bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Advanced Observation Techniques for Sophisticated Shallow Tunnel Projects – Experience Gained Using Innovative Monitoring Methods at the Lainzer Tunnel LT31
Authors: Moritz Bernd , Matt Robert , Graf Franz , Brandtner Markus 
Published: October 2008

AbstractThe article presents experiences gained during construction of the approximately 3 km long urban Lainzer Tunnel (LT31), driven with side‐wall galleries under shallow overburden. The structure's safety is assessed mainly on the basis of 3D deformation analyses, comparison of predicted and observed system behaviour, evaluation of shotcrete stress, and online monitoring of surface settlements. Displacements of the tunnel face, correlating with pre‐face surface settlements, are monitored by an innovative, fully automatic face monitoring system (OBM). A correlation between volume loss (surface) and volume increase (face) could be established. A test field comparing fibreglass anchors (GRP) with IBO face bolts revealed – contrary to expectations – no appreciable reduction of surface settlement due to GRP anchors. However, temporary inverts constructed in the side wall galleries in combination with IBO face bolts support turned out to be effective in reducing horizontal convergence and resulting settlements of the ground surface in a sensitive residential area.
Analysis of Tunnel Displacements for the Geotechnical Short Term Prediction
Authors: Großauer Karl , Schubert Wulf 
Published: October 2008

AbstractMeasurement of displacements in tunnels is primarily used for the assessment of the stabilization process and the verification of the system behaviour. In addition the displacement data can be used for the prediction of changing ground conditions ahead of the face. For this purpose, the evaluation of displacement vector orientation turned out to be the most appropriate method. Several authors showed the influence of the excavation on the stress and displacement field when tunnelling through zones of different stiffness. One of the main findings was that the displacement vector orientation significantly changes when the excavation approaches ground with different deformability. Hence, it was concluded that the development of the spatial orientation of the displacement vector can be used for the prediction of the ground conditions ahead of the face. The main results of the investigations performed are summarized in this paper. The evaluation of data from three different case histories is shown in order to encourage the use of advanced displacement data evaluation.
HPP Glendoe – Rock Mechanical Aspects for Large Span Underground Powerhouse
Authors: Fellner Dieter , Hobson David 
Published: October 2008

AbstractThe Glendoe scheme, presently under construction near Fort Augustus, near Inverness, by Scottish and Southern Energy (SSE), will be the first major conventional hydropower scheme to be constructed in the U.K. for the last fifty years and will generate up to 100 MW of electricity. The project will be the most efficient in the U.K. in terms of water to power production. The net head is 605 m, which is the highest head of any UK hydro scheme. The contractor executing the construction works, including the tunnels, underground powerhouse and dam, is the Hochtief Glendoe JV – led by Hochtief. Poyry Energy Ltd is the contractor's designer. Jacobs is advising the client.After a short general description of the project, this contribution focuses on various rock mechanical design issues for the cavern powerhouse (PH). Located around 250 m below ground level it will incorporate a single 100 MW Pelton turbine. The size of the cavern excavated is (L x W x H) 47 m x 20 m x 33 m. Powerhouse and transformer caverns are designed as intersecting. Layout, shape and rock support were designed to optimize overall costs. Powerhouse detailed design commenced in June 2006, excavation commenced in January and finished in April 2007 ahead of schedule.
Improved Design Method for Pre‐stressed Water Tunnels
Authors: Radončić Nedim , Großauer Karl , Schubert Wulf , Gober Hans‐Jörg , Heigerth Günther 
Published: October 2008

AbstractThe final design of the pumped‐storage project Feldsee features a complex lining and pre‐stress grouting concept, rendering the method presented by Seeber insufficient for an accurate determination of the system behaviour in all stages of construction and operation. A calculation procedure based on the matrix stiffness method has been implemented, allowing incorporation of multistage pre‐stressing injections at different locations of a lining being composed of several layers with different mechanical properties. Based on the design obtained by applying the above method, another question of maximum allowable non‐symmetric displacement of the pre‐cast concrete segment arose. A parametric study has been used to determine the boundaries of asymmetric displacements throughout the pre‐stressing procedure, allowing establishment of threshold values for the monitoring conducted during the pre‐stressing injections.
A multiple splitting approach to linkage analysis in large pedigrees identifies a linkage to asthma on chromosome 12
Authors: Bellenguez Céline , Ober Carole , Bourgain Catherine 
Published: October 2008

AbstractLarge genealogies are potentially very informative for linkage analysis. However, the software available for exact non‐parametric multipoint linkage analysis is limited with respect to the complexity of the families it can handle. A solution is to split the large pedigrees into sub‐families meeting complexity constraints. Different methods have been proposed to “best” split large genealogies. Here, we propose a new procedure in which linkage is performed on several carefully chosen sub‐pedigree sets from the genealogy instead of using just a single sub‐pedigree set. Our multiple splitting procedure capitalizes on the sensitivity of linkage results to family structure and has been designed to control computational feasibility and global type I error. We describe and apply this procedure to the extreme case of the highly complex Hutterite pedigree and use it to perform a genome‐wide linkage analysis on asthma. The detection of a genome‐wide significant linkage for asthma on chromosome 12q21 illustrates the potential of this multiple splitting approach. Genet. Epidemiol. 2009. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
More powerful haplotype sharing by accounting for the mode of inheritance
Authors: Ziegler Andreas , Ewhida Adel , Brendel Michael , Kleensang André 
Published: October 2008

AbstractThe concept of haplotype sharing (HS) has received considerable attention recently, and several haplotype association methods have been proposed. Here, we extend the work of Beckmann and colleagues [2005 Hum. Hered. 59:67–78] who derived an HS statistic (BHS) as special case of Mantel's space‐time clustering approach. The Mantel‐type HS statistic correlates genetic similarity with phenotypic similarity across pairs of individuals. While phenotypic similarity is measured as the mean‐corrected cross product of phenotypes, we propose to incorporate information of the underlying genetic model in the measurement of the genetic similarity. Specifically, for the recessive and dominant modes of inheritance we suggest the use of the minimum and maximum of shared length of haplotypes around a marker locus for pairs of individuals. If the underlying genetic model is unknown, we propose a model‐free HS Mantel statistic using the max‐test approach. We compare our novel HS statistics to BHS using simulated case‐control data and illustrate its use by re‐analyzing data from a candidate region of chromosome 18q from the Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) Consortium. We demonstrate that our approach is point‐wise valid and superior to BHS. In the re‐analysis of the RA data, we identified three regions with point‐wise P‐values<0.005 containing six known genes (PMIP1, MC4R, PIGN, KIAA1468, TNFRSF11A and ZCCHC2) which might be worth follow‐up. Genet. Epidemiol. 2009. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
What cognitive functions are associated with passive suicidal ideation? Findings from a national sample of community dwelling Israelis
Authors: Ayalon Liat , Litwin Howard 
Published: October 2008

AbstractPurposeTo identify the specific cognitive domains associated with passive suicidal ideation (e.g. thoughts of being better off dead).MethodsA cross sectional, national based study of 1,712 individuals over the age of 50. Outcome measure, passive suicidal ideation, was evaluated by the question, ‘in the past month, have you felt that you would rather be dead?’, taken from the Euro‐D. Cognitive domains assessed were time orientation, verbal learning, verbal recall, word fluency, and arithmetic.ResultsAfter adjusting for demographic and clinical information, those reporting passive suicidal ideation were significantly more likely to have impaired performance on the time orientation task. None of the other cognitive domains were associated with passive suicidal ideation.ConclusionsClinicians working with older adults need to be aware not only of demographic and clinical information, but also of cognitive functioning and more specifically, time orientation, as a potential determinant of passive suicidal ideation. Possibly, cognitive domains that are less affected by education and prior learning (e.g. time orientation) have a unique association with passive suicidal ideation. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Investigation of the colorectal cancer susceptibility region on chromosome 8q24.21 in a large German case‐control sample
Authors: Schafmayer Clemens , Buch Stephan , Völzke Henry , von Schönfels Witigo , Egberts Jan Hendrik , Schniewind Bodo , Brosch Mario , Ruether Andreas , Franke Andre , Mathiak Micaela , Sipos Bence , Henopp Tobias , Catalcali Jasmin , Hellmig Stephan , ElSharawy Abdou , Katalinic Alexander , Lerch Markus M. , John Ulrich , Fölsch Ulrich R. , Fändrich Fred , Kalthoff Holger , Schreiber Stefan , Krawczak Michael , Tepel Jürgen , Hampe Jochen 
Published: October 2008

AbstractHuman chromosome 8q24.21 has been implicated as a susceptibility region for colorectal cancer (CRC) as a result of genome‐wide association and candidate gene studies. To assess the impact of molecular variants at 8q24.21 upon the CRC risk of German individuals and to refine the disease‐associated region, a total of 2,713 patients with operated CRC (median age at diagnosis: 63 years) were compared with 2,718 sex‐matched control individuals (median age at inclusion: 65 years). Information on microsatellite instability in tumors was available for 901 patients. Association analysis of SNPs rs10505477 and rs6983267 yielded allelic p‐values of 1.42 × 10−7 and 2.57 × 10−7, respectively. For both polymorphisms, the odds ratio was estimated to be 1.50 (95% CI: 1.29–1.75) under a recessive disease model. The strongest candidate interval, outside of which significance dropped by more than 4 orders of magnitude, was delineated by SNPs rs10505477 and rs7014346 and comprised 17 kb. In a subgroup analysis, the disease association was found to be more pronounced in MSI‐stable tumors (odds ratio: 1.71). Our study confirms the role of genetic variation at 8q24.21 as a risk factor for CRC and localizes the corresponding susceptibility gene to a 17 kb candidate region. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Chemotherapy enhances vaccine‐induced antitumor immunity in melanoma patients
Authors: Nisticò Paola , Capone Imerio , Palermo Belinda , Del Bello Duilia , Ferraresi Virginia , Moschella Federica , Aricò Eleonora , Valentini Mara , Bracci Laura , Cognetti Francesco , Ciccarese Mariangela , Vercillo Giuseppe , Roselli Mario , Fossile Emanuela , Tosti Maria Elena , Wang Ena , Marincola Francesco , Imberti Luisa , Catricalà Caterina , Natali Pier Giorgio , Belardelli Filippo , Proietti Enrico 
Published: October 2008

AbstractCombination of chemotherapy with cancer vaccines is currently regarded as a potentially valuable therapeutic approach for the treatment of some metastatic tumors, but optimal modalities remain unknown. We designed a phase I/II pilot study for evaluating the effects of dacarbazine (DTIC) on the immune response in HLA‐A2+ disease‐free melanoma patients who received anticancer vaccination 1 day following chemotherapy (800 mg/mq i.v.). The vaccine, consisting of a combination of HLA‐A2 restricted melanoma antigen A (Melan‐A/MART‐1) and gp100 analog peptides (250 μg each, i.d.), was administered in combination or not with DTIC to 2 patient groups. The combined treatment is nontoxic. The comparative immune monitoring demonstrates that patients receiving DTIC 1 day before the vaccination have a significantly improved long‐lasting memory CD8+ T cell response. Of relevance, these CD8+ T cells recognize and lyse HLA‐A2+/Melan‐A+ tumor cell lines. Global transcriptional analysis of peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) revealed a DTIC‐induced activation of genes involved in cytokine production, leukocyte activation, immune response and cell motility that can favorably condition tumor antigen‐specific CD8+ T cell responses. This study represents a proof in humans of a chemotherapy‐induced enhancement of CD8+ memory T cell response to cancer vaccines, which opens new opportunities to design novel effective combined therapies improving cancer vaccination effectiveness. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Plasma 25‐hydroxyvitamin D and premenopausal breast cancer risk in a German case‐control study
Authors: Abbas Sascha , Chang‐Claude Jenny , Linseisen Jakob 
Published: October 2008

AbstractLaboratory and epidemiological data have linked vitamin D to breast cancer prevention. Beside dietary intake, endogenous production of vitamin D substantially contributes to a subject's vitamin D status. Most studies, however, have assessed dietary intake only. Although differential effects of vitamin D on premenopausal and postmenopausal breast cancer have been discussed, this is the first study to investigate the association of plasma 25‐hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D], as indicator of the overall vitamin D status, with breast cancer risk with restriction to premenopausal women only. We used data of a population‐based case‐control study comprising 289 cases and 595 matched controls. Information on sociodemographic and breast cancer risk factors was collected by questionnaire and plasma 25(OH)D was measured by enzyme immunoassay. Odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated using conditional logistic regression. We observed a significant inverse association between breast cancer risk and plasma 25(OH)D concentrations. Compared with the lowest category (<30 nmol/L), the ORs (95% CI) for the upper categories (30–45, 45–60, ≥60 nmol/L) were 0.68 (0.43–1.07), 0.59 (0.37–0.94) and 0.45 (0.29–0.70), respectively (ptrend = 0.0006). The association was shown to be nonlinear (pnonlinearity = 0.06) in fractional polynomial analysis with a stronger effect in women at low plasma 25(OH)D levels, providing some evidence of a threshold effect (at circa 50 nmol/L). The association was stronger in progesterone receptor negative tumors, with suggestive evidence of effect heterogeneity (pheterogeneity = 0.05, case‐only model). Our findings support a protective effect of vitamin D for premenopausal breast cancer. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Intramuscular lipid metabolism, insulin action, and obesity
Authors: Consitt Leslie A. , Bell Jill A. , Houmard Joseph A. 
Published: October 2008

AbstractWith the increasing prevalence of obesity, research has focused on the molecular mechanism(s) linking obesity and skeletal muscle insulin resistance. Metabolic alterations within muscle, such as changes in the cellular location of fatty acid transporter proteins, decreased mitochondrial enzyme activity, and defects in mitochondrial morphology, likely contribute to obesity and insulin resistance. These defects are thought to play a role in the reduced skeletal muscle fatty acid oxidation and increased intramuscular lipid (IMCL) accumulation that is apparent with obesity and other insulin‐resistant states such as type 2 diabetes. Intramuscular triacylglycerol does not appear to be a ubiquitous marker of insulin resistance, although specific IMCL intermediates such as long‐chain fatty acyl‐CoAs, ceramide, and diacylglycerol may inhibit insulin signal transduction. In this review, we will briefly summarize the defects in skeletal muscle lipid metabolism associated with obesity, and discuss the proposed mechanisms by which these defects may contribute to insulin resistance. © 2008 IUBMB IUBMB Life, 61(1): 47–55, 2009
Fluorocarbon chain end‐capped poly(carbonate urethane)s as biomaterials: Blood compatibility and chemical stability assessments
Authors: Xie Xingyi , Wang Ruifang , Li Jiehua , Luo Liang , Wen Da , Zhong Yinping , Zhao Changsheng 
Published: October 2008

AbstractPrevious work has shown the synthesis of fluorocarbon chain (CF3(CF2)6CH2O‐) end‐capped poly(carbonate urethane)s (FPCUs) and confirmed the presence of a novel bilayered surface structure in FPCUs, that is, the top fluorocarbon and subsurface hard segment layers (Xie et al., J Biomed Mater Res Part A 2008; 84:30–43). In this work, the effects of such surface structure on blood compatibility were investigated using hemolytic test and platelet adhesion analysis. The chemical stability of the polymers was also determined by Zhao's glass wool‐H2O2/CoCl2 test and phosphate‐buffered saline (PBS, pH = 3.1–3.3) treatment. One of the FPCUs, FPCU‐A, and two control materials, a poly(ether urethane) (PEU) and a poly(carbonate urethane) (PCU), were investigated. No significant difference in hemolytic indices was observed among the three materials, whereas the adherent density and deformation of platelets were much lower on FPCU‐A compared with on PCU and PEU. Severe surface cracking and surface buckling developed in prestressed PEU and PCU films after H2O2/CoCl2 treatment, respectively, whereas smooth surface was observed for the FPCU‐A. PBS incubation resulted in parallel ridge‐like morphology in PCU whereas PEU and FPCU‐A retained their smooth surfaces. Under relatively high stress conditions, all the materials developed well‐oriented strip‐like surface patterns. Results from ATR‐FTIR spectra revealed a surface oxidation mechanism as described in literature. However, observations of universal decrease of molecular weights under stress conditions further suggested the presence of another bulk stress oxidation mechanism. Regardless the degradation mechanisms involved, the unique bilayered surface structure really improved the blood compatibility and chemical stability of FPCU‐A, indicating that further in vivo investigations are worthwhile. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part B: Appl Biomater, 2009
Finite element analysis of the influence of the offset placement of an implant‐supported prosthesis on bone stress distribution
Authors: Anitua E. , Orive G. 
Published: October 2008

AbstractThe aim of this study was to evaluate the influence of the straight alignment versus distal offset placement of an implant‐supported prosthesis (using implants with different diameters: 4 mm, 4.5 mm, and 5 mm) on bone stress distribution. 3D finite element models of a straight configuration and different offset configurations of the implant‐supported prosthesis (until 2.4 mm distal offset) were evaluated for the three implant diameters. A mesial load of 200 N and a distal load of 230 N were applied to the prosthesis. Results showed that implant offset provokes an opposite effect in bone stress depending on the exposed mesial or distal force. The former increases stress whereas the latter induces a dissipation of bone stress proportional to the offset. From these two forces, an optimal offset is created in which maximum bone stress is reduced in the range of 7–8% compared with the straight configuration. Increasing implant diameter from 4 to 5 mm decreased bone stress in 30% for all configurations. These data suggests that offset implant placement apart from enabling an optimal aesthetic restoration, reduces bone stress compared with the straight configuration. The use of wider implants permitted the reduction of the maximum bone stress in all the simulated configurations © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part B: Appl Biomater, 2009
Studies on the condensation of depolymerized chitosans with DNA for preparing chitosan‐DNA nanoparticles for gene delivery applications
Authors: Morris Viola B. , Neethu S. , Abraham T. E. , Pillai C. K. S. , Sharma Chandra P. 
Published: October 2008

AbstractHigh molecular weight chitosan (CS) was depolymerized by oxidative degradation with NaNO2 at room temperature to get 11 samples of CS derivatives of varying molecular weights with a view to assessing their effective molecular weight range for gene delivery applications. Viscosity studies indicated that the molecular weight of the depolymerized CS was proportional to the CS/NaNO2 ratio. The condensation behavior of DNA/CS complexes at various charge ratios was studied using UV spectroscopy, FTIR, CD, SEM, and AFM. The results indicated that CSs having very low molecular weights and high charge density exhibited strong binding affinity to DNA compared to high molecular weight CSs. However, the very low molecular weight (1.9–7.7 kDa) CSs were found to form aggregates easily even at very low charge ratios. On the other hand, CSs having medium molecular weight (49–51 kDa) and high degree of deacetylation (DD) gave stable uniform‐sized nanoparticles. Biological studies carried out with the spherical nano‐sized polyplexes formed between CS of 50 kDa (DD of 94%) and pEGFP plasmid DNA at N/P ratio of 5.0 showed excellent gene transfection efficiency at pH 6.5 in HeLa cells without cytotoxicity indicating their potential as genedelivery carriers. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part B: Appl Biomater, 2009
Selective Laser Melting: A regular unit cell approach for the manufacture of porous, titanium, bone in‐growth constructs, suitable for orthopedic applications
Authors: Mullen Lewis , Stamp Robin C. , Brooks Wesley K. , Jones Eric , Sutcliffe Christopher J. 
Published: October 2008

AbstractIn this study, a novel porous titanium structure for the purpose of bone in‐growth has been designed, manufactured and evaluated. The structure was produced by Selective Laser Melting (SLM); a rapid manufacturing process capable of producing highly intricate, functionally graded parts. The technique described utilizes an approach based on a defined regular unit cell to design and produce structures with a large range of both physical and mechanical properties. These properties can be tailored to suit specific requirements; in particular, functionally graded structures with bone in‐growth surfaces exhibiting properties comparable to those of human bone have been manufactured. The structures were manufactured and characterized by unit cell size, strand diameter, porosity, and compression strength. They exhibited a porosity (10–95%) dependant compression strength (0.5–350 Mpa) comparable to the typical naturally occurring range. It is also demonstrated that optimized structures have been produced that possesses ideal qualities for bone in‐growth applications and that these structures can be applied in the production of orthopedic devices. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part B: Appl Biomater, 2009