory Phenotype in Lethal Hemorrhagic and Septic Shock
Authors: Li Yongqing , Alam Hasan B.
Published: February 2011

Histone deacetylases (HDACs) play a key role in homeostasis of protein acetylation in histone and nonhistone proteins and in regulating fundamental cellular activities. In this paper we review and discuss intriguing recent developments in the use of histone deacetylase inhibitors (HDACIs) to combat some critical conditions in an animal model of hemorrhagic and septic shock. HDACIs have neuroprotective, cardioprotective, renal‐protective, and anti‐inflammatory properties; survival improvements have been significantly shown in these models. We discuss the targets and mechanisms underlying these effects of HDACIs and comment on the potential new clinical applications for these agents in the future. This paper highlights the emerging roles of HDACIs as acetylation modulators in models of hemorrhagic and septic shock and explains some contradictions encountered in previous studies.
Incidence of Deep Vein Thrombosis in Hospitalized Chinese Medical Patients and the Impact of DVT Prophylaxis
Authors: Cheng Gregory , Chan Crystal , Liu Ying Ting , Choy Yee Fun , Wong Mei Mei , Yeung Pui Kwan Ernest , Ng Ka Ling , Tsang Lai Shan , Wong Raymond S. M.
Published: February 2011

Objective. To evaluate the incidence of deep vein thrombosis in hospitalized Chinese medical patients and the impact of DVT prophylaxis. Methods. All cases of confirmed proximal DVT from 1 January 2005 to 31 December 2008 were reviewed retrospectively to determine the presence of risk factors and whether DVT developed: during hospitalization in medical wards or in case of readmission with a diagnosis of DVT within 14 days of discharge from a recent admission to medical wards. The impact of prophylaxis will be estimated by comparing the annual incidence of proximal DVT among medical patients hospitalized from 2005 to 2007 with that of 2008 (DVT prophylaxis commonly used). Results. From 1 January 2005 to 31 December 2008, 3938 Doppler ultrasound studies were performed for suspected DVT. Proximal DVT was diagnosed in 687 patients. The calculated incidence of proximal DVT among medical patients hospitalized for at least two days was , , and for the year 2005, 2006, and 2007, respectively. The incidence was for 2008 (). Conclusion. Proximal DVT was substantial in Chinese medical patients, and DVT prophylaxis might reduce such risk.
Advances in Imaging for Atrial Fibrillation Ablation
Authors: D'Silva Andrew , Wright Matthew
Published: February 2011

Over the last fifteen years, our understanding of the pathophysiology of atrial fibrillation (AF) has paved the way for ablation to be utilized as an effective treatment option. With the aim of gaining more detailed anatomical representation, advances have been made using various imaging modalities, both before and during the ablation procedure, in planning and execution. Options have flourished from procedural fluoroscopy, electroanatomic mapping systems, preprocedural computed tomography (CT), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), ultrasound, and combinations of these technologies. Exciting work is underway in an effort to allow the electrophysiologist to assess scar formation in real time. One advantage would be to lessen the learning curve for what are very complex procedures. The hope of these developments is to improve the likelihood of a successful ablation procedure and to allow more patients access to this treatment.
Amorphization, Crystallization, and Magnetic Properties of Melt-Spun SmCo7−x(Cr3C2)x Alloys
Authors: Li Liya , Xie Wei
Published: February 2011

Effects of Cr3C2 content and wheel surface speed on the amorphous formation ability and magnetic properties have been investigated for melt-spun SmCo7−x(Cr3C2)x (x=0.10-0.25) alloys. Ribbon melt-spun at lower wheel speed (30 m/s) has composite structure composed of mostly SmCo7, a small amount of Sm2Co17, and residual amorphous phases. The grain size of SmCo7 phase decreases with the increase of Cr3C2 content x. When melt spinning at 40 m/s, SmCo7−x(Cr3C2)x alloys can be obtained in the amorphous state for 0.15≤x≤0.25 with intrinsic coercive Hci of the order of 40–70 Oe. DSC analysis reveals that SmCo7 phase first precipitates from the amorphous matrix at 650∘C, followed by the crystallization of Sm2Co17 phase at 770∘C. Optimal coercivity Hci of 7.98 kOe and remanent magnetization Mr of 55.05 emu/g have been realized in SmCo6.8(Cr3C2)0.20 magnet subjected to melt spinning at 40 m/s and annealing at 650∘C for 5 min. The domain structure of the annealed ribbon is composed of interaction domains typically 100–400 nm in size, which indicates the presence of a strong exchange coupling between the grains.
Cooperation between Pik3ca and p53 Mutations in Mouse Mammary Tumor Formation
Authors: Adams Jessica R. , Xu Keli , Liu Jeff C. , Agamez Natalia M. Ruiz , Loch Amanda J. , Wong Ruth G. , Wang Wei , Wright Katherine L. , Lane Timothy F. , Zacksenhaus Eldad , Egan Sean E.
Published: February 2011

PIK3CA, which codes for the p110α catalytic subunit of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase, is one of the most frequently mutated genes in human breast cancer. Here, we describe a mouse model for PIK3CA-induced breast cancer by using the ROSA26 (R26) knock-in system, in which targeted Pik3ca alleles can be activated through transgenic expression of Cre recombinase. We mated Pik3caH1047R and Pik3cawt knock-in lines with MMTV-Cre transgenics, which express Cre in mammary epithelium. Starting at approximately 5 months of age, female R26-Pik3caH1047R;MMTV-Cre mice, but not control R26-Pik3cawt;MMTV-Cre mice, developed mammary tumors, as well as lymphoid and skin malignancies. R26-Pik3caH1047R;MMTV-Cre mammary tumors were typically either adenosquamous carcinoma or adenomyoepithelioma. As p53 is the most commonly mutated gene in breast cancer, we tested for genetic interaction between Pik3caH1047R and p53 loss-of-function mutations in R26-Pik3caH1047R;p53loxP/+;MMTV-Cre mice. This led to decreased survival of double-mutant animals, which developed lymphoma and mammary tumors with rapid kinetics. Mammary tumors that formed in p53loxP/+;MMTV-Cre conditional mutants were either poorly differentiated adenocarcinoma or spindle cell/EMT, whereas R26-Pik3caH1047R;p53loxP/+;MMTV-Cre mammary tumors were mostly adenosquamous carcinoma or spindle cell/EMT indicating that double-mutant mice develop a distinct spectrum of mammary tumors. Thus, an oncogenic variant of PIK3CA implicated in multiple human breast cancer subtypes can induce a very diverse spectrum of mammary tumors in mice. Furthermore, Pik3caH1047R shows cooperation with p53, which altered the specific tumors that formed. Thus, the two most frequently mutated genes in human breast cancer show cooperation in mammary tumor formation. Cancer Res; 71(7); 2706–17. ©2011 AACR.
ICER Evokes Dusp1-p38 Pathway Enhancing Chemotherapy Sensitivity in Myeloid Leukemia
Authors: Pigazzi Martina , Manara Elena , Beghin Alessandra , Baron Emma , Tregnago Claudia , Basso Giuseppe
Published: February 2011

Purpose: The inducible cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) early repressor (ICER) is found downregulated in acute myeloid leukemia (AML), failing to control cAMP response element binding protein (CREB) transcriptional activity, recently demonstrated to mediate AML progression. We aimed to characterize ICER's role in drug sensitivity by treating myeloid cell lines and primary AML with chemotherapics.

Experimental design: The effects on CREB target genes induced by ICER restoration and drug treatment were studied by quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR) and western blot. Cell cycle and apoptosis analysis were performed. Possible ICER-evoked pathways were investigated in vitro. The mechanism involved in enhanced drug sensitivity was described in primary AML cultures by silencing ICER main target genes.

Results: AML cell lines reduced cell growth and enhanced apoptotic behavior after chemotherapy treatment if ICER was expressed. A significantly lowered expression of CREB target genes involved in cell cycle control (CyA1, B1, D1), and in the mitogen-activated protein kinase signaling pathway (ERK, AKT, DUSP1/4), was found after Etoposide treatment. The dual-specificity phosphatases DUSP1 and DUSP4, directly repressed by ICER, activated the p38 pathway, which triggered enhanced caspase-dependent apoptosis. The silencing of DUSP1/4 in HL60 confirmed the same enhanced drug sensitivity induced by ICER. Primary AML cultures, silenced for DUSP1 as well as restored of ICER expression, showed DUSP1 downregulation and p38 activation.

Conclusion: ICER mediates chemotherapy anticancer activity through DUSP1-p38 pathway activation and drives the cell program from survival to apoptosis. ICER restoration or DUSP1 inhibition might be possible strategies to sensitize AML cancer cells to conventional chemotherapy and to inhibit tumor growth. Clin Cancer Res; 17(4); 742–52. ©2011 AACR.
Copy-Neutral Loss of Heterozygosity at the p53 Locus in Carcinogenesis of Esophageal Squamous Cell Carcinomas Associated with p53 Mutations
Authors: Saeki Hiroshi , Kitao Hiroyuki , Yoshinaga Keiji , Nakanoko Tomonori , Kubo Nobuhide , Kakeji Yoshihiro , Morita Masaru , Maehara Yoshihiko
Published: February 2011

Purpose: LOH at the p53 locus has been reported to be associated with esophageal squamous cell carcinogenesis. The aim of this study is to identify potential mechanisms resulting in LOH around the p53 locus in its carcinogenesis.

Experimental Design: We investigated 10 esophageal cancer cell lines and 91 surgically resected specimens, examining them for LOH at the p53 locus on chromosome 17. We examined the p53 gene by using microsatellite analysis, comparative genomic hybridization (CGH), FISH, and single-nucleotide polymorphism–CGH (SNP–CGH).

Results: In an analysis of specimens by microsatellite markers, a close positive correlation was found between p53 mutations and LOH at the p53 locus (P < 0.01). Although four cell lines were found to be homozygous for p53 mutations, LOH at the p53 locus was not detected by CGH. Among two p53 mutant cancer cell lines and five p53 mutant/LOH cancer specimens analyzed by FISH, both the cell lines and four of the specimens exhibited no obvious copy number loss at the p53 locus. SNP–CGH analysis, which allows both determination of DNA copy number and detection of copy-neutral LOH, showed that LOHs without copy number change were caused by whole or large chromosomal alteration.

Conclusions: LOH without copy number change at the p53 locus was observed in p53 mutant esophageal squamous cell carcinomas. Our data suggest that copy-neutral LOH occurring as a result of chromosomal instability might be the major mechanism for inactivation of the intact allele in esophageal squamous cell carcinogenesis associated with p53 mutation. Clin Cancer Res; 17(7); 1731–40. ©2011 AACR.
White Paper on Adoptive Cell Therapy for Cancer with Tumor-Infiltrating Lymphocytes: A Report of the CTEP Subcommittee on Adoptive Cell Therapy
Authors: Weber Jeffrey , Atkins Michael , Hwu Patrick , Radvanyi Laszlo , Sznol Mario , Yee Cassian
Published: February 2011

Adoptive T-cell therapy (ACT) using expanded autologous tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TIL) and tumor antigen-specific T cell expanded from peripheral blood are complex but powerful immunotherapies directed against metastatic melanoma. A number of nonrandomized clinical trials using TIL combined with high-dose interleukin-2 (IL-2) have consistently found clinical response rates of 50% or more in metastatic melanoma patients accompanied by long progression-free survival. Recent studies have also established practical methods for the expansion of TIL from melanoma tumors with high success rates. These results have set the stage for randomized phase II/III clinical trials to determine whether ACT provides benefit in stage IV melanoma. Here, we provide an overview of the current state-of-the art in T-cell–based therapies for melanoma focusing on ACT using expanded TIL and address some of the key unanswered biological and clinical questions in the field. Different phase II/III randomized clinical trial scenarios comparing the efficacy of TIL therapy to high-dose IL-2 alone are described. Finally, we provide a roadmap describing the critical steps required to test TIL therapy in a randomized multicenter setting. We suggest an approach using centralized cell expansion facilities that will receive specimens and ship expanded TIL infusion products to participating centers to ensure maximal yield and product consistency. If successful, this approach will definitively answer the question of whether ACT can enter mainstream treatment for cancer. Clin Cancer Res; 17(7); 1664–73. ©2011 AACR.
Measurements of Tumor Cell Autophagy Predict Invasiveness, Resistance to Chemotherapy, and Survival in Melanoma
Authors: Ma Xiao-Hong , Piao Shengfu , Wang Dan , Mcafee Quentin W. , Nathanson Katherine L. , Lum Julian J. , Li Lin Z. , Amaravadi Ravi K.
Published: February 2011

Purpose: Autophagy consists of lysosome-dependent degradation of cytoplasmic contents sequestered by autophagic vesicles (AV). The role of autophagy in determining tumor aggressiveness and response to therapy in melanoma was investigated in this study.

Experimental Design: Autophagy was measured in tumor biopsies obtained from metastatic melanoma patients enrolled on a phase II trial of temozolomide and sorafenib and correlated to clinical outcome. These results were compared with autophagy measurements in aggressive and indolent melanoma cells grown in two- and three-dimensional (3D) culture and as xenograft tumors. The effects of autophagy inhibition with either hydroxychloroquine or inducible shRNA (short hairpin RNA) against the autophagy gene ATG5 were assessed in three-dimensional spheroids.

Results: Patients whose tumors had a high autophagic index were less likely to respond to treatment and had a shorter survival compared with those with a low autophagic index. Differences in autophagy were less evident in aggressive and indolent melanoma cells grown in monolayer culture. In contrast, autophagy was increased in aggressive compared with indolent melanoma xenograft tumors. This difference was recapitulated when aggressive and indolent melanoma cells were grown as spheroids. Autophagy inhibition with either hydroxychloroquine or inducible shRNA against ATG5 resulted in cell death in aggressive melanoma spheroids, and significantly augmented temozolomide-induced cell death.

Conclusions: Autophagy is a potential prognostic factor and therapeutic target in melanoma. Three dimensional culture mimics the tumor microenvironment better than monolayer culture and is an appropriate model for studying therapeutic combinations involving autophagy modulators. Autophagy inhibition should be tested clinically in patients with melanoma. Clin Cancer Res; 17(10); 3478–89. ©2011 AACR.
Principles and Current Strategies for Targeting Autophagy for Cancer Treatment
Authors: Amaravadi Ravi K. , Lippincott-Schwartz Jennifer , Yin Xiao-Ming , Weiss William A. , Takebe Naoko , Timmer William , DiPaola Robert S. , Lotze Michael T. , White Eileen
Published: February 2011

Autophagy is an evolutionarily conserved, intracellular self-defense mechanism in which organelles and proteins are sequestered into autophagic vesicles that are subsequently degraded through fusion with lysosomes. Cells, thereby, prevent the toxic accumulation of damaged or unnecessary components, but also recycle these components to sustain metabolic homoeostasis. Heightened autophagy is a mechanism of resistance for cancer cells faced with metabolic and therapeutic stress, revealing opportunities for exploitation as a therapeutic target in cancer. We summarize recent developments in the field of autophagy and cancer and build upon the results presented at the Cancer Therapy Evaluation Program (CTEP) Early Drug Development meeting in March 2010. Herein, we describe our current understanding of the core components of the autophagy machinery and the functional relevance of autophagy within the tumor microenvironment, and we outline how this knowledge has informed preclinical investigations combining the autophagy inhibitor hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) with chemotherapy, targeted therapy, and immunotherapy. Finally, we describe ongoing clinical trials involving HCQ as a first generation autophagy inhibitor, as well as strategies for the development of novel, more potent, and specific inhibitors of autophagy. Clin Cancer Res; 17(4); 654–66. ©2011 AACR.
Molecular Mechanisms Affecting Fibrin Structure and Stability
Authors: Lord Susan T.
Published: February 2011

Fibrin structure and stability have been linked to many thrombotic diseases, including venous thromboembolism. Analysis of the molecular mechanisms that affect fibrin structure and stability became possible when the crystal structure of fibrinogen was solved. Biochemical studies of natural and recombinant variant fibrinogens have examined the interactions that mediate the conversion of soluble fibrinogen to the insoluble fibrin network. These studies identified intermolecular interactions that control fibrin structure, although some critical events remain ambiguous. Studies show that fibrin structure modulates the enzymatic lysis of the fibrin network, so the molecular mechanisms that control structure also control stability. Studies show that the mechanical stability of the fibrin clot depends on the properties of the fibrin monomer, leading investigators to explore the molecular basis of the monomer's mechanical properties. The work summarized here provides insights that might allow the development of pharmaceuticals and treatments to modulate fibrin structure and stability in vivo and thereby prevent or limit thrombotic disease.
The Big and Small Theatres of Guy Debord
Authors: Apostolidès Jean-Marie
Published: February 2011

Founder of the avantgarde movement Internationale situationniste in 1957, Guy Debord is also known for his provocative essay The Society of the Spectacle, first published in 1967 and since translated into numerous languages. Is it possible to connect the concept of “spectacle” to theatre?
Spectacle and Vulgarity: Stripper Dance at Temple Festivals in Contemporary Taiwan
Authors: Chen Chiung-chi
Published: February 2011

Starting in the early 1980s, female striptease shows mounted on the backs of trucks, known as “electronic festooned vehicles” (EFVs), have been popular entertainments offered to the deities at temple festivals. The EFV takes the “realities” of contemporary Taiwanese society—sexism, capitalism, and social hierarchy—and re-presents them in an evocative/provocative form.
The Stage as a Drawing Board: Zuni Icosahedron's Architecture Is Art Festival
Authors: Ferrari Rossella
Published: February 2011

The multimedia performances of the Architecture Is Art Festival explore the connections of architecture, theatre, and architecture in theatre to voice a number of concerns relating to heritage preservation and technological development, historical memory and current politics. The interrogatives raised by these performances are intimately connected with the ontology of Hong Kong identity and testify to the spirit of traveling—through cultures, media, and disciplines—and the attitude of questioning that has become synonymous with Zuni Icosahedron.
Spatial-Scale Dependence of Climate Model Performance in the CMIP3 Ensemble
Authors: Masson David , Knutti Reto
Published: February 2011

About 20 global climate models have been run for the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) Fourth Assessment Report (AR4) to predict climate change due to anthropogenic activities. Evaluating these models is an important step to establish confidence in climate projections. Model evaluation, however, is often performed on a gridpoint basis despite the fact that models are known to often be unreliable at such small spatial scales. In this study, the annual mean values of surface air temperature and precipitation are analyzed. Using a spatial smoothing technique with a variable-scale parameter it is shown that the intermodel spread, as well as model errors from observations, is reduced as the characteristic smoothing scale increases. At the same time, the ability to reproduce small-scale features is reduced and the simulated patterns become fuzzy. Depending on the variable of interest, the location, and the way that data are aggregated, different optimal smoothing scales from the gridpoint size to about 2000 km are found to give good agreement with present-day observation yet retain most regional features of the climate signal. Higher model resolution surprisingly does not imply much better agreement with temperature observations, in particular with stronger smoothing, and resolving smaller scales therefore does not necessarily seem to improve the simulation of large-scale climate features. Similarities in mean temperature and precipitation fields for a pair of models in the ensemble persist locally for about a century into the future, providing some justification for subtracting control errors in the models. Large-scale to global errors, however, are not well preserved over time, consistent with a poor constraint of the present-day climate on the simulated global temperature and precipitation response.