bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Numerical analysis of air flow past an unmanned aerial vehicle with internal propulsion system
Authors: Velazquez-Araque Luis , Nožička Jiří
Published: November 2016

According to the evolution of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV), several investments have been increasing every year, especially in the field of aerodynamic characteristics. This paper deals with the prediction of pressure and velocity fields on a UAV with internal propulsion system using computational fluid dynamics. The main objective is to evaluate the effect of the air flow past the aircraft and how this affects the aerodynamic performance by means of obtaining lift and drag forces. The airfoil of this aircraft is the 2415-3S, which was developed in previous research [1]. Since the computational domain is three-dimensional and complex, a hybrid mesh was developed and validated with a convergence study. Both the computational domain and the numerical solution were developed with commercial CAD and CFD software respectively. Air, incompressible and steady was simulated with a Reynolds number of 2.74 × 105. The selected turbulence model was Spalart-Allmaras which has been designed specifically for aerospace applications involving wall-bounded flows. Lift, drag and moment coefficients as well as pressure and velocity contours were obtained at different angles of attack. Experimental results will be obtained in future work to be compared to numerical ones and achieve the validation.
A framework for distributed nearest neighbor classification using Hadoop
Authors: Ding Qin , Boykin Robert
Published: November 2016

Within the field of data mining and machine learning, the K-Nearest Neighbor algorithm is a classic algorithm which simply yet elegantly classifies data based upon its similarity to other data. While it follows that the accuracy increases as more data are provided, handling large sets of data is difficult to process serially. It is therefore ideal to perform these tasks in parallel or distributed mode. In this paper, we proposed a framework for distributed nearest neighbor classification. A custom K-Nearest Neighbor algorithm was developed using Hadoop, an environment for developing and deploying applications in parallel on a cluster. The algorithm was implemented on a cluster then tested for accuracy and time of execution. It was observed that the accuracy depends on the provided k-value and on the data set, which is to be expected for the K-Nearest Neighbor process. The time of execution was found to increase logarithmically as the file size, and thus the amount of data the algorithm must parse, increases exponentially.
E-government development models for municipalities
Authors: Bayona Sussy , Morales Vicente
Published: November 2016

Development models of e-government for the municipalities have been implemented to simplify and improve coexistence between government and citizens. The aim of this paper is to present a preliminary comparison of maturity levels of local e-government between municipalities in some countries particularly in Latin America. The literature review is related with the identification of attributes or e-services offered to the citizen, based on a model to measure the progress of e-government initiatives in municipal environments. Successful models around the world show significant progress in terms of citizen satisfaction reduced bureaucratic attitudes in public institutions and a significant saving of resources. E-government is more than a single website; since, it has added new concepts such as transparency, accountability, citizen participation in the evaluation of government performance.
Feature extraction methods for quality attributes prediction in injection moulding
Authors: Wunck Christoph
Published: November 2016

A method to extract essential features from time domain process signals of injection moulding machines based on discrete wavelet transform is presented and compared to existing methods. The performance of the new method is assessed by comparing the goodness of fit of linear regression models to estimate final part quality. The results of the experiments show that the wavelet-based feature extraction method performs best regarding model performance and size.
Methods for extracting the important portions from the contexts in research document creation involving explorations
Authors: Onuma Ryo , Nakayama Hiroki , Kaminaga Hiroaki , Miyadera Youzou , Nakamura Shoichi
Published: November 2016

Research activities are composed of stacks of several tasks such as surveys, creation of novel ideas, writing of research documents, and their elaboration. It is quite important to successfully accumulate the results and circumstances of these tasks (i.e., contexts). It is further important but difficult to understand the contexts and to apply them to later work. In particular, it is much more difficult for research beginners to ensure noteworthy targets within contexts that continuously increase as the work progresses. The final goal of this research is to develop methods for supporting the accumulation of contexts and facilitating their utilization by visually presenting those that are noteworthy to research beginners. This paper mainly describes a method for organizing the contexts and extracting important portions from huge organized contexts. This paper also describes an experiment that was conducted by using actual history data, and discusses the features of the proposed methods on the basis of the results.
A study on a feasible no-root approach on Android
Authors: Cheng Yao , Li Yingjiu , Deng Robert , Ying Lingyun , He Wei
Published: November 2016

Root is the administrative privilege on Android, which is however inaccessible on stock Android devices. Due to the desire for privileged functionalities and the reluctance of rooting their devices, Android users seek for no-root approaches, which provide users with part of root privileges without rooting their devices. Existing no-root approaches require users to launch a separate service via Android Debug Bridge (ADB) on an Android device, which would perform user-desired tasks. However, it is unusual for a third-party Android application to work with a separate native service via sockets, and it requires the application developers to have extra knowledge such as Linux programming in application development. In this paper, we propose a feasible no-root approach based on new functionalities added on Android, which creates no separate service but an ADB loopback. To ensure such no-root approach is not misused in a proactive instead of reactive manner, we examine its dark side. We find out that while this approach makes it easy for no-root applications to work, it may lead to a “ permission explosion,” which enables any third-party application to attain shell permissions beyond its granted permissions. The permission explosion can further lead to exploits including privacy leakage, account takeover, application UID abuse, and user input inference. A practical experiment is carried out to evaluate the situation in the real world, which shows that many real-world applications from Google Play and four third-party application markets are indeed vulnerable to these exploits. To mitigate the dark side of the new no-root approach and make it more suitable for users to adopt, we identify the causes of the exploits, and propose a permission-based solution. We also provide suggestions to application developers and application markets on how to prevent these exploits.
Edge-illumination x-ray phase contrast imaging restoration using discrete curvelet regularization transform
Authors: Włodarczyk Bartłomiej
Published: November 2016

This article considers the problem of recovering edge-illumination x-ray phase contrast (EIXPC) images from a set of potentially Poisson noisy projection measurements. The authors cast a recovery as a sparse regularization problem based on Anscombe multiscale variance stabilizing transform (MS-VST) with fast discrete curvelet transform which was applied to simulated edge-illumination x-ray phase contrast images. For accurate modelling, the noise characteristics of the EIXPCi data are used to determine the relative importance of each projection. Two implementations of curvelet sparse regularization transforms were applied, including the unequally-spaced fast Fourier transform and the wrapping-based transform. The algorithms were evaluated in terms of contrast improvement, quality of image restoration, object perceptibility, and peak signal-to-noise ratio. The methods provide nearly optimal solution without excessive memory and recovery time requirement. The performance of the proposed algorithms is demonstrated through a series of complex numerical geometric and anthropomorphic phantom studies. The results of numerical simulations demonstrate that the discrete curvelet transform with MS-VST is fast and robust, and it can effectively improve image quality, preserve and enhance edges and restore lost information while significantly reducing the noise. Additionally, both sparse sampling and decreasing x-ray tube current (i.e. noisy data) lead to the reduction of radiation dose in the x-ray imaging.
The effect of the SNAPPS (summarize, narrow, analyze, probe, plan, and select) method versus teacher-centered education on the clinical gynecology skills of midwifery students in Iran
Authors: Barangard Hamideh , Afshari Poorandokht , Abedi Parvin
Published: November 2016

This study aimed to determine the effect of the SNAPPS (summarize, narrow, analyze, probe, plan, and select) method versus teacher-centered education on the clinical skills of midwifery students in Iran. In this clinical trial, 36 midwifery students in their 4th year of education in 2015 were enrolled and divided into 6 groups, 3 groups for teacher-centered education and 3 groups for the SNAPPS method, with each group spending 10 days in the outpatient gynecology clinic. A questionnaire and a checklist were used to gather data. An independent t-test and chi-square test were used to analyze the data. Ability to gain the trust of the patient, verbal and nonverbal communication skills, history taking, preparation of the patient for gynecological examination, and diagnosis and treatment of common diseases were significantly better in the SNAPPS group compared to the teacher-centered education group (P<0.05). The SNAPPS education method can significantly improve the clinical skills of midwifery students in gynecology, in particular history taking, differential diagnosis, and treatment of common diseases.
Ibn Taymiyya as Exegete: Moses' Father-in-Law and the Messengers inSūrat Yā Sīn
Authors: Mirza Younus Y.
Published: November 2016

This article contends that Ibn Taymiyya was not only a theologian and jurist, but also a Qur'anic exegete (mufassir). As a mufassir, Ibn Taymiyya began an important exegetical shift away from the Ashʿarī philological tradition to one that was more ḥadīth-based and relied on the traditions of the early community (salaf). However, by examining exegetical writings composed after his Muqaddima fī uṣūl al-tafsīr (‘Introduction to the Principles of tafsīr’), this article demonstrates that Ibn Taymiyya employs philology and Biblical material as hermeneutic tools. He draws on the Bible to argue that Moses’ father-in-law could not have been the Arab prophet Shuʿayb, as many exegetes had claimed, but rather the Biblical Jethro (Yathrā). The Bible clearly states that Moses’ father-in-law was Jethro which is in accordance with the authentic sayings of the companions and successors. Moreover, drawing on Biblical history, Ibn Taymiyya contends that the messengers of Sūrat Yā Sīn could not have been the Disciples of Jesus but rather prophets sent before the time of Christ. The messengers of Sūrat Yā Sīn were sent to a people who were destroyed because of their disbelief, while the Disciples were sent to Antioch which believed in their call. Thus, we see that Ibn Taymyya's exegetical engagements revolve around theology in seeking to better define prophecy.
Quantum Control of Population Transfer and Vibrational States via Chirped Pulses in Four Level Density Matrix Equations
Authors: Afa Iduabo , Serrat Carles
Published: November 2016

We investigate the effect of chirped excitation and the excitation detuning on the coherent control of population transfer and vibrational states in a four-level system. Density matrix equations are studied for optimally enhanced processes by considering specific parameters typical of oxazine systems. Our simulations show a strong dependence on the interplay between chirp and excitation detuning and predict enhancement factors up to 3.2 for population transfer and up to 38.5 for vibrational coherences of electronic excited states. The study of the dynamics of the populations and vibrational coherences involved in the four-level system allows an interpretation of the different enhancement/suppression processes observed.
Analysis of the Numerical Diffusion in Anisotropic Mediums: Benchmarks for Magnetic Field Aligned Meshes in Space Propulsion Simulations
Authors: Pérez-Grande Daniel , Gonzalez-Martinez Oscar , Fajardo Pablo , Ahedo Eduardo
Published: November 2016

This manuscript explores numerical errors in highly anisotropic diffusion problems. First, the paper addresses the use of regular structured meshes in numerical solutions versus meshes aligned with the preferential directions of the problem. Numerical diffusion in structured meshes is quantified by solving the classical anisotropic diffusion problem; the analysis is exemplified with the application to a numerical model of conducting fluids under magnetic confinement, where rates of transport in directions parallel and perpendicular to a magnetic field are quite different. Numerical diffusion errors in this problem promote the use of magnetic field aligned meshes (MFAM). The generation of this type of meshes presents some challenges; several meshing strategies are implemented and analyzed in order to provide insight into achieving acceptable mesh regularity. Second, Gradient Reconstruction methods for magnetically aligned meshes are addressed and numerical errors are compared for the structured and magnetically aligned meshes. It is concluded that using the latter provides a more correct and straightforward approach to solving problems where anisotropicity is present, especially, if the anisotropicity level is high or difficult to quantify. The conclusions of the study may be extrapolated to the study of anisotropic flows different from conducting fluids.
Personalized Dosimetry for Radionuclide Therapy Using Molecular Imaging Tools
Authors: Ljungberg Michael , Sjögreen Gleisner Katarina
Published: November 2016

For treatment of systemic malignancies, when external radiation therapy is not applicable, radionuclide therapy can be an alternative. In this form of therapy, radionuclides are administered to the patient, often in a form where the radionuclide is labelled to a molecule that plays the active part in the localization of the tumor. Since the aim is to impart lethal damage to tumor cells while maintaining possible side-effects to normal tissues at tolerable levels, a proper and accurate personalized dosimetry should be a pre-requisite. In radionuclide therapy, there is a need to measure the distribution of the radiopharmaceutical in vivo, as well as its re-distribution over time, in order estimate the total energy released in radioactive decays and subsequent charged-particle interactions, governing the absorbed dose to different organs and tumors. Measurements are usually performed by molecular imaging, more specifically planar and SPECT (Single-Photon Emission Computed Tomography) imaging, combined with CT. This review describes the different parts in the dosimetry chain of radionuclide therapy. Emphasis is given to molecular imaging tools and the requirements for determining absorbed doses from quantitative planar and SPECT images. As example solutions to the different problems that need to be addressed in such a dosimetric chain, we describe our tool, Lundadose, which is a set of methods that we have developed for personalized dosimetry.
Caregiving and Its Resulting Effects—The Care Study to Evaluate the Effects of Caregiving on Caregivers of Patients with Advanced Cancer in Singapore
Authors: Chua Cheryl , Wu Jun , Wong Yin , Qu Limin , Tan Yung , Neo Patricia , Pang Grace
Published: November 2016

Informal caregivers (IC) are key to enabling home deaths, where preferred, at the end-of-life. Significant morbidity from advanced cancer can make caregiving burdensome. However, knowledge about the nature of the caregiving burden for caregivers in Singapore is limited. Hence, the key objective in this study was to examine the impact of the caregiving burden on quality of life (QOL), mental health and work capacity among local ICs. Eligible English-speaking ICs of hospitalized advanced cancer patients were recruited through non-random sampling. The Zarit Burden Interview (ZBI), Caregiver Quality of Life Index—Cancer (CQOLC), Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale—Revised (CESD-R), and Work Productivity and Activity Impairment Questionnaire (WPAI) were interviewer-administered to eligible ICs. Altogether, 16 ICs were surveyed. The mean age of ICs was 43.8 years. Most were children of patients (43.8%), and eight ICs had high burden (ZBI > 17). Those with ZBI > 17 had lower QOL, higher depression scores as well as greater work and activity impairment. In conclusion, high caregiver burden has adverse effects on QOL, mental health and work productivity. Non-physical elements of caregiving (particularly financial and decision-making) and increased number of care roles undertaken by a single IC contribute to high burden. Future interventions for caregiving burden in Singapore should also address the financial and decision-making aspects of caregiving. Outsourcing selected aspects of the caregiving role to community services may reduce the number of caregiving aspects undertaken by a single IC and caregiver burden.
Prelamin A Accumulation Attenuates Rac1 Activity and Increases the Intrinsic Migrational Persistence of Aged Vascular Smooth Muscle Cells
Authors: Porter Lauren , Holt Mark , Soong Daniel , Shanahan Catherine , Warren Derek
Published: November 2016

Vascular smooth muscle cell (VSMC) motility is essential during both physiological and pathological vessel remodeling. Although ageing has emerged as a major risk factor in the development of cardiovascular disease, our understanding of the impact of ageing on VSMC motility remains limited. Prelamin A accumulation is known to drive VSMC ageing and we show that presenescent VSMCs, that have accumulated prelamin A, display increased focal adhesion dynamics, augmented migrational velocity/persistence and attenuated Rac1 activity. Importantly, prelamin A accumulation in proliferative VSMCs, induced by depletion of the prelamin A processing enzyme FACE1, recapitulated the focal adhesion, migrational persistence and Rac1 phenotypes observed in presenescent VSMCs. Moreover, lamin A/C-depleted VSMCs also display reduced Rac1 activity, suggesting that prelamin A influences Rac1 activity by interfering with lamin A/C function at the nuclear envelope. Taken together, these data demonstrate that lamin A/C maintains Rac1 activity in VSMCs and prelamin A disrupts lamin A/C function to reduce Rac1 activity and induce migrational persistence during VSMC ageing.
Custom Made Replacement of the Mandibular Condyle in a Case of Fibrous Dysplasia with Cystic Degeneration; A Case Report
Authors: Oostenbroek-Bisschop Jorinde , Verweij Jop , Van Merkesteyn J. P.
Published: November 2016

This paper describes a rare case of fibrous dysplasia with cystic degeneration in the mandibular condyle. Diagnostic and therapeutic considerations are discussed. A 40-year old woman presented with pain near the region of her right ear. Physical and radiographic examination showed no abnormalities besides the presence of a mixed radiopaque/radiolucent expansive lesion of the right condyle. Pathologic examination showed high bone-turnover with bone formation. Bone scintigraphy showed a monostotic active fibrous lesion in the right part of the mandible. Bisphosphonate treatment did not sufficiently treat the patient’s symptoms and physiotherapy to treat craniomandibular dysfunction as a factor in the pain was also unsuccessful. The patient later developed an acute external otitis due to a narrowed outer ear canal and had to be admitted to the hospital for treatment with intravenous antibiotics. Approximately two years after first presentation, resection of the affected bone (condylectomy) and reconstruction with a custom total joint prosthesis was indicated due to repeated functional deficits with considerable morbidity. Pathologic examination of the resected mandibular condyle showed increased bone formation including formation of neocortex and some cystic formation. This was diagnosed as fibrous dysplasia with cystic degeneration. Approximately two years after surgery, the patient functioned well.
A Concept Lattice for Semantic Integration of Geo-Ontologies Based on Weight of Inclusion Degree Importance and Information Entropy
Authors: Xiao Jia , He Zongyi
Published: November 2016

Constructing a merged concept lattice with formal concept analysis (FCA) is an important research direction in the field of integrating multi-source geo-ontologies. Extracting essential geographical properties and reducing the concept lattice are two key points of previous research. A formal integration method is proposed to address the challenges in these two areas. We first extract essential properties from multi-source geo-ontologies and use FCA to build a merged formal context. Second, the combined importance weight of each single attribute of the formal context is calculated by introducing the inclusion degree importance from rough set theory and information entropy; then a weighted formal context is built from the merged formal context. Third, a combined weighted concept lattice is established from the weighted formal context with FCA and the importance weight value of every concept is defined as the sum of weight of attributes belonging to the concept’s intent. Finally, semantic granularity of concept is defined by its importance weight; we, then gradually reduce the weighted concept lattice by setting up diminishing threshold of semantic granularity. Additionally, all of those reduced lattices are organized into a regular hierarchy structure based on the threshold of semantic granularity. A workflow is designed to demonstrate this procedure. A case study is conducted to show feasibility and validity of this method and the procedure to integrate multi-source geo-ontologies.
Generalized Information Matrix Tests for Detecting Model Misspecification
Authors: Golden Richard , Henley Steven , White Halbert , Kashner T.
Published: November 2016

Generalized Information Matrix Tests (GIMTs) have recently been used for detecting the presence of misspecification in regression models in both randomized controlled trials and observational studies. In this paper, a unified GIMT framework is developed for the purpose of identifying, classifying, and deriving novel model misspecification tests for finite-dimensional smooth probability models. These GIMTs include previously published as well as newly developed information matrix tests. To illustrate the application of the GIMT framework, we derived and assessed the performance of new GIMTs for binary logistic regression. Although all GIMTs exhibited good level and power performance for the larger sample sizes, GIMT statistics with fewer degrees of freedom and derived using log-likelihood third derivatives exhibited improved level and power performance.
The Demand Side Management Potential to Balance a Highly Renewable European Power System
Authors: Kies Alexander , Schyska Bruno , Von Bremen Lueder
Published: November 2016

Shares of renewables continue to grow in the European power system. A fully renewable European power system will primarily depend on the renewable power sources of wind and photovoltaics (PV), which are not dispatchable but intermittent and therefore pose a challenge to the balancing of the power system. To overcome this issue, several solutions have been proposed and investigated in the past, including storage, backup power, reinforcement of the transmission grid, and demand side management (DSM). In this paper, we investigate the potential of DSM to balance a simplified, fully renewable European power system. For this purpose, we use ten years of weather and historical load data, a power-flow model and the implementation of demand side management as a storage equivalent, to investigate the impact of DSM on the need for backup energy. We show that DSM has the potential to reduce the need for backup energy in Europe by up to one third and can cover the need for backup up to a renewable share of 67%. Finally, it is demonstrated that the optimal mix of wind and PV is shifted by the utilisation of DSM towards a higher share of PV, from 19% to 36%.
Recent Afforestation in the Iowa River and Vorskla River Basins: A Comparative Trends Analysis
Authors: Chendev Yury , Hubbart Jason , Terekhin Edgar , Lupo Anthony , Sauer Tom , Burras C.
Published: November 2016

Afforestation trends were compared between two continentally-distinct, yet similar ecoregions to characterize similarities or differences in forest advancement due to natural and anthropogenic forcings. Temporal changes in forest cover were analyzed using high resolution aerial and satellite photographs for Southeast Iowa, USA, and satellite photographs for the western Belgorod Oblast, Russia. An increase in forested area was shown to occur over a 44-year period from 1970–2014 in Iowa where afforestation was reflected by the aggregation of smaller forest units. In the Belgorod region the opposite occurred in that there was an increase in the number of smaller forested units. The rate of forest expansion into open grassland areas, previously used as haying lands and pastures, was 14 m decade−1 and 8 m decade−1 in Iowa and the Belgorod Oblast, respectively. Based on current trends, predicted times for complete forest coverage in the study areas was estimated to be 80 years in Iowa and 300 years in the Belgorod Oblast. In both the Iowa and Belgorod Oblast, there was an increase in annual precipitation at the end of the 20th and the beginning of the 21st centuries, thus providing a contributing mechanism to forest advancement in the study regions and implications for future management practices.
AP Librae: The Extended Jet as the Source of VHE Emission?
Authors: Zacharias Michael , Wagner Stefan
Published: November 2016

The LBL AP Librae has been detected in the TeV gamma-ray range, which is unexpected for this kind of blazar. The broad-band SED cannot be explained by a one-zone model, and especially fails in the TeV domain. An extended jet has been detected on arcsec scales both in radio and X-ray frequencies. The spectral index of the X-ray band indicates an inverse Compton origin. Using an IC/CMB model, the TeV emission can be successfully modeled as originating in the extended jet. Several arguments in favor of this model, as well as observational tests, will be presented. The observations suggest that acceleration of particles to very high energies is still efficient at large distances from the core.
Care-Seeking for Diarrhoea in Southern Malawi: Attitudes, Practices and Implications for Diarrhoea Control
Authors: Masangwi Salule , Ferguson Neil , Grimason Anthony , Morse Tracy , Kazembe Lawrence
Published: November 2016

This paper examined care-seeking behaviour and its associated risk factors when a family member had diarrhoea. Data was obtained from a survey conducted in Chikwawa, a district in Southern Malawi. Chikwawa is faced with a number of environmental and socioeconomic problems and currently diarrhoea morbidity in the district is estimated at 24.4%, statistically higher than the national average of 17%. Using hierarchically built data from a survey of 1403 households nested within 33 communities, a series of two level binary logistic regression models with Bayesian estimation were used to determine predictors of care-seeking behaviour. The results show that 68% of mothers used oral rehydration solutions (ORS) the last time a child in their family had diarrhoea. However, when asked on the action they take when a member of their household has diarrhoea two thirds of the mothers said they visit a health facility. Most respondents (73%) mentioned distance and transport costs as the main obstacles to accessing their nearest health facility and the same proportion of respondents mentioned prolonged waiting time and absence of health workers as the main obstacles encountered at the health facilities. The main predictor variables when a member of the family had diarrhoea were maternal age, distance to the nearest health facility, school level, and relative wealth, household diarrhoea endemicity, and household size while the main predictor variables when a child had diarrhoea were existence of a village health committee (VHC), distance to the nearest health facility, and maternal age. Most households use ORS for the treatment of diarrhoea and village health committees and health surveillance assistants (HSAs) are important factors in this choice of treatment. Health education messages on the use and efficacy of ORS to ensure proper and prescribed handling are important. There is need for a comprehensive concept addressing several dimensions of management and proper coordination of delivery of resources and services; availability of adequate healthcare workers at all levels; affordability to accessibility of healthcare resources and services to all communities; acceptability and quality of care; intensification of health education messages on the use and management of ORS, and prompt and timely treatment of diarrhoeal illness.
QSAR Study for Carcinogenic Potency of Aromatic Amines Based on GEP and MLPs
Authors: Song Fucheng , Zhang Anling , Liang Hui , Cui Lianhua , Li Wenlian , Si Hongzong , Duan Yunbo , Zhai Honglin
Published: November 2016

A new analysis strategy was used to classify the carcinogenicity of aromatic amines. The physical-chemical parameters are closely related to the carcinogenicity of compounds. Quantitative structure activity relationship (QSAR) is a method of predicting the carcinogenicity of aromatic amine, which can reveal the relationship between carcinogenicity and physical-chemical parameters. This study accessed gene expression programming by APS software, the multilayer perceptrons by Weka software to predict the carcinogenicity of aromatic amines, respectively. All these methods relied on molecular descriptors calculated by CODESSA software and eight molecular descriptors were selected to build function equations. As a remarkable result, the accuracy of gene expression programming in training and test sets are 0.92 and 0.82, the accuracy of multilayer perceptrons in training and test sets are 0.84 and 0.74 respectively. The precision of the gene expression programming is obviously superior to multilayer perceptrons both in training set and test set. The QSAR application in the identification of carcinogenic compounds is a high efficiency method.
Fabrication and Optimization of Stable, Optically Transparent, and Reusable pH-Responsive Silk Membranes
Authors: Toytziaridis Andreas , Dicko Cedric
Published: November 2016

The fabrication of silk-based membranes that are stable, optically transparent and reusable is yet to be achieved. To address this bottleneck we have developed a method to produce transparent chromogenic silk patches that are optically responsive to pH. The patches were produced by blending regenerated silk fibroin (RSF), Laponite® RD (nano clay) and the organic dyes neutral red and Thionine acetate. The Laponite® RD played a central role in the patch mechanical integrity and prevention of dye leaching. The process was optimized using a factorial design to maximize the patch response to pH by UV absorbance and fluorescence emission. New patches of the optimized protocol, made from solutions containing 125 μM neutral red or 250 μM of Thionine and 15 mg/mL silk, were further tested for operational stability over several cycles of pH altering. Stability, performance, and reusability were achieved over the tested cycles. The approach could be extended to other reporting molecules or enzymes able to bind to Laponite®.
A Novel Inflammation-Based Stage (I Stage) Predicts Overall Survival of Patients with Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma
Authors: Li Jian-Pei , Chen Shu-Lin , Liu Xiao-Min , He Xia , Xing Shan , Liu Yi-Jun , Lin Yue-Hao , Liu Wan-Li
Published: November 2016

Recent studies have indicated that inflammation-based prognostic scores, such as the Glasgow Prognostic Score (GPS), modified GPS (mGPS) and C-reactive protein/Albumin (CRP/Alb) ratio, platelet–lymphocyte ratio (PLR), and neutrophil–lymphocyte ratio (NLR), have been reported to have prognostic value in patients with many types of cancer, including nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC). In this study, we proposed a novel inflammation-based stage, named I stage, for patients with NPC. A retrospective study of 409 newly-diagnosed cases of NPC was conducted. The prognostic factors (GPS, mGPS, CRP/Alb ratios, PLR, and NLR) were evaluated using univariate and multivariate analyses. Then, according to the results of the multivariate analyses, we proposed a I stage combination of independent risk factors (CRP/Alb ratio and PLR). The I stage was calculated as follows: patients with high levels of CRP/Alb ratio (>0.03) and PLR (>146.2) were defined as I2; patients with one or no abnormal values were defined as I1 or I0, respectively. The relationships between the I stage and clinicopathological variables and overall survival (OS) were evaluated. In addition, the discriminatory ability of the I stage with other inflammation-based prognostic scores was assessed using the AUCs (areas under the curves) analyzed by receiver operating characteristics (ROC) curves. The p value of <0.05 was considered to be significant. A total of 409 patients with NPC were enrolled in this study. Multivariate analyses revealed that only the CRP/Alb ratio (Hazard ratio (HR) = 2.093; 95% Confidence interval (CI): 1.222–3.587; p = 0.007) and PLR (HR: 2.003; 95% CI: 1.177–3.410; p = 0.010) were independent prognostic factors in patients with NPC. The five-year overall survival rates for patients with I0, I1, and I2 were 92.1% ± 2.9%, 83.3% ± 2.6%, and 63.1% ± 4.6%, respectively (p < 0.001). The I stage had a higher area under the curve value (0.670) compared with other systemic inflammation-based prognostic scores (p < 0.001). The I stage is a novel and useful predictive factor for OS in patients with NPC.
Characterization of Chemically-Induced Bacterial Ghosts (BGs) Using Sodium Hydroxide-Induced Vibrio parahaemolyticus Ghosts (VPGs)
Authors: Park Hyun , Oh Sung , Vinod Nagarajan , Ji Seongmi , Noh Han , Koo Jung , Lee Su , Kim Sei , Lee Ki-Sung , Choi Chang
Published: November 2016

Acellular bacterial ghosts (BGs) are empty non-living bacterial cell envelopes, commonly generated by controlled expression of the cloned lysis gene E of bacteriophage PhiX174. In this study, Vibrio parahaemolyticus ghosts (VPGs) were generated by chemically-induced lysis and the method is based on minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of sodium hydroxide (NaOH), acetic acid, boric acid, citric acid, maleic acid, hydrochloric acid, and sulfuric acid. The MIC values of the respective chemicals were 3.125, 6.25, <50.0, 25.0, 6.25, 1.56, and 0.781 mg/mL. Except for boric acid, the lysis efficiency reached more than 99.99% at 5 min after treatment of all chemicals. Among those chemicals, NaOH-induced VPGs appeared completely DNA-free, which was confirmed by quantitative real-time PCR. Besides, lipopolysaccharides (LPS) extracted from the NaOH-induced VPGs showed no distinctive band on SDS-PAGE gel after silver staining. On the other hand, LPS extracted from wild-type bacterial cells, as well as the organic acids-induced VPGs showed triple major bands and LPS extracted from the inorganic acids-induced VPGs showed double bands. It suggests that some surface structures in LPS of the NaOH-induced VPGs may be lost, weakened, or modified by the MIC of NaOH. Nevertheless, Limulus amoebocyte lysate assay revealed that there is no significant difference in endotoxic activity between the NaOH-induced VPGs and wild-type bacterial cells. Macrophages exposed to the NaOH-induced VPGs at 0.5 × 106 CFU/mL showed cell viability of 97.9%, however, the MIC of NaOH did not reduce the cytotoxic effect of wild-type bacterial cells. Like Escherichia coli LPS, the NaOH-induced VPGs are an excellent activator of pro-inflammatory cytokines (IL-1β and iNOS), anti-inflammatory cytokine (IL-10), and dual activities (IL-6) in the stimulated macrophage cells. On the other hand, the induction of TNF-α mRNA was remarkable in the macrophages exposed with wild-type cells. Scanning electron microscopy showed the formation of trans-membrane lysis tunnel structures in the NaOH-induced VPGs. SDS-PAGE and agarose gel electrophoresis also confirmed that cytoplasmic proteins and genomic DNA released from the VPGs to culture medium through the lysis tunnel structures. Taken together, all these data indicate that the NaOH-induced VPGs show the potency of a safe, economical, and effective inactivated bacterial vaccine candidate.
Mast Cells Density Positive to Tryptase Correlate with Microvascular Density in both Primary Gastric Cancer Tissue and Loco-Regional Lymph Node Metastases from Patients That Have Undergone Radical Surgery
Authors: Ammendola Michele , Sacco Rosario , Zuccalà Valeria , Luposella Maria , Patruno Rosa , Gadaleta Pietro , Zizzo Nicola , Gadaleta Cosmo , De Sarro Giovambattista , Sammarco Giuseppe , Oltean Mihai , Ranieri Girolamo
Published: November 2016

Mast Cells (MCs) play a role in immune responses and more recently MCs have been involved in tumoral angiogenesis. In particular MCs can release tryptase, a potent in vivo and in vitro pro-angiogenic factor via proteinase-activated receptor-2 (PAR-2) activation and mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) phosphorylation. MCs can release tryptase following c-Kit receptor activation. Nevertheless, no data are available concerning the relationship among MCs Density Positive to Tryptase (MCDPT) and Microvascular Density (MVD) in both primary gastric cancer tissue and loco-regional lymph node metastases. A series of 75 GC patients with stage T2–3N2–3M0 (by AJCC for Gastric Cancer Seventh Edition) undergone to radical surgery were selected for the study. MCDPT and MVD were evaluated by immunohistochemistry and by image analysis system and results were correlated each to other in primary tumor tissue and in metastatic lymph nodes harvested. Furthermore, tissue parameters were correlated with important clinico-pathological features. A significant correlation between MCDPT and MVD was found in primary gastric cancer tissue and lymph node metastases. Pearson t-test analysis (r ranged from 0.74 to 0.79; p-value ranged from 0.001 to 0.003). These preliminary data suggest that MCDPT play a role in angiogenesis in both primary tumor and in lymph node metastases from GC. We suggest that MCs and tryptase could be further evaluated as novel targets for anti-angiogenic therapies.
Tissue-Like Phantoms as a Platform for Inserted Fluorescence Nano-Probes
Authors: Nayhoz Tsviya , Barnoy Eran , Fixler Dror
Published: November 2016

Tissue-like phantoms are widely used as a model for mimicking the optical properties of live tissue. This paper presents the results of a diffusion reflection method and fluorescence lifetime imaging microscopy measurements of fluorescein-conjugated gold nanorods in solution, as well as inserted in solid tissue-imitating phantoms. A lack of consistency between the fluorescence lifetime results of the solutions and the phantoms raises a question about the ability of tissue-like phantoms to maintain the optical properties of inserted contrast agents.
The Potential Exploitation of the Mediterranean Invasive Alga Caulerpa cylindracea: Can the Invasion Be Transformed into a Gain?
Authors: Stabili Loredana , Fraschetti Simonetta , Acquaviva Maria , Cavallo Rosa , De Pascali Sandra , Fanizzi Francesco , Gerardi Carmela , Narracci Marcella , Rizzo Lucia
Published: November 2016

Recently, there is a growing interest towards the development of strategies for invasive seaweed control and exploitation as source of secondary metabolites. Here, we investigated the potential of exploitation in biotechnology and recycling options in eradication programs of the lipidic extract of the Mediterranean invasive seaweed Caulerpa cylindracea (Chlorophyta). The chemical characterization was carried out by means of multinuclear and multidimensional NMR spectroscopy. The fatty acid profile of C. cylindracea assessed the presence of several types of molecules known for antioxidant activity such as carotenoids, chlorophylls, pheophytins, and sterols. The NMR spectroscopy showed also the characteristic signals of saturated, unsaturated, and free fatty acids as well as other metabolites including the biopolymer polyhydroxybutyrate. The lipidic extract exerted an antioxidant activity corresponding to 552.14 ± 69.13 mmol Trolox equivalent/g (ORAC) and to 70.3 ± 2.67 mmol Trolox equivalent/g (TEAC). The extract showed an antibacterial activity against several Vibrio species, suggesting its potential use in the control of diseases in mariculture. Our results show that C. cylindracea, representing a critical hazard in coastal areas, could be transformed into a gain supporting specific management actions to reduce the effects of human pressures.
Critical Analysis on Characterization, Systemic Effect, and Therapeutic Potential of Beta-Sitosterol: A Plant-Derived Orphan Phytosterol
Authors: Bin Sayeed Muhammad , Karim Selim , Sharmin Tasnuva , Morshed Mohammed
Published: November 2016

Beta-sitosterol (BS) is a phytosterol, widely distributed throughout the plant kingdom and known to be involved in the stabilization of cell membranes. To compile the sources, physical and chemical properties, spectral and chromatographic analytical methods, synthesis, systemic effects, pharmacokinetics, therapeutic potentials, toxicity, drug delivery and finally, to suggest future research with BS, classical as well as on-line literature were studied. Classical literature includes classical books on ethnomedicine and phytochemistry, and the electronic search included Pubmed, SciFinder, Scopus, the Web of Science, Google Scholar, and others. BS could be obtained from different plants, but the total biosynthetic pathway, as well as its exact physiological and structural function in plants, have not been fully understood. Different pharmacological effects have been studied, but most of the mechanisms of action have not been studied in detail. Clinical trials with BS have shown beneficial effects in different diseases, but long-term study results are not available. These have contributed to its current status as an “orphan phytosterol”. Therefore, extensive research regarding its effect at cellular and molecular level in humans as well as addressing the claims made by commercial manufacturers such as the cholesterol lowering ability, immunological activity etc. are highly recommended.
Organ- and Growing Stage-Specific Expression of Solanesol Biosynthesis Genes in Nicotiana tabacum Reveals Their Association with Solanesol Content
Authors: Yan Ning , Zhang Hongbo , Zhang Zhongfeng , Shi John , Timko Michael , Du Yongmei , Liu Xinmin , Liu Yanhua
Published: November 2016

Solanesol is a noncyclic terpene alcohol that is composed of nine isoprene units and mainly accumulates in solanaceous plants, especially tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum L.). In the present study, RNA-seq analyses of tobacco leaves, stems, and roots were used to identify putative solanesol biosynthesis genes. Six 1-deoxy-d-xylulose 5-phosphate synthase (DXS), two 1-deoxy-d-xylulose 5-phosphate reductoisomerase (DXR), two 2-C-methyl-d-erythritol 4-phosphate cytidylyltransferase (IspD), four 4-diphosphocytidyl-2-C-methyl-d-erythritol kinase (IspE), two 2-C-methyl-d-erythritol 2,4-cyclo-diphosphate synthase (IspF), four 1-hydroxy-2-methyl-2-(E)-butenyl 4-diphosphate synthase (IspG), two 1-hydroxy-2-methyl-2-(E)-butenyl 4-diphosphate reductase (IspH), six isopentenyl diphosphate isomerase (IPI), and two solanesyl diphosphate synthase (SPS) candidate genes were identified in the solanesol biosynthetic pathway. Furthermore, the two N. tabacum SPS proteins (NtSPS1 and NtSPS2), which possessed two conserved aspartate-rich DDxxD domains, were highly homologous with SPS enzymes from other solanaceous plant species. In addition, the solanesol contents of three organs and of leaves from four growing stages of tobacco plants corresponded with the distribution of chlorophyll. Our findings provide a comprehensive evaluation of the correlation between the expression of different biosynthesis genes and the accumulation of solanesol, thus providing valuable insight into the regulation of solanesol biosynthesis in tobacco.
Comparison of Chemical Compositions in Pseudostellariae Radix from Different Cultivated Fields and Germplasms by NMR-Based Metabolomics
Authors: Hua Yujiao , Hou Ya , Wang Shengnan , Ma Yang , Liu Zixiu , Zou Lisi , Liu Xunhong , Luo Yiyuan , Liu Juanxiu
Published: November 2016

Pseudostellariae Radix (PR) is an important traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), which is consumed commonly for its positive health effects. However, the chemical differences of PR from different cultivated fields and germplasms are still unknown. In order to comprehensively compare the chemical compositions of PR from different cultivated fields, in this study, 1H-NMR-based metabolomics coupled with high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) were used to investigate the different metabolites in PR from five germplasms (jr, zs1, zs2, sb, and xc) cultivated in traditional fields (Jurong, Jiangsu, JSJR) and cultivated fields (Zherong, Fujian, FJZR). A total of 34 metabolites were identified based on 1H-NMR data, and fourteen of them were found to be different in PR from JSJR and FJZR. The relative contents of alanine, lactate, lysine, taurine, sucrose, tyrosine, linolenic acid, γ-aminobutyrate, and hyperoside in PR from JSJR were higher than that in PR from FJZR, while PR from FJZR contained higher levels of glutamine, raffinose, xylose, unsaturated fatty acid, and formic acid. The contents of Heterophyllin A and Heterophyllin B were higher in PR from FJZR. This study will provide the basic information for exploring the influence law of ecological environment and germplasm genetic variation on metabolite biosynthesis of PR and its quality formation mechanism.
Theoretical Study on the Second Hyperpolarizailities of Oligomeric Systems Composed of Carbon and Silicon π-Structures
Authors: Matsui Hiroshi , Nagami Takanori , Takamuku Shota , Ito Soichi , Kitagawa Yasutaka , Nakano Masayoshi
Published: November 2016

To explore the prospect of molecules involving silicon-silicon multiple bonds as nonlinear optical molecular systems, the relationship between the structure and the second hyperpolarizabilities γ of the oligomeric systems composed of carbon and silicon π-structures is investigated using the density functional theory method. It is found that these compounds indicate intramolecular charge transfer (ICT) from the silicon units to the carbon units together with nonzero diradical characters. The γ values of these compounds are shown to be 2–13 times as large as those of the carbon analogs. Although asymmetric carbon and silicon π-systems exhibit comparable enhancement to the corresponding symmetric systems, donor-π-donor structures exhibit remarkable enhancement of γ despite of their both-end short silicon π-chain moieties (donor units). Further analysis using the odd electron and γ densities clarifies that the intermediate diradical character also contributes to the enhancement of γ. These results predict that even short π-conjugated silicone moieties can cause remarkable enhancement of γ by introducing them into π-conjugated hydrocarbon structures.