bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Structure and Foundation Design for Small Solar Thermal Dish Stirling 10 kW Power Plant for Thailand Softland and Poor Isolation Nature
Authors: Snidvongs Suravut
Published: October 2008

Due to the moist and humid climate weather in Thailand, it is longer than six months of rainy season each year. Thailand is thus one of the many other countries in the world that has medium insolation, the average per year at 500 W/m2. Furthermore, the whole country sit on a very soft-land flat plateau. Since the Siam Solar Dish prototype was setup and tested at Naraesuan University in Pitsanulok Province and at AREF in Bangkok, Thailand, it became apparent that the design of her support structure together with her concrete foundation also represents a complicate part of these research activities. In Thailand, a parabolic dish structure is under development for various applications in between the 300–600 °C temperature range in solar fields up to several kilowatts range. The detail in this paper is one part of the solar thermal dish Stirling for a 10 kW power plant with lead acid battery storage in Thailand, namely the “Siam Solar Dish I” research project. This paper is the only one part of the main of this research project about Siam Solar Dish System effort in Thailand. That will explain the dish structure’s design structure and its foundation, which is suitable for Thailand’s soft land environmental nature. Parabolic dish systems normally feature different structural types in terms of their performance and durability. In order to implement a successful parabolic dish system, it thus became obvious by this nature that the design of each dish structure is quite important and vital to conduct a particular design calculation to match and suit with its individual installation location. This particular part of the research project activities is to design the requirement lightweight support structure, along with the parabolic dish structural design work, and the concrete foundation suitable to the soft land country like Thailand. The design effort continue to consider additional relevance topics, like the economized cost, the structural durability, and easy to control, together with the low maintenance cost to trade off with the required light weight structure.
Performance Evaluation of Photovoltaic Power-Generation System Equipped With a Cooling Device Utilizing Siphonage: 2nd Report — Improvement of a PV System Placed on a Residential Rooftop
Authors: Furushima Kaoru , Nawata Yutaka , Sadatomi Michio
Published: October 2008

PV modules have a problem that the power generated decreases with the rise of the PV module temperature. In order to solve the problem, we recently developed a new PV cooling device utilizing siphonage. In the first report [1] of this series, we presented the experimental results on the PV mounted on an open rack and that the cooling system is effective in both the improvement of the PV efficiency and the reduction of fuel consumption by reusing hot water from the system. In this study, we conducted long-term monitoring tests on the open rack-mount PV system with a cooling panel behind the PV module and with an insulation board (made of foam polystyrene) behind the cooling panel, simulating the residential rooftop PV system. The data obtained in the experiment have been compared with those obtained for the previous system with the cooling panel but without the insulation board. The comparison shows that the increment in energy production after equipping the cooling panel is much more for the present system with the insulation board irrespective of the cooling start temperature, being the PV temperature when cooling water was started to flow. This result suggests that the installation of the cooling system is more useful for the residential rooftop PV system than the open rack-mount system.
Cleanliness Maintenance for an Amonix Lens System
Authors: Sahm Aaron , Gray Allison , Boehm Robert , Stone Ken
Published: October 2008

The Amonix system is a high concentration PV system that utilizes Fresnel lenses to focus the sun’s rays on PV cells. This paper deals with issues related to the cleanliness of the lenses, the impact on performance, and the methods that can be used to clean the lenses. Issues addressed in the paper include the estimation of air-borne dirt accumulation with time. Data found in the course of our study were compared to data given in the literature about loss of transmissivity with acrylic soiling. These data were then modified to account for the two-axis tracking used for the Amonix unit, compared to the fixed orientation of the test. The effects of the loss of transmissivity were used to estimate decreases of the power produced. Costs of cleaning were compared to the lost revenue due to the decrease in sunlight reaching the cell. It is shown that rain is a good cleaning agent for the lenses. Barring precipitation, though, cleaning once a month is recommended.
Controls of Multiple Chillers in Central Cooling Plants
Authors: Menzli Slim , VanGeet Otto , Krarti Moncef
Published: October 2008

This paper summarizes the results of an extensive parametric analysis to assess the potential of multi-chiller plants to save energy associated with electric cooling use. Specifically, the impacts on chiller performance are investigated for two office buildings geometries, three chiller types, and five geographical locations. It was determined that for most office buildings, increasing the number of chillers beyond three does not provide significant additional energy savings for all three types of chillers and for all locations. Moreover, the results of the analysis indicate that a chiller size ratio of 0.65 for the case of a two-chiller central cooling plants provides the optimal energy performance.
Double-Walled Reactor Tube With Molten Salt Thermal Storage for Solar Tubular Reformers
Authors: Hatamachi T. , Kodama T. , Isobe Y. , Nakano D. , Goukon N.
Published: October 2008

This paper proposes a novel type of “double-walled” reactor tube with molten-salt thermal storage at high temperatures for use in solar tubular reformers. The prototype reactor tube is demonstrated on the heat-discharge and chemical reaction performances during cooling mode of the reactor tube at laboratory scale. The Na2CO3 composite material with MgO ceramics was filled into the outer annulus of the double-walled reactor tube while the Ru-based catalyst particles were filled into the inner tube. The heat discharge form the molten Na2CO3 circumvented the rapid temperature change of the catalyst bed, which resulted in the alleviation of decrease in chemical conversion during cooling mode of the reactor tube. The application of the new reactor tubes to solar tubular reformers is expected to help realize stable operation of the solar reforming process under fluctuating insolation during a cloud passage.
The Optimal Peak-Adjusting Parameters of Low-Temperature Heat Source Heating
Authors: Wu Ronghua , Zhang Chenghu , Sun Dexing
Published: October 2008

The integrated low and high temperature heating water system consists of heat pump heat source and boiler heat source. The heat pump heat source abstract heat from low temperature heat source and produce hot water up to 65°C. During mild weather, the 65°C hot water is sufficient for building heating. During cold weather conditions, the boiler heat source will have to be used to produce hot water at 90°C or higher to satisfy the building comfort. To improve the system economy, the integrated system has to maximize the use of the low temperature heat source since it is free. This paper presents a theoretical models and analysis to optimize the system design parameters.
Ocean Economics: Mining the Sea for Energy — A Sustainable Extraction
Authors: Charlier Roger H.
Published: October 2008

There are not many non-biological resources that can be extracted from the ocean without causing serious environmental impact and whose extraction is concomitantly sustainable. But among the few ones it is appropriate to mention ocean energy. The exploitation of these has been suggested for centuries, often decried, only exceptionally undertaken. It is perhaps opportune to reconsider them because, mega-projects set aside, they could bring an appreciable relief to the heavy burden that weighs upon isolated areas, poor countries, deprived of hydrocarbon reserves, for their energy needs.
An Adaptive Perturb and Observe Maximum Power Point Tracking System for Photovoltaic Arrays
Authors: Serhan Mohammad , Karaki Sami H. , Chaar Lena R.
Published: October 2008

This paper presents a maximum power point (MPP) hardware tracking system based on an adaptive Perturb and Observe (PAO) algorithm. Under a given solar and temperature condition the search for the MPP starts with a large perturbation step. When a drop in the delivered power is detected, the size of the step is halved and the direction of duty cycle change is reversed. Eventually the MPP will be tracked by small perturbation step (e.g. 1/ 255). When tracking at a maximum and a sudden change occurs in the atmospheric conditions, the system will try to reach the new MPP, with an adaptive perturbation step size that is allowed to increase after 4 consecutive increases or decrease in the duty cycle leading to increase in power delivery. This adaptive PAO algorithm forces the system to respond fairly quickly to any changes in the solar radiation or temperature level irrespective of where the previous operating point MPP was and without deteriorating the tracking efficiency. A tracking efficiency of about 96% was achieved using a very simple controller.
Development of Ultra-Sensitive Capacitive Readout for Magnetic Resonance Force Microscopy
Authors: Bhaskaran Harish , Pelekhov Denis , Hammel P. Chris , Schwab Keith
Published: October 2008

The use of nanomechanical devices to develop a scanned probe imaging technique known as “magnetic resonance force microscopy” (MRFM) has been among the most exciting thrust areas in nanomechanics in the last decade and a half. MRFM is a visionary project with the ultimate goal of imaging and identifying individual atomic species, both on the surface and below it [1]. This would be a revolutionary tool for material science, electronic device development, and imaging biological structures. Considerable progress has been made in the development of MRFM [2] in the past decade including the detection of a single-electron spin [3].
Programmable Self-Assembly Across the Micro and Nano Scales
Authors: Bo¨hringer Karl F.
Published: October 2008

Massively parallel self-assembling systems present a promising alternative to conventional manufacturing. Recently, various successful instances of self-assembly have been demonstrated, including applications for commercial products such as RFID tags; however, the full impact of this approach will only be realized once these systems can be programmed or reconfigured on demand (i.e., essentially in software, and without significant hardware changes). In this presentation, we review several projects that lead towards such programmable self-assembling systems. A key concept to achieve this goal is the “programmable surface”, i.e., an engineered surface whose properties (surface forces, hydrophobicity, friction, etc.) can be controlled with high spatial and temporal resolution. We present several projects covering a broad range of issues from realtime control of surface properties, to designs that optimize binding forces between self-assembling components, to computational and algorithmic issues in the modeling of self-assembling systems.
Surface Sites for Engineering Allosteric Control in Proteins
Authors: Lee Jeeyeon , Natarajan Madhusudan , Nashine Vishal C. , Socolich Michael , Vo Tina , Russ William P. , Benkovic Stephen J. , Ranganathan Rama
Published: October 2008

Statistical analyses of protein families reveal networks of coevolving amino acids that functionally link distantly positioned functional surfaces. Such linkages suggest a concept for engineering allosteric control into proteins: The intramolecular networks of two proteins could be joined across their surface sites such that the activity of one protein might control the activity of the other. We tested this idea by creating PAS-DHFR, a designed chimeric protein that connects a light-sensing signaling domain from a plant member of the Per/Arnt/Sim (PAS) family of proteins with
Escherichia coli
dihydrofolate reductase (DHFR). With no optimization, PAS-DHFR exhibited light-dependent catalytic activity that depended on the site of connection and on known signaling mechanisms in both proteins. PAS-DHFR serves as a proof of concept for engineering regulatory activities into proteins through interface design at conserved allosteric sites.
Evaluation of the Disk Diffusion Method Compared to the Microdilution Method in Susceptibility Testing of Anidulafungin against Filamentous Fungi
Authors: Maida Carmelo Massimo , Milici Maria Eleonora , Trovato Laura , Oliveri Salvatore , Amodio Emanuele , Spreghini Elisabetta , Scalise Giorgio , Barchiesi Francesco
Published: October 2008

Susceptibility testing of anidulafungin (AFG) against 32 mold isolates showed an excellent correlation between disk diffusion (DD) and broth microdilution methods. Based on our data, a 2-μg disk of AFG and a 24-h reading time might represent the best parameters for AFG DD testing against filamentous fungi.
Autographa californica
Multiple Nucleopolyhedrovirus 38K Is a Novel Nucleocapsid Protein That Interacts with VP1054, VP39, VP80, and Itself
Authors: Wu Wenbi , Liang Hanquan , Kan Junsuo , Liu Chao , Yuan Meijin , Liang Chun , Yang Kai , Pang Yi
Published: October 2008

It has been shown that the
Autographa californica
multiple nucleopolyhedrovirus (AcMNPV)
38K
(
ac98
) is required for nucleocapsid assembly. However, the exact role of 38K in nucleocapsid assembly remains unknown. In the present study, we investigated the relationship between 38K and the nucleocapsid. Western blotting using polyclonal antibodies raised against 38K revealed that 38K was expressed in the late phase of infection in AcMNPV-infected
Spodoptera frugiperda
cells and copurified with budded virus (BV) and occlusion-derived virus (ODV). Biochemical fractionation of BV and ODV into the nucleocapsid and envelope components followed by Western blotting showed that 38K was associated with the nucleocapsids. Immunoelectron microscopic analysis revealed that 38K was specifically localized to the nucleocapsids in infected cells and appeared to be distributed over the cylindrical capsid sheath of nucleocapsid. Yeast two-hybrid assays were performed to examine potential interactions between 38K and nine known nucleocapsid shell-associated proteins (PP78/83, PCNA, VP1054, FP25, VLF-1, VP39, BV/ODV-C42, VP80, and P24), three non-nucleocapsid shell-associated proteins (P6.9, PP31, and BV/ODV-E26), and itself. The results revealed that 38K interacted with the nucleocapsid proteins VP1054, VP39, VP80, and 38K itself. These interactions were confirmed by coimmunoprecipitation assays in vivo. These data demonstrate that 38K is a novel nucleocapsid protein and provide a rationale for why 38K is essential for nucleocapsid assembly.
Full-Length Genome Characterization of a Novel Simian Immunodeficiency Virus Lineage (SIVolc) from Olive Colobus (
Procolobus verus
) and New SIVwrc
Pbb
Strains from Western Red Colobus (
Piliocolobus badius badius
) from the Taï Forest in Ivory Coast
Authors: Liégeois Florian , Lafay Bénédicte , Formenty Pierre , Locatelli Sabrina , Courgnaud Valérie , Delaporte Eric , Peeters Martine
Published: October 2008

Simian immunodeficiency viruses (SIVs) are found in an extensive number of African primates and humans continue to be exposed to these viruses by hunting and handling of primate bushmeat. Full-length genome sequences were obtained from SIVs derived from two
Colobinae
species inhabiting the Taï forest, Ivory Coast, each belonging to a different genus: SIVwrc from western red colobus (
Piliocolobus badius badius
) (SIVwrc
Pbb
-98CI04 and SIVwrc
Pbb
-97CI14) and SIVolc (SIVolc-97CI12) from olive colobus (
Procolobus verus
). Phylogenetic analysis showed that western red colobus are the natural hosts of SIVwrc, and SIVolc is also a distinct species-specific lineage, although distantly related to the SIVwrc lineage across the entire length of its genome. Overall, both SIVwrc and SIVolc, are also distantly related to the SIVlho/sun lineage across the whole genome. Similar to the group of SIVs (SIVsyk, SIVdeb, SIVden, SIVgsn, SIVmus, and SIVmon) infecting members of the
Cercopithecus
genus, SIVs derived from western red and olive colobus, L'Hoest and suntailed monkeys, and SIVmnd-1 from mandrills form a second group of viruses that cluster consistently together in phylogenetic trees. Interestingly, the divergent SIVcol lineage, from mantled guerezas (
Colobus guereza
) in Cameroon, is also closely related to SIVwrc, SIVolc, and the SIVlho/sun lineage in the 5′ part of Pol. Overall, these results suggest an ancestral link between these different lentiviruses and highlight once more the complexity of the natural history and evolution of primate lentiviruses.
3D MULTICELL DESIGNS FOR REGISTERING OF BOSE–EINSTEIN CONDENSATE CLOUDS
Authors: KOUZAEV GUENNADI A. , SAND KARL J.
Published: October 2008

In this letter, the results on the development and simulation of new three-dimensional nanotraps for cold dressed atoms are considered. The traps are the multi-cell structures built by crossed non-touching carbon or metallic nanotubes. The trapping effect is tuned by the DC and RF currents to confine the strong- or low-potential seeking atoms far enough from the areas of strong Casimir–Polder and spin-flip forces. It is supposed that the developed and simulated multi-cell structures are pertinent for catching the Bose–Einstein condensates to demonstrate the Josephson effect, and to enable the study of the entanglement of confined clouds in three-dimensional nano-cells.
A SPECIAL ELECTRICAL TRANSPORT BEHAVIOR IN La0.67Sr0.33MnO3/CeO2 COMPOSITES
Authors: REN GUANGMING , YUAN SONGLIU
Published: October 2008

The composites with the nominal composition of (1-x) La 0.67 Sr 0.33 MnO 3 (LSMO)/x CeO 2 were fabricated by the sol–gel method. A special electrical transport behavior is observed in the ρ/ρTp versus temperature curves, where ρTp is the peak resistivity at the insulator–metal transition temperature (Tp). The curves for all samples with different CeO 2 content are parallel in the high-T insulator regime and in a certain temperature range below Tp. Furthermore, a series of parallel straight lines can be found in the [Formula: see text] versus temperature curves for the samples with different CeO 2 content. By considering the surface magnetization at the grain boundary, we obtain a simple expression for the temperature dependence of resistivity that can reproduce the experimental data in the high-T insulator regime and in a certain temperature range below Tp.
RELATION OF INTER-ATOMIC FORCES IN SOLIDS TO BULK MODULUS, COHESIVE ENERGY AND THERMAL EXPANSION
Authors: DOLOCAN VOICU , DOLOCAN ANDREI , DOLOCAN VOICU OCTAVIAN
Published: October 2008

We present theoretical expressions relating the cohesive energy to the bulk modulus, the force constant and the lattice constant applicable to solids with a variety of crystal structures. We have found that the cohesive energy is directly proportional to the ratio between the product of the bulk modulus through the atomic volume and the exponent of the repulsion term. We have defined a figure of merit for materials as the ratio between the product of the bulk modulus through the atomic volume and the cohesive energy. The reciprocal of this ratio is a measure of the hardness of materials. Likewise, we have found the expressions for anharmonicity and thermal expansion coefficients, which can explain, also, their possible negative values.
Differential regulation of AMP-activated kinase and AKT kinase in response to oxygen availability in crucian carp (Carassius carassius)
Authors: Stensløkken Kåre-Olav , Ellefsen Stian , Stecyk Jonathan A. W. , Dahl Mai Britt , Nilsson Göran E. , Vaage Jarle
Published: October 2008

We investigated whether two kinases critical for survival during periods of energy deficiency in anoxia-intolerant mammalian species, AMP-activated kinase (AMPK), and protein kinase B (AKT), are equally important for hypoxic/anoxic survival in the extremely anoxia-tolerant crucian carp ( Carassius carassius). We report that phosphorylation of AMPK and AKT in heart and brain showed small changes after 10 days of severe hypoxia (0.3 mg O2/l at 9°C). In contrast, anoxia exposure (0.01 mg O2/l at 8°C) substantially increased AMPK phosphorylation but decreased AKT phosphorylation in carp heart and brain, indicating activation of AMPK and deactivation of AKT. In agreement, blocking the activity of AMPK in anoxic fish in vivo with 20 mg/kg Compound C resulted in an elevated metabolic rate (as indicated by increased ethanol production) and tended to reduce energy charge. This is the first in vivo experiment with Compound C in a nonmammalian vertebrate, and it appears that AMPK plays a role in mediating anoxic metabolic depression in crucian carp. Real-time RT-PCR analysis of the investigated AMPK subunit revealed that the most likely composition of subunits in the carp heart is α2, β1B, γ2a, whereas a more even expression of subunits was found in the brain. In the heart, expression of the regulatory γ2-subunit increased in the heart during anoxia. In the brain, expression of the α1-, α2-, and γ1-subunits decreased with anoxia exposure, but expression of the γ2-subunit remained constant. Combined, our findings suggest that AMPK and AKT may play important, but opposing roles for hypoxic/anoxic survival in the anoxia-tolerant crucian carp.
Heat shock protein expression in diabetic nephropathy
Authors: Barutta Federica , Pinach Silvia , Giunti Sara , Vittone Ferdinando , Forbes Josephine M. , Chiarle Roberto , Arnstein Maryann , Perin Paolo Cavallo , Camussi Giovanni , Cooper Mark E. , Gruden Gabriella
Published: October 2008

Heat shock protein (HSP) HSP27, HSP60, HSP70, and HSP90 are induced by cellular stresses and play a key role in cytoprotection. Both hyperglycemia and glomerular hypertension are crucial determinants in the pathogenesis of diabetic nephropathy and impose cellular stresses on renal target cells. We studied both the expression and the phosphorylation state of HSP27, HSP60, HSP70, and HSP90 in vivo in rats made diabetic with streptozotocin and in vitro in mesangial cells and podocytes exposed to either high glucose or mechanical stretch. Diabetic and control animals were studied 4, 12, and 24 wk after the onset of diabetes. Immunohistochemical analysis revealed an overexpression of HSP25, HSP60, and HSP72 in the diabetic outer medulla, whereas no differences were seen in the glomeruli. Similarly, exposure neither to high glucose nor to stretch altered HSP expression in mesangial cells and podocytes. By contrast, the phosphorylated form of HSP27 was enhanced in the glomerular podocytes of diabetic animals, and in vitro exposure of podocytes to stretch induced HSP27 phosphorylation via a P38-dependent mechanism. In conclusion, diabetes and diabetes-related insults differentially modulate HSP27, HSP60, and HSP70 expression/phosphorylation in the glomeruli and in the medulla, and this may affect the ability of renal cells to mount an effective cytoprotective response.
Dynamic Hardware Development
Authors: Craven Stephen , Athanas Peter
Published: October 2008

Applications that leverage the dynamic partial reconfigurability of modern FPGAs are few, owing in large part to the lack of suitable tools and techniques to create them. While the trend in digital design is towards higher levels of design abstractions, forgoing hardware description languages in some cases for high-level languages, the development of a reconfigurable design requires developers to work at a low level and contend with many poorly documented architecture-specific aspects. This paper discusses the creation of a high-level development environment for reconfigurable designs that leverage an existing high-level synthesis tool to enable the design, simulation, and implementation of dynamically reconfigurable hardware solely from a specification written in C. Unlike previous attempts, this approach encompasses the entirety of design and implementation, enables self-re-configuration through an embedded controller, and inherently handles partial reconfiguration. Benchmarking numbers are provided, which validate the productivity enhancements this approach provides.
Extended Efficacy and Safety of Denosumab in Breast Cancer Patients with Bone Metastases Not Receiving Prior Bisphosphonate Therapy
Authors: Lipton Allan , Steger Guenther G. , Figueroa Jazmin , Alvarado Cristina , Solal-Celigny Philippe , Body Jean Jacques , de Boer Richard , Berardi Rossana , Gascon Pere , Tonkin Katia S. , Coleman Robert E. , Paterson Alexander H.G. , Gao Guozhi M. , Kinsey Amy C. , Peterson Mark C. , Jun Susie
Published: October 2008

Purpose: Denosumab, a fully human monoclonal antibody to RANKL, suppresses bone resorption. This study evaluated the effects of denosumab in i.v. bisphosphonate (IV BP)–naïve patients with breast cancer-related bone metastases.

Experimental Design: Eligible women (n = 255), stratified by type of antineoplastic therapy, were randomized to 1 of 5 blinded denosumab cohorts or an open-label IV BP cohort. Denosumab was administered s.c. every 4 weeks (30, 120, or 180 mg) or every 12 weeks (60 or 180 mg) through 21 weeks. Final efficacy results for up to 25 weeks are reported, including percentage change from baseline in urine N-telopeptide corrected for creatinine (uNTx/Cr) and incidence of skeletal-related events (SRE). Safety results are reported through the end of follow-up (up to 57 weeks).

Results: At week 13 and 25, the median percent changes in uNTx/creatinine (Cr) among patients with measurable uNTx were −73% and −75% for the pooled denosumab groups and −79% and −71% for the IV BP group. Among patients with ≥1 postbaseline measurement of uNTx at week 25, 52% (109 of 208) of denosumab-treated patients and 46% (19 of 41) of IV BP–treated patients achieved >65% uNTx/Cr reduction. On-study SREs occurred in 12% (26 of 211) of denosumab-treated patients and 16% (7 of 43) of IV BP–treated patients. Overall rates of adverse events were 95% in denosumab and IV BP groups. No denosumab-related serious or fatal adverse events occurred.

Conclusions: In IV BP–naïve breast cancer patients with bone metastases, denosumab suppresses bone turnover and seems to reduce SRE risk similarly to IV BPs, with a safety profile consistent with an advanced cancer population receiving systemic therapy.
Radiosensitizing Effect of YM155, a Novel Small-Molecule Survivin Suppressant, in Non–Small Cell Lung Cancer Cell Lines
Authors: Iwasa Tsutomu , Okamoto Isamu , Suzuki Minoru , Nakahara Takahito , Yamanaka Kentaro , Hatashita Erina , Yamada Yuki , Fukuoka Masahiro , Ono Koji , Nakagawa Kazuhiko
Published: October 2008

Purpose: Survivin, a member of the inhibitor of apoptosis protein family, is an attractive target for cancer therapy. We have now investigated the effect of YM155, a small-molecule inhibitor of survivin expression, on the sensitivity of human non–small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) cell lines to γ-radiation.

Experimental Design: The radiosensitizing effect of YM155 was evaluated on the basis of cell death, clonogenic survival, and progression of tumor xenografts. Radiation-induced DNA damage was evaluated on the basis of histone H2AX phosphorylation and foci formation.

Results: YM155 induced down-regulation of survivin expression in NSCLC cells in a concentration- and time-dependent manner. A clonogenic survival assay revealed that YM155 increased the sensitivity of NSCLC cells to γ-radiation in vitro. The combination of YM155 and γ-radiation induced synergistic increases both in the number of apoptotic cells and in the activity of caspase-3. Immunofluorescence analysis of histone γ-H2AX also showed that YM155 delayed the repair of radiation-induced double-strand breaks in nuclear DNA. Finally, combination therapy with YM155 and γ-radiation delayed the growth of NSCLC tumor xenografts in nude mice to a greater extent than did either treatment modality alone.

Conclusions: These results suggest that YM155 sensitizes NSCLC cells to radiation both in vitro and in vivo, and that this effect of YM155 is likely attributable, at least in part, to the inhibition of DNA repair and enhancement of apoptosis that result from the down-regulation of survivin expression. Combined treatment with YM155 and radiation warrants investigation in clinical trials as a potential anticancer strategy.
Advancing Treatment for Metastatic Bone Cancer: Consensus Recommendations from the Second Cambridge Conference
Authors: Coleman Robert E. , Guise Theresa A. , Lipton Allan , Roodman G. David , Berenson James R. , Body Jean-Jacques , Boyce Brendan F. , Calvi Laura M. , Hadji Peyman , McCloskey Eugene V. , Saad Fred , Smith Matthew R. , Suva Larry J. , Taichman Russell S. , Vessella Robert L. , Weilbaecher Katherine N.
Published: October 2008

Purpose: Summarize current knowledge, critical gaps in knowledge, and recommendations to advance the field of metastatic bone cancer.

Experimental Design: A multidisciplinary consensus conference was convened to review recent progress in basic and clinical research, assess critical gaps in current knowledge, and prioritize recommendations to advance research in the next 5 years. The program addressed three principal topics: biology of metastasis, preserving normal bone health, and optimizing bone-targeted therapies.

Results: A variety of specific recommendations were identified as important to advance research and clinical care over the next 5 years.

Conclusions: Priorities for research in bone biology include characterizing components of the stem cell niche in bone, developing oncogenic immunocompetent animal models of bone metastasis, and investigating the unique contribution of the bone microenvironment to tumor growth and dormancy. Priorities for research in preserving normal bone health include developing methods to measure and characterize disseminating tumor cells, assessing outcomes from the major prevention trials currently in progress, and improving methodologies to assess risks and benefits of treatment. Priorities for optimizing bone-targeted therapies include advancing studies of serum proteomics and genomics to reliably identify patients who will develop bone metastases, enhancing imaging for early detection of bone metastases and early response evaluation, and developing new tests to evaluate response to bone-directed treatments.
Striving for No: Saudi Arabia in the Climate Change Regime
Authors: Depledge Joanna
Published: October 2008

The international relations literature often assumes that negotiators in global regimes are actively seeking a collective agreement to the problem on the table. There are cases, however, where a delegation may instead be “striving for no,” that is, participating with the aim of obstructing a deal. This article explores the challenges surrounding such cases of “obstructionism,” using the example of Saudi Arabia in the climate change regime. It examines the evidence for diagnosing Saudi Arabia as an obstructionist in that regime, the delegation's negotiating tactics, strategies for addressing obstructionism, and finally the repercussions for both the climate change regime, and Saudi Arabia itself. In conclusion, the article considers whether Saudi Arabia may be moving beyond obstruction.
The Biomedicine Convention as an Object and a Stimulus for Comparative Research in the European Journal of Health Law
Authors: Nys Herman
Published: October 2008

The European Association for Health Law has ambitious objectives. Two of them are “to encourage and facilitate co-operation among health lawyers throughout Europe” and “to encourage and support the development of health law in European and international relations”. Comparative legal research will be an important means to reach these objectives. In this contribution the author takes a closer look at this Convention as an object but also as a stimulus for comparative research in health law. To this end relevant articles have been analyzed that have been published in this journal from its creation in 1994 until the end of 2007.
Ethnic and Cultural Diversity: Challenges and Opportunities for Health Law
Authors: Hendriks Aart
Published: October 2008

Guaranteeing equal health care of appropriate quality implies taking ethnic and cultural diversity into account, without over- or underestimating the importance of these grounds. Besides awareness of its relevance, it is essential to have disaggregated data to better understand the relationship between ethnicity and culture on the one hand and health and health care on the other hand. From a health law perspective, it is a prerequisite to understand the conceptual and normative meaning of equality and non-discrimination, also in relation to the right to privacy, and to be aware of the need to collaborate with other legal and non-legal disciplines.
Issues in Networking and Research Funding for the European Association of Health Law
Authors: Duguet Anne-Marie , Townend David
Published: October 2008

All academics, perhaps with the exception of those who are hermits with independent private means, are concerned with questions of networking and research funding. The nature of academic life is to search out new ideas and revisit old ones, and to discuss these ideas with others. This requires networks of colleagues and funding to provide the basic resources of time and literature. This may be at the local level, but increasingly the expectation is that these activities should become more and more elaborate; our networks are now international, and our time and resources cost ever increasing amounts which, for many if not most academics, must be found outside the general budget of the home University. Our success as academics is measured, in increasing part, on our ability to show our networking and external funding credentials. There is a more resounding reason to pursue both networking and externally funded research: through such projects the experience of each individual can be increased such that the result is far greater than one could achieve alone. Networking and external funding are not ends in themselves, but they can and should be a great enhancement to academic life and contribution. None of this is news or a novel claim; it is simply today's environment.This paper considers some opportunities for how networking and externally funded research might help the EAHL to realise its aims in developing the discipline of health law. We, as authors, do not claim any special expertise in the area, and readers are quite justified in thinking “who are they to talk to us about what we clearly know much more about?” However, we were asked to start a discussion at the inaugural conference of the Association, and the thoughts that we present now were designed to do that. It is a discussion which will form one of the early activities of the Association. Here the paper is divided first issues concerning networking, and second those concerning research funding from sources external to one's home University. We draw upon our own experiences, and would be grateful to hear of better examples, and particularly about contradictory experiences.
Unique secretory dynamics of tissue plasminogen activator and its modulation by plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 in vascular endothelial cells
Authors: Suzuki Yuko , Mogami Hideo , Ihara Hayato , Urano Tetsumei
Published: October 2008

We analyzed the secretory dynamics of tissue plasminogen activator (tPA) in EA.hy926 cells, an established vascular endothelial cell (VEC) line producing GFP-tagged tPA, using total internal reflection-fluorescence (TIR-F) microscopy. tPA-GFP was detected in small granules in EA.hy926 cells, the distribution of which was indistinguishable from intrinsically expressed tPA. Its secretory dynamics were unique, with prolonged (> 5 minutes) retention of the tPA-GFP on the cell surface, appearing as fluorescent spots in two-thirds of the exocytosis events. The rapid disappearance (mostly by 250 ms) of a domain-deletion mutant of tPA-GFP possessing only the signal peptide and catalytic domain indicates that the amino-terminal heavy chain of tPA-GFP is essential for binding to the membrane surface. The addition of PAI-1 dose-dependently facilitated the dissociation of membrane-retained tPA and increased the amounts of tPA-PAI-1 high-molecular-weight complexes in the medium. Accordingly, suppression of PAI-1 synthesis in EA.hy926 cells by siRNA prolonged the dissociation of tPA-GFP, whereas a catalytically inactive mutant of tPA-GFP not forming complexes with PAI-1 remained on the membrane even after PAI-1 treatment. Our results provide new insights into the relationship between exocytosed, membrane-retained tPA and PAI-1, which would modulate cell surface–associated fibrinolytic potential.
Primitive quiescent CD34+ cells in chronic myeloid leukemia are targeted by in vitro expanded natural killer cells, which are functionally enhanced by bortezomib
Authors: Yong Agnes S. M. , Keyvanfar Keyvan , Hensel Nancy , Eniafe Rhoda , Savani Bipin N. , Berg Maria , Lundqvist Andreas , Adams Sharon , Sloand Elaine M. , Goldman John M. , Childs Richard , Barrett A. John
Published: October 2008

Primitive quiescent CD34+ chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) cells are more biologically resistant to tyrosine kinase inhibitors than their cycling counterparts; however, graft-versus-leukemia (GVL) effects after allogeneic stem cell transplantation (SCT) probably eliminate even these quiescent cells in long-term surviving CML transplant recipients. We studied the progeny of CD34+ cells from CML patients before SCT, which were cultured 4 days in serum-free media with hematopoietic growth factors. BCR-ABL expression was similar in both cycling and quiescent noncycling CD34+ populations. Quiescent CD34+ cells from CML patients were less susceptible than their cycling CD34+ and CD34− counterparts to lysis by natural killer (NK) cells from their HLA-identical sibling donors. Compared with cycling populations, quiescent CD34+ CML cells had higher surface expression of tumor necrosis factor–related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL) receptors DR4 and DR5. Bortezomib up-regulated TRAIL receptor expression on quiescent CD34+ CML cells, and further enhanced their susceptibility to cytotoxicity by in vitro expanded donor NK cells. These results suggest that donor-derived NK cell–mediated GVL effects may be improved by sensitizing residual quiescent CML cells to NK-cell cytotoxicity after SCT. Such treatment, as an adjunct to donor lymphocyte infusions and pharmacologic therapy, may reduce the risk of relapse in CML patients who require treatment by SCT.
Whole blood assessment of antigen specific cellular immune response by real time quantitative PCR: a versatile monitoring and discovery tool
Authors: Schultz-Thater Elke , Frey Daniel M , Margelli Daniela , Raafat Nermin , Feder-Mengus Chantal , Spagnoli Giulio C , Zajac Paul
Published: October 2008

Background

Monitoring of cellular immune responses is indispensable in a number of clinical research areas, including microbiology, virology, oncology and autoimmunity. Purification and culture of peripheral blood mononuclear cells and rapid access to specialized equipment are usually required. We developed a whole blood (WB) technique monitoring antigen specific cellular immune response in vaccinated or naturally sensitized individuals.

Methods

WB (300 μl) was incubated at 37°C with specific antigens, in the form of peptides or commercial vaccines for 5–16 hours. Following RNAlater addition to stabilize RNA, the mixture could be stored over one week at room temperature or at 4°C. Total RNA was then extracted, reverse transcribed and amplified in quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR) assays with primers and probes specific for cytokine and/or chemokine genes.

Results

Spiking experiments demonstrated that this technique could detect antigen specific cytokine gene expression from 50 cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTL) diluted in 300 μl WB. Furthermore, the high sensitivity of this method could be confirmed ex-vivo by the successful detection of CD8+ T cell responses against HCMV, EBV and influenza virus derived HLA-A0201 restricted epitopes, which was significantly correlated with specific multimer staining. Importantly, a highly significant (p = 0.000009) correlation between hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) stimulated IL-2 gene expression, as detectable in WB, and specific antibody titers was observed in donors vaccinated against hepatitis B virus (HBV) between six months and twenty years before the tests. To identify additional markers of potential clinical relevance, expression of chemokine genes was also evaluated. Indeed, HBsAg stimulated expression of MIP-1β (CCL4) gene was highly significantly (p = 0.0006) correlated with specific antibody titers. Moreover, a longitudinal study on response to influenza vaccine demonstrated a significant increase of antigen specific IFN-γ gene expression two weeks after immunization, declining thereafter, whereas increased IL-2 gene expression was still detectable four months after vaccination.

Conclusion

This method, easily amenable to automation, might qualify as technology of choice for high throughput screening of immune responses to large panels of antigens from cohorts of donors. Although analysis of cytokine gene expression requires adequate laboratory infrastructure, initial antigen stimulation and storage of test probes can be performed with minimal equipment and time requirements. This might prove important in "field" studies with difficult access to laboratory facilities.
Inflammatory fibroid polyp of the ileum causing recurrent intussusception and chronic ischaemia: a case report
Authors: O'Kane Anna M , O'Donnell Mark E , McCavert Mark , Taylor Kirsty , Lee Jack , Wilkinson Alan J
Published: October 2008

Introduction

Inflammatory fibroid polyp is a rare condition of the gastrointestinal tract which can lead to intestinal obstruction.

Case presentation

We present a case of a 65-year-old woman presenting with a 1-month history of intermittent generalised abdominal pain. Computerised tomography imaging demonstrated intussusception of the small bowel. Histology of the resected small bowel revealed an inflammatory fibroid polyp with evidence of chronic ischaemia related to repeated intussusception. This rare complication of inflammatory fibroid polyps is reviewed.

Conclusion

Although computed tomography is useful in confirming an anatomical abnormality, final diagnosis requires histopathological analysis. Operative resection of the affected segment is recommended.
Art students making use of studio conversations
Authors: Edstrm Ann-Mari
Published: October 2008

The empirical study analyses students' use of studio conversations within the context of a Master of Fine Arts programme in visual arts in Sweden, showing how the students intentionally use the interaction in the studio conversations to access alternative options, to find out how others
interpret their work, and to situate themselves in the professional art world. The study explores different ways the students use the studio conversations, and what qualities they thereby develop. A phenomenographic approach is used, and interviews with a group of students form the empirical
base. The students' power of initiative is seen as central among the qualities developed in these conversations. Meta-cognitive skills and interaction are additional vital qualities that are developed in intimate relation to, and partially dependent on, the quality of students' initiative.
Focused Ion Beam as New Tool for Local Investigations of the Interaction of Microcracks with Grain Boundaries
Authors: Marx M. , Schaef W. , Welsch M. , Vehoff H.
Published: October 2008

So far the interaction of microcracks with microstructural elements like grain boundaries or phase boundaries is described qualitatively well by the models of Tanaka and Navarro and De Los Rios. However, an experimentally verified quantitative description is missing due to a lack of systematic experiments. The concept by Marx and Schaef introduced a combination of a focused ion beam technique with high resolution scanning electron microscopy. It is the first method to initiate artificial microcracks with idealized crack parameters relative to selected phase and grain boundaries. This combination of characterizing and manipulating techniques on a micro-scale enables for the first time a systematic investigation of the interaction between short cracks and micro-structural barriers to check the models quantitatively. However, the geometry of the active slip planes in the adjacent grains, their misorientation angle, and the position of the grain boundary is a three-dimensional problem. Therefore the geometry was reconstructed after the crack propagation measurements by focused ion beam tomography to measure the inclination angles between the surface, the crack plane, and the grain boundary. The results should lead to a better understanding of the physical mechanisms of crack propagation through grain and phase boundaries, which is fundamental to explain the huge scatter in the short crack behavior and to develop materials with fatigue resistant grain boundaries.
Regulation of Caenorhabditis elegans Male Mate Searching Behavior by the Nuclear Receptor DAF-12
Authors: Kleemann Gunnar , Jia Lingyun , Emmons Scott W
Published: October 2008

Coordination of animal behavior with reproductive status is often achieved through elaboration of hormones by the gonad. In the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans, adult males explore their environment to locate mates. Mate searching is regulated by presence of mates, nutritional status, and a signal from the gonad. Here we show that the gonadal signal acts via the nuclear receptor DAF-12, a protein known to regulate several C. elegans life-history traits. DAF-12 has both activational and organizational functions to stimulate exploratory behavior and acts downstream of the gonadal signal, outside of the gonad. DAF-12 acts upstream of sensory input from mating partners and physiological signals indicating nutritional status. Mate searching was rescued in germ-line ablated animals, but not if both germ line and somatic gonad were ablated, by a precursor of the DAF-12 ligand, dafachronic acid (DA). The results are interpreted to suggest that the germ line produces a DA precursor that is converted to DA outside of the germ line, possibly in the somatic gonad. As it does in other pathways in which it functions, in regulation of male mate searching behavior DAF-12 acts at a choice point between alternatives favoring reproduction (mate searching) vs. survival (remaining on food).