bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Relational concurrent refinement part II: Internal operations and outputs
Authors: Boiten Eerke , Derrick John , Schellhorn Gerhard 
Published: January 2008

Abstract
Two styles of description arise naturally in formal specification: state-based and behavioural. In state-based notations, a system is characterised by a collection of variables, and their values determine which actions may occur throughout a system history. Behavioural specifications describe the chronologies of actions—interactions between a system and its environment. The exact nature of such interactions is captured in a variety of semantic models with corresponding notions of refinement; refinement in state based systems is based on the semantics of sequential programs and is modelled relationally. Acknowledging that these viewpoints are complementary, substantial research has gone into combining the paradigms. The purpose of this paper is to do three things. First, we survey recent results linking the relational model of refinement to the process algebraic models. Specifically, we detail how variations in the relational framework lead to relational data refinement being in correspondence with traces–divergences, singleton failures and failures–divergences refinement in a process semantics. Second, we generalise these results by providing a general flexible scheme for incorporating the two main “erroneous” concurrent behaviours: deadlock and divergence, into relational refinement. This is shown to subsume previous characterisations. In doing this we derive relational refinement rules for specifications containing both internal operations and outputs that corresponds to failures–divergences refinement. Third, the theory has been formally specified and verified using the interactive theorem prover KIV.
Treatment Strategies in 135 Consecutive Patients with Enterocutaneous Fistulas
Authors: Visschers Ruben G. J. , Damink Steven W. M. Olde , Winkens Bjorn , Soeters Peter B. , van Gemert Wim G. 
Published: January 2008

AbstractBackgroundEnterocutaneous fistulas (ECF) pose a major challenge to every gastrointestinal (GI) surgeon. Based on earlier studies, a standardized treatment guideline was implemented. The focus of the present study was to assess that guideline and determine prognostic factors for outcome of patients with ECF, and to define a more detailed therapeutic approach including the convalescence time before restorative surgery.MethodsAll patients with ECF treated between 1990 and 2005 were included. Management consisted of controlling Sepsis, Optimization of nutritional state, Wound care, assessment of fistula Anatomy, Timing of surgery, and Surgical strategy (the SOWATS guideline). Prognostic factors were assessed by way of multiple logistic regression analysis.ResultsA total of 135 patients were treated at our unit. Overall closure was achieved in 118 patients (87.4%). Restorative operations for fistula closure were performed after a median of 53 days (range: 4–270 days). Restorative operations were successful in 97/107 patients (90.7%). Thirteen patients (9.6%) died. An abdominal wall defect was the most predominant negative prognostic factor for spontaneous closure (odds ratio [OR] = 0.195, confidence interval [CI] 0.052–0.726, p = 0.015). A strong relation was found between preoperative albumin level and surgical closure (p < 0.001) and mortality (p < 0.001).ConclusionsApplication of the SOWATS guideline allowed a favorable outcome after a short convalescence period. Abdominal wall defects and preoperative hypoalbuminemia are important prognostic variables.
Empowering Community Settings: Agents of Individual Development, Community Betterment, and Positive Social Change
Authors: Maton Kenneth I. 
Published: January 2008

AbstractThe pathways and processes through which empowering community settings influence their members, the surrounding community and the larger society are examined. To generate the proposed pathways and processes, a broad range of studies of community settings were reviewed, in the domains of adult well‐being, positive youth development, locality development, and social change. A set of organizational characteristics and associated processes leading to member empowerment across domains were identified, as well as three pathways through which empowering settings in each domain contribute to community betterment and positive social change. The paper concludes with an examination of the ways that community psychology and allied disciplines can help increase the number and range of empowering settings, and enhance the community and societal impact of existing ones.
Seedling growth responses to water and nutrient augmentation in the understorey of a lowland moist forest, Panama
Authors: Yavitt Joseph B. , Wright S. Joseph 
Published: January 2008

Abstract:We irrigated and fertilized (with nutrients) seedlings of Doliocarpus olivaceus (Dilleniaceae, a shade-tolerant liana), Faramea occidentalis (Rubiaceae, a shade-tolerant understorey tree) and Tetragastris panamensis (Burseraceae, a shade-tolerant canopy tree) growing in the understorey of an old-growth tropical moist forest in Panama to assess the impact of seasonal water availability and nutrient-poor soils on seedling growth rates. In control plots, height growth rates were greater in the dry season than in the wet season for Doliocarpus (21%) and for Faramea (89%), whereas Tetragastris had similar seasonal rates. For numbers of leaves, Faramea had 3.5-fold greater relative growth rates in the dry season than in the wet season, while Doliocarpus and Tetragastris lost leaves (semi-deciduous) during the same period. Irrigation and nutrient augmentation increased height growth rates for all three species (45% to 272%). For Doliocarpus, irrigation and nutrient augmentation prevented leaf fall during the dry season. For Faramea in the dry season, irrigation and nutrient augmentation when applied independently reduced the growth of new leaves by 65% to 87%, but relative growth rates for number of leaves were the same as the control rates in the combined irrigation and nutrient augmentation treatment. The growth of new leaves for Tetragastris responded to dry-season irrigation but not nutrient augmentation. Although all measurements occurred beneath the forest canopy, during the dry season, Tetragastris had a negative relationship between canopy openness and relative growth rate for number of leaves, whereas the other two species had a positive relationship. Our results show that soil resources influence growth rates even in the deep shade of the forest understorey, and demonstrate different responses to soil resources among species that might contribute to niche differentiation and species coexistence.
Infant gaze following and pointing predict accelerated vocabulary growth through two years of age: a longitudinal, growth curve modeling study
Authors: BROOKS RECHELE , MELTZOFF ANDREW N. 
Published: January 2008

ABSTRACTWe found that infant gaze following and pointing predicts subsequent language development. At ages 0 ; 10 or 0 ; 11, infants saw an adult turn to look at an object in an experimental setting. Productive vocabulary was assessed longitudinally through two years of age. Growth curve modeling showed that infants who gaze followed and looked longer at the target object had significantly faster vocabulary growth than infants with shorter looks, even with maternal education controlled; adding infant pointing strengthened the model. We highlight the role of social cognition in word learning and emphasize the communicative-referential functions of early gaze following and pointing.
On 24 Forms of the Acoustic Wave Equation in Vortical Flows and
Dissipative Media
Authors: Campos L. M. B. C. 
Published: January 2008

Abstract
The 36 forms of the acoustic wave equation derived in an earlier review (Campos, L. M. B. C., 2007, “On 36 Forms of the Acoustic Wave Equation in Potential Flows and Inhomogeneous Media,” Appl. Mech. Rev., 60, pp. 149–171) were grouped in four classes, of which the last (Class IV) concerned sheared mean flows; another type of vortical flow is swirling flow, and thus the present review completes the preceding by starting with Class V of linear, nondissipative acoustic wave equations in axisymmetric swirling, and also sheared, mean flow. These include general swirl and, in particular, rigid body and potential vortex swirl, combined or not with shear, for axisymmetric or general nonaxisymmetric acoustic modes, in two types of media: (i) inhomogeneous isentropic and (ii) homogeneous homentropic. Besides the 14 acoustic wave equations in sheared and swirling mean flows, the remaining ten acoustic wave equations derived in the present review all concern waves in homogeneous and steady media at rest, with dissipation or nonlinear effects to second-order or a combination of these two opposing effects, viz., (i) Class VI of linear, nondissipative wave equations with weak or strong thermoviscous dissipation in a homogeneous medium at rest; (ii) Class VIIA nonlinear one-dimensional wave equations in steady, homogeneous medium at rest without dissipation, or with viscous or thermoviscous dissipation, also in the case of a duct of varying cross section; (iii) Class VIIB of weakly nonlinear, three-dimensional waves or beams with thermoviscous dissipation in a homogeneous steady medium at rest. The 24 forms of the acoustic wave equation derived in the present review add to the 36 forms in the preceding review to form the set of 60 acoustic wave equations, whose interconnections are indicated in a family tree at the end. Numerous examples of the applications of the wave equations to the physical world are given at the end of each written section.
Effects of Wind on Plants
Authors: de Langre Emmanuel 
Published: January 2008

This review surveys the large variety of mechanical interactions between wind and plants, from plant organs to plant systems. These interactions range from leaf flutter to uprooting and seed dispersal, as well as indirect effects on photosynthesis or insect communication. I first estimate the relevant nondimensional parameters and then discuss turbulence, plant dynamics, and the mechanisms of interaction in this context. Some common features are identified and analyzed in relation to the wind engineering of manmade structures. Strong coupling between plants and wind exists, in which the plant motion modifies the wind dynamics. I also present some related biological issues in which the relation between plant life and wind environment is emphasized. [V]oici la lourde nappe/Et la profonde houle et l’océan des blés [Like a sheet/The deep swell on a sea of wheat] Charles Péguy (1873–1914)
RASSF1APolymorphism A133S Is Associated with Early Onset Breast Cancer inBRCA1/2Mutation Carriers
Authors: Gao Boning , Xie Xian-Jin , Huang Chunxian , Shames David S. , Chen Tina T-L. , Lewis Cheryl M. , Bian Aihua , Zhang Bifeng , Olopade Olufunmilayo I. , Garber Judy E. , Euhus David M. , Tomlinson Gail E. , Minna John D. 
Published: January 2008

AbstractThe tumor suppressor gene RASSF1A regulates cell cycle progression, apoptosis, and microtubule stability and is inactivated by promoter methylation in ∼50% of breast cancers. It has been shown previously that the polymorphism A133S in RASSF1A reduces its ability to regulate cell cycle progression and this polymorphism is associated with an increased risk of breast cancer. We analyzed the frequency of RASSF1A A133S in 190 Caucasian women without breast cancer and 653 patients with breast cancer including 138 BRCA1 and BRCA2 (BRCA1/2) mutation carriers, 395 non–BRCA1/2 mutations carriers, and 120 untested for BRCA1/2 mutations. Patients with breast cancer had a higher frequency of A133S than the controls [P = 0.017; odds ratios (OR), 1.71; 95% confidence intervals (95% CI), 1.10–2.66]. There is also a higher frequency of A133S in patients with higher familial breast cancer risk (P = 0.029; OR, 1.76; 95% CI, 1.06–2.92) and patients carrying BRCA1/2 mutations (P = 0.037, OR, 1.82; 95% CI, 1.04–3.18). Importantly, we found that the co-occurrence of a BRCA1 or BRCA2 mutation and A133S in RASSF1A was associated with earlier onset of breast cancer compared with those individuals with either a BRCA1/2 mutation or the A133S polymorphism alone (36.0 versus 42.0 years old, P = 0.002). Our data suggest that the presence of the RASSF1A A133S polymorphism is associated with breast cancer pathogenesis in general and modifies breast cancer age of onset in BRCA1/2 mutations carriers. Our results warrant a large-scale study to examine the effect of the A133S polymorphism in the development of breast and other types of cancers. [Cancer Res 2008;68(1):22–5]
Radiotherapy in Lung Adenocarcinoma with Brain Metastases: Effects of Activating Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor Mutations on Clinical Response
Authors: Gow Chien-Hung , Chien Chun-Ru , Chang Yih-Leong , Chiu Yueh-Hsia , Kuo Sung-Hsin , Shih Jin-Yuan , Chang Yeun-Chung , Yu Chong-Jen , Yang Chih-Hsin , Yang Pan-Chyr 
Published: January 2008

Abstract
Purpose: Whole-brain radiation therapy (WBRT) has been applied to inoperable brain metastases in lung adenocarcinoma. Recently, an in vitro study showed reduced clonogenic survival of mutant epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) lung cancer cell lines in response to ionizing radiation compared with that of the wild type. To elucidate the role of EGFR mutations in radiation treatment, we evaluated the clinical response to WBRT and survival of lung adenocarcinoma patients with brain metastases.
Experimental Design: This was a retrospective analysis of 63 patients with brain metastases from lung adenocarcinoma who were treated with WBRT. Demographic data, EGFR mutation status, response to WBRT, and survival data were collected. Clinical response was assessed 1 month after the start of WBRT. Univariate and logistic regression models were used to test potential predictive factors associated with clinical response. Log-rank test and Cox regression were analyzed to identify factors that affected survival.
Results: Clinical response to WBRT was observed in 29 patients (46%), with 34 nonresponder patients (54%). Patients with EGFR mutations had higher response rates to WBRT compared with those with the wild-type (54% versus 24%; P = 0.045). Both the administration of EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitor (P = 0.034) and EGFR mutation (P = 0.029) were independently associated with response to WBRT. In Cox regression analysis, WBRT responder (P = 0.010) and absence of extracranial metastases (P = 0.002) were associated with better survival.
Conclusions: Both the EGFR mutations and the administration of EGFR TKI during WBRT were independent predictors of response to WBRT in brain metastases of lung adenocarcinoma.
Blocking Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor-A Inhibits the Growth of Pituitary Adenomas and Lowers Serum Prolactin Level in a Mouse Model of Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia Type 1
Authors: Korsisaari Nina , Ross Jed , Wu Xiumin , Kowanetz Marcin , Pal Navneet , Hall Linda , Eastham-Anderson Jeffrey , Forrest William F. , Van Bruggen Nicholas , Peale Franklin V. , Ferrara Napoleone 
Published: January 2008

Abstract
Purpose: Multiple endocrine neoplasia type 1 (MEN1) is defined clinically by the combined occurrence of multiple tumors, typically of the parathyroid glands, pancreatic islet cells, and anterior pituitary gland. A mouse model with a heterozygous deletion of the Men1 gene recapitulates the tumorigenesis of MEN1. We wished to determine the role of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)-A in the vascularization and growth of MEN1-associated tumors, with an emphasis on pituitary adenomas.
Experimental Design: To investigate whether tumor growth in Men1+/− mice is mediated by VEGF-A dependent angiogenesis, we carried out a monotherapy with the anti–VEGF-A monoclonal antibody (mAb) G6-31. We evaluated tumor growth by magnetic resonance imaging and assessed vascular density in tissue sections. We also measured hormone levels in the serum.
Results: During the treatment with mAb G6-31, a significant inhibition of the pituitary adenoma growth was observed, leading to an increased mean tumor doubling-free survival compared with mice treated with a control antibody. Similarly, the growth of s.c. pituitary adenoma transplants was effectively inhibited by administration of anti–VEGF-A mAb. Serum prolactin was lowered by mAb G6-31 treatment but not by control antibody, potentially providing a new therapeutic approach for treating the hormonal excess in MEN1 patients. Additionally, the vascular density in pancreatic islet tumors was significantly reduced by the treatment.
Conclusions: These results suggest that VEGF-A blockade may represent a nonsurgical treatment for benign tumors of the endocrine system.
Bronchopulmonary Carcinoid: Phenotype and Long-term Outcome in a Single-Institution Series of Italian Patients
Authors: Rugge Massimo , Fassan Matteo , Clemente Roberto , Rizzardi Giovanna , Giacomelli Luciano , Pennelli Gianmaria , Mescoli Claudia , Segat Daniela , Rea Federico 
Published: January 2008

Abstract
Purpose: The histologic distinction between low-grade typical and intermediate-grade atypical bronchopulmonary carcinoids basically lies on cellular differentiation, mitotic activity, and presence of “neoplastic” necrosis; at single patient level, however, none of these features enables a reliable prediction of the clinicopathologic outcome.
Experimental Design: The long-term postsurgical outcome of a single-institution series of 67 radically treated bronchopulmonary carcinoids was correlated with the tumor phenotype assessed by combining conventional histology with a panel of immunohistochemical markers exploring cell differentiation (chromogranin, NSE, TTF1), cell turnover (Mib1), and apoptosis (Bcl2, Bax).
Results: Fifty-eight (86.6%) carcinoids were assessed as low-grade typical and nine (13.4%) were assessed as intermediate-grade atypical. The mean follow-up was of 85.13 months (range, 28-168; median, 82.0). All cases expressed neuroendocrine markers, whereas TTF1 was never expressed. At univariate analysis, tumor recurrence (n = 6) correlated significantly with the carcinoid histotype (P = 0.002) and with each of the following variables: tumor location (P = 0.01), mitotic index (P = 0.003), necrosis (P = 0.002), tumor vascular invasion (P = 0.0001), Mib1 expression (P = 0.005), Bcl2 expression (P = 0.024), and synchronous node metastasis (P = 0.028). The best cutoffs for Mib1 and Bcl2 expression (calculated by receiver operating characteristic curves) discriminating recurrent versus nonrecurrent tumors were 5.4% for Mib1 and 2.0% for Bcl2 (Mib1: sensitivity, 83%; specificity, 97%; area under curve, 0.844 ± 0.14; Bcl2: sensitivity, 83%; specificity, 65%; area under curve, 0.769 ± 0.12). By stratifying the patients according to the obtained cutoffs, significant differences emerged in the patients' disease-free survival (log-rank test: Mib1, P = 0.0001; Bcl2, P = 0.01).
Conclusions: Mib1 and Bcl2 significantly discriminate between recurrent versus nonrecurrent tumors, producing a biologically plausible, diagnostically suitable immunohistochemical pattern.
The Immunogenicity of the hTERT540-548 Peptide in Cancer
Authors: Wenandy Lynn , Sørensen Rikke Bæk , Sengeløv Lisa , Svane Inge Marie , thor Straten Per , Andersen Mads Hald 
Published: January 2008

Abstract
Human telomerase reverse transcriptase (hTERT), the catalytic subunit of telomerase, is an attractive target antigen for cancer immunotherapy due to its expression in the vast majority of human tumors. The first immunogenic peptide described from hTERT was the HLA-A2–restricted peptide hTERT540 (ILAKFLHWL). However, much discrepancy exists about the processing and presentation of this epitope on the surface of neoplastic cells. Originally, it was described that specific CTL can be generated in vitro and that such cells are able to kill a range of hTERT+ tumor cell lines and primary tumors in a peptide-specific, HLA-A2–restricted fashion. Furthermore, it was described that vaccination of cancer patients with hTERT540 introduced functional antitumor CD8+ T cells in patients. More recently, it was described that most patients with cancer have circulating hTERT540-specific CD8+ T lymphocytes. In contrast, several other studies have concluded that hTERT540 is not presented on the surface of tumor cells and that immunization of cancer patients with hTERT540 leads to the introduction of specific T cells that do not recognize tumor cells in vivo. In the present commentary, we summarize these highly contradictive results about this potentially very important T-cell epitope. Furthermore, we describe novel data showing that naturally occurring immune responses against hTERT540 are, although rare, present in cancer patients and that such hTERT540-specific T cells are able to recognize and kill cancer cells. Hence, our data support the findings that hTERT540 peptide is presented by human tumors and can be a target for CTL-mediated tumor lysis.
A Land Data Assimilation System for Soil Moisture and Temperature: An Information Content Study
Authors: Balsamo G. , Mahfouf J-F. , Bélair S. , Deblonde G. 
Published: January 2008

Abstract
A Canadian Land Data Assimilation System (CaLDAS) for the analysis of land surface prognostic variables is designed and implemented at the Meteorological Service of Canada for the initialization of numerical weather prediction and climate models. The assimilation of different data sources for the production of daily soil moisture and temperature analyses is investigated in a set of observing system simulation experiments over North America. A simplified variational technique is adapted to accommodate different observation types at their appropriate time in a 24-h time window. The screen-level observations of temperature and relative humidity, from conventional synoptic surface observations (SYNOP)/aviation routine weather report (METAR)/surface aviation observation (SA) reports, are considered together with presently available satellite observations provided by the Aqua satellite (microwave C-band), Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellite (GOES) [infrared (IR)], and observations available in the future by the Soil Moisture and Ocean Salinity (SMOS) satellite mission (microwave L-band). The aim of these experiments is to assess the information content brought by each observation type in the land surface analysis. The observation systems are simulated according to their spatial coverage, temporal availability, and nominal or expected errors. The results show that the observable with the largest dynamical response to perturbations of the control variable carries the greatest information content into the analysis. The observational error and the observation frequency counterbalance this feature in the analysis.
If one considers a single observation both for soil moisture and soil temperature analysis, then satellite measurements (L-band, C-band, and IR in decreasing order of importance) are the primary source of information. When observation availability is considered and the highest temporal frequency of screen-level observations is used (1 h), a large amount of information is extracted from SYNOP-like reports. The screen-level observations are shown to provide valuable soil moisture information mainly during the daytime, while during nighttime these observations (and particularly screen-level temperature) are mostly useful for the soil temperature analysis. The results are presented with perspectives for future operational developments and preliminary assimilation experiments are performed with hourly screen-level observations.