bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Effect of Flue-Gas Impurities on the Process of Injection and Storage of CO2 in Depleted Gas Reservoirs
Authors: Nogueira Marjorie , Mamora Daulat D.
Published: February 2008

Our previous coreflood experiments—injecting pure CO2 into carbonate cores—showed that the process is a win-win technology, sequestrating CO2 while recovering a significant amount of hitherto unrecoverable natural gas that could help defray the cost of CO2 sequestration. In this paper, we report our findings on the effect of “impurities” in flue gas—N2, O2, H2O, SO2, NO2, and CO—on the displacement of natural gas during CO2 sequestration. Results show that injection of CO2 with approximately less than 1mole% impurities would result in practically the same volume of CO2 being sequestered as injecting pure CO2. This gas would have the advantage of being a cheaper separation process compared to pure CO2 as not all the impurities are removed. Although separation of CO2 out of flue gas is a costly process, it appears that this is necessary to maximize CO2 sequestration volume, reduce compression costs of N2 (approximately 80% of the stream), and improve sweep efficiency and gas recovery in the reservoir.
Experimental Studies on Galling Onset in OCTG Connections: A Review
Authors: Ekwaro-Osire S. , Karpat F.
Published: February 2008

With today’s high prices for natural gas and oil, the demand for oil and country tubular goods (OCTGs) with superior performance properties is very high. Failures in OCTG can be attributed to numerous sources, for example, makeup torque, corrosion, and galling. Thread galling is the most common mode of failure. This failure often leads to leakage, corrosion of the material, and loss of mechanical integrity. The failure of OCTG eventually amounts to excessive operational costs for the gas and oil industry. Numerous approaches have been taken to improve the galling resistance of OCTG connections. The advocacy of these approaches is often achieved through experimental studies using galling testers. There is a need to design and use effective galling testers to understand and improve the performance of OCTG connections. Thus, the objective of this paper is to present a concise review of literature related to the galling testers that may have applications to OCTG.
Canine Distemper Virus Strains Circulating among North American Dogs
Authors: Kapil Sanjay , Allison Robin W. , Johnston Larry , Murray Brandy L. , Holland Steven , Meinkoth Jim , Johnson Bill
Published: February 2008

Canine distemper virus (CDV) is a highly contagious virus that causes multisystemic disease in dogs. We received seven samples from dogs with CD from the United States during 2007. CDV isolates from these samples formed large, multinucleated syncytia in a Vero cell line expressing canine signaling lymphocyte activation molecule (SLAM). Based on the hemagglutinin gene sequences, the CDV isolates from three states (California, Missouri, and Oklahoma) formed two CDV genetic groups: group I (major; six of seven isolates) consisted of CDV isolates closely related to the European wildlife lineage of CDV, and group II (minor; one of seven isolates) was genetically related to the Arctic-like lineage of CDV. However, both CDV groups were genetically different from the current vaccine strains that belong to the American-1 lineage of the old (1930 to 1950) CDV isolates.
Nocardia wallacei
sp. nov. and
Nocardia blacklockiae
sp. nov., Human Pathogens and Members of the “
Nocardia transvalensis
Complex”
Authors: Conville Patricia S. , Brown June M. , Steigerwalt Arnold G. , Brown-Elliott Barbara A. , Witebsky Frank G.
Published: February 2008

Nocardia
isolates that share the property of in vitro amikacin resistance are grouped together by some authors in the
Nocardia transvalensis
complex. Our examination of 13 isolates that are amikacin resistant has revealed the existence of three distinct species. Sequence analysis of the 16S rRNA, 65-kDa heat shock protein, and
secA1
genes, coupled with DNA-DNA hybridization, indicated that “
N. asteroides
drug pattern IV,” “
N. transvalensis
new taxon 1,” and
N. transvalensis
sensu stricto should each be considered a distinct species. The phenotypic and molecular characteristics of the proposed new species
Nocardia wallacei
(
N. asteroides
drug pattern IV) and
N. blacklockiae
(
N. transvalensis
new taxon 1) are presented and compared with those of
N. transvalensis
sensu stricto. The relative genetic diversity of isolates best placed with the species
N. blacklockiae
is also discussed. Case studies demonstrating the pathogenicity of
N. wallacei
and
N. blacklockiae
are presented. The type strain of
N. wallacei
is ATCC 49873 (DSM 45136), and that of
N. blacklockiae
is ATCC 700035 (DSM 45135).
Epstein-Barr Virus Nuclear Antigen 3C Interacts with and Enhances the Stability of the c-Myc Oncoprotein
Authors: Bajaj Bharat G. , Murakami Masanao , Cai Qiliang , Verma Subhash C. , Lan Ke , Robertson Erle S.
Published: February 2008

Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) was the first human DNA virus to be associated with cancer. Its oncogenic potential was further demonstrated by its ability to transform primary B lymphocytes in vitro. EBV nuclear antigen 3C (EBNA3C) is one of a small subset of latent antigens critical for the transformation of human primary B lymphocytes. Although EBNA3C has been shown to modulate several cellular functions, additional targets involved in cellular transformation remain to be explored. EBNA3C can recruit key components of the SCFSkp2ubiquitin ligase complex. In this report, we show that EBNA3C residues 130 to 190, previously shown to bind to the SCFSkp2complex, also can strongly associate with the c-Myc oncoprotein. Additionally, the interaction of EBNA3C with c-Myc was mapped to the region of c-Myc that includes the highly conserved Skp2 binding domain. Skp2 has been shown to regulate c-Myc stability and also has been shown to function as a coactivator of transcription for c-Myc target genes. We now show that the EBV latent oncoprotein EBNA3C can stabilize c-Myc and that the recruitment of both c-Myc and its cofactor Skp2 to c-Myc-dependent promoters can enhance c-Myc-dependent transcription. This same region of EBNA3C also recruits and modulates the activity of retinoblastoma and p27, both major regulators of the mammalian cell cycle. The inclusion of c-Myc in the group of cellular targets modulated by this domain further accentuates the importance of these critical residues of EBNA3C in bypassing the cell cycle checkpoints.
Epstein-Barr Virus Nuclear Antigen 1 Does Not Cause Lymphoma in C57BL/6J Mice
Authors: Kang Myung-Soo , Soni Vishal , Bronson Roderick , Kieff Elliott
Published: February 2008

To test whether transgenic Epstein-Barr virus nuclear antigen 1 (EBNA1) expression in C57BL/6 mouse lymphocytes causes lymphoma, EBNA1 expressed in three FVB lineages at two or three times the level of latent infection was crossed up to six successive times into C57BL/6J mice. After five or six crosses, 14/36, (38%) EBNA1 transgenic mice, 11/31 (36%) littermate EBNA1-negative controls, and 9/25 (36%) inbred C57BL/6J mice housed in the same facility had lymphoma. These data indicate that EBNA1 does not significantly increase lymphoma prevalence in C57BL/6J mice.
Deciphering Human Immunodeficiency Virus Type 1 Transmission and Early Envelope Diversification by Single-Genome Amplification and Sequencing
Authors: Salazar-Gonzalez Jesus F. , Bailes Elizabeth , Pham Kimmy T. , Salazar Maria G. , Guffey M. Brad , Keele Brandon F. , Derdeyn Cynthia A. , Farmer Paul , Hunter Eric , Allen Susan , Manigart Olivier , Mulenga Joseph , Anderson Jeffrey A. , Swanstrom Ronald , Haynes Barton F. , Athreya Gayathri S. , Korber Bette T. M. , Sharp Paul M. , Shaw George M. , Hahn Beatrice H.
Published: February 2008

Accurate identification of the transmitted virus and sequences evolving from it could be instrumental in elucidating the transmission of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) and in developing vaccines, drugs, or microbicides to prevent infection. Here we describe an experimental approach to analyze HIV-1
env
genes as intact genetic units amplified from plasma virion RNA by single-genome amplification (SGA), followed by direct sequencing of uncloned DNA amplicons. We show that this strategy precludes in vitro artifacts caused by
Taq
-induced nucleotide substitutions and template switching, provides an accurate representation of the
env
quasispecies in vivo, and has an overall error rate (including nucleotide misincorporation, insertion, and deletion) of less than 8 × 10
−5
. Applying this method to the analysis of virus in plasma from 12 Zambian subjects from whom samples were obtained within 3 months of seroconversion, we show that transmitted or early founder viruses can be identified and that molecular pathways and rates of early
env
diversification can be defined. Specifically, we show that 8 of the 12 subjects were each infected by a single virus, while 4 others acquired more than one virus; that the rate of virus evolution in one subject during an 80-day period spanning seroconversion was 1.7 × 10
−5
substitutions per site per day; and that evidence of strong immunologic selection can be seen in Env and overlapping Rev sequences based on nonrandom accumulation of nonsynonymous mutations. We also compared the results of the SGA approach with those of more-conventional bulk PCR amplification methods performed on the same patient samples and found that the latter is associated with excessive rates of
Taq
-induced recombination, nucleotide misincorporation, template resampling, and cloning bias. These findings indicate that HIV-1
env
genes, other viral genes, and even full-length viral genomes responsible for productive clinical infection can be identified by SGA analysis of plasma virus sampled at intervals typical in large-scale vaccine trials and that pathways of viral diversification and immune escape can be determined accurately.
FIP1L1–PDGFRApositive chronic eosinophilic leukaemia and associated central nervous system involvement
Authors: Williams C , Kalra S , Nath U , Bown N , Wilson V , Wilkins B S , Neylon A J
Published: February 2008

Interstitial deletion involving chromosome 4q12 generates the novel tyrosine kinase fusion protein encoded byFIP1L1–PDGFRA, which is present in many patients previously labelled as having hypereosinophilic syndrome, initially reported in 2003. Reports in recent literature document excellent clinical and molecular response to the tyrosine kinase inhibitor imatinib (Glivec). This report describes the case of a 58-year-old lady, diagnosed withFIP1L1–PDGFRApositive hypereosinophilic disorder, who subsequently developed symptoms related to an intracranial lesion. Biopsy and molecular genetic studies confirmed a diffuse infiltrative lesion, with evidence ofFIP1L1–PDGFRAgene fusion. Initiation of imatinib treatment led to impressive clinical and radiological response.
Gradual and sudden forest canopy gaps in Allegheny northern hardwood forests
Authors: Krasny Marianne E. , Whitmore Mark C.
Published: February 2008

To determine the importance of gradual tree death to gap dynamics in Allegheny northern hardwood forests, line transect surveys of gaps and gap makers were conducted in three mature forests in central New York. Of the total number of gaps, 71.7% were classified as gradual gaps, meaning they were partial openings in the canopy caused by either trees with greater than 50% branch loss or standing dead trees. Sudden gaps, caused by trees that had fallen, constituted 9.7% of the total number of gaps. Another 18.6% of the gaps had mixed causes. American beech (Fagusgrandifolia Ehrh.), which is subject to beech bark disease in the study area, was the predominant gap maker, representing 52.4% of the gap makers compared with 25.6% of the canopy trees. It is suggested that future studies of forest gap dynamics include measures of gaps forming over a period of time, particularly in forests subject to decline and biotic diseases and in other forests where gradual tree death and standing dead trees are known to be important.
Plant Aquaporins: Membrane Channels with Multiple Integrated Functions
Authors: Maurel Christophe , Verdoucq Lionel , Luu Doan-Trung , Santoni Véronique
Published: February 2008

Aquaporins are channel proteins present in the plasma and intracellular membranes of plant cells, where they facilitate the transport of water and/or small neutral solutes (urea, boric acid, silicic acid) or gases (ammonia, carbon dioxide). Recent progress was made in understanding the molecular bases of aquaporin transport selectivity and gating. The present review examines how a wide range of selectivity profiles and regulation properties allows aquaporins to be integrated in numerous functions, throughout plant development, and during adaptations to variable living conditions. Although they play a central role in water relations of roots, leaves, seeds, and flowers, aquaporins have also been linked to plant mineral nutrition and carbon and nitrogen fixation.
Regulation and Identity of Florigen: FLOWERING LOCUS T Moves Center Stage
Authors: Turck Franziska , Fornara Fabio , Coupland George
Published: February 2008

The transition from vegetative to reproductive growth is controlled by day length in many plant species. Day length is perceived in leaves and induces a systemic signal, called florigen, that moves through the phloem to the shoot apex. At the shoot apical meristem (SAM), florigen causes changes in gene expression that reprogram the SAM to form flowers instead of leaves. Analysis of flowering of Arabidopsis thaliana placed the CONSTANS/FLOWERING LOCUS T (CO/FT) module at the core of a pathway that promotes flowering in response to changes in day length. We describe progress in defining the molecular mechanisms that activate this module in response to changing day length and the increasing evidence that FT protein is a major component of florigen. Finally, we discuss conservation of FT function in other species and how variation in its regulation could generate different flowering behaviors.
Structural and Signaling Networks for the Polar Cell Growth Machinery in Pollen Tubes
Authors: Cheung Alice Y. , Wu Hen-ming
Published: February 2008

Pollen tubes elongate within the pistil to transport sperms to the female gametophytes for fertilization. Pollen tubes grow at their tips through a rapid and polarized cell growth process. This tip growth process is supported by an elaborate and dynamic actin cytoskeleton and a highly active membrane trafficking system that together provide the driving force and secretory activities needed for growth. A polarized cytoplasm with an abundance of vesicles and tip-focused Ca2+and H+concentration gradients are important for the polar cell growth process. Apical membrane–located Rho GTPases regulate Ca2+concentration and actin dynamics in the cytoplasm and are crucial for maintaining pollen tube polarity. Pollen tube growth is marked by periods of rapid and slow growth phases. Activities that regulate and support this tip growth process also show oscillatory fluctuations. How these activities correlate with the rapid, polar, and oscillatory pollen tube growth process is discussed.
Translocation and Unwinding Mechanisms of RNA and DNA Helicases
Authors: Pyle Anna Marie
Published: February 2008

Helicases and remodeling enzymes are ATP-dependent motor proteins that play a critical role in every aspect of RNA and DNA metabolism. Most RNA-remodeling enzymes are members of helicase superfamily 2 (SF2), which includes many DNA helicase enzymes that display similar structural and mechanistic features. Although SF2 enzymes are typically called helicases, many of them display other types of functions, including single-strand translocation, strand annealing, and protein displacement. There are two mechanisms by which RNA helicase enzymes unwind RNA: The nonprocessive DEAD group catalyzes local unwinding of short duplexes adjacent to their binding sites. Members of the processive DExH group often translocate along single-stranded RNA and displace paired strands (or proteins) in their path. In the latter case, unwinding is likely to occur by an active mechanism that involves Brownian motor function and stepwise translocation along RNA. Through structural and single-molecule investigations, researchers are developing coherent models to explain the functions and dynamic motions of helicase enzymes.
Intracellular ANG II directly induces in vitro transcription of TGF-β1, MCP-1, and NHE-3 mRNAs in isolated rat renal cortical nuclei via activation of nuclear AT1areceptors
Authors: Li Xiao C. , Zhuo Jia L.
Published: February 2008

The present study tested the hypothesis that intracellular ANG II directly induces transcriptional effects by stimulating AT1areceptors in the nucleus of rat renal cortical cells. Intact nuclei were freshly isolated from the rat renal cortex, and transcriptional responses to ANG II were studied using in vitro RNA transcription assays and semiquantitative RT-PCR. High-power phase-contrast micrographs showed that isolated nuclei were encircled by an intact nuclear envelope and stained strongly by the DNA marker 4′,6-diamidino-2-phenylindole, but not by the membrane or endosomal markers. Fluorescein isothiocyanate-labeled ANG II and [125I]Val5-ANG II binding confirmed the presence of ANG II receptors in the nuclei with a predominance of AT1receptors. RT-PCR showed that AT1amRNA expression was threefold greater than AT1breceptor mRNAs in these nuclei. In freshly isolated nuclei, ANG II increased in vitro [α-32P]CTP incorporation in a concentration-dependent manner, and the effect was confirmed by autoradiography and RNA electrophoresis. ANG II markedly increased in vitro transcription of mRNAs for transforming growth factor-β1 by 143% ( P < 0.01), macrophage chemoattractant protein-1 by 89% ( P < 0.01), and the sodium and hydrogen exchanger-3 by 110% ( P < 0.01). These transcriptional effects of ANG II on the nuclei were completely blocked by the AT1receptor antagonist losartan ( P < 0.01). By contrast, ANG II had no effects on transcription of angiotensinogen and glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase mRNAs. Because these transcriptional effects of ANG II in isolated nuclei were induced by ANG II in the absence of cell surface receptor-mediated signaling and completely blocked by losartan, we concluded that ANG II may directly stimulate nuclear AT1areceptors to induce transcriptional responses that are associated with tubular epithelial sodium transport, cellular growth and hypertrophy, and proinflammatory cytokines.
Long-Term Enhancement of Synchronized Oscillations by Adrenergic Receptor Activation in the Olfactory Bulb
Authors: Gire David H. , Schoppa Nathan E.
Published: February 2008

The noradrenergic system is widely thought to be important for associative learning in the olfactory system through actions in the first processing structure, the main olfactory bulb (MOB). Here, we used extracellular local field potential (LFP) and patch-clamp recordings in rat MOB slices to examine norepinephrine (NE)-induced long-term changes in circuit properties that might underlie learning. During responses to patterned olfactory nerve stimulation mimicking the breathing cycle, NE induced a long-term increase in gamma frequency (30–70 Hz) synchronized oscillations. The enhancement persisted long after washout of NE (≤70 min), depended on the combined actions of NE and neuronal stimulation, and seemed to be caused by enhanced excitatory drive on the mitral/granule cell network that underlies rapid gamma oscillations. The last effect, increased excitation, was manifested as an increase in evoked long-lasting depolarizations (LLDs) in mitral cells. From a functional perspective, the observed long-term cellular and network changes could promote associative learning by amplifying odor-specific signals.
Reproducibility of Serum Leptin, Insulin-Like Growth Factor-I, and Insulin-Like Growth Factor-Binding Protein-3 Measurements
Authors: Chia Victoria M. , Newcomb Polly A. , White Emily , Zheng Yingye , Potter John D. , Lampe Johanna W.
Published: February 2008

Background: Many epidemiologic studies examine the effects of single measurements of hormones, including those related to obesity such as insulin-like growth factors (IGFs) or leptin, on disease associations; however, few studies have determined whether these single values accurately reflect measurements over time. Methods: We examined the reproducibility of hormones associated with obesity, specifically leptin, IGF-I, and IGF-binding protein-3 (IGFBP-3). Two fasting blood samples, approximately four months apart, were collected from 38 participants from the Seattle metropolitan area; leptin, IGF-I, and IGFBP-3 concentrations were measured in previously unthawed serum samples. Unadjusted and adjusted intraclass correlation coefficients (ICC) were calculated to assess reproducibility. Results: Adjusting for age and sex, the ICCs for leptin, IGF-I, and IGFBP-3 were 0.73, 0.83 and 0.60, respectively. Weighted kappas yielded similar results. Conclusion: These data suggest that for leptin, IGF-I, and IGFBP-3, a single fasting serum measurement can fairly reliably reflect the hormonal milieu over periods of months.
Hearing Rehabilitation in Neurofibromatosis Type 2 Patients: Cochlear versus Auditory Brainstem Implantation
Authors: Vincenti Vincenzo , Pasanisi Enrico , Guida Maurizio , Di Trapani Giuseppe , Sanna Mario
Published: February 2008

Objective: We aimed to evaluate and compare the auditory performance of neurofibromatosis type 2 (NF2) patients with bilateral total deafness fitted with cochlear or auditory brainstem implants. Patients and Methods: A retrospective case review was performed. Nine patients suffering from NF2 who underwent hearing rehabilitation by means of cochlear (4 patients) or auditory brainstem (5 patients) implantation participated in the study. Postoperative auditory performance was assessed using closed- and open-set tests. Results: In the group of patients fitted with a cochlear implant, 3 subjects achieved open-set speech recognition abilities comparable to those of standard adult postlingual implant patients; the remaining patient scored 0% in all open-set format tests, reporting benefits only in environmental sound detection and lip-reading. Among the 5 patients who underwent auditory brainstem implantation, 1 reached good open-set speech recognition skills, scoring 70% in the common phrases comprehension test, and she was able to communicate on the telephone. Two other patients achieved open-set speech understanding (respectively, 33 and 41% in the common phrases comprehension test), reporting daily use of their device. The remaining 2 patients did not achieve any level of open-set speech perception, obtaining only improved access to environmental sound and lip-reading skills. Conclusions: Our study confirmed literature data reporting that cochlear implantation may offer open-set speech communication in NF2 patients. In this small cohort, cochlear implant patients performed better than auditory brainstem implant patients, even if variability in auditory performance was observed with both devices. More studies are needed in order to clarify the role and reliability of electrophysiological tests in predicting the residual functionality of the cochlear nerve after tumor removal.
Blood Pressure Reference Tables for Hungarian Adolescents Aged 11–16 Years
Authors: Túri Sándor , Baráth Ákos , Boda Krisztina , Tichy Mariett , Károly Éva
Published: February 2008

Background/Aims: Blood pressure (BP) during childhood is an established predictor of adult BP, which in turn predicts mortality in the event of cardiovascular disease. Reference data for systolic (SBP) and diastolic (DBP) BP are not available for Hungarian children (aged 11–14 years). The aim was to make up for this deficit. Methods: Analyses were performed on 14,504 Hungarian children aged 11–16 years. All measurements were made with a validated, automated device. Criteria described by international guidelines were used. Results: The 50th, 90th and 95th percentile BP values were defined by dividing the participating population into age-, gender- and height-specific subgroups. The SBP increased linearly with age to an apparent plateau at around the age of 15–16 years in both girls and boys, and there were similar increases in DBP and mean arterial pressure. Both the SBP and DBP revealed highly significant correlations in both genders with weight (SBP: r = 0.452, p < 0.01; DBP: r = 0.340, p < 0.01), height (SBP: r = 0.314, p < 0.01; DBP: r = 0.245, p < 0.01) and body mass index (SBP: r = 0.407, p < 0.01; DBP: r = 0.294, p < 0.01). Conclusion:The present study provides reference data on SBP and DBP, facilitating the diagnosis of essential hypertension in the 11- to 16-year age group.
Effective Treatment of a Refractory Hairy Cell Leukemia Variant with Splenic Pre-Irradiation and Alemtuzumab
Authors: Sasaki Makoto , Sugimoto Koichi , Mori Takeshi , Karasawa Kumiko , Oshimi Kazuo
Published: February 2008

A 72-year-old Japanese man presented with 43.1 × 109/l hairy cells and apparent splenomegaly. The leukemia cells had unevenly distributed microvilli and round nuclei with dense chromatin and one or two clear nucleoli, lacked CD25 expression and were negative for tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase. The case was diagnosed as hairy cell leukemia variant (HCLv) and proved refractory to various chemotherapies, including cladribine, pentostatin, interferon-α, CHOP and rituximab. Because of the CD52 expression, we treated the patient with alemtuzumab. Pretreatment with 22.5 Gy to the spleen reduced the spleen size from 12 to 4 cm below the left costal margin, and the number of circulating leukemic cells decreased from 229.0 to 63.6 × 109/l. Subsequent administration of 24.0 mg of alemtuzumab eliminated leukemic cells in the peripheral blood on day 12, and the spleen was not palpable after the administration of 54.0 mg of alemtuzumab. In vitro treatment with alemtuzumab confirmed the cytotoxic effect against the patient’s leukemic cells in the presence of complement. This is the first report showing clinical effectiveness of splenic irradiation and alemtuzumab against refractory HCLv.
Resistance to Chemotherapy in Cancer: A Complex and Integrated Cellular Response
Authors: Mellor Howard R. , Callaghan Richard
Published: February 2008

Inherent and acquired resistance pathways account for the high rate of failure in cancer chemotherapy. The mechanisms or pathways mediating resistance may be classified as pharmacokinetic (i.e. alter intratumour drug exposue) or pharmacodynamic (i.e. failure to elicit cytotoxicity). More often than not, the resistant phenotype is characterised by alterations in multiple pathways. Consequently, the pathways may act synergistically or generate a broad spectrum of resistance to anticancer drugs. There has been a great deal of systematic characterisation of drug resistance in vitro. However, translating this greater understanding into clinical efficacy has rarely been achieved. This review explores the phenomenon of drug resistance in cancer and highlights the gap between in vitro and in vivo observations. This gap presents a major obstacle in overcoming drug resistance and restoring sensitivity to chemotherapy.
Uncertainties in predicting the impact of climate change on thermal performance of domestic buildings in the UK
Authors: de Wilde Pieter , Rafiq Yaqub , Beck Martin
Published: February 2008

Buildings typically have a long life span, which can easily reach 50 or 100 years. In the light of expected climate change it is therefore important to look towards the future, and to analyse how buildings will cope with the changes in climate that are predicted by the climatologists. In such long-term predictions of building performance, uncertainties play a large role.

This paper describes a preliminary study that aims to better map out the consequences of dealing with a whole range of uncertainties in the specific case of predicting the effect of climate change on the energy use and thermal comfort (overheating) in the large stock of terraced houses in the UK. Uncertainties in climate change prediction are compared with other variable factors like building occupancy patterns, actual thickness of construction materials and HVAC control settings. Uncertainties have been propagated in a transient model of these terraced houses using the transient simulation program EnergyPlus. In order to explore the large range of input variants use has been made of a genetic algorithm. The current search and solution spaces are discussed, putting the impact of climate change in perspective with regards to other changes and developments that might increase or decrease overheating. Overall, the findings indicate that uncertainties in long term thermal performance predictions run high, with standard deviations of over 100%. However, the robustness of the contemporary dwelling design is fortunately high.
From model validation to production of reference simulations: how to increase reliability and applicability of building and HVAC simulation models
Authors: André Philippe , Georges Bernard , Lebrun Jean , Lemort Vincent , Teodorese Ion Vladut
Published: February 2008

Validation of simulation models appears from a long time as a key issue in order to promote a more intensive and more efficient use of simulation models in the field of building and HVAC simulation. IEA Annex 34/43 originally targeted a number of specific applications where a more advanced validation was required: ground coupling problems, multizone building, shading, day lighting and cooling load interaction, HVAC components and ventilated facades. These validation exercises were built on the large methodological experience obtained in previous projects and address sometimes very fundamental problems of heat transfer in buildings. Consulting engineers and practitioners might see these exercises as a bit too far from their objectives and it is the reason why an additional activity was proposed with the specific aim of producing, based upon the results of the validation of models, a set of reference simulations. These applications cover a range of building types (residential, commercial) and systems (production, distribution emission) and run in a variety of climates. The paper will describe how models dedicated to these applications were developed, starting from validation results, going through the selection and consolidation of simulation hypothesises and ending with a number that might be considered as reference for the concerned applications. The paper will concentrate on models required by a residential building application (multizone building equipped with a heat pump or a condensing boiler, heat emitted by radiators or floor heating systems). Simulations make use of both EES and TRNSYS software and both software are applied in parallel as far as possible in the different applications in order to get a better judgment of their potential advantages and drawbacks. The use of reference simulations in view of qualifying normative methods currently in development in the frame of the European Energy Performance in Buildings Directive is also addressed and demonstrated in the paper.
A mixed-mode building energy model for performance evaluation and diagnosis of existing buildings
Authors: Xinhua Xu  , Wang Shengwei
Published: February 2008

Building level energy models are important to provide accurate energy consumption prediction for building performance diagnosis at building level as well as energy efficiency assessment of retrofitting alternatives for building performance upgrading. However, it is a great challenge to establish building energy models of existing buildings for long-term energy performance prediction only using short-term monitoring operation data. In this study, a mixed-mode building energy model is proposed to describe building system for thermal performance prediction at the building level. The model includes two parts. One part is the simplified energy models (3R2C) of building envelopes. The parameters of these simplified models are determined by comparing the frequency characteristics of those simplified models and their theoretical frequency characteristics based on the easily available detailed physical properties of exterior walls and roof. The other part is the simplified 2R2C model for building internal mass, whose detailed physical properties are very difficult to obtain. The parameters of the building internal mass model are optimised using short-term monitored operation data. A genetic algorithm estimator is developed to optimise these parameters. The parameter optimisation of the simplified building internal mass model (2R2C) and the mixed-mode building energy model are validated in a high rising commercial office building under various weather conditions. An application of this model for performance evaluation of alternative control strategies is illustrated briefly.
A contribution to the audit of an air-conditioning system: modelling, simulation and benchmarking
Authors: André Philippe , Hannay Cleide , Hannay Jules , Lebrun Jean , Lemort Vincent , Teodorese Ion Vladut
Published: February 2008

This paper intends to show how benchmarks can help in the audit of a HVAC system and how these benchmarks can be generated. The work presented is part of the European `AUDITAC' project. How can an auditor declare that a given HVAC is `consuming too much'? He can't make any judgment, if not having some reference, i.e. some `benchmarks' available. Focus is given here to cooling regime, but even then, heating cannot be forgotten (for example, the remaining heating demand can be satisfied thanks some recovery on the condensers of the chillers). The dramatic question is: what should be the consumption(s) for such a building, in such a climate, with such occupancy, such internal loads and such actual indoor environment? Better than to look for a (very hypothetical) global weather index, similar to heating degree-days, it seems more rational to run a simulation model on a few thousands of hours, corresponding to one (or to several) cooling season(s). Current performances of simulation tools make this approach very expedient. The climate can then be considered as it is, without any simplification.

The main simplification is still welcome on the system (building + HVAC) side, in order to get calculation robustness, easy understanding and easy parameter identification. In this perspective, the building has to be subdivided in a very limited number of zones and only a few components of the HVAC system have to be included in the simulation model, with as simple as possible control strategies.
Hiring Effective Secondary School Counselors
Authors: McGlothlin Jason M. , Miller Lynne Guillot
Published: February 2008

Today's effective school counselors are integral in education reform, school leadership, and student achievement. It is typically the responsibility of building principals to hire effective school counselors. This article builds on previous literature and provides principals with questions to ask and information to gather that may be helpful in hiring successful school counselors in the areas of educational background, technology competencies, ethics, aptitude, professional identity, behavioral characteristics, and ability to promote change.
Section 504 and Public Schools: A National Survey Concerning “Section 504-Only” Students
Authors: Holler Rachel A. , Zirkel Perry A.
Published: February 2008

The primary purpose of this study is to determine a preliminary national percentage of students who are “504-only.” The survey data reveal that 504-only students represent 1.2% of the public school population. There is a significant difference in the 504-only percentage with regard to school level, with middle and high schools having a greater percentage of these students. The results of this study suggest that the prevailing practices for determining Section 504 eligibility do not square with recent judicial findings.
Construct Validity of the Bidding Game, Binary with Follow-up, and a Novel Structured Haggling Question Format in Determining Willingness to Pay for Insecticide-Treated Mosquito Nets
Authors: Onwujekwe Obinna , Fox-Rushby Julia , Hanson Kara
Published: February 2008

This study examines Whether making question formats better fit the cultural context of markets Would improve the construct validity of estimates of Willingness to pay (WTP). WTP for insecticide-treated mosquito nets Was elicited using the bidding game, binary With follow-up (BWFU), and a novel structured haggling technique (SH) that mimicked price taking in market places in the study area. The results show that different question formats generated different distributions of WTP. Following a comparison of alternative models for each question format, construct validity Was compared using the most consistently appropriate model across question formats for the positive WTP values, in this case, ordinary least squares. Three criteria (the number of statistically significant explanatory variables that had the anticipated sign, the value of the adjusted R 2, and the proportion that Were statistically significant With the anticipated sign) used to assess the relative performance of each question format indicated that SH performed best and BWFU Worst. However, differences in the levels of income, education, and percentage of household heads responding to the different question formats across the samples complicate this conclusion. Hence, the results suggest that the SH technique is Worthy of further investigation and use.
The Value of Implementation and the Value of Information: Combined and Uneven Development
Authors: Fenwick Elisabeth , Claxton Karl , Sculpher Mark
Published: February 2008

Aim. In a budget-constrained health care system, the decision to invest in strategies to improve the implementation of cost-effective technologies must be made alongside decisions regarding investment in the technologies themselves and investment in further research. This article presents a single, unified framework that simultaneously addresses the problem of allocating funds between these separate but linked activities. Methods. The framework presents a simple 4-state world where both information and implementation can be either at the current level or ``perfect.'' Through this framework, it is possible to determine the maximum return to further research and an upper bound on the value of adopting implementation strategies. The framework is illustrated through case studies of health care technologies selected from those previously considered by the UK National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE). Results. Through the case studies, several key factors that influence the expected values of perfect information and perfect implementation are identified. These factors include the maximum acceptable cost-effectiveness ratio, the level of uncertainty surrounding the adoption decision, the expected net benefits associated with the technologies, the current level of implementation, and the size of the eligible population. Conclusions. Previous methods for valuing implementation strategies have not distinguished the value of efficacy research and the value of strategies to change the level of implementation. This framework demonstrates that the value of information and the value of implementation can be examined separately but simultaneously in a single framework. This can usefully inform policy decisions about investment in health care services, further research, and adopting implementation strategies that are likely to differ between technologies.
Identifying Research Priorities: The Value of Information Associated with Repeat Screening for Age-Related Macular Degeneration
Authors: Bojke Laura , Claxton Karl , Sculpher Mark J. , Palmer Stephen
Published: February 2008

The authors report an analysis that was developed as part of a pilot study examining the use of decision analysis and value-of-information methods to inform research prioritization decisions for the UK health care system. This analysis was conducted to inform decision makers whether additional research on screening for age-related macular degeneration (AMD) would be worthwhile and to demonstrate the benefits and feasibility of using such analytic methods to inform policy decision within the time-lines demanded by existing procedures. A probabilistic decision model was developed to establish the cost-effectiveness of a policy of repeat screening for AMD using the Amsler grid followed by treatment with photodynamic therapy (PDT) compared with 2 alternatives: PDT without screening (self-referral) and no screening or treatment. Screening for AMD appears to be cost-effective on the basis of existing evidence; however, the decision to implement a policy of screening is somewhat uncertain, with a probability that screening is cost-effective of 0.87 and 0.72 for the 20/40 and 20/80 models, respectively, at a threshold of £30,000 per quality-adjusted life-year. The expected value of perfect information (EVPI) associated with this decision is substantial (£6.9 million for the 20/40 model and £14.5 million for the 20/80 model), with a sizeable EVPI associated with the effect of PDT on quality of life. The analysis demonstrates that EVPI analysis can be implemented in a timely fashion to inform the type of research prioritization decisions faced by any health care system. This case study also illustrates the need to account for any structural uncertainties appropriately.
Race and Ethnic Disparities in Valuing Health
Authors: Gaskin Darrell J. , Frick Kevin D.
Published: February 2008

Objective. Patient preferences are often cited as a possible explanation for disparities in treatment. However, no prior studies have examined whether there are racial and ethnic differences in preferences for health states in a general population sample. Methods. Data from 21,362 adult respondents to the 2002 Medical Expenditure Panel Survey were used to study variations in valuations of health states. Respondents' health states were valued based on the self-rated Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) and the Euro-Qol—5D using the US and UK societal scoring algorithms. Regression analyses determined whether valuations in health states varied by race or Hispanic origin, controlling for socioeconomic status and place of residence. Results. Race and ethnicity were not associated with differences in valuations of health states. However, there were systematic differences in characteristics that were controlled, such as health status, age, poverty status, and region of the country. Blacks and Hispanics had slightly higher VAS scores than whites. The negative influence of pain/ discomfort on the VAS score was greater for blacks and Hispanics. Conclusions. Racial and ethnic differences in treatment preferences probably do not result from differences in health state valuations. Future research should explore whether differences in preferences for other attributes of treatment account for differences in treatment decisions. Cost-utility researchers using the EuroQol—5D or VAS need not account for blacks' and Hispanics' systematically valuing health states differently than whites do. However, caution may be warranted when considering interventions designed to manage pain or discomfort, because blacks and Hispanics gave greater weight to that domain of health status in their valuations.
Outcomes of Adult Day Services for Participants: A Conceptual Model
Authors: Dabelko Holly I. , Zimmerman Jennifer A.
Published: February 2008

Adult day programs provide nutritional, health, social, and recreational services for older adults during daytime hours. The heterogeneity of programs, participants, and funding sources creates challenges in defining and measuring participant outcomes of adult day services. There appear to be two main domains of influence that adult day programs can have on participants: physical health functioning and psychosocial well-being. The study of the psychosocial benefits of adult day services to participants has been neglected. The purpose of this article is to review current empirical literature and to propose a new conceptual model for examining the participant outcomes in adult day services programs, taking into consideration the variability in participant needs and program design and delivery. The model includes service elements that are related to psychosocial well-being and physical functioning, and these elements relate to specific physical and psychosocial proximal and distal outcomes. Further areas for research are suggested.
Determinants of Exercise Among Older Female Heart Attack Survivors
Authors: Traywick LaVona S. , Schoenberg Nancy E.
Published: February 2008

Despite the well-known health benefits associated with regular daily physical activity, most Americans do not engage in sufficient exercise. Of particular concern are the low levels of exercise among older women, who have a heightened risk of adverse cardiovascular events. To improve our understanding of the determinants of exercise among this particularly vulnerable population, the authors undertook face-to-face interviews with 45 women who had survived a heart attack (age range = 48-88, M = 73). Upon completion of standard qualitative analytic procedures, several themes emerged as influential in shaping exercise behavior. There were multiple and connected determinants of exercise, including cognitive factors (competing demands, perceived health maintenance), life course issues (exercise as inappropriate given traditional gender expectations, positive lifelong experiences with exercise), and social and ecological environment determinants (social support, weather-related barriers). Enhancing exercise requires addressing these multifaceted and complex barriers faced by older women. Specific recommendations are provided.
Relative Photorefractoriness, Prolactin, and Reproductive Regression in a Flexibly Breeding Sonoran Desert Passerine, the Rufous-Winged Sparrow, Aimophila carpalis
Authors: Small Thomas W. , Sharp Peter J. , Bentley George E. , Deviche Pierre
Published: February 2008

We tested the hypothesis that adult male rufous-winged sparrows, Aimophila carpalis, exhibit relative photorefractoriness. This condition results in partial loss of sensitivity to photoperiod as a reproductive stimulus after prolonged exposure to long photoperiods and is similar to the mammalian condition called photoperiodic memory. Captive birds were exposed either to 8 h of light/16 h of dark per day (8L) or to 16L for 11 weeks and were then exposed either to 8L, 13L, 14L, or 16L. Testicular diameter, plasma luteinizing hormone (LH), and plasma prolactin (PRL) were measured to assess reproductive system activity in response to photostimulation. In free-living birds, testicular diameter, plasma LH, and PRL were compared in birds caught in September in a year when birds were breeding and in a year when birds were not breeding to further evaluate the role of PRL in the termination of seasonal breeding. Testes completely developed after transfer from 8L to 14L or to 16L and partially developed after transfer from 8L to 13L. However, after 11 weeks of 16L exposure, transfer to 14L caused partial regression and transfer to 13L caused complete regression of the testes. Plasma LH increased in all birds that were transferred from 8L to a longer photoperiod. PRL showed a weak response to longer photoperiod treatment and was elevated in birds after chronic 16L exposure in comparison to birds exposed to chronic 8L. These data indicate that male rufous-winged sparrows lose sensitivity to photoperiod after long photoperiod exposure consistent with the relative photorefractoriness and photoperiodic memory models. Lower PRL in birds that developed testes on 13L and 14L compared to birds that regressed testes on 13L and 14L are consistent with the hypothesis that PRL regulates relative photorefractoriness. However, PRL does not appear to regulate interannual differences in the timing of testicular regression.