bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Imaging of the heart: historical perspective and recent advances
Authors: Lam W C , Pennell D J
Published: December 2015

Correct diagnosis must be made before appropriate treatment can be given. The aim of cardiac imaging is to establish cardiac diagnosis as accurate as possible and to avert unnecessary invasive procedures. There are many different modalities of cardiac imaging and each of them has advanced tremendously throughout the past decades. Echocardiography, as the first-line modality in most clinical circumstances, has progressed from two-dimensional, single-planed M-mode in the 1960s to three-dimensional speckle tracking echocardiography nowadays. Cardiac computed tomography angiogram (CCTA) has revolutionised the management of coronary artery disease as it allows clinicians to visualise the coronary arteries without performing an invasive angiogram. Because of the high negative predictive value, CCTA plays an important reassuring role in acute chest pain management. The greatest strength of cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR) is that it provides information in tissue characterization. It is the modality of choice in assessing myocardial viability and myocardial infiltration such as haemochromatosis or amyloidosis. Each of these modalities has its own strengths and limitations. In fact, they are complementing each other in different clinical settings. Cardiac imaging will continue to advance and, not long from now, we will not need invasive procedures to make an accurate cardiac diagnosis.
Absence of noticeable mercury effects on fish populations in boreal reservoirs despite threefold to sevenfold increases in mercury concentrations
Authors: Bilodeau François , Schetagne Roger , Therrien Jean , Verdon Richard
Published: December 2015

At the La Grande hydroelectric complex (Quebec, Canada), total mercury concentrations were measured in more than 25 000 fish over a 20-year period. Fish population characteristics, such as fishing yield, growth rate, condition factor, and recruitment, were also monitored. In reservoirs, total mercury concentrations in all species increased rapidly after impoundment, peaking after 4 to 9 years in nonpiscivorous fish and after 9 to 11 years in piscivorous species, at levels three to seven times those measured in surrounding natural lakes, then declined gradually and significantly. Despite this increase, most species showed increases in fishing yields (by factors ranging from 2 to 8), growth rates, and condition factors (for more than a decade). The percentage of small specimens of the main species was generally maintained or increased in the first years after flooding, indicating good recruitment.
Residual electric fields of InGaAs/AlAs/AlAsSb (001) coupled double quantum wells structures assessed by photoreflectance anisotropy
Authors: González-Fernández J. V. , Herrera-Jasso R. , Ulloa-Castillo N. A. , Ortega-Gallegos J. , Castro-García R. , Lastras-Martínez L. F. , Lastras-Martínez A. , Balderas-Navarro R. E. , Mozume T. , Gozu S.
Published: December 2015

We report on photoreflectance anisotropy (PRA) spectroscopy of InGaAs/AlAs/AlAsSb coupled double quantum wells (CDQWs) with extremely thin coupling AlAs barriers grown by molecular beam epitaxy (MBE), with no intentional doping. By probing the in-plane interfacial optical anisotropies (OAs), it is shown that PRA spectroscopy has the ability to detect and distinguish semiconductor layers with quantum dimensions, as the anisotropic photoreflectance (PR) signal stems entirely from buried quantum wells (QWs). In order to account for the experimental PRA spectra, a theoretical model at k = 0, based on a linear electro-optic effect through a piezoelectric shear strain, has been employed to quantify the internal electric fields across the QWs. The dimensionalities of the PR lineshapes were tested by using reciprocal (Fourier) space analysis. Such a complementary test is used in order to correctly employ the PRA model developed here.
Degenerate SDEs in Hilbert spaces with rough drifts
Authors: Wang Feng-Yu , Zhang Xicheng
Published: December 2015

The existence and uniqueness of mild solutions are proved for a class of degenerate stochastic differential equations on Hilbert spaces where the drift is Dini continuous in the component with noise and Hölder continuous of order larger than [Formula: see text] in the other component. In the finite-dimensional case the Dini continuity is further weakened. The main results are applied to solve second order stochastic systems driven by spacetime white noises.
Semi-Classical Localisation Properties of Quantum Oscillators on a Noncommutative Configuration Space
Authors: Benatti Fabio , Gouba Laure
Published: December 2015

When dealing with the classical limit of two quantum mechanical oscillators on a noncommutative configuration space, the limits corresponding to the removal of configuration-space noncommutativity and position-momentum noncommutativity do not commute. We address this behaviour from the point of view of the phase-space localisation properties of the Wigner functions of coherent states under the two limits.
Themes in Expatriate and Repatriate Research over Four Decades: What Do We Know and What Do We Still Need to Learn?
Authors: Kraimer Maria , Bolino Mark , Mead Brandon
Published: December 2015

Since the 1970s, international work assignments have been, and continue to be, a growing trend in multinational corporations. Organizations most commonly do this through an expatriate assignment where the employee expatriates to a foreign country to live and work for at least one year in order to complete a specific assignment, and then typically repatriates back to the home country. Scholars of organizational psychology and behavior have thus investigated various aspects of expatriation and repatriation over the past 40 years. We review the 100 most influential articles published in this area during these decades. We identify important themes, discuss how and why the themes have evolved, and make note of unanswered research questions. On the basis of what we have learned, we make suggestions with regard to how individuals and organizations can better manage expatriate assignments. We close by providing future research directions on expatriation and repatriation.
A novel mechanism of action for salidroside to alleviate diabetic albuminuria: effects on albumin transcytosis across glomerular endothelial cells
Authors: Wu Dan , Yang Xiaoyan , Zheng Tao , Xing Shasha , Wang Jianghong , Chi Jiangyang , Bian Fang , Li Wenjing , Xu Gao , Bai Xiangli , Wu Guangjie , Jin Si
Published: December 2015

Salidroside (SAL) is a phenylethanoid glycoside isolated from the medicinal plant Rhodiola rosea. R. rosea has been reported to have beneficial effects on diabetic nephropathy (DN) and high-glucose (HG)-induced mesangial cell proliferation. Given the importance of caveolin-1 (Cav-1) in transcytosis of albumin across the endothelial barrier, the present study was designed to elucidate whether SAL could inhibit Cav-1 phosphorylation and reduce the albumin transcytosis across glomerular endothelial cells (GECs) to alleviate diabetic albuminuria as well as to explore its upstream signaling pathway. To assess the therapeutic potential of SAL and the mechanisms involved in DN albuminuria, we orally administered SAL to db/db mice, and the effect of SAL on the albuminuria was measured. The albumin transcytosis across GECs was explored in a newly established in vitro cellular model. The ratio of albumin to creatinine was significantly reduced upon SAL treatment in db/db mice. SAL decreased the albumin transcytosis across GECs in both normoglycemic and hyperglycemic conditions. SAL reversed the HG-induced downregulation of AMP-activated protein kinase and upregulation of Src kinase and blocked the upregulation Cav-1 phosphorylation. Meanwhile, SAL decreased mitochondrial superoxide anion production and moderately depolarized mitochondrial membrane potential. We conclude that SAL exerts its proteinuria-alleviating effects by downregulation of Cav-1 phosphorylation and inhibition of albumin transcytosis across GECs. These studies provide the first evidence of interference with albumin transcytosis across GECs as a novel approach to the treatment of diabetic albuminuria.
Method of Measuring the Efficiency of the Conversion of Nuclear Energy into Optical Energy
Authors: Batyrbekov Erlan G. , Gordienko Yuriy N. , Khasenov Mendykhan U. , Ponkratov Yuriy V.
Published: December 2015

A method of measuring the efficiency of converting nuclear energy into optical energy was developed based on correlations between intensities of the research line and the nitrogen second positive system in an Ar-N2mixture. In addition, the values of the coefficient of the conversion of nuclear energy into radiation at the lines of a Hg triplet in mixtures of Хе-Hg and Kr-Hg were determined. The values measured correspond to a selectiveness of pumping of 73S1that was close to 1 (δ=0.8±0.2).
Training Classifiers under Covariate Shift by Constructing the Maximum Consistent Distribution Subset
Authors: Yu Xu , Yu Miao , Xu Li-xun , Yang Jing , Xie Zhi-qiang
Published: December 2015

The assumption that the training and testing samples are drawn from the same distribution is violated under covariate shift setting, and most algorithms for the covariate shift setting try to first estimate distributions and then reweight samples based on the distributions estimated. Due to the difficulty of estimating a correct distribution, previous methods can not get good classification performance. In this paper, we firstly present two types of covariate shift problems. Rather than estimating the distributions, we then desire an effective method to select a maximum subset following the target testing distribution based on feature space split from the auxiliary set or the target training set. Finally, we prove that our subset selection method can consistently deal with both scenarios of covariate shift. Experimental results demonstrate that training a classifier with the selected maximum subset exhibits good generalization ability and running efficiency over those of traditional methods under covariate shift setting.
Single Image Superresolution Using Maximizing Self-Similarity Prior
Authors: Li Jianhong , Wu Yarong , Luo Xiaonan , Leng Chengcai , Li Bo
Published: December 2015

Single image superresolution (SISR) requires only one low-resolution (LR) image as its input which thus strongly motivates researchers to improve the technology. The property that small image patches tend to recur themselves across different scales is very important and widely used in image processing and computer vision community. In this paper, we develop a new approach for solving the problem of SISR by generalizing this property. The main idea of our approach takes advantage of a generic prior that assumes that a randomly selected patch in the underlying high-resolution (HR) image should visually resemble as much as possible with some patch extracted from the input low-resolution (LR) image. Observing the proposed prior, our approach deploys a cost function and applies an iterative scheme to estimate the optimal HR image. For solving the cost function, we introduce Gaussian mixture model (GMM) to train on a sampled data set for approximating the joint probability density function (PDF) of input image with different scales. Through extensive comparative experiments, this paper demonstrates that the visual fidelity of our proposed method is often superior to those generated by other state-of-the-art algorithms as determined through both perceptual judgment and quantitative measures.
Effect of Suction Cycles and Suction Gradients on the Water Retention Properties of a Hard Clay
Authors: Chen Liufeng , Peng Hua
Published: December 2015

The effect of suction cycles and suction gradients on a hard clay is investigated. The cylindrical samples of the hard clay are prepared to carry out the hydration and dehydration tests with different suction gradient and suction cycles. The results show that the suction gradient has little effect on the suction-water content relation, while the suction cycle has great effect on it, particularly the first cycle of hydration and dehydration. The apparent moisture diffusion coefficient of the hard clay has been identified by the use of a two-dimensional diffusion model. The moisture diffusion coefficient varies between 4.10−11 m2/s and 2.10−10 m2/s and it decreases during dehydration while the relative humidity is less than 85%. The results also show that the suction cycles play little effect on the moisture diffusion coefficient.
Distributed Fusion Filtering in Networked Systems with Random Measurement Matrices and Correlated Noises
Authors: Caballero-Águila Raquel , García-Garrido Irene , Linares-Pérez Josefa
Published: December 2015

The distributed fusion state estimation problem is addressed for sensor network systems with random state transition matrix and random measurement matrices, which provide a unified framework to consider some network-induced random phenomena. The process noise and all the sensor measurement noises are assumed to be one-step autocorrelated and different sensor noises are one-step cross-correlated; also, the process noise and each sensor measurement noise are two-step cross-correlated. These correlation assumptions cover many practical situations, where the classical independence hypothesis is not realistic. Using an innovation methodology, local least-squares linear filtering estimators are recursively obtained at each sensor. The distributed fusion method is then used to form the optimal matrix-weighted sum of these local filters according to the mean squared error criterion. A numerical simulation example shows the accuracy of the proposed distributed fusion filtering algorithm and illustrates some of the network-induced stochastic uncertainties that can be dealt with in the current system model, such as sensor gain degradation, missing measurements, and multiplicative noise.
Copper: Synthesis Techniques in Nanoscale and Powerful Application as an Antimicrobial Agent
Authors: Camacho-Flores B. A. , Martínez-Álvarez O. , Arenas-Arrocena M. C. , Garcia-Contreras R. , Argueta-Figueroa L. , de la Fuente-Hernández J. , Acosta-Torres L. S.
Published: December 2015

Nanosized metal particles show specific physical and chemical properties that allow the creation of new composites materials, which are important for multiple applications in biology and medicine such as infections control. Metal nanoparticles, mainly copper, exhibit excellent inhibitory effect on Gram‐positive and Gram‐negative bacteria; therefore the exploration about the efficient, economical, and friendly environmental technics to synthesize inorganic nanoparticles is imperative. In this work a brief overview of the several methods is made including the comparison of the methods, mainly between sonochemical, microwave, and chemical routes. It allows determining the optimal parameters and technical conditions to synthesize copper nanoparticles with physical and chemical properties suitable for the oral bacterial inhibition.
Deficiency of Standard Effective‐Medium Approximation for Ellipsometry of Layers of Nanoparticles
Authors: Bortchagovsky E. G. , Dejneka A. , Jastrabik L. , Lozovski V. Z. , Mishakova T. O.
Published: December 2015

Correct description of optical properties of layers of disordered interacting nanoparticles is the problem. Contrary to volumes of nanocomposites, when standard models of effective‐medium approximations (EMA) work well, two‐dimensional case of layers has intrinsic anisotropy, which influences interparticle interactions. The deficiency of standard Maxwell‐Garnett model in the application to the ellipsometry of layers of gold nanoparticles is demonstrated. It demands the modification of EMA models and one way of this is considered in this paper. Contrary to existing 2D models with phenomenological parameters, the proposed Green function approach uses the same number of parameters as standard 3D EMA models for explicit calculations of effective parameters of layers of disordered nanoparticles.
Tiao He Yi Wei Granule, a Traditional Chinese Medicine, against Ethanol-Induced Gastric Ulcer in Mice
Authors: Yao Jinfu
Published: December 2015

Tiao He Yi Wei granule (DHYW), a traditional Chinese medicine, has been used for the treatment of gastric ulcer in clinical setting. The purpose of the present study was to investigate the possible effect of DHYW and explore the underlying mechanism against ethanol-induced gastric ulcer in mice. The model of ethanol-induced gastric ulcer in mice was induced by ethanol (0.2 mL/kg). Administration of DHYW at the doses of 250, 500 mg/kg body weight prior to the ethanol ingestion could effectively protect the stomach from ulceration. The gastric lesions were significantly ameliorated in the DHYW group compared with that in the model group. Treatment with DHYW markedly decreased the levels of interleukin-6 (IL-6), IL-1β, and tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α). In addition, DHYW treatment elevated myeloperoxidase (MPO) level in stomach, increased superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity, and decreased malonaldehyde (MDA) content in serum and stomach compared with those in the model group. DHYW significantly inhibited NF-κB pathway expressions in the gastric mucosa ulcer group. Taken together, DHYW exerted a gastroprotective effect against gastric ulceration and the underlying mechanism might be associated with NF-κB pathway.
A Review of Wind Tunnel Based Virtual Flight Testing Techniques for Evaluation of Flight Control Systems
Authors: Huang Min , Wang Zhong-wei
Published: December 2015

Wind tunnel based Virtual Flight Testing (VFT) is a dynamic wind tunnel test for evaluating flight control systems (FCS) proposed in recent decades. It integrates aerodynamics, flight dynamics, and FCS as a whole and is a more realistic and reliable method for FCS evaluation than traditional ground evaluation methods, such as Hardware-in-the-Loop Simulation (HILS). With FCS evaluated by VFT before flight test, the risk of flight test will be further reduced. In this paper, the background, progress, and prospects of VFT are systematically summarized. Specifically, the differences among VFT, traditional dynamic wind tunnel methods, and traditional FCS evaluation methods are introduced in order to address the advantages of evaluating FCS with VFT. Secondly, the progress of VFT is reviewed in detail. Then, the test system and key technologies of VFT for FCS evaluation are analyzed. Lastly, the prospects of VFT for evaluating FCS are described.
Performance Analysis of Precoded MIMO PLC System Based on Two-Sided Jacobi SVD
Authors: Kilani Hasna , Tlich Mohamed , Attia Rabah
Published: December 2015

This paper evaluates the performance of closed loop multiple input multiple output power line communication (CL MIMO PLC) system based on enhanced zero-forcing (ZF) equalizer. In this work, the two-sided Jacobi (TSJ) algorithm has been investigated for the computation of singular value decomposition of the channel matrix. Quantized parameters are feedback from the receiver to the transmitter for precoding process. Numerous simplifications are introduced for the reduction of the algorithm complexity. The performance of the CL MIMO PLC is evaluated in terms of bit error rate (BER), constellation error vector magnitude (EVM), and mean square error (MSE) between the constructed SVD matrices and Matlab computed ones.
The Fate of Integrated Ri T-DNA rol Genes during Regeneration via Somatic Embryogenesis in Tylophora indica
Authors: Roychowdhury Dipasree , Chaubey Binay , Jha Sumita
Published: December 2015

The fate of integrated Ri T-DNA rol genes during regeneration via indirect somatic embryogenesis and stability of its effect on morphology and tylophorine content of Ri-transformed plants have been studied in Tylophora indica. Integration and expression of Ri T-DNA genes in transformed embryogenic callus lines derived from transformed root lines, 300 Ri-transformed somatic embryos, and 23 Ri-transformed plant lines were analysed. Fifty root lines studied showed integration and expression of four rol genes of TL-DNA. Spontaneous regeneration via indirect somatic embryogenesis was obtained from root lines that were TL+/TR−. Stable integration and expression of rol genes were observed in root lines, embryogenic callus lines, and the spontaneously induced somatic embryos. Nineteen out of the 23 Ri-transformed plant lines and their clones showed phenotypic and genetic stability over the period of 3 years. Four Ri-transformed plants were morphologically similar to nontransformed plants but showed variation with the integration and expression of the rolA gene and absence of other rol genes. Variant Ri-transformed plant line A428#1-V showed highest tylophorine content (2.93±0.03 mg gDW−1) among plant lines studied. The effects of T-DNA genes on growth, morphology, and tylophorine content of the Ri-transformed plants were stable in the long term culture.
Existence of Positive Solutions to Boundary Value Problem of Caputo Fractional Differential Equation
Authors: Cui Yaqiong , Kang Shugui , Liu Zhiping
Published: December 2015

We consider the existence of positive solutions to the nonlinear fractional differential equation boundary value problemD0+αCut+fut,u't=0,  t∈0,1,  u0=u1=u″0=0, wheref:0,+∞×R→0,+∞is continuous,α∈2,3, andD0+αCis the standard Caputo differentiation. By using fixed point theorems on cone, we give some existence results concerning positive solutions. Here the solutions especially are the interior points of cone.
Long-Term Intravenous Ketamine for Analgesia in a Child with Severe Chronic Intestinal Graft versus Host Disease
Authors: Busse Jennifer , Phillips Leroy , Schechter William
Published: December 2015

Ketamine is reported to be an effective adjuvant to opioids in the treatment of refractory cancer pain; however, the use of high doses of ketamine for extended periods in pediatric patients has not been described. We present a five-year-old male with grade IV intestinal GVHD whose abdominal pain required both hydromorphone and ketamine for a period of over four months. There was no evidence of hepatotoxicity, hemorrhagic cystitis, or other adverse effects. Possible withdrawal symptoms were mild and were readily mitigated by gradually weaning ketamine.
An Integrated Method for Designing Airfoils Shapes
Authors: Xudong Wang , Licun Wang , Hongjun Xia
Published: December 2015

A new method for designing wind turbine airfoils is presented in this paper. As a main component in the design method, airfoil profiles are expressed in a trigonometric series form using conformal transformations and series of polynomial equations. The characteristics of the coefficient parameters in the trigonometric expression for airfoils profiles are first studied. As a direct consequence, three generic airfoil profiles are obtained from the expression. To validate and show the generality of the trigonometric expression, the profiles of the NACA 64418 and S809 airfoils are expressed by the present expression. Using the trigonometric expression for airfoil profiles, a so-called integrated design method is developed for designing wind turbine airfoils. As airfoil shapes are expressed with analytical functions, the airfoil surface can be kept smooth in a high degree. In the optimization step, drag and lift force coefficients are calculated using the XFOIL code. Three new airfoils CQ-A15, CQ-A18, and CQ-A21 with a thickness of 15%, 18%, and 21%, respectively, are designed with the new integrated design method.
Research on Stress Neutral Layer Offset in the Straightening Process
Authors: Gui Hailian , Li Yao , Song Hao , Huang Qingxue
Published: December 2015

The stress neutral layer offset is analyzed by theoretical and numerical calculation methods. In traditional straightening theory, the stress neutral layer was consistent with the geometric central layer. However, there is a phenomenon that the stress neutral layer has some offset with the geometric neutral layer. This offset is a very important factor for improving the precision of the straightening force. The formula of the stress neutral layer offset is obtained by a theoretical method and the change law is given by numerical calculation method. The neutral layer offset theory provides the theoretical basis for establishing the model of straightening force precisely.
Safety Analysis of Solar Module under Partial Shading
Authors: He Wei , Liu Fengshou , Ji Jie , Zhang Shengyao , Chen Hongbing
Published: December 2015

Hot spot often occurs in a module when the qualities of solar cells mismatch and bypass diodes are proved to be an efficient alternative to reduce the effect of hot spot. However, these principles choosing a diode are based on the parameters of bypass diodes and PV cells without consideration of the maximum heating power of the shaded cell, which may cause serious consequences. On this basis, this paper presents a new approach to investigate partially shaded cells in different numbers of PV cells and different shading scenarios, including inhomogeneous illumination among solar cells and incomplete shading in one cell, which innovatively combines the same cells or divides one affected cell into many small single cells and then combines the same ones, and analyzes the shaded cell. The results indicate that the maximum power dissipation of the shaded cell occurs at short-circuit conditions. With the number of solar cells increasing, the shaded cell transfers from generating power to dissipating power and there is a maximum point of power dissipation in different shading situations that may lead to severe hot spot. Adding up the heat converted from solar energy, the heating power can be higher. In this case, some improvements about bypass diodes are proposed to reduce hot spot.
Paraoxonase 2 Induces a Phenotypic Switch in Macrophage Polarization Favoring an M2 Anti-Inflammatory State
Authors: Koren-Gluzer Marie , Rosenblat Mira , Hayek Tony
Published: December 2015

Inflammatory processes are involved in atherosclerosis development. Macrophages play a major role in the early atherogenesis, and they are present in the atherosclerotic lesion in two phenotypes: proinflammatory (M1) or anti-inflammatory (M2). Paraoxonase 2 (PON2) is expressed in macrophages, and it was shown to protect against atherosclerosis. Thus, the aim of our study was to analyze the direct effect of PON2 on macrophage inflammatory phenotypes. Ex vivo studies were performed with murine peritoneal macrophages (MPM) harvested from control C57BL/6 and PON2-deficient (PON2KO) mice. PON2KO MPM showed an enhanced proinflammatory phenotype compared to the control, both in the basal state and following M1 activation by IFNγand lipopolysaccharide (LPS). In parallel, PON2KO MPM also showed reduced anti-inflammatory responses in the basal state and also following M2 activation by IL-4. Moreover, the PON2-null MPM demonstrated enhanced phagocytosis and reactive oxygen species (ROS) production in the basal state and following M1 activation. The direct effect of PON2 was shown by transfecting human PON2 (hPON2) into PON2KO MPM. PON2 transfection attenuated the macrophages’ response to M1 activation and enhanced M2 response. These PON2 effects were associated with attenuation of macrophages’ abilities to phagocyte and to generate ROS. We conclude that PON2 promotes an M1 to M2 switch in macrophage phenotypes.
Cancer Stem Cell Plasticity as Tumor Growth Promoter and Catalyst of Population Collapse
Authors: Poleszczuk Jan , Enderling Heiko
Published: December 2015

It is increasingly argued that cancer stem cells are not a cellular phenotype but rather a transient state that cells can acquire, either through intrinsic signaling cascades or in response to environmental cues. While cancer stem cell plasticity is generally associated with increased aggressiveness and treatment resistance, we set out to thoroughly investigate the impact of different rates of plasticity on early and late tumor growth dynamics and the response to therapy. We develop an agent‐based model of cancer stem cell driven tumor growth, in which plasticity is defined as a spontaneous transition between stem and nonstem cancer cell states. Simulations of the model show that plasticity can substantially increase tumor growth rate and invasion. At high rates of plasticity, however, the cells get exhausted and the tumor will undergo spontaneous remission in the long term. In a series of in silico trials, we show that such remission can be facilitated through radiotherapy. The presented study suggests that stem cell plasticity has rather complex, nonintuitive implications on tumor growth and treatment response. Further theoretical, experimental, and integrated studies are needed to fully decipher cancer stem cell plasticity and how it can be harnessed for novel therapeutic approaches.
Random Secure Comparator Selection Based Privacy-Preserving MAX/MIN Query Processing in Two-Tiered Sensor Networks
Authors: Dai Hua , Wei Tianyi , Huang Yue , Xu Jia , Yang Geng
Published: December 2015

Privacy-preserving data queries for wireless sensor networks (WSNs) have drawn much attention recently. This paper proposes a privacy-preserving MAX/MIN query processing approach based on random secure comparator selection in two-tiered sensor network, which is denoted by RSCS-PMQ. The secret comparison model is built on the basis of the secure comparator which is defined by 0-1 encoding and HMAC. And the minimal set of highest secure comparators generating algorithm MaxRSC is proposed, which is the key to realize RSCS-PMQ. In the data collection procedures, the sensor node randomly selects a generated secure comparator of the maximum data into ciphertext which is submitted to the nearby master node. In the query processing procedures, the master node utilizes the MaxRSC algorithm to determine the corresponding minimal set of candidate ciphertexts containing the query results and returns it to the base station. And the base station obtains the plaintext query result through decryption. The theoretical analysis and experimental result indicate that RSCS-PMQ can preserve the privacy of sensor data and query result from master nodes even if they are compromised, and it has a better performance on the network communication cost than the existing approaches.
Synaptosomal Protein of 25 kDa (Snap25) Polymorphisms Associated with Glycemic Parameters in Type 2 Diabetes Patients
Authors: Al-Daghri Nasser M. , Costa Andrea S. , Alokail Majed S. , Zanzottera Milena , Alenad Amal M. , Mohammed Abdul Khader , Clerici Mario , Guerini Franca R.
Published: December 2015

A possible role ofSnap25polymorphisms in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) was evaluated by analyzing three SNPs within intron 1 in a region known to affect the gene expression in vitro. Genomic DNA from 1019 Saudi individuals (489 confirmed T2DM and 530 controls) was genotyped for SNPs rs363039, rs363043, and rs363050 inSnap25using the TaqMan Genotyping Assay. Significantly higher levels of fasting glucose and HbA1c were detected in T2DM patients carrying the rs363050 (AG/GG) genotypes compared to the (AA) genotype (f=4.41,df=1, andp=0.03andf=5.31,df=1, andp=0.03, resp.). In these same patients, insulin levels were significantly decreased compared to the (AA) individuals (f=7.29,df=1, andp=0.009). Significant associations were detected between rs363050 (AG/GG) genotypes and increasing fasting glucose levels (p=0.01and OR: 1.05), HbA1c levels (OR: 5.06 andp=0.02), and lower insulinemia (p=0.03and OR: 0.95) in T2DM patients. The minorSnap25rs363050 (G) allele, which results in a reduced expression ofSnap25, is associated with altered glycemic parameters in T2DM possibly because of reduced functionality in the exocytotic machinery leading to suboptimal release of insulin.
Explaining the Better Prognosis of Screening-Exposed Breast Cancers: Influence of Tumor Characteristics and Treatment
Authors: Massat Nathalie J. , Sasieni Peter D. , Tataru Daniela , Parmar Dharmishta , Cuzick Jack , Duffy Stephen W.
Published: December 2015

Background: In England, population mammographic screening has been offered to women for over 20 years. Overall decrease in breast cancer mortality rates and improvements in cancer awareness and organization of medical care over this period call for a more current evaluation of the mediators behind the better prognosis of screening-exposed breast cancers.

Methods: A case–control study was conducted within the English National Breast Screening Program. Women who died from primary breast cancer in 2008 to 2009 were matched (by year of birth, screening invitation, and area) to controls that received a diagnosis of invasive breast cancer at the time of the case diagnosis but survived the case death. Data were analyzed by unconditional logistic regression with adjustment for matching factors.

Results: The unadjusted OR for dying from breast cancer associated with ever having attended breast screening was 0.44 [95% confidence interval (CI), 0.33–0.58]. After adjustment for lead time, overdiagnosis, and self-selection, the OR increased to 0.69 (95% CI, 0.50–0.94). Adjusting for tumor size, lymph node status, stage, grade, histopathology, and laterality accounted for all the screening effect (OR, 1.00; 95% CI, 0.71–1.40). Further adjustment for treatment factors only had a minimal impact on the OR (OR, 1.02; 95% CI, 0.72–1.45).

Conclusions: Our results suggest that earlier diagnosis, as reflected by tumor characteristics, remains the major mediator of the improvement in breast cancer survival due to participation in mammographic screening.

Impact: Mammographic screening continues to prevent breast cancer–related deaths in the epoch of adjuvant systemic therapy. Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev; 25(3); 479–87. ©2015 AACR.

See related article by Massat et al., p. 455
An Immunogenetic Signature of Ongoing Antigen Interactions in Splenic Marginal Zone Lymphoma Expressing IGHV1-2*04 Receptors
Authors: Bikos Vasilis , Karypidou Maria , Stalika Evangelia , Baliakas Panagiotis , Xochelli Aliki , Sutton Lesley-Ann , Papadopoulos George , Agathangelidis Andreas , Papadopoulou Evdoxia , Davis Zadie , Algara Patricia , Kanellis George , Traverse-Glehen Alexandra , Mollejo Manuela , Anagnostopoulos Achilles , Ponzoni Maurilio , Gonzalez David , Pospisilova Sarka , Matutes Estella , Piris Miguel Angel , Papadaki Theodora , Ghia Paolo , Rosenquist Richard , Oscier David , Darzentas Nikos , Tzovaras Dimitrios , Belessi Chrysoula , Hadzidimitriou Anastasia , Stamatopoulos Kostas
Published: December 2015

Purpose: Prompted by the extensive biases in the immunoglobulin (IG) gene repertoire of splenic marginal-zone lymphoma (SMZL), supporting antigen selection in SMZL ontogeny, we sought to investigate whether antigen involvement is also relevant post-transformation.

Experimental Design: We conducted a large-scale subcloning study of the IG rearrangements of 40 SMZL cases aimed at assessing intraclonal diversification (ID) due to ongoing somatic hypermutation (SHM).

Results: ID was identified in 17 of 21 (81%) rearrangements using the immunoglobulin heavy variable (IGHV)1-2*04 gene versus 8 of 19 (40%) rearrangements utilizing other IGHV genes (P = 0.001). ID was also evident in most analyzed IG light chain gene rearrangements, albeit was more limited compared with IG heavy chains. Identical sequence changes were shared by subclones from different patients utilizing the IGHV1-2*04 gene, confirming restricted ongoing SHM profiles. Non-IGHV1-2*04 cases displayed both a lower number of ongoing SHMs and a lack of shared mutations (per group of cases utilizing the same IGHV gene).

Conclusions: These findings support ongoing antigen involvement in a sizable portion of SMZL and further argue that IGHV1-2*04 SMZL may represent a distinct molecular subtype of the disease. Clin Cancer Res; 22(8); 2032–40. ©2015 AACR.
Gemtuzumab Ozogamicin Reduces Relapse Risk in FLT3/ITD Acute Myeloid Leukemia: A Report from the Children's Oncology Group
Authors: Tarlock Katherine , Alonzo Todd A. , Gerbing Robert B. , Raimondi Susana C. , Hirsch Betsy A. , Sung Lillian , Pollard Jessica A. , Aplenc Richard , Loken Michael R. , Gamis Alan S. , Meshinchi Soheil
Published: December 2015

Purpose: Gemtuzumab ozogamicin (GO), a calicheamicin-conjugated mAb against CD33, has been used in the treatment of acute myeloid leukemia (AML). We evaluated the impact of the addition of GO to standard chemotherapy and hematopoietic stem cell transplant (HCT) in patients with FLT3/ITD.

Experimental Design: We analyzed children with FLT3/ITD–positive AML (n = 183) treated on two consecutive Children's Oncology Group AML trials (NCT00070174 and NCT00372593). Outcomes were assessed for FLT3/ITD patients receiving standard chemotherapy with or without GO (GO vs. No-GO, respectively), and the impact of consolidation HCT for high-risk FLT3/ITD patients [high FLT3/ITD allelic ratio (ITD-AR)].

Results: For all FLT3/ITD patients, complete remission (CR) rates for the GO versus No-GO cohorts were identical (64% vs. 64%; P = 0.98). Relapse rate (RR) after initial CR was 37% for GO recipients versus 59% for No-GO recipients (P = 0.02), disease-free survival (DFS) was similar (47% vs. 41%; P = 0.45), with higher treatment-related mortality (TRM) in GO recipients (16% vs. 0%; P = 0.008). Among high-risk FLT3/ITD patients with high ITD-AR, those who received HCT in first CR with prior exposure to GO had a significant reduction in RR (15% vs. 53%; P = 0.007), with a corresponding DFS of 65% versus 40% (P = 0.08), and higher TRM (19% vs. 7%; P = 0.08).

Conclusions: CD33 targeting with HCT consolidation may be an important therapeutic strategy in high-risk FLT3/ITD AML and its efficacy and associated toxicity warrant further investigation. Clin Cancer Res; 22(8); 1951–7. ©2015 AACR.
Bone Marker–Directed Dosing of Zoledronic Acid for the Prevention of Skeletal Complications in Patients with Multiple Myeloma: Results of the Z-MARK Study
Authors: Raje Noopur , Vescio Robert , Montgomery Charles W. , Badros Ashraf , Munshi Nikhil , Orlowski Richard , Hadala Joseph T. , Warsi Ghulam , Argonza-Aviles Eliza , Ericson Solveig G. , Anderson Kenneth C.
Published: December 2015

Purpose: Zoledronic acid (ZOL) given every 3 to 4 weeks can reduce skeletal-related events (SRE) in patients with bone lesions from multiple myeloma. This study evaluated efficacy and safety of less-frequent ZOL dosing based on bone turnover markers in patients with 1 to 2 years of prior bisphosphonate therapy.

Experimental Design: Patients received ZOL (4 mg) every 4 or 12 weeks based on urinary N-telopeptide of type 1 collagen (uNTX) levels (every 4 weeks if uNTX ≥50 nmol/mmol creatinine, every 12 weeks if uNTX < 50).

Results: Of 121 patients enrolled (mean age, 63.8 years; median follow-up, 21 months), 4 patients started ZOL every 4 weeks and 117 received ZOL every 12 weeks based on uNTX at study entry. All 4 patients who initiated ZOL every 4 weeks switched to every 12 weeks due to decreased uNTX. Thirty-eight of 117 patients who initiated ZOL every 12 weeks switched to ZOL every 4 weeks due to disease progression (n = 20), increased uNTX (n = 14), and SREs (n = 4). Overall SRE incidence was low; 7 (5.8%) and 5 (4.9%) patients experienced an SRE during years 1 and 2, respectively. Mean (SD) SRE rate at year 2 was 0.01 (0.03) per person-year. The 2-year incidence rate for osteonecrosis of jaw was 3.3%. Four deaths were reported, none related to ZOL.

Conclusions: Less frequent ZOL dosing (every 12 weeks over 2 years) maintains a low SRE rate and can be safely administered for up to 4 years. Clin Cancer Res; 22(6); 1378–84. ©2015 AACR.

See related commentary by Fonseca and Jain, p. 1301
The Calcium-Binding Protein S100A6 Accelerates Human Osteosarcoma Growth by Promoting Cell Proliferation and Inhibiting Osteogenic Differentiation
Authors: Li Yasha , Wagner Eric R. , Yan Zhengjian , Wang Zhonliang , Luther Gaurav , Jiang Wei , Ye Jixing , Wei Qiang , Wang Jing , Zhao Lianggong , Lu Shun , Wang Xin , Mohammed Maryam K. , Tang Shengli , Liu Hao , Fan Jiaming , Zhang Fugui , Zou Yulong , Song Dongzhe , Liao Junyi , Haydon Rex C. , Luu Hue H. , He Tong-Chuan
Published: December 2015

Background/Aims: Although osteosarcoma (OS) is the most common primary malignancy of bone, its molecular pathogenesis remains to be fully understood. We previously found the calcium-binding protein S100A6 was expressed in ∼80% of the analyzed OS primary and/or metastatic tumor samples. Here, we investigate the role of S100A6 in OS growth and progression. Methods: S100A6 expression was assessed by qPCR and Western blotting. Overexpression or knockdown of S100A6 was carried out to determine S100A6's effect on proliferation, cell cycle, apoptosis, tumor growth, and osteogenic differentiation. Results: S100A6 expression was readily detected in human OS cell lines. Exogenous S100A6 expression promoted cell proliferation in vitro and tumor growth in an orthotopic xenograft model of human OS. S100A6 overexpression reduced the numbers of OS cells in G1 phase and increased viable cells under serum starvation condition. Conversely, silencing S100A6 expression induced the production of cleaved caspase 3, and increased early stage apoptosis. S100A6 knockdown increased osteogenic differentiation activity of mesenchymal stem cells, while S100A6 overexpression inhibited osteogenic differentiation. BMP9-induced bone formation was augmented by S100A6 knockdown. Conclusion: Our findings strongly suggest that S100A6 may promote OS cell proliferation and OS tumor growth at least in part by facilitating cell cycle progression, preventing apoptosis, and inhibiting osteogenic differentiation. Thus, it is conceivable that targeting S100A6 may be exploited as a novel anti-OS therapy.
Pancreatic Neuroendocrine Neoplasms: Clinical Value of Diffusion-Weighted Imaging
Authors: De Robertis Riccardo , D'Onofrio Mirko , Zamboni Giulia , Tinazzi Martini Paolo , Gobbo Stefano , Capelli Paola , Butturini Giovanni , Girelli Roberto , Ortolani Silvia , Cingarlini Sara , Pederzoli Paolo , Scarpa Aldo
Published: December 2015

Background/Aims: Diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) can depict random motions of water molecules in biological tissues during magnetic resonance (MR) examinations. Few papers have tested its application to pancreatic neuroendocrine neoplasms (PanNENs). The aim of this paper is to assess the clinical value of DWI regarding the identification and characterization of PanNENs and diagnosis of liver metastases. Methods: Preoperative MR examinations of 30 PanNEN patients were retrospectively reviewed; 30 patients with pathologically proven pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) were included to compare the imaging features. Qualitative and quantitative MR features were compared between histotypes. A blinded-reader comparison of diagnostic confidence for PanNENs and liver metastases was conducted on randomized image sets. All results were compared with pathological data. Results: PanNEN conspicuity was higher on DW images compared to conventional MR sequences. DWI had higher detection rates for PanNENs than had conventional sequences (93.3 vs. 71.1%). Sharp margins and absence of main pancreatic duct/common bile duct dilation and chronic pancreatitis were more common among PanNENs as compared to PDACs. Arterial iso- or hyperenhancement and portal hyperenhancement were more frequent within PanNENs as compared to PDACs. No differences between histotypes were found for quantitative features. Arterial-phase images had the highest interobserver agreement for the diagnosis of PanNEN (Cohen's κ = 0.667). DWI provided the highest detection rate for liver metastases as well as excellent interobserver agreement for the diagnosis of liver metastases (κ = 0.932), with good accuracy (AUC = 0.879-0.869). Conclusion: DWI has clinical value regarding the identification of PanNENs and the diagnosis of liver metastases, while conventional MR sequences are fundamental for their characterization.
Afinal, o Que é Cidadania?
Authors: Pozzi Diana Helena de Benedetto
Published: December 2015

Eis uma pergunta que parece impertinente, porque “cidadania” significaria alguma coisa de conhecimento geral. Seria esse um fato? Cidadania tem sido uma palavra muito usada em discursos, pois cria uma imagem positiva. Ao mesmo tempo, os discursos cada vez mais têm sido usados para cativar pessoas sem, entretanto, se tornarem ações e já esse fato seria uma questão de falta de cidadania.
Difusão de Ciências: Um Instrumento para Incluir Socialmente e Despertar Vocações Científicas e Tecnológicas em Jovens de Todo o País
Authors: Barrionuevo Wilma Regina , Bagnato Vanderlei Salvador , Perussi Filho Sergio , Marega Junior Euclydes
Published: December 2015

Os pesquisadores do Grupo de Óptica do IFSC, na Universidade de São Paulo, vêm realizando intensas atividades de difusão de Ciência desde 2001, por meio de exposições itinerantes, workshops e de feiras de ciências em escolas e espaços públicos. Além disso, gerenciam o canal TV Ciência, 24 horas no ar, e mantêm colunas científicas em rádio, sites e jornais. Por meio dessas mídias são veiculados programas científicos para várias regiões do país. Outra atividade relevante é a organização da Olimpíada Brasileira de Física e da Olimpíada Brasileira de Física das Escolas Públicas, que juntas contaram com a inscrição de 863.402 alunos na primeira fase. No presente trabalho, são abordadas as atividades gerais de difusão do Grupo de Óptica, com destaque ao treinamento dos professores e monitores. Em seus depoimentos os estudantes monitores citam como benefícios dos projetos a ampliação dos seus conhecimentos científicos, além de sensível melhoria na capacidade de oratória em público e da capacidade de organizar eventos e de responder às situações imprevistas. Esperamos que tais ações venham a ampliar o campo de possibilidades que esses jovens terão no mercado de trabalho, além de conceder-lhes uma atitude mais eficaz e positiva frente aos inúmeros desafios da vida.