Convex Interval Games

Convex interval games are introduced and characterizations are given. Some economic situations leading to convex interval games are discussed. The Weber set and the Shapley value are defined for a suitable class of interval games and their relations with the interval core for convex interval games are established. The notion of population monotonic interval allocation scheme (pmias) in the interval setting is introduced and it is proved that each element of the Weber set of a convex interval game is extendable to such a pmias. A square operator is introduced which allows us to obtain interval solutions starting from the corresponding classical cooperative game theory solutions. It turns out that on the class of convex interval games the square Weber set coincides with the interval core

Optical Imaging and Spectroscopic Observation of the Galactic Supernova Remnant G85.9-0.6

Optical CCD imaging with H$\alpha$ and [SII] filters and spectroscopic observations of the galactic supernova remnant G85.9-0.6 have been performed for the first time. The CCD image data are taken with the 1.5m Russian-Turkish Telescope (RTT150) at TUBITAK National Observatory (TUG) and spectral data are taken with the Bok 2.3 m telescope on Kitt Peak, AZ. The images are taken with narrow-band interference filters H$\alpha$, [SII] and their continuum. [SII]/H$\alpha$ ratio image is performed. The ratio obtained from [SII]/H$\alpha$ is found to be $\sim$0.42, indicating that the remnant interacts with HII regions. G85.9-0.6 shows diffuse-shell morphology. [SII]$\lambda\lambda 6716/6731$ average flux ratio is calculated from the spectra, and the electron density $N_{e}$ is obtained to be 395 $cm^{-3}$. From [OIII]/H$\beta$ ratio, shock velocity has been estimated, pre-shock density of $n_{c}=14$ $cm^{-3}$, explosion energy of $E=9.2\times10^{50}$ ergs, interstellar extinction of $E(B-V)=0.28$, and neutral hydrogen column density of $N(HI)=1.53\times10^{21}$ $cm^{-2}$ are reported.Comment: 20 pages, 4 tables, 4 figures. Accepted for publication in Astrophysics & Space Scienc

Quaternionic Salkowski Curves and Quaternionic Similar Curves

In this paper, we give the definitions and characterizations of quaternionic Salkowski, quaternionic anti-Salkowski and quaternionic similar curves in the Euclidean spaces E^3 and E^4. We obtain relationships between these curves and some special quaternionic curves such as quaternionic slant helices and quaternionic B2-slant helices.Comment: 17 page

TOpic: rare and special cases, the real "Strange cases"

Introduction: The bladder hernia represents approximately 1-3% of all inguinal hernias, where patients aged more than 50 years have a higher incidence (10%). Many factors contribute to the development of a bladder hernia, including the presence of a urinary outlet obstruction causing chronic bladder distention, the loss of bladder tone, pericystitis, the perivesical bladder fat protrusion and the obesity

The evaluation of doxorubicin-induced cardiotoxicity: Comparison of Doppler and tissue Doppler-derived myocardial performance index

Background: Doxorubicin is a chemotherapeutic agent used in a wide spectrum of cancers. However, cardiotoxic effects have limited its clinical use. The early detection of doxorubicin-induced cardiotoxicity is crucial. The purpose of our study was to assess values of Doppler and tissue Doppler imaging (TDI)-derived myocardial performance index (MPI) in adult cancer patients receiving doxorubicin treatment. Methods: A total of 45 patients underwent echocardiographic examinations before any doxorubicin had been administered and then after doxorubicin. Doppler and TDI-derived MPI of left ventricular (LV) were determined in the evaluation of cardiotoxicity. Additionally, TDI-derived MPI of right ventricular (RV) was determined. Results: All patients underwent control echocardiographic examination after mean 5 ± 1.7 months. The LV MPI obtained by both Doppler and TDI were increased after doxorubicin treatment (0.56 ± 0.11, 0.61 ± 0.10, p = 0,005 vs 0.51 ± 0.09, 0.59 ± 0.09, p = 0.001, respectively). There was no correlation between Doppler-derived MPI and cumulative doxorubicin dose (coefficient of correlation 0.11, p = 0.6). TDI-derived MPI was correlated with cumulative doxorubicin dose (coefficient of correlation 0.35, p = 0.015), but this correlation is weak (r = 0.38). The study population was divided into two groups according to doxorubicin dose (below and above 300 mg level). There was a moderate correlation between TDI-derived MPI and less than 300 mg of doxorubicin dose (coefficient of correlation 0.51, p = 0.028). However, Doppler-derived MPI was not correlated with less than 300 mg of doxorubicin dose (coefficient of correlation 0.38, p = 0.123). Also, there was no significant change in the TDI-derived RV-MPI (0.49 ± 0.14, 0.50 ± 0.12, p = 0.56). Conclusions: TDI-derived MPI is a useful parameter and an early indicator compared with Doppler-derived MPI in the detection of cardiotoxicity during the early stages. Also, doxorubicin administration does not affect RV function

Phosphodiesterase type 4 anchoring regulates cAMP signaling to Popeye domain-containing proteins.

Cyclic AMP is a ubiquitous second messenger used to transduce intracellular signals from a variety of Gs-coupled receptors. Compartmentalisation of protein intermediates within the cAMP signaling pathway underpins receptor-specific responses. The cAMP effector proteins protein-kinase A and EPAC are found in complexes that also contain phosphodiesterases whose presence ensures a coordinated cellular response to receptor activation events. Popeye domain containing (POPDC) proteins are the most recent class of cAMP effectors to be identified and have crucial roles in cardiac pacemaking and conduction. We report the first observation that POPDC proteins exist in complexes with members of the PDE4 family in cardiac myocytes. We show that POPDC1 preferentially binds the PDE4A sub-family via a specificity motif in the PDE4 UCR1 region and that PDE4s bind to the Popeye domain of POPDC1 in a region known to be susceptible to a mutation that causes human disease. Using a cell-permeable disruptor peptide that displaces the POPDC1-PDE4 complex we show that PDE4 activity localized to POPDC1 modulates cycle length of spontaneous Ca2+ transients firing in intact mouse sinoatrial nodes

Modeling healthcare authorization and claim submissions using the openEHR dual-model approach

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>The TISS standard is a set of mandatory forms and electronic messages for healthcare authorization and claim submissions among healthcare plans and providers in Brazil. It is not based on formal models as the new generation of health informatics standards suggests. The objective of this paper is to model the TISS in terms of the openEHR archetype-based approach and integrate it into a patient-centered EHR architecture.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Three approaches were adopted to model TISS. In the first approach, a set of archetypes was designed using ENTRY subclasses. In the second one, a set of archetypes was designed using exclusively ADMIN_ENTRY and CLUSTERs as their root classes. In the third approach, the openEHR ADMIN_ENTRY is extended with classes designed for authorization and claim submissions, and an ISM_TRANSITION attribute is added to the COMPOSITION class. Another set of archetypes was designed based on this model. For all three approaches, templates were designed to represent the TISS forms.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>The archetypes based on the openEHR RM (Reference Model) can represent all TISS data structures. The extended model adds subclasses and an attribute to the COMPOSITION class to represent information on authorization and claim submissions. The archetypes based on all three approaches have similar structures, although rooted in different classes. The extended openEHR RM model is more semantically aligned with the concepts involved in a claim submission, but may disrupt interoperability with other systems and the current tools must be adapted to deal with it.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>Modeling the TISS standard by means of the openEHR approach makes it aligned with ISO recommendations and provides a solid foundation on which the TISS can evolve. Although there are few administrative archetypes available, the openEHR RM is expressive enough to represent the TISS standard. This paper focuses on the TISS but its results may be extended to other billing processes. A complete communication architecture to simulate the exchange of TISS data between systems according to the openEHR approach still needs to be designed and implemented.</p

Small-molecule inhibition of STOML3 oligomerization reverses pathological mechanical hypersensitivity

The skin is equipped with specialized mechanoreceptors that allow the perception of the slightest brush. Indeed, some mechanoreceptors can detect even nanometer-scale movements. Movement is transformed into electrical signals via the gating of mechanically activated ion channels at sensory endings in the skin. The sensitivity of Piezo mechanically gated ion channels is controlled by stomatin-like protein-3 (STOML3), which is required for normal mechanoreceptor function. Here we identify small-molecule inhibitors of STOML3 oligomerization that reversibly reduce the sensitivity of mechanically gated currents in sensory neurons and silence mechanoreceptors $\textit{in vivo}$. STOML3 inhibitors in the skin also reversibly attenuate fine touch perception in normal mice. Under pathophysiological conditions following nerve injury or diabetic neuropathy, the slightest touch can produce pain, and here STOML3 inhibitors can reverse mechanical hypersensitivity. Thus, small molecules applied locally to the skin can be used to modulate touch and may represent peripherally available drugs to treat tactile-driven pain following neuropathy.This study was funded by DFG collaborative research grant SFB958 (projects A09 to K.P. and G.R.L., A01 to V.H. and Z02 to J.S.). Additional support was provided by a senior ERC grant (grant number 294678 to G.R.L.) and by the NeuroCure Cluster of Excellence (to V.H., G.R.L. and J.F.A.P.). K.P. was supported by a Cecile-Vogt Fellowship (MDC). S.P. was supported by a Marie Curie Fellowship from the European Union (grant number 253663 Touch in situ). C.P. received a Ph.D. fellowship from the University of Cagliari. J.F.A.P. was funded by a European Research Council (ERC) starting grant (ERC-2010-StG-260590), the DFG (FOR 1341, FOR 2143), the Berlin Institute of Health (BIH) and the European Union (FP7, 3x3Dimaging 323945). R.K. was supported by an ERC Advanced Investigator grant (294293-PAIN PLASTICITY). D.H. was funded by the Berlin Institute of Health (BIH). E.St.J.S., L.E. and M.M. were supported by an Alexander von Humboldt Fellowship

The contribution of HPV18 to cervical cancer is underestimated using high-grade CIN as a measure of screening efficiency

In one geographical area, 14 high-risk human papillomavirus types in cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN2/3; n=139) and cervical squamous cell carcinoma (SCC; n=84) were analysed. HPV18 was more prevalent in SCC than CIN2/3 (OR 9.8; 95% confidence interval: 2.5–39). Other high-risk types prevalences corresponded in CIN2/3 and SCC. Evaluations using CIN2/3 as a measure of efficiency underestimate the contribution of HPV18 to SCC