bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A Novel AHP-Based Benefit Evaluation Model of Military Simulation Training Systems
Authors: Chang Kuei-Hu , Chang Yung-Chia , Chung Hsiang-Yu
Published: February 2015

With the constantly changing patterns of war, more technologically exquisite weapons are designed, increasing in cost and complexity. Training maneuvers with live ammunition are expensive and are prone to accidental casualties. Thus, many countries are gradually adopting simulation training systems to replace some actual exercises to reduce casualties and still maintain maximum combat readiness. However, each simulation training system has a different background with regard to time, source, function goal, and quality of environment and staff. It is also more difficult to assess the benefit of simulation training systems. Moreover, traditional benefit assessments of military simulation training systems have merely considered their efficiency, not safety, causing biased conclusions. To solve these issues, this paper integrates the analytic hierarchy process (AHP), important-performance analysis (IPA), and the 2-tuple fuzzy linguistic representation model to determine the benefits of simulation training systems. To verify the proposed approach, a numerical example of the evaluation of a training simulator system’s benefit is adopted. Compared with the traditional AHP method, the proposed method does not lose any valuable information that is provided by experts and also considers training safety. Further, these data are presented in 2-dimensional graphs for managers to further guide the decision-making process.
The Preparation of a Highly Stretchable Cellulose Nanowhisker Nanocomposite Hydrogel
Authors: Duan Jiufang , Jiang Jianxin , Li Jianzhang , Liu Liujun , Li Yiqiang , Guan Chao
Published: February 2015

Molecules that associate to form cross‐links by hydrophobic association are designed and synthesised. Hydrogels, based on cellulose nanowhiskers (CNWs), acrylamide (AM), and stearyl methacrylate (C18), were synthesised by micellar copolymerisation, using ammonium peroxydisulfate as an initiator. CNWs composite hydrogels were characterised by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and their morphologies were investigated by scanning electron microscope (SEM). The system shows the original extensibility up to about 2500%: the tensile strength and compressive strength have maximum values of 1.338 MPa and 2.835 MPa, respectively. Besides excellent mechanical properties, CNWs composite hydrogels also have the ability to self‐heal and remould: this is mainly attributed to the dissociation and reassociation of the associated micelles. In contrast to conventional cellulose hydrogels, these systems, when broken or cut, can be simply repaired by bringing together fractured surfaces to self‐heal at room temperature.
A Bandpass Filter Based on Half Mode Substrate Integrated Waveguide-to-Defected Ground Structure Cells
Authors: Huang Yong Mao , Shao Zhenhai , He Zhaosheng , You Chang Jiang , Jiang Di
Published: February 2015

A half mode substrate integrated waveguide-to-defected ground structure (HMSIW-DGS) cell and its embedded form are proposed to miniaturize a bandpass filter. Both cells can purchase wideband frequency response and low insertion loss, as well as simple and easy fabrication. By cascading two of them according to design requirement, an X-band bandpass filter is designed and measured to meet compact size, low insertion loss, good return loss, second harmonic suppression, and linear phase.
Andrographolide Enhances Proliferation and Prevents Dedifferentiation of Rabbit Articular Chondrocytes: AnIn VitroStudy
Authors: Luo Li-ke , Wei Qing-jun , Liu Lei , Zheng Li , Zhao Jin-min
Published: February 2015

As the main active constituent ofAndrographis paniculatathat was applied in treatment of many diseases including inflammation in ancient China, andrographolide (ANDRO) was found to facilitate reduction of edema and analgesia in arthritis. This suggested that ANDRO may be promising anti-inflammatory agent to relieve destruction and degeneration of cartilage after inflammation. In this study, the effect of ANDRO on rabbit articular chondrocytesin vitrowas investigated. Results showed that not more than 8 μM ANDRO did no harm to chondrocytes (P<0.05). DNA content and glycosaminoglycan (GAG) /DNA were, respectively, improved in ANDRO groups comparing to the control (P<0.05). ANDRO could promote expression of aggrecan, collagen II, and Sox9 genes while downregulating expression of collagen I gene (P<0.05). Furthermore, hypertrophy that may result in chondrocyte ossification could not be detected in all groups (P>0.05). The viability assay, hematoxylin-eosin, safranin O, and immunohistochemical staining also showed better performances in ANDRO groups. As to the doses, 3 μM ANDRO showed the best performance. The results indicate that ANDRO can accelerate proliferation of rabbit articular chondrocytesin vitroand meanwhile maintain the phenotype, which may provide valuable references for further exploration on arthritis.
Reggie Wilson in Conversation
Authors: Manning Susan
Published: February 2015

Reggie Wilson talks with Susan Manning about growing up in Milwaukee, moving to New York to study at Tisch/NYU’s dance department, and developing his signature choreographic approach amidst the flourishing of black and white postmodernisms in the 1980s and 1990s.
K-Contagion: Sound, Speed, and Space in “Gangnam Style”
Authors: Tan Marcus
Published: February 2015

“Gangnam Style” remains an unparalleled pop phenomenon. The music video’s “universality” inspires questions about attributes that have resulted in such a crosscultural contagion. The visual and musical qualities of the “Gangnam Style” video exemplify conditions of liquid modernity and society’s obsession with speed.
Theatre in Contested Lands: Repatriating Indigenous Remains
Authors: Burelle Julie
Published: February 2015

The repatriation of indigenous remains and cultural patrimony can trigger anxiety among the settler majority. Performing as surrogates for the Americas’ un-grieved genocidal past, these remains, and the mourning performances that accompany their sometimes-embattled repatriation, illuminate the continuous violence against indigenous people that infiltrates even settler societies’ most reparative laws.
Theatre as Action, Dramaturgy as Streben: Cultural Confrontations at Lithuania’s National Drama Theatre
Authors: Lease Bryce
Published: February 2015

Lithuanian theatre before 1991 fought against censorship and occupation, constructed viable cultural bonds, and affirmed social cohesion. Today, against a resurgence of Russian imperialism, the Lithuanian National Drama Theatre has attempted to situate questions of “who we are” in relation to contested histories and pervasive social and religious taboos.
Priamaia liniia s Vladimirom Putinym: Performing Democracy Putin-Style
Authors: Schuler Catherine A.
Published: February 2015

The Kremlin’s assertion of Russia’s identity as a representative democracy relies for its effect on the skillful manipulation of the media by Vladimir Putin, Russia’s actor-in-chief. It seems clear from reviewing Putin’s annual, televised town hall meetings that it’s the Russian President’s enigmatic charisma that keeps his poll numbers high even as he curtails citizens’ rights.
Disability Performance in the Streets: Art Actions in Post-Quake Christchurch
Authors: Kuppers Petra
Published: February 2015

After a pilgrims’ walk in Christchurch, New Zealand/Aotearoa, on the anniversary of the deadly quakes, A Different Light Theatre Company, comprised of people deemed to have cognitive difference, creates their own small public intervention: a Christchurch masquerade.
Turbulent Communisms: Raqs Media Collective’s The Last International
Authors: Philbrick Ethan
Published: February 2015

Raqs Media Collective’s The Last International performance evoked a sense of communism as a cacophonous gathering of incommensurabilities and a convivial assembly of distances.
A Thousand Birds Flying
Authors: Barba Eugenio
Published: February 2015

Odin Teatret’s founding director resumes his longstanding relationship with TDR and its editor; both have had an impact on his personal biography and on contemporary theatre.
The Notion of ‘Persuasive Value’ of External Precedent in International Criminal Law
Authors: Borda Aldo Zammit
Published: February 2015

This article examines the notion of ‘persuasive value’ of external precedent in the context of international criminal law. It finds that, in a number of cases, individual judges have appeared to assess the relevance and persuasive value of the same judicial decision differently and suggests that an assessment of this notion may be contingent on the specific circumstances of the case, including the individual approaches of judges. The article proceeds to flesh out some extrinsic and intrinsic elements of this notion. With respect to the former, these include: (1) the specific attitudes of individual judges; (2) the authority of the forum, including the generalist or specialist character of the court and the potential role of judicial networks; (3) the effect of successive citations; and (4) the potentially uneven playing field of citations. With respect to the latter, these may include: (1) the nature of the law being applied and the consonance of the findings with the applicable law; and (2) the quality of the reasoning. While there potentially may be a link between the quality of reasoning of a given decision and an assessment of its persuasive value, this may depend on the circumstances of the case and, in particular, on the approaches of the individual judges, who may accord differing weight to the elements involved in the equation. Thus, the article concludes that, ultimately, any assessment of the notion of persuasive value may have to remain contingent and incomplete.
The Roles and Powers of the oecd National Contact Points Regarding Complaints on an Alleged Breach of the oecd Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises by a Transnational Corporation
Authors: Sanchez Juan Carlos Ochoa
Published: February 2015

This article reflects on the roles and powers of the oecd National Contact Points (ncps), under the 2011 version of the oecd Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises (‘the Guidelines’), regarding complaints on an alleged breach of the Guidelines by a transnational corporation, from both the empirical and the normative perspective. It does so through an examination of relevant oecd instruments, the regulations and practice of Brazil’s, Mexico’s, Norway’s, the United Kingdom’s and the United States of America’s ncps, and many relevant theoretical and empirical studies. While this work demonstrates the particular importance of the function of ncps of handling these complaints, it finds that the ncps case studies and the Australian have fundamentally different conceptions of their roles and powers regarding such complaints. This contribution, then, proposes an interpretation of these matters based on a systematic understanding of relevant oecd instruments and broader normative considerations. When doing so, it demonstrates that these differences are not well justified in normative terms. In addition and when addressing the main arguments against the proposed view in this study, this work provides new analysis on the distinction between soft and hard law in the field of corporate social responsibility, in light of the case of the Guidelines.
A review of the genus Solariola Flach, 1908 (Coleoptera: Curculionidae: Entiminae, Peritelini)
Authors: BAVIERA COSIMO
Published: February 2015

The species of the Italian endemic weevil genus, Solariola Flach, 1908 (Coleoptera: Curculionidae: Entiminae), are revised, the genus is re-diagnosed, re-described and transferred from the tribe Otiorhynchini to Peritelini. Three new species are described: Solariola angelae n. sp. and Solariola pesarinii n. sp. from Sicily, and Solariola fraterna n. sp. from Calabria. Solariola hirtula (A. Solari & F. Solari, 1923) is considered a good species and not a subspecies of Solariola gestroi (A. Solari & F. Solari, 1904), bringing the total number of species considered valid to 9. All the previously described species are re-described in detail. Distribution, ecology, maps and figures are provided for all the species of the genus, as well as a species-level identification key and a checklist of all known species.
Unexpected occurrence of the genus Eratigena in Laos with description of a new species (Araneae: Agelenidae)
Authors: BOLZERN ANGELO , JÄGER PETER
Published: February 2015

During fieldtrips to Laos in 2009 and 2012, two male agelenid specimens were collected from two different caves in the Bolikhamsay Province. Examination of morphological and molecular (CO1) characters revealed, that these specimens belong to a new species, Eratigena laksao sp. n. The cheliceral retromargin of the examined specimens have more than six teeth and the most proximal tooth is distinctly smaller, two character states that are regarded as synapomorphic for Eratigena. Nevertheless, due to the presence of ventral spines at tarsus IV, the completely reduced distal sclerite at the median apophysis, and the lack of females, the genus affiliation of this species remains tentative. E. laksao sp. n. can easily be identified by the unique presence of distinct bristles at the distal palpal tibia.
The jumping plant-louse Diaphorina teucrii sp. nov. (Hemiptera, Liviidae) associated with Teucrium (Lamiaceae) and its parasitoid Tamarixia dorchinae sp. nov. (Hymenoptera, Eulophidae) from the Negev desert, Israel
Authors: BURCKHARDT DANIEL , YEFREMOVA ZOYA , YEGORENKOVA EKATERINA
Published: February 2015

Adults and immatures of Diaphorina teucrii sp. nov. (Hemiptera, Liviidae, Euphyllurinae) and adults of Tamarixia dorchinae sp. nov. (Hymenoptera, Eulophidae, Tetrastichinae) from Israel are described, diagnosed and illustrated. D. teucrii sp. nov. develops on Teucrium capitatum (Lamiaceae), representing a family which was previously not recorded as a psyllid host from Israel, and is parasitised by Tamarixia dorchinae sp. nov. Identification keys are provided for the Diaphorina and Tamarixia species occurring in Israel.
Description of a new species of Anthrenus Geoffroy 1762, with a key to species from Nepal
Authors: HÁVA JIŘÍ , KADEJ MARCIN
Published: February 2015

The genus Anthrenus, is in the subfamily Megatominae. It is relatively speciose within family Dermestidae and currently contains ca. 250 valid taxa which have been grouped within 10 subgenera. Most of the species are found in the Palearctic ecozone. Anthrenus (Helocerus) cechovskyi Háva & Kadej, sp. nov. is described from Nepal. The habitus, antenna, genitalia are illustrated and compared with related species. A key to the known species from the Nepal is presented. Only seven species of Dermestidae have been recorded from Nepal so far. Newly described species is the first species of subgenus Helocerus which have been found in Nepal. Further study of Dermestidae of Nepal and adjacent countries is required.
Redescription of Trogoderma fasciolata Fairmaire, 1897, comb. rev. from Madagascar (Coleoptera: Dermestidae, Megatomini)
Authors: KADEJ MARCIN , HÁVA JIŘÍ
Published: February 2015

Trogoderma fasciolata Fairmaire, 1897, comb. rev. is redescribed, illustrated and restored to the genus Trogoderma Dejean, 1821 from Aethriostoma Motschulsky, 1858. A key to the known Trogoderma species from Madagascar is presented.
Safety evaluation on low-molecular-weight hydroxyethyl starch for volume expansion therapy in pediatric patients: a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials
Authors: Li Lixia , Li Yongyang , Xu Xiaoxing , Xu Bo , Ren Rongrong , Liu Yan , Zhang Jian , He Bin
Published: February 2015

Introduction

Hydroxyethyl starch (HES) has been widely used for volume expansion, but its safety in adult patients has been questioned recently. The aim of this meta-analysis is to see whether or not HES has any adverse effect in pediatric patients.

Methods

Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) involving pediatric patients who received 6% low-molecular-weight HES, published before January 2014, were searched for in Pubmed, Embase database and Cochrane Library. Two reviewers independently extracted the valid data, including the mortality, renal function, coagulation, blood loss, hemodynamic changes, and length of hospital and ICU stay. All data were analyzed by I2-test, and the results of statistical analysis were displayed in forest plots. Possible publication bias was tested by funnel plots. Bayesian analysis was performed using WinBUGS with fixed and random effects models.

Results

A total of 13 RCTs involving 1,156 pediatric patients were finally included in this meta-analysis. Compared with other fluids, HES did not significantly decrease the mortality (RR = -0.01; 95%CI: 0.05 to 0.03; P = 0.54; I2 = 6%), creatinine level (I2-test: MD = 1.81; 95%CI: -0.35 to 3.98; P = 0.10;I2 = 0%; Bayesian analysis: Fixed effect model MD = 1.77; 95%CI: -0.07 to 3.6; Random effects model MD = 1.78; 95%CI: -1.86 to 5.33), activated partial thromboplastin time (MD = 0.01; 95%CI: -1.05 to 1.07; P = 0.99; I2 = 42%), and blood loss (MD = 17.72; 95%CI: -41.27 to 5.82; P = 0.10; I2 = 0%) in pediatric patients. However, HES significantly decreased the blood platelet count (MD = 20.99; 95%CI: -32.08 to -9.90; P = 0.0002; I2 = 28%) and increased the length of ICU stay (MD = 0.94; 95%CI: 0.18 to 1.70; P = 0.02; I2 = 46%).

Conclusions

Volume expansion with 6% HES significantly decreased the platelet count and increased the length of ICU stay, also might have an adverse effect on renal function. Therefore HES is not recommended for pediatric patients, which safety needs more high quality RCTs and studies to confirm in future.
Separating the microbiome from the hyperbolome
Authors: Shanahan Fergus
Published: February 2015

Editorial summary

Microbiome-based therapies are moving quickly towards the clinic, with successes including fecal microbial transplants for recurring Clostridium difficile, hints of new antibiotics to come, and possible new microbial biomarkers for common complex diseases. Can the microbiome live up to its hype?
Patients with diabetic retinopathy have high retinal venous pressure
Authors: Cybulska-Heinrich Anna K , Baertschi Michael , Loesche Cay Christian , Schoetzau Andreas , Konieczka Katarzyna , Josifova Tatjana , Flammer Josef
Published: February 2015

Background

The introduction of ophthalmodynamometric measurement of retinal venous pressure (RVP) now permits the quantification, or at least an approximation, of the real pressure in the retinal veins.

Methods

We measured the RVP of healthy control subjects, patients with diabetes without diabetic retinopathy (nonDR) and patients with diabetes and diabetic retinopathy (DR).

Results

The mean ± SD RVP for the control, nonDR and DR groups were 23.4 ± 7.33, 22.5 ± 5.78 and 37.7 ± 10.1 mmHg, respectively. In the diabetes patients with DR, the RVP was markedly and significantly increased, and this result was significantly age dependent. RVP was not increased in the group of diabetes patients without DR. In our tested population, diabetes had a minor influence on intraocular pressure.

Conclusion

Regardless of the cause, a marked increase in RVP in diabetes patients with DR is clinically relevant, as it reduces perfusion pressure and increases transmural pressure. The reduced perfusion pressure contributes to hypoxia, and the increased transmural pressure can facilitate retinal edema.

Diabetes is an increasing burden, and DR is one of its most severe complications. Strategies to recognize the risk for DR and to develop personalized prevention and therapy therefore have major implications.

Trial registration

ClinicalTrials.gov ID: NCT01771835.
Modeling, metrics, and optimal design for solar energy-powered base station system
Authors: Wang Heng , Li Hongjia , Tang Chaowei , Ye Lingbao , Chen Xin , Tang Hui , Ci Song
Published: February 2015

Using renewable energy system in powering cellular base stations (BSs) has been widely accepted as a promising avenue to reduce and optimize energy consumption and corresponding carbon footprints and operational expenditures for 4G and beyond cellular communications. However, how to design a reliable and economical renewable energy powering (REPing), while guaranteeing communication reliability, renewable energy utilization, and system durability, is still a great challenge. Motivated by this challenge, we firstly model the dynamic energy flow behavior of solar energy-powered BS by using stochastic queue model, jointly considering instability of solar energy generation, non-linear effects of energy storage, and time varies of traffic load. On the basis of the model, three key performance metrics, including service outage probability (SoP), solar energy utilization efficiency (SEuE), and mean depth of discharge (MDoD), are defined, and close-form expressions of them are derived. Finally, under the guidelines of defined metrics, the sizing optimization problem is formulated, and then we propose the capital expenditure (CAPEX) minimization algorithm to resolve it with considerations of communication reliability, efficiency, and durability. Numerical results conducted to demonstrate the effectiveness of our proposed metrics vividly showed the close relationship between design metrics and system parameters. Simulation results also showed that our proposed algorithm can reduce at least 12.1% CAPEX compared with the classic algorithms and guarantee SoP below 0.82%, SEuE above 97%, and MDoD ranging from 7.2% to 9.1%, which means that the optimal design was achieved in terms of system reliability, efficiency, durability, and investment. The proposed modeling, design metrics, and sizing method provide a theoretical basis for actual designs of REPing BS system, which also can be further applied to the scenario of other forms of renewable energy powered system.
On monotone contraction mappings in modular function spaces
Authors: Alfuraidan Monther R , Bachar Mostafa , Khamsi Mohamed A
Published: February 2015

We prove the existence of fixed points of monotone-contraction mappings in modular function spaces. This is the modular version of the Ran and Reurings fixed point theorem. We also discus the extension of these results to the case of pointwise monotone-contraction mappings in modular function spaces.
Coupled best proximity point theorems for α-ψ-proximal contractive multimaps
Authors: Nantadilok Jamnian
Published: February 2015

In this paper, we establish coupled best proximity point theorems for multivalued mappings. Our results extend some recent results by Ali et al. (Abstr. Appl. Anal. 2014:181598, 2014) as well as other results in the literature. We also give examples to support our main results.
A service oriented broker-based approach for dynamic resource discovery in virtual networks
Authors: Rabah Sleiman , El Barachi May , Kara Nadjia , Dssouli Rachida , Paquet Joey
Published: February 2015

In the past few years, the concept of network virtualization has received significant attention from industry and research fora. This concept applies virtualization to networking infrastructures by enabling the dynamic creation of several co-existing logical network instances (or virtual networks) over a shared physical network infrastructure (or substrate network). Due to the potential it offers in terms of diversifying existing networks and ensuring the co-existence of heterogeneous network architectures on top of shared substrates, network virtualization is often considered as an enabler of a polymorphic Internet and a cornerstone of the future Internet architecture. One of the challenges associated with the network virtualization concept is the description, publication, and discovery of virtual resources that can be composed to form virtual networks. To achieve those tasks, there is a need for an expressive information model facilitating information representation and sharing, as well as an efficient resource publication and discovery framework. In this paper, we propose a service oriented, broker-based framework for virtual resource description, publication, and discovery. This framework relies on a novel service-oriented hierarchical business model and an expressive information model for resources/services description. The detailed framework’s architecture is presented, and its operation is illustrated using a REST-based content distribution scenario. Furthermore, a proof-of-concept prototype implementation realized using various technologies/tools (e.g. Jersey, JAXB, PostgreSQL, and Xen cloud platform) is presented along with a detailed performance analysis of the system. When compared to existing virtual resource discovery frameworks, our broker-based virtual resource discovery framework offers signification performance improvements of the virtual resources’ discovery operation, in terms of response time (92.8% improvement) and incurred network load (77.3% improvement), when dealing with multiple resource providers. Furthermore, relying on a broker as intermediary role simplifies the resources’ discovery and selection operations, and improves the overall efficiency of the virtual network embedding process.
Artemia salina as a model organism in toxicity assessment of nanoparticles
Authors: Rajabi Somayeh , Ramazani Ali , Hamidi Mehrdad , Naji Tahereh
Published: February 2015

Background

Because of expanding presence of nanomaterials, there has been an increase in the exposure of humans to nanoparticles that is why nanotoxicology studies are important. A number of studies on the effects of nanomatrials in in vitro and in vivo systems have been published. Currently cytotoxicity of different nanoparticles is assessed using the 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay on different cell lines to determine cell viability, a tedious and expensive method. The aim of this study was to evaluate the Artemia salina test in comparison with the MTT assay in the assessment of cytotoxicity of nanostructures because the former method is more rapid and convenient and less expensive.

Methods

At the first stage, toxicity of different nanoparticles with different concentrations (1.56–400 μg/mL) was measured by means of the brine shrimp lethality test. At the second stage, the effect of nanoparticles on the viability of the L929 cell line was assessed using the MTT assay. Experiments were conducted with each concentration in triplicate.

Results

The results obtained from both tests (A. salina test and MTT assay) did not have statistically significant differences (P > 0.05).

Conclusions

These findings suggest that the A. salina test may expedite toxicity experiments and decrease costs, and therefore, may be considered an alternative to the in vitro cell culture assay.
Impact of childhood trauma and affective temperament on resilience in bipolar disorder
Authors: Kesebir Sermin , Ünübol Başak , Tatlıdil Yaylacı Elif , Gündoğar Duru , Ünübol Hüseyin
Published: February 2015

Background

The aim of this study was to investigate whether childhood trauma (CT) and affective temperament have an impact on resilience in bipolar patients.

Methods

One hundred cases with bipolar disorder (BD) diagnosis according to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 4th Edition (DSM-IV) were evaluated consecutively in their euthymic period during outpatient follow-up interviews. Diagnostic interviews were done with SCID-I, affective temperament was evaluated with the Temperament Evaluation of Memphis, Pisa, Paris and San Diego Autoquestionnaire, and resilience was evaluated with the Resilience Scale for Adults (RSA). The presence of CT was determined and measured with the Childhood Trauma Questionnaire (CTQ).

Results

Among the bipolar patients, it was found that 35 cases (35%) were CT+. Depressive, cyclothymic, and anxious temperament scores were higher in CT+ cases. However, resilience scores were higher in CT− cases. In bipolar patients with and without childhood trauma, the relationship between temperament and resilience appears to be different. A negative relation between sexual abuse, emotional abuse, emotional neglect, and anxious temperament scores and resilience scores was shown in regression analysis.

Conclusions

CT and affective temperament both have an impact on resilience in bipolar patients.
Oncolytic activity of reovirus in HPV positive and negative head and neck squamous cell carcinoma
Authors: Cooper Timothy , Biron Vincent L , Fast David , Tam Raymond , Carey Thomas , Shmulevitz Maya , Seikaly Hadi
Published: February 2015

Background

The management of patients with advanced stages of head and neck cancer requires a multidisciplinary and multimodality treatment approach which includes a combination of surgery, radiation, and chemotherapy. These toxic treatment protocols have significantly improved survival outcomes in a distinct population of human papillomavirus (HPV) associated oropharyngeal cancer. HPV negative head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) remains a challenge to treat because there is only a modest improvement in survival with the present treatment regimens, requiring innovative and new treatment approaches. Oncolytic viruses used as low toxicity adjunct cancer therapies are novel, potentially effective treatments for HNSCC. One such oncolytic virus is Respiratory Orphan Enteric virus or reovirus. Susceptibility of HNSCC cells towards reovirus infection and reovirus-induced cell death has been previously demonstrated but has not been compared in HPV positive and negative HNSCC cell lines.

Objectives

To compare the infectivity and oncolytic activity of reovirus in HPV positive and negative HNSCC cell lines.

Methods

Seven HNSCC cell lines were infected with serial dilutions of reovirus. Two cell lines (UM-SCC-47 and UM-SCC-104) were positive for type 16 HPV. Infectivity was measured using a cell-based ELISA assay 18 h after infection. Oncolytic activity was determined using an alamar blue viability assay 96 h after infection. Non-linear regression models were used to calculate the amounts of virus required to infect and to cause cell death in 50% of a given cell line (EC50). EC50 values were compared.

Results

HPV negative cells were more susceptible to viral infection and oncolysis compared to HPV positive cell lines. EC50 for infectivity at 18 h ranged from multiplicity of infection (MOI) values (PFU/cell) of 18.6 (SCC-9) to 3133 (UM-SCC 104). EC50 for cell death at 96 h ranged from a MOI (PFU/cell) of 1.02×102 (UM-SCC-14A) to 3.19×108 (UM-SCC-47). There was a 3×106 fold difference between the least susceptible cell line (UM-SCC-47) and the most susceptible line (UM-SCC 14A) EC50 for cell death at 96 h.

Conclusions

HPV negative HNSCC cell lines appear to demonstrate greater reovirus infectivity and virus-mediated oncolysis compared to HPV positive HNSCC. Reovirus shows promise as a novel therapy in HNSCC, and may be of particular benefit in HPV negative patients.
Deep learning applications and challenges in big data analytics
Authors: Najafabadi Maryam M , Villanustre Flavio , Khoshgoftaar Taghi M , Seliya Naeem , Wald Randall , Muharemagic Edin
Published: February 2015

Big Data Analytics and Deep Learning are two high-focus of data science. Big Data has become important as many organizations both public and private have been collecting massive amounts of domain-specific information, which can contain useful information about problems such as national intelligence, cyber security, fraud detection, marketing, and medical informatics. Companies such as Google and Microsoft are analyzing large volumes of data for business analysis and decisions, impacting existing and future technology. Deep Learning algorithms extract high-level, complex abstractions as data representations through a hierarchical learning process. Complex abstractions are learnt at a given level based on relatively simpler abstractions formulated in the preceding level in the hierarchy. A key benefit of Deep Learning is the analysis and learning of massive amounts of unsupervised data, making it a valuable tool for Big Data Analytics where raw data is largely unlabeled and un-categorized. In the present study, we explore how Deep Learning can be utilized for addressing some important problems in Big Data Analytics, including extracting complex patterns from massive volumes of data, semantic indexing, data tagging, fast information retrieval, and simplifying discriminative tasks. We also investigate some aspects of Deep Learning research that need further exploration to incorporate specific challenges introduced by Big Data Analytics, including streaming data, high-dimensional data, scalability of models, and distributed computing. We conclude by presenting insights into relevant future works by posing some questions, including defining data sampling criteria, domain adaptation modeling, defining criteria for obtaining useful data abstractions, improving semantic indexing, semi-supervised learning, and active learning.
Systolic left ventricular function is preserved during therapeutic hypothermia, also during increases in heart rate with impaired diastolic filling
Authors: Kerans Viesturs , Espinoza Andreas , Skulstad Helge , Halvorsen Per Steinar , Edvardsen Thor , Bugge Jan Frederik
Published: February 2015

Background

Systolic left ventricular function during therapeutic hypothermia is found both to improve and to decline. We hypothesized that this discrepancy would depend on the heart rate and the variables used to assess systolic function.

Methods

In 16 pigs, cardiac performance was assessed by measurements of invasive pressures and thermodilution cardiac output and with 2D strain echocardiography. Left ventricle (LV) volumes, ejection fraction (EF), transmitral flow, and circumferential and longitudinal systolic strain were measured. Miniaturized ultrasonic transducers were attached to the epicardium of the LV to obtain M-mode images, systolic thickening, and diastolic thinning velocities and to determine LV pressure-wall dimension relationships. Preload recruitable stroke work (PRSW) was calculated. Measurements were performed at 38 and 33°C at spontaneous and paced heart rates, successively increased in steps of 20 up to the toleration limit. Effects of temperature and heart rate were compared in a mixed model analysis.

Results

Hypothermia reduced heart rate from 87 ± 10 (SD) to 76 ± 11 beats/min without any changes in LV stroke volume, end-diastolic volume, EF, strain values, or PRSW. Systolic wall thickening velocity (S′) and early diastolic wall thinning velocity decreased by approximately 30%, making systolic duration longer through a prolonged and slow contraction and changing the diastolic filling pattern from predominantly early towards late. Pacing reduced diastolic duration much more during hypo- than during normothermia, and combined with slow myocardial relaxation, incomplete relaxation occurred with all pacing rates. Pacing did not affect S′ or PRSW at physiological heart rates, but stroke volume, end-diastolic volume, and strain were reduced as a consequence of reduced diastolic filling and much more accentuated during hypothermia. At the ultimate tolerable heart rate during hypothermia, S′ decreased, probably as a consequence of myocardial hypoperfusion due to sustained ventricular contraction throughout a very short diastole.

Conclusions

Systolic function was maintained at physiological heart rates during therapeutic hypothermia. Reduced tolerance to increases in heart rate was caused by lack of ventricular filling due to diastolic dysfunction and shorter diastolic duration.
Editorial Column—Smart Things as Service Providers: A Call for Convergence of Disciplines to Build a Research Agenda for the Service Systems of the Future
Authors: Medina-Borja Alexandra
Published: February 2015

We are approaching the tipping point in the development of technologies that promise to enable an era of smart everything (cities, cars, buildings, etc.). Concurrently, service systems continue to dominate industrialized economies. Naturally, the concepts of smartness and service are starting to fuse, particularly when there is growing interest in overcoming the issues surrounding the effective implementation of smart engineered systems by applying a “service” framework. In terms of adding value to human life, actions executed by smart objects, mediated by technology, can be interpreted as a service to people. Inevitably, a new theoretical framework is needed to describe the interactions of ubiquitous technologies (new smart objects or processes) with the human world. Fundamental scientific principles need to be well understood at the intersection of the sensing and actuating, cognitive/behavioral, communications, and computational fields. This call for a new research avenue is intended to challenge the service engineering research community to think more deeply in the context above and converge with behavioral, cognitive, and computer scientists to develop new or additional principles and theories that help us better predict the behavior of a service system as a function of its design (as a sociotechnical system), with the human at the center.
Las prácticas de extensión y la investigación universitaria sobre los Determinantes Sociales de la Salud: enfoques y reflexiones actuales
Authors: Prósperi Roxana
Published: February 2015

Las intervenciones sobre los Determinantes Sociales de la Salud (DSS) se generan a partir de la identificación de inequidades y desigualdades sociales entendidas como problemas que afectan el bienestar y la calidad de vida de la población. Estos aspectos sintonizan y se retroalimentan a través de la promoción de líneas de investigación interdisciplinarias destinadas a conectar los factores individuales con las problemáticas estructurales que producen las inequidades en salud a nivel de políticas públicas. Las prácticas de extensión, por su misma naturaleza, se hallan vinculadas con la pertinencia social del conocimiento que se genera en la universidad. En este trabajo nos proponemos reflexionar sobre las actividades de investigación y las construcciones de conocimiento que en la actualidad se consideran como condición de posibilidad para propiciar y enriquecer dichas prácticas
Convivencia paradójica de paradigmas de discapacidad
Authors: Ale Adelina
Published: February 2015

El presente artículo se propone abordar los paradigmas y modelos sobre discapacidad que se evidencian en discursos, contextos y tensiones, desde una perspectiva dialógica, fundada en polifonías y múltiples miradas. Ejercitaremos “la pedagogía de la pregunta”, tal como lo plantea Bonder (2012), para analizar a la discapacidad como objeto de estudio. Partimos de la premisa de que el colectivo de los discapacitados no es homogéneo ni definible en categorías y variables de análisis exclusivamente teóricos. La discapacidad se corporiza en sujetos de “carne y hueso”: que son personas con derechos, con historia, situadas en un lugar y cultura particulares. En este sentido, la discapacidad será abordada como un objeto multivarial y nocomo un “tipo ideal” construido por la medicina, la sociología y la antropología.
Importancia de las propuestas curriculares en la formación de los profesionales de la salud
Authors: Carrera Larisa
Published: February 2015

La inequidad y la pobreza son causas de enfermedades, y la compleja realidad actual exige desafíos no sólo al sistema de salud sino también a las universidades como instituciones formadoras de futuros profesionales que deberán responder a demandas concretas de intervención para tratar de disminuir al máximo esas inequidades. La formación de recursos humanos en salud con un perfil orientado hacia los problemas de las poblaciones al respecto y a la estrategia de la Atención Primaria de la Salud (APS) se torna, entonces, un desafío. La APS continúa siendo hoy la principal estrategia para lograr equidad y calidad en salud. Pensar nuevos escenarios de práctica, problematizar la realidad de la que formamos parte, son pasos ineludibles para lograr una formación profesional centrada en la comunidad.
Plantas medicinales: promoción de la salud comunitaria desde una perspectiva intercultural
Authors: Costaguta Mariana , Gabucci Laura , Rodríguez Morcelle Martín , Lus Bruno
Published: February 2015

El proyecto “Las plantas medicinales en la atención primaria de la salud de los habitantes de Luján” surge con el objetivo de tejer un puente para el diálogo intercultural sobre salud y para el reconocimiento de los usos de la biodiversidad y su conservación. Los ejes sobre los que trabaja son el conocimiento de la comunidad en cuanto al uso de plantas medicinales, la implantación de jardines medicinales y la difusión a través de charlas y talleres. A través del entramado de miradas, prácticas, valores y recursos, se intenta validar metodologías y conocimientos al servicio de la gente y conformar aliados estratégicos mediante la articulación entre actores procedentes de los ámbitos educativos y de la salud. La experiencia relatada constituye un aporte a la defensa y revalorización de los saberes, la cultura y las prácticas sobre los procesos de salud, enfermedad, atención, cuidados, en la interface entre la universidad, la comunidad y el sistema de salud.
Salud colectiva: transformar percepciones profesionales para empoderar a la ciudadanía
Authors: Mendizábal Javier
Published: February 2015

Las enfermedades no trasmisibles y los determinantes de salud requieren superar el paradigma tradicional de la salud pública. Este paradigma continúa los caminos positivistas, de primacía clínica e infectológica, ponderada en la tecnología dura en un escenario de mercantilización y abuso de la industria farmacéutica. Los actores compiten en el campo de la salud gestando asimetrías de poder a través de acumulación de capitales. En contraposición, la salud colectiva se propone trabajar sobre la construcción de subjetividades de los actores sociales desde una perspectiva sociohistórica con relación a la salud y a su cuidado. De ese modo la comunidad se posiciona en el centro del cual parte la red de salud, se promueve el autocuidado y se motivan la actitud y aptitud crítica. Esta posibilidad transformadora de la realidad permite resignificar el derecho a la salud y cuestiona el sentido del derecho a estar sano. El presente trabajo abordará una experiencia sobre la Cátedra abierta de salud colectiva que se desarrolla en la Universidad Nacional de Mar del Plata.
Prevención de enfermedades cardiovasculares en la niñez
Authors: Biancucci Gabriela Fiorenza , Nasimbera Alejandro
Published: February 2015

Este artículo brinda información sobre actividades de extensión basadas en uno de los pilares de la Atención Primaria de la Salud (APS) que es la prevención, específicamente en la etapa de la niñez. Se detallan las intervenciones realizadas mediante la articulación de las comunidades educativas del nivel primario con las del universitario, con profesionales del servicio de cardiología, y de las inquietudes que fueron presentadas en el gobierno provincial.
Mechanical properties of BBi compound under pressure
Authors: Daoud Salah
Published: February 2015

In several research activities, the ab-initio calculations have become a vital tool for many research scientists (especially the physicists and the chemists). Pseudopotential plane wave method based on density functional perturbation theory within the Teter and Pade exchange-correlation functional form of the local density approximation is applied to study the anisotropy and pressure dependency of the mechanical properties of Boron-bismuth compound. The independent elastic compliance constants, the mechanical behavior, the phase transition, the volume collapse, the Youngâ€™s modulus and the Poissonâ€™s ratio for directions within the important crystallographic planes under pressure are studied. The Debye temperature and the melting point are also predicted.
An international study of how laboratories handle and evaluate patient samples after detecting an unexpected APTT prolongation
Authors: Ajzner Éva , Rogic Dunja , Meijer Piet , Kristoffersen Ann Helen , Carraro Paolo , Sozmen Eser , Faria Ana Paula , Sandberg Sverre , on behalf of the joint Working Grou
Published: February 2015

An unexpectedly detected prolonged activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT) can be a harmless laboratory finding, but can also reflect a thrombotic tendency or a bleeding disorder. The assistance of laboratory professionals in the interpretation of an unexpectedly detected prolonged APTT (uAPTT) is often required. The way in which uAPTTs are evaluated in laboratories was assessed in this international study with the aim of determining whether laboratory professionals are able to fulfill this need.

Postanalytical practices after uAPTT were investigated and the mixing study methodology (if used) was studied by circulating a case report with a questionnaire to staff in the invited laboratories. In addition, the interpretations of those staff regarding the presence or absence of inhibitors in three APTT mixing study scenarios were examined.

Large within- and between-country variations were detected in both postanalytical practices and mixing study methodologies among the 990 responding laboratories, 90% of which were in 13 countries. Shortcomings regarding the investigation of uAPTTs leading to potentially incorrect or delayed clinical diagnoses were found in 88% of the laboratories. Of the laboratories to which the interpretative questions were sent, 49% interpreted all mixing study scenarios correctly. uAPTTs were investigated appropriately and all mixing study scenarios interpreted correctly in parallel in only 9.6% of the participating laboratories.

The clinical requirement for the assistance of laboratory professionals in the interpretation of uAPTTs cannot be met at most of the participating laboratories. Laboratory professionals should be trained in the evaluation of ordinary laboratory tests, such as that for uAPTTs.
The Relationship Between Voice Development and the Quality of EFL Writing: A Study on First-Person Pronouns in the Revision Process
Authors: Wang Danbin
Published: February 2015

This article investigates the formative influence of voice on the argumentative writing performance of intermediate students of English. Its aim is to achieve a better understanding of how the students’ voice develops in the revision process in relation to the rubric and the essay scores. The data consist of Chinese sophomores’ multi-draft essays. As first-person pronouns are the most visible representation of a writer’s voice, this article gives a detailed description of the features and developmental patterns of first-person pronouns (FPPs). The results reveal that revision-induced changes in FPP can be beneficial to the quality of essay writing but only in a limited number of cases if the students are not formally instructed in voice, which carries pedagogical implications to empower students’ self-identity in EFL writing.
Structure and Properties of the Aluminide Coatings on the Inconel 625 Superalloy
Authors: Adamiak Stanisław , Bochnowski Wojciech , Dziedzic Andrzej , Filip Ryszard , Szeregij Eugeniusz
Published: February 2015

The research samples used in this study were based on the Inconel 625 alloy; the examined samples were coated with aluminide films deposited in a low-activity chemical vapor deposition (CVD) process. The samples’ microstructure was investigated with optical and electron microscopy and energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy analysis. Hardness measurements were performed using Vickers and Berkovich test methods. The adhesion of the aluminide coating was determined by fractography. It was shown that the fracture mechanism was different for the respective zones of the aluminide coating and the substrate material. The outer zone of the aluminide coating is characterized by an intercrystalline fracture, with a small contribution of transcrystalline fracture within individual grains (large crystallites in the bottom of the zone, composed of smaller crystallites, also show an intercrystalline fracture). The substrate material exhibited a ductile intercrystalline fracture. Based on this investigation, an increase of the microhardness of the material occurring at loads below 0.2 N was observed. When determining microhardness of aluminide coating it is necessary to take into account the optimal choice of the indentation tip.