bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Necroptotic Cell Death Signaling and Execution Pathway: Lessons from Knockout Mice
Authors: Belizário José , Vieira-Cordeiro Luiz , Enns Sylvia
Published: September 2015

Under stress conditions, cells in living tissue die by apoptosis or necrosis depending on the activation of the key molecules within a dying cell that either transduce cell survival or death signals that actively destroy the sentenced cell. Multiple extracellular (pH, heat, oxidants, and detergents) or intracellular (DNA damage and Ca2+ overload) stress conditions trigger various types of the nuclear, endoplasmic reticulum (ER), cytoplasmatic, and mitochondrion‐centered signaling events that allow cells to preserve the DNA integrity, protein folding, energetic, ionic and redox homeostasis, thus escaping from injury. Along the transition from reversible to irreversible injury, death signaling is highly heterogeneous and damaged cells may engage autophagy, apoptotic, or necrotic cell death programs. Studies on multiple double‐ and triple‐ knockout mice identified caspase-8, flip, and fadd genes as key regulators of embryonic lethality and inflammation. Caspase‐8 has a critical role in pro‐ and antinecrotic signaling pathways leading to the activation of receptor interacting protein kinase 1 (RIPK1), RIPK3, and the mixed kinase domain‐like (MLKL) for a convergent execution pathway of necroptosis or regulated necrosis. Here we outline the recent discoveries into how the necrotic cell death execution pathway is engaged in many physiological and pathological outcome based on genetic analysis of knockout mice.
An Occupancy Based Cyber-Physical System Design for Intelligent Building Automation
Authors: Mary Reena Kottarathil Eashy , Theckethil Mathew Abraham , Jacob Lillykutty
Published: September 2015

Cyber-physical system (CPS) includes the class of Intelligent Building Automation System (IBAS) which increasingly utilizes advanced technologies for long term stability, economy, longevity, and user comfort. However, there are diverse issues associated with wireless interconnection of the sensors, controllers, and power consuming physical end devices. In this paper, a novel architecture of CPS for wireless networked IBAS with priority-based access mechanism is proposed for zones in a large building with dynamically varying occupancy. Priority status of zones based on occupancy is determined using fuzzy inference engine. Nondominated Sorting Genetic Algorithm-II (NSGA-II) is used to solve the optimization problem involving conflicting demands of minimizing total energy consumption and maximizing occupant comfort levels in building. An algorithm is proposed for power scheduling in sensor nodes to reduce their energy consumption. Wi-Fi with Elimination-Yield Nonpreemptive Multiple Access (EY-NPMA) scheme is used for assigning priority among nodes for wireless channel access. Controller design techniques are also proposed for ensuring the stability of the closed loop control of IBAS in the presence of packet dropouts due to unreliable network links.
Biocompatibility of Novel Type I Collagen Purified from Tilapia Fish Scale: An In Vitro Comparative Study
Authors: Tang Jia , Saito Takashi
Published: September 2015

Type I collagen (COL-1) is the prevailing component of the extracellular matrix in a number of tissues including skin, ligament, cartilage, bone, and dentin. It is the most widely used tissue-derived natural polymer. Currently, mammalian animals, including pig, cow, and rat, are the three major sources for purification of COL-1. To reduce the risk of zoonotic infectious diseases transmission, minimize the possibility of immunogenic reaction, and avoid problems related to religious issues, exploration of new sources (other than mammalian animals) for the purification of type I collagen is highly desirable. Hence, the purpose of the current study was to investigate the in vitro responses of MDPC-23 to type I collagen isolated from tilapia scale in terms of cellular proliferation, differentiation, and mineralization. The results suggested that tilapia scale collagen exhibited comparable biocompatibility to porcine skin collagen, indicating it might be a potential alternative to type I collagen from mammals in the application for tissue regeneration in oral-maxillofacial area.
Sustainability-Related Decision Making in Industrial Buildings: An AHP Analysis
Authors: Cuadrado Jesús , Zubizarreta Mikel , Rojí Eduardo , García Harkaitz , Larrauri Marcos
Published: September 2015

Few other sectors have such a great impact on sustainability as the construction industry, in which concerns over the environmental dimension have been growing for some time. The sustainability assessment methodology presented in this paper is an AHP (Analytic Hierarchy Process) based on Multicriteria Decision Making (MCDM) and includes the main sustainability factors for consideration in the construction of an industrial building (environmental, economic, and social), as well as other factors that greatly influence the conceptual design of the building (employee safety, corporate image). Its simplicity is well adapted to its main objective, to serve as a sustainability-related decision making tool in industrial building projects, during the design stage. Accompanied by an economic valuation of the actions to be undertaken, this tool means that the most cost-effective solution may be selected from among the various options.
Visual Complexity Analysis Using Taxonomic Diagrams of Figures and Backgrounds in Japanese Residential Streetscapes
Authors: Gunawardena G. M. W. L. , Kubota Yoichi , Fukahori Kiyotaka
Published: September 2015

This study was conducted with the objective of finding the perceivable effect of figures and backgrounds on residential streetscapes and their connections in visual complexity. The visual complexity depends on the extent of information a viewer can observe from a visible area. The information includes a number of visual elements along the streetscapes and their diversity and interconnections. The aim of this research was to analyze the structural hierarchical visual complexity of the streetscapes, caused by varied spatial arrangement and numerous spatial connections of the perceivable visual elements. The visual elements of 60 residential streetscapes were classified into figures and backgrounds using human perception of 20 subjects. The identified figures and backgrounds were arranged in a taxonomic diagram representing their connections. These taxonomic diagrams reflect the structural hierarchical visual complexity. Finally, taxonomic entropy was applied to statistically analyze the structural hierarchical visual complexity. When the taxonomic diagram is vertically and horizontally lengthy and the arrangement of the elements of taxonomic diagram is irregular, the complexity increases depicting a large number of figures whose spatial connections impart a high visual complexity to the streetscapes.
Numerical Simulation of Unsteady-State Flow in Dual Porous Coalbed Methane Horizontal Wells with Complex Boundary Conditions
Authors: Li Cheng-yong , Zhou Jun , Yi Xiang-yi , Luo Yi , Gong Ping-zhi
Published: September 2015

The bottom-hole pressure response which can reflect the gas flow characteristics is important to study. A mathematical model for description of gas from porous coalbed methane (CBM) reservoirs with complex boundary conditions flowing into horizontal wells has been developed. Meanwhile, basic solution of boundary elements has been acquired by combination of Lord Kelvin point source solution, the integral of Bessel function, and Poisson superimpose formula for CBM horizontal wells with complex boundary conditions. Using this model, type curves of dimensionless pressure and pressure derivative are obtained, and flow characteristics of horizontal wells in complex boundary reservoirs and relevant factors are accordingly analyzed.
Glu504Lys Single Nucleotide Polymorphism of Aldehyde Dehydrogenase 2 Gene and the Risk of Human Diseases
Authors: Zhao Yan , Wang Chuancai
Published: September 2015

Aldehyde dehydrogenase (ALDH) 2 is a mitochondrial enzyme that is known for its important role in oxidation and detoxification of ethanol metabolite acetaldehyde. ALDH2 also metabolizes other reactive aldehydes such as 4-hydroxy-2-nonenal and acrolein. The Glu504Lys single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) ofALDH2gene, which is found in approximately 40% of the East Asian populations, causes defect in the enzyme activity of ALDH2, leading to alterations in acetaldehyde metabolism and alcohol-induced “flushing” syndrome. Evidence suggests thatALDH2Glu504Lys SNP is a potential candidate genetic risk factor for a variety of chronic diseases such as cardiovascular disease, cancer, and late-onset Alzheimer’s disease. In addition, the association betweenALDH2Glu504Lys SNP and the development of these chronic diseases appears to be affected by the interaction between the SNP and lifestyle factors such as alcohol consumption as well as by the presence of other genetic variations.
A Rationale for Going Back to the Future: Use of Disposable Spacers for Pressurised Metered Dose Inhalers
Authors: Sanders Mark , Bruin Ronald
Published: September 2015

The introduction of pressurised metered dose inhalers (MDIs) in the mid-1950s completely transformed respiratory treatment. Despite decades of availability and healthcare support and development of teaching aids and devices to promote better use, poor pMDI user technique remains a persistent issue. The main pMDI user aid is the spacer/valved holding chamber (VHC) device. Spacer/chamber features (size, shape, configuration, construction material, and hygiene considerations) can vie with clinical effectiveness (to deliver the same dose as a correctly used pMDI), user convenience, cost, and accessibility. Unsurprisingly, improvised, low-cost alternatives (plastic drink bottles, paper cups, and paper towel rolls) have been pressed into seemingly effective service. A UK law change permitting schools to hold emergency inhalers and spacers has prompted a development project to design a low-cost, user-friendly, disposable, and recyclable spacer. This paper spacer requires neither preuse priming nor washing, and has demonstrated reproducible lung delivery of salbutamol sulphate pMDI, comparable to an industry-standard VHC, an alternative paperboard VHC, and pMDI alone. This new device appears to perform better than these other VHC devices at the low flow rates thought achievable by paediatric patients. The data suggest that this disposable spacer may have a place in the single-use emergency setting.
Multiplicity of Solutions for a Modified Schrödinger-Kirchhoff-Type Equation in  RN
Authors: He Xiumei
Published: September 2015

We study the existence of infinitely many solutions for a class of modified Schrödinger-Kirchhoff-type equations by the dual method and the nonsmooth critical point theory.
Evaluation of APP695 Transgenic Mice Bone Marrow Mesenchymal Stem Cells Neural Differentiation for Transplantation
Authors: Li Qian , Jia Yanjie , Zhang John , Yang Jun
Published: September 2015

Objective. Even though there is a therapeutic potential to treat Alzheimer’s disease (AD) with neural cell replenishment and replacement, immunological rejections of stem cell transplantation remain a challenging risk. Autologous stem cells from AD patients however may prove to be a promising candidate. Therefore, we studied the neuronal differentiation efficiency of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) from APP695 transgenic mice, which share features of human AD.Method. Cultured MSCs from APP695 transgenic mice are used; neuronal differentiation was assessed by immunocytochemistry and Western blot. Correlation with Notch signaling was examined. Autophage flux was assessed by western blot analysis.Results. MSCs from APP695 mice have higher neuronal differentiation efficiency than MSCs from wild type mice (WT MSCs). The expression of Notch-1 signaling decreased during the differentiation process. However, autophagy flux, which is essential for neuronal cell survival and neuronal function, was impaired in the neuronally differentiated counterparts of APP695 MSCs (APP695 MSCs–n).Conclusion. These results suggested autologous MSCs of APP690 mice may not be a good candidate for cell transplantation.
Determination of Serum Lost Goodwill Target Proteome in Patients with Severe Traumatic Brain Injury
Authors: Ji Hongming , Hu Changchen , Zhang Gangli , Ren Jinrui , Tan Yihu , Sun Wenxiao , Wang Junwen , Li Jun , Liu Hongchao , Xie Ruifan , Hao Zhipeng , Guo Dongsheng
Published: September 2015

This study investigates the biokinetics of LGT proteome, a potential biomarker of severe TBI, in serum of severe TBI patients. The LGT proteome presents in the serum of severe TBI patients. The abundance diversity of LGT proteome is closely associated with pathologic condition of TBI patients. Serum LGT proteome may be used as a promising marker for evaluating severity of severe TBI.
Pressure Transient Analysis and Flux Distribution for Multistage Fractured Horizontal Wells in Triple-Porosity Reservoir Media with Consideration of Stress-Sensitivity Effect
Authors: Guo Jingjing , Wang Haitao , Zhang Liehui , Li Chengyong
Published: September 2015

Triple-porosity model is usually adopted to describe reservoirs with multiscaled pore spaces, including matrix pores, natural fractures, and vugs. Multiple fractures created by hydraulic fracturing can effectively improve the connectivity between existing natural fractures and thus increase well deliverability. However, little work has been done on pressure transient behavior of multistage fractured horizontal wells in triple-porosity reservoirs. Based on source/sink function method, this paper presents a triple-porosity model to investigate the transient pressure dynamics and flux distribution for multistage fractured horizontal wells in fractured-vuggy reservoirs with consideration of stress-dependent natural fracture permeability. The model is semianalytically solved by discretizing hydraulic fractures and Pedrosa’s transformation, perturbation theory, and integration transformation method. Type curves of transient pressure dynamics are generated, and flux distribution among hydraulic fractures for a fractured horizontal well with constant production rate is also discussed. Parametric study shows that major influential parameters on transient pressure responses are parameters pertinent to reservoir properties, interporosity mass transfer, and hydraulic fractures. Analysis of flux distribution indicates that flux density gradually increases from the horizontal wellbore to fracture tips, and the flux contribution of outermost fractures is higher than that of inner fractures. The model can also be extended to optimize hydraulic fracture parameters.
Amniotic Tissues for the Treatment of Chronic Plantar Fasciosis and Achilles Tendinosis
Authors: Werber Bruce
Published: September 2015

Introduction. Allogeneic amniotic tissue and fluid may be used to treat chronic plantar fasciosis and Achilles tendinosis. This innovative approach involves delivering a unique allograft of live human cells in a nonimmunogenic structural tissue matrix to treat chronic tendon injury. These tissues convey very positive regenerative attributes; procurement is performed with maternal consent during elective caesarian birth.Materials and Methods. In the present investigation all patients were unresponsive to multiple standard therapies for a minimum of 6 months and were treated with one implantation of PalinGen SportFLOW around the plantar fascia and/or around the Achilles paratenon. The patients were given a standard protocol for postimplant active rehabilitation.Results. The analogue pretreatment pain score (VAS) of 8. By the fourth week after treatment, all patients had significantly reduced self-reported pain. Twelve weeks following the procedure the average pain level had reduced to only 2. No adverse reactions were reported in any of the patients.Conclusion. All patients in this study experienced heel or Achilles pain, unresponsive to standard therapy protocols. After treatment all patients noted significant pain reduction, indicating that granulized amniotic membrane and amniotic fluid can be successfully used to treat both chronic plantar fasciosis and Achilles tendinosis.
Dynamic Deployment for Hybrid Sensor Networks Based on Potential Field-Directed Particle Swarm Optimization
Authors: Zhang Ying , Qiao Yunlong , Zhao Wei , Chen Wei , Cao Jinde
Published: September 2015

For a hybrid sensor network, the effective coverage rate can be optimized by adjusting the location of the mobile nodes. For many deployments by APF (artificial potential field), due to the common problem of barrier effect, it is difficult for mobile nodes to diffuse by the weaker attraction when the nodes initially distribute densely in some places. The proposed deployment algorithm PFPSO (Potential Field-Directed Particle Swarm Optimization) can overcome this problem and guide the mobile nodes to the optimal positions. Normally the requirement is different for the effective coverage rate between the hotspot area and the ordinary area. On the basis of PFPSO, NPFPSO (Nonuniform PFPSO) algorithm was also proposed to implement nonuniform coverage according to the importance degree of the monitoring area. Simulation result illustrates that PFPSO algorithm can effectively improve the effective coverage rate of the network, and NPFPSO algorithm can obtain a balanced result of effective coverage rate for both hotspot area and ordinary area.
Looking for Pyroptosis‐Modulating miRNAs as a Therapeutic Target for Improving Myocardium Survival
Authors: Lee Seahyoung , Choi Eunhyun , Cha Min-Ji , Hwang Ki-Chul
Published: September 2015

Pyroptosis is the most recently identified type of regulated cell death with inflammatory response and has characteristics distinct from those of apoptosis or necrosis. Recently, independent studies have reported that small noncoding RNAs termed microRNAs (miRNAs) are involved in the regulation of pyroptosis. Nevertheless, only a handful of empirical data regarding miRNA‐dependent regulation of pyroptosis is currently available. This review is aimed to provide a current update on the role of miRNAs in pyroptosis and to offer suggestions for future studies probing miRNAs as a linker connecting pyroptosis to various cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) and their potential as a therapeutic target for preventing excessive cell death of myocardium during CVDs.
Cellular Response upon Stress: p57 Contribution to the Final Outcome
Authors: Rossi Marianna Nicoletta , Antonangeli Fabrizio
Published: September 2015

Progression through the cell cycle is one of the most important decisions during the life of a cell and several kinds of stress are able to influence this choice. p57 is a cyclin‐dependent kinase inhibitor belonging to the CIP/KIP family and is a well‐known regulator of the cell cycle during embryogenesis and tissue differentiation. p57 loss has been reported in a variety of cancers and great effort has been spent during the past years studying the mechanisms of p57 regulation and the effects of p57 reexpression on tumor growth. Recently, growing amount of evidence points out that p57 has a specific function in cell cycle regulation upon cellular stress that is only partially shared by the other CIP/KIP inhibitors p21 and p27. Furthermore, it is nowadays emerging that p57 plays a role in the induction of apoptosis and senescence after cellular stress independently of its cell cycle related functions. This review focuses on the contribution that p57 holds in regulating cell cycle arrest, apoptosis, and senescence after cellular stress with particular attention to the response of cancer cells.
Toll Fraud Detection of VoIP Service Networks in Ubiquitous Computing Environments
Authors: Kim Kyung-Il , Kim Taegu , Cho Nam-Wook , Kim Minsoo
Published: September 2015

Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) is an emerging communication service that has advanced in ubiquitous computing environments. Although VoIP is inexpensive and offers additional services, there has been little provision for attacks at the weak points. With the advances of Wireless Sensor Network (WSN) technologies, the risk is increasing. Due to the resource constraints of WSN, attacks have become easier, making protection of the network more difficult. In this work, we attempt to distinguish fraud call attacks as outliers from normal calls on the basis of call detail records. We adopted and applied a Local Outlier Factor (LOF) method on real call data, which include actual fraud call attacks. Our results show the outlier detection method can be effective in detecting fraud calls. Moreover, introducing two additional attributes related to fraud call characteristics enhanced the detection performance.
Price and Service Competition between New and Remanufactured Products
Authors: Wang Bin , Wang Jing
Published: September 2015

This paper sets two manufacturers on the market. One is traditional manufacturer, which produces new products, and the other remanufactures by recycling used products. Two manufacturers sell products to customers through one retailer and also provide product-related services. Three participators decide prices and service levels independently. We discuss the optimal decision of prices, service levels, demands, and profits in three scenarios: Manufacturers Stackelberg, Retailer Stackelberg, and Nash Equilibrium. We also study the influence of customer acceptance of remanufactured product(θ)on participators’ decisions. With the increase ofθ, new product profit reduces; remanufactured product profit increases at the beginning and then decreases. Retailer profit grows steadily. In Manufacturers Stackelberg, new and remanufactured products can get the maximum profits, and retailer only has the minimum profit. In Retailer Stackelberg, retailer can get the maximum profit; new product only has the minimum profit and remanufactured product has the medium gain. In Nash Equilibrium, new product and retailer have the medium gains, and remanufactured product has the minimum profit.
Optical Coherence Tomography Angiography in Retinal Vascular Diseases and Choroidal Neovascularization
Authors: Mastropasqua Rodolfo , Di Antonio Luca , Di Staso Silvio , Agnifili Luca , Di Gregorio Angela , Ciancaglini Marco , Mastropasqua Leonardo
Published: September 2015

Purpose. To assess the ability of optical coherence tomography-angiography (OCT-A) to show and analyze retinal vascular patterns and the choroidal neovascularization (CNV) in retinal vascular diseases.Methods. Seven eyes of seven consecutive patients with retinal vascular diseases were examined. Two healthy subjects served as controls. All eyes were scanned with the SD-OCT XR Avanti (Optovue Inc, Fremont CA, USA). Split spectrum amplitude decorrelation angiography algorithm was used to identify the blood flow within the tissue. Fluorescein angiography (FA) and indocyanine green angiography (ICGA) with Spectralis HRA + OCT (Heidelberg Engineering GmbH) were performed.Results. In healthy subjects OCT-A visualized major macular vessels and detailed capillary networks around the foveal avascular zone. Patients were affected with myopic CNV (2 eyes), age-related macular degeneration related (2), branch retinal vein occlusion (BRVO) (2), and branch retinal artery occlusion (BRAO) (1). OCT-A images provided distinct vascular patterns, distinguishing perfused and nonperfused areas in BRVO and BRAO and recognizing the presence, location, and size of CNV.Conclusions. OCT-A provides detailed images of retinal vascular plexuses and quantitative data of pathologic structures. Further studies are warranted to define the role of OCT-A in the assessment of retinovascular diseases, with respect to conventional FA and ICG-A.
Knowledge Management Technologies for Collaborative Intelligence: A Study of Case Company in Korea
Authors: Cha Kyung Jin , Kim Yang Sok , Park Byeonghwa , Lee Choong Kwon
Published: September 2015

To create wide and deep knowledge flows by providing implicit and explicit knowledge services, organizations have constructed knowledge management systems (KMS). As employees are major knowledge resources in an organization, it is essential to use their collaborative intelligence in KMS, but there has been little research on how the heterogeneous networks of people interact to produce intelligent outcomes. This research suggests a new KM framework that leverages collaborative intelligence techniques, such as collaborative search, collaborative filtering, and social network analysis, as well as conventional knowledge management techniques including smart sensor technology. Finally, this paper reports our experience in a real world KMS development case that applied the framework and suggests challenges of knowledge management learned from this research.
DWroidDump: Executable Code Extraction from Android Applications for Malware Analysis
Authors: Kim Dongwoo , Kwak Jin , Ryou Jaecheol
Published: September 2015

We suggest an idea to dump executable code from memory for malicious application analysis on Android platform. Malicious applications are getting enhanced in terms of antianalysis techniques. Recently, sophisticated malicious applications have been found, which are not decompiled and debugged by existing analysis tools. It becomes serious threat to services related to embedded devices based on Android. Thus, we have implemented the idea to obtain main code from the memory by modifying a part of Dalvik Virtual Machine of Android. As a result, we have confirmed that the executable code is completely obtainable. In this paper, we introduce the existing analysis techniques for Android application, and antianalysis techniques. We then describe the proposed method with a sample malicious application which has strong antianalysis techniques.
The Applicability of Different Fluid Media to Measure Effective Stress Coefficient for Rock Permeability
Authors: Wang Ying , Li Guozhi , Li Min , Zhang Jing
Published: September 2015

Effective stress coefficient for permeability (ESCK) is the key parameter to evaluate the properties of reservoir stress sensitivity. So far, little studies have clarified which ESCK is correct for a certain reservoir while rock ESCK is measured differently by different fluid media. Thus, three different fluids were taken to measure a fine sandstone sample’s ESCK, respectively. As a result, the ESCK was measured to be the smallest by injecting nitrogen, the largest by injecting water, and between the two by brine. Besides, those microcharacteristics such as rock component, clay mineral content, and pore structure were further analyzed based on some microscopic experiments. Rock elastic modulus was reduced when water-sensitive clay minerals were encountered with aqua fluid media so as to enlarge the rock ESCK value. Moreover, some clay minerals reacting with water can spall and possibly block pore throats. Compared with water, brine can soften the water sensitivity; however, gas has no water sensitivity effects. Therefore, to choose which fluid medium to measure reservoir ESCK is mainly depending on its own exploitation conditions. For gas reservoirs using gas to measure ESCK is more reliable than water or brine, while using brine is more appropriate for oil reservoirs.
Observations of Device Orientation Decisions on Mobile Videos
Authors: Seo Beomjoo , Kang Shin Jin , Kim Soo Kyun
Published: September 2015

A sensor-rich mobile video represents a new type of videos acquired from modern smart phones. During video recording, it is also recorded various amounts of sensor data collected from embedded sensors. Unlike the conventional videos acquired from proprietary capturing devices, these videos allow enriched reconstruction of their surrounding environments, while enabling users to record them handily. In this paper, we examine the robustness of existing device orientation detection method, by analyzing the motion sensor samples that are publicly available from the sensor-rich mobile video hosting website, and discuss our observation results and potential problems when computing device orientation of georeferential mobile videos.
Service Station Evaluation Problem in Catering Service of High-Speed Railway: A Fuzzy QFD Approach Based on Evidence Theory
Authors: Wu Xin , Nie Lei , Xu Meng
Published: September 2015

Catering Service of High-Speed Railway (CSHR) starts at suppliers, includes distribution centers and service stations in cities, and ends at cabinets in high-speed trains. In Distribution System Design (DSD) Problem for CSHR, it is critical to evaluate the alternatives of service stations, which is termed as Service Station Evaluation Problem in Catering Service of High-speed Railway (SSEP-CSHR). As a preparation work for DSD, SSEP-CSHR needs to be solved without detailed information and being accompanied with uncertainty. Fuzzy Quality Function Deployment (F-QFD) has been given in the literatures to deal with vagueness in Facility Location Evaluation (FLE). However, SSEP-CSHR that includes identifying and evaluating stations requires not only dealing with the vague nature of assessments but also confirming them. Based on evidence theory, this paper introduces the framework to give the truth of proposition “x is A.” Then it is incorporated into a two-phase F-QFD with an approximate reasoning to enable the truth of the decisions to be measured. A case study that refers to 85 alternative stations on Chinese high-speed railway will be carried out to verify the proposed method. Analysis shows that the proposed evaluation method enhances scientific credibility of FLE and allows decision makers to express how much is known.
A Distributed Collaborative Platform for Personal Health Profiles in Patient-Driven Health Social Network
Authors: Elmisery Ahmed M. , Rho Seungmin , Botvich Dmitri
Published: September 2015

Health social networks (HSNs) have become an integral part of healthcare to augment the ability of people to communicate, collaborate, and share information in the healthcare domain despite obstacles of geography and time. Doctors disseminate relevant medical updates in these platforms and patients take into account opinions of strangers when making medical decisions. This paper introduces our efforts to develop a core platform called Distributed Platform for Health Profiles (DPHP) that enables individuals or groups to control their personal health profiles. DPHP stores user's personal health profiles in a non-proprietary manner which will enable healthcare providers and pharmaceutical companies to reuse these profiles in parallel in order to maximize the effort where users benefit from each usage for their personal health profiles. DPHP also facilitates the selection of appropriate data aggregators and assessing their offered datasets in an autonomous way. Experimental results were described to demonstrate the proposed search model in DPHP. Multiple advantages might arise when healthcare providers utilize DPHP to collect data for various data analysis techniques in order to improve the clinical diagnosis and the efficiency measurement for some medications in treating certain diseases.
Cancer Microenvironment and Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress Response
Authors: Giampietri Claudia , Petrungaro Simonetta , Conti Silvia , Facchiano Antonio , Filippini Antonio , Ziparo Elio
Published: September 2015

Different stressful conditions such as hypoxia, nutrient deprivation, pH changes, or reduced vascularization, potentially able to act as growth‐limiting factors for tumor cells, activate the unfolded protein response (UPR). UPR is therefore involved in tumor growth and adaptation to severe environments and is generally cytoprotective in cancer. The present review describes the molecular mechanisms underlying UPR and able to promote survival and proliferation in cancer. The critical role of UPR activation in tumor growth promotion is discussed in detail for a few paradigmatic tumors such as prostate cancer and melanoma.
The Measurement of Intraocular Biomarkers in Various Stages of Proliferative Diabetic Retinopathy Using Multiplex xMAP Technology
Authors: Rusnak Stepan , Vrzalova Jindra , Sobotova Marketa , Hecova Lenka , Ricarova Renata , Topolcan Ondrej
Published: September 2015

Purpose. To determine the intraocular levels of growth factors and cytokines in patients with various degrees of severity of proliferative diabetic retinopathy (PDR) using multiplex xMAP technology.Methods. A prospective cohort study of 61 eyes from 56 patients who were divided into 3 groups based on the severity of PDR. Patients in group number 1 are those who presented PDR with no need of repeated surgical intervention; patients in group number 2 had repeated vitreous bleeding; and patients in group number 3 had refractory neovascular glaucoma. The concentrations of proangiogenic, antiangiogenic, inflammatory, and neurotrophic factors were measured in intraocular fluid. The results were also compared with levels of factors measured in 50 eyes from 50 patients prior to senile cataract surgery (control group).Results. Patients with refractory neovascular glaucoma (the highest clinical severity group) had higher levels of interleukin 6 (IL-6) (median1 37.19; median3 384.74;P=.00096), transforming growth factor beta 1 (TGFβ-1) (median1 49.00; median3 414.40;P=.0017), and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) (median1 211.62; median3 352.82;P=.0454) compared with other PDR patients.Conclusions. Results of our study imply that levels of IL-6, TGFβ-1, and VEGF correlate with the severity of PDR.
An Improved Numerical Model of Shield Tunnel with Double Lining and Its Applications
Authors: Yan Qi-xiang , Yao Chao-fan , Yang Wen-bo , He Chuan , Geng Ping
Published: September 2015

Based on the existing numerical models of shield tunnel with double lining, an improved numerical model is developed and its rationality is verified by a similar model test. In the improved numerical model, lining, joint, and junction surface, respectively, are simulated by beam, spring, and a combination of compression bar and spring. Through the comparison of the numerical analysis results of the improved model and existing models, it turns out that the defects or problems in the existing numerical models are resolved; tension appearance on the contact surface and junction surface and the abrupt change of bending moment in linings are solved in the improved model because the compression bar element and the coupling technology of node displacement in the junction surface is applied. Therefore, the improved numerical model could be applied to analyze double lining with waterproof on the junction surface and separation of the junction surface under an unfavorable load. In this paper, the parameter formulas of element stiffness, applicable to the junction surface and contact surface of double lining, are given definitely, and the influence of the element amount of junction surface on the analysis results is discussed. Based on the improved numerical model, the mechanical behavior of the double lining of the Huangpu River Tunnel in China is studied, and some conclusions are obtained as follows. (1) The thickness increase of the double lining will clearly increase its bending moment, but it has little influence on its axial force. (2) The allocation proportion of the bending moment between the segment lining and secondary lining has no linear relationship with the ratio of the lining thickness.
Bypassing P-Glycoprotein Drug Efflux Mechanisms: Possible Applications in Pharmacoresistant Schizophrenia Therapy
Authors: Hoosain Famida G. , Choonara Yahya E. , Tomar Lomas K. , Kumar Pradeep , Tyagi Charu , du Toit Lisa C. , Pillay Viness
Published: September 2015

The efficient noninvasive treatment of neurodegenerative disorders is often constrained by reduced permeation of therapeutic agents into the central nervous system (CNS). A vast majority of bioactive agents do not readily permeate into the brain tissue due to the existence of the blood-brain barrier (BBB) and the associated P-glycoprotein efflux transporter. The overexpression of the MDR1 P-glycoprotein has been related to the occurrence of multidrug resistance in CNS diseases. Various research outputs have focused on overcoming the P-glycoprotein drug efflux transporter, which mainly involve its inhibition or bypassing mechanisms. Studies into neurodegenerative disorders have shown that the P-glycoprotein efflux transporter plays a vital role in the progression of schizophrenia, with a noted increase in P-glycoprotein function among schizophrenic patients, thereby reducing therapeutic outcomes. In this review, we address the hypothesis that methods employed in overcoming P-glycoprotein in cancer and other disease states at the level of the BBB and intestine may be applied to schizophrenia drug delivery system design to improve clinical efficiency of drug therapies. In addition, the current review explores polymers and drug delivery systems capable of P-gp inhibition and modulation.
Decision Making Method Based on Importance-Dangerousness Analysis for the Potential Risk Behavior of Construction Laborers
Authors: Han In-Hye , Yang Gi-Nam , Kim Sangyong , Kim Gwang-Hee , Shin Yoonseok
Published: September 2015

Unsafe behavior contributes to 90% of the causes of construction accidents. To prevent construction accidents, studies on existing unsafe behaviors have been regularly conducted. However, existing studies generally tend to average the survey results and conduct analyses thereon, and such a method cannot consider the potential risk as regards people’s anxiety about a certain unsafe behavior. Thus, this research suggests an Importance-Dangerousness Analysis (IDA) technique so that potential risks due to unsafe behaviors of laborers working in the construction sector could be evaluated. In order to verify the applicability of the suggested technique, an actual survey was conducted, and the results of Importance-Performance Analysis (IPA) and IDA were compared with each other. It was found that, unlike IPA, unsafe behaviors that could pose potential risks were confirmed by IDA. Further, unsafe behaviors in the construction sector that should be urgently addressed were also studied. Finally, the IDA suggested in this research could contribute to effective construction safety management on-site by supporting the decisions of the safety manager based on the unsafe behavior analysis of construction laborers.
Fabrication of Closed Hollow Bulb Obturator Using Thermoplastic Resin Material
Authors: Shrestha Bidhan , Hughes E. Richard , Kumar Singh Raj , Suwal Pramita , Parajuli Prakash Kumar , Shrestha Pragya , Sharma Arati , Adhikari Galav
Published: September 2015

Purpose.Closed hollow bulb obturators are used for the rehabilitation of postmaxillectomy patients. However, the time consuming process, complexity of fabrication, water leakage, and discoloration are notable disadvantages of this technique. This paper describes a clinical report of fabricating closed hollow bulb obturator using a single flask and one time processing method for an acquired maxillary defect. Hard thermoplastic resin sheet has been used for the fabrication of hollow bulb part of the obturator.Method.After fabrication of master cast conventionally, bulb and lid part of the defect were formed separately and joined by autopolymerizing acrylic resin to form one sized smaller hollow body. During packing procedure, the defect area was loaded with heat polymerizing acrylic resin and then previously fabricated smaller hollow body was adapted over it. The whole area was then loaded with heat cure acrylic. Further processes were carried out conventionally.Conclusion.This technique uses single flask which reduces laboratory time and makes the procedure simple. The thickness of hollow bulb can be controlled and light weight closed hollow bulb prosthesis can be fabricated. It also minimizes the disadvantages of closed hollow bulb obturator such as water leakage, bacterial infection, and discoloration.
Self-Cancellation of Interchannel Interference for OFDM Systems in Amplify-and-Forward Relay Communication Networks
Authors: Won Yu-Jun , Ahn Woo-Hyun , Choi Jong-Won , Seo Bo-Seok
Published: September 2015

We propose a method to compensate the effects of multiple carrier frequency offsets (CFOs) for orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) systems. The multiple CFOs, we considered, are caused by several spatially separated frequency-unsynchronized transmitters as in amplify-and-forward relay communication networks or wireless ad hoc sensor networks. Despite its appealing features, OFDM is extremely sensitive to CFO, especially to multiple CFOs. At the receiver, the residual CFO which appears due to incomplete compensation of multiple CFOs destroys orthogonality among subcarriers and brings interchannel interference (ICI). In the proposed scheme, we compensate the CFOs of the received signal by the predesigned value, which results in cancellation of the opposite ICI by each other. This is based on the property that the spectrum of ICIs shown in a subcarrier has similar magnitudes and opposite signs from the fact that spectrum shapes of the ICI are of sinc function. Simulation results are shown to demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed method.
S‐Nitrosoglutathione Reductase Plays Opposite Roles in SH‐SY5Y Models of Parkinson’s Disease and Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis
Authors: Rizza Salvatore , Cirotti Claudia , Montagna Costanza , Cardaci Simone , Consales Claudia , Cozzolino Mauro , Carrì Maria Teresa , Cecconi Francesco , Filomeni Giuseppe
Published: September 2015

Oxidative and nitrosative stresses have been reported as detrimental phenomena concurring to the onset of several neurodegenerative diseases. Here we reported that the ectopic modulation of the denitrosylating enzyme S‐nitrosoglutathione reductase (GSNOR) differently impinges on the phenotype of two SH‐SY5Y‐based in vitro models of neurodegeneration, namely, Parkinson’s disease (PD) and familial amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (fALS). In particular, we provide evidence that GSNOR‐knocking down protects SH‐SY5Y against PD toxins, while, by contrast, its upregulation is required for G93A‐SOD1 expressing cells resistance to NO‐releasing drugs. Although completely opposite, both conditions are characterized by Nrf2 localization in the nuclear compartment: in the first case induced by GSNOR silencing, while in the second one underlying the antinitrosative response. Overall, our results demonstrate that GSNOR expression has different effect on neuronal viability in dependence on the stimulus applied and suggest that GSNOR could be a responsive gene downstream of Nrf2 activation.
Secure Key Distribution Using Fragmentation and Assimilation in Wireless Sensor and Actor Networks
Authors: Ghafoor AtaUllah , Sher Muhammad , Imran Muhammad , Derhab Abdelouahid
Published: September 2015

Secure key distribution is one of the most important building blocks to ensure confidentiality in wireless sensor and actor networks (WSANs). However, the key distribution becomes a challenging task when keys have to be relayed by compromised nodes in order to establish secure communication between distant nodes. To deal with this issue, we propose in this paper a key distribution scheme, named key distribution using fragmentation and assimilation (KDFA). In this scheme, the sender node splits the actual key into fragments and sends them through intermediate actor nodes towards the receiver node. The latter assimilates these key fragments using XOR operation to reconstruct the actual key. In this case, attacker cannot retrieve the actual key and only gets the key fragment. KDFA is composed of two parts: (a) key distribution protocol (KDP) to distribute the key using intra-actor and interactor communication scenarios and (b) key fragmentation algorithm (KFA) to slice the key using binary calculations. KDFA execution has been specified and formally verified using Rubin logic. Moreover, the performance and the resilience of the proposed protocol are further analyzed through extensive simulations using ns-2.35. Results show that KDFA is resilient against actor node compromise and key exposure.
A Secure NFC-Based Mobile Printing Service Using Recognition Robot
Authors: Lee Eunmi , Yeh Hongjin , Yang Hyo-Sik , Moon Seungbin , Choi Okkyung
Published: September 2015

With the rapid growth of internet technologies, there have been many recent innovations in printing methods and mobile printing service has become important part of our daily life. In this paper, we design and implement a secure mobile printing service using NFC tag to protect our personal information from the technical vulnerability and physical accident such as a robbery. To protect the personal information, the user has to scan the NFC information at the NFC reader using recognition robot to confirm the authentication. In addition, we propose a secure NFC-based authentication protocol that provides printer authorization method and document access control in accordance with user's authority. Lastly, to prove validity and efficiency of the proposed system, the experimental test was confirmed and provided the results.
Lighting Control System Based on the RTP of Smart Grid in WSN
Authors: Im Kyoung-Mi , Lim Jae-Hyun
Published: September 2015

This paper proposes a lighting control system based on RTP to save lighting energy cost by utilizing daylight while maintaining target luminance suited to the purpose. DR is a mechanism which transmits load by changing power use pattern depending on the user and receiving power charges signal at real time so that power demand would not exceed supply. However, DR is not actually implemented in an effective way due to a burden on the participants in the program to respond voluntarily towards pricing signals. In this paper, power charge process is categorized into three stages according to power load and proposes an LED control system based on WSN which automatically responds according to power demand. Daylight is controlled with a venetian blind, but it is controlled at the highest angle of uniformity ratio of illumination per time zone to maintain the uniformity of natural lights. This study establishes two test beds having the same environment. Further, illumination cost and power consumption of testing group that provides service with variable target illumination according to RTP as well as control group that serves with fixed target illumination regardless of power consumption were measured and energy saving by both conditions was compared.
Hypoxia Inducible Factor Pathway and Physiological Adaptation: A Cell Survival Pathway?
Authors: Kumar Hemant , Choi Dong-Kug
Published: September 2015

Oxygen homeostasis reflects the constant body requirement to generate energy. Hypoxia (0.1–1% O2), physioxia or physoxia (∼1–13%), and normoxia (∼20%) are terms used to define oxygen concentration in the cellular environment. A decrease in oxygen (hypoxia) or excess oxygen (hyperoxia) could be deleterious for cellular adaptation and survival. Hypoxia can occur under both physiological (e.g., exercise, embryonic development, underwater diving, or high altitude) and pathological conditions (e.g., inflammation, solid tumor formation, lung disease, or myocardial infarction). Hypoxia plays a key role in the pathophysiology of heart disease, cancers, stroke, and other causes of mortality. Hypoxia inducible factor(s) (HIFs) are key oxygen sensors that mediate the ability of the cell to cope with decreased oxygen tension. These transcription factors regulate cellular adaptation to hypoxia and protect cells by responding acutely and inducing production of endogenous metabolites and proteins to promptly regulate metabolic pathways. Here, we review the role of the HIF pathway as a metabolic adaptation pathway and how this pathway plays a role in cell survival. We emphasize the roles of the HIF pathway in physiological adaptation, cell death, pH regulation, and adaptation during exercise.