bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Pointing to Priorities for Multiple Criteria Decision Making — The Case of a MIS-Based Project in China
Authors: Ai Shizhong , Du Rong , Brugha Cathal M. , Wang Hongpeng
Published: April 2016

The priority-pointing procedure (PPP) is a systemic thinking-based approach for multiple criteria decision making (MCDM). PPP helps to synthesize responses to open-ended questions about the strategic direction that an organization should take. We applied PPP to a Management Information Systems-based Management Innovation in Fiscal Department (MIS-MIFD) project in Shaanxi Provincial Government’s Department of Fiscal Affairs. PPP surveys were conducted in five regions in Shaanxi Province using the same research questions. The combination of all five surveys into one survey for Shaanxi Province showed that the results in each county can be compared to identify their particular different problems. The analysis shows that PPP can help to obtain balanced integrated solutions when solving strategic direction problems in management and give practical implications. From a scientific research point of view, this study has provided unique support for the underlying nomological theory on which PPP is based. The findings of this study indicate that coherent groups of decision-makers do have a “collective mind”, and this can be accessed using a nomological procedure. This research can add knowledge to the understanding of nomological theory and extend the application of it in opinion mining and decision making in the context of IT.
Information Sharing Among Countries: A Perspective from Country-Specific Websites in Global Brands
Authors: Pariyar Amit , Murakami Yohei , Lin Donghui , Ishida Toru
Published: April 2016

Multiple official languages within a country along with languages common with other countries demand content consistency in both shared and unshared languages during information sharing. However, inconsistency due to conflict in content shared and content updates not propagated in languages between countries poses a problem. Towards addressing inconsistency, this research qualitatively studied traits for information sharing among countries inside global brands as depicted by content shared in their country-specific websites. First, inconsistency in content shared is illustrated among websites highlighting the problem in information sharing among countries. Second, content propagation among countries that vary in scales and coupling for specific content categories are revealed. Scales suggested that corporate and customer support related information tend to be shared globally and locally respectively while product related information is both locally and regionally suitable for sharing. Higher occurrences of propagation when sharing corporate related information also showed tendency for high coupling between websites suggesting the suitability for rigid consistency policy compared to other categories. This study also proposed a simplistic approach with pattern of sharing to enable consistent information sharing.
Violation of Bell’s inequalities in a quantum realistic framework
Authors: Auffèves Alexia , Grangier Philippe
Published: April 2016

We discuss the recently observed “loophole free” violation of Bell’s inequalities in the framework of a physically realist view of quantum mechanics (QM), which requires that physical properties are attributed jointly to a system, and to the context in which it is embedded. This approach is clearly different from classical realism, but it does define a meaningful “quantum realism” from a general philosophical point of view. Consistently with Bell test experiments, this quantum realism embeds some form of non-locality, but does not contain any action at a distance, in agreement with QM.
Classical random processes described by Schrödinger equation
Authors: Rashkovskiy S. A.
Published: April 2016

It is shown that the Schrödinger equation can be written in the form of the diffusion equation for classical particles moving in a continuous space. A class of classical random processes described by the Schrödinger equation is considered. It is shown that such classical random processes can be used as a tool for the numerical solution of the Schrödinger equation.
ORGANISING FOR RADICAL INNOVATION: THE BENEFITS OF THE INTERPLAY BETWEEN COGNITIVE AND ORGANISATIONAL PROCESSES IN KCP WORKSHOPS
Authors: HOOGE SOPHIE , BÉJEAN MATHIAS , ARNOUX FRÉDÉRIC
Published: April 2016

In several industries, competitive and societal factors have highlighted the need for incubating dedicated radical innovation (RI) capabilities. Traditional approaches to RI strategies have often emphasised either organisational or cognitive aspects, but tend to overlook how these dimensions interact within the organisation. This paper tackles the issue of these interplays by investigating the effects of a creativity-based collaborative method, the KCP Workshops, on the RI capability of a firm. We present an in-depth case study of a leading aeronautics firm that adopted the method to face its RI challenges. While being consistent with prior research and underscoring the impact of organisational settings on creative cognitive processes, our analysis empirically demonstrates a triple capability developed through the KCP Workshops: (1) collectively building a conceivable RI strategy, (2) deploying a monitoring process adapted to the exploration of cognitive breakthroughs, (3) collectively building “emerging creative organisations” at the ecosystem level to support the development of RI strategy. Beyond the performance of the RI capability for commercial applications, these findings underline how the collective design of an RI strategy also involves players in the exploration and establishment of organisational innovations.
NUMBER OF R&D ALLIANCES AND INNOVATION OUTPUT — NONLINEAR RELATIONSHIP EVIDENCE FROM THE PHARMACEUTICAL INDUSTRY
Authors: XU SHICHUN , CAVUSGIL ERIN , DELIGONUL SEYDA
Published: April 2016

What is the precise nature of the relationship between a firm’s research and development alliance portfolio size and its innovation output? The existing literature is inconclusive between a positive linear relationship and a nonlinear variant. To address the issue, this study explores the relationship between alliance portfolio size and innovation output in the context of the pharmaceutical industry. Contrary to previous investigations, our results suggest increasing returns at a diminishing rate at a low to moderate alliance portfolio level while exhibiting increasingly higher returns at a moderate to high level of portfolio size. An advantage of the present investigation is that we draw from a larger data set of alliance agreements compared to earlier investigations. Additionally, the results provide improved reliability compared to previous studies where violations of some underlying assumptions have been overlooked. The paper concludes with a discussion of findings and suggestions for future research.
Topographically-Derived Near-Surface Shear Wave Velocity Map for Pakistan
Authors: Zaman Saeed , Warnitchai Pennung
Published: April 2016

Shear wave velocity ([Formula: see text]) through the uppermost subsurface (30 m) is usually considered an important parameter as it dictates the dynamic behavior of soil and also acts as an input parameter for site response analysis, seismic hazard analysis, and site classification. In majority of seismically active areas across the globe, especially in developing countries like Pakistan, the [Formula: see text] measurements are either not available or if available, they are very limited in number to develop a seismic site-conditions map. In the absence of proper geological studies and geotechnical investigation, the slope-derived method provides a simple solution to map the site-conditions. The current study presents the development of slope-derived [Formula: see text] map on the basis of a correlation between [Formula: see text] and topographic slope for active tectonic regions and its comparison with the [Formula: see text] values at various locations in Pakistan. The topographic slope is calculated from digital elevation model (CDEM) of the Shuttle Radar Topography Mission (SRTM) 30 arc-sec global topographic data set. The [Formula: see text] values comprise of directly available, values calculated/estimated from the standard penetration tests (SPTs [Formula: see text]-value) and primary waves at various locations in Pakistan. [Formula: see text] values at various parts/locations in Pakistan and values from the slope-derived [Formula: see text] map are found to be fairly comparable and based on these results for seismically active areas like Pakistan, slope-derived method can be applied for the first-order site-condition studies.
High-throughput volumetric reconstruction for 3D wheat plant architecture studies
Authors: Fang Wei , Feng Hui , Yang Wanneng , Duan Lingfeng , Chen Guoxing , Xiong Lizhong , Liu Qian
Published: April 2016

For many tiller crops, the plant architecture (PA), including the plant fresh weight, plant height, number of tillers, tiller angle and stem diameter, significantly affects the grain yield. In this study, we propose a method based on volumetric reconstruction for high-throughput three-dimensional (3D) wheat PA studies. The proposed methodology involves plant volumetric reconstruction from multiple images, plant model processing and phenotypic parameter estimation and analysis. This study was performed on 80 Triticum aestivum plants, and the results were analyzed. Comparing the automated measurements with manual measurements, the mean absolute percentage error (MAPE) in the plant height and the plant fresh weight was 2.71% (1.08[Formula: see text]cm with an average plant height of 40.07[Formula: see text]cm) and 10.06% (1.41[Formula: see text]g with an average plant fresh weight of 14.06[Formula: see text]g), respectively. The root mean square error (RMSE) was 1.37[Formula: see text]cm and 1.79[Formula: see text]g for the plant height and plant fresh weight, respectively. The correlation coefficients were 0.95 and 0.96 for the plant height and plant fresh weight, respectively. Additionally, the proposed methodology, including plant reconstruction, model processing and trait extraction, required only approximately 20[Formula: see text]s on average per plant using parallel computing on a graphics processing unit (GPU), demonstrating that the methodology would be valuable for a high-throughput phenotyping platform.
Technology Adoption Under Variable Weather Conditions — The Case of Rain Water Harvesting in Lake Naivasha Basin, Kenya
Authors: Willy Daniel Kyalo , Kuhn Arnim
Published: April 2016

This paper applies a parametric econometric duration model (log–logistic) to analyze the duration of adoption of rain water harvesting techniques (RWHTs) among smallholder farmers in the Lake Naivasha basin, Kenya. The study utilizes survey data from 307 farm-households who are dependent on rain-fed agriculture in a region where rainfall has historically been relatively variable. In such circumstances, RWHT helps to stabilize water supply and help farmers manage weather-related risks. The current study seeks to identify constraints to the spread of RWHTs by exploring how rainfall variability influences the timing of decisions to adopt RWHTs alongside other farm-household and spatial characteristics. Empirical results indicate that although rainfall variability is a significant determinant of time to adoption of RWHTs, farmers’ sensitivity to rainfall variability have declined over time. Instead, access to informal sources of information has gained importance in adoption of RWHT implying that adoption has become more of an endogenous process of social exchange within communities, and less driven by external natural pressure and persuasion by state agents. Other important factors were: age and education level of household head, domestic water demand, ground water abstraction and the number of previous and expected adopters in the village.
Ultrasound-Guided Model Predictive Control of Needle Steering in Biological Tissue
Authors: Khadem Mohsen , Rossa Carlos , Sloboda Ron S. , Usmani Nawaid , Tavakoli Mahdi
Published: April 2016

In needle-based medical procedures, beveled tip flexible needles are steered inside soft tissue to reach the desired target locations. In this paper, we have developed an autonomous image-guided needle steering system that enhances targeting accuracy in needle insertion while minimizing tissue trauma. The system has three main components. First is a novel mechanics-based needle steering model that predicts needle deflection and accepts needle tip rotation as an input for needle steering. The second is a needle tip tracking system that determines needle deflection from the ultrasound images. The needle steering model employs the estimated needle deflection at the present time to predict needle tip trajectory in the future steps. The third component is a nonlinear model predictive controller (NMPC) that steers the needle inside the tissue by rotating the needle beveled tip. The MPC controller calculates control decisions based on iterative optimization of the predictions of the needle steering model. To validate the proposed ultrasound-guided needle steering system, needle insertion experiments in biological tissue phantoms are performed in two cases–with and without obstacle. The results demonstrate that our needle steering strategy guides the needle to the desired targets with the maximum error of 2.85[Formula: see text]mm.
Fabrication lends a hand: creating custom assistive technology
Authors: Buehler Erin
Published: April 2016

Lost your hand in a lightsaber fight? No problem, we can fix that. Rapid and consumer-grade fabrication tools could revolutionize the way we design and deliver assistive technologies.
Exploring virtual reality--are we there yet?
Authors: Hunsucker Andrew J.
Published: April 2016

The
XRDS
blog highlights a range of topics from conference coverage, to security and privacy, to CS theory. Selected blog posts, edited for print, are featured in every issue. Please visit xrds.acm.org/blog to read each post in its entirety. If you are interested in joining as a student blogger, please contact us.
Advances in Magnetic Resonance Imaging Contrast Agents for Biomarker Detection
Authors: Sinharay Sanhita , Pagel Mark D.
Published: April 2016

Recent advances in magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) contrast agents have provided new capabilities for biomarker detection through molecular imaging. MRI contrast agents based on the T2exchange mechanism have more recently expanded the armamentarium of agents for molecular imaging. Compared with T1and T2* agents, T2exchange agents have a slower chemical exchange rate, which improves the ability to design these MRI contrast agents with greater specificity for detecting the intended biomarker. MRI contrast agents that are detected through chemical exchange saturation transfer (CEST) have even slower chemical exchange rates. Another emerging class of MRI contrast agents uses hyperpolarized13C to detect the agent with outstanding sensitivity. These hyperpolarized13C agents can be used to track metabolism and monitor characteristics of the tissue microenvironment. Together, these various MRI contrast agents provide excellent opportunities to develop molecular imaging for biomarker detection.
Mass Spectrometry Applied to Bottom-Up Proteomics: Entering the High-Throughput Era for Hypothesis Testing
Authors: Gillet Ludovic C. , Leitner Alexander , Aebersold Ruedi
Published: April 2016

Proteins constitute a key class of molecular components that perform essential biochemical reactions in living cells. Whether the aim is to extensively characterize a given protein or to perform high-throughput qualitative and quantitative analysis of the proteome content of a sample, liquid chromatography coupled to tandem mass spectrometry has become the technology of choice. In this review, we summarize the current state of mass spectrometry applied to bottom-up proteomics, the approach that focuses on analyzing peptides obtained from proteolytic digestion of proteins. With the recent advances in instrumentation and methodology, we show that the field is moving away from providing qualitative identification of long lists of proteins to delivering highly consistent and accurate quantification values for large numbers of proteins across large numbers of samples. We believe that this shift will have a profound impact for the field of proteomics and life science research in general.
New Functionalities for Paper-Based Sensors Lead to Simplified User Operation, Lower Limits of Detection, and New Applications
Authors: Cunningham Josephine C. , DeGregory Paul R. , Crooks Richard M.
Published: April 2016

In the last decade, paper analytical devices (PADs) have evolved into sophisticated yet simple sensors with biological and environmental applications in the developed and developing world. The focus of this review is the technological improvements that have over the past five years increased the applicability of PADs to real-world problems. Specifically, this review reports on advances in sample processing, fluid flow control, signal amplification, and component integration. Throughout, we have sought to emphasize advances that retain the main virtues of PADs: low cost, portability, and simplicity.
Plant Molecular Farming: Much More than Medicines
Authors: Tschofen Marc , Knopp Dietmar , Hood Elizabeth , Stöger Eva
Published: April 2016

Plants have emerged as commercially relevant production systems for pharmaceutical and nonpharmaceutical products. Currently, the commercially available nonpharmaceutical products outnumber the medical products of plant molecular farming, reflecting the shorter development times and lower regulatory burden of the former. Nonpharmaceutical products benefit more from the low costs and greater scalability of plant production systems without incurring the high costs associated with downstream processing and purification of pharmaceuticals. In this review, we explore the areas where plant-based manufacturing can make the greatest impact, focusing on commercialized products such as antibodies, enzymes, and growth factors that are used as research-grade or diagnostic reagents, cosmetic ingredients, and biosensors or biocatalysts. An outlook is provided on high-volume, low-margin proteins such as industrial enzymes that can be applied as crude extracts or unprocessed plant tissues in the feed, biofuel, and papermaking industries.
Proteogenomics: Integrating Next-Generation Sequencing and Mass Spectrometry to Characterize Human Proteomic Variation
Authors: Sheynkman Gloria M. , Shortreed Michael R. , Cesnik Anthony J. , Smith Lloyd M.
Published: April 2016

Mass spectrometry–based proteomics has emerged as the leading method for detection, quantification, and characterization of proteins. Nearly all proteomic workflows rely on proteomic databases to identify peptides and proteins, but these databases typically contain a generic set of proteins that lack variations unique to a given sample, precluding their detection. Fortunately, proteogenomics enables the detection of such proteomic variations and can be defined, broadly, as the use of nucleotide sequences to generate candidate protein sequences for mass spectrometry database searching. Proteogenomics is experiencing heightened significance due to two developments: (a) advances in DNA sequencing technologies that have made complete sequencing of human genomes and transcriptomes routine, and (b) the unveiling of the tremendous complexity of the human proteome as expressed at the levels of genes, cells, tissues, individuals, and populations. We review here the field of human proteogenomics, with an emphasis on its history, current implementations, the types of proteomic variations it reveals, and several important applications.
Cross talk between polysulfide and nitric oxide in rat peritoneal mast cells
Authors: Moustafa Amira , Habara Yoshiaki
Published: April 2016

The aim of this study was to define the effects of polysulfide on intracellular Ca2+ concentration ([Ca2+]i) and the underlying machinery, especially from the hydrogen sulfide (H2S) and nitric oxide (NO) perspectives, in rat peritoneal mast cells. We found that a polysulfide donor, Na2S4, increased [Ca2+]i, which is both extracellular and intracellular Ca2+ dependent. Intracellular Ca2+ release induced by Na2S4 was attenuated by the addition of a ryanodine receptor blocker. A slow-releasing H2S donor, GYY4137, dose dependently increased [Ca2+]i that was independent from extracellular Ca2+ influx. The GYY4137-induced [Ca2+]i release was partially attenuated in the presence of the ryanodine receptor blocker. Both polysulfide and H2S donors increased the intracellular NO levels in DAF-2-loaded mast cells, which were abolished by an NO scavenger, cPTIO. Inhibition of NO synthase (NOS) significantly abolished the polysulfide- or H2S-donor-induced [Ca2+]i elevation in the absence of extracellular Ca2+. An NO donor, diethylamine (DEA) NONOate, increased [Ca2+]i in a concentration-dependent manner, in which both extracellular and intracellular Ca2+ are associated. At higher concentrations, the DEA NONOate-induced [Ca2+]i increases were attenuated in the absence of extracellular Ca2+ and by the addition of the ryanodine receptor blocker. H2S and NO dose dependently induced polysulfide production. Curiously, polysulfide, H2S, and NO donors had no effect on mast cell degranulation. Among synthases, cystathionine-γ-lyase, and neuronal NOS seemed to be the major H2S- and NO-producing synthases, respectively. These results indicate that polysulfide acts as a potential signaling molecule that regulates [Ca2+]i homeostasis in rat peritoneal mast cells via a cross talk with NO and H2S.
Structural ECM components in the premetastatic and metastatic niche
Authors: Høye Anette M. , Erler Janine T.
Published: April 2016

The aim of this review is to give an overview of the extracellular matrix (ECM) components that are important for creating structural changes in the premetastatic and metastatic niche. The successful arrival and survival of cancer cells that have left the primary tumor and colonized distant sites depends on the new microenvironment they encounter. The primary tumor itself releases factors into the circulation that travel to distant organs and then initiate structural changes, both non-enzymatic and enzymatic, to create a favorable niche for the disseminating tumor cells. Therapeutic strategies aimed at targeting cell-ECM interactions may well be one of the best viable approaches to combat metastasis and thus improve patient care.
Renal tubular epithelial cell prorenin receptor regulates blood pressure and sodium transport
Authors: Ramkumar Nirupama , Stuart Deborah , Mironova Elena , Bugay Vladislav , Wang Shuping , Abraham Nikita , Ichihara Atsuhiro , Stockand James D. , Kohan Donald E.
Published: April 2016

The physiological significance of the renal tubular prorenin receptor (PRR) has been difficult to elucidate due to developmental abnormalities associated with global or renal-specific PRR knockout (KO). We recently developed an inducible renal tubule-wide PRR KO using the Pax8/LC1 transgenes and demonstrated that disruption of renal tubular PRR at 1 mo of age caused no renal histological abnormalities. Here, we examined the role of renal tubular PRR in blood pressure (BP) regulation and Na+ excretion and investigated the signaling mechanisms by which PRR regulates Na+ balance. No detectable differences in BP were observed between control and PRR KO mice fed normal- or low-Na+ diets. However, compared with controls, PRR KO mice had elevated plasma renin concentration and lower cumulative Na+ balance with normal- and low-Na+ intake. PRR KO mice had an attenuated hypertensive response and reduced Na+ retention following angiotensin II (ANG II) infusion. Furthermore, PRR KO mice had significantly lower epithelial Na+ channel (ENaC-α) expression. Treatment with mouse prorenin increased, while PRR antagonism decreased, ENaC activity in isolated split-open collecting ducts (CD). The prorenin effect was prevented by protein kinase A and Akt inhibition, but unaffected by blockade of AT1, ERK1/2, or p38 MAPK pathways. Taken together, these data indicate that renal tubular PRR, likely via direct prorenin/renin stimulation of PKA/Akt-dependent pathways, stimulates CD ENaC activity. Absence of renal tubular PRR promotes Na+ wasting and reduces the hypertensive response to ANG II.
Calcium, Reactive Oxygen Species, and Synaptic Plasticity
Authors: Hidalgo Cecilia , Arias-Cavieres Alejandra
Published: April 2016

In this review article, we address how activity-dependent Ca2+signaling is crucial for hippocampal synaptic/structural plasticity and discuss how changes in neuronal oxidative state affect Ca2+signaling and synaptic plasticity. We also analyze current evidence indicating that oxidative stress and abnormal Ca2+signaling contribute to age-related synaptic plasticity deterioration.
Visual Navigation in Nocturnal Insects
Authors: Warrant Eric , Dacke Marie
Published: April 2016

Despite their tiny eyes and brains, nocturnal insects have evolved a remarkable capacity to visually navigate at night. Whereas some use moonlight or the stars as celestial compass cues to maintain a straight-line course, others use visual landmarks to navigate to and from their nest. These impressive abilities rely on highly sensitive compound eyes and specialized visual processing strategies in the brain.
Oxygen Conditioning: A New Technique for Improving Living and Working at High Altitude
Authors: West John B.
Published: April 2016

Large numbers of people visit, work, or reside at high altitude. The inevitable hypoxia reduces physical performance and, in many instances, impairs neuropsychological function. The new technique of oxygen conditioning raises the oxygen concentration in the air of buildings such as homes, schools, and hospitals. The result is to decrease the equivalent altitude and improve both physical and cognitive performance.
Gene Duplication and Evolutionary Innovations in Hemoglobin-Oxygen Transport
Authors: Storz Jay F.
Published: April 2016

During vertebrate evolution, duplicated hemoglobin (Hb) genes diverged with respect to functional properties as well as the developmental timing of expression. For example, the subfamilies of genes that encode the different subunit chains of Hb are ontogenetically regulated such that functionally distinct Hb isoforms are expressed during different developmental stages. In some vertebrate taxa, functional differentiation between co-expressed Hb isoforms may also contribute to physiologically important divisions of labor.
Peutz-Jeghers Syndrome without Polyposis
Authors: Catto-Smith Anthony G. , Patrick Mark K. , Gall D. Grant
Published: April 2016

Peutz-Jeghers syndrome is generally considered a condition in which familial gastrointestinal polyposis is associated with a characteristic pigmentation of the skin and mucous membranes Two members of a family in which the characteristic pigmentation was present in the absence of gastrointestinal polyposis arc reported. These patients highlight the importance of defining the intestinal lesion associated with this syndrome.
Tropical Sprue in a Case of Heterosexually Transmitted Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome
Authors: Lahaie Raymond G. , Sabbah Sidney , Dumont André , Poitras Pierre , Gagnon Michel , Martin François , Boivin Michel , Lemoyne Michel
Published: April 2016

A heterosexual patient presented with severe diarrhea, malabsorption and weight loss. He was found to have acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) on the basis of candida esophagitis. Pneumocysris carinii pneumonia, inversion of T lymphocyte subpopulation ratio and the presence of serum anti-HIV virus antibodies. The patient had travelled to Haiti and the Dominican Republic where he had multiple sexual contacts with indigenous women. Despite thorough evaluation to identify the cause of diarrhea no infection, agent was discovered. Duodenal biopsy showed partial villous atrophy, slight crypt hyperplasia and increased number of intraepithelial lymphocytes. After two weeks treatment with tetracycline and folic acid. the patient was symptom free and intestinal histology had returned ro normal. Tropical sprue must thus be considered in the differential diagnosis of intestinal villous atrophy in patients with AIDS.
Alkaline Phosphatase and Disaccharide Activity in Barrett's Columnar Lined Esophagus
Authors: Sullivan S.N. , Darwish R.J. , Troster M.
Published: April 2016

Esophageal mucosal biopsies of 15 patients with normal squamous epithelium, 11 with inflamed squamous epithelium and 23 with Barrete's columnar lined esophagus were assayed for alkaline phosphatase and disaccharidase activity. Seven of the patients with Barrett's esophagus had alkaline phosphatase activity greater than three standard deviations above the mean of the 15 patients with normal squamous epithelium. Five of these seven also had disaccharidase activity three standard deviations or greater above normal. One patient with esophagitis, but without columnar epithelium, had a small increase in alkaline phosphatase and disaccharidase activity. The production of biochemical markers of small intestinal structure may he another indicator of the pluripotential nature of Barrett's epithelium.
Epidemiology of Pancreatic Carcinoma in Canada: 1931 to 1985
Authors: Ayiomamitis Anthony
Published: April 2016

Pancreatic carcinoma accounts for approximately one of every 20 deaths from cancer and one out of every 30 new cases of cancer in Canada. It is among the 10 leading causes of death from cancer and the 10 leading sites of newly diagnosed cases for a number of age groups. Age standardized mortality rates have risen sharply in both males (2.0 to 9.5 deaths per 100,000 population per year) and females (2.2 to 5.7 deaths per 100.000 population per year) during 1931 ro 1985 (P < 0.0001). The increase in standarized rates, 0.14 and 0.07 additional deaths per 100,000 population per year in males and females, respectively, is attributable to significant increases in age specific rates for males and females aged 35 to 44, 45 to 54, 55 to 64, 65 to 74, 75 co 84 and over 85 years old ( P ≤ 0.0005) in whom rates have risen by as much as 2.5 additional deaths per 100,000 population per year. Although age standardized incidence rnte5 have risen marginally in males (P = 0.085), age specific rates in males aged 0 to 24 years have risen significantly (P = 0.01 ). In contrast, standarized incidence races have risen sharply in females (0.12 additional new cases per 100,000 population per year; P = 0.0007), which was also characteristic of age specific rates for women aged 45 to 54, 55 ro 64, 65 to 74 and 75 to 84 years old (P < 0.03) where rates have risen by 0.15 to 1.65 additional new cases per 100,000 population per year. Recent age specific incidence and mortality rates indicate that morbidity and mortality rates rise sharply after age 45, when rates double between successive 10-year age groups, and peak for males and females aged more than 85 years.
Abdominal Angina in a 43-Year Old Woman – Treatment with Percutaneous Transluminal Angioplasty
Authors: Hershfield Noel B. , Kluett James A. G. , Desautels Joseph E.
Published: April 2016

A patient with the clinical presentation of chronic abdominal angina is reported. The diagnosis was confirmed by angiographic studies which revealed stenosis of the celiac axis artery at its origin, as well as significant stenosis of the superior mesenteric artery near its origin. Transluminal angioplasty of the superior mesenteric artery was performed with success. After o ne year the patient is free from rain. This case demonstrates the efficacy of percutaneous transluminal angioplasty in this condition and the importance of careful history and physical examination in patients with chronic abdominal pain.
Sympathetic Nervous Regulation in Patients with Cirrhosis: Pathogenesis of Fluid Retention and Formation of Ascites
Authors: Henriksen Jens H , Ring-Larsen Helmer , Christensen Niels Juel
Published: April 2016

Increased circulating noradrenaline in patients with cirrhosis is due to enhanced sympathetic nervous activity and is not merely the result of decreased clearance of catecholamines. There is a direct relation between the level of arterial norndrenaline and severity of cirrhosis, increased portal pressure and fluid accumulation; patients with the hepatorenal syndrome exhibit the highest values of plasma noradrenaline. In patients with cirrhosis, the kidneys have been identified as an important source of noradrenaline ‘spillover’ into plasma, which indicates enhanced sympathetic nervous activity in these organs. Moreover, the level of plasma noradrenaline is inversely related to renal bloodflow and urinary excretion of sodium, and directly related to plasma renin, vasopressin and aldosterone. An increased spillover of noradrenaline has recently been demonstrated in the splanchnic system and superior portosystemic collaterals. Reduced central and arterial blood volume and low arterial blood pressure secondary to peripheral vasodilation are probably important afferent stimuli for enhanced sympathetic nervous activity, although a nonvolume-dependent hepatic baroreceptor may also be present. The authors conclude that the sympathetic nervous system, in concert with other regulatory systems, plays an important role in sodium-water homeostasis and fluid retention, as well as in the systemic and hepatosplanchnic circulatory derangement seen in patients with cirrhosis.
Dermatomyositis with Kaposi’s Sarcoma in a Patient without Human Immunodeficiency Virus-1 Infection
Authors: Liang Dana , Szilagyi Andrew , Billick Robin C , Srolovitz Herbert , Bullen Ricardo
Published: April 2016

The first case of dermatomyositis complicating cutaneous and visceral Kaposi’s sarcoma is presented in a 75-year-old man without human immunodeficiency virus infection. Dermatomyositis preceded a definitive diagnosis of Kaposi’s sarcoma by six months, although in retrospect unrecognized lesions may have presented simultaneously. He was treated with prednisone and azathioprine, thus raising the possibility of the role of immunosuppression in promoting progression of the sarcoma. It is suggested that although the association between dermatomyositis and Kaposi’s sarcoma occurs rarely, dermatomyositis should be considered a paraneoplastic syndrome of Kaposi’s sarcoma. Further, the finding of cutaneous lesions of Kaposi’s sarcoma could predict gastrointestinal involvement when dermatomyositis and Kaposi’s sarcoma occur in the same patient.
Enpostil Lowers Elevated Serum Gastrin Concentrations in Patients with Pernicious Anemia
Authors: Kirdeikis P , Mant M , Zuk L , Fisher D , Bynum L , Thomson ABR
Published: April 2016

A double-blind, randomized, crossover, placebo controlled study of Latin square design was conducted to determine the gastrin-lowering effects of a synthetic orally administered prostaglandin, enprostil, in fasted and fed patients with hypergastrinemia due to pernicious anemia. The study subjects were one male and six female patients between the ages of 39 and 76 years with known pernicious anemia and elevated serum gastrin concentrations. In random order patients received twice daily enprostil 350 μg bid, enprostil 700 μg bid and placebo for one week, with a one week washout between treatment phases. Measurements of serum gastrin were performed in the fasting and postprandial states prior to dosing, at the end of each treatment phase, and at the end of each washout phase. Enprostil 350 μg bid lowered elevated fasting gastrin concentrations, and both doses of enprostil lowered the food-stimulated increases in serum gastrin. When changes in food-stimulated gastrin concentrations were adjusted for pre-meal gasrrin concentrations, there was a consistent dose response between placebo, 350 and 700 μg enprostil bid. All patients experienced adverse events while on enprostil, particularly on the higher dose; nausea, vomiting, diarrhea and abdominal pain we re reported most frequently. Thus, enprostil reduced basal and food-stimulated gastrin release in seven patients with pernicious anemia. The mechanism of this effect remains to be established, but it is clearly independent of an effect on acid secretion.
Liver Transplants for Alcoholic Liver Disease
Authors: Fingerote RJ , Bain VG , Fedorak RN
Published: April 2016

Alcohol related end-stage liver disease is a principal cause of liver failure. The scarcity of donor livers and the predominance of alcohol related end-stage liver disease has raised the issue of including alcoholics as candidates for liver transplantation. In rationalizing the arguments for and against the treatment of alcoholic end-stage liver disease with transplantation, factors such as recidivism, resource allocation and principles of medical practice must be considered. Public confidence in organ transplantation depends on the scientific validity and moral integrity of the policies adopted. Sound policies will prove defensible while policies based on perceptions or prejudices will, in the long run, harm the process.
Quantitative Liver Function Tests: A Realizable Goal?
Authors: Morgan Denis J , Elliott Susan L , Ghabrial Hany , Smallwood Richard A
Published: April 2016

A variety of tests has been used to assess liver function and predict hepatic functional reserve in patients with liver disease. These tests comprise clinical assessment, simple biochemical measurements and so-called ‘quantitative’ tests of liver function, ie, elimination rate measurements of exogenous markers such as drugs and other compounds. So far no single test or group of tests has proved to be a sufficiently sensitive and accurate measure of overall hepatic function across the whole spectrum of liver disease. This may he due to diversity in the hepatic handling of these compounds and in changes in architecture, hemodynamics and cell function in liver disease. The absence of a satisfactory test emphasizes the value of clinical assessments (eg, the Child-Turcotte or Child-Pugh classifications), because of their relative simplicity.
Virulence Factors ofHelicobacter pylori
Authors: Sinclair Paul
Published: April 2016

Much attention has recently been focused onHelicobacter pylori(formerlyCampylobacter pylori). It is strongly implicated as the causative agent in chronic gastritis, and may be involved in gastric and duodenal ulcers, although the latter has not been confirmed. Several virulence factors have been documented, although their involvement in the pathogenes is ofH pyloriis not proven.H pyloriwould appear to have one natural reservoir, ie, the gastric mucosa of humans. To avoid this harsh environment, it is postulated thatH pyloripossesses several characteristics which enhance survival. Strong urease enzymes produced by these organism reduce urea to ammonia and appear to create a locally elevated environment with respect to pH. The spiral shape of the cells and their flagellar motility allow them to wind themselves into the mucous layer of the stomach. Some evidence exists for the production of strong proteolytic activity, hence degrading the mucous barrier and increasing permeability for the organism. Cyroroxin excreted by the bacteria may have some effect on the surrounding cells, with the possible lysis and release of bacterial growth factors. There is evidence that a chemotactic response is present due to these growth factors and their higher concentration in the intracellular spaces. The presence of specific and nonspecific adhesion has also been demonstrated, thus allowing the bacterium, once at the epithelial cell surface, to attach and avoid being washed off by movement within the stomach. Although treatment with antimicrobials eradicates the organism and improves symptoms of peptic ulcer patients, there is no indication that the same occurs in nonulcer dyspepsia patients. Further work is essential to describe the virulence mechanisms ofH pyloriand the possible pathogenic role of the organism.
Acoustical Measurement and Biot Model for Coral Reef Detection and Quantification
Authors: Manik Henry M.
Published: April 2016

Coral reefs are coastal resources and very useful for marine ecosystems. Nowadays, the existence of coral reefs is seriously threatened due to the activities of blast fishing, coral mining, marine sedimentation, pollution, and global climate change. To determine the existence of coral reefs, it is necessary to study them comprehensively. One method to study a coral reef by using a propagation of sound waves is proposed. In this research, the measurement of reflection coefficient, transmission coefficient, acoustic backscattering, hardness, and roughness of coral reefs has been conducted using acoustic instruments and numerical modeling using Biot theory. The results showed that the quantification of the acoustic backscatter can classify the type of coral reef.
Intrabronchial Valve Treatment for Prolonged Air Leak: Can We Justify the Cost?
Authors: Podgaetz Eitan , Zamora Felix , Gibson Heidi , Andrade Rafael S. , Hall Eric , Dincer H. Erhan
Published: April 2016

Background.Prolonged air leak is defined as an ongoing air leak for more than 5 days. Intrabronchial valve (IBV) treatment is approved for the treatment of air leaks.Objective.To analyze our experience with IBV and valuate its cost-effectiveness.Methods.Retrospective analysis of IBV from June 2013 to October 2014. We analyzed direct costs based on hospital and operating room charges. We used average costs in US dollars for the analysis not individual patient data.Results.We treated 13 patients (9 M/4 F), median age of 60 years (38 to 90). Median time from diagnosis to IBV placement was 9.8 days, time from IBV placement to chest tube removal was 3 days, and time from IBV placement to hospital discharge was 4 days. Average room and board costs were $14,605 including all levels of care. IBV cost is $2750 per valve. The average number of valves used was 4. Total cost of procedure, valves, and hospital stay until discharge was $13,900.Conclusion.In our limited experience, the use of IBV to treat prolonged air leaks is safe and appears cost-effective. In pure financial terms, the cost seems justified for any air leak predicted to last greater than 8 days.
Construction of a Smooth Lyapunov Function for the Robust and Exact Second-Order Differentiator
Authors: Sanchez Tonametl , Moreno Jaime A. , Ortiz-Ricardez Fernando A.
Published: April 2016

Differentiators play an important role in (continuous) feedback control systems. In particular, the robust and exact second-order differentiator has shown some very interesting properties and it has been used successfully in sliding mode control, in spite of the lack of a Lyapunov based procedure to design its gains. As contribution of this paper, we provide a constructive method to determine a differentiable Lyapunov function for such a differentiator. Moreover, the Lyapunov function is used to provide a procedure to design the differentiator’s parameters. Also, some sets of such parameters are provided. The determination of the positive definiteness of the Lyapunov function and negative definiteness of its derivative is converted to the problem of solving a system of inequalities linear in the parameters of the Lyapunov function candidate and also linear in the gains of the differentiator, but bilinear in both.
Polysaccharide Extracted from Laminaria japonica Delays Intrinsic Skin Aging in Mice
Authors: Hu Longyuan , Tan Jia , Yang Xiaomei , Tan Haitao , Xu Xiaozhen , You Manhang , Qin Wu , Huang Liangzhao , Li Siqi , Mo Manqiu , Wei Huifen , Li Jing , Tan Jiyong
Published: April 2016

This study aimed to determine the effect of topically applied Laminaria polysaccharide (LP) on skin aging. We applied ointment containing LP (10, 25, and 50 μg/g) or vitamin E (10 μg/g) to the dorsal skin of aging mice for 12 months and young control mice for 4 weeks. Electron microscopy analysis of skin samples revealed that LP increased dermal thickness and skin collagen content. Tissue inhibitor of metalloprotease‐ (TIMP‐) 1 expression was upregulated while that of matrix metalloproteinase‐ (MMP‐) 1 was downregulated in skin tissue of LP‐treated as compared to untreated aging mice. Additionally, phosphorylation of c‐Jun N‐terminal kinase (JNK) and p38 was higher in aging skin than in young skin, while LP treatment suppressed phospho‐JNK expression. LP application also enhanced the expression of antioxidative enzymes in skin tissue, causing a decrease in malondialdehyde levels and increases in superoxide dismutase, catalase, and glutathione peroxidase levels relative to those in untreated aging mice. These results indicate that LP inhibits MMP‐1 expression by preventing oxidative stress and JNK phosphorylation, thereby delaying skin collagen breakdown during aging.
Identification and Characterization of Unique Subgroups of Chronic Pain Individuals with Dispositional Personality Traits
Authors: Mehta S. , Rice D. , McIntyre A. , Getty H. , Speechley M. , Sequeira K. , Shapiro A. P. , Morley-Forster P. , Teasell R. W.
Published: April 2016

Objective.The current study attempted to identify and characterize distinct CP subgroups based on their level of dispositional personality traits. The secondary objective was to compare the difference among the subgroups in mood, coping, and disability.Methods.Individuals with chronic pain were assessed for demographic, psychosocial, and personality measures. A two-step cluster analysis was conducted in order to identify distinct subgroups of patients based on their level of personality traits. Differences in clinical outcomes were compared using the multivariate analysis of variance based on cluster membership.Results.In 229 participants, three clusters were formed. No significant difference was seen among the clusters on patient demographic factors including age, sex, relationship status, duration of pain, and pain intensity. Those with high levels of dispositional personality traits had greater levels of mood impairment compared to the other two groups (p<0.05). Significant difference in disability was seen between the subgroups.Conclusions.The study identified a high risk group of CP individuals whose level of personality traits significantly correlated with impaired mood and coping. Use of pharmacological treatment alone may not be successful in improving clinical outcomes among these individuals. Instead, a more comprehensive treatment involving psychological treatments may be important in managing the personality traits that interfere with recovery.
Fabrication of Hyaluronan-Poly(vinylphosphonic acid)-Chitosan Hydrogel for Wound Healing Application
Authors: Hoang Phuc Dang , Thi Hiep Nguyen , Ngoc Phuc Chau Do , Thi Thu Hoai Nguyen , Chan Khon Huynh , Van Toi Vo , Dai Hai Nguyen , Chi Bao Bui
Published: April 2016

A new hydrogel made of hyaluronan, poly(vinylphosphonic acid), and chitosan (HA/PVPA/CS hydrogel) was fabricated and characterized to be used for skin wound healing application. Firstly, the component ratio of hydrogel was studied to optimize the reaction effectiveness. Next, its microstructure was observed by light microscope. The chemical interaction in hydrogel was evaluated by nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy and Fourier transform-infrared spectroscopy. Then, a study on its degradation rate was performed. After that, antibacterial activity of the hydrogel was examined by agar diffusion method. Finally,in vivostudy was performed to evaluate hydrogel’s biocompatibility. The results showed that the optimized hydrogel had a three-dimensional highly porous structure with the pore size ranging from about 25 µm to less than 125 µm. Besides, with a degradation time of two weeks, it could give enough time for the formation of extracellular matrix framework during remodeling stages. Furthermore, the antibacterial test showed that hydrogel has antimicrobial activity againstE. coli.Finally,in vivostudy indicated that the hydrogel was not rejected by the immune system and could enhance wound healing process. Overall, HA/PVPA/CS hydrogel was successfully fabricated and results implied its potential for wound healing applications.