bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Breast Cancer Onset in Twins and Women With Bilateral Disease
Authors: Hartman Mikael , Hall Per , Edgren Gustaf , Reilly Marie , Lindstrom Linda , Lichtenstein Paul , Kaprio Jaakko , Skytthe Axel , Peto Julian , Czene Kamila 
Published: July 2008

Purpose Little is known of the onset of breast cancer in high-risk populations. We investigated the risk of breast cancer in twin sisters and in the contralateral breast taking family history into consideration. Patients and Methods We analyzed a Scandinavian population-based cohort of 2,499 female twin pairs, in which at least one had a diagnosis of breast cancer and estimated the risk of breast cancer in the sister. Using a total of 11 million individuals in Sweden with complete family links, we identified 93,448 women with breast cancer and estimated the risk of a bilateral breast cancer. Results The incidence of breast cancer in twin sisters of breast cancer patients was 0.64% per year and 0.42% per year in mono- and dizygotic twin sisters, respectively. In comparison, the risk of familial (affected first-degree relative) and nonfamilial bilateral breast cancer was 1.03% per year and 0.68% per year, respectively. Contrary to the risk of unilateral disease, the risk of cancer in the nonaffected twin and the opposite breast was not affected by age or time since first event. The relative risk of familial bilateral cancer was 52% higher (incidence rate ratio [IRR] = 1.52; 95% CI, 1.42 to 1.64) and the relative risk in the dizygotic twin sister was 25% lower (IRR = 0.75; 95% CI, 0.61 to 0.91) compared with the risk of nonfamilial bilateral cancer. Conclusion The elevated risk of breast cancer in high-risk groups is little affected by age and time since diagnosis. Our findings suggest that susceptible groups of women might have already aggregated genetic prerequisites for breast cancer.
Phase II Study of Erlotinib in Recurrent or Metastatic Endometrial Cancer: NCIC IND-148
Authors: Oza Amit M. , Eisenhauer Elizabeth A. , Elit Laurie , Cutz Jean-Claude , Sakurada Akira , Tsao Ming S. , Hoskins Paul J. , Biagi Jim , Ghatage Prafull , Mazurka John , Provencher Diane , Dore Naomi , Dancey Janet , Fyles Anthony 
Published: July 2008

PurposeEpidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) overexpression is common in endometrial cancers and may have a major role in tumor growth and progression. Erlotinib is an orally active, selective inhibitor of EGFR tyrosine kinase activity.Patients and MethodsA multinomial design two-stage phase II study was performed to evaluate single-agent activity of erlotinib in women with advanced endometrial cancer with recurrent or metastatic disease who were chemotherapy naïve and had received up to one line of prior hormonal therapy. Erlotinib was administered at daily dose of 150 mg. Archival tumor tissue was analyzed for EGFR expression by immunohistochemistry (IHC) and gene amplification by fluorescent in situ hybridization (FISH). Mutational status of EGFR was determined in responders.ResultsThirty-two of 34 entered patients are assessable for response. Treatment was well tolerated and severe toxicity infrequent, with the only grade 4 toxicity being an elevation of transaminases (AST). There were four confirmed partial responses (PRs; 12.5%; 95% CI, 3.5% to 29%) lasting 2 to 36 months. Fifteen patients had stable disease (SD), with median duration of 3.7 months (range, 2 to 12 months). EGFR expression was analyzed in thirty patients; 19 were positive, nine were negative, and two were not assessable. Of the 19 patients who were EGFR positive, three had PR (16%), seven SD, and eight progressive disease, and one was not assessable. No mutations were identified in responders. FISH showed no correlation of response with gene amplification.ConclusionErlotinib is well tolerated with an overall objective response rate of 12.5%. Molecular analysis did not identify EGFR mutations in responders or correlation of response with gene amplification.
Chemical-looping combustion — a thermodynamic study
Authors: McGlashan N R 
Published: July 2008

The poor performance of internal combustion (IC) engines can be attributed to the departure from equilibrium in the combustion process. This departure is expressed numerically, as the difference between the working fluid's temperature and an ideal ‘combustion temperature’, calculated using a simple expression. It is shown that for combustion of hydrocarbons to be performed reversibly in a single reaction, impractically high working fluid temperatures are required — typically at least 3500 K. Chemical-looping combustion (CLC) is an alternative to traditional, single-stage combustion that performs the oxidation of fuels using two reactions, in separate vessels: the oxidizer and reducer. An additional species circulates between the oxidizer and reducer carrying oxygen atoms. Careful selection of this oxygen carrier can reduce the equilibrium temperature of the two redox reactions to below current metallurgical limits. Consequently, using CLC it is theoretically possible to approach a reversible IC engine without resorting to impractical temperatures. CLC also lends itself to carbon capture, as at no point is N2 from the air allowed to mix with the CO2 produced in the reduction process and therefore a post-combustion scrubbing plant is not required. Two thermodynamic criteria for selecting the oxygen carrier are established: the equilibrium temperature of both redox reactions should lie below present metallurgical limits. Equally, both reactions must be sufficiently hot to ensure that their reaction velocity is high. The key parameter determining the two reaction temperatures is the change in standard state entropy for each reaction. An analysis is conducted for an irreversible CLC system using two Rankine cycles to produce shaft work, giving an overall efficiency of 86.5 per cent. The analysis allows for irreversibilites in turbine, boiler, and condensers, but assumes reactions take place at equilibrium. However, using Rankine cycles in a CLC system is considered impractical because of the need for high-temperature, indirect heat exchange. An alternative arrangement, avoiding indirect heat exchange, is discussed briefly.
Surface design of roller gear cam mechanisms with a turret in both translation and rotation
Authors: Chen C-G , Chiou S-T 
Published: July 2008

Roller gear cam mechanisms (RGCMs) are used extensively as automatic tool changers of machining centres or as indexing mechanisms in various machinery. However, almost all the existing RGCMs have a turret in a rotational motion only. Thus for example, when they are used as a part of automatic tool changers, the translational motions of the tools have to be given by other mechanisms. An RGCM with a turret which can move with both translation and rotation simultaneously is proposed; such an RGCM may simplify the structure of some machines. By using D-H homogeneous coordinate transformation matrices, and applying the theory of conjugate surfaces, the model for the surface design of the RGCM is developed. Two examples are included to demonstrate the usages of the model and to verify its correctness.
An investigation of the effects of corrosion on the fatigue strength of AlN axle steel
Authors: Beretta S , Carboni M , Lo Conte A , Palermo E 
Published: July 2008

Corrosion fatigue is an important topic in the evaluation of the structural integrity of railway axles. In fact, several recent axle failures have been attributed to the presence of corrosion pits and axle surface corrosion. Despite the importance of this issue, existing EN standards do not precisely quantify the effect that corrosion or corrosion-fatigue might have on the fatigue strength of a railway axle. Consequently, there is a need to have a better understanding of this problem. In this paper, two main lines of research have been adopted with a view to investigating the issues regarding the corrosion fatigue properties of AlN steel. The first line of research assesses the morphology and the statistical distribution of corrosion defects present on the surface of retired axles together with the detrimental effect of the defects detected on the in-air fatigue strength of AlN steel. The second line of research examines the fatigue properties of AlN steel in the presence of artificial rainwater. The results of the analysis show that the corrosion typically found on axles is significant from a point of view of fatigue properties and that the fatigue life of AlN steel is strongly affected by the presence of a mildly corrosive substance like rainwater. Fatigue test results are consistent with the fatigue strength reduction outlined in the BASS technical recommendations.
Non-linear transient analysis of multiple axial groove water-lubricated journal bearings
Authors: Pai R S , Pai R 
Published: July 2008

The stability characteristics of water-lubricated journal bearings having multiple axial grooves are studied theoretically. These bearings can use the process fluid as the lubricant as in the case of feed water pumps. The process fluid (water) is fed from one end of the bearing, through the multiple axial grooves (groove angles may vary). A non-linear analysis of a rigid rotor supported on journal bearings under unidirectional constant load, unidirectional periodic load, and variable rotating load is carried out. The time-dependent Reynolds equation in two-dimension for incompressible fluid is solved numerically by the finite-difference method with a successive over relaxation scheme satisfying the Jakobsson—Floberg—Olsson boundary conditions, to obtain the hydrodynamic forces. Using these forces, the equations of motion are solved by the fourth-order Runge—Kutta method to predict the transient behaviour of the rotor. The analysis gives the orbital trajectory within the clearance circle.
Air-bearing surface design of an optical flying head considering dynamic characteristics
Authors: Lee J , Kim J , Park N-C 
Published: July 2008

The near-field recording (NFR) system requires the clearance between a slider and disk surface in order to maintain the significant effect on the evanescent wave. The optical flying head (OFH) should also have a small pitch to control the contamination effect. The larger the gap between the leading edge of the slider and the disk, the more the particles come into solid immersion lens (SIL), thereby causing a negative influence on the NFR system. However, the flying stability turns out to be ineffective as the pitch angle reduces. Accordingly, it is necessary to consider dynamic characteristics of OFH in air-bearing surface (ABS) design. The objective of the ABS design is such that the flying height (FH) of the OFH should be as flat as possible over the inner diameter (ID) and outer diameter (OD) of the disk, and FH should be controlled at about 50 nm for both ID and OD in the static state. The better NFR system can also be obtained by a smaller modulation. The numerical optimization in the static state is first carried out, and the dynamic optimization is subsequently performed based on the static optimal model. The dynamic simulation and experiments are additionally performed to verify the proposed design optimization results.
Characterization of the friction properties of various coatings at the tool—chip—workpiece interfaces in dry machining of AISI 4140 steel
Authors: Rech J , Claudin C , Grzesik W , Zalisz Z 
Published: July 2008

This work deals with the development of a new tribometer designed for the characterization of the frictional properties at the tool—chip—workpiece interfaces in cutting processes. The average contact pressure can be selected up to 3 GPa under sliding velocities reaching 300 m/min. Moreover, the system provides a continuously regenerated contact surface. Under such severe conditions, which are not reachable with conventional tribometers, the apparent friction coefficient is quantified in parallel to the heat flux transmitted to the pin. This new system has been applied to the characterization of the frictional properties during the dry machining of a AISI 4140 treated steel with various coated carbide substrates. The coatings investigated in this work are: TiN, TiAlN, AlCrN coatings deposited by physical vapour deposition (PVD). A wide range of sliding velocities and pressures have been investigated in dry conditions. It has been shown that the coating is the most influential parameter, followed by the sliding velocity, and finally the pressure. As far as the friction coefficient is concerned, the superiority of AlCrN and TiAlN coatings in dry cutting has been revealed.
Highly Sensitive Cardiac Troponin T Values Remain Constant after Brief Exercise- or Pharmacologic-Induced Reversible Myocardial Ischemia
Authors: Kurz Kerstin , Giannitsis Evangelos , Zehelein Joerg , Katus Hugo A 
Published: July 2008

Abstract
Background: Using a new precommercial high-sensitivity cardiac troponin T (hsTnT) assay, we evaluated whether hsTnT increases after reversible myocardial ischemia.
Methods: In 195 patients undergoing nuclear stress testing (ST) using single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) for suspected ischemic heart disease, we measured hsTnT before and 18 min, 4 h, and 24 h after the stress test. Thirty patients were excluded before ST because of cardiac troponin T (cTnT) &gt;30 ng/L (0.03 μg/L) as measured by the fourth-generation commercial test. Another 65 patients were excluded because of a combination of fixed and reversible perfusion defects (PDs) after SPECT.
Results: We studied 18 patients with reversible PDs, 41 patients with fixed PDs, and 41 patients without any PDs. Of these 100 patients, 61 received dynamic ST and 39 pharmacological ST. Median baseline hsTnT concentrations (25th, 75th percentile) were comparable in patients with reversible, fixed, and no PDs [5.57 (2.47, 12.60), 8.01 (4.55, 12.44), and 6.90 (4.63, 10.59) ng/L, respectively]. After ST, median hsTnT concentrations did not change in the reversible, fixed, or no PD groups from baseline to 18 min [−0.41 (−0.81, 0.01), 0.01 (−0.75, 0.79), and 0.36 (−0.42, 1.01) ng/L] or from baseline to 4 h [−0.56 (−1.82, 0.74), 0.24 (−0.60, 1.45), and 0.23 (−0.99, 1.15) ng/L]. Median baseline hsTnT concentrations tended to be higher in patients undergoing pharmacological vs dynamic ST; however, there were no significant increases in hsTnT concentrations after either type of ST.
Conclusions: Elevation of cTnT is rather a consequence of irreversible myocyte death than reversible myocardial ischemia after exercise or pharmacologic myocardial ischemia.
Elastic deformation mechanisms of softwoods in radial tension – Cell wall bending or stretching?
Authors: Modén Carl S. , Berglund Lars A. 
Published: July 2008

Abstract
Radial softwood modulus E

R
is typically twice as high as the tangential modulus E

T
. The reason for this is unclear, although cell geometry is likely to contribute. The established hexagonal honeycomb model for prediction of E

R
is based on a cell wall bending mechanism only. If cell wall stretching also takes place, the dependence of E

R
on relative density will be different. If experimental data for E

R
as a function of relative density show deviations from cell wall bending predictions, this may indicate the presence of cell wall stretching. A SilviScan apparatus is used to measure density distribution. A procedure by means of digital speckle photography is then developed for measurements of local E

R
within the annual rings of spruce. Comparison is made between experimental data and the two expected density dependencies from cell wall bending and from stretching. The hypothesis of cell wall stretching as a contributing mechanism is supported based on the observed linear dependence of E

R
over a wide density range.
Effects of refining steam pressure on the properties of loblolly pine (Pinus taeda L.) fibers
Authors: Neimsuwan Trairat , Wang Siqun , Philip Ye Xiaofei 
Published: July 2008

Abstract
Medium density fiberboard is widely used with increasing tendency in North America, particularly in the furniture sector, including door skin and cabinets. Sorption property is one of the most important factors for quality judgment. This study will present water vapor sorption behavior of fibers in the range of varying relative humidity from 11% to 89% as affected by steam pressure of thermomechanical refining in small-scale measurement. A 54-year-old loblolly pine tree was refined at 2 to 18 bar of steam pressure. Fiber properties were determined by scanning electron microscope, dynamic contact angle analyzer, wide angle X-ray diffractometer, and water activity meter. The results showed that steam pressure has a dramatic effect on sorption behavior and surface properties of the refined fiber. In conclusion, a higher rate of sorption was found in juvenile fiber at low steam pressure. Higher water activity and lower crystallinity was found at low steam pressure. The sorption isotherm of refined fiber was fitted very well by the Hailwood-Horrobin model.
Exploring Scots pine fibre development mechanisms during TMP processing: Impact of cell wall ultrastructure (morphological and topochemical) on negative behaviour
Authors: Fernando Dinesh , Daniel Geoffrey 
Published: July 2008

Abstract
A study was carried out aiming at understanding the fundamental reasons for different fibre behaviour exhibited by Norway spruce and Scots pine causing large energy consumption differences during thermomechanical pulping (TMP). Ultrastructural characterization of TMP fibres and shives, which were sampled from the two wood species after primary refining, was performed using scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and TEM-immunogold labelling for their morphological and topochemical properties. As expected, pine wood chips needed higher electrical energy consumption to be refined to a given Canadian Standard Freeness and it produced inferior strength properties compared to spruce. Electron microscopy (EM) observations indicated that the mechanisms of fibre development during primary refining of pine and spruce were different. The two stages of pine fibre separation and development were not concurrent. Results indicated that pine fibre defibration/fracture occurred predominantly through the compound middle lamella/S1 interphase or through the S1 layer producing lesser amounts of shives during the primary refining stage than spruce. In contrast, spruce fibres defibrated mainly through the S2 layer. Detailed EM observations on shives and pulp fibres from TMP revealed the ultrastructural characteristics associated with pine fibre cell walls. Morphological and topochemical features of the S1 layer, S1/S2 interphase, such as lignin and galactoglucomannan distribution across cell walls were explored. The ultrastructural properties are discussed in relation to the TMP parameters (i.e., electrical energy consumption) and strength data. It is concluded that ultrastructural characteristics of Scots pine fibre cell walls govern the different fibre development mechanisms and explain the negative response of this wood during TMP processing.
“Arithmetic of Bedlam!”: Markets and Manhood in Charles Reade's Hard Cash
Authors: Walsh Susan 
Published: July 2008

Abstract
In Charles Reade's underread sensation novel Hard Cash (1863), the hero is imprisoned in an insane asylum so that his father's fiscal crimes may remain concealed. The exposé of asylum abuse that follows this development, together with Reade's fierce critique of how committal laws may be exploited by unscrupulous others, has understandably foregrounded the lunacy plot as the novel's defining feature. This essay, however, presents an economic reading that examines how the lunacy thread extends from the title Hard Cash, which announces the novel's theme. The Cash in question is a coveted and surprisingly mobile sum of money, £14,000, whose nominal amount and vicissitudes reflect aspects of the larger Victorian economy. It is the “one point” toward which action and interests converge. Hard Cash captures a structure of feeling at mid-century, a sense of what it feels like to be an economic man, rendering modern consciousness in melodramatic and sensational modes. By literalizing idioms of anxiety and assaulting male characters with relentless reversals of fortune, Reade dramatizes how economic pressures shape the hero's psychology, behavior, and conception of heroic manliness, fashioning him into a modern subject suited to the commercial age. The examples of madness in Hard Cash extend far beyond the hero's case, and are rooted in financial realities that include unreliable monetary instruments, panic-stricken markets, speculative fevers, and perennial debates about risk, credit, and the nature of money.
Long-Term Safety and Impact on Infection Rates of Postnatal Probiotic and Prebiotic (Synbiotic) Treatment: Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Trial
Authors: Kukkonen Kaarina , Savilahti Erkki , Haahtela Tari , Juntunen-Backman Kaisu , Korpela Riitta , Poussa Tuija , Tuure Tuula , Kuitunen Mikael 
Published: July 2008

OBJECTIVE. Live probiotic bacteria and dietary prebiotic oligosaccharides (together termed synbiotics) increasingly are being used in infancy, but evidence of long-term safety is lacking. In a randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind trial, we studied the safety and long-term effects of feeding synbiotics to newborn infants.
METHODS. Between November 2000 and March 2003, pregnant mothers carrying infants at high risk for allergy were randomly assigned to receive a mixture of 4 probiotic species (Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG and LC705, Bifidobacterium breve Bb99, and Propionibacterium freudenreichii ssp shermanii) or a placebo for 4 weeks before delivery. Their infants received the same probiotics with 0.8 g of galactooligosaccharides, or a placebo, daily for 6 months after birth. Safety data were obtained from clinical examinations and interviews at follow-up visits at ages 3, 6, and 24 months and from questionnaires at ages 3, 6, 12, and 24 months. Growth data were collected at each time point.
RESULTS. Of the 1018 eligible infants, 925 completed the 2-year follow-up assessment. Infants in both groups grew normally. We observed no difference in neonatal morbidity, feeding-related behaviors (such as infantile colic), or serious adverse events between the study groups. During the 6-month intervention, antibiotics were prescribed less often in the synbiotic group than in the placebo group (23% vs 28%). Throughout the follow-up period, respiratory infections occurred less frequently in the synbiotic group (geometric mean: 3.7 vs 4.2 infections).
CONCLUSION. Feeding synbiotics to newborn infants was safe and seemed to increase resistance to respiratory infections during the first 2 years of life.