bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Signal-Oriented Pathway Analyses Reveal a Signaling Complex as a Synthetic Lethal Target for p53 Mutations
Authors: Lu Songjian , Cai Chunhui , Yan Gonghong , Zhou Zhuan , Wan Yong , Chen Vicky , Chen Lujia , Cooper Gregory F. , Obeid Lina M. , Hannun Yusuf A. , Lee Adrian V. , Lu Xinghua
Published: October 2016

Defining processes that are synthetic lethal with p53 mutations in cancer cells may reveal possible therapeutic strategies. In this study, we report the development of a signal-oriented computational framework for cancer pathway discovery in this context. We applied our bipartite graph–based functional module discovery algorithm to identify transcriptomic modules abnormally expressed in multiple tumors, such that the genes in a module were likely regulated by a common, perturbed signal. For each transcriptomic module, we applied our weighted k-path merge algorithm to search for a set of somatic genome alterations (SGA) that likely perturbed the signal, that is, the candidate members of the pathway that regulate the transcriptomic module. Computational evaluations indicated that our methods-identified pathways were perturbed by SGA. In particular, our analyses revealed that SGA affecting TP53, PTK2, YWHAZ, and MED1 perturbed a set of signals that promote cell proliferation, anchor-free colony formation, and epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT). These proteins formed a signaling complex that mediates these oncogenic processes in a coordinated fashion. Disruption of this signaling complex by knocking down PTK2, YWHAZ, or MED1 attenuated and reversed oncogenic phenotypes caused by mutant p53 in a synthetic lethal manner. This signal-oriented framework for searching pathways and therapeutic targets is applicable to all cancer types, thus potentially impacting precision medicine in cancer. Cancer Res; 76(23); 6785–94. ©2016 AACR.
Pedunculopontine Nucleus Region Deep Brain Stimulation in Parkinson Disease: Surgical Techniques, Side Effects, and Postoperative Imaging
Authors: Hamani Clement , Lozano Andres M. , Mazzone Paolo A.M. , Moro Elena , Hutchison William , Silburn Peter A. , Zrinzo Ludvic , Alam Mesbah , Goetz Laurent , Pereira Erlick , Rughani Anand , Thevathasan Wesley , Aziz Tipu , Bloem Bastiaan R. , Brown Peter , Chabardes Stephan , Coyne Terry , Foote Kelly , Garcia-Rill Edgar , Hirsch Etienne C. , Okun Michael S. , Krauss Joachim K.
Published: October 2016

The pedunculopontine nucleus (PPN) region has received considerable attention in clinical studies as a target for deep brain stimulation (DBS) in Parkinson disease. These studies have yielded variable results with an overall impression of improvement in falls and freezing in many but not all patients treated. We evaluated the available data on the surgical anatomy and terminology of the PPN region in a companion paper. Here we focus on issues concerning surgical technique, imaging, and early side effects of surgery. The aim of this paper was to gain more insight into the reasoning for choosing specific techniques and to discuss shortcomings of available studies. Our data demonstrate the wide range in almost all fields which were investigated. There are a number of important challenges to be resolved, such as identification of the optimal target, the choice of the surgical approach to optimize electrode placement, the impact on the outcome of specific surgical techniques, the reliability of intraoperative confirmation of the target, and methodological differences in postoperative validation of the electrode position. There is considerable variability both within and across groups, the overall experience with PPN DBS is still limited, and there is a lack of controlled trials. Despite these challenges, the procedure seems to provide benefit to selected patients and appears to be relatively safe. One important limitation in comparing studies from different centers and analyzing outcomes is the great variability in targeting and surgical techniques, as shown in our paper. The challenges we identified will be of relevance when designing future studies to better address several controversial issues. We hope that the data we accumulated may facilitate the development of surgical protocols for PPN DBS.
Assessment and Management of Volume Overload and Congestion in Chronic Heart Failure: Can Measuring Blood Volume Provide New Insights
Authors: Miller Wayne L.
Published: October 2016

Background: Volume overload and fluid congestion remain primary clinical challenges in the assessment and management of patients with chronic heart failure (HF). Summary: The pathophysiology of volume regulation is complex, and the simple concept of passive intravascular fluid accumulation is not adequate. The dynamics of interstitial and intravascular fluid compartment interactions and fluid redistribution from venous splanchnic beds to the central pulmonary circulation need to be taken into account in strategies of volume management. Clinical bedside evaluations and right heart hemodynamic assessments can alert of changes in volume status, but only the quantitative measurement of total blood volume can help identify the heterogeneity in plasma volume and red blood cell mass that are features of volume overload in chronic HF. The quantitative assessment of intravascular volume is an effective tool to help guide individualized, appropriate therapy. Key Message: Not all volume overload is the same, and the measurement of intravascular volume identifies heterogeneity to guide tailored therapy.
The Role of the Melanocortin System in Metabolic Disease: New Developments and Advances
Authors: Hill Jennifer W. , Faulkner Latrice D.
Published: October 2016

Obesity is increasing in prevalence across all sectors of society, and with it a constellation of associated ailments including hypertension, type 2 diabetes, and eating disorders. The melanocortin system is a critical neural system underlying the control of body weight and other functions. Deficits in the melanocortin system may promote or exacerbate the comorbidities of obesity. This system has therefore generated great interest as a potential target for treatment of obesity. However, drugs targeting melanocortin receptors are plagued by problematic side effects, including undesirable increases in sympathetic nervous system activity, heart rate, and blood pressure. Circumnavigating this roadblock will require a clearer picture of the precise neural circuits that mediate the functions of melanocortins. Recent, novel experimental approaches have significantly advanced our understanding of these pathways. We here review the latest advances in our understanding of the role of melanocortins in food intake, reward pathways, blood pressure, glucose control, and energy expenditure. The evidence suggests that downstream melanocortin-responsive circuits responsible for different physiological actions do diverge. Ultimately, a more complete understanding of melanocortin pathways and their myriad roles should allow treatments tailored to the mix of metabolic disorders in the individual patient.
Analysis of Shared Haplotypes amongst Palauans Maps Loci for Psychotic Disorders to 4q28 and 5q23-q31
Authors: Bodea Corneliu A. , Middleton Frank A. , Melhem Nadine M. , Klei Lambertus , Song Youeun , Tiobech Josepha , Marumoto Pearl , Yano Victor , Faraone Stephen V. , Roeder Kathryn , Myles-Worsley Marina , Devlin Bernie , Byerley William
Published: October 2016

To localize genetic variation affecting risk for psychotic disorders in the population of Palau, we genotyped DNA samples from 203 Palauan individuals diagnosed with psychotic disorders, broadly defined, and 125 control subjects using a genome-wide single nucleotide polymorphism array. Palau has unique features advantageous for this study: due to its population history, Palauans are substantially interrelated; affected individuals often, but not always, cluster in families; and we have essentially complete ascertainment of affected individuals. To localize risk variants to genomic regions, we evaluated long-shared haplotypes, ≥10 Mb, identifying clusters of affected individuals who share such haplotypes. This extensive sharing, typically identical by descent, was significantly greater in cases than population controls, even after controlling for relatedness. Several regions of the genome exhibited substantial excess of shared haplotypes for affected individuals, including 3p21, 3p12, 4q28, and 5q23-q31. Two of these regions, 4q28 and 5q23-q31, showed significant linkage by traditional LOD score analysis and could harbor variants of more sizeable risk for psychosis or a multiplicity of risk variants. The pattern of haplotype sharing in 4q28 highlights PCDH10, encoding a cadherin-related neuronal receptor, as possibly involved in risk.
Lobar Collapse Therapy Using Endobronchial Valves as a New Complementary Approach to Treat Cavities in Multidrug-Resistant Tuberculosis and Difficult-to-Treat Tuberculosis: A Case Series
Authors: Corbetta Lorenzo , Tofani Ariela , Montinaro Flavio , Michieletto Lucio , Ceron Loris , Moroni Chiara , Rogasi Pier Giorgio
Published: October 2016

Background: The poor treatment outcomes of multidrug-resistant tuberculosis (TB) and the emergence of extensively drug-resistant TB and extremely and totally drug-resistant TB highlight the urgent need for new antituberculous drugs and other adjuvant treatment approaches. Objectives: We have treated cavitary tuberculosis by the application of endobronchial one-way valves (Zephyr®; Pulmonx Inc., Redwood City, Calif., USA) to induce lobar volume reduction as an adjunct to drug treatment. This report describes the feasibility, effectiveness and safety of the procedure. Methods: Patients with severe lung destruction, one or more cavities or those who were ineligible for surgical resection and showed an unsatisfactory response to standard drug treatments were enrolled. During bronchoscopy, endobronchial valves were implanted in the lobar or segmental bronchi in order to induce atelectasis and reduce the cavity size. Results: Four TB patients and 1 patient with atypical mycobacteriosis were treated. The mean patient age was 52.6 years. Complete cavity collapses were observed on CT scans in 4 of the 5 cases. All patients showed improvements in their clinical status, and sputum smears became negative within 3-5 months. There were no severe short- or long-term complications. The valves were removed in 3 of the 5 patients after 8 months on average; there was no relapse after 15 months of follow-up. Conclusion: These data suggest that endobronchial valves are likely to be useful adjuncts to the treatment of therapeutically difficult patients. More data are required to confirm our findings.
FPGA Based Control Method for Three Phase BLDC Motor
Authors: Suneeta Suneeta , Srinivasan R , Sagar Ram
Published: October 2016

This paper introduces a good method which is helpful to assist in the design and control of cost effective, efficient Brushless Direct Current (BLDC) motors. Speed Control of BLDC motor using PIC microcontrollers requires more hardware, and with the availability of FPGA versatile features motivated to develop a cost effective and reliable control with variable speed range. In this paper, an algorithm which uses the Resolver signals captured from the motor is developed with the help of Resolver to Digital converters. The program has been written using VHDL. This program generates the firing pulses required to drive the MOSFETs of three phase fully controlled bridge converter driven by drivers. Then the program has been loaded on the Spartan- 3 FPGA device and tested on the 30V, 2000 rpm BLDC motor which can make the motor run at constant speed ranging from 10 to 2000 rpm. The proposed hardware and the program are found to be very good and efficient. The results are good compare to PIC Microcontroller based design.
Cloud Computing CPU Allocation and Scheduling Algorithms using CloudSim Simulator
Authors: GIBET TANI Hicham , EL AMRANI Chaker
Published: October 2016

In this paper, we describe the Cloud Computing basic compute resources scheduling and allocation algorithms, in addition to the working mechanism. This paper also presents a number of experiments conducted based on CloudSim simulation toolkit in order to assess and evaluate the performance of these scheduling algorithms on Cloud Computing like infrastructure. Furthermore, we introduced and explained the CloudSim simulator design, architecture and proposed two new scheduling algorithms to enhance the existent ones and highlight the weaknesses and/or effectiveness of these algorithms.
Evaluation of Power Quality Issues in grid Connected PV Systems
Authors: Varshney Gunjan , Chauhan D S , Dave M P
Published: October 2016

This paper deals with the evaluation of power quality issues in grid connected PV systems. This paper also presents  complete simulation, modeling and control of three phase grid connected solar PV module with Maximum Power Point Tracking. Perturb and Observe (P&O) method has been used for Maximum Power Point Tracking. In the proposed model DC bus voltage control , harmonic mitigation and power factor control are discussed as power quality issues. The simulation results are shown in the graphical waveforms and simulation is performed in MATLAB using SIMULINK environment and PSB toolboxes.  
Unusual Event Detection using Mean Feature Point Matching Algorithm
Authors: Hegde Chitra , Chundawat Shakti Singh , S N Divya
Published: October 2016

Analysis and detection of unusual events in public and private surveillance system is a complex task. Detecting unusual events in surveillance video requires the appropriate definition of similarity between events. The key goal of the proposed system is to detect behaviours or actions that can be considered as anomalies. Since suspicious events differ from domain to domain, it remains a challenge to detect those events in major domains such as airport, super malls, educational institutions etc. The proposed Mean Feature Point Matching (MFPM) algorithm is used for detecting unusual events. The Speeded-Up Robust Features (SURF) method is used for feature extraction. The MFPM algorithm compares the feature points of the input image with the mean feature points of trained dataset. The experimental result shows that the proposed system is efficient and accurate for wide variety of surveillance videos.
Feasibility of Power Control for Multi-Channel User in Inter-Femtocell Network
Authors: Isnawati Anggun Fitrian , Hidayat Risanuri , Sulistyo Selo , Mustika I Wayan
Published: October 2016

The importance of power control feasibility is closely related to the direct implementation of the system, which is related to interference between users in the femtocell network and also related to the optimal use of power transmit that can create a long-lasting battery. Implementation of the feasibility of power control in this study is focused on the centralized femtocell network with a multi-channel user. The research method in this study is based on the use of feasible solution algorithms in power control by observing the output of power vector that should be valued non-negative, which means that it can be implemented. This result indicates that all of user can reach the specified target SINR. SINR users will increase when there are additional channels for user groups. The average power of user will also decrease while increasing the amount of provided channels. The greater number of users in a user group, the less value SINR can be obtained
Coplanar Wave Guide Fed Dual Band Notched MIMO Antenna
Authors: Ramkiran D S , Madhav B T P , Reddy Kankara Narasimha , Shabbeer Shaik , Jain Priyanshi , Sowmya Saggurthi
Published: October 2016

A coplanar wave guide fed of semicircle monopole antenna is designed in this work to overcome polarization diversity mimo technique is implemented in this paper. The proposed antenna is designed to notch a particular band of frequencies in UWB range. The designed model is notching the first band from 2 to 5 GHz & the second band from 7 to 11 GHz. The proposed antenna has been fabricated on FR4 substrate with di electric constant 4.4 & tested for its reliability on ZNB20 vector network analyzer. The operating bands will come under WLAN, KU band, satellite communication applications. A peak realized gain of 4.3 dB with radiation efficiency 90% is attained at the operating bands of the designed antenna. At notch band significant gain reduction is observed from the current design. The antenna is showing omnidirectional radiation pattern in the pass band & disturbed radiation pattern in the notch band. Antenna is fabricated with dimensions of 40x68x1.6 mm & simulation works are carried with finite element method based HFSS tool.
A Criterion on Existence and Uniqueness of Behavior in Electric Circuit
Authors: Hirata Takuya , Setiawan Eko , Yamaguchi Kazuya , Hodaka Ichijo
Published: October 2016

Behavior of electric circuits can be observed by solving circuit equations symbolically as well as numerically. In general, symbolic computation for circuits with certain number of circuit elements needs much more time than numerical computation. It is reasonable to check the existence and uniqueness of the solution to circuit equations beforehand in order to avoid computation for the case of no solution. Indeed, some circuits have no solution; in that case, one should notice it and avoid to wait meaningless computation. This paper proposes a new theorem to check whether given circuit equations have a solution and their voltages and currents of all circuit elements are uniquely determined or not. The theorem is suitable for developing a computer algorithm and helps quick symbolic computation for electric circuits.
Improved Model of the Selection with Soft- and Hard-Combining Decoding Strategies for Multi-User Multi-Relay Cooperative Networks
Authors: Nasaruddin Nasaruddin , Yunida Yunida , Munadi Khairul
Published: October 2016

In a wireless cooperative network, system reliability can be improved by introducing network coding (NC) for transmitting data packets from user to destination through relay nodes. At the destination, a decoding strategy is required to recover the original data packets. The use of NC in cooperative networks has been intensively studied in previous works in terms of the conventional model for two users and a single relay in a network. However, the network model cannot act as a virtual multiple-input multiple-output system, and a multi-user multi-relay network model could be used in a real system. Therefore, this paper proposes an improved model of two network decoding strategies, selection with soft combining (SSC) and selection with hard combining (SHC), for multi-user multi-relay cooperative networks. Users are classified based on their channel conditions, with better signal-to-noise (SNR) ratio sources being viewed as strong users, and others as weak or moderate users in the decoding strategies. To evaluate the performance of the proposed model, we first derive the bit error probability expressions for each strategy as a function of SNR and then evaluate the performance using numerical simulation for a Rayleigh fading channel. Simulation results show that SSC outperforms SHC. Furthermore, the improvement in network performance is achieved either by having a higher modulation level or using incremental relaying as the signal reception method at the destination.
A Review of Wind Speed Estimation for Wind Turbine Systems Based on Kalman Filter Technique
Authors: Khoshrodi M. Najafi , Jannati Mohammad , Sutikno Tole
Published: October 2016

This paper presents a review of wind speed estimation based on Kalman filter technique applied to wind turbine systems. Generally, wind speed measurement is performed by anemometer. The wind speed provided by the anemometer is measured at a single point of the rotor plane which is not the accurate wind speed. Also, using anemometer increases the system cost, maintenance, complexity and reduces the reliability. For these reasons, estimation of wind speed is needed for wind turbine systems. In this paper, the several wind speed estimation methods based on Kalman filter method used for wind turbine systems are reviewed.
An Investigation Study on Optimizing Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) Implementation in Emerging Public University: Al Baha University Case Study
Authors: Shakkah Moh’D Suliman , Alaqeel Khaled , Alfageeh Ali , Budiarto Rahmat
Published: October 2016

This project investigates the correlation between the organizational readiness in Albaha University (ABU) and the respective Critical Success Factors (CSFs) with regards to the Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) implementation. The investigation also considers some suggestions to improve the ABU’s ERP systems and roadmap towards the self –development strategy and reduce vendor-dependency. A survey regarding ERP to the end-user, expert and developer in ABU was conducted. The analysis of the results in this work confirmed with the results of an existing work. The four significance success factors: Project Management, Business Process Re-engineering (BPR), System Integration, and Training and Education are recommended to be adopted to assure the smooth adoption of ERP at Albaha University
Multiband OFDM for Cognitive Radio – A Way for Cyclostationary Detection and Interference Cancellation
Authors: J Avila , K Thenmozhi
Published: October 2016

With the tremendous growth in wireless technology there has been a shortage in the spectrum utilized for certain applications while some spectrum remains idle. To overcome this problem and for the efficient utilization of the spectrum cognitive radio is the suitable solution.Multiband OFDM can be easily modeled as cognitive radio, a technology that is employed for utilizing the available spectrum in the most efficient way. Since sensing of the free spectrum for detecting the arrival of the primary users is the foremost job of cognitive, here cyclostationary based spectrum sensing is carried out. Its performance is investigated using universal software defined radio peripheral (USRP) kit which is the hardware test bed for the cognitive radio system. Results are shown using Labview software. Further to mitigate the interference between the primary and cognitive users a modified intrusion elimination (AIC) algorithm had been proposed which in turn ensures the coexistence of both the users in the same wireless environment.
Design of 8-point DFT based on Rademacher Functions
Authors: Zulfikar Zulfikar , Walidainy Hubbul
Published: October 2016

This paper presents a new circuit design for 8-point DFT algorithm based on product of Rademacher functions. The design has been adopted from the famous 8-point DFT decimation in time which is mainly constructs of two 4-point and four 2-point DFTs. However, the operation of the design circuit is different. It utilized the advantage of Rademacher functions simplicity. Therefore, the proposed design is constructed form the previous design 4-point DFT which is based on product of Rademacher functions [6]. Some analysis upon number types and internal connections to achieve a more efficient circuit have been conducted. As a result, instead of four, the proposed design requires only three 2-point DFT. Several output results of the design DFT have been removed since they are equal in terms of magnitude, two negative circuit are required as a compensation. Moreover, the previous 4-point DFT has been replaced to the efficient one. This circuit is special designed for non stand alone used, the circuit must be integrated inside the proposed 8-point DFT.
A Modular Approach and Simulation of an Asynchronous Machine
Authors: Mekrini Zineb , Bri Seddik
Published: October 2016

This article presents the modeling and simulation of the asynchronous machine. The aim of this research is the mastery of the electrical, mechanical and magnetic behaviors of this type of machine. The Matlab/Simulink is used for simulation two types of no-load and additional load services in transitional and permanent operation. The Analytical equations describing the two operating systems are evaluated and developed by a generalized model of a three-phase induction motor. The simulation results presented in this article confirms that the proposed model gave a satisfactory response in terms of torque characteristics and speed.
Two-way Mechanism to Enhance Confidentiality and Accuracy of Shared Information
Authors: Dutta Manash Pratim , Banerjee Subhasish , Chakraborty Swarnendu Kumar , Bhunia Chandan Tilak
Published: October 2016

As such internet and information technology have influenced the human life significantly thus the current technology cannot solely assure the security of shared information. Hence, to fulfil such requirements mass amount of research have been undertaken by various researchers among which one of the mechanisms is the use of dynamic key rather than static one. In this regard, we have proposed a method of key generation to provide the dynamic keys. The scheme not only can change the key but also provide the error control mechanism. At the end of this paper, a comparison with the existing techniques has also been made to prove the efficiency of the proposed scheme.
Pre-processing Technique for Wireless Capsule Endoscopy Image Enhancement
Authors: Shahril Rosdiana , Baharun Sabariah , Islam AKM Muzahidul
Published: October 2016

Wireless capsule endoscopy (WCE) is used to examine human digestive tract in order to detect abnormal area. However, it has been a challenging task to detect abnormal area such as bleeding due to poor quality and dark images of WCE. In this paper, pre-processing technique is introduced to ease classification of the bleeding area. Anisotropic contrast diffusion method is employed in our pre-processing technique as a contrast enhancement of the images. There is a drawback to the method proposed B. Li in which the quality of WCE image is degraded when the number of iteration increases. To solve this problem, variance is employed in our proposed method. To further enhance WCE image, Discrete Cosine Transform is used with anisotropic contrast diffusion. Experimental results show that both proposed contrast enhancement algorithm and sharpening WCE image algorithm provide better performance compared with B. Li’s algorithm since SDME and EBCM value is stable whenever number of iterations increases, and sharpness measurement using gradient and PSNR are both improved by 31.5% and 20.3% respectively.
Designing a Multi-purpose GSM Based Interactive Embedded Data-Acquisition System Providing Solutions for Fire Accidents
Authors: Raj P Michael Preetam , Tirupathi Rakesh , Krishna P Gopi , Sateesh Jasti , Balachander Vijay Krishna
Published: October 2016

The Data-Acquisition systems with remote accessibility are greatly demanded in industry and consumer applications. In this paper, a data-acquisition system which can save lives and property, based on GSM communication, accommodating a wide range of electronic devices is presented. The system has the special ability to automatically quench fire by spraying water during fire accidents, simultaneously informing the local fire station and the responsible persons as well, saving loss of life and property. Also the varying status can be instantaneously recorded and uploaded in internet, for failure analysis. By using a GPS receiver it is possible to acquire and display the images of the locations where there are fire accidents by decoding the text SMS data, which helps in continuously tracking the fire accident location using google maps, helping the fire engine to reach instantly. Also the cost-effectiveness of the overall system is proved. The embedded board acts as the main controller of this system which has a SIM card placed in it and thus communicates using GSM, making it accessible from anywhere in the world, providing a faster two-way data transfer between the Embedded system and the client, in real-time.
Disaster Recovery Services in Intercloud using Genetic Algorithm Load Balancer
Authors: Jena Tamanna , Mohanty J.R.
Published: October 2016

Paradigm need to shifts from cloud computing to intercloud for disaster recoveries, which can outbreak anytime and anywhere. Natural disaster treatment includes radically high voluminous impatient job request demanding immediate attention. Under the disequilibrium circumstance, intercloud is more practical and functional option. There are need of protocols like quality of services, service level agreement and disaster recovery pacts to be discussed and clarified during the initial setup to fast track the distress scenario. Orchestration of resources in large scale distributed system having muli-objective optimization of resources, minimum energy consumption, maximum throughput, load balancing, minimum carbon footprint altogether is quite challenging. Intercloud where resources of different clouds are in align, plays crucial role in resource mapping. The objective of this paper is to improvise and fast track the mapping procedures in cloud platform and addressing impatient job requests in balanced and efficient manner. Genetic algorithm based resource allocation is proposed using pareto optimal mapping of resources to keep high utilization rate of processors, high througput and low carbon footprint.  Decision variables include utilization of processors, throughput, locality cost and real time deadline. Simulation results of load balancer using first in first out and genetic algorithm are compared under similar circumstances.
Point Processing Method for Improving Dental Radiology Image Quality
Authors: Supriyanti Retno , Setiadi Ariep Soelaiman , Ramadhani Yogi , Widodo Haris Budi
Published: October 2016

Radiology field is very important in today's world, especially in the field of medicine including dentistry. Radiology equipment that is popular in dentistry is the panoramic machine. A panoramic image facilitate the dentist in making a diagnosis of the abnormality in the mouth and teeth. But unfortunately, for developing countries like Indonesia, panoramic machine available are low resolution which have an effect on the resulting image also has low quality. This research aims to improve the quality of the panoramic image to have a better quality. We use point processing method with emphasis on contrast stretching method. We chose this method because it is quite simple but has a high performance. Based on the second opinion from the hospital, the performance is 83.9%, therefore this method is promising to be implemented on the improvement of dental radiology images.
Challenging Radiofrequency Catheter Ablation of Idiopathic Ventricular Arrhythmias Originating From the Left Ventricular Summit Near the Left Main Coronary Artery
Authors: Yamada Takumi , Doppalapudi Harish , Litovsky Silvio H. , McElderry H. Thomas , Kay G. Neal
Published: October 2016

Background—

Radiofrequency catheter ablation (RFCA) of idiopathic ventricular arrhythmias (VAs) originating from the basal portion of the left ventricular (LV) summit, which is divided from the apical LV (A-LV) summit by the great cardiac vein (GCV), is challenging. This study investigated the efficacy of RFCA and electrocardiographic and electrophysiological characteristics of these VAs.

Methods and Results—

Forty-five consecutive patients with symptomatic idiopathic LV summit VAs were studied. RFCA was successful within the main trunk of the GCV in 16 patients and within a branch of the GCV traversing the basal LV (B-LV) summit in 7. Transpericardial RFCA was successful on the epicardial surface in the A-LV summit in 6 patients and was abandoned in 14 with the B-LV summit VAs because of the close proximity to the coronary arteries and thick fat pads. RFCA was successful at the aortomitral continuity in 3 patients (2 with a failed transpericardial RFCA), and left coronary cusp in 1. The RFCA success rate of the A-LV summit VAs including the GCV VAs was 100% (22/22), whereas that of the B-LV summit VAs was 48% (11/23). The B-LV summit VAs could be differentiated from the A-LV summit VAs by left bundle branch block pattern, QRS duration ≤175 ms, precordial transition ≥V1, and maximum deflection index of ≥0.55.

Conclusions—

This study revealed that ≈50% of the B-LV summit VAs could be eliminated by a direct approach through a GCV branch running below the proximal left coronary arteries and a remote approach from the adjacent endocardial sites.
Left Atrial Remodeling and Atrioventricular Coupling in a Canine Model of Early Heart Failure With Preserved Ejection Fraction
Authors: Zakeri Rosita , Moulay Gilles , Chai Qiang , Ogut Ozgur , Hussain Saad , Takahama Hiroyuki , Lu Tong , Wang Xiao-Li , Linke Wolfgang A. , Lee Hon-Chi , Redfield Margaret M.
Published: October 2016

Background—

Left atrial (LA) compliance and contractility influence left ventricular stroke volume. We hypothesized that diminished LA compliance and contractile function occur early during the development of heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) and impair overall cardiac performance.

Methods and Results—

Cardiac magnetic resonance imaging, echocardiography, left ventricular and LA pressure-volume studies, and tissue analyses were performed in a model of early HFpEF (elderly dogs, renal wrap-induced hypertension, exogenous aldosterone; n=9) and young control dogs (sham surgery; n=13). Early HFpEF was associated with LA enlargement, cardiomyocyte hypertrophy, and enhanced LA contractile function (median active emptying fraction 16% [95% confidence interval, 13–24]% versus 12 [10–14]%,
P
=0.008; end-systolic pressure-volume relationship slope 2.4 [1.9–3.2]mm Hg/mL HFpEF versus 1.5 [1.2–2.2]mm Hg/mL controls,
P
=0.01). However, atrioventricular coupling was impaired and the curvilinear LA end-reservoir pressure-volume relationship was shifted upward/leftward in HFpEF (LA stiffness constant [β
LA
] 0.16 [0.11–0.18]mm Hg/mL versus 0.06 [0.04–0.10]mm Hg/mL controls;
P
=0.002), indicating reduced LA compliance. Impaired atrioventricular coupling and lower LA compliance correlated with lower left ventricular stroke volume. Total fibrosis and titin isoform composition were similar between groups; however, titin was hyperphosphorylated in HFpEF and correlated with β
LA
. LA microvascular reactivity was diminished in HFpEF versus controls. LA microvascular density tended to be lower in HFpEF and inversely correlated with β
LA
.

Conclusions—

In early-stage hypertensive HFpEF, LA cardiomyocyte hypertrophy, titin hyperphosphorylation, and microvascular dysfunction occur in association with increased systolic and diastolic LA chamber stiffness, impaired atrioventricular coupling, and decreased left ventricular stroke volume. These data indicate that maladaptive LA remodeling occurs early during HFpEF development, supporting a concept of global myocardial remodeling.
Residual Myocardial Iron Following Intramyocardial Hemorrhage During the Convalescent Phase of Reperfused ST-Segment–Elevation Myocardial Infarction and Adverse Left Ventricular Remodeling
Authors: Bulluck Heerajnarain , Rosmini Stefania , Abdel-Gadir Amna , White Steven K. , Bhuva Anish N. , Treibel Thomas A. , Fontana Marianna , Ramlall Manish , Hamarneh Ashraf , Sirker Alex , Herrey Anna S. , Manisty Charlotte , Yellon Derek M. , Kellman Peter , Moon James C. , Hausenloy Derek J.
Published: October 2016

Background—

The presence of intramyocardial hemorrhage (IMH) in ST-segment–elevation myocardial infarction patients reperfused by primary percutaneous coronary intervention has been associated with residual myocardial iron at follow-up, and its impact on adverse left ventricular (LV) remodeling is incompletely understood and is investigated here.

Methods and Results—

Forty-eight ST-segment–elevation myocardial infarction patients underwent cardiovascular magnetic resonance at 4±2 days post primary percutaneous coronary intervention, of whom 40 had a follow-up scan at 5±2 months. Native T1, T2, and T2* maps were acquired. Eight out of 40 (20%) patients developed adverse LV remodeling. A subset of 28 patients had matching T2* maps, of which 15/28 patients (54%) had IMH. Eighteen of 28 (64%) patients had microvascular obstruction on the acute scan, of whom 15/18 (83%) patients had microvascular obstruction with IMH. On the follow-up scan, 13/15 patients (87%) had evidence of residual iron within the infarct zone. Patients with residual iron had higher T2 in the infarct zone surrounding the residual iron when compared with those without. In patients with adverse LV remodeling, T2 in the infarct zone surrounding the residual iron was also higher than in those without (60 [54–64] ms versus 53 [51–56] ms;
P
=0.025). Acute myocardial infarct size, extent of microvascular obstruction, and IMH correlated with the change in LV end-diastolic volume (Pearson’s rho of 0.64, 0.59, and 0.66, respectively;
P
=0.18 and 0.62, respectively, for correlation coefficient comparison) and performed equally well on receiver operating characteristic curve for predicting adverse LV remodeling (area under the curve: 0.99, 0.94, and 0.95, respectively;
P
=0.19 for receiver operating characteristic curve comparison).

Conclusions—

The majority of ST-segment–elevation myocardial infarction patients with IMH had residual myocardial iron at follow-up. This was associated with persistently elevated T2 values in the surrounding infarct tissue and adverse LV remodeling. IMH and residual myocardial iron may be potential therapeutic targets for preventing adverse LV remodeling in reperfused ST-segment–elevation myocardial infarction patients.
Impact of Hypertension on Cognitive Function: A Scientific Statement From the American Heart Association
Authors: Iadecola Costantino , Yaffe Kristine , Biller José , Bratzke Lisa C. , Faraci Frank M. , Gorelick Philip B. , Gulati Martha , Kamel Hooman , Knopman David S. , Launer Lenore J. , Saczynski Jane S. , Seshadri Sudha , Zeki Al Hazzouri Adina
Published: October 2016

Background—

Age-related dementia, most commonly caused by Alzheimer disease or cerebrovascular factors (vascular dementia), is a major public health threat. Chronic arterial hypertension is a well-established risk factor for both types of dementia, but the link between hypertension and its treatment and cognition remains poorly understood. In this scientific statement, a multidisciplinary team of experts examines the impact of hypertension on cognition to assess the state of the knowledge, to identify gaps, and to provide future directions.

Methods—

Authors with relevant expertise were selected to contribute to this statement in accordance with the American Heart Association conflict-of-interest management policy. Panel members were assigned topics relevant to their areas of expertise, reviewed the literature, and summarized the available data.

Results—

Hypertension disrupts the structure and function of cerebral blood vessels, leads to ischemic damage of white matter regions critical for cognitive function, and may promote Alzheimer pathology. There is strong evidence of a deleterious influence of midlife hypertension on late-life cognitive function, but the cognitive impact of late-life hypertension is less clear. Observational studies demonstrated a cumulative effect of hypertension on cerebrovascular damage, but evidence from clinical trials that antihypertensive treatment improves cognition is not conclusive.

Conclusions—

After carefully reviewing the literature, the group concluded that there were insufficient data to make evidence-based recommendations. However, judicious treatment of hypertension, taking into account goals of care and individual characteristics (eg, age and comorbidities), seems justified to safeguard vascular health and, as a consequence, brain health.
Role of Tumor Necrosis Factor-α and Natural Killer Cells in Uterine Artery Function and Pregnancy Outcome in the Stroke-Prone Spontaneously Hypertensive Rat
Authors: Small Heather Yvonne , Nosalski Ryszard , Morgan Hannah , Beattie Elisabeth , Guzik Tomasz J. , Graham Delyth , Delles Christian
Published: October 2016

Women with chronic hypertension are at increased risk of maternal and fetal morbidity and mortality. We have previously characterized the stroke-prone spontaneously hypertensive rat (SHRSP) as a model of deficient uterine artery function and adverse pregnancy outcome compared with the control Wistar–Kyoto. The activation of the immune system plays a role in hypertension and adverse pregnancy outcome. Therefore, we investigated the role of tumor necrosis factor-α in the SHRSP phenotype in an intervention study using etanercept (0.8 mg/kg SC) at gestational days 0, 6, 12, and 18 in pregnant SHRSP compared with vehicle-treated controls (n=6). Etanercept treatment significantly lowered systolic blood pressure after gestational day 12 and increased litter size in SHRSP. At gestational day 18, etanercept improved the function of uterine arteries from pregnant SHRSP normalizing the contractile response and increasing endothelium-dependent relaxation, resulting in increased pregnancy-dependent diastolic blood flow in the uterine arteries. We identified that the source of excess tumor necrosis factor-α in the SHRSP was a pregnancy-dependent increase in peripheral and placental CD3
–
CD161
+
natural killer cells. Etanercept treatment also had effects on placental CD161
+
cells by reducing the expression of CD161 receptor, which was associated with a decrease in cytotoxic granzyme B expression. Etanercept treatment improves maternal blood pressure, pregnancy outcome, and uterine artery function in SHRSP by antagonizing signaling from excess tumor necrosis factor-α production and the reduction of granzyme B expression in CD161
+
natural killer cells in SHRSP.
The Case of Carlo Calà and Giovanni Calà: Historical Truth and Doctrinal Orthodoxy in post-Reformation Italy
Authors: Tutino Stefania
Published: October 2016

In the second half of the 1650s, Carlo Calà, Duke of Diano and president of the Regia Camera della Sommaria in Naples, began a well-orchestrated campaign to convince the ecclesiastical authorities to canonize a mysterious and hitherto unknown ancestor, Giovanni Calà. Said to have lived between the twelfth and the thirteenth centuries, Giovanni Calà purpotedly served the Holy Roman Emperor Henry vi as one of his most trusted army captains, aiding the Emperor in conquering southern Italy before eventually becoming a hermit and follower of the Calabrian mystic Joachim of Fiore, whose supernatural and prophetic power he allegedly shared. Carlo Calà’s demands originated a long and complex investigation, which in turn provoked a heated debate within the Roman Curia on how to establish historical authenticity while defending theological dogmas. The case of Carlo Calà and Giovanni Calà opens a unique window on the changing and complex attitudes of post-Reformation Catholicism concerning the relationship between historical truth, philological criticism, and doctrinal orthodoxy. The implications of the debates initiated by this case are still thought-provoking and relevant today.
The Sudden Death of the Burning Salamander: Reading Experiment and the Transformation of Natural Historical Practice in Early Modern Europe
Authors: Popper Nicholas
Published: October 2016

This article uses early modern studies of the salamander to reveal how a natural historical practice focused on the collection of textual testimonies facilitated the rise of the experimental regime that replaced it. Sixteenth-century naturalists emphasized broad collection of evidence—regardless of how credible—ensuring that their works reported salamanders’ widely-doubted ability to live in fire. Late seventeenth-century scholars similarly practiced compilation, but they prioritized the discernment of relationships between texts rather than their accumulation. In the case of the salamander, they separated testimonies into traditions of credulity and criticism, producing the illusory impression that moderns newly rejected an ancient and vulgar conviction that salamanders lived in fire. The claim that salamanders live in fire disappeared not because it was debunked experimentally, but because naturalists’ shifting practices of reading enabled them to forge an experimental tradition that stigmatized the belief and then removed the grounds for repeating it.
State Ownership and Firm Innovation in China: An Integrated View of Institutional and Efficiency Logics
Authors: Zhou Kevin Zheng , Gao Gerald Yong , Zhao Hongxin
Published: October 2016

Using two longitudinal panel datasets of Chinese manufacturing firms, we assess whether state ownership benefits or impedes firms’ innovation. We show that state ownership in an emerging economy enables a firm to obtain crucial R&D resources but makes the firm less efficient in using those resources to generate innovation, and we find that a minority state ownership is an optimal structure for innovation development in this context. Moreover, the inefficiency of state ownership in transforming R&D input into innovation output decreases when industrial competition is high, as well as for start-up firms. Our findings integrate the efficiency logic (agency theory), which views state ownership as detrimental to innovation, and institutional logic, which notes that governments in emerging economies have critical influences on regulatory policies and control over scarce resources. We discuss the implications of these findings for research on state ownership and firm innovation in emerging economies.
The Importance of Understanding MHC-I Diversity in Nonhuman Primate Models of Human Infectious Diseases
Authors: Maness Nicholas J.
Published: October 2016

Decades of research, including the 1996 Nobel Prize in Medicine, confirm the evolutionary and immunological importance of CD8 T lymphocytes (TCD8+) that target peptides bound by the highly variable major histocompatibility complex class I (MHC-I) proteins. However, their perceived importance has varied dramatically over the past decade. Regardless, there remains myriad reasons to consider the diversity of MHC-I alleles and the TCD8+ that target them as enormously important in infectious disease research. Thus, understanding these molecules in the best animal models of human disease could be a necessity for optimizing the translational potential of these models. Knowledge of macaque MHC has substantially improved their utility for modeling HIV and could aid in modeling other viruses as well, both in the context of distribution of alleles across treatment groups in vaccine trials and in deciphering mechanisms of immune control of pathogens for which specific MHC alleles demonstrate differential impacts on disease.
Chronic photoperiod disruption does not increase vulnerability to focal cerebral ischemia in young normotensive rats
Authors: Ku Mohd Noor Ku Mastura , Wyse Cathy , Roy Lisa A , Biello Stephany M , McCabe Christopher , Dewar Deborah
Published: October 2016

Photoperiod disruption, which occurs during shift work, is associated with changes in metabolism or physiology (e.g. hypertension and hyperglycaemia) that have the potential to adversely affect stroke outcome. We sought to investigate if photoperiod disruption affects vulnerability to stroke by determining the impact of photoperiod disruption on infarct size following permanent middle cerebral artery occlusion. Adult male Wistar rats (210–290 g) were housed singly under two different light/dark cycle conditions ( n = 12 each). Controls were maintained on a standard 12:12 light/dark cycle for nine weeks. For rats exposed to photoperiod disruption, every three days for nine weeks, the lights were switched on 6 h earlier than in the previous photoperiod. T2-weighted magnetic resonance imaging was performed at 48 h after middle cerebral artery occlusion. Disruption of photoperiod in young healthy rats for nine weeks did not alter key physiological variables that can impact on ischaemic damage, e.g. blood pressure and blood glucose immediately prior to middle cerebral artery occlusion. There was no effect of photoperiod disruption on infarct size after middle cerebral artery occlusion. We conclude that any potentially adverse effect of photoperiod disruption on stroke outcome may require additional factors such as high fat/high sugar diet or pre-existing co-morbidities.