bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Tryptase is involved in the development of early ventilator-induced pulmonary fibrosis in sepsis-induced lung injury
Authors: Villar Jesús , Cabrera-Benítez Nuria E , Valladares Francisco , García-Hernández Sonia , Ramos-Nuez Ángela , Martín-Barrasa José Luís , Muros Mercedes , Kacmarek Robert M , Slutsky Arthur S 
Published: March 2015

AbstractIntroductionMost patients with sepsis and acute lung injury require mechanical ventilation to improve oxygenation and facilitate organ repair. Mast cells are important in response to infection and resolution of tissue injury. Since tryptase secreted from mast cells has been associated with tissue fibrosis, we hypothesized that tryptase would be involved in the early development of ventilator-induced pulmonary fibrosis in a clinically relevant model of sepsis-induced lung injury.MethodsProspective, randomized, controlled animal study using Sprague-Dawley rats. Sepsis was induced by cecal ligation and perforation. Animals were randomized to spontaneous breathing or two ventilatory strategies for 4 h: protective ventilation with tidal volume (VT) = 6 ml/kg plus 10 cmH2O positive end-expiratory pressure (PEEP) or injurious ventilation with VT = 20 ml/kg plus 2 cmH2O PEEP. Healthy, non-ventilated animals served as non-septic controls. We studied the following end points: histology, serum cytokine levels, hydroxyproline content, tryptase and proteinase-activated receptor-2 (PAR-2) protein level in lung homogenates, and tryptase and PAR-2 immunohistochemical localization in the lungs.ResultsAll septic animals developed acute lung injury. Animals ventilated with high VT had a significant increase of pulmonary fibrosis, hydroxyproline content, tryptase and PAR-2 protein levels compared to septic controls (P<0.0001). However, protective ventilation attenuated sepsis-induced lung injury and decreased lung tryptase and PAR-2 protein levels. Immunohistochemical staining confirmed the presence of tryptase and PAR-2 in the lungs.ConclusionsMechanical ventilation modified tryptase and PAR-2 in injured lungs. Increased levels of these proteins were associated with development of sepsis and ventilator-induced pulmonary fibrosis early in the course of sepsis-induced lung injury.
A case of long-term survival following hepatectomy for liver metastasis of Merkel cell carcinoma
Authors: Shoda Katsutoshi , Ikoma Hisashi , Yamamoto Yusuke , Kinoshita Osamu , Morimura Ryo , Konishi Hirotaka , Murayama Yasutoshi , Komatsu Shuhei , Shiozaki Atsushi , Kuriu Yoshiaki , Nakanishi Masayoshi , Ichikawa Daisuke , Fujiwara Hitoshi , Okamoto Kazuma , Sakakura Chohei , Ochiai Toshiya , Taniguchi Hiroki , Yasukawa Satoshi , Otsuji Eigo 
Published: March 2015

Abstract

Background
Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC) is a rare endocrine tumor that presents as a rapidly growing skin nodule of the body, and it is aggressive with regional nodal and distant metastases without clearly defined treatment. There are no reports of long survivors among patients with liver metastasis of MCC. The current case was a patient who underwent surgical resection for liver metastasis of Merkel cell carcinoma.

Case presentation
This case describes a 73-year-old female with a papule on the dorsal side of the right third finger and liver tumor. The papule of the right third finger was histologically diagnosed as MCC by the skin biopsy. She underwent extensive resection and lymph node dissection of the right third finger and partial resection of the liver. The liver tumor was histologically diagnosed as liver metastasis of MCC. The patient remains well without any evidence of tumor recurrence more than 5 years after surgery.

Conclusions
This is the first report of a long-term survival of more than 5 years following liver metastasis of MCC, which was surgically resected. Patients with small and solitary metastatic liver tumor of MCC may have a chance for a long-term survival following the hepatic resection.
The Fuling Shale Gas Field — A highly productive Silurian gas shale with high thermal maturity and complex evolution history, southeastern Sichuan Basin, China
Authors: Guo Tonglou 
Published: March 2015

The organic-rich Lower Silurian Longmaxi and Upper Ordovician Wufeng Shale (LSLUOWS) is one of the most important marine shale gas plays in southern China, with relatively high thermal maturity and complex structural evolution. The delineation of the Jiaoshiba shale gas play has been highly successful for the LSLUOWS in the Fuling area of southeastern Sichuan Basin. The drilling targets the basal part of the LSLUOWS, where the approximately 38–45 m of organic-rich (total organic carbon of greater than 2%) section corresponds to a maturity range around 2.2%–3.0% Ro, with high brittle mineral content (55%–65%). The produced shale gas displays a clear reversal in the stable carbon isotopes. The shale gas play zone is between the overlain mudstone in the Middle-Upper Longmaxi Formation (Fm) and the underlain Upper Ordovician tight limestone in the Jiancaogou Fm. The shale gas reservoir is overpressured, with an average pressure coefficient of 1.55 (relative to hydrostatic pressure). From December 2013 to late 2014, results of production tests determined relatively stable pressure and production curves. Fifty prolific gas wells have been completed to date in the Jiaoshiba Shale Gas Field in Fuling. Preliminary study revealed several characteristics of this structurally complex shale play that are distinctly different from those in the United States, including an anticlinal structure with mild deformation, abundant free gas, and very short gas migration through microfractures, the natural fracture network formed by the two fault systems, and the slip parallel to the layer in the basal LSLUOWS. Movement along strike-slip faults has gone through up into the Quaternary, which is considered to be a significant factor in the establishment and preservation of the overpressured region in the LSLUOWS.
Increased Incidence of Fractures in Recipients of Hematopoietic Stem-Cell Transplantation
Authors: Pundole Xerxes N. , Barbo Andrea G. , Lin Heather , Champlin Richard E. , Lu Huifang 
Published: March 2015

Purpose The number of long-term survivors after hematopoietic stem-cell transplantation (HSCT) for malignant and nonmalignant disorders is increasing, and late effects are gaining importance. Osteoporosis and fractures can worsen the quality of life of HSCT survivors, but the burden of the disease is unknown. Patients and Methods We conducted a retrospective study of patients older than age 18 years who underwent an HSCT at The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center from January 1, 1997, to December 31, 2011, and were observed until December 31, 2013, to ascertain occurrence of fractures. Cumulative incidence rates of fractures were calculated with death as a competing risk. Age- and sex-specific incidence rates per person-year of fracture were compared with those of the US general population by using estimated rates from the 1994 National Health Interview Survey and the 2004 National Hospital Discharge Survey. Results A total of 7,620 patients underwent an HSCT from 1997 to 2011 at the MD Anderson Cancer Center of whom 602 (8%) developed a fracture. Age, underlying disease, and HSCT type were significantly associated with fracture. Age- and sex-specific fracture incidence rates after HSCT were significantly greater than those of the US general population in almost all subgroups. The striking difference was an approximately eight times greater risk in females and approximately seven to nine times greater risk in males age 45 to 64 years old when compared with the National Health Interview Survey and National Hospital Discharge Survey fracture rates. Conclusion The incidence of fractures is compellingly higher after HSCT.
Analysis of a Global Green Transition
Authors: Мейер  , Meyer Niels I. 
Published: March 2015

Mitigation of global warming and transitioning to a green and sustainable world
are counteracted by a number of barriers and dilemmas. The paper analyzes a
number of these barriers and dilemmas in order to highlight efficient strategies
and solutions for a sustainable development. The dilemmas include the following
examples:
• There are limits to economic and material growth in a finite globe, but most
governments in industrial countries are calling for more growth in a period of
financial crisis.
• More equity is required to stem the desire for growth, but inequity is increasing.
• The increase in global temperature should stay below two degrees centigrade
in order to avoid irreversible consequences, but the present path points to four
degrees or more.
• At least 50% of known reserves of fossil fuels must remain underground in order to
avoid a temperature increase higher than two degrees, but a number of industrial
countries are now promoting exploitation of new fossil sources like shale gas and
oil from tar sand.
• Reversing population growth facilitates sustainable development, but most
governments of industrial nations appear to be more concerned about decreases
in their population.
Computing in Operations Research Using Julia
Authors: Lubin Miles , Dunning Iain 
Published: March 2015

The state of numerical computing is currently characterized by a divide between highly efficient yet typically cumbersome low-level languages such as C, C++, and Fortran and highly expressive yet typically slow high-level languages such as Python and MATLAB. This paper explores how Julia, a modern programming language for numerical computing that claims to bridge this divide by incorporating recent advances in language and compiler design (such as just-in-time compilation), can be used for implementing software and algorithms fundamental to the field of operations research, with a focus on mathematical optimization. In particular, we demonstrate algebraic modeling for linear and nonlinear optimization and a partial implementation of a practical simplex code. Extensive cross-language benchmarks suggest that Julia is capable of obtaining state-of-the-art performance. Data, as supplemental material, are available at http://dx.doi.org/10.1287/ijoc.2014.0623 .
Diagnóstico do gerenciamento da cadeia de suprimentos em um restaurante universitário através de estudo exploratório
Authors: Scheidegger Anna Paula Galvão , Gaudêncio Juliana Helena Daroz , Favaretto Fabio , Lima Renato da Silva 
Published: March 2015

Ganha cada vez mais relevância o setor de serviços na economia e sociedade brasileira. No entanto, os desafios das empresas, em especial micro e pequenas empresas, são inúmeros quando se considera a competitividade e as dificuldades impostas pela estrutura de mercado brasileira. Desta forma, compreender o processo de gerenciamento da cadeia de suprimentos de pequenas empresas torna-se extremamente importante, pois pode contribuir para a sobrevivência das mesmas. Por isso, o presente trabalho tem como objetivo realizar um diagnóstico do processo de gerenciamento da cadeia de suprimentos dentro do setor de serviços. Para isso, adotou-se como objeto de estudo um restaurante universitário, uma vez que o mesmo além de enfrentar os usuais desafios das micro empresas, apresenta características especiais que tornam o processo ainda mais complexo. De caráter exploratório e utilizando-se de pesquisa qualitativa, o trabalho desenvolveu, através de ferramentas de mapeamento como o SIPOC e análise SWOT, uma melhor compreensão sobre o contexto e identificou algumas oportunidades para futuros estudos mais profundos, cumprindo assim com os objetivos propostos.
Open access to technology platforms for InP-based photonic integrated circuits
Authors: Ławniczuk Katarzyna , Augustin Luc M. , Grote Norbert , Wale Michael J. , Smit Meint K. , Williams Kevin A. 
Published: March 2015

Abstract
Open access to generic technology platforms for photonic integrated circuit manufacturing enables low-cost development of application-specific photonic chips for novel or improved products. It brings photonic ICs within reach for many industrial users and research institutes, by moving toward a fabless business model. In the current status, InP-based open access manufacturing services are offered through multi-project wafer runs by Fraunhofer Heinrich Hertz Institut, SMART Photonics, and Oclaro. In this paper, we review state-of-the-art InP photonic integration technology platforms, present examples of complex InP photonic ICs developed in the generic technologies, and give a prospect for further development of these photonic integration platforms.
Molecular mechanisms of erythrocyte aging
Authors: Hoehn Richard S. , Jernigan Peter L. , Chang Alex L. , Edwards Michael J. , Pritts Timothy A. 
Published: March 2015

Abstract
Anemia and hemorrhagic shock are leading causes of morbidity and mortality worldwide, and transfusion of human blood products is the ideal treatment for these conditions. As human erythrocytes age during storage in blood banks they undergo many biochemical and structural changes, termed the red blood cell ‘storage lesion’. Specifically, ATP and pH levels decrease as metabolic end products, oxidative stress, cytokines, and cell-free hemoglobin increase. Also, membrane proteins and lipids undergo conformational and organizational changes that result in membrane loss, viscoelastic changes and microparticle formation. As a result, transfusion of aged blood is associated with a host of adverse consequences such as decreased tissue perfusion, increased risk of infection, and increased mortality. This review summarizes current research detailing the known parts of the erythrocyte storage lesion and their physiologic consequences.
“We Want What Everybody Else in an Advanced Society Seems to Have”: Why Chinese Democracy Is Inevitable
Authors: Davis Michael T. 
Published: March 2015

AbstractWith the recent pro-democracy protests in Hong Kong, here is one of the most intriguing questions of our time – what is China’s political destiny? For some, the answer seems self-evident: world domination. Martin Jacques and many other China watchers say it is not “if” but “when China rules the world”. But the burning question is, how will China rule itself? How will it survive as a stable and centralized state through its economic and global make-over as a superpower? What will the political future of this vast and rapidly evolving nation look like? Will China have a democracy? Perhaps the answers to these questions can be found in another time and place – in Britain during the so-called long eighteenth century (1688–1832) – where we can see parallels between the forces that helped transform Britain into the global superpower of the nineteenth century and those that underpin China’s modern-day transformation. This article argues that these forces will set China on the path to democracy in the same way they helped change the political dimensions of Britain.
H-CLAP: hierarchical clustering within a linear array with an application in genetics
Authors: Ghosh Samiran , Townsend Jeffrey P. 
Published: March 2015

AbstractIn most cases where clustering of data is desirable, the underlying data distribution to be clustered is unconstrained. However clustering of site types in a discretely structured linear array, as is often desired in studies of linear sequences such as DNA, RNA or proteins, represents a problem where data points are not necessarily exchangeable and are directionally constrained within the array. Each position in the linear array is fixed, and could be either “marked” (i.e., of interest such as polymorphic or substitute sites) or “non-marked.” Here we describe a method for clustering of those marked sites. Since the cluster-generating process is constrained by discrete locality inside such an array, traditional clustering methods need adjustment to be appropriate. We develop a hierarchical Bayesian approach. We adopt a Markov clustering algorithm, revealing any natural partitioning in the pattern of marked sites. The resulting recursive partitioning and clustering algorithm is named hierarchical clustering in a linear array (H-CLAP). It employs domain-specific directional constraints directly in the likelihood construction. Our method, being fully Bayesian, is more flexible in cluster discovery compared to a standard agglomerative hierarchical clustering algorithm. It not only provides hierarchical clustering, but also cluster boundaries, which may have their own biological significance. We have tested the efficacy of our method on data sets, including two biological and several simulated ones.
Ethylene Polymerization via Metallocenes: An Experimental Study
Authors: Infante-Martínez Ramiro , Saldívar-Guerra Enrique , Pérez-Camacho Odilia , García-Zamora Maricela 
Published: March 2015

ABSTRACTAn experimental study oriented to gather kinetic modelling data in the ethylene polymerization via metallocenes is reported. Also is illustrated the employment of two methods for determination of kinetic behavior and the instantaneous activity of Ziegler-Natta catalysts in the slurry polymerization of ethylene. The theoretical basis for both methods is described as well as the required instrumentation for its implantation at a laboratory level. An experimental program of polymerization with two different metallocenic systems was executed, showing that the direct (measurement of ethylene flow) as well as the calorimetric method (based on energy balances) give equivalent high quality information on the kinetic performance of the catalyst.
Prediction of molecular weight distribution in chain growth polymerizations
Authors: Infante-Martínez Ramiro , Saldívar-Guerra Enrique , Pérez-Camacho Odilia , García-Zamora Maricela , Comparán-Padilla Víctor 
Published: March 2015

ABSTRACTThis work presents results on the prediction of the molecular weight distributions (MWD) of chain growth polymerization using conventional software and hardware tools. The investigation focuses on two kinds of polymerization processes: free radical batch and continuous polymerization processes with application to low density polyethylene synthesis (LDPE); and coordination polymerization via metallocenes with application to high density polyethylene synthesis (HDPE). For both processes, kinetic models, consisting of sets of differential equations describing the dynamic behavior of all the chemical species in the reaction media, are presented. From these sets is possible to obtain the molecular weight distribution of the polymer1,2,4Strategies for the simulation of the polymerization models were developed and results of these simulations are presented. On the free radical polymerization case, the next results are highlighted: i) It was confirmed that the chain transfer to polymer step produces strong asymmetries on the MWD as well as a high polydispersity index; ii) It’s possible to calculate the MWD in the CSTR process through a simulation strategy that permits the decoupling of the live and dead chains populations. On the metallocene polymerization case, it was demonstrated that the coordination standard model represents well the system experimentally studied and it can be employed to directly calculate the molecular weight distribution.These results confirm the idea that the complete MWD can be directly calculated with conventional hardware and software tools.
Chemical Composition Dependence of Cu2ZnSnS4 Absorbers Fabricated by Sulfurization of Thermal Evaporated Metal Precursors and Solar Cell Performance
Authors: Zhang Liyuan , Karthikeyan Sreejith , Sibakoti Mandip J. , Campbell Stephen A. 
Published: March 2015

ABSTRACTWe investigate the synthesis of kesterite Cu2ZnSnS4 (CZTS) thin films using thermal evaporation from copper, zinc and tin pellets and post-annealing in a sulfur atmosphere. The effects of chemical composition were studied both on the absorber layer properties and on the final solar cell performance. It is confirmed that CZTS thin film chemical composition affects the carrier concentration profile, which then influences the solar cell properties. Solar cells using a CZTS thin film with composition ratio Cu/(Zn+Sn) = 0.87, and Zn/Sn = 1.24 exhibited an open-circuit voltage of 483 mV, a short-circuit current of 14.54 mA/cm2, a fill factor of 37.66 % and a conversion efficiency of 2.64 %. Only a small deviation from the optimal chemical composition can drop device performance to a lower level, which confirms that the CZTS solar cells with high conversion efficiency existed in a relatively narrow composition region.
Practical Realization of Apertureless Scanning Near-field Optical Microscopy Using Hybrid Mode Atomic Force Microscopy
Authors: Zayats Sergey , Alexander John , Magonov Sergei , Kazantsev Dmitry 
Published: March 2015

ABSTRACTThe local detection of optical response at the sub-wavelength scale on a materials’ surface is an invaluable characterization capability of apertureless scanning near-field optical microscopy (ASNOM). The technique is traditionally realized in amplitude modulation (AM) AFM mode. We have expanded this method by employing an alternative scheme for the detection of the near-field and far-field responses with the use of Hybrid (HD) AFM mode. In HD mode the sample is brought to the intermittent contact with the tip in a periodic oscillation at a frequency (1-2 kHz) much smaller than the probe resonance. In every oscillation cycle the probe deflection to a set-point value is used for surface profiling. For optical measurements the metal coated AFM tip was top-illuminated by visible laser. Simultaneously with surface profiling the light scattered from tip-sample junction was collected by a sensitive photomultiplier (PMT). The homodyne optical signal detection scheme was applied to discriminate near- and far-field optical components. Our method was verified by the studies of various materials (semiconductors, metals, polymers, etc.). The presented results show that the contrast of ASNOM images can be used for compositional mapping of heterogeneous systems.
Hydrostatic Compression of Graphite Oxide to 49 GPa: A Raman Spectroscopic Study
Authors: Swamy Varghese , Ooi Jong Boon , Kurnosov Alexander , Dubrovinsky Leonid S. , Kuznetsov Alexei Y. , Noor Ahmad Fauzi M. 
Published: March 2015

ABSTRACTThe compression and decompression behaviors of graphite oxide have been investigated using in situ Raman measurements in a diamond-anvil cell at room temperature. The so-called G band (in-plane E2g mode ∼1600 cm-1) was followed to 49 GPa during compression and back to ambient under decompression. The Raman frequency of the G band increases sublinearly with increasing hydrostatic pressure, eventually nearly flattening out at the highest pressure measured. This trend is reversed upon decompression, fully recovering to the ambient spectrum. The increased broadening suggests a reversible disordering of the structure without significant sp2-sp3 rehybridization under pressure.
Measurements of Polarization Switching in LiNbO3-type ZnSnO3/ZnO Nanocomposite Thin Films
Authors: Mukherjee Devajyoti , Hordagoda Mahesh , Kons Corisa , Datta Anuja , Witanachchi Sarath , Mukherjee Pritish 
Published: March 2015

ABSTRACTWe report the measurements of ferroelectricity in LiNbO3(LN)-type ZnSnO3/ZnO nanocomposite thick films deposited on Pt-Si substrates using a novel combined chemical/physical technique. Phase-pure LN-type ZnSnO3nanorods (NRs) were first synthesized using a low temperature solvothermal process and characterized in detail using X-ray diffraction, electron microscopy and Raman spectroscopy. The prototype device for polarization measurements was fabricated by depositing the as-prepared LN-type ZnSnO3NRs onto conducting Pt-Si substrates (also served as bottom electrodes). A dielectric filler-layer of polycrystalline ZnO was deposited on top using pulsed laser deposition to fabricate LN-type ZnSnO3/ZnO nanocomposite films. Polarization measurements of the Pt/ZnSnO3+ZnO/Pt nanocomposite capacitors at 300K showed indication of polarization switching in the hysteresis loops with a remanent polarization (Pr) of 13 μC/cm2at a low applied voltage of 8 V. The work provides information on the coherent design of future FE memory devices based on the emerging non-toxic Pb-free material LN-ZnSnO3.