bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
INVESTIGATION OF POLYCHLORINATED BIPHENYLS (PCBs) REMOVAL BY SIGNAL WALLED CARBON NANOTUBES: STUDIES
Authors: MAHDAVIAN LEILA
Published: October 2011

Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) are highly toxic and widespread pollutants due in part to their resistance to biodegradation. In water, their breakdown and analysis are low, but are readily adsorbed by fish and microscopic organisms, and these substances accumulate in the food chain and end up in human bodies when people consume sea food. The elimination of chemical pollutants from a contaminated environment is one of the most important steps toward achieving the goal of environment protection.

Using single-walled nanotubes (SWNTs) has shown the efficiency to remove PCBs from air and water. There are four situations for PCBs and SWNTs (6, 6) that we have investigated passing them between nanotubes. The thermodynamic properties are calculated for passing PCBs between them by DFT methods. This passing has a low potential energy in the middle of nanotubes, as the thermodynamic properties show; this passing is spontaneous and favorable because ΔG ele (MJ/mol) is negative for them.
A THEORETICAL STUDY ON THE TWO REACTIONS OF CH3OH WITH NH(3Σ-) AND NH2(2B1)
Authors: PAN YARU , WANG RONGSHUN
Published: October 2011

The CH 3 OH with NH (3Σ-) and NH 2(2 B 1) reactions are key processes in methanol combustion. Optimized geometries and frequencies have been computed at UMP2 and UB3lYP levels. Energy values are improved using UQCISD(T), G3MP2, and BMC-CCSD methods using UMP2/6-311+G(d,p) optimized structures. For the two reactions, hydrogen abstraction and S N 2 substitution mechanisms have been investigated. Due to high barriers, the S N 2 substitution pathways play negligible roles. Methyl hydrogen abstraction channels are preferred to that of hydroxyl hydrogen, and the final products of NH 3 with CH 2 OH are major.
ANALYSIS OF THE VIBRATIONAL SPECTRA OF 3,4-DIHYDROXY- AND 4-HYDROXY-3-METHOXYPHENYLACETIC ACIDS AND THE RING BREATHING MODE IN THEIR RAMAN SPECTRA
Authors: FÖRNER WOLFGANG , BADAWI HASSAN M.
Published: October 2011

The structural stability of 3,4-dihydroxyphenylacetic acid and 4-hydroxy-3-methoxyphenylacetic acid were investigated using the DFT-B3LYP and the ab initio MP2 methods together with the 6-311G** basis set. The two molecules were predicted at the DFT and MP2 levels of calculation to have the non-planar (np) forms as the lowest energy conformer of the acids. Another very low lying conformer of the former acid in the gas phase seems to play no role in the condensed phase. The observed spectral intensities of the acids were consistent with the np conformation being the predominant form at room temperature. The vibrational wavenumbers were computed at the B3LYP level of theory and vibrational assignments were provided on the basis of combined theroretical and experimental infrared and Raman data of the molecules. As reported earlier in the case of chlorine substituted anilines, the ring breathing mode, which is expected to have a very high intensity in the Raman spectra of substituted benzenes, diminishes in intensity with increasing electron density in the ring (activation for electrophilic attacks).
RELATIONAL AND PERFORMANCE RISKS IN OPERATIVE WORK IN CONTRACT-BASED R&D ALLIANCES
Authors: UPPVALL LARS
Published: October 2011

This paper examines the influence of context-related risks in operative work in contract-based R&D alliances by comparing critical incidents from four R&D alliance projects experienced by alliance operative leaders in two contextual settings — each containing two different types of risks: relational and performance. The results indicate that the different risks influence certain critical aspects of the operative work in the studied projects; these have implications for individuals working in alliances that are exposed to these types of risks. However, the findings also indicate that there are other aspects, related to relationship and trust building in the R&D alliance operative work, that are critical in both of the research contexts.
GRAPH CONSISTENCY CHECKING: A TOOL TO CHECK THE SEMANTIC CONSISTENCY OF A SEGMENTATION
Authors: DERUYVER ALINE , HODE YANN , JOLION JEAN-MICHEL
Published: October 2011

This paper describes an automatic process to check the semantic consistency of a segmentation. This process is made possible through the formalism of graphs. In this article we propose to apply this process to the checking of the relevancy of merging criteria used in an adaptive pyramid by matching the obtained segmentation with a conceptual graph describing the objects under consideration. This matching is performed by using a discrete relaxation method. It checks the arc-consistency with bilevel constraints of the chosen semantic graph. The efficiency of this approach is illustrated on synthetic and real images.
Accelerating CUDA graph algorithms at maximum warp
Authors: Hong Sungpack , Kim Sang Kyun , Oguntebi Tayo , Olukotun Kunle
Published: October 2011

Graphs are powerful data representations favored in many computational domains. Modern GPUs have recently shown promising results in accelerating computationally challenging graph problems but their performance suffered heavily when the graph structure is highly irregular, as most real-world graphs tend to be. In this study, we first observe that the poor performance is caused by work imbalance and is an artifact of a discrepancy between the GPU programming model and the underlying GPU architecture.We then propose a novel virtual warp-centric programming method that exposes the traits of underlying GPU architectures to users. Our method significantly improves the performance of applications with heavily imbalanced workloads, and enables trade-offs between workload imbalance and ALU underutilization for fine-tuning the performance. Our evaluation reveals that our method exhibits up to 9x speedup over previous GPU algorithms and 12x over single thread CPU execution on irregular graphs. When properly configured, it also yields up to 30% improvement over previous GPU algorithms on regular graphs. In addition to performance gains on graph algorithms, our programming method achieves 1.3x to 15.1x speedup on a set of GPU benchmark applications. Our study also confirms that the performance gap between GPUs and other multi-threaded CPU graph implementations is primarily due to the large difference in memory bandwidth.
Efficient Neural Network Modeling for Flight and Space Dynamics Simulation
Authors: Kassem Ayman Hamdy
Published: October 2011

This paper represents an efficient technique for neural network modeling of flight and space dynamics simulation. The technique will free the neural network designer from guessing the size and structure for the required neural network model and will help to minimize the number of neurons. For linear flight/space dynamics systems, the technique can find the network weights and biases directly by solving a system of linear equations without the need for training. Nonlinear flight dynamic systems can be easily modeled by training its linearized models keeping the same network structure. The training is fast, as it uses the linear system knowledge to speed up the training process. The technique is tested on different flight/space dynamic models and showed promising results.
Extended Mixed Function Method and Its Application for Solving Two Classic Toda Lattice Equations
Authors: Rui Weiguo , Yang Xinsong
Published: October 2011

The mixed function method is extended from the (1 + 1)‐dimensional space
to the (2 + 1)‐dimensional one, even those forms of exact solution do not exist in (1 + 1)‐dimensional NDDEs. By using this extended method, the Toda lattice and (2 + 1)‐dimensional
Toda lattice equations are studied. Some new solutions such as discrete solitary wave solutions,
discrete kink and antikink wave solutions, and discrete breather soliton solutions are
obtained, and their dynamic properties are discussed.
Effect of Preparation Condition of Ti Film and Experimental Condition on C Reduction Performance of Ti Photocatalyst Membrane Reactor
Authors: Nishimura Akira , Okano Yuki , Hirota Masafumi , Hu Eric
Published: October 2011

It was previously reported that CO2could be reduced into CO, CH4, and so forth, which can be used as fuels, by TiO2as the photocatalyst under UV radiation. To increase the concentration of fuel and improve CO2reduction performance on TiO2photocatalyst, a membrane reactor composed of TiO2and gas separation membrane prepared by sol-gel and dip-coating method has been built. Factors such as rising speed (RS) in the dip-coating process and the timing and amount of water injected in the membrane reactor in CO2reduction experiment have been investigated. As a result, the largest amount of TiO2film is obtained for  mm/s among various RS conditions investigated in this study. According to CO2reduction experiment by gas circulation type reactor, too much water which cannot be consumed in CO2reduction process would not help improving the CO2reduction performance.
Relativistic Thermodynamics: A Modern 4-Vector Approach
Authors: Güémez J.
Published: October 2011

Using the Minkowski relativistic 4-vector formalism, based on Einstein's equation, and the relativistic thermodynamics asynchronous formulation (Grøn (1973)), the isothermal compression of an ideal gas is analyzed, considering an electromagnetic origin for forces applied to it. This treatment is similar to the description previously developed by Van Kampen (van Kampen (1969)) and Hamity (Hamity (1969)). In this relativistic framework Mechanics and Thermodynamics merge in the first law of relativistic thermodynamics expressed, using 4-vector notation, such as ΔUμ  =  Wμ  +  Qμ, in Lorentz covariant formulation, which, with the covariant formalism for electromagnetic forces, constitutes a complete Lorentz covariant formulation for classical physics.
On the q‐Bernoulli Numbers and Polynomials with Weight α
Authors: Kim T. , Choi J.
Published: October 2011

We present a systemic study of some families of higher‐order q‐Bernoulli numbers and polynomials with weight α. From these studies, we derive some interesting identities on the q‐Bernoulli numbers and polynomials with weight α.
Some E‐J Generalized Hausdorff Matrices Not of Type M
Authors: Selmanogullari T. , Savaş E. , Rhoades B. E.
Published: October 2011

We show that there exists a regular E‐J generalized
Hausdorff matrix which has no zero elements on the main diagonal
and which is not of type M and establish several other related theorems.
Controller Design for Rotary Inverted Pendulum System Using Evolutionary Algorithms
Authors: Hassanzadeh Iraj , Mobayen Saleh
Published: October 2011

This paper presents evolutionary approaches for designing rotational inverted pendulum (RIP) controller including genetic algorithms (GA), particle swarm optimization (PSO), and ant colony optimization (ACO) methods. The goal is to balance the pendulum in the inverted position. Simulation and experimental results demonstrate the robustness and effectiveness of the proposed controllers with regard to parameter variations, noise effects, and load disturbances. The proposed methods can be considered as promising ways for control of various similar nonlinear systems.
Cortical Evoked Potentials in Children of Diabetic Mothers
Authors: Brinciotti Mario , Napoli Angela , Mittica Antonio , Bitterman Olimpia , Matricardi Maria
Published: October 2011

Type 1 diabetic mothers' infants show a delay of visual evoked potential (VEP) significantly related to some parameters of poor metabolic control during pregnancy. In the present paper we analyzed the characteristics of VEPs and somatosensory evoked potentials (SEPs) recorded in 16 three-year-old type 1 diabetic mothers' children (DMC). Compared with controls (23 nondiabetic mothers' healthy matched children), DMC showed significantly delayed mean latency of VEP (P2) and SEP (P22). In 3 cases (19%), we found pathological responses (+3 SD from the mean value of controls) of VEPs and SEPs. At the age of 3 years, the offspring of type 1 diabetic mothers showed delay of cortical evoked responses in both visual and somatosensory systems.
The Effects of Temperature and Relative Humidity on the Viability of the SARS Coronavirus
Authors: Chan K. H. , Peiris J. S. Malik , Lam S. Y. , Poon L. L. M. , Yuen K. Y. , Seto W. H.
Published: October 2011

The main route of transmission of SARS CoV infection is presumed to be respiratory droplets. However the virus is also detectable in other body fluids and excreta. The stability of the virus at different temperatures and relative humidity on smooth surfaces were studied. The dried virus on smooth surfaces retained its viability for over 5 days at temperatures of 22–25°C and relative humidity of 40–50%, that is, typical air-conditioned environments. However, virus viability was rapidly lost (>3 log10) at higher temperatures and higher relative humidity (e.g., 38°C, and relative humidity of >95%). The better stability of SARS coronavirus at low temperature and low humidity environment may facilitate its transmission in community in subtropical area (such as Hong Kong) during the spring and in air-conditioned environments. It may also explain why some Asian countries in tropical area (such as Malaysia, Indonesia or Thailand) with high temperature and high relative humidity environment did not have major community outbreaks of SARS.
Multiparticipant Geographics Annotation for Interactive Rendezvous and Cooperative Monitoring
Authors: Kamejima Kohji
Published: October 2011

A new framework is presented for multiparticipant coordination of over-the-horizon maneuvering processes. In this framework, geographical information is decentralizedly augmented via the multitude of annotation processes: landmark localization by map builder, connection generation by planner, and GPS tracking by probe vehicles. By integrating the augmentation process on a common satellite image, the subscriber participants reuse the geographics within specific maneuvering context. Based on graph theoretic representation of the multiparticipant augment process, an interactive geographics annotation system was developed and verified within the context of interactive rendezvous and cooperative monitoring.
Anonymous Aggregator Election and Data Aggregation in Wireless Sensor Networks
Authors: Holczer Tamás , Buttyán Levente
Published: October 2011

In mission critical cyber-physical systems, dependability is an important requirement at all layers of the system architecture. In this paper, we propose protocols that increase the dependability of wireless sensor networks, which are potentially useful building blocks in cyber-physical systems. More specifically, we propose two private aggregator node election protocols, a private data aggregation protocol, and a corresponding private query protocol for sensor networks that allow for secure in-network data aggregation by making it difficult for an adversary to identify and then physically disable the designated aggregator nodes. Our advanced protocols resist strong adversaries that can physically compromise some nodes.
Inhibitory Effects of Far-Infrared Irradiation Generated by Ceramic Material on Murine Melanoma Cell Growth
Authors: Leung Ting-Kai , Chan Chin-Feng , Lai Ping-Shan , Yang Chih-Hui , Hsu Chia-Yen , Lin Yung-Sheng
Published: October 2011

The biological effects of specific wavelengths, so-called “far-infrared radiation” produced from ceramic material (cFIR), on whole organisms are not yet well understood. In this study, we investigated the biological effects of cFIR on murine melanoma cells (B16-F10) at body temperature. cFIR irradiation treatment for 48 h resulted in an 11.8% decrease in the proliferation of melanoma cells relative to the control. Meanwhile, incubation of cells with cFIR for 48 h significantly resulted in 56.9% and 15.7% decreases in the intracellular heat shock protein (HSP)70 and intracellular nitric oxide (iNO) contents, respectively. Furthermore, cFIR treatment induced 6.4% and 12.3% increases in intracellular reactive oxygen species stained by 5-(and 6)-carboxyl-2′,7′-dichlorodihydrofluorescein diacetate and dihydrorhodamine 123, respectively. Since malignant melanomas are known to have high HSP70 expression and iNO activity, the suppressive effects of cFIR on HSP70 and NO may warrant future interest in antitumor applications.
Aging Independently of the Hormonal Status Changes Pain Responses in Young Postmenopausal Women
Authors: Tousignant-Laflamme Yannick , Marchand Serge
Published: October 2011

Both aging and hormonal status have an effect on pain perception. The goal of this study was to isolate as much as possible the effect of aging in postmenopausal women. Thirty-two women with regular menstrual cycles (RMW) and 18 postmenopausal women (PMW) underwent a 2-minute cold pressor test (CPT) to activate DNIC with a series of tonic heat pain stimulations with a contact thermode to assess ascending pain pathways. We found that this procedure induced much less pain during the first 15 seconds of stimulation the PMW group (P=0.03), while the mean thermode pain ratings, pain tolerance, pain threshold, and DNIC analgesia were similar for both groups (P>0.05). The absence of the peak pain in the PMW was probably due to reduced function of the myelinated Aδ fibers that naturally occurs with age.
Bile Acid Signaling in Liver Metabolism and Diseases
Authors: Li Tiangang , Chiang John Y. L.
Published: October 2011

Obesity, diabetes, and metabolic syndromes are increasingly recognized as health concerns worldwide. Overnutrition and insulin resistance are the major causes of diabetic hyperglycemia and hyperlipidemia in humans. Studies in the past decade provide evidence that bile acids are not just biological detergents facilitating gut nutrient absorption, but also important metabolic regulators of glucose and lipid homeostasis. Pharmacological alteration of bile acid metabolism or bile acid signaling pathways such as using bile acid receptor agonists or bile acid binding resins may be a promising therapeutic strategy for the treatment of obesity and diabetes. On the other hand, bile acid signaling is complex, and the molecular mechanisms mediating the bile acid effects are still not completely understood. This paper will summarize recent advances in our understanding of bile acid signaling in regulation of glucose and lipid metabolism, and the potentials of developing novel therapeutic strategies that target bile acid metabolism for the treatment of metabolic disorders.
Evaluation of Human Papilloma Virus Diagnostic Testing in Oropharyngeal Squamous Cell Carcinoma: Sensitivity, Specificity, and Prognostic Discrimination
Authors: Schache Andrew G. , Liloglou Triantafilos , Risk Janet M. , Filia Anastasia , Jones Terence M. , Sheard Jon , Woolgar Julia A. , Helliwell Timothy R. , Triantafyllou Asterios , Robinson Max , Sloan Philip , Harvey-Woodworth Colin , Sisson Daniel , Shaw Richard J.
Published: October 2011

Purpose: Human papillomavirus-16 (HPV16) is the causative agent in a biologically distinct subset of oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (OPSCC) with highly favorable prognosis. In clinical trials, HPV16 status is an essential inclusion or stratification parameter, highlighting the importance of accurate testing.

Experimental Design: Fixed and fresh-frozen tissue from 108 OPSCC cases were subject to eight possible assay/assay combinations: p16 immunohistochemistry (p16 IHC); in situ hybridization for high-risk HPV (HR HPV ISH); quantitative PCR (qPCR) for both viral E6 RNA (RNA qPCR) and DNA (DNA qPCR); and combinations of the above.

Results: HPV16-positive OPSCC presented in younger patients (mean 7.5 years younger, P = 0.003) who smoked less than HPV-negative patients (P = 0.007). The proportion of HPV16-positive cases increased from 15% to 57% (P = 0.001) between 1988 and 2009. A combination of p16 IHC/DNA qPCR showed acceptable sensitivity (97%) and specificity (94%) compared with the RNA qPCR “gold standard”, as well as being the best discriminator of favorable outcome (overall survival P = 0.002). p16 IHC/HR HPV ISH also had acceptable specificity (90%) but the substantial reduction in its sensitivity (88%) impacted upon its prognostic value (P = 0.02). p16 IHC, HR HPV ISH, or DNA qPCR was not sufficiently specific to recommend in clinical trials when used in isolation.

Conclusions: Caution must be exercised in applying HPV16 diagnostic tests because of significant disparities in accuracy and prognostic value in previously published techniques. Clin Cancer Res; 17(19); 6262–71. ©2011 AACR.
Phase II Study of Irinotecan plus S-1 Combination for Previously Untreated Advanced Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer: Hokkaido Lung Cancer Clinical Study Group Trial (HOT) 0601
Authors: Akie Kenji , Oizumi Satoshi , Ogura Shigeaki , Shinagawa Naofumi , Kikuchi Eiki , Fukumoto Shinichi , Harada Masao , Kinoshita Ichiro , Kojima Tetsuya , Harada Toshiyuki , Fujita Yuka , Ohsaki Yoshinobu , Dosaka-Akita Hirotoshi , Isobe Hiroshi , Nishimura Masaharu ,   Hokkaido Lung Cancer Clinical Study Group
Published: October 2011

Objective: Platinum-free regimens can represent an alternative for advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) if similar efficacy is provided with better tolerability. This study evaluated the efficacy and safety of combined irinotecan and S-1 for chemotherapy-naïve advanced NSCLC. Methods: Chemotherapy consisted of 4-week cycles of intravenous irinotecan (100 mg/m2, days 1 and 15) and oral S-1 (80 mg/m2, days 1–14). The primary endpoint was response rate, while secondary endpoints were overall survival, progression-free survival (PFS), and safety. Results: A total of 112 cycles was administered to 40 patients (median 3 cycles; range 1–6 cycles). Twelve patients showed partial response and 17 patients had stable disease, representing a response rate of 30% and a disease control rate of 72.5%. Median survival time and median PFS were 16.1 and 4.8 months, respectively. Hematological toxicities of grade 3 or 4 were neutropenia (32.5%) and anemia (5.0%). The most common nonhematological toxicities of grade 3 or 4 included diarrhea (15.0%) and anorexia (17.5%). Patients homo- or heterozygous for UGTA1A*6 tended to show a higher incidence of grade 3 diarrhea (p = 0.055). Conclusion: The combination of irinotecan and S-1 offers good efficacy and tolerability for previously untreated advanced NSCLC.
High Circulating Endothelial Progenitor Levels Associated with Poor Survival of Advanced Hepatocellular Carcinoma Patients Receiving Sorafenib Combined with Metronomic Chemotherapy
Authors: Shao Yu-Yun , Lin Zhong-Zhe , Chen Te-Jung , Hsu Chiun , Shen Ying-Chun , Hsu Chih-Hung , Cheng Ann-Lii
Published: October 2011

Objectives: We examined whether circulating endothelial progenitor (CEP) and circulating endothelial cell (CEC) levels had associations with the survival of patients who received antiangiogenic therapy for advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Methods: Patients with advanced HCC were enrolled into a phase II trial evaluating a combination of sorafenib and metronomic chemotherapy with tegafur/uracil as first-line systemic therapy. CEPs and CECs were enumerated with six-color flow cytometry at baseline, 2 weeks, and 4 weeks after treatment and analyzed for their associations with treatment outcomes along with other clinicopathologic factors. Results: Forty patients were enrolled. Baseline CEP and CEC levels were not associated with tumor stages, α-fetoprotein levels, or macrovascular invasion. By univariate analysis, a high baseline CEP level was a significant predictor of poor progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) (p = 0.02 and p = 0.004, respectively). The high baseline CEP level remained an independent, significant predictor of poor PFS [hazard ratio (HR) 1.953, p = 0.049] and OS (HR 2.512, p = 0.004) in multivariate analysis. On the other hand, the baseline or posttreatment CEC levels were not associated with PFS or OS. Conclusion: High baseline CEP levels were associated with poor survival in patients with advanced HCC receiving sorafenib-based antiangiogenic combination therapy.
Circulation
Editors' Picks
Authors:   The Editors
Published: October 2011

The following articles are being highlighted as part of
Circulation's
Topic Review series. This series will summarize the most important manuscripts, as selected by the editors, published in
Circulation
and the
Circulation
subspecialty journals. The studies included in this article represent the most read manuscripts published on the topic of cardiovascular genetics in 2009 and 2010.
Descartes Meets Edgar Rice Burroughs: Beating the Rationalist Equations in Zamiatin's We
Authors: Slusser George
Published: October 2011

Zamiatin's We presents a totalitarian world founded on an extreme application of the quantifying logic of Western rationalism. Everywhere in the rhetoric of D-503, spokesman for the One State, we hear echoes of Descartes, Leibniz, Spinoza, Pascal. Even so, from his very first utterances we see mind unable to control passions, to separate itself from the res extensa relegated beyond the Green Wall. In this “war of rhetorics” for the narrator's soul, we recognize the reason's antagonist to be pulp science fiction – the lurid purple prose and “pink Venusians” displayed on the covers of pulp SF magazines current in France and England at the time of World War I, unruly visions inspired by Verne and the American dime novel. From the evidence in his text, Zamiatin knew these magazines from his stay in England. Irrational numbers are not enough to break down the dreaded equations of rational control. For D-503, the square root of -1 is the unruly forces of pulp prose and images, the way in which mind and body free themselves to explore the “irrational” world of material phenomena, worlds of imagination without end. Pulp becomes Zamiatin's “Dionysian” element. In using it as such, however, Zamiatin makes an important connection. For science fiction itself is a literature born of Descartes's call for mind to master nature, of Pascal's claim that human reason in unique, and alone, in his infinite spaces. But since its own rationalist origins, science fiction itself has struggled against rationalist closure, seeking ways to free mind and body – science and the human condition – for open-ended exploration of worlds beyond logic.
News media encoding of racial reconciliation: Developing a peace journalism model for the analysis of ‘cold’ conflict
Authors: McMahon Rob , Chow-White Peter A.
Published: October 2011

Peace journalism has been developing as a field since the 1970s. However, confusion remains about its central theoretical problematics, its core methodologies and its political project. In this article, we aim to contribute to the development of peace journalism in two ways. Theoretically, we develop peace journalism theory to support analyses of ‘cold’ conflicts by incorporating insights drawn from critical race theory. Methodologically, we propose that research driven by peace journalism should incorporate both agenda-setting and framing theory. We propose an analytical model that emerged from a dialectical consideration of theory and grounded observation of a strategically chosen empirical example drawn from a broadsheet newspaper series.
Nationalism, gender and the multivocality of war discourse in television news
Authors: Pankov Miloš , Mihelj Sabina , Bajt Veronika
Published: October 2011

War discourse is typically characterized by a confluence of nationalist and sexist discourses, and tends to reduce the multiple identities and affiliations of human beings to a black-and-white contrast of ‘us’ and ‘them’. Yet, as argued in this article, we should be wary of over-emphasizing the homogeneity and monovocality of war discourse. While the onset of conflict certainly narrows the range of collective identities and narratives on offer in the public domain, it does not impose a total closure on the negotiation and contestation of meanings. Rather, mediated war discourse retains a measure of ambiguity and multivocality, which can be of vital importance to its appeal. We demonstrate this by examining a sample of war-time news bulletins broadcast in Yugoslavia in 1991, focusing on representations of women.
Devaluing and revaluing seriality: The gendered discourses of media franchising
Authors: Johnson Derek
Published: October 2011

Gender anchors cultural negotiations over what media franchising is and how its serial production practices and narratives are valued. Cultural tensions between the economic viability and cultural legitimacy of seriality are both smoothed and exacerbated by the gendered discourses of media franchising. These discursive interventions are evidenced through examination of popular and trade talk about three television serials for which the term ‘franchise’ inflects, reworks, or disrupts the gendered values ascribed to them. First, although the CW’s Gossip Girl fits squarely into feminized models of serial narrative, franchise discourse claimed institutional and masculine legitimacy by stressing the economic rationality of its serial production. Second, in the case of ABC’s Lost, franchise discourse highlighted the serial repetition of industrialized culture production, challenging masculine valuation of the program based in perceptions of authenticity and singular artistic vision. Lastly, cultural backlash against Sci-Fi’s Battlestar Galactica demonstrates how franchise discourse has directly linked critique of serialized industrial production to moral panic about the feminine. Although dynamic franchise discourses have been deployed across an eclectic, even contradictory range of industrial and narrative practices, in common across each is that the accrual of serial value depends in great part upon gendered meanings ascribed to and by franchising.
Roles as resources: A social roles perspective of change in value networks
Authors: Archpru Akaka Melissa , Chandler Jennifer D.
Published: October 2011

This paper contributes to the understanding of value co-creation and co-production by exploring how social roles can be drawn upon as resources for change in value networks. By broadening the marketing emphasis on dyadic perspectives of social roles to that of a network perspective, a social role is conceptualized as a particular set of practices that connects one actor to one or more other actors. In this way, social roles act as resources for change in value networks because they can lead to social norms and establish social positions, or sets of value-creating relationships connected to a particular actor. The proposed framework suggests that actors continually draw on social roles and social positions as resources in their efforts to co-create value with different actors. Given this, we argue that recent, notable changes in social roles within value networks can be more specifically associated with co-production, or the joint development of potential, exchangeable resources.
Understanding value co-creation in a co-consuming brand community
Authors: Pongsakornrungsilp Siwarit , Schroeder Jonathan E.
Published: October 2011

Recent research has suggested that consumers collectively co-create value through consumption practices. This paper provides additional insights into value creation by demonstrating how individual consumers play distinct roles in the value creation process. By focusing on microdimensions of co-consuming groups, we show how individual consumers engage in value creation processes in the context of brand culture. We bring together concepts of value creation, working consumers, and double exploitation to demonstrate the roles played by consumers and communities in value co-creation. We focus on value creation in a particular type of co-consuming group: an online football fan community. Results show that co-consuming groups are platforms for value creation. We argue that double exploitation is not necessarily a threat to consumers because it may instead enable them to play active roles in value co-creation and gain power against brand owners. This paper contributes to the existing literature on brand community and the value co-creation paradigm by: (1) demonstrating the dynamic roles played by consumers in the value co-creation; (2) revealing new forms of consumer organization; and (3) illustrating how working consumers work among themselves in managing brand communities.
Effect of tool geometry on mechanical and microstructural behaviours in dissimilar friction stir welding of AA 5086–AA 6061
Authors: Jamshidi Aval H , Serajzadeh S , Kokabi A H , Loureiro A
Published: October 2011

The aim of this investigation is to study the effect of geometric tool parameters on mechanical and microstructural behaviours during dissimilar friction stir welding of 5 mm thick plates of AA 5086-O and AA 6061-T6. Three tool geometries were used, including a tool with a concave shoulder and a conical probe with three grooves, flat shoulder and threadless cylindrical probe, and a tool with a flat shoulder and a threaded cylindrical probe. It was found that the tool with a concave shoulder and a conical probe with three grooves produces higher heat input and temperatures that provides more homogeneous stir zones than the other tools. In addition, the grain sizes of the stir zone in the AA 6061 side of all the welds are finer than those produced in the AA 5086 side, and decreasing the weld pitch, i.e. a ratio of welding to rotational speed, results in coarser grain structures in the stir zone.
Hydrocarbon–metal reactions during metal arc welding under oil (MAW-UO)
Authors: Almostaneer H , Cadigan C , Liu S , Olson D L , Richards R , Liang H J
Published: October 2011

Metal arc welding under oil is a new, revolutionary process for the repairs of pipelines which should minimise the need of hot tapping repairs and the construction of bypass lines. The process uses an automated metal arc welding set-up with a continuous wire feed. This process was developed for the in situ internal repairs of in service cross-country pipelines, tanks and vessels by using a smart pig with a modified mechanical design that allows for joint preparation and welding. The unique characteristics found in the under oil arc are discussed in detail. The large range of temperatures that exists between the arc at the order of 10 000°C (18 000°F) and the surrounding oil (ambient) allows for complex reactions between the oil hydrocarbon chains and the steel weld metal. These reactions may considerably impact the weld microstructure. Details of the dissociation of hydrocarbon chains and ionisation of the resulting species must be known to better control the process. In addition, vaporisation of the oil will form oil vapour bubble to surround the welding arc. The oil vapour bubble will also be high in decomposed products that can significantly affect the weld metal composition. Gas chromatography–mass spectrometry was used to investigate the behaviour of a welding arc under oil and the carbon pick-up. Analyses were conducted on oil samples with different welding exposure times to validate the arc behaviour mechanistic model and the gas chromatography–mass spectrometry analysis results.
Targeted delivery of TLR ligands to human and mouse dendritic cells strongly enhances adjuvanticity
Authors: Tacken Paul J. , Zeelenberg Ingrid S. , Cruz Luis J. , van Hout-Kuijer Maaike A. , van de Glind Gerline , Fokkink Remco G. , Lambeck Annechien J. A. , Figdor Carl G.
Published: October 2011

Effective vaccines consist of 2 components: immunodominant antigens and effective adjuvants. Whereas it has been demonstrated that targeted delivery of antigens to dendritic cells (DCs) improves vaccine efficacy, we report here that co-targeting of TLR ligands (TLRLs) to DCs strongly enhances adjuvanticity and immunity. We encapsulated ligands for intracellular TLRs within biodegradable nanoparticles coated with Abs recognizing DC-specific receptors. Targeted delivery of TLRLs to human DCs enhanced the maturation and production of immune stimulatory cytokines and the Ag-specific activation of naive CD8+ T cells. In vivo studies demonstrated that nanoparticles carrying Ag induced cytotoxic T-lymphocyte responses at 100-fold lower adjuvant dose when TLRLs were co-encapsulated instead of administered in soluble form. Moreover, the efficacy of these targeted TLRLs reduced the serum cytokine storm and related toxicity that is associated with administration of soluble TLRLs. We conclude that the targeted delivery of adjuvants may improve the efficacy and safety of DC-based vaccines.
Gemcitabine Alone Versus Gemcitabine Plus Radiotherapy in Patients With Locally Advanced Pancreatic Cancer: An Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group Trial
Authors: Loehrer Patrick J. , Feng Yang , Cardenes Higinia , Wagner Lynne , Brell Joanna M. , Cella David , Flynn Patrick , Ramanathan Ramesh K. , Crane Christopher H. , Alberts Steven R. , Benson Al B.
Published: October 2011

Purpose

The purpose of this trial was to evaluate the role of radiation therapy with concurrent gemcitabine (GEM) compared with GEM alone in patients with localized unresectable pancreatic cancer.

Patients and Methods

Patients with localized unresectable adenocarcinoma of the pancreas were randomly assigned to receive GEM alone (at 1,000 mg/m2/wk for weeks 1 to 6, followed by 1 week rest, then for 3 of 4 weeks) or GEM (600 mg/m2/wk for weeks 1 to 5, then 4 weeks later 1,000 mg/m2 for 3 of 4 weeks) plus radiotherapy (starting on day 1, 1.8 Gy/Fx for total of 50.4 Gy). Measurement of quality of life using the Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy–Hepatobiliary questionnaire was also performed.

Results

Of 74 patients entered on trial and randomly assigned to receive GEM alone (arm A; n = 37) or GEM plus radiation (arm B; n = 34), patients in arm B had greater incidence of grades 4 and 5 toxicities (41% v 9%), but grades 3 and 4 toxicities combined were similar (77% in A v 79% in B). No statistical differences were seen in quality of life measurements at 6, 15 to 16, and 36 weeks. The primary end point was survival, which was 9.2 months (95% CI, 7.9 to 11.4 months) and 11.1 months (95% CI, 7.6 to 15.5 months) for arms A and B, respectively (one-sided P = .017 by stratified log-rank test).

Conclusion

This trial demonstrates improved overall survival with the addition of radiation therapy to GEM in patients with localized unresectable pancreatic cancer, with acceptable toxicity.
Corresponding with Infidels: Rome, the Almohads, and the Christians of Thirteenth-Century Morocco
Authors: Whalen Brett Edward
Published: October 2011

Under Popes Honorius III, Gregory IX, and Innocent IV, the thirteenth-century papacy opened an unprecedented diplomatic dialogue with the Almohad dynasty in northern Africa. Working in conjunction with members of the new mendicant orders, above all the Franciscans, the Roman Church supported missionary efforts to convert Muslims, but demonstrated an even greater concern with maintaining a “pastoral mission” among Christians living under Almohad authority in Morocco. Such diplomatic outreach, characterized by the papal recognition of legitimate Islamic sovereignty, struck a different tone than the one found in contemporary narratives of Franciscan martyrdom in Morocco or in the language of the crusading movement. Diplomacy, however, did not so much represent an alternative to expressions of religious violence, as a complement to the overall goals and aspirations of the Roman Church to extend the borders of the Christian faith, albeit in this case through a measured dialogue rather than through open conflict.
Axial-selectivity in Prins Cyclization Reaction: Synthesis of 4-Iodotetrahydropyrans
Authors: Saikia Anil K , Bondalapati Somasekhar , Indukuri Kiran , Gogoi Paramartha
Published: October 2011

Trimethylsilyl triflate and tetrabutylammonium iodide (TBAI) effectively mediate the Prins cyclization of homoallylic alcohols and aldehydes to give 4-iodotetrahydropyrans with axial selectivity and good yields.
Expeditious Modular Assembly of Multisubstituted Cyclohexanes via Dioxanone–Dienes
Authors: Aoki Yoshifumi , Mochizuki Yuta , Yoshinari Tomohiro , Ohmori Ken , Suzuki Keisuke
Published: October 2011

An effective route to multisubstituted cyclohexanes has been developed by exploiting the Diels–Alder reaction of easily available dienes within a dioxanone moiety with electron-deficient dienophiles.
Ring Expansion of Cyclopropylbenzocyclobutenes En Route to Benzocycloheptenes
Authors: Fukui Nobuaki , Hamura Toshiyuki , Ohmori Ken , Suzuki Keisuke
Published: October 2011

Ring expansion of benzocyclobutenes bearing a cyclopropane ring to benzocycloheptenes is described, which allows facile construction of highly functionalized seven-membered ring compounds.
10% Efficiency Dye-sensitized Solar Cells Using P25 TiO2 Nanocrystalline Electrode Prepared by a Bead-milling Method
Authors: Yamamoto Yasuhiro , Kawaraya Masahide , Segawa Hiroshi , Uchida Satoshi , Kano Junya , Saito Fumio , Tsujimoto Kazuki , Saito Tsubasa , Ito Seigo
Published: October 2011

Dispersions of TiO2 nanoparticles were prepared from titania powder (P25, Degussa) using a bead-mill method. The dispersion was controlled by the mixing time and was observed using dynamic laser-light scattering. TiO2 screen-printing pastes were prepared from the TiO2 dispersions for application as photoelectrodes in dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs). The coated nanocrystalline TiO2 electrodes were evaluated using X-ray diffraction (XRD) and a haze meter. The shape and crystallinity of the TiO2 nanoparticles were not changed, but the transparency was improved by the bead-milling process. However, aluminum contamination on the TiO2 surface was found to increase with bead-milling time. A TiO2 paste prepared from an optimized dispersion was used to fabricate a DSSC with 10% photoenergy-conversion efficiency.
Use of outcomes in monitoring healthcare – how many outcome measures are needed in monitoring diabetes in primary care?
Authors: Suleman Javid , Anwar Mohammed Saqib , Weston Claire , Baker Richard
Published: October 2011

Objectives

To investigate the relationship between patient experience assessed through surveys of random samples of practice populations and intermediate outcome targets in those patients with diabetes, collected in the Quality and Outcomes Framework pay-for-performance scheme.

Design

Cross-sectional study.

Setting

The East Midlands region of England.

Participants

Six hundred and twenty-nine general practices.

Main outcome measures

Logistic regression models were used to assess whether practice-level reports of patient experience of access and consultations were associated with achievement of treatment targets (HbA1c of 7.5% and 10% or lower, BP 145/85 mmHg or lower, and cholesterol 5 mmol/L or lower) in people with diabetes. Survey respondent characteristics (ethnicity, age, sex) and practice size, deprivation, and prevalence of diabetes and obesity were also assessed within the models.

Results

Patient experience of practice populations explained little of the variation in diabetes treatment targets. In the practice survey, the proportion of respondents who had seen a nurse in the last 6 months was associated with increased likelihood of achieving HbA1c of 7.5%, and being involved in decision-making or having tests and treatment explained were associated with achievement of HbA1c of 10% or less, cholesterol of 5 mmol/L or less, and BP of 145/85 or less.

Conclusions

Although patient experience at practice level should be included in monitoring outcomes, it should not replace monitoring clinical outcomes in diabetes. A mix of clinical and patient experience measures will have to be used to monitor outcomes in general practice.
Femoral component loosening in high-flexion total knee replacement
Authors: Bollars P. , Luyckx J.-P. , Innocenti B. , Labey L. , Victor J. , Bellemans J.
Published: October 2011

High-flexion total knee replacement (TKR) designs have been introduced to improve flexion after TKR. Although the early results of such designs were promising, recent literature has raised concerns about the incidence of early loosening of the femoral component. We compared the minimum force required to cause femoral component loosening for six high-flexion and six conventional TKR designs in a laboratory experiment.

Each TKR design was implanted in a femoral bone model and placed in a loading frame in 135° of flexion. Loosening of the femoral component was induced by moving the tibial component at a constant rate of displacement while maintaining the same angle of flexion. A stereophotogrammetric system registered the relative movement between the femoral component and the underlying bone until loosening occurred.

Compared with high-flexion designs, conventional TKR designs required a significantly higher force before loosening occurred (p < 0.001). High-flexion designs with closed box geometry required significantly higher loosening forces than high-flexion designs with open box geometry (p = 0.0478). The presence of pegs further contributed to the fixation strength of components.

We conclude that high-flexion designs have a greater risk for femoral component loosening than conventional TKR designs. We believe this is attributable to the absence of femoral load sharing between the prosthetic component and the condylar bone during flexion.
Sensitivity and specificity of blood cobalt and chromium metal ions for predicting failure of metal-on-metal hip replacement
Authors: Hart A. J. , Sabah S. A. , Bandi A. S. , Maggiore P. , Tarassoli P. , Sampson B. , A. Skinner J.
Published: October 2011

Blood metal ions have been widely used to investigate metal-on-metal hip replacements, but their ability to discriminate between well-functioning and failed hips is not known. The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) has suggested a cut-off level of 7 parts per billion (ppb).

We performed a pair-matched, case-control study to investigate the sensitivity and specificity of blood metal ion levels for diagnosing failure in 176 patients with a unilateral metal-on-metal hip replacement. We recruited 88 cases with a pre-revision, unexplained failed hip and an equal number of matching controls with a well-functioning hip. We investigated the 7 ppb cut-off level for the maximum of cobalt or chromium and determined optimal mathematical cut-off levels from receiver-operating characteristic curves.

The 7 ppb cut-off level for the maximum of cobalt or chromium had a specificity of 89% and sensitivity 52% for detecting a pre-operative unexplained failed metal on metal hip replacement. The optimal cut-off level for the maximum of cobalt or chromium was 4.97 ppb and had sensitivity 63% and specificity 86%.

Blood metal ions had good discriminant ability to separate failed from well-functioning hip replacements. The MHRA cut-off level of 7 ppb provides a specific test but has poor sensitivity.
The sentinel vein
Authors: Makwana N. , Hossain M. , Kumar A. , Mbako A.
Published: October 2011

Damage to the dorsomedial branch of the medial dorsal cutaneous nerve is not uncommon in surgery of the hallux. The resultant morbidity can be disabling. In the light of the senior author’s operative observation of a sentinel vein, we undertook a cadaver study to investigate the anatomical relationships of the dorsomedial branch of the medial dorsal cutaneous nerve. This established that in 14 of 16 cadaver great toes exposed via a modified medial incision, there is an easily identified vein which runs transversely superficial and proximal to the nerve. In a prospective clinical study of 171 operations on the great toe using this approach, we confirmed this anatomical relationship in 142 procedures (83%), with no complaint of numbness or pain in the scar at follow-up. We attribute this to careful identification of the ‘sentinel’ vein and the subjacent sensory nerve, which had been successfully protected from damage. We recommend this technique when operating on the great toe.