bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Identification of differentially expressed root genes upon rhizomania disease
Authors: SCHMIDLIN LAURE , DE BRUYNE ERIK , WEYENS GUY , LEFEBVRE MARC , GILMER DAVID
Published: July 2008

Rhizomania is one of the most devastating sugar beet diseases. It is caused by Beet necrotic yellow vein virus (BNYVV), which induces abnormal rootlet proliferation. To understand better the physiological and molecular basis of the disorder, transcriptome analysis was performed by restriction fragment differential display polymerase chain reaction (RFDD‐PCR), which provided differential gene expression profiles between non‐infected and infected sugar beet roots. Two distinct viral isolates were used to detect specific or general virus‐induced genes. Differentially expressed genes were selected and identified by sequence analysis, followed by reverse Northern and reverse transcriptase PCR experiments. These latter analyses of different plants (Beta vulgaris and Beta macrocarpa) infected under distinct standardized conditions revealed specific and variable expressions. Candidate genes were linked to cell development, metabolism, defence signalling and oxidative stress. In addition, the expression of already characterized genes linked to defence response (pathogenesis‐related protein genes), auxin signalling and cell elongation was also studied to further examine some aspects of the disease. Differential expression was retrieved in both B. vulgaris and B. macrocarpa. However, some candidate genes were found to be deregulated in only one plant species, suggesting differential response to BNYVV or specific responses to the BNYVV vector.
Stabilization of tRNA (m1G37) methyltransferase [TrmD] from Aquifex aeolicus by an intersubunit disulfide bond formation
Authors: Toyooka Takashi , Awai Takako , Kanai Tamotsu , Imanaka Tadayuki , Hori Hiroyuki
Published: July 2008

Recombinant Aquifex aeolicus TrmD protein has a Cys20–Cys20 disulfide bond between its two subunits. This was demonstrated by SDS–polyacrylamide gel analysis of wild‐type enzyme and C20S mutant protein (in which the Cys20 residue is substituted by serine), in the absence or presence of various concentrations of dithiothreitol. Analytical gel‐filtration chromatography revealed that the C20S mutant protein forms a dimer structure even though it is missing the disulfide bond. Western blotting analysis suggests that the Cys20–Cys20 disulfide bond is formed in native TrmD protein in living A. aeolicus cells. Incubation at 85 °C for 20 min caused the precipitation of more than half of the C20S protein, while more than 70% of the wild‐type enzyme was soluble at that temperature. This assay clearly demonstrates that the disulfide bond enhances the protein stability at 85 °C. A kinetic assay showed that the methyl‐transfer activity of the C20S mutant protein was slightly less than that of the wild‐type enzyme at 70 °C. Comparison of the CD‐spectra of wild‐type and C20S proteins reveals that some of the α‐helices in the C20S mutant protein are less tightly packed than those of the wild‐type enzyme at 70 °C.
Fossil–Lagerstätten
Authors: Nudds John , Selden Paul
Published: July 2008

Possibly every palaeontologist, before and after Charles Darwin, has been well aware that the fossil record is very incomplete. Only a tiny percentage of the plants and animals alive at any one time in the past get preserved as fossils, both in terms of numbers of individuals and in terms of numbers of species. The palaeontologist attempting to reconstruct ancient ecosystems is therefore, in effect, trying to complete a jigsaw puzzle without the picture on the box lid and for which the majority of pieces are missing. Under normal preservational conditions probably only around 15 per cent of the species composing an ecosystem are preserved. Moreover, the fossil record is biased in favour of those animals and plants with hard, mineralized shells, skeletons or cuticles, and towards those living in marine environments. Thus, the preservational potential of a particular organism depends on two main factors: its constitution (better if it contains hard parts), and its habitat (better if it lives in an environment where sedimentary deposition occurs).
A brief haemophilia pain coping questionnaire
Authors: ELANDER J. , ROBINSON G.
Published: July 2008

Summary.  Pain coping strategies are important influences on outcomes among people with painful chronic conditions. The pain coping strategies questionnaire (CSQ) was previously adapted for sickle cell disease and haemophilia, but those versions have 80 items, and a briefer version with similar psychometric properties would facilitate research on pain coping. The full‐length haemophilia‐adapted CSQ, plus measures of pain frequency and intensity, pain acceptance, pain readiness to change, and health‐related quality of life were completed by 190 men with haemophilia. Items were selected for a 27‐item short form, which was completed 6 months later by 129 (68%) participants. Factor structure, reliability and concurrent validity were the same in the long and short forms. For the short form, internal reliabilities of the three composite scales were 0.86 for negative thoughts, 0.80 for active coping and 0.76 for passive adherence. Test–retest reliabilities were 0.73 for negative thoughts, 0.70 for active coping and 0.64 for passive adherence. Negative thoughts were associated with less readiness to change, less acceptance of pain and more impaired health‐related quality of life, whereas active coping was associated with greater readiness to change and more acceptance of pain. The short form is a convenient brief measure of pain coping with good psychometric properties, and could be used to extend research on pain coping in haemophilia.
Arterial and interstitial remodelling processes in non‐specific interstitial pneumonia: systemic sclerosis versus idiopathic
Authors: De Carvalho E F , Parra E R , De Souza R , A’b Saber A M , De Carvalho Machado J , Capelozzi V L
Published: July 2008

Aims:  To compare septal and vascular matrix remodelling, vascular occlusion, pulmonary function tests and survival between two groups: one with idiopathic non‐specific interstitial pneumonia (NSIP) and one with NSIP associated with systemic sclerosis (SSc).

Methods and results:  Pulmonary biopsy specimens were examined from 40 patients, 22 with NSIP and 18 with NSIP associated with SSc.

The content of septal collagen and elastic fibres, as well as the elastic fibres in the vascular interstitium, were higher in the SSc group (P = 0.01, P = 0.001 and P < 0.0001, respectively). Among pulmonary function tests, the diffusing capacity for carbon monoxide/alveolar volume was affected to a greater extent in the SSc group (59% of the predicted value in SSc and 97% in the idiopathic group). There were no differences in collagen content of the vascular interstitium, arterial occlusion, or survival between the two groups.

Conclusions:  Although the fibrotic process is more intense in the SSc group, it does not affect the prognosis of these patients. Because the elastotic process is higher in the SSc group, this might suggest that autoimmune inflammatory mechanisms affecting the elastic fibre system play a greater role in the pathogenesis and pulmonary remodelling process of SSc NSIP than in idiopathic NSIP.
hCGβ expression by cervical squamous carcinoma –in vivo histological association with tumour invasion and apoptosis
Authors: Li D , Wen X , Ghali L , Al‐Shalabi F M , Docherty S M , Purkis P , Iles R K
Published: July 2008

Aims:  To investigate the correlation of β‐subunit of human chorionic gonadotrophin (hCGβ) expression by cervical carcinomas with measures of tumour apoptosis.

Methods and results:  Eighty‐nine cervical carcinoma patients’ samples were subject to hCGβ immunohistochemistry and scored with respect to intensity of immunopositivity and percentage of positive cells. Apoptosis was evaluated by three independent parameters: morphological characteristics [haematoxylin and eosin (H&E)], terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase biotin‐dUTP nick end labelling (TUNEL) and poly (ADP‐ribose) polymerase (PARP) immunopositivity. Of the 12 adenocarcinomas, only one (8%) was hCGβ+. However, 87% (61/70) of the squamous cell and 100% (7/7) of adenosquamous cell carcinomas were hCGβ+. hCGβ reactivity and intensity was predominantly confined to peripheral tumour cells at the stromal–epithelial interface. Correlation analysis showed that H&E and PARP apoptotic immunopositivity negatively correlated with hCGβ expression (P < 0.001 and P = 0.028 respectively), whereas TUNEL did not (P = 0.12). However, immunopositivity for apoptotic cells by TUNEL was significantly less in tumours where hCGβ expression was greater (scoring ≥ 6) and vice versa. hCGβ immunopositivity was also observed in newly formed blood vessels, as well as tumour cells within lymphatic vessels. When tumour vascularization was taken into account, samples with noted vascularization positively correlated with hCGβ scoring.

Conclusions:  hCGβ expression correlates with reduced tumour cell apoptosis and may be involved in tumour vascularization and dissemination.
Mycothiol biosynthesis is essential for ethionamide susceptibility in Mycobacterium tuberculosis
Authors: Vilchèze Catherine , Av‐Gay Yossef , Attarian Rodgoun , Liu Zhen , Hazbón Manzour H. , Colangeli Roberto , Chen Bing , Liu Weijun , Alland David , Sacchettini James C. , Jacobs Jr William R.
Published: July 2008

Spontaneous mutants of Mycobacterium tuberculosis that were resistant to the anti‐tuberculosis drugs ethionamide and isoniazid were isolated and found to map to mshA, a gene encoding the first enzyme involved in the biosynthesis of mycothiol, a major low‐molecular‐weight thiol in M. tuberculosis. Seven independent missense or frameshift mutations within mshA were identified and characterized. Precise null deletion mutations of the mshA gene were generated by specialized transduction in three different strains of M. tuberculosis. The mshA deletion mutants were defective in mycothiol biosynthesis, were only ethionamide‐resistant and required catalase to grow. Biochemical studies suggested that the mechanism of ethionamide resistance in mshA mutants was likely due to a defect in ethionamide activation. In vivo, a mycothiol‐deficient strain grew normally in immunodeficient mice, but was slightly defective for growth in immunocompetent mice. Mutations in mshA demonstrate the non‐essentiality of mycothiol for growth in vitro and in vivo, and provide a novel mechanism of ethionamide resistance in M. tuberculosis.
Heartburn during sleep: a clinical marker of gastro‐oesophageal reflux disease in morbidly obese patients
Authors: Fornari F. , Madalosso C. A. S. , Callegari‐jacques S. M. , Gurski R. R.
Published: July 2008

Abstract  Gastro‐oesophageal reflux disease (GORD) and morbid obesity are entities with increasing prevalence. New clinical strategies are cornerstones for their management. The aim of this study was to assess the prevalence of heartburn during sleep (HDS) and whether this symptom predicts the presence of objective GORD parameters and increased heartburn perception in morbidly obese patients. Ninety‐one consecutive morbidly obese patients underwent clinical evaluation, upper gastrointestinal endoscopy and oesophageal pH monitoring. HDS was characterized when patients replied positively to the question, ‘Does heartburn wake you from sleep?’. A General Score for Heartburn (GSH) ranging between 0 and 5 was assessed with the question ‘How bad is your heartburn?’. HDS was reported by 33 patients (36%). More patients with HDS had abnormal acid contact time or reflux oesophagitis than patients without HDS (94%vs 57%, P < 0.001). HDS had a positive predictive value of 94% (0.95 CI 82–98), sensitivity of 48% (0.95 CI 37–60%) and specificity of 93% (0.95 CI 77–98%) for detection of GORD. A higher proportion of patients with HDS perceived heartburn preceded by acid reflux in diurnal (39%vs 9%; P < 0.001) periods during pH‐metry. HDS patients showed higher GSH (2.4 ± 0.5 vs 1.7 ± 0.4; P < 0.0001) compared with patients who denied HDS but reported diurnal heartburn. HDS occurs in a significant minority of patients with morbid obesity and has high positive predictive value for GORD. Symptomatic reflux during the sleep seems to be a marker of increased heartburn perception in this population.
Transplant‐associated Ochroconis gallopava infections
Authors: Shoham S. , Pic‐Aluas L. , Taylor J. , Cortez K. , Rinaldi M.G. , Shea Y. , Walsh T.J.
Published: July 2008

Background. Ochroconis gallopava is a neurotropic dematiaceous mold that causes respiratory and central nervous system (CNS) infection in domestic poultry and in immunocompromised patients. We recently treated 3 solid organ transplant (SOT) recipients for pulmonary Ochroconis infections with successful outcome, prompting us to review the literature on this unique pathogen.

Methods. We reviewed all published cases of O. gallopava infections in SOT recipients and analyzed the impact of CNS infection on the outcome.

Results. In addition to the 3 new cases reported here, 9 published cases of Ochroconis infection were analyzed. The disease involved the lungs only in 5/12 (42%) of patients, brain in 6/12 (50%) patients, and lung and skin in 1 patient. Survival was significantly reduced with brain infection (33% vs. 100%; P<0.03; Fisher's exact test).

Conclusions. O. gallopava may infect SOT recipients with a particular tropism for the CNS. Early recognition of O. gallopava pulmonary infection is important, as the prognosis is excellent before dissemination to the brain.
Vascular access surveillance
Authors: Polkinghorne Kevan
Published: July 2008

Date written: November 2006

Final submission: March 2008
Prospective study of combined treatment with interferon‐alpha and active vitamin D3 for Japanese patients with metastatic renal cell carcinoma
Authors: Obara Wataru , Mizutani Yoichi , Oyama Chikara , Akaza Hideyuki , Ishii Nobuhisa , Kohri Kenjiro , Namiki Mikio , Okuyama Akihiko , Shima Hiroki , Yokoyama Masayoshi , Shuin Taro , Miki Tsuneharu , Watanabe Yoshiyuki , Fujioka Tomoaki
Published: July 2008

Objectives:  To assess the safety and efficacy of combined therapy with interferon‐alpha (INF‐α) and active vitamin D3 for metastatic renal cell carcinoma (RCC).

Methods:  Sixteen patients with metastatic RCC were enrolled in this prospective study. All received oral alfacalcidol (1 µg once daily) and INF‐α (Sumiferon; 3 million units, three times a week). The primary endpoint was the response rate (defined as complete + partial remission). Secondary endpoints were cancer‐specific survival and toxicity. The median follow‐up period was 17 months (range: 5–49 months).

Results:  The median age of the patients was 68 years (range: 41–73 years). The sites of metastases were: lung in 13 patients, bone in one, lung and bone in one, and lung, bone, and lymph nodes in one. Four patients (25%) had a partial response (PR), 10 patients (62.5%) showed no change (NC), and two patients (12.5%) had progressive disease (PD). The median cancer‐specific survival time was 45 months. One patient had to discontinue vitamin D3 because of hypercalcemia. Kaplan‐Meier survival analysis revealed that metastasis at the time of initial diagnosis and older than average age were significant predictors of poor survival (P < 0.05).

Conclusions:  Combined treatment with INF‐α and active vitamin D3 has shown to be safe and effective for metastatic RCC patients.
Development of differential diagnosis for benign and malignant pheochromocytomas
Authors: Gao Baohua , Kong Fanshan , Xu Zhishun
Published: July 2008

Abstract:  Unlike common malignant tumors, malignant pheochromocytomas cannot be definitely diagnosed using histological features. This unique nature of pheochromocytomas provides a valuable model that may promote the investigation of the mechanism of other common malignant tumors where similar frameworks are not available. Studies on malignant pheochromocytomas should benefit not only the individuals with pheochromocytomas but those with other tumors. A review on the development of differentiating diagnosis between malignant and benign pheochromocytomas in imaging studies, biological fluid examinations, pathological examinations, molecular markers and genome studies, was updated in the hopes of guiding the next studies of pheochromcytomas.
The ‘magic formula’ for linearly edge‐reinforced random walks
Authors: Merkl Franz , Öry Aniko , Rolles Silke W. W.
Published: July 2008

Linearly edge‐reinforced random walk on a finite graph is a mixture of reversible Markov chains with an explicitly known mixing measure. We give a new proof of this fact.
Viral efficacy maintained and safety parameters improved with a reduced dose of stavudine: a pilot study
Authors: Ait‐Mohand H , Bonmarchand M , Guiguet M , Slama L , Marguet F , Behin A , Amellal B , Bennai Y , Peytavin G , Calvez V , Pialoux G , Murphy R , Katlama C
Published: July 2008

Objectives

Stavudine (d4T) is a potent but potentially toxic nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor that is still widely used in developing countries. This study's aim was to determine the efficacy and safety profile of lower‐dose d4T.

Methods

Multi‐centre, open‐label, single‐arm, pilot, 48‐week study in French patients weighing >60 kg with viral load <400 HIV‐1 RNA copies/mL who were receiving d4T 40 mg twice daily and then switched to 30 mg twice daily. The primary endpoint was the proportion with plasma viral load <400 copies/mL at week 24. Secondary endpoints included the proportion with <50 copies/mL at weeks 24 and 48, changes in mitochondrial DNA, CD4 cell count and pharmacokinetics, and clinical and laboratory safety.

Results

Fifty‐seven patients enrolled. Baseline CD4 count was 584 cells/μL; viral loads were <400 copies/mL and <50 copies/mL in 100% and 89%, respectively. Prior antiretroviral drug exposure was 6.9 years, d4T exposure was 6.3 years. Fifty‐six out of 57 (98%) patients had viral load <400 copies/mL and 51 (89%) had viral load <50 copies/mL at week 24. Median CD4 count increased by 63 cells/μL at week 48 (P=0.006). At 48 weeks, total cholesterol decreased by 0.24 mmol (P=0.02), high‐density lipoprotein cholesterol by 0.15 mmol (P=0.0001) and alanine aminotransferase by 5.74 mg/dL (P=0.01). Paired baseline DNA and week 24 RNA mutations were unchanged. Mitochondrial DNA (copies/cell) content increased from 672±254 to 682±269. d4T area under the plasma concentration time curve (AUC) decreased by 31% (P=0.003) and Cmax by 44% (P=0.004). Clinical and laboratory parameters improved or were unchanged.

Conclusions

Reduced‐dose d4T is effective with improved safety parameters.
Switching from suppressive protease inhibitor‐based regimens to nevirapine‐based regimens: a meta‐analysis of randomized controlled trials
Authors: Ena J , Leach A , Nguyen P
Published: July 2008

Objectives

We performed a meta‐analysis to assess the efficacy and safety of switching from protease inhibitor (PI)‐ to nevirapine (NVP)‐based regimens in HIV‐infected patients in whom virological suppression had been achieved.

Methods

Six trials (550 patients) were analysed. The demographics showed that 11–48% of participants were female and 40–53% had hepatitis C or B virus infection, and the mean CD4 lymphocyte count was >500 cells/μL at study entry.

Results

NVP‐based regimens showed noninferiority compared with continuation of PI therapy to maintain virological suppression in ‘intention to treat’ (80 vs. 78%; P=0.35) and ‘on treatment’ analyses (91 vs. 89%; P=0.10). Overall rates of discontinuation because of adverse events were similar in the two groups (11 vs. 10%; P=0.79). However, NVP‐based therapies caused more discontinuations because of liver toxicity than PI‐based therapies (7 vs. 0%; P=0.0009). At the end of follow‐up there was no statistical difference in CD4, cholesterol, triglyceride and body shape measurements between the two groups. Two studies reported greater improvement in quality of life in patients who were switched to the NVP group.

Conclusions

Switching from suppressive PI‐ to NVP‐based regimens is virologically and immunologically safe; however, the risk of liver toxicity requires monitoring of clinical symptoms and liver chemistry during NVP therapy.
Drug resistance profiles for the HIV integrase gene in patients failing raltegravir salvage therapy*
Authors: Charpentier C , Karmochkine M , Laureillard D , Tisserand P , Bélec L , Weiss L , Si‐Mohamed A , Piketty C
Published: July 2008

Objectives

Recent data showed the selection of mutations in the integrase gene, mainly involving position 148 or 155, in patients displaying virological failure (VF) on raltegravir (RAL) therapy. Here, we describe the development of RAL resistance, in both plasmatic and cellular compartments, in three heavily pretreated HIV‐infected patients failing RAL‐containing regimens.

Methods

Three of 17 patients receiving RAL displayed VF. The entire integrase gene, isolated from plasma and peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC), was sequenced. A clonal analysis was performed in one patient at the time of VF.

Results

At the time of VF, RAL‐resistance mutations were selected: (i) Q148R in patients 1 and 3; (ii) T66A and E92Q in patient 2. A gradual accumulation of new mutations was observed in all patients, including G140S, Q148H and N155H in patient 1, L74I in patient 2, and G140S in patient 3. Clonal analysis showed the coexistence, in patient 1, of the two common resistance pathways (mutations Q148R/H and N155H) found in distinct quasi‐species. In addition, RAL‐resistance mutations were detected in HIV DNA in all patients.

Conclusions

Having rapidly established, resistance to RAL evolves and diversifies, and is likely to impact the efficacy of subsequently used second‐generation integrase inhibitors. Moreover, RAL‐resistance mutations can be archived early in PBMC.
Megadontia, striae periodicity and patterns of enamel secretion in Plio‐Pleistocene fossil hominins
Authors: Lacruz Rodrigo S. , Dean M. Christopher , Ramirez‐Rozzi Fernando , Bromage Timothy G.
Published: July 2008

Early hominins formed large and thick‐enamelled cheek‐teeth within relatively short growth periods as compared with modern humans. To understand better the developmental basis of this process, we measured daily enamel increments, or cross striations, in 17 molars of Plio‐Pleistocene hominins representing seven different species, including specimens attributed to early Homo. Our results show considerable variation across species, although all specimens conformed to the known pattern characterised by greater values in outer than inner enamel, and greater cuspal than cervical values. We then compared our results with the megadontia index, which represents tooth size in relation to body mass, for each species to assess the effect of daily growth rates on tooth size. Our results indicate that larger toothed (megadont) taxa display higher rates or faster forming enamel than smaller toothed hominins. By forming enamel quickly, large tooth crowns were able to develop within the constraints of shorter growth periods. Besides daily increments, many animals express long‐period markings (striae of Retzius) in their enamel. We report periodicity values (number of cross striations between adjacent striae) in 14 new specimens of Australopithecus afarensis, Paranthropus aethiopicus, Paranthropus boisei, Homo habilis, Homo rudolfensis and Homo erectus, and show that long‐period striae express a strong association with male and average male–female body mass. Our results for Plio‐Pleistocene hominins show that the biological rhythms that give rise to long‐period striae are encompassed within the range of variation known for modern humans, but show a lower mean and modal value of 7 days in australopithecines. In our sample of early Homo, mean and modal periodicity values were 8 days, and therefore similar to modern humans. These new data on daily rates of enamel formation and periodicity provide a better framework to interpret surface manifestations of internal growth markings on fossil hominin tooth crowns. Importantly, our data on early hominin cross striation variation may now contribute towards solving difficult taxonomic diagnoses where much may depend on fragmentary molar remains and enamel structure.
A Novel Approach to Transvenous Dual‐Chamber Pacing Lead Placement and Cardiac Defibrillator Implantation After Tricuspid Valve Replacement
Authors: LOPEZ J. ALBERTO , LUFSCHANOWSKI ROBERTO
Published: July 2008

We report the successful use of a percutaneous, totally transvenous endocardial approach to atrioventricular pacing and internal cardiac defibrillation in an adult patient with tetralogy of Fallot who had undergone three previous cardiac operations, including a tricuspid valve replacement. Ventricular pacing and sensing were achieved with a bipolar lead in the lateral cardiac vein, and atrial pacing was attained in the region of Bachmann's bundle. Internal defibrillation was achieved with a coil lead in the middle cardiac vein and an “active can” pulse generator in the retromammary position. This minimally invasive method has significant potential benefits because it avoids epicardial placement via a thoracotomy and allows endocardial placement without crossing the tricuspid valve.
Fleeting Dreams and Flowing Goods: Citizenship and Consumption in Havana Cuba
Authors: Porter Amy L.
Published: July 2008

This article explores the ways that consumption practices and the expectations around consumption are changing in Havana, Cuba. Drawing on studies of citizenship, I argue that consumption is a right of citizenship and, as such, has transformative power—not necessarily positive—for society and its citizens. This is especially the case when there are economic and political distinctions made about who can and cannot consume what products. Ethnography provides insights into the varying forms of consumption that Cubans encounter, and the ways that these are fragmenting socialist ideals and values, perceptions of national unity, and, ultimately, definitions of belonging and citizenship.
Incidence and clinical characteristics of symptomatic choroidal metastasis from lung cancer
Authors: Kreusel Klaus‐Martin , Bechrakis Nikolaos E. , Wiegel Thomas , Krause Lothar , Foerster Michael H.
Published: July 2008

Purpose:  To determine the clinical characteristics of symptomatic choroidal metastasis (CM) resulting from metastatic lung cancer.

Methods:  Twenty‐two consecutive patients with symptomatic CM resulting from lung cancer were retrospectively reviewed for ocular findings, medical history and systemic disease. All patients underwent a complete screening for further organ metastasis by computed tomography (CT) and bone scintigraphy. Annual frequency of CM was determined and compared with the incidence predicted from ocular screening studies.

Results:  In eight of 22 (36%; 95% confidence interval [CI] 17–59) patients, lung cancer had been diagnosed before occurrence of CM, with a median interval of 13 months. In 14 patients lung cancer was detected after diagnosis of CM, with a median interval of 1 month. Choroidal metastasis was unilateral, solitary and located close to or at the posterior pole in the majority of patients. Further organ metastasis with a median number of three affected organ systems was present in 19 (86%; 95% CI 65–97) patients. Median survival after diagnosis of symptomatic CM was 13 months, by contrast with 2 months in lung cancer patients with CM identified in an ocular screening study. The mean number of patients in Berlin diagnosed with symptomatic CM was 1.4 per year, which was two orders of magnitude less than predicted from screening studies.

Conclusions:  Symptomatic choroidal lung cancer metastasis in the majority of patients presents as a solitary tumour before diagnosis of lung cancer in patients with multiple organ systems affected by metastatic disease. Contrary to predictions from ocular screening studies, it is a rare clinical entity.
Two‐year follow‐up of posterior capsule opacification after implantation of a hydrophilic or hydrophobic acrylic intraocular lens
Authors: Kugelberg Maria , Wejde Gisela , Jayaram Hari , Zetterström Charlotta
Published: July 2008

Purpose:  To evaluate posterior capsule opacification (PCO) 2 years after cataract surgery following implantation of a hydrophilic or a hydrophobic single‐piece acrylic intraocular lens (IOL) with a sharp edge.

Methods:  Phacoemulsification cataract surgery was performed in one eye of 120 patients with senile cataract in this prospective study. They were randomized to implantation of either a hydrophilic acrylic IOL (BL27; Bausch & Lomb, Rochester, NY, USA) or a hydrophobic acrylic IOL (AcrySof® SA60AT; Alcon Laboratories, Fort Worth, TX, USA). Two years after surgery, retroillumination images were obtained and PCO area and severity were evaluated using pocoman software. Best corrected visual acuity (VA) (both high‐contrast [100%] and low‐contrast [2.5%]), glare, laser flare and intraocular pressure were measured. Capsulotomy rates were recorded.

Results:  Patients implanted with the hydrophilic IOL had a greater percentage area and severity of PCO compared with patients with the hydrophobic IOL (p < 0.001). There was no difference in PCO between men and women in the hydrophilic group. However, in the hydrophobic group, women had significantly more PCO than men (p < 0.05). Patients with the hydrophobic acrylic IOL had better high‐ and low‐contrast visual activity (VA) (p < 0.01) and less glare (p < 0.001) than those with a hydrophilic acrylic IOL. Of the patients with the hydrophilic IOL, 42% underwent capsulotomy, compared with 10% in the hydrophobic group (p < 0.001).

Conclusions:  Two years after surgery, patients with the SA60AT hydrophobic acrylic IOL had less PCO and better high‐ and low‐contrast VA than patients with the BL27 hydrophilic acrylic IOL.
Parameter-test-ideals of Cohen–Macaulay rings
Authors: Katzman Mordechai
Published: July 2008

We describe an algorithm for computing parameter-test-ideals in certain local Cohen–Macaulay rings. The algorithm is based on the study of a Frobenius map on the injective hull of the residue field of the ring and on the application of Sharp’s notion of ‘special ideals’. Our techniques also provide an algorithm for computing indices of nilpotency of Frobenius actions on top local cohomology modules of the ring and on the injective hull of its residue field. The study of nilpotent elements on injective hulls of residue fields also yields a great simplification of the proof of the celebrated result in the article Generators of D-modules in positive characteristic (J. Alvarez-Montaner, M. Blickle and G. Lyubeznik, Math. Res. Lett. 12 (2005), 459–473).
Differential equations on complex projective hypersurfaces of low dimension
Authors: Diverio Simone
Published: July 2008

Let n=2,3,4,5 and let X be a smooth complex projective hypersurface of $\mathbb {P}^{n+1}$. In this paper we find an effective lower bound for the degree of X, such that every holomorphic entire curve in X must satisfy an algebraic differential equation of order k=n=dim X, and also similar bounds for order k>n. Moreover, for every integer n≥2, we show that there are no such algebraic differential equations of order k<n for a smooth hypersurface in $\mathbb {P}^{n+1}$.
Global divisibility of Heegner points and Tamagawa numbers
Authors: Jetchev Dimitar
Published: July 2008

We improve Kolyvagin’s upper bound on the order of the p-primary part of the Shafarevich–Tate group of an elliptic curve of rank one over a quadratic imaginary field. In many cases, our bound is precisely that predicted by the Birch and Swinnerton-Dyer conjectural formula.
Plurigenera of general type surfaces in mixed characteristic
Authors: Suh Junecue
Published: July 2008

We construct general type surfaces in mixed characteristic whose geometric genera can be made to jump by an arbitrarily prescribed positive amount under specialization. We then show that this phenomenon of jumping geometric genus presents itself in some compact Shimura surfaces. Finally, we find a set of conditions, met by the latter Shimura surfaces, that forces the higher plurigenera to remain constant in reduction modulo p.
Comparison Between Theoretical CFV Flow Models and NIST’s Primary Flow Data in the Laminar, Turbulent, and Transition Flow Regimes
Authors: Johnson Aaron , Wright John
Published: July 2008

State-of-the art dimensional metrology was used to measure the throat diameter and throat curvature of nine critical flow venturis (CFVs) with nominal throat diameters ranging from 5mmto25mm. The throat curvature was used in calculating the theoretical discharge coefficients, while the throat diameter was used in computing the experimental discharge coefficients. The nine CFVs were calibrated in dry air using two NIST primary flow standards with expanded uncertainties of 0.05% and 0.09%, respectively. The calibration data span a Reynolds number range from 7.2×104 to 2.5×106, including laminar, transition, and turbulent flow regimes. By correcting for both the throat diameter and curvature, the agreement between predicted and measured discharge coefficients was less than 0.17% in the turbulent regime and less than 0.07% in the laminar regime.
Pressure Drop Predictions in Microfibrous Materials Using Computational Fluid Dynamics
Authors: Duggirala Ravi K. , Roy Christopher J. , Saeidi S. M. , Khodadadi Jay M. , Cahela Don R. , Tatarchuk Bruce J.
Published: July 2008

Three-dimensional computational fluid dynamics simulations are performed for the flow of air through microfibrous materials for void fractions of 0.41 and 0.47 and face velocities ranging between 0.04ms and 1.29m∕s. The microfibrous materials consist of activated carbon powder with diameters of 137×10−6m entrapped in a matrix of cylindrical fibers with diameters of 8×10−6m. These sintered microfibrous materials are a new class of patented materials with properties that are advantageous compared to traditional packed beds or monoliths. Microfibrous materials have demonstrated enhanced heat and mass transfer compared to packed beds of particles of similar dimensions. In this paper, the simulations are used to predict the pressure drop per unit length through the materials and to analyze the details of the flow that are difficult to interrogate experimentally. Various geometric approximations are employed in order to allow the simulations to be performed in an efficient manner. The Knudsen number, defined as the ratio of the mean free path between molecular collisions to the fiber diameter, is 0.011; thus, velocity-slip boundary conditions are employed and shown to have only a minor effect on the pressure drop predictions. Significant effort is made to estimate numerical errors associated with the discretization process, and these errors are shown to be negligible (less than 3%). The computational predictions for pressure drop are compared to available experimental data as well as to two theory-based correlations: Ergun’s equation and the porous media permeability equation. The agreement between the simulations and the experiments is within 30% and is reasonable considering the significant geometric approximations employed. The errors in the simulations and correlations with respect to experimental data exhibit the same trend with face velocity for both void fractions. This consistent trend suggests the presence of experimental bias errors that correlate with the face velocity. The simulations generally underpredict the experimental pressure drop for the low void fraction case and overpredict the experimental pressure drop for the high void fraction case.
Improving Process Control in Electron Beam Welding Using the Enhanced Modified Faraday Cup
Authors: Palmer T. A. , Elmer J. W.
Published: July 2008

Process control in electron beam welding is typically based on control of machine settings, such as accelerating voltage, beam current, focus coil current, and vacuum level. These settings, though important, provide little insight into the characteristics of the beam used to make the weld. With the enhanced modified Faraday cup (EMFC) diagnostic tool, these beam characteristics, including the peak power density, full width at half maximum, and full width at 1∕e2 values, can be quantified. The use of this diagnostic tool in an extended production run at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL) is described. Results show that machine performance, in terms of these measured beam characteristics, varies over time when the EMFC is not used to adjust the machine settings. Testing has shown that the variability of the beam characteristics can be measurably decreased with the use of the EMFC diagnostic tool. With the implementation of this diagnostic tool in the process control procedures, every electron beam weld, which encompassed approximately 90 welds over an 18month time frame, met all of the requirements defined in the weld process specification and passed all of the postweld quality control checks. The results also show that variations in each of the measured beam parameters can be controlled at levels below ±2.2%, which is smaller than the 5% tolerance band suggested by ASME for other welding parameters. Such an enhanced level of control allows product throughput to be increased by decreasing the number of rejected parts through the elimination of unexpected variations in beam characteristics. The benefits of integrating this diagnostic tool into future process control regimes are also discussed.
Drawback During Deposition of Overlapping Molten Wax Droplets
Authors: Li Ri , Ashgriz Nasser , Chandra Sanjeev , Andrews John R. , Williams James
Published: July 2008

Two overlapping droplets impacting on a solid surface coalesce and recoil so that the edges of the droplets are drawn back, a phenomenon called drawback. A series of experiments were conducted on the merging of two overlapping wax droplets deposited on an aluminum drum to characterize the drawback process between the two droplets. Drum temperature, droplet overlap ratio, and the time interval between impacts of droplets were varied. Wax bumps, formed by coalescence of two droplets on the drum surface, were photographed and their length and width measured. An aspect ratio and dimensionless drawback index, quantifying the extent of drawback, were calculated from these measurements. When drum temperature is increased, or the time interval between impacts of the two droplets is reduced, there is more drawback and the ink bumps become round, since the cooling rate of droplets is slower and droplets have a longer time to change shape due to surface tension. A simple heat transfer model was developed to predict changes in droplet-cooling rate with changes in droplet overlap, substrate temperature, or time interval (deposition frequency). Experiments were also conducted on the formation of lines by depositing 20 droplets. Measurements on the drawback of two droplets were used to predict conditions under which broken lines are obtained.
Variable Powder Flow Rate Control in Laser Metal Deposition Processes
Authors: Tang Lie , Ruan Jianzhong , Landers Robert G. , Liou Frank
Published: July 2008

This paper proposes a novel method, called variable powder flow rate control (VPFRC), for the regulation of powder flow rate in laser metal deposition processes. The idea of VPFRC is to adjust the powder flow rate to maintain a uniform powder deposition per unit length even when disturbances occur (e.g., the motion system accelerates and decelerates). Dynamic models of the powder delivery system motor and the powder transport system (i.e., 5m pipe, powder dispenser, and cladding head) are constructed. A general tracking controller is then designed to track variable powder flow rate references. Since the powder flow rate at the nozzle exit cannot be directly measured, it is estimated using the powder transport system model. The input to this model is the dc motor rotation speed, which is estimated online using a Kalman filter. Experiments are conducted to examine the performance of the proposed control methodology. The experimental results demonstrate that the VPFRC method is successful in maintaining a uniform track morphology, even when the motion system accelerates and decelerates.
Partial Pore Blocking in Microfiltration Recycling of a Semisynthetic Metalworking Fluid
Authors: Wentz John E. , Kapoor Shiv G. , DeVor Richard E. , Rajagopalan N.
Published: July 2008

In this paper, the fouling of sintered α-alumina membranes by an uncontaminated semisynthetic metalworking fluid (MWF) is addressed. Experimental evidence of the form of flux reduction curves, scanning electron microscope images of the membranes, and MWF particle size measurements is used to identify two fouling mechanisms, pore blocking and partial pore blocking, as the major contributors to flux decline. A probability-based mechanistic model is developed based on the time-dependent particle size distribution and membrane pore sizes. The model is fitted to experimental data from two commonly used membrane pore sizes with good agreement. Partial blocking is shown to be a predominant first step in the pore blocking mechanism in microfiltration of semisynthetic MWFs due to the tortuous nature of the pores present in sintered ceramic membranes.
Experimental and Numerical Investigations on Microcoining of Stainless Steel 304
Authors: Kim Gap-Yong , Koç Muammer , Ni Jun
Published: July 2008

Increasing demands for miniature metallic parts have driven the application of microforming in various industries. Only a limited amount of research is, however, available on the forming of miniature features in high strength materials. This study investigated the forming of microfeatures in Type 304 stainless steel by using the coining process. Experimental work was performed to study the effects of workpiece thickness, preform shape, grain size, and feature size on the formation of features ranging from 320μmto800μm. It was found that certain preform shapes enhance feature formation by allowing a favorable flow of the bulk material. In addition, a flow stress model for Type 304 stainless steel that took into consideration the effects of the grain and feature sizes was developed to accurately model and better understand the coining process. Weakening of the material, as the grain size increased at the miniature scale, was explained by the Hall–Petch relationship and the feature size effect.
Design of a Large Rectangular Flange
Authors: Batra Bharat
Published: July 2008

A large rectangular flange (5’ wide × 12.5’ Long) was designed using finite element analysis for a horizontal mixer vessel. The mixer vessel contained a large horizontal agitator with the shaft protruding through the two flat ends of the vessel. The horizontal vessel was split in the middle horizontal plane creating a large rectangular opening to be sealed by the two large rectangular flanges. The size of the flange, the type of gasket, the bolt preload required to obtain a reasonable seal made it a design challenge to design this bolted flange assembly. To start with, an estimate was made based on the calculation of the thickness of the flange using an equivalent circular flange. The finite element analysis of the whole assembly was preformed using the FEA software ANSYS. After several iterations, an acceptable solution was found with acceptable flange and bolt stresses. The seating stress in the gasket was also above the recommended gasket seating stress. Thus, the flanged joint was designed to be in compliance with ASME B&PV Code, Section VIII, Div-1. The vessel and the bolted flange assembly was successfully fabricated and hydrotested based on this design and it is successfully operating in the field.
Reconstitution of Compact Specimen for Irradiated Reactor Pressure Vessel Steel
Authors: Osaki Toru , Matsuzawa Hiroshi
Published: July 2008

Reconstitution in this paper means to constitute the original size compact specimen, which is made of the insert cut out from tested specimen and tubs welded to the insert. It is a promising technique to secure an adequate number of surveillance specimens for long-term operation of nuclear power plants. The fracture toughness of each reactor vessel of pressurized water reactors in Japan is measured periodically by 1/2T compact surveillance specimens, and is applied to assess the structural integrity of the reactor vessel under pressurized thermal shock loads. [1] This practice should be continued and enhanced if possible, after the full use of originally installed specimens, because its fracture toughness is lower than before. Reconstitution of irradiated 1/2T compact specimens to the original size was studied and demonstrated. Reconstituted specimens were composed of an irradiated material called an insert and un-irradiated tabs welded to the insert. It was demonstrated that the central part of the insert near the crack tip was not annealed by the thermal transient during welding if properly adjusted YAG laser welding was applied. Crack-tip opening and compliance before and after reconstitution were investigated by testing and analysis. Testing and analysis of un-irradiated specimens before reconstitution showed that the plastic deformation expanded to an area wider than 6 mm, the half width of the insert if it was a reconstituted specimen. The material had medium fracture toughness. The reconstituted specimen of the same material showed almost the same fracture toughness, although the weld could not be yielded as the insert, which could affect the crack opening. The crack opening was immune to the change of the deformation far from the crack tip. Correlation between J at 2.5 mm crack extension and plastic deformation width, and the effects of short time annealing of the insert far from the crack tip during welding were studied. Integrating the results, the conditions for reconstituting the 1/2T compact specimen were settled. The reconstituted specimen with irradiated insert designed to meet the conditions showed little change in fracture toughness.
Fluid Forces on a Circular Cylinder Moving Transversely in Cylindrical Confinement: Extension of the Fritz Model to Larger Amplitude Motions
Authors: Leblond Cedric , Sigrist Jean-Franc¸ois , Laine Christian , Auvity Bruno , Peerhossaini Hassan
Published: July 2008

This paper is related to the fluid forces prediction on a rapidly moving circular cylinder in cylindrical confinement. The Fritz model, which mainly assumes infinitesimal motions of the inner cylinder in an inviscid fluid, is one of the simplest model available in the scientific literature and is often used by design engineers in the nuclear industry. In this paper, simple non-linear expressions of fluid forces are derived for the case of finite amplitude motions of the inner cylinder. Assuming a potential flow, advection term and geometrical deformations can be taken into account. The problem, formulated as a boundary-perturbation problem, is solved thanks to a regular expansion. The range of validity of the approximate analytical solution thus obtained is theoretically discussed. The results are also confronted to numerical simulations, which allows to emphasize some limits and advantages of the analytical approach.