bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
A GRASP algorithm for a capacitated, fixed charge, multicommodity network flow problem with uncertain demand and survivability constraints
Authors: Olivera Alfredo , Amoza Franco Robledo , Testuri Carlos E. 
Published: June 2010

AbstractAn extension of the capacitated, fixed charge, multicommodity network flow problem with an uncertain demand of services and survivability constraints was designed and modeled as a stochastic programming problem. A polynomial algorithm based on the GRASP metaheuristic with a construction phase of a survivable topology and a local search phase based on a key‐path decomposition of the graph and a feasible key‐path replacement was proposed to solve it. The heuristic algorithm was tested for several problem instances, and its solutions were compared with a branch‐and‐cut solver. The heuristic reached good quality solutions for the tested cases.
Improving the discrimination of data envelopment analysis models in multiple time periods
Authors: Alirezaee M. R. , Afsharian M. 
Published: June 2010

AbstractThe trade‐offs approach is an advanced tool for the improvement of the discrimination of data envelopment analysis (DEA) models; this can improve the traditional meaning of efficiency as a radial improvement factor for inputs or outputs. Therefore, the Malmquist index – the prominent index for measuring the productivity change of decision making units (DMUs) in multiple time periods that use DEA models with variable returns to scale and constant returns to scale technologies – can be improved by using the trade‐offs technology. Hence, an expanded Malmquist index can be defined as an improved method of a traditional Malmquist index that uses the production possibility set, which could present more discrimination of DMUs, in the presence of the trade‐offs technology. In addition, similar to a traditional Malmquist index, it breaks down into different components. An illustrative example is presented to show the ability of the suggested method of presenting the Malmquist index from a computational point of view.
Solving scalarized multi‐objective network flow problems using an interior point method
Authors: Fonseca Margarida , Figueira José Rui , Resende Mauricio G.C. 
Published: June 2010

AbstractIn this paper, we present a primal‐dual interior‐point algorithm to solve a class of multi‐objective network flow problems. More precisely, our algorithm is an extension of the single‐objective primal infeasible dual feasible inexact interior point method for multi‐objective linear network flow problems. Our algorithm is contrasted with standard interior point methods and experimental results on bi‐objective instances are reported. The multi‐objective instances are converted into single objective problems with the aid of an achievement function, which is particularly adequate for interactive decision‐making methods.
Unemployment, Government Spending and the Laffer Effect*
Authors: Linnemann Ludger 
Published: June 2010

AbstractThe paper studies the effects of income tax rate changes in a general equilibrium model with frictional unemployment. Laffer curve effects, by which a tax rate reduction may increase the level of government spending or its share in output, are shown to be possible under certain conditions. These are the presence of unemployment benefit payments, government budget balance through fiscal spending adjustment and limited quantitative importance of labour reallocation costs. Endogenous government spending acts as a fiscal accelerator if the fiscal burden of unemployment benefit payments is large, but reduces the employment effects of tax rate cuts if it is low.
Predicting efficacy and safety outcomes in patients with hepatitis C virus genotype 1 and persistently ‘normal’ alanine aminotransferase levels treated with peginterferon α‐2a (40KD) plus ribavirin
Authors: Snoeck Eric , Hadziyannis Stephanos J. , Puoti Claudio , Swain Mark G. , Berg Thomas , Marcellin Patrick , Zarski Jean‐Pierre , Jorga Karin , Zeuzem Stefan 
Published: June 2010

AbstractBackground: Currently, the approved dosage of ribavirin has not been studied in patients with ‘normal’ alanine aminotransferase (ALT) levels.Methods: Modelling and simulations were performed using generalised additive models (GAMs) to predict the incidence of anaemia and rate of sustained virological response (SVR) in patients with hepatitis C virus (HCV) genotype 1 and persistently ‘normal’ ALT levels treated with peginterferon α‐2a (40KD) 180 μg/week plus ribavirin 1000/1200 mg/day for 48 weeks.Results: Model‐based simulations predicted that SVR rates would increase from 39 to 48% if patients with genotype 1 and persistently ‘normal’ ALT levels had received the standard weight‐adjusted dose of ribavirin. This was similar to the predicted 49% SVR rate for genotype 1 patients with elevated ALT levels. The incidence of anaemia was predicted to increase from 13% to 23% in patients with persistently ‘normal’ ALT activity and was higher than that predicted for patients with elevated ALT levels; however, the difference appeared to be largely explained by the higher proportion of women in the former group.Conclusions: Simulations based on GAM suggest that regimens for patients with HCV genotype 1 should include the standard weight‐adjusted dose of ribavirin, as similar SVR rates are predicted to be achieved, regardless of patients' ALT status at baseline.
The cycling hair follicle as an ideal systems biology research model
Authors: Al‐Nuaimi Yusur , Baier Gerold , Watson Rachel E. B. , Chuong Cheng‐Ming , Paus Ralf 
Published: June 2010

Please cite this paper as: The cycling hair follicle as an ideal systems biology research model. Experimental Dermatology 2010; 19: 707–713.Abstract:  In the postgenomic era, systems biology has rapidly emerged as an exciting field predicted to enhance the molecular understanding of complex biological systems by the use of quantitative experimental and mathematical approaches. Systems biology studies how the components of a biological system (e.g. genes, transcripts, proteins, metabolites) interact to bring about defined biological function or dysfunction. Living systems may be divided into five dimensions of complexity: (i) molecular; (ii) structural; (iii) temporal; (iv) abstraction and emergence; and (v) algorithmic. Understanding the details of these dimensions in living systems is the challenge that systems biology aims to address. Here, we argue that the hair follicle (HF), one of the signature features of mammals, is a perfect and clinically relevant model for systems biology research. The HF represents a stem cell‐rich, essentially autonomous mini‐organ, whose cyclic transformations follow a hypothetical intrafollicular “hair cycle clock” (HCC). This prototypic neuroectodermal‐mesodermal interaction system, at the cross‐roads of systems and chronobiology, encompasses various levels of complexity as it is subject to both intrafollicular and extrafollicular inputs (e.g. intracutaneous timing mechanisms with neural and systemic stimuli). Exploring how the cycling HF addresses the five dimensions of living systems, we argue that a systems biology approach to the study of hair growth and cycling, in man and mice, has great translational medicine potential. Namely, the easily accessible human HF invites preclinical and clinical testing of novel hypotheses generated with this approach.
Leishmaniasis, contact hypersensitivity and graft‐versus‐host disease: understanding the role of dendritic cell subsets in balancing skin immunity and tolerance
Authors: Kautz‐Neu Kordula , Meyer Ralf G. , Clausen Björn E. , Von Stebut Esther 
Published: June 2010

Please cite this paper as: Leishmaniasis, contact hypersensitivity and graft‐versus‐host disease: understanding the role of dendritic cell subsets in balancing skin immunity and tolerance. Experimental Dermatology 2010; 19: 760–771.Abstract:  Dendritic cells (DC) are key elements of the immune system. In peripheral tissues, they function as sentinels taking up and processing antigens. After migration to the draining lymph nodes, the DC either present antigenic peptides by themselves or transfer them to lymph node–resident DC. The skin is the primary interface between the body and the environment and host’s various DC subsets, including dermal DC (dDC) and Langerhans cells (LC). Because of their anatomical position in the epidermis, LC are believed to be responsible for induction of adaptive cutaneous immune responses. The functions of LC and dDC in the skin immune system in vivo are manifold, and it is still discussed controversially whether the differentiation of T‐cell subtypes (e.g. effector T cells and regulatory T cells) may be initiated by distinct DC subtypes. As skin DC are able to promote or downmodulate immune responses, we chose different skin diseases (cutaneous leishmaniasis, contact hypersensitivity, UV radiation‐induced suppression, and graft‐versus‐host disease) to describe the biological interactions between different DC subtypes and T cells that lead to the development of efficient or unwanted immune responses. A detailed knowledge about the immune modulatory capacity of different cutaneous DC subsets might be helpful to specifically target these cells through the skin during therapeutic interventions.
Melanocortin receptor type 2 (MC2R, ACTH receptor) expression in patients with alopecia areata
Authors: Hong‐wei Guo , Jun Deng , Xi‐chuan Yang , Bai‐yu Zhong , Zhu Shen , Shao‐yan Yang , Bao‐heng Liu , Fei Hao 
Published: June 2010

Please cite this paper as: Melanocortin receptor type 2 (MC2R, ACTH receptor) expression in patients with alopecia areata. Experimental Dermatology 2010; 19: 1020–1022.Abstract:  Human skin expresses elements of the hypothalamo‐pituitary‐adrenal (HPA) axis that function as a local stress response system. Because adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) is an intermediate in the HPA axis from corticotropin‐releasing hormone (CRH) signal to cortisol secretion, MC2R that binds only ACTH may be important in the stress response of skin. We investigated the local expression of MC2R by immunohistochemistry to identify the role of ACTH/MC2R in stress‐associated alopecia areata (AA). MC2R appeared to be highly compartmentalized in scalp skin including the epidermal cells of hair follicles and epidermis, sebaceous and eccrine glands, as well as dermal fibroblasts. The expression of MC2R was lower in AA lesions than in normal scalp tissue in almost all scalp skin cells, especially in epithelial cells. These findings demonstrate that MC2R expression is aberrant in AA and suggest a deficit in ACTH/MC2R activity may play an important role in the pathophysiology of AA.
Association of the HLA‐G gene polymorphism with multiple sclerosis in a Polish population
Authors: Wiśniewski A. , Bilińska M. , Klimczak A. , Wagner M. , Majorczyk E. , Nowak I. , Pokryszko‐Dragan A. , Kuśnierczyk P. 
Published: June 2010

SummaryIn this study, three polymorphic sites in the HLA‐G gene: −725C>G>T, −716T>G and 14bpindel were genotyped. Significant differences were found between patients and controls in the alleles and genotypes for −725C>G>T and in three‐point haplotypes. We observed also a significant difference in the age of disease onset between patients positive and negative for 14bpins. The results suggest that single nucleotide polymorphisms in the promoter of the HLA‐G gene (mainly −725C>G>T), and 14bpindel, or some genetic marker in tight linkage disequilibrium with them are associated with multiple sclerosis.
Arabidopsis Chloroplast FtsH, var2 and Suppressors of var2 Leaf Variegation: a Review
Authors: Liu Xiayan , Yu Fei , Rodermel Steve 
Published: June 2010

Abstract Variegation mutants are ideal model systems to study chloroplast biogenesis. We are interested in variegations whose green and white‐sectored leaves arise as a consequence of the action of nuclear recessive genes. In this review, we focus on the Arabidopsis var2 variegation mutant, and discuss recent progress toward understanding the function of VAR2 and the mechanism of var2‐mediated variegation. VAR2 is a subunit of the chloroplast FtsH complex, which is involved in turnover of the Photosystem II reaction center D1 protein, as well as in other processes required for the development and maintenance of the photosynthetic apparatus. The cells in green sectors of var2 have normal‐appearing chloroplasts whereas cells in the white sectors have abnormal plastids that lack pigments and organized lamellae. To explain the mechanism of var2 variegation, we have proposed a threshold model in which the formation of chloroplasts is due to the presence of activities/processes that are able to compensate for a lack of VAR2. To gain insight into these activities, second‐site suppressor screens have been carried out to obtain mutants with non‐variegation phenotypes. Cloning and characterization of several var2 suppressor lines have uncovered several mechanisms of variegation suppression, including an unexpected link between var2 variegation and chloroplast translation.
COMPARATIVE ASSESSMENT OF THE NUTRITIONAL VALUE OF COMMERCIALLY AVAILABLE COCOYAM AND POTATO TUBERS IN SOUTH AFRICA
Authors: LEWU M.N. , ADEBOLA P.O. , AFOLAYAN A.J. 
Published: June 2010

ABSTRACT Potato (Solanum tuberosum) is a popular staple food in South Africa, whereas cocoyam (Colocasia esculenta) remains unpopular and not well known outside KwaZulu‐Natal Province, where it is cultivated mainly for subsistence. A comparative study of the nutritional compositions of commercially available tubers of both crops in South Africa was carried out. The results showed that the tubers of the two crops were high in carbohydrate and energy but low in lipid contents. Although potato was significantly higher in moisture and ash than the tubers of cocoyam, carbohydrate, caloric and crude protein contents were not significantly different (P < 0.05) in both tubers. Whereas boiling improved the availability of crude protein, fiber and lipid contents for both species, boiling reduced the ash contents in the tubers of both crops. Manganese levels were not detectable, whereas iron contents were appreciably high, but magnesium and copper contents were in the average range in both tubers. Whereas cooking reduced iron level in potato (11.20–9.95 mg/100 g DM), a significant increase in iron was observed for cocoyam (9.08–13.87 mg/100 g DM). Cooking significantly lowered magnesium, potassium and copper contents in both crops. Oxalates and phytate contents were significantly higher in cocoyam when compared with potato. Cooking remarkably reduced the anti‐nutrient contents of both tubers.PRACTICAL APPLICATIONSThis study provides evidence that commercially available cocoyam (Colocasia esculenta) and potato (Solanum tuberosum) in South Africa have very close nutritional values. Cocoyam compared favorably with potato and even excelled in some nutrients. Thus, cocoyam consumption could be encouraged and popularized as an additional tuber crop.
OPTIMIZATION OF A HS‐SPME/GC‐MS METHOD FOR DETERMINATION OF VOLATILE COMPOUNDS IN SOME CUBAN UNIFLORAL HONEYS
Authors: CEBALLOS LIENA , PINO JORGE A. , QUIJANO‐CELIS CLARA E. , DAGO ANGEL 
Published: June 2010

ABSTRACT A headspace (HS)/solid phase microextraction (SPME)/gas chromatography‐mass spectrometry (GC‐MS) method was developed to determine the profiles of volatile compounds from three Cuban unifloral honeys: Turbina corymbosa (L.) Raf., Ipomoea triloba L. and Gouania polygama (Jacq.) Urb. The optimization of the extraction conditions was carried out by response surface methodology. The analytical conditions of the optimized HS‐SPME method were: 65 µm PDMS/DVB fiber, 6 g honey, 3 mL water and 20% w/w sodium chloride, 20 min for pre‐extraction, 30 min for extraction at 60C and 4 min for GC desorption. The GC‐MS analysis allowed the identification of 181 volatile compounds in these honeys. Possible markers for the floral classification of honeys were for the T. corymbosa type: 4‐methyl methoxysalicylate, trans‐pinocarveol, chavicol, methyl anisate, trans‐α‐bergamotene and α‐bisabolol. In I. triloba honey, 2,5,5‐trimethyl‐3‐tetrahydrofuranone and 1,2‐diphenylethanol were found, while4‐methyl‐1‐pentanol and isopentyl acetate were only present in G. polygama honey. With the use of the HS‐SPME method in combination with multivariate analysis techniques such as Principal Component Analysis and K‐nearest neighbor, it was possible to discriminate the different honeys according to their floral origin.PRACTICAL APPLICATIONSHoney is a natural product produced by Apis mellifera bees from nectar and secretions of the living parts of the plants. According to the nectar source, honeys can be multifloral (nectars from diverse flowers) or unifloral (nectar from only one flower). The floral origin of honey is an important characteristic in the evaluation of its quality. Control and characterization of the volatile compounds of unifloral honeys is highly important in Cuban apiculture, and has not been carried out so far. The objective of this work was to develop and optimize a method to determine origin of some Cuban unifloral honeys, by means of a headspace‐solid phase microextraction.
Exercise training‐induced improvements in insulin action
Authors: Hawley J. A. , Lessard S. J. 
Published: June 2010

AbstractIndividuals with insulin resistance are characterized by impaired insulin action on whole‐body glucose uptake, in part due to impaired insulin‐stimulated glucose uptake into skeletal muscle. A single bout of exercise increases skeletal muscle glucose uptake via an insulin‐independent mechanism that bypasses the typical insulin signalling defects associated with these conditions. However, this ‘insulin sensitizing’ effect is short‐lived and disappears after ∼48 h. In contrast, repeated physical activity (i.e. exercise training) results in a persistent increase in insulin action in skeletal muscle from obese and insulin‐resistant individuals. The molecular mechanism(s) for the enhanced glucose uptake with exercise training have been attributed to the increased expression and/or activity of key signalling proteins involved in the regulation of glucose uptake and metabolism in skeletal muscle. Evidence now suggests that the improvements in insulin sensitivity associated with exercise training are also related to changes in the expression and/or activity of proteins involved in insulin signal transduction in skeletal muscle such as the AMP‐activated protein kinase (AMPK) and the protein kinase B (Akt) substrate AS160. In addition, increased lipid oxidation and/or turnover is likely to be another mechanism by which exercise improves insulin sensitivity: exercise training results in an increase in the oxidative capacity of skeletal muscle by up‐regulating lipid oxidation and the expression of proteins involved in mitochondrial biogenesis. Determination of the underlying biological mechanisms that result from exercise training is essential in order to define the precise variations in physical activity that result in the most desired effects on targeted risk factors, and to aid in the development of such interventions.
Pharmacokinetics of Rifampin and Clarithromycin in Patients Treated for
Mycobacterium ulcerans
Infection
Authors: Alffenaar J. W. C. , Nienhuis W. A. , de Velde F. , Zuur A. T. , Wessels A. M. A. , Almeida D. , Grosset J. , Adjei O. , Uges D. R. A. , van der Werf T. S. 
Published: June 2010

ABSTRACT

In a randomized controlled trial in Ghana, treatment of
Mycobacterium ulcerans
infection with streptomycin (SM)-rifampin (RIF) for 8 weeks was compared with treatment with SM-RIF for 4 weeks followed by treatment with RIF-clarithromycin (CLA) for 4 weeks. The extent of the interaction of RIF and CLA combined on the pharmacokinetics of the two compounds is unknown in this population and was therefore studied in a subset of patients. Patients received CLA at a dose of 7.5 mg/kg of body weight once daily, rounded to the nearest 125 mg. RIF was administered at a dose of 10 mg/kg, rounded to the nearest 150 mg. SM was given at a dose of 15 mg/kg once daily as an intramuscular injection. Plasma samples were drawn at steady state and analyzed by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectroscopy. Pharmacokinetic parameters were calculated with the MW/Pharm (version 3.60) program. Comedication with CLA resulted in a 60% statistically nonsignificant increase in the area under the plasma concentration-time curve (AUC) for RIF of 25.8 mg·h/liter (interquartile ratio [IQR], 21.7 to 31.5 mg·h/liter), whereas the AUC of RIF was 15.2 mg·h/liter (IQR, 15.0 to 17.5 mg·h/liter) in patients comedicated with SM (
P
= 0.09). The median AUCs of CLA and 14-hydroxyclarithromycin (14OH-CLA) were 2.9 mg·h/liter (IQR, 1.5 to 3.8 mg·h/liter) and 8.0 mg·h/liter (IQR, 6.7 to 8.6 mg·h/liter), respectively. The median concentration of CLA was above the MIC of
M. ulcerans
, but that of 14OH-CLA was not. In further clinical studies, a dose of CLA of 7.5 mg/kg twice daily should be used (or with an extended-release formulation, 15 mg/kg should be used) to ensure higher levels of exposure to CLA and an increase in the time above the MIC compared to those achieved with the currently used dose of 7.5 mg/kg once daily.
First Report of the Multidrug Resistance Gene
cfr
and the Phenicol Resistance Gene
fexA
in a
Bacillus
Strain from Swine Feces
Authors: Dai Lei , Wu Cong-Ming , Wang Ming-Gui , Wang Yang , Wang Yu , Huang Si-Yang , Xia Li-Ning , Li Bei-Bei , Shen Jian-Zhong 
Published: June 2010

ABSTRACT

A multidrug resistance gene,
cfr
, and a phenicol resistance gene,
fexA
, were detected in a
Bacillus
strain, BS-01, isolated from swine feces. The
cfr
gene was carried on a novel 16.5-kb plasmid, designated pBS-01. A complete Tn
917
structure, which harbors the macrolide-lincosamide-streptogramin B resistance gene
erm
(B), was located downstream of the
cfr
gene. The
fexA
gene was discovered in the chromosomal DNA of the BS-01 strain and identified in a Tn
558
variant.
Plasmid-Mediated Resistance to Cephalosporins in
Salmonella enterica
Serovar Typhi
Authors: Morita Masatomo , Takai Nobuko , Terajima Jun , Watanabe Haruo , Kurokawa Manabu , Sagara Hiroko , Ohnishi Kenji , Izumiya Hidemasa 
Published: June 2010

ABSTRACT

This study characterized a cephalosporin-resistant
Salmonella enterica
serovar Typhi isolate. The organism possessed a plasmid encoding the CTX-M-15 extended-spectrum-β-lactamase. This plasmid is the determinant for the phenotype of cephalosporin resistance and is transferrable among
Enterobacteriaceae
.
In Vitro
Antimicrobial Activity and Mutant Prevention Concentration of Colistin against
Acinetobacter baumannii
Authors: Cai Yun , Li Ran , Liang Beibei , Bai Nan , Liu Youning , Wang Rui 
Published: June 2010

ABSTRACT

The antimicrobial activities of colistin and other antibiotics against clinical
Acinetobacter baumannii
and the mutant prevention concentration (MPC) of colistin against multidrug-resistant
A. baumannii
were studied. All 70 stains tested were sensitive to colistin. The MPC range of colistin against 30 multidrug-resistant
A. baumannii
stains was approximately 32 to >128 μg/ml, and the MPC at which 90% of the isolates tested were prevented (MPC
90
) exceeded 128 μg/ml, which was much higher than the plasma concentration of colistin at the current recommended dosage. So, combination therapy for colistin treatment of
A. baumannii
would be prudent to slow the emergence of resistance.
Antimicrobial Susceptibility Patterns for Recent Clinical Isolates of Anaerobic Bacteria in South Korea
Authors: Lee Yangsoon , Park Yongjung , Kim Myung Sook , Yong Dongeun , Jeong Seok Hoon , Lee Kyungwon , Chong Yunsop 
Published: June 2010

ABSTRACT

We determined the antimicrobial susceptibilities of 255 clinical isolates of anaerobic bacteria collected in 2007 and 2008 at a tertiary-care hospital in South Korea. Piperacillin-tazobactam, cefoxitin, imipenem, and meropenem were highly active β-lactam agents against most of the isolates tested. The rates of resistance of
Bacteroides fragilis
group organisms and anaerobic Gram-positive cocci to moxifloxacin were 11 to 18% and 0 to 27%, respectively.