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This study aimed to clarify the mechanism of propofol on proliferation and apoptosis of colorectal cancer (CRC) cell. SW620 and HCT15 cells were exposed to different concentrations of propofol, the proliferation and apoptotic rate, were measured by MTT, colony formation and f low cytometry assays, respectively. The expressions of miR-1-3p and insulin-like growth factors 1 (IGF1) were examined by real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR). Western bolt was employed to quantify the protein levels of IGF1 and apoptotic proteins. The molecular interaction between miR-1-3p and IGF1 was validated using dual-luciferase reporter assay. A xenograft tumor model was established to further assess the effects of propofol on CRC in vivo. Propofol dramatically decreased the proliferation and elevated apoptotic rate of CRC cells. RT-qPCR assay demonstrated that miR-1-3p was downregulated in CRC cells, and could be strikingly increased by propofol. Importantly, miR-1-3p inhibited IGF-1 expression through interacting with its 3'-UTR region, thus inactivating AKT/mTOR signals. Gain or loss of functional study revealed that miR-1-3p downregulation remarkedly diminished the anti-tumor roles of propofol by directly inhibiting IGF1. In vivo study showed that propofol inhibited tumor growth by regulating miR-1-3p/IGF1 axis. Our data eventually elucidated that propofol suppressed CRC progression by promoting miR-1-3p which targeted IGF1. These results might provide a scientific basis for the application of propofol on the clinical surgery and the prognosis of patients with CRC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cav3 channels play an important role in modulating chronic pain. However, less is known about the functional changes of Cav3 channels in superficial spinal dorsal horn in neuropathic pain states. Here, we examined the effect of partial sciatic nerve ligation (PSNL) on either expression or electrophysiological properties of Cav3 channels in superficial spinal dorsal horn. Our in vivo studies showed that the blockers of Cav3 channels robustly alleviated PSNL-induced mechanical allodynia and thermal hyperalgesia, which lasted at least 14 days following PSNL. Meanwhile, PSNL triggered an increase in both mRNA and protein levels of Cav3.2 but not Cav3.1 or Cav3.3 in rats. However, in Cav3.2 knockout mice, PSNL predominantly attenuated mechanical allodynia but not thermal hyperalgesia. In addition, the results of whole-cell patch-clamp recordings showed that both the overall proportion of Cav3 current-expressing neurons and the Cav3 current density in individual neurons were elevated in spinal lamina II neurons from PSNL rats, which could not be recapitulated in Cav3.2 knockout mice. Altogether, our findings reveal that the elevated functional Cav3.2 channels in superficial spinal dorsal horn may contribute to the mechanical allodynia in PSNL-induced neuropathic pain model. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, we employ a cooperative game to study coalition performance of a parallel service system with nonexponential service times, which is comprised of n independent parallel M/Ek/1 queues, where the service times of the coalitions are designed as a closed-form framework. For such a queueing cooperative game, we use the Erlang service time distributions to make analysis of various coalitions more feasible, and specifically, it is easy to set up a characteristic function for the coalitions under an Erlang closed-form framework. Once the characteristic function is given in the queueing cooperative game, we compute the Shapley value, the Owen value and the core whose aim is to suitably provide the cost allocation for the coalitions. Furthermore, we use numerical examples to give useful observation on the cost allocations for the coalitions through the Shapley value, the Owen value and the core. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Service systems and their cooperation are one of the most important and hot topics in management and information sciences. To design a reasonable allocation mechanism of service systems is the key issue in the cooperation of service systems. In this paper, we systematically introduce the interval Shapley value as cost allocation of cooperative interval games (N, V) arising from cooperation in a multi-server service system, and provide an explicit expression for the interval Shapley value of cooperative interval games (N, V). We construct an interval game (N,W) of a service system which shares the same value for the grand coalition with the original interval game, by using the characteristic function which is dominated by the function of the original interval game. Finally, we prove that the interval game (N,W) is concave, which means that the interval Shapley value of the interval game (N,W) is in the interval core of this interval game, and illustrate this conclusion by using numerical examples. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper addresses single-machine scheduling and due-window assignment with common flow allowances and resource-dependent processing times. Due-window assignment with common flow allowances means that each job has a job-dependent due window, the start time and finish time of which are equal to its actual processing time plus individual job-independent parameters shared by all the jobs, respectively. The processing time of each job can be controlled by extra resource allocation as a linear function of the amount of a common continuously divisible resource allocated to the job. Two criteria are considered, where one criterion is an integrated cost consisting of job earliness, weighted number of tardy jobs, and due-window assignment cost, while the other criterion is the resource consumption cost. Four different models are considered for treating the two criteria. It is shown that the problem under the model where the two criteria are integrated into a single criterion is polynomially solvable, while the problems under the other three models are all (VP-hard and an optimal solution procedure is developed for them. Two polynomially solvable cases are also identified and investigated. Finally, numerical studies with randomly generated instances are conducted to assess the performance of the proposed algorithms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper considers a single-machine scheduling and due date assignment problem in which the processing time of a job depends on its position in a processing sequence and jobs can be rejected by incurring penalties. The objective is to minimize the sum of the scheduling criterion of the accepted jobs and the total penalty of the rejected jobs. We first consider the problem with the common due date assignment method where the scheduling criterion is a cost function that includes the costs of earliness, tardiness, and due date assignment. We provide a polynomial-time algorithm to solve the problem. We then provide a unified model for solving the single-machine scheduling problem with rejection and position-dependent processing times. Finally, we extend the results to the setting involving various due date assignment methods [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A novel method for fabricating two-dimensional (2D) polymer nanochannels by combining the sidewall lithography technique with the hot embossing approach is presented in this paper. A layer of nano-thick Au film was first sputtered on the surface of the micro-sized photoresist mesas. Then, arrays of one-dimensional (1D) Au nano-sidewalls were formed by anisotropic sputter etching. By taking the 1D Au nano-sidewalls as a mask, the 2D silicon nano-mold was obtained by deep reactive ion etching. The patterns of the 2D nano-mold were replicated directly into a 1 mm thick polyethylene terephthalate substrate by using the hot embossing technique. Polymer nanochannel arrays with dimensions of about 100 nm in width, 100 nm in depth and 4 mm in length fabricated uniformly over a large area were obtained. The resolution of nano-mold patterns fabricated in our work is not limited by ultraviolet optical lithography but by the thickness of the Au film deposited onto the photoresist mesas. The proposed method provides a low-cost way to produce high-quality and high-throughput 2D polymer nanochannels. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In many real-life scheduling environments, the jobs deteriorate at a certain rate while waiting to be processed. This paper addresses some single-machine scheduling problems with past-sequence-dependent (p-s-d) delivery times and a linear deterioration. The p-s-d delivery time of a job is proportional to the job's waiting time. It is assumed that the deterioration process is reected in the job processing times being an increasing function of their starting times. We consider the following objectives: the makespan, total completion time, total weighted completion time, maximum lateness, and total absolute differences in completion times. We seek the optimal schedules for the problems to minimize the makespan and total completion time. Despite that the computational complexities of the problems to minimize the total weighted completion time and maximum lateness remain open, we present heuristics and analyze their worst-case performance ratios, and show that some special cases of the problems are polynomially solvable. We also show that the optimal schedule for the problem to minimize the total absolute differences in completion times is V -shaped with respect to the normal job processing times. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract  The integration of cellular and VoIP over WLAN (VoWLAN) systems recently has attracted considerable interest from both academia and industry. A cellular/VoWLAN dual-mode system enables users to access a low-cost VoIP service in a WLAN hotspot and switch to a wide-area cellular system without WLANs. Unfortunately, cellular/VoWLAN dual-mode mobiles suffer the power consumption problem that becomes one of the major concerns for commercial deployment of the dual-mode service. In this study, we present a novel power saving mechanism, called PIANO (paging via another radio), for the integration of heterogeneous wireless networks, and further apply the proposed methods to implement a cellular/VoWLAN dual-mode system. Based on the proposed mechanisms, a dual-mode mobile can completely switch off its WLAN interface, only leaving the cellular interface awake to listen to paging messages. When a mobile receives a paging message from its cellular interface, it wakes up the WLAN interface and responds to connection requests via WLAN networks. Therefore, a dual-mode mobile reduces the power consumption by turning off the WLAN interface during idle, and can also receive VoWLAN services. Measurement results based on the prototype system demonstrate that the proposed methods significantly extend the standby hours of a dual-mode mobile. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A portable system, using electrostatic collection, for the measurement of exhaled thoron activity in humans is described, together with details of the basic theory, equipment, calibration procedures, measurement and preliminary use. The portable system built on experience at the Argonne National Laboratory (ANL) to achieve a reduction in measurement time from 30 h to 200 min, and to increase the total efficiency of the system from 50% (at ANL) to 70%. The limit of detection of the system (2s above zero) is 0.007 Bq of thoron activity outside the body. The total standard error of this system is 47% for a thorium lung burden of 0.22 Bq. The average background of this scintillation detector was 0.003 counts min[?]1. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

There are three main hypotheses for the activation of the human uterus at labour: functional progesterone withdrawal, inflammatory stimulation, and oxytocin receptor activation. To test these alternatives we have taken information and data from the literature to develop causal pathway models for the activation of human myometrium. The data provided quantitative RT-PCR results on key genes from samples taken before and during labour. Principal component analysis showed that pre-labour samples form a homogenous group compared to those during labour. We therefore modelled the alternative causal pathways in non-labouring samples using directed graphs and statistically compared the likelihood of the different models using structural equations and D-separation approaches. Using the computer program LISREL, inflammatory activation as a primary event was highly consistent with the data (p=0.925), progesterone withdrawal, as a primary event, is plausible (p=0.499), yet comparatively unlikely, oxytocin receptor mediated initiation is less compatible with the data (p=0.091). DGraph, a software program that creates directed graphs, produced similar results (p=0.684, p=0.280, and p=0.04, respectively). This outcome supports an inflammatory aetiology for human labour. Our results demonstrate the value of directed graphs in determining the likelihood of causal relationships in biology in situations where experiments are not possible. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper empirically evaluates web site services in the liner shipping industry based on the service requirements of the user firms, i.e., shippers. The results suggest that shippers perceive tracing to be the most important service attribute of a web site, followed by customs response, vessel schedules, and electronic document service. Based on the concept of market segmentation, we employed cluster analysis to classify users (shippers) of web site services provided by liner shipping companies into four segments, namely support and performance services oriented firms, equipment information oriented firms, performance information oriented firms, and transaction services oriented firms. Theoretical and practical implications of the research findings are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Based on the success in the design of a new global search procedure on the development of a novel trail updating mechanism and the introduction of an elitist strategy to available ant colony optimization (ACO) methods, an improved ACO algorithm is proposed. In order to facilitate the implementation of the search procedure, the available local search phase is simplified also. The algorithm is tested on a mathematical function and an inverse problem, and its performances are compared with those of other well designed methods. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, we consider weak efficiency in vector optimization problems with equilibrium constraints. We obtain results on the convergence of the marginal map, the value, and the solution sets. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract We introduce a new formulation of the standard completion time variance (CTV) problem with n jobs and one machine, in which the job sequence and the processing times of the jobs are all decision variables. The processing time of job i (i=1,? ,n) can be compressed by an amount within [li, ui], which however will incur a compression cost. The compression cost is a general convex non-decreasing function of the amount of the job processing time compressed. The objective is to minimize a weighted combination of the completion time variance and the total compression cost. We show that, under an agreeable condition on the bounds of the processing time compressions, a pseudo-polynomial algorithm can be derived to find an optimal solution for the problem. Based on the pseudo-polynomial time algorithm, two heuristic algorithms H1 and H2 are proposed for the general problem. The relative errors of both heuristic algorithms are guaranteed to be no more than d, where d is a measure of deviation from the agreeable condition. While H1 can find an optimal solution for the agreeable problem, H2 is dominant for solving the general problem. We also derive a tight lower bound for the optimal solution of the general problem. The performance of H2 is evaluated by complete enumeration for small n, and by comparison with this tight lower bound for large n. Computational results (with n up to 80) are reported, which show that the heuristic algorithm H2 in general can efficiently yield near optimal solutions, when n is large. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We examine the factors that encourage firms in Hong Kong's logistics industry to implement quality management systems (QMSs) to ensure quality in their work processes. Based on a case study, we introduce a generic ten-step approach for QMS implementation, and discuss the cost and service advantages achieved in the case firm. The approach offers procedural guidelines for firms in the industry contemplating the implementation of QMS. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We consider the single machine multi-operation jobs scheduling problem to minimize the number of tardy jobs. Each job consists of several operations that belong to different families. In a schedule, each family of job operations may be processed in batches with each batch incurring a setup time. A job completes when all of its operations have been processed. The objective is to minimize the number of tardy jobs. In the literature, this problem has been proved to be strongly NP-hard for arbitrary due-dates. We show in this paper that the problem remains strongly NP-hard even when the due-dates are common and all jobs have the same processing time. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study presents an assessment of supply chain performance (SCP) in transport logistics by service providers in the transport logistics industry in Hong Kong. The industry is broadly defined as encompassing firms involved in the business of serving the physical flows of goods from a point of origin, i.e. shippers, to a point of destination, i.e. consignees, in a supply chain. These firms include those in sea transport, freight forwarding, air transport and third-party logistics services. A cross-sectional survey was conducted with firms in the industry to evaluate their perceived SCP in transport logistics and the attached importance from both cost and service perspectives. The study findings provide managerial insights for firms in the industry to understand their SCP in transport logistics and benchmark areas for performance improvement. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study describes the effect of antalarmin on basal and stimulated activity of the hypothalamo-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis function in the late gestation ovine fetus. Fetuses received antalarmin (15 mg/h i.v.) or vehicle (cremophor El 50% in ethanol) from day 130 gestational age. Antalarmin infusion did not significantly affect immunoreactive corticotropin (ir-ACTH) concentrations, although there was a tendency for ir-ACTH to be lower and cortisol concentrations were lower in the antalarmin-treated fetuses (p < 0.01). The ir-ACTH response to corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH) challenge was attenuated (p < 0.05) in the antalarmin-treated fetuses, but neither antalarmin- nor vehicle-treated fetuses had significant cortisol responses to CRH. The ir-ACTH response to hypoxia was diminished (p < 0.05) in the antalarmin-treated fetuses while the cortisol responses of antalarmin- and vehicle-treated fetuses were indistinguishable. Deconvolution analysis revealed no effect of antalarmin treatment on ir-ACTH secretory dynamics. In contrast, antalarmin decreased (p < 0.05) basal, mean and integrated cortisol. The plasma cortisol responses of antalarmin- and vehicle-treated fetuses to exogenous ACTH[sub 1–24] were indistinguishable. These data indicate that, while antalarmin inhibits CRH- and stress-induced ir-ACTH secretion, basal ir-ACTH secretion may be less affected by antalarmin treatment. Paradoxically, cortisol secretion is impaired by antalarmin infusion, although adrenal responsiveness to ACTH is not impaired. These results confirm a role for CRH in stress-induced ACTH secretion in the ovine fetus, though its role in the regulation of basal ACTH and cortisol secretion is unclear.Copyright © 2002 S. Karger AG, Basel [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Presents a study which quantified the benefits of information sharing-based supply chain partnerships. Information integration levels and the normative model; Inventory control policies under different information sharing-based partnerships; Benefits of information sharing-based partnership.

The paper is an extension of the classical permutation flow-shop scheduling problem to the case where some of the job operation processing times are convex decreasing functions of the amounts of resources (e.g., financial outlay, energy, raw material) allocated to the operations (or machines on which they are performed). Some precedence constraints among the jobs are given. For this extended permutation flow-shop problem, the objective is to find a processing order of the jobs (which will be the same on each machine) and an allocation of a constrained resource so as to minimize the duration required to complete all jobs (i.e., the makespan). A computational complexity analysis of the problem shows that the problem is NP-hard. An analysis of the structure of the optimal solutions provides some elimination properties, which are exploited in a branch-and-bound solution scheme. Three approximate algorithms, together with the results of some computational experiments conducted to test the effectiveness of the algorithms, are also presented. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article discusses the effects of learning on economic production quantity in batch production systems. The classical Economic Order Quantity and Economic Production Quantity models are for determining of the optimal lot size in batch production. Among the major assumptions of the classical Economic Order Quantity and Economic Production Quantity models are that the setup and unit variable manufacturing costs are constant and independent of order quantities. These assumptions are generally valid for items produced by machines exhibiting near-identical operational behavior. The computational studies strongly indicate that by assuming equal lot sizes one not only simplify the process of determining the optimal solutions, but can also provide close approximations to the optimal solutions. In other words, although both manufacturing and setup learning effects may affect the decision in selecting lot sizes, the "equal lot size rule" that performs very well under these learning and forgetting considerations.

A method for obtaining a low-cost and high-replication precision two-dimensional (2D) nanofluidic device with a polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) sheet is proposed. To improve the replication precision of the 2D PMMA nanochannels during the hot embossing process, the deformation of the PMMA sheet was analyzed by a numerical simulation method. The constants of the generalized Maxwell model used in the numerical simulation were calculated by experimental compressive creep curves based on previously established fitting formula. With optimized process parameters, 176 nm-wide and 180 nm-deep nanochannels were successfully replicated into the PMMA sheet with a replication precision of 98.2%. To thermal bond the 2D PMMA nanochannels with high bonding strength and low dimensional loss, the parameters of the oxygen plasma treatment and thermal bonding process were optimized. In order to measure the dimensional loss of 2D nanochannels after thermal bonding, a dimension loss evaluating method based on the nanoindentation experiments was proposed. According to the dimension loss evaluating method, the total dimensional loss of 2D nanochannels was 6 nm and 21 nm in width and depth, respectively. The tensile bonding strength of the 2D PMMA nanofluidic device was 0.57 MPa. The fluorescence images demonstrate that there was no blocking or leakage over the entire microchannels and nanochannels. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We consider stochastic cooperative game and give it the definition of the Owen value, which is obtained by extending the classical case. Then we provide explicit expression for the Owen value of the stochastic cooperative game and discuss its existence and uniqueness. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective Neurologic imaging prior to cardiac surgery often identifies incidental intracranial vascular pathology. The risk of hemorrhage from these lesions during an open cardiothoracic surgical procedure is unknown, preventing appropriate patient and surgeon counseling. We sought to identify the risk of aneurismal subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) in this population. Background Patients undergoing cardiothoracic surgery often sustain significant hemodynamic fluctuations during and after their procedure. Since the incidence of cerebral aneurysms is estimated as 1–8% based on non-invasive imaging and autopsy studies, the number of patients harboring aneurysms is significant. It is unknown whether the cardiothoracic procedure impacts on the risk of aneurysm rupture. Methods A prospective database of all cardiothoracic procedures is maintained for a large tertiary care center. Demographic, clinical, procedural and complication data are routinely collected. Data from this were reviewed for all procedures between 2001 and 2009 and neurologic complications identified. All identified strokes were reviewed for ischemia or hemorrhage, and the imaging reviewed for all hemorrhages to describe the pattern with focus on SAH and potential for aneurysms as contributory. Results In this time period, over 10 000 procedures were performed. Neurologic events occurred in 617, of which 71 were hemorrhages. Hemorrhagic transformation of an ischemic stroke accounted for 49 (HI-1, 27; HI-2, 10; PH-1, 8; PH-2, 4). Two subdural hematomas were identified and nine intraparenchymal hemorrhages were seen. SAH occurred in 11, consisting of three as a direct result of a complication from intra-arterial thrombectomy. Seven were small convexity bleeds for which three had vascular imaging performed (all negative). One SAH was the result of a fusiform supraclinoid mycotic aneurysm which developed as a result of bacterial endocarditis. This aneurysm was not present on preoperative vascular imaging and required vessel sacrifice as it continued to grow rapidly and ruptured. No cases of SAH associated with a saccular aneurysm were identified. The incidence of cerebral aneurysms of 1–9% suggests that in this population, 100–900 aneurysms should exist. With no SAH cases identified, the periprocedural risk from aneurysm rupture is less than 0.01–0.001%. Conclusions Aneurysm SAH as a direct result of open cardiothoracic surgery represents a very small risk. Consideration for management should be driven by cardiac indications with insignificant additional risk added by the incidental cerebral aneurysm found preoperatively. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Background and purpose Intracranial stenting and angioplasty has been increasingly utilized for the treatment of symptomatic intracranial atherosclerotic disease (ICAD). The use of self-expanding stents (SES) has been reported to have a high technical success rate but there are concerns with restenosis. We sought to determine if the use of balloon mounted stents (BMS) was associated with higher technical complication rates compared with self-expanding stents. Methods Three academic institutions contributed data on patients treated for symptomatic ICAD over a 3 year period (2006–2009). 259 consecutive patients were identified. Demographics, type of stent placed, periprocedural complications, per cent stenosis prior to treatment and after treatment, if the treatment was within 2 weeks of clinical symptomatology, lesion classification with the Mori scale and follow-up imaging for restenosis were collected retrospectively. A univariate analysis was performed to determine predictors of periprocedural stroke and also for restenosis at follow-up. Variables with a p value <0.20 were entered into a binary logistic regression model to indentify independent predictors. Results 259 patients with a mean age of 61±13 years with 168 (65%) patients presenting with strokes and the rest with transient ischemic attacks. The distribution of the lesions were as follows: vertebrobasilar 109 (42%), middle cerebral artery 85 (33%) and intracranial internal carotid artery 65 (25%). 79 (31%) BMS were implanted and 180 (69%) SES. A total of 17 (6.5%) patients developed a periprocedural stroke with no difference noted between use of type of stent. Patients in whom a BMS was implanted had a significant reduction in stenosis compared with SES (81±10% to 7±11% vs 80±12% to 24±9%; p<0.0001). The independent predictors of periprocedural stroke were as follows: treatment within 2 weeks (OR 2.5 (1.2 to 5.6); p<0.01), Mori B or C lesion (OR 6.7 (3.3 to 10.1); p<0.001) and patients with an index event of a stroke (OR 1.5 (1.2 to 3.4); p<0.018). The independent predictors of restenosis at follow-up were as follows: use of SES (OR 3.22 (1.40 to 7.41); p<0.006) and Mori B or C lesion (OR 3.97 (2.05 to 7.71); p<0.0001). Conclusions The use of BMS was not associated with higher complication rates but was associated with lower restenosis rates. Placement of stents in patients with more complex lesions is associated with higher periprocedural stroke rates and restenosis. Further prospective studies comparing BMS with SES are warranted. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]