Next-Generation Grade and Survival Expression Biomarkers of Human Gliomas Based on Algorithmically Reconstructed Molecular Pathways

In gliomas, expression of certain marker genes is strongly associated with survival and tumor type and often exceeds histological assessments. Using a human interactome model, we algorithmically reconstructed 7494 new-type molecular pathways that are centered each on an individual protein. Each single-gene expression and gene-centric pathway activation was tested as a survival and tumor grade biomarker in gliomas and their diagnostic subgroups (IDH mutant or wild type, IDH mutant with 1p/19q co-deletion, MGMT promoter methylated or unmethylated), including the three major molecular subtypes of glioblastoma (proneural, mesenchymal, classical). We used three datasets from The Cancer Genome Atlas and the Chinese Glioma Genome Atlas, which in total include 527 glioblastoma and 1097 low grade glioma profiles. We identified 2724 such gene and 2418 pathway survival biomarkers out of total 17,717 genes and 7494 pathways analyzed. We then assessed tumor grade and molecular subtype biomarkers and with the threshold of AUC > 0.7 identified 1322/982 gene biomarkers and 472/537 pathway biomarkers. This suggests roughly two times greater efficacy of the reconstructed pathway approach compared to gene biomarkers. Thus, we conclude that activation levels of algorithmically reconstructed gene-centric pathways are a potent class of new-generation diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers for gliomas.     

Plant zero structure and further order reduction of a singular H∞ controller

A new class of reduced‐order controllers is obtained for the H_∞ problem. The reduced‐order controller does not compromise the performance attained by the full‐order controller. Algorithms for deriving reduced‐order H_∞ controllers are presented in both continuous and discrete time. The reduction in order is related to unstable transmission zeros of the subsystem from disturbance inputs to measurement outputs. In the case where the subsystem has no infinite zeros, the resulting order of the H_∞ controller is lower than that of the existing reduced‐order H_∞ controller designs which are based on reduced‐order observer design. Furthermore, the mechanism of the controller order reduction is analysed on the basis of the two‐Riccati equation approach. The structure of the reduced‐order H_∞ controller is investigated. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Comparative Antimicrobial Activity of Silver Nanoparticles Obtained by Wet Chemical Reduction and Solvothermal Methods

The synthesis of nanoparticles from noble metals has received high attention from researchers due to their unique properties and their wide range of applications. Silver nanoparticles (AgNPs), in particular, show a remarkable inhibitory effect against microorganisms and viruses. Various methods have been developed to obtain AgNPs, however the stability of such nanostructures over time is still challenging. Researchers attempt to obtain particular shapes and sizes in order to tailor AgNPs properties for specific areas, such as biochemistry, biology, agriculture, electronics, medicine, and industry. The aim of this study was to design AgNPs with improved antimicrobial characteristics and stability. Two different wet chemical routes were considered: synthesis being performed (i) reduction method at room temperatures and (ii) solvothermal method at high temperature. Here, we show that the antimicrobial properties of the obtained AgNPs, are influenced by their synthesis route, which impact on the size and shape of the structures. This work analyses and compares the antimicrobial properties of the obtained AgNPs, based on their structure, sizes and morphologies which are influenced, in turn, not only by the type or quantities of precursors used but also by the temperature of the reaction. Generally, AgNPs obtained by solvothermal, at raised temperature, registered better antimicrobial activity as compared to NPs obtained by reduction method at room temperature.     

Early Postoperative Immunothrombosis of Bioprosthetic Mitral Valve and Left Atrium: A Case Report

A 72-year-old female patient with mixed rheumatic mitral valve disease and persistent atrial fibrillation underwent mitral valve replacement and suffered from a combined thrombosis of the bioprosthetic valve and the left atrium as soon as 2 days post operation. The patient immediately underwent repeated valve replacement and left atrial thrombectomy. Yet, four days later the patient died due to the recurrent prosthetic valve and left atrial thrombosis which both resulted in an extremely low cardiac output. In this patient’s case, the thrombosis was notable for the resistance to anticoagulant therapy as well as for aggressive neutrophil infiltration and release of neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs) within the clot, as demonstrated by immunostaining. The reasons behind these phenomena remained unclear, as no signs of sepsis or contamination of the BHV were documented, although the patient was diagnosed with inherited thrombophilia that could impede the fibrinolysis. The described case highlights the hazard of immunothrombosis upon valve replacement and elucidates its mechanisms in this surgical setting.     

Engineering the Thermoelectrical Properties of PEDOT:PSS by Alkali Metal Ion Effect

Engineering the electrical properties of poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene):poly(styrenesulfonate)(PEDOT:PSS)holds great potential for various applications such a...     

Nutritional Calcium Supply Dependent Calcium Balance,Bone Calcification and Calcium Isotope Ratios in Rats

Serum calcium isotopes (δ^44/42Ca) have been suggested as a non-invasive and sensitive Ca balance marker. Quantitative δ^44/42Ca changes associated with Ca flux across body compartment barriers relative to the dietary Ca and the correlation of δ^44/42Ca_Serum with bone histology are unknown. We analyzed Ca and δ^44/42Ca by mass-spectrometry in rats after two weeks of standard-Ca-diet (0.5%) and after four subsequent weeks of standard- and of low-Ca-diet (0.25%). In animals on a low-Ca-diet net Ca gain was 61 ± 3% and femur Ca content 68 ± 41% of standard-Ca-diet, bone mineralized area per section area was 68 ± 15% compared to standard-Ca-diet. δ^44/42Ca was similar in the diets, and decreased in feces and urine and increased in serum in animals on low-Ca-diet. δ^44/42Ca_Bone was higher in animals on low-Ca-diet, lower in the diaphysis than the metaphysis and epiphysis, and unaffected by gender. Independent of diet, δ^44/42Ca_Bone was similar in the femora and ribs. At the time of sacrifice, δ^44/42Ca_Serum inversely correlated with intestinal Ca uptake and histological bone mineralization markers, but not with Ca content and bone mineral density by µCT. In conclusion, δ^44/42Ca_Bone was bone site specific, but mechanical stress and gender independent. Low-Ca-diet induced marked changes in feces, serum and urine δ^44/42Ca in growing rats. δ^44/42Ca_Serum inversely correlated with markers of bone mineralization.     

A water coverage extraction approach to track inundation in the Saskatchewan River Delta,Canada

Tracking surface water coverage changes is a complicated task for many regions of the world. It is, however, essential to monitor the associated biological changes and bioproductivity. We present a methodology to track contemporary water coverage changes using optical remote sensing and use it to estimate historical summer water coverage in a large river delta. We used a geographical information system automated routine, based on the modified normalized difference water index, to extract the surface water coverage area (SWCA) from optical satellite data sets using the surface water extraction coverage area tool (SWECAT). It was applied to measure SWCA during drought and flood peaks in the Saskatchewan River Delta in Canada, from Landsat, SPOT and RapidEye images. Landsat results compared favourably with Canadian National Hydro Network (CNHN) GeoBase data, with deviations between SWCA classifications and the base CNHN GeoBase shapefile of ~2%. Difference levels between the extracted SWCA layer from Landsat and the higher resolution commercial satellites (SPOT and RapidEye) were also less than 2%. SWCA was tightly linked to discharge and level measurements from in-channel gauges (r² > 0.70). Using the SWCA versus discharge relationship for the gauge with the longest record, we show that peak summer SWCA has declined by half over the last century, from 13% of our study area to 6%, with likely implications for fish and wildlife production.     

Analyzing probabilistic pushdown automata

The paper gives a summary of the existing results about algorithmic analysis of probabilistic pushdown automata and their subclasses.     

Log Analysis Across System Boundaries

Abstract. This article covers the importance of employing a cross-platform and cross-application log management approach rather than a siloed approach to collecting and reviewing logs for simplifying security and operational monitoring as well as compliance initiatives.     

Isogeometric shape optimization of vibrating membranes

We consider a model problem of isogeometric shape optimization of vibrating membranes whose shapes are allowed to vary freely. The main obstacle we face is the need for robust and inexpensive extension of a B-spline parametrization from the boundary of a domain onto its interior, a task which has to be performed in every optimization iteration. We experiment with two numerical methods (one is based on the idea of constructing a quasi-conformal mapping, whereas the other is based on a spring-based mesh model) for carrying out this task, which turn out to work sufficiently well in the present situation. We perform a number of numerical experiments with our isogeometric shape optimization algorithm and present smooth, optimized membrane shapes. Our conclusion is that isogeometric analysis fits well with shape optimization.