bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Fiscal Federalism and Demography
Authors: Seitz Helmut , Kempkes Gerhard
Published: April 2007

This article examines the effects of demographic change on federal, state, and local government expenditures in Germany to answer the question of whether demographic change will induce vertical fiscal expenditure imbalances. The authors present estimates of the impact of demographic change on public spending based on a decomposition of expenditures into twenty-nine categories (functions). Results suggest that demographic change will result in significant vertical expenditure imbalances between the federal and the subnational government sector as well as within the subnational government sector. In addition, the estimates show that the structure of expenditures by function has to be adjusted considerably to avoid deficits since demographically induced increases in expenditures in some important functions, such as pension payments, have to be counterbalanced by exploiting potential savings that arise from demographic change in other functions.
Spatial Dependence in Models of State Fiscal Policy Convergence
Authors: Coughlin Cletus C. , Garrett Thomas A. , Hernández-Murillo Rubén
Published: April 2007

We apply spatial econometric techniques to models of state and local fiscal policy convergence. Our work extends the work of Scully and Annala in much the same way that Rey and Montouri extended the literature on income convergence among U.S. states. Our results indicate that most fiscal policies have been converging and that the growth paths of state and local fiscal policies are not independent. In addition, we find that total expenditures have been converging faster than output, whereas total tax revenues have been converging slower than output. Our models further demonstrate that state expenditure growth is dependent on expenditure growth in economically and demographically similar states, while output growth and revenue growth in a state are dependent on output growth and revenue growth, respectively, in contiguous states.
Perceived Importance of Information: The Effects of Mentioning Information, Shared Information Bias, Ownership Bias, Reiteration, and Confirmation Bias
Authors: Van Swol Lyn M.
Published: April 2007

Participants were given information for and against the decriminalization of marijuana and discussed the issue in groups. Factors affecting rated importance of information after the group discussion were examined. Participants did not rate information that was mentioned during the discussion as more important than information not mentioned, and participants did not rate shared information they mentioned as more important than unshared information. Participants did rate shared information other group members mentioned as more important than unshared information others mentioned. Participants did not rate their own information as more important than other's information, and information that was repeated was not rated as more important. Participants did perceive information supporting their individual position as more important than information against their position, and this confirmation bias was lessened in groups containing an opinion minority. A comparison of minority and majority members in minority-containing groups found that minority members were more open to information than majority members.
Vladimir's Choice and the Distribution of Social Resources
Authors: Sidanius Jim , Haley Hillary , Molina Ludwin , Pratto Felicia
Published: April 2007

`Vladimir's choice' refers to the tendency for people to favor the ingroup relative to the outgroup—even when doing so requires that people sacrifice ingroup profits in absolute terms. We investigated correlates of this tendency by asking a sample of White undergraduates to complete an allocation task using a resource allocation matrix. While there was a slight tendency for Vladimir's choice to increase with increasing levels of ethnic identification, this tendency disappeared when other factors were considered. Consistent with realistic group conflict theory and social dominance theory, the tendency to make Vladimir's choice increased with increasing levels of perceived intergroup competition and social dominance orientation.
Antecedents and Consequences of Satisfaction and Guilt Following Ingroup Aggression
Authors: Maitner Angela T. , Mackie Diane M. , Smith Eliot R.
Published: April 2007

Three studies investigated the role of intergroup satisfaction in intergroup conflict. After reading about real acts of aggression committed by an ingroup, participants reported how those actions made them feel and how much they would support similar aggression in the future. In all three studies, experiencing intergroup satisfaction increased support for similar aggression, whereas experiencing intergroup guilt decreased support for similar aggression. Study 2 showed that ingroup identification increased justification appraisals, which increased satisfaction and decreased guilt, and thus increased support for future aggression. Study 3 provided an experimental test of the model: when justification appraisals were manipulated, emotion and support for further aggression changed accordingly. These findings demonstrate conditions under which intergroup satisfaction can facilitate and sustain intergroup conflict.
Increasing Group Entitativity
Authors: Rubini Monica , Moscatelli Silvia , Palmonari Augusto
Published: April 2007

Previous research has shown the strength of the linguistic intergroup bias across different intergroup settings. However, there is no evidence of linguistic discrimination within minimal groups. This experiment aimed to shed light on the phenomenon of linguistic intergroup discrimination in a minimal group setting, and to investigate the impact of group entitativity on this bias. Four group entitativity conditions were created by altering the mere categorization condition toward less entitativity and toward more entitativity. Participants were asked to describe the choice allegedly made by another participant in allocating resources to ingroup and outgroup members. Results showed an overall linguistic bias, whereby ingroup behaviors were described more positively and abstractly than outgroup behaviors. Increasing group entitativity resulted in increasingly biased outgroup descriptions, which in the most entitative condition revealed a predominant use of negative abstract terms.
Coming of age of the Chinese tourists
Authors: Yuk Wah Chan
Published: April 2007

Unlike most previous tourism research that has focused on Western tourists, this article investigates the interactions between Chinese tourists and Vietnamese hosts in border tourism in Vietnam. It proposes that a study of non-Western tourism between non-Western destinations is long overdue. The last decade has witnessed a massive influx of Chinese tourists into many Asian tourism landscapes. As a category of non-Western tourists, they are certainly producing immense economic and cultural impacts on the host societies. Conceptually, this article extends Urry's tourist gaze to the host, showing that the hosts, rather than being passive objects of the tourist gaze, are in fact active agents casting fierce gazes on the tourists. It also examines the Chinese tourist gaze, which serves as a point of departure of looking into Chinese moving desire and transnational modernity within the context of expanding Asian tourism.
Beyond apology?
Authors: Stubbs Julie
Published: April 2007

The virtues claimed for restorative justice include its emotional engagement with crime and the opportunities afforded to participants by its discursive character. Yet these issues are rarely explored from a perspective that is attentive to gendered or other asymmetrical forms of social relations. This article explores key issues that remain under-developed in the restorative justice literature from a feminist perspective, taking domestic violence as a focus. Central to this analysis are questions of victims' interests and safety, expectations about the victim's role and the appeal to apology and forgiveness in much of the restorative justice literature. It is argued that the challenge of taking gendered harms seriously may require an approach that differs from common restorative justice practices such as the development of hybrid models that draw from both conventional criminal justice and restorative justice.
In situ laser cladding of Al2O3 bearing coatings on aluminium alloy 7075 for improvement of wear resistance
Authors: Yue T. M. , Huang K. J. , Man H. C.
Published: April 2007

The wear properties of Al2O3 bearing coatings, produced by in situ laser induced thermite reactions fabricated on aluminium alloy 7075, were examined. The thermite reactions were initiated by the laser cladding of mixed powders of CuO–Al, Cr2O3–Al and TiO2–Al. In order to improve the quality of the laser formed coatings, the laser cladding involved two passes of melting. The results of the XRD and XPS analyses showed that in all the three reaction systems, a reaction layer which comprised mainly Al2O3 and Al phases was formed. Under dry sliding conditions, the wear resistance, in terms of weight loss, of the laser cladded specimens was considerably higher than that of the uncladded specimens. The predominant wear mechanism of the former specimens was found to be characterised by abrasive, while with the latter specimens, it was the adhesive wear that prevailed.
TiC reinforced composite layer formation on Al–Si alloy by laser processing
Authors: Viswanathan A. , Sastikumar D. , Kamachimudali U. , Kumar Harish , Nath A. K.
Published: April 2007

Al–Si alloy was laser surface treated with various compositions of TiC and Ni under different laser processing parameters to produce a TiC reinforced composite layer on it. The study shows that TiC composite layer is formed when the composition is 75TiC–25Ni (wt-%) and laser power 2·5 kW and scan speed 0·2 m min−1. The layer exhibited an average microhardness of ∼750 HV, which is free from pores as well as cracks and contained TiC and Al–Si phases distributed in the Ni–Al matrix. Mechanical strength of layer is studied by the hardness test.
Laser assisted modification of surface microstructure for localised corrosion resistance of magnesium alloys
Authors: Raman R. K. Singh , Murray S. , Brandt M.
Published: April 2007

Poor corrosion resistance is a major obstacle in widespread application of Mg alloys. In the present study, cast Mg alloys, AZ61 and AZ91 were subjected to laser treatments with a view to modifying surface/subsurface microstructure and improving the microstructure assisted localised corrosion resistance of the alloys. Comparison of the laser treated surface microstructure with the bulk microstructure, as observed by reflected light microscopy demonstrates significant alterations. Immersion and anodic polarisation tests of the laser treated and untreated specimens in sodium chloride solution have suggested a variation in corrosion behaviour with improvements in corrosion resistance.
Targeting CD37-positive lymphoid malignancies with a novel engineered small modular immunopharmaceutical
Authors: Zhao Xiaobin , Lapalombella Rosa , Joshi Trupti , Cheney Carolyn , Gowda Aruna , Hayden-Ledbetter Martha S. , Baum Peter R. , Lin Thomas S. , Jarjoura David , Lehman Amy , Kussewitt Donna , Lee Robert J. , Caligiuri Michael A. , Tridandapani Susheela , Muthusamy Natarajan , Byrd John C.
Published: April 2007

CD37 is a lineage-specific B-cell antigen that to date has been neglected as an attractive therapeutic target. To exploit this, novel CD37-specific small modular immunopharmaceuticals (CD37-SMIP) that include variable regions linked to modified human IgG1 hinge, CH2, and CH3 domains were designed. The lead CD37-SMIP molecule induces potent apoptosis in the presence of a cross-linker, and antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity against B-cell leukemia/lymphoma cell lines and primary chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) cells superior to therapeutic antibodies used in these diseases. The CD37-SMIP–dependent ADCC function in vitro was mediated by natural killer (NK) cells but not naive or activated monocytes. Significant in vivo therapeutic efficacy was demonstrated in a SCID mouse xenograft leukemia/lymphoma model. Depletion of NK cells in this mouse model resulted in diminished efficacy further supported the in vivo importance of NK cells in SMIP therapy. These findings provide strong justification for CD37 as a therapeutic target and introduce small modular immunopharmaceuticals as a novel class of targeted therapies for B-cell malignancies.
Human cytomegalovirus sequences expressed in latently infected individuals promote a latent infection in vitro
Authors: Goodrum Felicia , Reeves Matthew , Sinclair John , High Kevin , Shenk Thomas
Published: April 2007

Latency enables human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) to persist in the hematopoietic cells of infected individuals indefinitely and prevents clearance of the pathogen. Despite its critical importance to the viral infectious cycle, viral mechanisms that contribute to latency have not been identified. We compared the ability of low-passage clinical and laboratory-adapted strains of HCMV to establish a latent infection in primary human CD34+ cells. The low-passage strains, Toledo and FIX, established an infection with the hallmarks of latency, whereas the laboratory strains, AD169 and Towne, replicated producing progeny virus. We hypothesized that ULb′ region of the genome, which is unique to low-passage strains, may encode a latency-promoting activity. We created and analyzed recombinant viruses lacking segments or individual open reading frames (ORFs) in the ULb′ region. One 5-kb segment, and more specifically the UL138 ORF, was required for HCMV to establish and/or maintain a latent infection in hematopoietic progenitor cells infected in vitro. This is the first functional demonstration of a virus-coded sequence required for HCMV latency. Importantly, UL138 RNA was expressed in CD34+ cells and monocytes from HCMV-seropositive, healthy individuals. UL138 might be a target for antivirals against latent virus.
The incidence and clinical significance of nucleophosmin mutations in childhood AML
Authors: Brown Patrick , McIntyre Emily , Rau Rachel , Meshinchi Soheil , Lacayo Norman , Dahl Gary , Alonzo Todd A. , Chang Myron , Arceci Robert J. , Small Donald
Published: April 2007

Frameshift mutations in exon 12 of the nucleophosmin gene (NPM1) result in aberrant cytoplasmic localization of the NPM protein (NPMc+) and occur in 25% to 35% of adult acute myeloid leukemia (AML). In adults with AML, NPMc+ has been associated with normal karyotype, FLT3/ITD mutations, high remission induction rates, and improved survival (particularly in patients lacking FLT3/ITD). NPMc+ has not been well characterized in childhood AML. This study examines the incidence and clinical significance of NPMc+ in 295 children with newly diagnosed AML treated on a large cooperative group clinical trial (POG-9421). We find that NPMc+ is relatively uncommon in childhood AML (23 of 295 patients, 8%); and is significantly associated with FLT3/ITD mutations (P = .046), female sex (P = .029), older age (P = .047), and normal cytogenetics (P < .001). There is a favorable impact of NPMc+ on survival in children lacking FLT3/ITD (5-year EFS, 69% vs 35%; hazard ratio, 0.39; P = .051), which is similar in magnitude to the favorable impact of t(8;21) and inv(16). We conclude that NPMc+ is relatively rare in childhood AML, particularly in younger children. NPMc+ does not abrogate the negative prognostic influence of FLT3/ITD mutations, but may contribute to risk stratification in children who lack FLT3/ITD mutations by identifying a group with superior prognosis.
Transcriptional response of human dendritic cells toBorrelia garinii—defective CD38 and CCR7 expression detected
Authors: Hartiala Pauliina , Hytönen Jukka , Pelkonen Jenni , Kimppa Katja , West Anne , Penttinen Markus A , Suhonen Juha , Lahesmaa Riitta , Viljanen Matti K
Published: April 2007

Lyme borreliosis is a disease, which can affect several organs and cause a variety of symptoms. In some patients, the infection may become chronic, even after antibiotic therapy, and cause persisting damage. Dendritic cells (DC) are involved in the initiation of innate and adaptive immune responses. To study interactions between Borrelia garinii (Bg), one of the causative agents of Lyme borreliosis, and human DC, we used a cDNA microarray to compare the Bg-induced DC transcriptional response with the response induced by LPS. The Bg-induced response consisted of a smaller number of genes than the LPS-induced response. The microarray showed that the ectoenzyme CD38, which has an important role in DC chemotaxis and migration to lymph nodes, was strongly up-regulated by LPS but practically not at all by Bg. This finding was confirmed with quantitative RT-PCR and with flow cytometry at the protein level. In addition, RT-PCR showed that CCR7 expression was 11-fold greater in LPS-stimulated than in Bg-stimulated cells. These findings suggest that Bg may affect crucial DC functions by blocking the up-regulation of important molecules in DC migration to lymph nodes, thus affecting further immune responses in Lyme borreliosis infection.
High Body Mass Index Increases the Risk for Osteonecrosis in Children With Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia
Authors: Niinimäki Riitta A. , Harila-Saari Arja H. , Jartti Airi E. , Seuri Raija M. , Riikonen Pekka V. , Pääkkö Eija L. , Möttönen Merja I. , Lanning Marjatta
Published: April 2007

Purpose

The aim of the study was to determine the incidence of and clinical risk factors for radiographic osteonecrosis (ON) in children treated for acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) using the Nordic ALL protocols.

Patients and Methods

Ninety-seven consecutive patients with childhood ALL were studied prospectively by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the lower extremities at the end of the treatment.

Results

Twenty-three (24%) of the 97 patients had ON. Seven of the patients (30%) were symptomatic, and three patients (13%) required surgical interventions. Multiple logistic regression analysis showed that high body mass index (BMI; P = .04), female sex (P = .01), older age at diagnosis (P < .001), and higher cumulative dexamethasone dose (P = .03) were independent risk factors for radiographic ON. The cumulative prednisone dose did not differ significantly between the patients with and without ON. The incidence of radiographic ON decreased significantly, from 36% to 7%, when the duration of dexamethasone exposure during the delayed-intensification phase was shortened from 3 to 4 weeks to 2 weeks with a taper (P = .001).

Conclusion

ON as determined by MRI was found to be a common complication in children and adolescents after treatment with the Nordic ALL protocols. Revision of the ALL protocols by shortening the single exposure to dexamethasone has diminished the risk for ON remarkably. High BMI was identified as a new significant risk factor for ON.
Thromboembolic Events in Children and Young Adults With Pediatric Sarcoma
Authors: Paz-Priel Ido , Long Lauren , Helman Lee J. , Mackall Crystal L. , Wayne Alan S.
Published: April 2007

Purpose

Adults with malignancy are at increased risk for venous thromboembolic events (TEs). However, data in children and young adults with cancer are limited.

Patients and Methods

To determine the risk and clinical features of TEs in children and young adults with sarcoma, we reviewed records on 122 consecutive patients with sarcoma treated from October 1980 to July 2002.

Results

Twenty-three TEs were diagnosed in 19 of 122 (16%; 95% CI, 10% to 23%) patients. Prevalence by diagnosis was Ewing sarcoma, eight of 61 (13%); osteosarcoma, two of 20 (10%); rhabdomyosarcoma, four of 26 (15%); and other sarcomas, five of 15 (33%). TEs developed in 23% of patients with metastases at presentation versus 10% with localized disease (odds ratio, 2.59; 95% CI, 0.9 to 7.1; P < .06). Fifty-three percent of patients with thrombosis had a clot at presentation. A lupus anticoagulant was detected in four of five evaluated patients. There was a single fatality due to pulmonary embolism. Patients who were diagnosed with cancer after 1993 had a higher rate of TE (7% v 23%; P < .015). Of the 23 events, 43% were asymptomatic. Main sites of thromboses were deep veins of the extremities (10 of 23; 43%), pulmonary embolism (five of 23; 22%), and the inferior vena cava (four of 23; 17%). TEs were associated with tumor compression in eight of 23 (35%) and with venous catheters in three of 23 (13%).

Conclusion

Thromboembolism is common in pediatric patients with sarcomas. Thromboses are detected frequently around the time of oncologic presentation, may be asymptomatic, and seem to be associated with a higher disease burden. Children and young adults with sarcoma should be monitored closely for thrombosis.
Thiazolidinediones and the Risk of Lung, Prostate, and Colon Cancer in Patients With Diabetes
Authors: Govindarajan Rangaswamy , Ratnasinghe Luke , Simmons Debra L. , Siegel Eric R. , Midathada Madhu V. , Kim Lawrence , Kim Peter J. , Owens Randall J. , Lang Nicholas P.
Published: April 2007

Purpose

Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPARγ) mediates cell cycle arrest and adipocyte differentiation; has tumor suppressor activity in liposarcoma, lung, and prostate cancers; and suppresses colonic polyp formation in adenomatous polyposis coli (APC)min/+ mice. To assess the influence of thiazolidinediones (TZDs), which are PPARγ ligands used to treat diabetes mellitus, a retrospective analysis of a database from 10 Veteran Affairs medical centers was conducted.

Patients and Methods

Data on male patients 40 years and older diagnosed to have diabetes mellitus between 1997 and 2003 were obtained from the Veterans Integrated Services Network 16 (VISN 16) data warehouse. Subsequent diagnoses of colorectal, lung, and prostate cancer and use of TZD, other antidiabetic agents, and insulin were identified. Cox regression with time-dependent covariates was used to estimate the association between TZD use and cancer risk. Relative risks were adjusted for confounders (age, race/ethnicity, body mass index, use of insulin, and other oral antidiabetic agents).

Results

Of 87,678 individuals, 1,137 had colorectal cancer, 3,246 had prostate cancer, and 1,371 had lung cancer. We observed a 33% reduction in lung cancer risk among TZD users compared with nonusers after adjusting for confounder interactions (relative risk, 0.67; 95% CI, 0.51 to 0.87). The risk reduction for colorectal and prostate cancers did not reach statistical significance.

Conclusion

TZD use was associated with reduced risk of lung cancer. Further studies are warranted to confirm our findings.
Sentinel Lymph Node Molecular Ultrastaging in Patients With Melanoma: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Prognosis
Authors: Mocellin Simone , Hoon Dave S.B. , Pilati Pierluigi , Rossi Carlo R. , Nitti Donato
Published: April 2007

Purpose

Molecular biology-based ultrastaging of cancer is already part of the standard management of patients with hematologic malignancies, whereas the evidence for solid tumors is much more debated. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) –based detection of melanoma cells in sentinel lymph nodes (SLN) of patients with melanoma represents an appealing prognostic tool. However, no consensus exists on the clinical implementation of this prognostic indicator for the management of these patients.

Methods

Twenty-two studies enrolling 4,019 patients who underwent SLN biopsy for clinical stage I to II cutaneous melanoma were reviewed. Correlation of PCR status with TNM stage, disease recurrence rates, and survival was assessed by means of association statistics and formal meta-analysis, respectively.

Results

PCR status correlated with both TNM stage (stage I to II v III; PCR positivity, 95.1% v 46.6%; P < .0001) and disease recurrence (PCR positive v negative; relapse rate, 16.8% v 8.7%; P < .0001). PCR positivity was also associated with worse overall (hazard ratio [HR], 5.08; 95% CI, 1.83 to 14.08; P = .002) and disease-free (HR, 3.41; 95% CI, 1.86 to 6.24; P < .0001) survival. Statistical heterogeneity was significant, underscoring the variability among overall effect estimates across studies; metaregression and subgroup analysis did not identify clear-cut sources of heterogeneity, although some study design variables were suggested as potential causes.

Conclusion

PCR status of SLN appears to have a clinically valuable prognostic power in patients with melanoma. Although the heterogeneity of the studies so far published warrants caution to avoid overestimating the favorable results of pooled data, our findings strongly support additional investigation in this field.
Phase I Trial of G3139, a bcl-2 Antisense Oligonucleotide, Combined With Doxorubicin and Cyclophosphamide in Children With Relapsed Solid Tumors: A Children's Oncology Group Study
Authors: Rheingold Susan R. , Hogarty Michael D. , Blaney Susan M. , Zwiebel James A. , Sauk-Schubert Calies , Chandula Reddy , Krailo Mark D. , Adamson Peter C.
Published: April 2007

Purpose

To determine the maximum-tolerated dose, toxicity, pharmacokinetics, and biologic effects of G3139 when administered with doxorubicin and cyclophosphamide to children with relapsed solid tumors.

Patients and Methods

Patients received a 7-day continuous infusion of 3, 5, or 7 mg/kg/d of G3139 every 21 days. Doxorubicin, cyclophosphamide, and dexrazoxane were administered on days 5 and 6 of the infusion. Pharmacokinetics and biology studies were performed during the first course.

Results

Thirty-seven patients, median age 14 years (range, 1 to 19 years), were enrolled, of whom 29 were fully assessable for toxicity. Because of dose-limiting neutropenia, doses of doxorubicin 30 mg/m2/d for 2 days, dexrazoxane 300 mg/m2/d for 2 days, and cyclophosphamide 500 mg/m2/d for 2 days were reduced initially, but with the addition of granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (GCSF), could be re-escalated to starting doses. At the 7 mg/kg/d dose level, only one of six patients experienced DLT (neutropenia > 7 days). At this dose, the average (± standard deviation) steady-state G3139 concentration was 2.04 ± 1 μg/mL, a concentration associated with biologic activity. Eleven of 15 patients had reduced bcl-2 expression in peripheral-blood mononuclear cells at the first assessable time point of G3139 exposure, and in eight of 14 patients with serial specimens this reduction persisted through day 6.

Conclusion

The recommended phase II dose of G3139 is 7 mg/kg/d as a 7-day continuous infusion, with cyclophosphamide 500 mg/m2/d and doxorubicin 30 mg/m2/d on days 5 and 6, followed by GCSF. G3139 may accentuate the myelosuppressive effects of doxorubicin and cyclophosphamide. Evidence for biologic effects of G3139 was demonstrated.
Bevacizumab in Combination With Oxaliplatin, Fluorouracil, and Leucovorin (FOLFOX4) for Previously Treated Metastatic Colorectal Cancer: Results From the Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group Study E3200
Authors: Giantonio Bruce J. , Catalano Paul J. , Meropol Neal J. , O'Dwyer Peter J. , Mitchell Edith P. , Alberts Steven R. , Schwartz Michael A. , Benson Al B.
Published: April 2007

Purpose

Colorectal cancer is the second leading cause of cancer mortality in the United States. Antiangiogenic therapy with bevacizumab combined with chemotherapy improves survival in previously untreated metastatic colorectal cancer. This study was conducted to determine the effect of bevacizumab (at 10 mg/kg) on survival duration for oxaliplatin-based chemotherapy in patients with previously treated metastatic colorectal cancer.

Patients and Methods

Eight hundred twenty-nine metastatic colorectal cancer patients previously treated with a fluoropyrimidine and irinotecan were randomly assigned to one of three treatment groups: oxaliplatin, fluorouracil, and leucovorin (FOLFOX4) with bevacizumab; FOLFOX4 without bevacizumab; or bevacizumab alone. The primary end point was overall survival, with additional determinations of progression-free survival, response, and toxicity.

Results

The median duration of survival for the group treated with FOLFOX4 and bevacizumab was 12.9 months compared with 10.8 months for the group treated with FOLFOX4 alone (corresponding hazard ratio for death = 0.75; P = .0011), and 10.2 months for those treated with bevacizumab alone. The median progression-free survival for the group treated with FOLFOX4 in combination with bevacizumab was 7.3 months, compared with 4.7 months for the group treated with FOLFOX4 alone (corresponding hazard ratio for progression = 0.61; P < .0001), and 2.7 months for those treated with bevacizumab alone. The corresponding overall response rates were 22.7%, 8.6%, and 3.3%, respectively (P < .0001 for FOLFOX4 with bevacizumab v FOLFOX4 comparison). Bevacizumab was associated with hypertension, bleeding, and vomiting.

Conclusion

The addition of bevacizumab to oxaliplatin, fluorouracil, and leucovorin improves survival duration for patients with previously treated metastatic colorectal cancer.
Survival and Late Mortality in Long-Term Survivors of Pediatric CNS Tumors
Authors: Morris E. Brannon , Gajjar Amar , Okuma James O. , Yasui Yutaka , Wallace Dana , Kun Larry E. , Merchant Thomas E. , Fouladi Maryam , Broniscer Alberto , Robison Leslie L. , Hudson Melissa M.
Published: April 2007

Purpose

To describe the pattern of survival and late mortality among contemporary long-term survivors of pediatric CNS tumor.

Patients and Methods

The study population comprised 643 pediatric patients with primary CNS tumor treated at St Jude Children's Research Hospital (Memphis, TN) from 1985 to 2000 who survived ≥ 5 years from diagnosis. Patients were classified according to primary tumor type, location of tumor, and survival. Cause of death was obtained from the medical record and categorized as progression, malignant transformation, second malignancy, medical complication, or external cause.

Results

Overall survival estimates for patients who survived at least 5 years postdiagnosis was 91.3% ± 2% and 86% ± 3% at 10 and 15 years postdiagnosis, respectively. A significant difference in the survival rates according to original tumor type (P = .001) was seen. Sixty-six (10%) of 643 patients experienced late mortality: 38 patients (58%) died of progressive disease while 14 patients (21%) died of second malignant tumor. Twelve patients (18%), predominantly with diencephalic tumor location, died of a specific medical cause: cardiovascular disease (n = 2), cerebrovascular accident (n = 1), metabolic collapse and/or sepsis (n = 7), respiratory failure (n = 1), or shunt malfunction (n = 1).

Conclusion

Late mortality occurs in a substantial number of long-term survivors of pediatric CNS tumors and is most influenced by the initial tumor histopathology. Progressive disease remains the most common cause of death within the first decade of diagnosis. Teenage patients requiring treatment for panhypopituitarism may be especially vulnerable and deserve significant medical surveillance.
Vertical-axis tidal-current generators and the Pentland Firth
Authors: Salter S. H. , Taylor J. R M.
Published: April 2007

This paper extends ideas presented to the World Renewable Energy Conference [1, 2]. One idea involves the impedance of flow channels and its relevance to the maximum tidal-stream resource. Estimates of the inertial and damping terms of the impedance of the Pentland Firth suggest a much higher resource size than studies based purely on the kinetic flux, because adding extra turbines will have less effect on flow velocities than in a low impedance channel. This very large resource has pushed the design of the turbine towards the stream velocities, depth, and seabed geology of this site. A second idea is an algorithm to control the pitch of close-packed vertical-axis generators to give an evenly distributed head. Finally, there are suggestions for a seabed attachment aimed specifically for conditions in the Pentland Firth and intended to allow rapid installation of a self-propelled tidal-stream generator.
Design and testing of a contra-rotating tidal current turbine
Authors: Clarke J. A. , Connor G , Grant A. D. , Johnstone C. M.
Published: April 2007

A contra-rotating marine current turbine has a number of attractive features: nearzero reactive torque on the support structure, near-zero swirl in the wake, and high relative inter-rotor rotational speeds. Modified blade element modelling theory has been used to design and predict the characteristics of such a turbine, and a model turbine and test rig have been constructed. Tests in a towing tank demonstrated the feasibility of the concept. Power coefficients were high for such a small model and in excellent agreement with predictions, confirming the accuracy of the computational modelling procedures. High-frequency blade loading data were obtained in the course of the experiments. These show the anticipated dynamic components for a contra-rotating machine. Flow visualization of the wake verified the lack of swirl behind the turbine. A larger machine is presently under construction for sea trials.
An experimental investigation on cavitation, noise, and slipstream characteristics of ocean stream turbines
Authors: Wang D , Atlar M , Sampson R
Published: April 2007

The paper presents an experimental investigation on the cavitation, noise, and slipstream characteristics of an ocean tidal stream turbine together with a discussion on the test facilities and methodology used. The experiments were conducted in a cavitation tunnel used to test marine propellers, with the same similarity laws as are used for a marine propeller. The cavitation patterns were observed at conditions corresponding to pre-stall, stall, and post-stall stream speeds as well as for two different depths of submergence of the turbine shaft to simulate the static presence of waves. The noise levels of the turbine were measured at the same conditions as the cavitation tests. The experimental results show that the turbine can experience strong unstable sheet and cloud cavitations as well as strong tip vortex cavitation at a shallow depth of shaft submergence which can be imposed by a wave trough taking place over the turbine. It is also shown that the measured noise level of the turbine is further increased due to the presence of cavitation. Finally, the slipstream wash was measured in terms of field velocities in the wake and surrounding of the turbine, and results show the slipstream wash may have an impact on the seabed if a turbine is positioned too close to it.
A simplified technique for non-surgical catheterization of the vena cava cranialis in pigs and an evaluation of the method
Authors: Damm B. I. , Pedersen L. J. , Ladewig J. , Jensen K. H.
Published: April 2007

Restraint and venepuncture affect blood parameters and are stressful for pigs. Therefore, when experiments require frequent blood sampling, catheterization is the best option, both ethically and scientifically. A simplified non-surgical method for catheterization of the vena cava cranialis in sows is described. The vena cava is catheterized via the vena jugularis external which is punctured while the sow is restrained by nose snaring. The procedure can be carried out by two experimenters in 5 min, it requires little equipment and can be performed under farm or very simple experimental conditions. Results from 89 catheterizations are reported. Seventy-three of the catheters remained functional for 5 days or more. There was a tendency for a higher success rate in dry sows than in highly pregnant sows. The only behavioural effect observed after catheterization was a short-lasting increase in motivation for wallowing in some sows. No illness that could be attributed to the catheterization occurred.
Effects of repeated anaesthesia with ketamine/medetomidine and of pre-anaesthetic administration of buprenorphine in rats
Authors: Hedenqvist P. , Roughan J. V. , Flecknell P. A.
Published: April 2007

Two groups of rats were anaesthetized at weekly intervals for 6 weeks with either ketamine/medetomidine alone (60 mg/0.4 mg/kg i.p.) or ketamine/medetomidine (45 mg/0.3 mg/kg i.p.) one hour following buprenorphine (0.05 mg/kg s.c.). Animals that received buprenorphine had longer periods of surgical anaesthesia ( P = 0.04) and a greater depression of both mean pedal withdrawal score ( P < 0.01) and mean respiratory rate ( P = 0.014). Mean total duration of anaesthesia was also greater in the buprenorphine group on day 1. Sleep times reduced with successive doses of anaesthetic in the buprenorphine group ( P = 0.024). Two animals in the buprenorphine group died. Repeated anaesthesia with ketamine/medetomidine alone was not associated with anaesthetic mortality. These results indicate that although buprenorphine has a clear anaesthetic-sparing effect, its use with ketamine/medetomidine may be associated with an increased risk of anaesthetic-related mortality.
Rapid oral endotracheal intubation with a fibre-optic scope in rabbits: a simple and reliable technique
Authors: Worthley S. G. , Roque M. , Helft G. , Soundararajan K. , Siddiqui M. , Reis E. D.
Published: April 2007

The orotracheal intubation of rabbits is complicated by their oropharyngeal anatomy. Numerous techniques to intubate rabbits have been described; however, these methods require specialized devices, tracheostomy, or are performed in a blind fashion. We describe a technique for the intubation of the rabbit under direct visualization with a standard, small-bore, fibre-optic laparoscope, which is both rapid and simple to perform.
Attempted eradication of salmonellosis from a colony of short-tail grey opossums (Monodelphis domestica)
Authors: Wilkinson M. J. A. , Taylor D. J. , Laurie J. , Brown C.
Published: April 2007

Prior to re-housing a colony of laboratory short-tail grey opossums, the animals were found to harbour salmonella. This paper describes an unsuccessful attempt to eradicate the infection from the colony by means of antibiotic treatment and hygienic measures. A pilot treatment of five animals which received enrofloxacin 10 mg/kg for 5 days appeared to be successful in that no salmonellae were recovered from faeces or organs sampled after treatment. The process was repeated on the whole colony prior to a change of accommodation but 2 animals were found to be still infected, 5 weeks after cessation of treatment.
A new technique to determine hydrogen excreted by gnotobiotic rats
Authors: Hartmann L. , Taras D. , Kamlage B. , Blaut M.
Published: April 2007

A new system, that allowed the monitoring of hydrogen (H2) excretion by gnotobiotic rats without affecting their defined microbial status, was developed. The system consists of an isolator containing a chamber for an experimental animal, and a life-support system (LSS). with a sampling port outside the isolator connected to it. H2 accumulation in the system was measured by analysing a defined volume of gas after removal. H2 concentrations were determined with an electrochemical cell or by gas chromatography. To validate this technique, H2 excretion by germ-free (GF) and mono-associated rats fed a chemically defined diet was measured after oral application of lactulose. Mono-associated rats had been obtained by colonizing GF rats with a H2-producing Clostridium perfringens type A strain isolated from human faeces of a healthy volunteer. Application of 50 mg lactulose to the mono-associated rats resulted in a significant increase in H2 excretion. The net H2 excretion was 7.82±1.28 ml H2 in 12 h corresponding to a net maximal rate of 1.1±0.3 ml H2/h. In contrast, in experiments with GF rats, less than 0.13 ml H2 were detectable within 12 h. The technique presented is a useful tool for studying bacterial H2 metabolism in vivo under gnotobiotic conditions.
Facility Reliability Issues in Network p-Median Problems: Strategic Centralization and Co-Location Effects
Authors: Berman Oded , Krass Dmitry , Menezes Mozart B. C.
Published: April 2007

In this paper, we analyze a facility location model where facilities may be subject to disruptions, causing customers to seek service from the operating facilities. We generalize the classical p-median problem on a network to explicitly include the failure probabilities, and analyze structural and algorithmic aspects of the resulting model. The optimal location patterns are seen to be strongly dependent on the probability of facility failure, with facilities becoming more centralized, or even co-located, as the failure probability grows. Several exact and heuristic solution approaches are developed. Results of numerical experiments are reported.
Coupling Stochastic and Deterministic Local Search in Examination Timetabling
Authors: Caramia Massimiliano , Dell’Olmo Paolo
Published: April 2007

In this paper, we propose a novel optimization algorithm for examination timetabling. It works by alternating two phases; one based on a stochastic local search and the other on a deterministic local search. The stochastic phase is fundamentally based on biased random sampling that iteratively constructs schedules according to a matrix whose entries are the probability with which exams can be assigned to time slots. The deterministic phase, instead, consists of assigning (according to a given ordering) each exam sequentially to the time slot that causes the lowest increase in the schedule penalty. After a schedule is constructed, swap operations are executed to improve performance. These two phases are coupled and made closely interactive by tunnelling information on what has happened during one phase to the successive ones. Moreover, the length of a phase and the parameter framework to be used in a new phase are automatically determined by a record of the process. We tested the proposed technique on known benchmarks, and a comparison with 17 algorithms drawn from the state of the art appears to show that our algorithm is able to improve best-known results. In particular, in reference to uncapacitated problems, i.e., the ones without room constraints, our algorithm bested the state of the art in 70% to 90% of the tested instances, while in capacitated problems with overnight conflicts (second-order conflicts), it was superior to all the other algorithms.
A Framework Using Two-Factor Price Lattices for Generation Asset Valuation
Authors: Tseng Chung-Li , Lin Kyle Y.
Published: April 2007

In this paper, we use a real-options framework to value a power plant. The real option to commit or decommit a generating unit may be exercised on an hourly basis to maximize expected profit while subject to intertemporal operational constraints. The option-exercising process is modeled as a multistage stochastic problem. We develop a framework for generating discrete-time price lattices for two correlated Ito processes for electricity and fuel prices. We show that the proposed framework exceeds existing approaches in both lattice feasibility and computational efficiency. We prove that this framework guarantees existence of branching probabilities at all nodes and all stages of the lattice if the correlation between the two Ito processes is no greater than 4/√35 ≈ 0.676. With price evolution represented by a lattice, the valuation problem is solved using stochastic dynamic programming. We show how the obtained power plant value converges to the true expected value by refining the price lattice. Sensitivity analysis for the power plant value to changes of price parameters is also presented.
Capacity Management for Contract Manufacturing
Authors: Gupta Diwakar , Wang Lei
Published: April 2007

Contract manufacturers sell capacity under different terms to different buyers. In a common practice, the supplier offers a market standard price and lead-time combination for products listed in its catalog. At the same time, it strikes contracts with some high-volume customers who require recurring delivery of a custom product at a short notice, usually timed to meet the buyer’s production schedule. Whereas the manufacturer is obligated to satisfy demand from these customers, it can dynamically choose which transactional orders to accept. In this paper, we analyze two scenarios. In the first scenario, the manufacturer produces contractual orders on a make-to-order basis, and in the second, it maintains finished goods inventory for such orders. At each decision epoch, the manufacturer decides which transactional orders to accept to maximize its long-run expected profit. When contractual items are made to stock, the manufacturer also chooses how much extra capacity to allocate to contractual items, over and above what is needed to meet realized demand. We establish the structure of the optimal policies and propose scalable heuristics when optimal policies are hard to compute/implement. Our models are then used to study the effect of demand variability on the optimal profit. We also show how the amount of capacity available, relative to demand, changes the desirability of serving either transactional-only or both markets.
Optimal Capacity Investment Decisions with Two-Sided Fixed-Capacity Adjustment Costs
Authors: Ye Qing , Duenyas Izak
Published: April 2007

In this paper, we consider the optimal management of capacity when a firm faces fixed costs and variable costs to purchase capacity. The firm can also salvage capacity and receive a variable value per unit capacity salvaged, but faces a (different) fixed cost in this case. Each period, the firm faces a stochastic demand, and maintenance costs for capacity that it decides to keep. The firm would thus like to decide how much capacity it should purchase or salvage each period.

We introduce a new concept, which we call (K1, K2)-concavity, and show that the profit-to-go function satisfies this property. This enables us to characterize the structure of an optimal policy, which is rather complex, consisting of multiple regions in which different decisions are made. We show how special cases of this problem (e.g., no fixed costs, expansion or contraction not allowed) reduce to well-known results, and how (K1, K2)-concavity is a generalization of concavity, K-concavity, and sym-K-concavity. We also show how different lead times for purchasing or salvaging capacity can be integrated into the model. Finally, we extend the model to the case where demand is Markov modulated, and a portion of capacity can deteriorate in each period.
Thirteen Reasons Why the Vickrey-Clarke-Groves Process Is Not Practical
Authors: Rothkopf Michael H.
Published: April 2007

In theory, the mathematically elegant Vickrey-Clarke-Groves process offers perfect efficiency with dominant truth-revealing strategies. However, it has many serious practical problems. This paper describes these problems and argues that research that aims to maintain the dominant truth-revealing strategies while compromising on the other practical issues is of limited practical value.