bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Gas Hydrate Formation and Dissipation Histories in the Northern Margin of Canada: Beaufort-Mackenzie and the Sverdrup Basins
Authors: Majorowicz Jacek , Osadetz Kirk , Safanda Jan
Published: February 2012

Gas hydrates (GHs) are a prominent subsurface feature on the Canadian Arctic continental margin. They occur both onshore and offshore, although they formed generally terrestrially, during the last glacial sea level low-stand, both in a region that was persistently glaciated (Queen Elizabeth Islands Group, Canadian Arctic Archipelago (QEIG)), and in a region that was not persistently glaciated (Mackenzie Delta-Beaufort Sea (MD-BS)). Parts of both regions were transgressed in the Holocene. We study the dynamic permafrost and GH history in both regions using a numerical model to illustrate how changes in setting and environment, especially periodic glacial ice cover, affected GH stability. MD-BS models represent the Mallik wellsite and these models successfully match current permafrost and GH bases observed in the well-studied Mallik wells. The MD-BS models show clearly that GHs have persisted through interglacial episodes. Lower surface temperatures in the more northerly QEIG result in an earlier appearance of GH stability that persists through glacial-interglacial intervals, although the base of GH base stability varies up to 0.2 km during the 100 ka cycles. Because of the persistent glacial ice cover QEIG models illustrate pressure effects attributed to regional ice sheet loading on the bases of both permafrost and GHs since 0.9 MYBP. QEIG model permafrost and GH depths are 572 m and 1072 m, respectively, which is like that observed commonly on well logs in the QEIG. In order to match the observed GH bases in the QEIG it is necessary to introduce ice buildup and thaw gradually during the glacials and interglacials. QEIG sea level rose 100–120 m about 10 ka ago following the most recent glaciation. Shorelines have risen subsequently due to isostatic glacial unloading. Detailed recent history modeling in QEIG coastal regions, where surface temperatures have changed from near zero in the offshore to −20°C in the onshore setting results in a model GH stability base, that is, <0.5 km. These coastal model results are significantly shallower than the inferred average GH base about 1 km in wells, Smith and Judge (1993). QEIG interisland channels are generally shallow and much of the previous shoreline inundated by the Holocene transgression was above the glacial sea level low-stand during the last ice age, resulting in a QEIG setting somewhat analogous to the relict terrestrial GH now transgressed by the shallow Beaufort Sea. It is also possible that the marine conditions were present at emergent shorelines for a shorter time or that the pretransgression subsurface temperatures persisted or were influenced by coastal settings, especially where lateral effects may not be well represented by 1D models.
Synthesis and Characterization of Electrospun Nanocomposite TiO2 Nanofibers with Ag Nanoparticles for Photocatalysis Applications
Authors: Mishra Srujan , Ahrenkiel S. Phillip
Published: February 2012

Polycrystalline mixed‐phase TiO2 nanofibers embedded with 2.0% w/v Ag nanoparticles was prepared by the electrospinning technique. Calcination of dry Ag nanoparticles‐titanium (IV) isopropoxide/PVP electrospun nanofiber mats in air at 510 °C for 24 h yielded polycrystalline TiO2/Ag nanofibers. The morphology and distribution of silver nanoparticles were observed by transmission electron microscopy (TEM), scanning TEM (STEM), and high‐angle annular dark‐field (HAADF) imaging. Mixed‐phase anatase and rutile TiO2 nanofibers were produced with Ag nanoparticles. High‐resolution TEM lattice‐fringe measurements showed good agreement with Ag (111), anatase (101), and rutile (110) phases. The photocatalytic activity of TiO2/Ag nanofibers was compared to the photocatalytic activity of pure TiO2 nanofibers by studying the photodegradation of methyl red dye under UV light irradiation, in a photoreactor. UV‐visible absorbance spectra showed that the rate of decay of the dye in case of photodegradation by TiO2/Ag nanofibers was 10.3 times higher than that by pure TiO2 nanofibers. The retaining of the fiber morphology along with the increased surface area due to the addition of Ag nanoparticles can be believed to enhance the photocatalytic oxidation of methyl red dye.
Patients Refusing Prehospital Transport Are Increasingly Likely to Be Geriatric
Authors: Holder Peyton , Arthur Annette O. , Thiems Grady , Redmon Travis , Thomas Matt , Goodloe Jeffrey M. , Reginald T. J. , Thomas Stephen H.
Published: February 2012

Objective. Elderly patients are becoming an increasingly larger proportion of our population, and there is a paucity of data regarding the epidemiology of geriatric patients refusing transport. Treatment refusal rates range from 5% to 15% in many studies. This study sought to test the hypothesis that geriatric patients constituted an increasing proportion of those persons refusing prehospital transport.Methods. This study was a retrospective analysis of data from a query of a large urban EMS service.Results. There were a total of 22,347 adult transport refusals recorded during the 16-month study period. Multivariate logistic regression incorporating covariates for sex, race, season, chief complaint, metropolitan region, and whether any treatment occurred prior to transport refusal confirmed the increasing likelihood of Period 2 patients being geriatric, as compared with Period 1 (OR 1.24, 95% CI 1.14–1.35, WaldP<.001).Conclusion. This data shows that despite controlling for these covariates, patients refusing transport in the second period of this study were nearly 25% more likely to be geriatric as compared to those in the initial 8 months of the study.
Copaiba Oil-Resin Treatment Is Neuroprotective and Reduces Neutrophil Recruitment and Microglia Activation after Motor Cortex Excitotoxic Injury
Authors: Guimarães-Santos Adriano , Santos Diego Siqueira , Santos Ijair Rogério , Lima Rafael Rodrigues , Pereira Antonio , de Moura Lucinewton Silva , Carvalho Raul Nunes , Lameira Osmar , Gomes-Leal Walace
Published: February 2012

The oil-resin ofCopaifera reticulataDucke is used in the Brazilian folk medicine as an anti-inflammatory and healing agent. However, there are no investigations on the possible anti-inflammatory and neuroprotective roles of copaiba oil-resin (COR) after neural disorders. We have investigated the anti-inflammatory and neuroprotective effects of COR following an acute damage to the motor cortex of adult rats. Animals were injected with the neurotoxin N-Methyl-D-Aspartate (NMDA) (n=10) and treated with a single dose of COR (400 mg/kg, i.p.) soon after surgery (Group 1) or with two daily doses (200 mg/kg, i.p.) during 3 days (Group 2) alter injury. Control animals were treated with vehicle only. COR treatment induced tissue preservation and decreased the recruitment of neutrophils and microglial activation in the injury site compared to vehicle animals. The results suggest that COR treatment induces neuroprotection by modulating inflammatory response following an acute damage to the central nervous system.
Structure Determination of a Natural Juvenile Hormone Isolated from a Heteropteran Insect
Authors: Kotaki Toyomi , Shinada Tetsuro , Numata Hideharu
Published: February 2012

Juvenile hormone (JH), which occurs in several forms in different insects, is one of the most important insect hormones. The structure of JH in Heteroptera has not been elucidated until recently, although insects in this suborder have long been used as experimental animals for JH research. Here we review the structure determination of a novel JH in a stink bug,Plautia stali, which was named juvenile hormone III skipped bisepoxide [JHSB3: methyl (2R,3S,10R)-2,3;10,11-bisepoxyfarnesoate], based on the arrangement of two epoxides at C2,3 and C10,11 with a skipped double bond at C6,7.
Recurrent Urinary Tract Infections due to Asymptomatic Colonic Diverticulitis
Authors: Falidas Evangelos , Anyfantakis Georgios , Boutzouvis Stavros , Kyriakopoulos Michail , Mathioulakis Stavros , Vlachos Konstantinos , Villias Constantinos
Published: February 2012

Colovesical fistula is a common complication of diverticulitis. Pneumaturia, fecaluria, urinary tract infections, abdominal pain, and dysuria are commonly reported. The authors report a case of colovesical fistula due to asymptomatic diverticulitis, and they emphasize the importance of deeply investigate recurrent urinary tract infection without any bowel symptoms. They also briefly review the literature.
Some Oscillation Results for Linear Hamiltonian Systems
Authors: Wang Nan , Meng Fanwei
Published: February 2012

The purpose of this paper is to develop a generalized matrix Riccati technique for the selfadjoint matrix Hamiltonian system U′ = A(t)U + B(t)V, V′ = C(t)U − A∗(t)V. By using the standard integral averaging technique and positive functionals, new oscillation and interval
oscillation criteria are established for the system. These criteria extend and improve some results that have been required before. An interesting example is included to illustrate the importance of our results.
Specifying Process Views for a Measurement, Evaluation, and Improvement Strategy
Authors: Becker Pablo , Lew Philip , Olsina Luis
Published: February 2012

Any organization that develops software strives to improve the quality of its products. To do this first requires an understanding of the quality of the current product version. Then, by iteratively making changes, the software can be improved with subsequent versions. But this must be done in a systematic and methodical way, and, for this purpose, we have developed a specific strategy called SIQinU (Strategy for understanding and Improving Quality in Use). SIQinU recognizes problems of quality in use through evaluation of a real system-in-use situation and proposes product improvements by understanding and making changes to the product’s attributes. Then, reevaluating quality in use of the new version, improvement gains can be gauged along with the changes that led to those improvements. SIQinU aligns with GOCAME (Goal-Oriented Context-Aware Measurement and Evaluation), a multipurpose generic strategy previously developed for measurement and evaluation, which utilizes a conceptual framework (with ontological base), a process, and methods and tools. Since defining SIQinU relies on numerous phase and activity definitions, in this paper, we model different process views, for example, taking into account activities, interdependencies, artifacts, and roles, while illustrating them with excerpts from a real-case study.
Study on Burr Formation at the Top Edge in Rectangular Groove Cutting
Authors: Deng Wen Jun , Xie Zi Chun , Lin Ping , Xu Tong Kui
Published: February 2012

Previous research on burr formation in machining operations has usually been limited to the study of the rollover burr in the cutting direction. In this paper, a 3D finite element model to simulate rectangular groove cutting operation has been developed using commercial finite element software, employing experimentally determined mechanical properties at elevated strain rates and temperatures. The plastic deformation behavior and three-dimensional burr formation during rectangular groove cutting is investigated. The simulated burr profile and cutting force prove that the developed model can capture the thermo-mechanical mechanisms in rectangular groove cutting and can simulate burr development with considerable accuracy. The study concentrates on the influence of cutting parameters on burr formation which are also conducted. The results show that the feed rate and rake angle are the cutting parameters which have a major influence on burr size in the groove cutting operation. And the effect of cutting velocity and minor clearance angle in the traditional range on burr size are quite limited.
Availability Equivalence Analysis of a Repairable Series‐Parallel System
Authors: Hu Linmin , Yue Dequan , Zhao Dongmei
Published: February 2012

This paper studies the availability equivalence of different designs of a repairable series‐parallel system. Under the assumption that the system components have constant failure rates and repair rates, we derive the availability of the original and improved systems according to reduction, increase, hot duplication, warm duplication and cold duplication methods, respectively. The availability equivalence factor is introduced to compare different system designs. Two types of availability equivalence factors of the system are obtained. Numerical examples are provided to interpret how to utilize the obtained results.
Parent and Patient Satisfaction after Treatment for Supracondylar Humerus Fractures in 139 Children: No Difference between Skeletal Traction and Crossed Pin Fixation at Long-Term Followup
Authors: Young Sven , Fevang Jonas M. , Gullaksen Gunnar , Nilsen Per T. , Engesæter Lars B.
Published: February 2012

Aim. The aim of this study was to see whether the benefits of crossed wire fixation over skeletal traction in the treatment of pediatric supracondylar humerus fractures (SCHF) were mirrored in the children's or their caregivers' rating of the experience.Methods. As part of a study of the clinical outcome of SCHF, all the patients and the parents were asked to rate their experience of the treatment on a visual analogue scale (VAS).Results. There was no difference in the patients' or the parents' experience between the treatment groups. However there was a difference between the parents with children who experienced a neurovascular complication (mean VAS 6.1) and those that did not (mean VAS 4.3, ). The boys rated the experience as less negative (mean VAS 3.6) than the girls (mean VAS 4.7, ).Conclusion. In the long term, avoiding complications was more important to the parents than the choice of treatment for SCHF in the children.
Optimization ofs-Polarization Sensitivity in Apertureless Near-Field Optical Microscopy
Authors: Saito Yuika , Ohashi Yoshiro , Verma Prabhat
Published: February 2012

It is a general belief in apertureless near-field microscopy that the so-calledp-polarization configuration, where the incident light is polarized parallel to the axis of the probe, is advantageous to its counterpart, thes-polarization configuration, where the incident light is polarized perpendicular to the probe axis. While this is true for most samples under common near-field experimental conditions, there are samples which respond better to thes-polarization configuration due to their orientations. Indeed, there have been several reports that have discussed such samples. This leads us to an important requirement that the near-field experimental setup should be equipped with proper sensitivity for measurements withs-polarization configuration. This requires not only creation of effective s-polarized illumination at the near-field probe, but also proper enhancement of s-polarized light by the probe. In this paper, we have examined thes-polarization enhancement sensitivity of near-field probes by measuring and evaluating the near-field Rayleigh scattering images constructed by a variety of probes. We found that thes-polarization enhancement sensitivity strongly depends on the sharpness of the apex of near-field probes. We have discussed the efficient value of probe sharpness by considering a balance between the enhancement and the spatial resolution, both of which are essential requirements of apertureless near-field microscopy.
Facile Synthesis and Photocatalytic Property of Titania/Carbon Composite Hollow Microspheres with Bimodal Mesoporous Shells
Authors: Wang Guohong , Cheng Bei , Zhang Jun , Xu Lin , Yin Tingting
Published: February 2012

Titania/carbon composite hollow microspheres with bimodal mesoporous shells are one-pot fabricated by hydrothermal treatment of the acidic (NH4)2TiF6aqueous solution in the presence of glucose at180∘C for 24 h and then calcined at450∘C. The as-prepared samples were characterized by XRD, SEM, TEM, HRTEM, UV-visible spectroscopy, and nitrogen adsorption-desorption isotherms. The photocatalytic activity of the as-prepared samples was evaluated by daylight-induced photocatalytic decolorization of methyl orange aqueous solution at ambient temperature. The effects of calcination time on the morphology, phase structure, crystallite size, specific surface area, pore structures, and photocatalytic activity of the microspheres were investigated. The results indicated that the as-obtained TiO2/C composite hollow spheres generally exhibit bimodal mesopore size distribution with their peak intra-aggregated mesopore size in the range of 2.3–4.5 nm and peak interaggregated mesopore size in the range of 5.7–12.7 nm, depending on specific calcination time. The daylight-induced photoactivity of as-obtained hollow TiO2/C microspheres generally exceeds that of Degussa P25. The influences of calcination time on the photoactivity are discussed in terms of carbon content, phase structures, and pore structures.
On the Fine-Scale Topography Regulating Changes in Atmospheric Hydrological Cycle and Extreme Rainfall over West Africa in a Regional Climate Model Projections
Authors: Sylla M. B. , Gaye A. T. , Jenkins G. S.
Published: February 2012

The ICTP-RegCM3 is used to downscale at 40 km projections from ECHAM5 over West Africa during the mid and late 21st Century. The results show that while ECHAM5 projects wetter climate along the Gulf of Guinea and drier conditions along the Sahel, RegCM3 produces contrasting changes for low-elevation (negative) and high-elevation (positive) terrains more marked during the second period. These wetter conditions in the uplands result from an intensification of the atmospheric hydrological cycle arising as a consequence of more frequent and denser rainy days and leading to larger intensity and more extreme events. Examination of the large-scale dynamics reveal that these conditions are mostly driven by increased low-level moisture convergence which produces elevated vertical motion above Cameroun’s mountainous areas favoring more atmospheric instability, moisture, and rainfall. This regulation of climate change signal by high-elevation terrains is feasible only in RegCM3 as the driving ECHAM5 is smoothing along all the Gulf of Guinea. This consolidates the need to use regional climate model to investigate the regional and local response of the hydrological cycle, the daily rainfall and extreme events to the increasing anthropogenic GHG warming for suitable impact studies specifically over region with complex topography such as West Africa.
RORα Suppresses Breast Tumor Invasion by Inducing SEMA3F Expression
Authors: Xiong Gaofeng , Wang Chi , Evers B. Mark , Zhou Binhua P. , Xu Ren
Published: February 2012

Inactivation of tumor suppressors and inhibitory microenvironmental factors is necessary for breast cancer invasion; therefore, identifying those suppressors and factors is crucial not only to advancing our knowledge of breast cancer, but also to discovering potential therapeutic targets. By analyzing gene expression profiles of polarized and disorganized human mammary epithelial cells in a physiologically relevant three-dimensional (3D) culture system, we identified retinoid orphan nuclear receptor alpha (RORα) as a transcription regulator of semaphorin 3F (SEMA3F), a suppressive microenvironmental factor. We showed that expression of RORα was downregulated in human breast cancer tissue and cell lines, and that reduced mRNA levels of RORα and SEMA3F correlated with poor prognosis. Restoring RORα expression reprogrammed breast cancer cells to form noninvasiveness structures in 3D culture and inhibited tumor growth in nude mice, accompanied by enhanced SEMA3F expression. Inactivation of RORα in nonmalignant human mammary epithelial cells inhibited SEMA3F transcription and impaired polarized acinar morphogenesis. Using chromatin immunoprecipitation and luciferase reporter assays, we showed that transcription of SEMA3F is directly regulated by RORα. Knockdown of SEMA3F in RORα-expressing cancer cells rescued the aggressive 3D phenotypes and tumor invasion. These findings indicate that RORα is a potential tumor suppressor and inhibits tumor invasion by inducing suppressive cell microenvironment. Cancer Res; 72(7); 1728–39. ©2012 AACR.
miRNA-130a Targets ATG2B and DICER1 to Inhibit Autophagy and Trigger Killing of Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia Cells
Authors: Kovaleva Valentina , Mora Rodrigo , Park Yoon Jung , Plass Christoph , Chiramel Abhilash I. , Bartenschlager Ralf , Döhner Hartmut , Stilgenbauer Stephan , Pscherer Armin , Lichter Peter , Seiffert Martina
Published: February 2012

Toxicity and relapses from the immunochemotherapy used to treat chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) prompt continued interest in gentle but effective targeted treatment options for the mainly elderly population suffering from this disease. Here, we report the definition of critical CLL cell survival pathways that can be targeted by ectopic reexpression of the miRNA genes miR-130a and miR-143 which are widely downregulated in CLL. Notably, miR-130a inhibited autophagy by reducing autophagosome formation, an effect mediated by downregulation of the genes ATG2B and DICER1, the latter of which is a major component of the miRNA silencing machinery. In support of the concept of a fundamental connection between miRNA disregulation and altered autophagic flux in this cancer, we showed that RNA interference–mediated knockdown of DICER1 expression was sufficient to reduce autophagy in primary or established cultures of CLL cells. Together, our findings show that miR-130a modulates cell survival programs by regulating autophagic flux, and they define roles for miR-130a and Dicer1 in a regulatory feedback loop that mediates CLL cell survival. Cancer Res; 72(7); 1763–72. ©2012 AACR.
Protein Kinase CK2 Protects Multiple Myeloma Cells from ER Stress–Induced Apoptosis and from the Cytotoxic Effect of HSP90 Inhibition through Regulation of the Unfolded Protein Response
Authors: Manni Sabrina , Brancalion Alessandra , Tubi Laura Quotti , Colpo Anna , Pavan Laura , Cabrelle Anna , Ave Elisa , Zaffino Fortunato , Di Maira Giovanni , Ruzzene Maria , Adami Fausto , Zambello Renato , Pitari Maria Rita , Tassone Pierfrancesco , Pinna Lorenzo A. , Gurrieri Carmela , Semenzato Gianpietro , Piazza Francesco
Published: February 2012

Purpose: Protein kinase CK2 promotes multiple myeloma cell growth by regulating critical signaling pathways. CK2 also modulates proper HSP90-dependent client protein folding and maturation by phosphorylating its co-chaperone CDC37. Because the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress/unfolded protein response (UPR) is central in myeloma pathogenesis, we tested the hypothesis that the CK2/CDC37/HSP90 axis could be involved in UPR in myeloma cells.

Experimental Design: We analyzed CK2 activity upon ER stress, the effects of its inactivation on the UPR pathways and on ER stress–induced apoptosis. The consequences of CK2 plus HSP90 inhibition on myeloma cell growth in vitro and in vivo and CK2 regulation of HSP90-triggered UPR were determined.

Results: CK2 partly localized to the ER and ER stress triggered its kinase activity. CK2 inhibition reduced the levels of the ER stress sensors IRE1α and BIP/GRP78, increased phosphorylation of PERK and EIF2α, and enhanced ER stress–induced apoptosis. Simultaneous inactivation of CK2 and HSP90 resulted in a synergic anti-myeloma effect (combination index = 0.291) and in much stronger alterations of the UPR pathways as compared with the single inhibition of the two molecules. Cytotoxicity from HSP90 and CK2 targeting was present in a myeloma microenvironment model, on plasma cells from patients with myeloma and in an in vivo mouse xenograft model. Mechanistically, CK2 inhibition led to a reduction of IRE1α/HSP90/CDC37 complexes in multiple myeloma cells.

Conclusions: Our results place CK2 as a novel regulator of the ER stress/UPR cascades and HSP90 function in myeloma cells and offer the groundwork to design novel combination treatments for this disease. Clin Cancer Res; 18(7); 1888–900. ©2012 AACR.
Connexin 47 Mutations Increase Risk for Secondary Lymphedema Following Breast Cancer Treatment
Authors: Finegold David N. , Baty Catherine J. , Knickelbein Kelly Z. , Perschke Shelley , Noon Sarah E. , Campbell Diana , Karlsson Jenny M. , Huang Diana , Kimak Mark A. , Lawrence Elizabeth C. , Feingold Eleanor , Meriney Stephen D. , Brufsky Adam M. , Ferrell Robert E.
Published: February 2012

Purpose: Secondary lymphedema is a frequent complication of breast cancer associated with surgery, chemotherapy, or radiation following breast cancer treatment. The potential contribution of genetic susceptibility to risk of developing secondary lymphedema following surgical trauma, radiation, and other tissue insults has not been studied.

Experimental Design: To determine whether women with breast cancer and secondary lymphedema had mutations in candidate lymphedema genes, we undertook a case–control study of 188 women diagnosed with breast cancer recruited from the University of Pittsburgh Breast Cancer Program (http://www.upmccancercenter.com/breast/index.cfm) between 2000 and 2010.

Candidate lymphedema genes, GJC2 (encoding connexin 47 [Cx47]), FOXC2, HGF, MET, and FLT4 (encoding VEGFR3), were sequenced for mutation. Bioinformatics analysis and in vitro functional assays were used to confirm significance of novel mutations.

Results: Cx47 mutations were identified in individuals having secondary lymphedema following breast cancer treatment but not in breast cancer controls or normal women without breast cancer. These novel mutations are dysfunctional as assessed through in vitro assays and bioinformatics analysis and provide evidence that altered gap junction function leads to lymphedema.

Conclusions: Our findings challenge the view that secondary lymphedema is solely due to mechanical trauma and support the hypothesis that genetic susceptibility is an important risk factor for secondary lymphedema. A priori recognition of genetic risk (i) raises the potential for early detection and intervention for a high-risk group and (ii) allows the possibility of altering surgical approach and/or chemo- and radiation therapy, or direct medical treatment of secondary lymphedema with novel connexin-modifying drugs. Clin Cancer Res; 18(8); 2382–90. ©2012 AACR.
A Phase II Study of First-Line Chemotherapy with Weekly Carboplatin Plus Gemcitabine in Advanced Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer
Authors: Mori Kiyoshi , Kamiyama Yukari , Kasai Hisashi , Kodama Tetsuro
Published: February 2012

Background: The efficacy and safety of weekly carboplatin (CBDCA) and gemcitabine (GEM) was evaluated as first-line chemotherapy with advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Methods: 46 chemotherapy-naive patients with measurable NSCLC were enrolled. Patients underwent a combination chemotherapy of GEM 1,000 mg/m2 plus CBDCA at an area under the curve of 2 on days 1 and 8 every 3 weeks. Results: Response rate was 30% (14/46; 95% confidence interval: 17.7–45.8%). The median number of treatment cycles was 3 (range 1–2). Time to progressive disease was 19.4 weeks and the median survival was 46.3 weeks. The 1-year survival rate was 46.9%. The major toxicity was hematotoxicity: grade 3 or 4 neutropenia (58.7%) and thrombocytopenia (45.7%). There were no other severe toxicities. Conclusion: Weekly chemotherapy with CBDCA plus GEM is a well-tolerated and promising regimen as first-line treatment of advanced NSCLC.
Interstitial Pneumonitis after Treatment with Pemetrexed: A Rare Event?
Authors: Hochstrasser Andreas , Benz Gabriel , Joerger Markus , Templeton Arnoud , Brutsche Martin , Früh Martin
Published: February 2012

Background: Pneumonitis after pemetrexed has been rarely reported in conjunction with radiation therapy. Methods: Two cases of pemetrexed-induced pneumonitis in different clinical settings and with unequal outcomes are discussed with a review of the literature. Results: Two patients with stage IIIB non-small cell lung cancer developed interstitial lung disease after chemotherapy with pemetrexed. The first patient was previously treated with thoracic radiotherapy, and radiation pneumonitis was initially suspected. He died shortly after pemetrexed reexposition. The second patient developed pemetrexed-induced interstitial lung disease despite no prior radiotherapy. After discontinuation of pemetrexed and administration of steroids, pneumonitis resolved completely. Conclusion: Interstitial lung disease is a rare but potentially fatal side effect of pemetrexed. It occurs more often after radiotherapy but can also be encountered in the absence of radiotherapy. Reexposition to pemetrexed may lead to severe interstitial lung disease and even death and should be strictly avoided.
Risk of Ventricular Arrhythmias after Myocardial Infarction with Diabetes Associated with Sympathetic Neural Remodeling in Rabbits
Authors: Wang Ye , Xuan Yong-Li , Hu He-Sheng , Li Xiao-Lu , Xue Mei , Cheng Wen-Juan , Suo Fei , Yan Su-Hua
Published: February 2012

Background: Abnormal sympathetic innervation underlies both long-term hyperglycemia and myocardial infarction (MI). The incidence of ventricular arrhythmias (VAs) after MI is higher in diabetic than in nondiabetic patients. However, the exact mechanism remains unclear. In this study, we aimed to explore sympathetic neural remodeling after MI in diabetic rabbits and its relationship with VAs. Methods: Rabbits were randomly assigned to 4 groups: control, diabetes mellitus (DM), MI and diabetic myocardial infarction (DI). After electrophysiological experiments in vivo, immunohistochemistry and real-time RT-PCR were used to measure sympathetic innervations. To test the function of sympathetic nerve fibers, norepinephrine levels were measured by high-performance liquid chromatography. Results: The corrected QT interval and QT dispersion were significantly more prolonged with DI than other conditions. The density of tyrosine hydroxylase-positive fibers and corresponding mRNA abundance was significantly higher with DI than with DM and under control conditions, but was lower than with the MI group. Moreover, the distribution and structure of regenerated nerve was heterogeneous in DI rabbits. Norepinephrine content was higher in the DI group, and accompanied by an increased quantity of tyrosine hydroxylase-positive fibers. Conclusion: MI results in sympathetic neural remodeling in diabetic rabbits, which may be responsible in part for the increased occurrence of VAs.
Antarctic Sea Ice Climatology, Variability, and Late Twentieth-Century Change in CCSM4
Authors: Landrum Laura , Holland Marika M. , Schneider David P. , Hunke Elizabeth
Published: February 2012

A preindustrial control run and an ensemble of twentieth-century integrations of the Community Climate System Model, version 4 (CCSM4), are evaluated for Antarctic sea ice climatology, modes of variability, trends, and covariance with related physical variables such as surface temperature and sea level pressure. Compared to observations, the mean ice cover is too extensive in all months. This is in part related to excessively strong westerly winds over ~50°–60°S, which drive a large equatorward meridional ice transport and enhanced ice growth near the continent and also connected with a cold bias in the Southern Ocean. In spite of these biases in the climatology, the model’s sea ice variability compares well to observations. The leading mode of austral winter sea ice concentration exhibits a dipole structure with anomalies of opposite sign in the Atlantic and Pacific sectors. Both the El Niño–Southern Oscillation and the southern annular mode (SAM) project onto this mode. In twentieth-century integrations, Antarctic sea ice area exhibits significant decreasing annual trends in all six ensemble members from 1950 to 2005, in apparent contrast to observations that suggest a modest ice area increase since 1979. Two ensemble members show insignificant changes when restricted to 1979–2005. The ensemble mean shows a significant increase in the austral summer SAM index over 1960–2005 and 1979–2005 that compares well with the observed SAM trend. However, Antarctic warming and sea ice loss in the model are closely connected to each other and not to the trend in the SAM.
The Impact of Rainfall Error Characterization on the Estimation of Soil Moisture Fields in a Land Data Assimilation System
Authors: Maggioni Viviana , Reichle Rolf H. , Anagnostou Emmanouil N.
Published: February 2012

This study presents a numerical experiment to assess the impact of satellite rainfall error structure on the efficiency of assimilating near-surface soil moisture observations. Specifically, the study contrasts a multidimensional satellite rainfall error model (SREM2D) to a simpler rainfall error model (CTRL) currently used to generate rainfall ensembles as part of the ensemble-based land data assimilation system developed at the NASA Global Modeling and Assimilation Office. The study is conducted in the Oklahoma region using rainfall data from a NOAA multisatellite global rainfall product [the Climate Prediction Center (CPC) morphing technique (CMORPH)] and the National Weather Service rain gauge–calibrated radar rainfall product [Weather Surveillance Radar-1988 Doppler (WSR-88D)] representing the “uncertain” and “reference” model rainfall forcing, respectively. Soil moisture simulations using the Catchment land surface model (CLSM), obtained by forcing the model with reference rainfall, are randomly perturbed to represent satellite retrieval uncertainty, and assimilated into CLSM as synthetic near-surface soil moisture observations. The assimilation estimates show improved performance metrics, exhibiting higher anomaly correlation coefficients (e.g., ~0.79 and ~0.90 in the SREM2D nonassimilation and assimilation experiments for root zone soil moisture, respectively) and lower root-mean-square errors (e.g., ~0.034 m3 m−3 and ~0.024 m3 m−3 in the SREM2D nonassimilation and assimilation experiments for root zone soil moisture, respectively). The more elaborate rainfall error model in the assimilation system leads to slightly improved assimilation estimates. In particular, the relative enhancement due to SREM2D over CTRL is larger for root zone soil moisture and in wetter rainfall conditions.
Accounting for Skewness in Ensemble Data Assimilation
Authors: Hodyss Daniel
Published: February 2012

A practical data assimilation algorithm is presented that explicitly accounts for skewness in the prior distribution. The algorithm operates as a global solve (all observations are considered at once) using a minimization-based approach and Schur–Hadamard (elementwise) localization. The central feature of this technique is the squaring of the innovation and the ensemble perturbations so as to create an extended state space that accounts for the second, third, and fourth moments of the prior distribution. This new technique is illustrated in a simple scalar system as well as in a Boussinesq model configured to simulate nonlinearly evolving shear instabilities (Kelvin–Helmholtz waves). It is shown that an ensemble size of at least 100 members is needed to adequately resolve the third and fourth moments required for the algorithm. For ensembles of this size it is shown that this new technique is superior to a state-of-the-art ensemble Kalman filter in situations with significant skewness; otherwise, the new algorithm reduces to the performance of the ensemble Kalman filter.
Bulk composites from microfibrillated cellulose-reinforced thermoset starch made from enzymatically degraded allyl glycidyl ether-modified starch
Authors: Duanmu Jie , Gamstedt E Kristofer , Rosling Ari
Published: February 2012

Microfibrillated cellulose consists of nanoscale bundles of elementary microfibrils prepared, e.g. by the defibrillation of delignified wood pulp fibres in high-pressure homogenizers. In this study, microfibrillated cellulose was used to reinforce a thermoset starch plastic. The starch was modified with allyl glycidyl ether with a degree of substitution of 1.3, which was further hydrolyzed with α-amylase for 18 h yielding significantly improved processing properties. Dry premixes of all constituents were prepared by a stepwise drying process before sample manufacturing. The composite was cured by ethylene glycol dimethacrylate initiated with benzoyl peroxide during compression moulding at 150°C. Scanning electron microscopy revealed some degree of porosity in the samples, where the dispersed microfibrillated cellulose network was detectable. Microfibrillated cellulose, even in relatively small additions (2 wt%, 5 wt% and 10 wt%), resulted in composites with rather good hygromechanical properties. The ultimate strength increased with microfibrillated cellulose content and reached values of comparable composites with 40 wt% softwood fibre. Importantly, the dimensional stability in water was much improved compared to similar composites reinforced with substantially larger weight fractions of softwood fibres.
Fiber orientation propelled by high-pressure water penetration in water-assisted injection molded fiber-reinforced thermoplastics part
Authors: Huang Han-Xiong , Zhou Run-Heng , Yang Can
Published: February 2012

Fiber orientation pattern across the thickness of water-assisted injection molded (WAIM) fiber-reinforced polypropylene part was investigated and its formation mechanism was interpreted with the aid of unique shear rate and cooling rate fields within mold cavity under melt filling and high-pressure water penetration. It was found that the relative thickness of ordered region in WAIM part is much larger than that in conventional injection molded part. At the position near water inlet, less and less fibers arrange along flow direction from the area near mold wall to the one near water channel; whereas at the position near the end of water channel, almost no disordered region exists. Higher water pressure and lower melt temperature result in more fibers orienting along flow direction. More importantly, high-pressure water penetration can remarkably propel the fiber orientation in WAIM fiber-reinforced parts, which may improve their mechanical properties.
Evolution of chemical and thermal curvatures in thermoset-laminated composite plates during the fabrication process
Authors: Nawab Yasir , Jaquemin Frédéric , Casari Pascal , Boyard Nicolas , Sobotka Vincent
Published: February 2012

Residual deformations and stresses formation in the thermoset-laminated composite is a frequently studied subject in the recent years. During fabrication, the laminated composites undergo chemical deformation during cross-linking and thermal deformation while cooling. In thin laminates, due to large displacements and complex evolution of shape, these deformations can only be explained by using nonlinear strain–displacement relationship. In the present article, we calculated together for the first time, the thermal and chemical deformations occurring in carbon/epoxy laminates by considering a nonlinear geometrical approach to understand the evolution of shape and hence residual stresses induced during fabrication process. The effect of fibre fraction on the chemical and thermal deformations is studied as well.
Comparison of Subcutaneous and Intravenous Administration of Trastuzumab: A Phase I/Ib Trial in Healthy Male Volunteers and Patients With HER2‐Positive Breast Cancer
Authors: Wynne Chris , Harvey Vernon , Schwabe Christian , Waaka Devonie , McIntyre Christine , Bittner Beate
Published: February 2012

Trastuzumab is a key component of treatment for human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2)–positive breast cancer in both the early and metastatic settings. It is administered intravenously, with between 17 and 52 infusions in standard regimens over 1 year. Intravenous administration of trastuzumab requires substantial time commitments for patients and health care professionals and can result in patient discomfort. A subcutaneous formulation of trastuzumab, containing recombinant human hyaluronidase to overcome subcutaneous absorption barriers, would reduce the administration duration and remove the need to establish intravenous access, thus improving the overall convenience of trastuzumab administration. This open‐label, 2‐part, phase I/Ib study (NCT00800436) was undertaken in healthy male volunteers and female patients with HER2‐positive early breast cancer to identify the dose of subcutaneous trastuzumab that resulted in exposure comparable with the approved intravenous trastuzumab dose. A subcutaneous trastuzumab dose of 8 mg/kg was found to result in exposure comparable with the intravenous trastuzumab dose of 6 mg/kg. The subcutaneous formulation was well tolerated, with a trend toward fewer adverse events versus intravenous administration; most adverse events were mild in intensity. These results support an ongoing phase III efficacy and safety study comparing a fixed subcutaneous trastuzumab dose with intravenous trastuzumab administration.
Family-Supportive Work Environment and Employee Work Behaviors
Authors: Aryee Samuel , Chu Chris W. L. , Kim Tae-Yeol , Ryu Seongmin
Published: February 2012

This study examined psychological mechanisms that underpin the relationships between perceived organizational family support (POFS) and a family-supportive supervisor (FSS) on employee work behaviors. Based on data from employed parents and their supervisors (N = 230) in 12 South Korean organizations, structural equation modeling results revealed three salient findings: (1) POFS and FSS are indirectly related to contextual performance through control over work time, (2) FSS is indirectly related to both contextual performance and work withdrawal through organization-based self-esteem (OBSE), and (3) control over work time is indirectly related to the two work outcomes through OBSE. The authors interpret these findings as indicating support for the focus on informal workplace family support and the need for research to examine the psychological resources they engender if we are to understand why these forms of support have their demonstrated outcomes.
Patient Characteristics of Provider Survey Respondents
Authors: Ziegenfuss Jeanette Y. , Shah Nilay D. , Fan Jiaquan , Houten Holly K. Van , Deming James R. , Smith Steven A. , Beebe Timothy J.
Published: February 2012

Surveys of physicians are an important tool to assess opinions and self-reported behaviors of this policy-relevant population. However, this population is notoriously difficult to survey and plagued with low and falling response rates. In order to evaluate the potential import of response rate, we examine the presence of nonresponse bias in a survey of physicians providing diabetes care that achieved a 36% response rate. Unlike other studies examining differences in individual characteristics for responding and nonresponding physicians, we also assess differences with respect to aggregate patient demographic, clinical, and behavioral characteristics. We are unable to demonstrate nonresponse bias, even with what could be construed as a relative low response rate. Nonetheless as the threat of nonresponse bias can never be completely assuaged, we believe that it should be monitored as a matter of course in physician surveys and offer a new dimension by which it can be evaluated.
Patient and Other Factors Influencing the Prescribing of Cardiovascular Prevention Therapy in the General Practice Setting With and Without Nurse Assessment
Authors: Mohammed Mohammed A. , El Sayed Charlotte , Marshall Tom
Published: February 2012

Background. Although guidelines indicate when patients are eligible for antihypertensives and statins, little is known about whether general practitioners (GPs) follow this guidance. Objective. To determine the factors influencing GPs decisions to prescribe cardiovascular prevention drugs. Design of Study. Secondary analysis of data collected on patients whose cardiovascular risk factors were measured as part of a controlled study comparing nurse-led risk assessment (four practices) with GP-led risk assessment (two practices). Setting. Six general practices in the West Midlands, England. Patients. Five hundred patients: 297 assessed by the project nurse, 203 assessed by their GP. Measurements. Cardiovascular risk factor data and whether statins or antihypertensives were prescribed. Multivariable logistic regression models investigated the relationship between prescription of preventive treatments and cardiovascular risk factors. Results. Among patients assessed by their GP, statin prescribing was significantly associated only with a total cholesterol concentration ≥7 mmol/L and antihypertensive prescribing only with blood pressure ≥160/100 mm Hg. Patients prescribed an antihypertensive by their GP were five times more likely to be prescribed a statin. Among patients assessed by the project nurse, statin prescribing was significantly associated with age, sex, and all major cardiovascular risk factors. Antihypertensive prescribing was associated with blood pressures ≥140/90 mm Hg and with 10-year cardiovascular risk. Limitations. Generalizability is limited, as this is a small analysis in the context of a specific cardiovascular prevention program. Conclusions. GP prescribing of preventive treatments appears to be largely determined by elevation of a single risk factor. When patients were assessed by the project nurse, prescribing was much more consistent with established guidelines.
Error analysis and attitude observability of a monocular GPS/visual odometry integrated navigation filter
Authors: Dusha Damien , Mejias Luis
Published: February 2012

In this paper, we present a method for the recovery of position and absolute attitude (including pitch, roll and yaw) using a novel fusion of monocular visual odometry and GPS measurements in a similar manner to a classic loosely coupled GPS/INS error state navigation filter. The proposed filter does not require additional restrictions or assumptions such as platform-specific dynamics, map matching, feature tracking, visual loop closing, gravity vector or additional sensors such as an inertial measurement unit or magnetic compass. An observability analysis of the proposed filter is performed, showing that the scale factor, position and attitude errors are fully observable under acceleration that is non-parallel to the velocity vector in the navigation frame. The observability properties of the proposed filter are demonstrated using numerical simulations. We conclude the article with an implementation of the proposed filter using real flight data collected from a Cessna 172 equipped with a downwards-looking camera and GPS, showing the feasibility of the algorithm in real-world conditions.
Manufacturability verification through feature-based ontological product models
Authors: Anjum Najam , Harding Jennifer A , Young Robert IM , Case Keith
Published: February 2012

To achieve efficient, fast and cost effective production, designers must consider all the manufacturing stages a product has to go through. A case study in a manufacturing setup shows that owing to the differences in perception of an engineering component, the coordination between design and manufacturing becomes difficult. Semantic interoperability problems are therefore faced when knowledge sharing for the purpose of manufacturability verification is attempted through computer-based knowledge bases. Ontologies have a reputation for solving semantic interoperability problems. Combined with shape feature-based models of components, ontologies provide a basis for seamless knowledge sharing. This article demonstrates the use of ontologies for analyzing the manufacturability of engineering components in the early design stages. This is done by developing shape feature-based ontological models of these components and associating manufacturability knowledge with these models. To achieve this, an ontological modelling technique is proposed that uses shape feature-based geometrical models of engineering components as building blocks. The knowledge associated with these models to demonstrate their use for manufacturability verification is derived from the findings of a case study also detailed in this article.