bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The Multicriteria Selection Methodology of the Decision Support System
Authors: Patalas-Maliszewska Justyna , Krupa Tadeusz 
Published: March 2012

The Multicriteria Selection Methodology of the Decision Support System
An issue of building a tool orientated to the support of selection process of decision support system (DSS) for the sector of small and medium enterprises is presented in the article. A group method of data handling (GMDH) whose application allows to objectives a search process of required DSS, with assumed costs and other existing resource limitations, is proposed for this purpose. The article is devoted to a problem of GMDH adjustment to solving the tasks related to the selection of a required system from among the information systems of DSS class, according to the criteria determined by a future user of this system. The GMDH takes into account among other things such assumptions as: a precise description of dependences between input and output data in a specified time horizon, independence of the user's knowledge (the values of observed data from the past registered in the base are the input data) and minimization of modelling errors (the selection of solutions takes place by means of a selected evaluation rule of quality estimation).
Freight Transport Logistics in the Baltic Sea Region. Regional Aspects
Authors: Kabashkin Igor 
Published: March 2012

Freight Transport Logistics in the Baltic Sea Region. Regional Aspects

In the situation where a large increase in trade and freight transport volumes in the Baltic Sea Region (BSR) is expected and in which the BSR is facing a major economic restructuring, efforts to achieve more integrated and sustainable transport and communication links within the BSR are needed. One of these efforts is the development of logistics centres (LCs) and their networking, which will continue to have an impact on improving communication links, spatial planning practices and approaches, logistics chain development and the promotion of sustainable transport modes. These factors will reflect on logistics processes both in major gateway cities and in remote BSR areas.
The importance of logistics systems as a whole is not seen clearly enough. Logistics actors see that logistics operations are not appreciated as much as other fields of activity. In addition, logistics centres and the importance of logistics activities to the business life of areas and the employment rate should be brought up better.
In the paper main goal and tasks of national approach for LCs development are discussed. Strategic focus of new activities in this area is on the integration of various networks within and between logistics centres in order to improve and develop the quality of logistics networks as well as to spatially widen the networking activities.
Prevalence of Natural Polymorphisms at the HCV Ns5A Gene Associated with Resistance to Daclatasvir, An Ns5A Inhibitor
Authors: Plaza Zulema , Soriano Vincent , Vispo Eugenia , del Mar Gonzalez Maria , Barreiro Pablo , Seclén Eduardo , Poveda Eva 
Published: March 2012

Background Daclatasvir (BMS-790052) is an investigational molecule that inhibits the HCV NS5A protein and shows potent antiviral activity apparently across all HCV genotypes. Selection of drug resistance mutations has been reported only for HCV genotype 1, and no information exists for other HCV variants and/or in HIV–HCV-coinfected individuals. Methods All interferon-α-naive, HIV–HCV-coinfected patients newly attended at Hospital Carlos III (Madrid, Spain) in 2011 were identified. Changes reported to be associated with daclatasvir resistance in the in vitro replication system for HCV genotype/subtypes 1a/1b (M28T, Q30H/R, L31F/M/V, P32L and Y93C/H/N) were examined. Results A total of 78 HIV–HCV-coinfected individuals as well as 635 NS5A sequences deposited at Los Alamos HCV database were analysed. None of the NS5A sequences from HCV-1a or HCV-3 showed changes associated with daclatasvir resistance. By contrast, all NS5A sequences from HCV-4 harboured L31M. The double mutant L31M+Y93H was found in 7% of HCV-1b and 13% of HCV-4. Finally, all NS5A sequences from HCV-1b and HCV-4 harboured changes at codon 28 (M28L) and 30 (L30R), which are of unknown significance. The rate of all these NS5A polymorphisms did not differ significantly when comparing HIV–HCV-coinfected patients and sequences from HCV- monoinfected subjects deposited at Los Alamos HCV database. Conclusions Primary resistance mutations to daclatasvir, an investigational HCV NS5A inhibitor, are not seen in HCV-1a or in HCV-3 as natural polymorphisms. By contrast, they can be recognized in most HCV-1b and HCV-4 strains, regardless HIV coinfection.
Hiv-1 Drug Resistance in Antiretroviral-Naive Individuals with H I V-1-Associated Tuberculous Meningitis Initiating Antiretroviral Therapy in Vietnam
Authors: Thao Vu P , Le Thuy , Török Estee M , Yen Nguyen TB , Chau Tran TH , Jurriaans Suzanne , van Doorn Rogier H , de Jong Menno D , Farrar Jeremy J , Dunstan Sarah J 
Published: March 2012

Background Access to antiretroviral therapy (ART) for HIV-infected individuals in Vietnam is rapidly expanding, but there are limited data on HIV drug resistance (HIVDR) to guide ART strategies. Methods We retrospectively conducted HIVDR testing in 220 ART-naive individuals recruited to a randomized controlled trial of immediate versus deferred ART in individuals with HIV-associated tuberculous meningitis in Ho Chi Minh City (HCMC) from 2005–2008. HIVDR mutations were identified by population sequencing of the HIV pol gene and were defined based on 2009 WHO surveillance drug resistance mutations (SDRMs). Results We successfully sequenced 219/220 plasma samples of subjects prior to ART; 218 were subtype CRF01_AE and 1 was subtype B. SDRMs were identified in 14/219 (6.4%) subjects; 8/14 were resistant to nucleoside/nucleotide reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NRTIs; T69D, L74V, V75M, M184V/I and K219R), 5/14 to non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NNRTIs; K103N, V106M, Y181C, Y188C and G190A), 1/14 to both NRTIs and NNRTIs (D67N and Y181C) and none to protease inhibitors. After 6 months of ART, eight subjects developed protocol-defined virological failure. HIVDR mutations were identified in 5/8 subjects. All five had mutations with high-level resistance to NNRTIs and three had mutations with high-level resistance to NRTIs. Due to a high early mortality rate (58%), the effect of pre-existing HIVDR mutations on treatment outcome could not be accurately assessed. Conclusions The prevalence of WHO SDRMs in ART-naive individuals with HIV-associated tuberculous meningitis in HCMC from 2005–2008 is 6.4%. The SDRMs identified conferred resistance to NRTIs and/or NNRTIs, reflecting the standard first-line ART regimens in Vietnam.
Circulating Interleukin-6 Levels Correlate with Residual HIV Viraemia and Markers of Immune Dysfunction in Treatment-Controlled HIV-Infected Patients
Authors: Bastard Jean-Philippe , Soulié Cathia , Fellahi Soraya , Haïm-Boukobza Stephanie , Simon Anne , Katlama Christine , Calvez Vincent , Marcelin Anne-Geneviève , Capeau Jacqueline 
Published: March 2012

Background Antiretroviral therapy (ART)-controlled HIV-infected patients have elevated levels of systemic inflammatory markers, C-reactive protein (CRP) and interleukin (IL)-6, which correlate with increased cardiovascular risk and/or mortality. Persistent low-level viral replication could be involved in this inflammatory state. We evaluated whether residual viral load (VL) correlated with the level of systemic inflammatory/immune markers in ART-controlled HIV-infected patients. Methods We evaluated 122 antiretroviral-controlled patients with VL 1–500 copies/ml for circulating levels of high-sensitivity (hs)CRP, hsIL-6, IL-8, soluble (s)CD14 and soluble tumour necrosis factor (TNF) receptors, sTNFR1 and sTNFR2. Results The patients were 80.3% men, the median age was 47 years, the median CD4+ T-cell count was 519 cells/ mm3, the median nadir CD4+ T-cell count was 180 cells/ mm3, the median VL was 28 copies/ml and the median body mass index was 23.3 kg/m2. The median (range) values for IL-6, CRP, IL-8, sCD14, sTNFR1 and sTNFR2 were 0.685 pg/ml (0.15–5.46), 1.8 mg/l (0.2–9.7), 10.0 pg/ml (1.6–71.1), 1,174 ng/ml (214–3,145), 1,112 pg/ml (583–5,834) and 2,412 pg/ml (1,142–7,688), respectively. IL-6 values correlated positively with HIV VL (rho=0.217, P=0.017). The VL threshold value for significantly increased IL-6 was 31 copies/ml ( P=0.023). IL-6 values correlated with markers of immune dysfunction: the CD4/CD8 ratio (rho=- 0.248, P=0.011), CD4 nadir level (rho=-0.186, P=0.04) and nadir CD4/CD8 ratio (rho=-0.257, P=0.008). They negatively correlated with markers of immune activation sCD14 (rho=-0.236, P=0.011) and IL-8 (rho=-0.290, P=0.002). We found no correlation between VL and CRP or other markers of inflammation/immune dysfunction including sTNFR1, sTNFR2, sCD14 and IL-8. Conclusions We report here that low-range IL-6 levels correlated with low-range VL and inversely with sCD14 and IL-8. Our findings suggest that maintaining VL<30 copies/ ml in HIV-infected patients might therefore reduce IL-6.
Expression and prognostic relevance of STAT3 and cyclin D1 in non-small cell lung cancer
Authors: Ai Ting , Wang Zhouquan , Zhang Mingxin , Zhang Lingmin , Wang Ning , Li Weiwei , Song Liping 
Published: March 2012

Aim To guide clinicians in selecting treatment options for patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), it is desirable to have reliable markers predicting clinical outcome. This study analyzed the correlation between signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) and cyclin D1 in NSCLC and their association with clinicopathological features and survival. Methods We investigated 65 specimens of NSCLC tissues by immunohistochemistry using STAT3 and cyclin D1 antibodies. First we determined the correlation between STAT3 and cyclin D1 expression and the clinicopathological features of the tumor. Then we assessed the prognostic relevance of STAT3 and cyclin D1. Results A significant correlation was found between high levels of STAT3 expression and the degree of tumor differentiation. Additionally, a significant positive correlation was found between the expression of STAT3 and cyclin D1 (r=0.405, p=0.001). The overexpression of STAT3 and the presence of metastasis were significantly associated with shorter overall survival in univariate analysis (p=0.028 and p=0.036, respectively). Multivariate analysis confirmed that STAT3 expression was an independent prognostic factor (p=0.001). Conclusions STAT3 might be correlated with tumor differentiation, and its elevated expression may be an adverse prognostic indicator for patients with NSCLC. Activation of the STAT3/cyclin D1 signaling pathway may be attributed to the malignant transformation of NSCLC and may represent a possible target for therapy.
Value Chain Flexibility with RFID: A Case Study of the Octopus Card
Authors: Ming Lam Tak 
Published: March 2012

Octopus cards are an electronic payment system based on a wireless RFID technology developed in Hong Kong. Users simply hold their contactless smartcards over an electronic reader, and the payment is deducted from the card automatically. If users link their cards to their credit card to upload money, there is no cash transaction involved. Launched in 1997, Octopus cards are the world's most widely accepted contactless RFID electronic payment system. The system generates value for customers, service providers, and societies. This article makes a theoretical and applied contribution to our understanding of strategic information systems. It adopts and modifies Porter's value chain and develops value-chain flexibility as a theoretical framework to analyze the Octopus card system. The fast and dramatic changes in customer needs, business competition, and technological innovation are creating an urgent need for flexibility throughout the whole value chain. By looking at order fulfillment as a process, the shop outlet—either online or offline—is only part of the entire flow from customer enquiry to customer receipt. It is clear that no single idea could significantly reduce customer lead time. Only a total effort from organizations to increase flexibility and eliminate bottlenecks can make the kind of difference needed to compete ( Day, 1994 ; Blackburn, 1991 ; Yusuf, Sarhadi, & Gunasekran, 1999). Therefore, value chain flexibility must be broadly defined, and it should be applied in the service industry. In other words, organizations should be able to deal with the uncertainty along the value chain to meet customer demands. This framework analyzes how the Octopus card system creates value and, in doing so, identifies key implications for customers, service providers, and society
Quadracyclic Adenine: A Non‐Perturbing Fluorescent Adenine Analogue
Authors: Dierckx Anke , Miannay Francois‐Alexandre , Ben Gaied Nouha , Preus Søren , Björck Markus , Brown Tom , Wilhelmsson L. Marcus 
Published: March 2012

AbstractFluorescent‐base analogues (FBAs) comprise a group of increasingly important molecules for the investigation of nucleic acid structure and dynamics as well as of interactions between nucleic acids and other molecules. Here, we report on the synthesis, detailed spectroscopic characterisation and base‐pairing properties of a new environment‐sensitive fluorescent adenine analogue, quadracyclic adenine (qA). After developing an efficient route of synthesis for the phosphoramidite of qA it was incorporated into DNA in high yield by using standard solid‐phase synthesis procedures. In DNA qA serves as an adenine analogue that preserves the B‐form and, in contrast to most currently available FBAs, maintains or even increases the stability of the duplex. We demonstrate that, unlike fluorescent adenine analogues, such as the most commonly used one, 2‐aminopurine, and the recently developed triazole adenine, qA shows highly specific base‐pairing with thymine. Moreover, qA has an absorption band outside the absorption of the natural nucleobases (>300 nm) and can thus be selectively excited. Upon excitation the qA monomer displays a fluorescence quantum yield of 6.8 % with an emission maximum at 456 nm. More importantly, upon incorporation into DNA the fluorescence of qA is significantly less quenched than most FBAs. This results in quantum yields that in some sequences reach values that are up to fourfold higher than maximum values reported for 2‐aminopurine. To facilitate future utilisation of qA in biochemical and biophysical studies we investigated its fluorescence properties in greater detail and resolved its absorption band outside the DNA absorption region into distinct transition dipole moments. In conclusion, the unique combination of properties of qA make it a promising alternative to current fluorescent adenine analogues for future detailed studies of nucleic acid‐containing systems.
Prospective analysis of association between use of statins and melanoma risk in the Women's Health Initiative
Authors: Jagtap Deepa , Rosenberg Carol A. , Martin Lisa W. , Pettinger Mary , Khandekar Janardan , Lane Dorothy , Ockene Ira , Simon Michael S. 
Published: March 2012

AbstractBACKGROUND:Melanoma is the most lethal form of skin cancer, with an estimated 68,130 new cases and 8700 deaths in the United States in 2010. The increasing incidence and high death rate associated with metastatic disease support the need to focus on prevention. The authors used data from the Women's Health Initiative (WHI) to assess whether 3‐hydroxy‐3 methylglutaryl coenzyme A inhibitors (statins) are associated with a decreased risk of melanoma.METHODS:The study population consisted of 119,726 postmenopausal white women, in which 1099 cases of malignant melanoma were identified over an average (±standard deviation) of 11.6 ± 3.2 years. All diagnoses were confirmed by medical record review and pathology reports. Information on statin use was collected at baseline and during follow‐up. Self‐administered and interview‐administered questionnaires were used to collect information on other risk factors. Cox proportional hazards regression was used to calculate hazard ratios (HRs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs). Analyses investigated the association of any statin use, type, potency, lipophilic status, and duration of use with melanoma.RESULTS:Statins were used by 8824 women (7.4%) at baseline. The annualized rate of melanoma was 0.09% among statin users and 0.09% among nonusers The multivariable adjusted HR for statin users compared with nonusers was 1.14 (95% CI, 0.91‐1.43). There were no significant differences in risk based on statin type, potency, category, duration, or in time‐dependent models.CONCLUSIONS:There was no significant association between statin use and melanoma risk among postmenopausal women in the WHI. Cancer 2012. © 2012 American Cancer Society.
Cluster cytometry for high‐capacity bioanalysis
Authors: Edwards Bruce S. , Zhu Jingshu , Chen Jun , Carter Mark B. , Thal David M. , Tesmer John J.G. , Graves Steven W. , Sklar Larry A. 
Published: March 2012

AbstractFlow cytometry specializes in high‐content measurements of cells and particles in suspension. Having long excelled in analytical throughput of single cells and particles, only recently with the advent of HyperCyt sampling technology, flow cytometry's multiexperiment throughput has begun to approach the point of practicality for efficiently analyzing hundreds‐of‐thousands of samples, the realm of high‐throughput screening (HTS). To extend performance and automation compatibility, we built a HyperCyt‐linked Cluster Cytometer platform, a network of flow cytometers for analyzing samples displayed in high‐density, 1,536‐well plate format. To assess the performance, we used cell‐ and microsphere‐based HTS assays that had been well characterized in the previous studies. Experiments addressed important technical issues: challenges of small wells (assay volumes 10 μL or less, reagent mixing, cell and particle suspension), detecting and correcting for differences in performance of individual flow cytometers, and the ability to reanalyze a plate in the event of problems encountered during the primary analysis. Boosting sample throughput an additional fourfold, this platform is uniquely positioned to synergize with expanding suspension array and cell barcoding technologies in which as many as 100 experiments are performed in a single well or sample. As high‐performance flow cytometers shrink in cost and size, cluster cytometry promises to become a practical, productive approach for HTS, and other large‐scale investigations of biological complexity. © 2012 International Society for Advancement of Cytometry
Road traffic control based on genetic algorithm for reducing traffic congestion
Authors: Shigehiro Yuji , Miyakawa Takuya , Masuda Tatsuya 
Published: March 2012

AbstractIn this paper, we propose a road traffic control method for reducing traffic congestion with a genetic algorithm. In the not too distant future, a system which controls the routes of all vehicles in a certain area must be realized. The system should optimize the routes of all vehicles, but the solution space of this problem is enormous. Therefore, we apply the genetic algorithm to this problem by encoding the route of all vehicles to a fixed length chromosome. To improve the search performance, a new genetic operator called “path shortening” is also designed. The effectiveness of the proposed method is shown experimentally. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Electron Comm Jpn, 95(4): 11‐19, 2012; Published online in Wiley Online Library (wileyonlinelibrary.com). DOI 10.1002/ecj.10421
Pyrolysis kinetics of raw/hydrothermally carbonized lignocellulosic biomass
Authors: Yan Wei , Islam Schinthia , Coronella Charles J. , Vásquez Victor R. 
Published: March 2012

AbstractPyrolysis of lignocellulosic biomass was performed in a thermogravimetric analyzer at temperature ranging 105 to 800°C at the heating rates of 5, 10, and 20°C min−1. Samples of raw loblolly pine and hydrothermally carbonized loblolly pine were used as feedstocks in pyrolysis study. Thermogravimetric experiments showed that more significant decomposition occurred in the pyrolysis of raw biomass compared with hydrothermally carbonized biomass, so that the raw biomass displayed a much higher volatile content and lower fixed carbon content. Derivative thermogravimetry also showed that one major decomposition reaction took place at a specific heating rate for two biomass feedstocks. Assuming that the decomposition obeys first‐order kinetics, kinetic parameters of biomass pyrolysis were determined using two methods proposed by Kissinger and Ozawa, respectively. Both methods gave analogous values of activation energy for raw and hydrothermally carbonized biomass. This study gave further confirmation that the hydrothermal carbonization (HTC) process transforms lignocellulosic biomass into an intermediate feedstock with favorable properties for thermochemical applications. © 2012 American Institute of Chemical Engineers Environ Prog, 2012
Biomass gasification with circle draft® process
Authors: Faussone Gian Claudio 
Published: March 2012

AbstractGasification seems to be a promising technology for small scale power generation, but while coal gasification has a long history and many facilities operate the process successfully, biomass hasn't the same success. Biomass gasifiers are usually based on “down draft” or “up draft” configuration and are not able to guarantee good quality syngas. Besides, they require very dry and selected feedstock, and the gas' cleaning process is usually very difficult and complex. Fluidized‐bed gasifiers are also very promising but they require feedstock's preparation in terms of size and moisture and they are quite complex to operate in comparison to “down draft” or “up draft” configurations. In order to overcome these limitations INSER has developed a new gasification system, air blown and not pressurized: the “Circle Draft®.” © 2012 American Institute of Chemical Engineers Environ Prog, 2012
Pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors: A comprehensive review
Authors: Zhou Chenfei , Zhang Jun , Zheng Ying , Zhu Zhenggang 
Published: March 2012

AbstractPancreatic neuroendocrine tumors (NETs) are a heterogeneous group of tumors. Despite being relatively rare, representing just 1–2% of all pancreatic neoplasms, the incidence of pancreatic NET has increased over the past two decades. Although the primary treatment for localized NET is surgical resection, there is still a lack of effective therapeutic options for patients with advanced unresectable pancreatic NET. Recently, the targeted agents sunitinib malate (SUTENT®, Pfizer Inc, NYC) and everolimus (AFINITOR®, Novartis, Basel, Switzerland)—both with different mechanisms of action—received United States Food and Drug Administration approval for the treatment of progressive, well‐differentiated, pancreatic NET in patients with unresectable, locally advanced or metastatic disease. SUTENT® also received approval for this indication by the European Commission in 2010. Our article presents an overview of pancreatic NET, with a focus on their diagnostic work‐up, clinical presentation and treatment options. Topics for further investigation of targeted therapy are also discussed.