bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Clopidogrel versus Ticagrelor for Secondary Prevention after Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting
Authors: Chang Hyoung Woo , Kim Hee Jung , Yoo Jae Suk , Kim Dong Jin , Cho Kwang Ree
Published: January 2019

We sought to evaluate the outcomes of postoperative three-month dual antiplatelet therapy in patients with non-ST-elevation acute coronary syndrome (NSTE-ACS) following off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting (OPCAB) with exclusively arterial grafts. Between 2013–2016, dual antiplatelet therapy (DAPT) with either aspirin + clopidogrel (ASA + CPD group, n = 100) or aspirin + ticagrelor (ASA + TCG group, n = 169) was prescribed postoperatively in 269 NSTE-ACS patients after total arterial OPCAB. Patients with indications for other oral anticoagulants were excluded from the study. Three-month DAPT was completed in 259 patients (96%); ASA + CPD group (n = 94) vs. ASA + TCG group (n = 165). A one-to-one propensity score matching was performed. Unadjusted comparison between the groups showed no significant difference in overall survival (P = 0.253) and composite outcome of major adverse cerebrovascular and cardiovascular event (MACCE) and major bleeding (P = 0.276). The rate of freedom from composite outcome at one year in the ASA + CPD and ASA + TCG groups was 91 ± 3% and 93 ± 2%, respectively. In multivariable analysis, being in the ASA + TCG group did not increase the risk of the composite outcome of MACCE and major bleeding (P = 0.972, hazard ratio: 1.0, 95% confidence interval: 0.4–2.3). Propensity score-matched comparison (76 pairs) showed no significant difference in the overall survival (P = 0.423) and composite outcome between the groups (P = 0.442). In the setting of exclusive arterial grafting, post-OPCAB three-month DAPT showed acceptable outcomes in patients with NSTE-ACS. There was no significant difference in overall survival or composite outcome of MACCE and major bleeding between the ASA + CPD and ASA + TCG groups.
Effect of Androgen-Deprivation Therapy on Bone Mineral Density in Patients with Prostate Cancer: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Authors: Kim Do Kyung , Lee Joo Yong , Kim Kwang Joon , Hong Namki , Kim Jong Won , Hah Yoon Soo , Koo Kyo Chul , Kim Jae Heon , Cho Kang Su
Published: January 2019

We aimed to evaluate the change in bone mineral density (BMD) in patients with prostate cancer (PCa) receiving androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) compared to those with PCa or other urologic conditions not receiving ADT. Literature searches were conducted throughout October 2018. The eligibility of each study was assessed according to Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines using the Participant, Intervention, Comparator, Outcome, and Study design method. The outcomes analyzed were the mean difference (MD) of percent changes in BMD of lumbar spine, femur neck, and total hip. Five prospective cohort studies with a total of 533 patients were included in the present study. Statistically significant decreases of BMD change relative to the control group were observed in the ADT treatment group in the lumbar spine (MD −3.60, 95% CI −6.72 to −0.47, P = 0.02), femoral neck (MD −3.11, 95% CI −4.73 to −1.48, P = 0.0002), and total hip (MD −1.59, 95% CI −2.99 to −0.19, P = 0.03). There is a significant relationship between ADT and BMD reduction in patients with PCa. Regular BMD testing and the optimal treatment for BMD loss should, therefore, be considered in patients with PCa undergoing ADT.
Familial Aggregation of Psoriasis and Co-Aggregation of Autoimmune Diseases in Affected Families
Authors: Huang Yu-Huei , Kuo Chang-Fu , Huang Lu-Hsiang , Hsieh Mei-Yun
Published: January 2019

Psoriasis is considered to result from the interaction of genetic factors and environmental exposure. The evidence for familial aggregation in psoriasis has been reported but population-based studies related to the magnitude of genetic contribution to psoriasis are rare. This study aimed to evaluate the relative risks of psoriasis in individuals with affected relatives and to calculate the proportion of genetic, shared, and non-shared environmental factors contributing to psoriasis. The study cohort included 69,828 patients diagnosed with psoriasis enrolled in National health Insurance in 2010. The adjusted relative risks (RR) for individuals with an affected first-degree relative and affected second-degree relative were 5.50 (95% CI (Confidence Interval), 5.19–5.82) and 2.54 (95% CI, 2.08–3.12) respectively. For those who have affected first-degree relatives, their RR was 1.45 (95% CI, 1.17–1.79) for Sjogren’s syndrome and 1.94 (95% CI, 1.15–3.27) for systemic sclerosis. This nationwide study ascertains that family history of psoriasis is a risk factor for psoriasis. Individuals with relatives affected by psoriasis have higher risks of developing some autoimmune diseases.
New Concepts in Diagnostics for Invasive Mycoses: Non-Culture-Based Methodologies
Authors: Patterson Thomas F. , Donnelly J. Peter
Published: January 2019

Non-culture-based diagnostics have been developed to help establish an early diagnosis of invasive fungal infection. Studies have shown that these tests can significantly impact the diagnosis of infection in high risk patients. Aspergillus galactomannan EIA testing is well-recognized as an important adjunct to the diagnosis of invasive aspergillosis and can be detected in serum, bronchoalveolar lavage and other fluids. Galactomannan testing used along with PCR testing has been shown to be effective when integrated into care paths for high risk patients for both diagnoses and as a surrogate marker for outcome when used in serial testing. Beta-d-glucan assays are non-specific for several fungal genera including Aspergillus and Candida and in high risk patients have been an important tool to augment the diagnosis. Lateral flow technology using monoclonal antibodies to Aspergillus are available that allow rapid testing of clinical samples. While standard PCR for Candida remains investigational, T2 magnetic resonance allows for the rapid diagnosis of Candida species from blood cultures. Aspergillus PCR has been extensively validated with standardized approaches established for these methods and will be included in the diagnostic criteria in the revised European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer/Mycoses Study Group (EORTC-MSG) definitions. Finally, these non-culture-based tests can be used in combination to significantly increase the detection of invasive mycoses with the ultimate aim of establishing an early diagnosis of infection.
The Emerging Role of Checkpoint Inhibition in Microsatellite Stable Colorectal Cancer
Authors: Hermel David J. , Sigal Darren
Published: January 2019

Checkpoint inhibitor therapy has introduced a revolution in contemporary anticancer therapy. It has led to dramatic improvements in patient outcomes and has spawned tremendous research into novel immunomodulatory agents and combination therapy that has changed the trajectory of cancer care. However, clinical benefit in patients with colorectal cancer has been generally limited to tumors with loss of mismatch repair function and those with specific germline mutations in the DNA polymerase gene. Unfortunately, tumors with these specific mutator phenotypes are in the minority. Recent pre-clinical and clinical studies have begun to reveal encouraging results suggesting that checkpoint inhibitor therapy can be expanded to an increasing number of colorectal tumors with microsatellite stability and the absence of traditional predictive biomarkers of checkpoint inhibitor response. These studies generally rely on combinations of checkpoint inhibitors with chemotherapy, molecular targeted therapy, radiation therapy, or other novel immunomodulatory agents. This article will review the most current data in microsatellite stable colorectal cancer.
A Novel Interval Three-Way Concept Lattice Model with Its Application in Medical Diagnosis
Authors: Hu Junhua , Chen Dan , Liang Pei
Published: January 2019

Medical diagnosis has been recognized as one of the key processes in clinical medicine, which determines diseases from some given symptoms. Nonetheless, previous works about medical diagnosis have some drawbacks because medical data are usually fuzzy, uncertain, incomplete and imprecise. To achieve the optimal medical diagnosis decision by reducing cost and enhancing accuracy, this paper develops a new method named interval three-way concept lattice model. Firstly, we redefine the decision rules and metric function of three-way decision based on interval concept lattice. Secondly, we build a visualized hierarchical structure of relationship between concepts through interval concept construction algorithm which helps us to make decision preferably and clearly. Finally, we establish a dynamic strategy optimization model for medical diagnosis decision making. In addition, a medical case demonstrates the effectiveness and feasibility of this proposed model.
Combustion Synthesis of Chromium Nitrides
Authors: Ziatdinov Mansur , Zhukov Alexander , Promakhov Vladimir , Schulz Nikita
Published: January 2019

This paper explores different modes of synthesis by combustion of chromium-nitrogen and ferrochromium-nitrogen alloys. The SH-synthesis of chromium nitrides and ferrochromium nitrides was performed. Regular patterns in layer-by-layer and surface modes of Cr combustion in nitrogen were investigated. The mechanism of non-stationary combustion during the synthesis of chromium was investigated. Regular patterns of chromium and ferrochromium combustion in the cocurrent filtration mode were analyzed, and the possibility to intensify the SHS process using the pressure filtration principle was assessed. The process of chromium powder combustion in the cocurrent flow of nitrogen-containing gas in the range of specific flow rates from 20 cm3/s·cm2 was investigated. Pressure filtration intensifies the process of combustion wave propagation in the Cr–N2 system. Here, the combustion rate increases while the degree of nitridation decreases. We discovered superadiabatic heating modes when the reaction zone was blown with pure nitrogen and a nitrogen-argon mixture. The tempering mode that was realized during pressure filtration allows for the uptake of high-temperature single-phase non-stoichiometric phases of Cr2N.
GC-MS Metabolomics Reveals Distinct Profiles of Low- and High-Grade Bladder Cancer Cultured Cells
Authors: Rodrigues Daniela , Pinto Joana , Araújo Ana Margarida , Jerónimo Carmen , Henrique Rui , Bastos Maria de Lourdes , Guedes de Pinho Paula , Carvalho Márcia
Published: January 2019

Previous studies have shown that metabolomics can be a useful tool to better understand the mechanisms of carcinogenesis; however, alterations in biochemical pathways that lead to bladder cancer (BC) development have hitherto not been fully investigated. In this study, gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS)-based metabolomics was applied to unveil the metabolic alterations between low-grade and high-grade BC cultured cell lines. Multivariable analysis revealed a panel of metabolites responsible for the separation between the two tumorigenic cell lines. Significantly lower levels of fatty acids, including myristic, palmitic, and palmitoleic acids, were found in high-grade versus low-grade BC cells. Furthermore, significantly altered levels of some amino acids were observed between low- and high-grade BC, namely glycine, leucine, methionine, valine, and aspartic acid. This study successfully demonstrated the potential of metabolomic analysis to discriminate BC cells according to tumor aggressiveness. Moreover, these findings suggest that bladder tumorigenic cell lines of different grades disclose distinct metabolic profiles, mainly affecting fatty acid biosynthesis and amino acid metabolism to compensate for higher energetic needs.
Weathering of Ophiolite Remnant and Formation of Ni Laterite in a Strong Uplifted Tectonic Region (Yuanjiang, Southwest China)
Authors: Fu Wei , Feng Yangyang , Luo Peng , Zhang Yinmeng , Huang Xiaorong , Zeng Xiangwei , Cai Qian , Zhou Yongzhang
Published: January 2019

The Yuanjiang Ni deposit in southwestern margin of the Yunnan Plateau is the only economically important lateritic Ni deposit in China. It contains 21.2 Mt ore with an average grade of 1.05 wt % Ni and has been recognized as the second largest Ni producer in China following the Jinchuan super-large magmatic Ni–Cu deposit. This Ni deposit is hosted within the lateritic regolith derived from serpentinite within the regional Paleo-Tethyan Ophiolite remnants. Local landscape controls the distribution of the Ni mineralized regolith, and spatially it is characterized by developing on several stepped planation surfaces. Three types of lateritic Ni ores are identified based on Ni-hosting minerals, namely oxide ore, oxide-silicate mixed ore and silicate ore. In the dominant silicate ore, two phyllosilicate minerals (serpentine and talc) are the Ni-host minerals. Their Ni compositions, however, are remarkably different. Serpentine (0.34–1.2 wt % Ni) has a higher Ni concentration than talc (0.18–0.26 wt % Ni), indicating that the serpentine is more significantly enriched in Ni during weathering process compared to talc. This explains why talc veining reduces Ni grade. The geochemical index (S/SAF value = 0.33–0.81, UMIA values = 17–60) indicates that the serpentinite-derived regolith has experienced, at least, weak to moderate lateritization. Based on several lines of paleoclimate evidence, the history of lateritization at Yuanjiang area probably dates to the Oligocene-Miocene boundary and has extended to the present. With a hydrology-controlled lateritization process ongoing, continuous operation of Ni migration from the serpentinite-forming minerals to weathered minerals (goethite and serpentine) gave rise to the development of three types of Ni ore in the regolith. Notably, the formation and preservation of the Yuanjiang lateritic Ni deposit has been strongly impacted by regional multi-staged tectonic uplift during the development of Yunnan Plateau. This active tectonic setting has promoted weathering of serpentinite and supergene Ni enrichment, but is also responsible for its partial erosion.
Perspectives on the Use of Liquid Extraction for Radioisotope Purification
Authors: Martini Petra , Adamo Andrea , Syna Neilesh , Boschi Alessandra , Uccelli Licia , Weeranoppanant Nopphon , Markham Jack , Pascali Giancarlo
Published: January 2019

The reliable and efficient production of radioisotopes for diagnosis and therapy is becoming an increasingly important capability, due to their demonstrated utility in Nuclear Medicine applications. Starting from the first processes involving the separation of 99mTc from irradiated materials, several methods and concepts have been developed to selectively extract the radioisotopes of interest. Even though the initial methods were based on liquid-liquid extraction (LLE) approaches, the perceived difficulty in automating such processes has slowly moved the focus towards resin separation methods, whose basic chemical principles are often similar to the LLE ones in terms of chelators and phases. However, the emerging field of flow chemistry allows LLE to be easily automated and operated in a continuous manner, resulting in an even improved efficiency and reliability. In this contribution, we will outline the fundamentals of LLE processes and their translation into flow-based apparatuses; in addition, we will provide examples of radioisotope separations that have been achieved using LLE methods. This article is intended to offer insights about the future potential of LLE to purify medically relevant radioisotopes.
Organoselenium Compounds as Novel Adjuvants of Chemotherapy Drugs—A Promising Approach to Fight Cancer Drug Resistance
Authors: Spengler Gabriella , Gajdács Márió , Marć Małgorzata Anna , Domínguez-Álvarez Enrique , Sanmartín Carmen
Published: January 2019

Malignant diseases present a serious public health burden and their treatment with traditional chemotherapy cannot be considered an all-round solution, due to toxic side effects. Selenium compounds (Se-compounds) have received substantial attention in medicinal chemistry, especially in experimental chemotherapy, both as cytotoxic agents and adjuvants in chemotherapy. A checkerboard microplate method was applied to study the drug interactions of Se-compounds and clinically relevant chemotherapeutic drugs against the multidrug-resistant (MDR) subtype of mouse t-lymphoma cells overexpressing the ABCB1 transporter. Se-compounds showed synergistic interactions with chemotherapeutic agents targeting the topoisomerase enzymes or the microtubule apparatus. The ketone-containing selenoesters showed synergism at lower concentrations (1.25 µM). Most of the tested compounds interacted antagonistically with alkylating agents and verapamil. A thiophene-containing Se-compound showed synergism with all tested drugs, except cisplatin. While the exact mechanism of drug interactions is yet unknown, the potency of the selenocompounds as efflux pump inhibitors or the potentiation of their efficacy as reactive oxygen species modulators may play a role in their complementary activity against the tested MDR lymphoma cell line.
Rationally Designed α-Conotoxin Analogues Maintained Analgesia Activity and Weakened Side Effects
Authors: Liu Chen , Wu Pengxiang , Zhu He , Grieco Paolo , Yu Ruihe , Gao Xinmei , Wu Guiyue , Wang Dong , Xu Hanmei , Qi Weiyan
Published: January 2019

A lack of specificity is restricting the further application of conotoxin from Conus bullatus (BuIA). In this study, an analogue library of BuIA was established and virtual screening was used, which identified high α7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (nAChR)-selectivity analogues. The analogues were synthesized and tested for their affinity to functional human α7 nAChR and for the regulation of intracellular calcium ion capacity in neurons. Immunofluorescence, flow cytometry, and patch clamp results showed that the analogues maintained their capacity for calcium regulation. The results of the hot-plate model and paclitaxel-induced peripheral neuropathy model indicated that, when compared with natural BuIA, the analgesia activities of the analogues in different models were maintained. To analyze the adverse effects and toxicity of BuIA and its analogues, the tail suspension test, forced swimming test, and open field test were used. The results showed that the safety and toxicity of the analogues were significantly better than BuIA. The analogues of BuIA with an appropriate and rational mutation showed high selectivity and maintained the regulation of Ca2+ capacity in neurons and activities of analgesia, whereas the analogues demonstrated that the adverse effects of natural α-conotoxins could be reduced.
Arsenic Monitoring in Water by Colorimetry Using an Optimized Leucomalachite Green Method
Authors: Lace Annija , Ryan David , Bowkett Mark , Cleary John
Published: January 2019

Arsenic contamination of drinking water is a global concern. Standard laboratory methods that are commonly used for arsenic detection in water, such as atomic absorption spectroscopy and mass spectroscopy, are not suitable for mass monitoring purposes. Autonomous microfluidic detection systems combined with a suitable colorimetric reagent could provide an alternative to standard methods. Moreover, microfluidic detection systems would enable rapid and cost efficient in situ monitoring of water sources without the requirement of laborious sampling. The aim of this study is to optimize a colorimetric method based on leucomalachite green dye for integration into a microfluidic detection system. The colorimetric method is based on the reaction of arsenic (III) with potassium iodate in acid medium to liberate iodine, which oxidizes leucomalachite green to malachite green. A rapid colour development was observed after the addition of the dye. Beer’s law was obeyed in the range between 0.07–3 µg mL−1. The detection limit and quantitation limit were found to be 0.19 and 0.64 µg mL−1, respectively.
Visible-Light Driven TiO2 Photocatalyst Coated with Graphene Quantum Dots of Tunable Nitrogen Doping
Authors: Sun Xiong , Li Hui-Jun , Ou Nanquan , Lyu Bowen , Gui Bojie , Tian Shiwei , Qian Dongjin , Wang Xianying , Yang Junhe
Published: January 2019

Nitrogen doped graphene quantum dots (NGQDs) were successfully prepared via a hydrothermal method using citric acid and urea as the carbon and nitrogen precursors, respectively. Due to different post-treatment processes, the obtained NGQDs with different surface modifications exhibited blue light emission, while their visible-light absorption was obviously different. To further understand the roles of nitrogen dopants and N-containing surface groups of NGQDs in the photocatalytic performance, their corresponding composites with TiO2 were utilized to degrade RhB solutions under visible-light irradiation. A series of characterization and photocatalytic performance tests were carried out, which demonstrated that NGQDs play a significant role in enhancing visible-light driven photocatalytic activity and the carrier separation process. The enhanced photocatalytic activity of the NGQDs/TiO2 composites can possibly be attributed to an enhanced visible light absorption ability, and an improved separation and transfer rate of photogenerated carriers.
Revealing the Presence of a Symbolic Sequence Representing Multiple Nucleotides Based on K-Means Clustering of Oligonucleotides
Authors: Lee Byoungsang , Ahn So Yeon , Park Charles , Moon James J. , Lee Jung Heon , Luo Dan , Um Soong Ho , Shin Seung Won
Published: January 2019

In biological systems, a few sequence differences diversify the hybridization profile of nucleotides and enable the quantitative control of cellular metabolism in a cooperative manner. In this respect, the information required for a better understanding may not be in each nucleotide sequence, but representative information contained among them. Existing methodologies for nucleotide sequence design have been optimized to track the function of the genetic molecule and predict interaction with others. However, there has been no attempt to extract new sequence information to represent their inheritance function. Here, we tried to conceptually reveal the presence of a representative sequence from groups of nucleotides. The combined application of the K-means clustering algorithm and the social network analysis theorem enabled the effective calculation of the representative sequence. First, a “common sequence” is made that has the highest hybridization property to analog sequences. Next, the sequence complementary to the common sequence is designated as a ‘representative sequence’. Based on this, we obtained a representative sequence from multiple analog sequences that are 8–10-bases long. Their hybridization was empirically tested, which confirmed that the common sequence had the highest hybridization tendency, and the representative sequence better alignment with the analogs compared to a mere complementary.
The Synthesis of 3H-Labelled 8-Azido-N6-Benzyladenine and Related Compounds for Photoaffinity Labelling of Cytokinin-Binding Proteins
Authors: Letham David. S. , Zhang Xue-Dong , Hocart Charles H.
Published: January 2019

The biology of the group of plant hormones termed cytokinins is reviewed to reveal areas where further studies of cytokinin-binding proteins could be significant. Such areas include: inhibition of human tumour cell growth by cytokinin ribosides, the role of cytokinins in the development of diverse micro-organisms including the cyanobacteria and Mycobacterium tuberculosis, the very rapid responses of plant cells to exogenous cytokinins, and other aspects of cytokinin plant biology. Photoaffinity labelling (PAL) coupled to the recent advances in HPLC of proteins and mass spectral analysis and sequencing of proteins, may have relevance to these areas. To facilitate PAL, we present experimental details for two methods for synthesis of 8-azido-N6-benzyladenine, which has the azido affinity group in the preferred position of the purine ring. Synthesis from [2-3H]adenosine yielded the above-mentioned PAL reagent with 3H in the purine ring and also gave labelled 9-riboside and 8-azido-N6,9-dibenzyladenine. 8-Azido-N6-benzyladenine was also prepared from 6,8-dichloropurine by a facile synthesis, which would allow a label to be sited in the benzyl group where substituents can also be introduced to vary cytokinin activity. The use of inactive cytokinin analogues in assessing the significance of PAL is discussed.
Sustainable Porous Carbon Materials Derived from Wood-Based Biopolymers for CO2 Capture
Authors: Xu Chao , Strømme Maria
Published: January 2019

Porous carbon materials with tunable porosities and functionalities represent an important class of CO2 sorbents. The development of porous carbons from various types of biomass is a sustainable, economic and environmentally friendly strategy. Wood is a biodegradable, renewable, sustainable, naturally abundant and carbon-rich raw material. Given these advantages, the use of wood-based resources for the synthesis of functional porous carbons has attracted great interests. In this mini-review, we present the recent developments regarding sustainable porous carbons derived from wood-based biopolymers (cellulose, hemicelluloses and lignin) and their application in CO2 capture.
Malaria Resurgence in the Americas: An Underestimated Threat
Authors: Espinoza J. Luis
Published: January 2019

Malaria is a mosquito-borne disease caused by parasites of the genus Plasmodium (P [...]
Antioxidant and Antimicrobial Activity of Mexican Oregano (Poliomintha longiflora) Essential Oil, Hydrosol and Extracts from Waste Solid Residues
Authors: Cid-Pérez Teresa Soledad , Ávila-Sosa Raúl , Ochoa-Velasco Carlos Enrique , Rivera-Chavira Blanca Estela , Nevárez-Moorillón Guadalupe Virginia
Published: January 2019

Poliomintha longiflora is a Mexican oregano, which has not been widely studied. This work aimed to describe the chemical composition, antimicrobial and antioxidant activities present in P. longiflora essential oil (EO), the hydrosol from EO extraction and extracts from waste solid residues (WSRs), identified as ethanol extract, ethyl acetate extract and the subfractions of ethanol and ethyl acetate extracts. The chemical characterization of the EO, hydrosol and WSR extracts was performed by GC–MS and HPLC. Their antioxidant activity was evaluated using two methods, and their antimicrobial activity was evaluated against Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, Listeria monocytogenes, Bacillus cereus, and Salmonella Typhimurium. Thirty-one chemical components were identified in the EO. The subfractions from the ethanol and ethyl acetate extracts contain methylmaleic anhydride, thymoquinone, thymol, carvacrol, thymol acetate, carvacrol acetate, and phenolic acids. The EO presented the highest biological activities for antioxidant (136.05 mg equivalent of ascorbic acid/g (AAE/g); IC50 83.70 μg/mL of 2, 2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH)) and antimicrobial tests (minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) value of 250–750 mg/L), while the hydrosol and the ethyl acetate extract from WSRs had the lowest antioxidant activity (14.16 and 12.29 mg AAE/g respectively), and the hydrosol had the lowest antimicrobial activity (MIC of 3000 mg/L). The data suggest that Mexican oregano P. longiflora hydrosol and extracts from waste solid residues can still have compounds with antimicrobial and antioxidant capacities.
The Costs of Green Leaf Volatile-Induced Defense Priming: Temporal Diversity in Growth Responses to Mechanical Wounding and Insect Herbivory
Authors: Engelberth Jurgen , Engelberth Marie
Published: January 2019

Green leaf volatiles (GLVs) have long been associated with plant defense responses against insect herbivory. Although some of their biological activities appear to directly affect the attacking herbivore, one of the major functions of GLVs seems to be the priming of these defense responses. This priming is generally considered to impose low costs on the plant should no direct attack happen. Here, we demonstrate that priming of maize seedlings with GLVs is costly for the plants as it results in significantly reduced growth. We further demonstrate that priming very selectively affects growth responses after insect elicitor treatment and mechanical wounding depending on the age and/or the developmental stage of the treated plant. The differential growth response of maize seedlings to treatment with GLVs and subsequent herbivory-related damage sheds new light on the biological activity of these important plant volatile compounds and indicates consequences that go beyond defense.
Unraveling Morphophysiological and Biochemical Responses of Triticum aestivum L. to Extreme pH: Coordinated Actions of Antioxidant Defense and Glyoxalase Systems
Authors: Bhuyan M. H. M. Borhannuddin , Hasanuzzaman Mirza , Mahmud Jubayer Al , Hossain Md. Shahadat , Bhuiyan Tasnim Farha , Fujita Masayuki
Published: January 2019

Soil pH, either low (acidity) or high (alkalinity), is one of the major constraints that affect many biochemical and biological processes within the cell. The present study was carried out to understand the oxidative damage and antioxidant defense in wheat (Triticum aestivum L. cv. BARI Gom-25) grown under different pH regimes. Eight-day-old seedlings were exposed to growing media with different pH levels (4.0, 5.5, 7.0, and 8.5). Seedlings grown in pH 4.0 and in pH 8.5 showed reductions in biomass, water, and chlorophyll contents; whereas plants grown at pH 7.0 (neutral) exhibited a better performance. Extremely acidic (pH 4.0) and/or strongly alkaline (pH 8.5)-stress also increased oxidative damage in wheat by excess reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation and methylglyoxal (MG) production, which increased lipid peroxidation and disrupted the redox state. In contrary, the lowest oxidative damage was observed at a neutral condition, followed by a strong acidic condition (pH 5.5), which was mainly attributed to the better performance of the antioxidant defense and glyoxalase systems. Interestingly, seedlings grown at pH 5.5 showed a significant increase in morphophysiological attributes compared with extreme acidic (pH 4.0)- and strong alkaline (pH 8.5)-stress treatments, which indicates the tolerance of wheat to the acidic condition.
Existentialism, Epiphany, and Polyphony in Dostoevsky’s Post-Siberian Novels
Authors: Siddiqi Bilal
Published: January 2019

Dostoevsky can be meaningfully read as a defender of Russian Orthodoxy; a psychologist; a polemicizing anti-nihilist ideologue; a Schillerian romantic; a Solovyovian believer in love, goodness, and beauty; a prophet. I approach Dostoevsky through a new lens—Dostoevsky as an existential phenomenologist. Although writers such as Kauffman, Camus, and Shestov have cast Dostoevsky as an existentialist, their readings often focus too heavily on the critique of rationalist thinking in Dostoevsky’s The Underground Man and explore Dostoevsky’s existentialism largely in ethical rather than in existential-ontological terms. My interpretation will instead demonstrate that the primary focus of Dostoevsky’s novels is on immanent existential-ontological truths—human life—rather than on transcendental, ideal truth, although the emphasis on the former does not negate the possible existence of the latter. This interpretation will also provide an original route towards a polyphonic reading of Dostoevsky.
Efficient Retirement Portfolios: Using Life Insurance to Meet Income and Bequest Goals in Retirement
Authors: Dong Fangyuan , Halen Nick , Moore Kristen , Zeng Qinglai
Published: January 2019

Life Insurance Retirement Plans (LIRPs) offer tax-deferred cash value accumulation, tax-free withdrawals (if properly structured), and a tax-free death benefit to beneficiaries. Thus, LIRPs share many of the tax advantages of other retirement savings vehicles but with less restrictive limitations on income and contributions. Opinions are mixed about the effectiveness of LIRPs; some financial advisers recommend them enthusiastically, while others are more skeptical. In this paper, we examine the potential of LIRPs to meet both income and bequest needs in retirement. We contrast retirement portfolios that include a LIRP with those that include only investment products with no life insurance. We consider different issue ages, face amounts, and withdrawal patterns. We simulate market scenarios and we demonstrate that portfolios that include LIRPs yield higher legacy potential and smaller income risk than those that exclude it. Thus, we conclude that the inclusion of a LIRP can improve financial outcomes in retirement.
Deep Reinforcement Learning for Soft, Flexible Robots: Brief Review with Impending Challenges
Authors: Bhagat Sarthak , Banerjee Hritwick , Ho Tse Zion Tsz , Ren Hongliang
Published: January 2019

The increasing trend of studying the innate softness of robotic structures and amalgamating it with the benefits of the extensive developments in the field of embodied intelligence has led to the sprouting of a relatively new yet rewarding sphere of technology in intelligent soft robotics. The fusion of deep reinforcement algorithms with soft bio-inspired structures positively directs to a fruitful prospect of designing completely self-sufficient agents that are capable of learning from observations collected from their environment. For soft robotic structures possessing countless degrees of freedom, it is at times not convenient to formulate mathematical models necessary for training a deep reinforcement learning (DRL) agent. Deploying current imitation learning algorithms on soft robotic systems has provided competent results. This review article posits an overview of various such algorithms along with instances of being applied to real-world scenarios, yielding frontier results. Brief descriptions highlight the various pristine branches of DRL research in soft robotics.
Historically Illustrating the Shift to Neoliberalism in the U.S. Home Mortgage Market
Authors: García Ivis
Published: January 2019

This article takes a long view of the U.S. housing market; from its inception as locally owned and operated Building Societies, through one of the first major U.S. housing crises in the early 1930s, as well as through the prosperous and surprisingly stable post-WWII era the so-called “Long Boom” during Keynesianism. As labor shortages became more severe, accompanied by stagflation and the simultaneous urban, fiscal, and oil crises of the late 60s and early 70s, key sectors of the U.S. economy rallied to dismantle established Keynesian policies. While the new policies associated with laissez–faire economic liberalism certainly aided in the mobility of capital, the overall economy as a result of this neoliberal turn became increasingly unstable and inequitable. This article seeks to add knowledge to the neoliberalism theory. The author concludes, based on a historical case study of the Savings and Loans industry, that neoliberalism was not a deterministic overthrow of neoliberal ideologues but a haphazard response to the contradictions of Keynesian logic. It is only from a historical approach that we may be able to understand the current housing crisis, foster policy innovation, and allow for institutional change within the U.S. mortgage market sector.
Examining the Emergence and Evolution of Blue Ocean Strategy through the Lens of Management Fashion Theory
Authors: Madsen Dag Øivind , Slåtten Kåre
Published: January 2019

Blue Ocean Strategy (BOS) is a management concept which prescribes that organizations, rather than going head-to-head with competitors, try to create and exploit new market spaces, so-called blue oceans. Since its inception in the mid-2000s, BOS has become one of the most popular concepts in the field of strategy and one of the biggest buzzwords in the business world. This paper examines the emergence and evolution of BOS through the lens of management fashion theory. The analysis shows that the BOS concept exhibits several characteristics which makes it highly appealing to organizations and managers. In addition, the emergence of the concept was helped by a good fit with the zeitgeist in the field of strategy during the 2000s, which had shifted to a strong focus on theories and ideas about disruptive innovation and business model innovation. The popularization of the BOS concept can also be attributed to the backing of a powerful supply-side actors, and, in particular, the concept’s creators Kim and Mauborgne. While the attention given to BOS in public management discourse suggests that the concept can currently be considered highly fashionable, evidence about the concept’s use on the demand-side remains limited. Most surveys indicate that the adoption and diffusion is lower than would be expected based on the intensity of discourse surrounding the concept. Therefore, the current study provides some support for the view that supply-side and demand-side activity related to management fashions does not necessarily coevolve.
A Telemedicine Service System Exploiting BT/BLE Wireless Sensors for Remote Management of Chronic Patients
Authors: Donati Massimiliano , Celli Alessio , Ruiu Alessio , Saponara Sergio , Fanucci Luca
Published: January 2019

The management of the increasing number of patients affected by cardiovascular, pulmonary, and metabolic chronic diseases represents a major challenge for the National Health System (NHS) in any developed country. Chronic diseases are indeed the main cause of hospitalization, especially for elderly people, leading to sustainability problems due to the huge amount of resources required. In the last years, the adoption of the chronic care model (CCM) as assistive model improved the management of these patients and reduced the related healthcare costs. The diffusion of wireless sensors, portable devices and connectivity enables to implement new information and communication technology (ICT)-based innovative applications to further improve the outcomes of the CCM. This paper presents a telemedicine platform for data acquisition, distribution, processing, presentation, and storage, aimed to remotely monitor the clinical status of chronic patients. The proposed solution is based on monitoring kits, with wireless Bluetooth (BT)/ Bluetooth low energy (BLE) sensors and a gateway (i.e., smartphone or tablet) connected to a web-based cloud application that collects and makes available the clinical information to the medical staff. The platform allows clinicians and practitioners to monitor at distance their patients, according to personalized treatment plans, and to act promptly in case of aggravations, reducing hospitalizations and improving patients’ quality of life.
Passive Advection of a Vector Field by Compressible Turbulent Flow: Renormalizations Group Analysis near d = 4
Authors: Antonov Nikolay , Gulitskiy Nikolay , Kostenko Maria , Lučivjanský Tomáš
Published: January 2019

The renormalization group approach and the operator product expansion technique are applied to the model of a passively advected vector field by a turbulent velocity field. The latter is governed by the stochastic Navier-Stokes equation for a compressible fluid. The model is considered in the vicinity of space dimension d = 4 and the perturbation theory is constructed within a double expansion scheme in y and ε = 4 − d , where y describes scaling behaviour of the random force that enters the Navier-Stokes equation. The properties of the correlation functions are investigated, and anomalous scaling and multifractal behaviour are established. All calculations are performed in the leading order of y, ε expansion (one-loop approximation).
10.3846/16484142.2006.9638036
Authors: Rievaj Vladimir , Faith Peter , Dávid Andrej
Published: January 2019

Sometimes it is necessary to test how repair affects the properties of the car. These tests are carried out using a cylinder test stand. During the test the tyre is rolling between two cylinders of a small diameter. The question arises whether the rolling resistance of the tyre is the same as the rolling resistance when the wheel is rolling on the plane. If it is not the same what is the reliation between tyre resistances in these two cases? It is an important answer because the change of rolling resistance can affect consumption, the highest speed, engine power and other results of measurement. The paper gives the answer to these questions and describes the method of getting this information.
THE ANALYSIS OF STRATEGIC PLANNING IN TRANSPORT
Authors: Išoraite Margarita
Published: January 2019

Strategic planning is a process whish brings to life the mission and vision of an enterprise. The article analyses the following issues: 1. Concepts of strategy. 2. Components of strategic planning. 3. The basis of strategic planning. 4. Formal strategic planning. 5. Tools used in strategy development. 6. Problems of strategic planning.
ALGORITHM FOR OPTIMAL CORRECTION OF TRAIN TRAFFIC SCHEDULE
Authors: Mišauskaitė Indrė , Bagdonas Vaclovas
Published: January 2019

The article analyses the problem of train traffic schedule optimal addition according to minimum overall expenditure criteria. The task is to analyze optimal insertion of an additional train track into already made schedule. The methodology is all‐right applicable for ad hoc requests submission. Handling importance of ad hoc requests is emphasized in EU directive 2001/14/EB. The task can be solved applying Monte‐Carlo, genetic algorithms, variants reselection methods or methods of the shortest (according to waste) way in graphs. All these methods are equally exact and can be implemented in modern computers with short enough time consumption.
RESEARCH INTO OPERATIONAL PARAMETERS OF DIESEL ENGINES RUNNING ON RME BIODIESEL
Authors: Lebedevas Sergejus , Vaicekauskas Andrius , Lebedeva Galina , Janulis Prutenis , Makarevičienė Violeta
Published: January 2019

The results of motor experimental researches on operational parameters of diesel engines F2L511 and A41 are presented in the publication. Change of harmful emission of exhaust gases was determined and evaluated, fuel economy and thrust characteristics of diesel engines running on RME biodiesel compared to diesel fuel. The influence of technical condition of fuel injection aggregates was evaluated for parameters of harmful emission of diesel engines running on biodiesel by simulation of setback of fuel injection in alowable range of technical conditions ‐ the coking of nozzles of fuel injector. The complex improvement of all ecological parameters was evaluated by optimisation of fuel injection phase of diesel engines running on RME biodiesel. Objectives and aspects of further researches on indicator process of diesel engines were determined.
A MATHEMATICAL MODEL TO SET SPEED LIMITS FOR VEHICLES ON THE HIGHWAY
Authors: Oke Sunday Ayoola , Bamigbaiye Ayokunle , Oyedokun Oluwafemi Isaac , Charles-Owaba Oliver Ekpere
Published: January 2019

The purpose of this paper is to develop a mathematical model that could guide certain speed limits for vehicles on roads. Excessive speeds on roads have been a major indirect cause of deaths on highways due to the sudden impact of vehicles that lead to accidents. The model presented here is developed on a measure of impact force of two vehicles engaged in a head‐on collision. A hypothetical case study was investigated based on the impact of force on the human body. The results showed a variation of speed with occupation position distance. The paper also examines the role of seatbelt as a safety feature for vehicle occupants. Practically, developing a quantitative approach for evaluating the impacts of speed would help road regulatory authorities in reducing accidents and deaths on roads. It would also assist them in tracking “road traffic offenders” by setting controls to which road users must conform.
RESEARCH INTO INTELLIGENT TRANSPORT SYSTEMS (ITS) TECHNOLOGIES AND EFFICIENCY
Authors: Jarašūnienė Aldona
Published: January 2019

Intelligent Transport Systems work with information and control technologies which provide the core of ITS functions. Some of these technologies, like loop detectors, are well known to transportation professionals. However, there are a number of less familiar technologies and system concepts that are the key to ITS functions. The technical core of ITS is information and control technologies, but human factors are also vitally important, and potentially very complex. This paper introduces the main ITS enabling technologies and explains why transport professionals should involve human factor experts at an early stage of design of ITS equipment and facilities.
PRINCIPLE AND BENEFITS OF THIRD PARTY LOGISTICS APPROACH WHEN MANAGING LOGISTICS SUPPLY CHAIN
Authors: Vasiliauskas Aidas Vasilis
Published: January 2019

The principle of third party logistics has grown into a very important and a well‐functioning logistics concept, mainly due to outsourcing trends in transport business. Providers of 3PL services complemented the effectiveness of logistics supply chain management extending the performance of hauliers and forwarders to what might be called outsourced logistics services providers. The main driver for this was large transportation companies that have striven to render their limited services to the whole transport chain. Firstly, this extended to what now is called forwarding services, i.e. responsibility and transport service was extended from only physical transportation to additional services. Then some transport and forwarding companies continued enlarging their responsibility so that it included an increased part of the transport chain up to a total responsibility for the entire transportation, from production to consumption. A nature of transportation services became more and more the nature of logistics. Companies started offering complete logistics solutions, instead of only isolated physical transportation services. This allowed a customer to concentrate on the core business instead of paying much attention to material flows.
DEVELOPMENT OF PASSENGER TRANSPORTATION BY RAILROAD FROM LITHUANIA TO EUROPEAN STATES
Authors: Butkevičius Jonas
Published: January 2019

With the entry of Lithuania into the European Union, proper conditions for both Lithuanian and the EU inhabitants to comfortably travel by trains should be created. Lithuania should resume the direct communication by railroads with Poland. For that the passenger train route “Vilnius‐Warsaw” should be opened; it would enable the national inhabitants to reach European countries by train and also the inhabitants of those countries to come by train to Lithuania.

The article gives an analysis of perspective passenger flows on the route “Vilnius‐Warsaw”, presents results of the study on passenger transportation of competitive sphere on this route, investigates technical‐economical aspects of the train's launch, analyses the marketing strategy, gives a survey of links of this train's launch with the “Rail Baltica” project, provides with a presentation of the SWOT analysis. The author proposes to include St. Petersburg into the “Rail Baltica” route ‐ this would increase flows of both ‐ passengers and cargoes.

The article covers redistribution of the international passenger transportation market among different types of transport following the introduction of the “Rail Baltica” route.
THE INFLUENCE OF TURPENTINE ADDITIVE ON THE ECOLOGICAL PARAMETERS OF DIESEL ENGINES
Authors: Butkus Algis , Pukalskas Saugirdas , Bogdanovičius Zenonas
Published: January 2019

After Lithuania's accession to the EU it is very important to use a larger amount of renewable fuel. Based on economic and environmental considerations in Lithuania, we are interested in studying the effects of turpentine contents in the blended turpentine‐diesel fuel on the engine performance and pollutant emission of compression ignition (CI) engine. Therefore, we used engine test facilities to investigate the effects on the engine performance and pollutant emission of 5 % turpentine in the fuel blend. The tests were carried out in the laboratory on an engine dynamometer of the car Audi 1Z and tractor D21 diesel engines. The experimental results showed that turpentine used in the fuel blend for these diesel engines had a positive influence on the engine performance and exhaust emission.