bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Obstacle Emergence Risk and Road Patrol Policy
Authors: Kobayashi Kiyoshi , Kaito Kiyoyuki
Published: January 2012

The authors model the emergence processes of road obstacles, such as fallen objects on roads, the deformation and destruction of pavements, and the damage and destruction of road facilities, as counting processes. Especially, in order to take into account the heterogeneity of the emergence risk of a variety of road obstacles, the authors model a mixture Poisson process in which the arrival rate of road obstacles is subject to a probability distribution. In detail, the authors formulate a Poisson-Gamma model expressing the heterogeneity of the arrival rate as a Gamma distribution and formulate the management indicator of the emergence risk of road obstacles. Then, a methodology is developed in order to design a road patrol policy that can minimize the road obstacle risk with a limited amount of budget. Furthermore, the authors empirically verify that it is possible to design road patrol policy based on the emergence risk of actual road obstacles with the proposed methodology, by studying the cases of the application of the methodology to general national roads.
Role of Ascorbate in the Regulation of theArabidopsis thalianaRoot Growth by Phosphate Availability
Authors: Tyburski Jarosław , Dunajska-Ordak Kamila , Skorupa Monika , Tretyn Andrzej
Published: January 2012

Arabidopsisroot system responds to phosphorus (P) deficiency by decreasing primary root elongation and developing abundant lateral roots. Feeding plants with ascorbic acid (ASC) stimulated primary root elongation in seedlings grown under limiting P concentration. However, at high P, ASC inhibited root growth. Seedlings of ascorbate-deficient mutant(vtc1)formed short roots irrespective of P availability. P-starved plants accumulated less ascorbate in primary root tips than those grown under high P. ASC-treatment stimulated cell divisions in root tips of seedlings grown at low P. At high P concentrations ASC decreased the number of mitotic cells in the root tips. The lateral root density in seedlings grown under P deficiency was decreased by ASC treatments. At high P, this parameter was not affected by ASC-supplementation.vtc1mutant exhibited increased lateral root formation on either, P-deficient or P-sufficient medium. Irrespective of P availability, high ASC concentrations reduced density and growth of root hairs. These results suggest that ascorbate may participate in the regulation of primary root elongation at different phosphate availability via its effect on mitotic activity in the root tips.
Effects of Environmental Temperature onCapnodis tenebrionisAdult Phenology
Authors: Bonsignore Carmelo Peter
Published: January 2012

The phenology ofCapnodis tenebrionisadults was presented with reference to two different climate conditions. In a temperate moderate-warm climate, adult density showed two separate peaks during the year: one in early summer of the overwintering generation and one with beetles emerging in the late summer. In a warmer semiarid climate, the overwintering adults and the new generation overlapped during summer with a continuous increase of adult density. The difference in the average annual temperature between areas during the study period was almost3∘C, and, in the warmer area, the new generation ofC. tenebrionisemerged at least one month earlier. To make a prediction of adult presence, a model utilizing degree-days was developed from data collected over a five-year period. Models obtained from equations (Logistic 4-parameter,y(x)=yo+a/(1+(x/xo)b)) of each year were developed to describe the relationship between degree-day accumulation (with a minimal threshold activity temperature of14.21∘Ccalculated in the laboratory) and the cumulative percentage of adult presence. According to the overall model, the 50% of overwintering beetles occurred at 726 degree-days (Biofix: 1st March) and the emerging beetles occurred at 801 degree-days (Biofix: 1st July). The results show that a change in temperature is an important aspect that highlights the adaptability of this species.
Separable Transition Density in the Hybrid Model for Tumor-Immune System Competition
Authors: Cattani Carlo , Ciancio Armando
Published: January 2012

A hybrid model, on the competition tumor cells immune system, is studied under suitable hypotheses. The explicit form for the equations is obtained in the case where the density function of transition is expressed as the product of separable functions. A concrete application is given starting from a modified Lotka-Volterra system of equations.
Raman Spectroscopy at High Pressures
Authors: Goncharov Alexander F.
Published: January 2012

Raman spectroscopy is one of the most informative probes for studies of material properties under extreme conditions of high pressure. The Raman techniques have become more versatile over the last decades as a new generation of optical filters and multichannel detectors become available. Here, recent progress in the Raman techniques for high-pressure research and its applications in numerous scientific disciplines including physics and chemistry of materials under extremes, earth and planetary science, new materials synthesis, and high-pressure metrology will be discussed.
Organic Pollutants Removal from Petroleum Refinery Wastewater with Nanotitania Photocatalyst and UV Light Emission
Authors: Saien Javad , Shahrezaei Fatemeh
Published: January 2012

A real petroleum refinery wastewater, containing a range of aliphatic and aromatic organic compounds, was treated using nanotitania particles, as the photocatalyst in UV/TiO2process. Samples were collected from the inlet point of the biological treatment unit. A conic-shape, circulating, and upward mixing reactor, without dead zone, was employed. The light source was an immersed mercury UV lamp (400 W, 200–550 nm). Optimal suspended catalyst concentration, fluid pH, and temperature were obtained at amounts of near 100 mg·L−1, 3 and 45°C, respectively. A maximum reduction in chemical oxygen demand (COD) of more than 78% was achieved after about 120 min and, hence, 72% after only 90 min. Significant pollutant degradation was also relevant under other conditions. The identification analysis of the organic pollutants, provided by means of a GC/MS, equipped with headspace injection technique, showed that different petroleum compounds were degraded with high efficiencies.
Complications and Functional Results of Surgery for Locally Advanced Prostate Cancer
Authors: Joniau S. G. , Van Baelen A. A. , Hsu C. Y. , Van Poppel H. P.
Published: January 2012

The role of surgery in clinical stage T3 prostate cancer (cT3 PCa) is still subject to debate. We reviewed the records of 139 consecutive patients who underwent a radical prostatectomy (RP) for cT3 PCa with a mean follow-up of 8 years. All data related to surgical and perioperative complications were collected. Continence and erectile function were assessed at 12 months postoperatively and long-term oncologic outcomes were analyzed. Rectal injury and injury of the obturator nerve occurred both in 0.7% of cases. No serious in-hospital complications were noted and no reintervention was needed. Lymphatic leakage was noted in 2.2% of patients and 1.4% experienced prolonged drainage of urine. In 7.2%, wound-related problems occurred. Anastomotic stricture occurred in 2.9%. These complication rates were not different compared to surgical series of RP in localized PCa. At 12 months, complete continence was 87.8% and erectile function had fully recovered in 6% and 10% of patients who underwent a non-nerve sparing or unilateral nerve-sparing procedure, respectively. 10-year estimated biochemical PFS, clinical PFS, CSS and OS were 51.8%, 85.6%, 94.6% and 85.9%, respectively. In cT3 PCa, RP is technically feasible with morbidity comparable to RP in clinically localized PCa. Long-term oncologic control was excellent.
Epistaxis in Visceral Leishmaniasis with Hematological Correlation
Authors: Sigdel B. , Bhandary S. , Rijal S.
Published: January 2012

Objective. To study the prevalence of epistaxis in visceral leismaniasis and its correlation with hematological profile.Methods. Out of 80 diagnosed cases of visceral leishmaniasis, 19 patients with epistaxis were included in the study. Diagnosis was made by Rk-39 from peripheral smear and LD bodies from bone marrow. Before starting anti-kala-azar treatment, nasal examination findings and hematological profile were noted.Study Design. Prospective cross-sectional hospital-based study.Results. Epistaxis was found in the age group of 7–66 years. Epistaxis was observed in 19 (23.8%) cases. One patient died because of epistaxis and neck hematoma.Conclusion. Epistaxis is a common ENT finding in endemic area of visceral leishmaniasis like our case.
Sequential Determination of Total Arsenic and Cadmium in Concentrated Cadmium Sulphate Solutions by Flow-Through Stripping Chronopotentiometry after Online Cation Exchanger Separation
Authors: Cacho Frantisek , Lauko Lukas , Manova Alena , Dzurov Jan , Beinrohr Ernest
Published: January 2012

Flow-through stripping chronopotentiometry with a gold wire electrode was used for the determination of total arsenic and cadmium in cadmium sulphate solutions for cadmium production. The analysis is based on the online separation of arsenic as arsenate anion from cadmium cations by means of a cation exchanger. On measuring arsenate in the effluent, the trapped cadmium is eluted by sodium chloride solution and determined in a small segment of the effluent by making use of the same electrode. The elaborated protocol enables a full automatic measurement of both species in the same sample solution. The accuracy of the results was confirmed by atomic absorption spectrometry. The LOD and LOQ for Arsenic were found to be 0.9 μg dm-3and 2.7 μg dm-3, respectively. A linear response range was observed in the concentration range of 1 to 300 μg dm-3for sample volumes of 4 mL. The repeatability and reproducibility were found to be 2.9% and 5.2%, respectively. The linear response range for cadmium was found to be 0.5 to 60 g/L. The method was tested on samples from a cadmium production plant.
Endometrial Stem Cells and Reproduction
Authors: Morelli Sara S. , Yi Pauline , Goldsmith Laura T.
Published: January 2012

Abnormal endometrial function remains a significant cause of implantation failure, recurrent pregnancy loss, and other pathologies responsible for female infertility. The development of novel therapies to treat infertility due to endometrial dysfunction requires an understanding of the latest advancements in endometrial cell biology, such as the role of endometrial stem cells. The remarkable regenerative capacity of the human endometrium is absolutely essential for successful reproduction and likely requires a population of stem cells in the endometrium. The purpose of this review is to provide an introduction to some of the newest concepts in endometrial stem cell biology.
Spectrophotometric Quantification of Toxicologically Relevant Concentrations of Chromium(VI) in Cosmetic Pigments and Eyeshadow Using Synthetic Lachrymal Fluid Extraction
Authors: Wurster Sarah , Kratz Evamaria , Lachenmeier Dirk W. , Mildau Gerd
Published: January 2012

Chromium(VI) salts are possible contaminants of the chromium(III) pigments used as colorants in eyeshadow preparations. The use of products containing these contaminants poses acute risks for sensitization and contact allergies. Chromium(VI) compounds are also classified as carcinogenic to humans (IARC group 1). An analytical method to analyse trace levels of chromium(VI) in eyeshadow was developed in this study. The method is based on an extraction of the chromium(VI) from the sample using a maximum extraction with alkali and additionally with synthetic lachrymal fluid to simulate physiological conditions. Following derivatization with 1,5-diphenylcarbazide, the extracted chromium(VI) is then quantified by spectrophotometry (540 nm). Validation tests indicated a method standard deviation (inter- and intraday) of 8.7% and a linear range up to 25 mg/kg. The average recovery was 107.9%, and the detection limit was 2.7 mg/kg. The applicability of the procedure was confirmed by the analysis of pigments and authentic eyeshadow matrices.
Pocket Proteins Suppress Head and Neck Cancer
Authors: Shin Myeong-Kyun , Pitot Henry C. , Lambert Paul F.
Published: January 2012

Head and neck squamous cell carcinomas (HNSCC) is a common cancer in humans long known to be caused by tobacco and alcohol use, but now an increasing percentage of HNSCC is recognized to be caused by the same human papillomaviruses (HPV) that cause cervical and other anogenital cancers. HPV-positive HNSCCs differ remarkably from HPV-negative HNSCCs in their clinical response and molecular properties. From studies in mice, we know that E7 is the dominant HPV oncoprotein in head and neck cancer. E7 is best known for its ability to inactivate pRb, the product of the retinoblastoma tumor susceptibility gene. However, loss of pRb function does not fully account for potency of E7 in causing head and neck cancer. In this study, we characterized the cancer susceptibility of mice deficient in the expression of pRb and either of two related “pocket” proteins, p107 and p130, that are also inactivated by E7. pRb/p107-deficient mice developed head and neck cancer as frequently as do HPV-16 E7 transgenic mice. The head and neck epithelia of the pRb/p107-deficient mice also displayed the same acute phenotypes and biomarker readouts as observed in the epithelia of E7 transgenic mice. Mice deficient for pRb and p130 in their head and neck epithelia showed intermediate acute and tumor phenotypes. We conclude that pRb and p107 act together to efficiently suppress head and neck cancer and are, therefore, highly relevant targets of HPV-16 E7 in its contribution to HPV-positive HNSCC. Cancer Res; 72(5); 1280–9. ©2012 AACR.
VEGF Receptor Inhibitors Block the Ability of Metronomically Dosed Cyclophosphamide to Activate Innate Immunity–Induced Tumor Regression
Authors: Doloff Joshua C. , Waxman David J.
Published: January 2012

In metronomic chemotherapy, frequent drug administration at lower than maximally tolerated doses can improve activity while reducing the dose-limiting toxicity of conventional dosing schedules. Although the antitumor activity produced by metronomic chemotherapy is attributed widely to antiangiogenesis, the significance of this mechanism remains somewhat unclear. In this study, we show that a 6-day repeating metronomic schedule of cyclophosphamide administration activates a potent antitumor immune response associated with brain tumor recruitment of natural killer (NK) cells, macrophages, and dendritic cells that leads to marked tumor regression. Tumor regression was blocked in nonobese diabetic/severe combined immunodeficient (NOD/SCID-γ) mice, which are deficient or dysfunctional in all these immune cell types. Furthermore, regression was blunted by NK cell depletion in immunocompetent syngeneic mice or in perforin-deficient mice, which are compromised for NK, NKT, and T-cell cytolytic functions. Unexpectedly, we found that VEGF receptor inhibitors blocked both innate immune cell recruitment and the associated tumor regression response. Cyclophosphamide administered at a maximum tolerated dose activated a transient, weak innate immune response, arguing that persistent drug-induced cytotoxic damage or associated cytokine and chemokine responses are required for effective innate immunity–based tumor regression. Together, our results reveal an innate immunity–based mechanism of tumor regression that can be activated by a traditional cytotoxic chemotherapy administered on a metronomic schedule. These findings suggest the need to carefully evaluate the clinical effects of combination chemotherapies that incorporate antiangiogenesis drugs targeting VEGF receptor. Cancer Res; 72(5); 1103–15. ©2012 AACR.
Exploiting the Mutanome for Tumor Vaccination
Authors: Castle John C. , Kreiter Sebastian , Diekmann Jan , Löwer Martin , van de Roemer Niels , de Graaf Jos , Selmi Abderraouf , Diken Mustafa , Boegel Sebastian , Paret Claudia , Koslowski Michael , Kuhn Andreas N. , Britten Cedrik M. , Huber Christoph , Türeci Özlem , Sahin Ugur
Published: January 2012

Multiple genetic events and subsequent clonal evolution drive carcinogenesis, making disease elimination with single-targeted drugs difficult. The multiplicity of gene mutations derived from clonal heterogeneity therefore represents an ideal setting for multiepitope tumor vaccination. Here, we used next generation sequencing exome resequencing to identify 962 nonsynonymous somatic point mutations in B16F10 murine melanoma cells, with 563 of those mutations in expressed genes. Potential driver mutations occurred in classical tumor suppressor genes and genes involved in proto-oncogenic signaling pathways that control cell proliferation, adhesion, migration, and apoptosis. Aim1 and Trrap mutations known to be altered in human melanoma were included among those found. The immunogenicity and specificity of 50 validated mutations was determined by immunizing mice with long peptides encoding the mutated epitopes. One-third of these peptides were found to be immunogenic, with 60% in this group eliciting immune responses directed preferentially against the mutated sequence as compared with the wild-type sequence. In tumor transplant models, peptide immunization conferred in vivo tumor control in protective and therapeutic settings, thereby qualifying mutated epitopes that include single amino acid substitutions as effective vaccines. Together, our findings provide a comprehensive picture of the mutanome of B16F10 melanoma which is used widely in immunotherapy studies. In addition, they offer insight into the extent of the immunogenicity of nonsynonymous base substitution mutations. Lastly, they argue that the use of deep sequencing to systematically analyze immunogenicity mutations may pave the way for individualized immunotherapy of cancer patients. Cancer Res; 72(5); 1081–91. ©2012 AACR.
Phase II, Open-Label Study of Brivanib as Second-Line Therapy in Patients with Advanced Hepatocellular Carcinoma
Authors: Finn Richard S. , Kang Yoon-Koo , Mulcahy Mary , Polite Blase N. , Lim Ho Yeong , Walters Ian , Baudelet Christine , Manekas Demetrios , Park Joong-Won
Published: January 2012

Purpose: Brivanib, a selective dual inhibitor of fibroblast growth factor and VEGF signaling, has recently been shown to have activity as first-line treatment for patients with advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). This phase II open-label study assessed brivanib as second-line therapy in patients with advanced HCC who had failed prior antiangiogenic treatment.

Experimental Design: Brivanib was administered orally at a dose of 800 mg once daily. The primary objectives were tumor response rate, time to response, duration of response, progression-free survival, overall survival (OS), disease control rate, time to progression (TTP), and safety and tolerability.

Results: Forty-six patients were treated. Best responses to treatment with brivanib (N = 46 patients) using modified World Health Organization criteria were partial responses for two patients (4.3%), stable disease for 19 patients (41.3%), and progressive disease for 19 patients (41.3%). The tumor response rate was 4.3%; the disease control rate was 45.7%. Median OS was 9.79 months. Median TTP as assessed by study investigators following second-line treatment with brivanib was 2.7 months. The most common adverse events were fatigue, decreased appetite, nausea, diarrhea, and hypertension.

Conclusion: Brivanib had a manageable safety profile and is one of the first agents to show promising antitumor activity in advanced HCC patients treated with prior sorafenib. Clin Cancer Res; 18(7); 2090–8. ©2012 AACR.
MET Activation Mediates Resistance to Lapatinib Inhibition of HER2-Amplified Gastric Cancer Cells
Authors: Chen Chin-Tung , Kim Hyaehwan , Liska David , Gao Sizhi , Christensen James G. , Weiser Martin R.
Published: January 2012

HER2 amplification is found in more than 15% of gastric cancers and is associated with poor clinical outcome. Lapatinib, a dual HER2 and epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) tyrosine kinase inhibitor, has shown promising in vitro results in treating HER2+ cancer cells. However, several studies have shown that activation of alternative receptor tyrosine kinases can mediate resistance to HER-targeted therapy. Here, we investigated whether activated MET can confer resistance to lapatinib inhibition of gastric cancer cells. A panel of gastric cancer cell lines was treated with lapatinib, and we observed that cell proliferation was reduced by 70% and that the degree of HER2 amplification corresponds to sensitivity to lapatinib. Immunoblotting analysis indicated that phosphorylation of HER2, EGFR, MET, AKT, and extracellular signal-regulated kinase was inhibited by lapatinib and presumably led to cell-cycle arrest as observed with flow cytometry. Hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) activation of MET receptors rescued cells from lapatinib-induced growth inhibition by restimulating the downstream pathways and restoring normal cell-cycle progression. This rescue effect could be abrogated by inhibiting MET with PHA-665752 (a highly specific MET inhibitor) or downregulating MET expression with short interfering RNA. No synergy in growth inhibition was observed when cells were treated with a combination of lapatinib and PHA-665752. Repeat studies using insulin-like growth factor 1 and fibroblast growth factor 3 could not uniformly rescue the lapatinib-treated gastric cancer cells. In conclusion, HGF/MET–mediated resistance to lapatinib is a novel mechanism of resistance to HER2-targeted agents in gastric cancer cells. Development of inhibitors targeting multiple receptors or common downstream signaling proteins merits further investigation. Mol Cancer Ther; 11(3); 660–9. ©2012 AACR.
A Role for ATM in Hereditary Pancreatic Cancer
Authors: Bakker Janine L. , de Winter Johan P.
Published: January 2012

The genetic risk factors that contribute to pancreatic cancers are largely unknown. A new next-generation sequencing study by Roberts and colleagues now adds ATM to the list of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma predisposition genes. Cancer Discovery; 2(1); 14–5. ©2012 AACR.

Commentary on Roberts et al., p. 41.
Tackling Formalin-Fixed, Paraffin-Embedded Tumor Tissue with Next-Generation Sequencing
Authors: Corless Christopher L. , Spellman Paul T.
Published: January 2012

Most tumor samples available for clinical genotyping are formalin-fixed and paraffin-embedded (FFPE), but there has been relatively little published on the suitability of such samples for next-generation sequencing approaches. A new study by Wagle and colleagues shows that a combination of hybridization-capture and deep sequencing yields high-quality data from FFPE specimens. Cancer Discovery; 2(1); 23–4. ©2012 AACR.

Commentary on Wagle et al., p. 82.
Blastic Plasmacytoid Dendritic Cell Neoplasm without Cutaneous Lesion at Presentation: Case Report and Literature Review
Authors: Wang Huijie , Cao Junning , Hong Xiaonan
Published: January 2012

Blastic plasmacytoid dendritic cell neoplasm (BPDCN) is a rare and highly aggressive hematological malignancy derived from precursors of plasmacytoid dendritic cells. This disease typically presents with cutaneous involvement as the first manifestation, with subsequent or simultaneous spread to bone marrow and peripheral blood. It is exceedingly rare to diagnose BPDCN without a cutaneous lesion. Here, we report a 21-year-old male who was diagnosed with BPDCN in the absence of cutaneous symptoms. Clinically, left inguinal nodules were noticed for 4 months. The diagnosis of BPDCN was established based on histological and immunohistochemical study of a lymph node biopsy. The patient was classified as stage IVA with bone marrow involvement and underwent three cycles of hyper-CVAD alternating with high-dose methotrexate and cytarabine. A complete response was established after one cycle; however, the patient relapsed with disseminated cutaneous lesions and bone marrow involvement following a response duration of 10 months. This case is significant for BPDCN presenting with lymph node and bone marrow involvement in the absence of characteristic cutaneous manifestations.
Genetic Analysis Reveals Population Structuring and a Bottleneck in the Black-Faced Lion Tamarin (Leontopithecus caissara)
Authors: Rakotondranary S. Jacques , Ganzhorn Jörg U.
Published: January 2012

The ability of a population to evolve in a changing environment may be compromised by human-imposed barriers to gene flow. We investigated the population structure and the possible occurrence of a genetic bottleneck in two isolated populations of the black-faced lion tamarin (Leontopithecus caissara), a species with very reduced numbers (less than 400) in a very restricted range in the Atlantic Forest of southeast Brazil. We determined the genotypes of 52 individuals across 9 microsatellite loci. We found genetic divergence between the populations, each exhibiting low genetic diversity. Analysis revealed broad- and fine-scale population structuring. Both populations have evidently experienced population reduction and a genetic bottleneck without presenting any apparent detrimental effect. Anyway, measures should be taken to effectively protect the forests where L. caissara occurs in order to allow its populations to increase and counteract the eventual effects of genetic impoverishment.
On the Role of Variables in Phonology: Remarks on Hayes and Wilson 2008
Authors: Berent Iris , Wilson Colin , Marcus Gary F. , Bemis Douglas K.
Published: January 2012

A computational model by Hayes and Wilson (2008) seemingly captures a diverse range of phonotactic phenomena without variables, contrasting with the presumptions of many formal theories. Here, we examine the plausibility of this approach by comparing generalizations of identity restrictions by this architecture and human learners. Whereas humans generalize identity restrictions broadly, to both native and nonnative phonemes, the original model and several related variants failed to generalize to nonnative phonemes. In contrast, a revised model equipped with variables more closely matches human behavior. These findings suggest that, like syntax, phonological grammars are endowed with algebraic relations among variables that support across-the-board generalizations.
Atherosclerotic Risk Factors and Premature Atherosclerosis in Acromegaly Before and After 48 Months of Octreotide-LAR Treatment
Authors: Boysan S. N. , Kantarci F. , Celik O. , Mihmanli I. , Gazioglu N. , Kadioglu Pinar
Published: January 2012

We studied premature atherosclerosis with carotid Doppler ultrasonography in active acromegaly before and after treatment. Patients (n = 27) with active acromegaly and 12 age-, gender-, and body mass index-matched healthy individuals were included in the study. Carotid intima–media thickness was decreased significantly in the inactive group after treatment (median: 0.6 mm, interquartile range [IQR]: 0.55-0.80]) when compared with the active group (median: 0.9 mm [IQR: 0.75-1.15], P < .0001), but there was no significant difference between the inactive and control groups. There was a correlation between homeostasis model of assessment–insulin resistance ( P = .01, r = .41) and growth hormone (GH; P < .0001, r = .46). In conclusion, premature atherosclerosis was demonstrated in active acromegaly patients probably as a consequence of insulin resistance and direct vascular effects of GH and/or insulin-like growth factor 1.
Methodologies for the generation of design summer years for building energy simulation using UKCP09 probabilistic climate projections
Authors: Smith S Th , Hanby VI
Published: January 2012

Design summer years representing near-extreme hot summers have been used in the United Kingdom for the evaluation of thermal comfort and overheating risk. The years have been selected from measured weather data basically representative of an assumed stationary climate. Recent developments have made available ‘morphed’ equivalents of these years by shifting and stretching the measured variables using change factors produced by the UKCIP02 climate projections. The release of the latest, probabilistic, climate projections of UKCP09 together with the availability of a weather generator that can produce plausible daily or hourly sequences of weather variables has opened up the opportunity for generating new design summer years which can be used in risk-based decision-making. There are many possible methods for the production of design summer years from UKCP09 output: in this article, the original concept of the design summer year is largely retained, but a number of alternative methodologies for generating the years are explored. An alternative, more robust measure of warmth (weighted cooling degree hours) is also employed. It is demonstrated that the UKCP09 weather generator is capable of producing years for the baseline period, which are comparable with those in current use. Four methodologies for the generation of future years are described, and their output related to the future (deterministic) years that are currently available. It is concluded that, in general, years produced from the UKCP09 projections are warmer than those generated previously.

Practical applications: The methodologies described in this article will facilitate designers who have access to the output of the UKCP09 weather generator (WG) to generate Design Summer Year hourly files tailored to their needs. The files produced will differ according to the methodology selected, in addition to location, emissions scenario and timeslice.
Completion Node Dissection in Patients with Sentinel Node–Positive Melanoma of the Head and Neck
Authors: Smith Valerie A. , Cunningham Joan E. , Lentsch Eric J.
Published: January 2012

Objective

Determine if completion lymph node dissection (CLND) is associated with improved survival in sentinel lymph node (SLN)–positive cutaneous melanoma of the head and neck (CMHN) patients.

Study Design

Retrospective analysis of large population database.

Setting

Surveillance, Epidemiology and End Results (SEER) database/multiple settings.

Subjects and Methods

Using the SEER database, the authors identified patients with SLN‐positive CMHN. Clinicopathologic data and 5‐year disease‐specific survival (DSS) were examined for patients who underwent sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB) alone vs SLNB + CLND.

Results

Among 350 SLN‐positive patients, 210 (60%) had SLNB + CLND, and 140 (40%) had SLNB only. Patients in the SLNB‐only group were significantly older (median age 62 vs 53 years, P <. 0001). The cohort as a whole did not significantly benefit from CLND; however, CLND was associated with improved DSS for a subgroup of patients age <60 years with nonulcerated tumors ≤2 mm thick (P =. 03). Relative to SLNB alone, CLND did not improve survival for patients age ≥60 years or those with thicker (>2 mm) or ulcerated tumors.

Conclusions

Compared with SLNB alone, CLND does not seem to be associated with improved survival for most patients with SLN‐positive CMHN. CLND likely improves survival for patients age <60 years with thin (≤2 mm) nonulcerated tumors and when there is a low risk of identifying positive non‐SLNs.
Are Some Things Unrepresentable?
Authors: Galloway Alexander
Published: January 2012

Jacques Rancière, in his essay ‘Are Some Things Unrepresentable?’, puts forth a challenge that is ever more pertinent to our times. What constitutes the unrepresentable today? Rancière frames his answer in a very specific way: the question of unrepresentability leads directly to the way in which political violence may or may not be put into an image. Offering an alternative to Rancière’s approach, the present article turns instead to the information society, asking if and how something might be unrepresentable in a world saturated by data and information. Thus one approaches the issue of transparency and secrecy here from the perspective of the relative perspicuity (or opacity) of data visualization. Two theses structure the argument, first that ‘data have no necessary visual form’ and, second, that ‘only one visualization has ever been made of an information network’. The tension between these two theses leads to a disconcerting conclusion, that the triumph of information aesthetics precipitates a decline in informatic perspicuity. One is obligated therefore to call for a strong reinvigoration of poetics and hermeneutics within the digital universe, so that representation as such can take place, perhaps for the first time.
The Secrets of Paul de Man
Authors: McQuillan Martin
Published: January 2012

Through an account of Derrida's late text on Paul de Man, ‘“Le Parjure”, Perhaps’, as a deliberately indiscrete confession, this essay considers the wider question of secrecy. It examines an unsuspected institutional history of deconstruction while suggesting a role for secrecy as the necessary condition of any critical reading. Along with De Man, the essay finally revisits the claim for ‘the radical secrecy of fiction’ as a basic structure of phenomena.
On Rubbish
Authors: Min’an Wang
Published: January 2012

This article deals with the relationship between garbage and city, with special emphasis on the relationship between garbage and the modern commodity. With regard to the latter, the same material thing takes the form of commodity and garbage successively in its lifetime. Garbage is the corpse of commodity, so the number of commodities decides the quantity of garbage. A different relation of commodity to waste has existed in the countryside in China, where the circulation of waste products enters into a different relationship with the production of material life. By contrast, the modern city is a machine that treats garbage: on the one hand, it carries the commodity continually from the external space of the city to the inner space of the city, and on the other hand, it transports garbage from the inner space of the city to the external space of the city. The city forms its distinctive structure through the processing of garbage.
Gaussian process occupancy maps
Authors: O’Callaghan Simon T , Ramos Fabio T
Published: January 2012

We introduce a new statistical modelling technique for building occupancy maps. The problem of mapping is addressed as a classification task where the robot’s environment is classified into regions of occupancy and free space. This is obtained by employing a modified Gaussian process as a non-parametric Bayesian learning technique to exploit the fact that real-world environments inherently possess structure. This structure introduces dependencies between points on the map which are not accounted for by many common mapping techniques such as occupancy grids. Our approach is an ‘anytime’ algorithm that is capable of generating accurate representations of large environments at arbitrary resolutions to suit many applications. It also provides inferences with associated variances into occluded regions and between sensor beams, even with relatively few observations. Crucially, the technique can handle noisy data, potentially from multiple sources, and fuse it into a robust common probabilistic representation of the robot’s surroundings. We demonstrate the benefits of our approach on simulated datasets with known ground truth and in outdoor urban environments.
Coexistence of hemiplegic migraine with SUNCT or SUNA: a case series
Authors: Lambru Giorgio , Nesbitt Alexander , Shanahan Paul , Matharu Manjit S
Published: January 2012

Background: Hemiplegic migraine (HM) is a rare subtype of migraine with aura that includes transient hemiparesis of different degrees. The dominantly inherited type, called familial hemiplegic migraine, along with the sporadic type, in which no family history of similar attacks exists, have been recently recognized by the revised International Classification of Headache Disorders (ICHD-2). Short-lasting unilateral neuralgiform headache attacks with conjunctival injection and tearing (SUNCT) and short-lasting unilateral neuralgiform headache attacks with cranial autonomic symptoms (SUNA) are also very rare conditions that are classified as trigeminal autonomic cephalalgias. This report provides the first description of an association between HM and SUNCT/SUNA.

Cases: Eight females and two males with both these disorders were identified between 2007 and 2010.

Conclusion: The coexistence of such rare primary headache disorders is probably due to a common underlining mechanism, with a sodium channelopathy being an attractive potential candidate.
Computation of global trajectories of commercial transport aircraft
Authors: Rivas Damián , Valenzuela Alfonso , de Augusto José L
Published: January 2012

A trajectory computation tool designed to compute global trajectories (from take off to landing) of commercial transport aircraft is presented. The global trajectory is defined by a general flight intent, considering flight segments usually flown by transport aircraft, including standard airline procedures, and air traffic control regulations. The computation is based on a trajectory computation solver designed for a general aircraft performance model (general drag polar and general engine model); the formulation takes into account wind effects and temperature corrections for a non-standard atmosphere. In the computation of the global trajectory, the top-of-descent point is determined iteratively, using the actual aircraft weight computed along the flight. Global properties such as total fuel consumption and flight time are computed; the influence of the actual take-off weight is analysed, as well as the effects of wind and non-standard temperatures. The computation tool provides a quantitative evaluation of these effects. Results are presented for a medium-range global trajectory and a model of a typical twin-engine, wide-body and, transport aircraft.
Association study of C1qA polymorphisms with systemic lupus erythematosus in a Han population
Authors: Cao C-W , Li P , Luan H-X , Chen W , Li C-H , Hu C-J , Zhang S-L , Zeng X-F , Zhang F-C , Li Y-Z , Zeng C-Q
Published: January 2012

Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate the association of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the C1qA gene region with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) in a Chinese Han population. Methods: Chinese SLE patients ( n = 748) and ethnically- and geographically-matched healthy controls ( n = 750) were genotyped for the C1qA region SNPs, rs172378 and rs665691, by using the Sequenom MassArray system. Results: The Chinese Han SLE patients and controls had statistically similar frequencies of alleles, genotypes, and haplotypes of C1qA polymorphisms. Moreover, no association signal was detected on different genetic models (additive, dominant, and recessive) or in SLE subgroups stratified by various clinical manifestations. Conclusions: The C1qA SNPs, rs172378 and rs665691, confer no genetic predisposition to SLE in a Chinese Han population.
Read, Sing, Play, and Create a Musical Storm
Authors: Cardany Audrey Berger
Published: January 2012

Dayle Ann Dodds and Rosanne Litzinger’s children’s book, Sing, Sophie! provides the elementary general music teacher with an opportunity to read a captivating children’s story, sing the main character’s song and play her guitar, and create a song as well as instrumental music. Lessons outlined in this article may culminate in a veritable musical storm in the classroom.
Effect of in-plane boundary conditions on forced vibration analysis of stiffened plates with a free edge
Authors: Mitra Anirban , Sahoo Prasanta , Saha Kashinath
Published: January 2012

This paper undertakes a large amplitude forced vibration analysis of stiffened plates with free edges under harmonic excitation through a numerical method. The methodology adopted is an indirect one in which the dynamic system is assumed to satisfy the force equilibrium condition at peak excitation amplitude. Free vibration analysis at the deflected configuration of the same system is also carried out separately to determine the backbone curves. The mathematical formulation is based on energy principles and the governing equations in both forced and free vibration cases are derived using Hamilton’s principle. The set of nonlinear governing equations is solved by employing an iterative direct substitution method with an appropriate relaxation technique. A multidimensional quasi-Newton method, known as Broyden’s method, is separately used when the system becomes computationally stiff. The results for a reduced system are validated with the published results of other researchers. For different combinations of boundary conditions including free edge results are furnished in the dimensionless amplitude-frequency plane. The effect of in-plane end conditions is studied by considering immovable and movable edges. Response in the vicinity of the second mode is also studied. Three dimensional operational deflection shape plots along with contour plots are also provided in a few cases.
Interaction of clarithromycin with cyclosporine in cats: pharmacokinetic study and case report
Authors: Katayama Masaaki , Nishijima Noriko , Okamura Yasuhiko , Katayama Rieko , Yamashita Testuro , Kamishina Hiroaki , Uzuka Yuji
Published: January 2012

Clarithromycin (CLM) has been known to increase the cyclosporine (CsA) trough levels in human transplant patients. However, the interaction of CLM with CsA has not been reported in cats. In this study, the effects of oral dosing of CLM on the pharmacokinetics and dosing of CsA in cats were investigated. Co-administration of CLM with CsA resulted in significant increases of oral bioavailability of CsA. In addition, CLM reduced the CsA dosage required to maintain the therapeutic CsA trough levels to almost 35% of the initial CsA therapy and the dose frequency was successfully replaced from a twice a day schedule to once a day in a feline kidney transplant patient. The addition of CLM to the regular CsA-based immunosuppression could be used as an effective alternative to classical ketoconazole treatment in feline kidney transplant patients and may result in substantial cost saving and convenience for the cat owners.
Agamben, Arendt and human rights
Authors: Lechte John , Newman Saul
Published: January 2012

The key theme in this essay is the rethinking of the human, as inspired by the work of Giorgio Agamben and Hannah Arendt. The human here is not a model or concept to be realised, just as community to which the human is linked is not an ideal, but a ‘community to come’. This is revealed only by paying close attention to modes of bearing witness to the human, as instanced, for example, by Agamben’s text, Remnants of Auschwitz. Current notions of political community and the human thus need to be reassessed. Only by doing this will it be possible to address the crucial issues that currently confront human rights—issues such as the tension between the principle of universal human rights and that of state sovereignty, the growing problem of statelessness, and the reduction of human rights to biopolitical humanitarianism.
Critical literacies in the making: Social class and identities in the early reading classroom
Authors: Jones Stephanie
Published: January 2012

Drawing from a four-year critical ethnographic study of young girls and their literacy practices inside and outside school, this article foregrounds a lived pedagogical moment when conflicting discourses about reading instruction collided in a critically focused second-grade classroom. Through my analyses I make the argument that the pervasiveness of autobiographical connection-making with texts in early reading instruction positions readers to align themselves with the practices and ideological stances of texts rather than to challenge and critique them. This argument will be extended to consider particular literacy-infused experiences of students who are persistently marginalized in society and written out of existence by mainstream children’s literature produced for early readers that sees class-privileged lives as normal. In the conclusion, I suggest that although the Four Resources Model (Freebody and Luke, 1990; Luke and Freebody, 1999) offers four families of practices ‘necessary for literacy in new conditions, but none in and of itself is sufficient for literate citizens or subjects’ (Luke and Freebody, 1999, p.4), the model needs extending to consider issues relating to how marginalized readers may need to feel a sense of entitlement in order to position themselves as text analysts before they can begin challenging and questioning mainstream texts that consistently position their working-class lives as non-existent.
Fast response liquid crystal glasses
Authors: Dumas J-C , Vidal J , Dumas V
Published: January 2012

The consequences of misadaptation when suddenly exposed to bright light can by minimised by gradually darkening (photochromic) glasses and this permits better vision. However, the reaction time of such glasses is of the order of a few seconds which is slow enough to cause visual discomfort when the lighting changes rapidly. The current invention presents an eye device with a fast response time, designed to proportionately filter electromagnetic radiation. This system, consisting of a photo-sensitive sensor, an electronic circuit and two liquid crystal lenses, inserted into an eyeglass frame, gives reaction times in the range 50–100 ms. Such liquid crystal electro-optic filters enhance global visual comfort and can also improve the security of users, e.g. by avoiding the glare to a driver at the exit of a tunnel, as well as being useful during outdoor activities and maybe in some medical conditions.
Performance assessment of commercial circadian personal exposure devices
Authors: Price LLA , Khazova M , O'Hagan JB
Published: January 2012

Through the influence on circadian rhythms, natural and artificial lighting, as well as lifestyle and architecture, affect health and performance. Epidemiological and interventional studies of light-initiated circadian biological outcomes require robust 24‐hour data on personal light exposures, including blue light weighted irradiance data. The performance of the detection systems used is a key factor. We assessed the performance of 16 Actiwatch Spectrum™ devices for spectral response, directional response and dynamic range and propose techniques for calibration, deployment and data analysis for use of the watches in circadian studies. The results are presented, followed by a discussion of applicability focussing on spectral response for circadian studies.
Study of the pH and physical performance characteristics of silver-treated absorbent wound dressings
Authors: Uzun Muhammet , Anand Subhash C , Shah Tahir
Published: January 2012

In this study, two common nonwoven fibrous dressings, based on carboxymethylcellulose and alginate, and their silver-treated forms were evaluated in order to compare their performance characteristics including fluid handling capacity, the mechanical properties, and the thermal behavior. The effect of immersing the dressings in the two fluids (solution A and distilled water) on pH was also studied. The results show some clear differences between the untreated and silver-treated dressings, for example the fluid handling and the swelling values of the dressings were reduced due to silver treatment. More considerably, changes were observed in the tensile properties which were decreased when these dressing were treated with the silver. There was no considerable effect on the thermal characteristics of the dressings upon the silver treatment. Statistically significant differences were observed in the pH over time for all tested specimens and also for both test fluids.
Should Research Ethics Committees Be Observing the Law or Working by Ethical Principles?
Authors: Warlow Charles
Published: January 2012

Recent laws, and their interpretation, have made clinical research more difficult to do, and sometimes impossible. Furthermore the results of that research which can be done may even be unreliable. This is certainly against the public interest, and indeed the individual patient interest as well. But ethics committees have to abide by the law and so even though it is surely unethical to work against the public and individual interest that is exactly what ethics committees now have to endorse. The unintended consequences of the new regulations must be reduced by amending the law.