bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
TAPERED FRACTURE FIXATION PLATE REDUCES BONE STRESS SHIELDING: A COMPUTATIONAL STUDY
Authors: FICE JASON , CHANDRASHEKAR NAVEEN
Published: December 2011

Rigid fracture fixation plates offer stability to the fractured bone, but are known to result in stress shielding of the bone. This stress shielding results in bone resorption; which in-turn results in re-fracture of the bone after the bone-plate is removed. The aim of this research was to design a stiffness graded bone-plate to reduce the stress shielding effect. Stiffness grading of bone plate model was achieved by tapering the bone-plate along its length. A 3D finite element model of human femoral diaphysis and bone-plates with traditional design and tapered design were constructed using commercial finite element software Abaqus. These models were loaded in combined compression and bending, similar to the loads during walking. Stress distribution and the location of neutral axis were obtained for (a) Bone (b) Bone with traditional bone-plate and (c) Bone with tapered bone-plate. Results showed that tapered bone-plate results in substantial reduction in stress shielding in bone when compared to traditional bone-plate. The taper was optimized for reduction in stress shielding and adequate mechanical strength. We recommend tapered bone-plate instead of traditional uniform bone-plate for fracture fixation.
EFFECTS OF LATERALITY, ANKLE INVERSION AND STABILIZERS ON THE PLANTAR PRESSURE DISTRIBUTION DURING UNIPEDAL STANDING
Authors: NIU WENXIN , CHU ZHAOWEI , YAO JIE , ZHANG MING , FAN YUBO , ZHAO QINPING
Published: December 2011

The purpose of this research was to evaluate the standing stability with plantar pressure distribution (PPD), and to assess the effects of limb laterality, ankle inversion and stabilizer on PPD during unipedal standing. Nineteen young healthy adults were requested to stand on different inclined surfaces (level 0° and inclined 10° and 20°) with each foot. Three ankle stabilizer conditions were designed as barefoot control, elastic ankle tape and semi-rigid brace. Statistically analyzed with multivariate analysis of variance, the anterior/posterior (A/P) and medial/lateral (M/L) force ratios and total contact area (TPCA) were the main parameters to evaluate the stability. Compared with non-dominant side, the dominant foot was safer during unipedal standing with significantly greater TPCA, and especially when standing with ankle inversion due to additional significantly greater A/P force ratio. Ankle inversion harmed the stability while standing with the non-dominant foot due to significantly decreased A/P force ratio and local contact areas. Ankle brace improved the standing stability with significantly increased TPCA.
BIOMECHANICAL STUDY ON PROXIMAL FEMORAL NAIL ANTIROTATION (PFNA) FOR INTERTROCHANTERIC FRACTURE
Authors: WANG LIZHEN , ZHAO FENG , HAN JINGYUN , WANG CHAO , FAN YUBO
Published: December 2011

The proximal femoral nail antirotation device (PFNA) is a typical implant to the treatment of intertrochanteric fractures. However, re-fracture of the femur shaft after nailing are usually been reported. The purpose of this study was to investigate the biomechanical features in the healed proximal femur at different stages in the healing process. Stress and strain distributions, total strain energy density (SED) along the femur and PFNA were analyzed in walking and stair climbing. Results showed remarkable stress concentration occurred near the locking bolt hole with retained PFNA, decreased after PFNA removal. Stair climbing resulted in higher strain at the locking bolt hole than normal walking. The conclusion can be drawn that non-removal of PFNA after healing may result in high fractural risk near locking bolt on femoral shaft. Meanwhile, stair climbing should be avoided during healing.
ELECTRON-WITHDRAWING SUBSTITUTED BTD-BASED DERIVATIVE: ELECTRONIC AND OPTICAL PROPERTIES, CHARGE TRANSFER, STABILITY STUDY
Authors: HU BO , YAO CHAN , WANG QINGWEI
Published: December 2011

To provide guidelines for designing new functional materials in organic light emitting diodes, the effect of the electron-withdrawing substitution on the electronic, optical, charge transport properties, and stability of 2,1,3-benzothiadiazole (BTD)-based derivative has been investigated on the basis of the quantum chemical calculations. The results show that introduction of the electron-withdrawing group on terminal N, N-disubstituted amino unit causes the absorption and emission wavelength maxima shift to shorter wavelength relative to the pristine molecule. In addition, the reorganization energies of designed BTD-based derivatives are calculated to investigate their charge carrier properties. The electrostatic surface potentials of investigated derivatives are calculated to evaluate their stabilities.
QUASI-CLASSICAL TRAJECTORY CALCULATION OF THE CHEMICAL REACTION Sr + CF3Br
Authors: XIA WENWEN , LU NING , YAO LI , GAO SHANSHUI , YANG KUN , GAO HONG
Published: December 2011

The chemical reaction dynamics between Sr atom and CF3Br has been studied by using the method of quasi-classical trajectory calculation on the London-Eyring-Polanyi-Sato potential energy surface. The vibrational distribution, reaction cross section and rotational alignment of the product SrBr have been calculated. The calculated results indicate that the cross section of this reaction decreases and the product rotational alignment increases with the increase in collision energy. It has been found that low collision energy generates the abstraction reaction whereas high collision energy leads to the insertion. The conclusions in this paper agree well with experimental data and some relative theoretical results as well.
DFT STUDY ON CONFORMATIONAL BEHAVIOR OF HYDROGEN ION ABSTRACTIONS OF CYTOSINE NUCLEOSIDES: AIM AND NBO ANALYSIS
Authors: TEHRANI ZAHRA ALIAKBAR , FATTAHI ALIREZA , JAVAN MARJAN JEBELI , HASHEMI MOHAMMAD MAHMOODI
Published: December 2011

In this paper, we explore theoretically energetic and structural properties of the possible cations formed via hydride ion abstraction at various sites of sugar part of cytosine nucleosides by employing B3LYP exchange-correlation functional with 6-311++G (d,p) orbital basis sets. In general, the hydride ion abstracted sugar cations of cytosine nucleosides have the following stability sequence: caH2′ > caH1′ > caH3′ > caH4′ > caH5′ for cytidine and caH1′ > caH4′ > caH3′ > caH5′ > caH2′ for deoxycytidine. Furthermore, the effect of solvent environment on the stability order of cations integral equation formalism of the polarized model (IEF-PCM) was employed to model aqueous solution. The natural bond orbital method was used for quantitative analysis of the electron delocalization donor–acceptor interaction of various hydride ions abstracted centers of cytosine nucleosides. The role of CH⋯O and HO⋯H intramolecular hydrogen bonds in the stability of cations is investigated based on the results of topological properties of atom in molecule theory. Moreover, variations of significant structural parameters such as puckering amplitudes and phase angles of sugar parts of cytosine nucleosides after cation formation are also found.
A THEORETICAL ANALYSIS OF THE DISSOCIATION OF OH RADICAL: FINE-STRUCTURE DISTRIBUTIONS OF THE O(3PJ) PRODUCT
Authors: LI YUANJUN , ZHANG PEI-YU
Published: December 2011

A theoretical treatment is presented for the nonadiabatic photodissociation of hydroxyl radical. Five electronic states, X 2Π, A 2Σ+, 14Σ-, 12Σ- and 14Π, are included in this simulation. Based on the accurate ab initio calculations of the potential energy curves, transition dipole moments and nonadiabatic couplings between the relevant states, the dissociation dynamics are investigated using the time-dependent quantum wave packet approach. The direct dissociation, following the excitation from the specific vibrational levels of the ground state X 2Π to the repulsive state 12Σ- is examined, where the total and partial cross sections and the branching fractions of spin–orbit fine-structures of O (3 P J) are calculated over a wide range of the incident photon frequencies. For the predissociation via the bound excited state A 2Σ+, the influence of the nonadiabatic interactions in different internuclear regions and the role of the repulsive states in the dissociation starting at different vibrational levels are also analyzed through the spin–orbit branching fractions of products.
A THEORETICAL STUDY OF CARBON CHAINS OF TYPE CNF(N = 1–7) IN NEUTRAL AND IONIC FORMS
Authors: CHEN HUI-FEN , WU YU-JONG
Published: December 2011

The structures, binding energies, and molecular parameters of C n F clusters (n = 1–7) have been investigated theoretically on neutral and ionic forms with the RCCSD(T)//B3LYP/aug-cc-pVTZ level of theory. It can be concluded that for the ground states the linear structures are stable only for CF , C 6 F , and C 7 F . Other neutral species of C n F (n = 2–5) are slightly bent. The variation in stability with growth of the carbon chain is flat but the ionization potential and electron affinity exhibit clear variations with the size of the clusters. Cation clusters with an even n value have triplet ground states whereas singlet ground states exist when n is odd. All anions except CF -, have singlet ground states. The alternation in stability is found in both cationic and anionic forms, but the trends are reversed. Predictions of several molecular properties may be useful in the identification of these species in the laboratory and in space.
PHYSISORPTION TO CHEMISORPTION TRANSFORMATION OF A H2 MOLECULE ON B-DOPED FULLERENE C59B
Authors: TIAN CHUANJIN , ZHAO WENYAN , WANG ZHIGANG , JIN MINGXING
Published: December 2011

By first principle calculations we have explored the minimum energy path of H2 molecule dissociating on the C59B which is a system as stable as C60 . Our results show that the transformation process from physisorption state (also called nondissociation adsorption state) to the chemisorption state of the H2 molecule on the C59B surface should cross a transition state. However, the energy barrier of this reaction is very low. Therefore, the dynamics stability of the physisorption state is not high.
Validation of a Pediatric Primary Care Network in a US Metropolitan Region as a Community-Based Infectious Disease Surveillance System
Authors: Feemster Kristen A. , Li Yimei , Grundmeier Robert , Localio A. Russell , Metlay Joshua P.
Published: December 2011

This cross-sectional study used Geographic Information System methods to compare sociodemographic and clinical characteristics of children enrolled and not enrolled in a primary care network to determine the suitability of the network to estimate population-based disease rates. We validated the network surveillance system by comparing invasive pneumococcal disease rates between network and nonnetwork children using population-based surveillance data. Among the study population of 130300 children, network children were more likely to be female, Black, non-Hispanic, younger, and receive Medicaid. These differences varied across neighborhoods, however, adjusting for neighborhood characteristics did not significantly change observed differences. Rates of invasive pneumococcal disease were not significantly different between network and non-network children. Significant demographic and clinical differences existed between network and non-network children and varied over small areas. Observed population rates of an infectious disease did not significantly differ suggesting that the network can potentially provide valid disease estimates for the community population.
Function of Membrane Rafts in Viral Lifecycles and Host Cellular Response
Authors: Takahashi Tadanobu , Suzuki Takashi
Published: December 2011

Membrane rafts are small (10–200 nm) sterol- and sphingolipid-enriched domains that compartmentalize cellular processes. Membrane rafts play an important role in viral infection cycles and viral virulence. Viruses are divided into four main classes, enveloped DNA virus, enveloped RNA virus, nonenveloped DNA virus, and nonenveloped RNA virus. General virus infection cycle is also classified into two sections, the early stage (entry process) and the late stage (assembly, budding, and release processes of virus particles). In the viral cycle, membrane rafts act as a scaffold of many cellular signal transductions, which are associated with symptoms caused by viral infections. In this paper, we describe the functions of membrane rafts in viral lifecycles and host cellular response according to each virus classification, each stage of the virus lifecycle, and each virus-induced signal transduction.
Risk Assessment and Management for Medically Complex Potential Living Kidney Donors: A Few Deontological Criteria and Ethical Values
Authors: Petrini Carlo
Published: December 2011

A sound evaluation of every bioethical problem should be predicated on a careful analysis of at least two basic elements: (i) reliable scientific information and (ii) the ethical principles and values at stake. A thorough evaluation of both elements also calls for a careful examination of statements by authoritative institutions. Unfortunately, in the case of medically complex living donors neither element gives clear-cut answers to the ethical problems raised. Likewise, institutionary documents frequently offer only general criteria, which are not very helpful when making practical choices. This paper first introduces a brief overview of scientific information, ethical values, and institutionary documents; the notions of “acceptable risk” and “minimal risk” are then briefly examined, with reference to the problem of medically complex living donors. The so-called precautionary principle and the value of solidarity are then discussed as offering a possible approach to the ethical problem of medically complex living donors.
Antibody-Mediated Rejection in Heart Transplantation: Case Presentation with a Review of Current International Guidelines
Authors: Pajaro Octavio E. , Jaroszewski Dawn E. , Scott Robert L. , Kalya Anantharam V. , Tazelaar Henry D. , Arabia Francisco A.
Published: December 2011

Antibody-mediated rejection (AMR) (humoral rejection) of cardiac allografts remains difficult to diagnose and treat. Interest in AMR of cardiac allografts has increased over the last decade as it has become apparent that untreated humoral rejection threatens graft and patient survival. An international and multidisciplinary consensus group has formulated guidelines for the diagnosis and treatment of AMR and established that identification of circulating or donor-specific antibodies is not required and that asymptomatic AMR, that is, biopsy-proven AMR without cardiac dysfunction is a real entity with worsened prognosis. Strict criteria for the diagnosis of cardiac AMR have not been firmly established, although the diagnosis relies heavily on tissue pathological findings. Therapy remains largely empirical. We review an unfortunate experience with one of our patients and summarize recommended criteria for the diagnosis of AMR and potential treatment schemes with a focus on current limitations and the need for future research and innovation.
A Note on Ergodicity of Systems with the Asymptotic Average Shadowing Property
Authors: Li Risong , Zhou Xiaoliang
Published: December 2011

We prove that if a continuous, Lyapunov stable map f from a compact metric space X into itself is topologically transitive and has the asymptotic average shadowing property, then X is consisting of one point. As an application, we prove that the identity map iX : X → X does not have the asymptotic average shadowing property, where X is a compact metric space with at least two points.
An Assessment of the “Policy View” in Foreign Aid under Asymmetric Information
Authors: Alvi Eskander , Mukherjee Debasri
Published: December 2011

The policy view, which argues that foreign aid is effective only in a good policy environment, suggests that aid ought to be given to countries with good policies. This has generated a lot of interest and controversy. We argue that the key recommendation of the policy view runs contrary to other prescriptions, particularly those that arise under asymmetric information. Inefficiencies that derive from information problems often require that policy makers do not base the amount of foreign assistance on the recipient′s policy effort. This suggests that donors should be cautious in applying the policy view. We also briefly discuss problems that are likely to emerge in estimating aid′s productivity given policy in the light of potential information problems.
Stop Using the Modified Work APGAR to Measure Job Satisfaction
Authors: Mielenz Thelma J. , DeVellis Robert F. , Battie Michele C. , Carey Timothy S.
Published: December 2011

Background. The psychometric properties of the Modified Work APGAR (MWA) scale are not established, yet researchers use this scale as an overall measure of job satisfaction. Objective. Perform psychometric analyses on the MWA scale using data from two populations. Methods. A landmark occupational cohort and a clinical cohort are populations with low back pain studied. The first five items of the MWA scale measure social support from coworkers, one item measures dissatisfaction with job tasks, and the sixth item measures lack of social support from a supervisor. Exploratory principal components analyses were conducted in both cohorts. Results. In both cohorts, the first five items of the MWA scale loaded consistently onto one factor, social support from coworkers subscale. Conclusions. Unless researchers are interested in measuring social support from coworkers only, future studies should use other reliable and valid instruments to measure a broad range of psychosocial work characteristics.
Effect of PAR-2 Deficiency in Mice on KC Expression after Intratracheal LPS Administration
Authors: Williams Julie C. , Lee Rebecca D. , Doerschuk Claire M. , Mackman Nigel
Published: December 2011

Protease activated receptors (PAR) have been shown to play a role in inflammation. PAR-2 is expressed by numerous cells in the lung and has either proinflammatory, anti-inflammatory, or no effect depending on the model. Here, we examined the role of PAR-2 in a model of LPS-induced lung inflammation. We found that PAR-2-deficient mice had significantly less KC expression in bronchial lavage fluid compared with wild-type mice but there was no difference in MIP-2 or TNF-α expression. We also found that isolated alveolar and resident peritoneal macrophages lacking PAR-2 showed a similar deficit in KC after LPS stimulation without differences in MIP-2 or TNF-α. Infiltration of neutrophils and macrophages into the lung following LPS administration was not affected by an absence of PAR-2. Our results support the notion that PAR-2 plays a role in LPS activation of TLR4 signaling in macrophages.
Integrating Fire Behavior Models and Geospatial Analysis for Wildland Fire Risk Assessment and Fuel Management Planning
Authors: Ager Alan A. , Vaillant Nicole M. , Finney Mark A.
Published: December 2011

Wildland fire risk assessment and fuel management planning on federal lands in the US are complex problems that require state‐of‐the‐art fire behavior modeling and intensive geospatial analyses. Fuel management is a particularly complicated process where the benefits and potential impacts of fuel treatments must be demonstrated in the context of land management goals and public expectations. A number of fire behavior metrics, including fire spread, intensity, likelihood, and ecological risk must be analyzed for multiple treatment alternatives. The effect of treatments on wildfire impacts must be considered at multiple scales. The process is complicated by the lack of data integration among fire behavior models, and weak linkages to geographic information systems, corporate data, and desktop office software. This paper describes our efforts to build a streamlined fuel management planning and risk assessment framework, and an integrated system of tools for designing and testing fuel treatment programs on fire‐prone wildlands.
A High Order Iterative Scheme for a Nonlinear Kirchhoff Wave Equation in the Unit Membrane
Authors: Ngoc Le Thi Phuong , Long Nguyen Thanh
Published: December 2011

A high‐order iterative scheme is established in order to get a convergent sequence at a rate of order N (N ≥ 1) to a local unique weak solution of a nonlinear Kirchhoff wave equation in the unit membrane. This extends a recent result in (EJDE, 2005, No. 138) where a recurrent sequence converges at a rate of order 2.
The Linehaul‐Feeder Vehicle Routing Problem with Virtual Depots and Time Windows
Authors: Chen Huey-Kuo , Chou Huey-Wen , Hsu Chia-Yuan
Published: December 2011

This paper addresses the linehaul‐feeder vehicle routing problem with virtual depots and time windows (LFVRPTW). Small and large vehicles deliver services to customers within time constraints; small vehicles en route may reload commodities from either the physical depot or from the larger vehicle at a virtual depot before continuing onward. A two‐stage solution heuristic involving Tabu search is proposed to solve this problem. The test results show that the LFVRPTW performs better than the vehicle routing problem with time windows in terms of both objective value and the number of small vehicles dispatched.
Some New Identities on the Bernoulli and Euler Numbers
Authors: Kim Dae San , Kim Taekyun , Lee Sang-Hun , Dolgy D. V. , Rim Seog-Hoon
Published: December 2011

We give some new identities on the Bernoulli and Euler numbers by using the bosonic p‐adic integral on ℤp and reflection symmetric properties of Bernoulli and Euler polynomials.
Congenital Absence of a Teat in a Japanese Black Heifer
Authors: Ghanem Mohamed Elshabrawy , Nakao Toshihiko , Yoshida Chikako
Published: December 2011

A case of Japanese Black heifer with a congenital absence of teat (athelia) was observed at Highashi-Hiroshima Agricultural High School, Hiroshima Prefecture, Japan. The heifer was born after transfer of embryo from Japanese Black cattle. The sire of the heifer was a proven Japanese Black. The birth weight of the heifer was 27 kg. On physical examination of the heifer at 21 months after birth, the teat at fore left was absent and the remaining three teats were normal in shape without any physical abnormalities. Per rectal palpation of the genital organs revealed the normal cervix and uterine horns. It was difficult to palpate the ovaries due to the fat around the organs. Blood samples were taken for cytogenetic and DNA testing. The heifer had normal chromosomal set. The heifer was culled due to its mammary abnormality. This might be the first to report a case of congenital absence of a teat in Japanese Black heifers.
The Beta‐Half‐Cauchy Distribution
Authors: Cordeiro Gauss M. , Lemonte Artur J.
Published: December 2011

On the basis of the half‐Cauchy distribution, we propose the called beta‐half‐Cauchy
distribution for modeling lifetime data. Various explicit expressions for its moments, generating
and quantile functions, mean deviations, and density function of the order statistics and their moments
are provided. The parameters of the new model are estimated by maximum likelihood, and the observed
information matrix is derived. An application to lifetime real data shows that it can yield a
better fit than three‐ and two‐parameter Birnbaum‐Saunders, gamma, and Weibull models.
Mucosa-Associated Lymphoid Tissue Lymphoma of the Lacrimal Gland: Sustained Remission after Eradication of Helicobacter Pylori Infection
Authors: Hasosah Mohammed , Baothman Abdullah , Satti Mohamed , Kutbi Suzanne , Alghamdi Khaled , Jacobson Kevan
Published: December 2011

Mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue (MALT) lymphoma is the third most common non-Hodgkin lymphoma, and it is strongly associated with helicobacter pylori infection of the stomach. MALT lymphoma of the lacrimal gland usually presents as a localized disease process in extranodal tissues. The treatment options of MALT lymphoma of the lacrimal gland chiefly include radiation of the tumor, chemotherapy, surgical removal, or a combination of these strategies. We report a case of localized MALT lymphoma of the lacrimal gland, with prolonged sustained remission after eradication of gastric Helicobacter pylori (H. Pylori) infection. He sustains in remission of lacrimal MALT lymphoma for four years without chemotherapy or radiotherapy.
The Fourth Branchial Complex Anomaly: A Rare Clinical Entity
Authors: Patel Alpen B. , Hinni Michael L.
Published: December 2011

Fourth branchial pouch anomalies are rare congenital disorders of the neck and are a consequence of abnormal development of the branchial apparatus during embryogenesis. Failure to appropriately recognize these anomalies may result in misdiagnosis, insufficient treatment, and continued recurrence. Here, we present an unique presentation of two cases, describe their diagnosis, clinical course, and management, and review the literature regarding these interesting anomalies.
The Role of Nutraceuticals in Chemoprevention and Chemotherapy and Their Clinical Outcomes
Authors: Saldanha Sabita N. , Tollefsbol Trygve O.
Published: December 2011

The genesis of cancer is often a slow process and the risk of developing cancer increases with age. Altering a diet that includes consumption of beneficial phytochemicals can influence the balance and availability of dietary chemopreventive agents. In chemopreventive approaches, foods containing chemicals that have anticancer properties can be supplemented in diets to prevent precancerous lesions from occurring. This necessitates further understanding of how phytochemicals can potently maintain healthy cells. Fortunately there is a plethora of plant-based phytochemicals although few of them are well studied in terms of their application as cancer chemopreventive and therapeutic agents. In this analysis we will examine phytochemicals that have strong chemopreventive and therapeutic propertiesin vitroas well as the design and modification of these bioactive compounds for preclinical and clinical applications. The increasing potential of combinational approaches using more than one bioactive dietary compound in chemoprevention or cancer therapy will also be evaluated. Many novel approaches to cancer prevention are on the horizon, several of which are showing great promise in saving lives in a cost-effective manner.
Latino Immigrant Children's Health: Effects of Sociodemographic Variables and of a Preventive Intervention Program
Authors: Rausch John C. , McCord Mary , Batista Milagros , Anisfeld Elizabeth
Published: December 2011

The number of Latino immigrant children is expanding rapidly, and the factors that affect their health are multiple and interlinked. We therefore propose to describe the sociodemographic characteristics of a mostly Dominican immigrant population, to examine to what extent immigrant status and other factors play a role in determining measures of their children's health and well-being, and finally to investigate whether a home visiting intervention modified any of these factors. The data were collected as part of an evaluation of a primary prevention home visitation program for high-risk mothers and their children. Bivariate and multivariate models were constructed to investigate the factors that affected the outcome variables. We found that numerous factors, especially a composite for overall stress, affected the health and well-being of participant children. We also demonstrated that the visitation program had a positive effect on many of these outcomes. Future program planners will need to understand the strengths and weaknesses of the specific population they serve.
Design and Optimization of an EBG Antenna with an Efficient Electromagnetic Solver
Authors: Gómez Josefa , Tayebi Abdelhamid , Almagro José Ramón , González Iván , Cátedra Felipe
Published: December 2011

A novel electromagnetic bandgap (EBG) antenna has been designed, optimized, and analyzed using an efficient electromagnetic solver based on the moment method. Very good agreement between simulations and measurements in anechoic chamber has been obtained. Comparisons of the antenna with and without the EBG structure have been conducted to study its influence in terms of gain. This new EBG antenna is an excellent candidate for several applications due to its high gain and good polarization purity.
The Integral Test Facility Karlstein
Authors: Leyer Stephan , Wich Michael
Published: December 2011

The Integral Test Facility Karlstein (INKA) test facility was designed and erected to test the performance of the passive safety systems of KERENA, the new AREVA Boiling Water Reactor design. The experimental program included single component/system tests of the Emergency Condenser, the Containment Cooling Condenser and the Passive Core Flooding System. Integral system tests, including also the Passive Pressure Pulse Transmitter, will be performed to simulate transients and Loss of Coolant Accident scenarios at the test facility. The INKA test facility represents the KERENA Containment with a volume scaling of 1 : 24. Component heights and levels are in full scale. The reactor pressure vessel is simulated by the accumulator vessel of the large valve test facility of Karlstein—a vessel with a design pressure of 11 MPa and a storage capacity of 125 m3. The vessel is fed by a benson boiler with a maximum power supply of 22 MW. The INKA multi compartment pressure suppression Containment meets the requirements of modern and existing BWR designs. As a result of the large power supply at the facility, INKA is capable of simulating various accident scenarios, including a full train of passive systems, starting with the initiating event—for example pipe rupture.
Microwave Technologies as Part of an Integrated Weed Management Strategy: A Review
Authors: Brodie Graham , Ryan Carmel , Lancaster Carmel
Published: December 2011

Interest in controlling weed plants using radio frequency or microwave energy has been growing in recent years because of the growing concerns about herbicide resistance and chemical residues in the environment. This paper reviews the prospects of using microwave energy to manage weeds. Microwave energy effectively kills weed plants and their seeds; however, most studies have focused on applying the microwave energy over a sizable area, which requires about ten times the energy that is embodied in conventional chemical treatments to achieve effective weed control. A closer analysis of the microwave heating phenomenon suggests that thermal runaway can reduce microwave weed treatment time by at least one order of magnitude. If thermal runaway can be induced in weed plants, the energy costs associated with microwave weed management would be comparable with chemical weed control.
Cognitive Reactivity to Success and Failure Relate Uniquely to Manic and Depression Tendencies and Combine in Bipolar Tendencies
Authors: Raes Filip , Ghesquière Ine , Van Gucht Dinska
Published: December 2011

The present study examined simultaneously the relations between cognitive reactivity to success and failure, on the one hand, and depression, manic, and bipolar tendencies, on the other hand. Participants (161 students) completed measures of success and failure reactivity, current manic and depressive symptoms, and tendencies towards depression, mania, and bipolarity. Results showed that respondents with a greater tendency towards depression evidenced greater (negative) reactivity to failure, whereas those with a greater tendency toward mania evidenced greater (positive) reactivity to success. Depression vulnerability was unrelated to success reactivity, and manic vulnerability was unrelated to failure reactivity. Tendencies toward bipolarity correlated significantly withbothfailure and success reactivity in a negative and positive manner, respectively. These findings add to the growing body of literature, suggesting that different features or cognitive tendencies are related to depression vulnerability versus manic vulnerability and imply that these “mirrored” cognitive features both form part of vulnerability to bipolar disorder.
Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease: The Bile Acid-Activated Farnesoid X Receptor as an Emerging Treatment Target
Authors: Fuchs Michael
Published: December 2011

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is currently evolving as the most common liver disease worldwide. It may progress to liver cirrhosis and liver cancer and is poised to represent the most common indication for liver transplantation in the near future. The pathogenesis of NAFLD is multifactorial and not fully understood, but it represents an insulin resistance state characterized by a cluster of cardiovascular risk factors including obesity, dyslipidemia, hyperglycemia, and hypertension. Importantly, NAFLD also has evolved as independent risk factor for cardiovascular disease. Unfortunately thus far no established treatment does exist for NAFLD. The bile acid-activated nuclear farnesoid X receptor (FXR) has been shown to play a role not only in bile acid but also in lipid and glucose homeostasis. Specific targeting of FXR may be an elegant and very effective way to readjust dysregulated nuclear receptor-mediated metabolic pathways. This review discusses the body's complex response to the activation of FXR with its beneficial actions but also potential undesirable side effects.
Impact ofEGFRGenetic Variants on Glioma Risk and Patient Outcome
Authors: Costa Bruno Marques , Viana-Pereira Marta , Fernandes Ricardo , Costa Sandra , Linhares Paulo , Vaz Rui , Pinheiro Céline , Lima Jorge , Soares Paula , Silva Ana , Pardal Fernando , Amorim Júlia , Nabiço Rui , Almeida Rui , Alegria Carlos , Pires Manuel Melo , Pinheiro Célia , Carvalho Ernesto , Oliveira Pedro , Lopes José M. , Reis Rui M.
Published: December 2011

Background: The epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) regulates important cellular processes and is frequently implicated in human tumors. Three EGFR polymorphisms have been described as having a transcriptional regulatory function: two single-nucleotide polymorphisms in the essential promoter region, −216G/T and −191C/A, and a polymorphic (CA)n microsatellite sequence in intron 1. We aimed to elucidate the roles of these EGFR polymorphisms in glioma susceptibility and prognosis.

Methods: We conducted a case–control study with 196 patients with glioma and 168 cancer-free controls. Unconditional multivariate logistic regression models were used to calculate ORs and 95% confidence intervals. A Cox regression model was used to evaluate associations with patient survival. False-positive report probabilities were also assessed.

Results: None of the EGFR −216G/T variants was significantly associated with glioma risk. The −191C/A genotype was associated with higher risk for glioma when the (CA)n alleles were classified as short for ≤16 or ≤17 repeats. Independently of the (CA)n repeat cutoff point used, shorter (CA)n repeat variants were significantly associated with increased risk for glioma, particularly glioblastoma and oligodendroglioma. In all tested models with different (CA)n cutoff points, only −191C/A genotype was consistently associated with improved survival of patients with glioblastoma.

Conclusions: Our findings implicate EGFR −191C/A and the (CA)n repeat polymorphisms as risk factors for gliomas, and suggest −191C/A as a prognostic marker in glioblastoma.

Impact: Our data support a role of these EGFR polymorphisms in determining glioma susceptibility, with potential relevance for molecularly based stratification of patients with glioblastoma for individualized therapies. Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev; 20(12); 2610–7. ©2011 AACR.
Tumor and Salivary Matrix Metalloproteinase Levels Are Strong Diagnostic Markers of Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma
Authors: Stott-Miller Marni , Houck John R. , Lohavanichbutr Pawadee , Méndez Eduardo , Upton Melissa P. , Futran Neal D. , Schwartz Stephen M. , Chen Chu
Published: December 2011

Background: The matrix metalloproteinases (MMP) cause degradation of the extracellular matrix and basement membranes, and thus may play a key role in cancer development.

Methods: In our search for biomarkers for oral squamous cell carcinomas (OSCC), we compared primary OSCC, oral dysplasia and control subjects with respect to: (i) expression of MMP1, MMP3, MMP10, and MMP12 in oral epithelial tissue using Affymetrix U133 2.0 Plus GeneChip arrays, followed by quantitative reverse transcription-PCR (qRT-PCR) for MMP1, and (ii) determination of MMP1 and MMP3 concentrations in saliva.

Results: MMP1 expression in primary OSCC (n = 119) was >200-fold higher (P = 7.16 × 10−40) compared with expression levels in nonneoplastic oral epithelium from controls (n = 35). qRT-PCR results on 30 cases and 22 controls confirmed this substantial differential expression. The exceptional discriminatory power to separate OSCC from controls was validated in two independent testing sets (AUC% = 100; 95% CI: 100–100 and AUC% = 98.4; 95% CI: 95.6–100). Salivary concentrations of MMP1 and MMP3 in OSCC patients (33 stage I/II, 26 stage III/IV) were 6.2 times (95% CI: 3.32–11.73) and 14.8 times (95% CI: 6.75–32.56) higher, respectively, than in controls, and displayed an increasing trend with higher stage disease.

Conclusion: Tumor and salivary MMPs are robust diagnostic biomarkers of OSCC.

Impact: The capacity of MMP gene expression to identify OSCC provides support for further investigation into MMPs as potential markers for OSCC development. Detection of MMP proteins in saliva in particular may provide a promising means to detect and monitor OSCC noninvasively. Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev; 20(12); 2628–36. ©2011 AACR.
A Case–Control Study of a Sex-Specific Association between a 15q25 Variant and Lung Cancer Risk
Authors: Wei Chongjuan , Han Younghun , Spitz Margaret R. , Wu Xifeng , Chancoco Haidee , Akiva Pinchas , Rechavi Gideon , Brand Hadar , Wun Issac , Frazier Marsha L. , Amos Christopher I.
Published: December 2011

Background: Genetic variants located at 15q25, including those in the cholinergic receptor nicotinic cluster (CHRNA5) have been implicated in both lung cancer risk and nicotine dependence in recent genome-wide association studies. Among these variants, a 22-bp insertion/deletion, rs3841324 showed the strongest association with CHRNA5 mRNA expression levels. However the influence of rs3841324 on lung cancer risk has not been studied in depth.

Methods: We have, therefore, evaluated the association of rs3841324 genotypes with lung cancer risk in a case–control study of 624 Caucasian subjects with lung cancer and 766 age- and sex-matched cancer-free Caucasian controls. We also evaluated the joint effects of rs3841324 with single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP) rs16969968 and rs8034191 in the 15q25 region that have been consistently implicated in lung cancer risk.

Results: We found that the homozygous genotype with both short alleles (SS) of rs3841324 was associated with a decreased lung cancer risk in female ever smokers relative to the homozygous wild-type (LL) and heterozygous (LS) genotypes combined in a recessive model [ORadjusted = 0.55, 95% confidence interval (CI), 0.31–0.89, P = 0.0168]. There was no evidence for a sex difference in the association between this variant and cigarettes smoked per day (CPD). Diplotype analysis of rs3841324 with either rs16969968 or rs8034191 showed that these polymorphisms influenced the lung cancer risk independently.

Conclusions and Impact: This study has shown a sex difference in the association between the 15q25 variant rs3841324 and lung cancers. Further research is warranted to elucidate the mechanisms underlying these observations. Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev; 20(12); 2603–9. ©2011 AACR.
Systems Strategies to Support Cancer Screening in U.S. Primary Care Practice
Authors: Yabroff K. Robin , Zapka Jane , Klabunde Carrie N. , Yuan Gigi , Buckman Dennis W. , Haggstrom David , Clauser Steven B. , Miller Jacqueline , Taplin Stephen H.
Published: December 2011

Background: Although systems strategies are effective in improving health care delivery, little is known about their use for cancer screening in U.S. primary care practice.

Methods: We assessed primary care physicians' (N = 2,475) use of systems strategies for breast, cervical, and colorectal cancer (CRC) screening in a national survey conducted in 2007. Systems strategies included patient and physician screening reminders, performance reports of screening rates, electronic medical records, implementation of in-practice guidelines, and use of nurse practitioners/physician assistants. We evaluated use of both patient and physician screening reminders with other strategies in separate models by screening type, adjusted for the effects of physician and practice characteristics with multivariate logistic regression.

Results: Fewer than 10% of physicians used a comprehensive set of systems strategies to support cancer screening; use was greater for mammography and Pap testing than for CRC screening. In adjusted analyses, performance reports of cancer screening rates, medical record type, and in-practice guidelines were associated with use of both patient and physician screening reminders for mammography, Pap testing, and CRC screening (P < 0.05).

Conclusion: Despite evidence supporting use of systems strategies in primary care, few physicians report using a comprehensive set of strategies to support cancer screening.

Impact: Current health policy initiatives underscore the importance of increased implementation of systems strategies in primary care to improve the use and quality of cancer screening in the United States. Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev; 20(12); 2471–9. ©2011 AACR.
A Live-Attenuated Listeria Vaccine (ANZ-100) and a Live-Attenuated Listeria Vaccine Expressing Mesothelin (CRS-207) for Advanced Cancers: Phase I Studies of Safety and Immune Induction
Authors: Le Dung T. , Brockstedt Dirk G. , Nir-Paz Ran , Hampl Johannes , Mathur Shruti , Nemunaitis John , Sterman Daniel H. , Hassan Raffit , Lutz Eric , Moyer Bentley , Giedlin Martin , Louis Jana-Lynn , Sugar Elizabeth A. , Pons Alice , Cox Andrea L. , Levine Jordana , Murphy Aimee Luck , Illei Peter , Dubensky Thomas W. , Eiden Joseph E. , Jaffee Elizabeth M. , Laheru Daniel A.
Published: December 2011

Purpose: Listeria monocytogenes (Lm)-based vaccines stimulate both innate and adaptive immunity. ANZ-100 is a live-attenuated Lm strain (Lm ΔactA/ΔinlB). Uptake by phagocytes in the liver results in local inflammatory responses and activation and recruitment of natural killer (NK) and T cells, in association with increased survival of mice bearing hepatic metastases. The Lm ΔactA/ΔinlB strain, engineered to express human mesothelin (CRS-207), a tumor-associated antigen expressed by a variety of tumors, induces mesothelin-specific T-cell responses against mesothelin-expressing murine tumors. These two phase I studies test ANZ-100 and CRS-207 in subjects with liver metastases and mesothelin-expressing cancers, respectively.

Experimental Design: A single intravenous injection of ANZ-100 was evaluated in a dose escalation study in subjects with liver metastases. Nine subjects received 1 × 106, 3 × 107, or 3 × 108 colony-forming units (cfu). CRS-207 was evaluated in a dose-escalation study in subjects with mesothelioma, lung, pancreatic, or ovarian cancers. Seventeen subjects received up to 4 doses of 1 × 108, 3 × 108, 1 × 109, or 1 × 1010 cfu.

Results: A single infusion of ANZ-100 was well tolerated to the maximum planned dose. Adverse events included transient laboratory abnormalities and symptoms associated with cytokine release. Multiple infusions of CRS-207 were well tolerated up to 1 × 109 cfu, the determined maximum tolerated dose. Immune activation was observed for both ANZ-100 and CRS-207 as measured by serum cytokine/chemokine levels and NK cell activation. In the CRS-207 study, listeriolysin O and mesothelin-specific T-cell responses were detected and 37% of subjects lived ≥15 months.

Conclusions: ANZ-100 and CRS-207 administration was safe and resulted in immune activation. Clin Cancer Res; 18(3); 858–68. ©2011 AACR.
Predictive and Prognostic Roles ofBRAFMutation in Stage III Colon Cancer: Results from Intergroup Trial CALGB 89803
Authors: Ogino Shuji , Shima Kaori , Meyerhardt Jeffrey A. , McCleary Nadine J. , Ng Kimmie , Hollis Donna , Saltz Leonard B. , Mayer Robert J. , Schaefer Paul , Whittom Renaud , Hantel Alexander , Benson Al B. , Spiegelman Donna , Goldberg Richard M. , Bertagnolli Monica M. , Fuchs Charles S.
Published: December 2011

Purpose: Alterations in the RAS-RAF-MAP2K (MEK)-MAPK signaling pathway are major drivers in colorectal carcinogenesis. In colorectal cancer, BRAF mutation is associated with microsatellite instability (MSI), and typically predicts inferior prognosis. We examined the effect of BRAF mutation on survival and treatment efficacy in patients with stage III colon cancer.

Methods: We assessed status of BRAF c.1799T>A (p.V600E) mutation and MSI in 506 stage III colon cancer patients enrolled in a randomized adjuvant chemotherapy trial [5-fluorouracil and leucovorin (FU/LV) vs. irinotecan (CPT11), FU and LV (IFL); CALGB 89803]. Cox proportional hazards model was used to assess the prognostic role of BRAF mutation, adjusting for clinical features, adjuvant chemotherapy arm, and MSI status.

Results: Compared with 431 BRAF wild-type patients, 75 BRAF-mutated patients experienced significantly worse overall survival [OS; log-rank P = 0.015; multivariate HR = 1.66; 95% CI: 1.05–2.63]. By assessing combined status of BRAF and MSI, it seemed that BRAF-mutated MSS (microsatellite stable) tumor was an unfavorable subtype, whereas BRAF wild-type MSI-high tumor was a favorable subtype, and BRAF-mutated MSI-high tumor and BRAF wild-type MSS tumor were intermediate subtypes. Among patients with BRAF-mutated tumors, a nonsignificant trend toward improved OS was observed for IFL versus FU/LV arm (multivariate HR = 0.52; 95% CI: 0.25–1.10). Among patients with BRAF wild-type cancer, IFL conferred no suggestion of benefit beyond FU/LV alone (multivariate HR = 1.02; 95% CI: 0.72–1.46).

Conclusions: BRAF mutation is associated with inferior survival in stage III colon cancer. Additional studies are necessary to assess whether there is any predictive role of BRAF mutation for irinotecan-based therapy. Clin Cancer Res; 18(3); 890–900. ©2011 AACR.