Developing Typologies of City-Regional Growth

The economic performance of city-regions is closely linked to the performance of the national economy. However, the performance of the national economy can also depend on the performance of one or more major city-regions, that act as growth poles. Because of their sectoral structure and other characteristics, some cities are better equipped to become growth poles than others. This paper studies 46 major city-regions across Europe. The sectoral structure and changes in the sectoral structure of city-regions are studied using data from CE’s European Regional Database, itself based on Eurostat’s Regio database. The data analysis attempts to explain city-region performance by drawing parallels between sectoral structure and economic performance. The data analysis is supplemented by local anecdotal evidence provided by CE’s annual European reporting system ‘European Regional Prospects’, for example the historical importance of river and seafront activities. The paper goes on to discuss the extent to which the sectoral structure of cities can explain why some city-regions grow faster than others. The data analysis will be used to group cities in ‘hard’ typologies according to sectoral specialisation. These sectoral typologies are then compared with typologies according to the local, ‘softer’, evidence provided by CE’s regional consultants. This evidence will also be used to draw out the more subtle influences on city-region growth and these will be used to group cities in ‘soft’ typologies.

Clinical Use of the Low-Molecular-Weight Heparins in Cancer Patients: Focus on the Improved Patient Outcomes

Patients with malignant neoplastic diseases represent a high-risk population relative to thromboembolic disease. With the advent of improved and accessible diagnostic technology, for example, ultrasound and/or spiral CT scans, timely diagnosis of venous thromboembolic events (VTE) is readily accomplished. The introduction of low-molecular-weight heparin (LMWH) approximately two decades ago (in contrast to unfractionated heparin and vitamin K antagonists) has provided a class of agents with a favorable therapeutic index. In the review to follow, the literature regarding the use of LMWH in oncologic patient populations is summarized. Topics addressed include prophylaxis, and treatment as well as consideration of the potential anti-neoplastic properties of this class of drugs

Molecular Evolution of a Glioblastoma Controlled With Tumor Treating Fields and Concomitant Temozolomide

Tumor Treating Field (TTFields) therapy has demonstrated efficacy in a Phase 3 study of newly diagnosed glioblastoma (GB) following radiation (RT) and temozolomide (TMZ). We report the appearance of an isolated satellite anterior temporal lobe lesion, 2 months post primary RT/TMZ directed at the primary GB (MGMT methylated) parietal lobe lesion and one adjuvant cycle of TMZ and TTFields. The mean RT dose delivered to the temporal lobe lesion was negligible, i.e., 4.53 ± 0.95 Gy. Mapping of the generated TTFields demonstrated that both lesions were encompassed by a field intensity in a therapeutic range. The temporal lobe lesion remained under the control of TTFields up to 12 months, at which point progression on a T1 contrast MRI resulted in surgery and a definitive diagnosis of GB without MGMT methylation. The primary parietal lobe at this time was in remission. Molecular sequencing on the GB tissue from multiple time points demonstrates clonal evolution of the cancer over time and in response to treatment

Case report: Radiographic complete response of radiation-induced glioblastoma to front-line radiotherapy: A report and molecular characterization of two unique cases

Radiation-induced gliomas (RIGs) are an uncommon disease type and a known long-term complication of prior central nervous system radiation exposure, often during childhood. Given the rarity of this malignancy subtype, no clinical trials have explored optimal therapy for these patients, and the literature is primarily limited to reports of patient cases and series. Indeed, the genomic profiles of RIGs have only recently been explored in limited numbers, categorizing these gliomas into a unique subset. Here, we describe two cases of RIG diagnosed as glioblastoma (GB), IDH-wildtype, in adults who had previously received central nervous system radiation for childhood cancers. Both patients demonstrated a surprising complete radiographic response of the postoperative residual disease to front-line therapy, a phenomenon rarely observed in the management of any GB and never previously reported for the radiation-induced subgroup. Both tumors were characterized by next-generation sequencing and chromosomal microarray to identify potential etiologies for this response as well as to further add to the limited literature about the unique molecular profile of RIGs, showing signatures more consistent with diffuse pediatric-type high-grade glioma, H3-wildtype, and IDH-wildtype, WHO grade 4. Ultimately, we demonstrate that treatment utilizing a radiation-based regimen for GB in a previously radiated tissue can be highly successful despite historical limitations in the management of this disease

Flow impacts on estuarine finfish fisheries of the Gulf of Carpentaria

The estuaries of Australia s tropical rivers support commercial fisheries for finfish and shellfish valued at over $220 million per annum. There are also significant tourism-related and local recreational and indigenous fisheries for icon species such as barramundi. Development of water resources in Australia's Tropical Rivers region is being considered for the Flinders, Mitchell, McArthur, Roper, Daly and Victoria catchments. Greater knowledge of the freshwater requirements of tropical aquatic ecosystems, including estuaries is crucial, so that the communities of catchments where water resource development occurs can be assured that the downstream effects of such development are considered and managed based on the best available knowledge

The effects of tumor treating fields and temozolomide in MGMT expressing and non-expressing patient-derived glioblastoma cells

AbstractA recent Phase 3 study of newly diagnosed glioblastoma (GBM) demonstrated the addition of tumor treating fields (TTFields) to temozolomide (TMZ) after combined radiation/TMZ significantly increased survival and progression free survival. Preliminary data suggested benefit with both methylated and unmethylated O-6-methylguanine-DNA methyl-transferase (MGMT) promoter status. To date, however, there have been no studies to address the potential interactions of TTFields and TMZ. Thus, the effects of TTFields and TMZ were studied in vitro using patient-derived GBM stem-like cells (GSCs) including MGMT expressing (TMZ resistant: 12.1 and 22GSC) and non-MGMT expressing (TMZ sensitive: 33 and 114GSC) lines. Dose-response curves were constructed using cell proliferation and sphere-forming assays. Results demonstrated a ⩾10-fold increase in TMZ resistance of MGMT-expressing (12.1GSCs: IC50=160μM; 22GSCs: IC50=44μM) compared to MGMT non-expressing (33GSCs: IC50=1.5μM; 114GSCs: IC50=5.2μM) lines. TTFields inhibited 12.1 GSC proliferation at all tested doses (50–500kHz) with an optimal frequency of 200kHz. At 200kHz, TTFields inhibited proliferation and tumor sphere formation of both MGMT GSC subtypes at comparable levels (12.1GSC: 74±2.9% and 38±3.2%, respectively; 22GSC: 61±11% and 38±2.6%, respectively; 33GSC: 56±9.5% and 60±7.1%, respectively; 114 GSC: 79±3.5% and 41±4.3%, respectively). In combination, TTFields (200kHz) and TMZ showed an additive anti-neoplastic effect with equal efficacy for TTFields in both cell types (i.e., ± MGMT expression) with no effect on TMZ resistance. This is the first demonstration of the effects of TTFields on cancer stem cells. The expansion of such studies may have clinical implications

Power variability of tidal-stream energy and implications for electricity supply

Temporal variability in renewable energy presents a major challenge for electrical grid systems. Tides are considered predictable due to their regular periodicity; however, the persistence and quality of tidal-stream generated electricity is unknown. This paper is the first study that attempts to address this knowledge gap through direct measurements of rotor-shaft power and shore-side voltage from a 1 MW, rated at grid-connection, tidal turbine (Orkney Islands, UK). Tidal asymmetry in turbulence parameters, flow speed and power variability were observed. Variability in the power at 0.5 Hz, associated with the 10-min running mean, was low (standard deviation 10–12% of rated power), with lower variability associated with higher flow speed and reduced turbulence intensity. Variability of shore-side measured voltage was well within acceptable levels (∼0.3% at 0.5 Hz). Variability in turbine power had <1% difference in energy yield calculation, even with a skewed power variability distribution. Finally, using a “t-location” distribution of observed fine-scale power variability, in combination with an idealised power curve, a synthetic power variability model reliably downscaled 30 min tidal velocity simulations to power at 0.5 Hz (R2 = 85% and ∼14% error). Therefore, the predictability and quality of tidal-stream energy may be undervalued in a future, high-penetration renewable energy, electricity grid

Cross-cultural effects of color, but not morphological masculinity, on perceived attractiveness of men's faces

This is the post-print version of the Article. The official published version can be accessed from the link below - Copyright @ 2012 ElsevierMuch attractiveness research has focused on face shape. The role of masculinity (which for adults is thought to be a relatively stable shape cue to developmental testosterone levels) in male facial attractiveness has been examined, with mixed results. Recent work on the perception of skin color (a more variable cue to current health status) indicates that increased skin redness, yellowness, and lightness enhance apparent health. It has been suggested that stable cues such as masculinity may be less important to attractiveness judgments than short-term, more variable health cues. We examined associations between male facial attractiveness, masculinity, and skin color in African and Caucasian populations. Masculinity was not found to be associated with attractiveness in either ethnic group. However, skin color was found to be an important predictor of attractiveness judgments, particularly for own-ethnicity faces. Our results suggest that more plastic health cues, such as skin color, are more important than developmental cues such as masculinity. Further, unfamiliarity with natural skin color variation in other ethnic groups may limit observers' ability to utilize these color cues