bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
A Phase I and Pharmacokinetic Study of Irinotecan Given as a 7-Day Continuous Infusion in Metastatic Colorectal Cancer Patients Pretreated with 5-Fluorouracil or Raltitrexed
Authors: Masi Gianluca , Falcone Alfredo , Di Paolo Antonello , Allegrini Giacomo , Danesi Romano , Barbara Cecilia , Cupini Samanta , Del Tacca Mario 
Published: September 2005

Abstract
Purpose: The purpose is to determine the plasma pharmacokinetics, the maximum-tolerable dose and to preliminary evaluate the antitumor activity of irinotecan administered as a 7-day continuous infusion every 21 days in metastatic colorectal cancer patients pretreated with 5-fluorouracil or raltitrexed.
Experimental Design: A total of 13 patients entered the study. Three received irinotecan at 20 mg/m2/day (dose level I), 6 at 25 mg/m2/day (dose level II), and 4 at 22.5 mg/m2/day (dose level III). In 8 patients, plasma levels of irinotecan and its metabolites SN-38 and SN-38 glucuronide (SN-38glu) were measured by high-performance liquid chromatography and main pharmacokinetic parameters, including steady-state concentration, area under the time-concentration curve, and clearance, were calculated and normalized to the dose level of 22.5 mg/m2/day.
Results: Dose-limiting toxicity was grade 3–4 diarrhea, which occurred in 4 of 6 patients at dose level II and in 2 of 4 patients at dose level III. Therefore, we defined 22.5 mg/m2/day the maximum-tolerable dose and 20.0 mg/m2/day the recommended dose for Phase II studies. Hematological toxicity was rare. The pharmacokinetic data provided evidence that continuous infusion increased the metabolism of irinotecan to SN-38 with respect to standard 30/90-min administration. Indeed, the steady-state concentration of irinotecan, SN-38, and SN-38glu were 42.7 ± 25.2, 14.9 ± 1.9, and 31.7 ± 3.5 nmol/liter, respectively, and the area under the time-concentration curves of irinotecan, SN-38, and SN-38glu were 6.94 ± 0.41, 1.92 ± 0.30, and 4.23 ± 0.52 hxμmol/liter, respectively. Twelve patients were evaluable for activity, and we observed 3 (25%) partial responses, 2 (17%) minor responses, and 4 (33%) disease stabilizations.
Conclusions: The administration of irinotecan as a 7-day continuous infusion every 21 days is feasible with diarrhea being the dose-limiting toxicity; recommended dose for Phase II studies is 20.0 mg/m2/day. The comparison of the present data with those obtained after a standard 30–90 min. i.v. infusion of irinotecan demonstrates that continuous infusion improves the transformation of irinotecan to SN-38 and also results in increased glucuronidation of the active metabolite. Antitumor activity in pretreated metastatic colorectal cancer patients is encouraging.
Term Limit and Political Incumbency in Africa: Implications of Staying in Power Too Long with References to the Cases of Kenya, Malawi, and Zambia
Authors: Bamfo Napoleon 
Published: September 2005

AbstractAfrican nations never seriously addressed the issue of term limits for incumbents until newly-drafted constitutions did so in the early 1990s. Since then, however, some incumbents have initiated campaigns to circumvent that measure. Some of those initiatives have been successful; others have not. Incumbents attempting to stay in office longer than what constitutions originally allowed used to be a time-honored strategy that African leaders regularly employed throughout the post-independent period until the early 1990s. The autocratic and single-party regimes that littered Africa's political landscape epitomized the extent to which political incumbents would go to keep anybody else, including members of their own party, from winning the highest political office.The response of opposition groups and the military, which assumed a guardianship role, to this wanton aggrandizement of power was a spate of military coups, counter-coups, and sabotage or destabilize those regimes. African nations paid dearly for this wave of instability to which almost all political systems became associated. This period of uncertainty and decay reminiscent of Africa's recent history is being re-invented following unsuccessful attempts of political incumbents in Kenya, Malawi, and Zambia to seek additional terms. Even as these efforts were being resisted, incumbents elsewhere were succeeding at securing additional terms. This paper examines the impact this recent trend among incumbents for term extension will have on the building of political institutions in Africa. If history were to serve as a guide, that spells an ominous foreboding.
Protest as Community Revival: Folk Religion in a Taiwanese Anti-Pollution Movement
Authors: Ho Ming-sho 
Published: September 2005

AbstractBy analyzing a Taiwanese anti-pollution movement, this paper tries to shed light on the elements of folk religion in collective action. The Houchin protest took place in 1987 when local people opposed to the further expansion of the China Petroleum Company (CPC). This case is an important milestone in the history of Taiwanese environmentalism and famous for its persistent protest over three years. In order to see how a local community sustains its solidarity through localistic folk religion, it is worth taking a close look at the community structure prior to the protest mobilization. The next section discusses Houchin people's reaction to the CPC's upgrading plan. Here the anti-pollution protest is viewed as an emergency occasion to revive the communal solidarity. Religion permeates the whole process of their collective action by supplying ritualized forms of contention. Religion in action is more than an instrument for mobilization, but rather substantially affects the movement goal and meaning for the participants. These highly localistic messages often escape outsiders' observation. In conclusion, the paper discusses the discovery in the light of study on Taiwanese environmental movement.
A Comparison of GOES Sounder– and Cloud Lidar- and Radar-Retrieved Cloud-Top Heights
Authors: Hawkinson James A. , Feltz Wayne , Ackerman Steven A. 
Published: September 2005

Abstract
An assessment of the performance of the Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellite (GOES) sounder cloud-top pressure product is presented. GOES sounder cloud-top-height data were compared with values derived from a consensus cloud boundary dataset that utilizes data from a cloud lidar and a cloud radar located at the U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE’s) Atmospheric Radiation Measurement (ARM) Program’s Cloud and Radiation Test Bed (CART) site in Lamont, Oklahoma. Comparisons were performed from April 2000 to March 2002. A temporal filtering process was applied to the cloud lidar and cloud radar output so that a representative picture of the cloud field on the same spatial scale of the GOES sounder could be derived. Comparisons between the GOES sounder and ground-based cloud boundary measurements yielded a mean difference of 1772 m and a standard deviation of 1733 m. The difference between GOES cloud-top-height and ground-based retrievals is within ±500 m for 22% of the retrievals and within ±1500 m for 56% of the retrievals. These results are comparable to findings in similar studies that utilized the MODIS Airborne Simulator.
Molecular signature of clinical severity in recovering patients with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus (SARS-CoV)
Authors: Lee Yun-Shien , Chen Chun-Houh , Chao Angel , Chen En-Shih , Wei Min-Li , Chen Lung-Kun , Yang Kuender D , Lin Meng-Chih , Wang Yi-Hsi , Liu Jien-Wei , Eng Hock-Liew , Chiang Ping-Cherng , Wu Ting-Shu , Tsao Kuo-Chein , Huang Chung-Guei , Tien Yin-Jing , Wang Tzu-Hao , Wang Hsing-Shih , Lee Ying-Shiung 
Published: September 2005

Abstract

Background
Severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS), a recent epidemic human disease, is caused by a novel coronavirus (SARS-CoV). First reported in Asia, SARS quickly spread worldwide through international travelling. As of July 2003, the World Health Organization reported a total of 8,437 people afflicted with SARS with a 9.6% mortality rate. Although immunopathological damages may account for the severity of respiratory distress, little is known about how the genome-wide gene expression of the host changes under the attack of SARS-CoV.

Results
Based on changes in gene expression of peripheral blood, we identified 52 signature genes that accurately discriminated acute SARS patients from non-SARS controls. While a general suppression of gene expression predominated in SARS-infected blood, several genes including those involved in innate immunity, such as defensins and eosinophil-derived neurotoxin, were upregulated. Instead of employing clustering methods, we ranked the severity of recovering SARS patients by generalized associate plots (GAP) according to the expression profiles of 52 signature genes. Through this method, we discovered a smooth transition pattern of severity from normal controls to acute SARS patients. The rank of SARS severity was significantly correlated with the recovery period (in days) and with the clinical pulmonary infection score.

Conclusion
The use of the GAP approach has proved useful in analyzing the complexity and continuity of biological systems. The severity rank derived from the global expression profile of significantly regulated genes in patients may be useful for further elucidating the pathophysiology of their disease.
Targeting MDM2 by the small molecule RITA: towards the development of new multi-target drugs against cancer
Authors: Espinoza-Fonseca L Michel 
Published: September 2005

AbstractBackgroundThe use of low-molecular-weight, non-peptidic molecules that disrupt the interaction between the p53 tumor suppressor and its negative regulator MDM2 has provided a promising alternative for the treatment of different types of cancer. Among these compounds, RITA (reactivation of p53 and induction of tumor cell apoptosis) has been shown to be effective in the selective induction of apoptosis, and this effect is due to its binding to the p53 tumor suppressor. Since biological systems are highly dynamic and MDM2 may bind to different regions of p53, new alternatives should be explored. On this basis, the computational "blind docking" approach was employed in this study to see whether RITA would bind to MDM2.ResultsIt was observed that RITA binds to the MDM2 p53 transactivation domain-binding cleft. Thus, RITA can be used as a lead compound for designing improved "multi-target" drugs. This novel strategy could provide enormous benefits to enable effective anti-cancer strategies.ConclusionThis study has demonstrated that a single molecule can target at least two different proteins related to the same disease.
Cough: are children really different to adults?
Authors: Chang Anne B 
Published: September 2005

AbstractWorldwide paediatricians advocate that children should be managed differently from adults. In this article, similarities and differences between children and adults related to cough are presented. Physiologically, the cough pathway is closely linked to the control of breathing (the central respiratory pattern generator). As respiratory control and associated reflexes undergo a maturation process, it is expected that the cough would likewise undergo developmental stages as well. Clinically, the 'big three' causes of chronic cough in adults (asthma, post-nasal drip and gastroesophageal reflux) are far less common causes of chronic cough in children. This has been repeatedly shown by different groups in both clinical and epidemiological studies. Therapeutically, some medications used empirically for cough in adults have little role in paediatrics. For example, anti-histamines (in particular H1antagonists) recommended as a front-line empirical treatment of chronic cough in adults have no effect in paediatric cough. Instead it is associated with adverse reactions and toxicity. Similarly, codeine and its derivatives used widely for cough in adults are not efficacious in children and are contraindicated in young children. Corticosteroids, the other front-line empirical therapy recommended for adults, are also minimally (if at all) efficacious for treating non-specific cough in children. In summary, current data support that management guidelines for paediatric cough should be different to those in adults as the aetiological factors and treatment in children significantly differ to those in adults.
Triaxial Ultra-Small Strain Measurements Using Laser Interferometry
Authors: Heymann G , Clayton CRI , Reed GT 
Published: September 2005

Abstract
This paper describes a prototype device for ultra-small strain triaxial stiffness measurement, using laser-optic interferometry, and based upon the Fabry-Perot principle. The results of a test on an intact specimen of weak rock are presented, and comparisons made between measurements using this device and a submersible LVDT system. The displacement resolution of the interferometer was 0.0006 μm and the strain resolution 8 × 10−7%. It is shown that the measurement uncertainty of the instrument was low compared with the magnitude of the displacements measured and in addition it was sufficiently accurate to detect the linear stress-strain behavior of a weak rock.
Geotechnical Characterization and Sedimentation Behavior of Laterite Slurries
Authors: Azam S , Chalaturnyk RJ , Scott JD 
Published: September 2005

Abstract
Laterites are the main source of economic metals such as nickel and cobalt. In many parts of the globe, these metals are extracted using the pressure acid leach operation. An efficient rate of sedimentation and a high solids content of the material are two prerequisites for this process. To understand the geotechnical behavior of laterite slurries under ambient process conditions, a comprehensive laboratory characterization and sedmentation protocol was developed. Results indicate that due to changes in material characteristics, sedimentation behavior of laterite slurries is improved during the metal extraction process. The rate and concentration of sedimentation are directly related for this class of materials.
Efficiency of Seepage Consolidation for Preparation of Clay Substrate for Centrifuge Testing
Authors: Lee J , Fox PJ 
Published: September 2005

Abstract
Seepage consolidation under normal gravity conditions can be used to prepare clay soil substrates for subsequent testing in a geotechnical centrifuge. Currently available information provides no information regarding the general efficiency of this method, which would be expected to vary widely depending on centrifuge, test specimen, and operating conditions. A numerical investigation is presented of the efficiency of the two-stage seepage/centrifuge consolidation method for the preparation of normally consolidated clay substrates. Large strain consolidation simulations and experimental data for centrifuge and seepage/centrifuge consolidation tests conducted on reconstituted Singapore marine clay are in excellent agreement. A parametric study illustrates the effects of initial specimen void ratio, initial specimen height, surcharge stress, swelling time, and acceleration factor on the efficiency of the two-stage substrate preparation method. Efficiency of the method for Singapore marine clay ranged from 55 to essentially 100% for the simulations conducted.
Phase Composition, Structure, and Plastic Deformation Localization in Zr1%Nb alloys
Authors: Zuev LB , Zavodchikov SY , Poletika TM , Cheremnykh GS , Filippov VB , Belov VI , Arzhakova VM , Bocharov OV , Shikov AK 
Published: September 2005

Abstract
The feasibility of strengthening the Zrl%Nb alloy by achieving a non-uniform solid solution oxygen distribution in the α grains is considered. Technology employing Nb2O5 as an oxygen source has been developed, which permits introduction into the alloy additional oxygen up to 0.06–0.09 wt. %. Using the method of electron microscopy, the oxygen distribution of the as-produced alloy was examined. The material was found to contain Zr and Nb oxides of non-stoichiometric compositions. The regular features of plastic deformation localization were investigated. These features as revealed by the deforming material may be regarded as forerunners of necking in the course of Zr alloy tube manufacture and are indicative of probable material fracture.
Analysis of Fuels, Lubricants, and Greases Using X-ray Fluorescence Spectrometry
Authors: Wolska J , Vrebos B , Brouwer P 
Published: September 2005

Abstract
X-ray spectrometry (XRF) is a versatile instrumental method for elemental analysis in a wide variety of materials. The performance of three different XRF systems will be compared: a high power wavelength dispersive x-ray spectrometer (WDXRF), a low-power WDXRF, and a bench-top energy dispersive instrument (EDXRF).
The data obtained show quite clearly the large difference in sensitivities between instruments. This translates into varying lower limits of detection (LLD) or quantification and sample throughput. For quantitative analysis well above the LLD, the accuracy of the results obtained on the different instruments is similar, or — for practical purposes of quality control in many applications — the differences in accuracy between the different instruments can be considered insignificant.
Most of the applications and methods developed by a variety of laboratories and regulatory organizations are applicable to specimens of a specified nature and matrix. Some of the more versatile procedures include a method to account for differences in matrix between standard reference materials and unknowns. One of the effects that is usually neglected in this case is the wedge effect, which is caused by the fact that the volume that is excited by the beam and the volume from which characteristic radiation can be observed are not the same and vary (for a given spectrometer system) depending upon the density and the quantity of the sample. This effect will be illustrated and discussed.
Mercury Measurements in Fossil Fuels, Particularly Petrochemicals
Authors: Stockwell PB , Corns WT , ryce DW 
Published: September 2005

Abstract
The dangers of mercury and its derivatives, especially organomercury compounds have been well documented for almost half a century. Concerns remain regarding mercury contamination in aqueous ecosystems. Significant quantities of mercury are present in fossil fuels, particularly petrochemicals.
We still manage to pollute the atmosphere and environment by the use of coal and petrochemicals. The impact of mercury in natural gas has been such that there have been at least six experiences of plant failure which have been traced to corrosion due to mercury attacks on aluminium rotors in the plant fabric. Very little attention is being given to mercury removal strategies, and in order for these to be successful there is an urgent requirement to determine the speciation profile of the natural gas or liquid hydrocarbon condensates. Atomic fluorescence spectrometry is an ideal analytical technique to determine the levels of mercury both before and after removal systems. The authors will outline achievements of both laboratory and online measurement systems for this important area of research. These systems have been operating at the required levels of performance and in the case of some of the online systems, have been in place operating 24 hours per day 7 days per week for more than 2 years. This has encouraged other companies to install similar systems.
Informativeness of the CODIS STR Loci for Admixture Analysis
Authors: Barnholtz-Sloan JS , Pfaff CL , Chakraborty R , Long JC 
Published: September 2005

Abstract
Population admixture (or ancestry) is used as an approach to gene discovery in complex diseases, particularly when the disease prevalence varies widely across geographic populations. Admixture analysis could be useful for forensics because an indication of a perpetrator's ancestry would narrow the pool of suspects for a particular crime. The purpose of this study was to use Fisher's information to identify informative sets of markers for admixture analysis. Using published founding population allele frequencies we test three marker sets for efficacy for estimating admixture: the FBI CODIS Core STR loci, the HGDP-CEPH Human Genome Diversity Cell Line Panel and the set of 39 ancestry informative SNPS from the Shriver lab at Pennsylvania State University. We conclude that the FBI CODIS Core STR set is valid for admixture analysis, but not the most precise. We recommend using a combination of the most informative markers from the HGDP-CEPH and Shriver loci sets.
Searching for the IRA "Disappeared": Ground-penetrating Radar Investigation of a Churchyard Burial Site, Northern Ireland
Authors: Ruffell A 
Published: September 2005

Abstract
A search for the body of a victim of terrorist abduction and murder was made in a graveyard on the periphery of a major conurbation in Northern Ireland. The area is politically sensitive and the case of high profile. This required non-invasive, completely non-destructive and rapid assessment of the scene. A MALA RAMAC ground-penetrating radar system was used to achieve these objectives. Unprocessed and processed 400 MHz data show the presence of a collapse feature above and around a known 1970s burial with no similar collapse above the suspect location. In the saturated, clay-rich sediments of the site, 200 MHz data offered no advantage over 400 MHz data. Unprocessed 100 MHz data shows a series of multiples in the known burial with no similar features in the suspect location. Processed 100 MHz lines defined the shape of the collapse around the known burial to 2 m depth, together with the geometry of the platform (1 m depth) the gravedigger used in the 1970s to construct the site. In addition, processed 100 MHz data showed both the dielectric contrast in and internal reflection geometry of the soil imported above the known grave. Thus the sequence, geometry, difference in infill and infill direction of the grave was reconstructed 30 years after burial. The suspect site showed no evidence of shallow or deep inhumation. Subsequently, the missing person's body was found some distance from this site, vindicating the results and interpretation from ground-penetrating radar. The acquisition, processing, collapse feature and sequence stratigraphic interpretation of the known burial and empty (suspect) burial site may be useful proxies for other, similar investigations. GPR was used to evaluate this site within 3 h of the survey commencing, using unprocessed data. An additional day of processing established that the suspect body did not reside here, which was counter to police and community intelligence.
Fracture Pattern Interpretation in the Skull: Differentiating Blunt Force from Ballistics Trauma Using Concentric Fractures
Authors: Hart GO 
Published: September 2005

Abstract
There have been several anthropological studies on trauma analysis in recent literature, but few studies have focused on the differences between the three mechanisms of trauma (sharp force trauma, blunt force trauma and ballistics trauma). The hypothesis of this study is that blunt force and ballistics fracture patterns in the skull can be differentiated using concentric fractures. Two-hundred and eleven injuries from skulls exhibiting concentric fractures were examined to determine if the mechanism of trauma could be determined by beveling direction. Fractures occurring in buttressed and non-buttressed regions were examined separately. Contingency tables and Pearson's Chi-Square were used to evaluate the relationship between the two variables (the mechanism of trauma and the direction of beveling), while Pearson's r correlation was used to determine the strength of the relationship. Contingency tables and Chi-square tests among the entire sample, the buttressed areas, and the non-buttressed areas led to the null hypothesis (no relationship) to be rejected. Pearson's r correlation indicated that the relationship between the variables studied is greater than chance allocation.