bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
An EHF resonant tunnel diode oscillator
Authors: Roschke M. , Chan C. , Berolo O.
Published: December 2010

Resonant tunnelling diodes (RTDs) are emerging as some of the more promising electron devices in the field of communications. The rapid progress of molecular beam epitaxy (MBE) growth techniques during the last decade has resulted in RTDs that exhibit remarkable peak-to-valley ratios, opening the door to a variety of useful device applications. To study the applicability of low-power EHF oscillators for personal communications and global-positioning system applications, we fabricated RTDs using AlAs/GaAs/AlAs double- barrier quantum wells and a MESFET fabrication process. The dc and rf characteristics of the RTDs, which showed a high degree of bistability, were obtained by on-wafer probing using an HP8510 network analyzer with a cascade probe station. The devices were then used in a number of simple hybrid oscillator circuits on alumina substrates. Focusing on the oscillation frequency of 37 GHz, we report on the room-temperature short-, medium-, and long-term stability of the oscillators while monitoring thermal drift and dc bias control.
Gettering of Cu to hydrogen-induced cavities in Si
Authors: Hall K. C. , Goldberg R. D. , Lowes T. D. , Simpson P. J. , Mitchell I. V. , Weatherly G. C.
Published: December 2010

Gettering sites comprising dislocations and voids have been formed in silicon at a depth of 0.8 μm by room-temperature implantation with 80 keV energy protons to a fluence of 3 × 1016 cm−2, followed by annealing at a temperature of 800 °C for 20 min. Copper was evaporated onto the Si surface then diffused by heating at 600 °C for times between 5 and 60 min. Subsequently, positron annihilation measurements were used to profile the samples for void and (or) vacancy content. Rutherford backscattering quantified metal trapping out of the diffusion profile to the gettering sites. Transmission electron micrographs identified Cu trapping at both dislocations and voids. Cavities exhibit different morphologies between the empty (void) and filled condition; the latter are strongly faceted and found to contain bulk silicide.
Electron–electron inter-subband scattering in GaAs quantum wells
Authors: Xu Zhi Zhong , Morris D.
Published: December 2010

The role of electron–electron scattering in the dynamics of inter-subband relaxation in GaAs quantum wells is investigated theoretically. The scattering rate is calculated using the Fermi golden rule, as a function of the carrier densities. The dependence of the inter-subband relaxation time on the quantum-well width is also investigated. Calculations are performed for multiple quantum-well structures with well widths varying from 80 to 240 Å (1 Å = 10−10 m). The hot electron distribution and the subband occupation function are taken into account in these calculations. Results show that the electron–electron scattering rate increases linearly as a function of the carrier densities. A band-filling effect limits the efficiency of this mechanism under high carrier densities (> 1012 cm−2). For thick well (180 Å) structures, this relaxation channel is as efficient as the phonon relaxation channel.
THEORETICAL ANALYSIS OF MEAN WAITING TIME FOR MESSAGE DELIVERY IN LATTICE AD HOC NETWORKS
Authors: OTSUKA AKIRA , NAKANO KEISUKE , MIYAKITA KAZUYUKI
Published: December 2010

In ad hoc networks, the analysis of connectivity performance is crucial. The waiting time to deliver message M from source S to destination D is a measure of connectivity that reflects the effects of mobility, and some approximate methods have been proposed to theoretically analyze the mean waiting time in one-dimensional ad hoc networks that consist of mobile nodes moving along a street. In this paper, we extend these approximate methods to analyze the mean waiting time in two-dimensional networks with a lattice structure with various flows of mobile nodes. We discuss how the mean waiting times behave in such complicated street networks and how to approximate two kinds of mean waiting times. We show that our approximate methods can successfully compute the mean waiting times for even traffic patterns and roughly estimate them for uneven traffic patterns in two-dimensional lattice networks. In these analyses, we consider two shadowing models to investigate how shadowing affects the waiting time. We also discuss the effect of different positions of S on the mean waiting time.
A NEW TOPOLOGY ORIENTED METHOD FOR SYMBOLIC ANALYSIS OF ELECTRONIC CIRCUITS
Authors: DJORDJEVIĆ S. D. , PETKOVIĆ P. M. , LITOVSKI V. B.
Published: December 2010

This paper presents a new approach to symbolic network analysis. The procedure is entirely topology oriented because it operates with a netlist description of the analyzed circuit. The obtained network function has nested form. The method introduces a graph representation of the factorization process, that is constructed directly from a given circuit description. Therefore, it is named Topology Decision Diagram (TDD). This graph serves as a skeleton for network function generation. TDD construction starts from the original circuit and spreads to simplified subcircuits. Every subsequent subcircuit is obtained by replacing a circuit branch with an open or a short. The proposed procedure generates the network function in reverse order. It starts from a single circuit parameter placed as a leaf of TDD. Thereafter, the circuit function grows instantiating the other circuit parameter one by one in a sequential order. The proposed method was developed for analogue CMOS circuits and, consequently, recognizes R, L, C and gm as circuit components.
IMAGE MATCHING OPTIMIZATION VIA VISION AND INERTIAL DATA FUSION: APPLICATION TO NAVIGATION OF THE VISUALLY IMPAIRED
Authors: PISSALOUX EDWIGE , CHEN YONG , VELAZQUEZ RAMIRO
Published: December 2010

Autonomous navigation by humans or robots is usually based on stereo image matching. However, classic image matching methods are not suitable for wearable real-time navigation systems. This paper proposes a new image-matching algorithm which fuses information from both images and inertial data. A preliminary evaluation of the algorithm shows that it is effective for indoor navigation.
THE FIRM-LEVEL EFFECTS OF SERVICE INNOVATION: A LITERATURE REVIEW
Authors: AAS TOR HELGE , PEDERSEN PER E.
Published: December 2010

Despite the importance of service innovation, its effects have been given relatively little explicit attention in the extant literature. Instead, researchers often implicitly assume that firm-level service innovation activities result in a number of positive financial and other effects. This paper conducts a systematic review of literature on the firm-level effects of service innovation and attempts to identify and categorize the effects suggested in the literature. The review reveals a considerable number of potential firm-level service innovation effects that have been discussed in extant research. We suggest that they may be divided into five effect categories: (1) business process effects, (2) capability effects, (3) relationship effects, (4) financial performance effects and (5) competitiveness effects. The findings suggest directions for further research that aims to develop a causal model of service innovation effects.
THE IMPACT OF CHANGING MARKETS AND COMPETITION ON THE NPD SPEED/MARKET SUCCESS RELATIONSHIP
Authors: MILLSON MURRAY R. , WILEMON DAVID
Published: December 2010

Our research examines the relationships among four factors thought to be important to new product developing organizations. Those factors include the speed with which product developers produce new products and bring them to market; the degree of integration among the various groups participating in the New Product Development (NPD) process; the proficiency with which the product developers perform their tasks; and the degree of success attained upon the completion of the NPD process. Market dynamism, or the degree of customer changeability, and market hostility, or the degree of market competitiveness, are thought to moderate the relationships among the four previously noted factors.

The research questions driving our investigation include: (1) Does NPD project success vary with NPD process speed?; (2) Does NPD speed vary across innovation types (new-to-the-world products, line extensions, etc.)?; (3) Does the strength of the relationships among NPD speed, organizational integration, NPD proficiency (overall and Fuzzy Front End [FFE]), and success vary with the degree of environmental dynamism (changing customer needs)?; and (4) Does the strength of the relationships among NPD speed, organizational integration, NPD proficiency (overall and FFE), and success vary with the degree of market hostility (competition)? We probed the electrical equipment, medical device, and heavy construction equipment industries to provide the data to address our research questions.

Our research suggests that the speed with which projects were completed in our sample did not vary between projects that were more or less successful. We also found that the speed with which projects were completed did not vary across various product categories (new-to-the-world, line extensions, etc.) of newly developed products for the industries studied. Primarily, we found that market dynamism moderates the relationship between NPD speed and NPD proficiency whereas environmental hostility mediates NPD speed and NPD proficiency, NPD speed and organizational integration, and NPD speed and new product market success.

Our data indicate that speed is not associated with NPD proficiency, degree of organizational integration, and new product success in less dynamic markets whereas speed has an inverse relationship with successfully entering new markets, the proficiency with which development and launch activities are performed, and the proficiency with which new product marketing strategies were implemented in more dynamic markets. Finally, we found that speed is inversely related to successfully entering new markets, overall NPD proficiency and organizational integration, predevelopment stage proficiency and organizational integration, and development and launch proficiency and organizational integration in non-hostile (competitive) environments whereas we found no significant relationships between these factors and speed in hostile environments. We provide several implications for both scholars and NPD managers.
Effect of Flexibility on the Formation of Conducting Layers at Organic Single Crystal Heterointerfaces
Authors: Watanabe Hiroki , Nouchi Ryo , Tanigaki Katsumi
Published: December 2010

The electrical conductivities of organic single crystal heterointerfaces are investigated. Electron transfer at the rubrene/7,7,8,8-tetracyanoquinodimethane (TCNQ) interface from the highest occupied molecular orbital of rubrene to the lowest unoccupied molecular orbital of TCNQ imparts conductivity to the interface. A conducting layer is formed at a rubrene-on-TCNQ heterointerface, but not at a TCNQ-on-rubrene heterointerface fabricated on a rigid SiO2/Si substrate. The formation of an interfacial conducting layer requires a good contact between two single crystals; therefore, the experimental results might be explained by the poor adherence of rather thick TCNQ crystals to the rigid rubrene/SiO2/Si system.
A Binary Tunnel Field Effect Transistor with a Steep Sub-threshold Swing and Increased ON Current
Authors: Asra Ram , Murali Kota V. R. M. , Rao V. Ramgopal
Published: December 2010

A variant tunnel field effect transistor structure called the binary tunnel field effect transistor (BTFET) for low voltage and near ideal switching characteristics is proposed. The BTFET relies on a binary tunneling distance (HIGH and LOW) for its operation to achieve a steep sub-threshold swing with a predicted range of 5 mV/dec. The transition of tunneling distance from HIGH to LOW state is a step-function of the gate voltage with the threshold voltage as a transition voltage. BTFET has a high on-current due to the high gate electric field and a large tunneling cross section area. An orientation dependent non-local band-to-band tunneling model was used to analyze the DC characteristics of the device.
On the Contribution of Friction to the Contact Damping in Atomic Force Acoustic Microscopy
Authors: Caron Arnaud , Arnold Walter , Fecht Hans-Joerg
Published: December 2010

In atomic force acoustic microscopy (AFAM) one exploits the contact resonances of the micro-fabricated cantilever, either as an imaging method where the contrast arises from the local variation of elastic and anelastic properties, or for local quantitative measurements. In this work we used AFAM in its spectroscopic mode, where contact-resonance curves are recorded as a function of the loading force P. From such curves the local contact stiffness and the contact damping were determined. The contact damping was found to have a power dependence on the load P when measured on the two different samples quartz-glass and nanocrystalline aluminum. We attribute this effect to micro-sliding of the sensor tip on the sample described by Mindlin for macroscopic contacts. We calculate the friction coefficient from the dissipated energy per cycle in the contact area to be 0.1, while the amplitude of the oscillatory sliding velocity was in the range of 0.05 m/s.
Polarization Effects on the Elastic Dust Grain Collisions in Complex Dusty Plasmas
Authors: Jung Young-Dae , Kim Dai-Gyoung
Published: December 2010

The polarization effects on the elastic dust grain collisions are investigated in unmagnetized complex dusty plasmas. The result shows that the polarization effect enhances the scattering cross section in dusty plasmas. In addition, it is found that the polarization effect on the scattering cross section increases with an increase of the collision velocity. The polarization effect increases with increasing Coulomb radius of interaction between thermal ions and the dust grain in high collision velocities.
A Roadmap for Bridging Basic and Applied Research in Forensic Entomology
Authors: Tomberlin J.K. , Mohr R. , Benbow M.E. , Tarone A.M. , VanLaerhoven S.
Published: December 2010

The National Research Council issued a report in 2009 that heavily criticized the forensic sciences. The report made several recommendations that if addressed would allow the forensic sciences to develop a stronger scientific foundation. We suggest a roadmap for decomposition ecology and forensic entomology hinging on a framework built on basic research concepts in ecology, evolution, and genetics. Unifying both basic and applied research fields under a common umbrella of terminology and structure would facilitate communication in the field and the production of scientific results. It would also help to identify novel research areas leading to a better understanding of principal underpinnings governing ecosystem structure, function, and evolution while increasing the accuracy of and ability to interpret entomological evidence collected from crime scenes. By following the proposed roadmap, a bridge can be built between basic and applied decomposition ecology research, culminating in science that could withstand the rigors of emerging legal and cultural expectations.
Ecological Role of Volatiles Produced by Plants in Response to Damage by Herbivorous Insects
Authors: Hare J. Daniel
Published: December 2010

Plants often release a blend of volatile organic compounds in response to damage by herbivorous insects that may serve as cues to locate those herbivores by natural enemies. The blend of compounds emitted by plants may be more variable than is generally assumed. The quantity and the composition of the blends may vary with the species of the herbivore, the plant species and genotype within species, the environmental conditions under which plants are grown, and the number of herbivore species attacking the plant. Although it is often assumed that induced emission of these compounds is an adaptive tactic on the part of plants, the evidence that such responses minimize fitness losses of plants remains sparse because the necessary data on plant fitness rarely have been collected. The application of techniques of evolutionary quantitative genetics may facilitate the testing of widely held hypotheses about the evolution of induced production of volatile compounds under natural conditions.
Ecology and Management of the Soybean Aphid in North America
Authors: Ragsdale David W. , Landis Douglas A. , Brodeur Jacques , Heimpel George E. , Desneux Nicolas
Published: December 2010

The soybean aphid, Aphis glycines Matsumura, has become the single most important arthropod pest of soybeans in North America. Native to Asia, this invasive species was first discovered in North America in July 2000 and has rapidly spread throughout the northcentral United States, much of southeastern Canada, and the northeastern United States. In response, important elements of the ecology of the soybean aphid in North America have been elucidated, with economic thresholds, sampling plans, and chemical control recommendations widely adopted. Aphid-resistant soybean varieties were available to growers in 2010. The preexisting community of aphid natural enemies has been highly effective in suppressing aphid populations in many situations, and classical biological control efforts have focused on the addition of parasitoids of Asian origin. The keys to sustainable management of this pest include understanding linkages between the soybean aphid and other introduced and native species in a landscape context along with continued development of aphid-resistant varieties.
The Role of Resources and Risks in Regulating Wild Bee Populations
Authors: Roulston T'ai H. , Goodell Karen
Published: December 2010

Recent declines of bee species have led to great interest in preserving and promoting bee populations for agricultural and wild plant pollination. Many correlational studies have examined the indirect effects of factors such as landscape context and land management practices and found great variation in bee response. We focus here on the evidence for effects of direct factors (i.e., food resources, nesting resources, and incidental risks) regulating bee populations and then interpret varied responses to indirect factors through their species-specific and habitat-specific effects on direct factors. We find strong evidence for food resource availability regulating bee populations, but little clear evidence that other direct factors are commonly limiting. We recommend manipulative experiments to illuminate the effects of these different factors. We contend that much of the variation in impact from indirect factors, such as grazing, can be explained by the relationships between indirect factors and floral resource availability based on environmental circumstances.
Forest Habitat Conservation in Africa Using Commercially Important Insects
Authors: Raina Suresh Kumar , Kioko Esther , Zethner Ole , Wren Susie
Published: December 2010

African forests, which host some of the world's richest biodiversity, are rapidly diminishing. The loss of flora and fauna includes economically and socially important insects. Honey bees and silk moths, grouped under commercial insects, are the source for insect-based enterprises that provide income to forest-edge communities to manage the ecosystem. However, to date, research output does not adequately quantify the impact of such enterprises on buffering forest ecosystems and communities from climate change effects. Although diseases/pests of honey bees and silk moths in Africa have risen to epidemic levels, there is a dearth of practical research that can be utilized in developing effective control mechanisms that support the proliferation of these commercial insects as pollinators of agricultural and forest ecosystems. This review highlights the critical role of commercial insects within the environmental complexity of African forest ecosystems, in modern agroindustry, and with respect to its potential contribution to poverty alleviation and pollination services. It identifies significant research gaps that exist in understanding how insects can be utilized as ecosystem health indicators and nurtured as integral tools for important socioeconomic and industrial gains.
Systematics and Evolution of Heteroptera: 25 Years of Progress
Authors: Weirauch Christiane , Schuh Randall T.
Published: December 2010

Heteroptera, or true bugs, are part of the most successful radiation of nonholometabolous insects. Twenty-five years after the first review on the influence of cladistics on systematic research in Heteroptera, we summarize progress, problems, and future directions in the field. The few hypotheses on infraordinal relationships conflict on crucial points. Understanding relationships within Gerromorpha, Nepomorpha, Leptopodomorpha, Cimicomorpha, and Pentatomomorpha is improving, but progress within Enicocephalomorpha and Dipsocoromorpha is lagging behind. Nonetheless, the classifications of several superfamily-level taxa within the Pentatomomorpha, such as Aradoidea, Coreoidea, and Pyrrhocoroidea, are still unaffected by cladistic studies. Progress in comparative morphology is slow and drastically impedes our understanding of the evolution of major clades. Molecular systematics has dramatically contributed to accelerating the generation and testing of hypotheses. Given the fascinating natural history of true bugs and their status as model organisms for evolutionary studies, integration of cladistic analyses in a broader biogeographic and evolutionary context deserves increased attention.
The Role of Phytopathogenicity in Bark Beetle–Fungus Symbioses: A Challenge to the Classic Paradigm
Authors: Six Diana L. , Wingfield Michael J.
Published: December 2010

The idea that phytopathogenic fungi associated with tree-killing bark beetles are critical for overwhelming tree defenses and incurring host tree mortality, herein called the classic paradigm (CP), has driven research on bark beetle–fungus symbiosis for decades. It has also strongly influenced our views of bark beetle ecology. We discuss fundamental flaws in the CP, including the lack of consistency of virulent fungal associates with tree-killing bark beetles, the lack of correspondence between fungal growth in the host tree and the development of symptoms associated with a successful attack, and the ubiquity of similar associations of fungi with bark beetles that do not kill trees. We suggest that, rather than playing a supporting role for the host beetle (tree killing), phytopathogenicity performs an important role for the fungi. In particular, phytopathogenicity may mediate competitive interactions among fungi and support survival and efficient resource capture in living, defensive trees.
Using Geographic Information Systems and Decision Support Systems for the Prediction, Prevention, and Control of Vector-Borne Diseases
Authors: Eisen Lars , Eisen Rebecca J.
Published: December 2010

Emerging and resurging vector-borne diseases cause significant morbidity and mortality, especially in the developing world. We focus on how advances in mapping, Geographic Information System, and Decision Support System technologies, and progress in spatial and space-time modeling, can be harnessed to prevent and control these diseases. Major themes, which are addressed using examples from tick-borne Lyme borreliosis; flea-borne plague; and mosquito-borne dengue, malaria, and West Nile virus disease, include (a) selection of spatial and space-time modeling techniques, (b) importance of using high-quality and biologically or epidemiologically relevant data, (c) incorporation of new technologies into operational vector and disease control programs, (d) transfer of map-based information to stakeholders, and (e) adaptation of technology solutions for use in resource-poor environments. We see great potential for the use of new technologies and approaches to more effectively target limited surveillance, prevention, and control resources and to reduce vector-borne and other infectious diseases.
Venom Proteins from Endoparasitoid Wasps and Their Role in Host-Parasite Interactions
Authors: Asgari Sassan , Rivers David B.
Published: December 2010

Endoparasitoids introduce a variety of factors into their host during oviposition to ensure successful parasitism. These include ovarian and venom fluids that may be accompanied by viruses and virus-like particles. An overwhelming number of venom components are enzymes with similarities to insect metabolic enzymes, suggesting their recruitment for expression in venom glands with modified functions. Other components include protease inhibitors, paralytic factors, and constituents that facilitate/enhance entry and expression of genes from symbiotic viruses or virus-like particles. In addition, the venom gland may itself support replication/production of some viruses or virus-like entities. Overlapping functions and structural similarities of some venom, ovarian, and virus-encoded proteins suggest coevolution of molecules recruited by endoparasitoids to maintain their fitness relative to their host.
Coronary-Cameral Fistula with Angina Pectoris
Authors: Cakar Mehmet Akif , Tatli Ersan
Published: December 2010

Coronary-cameral fistula (CCF) is an anomalous connection between a coronary artery and cardiac chamber. Most of CCFs are discovered incidentally during angiographic evaluation for coronary vascular disorder. We report a case of CCF with angina pectoris. Selective coronary arteriography revealed diffuse CCF involving the left anterior descending artery (LAD) emptying into left ventricle (LV) and showed significant two-vessel coronary artery stenosis.
Interaction among Skeletal Muscle Metabolic Energy Systems during Intense Exercise
Authors: Baker Julien S. , McCormick Marie Clare , Robergs Robert A.
Published: December 2010

High-intensity exercise can result in up to a 1,000-fold increase in the rate of ATP demand compared to that at rest (Newsholme et al., 1983). To sustain muscle contraction, ATP needs to be regenerated at a rate complementary to ATP demand. Three energy systems function to replenish ATP in muscle: (1) Phosphagen, (2) Glycolytic, and (3) Mitochondrial Respiration. The three systems differ in the substrates used, products, maximal rate of ATP regeneration, capacity of ATP regeneration, and their associated contributions to fatigue. In this exercise context, fatigue is best defined as a decreasing force production during muscle contraction despite constant or increasing effort. The replenishment of ATP during intense exercise is the result of a coordinated metabolic response in which all energy systems contribute to different degrees based on an interaction between the intensity and duration of the exercise, and consequently the proportional contribution of the different skeletal muscle motor units. Such relative contributions also determine to a large extent the involvement of specific metabolic and central nervous system events that contribute to fatigue. The purpose of this paper is to provide a contemporary explanation of the muscle metabolic response to different exercise intensities and durations, with emphasis given to recent improvements in understanding and research methodology.
Histone Deacetylase Inhibitors in the Treatment of Hematological Malignancies and Solid Tumors
Authors: Federico Mario , Bagella Luigi
Published: December 2010

The human genome is epigenetically organized through a series of modifications to the histone proteins that interact with the DNA. In cancer, many of the proteins that regulate these modifications can be altered in both function and expression. One example of this is the family of histone deacetylases (HDACs), which as their name implies remove acetyl groups from the histone proteins, allowing for more condensed nucleosomal structure. HDACs have increased expression in cancer and are also believed to promote carcinogenesis through the acetylation and interaction with key transcriptional regulators. Given this, small molecule histone deacetylases inhibitors have been identified and developed, which not only inhibit HDACs, but can also lead to growth arrest, differentiation, and/or apoptosis in tumors both in vitro and in vivo. Here, we will discuss some of the recent developments in clinical trials utilizing HDACs inhibitors for the treatment of both hematological malignancies as well as solid tumors.
Manipulating Protein Acetylation in Breast Cancer: A Promising Approach in Combination with Hormonal Therapies?
Authors: Linares Aurélien , Dalenc Florence , Balaguer Patrick , Boulle Nathalie , Cavailles Vincent
Published: December 2010

Estrogens play an essential role in the normal physiology of the breast as well as in mammary tumorigenesis. Their effects are mediated by two nuclear estrogen receptors, ERα and β, which regulate transcription of specific genes by interacting with multiprotein complexes, including histone deacetylases (HDACs). During the past few years, HDACs have raised great interest as therapeutic targets in the field of cancer therapy. In breast cancer, several experimental arguments suggest that HDACs are involved at multiple levels in mammary tumorigenesis: their expression is deregulated in breast tumors; they interfere with ER signaling in intricate ways, restoring hormone sensitivity in models of estrogen resistance, and they clinically represent new potential targets for HDACs inhibitors (HDIs) in combination with hormonal therapies. In this paper, we will describe these different aspects and underline the clinical interest of HDIs in the context of breast cancer resistance to hormone therapies (HTs).
Abstract A100: Alcohol promotes breast cancer cell invasion by regulating the Nm23-ITGA5 pathway
Authors: Nunez Nomeli P.
Published: December 2010

Introduction: Alcohol consumption increases breast cancer risk in women. Additionally, alcohol increases the metastatic ability of cancer cells. Metastasis suppressor genes encode proteins that have the ability to slow down or prevent the invasiveness of cancer cells, thus inhibiting the establishment of metastases. We analyzed the expression level of metastasis suppressor genes to determine the mechanisms by which alcohol increases the invasive ability of breast cancer cells.

Methods: The invasiveness, or metastatic ability, of breast cancer cells was determined by the Boyden assay. To determine if alcohol increases invasion of breast cancer cells via the metastasis suppressor gene Nm23, we over-expressed or down-regulated Nm23 using siRNA-mediated knockdown; subsequently, we determined the effects of alcohol on the invasiveness of these cancer cells.

Results: Results show that alcohol increased breast cancer cell invasion in a dose-dependent manner. Alcohol significantly decreased the expression of Nm23. Overexpression of Nm23 in breast cancer cells suppressed the effects of alcohol on the invasive ability of the cancer cells. Also, exposure of cancer cells to alcohol led to an increase in the expression level of the fibronectin receptor subunit ITGA5, and overexpression of Nm23 blocked the effects of alcohol. Further, the invasiveness of the breast cancer cells was inhibited when ITGA5 was knocked down by siRNA, and alcohol was unable to increase the invasiveness of the cancer cells when ITGA5 was knocked down.

Conclusions: Results suggest that alcohol increases the invasive ability of breast cancer cells by down-regulating the metastatic suppressor Nm23 gene, which leads to increased expression of ITGA5. Consequently, up-regulated ITGA5 may increase the invasive ability of the cancer cells.

Citation Information: Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 2010;19(10 Suppl):A100.
Abstract A101: A novel resource to accelerate research into the cause and prevention of breast cancer: The Love/Avon Army of Women
Authors: Love Susan M.
Published: December 2010

Background: It is well established that there is a need for more research into the cause and prevention of breast cancer. While many studies are done in cell lines and laboratory animals, translation of findings to a diverse population of women often falters due to perceived difficulty in recruiting diverse women for research. The Dr. Susan Love Research Foundation received a grant from the Avon Foundation to form the Love/Avon Army of Women (AOW); an online recruitment resource designed to partner a diverse group of women with the research community in an effort to accelerate breast cancer research.

Methods: The AOW was launched in 2008 with the goal of recruiting one million diverse women interested in participating in breast cancer research. Researchers submit research proposals to be reviewed by the AOW Scientific Advisory Committee, comprised of nominees from AACR and NBCC. If a study is accepted, a mass e-mail describing the study procedures and inclusion/exclusion criteria is sent to the entire AOW database. Women sign up on-line at www.armyofwomen.org to join the AOW. Women aren't committing to participating in a particular study, but agree to receive AOW e-mails about breast cancer research studies. If the individual is interested and qualifies for a study, she undergoes a secondary on-line screening and then her contact information is passed on to the principal investigator.

Results: As of July 2010, over 335,000 women have signed up. Almost 10% of the membership is racial/ethnic minorities, including African American, Hispanic/Latina, Asian, and Native American. African Americans and Latinas have the highest representation, with more than 10,500 members of each ethnicity. Membership includes survivors and those who have not been diagnosed with breast cancer, ranging from ages 18 to 100, representing all 50 US states and 47 countries. To date, the AOW has recruited for 31 studies. The diversity of the AOW members has proved beneficial for many studies, such as those needing to enroll Latina women, African American women, and women of varying sexual orientations. These studies are important steps in addressing the distinct needs of racial/ethnic minorities and the medically underserved. Many studies were closed to enrollment within the first 48 hours after accruing all subjects while others were very quickly over-enrolled by 5-10%. This overwhelming response has led many researchers to seek additional funding to increase their statistical significance and accommodate all eligible subjects.

Conclusions: The Love/Avon Army of Women is a novel resource for scientists to accelerate accrual, expand the number and diversity of their subject population and to obtain exactly the type of specimens they need when they need it. This new partnership between women and scientists can revolutionize research and accelerate efforts to eradicate breast cancer.

Citation Information: Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 2010;19(10 Suppl):A101.
Abstract A103: Breast cancer molecular subtype analysis in Egypt reveals high prevalence of Luminal A: Implications for improving prognosis
Authors: Salhia Bodour , Ishak Elia Anis , Gaber Salwa , Berghuis Bree , Hussain Khateeb H. , DuQuette Rachelle A. , Resau James , Tapia Coya , Carpten John
Published: December 2010

The World Health Organization has ranked breast cancer as the most common type of cancer among women world-wide. Breast cancer represents 37% of cancer cases in Egypt, and although incidence in Egypt remains lower than in highly developed countries, incidence rates are steadily increasing. Breast cancer is a heterogeneous disease composed of a number of recognizable subtypes. These intrinsic tumor subtypes, based on molecular gene expression profiles, reflect underlying biological behavior of tumors. The distribution of molecular subtypes in women of North African descent is currently unknown. Although parity is a contributing factor to the breast cancer dilemma in Egypt, understanding the underlying and unique molecular genetic factors is critical for tackling this disease in Egypt. Accordingly, our study examined the prevalence of breast cancer subtypes in Egypt in specimens obtained from medical centers in Cairo and Minya. We classified tumors according to an accepted IHC panel of surrogate markers for intrinsic subtype. Our study results demonstrated that in spite of younger age, larger tumor size, high tumor grade and high percentage of node positive cases, the Luminal A subtype was found in over 55% of cases examined. There was a surprisingly low prevalence of the basal-like subtype which was found in less than 10% of cases. Luminal B, HER2+/ER-and non-basal triple negative tumors also each constituted less than 15% of cases examined. Thus, although Egyptians with breast cancer have more aggressive disease at diagnosis and dismal survival rates, they appear to have favorable underlying biology. We feel this study will help raise awareness of the breast cancer problem in Egypt and aid the clinician in making better treatment and prognostic decisions based on a set of already known prognostic and therapeutic markers.

Citation Information: Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 2010;19(10 Suppl):A103.
Abstract A107: Esophageal and stomach cancer trends by race, gender, subsite, and histology
Authors: Cox Derrick D. , DeSantis Carol , Fedewa Stacey , Jemal Ahmedin , Blaser Martin , Ward Elizabeth
Published: December 2010

Background: Esophageal, gastric and gastroesophageal (GE) junction carcinomas have clearly had different trends of incidence over the the past two decades in the world, especially in the United States. What is more alarming is the histological type of subsite cancer appears to be changing and may also differ according to ethnicity and gender as well. The authors examined incidence patterns among Caucasians (C), African Americans (AA) and Asian/Pacific Islanders (API).

Methods: We used data from the Surveillance Epidemiology and End Results (SEER) database of the National Cancer Institute. SEER 9 data was used to identify all patients who were diagnosed with esophageal, stomach and GE junction carcinomas between 1975 and 2006. Age-adjusted rates and age specific rates were computed by anatomic subsite, histology, race, and gender. Incidence trend patterns were analyzed accordingly.

Results: Major differences were seen for the distribution of esophageal cancer based on subsite, histology and ethnicity. White males had the predominant histology adenocarcinoma in the distal esophagus (83.9%) compared to AA having squamous cell carcinoma (63.8%) and API having similar distribution of both adenocarcinoma (43.6%) and squamous (48%). This trend was not seen in white females. In Caucasian men, adenocarcinoma of the distal esophagus is now outnumbering adenocarcinoma of the stomach. This trend is not seen in any other ethnic and/or gender group. For stomach cancer, white males had more proximal tumors compared to black males. Black males were diagnosed with distal tumors compared to white males.

Conclusions: There are large differences in incidence trends according to ethnicity, gender, anatomic subsite and histology. The variation in cancer incidence patterns by race does not seem to be completely explained or accounted for by differences in known risk factors.

Citation Information: Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 2010;19(10 Suppl):A107.
Abstract A11: Development and validation of a scale to measure patient perceived similarity to their navigator.
Authors: Sanders Mechelle R. , Fiscella Kevin , Winters Paul C. , Salamone Charcy M.
Published: December 2010

Background: The patient-physician relationship is strengthened when patients see themselves as similar to their physicians in personal beliefs, values, and communication. However, it is unclear whether or not this finding extends to the relationship between a patient and an allied health worker such as a navigator.

Objective: To develop and validate a brief scale that measures the extent to which patients feel they are similar to their navigator.

Methods: The Perceived Navigator Similarity (PN-S) questionnaire was adapted from the Perceived Similarities Measure (by Street, RL et al, 2008). The PN-S was developed to assess how patients perceived personal, cultural, ethnic, racial, religious, and social group similarity to their navigator. The scale was administered to 42 cancer patients assigned to the navigation arm of a randomized controlled trial. Each of the patients had the opportunity to work with their navigator (at varying intensities based on patient needs and/or preference) at some point during the first six months of their breast or colorectal cancer treatment. During their final assessment of the study, each patient was asked to complete two assessments about their relationship with their navigator in particular: Satisfaction Interpersonal Relationship with Navigator (SN-I)-and Perceived Navigator Similarity (PN-S); as well as an assessment of their Satisfaction with Care (SC) during their cancer treatment. We assessed convergent validity by examining the correlation between PN-S and SN-Iand SC. We assessed divergent validity by examining the correlation between PN-S and age, gender, education and REALM score.

Results: A principal component analyses from the PN-S questionnaire revealed two main factors: one relating to sociocultural identity/ethnic similarity (spiritual, beliefs, ethnic backgrounds, free time, race, culture, skin color) and another related to communication (speak, reason, communicate). These factors were confirmed on scale rotation. The scale showed satisfactory internal consistency (Cronbach coefficient alpha = 0.83). As hypothesized, there proved to be a statistically significant correlation between the PN-S and the 9-item Interpersonal SN-I (p=.47), as well as with the SC (p=.36). There was no statistically significant correlation between PN-S and gender, age, REALM-short form, or education.

Conclusion: The PN-S appears to be a psychometrically sound tool to measure perceived patient similarity with their navigator. Further study is needed to confirm these findings and determine whether perceived similarity is associated with improved outcomes.

Citation Information: Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 2010;19(10 Suppl):A11.
Abstract A110: Factors affecting cervical cancer survival for patients referred to a tertiary care center in Kentucky
Authors: Tarrant Rebecca L. , DeSimone Christopher P. , Baldwin Lauren A. , Pachtman Sarah , Podzielinski Iwona , Branscum Adam J. , Vanderpool Robin C. , Feddock Johnathan M. , Randall Marcus E. , Fleming Steven T. , Seamon Leigh G.
Published: December 2010

Objectives: The aim of this research was to identify prognostic factors influencing cervical cancer recurrence and survival in Kentucky.

Methods: A cohort study was performed to assess predictive survival factors of cervical cancer patients referred to the University of Kentucky using the University of Kentucky database and the Kentucky Cancer Registry from January 2001 to May 2010. Eligibility criteria include those at least 18 years old, a history of cervical cancer, and no prior history of malignancy. Descriptive statistics were compiled for age, race, insurance status, tobacco use, Appalachian or non-Appalachian residence using the Appalachian Regional Commission classification of county, co-morbid risk factors, BMI, and pathologic characteristics. Univariable and multivariable Cox proportional hazard analysis were performed to assess associations with cervical cancer recurrence and overall survival.

Results: 380 patients met entry criteria. 91 % were Caucasian (N=346), 43% were uninsured (N=163), and 64% (N=242) lived in Appalachia. While 48% (N=184) of the population had no co-morbid risk factors, 41 % (N=156) had one or two risk factors. The following covariates were not associated with recurrence free or overall survival: race, BMI, Appalachian residence, insurance status, months between last normal cervical cytology and diagnosis, histology (squamous cell carcinoma vs. adenocarcinoma vs. other), and tumor grade. The univariable analysis revealed age [HR1.02 (95%CI 1.01,1.04)], having more than two co-morbid risk factors [HR 2.8 (95%CI 1.1, 7.2)], and diagnosis in disease stages II, III, and IV [HR 5.0 (95% 2.3,10.9); 11.0 (5.2,23.1); 43.7 (19.0,100.3)] were associated with a worse recurrence-free survival while age [HR 1.03 (95%CI 1.02,1.04)], having more than two co-morbid risk factors [HR 3.7 (95%CI 1.8, 7.9)], smoking status [HR 1.4 (95%CI 1.0,2.5)], and diagnosis in disease stages II, III, and IV [HR 4.0 (95%CI 2.2, 7.1); 7.3 (95%CI 4.1,12.9); 32.7 (16.8,63.8)] all significantly decreased overall survival. After controlling for all significant variables, Stage IV disease was a significant predictor of progression-free survival [HR 3.6 (95%CI 2.0,6.4)] while stages II, III, and IV [HR 3.0 (95%CI 1.6,5.7); 6.0 (95%CI 3.3,11.0); 38.9 (95%CI 18.0,84.0)] and having more than two co-morbid risk factors [HR 2.3 (95%CI 1.0,5.2)] remained significant adverse predictors for overall survival.

Conclusions: Co-morbid risk factors and stage influence cervical cancer survival. Future cervical carcinoma research should consider medical co-morbidities as an important factor impacting survival.

Citation Information: Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 2010;19(10 Suppl):A110.
Abstract A15: Increasing participation in therapeutic clinical trials among African Americans with cancer
Authors: Banda Deliya R. , Swain Sandra M.
Published: December 2010

Background: A study of patients enrolled in NCI-sponsored cooperative group nonsurgical treatment trials for breast, lung, colorectal, or prostate cancers reported an enrollment rate of only 1.8% among Caucasian patients. The comparable rate for African Americans was even lower at 1.3%. Recent statistics confirm markedly higher cancer-specific mortality rates for African Americans than members of other racial/ethnic groups. The recognition of cultural beliefs and attitudes towards clinical trials has been acknowledged as critical to ameliorating disparities in cancer outcomes. Our study thus focuses on the need to develop patient-level interventions to increase the representation of African Americans in cancer clinical trials. To date there have been qualitative studies to determine the nature of attitudes preventing participation but to our knowledge no actual intervention in the African American population.

Aims and Focus: With active community involvement, we have developed a 15-minute narrative-based video for African American men and women with cancer. Using positive messaging the video addresses six cultural and attitudinal barriers to African American participation that have been documented in literature. We aim to assess whether African American patients are more likely to participate in trials after viewing the video and evaluate whether attitudes on the six trial barriers are impacted. We will also determine if the trial enrollment rate is higher than the national average after viewing the video.

Methods: We are in the process of enrolling 114 African American patients at Washington Cancer Institute (WCI), a large urban cancer institute serving a predominantly African American patient population. We will use a mixed-methods approach including a pre-post test analysis with a survey instrument developed specifically to assess attitudes on the six study barriers. Semistructured interviews for participants consenting to follow-up will also be conducted and analyzed to provide additional context to inform our findings.

Research Implications: This study has a potential national impact as it addresses the sociodemographic context and culturally rooted beliefs and preferences that may further hinder African American enrollment on therapeutic trials. The study and its products should have particular benefit for National Cancer Institute (NCI) cooperative groups as well as utility in community-based settings. The video we have developed will be an important tool to stimulate dialogue in African American community settings.

Acknowledgement of Funding: National Center on Minority Health and Health Disparities: 1RC1MD004185-01.

Citation Information: Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 2010;19(10 Suppl):A15.