bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The response of spinal cord ependymomas to bevacizumab in patients with neurofibromatosis Type 2
Authors: Morris Katrina A. , Afridi Shazia K. , Evans D. Gareth , Hensiek Anke E. , McCabe Martin G. , Kellett Mark , Halliday Dorothy , Pretorius Pieter M. , Parry Allyson
Published: December 2016

OBJECTIVE

People with neurofibromatosis Type 2 (NF2) have a genetic predisposition to nervous system tumors. NF2-associated schwannomas stabilize or decrease in size in over half of the patients while they are receiving bevacizumab. NF2 patients treated with bevacizumab for rapidly growing schwannoma were retrospectively reviewed with regard to ependymoma prevalence and response to treatment.

METHODS

The records of 95 NF2 patients receiving bevacizumab were retrospectively reviewed with regard to spinal ependymoma prevalence and behavior. The maximum longitudinal extent (MLE) of the ependymoma and associated intratumoral or juxtatumoral cysts were measured on serial images. Neurological changes and patient function were reviewed and correlated with radiological changes.

RESULTS

Forty-one of 95 patients were found to have ependymomas (median age 26 years; range 11–53 years). Thirty-two patients with a total of 71 ependymomas had scans appropriate for serial assessment with a mean follow-up of 24 months (range 3–57 months). Ependymomas without cystic components showed minimal change in MLE. Twelve patients had ependymomas with cystic components or syringes. In these patients, reductions in MLE were observed, particularly due to decreases in the cystic components of the ependymoma. Clinical improvement was seen in 7 patients, who all had cystic ependymomas.

CONCLUSIONS

Bevacizumab treatment in NF2 patients with spinal cord ependymomas results in a decrease in the size of intratumoral and juxtatumoral cysts as well as adjacent-cord syringes and a decrease in cord edema. This may provide clinical benefit in some patients, although the changes do not meet the current criteria for radiological tumor response.
The epidemiology of spinal tuberculosis in the United States: an analysis of 2002–2011 data
Authors: De la Garza Ramos Rafael , Goodwin C. Rory , Abu-Bonsrah Nancy , Bydon Ali , Witham Timothy F. , Wolinsky Jean-Paul , Sciubba Daniel M.
Published: December 2016

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study was to investigate the incidence of spinal tuberculosis (TB) in the US between 2002 and 2011.

METHODS

The Nationwide Inpatient Sample database from 2002 to 2011 was used to identify patients with a discharge diagnosis of TB and spinal TB. Demographic and hospital data were obtained for all admissions, and included age, sex, race, comorbid conditions, insurance status, hospital location, hospital teaching status, and hospital region. The incidence rate of spinal TB adjusted for population growth was calculated after application of discharge weights.

RESULTS

A total of 75,858 patients with a diagnosis of TB were identified, of whom 2789 had a diagnosis of spinal TB (3.7%); this represents an average of 278.9 cases per year between 2002 and 2011. The incidence of spinal TB decreased significantly—from 0.07 cases per 100,000 persons in 2002 to 0.05 cases per 100,000 in 2011 (p < 0.001), corresponding to 1 case per 2 million persons in the latter year. The median age for patients with spinal TB was 51 years, and 61% were male; 11.6% were patients with diabetes, 11.4% reported recent weight loss, and 8.1% presented with paralysis. There were 619 patients who underwent spinal surgery for TB, with the most common location being the thoracolumbar spine (61.9% of cases); 50% of patients had instrumentation of 3 or more spinal segments.

CONCLUSIONS

During the examined 10-year period, the incidence of spinal TB was found to significantly decrease over time in the US, reaching a rate of 1 case per 2 million persons in 2011. However, the absolute reduction was relatively small, suggesting that although it is uncommon, spinal TB remains a public health concern and most commonly affects male patients approximately 50 years of age. Approximately 20% of patients with spinal TB underwent surgery, most commonly in the thoracolumbar spine.
Evaluation of Cloud Services: A Fuzzy Multi-Criteria Group Decision Making Method
Authors: Wibowo Santoso , Deng Hepu , Xu Wei
Published: December 2016

This paper presents a fuzzy multi-criteria group decision making method for evaluating the performance of Cloud services in an uncertain environment. Intuitionistic fuzzy numbers are used to better model the subjectivity and imprecision in the performance evaluation process. An effective algorithm is developed based on the technique for order preference by similarity to the ideal solution and the Choquet integral operator for adequately solving the performance evaluation problem. An example is presented for demonstrating the applicability of the proposed method for solving the multi-criteria group decision making problem in real situations.
A No Reference Image Quality Assessment Metric Based on Visual Perception
Authors: Fu Yan , Wang Shengchun
Published: December 2016

Nowadays, how to evaluate image quality reasonably is a basic and challenging problem. In view of the present no reference evaluation methods, they cannot reflect the human visual perception of image quality accurately. In this paper, we propose an efficient general-purpose no reference image quality assessment (NRIQA) method based on visual perception, and effectively integrates human visual characteristics into the NRIQA fields. First, a novel algorithm for salient region extraction is presented. Two characteristics graphs of texture and edging of the original image are added to the Itti model. Due to the normalized luminance coefficients of natural images obey the generalized Gauss probability distribution, we utilize this characteristic to extract statistical features in the regions of interest (ROI) and regions of non-interest respectively. Then, the extracted features are fused to be an input to establish the support vector regression (SVR) model. Finally, the IQA model obtained by training is used to predict the quality of the image. Experimental results show that this method has good predictive ability, and the evaluation effect is better than existing classical algorithms. Moreover, the predicted results are more consistent with human subjective perception, which can accurately reflect the human visual perception to image quality.
Chemical Composition of PM10 at Urban Sites in Naples (Italy)
Authors: Di Vaio Paola , Magli Elisa , Barbato Francesco , Caliendo Giuseppe , Cocozziello Beatrice , Corvino Angela , De Marco Anna , Fiorino Ferdinando , Frecentese Francesco , Onorati Giuseppe , Saccone Irene , Santagada Vincenzo , Soggiu Maria , Severino Beatrice , Perissutti Elisa
Published: December 2016

Here, we report the chemical characterization and identification of the possible sources of particulate matter (fraction PM10) at two different sites in Naples. PM10 concentration and its chemical composition were studied using the crustal enrichment factor (EF) and principal component analysis (PCA). In all of the seasons, the PM10 levels, were significantly higher (p < 0.01) in the urban-traffic site (denominated NA02) than in the urban-background site (denominated NA01). In order to reconstruct the particle mass, the components were classified into seven classes as follows: mineral dust (MD), trace elements (TE), organic matter (OM), elemental carbon (EC), sea salt (SS), secondary inorganic aerosol (SIA) and undetermined parts (unknown (UNK)). According to the chemical mass closure obtained, the major contribution was OM, which was higher (p < 0.01) during summer than in other seasons. In both sites, a good correlation (R2 > 0.8) was obtained between reconstructed mass and gravimetric mass. PCA analysis explained 76% and 79% of the variance in NA01 and NA02, respectively. The emission sources were the same for both sites; but, the location of the site, the different distances from the sources and the presence and absence of vegetation proved the different concentrations and compositions of PM10.
Raman and Terahertz Spectroscopic Investigation of Cocrystal Formation Involving Antibiotic Nitrofurantoin Drug and Coformer 4-aminobenzoic Acid
Authors: Du Yong , Cai Qiang , Xue Jiadan , Zhang Qi
Published: December 2016

Cocrystallization could improve most physicochemical properties of specific active pharmaceutical ingredients, which has great potential in pharmaceutical development. In this study, the cocrystal of nitrofurantoin and 4-aminobenzoic acid was prepared with solid-state (solvent-free or green-chemistry) grinding approach, and the above cocrystal has been characterized by Raman and terahertz vibrational spectroscopic techniques. Spectral results show that the vibrational modes of the cocrystal within the whole spectral region are different from those of the corresponding parent materials. The dynamic process of such pharmaceutical cocrystal formation has also been monitored directly with Raman spectra. These results offer us unique means for characterizing the cocrystal conformation from the molecule-level, and provides us with rich information about the reaction dynamic of cocrystal formation within pharmaceutical fields.
Linear Quantum Entropy and Non-Hermitian Hamiltonians
Authors: Sergi Alessandro , Giaquinta Paolo
Published: December 2016

We consider the description of open quantum systems with probability sinks (or sources) in terms of general non-Hermitian Hamiltonians. Within such a framework, we study novel possible definitions of the quantum linear entropy as an indicator of the flow of information during the dynamics. Such linear entropy functionals are necessary in the case of a partially Wigner-transformed non-Hermitian Hamiltonian (which is typically useful within a mixed quantum-classical representation). Both the case of a system represented by a pure non-Hermitian Hamiltonian as well as that of the case of non-Hermitian dynamics in a classical bath are explicitly considered.
Decoupling Design and Verification of a Free-Piston Linear Generator
Authors: Sun Peng , Zhang Chi , Chen Jinhua , Zhao Fei , Liao Youyong , Yang Guilin , Chen Chinyin
Published: December 2016

This paper proposes a decoupling design approach for a free-piston linear generator (FPLG) constituted of three key components, including a combustion chamber, a linear generator and a gas spring serving as rebounding device. The approach is based on the distribution of the system power and efficiency, which provides a theoretical design method from the viewpoint of the overall power and efficiency demands. The energy flow and conversion processes of the FPLG are analyzed, and the power and efficiency demands of the thermal-mechanical and mechanical-electrical energy conversion are confirmed. The energy and efficiency distributions of the expansion and compression strokes within a single stable operation cycle are analyzed and determined. Detailed design methodologies of crucial geometric dimensions and operational parameters of each key component are described. The feasibility of the proposed decoupling design approach is validated through several design examples with different output power.
HVDC-System-Interaction Assessment through Line-Flow Change-Distribution Factor and Transient-Stability Analysis at Planning Stage
Authors: Hwang Sungchul , Lee Jaegul , Jang Gilsoo
Published: December 2016

Many of the recent projects for new transmission line have considered the high-voltage direct current (HVDC) system, owing to the many advantages of the direct current (DC) system. The most noteworthy advantage is that a cable can serve as a substitute for the overhead transmission line in residential areas; therefore, the HVDC system application is increasing, and as the number of DC systems in the power system increases, the interaction assessment regarding the HVDC system gains importance. An index named multi-infeed interaction factor (MIIF) is commonly used to estimate the interaction between power converters; however, the HVDC system is composed of two converters and a transmission line. The MIIF represents the interaction between the rectifiers and inverters, but not for the whole system. In this work, a method to assess the interaction of the whole system was therefore studied. To decide on the location of the new HVDC transmission system at the planning stage, in consideration of the interaction of the existing DC system, the line flow change distribution factor, according to the HVDC-transmission capacity change, was examined. Also, a power system transient -stability analysis was performed with different HVDC system locations, depending on the distribution factor. The simulation results indicate that when the factor is higher, two HVDC systems have a stronger interaction and are less stable in the transient state.
A Decentralized Control Method for Distributed Generations in an Islanded DC Microgrid Considering Voltage Drop Compensation and Durable State of Charge
Authors: Hwang Chul-Sang , Kim Eung-Sang , Kim Yun-Su
Published: December 2016

This paper presents a decentralized control method for distributed generations (DGs) in an islanded direct current (DC) microgrid. In most typical DC microgrids, a decentralized control method is based on a voltage droop control method. However, the grid voltage differs from node to node due to line voltage drop, and hence the power sharing ratio among DGs cannot be matched with as desired value. Especially in an islanded DC microgrid including an energy storage system as a voltage source, it is difficult for DGs to maintain the charge state of the ESS in a decentralized way. To overcome this problem, state of charge (SOC)-voltage droop control is applied to the ESS. By using the proposed droop method, the SOC information can be assigned to the grid voltage, and hence the other DGs are able to support the SOC in a decentralized way. For DGs to enhance the accuracy of the SOC estimation, voltage drop is compensated for based on forecasting data and line impedance data. The simulation is modeled and implemented using Power System Computer Aided Design/Electromagnetic Transients for DC (PSCAD/EMTDC, version 4.2, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada) and the simulation results show that the capability to maintain SOC as well as the system voltage profile are improved by using the proposed method.
Correction: Liang, Y., et al. Short-Term Load Forecasting Based on Wavelet Transform and Least Squares Support Vector Machine Optimized by Improved Cuckoo Search. Energies 2016, 9, 827
Authors: Liang Yi , Niu Dongxiao , Ye Minquan , Hong Wei-Chiang
Published: December 2016

n/a
Investigating the Role of the Local Community as Co-Managers of the Mount Cameroon National Park Conservation Project
Authors: Awung Nvenakeng , Marchant Rob
Published: December 2016

Local forest management is essential for enhancing the sustainability of both communities’ livelihoods and Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Land Degradation (REDD+) projects. However, few studies have examined the impact of forest ownership and control on community engagement and the functioning of communities in a co-managing conservation initiative. This paper examines the influence of forest management on local participation and identifies the roles/functions of local communities in the Mount Cameroon National Park REDD+ conservation project. Cluster multi-stage random sampling was used to collect data from 259 respondents that were analysed using the chi-square, Mann–Whitney, t-test, Kruskal–Wallis, Jonckheere–Terpstra tests and NVivo. Results show that local communities have been involved in forest management practices before the establishment of the park. Communities support the establishment of a strict conservation zone and hope to promote local participation with a high expectation of benefits. Insecure tenure reduces project support and local engagement. Though communities massively support the initiative, engagement is low, and participants are not carrying out any tangible roles. They function mainly as manual labourers or mere committee members who only enforce rules/regulations within communities. Community-based natural resource management and integrated conservation and development projects have often not realised local expectations due to problems of application and impracticable legislation. Projects’ failure may be avoided by involving communities in tangible roles/functions and developing an effective co-management approach or establishing community-owned and -managed forest projects. This paper examines the progress of REDD+ from an early stage to help inform proponents in adapting strategies that are geared towards appropriate satisfactory outcomes, especially for local communities, to prevent the early failure of the initiative.
Aspirin down Regulates Hepcidin by Inhibiting NF-κB and IL6/JAK2/STAT3 Pathways in BV-2 Microglial Cells Treated with Lipopolysaccharide
Authors: Li Wan-Ying , Li Fei-Mi , Zhou Yu-Fu , Wen Zhong-Min , Ma Juan , Ya Ke , Qian Zhong-Ming
Published: December 2016

Aspirin down regulates transferrin receptor 1 (TfR1) and up regulates ferroportin 1 (Fpn1) and ferritin expression in BV-2 microglial cells treated without lipopolysaccharides (LPS), as well as down regulates hepcidin and interleukin 6 (IL-6) in cells treated with LPS. However, the relevant mechanisms are unknown. Here, we investigate the effects of aspirin on expression of hepcidin and iron regulatory protein 1 (IRP1), phosphorylation of Janus kinase 2 (JAK2), signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) and P65 (nuclear factor-κB), and the production of nitric oxide (NO) in BV-2 microglial cells treated with and without LPS. We demonstrated that aspirin inhibited hepcidin mRNA as well as NO production in cells treated with LPS, but not in cells without LPS, suppresses IL-6, JAK2, STAT3, and P65 (nuclear factor-κB) phosphorylation and has no effect on IRP1 in cells treated with or without LPS. These findings provide evidence that aspirin down regulates hepcidin by inhibiting IL6/JAK2/STAT3 and P65 (nuclear factor-κB) pathways in the cells under inflammatory conditions, and imply that an aspirin-induced reduction in TfR1 and an increase in ferritin are not associated with IRP1 and NO.
Systematic Understanding of Mechanisms of a Chinese Herbal Formula in Treatment of Metabolic Syndrome by an Integrated Pharmacology Approach
Authors: Chen Meimei , Yang Fafu , Yang Xuemei , Lai Xinmei , Gao Yuxing
Published: December 2016

Metabolic syndrome (MS) is becoming a worldwide health problem. Wendan decoction (WDD)—a famous traditional Chinese medicine formula—has been extensively employed to relieve syndromes related to MS in clinical practice in China. However, its pharmacological mechanisms still remain vague. In this study, a comprehensive approach that integrated chemomics, principal component analysis, molecular docking simulation, and network analysis was established to elucidate the multi-component and multi-target mechanism of action of WDD in treatment of MS. The compounds in WDD were found to possess chemical diversity, complexity and drug-likeness compared to MS drugs. Six nuclear receptors were obtained to have strong binding affinity with 217 compounds of five herbs in WDD. The importance roles of targets and herbs were also identified due to network parameters. Five compounds from Radix Glycyrrhizae Preparata can hit all six targets, which can assist in screening new MS drugs. The pathway network analysis demonstrated that the main pharmacological effects of WDD might lie in maintaining lipid and glucose metabolisms and anticancer activities as well as immunomodulatory and hepatoprotective effects. This study provided a comprehensive system approach for understanding the multi-component, multi-target and multi-pathway mechanisms of WDD during the treatment of MS.
Gene-Specific Methylation Analysis in Thymomas of Patients with Myasthenia Gravis
Authors: Lopomo Angela , Ricciardi Roberta , Maestri Michelangelo , De Rosa Anna , Melfi Franca , Lucchi Marco , Mussi Alfredo , Coppedè Fabio , Migliore Lucia
Published: December 2016

Thymomas are uncommon neoplasms that arise from epithelial cells of the thymus and are often associated with myasthenia gravis (MG), an autoimmune disease characterized by autoantibodies directed to different targets at the neuromuscular junction. Little is known, however, concerning epigenetic changes occurring in thymomas from MG individuals. To further address this issue, we analyzed DNA methylation levels of genes involved in one-carbon metabolism (MTHFR) and DNA methylation (DNMT1, DNMT3A, and DNMT3B) in blood, tumor tissue, and healthy thymic epithelial cells from MG patients that underwent a surgical resection of a thymic neoplasm. For the analyses we applied the methylation-sensitive high-resolution melting technique. Both MTHFR and DNMT3A promoters showed significantly higher methylation in tumor tissue with respect to blood, and MTHFR also showed significantly higher methylation levels in tumor tissue respect to healthy adjacent thymic epithelial cells. Both DNMT1 and DNMT3B promoter regions were mostly hypomethylated in all the investigated tissues. The present study suggests that MTHFR methylation is increased in thymomas obtained from MG patients; furthermore, some degrees of methylation of the DNMT3A gene were observed in thymic tissue with respect to blood.
Zebrafish as a Vertebrate Model System to Evaluate Effects of Environmental Toxicants on Cardiac Development and Function
Authors: Sarmah Swapnalee , Marrs James
Published: December 2016

Environmental pollution is a serious problem of the modern world that possesses a major threat to public health. Exposure to environmental pollutants during embryonic development is particularly risky. Although many pollutants have been verified as potential toxicants, there are new chemicals in the environment that need assessment. Heart development is an extremely sensitive process, which can be affected by environmentally toxic molecule exposure during embryonic development. Congenital heart defects are the most common life-threatening global health problems, and the etiology is mostly unknown. The zebrafish has emerged as an invaluable model to examine substance toxicity on vertebrate development, particularly on cardiac development. The zebrafish offers numerous advantages for toxicology research not found in other model systems. Many laboratories have used the zebrafish to study the effects of widespread chemicals in the environment on heart development, including pesticides, nanoparticles, and various organic pollutants. Here, we review the uses of the zebrafish in examining effects of exposure to external molecules during embryonic development in causing cardiac defects, including chemicals ubiquitous in the environment and illicit drugs. Known or potential mechanisms of toxicity and how zebrafish research can be used to provide mechanistic understanding of cardiac defects are discussed.
Testosterone Deficiency Induces Changes of the Transcriptomes of Visceral Adipose Tissue in Miniature Pigs Fed a High-Fat and High-Cholesterol Diet
Authors: Zhang Lifan , Cai Yueqin , Wei Shengjuan , Ling Yun , Zhu Liang , Li Dongfeng , Cai Zhaowei
Published: December 2016

Testosterone deficiency causes fat deposition, particularly in visceral fat, and its replacement might reverse fat accumulation, however, the underlying mechanisms of such processes under diet-induced adiposity are largely unknown. To gain insights into the genome-wide role of androgen on visceral adipose tissue (VAT), RNA-Seq was used to investigate testosterone deficiency induced changes of VAT in miniature pigs fed a high-fat and high-cholesterol (HFC) diet among intact male pigs (IM), castrated male pigs (CM), and castrated male pigs with testosterone replacement (CMT) treatments. The results showed that testosterone deficiency significantly increased VAT deposition and serum leptin concentrations. Moreover, a total of 1732 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were identified between any two groups. Compared with gene expression profiles in IM and CMT pigs, upregulated genes in CM pigs, i.e., LOC100520753 (CD68), LCN2, EMR1, S100A9, NCF1 (p47phox), and LEP, were mainly involved in inflammatory response, oxidation-reduction process, and lipid metabolic process, while downregulated genes in CM pigs, i.e., ABHD5, SPP1, and GAS6, were focused on cell differentiation and cell adhesion. Taken together, our study demonstrates that testosterone deficiency alters the expression of numerous genes involved in key biological processes of VAT accumulation under HFC diet and provides a novel genome-wide view on the role of androgen on VAT deposition under HFC diet, thus improving our understanding of the molecular mechanisms involved in VAT changes induced by testosterone deficiency.
Characterization of the Microenvironment of Nodular Lymphocyte Predominant Hodgkin Lymphoma
Authors: Sattarzadeh Ahmad , Visser Lydia , Rutgers Bea , Diepstra Arjan , Berg Anke
Published: December 2016

Nodular lymphocyte predominant Hodgkin lymphoma (NLPHL) is characterized by a low percentage of neoplastic lymphocyte predominant (LP) cells in a background of lymphocytes. The goal of this study is to characterize the microenvironment in NLPHL. Ten NLPHL cases and seven reactive lymph nodes (RLN) were analyzed by flow cytometry for the main immune cells and multiple specific subpopulations. To discriminate between cells in or outside the tumor cell area, we used CD26. We observed significantly lower levels of CD20+ B-cells and CD56+ NK cells and higher levels of CD4+ T-cells in NLPHL in comparison to RLN. In the subpopulations, we observed increased numbers of PD-1+CD4+ T follicular helper cells (TFH), CD69+CD4+ and CD69+CD8+ T-cells and CCR7-CD45RA-CD4+ effector memory T-cells, while FoxP3+CD4+ T regulatory cells (Tregs) and CCR7-CD45RA+ terminally differentiated CD4+ T-cells were decreased in NLPHL compared to RLN. CD69+ cells were increased in the tumor cell area in CD4+ and CD8+ T-cells, while FoxP3+CD25+CD4+ Tregs and CD25+CD8+ T-cells were significantly increased outside the tumor area. Thus, we show a markedly altered microenvironment in NLPHL, with lower numbers of NK cells and Tregs. PD-1+CD4+ and CD69+ T-cells were located inside, and Tregs and CD25+CD8+ cells outside the tumor cell area.
Biological Potential of Chitinolytic Marine Bacteria
Authors: Paulsen Sara , Andersen Birgitte , Gram Lone , Machado Henrique
Published: December 2016

Chitinolytic microorganisms secrete a range of chitin modifying enzymes, which can be exploited for production of chitin derived products or as fungal or pest control agents. Here, we explored the potential of 11 marine bacteria (Pseudoalteromonadaceae, Vibrionaceae) for chitin degradation using in silico and phenotypic assays. Of 10 chitinolytic strains, three strains, Photobacterium galatheae S2753, Pseudoalteromonas piscicida S2040 and S2724, produced large clearing zones on chitin plates. All strains were antifungal, but against different fungal targets. One strain, Pseudoalteromonas piscicida S2040, had a pronounced antifungal activity against all seven fungal strains. There was no correlation between the number of chitin modifying enzymes as found by genome mining and the chitin degrading activity as measured by size of clearing zones on chitin agar. Based on in silico and in vitro analyses, we cloned and expressed two ChiA-like chitinases from the two most potent candidates to exemplify the industrial potential.
Comments to Article by Thoene M et al., Nutrients 2016, 8, 451
Authors: Moya Fernando
Published: December 2016

To the Editor:[...]
Response to Dr. Moya’s Comments to Article by Thoene M et al., Nutrients 2016, 8, 451
Authors: Thoene Melissa , Anderson-Berry Ann
Published: December 2016

This reply is a supplementary addition to our previous article entitled “Comparison of a Powdered, Acidified Liquid, and Non-Acidified Liquid Human Milk Fortifier on Clinical Outcomes in Premature Infants” as published in Nutrients in July 2016. It provides a response to a comment made by Dr. Fernando Moya to this original article, so the purpose of this is to compare and contrast various perspectives between researchers conducting nutrition research in the preterm infant population. It specifically focuses on human milk fortification and subsequent outcomes.
Applications of Solid-State NMR Spectroscopy for the Study of Lipid Membranes with Polyphilic Guest (Macro)Molecules
Authors: Bärenwald Ruth , Achilles Anja , Lange Frank , Ferreira Tiago , Saalwächter Kay
Published: December 2016

The incorporation of polymers or smaller complex molecules into lipid membranes allows for property modifications or the introduction of new functional elements. The corresponding molecular-scale details, such as changes in dynamics or features of potential supramolecular structures, can be studied by a variety of solid-state NMR techniques. Here, we review various approaches to characterizing the structure and dynamics of the guest molecules as well as the lipid phase structure and dynamics by different high-resolution magic-angle spinning proton and 13C NMR experiments as well as static 31P NMR experiments. Special emphasis is placed upon the incorporation of novel synthetic polyphilic molecules such as shape-persistent T- and X-shaped molecules as well as di- and tri-block copolymers. Most of the systems studied feature dynamic heterogeneities, for instance those arising from the coexistence of different phases; possibilities for a quantitative assessment are of particular concern.
How Does Reinsurance Create Value to an Insurer? A Cost-Benefit Analysis Incorporating Default Risk
Authors: Lo Ambrose
Published: December 2016

Reinsurance is often empirically hailed as a value-adding risk management strategy which an insurer can utilize to achieve various business objectives. In the context of a distortion-risk-measure-based three-party model incorporating a policyholder, insurer and reinsurer, this article formulates explicitly the optimal insurance–reinsurance strategies from the perspective of the insurer. Our analytic solutions are complemented by intuitive but scientifically rigorous explanations on the marginal cost and benefit considerations underlying the optimal insurance–reinsurance decisions. These cost-benefit discussions not only cast light on the economic motivations for an insurer to engage in insurance with the policyholder and in reinsurance with the reinsurer, but also mathematically formalize the value created by reinsurance with respect to stabilizing the loss portfolio and enlarging the underwriting capacity of an insurer. Our model also allows for the reinsurer’s failure to deliver on its promised indemnity when the regulatory capital of the reinsurer is depleted by the reinsured loss. The reduction in the benefits of reinsurance to the insurer as a result of the reinsurer’s default is quantified, and its influence on the optimal insurance–reinsurance policies analyzed.
Bayesian Option Pricing Framework with Stochastic Volatility for FX Data
Authors: Wang Ying , Choy Sai , Wong Hoi
Published: December 2016

The application of stochastic volatility (SV) models in the option pricing literature usually assumes that the market has sufficient option data to calibrate the model’s risk-neutral parameters. When option data are insufficient or unavailable, market practitioners must estimate the model from the historical returns of the underlying asset and then transform the resulting model into its risk-neutral equivalent. However, the likelihood function of an SV model can only be expressed in a high-dimensional integration, which makes the estimation a highly challenging task. The Bayesian approach has been the classical way to estimate SV models under the data-generating (physical) probability measure, but the transformation from the estimated physical dynamic into its risk-neutral counterpart has not been addressed. Inspired by the generalized autoregressive conditional heteroskedasticity (GARCH) option pricing approach by Duan in 1995, we propose an SV model that enables us to simultaneously and conveniently perform Bayesian inference and transformation into risk-neutral dynamics. Our model relaxes the normality assumption on innovations of both return and volatility processes, and our empirical study shows that the estimated option prices generate realistic implied volatility smile shapes. In addition, the volatility premium is almost flat across strike prices, so adding a few option data to the historical time series of the underlying asset can greatly improve the estimation of option prices.
Optimizing Multiple Kernel Learning for the Classification of UAV Data
Authors: Gevaert Caroline , Persello Claudio , Vosselman George
Published: December 2016

Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) are capable of providing high-quality orthoimagery and 3D information in the form of point clouds at a relatively low cost. Their increasing popularity stresses the necessity of understanding which algorithms are especially suited for processing the data obtained from UAVs. The features that are extracted from the point cloud and imagery have different statistical characteristics and can be considered as heterogeneous, which motivates the use of Multiple Kernel Learning (MKL) for classification problems. In this paper, we illustrate the utility of applying MKL for the classification of heterogeneous features obtained from UAV data through a case study of an informal settlement in Kigali, Rwanda. Results indicate that MKL can achieve a classification accuracy of 90.6%, a 5.2% increase over a standard single-kernel Support Vector Machine (SVM). A comparison of seven MKL methods indicates that linearly-weighted kernel combinations based on simple heuristics are competitive with respect to computationally-complex, non-linear kernel combination methods. We further underline the importance of utilizing appropriate feature grouping strategies for MKL, which has not been directly addressed in the literature, and we propose a novel, automated feature grouping method that achieves a high classification accuracy for various MKL methods.
MB-OFDM-UWB Based Wireless Multimedia Sensor Networks for Underground Coalmine: A Survey
Authors: Han Ruisong , Yang Wei , You Kaiming
Published: December 2016

Safety production of coalmines is a task of top priority which plays an important role in guaranteeing, supporting and promoting the continuous development of the coal industry. Since traditional wireless sensor networks (WSNs) cannot fully meet the requirements of comprehensive environment monitoring of underground coalmines, wireless multimedia sensor networks (WMSNs), enabling the retrieval of multimedia information, are introduced to realize fine-grained and precise environment surveillance. In this paper, a framework for designing underground coalmine WMSNs based on Multi-Band Orthogonal Frequency-Division Multiplexing Ultra-wide Band (MB-OFDM-UWB) is presented. The selection of MB-OFDM-UWB wireless transmission solution is based on the characteristics of underground coalmines. Network structure and design challenges are analyzed first, which is the foundation for further discussion. Then, key supporting technologies and open research areas in different layers are surveyed, and we provide a detailed literature review of the state of the art strategies, algorithms and general solutions in these issues. Finally, other research issues like localization, information processing, and network management are discussed.
Visualization of Fluoride Ions In Vivo Using a Gadolinium(III)-Coumarin Complex-Based Fluorescence/MRI Dual-Modal Probe
Authors: Wang Yue , Song Renfeng , Feng Huan , Guo Ke , Meng Qingtao , Chi Haijun , Zhang Run , Zhang Zhiqiang
Published: December 2016

A new Gadolinium(III)–coumarin complex, DO3A-Gd-CA, was designed and prepared as a dual-modal probe for simultaneous fluorescence and relaxivity responses to fluoride ions (F−) in aqueous media and mice. DO3A-Gd-CA was designed by using Gd(III) center as an MRI signal output unit and fluoride binding site, and the 4-(diethylamino)-coumarin-3-carboxylic acid (CA) as a fluorescence reporter. Upon the addition of fluoride ions to the solution of DO3A-Gd-CA, the liberation of the coordinated CA ligand led to a 5.7-fold fluorescence enhancement and a 75% increase in the longitudinal relaxivity (r1). The fluorescent detection limit for fluoride ions was determined to be 8 μM based on a 3σ/slope. The desirable features of the proposed DO3A-Gd-CA, such as high sensitivity and specificity, reliability at physiological pH and low cytotoxicity enable its application in visualization of fluoride ion in mice. The successful in vivo imaging indicates that DO3A-Gd-CA could be potentially used in biomedical diagnosis fields.
Geomechanical Studies on Granite Intrusions in Alxa Area for High-Level Radioactive Waste Disposal
Authors: Cheng Cheng , Li Xiao , Li Shouding , Zheng Bo
Published: December 2016

Geological storage is an important concept for high-level radioactive waste (HLW) disposal, and detailed studies are required to protect the environment from contamination by radionuclides. This paper presents a series of geomechanical studies on the site selection for HLW disposal in the Alxa area of China. Surface investigation in the field and RQD analyses on the drill cores are carried out to evaluate the rock mass quality. Laboratory uniaxial and triaxial compressive tests on the samples prepared from the drill cores are conducted to estimate the strength properties of the host rock. It is found that the NRG sub-area has massive granite intrusions, and NRG01 cored granite samples show the best rock quality and higher peak strength under various confinements (0–30 MPa). NRG01 granite samples are applied for more detailed laboratory studies considering the effects of strain rate and temperature. It is observed that the increasing strain rate from 1.0 × 10−5–0.6 × 10−2·s−1 can lead to a limited increase on peak strength, but a much more violent failure under uniaxial compressive tests on the NRG01 granite samples, and the temperature increasing from 20 °C–200 °C may result in a slight increase of UCS, as well as more ductile post-peak behavior in the triaxial compressive tests.
Improvement of Sorghum Crop through Exogenous Application of Natural Growth-Promoting Substances under a Changing Climate
Authors: Ahmad Wahid , Noor Mehmood , Afzal Irfan , Bakhtavar Muhammad , Nawaz Muhammad , Sun Xuefang , Zhou Baoyuan , Ma Wei , Zhao Ming
Published: December 2016

High temperature during May to July is a major hurdle for production of sorghum as fodder in Pakistan, ultimately resulting in a deficit with respect to the demand of meat and milk for increasing population. A field study was conducted to investigate the impact of exogenous application of natural plant growth-promoting substances on forage yield and quality of sorghum. Seed priming and foliar application (alone or in combination) with 1% sorghum water extract (SWE), 3% moringa leaf extract (MLE) and water were applied. Two foliar applications, the first at one month after sowing and the second at 45 days after sowing were carried out. Untreated seeds were used as control. The results indicated that priming and foliar spray performed best in combination as compared to priming or foliar application alone. All MLE applications (priming plus foliar application, priming alone, foliar spray alone) enhanced growth parameters and chlorophyll contents, which ultimately improved forage yield and total dry matter production of sorghum plants. An increase in crude protein and total ash and decrease in crude fiber was also recorded in plants treated with MLE. The results of this study revealed that exogenous application of MLE at 3% concentration (priming plus foliar application, priming alone, foliar spray alone) significantly enhanced the yield through improvement in sorghum growth.
Drug Vaping: From the Dangers of Misuse to New Therapeutic Devices
Authors: Varlet V.
Published: December 2016

Users of e-cigarettes are unwitting volunteers participating in a worldwide epidemiological study. Because of the obvious benefits of e-cigarettes compared with traditional cigarette smoking, these electronic devices have been introduced all around the world to support tobacco smoking cessation. Same potential harm reduction could be considered by cannabis vaping for marijuana smokers. However, the toxicities of liquids and aerosols remain under investigation because although the use of e-cigarettes is likely to be less harmful than traditional cigarette smoking, trace levels of contaminants have been identified. Simultaneously, other electronic devices, such as e-vaporisers, e-hookahs or e-pipes, have been developed and commercialised. Consequently, misuse of electronic devices has increased, and experimentation has been documented on Internet web fora. Although legal and illegal drugs are currently consumed with these e-devices, no scientific papers are available to support the observations reported by numerous media and web fora. Moreover, building on illegal drug vaping and vaporisation with e-devices (vaping misuse), legal drug vaping (an alternative use of vaping) could present therapeutic benefits, as occurs with medical cannabis vaporisation with table vaporisers. This review seeks to synthesise the problems of e-cigarette and liquid refill toxicity in order to introduce the dangers of illegal and legal drugs consumed using vaping and vaporisation for recreational purposes, and finally, to present the potential therapeutic benefits of vaping as a new administration route for legal drugs.
Modified Lipids and Lipoproteins in Chronic Kidney Disease: A New Class of Uremic Toxins
Authors: Florens Nans , Calzada Catherine , Lyasko Egor , Juillard Laurent , Soulage Christophe
Published: December 2016

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is associated with an enhanced oxidative stress and deep modifications in lipid and lipoprotein metabolism. First, many oxidized lipids accumulate in CKD and were shown to exert toxic effects on cells and tissues. These lipids are known to interfere with many cell functions and to be pro-apoptotic and pro-inflammatory, especially in the cardiovascular system. Some, like F2-isoprostanes, are directly correlated with CKD progression. Their accumulation, added to their noxious effects, rendered their nomination as uremic toxins credible. Similarly, lipoproteins are deeply altered by CKD modifications, either in their metabolism or composition. These impairments lead to impaired effects of HDL on their normal effectors and may strongly participate in accelerated atherosclerosis and failure of statins in end-stage renal disease patients. This review describes the impact of oxidized lipids and other modifications in the natural history of CKD and its complications. Moreover, this review focuses on the modifications of lipoproteins and their impact on the emergence of cardiovascular diseases in CKD as well as the appropriateness of considering them as actual mediators of uremic toxicity.
Application of a Classifier Based on Data Mining Techniques in Water Supply Operation
Authors: Ji Yi , Lei Xiaohui , Cai Siyu , Wang Xu
Published: December 2016

Data mining technology is applied to extract the water supply operation rules in this study. Five characteristic attributes—reservoir storage water, operation period number, water demand, runoff, and hydrological year—are chosen as the dataset, and these characteristic attributes are applied to build a mapping relation with the optimal operation mode calculated by dynamic programming (DP). A Levenberg-Marquardt (LM) neural network and a classification and regression tree (CART) are chosen as data mining algorithms to build the LM neural network classifier and CART decision tree classifier, respectively. In order to verify the classification effect of the LM and CART, the two classifiers are applied to the operation mode recognition for the Heiquan reservoir, which is located in the Qinghai Province of China. The accuracies of the two classifiers are 73.6% and 86.9% for the training sample, and their accuracies are 65.8% and 83.3%, respectively, for the test sample, which indicates that the classification result of the CART classifier is better than that of the LM neural network classifier. Thus, the CART classifier is chosen to guide the long-series water supply operation. Compared to the operation result with the other operation scheme, the result shows that the water deficit index of the CART is mostly closest to the DP scheme, which indicates that the CART classifier can guide reservoir water supply operation effectively.
Use of sonic tomography to detect and quantify wood decay in living trees
Authors: Gilbert Gregory S. , Ballesteros Javier O. , Barrios‐Rodriguez Cesar A. , Bonadies Ernesto F. , Cedeño‐Sánchez Marjorie L. , Fossatti‐Caballero Nohely J. , Trejos‐Rodríguez Mariam M. , Pérez‐Suñiga José Moises , Holub‐Young Katharine S. , Henn Laura A. W. , Thompson Jennifer B. , García‐López Cesar G. , Romo Amanda C. , Johnston Daniel C. , Barrick Pablo P. , Jordan Fulvia A. , Hershcovich Shiran , Russo Natalie , Sánchez Juan David , Fábrega Juan Pablo , Lumpkin Raleigh , McWilliams Hunter A. , Chester Kathleen N. , Burgos Alana C. , Wong E. Beatriz , Diab Jonathan H. , Renteria Sonia A. , Harrower Jennifer T. , Hooton Douglas A. , Glenn Travis C. , Faircloth Brant C. , Hubbell Stephen P.
Published: December 2016

Premise of the study:

Field methodology and image analysis protocols using acoustic tomography were developed and evaluated as a tool to estimate the amount of internal decay and damage of living trees, with special attention to tropical rainforest trees with irregular trunk shapes.

Methods and Results:

Living trunks of a diversity of tree species in tropical rainforests in the Republic of Panama were scanned using an Argus Electronic PiCUS 3 Sonic Tomograph and evaluated for the amount and patterns of internal decay. A protocol using ImageJ analysis software was used to quantify the proportions of intact and compromised wood. The protocols provide replicable estimates of internal decay and cavities for trees of varying shapes, wood density, and bark thickness.

Conclusions:

Sonic tomography, coupled with image analysis, provides an efficient, noninvasive approach to evaluate decay patterns and structural integrity of even irregularly shaped living trees.
Fleet Strategies in Business Aviation Segment:
Homogeneity Versus Heterogeneity
Authors: Kirschnerová Ivana , Novák Sedláčková Alena
Published: December 2016

Compared with many studies focused on business models and strategies of scheduled airlines, the evident
research gap exists in the field of strategies in business aviation segment. Business models in business aviation segment
are defined entirely according to an ownership status, respectively nature of operation. Complex analysis of
business aviation airlines strategies is absent despite the dynamics of the business aviation segment. In our research
we have focused on identifying different fleet strategies in business aviation segment since the fleet is the basic asset
of an airline. By comparing several fleet aspects of 30 business aviation operators in three world regions we have
proved the existence of different fleet strategies in business aviation segment and therefore the need for further and
more complex research of business models in the particular segment.