bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Tighter Lyapunov Truncation for Multi-Dimensional Continuous Time Markov Chains with Known Moments
Authors: Somashekar Gagan , Delasay Mohammad , Gandhi Anshul 
Published: December 2019

Continuous Time Markov chains (CTMCs) are widely used to model and analyze networked systems. A common analysis approach is to solve the system of balance equations governing the state transitions of a CTMC to obtain its steadystate probability distribution, and use the state probabilities to derive or compute various performance measures.
In many systems, the state space of the underlying CTMC is infinite and multi-dimensional with state-dependent transitions; exact analysis of such models is challenging. For example, the exact probability distribution of the number of jobs in the Discriminatory Processor Sharing (DPS) system, first proposed by Kleinrock in 1967 [4], is still an open challenge. Likewise, obtaining the exact state probabilities of quasi-birth-and-death (QBD) processes with leveldependent transitions is known to be challenging [1]; QBDs are infinite state space multi-dimensional Markov chains in which states are organized into levels and transitions are skip-free between the levels.
Effect of high altitude on human placental amino acid transport
Authors: Vaughan Owen. R. , Thompson Fredrick , Lorca Ramón. A. , Julian Colleen G. , Powell Theresa L. , Moore Lorna G. , Jansson Thomas 
Published: December 2019

Women residing at high altitudes deliver infants of lower birth weight than at sea level. Birth weight correlates with placental system A-mediated amino acid transport capacity, and severe environmental hypoxia reduces system A activity in isolated trophoblast and the mouse placenta. However, the effect of high altitude on human placental amino acid transport remains unknown. We hypothesized that microvillous membrane (MVM) system A and system L amino acid transporter activity is lower in placentas of women living at high altitude compared with low-altitude controls. Placentas were collected at term from healthy pregnant women residing at high altitude (HA; >2,500 m; n = 14) or low altitude (LA; <1,700 m; n = 14) following planned, unlabored cesarean section. Birth weight, but not placenta weight, was 13% lower in HA pregnancies (2.88 ± 0.11 kg) compared with LA (3.30 ± 0.07 kg, P < 0.01). MVM erythropoietin receptor abundance, determined by immunoblot, was greater in HA than in LA placentas, consistent with lower placental oxygen levels at HA. However, there was no effect of altitude on MVM system A or L activity, determined by Na+-dependent [14C]methylaminoisobutyric acid uptake and [3H]leucine uptake, respectively. MVM abundance of glucose transporters (GLUTs) 1 and 4 and basal membrane GLUT4 were also similar in LA and HA placentas. Low birth weights in the neonates of women residing at high altitude are not a consequence of reduced placental amino acid transport capacity. These observations are in general agreement with studies of IUGR babies at low altitude, in which MVM system A activity is downregulated only in growth-restricted babies with significant compromise. NEW & NOTEWORTHY Babies born at high altitude are smaller than at sea level. Birth weight is dependent on growth in utero and, in turn, placental nutrient transport. We determined amino acid transport capacity in placentas collected from women resident at low and high altitude. Altitude did not affect system A amino acid transport across the syncytiotrophoblast microvillous membrane, suggesting that impaired placental amino acid transport does not contribute to reduced birth weight in this high-altitude population.
Cooperative Blockade of PKCα and JAK2 Drives Apoptosis in Glioblastoma
Authors: Wong Robyn A. , Luo Xujun , Lu Mimi , An Zhenyi , Haas-Kogan Daphne A. , Phillips Joanna J. , Shokat Kevan M. , Weiss William A. , Fan Qi Wen 
Published: December 2019

Abstract

The mTOR signaling is dysregulated prominently in human cancers including glioblastoma, suggesting mTOR as a robust target for therapy. Inhibitors of mTOR have had limited success clinically, however, in part because their mechanism of action is cytostatic rather than cytotoxic. Here, we tested three distinct mTOR kinase inhibitors (TORKi) PP242, KU-0063794, and sapanisertib against glioblastoma cells. All agents similarly decreased proliferation of glioblastoma cells, whereas PP242 uniquely induced apoptosis. Apoptosis induced by PP242 resulted from off-target cooperative inhibition of JAK2 and protein kinase C alpha (PKCα). Induction of apoptosis was also decreased by additional on-target inhibition of mTOR, due to induction of autophagy. As EGFR inhibitors can block PKCα, EGFR inhibitors erlotinib and osimertinib were tested separately in combination with the JAK2 inhibitor AZD1480. Combination therapy induced apoptosis of glioblastoma tumors in both flank and in patient-derived orthotopic xenograft models, providing a preclinical rationale to test analogous combinations in patients.

Significance:
These findings identify PKCα and JAK2 as targets that drive apoptosis in glioblastoma, potentially representing a clinically translatable approach for glioblastoma.
Identification of Therapeutic Vulnerabilities in Small-cell Neuroendocrine Prostate Cancer
Authors: Corella Alexandra N. , Cabiliza Ordonio Ma Victoria Andrea , Coleman Ilsa , Lucas Jared M. , Kaipainen Arja , Nguyen Holly M. , Sondheim Daniel , Brown Lisha G. , True Lawrence D. , Lee John K. , MacPherson David , Nghiem Paul , Gulati Roman , Morrissey Colm , Corey Eva , Nelson Peter S. 
Published: December 2019

Abstract

Purpose:
Small-cell neuroendocrine prostate cancer (SCNPC) exhibits an aggressive clinical course and incidence rates seem to be increasing following resistance to potent androgen receptor (AR) antagonists. Currently, treatment options are limited and few model systems are available to identify new approaches for treatment. We sought to evaluate commonalities between SCNPC and other aggressive neuroendocrine carcinomas to identify therapeutic targets.

Experimental Design:
We generated whole transcriptome RNA-sequencing data from AR-active prostate cancers (ARPCs) and SCNPCs from tumors collected at rapid autopsy and two other neuroendocrine carcinomas, Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC), and small-cell lung cancer. We performed cross-tumor comparisons to identify conserved patterns of expression of druggable targets. We tested inhibitors to highly upregulated drug targets in a panel of prostate cancer cell lines and in vivo patient-derived xenograft (PDX) models.

Results:
We identified BCL2 as highly upregulated in SCNPC compared with ARPC. Inhibitors targeting BCL2 induced apoptotic cell death in SCNPC cell lines at nanomolar concentrations while ARPC cell lines were resistant. Treatment with the BCL2 inhibitor navitoclax leads to a reduction of growth of SCNPC PDX tumors in vivo, whereas ARPC PDX models were more resistant. We identified Wee1 as a second druggable target upregulated in SCNPC. Treatment with the combination of navitoclax and the Wee1 inhibitor AZD-1775 repressed the growth of SCNPC PDX resistant to single-agent BCL2 inhibitors.

Conclusions:
The combination of BCL2 and Wee1 inhibition presents a novel therapeutic strategy for the treatment of SCNPC.
МЕДИЧНА ІНФОРМАТИКА ЯК ПЕРСПЕКТИВНА СКЛАДОВА ВИЩОЇ МЕДИЧНОЇ ОСВІТИ
Authors: Sichkoriz O. Ye. , Lototska L. B. , Kolach T. S. 
Published: December 2019

Інформаційні технології можуть змінити спосіб вивчення медицини студентами та медичними працівниками. У медичній освіті застосування симуляційних технологій, віртуальних пацієнтів та електронного навчання перетворилося на педагогічну стратегію у сприянні активному підходу до навчання, орієнтованого на слухачів. Підвищення рівня освіти вимагає визначити, які інформаційні технології, що сприяють навчанню, заслуговують на використання у лікарській діяльності.
Мета цієї публікації полягає у висвітленні ролі медичної інформатики у навчальному процесі на до- та післядипломному рівнях та формування компетентності в галузі компʼютерних технологій у професійній підготовці медичних фахівців, зацікавлених стати експертами у розробці, впровадженні та оцінці інформаційно-комунікаційних технологій у медицині.
У статті також проаналізовано доцільність та можливість впровадження циклів тематичного удосконалення з медичної інформатики для слухачів післядипломного навчання. Проведення таких циклів є особливо актуальним та необхідним в умовах автоматизації ведення обліку медичних послуг, управління медичною інформацією в електронному вигляді та сприятиме розвитку професійних компетенцій слухачів.
Адаптація медичних фахівців до електронної системи охорони здоровʼя дозволить кожному лікареві використовувати інформаційні технології для повноцінного партнерства з пацієнтами.
Підготовка медичних працівників у вищій школі передбачає систематичне та цілісне формування у студентів інформаційно-аналітичних знань і вмінь. Медична інформатика як складова вищої медичної освіти повинна прагнути досягнення ефективних академічних та освітніх програм до- і післядипломної освіти. Поширення викладання медичної інформатики в освітніх медичних закладах має супроводжуватися чіткими узгодженими зусиллями для позитивного впливу на всі залучені сторони.
СИМУЛЯЦІЙНІ МЕТОДИКИ У ВИРІШЕННІ БАГАТОРІВНЕВИХ СИТУАЦІЙНИХ ЗАДАЧ У ІІ ЕТАПІ ВСЕУКРАЇНСЬКОЇ СТУДЕНТСЬКОЇ ОЛІМПІАДИ З ЕНДОКРИНОЛОГІЇ
Authors: Pasyechko N. V. , Yarema N. I. , Smachylo I. V. , Savchenko I. P. 
Published: December 2019

У статті наведено сучасну методику проведення ІІ етапу Всеукраїнської студентської олімпіади з ендокринології з використанням симуляційних методик. З метою залучення студентів до активної наукової роботи, мотивування у кожного інтелектуальних здібностей, розвитку комунікативних рис використовувалась оцінка теоретичних знань у вигляді тестових завдань, розв’язання ситуаційних задач, інтерпретація лабораторних та інструментальних методів обстежень, а також вирішення змодельованого невідкладного стану в інтерактивному режимі. Відбувалася студентська олімпіада з ендокринології в чотири тури: І – написання тестових завдань, ІІ – розв’язання ситуаційних задач підвищеної складності, ІІІ – вирішення змодельованого невідкладного стану в інтерактивному режимі, ІV – вирішення практичних завдань з інтерпретації лабораторно-інструментальних методів обстеження. Від студентів-учасників вимагався синтез знань з ендокринології, отриманих не лише за роки вивчення даної дисципліни у вищих навчальних закладах, але й суміжних дисциплін, таких, як кардіологія, фармакологія, лабораторна та інструментальна діагностика. Особливе місце в підготовці олімпійця з ендокринології займало вміння застосування стандартів семіотики та лікування при роботі з віртуальним пацієнтом. За кількістю набраних балів переможцями студентської олімпіади з ендокринології стали учасники із Тернопільського державного медичного університету ім. І. Я. Горбачевського (І місце), Івано-­Франківського національного медичного університету і Сумського державного медичного університету (ІІ місце), а також Львівського національного медичного університету ім. Д. Галицького та Київського медичного університету і Дніпропетровської медичної академії (ІІІ місце).
Вирішення змодельованого невідкладного стану в інтерактивному режимі дозволяє розвинути у студента швидкість клінічного мислення та надання невідкладної допомоги хворому при різних клінічних станах.
ФОРМУВАННЯ НАВИЧОК ДІАЛОГІЧНОГО МОВЛЕННЯ СТУДЕНТІВ МЕДИЧНИХ СПЕЦІАЛЬНОСТЕЙ ПІД ЧАС ВИВЧЕННЯ КУРСУ «УКРАЇНСЬКА МОВА ЯК ІНОЗЕМНА»
Authors: Sheremeta L. P. 
Published: December 2019

У статті проаналізовано основні аспекти формування навичок діалогічного мовлення під час вивчення курсу «Українська мова як іноземна». Описано авторську методику засвоєння матеріалу, спрямовану на оптимальний відбір шляхів підвищення ефективності заняття. Подано методичні рекомендації щодо формування в іноземних студентів медичного профілю умінь і навичок діалогування.
Обґрунтовано, що система навчання українського діалогічного мовлення іноземців передбачає засвоєння мовно-мовленнєвих знань з української мови та формування комунікативних умінь та навичок, актуальних для послуговування в україномовному середовищі.
Доведено, що формування української мовленнєвої компетенції студентів-іноземців відбувається на основі мовної підготовки, що включає в себе вільне володіння професійною лексикою та обмін знаннями з медичних предметів, обговорення тем, дискутування з їх приводу.
Проаналізовані аспекти навчання діалогічного мовлення сприятимуть оптимізації процесу навчання іноземних студентів у вищих навчальних закладах України та можуть бути використані при подальшій розробці нових методик оцінювання рівня професійної підготовки майбутніх працівників медичного профілю.
Multiscale Postprocessor for Ensemble Streamflow Prediction for Short to Long Ranges
Authors: Alizadeh Babak , Limon Reza Ahmad , Seo Dong-Jun , Lee Haksu , Brown James 
Published: December 2019

AbstractA novel multiscale postprocessor for ensemble streamflow prediction, MS-EnsPost, is described and comparatively evaluated with the existing postprocessor in the National Weather Service’s Hydrologic Ensemble Forecast Service, EnsPost. MS-EnsPost uses data-driven correction of magnitude-dependent bias in simulated flow, multiscale regression using observed and simulated flows over a range of temporal aggregation scales, and ensemble generation using parsimonious error modeling. For comparative evaluation, 139 basins in eight River Forecast Centers in the United States were used. Streamflow predictability in different hydroclimatological regions is assessed and characterized, and gains by MS-EnsPost over EnsPost are attributed. The ensemble mean and ensemble prediction results indicate that, compared to EnsPost, MS-EnsPost reduces the root-mean-square error and mean continuous ranked probability score of day-1 to day-7 predictions of mean daily flow by 5%–68% and by 2%–62%, respectively. The deterministic and probabilistic results indicate that for most basins the improvement by MS-EnsPost is due to both magnitude-dependent bias correction and full utilization of hydrologic memory through multiscale regression. Comparison of the continuous ranked probability skill score results with hydroclimatic indices indicates that the skill of ensemble streamflow prediction with post processing is modulated largely by the fraction of precipitation as snowfall and, for non-snow-driven basins, mean annual precipitation.
Chronic health conditions, mental health and the school: A narrative review
Authors: Runions Kevin C , Vithiatharan Rena , Hancock Kirsten , Lin Ashleigh , Brennan-Jones Christopher G , Gray Caitlin , Payne Donald 
Published: December 2019

Objectives: Children and adolescents with chronic physical health conditions are also at elevated risk of poor mental health; the mechanisms to account for this relationship remain unclear. In this narrative review, we used the socio-ecological model to examine research on experiences of school for children with chronic health conditions and how socio-ecology might be involved in mental health problems. Design: We conducted a scoping review of the existing literature, focused on hearing loss, cystic fibrosis and type 1 diabetes, which examined child and/or adolescent mental health and aspects of the school social setting. Method: PubMed and ScienceDirect databases were searched for the three target conditions; from 353 abstracts, 38 articles were reviewed in detail. Results: Relevant articles that examined social aspects of the experience of school for students with chronic health conditions, including absenteeism due to illness or healthcare, self-perceived difference from peers, stigmatisation and discrimination, bullying and victimisation, and positive aspects of peer support at school were reviewed. Teacher–child aspects including teacher knowledge and/or attitudes about the condition and the possibility of overdependence in the relationship were examined. Each of these processes was considered for its impact on the young person’s mental health. Conclusion: School-based social risk processes in the lives of young people with chronic health conditions, in particular in the peer microsystem, are likely to contribute to risk of psychological problems. These risks cannot be disentangled from mesosystemic, exosystemic and macrosystemic influences. Further research is required on the role of teachers and parents in the school social functioning of children with chronic health conditions.
Heating systems through the lens of the boiler: Detailed case studies to inform current and future heating system design
Authors: Bennett George 
Published: December 2019

Boilers in hydronic heating systems are the norm in the UK. Through case study analysis, covering four houses with gas central heating systems for over one year and utilising novel monitoring of the on-board diagnostic data of the boilers, performance issues were identified in this mature technology. ON/OFF cycling behaviour and oversizing were prevalent with boilers consistently unable to modulate low enough to match the building space heating demand. Cycling behaviour resulted, known to be detrimental to efficiency, with the majority of boiler operations lasting less than 10 min. Targeted case study analysis of incumbent technologies, such as boilers, utilising the latest in data collection techniques and connected appliances provides a cost effective insight to broader issues. Implications for domestic energy demand range from incremental improvements in boiler system efficiency by addressing cycling to the updating of building energy assessment models (e.g. Standard Assessment Procedure) to reflect and reward the benefits of good installation practices. An improved understanding of boiler operation may support improved product design and installation practices and are beneficial to the next generation of domestic heat, such as heat pumps. By undertaking continued in situ analysis of the incumbent technology, a more thorough foundation for the future can be ascertained. Fundamental issues of oversizing and detrimental cycling behaviour are persisting in the industry. Practical steps can be taken immediately to avoid oversizing of boilers. Building an awareness of performance penalties associated with poorly planned heating installations will have added benefit for more dynamically sensitive technologies in the future, such as heat pumps.
Female Workers’ Skills, Wages, and Householding in Bangladesh’s Readymade Garment Industry: The Case of a Japanese Multinational Company
Authors: Nagata Hanako 
Published: December 2019

The economic relationship between Japan and Bangladesh has grown stronger since the global financial crisis of 2008, with Bangladesh being identified as ‘China plus one’ by the Japanese companies. These companies have accordingly begun transferring the capital from China to Bangladesh to avoid political and social risks in China. This article examines the skills, wages, and householding of female Bangladeshi readymade garment workers, focussing on a Japanese multinational company’s international transfers and business activities in Bangladesh since the global financial crisis. This study yielded three main findings. First, it identified the structure of the division of labour involved in the production of pairs of short pants exported to Japan. Second, it compared 20 female operators’ wage assessments to those of the overall labour force, based on their skills and experience, and pointed out ambiguous and unfounded issues caused by the gender-asymmetrical workforce deployment of Bangladeshi factories. This gender-asymmetrical system is responsible for Bangladeshi female workers’ low wages. Finally, despite their low wages, the analyzed Bangladeshi women were found to share multiple household reproduction costs through remittances and perform most of the housework and care work in the household. JEL: B54, F23, F66, O53
Does the Healthy Body Image program improve lifestyle habits among high school students? A randomized controlled trial with 12-month follow-up
Authors: Sundgot-Borgen Christine , Friborg Oddgeir , Kolle Elin , Torstveit Monica K. , Sundgot-Borgen Jorunn , Engen Kethe M. E. , Rosenvinge Jan H. , Pettersen Gunn , Bratland-Sanda Solfrid 
Published: December 2019

Objectives Positive embodiment and healthy lifestyle habits seem to be related; therefore, stimulating positive embodiment should promote healthy lifestyle habits. In the current study, we delivered the Healthy Body Image (HBI) intervention among Norwegian high school students and examined the effects on healthy lifestyle habits. Methods The HBI intervention comprises three interactive workshops, with three overarching themes related to body image, social media literacy, and lifestyle. A total of 2446 boys (43%) and girls in grade 12 (mean age 16.8 years) from 30 high schools participated in this cluster-randomized controlled study. Schools were randomized to the HBI intervention or control study arm. Data on physical activity, eating habits, and sleep were collected at baseline, post intervention, and 3- and 12-month follow-up and analyzed using linear mixed regression models. Results The intervention had a minor negative effect on physical activity levels in boys at 12-month follow-up and short-term small-to-moderate positive effects on consumption of breakfast and fruit and vegetables, and sleep duration on school days. Conclusions In future, the lack of satisfactorily long-term effects might be better addressed using a combination of cognitive and behavioral approaches to more optimally integrate positive embodiment and lifestyle changes in the daily life of adolescents. Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov ID: PRSNCT02901457. Approved by the Regional Committee for Medical and Health Research Ethics.
Three-Dimensional Upper Airway Assessment in Treacher Collins Syndrome
Authors: Ribeiro Alexandre de Almeida , Smith Francis Joel , Nary Filho Hugo , Trindade Inge E. K. , Tonello Cristiano , Trindade-Suedam Ivy K. 
Published: December 2019

Objectives: The purpose of this investigation was to assess the pharyngeal dimensions and the craniofacial morphology of individuals with Treacher Collins syndrome (TCS) when compared to vertical skeletal class II individuals. It is our hypothesis that the upper airways of individuals with TCS are reduced in view of the skeletal pattern and the maxillomandibular dysmorphologies. Materials and Methods: Cone-beam computed tomography scans of 26 individuals had the pharyngeal volume (V) and minimal cross-sectional area (mCSA) evaluated. Study group (TCS) was formed by 13 scans of patients with TCS (7 males and 6 females; 20.2 ± 4.7 years). Control group (CG) assembled 13 scans of nonaffected individuals with the same type of skeletal pattern (2 males and 11 females; 26.6 ± 5.4 years). Cephalometric data of maxillomandibular position, maxillomandibular dimensions, and growth pattern were assessed. Statistical analysis ( P ≤ .05) included Student t test and Pearson correlation coefficient. Results: Although reduced, pharyngeal V and mCSA of TCS were not statistically different from the CG. On both groups, mCSA was mostly at the oropharyngeal level. Individuals with TCS presented retrognathic chin, reduced maxillomandibular dimensions, and increased clockwise rotation of the palatal plane. Maxillary and mandibular lengths were correlated with pharyngeal V and mCSA. Conclusions: The pharyngeal dimensions of individuals with TCS are impacted by the micrognathia and retrognathia. In association with the skeletal pattern, the reduction of the airways, although not statistically significant, may explain the increased prevalence of airways disorder in this syndrome.