bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Modeling the spatial distribution of larval fish abundance provides essential information for management
Authors: Kallasvuo Meri , Vanhatalo Jarno , Veneranta Lari
Published: September 2016

Productive fisheries are strongly linked to the ecological state of the essential habitats. In this study, we developed a methodology to assess the most important reproduction habitats of fish by using larval survey data and Bayesian species distribution models that predict the spatial distribution and abundance of fish larvae. Our case study with four commercially and ecologically important fish species in the coastal zone of the northern Baltic Sea demonstrated that the production of fish stocks can be concentrated to an extremely limited area compared with the entire suitable production area. The area suitable for larval production varied from 3.7% to 99.8% among species, but the smallest area responsible for 80% of the cumulative larval production was two to five times more limited, varying from 1.4% to 52.9% among species. Hence, instead of the traditional approach of modeling only habitat suitability for fish production, marine spatial planning and management should take into account the areal production potential. Moreover, the developed methodology enables linking of the total production potential across the whole distribution area to fisheries stock assessment and management.
Review of genetic diversification of bats in the Caribbean and biogeographic relationships to Neotropical species based on DNA barcodes
Authors: Lim Burton K.
Published: September 2016

DNA barcoding is helping in discovering high levels of cryptic species and an underestimation of biodiversity in many groups of organisms. Although mammals are arguably the most studied and one of the least speciose taxonomic classes, the rate of species discovery is increasing and biased for small mammals on islands. An earlier study found bats in the Caribbean as a taxonomic and geographic deficiency in the International Barcode of Life initiative to establish a genetic reference database to enable specimen identification to species. Recent surveys in Dominican Republic, Jamaica, and Martinique have documented and barcoded half of the 58 bat species known from the Caribbean. I analyze all available barcode data of Caribbean bats to investigate biogeography and cryptic species in the Neotropical region. Analysis of the mitochondrial DNA gene cytochrome c oxidase subunit 1 results in a phylogenetic tree with all but one species as well-supported and reciprocally monophyletic. With a broader sampling across the Neotropics, there are also divergent lineages that exhibit biogeographic structuring: (i) a phylogenetic split between northern and southern Dominican Republic in three species, (ii) two taxa with cryptic species associated with higher degree of island endemism, (iii) populations of two widely distributed species with deep divergence between the Caribbean and North and Central America, and (iv) one species in the Caribbean with affinities to taxa in South America.
Genome-wide analysis of the DNA-binding with one zinc finger (Dof) transcription factor family in bananas
Authors: Dong Chen , Hu Huigang , Xie Jianghui
Published: September 2016

DNA-binding with one finger (Dof) domain proteins are a multigene family of plant-specific transcription factors involved in numerous aspects of plant growth and development. In this study, we report a genome-wide search for Musa acuminata Dof (MaDof) genes and their expression profiles at different developmental stages and in response to various abiotic stresses. In addition, a complete overview of the Dof gene family in bananas is presented, including the gene structures, chromosomal locations, cis-regulatory elements, conserved protein domains, and phylogenetic inferences. Based on the genome-wide analysis, we identified 74 full-length protein-coding MaDof genes unevenly distributed on 11 chromosomes. Phylogenetic analysis with Dof members from diverse plant species showed that MaDof genes can be classified into four subgroups (StDof I, II, III, and IV). The detailed genomic information of the MaDof gene homologs in the present study provides opportunities for functional analyses to unravel the exact role of the genes in plant growth and development.
Development of oligonucleotides and multiplex probes for quick and accurate identification of wheat and Thinopyrum bessarabicum chromosomes
Authors: Du Pei , Zhuang Lifang , Wang Yanzhi , Yuan Li , Wang Qing , Wang Danrui , Dawadondup  , Tan Lijun , Shen Jian , Xu Haibin , Zhao Han , Chu Chenggen , Qi Zengjun
Published: September 2016

In comparison with general FISH for preparing probes in terms of time and cost, synthesized oligonucleotide (oligo hereafter) probes for FISH have many advantages such as ease of design, synthesis, and labeling. Low cost and high sensitivity and resolution of oligo probes greatly simplify the FISH procedure as a simple, fast, and efficient method of chromosome identification. In this study, we developed new oligo and oligo multiplex probes to accurately and efficiently distinguish wheat (Triticum aestivum, 2n = 6x, AABBDD) and Thinopyrum bessarabicum (2n = 2x = 14, JJ) chromosomes. The oligo probes contained more nucleotides or more repeat units that produced stronger signals for more efficient chromosome painting. Four Th. bessarabicum-specific oligo probes were developed based on genomic DNA sequences of Th. bessarabicum chromosome arm 4JL, and one of them (oligo DP4J27982) was pooled with the oligo multiplex #1 to simultaneously detect wheat and Th. bessarabicum chromosomes for quick and accurate identification of Chinese Spring (CS) – Th. bessarabicum alien chromosome introgression lines. Oligo multiplex #4 revealed chromosome variations among CS and eight wheat cultivars by a single round of FISH analysis. This research demonstrated the high efficiency of using oligos and oligo multiplexes in chromosome identification and manipulation.
Implementation of Improved Sliding Mode Observer and Fault Tolerant Control for a PMSM Drive
Authors: Azza Hechmi Ben , Moujahed Mongi , Jemli Mohamed , Boussak Mohamed
Published: September 2016

This paper presents the development and experimentation of Fault-Tolerant Control (FTC) for sensorless Permanent Magnet Synchronous Motor (PMSM) drive with stator resistance tuning. In the fault-tolerant inverter, a redundant leg is added to replace the faulted leg. Consequently, the proposed inverter is a modified topology inverter with fault-tolerant capability, which can be configured as 3-phase 8-switch inverter. The detection of the faulty leg is based only on the output inverter currents measurement. To make toggle to a redundant leg in case of fault occurrence, a Fault Detection and Isolation (FDI) algorithm is proposed in this paper. Experimental results are presented using a 1.4[Formula: see text]kW, three poles three-phases PMSM. These results show that the proposed FDI algorithm is able to detect and to isolate the open-phase fault in PMSM drive.
Stability differences in the NMR ensembles of amyloid β fibrils
Authors: Alred Erik J. , Phillips Malachi , Bhavaraju Manikanthan , Hansmann Ulrich H. E.
Published: September 2016

Alzheimer’s Disease is characterized by the formation of amyloid beta (A[Formula: see text] fibril plaques in the brain. These fibrils can be probed by solid state NMR (ssNMR), which leads to an ensemble of configurations that are compatible with the NMR signals. Typically, only the lowest energy conformer is considered in computer simulations that probe the stability of fibrils and their binding with drug candidates. This restriction could produce data that are not physiologically relevant if the NMR entries differ significantly in stability or binding affinities. In order to study this effect, we have investigated the variance in stability between members of NMR ensembles. Our test cases are a patient-derived A[Formula: see text]-fibril model and two in vitro A[Formula: see text]-fibril models from a previous study we performed on comparative stability. The latter two models allow us also to compare different staggering patterns. We observe significant variations in molecular flexibility, compactness and secondary structure, suggesting that the full NMR ensemble must be considered for a physiologically relevant description of A[Formula: see text] fibrils.
Quantum backflow effect and nonclassicality
Authors: Albarelli Francesco , Guaita Tommaso , Paris Matteo G. A.
Published: September 2016

The quantum backflow effect is a counterintuitive behavior of the probability current of a free particle, which may be negative even for states with vanishing negative momentum component. Here, we address the notion of nonclassicality arising from the backflow effect, i.e. from the negativity of the probability current, and analyze its relationships with the notion of nonclassicality based on the negativity of the Wigner function. Our results show that backflow is linked to a different, and in fact more restrictive, notion of nonclassicality, the negativity of the Wigner function being only a necessary prerequisite for its occurrence. This hierarchical structure may be confirmed by looking at the addition of thermal noise, which more easily destroys the negativity of the probability current than the negativity of the Wigner function itself.
Identifying and Sharing the Knowledge Required for Scaling Up Innovative Technologies in the Process Industry
Authors: Thorpe Manjusha , Ridgman Tom
Published: September 2016

The importance of developing innovative manufacturing technologies in the process industry is increasing in response to environmental concerns. However, scaling up new technologies from the laboratory to the commercial scale is problematic. A unified view on the challenges encountered during scale-up does not appear to exist in the literature. Nevertheless, there is recognition of knowledge gaps and a lack of approaches to knowledge management. This research identifies the knowledge required to carry out scale-up and appropriate knowledge management practices. The findings indicate that the required knowledge does exist to a large extent but that it is not effectively deployed.
侨批与政治
Authors: 张 慧梅 , 班 国瑞 , 刘 宏
Published: September 2016

侨批与政治的关系是本文探讨的核心主题。本文将从多角度切入如侨批、侨批业与地方权力的关系、地缘政治、海外华人社会政治以及中国国内民族政治的影响等对此主题进行讨论。而邮政文化和印刷文化之间的关系以及两者对侨批研究的重要性则是本文的另一重要面向。现有的研究大都将邮政、印刷这两者与政治的关系割裂开来。笔者在结论部分提出了与现有研究有所不同的观点，即政治文化与侨批的内在关联性。
由合到分：陈嘉庚与国民政府关系的演变
Authors: 夏 玉清
Published: September 2016

“南侨机工”系指20世30年代中国抗战危难之际，应国民政府的请求，陈嘉庚领导“南侨总会”在南洋华侨青年招募的司机、修机人员，共派送九批3192人，主要服务于西南地区，他们是中国正面战场军事物资国外进口的主要运输者。在机工招募和返国中，陈嘉庚和国民政府（西南运输处）默契合作，为中国军事物资运输招募足够运输人员，双方关系达到高峰。然而，机工返回中国后，围绕“机工苦寒”“机工缩编”等问题，双方对华侨机工有不同认知，特别陈嘉庚过度关注“滇缅公路”的管理。陈嘉庚与西南运输处的管理者开始出现分歧，进而影响陈嘉庚对国民政府的观感和印象，国民政府亦对陈嘉庚的建议不以为然，但在抗日大局下，双方冲突并未表面化。二战结束后，围绕机工复员和南返问题，陈嘉庚公开指责国民政府，并采取行动极力为机工南返交涉，使得双方冲突公开化，陈嘉庚的指责和行动被国民政府视为诋毁其在南洋华侨中的形象，但也无可奈何。因此，围绕南侨机工的招募、机工问题的产生的分歧以及复员南返问题的交涉是双方“由合到分”的重要因素之一。
The Latest Review of Low GWP (<100) HFO Refrigerants and Studies on the Pool Boiling Heat Transfer
Authors: Kim Dong Ho , Byun Ho Won , Yoon Seok Ho , Song Chan Ho , Lee Kong Hoon , Kim Ook Joong
Published: September 2016

The low GWP refrigerants attract a great attention due to various regulations such as Montreal protocol amendment and F-gas regulation. The amendment of Montreal protocol proposes to reduce the HFCs consumption by 85% until 2035 and F-gas legislation will reduce the HFCs consumption by 79% until 2030. In 2010, US DOE launched the low GWP refrigerant project which covers the lifecycle climate performance modeling, experimental evaluation and field testing. In 2015, Korea launched the project to develop the core technology of refrigeration system for low GWP ([Formula: see text]100) refrigerants application. Since the project limited the GWP value less than 100, the applicable candidates (except for natural working fluids) are restricted about five refrigerants including R-1234yf, R-1234ze-(E), R444A, R-1233zd(E) and R-1336mzz. In the literature, to the best of the author’s knowledge, there is very limited information for pool boiling studies except R-1234yf. In present work, the cycle simulation and the prediction of pool boiling heat transfer coefficient for each refrigerant has been conducted. And the literature review of pool boiling for the refrigerants has been performed.
Adapting the Interactive Activation Model for Context Recognition and Identification
Authors: Sappelli Maya , Verberne Suzan , Kraaij Wessel
Published: September 2016

In this article, we propose and implement a new model for
context recognition and identification
. Our work is motivated by the importance of “working in context” for knowledge workers to stay focused and productive.

A computer application that can identify the current context in which the knowledge worker is working can (among other things) provide the worker with contextual support, for example, by suggesting relevant information sources, or give an overview of how he or she spent his or her time during the day.

We present a descriptive model for the context of a knowledge worker. This model describes the contextual elements in the work environment of the knowledge worker and how these elements relate to each other. This model is operationalized in an algorithm, the
contextual interactive activation model
(CIA), which is based on the interactive activation model by Rumelhart and McClelland. It consists of a layered connected network through which activation flows. We have tested CIA in a context identification setting. In this case, the data that we use as input is low-level computer interaction logging data.

We found that topical information and entities were the most relevant types of information for context identification. Overall the proposed CIA model is more effective than traditional supervised methods in identifying the active context from sparse input data, with less labelled training data.
Area-Aware Decomposition for Single-Electron Transistor Arrays
Authors: Ho Ching-Hsuan , Chen Yung-Chih , Wang Chun-Yao , Huang Ching-Yi , Datta Suman , Narayanan Vijaykrishnan
Published: September 2016

Single-electron transistor (SET) at room temperature has been demonstrated as a promising device for extending Moore’s law due to its ultra-low power consumption. Existing SET synthesis methods synthesize a Boolean network into a large reconfigurable SET array where the height of SET array equals the number of primary inputs. However, recent experiments on device level have shown that this height is restricted to a small number, say, 10, rather than arbitrary value due to the ultra-low driving strength of SET devices. On the other hand, the width of an SET array is also suggested to be a small value. Consequently, it is necessary to decompose a large SET array into a set of small SET arrays where each of them realizes a sub-function of the original circuit with no more than 10 inputs. Thus, this article presents two techniques for achieving area-efficient SET array decomposition: One is a width minimization algorithm for reducing the area of a single SET array; the other is a depth-bounded mapping algorithm, which decomposes a Boolean network into many sub-functions such that the widths of the corresponding SET arrays are balanced. The width minimization algorithm leads to a 25%--41% improvement compared to the state of the art, and the mapping algorithm achieves a 60% reduction in total area compared to a naïve approach.
Leucine supplementation stimulates protein synthesis and reduces degradation signal activation in muscle of newborn pigs during acute endotoxemia
Authors: Hernandez-García Adriana D. , Columbus Daniel A. , Manjarín Rodrigo , Nguyen Hanh V. , Suryawan Agus , Orellana Renán A. , Davis Teresa A.
Published: September 2016

Sepsis disrupts skeletal muscle proteostasis and mitigates the anabolic response to leucine (Leu) in muscle of mature animals. We have shown that Leu stimulates muscle protein synthesis (PS) in healthy neonatal piglets. To determine if supplemental Leu can stimulate PS and reduce protein degradation (PD) signaling in neonatal muscle during endotoxemia, overnight-fasted neonatal pigs were infused for 8 h with LPS or saline while plasma amino acids, glucose, and insulin were maintained at fasting levels during pancreatic-substrate clamps. Leu or saline was infused during the last hour. Markers of PS and PD were determined in skeletal muscle. Compared with controls, Leu increased PS in longissimus dorsi (LD), gastrocnemius, and soleus muscles. LPS decreased PS in these three muscles by 36%, 28%, and 38%, but Leu antagonized that reduction by increasing PS by 84%, 81%, and 83%, respectively, when supplemented to LPS. Leu increased eukaryotic translation initiation factor (eIF)3b-raptor interactions, eIF4E-binding protein-1, and S6 kinase 1 phosphorylation as well as eIF4E·eIF4G complex formation in LD, gastrocnemius, and soleus muscles of control and LPS-treated pigs. In LD muscle, LPS increased the light chain (LC)3-II-to-LC3 ratio and muscle-specific RING finger (MuRF-1) abundance but not atrogin-1 abundance or AMP-activated protein kinase-α phosphorylation. Leu supplementation to LPS-treated pigs reduced the LC3-II-to-LC3 ratio, MuRF-1 abundance, and AMP-activated protein kinase-α phosphorylation compared with LPS alone. In conclusion, parenteral Leu supplementation attenuates the LPS-induced reduction in PS by stimulating mammalian target of rapamycin complex 1-dependent translation and may reduce PD by attenuating autophagy-lysosome and MuRF-1 signaling in neonatal skeletal muscle.
8-Prenylnaringenin promotes recovery from immobilization-induced disuse muscle atrophy through activation of the Akt phosphorylation pathway in mice
Authors: Mukai Rie , Horikawa Hitomi , Lin Pei-Yi , Tsukumo Nao , Nikawa Takeshi , Kawamura Tomoyuki , Nemoto Hisao , Terao Junji
Published: September 2016

8-Prenylnaringenin (8-PN) is a prenylflavonoid that originates from hop extracts and is thought to help prevent disuse muscle atrophy. We hypothesized that 8-PN affects muscle plasticity by promoting muscle recovery under disuse muscle atrophy. To test the promoting effect of 8-PN on muscle recovery, we administered an 8-PN mixed diet to mice that had been immobilized with a cast to one leg for 14 days. Intake of the 8-PN mixed diet accelerated recovery from muscle atrophy, and prevented reductions in Akt phosphorylation. Studies on cell cultures of mouse myotubes in vitro demonstrated that 8-PN activated the PI3K/Akt/P70S6K1 pathway at physiological concentrations. A cell-culture study using an inhibitor of estrogen receptors and an in vivo experiment with ovariectomized mice suggested that the estrogenic activity of 8-PN contributed to recovery from disuse muscle atrophy through activation of an Akt phosphorylation pathway. These data strongly suggest that 8-PN is a naturally occurring compound that could be used as a nutritional supplement to aid recovery from disuse muscle atrophy.
Activation of β-noradrenergic receptors enhances rhythmic bursting in mouse olfactory bulb external tufted cells
Authors: Zhou Fu-Wen , Dong Hong-Wei , Ennis Matthew
Published: September 2016

The main olfactory bulb (MOB) receives a rich noradrenergic innervation from the nucleus locus coeruleus. Despite the well-documented role of norepinephrine and β-adrenergic receptors in neonatal odor preference learning, identified cellular physiological actions of β-receptors in the MOB have remained elusive. β-Receptors are expressed at relatively high levels in the MOB glomeruli, the location of external tufted (ET) cells that exert an excitatory drive on mitral and other cell types. The present study investigated the effects of β-receptor activation on the excitability of ET cells with patch-clamp electrophysiology in mature mouse MOB slices. Isoproterenol and selective β2-, but not β1-, receptor agonists were found to enhance two key intrinsic currents involved in ET burst initiation: persistent sodium ( INaP) and hyperpolarization-activated inward ( Ih) currents. Together, the positive modulation of these currents increased the frequency and strength of ET cell rhythmic bursting. Rodent sniff frequency and locus coeruleus neuronal firing increase in response to novel stimuli or environments. The increase in ET excitability by β-receptor activation may better enable ET cell rhythmic bursting, and hence glomerular network activity, to pace faster sniff rates during heightened norepinephrine release associated with arousal.
Understanding Open Source Software Evolution Using Fuzzy Data Mining Algorithm for Time Series Data
Authors: Saini Munish , Mehmi Sandeep , Chahal Kuljit Kaur
Published: September 2016

Source code management systems (such as Concurrent Versions System (CVS), Subversion, and git) record changes to code repositories of open source software projects. This study explores a fuzzy data mining algorithm for time series data to generate the association rules for evaluating the existing trend and regularity in the evolution of open source software project. The idea to choose fuzzy data mining algorithm for time series data is due to the stochastic nature of the open source software development process. Commit activity of an open source project indicates the activeness of its development community. An active development community is a strong contributor to the success of an open source project. Therefore commit activity analysis along with the trend and regularity analysis for commit activity of open source software project acts as an important indicator to the project managers and analyst regarding the evolutionary prospects of the project in the future.
Existence and Uniqueness Results for a Smooth Model of Periodic Infectious Diseases
Authors: Degla Guy
Published: September 2016

We prove the existence of a curve (with respect to the scalar delay) of periodic positive solutions for a smooth model of Cooke-Kaplan’s integral equation by using the implicit function theorem under suitable conditions. We also show a situation in which any bounded solution with a sufficiently small delay is isolated, clearing an asymptotic stability result of Cooke and Kaplan.
Comment on “High Efficiency Generalized Parallel Counters for Look-Up Table Based FPGAs”
Authors: Kumm Martin , Zipf Peter
Published: September 2016

This brief points out some problems when mapping the optimized GPCs using the heuristic of the paper above. A thorough analysis revealed that a significant number of additional LUTs are required to route the signals when mapping the optimized designs on current FPGAs. Taking these resources into account, the optimized GPCs require at least the same resources as previous state of the art.
Aerodynamic Parameter Estimation of a Symmetric Projectile Using Adaptive Chaotic Mutation Particle Swarm Optimization
Authors: Guan Jun , Yi Wenjun , Chang Sijiang , Li Xiaoyuan
Published: September 2016

This article details a new optimizing algorithm called Adaptive Chaotic Mutation Particle Swarm Optimization (ACM-PSO). The new algorithm is used to perform aerodynamic parameter estimation on a spinning symmetric projectile. The main creative ideas of this new algorithm are as follows. First, a self-adaptive weight function is used so that the inertial weight can be adjusted dynamically by itself. Second, the initialized particle is generated by chaos theory. Last, a method that can be used to judge whether the algorithm has fallen into a local optimum is established. The common testing function is used to test the new algorithm, and the result shows that, compared with the basic particle swarm optimization (PSO) algorithm, it is more likely to have a quick convergence and high accuracy and precision, leading to extensive application. Simulated ballistic data are used as testing data, and the data are subjected to the new algorithm to identify the aerodynamic parameters of a spinning symmetric projectile. The result shows that the algorithm proposed in this paper can effectively identify the aerodynamic parameters with high precision and a quick convergence velocity and is therefore suitable for use in actual engineering.
Optimal Control of Holding Motion by Nonprehensile Two-Cooperative-Arm Robot
Authors: Jiang Changan , Nakatomi Yuta , Ueno Satoshi
Published: September 2016

Recently, more researchers have focused on nursing-care assistant robot and placed their hope on it to solve the shortage problem of the caregivers in hospital or nursing home. In this paper, a nonprehensile two-cooperative-arm robot is considered to realize holding motion to keep a two-rigid-link object (regarded as a care-receiver) stable on the robot arms. By applying Newton-Euler equations of motion, dynamic model of the object is obtained. In this model, for describing interaction behavior between object and robot arms in the normal direction, a viscoelastic model is employed to represent the normal forces. Considering existence of friction between object and robot arms, LuGre dynamic model is applied to describe the friction. Based on the obtained model, an optimal regulator is designed to control the holding motion of two-cooperative-arm robot. In order to verify the effectiveness of the proposed method, simulation results are shown.
Multimodal Imaging of Vitreoretinal Lymphoma
Authors: Mapelli Chiara , Invernizzi Alessandro , Barteselli Giulio , Pellegrini Marco , Tabacchi Elena , Staurenghi Giovanni , Viola Francesco
Published: September 2016

Purpose: To assess the characteristics and prevalence of fundus abnormalities in vitreoretinal lymphoma (VRL) using multimodal imaging. Methods: We retrospectively reviewed chart and imaging studies of patients diagnosed with VRL. Results: All 10 VRL patients (14 eyes) included in the study showed vitreitis, hyperreflective lesions on near-infrared reflectance imaging, and hypoautofluorescent lesions on fundus autofluorescence. Other findings included hypofluorescent lesions on fluorescein angiography (79%), hypocyanescent lesions on indocyanine green angiography (77%), small retinal pigment epithelium detachments (PEDs) (71%) and large PEDs (36%) on optical coherence tomography (OCT). Outer retinal layer nodularity was identified on OCT in 93% of cases. Small PEDs corresponded to hyperreflective, hyperautofluorescent, hypofluorescent, hypocyanescent lesions. Conclusion: Multiple signs were present on multimodal imaging in VRL eyes. Lymphomatous infiltration created focal PEDs showing abnormal imaging signals. Outer retinal layer nodularity could represent an additional sign of infiltration. Multimodal imaging may guide physicians in the early diagnosis of VRL.
The Use of Adipose Tissue-Derived Progenitors in Bone Tissue Engineering - a Review
Authors: Bhattacharya Indranil , Ghayor Chafik , Weber Franz E.
Published: September 2016

2500 years ago, Hippocrates realized that bone can heal without scaring. The natural healing potential of bone is, however, restricted to small defects. Extended bone defects caused by trauma or during tumor resections still pose a huge problem in orthopedics and cranio-maxillofacial surgery. Bone tissue engineering strategies using stem cells, growth factors, and scaffolds could overcome the problems with the treatment of extended bone defects. In this review, we give a short overview on bone tissue engineering with emphasis on the use of adipose tissue-derived stem cells and small molecules.
Soybean Oil-Based Lipid Emulsion Increases Intestinal Permeability of Lipopolysaccharide in Caco-2 Cells by Downregulation of P-Glycoprotein via ERK-FOXO 3a Pathway
Authors: Yan Jun-Kai , Zhu Jie , Gu Bei-Lin , Yan Wei-Hui , Xiao Yong-Tao , Zhou Ke-Jun , Wen Jie , Wang Yang , Cai Wei
Published: September 2016

Background and Aims: Elevated intestinal permeability of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) is a major complication for patients with parenteral nutrition (PN), but the pathogenesis is poorly understood. Intestinal P-glycoprotein (P-gp) is one of the efflux transporters that contribute to restricting the permeability of lipopolysaccharide via transcellular route. P-gp expression may be regulated by PN ingredients, and thus this study sought to investigate the effect of PN on the expression of P-gp and to elucidate the underlying mechanism in vitro. Methods: Caco-2 cells were treated with PN ingredients. Changes in P-gp expression and function were determined and the role of ERK-FOXO 3a pathway was studied. Transport studies of FITC-lipopolysaccharide (FITC-LPS) across Caco-2 cell monolayers were also performed. Results: Among PN ingredients, soybean oil-based lipid emulsion (SOLE) exhibited significant inhibitory effect on P-gp expression and function. This regulation was mediated via activation of ERK pathway with subsequent nuclear exclusion of FOXO 3a. Importantly, P-gp participated in antagonizing the permeation of FITC-LPS (apical to basolateral) across Caco-2 cell monolayers. SOLE significantly increased the permeability of FITC-LPS (apical to basolateral), which was associated with impaired P-gp function. Conclusions: The expression and function of intestinal P-gp is suppressed by SOLE in vitro.
Chemotherapy in Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer Patients Receiving Oxygen Therapy
Authors: Watanabe Keisuke , Shinkai Masaharu , Tei Yoshitaka , Kaneko Takeshi
Published: September 2016

Background: Information regarding chemotherapy in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients with chronic respiratory failure is limited. Patients and Methods: We retrospectively analyzed patients who received oxygen therapy and underwent chemotherapy for NSCLC at our hospital. Results: 6 patients with NSCLC receiving oxygen therapy (4 with unresectable lung cancer and 2 with postoperative recurrent lung cancer) underwent chemotherapy. 1 patient achieved a partial response and 1 achieved stable disease after first-line chemotherapy. The median overall survival (OS) was 247 days in all patients. Patients with unresectable NSCLC and recurrent NSCLC had median OS times of 282 and 239 days, respectively. Grade 3 lung infection occurred in 4 patients during chemotherapy treatment; however, there were no chemotherapy-related deaths. Conclusion: There is a possibility that chemotherapy could improve the survival of NSCLC patients who receive oxygen therapy.
ВІДБІР ІНФОРМАТИВНИХ ПОКАЗНИКІВ ВАРІАБЕЛЬНОСТІ РИТМУ СЕРЦЯ – МАРКЕРІВ РЕАКЦІЇ НА ЕМОЦІЙНІ СТИМУЛИ
Authors: Krivova O. A. , Chaikovsky I. A. , Kalnysh V. V. , Kozak L. M.
Published: September 2016

On the basis of multivariate statistical analysis developed method for the separation of informative indicators of heart rate variability (HRV), which have diagnostic value for the objective assessment of operator's emotional reaction from watching emotive videos. The technique consists of two stages: 1) multivariate analysis of variance; 2) stepwise discriminate analysis with different strategies of feature selection. The total average classification accuracy 4 states of operators by 10 informative indices (two of which are indicators of the results of self -report and other indicators HRV) reached 95.7 %.
СИСТЕМА ПІДТРИМКИ ПРИЙНЯТТЯ РІШЕНЬ ПРИ ПРОВЕДЕННІ ВІТРЕКТОМІЇ У ПАЦІЄНТІВ З ПРОЛІФЕРАТИВНОЮ ДІАБЕТИЧНОЮ РЕТИНОПАТІЄЮ
Authors: Ruban A. M.
Published: September 2016

The article presents the some approaches to create a system support of making decision during vitrectomy in patients with diabetic proliferative retinopathy, promotes objective assessment of individual risk-management for patient and allows optimize ophthalmological care for them.
КОНЦЕПТУАЛЬНІ ЗАСАДИ ПРОЕКТУВАННЯ ВЕБ-ПРЕЗЕНТАЦІЙ НА ПРИКЛАДІ МЕДИЧНИХ НАУКОВИХ ПУБЛІКАЦІЙ З ВИКОРИСТАННЯМ СИСТЕМИ AS4U
Authors: Ilkanych K. I. , Maikher V. Yu.
Published: September 2016

58 It was analyzed the usage of modern information web technologies that significantly affect the stage of development of information field in Ukraine. Using innovative information systems and technologies for the design and operation of websites can significantly simplify the exchange of information, because today we are talking about the relevance of information and its availability.
ОСОБЛИВОСТІ КЛІНІЧНОГО ПЕРЕБІГУ БАЗАЛЬНОПОДІБНОГО РАКУ МОЛОЧНОЇ ЗАЛОЗИ В УМОВАХ ВЕЛИКОГО ПРОМИСЛОВОГО РЕГІОНУ ПІВДЕННОГО СХОДУ УКРАЇНИ
Authors: Pogorila T. Yu. , Schurov N. Ph.
Published: September 2016

The article presents results of a study of some peculiarities of the clinical course of the basal-like breast cancer in the conditions of large industrial region of southeast of Ukraine. Aggressiveness homeless and late diagnosis leads to its high probability of metastasis and occurrence of relapses.
РЕФАКТОРІНГ ПРОГРАМНОГО КОДУ ДІАЛОГОВОГО КОМПОНЕНТУ ПЛАТФОРМИ СИСТЕМИ ПІДТРИМКИ ПРИЙНЯТТЯ РІШЕННЯ ДЛЯ МЕДИЧНОЇ ІНФОРМАЦІЙНОЇ СИСТЕМИ З ВІДКРИТИМ КОДОМ OpenMRS
Authors: Semenets A. V. , Martsenyuk V. P.
Published: September 2016

The importance of Medical Information Systems (MIS) for medical practice is emphasized. The wide usage of the Electronic Medical Records (EMR) software is displayed. The importance and alternative approaches to implementation of the MIS in the Ukraine healthcare system are discussed. The benefits of the open-source MIS usage are shown. Effectiveness of the Clinical Decision Support System (CDSS) application in the medical decision making process is emphasized.
The open-source MIS OpenMRS developer tools and software API are reviewed. The results of code refactoring of the dialog subsystem of the CDSS platform which is made as module for the open-source MIS OpenMRS are presented. The structure of information model of database of the CDSS dialog subsystem was updated according with MIS OpenMRS requirements. The Model-View-Controller (MVC) based approach to the CDSS dialog subsystem architecture was re-implemented with Java programming language using Spring and Hibernate frameworks. The MIS OpenMRS Encounter portlet form for the CDSS dialog subsystem integration is developed as an extension. The administrative module of the CDSS platform is recreated. The data exchanging formats and methods for interaction of OpenMRS CDSS dialog subsystem module and DecisionTree GAE service are re-implemented with help of AJAX technology via jQuery library
Alternative Splicing, Internal Promoter, Nonsense-Mediated Decay, or All Three
Authors: Deo Rahul C.
Published: September 2016

Background—

Truncating mutations in the giant sarcomeric gene
Titin
are the most common type of genetic alteration in dilated cardiomyopathy. Detailed studies have amassed a wealth of information about truncating variant position in cases and controls. Nonetheless, considerable confusion exists as to how to interpret the pathogenicity of these variants, hindering our ability to make useful recommendations to patients.

Methods and Results—

Building on our recent discovery of a conserved internal promoter within the
Titin
gene, we sought to develop an integrative statistical model to explain the observed pattern of Titin truncation variants in patients with dilated cardiomyopathy and population controls. We amassed
Titin
truncation mutation information from 1714 human dilated cardiomyopathy cases and >69 000 controls and found 3 factors explaining the distribution of
Titin
mutations: (1) alternative splicing, (2) whether the internal promoter
Cronos
isoform was disrupted, and (3) whether the distal C terminus was targeted (in keeping with the observation that truncation variants in this region escape nonsense-mediated decay and continue to be incorporated in the sarcomere). A model using these 3 factors had strong predictive performance with an area under the receiver operating characteristic curve of 0.81. Accordingly, individuals with either the most severe form of dilated cardiomyopathy or whose mutations demonstrated clear family segregation experienced the highest risk profile across all 3 components.

Conclusions—

We conclude that quantitative models derived from large-scale human genetic and phenotypic data can be applied to help overcome the ever-growing challenges of genetic data interpretation. Results of our approach can be found at
http://cvri.ucsf.edu/~deo/TTNtruncationvariant.html
.
Transdifferentiation Requires iNOS Activation
Authors: Meng Shu , Zhou Gang , Gu Qilin , Chanda Palas K. , Ospino Frank , Cooke John P.
Published: September 2016

Rationale:

We have previously shown that innate immunity is necessary for transdifferentiation of fibroblasts to endothelial cells. A major signaling molecule involved in innate immunity is inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS). Accordingly, we hypothesized that iNOS-generated nitric oxide (NO) might enhance transdifferentiation.

Objective:

To elucidate the role of NO in epigenetic plasticity during transdifferentiation.

Methods and Results:

We exposed the BJ fibroblasts to transdifferentiation formulation that included endothelial growth factors and innate immune activator polyinosinic:polycytidylic acid to induce endothelial cells. Generation of transdifferentiated endothelial cells was associated with iNOS expression and NO elaboration. In the absence of polyinosinic:polycytidylic acid, or in the presence of antagonists of NFκB (nuclear factor kappa B) or iNOS activity, NO synthesis and induce endothelial cell generation was reduced. Furthermore, genetic knockout (in murine embryonic fibroblasts) or siRNA knockdown (in BJ fibroblasts) of iNOS nearly abolished transdifferentiation, an effect that could be reversed by iNOS overexpression. Notably, polyinosinic:polycytidylic acid induced nuclear localization of iNOS, and its binding to, and nitrosylation of, the epigenetic modifier ring finger protein 1A (RING1A) as assessed by immunostaining, Co-IP, and mass spectrometry. Nitrosylation of RING1A reduced its binding to chromatin and reduced global levels of repressive histone marker H3K27 trimethylation. Overexpression of a mutant form of RING1A (C398A) lacking the nitrosylation site almost abrogated transdifferentiation.

Conclusions:

Overall, our data indicate that during transdifferentiation, innate immune activation increases iNOS generation of NO to S-nitrosylate RING1A, a key member of the polycomb repressive complex. Nitrosylation of RING1A reduces its binding to chromatin and decreases H3K27 trimethylation level. The release of epigenetic repression by nitrosylation of RING1A is critical for effective transdifferentiation.
Strictly Lobar Cerebral Microbleeds Are Associated With Cognitive Impairment
Authors: Chung Chih-Ping , Chou Kun-Hsien , Chen Wei-Ta , Liu Li-Kuo , Lee Wei-Ju , Chen Liang-Kung , Lin Ching-Po , Wang Pei-Ning
Published: September 2016

Background and Purpose—

Different distributions of cerebral microbleeds (CMBs) are associated with distinct pathological mechanisms. Lobar CMBs are thought to be related to cerebral amyloid angiopathy, whereas deep or infratentorial CMBs are related to hypertensive vasculopathy. The present study aimed to evaluate the effects of CMBs and their locations on a variety of cognitive domains.

Methods—

Study subjects were selected from the community-based I-Lan Longitudinal Aging Study. We assessed cognitive domains, including verbal memory, language, visuospatial executive function, and verbal executive function. CMBs were evaluated using 3T susceptibility-weighted magnetic resonance imaging.

Results—

We studied 959 subjects (mean±SD, 62.5±8.6 years; 425 [44.3%] men). CMBs were found in 14.2% of the population. We classified subjects with CMBs into 2 different groups based on the locations of their CMBs: (1) deep or infratentorial (85 subjects, 8.8% of population) and (2) strictly lobar (49, 5.1%). Multivariate linear analysis showed that strictly lobar CMBs were significantly associated with deficits in global cognitive function (Mini-Mental State Examination) and visuospatial executive function, as determined by the copy test of the Taylor complex figure test and the clock drawing test. We adjusted our results for age, sex, years of education, cardiovascular risk factors, and other markers of cerebral small vessel disease, lacunes, and white matter hyperintensity. Deep or infratentorial CMBs were not associated with changes in cognitive function in our population.

Conclusions—

Strictly lobar, but not deep or infratentorial, CMBs are associated with changes in cognitive function, especially in visuospatial executive functions. Cerebral amyloid angiopathy may be the underlying pathology associated with CMB-related cognitive impairment.
Remote Lower White Matter Integrity Increases the Risk of Long-Term Cognitive Impairment After Ischemic Stroke in Young Adults
Authors: Schaapsmeerders Pauline , Tuladhar Anil M. , Arntz Renate M. , Franssen Sieske , Maaijwee Noortje A.M. , Rutten-Jacobs Loes C.A. , Schoonderwaldt Hennie C. , Dorresteijn Lucille D.A. , van Dijk Ewoud J. , Kessels Roy P.C. , de Leeuw Frank-Erik
Published: September 2016

Background and Purpose—

Poststroke cognitive impairment occurs frequently in young patients with ischemic stroke (18 through 50 years of age). Accumulating data suggest that stroke is associated with lower white matter integrity remote from the stroke impact area, which might explain why some patients have good long-term cognitive outcome and others do not. Given the life expectancy of decades in young patients, we therefore investigated remote white matter in relation to long-term cognitive function.

Methods—

We included all consecutive first-ever ischemic stroke patients, left/right hemisphere, without recurrent stroke or transient ischemic attack during follow-up, aged 18 through 50 years, admitted to our university medical center between 1980 and 2010. One hundred seventeen patients underwent magnetic resonance imaging scanning including a T1-weighted scan, a diffusion tensor imaging scan, and completed a neuropsychological assessment. Patients were compared with a matched stroke-free control group (age, sex, and education matched). Cognitive impairment was defined as >1.5 SD below the mean cognitive index score of controls and no cognitive impairment as ≤1 SD. Tract-Based Spatial Statistics was used to assess the white matter integrity (fractional anisotropy and mean diffusivity).

Results—

About 11 years after ischemic stroke, lower remote white matter integrity was associated with a worse long-term cognitive performance. A lower remote white matter integrity, even in the contralesional hemisphere, was observed in cognitively impaired patients (n=25) compared with cognitively unimpaired patients (n=71).

Conclusions—

These findings indicate that although stroke has an acute onset, it might have long lasting effects on remote white matter integrity and thereby increases the risk of long-term cognitive impairment.
Benefits and Costs of Context Reinstatement in Episodic Memory: An ERP Study
Authors: Bramão Inês , Johansson Mikael
Published: September 2016

This study investigated context-dependent episodic memory retrieval. An influential idea in the memory literature is that performance benefits when the retrieval context overlaps with the original encoding context. However, such memory facilitation may not be driven by the encoding–retrieval overlap per se but by the presence of diagnostic features in the reinstated context that discriminate the target episode from competing episodes. To test this prediction, the encoding–retrieval overlap and the diagnostic value of the context were manipulated in a novel associative recognition memory task. Participants were asked to memorize word pairs presented together with diagnostic (unique) and nondiagnostic (shared) background scenes. At test, participants recognized the word pairs in the presence and absence of the previously encoded contexts. Behavioral data show facilitated memory performance in the presence of the original context but, importantly, only when the context was diagnostic of the target episode. The electrophysiological data reveal an early anterior ERP encoding–retrieval overlap effect that tracks the cost associated with having nondiagnostic contexts present at retrieval, that is, shared by multiple previous episodes, and a later posterior encoding–retrieval overlap effect that reflects facilitated access to the target episode during retrieval in diagnostic contexts. Taken together, our results underscore the importance of the diagnostic value of the context and suggest that context-dependent episodic memory effects are multiple determined.
Differentiating Visual from Response Sequencing during Long-term Skill Learning
Authors: Lynch Brighid , Beukema Patrick , Verstynen Timothy
Published: September 2016

The dual-system model of sequence learning posits that during early learning there is an advantage for encoding sequences in sensory frames; however, it remains unclear whether this advantage extends to long-term consolidation. Using the serial RT task, we set out to distinguish the dynamics of learning sequential orders of visual cues from learning sequential responses. On each day, most participants learned a new mapping between a set of symbolic cues and responses made with one of four fingers, after which they were exposed to trial blocks of either randomly ordered cues or deterministic ordered cues (12-item sequence). Participants were randomly assigned to one of four groups (n = 15 per group): Visual sequences (same sequence of visual cues across training days), Response sequences (same order of key presses across training days), Combined (same serial order of cues and responses on all training days), and a Control group (a novel sequence each training day). Across 5 days of training, sequence-specific measures of response speed and accuracy improved faster in the Visual group than any of the other three groups, despite no group differences in explicit awareness of the sequence. The two groups that were exposed to the same visual sequence across days showed a marginal improvement in response binding that was not found in the other groups. These results indicate that there is an advantage, in terms of rate of consolidation across multiple days of training, for learning sequences of actions in a sensory representational space, rather than as motoric representations.
Per-Round Knapsack-Constrained Linear Submodular Bandits
Authors: Yu Baosheng , Fang Meng , Tao Dacheng
Published: September 2016

Linear submodular bandits has been proven to be effective in solving the diversification and feature-based exploration problem in information retrieval systems. Considering there is inevitably a budget constraint in many web-based applications, such as news article recommendations and online advertising, we study the problem of diversification under a budget constraint in a bandit setting. We first introduce a budget constraint to each exploration step of linear submodular bandits as a new problem, which we call per-round knapsack-constrained linear submodular bandits. We then define an [Formula: see text]-approximation unit-cost regret considering that the submodular function maximization is NP-hard. To solve this new problem, we propose two greedy algorithms based on a modified UCB rule. We prove these two algorithms with different regret bounds and computational complexities. Inspired by the lazy evaluation process in submodular function maximization, we also prove that a modified lazy evaluation process can be used to accelerate our algorithms without losing their theoretical guarantee. We conduct a number of experiments, and the experimental results confirm our theoretical analyses.