bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
PROXIMAL POINT ALGORITHM FOR A COMMON OF COUNTABLE FAMILIES OF INVERSE STRONGLY ACCRETIVE OPERATORS AND NONEXPANSIVE MAPPINGS WITH CONVERGENCE ANALYSIS
Authors: Promluang Khanittha , Sitthithakerngkiet Kanokwan , Kumam Poom
Published: January 2016

In this paper, we investigate and analyze a proximal point algorithm via viscosity approximation method with error. This algorithm is introduced for finding a common zero point for a countable family of inverse strongly accretive operators and a countable family of nonexpansive mappings in Banach spaces. Our result can be extended to some well known results from a Hilbert space to a uniformly convex and 2−uniformly smooth Banach space. Finally, we establish the strong convergence theorems for the proximal point algorithm. Also, some illustrative numerical examples are presented.
Micro-Design Intervention as a Method for Social Acupuncture to Stimulate Environmental Design Consciousness in Bulgaria
Authors: Metalkova-Markova Milena
Published: January 2016

AIM: This paper aims to establish a method for a micro-design intervention as a social acupuncture used to stimulate sustainable development consciousness among young students during fieldwork in mountain and rural areas of Bulgaria.MATERIAL AND METHODS: A theoretical framework of a sustainable approach for a micro-design intervention is established on the base of the phenomenological approach of Yuhani Pallasmaa, the concept of eco-museum type of endogeneous rural development by Toshio Mitsuhashi and the design philosophy of "Rural Studio" in USA. At the Department of History and Theory of Architecture at the Faculty of Architecture there are annual summer fieldworks for students of architecture usually organized at various mountain or rural villages within the country. Students are asked to conduct research on vernacular architecture, community relationships and local cultural milieau as part of their education curricula during the second year of their studies and in the 5th year as a pre-diploma architectural practice. By means of micro-design interventions at focal public points or buildings students tried to find a way to activate people environmental consciousness and attitudes to their immediate environment. The main aim of the fieldworks was to connect research with a Design & Make approach in order to catalyze citizen participation in a fusion with an environmental education.RESULTS: These practical experiences seek to transform the research theory of sustainable environmental design into a pragmatic strategy to strengthen environmental consciousness for young generations of students in architecture in Bulgaria. Working and living together in rural or mountain traditional environments, trying to understand and assist local people by creating micro-design interventions is one of the best ways to heighten environmental design consciousness by an immersion in the milieau of local culture and community relationships.CONCLUSION: A socially sustainable micro-design intervention as a strategy is only possible by combining the tools of an anthropologist and a designer or in other words by finding the intersection and cross-fertilization points between the cultural values of insiders and observers.
Evaluation of UVA Cytotoxicity for Human Endothelium in an Ex Vivo Corneal Cross-linking Experimental Setting
Authors: Mooren Pepijn , Gobin Laure , Bostan Nezahat , Wouters Kristien , Zakaria Nadia , Mathysen Danny G. P. , Koppen Carina
Published: January 2016

PURPOSE:

To evaluate endothelial cytotoxicity after exposure of human corneas to ultraviolet-A (UVA) (λ = 365 nm; 5.4 J/cm
2
) in an experimental ex vivo corneal cross-linking setting.

METHODS:

Sixteen pairs of human donor corneas were cut into two pieces. One piece of each cornea was treated with 0.025% riboflavin solution prior to UVA irradiation (5 minutes; 18 mW/cm
2
), whereas the other piece was not irradiated but treated with riboflavin (right eye) or preservation medium (left eye). By irradiating from the endothelial side, the UVA dosage applied to endothelial cells exceeded at least eight times the cytotoxic threshold established in animal models (0.65 J/cm
2
). Endothelial cell counts were performed by two independent investigators after storage (4 to 5 days at 31°C) and staining (trypan blue, alizarin red). Normality (Q-Q plot; Shapiro–Wilk test) and equivalence (mixed-effects modeling with a 10% equivalence threshold) of the endothelial cell counts of the different groups were evaluated.

RESULTS:

Equivalence of mean endothelial cell density between both groups was observed: 2,237 ± 208 cells/mm
2
in UVA-irradiated pieces and 2,290 ± 281 cells/mm
2
in control pieces (mean difference of 53 ± 240 cells/mm
2
between both groups).

CONCLUSIONS:

Despite direct irradiation of human donor endothelium using the clinical dosage for cross-linking, equivalence in endothelial cell counts was observed between irradiated tissues and controls. Ex vivo human corneal endothelial cells seem to be far more resistant to riboflavin-enhanced UVA irradiation than previously estimated by animal experiments.

[
J Refract Surg.
2016;32(1):41–46.]
Keratoconus Progression Induced by In Vitro Fertilization Treatment
Authors: Yuksel Erdem , Yalinbas Duygu , Aydin Bahri , Bilgihan Kamil
Published: January 2016

PURPOSE:

To evaluate patients with keratoconus who manifested progression after in vitro fertilization (IVF) treatment.

METHODS:

Patients with keratoconus who received IVF treatment were included in this study. None of the patients became pregnant as a result of the IVF treatment. Progression of keratoconus was determined by changes in corrected distance visual acuity and/or topographic changes and subjective assessments.

RESULTS:

Three patients with keratoconus received IVF treatment and keratoconus progression was detected in all 6 eyes of the patients. The mean age of the patients was 32.3 ± 3.6 years (range: 28 to 36 years) and the mean follow-up duration was 15.6 ± 3.2 months (range: 12 to 18 months). The mean and the maximum keratometry values increased and corrected distance visual acuity decreased after 2.3 IVF treatments.

CONCLUSIONS:

Drugs used in IVF treatment increase estrogen levels, which may affect corneal biomechanics and induce progression of keratoconus. Corneal cross-linking treatment could be offered to minimize the risk of keratoconus progression before IVF treatment.

[
J Refract Surg.
2016;32(1):60–63.]
The Internet and the Rise in Self-Empowerment of Chinese Women
Authors: Han Xiao
Published: January 2016

Focusing on female Chinese bloggers, this chapter explores the potential of weblogs in the process of female self-empowerment by looking at self-actualisation, construction of social interactions, and the organisation of personal networks. The empirical data used is derived from features analysis of selected female blogs, social network analysis of the relationships between these blogs, and from in-depth interviews with seven female bloggers. This data is complimented by discourse analysis to investigate the communicative purposes of these blogs, and content analysis of selected comments written on the blogs. Overall, the findings show that weblogs help women to become social agents by bringing personal, private and intimate issues onto the public agenda, and by controlling the flow of personal information based on their subjective needs to project a particular identity. However, opportunities for networking between individual bloggers are limited. The processes through which women are empowered as individual actors are also constrained by commercialisation and by traditional norms and gendered cultural stereotypes.
Ten Years of Experience with Agile and Model-Driven Software Development in a Legacy Platform
Authors: Pang Chung-Yeung
Published: January 2016

In this chapter, a report containing the author's many years of experience in software development together with a discussion of software engineering are presented. The report begins with the software crisis and includes different projects following the traditional waterfall model with heavy documents. In a re-engineering project of a legacy IT system by modernizing COBOL applications, we established an agile and model driven approach to software development. This approach which has been successfully applied in 13 projects since 2004 is presented. The key factors required for our success will also be discussed. Both the good and bad experiences of the last ten years will be summarized. The chapter will be finalized with a vision of a new architecture for agile software development.
Rapid Agile Transformation at a Large IT Organization
Authors: Ng Pan-Wei
Published: January 2016

This chapter describes the agile transformation of an IT organization in China with about 4000 people including contractors. In the span of one year, 47 teams and 1700 engineers moved from traditional to agile way of working. There was a 44% reduction in development lead-time, 5% reduction in production defects and 22% reduction in production incidents. This agile transformation occurred at two levels. At the organization level, adoption speed was crucial, as we wanted to reach critical mass in rapid time with limited coaching resources. This was very much an entrepreneur startup problem, where customers in our case are teams and members in the IT organization. At the team level, a practice architecture provided a roadmap for continuous improvement. A theory-based-software-engineering approach facilitated deeper learning. Beyond the usual factors for leading successful change, this transformation exemplified the use of a startup mentality, social networks, practice architecture, simulation, gamification, and more importantly integrating theory and practice.
Behavior-Driven Development Using Specification by Example
Authors: Menon Praveen Ramachandra
Published: January 2016

This chapter highlights a crucial problem seen often in software development that is bridging the communication gap between business and technical language and that it can be addressed with “Behavior Driven Development” (BDD) methodology supplemented with “Specification By Example” approach of delivering the right software that matters. Effective communication has always been a challenge between clients, business stakeholders, project managers, developers, testers and business analysts because a “ubiquitous” language that every one can easily understand and use does not exist. Specification By Example serves as that ubiquitous language for all, helps build right software that matters through effective communication. Specifications are written in plain English language using the Gherkin syntax to describe various behaviors of software. BDD tools help write software specification using gherkin language and also create a living documentation that is automatically generated by programming language reflecting the current state of software at any given point of time.
Mobile Platforms Supporting Health Professionals
Authors: Tamposis Ioannis , Pouliakis Abraham , Fezoulidis Ioannis , Karakitsos Petros
Published: January 2016

Mobile computing is beginning defining the future of healthcare. The vast majority of mHealth applications are related to fitness, training and self-monitoring; limited applications are targeting physicians and doctor-patient interactions. However this can change. In this chapter the background of applications related to medical imaging and clinical and laboratory medicine is analyzed. A technological framework supporting mHealth applications in an agnostic manner is also introduced. Within this framework there are implemented two application examples, one application (ImaginX) supporting a health ecosystem (hospitals, radiologists, clinicians, patients) for medical image management. The second application (HPVGuard) supports a divergent but cooperating environment of laboratory and clinical doctors and patients involved in cervical cancer prevention and control. The two applications are analyzed and issues related to user acceptance and future directions are presented. mHealth has the potential to shape health future not by just translating existing applications but by inspiring new ideas.
Tailored M-Health Communication in Patient-Centered Care
Authors: Moumtzoglou Anastasius S.
Published: January 2016

Emerging M-Health technologies provide fundamentally different ways of looking at tailored communication technology. As a result, tailored communications research is poised at a crossroads. It needs to both build on and break away from existing frameworks into new territory, realizing the necessary commitment to theory-driven research at basic, methodological, clinical, and applied levels. In this context, the revolution of M-Health holds great promise in both health care and public health. The chapter envisions tailored M-Health communication in the context of patient-centered care, as it remains to be seen whether the revolution in M-Health will provide the tools to engineer sufficient impact on patient-centered care and tailored communication.
Essential Role for Survivin in the Proliferative Expansion of Progenitor and Mature B Cells
Authors: Miletic Ana V. , Jellusova Julia , Cato Matthew H. , Lee Charlotte R. , Baracho Gisele V. , Conway Edward M. , Rickert Robert C.
Published: January 2016

Survivin is a member of the inhibitor of apoptosis family of proteins and a biomarker of poor prognosis in aggressive B cell non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma. In addition to its role in inhibition of apoptosis, survivin also regulates mitosis. In this article, we show that deletion of survivin during early B cell development results in a complete block at the cycling pre-B stage. In the periphery, B cell homeostasis is not affected, but survivin-deficient B cells are unable to mount humoral responses. Correspondingly, we show that survivin is required for cell division in response to mitogenic stimulation. Thus, survivin is essential for proliferation of B cell progenitors and activated mature B cells, but is dispensable for B cell survival. Moreover, a small-molecule inhibitor of survivin strongly impaired the growth of representative B lymphoma lines in vitro, supporting the validity of survivin as an attractive therapeutic target for high-grade B cell non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma.
Observational case-control study of non-invasive ventilation in patients with ARDS
Authors: Domenighetti G. , Moccia A. , Gayer R.
Published: January 2016

Background. The application of non-invasive pressure support ventilation (NIPSV) in patients with acute lung injury or ARDS remains controversial despite recent promising results. Data in rather homogeneous ARDS groups is lacking. Objective. To compare the outcome of NIPSV-treated patients satisfying the diagnostic criteria for primary (pulmonary) ARDS (ARDSp) and presenting without distant organ failures at admission, with those of a matched control group treated in the same ICU with endotracheal mechanical ventilation (ETMV). Methods. We applied NIPSV in 12 immunocompetent and collaborative patients who met the above cited criteria. NIPSV failure rate, short-term oxygenation, length of stay, mortality rate and complications were analyzed and compared with a control group of 12 intubated ARDSp-patients matched for age, SAPS II, PaO2/FiO2 and pH at admission. Results. NIPSV failed in 4 patients developing distant organ failures. Compared to the ETMV control group, NIPSV success patients had reduced cumulative time on ventilation (p = 0.001) and length of ICU stay (p = 0.004). After the first 60’ of ventilation, oxygenation improved more in the NIPSV than in the ETMV group (146 ± 52 mmHg vs 109 ± 34 mmHg; p = 0.05). The overall ICU mortality rate did not differ significantly between the groups but tended to be higher in the NIPSV group. Conclusions. In ARDSp patients without distant organ failures at admission and during the disease course, NIPSV might be a suitable alternative to invasive ventilation; however, the real effects on outcome of NIPSV applied to stable homogeneous subgroups of ARDS patients merit further investigations in randomised studies.
The Italian SurveY on carDiac rEhabilitation - 2008 (ISYDE-2008): a snapshot of current cardiac rehabilitation programmes and provides in Italy Part 2: ISYDE-2008 investigators and directory of italian cardiac rehabilitation centers
Authors: Tramarin Roberto , De Feo Stefania , Ambrosetti Marco , Griffo Raffaele , Maslowsky Franco , Vaghi Paola
Published: January 2016

-
A thirty-nine-year survival with the Starr-Edwards mitral valve prosthesis
Authors: Scardi Sabino , Pinamonti Bruno , Moretti Michele , Sinagra Gianfranco
Published: January 2016

We report a case of a 57 year-old woman with Starr- Edwards model 6120 mitral valve replacement and Kay- Shiley bioprosthetic tricuspid valve replacement in 1968 at Niguarda Hospital in Milan. The mitral caged-ball has proved its excellent durability and its good hemodynamic performance in many patients, even if subject to high tendency to thrombosis. In literature there is no evidence of durability of this prosthesis longer than 35 years. Our patient after 39 years from mitral valve replacement lives a happy and fulfilling life (NYHA II), with no evidence of hemolysis, ball variance, symptomatic embolization or major bleeding.
Teaching classical mechanics using an applied example: Modelling and Software
Authors: García-March M.A. , Isidro J.M. , Zacarés M. , Arevalillo M. , González-Santander J.L. , Monreal Ll. , López-Javier C.I.
Published: January 2016

Presentamos la experiencia docente obtenida al utilizar un mecanismo muy común en ingeniería, como el mecanismo biela-manivela-deslizadera, como un ejemplo práctico en la asignatura ”mecánica clásica” que se imparte en los grados de física e ingeniería. También presentamos una interfaz gráfica que permite al estudiante visualizar los resultados obtenidos al simular en el ordenador el movimiento de dicho mecanismo variando las condiciones en las que se realiza el experimento numérico.
A virtual laboratory designed for teaching diffractive lenses
Authors: Giménez F. , Monsoriu J.A. , Furlan W.D. , Pons A.
Published: January 2016

En este trabajo presentamos un laboratorio virtual desarrollado en Matlab GuiQc (Interfaz Gráfica con el Usuario) para su uso en los cursos de Óptica como herramienta informática para la enseñanza de las propiedades de focalización de las lentes difractivas. Esta interfaz GUI permite a los estudiantes aprender fácil y rápidamente la influencia de los parámetros constructivos de la lente en el volumen focal. A modo de ejemplo analizamos en este trabajo lentes difractivas fractales porque hemos encontrado que la geometría fractal es un tema muy motivador para los estudiantes ya que está relacionado con un gran número de fenómenos científicos y tecnológicos.
Mathematical modeling: a valuable training aid for new medical devices
Authors: Berjano Enrique
Published: January 2016

Este artículo trata sobre la modelización biomédica en general y cómo las técnicas de modelización pueden ayudar para mejorar la práctica clínica en el uso de nuevos dispositivos médicos en particular. La ecuación “Bioheat” o de difusión del calor en tejido biológico se utiliza como ejemplo para mostrar como, incluso en el caso en que los modelos matemáticos estén basados en ecuaciones complejas, los términos de dichas ecuaciones representan fenómenos que pueden ser entendidos de forma intuitiva. El artículo también presenta ejemplos en los cuales el modelado matemático se usa para estudiar la adecuación de los dispositivos médicos, especialmente aquellos relacionados con la ablación por radiofrecuencia.
Modelos para distintas tecnologías de generación eléctrica y optimización de la demanda diaria
Authors: Carlos Sofia
Published: January 2016

La cobertura de la demanda de energía eléctrica mediante distintas fuentes de generación es un problema técnico de gran importancia. En concreto, este problema es de gran interés en la titulación de los Ingenieros Industriales, los cuales dentro de su formación abordan las diferentes tecnologías de generación de energía y el mercado eléctrico. El trabajo concreto se centra en optimizar la curva de demanda diaria de energía suponiendo que se tienen dos tipos de centrales: térmicas e hidráulicas. Para cada tipo de central se desarrolla un modelo matemático sencillo y se plantean las diferentes restricciones de suministro que tienen las distintas centrales. Para la optimización se ha utilizado un algoritmo genético, con la finalidad de dar a conocer a los alumnos una técnica heurística de optimización, y el proceso por el cual encuentra la mejor solución.
Obtención de las características seccionales de secciones metálicas de pared delgada abiertas
Authors: Jiménez Mocholí Antonio José , Giménez-Palomares Fernando , Lapuebla-Ferri Andrés
Published: January 2016

En construcción se utilizan frecuentemente las secciones de pared delgada conformadas en frio a partir de bobinas de chapa que se pliegan por procedimientos mecánicos. Dada la propensión de este tipo de secciones a fenómenos de inestabilidad frente a las tensiones de compresión originadas durante la flexión, es necesario conocer los valores eficaces de las características geométricas de estas secciones. Adicional- mente, como regla general, no es adecuada la elección de perfiles de sección abierta para soportar esfuerzos de torsión importantes, y mucho menos si se trata de secciones de pared delgada. Así, cuando en los cálculos de una estructura se consideran secciones abiertas de pared delgada en las que participe, además de la flexión, la torsión de los elementos, es necesario disponer de parámetros geométricos de las secciones como el módulo de torsión, el módulo de alabeo y la posición del centro de esfuerzos cortantes, entre otros. Se ha desarrollado una aplicación en MatlabQc , dirigida a los alumnos del grado en Ingeniería Mecánica y el grado en Ingeniería en Tecnologías Industriales, que permite la obtención de estos parámetros partiendo de la discretización de la geometría de la sección mediante tramos rectos y radios de acuerdo circulares. Se describen los algoritmos de cálculo utilizados para ello y las herramientas graficas desarrolladas.
Editors' Note
Authors: Cohn Ellen R. , Cason Jana
Published: January 2016

The Fall 2015 issue of the International Journal of Telerehabilitation (IJT) presents the original work of three distinguished and innovative interdisciplinary teams.  Interdisciplinarity is also a hallmark of the IJT editorial staff, reviewers, and publishing team.The first article is a product of engineers with expertise in computing science (LoPresti and Simpson) and a medical speech-language pathologist (Jinks) who practices in the area of assistive technology. These authors reported upon the degree to which consumers are satisfied with the provision of telerehabilitation services for augmentative and alternative communication or alternative computer accessibility.A second article, by Proffitt, (occupational therapist) and Lange, (a physiotherapist with expertise in the use of interactive video games and virtual reality technologies) demonstrated the feasibility of employing a 6-week, game-based, in-home telerehabilitation exercise program using the Microsoft Kinect® for individuals with chronic stroke.Finally, the third article co-authored by Watzlaf (health information management, with degrees in public health and epidemiology), DeAlmeida (health information systems, with a degree in cell and molecular biology), Zhou (with degrees in computer science and physics, and expertise in mathematical modeling on health related topics, information integration, and comparative genomics), and Hartman (a reference librarian with a degree in chemistry, who collaborates with faculty in the health sciences and serves as a liaison to a school of health and rehabilitation sciences) describes a protocol to conduct systematic reviews of research in telerehabilitation, with the aim that IJT readers can ultimately apply this protocol to identify best practices in telerehabilitation.
Rastros del exilio e inspiración autobiográfica en las historias de "Las confidentes" (1997) de Angelina Muñiz
Authors: Pérez Aparicio Naaraí
Published: January 2016

La vida y obra de Angelina Muñiz-Huberman (1939) han sido fuertemente influenciadas por el exilio sufrido por sus padres. Por azares del destino, la escritora nació en Hyères, Francia y enseguida la familia se instaló en París en espera del término de la guerra de España. Después de la trágica muerte del hermano mayor y una vez Franco en el poder, se embarcan rumbo a Cuba, donde pasan tres años paradisíacos alejados de España, de la guerra y del resto del mundo. Finalmente en 1942, se trasladan a México donde se establecen de forma definitiva. El libro Las confidentes (1997) contiene quince historias que van desarrollando algunos de estos puntos decisivos en la personalidad de la “hispanomexicana”. En ocasiones los elementos autobiográficos sobrepasan la personalidad de los protagonistas y en otras el exilio es el motor de la narración.
El impacto de la Inteligencia Policial en la toma de decisiones estratégicas, operativas y tácticas en la Policía Nacional Civil de El Salvador
Authors: Bogran Acosta José Osmín , Lazo Merino Walter Reymundo , Zometa Douglas Elenilson
Published: January 2016

Este es un estudio descriptivo acerca del uso de la inteligencia para la toma de decisiones policiales en todos los niveles. Se realizaron entrevistas con usuarios y productores de inteligencia a fin de colegir aspectos deficientes y con potencial de mejora. Existen hallazgos relevantes acerca de las brechas actuales entre la producción de inteligencia y el uso de la misma para la toma de decisiones. Se concluye realizando una propuesta de mejora para la construcción de un modelo de inteligencia propio para la Policía Nacional Civil.
English Learning Achievement and EFL Learners’ Cheating Attitudes and Cheating Behaviors
Authors: Rahimi Mehrak , Goli Atefeh
Published: January 2016

The aim of the current study was investigating the role of achievement in learning English as a foreign language in EFL learners’ cheating attitudes and cheating behaviors. Eight hundred junior high-school students were selected based on random cluster sampling and participated in the study. Their attitudes towards academic dishonesty and their cheating behaviors in language classes were examined by two questionnaires. The result of data analysis revealed significant correlations between achievement in learning English and cheating attitudes and behaviors. Further, the result of regression revealed that achievement in learning English had weak power to predict cheating attitudes (.7%). However, the power of achievement in learning English to predict cheating behaviors of language learners in language classes was five times stronger (3.5%).
Implementation of Business Process Re-Engineering in the Service Sector
Authors: Aldakhil Abdullah Mohammad
Published: January 2016

Achieving successful performance for the organizations is a choice of each and every organization. In this competitive age every organization needs to improve its performance as much as possible. Business process re-engineering (BPR) is no more an innovative technique and many organizations including service sectors are using this as a technique in their originations. Enterprise Resources Planning is a complex piece of software and the contemporary organizations are using this as a source in order to implement the BPR. It is believed that, hospitals are one of the most challenging organizations to implement the change in their business processes. This research is conducted by using quantitative approach to analyze the implications of BPR in a private hospital in Saudi Arabia. It is concluded that after the implementation of ERP system the both stakeholders’ patients as well as employees including doctors are much satisfied with the new system.
Antimicrobial Activity of Chromolaena odorata Extracts against Bacterial Human Skin Infections
Authors: Hanphanphoom Srisuda , Krajangsang Sukhumaporn
Published: January 2016

Leaf, stem and root of Chromolaena odorata were extracted by maceration extraction method using water, ethanol, methanol and hexane as solvents. The average percentage yield of leaf extracts in water (12.16 ± 0.13%), ethanol (8.42 ± 0.115%), methanol (10.45 ± 0.012%) and hexane (2.37 ± 0.215%) were significantly higher compared with stem and root extracts using the same solvents. All extracts were tested for antimicrobial activity against ten bacterial strains associated with human skin infections. Leaf extracts with ethanol, methanol and hexane solvents gave the best inhibitory activity against six gram-positive bacterial strains (Bacillus cereus TISTR 687, Enterococcus faecalis TISTR 379, Staphylococcus epidermidis TISTR 518, Staphylococcus aureus TISTR 1466, Streptococcus pyogenes ATCC 19615 and Propionibacterium acnes DMST 14916) and one gram-negative bacterial strain (Proteus vulgaris ATCC 13315). The hexane stem extract showed greater inhibitory activity against Pseudomonas aeruginosa ATCC 27853(15.3±0.5 mm), B. cereus TISTR 687(14.6±0.8 mm) and Klebsiella pneumoniae TISTR 1843 (14.0±1.0 mm), while hexane root extract showed high inhibitory activity against Enterococcus faecalis TISTR 379 (14.5±0.9 mm) and Kleb. pneumoniae TISTR 1843 (14.7±0.6 mm). The lowest minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of the ethanolic leaf extract was 0.81 mg/mL against Staph. aureus TISTR 1466, followed by methanolic and hexane leaf extracts with equal MIC of 1.62 mg/mL against both Staph. aureus TISTR 1466 and Strep. pyogenes ATCC 19615. The antimicrobial activity of the methanolic leaf extract of C. odorata was correlated with the amount of both total phenolic and flavonoid compounds. The results obtained suggest that the ethanolic, methanolic and hexane leaf extracts could be developed to treat bacterial skin infections. The hexane was sutiable solvent for extraction of the stem and root parts of C. odorata.
Combined effect of 17β-estradiol and resveratrol against apoptosis induced by interleukin-1β in rat nucleus pulposus cells via PI3K/Akt/caspase-3 pathway
Authors: Yang Si-Dong , Ma Lei , Yang Da-Long , Ding Wen-Yuan
Published: January 2016

Background: In previous studies, both 17β-estradiol (E2) and resveratrol (RES) were reported to protect intervertebral disc cells against aberrant apoptosis. Given that E2 has a better anti-apoptotic effect with more cancer risk and RES has an anti-apoptotic effect with less cancer risk, the combined use of E2 with RES is promising in developing clinical therapies to treat apoptosis-related diseases such as intervertebral disc degeneration in the future.Objective: The purpose of this study was to explore the combined effect of E2 with RES on rat nucleus pulposus cells and the underlying mechanisms.Methods: TUNEL assay and FACS analysis were used to determine apoptotic incidence of nucleus pulposus cells. MTS assay was used to determine cell viability, and cellular binding assay was used to determine cell-ECM (extracellular matrix) ability. Real-time quantitative RT-PCR was to determine mRNA level of target genes. And Western blot was used to determine the protein level.Results: Both E2 and RES decreased apoptotic incidence when used singly; interestingly, they decreased apoptosis more efficiently when used combinedly. Meanwhile, E2 and RES combined together against the decrease of cell viability and binding ability resulting from IL-1β cytotoxicity. As well, activated caspase-3 was suppressed by the combined effect. Furthermore, IL-1β downregulated expression level of type II collagen and aggrecan (standing for anabolism), while upregulated MMP-3 and MMP-13 (standing for catabolism). However, the combined use of E2 with RES effectively abolished the above negative effects caused by IL-1β, better than either single use. Finally, it turned out to be that E2 and RES combined together against apoptosis via the activation of PI3K/Akt/caspase-3 pathway.Conclusion: This study presented that IL-1β induced aberrant apoptosis, which was efficiently resisted by the combined use of E2 with RES via PI3K/Akt/caspase-3 pathway.
The Global Positioning System constellation as a space weather monitor: Comparison of electron measurements with Van Allen Probes data
Authors: Morley Steven K. , Sullivan John P. , Henderson Michael G. , Blake J. Bernard , Baker Daniel N.
Published: January 2016

Energetic electron observations in Earth's radiation belts are typically sparse, and multipoint studies often rely on serendipitous conjunctions. This paper establishes the scientific utility of the Combined X‐ray Dosimeter (CXD), currently flown on 19 satellites in the Global Positioning System (GPS) constellation, by cross‐calibrating energetic electron measurements against data from the Van Allen Probes. By breaking our cross calibration into two parts—one that removes any spectral assumptions from the CXD flux calculation and one that compares the energy spectra—we first validate the modeled instrument response functions, then the calculated electron fluxes. Unlike previous forward modeling of energetic electron spectra, we use a combination of four distributions that together capture a wide range of observed spectral shapes. Our two‐step approach allowed us to identify, and correct for, small systematic offsets between block IIR and IIF satellites. Using the Magnetic Electron Ion Spectrometer and Relativistic Electron‐Proton Telescope on Van Allen Probes as a “gold standard,” we demonstrate that the CXD instruments are well understood. A robust statistical analysis shows that CXD and Van Allen Probes fluxes are similar and the measured fluxes from CXD are typically within a factor of 2 of Van Allen Probes at energies
4 MeV. We present data from 17 CXD‐equipped GPS satellites covering the 2015 “St. Patrick's Day” geomagnetic storm to illustrate the scientific applications of such a high data density satellite constellation and therefore demonstrate that the GPS constellation is positioned to enable new insights in inner magnetospheric physics and space weather forecasting.
Asymmetric addition of phenylacetylene to aldehydes catalyzed by complex of O‐sulfonyl camphor derivatives and titanium
Authors: Lee Dong‐Sheng , Gau Chang‐Weu , Chen Yu‐Yang , Lu Ta‐Jung
Published: January 2016

Several novel ligands that are based on the camphor skeleton or contain the O‐sulfonyl group were synthesized and used in the asymmetric addition of phenylacetylene to aldehydes. This enantioselective reaction afforded chiral propargylic alcohols in high yields and with good to excellent levels of enantiopurity (up to 99% enantiomeric excess). Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Inserting Thienyl Linkers into Conjugated Molecules for Efficient Multilevel Electronic Memory: A New Understanding of Charge‐Trapping in Organic Materials
Authors: Li Yang , Li Hua , He Jinghui , Xu Qingfeng , Li Najun , Chen Dongyun , Lu Jianmei
Published: January 2016

The practical application of organic memory devices requires low power consumption and reliable device quality. Herein, we report that inserting thienyl units into D–π–A molecules can improve these parameters by tuning the texture of the film. Theoretical calculations revealed that introducing thienyl π bridges increased the planarity of the molecular backbone and extended the D–A conjugation. Thus, molecules with more thienyl spacers showed improved stacking and orientation in the film state relative to the substrates. The corresponding sandwiched memory devices showed enhanced ternary memory behavior, with lower threshold voltages and better repeatability. The conductive switching and variation in the performance of the memory devices were interpreted by using an extended‐charge‐trapping mechanism. Our study suggests that judicious molecular engineering can facilitate control of the orientation of the crystallite in the solid state to achieve superior multilevel memory performance.
Overweight and obesity predict better overall survival rates in cancer patients with distant metastases
Authors: Tsang Ngan Ming , Pai Ping Ching , Chuang Chi Cheng , Chuang Wen Ching , Tseng Chen Kan , Chang Kai Ping , Yen Tzu Chen , Lin Jen Der , Chang Joseph Tung Chieh
Published: January 2016

Recent studies conducted in patients with chronic diseases have reported an inverse association between body mass index (BMI) and mortality. However, the question as to whether BMI may predict prognosis in patients with metastatic cancer remains open. We therefore designed the current retrospective study to investigate the potential association between BMI and overall survival (OS) in patients with distant metastases (DM) and a favorable performance status. Between 2000 and 2012, a total of 4010 cancer patients with DM who required radiotherapy (RT) and had their BMI measured at the initiation of RT were identified. The relation between BMI and OS was examined by univariate and multivariable analysis. The median OS time was 3.23 months (range: 0.1–122.17) for underweight patients, 6.08 months (range: 0.03–149.46) for normal‐weight patients, 7.99 months (range: 0.07–158.01) for overweight patients, and 12.49 months (range, 0.2–164.1) for obese patients (log‐rank: P < 0.001). Compared with normal‐weight patients, both obese (HR = 0.676; 95% P < 0.001) and overweight individuals (HR = 0.84; P < 0.001) had a reduced risk of all‐cause mortality in multivariable analysis. Conversely, underweight patients had a significantly higher risk of death from all causes (HR = 1.41; P < 0.001). Overweight and obesity are independent predictors of better OS in metastatic patients with a good performance status. Increased BMI may play a role to identify metastatic patients with superior survival outcome and exhibit a potential to encourage aggressive management in those patients even with metastases.
Bimetallic Nickel Complexes that Bear Diamine‐Bis(Benzotriazole Phenolate) Derivatives as Efficient Catalysts for the Copolymerization of Carbon Dioxide with Epoxides
Authors: Lin Pei‐Min , Chang Chi‐Hang , Chuang Hui‐Ju , Liu Cheng‐Tang , Ko Bao‐Tsan , Lin Chu‐Chieh
Published: January 2016

We report the facile synthesis and structural characterization of efficient bimetallic nickel catalysts that bear diamine‐bis(benzotriazole phenolate) derivatives for the copolymerization of CO2 and epoxides. Thermally robust di‐nickel 2 is an effective catalyst for the alternating copolymerization of cyclohexene oxide (CHO) with CO2 to give turnover numbers of up to >4000 and turnover frequencies of up to >400 h−1. Ni catalyst 2 leads to not only controlled CO2/CHO coupling, but it has also been applied to catalyze the copolymerization of 4‐vinyl‐1,2‐cyclohexene oxide (VCHO) and CO2 to obtain the corresponding polycarbonate with the vinyl functionality on the side chains. This is the first example of a dinuclear Ni complex that is efficient for both CO2/VCHO copolymerization and the formation of a high‐molecular‐weight copolymer with a large amount of carbonate linkages.
Polyoxometalate‐Intercalated Layered Double Hydroxides as Efficient and Recyclable Bifunctional Catalysts for Cascade Reactions
Authors: Liu Kai , Xu Yanqi , Yao Zhixiao , Miras Haralampos N. , Song Yu‐Fei
Published: January 2016

The polyoxometalate (POM) intercalated layered double hydroxides (LDHs) have been widely used as heterogeneous catalysts. However, the application of POM–LDHs as bifunctional catalysts for cascade reaction has seldom been studied compared to the noble‐metal‐based catalysts. Herein, a series of POM–LDHs catalysts of Tris–LDH–X4(PW9)2 (X=Mn, Fe, Co, Ni, Cu, and Zn; Tris=Tris(hydroxymethtyl)aminomethane) have been prepared. The efficacy of Tris–LDH–Zn4(PW9)2 as efficient bifunctional catalyst has been demonstrated for cascade reactions involving oxidation of benzyl alcohol to benzaldehyde followed by Knoevenagel condensation with ethyl cyanoacetate to produce benzylidene ethyl cyanoacetate. The combination of POM's redox/acidic sites and LDHs's basic sites led to a composite catalyst with excellent activity (99 %) and selectivity (≥99 %) under mild and soluble‐base‐free conditions. This work offers a new design strategy for the fabrication of efficient bifunctional catalysts for the promotion of one‐pot cascade reactions.
Micromechanical Properties and Energy Requirements of the Microalgae Chlorella vulgaris for Cell Disruption
Authors: Günther Steffi , Gernat Deborah , Overbeck Achim , Kampen Ingo , Kwade Arno
Published: January 2016

Cell disruption is an inevitable step in many processes for the recovery of intracellular products. Currently, those processes are still energy‐intensive and cost‐ineffective, in particular with regard to low‐cost bulk products such as biodiesel from microalgae. Characteristics of cell disruption were studied by compressive testing of single cells of Chlorella vulgaris with a nanoindenter. Results showed that bursting force as well as energy increased and the percentage of burst cells decreased with higher osmolality. The observations on microscopic level could also be transferred on macroscopic level using a stirred‐media mill for cell disruption. The results of the cell disruption were compared to the findings of the compression tests and evaluated under energetic aspects.
Model Predictive Control for Demand‐Driven Biogas Production in Full Scale
Authors: Mauky Eric , Weinrich Sören , Nägele Hans‐Joachim , Jacobi H. Fabian , Liebetrau Jan , Nelles Michael
Published: January 2016

Biogas plants have the potential to provide demand‐oriented electricity to compensate the occurring divergence between energy demand and supply by uncontrollable sources like wind and solar power. The general flexibility of the biological process is proofed in particular under full‐scale conditions for a biogas production according to the grid demand. A model predictive control was developed to calculate feeding strategies in order to fulfill a demand‐oriented gas utilization timetable. Full‐scale experiments showed a high intraday flexibility in a wide range of the average gas production and high process stability in reaction to pulse feeding. The gas storage demand could be reduced significantly compared to the common constant feeding operation.
Antivirulence Isoquinolone Mannosides: Optimization of the Biaryl Aglycone for FimH Lectin Binding Affinity and Efficacy in the Treatment of Chronic UTI
Authors: Jarvis Cassie , Han Zhenfu , Kalas Vasilios , Klein Roger , Pinkner Jerome S. , Ford Bradley , Binkley Jana , Cusumano Corinne K. , Cusumano Zachary , Mydock‐McGrane Laurel , Hultgren Scott J. , Janetka James W.
Published: January 2016

Uropathogenic E. coli (UPEC) employ the mannose‐binding adhesin FimH to colonize the bladder epithelium during urinary tract infection (UTI). Previously reported FimH antagonists exhibit good potency and efficacy, but low bioavailability and a short half‐life in vivo. In a rational design strategy, we obtained an X‐ray structure of lead mannosides and then designed mannosides with improved drug‐like properties. We show that cyclizing the carboxamide onto the biphenyl B‐ring aglycone of biphenyl mannosides into a fused heterocyclic ring, generates new biaryl mannosides such as isoquinolone 22 (2‐methyl‐4‐(1‐oxo‐1,2‐dihydroisoquinolin‐7‐yl)phenyl α‐d‐mannopyranoside) with enhanced potency and in vivo efficacy resulting from increased oral bioavailability. N‐Substitution of the isoquinolone aglycone with various functionalities produced a new potent subseries of FimH antagonists. All analogues of the subseries have higher FimH binding affinity than unsubstituted lead 22, as determined by thermal shift differential scanning fluorimetry assay. Mannosides with pyridyl substitution on the isoquinolone group inhibit bacteria‐mediated hemagglutination and prevent biofilm formation by UPEC with single‐digit nanomolar potency, which is unprecedented for any FimH antagonists or any other antivirulence compounds reported to date.
Energy‐efficient partner selection in cooperative wireless networks: a matching‐theoretic approach
Authors: Baidas Mohammed W. , Afghah Masoud M.
Published: January 2016

In this paper, the problem of stable energy‐efficient partner selection in cooperative wireless networks is studied. Each node aims to be paired with another node so as to minimize the total energy consumption required to meet a target end‐to‐end signal‐to‐noise ratio requirement and thus maintain quality of service. Specifically, each node ranks every other node in the network according to their energy saving achievable through cooperation. Two polynomial time complexity algorithms based on the stable roommates matching problem are proposed through which nodes are paired according to their preference lists. The first algorithm, denoted Irving's stable matching, may not always have a stable solution. Therefore, the second algorithm—which is a modified version of Irving's algorithm and denoted maximum stable matching—is proposed to find the maximum number of stable disjoint pairs. Simulation results are provided to validate the efficiency of the proposed algorithms in comparison with centralized energy‐efficient partner selection as well as other matching algorithms, yielding a trade‐off between stability and total energy consumption, but comparable symbol error rate performance and network sum rate. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Pharmacologically effective red yeast rice preparations marketed as dietary supplements illustrated by a case report
Authors: Venhuis B.J. , van Hunsel F. , van de Koppel S. , Keizers P.H.J. , Jeurissen S.M.F. , De Kaste D.
Published: January 2016

This paper reports a typical statin‐related adverse reaction from a red yeast rice (RYR) supplement and the analytical findings from the supplement. It also examines the regulatory framework governing botanical supplements in Europe. Two key events that shaped the current regulatory framework are reviewed. First, the Hecht‐Pharma judgement by the European Court of Justice (ECJ) that inverted the precautionary principle in the Medicines Act to a reactionary principle. Following the Hecht‐Pharma judgement, pharmacological active dietary supplements can be sold until sufficient signals of harm show that they are an unregistered medicine, placing a huge burden on regulatory authorities. Secondly, the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) in 2011 approved the first health claim for pharmacologically active RYR dietary supplements. If the current regulatory status for pharmacologically active RYR dietary supplements does not permit adequate warning and active monitoring of adverse drug reactions, then the current regulatory framework may not be adequate to ensure consumer safety.Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Nonlinearities in the CAPM: Evidence from Developed and Emerging Markets
Authors: Neslihanoglu Serdar , Sogiakas Vasilios , McColl John H. , Lee Duncan
Published: January 2016

This paper examines the forecasting ability of the nonlinear specifications of the market model. We propose a conditional two‐moment market model with a time‐varying systematic covariance (beta) risk in the form of a mean reverting process of the state‐space model via the Kalman filter algorithm. In addition, we account for the systematic component of co‐skewness and co‐kurtosis by considering higher moments. The analysis is implemented using data from the stock indices of several developed and emerging stock markets. The empirical findings favour the time‐varying market model approaches, which outperform linear model specifications both in terms of model fit and predictability. Precisely, higher moments are necessary for datasets that involve structural changes and/or market inefficiencies which are common in most of the emerging stock markets. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.