C-erbB2 mRNA expression in human breast tumours: comparison with c-erbB2 DNA amplification and correlation with prognosis.

In this study, we have investigated the expression of the proto-oncogene c-erbB2 in a total of 70 human primary breast tumours. In agreement with other workers, we observed c-erbB2 gene amplification in 17.5% of the tumours studied. In addition, we carried out a comprehensive analysis of c-erbB2 mRNA expression in the tumours using RNase mapping and in situ hybridisation techniques. Our results indicated a more frequent (30%) overexpression of c-erbB2 mRNA, which was associated only with breast carcinomas of a ductal origin. Furthermore, analysis of the c-erbB2 mRNA gene locus in the same tumours demonstrated that enhanced c-erbB2 expression could occur in the presence or absence of gene amplification, suggesting that additional molecular mechanisms may result in overexpression of c-erbB2 mRNA in human mammary tumours. In situ hybridisation showed that elevated levels of c-erbB2 mRNA were specific to malignant cells within the breast tumour. Analysis of the association between c-erbB2 mRNA overexpression and clinicopathological factors revealed a significant correlation with poor tumour grade, but not with steroid receptor status or patient menopausal status. No significant correlation was observed between overexpression of c-erbB2 mRNA and early disease recurrence in our group of patients, although there was a definite trend towards poorer prognosis

Truthful Multi-unit Procurements with Budgets

We study procurement games where each seller supplies multiple units of his item, with a cost per unit known only to him. The buyer can purchase any number of units from each seller, values different combinations of the items differently, and has a budget for his total payment. For a special class of procurement games, the {\em bounded knapsack} problem, we show that no universally truthful budget-feasible mechanism can approximate the optimal value of the buyer within $\ln n$, where $n$ is the total number of units of all items available. We then construct a polynomial-time mechanism that gives a $4(1+\ln n)$-approximation for procurement games with {\em concave additive valuations}, which include bounded knapsack as a special case. Our mechanism is thus optimal up to a constant factor. Moreover, for the bounded knapsack problem, given the well-known FPTAS, our results imply there is a provable gap between the optimization domain and the mechanism design domain. Finally, for procurement games with {\em sub-additive valuations}, we construct a universally truthful budget-feasible mechanism that gives an $O(\frac{\log^2 n}{\log \log n})$-approximation in polynomial time with a demand oracle.Comment: To appear at WINE 201

A selected ion flow tube study of the ion-molecule reactions of monochloroethene, trichloroethene and tetrachloroethene

Data for the rate coefficients and product cations of the reactions of a large number of atomic and small molecular cations with monochloroethene, trichloroethene and tetrachloroethene in a selected ion flow tube at 298 K are reported. The recombination energy of the ions range from 6.27 eV (H$_3$O$^+$) through to 21.56 eV (Ne$^+$). Collisional rate coefficients are calculated by modified average dipole orientation theory and compared with experimental values. Thermochemistry and mass balance predict the most feasible neutral products. Together with previously reported results for the three isomers of dichloroethene (J. Phys. Chem. A., 2006, 110, 5760), the fragment ion branching ratios have been compared with those from threshold photoelectron photoion coincidence spectroscopy over the photon energy range 9-22 eV to determine the importance or otherwise of long-range charge transfer. For ions with recombination energy in excess of the ionisation energy of the chloroethene, charge transfer is energetically allowed. The similarity of the branching ratios from the two experiments suggest that long-range charge transfer is dominant. For ions with recombination energy less than the ionisation energy, charge transfer is not allowed; chemical reaction can only occur following formation of an ion-molecule complex, where steric effects are more significant. The products that are now formed and their percentage yield is a complex interplay between the number and position of the chlorine atoms with respect to the C=C bond, where inductive and conjugation effects can be important

Minimizing energy below the glass thresholds

Focusing on the optimization version of the random K-satisfiability problem, the MAX-K-SAT problem, we study the performance of the finite energy version of the Survey Propagation (SP) algorithm. We show that a simple (linear time) backtrack decimation strategy is sufficient to reach configurations well below the lower bound for the dynamic threshold energy and very close to the analytic prediction for the optimal ground states. A comparative numerical study on one of the most efficient local search procedures is also given.Comment: 12 pages, submitted to Phys. Rev. E, accepted for publicatio

Subject-oriented plural method meets BPMN: a case study

Subject-oriented approach to business process management focuses on the subjects and their interactions with the aim to capture more accurate process information with increased fidelity. In a common setting, business processes are modeled by process engineers or modeling experts who often create their processes in a top-down fashion. However, this may pose risks to the acceptance and adoption of these models in practice, particularly in knowledge-centric environments. The Plural method follows a subject-oriented approach and allows process participants, rather than a centralized group of process engineers, to model and maintain their processes in a decentralized way. It guides process participants to focus on the roles and their interactions in terms of message exchanges. This study investigates the use of BPMN 2.0 for the Plural method. With the aim to show the applicability of the notation for a subject-oriented approach and report on the benefits and limitations of the new edition of the Plural method in general, we performed a case study in an industry company. Guided by a coordinator, 11 process participants modeled four processes that they participate by following the Plural method. These models were also compared with the classical models developed prior to the application of the Plural method to better understand the influence. Analyses showed that the application of the Plural resulted in more complete process models. However, there are concerns regarding the understandability of these models when compared with their classical counterparts. It has been shown that the Plural method is a powerful tool for process discovery and modeling, but an improvement on its models is needed to obtain full value of the framework

Cognitive behaviour therapy (CBT) for anxiety and depression in adults with mild intellectual disabilities (ID): a pilot randomised controlled trial

Background: Several studies have showed that people with intellectual disabilities (ID) have suitable skills to undergo cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT). Case studies have reported successful use of cognitive behavioural therapy techniques (with adaptations) in people with ID. Modified cognitive behavioural therapy may be a feasible and effective approach for the treatment of depression, anxiety, and other mood disorders in ID. To date, two studies have reported group-based manaulised cognitive behavioural treatment programs for depression in people with mild ID. However, there is no individual manualised programme for anxiety or depression in people with intellectual disabilities. The aims of the study are to determine the feasibility of conducting a randomised controlled trial for CBT in people with ID. The data will inform the power calculation and other aspects of carrying out a definitive randomised controlled trial.Methods: Thirty participants with mild ID will be allocated randomly to either CBT or treatment as usual (TAU). The CBT group will receive up to 20 hourly individual CBT over a period of 4 months. TAU is the standard treatment which is available to any adult with an intellectual disability who is referred to the intellectual disability service (including care management, community support, medical, nursing or social support). Beck Youth Inventories (Beck Anxiety Inventory & Beck Depression Inventory) will be administered at baseline; end of treatment (4 months) and at six months to evaluate the changes in depression and anxiety. Client satisfaction, quality of life and the health economics will be secondary outcomes.Discussion: The broad outcome of the study will be to produce clear guidance for therapists to apply an established psychological intervention and identify how and whether it works with people with intellectual disabilities

Detection of a Fully-resolved Compton Shoulder of the Iron K-alpha Line in the Chandra X-ray Spectrum of GX 301-2

We report the detection of a fully-resolved, Compton-scattered emission line in the X-ray spectrum of the massive binary GX 301-2 obtained with the High Energy Transmission Grating Spectrometer onboard the Chandra X-ray Observatory. The iron K-alpha fluorescence line complex observed in this system consists of an intense narrow component centered at an energy of E = 6.40 keV and a redward shoulder that extends down to ~6.24 keV, which corresponds to an energy shift of a Compton back-scattered iron K-alpha photon. From detailed Monte Carlo simulations and comparisons with the observed spectra, we are able to directly constrain the physical properties of the scattering medium, including the electron temperature and column density, as well as an estimate for the metal abundance.Comment: 13 pages, 4 figures, 1 table, accepted for publication in ApJ Lette

Investigation of shock waves in explosive blasts using fibre optic pressure sensors

The published version of this article may be accessed at the link below. Copyright @ IOP Publishing, 2006.We describe miniature all-optical pressure sensors, fabricated by wafer etching techniques, less than 1 mm(2) in overall cross-section with rise times in the mu s regime and pressure ranges typically 900 kPa (9 bar). Their performance is suitable for experimental studies of the pressure-time history for test models exposed to shocks initiated by an explosive charge. The small size and fast response of the sensors promises higher quality data than has been previously available from conventional electrical sensors, with potential improvements to numerical models of blast effects. Results from blast tests are presented in which up to six sensors were multiplexed, embedded within test models in a range of orientations relative to the shock front.Support from the UK Engineering&Physical Sciences Research Council and Dstl Fort Halstead through the MoD Joint Grants Scheme are acknowledged. WN MacPherson is supported by an EPSRC Advanced Research Fellowship

Bereavement and the role of religious and cultural factors.

yesThe aim of this article is to give an overview of some of the key dimensions of variation in cultural and religious rituals during the immediate period after a death and in the longer term, in order to inform service delivery in multi-cultural societies. For each area we give examples of different customs, and consider their functions and possible impact. Dimensions considered in the immediate period after bereavement are: The time and space given to formal rituals, expression of feelings, assertion of status and disposal of the body. In the longer term, we look at variations in remembering the deceased and in continuing bonds. Throughout we consider the interplay between individual responses and the person¿s cultural and religious context. Our objective is to provide an accessible introduction for practitioners new to working with bereavement and provide a succinct reference point for more experienced bereavement workers.Full text made available 1st May 2014 at the end of the publisher's embargo period