Polymorphisms in EGFR Gene Predict Clinical Outcome in Unresectable Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer Treated with Radiotherapy and Platinum-Based Chemoradiotherapy

For non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), radiotherapy (RT) and platinum-based chemotherapy (CHT) are among the main treatment options. On the other hand, radioresistance and cytotoxic drug resistance are common causes of failure. The epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) plays an important role in radioresponse and therapy resistance. We hypothesized that single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the EGFR gene might affect individual sensitivity to these treatments, and thus, therapy outcome and prognosis. The association between functional EGFR SNPs and overall (OS), locoregional recurrence-free (LFRS), and metastasis-free (MFS) survival was examined in 436 patients with unresectable NSCLC receiving RT and platinum-based CHTRT. In a multivariate analysis, the rs712830 CC homozygotes showed reduced OS in the whole group (p = 0.039) and in the curative treatment subset (p = 0.047). The rs712829 TT genotype was strongly associated with decreased LRFS (p = 0.006), and the T-C haplotype was a risk factor for locoregional recurrence in our patients (p = 0.003). The rs2227983 GG alone and in combination with rs712829 T was an indicator of unfavorable LRFS (p = 0.028 and 0.002, respectively). Moreover, significant independent effects of these SNPs on OS, LRFS, and MFS were observed. Our results demonstrate that inherited EGFR gene variants may predict clinical outcomes in NSCLC treated with DNA damage-inducing therapy.     

Unsteady radiative heat transfer within a suspension of ZnO particles undergoing thermal dissociation

An emitting, absorbing, and anisotropically scattering plain medium containing a suspension of ZnO particles is considered, in which the particles are directly exposed to high-flux irradiation and undergo shrinkage during their endothermic dissociation into Zn(g) and O₂ at above 2100 K. The unsteady energy equation that links the rate of radiative heat transfer to the rate of the chemical reaction is formulated and solved numerically by the finite volume technique and the explicit Euler time-integration scheme. The path-length Monte Carlo method is applied for modeling the radiative transfer within the suspension using the absorption/scattering coefficients and the scattering phase function obtained from the Mie theory. It is found that the particle suspension can be heated rapidly from its initial 300 K to over 1800 K in less than 0.1 s, resulting in a more uniform temperature profile as the reaction progresses, particles shrink, and the suspension becomes optically thinner. The chemical conversion increases with decreasing initial particle diameter and volume fraction due to the efficient radiative absorption.     

Synergistic effect in gamma-irradiated poly(vinyl chloride) hard foils stabilized by plasticizer–stabilizer systems

Changes in transparency and color as well as G_HCl values of hard PVC foils exposed to gamma radiation were investigated while using different amounts of the stabilizers ethylene glycol bis-β-aminocrotonate (I), calcium/zinc laurate + epoxy compounds (II), and magnesium/zinc stearate + sorbitol + epoxy compounds (III), and plasticizers dioctyl phthalate (DOP) (IV), dioctyl sebacate (V), propylene glycol polyadipate + octyl alcohol composition (VI), and diisotridecyl phthalate (VII). A strong synergistic effect was observed in systems containing both plasticizer and stabilizer. Best results were obtained for the I + II + IV, I + II + V, and I + III + V systems.     

Selective separation of yttrium from rare earth elements by ion interaction chromatography. Analytical and larger scale applications

ABSTRACT

New ion interaction chromatographic (IIC) method employing Kromasil 100 C₁₈ column and tetra-n-butylammonium hydroxide (TBAOH) as an ion interaction reagent (IIR) is able to separate yttrium from Rare Earth Elements (REE) as anionic complexes with nitrilotriacetic acid (NTA). New method for the chromatographic determination of Y in REE mixture was devised and validated by the analysis of the certified reference material (CRM). Potential possibilities of the new chromatographic system for larger scale applications including macro-micro events were demonstrated.     

Iris-based human identity recognition with machine learning methods and discrete fast Fourier transform

Innovations in Systems and Software Engineering - One of the most important modules of computer systems is the one that is responsible for user safety. It was proven that simple passwords and...     

Charge trapping in bilayers of conducting polymers under open circuit conditions: a protection of conducting polymer films from spontaneous charging/discharging

Spontaneous charging/discharging processes of polymers: polypyrrole and poly(N-methylpyrrole), doped with perchlorate (anion exchanging PPy and PMPy, respectively) and poly(4-styrenesulphonate) ions (cation exchanging PPy(PSS) and PMPy(PSS)) occurring in aqueous electrolyte solutions were studied using different electrochemical techniques. These reactions (oxidation of the polymer by dissolved oxygen and discharge of the polymer redox capacitance) are usually undesired processes leading to alteration of the charge accumulated in the polymer films. This paper points out that these processes can be significantly limited in polymer bilayers due to effect of charge trapping.     

Discrete time sliding mode control with reduced switching – a new reaching law approach

In this paper, a novel reaching law for discrete‐time variable structure systems is proposed. It ensures that the representative point (state) of the controlled plant approaches the switching plane in finite time and then crosses it in every subsequent step. Moreover, the proposed reaching law ensures that for the nominal plant the absolute value of the sliding variable asymptotically decreases to zero, and for the perturbed plant, it converges to a smaller interval around zero than with the application of previously proposed reaching laws. The control method proposed in this paper guarantees asymptotic stability of the nominal system and uniform ultimate boundedness of the perturbed one. Furthermore, the method ensures that the sliding variable rate of change (i.e. the difference between its values at any two subsequent sampling instants) is bounded by design parameters, which do not depend on the system initial conditions. This is a highly desirable property, as it results in a priori specified, ‘almost’ constant convergence rate of the sliding variable when the system state is far off the switching plane and helps enforce state constraints in the system. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

INSIGMA: an intelligent transportation system for urban mobility enhancement

Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS) aim to improve safety, mobility and environmental performance of road transport. The INSIGMA project provides a fresh look at the possible innovations in this field, by enhancing the functionality and accuracy of ITS in urban environments. This paper describes the architecture, sensors, processing algorithms, output modules and advantages of the developed system. A comparison of existing ITS systems has been provided as background. Special attention has been given to performance and privacy issues, as the system includes social aspects such as location monitoring.