Dynamic rough clustering and its applications

Dynamic data mining has gained increasing attention in the last decade. It addresses changing data structures which can be observed in many real-life applications, e.g. buying behavior of customers. As opposed to classical, i.e. static data mining where the challenge is to discover pattern inherent in given data sets, in dynamic data mining the challenge is to understand – and in some cases even predict – how such pattern will change over time. Since changes in general lead to uncertainty, the appropriate approaches for uncertainty modeling are needed in order to capture, model, and predict the respective phenomena considered in dynamic environments. As a consequence, the combination of dynamic data mining and soft computing is a very promising research area. The proposed algorithm consists of a dynamic clustering cycle when the data set will be refreshed from time to time. Within this cycle criteria check if the newly arrived data have structurally changed in comparison to the data already analyzed. If yes, appropriate actions are triggered, in particular an update of the initial settings of the cluster algorithm. As we will show, rough clustering offers strong tools to detect such changing data structures. To evaluate the proposed dynamic rough clustering algorithm it has been applied to synthetic as well as to real-world data sets where it provides new insights regarding the underlying dynamic phenomena.     

Megasonic agitation for enhanced electrodeposition of copper

In this paper we propose an agitation method based on megasonic acoustic streaming to overcome the limitations in plating rate and uniformity of the metal deposits during the electroplating process. Megasonic agitation at a frequency of 1 MHz allows the reduction of the thickness of the Nernst diffusion layer to less than 600 nm. Two applications that demonstrate the benefits of megasonic acoustic streaming are presented: the formation of uniform ultra-fine pitch flip-chip bumps and the metallisation of high aspect ratio microvias. For the latter application, a multi-physics based numerical simulation is implemented to describe the hydrodynamics introduced by the acoustic waves as they travel inside the deep microvias.     

Enantiospecific Synthesis and Cytotoxicity Evaluation of Oximidine II Analogues

Analogues of the anticancer natural product oximidine II were prepared and evaluated for cytotoxicity. One analogue of oximidine II that carries a C15 allylic amide side chain as well as two analogues with C15 vinyl sulfone side chains were found to lack cytotoxicity against the cancer cell line SK‐Mel‐5, thereby confirming the necessity of the C15 enamide side chain of oximidine II for cytotoxicity. Four analogues, designed by comparative molecular similarity index analysis (CoMSIA), that feature a less complex macrolactone scaffold were prepared and tested. The two analogues carrying a C15 vinyl sulfone group and the two analogues with a C15 oximidine II enamide side chain showed weak cytotoxicity against the SK‐Mel‐5 cell line and other cell lines, indicating that the designed simplified macrocycles cannot replace the oximidine II macrocycle.     

Short fiber-reinforced oxide fiber composites

This paper presents a novel fiber spraying process for the manufacturing of short fiber bundle-reinforced Nextel™ 610/Al₂O₃-ZrO₂ oxide fiber composites (SF-OFC) and its characterization. First, the influence of varying fiber lengths (7, 14, and 28 mm, continuous fibers) and fiber orientations (unidirectional 0°, quasi-isotropic, ±45°) was investigated using hand-laid SF-OFC. Due to the weak matrix, the hand-laid material exhibited a strongly fiber-dominated material behavior, that is, variations in fiber length and orientation had a strong influence on the material properties. Second, the automated sprayed SF-OFC, however, exhibited a random orientation of the fiber bundles, which resulted in in-plane isotropic material properties. Average bending strengths of up to 177 MPa, strains of .39%, and a quasi-ductile fracture behavior were achieved. The strain was, therefore, in the range of fabric-reinforced OFC. While the bending strength of the SF-OFC was somewhat lower than that of fabric-reinforced OFC with the fiber orientation parallel to the loading direction, it was more than two times higher than the strength in 45° direction relative to the fabric reinforcement. Combined with good drapability and lower material costs compared to fabric-reinforced OFC, SF-OFC is, therefore, a promising material for industrial applications.     

Hyperthermia and Serotonin: The Quest for a “Better Cyproheptadine”

Fine temperature control is essential in homeothermic animals. Both hyper- and hypothermia can have deleterious effects. Multiple, efficient and partly redundant mechanisms of adjusting the body temperature to the value set by the internal thermostat exist. The neural circuitry of temperature control and the neurotransmitters involved are reviewed. The GABAergic inhibitory output from the brain thermostat in the preoptic area POA to subaltern neural circuitry of temperature control (Nucleus Raphe Dorsalis and Nucleus Raphe Pallidus) is a function of the balance between the (opposite) effects mediated by the transient receptor potential receptor TRPM2 and EP3 prostaglandin receptors. Activation of TRPM2-expressing neurons in POA favors hypothermia, while inhibition has the opposite effect. Conversely, EP3 receptors induce elevation in body temperature. Activation of EP3-expressing neurons in POA results in hyperthermia, while inhibition has the opposite effect. Agonists at TRPM2 and/or antagonists at EP3 could be beneficial in hyperthermia control. Activity of the neural circuitry of temperature control is modulated by a variety of 5-HT receptors. Based on the theoretical model presented the “ideal” antidote against serotonin syndrome hyperthermia appears to be an antagonist at the 5-HT receptor subtypes 2, 4 and 6 and an agonist at the receptor subtypes 1, 3 and 7. Very broadly speaking, such a profile translates in a sympatholytic effect. While a compound with such an ideal profile is presently not available, better matches than the conventional antidote cyproheptadine (used off-label in severe serotonin syndrome cases) appear to be possible and need to be identified.     

miRNome Profiling and Functional Analysis Reveal Involvement of hsa-miR-1246 in Colon Adenoma-Carcinoma Transition by Targeting AXIN2 and CFTR

Regulatory changes occurring early in colorectal cancer development remain poorly investigated. Since the majority of cases develop from polyps in the adenoma-carcinoma transition, a search of early molecular features, such as aberrations in miRNA expression occurring prior to cancer development, would enable identification of potentially causal, rather than consequential, candidates in the progression of polyp to cancer. In the current study, by employing small RNA-seq profiling of colon biopsy samples, we described differentially expressed miRNAs and their isoforms in the adenoma-carcinoma transition. Analysis of healthy-adenoma-carcinoma sequence in an independent validation group enabled us to identify early deregulated miRNAs including hsa-miR-1246 and hsa-miR-215-5p, the expressions of which are, respectively, gradually increasing and decreasing. Loss-of-function experiments revealed that inhibition of hsa-miR-1246 lead to reduced cell viability, colony formation, and migration rate, thereby indicating an oncogenic effect of this miRNA in vitro. Subsequent western blot and luciferase reporter assay provided evidence of hsa-miR-1246 being involved in the regulation of target AXIN2 and CFTR genes’ expression. To conclude, the present study revealed possible involvement of hsa-miR-1246 in early colorectal cancer development and regulation of tumor suppressors AXIN2 and CFTR.     

Kuppelproduktion und Umweltpolitik: Eine Fallstudie zur Chlorchemie und zur Schwefelsäureindustrie

Joint Production and Environmental Policy: A Case Study for the Chlorine and Sulphuric Acid Industry The chemical industry is a key sector of industrialised economy. Thus, environmental policy with a focus on the chemical industry is likely to affect the economy as a whole. In this article we show, that environmental regulation of the chemical industry has major consequences for other production sectors. Two major problem areas of the chemical industry are considered: the chlorine industry and the sulphur industry. While the chlorine industry can cope with environmental legislation by process and product innovation without a substantial impact on other sectors, this is not the case with the sulphur industry. The production of its key product, sulphuric acid, utilises joint products of other sectors as inputs. The chemical industry offers these sectors the possibility to dispose of their unwanted by-products. Environmental policy, directed towards a reduction of sulphuric acid is likely to cause a waste disposal problem in sectors which manufacture sulphur or sulphur dioxide as by-products. Solving environmental problems within the chemical industry therefore creates new problems in other sectors.