bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Diffusive equilibration between minerals during cooling: An analytical extension to Dodson's equation for closure in one dimension
Authors: Powell Roger , White Lee
Published: February 2007

Continuing element exchange between minerals during cooling from the metamorphic peak modifies mineral compositions from those existing at the peak. After closure, when the minerals stop changing composition, the compositional relationships hold important information regarding, for example, cooling rates. Whereas the classic result of Dodson (1973) regarding closure provides an important limit, the situation involving element exchange with a slow diffusing mineral equilibrating with a finite faster diffusing mineral is more valuable in considering metamorphic systems. An analytical extension to Dodson's equation for this situation in one dimension is presented here, and some of the consequences of departing from Dodson's limiting case are illustrated.
Structural and metamorphic evolution of the Nanga Parbat syntaxis, Pakistan Himalayas, on the Indus gorge transect: The importance of early events
Authors: Wheeler J. , Treloar P. J. , Potts G. J.
Published: February 2007

Field relationships are as important as radiometric age data for unravelling the history of polycyclic metamorphic regions. Field and petrographic data were used to investigate such a region, the Nanga Parbat syntaxis ‐ a major N‐trending transverse structure in the Pakistan Himalayas. Continental rocks of the Indian plate are exposed in the core of this structure due to uplift relative to the surrounding and structurally higher amphibolites of the overthrust Kohistan Island Arc. In the Indus gorge, the Indian plate gneisses are migmatitic, highly deformed and cut by Himalayan granite sheets. Field relationships show that the migmatization pre‐dates the emplacement of a suite of basic intrusive sheets (now amphibolites) which are themselves unlikely to be Himalayan; these amphibolite sheets are cut by the Himalayan granite sheets. There is therefore no genetic link between the granites and the migmatization: the latter might be Precambrian. During the pre‐Himalayan evolution, an eastern group of metapelitic migmatites underwent biotite dehydration melting at granulite facies conditions, leading to the development of assemblages with garnet, orthoclase and kyanite. Melt was not completely lost and back‐reacted during cooling to give biotite‐kyanite coronas around garnets. A western group of orthogneisses is characterized by foliated muscovite and biotite; orthoclase is never found with either garnet or aluminium silicate. In this second group, partial melting and small‐scale segregation gave rise to the migmatitic appearance, but melt was not lost and back‐reacted fully to regenerate the micas.

The migmatites and basic sheets were strongly deformed at amphibolite facies during Himalayan collision, producing LS tectonites, mylonitic in places. This strong fabric was then tightly folded on large scale. The NNE trending fold is slightly oblique to the earlier N‐S stretching lineation; this has been reoriented on the steep limbs, but its plunge remains shallow. No new fabric is seen associated with this folding. On the western margin, steeply plunging lineations are associated with shear bands in gneisses, indicating relative uplift of the syntaxis. In contrast, on the steep eastern margin, relative uplift of the syntaxis appears to have been due to rotation without the development of new fabrics. There is no evidence for further melting during this Himalayan evolution, so the granite sheets cannot have been derived locally. This study highlights the importance of distinguishing pre‐Himalayan and Himalayan events in this polymetamorphic region, and the usefulness of field relationships in addition to geochronological constraints in such a task.
Formation of gneisses of migmatite and diatexite appearance in Yell, Shetland, by solid‐state grain‐growth recrystallization
Authors: Flinn Derek
Published: February 2007

The island of Yell in the north of Shetland is largely formed of rocks which have been correlated with the Glenfinnan/ Loch Eil Division of the Moine in mainland Scotland. The rocks forming Yell are dominantly granoblastic to schistose quartzo‐feldspathic psammitic rocks of greywacke composition. Over about a third of Yell these rocks have been transformed partially or completely to gneisses by a recrystallization, which results in a trebling, or more, of the grain size of the psammites, together with the loss of sedimentary lamination, banding and bedding‐like partings. The end result for mica‐poor granofels is a granoblastic gneiss of diatexite appearance, recognizable as a paragneiss due to its gradation to unaltered metasedimentary rocks. Mica‐rich granofels and mica schists interbedded or interbanded with the granofels also recrystallize and develop quartzo‐feldspathic leucosomes of typical migmatitic appearance. This gneissification by recrystallization takes place in a patchy and unpredictable manner throughout the psammite outcrop. The gneissified and the ungneissified metasediments are of similar bulk composition and metamorphic grade throughout the island, the grade being too low for melting to have occurred. In the absence of any published mechanisms of gneissification which could explain all these features, it is suggested that the grain‐growth recrystallization was caused by the pasage of a fluid through the rocks.
fMRI analysis for motor paradigms using EMG‐based designs: A validation study
Authors: van Rootselaar Anne‐Fleur , Renken Remco , de Jong Bauke M. , Hoogduin Johannes M. , Tijssen Marina A.J. , Maurits Natasha M.
Published: February 2007

The goal of the present validation study is to show that continuous surface EMG recorded simultaneously with 3T fMRI can be used to identify local brain activity related to (1) motor tasks, and to (2) muscle activity independently of a specific motor task, i.e. spontaneous (abnormal) movements. Five healthy participants performed a motor task, consisting of posture (low EMG power), and slow (medium EMG power) and fast (high EMG power) wrist flexion–extension movements. Brain activation maps derived from a conventional block design analysis (block‐only design) were compared with brain activation maps derived using EMG‐based regressors: (1) using the continuous EMG power as a single regressor of interest (EMG‐only design) to relate motor performance and brain activity, and (2) using EMG power variability as an additional regressor in the fMRI block design analysis to relate movement variability and brain activity (mathematically) independent of the motor task. The agreement between the identified brain areas for the block‐only design and the EMG‐only design was excellent for all participants. Additionally, we showed that EMG power variability correlated well with activity in brain areas known to be involved in movement modulation. These innovative EMG‐fMRI analysis techniques will allow the application of novel motor paradigms. This is an important step forward in the study of both the normally functioning motor system and the pathophysiological mechanisms in movement disorders. Hum Brain Mapp, 2007. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Taxane‐based chemoirradiation for organ preservation with locally advanced head and neck cancer: Results of a phase II multi‐institutional trial
Authors: Cmelak Anthony J. , Murphy Barbara A. , Burkey Brian , Douglas Stacy , Shyr Yu , Netterville James
Published: January 2007

Background.

The optimal drug schedule and sequencing of chemotherapy and radiation for organ preservation in head and neck cancer has yet to be determined. We undertook a phase II trial of a taxane‐based induction chemotherapy (ICT) followed by a taxane‐based concurrent chemoradiation (CCR) regimen in patients with resectable stage III or IV disease to determine the feasibility, toxicity, and overall efficacy.

Methods.

Forty‐four patients with laryngeal or tongue base carcinomas were enrolled. All patients received 3 cycles of chemotherapy with paclitaxel 175 mg/m2 and carboplatin AUC (area under the curve) 6–7.5 over 30 minutes on days 1, 22, and 43. Responding patients went on to receive radiation (70 Gy/7 weeks) with cisplatin 75 mg/m2 IV on days 1, 22, and 43 and weekly paclitaxel 30 mg/m2 IV (n = 22). Because of hematologic toxicity, the concurrent regimen was changed to weekly carboplatin AUC 1 plus weekly paclitaxel 30 mg/m2 (n = 22).

Results.

Twenty‐three patients with stage III and 21 patients with stage IV disease were enrolled. Median follow‐up was 3.7 years. Acute toxicity of concurrent cisplatin and paclitaxel was excessive, with significant hematologic toxicity and 2 toxic deaths. Acute toxicities of concurrent carboplatin and paclitaxel were tolerable. No patients required permanent percutaneous gastrostomy tubes. The organ preservation rate was 83% (toxic deaths considered failures). Of 42 evaluable patients, 20 patients had complete responses (48%), 17 partial responses (41%), 3 minor responses (11%), 1 stable disease (2%), and 1 progressive disease (2%). Two‐year local control, relapse‐free survival, and overall survival were 82%, 77%, and 71%, respectively.

Conclusion.

There were no significant differences in relapse‐free survival or organ preservation rates between concurrent regimens. Platinum and paclitaxel‐based CCR is feasible after ICT and provides a high rate of organ preservation. Substitution of concurrent cisplatin to weekly carboplatin with paclitaxel and radiation has an improved toxicity profile. The ease of administration and low toxicity make this a regimen that is practical for use in the community setting. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Head Neck, 2007
The hippocampus plays a critical role at encoding discontiguous events for subsequent declarative memory expression in mice
Authors: Mingaud Frédérique , Le Moine Catherine , Etchamendy Nicole , Mormède Cécile , Jaffard Robert , Marighetto Aline
Published: February 2007

The hypothesis that hippocampal activity at encoding is causally related to subsequent declarative memory expression is tested in the mouse, by using lidocaine inactivation of the hippocampus in combination with c‐fos neuroimaging analysis. We employed a two‐stage radial maze paradigm of spatial discrimination, which was previously shown to dissociate between declarative and nondeclarative expression of memory related to the same acquired material. In Stage 1 (encoding), mice learnt the constant location of food among a set of six arms (three baited, three unbaited) by being submitted repeatedly to discontiguous experiences with each arm separately (“go/no‐go” discrimination). In Stage 2 (test‐session), they are challenged with novel presentations of the arms, which are either combined into pairs of opposite valence (“two‐choice” discrimination), or opened all six together (“six‐choice” discrimination). Previous experiments have demonstrated that the “two‐choice” situation is a critical test for declarative memory while “six‐choice” discrimination may rely on procedural memory. We observed that (i) hippocampal activity measured by c‐fos mRNA expression was increased by “go/no‐go” learning, and this activation was blocked by pre‐training local infusions of lidocaine; (ii) when performed just before each session of Stage 1, such inactivation spared the acquisition of “go/no‐go” discrimination but produced, subsequently, a selective deficit in the “two‐choice” test (not in the “six‐choice” test). This study indicates that the hippocampus is “spontaneously” engaged in encoding processes necessary for long‐term storage of discontiguous experiences under a form enabling flexible declarative memory expression. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
HPV16‐E6 mRNA is superior to cytokeratin 19 mRNA as a molecular marker for the detection of disseminated tumour cells in sentinel lymph nodes of patients with cervical cancer by quantitative reverse‐transcription PCR
Authors: Häfner Norman , Gajda Mieczyslaw , Altgassen Christopher , Hertel Hermann , Greinke Christiane , Hillemanns Peter , Schneider Achim , Dürst Matthias
Published: February 2007

About 10–15% of patients with cervical cancer suffer from recurrence despite histologically negative lymph nodes (pN0). Occult micrometastases or small tumour cell clusters may contribute to disease outcome. The aim of this study was to compare at the RNA level 2 known tumour‐associated genes, HPV16‐E6 and cytokeratin 19 (CK19), as molecular markers for the detection of disseminated tumour cells. Real‐time reverse transcription PCR technology was used to quantify gene expression in histologically positive and negative sentinel lymph nodes (SLN) from 70 patients with cervical cancer. Lymph nodes from noncancer patients were used as controls. Calculated copy numbers were normalised to the geometric average of the most stable housekeeping genes. We observed a good correlation (R = 0.915) between the expression of both markers in SLN with histologically confirmed metastases. However, marker gene expression differed considerably in histologically negative nodes: CK19 transcripts were detected in 90 of 112 SLN (80.4%), whereas only 38 nodes (33.9%) were positive for HPV16 E6 mRNA. In particular, 62 of 74 SLN, which were negative by histology, and HPV16 E6 mRNA expressed CK19 mRNA. Moreover, 8 of 10 lymph nodes from noncancer patients expressed CK19 mRNA. Systematic errors due to RNA degradation or incomplete cDNA could be ruled out. It is concluded that HPV16 E6 mRNA is more specific and more sensitive for the detection of tumour cells in SLN than CK19 mRNA. The specificity of CK19 is limited because of low level expression in uninvolved pelvic lymph nodes. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Imaging of Vx‐2 rabbit tumors with ανβ3‐integrin‐targeted 111In nanoparticles
Authors: Hu Grace , Lijowski Michal , Zhang Huiying , Partlow Kathryn C. , Caruthers Shelton D. , Kiefer Garry , Gulyas Gyongyi , Athey Phillip , Scott Michael J. , Wickline Samuel A. , Lanza Gregory M.
Published: February 2007

Earlier tumor detection can improve 5‐year survival of patients, particularly among those presenting with cancers less than 1 cm in diameter. ανβ3‐Targeted 111In nanoparticles (NP) were developed and studied for detection of tumor angiogenesis. Studies were conducted in New Zealand white rabbits implanted 12 days earlier with Vx‐2 tumor. ανβ3‐Targeted 111In/NP bearing ∼10 111In/NP vs. ∼1 111In/NP nuclide payloads were compared to nontargeted radiolabeled control particles. In vivo competitive binding studies were used to assess ligand‐targeting specificity. ανβ3‐Integrin‐targeted NP with ∼10 111In/NP provided better (p < 0.05) tumor‐to‐muscle ratio contrast (6.3 ± 0.2) than ∼1 111In/NP (5.1 ± 0.1) or nontargeted particles with ∼10 111In/NP (3.7 ± 0.1) over the initial 2‐hr postinjection. At 18 hr, mean tumor activity in rabbits receiving ανβ3‐integrin‐targeted NP was 4‐fold higher than the nontargeted control. Specificity of the NP for the tumor neovasculature was supported by in vivo competition studies and by fluorescence microscopy of ανβ3‐targeted fluorescent‐labeled NP. Biodistribution studies revealed that the primary clearance organ in rabbits as a %ID/g tissue was the spleen. Circulatory half‐life (t1/2β) was estimated to be ∼5 hr using a 2‐compartment model. ανβ3‐Targeted 111In perfluorocarbon NP may provide a clinically useful tool for sensitively detecting angiogenesis in nascent tumors, particularly in combination with secondary high‐resolution imaging modalities, such as MRI. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
‘Irrational exuberance’ and capital flows for the US New Economy: a simple global model
Authors: Miller Marcus , Castrén Olli , Zhang Lei
Published: January 2007

In a stylized and analytically tractable model of the global economy, we first calculate the Pareto improvement when a country experiencing a favourable supply side shock consumes more against expected future output and spreads the risk by selling shares. With capital inflows to finance the ‘New Economy’ significantly exceeding the current account deficit, we then show that selling shares globally at inflated prices—due to ‘irrational exuberance’ and/or distorted corporate incentives—can generate significant international transfers when the asset bubble bursts. Our analysis complements econometric studies showing how much the European economy was affected when the US asset boom ended. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Effects of the mycotoxin citrinin on micronucleus formation in a cytokinesis‐block genotoxicity assay in cultured human lymphocytes
Authors: Dönmez‐Altuntas Hamiyet , Dumlupinar Gülcan , Imamoglu Nalan , Hamurcu Zuhal , Liman Bilal Cem
Published: February 2007

Some mycotoxins produced by microfungi are capable of causing disease and death in animals and humans. In the present study, the mycotoxin citrinin (CTN) was evaluated for its genotoxic effects to human peripheral blood lymphocytes from six different individuals. Lymphocyte cultures were treated for 48 h with CTN at six different concentrations between 10 and 100 µm. Lymphocyte cultures were also incubated with 0.1 µm mitomycin c (MMC) as a positive control, and 0.5% absolute ethanol as a vehicle control.

CTN caused a significant concentration‐dependent increase in micronucleus (MN) frequency in human lymphocytes. At the 60 µm, 80 µm and 100 µm concentrations, CTN was found to induce MN in cytokinesis‐blocked lymphocytes in comparison with negative controls (P = 0.014). All the CTN concentrations also led to a clear decrease in the percentages of binucleated/mononucleated cells (P = 0.014). These results indicate that CTN at high concentrations is genotoxic in cultured human lymphocytes. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Effects on gingival cells of hydroxyapatite immobilized on poly(ethylene‐co‐vinyl alcohol)
Authors: Matsumura Kazuaki , Hyon Suong‐Hyu , Nakajima Naoki , Tsutsumi Sadami
Published: February 2007

Hydroxyapatite was immobilized on poly(ethylene‐co‐vinyl alcohol) (EVA) by alternate soaking in aqueous CaCl2 and Na2HPO4 solutions, followed by carboxyl groups introduction through ozone exposure in order to investigate the nature of the gingival cells, to control their proliferation and properties and to develop a highly organized hybrid implant possessing periodontium. Human gingival cells were cultured on the ozone‐exposed EVA, collagen‐immobilized EVA, hydroxyapatite‐immobilized EVA, and a conventional tissue culture dish. Cell proliferation was highest on the tissue culture dish and lowest on the hydroxyapatite‐immobilized EVA. The results of RT‐PCR of gingival cells on hydroxyapatite‐immobilized EVA shows that mRNAs expressed in bone and periodontal ligament were determined. Furthermore, alkaline phosphatase activity and ELISA assay revealed that gingival cells acquired the osteoblastic properties when cultured on hydroxyapatite‐immobilized EVA, suggesting that the periodontium might be regenerated around implants using gingival cells. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res, 2007
Fabrication and characterization of contact lenses bearing surface‐immobilized layers of intact liposomes
Authors: Danion Anne , Brochu Heïdi , Martin Yves , Vermette Patrick
Published: February 2007

Intact liposomes were immobilized onto soft contact lenses. In the first step, polyethylenimine was covalently bounded onto the hydroxyl groups available on the surface of a commercial contact lens (Hioxifilcon B). Then, NHS‐PEG‐biotin molecules were bounded onto the surface amine groups by carbodiimide chemistry. NeutrAvidin were bounded onto the PEG‐biotin layer. Liposomes containing PEG‐biotinylated lipids were docked onto the surface‐immobilized NeutrAvidin. Consecutive addition of further NeutrAvidin and liposome layers enabled fabrication of multilayers. Multilayers of liposomes were also produced by exposing contact lenses coated with NeutrAvidin to liposome aggregates produced by the addition of free biotin in solution. XPS revealed the immobilization of the different layers. By blocking with excess biotin surface‐immobilized NeutrAvidin on contact lenses bearing PEG‐biotin layers produced under cloud point conditions, ELISA showed that the docking of NeutrAvidin was dependent on biotin–NeutrAvidin affinity binding, with little evidence for nonspecific physisorption; however, it was not possible to differentiate specific versus nonspecific binding of NeutrAvidin attached onto PEG‐biotin layers grafted without cloud point conditions. AFM imaging revealed liposome sizes of 106 and 155 nm for layers of liposomes produced (i) by the consecutive addition of further NeutrAvidin and liposomes and (ii) by the exposure of NeutrAvidin‐coated contact lenses to liposome aggregates, respectively. The release kinetics of a fluorescent dye demonstrated that intact liposomes had been immobilized onto contact lens surfaces. The stability of surface‐immobilized liposomes onto contact lens surfaces showed temperature dependence. Surface‐bound liposomes can be stored up to 1 month at 4°C with little release of their content. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res, 2007
CCAAT/enhancer binding protein‐α is down‐regulated by toll‐like receptor agonists in microglial cells
Authors: Ejarque‐Ortiz Aroa , Tusell Josep M. , Serratosa Joan , Saura Josep
Published: January 2007

The transcription factor CCAAT/enhancer binding protein‐α (C/EBPα) can regulate the expression of important genes in the inflammatory response, but little is known about its role in glial activation. By using primary cortical murine glial cultures, we show that C/EBPα is expressed by microglial cells in vitro. Lipopolysaccharide (LPS) down‐regulates C/EBPα mRNA at 2 hr and all C/EBPα protein isoforms at 4 hr. This effect is elicited by LPS concentrations ≥100 pg/ml. LPS‐induced C/EBPα down‐regulation occurs in microglial cells both in mixed glial and in microglial‐enriched cultures. As seen with LPS, other toll‐like receptor agonists (polyinosinic‐polycytidylic acid, peptidoglycan from Staphylococcus aureus, and the oligonucleotide CpG1668) also down‐regulate C/EBPα whereas cytokines such as interleukin‐1β, interleukin‐6, macrophage‐colony stimulating factor, and interferon‐γ do not. These findings suggest that C/EBPα down‐regulation in activated microglia could play an important role in the increased expression of genes that are potentially pathogenic in a variety of neurological disorders. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
A multiproxy climate record from a raised bog in County Fermanagh, Northern Ireland: a critical examination of the link between bog surface wetness and solar variability
Authors: Swindles Graeme T. , Plunkett Gill , Roe Helen M.
Published: January 2007

A proxy climate record from a raised bog in County Fermanagh, Northern Ireland, is presented. The record spans the interval between 2850 cal. yr BC and cal. yr AD 1000 and chronological control is achieved through the use of tephrochronology and 14C dating, including a wiggle‐match on one section of the record. Palaeoclimatic inferences are based on a combination of a testate amoebae‐derived water table reconstruction, peat humification and plant macrofossil analyses. This multiproxy approach enables proxy‐specific effects to be identified. Major wet shifts are registered in the proxies at ca. 1510 cal. yr BC, 750 cal. yr BC and cal. yr AD 470. Smaller magnitude shifts to wetter conditions are also recorded at ca. 380 cal. yr BC, 150 cal. yr BC, cal. yr AD 180, and cal. yr AD 690. It is hypothesised that the wet shifts are not merely local events as they appear to be linked to wider climate deteriorations in northwest Europe. Harmonic analysis of the proxies illustrates statistically significant periodicities of 580, 423–373, 307 and 265 years that may be related to wider Holocene climate cycles. This paper illustrates how the timing of climate changes registered in peat profiles records can be precisely constrained using tephrochronology to examine possible climatic responses to solar forcing. Relying on interpolated chronologies with considerable dating uncertainty must be avoided if the climatic responses to forcing mechanisms are to be fully understood. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Determination of the small cell lung cancer associated biomarker pro‐gastrin‐releasing peptide (ProGRP) using LC‐MS
Authors: Winther Bjørn , Reubsaet Jan Léon
Published: February 2007

Small cell lung cancer is a rapidly growing neoplasm with high mortality. A recently discovered biomarker, pro‐gastrin‐releasing peptide (ProGRP), is used as a specific diagnostic marker for the disease. The present methods of quantification are based on the immunoassay techniques RIA and ELISA. Our object was to develop an LC‐MS method for the detection and quantification of ProGRP using specific tryptic digestion products from the recombinant peptide ProGRP (31–98), a sequence common to three isoforms of ProGRP. The conditions for enzymatic cleavage were optimized and MS compatibility was obtained. Digestion of ProGRP (31–98) yielded an array of peptide products and these were evaluated for further method development. The peptide product NLLGLIEAK proved to be the preferable candidate to monitor ProGRP due to signal intensity, column retention, and peptide specificity. The identity of this product was verified by means of LC‐MS/MS and the linearity of the calibration curve evaluated. LOD was calculated to be 13.9 pg on column (O.C.). Plasma samples spiked with ProGRP (31–98) prior to digestion verified the suitability of this digest product for the determination of ProGRP. LC‐MS may prove to be a valuable tool for biomarker mediated diagnosis in the future.
CSF biomarker discovery using label‐free nano‐LC‐MS based proteomic profiling: Technical aspects
Authors: Huang Jeffrey T.‐J. , McKenna Therese , Hughes Chris , Leweke F. Markus , Schwarz Emanuel , Bahn Sabine
Published: February 2007

Biomarker discovery in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) can provide important information helping to diagnose and monitor disease progression in brain disorders. We present a label‐free LC‐MS strategy to investigate the proteomic profile of CSF. We provide a framework and protocol addressing quality control, sample replication steps and the adaptation of pattern recognition methods for the detection of experimental variation and (most importantly) putative biomarkers. This strategy was tested using a total of 20 CSF samples (ten samples from healthy volunteers and ten from schizophrenia patients). A clear difference was found between healthy volunteers and schizophrenia patients. With technical and biological variation controlled, we were able to detect 77 proteins with confidence in CSF, of which seven were newly identified, without prior depletion of abundant protein species. Our strategy provides a simple and controlled method for CSF biomarker discovery.
Strategic management of the Tokyo taxi cab industry: an exploratory study
Authors: Skok Walter , Kobayashi Satoko
Published: January 2007

Taxicabs are an indispensable means of transportation in Tokyo, as they provide a 24/7 door‐to‐door service for a daily average of 1.3 million people. In 2002, legislation was introduced to abolish restrictions on the number of taxicabs on the road. This relaxation of regulation, together with the corresponding recession, raised new issues such as increasing cab numbers and reducing drivers' wages.

The wide variety of stakeholders involved within the taxicab industry have conflicting positions, resulting in little agreement on the possible way forward. An exploratory study was therefore undertaken in order to investigate the management of Tokyo's taxicab operations in order to formulate strategies for improving the service. Two related papers report on the study.

This paper starts by providing an understanding of the current situation, examining the roles of the major stakeholders and outlining day‐to‐day operations.

Academic frameworks, for example PEST, Critical Success Factors and the Cultural Web, from the strategic management literature, are used to identify the structure of the industry and analyse the environment in which it operates.

The results found that Tokyo's taxicab industry is highly efficient operationally, due to the high standard of customer service, effective driver's learning scheme and active use of IT. However, a paradoxical situation has been identified where the demand for cabs has decreased even though the available vehicles have increased. Finally, a uniform method to measure the level of taxicab service is recommended. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Mathematical modeling of 980‐nm and 1320‐nm endovenous laser treatment
Authors: Mordon Serge R. , Wassmer Benjamin , Zemmouri Jaouad
Published: January 2007

Background and Objectives

Endovenous laser treatment (ELT) has been proposed as an alternative in the treatment of reflux of the great saphenous vein (GSV) and small saphenous vein (SSV). Numerous studies have since demonstrated that this technique is both safe and efficacious. ELT was presented initially using diode lasers of 810 nm, 940 nm, and 980 nm. Recently, a 1,320‐nm Nd:YAG laser was introduced for ELT. This study aims to provide mathematical modeling of ELT in order to compare 980 nm and 1,320 nm laser‐induced damage of saphenous veins.

Study Design/Materials and Methods

The model is based on calculations describing light distribution using the diffusion approximation of the transport theory, the temperature rise using the bioheat equation, and the laser‐induced injury using the Arrhenius damage model. The geometry to simulate ELT was based on a 2D model consisting of a cylindrically symmetric blood vessel including a vessel wall and surrounded by an infinite homogenous tissue. The mathematical model was implemented using the Macsyma‐Pdease2D software (Macsyma, Inc., Arlington, MA). Calculations were performed so as to determine the damage induced in the intima tunica, the externa tunica and inside the peri‐venous tissue for 3 mm and 5 mm vessels (considered after tumescent anesthesia) and different linear endovenous energy densities (LEED) usually reported in the literature.

Results

Calculations were performed for two different vein diameters: 3 mm and 5 mm and with LEED typically reported in the literature. For 980 nm, LEED: 50 to 160 J/cm (CW mode, 2 mm/second pullback speed, power: 10 W to 32 W) and for 1,320 nm, LEED: 50 to 80 J/cm (pulsed mode, pulse duration 1.2 milliseconds, peak power: 135 W, repetition rate 30 Hz to 50 Hz).

Discussion and Conclusion

Numerical simulations are in agreement with LEED reported in clinical studies. Mathematical modeling shows clearly that 1,320 nm, with a better absorption by the vessel wall, requires less energy to achieve wall damage. In the 810–1,320‐nm range, blood plays only a minor role. Consequently, the classification of these lasers into hemoglobin‐specific laser wavelengths (810, 940, 980 nm) and water‐specific laser wavelengths (1,320 nm) is inappropriate. In terms of closure rate, 980 nm and 1,320 nm can lead to similar results and, as reported by the literature, to similar side effects. This model should serve as a useful tool to simulate and better understand the mechanism of action of the ELT. Lasers Surg. Med. 39:256–265, 2007. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Asymptotic behavior of solutions to the perturbed simple pendulum problems with two parameters
Authors: Shibata Tetsutaro
Published: February 2007

We consider the perturbed simple pendulum equation

–u ″(t) + μ |u (t)|p –1u (t) = λ sin u (t), t ∈ I ≔ (–T, T),

u (t) > 0, t ∈ I,

u (±T) = 0,

where p > 1 is a constant,λ > 0 and μ ∈ R are parameters. The purpose of this paper is to clarify the structure of the solution set. To do this, we study precisely the asymptotic shape of the solutions when λ ≫ 1 as well as the asymptotic behavior of variational eigenvalue μ (λ) as λ → ∞. (© 2007 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
A General Approach toward Opal–Inverse Opal Interlocked Materials
Authors: Liu Bing , Jin Zhaoguo , Qu Xiaozhong , Yang Zhenzhong
Published: January 2007

Opal–inverse opal interlocked composites consisting of opals of hollow spheres with window channels interlocked, have displayed new properties. A facile and general method has been reported to synthesize the ordered composites. Polymer shells are first grown onto the surface of a silica sphere of an opal template by ATRP, which is followed by a sequential modification of the shells resulting in functional groups. Composite shells are favorably synthesized within the functional polymer shells. After the removal of silica opal templates, opal–inverse opal interlocked structures with varied compositions of polymers, inorganic materials, and carbon are achieved.

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Poly(tetrafluoroethylene) Film Surface Functionalization with 2‐Bromoisobutyryl Bromide as Initiator for Surface‐Initiated Atom‐Transfer Radical Polymerization
Authors: Liu Ying‐Ling , Luo Min‐Tzu , Lai Juin‐Yih
Published: January 2007

A PTFE film surface was modified using a combined plasma/ozone‐activated process. The modified PTFE film was further reacted with 2‐bromoisobutyryl bromide to incorporate ATRP initiators in the film surface. Surface‐initiated ATRP on PTFE films was performed using sodium styrene sulfate as a monomer. The poly(sodium styrene sulfate) chain length grafted onto PTFE film surfaces increased with increasing reaction time. Analysis using X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, atomic force microscopy and a contact angle analyzer gave evidence of the success of the PTFE surface modifications.

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Cell type‐specific neuronal loss in the putamen of patients with multiple system atrophy
Authors: Sato Kenta , Kaji Ryuji , Matsumoto Sadayuki , Goto Satoshi
Published: February 2007

Using antibodies to calcineurin (CaN) and choline acetyltransferase (ChAT), we performed topographical and cellular immunohistochemical analysis on the posterior putamen of autopsied patients with multiple system atrophy with predominant parkinsonism (MSA‐P). We document that in these patients, medium spiny neurons positive for CaN were severely depleted in the dorsolateral portion of the posterior putamen where ChAT‐positive neurons are normally distributed. Our findings indicate that in patients with MSA‐P, striatal neurons manifest a cell type‐specific vulnerability to neurodegeneration. © 2007 Movement Disorder Society
Candidate gene association study of type 2 diabetes in a nested case‐control study of the EPIC‐Potsdam cohort – Role of fat assimilation
Authors: Fisher Eva , Nitz Inke , Lindner Inka , Rubin Diana , Boeing Heiner , Möhlig Matthias , Hampe Jochen , Schreiber Stefan , Schrezenmeir Jürgen , Döring Frank
Published: February 2007

To search for common variants etiological for type 2 diabetes, we screened 15 genes involved in fat assimilation for sequence variants. Approximately 55 kb in promoter and coding regions, and intron/splice sites were sequenced by cycle sequencing. In the set of 15 genes, 71 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) were detected. 33 SNPs were presumed to be functionally significant and were genotyped in 192 incident type 2 diabetes subjects and 384 matched controls from the European Prospective Investigation into Cancer and Nutrition‐Potsdam cohort. A total of 27 SNPs out of 15 genes showed no statistical association with type 2 diabetes in our study. Six SNPs demonstrated nominal association with type 2 diabetes, with the most significant marker (FABP6 Thr79Met) having an adjusted odds ratio of 0.45 (95% CI 0.22–0.92) in homozygous Met allele carriers. Evidence for an association with disease status was also found for a novel Arg109Cys (g.2129C > T) variant of colipase, 5′UTR (rs2084202) and Met71Val (rs8192506) variants of diazepam‐binding inhibitor, Arg298His (rs13283456) of PTGES2, and a novel promoter variant (g.‐1324G > A) of SLC27A5. The results presented here provide preliminary evidence for the association of common variants in genes involved in fat assimilation with the genetic susceptibility of type 2 diabetes. However, they definitely need further verification.
Long‐term results of the pelvic floor muscle training for female urinary incontinence: An 8‐year transition tree and predictive parameters
Authors: Kondo A. , Emoto A. , Katoh K. , Ozawa H. , Kamihira O.
Published: February 2007

Aims

The pelvic floor muscle (PFM) training is effective in alleviating the symptoms of urinary incontinence, but there are very few reports available on its long‐term effectiveness. Therefore, 8‐year follow‐up data have been prospectively analyzed.

Materials and Methods

Originally 123 women with stress or mixed urinary incontinence participated in an 8‐week intensive PFM training program. The training comprised repeated muscle contractions of the pelvic floor and the timely locking of the perineum. An average of 8 years (6–10) had elapsed between the time of present assessment and the completion of the original training. Seventy‐nine women were subjected to the present analysis. Self‐reported responses of “completely cured” and “more than 50% improved” were regarded as treatment success (TS). An 8‐year transition tree and predictive parameters were analyzed.

Results

The success rate of the training was 39% at the 8‐year follow‐up. The transition tree demonstrated that the continence/incontinence status has been varying in 42% of the women, while it was stable in 58% throughout the follow‐up period. The 6‐year incidence and remission rates of incontinence were 34% and 18%, respectively. The higher pressure difference in the vaginal contraction strength between the baseline and strength at the end of the training is a predictive parameter of the long‐term TS.

Conclusions

The results suggest that the 8‐year TS rate was 39% and that the altered patterns of the continence status and incidence and remission rates of incontinence were similar to those observed in the general population. Neurourol. Urodynam. 26:495–501, 2007. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Regional velopharyngeal compliance in the rat: influence of tongue muscle contraction
Authors: Van Zutphen Cornelius , Janssen Patrick , Hassan Mahmood , Cabrera Rosaria , Bailey E. Fiona , Fregosi Ralph F.
Published: February 2007

The velopharynx is the most collapsible segment of the upper airway in patients with obstructive sleep apnea. However, we do not know if velopharyngeal compliance is uniform throughout its length, or if compliance is modified by contraction of upper airway muscles. We tested the hypothesis that rostral and caudal velopharyngeal (VP) compliance differs, and that tongue muscle contraction reduces compliance. High‐resolution MR images of the VP were made at nasopharyngeal pressures ranging from −9 to 9 cmH2O in anesthetized rats. Images were obtained twice at each pressure, once with and once without bilateral hypoglossal nerve stimulation. The volume of the caudal and rostral VP was computed at each pressure. The caudal VP was significantly (P = 0.0058) more compliant than the rostral VP, but electrical stimulation of the tongue muscles did not change compliance. VP critical pressure (Pcrit; pressure at zero airway volume) averaged −25.2 and −12.1 cmH2O in the rostral and caudal VP, respectively (P < 0.0001). Coactivation of tongue protrudor and retractor muscles or contraction of protrudor muscles alone dilated the VP and made Pcrit more negative (P < 0.0001), but only in the caudal VP. In the rat, the caudal VP is more collapsible than the rostral VP, and either coactivation of tongue protrudor and retractor muscles or contraction of protrudor muscles alone makes this region more difficult to close. Thus, tongue muscle contraction protects the caudal VP, which appears to be a particularly vulnerable segment of the nasopharyngeal airway. With suitable modification, the methods described here, including tongue muscle stimulation at different pharyngeal pressures, may be appropriate for experiments in human subjects. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Preparation and characterization of sulfonated poly(phenylene oxide) proton exchange composite membrane doped with phosphosilicate gels
Authors: Lu Wei , Lu Deping , Liu Jianhong , Li Cuihua , Guan Rong
Published: February 2007

A new class of proton exchange composite membranes made by incorporating phosphosilicate gels into SPPO matrix was prepared and characterized. The thermal stability was evaluated by TGA and DSC, and the amorphous structure information was provided from XRD. The experimental results showed that the composite membranes have good stability to oxidation by Fenton's reagent test, and the membrane dimension is hardly changed, even at high temperature. The hydration number values of the persulfonic acid group of composite membranes were lower than that of Nafion 112 at room temperature, but the water uptake of composite membranes at 80°C was higher than that of Nafion 112. With increasing relative humidity and doping amount, the conductivity of the composite membranes increased. Moreover, the conductivities of water‐equilibrated composite membranes were higher than that of Nafion 112 (0.0871 S/cm) at room temperature, and the highest conductivity for the composite membrane was 0.216 S/cm. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Synthesis and characterization of novel polyimides with 1‐octadecyl side chains for liquid crystal alignment layers
Authors: Lee Yoon Jung , Kim Yong Woon , Ha Jae Du , Oh Jae Min , Yi Mi Hye
Published: February 2007

A series of poly(amic acid)s have been synthesized from cyclobutane‐1,2,3,4‐tetracarboxylic dianhydride (CBDA), a functional diamine, 1‐(3,5‐diaminophenyl)‐3‐(1‐octadecyl)‐succinicimide and 4,4‐diaminodiphenylmethane (DDM) to give liquid crystal alignment layers with high pretilt angle after a rubbing process for vertically aligned liquid crystal display devices. Inherent viscosities of the poly(amic acid)s measured were in the range 0.2–1.56 dl/g, which decreased with an increase of content of 1‐(3,5‐diaminophenyl)‐3‐(1‐octadecyl)‐succinicimide. The cured polyimide films had good transparency, which was above 95% at 400 nm. Surface energies of all the polyimide films prepared from 1‐(3,5‐diaminophenyl)‐3‐(1‐octadecyl)‐succinicimide were below 40.7 dyn/cm before the rubbing process, which resulted in very high pretilt angles above 89°. By a rubbing process, the surface energy of the polyimide prepared from diamine mixture with 10 mol% of 1‐(3,5‐diaminophenyl)‐3‐(1‐octadecyl)‐succinicimide and 90% of DDM increased from 40.7 to 42.7 dyn/cm. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Genetic polymorphisms and disease prevention
Authors: Mahoney Martin C.
Published: January 2007

Building upon the resources of traditional epidemiology, molecular epidemiology has extended our understanding that disease risk varies based not only upon acquired factors (e.g., exposures, behaviors, demographics), but also as a function of inherited factors (e.g., genetic polymorphisms). Individual susceptibility to cancer is influenced by polymorphisms in phase I enzymes (e.g., activation), phase 2 enzymes (e.g., detoxification), defects in the repair of DNA damage and other cancer susceptibility genes. Because tobacco use and nutrition represent behaviors/exposures which account for a significant number of cancer cases and deaths, these two factors are used to illustrate the relationship between genetic polymorphisms and disease prevention. Susceptibility to the health risks of smoking appears to be influenced by genetic factors that impact initiation, dependence, and nicotine metabolism. Nutrient metabolism also involves polymorphic enzyme pathways and gene–nutrient interactions may influence cancer risk. While the discipline of molecular epidemiology continues to face methodologic challenges related to the need to study large numbers of subjects, current knowledge can be applied to prevention activities. Genetic polymorphisms, and other molecular markers, can be used to develop clinical prevention studies targeted to unique subsets of persons at the highest risk of developing disease. Knowledge about the relationships between polymorphisms and disease outcomes can also be used for reinforcing healthy lifestyles, motivating positive behavior changes, helping to target medical therapy, and aiding in better focusing surveillance activities. Pediatr Blood Cancer 2007;48:742–747. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Donor lymphocyte infusions for post‐transplant relapse of refractory anemia with excess blasts and monosomy 7
Authors: Skinner R. , Velangi M. , Bown N.
Published: January 2007

An 8‐year‐old male relapsed with refractory anemia with excess blasts (RAEB) and monosomy 7 and mixed chimerism (MC) 21 months after HLA‐matched unrelated donor bone marrow transplant (BMT). He received three donor lymphocyte infusions (DLI) using an escalating dose schedule. He developed grade II acute graft‐versus‐host disease (GVHD) 9 days after the third DLI, but continued to deteriorate for 2 months with decreasing marrow cellularity but persisting blasts, MC, and monosomy 7, before exhibiting a delayed but complete response which has persisted for 5 years. This case suggests that DLI and graft‐versus‐myelodysplasia (GVMDS) may be beneficial in post‐transplant relapse of pediatric myelodysplasia. Pediatr Blood Cancer 2008;50:670–672. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Toxicity and outcome of children with treatment related acute myeloid leukemia
Authors: Tabori Uri , Revach Giselle , Nathan Paul C. , Strahm Brigitte , Rachlis Alisa , Shago Mary , Grant Ronald , Doyle John , Malkin David
Published: January 2007

Background

The aim of this study was to evaluate the clinical course and outcome of children with treatment related acute myeloid leukemia (tAML) and compare them to children with primary AML (pAML).

Procedure

We retrospectively reviewed the demographic, treatment, toxicity, and outcome data of children with tAML and treatment related myelodysplastic syndrome (tMDS), treated at our institution between 1975 and 2005. We compared these parameters with matched controlled children with pAML. Finally we compared overall survival (OS) for tAML with all pAML children treated at the study era in our institution.

Results

Twenty‐one patients with tAML (n = 19) and tMDS (n = 2) were identified. Three years event‐free survival (EFS) and OS were both 14 ± 8%. Compared to pAML patients, tAML had a higher rate of adverse cytogenetics (P < 0.008) and inferior OS (P = 0.027) but no significant difference in treatment toxicity or death. All survivors were treated with allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT).

Conclusions

In this population based report of pediatric tAML, outcome was poor and was related to a higher probability of poor cytogenetic features rather than excessive toxicities or inability to deliver therapy. HSCT should be considered for patients with tAML. These preliminary findings should set the stage for prospective cooperative studies. Pediatr Blood Cancer 2008;50:17–23. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Human natural killer cells in health and disease
Authors: Shereck Evan , Satwani Prakash , Morris Erin , Cairo Mitchell S.
Published: February 2007

Natural killer (NK) cells are an essential component of the innate immune system and play a critical role in tumor immune surveillance. NK cells express their own repertoire of receptors (NKRs) that bind to major histocompatibility class I or class I‐like molecules. The balance of signals from stimulation or inhibition of NKRs determines the ability of NK cells to lyse specific targets. In haploidentical stem cell transplantation with purified stem cells, NK cell alloreactivity (killer immunoglobulin‐like receptor [KIR] mismatch) has been demonstrated to reduce the risk of relapse in acute myeloid leukemia. There is a need for adequately powered prospective randomized studies to determine the usefulness of NK cells as adoptive immunotherapy, optimal NK cell doses and timing of administration. Further studies are required to determine optimal selection of donors and recipients, both on NKR matching/mismatching, undergoing haploidentical and unrelated hematopoetic stem cell transplantation. Pediatr Blood Cancer 2007;49:615–623. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.