bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Biomedical Text Categorization Based on Ensemble Pruning and Optimized Topic Modelling
Authors: Onan Aytuğ
Published: July 2018

Text mining is an important research direction, which involves several fields, such as information retrieval, information extraction, and text categorization. In this paper, we propose an efficient multiple classifier approach to text categorization based on swarm-optimized topic modelling. The Latent Dirichlet allocation (LDA) can overcome the high dimensionality problem of vector space model, but identifying appropriate parameter values is critical to performance of LDA. Swarm-optimized approach estimates the parameters of LDA, including the number of topics and all the other parameters involved in LDA. The hybrid ensemble pruning approach based on combined diversity measures and clustering aims to obtain a multiple classifier system with high predictive performance and better diversity. In this scheme, four different diversity measures (namely, disagreement measure, Q-statistics, the correlation coefficient, and the double fault measure) among classifiers of the ensemble are combined. Based on the combined diversity matrix, a swarm intelligence based clustering algorithm is employed to partition the classifiers into a number of disjoint groups and one classifier (with the highest predictive performance) from each cluster is selected to build the final multiple classifier system. The experimental results based on five biomedical text benchmarks have been conducted. In the swarm-optimized LDA, different metaheuristic algorithms (such as genetic algorithms, particle swarm optimization, firefly algorithm, cuckoo search algorithm, and bat algorithm) are considered. In the ensemble pruning, five metaheuristic clustering algorithms are evaluated. The experimental results on biomedical text benchmarks indicate that swarm-optimized LDA yields better predictive performance compared to the conventional LDA. In addition, the proposed multiple classifier system outperforms the conventional classification algorithms, ensemble learning, and ensemble pruning methods.
Prevalence of Stroke Risk Factors and Their Distribution Based on Stroke Subtypes in Gorgan: A Retrospective Hospital-Based Study—2015-2016
Authors: Habibi-koolaee Mahdi , Shahmoradi Leila , Niakan Kalhori Sharareh R. , Ghannadan Hossein , Younesi Erfan
Published: July 2018

Background. Stroke is a leading cause of death and disability worldwide. According to the Iranian Ministry of Medical Health and Education, out of 100,000 stroke incidents in the country, 25,000 lead to death. Thus, identifying risk factors of stroke can help healthcare providers to establish prevention strategies. This study was conducted to investigate the prevalence of stroke risk factors and their distribution based on stroke subtypes in Sayad Shirazi Hospital, Gorgan, Northeastern Iran. Material and Methods. A retrospective hospital-based study was conducted at Sayad Shirazi Hospital in Gorgan, the only referral university hospital for stroke patients in Gorgan city. All medical records with a diagnosis of stroke were identified based on the International Classification of Diseases, Revision 10, from August 23, 2015, to August 22, 2016. A valid and reliable data gathering form was used to capture data about demographics, diagnostics, lifestyle, risk factors, and medical history. Results. Out of 375 cases, two-thirds were marked with ischemic stroke with mean ages (standard deviation) of 66.4 (14.2) for men and 64.6 (14.2) for women. The relationship between stroke subtypes and age groups (P=0.008) and hospital outcome (P=0.0001) was significant. Multiple regression analysis showed that hypertension (Exp. (B) =1.755, P=0.037), diabetes mellitus (Exp. (B) =0.532, P=0.021), and dyslipidemia (Exp. (B) =2.325, P=0.004) significantly increased the risk of ischemic stroke. Conclusion. Overall, hypertension, diabetes mellitus, and dyslipidemia were the major risk factors of stroke in Gorgan. Establishment of stroke registry (population- or hospital-based) for the province is recommended.
A Nonlinear Integer Programming Model for Integrated Location, Inventory, and Routing Decisions in a Closed‐Loop Supply Chain
Authors: Guo Hao , Li Congdong , Zhang Ying , Zhang Chunnan , Wang Yu
Published: July 2018

Facility location, inventory management, and vehicle routing are three important decisions in supply chain management, and location‐inventory‐routing problems consider them jointly to improve the performance and efficiency of today’s supply chain networks. In this paper, we study a location‐inventory‐routing problem to minimize the total cost in a closed‐loop supply chain that has forward and reverse logistics flows. First, we formulate this problem as a nonlinear integer programming model to optimize facility location, inventory control, and vehicle routing decisions simultaneously in such a system. Second, we develop a novel heuristic approach that incorporates simulated annealing into adaptive genetic algorithm to solve the model efficiently. Last, numerical analysis is presented to validate our solution approach, and it also provides meaningful managerial insight into how to improve the closed‐loop supply chain under study.
NLRP3 Inflammasome Formation and Activation in Nonalcoholic Steatohepatitis: Therapeutic Target for Antimetabolic Syndrome Remedy FTZ
Authors: Chen Yu , He Xingxiang , Yuan Xinxu , Hong Jinni , Bhat Owais , Li Guangbi , Li Pin-Lan , Guo Jiao
Published: July 2018

The Nod‐like receptor protein 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome activation not only serves as an intracellular machinery triggering inflammation but also produces uncanonical effects beyond inflammation such as changing cell metabolism and increasing cell membrane permeability. The present study was designed to test whether this NLRP3 inflammasome activation contributes to the “two‐hit” injury during nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) and whether it can be a therapeutic target for the action of Fufang Zhenzhu Tiaozhi (FTZ), a widely used herbal remedy for hyperlipidemia and metabolic syndrome in China. We first demonstrated that NLRP3 inflammasome formation and activation as well as lipid deposition occurred in the liver of mice on the high‐fat diet (HFD), as shown by increased NLRP3 aggregation, enhanced production of IL‐1β and high mobility group box 1 (HMGB1), and remarkable lipid deposition in liver cells. FTZ extracts not only significantly reduced the NLRP3 inflammasome formation and activation but also attenuated the liver steatosis and fibrogenic phenotype changed. In in vitro studies, palmitic acid (PA) was found to increase colocalization of NLRP3 components and enhanced caspase‐1 activity in hepatic stellate cells (HSCs), indicating enhanced formation and activation of NLRP3 inflammasomes by PA. PA also increased lipid deposition. Nlrp3 siRNA can reverse this effect by silencing the NLRP3 inflammasome and both with FTZ. In FTZ‐treated cells, not only inflammasome formation and activation was substantially attenuated but also lipid deposition in HSCs was blocked. This inhibition of FTZ on lipid deposition was similar to the effects of glycyrrhizin, an HMGB1 inhibitor. Mechanistically, stimulated membrane raft redox signaling platform formation and increased O2•− production by PA to activate NLRP3 inflammasomes in HSCs was blocked by FTZ treatment. It is concluded that FTZ extracts inhibit NASH by its action on both inflammatory response and liver lipid metabolism associated with NLRP3 inflammasome formation and activation.
Diffuse Bone Marrow Metastasis as the Initial Presentation of an Occult Breast Cancer
Authors: Fan Frank S. , Yang Chung-Fan , Wang Yi-Fen
Published: July 2018

Introduction. Breast cancer is one of the malignancies which tend to involve the bone marrow, but initial presentation with diffuse bone marrow metastasis from an occult breast cancer is very rare. Prognosis is generally very poor for marrow metastasis from solid tumors except that breast cancer is a treatable disease even in such a dismal condition. Case. A 64-year-old woman’s headache was found to result from diffuse adenocarcinoma metastasis in the bone marrow from an unknown primary site. Intensive immunohistochemistry study of bone marrow biopsy specimen confirmed the disease nature to be an estrogen receptor-positive/human epidermal growth factor receptor 2-negative breast cancer. Mammography and magnetic resonance imaging of breasts revealed a suspicious primary lesion in the right breast. Treatment with tamoxifen alone achieved a sustained response. Discussion. Mucin 1 (MUC1), also known as cancer antigen 15-3 (CA 15-3), facilitates motility and metastatic potential of breast cancer cells. Interleukin-1β (IL-1β) drives breast cancer cell growth and colonization in bone marrow adipose tissue niche. Receptor activator of nuclear factor kappa-B (RANK) and its ligand (RANKL) activate osteoclasts to make a favorable bone marrow microenvironment for tumor cells. Agents against MUC1, IL-1β, and RANKL might be of therapeutic effect for patients like ours.
Detection of Immunoglobulin E with a Graphene-Based Field-Effect Transistor Aptasensor
Authors: Lan Yi , Farid Sidra , Meshik Xenia , Xu Ke , Choi Min , Ranginwala Saadia , Wang Yung Yu , Burke Peter , Dutta Mitra , Stroscio Michael A.
Published: July 2018

DNA aptamers have the ability to bind to target molecules with high selectivity and therefore have a wide range of clinical applications. Herein, a graphene substrate functionalized with a DNA aptamer is used to sense immunoglobulin E. The graphene serves as the conductive substrate in this field-effect-transistor-like (FET-like) structure. A voltage probe in an electrolyte is used to sense the presence of IgE as a result of the changes in the charge distribution that occur when an IgE molecule binds to the IgE DNA-based aptamer. Because IgE is an antibody associated with allergic reactions and immune deficiency-related diseases, its detection is of utmost importance for biomedical applications.
Experience Reduces Surgical and Hardware-Related Complications of Deep Brain Stimulation Surgery: A Single-Center Study of 181 Patients Operated in Six Years
Authors: Sorar Mehmet , Hanalioglu Sahin , Kocer Bilge , Eser Muhammed Taha , Comoglu Selim Selcuk , Kertmen Hayri
Published: July 2018

Objective. Deep brain stimulation (DBS) surgery has increasingly been performed for the treatment of movement disorders and is associated with a wide array of complications. We aimed to present our experience and discuss strategies to minimize adverse events in light of this contemporary series and others in the literature. Methods. A retrospective chart review was conducted to collect data on age, sex, indication, operation date, surgical technique, and perioperative and late complications. Results. A total of 181 patients (113 males, 68 females) underwent DBS implantation surgery (359 leads) in the past six years. Indications and targets were as follows: Parkinson’s disease (STN) (n=159), dystonia (GPi) (n=13), and essential tremor (Vim) (n=9). Mean age was 55.2 ± 11.7 (range 9–74) years. Mean follow-up duration was 3.4 ± 1.6 years. No mortality or permanent morbidity was observed. Major perioperative complications were confusion (6.6%), intracerebral hemorrhage (2.2%), stroke (1.1%), and seizures (1.1%). Long-term adverse events included wound (7.2%), mostly infection, and hardware-related (5.5%) complications. Among several factors, only surgical experience was found to be related with overall complication rates (early period: 31% versus late period: 10%; p=0.001). Conclusion. The rates of both early and late complications of DBS surgery are acceptably low and decrease significantly with cumulative experience.
Elevated Expression of AXL May Contribute to the Epithelial-to-Mesenchymal Transition in Inflammatory Bowel Disease Patients
Authors: Boros Éva , Kellermayer Zoltán , Balogh Péter , Strifler Gerda , Vörös Andrea , Sarlós Patrícia , Vincze Áron , Varga Csaba , Nagy István
Published: July 2018

Understanding the molecular mechanisms inducing and regulating epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) upon chronic intestinal inflammation is critical for understanding the exact pathomechanism of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). The aim of this study was to determine the expression profile of TAM family receptors in an inflamed colon. For this, we used a rat model of experimental colitis and also collected samples from colons of IBD patients. Samples were taken from both inflamed and uninflamed regions of the same colon; the total RNA was isolated, and the mRNA and microRNA expressions were monitored. We have determined that AXL is highly induced in active-inflamed colon, which is accompanied with reduced expression of AXL-regulating microRNAs. In addition, the expression of genes responsible for inducing or maintaining mesenchymal phenotype, such as SNAI1, ZEB2, VIM, MMP9, and HIF1α, were all significantly induced in the active-inflamed colon of IBD patients while the epithelial marker E-cadherin (CDH1) was downregulated. We also show that, in vitro, monocytic and colonic epithelial cells increase the expression of AXL in response to LPS or TNFα stimuli, respectively. In summary, we identified several interacting genes and microRNAs with mutually exclusive expression pattern in active-inflamed colon of IBD patients. Our results shed light onto a possible AXL- and microRNA-mediated regulation influencing epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition in IBD.
Quantitative Approach for the Analysis of Fusional Convergence Using Eye-Tracking and SacLab Toolbox
Authors: Cercenelli Laura , Fresina Michela , Bortolani Barbara , Tiberi Guido , Giannaccare Giuseppe , Campos E. C. , Marcelli Emanuela
Published: July 2018

Fusional vergence is a disjunctive movement of the eyes that is made in order to obtain single vision. The aim of the study was to provide a quantitative and objective approach for analyzing the fusional convergence response using eye tracking (ET) technology and automatic data analysis provided by the intuitive SacLab toolbox previously developed by our group. We evaluated the proposed approach in a population of 26 subjects with normal binocular vision, who were tested with base-out prisms (magnitudes 4Δ, 6Δ, and 10Δ) in order to elicit fusional convergence response. Eye movements were recorded using the Viewpoint ET and analyzed using SacLab. Parameters describing both the vergence and the version components of the fusional response (convergence duration, CD; peak convergence velocity, PCV; number of intrusive saccades, NS; and mean saccadic amplitude, MSA) were automatically calculated and provided to clinicians for an objective evaluation. Results showed that the number of subjects achieving fusional convergence decreased with prism magnitude. For subjects achieving fusion CD and PCV increased significantly (p<0.05) when increasing the prism magnitude. For NS and MSA, there were no significant changes when passing to 6Δ, but a significant increase resulted when passing to 10Δ (p<0.05). Noninvasive ET associated with the intuitive SacLab toolbox may represent a valid option to objectively characterize the fusional vergence response in clinical setting. The analysis may be extended to patients with vergence disorders.
Reversible and Fragile Watermarking for Medical Images
Authors: Atta-ur-Rahman  , Sultan Kiran , Aldhafferi Nahier , Alqahtani Abdullah , Mahmud Maqsood
Published: July 2018

A novel reversible digital watermarking technique for medical images to achieve high level of secrecy, tamper detection, and blind recovery of the original image is proposed. The technique selects some of the pixels from the host image using chaotic key for embedding a chaotically generated watermark. The rest of the pixels are converted to residues by using the Residue Number System (RNS). The chaotically selected pixels are represented by the polynomial. A primitive polynomial of degree four is chosen that divides the message polynomial and consequently the remainder is obtained. The obtained remainder is XORed with the watermark and appended along with the message. The decoder receives the appended message and divides it by the same primitive polynomial and calculates the remainder. The authenticity of watermark is done based on the remainder that is valid, if it is zero and invalid otherwise. On the other hand, residue is divided with a primitive polynomial of degree 3 and the obtained remainder is appended with residue. The secrecy of proposed system is considerably high. It will be almost impossible for the intruder to find out which pixels are watermarked and which are just residue. Moreover, the proposed system also ensures high security due to four keys used in chaotic map. Effectiveness of the scheme is validated through MATLAB simulations and comparison with a similar technique.
Role of HOX Genes in Stem Cell Differentiation and Cancer
Authors: Bhatlekar Seema , Fields Jeremy Z. , Boman Bruce M.
Published: July 2018

HOX genes encode an evolutionarily conserved set of transcription factors that control how the phenotype of an organism becomes organized during development based on its genetic makeup. For example, in bilaterian-type animals, HOX genes are organized in gene clusters that encode anatomic segment identity, that is, whether the embryo will form with bilateral symmetry with a head (anterior), tail (posterior), back (dorsal), and belly (ventral). Although HOX genes are known to regulate stem cell (SC) differentiation and HOX genes are dysregulated in cancer, the mechanisms by which dysregulation of HOX genes in SCs causes cancer development is not fully understood. Therefore, the purpose of this manuscript was (i) to review the role of HOX genes in SC differentiation, particularly in embryonic, adult tissue-specific, and induced pluripotent SC, and (ii) to investigate how dysregulated HOX genes in SCs are responsible for the development of colorectal cancer (CRC) and acute myeloid leukemia (AML). We analyzed HOX gene expression in CRC and AML using information from The Cancer Genome Atlas study. Finally, we reviewed the literature on HOX genes and related therapeutics that might help us understand ways to develop SC-specific therapies that target aberrant HOX gene expression that contributes to cancer development.
Moving Target Defense Techniques: A Survey
Authors: Lei Cheng , Zhang Hong-Qi , Tan Jing-Lei , Zhang Yu-Chen , Liu Xiao-Hu
Published: July 2018

As an active defense technique to change asymmetry in cyberattack-defense confrontation, moving target defense research has become one of the hot spots. In order to gain better understanding of moving target defense, background knowledge and inspiration are expounded at first. Based on it, the concept of moving target defense is analyzed. Secondly, literature analysis method is adopted to explain the design principles and system architecture of moving target defense. In addition, some relevant key techniques are introduced from the aspects of strategy generation, shuffling implementation, and performance evaluation. After that, the applications of moving target defense in different network architectures are illustrated. Finally, existing problems and future trend in this field are elaborated so as to provide a basis for further study.
A Privacy Preserving Approach to Collaborative Systemic Risk Identification: The Use-Case of Supply Chain Networks
Authors: Zare-Garizy Tirazheh , Fridgen Gilbert , Wederhake Lars
Published: July 2018

Globalization and outsourcing are two main factors which are leading to higher complexity of supply chain networks. Due to the strategic importance of having a sustainable network, it is necessary to have an enhanced supply chain network risk management. In a supply chain network many firms depend directly or indirectly on a specific supplier. In this regard, unknown risks of network’s structure can endanger the whole supply chain network’s robustness. In spite of the importance of risk identification of supply chain network, firms are not willing to exchange the structural information of their network. Firms are concerned about risking their strategic positioning or established connections in the network. The paper proposes to combine secure multiparty computation cryptography methods with risk identification algorithms from social network analysis to address this challenge. The combination enables structural risk identification of supply chain networks without endangering firms’ competitive advantage.
Initial Hypotheses for Modeling and Numerical Analysis of Rockfill and Earth Dams and Their Effects on the Results of the Analysis
Authors: Rashidi Mohammad , Rasouli Habib
Published: July 2018

Since the behavior of earth dams is unreliable in different stages of construction, impounding, and exploitation, this matter is an unavoidable and essential issue with regard to the serious dangers caused by the failure of these important structures. It is crucial to evaluate the behavior of dams and examine the consistency between the carried out analyses and the behavioral parameters under different conditions in the lifespan of dams due to the uncertainty of the principles and hypotheses which have been adopted to analyze these structures. This objective will be accomplished through the help of correct numerical analyses. A series of hypotheses are adopted to simplify the parametric analyses before starting these analyses. The aim of this research is to develop and discuss these hypotheses. And so, the number of elements and their effects on the results of analyses were examined through the consolidation of unsaturated soil method, the compressible fluid method, correlated analysis, and uncorrelated analysis. It became clear after the numerical analyses that correlated analysis is a more precise method in comparison with the uncorrelated analysis method. However, this method is not economical when it comes to high dams and the replacement method is the uncorrelated analysis. Furthermore, the displacements are not that sensitive to the bulk modulus of water while the maximum settlement of the dam transfers from the middle of the dam’s core to a location higher than that the core as the bulk modulus of water increases. However, pore water pressure is very sensitive to the bulk modulus of water.
Mineralocorticoid Receptor Antagonist Treatment for Steroid-Induced Central Serous Chorioretinopathy Patients with Continuous Systemic Steroid Treatment
Authors: Kim Jin Young , Chae Ju Byung , Kim Jisoo , Kim Dong Yoon
Published: July 2018

Purpose. To investigate the effectiveness of mineralocorticoid receptor (MR) antagonist in patients with steroid-induced central serous chorioretinopathy (CSC). Methods. A retrospective review was conducted of steroid-induced CSC patients who were treated with the MR antagonist spironolactone 50 mg once per day for at least 1 month. The primary outcome measure was complete resolution rate of subretinal fluid (SRF) after spironolactone treatment. Secondary outcomes included central subfield thickness (CST), subfoveal choroidal thickness (SFCT), and best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) changes after spironolactone treatment. Results. Seventeen eyes from 15 patients were included in this study. Conditions warranting chronic systemic steroid use were myasthenia gravis (6/15, 40%), glomerulonephritis (5/15, 33.3%), and organ transplantation (4/15, 26.7%). Mean symptom duration of CSC was 4.00 ± 3.04 months. After spironolactone treatment, 14 eyes (82.4%) showed complete resolution of SRF (P<0.001) without discontinuation of systemic steroid. CST and BCVA were significantly improved after spironolactone treatment. SFCT was significantly decreased after spironolactone treatment. No patients experienced electrolyte imbalance after spironolactone treatment. Conclusion. MR antagonist treatment may be a therapeutic option for steroid-induced CSC patients. This treatment modality may be especially beneficial for steroid-induced CSC patients who cannot discontinue steroid medication due to systemic conditions.
Clear Cell Carcinoma Arising in Vulvar Endometriosis
Authors: Buppasiri Pranom , Kleebkaow Pilaiwan , Tharanon Chantip , Aue-aungkul Apiwat , Kietpeerakool Chumnan
Published: July 2018

We report a case of vulvar clear cell adenocarcinoma in a woman presenting with a lump and pain in the right side of the labia majora. Three years prior to this visit, she underwent a total abdominal hysterectomy with bilateral salpingooophorectomy and excision of a labial mass. Pathological examination revealed adenomyosis and multiple leiomyomas in the uterus, endometriotic cysts in both ovaries, and foci of atypical endometriosis in the labial mass. The results of an incision biopsy performed before referral indicted only apocrine hidrocystoma. Physical examination revealed a hard mass at the right labia majora extending to the right groin. The mass seemed to be in continuity with the pubic symphysis that would require pubic bone excision and reconstruction with flap surgery to achieve complete resection. However, the patient refused such extensive surgery. Based on previous diagnosis of vulvar endometriosis, she had been treated with GnRH agonists and depot medroxyprogesterone acetate. However, the mass developed into an ulcer and increased in size. A second biopsy of the mass was undertaken, and the pathological diagnosis was clear cell carcinoma with coexisting atypical endometriosis. Computed tomography of the abdominopelvic region showed an ulcerative mass at the right labia majora and nodal metastasis at the external iliac and inguinal regions. Systemic chemotherapy was administered. The growth of the tumors stabilized during the first two cycles of chemotherapy but rapidly progressed thereafter. At 17 months after her initial presentation, the patient passed away due to the progression of the disease.
Reliability‐Based Analysis of Recycled Aggregate Concrete under Carbonation
Authors: Faleschini Flora , Zanini Mariano Angelo , Hofer Lorenzo
Published: July 2018

Durability represents a crucial issue for evaluating safety and serviceability of reinforced concrete structures. Many studies have already focused on carbonation‐induced corrosion of natural aggregate concrete (NAC) structures, leading to several prediction models to estimate carbonation depth. Less research is devoted instead on recycled aggregate concrete (RAC), about which limited experimental works exist aimed at assessing the carbonation coefficient in accelerated tests. Additionally, deteriorating processes are subject to uncertainty, when defining materials, geometry, and environmental actions during the service life of structures. This work presents a reliability‐based analysis of carbonation resistance of RACs, using experimental carbonation coefficients derived from the literature, and applied in the full‐probabilistic method prosed in fib Bulletin 34. Results demonstrate how aggregates replacement ratio and w/c ratio influence the reliability of RAC carbonation resistance.
Epigenetic Effects Induced by Methamphetamine and Methamphetamine‐Dependent Oxidative Stress
Authors: Limanaqi Fiona , Gambardella Stefano , Biagioni Francesca , Busceti Carla L. , Fornai Francesco
Published: July 2018

Methamphetamine is a widely abused drug, which possesses neurotoxic activity and powerful addictive effects. Understanding methamphetamine toxicity is key beyond the field of drug abuse since it allows getting an insight into the molecular mechanisms which operate in a variety of neuropsychiatric disorders. In fact, key alterations produced by methamphetamine involve dopamine neurotransmission in a way, which is reminiscent of spontaneous neurodegeneration and psychiatric schizophrenia. Thus, understanding the molecular mechanisms operated by methamphetamine represents a wide window to understand both the addicted brain and a variety of neuropsychiatric disorders. This overlapping, which is already present when looking at the molecular and cellular events promoted immediately after methamphetamine intake, becomes impressive when plastic changes induced in the brain of methamphetamine‐addicted patients are considered. Thus, the present manuscript is an attempt to encompass all the molecular events starting at the presynaptic dopamine terminals to reach the nucleus of postsynaptic neurons to explain how specific neurotransmitters and signaling cascades produce persistent genetic modifications, which shift neuronal phenotype and induce behavioral alterations. A special emphasis is posed on disclosing those early and delayed molecular events, which translate an altered neurotransmitter function into epigenetic events, which are derived from the translation of postsynaptic noncanonical signaling into altered gene regulation. All epigenetic effects are considered in light of their persistent changes induced in the postsynaptic neurons including sensitization and desensitization, priming, and shift of neuronal phenotype.
SSID Oracle Attack on Undisclosed Wi‐Fi Preferred Network Lists
Authors: Dagelić Ante , Perković Toni , Vujatović Bojan , Čagalj Mario
Published: July 2018

User’s location privacy concerns have been further raised by today’s Wi‐Fi technology omnipresence. Preferred Network Lists (PNLs) are a particularly interesting source of private location information, as devices are storing a list of previously used hotspots. Privacy implications of a disclosed PNL have been covered by numerous papers, mostly focusing on passive monitoring attacks. Nowadays, however, more and more devices no longer transmit their PNL in clear, thus mitigating passive attacks. Hidden PNLs are still vulnerable against active attacks whereby an attacker mounts a fake SSID hotspot set to one likely contained within targeted PNL. If the targeted device has this SSID in the corresponding PNL, it will automatically initiate a connection with the fake hotspot thus disclosing this information to the attacker. By iterating through different SSIDs (from a predefined dictionary) the attacker can eventually reveal a big part of the hidden PNL. Considering user mobility, executing active attacks usually has to be done within a short opportunity window, while targeting nontrivial SSIDs from user’s PNL. The existing work on active attacks against hidden PNLs often neglects both of these challenges. In this paper we propose a simple mathematical model for analyzing active SSID dictionary attacks, allowing us to optimize the effectiveness of the attack under the above constraints (limited window of opportunity and targeting nontrivial SSIDs). Additionally, we showcase an example method for building an effective SSID dictionary using top‐N recommender algorithm and validate our model through simulations and extensive real‐life tests.
Study of Cavitation and Cavitation Erosion Quantitative Method Based on Image Processing Technique
Authors: Lv Dongli , Lian Zhanghua , Zhang Tao
Published: July 2018

Cavitation erosion on the wetted surface of hydraulic machinery is directly related to the cavitation behavior. In this paper, the cavitation behavior and cavitation erosion characteristics on the airfoil surface were observed experimentally, and then, image processing methods for quantifying cavitation structure and cavitation erosion were established. Laser‐CCD system was used to obtain the cavitation structure on the airfoil surface and the microtopographies of the cavitation erosion at different magnifications were obtained by SEM. The distribution and shape of cavitation pits were analyzed. An image processing method based on statistical principle was used to analyze the distribution characteristics of the cavitation structure. The mean and mean square value of the cavitation structure were obtained. The average volume and the volume change rate of cavitation cloud in each position of the flow field during a cavitation period were described. According to the characteristics of cavitation pits, an image processing method based on background correction, edge detection, and binary morphology processing was established, and then, the distribution characteristics and the area of the cavitation pits were obtained. Finally, the effectiveness of the methods is verified by the image processing of cavitation pit in different locations on the hydrofoil.
The Secretion from Neural Stem Cells Pretreated with Lycopene Protects against tert‐Butyl Hydroperoxide‐Induced Neuron Oxidative Damage
Authors: Huang Cuiqin , Gan Danhui , Fan Chongzhu , Wen Caiyan , Li An , Li Qin , Zhao Jiayi , Wang Zhen , Zhu Lihong , Lu Daxiang
Published: July 2018

Neural stem cells (NSCs) hold great potential for the treatment of Alzheimer’s disease (AD) through both cellular replacement and their secretion of trophic factors. Lycopene is a potent β‐carotenoid antioxidant that has been shown to ameliorate oxidative damage in previous studies. However, it is unclear if lycopene can interact with NSCs to induce the secretion of growth factors, and whether pretreatment with lycopene will allow NSCs to secrete enough trophic factors to reduce oxidative damage to neurons. We pretreated cultured NSCs with lycopene, then applied the lycopene‐treated‐NSC‐conditioned media (Ly‐NSC‐CM) to primary neuronal cultures exposed to tert‐butyl hydroperoxide (t‐BHP) to induce oxidative damage. We found that lycopene promoted the secretion of nerve growth factor (NGF), brain‐derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) from NSCs. In addition, Ly‐NSC‐CM attenuated oxidative stress and reduced t‐BHP‐induced cell apoptosis. We found an antiapoptotic effect related to inhibited expression of Bax/Bcl‐2, cytochrome C, and cleaved caspase‐3. Moreover, Ly‐NSC‐CM increased the levels of synaptic proteins, including synaptophysin (SYP) and postsynaptic density 95 (PSD‐95), and activated the PI3K/Akt pathway in cultured neurons. Collectively, these data indicate that Ly‐NSC‐CM could protect neurons from t‐BHP‐induced oxidative damage.
Upregulation of the Long Noncoding RNA SNHG3 Promotes Lung Adenocarcinoma Proliferation
Authors: Liu Liang , Ni Jianjiao , He Xinhong
Published: July 2018

Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer-associated mortalities worldwide. Non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is the main reason for cancer-relevant death and constitutes 80% of lung cancer cases. Long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) have been found to be related to different kinds of cancer. Long noncoding RNAs played important roles in regulating the pathological and physiological processes of numerous cancers. To explore novel lung adenocarcinoma-associated lncRNAs, we analyzed the TCGA database and found that the lncRNA SNHG3 was significantly upregulated in lung adenocarcinoma. Bioinformatic analysis showed that SNHG3 may play key roles in regulating RNA splicing, tRNA processing, signal transduction, cell adhesion, transcription, and apoptosis. We also performed functional experiments to explore the roles of SNHG3 in lung adenocarcinoma cells. We found that SNHG3 promoted proliferation, cell cycle, and suppressed cell apoptosis of lung adenocarcinoma, suggesting that SNHG3 acted as an oncogene in lung adenocarcinoma. We believe that this study will provide a potential new therapeutic and prognostic target for lung adenocarcinoma.
A Revised Version of Diabetes Quality of Life Instrument Maintaining Domains for Satisfaction, Impact, and Worry
Authors: Bujang Mohamad Adam , Adnan Tassha Hilda , Mohd Hatta Nur Khairul Bariyyah , Ismail Mastura , Lim Chien Joo
Published: July 2018

Background. Diabetes quality of life (DQoL) instrument has been widely used to measure quality of life among diabetes patients. This study aimed to develop a revised version of DQoL instrument that incorporated issues of redundancies in the items and strengthen the basis of validity of the instrument. Methods. This was a cross-sectional study where diabetes patients were recruited from December 1, 2014, until end of March 2015 at a public health clinic in Peninsular Malaysia. A questionnaire that included patients’ information and DQoL instrument was distributed to patients. Item selection of DQoL instrument was conducted to screen and finalize the items based on issues of missing values and redundancy. Validity testing was conducted for the revised DQoL instrument based on exploratory factor analysis, confirmatory factor analysis, and Rasch analysis. Results. The pattern structure matrix yielded three domains similar to the original version with 18 items. The minimum factor loading from the structure matrix was 0.358. The item’s and person’s reliability was excellent with 0.92 and 0.84 for “satisfaction” domain, 0.98 and 0.60 for “impact” domain, and 0.99 and 0.57 for “worry” domain, respectively. Confirmatory factor analysis has dropped 5 items and the revised version of DQoL contained 13 items. Composite reliability of the revised version was computed for “satisfaction” domain (0.922; 95% CI: 0.909–0.936), “impact” domain (0.781; 95% CI: 0.745–0.818), and “worry” domain (0.794; 95% CI: 0.755–0.832). Conclusion. A revised version of DQoL that maintains the conceptualization of “satisfaction,” “impact,” and “worry” with 13 items was successfully developed.
The Prognostic PDE4D7 Score in a Diagnostic Biopsy Prostate Cancer Patient Cohort with Longitudinal Biological Outcomes
Authors: van Strijp Dianne , de Witz Christiane , Vos Pieter C. , den Biezen-Timmermans Eveline , van Brussel Anne , Wrobel Janneke , Baillie George S. , Tennstedt Pierre , Schlomm Thorsten , Heitkötter Birthe , Huss Sebastian , Bögemann Martin , Houslay Miles D. , Bangma Chris , Semjonow Axel , Hoffmann Ralf
Published: July 2018

Purpose.To further validate the prognostic power of the biomarker PDE4D7, we investigated the correlation of PDE4D7 scores adjusted for presurgical clinical variables with longitudinal postsurgical biological outcomes.Methods.RNA was extracted from biopsy punches of resected tumors (550 patients; RP cohort) and diagnostic needle biopsies (168 patients; DB cohort). Cox regression and survival were applied to correlate PDE4D7 scores with patient outcomes. Logistic regression was used to combine the clinical CAPRA score with PDE4D7.Results.In univariate analysis, the PDE4D7 score was significantly associated with PSA recurrence after prostatectomy in both studied patient cohorts’ analysis (HR 0.53; 95% CI 0.41-0.67; p<1.0E-04 and HR 0.47; 95% CI 0.33-0.65; p<1.0E-04, respectively). After adjustment for the presurgical clinical variables preoperative PSA, PSA density, biopsy Gleason, clinical stage, percentage tumor in the biopsy (data only available for RP cohort), and percentage of positive biopsies, the HR was 0.49 (95% CI 0.38-0.64; p<1.0E-04) and 0.43 (95% CI 0.29-0.63; p<1.0E-04), respectively. The addition of the PDE4D7 to the clinical CAPRA score increased the AUC by 5% over the CAPRA score alone (0.82 versus 0.77; p=0.004). This combination model stratified 14.6% patients of the DB cohort to no risk of biochemical relapse (NPV 100%) over a follow-up period of up to 15 years.Conclusions.The PDE4D7 score provides independent risk information for pretreatment risk stratification. Combining CAPRA with PDE4D7 scores significantly improved the clinical risk stratification before surgery.
Study on Dynamic Characteristics of Aerostatic Bearing with Elastic Equalizing Pressure Groove
Authors: Zhao Xiao-long , Dong Hao , Fang Zhou , Chen Deng-di , Zhang Jun-an
Published: July 2018

Microvibration has an important influence on the dynamic performance of aerostatic bearings. Dynamic stiffness and equivalent damping coefficient are the main indexes to evaluate the dynamic characteristics of the aerostatic bearing. In order to study the dynamic characteristics of a new type of aerostatic bearing with the elastic equalizing pressure groove (EEPG), the dynamic characteristics of the new type of bearing are studied by theoretical calculation and experiment. First, the dynamic gas‐solid coupling control equation is established. Then, the steady term and the perturbation term are decomposed by the perturbation method. By solving the coupling model, the dynamic characteristics of the bearing are calculated and analyzed. The calculation results show that the perturbation frequency has a significant effect on the dynamic stiffness and equivalent damping coefficient of the aerostatic bearing with EEPG. The dynamic stiffness increases with the increase of frequency, and the equivalent damping coefficient decreases with the increase of frequency. The experimental results are basically the same with the theoretical results, which effectively verify the correctness of the theoretical analysis.
An Improved Lagrangian Relaxation Algorithm for the Robust Generation Self-Scheduling Problem
Authors: Che Ping , Tang Zhenhao , Gong Hua , Zhao Xiaoli
Published: July 2018

The robust generation self-scheduling problem under electricity price uncertainty is usually solved by the commercial solver, which is limited in computation time and memory requirement. This paper proposes an improved Lagrangian relaxation algorithm for the robust generation self-scheduling problem where the quadratic fuel cost and the time-dependent exponential startup cost are considered. By using the optimal duality theory, the robust generation self-scheduling problem, which has a max-min structure, is reformulated as a minimization mixed integer nonlinear programming (MINLP) problem. Upon the reformulation, the Lagrangian relaxation algorithm is developed. To obtain a solvable relaxed problem, the variable splitting technique is introduced before the relaxation. The obtained relaxed problem is decomposed into a linear programming-type subproblem and multiple single-unit subproblems. Each single-unit subproblem is solved optimally by a two-stage backward dynamic programming procedure. The special cases of the problem are discussed and a two-stage algorithm is proposed. The proposed algorithms are tested on test cases of different sizes and the numerical results show that the algorithms can find near-optimal solutions in a reasonable time.
Measurement-Driven Multi-Target Multi-Bernoulli Filter
Authors: Li Shijie , Lei Humin
Published: July 2018

A measurement-driven multi-target multi-Bernoulli (MeMBer) filter which modifies the MeMBer filter by the measurements information is proposed in this paper. The proposed filter refines both the legacy estimates and the data-induced estimates of the MeMBer filter. For the targets under the legacy track set, the detection probabilities derived from the measurements are employed to refine the multi-target distribution. And for the targets under the data-induced track set, the multi-target distribution is further improved by the modified existence probabilities of the legacy tracks. Unlike the cardinality balanced MeMBer (CBMeMBer) filter, the proposed filter removes the cardinality bias in the MeMBer filter by utilizing the measurements information. Simulation results show that, compared with the traditional methods, the proposed filter can improve the stability and accuracy of the estimates and does not need the high detection probability hypothesis.
A Feasible Computational Fluid Dynamics Study for Relationships of Structural and Functional Alterations with Particle Depositions in Severe Asthmatic Lungs
Authors: Choi Sanghun , Miyawaki Shinjiro , Lin Ching-Long
Published: July 2018

This study aims to investigate the effect of altered structures and functions in severe asthma on particle deposition by using computational fluid dynamics (CFD) models. Airway geometrical models of two healthy subjects and two severe asthmatics were reconstructed from computed tomography (CT) images. Subject-specific flow boundary conditions were obtained by image registration to account for regional functional alterations of severe asthmatics. A large eddy simulation (LES) model for transitional and turbulent flows was applied to simulate airflows, and particle transport simulations were then performed for 2.5, 5, and 10 μm particles using CFD-predicted flow fields. Compared to the healthy subjects, the severe asthmatics had a smaller air-volume change in the lower lobes and a larger air-volume change in the upper lobes. Both severe asthmatics had smaller airway circularity (Cr), but one of them had a significant reduction of hydraulic diameter (Dh). In severe asthmatics, the larger air-volume change in the upper lobes resulted in more particles in the upper lobes, especially for the small 2.5 μm particles. The structural alterations measured by Cr and Dh were associated with a higher particle deposition. Dh was found to be the most important metric which affects the specific location of particle deposition. This study demonstrates the relationship of CT-based structural and functional alterations in severe asthma with flow and particle dynamics.
Fast Extraction for Skewed Source Signals Using Conditional Expectation
Authors: Su Qiao , Wei Yimin , Deng Changliang , Shen Yuehong
Published: July 2018

The extraction of the stochastic source signals whose probability density functions (PDFs) are skewed is very important in many applications such as biomedical signal processing and mechanical fault diagnosis. This paper shows that the skewed source signal with the maximal absolute value of skewness can be fast extracted by a proposed algorithm using conditional expectation. Compared with the existing conditional expectation-based algorithms, the proposed one possesses two main advantages. One is that it does not require the prior knowledge of the positive support of the desired source, namely the time indices where the source of interest is positive. The other is that it can be employed both in the determined and underdetermined cases. Furthermore, the proposed algorithm is mainly based on the first- and second-order statistics and does not need the preprocessing so that the computational cost is significantly low. Simulation results show the superiority of the proposed algorithm over the existing methods and indicate that the proposed algorithm also performs well in the underdetermined case when the number of sensors is slightly less than that of sources.
The Pathogenesis of Necroptosis-Dependent Signaling Pathway in Cerebral Ischemic Disease
Authors: Xu Yang , Zhang Ji , Ma Lingsong , Zhao Shoucai , Li Shizun , Huang Tingting , Chu Zhaohu
Published: July 2018

Necroptosis is the best-described form of regulated necrosis at present, which is widely recognized as a component of caspase-independent cell death mediated by the concerted action of receptor-interacting protein kinase 1 (RIPK1) and receptor-interacting protein kinase 3 (RIPK3). Mixed-lineage kinase domain-like (MLKL) was phosphorylated by RIPK3 at the threonine 357 and serine 358 residues and then formed tetramers and translocated onto the plasma membrane, which destabilizes plasma membrane integrity leading to cell swelling and membrane rupture. Necroptosis is downstream of the tumor necrosis factor (TNF) receptor family, and also interaction with NOD-like receptor pyrin 3 (NLRP3) induced inflammasome activation. Multiple inhibitors of RIPK1 and MLKL have been developed to block the cascade of signal pathways for procedural necrosis and represent potential leads for drug development. In this review, we highlight recent progress in the study of roles for necroptosis in cerebral ischemic disease and discuss how these modifications delicately control necroptosis.