bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Antrodia cinnamomeaInhibits Migration in Human Hepatocellular Carcinoma Cells: The Role of ERp57 and PGK-1
Authors: Chen Ying-Yi , Liu Fon-Chang , Wu Tian-Shung , Sheu Ming-Jyh
Published: December 2015

Evidences suggest that ERp57 and PGK-1 signaling lead to cancer cell proliferation and migration. We hypothesized that ERp57 and PGK-1 down-regulation may inactivate matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-2, -9 expressions and inhibit hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) migration. Antrodia cinnamomea is widely prescribed as an adjuvant to treat HCC in Taiwan. We aimed to investigate if ethanol extract of fruiting bodies of Antrodia cinnamomea (EEAC) and its active ingredients (i.e., zhankuic acid A, cordycepin, and adenosine) can modulate HCC cancer cells migration through ERp57 and PGK-1 and other molecular pathways such as PI3K/Akt and MAPK. ERp57 and PGK-1 siRNA were transfected into HCC to determine effects on MMP-2/-9 expressions and cell migration. We then examined the inhibitory effects of EEAC and its active ingredients on HCC migration and its related mechanisms including ERp57, PGK-1, PI3K/Akt, and MAPK signaling pathways. Down-regulation of ERp57 and PGK-1 by siRNA decreased MMP-2, -9 expressions and Transwell cell migration in HCC. Nontoxic EEAC markedly inhibited migration of HCC, and significantly inhibited activities and protein expressions of MMP-2 and -9, while the expression of the endogenous inhibitors (TIMP-1 and TIMP-2) of these proteins increased. Nontoxic EEAC and its active ingredients decreased ERp57, GLUD-1, GST-pi, and PGK-1 protein expressions. Finally, nontoxic EEAC inhibited the phosphorylated FAK, PI3K/Akt, and MAPK signaling. Our findings first indicate that EEAC and its ingredients effectively suppress HCC migration. Additionally, the molecular mechanisms appear to be mediated, in part, through the down-regulation of ERp57, PGK-1, MAPK, and PI3K/Akt.
The Inhibitory Effect of Abietic Acid on Melanoma Cancer Metastasis and InvasivenessIn VitroandIn Vivo
Authors: Hsieh Yih-Shou , Yang Shun-Fa , Hsieh Yi-Hsien , Hung Chia-Hung , Chu Shu-Chen , Yang Sheng-Han , Chen Pei-Ni
Published: December 2015

Melanoma cell metastasis is the primary cause of patient death. Thus, various treatment strategies have been developed to prevent metastasis. Abietic acid (AA) is an organic compound commonly found in trees. This study is aimed to investigate the antimetastatic activity of AA in B16F10-xenografted C57BL/6 mice and assess the anticancer activity of AA in combination with Taxol in melanoma cells. AA effectively reduced the formation of lung metastases by approximately 92.8%. AA treatment inhibited migratory potential ([Formula: see text]), invasion ([Formula: see text]), and motility ([Formula: see text]) of highly metastatic B16F10 melanoma cells in vitro. Zymography revealed that AA reduced the proteinase activities of matrix metalloproteinase-2 and urokinase-type plasminogen activator. Molecular analyses showed that AA reduced Akt phosphorylation and activating protein-1 DNA-binding activity by Western blot and electrophoretic mobility shift assay (EMSA), respectively. In summary, AA effectively inhibited B16F10 lung metastasis, and 50[Formula: see text][Formula: see text]M AA did not affect the viability of B16F10 cells. AA improved the efficacy of Taxol and demonstrated strong anticancer activity on melanoma cells. These results suggested that AA could be used as an antimetastatic agent or as an adjuvant for anticancer therapy.
Collider searches for nonperturbative low-scale gravity states
Authors: Gingrich Douglas M.
Published: December 2015

The possibility of producing nonperturbative low-scale gravity states in collider experiments was first discussed in about 1998. The ATLAS and CMS experiments have searched for nonperturbative low-scale gravity states using the Large Hadron Collider with a proton–proton center-of-mass energy of 8 TeV. These experiments have now seriously confronted the possibility of producing nonperturbative low-scale gravity states which were proposed over 17 years ago. I will summarize the results of the searches, give a personal view of what they mean, and make some predictions for 13 TeV center-of-mass energy. I will also discuss early ATLAS 13 TeV center-of-mass energy results.
OPTION PRICING BASED ON A LOG–SKEW–NORMAL MIXTURE
Authors: JIMÉNEZ J. A. , ARUNACHALAM V. , SERNA G. M.
Published: December 2015

This paper presents a method for approximating the underlying stock’s distribution by using a Log–Skew–Normal mixture distribution. The basic properties of a mixture of Skew–Normal distributions are reviewed in this paper. We provide a formula for the European option price by assuming that the log price follows a Skew–Normal mixture distribution. We also calculate the “Greeks”, such as delta, gamma and vega. We compare the proposed model with other existing models and consider an example of calibration to real market option data.
OPTION PRICING WITH A LEVY-TYPE STOCHASTIC DYNAMIC MODEL FOR STOCK PRICE PROCESS UNDER SEMI-MARKOVIAN STRUCTURAL PERTURBATIONS
Authors: ASSONKEN PATRICK , LADDE G. S.
Published: December 2015

In this work, we consider a stock price process subjected to idiosyncratic Lévy jumps and global structural changes attributed to interventions due to a semi-Markov process. The semi-Markov process decomposes both the time and state domains of the price process into sub-intervals and price state sub-domains respectively, where a Lévy–Ito process operates. The Lévy jumps decompose the space domain of the currently operating Lévy process. We derive an infinitesimal generator for a stock price process and a closed form expression for the conditional characteristic function of a log price. The former result is used to derive a PIDE satisfied by option prices, while the latter could be used to retrieve risk neutral densities via Fourier transform and price European vanilla options. In the sequel, we derive the characteristic function of the residence time of a semi-Markov process. Incompleteness of the market is exhibited through a general change of measure. For pricing purpose, the minimum entropy martingale measure is defined as an Esscher transform.
On stochastic differential equations driven by the renormalized square of the Gaussian white noise
Authors: Ben Ammou Bilel Kacem , Lanconelli Alberto
Published: December 2015

We investigate the properties of the Wick square of Gaussian white noises through a new method to perform nonlinear operations on Hida distributions. This method lays in between the Wick product interpretation and the usual definition of nonlinear functions. We prove an Itô-type formula and solve stochastic differential equations driven by the renormalized square of the Gaussian white noise. Our approach works with standard assumptions on the coefficients of the equations, global Lipschitz continuity, and produces existence and uniqueness results in the space where the noise lives. The linear case is studied in details and positivity of the solution is proved.
An Enhanced Intelligent Water Drops Algorithm for Scheduling of an Agile Manufacturing System
Authors: Teymourian Ehsan , Kayvanfar Vahid , Komaki GH. M. , Khodarahmi Majtaba
Published: December 2015

This paper deals with an agile manufacturing system with two stages where the first stage is the machining stage including a single flexible machine while the second stage is assembly stage including parallel identical assembly machines. Products have an assembly structure where their parts should be processed at the first stage and then proceed to the assembly stage. The goal is to find the parts sequence which minimizes makespan. Since the studied problem is NP-hard, enhanced intelligent water drops (EIWD) algorithm as a new swarm-based nature inspired optimization algorithm is proposed. Also, artificial immune system (AIS) algorithm has been proposed to tackle the addressed problem. Computational results based on randomly generated instances show the effectiveness of the proposed technique.
Conformation and electronic structure of Carbidopa. A QM/MD study
Authors: Sukker Ghader M. , Wazzan Nuha , Ahmed Ashour , Hilal Rifaat
Published: December 2015

Carbidopa (CD) is a drug used in combination with L-dopa (LD) in treatment of Parkinson’s disease (PD). CD is an inhibitor for enzyme decarboxylase, yet its mode of action is not entirely known although it is believed to involve enzyme shape recognition. The present work attempts to investigate the conformational preferences of CD. Tight geometry optimization at the density functional theory (DFT)/B3LYP/6-311[Formula: see text]G** level of theory has been carried out. The shallow nature of the potential energy surface (PES) and the presence of several local minima within a small energy range necessitate the launching of DFT-based molecular dynamics (MD) simulations. Two MD experiments were submitted for 35,000 points each. The complete trajectory in time domain of 10.5 ps is analyzed and discussed. The global minimum energy structure of CD is localized and identified by subsequent frequency calculations. The quantum theory of atom in molecules (QTAIMs) is used to extract and compare the quantum chemical topology features of the electron density distribution in CD and LD. Bonding characteristics are analyzed and discussed within the natural bond orbital (NBO) framework.
A Leukocyte image fast scanning based on max–min distance clustering
Authors: Wang Yapin , Cao Yiping
Published: December 2015

A leukocyte image fast scanning method based on max-min distance clustering is proposed. Because of the lower proportion and uneven distribution of leukocytes in human peripheral blood, there will not be any leukocyte in lager quantity of the captured images if we directly scan the blood smear along an ordinary zigzag scanning routine with high power (100x) objective. Due to the larger field of view of low power (10x) objective, the captured low power blood smear images can be used to locate leukocytes. All of the located positions make up a specific routine, if we scan the blood smear along this routine with high power objective, there will be definitely leukocytes in almost all of the captured images. Considering the number of captured images is still large and some leukocytes may be redundantly captured twice or more, a leukocyte clustering method based on max–min distance clustering is developed to reduce the total number of captured images as well as the number of redundantly captured leukocytes. This method can improve the scanning efficiency obviously. The experimental results show that the proposed method can shorten scanning time from 8.0–14.0[Formula: see text]min to 2.5–4.0[Formula: see text]min while extracting 110 nonredundant individual high power leukocyte images.
On the universality of the non-singularity of general Ginibre and Wigner random matrices
Authors: Manrique Paulo , Pérez-Abreu Victor , Roy Rahul
Published: December 2015

We prove the universal asymptotically almost sure non-singularity of general Ginibre and Wigner ensembles of random matrices when the distribution of the entries are independent but not necessarily identically distributed and may depend on the size of the matrix. These models include adjacency matrices of random graphs and also sparse, generalized, universal and banded random matrices. We find universal rates of convergence and precise estimates for the probability of singularity which depend only on the size of the biggest jump of the distribution functions governing the entries of the matrix and not on the range of values of the random entries. Moreover, no moment assumptions are made about the distributions governing the entries. Our proofs are based on a concentration function inequality due to Kolmogorov, Rogozin and Kesten, which allows us to improve universal rates of convergence for the Wigner case when the distribution of the entries do not depend on the size of the matrix.
Persistence of Hydrometeorological Droughts in the United Kingdom: A Regional Analysis of Multi-Season Rainfall and River Flow Anomalies
Authors: Wilby R. L. , Prudhomme C. , Parry S. , Muchan K. G. L.
Published: December 2015

This paper investigates the spatial and temporal properties of persistent meteorological and hydrological droughts in the UK at national to sub-regional scales. Using 1961–1990 as the reference period, it is shown that the longest observed run of below average rainfall since the 1870s persisted for four years in northern England and parts of Scotland during 1892–1896. The longest observed run of below average discharge since the 1950s/1960s was found for some groundwater fed rivers in the English lowlands and lasted up to 5.5 years during 1988–1993. Distributions of dry-spell lengths were represented by a Markov model fit to each rainfall and discharge record. This model provides a good fit to observed geometric distributions of spell lengths and provides credible runs of below average river flows lasting up to a decade in some vulnerable catchments in southern England. Droughts of this persistence may not yet have occurred within the instrumented record but could have profound water management implications for the region. Predicted 100-year drought durations for catchments in northern England may not be as long but could have serious ramifications for surface water supplies. These findings point to a risk of irreversible drought impacts on aquatic communities that are simultaneously stressed by unsustainable abstractions, poor water quality and/or habitat modifications.
Water Security in China’s Neighboring Diplomacy
Authors: Li Zhifei
Published: December 2015

Water security has become one of the most important topics in China’s relations with neighboring countries. Currently, there is an asymmetric interdependence and a structure of “low conflict and low cooperation” between China and neighboring countries, which leads to a sense of insecurity over the water resource utilization. Consequently, some of these countries are trying to form a potentially strategic alliance with other countries outside the region to contain China’s “water power,” which will exert negative impact on China’s relationship with these neighboring countries and change the overall security environment on China’s peripheries. In the future, however, China’s strategic advantage on water resources could serve as the basis of diplomatic breakthroughs to promote regional water governance in alignment with China’s national interest. China should take advantage of its strategic position as the “Water Tower in Asia” to formulate a water resource security strategy, establish feasible sharing and compensation mechanisms, and create new arenas for its neighboring diplomacy.
Starting physiology: bioelectrogenesis
Authors: Baptista Vander
Published: December 2015

From a Cartesian perspective of rational analysis, the electric potential difference across the cell membrane is one of the fundamental concepts for the study of physiology. Unfortunately, undergraduate students often struggle to understand the genesis of this energy gradient, which makes the teaching activity a hard task for the instructor. The topic of bioelectrogenesis encompasses multidisciplinary concepts, involves several mechanisms, and is a dynamic process, i.e., it never turns off during the lifetime of the cell. Therefore, to improve the transmission and acquisition of knowledge in this field, I present an alternative didactic model. The design of the model assumes that it is possible to build, in a series of sequential steps, an assembly of proteins within the membrane of an isolated cell in a simulated electrophysiology experiment. Initially, no proteins are inserted in the membrane and the cell is at a baseline energy state; the extracellular and intracellular fluids are at thermodynamic equilibrium. Students are guided through a sequence of four steps that add key membrane transport proteins to the model cell. The model is simple at the start and becomes progressively more complex, finally producing transmembrane chemical and electrical gradients. I believe that this didactic approach helps instructors with a more efficient tool for the teaching of the mechanisms of resting membrane potential while helping students avoid common difficulties that may be encountered when learning this topic.
Tracking undergraduate student achievement in a first-year physiology course using a cluster analysis approach
Authors: Brown S. J. , White S. , Power N.
Published: December 2015

A cluster analysis data classification technique was used on assessment scores from 157 undergraduate nursing students who passed 2 successive compulsory courses in human anatomy and physiology. Student scores in five summative assessment tasks, taken in each of the courses, were used as inputs for a cluster analysis procedure. We aimed to group students into high-achieving (HA) and low-achieving (LA) clusters and to determine the ability of each summative assessment task to discriminate between HA and LA students. The two clusters identified in each semester were described as HA ( n = 42) and LA ( n = 115) in semester 1 (HA1and LA1, respectively) and HA ( n = 91) and LA ( n = 42) in semester 2 (HA2and LA2, respectively). In both semesters, HA and LA means for all inputs were different (all P < 0.001). Nineteen students moved from the HA1group into the LA2group, whereas 68 students moved from the LA1group into the HA2group. The overall order of importance of inputs that determined group membership was different in semester 1 compared with semester 2; in addition, the within-cluster order of importance in LA groups was different compared with HA groups. This method of analysis may 1) identify students who need extra instruction, 2) identify which assessment is more effective in discriminating between HA and LA students, and 3) provide quantitative evidence to track student achievement.
On being examined: do students and faculty agree?
Authors: Perrella Andrew , Koenig Joshua , Kwon Henry , Nastos Stash , Rangachari P. K.
Published: December 2015

Students measure out their lives, not with coffee spoons, but with grades on examinations. But what exams mean and whether or not they are a bane or a boon is moot. Senior undergraduates (A. Perrella, J. Koenig, and H. Kwon) designed and administered a 15-item survey that explored the contrasting perceptions of both students ( n = 526) and faculty members ( n = 33) in a 4-yr undergraduate health sciences program. A series of statements gauged the level of agreement on a 10-point scale. Students and faculty members agreed on the value of assessing student learning with a variety of methods, finding new information to solve problems, assessing conceptual understanding and logical reasoning, having assessments with no single correct answer, and having comments on exams. Clear differences emerged between students and faculty members on specific matters: rubrics, student choice of exam format, assessing creativity, and transfer of learning to novel situations. A followup questionnaire allowed participants to clarify their interpretation of select statements, with responses from 71 students and 17 faculty members. All parties strongly agreed that exams should provide a good learning experience that would help them prepare for the future (students: 8.64 ± 1.71 and faculty members: 8.03 ± 2.34).
Evaluating the effectiveness of a laboratory-based professional development program for science educators
Authors: Amolins Michael W. , Ezrailson Cathy M. , Pearce David A. , Elliott Amy J. , Vitiello Peter F.
Published: December 2015

The process of developing effective science educators has been a long-standing objective of the broader education community. Numerous studies have recommended not only depth in a teacher's subject area but also a breadth of professional development grounded in constructivist principles, allowing for successful student-centered and inquiry-based instruction. Few programs, however, have addressed the integration of the scientific research laboratory into the science classroom as a viable approach to professional development. Additionally, while occasional laboratory training programs have emerged in recent years, many lack a component for translating acquired skills into reformed classroom instruction. Given the rapid development and demand for knowledgeable employees and an informed population from the biotech and medical industries in recent years, it would appear to be particularly advantageous for the physiology and broader science education communities to consider this issue. The goal of this study was to examine the effectiveness of a laboratory-based professional development program focused on the integration of reformed teaching principles into the classrooms of secondary teachers. This was measured through the program's ability to instill in its participants elevated academic success while gaining fulfillment in the classroom. The findings demonstrated a significant improvement in the use of student-centered instruction and other reformed methods by program participants as well as improved self-efficacy, confidence, and job satisfaction. Also revealed was a reluctance to refashion established classroom protocols. The combination of these outcomes allowed for construction of an experiential framework for professional development in applied science education that supports an atmosphere of reformed teaching in the classroom.
Medical student service learning program teaches secondary students about career opportunities in health and medical fields
Authors: Karpa Kelly , Vakharia Kavita , Caruso Catherine A. , Vechery Colin , Sipple Lanette , Wang Adrian
Published: December 2015

Engagement of academic medical centers in community outreach provides the public with a better understanding of basic terms and concepts used in biomedical sciences and increases awareness of important health information. Medical students at one academic medical center initiated an educational outreach program, called PULSE, that targets secondary students to foster their interest in healthcare and medicine. High school student participants are engaged in a semester-long course that relies on interactive lectures, problem-based learning sessions, mentoring relationships with medical students, and opportunities for shadowing healthcare providers. To date, the curriculum has been offered for 7 consecutive years. To determine the impact that participation in the curriculum has had on college/career choices and to identify areas for improvement, an electronic questionnaire was sent to former participants. Based on a 32% response rate, 81% of former participants indicated that participation in the course influenced their decision to pursue a medical/science-related career. More than half (67%) of respondents indicated intent to pursue a MD/PhD or other postgraduate degree. Based on responses obtained, additional opportunities to incorporate laboratory-based research and simulation sessions should be explored. In addition, a more formalized mentoring component has been added to the course to enhance communication between medical students and mentees. Health/medicine-related educational outreach programs targeting high school students may serve as a pipeline to introduce or reinforce career opportunities in healthcare and related sciences.
Po2 cycling protects diaphragm function during reoxygenation via ROS, Akt, ERK, and mitochondrial channels
Authors: Zuo Li , Pannell Benjamin K. , Re Anthony T. , Best Thomas M. , Wagner Peter D.
Published: December 2015

Po2 cycling, often referred to as intermittent hypoxia, involves exposing tissues to brief cycles of low oxygen environments immediately followed by hyperoxic conditions. After experiencing long-term hypoxia, muscle can be damaged during the subsequent reintroduction of oxygen, which leads to muscle dysfunction via reperfusion injury. The protective effect and mechanism behind Po2 cycling in skeletal muscle during reoxygenation have yet to be fully elucidated. We hypothesize that Po2 cycling effectively increases muscle fatigue resistance through reactive oxygen species (ROS), protein kinase B (Akt), extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK), and certain mitochondrial channels during reoxygenation. Using a dihydrofluorescein fluorescent probe, we detected the production of ROS in mouse diaphragmatic skeletal muscle in real time under confocal microscopy. Muscles treated with Po2 cycling displayed significantly attenuated ROS levels ( n = 5; P < 0.001) as well as enhanced force generation compared with controls during reperfusion ( n = 7; P < 0.05). We also used inhibitors for signaling molecules or membrane channels such as ROS, Akt, ERK, as well as chemical stimulators to close mitochondrial ATP-sensitive potassium channel (KATP) or open mitochondrial permeability transition pore (mPTP). All these blockers or stimulators abolished improved muscle function with Po2 cycling treatment. This current investigation has discovered a correlation between KATP and mPTP and the Po2 cycling pathway in diaphragmatic skeletal muscle. Thus we have identified a unique signaling pathway that may involve ROS, Akt, ERK, and mitochondrial channels responsible for Po2 cycling protection during reoxygenation conditions in the diaphragm.
Krüppel-like factor KLF10 deficiency predisposes to colitis through colonic macrophage dysregulation
Authors: Papadakis Konstantinos A. , Krempski James , Svingen Phyllis , Xiong Yuning , Sarmento Olga F. , Lomberk Gwen A. , Urrutia Raul A. , Faubion William A.
Published: December 2015

Krüppel-like factor (KLF)-10 is an important transcriptional regulator of TGF-β1signaling in both CD8+and CD4+T lymphocytes. In the present study, we demonstrate a novel role for KLF10 in the regulation of TGFβRII expression with functional relevance in macrophage differentiation and activation. We first show that transfer of KLF10−/−bone marrow-derived macrophages into wild-type (WT) mice leads to exacerbation of experimental colitis. At the cell biological level, using two phenotypic strategies, we show that KLF10-deficient mice have an altered colonic macrophage phenotype with higher frequency of proinflammatory LyC6+MHCII+cells and a reciprocal decrease of the anti-inflammatory LyC6−MHCII+subset. Additionally, the anti-inflammatory CD11b+CX3CR1hisubset of colonic macrophages is significantly decreased in KLF10−/−compared with WT mice under inflammatory conditions. Molecularly, CD11b+colonic macrophages from KLF10−/−mice exhibit a proinflammatory cytokine profile with increased production of TNF-α and lower production of IL-10 in response to LPS stimulation. Because KLF10 is a transcription factor, we explored how this protein may regulate macrophage function. Consequently, we analyzed the expression of TGFβRII expression in colonic macrophages and found that, in the absence of KLF10, macrophages express lower levels of TGFβRII and display an attenuated Smad-2 phosphorylation following TGF-β1stimulation. We further show that KLF10 directly binds to the TGFβRII promoter in macrophages, leading to enhanced gene expression through histone H3 acetylation. Collectively, our data reveal a critical role for KLF10 in the epigenetic regulation of TGFβRII expression in macrophages and the acquisition of a “regulatory” phenotype that contributes to intestinal mucosal homeostasis.
Alternative channels for urea in the inner medulla of the rat kidney
Authors: Nawata C. Michele , Dantzler William H. , Pannabecker Thomas L.
Published: December 2015

The ascending thin limbs (ATLs) and lower descending thin limbs (DTLs) of Henle's loop in the inner medulla of the rat are highly permeable to urea, and yet no urea transporters have been identified in these sections. We hypothesized that novel, yet-unidentified transporters in these tubule segments could explain the high urea permeability. cDNAs encoding for Na+-glucose transporter 1a (SGLT1a), Na+-glucose transporter 1 (NaGLT1), urea transporter (UT)-A2c, and UT-A2d were isolated and cloned from the Munich-Wistar rat inner medulla. SGLT1a is a novel NH2-terminal truncated variant of SGLT1. NaGLT1 is a Na+-dependent glucose transporter primarily located in the proximal tubules and not previously described in the thin limbs. UT-A2c and UT-A2d are novel variants of UT-A2. UT-A2c is truncated at the COOH terminus, and UT-A2d has one exon skipped. When rats underwent water restriction for 72 h, mRNA levels of SGLT1a increased in ATLs, NaGLT1 levels increased in both ATLs and DTLs, and UT-A2c increased in ATLs. [14C]urea uptake assays performed on Xenopus oocytes heterologously expressing these proteins revealed that despite having structural differences from their full-length versions, SGLT1a, UT-A2c, and UT-A2d enhanced urea uptake. NaGLT1 also facilitated urea uptake. Uptakes were Na+independent and inhibitable by phloretin and/or phloridzin. Our data indicate that there are several alternative channels for urea in the rat inner medulla that could potentially contribute to the high urea permeabilities in thin limb segments.
Science‐Economy‐Technology Concordance Matrix for Development and Implementation of Regional Smart Specializations in the Silesian Voivodeship, Poland
Authors: Smoliński Adam , Bondaruk Jan , Pichlak Magdalena , Trząski Leszek , Uszok Elżbieta
Published: December 2015

The regional smart specializations include the innovative activities within a common science‐economy‐technology sector, which open the opportunities to gain a competitive advantage. The original procedure of science‐economy‐technology concordance matrix development on an example of smart specializations of the Silesian Voivodeship was presented in the paper. The procedure developed includes recognition of the research and economic components of the regional smart specialization and the connection between the economic components of the regional specialization and the technological innovation through the international patent classification. It also comprises recognition of key enabling technologies (KETs) and high technologies (of high R&D intensity) other than KET in the economic and technological dimensions of innovation as well as the high R&D intensity services in the economic dimension of innovation. The in‐depth expert analyses with the application of the Delphi method were also taken into account. The methodological approach developed and the visualization method applied are both of cognitive and practical importance since they contribute significantly to the creation of efficient development policies, to the enhancement and facilitation of cross‐sectoral cooperation, and to the focusing on the fields of key importance in terms of the competitive advantage of a region.
Sarcopenia Does Not Affect Survival or Outcomes in Soft-Tissue Sarcoma
Authors: Wilson Robert J. , Alamanda Vignesh K. , Hartley Katherine G. , Mesko Nathan W. , Halpern Jennifer L. , Schwartz Herbert S. , Holt Ginger E.
Published: December 2015

Background and Objective. Sarcopenia is associated with decreased survival and increased complications in carcinoma patients. We hypothesized that sarcopenic soft-tissue sarcoma (STS) patients would have decreased survival, increased incidence of wound complications, and increased length of postresection hospital stay (LOS).Methods. A retrospective, single-center review of 137 patients treated surgically for STS was conducted. Sarcopenia was assessed by measuring the cross-sectional area of bilateral psoas muscles (total psoas muscle area, TPA) at the level of the third lumbar vertebrae on a pretreatment axial computed tomography scan. TPA was then adjusted for height (cm2/m2). The association between height-adjusted TPA and survival was assessed using Cox proportional hazard model. A logistical model was used to assess the association between height-adjusted TPA and wound complications. A linear model was used to assess the association between height-adjusted TPA and LOS.Results. Height-adjusted TPA was not an independent predictor of overall survival (p=0.746). Patient age (p=0.02) and tumor size (p=0.009) and grade (p=0.001) were independent predictors of overall survival. Height-adjusted TPA was not a predictor of increased hospital LOS (p=0.66), greater incidence of postoperative infection (p=0.56), or other wound complications (p=0.14).Conclusions. Sarcopenia does not appear to impact overall survival, LOS, or wound complications in patients with STS.
CaCl2‐Accelerated Hydration of Tricalcium Silicate: A STXM Study Combined with 29Si MAS NMR
Authors: Li Qinfei , Ge Yong , Geng Guoqing , Bae Sungchul , Monteiro Paulo J. M.
Published: December 2015

The effect of calcium chloride (CaCl2) on tricalcium silicate (C3S) hydration was investigated by scanning transmission X‐ray microscopy (STXM) with Near Edge X‐ray Absorption Fine Structure (NEXAFS) spectra and 29Si MAS NMR. STXM is demonstrated to be a powerful tool for studying the chemical composition of a cement‐based hydration system. The Ca L3,2‐edge NEXAFS spectra obtained by examining C3S hydration in the presence of CaCl2 showed that this accelerator does not change the coordination of calcium in the calcium silicate hydrate (C‐S‐H), which is the primary hydration product. O K‐edge NEXAFS is also very useful in distinguishing the chemical components in hydrated C3S. Based on the Ca L3,2‐edge spectra and chemical component mapping, we concluded that CaCl2 prefers to coexist with unhydrated C3S instead of C‐S‐H. In Si K‐edge NEXAFS analysis, CaCl2 increases the degree of silicate polymerization of C‐S‐H in agreement with the 29Si CP/MAS NMR results, which show that the presence of CaCl2 in hydrated C3S considerably accelerates the formation of middle groups (Q2) and branch sites (Q3) in the silicate chains of C‐S‐H gel at 1‐day hydration.
Endoscopic Removal of a Nitinol Mesh Stent from the Ureteropelvic Junction after 15 Years
Authors: Smrkolj Tomaž , Šalinović Domagoj
Published: December 2015

We report a rare case of a patient with a large stone encrusted on a nitinol mesh stent in the ureteropelvic junction. The stent was inserted in the year 2000 after failure of two pyeloplasty procedures performed due to symptomatic ureteropelvic junction stenosis. By combining minimally invasive urinary stone therapies—extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy, semirigid ureterorenoscopy with laser lithotripsy, and percutaneous nephrolithotomy—it was possible to completely remove the encrusted stone and nitinol mesh stent that was implanted for 15 years, rendering the patient symptom and obstruction free.
Cooperative Spectrum Sensing for Cognitive Heterogeneous Networking Using Iterative Gauss-Seidel Process
Authors: Hosseini Haleh , Raahemifar Kaamran , Syed Yusof Sharifah Kamilah , Anpalagan Alagan
Published: December 2015

Heterogeneous networks with dense deployment of small cells can employ cognitive features to efficiently utilize the available spectrum resources. Spectrum sensing is the key enabler for cognitive radio to detect the unoccupied channels for data transmission. In order to deal with shadowing and multipath fading in sensing channels, cooperative spectrum sensing is designed to increase the accuracy of the sensed signal. In this paper, an optimized local decision rule is implemented for the case that the received data from primary users are possibly correlated due to the sensing channel impairments. Since the prior information is unavailable in the real systems, Neyman-Pearson criterion is used as the cost function. Then, a discrete iterative algorithm based on Gauss-Seidel process is applied to optimize the local cognitive user decision rules under a fixed fusion rule. This method with low complexity can minimize the cost using the golden section search method in a finite number of iterations. ROC curves are depicted using the achieved probability of detection and false alarm by numerical examples to illustrate the efficiency of the proposed algorithm. Simulation results also confirm the superiority of the proposed method compared to the conventional topologies and decision rules.
Risk Factors in Normal-Tension Glaucoma and High-Tension Glaucoma in relation to Polymorphisms of Endothelin-1 Gene and Endothelin-1 Receptor Type A Gene
Authors: Wróbel-Dudzińska Dominika , Kosior-Jarecka Ewa , Łukasik Urszula , Kocki Janusz , Witczak Agnieszka , Mosiewicz Jerzy , Żarnowski Tomasz
Published: December 2015

The aimof the research is to analyse the influence of polymorphisms of endothelin-1 gene and endothelin-1 receptor type A gene on the clinical condition of patients with primary open angle glaucoma.Methods. 285 Polish patients took part in the research (160 normal-tension glaucoma and 125 high-tension glaucoma). DNA was isolated by standard methods and genotype distributions of four polymorphisms in genes encoding endothelin-1 (K198N) and endothelin-1 receptor type A polymorphisms (C1222T, C70G, and G231A) were determined. Genotype distributions were compared between NTG and HTG groups. The clinical condition of participants was examined for association with polymorphisms.Results. A similar frequency of occurrence of the polymorphic varieties of the studied genes was observed in patients with NTG and HTG. There is no relation between NTG risk factors and examined polymorphisms. NTG patients with TT genotype of K198N polymorphism presented with the lowest intraocular pressure in comparison to GG + GT genotype (p=0.03). In NTG patients with CC genotype of C1222T polymorphism (p=0.028) and GG of C70G polymorphism (p=0.03) the lowest values of mean blood pressure were observed.Conclusions. The studied polymorphic varieties (K198N, C1222T) do have an influence on intraocular pressure as well as arterial blood pressure in NTG patients.
Palm‐Print Pattern Matching Based on Features Using Rabin‐Karp for Person Identification
Authors: Kanchana S. , Balakrishnan G.
Published: December 2015

Palm‐print based individual identification is regarded as an effectual method for identifying persons with high confidence. Palm‐print with larger inner surface of hand contains many features such as principle lines, ridges, minutiae points, singular points, and textures. Feature based pattern matching has faced the challenge that the spatial positional variations occur between the training and test samples. To perform effective palm‐print features matching, Rabin‐Karp Palm‐Print Pattern Matching (RPPM) method is proposed in this paper. With the objective of improving the accuracy of pattern matching, double hashing is employed in RPPM method. Multiple patterns of features are matched using the Aho‐Corasick Multiple Feature matching procedure by locating the position of the features with finite set of bit values as an input text, improving the cumulative accuracy on hashing. Finally, a time efficient bit parallel ordering presents an efficient variation on matching the palm‐print features of test and training samples with minimal time. Experiment is conducted on the factors such as pattern matching efficiency rate, time taken on multiple palm‐print feature matching efficiency, and cumulative accuracy on hashing.
Differential Contribution of BLT1 and BLT2 to Leukotriene B4‐Induced Human NK Cell Cytotoxicity and Migration
Authors: Wang Meng , Mostafa El-Maghraby Nermine , Turcotte Sylvie , Rola-Pleszczynski Marek , Stankova Jana
Published: December 2015

Accumulating evidence indicates that leukotriene B4 (LTB4) via its receptors BLT1 and/or BLT2 (BLTRs) could have an important role in regulating infection, tumour progression, inflammation, and autoimmune diseases. In the present study, we showed that LTB4 not only augments cytotoxicity by NK cells but also induces their migration. We found that approximately 30% of fresh NK cells express BLT1, 36% express BLT2, and 15% coexpress both receptors. The use of selective BLTR antagonists indicated that BLT1 was involved in both LTB4‐induced migration and cytotoxicity, whereas BLT2 was involved exclusively in NK cell migration, but only in response to higher concentrations of LTB4. BLT1 and BLT2 expression increased after activation of NK cells with IL‐2 and IL‐15. These changes of BLTR expression by cytokines were reflected in enhanced NK cell responses to LTB4. Our findings suggest that BLT1 and BLT2 play differential roles in LTB4‐induced modulation of NK cell activity.
Dialysis Pretreatment for Dissolved Organic Nitrogen Analysis in Freshwaters
Authors: Wang Qiang , Hua Bin , Yang John , Liu Fengjing , Zhu Guocheng , Deng Baolin
Published: December 2015

Total dissolved nitrogen (TDN), including dissolved inorganic nitrogen (DIN) and dissolved organic nitrogen (DON), plays an important role in numerous environmental processes, such as nutrient cycling and lake and estuary eutrophication. The impact of DIN on environmental processes has been extensively studied. However, the understanding on DON in the environment is largely unknown, as there is no direct method for DON measurement. In practice, DON was determined by subtracting DIN from TDN. Large measurement errors could be induced when DIN becomes dominant in sample. This study was to investigate the impact of two pretreatments of dialysis, dialysis against Millipore water and dialysis against phosphate buffer (4.7 mM H3PO4-5.3 mM KH2PO4, pH 2.2) using a cellulose ester (CE) membrane (100–500 Da molecular weight cutoff), on DON measurement in a broad DIN range from various aquatic ecosystems. Results showed that the removal of NH4-N and NO3-N by both dialysis approaches was highly effective (>80%), but the DON loss by the former was significantly lower than by the latter. This study demonstrated that dialysis against Millipore water with the membrane would be more effective as a sample pretreatment for DIN removal, leading to a reliable and accurate DON measurement.
Death after Sexual Intercourse
Authors: Braun Christian T. , Ricklin Meret E. , Pauli Andreina , Ott Daniel , Exadaktylos Aristomenis K. , Pfortmueller Carmen A.
Published: December 2015

Sexuality is an essential aspect of quality of life. Nevertheless, sexual intercourse is physically challenging and leads to distinct changes in blood pressure, heart, and respiratory rate that may lead to vital complications. We present a case report of a 22-year-old female suffering from subarachnoid hemorrhage after sexual intercourse. The patient was immediately transported to hospital by emergency medical services and, after diagnosis, transferred to a tertiary hospital with neurosurgical expertise but died within 24 hours. After postcoital headaches, subarachnoid hemorrhage is the second most common cause of neurological complications of sexual intercourse and therefore patients admitted to an emergency department with headache after sexual intercourse should always be carefully evaluated by cerebral imaging.
Successful Bosutinib Experience in an Elderly Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia Patient with Suspected Central Nervous System Involvement Transformed from Chronic Myeloid Leukemia
Authors: Atilla Erden , Ataca Pinar , Ozyurek Elif , Erden Ilhan , Gurman Gunhan
Published: December 2015

Managing the blast phase in chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) is challenging because limited data are available for elderly patients. The involvement of the central nervous system (CNS) increases the risk of a poor prognosis. Here, we present an elderly blast phase CML patient with suspected CNS involvement who was successfully treated with bosutinib.
Nile Red Staining for Oil Determination in Microalgal Cells: A New Insight through Statistical Modelling
Authors: Halim Ronald , Webley Paul A.
Published: December 2015

In the wake of global warming and rapid fossil fuel depletion, microalgae emerge as promising feedstocks for sustainable biofuel production. Nile red staining acts as a rapid diagnostic tool to measure the amount of biodiesel-convertible lipid that the cells accumulate. There is a need for the development of a more uniform staining procedure. In its first phase, this study examined the dependence of microalgal Nile red fluorescence (Tetraselmis suecica) in terms of its most pertinent staining variables. A quadratic surface model that successfully described the Nile red fluorescence intensity as a composite function of its variables was generated (r2=0.86). Cell concentration was shown to have a significant effect on the fluorescence intensity. Up to a certain threshold, fluorescence intensity was shown to increase with Nile red dye concentration. In its second phase, the study reviewed findings from previous Nile red studies to elucidate some of the fundamental mechanism underlying the diffusion of Nile red dye molecules into the microalgal cells and their subsequent interaction with intracellular lipids. Through the review process, we were able to develop a simple framework that provided a set of guidelines for the standardization of the Nile red staining procedure across different microalgal species.
Reciprocity and Self-Tuning Relations without Wrapping
Authors: Fioravanti Davide , Infusino Gabriele , Rossi Marco
Published: December 2015

We consider scalar Wilson operators ofN= 4 SYM at high spin,s, and generic twist in the multicolor limit. We show that the corresponding (non)linear integral equations (originating from the asymptotic Bethe Ansatz equations) respect certain “reciprocity” and functional “self-tuning” relations up to all terms1/s(ln s)n(inclusive) at any fixed ’t Hooft couplingλ. Of course, this relation entails straightforwardly the well-known (homonymous) relations for the anomalous dimension at the same order ins. On this basis we give some evidence that wrapping corrections should enter the nonlinear integral equation and anomalous dimension expansions at the next order(ln s)2/s2, at fixed ’t Hooft coupling, in such a way to reestablish the aforementioned relation (which fails otherwise).
Thyroid Sporadic Goiter with Adult Heterotopic Bone Formation
Authors: Handra-Luca Adriana , Dumuis-Gimenez Marie-Laure , Bendib Mouna , Anagnostis Panagiotis
Published: December 2015

Thyroid heterotopic bone formation (HBF) in goiter is a rare finding. Five thyroid resection specimens were analyzed for HBF. The results were correlated with clinicomorphological features. All patients were women (33–82 years). The preoperative diagnosis was thyroid goiter or nodule. Treatment consisted in thyroidectomy and lobectomy (3 and 2, resp.). Microscopy showed sporadic nodular goiter. Malformative blood vessels and vascular calcifications were seen in intra- and extrathyroid location (5 and 3, resp.). The number and size of HBFs (total: 28) ranged between 1 and 23/thyroid gland (one bilateral) and 1 and 10 mm, respectively. Twelve HBFs were in contact with the thyroid capsule. Most were extranodular (21, versus 6 intranodular). The medical history was positive for dyslipidemia, hyperglycemia, renal dysfunction, and hyperuricemia (2, 3, and 3 cases and 1 case, resp.) without any parathyroid abnormality. In conclusion, thyroid HBF may be characterized by subcapsular or extranodular location, various size (usually ≥2 mm), and vascular calcifications and malformations. Features of metabolic syndrome and renal dysfunction may be present, but their exact role in the pathogenesis of HBFs remains to be elucidated.
Clinical Features of Miller-Fisher Syndrome in Pregnancy
Authors: Ono Masanori , Sato Hideki , Shirahashi Mayu , Tomioka Noriko , Maeda Julia , Watanabe Keiko , Amagata Tomoko , Ikeda Toshiyuki , Yakubo Kazumi , Fukuiya Tatsuro
Published: December 2015

Miller-Fisher syndrome (MFS) is recognized as a variant of Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS). MFS is a rare disorder that is characterized by the acute onset of ophthalmoplegia, ataxia, and areflexia/hyporeflexia. MFS has a higher incidence in Asia, where the incidence is estimated to be 18%–26% of GBS compared with 3%–5% in the West. The differential diagnosis of MFS includes Wernicke’s encephalopathy (WE) which is characterized by a clinical triad (nystagmus and ophthalmoplegia, mental status changes, and ataxia), myasthenia gravis, and brainstem stroke. The association between MFS and pregnancy has not been reported previously. Here, we describe the clinical features of a pregnant woman in early pregnancy with MFS. This case highlights the fact that it is necessary to establish an accurate diagnosis based on the details from the patient’s history on appropriate complementary testing in a pregnant patient with MFS.