bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Histopathological analysis and surgical treatment of breast cancer - our experience
Authors: Detanac Dzemail , Detanac Dzenana , Ceranic Avdo , Ceranic Merima
Published: February 2016

Introduction. The aim of this study was to show the descriptive and
histopathological analysis and applied surgical technique with early and late
postoperative complications in patients with breast cancer who were
hospitalized and treated at the General Hospital in Novi Pazar during the
period 2009-2011. Material and Methods. During the period from 2009 to 2011,
59 patients were operated for breast cancer at the General Hospital in Novi
Pazar. The study included the size and type of the tumor, disease stage,
surgical techniques and complications, the age of the patients at the moment
of surgery and its correlation with the number of metastatic lymph nodes in
the axilla and the tumor size, as well as the correlation of the tumor size
with the number of metastases in the axillary lymph nodes. Results. The
difference in the tumor size in relation to the age among the women under 50
and over 50 years of age was not statistically significant (T = -1.203,
p>0.05). There was no statistically significant difference between the number
of positive lymph nodes in the women under and over 50 years of age
(Mann-Whitney U test, p>0.05). A significant positive correlation between the
tumor size and the number of positive axillary lymph nodes was found (r=
0.308, p<0.05). A significant positive correlation of the patient?s age and
breast cancer stage was also confirmed with nonparametric variance analysis
by Spearman?s Rho (r= 0.337, p<0.05). Conclusion. The majority of women from
this study sample were with Stage II of breast cancer, which points out the
necessity for better prevention and education of women in order to improve
early diagnosis of breast cancer. The number of positive axillary lymph nodes
appears to be an important prognostic factor and a significant positive
correlation between the tumor size and the number of positive axillary lymph
nodes has been found.
Toxicity of several contact insecticides to Tribolium castaneum (Herbst) populations after selection with pirimiphos-methyl and deltamethrin
Authors: Andric Goran , Prazic-Golic Marijana , Kljajic Petar
Published: February 2016

Laboratory bioassays were conducted to detect possible alteration in
susceptibility of two field Tribolium castaneum (Herbst) populations (sampled
in a warehouse in Nikinci and a silo in Jakovo) to dichlorvos, malathion,
chlorpyrifos-methyl, pirimiphos-methyl, deltamethrin and bifenthrin after
previous selection with the LD80 of pirimiphos-methyl and deltamethrin. Data
from the topical application bioassays show that chlorpyrifos-methyl was the
most toxic insecticide to T. castaneum adults of the Nikinci population
selected with pirimiphosmethyl and deltamethrin, while malathion was the
weakest, and both selection procedures changed/reduced significantly only the
toxicity of deltamethrin and bifenthrin, increasing their resistance ratios
(RR) at the LD50 from 1.1 to 1.8 (bifenthrin) and from 0.9 to 2.2
(deltamethrin). Deltamethrin was the most toxic insecticide for Jakovo adults
selected with the LD80 of pirimiphosmethyl, while malathion was again the
least toxic. Selection of that population had no effect on insecticide
toxicity, except of malathion, which had a rise in RR at the LD50 from 26.0
to 29.8.
Impact of storage conditions on seed germination and seedling growth of wild oat (Avena fatua L.) at different temperatures
Authors: Saric-Krsmanovic Marija , Umiljendic Gajic , Santric Ljiljana , Radivojevic Ljiljana
Published: February 2016

The influence of seed storage conditions and different temperatures (5?C,
10?C, 15?C, 20?C, 25?C, 30?C and 26?C/21?C) during germination and seedling
development on seed germination, shoot length and germination rate of wild
oat (Avena fatua L.) was examined. Germinated seeds were counted daily over a
period of ten days and shoot length was measured on the last day, while
germination rates were calculated from those measurements. The results showed
that seed storage under controlled conditions (T1: temperature 24?1?C,
humidity 40-50%; T2: temperature 26?1?C, humidity 70-80% and T3: temperature
4?C) for periods of 3 (t1) and 12 (t2) months had a significant influence on
germination of wild oat seeds. The percentage of germinated seeds under all
examined temperatures was higher when they were stored for 12 months under
controlled temperature and humidity. The results also showed that temperature
had a significant effect on the percentage of germination and germination
rate of A. fatua seeds. The highest total germination occurred at 15?C
temperature (T1: t1 - 41.25%, t2 - 44.37%; T2: t1 - 28.13%, t2 - 34.37%; T3:
t1 - 10.63%, t2 - 12.50%). Germination percentage under an alternating day
/night photoperiod at 26?C/21?C temperature was higher in all treatment
variants (T1: t1 - 8.13%, t2 - 10.00%; T2: t1 - 11.87%, t2 - 13.13%; T3: t1 -
2.42%, t2 - 2.70%) than germination in the dark at 25?C, 30?C and 5?C.
Youth residential situation in the transition to adulthood: The case of Serbia (an exploratory approach)
Authors: Milic Jelena , Jingmin Zhou
Published: February 2016

Research undertaken on housing and youth to date primarily focus on those at
the very bottom of the social ladder. Nonetheless, a large percentage of
youth population around the world is facing a crisis in terms of achieving
residential autonomy. This paper attempts to illustrate the possibilities and
obstacles that prevent youth from achieving residential independence in
Serbia. The data collected in this exploratory study conducted in 2014, on a
sample of 312 respondents, is used to analyze some of the most important
structural factors (job market, education, financial situation and access to
the housing market) in order to assess both current situation and the
possible prospects of the youth housing issue in the country. Serbia, as most
Southern European countries, has a 'Mediterranean' model of transition to
adulthood, which is characterized by great reliance on the family of origin.
It has been observed by respondents to this study that the most represented
living arrangement was living with parents and that even older cohorts (30 to
35 years old) in most cases continued living with their family of origin to
date. As our findings indicate, youth from the sample perceived this
residential arrangement more as a consequence of poor financial situation and
lack of cheap housing, rather than a desirable choice. It is difficult to
predict if there will be significant improvements in the housing
affordability or job market situation for youth, therefore the prospect of
achieving residential independency for generations to come will remain
tremendously challenging. Investigating existing and defining new strategies,
in both the family and broader society contexts, is an important task for
future research on accessibility of housing and youth residential situation
advancement given the importance of this factor in the transition to
adulthood.
BORO as a Foundation to Enterprise Ontology
Authors: de Cesare Sergio , Partridge Chris
Published: February 2016

Modern business organizations experience increasing challenges in the development and evolution of their enterprise systems. Typical problems include legacy re-engineering, systems integration/interoperability, and the architecting of the enterprise. At the heart of all these problems is enterprise modeling. Many enterprise modeling approaches have been proposed in the literature with some based on ontology. Few however adopt a foundational ontology to underpin a range of enterprise models in a consistent and coherent manner. Fewer still take data-driven re-engineering as their natural starting point for modeling. This is the approach taken by Business Object Reference Ontology (BORO). It has two closely intertwined components: a foundational ontology and a re-engineering methodology. These were originally developed for the re-engineering of enterprise systems and subsequently evolved into approaches to enterprise architecture and systems integration. Together these components are used to systematically unearth reusable and generalized business patterns from existing data. Most of these patterns have been developed for the enterprise context and have been successfully applied in several commercial projects within the financial, defense, and oil and gas industries. BORO's foundational ontology is grounded in philosophy and its metaontological choices (including perdurantism, extensionalism, and possible worlds) follow well-established theories. BORO's re-engineering methodology is rooted in the philosophical notion of grounding; it emerged from the practice of deploying its foundational ontology and has been refined over the last 25 years. This paper presents BORO and its application to enterprise modeling.
GLP-1 Restores Altered Insulin and Glucagon Secretion in Posttransplantation Diabetes
Authors: Halden Thea A.S. , Egeland Erlend J. , Åsberg Anders , Hartmann Anders , Midtvedt Karsten , Khiabani Hassan Z. , Holst Jens J. , Knop Filip K. , Hornum Mads , Feldt-Rasmussen Bo , Jenssen Trond
Published: February 2016

OBJECTIVE

Development of posttransplantation diabetes (PTDM) is characterized by reduced insulin secretion and sensitivity. We aimed to investigate whether hyperglucagonemia could play a role in PTDM and to examine the insulinotropic and glucagonostatic effects of the incretin hormone glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1) during fasting and hyperglycemic conditions, respectively.

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS

Renal transplant recipients with (n = 12) and without (n = 12) PTDM underwent two separate experimental days with 3-h intravenous infusions of GLP-1 (0.8 pmol/kg/min) and saline, respectively. After 1 h of infusion, a 2-h hyperglycemic clamp (fasting plasma glucose + 5 mmol/L) was established. Five grams of arginine was given as an intravenous bolus 10 min before termination of the clamp.

RESULTS

Fasting concentrations of glucagon (P = 0.92) and insulin (P = 0.23) were similar between the groups. In PTDM patients, glucose-induced glucagon suppression was significantly less pronounced (maximal suppression from baseline: 43 ± 12 vs. 65 ± 12%, P < 0.001), while first- and second-phase insulin secretion were significantly lower. The PTDM group also exhibited a significantly lower insulin response to arginine (P = 0.01) but similar glucagon and proinsulin responses compared with control subjects. In the preclamp phase, GLP-1 lowered fasting plasma glucose to the same extent in both groups but reduced glucagon only in PTDM patients. During hyperglycemic clamp, GLP-1 reduced glucagon concentrations and increased first- and second-phase insulin secretion in both groups.

CONCLUSIONS

PTDM is characterized by reduced glucose-induced insulin secretion and attenuated glucagon suppression during a hyperglycemic clamp. Similar to the case in type 2 diabetes, GLP-1 infusion seems to improve (insulin) or even normalize (glucagon) these pathophysiological defects.
Polymer-containing Organo-Polyoxometalate: Towards New Catalytic Object
Authors: Lacôte Emmanuel
Published: February 2016

Polyoxometalates (POMs) are early transition metal oxide clusters, which form a diverse family of compounds with highly tunable shapes, sizes, charges, etc. Generating hybrid structures is an attractive path to increase the structural diversity of POMs. The present article is a personal
account that retraces how we inserted polyoxometallic platforms onto polymeric chains. We focused on two main families of functionalized organo-POMs: the organotin-substituted Dawson polyoxotunstates ?1 and ?2-[P2W17O61(SnR)]7–
and the Dawson vanadotungstates [P2V3W15O59{(OCH2)2-C(Et)NHC(=O)R}]5–. Herein we discuss how the connection of POMs to polymers affects the self-assembly of the polymers and the catalytic properties of the polyoxometalates.
From Ruthenium to Copper: A la carte Tools for the Synthesis of Molecules of Interest
Authors: Monnier Florian , Taillefer Marc
Published: February 2016

Well-defined ruthenium complexes and simple copper-ligand systems proved to be powerful catalysts for the construction of complex molecules from simple and abundant organic sources. In this account, chosen examples of reactions involving C–C bond formation catalyzed by [Ru(?5-C5H5)-(CH3CN)3][PF6]
will be presented. A practical synthesis of the versatile catalyst [Ru(?5-C5H5)-(CH3CN)3][PF6] is also described via a simple and easy-handled procedure discovered in Geneva ten years ago. The second part of this
review is focused on methodologies catalyzed by an association of a copper salt and a simple ligand for the formation of C–N, C–O and C–C bonds developed in our group in Montpellier. A brief overview of applications in life sciences and materials will conclude this article.
Nitrogen-functionalized Isohexides in Asymmetric Induction
Authors: Janvier Marine , Moebs-Sanchez Sylvie , Popowycz Florence
Published: February 2016

Biosourced isohexides have attracted the considerable attention of both the academic and industrial chemistry communities over the last 50 years. This highlight focuses on the synthesis of nitrogen-containing isohexides and their applications in asymmetric catalysis.
Ynol Ethers: Synthesis and Reactivity
Authors: Verrier Charlie , Carret Sébastien , Poisson Jean-François
Published: February 2016

Ynol ethers are highly valuable substrates offering a wide range of reactivity. These highly electron-rich heterosubstitued alkynes can be of great synthetic potential. In this mini-review, the different methods for the synthesis of ynol ethers are first presented, divided in three
main approaches involving a ?-elimination, a carbene rearrangement and a direct oxidation of an alkyne. Their reactivity is then summarized underlying their synthetic utility. This non-exhaustive review aims at presenting the intrinsic reactivity of these compounds, still underexploited
in synthesis.
Mentorship: A Missing Piece to Manage Juvenile Intensive Supervision Programs and Youth Gangs?
Authors: Weinrath Michael , Donatelli Gavin , Murchison Melanie J.
Published: February 2016

Intensive supervision probation (ISP) has proven generally ineffective for youth. In this article we argue that mentorship, an intervention with increasing empirical support in the literature, is a missing treatment component. We test this proposition with results from the Spotlight Serious Offender Services Unit, an urban-based Canadian ISP program that targets high-risk gang youth. Unique to Spotlight is their adoption of street mentors to work with youth in the community. Our study incorporated quantitative and qualitative approaches: client interviews and researcher observation of street mentors coupled with comparison of recidivism outcomes between a comparison group (N = 85) of high-risk young offenders and Spotlight (N = 57) clients, matched via a propensity score matching (PSM) procedure. Spotlight cases did significantly better than the comparison group on all recidivism outcomes examined. Qualitative interview and observation data supported mentorship efficacy. Given the lack of effectiveness of other ISPs observed in the literature, we argue that mentorship makes a difference.
Laurence Senelick and Sergei Ostrovsky, eds., The Soviet Theater: A Documentary History
Authors: Aizman Ania
Published: February 2016

This book of collected documents reveals lesser known themes, works, and agents in Soviet theatre.
Continuous Speed Profiles to Investigate Drivers' Behavior on Two-Lane Rural Highways
Authors: Montella Alfonso , Galante Francesco , Mauriello Filomena , Aria Massimo
Published: February 2016

To improve highway design consistency, several studies developed operating speed prediction models and investigated drivers' speed behavior. Most existing models are based on spot speed data that assume constant operating speed throughout the horizontal curves and occurrence of acceleration and deceleration only on tangents. To overcome limitations associated with existing models, this study investigated continuous speed profiles with an experiment that used a high-fidelity dynamic-driving simulator on a two-lane highway. A piecewise linear regression model and locally weighted regression scatter-plot smoothing were used to remove noise in the data set while preserving underlying patterns and to identify significant changes in the speed profile. Based on the smoothed speed profiles, models to predict operating speed in curves and in tangents, deceleration and acceleration rates to be used in the operating speed profiles, and starting and ending points of constant operating speed in curve were developed. Radius of the curve notably affected not only the operating speed in the curve but also the operating speed of the tangent following the curve: the smaller the radius, the lower the operating speed of the exit tangent. Both acceleration and deceleration rates increased with curvature. This study found that operating speed was not constant along curves. On small radius curves, deceleration ended close to the center of the curve, and acceleration starts, close to the end of the curve. Increasing the curve radius, the end point of deceleration moves toward the curve's beginning, whereas the start of acceleration moves toward the center of the curve.
DFT study on the mechanism of the Diels–Alder reactions leading to bicyclo[4.2.0]octenones
Authors: Haghdadi Mina , Moradi Ali , Bosra Hassan Ghasemnejad
Published: February 2016

The regioselectivity and mechanism of the Diels–Alder reaction (DA) between 2-substituted cyclobut-2-enones and some electron-rich 1,3-butadiene derivatives, were studied using density functional theory (DFT). Four possible reaction pathways, which are related to the formation of bicyclo[4.2.0]oct-3-en-7-ones, were investigated using natural bond orbital analysis, geometrical parameter and energy analysis and also DFT-based reactivity indices. The energy and bond order analyses show that the larger activation energy prevents the formation of meta products. Therefore ortho products are preferred and the process follows an asynchronous concerted mechanism with a polar nature via DA cycloaddition. Moreover, high regio- and stereoselectivity have been seen in the DA reaction of 2-cyanocyclobut-2-enone.
Novel Graphical Representation and Numerical Characterization of DNA Sequences
Authors: Li Chun , Fei Wenchao , Zhao Yan , Yu Xiaoqing
Published: February 2016

Modern sequencing technique has provided a wealth of data on DNA sequences, which has made the analysis and comparison of sequences a very important but difficult task. In this paper, by regarding the dinucleotide as a 2-combination of the multiset { ∞ · A , ∞ · G , ∞ · C , ∞ · T } , a novel 3-D graphical representation of a DNA sequence is proposed, and its projections on planes (x,y), (y,z) and (x,z) are also discussed. In addition, based on the idea of “piecewise function”, a cell-based descriptor vector is constructed to numerically characterize the DNA sequence. The utility of our approach is illustrated by the examination of phylogenetic analysis on four datasets.
Methanol Reforming over Cobalt Catalysts Prepared from Fumarate Precursors: TPD Investigation
Authors: Papadopoulou Eftichia , Ioannides Theophilos
Published: February 2016

Temperature-programmed desorption (TPD) was employed to investigate adsorption characteristics of CH3OH, H2O, H2, CO2 and CO on cobalt-manganese oxide catalysts prepared through mixed Co-Mn fumarate precursors either by pyrolysis or oxidation and oxidation/reduction pretreatment. Pyrolysis temperature and Co/Mn ratio were the variable synthesis parameters. Adsorption of methanol, water and CO2 was carried out at room temperature. Adsorption of H2 and H2O was carried out at 25 and 300 °C. Adsorption of CO was carried out at 25 and 150 °C. The goal of the work was to gain insight on the observed differences in the performance of the aforementioned catalysts in methanol steam reforming. TPD results indicated that activity differences are mostly related to variation in the number density of active sites, which are able to adsorb and decompose methanol.
Correlation between the Increasing Conductivity of Aqueous Solutions of Cation Chlorides with Time and the “Salting-Out” Properties of the Cations
Authors: Verdel Nada , Bukovec Peter
Published: February 2016

The time-dependent role of cations was investigated by ageing four different aqueous solutions of cation chlorides. A linear correlation was found between the cations’ Setchenov coefficient for the salting-out of benzene and the increase in the conductivity with time. The conductivity of the structure-breaking cations or the chaotropes increased more significantly with time than the conductivity of the kosmotropes. Since larger water clusters accelerate the proton or hydroxyl hopping mechanism, we propose that the structuring of the hydration shells of the chaotropes might be spontaneously enhanced over time.
Response to Kestens et al. Comments on Melis et al. The Effects of the Urban Built Environment on Mental Health: A Cohort Study in a Large Northern Italian City. Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health, 2015, 12, 14898–14915
Authors: Melis Giulia , Gelormino Elena , Marra Giulia , Ferracin Elisa , Costa Giuseppe
Published: February 2016

The commentary from Kestens et al. [1] raises interesting issues about measuring contextual exposures and encourages new studies to incorporate them in their design: as a group of researchers, we strongly support their view and think that those useful reflections should be used as guidelines for future research.[...]
Correction: Dowling, R., et al. Spatial Associations between Contaminated Land and Socio Demographics in Ghana. Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2015, 12, 13587–13601
Authors: Dowling Russell , Ericson Bret , Caravanos Jack , Grigsby Patrick , Amoyaw-Osei Yaw
Published: February 2016

The author wishes to make the following correction to this paper [1].[...]
Modeling Heterogeneity in Direct Infectious Disease Transmission in a Compartmental Model
Authors: Kong Lingcai , Wang Jinfeng , Han Weiguo , Cao Zhidong
Published: February 2016

Mathematical models have been used to understand the transmission dynamics of infectious diseases and to assess the impact of intervention strategies. Traditional mathematical models usually assume a homogeneous mixing in the population, which is rarely the case in reality. Here, we construct a new transmission function by using as the probability density function a negative binomial distribution, and we develop a compartmental model using it to model the heterogeneity of contact rates in the population. We explore the transmission dynamics of the developed model using numerical simulations with different parameter settings, which characterize different levels of heterogeneity. The results show that when the reproductive number, R0, is larger than one, a low level of heterogeneity results in dynamics similar to those predicted by the homogeneous mixing model. As the level of heterogeneity increases, the dynamics become more different. As a test case, we calibrated the model with the case incidence data for severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) in Beijing in 2003, and the estimated parameters demonstrated the effectiveness of the control measures taken during that period.
The Role of Sialyl-Tn in Cancer
Authors: Munkley Jennifer
Published: February 2016

Activation of an aberrant glycosylation pathway in cancer cells can lead to expression of the onco-foetal sialyl-Tn (sTn) antigen. STn is a truncated O-glycan containing a sialic acid α-2,6 linked to GalNAc α-O-Ser/Thr and is associated with an adverse outcome and poor prognosis in cancer patients. The biosynthesis of the sTn antigen has been linked to the expression of the sialytransferase ST6GalNAc1, and also to mutations in and loss of heterozygosity of the COSMC gene. sTn neo- or over-expression occurs in many types of epithelial cancer including gastric, colon, breast, lung, oesophageal, prostate and endometrial cancer. sTn is believed to be carried by a variety of glycoproteins and may influence protein function and be involved in tumour development. This review discusses how the role of sTn in cancer development and tumour cell invasiveness might be organ specific and occur through different mechanisms depending on each cancer type or subtype. As the sTn-antigen is expressed early in carcinogenesis targeting sTn in cancer may enable the targeting of tumours from the earliest stage.
Comparison of Human and Camera Visual Acuity—Setting the Benchmark for Shallow Water Autonomous Imaging Platforms
Authors: Bainbridge Scott , Gardner Scott
Published: February 2016

A comparison was made between the underwater visual acuity of human observers and a high-end stills camera as applied to visual surveys of shallow water coral reefs. The human observers had almost double the visual acuity of the camera, recording a Snellen eye test score of 20/8 at 4.3 m depth against 20/15 for the camera. The human observers had a field of view of 7.8 m (horizontal) by 5.8 m at 4.3 m depth while the camera had a field of view of 4.46 m by 2.98 m, or only one-third of the area observed by the snorkelers. The human observers were therefore able to see a three-times-larger field of view at twice the resolution of the camera. This result comes from the observers actively scanning the scene to put the area of interest in the part of the retina with the greatest resolving power (the fovea), increasing the apparent resolving power of their eyes, against the camera which resolved equally across the image. As a result, in actively identifying targets, humans exceeded the camera, but for more passive observation work they may be closer to the performance of the camera. The implications for autonomous platforms are that to match the human observers for target recognition, platforms will need to operate lower (to increase resolution) and longer (to sample the same area) and so issues such as collision avoidance and navigation will be critical to operationalizing autonomous systems.
Acid Neutralizing Ability and Shear Bond Strength Using Orthodontic Adhesives Containing Three Different Types of Bioactive Glass
Authors: Yang Song-Yi , Kim Seong-Hwan , Choi Se-Young , Kim Kwang-Mahn
Published: February 2016

The objective of the study was to compare the acid neutralizing ability and shear bond strength (SBS) of three different types of orthodontic adhesives containing bioactive glasses (BAGs). 45S5, 45S5F and S53P4 BAGs were prepared using the melting technique and ground to fine particles. Orthodontic adhesives containing three types of BAGs were prepared as follows: 52.5% 45S5 BAG + 17.5% glass (45S5_A); 61.25% 45S5 BAG + 8.75% glass (45S5_B); 52.5% 45S5F BAG + 17.5% glass (45S5F_A); 61.25% 45S5F BAG + 8.75% glass (45S5F_B); 52.5% S53P4 BAG + 17.5% glass (S53P4_A); 61.25% S53P4 BAG + 8.75% glass (S53P4_B); and 70.0% glass (BAG_0). To evaluate the acid neutralizing properties, specimens were immersed in lactic acid solution, and pH changes were measured. SBS was measured with a universal testing machine. For all of the BAG-containing adhesives, the one with 61.25% of BAG showed a significantly greater increase of pH than the one with 52.5% of BAG (p < 0.05). Groups with 61.25% of BAG showed lower SBS than samples with 52.5% of BAG. 45S5F_A showed no significant difference of SBS compared to BAG_0 (p > 0.05). The adhesive containing 61.25% of 45S5F BAG exhibited clinically acceptable SBS and acid neutralizing properties. Therefore, this composition is a suitable candidate to prevent white spot lesions during orthodontic treatment.
Venetoclax (ABT-199) Might Act as a Perpetrator in Pharmacokinetic Drug–Drug Interactions
Authors: Weiss Johanna , Gajek Thomas , Köhler Bruno , Haefeli Walter
Published: February 2016

Venetoclax (ABT-199) represents a specific B-cell lymphoma 2 (Bcl-2) inhibitor that is currently under development for the treatment of lymphoid malignancies. So far, there is no published information on its interaction potential with important drug metabolizing enzymes and drug transporters, or its efficacy in multidrug resistant (MDR) cells. We therefore scrutinized its drug–drug interaction potential in vitro. Inhibition of cytochrome P450 enzymes (CYPs) was quantified by commercial kits. Inhibition of drug transporters (P-glycoprotein (P-gp, ABCB1), breast cancer resistance protein (BCRP), and organic anion transporting polypeptides (OATPs)) was evaluated by the use of fluorescent probe substrates. Induction of drug transporters and drug metabolizing enzymes was quantified by real-time RT-PCR. The efficacy of venetoclax in MDR cells lines was evaluated with proliferation assays. Venetoclax moderately inhibited P-gp, BCRP, OATP1B1, OATP1B3, CYP3A4, and CYP2C19, whereas CYP2B6 activity was increased. Venetoclax induced the mRNA expression of CYP1A1, CYP1A2, UGT1A3, and UGT1A9. In contrast, expression of ABCB1 was suppressed, which might revert tumor resistance towards antineoplastic P-gp substrates. P-gp over-expression led to reduced antiproliferative effects of venetoclax. Effective concentrations for inhibition and induction lay in the range of maximum plasma concentrations of venetoclax, indicating that it might act as a perpetrator drug in pharmacokinetic drug–drug interactions.
Potential of Resolution-Enhanced Hyperspectral Data for Mineral Mapping Using Simulated EnMAP and Sentinel-2 Images
Authors: Yokoya Naoto , Chan Jonathan , Segl Karl
Published: February 2016

Spaceborne hyperspectral images are useful for large scale mineral mapping. Acquired at a ground sampling distance (GSD) of 30 m, the Environmental Mapping and Analysis Program (EnMAP) will be capable of putting many issues related to environment monitoring and resource exploration in perspective with measurements in the spectral range between 420 and 2450 nm. However, a higher spatial resolution is preferable for many applications. This paper investigates the potential of fusion-based resolution enhancement of hyperspectral data for mineral mapping. A pair of EnMAP and Sentinel-2 images is generated from a HyMap scene over a mining area. The simulation is based on well-established sensor end-to-end simulation tools. The EnMAP image is fused with Sentinel-2 10-m-GSD bands using a matrix factorization method to obtain resolution-enhanced EnMAP data at a 10 m GSD. Quality assessments of the enhanced data are conducted using quantitative measures and continuum removal and both show that high spectral and spatial fidelity are maintained. Finally, the results of spectral unmixing are compared with those expected from high-resolution hyperspectral data at a 10 m GSD. The comparison demonstrates high resemblance and shows the great potential of the resolution enhancement method for EnMAP type data in mineral mapping.
Analysis of Forensic Casework Utilizing Infrared Spectroscopic Imaging
Authors: Lanzarotta Adam
Published: February 2016

A search of the current scientific literature yields a limited number of studies that describe the use of Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopic imaging for the analysis of forensic casework, which is likely due to the fact that these instruments are fairly new commodities to the field of analytical chemistry and are therefore not yet commonplace in forensic laboratories. This report describes recent forensic case studies that have used the technique for determining the composition of a wide variety of multi-component sample types, including animal tissue sections for toxic inclusions, drugs/dietary supplements, an antibiotic with an active pharmaceutical ingredient (API) present as several different salt forms, an adulterated bulk API, unknown trace powders for illicit drugs and an ophthalmic solution suspected of being adulterated with bleach.
An Accurate GPS-IMU/DR Data Fusion Method for Driverless Car Based on a Set of Predictive Models and Grid Constraints
Authors: Wang Shiyao , Deng Zhidong , Yin Gang
Published: February 2016

A high-performance differential global positioning system (GPS) receiver with real time kinematics provides absolute localization for driverless cars. However, it is not only susceptible to multipath effect but also unable to effectively fulfill precise error correction in a wide range of driving areas. This paper proposes an accurate GPS–inertial measurement unit (IMU)/dead reckoning (DR) data fusion method based on a set of predictive models and occupancy grid constraints. First, we employ a set of autoregressive and moving average (ARMA) equations that have different structural parameters to build maximum likelihood models of raw navigation. Second, both grid constraints and spatial consensus checks on all predictive results and current measurements are required to have removal of outliers. Navigation data that satisfy stationary stochastic process are further fused to achieve accurate localization results. Third, the standard deviation of multimodal data fusion can be pre-specified by grid size. Finally, we perform a lot of field tests on a diversity of real urban scenarios. The experimental results demonstrate that the method can significantly smooth small jumps in bias and considerably reduce accumulated position errors due to DR. With low computational complexity, the position accuracy of our method surpasses existing state-of-the-arts on the same dataset and the new data fusion method is practically applied in our driverless car.
An Integrated Plan to Sustainably Enable the City of Riohacha (Colombia) to Cope with Increasing Urban Flooding, while Improving Its Environmental Setting
Authors: Nardini Andrea , Gomes Miguez Marcelo
Published: February 2016

This paper describes the emblematic situation of a Colombian coastal town seriously threatened by flooding and presents the whole process undertaken to elaborate an integrated action plan to cope with this problem, while improving the natural and built environment. Such a plan is a product of a project, winner of a National Colombian call for climate change initiatives, which included a thorough modeling process based on the MODCEL urban flood model, an articulated participatory process including a specific structured inquiry mainly aiming at providing data suited for model calibration, a creative phase to propose candidate alternative solutions and a quite integrated evaluation exercise which supported the transparent choice of the most sustainable plan alternative. The approach and the experience can be valuable for many other cases in Colombia and around the world, particularly in developing or emerging countries where data are scarce. The added value of this paper lies in showing a whole, integrated process, well articulated, where all pieces are indispensable but simple enough to be replicated in many cases. It merges the fundamental participatory component with an equally fundamental technical-scientific component of characterization, modeling and integrated evaluation. The multiple steps of the process are illustrated with sufficient detail to allow the reader to grasp what was actually done and why, providing a practical guide for other cases.
Non-Conscious vs. Deliberate Dynamic Decision-Making—A Pilot Experiment
Authors: Größler Andreas , Rouwette Etiënne , Vennix Jac
Published: February 2016

The purpose of this paper is to explore the effects of non-conscious vs. deliberate ways of making decisions in a dynamic decision-making task. An experimental setting is used to study this question; three experimental groups are distinguished: immediate decision-making (only very limited time for deliberate cognitive processing), considerate decision-making (relatively long time for deliberate cognitive processing), and distracted decision-making (time for non-conscious cognitive processing only). As experimental stimulus, a simulator based on the Kaibab Plateau model was employed. With a sample size of more than 100 experimental participants, group differences are not significant for most data examined. Implications comprise the formulation of a framework to guide further research. The value of this paper lies in the fact that it connects to a recent discussion in psychology and transfers it to a domain in the core interest of the system community: decision-making in situations with dynamic complexity. Furthermore, it offers a range of improvement points for potential follow-up studies.
From Conventional to Next Generation Sequencing of Epstein-Barr Virus Genomes
Authors: Kwok Hin , Chiang Alan
Published: February 2016

Genomic sequences of Epstein–Barr virus (EBV) have been of interest because the virus is associated with cancers, such as nasopharyngeal carcinoma, and conditions such as infectious mononucleosis. The progress of whole-genome EBV sequencing has been limited by the inefficiency and cost of the first-generation sequencing technology. With the advancement of next-generation sequencing (NGS) and target enrichment strategies, increasing number of EBV genomes has been published. These genomes were sequenced using different approaches, either with or without EBV DNA enrichment. This review provides an overview of the EBV genomes published to date, and a description of the sequencing technology and bioinformatic analyses employed in generating these sequences. We further explored ways through which the quality of sequencing data can be improved, such as using DNA oligos for capture hybridization, and longer insert size and read length in the sequencing runs. These advances will enable large-scale genomic sequencing of EBV which will facilitate a better understanding of the genetic variations of EBV in different geographic regions and discovery of potentially pathogenic variants in specific diseases.
Restoration and Management of a Degraded Baldcypress Swamp and Freshwater Marsh in Coastal Louisiana
Authors: Hunter Rachael , Day John , Shaffer Gary , Lane Robert , Englande Andrew , Reimers Robert , Kandalepas Demetra , Wood William , Day Jason , Hillmann Eva
Published: February 2016

The Central Wetlands Unit (CWU), covering 12,000 hectares in St. Bernard and Orleans Parishes, Louisiana, was once a healthy baldcypress–water tupelo swamp and fresh and low salinity marsh before construction of levees isolated the region from Mississippi River floodwaters. Construction of the Mississippi River Gulf Outlet (MRGO), which funneled saltwater inland from the Gulf of Mexico, resulted in a drastic ecosystem change and caused mortality of almost all trees and low salinity marsh, but closure of the MRGO has led to decreases in soil and surface water salinity. Currently, the area is open water, brackish marsh, and remnant baldcypress stands. We measured hydrology, soils, water and sediment chemistry, vegetation composition and productivity, accretion, and soil strength to determine relative health of the wetlands. Vegetation species richness is low and above- and belowground biomass is up to 50% lower than a healthy marsh. Soil strength and bulk density are low over much of the area. A baldcypress wetland remains near a stormwater pumping station that also has received treated municipal effluent for about four decades. Based on the current health of the CWU, three restoration approaches are recommended, including: (1) mineral sediment input to increase elevation and soil strength; (2) nutrient-rich fresh water to increase productivity and buffer salinity; and (3) planting of freshwater forests, along with fresh and low salinity herbaceous vegetation.
Registries in Clinical Epidemiology: the European Surveillance System on Contact Allergies (ESSCA)
Authors: Schnuch A. , Wilkinson M. , Dugonik A. , Dugonik B. , Ganslandt T. , Uter W.
Published: February 2016

Background: Disease registries rely on consistent electronic data capturing (EDC) pertinent to their objectives; either by using existing electronic data as far as available, or by implementing specific software solutions.

Objectives: To describe the current practice of an international disease registry (European Surveillance System on Contact Allergies, ESSCA, www.essca-dc.org) against different state of the art approaches for EDC.

Methods: Since 2002, ESSCA is collecting data, currently from 53 departments in 12 countries. Departmental EDC software ranges from spreadsheets to comprehensive “patch test software” based on a relational database. In the Erlangen data centre, such diverse data is imported, converted to a common format, quality checked and pooled for scientific analyses.

Results: Feed-back to participating departments for quality control is provided by standardised reports. Varying author teams publish scientific analyses addressing the objective of contact allergy surveillance.

Conclusions: Although ESSCA represents a historically grown, heterogeneous network and not one unified approach to EDC, some of its features have contributed to its viability in the last 12 years and may be useful to consider for similar investigator-initiated networks.
Flow Cytometric Evaluation of Double/Triple Hit Lymphoma
Authors: Roth Christine G. , Gillespie-Twardy Amanda , Marks Stanley , Agha Mounzer , Raptis Anastasios , Hou Jing-Zhou , Farah Rafic , Lin Yan , Qian Ying , Pantanowitz Liron , Boyiadzis Michael
Published: February 2016

“Double” or “triple” hit lymphomas (D/THL) with recurrent translocations involving MYC/8q24 and BCL2/18q21 and/or BCL6/3q27 are characterized by a poor prognosis, but their identification is hampered by the clinicopathologic overlap with
other disease categories. Cases with circulating blastic-appearing cells may initially cause concern for lymphoblastic leukemia a diagnostic dilemma, which has not been well studied. There is only limited literature regarding the flow cytometric (FC) D/THL phenotype and its clinical correlates.
The FC features of 20 D/THL (11 BCL2+/MYC+, 5 BCL6+/MYC+, 4 BCL2+/BCL6+/MYC+) were evaluated, compared to 20 B-lymphoblastic leukemias (B-LBL), and correlated with
overall survival. Most (89%, 17/19) D/THL were CD10+, 47% (9/19) lacked surface light chain, and a significant subset underexpressed CD45 (47%, 9/19), CD20 (42% 8/19), and/or CD19 (39%, 7/18), which did not vary by genetic subgroup. Compared to B-LBL, D/THL less frequently underexpressed
CD45 (p = 0.0001) and CD20 (p = 0.0004). Lower levels of BCL2 expression were noted in the BCL6+/MYC+ and BCL2+/BCL6+/MYC+ subgroups versus BCL2+/MYC+
cases (p = 0.0014). Of the flow cytometric parameters assessed, dim CD45 expression correlated with inferior survival (p = 0.01). Although there is some overlap with B-LBL, D/THL demonstrates a characteristic immunophenotype which may have prognostic significance and warrants further investigation.
Enantioselective [3 + 2] annulation of α-substituted allenoates with β,γ-unsaturated N-sulfonylimines catalyzed by a bifunctional dipeptide phosphine
Authors: Ni Huanzhen , Yao Weijun , Lu Yixin
Published: February 2016

The first enantioselective [3 + 2] annulation of α-substituted allenoates with β,γ-unsaturated N-sulfonylimines is described. In the presence of a dipeptide phosphine catalyst, a wide range of highly functionalized cyclopentenes bearing an all-carbon quaternary center were obtained in moderate to good yields and with good to excellent enantioselectivities.
EFFECT OF SALVAGE MARKET ON STRATEGIC TECHNOLOGY CHOICE AND CAPACITY INVESTMENT DECISION OF FIRM UNDER DEMAND UNCERTAINTY
Authors: KASHEFI Mohammad Ali
Published: February 2016

This paper examines the effect of salvage market on technology choice and capacity investment decision of two firms that compete on quantity under demand uncertainty. A game theoretic model applies such that firms choose their production technology between two alternatives: flexible versus inflexible production process. Then they decide on the amount of capacity investment: flexible firm makes decision about general and specific components and inflexible firm just about unified component. One stage forward both enter the primary market in which demand is uncertain and play a la Cournot and finally, flexible firm will be able to sell its unsold general components in the secondary market with a deterministic price. Numerical study was employed to observe equilibrium behavior of firms. Findings demonstrate that with symmetric parameterization there is a unique Nash equilibrium in which both firms choose inflexible technology while applying asymmetric parameters has the potential to form two types of equilibrium when both firms choose inflexible technology or only one firm chooses flexible technology. Moreover, it is shown that there is a cost threshold that could shift the equilibria.
DETECTION EFFICIENCY OF ASTEROID SURVEYS
Authors: Tricarico Pasquale
Published: February 2016

A comprehensive characterization of the detection efficiency of nine of the major asteroid surveys that have been active over the past two decades is presented. The detection efficiency is estimated on a nightly basis by comparing the detected asteroids with the complete catalog of known asteroids propagated to the same observing epoch. Results include a nightly estimate of the detection efficiency curves as a function of apparent magnitude and apparent velocity of the asteroids, as well as a cumulative analysis to estimate the overall performance of each survey. The limiting magnitude distribution is estimated for each survey, and it is then modeled as a function of telescope aperture to obtain an estimate over a wide range of apertures.
FLARE STARS—A FAVORABLE OBJECT FOR STUDYING MECHANISMS OF NONTHERMAL ASTROPHYSICAL PHENOMENA
Authors: Oks E. , Gershberg R. E.
Published: February 2016

We present a spectroscopic method for diagnosing a low-frequency electrostatic plasma turbulence (LEPT) in plasmas of flare stars. This method had been previously developed by one of us and successfully applied to diagnosing the LEPT in solar flares. In distinction to our previous applications of the method, here we use the latest advances in the theory of the Stark broadening of hydrogen spectral lines. By analyzing observed emission Balmer lines, we show that it is very likely that the LEPT was developed in several flares of AD Leo, as well as in one flare of EV Lac. We found the LEPT (though of different field strengths) both in the explosive/impulsive phase and at the phase of the maximum, as well as at the gradual phase of the stellar flares. While for solar flares our method allows diagnosing the LEPT only in the most powerful flares, for the flare stars it seems that the method allows revealing the LEPT practically in every flare. It should be important to obtain new and better spectrograms of stellar flares, allowing their analysis by the method outlined in the present paper. This can be the most favorable way to the detailed understanding of the nature of nonthermal astrophysical phenomena.
SEARCHING FOR BINARY Y DWARFS WITH THE GEMINI MULTI-CONJUGATE ADAPTIVE OPTICS SYSTEM (GeMS)
Authors: Opitz Daniela , Tinney C. G. , Faherty Jacqueline K. , Sweet Sarah , Gelino Christopher R. , Kirkpatrick J. Davy
Published: February 2016

The NASA Wide-field Infrared Survey Explorer (WISE) has discovered almost all the known members of the new class of Y-type brown dwarfs. Most of these Y dwarfs have been identified as isolated objects in the field. It is known that binaries with L- and T-type brown dwarf primaries are less prevalent than either M-dwarf or solar-type primaries, they tend to have smaller separations and are more frequently detected in near-equal mass configurations. The binary statistics for Y-type brown dwarfs, however, are sparse, and so it is unclear if the same trends that hold for L- and T-type brown dwarfs also hold for Y-type ones. In addition, the detection of binary companions to very cool Y dwarfs may well be the best means available for discovering even colder objects. We present results for binary properties of a sample of five WISE Y dwarfs with the Gemini Multi-Conjugate Adaptive Optics System. We find no evidence for binary companions in these data, which suggests these systems are not equal-luminosity (or equal-mass) binaries with separations larger than ∼0.5–1.9 AU. For equal-mass binaries at an age of 5 Gyr, we find that the binary binding energies ruled out by our observations (i.e., 1042 erg) are consistent with those observed in previous studies of hotter ultra-cool dwarfs.