bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Omics Data Complementarity Underlines Functional Cross-Communication in Yeast
Authors: Malod-Dognin Noël , Pržulj Nataša 
Published: June 2017

AbstractMapping the complete functional layout of a cell and understanding the cross-talk between different processes are fundamental challenges. They elude us because of the incompleteness and noisiness of molecular data and because of the computational intractability of finding the exact answer. We perform a simple integration of three types of baker’s yeast omics data to elucidate the functional organization and lines of cross-functional communication. We examine protein–protein interaction (PPI), co-expression (COEX) and genetic interaction (GI) data, and explore their relationship with the gold standard of functional organization, the Gene Ontology (GO). We utilize a simple framework that identifies functional cross-communication lines in each of the three data types, in GO, and collectively in the integrated model of the three omics data types; we present each of them in our new Functional Organization Map (FOM) model. We compare the FOMs of the three omics datasets with the FOM of GO and find that GI is in best agreement with GO, followed COEX and PPI. We integrate the three FOMs into a unified FOM and find that it is in better agreement with the FOM of GO than those of any omics dataset alone, demonstrating functional complementarity of different omics data.
A framework for use in modelling the modal choice decision making process in North West England’s Atlantic Gateway
Authors: Bury Alan , Paraskevadakis Dimitrios , Ren Jun , Saeed Farhan 
Published: June 2017

AbstractThe task of producing a generic model of the modal choice decision making process is a challenging one. Modal choice is strongly influenced by the infrastructure limitations and geographical constraints of the area in which the decision is being made. With this in mind, addressing modal choice on an individual basis for each region may be the optimal solution. This is the approach adopted in this paper. The creation of a modal choice model is a multistage process of which this paper addresses the first stage, the production a framework of the decision making process. Firstly, a number of criteria that are commonly used in modal choice models are identified. Then a number of gaps in the criteria utilized in previous papers are established. Subsequently, the method used to produce a framework of the decision making process within North West England’s Atlantic Gateway is outlined. Through consultation with transport industry experts in North West England, an initial list of sixty eight papers was reduced to thirty six that were considered to be of specific relevance to modern day freight transportation within their region. The criteria used in each of these papers were then, along with further industry input, used to create the foundation on which a modal choice framework specific to the Atlantic Gateway could be built. A greater understanding of what influences modal choice within this region will allow informed decisions to be made by policy makers on how to more efficiently utilize the available modes of freight transport. Having established this, future work can then go on to build upon these findings. This paper recommends that future work is performed to establish the weights of each criteria and sub-criteria within the framework. This should then be followed by establishing industry’s perceptions of the best and worst alternatives for moving freight within the Atlantic Gateway.
Systematic Approach to Sustainability of Novel Internet-Based System for Food Logistics
Authors: Koistinen Katariina , Uusitalo Ville , Huostila Anna 
Published: June 2017

Abstract
The aim of this paper is to evaluate the sustainability of a novel internet-based system for food logistics and to create a framework for more detailed future sustainability assessments. Digitalization enables food shopping via the internet and food delivery from producers to consumers using only a single terminal. The sustainability of different food logistic options was evaluated through a literature review and life cycle assessment. Given the frame of reference, there is a gap in the knowledge on the sustainability of food logistics. In addition, the current literature does not recognize a novel internet-based system for food logistics, as the literature has focused on evaluating the internet-based food logistics of traditional actors. The life cycle assessment results show that new food logistic options could reduce GHG emissions, but various factors affect the magnitude of the reductions. We also present a systematic approach to which factors should be included in future research. This paper creates a base for more detailed future food logistic sustainability assessments.
Impact of Commercial Motorcycle Operation on Urban Mobility in Ogun State, Nigeria
Authors: Afolabi Oluwaseyi Joseph , Gbadamosi Kolawole Taofeek 
Published: June 2017

Abstract
The significant of public transport of cities in many developing countries lies in the fundamental fact that mobility and accessibility are essential for economic growth and of necessity to provide efficient and effective movement for goods and services. The collapse of public intra-city transport system paved way for the rise of motorcycles as means of public transportation in Nigeria. This paper discusses the impact of commercial motorcycle operation as a means of urban transportation. Of the 200 questionnaires administered, 191 questionnaires were received for analysis using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS). Secondary data was also sourced to serve as complement to the primary data, thus allowing for a robust research. Descriptive statistical tools such as percentages were adopted to present the socio - economic characteristics in the area. Findings showed that the majority of the users are adult between the aged 31 and 40 years. Most of them (53.8%) are married and are fairly educated. Furthermore, it was recommended that the Nigerian government should provide employment opportunities for our teeming youth as this will go a long way in the reduction of number of youth who as a result of unemployment took to motorcycle riding business.
Elevated Serum Protein S100B and Neuron Specific Enolase Values as Predictors of Early Neurological Outcome after Traumatic Brain Injury
Authors: Stefanović Branislava , Đurić Olivera , Stanković Sanja , Mijatović Srđan , Doklestić Krstina , Stefanović Branislav , Jovanović Bojan , Marjanović Nataša , Kalezić Nevena 
Published: June 2017

SummaryBackground: The objective of our study was to determine the serum concentrations of protein S100B and neuron specific enolase (NSE) as well as their ability and accuracy in the prediction of early neurological outcome after a traumatic brain injury. Methods: A total of 130 polytraumatized patients with the associated traumatic brain injuries were included in this prospective cohort study. Serum protein S100B and NSE levels were measured at 6, 24, 48 and 72 hours after the injury. Early neurological outcome was scored by Glasgow Outcome Scale (GOS) on day 14 after the brain injury. Results: The protein S100B concentrations were maximal at 6 hours after the injury, which was followed by an abrupt fall, and subsequently slower release in the following two days with continual and significantly increased values (p<0.0001) in patients with poor outcome. Secondary increase in protein S100B at 72 hours was recorded in patients with lethal outcome (GOS 1). Dynamics of NSE changes was characterized by a secondary increase in concentrations at 72 hours after the injury in patients with poor outcome. Conclusion: Both markers have good predictive ability for poor neurological outcome, although NSE provides better discriminative potential at 72 hours after the brain injury, while protein S100B has better discriminative potential for mortality prediction.
Women with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome and Risk of Cardiovascular Disease
Authors: Blagojevic Iva Perovic , Eror Tatjana , Pelivanovic Jovana , Jelic Svetlana , Kotur-Stevuljevic Jelena , Ignjatovic Svetlana 
Published: June 2017

SummaryBackground:Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is associated with reproductive and metabolic abnormalities. The aim of this study was to analyse risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD) in PCOS, to define individual risk factors and assess their ability to predict risk.Methods:Fifty-four young women with PCOS (22 obese and 32 normal weight) were compared to 46 respective controls (17 obese and 29 normal weight). Anthropometric parameters, lipid status parameters, inflammation markers, concentrations of glucose, transaminases, sex and anterior pituitary hormones, sex hormone binding globulin (SHBG) and androgens were measured. Cardiovascular Risk Score (CVRS), indices for identifying Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (NAFLD) and the Index of Central Obesity (ICO) were calculated.Results:Significantly higher CVRS values (p<0.05) were found in obese PCOS women compared to normal weight control and normal weight PCOS groups. Anthropometric parameters, lipid status parameters and fibrinogen (p<0.001, p<0.01) were higher in women with higher CVRS. The most significant CVRS predictors in all PCOS women were SHBG, androstenedione, follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and dehydroepiandrosterone sulphate (DHEAS). ICO and all NAFLD indices exhibited significant positive correlation with CVRS and a model consisting of these indices provided good diagnostic accuracy (AUC>0.8) in identifying patients with increased cardiovascular risk (CVR).Conclusions:Obesity is a higher risk for developing CVD than PCOS alone. Anthropometric parameters, lipid parameters, fibrinogen, NAFLD indices and ICO increase CVR in PCOS women. For the prediction of CVR in PCOS, we suggest a combination of NAFLD indices and ICO.
The Evaluation of Analytical Performance of Immunoassay Tests by Using Six-Sigma Method
Authors: Nar Rukiye , Emekli Dilek Iren 
Published: June 2017

SummaryBackground: The Six-Sigma Methodology is a quality measurement method in order to evaluate the performance of the laboratory. In the present study, it is aimed to evaluate the analytical performance of our laboratory by using the internal quality control data of immunoassay tests and by calculating process sigma values. Methods: Biological variation database (BVD) are used for Total Allowable Error (TEa). Sigma values were determined from coefficient of variation (CV) and bias resulting from Internal Quality Control (IQC) results for 3 subsequent months. If the sigma values are ≥6, between 3 and 6, and <3, they are classified as »world-class«, »good« or »un - acceptable«, respectively. Results: A sigma value >6 was found for TPSA and TSH for the both levels of IQC for 3 months. When the sigma values were analyzed by calculating the mean of 3 months, folate, LH, PRL, TPSA, TSH and vitamin B12 were found >6. The mean sigma values of CA125, CA15-3, CA19-9, CEA, cortisol, ferritin, FSH, FT3, PTH and testosteron were >3 for 3-months. However, AFP, CA125 and FT4 produced sigma values <3 for varied months. Conclusion: When the analytical performance was evaluated according to Six-Sigma levels, it was generally found as good. It is possible to determine the test with high error probability by evaluating the fine sigma levels and the tests that must be quarded by a stringent quality control regime. In clinical chemistry laboratories, an appropriate quality control scheduling should be done for each test by using Six-Sigma Methodology.
Is There a Real Correlation Between Red Cell Distribution Width and Peripheral Arterial Disease?
Authors: Duman Enes , Kulaksızoglu Sevsen , Çifçi Egemen , Ozulku Mehmet 
Published: June 2017

SummaryBackground: Few data is available concerning the association between peripheral arterial disease (PAD) and red cell distribution width (RDW). In this study, we analyzed the relationship between RDW and atherosclerosis of the vessels other than coronary arteries in patients who had undergone digital substraction angiography (DSA). Methods: This study included 730 patients who had undergone DSA. Patients were divided into two groups according to their angiographic images. The association between RDW and atherosclerosis of peripheral arteries was analyzed. The relationship between atherosclerosis and smoking, hypertension (HT), diabetes mellitus (DM), hs-CRP, hemoglobin, white blood cell (WBC), triglyceride, total cholesterol, HDL and LDL cholesterol levels was assessed. Results: Atherosclerosis was observed more common in male and patients with older age, HT, DM and smoking (p<0.001). hs-CRP and WBC levels were both in significantly positive association with atherosclerosis (p<0.05). However, there were no significant differences in the RDW levels, hemoglobin, triglyceride, total cholesterol, LDL and HDL cholesterol levels in the groups (p>0.05). Conclusion: Our results seem to demonstrate that older age, male gender, HT, DM and smoking are powerful risk factors for PAD. In contrast to the previous reports, RDW levels are found not to be associated with atherosclerosis of peripheral arteries.
Novel Opportunities for Improving the Quality of Preanalytical Phase. A Glimpse to the Future?
Authors: Lippi Giuseppe , Cadamuro Janne 
Published: June 2017

SummaryThe preanalytical phase is crucial for assuring the quality of in vitro diagnostics. The leading aspects which contribute to enhance the vulnerability of this part of the total testing process include the lack of standardization of different practices for collecting, managing, transporting and processing biological specimens, the insufficient compliance with available guidelines and the still considerable number of preventable human errors. As in heavy industry, road traffic and aeronautics, technological advancement holds great promise for decreasing the risk of medical and diagnostic errors, thus including those occurring in the extra-analytical phases of the total testing process. The aim of this article is to discuss some potentially useful technological advances, which are not yet routine practice, but may be especially suited for improving the quality of the preanalytical phase in the future. These are mainly represented by introduction of needlewielding robotic phlebotomy devices, active blood tubes, drones for biological samples transportation, innovative approaches for detecting spurious hemolysis and preanalytical errors recording software products.
Comments on behaviour of solutions of elliptic quasi-linear problems in a neighbourhood of boundary singularities
Authors: Bodzioch Mariusz , Wiśniewski Damian , Żyjewski Krzysztof 
Published: June 2017

AbstractWe have investigated the behaviour of solutions of elliptic quasi-linear problems in a neighbourhood of boundary singularities in bounded and unbounded domains. We found exponents of the solution’s decreasing rate near the boundary singularities.
Existence of solutions for delay evolution equations with nonlocal conditions
Authors: Zhang Xuping , Li Yongxiang 
Published: June 2017

Abstract
In this paper, we are devoted to study the existence of mild solutions for delay evolution equations with nonlocal conditions. By using tools involving the Kuratowski measure of noncompactness and fixed point theory, we establish some existence results of mild solutions without the assumption of compactness on the associated semigroup. Our results improve and generalize some related conclusions on this issue. Moreover, we present an example to illustrate the application of the main results.
The uniqueness of meromorphic functions in k-punctured complex plane
Authors: Xu Hong Yan , Liu San Yang 
Published: June 2017

Abstract
The main purpose of this paper is to investigate the uniqueness of meromorphic functions that share two finite sets in the k-punctured complex plane. It is proved that there exist two sets S1, S2 with ♯S1 = 2 and ♯S2 = 5, such that any two admissible meromorphic functions f and g in Ω must be identical if EΩ(Sj, f) = EΩ(Sj, g)(j = 1,2).
The Demand and Supply of Protection:A Reinterpretation of the Emergence of a Weberian/Olsonian State through the Lens of Modern China
Authors: Yu Ben T. , Chen Quo-quan , Lai Lawrence W.C. 
Published: June 2017

Abstract
The study of institutions and economic history was much influenced by Ronald Coase and Douglass North, in particular with Douglas North’s notion of government as an endogenous outcome of institution competition. Although Max Weber articulated a concept of government as a monopoly of violence in 1919, much subsequent modeling work on governments was built around the banditry notion of governments of Mancur Olson (1993, “Democracy, Dictatorship and Development.” The American Political Science Review 87(3) (September): 567–576). Examples are Usher (1989, “The Dynastic Cycle and the Stationary State.” American Economic Review 79: 1031–1044), Moselle and Polak (2001, “A Model of a Predatory State.” Journal of Law, Economics & Organization 17(N1)), and the like. A good summary is found in Dixit (2004, Lawlessness and Economics: Alternative Modes of Governance. Princeton, NJ: Princeton University Press). We called this collectively a Weberian/Olsonian view of governments. Building on the notion that a State is a monopoly of violence, these models are in line with the banditry idea of Olson, which, among many country historical studies, he used the Chinese example that governments are essentially stationary/roving bandits. Taking Olson’s ideas as a lead, this paper uses the counter-example of Feng Yu-hsiang (馮玉祥 1882–1948) (Feng), a Chinese “warlord”, to present an alternative analytical framework in terms of a supply-demand model for the emergence of governments. The level of generalization for a framework of such societal order is necessarily heuristic, and can be compared to such economic simplification of social reality by Hayek, Schumpeter and North. However, it should help constellate facts that can be gathered to evaluate refutable hypotheses that are of interest to political theorists and historians. The model formulated for this paper is not intended to justify violence, which the authors deplore, but is recognized as merely a statement about realpolitik.
Charlie Hebdo: Testing the Limits of Freedom of Expression
Authors: Shah Niaz A. 
Published: June 2017

AbstractThe right to freedom of expression is a qualified right: it allows expression that might ‘offend, shock or disturb’ but prohibits ‘insults’, ‘abusive attacks’ and ‘hate speech’. Applying the Convention test I argue that all cartoons of the Prophet Muhammad, which although might offend Muslims, are an acceptable form of expression in Western democracies except cartoon number two implying the Prophet Muhammad as a ‘terrorist’ which is ‘insulting’ and ‘an abusive attack’ on the Muslim community and Islam. In the post-9/11 circumstances, it may be viewed as a vehicle for instigating hatred against the Muslim community. By critiquing the inaction of Denmark and France, I argue that failure to prosecute Jyllands-Posten and Charlie Hebdo violates Articles 9(1) of the European Convention and the Danish Criminal Code and the French Freedom of Press Act 1881. Relying on ECtHR’s jurisprudence, I argue that the values of the Convention and democracy aim to nurture a society based on tolerance, social peace, non-discrimination and broad-mindedness. The public space is a shared space and no single group – religious and non-religious – can monopolise nor intimidate it.
Ultracompact all-optical full-adder and half-adder based on nonlinear plasmonic nanocavities
Authors: Xie Jingya , Niu Xinxiang , Hu Xiaoyong , Wang Feifan , Chai Zhen , Yang Hong , Gong Qihuang 
Published: June 2017

Abstract
Ultracompact chip-integrated all-optical half- and full-adders are realized based on signal-light induced plasmonic-nanocavity-modes shift in a planar plasmonic microstructure covered with a nonlinear nanocomposite layer, which can be directly integrated into plasmonic circuits. Tremendous nonlinear enhancement is obtained for the nanocomposite cover layer, attributed to resonant excitation, slow light effect, as well as field enhancement effect provided by the plasmonic nanocavity. The feature size of the device is <15 μm, which is reduced by three orders of magnitude compared with previous reports. The operating threshold power is determined to be 300 μW (corresponding to a threshold intensity of 7.8 MW/cm2), which is reduced by two orders of magnitude compared with previous reports. The intensity contrast ratio between two output logic states, “1” and “0,” is larger than 27 dB, which is among the highest values reported to date. Our work is the first to experimentally realize on-chip half- and full-adders based on nonlinear plasmonic nanocavities having an ultrasmall feature size, ultralow threshold power, and high intensity contrast ratio simultaneously. This work not only provides a platform for the study of nonlinear optics, but also paves a way to realize ultrahigh-speed signal computing chips.
Nanomaterials for cancer therapies
Authors: Zhou Qing , Zhang Li , Wu Hong 
Published: June 2017

AbstractCancer is one of the most deadly diseases in the world. In recent years, nanotechnology, as a unique technology, has been comprehensively applied in the therapy of cancer through diagnosis, imaging and theranostics. Additionally, with the emergence of advanced biomaterials which are capable of being applied in biomedical, research in cancer nanotechnology has made significant progress. Particularly, nanomaterials with dimensions below several hundred nanometers are intensively studied among these advanced biomaterials. In past decades, a number of organic and inorganic nanomaterials have emerged as novel tools for cancer diagnostics and therapeutics due to their unique characteristics, like their solubilization effect, drug protection, passive/active tumor targeting, controlled release of drugs which result in enhanced anticancer efficacy while reducing the side effects. In this review, we first provide a brief description of the key properties of nanomaterials, such as nanoparticle (NP) size, surface properties and tumor targeting. The major goal of this review is to summarize the achievements that have been made in the development of the application of nanomaterials for cancer therapies, along with a short description of their general characteristics and preparation of various kinds of nanoparticles.
Synthesis and characterization of iron oxide magnetic nanoparticles
Authors: Surowiec Zbigniew , Budzyński Mieczysław , Durak Katarzyna , Czernel Grzegorz 
Published: June 2017

Abstract
Small particles of magnetite, i.e. 7.5, 13.4 and 14.1 nm in diameter, were obtained by the method of co-precipitation. The crystal structure and size distributions were determined by means of transmission electron microscopy and X-ray diffraction. The magnetic properties of the nanoparticles were tested by Mössbauer spectroscopy within the temperature range from 3 K to room temperature (RT). The Mössbauer study of magnetic nanoparticles reveals relaxation behaviour related to the existence of the superparamagnetic phase. The blocking temperature depends on the sizes of the nanoparticles and the ammonia concentration.