bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Interrupted time-series analysis of the impact of generic market entry of antineoplastic products in China
Authors: Guan Xiaodong , Tian Ye , Ross-Degnan Dennis , Man Chunxia , Shi Luwen
Published: July 2018

Objectives

The rapid growth of pharmaceutical costs is a major healthcare issue all over the world. The high prices of new drugs, especially those for cancer, are also a concern for stakeholders. Generic drugs are a major price-reducing opportunity and provide more societal value. The aim of this research is to analyse the impact of generic entry on the volume and cost of antineoplastic agents in China.

Methods

An interrupted time-series design examined monthly sales of three antineoplastic drugs (capecitabine, decitabine, imatinib) from 699 public hospitals during January 2011 to June 2016. The first generic entry times (December 2013, December 2012, August 2013, respectively) were regarded as the intervention time points. We estimated changes in volume and cost following the generic entry.

Results

We found that generic entry was associated with increases in the volume of three antineoplastic agents and decreases in their costs. In terms of volume, generic entry was associated with increases in use of capecitabine, decitabine and imatinib by 815.0 (95% CI −66.5 to 1696.5, p>0.05), 11.0 (95% CI 3.7 to 18.3, p=0.004) and 2145.5 (95% CI 1784.1 to 2506.9, p<0.001) units. The entry of generic antineoplastic drugs reduced the monthly cost trend of three agents by ¥3.1 (95% CI −¥3.6 to −¥2.6, p<0.001), ¥84.7 (95% CI −¥104.7 to −¥64.6, p<0.001) and ¥21.3 (95% CI −¥24.2 to −¥18.4, p<0.001), respectively. The entry of generic drugs attenuated the upward trend in volume of three brand-name drugs and even triggered reductions in the volume of brand-name capecitabine. The entry of generics was accompanied by significant increase of ¥2.6 in monthly brand-name decitabine cost (95% CI ¥0.2 to ¥5.1, p=0.04).

Conclusion

Our findings suggested that entry of generic drugs impacted use and cost of antineoplastic medicines in China. Generic drugs may improve the availability and the affordability of antineoplastic agents, which would benefit more patients.
Defining the risk factors for acute, subacute and chronic cough: a cross-sectional study in a Finnish adult employee population
Authors: Lätti Anne M , Pekkanen Juha , Koskela Heikki O
Published: July 2018

Objectives

Chronic cough is linked to various long-standing risk factors like asthma, chronic rhinitis and oesophageal reflux disease. On the contrary, acute and subacute cough are usually considered to be caused by acute respiratory infections. Little is known about the possible long-standing risk factors for acute and subacute cough. In this study, we have identified the long-standing risk factors for acute, subacute and chronic cough in order to identify the risk factors specifically associated with chronic cough.

Design

A comprehensive 80-item questionnaire was sent via email to the participants.

Setting

A community-based study to all public service employees of two towns in central Finland.

Participants

There were 13 980 employees, of them 3697 responded (26.4%). Among the responders, there were 199 subjects with current daily acute cough (duration <3 weeks, prevalence 5.4%), 126 subjects with current daily subacute cough (duration 3–8 weeks, prevalence 3.4%) and 267 subjects with current daily chronic cough (duration >8 weeks, prevalence 7.2%).

Primary outcome measures

The risk factors that associated with each cough subtype. The subjects without any cough formed the reference group.

Results

Several risk factors were associated with both short and long cough subtypes namely family history of chronic cough, moisture damage exposure and number of reported somatic symptoms. Furthermore, allergy was associated with acute and subacute cough. Current asthma and chronic rhinitis were associated with subacute and chronic cough. Oesophageal reflux disease and advanced age were associated with chronic cough.

Conclusions

The specific risk factors for chronic cough were oesophageal reflux disease and advanced age. Acute and subacute cough should not be regarded merely as symptoms of acute respiratory infections but possible manifestations of long-standing risk factors. A new risk factor for all cough types was family history of chronic cough.
Association of betel nut chewing with exercise performance in a military male cohort: the CHIEF study
Authors: Tsai Kun-Zhe , Lin J-W , Lin F , Su F-Y , Li Y-H , Lin Y-P , Lin Y-K , Han C-L , Hsieh C-B , Lin G-M
Published: July 2018

Introduction

Betel nut chewing may cause obesity, neurohormonal activation and inflammation, possibly impairing exercise performances.

Methods

We examined the cross-sectional association in 4388 military male adults aged 18–50 years from the cardiorespiratory fitness in armed forces study in Taiwan between 2013 and 2014. The status of betel nut chewing was classified as current and former/never based on each participant’s response to a questionnaire. Physical fitness was evaluated by three basic exercise tests including 3000 m running, 2 min sit-ups and 2 min push-ups. Multiple logistic regression for the best 10% and the worst 10% performers in each exercise, and linear regression were used to determine the relationship.

Results

There were 564 current chewers and 3824 non-current chewers for the analysis. The linear regression shows that current betel nut chewing was positively correlated with 3000 m running duration (r=0.37, p=0.042) after adjusting for age, service specialty, body mass index, exercise frequency and alcohol intake. In addition, the logistic regression shows that as compared with non-current chewers, current chewers had lower odds of being the top 10% performers in 2 min push-ups and higher odds of being the bottom 10% performers in 2 min sit-ups (ORs and 95% CIs: 0.71 (0.50 to 0.99) and 1.32 (1.00 to 1.75), respectively). However, the associations between betel nut chewing and physical fitness were all insignificant after further adjusting for current smoking.

Conclusions

Our findings suggest that the impairment of physical fitness associated with betel nut chewing of military young men might be mainly mediated or moderated by the coexisted cigarette smoking.
Are physical fitness outcomes in patients attending cardiac rehabilitation determined by the mode of delivery?
Authors: Harrison Alexander S , Tang Lars , Doherty Patrick
Published: July 2018

Background

Cardiac rehabilitation (CR) is a well-evidenced and effective secondary intervention proven to reduce mortality and readmission in patients with cardiovascular disease. Improving physical fitness outcomes is a key target for CR programmes, with supervised group-based exercise dominating the mode of the delivery. However, the method of traditional supervised CR fails to attract many patients and may not be the only way of improving physical fitness.

Methods

Using real-world routine clinical data from the National Audit of Cardiac Rehabilitation across a 5-year period, this study evaluates the extent of association between physical fitness outcomes, incremental shuttle walk and 6 min walk test, and mode of delivery, delivered as traditional supervised versus facilitated self-delivered.

Results

The proportion of patients receiving each mode were 80.6% supervised with 19.4% to self-delivered. The study analysis comprised of 10 142 patients who were included in the two models. The self-delivered group contained a greater proportion of females and older patients. The regression model showed no clinical or statistical significance between mode of delivery and post-CR physical fitness outcomes.

Conclusions

This study is unique as it has identified through a routine clinical population that regardless of the mode of delivery of rehabilitation, patients improve their physical fitness outcomes at meaningful levels. This study provides a strong evidence base for patients to be offered greater choice in the mode of CR delivery as improvements in physical fitness are comparable.
Early thrusting and folding in the Snow Lake camp, Manitoba: tectonic implications and effects on volcanogenic massive sulfide deposits
Authors: Stewart Margaret S. , Lafrance Bruno , Gibson Harold L.
Published: July 2018

The Chisel sequence occurs within the Snow Lake arc assemblage (SLA) of the Paleoproterozoic Trans-Hudson Orogen. It is host to six economic volcanogenic massive sulfide (VMS) deposits that formed within a single time-stratigraphic ore interval. The SLA was previously interpreted to share the same deformation history as the ca. 1.86–1.84 Ga Burntwood Group turbidites of the Kisseynew Basin to the north; however, early isoclinal folds identified in the arc assemblage cannot be correlated with structures in the turbidites and therefore developed prior to Burntwood Group deposition. This indicates that the SLA underwent a significant deformation event prior to 1.86 Ga, likely due to intraoceanic accretion or pre-1.86 Ga accretion to the Amisk collage during closure of the ancestral Manikewan Ocean. Evidence for this early folding event is recorded in the Chisel sequence deposits where it has influenced the geometry of the deposits and the location of the ore interval. The deposits are isoclinally folded by these folds, and a major early thrust fault at the Lalor deposit, the Lalor-Chisel fault, displaced the hanging-wall rocks of the deposit and the ore interval. Further flattening, transposition, and elongation of the ore lenses occurred during post-1.84 Ga collision of the SLA with the partially hidden Archean Sask craton. Although the VMS deposits are polydeformed and sulfides and precious metals were mechanically and hydrothermally remobilized at the metre scale, their primary base metal zoning remains intact and provides a tool to reconstruct the geometry of the deposits.
Distinguishing cryoseisms from earthquakes in Alberta, Canada
Authors: Ghofrani Hadi , Atkinson Gail M.
Published: July 2018

Characterizing the ground-motion signature of various event types is important for event discrimination and for the development of reliable earthquake catalogues. Small-magnitude seismic events are often enigmatic and determining their cause can be challenging. This is because there are various sources of energy (e.g., rock bursts, construction blasts, cultural noise, etc.) that generate seismic waves similar to those from small-magnitude earthquakes. A sequence of eight unusual small-magnitude (local magnitude, ML, of −0.17 to 1.39) seismic signals were detected in the area surrounding the Brazeau Reservoir and river (Alberta), beginning in mid-2014. Detailed analyses of the waveforms and spectra for these events, as well as their timing, strongly suggest that at least seven of these events are cryoseismic signals associated with freeze-up on the reservoir and Brazeau River.
Optical phonons and its effect on physical properties of rare-earth orthoferrites RFeO3 (R = La, Nd, Gd, Dy, Er): IR reflectivity measurements
Authors: Jamil Muhammad Tufiq , Ahmad Javed , Bukhari Syed Hamad , Ahmad Hammad
Published: July 2018

We have investigated the infrared reflectivity, UV-visible spectra and electrical property of polycrystalline RFeO3 (R = La, Nd, Gd, Dy, Er) synthesized by sol–gel method. Analysis of IR reflectivity spectra through Lorentz oscillator model has led to the observation of 14 IR active phonon modes out of 25 predicted modes. The results have been discussed in terms of different phonon bands related to the origin of atomic vibrations, which provides information about the structural evolution. The energy bandgap [Formula: see text]1.67–1.90 eV estimated from optical conductivity ([Formula: see text]([Formula: see text])) spectrum is found consistent both with that calculated from UV-visible spectra and estimated from electrical measurements.
First-principles calculations of structural, electronic, magnetic, elastic and optical properties of tetragonal zircon-type CeVO4
Authors: Chen Wen-Qi , Wang Hao , Mu Yi , Hu Cui-E , Cheng Yan
Published: July 2018

We have performed comprehensive first-principle calculations to investigate the structural, electronic, magnetic, elastic and optical properties of the tetragonal zircon-type CeVO4. The local density approximation plus U (LDA+U) and generalized gradient approximation plus U (GGA+U) methods are used to interpret the strong Coulomb repulsion among the localized Ce 4f electrons. Without the effective U parameters, the obtained ground state of the ferromagnetic (FM) metal is not consistent with the experimental result. However, we can get the antiferromagnetic (AFM2: the magnetic ground state) insulating ground state for CeVO4 by LDA+U and GGA+U. It reveals that the result is in agreement with the experiment. For AFM2 CeVO4, the dependence of properties on the U parameters has been studied in detail. The effect of spin–orbit coupling (SOC) has also been investigated in detail. The demonstrated properties include volume, lattice parameters, bandgap, the density of states (DOS) and spin magnetic moment of Ce atom. With the Hubbard U parameter around 6 eV, the lattice parameters (a=7.396 Å, V=351.82 Å3, c/a=0.874), bulk modulus B0 (121 GPa), insulating gap (2.157 eV) and magnetic moment (0.97 [Formula: see text] per Ce atom) are consistent with the experiments and other theoretical results. Besides, the elasticity-related properties and optical properties have also been calculated for U=0,2,4 and 6 eV.
Systematic Hysteresis Analysis for Dynamic Comparators
Authors: Khanfir Leïla , Mouïne Jaouhar
Published: July 2018

Comparator hysteresis is a memory phenomenon allowing outputs maintaining their past stable states until the input difference overcomes a given threshold voltage. In some applications, such as ADCs and memories, hysteresis is a deterministic error that should be minimized. In others, it can be considered as one of the design parameters, such as in implementing hysteresis control-based systems such as peak detectors and spectrum analyzers. In any case, the designer should be aware of how to estimate hysteresis to achieve the desired performances. This paper presents a mathematical approach to estimate hysteresis in clocked latch comparators. It has been demonstrated that hysteresis is not only sensitive to the clock frequency, but also to several design parameters including the transistors sizes, the common mode input voltage and the tracked input frequencies. The analysis results are validated through electrical simulations using a commercially available 0.18[Formula: see text][Formula: see text]m CMOS technology showing a maximum error of 8.6%.
Elastic and diffractive scatterings in the LHC era
Authors: Jenkovszky László , Schicker Rainer , Szanyi István
Published: July 2018

We review the elastic and diffractive scatterings of protons (called also the “forward physics”) with emphasis on the LHC data, especially those deviating from the expectations based on extrapolations from earlier measurements at the ISR and Fermilab and thus triggering searches for new ideas, models and theories. We list these new data and provide a brief introduction of available theoretical approaches, mainly those based on analyticity, crossing symmetry and unitarity, particularly the Regge pole model realizing these concepts. Fits to the data are presented and tensions between theoretical predictions and the data that may indicate the way to further progress are in the focus of our paper.
SHRINKING TARGET PROBLEM FOR RANDOM IFS
Authors: YUAN ZHIHUI
Published: July 2018

We describe the shrinking target problem for random iterated function systems which are semi-conjugate to random subshifts. We get the Hausdorff dimension of the set based on shrinking target problems with given targets. The main idea is an extension of ubiquity theorem which plays an important role to get the lower bound of the dimension. Our method can be used to deal with the sets with respect to more general targets and the sets based on the quantitative Poincaré recurrence properties.
NONLINEAR MEAN-VALUE FORMULAS ON FRACTAL SETS
Authors: NAVARRO J. C. , ROSSI J. D.
Published: July 2018

In this paper we study the solutions to nonlinear mean-value formulas on fractal sets. We focus on the mean-value problem [Formula: see text] in the Sierpiński gasket with prescribed values [Formula: see text], [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text] at the three vertices of the first triangle. For this problem we show existence and uniqueness of a continuous solution and analyze some properties like the validity of a comparison principle, Lipschitz continuity of solutions (regularity) and continuous dependence of the solution with respect to the prescribed values at the three vertices of the first triangle.
DECODING OF STEADY-STATE VISUAL EVOKED POTENTIALS BY FRACTAL ANALYSIS OF THE ELECTROENCEPHALOGRAPHIC (EEG) SIGNAL
Authors: NAMAZI HAMIDREZA , ALA TIRDAD SEIFI , BAKARDJIAN HOVAGIM
Published: July 2018

Analysis of the brain response to different types of external stimuli has always been one of the major research areas in behavioral neuroscience. The electroencephalography (EEG) technique combined with different signal analysis approaches has been especially successful in revealing the detailed dynamic properties of the neural response to exogenous stimulation. In this analysis, we evaluated the nonlinear structure of the EEG signal using fractal theory in rest and visual stimulation (checkerboard reversal at 8, 14 and 28[Formula: see text]Hz). Our analysis showed a significant influence of stimulation on the fractal structure of EEG signal. On comparison between different conditions, 14-Hz steady-state visual evoked potentials (SSVEPs), previously shown to trigger an optimal brain response, exhibited the greatest influence on the complexity of the EEG signal. On the other hand, we observed the lowest complexity of EEG signal in the post-stimulation rest period. Statistical analysis confirmed significant differences in the fractal structure of the EEG signal between rest and different stimulation conditions. These findings demonstrate for the first time a direct relationship between the efficiency of brain processing and the complexity of the measured EEG signal, which could be employed for objective assessment and classification in various experimental paradigms.
Propagation of chaos for the Vlasov–Poisson–Fokker–Planck equation with a polynomial cut-off
Authors: Carrillo José A. , Choi Young-Pil , Salem Samir
Published: July 2018

We consider a [Formula: see text]-particle system interacting through the Newtonian potential with a polynomial cut-off in the presence of noise in velocity. We rigorously prove the propagation of chaos for this interacting stochastic particle system. Taking the cut-off like [Formula: see text] with [Formula: see text] in the force, we provide a quantitative error estimate between the empirical measure associated to that [Formula: see text]-particle system and the solutions of the [Formula: see text]-dimensional Vlasov–Poisson–Fokker–Planck (VPFP) system. We also study the propagation of chaos for the Vlasov–Fokker–Planck equation with less singular interaction forces than the Newtonian one.
Comodule algebras and 2-cocycles over the (Braided) Drinfeld double
Authors: Laugwitz Robert
Published: July 2018

We show that for dually paired bialgebras, every comodule algebra over one of the paired bialgebras gives a comodule algebra over their Drinfeld double via a crossed product construction. These constructions generalize to working with bialgebra objects in a braided monoidal category of modules over a quasitriangular Hopf algebra. Hence two ways to provide comodule algebras over the braided Drinfeld double (the double bosonization) are provided. Furthermore, a map of second Hopf algebra cohomology spaces is constructed. It takes a pair of 2-cocycles over dually paired Hopf algebras and produces a 2-cocycle over their Drinfeld double. This construction also has an analogue for braided Drinfeld doubles.
Navigating Cascades of Uncertainty — As Easy as ABC? Not Quite…
Authors: Smith K. A. , Wilby R. L. , Broderick C. , Prudhomme C. , Matthews T. , Harrigan S. , Murphy C.
Published: July 2018

The uncertainties in scientific studies for climate risk management can be investigated at three levels of complexity: “ABC”. The most sophisticated involves “Analyzing” the full range of uncertainty with large multi-model ensemble experiments. The simplest is about “Bounding” the uncertainty by defining only the upper and lower limits of the likely outcomes. The intermediate approach, “Crystallizing” the uncertainty, distills the full range to improve the computational efficiency of the “Analyze” approach. Modelers typically dictate the study design, with decision-makers then facing difficulties when interpreting the results of ensemble experiments. We assert that to make science more relevant to decision-making, we must begin by considering the applications of scientific outputs in facilitating decision-making pathways, particularly when managing extreme events. This requires working with practitioners from outset, thereby adding “D” for “Decision-centric” to the ABC framework.
The Commercialization of University and Research Institutes’ Science-Based Innovations: The Four Successful Chinese Cases
Authors: Yang Yacheng , Chen Hong , Zhang Qingzhi , Lei Jiasu
Published: July 2018

Science empowers as a nation’s toughest weapon in the future global competition and cooperation. A large number of countries listed in-house R&D for science-based innovations as their core development strategy in the next decade. This paper conducts multi-case analysis on four science-based innovations in China as a reference for how a new science-based venture superseded in global market and developed indigenous capability to generate much business value as well as scientific value. The four cases detailed are container inspection system, hot redundant JX-100 DCS, high-performance Dawning supercomputers and Chinese-character laser phototypesetting system. We concluded that the successful commercialization of a nationwide and grand scientific project requires the following: (1) visionary scientists’ solid authority, direct participation, business acumen and a strong sense of patriotism, without intermediaries, are the core for successful science-based innovation and commercialization during knowledge transformation; and (2) the powerful and direct support from the policymakers. Forms of support may vary from financial incentives, policy enforcement and endorsement. The consequences for the success of science-based innovations are the creation of highly-skilled manpower, new market as well as shifting away from low-cost strategy to innovative strategy.
Analysis of an Ultra-Low Frequency and Ultra-Broadband Phononic Crystals Silencer with Small Size
Authors: Liu Jiangwei , Yu Dianlong , Wen Jihong , Zhang Zhenfang
Published: July 2018

Existing research shows that acoustic BG in a certain frequency range can be realized by installing an expansion chamber on duct system, but the problems of broadband and size limitations at low frequencies remain to be researched. The study of acoustic and elastic wave propagation in artificial periodic structures has received increasing attention for many decades, and the presence of bandgap (BG) in phononic crystals (PCs), which inhibits elastic/acoustic wave propagation within the BG’ frequency range, supplies a new way to control noise and vibrations in duct system. Based on PC theory, a duct silencer backed with a gas–liquid expansion chamber is proposed to enhance the acoustic performance of low-frequency noise attenuation. The transfer matrix method (TMM) is used to investigate the acoustic BG properties. The influences on the BG properties of some key parameters are analyzed, and the band formation mechanism is revealed by the law of energy conservation. The results show that silencers with a small size can effectively attenuate ultra-low frequencies and ultra-broad bands.
Panel Contribution Analysis Based on FEM, BEM and Numerical Green’s Function Approaches
Authors: Shaposhnikov Kirill , Jensen Mads J. Herring
Published: July 2018

The panel acoustic contribution analysis is used to determine the contribution of vibrating panels to the noise level inside closed spaces like a car cabin. The use of numerical techniques makes it possible to rate the panels according to their contributions accounting for the interaction between the structural vibrations and the acoustic pressure at a listening point. We consider the application of the finite and boundary element methods and the numerical Green’s function approaches to the problem and discuss the pros and cons regarding their use. The results show that the numerical Green’s function approach coupled to structure can be effectively used for the panel contribution analysis in situations with multiple panels and few listening points.
Visualizing Ubiquitously Sensed Measures of Motor Ability in Multiple Sclerosis
Authors: Morrison Cecily , Huckvale Kit , Corish Bob , Banks Richard , Grayson Martin , Dorn Jonas , Sellen Abigail , Lindley Sân
Published: July 2018

Sophisticated ubiquitous sensing systems are being used to measure motor ability in clinical settings. Intended to augment clinical decision-making, the interpretability of the machine-learning measurements underneath becomes critical to their use. We explore how visualization can support the interpretability of machine-learning measures through the case of Assess MS, a system to support the clinical assessment of Multiple Sclerosis. A substantial design challenge is to make visible the algorithm's decision-making process in a way that allows clinicians to integrate the algorithm's result into their own decision process. To this end, we present a series of design iterations that probe the challenges in supporting interpretability in a real-world system. The key contribution of this article is to illustrate that simply making visible the algorithmic decision-making process is not helpful in supporting clinicians in their own decision-making process. It disregards that people and algorithms make decisions in different ways. Instead, we propose that visualisation can provide context to algorithmic decision-making, rendering observable a range of internal workings of the algorithm from data quality issues to the web of relationships generated in the machine-learning process.
A Survey of End-System Optimizations for High-Speed Networks
Authors: Hanford Nathan , Ahuja Vishal , Farrens Matthew K. , Tierney Brian , Ghosal Dipak
Published: July 2018

The gap is widening between the processor clock speed of end-system architectures and network throughput capabilities. It is now physically possible to provide single-flow throughput of speeds up to 100 Gbps, and 400 Gbps will soon be possible. Most current research into high-speed data networking focuses on managing expanding network capabilities within datacenter Local Area Networks (LANs) or efficiently multiplexing millions of relatively small flows through a Wide Area Network (WAN). However, datacenter hyper-convergence places high-throughput networking workloads on general-purpose hardware, and distributed High-Performance Computing (HPC) applications require time-sensitive, high-throughput end-to-end flows (also referred to as “elephant flows”) to occur over WANs. For these applications, the bottleneck is often the end-system and not the intervening network. Since the problem of the end-system bottleneck was uncovered, many techniques have been developed which address this mismatch with varying degrees of effectiveness. In this survey, we describe the most promising techniques, beginning with network architectures and NIC design, continuing with operating and end-system architectures, and concluding with clean-slate protocol design.
Reproducibility in Scientific Computing
Authors: Ivie Peter , Thain Douglas
Published: July 2018

Reproducibility is widely considered to be an essential requirement of the scientific process. However, a number of serious concerns have been raised recently, questioning whether today’s computational work is adequately reproducible. In principle, it should be possible to specify a computation to sufficient detail that anyone should be able to reproduce it exactly. But in practice, there are fundamental, technical, and social barriers to doing so. The many objectives and meanings of reproducibility are discussed within the context of scientific computing. Technical barriers to reproducibility are described, extant approaches surveyed, and open areas of research are identified.
Computing Critical Nodes in Directed Graphs
Authors: Paudel Nilakantha , Georgiadis Loukas , Italiano Giuseppe F.
Published: July 2018

We consider the critical node detection problem (CNDP) in directed graphs, which can be defined as follows. Given a directed graph
G
and a parameter
k
, we wish to remove a subset
S
of at most
k
vertices of
G
such that the residual graph
G
∖
S
has minimum pairwise strong connectivity. This problem is NP-hard, and thus we are interested in practical heuristics. In this article, we apply the framework of Georgiadis et al. (SODA 2017) and provide a sophisticated linear-time algorithm for the
k
=1 case. Based on this algorithm, we provide an efficient heuristic for the general case. Then, we conduct a thorough experimental evaluation of various heuristics for CNDP. Our experimental results suggest that our heuristic performs very well in practice, both in terms of running time and of solution quality.
Biophysical, Biochemical, and Cell Based Approaches Used to Decipher the Role of Carbonic Anhydrases in Cancer and to Evaluate the Potency of Targeted Inhibitors
Authors: Mboge Mam Y. , Kota Anusha , McKenna Robert , Frost Susan C.
Published: July 2018

Carbonic anhydrases (CAs) are thought to be important for regulating pH in the tumor microenvironment. A few of the CA isoforms are upregulated in cancer cells, with only limited expression in normal cells. For these reasons, there is interest in developing inhibitors that target these tumor-associated CA isoforms, with increased efficacy but limited nonspecific cytotoxicity. Here we present some of the biophysical, biochemical, and cell based techniques and approaches that can be used to evaluate the potency of CA targeted inhibitors and decipher the role of CAs in tumorigenesis, cancer progression, and metastatic processes. These techniques include esterase activity assays, stop flow kinetics, and mass inlet mass spectroscopy (MIMS), all of which measure enzymatic activity of purified protein, in the presence or absence of inhibitors. Also discussed is the application of X-ray crystallography and Cryo-EM as well as other structure-based techniques and thermal shift assays to the studies of CA structure and function. Further, large-scale genomic and proteomic analytical methods, as well as cell based techniques like those that measure cell growth, apoptosis, clonogenicity, and cell migration and invasion, are discussed. We conclude by reviewing approaches that test the metastatic potential of CAs and how the aforementioned techniques have contributed to the field of CA cancer research.
An Analysis of Anomalous Winter and Spring Tornado Frequency by Phase of the El Niño/Southern Oscillation, the Global Wind Oscillation, and the Madden-Julian Oscillation
Authors: Moore Todd W. , St. Clair Jennifer M. , DeBoer Tiffany A.
Published: July 2018

Winter and spring tornado activity tends to be heightened during the La Niña phase of the El Niño/Southern Oscillation and suppressed during the El Niño phase. Despite these tendencies, some La Niña seasons have fewer tornadoes than expected and some El Niño seasons have more than expected. To gain insight into such anomalous seasons, the two La Niña winters and springs with the fewest tornadoes and the two El Niño winters and springs with the most tornadoes between 1979 and 2016 are identified and analyzed in this study. The relationships between daily tornado count and the Global Wind Oscillation and Madden-Julian Oscillation in these anomalous seasons are also explored. Lastly, seasonal and daily composites of upper-level flow, low-level flow and humidity, and atmospheric instability are generated to describe the environmental conditions in the anomalous seasons. The results of this study highlight the potential for large numbers of tornadoes to occur in a season if favorable conditions emerge in association with individual synoptic-scale events, even during phases of the El Niño/Southern Oscillation, Global Wind Oscillation, and Madden-Julian Oscillation that seem to be unfavorable for tornadoes. They also highlight the potential for anomalously few tornadoes in a season even when the oscillations are in favorable phases.
Environmental Enrichment Induces Changes in Long-Term Memory for Social Transmission of Food Preference in Aged Mice through a Mechanism Associated with Epigenetic Processes
Authors: Cintoli Simona , Cenni Maria Cristina , Pinto Bruno , Morea Silvia , Sale Alessandro , Maffei Lamberto , Berardi Nicoletta
Published: July 2018

Decline in declarative learning and memory performance is a typical feature of normal aging processes. Exposure of aged animals to an enriched environment (EE) counteracts this decline, an effect correlated with reduction of age-related changes in hippocampal dendritic branching, spine density, neurogenesis, gliogenesis, and neural plasticity, including its epigenetic underpinnings. Declarative memories depend on the medial temporal lobe system, including the hippocampus, for their formation, but, over days to weeks, they become increasingly dependent on other brain regions such as the neocortex and in particular the prefrontal cortex (PFC), a process known as system consolidation. Recently, it has been shown that early tagging of cortical networks is a crucial neurobiological process for remote memory formation and that this tagging involves epigenetic mechanisms in the recipient orbitofrontal (OFC) areas. Whether EE can enhance system consolidation in aged animals has not been tested; in particular, whether the early tagging mechanisms in OFC areas are deficient in aged animals and whether EE can ameliorate them is not known. This study aimed at testing whether EE could affect system consolidation in aged mice using the social transmission of food preference paradigm, which involves an ethologically based form of associative olfactory memory. We found that only EE mice successfully performed the remote memory recall task, showed neuronal activation in OFC, assessed with c-fos immunohistochemistry and early tagging of OFC, assessed with histone H3 acetylation, suggesting a defective system consolidation and early OFC tagging in aged mice which are ameliorated by EE.
Qualitative Study of a 4D Chaos Financial System
Authors: Zhang Fuchen , Yang Gaoxiang , Zhang Yong , Liao Xiaofeng , Zhang Guangyun
Published: July 2018

Some dynamics of a new 4D chaotic system describing the dynamical behavior of the finance are considered. Ultimate boundedness and global attraction domain are obtained according to Lyapunov stability theory. These results are useful in estimating the Lyapunov dimension of attractors, Hausdorff dimension of attractors, chaos control, and chaos synchronization. We will also present some simulation results. Furthermore, the volumes of the ultimate bound set and the global exponential attractive set are obtained.
Application of Autochthonous Lactobacillus Strains as Biopreservatives to Control Fungal Spoilage in Caciotta Cheese
Authors: Cosentino Sofia , Viale Silvia , Deplano Maura , Fadda Maria Elisabetta , Pisano Maria Barbara
Published: July 2018

Fungal spoilage is one of the main causes of economic losses worldwide in the food industry. In the last years, consumer’s demands for preservative-free processed foods have increased as a result of growing awareness about the health hazards associated with chemicals. Lactic acid bacteria have been extensively studied for their antibacterial and antifungal potential in order to be used as biopreservatives. The first objective of this study was to investigate in vitro the antifungal activity of autochthonous Lactobacillus strains against moulds commonly associated with cheese spoilage. Then, the Lactobacillus strains with the highest inhibitory effect and broadest spectrum were tested in single or mixed cultures against Penicillium chrysogenum ATCC 9179 and Aspergillus flavus ATCC 46283 on miniature Caciotta cheese produced at laboratory scale to evaluate in situ their ability to prevent mould growth and to determine their impact on cheese organoleptic properties and starter culture activity. The growth of the starter lactococcal population exhibited similar trend and values during ripening, suggesting that the addition of lactobacilli did not influence its growth and survival. Inhibition of P. chrysogenum inoculated in the milk was determined in cheeses produced with single or mixed Lactobacillus adjuncts as compared to cheeses without adjunct. The mixed adjunct cultures resulted in more effective, significantly reducing mould counts of more than 2 log units at the end of ripening. The application of the adjunct cultures resulted in a delay in mycelial growth of P. chrysogenum and A. flavus inoculated on the cheese surface as well. Finally, we found no significant differences among samples for the sensory parameters evaluated that received similar ratings. Our results indicate that the selected Lactobacillus strains may have a potential effect in controlling mould contamination on cheeses. Further studies are currently being carried out to identify the molecules responsible for the antifungal activity.
An Experimental Investigation on Flexural Behavior of Reinforced Concrete Beams Strengthened by an Intelligent CFRP Plate with Built-In Optical Fiber Bragg Grating Sensors
Authors: Zhou Zhi , Wang Zhenzhen
Published: July 2018

The difficulties induced from high-durability package, large-scale measurement, and sensor installation make it a big challenge but an urgent need to predict the mechanical behavior of strengthened reinforced concrete structure with the externally bonded fiber-reinforced polymer (FRP) plate under harsh environments and rough construction process. In an effort to solve this challenge, this paper proposes a novel end anchored self-sensing CFRP plate assembly with built-in optical fiber Bragg grating (FBG) sensor. The self-sensing principle is presented and a demonstration test was carried out in the laboratory in order to investigate the self-sensing properties of the intelligent CFRP plate. Three-point flexural tests of a total of ten RC beams were carried on: six strengthened with the bonded or unbonded posttensioned intelligent CFRP plates, one strengthened with the ordinary CFRP plate, and three strengthened with the control beams. The full-range CFRP plate strain at the maximum moment was measured utilizing the FBG interrogator. Using this monitoring data, the short-term prestress loss attributed to anchorage set and the relationship between the external load and the CFRP strain at the middle span associated with the integral response of the strengthened member were investigated. Besides, the objective of the tests was also to gain a better understanding of the failure mode and the flexural behavior of RC beams strengthened with posttensioned CFRP plates taking into account the different strengthening methods, initial damage, and the dead load before strengthening. The experimental results showed that the developed CFRP plate with built-in FBG sensors not only can be the reinforcement of the RC structures, but also provide an effective way to monitor the full-range behavior of the CFRP plate with the excellent self-sensing property shown in the demonstration tests.
Prognostic and Clinicopathological Value ofPINX1in Various Human Tumors: A Meta-Analysis
Authors: Liang Hao , Xiong Zhiyong , Li Ying , Kong Weihao , Yao Zhicheng , Li Ruixi , Deng Meihai , Hu Kunpeng
Published: July 2018

PINX1(Pin2/TRF1 interacting protein X1, an intrinsic telomerase inhibitor and putative tumor suppressor gene) may represent a novel prognostic tumor biomarker. However, the results of previous studies are inconsistent and the prognostic value ofPINX1remains controversial. Therefore, we conducted a meta-analysis to determine whetherPINX1expression is associated with overall survival (OS), disease-specific survival (DSS), disease-free survival (DFS), recurrence-free survival (RFS), and clinicopathological characteristics in patients with malignant tumors. A systematic search was performed in the PubMed, Web of Science, and Embase databases in April 2018. Quality assessment was performed according to the modified Newcastle-Ottawa Scale. Pooled odds ratios (ORs) and hazard ratios (HRs) with 95.0% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated to determine the relationship betweenPINX1expression and OS, DSS, DFS/RFS, and clinicopathological characteristics. Due to the heterogeneity across the included studies, subgroup and sensitivity analyses were performed. Fixed-effects models were used when the heterogeneity was not significant and random-effects models were used when the heterogeneity was significant. Fourteen studies of 16 cohorts including 2,624 patients were enrolled. LowPINX1expression was associated with poor OS (HR: 1.51, 95.0% CI: 1.03–2.20;P= 0.035) and DFS/RFS (HR: 1.78, 95.0% CI: 1.28–2.47;P= 0.001) but not DSS (HR: 0.80, 95.0% CI: 0.38–1.67;P= 0.548). LowPINX1expression was also associated with lymphatic invasion (OR: 2.23, 95.0% CI: 1.35–3.70;P= 0.002) and advanced tumor-node-metastasis stage (OR: 2.43, 95.0% CI: 1.29–4.57;P= 0.006). No significant associations were observed between lowPINX1expression and sex, depth of invasion, grade of differentiation, and distant metastasis. LowPINX1expression was associated with poor OS and DFS/RFS and lymphatic invasion and advanced tumor-node-metastasis stage, suggesting thatPINX1expression may be a useful predictor of prognosis in patients with malignant tumors.
Near-Infrared Spectroscopy and Chemometrics for the Routine Detection of Bilberry Extract Adulteration and Quantitative Determination of the Anthocyanins
Authors: Gardana Claudio , Scialpi Antonio , Fachechi Christian , Simonetti Paolo
Published: July 2018

Consumers must be assured that bought food supplements contain both bilberry extract and the anthocyanin amounts that match the declared levels. Therefore, a Fourier transform near-infrared (FT-NIR) spectroscopic method was validated based on principal component scores for the prediction of bilberry extract adulteration and partial least squares regression model for total anthocyanin evaluation. Anthocyanins have been quantified individually in 71 commercial bilberry extracts by HPLC-DAD, and 6 of them were counterfeit. The anthocyanin content in bilberry extracts was in the range 18–34%. Authentic bilberry extracts (n=65) were divided into two parts: one for calibration (n=38) and the other for the validation set (n=27). Spectra were recorded in the range of 4000–12500 cm−1, and a good prediction model was obtained in the range of 9400–6096 and 5456–4248 cm−1withr2of 99.5% and a root-mean-square error of 0.3%. The adulterated extracts subjected to NIR analysis were recognized as noncompliant, thus confirming the results obtained by chromatography. The FT-NIR spectroscopy is an economic, powerful, and fast methodology for the detection of adulteration and quantification of the total anthocyanin in bilberry extracts; above all, it is a rapid, low cost, and nondestructive technique for routine analysis.
Modeling the Satisfaction of Bus Traffic Transfer Service Quality at a High-Speed Railway Station
Authors: Cheng Xiaoyun , Cao Yu , Huang Kun , Wang Yuejiao
Published: July 2018

Bus transit is one of the main transfer modes at high-speed railway (HSR) stations. Performing a scientific and reasonable evaluation of the present bus traffic transfer service is highly significant for improving the efficiency of the HSR and increasing the use of the system. This paper focuses on the passengers’ transfer experience and proposes a methodology to evaluate current bus traffic transfer service. Factors that affect passenger satisfaction during the bus transfer process at HSR stations based on the passengers’ perceptions are analyzed by convenience, comfort, safety, service, and economy. A structural equation model (SEM) is developed as an evaluation approach to explore the correlations of bus transfer service, passenger perceived value, and passenger satisfaction. To calibrate the model, a questionnaire survey of passengers transferring to a bus was conducted at Xi’anbei Railway Station. This paper analyzes the relationships between observed variables and latent variables in the measured model, the influences of exogenous variables on endogenous variables in the structural model, and the impact of the passengers’ socioeconomic attributes on passenger satisfaction. Analysis results of the SEM show that economy and convenience are the critical influential indicators of passenger satisfaction, among which bus fare preferential policy and transfer distance are the most significant factors. The findings can provide helpful information for planners and managers to improve the services of existing HSR stations and to guide the planning of new ones.
The Effect of a Mechanical Compression Device and Supraglottic Airway on Flow Time: A Simulation Study of Out-of-Hospital Cardiac Arrest in a High-Rise Building
Authors: Kim Jongho , Brewster Lyle , Maria Sonja , Moon Jundong
Published: July 2018

High-rise buildings present unique challenges to providing high-quality CPR. We investigated the effect of using a mechanical compressor and supraglottic airway on flow time and CPR quality in simulated cardiac arrests occurring within a high-rise building. Twelve teams of EMS providers performed CPR according to 4 scenarios: manual compression and ventilation through bag-valve-mask (MAB) or supraglottic airway (MAS); mechanical compression and ventilation through bag-valve-mask (MEB) or supraglottic airway (MES). Chest compression indices did not differ significantly among the groups. The mechanical compression groups had a higher flow time fraction from exiting the elevator until the manikin was loaded into the ambulance than the manual compression groups. The supraglottic airway groups had higher flow time fractions from entering the elevator until the end of the scenario than the bag-valve-mask groups. The total flow time fraction was lowest in the MAB group and was highest in the MEB group (P < 0.001). In simulated cardiac arrest in a high-rise building, the use of a supraglottic airway maintained flow time at a level similar to that observed with the use of a mechanical compressor. Moreover, the use of a mechanical compressor and a supraglottic airway increased the flow time most effectively.
Regression and ANN Models for Electronic Circuit Design
Authors: Dieste-Velasco M. I. , Diez-Mediavilla M. , Alonso-Tristán C.
Published: July 2018

This paper presents a methodology to design and to predict the behaviour of electronic circuits, which combines artificial neural networks and design of experiments. This methodology can be used to model output variables in electronic circuits either with similar features to the circuit configuration that is analysed in this study or with more complex configurations in order to improve the process of electronic circuit design.