bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
How Representative of Bicycling Populations Are Smartphone Application Surveys of Travel Behavior?
Authors: Blanc Bryan , Figliozzi Miguel , Clifton Kelly
Published: January 2017

Bicycle transportation increasingly has become a central focus of urban regions invested in the improvement of livability, sustainability, and public health outcomes. Recently, transportation agencies across North America have deployed travel surveys with a smartphone application to gain a better understanding of bicycling travel behavior to forecast travel, to invest in infrastructure, and for a variety of other purposes. A potential limitation of data sets crowdsourced with smartphones is sampling bias (i.e., the demographic characteristics of the smartphone application users may not match the characteristics of the cycling population). Such a bias can be caused by the passive nature of sample recruitment, by differences in access to smartphone ownership or in familiarity with the technology, or both. This study examined the characteristics of several user samples from bicycle smartphone application deployments in North America. Differences between these samples were highlighted, and the smartphone samples were compared with cycling samples from travel survey data sets. Whenever possible, a statistical test was used to calculate the statistical significance of the differences between smartphone samples and traditional travel survey samples. Compared with travel surveys, smartphone applications tended to undersample females, older adults, and lower-income populations and to oversample some minority ethnicity populations. The analysis also revealed that, for cities in which travel survey sample sizes were small, smartphone applications could provide higher-resolution data and larger sample sizes of bicyclists. For transportation agencies, all of these findings are useful to plan future travel survey and sample recruitment efforts.
Is Bikesharing Contagious?: Modeling Its Effects on System Membership and General Population Cycling
Authors: Schoner Jessica , Lindsey Greg , Levinson David
Published: January 2017

Bikeshare systems are relatively new, highly visible additions to urban transportation systems that provide opportunities to cycle or combine cycling with other modes of transportation. The research reported here presents new evidence about the role of bikeshare systems in travel behavior on the basis of diffusion of innovation theory. The study hypothesized that bikeshare systems have spatial contagion or spillover effects on ( a) the propensity of individuals to adopt bikeshare and ( b) the propensity to bicycle within the general population. The first hypothesis ( H1) was tested by modeling membership growth as a function of system expansion and the existing, proximate membership base. The second hypothesis ( H2) was tested by using bikeshare activity levels near home in a model of household-level bicycle participation and trip frequency. The study yielded mixed results. Bikeshare membership growth appeared to be driven in small part by a contagion effect of existing bikeshare members nearby, even after controlling for system growth. However, within the general population, a significant relationship was not identified between proximity to bikeshare stations and cycling participation or frequency. These findings complement those of other recent studies of bikeshare systems, which indicated that systems are still evolving. The present findings also have implications for marketing, infrastructure investments, and future research about bikeshare operations and innovation.
Parent vessel occlusion after Pipeline embolization of cerebral aneurysms of the anterior circulation
Authors: Potts Matthew B. , Shapiro Maksim , Zumofen Daniel W. , Raz Eytan , Nossek Erez , DeSousa Keith G. , Becske Tibor , Riina Howard A. , Nelson Peter K.
Published: January 2017

OBJECTIVE

The Pipeline Embolization Device (PED) is now a well-established option for the treatment of giant or complex aneurysms, especially those arising from the anterior circulation. Considering the purpose of such treatment is to maintain patency of the parent vessel, postembolization occlusion of the parent artery can be regarded as an untoward outcome. Antiplatelet therapy in the posttreatment period is therefore required to minimize such events. Here, the authors present a series of patients with anterior circulation aneurysms treated with the PED who subsequently experienced parent vessel occlusion (PVO).

METHODS

The authors performed a retrospective review of all anterior circulation aneurysms consecutively treated at a single institution with the PED through 2014, identifying those with PVO on follow-up imaging. Aneurysm size and location, number of PEDs used, and follow-up digital subtraction angiography results were recorded. When available, pre- and postembolization platelet function testing results were also recorded.

RESULTS

Among 256 patients with anterior circulation aneurysms treated with the PED, the authors identified 8 who developed PVO after embolization. The mean aneurysm size in this cohort was 22.3 mm, and the number of PEDs used per case ranged from 2 to 10. Six patients were found to have asymptomatic PVO discovered incidentally on routine follow-up imaging between 6 months and 3 years postembolization, 3 of whom had documented “delayed” PVO with prior postembolization angiograms confirming aneurysm occlusion and a patent parent vessel at an earlier time. Two additional patients experienced symptomatic PVO, one of which was associated with early discontinuation of antiplatelet therapy.

CONCLUSIONS

In this large series of anterior circulation aneurysms, the authors report a low incidence of symptomatic PVO, complicating premature discontinuation of postembolization antiplatelet or anticoagulation therapy. Beyond the subacute period, asymptomatic PVO was more common, particularly among complex fusiform or very large–necked aneurysms, highlighting an important phenomenon with the use of PED for the treatment of anterior circulation aneurysms, and suggesting that extended periods of antiplatelet coverage may be required in select complex aneurysms.
Antiplatelet therapy for the prevention of peri-coiling thromboembolism in high-risk patients with ruptured intracranial aneurysms
Authors: Edwards Nancy J. , Jones Wesley H. , Sanzgiri Aditya , Corona Juan , Dannenbaum Mark , Chen Peng Roc
Published: January 2017

OBJECTIVE

The most frequent procedural complication of the endovascular treatment of intracranial aneurysms is a thromboembolic event (TEE); in a subset of patients, such events will cause permanent neurological disability. In patients with unruptured aneurysms, increasing evidence supports the use of periprocedural antiplatelet therapy to prevent TEEs. The object of this study was to evaluate whether patients with ruptured aneurysms and subarachnoid hemorrhage would also benefit from periprocedural antiplatelet therapy.

METHODS

The authors reviewed a prospective registry of 169 patients with endovascularly treated intracranial aneurysms to delineate angiographic features associated with periprocedural TEEs. They then performed a controlled before-and-after study in 79 patients with ruptured aneurysms who were deemed to be at high risk for TEEs (for example, patients with at least 1 angiographic feature associated with TEEs) to evaluate whether selective aspirin administration would reduce the rate of periprocedural thromboembolism without increasing major hemorrhagic complications.

RESULTS

Six angiographic features were associated with periprocedural TEEs in the study cohort: wide aneurysm neck, coil or loop protrusion, small parent artery diameter, an incorporated branch, intraprocedural thrombus formation, and intracranial parent vessel atherosclerosis. Aspirin administration to high-risk patients significantly decreased the rate of periprocedural TEEs, from 53.8% in the control group to 10.6% in the aspirin-treated group (p = 0.001). The reduction in TEEs in the aspirin-treated group continued to be statistically significant even when adjusted for age, sex, cardiovascular risk factors (smoking, diabetes, hypertension, dyslipidemia, coronary artery disease), and factors associated with TEEs in other large studies (wide aneurysm neck, aneurysm size ≥ 10 mm), with an adjusted OR of 0.16 (95% CI 0.03–0.8). There were no major systemic hemorrhagic complications, and aspirin did not increase the risk of aneurysm rebleeding, symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage, or major external ventricular drain (EVD)–associated hemorrhage (p = 0.3), though there was an increase in asymptomatic, minor (< 1 cm) EVD-associated hemorrhage in the aspirin-treated group (p = 0.02).

CONCLUSIONS

The study findings suggest that for ruptured aneurysm patients with high-risk features, antiplatelet therapy can significantly reduce the rate of periprocedural TEE without increasing major systemic or intracranial hemorrhages.
Irreversible changes occurring in long-term denervated Schwann cells affect delayed nerve repair
Authors: Ronchi Giulia , Cillino Michele , Gambarotta Giovanna , Fornasari Benedetta Elena , Raimondo Stefania , Pugliese Pierfrancesco , Tos Pierluigi , Cordova Adriana , Moschella Francesco , Geuna Stefano
Published: January 2017

OBJECTIVE

Multiple factors may affect functional recovery after peripheral nerve injury, among them the lesion site and the interval between the injury and the surgical repair. When the nerve segment distal to the lesion site undergoes chronic degeneration, the ensuing regeneration (when allowed) is often poor. The aims of the current study were as follows: 1) to examine the expression changes of the neuregulin 1/ErbB system during long-term nerve degeneration; and 2) to investigate whether a chronically denervated distal nerve stump can sustain nerve regeneration of freshly axotomized axons.

METHODS

This study used a rat surgical model of delayed nerve repair consisting of a cross suture between the chronically degenerated median nerve distal stump and the freshly axotomized ulnar proximal stump. Before the suture, a segment of long-term degenerated median nerve stump was harvested for analysis. Functional, morphological, morphometric, and biomolecular analyses were performed.

RESULTS

The results showed that neuregulin 1 is highly downregulated after chronic degeneration, as well as some Schwann cell markers, demonstrating that these cells undergo atrophy, which was also confirmed by ultrastructural analysis. After delayed nerve repair, it was observed that chronic degeneration of the distal nerve stump compromises nerve regeneration in terms of functional recovery, as well as the number and size of regenerated myelinated fibers. Moreover, neuregulin 1 is still downregulated after delayed regeneration.

CONCLUSIONS

The poor outcome after delayed nerve regeneration might be explained by Schwann cell impairment and the consequent ineffective support for nerve regeneration. Understanding the molecular and biological changes occurring both in the chronically degenerating nerve and in the delayed nerve repair may be useful to the development of new strategies to promote nerve regeneration. The results suggest that neuregulin 1 has an important role in Schwann cell activity after denervation, indicating that its manipulation might be a good strategy for improving outcome after delayed nerve repair.
(Pro)renin receptor is crucial for glioma development via the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway
Authors: Kouchi Masaaki , Shibayama Yuki , Ogawa Daisuke , Miyake Keisuke , Nishiyama Akira , Tamiya Takashi
Published: January 2017

OBJECTIVE

The (pro)renin receptor (PRR) plays an essential role in the early development of the central nervous system by activating the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway. The authors investigated the potential role of the PRR in the pathogenesis of glioma.

METHODS

The authors performed immunohistochemical analysis to detect both the PRR and isocitrate dehydrogenase 1 with mutations involving arginine 132 (IDH1R132H) in paraffin sections of 31 gliomas. Expression of the PRR and Wnt pathway components in cultured human glioma cell lines (U251MG, U87MG, and T98G) was measured using Western blotting. The effects of PRR short interfering RNA (siRNA) on glioma cell proliferation (WST-1 assay and direct cell counting) and apoptosis (flow cytometry and the caspase-3 assay) were also examined.

RESULTS

PRR expression was significantly higher in glioblastoma than in normal tissue or in lower grade glioma, regardless of IDH1R132H mutation. PRR expression was also higher in human glioblastoma cell lines than in human astrocytes. PRR expression showed a significant positive correlation with the Ki-67 labeling index, while it had a significant negative correlation with the survival time of glioma patients. Treatment with PRR siRNA significantly reduced expression of Wnt2, activated β-catenin, and cyclin D1 by human glioblastoma cell lines, and it reduced the proliferative capacity of these cell lines and induced apoptosis.

CONCLUSIONS

This is the first evidence that the PRR has an important role in development of glioma by aberrant activation of the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway. This receptor may be both a prognostic marker and a therapeutic target for glioma.
Spinopelvic sagittal imbalance as a risk factor for adjacent-segment disease after single-segment posterior lumbar interbody fusion
Authors: Matsumoto Tomiya , Okuda Shinya , Maeno Takafumi , Yamashita Tomoya , Yamasaki Ryoji , Sugiura Tsuyoshi , Iwasaki Motoki
Published: January 2017

OBJECTIVE

The importance of spinopelvic balance and its implications for clinical outcomes after spinal arthrodesis has been reported in recent studies. However, little is known about the relationship between adjacent-segment disease (ASD) after lumbar arthrodesis and spinopelvic alignment. The purpose of this study was to clarify the relationship between spinopelvic radiographic parameters and symptomatic ASD after L4–5 single-level posterior lumbar interbody fusion (PLIF).

METHODS

This was a retrospective 1:5 matched case-control study. Twenty patients who had undergone revision surgery for symptomatic ASD after L4–5 PLIF and had standing radiographs of the whole spine before primary and revision surgeries were enrolled from 2005 to 2012. As a control group, 100 age-, sex-, and pathology-matched patients who had undergone L4–5 PLIF during the same period, had no signs of symptomatic ASD for more than 3 years, and had whole-spine radiographs at preoperation and last follow-up were selected. Mean age at the time of primary surgery was 68.9 years in the ASD group and 66.7 years in the control group. Several radiographic spinopelvic parameters were measured as follows: sagittal vertical axis (SVA), thoracic kyphosis (TK), sacral slope (SS), pelvic tilt (PT), pelvic incidence (PI), lumbar lordosis (LL), and segmental lordosis at L4–5 (SL) in the sagittal view, and C7–central sacral vertical line (C7-CSVL) in the coronal view. Radiological parameters were compared between the groups.

RESULTS

No significant change was found between pre- and postoperative radiographic parameters in each group. In terms of preoperative radiographic parameters, the ASD group had significantly lower LL (40.7° vs 47.2°, p < 0.01) and significantly higher PT (27° vs 22.9°, p < 0.05) than the control group. SVA ≥ 50 mm was observed in 10 of 20 patients (50%) in the ASD group and in 21 of 100 patients (21%, p < 0.01) in the control group. PI-LL ≥ 10° was noted in 15 of 20 patients (75%) in the ASD group and in 40 of 100 patients (40%, p < 0.01) in the control group on preoperative radiographs. Postoperatively, the ASD group had significantly lower TK (22.5° vs 30.9°, p < 0.01) and lower LL (39.3° vs 48.1°, p < 0.05) than the control group had. PI-LL ≥ 10° was seen in 15 of 20 patients (75%) in the ASD group and in 43 of 100 patients (43%, p < 0.01) in the control group.

CONCLUSIONS

Preoperative global sagittal imbalance (SVA > 50 mm and higher PT), pre- and postoperative lower LL, and PI-LL mismatch were significantly associated with ASD. Therefore, even with a single-level PLIF, appropriate SL and LL should be obtained at surgery to improve spinopelvic sagittal imbalance. The results also suggest that the achievement of the appropriate LL and PI-LL prevents ASD after L4–5 PLIF.
The role of spinal thrombin through protease-activated receptor 1 in hyperalgesia after neural injury
Authors: Smith Jenell R. , Winkelstein Beth A.
Published: January 2017

OBJECTIVE

Painful neuropathic injuries induce blood–spinal cord barrier (BSCB) breakdown, allowing pro-inflammatory serum molecules to cross the BSCB, which contributes to nociception. The goal of these studies was to determine whether the blood-borne serine protease thrombin also crosses a permeable BSCB, contributing to nociception through its activation of protease-activated receptor-1 (PAR1).

METHODS

A 15-minute C-7 nerve root compression, which induces BSCB breakdown and painful behaviors by Day 1, was administered in the rat (n = 10); sham operation (n = 11) and a 3-minute compression (n = 10) that does not induce sensitivity were administered as controls. At Day 1 after root compression, spinal cord tissue was co-immunolabeled for fibrin/fibrinogen, the enzymatic product of thrombin, and IgG, a serum protein, to determine whether thrombin acts in areas of BSCB breakdown. To determine whether spinal thrombin and PAR1 contribute to hyperalgesia after compression, the thrombin inhibitor hirudin and the PAR1 antagonist SCH79797, were separately administered intrathecally before compression injuries (n = 5–7 per group). Rat thrombin was also administered intrathecally with and without SCH79797 (n = 6 per group) to determine whether spinal thrombin induces hypersensitivity in naïve rats through PAR1.

RESULTS

Spinal fibrin(ogen) was elevated at Day 1 after root compression in regions localized to BSCB breakdown and decreased in those regions by Day 7. Blocking either spinal thrombin or PAR1 completely prevented compression-induced hyperalgesia for 7 days. Intrathecal thrombin induced transient pain that was prevented by blocking spinal PAR1 before its injection.

CONCLUSIONS

The findings of this study suggest a potent role for spinal thrombin and its activation of PAR1 in pain onset following neuropathic injury.
Investigation of Ethanol Production Potential from Lignocellulosic Material without Enzymatic Hydrolysis Using the Ultrasound Technique
Authors: Kandasamy Manoj , Hamawand Ihsan , Bowtell Leslie , Seneweera Saman , Chakrabarty Sayan , Yusaf Talal , Shakoor Zaidoon , Algayyim Sattar , Eberhard Friederike
Published: January 2017

This research investigates ethanol production from waste lignocellulosic material (sugarcane bagasse). The bagasse was first pretreated using chemicals and ultrasound techniques. These pretreatment techniques were applied separately and combined. The pretreated bagasse was then fermented anaerobically for biofuel production without enzymatic hydrolysis. The results showed higher ethanol production than those reported in the literature. The maximum ethanol production of 820 mg/L was achieved with a combination of ultrasound (60 amplitude level, 127 W) and acid (3% H2SO4 concentration). The combination of two-step pretreatment such as an ultrasound (50 amplitude level, 109 W) with acid (3% H2SO4 concentration) and then an ultrasound with alkaline (23% NaOH concentration) generated 911 mg/L of ethanol.
Non-Linear Behavioral Modeling for DC-DC Converters and Dynamic Analysis of Distributed Energy Systems
Authors: Zheng Xiancheng , Ali Husan , Wu Xiaohua , Zaman Haider , Khan Shahbaz
Published: January 2017

In modern distributed energy systems (DES), focus is shifting from the conventional centralized approach towards distributed architectures. However, modeling and analysis of these systems is more complex, as it involves the interface of multiple energy sources with many different type of loads through power electronics converters. The integration of power electronics converters allows distributed renewable energy sources to become part of modern electronics power distribution systems (EPDS). It will also facilitate the ongoing research towards DC-based DES which is mostly composed of commercial DC-DC converters whose internal structure and parameters are unknown. For the system level analysis, the behavioral modeling technique is the only choice. Since most power electronics converters are non-linear systems and linear models can’t model their dynamics to a desired level of accuracy, hence non-linear modeling is required for accurate modeling. The non-linear modeling approach presented here aims to develop behavioral models that can predict the response of the system over the entire operating range. In this work, either a lookup table or a polytopic structure-based modeling technique is used. The technique is further applied to cascade and parallel connected converters, being two DES scenarios. First the procedure is verified via application to switching models in a simulation and then validated for commercial converters via experiments. The results show that the developed behavioral models accurately predict both the transient and steady state response.
Windthrow Detection in European Forests with Very High-Resolution Optical Data
Authors: Einzmann Kathrin , Immitzer Markus , Böck Sebastian , Bauer Oliver , Schmitt Andreas , Atzberger Clement
Published: January 2017

With climate change, extreme storms are expected to occur more frequently. These storms can cause severe forest damage, provoking direct and indirect economic losses for forestry. To minimize economic losses, the windthrow areas need to be detected fast to prevent subsequent biotic damage, for example, related to beetle infestations. Remote sensing is an efficient tool with high potential to cost-efficiently map large storm affected regions. Storm Niklas hit South Germany in March 2015 and caused widespread forest cover loss. We present a two-step change detection approach applying commercial very high-resolution optical Earth Observation data to spot forest damage. First, an object-based bi-temporal change analysis is carried out to identify windthrow areas larger than 0.5 ha. For this purpose, a supervised Random Forest classifier is used, including a semi-automatic feature selection procedure; for image segmentation, the large-scale mean shift algorithm was chosen. Input features include spectral characteristics, texture, vegetation indices, layer combinations and spectral transformations. A hybrid-change detection approach at pixel-level subsequently identifies small groups of fallen trees, combining the most important features of the previous processing step with Spectral Angle Mapper and Multivariate Alteration Detection. The methodology was evaluated on two test sites in Bavaria with RapidEye data at 5 m pixel resolution. The results regarding windthrow areas larger than 0.5 ha were validated with reference data from field visits and acquired through orthophoto interpretation. For the two test sites, the novel object-based change detection approach identified over 90% of the windthrow areas (≥0.5 ha). The red edge channel was the most important for windthrow identification. Accuracy levels of the change detection at tree level could not be calculated, as it was not possible to collect field data for single trees, nor was it possible to perform an orthophoto validation. Nevertheless, the plausibility and applicability of the pixel-based approach is demonstrated on a second test site.
Type 2 Diabetes Susceptibility in the Greek-Cypriot Population: Replication of Associations with TCF7L2, FTO, HHEX, SLC30A8 and IGF2BP2 Polymorphisms
Authors: Votsi Christina , Toufexis Costas , Michailidou Kyriaki , Antoniades Athos , Skordis Nicos , Karaolis Minas , Pattichis Constantinos , Christodoulou Kyproula
Published: January 2017

Type 2 diabetes (T2D) has been the subject of numerous genetic studies in recent years which revealed associations of the disease with a large number of susceptibility loci. We hereby initiate the evaluation of T2D susceptibility loci in the Greek-Cypriot population by performing a replication case-control study. One thousand and eighteen individuals (528 T2D patients, 490 controls) were genotyped at 21 T2D susceptibility loci, using the allelic discrimination method. Statistically significant associations of T2D with five of the tested single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) (TCF7L2 rs7901695, FTO rs8050136, HHEX rs5015480, SLC30A8 rs13266634 and IGF2BP2 rs4402960) were observed in this study population. Furthermore, 14 of the tested SNPs had odds ratios (ORs) in the same direction as the previously published studies, suggesting that these variants can potentially be used in the Greek-Cypriot population for predictive testing of T2D. In conclusion, our findings expand the genetic assessment of T2D susceptibility loci and reconfirm five of the worldwide established loci in a distinct, relatively small, newly investigated population.
Pharmacogenetic Foundations of Therapeutic Efficacy and Adverse Events of Statins
Authors: Arrigoni Elena , Del Re Marzia , Fidilio Leonardo , Fogli Stefano , Danesi Romano , Di Paolo Antonello
Published: January 2017

Background: In the era of precision medicine, more attention is paid to the search for predictive markers of treatment efficacy and tolerability. Statins are one of the classes of drugs that could benefit from this approach because of their wide use and their incidence of adverse events. Methods: Literature from PubMed databases and bibliography from retrieved publications have been analyzed according to terms such as statins, pharmacogenetics, epigenetics, toxicity and drug–drug interaction, among others. The search was performed until 1 October 2016 for articles published in English language. Results: Several technical and methodological approaches have been adopted, including candidate gene and next generation sequencing (NGS) analyses, the latter being more robust and reliable. Among genes identified as possible predictive factors associated with statins toxicity, cytochrome P450 isoforms, transmembrane transporters and mitochondrial enzymes are the best characterized. Finally, the solute carrier organic anion transporter family member 1B1 (SLCO1B1) transporter seems to be the best target for future studies. Moreover, drug–drug interactions need to be considered for the best approach to personalized treatment. Conclusions: Pharmacogenetics of statins includes several possible genes and their polymorphisms, but muscular toxicities seem better related to SLCO1B1 variant alleles. Their analysis in the general population of patients taking statins could improve treatment adherence and efficacy; however, the cost–efficacy ratio should be carefully evaluated.
Clinical Significance and Prognostic Relevance of Microsatellite Instability in Sporadic Colorectal Cancer Patients
Authors: Copija Angelika , Waniczek Dariusz , Witkoś Andrzej , Walkiewicz Katarzyna , Nowakowska-Zajdel Ewa
Published: January 2017

Microsatellite instability (MSI) is a marker of the replication error phenotype. It is caused by impaired DNA mismatch repair processes (MMR), resulting in ineffectiveness of the mechanisms responsible for the DNA replication precision and postreplicative DNA repair. MSI underlies the pathogenesis of 10%–20% of colorectal cancer (CRC) cases. The data about the potential value of MMR status as a predictive factor for 5-fluorouracil (FU)-based chemotherapy remain unclear. According to National Comprehensive Cancer Network updated guidelines, MSI testing is recommended for all patients with stage II CRC because patients with MSI-H (high-frequency MSI) tumour may have a good prognosis and obtain no benefit from 5-FU-based adjuvant chemotherapy. The significance of the MSI status as a predictive factor for patients with metastatic disease was not confirmed. The association between the MSI status and the efficacy of the therapy based on anti-programmed death-1 receptor inhibitors requires further studies.
Bronchopulmonary Dysplasia: Chronic Lung Disease of Infancy and Long-Term Pulmonary Outcomes
Authors: Davidson Lauren , Berkelhamer Sara
Published: January 2017

Bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) is a chronic lung disease most commonly seen in premature infants who required mechanical ventilation and oxygen therapy for acute respiratory distress. While advances in neonatal care have resulted in improved survival rates of premature infants, limited progress has been made in reducing rates of BPD. Lack of progress may in part be attributed to the limited therapeutic options available for prevention and treatment of BPD. Several lung-protective strategies have been shown to reduce risks, including use of non-invasive support, as well as early extubation and volume ventilation when intubation is required. These approaches, along with optimal nutrition and medical therapy, decrease risk of BPD; however, impacts on long-term outcomes are poorly defined. Characterization of late outcomes remain a challenge as rapid advances in medical management result in current adult BPD survivors representing outdated neonatal care. While pulmonary disease improves with growth, long-term follow-up studies raise concerns for persistent pulmonary dysfunction; asthma-like symptoms and exercise intolerance in young adults after BPD. Abnormal ventilatory responses and pulmonary hypertension can further complicate disease. These pulmonary morbidities, combined with environmental and infectious exposures, may result in significant long-term pulmonary sequalae and represent a growing burden on health systems. Additional longitudinal studies are needed to determine outcomes beyond the second decade, and define risk factors and optimal treatment for late sequalae of disease.
Online Estimation and Correction of Systematic Encoder Line Errors
Authors: Albrecht Carla , Klöck Jan , Martens Onno , Schumacher Walter
Published: January 2017

This paper addresses the identification and correction of amplitude and offset errors in the sinusoidal outputs from incremental position encoders. Precise angular position measurement is of high importance in many position control applications. Manufacturing tolerances and noise from thermal and electromagnetic interference sources introduce systematic and random errors in the orthogonal sine cosine output line signals. Evaluation of these signals reproduces deviations in the measured angular position. This paper proposes two methods to identify and compensate for the influence of the systematic errors online without the necessity of a reference measurement during identification. The key component of the methods is a nonlinear estimator that exploits the orthogonality property of harmonic functions. The first method explains the basic idea with a scalar error model and operates continuously but exhibits an angular shift in direction of rotation during transients of the parameters, whereas the second method assumes an error model with error parameters as a function over one full revolution of the encoder. The latter updates the error function iteratively in subsequent revolutions.
Logical Entropy of Dynamical Systems—A General Model
Authors: Ebrahimzadeh Abolfazl , Giski Zahra , Markechová Dagmar
Published: January 2017

In the paper by Riečan and Markechová (Fuzzy Sets Syst. 96, 1998), some fuzzy modifications of Shannon’s and Kolmogorov-Sinai’s entropy were studied and the general scheme involving the presented models was introduced. Our aim in this contribution is to provide analogies of these results for the case of the logical entropy. We define the logical entropy and logical mutual information of finite partitions on the appropriate algebraic structure and prove basic properties of these measures. It is shown that, as a special case, we obtain the logical entropy of fuzzy partitions studied by Markechová and Riečan (Entropy 18, 2016). Finally, using the suggested concept of entropy of partitions we define the logical entropy of a dynamical system and prove that it is the same for two dynamical systems that are isomorphic.
Data Clustering with Quantum Mechanics
Authors: Scott Tony , Therani Madhusudan , Wang Xing
Published: January 2017

Data clustering is a vital tool for data analysis. This work shows that some existing useful methods in data clustering are actually based on quantum mechanics and can be assembled into a powerful and accurate data clustering method where the efficiency of computational quantum chemistry eigenvalue methods is therefore applicable. These methods can be applied to scientific data, engineering data and even text.
Microstructural and Mechanical Characteristics of Novel 6% Cr Cold-Work Tool Steel
Authors: Kang Singon , Kim Minwook , Lee Seok-Jae
Published: January 2017

We investigated a new cold-work tool steel with a low Cr content of 6 wt. % which was designed based on thermodynamic calculation to minimize the formation of primary carbide. A smaller particle size and a smaller volume fraction of carbides were observed in this 6% Cr steel. Superior mechanical properties in terms of hardness, impact toughness, tensile strength, and total elongation were achieved in this steel, due to fine secondary carbides precipitated during tempering. These carbide particles were M6C and (Mo,V)C carbides with a diameter below 100 nm.
Bulk Surfaces Coated with Triangular Silver Nanoplates: Antibacterial Action Based on Silver Release and Photo-Thermal Effect
Authors: D’Agostino Agnese , Taglietti Angelo , Desando Roberto , Bini Marcella , Patrini Maddalena , Dacarro Giacomo , Cucca Lucia , Pallavicini Piersandro , Grisoli Pietro
Published: January 2017

A layer of silver nanoplates, specifically synthesized with the desired localized surface plasmon resonance (LSPR) features, was grafted on amino-functionalized bulk glass surfaces to impart a double antibacterial action: (i) the well-known, long-term antibacterial effect based on the release of Ag+; (ii) an “on demand” action which can be switched on by the use of photo-thermal properties of silver nano-objects. Irradiation of these samples with a laser having a wavelength falling into the so called “therapeutic window” of the near infrared region allows the reinforcement, in the timescale of minutes, of the classical antibacterial effect of silver nanoparticles. We demonstrate how using the two actions allows for almost complete elimination of the population of two bacterial strains of representative Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria.
Investigation of the Influence of PLA Molecular Structure on the Crystalline Forms (α’ and α) and Mechanical Properties of Wet Spinning Fibres
Authors: Puchalski Michał , Kwolek Sylwia , Szparaga Grzegorz , Chrzanowski Michał , Krucińska Izabella
Published: January 2017

In this paper, the influence of the molecular structure of polylactide (PLA)—characterised by its molar mass and content of d-lactide isomer—on the molecular ordering and α’–α form transition during fibre manufacturing by the wet spinning method is described. Fibres were studied by wide-angle X-ray diffraction (WAXD) and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). Additionally, the physical and mechanical properties of the fibres were determined. This study also examines the preliminary molecular ordering and crystallisation of PLA fibres at various draw ratios. The performed experiments clearly show the dependence of the molecular ordering of PLA on the molar mass and d-lactide content during the wet spinning process. The fibres manufactured from PLA with the lowest content of d-lactide and the lowest molar mass were characterised by a higher tendency for crystallisation and a higher possibility to undergo the disorder-to-order phase transition (α’ to α form). The structural changes in PLA explain the observed changes in the physical and mechanical properties of the obtained fibres.
Crystal Crosslinked Gels with Aggregation-Induced Emissive Crosslinker Exhibiting Swelling Degree-Dependent Photoluminescence
Authors: Oura Tsuyoshi , Taniguchi Ryosuke , Kokado Kenta , Sada Kazuki
Published: January 2017

The synthesis and photoluminescence properties of crystal crosslinked gels (CCGs) with an aggregation-induced emission (AIE) active crosslinker derived from tetraphenylethene (TPE) is discussed in this article. The CCG was prepared from a metal organic framework (MOF) with large pore aperture to allow the penetration of TPE crosslinker. The obtained CCG possessed a rectangular shape originated from the parent MOF, KUMOF. The CCG showed stimuli-responsive photoluminescence behavior depending on the swelling degree, thus the photoluminescence intensity was higher at higher swelling degree. By changing the solvent, water content, or ionic strength, the photoluminescence intensity was controllable, accompanying the change of swelling degree. Moreover, emission color tuning was also achieved by the introduction of luminescent rare earth ions to form a coordination bonding with residual carboxylate inside the CCG.
Hyperspectral Remote Sensing for Detecting Soil Salinization Using ProSpecTIR-VS Aerial Imagery and Sensor Simulation
Authors: Rocha Neto Odílio , Teixeira Adunias , Leão Raimundo , Moreira Luis , Galvão Lênio
Published: January 2017

Soil salinization due to irrigation affects agricultural productivity in the semi-arid region of Brazil. In this study, the performance of four computational models to estimate electrical conductivity (EC) (soil salinization) was evaluated using laboratory reflectance spectroscopy. To investigate the influence of bandwidth and band positioning on the EC estimates, we simulated the spectral resolution of two hyperspectral sensors (airborne ProSpecTIR-VS and orbital Hyperspectral Infrared Imager (HyspIRI)) and three multispectral instruments (RapidEye/REIS, High Resolution Geometric (HRG)/SPOT-5, and Operational Land Imager (OLI)/Landsat-8)). Principal component analysis (PCA) and the first-order derivative analysis were applied to the data to generate metrics associated with soil brightness and spectral features, respectively. The three sets of data (reflectance, PCA, and derivative) were tested as input variable for Extreme Learning Machine (ELM), Ordinary Least Square regression (OLS), Partial Least Squares Regression (PLSR), and Multilayer Perceptron (MLP). Finally, the laboratory models were inverted to a ProSpecTIR-VS image (400–2500 nm) acquired with 1-m spatial resolution in the northeast of Brazil. The objective was to estimate EC over exposed soils detected using the Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI). The results showed that the predictive ability of the linear models and ELM was better than that of the MLP, as indicated by higher values of the coefficient of determination (R2) and ratio of the performance to deviation (RPD), and lower values of the root mean square error (RMSE). Metrics associated with soil brightness (reflectance and PCA scores) were more efficient in detecting changes in the EC produced by soil salinization than metrics related to spectral features (derivative). When applied to the image, the PLSR model with reflectance had an RMSE of 1.22 dS·m−1 and an RPD of 2.21, and was more suitable for detecting salinization (10–20 dS·m−1) in exposed soils (NDVI < 0.30) than the other models. For all computational models, lower values of RMSE and higher values of RPD were observed for the narrowband-simulated sensors compared to the broadband-simulated instruments. The soil EC estimates improved from the RapidEye to the HRG and OLI spectral resolutions, showing the importance of shortwave intervals (SWIR-1 and SWIR-2) in detecting soil salinization when the reflectance of selected bands is used in data modelling.
The Effect of Algal Blooms on Carbon Emissions in Western Lake Erie: An Integration of Remote Sensing and Eddy Covariance Measurements
Authors: Ouyang Zutao , Shao Changliang , Chu Housen , Becker Richard , Bridgeman Thomas , Stepien Carol , John Ranjeet , Chen Jiquan
Published: January 2017

Lakes are important components for regulating carbon cycling within landscapes. Most lakes are regarded as CO2 sources to the atmosphere, except for a few eutrophic ones. Algal blooms are common phenomena in many eutrophic lakes and can cause many environmental stresses, yet their effects on the net exchange of CO2 (FCO2) at large spatial scales have not been adequately addressed. We integrated remote sensing and Eddy Covariance (EC) technologies to investigate the effects that algal blooms have on FCO2 in the western basin of Lake Erie—a large lake infamous for these blooms. Three years of long-term EC data (2012–2014) at two sites were analyzed. We found that at both sites: (1) daily FCO2 significantly correlated with daily temperature, light, and wind speed during the algal bloom periods; (2) monthly FCO2 was negatively correlated with chlorophyll-a concentration; and (3) the year with larger algal blooms was always associated with lower carbon emissions. We concluded that large algal blooms could reduce carbon emissions in the western basin of Lake Erie. However, considering the complexity of processes within large lakes, the weak relationship we found, and the potential uncertainties that remain in our estimations of FCO2 and chlorophyll-a, we argue that additional data and analyses are needed to validate our conclusion and examine the underlying regulatory mechanisms.
Investigating the Users’ Approach to ICT Platforms in the City Management
Authors: Caputo Francesco , Walletzký Leonard
Published: January 2017

The increasing relevance of technology and its impact on our everyday life requires multi- and trans-disciplinary studies in order to investigate the ways in which the Information and Communication Technology (ICT) tools are affected by users’ features and by the external environment. In order to enrich existing contributions on this topic, the paper focuses its attention on the city as example of service systems, in order to investigate dimensions and dynamics that influence the city employees’ evaluation and satisfaction in the use of ICT platforms. By adopting the interpretative lens offered by Service Science and Systems Thinking, the domain of city as a service system is analysed and some hypotheses are formulated with reference to the relationships between environment, users, and ICT platform. The hypotheses are investigated through a questionnaire survey on a sample of 1032 municipalities in the Czech Republic and the results are tested using Structural Equation Modelling. The research shows that users’ features and external environment affect the evaluation and the satisfaction of city stakeholders about the use of ICT platforms by underlining the need for enlarging the study on informatics tools, in order to also include subjective variables. The findings are discussed from both theoretical and practical points of view.
Urinary Naphthol as a Biomarker of Exposure: Results from an Oral Exposure to Carbaryl and Workers Occupationally Exposed to Naphthalene
Authors: Sams Craig
Published: January 2017

Urinary naphthol is an established human biomarker used for assessing both occupational and environmental exposure. However, 1-naphthol is a metabolite of the insecticide carbaryl while both the 1- and 2-isomers are metabolites of naphthalene. Thus, urinary 1-naphthol levels will reflect combined exposure to both substances, particularly at environmental levels. The interpretation of biomarkers is aided by knowledge of levels following well-characterised exposure scenarios. This study reports urinary 1-naphthol levels in five volunteers administered an oral dose of carbaryl at the acceptable daily intake (ADI, 0.008 mg/kg). The elimination half-life was 3.6 h and the mean 1-naphthol level in 24 h total urine collections, normalised for a 70 kg individual, was 37.4 µmol/mol creatinine (range 21.3–84.3). Peak levels in spot-urine samples were around 200 µmol/mol creatinine. For comparison, 327 post-shift urine samples obtained from 90 individual workers exposed occupationally to naphthalene had 1-naphthol levels from below the limit of detection (<LoD) to 1027 µmol/mol creatinine (median = 4.2, mean = 27.2). The 2-naphthol levels ranged from <LoD to 153 µmol/mol creatinine (median = 4.0, mean = 8.1). Background ranges have been reported for urine naphthols in several populations, with upper limits between 10 and 20 µmol/mol creatinine. The data reported here suggest that environmental exposure to carbaryl and naphthalene in these populations is well controlled.
High Uric Acid Ameliorates Indoxyl Sulfate-Induced Endothelial Dysfunction and Is Associated with Lower Mortality among Hemodialysis Patients
Authors: Hsu Wei-Liang , Li Szu-Yuan , Liu Jia-Sin , Huang Po-Hsun , Lin Shing-Jong , Hsu Chih-Cheng , Lin Yao-Ping , Tarng Der-Cherng
Published: January 2017

High uric acid (UA) can act as a pro-oxidant in normal physiological conditions; however, emerging evidence is still debatable with regard to the association between high UA and poor outcomes among chronic hemodialysis (HD) patients. In the present study, 27,229 stable prevalent HD patients were enrolled and divided into four groups according to the quartiles of baseline UA concentration, and 5737 died during a median follow-up of 38 months. Multivariate Cox regression analysis showed that a UA level of <6.1 mg/dL was associated with a higher risk of all-cause mortality compared with a UA level of >8.1 mg/dL [HR, 1.20, 95% CI (1.10–1.31)] adjusting for baseline demographic and biochemical parameters. Moreover, a UA level of <6.1 mg/dL was associated with greater risks of cardiovascular mortality [HR, 1.26, 95% CI (1.13–1.41)] and stroke-related mortality [HR, 1.59, 95% CI (1.12–2.25)], respectively. In vitro experiments further showed an increase in oxidative stress and an inhibition nitric oxide synthesis by indoxyl sulfate (IS) in human aortic endothelial cells, which were significantly attenuated by UA in a dose-dependent manner. We concluded that higher UA in serum was associated with lower risk of all-cause and cardiovascular mortality among HD patients probably through its antioxidant property in ameliorating the IS-related vascular toxicity.
Regulation of Viral Replication, Apoptosis and Pro-Inflammatory Responses by 17-AAG during Chikungunya Virus Infection in Macrophages
Authors: Nayak Tapas , Mamidi Prabhudutta , Kumar Abhishek , Singh Laishram , Sahoo Subhransu , Chattopadhyay Soma , Chattopadhyay Subhasis
Published: January 2017

Chikungunya virus (CHIKV) infection has re-emerged as a major public health concern due to its recent worldwide epidemics and lack of control measures. Although CHIKV is known to infect macrophages, regulation of CHIKV replication, apoptosis and immune responses towards macrophages are not well understood. Accordingly, the Raw264.7 cells, a mouse macrophage cell line, were infected with CHIKV and viral replication as well as new viral progeny release was assessed by flow cytometry and plaque assay, respectively. Moreover, host immune modulation and apoptosis were studied through flow cytometry, Western blot and ELISA. Our current findings suggest that expression of CHIKV proteins were maximum at 8 hpi and the release of new viral progenies were remarkably increased around 12 hpi. The induction of Annexin V binding, cleaved caspase-3, cleaved caspase-9 and cleaved caspase-8 in CHIKV infected macrophages suggests activation of apoptosis through both intrinsic and extrinsic pathways. The pro-inflammatory mediators (TNF and IL-6) MHC-I/II and B7.2 (CD86) were also up-regulated during infection over time. Further, 17-AAG, a potential HSP90 inhibitor, was found to regulate CHIKV infection, apoptosis and pro-inflammatory cytokine/chemokine productions of host macrophages significantly. Hence, the present findings might bring new insight into the therapeutic implication in CHIKV disease biology.