bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
i‐AGENTS: Modeling Organizational Problem Solving in Multi‐Agent Teams
Authors: Jin Yan , Levitt Raymond E. 
Published: March 2014

AbstractOrganizations involving human and computer agents are constrained by a variety of factors including: task properties and arrangements; level of technology; knowledge held by, and distributed among, the agents; information and administrative structures; and organizational norms and policies. An important challenge to the scientific community is to develop, validate and apply theories and models to help managers re‐engineer their organizations for higher levels of performance. Our research on organizational problem solving aims to develop a computational model of organizations to study interrelationships between agents' knowledge, task requirements, and organization structures and policies. This paper reports the first step of our research toward a computational organizational model—the i‐AGENTS framework, a prototype computer system for modeling organizations of intelligent agents. i‐AGENTS is composed of a number of high‐level concepts: tasks, agents, organization and communication. A task is described in detail by task action, task object and task constraints; an agent is modeled to consist of cognitive attributes and expertise; role‐based organizational structure is adopted for describing organizations. From an organization perspective, i‐AGENTS extends traditional information processing models of organization (Galbraith 1977) by explicitly addressing the role of agents' knowledge of both the problem domain and the organization in problem solving. When viewed from an engineering perspective, our research is the first step toward an organizational problem‐solving model that merges organization theory and distributed artificial intelligence and can be used to simulate and analyze organizational behavior of teams in engineering domains at a very specific level of detail.
SCAN: A Case‐Based Reasoning Model for Generating Information System Control Recommendations
Authors: Morris Bonnie W. 
Published: March 2014

AbstractThis paper describes SCAN, a case‐based reasoning model for generating information system control recommendations. The purpose of the paper is to explain how a case‐based reasoner may be used to support inexperienced information system auditors in evaluating controls and proposing audit recommendations. As a case‐based reasoner, SCAN functions by reasoning by analogy to similar past cases. SCAN models audit experience as traces of past cases which are stored in a case knowledge base. In addition to a database of past audit cases, SCAN consists of indices for storing and retrieving cases, a similarity metric for measuring case similarity, and rules for using similar cases to generate control recommendations. SCAN uses past cases to remind the user of previous control failures, to set expectations about case features and controls, to use as a pattern against which to compare a client's controls and to help justify or explain its recommendations. SCAN's recommendations were judged to be more like those of an experienced auditor than either a student or a textbook model.
Intelligent Order Matching Systems for Commodity Markets
Authors: Lee Ho Geun 
Published: March 2014

AbstractAutomatic order matching systems have emerged as an electronic alternative to traditional markets. In current automatic order matching systems, price and quantity are the only product dimensions used for the order matching. However, a single‐commodity market is made up of many heterogeneous goods which are close to each other but different in qualities and delivery conditions. Price and quantity are important but represent only parts of product attributes that commodity traders want to take into account. This study aims to extend current automatic order matching systems by diversifying product dimensions. An intelligent order matching system not only maximizes the total transaction volume based on the price and quantity but also satisfies traders' qualitative preferences over attributes other than price and quantity. The intelligent order matching mechanism combines an economic model with a preference model to incorporate both quantitative and qualitative utility of market participants. Constraint logic programming is investigated as a new information technology to structure and implement the intelligent order matching system.
Involvement of adrenomedullin in spinal glial activation following chronic administration of morphine in rats
Authors: Zeng X. , Lin M.Y. , Wang D. , Zhang Y. , Hong Y. 
Published: March 2014

AbstractBackgroundAdrenomedullin (AM) belongs to the calcitonin gene‐related peptide (CGRP) family. Our previous studies show that chronic exposure to morphine increases spinal AM bioactivity, contributing to the development and maintenance of morphine tolerance. This study investigated the possible involvement of AM in morphine‐evoked gliosis.MethodsReal‐time polymerase chain reaction was performed to determine interleukin‐1β (IL‐1β), IL‐6 and tumour necrosis factor‐α (TNF‐α) mRNAs in the spinal dorsal horn and cultured sensory ganglion explants. Immunohistochemistry was performed to identify spinal microglia and astrocytes.ResultsRepetitive intrathecal (i.t.) injection of morphine (20 μg) increased the expression of IL‐1β, IL‐6 and TNF‐α mRNAs in the spinal dorsal horn. The co‐administration of the selective AM receptor antagonist AM22–52 (36 μg) markedly attenuated chronic morphine‐evoked increase in IL‐1β and IL‐6, but not TNF‐α, mRNA levels. Exposure of cultured dorsal root ganglion (DRG) explants to morphine (3.3 μmol/L) for 6 days up‐regulated IL‐1β and IL‐6 mRNA expressions. The depletion of AM gene using small interfering RNA (siRNA) approach abolished morphine‐evoked increase in IL‐1β and IL‐6 syntheses in the cultured DRG. The blockade of AM receptors by i.t. AM22–52 also inhibited chronic morphine‐evoked cell hypertrophy of microglia and astrocytes as well as an increase in OX‐42 and GFAP (glial fibrillary acidic protein) immunoreactivities. Furthermore, the 6‐day treatment with AM (10 μg, i.t.) induced morphological changes of microglia and astrocytes as well as an increase in IL‐1β, IL‐6 and TNF‐α mRNA levels in the spinal dorsal horn.ConclusionThe present study supports the idea that up‐regulation of the pronociceptive mediator AM can recruit spinal glial cells, resulting in an increase in cytokines during chronic use of morphine.
Somatosensory and vasomotor manifestations of individual and combined stimulation of TRPM8 and TRPA1 using topical L‐menthol and trans‐cinnamaldehyde in healthy volunteers
Authors: Olsen R.V. , Andersen H.H. , Møller H.G. , Eskelund P.W. , Arendt‐Nielsen L. 
Published: March 2014

AbstractBackgroundActivation of TRPM8 and TRPA1 receptors generates cold and cold pain sensations, respectively, and is presumably important in clinical pain manifestations, such as cold hyperalgesia. This study investigated the interaction between TRPM8 and TRPA1 receptors through stimulation of glabrous human skin (volar forearm) by topical administration of 40% L‐menthol and 10% trans‐cinnamaldehyde (CA), individually and in combination.MethodsSensory manifestations were assessed in 10 healthy volunteers via a platform of 11 quantitative sensory (thermal and mechanical stimuli) and vasomotor tests (skin temperature, perfusion and axon‐reflex‐flare) in a double‐blinded randomized crossover design.ResultsCold pain threshold was increased (p < 0.01, cold allodynia) by L‐menthol alone and L‐menthol + CA in combination but unaffected by CA. Mechanical pain threshold was significantly decreased (mechanical hyperalgesia) by all three substances (p < 0.01), with a significant intergroup difference found between CA alone and the less decreased L‐menthol + CA (p < 0.05). Application of CA alone and L‐menthol + CA in combination showed an increase in skin temperature and perfusion significantly larger than that induced by L‐menthol alone (p < 0.05). An axon‐reflex‐flare was present after CA administration, but was significantly reduced upon addition of L‐menthol (p < 0.01).ConclusionThis study elucidates the potential of L‐menthol as a counter‐irritant to secondary neurogenic inflammation and provides evidence of an intricate interplay between cold receptors TRPA1 and TRPM8, warranting further investigation of the neural coding of cold pain perception.
Histometric analysis and topographic characterization of cp Ti implants with surfaces modified by laser with and without silica deposition
Authors: Souza Francisley Á. , Queiroz Thallita P. , Sonoda Celso K. , Okamoto Roberta , Margonar Rogério , Guastaldi Antônio C. , Nishioka Renato S. , Garcia Júnior Idelmo R. 
Published: March 2014

AbstractBiologic behavior of the bone tissue around implants with four different surfaces was evaluated. The surfaces were: modified by laser (LS); modified by laser with sodium silicate deposition (SS); and commercially available surfaces modified by acid etching (AS) and machined surface (MS). Topographic characterization of the surfaces was performed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM)– energy dispersive X‐ray spectrometry (EDX) before experimental surgery. Thirty rabbits received 60 implants in their right and left tibias, 1 implant of each surface being placed in each tibia. The analyzed periods were 4, 8, and 12 weeks postoperatively. Histometric analysis was performed evaluating bone interface contact (BIC) and bone area (BA). The results obtained were submitted to the analysis of variance and the Tukey t‐test. The elemental mapping was evaluated by means of SEM at 4 weeks postoperatively. The topographic characterization showed differences between the analyzed surfaces. Generally, the BIC and BA of LS and SS implants were statistically higher than those of AS and MS in most of the analyzed periods. Elemental mapping showed high peaks of calcium and phosphorous in all groups. Based on the present methodology, it may be concluded that experimental modifications LS and SS accelerated the stages of the bone tissue repair process around the implants, providing the highest degree of osseointegration. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part B: Appl Biomater, 102B:1677–1688, 2014.
Effect of a Punica granatum enriched diet on immunocompetence in Rhinella marina
Authors: Parker Anna N. , Ward Chelsea K. , Estes N. Robert 
Published: March 2014

ABSTRACTDirect ingestion of plant materials has been shown to have immunomodulatory effects on a variety of herbivores. Studies have also shown that compounds ingested indirectly by predators through prey items can affect the general physiology of the ingesting organism. Relatively little data exists, however, concerning the modulation of a predator's immune system via compounds obtained indirectly through prey. In this study, we sought to determine if the immune‐stimulating properties of Punica granatum (pomegranate) could be conveyed from a prey organism, Acheta domestica, to a predator, Rhinella marina, through diet specialization. Experimental crickets were fed a diet of agar supplemented with 10 mg/mL of lyophilized, powdered, whole pomegranate while control crickets were fed unadulterated agar. Experimental toads consumed a diet consisting of crickets fed the pomegranate‐enriched diet, while control toads consumed a diet consisting of crickets fed the standard agar diet. Blood samples were taken weekly and leukocyte profiles and neutrophil phagocytic activity were determined for all toads over an 8‐week period. Complement activity was measured at 6 weeks. Toads fed the pomegranate‐enriched diet showed altered leukocyte profiles as evidenced by an increase in circulating eosinophil number and a decrease in the number of circulating lymphocytes, monocytes, and basophils as compared to controls, indicating an immunomodulatory effect of the pomegranate‐enhanced diet. These results suggest that pomegranate‐derived immunomodulatory compounds can be transferred from prey to predator, and suggests that the flora in the environment where insectivores forage could have a significant effect on the physiology of the animal. J. Exp. Zool. 321A: 316–323, 2014. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Statistical downscaling of precipitation using a stochastic rainfall model conditioned on circulation patterns – an evaluation of assumptions
Authors: Haberlandt Uwe , Belli Aslan , Bárdossy András 
Published: March 2014

ABSTRACTFor climate impact assessment regarding hydrology, the availability of long precipitation time series with high temporal and spatial resolution is essential. A possible approach to obtain this data is the statistical downscaling of precipitation simulated by a global climate model (GCM) using a stochastic rainfall model with parameters conditioned on circulation patterns (CP). This approach requires: (1) the existence of a strong relationship between CP and precipitation, (2) the sufficient reproduction of CPs by the GCM, (3) the adequate simulation of precipitation by the rainfall model and (4) either stationarity of the relationship between precipitation and CPs or an approach to account for non‐stationarity. The objective of this research is the careful evaluation and discussion of the above stated four hypotheses. For this purpose, a case study for the Aller–Leine river basin in Northern Germany has been created. It has been found that CPs can be defined which show significant differences in precipitation behaviour. The CPs derived from re‐analysis data are well reproduced by the GCM simulations. In addition, the hourly stochastic rainfall model simulates the observed precipitation characteristics well, except for a certain overestimation of the extremes. However, the change in rainfall between past and future time periods as predicted by a regional climate model could not be explained by the change in CP frequency, due to the non‐stationarity of the relationship between rainfall and CP. This can be best accounted for by re‐estimating the parameters of the stochastic rainfall model for future conditions based on corrected observations using a delta change approach regarding simulated rainfall from a regional climate model.
Laser assisted drug delivery: A review of an evolving technology
Authors: Sklar Lindsay R. , Burnett Christopher T. , Waibel Jill S. , Moy Ronald L. , Ozog David M. 
Published: March 2014

BackgroundTopically applied drugs have a relatively low cutaneous bioavailability.ObjectiveThis article reviews the existing applications of laser assisted drug delivery, a means by which the permeation of topically applied agents can be enhanced into the skin.ResultsThe existing literature suggests that lasers are a safe and effective means of enhancing the delivery of topically applied agents through the skin. The types of lasers most commonly studied in regards to drug delivery are the carbon dioxide (CO2) and erbium:yttrium‐aluminum‐garnet (Er:YAG) lasers. Both conventional ablative and fractional ablative modalities have been utilized and are summarized herein.LimitationsThe majority of the existing studies on laser assisted drug delivery have been performed on animal models and additional human studies are needed.ConclusionsLaser assisted drug delivery is an evolving technology with potentially broad clinical applications. Multiple studies demonstrate that laser pretreatment of the skin can increase the permeability and depth of penetration of topically applied drug molecules for both local cutaneous and systemic applications. Lasers Surg. Med. 46:249–262, 2014. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Functional Photochromic Methylhydrosiloxane‐Based Side‐Chain Liquid‐Crystalline Polymers
Authors: Tóth‐Katona Tibor , Cigl Martin , Fodor‐Csorba Katalin , Hamplová Věra , Jánossy István , Kašpar Miroslav , Vojtylová Terezia , Hampl František , Bubnov Alexej 
Published: March 2014

A new azobenzene‐group‐containing monomer and several respective functional side‐chain polymers grafted on a methylhydrosiloxane backbone (with two different degrees of poly­merization; with and without the addition of a photoreactive benzophenone derivative) are designed, synthesized, and characterized. The resulting materials clearly show self‐assembly behavior and possess a nematic liquid‐crystal phase over a broad temperature range, which extends below 0 °C. The optical properties of these new photo­chromic liquid‐crystalline materials are determined from the absorbance spectra of oriented samples and by photo­induced birefringence studies. The results indicate a considerable dichroism of the side‐chain liquid‐crystalline polymers (SCLCPs), and hence demonstrate their potential applicability for optical storage.
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Oppositely Synchronized Lamellar Bending in Poly(l‐lactic acid) Versus Poly(d‐lactic acid) Blended with Poly(1,4‐butylene adipate)
Authors: Nurkhamidah Siti , Woo Eamor M. 
Published: March 2014

Lamellar bending habits, as influenced by molecular‐chain chirality, in packing into dendritic spherulites with specific optical patterns are discussed using two model polymers of opposite chirality that are blended with a common polymer as examples: i) poly(l‐lactic acid)/poly(butylene adipate) (PLLA/PBA) and ii) poly(d‐lactic acid)/PBA (PDLA/PBA) blends. The bending habits in the spherulites of PLLA or PDLA blended with PBA are dictated by the chirality, specifically the counterclockwise and clockwise directions for the PLLA/PBA (50:50) and PDLA/PBA (50:50) blends, respectively. Straight lamellae in spiral lozenge crystals are packed with crystal aggregates of PLLA on top of the flat‐on lamellae plates acting as a basal plane during crystallization at Tc; spiral lozenge‐crystal frameworks are surrounded by needle‐like crystals resembling PBA crystals.
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Synovial sarcoma relapses in children and adolescents: Prognostic factors, treatment, and outcome
Authors: Soole Frederick , Maupain Carole , Defachelles Anne‐Sophie , Taque Sophie , Minard‐Colin Veronique , Bergeron Christophe , De Rycke Yann , Orbach Daniel 
Published: March 2014

IntroductionTwenty‐five to 32% of patients with synovial sarcoma (SS) relapse after appropriate treatment, and experience a poor outcome. Patients who can be salvaged by second‐line therapy need to be more clearly identified.Patients and MethodsData of patients treated in SFCE (Société Française des Cancers de l'Enfant) centers with an initial diagnosis of localized SS before the age of 18 years and treated from 1/1988 to 12/2008, and who experienced at least one relapse, were retrieved. After descriptive analysis, statistical analysis was performed to determine prognostic factors.ResultsThirty‐seven patients were identified. First relapse occurred after a median interval of 24 months and was localized in 73.0% of cases and metastatic in 24.3% of cases. Treatment of relapse consisted of new surgery in 75.7% of cases, second‐line chemotherapy in 73.0% of cases and radiotherapy in 48.6% of cases. Response rate to ifosfamide‐based regimens was 36.4%. Overall, 70.3% patients achieved a second complete remission. Median 5‐year‐event‐free survival was 32.8% and 5‐year overall survival was 42.1%. Factors significantly correlated with better survival were primary tumor involving the limbs, age less than 12 years at diagnosis, absence of chemotherapy or radiotherapy as initial treatment and local relapse.ConclusionDespite its poor overall outcome, relapse of synovial sarcoma sometimes remains curable. Aggressive surgery, when possible, in combination with chemotherapy and radiotherapy is the recommended treatment. Ifosfamide‐based regimens may remain effective in patients with relapsed SS. However, alternative therapies should be proposed in patients with poor prognostic factors. Pediatr Blood Cancer 2014; 61:1387–1393. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
From the dual function lead AP2238 to AP2469, a multi‐target‐directed ligand for the treatment of Alzheimer's disease
Authors: Tarozzi Andrea , Bartolini Manuela , Piazzi Lorna , Valgimigli Luca , Amorati Riccardo , Bolondi Cecilia , Djemil Alice , Mancini Francesca , Andrisano Vincenza , Rampa Angela 
Published: March 2014

AbstractThe development of drugs with different pharmacological properties appears to be an innovative therapeutic approach for Alzheimer's disease. In this article, we describe a simple structural modification of AP2238, a first dual function lead, in particular the introduction of the catechol moiety performed in order to search for multi‐target ligands. The new compound AP2469 retains anti‐acetylcholinesterase (AChE) and beta‐site amyloid precursor protein cleaving enzyme (BACE)1 activities compared to the reference, and is also able to inhibit Aβ42 self‐aggregation, Aβ42 oligomer‐binding to cell membrane and subsequently reactive oxygen species formation in both neuronal and microglial cells. The ability of AP2469 to interfere with Aβ42 oligomer‐binding to neuron and microglial cell membrane gives this molecule both neuroprotective and anti‐inflammatory properties. These findings, together with its strong chain‐breaking antioxidant performance, make AP2469 a potential drug able to modify the course of the disease.
The equivalent‐weights particle filter in a high‐dimensional system
Authors: Ades M. , van Leeuwen P. J. 
Published: March 2014

AbstractIn general, particle filters need large numbers of model runs in order to avoid filter degeneracy in high‐dimensional systems. The recently proposed, fully nonlinear equivalent‐weights particle filter overcomes this requirement by replacing the standard model transition density with two different proposal transition densities. The first proposal density is used to relax all particles towards the high‐probability regions of state space as defined by the observations. The crucial second proposal density is then used to ensure that the majority of particles have equivalent weights at observation time. Here, the performance of the scheme in a high, 65 500 dimensional, simplified ocean model is explored. The success of the equivalent‐weights particle filter in matching the true model state is shown using the mean of just 32 particles in twin experiments. It is of particular significance that this remains true even as the number and spatial variability of the observations are changed. The results from rank histograms are less easy to interpret and can be influenced considerably by the parameter values used. This article also explores the sensitivity of the performance of the scheme to the chosen parameter values and the effect of using different model error parameters in the truth compared with the ensemble model runs.