bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Designing Dendrimer and Miktoarm Polymer Based Multi-Tasking Nanocarriers for Efficient Medical Therapy
Authors: Sharma Anjali , Kakkar Ashok
Published: September 2015

To address current complex health problems, there has been an increasing demand for smart nanocarriers that could perform multiple complimentary biological tasks with high efficacy. This has provoked the design of tailor made nanocarriers, and the scientific community has made tremendous effort in meeting daunting challenges associated with synthetically articulating multiple functions into a single scaffold. Branched and hyper-branched macromolecular architectures have offered opportunities in enabling carriers with capabilities including location, delivery, imaging etc. Development of simple and versatile synthetic methodologies for these nanomaterials has been the key in diversifying macromolecule based medical therapy and treatment. This review highlights the advancement from conventional “only one function” to multifunctional nanomedicine. It is achieved by synthetic elaboration of multivalent platforms in miktoarm polymers and dendrimers by physical encapsulation, covalent linking and combinations thereof.
Transfer Hydrogenation Employing Ethylene Diamine Bisborane in Water and Pd- and Ru-Nanoparticles in Ionic Liquids
Authors: Sahler Sebastian , Scott Martin , Gedig Christian , Prechtl Martin
Published: September 2015

Herein we demonstrate the use of ethylenediamine bisborane (EDAB) as a suitable hydrogen source for transfer hydrogenation reactions on C-C double bonds mediated by metal nanoparticles. Moreover, EDAB also acts as a reducing agent for carbonyl functionalities in water under metal-free conditions.
Novel Metal Nanomaterials and Their Catalytic Applications
Authors: Wang Jiaqing , Gu Hongwei
Published: September 2015

In the rapidly developing areas of nanotechnology, nano-scale materials as heterogeneous catalysts in the synthesis of organic molecules have gotten more and more attention. In this review, we will summarize the synthesis of several new types of noble metal nanostructures (FePt@Cu nanowires, Pt@Fe2O3 nanowires and bimetallic Pt@Ir nanocomplexes; Pt-Au heterostructures, Au-Pt bimetallic nanocomplexes and Pt/Pd bimetallic nanodendrites; Au nanowires, CuO@Ag nanowires and a series of Pd nanocatalysts) and their new catalytic applications in our group, to establish heterogeneous catalytic system in “green” environments. Further study shows that these materials have a higher catalytic activity and selectivity than previously reported nanocrystal catalysts in organic reactions, or show a superior electro-catalytic activity for the oxidation of methanol. The whole process might have a great impact to resolve the energy crisis and the environmental crisis that were caused by traditional chemical engineering. Furthermore, we hope that this article will provide a reference point for the noble metal nanomaterials’ development that leads to new opportunities in nanocatalysis.
A Study on the Condensation Reaction of 4-Amino-3,5-dimethyl-1,2,4-triazole with Benzaldehydes: Structure and Spectroscopic Properties of Some New Stable Hemiaminals
Authors: Wajda-Hermanowicz Katarzyna , Pieniążczak Damian , Zatajska Aleksandra , Wróbel Robert , Drabent Krzysztof , Ciunik Zbigniew
Published: September 2015

Studies on the stable hemiaminals and Schiff bases formation in the reaction of substituted benzaldehydes with primary 3,5-dimethyl-1,2,4-triazole 4-amine were carried out under neutral conditions. These products were investigated by IR, Raman, MS, 1H- and 13C-NMR spectra as well as by X-ray crystallography. The effect of reaction conditions: temperature, polarity of the solvents utilized, substrate concentration and the ortho and para benzaldehyde substituents on the yield of products was also examined.
Comparative Analysis of Virtual Screening Approaches in the Search for Novel EphA2 Receptor Antagonists
Authors: Callegari Donatella , Pala Daniele , Scalvini Laura , Tognolini Massimiliano , Incerti Matteo , Rivara Silvia , Mor Marco , Lodola Alessio
Published: September 2015

The EphA2 receptor and its ephrin-A1 ligand form a key cell communication system, which has been found overexpressed in many cancer types and involved in tumor growth. Recent medicinal chemistry efforts have identified bile acid derivatives as low micromolar binders of the EphA2 receptor. However, these compounds suffer from poor physicochemical properties, hampering their use in vivo. The identification of compounds able to disrupt the EphA2-ephrin-A1 complex lacking the bile acid scaffold may lead to new pharmacological tools suitable for in vivo studies. To identify the most promising virtual screening (VS) protocol aimed at finding novel EphA2 antagonists, we investigated the ability of both ligand-based and structure-based approaches to retrieve known EphA2 antagonists from libraries of decoys with similar molecular properties. While ligand-based VSs were conducted using UniPR129 and ephrin-A1 ligand as reference structures, structure-based VSs were performed with Glide, using the X-ray structure of the EphA2 receptor/ephrin-A1 complex. A comparison of enrichment factors showed that ligand-based approaches outperformed the structure-based ones, suggesting ligand-based methods using the G-H loop of ephrin-A1 ligand as template as the most promising protocols to search for novel EphA2 antagonists.
Design, Synthesis and Biological Evaluation of Novel 5H-Chromenopyridines as Potential Anti-Cancer Agents
Authors: Banerjee Souvik , Wang Jin , Pfeffer Susan , Ma Dejian , Pfeffer Lawrence , Patil Shivaputra , Li Wei , Miller Duane
Published: September 2015

A novel series of 5H-chromenopyridines was identified as anticancer agents in our continuing effort to discover and develop new small molecule anti-proliferative agents. Based on our initial lead SP-6-27 compound, we designed and synthesized novel tricyclic 5H-thiochromenopyridine and 5H-chromenopyridine analogs to evaluate the impact of an additional ring, as well as conformational flexibility on cytotoxic activity against human melanoma and glioma cell lines. All of the 5H-thiochromenopyridines have been achieved in good yields (89%–93%) using a single-step, three-component cyclization without the need for purification. The 5H-chromenopyridine analog of the potent 5H-thiochromenopyride was obtained in a good yield upon purification. All newly-prepared 5H-thiochromenopyridines showed good to moderate cytotoxicity against three melanoma and two glioma cell lines (3–15 μM). However, the 5H-chromenopyridine analogue that we prepared in our laboratory lost cytotoxic activity. The moderate cytotoxic activity of 5H-thiochromenopyridines shows the promise of developing chromenopyridines as potential anticancer agents.
Blumea balsamifera Oil for the Acceleration of Healing of Burn Injuries
Authors: Fan Zuo-Wang , Pang Yu-Xin , Wang Kai , Yu Fu-Lai , Wang Dan , Yang Quan , Ma Qing-Song , Li Xiao-Ting , Zou Jin , Zhang Wen-Qing , Wu Li-Fen
Published: September 2015

Blumea balsamifera oil (BBO) is a main extract obtained from Blumea balsamifera (L.) DC (Ainaxiang) leaves, which are widely used as a traditional medicine by the Miao and Li Nations to promote skin trauma or burn injury healing. This study was initiated to investigate the healing efficacy in deep second-degree burn model in rats. The rats were treated by BBO for 21 consecutive days. The rate of healing, scabs dropped time and re-epithelialization time were observed every three days for 21 days after burn injury. The samples were collected from different treated rats by sacrificing the animals on the 1st, 2nd, 5th, 9th, 14th, and 21st day post-burn creation. Then, the water content of burn tissue was measured. Plasma interleukin-1 (IL-1) and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) levels were evaluated, and the tissue expressions of basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF), vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), and transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-β) were determined along with skin histopathology. The results showed that the water content of tissue was significantly reduced, the scabs dropped time shortened, and healing accelerated after treatment with BBO in the burn injury rats. Furthermore, the expressions of growth factors were significantly increased in the tissue; however, the levels of inflammatory factors on plasma decreased. This study confirms the efficacy of BBO consumption on burn injuries.
The Effects of a Low-Carbohydrate Diet vs. a Low-Fat Diet on Novel Cardiovascular Risk Factors: A Randomized Controlled Trial
Authors: Hu Tian , Yao Lu , Reynolds Kristi , Whelton Paul , Niu Tianhua , Li Shengxu , He Jiang , Bazzano Lydia
Published: September 2015

Increasing evidence supports a low-carbohydrate diet for weight loss and improvement in traditional cardiovascular disease (CVD) markers. Effects on novel CVD markers remain unclear. We examined the effects of a low-carbohydrate diet (<40 g/day; n = 75) versus a low-fat diet (<30% kcal/day from total fat, <7% saturated fat; n = 73) on biomarkers representing inflammation, adipocyte dysfunction, and endothelial dysfunction in a 12 month clinical trial among 148 obese adults free of diabetes and CVD. Participants met with a study dietitian on a periodic basis and each diet group received the same behavioral curriculum which included dietary instruction and supportive counseling. Eighty percent of participants completed the intervention. At 12 months, participants on the low-carbohydrate diet had significantly greater increases in adiponectin (mean difference in change, 1336 ng/mL (95% CI, 342 to 2330 ng/mL); p = 0.009) and greater decreases in intercellular adhesion molecule-1 concentrations (−16.8 ng/mL (−32.0 to −1.6 ng/mL); p = 0.031) than those on the low-fat diet. Changes in other novel CVD markers were not significantly different between groups. In conclusion, despite the differences in weight changes on diets, a low-carbohydrate diet resulted in similar or greater improvement in inflammation, adipocyte dysfunction, and endothelial dysfunction than a standard low-fat diet among obese persons.
Potential of Glutamate-Based Drug Discovery for Next Generation Antidepressants
Authors: Chaki Shigeyuki , Fukumoto Kenichi
Published: September 2015

Recently, ketamine has been demonstrated to exert rapid-acting antidepressant effects in patients with depression, including those with treatment-resistant depression, and this discovery has been regarded as the most significant advance in drug development for the treatment of depression in over 50 years. To overcome unwanted side effects of ketamine, numerous approaches targeting glutamatergic systems have been vigorously investigated. For example, among agents targeting the NMDA receptor, the efficacies of selective GluN2B receptor antagonists and a low-trapping antagonist, as well as glycine site modulators such as GLYX-13 and sarcosine have been demonstrated clinically. Moreover, agents acting on metabotropic glutamate receptors, such as mGlu2/3 and mGlu5 receptors, have been proposed as useful approaches to mimicking the antidepressant effects of ketamine. Neural and synaptic mechanisms mediated through the antidepressant effects of ketamine have been being delineated, most of which indicate that ketamine improves abnormalities in synaptic transmission and connectivity observed in depressive states via the AMPA receptor and brain-derived neurotrophic factor-dependent mechanisms. Interestingly, some of the above agents may share some neural and synaptic mechanisms with ketamine. These studies should provide important insights for the development of superior pharmacotherapies for depression with more potent and faster onsets of actions.
Novel Targeted Agents in Hodgkin and Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma Therapy
Authors: Grover Natalie , Park Steven
Published: September 2015

There has been a recent emergence of novel targeted agents for treatment of Hodgkin and non-Hodgkin lymphoma. In particular, antibodies and antibody-drug conjugates directed against surface antigens, agents that block immune checkpoint pathways, and small molecule inhibitors directed against cell signaling pathways have shown significant promise in patients with relapsed and refractory disease and in the frontline setting. With the development of these new therapies, cytotoxic chemotherapy may be avoided entirely in some clinical settings. This review will present the latest information on these novel treatments in Hodgkin and non-Hodgkin lymphoma and will discuss both recently approved agents as well as drugs currently being studied in clinical trials.
The Impact of the Calibration Method on the Accuracy of Point Clouds Derived Using Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Multi-View Stereopsis
Authors: Harwin Steve , Lucieer Arko , Osborn Jon
Published: September 2015

In unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) photogrammetric surveys, the cameracan be pre-calibrated or can be calibrated "on-the-job" using structure-from-motion anda self-calibrating bundle adjustment. This study investigates the impact on mapping accuracyof UAV photogrammetric survey blocks, the bundle adjustment and the 3D reconstructionprocess under a range of typical operating scenarios for centimetre-scale natural landformmapping (in this case, a coastal cliff). We demonstrate the sensitivity of the process tocalibration procedures and the need for careful accuracy assessment. For this investigation, vertical (nadir or near-nadir) and oblique photography were collected with 80%–90%overlap and with accurately-surveyed (σ ≤ 2 mm) and densely-distributed ground control.This allowed various scenarios to be tested and the impact on mapping accuracy to beassessed. This paper presents the results of that investigation and provides guidelines thatwill assist with operational decisions regarding camera calibration and ground control forUAV photogrammetry. The results indicate that the use of either a robust pre-calibration ora robust self-calibration results in accurate model creation from vertical-only photography,and additional oblique photography may improve the results. The results indicate thatif a dense array of high accuracy ground control points are deployed and the UAVphotography includes both vertical and oblique images, then either a pre-calibration or anon-the-job self-calibration will yield reliable models (pre-calibration RMSEXY = 7.1 mmand on-the-job self-calibration RMSEXY = 3.2 mm). When oblique photography was Remote Sens. 2015, 7 11934 excluded from the on-the-job self-calibration solution, the accuracy of the model deteriorated(by 3.3 mm horizontally and 4.7 mm vertically). When the accuracy of the ground controlwas then degraded to replicate typical operational practice (σ = 22 mm), the accuracyof the model further deteriorated (e.g., on-the-job self-calibration RMSEXY went from3.2–7.0 mm). Additionally, when the density of the ground control was reduced, the modelaccuracy also further deteriorated (e.g., on-the-job self-calibration RMSEXY went from7.0–7.3 mm). However, our results do indicate that loss of accuracy due to sparse groundcontrol can be mitigated by including oblique imagery.
Time Reversal Acoustic Communication Using Filtered Multitone Modulation
Authors: Sun Lin , Chen Baowei , Li Haisen , Zhou Tian , Li Ruo
Published: September 2015

The multipath spread in underwater acoustic channels is severe and, therefore, when the symbol rate of the time reversal (TR) acoustic communication using single-carrier (SC) modulation is high, the large intersymbol interference (ISI) span caused by multipath reduces the performance of the TR process and needs to be removed using the long adaptive equalizer as the post-processor. In this paper, a TR acoustic communication method using filtered multitone (FMT) modulation is proposed in order to reduce the residual ISI in the processed signal using TR. In the proposed method, FMT modulation is exploited to modulate information symbols onto separate subcarriers with high spectral containment and TR technique, as well as adaptive equalization is adopted at the receiver to suppress ISI and noise. The performance of the proposed method is assessed through simulation and real data from a trial in an experimental pool. The proposed method was compared with the TR acoustic communication using SC modulation with the same spectral efficiency. Results demonstrate that the proposed method can improve the performance of the TR process and reduce the computational complexity of adaptive equalization for post-process.
A Wireless Multi-Sensor Dielectric Impedance Spectroscopy Platform
Authors: Ghaffari Seyed , Caron William-O. , Loubier Mathilde , Rioux Maxime , Viens Jeff , Gosselin Benoit , Messaddeq Younes
Published: September 2015

This paper describes the development of a low-cost, miniaturized, multiplexed, and connected platform for dielectric impedance spectroscopy (DIS), designed for in situ measurements and adapted to wireless network architectures. The platform has been tested and used as a DIS sensor node on ZigBee mesh and was able to interface up to three DIS sensors at the same time and relay the information through the network for data analysis and storage. The system is built from low-cost commercial microelectronics components, performs dielectric spectroscopy ranging from 5 kHz to 100 kHz, and benefits from an on-the-fly calibration system that makes sensor calibration easy. The paper describes the microelectronics design, the Nyquist impedance response, the measurement sensitivity and accuracy, and the testing of the platform for in situ dielectric impedance spectroscopy applications pertaining to fertilizer sensing, water quality sensing, and touch sensing.
Relative Orientation and Position Detections Based on an RGB-D Sensor and Dynamic Cooperation Strategies for Jumping Sensor Nodes Recycling
Authors: Zhang Jun , Yang Xi , Song Guang-Ming , Chen Tian-Yuan , Zhang Yong
Published: September 2015

This paper presents relative orientation and position detection methods for jumping sensor nodes (JSNs) recycling. The methods are based on motion captures of the JSNs by an RGB-D sensor mounted on a carrier robot and the dynamic cooperation between the carrier and the JSNs. A disc-like label with two different colored sides is mounted on the top of the JSNs. The RGB-D sensor can detect the motion of the label to calculate the orientations and positions of the JSNs and the carrier relative to each other. After the orientations and positions have been detected, the JSNs jump into a cabin mounted on the carrier in dynamic cooperation with the carrier for recycling. The performances of the proposed methods are tested with a prototype system. The results show that the carrier can detect a JSN from up to 2 m away and sense its relative orientation and position successfully. The errors of the JSN’s orientation and position detections relative to the carrier could be reduced to the values smaller than 1° and 1 cm, respectively, by using the dynamic cooperation strategies. The proposed methods in this paper could also be used for other kinds of mobile sensor nodes and multi-robot systems.
Design and Simulation Test of an Open D-Dot Voltage Sensor
Authors: Bai Yunjie , Wang Jingang , Wei Gang , Yang Yongming
Published: September 2015

Nowadays, sensor development focuses on miniaturization and non-contact measurement. According to the D-dot principle, a D-dot voltage sensor with a new structure was designed based on the differential D-dot sensor with a symmetrical structure, called an asymmetric open D-dot voltage sensor. It is easier to install. The electric field distribution of the sensor was analyzed through Ansoft Maxwell and an open D-dot voltage sensor was designed. This open D-voltage sensor is characteristic of accessible insulating strength and small electric field distortion. The steady and transient performance test under 10 kV-voltage reported satisfying performances of the designed open D-dot voltage sensor. It conforms to requirements for a smart grid measuring sensor in intelligence, miniaturization and facilitation.
Cuffless and Continuous Blood Pressure Estimation from the Heart Sound Signals
Authors: Peng Rong-Chao , Yan Wen-Rong , Zhang Ning-Ling , Lin Wan-Hua , Zhou Xiao-Lin , Zhang Yuan-Ting
Published: September 2015

Cardiovascular disease, like hypertension, is one of the top killers of human life and early detection of cardiovascular disease is of great importance. However, traditional medical devices are often bulky and expensive, and unsuitable for home healthcare. In this paper, we proposed an easy and inexpensive technique to estimate continuous blood pressure from the heart sound signals acquired by the microphone of a smartphone. A cold-pressor experiment was performed in 32 healthy subjects, with a smartphone to acquire heart sound signals and with a commercial device to measure continuous blood pressure. The Fourier spectrum of the second heart sound and the blood pressure were regressed using a support vector machine, and the accuracy of the regression was evaluated using 10-fold cross-validation. Statistical analysis showed that the mean correlation coefficients between the predicted values from the regression model and the measured values from the commercial device were 0.707, 0.712, and 0.748 for systolic, diastolic, and mean blood pressure, respectively, and that the mean errors were less than 5 mmHg, with standard deviations less than 8 mmHg. These results suggest that this technique is of potential use for cuffless and continuous blood pressure monitoring and it has promising application in home healthcare services.
Commercial Motion Sensor Based Low-Cost and Convenient Interactive Treadmill
Authors: Kim Jonghyun , Gravunder Andrew , Park Hyung-Soon
Published: September 2015

Interactive treadmills were developed to improve the simulation of overground walking when compared to conventional treadmills. However, currently available interactive treadmills are expensive and inconvenient, which limits their use. We propose a low-cost and convenient version of the interactive treadmill that does not require expensive equipment and a complicated setup. As a substitute for high-cost sensors, such as motion capture systems, a low-cost motion sensor was used to recognize the subject’s intention for speed changing. Moreover, the sensor enables the subject to make a convenient and safe stop using gesture recognition. For further cost reduction, the novel interactive treadmill was based on an inexpensive treadmill platform and a novel high-level speed control scheme was applied to maximize performance for simulating overground walking. Pilot tests with ten healthy subjects were conducted and results demonstrated that the proposed treadmill achieves similar performance to a typical, costly, interactive treadmill that contains a motion capture system and an instrumented treadmill, while providing a convenient and safe method for stopping.
Error Model and Compensation of Bell-Shaped Vibratory Gyro
Authors: Su Zhong , Liu Ning , Li Qing
Published: September 2015

A bell-shaped vibratory angular velocity gyro (BVG), inspired by the Chinese traditional bell, is a type of axisymmetric shell resonator gyroscope. This paper focuses on development of an error model and compensation of the BVG. A dynamic equation is firstly established, based on a study of the BVG working mechanism. This equation is then used to evaluate the relationship between the angular rate output signal and bell-shaped resonator character, analyze the influence of the main error sources and set up an error model for the BVG. The error sources are classified from the error propagation characteristics, and the compensation method is presented based on the error model. Finally, using the error model and compensation method, the BVG is calibrated experimentally including rough compensation, temperature and bias compensation, scale factor compensation and noise filter. The experimentally obtained bias instability is from 20.5°/h to 4.7°/h, the random walk is from 2.8°/h1/2 to 0.7°/h1/2 and the nonlinearity is from 0.2% to 0.03%. Based on the error compensation, it is shown that there is a good linear relationship between the sensing signal and the angular velocity, suggesting that the BVG is a good candidate for the field of low and medium rotational speed measurement.
A Novel Component Carrier Configuration and Switching Scheme for Real-Time Traffic in a Cognitive-Radio-Based Spectrum Aggregation System
Authors: Fu Yunhai , Ma Lin , Xu Yubin
Published: September 2015

In spectrum aggregation (SA), two or more component carriers (CCs) of different bandwidths in different bands can be aggregated to support a wider transmission bandwidth. The scheduling delay is the most important design constraint for the broadband wireless trunking (BWT) system, especially in the cognitive radio (CR) condition. The current resource scheduling schemes for spectrum aggregation become questionable and are not suitable for meeting the challenge of the delay requirement. Consequently, the authors propose a novel component carrier configuration and switching scheme for real-time traffic (RT-CCCS) to satisfy the delay requirement in the CR-based SA system. In this work, the authors consider a sensor-network-assisted CR network. The authors first introduce a resource scheduling structure for SA in the CR condition. Then the proposed scheme is analyzed in detail. Finally, simulations are carried out to verify the analysis on the proposed scheme. Simulation results prove that our proposed scheme can satisfy the delay requirement in the CR-based SA system.
Airport Casualties: Non-Admission and Return Risks at Times of Internalized/Externalized Border Controls
Authors: Alpes Maybritt
Published: September 2015

This article analyzes what can happen to forced returnees upon arrival in their country of nationality. Subjective configurations of state agents in the Global South have created return risks, which in turn transform subjectivities of post-colonial citizens. The article contributes to this Special Issue by tracing repercussions of the externalization and internalization of border controls. In the case of Cameroon, these connections have resulted in the criminalization of emigration. Aspiring migrants are prosecuted if their departure projects fail to respect the entry requirements of countries in the Global North. The article is based on research conducted in Douala, Cameroon, in the form of discussions with control agents at the international airport, investigations at a prison, a review of related case law, police registers and interviews with Cameroonians returnees (November 2013–January 2014). Border controls and connected anti-fraud programs suppress family-based forms of solidarity and allow only for subjectivities rooted in state-managed forms of national identity. The article illustrates how efforts to combat fraud fuel corruption in returnees’ social networks, whereby, instead of receiving remittances, families in emigration countries have to mobilize financial resources in order to liberate returnees from police stations or prison complexes. Migration related detention of nationals in the Global South highlights the growing significance of exit controls in migration management.
How Muslim Students’ Knowledge of Christianity Is Related to Their Attitudes to Mainstream Australia and Australians: A National Survey
Authors: Ata Abe
Published: September 2015

Outlined below are selected results of a 5-year long national survey which investigated the knowledge, values and attitudes of 430 Year 11 and 12 Muslim students in eight Muslim High schools towards the mainstream Australia and Australians society. The findings reflect a wide spectrum of responses with a strong implication that much work is needed to bring about an appropriate degree of adjustment. Providing awareness sessions to students and parents—both non-Muslims and Muslims—which address critical social, religious and cultural issues including stereotyping and inclusivity, is key.
Towards Sustainable Tourism Development in Urban Areas: Case Study on Bucharest as Tourist Destination
Authors: Zamfir Andreea , Corbos Razvan-Andrei
Published: September 2015

The issues of tourism sustainability and urban development have become major priorities for public policy makers across the globe. Today, maybe more than ever, there is a need for managing sustainable tourism development, and this cannot be attained without taking into account environmental problems and their global dimension. Various problems and requirements of society and of the development of urban areas may be solved by transforming the cities into attractive tourist destinations. Therefore, this study explores how sustainable tourism development in urban areas can be basically achieved and managed. The paper discloses some success factors for managing sustainable tourism development in urban areas and emphasizes a case study regarding Bucharest, the capital of Romania, as a tourist destination. The originality and value of this study consist of identifying the main ways of developing sustainable tourism in Bucharest based upon empirical research conducted with the aid of a survey. The findings of this study may be helpful for upcoming research in the area of managing sustainable urban tourism development.
Fates of imine intermediates in radical cyclizations of N-sulfonylindoles and ene-sulfonamides
Authors: Zhang Hanmo , Hay E Ben , Geib Stephen J , Curran Dennis P
Published: September 2015

Two new fates of imine intermediates formed on radical cyclizations of ene-sulfonamides have been identified, reduction and hydration/fragmentation. Tin hydride-mediated cyclizations of 2-halo-N-(3-methyl-N-sulfonylindole)anilines provide spiro[indoline-3,3'-indolones] or spiro-3,3'-biindolines (derived from imine reduction), depending on the indole C2 substituent. Cyclizations of 2-haloanilide derivatives of 3-carboxy-N-sulfonyl-2,3-dihydropyrroles also presumably form spiro-imines as primary products. However, the lactam carbonyl group facilitates the ring-opening of these cyclic imines by a new pathway of hydration and retro-Claisen-type reaction, providing rearranged 2-(2'-formamidoethyl)oxindoles.
NET PRESENT VALUE EVALUATION OF ENERGY PRODUCTION AND CONSUMPTION IN REPEATED REVERSE LOGISTICS
Authors: KOVAČIĆ Danijel , BOGATAJ Marija
Published: September 2015

The paper is based on Grubbström’s MRP theory previously used in analysis of production processes “under one roof ”. This theory has recently been extended to model global supply chains by Bogataj and Grubbström, both scientists from the MEDIFAS faculty. Every production cycle is followed by distribution, consumption and recycling activities. In broad supply chains, transportation costs between pairs of activity cells have a significant impact on the overall net present value of the system. Possible flows inside or between subsystems can all be described with input-output matrices H and G. Recently published papers of the above mentioned authors describe the presentation of supply chains in a generalized form. Generalized input and output matrices H( )s ( and ( )s ( G hold technical coefficients and lead times. Lead times are split into 2 parts: production and transportation. As presented in the publication of R. W. Grubbström, L. Bogataj and M. Bogataj, and further research of these authors, the results of recycling activities in the extended MRP model are the recovered and the waste items, but in their model the recycling of the items is not repeated.
Recovered items could be reused several times in future production cycles, reducing the need to purchase new items on the market as considered here. The waste items must be disposed of, requiring environmental taxes which vary among regions, depending on local environmental policy. If recovered, items must be delivered from the recycling facility back to production, and waste items must be sent to landfills. This process requires an expenditure of human resources, and energy at each activity cell plays an important role. In this article we show how the location of recycling facilities, the prices and quantity of energy needed and the environmental taxes can drastically influence the net present value for the entire system. We also present the method for evaluating cases where energy can be recovered during recycling or decomposition processes at landfills. It is also assumed that energy recovery can be stimulated with subsidized purchase prices, but generally, lower quality energy can be expected as an output of these processes. This paper introduces generalized input and output energy matrices, which describe these energy flows and their impact on environmental sustainability through the net present value of the system, which is the novelty in the extended MRP theory.
COMBINING DRSA DECISION-RULES WITH FCA-BASED DANP EVALUATION FOR FINANCIAL PERFORMANCE IMPROVEMENTS
Authors: SHEN Kao-Yi , TZENG Gwo-Hshiung
Published: September 2015

This study proposes a combined method to integrate soft computing techniques and multiple criteria decision making (MCDM) methods to guide semiconductor companies to improve financial performance (FP) – based on logical reasoning. The complex and imprecise patterns of FP changes are explored by dominance-based rough set approach (DRSA) to find decision rules associated with FP changes. Companies may identify its underperformed criterion (gap) to conduct formal concept analysis (FCA) – by implication rules – to explore the source criteria regarding the underperformed gap. The source criteria are analysed by decision making trial and evaluation laboratory (DEMATEL) technique to explore the cause-effect relationship among the source criteria for guiding improvements; in the next, DEMATEL-based analytical network process (DANP) can provide the influential weights to form an evaluation model, to select or rank improvement plans. To illustrate the proposed method, the financial data of a real semiconductor company is used as an example to show the involved processes: from performance gaps identification to the selection of five assumed improvement plans. Moreover, the obtained implication rules can integrate with DEMATEL analysis to explore directional influences among the critical criteria, which may provide rich insights and managerial implications in practice.
Ribavirin Concentration Determines Treatment success of First-Generation DAA-Based Chronic HCV Therapy
Authors: De Kanter Clara TMM , Buti Maria , DeMasi Ralph , Ouwerkerk-Mahadevan Sivi , Dofferhoff Anton SM , Witek James , Drenth Joost PH , Zeuzem Stefan , Burger David M
Published: September 2015

Background

Monitoring ribavirin concentrations during hepatitis C treatment with dual therapy can help optimize treatment response and minimize anaemia. A defined therapeutic range for ribavirin during direct-acting antiviral-based therapies is lacking. This analysis explores whether a therapeutic range for ribavirin concentrations can be defined in patients treated with boceprevir- or telaprevir-based triple therapies.

Methods

Treatment-naive patients from ADVANCE, ILLUMINATE, OPTIMIZE and SPRINT-2, and treatment-experienced patients from RESPOND-2 were included. Multivariable logistic regression analyses were performed to evaluate whether ribavirin concentrations were an independent predictor of sustained virological response or anaemia. Optimal cutoff values and the percentage of patients within the proposed therapeutic range were determined, along with the associated chance of response.

Results

Overall, 1,502 patients were included. In both regimens, ribavirin concentrations were significantly associated with anaemia (haemoglobin level <10 g/dl) at all time points (1.75 < odds ratio [OR] <2.45) and sustained virological response was associated with ribavirin concentrations at week 8 (OR=1.43 for telaprevir and 1.78 for boceprevir). A therapeutic range for ribavirin at week 8 of 2.2–3.5 mg/l was defined for telaprevir treatment. Of the 48% of patients with a concentration within this range, 81% achieved sustained virological response and only 5.1% reported anaemia. For boceprevir treatment, the week 8 optimal range was defined as 2.2–3.6 mg/l and 50% of patients had a concentration within this range, of whom 69% achieved sustained virological response and 46% developed anaemia.

Conclusions

We established the therapeutic range for ribavirin in boceprevir- and telaprevir-based therapy that balances safety and efficacy.
Hábitos de vida saludables, género y cáncer
Authors: Pérez-Segura Pedro
Published: September 2015

Si tuviésemos que clasificar los factores de riesgo que nos hacen más proclives a desarrollar cáncer podríamos hacerlo, de una manera sencilla, en factores endógenos y exógenos. Dentro de los primeros estarían todos aquellos que tienen que ver con la herencia (genes de predisposición) o con alteraciones moleculares no hereditarias que hacen que nuestras células se “vuelvan” malignas con más facilidad, estos factores son inmodificables. Sin embargo, los factores exógenos dependen de los llamados “hábitos de vida”, son factores modificables e influyen en un porcentaje importante de los cánceres más prevalentes en la actualidad, como son el de colon, mama y pulmón. Actuando sobre el tabaco y la obesidad se reduciría entre un 30%y 40% la incidencia de cáncer en los países industrializados. Este artículo es una revisión del papel de los hábitos de vida negativos en la producción del cáncer.
El cáncer de mama
Authors: Martín Miguel , Herrero Ana , Echavarría Isabel
Published: September 2015

El cáncer de mama es un problema socio-sanitario de primer orden en España debido a su elevada incidencia. En las últimas tres décadas se han producido notables mejoras en la supervivencia debidas tanto a la introducción de las campañas de cribado mamográfico como a los nuevos tratamientos médicos. Pese a estos datos optimistas, no hay que olvidar que aún quedan pacientes que recaen tras el tratamiento del tumor mamario (cerca del 20%) y fallecen a causa de la enfermedad, por lo que es importante continuar con los esfuerzos de investigación en cáncer de mama hasta conseguir una tasa de recaída cero. En este artículo se revisan distintos aspectos de esta enfermedad como son sus síntomas y signos, el diagnóstico, la quimioprevención, así como el tratamiento del cáncer de mama localizado y metastásico.
El cáncer hereditario en mujeres
Authors: Morales Chamorro Rafael , Chirivella González Isabel , Llort Pursals Gemma , Sánchez Heras Ana Beatriz , Serrano Blanch Raquel , Teule Vega Alexandre , Guillén Ponce Carmen , Graña Suárez Begoña
Published: September 2015

La mayoría de los casos de cáncer son esporádicos, entre un 20-30% presentan agregación familiar, mientras que solo el 5 -10% son de carácter hereditario. Las familias e individuos en los que se sospecha que padecen cáncer hereditario deben someterse a un proceso de asesoramiento genético, que es de gran importancia para la prevención y detección temprana de tumores malignos. Los síndromes más frecuentes de cáncer hereditario son el síndrome de mama-ovario hereditario, la poliposis adenomatosa familiar y el síndrome de Lynch. El diagnóstico genético facilita realizar una estimación de los riesgos de desarrollar diferentes cánceres, permitiendo tomar decisiones de vigilancia y preventivas que reducen estos riesgos. El objetivo final es reducir la mortalidad por cáncer mediante el diagnóstico precoz y la prevención.
Cáncer y fertilidad
Authors: Bermejo Begoña , Navarro Blanca , Lluch Ana
Published: September 2015

Los cambios sociológicos de las últimas décadas han llevado a que el inicio de la maternidad se retrase de forma considerable. Por otra parte, el diagnóstico temprano de algunos cánceres como el de mama o el de cérvix y el progreso en los tratamientos oncológicos han conseguido tasas de curación muy favorables. Todo ello lleva a que la mujer, que sobrevive cada vez más a esta enfermedad, desee completar su deseo genésico que se va a ver mermado muchas veces por los tratamientos recibidos. Tener hijos es parte importante de la vida de muchas personas, y los médicos (oncólogos, cirujanos, ginecólogos, etc.) deben informar adecuadamente al paciente sobre los riesgos que su proceso conlleva sobre la fertilidad y conocer y ofrecer las diferentes opciones de preservarla. Durante este artículo nos ceñiremos a hablar de la fertilidad en la mujer, cómo se afecta, y cómo protegerla.
Comunicación pública de la ciencia y la tecnología: una aproximación crítica a su historia conceptual
Authors: Alcíbar Miguel
Published: September 2015

El artículo revisa críticamente la historia conceptual de la noción paraguas de comunicación pública de la ciencia y la tecnología (CPCT) y de los tres modelos básicos de comunicación surgidos a su amparo. Tres son los factores interdependientes que explican la emergencia de estos modelos: (1) cambios estructurales en la práctica científico-tecnológica y cambios concomitantes en los modos de comunicar la ciencia, (2) diversidad de actores sociales relacionados con la producción, gestión, comunicación y recepción de conocimientos científicos, y (3) desigual percepción que se tiene del público receptor.
Cine y sociedad: la construcción de los personajes masculinos y femeninos en el ‘landismo’ tardofranquista
Authors: Huerta Floriano Miguel Ángel , Pérez Morán Ernesto
Published: September 2015

Este trabajo parte de las relaciones existentes entre la teoría del cine y su dimensión sociológica para formular un análisis sobre el ‘landismo’, uno de los fenómenos con implicaciones sociales más relevantes en la historia del cine español. En concreto, se sintetizan las principales estrategias narrativas empleadas en un corpus de 19 largometrajes que construyen una imagen recurrente de la masculinidad y la feminidad a través de los personajes principales. Del estudio se concluye un rol contrapuesto de hombres y mujeres en las relaciones de pareja, lo cual no impide la consecución de la estabilidad afectiva y familiar.
Imagen país de Colombia desde la perspectiva extranjera
Authors: Echeverri Cañas Lina María , Ter Horst Enrique , Hernán Parra José
Published: September 2015

Colombia es un país con un posicionamiento histórico negativo en mercados internacionales. Si bien los gobiernos y los prescriptores han dedicado esfuerzos por mejorarla, la percepción del extranjero se mantiene polarizada, es decir, todavía el país es asociado con el café y con el narcotráfico. El presente artículo es el resultado de una investigación cualitativa realizada a extranjeros procedentes de ocho países que registran el mayor número de visitantes en Colombia en el 2013 desde el continente americano: Estados Unidos, Venezuela, Ecuador, Argentina, Perú, Brasil, México y Chile. Como resultado del estudio se encontró que la imagen de Colombia no es unidimensional, es multidimensional. Se logran identificar cinco dimensiones que influyen en la imagen país: el conocimiento del país, la orientación industrial, las actitudes de los visitantes, las percepciones de los prospectos y las preferencias e intereses asociado a su imagen.
Recommendation for Gopher Tortoise Burrow Buffer to Avoid Collapse from Heavy Equipment
Authors: Smith Lora L. , Hinderliter Matt , Taylor R. Scott , Howze Jennifer M.
Published: September 2015

Gopher tortoises (Gopherus polyphemus) occur in open-canopy pine habitat on well-drained soils in the southeastern United States, where they construct burrows that offer protection from thermal extremes, fire, and predators. Gopher tortoise populations have declined over the past 50 y, primarily as a result of habitat loss and degradation. Southeastern pine forests require active management with prescribed fire, mechanical thinning, or removal of hardwoods to maintain suitable habitat for gopher tortoises. In addition, many pine forests in the Southeast that support gopher tortoise populations are managed for multiple uses including intensive silviculture. Heavy equipment associated with these activities used in proximity to gopher tortoise burrows can cause them to collapse, potentially causing harm to tortoises or other imperiled organisms that use their burrows. Hence, there is a need for practical guidelines for use of heavy equipment for timber harvest, management, and other activities around gopher tortoise burrows to minimize risk to tortoises. We conducted a field study to determine the distance at which heavy equipment caused gopher tortoise burrows to collapse using a feller buncher, rubber-tire front-end loader, and an agricultural tractor with a tree-mower attachment in sandy clay loam (15 burrows) and undifferentiated deep sand (15 burrows) soils at a site in southwestern Georgia. All burrows were confirmed to be unoccupied by tortoises or other vertebrate commensal species using a camera scope before collapse. The greatest mean distance to collapse across all vehicles tested in sandy clay loam and undifferentiated deep sand was 2.19 ± 0.56 m and the maximum distance to collapse was 3 m. Given the variation in collapse distance, we recommend a buffer that extends 4 m in radius from the entrance of the gopher tortoise burrow to minimize risk of collapse from heavy equipment.
Seismic expressions of shallow gas in the lacustrine deposits of Lake Balaton, Hungary
Authors: Visnovitz F. , Bodnár T. , Tóth Zs. , Spiess V. , Kudó I. , Timár G. , Horváth F.
Published: September 2015

Lake Balaton, a large shallow lake in Central Europe (Hungary), has been the site of extensive ultra‐high‐resolution acoustic and multichannel seismic profiling in the period of 1997–2013. These surveys showed the widespread occurrence of shallow gas in the lake sediments and their immediate substrata. We analyzed about 2000 km of two‐dimensional profiles and mapped the different gas occurrences in the uppermost 20 m. The anomalies caused by free gas were identified, classified, and assigned to upper, middle and lower levels based on gas signatures and stratigraphic position. Monitoring of the uppermost gas front has revealed temporal variations between surveys from different years and seasons that manifested in the changes of free gas content in the upper two levels. Free gas in the lower part of the lake sediments and at around the base of the mud indicated greater stability. The different nature of the three free gas levels can be explained by vertical changes in quantity, production rate, and solubility of methane and carbon dioxide gases. We suggest that methane was derived from the microbial decomposition of organic matter in the mud and Pleistocene peat at the base of the mud, whereas is transported to the lower mud layers by upwelling fluids.
Near‐surface VS structure by inversion of surface wave estimated from ambient seismic noise
Authors: Shirzad Taghi , Shomali Z. Hossein , Naghavi Mojtaba , Norouzi Rahim
Published: September 2015

In this study, 20 hours of ambient seismic noise recorded from a small‐scale inter‐station distance was used to obtain near‐surface shear wave velocity structures at a local test site in Tehran (Iran). High‐resolution group velocity dispersion curves using fundamental mode of surface waves were calculated for all possible combinations of station pairs at frequencies ranging from 1 Hz to 25 Hz. Unlike most previous studies regarding ambient seismic noise, which observe very little coherent noise at frequencies larger than 1 Hz, the empirical Green’s functions were extracted using a root‐mean‐square stacking method showing more coherent signals. Our results indicate that ambient seismic noise is a viable technique at a frequency range of 1 Hz–25 Hz even when different sensor types are present. One‐dimensional VSV and VSH models from the near surface were then assessed by inverting the calculated Rayleigh and Love waves’ dispersion measurements. We observed that the calculated shear wave velocity model agrees with the available downhole model and shows three distinct layers in the upper 25 m of the test site.