bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Electroacupuncture improves recovery after hemorrhagic brain injury by inducing the expression of angiopoietin-1 and -2 in rats
Authors: Zhou Hua-Jun , Tang Tao , Zhong Jian-Hua , Luo Jie-Kun , Cui Han-Jin , Zhang Qi-Mei , Zhou Jing-Hua , Zhang Qiang
Published: April 2014

Background

Angiopoietin (Ang) is one of the major effectors of angiogenesis, playing a critical role in neurovascular remodeling after stroke. Acupuncture has been widely used for treating stroke in China for a long time. Recently, we have demonstrated that electroacupuncture (EA) can accelerate intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH)-induced angiogenesis in rats. In the present study, we investigated the effect of EA on the expression of Ang-1 and Ang-2 in the brain after ICH.

Methods

ICH was induced by stereotactic injection of collagenase type VII into the right globus pallidus. Adult male Sprague–Dawley rats were randomized into the following four groups: sham-operation (SHAM), stroke-no electroacupuncture (SNE), stroke-EA at the Zusanli acupoint (SEZ), and stroke-EA at a nonacupoint (SEN). EA was applied to the bilateral Zusanli (ST36) acupoint in the SEZ group and a nonacupoint in the SEN group. The expression of Ang-1 and Ang-2 was evaluated by immunohistochemistry and quantitative real-time reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR).

Results

Some Ang-1 and Ang-2 immunoreactive microvessels with a dilated outline were detected in the perihematomal tissues after ICH, and the vessels extended into the clot from the surrounding area since day 7. The expression of Ang-1 increased notably as long as 2 weeks after ICH, while Ang-2 immunoreactivity declined at about 7 days following a striking upregulation at 3 days. EA at the Zusanli (ST36) acupoint upregulated the expression of Ang-1 and Ang-2 at both the protein and mRNA levels. However, EA at a nonacupoint had little effect on the expression of Ang-1 and Ang-2.

Conclusions

Our data suggest that EA at the Zusanli (ST36) acupoint exerts neuroprotective effects on hemorrhagic stroke by upregulation of Ang-1 and Ang-2.
It takes patience and persistence to get negative feedback about patients’ experiences: a secondary analysis of national inpatient survey data
Authors: Barron David N , West Elizabeth , Reeves Rachel , Hawkes Denise
Published: April 2014

Background

Patient experience surveys are increasingly used to gain information about the quality of healthcare. This paper investigates whether patients who respond before and after reminders to a large national survey of inpatient experience differ in systematic ways in how they evaluate the care they received.

Methods

The English national inpatient survey of 2009 obtained data from just under 70,000 patients. We used ordinal logistic regression to analyse their evaluations of the quality of their care in relation to whether or not they had received a reminder before they responded.

Results

33% of patients responded after the first questionnaire, a further 9% after the first reminder, and a further 10% after the second reminder. Evaluations were less positive among people who responded only after a reminder and lower still among those who needed a second reminder.

Conclusions

Quality improvement efforts depend on having accurate data and negative evaluations of care received in healthcare settings are particularly valuable. This study shows that there is a relationship between the time taken to respond and patients’ evaluations of the care they received, with early responders being more likely to give positive evaluations. This suggests that bias towards positive evaluations could be introduced if the time allowed for patients to respond is truncated or if reminders are omitted.
General composite implicit iteration process for a finite family of asymptotically pseudo-contractive mappings
Authors: Thakur Balwant Singh , Dewangan Rajshree , Postolache Mihai
Published: April 2014

In this paper, a modified general composite implicit iteration process is used to study the convergence of a finite family of asymptotically nonexpansive mappings. Weak and strong convergence theorems have been proved, in the framework of a Banach space.

MSC:47H09, 47H10.
All meromorphic solutions of some algebraic differential equations and their applications
Authors: Yuan Wenjun , Li Yezhou , Qi Jianming
Published: April 2014

In this paper, we employ Nevanlinna’s value distribution theory to investigate the existence of meromorphic solutions of some algebraic differential equations. We obtain the representations of all meromorphic solutions of certain algebraic differential equations with constant coefficients and dominant term. Many results are the corollaries of our result, and we will give the complex method to find all traveling wave exact solutions of corresponding partial differential equations. As an example, we obtain all meromorphic solutions of the Kuramoto-Sivashinsky equation by using our complex method. Our results show that the complex method provides a powerful mathematical tool for solving great many nonlinear partial differential equations in mathematical physics.

MSC:30D35, 34A05.
Establishing a National Knowledge Translation and Generation Network in Kidney Disease: The CAnadian KidNey KNowledge TraNslation and GEneration NeTwork
Authors: Manns Braden , Barrett Brendan , Evans Michael , Garg Amit , Hemmelgarn Brenda , Kappel Joanne , Klarenbach Scott , Madore Francois , Parfrey Patrick , Samuel Susan , Soroka Steven , Suri Rita , Tonelli Marcello , Wald Ron , Walsh Michael , Zappitelli Michael ,   for the CAnadian KidNey KNowledge TraNslation and GEneration NeTwork
Published: April 2014

Patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) do not always receive care consistent with guidelines, in part due to complexities in CKD management, lack of randomized trial data to inform care, and a failure to disseminate best practice. At a 2007 conference of key Canadian stakeholders in kidney disease, attendees noted that the impact of Canadian Society of Nephrology (CSN) guidelines was attenuated given limited formal linkages between the CSN Clinical Practice Guidelines Group, kidney researchers, decision makers and knowledge users, and that further knowledge was required to guide care in patients with kidney disease. The idea for the Canadian Kidney Knowledge Translation and Generation Network (CANN-NET) developed from this meeting. CANN-NET is a pan-Canadian network established in partnership with CSN, the Kidney Foundation of Canada and other professional societies to improve the care and outcomes of patients with and at risk for kidney disease. The initial priority areas for knowledge translation include improving optimal timing of dialysis initiation, and increasing the appropriate use of home dialysis. Given the urgent need for new knowledge, CANN-NET has also brought together a national group of experienced Canadian researchers to address knowledge gaps by encouraging and supporting multicentre randomized trials in priority areas, including management of cardiovascular disease in patients with kidney failure.
An Assessment of Dialysis Provider's Attitudes towards Timing of Dialysis Initiation in Canada
Authors: Mann Bikaramjit S , Manns Braden J , Dart Allison , Kappel Joanne , Molzahn Anita , Naimark David , Nessim Sharon J , Soroka Steven , Zappitelli Michael , Sood Manish M
Published: April 2014

Background:

Physicians' perceptions and opinions may influence when to initiate dialysis.

Objective:

To examine providers' perspectives and opinions regarding the timing of dialysis initiation.

Design:

Online survey.

Setting:

Community and academic dialysis practices in Canada.

Participants:

A nationally-representative sample of dialysis providers.

Measurements and Methods:

Dialysis providers opinions assessing reasons to initiate dialysis at low or high eGFR. Responses were obtained using a 9-point Likert scale. Early dialysis was defined as initiation of dialysis in an individual with an eGFR greater than or equal to 10.5 ml/min/m2. A detailed survey was emailed to all members of the Canadian Society of Nephrology (CSN) in February 2013. The survey was designed and pre-tested to evaluate duration and ease of administration.

Results:

One hundred and forty one (25% response rate) physicians participated in the survey. The majority were from urban, academic centres and practiced in regionally administered renal programs. Very few respondents had a formal policy regarding the timing of dialysis initiation or formally reviewed new dialysis starts (N = 4, 3.1%). The majority of respondents were either neutral or disagreed that late compared to early dialysis initiation improved outcomes (85–88%), had a negative impact on quality of life (89%), worsened AVF or PD use (84–90%), led to sicker patients (83%) or was cost effective (61%). Fifty-seven percent of respondents felt uremic symptoms occurred earlier in patients with advancing age or co-morbid illness. Half (51.8%) of the respondents felt there was an absolute eGFR at which they would initiate dialysis in an asymptomatic patient. The majority of respondents would initiate dialysis for classic indications for dialysis, such as volume overload (90.1%) and cachexia (83.7%) however a significant number chose other factors that may lead them to early dialysis initiation including avoiding an emergency (28.4%), patient preference (21.3%) and non-compliance (8.5%).

Limitations:

25% response rate.

Conclusions:

Although the majority of nephrologists in Canada who responded followed evidence-based practice regarding the timing of dialysis initiation, knowledge gaps and areas of clinical uncertainty exist. The implementation and evaluation of formal policies and knowledge translation activities may limit potentially unnecessary early dialysis initiation.
Exploration of data science techniques to predict fatigue strength of steel from composition and processing parameters
Authors: Agrawal Ankit , Deshpande Parijat D , Cecen Ahmet , Basavarsu Gautham P , Choudhary Alok N , Kalidindi Surya R
Published: April 2014

This paper describes the use of data analytics tools for predicting the fatigue strength of steels. Several physics-based as well as data-driven approaches have been used to arrive at correlations between various properties of alloys and their compositions and manufacturing process parameters. Data-driven approaches are of significant interest to materials engineers especially in arriving at extreme value properties such as cyclic fatigue, where the current state-of-the-art physics based models have severe limitations. Unfortunately, there is limited amount of documented success in these efforts. In this paper, we explore the application of different data science techniques, including feature selection and predictive modeling, to the fatigue properties of steels, utilizing the data from the National Institute for Material Science (NIMS) public domain database, and present a systematic end-to-end framework for exploring materials informatics. Results demonstrate that several advanced data analytics techniques such as neural networks, decision trees, and multivariate polynomial regression can achieve significant improvement in the prediction accuracy over previous efforts, withR2values over 0.97. The results have successfully demonstrated the utility of such data mining tools for ranking the composition and process parameters in the order of their potential for predicting fatigue strength of steels, and actually develop predictive models for the same.
Glycated albumin: an overview of the In Vitro models of an In Vivo potential disease marker
Authors: Arasteh Amir , Farahi Sara , Habibi-Rezaei Mehran , Moosavi-Movahedi Ali Akbar
Published: April 2014

Glycation is a general spontaneous process in proteins which has significant impact on their physical and functional properties. These changes in protein properties could be related to several pathological consequences such as cataract, arteriosclerosis and Alzheimer’s disease. Among the proteins, glycation of Human serum albumin (HSA) is of special interest. Human serum albumin is the most abundant protein in the plasma and because of its high sensitivity for glycation, undergoes structural and functional changes due to binding of reducing sugars in vitro. The glycation process occurs by plasma glucose in vivo which has great impacts on the three dimensional structure of protein. These changes are efficient and stable enough which makes the protein to be considered as a new special disease marker instead of HbA1C for diabetes. In some cases, glycated albumin was used as an alternative marker for glycemic control. Glycated albumin reacts with glucose ten times more rapidly than HbA1C and has shorter half-life which makes it more reliable for indicating glycemic states. In this review, glycation of Human Serum Albumin has been overviewed, starting from overall concepts of glycation, followed by some Examples of pathological consequences of protein glycation. The BSA aggregation was reviewed in terms of structural and biological impacts of glycation on the protein followed by reporting documents which indicate possibility of glycated albumin to be used as specific marker for diabetes. Finally, some of the studies related to the models of glycated albumin have been briefly described, with an emphasis on In vitro studies. It is interesting to note the relationship found between in vitro glycation experiments and the propensity of proteins to form amyloid structures, a point that could be further explored as to its significance in hyperglycemic states.
ETS1 variants confer susceptibility to ankylosing spondylitis in Han Chinese
Authors: Shan Shan , Dang Jie , Li Jiangxia , Yang Ze , Zhao Hailing , Xin Qian , Ma Xiaochun , Liu Yongchao , Bian Xianli , Gong Yaoqin , Liu Qiji
Published: April 2014

Introduction

ETS1 is a negative regulator of the Th17 differentiation gene and plays a central role in the pathogenesis of autoimmune diseases. We aimed to investigate whether polymorphisms in ETS1 confer susceptibility to ankylosing spondylitis (AS) in Han Chinese.

Methods

We selected seven single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) within ETS1 based on HapMap data and previous genome-wide association study. Genotyping involved the TaqMan method in 1,015 patients with AS and 1,132 healthy controls from Shandong Province, and 352 AS patients and 400 healthy controls from Ningxia, a northwest region in China. Gene expression was determined by real-time PCR.

Results

The SNP rs1128334 was strongly associated with AS (odds ratio 1.204, 95% confidence interval 1.06-1.37; P = 0.005). This association was confiexrmed in the Ningxia population (P = 0.015). Carriers of the haplotype TAT for rs12574073, rs1128334 and rs4937333 were associated with increased risk of AS and haplotype CGC with reduced risk as compared to controls. In addition, ETS1 expression was lower in AS patients than controls. The risk allele A of rs1128334 and haplotype A-T of rs1128334 and rs4937333 were associated with decreased expression of ETS1.

Conclusions

Common variants in ETS1 may contribute to AS susceptibility in Han Chinese people.
Post-diagnostic prescriptions for low-dose aspirin and breast cancer-specific survival: a nested case-control study in a breast cancer cohort from the UK Clinical Practice Research Datalink
Authors: Murray Liam J , Cooper Janine A , Hughes Carmel M , Powe Des G , Cardwell Chris R
Published: April 2014

Introduction

Recent observational studies indicate that post-diagnostic use of aspirin in breast cancer patients may protect against cancer progression perhaps by inhibiting cyclooxygenase-2 dependent mechanisms. Evidence also supports a crucial role for interactions between tumour cells and circulating platelets in cancer growth and dissemination, therefore, use of low-dose aspirin may reduce the risk of death from cancer in breast cancer patients.

Methods

A cohort of newly diagnosed breast cancer patients (1998 to 2006) were identified in the UK Clinical Practice Research Datalink (and confirmed by cancer registry linkage). Cancer-specific deaths were identified up to 2011 from Office for National Statistics mortality data. A nested case-control analysis was conducted using conditional logistic regression to compare post-diagnostic aspirin exposure using General Practice prescription data in 1,435 cases (breast cancer deaths) with 5,697 controls (matched by age and year of diagnosis).

Results

After breast cancer diagnosis, 18.3% of cancer-specific deaths and 18.5% of matched controls received at least one prescription for low-dose aspirin, corresponding to an odds ratio (OR) of 0.98 (95% CI 0.83, 1.15). Adjustment for potential confounders (including stage and grade) had little impact on this estimate. No dose response relationship was observed when the number of tablets was investigated and no associations were seen when analyses were stratified by receipt of prescriptions for aspirin in the pre-diagnostic period, by stage at diagnosis or by receipt of prescriptions for hormone therapy.

Conclusions

Overall, in this large population-based cohort of breast cancer patients, there was little evidence of an association between receipt of post-diagnostic prescriptions for low-dose aspirin and breast cancer-specific death. However, information was not available on medication compliance or over-the-counter use of aspirin, which may have contributed to the null findings.
Acidosis in the critically ill - balancing risks and benefits to optimize outcome
Authors: Curley Gerard F , Laffey John G
Published: April 2014

Acidosis is associated with poor outcome in critical illness. However, acidosis - both hypercapnic and metabolic - has direct effects that can limit tissue injury induced by many causes. There is also a clear potential for off-target harm with acute exposure (for example, raised intracranial pressure, pulmonary hypertension), and with exposure for prolonged periods (for example, increased risk of infection) or at high doses. Ongoing comprehensive determination of molecular, cellular and physiologic impact across a range of representative pathologies will allow us to understand better the risks and benefits of hypercapnia and acidosis during critical illness.
Evidence for the biogenesis of more than 1,000 novel human microRNAs
Authors: Friedländer Marc R , Lizano Esther , Houben Anna JS , Bezdan Daniela , Báñez-Coronel Mónica , Kudla Grzegorz , Mateu-Huertas Elisabet , Kagerbauer Birgit , González Justo , Chen Kevin C , LeProust Emily M , Martí Eulàlia , Estivill Xavier
Published: April 2014

Background

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are established regulators of development, cell identity and disease. Although nearly two thousand human miRNA genes are known and new ones are continuously discovered, no attempt has been made to gauge the total miRNA content of the human genome.

Results

Employing an innovative computational method on massively pooled small RNA sequencing data, we report 2,469 novel human miRNA candidates of which 1,098 are validated by in-house and published experiments. Almost 300 candidates are robustly expressed in a neuronal cell system and are regulated during differentiation or when biogenesis factors Dicer, Drosha, DGCR8 or Ago2 are silenced. To improve expression profiling, we devised a quantitative miRNA capture system. In a kidney cell system, 400 candidates interact with DGCR8 at transcript positions that suggest miRNA hairpin recognition, and 1,000 of the new miRNA candidates interact with Ago1 or Ago2, indicating that they are directly bound by miRNA effector proteins. From kidney cell CLASH experiments, in which miRNA-target pairs are ligated and sequenced, we observe hundreds of interactions between novel miRNAs and mRNA targets. The novel miRNA candidates are specifically but lowly expressed, raising the possibility that not all may be functional. Interestingly, the majority are evolutionarily young and overrepresented in the human brain.

Conclusions

In summary, we present evidence that the complement of human miRNA genes is substantially larger than anticipated, and that more are likely to be discovered in the future as more tissues and experimental conditions are sequenced to greater depth.
Arabidopsisreplacement histone variant H3.3 occupies promoters of regulated genes
Authors: Shu Huan , Nakamura Miyuki , Siretskiy Alexey , Borghi Lorenzo , Moraes Izabel , Wildhaber Thomas , Gruissem Wilhelm , Hennig Lars
Published: April 2014

Background

Histone variants establish structural and functional diversity of chromatin by affecting nucleosome stability and histone-protein interactions. H3.3 is an H3 histone variant that is incorporated into chromatin outside of S-phase in various eukaryotes. In animals, H3.3 is associated with active transcription and possibly maintenance of transcriptional memory. Plant H3 variants, which evolved independently of their animal counterparts, are much less well understood.

Results

We profile the H3.3 distribution in Arabidopsis at mono-nucleosomal resolution using native chromatin immunoprecipitation. This results in the precise mapping of H3.3-containing nucleosomes, which are not only enriched in gene bodies as previously reported, but also at a subset of promoter regions and downstream of the 3′ ends of active genes. While H3.3 presence within transcribed regions is strongly associated with transcriptional activity, H3.3 at promoters is often independent of transcription. In particular, promoters with GA motifs carry H3.3 regardless of the gene expression levels. H3.3 on promoters of inactive genes is associated with H3K27me3 at gene bodies. In addition, H3.3-enriched plant promoters often contain RNA Pol II considerably upstream of the transcriptional start site. H3.3 and RNA Pol II are found on active as well as on inactive promoters and are enriched at strongly regulated genes.

Conclusions

In animals and plants, H3.3 organizes chromatin in transcribed regions and in promoters. The results suggest a function of H3.3 in transcriptional regulation and support a model that a single ancestral H3 evolved into H3 variants with similar sub-functionalization patterns in plants and animals.
Transient Neuroprotection by SRY Upregulation in Dopamine Cells Following Injury in Males
Authors: Czech Daniel P. , Lee Joohyung , Correia Jeanne , Loke Hannah , Möller Eva K. , Harley Vincent R.
Published: April 2014

Emerging evidence suggest sex-specific regulation of dopamine neurons may underlie susceptibility of males to disorders such as Parkinson’s disease (PD). In healthy male dopamine neurons, the Y-chromosome gene product, the sex-determining region on the Y chromosome (SRY) modulates dopamine biosynthesis and motor function. We investigated the regulation and function of SRY in a model of dopamine cell injury. Treatment with the dopaminergic toxin, 6-hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA), significantly elevated SRY mRNA expression (9-fold) in human male dopamine M17 cells. SRY up-regulation occurred via the p-quinone pathway, associated with a 3.5-fold increase in expression of GADD45γ, a DNA damage inducible factor gene and known SRY regulator. In turn, a signaling cascade involving GADD45γ/p38-MAPK/GATA activated the SRY promoter. Knockdown of SRY mRNA in 6-OHDA-treated M17 cells was deleterious, increasing levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS), pro-apoptotic marker PUMA mRNA, and cell injury (+25%, +32% and +34%, respectively). Conversely, ectopic over-expression of SRY in 6-OHDA-treated female SH-SY5Y cells was protective, decreasing ROS, PUMA, and cell injury (−40%, −46%, and −30%, respectively). However, the 6-OHDA-induced increase in SRY expression was diminished with higher concentrations of toxins or with chronic exposure to 6-OHDA. We conclude that SRY upregulation after dopamine cell injury is initially a protective response in males, but diminishes with gradual loss in dopamine cells. We speculate that dysregulation of SRY may contribute the susceptibility of males to PD.
The beauty of being (label)-free: sample preparation methods for SWATH-MS and next-generation targeted proteomics
Authors: Vowinckel Jakob , Capuano Floriana , Campbell Kate , Deery Michael J. , Lilley Kathryn S. , Ralser Markus
Published: April 2014

The combination of qualitative analysis with label-free quantification has greatly facilitated the throughput and flexibility of novel proteomic techniques. However, such methods rely heavily on robust and reproducible sample preparation procedures. Here, we benchmark a selection of in gel, on filter, and in solution digestion workflows for their application in label-free proteomics. Each procedure was associated with differing advantages and disadvantages. The in gel methods interrogated were cost effective, but were limited in throughput and digest efficiency. Filter-aided sample preparations facilitated reasonable processing times and yielded a balanced representation of membrane proteins, but led to a high signal variation in quantification experiments. Two in solution digest protocols, however, gave optimal performance for label-free proteomics. A protocol based on the detergent RapiGest led to the highest number of detected proteins at second-best signal stability, while a protocol based on acetonitrile-digestion, RapidACN, scored best in throughput and signal stability but came second in protein identification. In addition, we compared label-free data dependent (DDA) and data independent (SWATH) acquisition on a TripleTOF 5600 instrument. While largely similar in protein detection, SWATH outperformed DDA in quantification, reducing signal variation and markedly increasing the number of precisely quantified peptides.
mfSBA: Multifractal analysis of spatial patterns in ecological communities
Authors: Saravia Leonardo A.
Published: April 2014

Multifractals have been applied to characterize complex communities in a spatial context. They were developed for nonlinear systems and are particularly suited to capture multiplicative processes observed in ecological systems. Multifractals characterize variability in a scale-independent way within an experimental range. I have developed an open-source software package to estimate multifractals using a box-counting algorithm (available from https://github.com/lsaravia/mfsba and permanently available at doi: 10.5281/zenodo.8481). The software is specially designed for two dimensional (2D) images such as the ones obtained from remote sensing, but other 2D data types can also be analyzed. Additionally I developed a new metric to analyze

multispecies spatial patterns with multifractals: spatial rank surface, which is included in the software.
Validation of predicted mRNA splicing mutations using high-throughput transcriptome data
Authors: Viner Coby , Dorman Stephanie N. , Shirley Ben C. , Rogan Peter K.
Published: April 2014

Interpretation of variants present in complete genomes or exomes reveals numerous sequence changes, only a fraction of which are likely to be pathogenic. Mutations have been traditionally inferred from allele frequencies and inheritance patterns in such data. Variants predicted to alter mRNA splicing can be validated by manual inspection of transcriptome sequencing data, however this approach is intractable for large datasets. These abnormal mRNA splicing patterns are characterized by reads demonstrating either exon skipping, cryptic splice site use, and high levels of intron inclusion, or combinations of these properties. We present, Veridical, anin silicomethod for the automatic validation of DNA sequencing variants that alter mRNA splicing. Veridical performs statistically valid comparisons of the normalized read counts of abnormal RNA species in mutant versus non-mutant tissues. This leverages large numbers of control samples to corroborate the consequences of predicted splicing variants in complete genomes and exomes.
Signaling Through Pricing by Service Providers with Social Preferences
Authors: Jiang Baojun , Ni Jian , Srinivasan Kannan
Published: April 2014

In many service markets such as consulting, auto repair, financial planning, and healthcare, the service provider may have more information about the customer’s problem than the customer, and different customers may impose different costs on the service provider. In principle, the service provider should ethically care about the customer’s welfare, but it is possible that a provider may maximize only its own profit. Moreover, the customer may not know ex ante whether the provider is ethical or purely self-interested. We develop a game-theoretic model to investigate pricing strategies and the market outcome in service markets where the provider has two-dimensional private information about her own type (whether ethical or self-interested) and about the customer’s condition (whether serious or minor). We show that in a less ethical market, a self-interested provider will charge different prices based on the customer’s condition, whereas an ethical provider will charge the same price for both conditions. In contrast, in a more ethical market, both the self-interested and the ethical provider will charge the same uniform price to both types of customers. Interestingly, both market efficiency and the customer’s ex ante expected surplus might be lower in a more ethical market than in a less ethical one.
A Branch-and-Cut-and-Price Algorithm for the Two-Echelon Capacitated Vehicle Routing Problem
Authors: Santos Fernando Afonso , Mateus Geraldo Robson , da Cunha Alexandre Salles
Published: April 2014

In this paper, we introduce a branch-and-cut-and-price algorithm for the two-echelon capacitated vehicle routing problem. The algorithm relies on a reformulation based on q-routes that combines two important features. First, it overcomes symmetry issues observed in a formulation coming from a previous study of the problem. Second, it is strengthened with several classes of valid inequalities. As a result, the branch-and-cut-and-price implementation compares favorably with previous exact solution approaches for the problem—namely, two branch-and-price algorithms and a branch-and-cut method. Overall, 10 new optimality certificates and 8 new best upper bounds are provided in this study. New best lower bounds are also presented for all instances in the hardest test set from the literature.
Assessment of carotid intima-media thickness in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus and arterial hypertension
Authors: Bondar' Irina Arkad'evna , Demin Alexander Aristarkhovich , Shabel'nikova Olesya Yur'evna , Onyanova Viktoriya Alexandrovna
Published: April 2014

Aim.  Atherosclerosis is one of the most important complications of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). In the present study, we aimed to assess the carotid intima-media thickness in type 2 diabetes patients with the arterial hypertension (AH) comorbidity. Materials and Methods.  96 patients with T2DM and AH (30M/66F, aged 53.4?5.4 years, duration of diabetes 7.7?7.5 years) and 30 hypertensive patients without diabetes (12M/18F, aged 53.1?6.0 years) were enrolled in this study. Stiffness indices for right and left common carotid arteries were assessed with noninvasive ultrasound method in both groups. Results. Difference in the intima-media thickness was statistically significant between diabetic and euglycemic patients (1.26?0.17 mm vs. 1.10?0.14 mm, respectively; p0.05), in contrast with their counterparts with longer experience of T2DM (1.27?0.17 mm vs. 1.10?0.14 mm; p
Insulin resistance as a systemic player in renal pathology: a review
Authors: Tyuzikov Igor Adamovich
Published: April 2014

Current review provides a multifaceted analysis of epidemiological, clinical and experimental evidence for insulin resistance as a systemic player in the development of renal pathology. We discuss both established and potential mechanisms for this effect. Aside from being a marker for glycemic disorders, insulin resistance was shown to be an independent predictor of renal pathology, including such chronic conditions as urolithiasis, renal cysts and malignant renal neoplasms. Early detection and correction of insulin resistance is a promising approach to diagnostics, treatment and prevention of renal pathology.
Hypoglycemia in type 2 diabetes patients treated with insulin: the advantages of continuous glucose monitoring
Authors: Klimontov Vadim Valer'evich , Tsiberkin Alexander Ivanovich , Fazullina Olga Nikolaevna , Prudnikova Marina Alekseevna , Tyan Nadezhda Viktorovna , Konenkov Vladimir Iosifovich
Published: April 2014

Aims.  To determine the incidence and risk factors for hypoglycemia in elderly insulin-treated type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) patients by means of continuous glucose monitoring (CGM). Materials and Methods.  We observed seventy-six hospitalized patients with T2DM, aged 65 to 79 years. Treatment with basal insulin (n=36), premixed insulin (n=12) or basal-bolus insulin regimen (n=28) was followed by metformin (n=44), glimepiride (n=14) and dipeptidyl peptidase-4 inhibitors (n=14). 2-days CGM with retrospective data analysis was performed in all patients. During CGM, three fasting and three 2-h postprandial finger-prick glucose values were obtained daily with portable glucose meter. Results.  Hypoglycemia (identified as blood glucose
Response to Comment on ?Type 2 diabetes mellitus ? time to change the concept?
Authors: Levit Shmuel , Filippov Yury Ivanovich , Gorelyshev Alexander Sergeevich
Published: April 2014

In this short letter, we comment on the major points of the response to our previous paper. In particular, we provide further clarification of our position on the issue of bariatric surgery, on principal pharmacological approaches to the management of type 2 diabetes mellitus and on the cause-effect interplay between obesity and development of type 2 diabetes.
Cyber-Physische Produktionssysteme
Authors: Loskyll Matthias , Schlick Jochen
Published: April 2014

Ein wesentliches Merkmal von CPS ist das Anbieten und Nutzen von Diensten in globalen Netzwerken. Übertragen auf Produktionssysteme bedeutet dies das Entwerfen von Systemen ohne die Kenntnis der konkreten Geräte. Die Kapselung mechatronischer Prozessfunktionen und deren semantische Annotation bieten die Grundlage zur abstrakten Beschreibung von Diensten und somit zu deren ad hoc Nutzung über Systemgrenzen hinweg. Der Beitrag zeigt eine Methode zur dynamischen Orchestrierung automatisierungstechnischer Prozesse auf Basis serviceorientierter Steuerungsarchitekturen und semantischer Technologien auf.
Anforderungen an CPS aus Sicht der Automatisierungstechnik / Requirements on CPS from the Viewpoint of Automation
Authors: Vogel-Heuser Birgit , Diedrich Christian , Broy Manfred
Published: April 2014

Die Entwicklung von CPS zeichnet sich durch das Zusammenspiel unterschiedlicher Disziplinen, wie der Informatik und der Automatisierungstechnik (AT), aus. Methoden der Informatik versprechen einen hohen Mehrwert in der Entwicklung zukünftiger CPS, wenn sie auf die Anforderungen der AT, wie z. B. Lebenszyklusaspekte, angepasst werden. Im Folgenden werden vielversprechende Ansätze vor dem Hintergrund der Anforderungen aus der AT beleuchtet.
Fit4Service: ServiceQualität in Bibliotheken
Authors: Passarge Sven
Published: April 2014

Dieser Artikel stellt die Initiative ServiceQualität Deutschland näher vor und erläutert, unter besonderer Berücksichtigung der konkreten Umsetzung in der Stadtbibliothek Bremerhaven, die notwendigen Schritte, um das dazugehörige Q-Zertifikat zu erhalten.
Frühkindliche Förderung in Bibliotheken steht bei „Lesestart“ im Mittelpunkt
Authors: Lange Stephanie
Published: April 2014

Frühkindliche Leseförderung ist zu einem wichtigen Feld moderner Bibliotheksarbeit geworden, bei der die Zusammenarbeit mit Netzwerkpartnern vor Ort eine große Rolle spielt. Das frühkindliche Leseförderprogramm „Lesestart – Drei Meilensteine für das Lesen“, das die Stiftung Lesen im Auftrag des Bundesministeriums für Bildung und Forschung durchführt, möchte Bibliotheksfachkräfte in diesem Bereich stärken. Seit November 2013 stehen die Bibliotheken als zentrale Orte kultureller Bildung im Mittelpunkt der zweiten Phase des Lesestart-Programms.
„Ich bin ein LeseHeld“ – Leseabenteuer für Jungen
Authors: Fritz Cnut
Published: April 2014

Die Angebote von „Ich bin ein Leseheld“ sind methodisch und didaktisch auf Jungen zwischen vier und zehn Jahren abgestimmt und sollen insbesondere Jungen aus bildungsbenachteiligten Familien und/oder Kinder mit Migrationshintergrund fördern. Der Borromäusverein bildet mit Öffentlichen Büchereien und lokalen Akteuren Bündnisse für Bildung. Gemeinsam führen diese Bündnisse ein niederschwelliges Leseförderangebot in Form von Leseabenteuern durch.
Offshore Financial Centers in the Global Capital Network
Authors: Naitram Simon M.
Published: April 2014

Offshore financial centers are inextricably linked with the global flow of capital. Offshore financial centers encourage short-term investment by reducing market frictions. Lowered tax rates diminish the required expected gains from trading. This study employs data from the IMF’s Coordinated Portfolio Investment Survey to create a network that is weighted, directed and dynamic based on the portfolio investment positions of 240 countries. The aim of this article is to examine the topology of the global capital network to identify the importance of the roles played by 17 offshore financial centers over the period 2001–2011–particularly in diffusing portfolio investment throughout the network. This article employs two generalized measures of node centrality: random walk centrality and counting betweenness. These algorithms uncover the findings that some of these offshore financial centers are only well connected to a narrow range of countries, but they all perform well in their roles as capital transmitters and are thus very important to the efficient flow of capital to productive end users. While this study reveals reduced influence of offshore finance over time, it suggests that offshore financial centers may be beneficial to global welfare.
Bewertung visueller Signalgestaltung in der Chirurgie mittels Eye-Tracking / Assessment of Visual Signals in Surgery
Authors: Geißler Norman , Schönwald Liane , Strauß Gero , Meixensberger Jürgen , Korb Werner , Bartz Dirk
Published: April 2014

Ziel der Studie ist es, die optimale Präsentationsart visueller Hinweisreize für chirurgische Assistenzsysteme zu bestimmen. Diese Hinweise können dazu dienen, dem Chirurgen verschiedene Statusinformationen zu präsentieren oder ihn an Gefahrenstellen zu warnen. Dafür müssen die Hinweise die Aufmerksamkeit des Chirurgen erregen, ohne vom eigentlichen Operationsgeschehen abzulenken. Die Studie wurde im Demonstrator-Operationssaal des Innovation Center Computer Assisted Surgery Leipzig (ICCAS) durchgeführt. Die 30 Studienteilnehmer sahen Videoausschnitte einer realen Operation aus dem Sichtfeld des Operateurs, in denen Landoltringe als Hinweisreize präsentiert wurden. Die Landoltringe wurden entweder statisch, blinkend, an- und abschwellend oder hüpfend dargestellt. Die primäre Aufgabe bestand darin, die Elemente zu zählen, die dem Situs hinzugefügt wurden. Während der Durchführung wurden die Augenbewegungen mit einem Eye-Tracker erfasst. Außerdem wurden die subjektive Einschätzung der Sichtbarkeit und der Störung durch die Landoltringe mittels strukturierter Interviews erhoben. Die blinkende Variante zeigte sich sowohl in den subjektiven Einschätzungen als auch in der Blickbewegungsanalyse als beste Wahl für einen Hinweisreiz.
Einflussfaktoren auf die Nutzung von Internetkommunikation älterer Menschen / Impact on the Use of Internetcommunication in Older Adults
Authors: Steinert Anika , Haesner Marten , Steinhagen-Thiessen Elisabeth , Gövercin Mehmet
Published: April 2014

Im Gegensatz zu anderen Altersgruppen ist die Erfassung des Kommunikationsverhaltens älterer Menschen ein bisher vernachlässigtes Thema. Dabei besitzt Kommunikation besonders für ältere Menschen eine hohe Bedeutung. Insbesondere die Kommunikation im Internet kann eine Möglichkeit bieten, den häufig im Alter auftretenden Problemen wie Einsamkeit und Isolation entgegenzuwirken. Auf Grundlage einer Literaturrecherche wurde innerhalb der vorliegenden Studie ein Fragebogen entwickelt und 150 Personen über 60 Jahre zu ihrem Kommunikationsverhalten befragt. Neben soziodemografischen Angaben wurden Daten zur Kommunikationsdauer und -häufigkeit, zu Gesprächspartner und zur Nutzung verschiedener Kommunikationswege erhoben. Zudem wurden die Probanden zu Vor- und Nachteilen verschiedener Kommunikationswege befragt. Fast 50 % der Befragten gaben an, das Internet zur Kommunikation mit anderen zu nutzen. Hierbei beeinflussen insbesondere soziodemografische Faktoren wie das Alter, das Geschlecht und der Bildungsstand die Nutzung von Internetkommunikation. Weiterhin konnte festgestellt werden, dass die tägliche Nutzung des Telefons einen signifikanten Einfluss auf die Nutzung des Internets zur Kommunikation hat. Bisher wird das Internet erst von einem geringen Teil der Älteren genutzt. Um die Nutzung von Internetkommunikation in der älteren Bevölkerung zu stärken, ist es notwendig, die Faktoren zu kennen, welche diese beeinflussen.
How Mobile Devices Could Change the Face of Serious Gaming
Authors: Dutz Tim , Knöll Martin , Hardy Sandro , Göbel Stefan
Published: April 2014

Der Erfolg von Smartphones und Tablet-PCs hat den Markt der mobile digitalen Spiele nachhaltig beeinflusst, sowohl auf Hardware- als auch auf Softwareebene. Aktuell findet ein Verdrängungsprozess statt, in dessen Rahmen Smartphones andere Geräte für mobiles Spielen vom Markt drängen. Gleichzeitig ermöglichen Smartphones aber auch eine ganz neue Art von digitalen Spielen. In diesem Beitrag betrachten wir die möglichen Implikationen dieser Tatsache auf den Bereich des Serious Gaming.
Career in Open Source? Relevant Competencies for Successful Open Source Developers / Karriere in Open Source? Relevante Kompetenzen für erfolgreiche Open Source Entwickler
Authors: Kimmelmann Nicole
Published: April 2014

Open Source (OS) offers new ways of career for software developers. The article describes relevant competencies in a systematic structure along characteristic principles and challenges in Open Source projects. The results are based on a Grounded Theory content analysis of interviews with Open Source software developers, their project managers and human resource managers in Open Source software companies. Implications for future Human Resource Management in software companies are presented as an outlook.
The Deductive Approach to Causal Inference
Authors: Pearl Judea
Published: April 2014

This paper reviews concepts, principles, and tools that have led to a coherent mathematical theory that unifies the graphical, structural, and potential outcome approaches to causal inference. The theory provides solutions to a number of pending problems in causal analysis, including questions of confounding control, policy analysis, mediation, missing data, and the integration of data from diverse studies.
Integration von Strecken in die Kreisbogensplinepassung mit optimaler Segmentzahl / Detecting Straight Sections and Optimal Arc Spline Approximation
Authors: Maier Georg , Schindler Andreas , Janda Florian , Brummer Stephan
Published: April 2014

Viele Anwendungen erfordern eine kompakte und effiziente Kurvenrepräsentation von Daten. Kreisbogensplines - Kurven, die stückweise aus glatt aneinander gesetzten Kreisbögen und Strecken bestehen - überzeugen aus Anwendungssicht durch ihre effektive Beschreibbarkeit. Das SMAP-Verfahren garantiert unter Einhaltung einer einstellbaren maximalen Abweichung einen segmentzahl-minimalen Kreisbogenspline. Um etwa den Anforderungen bei der Erzeugung digitaler Karten gerecht zu werden, wird eine Erweiterung des Verfahrens vorgestellt, die Liniensegmente an geeigneten Stellen in die Lösungskurve integriert.
Collaborative and Conflictive Trilateralism
Authors: He Baogang
Published: April 2014

This paper provides a critical overview of Australian, Chinese, and American perspectives on trilateralism, with a detailed discussion of Australian debates on the matter. Its aim is to trace the evolution of the changing discourse on the rise of China, examine major debates in Australia, and provide both an intellectual background and an overview for this special issue.
Australian Strategies in Response to China’s Rise
Authors: McDougall Derek
Published: April 2014

In responding to China’s rise, the best strategy for Australia involves a combination of accommodation and “soft balancing.” The viability of this strategy is related to the extent to which U.S.-China relations are cooperative or conflictual. Recent Australian governments have been successful in implementing this preferred strategy.
Treatment practice of acute cystitis on the basis of national prescription data
Authors: Juhász Zoltán , Benkő Ria , Matuz Mária , Viola Réka , Soós Gyöngyvér , Hajdú Edit
Published: April 2014

Introduction: Urinary tract infections are one of the common diseases in the primary health care. Aim: To analyse patterns of ambulatory antibiotic use in acute cystitis. Method: Antibiotic use data was based on national-level prescription turnovers. Patterns of antibiotic use were evaluated by prescribing quality indicators. The content of different national guidelines for treatment of acute cystitis and adherence to these guidelines were also evaluated. Results: For the treatment of acute cystitis quinolones were used predominantly. Norfloxacin (26%) and ciprofloxacin (19%) were prescribed most commonly. The use of internationally recommended agents such as sulphonamides, nitrofurans and fosfomycin shared 15%, 7% and 2%, respectively. The average adherence rate to national guidelines was 66% and certain weak points (e.g. controversial content) of the national guidelines were also identified. Conclusions: Antibiotic use in acute cystitis seems to be suboptimal in Hungary. Considering actual local antibiotic resistance patterns, a new national guideline should be worked out for acute cystitis treatment. Orv. Hetil., 2014, 155(15), 590–596.
Some issues regarding the Hungarian regulation of traditional Chinese medicine and possible solutions based on examples from the United Kingdom
Authors: Oravecz Márk , Mészáros Judit , Yu Funian , Horváth Ildikó
Published: April 2014

This paper aims to present factual information and to suggest possible solutions regarding some of the recent questions which have arisen regarding the regulation of traditional Chinese medicine in Hungary. According to current legislation “traditional Chinese doctors”, who are the most highly trained professionals in this field, are not allowed to practice Chinese medicine and acupuncture in Hungary. This situation cannot be explained by their educational background, as they receive thorough training in both Chinese medicine and modern medical sciences. Furthermore, this legislation is not supported by any EU standard: Traditional Chinese medicine professionals can practice Chinese medicine and acupuncture in a number of European countries within a legal and regulated framework. Different kinds of healthcare professionals may practice Chinese medicine and acupuncture in the UK – this could be a good example for Hungarian regulation. The five-year bachelor level traditional Chinese medicine training at the Faculty of Health Sciences, Semmelweis University and the increasing number of locally trained traditional Chinese medicine professionals could be a good basis for laying the groundwork of the new system. Orv., Hetil., 2014, 155(15), 575–581.
Eu-doping induced improvement on the second harmonic generation of ZnO Nanowires
Authors: Dhara Soumen , Imakita Kenji , Mizuhata Minoru , Fujii Minoru
Published: April 2014

We report the Eu doping induced improvement on the second harmonic generation (SHG) of ZnO nanowires and correlates with the structural modification and corresponding linear absorption. A non-monotonic enhancement in the SHG emission is observed with the increase of Eu concentration. To understand the underlying mechanism, the effective second order non–linear coefficient (deff) is calculated from the theoretical fitting with considering the absorption effect. The highest deff (19.09±0.11 pm/V) is obtained for the 1 at.% Eu doped ZnO nanowires, which is several times larger than the standard SHG material β-BaB2O4 (BBO). Dependence of the deff with the Eu doping, structural modification and absorption magnitude are systematically discussed.