bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Preoperative chemoradiation may not always be needed for patients with T3 and T2N+ rectal cancer
Authors: Frasson Matteo , Garcia‐Granero Eduardo , Roda Desamparados , Flor‐Lorente Blas , Roselló Susana , Esclapez Pedro , Faus Carmen , Navarro Samuel , Campos Salvador , Cervantes Andrés
Published: January 2011

BACKGROUND:

Preoperative chemoradiation is becoming the standard treatment for patients with locally advanced rectal cancer. However, since the introduction of total mesorectal excision (TME), local recurrence rates have been reduced significantly, and some patients can be spared from potentially toxic over treatment. The current study was designed to assess the factors that predict recurrence in an institutional series of patients with rectal cancer who had clinical T2 lymph node‐positive (cT2N+) tumors or cT3N0/N+ tumors and underwent radical surgery without receiving preoperative chemoradiation.

METHODS:

Between November 1997 and November 2008, the authors' multidisciplinary group preoperatively staged 398 patients with rectal cancer by using endorectal ultrasonography and/or magnetic resonance imaging. The analysis included 152 consecutive patients with cT2N+, cT3N0, or cT3N+ rectal cancer who underwent TME without receiving preoperative chemoradiation. Macroscopic assessment of the mesorectal excision and circumferential resection margins were determined. Factors potentially related to local recurrence (LR), disease‐free survival (DFS) and cancer‐specific survival (CSS) were analyzed.

RESULTS:

After a median follow‐up of 39 months, the 5‐year actuarial LR, DFS, and CSS rates were 9.5%, 65.4%, and 77.8%, respectively, for the whole group. Threatened mesorectal fascia at preoperative staging was the only independent preoperative factor that predicted a higher risk for LR (P = .007), shorter DFS (P = .007), and shorter CSS (P = .05). In particular, the 5‐year LR rates for patients with and without preoperative threatened circumferential resection margins were 19.4% and 5.4%, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS:

The current results suggested that patients with rectal cancer clinically staged as T3N0/N+ or T2N+ with a free margin >2 mm from mesorectal fascia may undergo TME alone, avoiding over treatment with preoperative chemoradiation. Cancer 2011. © 2011 American Cancer Society.
Impact of neoadjuvant chemotherapy on breast reconstruction
Authors: Hu Yue‐Yung , Weeks Christine M. , In Haejin , Dodgion Christopher M. , Golshan Mehra , Chun Yoon S. , Hassett Michael J. , Corso Katherine A. , Gu Xiangmei , Lipsitz Stuart R. , Greenberg Caprice C.
Published: January 2011

BACKGROUND:

With advances in oncologic treatment, cosmesis after mastectomy has assumed a pivotal role in patient and provider decision making. Multiple studies have confirmed the safety of both chemotherapy before breast surgery and immediate reconstruction. Little has been written about the effect of neoadjuvant chemotherapy on decisions about reconstruction.

METHODS:

The authors identified 665 patients with stage I through III breast cancer who received chemotherapy and underwent mastectomy at Dana‐Farber/Brigham & Women's Cancer Center from 1997 to 2007. By using multivariate logistic regression, reconstruction rates were compared between patients who received neoadjuvant chemotherapy (n = 180) and patients who underwent mastectomy before chemotherapy (n = 485). The rate of postoperative complications after mastectomy was determined for patients who received neoadjuvant chemotherapy compared with those who did not.

RESULTS:

Reconstruction was performed immediately in 44% of patients who did not receive neoadjuvant chemotherapy but in only 23% of those who did. Twenty‐one percent of neoadjuvant chemotherapy recipients and 14% of adjuvant‐only chemotherapy recipients underwent delayed reconstruction. After controlling for age, receipt of radiotherapy, and disease stage, neoadjuvant recipients were less likely to undergo immediate reconstruction (odds ratio [OR], 0.57; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.37, 0.87) but were no more likely to undergo delayed reconstruction (OR, 1.29; 95% CI, 0.75, 2.20). Surgical complications occurred in 30% of neoadjuvant chemotherapy recipients and in 31% of adjuvant chemotherapy recipients.

CONCLUSIONS:

The current results suggest that patients who receive neoadjuvant chemotherapy are less likely to undergo immediate reconstruction and are no more likely to undergo delayed reconstruction than patients who undergo surgery before they receive chemotherapy. Cancer 2011. © 2011 American Cancer Society.
Prognostic roles of human equilibrative transporter 1 (hENT‐1) and ribonucleoside reductase subunit M1 (RRM1) in resected pancreatic cancer
Authors: Kim Richard , Tan Ann , Lai Kevin K. , Jiang John , Wang Yixen , Rybicki Lisa A. , Liu Xiulu
Published: January 2011

BACKGROUND:

Pancreatic adenocarcinoma is a malignancy with a dismal prognosis. Previous studies have suggested that in pancreatic cancer, human equilibrative nucleoside transporter 1 (hENT‐1) and ribonucleoside reductase subunit M1 (RRM1) expression may have prognostic value as well as predictive value with sensitivity to gemcitabine. This study investigated the prognostic value of hENT‐1 and RRM1 expression in resected pancreatic cancer.

METHODS:

Eighty‐four patients who underwent pancreaticoduodenectomy from 2000 to 2005 were included in this study. Patients were followed for a median of 60 months (range, 44‐110). Total RNA was isolated from macrodissected paraffin‐embedded tumors. hENT‐1 and RRM1 expression levels in tumors were evaluated by quantitative reverse transcription‐polymerase chain reaction (QRT‐PCR), normalized to 2 reference genes, and expressed as ΔCt (low ΔCt means high expression). Univariate and multivariable prognostic factors for overall survival (OS) and progression‐free survival (PFS) were identified via Cox proportional hazards analysis.

RESULTS:

Univariate analysis identified hENT‐1, overall stage, lymphovascular invasion, perineural invasion, and adjuvant therapy as prognostic factors for both PFS and OS. Multivariate analysis confirmed the association of low expression of hENT‐1 (ΔCt > 0.2027) (P = .007), perineural invasion (P = .021), and lack of adjuvant treatment (P < 0.001) with worse OS. Multivariate analysis also confirmed the association of low expression of hENT‐1 (ΔCt > 0.5391) with worse PFS (P = .016) in addition to overall stage (P = .013), perineural invasion (P = .042), and lack of adjuvant treatment (hazard ratio 2.31, P = .029). RRM1 expression was not associated with OS or PFS in the current cohort.

CONCLUSIONS:

Low expression of hENT‐1 was associated with worse OS and PFS in patients with resected pancreatic adenocarcinoma independent of gemcitabine therapy. Cancer 2011. © 2011 American Cancer Society.
Combined treatment of nonsmall cell lung cancer NSCLC stage III with intensity‐modulated RT radiotherapy and cetuximab
Authors: Jensen Alexandra D. , Münter Marc W. , Bischoff Helge G. , Haselmann Renate , Haberkorn Uwe , Huber Peter E. , Thomas Michael , Debus Jürgen , Herfarth Klaus K.
Published: January 2011

BACKGROUND:

The aim of this study was to evaluate efficacy and toxicity of radioimmunotherapy with intensity‐modulated radiation (IMRT) and cetuximab in stage III nonsmall cell lung cancer (NSCLC).

METHODS:

NEAR was a prospective, monocentric phase II trial including patients unfit for chemoradiation regimen; treatment consisted of IMRT and weekly cetuximab followed by a 13‐week maintenance period. Primary endpoints were toxicity and feasibility; secondary endpoints were remission rates at completion of the planned treatment according to Response Evaluation Criteria In Solid Tumor (RECIST), local/distant progression‐free survival, and overall survival.

RESULTS:

Thirty patients (median age, 71 years) were treated within the protocol. Overall response rate was 63% (partial remission: 19 of 30) patients. Median locoregional, distant, overall progression‐free survival was 20.5, 10.9, and 8.5 months. Median overall survival was 19.5 months, with an estimated 1‐ and 2‐year survival of 66.7% and 34.9% respectively. Stage (IIIA vs IIIB) and histologic subtype did not have a significant impact on survival rates in our patients. Treatment was tolerated well with only mild toxicity (°3 pneumonitis: 3.3%, any °3 acute toxicity: 36.7%).

CONCLUSIONS:

Combined radioimmunotherapy with cetuximab was safe and feasible, especially in elderly patients with multiple comorbidities. A more intensified regimen warranted investigation. Cancer 2011. © 2011 American Cancer Society.
Phase 2 trial of bevacizumab, capecitabine, and oxaliplatin in treatment of advanced hepatocellular carcinoma
Authors: Sun Weijing , Sohal Davendra , Haller Daniel G. , Mykulowycz Kristine , Rosen Mark , Soulen Michael C. , Caparro Millie , Teitelbaum Ursina R. , Giantonio Bruce , O'Dwyer Peter J. , Shaked Abraham , Reddy Rajender , Olthoff Kim
Published: January 2011

BACKGROUND:

Anti‐angiogenesis agents have shown effectiveness in treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). It is important to investigate more effective and safe systemic treatment options for patients with advanced HCC. This phase 2 study was designed to determine the efficacy and toxicity of the combination of bevacizumab, capecitabine, and oxaliplatin in patients with advanced unresectable and untransplantable HCC.

METHODS:

Chemotherapy‐naive patients with advanced unresectable and untransplantable HCC were treated with bevacizumab 5 mg/kg and oxaliplatin 130 mg/m2 on day 1 of each cycle, and capecitabine 825 mg/m2 orally twice a day from days 1 to 14 of a 21‐day cycle.

RESULTS:

Forty patients were enrolled to the study, in which 40% had Child‐Pugh B disease. Forty percent had an Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status (PS) of 0, 55% had PS of 1, and 5% had PS of 2. Forty percent of patients had hepatitis B virus infection. The median progression‐free survival was 6.8 months (95% CI, 3.4‐9.1 months), and the median overall survival was 9.8 months (95% CI, 5.2‐12.1 months). Eight patients (20%) achieved partial response; 23 patients had stable disease with overall 77.5% disease control rate. The combination was tolerable with limited grade 3/4 toxicity, mainly peripheral neurotoxicity and fatigue.

CONCLUSIONS:

The combination appeared effective and safe, and the results were encouraging. Further investigation should be considered. Cancer 2011. © 2011 American Cancer Society.
Insulin‐like growth factor‐I receptor blockade reduces tumor angiogenesis and enhances the effects of bevacizumab for a human gastric cancer cell line, MKN45
Authors: Li Hua , Adachi Yasushi , Yamamoto Hiroyuki , Min Yongfen , Ohashi Hirokazu , Ii Masanori , Arimura Yoshiaki , Endo Takao , Lee Choon‐Taek , Carbone David P. , Imai Kohzoh , Shinomura Yasuhisa
Published: January 2011

BACKGROUND:

Insulin‐like growth factor (IGF)‐I receptor (IGF‐IR) signaling is required for tumorigenicity and tumor progression of gastrointestinal cancers. The authors previously reported the success of therapy for gastrointestinal cancers using adenoviruses that expressed dominant‐negative IGF‐IR (IGF‐IR/dn). In addition, it has been demonstrated that IGF‐IR signaling affects vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) expression in some other types of tumors. The objective of the current study was to evaluate this interaction by studying the roles of IGF‐IR in tumor angiogenesis and lymphangiogenesis and their implications for targeted therapy in gastric cancer.

METHODS:

The impact of IGF signals on the expression of VEGF‐A and VEGF‐C in a human gastric cancer cell, MKN45, and vascular formation were assessed. The effects of IGF‐IR/dn with or without bevacizumab on angiogenesis, lymphangiogenesis, and tumor suppression in mouse xenografts were assessed.

RESULTS:

IGFs induced the expression of VEGF ligands and up‐regulated in vitro vascular vessel formation. IGF‐IR/dn reduced VEGF expression, reduced the activation of both protein kinase B (Akt) and mitogen‐activated protein kinase (MAPK), and reduced vascular formation, indicating that IGF‐IR/dn inhibited tumor growth in mice by inhibiting both angiogenesis and lymphangiogenesis. However, IGF‐IR/dn did not affect either blood sugar or body weight in these mice. The combination of IGF‐IR/dn and bevacizumab was highly effective against these xenograft tumors, and only this combination resulted in the complete regression of 43% of tumors, reduced the expression of VEGF, and induced apoptosis.

CONCLUSIONS:

The current results indicated that IGF‐IR is involved in angiogenesis and lymphangiogenesis through the modulation of VEGF ligand expression in the gastric cancer cell line MKN45. Targeting IGF‐IR in combination with agents that block the VEGF pathway may have therapeutic utility for gastric cancer therapy. Cancer 2011. © 2011 American Cancer Society.
Long‐term survival after radical prostatectomy versus external‐beam radiotherapy for patients with high‐risk prostate cancer
Authors: Holzbeierlein Jeffrey M.
Published: January 2011

High‐risk prostate cancer can be treated effectively with radical prostatectomy. However, monotherapy rarely results in a cure. See referenced original article on pages, this issue.
Clinical outcome of triple negative breast cancer in BRCA1 mutation carriers and noncarriers
Authors: Lee Larissa J. , Alexander Brian , Schnitt Stuart J. , Comander Amy , Gallagher Bridget , Garber Judy E. , Tung Nadine
Published: January 2011

BACKGROUND:

Women with BRCA1 mutations develop breast cancer with similar pathologic features to sporadic triple negative (TN) breast cancer, a subtype associated with early disease relapse and poor outcome. The clinical outcome of women with and without BRCA1 mutations who had TN breast cancer treated with conventional chemotherapy were compared.

METHODS:

Women with stage I to III TN breast cancer who had BRCA1 testing within 36 months of diagnosis and received alkylating chemotherapy were identified from clinical databases and a Specialized Program of Research Excellence (SPORE) specimen bank. BRCA2 mutation carriers were excluded, resulting in a study cohort of 46 BRCA1 carriers and 71 noncarriers. Sites of metastasis, relapse rates, and survival were compared among carriers and noncarriers. The median follow‐up was 75 months.

RESULTS:

BRCA1 carriers were younger at diagnosis (P < .001) and had smaller tumors (P = .03) than noncarriers. Freedom from distant metastasis at 5 years was 76% for carriers and 70% for noncarriers (hazard ratio [HR] 0.79, P = .5). Sites of distant recurrence did not differ significantly (P = .15), although BRCA1 carriers had a propensity for brain relapse (58% vs 24%, P = .06). Overall survival at 5 years was 82% for carriers and 74% for noncarriers (HR 0.64, P = .25). Adjusting for age and stage, BRCA1 mutation status was not an independent predictor of survival (HR 0.73, P = .48).

CONCLUSIONS:

BRCA1 mutation carriers with TN disease had similar survival rates to noncarriers when treated with alkylating chemotherapy. Women with BRCA1‐related breast cancer may benefit from novel therapies that target DNA repair, and further study is needed to identify sporadic TN breast cancers with a BRCA‐deficient phenotype. Cancer 2011. © 2011 American Cancer Society.
Cerebrospinal fluid pleocytosis
Authors: Bommer Martin , Nagy Andreas , Schöpflin Christine , Pauls Sandra , Ringhoffer Mark , Schmid Mathias
Published: January 2011

BACKGROUND:

Cerebrospinal fluid samples with doubtful morphologic interpretation are a common problem in the workup of patients with clinical signs for leptomeningeal disease. The authors report on the combination of morphology and flow cytometry in the diagnosis of leptomeningeal disease in patients with radiological, clinical, or cytological findings suspicious for leukemia or lymphoma with spread into the cerebrospinal fluid.

METHODS:

The authors defined a set of antibodies for flow cytometric analysis, which is capable of distinguishing between malignant and nonmalignant hematopoietic cells. One hundred twenty‐seven cases were analyzed with both methods.

RESULTS:

The additional application of flow cytometry resulted in an improvement of diagnostic reliability in 29 of 127 cases. Diagnostic sensitivity was raised from 73% (cytology) to 96% (flow cytometry), specificity from 94% to 97%, the positive predictive value from 88% to 96%, and the negative predictive value from 76% to 97%.

CONCLUSIONS:

Because the appropriate selection of markers is crucial to successful analysis, the authors suggested a highly selected panel of antibodies for flow cytometry analysis of cerebrospinal fluid samples. The authors were able to demonstrate that leptomeningeal disease caused by leukemia or lymphoma can be diagnosed by flow cytometry and discriminated from reactive pleocytosis in most cases of doubtful morphology. Cancer (Cancer Cytopathol) 2011. © 2011 American Cancer Society.
Characterization of α and γ polymorphs of glycine crystallized from water‐ammonia solution
Authors: Srinivasan K. , Renuka Devi K. , Anbuchudar Azhagan S.
Published: January 2011

Crystallization of metastable α and stable γ polymorphs of glycine was carried out from aqueous solution in the presence of ammonia. Pure aqueous solution and solution with lower concentration of ammonia yield α nucleation and solution with a critical concentration of ammonia yield γ nucleation. Variation in the solubility of glycine in double distilled water and pH of the resulting solution due to the ammonia incorporation was studied in a range of temperatures. The induction period for the α and γ nucleation in the solution was determined and its variation due to the ammonia incorporation was also studied. Single crystals of both the polymorphs were grown by slow evaporation method. Effect of ammonia concentration and the resultant pH of the solution on the nucleation, growth and morphology of the grown polymorphs were investigated. The unidirectional growth of the γ polymorph along the polar axis was revealed. X‐ray powder diffraction method was employed to distinguish both the polymorphs structurally. Their thermal stability above room temperature was studied by differential scanning calorimetry which revealed that the as‐grown γ polymorph transforms to α at 179.6 °C while the as‐grown α retains its phase until melting. The optical transmittance of the grown γ polymorph was studied in the UV‐Vis‐Near IR region. The second harmonic generation (SHG) efficiency of the grown γ polymorph was studied with a Nd:YAG laser source and is about 6.8% higher than that of the inorganic standard KDP. (© 2011 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Controllable fabrication and growth mechanism of hematite cubes
Authors: Su Changhua , Wang Hui , Liu Xiaojie
Published: January 2011

Monodispersed and single‐crystalline hematite (α‐Fe2O3) cubes have been successfully prepared by a template‐free hydrothermal synthetic route with FeCl3 and CH3COONH4. The influences of the reactant concentration, reaction temperature, and reaction time on the crystal growth were systematically investigated. The results show that the monodisperse hematite cubes with high crystalline and narrow size distribution could be fabricated at the hydrothermal temperature of 160 °C for 24 h while the concentrations of FeCl3 and CH3COONH4 were in the range of 0.03‐0.5 M and 0.05‐0.1 M, respectively. In addition, the formation mechanism of hematite cube is also proposed, where the CH3COONH4 plays a role of shape controller in the formation of cube hematite structure. (© 2011 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Polyaniline‐Based Conducting Polymer Compositions with a High Work Function for Hole‐Injection Layers in Organic Light‐Emitting Diodes: Formation of Ohmic Contacts
Authors: Choi Mi‐Ri , Woo Seong‐Hoon , Han Tae‐Hee , Lim Kyung‐Geun , Min Sung‐Yong , Yun Won Min , Kwon Oh Kwan , Park Chan Eon , Kim Kwan‐Do , Shin Hoon‐Kyu , Kim Myeong‐Suk , Noh Taeyong , Park Jong Hyeok , Shin Kyoung‐Hwan , Jang Jyongsik , Lee Tae‐Woo
Published: January 2011

It is a great challenge to develop solution‐processed, polymeric hole‐injection layers (HILs) that perform better than small molecular layers for realizing high‐performance small‐molecule organic light‐emitting diodes (SM‐OLEDs). We have greatly improved the injection efficiency and the current efficiency of SM‐OLEDs by introducing conducting polymer compositions composed of polyaniline doped with polystyrene sulfonate and perfluorinated ionomer (PFI) as the HIL. During single spin‐coating of conducting polymer compositions, the PFI layer was self‐organized at the surface and greatly increased the film work function. It enhanced hole‐injection efficiency and current efficiency by introducing a nearly ohmic contact and improving electron blocking. Our results demonstrate that solution‐processed polyaniline HILs with tunable work functions are good candidates for reducing process costs and improving OLED performance.
A novel low‐power RF4CE‐based communication framework for multimedia system control
Authors: Koo Bonhyun , Choi Wook , Park James J. (Jong Hyuk) , Shon Taeshik
Published: January 2011

A remote control (RC) is a component that operates electronic devices wirelessly issuing commands to consumer electronics (CE). Such existing RC solutions are based mainly on the infrared radiation (IR) technology with a line‐of‐sight barrier and they lack various additional features such as bi‐directional and richer communications, low‐power consumption, and no line‐of‐sight barriers which are needed for the flexibility and interoperability of more intelligent new CE devices on the market. In this paper, we propose a novel low‐power RF4CE‐based communication framework (RCF) for Multimedia System Control in order to overcome many constraints of IR‐based legacy solutions and support energy‐efficient multimedia communications. The proposed RCF framework is designed for multimedia control communication using smart phones, adopting the RF4CE protocol which is ade factoradio frequency standard for CE remote control solutions. The analysis of energy consumption and two verification scenarios (one for CE control and the other for contents sharing), including the use of various CEs and smart phones, show that our proposed RCF framework provides good practical usage in terms of content‐sharing and smart CE control. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Analysis and simulation of a message dissemination algorithm for VANET
Authors: Busson Anthony
Published: January 2011

This paper addresses the analytical evaluation of broadcast protocols in VANET. We focus on the most popular broadcast algorithm, which consists in the current emitter selecting the furthest receiver as the next forwarder. We propose a general framework based on point process to evaluate this protocol. The radio environment is modelled by a generic Frame Error Rate function. It enables us, through the same model, to assess the performances for different radio environments or radio technologies. We derive simple formulae for different quantities relative to the performance of the broadcast protocol: time to propagate the message, emitters' intensity, mean number of receptions for the same message, etc. Results based on the analytical model are compared with simulations using realistic vehicle traffic in order to determine the contexts for which the analytical model is relevant. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Discussion of electrode conditioning mechanism based on pre‐breakdown current under nonuniform electric field in vacuum
Authors: Yasuoka Takanori , Kato Tomohiro , Kato Katsumi , Okubo Hitoshi
Published: January 2011

Electrode conditioning is a very important technique for improvement of the insulation performance of vacuum circuit breakers (VCBs). This paper discusses the spark conditioning mechanism under a nonuniform electric field, focusing on the pre‐breakdown current. We quantitatively evaluated the spark conditioning effect by analyzing the pre‐breakdown current based on the Fowler‐Nordheim equation. The field enhancement factor β was found to decrease with increasing breakdown voltage at the beginning of the conditioning process, and finally became saturated with the saturation of the breakdown voltage. In addition, in the case of a nonuniform field, we found that β on a high‐voltage rod electrode after conditioning varied according to the electric field strength on the rod electrode. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Electr Eng Jpn, 175(2): 21‐28, 2011; Published online in Wiley Online Library (wileyonlinelibrary.com). DOI 10.1002/eej.21059
Investigation of dielectric breakdown characteristics of double‐break vacuum interrupter and dielectric breakdown probability distribution in vacuum interrupter
Authors: Shioiri Tetsu , Asari Naoki , Sato Junichi , Sasage Kosuke , Yokokura Kunio , Homma Mitsutaka , Suzuki Katsumi
Published: January 2011

To investigate the reliability of equipment of vacuum insulation, a study was carried out to clarify breakdown probability distributions in a vacuum gap. Further, a double‐break vacuum circuit breaker was investigated for breakdown probability distribution. The test results show that the breakdown probability distribution of the vacuum gap can be represented by a Weibull distribution using a location parameter, which shows the voltage that permits a zero breakdown probability. The location parameter obtained from Weibull plot depends on electrode area. The shape parameter obtained from Weibull plot of vacuum gap was 10 to 14, and was constant irrespective of the nonuniform field factor. The breakdown probability distribution after no‐load switching can be represented by Weibull distribution using a location parameter. The shape parameter after no‐load switching was 6 to 8.5, and was constant irrespective of the gap length. This indicates that the scatter of the breakdown voltage was increased by no‐load switching. If the vacuum circuit breaker uses a double break, the breakdown probability at low voltage becomes lower than the single‐break probability. Although the potential distribution is a concern in the double‐break vacuum circuit breaker, its insulation reliability is better than that of the single‐break vacuum interrupter even if the bias of the vacuum interrupter's sharing voltage is taken into account. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Electr Eng Jpn, 175(2): 13–20, 2011; Published online in Wiley Online Library (wileyonlinelibrary.com). DOI 10.1002/eej.21060
Implementation of disturbance attenuation system based on frequency estimation
Authors: Narikiyo Tatsuo , Fuwa Katsuhiko , Murano Takeshi
Published: January 2011

A well‐known control system that can reduce the adverse effects of disturbances is the disturbance observer. Whenever we apply a disturbance observer, the disturbance frequency should be known and constant. However, since in many cases of industrial systems the disturbance frequency is varied in some frequency spectrum, it may be difficult to reduce the adverse effect of such disturbances by use of the traditional disturbance observer. Therefore, we have proposed a disturbance observer which can handle frequency variation (DOFV). However, in order to apply DOFV we must measure the disturbance frequency in real time. Therefore, a frequency estimation scheme is required in order to apply DOFV. In this paper, a method for the design of a disturbance attenuation system that can handle frequency variation is proposed. The main idea of this design method is to combine DOFV with a frequency estimator that can estimate the disturbance frequency in real time. Even though the proposed disturbance attenuation system is a low‐degree and low‐gain controller, it has excellent steady‐state disturbance attenuation performance. Numerical simulations and experiments show the usefulness of the proposed disturbance attenuation system. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Electr Eng Jpn, 175(2): 46–53, 2011; Published online in Wiley Online Library (wileyonlinelibrary.com). DOI 10.1002/eej.21073
A Dynamic Bayesian Network Model for production and inventory control
Authors: Shin Ji‐Sun , Takazaki Noriyuki , Lee Tae‐Hong , Kim Jin‐Il , Lee Hee‐Hyol
Published: January 2011

In general, production quantities and delivered goods change randomly and consequently total stocks also change randomly. This paper deals with production and inventory control using a Dynamic Bayesian Network. The Bayesian Network is a probabilistic model which represents the qualitative dependence between two or more random variables by a graph structure, and the quantitative relations between individual variables by conditional probabilities. The probabilistic distribution of the total stock is calculated by propagation of probabilities on the network. Furthermore, a rule for adjustment of production quantities maintains the desired probabilities of exceeding the lower and upper limits on total stocks. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Electr Eng Jpn, 175(2): 37–45, 2011; Published online in Wiley Online Library (wileyonlinelibrary.com). DOI 10.1002/eej.21076
N‐acetyl‐L‐cysteine increases acute graft‐versus‐host disease and promotes T‐cell‐mediated immunity in vitro
Authors: Karlsson Helen , Nava Silvia , Remberger Mats , Hassan Zuzana , Hassan Moustapha , Ringdén Olle
Published: January 2011

N‐acetyl‐L‐cysteine (NAC) is a thiol antioxidant that stimulates glutathione synthesis in cells. Several studies indicate that NAC possesses immunomodulatory properties in vitro, but both inhibitory and activating effects on immunity have been reported. We observed that allogeneic stem cell transplantation (ASCT) patients who were randomized to receive NAC 100 mg/kg/day (n=73) had an increased prevalence of grade II‐V acute graft‐versus‐host disease (GvHD) compared to patients who did not receive NAC (n=87), indicating that NAC has an immunostimulatory effect in vivo. When studying the effect of NAC on T‐cell‐mediated immunity in vitro, we found that moderate levels of NAC (0.4–3.2 mM) increased alloantigen‐induced proliferation, expression of activation markers CD25 and CD71 on T cells, and production of IFN‐γ and IL‐10. In contrast, high concentrations of NAC (12.5–50 mM) were suppressive, which may explain previously conflicting data. NAC did not cause an increase in expression of CD86, CD80, and CD83 on mature DCs at any concentration, whereas high concentrations suppressed DC maturation. Furthermore, T cells exposed to suppressive concentrations of NAC in a primary stimulation were highly responsive when re‐stimulated in the absence of NAC. To conclude, NAC appears to increase acute GvHD and has an immunostimulatory effect on alloantigen‐specific T cells.
Persistence of cell‐mediated immunity three decades after vaccination with the live vaccine strain of Francisella tularensis
Authors: Eneslätt Kjell , Rietz Cecilia , Rydén Patrik , Stöven Svenja , House Robert V. , Wolfraim Lawrence A. , Tärnvik Arne , Sjöstedt Anders
Published: January 2011

The efficacy of many vaccines against intracellular bacteria depends on the generation of cell‐mediated immunity, but studies to determine the duration of immunity are usually confounded by re‐exposure. The causative agent of tularemia, Francisella tularensis, is rare in most areas and, therefore, tularemia vaccination is an interesting model for studies of the longevity of vaccine‐induced cell‐mediated immunity. Here, lymphocyte proliferation and cytokine production in response to F. tularensis were assayed in two groups of 16 individuals, vaccinated 1–3 or 27–34 years previously. As compared to naïve individuals, vaccinees of both groups showed higher proliferative responses and, out of 17 cytokines assayed, higher levels of MIP‐1β, IFN‐γ, IL‐10, and IL‐5 in response to recall stimulation. The responses were very similar in the two groups of vaccinees. A statistical model was developed to predict the immune status of the individuals and by use of two parameters, proliferative responses and levels of IFN‐γ, 91.1% of the individuals were correctly classified. Using flow cytometry analysis, we demonstrated that during recall stimulation, expression of IFN‐γ by CD4+CCR7+, CD4+CD62L+, CD8+CCR7+, and CD8+CD62L+ cells significantly increased in samples from vaccinated donors. In conclusion, cell‐mediated immunity was found to persist three decades after tularemia vaccination without evidence of decline.
Influence of a Redox‐Active Phosphane Ligand on the Oxidations of a Diiron Core Related to the Active Site of Fe‐Only Hydrogenase
Authors: Liu Yu‐Chiao , Lee Chia‐Hsin , Lee Gene‐Hsiang , Chiang Ming‐Hsi
Published: January 2011

Modulation of the Fe redox levels within the diiron dithiolato carbonyls with the coordination of a redox‐active phosphane is reported. Treatment of [Fe2{μ‐S(CH2)2NR(CH2)2S}(CO)6]2 and [Fe2(μ‐pdt)(CO)6] with mppf affords the phosphane substituted species, [Fe2{μ‐S(CH2)2NR(CH2)2S}(CO)5(mppf)]2 (1 and 2) and [Fe2(μ‐pdt)(CO)5(mppf)] (3), respectively. These mppf‐substituted complexes have been structurally and spectroscopically characterized. Results of the electrochemical study on 1 and 2 indicate that oxidation of the mppf‐substituted complexes occurs at a potential 100 mV less than the related species ligated by the redox‐inactive phosphane with approximately the same σ‐donating ability. Stability of the oxidized species is improved on the electrochemical time scale. For the complex 3, three reversible oxidation events are observed. The mppf unit is oxidized at 0.16 V, which exerts an influence on the oxidation potential of the diiron core. In contrast to the PPh3 analogue, oxidation of both Fe centers is accessible at 0.47 and 0.77 V for 3. A large ΔE1/2 value suggests a substantial electron delocalization within the Fe2 core.
Numerical simulation of bubble dynamics in a micro‐channel under a nonuniform electric field
Authors: Jing Luo , Dan Guo , Jianbin Luo , Guoxin Xie
Published: January 2011

A numerical method is used to simulate the motion and coalescence of air bubbles in a micro‐channel under a nonuniform electric field. The channel is equipped with arrays of electrodes embedded in its wall and voltages are applied on the electrodes to generate a specified electric field gradient in the longitudinal direction. In the study, the Navier–Stokes equations are solved by using the level set method handling the deformable/moving interfaces between the bubbles and the ambient liquid. Both the polarization Coulomb force and the dielectrophoresis force are considered as the force source of the Navier–Stokes equations by solving the Maxwell's equations. The flow field equations and the electric field equations are coupled and solved by using the finite element method. The electric field characteristics and the dynamic behavior of a bubble are analyzed by studying the distributions of the electric field and the force, the deformation and the moving velocity of the air bubble. The result suggests that the model of dispersed drops suspended in the immiscible dielectric liquid and driven by a nonuniform electric field is an effective method for the transportation and coalescence of micro‐drops.
Buffers to suppress sodium dodecyl sulfate adsorption to polyethylene oxide for protein separation on capillary polymer electrophoresis
Authors: Sumitomo Keiko , Mayumi Koichi , Minamikawa Hiroyuki , Masuda Mitsutoshi , Asahi Toru , Shimizu Toshimi , Ito Kohzo , Yamaguchi Yoshinori
Published: January 2011

Although polyethylene oxide (PEO) offers several advantages as a sieving polymer in SDS capillary polymer electrophoresis (SDS‐CPE), solution properties of PEO cause deterioration in the electrophoresis because PEO in solution aggregates itself, degrades into smaller pieces, and forms polymer–micelle complexes with SDS. We examined protein separation on SDS‐CPE with PEO as a sieving matrix in four individual buffer solutions: Tris‐CHES, Tris‐Gly, Tris‐Tricine, and Tris‐HCl buffers. The solution properties of PEO as a sieving matrix in those buffers were examined by dynamic light scattering (DLS) and by surface tension. Preferential SDS adsorption onto PEO disturbed protein–SDS complexation and impaired the protein separation efficiency. Substantial adsorption of SDS to PEO was particularly observed in Tris‐Gly buffer. The Tris‐CHES buffer prevented SDS from adsorbing onto the PEO. Only Tris‐CHES buffer achieved separation of six proteins. This study demonstrated efficient protein separation on SDS‐CPE with PEO.
A modified global model for predicting the tritium distribution in precipitation, 1960–2005
Authors: Zhang Yanhong , Ye Shujun , Wu Jichun
Published: January 2011

A modified global model for predicting the tritium concentration in precipitation has been developed using the dataset of International Atomic Energy Agency/the World Meteorological Organization (IAEA/WMO) over the period from 1960 to 2005. The tritium concentration in precipitation and its history can be estimated at any location using the model. The modified global model of tritium in precipitation (MGMTP) here presented has higher accuracy than the global model of tritium in precipitation (GMTP) developed by Doney et al. (1992). The new model is not only more appropriate for a particular station but also applicable for the un‐normalized observations directly. Another advantage of MGMTP is that it can estimate a longer history (from 1960 to 2005) of tritium content in precipitation than GMTP (from 1960 to 1986). The seasonal cycle of tritium in precipitation has also been modelled in the form of a simple cosine function with five parameters. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Uncertainty in modelling of faecal coliform overland transport associated with manure application in Maryland
Authors: Guber A. K. , Pachepsky Y. A. , Yakirevich A. M. , Shelton D. R. , Sadeghi A. M. , Goodrich D. C. , Unkrich C. L.
Published: January 2011

Concerns for microbial safety of surface water facilitate development of predictive models that estimate concentrations and total numbers of pathogen and indicator organisms leaving manure‐fertilized fields in overland flow during runoff events. Spatial variability of bacterial concentrations in applied manure introduces high uncertainty in the model predictions. The objective of this work was to evaluate the uncertainty in model predictions of the manure‐borne bacteria overland transport caused by limited information on the spatial distribution of bacteria in surface‐applied manure. Experiments were carried out at the ARS Beltsville experimental watershed site (OPE3) in Maryland. Dairy bovine manure was applied at a 59·3 t/ha rate on the 3·55 hectare experimental field. Faecal coliform (FC) concentrations in manure measured in 2004, 2005, 2007, and 2009 varied by 4 orders of magnitude each year. Both runoff volume and FC concentrations in runoff water were monitored using a runoff flume equipped with a refrigerated pump sampler. Two runoff events occurred before the manure was incorporated into the soil. A bacteria transport add‐on module simulator of transport with infiltration and runoff (STWIR) was linked with the event‐based kinematic runoff and erosion model (KINEROS2) to simulate convective‐dispersive overland transport, bacteria release from manure, reversible attachment–detachment to soil, and surface straining of infiltrating bacteria. The model was successfully calibrated with the field experiment data. Monte Carlo simulations were carried out to account for the spatial variation in FC in applied manure and uncertainty in the FC distribution in manure caused by the small number of samples. A tenfold and twofold variation in FC concentrations in the runoff were obtained within the 90% probability interval when initial FC spatial distributions in the manure were represented by 5 and 29 samples, respectively. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
What explains comovement in stock market returns during the 2007–2008 crisis?
Authors: Didier Tatiana , Love Inessa , Martínez Pería María Soledad
Published: January 2011

This paper examines the determinants of comovement in stock market returns during the 2007–2008 crisis. Given that the United States (US) was the crisis epicenter, we analyse the factors driving the comovement between US stock market returns and stock market returns in 83 countries. The analysis distinguishes between the period before and after the collapse of Lehman Brothers. The findings indicate that comovement was driven largely by financial linkages. There is also evidence of ‘demonstration effects’ in the first stage of the crisis, as countries with vulnerable banking and corporate sectors exhibited higher comovement with the US market. Finally, despite a collapse in trade across countries, trade did not seem to play a role in explaining comovement in stock market returns. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Credit scoring for microfinance: is it worth it?
Authors: Van Gool Joris , Verbeke Wouter , Sercu Piet , Baesens Bart
Published: January 2011

Due to growing competition, over‐indebtedness, and economic crises, microfinance institutions have to pursue their social and financial objectives in an increasingly constrained environment. Developing powerful risk management tools becomes more than ever crucial to survive. Therefore this paper analyzes whether microfinance institutions can benefit from credit scoring, which has been successfully adopted in retail banking. An extensive literature overview is provided, indicating a lack of quantitative evidence, in particular for markets in Eastern Europe‐Central Asia and the Middle East‐Northern Africa. Two logistic regression‐based scoring models are developed using data from a Bosnia–Herzegovinian microlender. The models are assessed in terms of stability, readability, and discriminatory power, indicating that credit scoring is not yet able to fully replace the human‐intensive microfinance credit process. However, it is recommendable to introduce credit scoring as a refinement tool in the lending process, in order to combine both statistical and human best practices. Moreover, a microlender staff can learn from credit scoring models to validate or contrast practical intuition. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Enhanced bioanalyte detection in waveguide confined Raman spectroscopy using wavelength modulation
Authors: Ashok Praveen C. , De Luca Anna Chiara , Mazilu Michael , Dholakia Kishan
Published: January 2011

Waveguide confined Raman spectroscopy (WCRS) incorporates a fibre based Raman detection system in a microfluidic platform enabling the spectroscopic detection of analyte. It offers the possibility to develop portable, alignment free devices for bio‐analyte sensing with minimal sample preparation. Ultimate sensitivity is limited by the fibre auto‐fluorescence background. Here we report enhanced bio‐analyte detection sensitivity by combining WCRS with continuous wavelength modulation technique. We used urea as a model analyte and the modulation parameters have been optimized to maximize the sensitivity of the device. (© 2011 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
IBIsCO: A molecular dynamics simulation package for coarse‐grained simulation
Authors: Karimi‐Varzaneh Hossein Ali , Qian Hu‐Jun , Chen Xiaoyu , Carbone Paola , Müller‐Plathe Florian
Published: January 2011

IBIsCO is a parallel molecular dynamics simulation package developed specially for coarse‐grained simulations with numerical potentials derived by the iterative Boltzmann inversion (IBI) method (Reith et al., J Comput Chem 2003, 24, 1624). In addition to common features of molecular dynamics programs, the techniques of dissipative particle dynamics (Groot and Warren, J Chem Phys 1997, 107, 4423) and Lowe–Andersen dynamics (Lowe, Europhys Lett 1999, 47, 145) are implemented, which can be used both as thermostats and as sources of friction to compensate the loss of degrees of freedom by coarse‐graining. The reverse nonequilibrium molecular dynamics simulation method (Müller‐Plathe, Phys Rev E 1999, 59, 4894) for the calculation of viscosities is also implemented. Details of the algorithms, functionalities, implementation, user interfaces, and file formats are described. The code is parallelized using PE_MPI on PowerPC architecture. The execution time scales satisfactorily with the number of processors. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Comput Chem, 2011
First trimester diagnosis of sacrococcygeal teratoma using two‐ and three‐dimensional ultrasound
Authors: Batukan Cem , Ozgun Mahmut Tuncay , Basbug Mustafa
Published: January 2011

Sacrococcygeal teratomas are very rarely diagnosed in the first trimester. Here we report a case of a presacral mass suggestive of a sacrococcygeal teratoma that was detected during the first trimester nuchal translucency thickness measurement at 12+1 week of gestation. Although the diagnosis was possible with conventional two‐dimensional sonography, three‐dimensional sonography facilitated prenatal counseling by providing more recognizable images to the parents. Postmortem examination of the fetus confirmed the presence of a type 2 benign immature teratoma. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Clin Ultrasound, 2011
The evolving field of imaging mass spectrometry and its impact on future biological research
Authors: Watrous Jeramie D. , Alexandrov Theodore , Dorrestein Pieter C.
Published: January 2011

Within the past decade, imaging mass spectrometry (IMS) has been increasingly recognized as an indispensable technique for studying biological systems. Its rapid evolution has resulted in an impressive array of instrument variations and sample applications, yet the tools and data are largely confined to specialists. It is therefore important that at this junction the IMS community begin to establish IMS as a permanent fixture in life science research thereby making the technology and/or the data approachable by non‐mass spectrometrists, leading to further integration into biological and clinical research. In this perspective article, we provide insight into the evolution and current state of IMS and propose some of the directions that IMS could develop in order to stay on course to become one of the most promising new tools in life science research. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Influence of methane addition on selenium isotope sensitivity and their spectral interferences
Authors: Floor Geerke H. , Millot Romain , Iglesias Mónica , Négrel Philippe
Published: January 2011

The measurements of stable selenium (Se) isotopic signatures by multi‐collector inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (MC‐ICP‐MS) are very challenging, due to the presence of spectral interferences and the low abundance of Se in environmental samples. We systematically investigated the effect of methane addition on the signal of Se isotopes and their interferences. It is the first time that the effect of methane addition has been assessed for all Se isotopes and its potential interferences using hydride generator multi‐collector inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (HG‐MC‐ICP‐MS). Our results show that a small methane addition increases the sensitivity. However, the response differs between a hydride generator and a standard introduction system, which might be related to differences in the ionization processes. Both argon and hydrogen‐based interferences, the most common spectral interferences on selenium isotopes in HG‐MC‐ICP‐MS, decrease with increasing methane addition. Therefore, analyte‐interference ratios and precision are improved. Methane addition has thus a high potential for the application to stable Se isotopes ratios by HG‐MC‐ICP‐MS. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.