Application of analysis of variance and post hoc comparisons to studying the discriminative power of sound parameters in distinguishing between musical instruments

In this paper, the influence of the selected sound features on distinguishing between musical instruments is presented. The features were chosen basing on our previous research. Coherent groups of features were created on the basis of significant features, according to the parameterization method applied, in order to constitute small, homogenous groups. In this research, we investigate (for each feature group separately) if there exist significant differences between means of these features for the studied instruments. We apply analysis of variance along with post hoc comparisons in the form of homogeneous groups, defined by mean values of the investigated features for our instruments. If a statistically significant difference is found, then the homogenous group is established. Such a group may consist of only one instrument (distinguished by this feature), or more (instruments similar with respect to this feature). The results show which instruments can be best discerned by which features.     

An ensemble classification-based approach applied to retinal blood vessel segmentation

This paper presents a new supervised method for segmentation of blood vessels in retinal photographs. This method uses an ensemble system of bagged and boosted decision trees and utilizes a feature vector based on the orientation analysis of gradient vector field, morphological transformation, line strength measures, and Gabor filter responses. The feature vector encodes information to handle the healthy as well as the pathological retinal image. The method is evaluated on the publicly available DRIVE and STARE databases, frequently used for this purpose and also on a new public retinal vessel reference dataset CHASE_DB1?which is a subset of retinal images of multiethnic children from the Child Heart and Health Study in England (CHASE) dataset. The performance of the ensemble system is evaluated in detail and the incurred accuracy, speed, robustness, and simplicity make the algorithm a suitable tool for automated retinal image analysis.     

Co-doped ceria-based solid solution in the CeO2-M2O3-CaO, M = Sm, Gd system

The Pechinni method (A) as well as hydrothermal treatment (B) of co-precipitated CeO₂-based gels with NaOH solution were used to synthesise pure CeO₂, and CeO₂-based solid solutions with formula Ce_1−xM_xO₂, Ce_1−x(M_0.5Ca_0.5)_xO₂ M = Gd, Sm for 0.15 < x < 0.3 nanopowders. The thermal evolution of CeO₂-based precursors during heating them up to 1000 °C was monitored by thermal (TG, DTA) analysis and X-ray diffraction method. All nanopowders and samples sintered were found to be pure CeO₂ or ceria-based solutions with fluorite-type structure. The microstructure of CeO₂-based sintered samples at 1500 °C (A) or 1250 °C (B) was observed for 2 h under the scanning electron microscope. The electrical properties of singly Ce_1−xM_xO₂ or doubly doped CeO₂-based samples with formula Ce_1−x(M_0.5Ca_0.5)_xO₂, M = Gd, Sm, 0.15 < x < 0.30 were investigated by means of the ac impedance spectroscopy method throughout the temperature range of 600-800 °C. It has been stated that partial substitution of calcium by samarium or calcium by gadolinium in the Ce_1−x(M_0.5Ca_0.5)_xO₂, M = Gd, Sm solid solutions leads to ionic conductivity enhancement comparable with only samaria- or gadolina-doped ceria. The CeO₂-based samples with small-grained microstructures obtained from powders synthesised by hydrothermal method exhibited better ionic conductivity than samples with the same composition obtained from powders synthesised by the Pechinii method. The stability of the electrolytic properties of selected co-doped ceria sinters in fuel gases (H₂, CH₄) as well as exhaust gases from diesel engine was also investigated. The co-doped Ce_0.8(Sm_0.5Ca_0.5)_0.2O₂ or Ce_0.85(Gd_0.5Ca_0.5)_0.15O₂ dense samples would appear be to more adequate oxide electrolytes than Ce_1−xM_xO₂, M = Sm, Gd and x = 0.15 or 0.2 for electrochemical devices operating at temperatures ranging from 600 to 700 °C.     

Discovery and Structure–Activity Relationships of N-Aryl 6-Aminoquinoxalines as Potent PFKFB3 Kinase Inhibitors

Energy and biomass production in cancer cells are largely supported by aerobic glycolysis in what is called the Warburg effect. The process is regulated by key enzymes, among which phosphofructokinase PFK-2 plays a significant role by producing fructose-2,6-biphosphate; the most potent activator of the glycolysis rate-limiting step performed by phosphofructokinase PFK-1. Herein, the synthesis, biological evaluation and structure–activity relationship of novel inhibitors of 6-phosphofructo-2-kinase/fructose-2,6-biphosphatase 3 (PFKFB3), which is the ubiquitous and hypoxia-induced isoform of PFK-2, are reported. X-ray crystallography and docking were instrumental in the design and optimisation of a series of N-aryl 6-aminoquinoxalines. The most potent representative, N-(4-methanesulfonylpyridin-3-yl)-8-(3-methyl-1-benzothiophen-5-yl)quinoxalin-6-amine, displayed an IC₅₀ of 14 nm for the target and an IC₅₀ of 0.49 μm for fructose-2,6-biphosphate production in human colon carcinoma HCT116 cells. This work provides a new entry in the field of PFKFB3 inhibitors with potential for development in oncology.     

Nucleobindin-2/Nesfatin-1—A New Cancer Related Molecule?

Cancer is a heterogeneous disease, and even tumors with similar clinicopathological characteristics show different biology, behavior, and treatment responses. As a result, there is an urgent need to define new prognostic and predictive markers to make treatment options more personalized. According to the latest findings, nucleobindin-2/nesfatin-1 (NUCB2/NESF-1) is an important factor in cancer development and progression. Nucleobindin-2 is a precursor protein of nesfatin-1. As NUCB2 and nesfatin-1 are colocalized in each tissue, their expression is often analyzed together as NUCB2. The metabolic function of NUCB2/NESF-1 is related to food intake, glucose metabolism, and the regulation of immune, cardiovascular and endocrine systems. Recently, it has been demonstrated that high expression of NUCB2/NESF-1 is associated with poor outcomes and promotes cell proliferation, migration, and invasion in, e.g., breast, colon, prostate, endometrial, thyroid, bladder cancers, or glioblastoma. Interestingly, nesfatin-1 is also considered an inhibitor of the proliferation of human adrenocortical carcinoma and ovarian epithelial carcinoma cells. These conflicting results make NUCB2/NESF-1 an interesting target of study in the context of cancer progression. The present review is the first to describe NUCB2/NESF-1 as a new prognostic and predictive marker in cancers.     

Nerve guidance channels based on PLLA–PTMC biomaterial

Biodegradable polymers of poly(lactic acid) (PLLA) and synthesized in‐house poly(trimethylene carbonate) (PTMC) with admixture of water‐soluble methyl cellulose (MC) were used for development of nerve guidance tubes for peripheral nervous system regeneration after injury. Fabrication method involved phase separation of viscous dixane solution of polymers mixture seat on a rod in a proper nonsolvent, which resulted in tubular structure of large porosity. Influence of electron beam sterilization on molecular weight, thermal properties of the polymers, and mechanical performance of the tubes was evaluated. Admixture of hydrophilic MC to synthetic polymers resulted in modification of mechanical properties of the channels. Extraction of MC showed potential of the tubes for releasing water‐soluble bioactive molecules, such as for instance growth factors. Basic in vitro MTT and LDH assays showed no cytotoxic effect of manufactured tubes, therefore, animal experimentations may be considered. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci., 2013     

Bioactive compounds in spelt bread

In this study the milling and baking characteristics of ten strains of spelt wheat (Triticum aestivum ssp. spelta) originated from Polish breeding were shown. Evaluation of the grain included test weight, vitreousness and hardness. White spelt flour with extraction rate of 65–70% was characterized through the analyses of ash, protein, wet gluten and starch contents as well as Farinograph test, Amylograph test and falling number. Most of spelt wheat varieties investigated demonstrated good milling properties and high baking quality. The spelt breads were analyzed for their potential beneficial components, including total phenolic compounds (TPC) and flavonoids (TF), tocopherols (T) and tocotrienols (T3), inositol phosphates (IP) and reduced (GSH) and oxidized (GSSG) glutathione, and then compared to commercial wheat roll based on wheat flour with extraction rate of approximately 70%. The comparison of the bioactive compounds content between spelt breads and wheat showed a similar level of TPC, TF and GSH. The tocopherols and tocotrienols content in spelt bread was about twice lower when compared to wheat roll. Moreover, spelt wheat bread formulated from flour originated from STH 915 strain showed higher content of inositol phosphates when compared to wheat roll and to those breads from flour of STH 975 and STH 974 strains.