bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Perishable Inventory System with Postponed Demands and Negative Customers
Authors: Manuel Paul , Sivakumar B. , Arivarignan G.
Published: August 2007

This article considers a continuous review perishable (s,S) inventory system in which the demands arrive according to a
Markovian arrival process (MAP). The lifetime of items in the
stock and the lead time of reorder are assumed to be independently
distributed as exponential. Demands that occur during the stock-out
periods either enter a pool which has capacity N(<∞) or are lost. Any demand that takes place when the pool is full and
the inventory level is zero is assumed to be lost. The demands in the
pool are selected one by one, if the replenished stock is above s, with time interval between any two successive selections
distributed as exponential with parameter depending on the number
of customers in the pool. The waiting demands in the pool
independently may renege the system after an exponentially
distributed amount of time. In addition to the regular demands, a
second flow of negative demands following MAP is also considered
which will remove one of the demands waiting in the pool. The
joint probability distribution of the number of customers in the
pool and the inventory level is obtained in the steady state case.
The measures of system performance in the steady state are
calculated and the total expected cost per unit time is also
considered. The results are illustrated numerically.
MOS-Based Multiuser Multiapplication Cross-Layer Optimization for Mobile Multimedia Communication
Authors: Khan Shoaib , Duhovnikov Svetoslav , Steinbach Eckehard , Kellerer Wolfgang
Published: August 2007

We propose a cross-layer optimization strategy that jointly optimizes the application layer, the data-link layer, and the physical layer of a wireless protocol stack using an application-oriented objective function. The cross-layer optimization framework provides efficient allocation of wireless network resources across multiple types of applications run by different users to maximize network resource usage and user perceived quality of service. We define a novel optimization scheme based on the mean opinion score (MOS) as the unifying metric over different application classes. Our experiments, applied to scenarios where users simultaneously run three types of applications, namely voice communication, streaming video and file download, confirm that MOS-based optimization leads to significant improvement in terms of user perceived quality when compared to conventional throughput-based optimization.
Epidemiologic Assessment of Sugars Consumption Using Biomarkers: Comparisons of Obese and Nonobese Individuals in the European Prospective Investigation of Cancer Norfolk
Authors: Bingham Sheila , Luben Robert , Welch Ailsa , Tasevska Natasa , Wareham Nick , Khaw Kay Tee
Published: August 2007

We have previously shown that urinary sugars excretion in 24 h urine collections can serve as an independent biomarker of sugars consumption. In the European Prospective Investigation of Cancer (EPIC) Norfolk study of nutrition and cancer, this biomarker in spot urines has been assessed in a cross-sectional comparison of 404 obese individuals aged 45 to 75 years with a body mass index (BMI) of >30 kg/m2 and 471 normal weight individuals aged 45 to 75 years with a BMI of <25 kg/m2. In individuals of normal weight, sucrose, protein, and vitamin C intake were positively and highly significantly related to biomarkers in spot urine or plasma (P < 0.001), but there were no significant associations between biomarkers and food intake reports in the obese. Odds ratios for a BMI of >30 were significantly elevated for urinary sucrose [trend per milligram per liter quintile, 1.13; 95% confidence interval (95% CI), 1.02-1.25; P = 0.016], and the odds ratio for urinary sucrose/fructose ratio was highly significant (trend per quintile, 1.264; 95% CI, 1.142-1.401; P < 0.001). No associations for sugars intake and obesity were found using a food frequency questionnaire, and dietary vitamin C was apparently associated with increased risk (P < 0.001) despite an inverse association for plasma vitamin C. Nutritional biomarkers of consumption can complement existing methods for assessing cancer risk from diet in epidemiologic studies. (Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 2007;16(8):1651–4)
Variants in the α-Methylacyl-CoA Racemase Gene and the Association with Advanced Distal Colorectal Adenoma
Authors: Daugherty Sarah E. , Platz Elizabeth A. , Shugart Yin Yao , Fallin M. Daniele , Isaacs William B. , Chatterjee Nilanjin , Welch Robert , Huang Wen-Yi , Hayes Richard B.
Published: August 2007

Background: α-Methylacyl-CoA racemase (AMACR), an enzyme involved in oxidation of branched chain fatty acids and cholesterol metabolites, as well as ibuprofen metabolism, is overexpressed in colorectal adenomas and cancer. AMACR gene variants have been associated with hereditary prostate cancer, but no studies have evaluated their etiologic role in colorectal carcinogenesis.

Methods: We conducted a case-control study of 725 advanced distal colorectal adenoma cases and 729 frequency-matched controls from the screening arm of the Prostate, Lung, Colorectal, and Ovarian Cancer Screening Trial. Seven AMACR polymorphisms were genotyped. Unconditional logistic regression models were used to evaluate the associations adjusting for age at randomization and gender.

Results: The 201L allele of S201L [TT versus CC: odds ratio (OR), 1.74; 95% confidence interval (95% CI), 1.15-2.62; TC versus CC: OR, 1.17; 95% CI, 0.93-1.49] and the 277E allele of K277E (GG versus AA: OR, 1.66; 95% CI, 1.03-2.68; GA versus AA: OR, 1.21; 95% CI, 0.96-1.53) were associated with increased risk of advanced distal colorectal adenoma (both Ptrend ≤ 0.02); the TGTGCG haplotype of six informative single nucleotide polymorphisms was also associated with increased risk (OR, 1.27; 95% CI, 1.03-1.55). Regular ibuprofen users who were homozygous for the variant allele at either M9V or D175G were at reduced risk for adenoma (both Pinteraction < 0.05).

Conclusion: Our study identified variants in AMACR associated with advanced distal colorectal adenoma and pointed to potential interactions with ibuprofen use. (Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 2007;16(8):1536–42)
Tobacco Smoking and Urinary Levels of 2-Amino-9H-Pyrido[2,3-b]Indole in Men of Shanghai, China
Authors: Turesky Robert J. , Yuan Jian-Min , Wang Renwei , Peterson Sabrina , Yu Mimi C.
Published: August 2007

Carcinogenic heterocyclic aromatic amines (HAA) are formed in cooked meats, poultry, and fish and arise in tobacco smoke. We measured the concentrations of four prevalent HAAs in spot urine samples collected at baseline from 170 participants of the Shanghai Cohort study, a population-based cohort study of adult men recruited during 1986 to 1989 in Shanghai, China. Sixteen (18.6%) of 86 nonsmokers were positive for urinary 2-amino-9H-pyrido[2,3-b]indole (AαC) versus 41 (48.8%) of 84 cigarette smokers; the difference was statistically significant (P < 0.001). The number of cigarettes smoked per day was positively and significantly related to urinary levels of AαC in study subjects (P < 0.001); the mean level among nonsmokers was 2.54 ng/g creatinine, whereas the means for light (1-19 cigarettes per day) and heavy (20+ cigarettes per day) smokers were 7.50 and 11.92 ng/g creatinine, respectively. 2-Amino-3,4,8-trimethylimidazo[4,5-f]quinoxaline was undetected in the urine of the 170 subjects. Only 5 (2.9%) and 6 (3.5%) subjects, respectively, showed detectable levels of urinary 2-amino-1-methyl-6-phenylimidazo[4,5-b]pyridine and 2-amino-3,8-dimethylimidazo[4,5-f]quinoxaline, and smoking status was unrelated to levels of either HAA. Quantitative measurements of HAAs in commonly eaten pork and chicken dishes in Shanghai showed low concentrations of HAAs (<1 ng/g meat). Our data indicate that AαC represents a major HAA exposure in adult men of Shanghai, China, and that tobacco smoke is an important point source of their AαC exposure. (Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 2007;16(8):1554–60)
Levels of Zinc, Selenium, Calcium, and Iron in Benign Breast Tissue and Risk of Subsequent Breast Cancer
Authors: Cui Yan , Vogt Stefan , Olson Neal , Glass Andrew G. , Rohan Thomas E.
Published: August 2007

Previous studies that have assessed breast cancer in relation to zinc, selenium, calcium, and iron have yielded inconsistent results but have not measured breast tissue levels. In a case-control study involving 252 matched pairs nested in a cohort of 9,315 women with benign breast disease, we investigated these associations by directly measuring elemental levels in breast tissue using X-ray fluorescence spectroscopy. Quintile analyses revealed positive associations of breast cancer, of borderline statistical significance, with zinc [highest versus lowest quintile: odds ratio (OR), 1.37; 95% confidence limit (95% CL), 0.91, 2.05; Ptrend = 0.04], iron (highest versus lowest quintile: OR, 1.58; 95% CL, 1.02, 2.44; Ptrend = 0.07), and calcium (highest versus lowest quintile: OR, 1.46; 95% CL, 0.98, 2.17; Ptrend = 0.14), but little association with selenium (highest versus lowest quintile: OR, 1.10; 95% CL, 0.72, 1.68; Ptrend = 0.76). The associations were weakened by mutual adjustment. Furthermore, after stratification by menopausal status, the positive association between iron and breast cancer was confined to postmenopausal women (highest versus lowest quintile: OR, 2.77; 95% CL, 1.25, 6.13; Ptrend = 0.008), whereas the associations for zinc, calcium, and selenium did not differ by menopausal stratum. In conclusion, our data raise the possibility that relatively high levels of zinc, iron, and calcium in benign breast tissue may be associated with a modest increase in risk of subsequent breast cancer. (Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 2007;16(8):1682–5)
Evidence for Common Ancestral Origin of a Recurring BRCA1 Genomic Rearrangement Identified in High-Risk Hispanic Families
Authors: Weitzel Jeffrey N. , Lagos Veronica I. , Herzog Josef S. , Judkins Thaddeus , Hendrickson Brant , Ho Jason S. , Ricker Charité N. , Lowstuter Katrina J. , Blazer Kathleen R. , Tomlinson Gail , Scholl Tom
Published: August 2007

Background: Large rearrangements account for 8% to 15% of deleterious BRCA mutations, although none have been characterized previously in individuals of Mexican ancestry.

Methods: DNA from 106 Hispanic patients without an identifiable BRCA mutation by exonic sequence analysis was subjected to multiplexed quantitative differential PCR. One case of Native American and African American ancestry was identified via multiplex ligation-dependent probe amplification. Long-range PCR was used to confirm deletion events and to clone and sequence genomic breakpoints. Splicing patterns were derived by sequencing cDNA from reverse transcription-PCR of lymphoblastoid cell line RNA. Haplotype analysis was conducted for recurrent mutations.

Results: The same deletion of BRCA1 exons 9 through 12 was identified in five unrelated families. Long-range PCR and sequencing indicated a deletion event of 14.7 kb. A 3-primer PCR assay was designed based on the deletion breakpoints, identified within an AluSp element in intron 8 and an AluSx element in intron 12. Haplotype analysis confirmed common ancestry. Analysis of cDNA showed direct splicing of exons 8 to 13, resulting in a frameshift mutation and predicted truncation of the BRCA1 protein.

Conclusions: We identified and characterized a novel large BRCA1 deletion in five unrelated families—four of Mexican ancestry and one of African and Native American ancestry, suggesting the possibility of founder effect of Amerindian or Mestizo origin. This BRCA1 rearrangement was detected in 3.8% (4 of 106) of BRCA sequence-negative Hispanic families. An assay for this mutation should be considered for sequence-negative high-risk Hispanic patients. (Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 2007;16(8):1615–20)
Concentrations of the Carcinogen 4-(Methylnitrosamino)-1-(3-Pyridyl)-1-Butanone in Sidestream Cigarette Smoke Increase after Release into Indoor Air: Results from Unpublished Tobacco Industry Research
Authors: Schick Suzaynn F. , Glantz Stanton
Published: August 2007

Research has shown that the toxicity of sidestream cigarette smoke, the primary constituent of secondhand smoke, increases over time. To find potential mechanisms that would explain the increase in sidestream smoke toxicity over time, we analyzed unpublished research reports from Philip Morris Co. using the internal tobacco industry documents now available at the University of California San Francisco Legacy Tobacco Documents Library and other Web sites. Unpublished research from Philip Morris Tobacco Company shows that 4-(methylnitrosamino)-I-(3-pyridyl)-1-butanone (NNK), a highly carcinogenic tobacco-specific nitrosamine, can form in sidestream cigarette smoke after it has been released into ambient air. In experiments done between 1983 and 1997, Philip Morris scientists measured the concentration of NNK in sidestream smoke in a sealed stainless steel test chamber at initial particle concentrations of 24 mg/m3 over the course of 6 to 18 h. They repeatedly showed that airborne NNK concentrations in sidestream cigarette smoke can increase by 50% to 200% per hour during the first 6 h after cigarettes are extinguished. Two experiments done in a real office showed that NNK concentrations increase for the first 2 h after cigarettes are extinguished. If NNK formation also occurs in the lower smoke concentrations observed in real smoking environments, these results suggest that nitrosation of nicotine and/or nicotine breakdown products in aging secondhand smoke is a significant contributor to nitrosamine exposure in humans. (Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 2007;16(8):1547–53)
Potentially Functional Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms in the Core Nucleotide Excision Repair Genes and Risk of Squamous Cell Carcinoma of the Head and Neck
Authors: An Jiaze , Liu Zhensheng , Hu Zhibin , Li Guojun , Wang Li-E , Sturgis Erich M. , El-Naggar Adel K. , Spitz Margaret R. , Wei Qingyi
Published: August 2007

Susceptibility to cancer has been associated with DNA repair capacity, a global reflection of all functional variants, most of which are relatively rare. Among the 1,098 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP) identified in the eight core nucleotide excision repair genes, only a few are common nonsynonymous or regulatory SNPs that are potentially functional. We tested the hypothesis that seven selected common nonsynonymous and regulatory variants in the nucleotide excision repair core genes are associated with risk of squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck (SCCHN) in a hospital-based, case-control study of 829 SCCHN cases and 854 cancer-free controls. Assuming a recessive genetic model, we found that only carriers of the XPC 499Val/Val genotype had a significantly increased SCCHN risk (adjusted odds ratio, 1.65; 95% confidence interval, 1.16-2.36). In analysis of the joint effects, the number of observed risk genotypes was associated with SCCHN risk in a dose-response manner (P for trend = 0.017) and those who carried four or more risk genotypes exhibited a borderline significant 1.23-fold increased SCCHN risk (adjusted odds ratio, 1.23; 95% confidence interval, 0.99-1.53). In the stratified analysis, the dichotomized combined effect of the seven SNPs was slightly more evident among older subjects, women, and laryngeal cancer. These findings suggest that these potentially functional SNPs may collectively contribute to susceptibility to SCCHN. These findings need to be validated in larger, independent studies. (Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 2007;16(8):1633–8)
Polymorphisms in Apoptosis and Cell Cycle Control Genes and Risk of Brain Tumors in Adults
Authors: Rajaraman Preetha , Wang Sophia S. , Rothman Nathaniel , Brown Merideth M. , Black Peter M. , Fine Howard A. , Loeffler Jay S. , Selker Robert G. , Shapiro William R. , Chanock Stephen J. , Inskip Peter D.
Published: August 2007

Despite the potential importance of the cell cycle and apoptosis pathways in brain tumor etiology, little has been published regarding brain tumor risk associated with common gene variants in these pathways. Using data from a hospital-based case-control study conducted by the National Cancer Institute between 1994 and 1998, we evaluated risk of glioma (n = 388), meningioma (n = 162), and acoustic neuroma (n = 73) with respect to 12 single nucleotide polymorphisms from 10 genes involved in apoptosis and cell cycle control: CASP8, CCND1, CCNH, CDKN1A, CDKN2A, CHEK1, CHEK2, MDM2, PTEN, and TP53. We observed significantly decreased risk of meningioma with the CASP8 Ex14-271A>T variant [odds ratio (OR)AT, 0.8; 95% confidence interval (95% CI), 0.5-1.2; ORAA, 0.5; 95% CI, 0.3-0.9; Ptrend = 0.03] and increased risk of meningioma with the CASP8 Ex13+51G>C variant (ORGC, 1.4; 95% CI, 0.9-2.1; ORCC, 3.6; 95% CI, 1.0-13.1; Ptrend = 0.04). The CT haplotype of the two CASP8 polymorphisms was associated with significantly increased risk of meningioma (OR, 1.7; 95% CI, 1.1-2.6), but was not associated with risk of glioma or acoustic neuroma. The CCND1 Ex4-1G>A variant was associated with increased risk for glioma, and the Ex8+49T>C variant of CCNH was associated with increased risk of glioma and acoustic neuroma. The MDM2 Ex12+162A>G variant was associated with significantly reduced risk of glioma. Our results suggest that common variants in the CASP8, CCND1, CCNH, and MDM2 genes may influence brain tumor risk. Future research in this area should include more detailed coverage of genes in the apoptosis/cell cycle control pathways. (Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 2007;16(8):1655–61)
Proteasome-Dependent Degradation of Guanosine 5′-Triphosphate Cyclohydrolase I Causes Tetrahydrobiopterin Deficiency in Diabetes Mellitus
Authors: Xu Jian , Wu Yong , Song Ping , Zhang Miao , Wang Shuangxi , Zou Ming-Hui
Published: August 2007

Background—

Tetrahydrobiopterin (BH4) deficiency is reported to uncouple the enzymatic activity of endothelial nitric oxide synthase in diabetes mellitus. The mechanism by which diabetes actually leads to BH4 deficiency remains elusive. Here, we demonstrate that diabetes reduced BH4 by increasing 26S proteasome-dependent degradation of guanosine 5′-triphosphate cyclohydrolase I (GTPCH), a rate-limiting enzyme in the synthesis of BH4, in parallel with increased formation of both superoxide and peroxynitrite (ONOO
−
).

Methods and Results—

Exposure of human umbilical vein endothelial cells to high glucose concentrations (30 mmol/L D-glucose) but not to high osmotic conditions (25 mmol/L L-glucose plus 5 mmol/L D-glucose) significantly lowered the levels of both GTPCH protein and BH4. In addition, high glucose increased both the 26S proteasome activity and the ubiquitination of GTPCH. Inhibition of the 26S proteasome with either MG132 or PR-11 prevented the high glucose–triggered reduction of GTPCH and BH4. Exposure of human umbilical vein endothelial cells to exogenous ONOO
−
increased proteasome activity and 3-nitrotyrosine in 26S proteasome. Furthermore, adenoviral overexpression of superoxide dismutase and inhibition of endothelial nitric oxide synthase with
N
G
-nitro-
l
-arginine methyl ester significantly attenuated the high glucose–induced activation of 26S proteasome and the reduction of GTPCH. Finally, administration of MG132 or a superoxide dismutase mimetic, tempol, reversed the diabetes mellitus–induced reduction of GTPCH and BH4 and endothelial dysfunction in streptozotocin-induced diabetes mellitus.

Conclusions—

We conclude that diabetes mellitus triggers BH4 deficiency by increasing proteasome-dependent degradation of GTPCH.
Chemokine Fractalkine Mediates Leukocyte Recruitment to Inflammatory Endothelial Cells in Flowing Whole Blood
Authors: Schulz Christian , Schäfer Andreas , Stolla Moritz , Kerstan Sandra , Lorenz Michael , von Brühl Marie-Luise , Schiemann Matthias , Bauersachs Johann , Gloe Torsten , Busch Dirk H. , Gawaz Meinrad , Massberg Steffen
Published: August 2007

Background—

The membrane-bound chemokine fractalkine (CX
3
CL1) is expressed on various cell types such as activated endothelial cells and has been implicated in the inflammatory process of atherosclerosis. The aim of the present study was to dissect the role of fractalkine in leukocyte recruitment to inflamed endothelium under arterial shear forces.

Methods and Results—

With the use of immunofluorescence and laminar flow assays, the present study shows that human umbilical vein endothelial cells stimulated with tumor necrosis factor-α and interferon-γ abundantly express CX
3
CL1 and promote substantial leukocyte accumulation under arterial flow conditions. In the presence of high shear, firm adhesion of leukocytes to inflamed endothelial cells is reduced by ≈40% by a function-blocking anti-fractalkine antibody or by an antibody directed against the fractalkine receptor (CX
3
CR1). With the use of intravital video-fluorescence microscopy we demonstrate that inhibition of fractalkine signaling attenuates leukocyte adhesion to the atherosclerotic carotid artery of apolipoprotein E–deficient mice, which suggests that the CX
3
CL1-CX
3
CR1 axis is critically involved in leukocyte adhesion to inflamed endothelial cells under high shear forces both in vitro and in vivo. Surprisingly, platelets were strictly required for fractalkine-induced leukocyte adhesion at high shear rates. Correspondingly, specific inhibition of platelet adhesion to inflamed endothelial cells also significantly reduced leukocyte accumulation. We show that both soluble and membrane-bound fractalkine induces platelet degranulation and subsequent surface expression of P-selectin, which thereby promotes direct platelet-leukocyte interaction.

Conclusion—

Fractalkine expressed by inflamed endothelial cells triggers P-selectin exposure on adherent platelets, which thereby initiates the local accumulation of leukocytes under arterial shear, an essential step in the development of atherosclerotic lesions.
Quantitative Measures of Electrocardiographic Left Ventricular Mass, Conduction, and Repolarization, and Long-Term Survival After Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting
Authors: Lauer Michael S. , Martino Derlis , Ishwaran Hemant , Blackstone Eugene H.
Published: August 2007

Background—

Quantitative ECG measures of left ventricular mass and repolarization predict outcome in population-based cohorts and patients with hypertension. We assessed the prognostic value of preoperative quantitative electrocardiography in patients who underwent isolated coronary artery bypass grafting.

Methods and Results—

For 6 years we followed 8166 patients who underwent primary isolated coronary artery bypass grafting between 1990 and 2003, all of whom had routine preoperative ECGs. With use of specialized digital software, quantitative measures were recorded on ventricular rate, P duration, PR interval, QRS duration, QT interval, QRS axis, Sokolow-Lyon and Cornell voltages, and ST-segment depression and slope. There were 1516 deaths. After adjustment for age, gender, clinical characteristics, left ventricular ejection fraction, and other confounders, death was independently predicted by ventricular rate (adjusted hazard ratio [AHR] for 90 versus 60 beats per minute, 1.34; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.21 to 1.50;
P
<.0001), PR interval (AHR for 200 versus 150 ms, 1.05; 95% CI, 1.00 to 1.10;
P
<.0001), QRS duration (AHR for 120 versus 80 ms, 1.24; 95% CI, 1.07 to 1.44;
P
<.0001), Sokolow-Lyon voltage (AHR for 3.5 versus 1.5 mV, 1.18; 95% CI, 1.05 to 1.31;
P
<.0001), and ST-segment slope (AHR for −0.1 versus 0 mV, 1.16; 95% CI, 1.02 to 1.31;
P
<.0001). We derived a quantitative ECG score and demonstrated that, with the exception of age, it was the most powerful predictor of long-term death.

Conclusions—

Quantitative ECG measures of left ventricular rate, mass, and repolarization are predictive of mortality among patients who underwent isolated coronary artery bypass grafting. These findings suggest that quantitative electrocardiography may be valuable for risk stratification in patients with severe coronary artery disease.
Impact of New-Onset Diabetes Mellitus on Cardiac Outcomes in the Valsartan Antihypertensive Long-Term Use Evaluation (VALUE) Trial Population
Authors: Aksnes Tonje A. , Kjeldsen Sverre E. , Rostrup Morten , Omvik Per , Hua Tsushung A. , Julius Stevo
Published: August 2007

There has been a lot of interest about new-onset diabetes mellitus in recent hypertension trials, but the implications of diabetes development on cardiac outcomes have not been known. In the Valsartan Antihypertensive Long-Term Use Evaluation trial, 15 245 high-risk patients were followed for an average of 4.2 years. At baseline, 5250 patients were diabetic by the 1999 World Health Organization criteria, and among the 9995 nondiabetic patients, 1298 patients developed diabetes during follow-up. We have investigated the influence of diabetes development on outcomes in the Valsartan Antihypertensive Long-Term Use Evaluation trial. The patients with diabetes at baseline and new-onset diabetes were compared with patients who did not develop diabetes by a Cox regression model with adjustment for prespecified covariates (age, diabetes status, left ventricular hypertrophy, baseline coronary heart disease, and randomized study treatment). Patients with diabetes at baseline had the highest cardiac morbidity defined as myocardial infarction and heart failure with a hazard ratio of 2.20 (95% CI: 1.95 to 2.49). The patients with new-onset diabetes had significantly higher cardiac morbidity, especially more congestive heart failure, than those without diabetes, with a hazard ratio of 1.43 (95% CI: 1.16 to 1.77). This indicates that patients who develop diabetes during antihypertensive treatment have cardiac morbidity intermediate between diabetic subjects and those subjects who never had diabetes and that it is of importance to find these patients at risk of diabetes development and optimize lifestyle and medical treatment.
Moving towards a Rights-Based Fisheries Management Regime for the Tuna Fisheries in the Western and Central Pacific Ocean
Authors: Aqorau Transform
Published: August 2007

The 2000 Convention for the Conservation and Management of Highly Migratory Fish Stocks in the Western and Central Pacific Ocean (WCPF Convention) establishes a Commission which will be responsible for setting catch limits and effort controls for the fishery. The Convention will require the Pacific Island States to impose some form of catch limits and this presents them with the opportunity to explore ways to enhance the fisheries regimes they manage. This paper explores the legal issues surrounding a possible rights-based regime, both as a collective approach by the Pacific Island States, and individually. The paper suggests possible legal approaches to the introduction of a rights-based fisheries management regime, drawing on ways in which they may structure their fisheries legislation, and on experiences from other regions. The paper concludes by examining the implications for the Pacific Island States of such an approach.
A Fingerprinting Technique for Major Weather Events
Authors: Root Benjamin , Knight Paul , Young George , Greybush Steven , Grumm Richard , Holmes Ron , Ross Jeremy
Published: August 2007

Advances in numerical weather prediction have occurred on numerous fronts, from sophisticated physics packages in the latest mesoscale models to multimodel ensembles of medium-range predictions. Thus, the skill of numerical weather forecasts continues to increase. Statistical techniques have further increased the utility of these predictions. The availability of large atmospheric datasets and faster computers has made pattern recognition of major weather events a feasible means of statistically enhancing the value of numerical forecasts. This paper examines the utility of pattern recognition in assisting the prediction of severe and major weather in the Middle Atlantic region. An important innovation in this work is that the analog technique is applied to NWP forecast maps as a pattern-recognition tool rather than to analysis maps as a forecast tool. A technique is described that employs a new clustering algorithm to objectively identify the anomaly patterns or “fingerprints” associated with past events. The potential refinement and applicability of this method as an operational forecasting tool employed by comparing numerical weather prediction forecasts with fingerprints already identified for major weather events are also discussed.
Atmospheric Response to Local Upwelling in the Vicinity of New York–New Jersey Harbor
Authors: Pullen Julie , Holt Teddy , Blumberg Alan F. , Bornstein Robert D.
Published: August 2007

Multiply nested urbanized mesoscale model [Coupled Ocean–Atmosphere Mesoscale Prediction System (COAMPS)] simulations of the New York–New Jersey metropolitan region are conducted for 4–11 July 2004. The simulations differ only in their specification of sea surface temperatures (SSTs) on nest 4 (1.33-km resolution) and nest 5 (0.44-km resolution). The “control SST” simulation (CONTROL-SST) uses an analyzed SST product, whereas the “New York Harbor Observing and Prediction System (NYHOPS) SST” simulation (NYHOPS-SST) uses hourly SSTs from the NYHOPS model hindcast. Upwelling-favorable (southerly) winds preceding the simulation time period and continuing for much of the first 5 days of the simulation generate cold water adjacent to the New Jersey coast and a cold eddy immediately outside of the harbor in the New York Bight. Both features are prominent in NYHOPS-SST but are not pronounced in CONTROL-SST. The upwelled water has a discernible influence on the overlying atmosphere by cooling near-surface air temperatures by approximately 1°–2°C, slowing the near-surface winds by 15%–20%, and reducing the nocturnal urban heat island effect by up to 1.3°C. At two coastal land-based sites and one overwater station, the wind speed mean bias is systematically reduced in NYHOPS-SST. During a wind shift to northwesterly on day 6 (9 July 2004) the comparatively cooler NYHOPS-SSTs impact the atmosphere over an even broader offshore area than was affected in the mean during the previous 5 days. Hence, air temperature evolution measured at the overwater site is better reproduced in NYHOPS-SST. Interaction of the offshore flow with the cool SSTs in NYHOPS-SST induces internal boundary layer (IBL) formation, sustained and deepened by turbulent kinetic energy advected from adjacent land areas; IBL formation did not occur in CONTROL-SST.
Probabilistic Characterization of Atmospheric Transport and Diffusion
Authors: Irwin John S. , Petersen William B. , Howard Steven C.
Published: August 2007

The observed scatter of observations about air quality model predictions stems from a combination of naturally occurring stochastic variations that are impossible for any model to simulate explicitly and variations arising from limitations in knowledge and from imperfect input data. In this paper, historical tracer experiments of atmospheric dispersion were analyzed to develop algorithms to characterize the observed stochastic variability in the ground-level crosswind concentration profile. The algorithms were incorporated into a Lagrangian puff model (“INPUFF”) so that the consequences of variability in the dispersion could be simulated using Monte Carlo methods. The variability in the plume trajectory was investigated in a preliminary sense by tracking the divergence in trajectories from releases adjacent to the actual release location. The variability in the near-centerline concentration values not described by the Gaussian crosswind profile was determined to be on the order of a factor of 2. The variability in the trajectory was determined as likely to be larger than the plume width, even with local wind observations for use in characterizing the transport. Two examples are provided to illustrate how estimates of variability 1) can provide useful information to inform decisions for emergency response and 2) can provide a basis for sound statistical designs for model performance assessments.
Seasonal Simulation of Tropospheric Ozone over the Midwestern and Northeastern United States: An Application of a Coupled Regional Climate and Air Quality Modeling System
Authors: Huang Ho-Chun , Liang Xin-Zhong , Kunkel Kenneth E. , Caughey Michael , Williams Allen
Published: August 2007

The impacts of air pollution on the environment and human health could increase as a result of potential climate change. To assess such possible changes, model simulations of pollutant concentrations need to be performed at climatic (seasonal) rather than episodic (days) time scales, using future climate projections from a general circulation model. Such a modeling system was employed here, consisting of a regional climate model (RCM), an emissions model, and an air quality model. To assess overall model performance with one-way coupling, this system was used to simulate tropospheric ozone concentrations in the midwestern and northeastern United States for summer seasons between 1995 and 2000. The RCM meteorological conditions were driven by the National Centers for Environmental Prediction/Department of Energy global reanalysis (R-2) using the same procedure that integrates future climate model projections. Based on analyses for several urban and rural areas and regional domains, fairly good agreement with observations was found for the diurnal cycle and for several multiday periods of high ozone episodes. Even better agreement occurred between monthly and seasonal mean quantities of observed and model-simulated values. This is consistent with an RCM designed primarily to produce good simulations of monthly and seasonal mean statistics of weather systems.
Observation-Based Assessment of the Impact of Nitrogen Oxides Emissions Reductions on Ozone Air Quality over the Eastern United States
Authors: Gégo Edith , Porter P. Steven , Gilliland Alice , Rao S. Trivikrama
Published: August 2007

Ozone is produced by chemical interactions involving nitrogen oxides (NOx) and volatile organic compounds in the presence of sunlight. At high concentrations, ground-level ozone has been shown to be harmful to human health and to the environment. It has been recognized that ozone is a regional-scale problem and that regionwide control strategies would be needed to improve ozone air quality in the eastern United States. To mitigate interstate transport of ozone and its precursors, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency issued a regional rule in 1998 known as the “NOx State Implementation Plan (SIP) Call,” requiring 21 states in the eastern United States to reduce their summertime NOx emissions by 30 May 2004. In this paper, the effectiveness of the new emission control measures mandated by the NOx SIP Call is assessed by quantifying the changes that occurred in the daily maximum 8-h ozone concentrations measured at nearly 50 locations, most of which are rural (33 sites of the Clean Air Status and Trend Network and 16 sites of the Air Quality System), over the eastern United States. Given the strong dependence of ozone formation and accumulation on meteorological conditions, the incidence of the latter is first mitigated, and meteorologically adjusted ozone concentrations are extracted using a multiple regression technique. By examining the differences between the cumulative distribution functions of the meteorologically adjusted ozone concentrations, it is shown that ozone concentrations in the eastern United States are now on average 13% less than those prior to the NOx SIP Call. Using back-trajectory analyses, it is also shown that emission controls on the electricity-generating units located in the Ohio River Valley have contributed toward the improvement of ozone air quality in downwind regions, especially east and northeast of the Ohio River Valley.
Deriving Interventions on the Basis of Factors Influencing Behavioral Intentions for Waste Recycling, Composting, and Reuse in Cuba
Authors: Mosler Hans-Joachim , Tamas Andrea , Tobias Robert , Rodríguez Tamara Caballero , Miranda Omar Guzmán
Published: August 2007

In this article the authors study existing waste-disposal intentions and behavior-influencing factors at the household level in Santiago de Cuba. The authors analyze the perceived reputation of the behavior, two different attitude components (sentiment and cost-value ratio), and perceived difficulties. Our focus is to compare three types of waste-disposal behaviors and derive specific interventions. The behaviors most suitable to Cuba are recycling, composting, and reuse. Analysis with structural equation modeling (SEM) reveals relevant differences in factor influence for attitude components and perceived reputation. Recycling and composting are most strongly influenced by affective aspects of attitude, whereas the general attitude toward reuse seems to have a more rational basis. The influence of perceived reputation on recycling is strong, that on composting is moderate, and no influence at all is found for reuse. The authors combine the SEM results with those of the qualitative data analysis of problems and incentives assessed from the participants and suggest behavior-specific interventions.
Objective Versus Perceived Walking Distances to Destinations
Authors: McCormack Gavin R. , Cerin Ester , Leslie Eva , Du Toit Lorinne , Owen Neville
Published: August 2007

Judgments concerning features of environments do not always correspond accurately with objective measures of those same features. Moreover, perceived and objectively assessed environmental attributes, including proximity of destinations, may influence walking behavior in different ways. This study compares perceived and objectively assessed distance to several different destinations and examines whether correspondence between objective and perceived distance is influenced by age, gender, neighborhood walkability, and walking behavior. Distances to most destinations close to home are overestimated, whereas distances to those farther away are underestimated. Perceived and objective distances to certain types of destinations are differentially associated with walking behavior. Perceived environmental attributes do not consistently reflect objectively assessed attributes, and both appear to have differential effects on physical activity behavior.
Consumer Competencies and the Use of Comparative Quality Information
Authors: Hibbard Judith H. , Peters Ellen , Dixon Anna , Tusler Martin
Published: August 2007

While consumers are increasingly expected to use complex health care information to make informed decisions, it is unclear how many have the skills to do so. In this investigation we examine health literacy, numeracy, and patient activation, assessing the contribution of each to the comprehension of comparative health care performance reports and their use in making an informed choice. A convenience sample of 303 employed-age adults participated in the study. The findings indicate that numeracy skill is the strongest predictor of comprehension, followed by health literacy. Higher activation helps those low in literacy and numeracy compensate for their lower skills and achieve higher levels of comprehension. In addition, making good choices, when trade-offs are necessary, is related to activation separate from comprehension. This is important as many real-life choices involve trade-offs. Results indicate that choice is not just about literacy or comprehension, it also has to do with activation.
Validity of Officer Self-Reported Citizen Complaints
Authors: Hickman Matthew J.
Published: August 2007

This research note explores the use of self-report surveys in police samples to study citizen complaints. Officer self-reported citizen complaints are compared with official departmental complaints data among a sample of 440 officers in a large municipal police department. Findings reflect moderate correspondence between self-reported and official data for ever having been the subject of a complaint (data correspond for 77% of respondents; phi = .54). Validity appears stronger for dichotomous measures of complaints, compared with frequency measures, though correspondence was high among those officers self-reporting the frequency of complaints (data were within ±1 complaint for 78.5% of these respondents; r = .81 after removing outliers). Demographic correlates are similar for both official and self-report data. Results generally support the use of self-report surveys in police samples to study citizen complaints.
Getting the Deterrence Message Out
Authors: O'Shea Timothy C.
Published: August 2007

Project Safe Neighborhoods was the centerpiece of the Bush administration's crime policy in President Bush's first term. This is a policy driven by deterrence and incapacitation and directed at reducing gun violence. In brief, the policy called for federal prosecution of certain gun crimes that had been previously prosecuted at the local level. The get-tough-on-crime message was further enhanced by minimum mandatory sentences. The interesting break from earlier efforts at deterrence and incapacitation was that Project Safe Neighborhoods provided funds to develop and execute a well-designed public service campaign to “get the message out there.” Interrupted time-series analysis of project effects in the Southern District of Alabama points to significantly lower post-intervention gun crime.
Paediatnc Neck Lumps II – Congenital Cystic Lesions in the Neck and Thyroid Abnormalities
Authors: Alton Helen
Published: August 2007

Position and clinical history are important differential features when diagnosing congenital neck cysts. Thyroglossal duct cysts are the commonest developmental cysts in the neck. Thyroid carcinoma is rare in children, but should always be considered in a child with a solitary, or an enlarging nodule.
Colour Doppler Spatial Resolution Performance Testing
Authors: Browne Jacinta E , Brown Ian , Hoskins Peter R , Watson Amanda J , Elliott Alex T
Published: August 2007

Background: Colour Doppler has become an integral part of many clinical ultrasound investigations, but evaluation of the spatial resolution of colour Doppler scanners remains problematic due to a lack of suitable test phantoms.

Methods: The aims of this study were to evaluate two designs of colour Doppler spatial resolution test-phantom to compare their suitability for determining the spatial resolution of five commercially available ultrasound scanners. For the purpose of this study, spatial resolution was defined as the minimum resolvable distance between two channels of flow. Phantom 1 consisted of two diverging flow-channels. Phantom 2 consisted of four pairs of parallel channels with different separations.

Results and Discussion: Both designs of phantom highlighted a number of advantages and disadvantages. In principle, phantom 1 allowed the minimal resolvable distance to be identified based on imaging a continuous range of separations, but in practice, the average separation being probed was uncertain, and the minimum separation between vessels of 1 mm was too large to test the resolutions of some of the scanners we studied. Phantom 2 was easier to set up and had a narrower minimum separation of 0.6 mm, but only four nominal separations were tested. Evaluation of five scanners using each prototype phantom suggested typical resolutions of 1·2 mm or lower. Many of the scanners possessed resolutions of approximately 0.6 mm or less, which was the minimum separation we were able to test. The poorest lateral resolution of approximately 1·2 mm was observed for a 13 year old scanner with curvilinear 4 MHz phased array transducer.

Conclusion: Construction of the 'perfect' test-object for measuring colour Doppler resolution remains a considerable challenge. Further work will be required to produce acoustically realistic flow phantoms capable of testing the ability of colour Doppler to resolve increasingly narrow flow separations.
Duplex Surveillance of Patients Following Carotid Endarterectomy
Authors: Walker Rachel
Published: August 2007

Should patients undergoing carotid endarterectomy be subject to routine post-operative surveillance? What are the significant issues relating to this question and how should they be approached? This article reviews the recent relevant literature and research on surveillance following carotid endarterectomy. Areas for consideration include restenosis, progression of contralateral disease, treatment of asymptomatic carotid disease and costeffectiveness of surveillance programmes. The article also offers some personal reflection on the issues of debate and discusses possible resulting recommendations.
Developing and Sustaining Ultrasound Programmes for Nonmedical Practitioners in Scotland: Opportunities and Challenges
Authors: Lee Rosemary , Ellis Brian
Published: August 2007

Medical ultrasound programme development and the initial period of study delivery can be fraught with challenges and pitfalls yet full of opportunities for educational teams in the United Kingdom. The authors report on the experiences from a Scottish university during this critical period.
Regulation of FcγR-stimulated phagocytosis by the 72-kDa inositol polyphosphate 5-phosphatase: SHIP1, but not the 72-kDa 5-phosphatase, regulates complement receptor 3–mediated phagocytosis by differential recruitment of these 5-phosphatases to the phagocytic cup
Authors: Horan Kristy A. , Watanabe Ken-ichi , Kong Anne M. , Bailey Charles G. , Rasko John E. J. , Sasaki Takehiko , Mitchell Christina A.
Published: August 2007

Macrophages phagocytose particles to resolve infections and remove apoptotic cells. Phosphoinositide 3-kinase generates phosphatidylinositol-3,4,5-trisphosphate [PtdIns(3,4,5)P3] is restricted to the phagocytic cup, promoting phagocytosis. The PtdIns(3,4,5)P3 5-phosphatase (5-ptase) Src homology 2 (SH2) domain-containing inositol-5-phosphatase 1 (SHIP1) inhibits phagocytosis. We report here that another PtdIns(3,4,5)P3-5-ptase, the 72-kDa-5-phosphatase (72-5ptase), inhibits Fcγ receptor (FcγR)– but not complement receptor 3 (CR3)–mediated phagocytosis, affecting pseudopod extension and phagosome closure. In contrast, SHIP1 inhibited FcγR and CR3 phagocytosis with greater effects on CR3-stimulated phagocytosis. The 72-5ptase and SHIP1 were both dynamically recruited to FcγR-stimulated phagocytic cups, but only SHIP1 was recruited to CR3-stimulated phagocytic cups. To determine whether 5-ptases focally degrade PtdIns(3,4,5)P3 at the phagocytic cup after specific stimuli, time-lapse imaging of specific biosensors was performed. Transfection of dominant-negative 72-5ptase or 72-5ptase small interfering RNA (siRNA) resulted in amplified and prolonged PtdIns(3,4,5)P3 at the phagocytic cup in response to FcγR- but not CR3-stimulation. In contrast, macrophages from Ship1−/−/AktPH-GFP transgenic mice exhibited increased and sustained PtdIns(3,4,5)P3 at the cup in response to CR3 activation, with minimal changes to FcγR activation. Therefore, 72-5ptase and SHIP1 exhibit specificity in regulating FcγR- versus CR3-stimulated phagocytosis by controlling the amplitude and duration of PtdIns(3,4,5)P3 at the phagocytic cup.
Human BSAP and BLIMP1 conform an autoregulatory feedback loop
Authors: Mora-López Francisco , Reales Elena , Brieva José A. , Campos-Caro Antonio
Published: August 2007

B-lymphocyte–induced maturation protein-1 (BLIMP1), encoded by the PRDM1 gene, is a transcriptional repressor considered a master regulator that is required and sufficient for plasma cell (PC) differentiation. BLIMP1 represses the PAX5 gene, coding for the B-cell lineage–specific activator protein (BSAP), which is required for B-cell identity and survival. Mutations in PAX5 gene as well as in PRDM1 gene have been recently implicated in lymphomas. In the present study, sequence analysis of PRDM1 gene revealed a binding site for BSAP transcription factor. By analyzing different human cell lines, we have found that a specific nuclear factor for B-cell lines binds to a site on the PRDM1 promoter. Electrophoretic mobility shift assays identified this factor as BSAP, and chromatin immunoprecipitation assays confirmed its binding in vivo to the human PRDM1 promoter. Moreover, by ectopically expressing BSAP, and using a PRDM1 promoter with the BSAP-binding site mutated, we demonstrated that this factor represses the expression of BLIMP1. Therefore, repression of PRDM1 by BSAP reveals an autoregulatory negative-feedback loop that could play a relevant role in controlling human PC differentiation.