Prospect theory-based portfolio optimisation: An empirical study and analysis using intelligent algorithms

The first author was part funded by RFBR (grant 14-01-00140)

Quantum size effect and interlayer electron tunneling in metal-semiconductor superlattices

A new type of quantum size effect in metal-semiconductor superlattices is predicted. Giant oscillations of the transverse tunnel conductivity arise if size quantization of the electron spectrum in the metal layers takes place. This effect is due to the fact that the probability of metal electron tunneling through a semiconductor layer depends sharply on the electron incidence angle. The oscillations have been found to exist even in disordered systems, provided the electrons in metal layers undergo low-angle scattering on imperfections

Nouvelles frontières de la chirurgie bariatrique: Chirurgie endoluminale et laparoscopie par une seule incision

Since the introduction of the natural orifices transluminal endoscopic surgery (NOTES) in bariatric surgery, a development of new endoluminal devices for primary and revisional surgery invested the last years. Contemporaly, the tendency to reduce abdominal trauma, especially to improve the cosmetic results, induced the realization of laparoscopic procedures through a single abdominal incision. The authors report an overview of the actual endoluminal procedures (primary, revisional), the different endoscopes developed or under research, and the state-of-the-art single incision laparoscopy in bariatric surgery. © 2010 Springer Paris.SCOPUS: ar.jSCOPUS: ar.jinfo:eu-repo/semantics/publishe

Vincristine delays gastric emptying and gastrointestinal transit of liquid in awake rats

We evaluated the effects of vincristine on the gastrointestinal (GI) motility of awake rats and correlated them with the course of vincristine-induced peripheral neuropathy. Vincristine or saline was injected into the tail vein of male Wistar rats (180-250 g) on alternate days: 50 µg/kg (5 doses, N = 10), 100 µg/kg (2, 3, 4 and 5 doses, N = 49) or 150 µg/kg (1, 2, or 5 doses, N = 37). Weight and stool output were measured daily for each animal. One day after completing the vincristine treatment, the animals were fasted for 24 h, gavage-fed with a test meal and sacrificed 10 min later to measure gastric emptying (GE), GI transit and colon weight. Sensory peripheral neuropathy was evaluated by hot plate testing. Chronic vincristine treatments with total cumulative doses of at least 250 µg/kg significantly decreased GE by 31-59% and GI transit by 55-93%. The effect of 5 doses of vincristine (150 µg/kg) on GE did not persist for more than 1 week. Colon weight increased after 2 and 5 doses of vincristine (150 µg/kg). Fecal output decreased up to 48 h after the fifth dose of vincristine (150 µg/kg). Vincristine decreased the heat pain threshold 1 day after 5 doses of 50-100 µg/kg or after 3-5 doses of 150 µg/kg. This effect lasted for at least 2 weeks after the fifth dose. Chronic intravenous vincristine treatment delayed GE and GI transit of liquid. This effect correlated with the peak increase in colon weight but not with the pain threshold changes