bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Severe Intraoperative Hyperglycemia Is Independently Associated With Postoperative Composite Infection After Craniotomy: An Observational Study
Authors: Gruenbaum Shaun E. , Toscani Laura , Fomberstein Kenneth M. , Ruskin Keith J. , Dai Feng , Qeva Ega , Rosa Giovanni , Meng Lingzhong , Bilotta Federico
Published: February 2017

BACKGROUND:

Postoperative infection after craniotomy carries an increased risk of morbidity and mortality. Identification and correction of the risk factors should be prioritized. The association of intraoperative hyperglycemia with postoperative infections in patients undergoing craniotomy is inadequately studied.

METHODS:

A total of 224 patients were prospectively enrolled in 2 major medical centers to assess whether severe intraoperative hyperglycemia (SIH, blood glucose ≥180 mg/dL) is associated with an increased risk of postoperative infection in patients undergoing craniotomy. Arterial blood samples were drawn and analyzed immediately after anesthetic induction and again before tracheal extubation. The new onset of any type of infection within 7 days after craniotomy was determined.

RESULTS:

The incidence of new postoperative composite infection was 10% (n = 22) within the first week after craniotomy. Weight, sex, American Society of Anesthesiologists score, preoperative and/or intraoperative steroid use, and diabetes mellitus were not associated with postoperative infection. SIH was independently associated with postoperative infection (odds ratio [95% confidence interval], 4.17 [1.50–11.56], P = .006) after fitting a multiple logistic regression model to adjust for emergency surgery, length of surgery, and age ≥65 years.

CONCLUSIONS:

SIH is independently associated with postoperative new-onset composite infections in patients undergoing craniotomy. Whether prevention of SIH during craniotomy results in a reduced postoperative risk of infection is unknown and needs to be appraised by further study.
Immortalized human myotonic dystrophy muscle cell lines to assess therapeutic compounds
Authors: Ludovic Arandel , Micaela Polay-Espinosa , Magdalena Matloka , Audrey Bazinet , Damily De Dea Diniz , Naïra Naouar , Frédérique Rau , Arnaud Jollet , Frédérique Edom-Vovard , Kamel Mamchaoui , Mark Tarnopolsky , Jack Puymirat , Christophe Battail , Anne Boland , Jean-Francois Deleuze , Vincent Mouly , Arnaud Klein F. , Denis Furling
Published: February 2017

Myotonic dystrophy type 1 (DM1) and type 2 (DM2) are autosomal dominant neuromuscular diseases caused by microsatellite expansions and belong to the family of RNA dominant disorders. Availability of cellular models in which the DM mutation is expressed within its natural context is essential to facilitate efforts to identify new therapeutic compounds. Here we generated immortalized DM1 and DM2 human muscle cell lines that display nuclear RNA-aggregates of expanded repeats, a hallmark of myotonic dystrophy. Selected clones of DM1 and DM2 immortalized myoblasts behave as parental primary myoblasts with a reduced fusion capacity of immortalized DM1 myoblasts when compared to control and DM2 cells. Alternative splicing defects were observed in differentiated DM1 but not in DM2 muscle cell lines. Splicing alterations did not result from differentiation delay because similar changes were found in immortalized DM1 transdifferentiated fibroblasts in which the myogenic differentiation has been forced by MyoD overexpression. As a proof-of-concept, we showed that antisense approaches alleviate disease-associated defects and a RNA-seq analysis confirmed that the vast majority of misspliced events in immortalized DM1 muscle cells were affected by antisense treatment, with half of them significantly rescued in treated DM1 cells. In summary, immortalized DM1 muscle cell lines display characteristic disease-associated molecular features such as nuclear RNA-aggregates and splicing defects that can be used as robust readouts for the screening of therapeutic compounds. Therefore, immortalized DM1 and DM2 muscle cell lines represent new models and tools to investigate molecular pathophysiologic mechanisms and evaluate in vitro effects of compounds on RNA toxicity associated with myotonic dystrophy mutations.
Enhancement of fracture healing in the rat, modulated by compounds that stimulate inducible nitric oxide synthase
Authors: Rajfer R. A. , Kilic A. , Neviaser A. S. , Schulte L. M. , Hlaing S. M. , Landeros J. , Ferrini M. G. , Ebramzadeh E. , Park S-H.
Published: February 2017

Objectives

We investigated the effects on fracture healing of two up-regulators of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) in a rat model of an open femoral osteotomy: tadalafil, a phosphodiesterase inhibitor, and the recently reported nutraceutical, COMB-4 (consisting of L-citrulline, Paullinia cupana, ginger and muira puama), given orally for either 14 or 42 days.

Materials and Methods

Unilateral femoral osteotomies were created in 58 male rats and fixed with an intramedullary compression nail. Rats were treated daily either with vehicle, tadalafil or COMB-4. Biomechanical testing of the healed fracture was performed on day 42. The volume, mineral content and bone density of the callus were measured by quantitative CT on days 14 and 42. Expression of iNOS was measured by immunohistochemistry.

Results

When compared with the control group, the COMB-4 group exhibited 46% higher maximum strength (t-test, p = 0.029) and 92% higher stiffness (t-test, p = 0.023), but no significant changes were observed in the tadalafil group. At days 14 and 42, there was no significant difference between the three groups with respect to callus volume, mineral content and bone density. Expression of iNOS at day 14 was significantly higher in the COMB-4 group which, as expected, had returned to baseline levels at day 42.

Conclusion

This study demonstrates an enhancement in fracture healing by an oral natural product known to augment iNOS expression. Cite this article: R. A. Rajfer, A. Kilic, A. S. Neviaser, L. M. Schulte, S. M. Hlaing, J. Landeros, M. G. Ferrini, E. Ebramzadeh, S-H. Park. Enhancement of fracture healing in the rat, modulated by compounds that stimulate inducible nitric oxide synthase: Acceleration of fracture healing via inducible nitric oxide synthase. Bone Joint Res 2017:6:–97. DOI: 10.1302/2046-3758.62.BJR-2016-0164.R2.
Multicenter Evaluation of Cystatin C Measurement after Assay Standardization
Authors: Bargnoux Anne-Sophie , Piéroni Laurence , Cristol Jean-Paul , Kuster Nils , Delanaye Pierre , Carlier Marie-Christine , Fellahi Soraya , Boutten Anne , Lombard Christine , González-Antuña Ana , Delatour Vincent , Cavalier Etienne
Published: February 2017

BACKGROUND

Since 2010, a certified reference material ERM-DA471/IFCC has been available for cystatin C (CysC). This study aimed to assess the sources of uncertainty in results for clinical samples measured using standardized assays.

METHODS

This evaluation was performed in 2015 and involved 7 clinical laboratories located in France and Belgium. CysC was measured in a panel of 4 serum pools using 8 automated assays and a candidate isotope dilution mass spectrometry reference measurement procedure. Sources of uncertainty (imprecision and bias) were evaluated to calculate the relative expanded combined uncertainty for each CysC assay. Uncertainty was judged against the performance specifications derived from the biological variation model.

RESULTS

Only Siemens reagents on the Siemens systems and, to a lesser extent, DiaSys reagents on the Cobas system, provided results that met the minimum performance criterion calculated according to the intraindividual and interindividual biological variations. Although the imprecision was acceptable for almost all assays, an increase in the bias with concentration was observed for Gentian reagents, and unacceptably high biases were observed for Abbott and Roche reagents on their own systems.

CONCLUSIONS

This comprehensive picture of the market situation since the release of ERM-DA471/IFCC shows that bias remains the major component of the combined uncertainty because of possible problems associated with the implementation of traceability. Although some manufacturers have clearly improved their calibration protocols relative to ERM-DA471, most of them failed to meet the criteria for acceptable CysC measurements.
Cannabis Edibles: Blood and Oral Fluid Cannabinoid Pharmacokinetics and Evaluation of Oral Fluid Screening Devices for Predicting Δ9-Tetrahydrocannabinol in Blood and Oral Fluid following Cannabis Brownie Administration
Authors: Newmeyer Matthew N , Swortwood Madeleine J , Andersson Maria , Abulseoud Osama A , Scheidweiler Karl B , Huestis Marilyn A
Published: February 2017

BACKGROUND

Roadside oral fluid (OF) Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) detection indicates recent cannabis intake. OF and blood THC pharmacokinetic data are limited and there are no on-site OF screening performance evaluations after controlled edible cannabis.

CONTENT

We reviewed OF and blood cannabinoid pharmacokinetics and performance evaluations of the Draeger DrugTest®5000 (DT5000) and Alere™ DDS®2 (DDS2) on-site OF screening devices. We also present data from a controlled oral cannabis administration session.

OF THC maximum concentrations (Cmax) were similar in frequent as compared to occasional smokers, while blood THC Cmax were higher in frequent [mean (range) 17.7 (8.0–36.1) μg/L] smokers compared to occasional [8.2 (3.2–14.3) μg/L] smokers. Minor cannabinoids Δ9-tetrahydrocannabivarin and cannabigerol were never detected in blood, and not in OF by 5 or 8 h, respectively, with 0.3 μg/L cutoffs. Recommended performance (analytical sensitivity, specificity, and efficiency) criteria for screening devices of ≥80% are difficult to meet when maximizing true positive (TP) results with confirmation cutoffs below the screening cutoff. TPs were greatest with OF confirmation cutoffs of THC ≥1 and ≥2 μg/L, but analytical sensitivities were <80% due to false negative tests arising from confirmation cutoffs below the DT5000 and DDS2 screening cutoffs; all criteria were >80% with an OF THC ≥5 μg/L cutoff. Performance criteria also were >80% with a blood THC ≥5 μg/L confirmation cutoff; however, positive OF screening results might not confirm due to the time required to collect blood after a crash or police stop. OF confirmation is recommended for roadside OF screening.

ClinicalTrials.gov identification number: NCT02177513
Molecular structure, spectroscopic (UV-vis, FT-IR and FT- Raman), conformational aspects of 3t-pentyl-2r,6c-di(naphthalen-1-yl) piperidin-4-one oxime: a comprehensive experimental and DFT study
Authors: Anandhy K. , Arockia doss M. , Amala S. , Mahalakshmi S. , Rajarajan G.
Published: February 2017

The molecular structure and conformational aspects of 3t-pentyl-2r,6c-di(naphthalen-1-yl)piperidin-4-one oxime (3-PDNPO) were studied by using B3LYP level with 6-31G(d,p) p basis set. The optimized geometrical parameters are in agreement with analogue available single XRD data. The optimized parameters showed that the piperidin-4-one ring adopts chair conformation.The FT- IR and FT-Raman spectra were recorded within the region 4000-400 cm-1 and 4000-10 cm-1, respectively. It was found by experimental wavenumbers and DFT wavenumbers were in good agreement. Electronic properties are investigated using TD-DFT/B3LYP method using 6-31G (d,p) basis set and compared with experimental UV-visible spectra. Additionally, the Î”E gap investigated three phases follows the order of CHCl3 > gas > Methanol. The favourite sites for substitution reactions were evaluated by Mulliken and MEP analyses. From NLO analysis, it is found that the hyperpolarizability values are two times greater than the urea.Our proposed simulation procedure offers an alternative compound with which we can evaluate or design the best candidate NLO material.
Chemical Innovation in Plant Nutrition in a Historical Continuum from Ancient Greece and Rome until Modern Times
Authors: Antonkiewicz Jacek , Łabętowicz Jan
Published: February 2017

This monograph aims to present how arduously views on plant nutrition shaped over centuries and how the foundation of environmental knowledge concerning these issues was created. This publication also presents current problems and trends in studies concerning plant nutrition, showing their new dimension. This new dimension is determined, on one hand, by the need to feed the world population increasing in geometric progression, and on the other hand by growing environmental problems connected with intensification of agricultural production.
Are Future Chemistry Teachers Prepared to Perform Chemical Experiments at Primary and Secondary Schools?
Authors: Drozdíková Anna , Prokša Miroslav
Published: February 2017

Our contribution is devoted to study the ability of future chemistry teachers to organise pupils’ observation of chemical phenomena. In this article measuring of multi-level means is described, which should denote a readiness of probands to perform an observation during carrying out chemical experiment. It is based on the assumption that well-prepared observers are able to work actively and to propose alternative solutions, because of their deep understanding of a procedure. In next part of this article the results of a research carried out at Faculty of Natural Sciences in Bratislava are analysed. The research was also aimed to detect if students are prepared to perform chemical experiments without a risk that they will be confused by a procedure or different course of experiment as they had expected.
Innovative Educational Program for Biogas Production Carried Out at University of Hradec Králové (CZ) and at University of Opole (PL)
Authors: Loskot Jan , Smolík Marek , Hyšplerová Lidmila , Radocha Karol , Kříž Jan , Eminger Stanislav , Dołhańczuk-Śródka Agnieszka , Ziembik Zbigniew , Wacławek Maria
Published: February 2017

Recently, there is a growing pressure on a rapid construction of agricultural biogas plants, particularly in the Czech-Polish border region. It is an area with large expanses of agricultural land which can serve to supply biogas plants with biomass. This strategy should contribute to harmonize the common agricultural policy of the European Union. A need for qualified operators of these stations on this territory is also increasing. Therefore we first include a demonstration of an education program for students in the field of agricultural waste anaerobic fermentation and biogas production. We present here the first part of an innovative approach which we use in the teaching program “Physico-technical Measurements and Computer Technology” at the Faculty of Science at the University of Hradec Kralove and also in the education of internshipers from the Faculty of Natural Sciences and Technology at the University of Opole. There are requirements to fulfil labour market expectations and to make this subject more attractive for the students. Students’ theoretical and practical preparation constitutes a comprehensive source of knowledge and skills required in a real life job. Joined theoretical and practical knowledge gained by students, reinforced by the skills developed during task analysis followed by their solution, provides the future graduate higher quality abilities and better position in the labour market.
The Effect of Point Emitter Geometric Parameters on Dustfall
Authors: Wierzbińska Monika
Published: February 2017

In this paper, the modeling results are presented of point emitter geometric parameters determining the dispersion of dust pollution in the atmospheric air and finally also dustfall. The parameters include: the height and diameter of the emitter. Using the maps generated by “Ek100w” programme of Atmoterm company from Opole, Poland, an analysis of the PM10 dustfall value distribution on the analyzed area has been made. Fraction of dust - PM10 - was emitted from emitters of various working parameters. Three situations were analyzed: emission from a one-family (detached) building, from and industrial plant and from a power plant. Different heights and diameters for the above cases were analyzed. What results from the work, is that the mentioned parameters have a significant influence on the value of dustfall on the area surface at different distances from the emitter. With the increase of the height and diameter of the emitter, the values of dustfall decrease. The distance of the maximal values occurrence also increases. Results of similar analysis and available tools allow to design emission in practice, and thus allow a maximal limitation of ambient concentration of pollution and dustfall in areas especially exposed to industrial and superficial emission.
Determination of Ammonium Concentration in Post-Process Waters from Underground Coal Gasification
Authors: Cykowska Malwina , Bebek Małgorzata , Strugała-Wilczek Aleksandra
Published: February 2017

A flow injection analysis method for spectrophotometric determination of ammonium in waters produced during underground coal gasification (UCG) of lignite and hard coal was described. The analysis of UCG water samples is very difficult because of their very complicated matrix and colour. Due to a huge content of organic and inorganic substances and intensive colour of samples (sometimes yellow, quite often dark brown or even black), most analytical methods are not suitable for practical application. Flow injection analysis (FIA) is based on diffusion of ammonia through a hydrophobic gas permeable membrane from an alkaline solution stream into an acid-base indicator solution stream. Diffused ammonia causes a colour change of indicator solution, and ammonia is subsequently quantified spectrophotometrically at 590 nm wavelength. The reliability of the results provided by applied method was evaluated by checking validation parameters like accuracy and precision. Accuracy was evaluated by recovery studies using multiple standard addition method. Precision as repeatability was expressed as a coefficient of variation (CV).
The Comparison of Cellulolytic Activity of the Modified Soil Treated with Roundup
Authors: Krzyśko-Łupicka Teresa , Kręcidło Łukasz , Kręcidło Magdalena
Published: February 2017

The activity of soil microorganisms affects soil fertility and structure, what leads to satisfactory crop yields, thanks to changes in the decay of organic matter. Their activity may be impaired as a result of application by farmers both fertilizers and pesticides. The degradation of cellulosic biomass represents an important part of the carbon cycle within the biosphere. Cellulolitic microorganisms are responsible for this decomposition, as they produced the enzymes of the cellulase complex. The aim of the study was to compare the cellulolytic activity of soil with Roundup and modified using urea phosphate and / or manure. The pot experiment was conducted under laboratory conditions. The studied material was brown soil (pH of 5.5) fertilized with manure and/or urea phosphate. To each earthenware vase were fed 0.5 kg of the tested soil supplemented with 1% carboxymethyl cellulose. The cellulolytic activities of soil in different experimental variants were expressed in % of C using a colorimetric Petkov method. Modification of soil cellulolytic activity varied considerably depending on the additive manure and/or urea phosphate and Roundup. The lowest soil cellulolytic activity was observed in the presence of manure and urea phosphate, and the highest in the soil with manure and Roundup. The objects of Roundup independently of the other additives urea phosphate stimulate the activity of the cellulolytic microflora compared to objects containing only urea phosphate. The presence of manure in soil treated with Roundup clearly accelerated degradation of cellulose, what can be used in agriculture in the degradation of crop residues. The study shows that pesticides and fertilizers have a big impact on cellulolytic activity in soil. Changes in cellulolytic activity can be used as an ecological indicator of soil pollution level.
Volatile Oil Content of Scots Pine Needles (Pinus sylvestris L.)
Authors: Sporek Monika
Published: February 2017

This study focused on how the concentration of volatile oils in Scots Pine needles varied in relation to the age of the trees, the age of the needles and their location within the canopy. Study material were pine needles from 15-, 44- and 89-year-old pine stands. The mean content of oils increased with the age of trees. The averaged oil content in needles was: 0.46% in the 15-year-old stand, 0.55% in the 44-year-old and 0.61% in the 89-year-old stands. The mean content of volatile oils decreased with the age of the needles. 1-year-old needles contained the highest concentration of volatile oils (0.56%), and the 3-year-old needles contained the least (0.48%). In 15-year-old stands the oil content in needles increased linearly with their height in the canopy. In 44-year-old (age class IIb) and 89-year-old (age class Va) stands oil content was greater lower in the canopy than in the middle.
Menthol Cigarettes, Time to First Cigarette, and Smoking Cessation
Authors: Sanders Edward , Weitkunat Rolf , Dempsey Ruth
Published: February 2017

The goal of the present work is to determine if menthol and non-menthol cigarette smokers differ with respect to time to first cigarette (TTFC) and successful smoking cessation via a meta-analysis of published results. For 13 independent estimates, menthol smokers were slightly but statistically significantly more likely to exhibit TTFC ≤ 5 min (random-effects odds ratio (OR) = 1.12; 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.04–1.21), while 17 independent estimates provided a non-significant difference for TTFC ≤ 30 min (random-effects OR = 1.06; 95% CI, 0.96–1.16). For cessation studies, meta-analysis of 30 published estimates indicated a decreased likelihood for menthol cigarette smokers to quit (random-effects OR = 0.87; 95% CI, 0.80–0.96). There was no difference between cessation rates for Caucasian menthol and non-menthol cigarette smokers, but the results support that African American menthol cigarette smokers find it more difficult to quit. Adjustment of cessation for socioeconomic status eliminated any statistically significant advantage for smoking cessation in non-menthol smokers. In conclusion, these results suggest that the observed differences in cessation rates between menthol and non-menthol cigarette smokers are likely explained by differences in socioeconomic status and also suggest that TTFC may not be a robust predictor of successful smoking cessation.
The Smoking Mind: A Psycho-Cognitive Perspective
Authors: Masiero Marianna , Renzi Chiara , Pravettoni Gabriella
Published: February 2017

Smoking behavior involves not only a biological addiction, but also psycho-cognitive components. This runs from smoking initiation, through to maintaining, attempts at quitting, and relapse. This perspective is an important element in studying and intervening in smoking behaviors. The main aim of this narrative review is to explore tobacco cigarette smoking behavior, considering the pivotal role of cognitive mechanisms embedded in decision-making and in risk judgment, with particular attention to the so-called Optimistic Bias (OB). The mechanisms through which this fallacy supports smoking initiation and continuance are explored, considering the transition from young to adult smokers and the case of light and intermittent smokers. Furthermore, additional cognitive mechanisms associated with the OB, which sustain smoking behavior and prevent the efficacy of smoking cessation, are described. Finally, a stimulus for reflection and for discussion about how the impact of the cognitive bias perspective in tobacco cigarette smoking is provided, focusing on how it could support tailored interventions, both in smoking initiation prevention in adolescents and young adults, as well as in smoking cessation in high-risk categories.
Development of Models for the Estimation of Mouth Level Exposure to Aerosol Constituents from a Heat-Not-Burn Tobacco Product Using Mouthpiece Analysis
Authors: Poget Laurent , Campelos Pedro , Jeannet Cyril , Maeder Serge
Published: February 2017

Philip Morris International has developed a heat-not-burn tobacco heating system (THS 2.2) that produces an aerosol without combustion. Adult smokers are anticipated to use the product with differing behaviors, such as puffing volume or puffing frequency, therefore it was important to find an easy way to study how users are exposed to the aerosol constituents. Thus, the intended outcome of this study was to propose and assess a simple approach for the estimation of THS users’ exposure to harmful and potentially harmful constituents (HPHCs).

THS operates using tobacco sticks (HeatSticks) that include a mouthpiece and a tobacco plug which, when heated, generates an aerosol. The analysis of nicotine retained in the mouthpiece of the HeatSticks during use was identified as a potential approach to estimate users’ mouth level exposure (MLE) to HPHCs. Consequently, the following study was conducted with the objectives 1.) to assess the correlation between the quantity of retained nicotine in the mouthpiece (Nicotine MP) of the HeatSticks and the nicotine delivered in the aerosol of machine-smoked products, 2.) to verify the practical range for Nicotine MP based on the analysis of used HeatSticks left by THS users, and 3.) to develop models describing the relationship between Nicotine MP and specific aerosol constituents measured in the aerosol of machine-smoked products.

The regular non-mentholated HeatSticks variant was machine-smoked under various smoking regimens to cover the range of anticipated human puffing behaviors. The suitability of this practical range of machine-smoking conditions was verified by collecting used HeatSticks from two different trials conducted with THS users. The determined Nicotine MP distribution indicated that the machine-smoked regimens encompassed the range observed for users.

Multiple Linear Regression (MLR) combined with a stepwise approach was used for selecting models describing the relationship between Nicotine MP and specific aerosol constituents. The stepwise approach interactively explores which amongst various tested predictors provides a good fit. The developed models showed good adjusted coefficients of determination (i.e., R2 adj. ≥ 0.75) for 28 out of the 43 investigated HPHCs.

Previously published studies showed that actual MLE can be estimated from cigarette filter analysis. This study demonstrated that the analysis of nicotine in THS mouthpiece (filter section) corresponded to an estimation of the upper limits of MLE, in line with maximum possible usage conditions.
Genetic polymorphisms of cytochrome P450 enzymes: CYP2C9, CYP2C19, CYP2D6, CYP3A4, and CYP3A5 in the Croatian population
Authors: Ganoci Lana , Božina Tamara , Mirošević Skvrce Nikica , Lovrić Mila , Mas Petar , Božina Nada
Published: February 2017

Background:

Data on the frequency of pharmacogenetic polymorphisms in the Croatian population are limited. We determined and analyzed frequencies for the most important CYP2C9, CYP2C19, CYP2D6, CYP3A4, and CYP3A5 genetic variants in the Croatian population.

Methods:

2637 subjects were included. Genotyping was performed by real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) using TaqMan® DME or TaqMan® SNP Genotyping Assays, and by PCR, and PCR-RFLP analysis.

Results:

For CYP2C9, allele frequencies of *2 and *3 variant were 14.5% and 7.6%, respectively. Among them, 3.98% of subjects were predicted to be poor metabolizers. For CYP2C19, the most frequent variant alleles were *2 (14.8%), and *17 (23.7%), while 2.4% of subjects were predicted to be poor metabolizers, and 5.39% were homozygous carriers of *17 predicted to be ultrarapid metabolizers (UM). For CYP2D6, the frequencies of tested variant alleles were *3 (2.2%), *4 (17.4%), *5 (1%), *6 (1.1%), and *41 (10.8%). Out of these, 5.59% were predicted to be poor metabolizers, 3.19% were classified as UM while 1.0% were carriers of variant alleles duplications (undefined phenotype). For CYP3A4 allele frequencies of *1B and *22 variants were 1.4% and 2.7%, respectively. Allele frequency of CYP3A5*3 was 95.5%. Analyzing CYP3A cluster according to the combination of CYP3A4*22 and CYP3A5*3 revealed 5.34% of subjects to be poor metabolizers, while 8.66% were classified as extensive metabolizers.

Conclusions:

The frequency of the CYP allelic variants, genotypes, and predicted phenotypes in the Croatian population is in accordance with the other European populations, between the values of published data for Middle European and Mediterranean populations.
Diagnoses in and out of time: historical and medical perspectives on the diagnoses of distress
Authors: Pietikainen Petteri , Turunen Jari
Published: February 2017

Focusing on the medical approach to the subjective forms of distress, this article has a three-fold argument. First, the historical starting point of diagnosing distress was neurasthenia during the last two decades of the 19th century. Second, the diagnosis of neurasthenia that initially contained more somatic than mental symptoms was gradually replaced by the more psychologically conceptualized neuroses. Such a psychiatrization of neurosis gradually separated mental and somatic syndromes into two distinct diagnostic categories, those of mental and somatic. Third, when modern “neuroses” are seen in the framework of distress rather than disease, it provides tools for new kinds of interventions, in which the principal aim is to alleviate the subjective distress with all possible and reasonable means and methods. As the social context constitutes a crucial “etiology” to medicalized forms of distress, we need new, context-based approaches to both analyze and alleviate such distress. In our historical and medical approach to these “diagnoses of distress”, we are guided by the belief that analyzing diagnostic categories can provide important insight into the mechanisms behind our changing conceptions of health and wellbeing.
An Empirical Propagation Model for Corridors in Office Buildings
Authors: Kosz Paweł
Published: February 2017

This paper presents an empirical propagation path loss model for corridors in office buildings. The proposed model estimates changeable character of radio signal attenuation, based on a special approach as a combination of the simple free-space model with the author’s model. The measurement stand and measurement scenario are described. The propagation path loss research have been made in corridor for different frequencies in range 30 MHz to 290 MHz. A significant number of measurement results were allowed an analysis of the radio wave propagation conditions in the environment. In general, the propagation path loss increases for each measurement frequencies with length of propagation route. Based on measurement data, the new empirical propagation path loss model was developed. For this purpose, the regression analysis was made. The novelty of this model is that it could be used for estimate propagation path loss in measured environment for different radio wave frequencies. At the end, in order to justification the practical usefulness of described method for estimate a radio wave attenuation, the statistical evaluation was made. Thus, the results of the statistical analysis (ME, SEE and R2 values) are satisfactory for each measured radio wave frequency.
Metrological Properties of the Test Setup for Determination Shielding Effectiveness of the Industrial Cable Connectors
Authors: Kopka Ryszard , Tarczyński Wiesław , Pluta Sławomir
Published: February 2017

The paper presents results related to assessment of the repeatability and reproducibility of the measurement test setup for determination the relative value of the shielding effectiveness coefficient of the industrial connectors. The construction of the proposed test setup, the measurement method and the procedure for the analysis of measurement results were described. To determine the value of the repeatability and reproducibility coefficient, the two–way analysis of variance was used, which additionally allows for an assessment of the influence of individual sources of variance. The measurements and their analysis were conducted for several frequencies in the range up to 1 GHz. Additionally, the expanded measurement uncertainty, including the test setup and instruments uncertainty was estimated.
Ultra-wide-angle Wireless Endoscope with a Backend-camera-controller Architecture
Authors: Shim Dongha , Yi Jason
Published: February 2017

This paper presents a wireless endoscope with an ultra-wide FOV (Field of View) of 130° and HD resolution (1280×720 pixels). The proposed endoscope consists of a camera head, cable, camera controller, and wireless handle. The lens module with a 150° degrees AOV (Angle of View) is achieved using the plastic injection-molding process to reduce manufacturing costs. A serial CMOS image sensor using the MIPI (Mobile Industry Processor Interface) CSI-2 (Camera Serial Interface-2) interface physically separates the camera processor from the camera head. The camera head and the cable have a compact structure due to the BCC (Backend-Camera-Controller) architecture. The size of the camera head and the camera controller is 8×8×26 mm and 7×55 mm, respectively. The wireless handle supports a UWB (Ultra-Wide-Band) or a Wi-Fi communication to transmit video data. The UWB link supports a maximum data transfer rate of ~37 Mbps to transmit video data with a resolution of 1280×720 pixels at a frame rate of 30 fps in the MJPEG (Motion JPEG) format. Although the Wi-Fi link provides a lower data transfer rate (~8 Mbps Max.), it has the advantage of flexible interoperability with various mobile devices. The latency of the UWB link is measured to be ~0.1 sec. The Wi-Fi link has a larger latency (~0.5 sec) due to its lower data transfer rate. The proposed endoscope demonstrates the feasibility of a high-performance yet low-cost wireless endoscope using the BCC architecture. To the best of the author’s knowledge, the proposed endoscope has the largest FOV among all presently existing wireless endoscopes.
Effects of Triangular Core Rotation of a Hybrid Porous Core Terahertz Waveguide
Authors: Ali Sharafat , Ahmed Nasim , Alwee Syed , Islam Monirul , Rana Sohel , Bhuiyan Touhid
Published: February 2017

In this paper, we investigate the effects for rotating the triangular core air hole arrangements of a hybrid design porous core fiber. The triangular core has been rotated in anti-clockwise direction to evaluate the impact on different waveguide properties. Effective Material Loss (EML), confinement loss, bending loss, dispersion characteristics and fraction of power flow are calculated to determine the impacts for rotating the triangular core. The porous fiber represented here has a hybrid design in the core area which includes circular rings with central triangular air hole arrangement. The cladding of the investigated fiber has a hexagonal array of air hole distribution. For optimum parameters the reported hybrid porous core fiber shows a flat EML of ±0.000416 cm−1 from 1.5 to 5 terahertz (THz) range and a near zero dispersion of 0.4±0.042 ps/THz/cm from 1.25 to 5.0 THz. Negligible confinement and bending losses are reported for this new type of hybrid porous core design. With improved concept of air hole distribution and exceptional waveguide properties, the reported porous core fiber can be considered as a vital forwarding step in this field of research.
Artificial Neural Network Approach to Mobile Location Estimation in GSM Network
Authors: Ezema Longinus S. , Ani Cosmas I.
Published: February 2017

The increase in utilisation of mobile location-based services for commercial, safety and security purposes among others are the key drivers for improving location estimation accuracy to better serve those purposes. This paper proposes the application of Levenberg Marquardt training algorithm on new robust multilayered perceptron neural network architecture for mobile positioning fitting for the urban area in the considered GSM network using received signal strength (RSS). The key performance metrics such as accuracy, cost, reliability and coverage are the major points considered in this paper. The technique was evaluated using real data from field measurement and the results obtained proved the proposed model provides a practical positioning that meet Federal Communication Commission (FCC) accuracy requirement.
Cloud Cooperated Heterogeneous Cellular Networks for Delayed Offloading using Millimeter Wave Gates
Authors: Mohamed Ehab Mahmoud
Published: February 2017

Increasing the capacity of wireless cellular network is one of the major challenges for the coming years. A lot of research works have been done to exploit the ultra-wide band of millimeter wave (mmWave) and integrate it into future cellular networks. In this paper, to efficiently utilize the mmWave band while reducing the total deployment cost, we propose to deploy the mmWave access in the form of ultra-high capacity mmWave gates distributed in the coverage area of the macro basestation (Macro BS). Delayed offloading is also proposed to proficiently exploit the gates and relax the demand of deploying a large number of them. Furthermore, a mobility-aware weighted proportional fair (WPF) user scheduling is proposed to maximize the intra-gate offloading efficiency while maintaining the long-term offloading fairness among the users inside the gate. To efficiently link the mmWave gates with the Macro BS in a unified cellular network structure, a cloud cooperated heterogeneous cellular network (CC-HetNet) is proposed. In which, the gates and the Macro BS are linked to the centralized radio access network (C-RAN) via high-speed backhaul links. Using the concept of control/user (C/U) plane splitting, signaling information is sent to the UEs through the wide coverage Macro BS, and most of users’ delayed traffic is offloaded through the ultra-high capacity mmWave gates. An enhanced access network discovery and selection function (eANDSF) based on a network wide proportional fair criterion is proposed to discover and select an optimal mmWave gate to associate a user with delayed traffic. It is interesting to find out that a mmWave gate consisting of only 4 mmWave access points (APs) can offload up to 70 GB of delayed traffic within 25 sec, which reduces the energy consumption of a user equipment (UE) by 99.6 % compared to the case of only using Macro BS without gate offloading. Also, more than a double increase in total gates offloaded bytes is obtained using the proposed eANDSF over using the conventional ANDSF proposed by 3GPP due to the optimality in selecting the associating gate.
Power Allocation for Energy-Harvesting-based Fading Cognitive Multiple Access Channels: with or without Successive Interference Cancellation
Authors: Li Qun , Xu Ding
Published: February 2017

This paper considers a fading cognitive multiple access channel (CMAC), where multiple secondary users (SUs), who share the spectrum with a primary user (PU), transmit to a cognitive base station (CBS). A power station is assumed to harvest energy from the nature and then provide power to the SUs. We investigate the power allocation problems for such a CMAC to maximize the SU sum rate under the interference power constraint, the sum transmit power constraint and the peak transmit power constraint of each individual SU. In particular, two scenarios are considered: with successive interference cancellation (SIC) and without SIC. For the first scenario, the optimal power allocation algorithm is derived. For the second scenario, a heuristic algorithm is proposed. We show that the proposed algorithm with SIC outperforms the algorithm without SIC in terms of the SU sum rate, while the algorithm without SIC outperforms the algorithm with SIC in terms of the number of admitted SUs for a high sum transmit power limit and a low peak transmit power limit of each individual SU.
Saleh’s Model of AM/AM and AM/PM Conversions is not a Model without Memory – Another Proof
Authors: Borys Andrzej
Published: February 2017

The so-called Saleh’s representation for description of the AM/AM and AM/PM conversions, occurring in communication power amplifiers, consists of two expressions that describe them as functions of a real-valued baseband signal modulating the carrier amplitude. It is a common view that this description forms a model without memory. We show here that the above belief is not correct; just the opposite is true. To prove this, we take into account an equivalent description of the Saleh’s model called the quadrature model of bandpass nonlinearities and express it in a form of a nonlinear operator. Afterwards, we check whether this operator possesses a zero memory. To this end, we use an appropriate theorem of the nonlinear systems theory. Finally, as a result of this investigation, we observe that the memory of the above operator is nonzero.
Improved Water-Filling Power Allocation for Energy-Efficient Massive MIMO Downlink Transmissions
Authors: Noor Shahida M. K , Nordin Rosdiadee , Ismail Mahamod
Published: February 2017

Energy Efficiency (EE) is becoming increasingly important for wireless communications and has caught more attention due to steadily rising energy costs and environmental concerns. Recently, a new network architecture known as Massive Multiple-Input Multiple-Output (MIMO) has been proposed with the remarkable potential to achieve huge gains in EE with simple linear processing. In this paper, a power allocation algorithm is proposed for EE to achieve the optimal EE in Massive MIMO. Based on the simplified expression, we develop a new algorithm to compute the optimal power allocation algorithm and it has been compared with the existing scheme from the previous literature. An improved water filling algorithm is proposed and embedded in the power allocation algorithm to maximize EE and Spectral Efficiency (SE). The numerical analysis of the simulation results indicates an improvement of 40% in EE and 50% in SE at the downlink transmission, compared to the other existing schemes. Furthermore, the results revealed that SE does not influence the EE enhancement after using the proposed algorithm as the number of Massive MIMO antenna at the Base Station (BS) increases.
Investigation of dynamic routing and spectrum allocation methods in elastic optical networks
Authors: Biernacka Edyta , Domżał Jerzy , Wójcik Robert
Published: February 2017

The introduction of flexible frequency grids and advanced modulation techniques to optical transmission, namely an elastic optical network, requires new routing and spectrum allocation techniques. In this paper, we investigate dynamic two-step routing and spectrum allocation (RSA) methods for elastic optical networks. K-shortest path-based methods as well as spectrum allocation methods are analysed and discussed. Experimental verification of the investigated techniques is provided using simulation software. Simulation results present effectiveness of routing and spectrum allocation methods for analyzed networks using requested bandwidth of connections. Moreover, performance of shortest path first methods improves considerably when a number of candidate paths increases in the UBN24 topology.
Image Quality Assessment Using Edge Correlation
Authors: Ruikar Jayesh , Sinha Ashoke , Chaudhury Saurabh
Published: February 2017

In literature, oriented filters are used for low-level vision tasks. In this paper, we propose use of steerable Gaussian filter in image quality assessment. Human visual system is more sensitive to multidirectional edges present in natural images. The most degradation in image quality is caused due to its edges. In this work, an edge based metric termed as steerable Gaussian filtering (SGF) quality index is proposed as objective measure for image quality assessment. The performance of the proposed technique is evaluated over multiple databases. The experimental result shows that proposed method is more reliable and outperform the conventional image quality assessment method.
Preparation of highly mesoporous wood-derived activated carbon fiber and the mechanism of its porosity development
Authors: Liu Wenjing , Wang Ximing , Zhang Minghui
Published: February 2017

Wood-derived activated carbon fibers (WACF) with large mesopore volumes have been developed, which were prepared only by H3PO4 as the activator (WACF-P). By carefully controlling the H3PO4 concentration at the 10% level and activation temperature at 700°C, the contribution of mesopore to the total pore volume of WACF reached 87%, which is much higher than those obtained in previous studies on ACF. The porosity development mechanism of WACF-P was interpreted based on the data of pore characteristics, crystallite structure, surface elemental constituents, and surface functional groups. The activation effect of H3PO4 seems to be mainly relied on the enlargement of the existing defects in the fibers, which are developing to mesopores. Based on the large mesopore volume, the WACF-P have an excellent adsorption property for xylenol orange (XO). In general, the WACF-P are suitable for the adsorption of macromoleculses.
The small GTPases Ras and Rheb studied by multidimensional NMR spectroscopy: structure and function
Authors: Schöpel Miriam , Potheraveedu Veena Nambiar , Al-Harthy Thuraya , Abdel-Jalil Raid , Heumann Rolf , Stoll Raphael
Published: February 2017

Ras GTPases are key players in cellular signalling because they act as binary switches. These states manifest through toggling between an active (GTP-loaded) and an inactive (GDP-loaded) form. The hydrolysis and replenishing of GTP is controlled by two additional protein classes: GAP (GTPase-activating)- and GEF (Guanine nucleotide exchange factors)-proteins. The complex interplay of the proteins is known as the GTPase-cycle. Several point mutations of the Ras protein deregulate this cycle. Mutations in Ras are associated with up to one-third of human cancers. The three isoforms of Ras (H, N, K) exhibit high sequence similarity and mainly differ in a region called HVR (hypervariable region). The HVR governs the differential action and cellular distribution of the three isoforms. Rheb is a Ras-like GTPase that is conserved from yeast to mammals. Rheb is mainly involved in activation of cell growth through stimulation of mTORC1 activity. In this review, we summarise multidimensional NMR studies on Rheb and Ras carried out to characterise their structure-function relationship and explain how the activity of these small GTPases can be modulated by low molecular weight compounds. These might help to design GTPase-selective antagonists for treatment of cancer and brain disease.
Application of Mathematical Models for Different Electroslag Remelting Processes
Authors: Jiang Zhou Hua , Yu Jia , Liu Fu Bin , Chen Xu , Geng Xin
Published: February 2017

The electroslag remelting (ESR) process has been effectively applied to produce high grade special steels and super alloys based on the controllable solidification and chemical refining process. Due to the difficulties of precise measurements in a high temperature environment and the excessive expenses, mathematical models have been more and more attractive in terms of investigating the transport phenomena in ESR process. In this paper, the numerical models for different ESR processes made by our lab in last decade have been introduced. The first topic deals with traditional ESR process predicting the relationship between operating parameters and metallurgical parameters of interest. The second topic is concerning the new ESR technology process including ESR with current-conductive mould (CCM), ESR hollow ingot technology, electroslag casting with liquid metal(ESC LM), and so on. Finally, the numerical simulation of solidification microstructure with multi-scale model is presented, which reveals the formation mechanism of microstructure.