Spatially gradated segregation and recovery of circulating tumor cells from peripheral blood of cancer patients

For cancer patients, the enumeration of rare circulating tumor cells (CTCs) in peripheral blood is a strong prognostic indicator of the severity of the cancer; for the general population, the capture of CTCs is needed for use as a clinical tool for cancer screening, early detection, and treatment assessment. Here, we present a fast, high-purity (∼90%) and high-efficiency (>90%) method for the segregation and undamaged recovery of CTCs using a spatially gradated microfluidic chip. Further, by lysing the red blood cells we achieved not only a significant reduction in the overall processing time but also mitigated the blood clogging problem commonly encountered in microfluidic-based CTC isolation systems. To clinically validate the chip, we employed it to detect and capture CTCs from 10 liver cancer patients. Positive CTC enumeration was observed in all the blood samples, and the readings ranged from a low of 1–2 CTCs (1 patient) to a high of >20 CTCs (2 patients) with the balance having 3–20 CTCs per 3-ml blood sample. The work here indicates that our system can be developed for use in cancer screening, metastatic assessment, and chemotherapeutic response and for pharmacological and genetic evaluation of single CTCs.     

Tackle and impact detection in elite Australian football using wearable microsensor technology

Abstract

The effectiveness of a wearable microsensor device (MinimaxX^TM S4, Catapult Innovations, Melbourne, VIC, Australia) to automatically detect tackles and impact events in elite Australian football (AF) was assessed during four matches. Video observation was used as the criterion measure. A total of 352 tackles were observed, with 78% correctly detected as tackles by the manufacturer’s software. Tackles against (i.e. tackled by an opponent) were more accurately detected than tackles made (90% v 66%). Of the 77 tackles that were not detected at all, the majority (74%) were categorised as low-intensity. In contrast, a total of 1510 “tackle” events were detected, with only 18% of these verified as tackles. A further 57% were from contested ball situations involving player contact. The remaining 25% were in general play where no contact was evident; these were significantly lower in peak Player Load? than those involving player contact (P < 0.01). The tackle detection algorithm, developed primarily for rugby, was not suitable for tackle detection in AF. The underlying sensor data may have the potential to detect a range of events within contact sports such as AF, yet to do so is a complex task and requires sophisticated sport and event-specific algorithms.     

Biomechanics of the Snatch Technique of Highly Skilled and Skilled Weightlifters

Abstract

The lifting techniques of 10 world-class weightlifters were compared to those of 26 skilled collegiate weightlifters while performing the first portion of the snatch, from the lift-off of the barbell to the catch of the barbell overhead with the body in a squatting position. Cinematography was used to measure the joint angles, position of the center of gravity of the body, and the position of the barbell. Results indicated that the world-class weightlifters raised the barbell to a relatively lower height, assumed more flexed positions at the hips and knees with a smaller angle between the shank and floor during certain stages of the lift, and lowered their bodies more rapidly during the squatting portion of the lift than the collegiate weightlifters.     

Facilitating enterprise application integration adoption: An empirical analysis of UK local government authorities

local government authorities (LGAs) are organised around operational structures with business processes spanning within departments and across other government organisations. In such an organisational setting, the harmonisation of Information Technology (IT) operations, integration of cross-departmental processes and the underlying Information Systems (IS) signifies a challenge in delivering integrated services. This paper attempts to explore enterprise application integration (EAI) adoption in the UK local government authorities (LGAs). Despite the hype of EAI adoption in private domain, its application in LGAs is inadequate as there is a lack of adoption models/frameworks that can be used by the public sector. The context of the study is to consider the transformation of IT infrastructure management and operations with EAI technologies. The empirical findings, generated through a detailed case analysis, manifestly exemplify that EAI predominantly acts as a ‘back-office’ technology that facilitates operations by developing a flexible and maintainable integrated IT infrastructure. Our proposed framework is believed to be imperative and unique as it provides a more systematic way to examine the adoption of integration technologies, extends the established norms for EAI adoption by utilising a prioritisation technique to classify the importance of factors. The contribution of the research extends the literature on EAI and identifies theoretical and practical opportunities that facilitate LGAs in their decision-making process to produce more robust proposals for EAI adoption.     

Security considerations for the spiral development model

Security measures have been well established within the waterfall development life cycle model. However, more software projects are using the spiral development life cycle model. Software developers and project managers can easily forget about adapting security measures. The spiral model uses iterative steps that can create changes in each phase of software development process. This will challenge security to ensure the application has few flaws or vulnerabilities that could be exploited. Failure to impose the right security measures at each of these phases can open up vulnerabilities for hackers to exploit and prove costly in patching. This paper will explore areas where security can be engaged within each iteration step of the spiral development model. This way security can continue protection of the software product as it becomes ready for deployment. The paper will help organizations realize where to deploy security measures to reduce vulnerabilities in the software application.     

Providing access to electronic information resources in further education

This article aims to provide a baseline for future studies on the provision and support for the use of digital or electronic information services (EIS) in further education. The analysis presented is based on a multi‐level model of access, which encompasses access to and availability of information and communication technology (ICT) resources, access to and availability of EIS resources, and the third leg of staff skills and their development. The research was conducted within the third cycle of the JISC (Joint Information Services Committee) User Behaviour Monitoring and Evaluation Framework, in 2001/2002. Evidence was gathered from library and information service web sites and various stakeholders, including library and information service staff, academic staff and students to generate insights into the provision of access to EIS in further education. Sector‐wide funding initiatives have had a significant impact on ICT infrastructures, and these attract a positive response from students. EIS are represented on some library web sites but both web site development and EIS availability is very much less advanced than in higher education. Staff, however, lack sufficient dedicated access to ICT to be able to develop their own skills and use. There remains a low level of access to electronic information resources, with only limited access to these resources through library web sites. LIS managers face a number of challenges in enhancing this provision, including licensing arrangements, tight budgets that need to be spread across many discipline areas, and the absence of EIS designed specifically for the further education student. The other key challenge lies in the provision of time and opportunity for academic and LIS staff to develop their ICT and EIS skills, and, more generally in the further development of the role of Information and Learning Technology (ILT) Champions.     

Assessing Model Similarity in Structural Equation Modeling

Two models can be nonequivalent, but fit very similarly across a wide range of data sets. These near-equivalent models, like equivalent models, should be considered rival explanations for results of a study if they represent plausible explanations for the phenomenon of interest. Prior to conducting a study, researchers should evaluate plausible models that are alternatives to those hypothesized to evaluate whether they are near-equivalent or equivalent and, in so doing, address the adequacy of the study’s methodology. To assess the extent to which alternative models for a study are empirically distinguishable, we propose 5 indexes that quantify the degree of similarity in fit between 2 models across a specified universe of data sets. These indexes compare either the maximum likelihood fit function values or the residual covariance matrices of models. Illustrations are provided to support interpretations of these similarity indexes.     

2. CBQ REVIEW ESSAY: Reporting Wars and the Military (Part 1)

Leslie Halliwell's The Filmgoer's Companion (New York: Hill and Wang, 1974—$25.00)

Ray Armes' Film and Reality: An Historical Survey (Baltimore: Penguin Books, 1974—$1.95, paper)

Peter Harcourt 's Six European Directors: Essays on the Meaning of Film Style (Baltimore: Penguin Books, 1974—$2.50, paper)

James Robert Parish' The RKO Gals (New Rochelle, N.Y.: Arlington House, 1974—$14.95)

Lee R. Bowker's Elements of Film (New York: Harcourt Brace Javanovich, 1974—$5.95, paper)

Jump Cut: A Review of Contemporary Cinema (3138 West Schubert, Chicago, Ill. 60647—$3.00 for 6 issues a year, or 50c each)

William Kuhns' Themes Two (Dayton, Ohio: Pflaum/Standard, 1974—$4.95, paper)

Raoul Walsh's Each Man in His Time: The Life Story of a Director (New York: Farrar, Straus and Giroux, 1974– $10.00)     

General Communications

Joseph C. Goulden's Monopoly (Pocket Books 77135, 95¢)

Bryce Rucker's The First Freedom (University of Southern Illinois Press, $2.85)

John Phelan's Communications Control (Sheed & Ward, $3.45)

David Manning White's edited collection Pop Culture in America (Quadrangle Books, $5.95/2.45)

Marshall Fishwick and Ray B. Browne's edited Icons of Popular Culture (Bowling Green University Popular Press, $1.00)

Don Fabun's Three Roads to Awareness (Beverly Hills, Calif.: Glencoe Press, $5.95/4.95)     

Photography

Alexander Gardner, Gardner's Photographic Sketch Book of the Civil War (original edition 1866, reissued in 1959, $4.50, 224 pp.)

Ray Meredith, Mr. Lincoln's Cameraman: Mathew B. Brady (original edition 1946, reissued in slightly revised form in 1974, $6.95, 368 pp.)

Mary Black, Old New York in Early Photographs: 1853-1901 (new publication in 1973 (not a reprint), $6.00, 228 pp.)

Berenice Abbott, New York in the Thirties (original edition 1939, reissued 1973, $3.50, 100 pp.)

William Welling's Collector's Guide to Nineteenth Century Photographs (New York: Macmillan, 1976---$15.95/7.95)

Weston J. Naef and James N. Wood's Era of Exploration: The Rise of Landscape Photography in the American West: 1860---1885 (Boston: New York Graphic Society, 1975---S25.00)

James L. Lager's Leica Illustrated Guide: 1925-1975 (Dobbs Ferry, N.Y.: Morgan and Morgan, Inc., 1975---$7.95, paper)

Mark Jacobs and Ken Kokrda's Photography in Focus (Skokie, Ill.: National Textbook Co., 1975---price not given, paper; with a "Curriculum Guide for Photography" instructor's manual available as well)

Claus-Peter Sdhmid's Photography for Artists and Craftsmen (New York: Van Nostrand Reinhold, 1975---$9.95)