bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Calcium regulation of the human mitochondrial ATP-Mg/Pi carrier SLC25A24 uses a locking pin mechanism
Authors: Harborne Steven P. D. , King Martin S. , Crichton Paul G. , Kunji Edmund R. S.
Published: March 2017

Mitochondrial ATP-Mg/Pi carriers import adenine nucleotides into the mitochondrial matrix and export phosphate to the cytosol. They are calcium-regulated to control the size of the matrix adenine nucleotide pool in response to cellular energetic demands. They consist of three domains: an N-terminal regulatory domain containing four calcium-binding EF-hands, a linker loop domain with an amphipathic α-helix and a C-terminal mitochondrial carrier domain for the transport of substrates. Here, we use thermostability assays to demonstrate that the carrier is regulated by calcium via a locking pin mechanism involving the amphipathic α-helix. When calcium levels in the intermembrane space are high, the N-terminus of the amphipathic α-helix is bound to a cleft in the regulatory domain, leading to substrate transport by the carrier domain. When calcium levels drop, the cleft closes, and the amphipathic α-helix is released to bind to the carrier domain via its C-terminus, locking the carrier in an inhibited state.
A new molecular prognostic score for predicting the risk of distant metastasis in patients with HR+/HER2− early breast cancer
Authors: Gong Gyungyub , Kwon Mi Jeong , Han Jinil , Lee Hee Jin , Lee Se Kyung , Lee Jeong Eon , Lee Seon-Heui , Park Sarah , Choi Jong-Sun , Cho Soo Youn , Ahn Sei Hyun , Lee Jong Won , Cho Sang Rae , Moon Youngho , Nam Byung-Ho , Nam Seok Jin , Choi Yoon-La , Shin Young Kee
Published: March 2017

To make an optimal treatment decision for early stage breast cancer, it is important to identify risk of recurrence. Here, we developed and validated a new prognostic model for predicting the risk of distant metastasis in patients with pN0-N1, hormone receptor-positive, HER2-negative (HR+/HER2−) breast cancer treated with hormone therapy alone. RNA was extracted from formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded tumor tissues and gene expression was measured by quantitative real-time reverse transcription-PCR. The relative expression of six novel prognostic genes was combined with two clinical variables (nodal status and tumor size) to calculate a risk score (BCT score). In the validation cohort treated with hormone therapy alone, the 10 year rate of distant metastasis in the high-risk group (26.3%) according to BCT score was significantly higher than that in the low-risk group (3.8%) (P < 0.001). Multivariate analysis adjusted for clinical variables revealed that BCT score is an independent predictor of distant metastasis. Moreover, the C-index estimate revealed that BCT score has a prognostic power superior to that of prognostic models based on clinicopathological parameters. The BCT score outperforms prognostic models based on traditional clinicopathological factors and predicts the risk of distant metastasis in patients with HR+/HER2− early breast cancer.
DNA-Mediated Patterning of Single Quantum Dot Nanoarrays: A Reusable Platform for Single-Molecule Control
Authors: Huang Da , Freeley Mark , Palma Matteo
Published: March 2017

We present a facile strategy of general applicability for the assembly of individual nanoscale moieties in array configurations with single-molecule control. Combining the programming ability of DNA as a scaffolding material with a one-step lithographic process, we demonstrate the patterning of single quantum dots (QDs) at predefined locations on silicon and transparent glass surfaces: as proof of concept, clusters of either one, two, or three QDs were assembled in highly uniform arrays with a 60 nm interdot spacing within each cluster. Notably, the platform developed is reusable after a simple cleaning process and can be designed to exhibit different geometrical arrangements.
FLP reduction and hydroboration of phenanthrene o-iminoquinones and α-diimines
Authors: Bamford Karlee L. , Longobardi Lauren E. , Liu Lei , Grimme Stefan , Stephan Douglas W.
Published: March 2017

Hydrogenation and hydroboration of an N-aryl-phenanthrene-o-iminoquinone and two N,N′-diaryl-phenanthrene α-diimines give a series of derivatives including 1,3,2-oxaza- and diazaboroles and borocyclic radicals.
The 2016 edition of the Art in Science of MicroTAS
Authors: Reyes Darwin R.
Published: March 2017

Vaibhav Jain (center) from Purdue University wins the MicroTAS 2016 Art in Science award, presented by Sam Keltie (right) from Lab on a Chip/The Royal Society of Chemistry and Darwin Reyes (left) from NIST.
A fluorescein-based chemosensor for relay fluorescence recognition of Cu(ii) ions and biothiols in water and its applications to a molecular logic gate and living cell imaging
Authors: Fu Zhen-Hai , Yan Lu-Bin , Zhang Xiaolong , Zhu Fan-Fan , Han Xin-Long , Fang Jianguo , Wang Ya-Wen , Peng Yu
Published: March 2017

Relay recognition of copper(ii) ions and biothiolsviaa fluorescence “on–off–on” cascade has been realized in 100% aqueous solution when excited by the visible light.
Electrical erosion test and condition assessment of SF6 CB contact sets
Authors: Chen Gong , Lan Lei , Pan Zhuohong , Wen Xishan , Wang Yu , Wu Yang
Published: March 2017

Dynamic resistance measurement (DRM) was proved to be an important method for condition assessment of contact sets of SF6 circuit breakers (CBs). The erosion of contact sets due to arc energy is a main factor that influences the electrical lifetime of the extinguishing chamber. In this study, a high‐voltage CB synthetic circuit was used to produce fault current for electrical erosion tests on the contact sets. The contact sets were close to the end of their service life after a series of erosion tests. DRMs with DC amperages of 0.5, 1.0, and 1.5 kA were conducted on the two tested breakers in the interval of each erosion test. Five essential diagnostic parameters were extracted from the contact resistance curves as a function of contact travel. The variation of these parameters during the whole erosion tests were investigated to find an effective condition assessment method for contact sets. From the power balance at the contact surface, the material erosion rate due to metal evaporation for each erosion test was calculated and in good agreement to the experimental results. Finally, the contact length and contact resistance were employed as diagnostic parameters for condition assessment of contact sets.
Analysis of electromagnetic force for medium frequency transformer with interleaved windings
Authors: Huang Pei , Mao Chengxiong , Wang Dan
Published: March 2017

Medium frequency transformers (MFTs) have achieved extensive attention since they are widely used in medium frequency energy conversion systems. Different from traditional power transformer, MFTs require special consideration of short‐circuit design due to their complex fault conditions. In this study, the electromagnetic forces exerted on the windings of a 1.5 kV, 35 kW, 1 kHz MFT are investigated. A working circuit model of this MFT is set up to simulate the inrush current and short‐circuit current under different fault conditions. Three‐dimensional (3D) transient coupled field‐circuit finite element model of this MFT is developed to study the axial and radial forces exerted on the windings. The high voltage (HV) and low voltage (LV) windings are modelled into 20 and 16 sections, respectively. Then the developed axial and radial forces exerted on the HV and LV windings under inrush current and short‐circuit current are compared. Furthermore, the electromagnetic forces of two kinds of interleaved windings are evaluated. The results show that suitable interleaved winding design can reduce the electromagnetic force under short circuit. The proposed approach and analysis results in this study are essential and important for MFT short‐circuit design improvement, especially interleaved windings are adopted.
Adaptive critical eigenvalues tracing via projected continuation of invariant subspace
Authors: Xu Pengfei , Wang Xiaoru , Ajjarapu Venkataramana
Published: March 2017

An adaptive power system critical eigenvalues tracing approach based on the projected continuation of invariant subspace (CIS) is proposed in this study. The proposed method reduces problem size by applying projections to invariant subspace corresponding to critical eigenvalues to ensure efficiency. An adaptive update strategy is adopted to detect and include new critical eigenvalues, ensuring that eigenvalues of interest are always traced. Testing on New England 39‐ and IEEE‐118 bus systems shows that the proposed approach can detect and trace new critical eigenvalues as soon as they emerge and immediately find bifurcation, thus avoiding missing instability information. It also shows that the proposed approach has an advantage in terms of computational time.
Hybrid coding chipless tag based on impedance loading
Authors: Ni Yi‐zhan , Huang Xiao‐dong , Lv Yun‐peng , Cheng Chong‐hu
Published: March 2017

Hybrid encoding technique is an efficient method to expand the coding capacity in radio‐frequency identification chipless tag design. In this study, a novel hybrid coding technique by combining amplitude deviation and frequency position encoding is proposed. The proposed tag is based on three circle ring resonators with loaded resistors. A transmission line model is employed to illustrate the operation principle of the impedance loading technique. A coding capacity of at least 23.7 bits is obtained within a compacted dimension of 3 cm × 3 cm. Corresponding experiments on realised prototypes are provided to validate the effectiveness of the proposed design.
Plasma Betatrophin Levels of Subjects Classified with Normal, Impaired, and Diabetic Glucose Tolerance, and Subjects with Impaired Fasting Glucose
Authors: Ozyazgan Sibel , Onal Burak , Kurtulus Eda , Uzun Hafize , Akkan Gokhan , Konukoglu Dildar
Published: March 2017

This study was aimed to investigate whether betatrophin shows glucose intolerance or not. To access the plasma betatrophin levels after basal and glucose load, groups were classified as normal glucose tolerance (NGT), impaired fasting glucose (IFG), impaired glucose tolerance (IGT), and diabetic glucose tolerance (DGT) according to WHO 2012 criteria. An oral glucose tolerance test was performed on age-matched subjects (n=220) with a body mass index (BMI)<27 kg/m2. Subjects were categorized as normoglycemic (n=55), IFG (n=50), IGT (n=60), and DM (n=55) according to the WHO criteria. Baseline betatrophin levels in DGT are significantly higher than in NGT (p<0.005), IFG (p<0.004), and IGT (p<0.001). Male subjects have significantly higher betatrophin levels than female subjects (p<0.01). In DGT, betatrophin of male subjects was found to be significantly higher than the betatrophin of male subjects in NGT (p<0.04), IFG (p<0.01), and IGT (p<0.01). Significant relationship between betatrophin and both ages and HbA1c in all groups were observed. When ages were accepted as an independent factor, significant correlation between betatrophin and ages were found. Betatrophin is increased and associated with age and HbA1c in DGT. Males had higher betatrophin levels compared with females in DGT group. As no obvious betatrophin deficiency to substitute in IFG and IGT individuals were observed, betatrophin levels appeared to be related to the pathogenesis of the diabetic stages rather than prediabetic stages.
Structural basis of mitochondrial dysfunction in response to cytochrome
c
phosphorylation at tyrosine 48
Authors: Moreno-Beltrán Blas , Guerra-Castellano Alejandra , Díaz-Quintana Antonio , Del Conte Rebecca , García-Mauriño Sofía M. , Díaz-Moreno Sofía , González-Arzola Katiuska , Santos-Ocaña Carlos , Velázquez-Campoy Adrián , De la Rosa Miguel A. , Turano Paola , Díaz-Moreno Irene
Published: March 2017

Significance

Cell response to physiological changes and oxidative stress involves the modulation of mitochondrial metabolism. Its dysfunction favors the development of hypoxia-dependent pathologies, including ischemia and cancer. A key modulator of mitochondrial activity is cytochrome
c
, whose cell function is regulated by tyrosine phosphorylation. However, how such modification affects cytochrome
c
structure and function is barely known. Here we report that a phosphomimetic mutant of cytochrome
c
exhibits enhanced dynamics, which could be responsible for the observed differences in cytochrome
c
functionality in oxidative stress and cell death. Thus, phosphorylation of cytochrome
c
becomes a target for further development of robust therapeutic approaches.
Spemann organizer transcriptome induction by early beta-catenin, Wnt, Nodal, and Siamois signals in
Xenopus laevis
Authors: Ding Yi , Ploper Diego , Sosa Eric A. , Colozza Gabriele , Moriyama Yuki , Benitez Maria D. J. , Zhang Kelvin , Merkurjev Daria , De Robertis Edward M.
Published: March 2017

Significance

We present a genome-wide study of the signals responsible for the early induction of the body axis in the following experimental conditions: β-catenin morpholino;
Wnt
,
Siamois
, and
Cerberus
mRNAs; LiCl treatment; and dorsal-ventral regenerating half-embryos bisected at gastrula. Comparing 46 RNA-seq libraries, we uncovered the genetic networks that initiate dorsal-ventral patterning and Spemann’s organizer formation. We defined an early β-catenin signature that has only minor overlap with recently published late zygotic Wnt signatures. The relation of these early steps of development to endomesodermal germ layer induction was studied by overexpressing the growth factor antagonist Cerberus. This study offers a rich resource for understanding the earliest inductive events in the body plan of a model vertebrate embryo.
Emotional Learning and Identity Development in Medicine: A Cross-Cultural Qualitative Study Comparing Taiwanese and Dutch Medical Undergraduates
Authors: Helmich Esther , Yeh Huei-Ming , Yeh Chi-Chuan , de Vries Joy , Fu-Chang Tsai Daniel , Dornan Tim
Published: March 2017

Purpose

Current knowledge about the interplay between emotions and professional identity formation is limited and largely based on research in Western settings. This study aimed to broaden understandings of professional identity formation cross-culturally.

Method

In fall 2014, the authors purposively sampled 22 clinical students from Taiwan and the Netherlands and asked them to keep audio diaries, narrating emotional experiences during clerkships using three prompts: What happened? What did you feel/think/do? How does this interplay with your development as a doctor? Dutch audio diaries were supplemented with follow-up interviews. The authors analyzed participants’ narratives using a critical discourse analysis informed by Figured Worlds theory and Bakhtin’s concept of dialogism, according to which people’s spoken words create identities in imagined future worlds.

Results

Participants talked vividly, but differently, about their experiences. Dutch participants’ emotions related to individual achievement and competence. Taiwanese participants’ rich, emotional language reflected on becoming both a good person and a good doctor. These discourses constructed doctors’ and patients’ autonomy in culturally specific ways. The Dutch construct centered on “hands-on” participation, which developed the identity of a technically skilled doctor, but did not address patients’ self-determination. The Taiwanese construct located physicians’ autonomy within moral values more than practical proficiency, and gave patients agency to influence doctor–patient relationships.

Conclusions

Participants’ cultural constructs of physician and patient autonomy led them to construct different professional identities within different imagined worlds. The contrasting discourses show how medical students learn about different meanings of becoming doctors in culturally specific contexts.
A Foundation for Vital Academic and Social Support in Clerkships: Learning Through Peer Continuity
Authors: Chou Calvin L. , Teherani Arianne
Published: March 2017

Most medical students on clerkships currently experience lack of continuity of patient care, disjointed learning, and frequent changes in supervisors. Clerkship programs with continuity of care, curriculum, and supervisors appear to benefit student learning and patient-centeredness. A fourth form of continuity is proposed: continuity of peers, in which a stable cohort of students frequently meets to process their experiences on clerkships. This structure builds on benefits previously seen in peer-assisted learning, including enhanced knowledge, technical skills, and collegial peer relationships. Additional advantages of peer continuity in clerkships include facilitated integration into the workplace, social support, and enhanced clinical and professional learning. Practical components required for a successful peer continuity structure include intentional formation of peer cohorts; regular meetings that cover didactic or clinical skills learning; frequent opportunities for reflection on patient care, professional development, and well-being; and skilled facilitators without evaluative roles. Theoretical support for peer continuity comes from social cognitive theory, communities of clinical practice, and social comparison theory. Therefore, in conjunction with empirical programs that have shown benefits of developing these structures, peer continuity should become a formalized educational structure in clerkships.
Short-term Impact of Meaningful Use Stage 1 Implementation
Authors: Afonso Anna M. , Alfonso Susana , Morgan Toyosi O.
Published: March 2017

We studied a primary care clinic transitioning to Meaningful Use stage 1 and a comparison clinic within the same health system. In the 6 months following implementation, after adjusting for confounders, mean systolic blood pressure worsened (+3.3 mm Hg; P = .004) in the intervention clinic compared with the comparison clinic. We did not see a change in the mean or proportion of patients meeting target goals for diabetes (hemoglobin A1c) or obesity (body mass index). Our findings suggest that the worsening of systolic blood pressure associated with Meaningful Use implementation is likely due to distractions of system changes negatively impacting health outcomes.
Cognitive Evaluation in Liver Transplant Patients Under Calcineurin Inhibitor Maintenance Therapy
Authors: Heits Nils , Keserovic Dalibor , Mund Niclas , Ehmke Nicola , Bernsmeier Alexander , Hendricks Alexander , Gunther Rainer , Witt Karsten , Becker Thomas , Braun Felix
Published: March 2017

Background

Neurological disorders due to calcineurin inhibitor (CNI) treatment pose a well-known problem after liver transplantation (LTx). In this study, the impact of CNIs on cognitive functioning during maintenance therapy was analyzed. A possible improvement of cognitive functioning, compliance and health-related quality of life (HRQoL) after conversion to a once-daily tacrolimus formulation was prospectively assessed.

Methods

In a cross-section analysis cognitive functioning of living donors (LD), waiting list patients and LTx patients was tested using a 4 times trail making test (4-TTMT). In a further investigator-initiated trial a possible improvement of cognitive functioning, HRQoL and compliance after conversion to the once-daily tacrolimus formulation was prospectively assessed over 1 year. HRQoL was assessed using an EORTC-QLQ C30 questionnaire and patient’s compliance was assessed by the Basel Assessment of Compliance with Immunosuppressive Medication Scales questionnaire. Correlated data were sex, age, time after surgery, liver disease, model of end-stage liver disease score, creatinine, CNI type, and CNI trough levels.

Results

Two hundred eleven patients were included in this cross-section analysis. Twenty-seven patients agreed to participate in the investigator-initiated trial. LTx patients completed the 4-TTMT slower than living donor patients and faster than waiting list patients. Patients with twice daily cyclosporine A (CSA) formulation needed longer to finish the 4-TTMT than patients with the once-daily tacrolimus formulation. After drug conversion of a twice-daily CNI formulation to a once-daily tacrolimus formulation, CSA-treated patients needed longer to improve their cognitive functioning. HRQoL and compliance did not improve after drug conversion.

Conclusions

Patients with once-daily tacrolimus formulation had a better psychomotor speed than CSA-treated patients. The conversion to once-daily tacrolimus formulation significantly improved cognitive functioning, but had no impact on HRQoL or compliance.
Flower development: from morphodynamics to morphomechanics
Authors: Abad Ursula , Sassi Massimiliano , Traas Jan
Published: March 2017

The shoot apical meristem (SAM) is a small population of stem cells that continuously generates organs and tissues. We will discuss here flower formation at the SAM, which involves a complex network of regulatory genes and signalling molecules. A major downstream target of this network is the extracellular matrix or cell wall, which is a local determinant for both growth rates and growth directions. We will discuss here a number of recent studies aimed at analysing the link between cell wall structure and molecular regulation. This has involved multidisciplinary approaches including quantitative imaging, molecular genetics, computational biology and biophysics. A scenario emerges where molecular networks impact on both cell wall anisotropy and synthesis, thus causing the rapid outgrowth of organs at specific locations. More specifically, this involves two interdependent processes: the activation of wall remodelling enzymes and changes in microtubule dynamics.

This article is part of the themed issue ‘Systems morphodynamics: understanding the development of tissue hardware’.
Analysis on the attitude dynamics of a PhoneSat during deployment
Authors: Qiao Qiao , Yuan Jianping , Ning Xin
Published: March 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to establish the dynamics model of a Z-folded PhoneSat considering hinge friction and to investigate the influence of disturbances, such as friction, stiffness asymmetry, deployment asynchronicity and initial disturbance angular velocity, on the attitude of PhoneSat during and after deployment.

Design/methodology/approach

For the Z-folded PhoneSat, the dynamics model considering hinge friction is established and the dynamics simulation is carried out. The effects of friction, stiffness asymmetry, deployment asynchronicity and initial disturbance angular velocity on the attitude motion of the PhoneSat are studied and the attitude motion regularities of the PhoneSat considering the disturbance factors mentioned above are discussed.

Findings

Friction has a main contribution to reducing the oscillation of attitude motion and damping out the residual oscillation, ultimately decreasing the deployment time. An increasing length of deployment time is required with the increasing stiffness asymmetry and time difference of asynchronous deployment, which also have slight disturbances on the attitude angle and angular velocity of PhoneSat after the deployment. The initial disturbance angular velocity in the direction of deployment would be proportionally weakened after the deployment, whereas initial disturbance angular velocity in other direction induces angular velocities of other axes, which dramatically enhances the complexity of attitude control.

Originality/value

The paper is a useful reference for engineering design of small satellites attitude control system.
A novel relative navigation method based on thrust on-line identification for tight formation keeping
Authors: Zhu Wenjing , Zhang Dexin , Wang Jihe , Shao Xiaowei
Published: March 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to present a novel high-precision relative navigation method for tight formation-keeping based on thrust on-line identification.

Design/methodology/approach

Considering that thrust acceleration cannot be measured directly, an on-line identification method of thrust acceleration is explored via the estimated acceleration of major space perturbation and the inter-satellite relative states obtained from space-borne acceleration sensors; then, an effective identification model is designed to reconstruct thrust acceleration. Based on the identified thrust acceleration, relative orbit dynamics for tight formation-keeping is established. Further, using global positioning system (GPS) measurement information, a modified extended Kalman filter (EKF) is suggested to obtain the inter-satellite relative position and relative velocity.

Findings

Compared with the normal EKF and the adaptive robust EKF, the proposed modified EKF has better estimation accuracy in radial and along-track directions because of accurate compensation of thrust acceleration. Meanwhile, high-precision relative navigation results depend on high-precision acceleration sensors. Finally, simulation studies on a chief-deputy formation flying control system are performed to verify the effectiveness and superiority of the proposed relative navigation algorithm.

Social implications

This paper provides a reference in solving the problem of high-precision relative navigation in tight formation-keeping application.

Originality/value

This paper proposes a novel on-line identification method for thrust acceleration and shows that thrust identification-based modified EKF is more efficient in relative navigation for tight formation-keeping.
Nonlinear integrated guidance and control based on adaptive backstepping scheme
Authors: Seyedipour Seyed Hamed , Fathi Jegarkandi Mohsen , Shamaghdari Saeed
Published: March 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to design an adaptive nonlinear controller for a nonlinear system of integrated guidance and control.

Design/methodology/approach

A nonlinear integrated guidance and control approach is applied to a homing, tail-controlled air vehicle. Adaptive backstepping controller technique is used to deal with the problem, and the Lyapanov theory is used in the stability analysis of the nonlinear system. A nonlinear model of normal force coefficient is obtained from an existing nonlinear model of lift coefficient which was validated by open loop response. The simulation was performed in the pitch plane to prove the benefits of the proposed scheme; however, it can be readily extended to all the three axes.

Findings

Monte Carlo simulations indicate that using nonlinear adaptive backstepping formulation meaningfully improves the performance of the system, while it ensures stability of a nonlinear system.

Practical implications

The proposed method could be used to obtain better performance of hit to kill accuracy without the expense of control effort.

Originality/value

A nonlinear adaptive backstepping controller for nonlinear aerodynamic air vehicle is designed and guaranteed to be stable which is a novel-based approach to the integrated guidance and control. This method makes noticeable performance improvement, and it can be used with hit to kill accuracy.
Embedding learning from adverse incidents: a UK case study
Authors: Eshareturi Cyril , Serrant Laura
Published: March 2017

Purpose

This paper reports on a regionally based UK study uncovering what has worked well in learning from adverse incidents in hospitals. The purpose of this paper is to review the incident investigation methodology used in identifying strengths or weaknesses and explore the use of a database as a tool to embed learning.

Design/methodology/approach

Documentary examination was conducted of all adverse incidents reported between 1 June 2011 and 30 June 2012 by three UK National Health Service hospitals. One root cause analysis report per adverse incident for each individual hospital was sent to an advisory group for a review. Using terms of reference supplied, the advisory group feedback was analysed using an inductive thematic approach. The emergent themes led to the generation of questions which informed seven in-depth semi-structured interviews.

Findings

“Time” and “work pressures” were identified as barriers to using adverse incident investigations as tools for quality enhancement. Methodologically, a weakness in approach was that no criteria influenced the techniques which were used in investigating adverse incidents. Regarding the sharing of learning, the use of a database as a tool to embed learning across the region was not supported.

Practical implications

Softer intelligence from adverse incident investigations could be usefully shared between hospitals through a regional forum.

Originality/value

The use of a database as a tool to facilitate the sharing of learning from adverse incidents across the health economy is not supported.
A group decision-making model based on distance-based VIKOR with incomplete heterogeneous information and its application to emergency supplier selection
Authors: Wang Xiaodong , Cai Jianfeng
Published: March 2017

Purpose

For some specific multi-criteria decision-making (MCDM) problems, especially in emergency situations, because of the feature of criteria and other fuzzy factors, it is more appropriate that values of different criteria are expressed in their correspondingly appropriate value types. The purpose of this paper is to build a multi-criteria group decision-making (MCGDM) model dealing with heterogeneous information based on distance-based VIKOR to solve emergency supplier selection in practice appropriately and flexibly, where a compromise solution is more acceptable and suitable.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper extends the classical VIKOR to a generalized distance-based VIKOR to handle heterogeneous information containing crisp number, interval number, intuitionistic fuzzy number and hesitant fuzzy linguistic value, and develops an MCGDM model based on the distance-based VIKOR to handle the multi-criteria heterogeneous information in practice. This paper also introduces a parameter called non-fuzzy degree for each type of heterogeneous value to moderate the computation on aggregating heterogeneous hybrid distances.

Findings

The proposed distance-based model can handle the heterogeneous information appropriately and flexibly because the computational process is directly operated on the heterogeneous information based on generalized distance without a transformation process, which can improve the decision-making efficiency and reduce information loss. An example of emergency supplier selection is given to illustrate the proposed method.

Originality/value

This paper develops an MCGDM model based on the distance-based VIKOR to handle heterogeneous information appropriately and flexibly. In emergency supplier selection situations, the proposed decision-making model allows the decision-makers to express their judgments on criteria in their appropriate value types.
Quantitative analysis of information leakage in service-oriented architecture-based Web services
Authors: Anjaria Kushal , Mishra Arun
Published: March 2017

Purpose

Any computing architecture cannot be designed with complete confidentiality. As a result, at any point, it may leak the information. So, it is important to decide leakage threshold in any computing architecture. To prevent leakage more than the predefined threshold, quantitative analysis is helpful. This paper aims to provide a method to quantify information leakage in service-oriented architecture (SOA)-based Web services.

Design/methodology/approach

To visualize the dynamic binding of SOA components, first, the orchestration of components is modeled. The modeling helps to information-theoretically quantify information leakage in SOA-based Web services. Then, the paper considers the non-interference policy in a global way to quantify information leakage. It considers not only variables which interfere with security sensitive content but also other architectural parameters to quantify leakage in Web services. To illustrate the attacker’s ability, a strong threat model has been proposed in the paper.

Findings

The paper finds that information leakage can be quantified in SOA-based Web services by considering parameters that interfere with security sensitive content and information theory. A hypothetical case study scenario of flight ticket booking Web services has been considered in the present paper in which leakage of 18.89 per cent information is calculated.

Originality/value

The paper shows that it is practically possible to quantify information leakage in SOA-based Web services. While modeling the SOA-based Web services, it will be of help to architects to identify parameters which may cause the leakage of secret contents.
Diurnal expression of proteins in the retina of the blind cone‐rod homeobox (Crx−/−) mouse and the 129/Sv mouse: a proteomic study
Authors: Møller Morten , Rath Martin Fredensborg , Ludvigsen Maja , Honoré Bent , Vorum Henrik
Published: March 2017

Purpose

The vertebrate retina contains a circadian clock participating in adaptations to day and night vision. This peripheral clock is independent of the master clock in the suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN). The retinal clock is located in several cell types, including the photoreceptors. To investigate the role of the circadian clock of the photoreceptor cells in regulation of retinal protein rhythms, we analysed diurnal protein expression in the photoreceptor‐deficient cone‐rod homeobox knockout mouse (Crx−/−) and the 129/Sv mouse.

Methods

2D gels were made from retinal homogenates of 129/Sv and Crx−/− mice killed at midday and midnight. Stained gels were analysed by use of PDQuest 2D gel analysis software. After trypsin digestion of differential expressed spots, the proteins were identified by LC‐MS/MS using a nano‐liquid chromatograph connected to a Q‐TOF Premier mass spectrometer. These data were used to search the SWISS‐PROT database.

Results

Both the retinae of the control and the Crx−/− mice exhibited diurnal proteins rhythms. As expected, proteins involved in phototransduction were not detected in the Crx−/− mouse; in this phenotype, however, proteins from spots showing diurnal rhythms were specifically identified as enzymes involved in glucose metabolism, Krebs cycle, and mitochondrial enzymes. Data are available via ProteomeXchange with identifier PXD005556.

Conclusion

We show diurnal protein rhythms in the retina of a mouse lacking the rods and cones. The diurnal protein rhythms in this genotype, lacking the circadian clock of the photoreceptors, might be caused by a circadian clock in other retinal cell types or a direct light input to the retina.
Quality improvement of community pharmacy services: a prioritisation exercise
Authors: Newlands Rumana S , Power Ailsa , Young Linda , Watson Margaret
Published: March 2017

Objectives

Effective strategies are needed to translate knowledge (evidence) into practice to improve the quality of community pharmacy services. We report the first step of a novel knowledge translation process which involved the systematic identification and prioritisation of community pharmacy services in Scotland which were perceived to require improvement and/or guideline development.

Methods

This process involved three stages and a stakeholder group comprising community pharmacists, policy makers, lay and pharmacy organisation representatives. A modified nominal group technique (NGT) was used for topic generation (August 2013) followed by an electronic Delphi survey (eDelphi), October–December 2013) and topic rationalisation (December 2013) based on feasibility, acceptability, and potential impact for practice improvement.

Key findings

In total, 63 items were identified during the modified NGT which were categorised into 20 topics to form the starting point of the eDelphi. In total, 74 individuals (mostly community pharmacists) indicated an interest in the eDelphi, which achieved response rates of 63.5%, 67.6%, and 70.3%, respectively in Rounds 1, 2, and 3. Consensus was achieved with six topics: promoting the appropriate sale and supply of over-the-counter medicines; patient counselling for prescribed medication; pharmaceutical care to promote medication adherence; promotion and delivery of a Minor Ailment Scheme; pharmaceutical care of vulnerable patients; and effective use of community pharmacy workforce. Of these, the priority topic selected for the next stage of the programme was promoting the appropriate sale and supply of over-the-counter medicines.

Conclusions

This study adopted a systematic, inclusive, and rapid approach to identify priorities for community pharmacy practice improvement in Scotland.
A randomised control trial to evaluate the clinical pharmacist's role in managing iron deficiency anaemia patients
Authors: Tahaineh Linda M , Khasawneh Afaf H
Published: March 2017

Objective

To investigate the role of clinical pharmacists in managing iron deficiency anaemia patients.

Methods

A prospective parallel randomised controlled trial conducted in an outpatient clinic enrolled adult iron deficiency anaemia patients. Patients were randomised into either an intervention or a control group. Patients in the intervention group were followed closely by a clinical pharmacist who offered pharmaceutical care services and worked closely with physicians to manage iron deficiency anaemia. Patients in the control group received the usual medical care.

Key findings

One hundred and four patients were enrolled in the study. Eighty-two patients completed the 4–6 week study, with 43 patients in the intervention group and 39 patients in the control group. By the end of the study, 86% of intervention group patients and 59% of control group patients reached their haemoglobin goal values, with statistically significant improvement in intervention group patients versus control group patients (P value = 0.006). Most of the clinical pharmacist's recommendations were adopted by physicians (83.9%).

Conclusion

Clinical pharmacist interventions improved iron deficiency anaemia patients’ outcomes.
Association of Physician Specialty with Hospice Referral for Hospitalized Nursing Home Patients with Advanced Dementia
Authors: Ankuda Claire K. , Mitchell Susan L. , Gozalo Pedro , Mor Vince , Meltzer David , Teno Joan M.
Published: March 2017

Objectives

Hospitalists hospice referral patterns have been unstudied. This study aims to examine hospice referral rates by attending type for hospitalized nursing home (NH) residents with advanced cognitive impairment (ACI) at the time of discharge between 2000 and 2010.

Design

Retrospective cohort study.

Participants

Hospitalized NH residents age ≥66 drawn from the 20% sample of Medicare beneficiaries with ACI, 4 or more activities of daily living (ADL) impairments on last minimum data set (MDS) assessment completed within 120 days of admission (n = 128,989).

Measurements

Hospice referral was defined as referral to hospice within 1 day after hospital discharge. Attending physician type was determined by Part B physician billing for 100% of the billings during that admission. Continuity of care was defined as the hospital physician also billing for an outpatient visit within 120 days of that hospital admission. Number of ADL impairments, cognitive measures, pre‐admission illnesses and illness severity were derived from the MDS.

Results

Of the 105,329 hospitalized patients with ACI that survived to discharge (72.3% white, 30.6% male), the hospice referral rate at the time of hospital discharge increased from 2.8% in 2000 to 11.2% in 2010. Using a multivariate, hospital fixed effects model examining changes in the distribution of inpatient attending physicians, hospitalists compared to generalist physicians were more likely to refer these patients to hospice at discharge (AOR 1.17, 95% CI 1.09–1.26). Continuity of physician care from the outpatient setting to the hospital was associated with lower hospice referral (AOR 0.78, 95% CI 0.73–0.85).

Conclusion

Hospice referrals for NH‐dwelling persons with ACI admitted to the hospital increased between 2000 and 2011 and disproportionately so when the attending physician was a hospitalist.
Return Migration, Self‐selection and Entrepreneurship
Authors: Batista Catia , McIndoe‐Calder Tara , Vicente Pedro C.
Published: March 2017

Are return migrants more entrepreneurial? Existing literature has not addressed how estimating the impact of return migration on entrepreneurship is affected by double unobservable migrant self‐selection, both at the initial outward migration and at the final inward return migration stages. This paper exploits exogenous variation provided by the civil war and the incidence of agricultural plagues in Mozambique, as well as social unrest and other shocks in migrant destination countries. The results lend support to overall negative unobservable return migrant self‐selection, which results in an under‐estimation of the effects of return migration on entrepreneurial outcomes when using a ‘naïve’ estimator that does not control for self‐selection at both the initial migration and at the final return migration stages.
International Organizations and Democracy Development: The Indirect Link
Authors: Kim Hayam , Heo Uk
Published: March 2017

Objective

Few studies have systematically examined the international organization (IO)‐democracy nexus, except Pevehouse (2002, 2005), who found the democratizing impact of regional IOs. Our study extends previous research by investigating the indirect as well as the direct effects of IOs on democracy.

Methods

We employ a two‐equation model, using the data for 112 developing countries for 1972–2002.

Results

Regional IOs increase the level of economic openness, which in turn leads to improvements in democracy.

Conclusions

IOs indeed facilitate democratic development in their member states both directly and indirectly by enhancing these countries’ international trade.
Assessment of the Accuracy of Optical Shape Sensing for Needle Tracking Interventions
Authors: Mandal Koushik Kanti , Parent Francois , Kashyap Raman , Martel Sylvain , Kadoury Samuel
Published: March 2017

Accurate needle guidance is essential for a number of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)-guided percutaneous procedures, such as radiofrequency ablation (RFA) of metastatic liver tumors. A promising technology to obtain real-time tracking of the shape and tip of a needle is by using high-frequency (up to 20 kHz) fiber Bragg grating (FBG) sensors embedded in optical fibers, which are insensitive to external magnetic fields. We fabricated an MRI-compatible needle designed for percutaneous procedures with a series of FBG sensors which would be tracked in an image-guidance system, allowing to display the needle shape within a navigation image. A series of phantom experiments demonstrated needle tip tracking errors of 1.05 ± 0.08 mm for a needle deflection up to 16.82 mm on a ground-truth model and showed nearly similar accuracy to electromagnetic (EM) tracking (i.e., 0.89 ± 0.09 mm). We demonstrated feasibility of the FBG-based tracking system for MRI-guided interventions with differences under 1 mm between tracking systems. This study establishes the needle tracking accuracy of FBG needle tracking for image-guided procedures.
MCNP Simulation of In-Core Dose Rates for an Offline CANDU® Reactor
Authors: Gilbert Jordan G. , Nokleby Scott , Waller Ed
Published: March 2017

Inspections of pressure tubes in CANDU® reactors are a key part of maintaining safe operating conditions. The current inspection system, the channel inspection and gauging apparatus for reactors (CIGAR), performs the job well but is limited by the fact that it can only inspect one channel at a time. A multidisciplinary team is currently developing a novel robotic inspection system. As part of this work, a Monte Carlo N-particle (MCNP) model has been developed in order to predict the dose rates that the improved inspection system will be exposed to and, from this, predict the component lifetime. This MCNP model will be capable of predicting in-core dose rates at any location within the reactor, and as such could be used for other situations where the in-core dose rate needs to be known. Based on estimates from this model, it is expected that at 7 days after shutdown, the improved inspection system could survive in core for approximately 7 h, providing it uses a tungsten shield 2.5 cm in thickness around the integrated circuit components. This is expected to be sufficient to perform a single inspection.
Stress-induced dynamic regulation of mitochondrial STAT3 and its association with cyclophilin D reduce mitochondrial ROS production
Authors: Meier Jeremy A. , Hyun Moonjung , Cantwell Marc , Raza Ali , Mertens Claudia , Raje Vidisha , Sisler Jennifer , Tracy Erin , Torres-Odio Sylvia , Gispert Suzana , Shaw Peter E. , Baumann Heinz , Bandyopadhyay Dipankar , Takabe Kazuaki , Larner Andrew C.
Published: March 2017

Stress depletes STAT3 in the mitochondria, and restoration of this STAT3 pool suppresses stress-induced ROS production.
Sphingosine 1-phosphate signaling through its receptor S1P
5
promotes chromosome segregation and mitotic progression
Authors: Andrieu Guillaume , Ledoux Adeline , Branka Sophie , Bocquet Magalie , Gilhodes Julia , Walzer Thierry , Kasahara Kousuke , Inagaki Masaki , Sabbadini Roger A. , Cuvillier Olivier , Hatzoglou Anastassia
Published: March 2017

Targeting the signaling lipid S1P might suppress tumor growth by slowing mitosis.
Caveolin-1–mediated internalization of the vitamin C transporter SVCT2 in microglia triggers an inflammatory phenotype
Authors: Portugal Camila C. , Socodato Renato , Canedo Teresa , Silva Cátia M. , Martins Tânia , Coreixas Vivian S. M. , Loiola Erick C. , Gess Burkhard , Röhr Dominik , Santiago Ana R. , Young Peter , Minshall Richard D. , Paes-de-Carvalho Roberto , Ambrósio António F. , Relvas João B.
Published: March 2017

Internalization and degradation of a vitamin C transporter trigger activation of microglia.
The Enigmatic PE/PPE Multigene Family of Mycobacteria and Tuberculosis Vaccination
Authors: Brennan Michael J.
Published: March 2017

The genome of
Mycobacterium tuberculosis
, the bacterium responsible for the disease tuberculosis, contains an unusual family of abundant antigens (PE/PPEs). To date, certain members of this multigene family occur only in mycobacteria that cause disease. It is possible that the numerous proteins encoded by these mycobacterial genes dictate the immune pathogenesis of this bacterial pathogen. There is also evidence that some of these antigens are present at the cell surface and that they affect the pathology and immunology of the organism in many ways. Also, they elicit both antibodies and T cells, they may be involved in antigenic variation, and they may be good candidates for vaccines and drugs. However, since they are plentiful and extremely homologous, these PE/PPEs are very challenging to study, and it is difficult to be certain what role(s) they have in the pathogenesis of tuberculosis. Consequently, how to develop treatments like vaccines using these antigens as candidates is complex.
Relativistic effective degrees of freedom and quantum statistics of neutrinos
Authors: Iizuka Jun , Kitabayashi Teruyuki
Published: March 2017

Analytical expressions of the relativistic effective degrees of freedom [Formula: see text] with non-pure fermionic neutrinos are presented. A semi-analytical study is performed to show that [Formula: see text] with pure fermionic neutrinos may be greater than [Formula: see text] with pure bosonic neutrinos for nonvanishing lepton flavor asymmetries.
Detection principle of gravitational wave detectors
Authors: Congedo Giuseppe
Published: March 2017

With the first two detections in late 2015, astrophysics has officially entered into the new era of gravitational wave (GW) observations. Since then, much has been going on in the field with a lot of work focusing on the observations and implications for astrophysics and tests of general relativity in the strong regime. However, much less is understood about how gravitational detectors really work at their fundamental level. For decades, the response to incoming signals has been customarily calculated using the very same physical principle, which has proved so successful in the first detections. In this paper, we review the physical principle that is behind such a detection at the very fundamental level, and we try to highlight the peculiar subtleties that make it so hard in practice. We will then mention how detectors are built starting from this fundamental measurement element.