bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Cationic and Neutral N‐Heterocyclic Carbene Gold(I) Complexes: Cytotoxicity, NCI‐60 Screening, Cellular Uptake, Inhibition of Mammalian Thioredoxin Reductase, and Reactive Oxygen Species Formation
Authors: Zhang Chen , Hemmert Catherine , Gornitzka Heinz , Cuvillier Olivier , Zhang Ming , Sun Raymond Wai‐Yin
Published: March 2018

A structurally diverse library of 14 gold(I) cationic bis(NHC) and neutral mono(NHC) complexes (NHC: N‐heterocyclic carbene) was synthesized and characterized in this work. Four of them were new cationic gold(I) complexes containing functionalized NHCs, and their X‐ray crystal structures are presented herein. All of the complexes were investigated for their anticancer activities in four cancer cell lines, including a cisplatin‐resistant variant, and a noncancerous cell line. Seven of the cationic gold(I) complexes were found to display high and specific cytotoxic activities toward cancer cells. Two of them were even able to overcome cisplatin resistance. Two highly potent cationic complexes (11 and 15) were also submitted to the NCI‐60 cancer panel for further cytotoxicity evaluation. Complex 15 showed a surprisingly high potency toward leukemia among the nine examined cancer subtypes, particularly toward the CCRF‐CEM leukemia cell line with a concentration for 50 % inhibition of growth down to 79.4 nm. In addition, cationic complex 13, which demonstrated a remarkable cytotoxicity against hepatocellular carcinoma, was selected to obtain insight into the mechanistic aspects in HepG2 cells. Cellular uptake measurements were indicative of good bioavailability. By various biochemical assays, this complex was found to effectively inhibit thioredoxin reductase and its cytotoxicity toward HepG2 cells was found to be reactive oxygen species dependent.
HOTAIR gene polymorphisms contribute to increased neuroblastoma susceptibility in Chinese children
Authors: Yang Xu , He Jing , Chang Yitian , Luo Annie , Luo Ailing , Zhang Jiao , Zhang Ruizhong , Xia Huimin , Xu Ling
Published: March 2018

BACKGROUND

Neuroblastoma is the most frequently diagnosed extracranial solid tumor in children. Previous studies have shown that single‐nucleotide polymorphisms in some genes are associated with the risk of multiple cancers, including neuroblastoma. Although Hox transcript antisense intergenic RNA (HOTAIR) gene polymorphisms have been investigated in a variety of cancers, to the authors' knowledge the relationships between HOTAIR gene polymorphisms and neuroblastoma susceptibility have not been reported to date. The objective of the current study was to evaluate the correlation between HOTAIR gene polymorphisms and neuroblastoma risk in Chinese children.

METHODS

The authors genotyped 6 polymorphisms (rs920778 A>G, rs12826786 C>T, rs4759314 A>G, rs7958904 G>C, rs874945 C>T, and rs1899663 C>A) of the HOTAIR gene in 2 Chinese populations including 393 neuroblastoma cases and 812 healthy controls. The strength of the associations was evaluated using odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals. Further stratification analyses were conducted to explore the association between the HOTAIR gene polymorphisms rs12826786 C>T, rs874945 C>T, and rs1899663 C>A with neuroblastoma susceptibility in terms of age, sex, clinical stage of disease, and sites of origin.

RESULTS

The authors found that the rs12826786 C>T (P =.013), rs874945 C>T (P =.020), and rs1899663 C>A (P =.029) polymorphisms were significantly associated with increased neuroblastoma risk. In stratification analyses, these associations were more predominant in females and among patients with tumor in the retroperitoneal region or mediastinum. The remaining 3 polymorphisms were not found to be related to neuroblastoma susceptibility.

CONCLUSIONS

The results of the current study verified that HOTAIR gene polymorphisms are associated with increased neuroblastoma risk and suggest that HOTAIR gene polymorphisms might be a potential biomarker for neuroblastoma susceptibility. Cancer 2018;124:2599‐606. © 2018 American Cancer Society.
Anti‐thymocyte globulin improves survival free from relapse and graft‐versus‐host disease after allogeneic peripheral blood stem cell transplantation in patients with Philadelphia‐negative acute lymphoblastic leukemia: An analysis by the Acute Leukemia Working Party of theEBMT
Authors: Czerw Tomasz , Labopin Myriam , Giebel Sebastian , Socié Gérard , Volin Liisa , Fegueux Nathalie , Masszi Tamás , Blaise Didier , Chaganti Sridhar , Cornelissen Jan J. , Passweg Jakob , Maertens Johan , Itälä‐Remes Maija , Wu Depei , Mohty Mohamad , Nagler Arnon
Published: March 2018

BACKGROUND

Mobilized peripheral blood stem cells are currently the predominant source of grafts for allogeneic transplantation (allogeneic peripheral blood stem cell transplantation [allo‐PBSCT]), although, in comparison with bone marrow, their use is associated with an increased risk of chronic graft‐versus‐host disease (cGVHD). Attempts to reduce the incidence of cGVHD include the addition of anti‐thymocyte globulin (ATG) to the pretransplant conditioning regimen.

METHODS

The goal of this retrospective study was to analyze the effect of ATG on allo‐PBSCT outcomes for adults with Philadelphia‐negative acute lymphoblastic leukemia (Ph‐neg ALL). The primary endpoint was survival free from relapse, grade 3 to 4 acute graft‐versus‐host disease (aGVHD), and cGVHD (ie, graft‐versus‐host disease–free/relapse‐free survival [GRFS]). Nine‐hundred twenty‐four patients who underwent unmanipulated allo‐PBSCT in their first complete remission between 2007 and 2016 were included. ATG was used in 97 of the 494 transplants from matched sibling donors (20%) and in 307 of the 430 transplants from human leukocyte antigen–matched (8 of 8 loci) unrelated donors (71%).

RESULTS

The use of ATG was an independent factor for an improved chance of GRFS (hazard ratio [HR], 0.70;P = .0009). Furthermore, it was associated with a reduced risk of both grade 2 to 4 (HR, 0.66;P = .005) and grade 3 to 4 aGVHD (HR, 0.58;P = .03). Similarly, its addition reduced the incidence of both total (HR, 0.45;P < 10−5) and extensive cGVHD (HR, 0.30;P < 10−5) as well as nonrelapse mortality (HR, 0.58;P = .01). No significant effect was found with respect to leukemia‐free or overall survival. However, an increased risk of relapse was noted for those who received ATG (HR, 1.40;P = .04).

CONCLUSIONS

Patients with Ph‐neg ALL treated with allo‐PBSCT benefit from the use of ATG in terms of improved GRFS. Its use may, therefore, be considered in this setting.Cancer2018;124:2523‐33.©2018 American Cancer Society.
Caudal mesopallial neurons in female songbirds bridge sensory and motor brain regions
Authors: Dunning Jeffery L. , Maze Sarah E. , Atwood Ethan J. , Prather Jonathan F.
Published: March 2018

Female songbirds use male song as an indicator of fitness and use that information to select their mate. Investigations of the female auditory system have provided evidence that the neurons within the caudal mesopallium (CM) are involved in the processing of songs that a female finds attractive, however, it is not clear how CM may exert its influence on behavioral indicators of mate choice. In the present study, anterograde tracing revealed the efferent connections of the female songbird CM. The results demonstrate connections to other auditory regions previously described in males, as well as novel connections to brain regions implicated in motor control. As in males, CM neurons in females project robustly to the lateral and medial extents of the caudal nidopallium, and to the ventral intermediate arcopallium. In a novel finding that is not present in males, CM neurons also project to the robust nucleus of the arcopallium and to the caudal striatum. Calling behavior and the expression of copulation solicitation displays are key indicators of female mate choice, and the projections found here bridge critical gaps necessary to understand how auditory perception can influence circuits related to the expression of those affiliative behaviors in female songbirds.
Cellular composition and organization of the spinal cord central canal during metamorphosis of the frog Xenopus laevis
Authors: Edwards‐Faret Gabriela , Cebrián‐Silla Arantxa , Méndez‐Olivos Emilio E. , González‐Pinto Karina , García‐Verdugo José Manuel , Larraín Juan
Published: March 2018

Studying the cellular composition and morphological changes of cells lining the central canal during Xenopus laevis metamorphosis could contribute to understand postnatal development and spinal cord regeneration. Here we report the analysis of central canal cells at different stages during metamorphosis using immunofluorescence for protein markers expression, transmission and scanning electron microscopy and cell proliferation assays. The central canal was regionalized according to expression of glial markers, ultrastructure, and proliferation in dorsal, lateral, and ventral domains with differences between larvae and froglets. In regenerative larvae, all cell types were uniciliated, have a radial morphology, and elongated nuclei with lax chromatin, resembling radial glial cells. Important differences in cells of nonregenerative froglets were observed, although uniciliated cells were found, the most abundant cells had multicilia and revealed extensive changes in the maturation and differentiation state. The majority of dividing cells in larvae corresponded to uniciliated cells at dorsal and lateral domains in a cervical‐lumbar gradient, correlating with undifferentiated features. Neurons contacting the lumen of the central canal were detected in both stages and revealed extensive changes in the maturation and differentiation state. However, in froglets a very low proportion of cells incorporate 5‐ethynyl‐2′‐deoxyuridine (EdU), associated with the differentiated profile and with the increase of multiciliated cells. Our work showed progressive changes in the cell types lining the central canal of Xenopus laevis spinal cord which are correlated with the regenerative capacities.
Numerical investigation of the effect of bone cement porosity on osteoporotic femoral augmentation
Authors: Santana Artiles María E. , Venetsanos Demetrios T.
Published: March 2018

Femoroplasty is the injection of bone cement into the proximal femur, enhances the bone load capacity, and is typically applied to osteoporotic femora. To minimize the required injected volume of bone cement and maximize the load capacity enhancement, an optimization problem must be solved, where the modulus of elasticity of the augmented bone is a key element. This paper, through the numerical investigation of a fall on the greater trochanter of an osteoporotic femur, compares different ways to calculate this modulus and introduces an approach, based on the concept of bone cement porosity, which provides results statistically similar to those obtained with other considerations. Based on this approach, the present paper quantifies the correlation between degree of osteoporosis and optimum volume of bone cement. It concludes with an exhaustive search that reveals the effect of the bone cement porosity on the optimum volume of PMMA, for various combinations of the frontal and transverse angles of the fall on the greater trochanter.
A comparative CFD study of four inferior vena cava filters
Authors: López Josep M. , Fortuny Gerard , Puigjaner Dolors , Herrero Joan , Marimon Francesc
Published: March 2018

Computational fluid dynamics was used to simulate the flow of blood within an inferior vena cava (IVC) geometry model that was reconstructed from computed tomography images obtained from a real patient. The main novelty of the present work is that we simulated the implantation of 4 different filter models in this realistic IVC geometry. We considered different blood flow rates in the range between Vin=20 and Vin=80 cm3/s, and all simulations were performed with both the Newtonian and a non‐Newtonian model for the blood viscosity. We compared the hemodynamics performance of the different filter models, and we paid a special attention to the total drag force, Fd, exerted by the blood flow on the filter surface. This force is the sum of 2 contributions: the viscous skin friction force, which was found to be roughly proportional to the filter surface area, and the pressure force, which depended on the particular filter geometry design. The Fd force is relevant because it must be balanced by the total force exerted by the filter hooks/struts on the IVC wall at the attachment locations. For the highest Vin value investigated, the variation in Fd among filters was from 116 to 308 dyne. We also showed how the present results can be extrapolated to obtain good estimates of the drag forces if the blood viscosity levels change, ie, if the patient with a filter implanted is treated with anticoagulant therapy.
A novel method for assessing the chromatic integration of architecture in theKsourianlandscape of M'zab Valley, Algeria
Authors: Gouaich Yacine , Mebrouki Abdelkader , Ghariri Racha , Mebarki Abdelkhaliq , Belabbas Akila , Manav Banu , Serra Juan , Llopis Jorge , Torres Ana
Published: March 2018

Ksourare original architectural models of fortified villages located in the north of Africa. They offer, through their urban and natural visual sceneries, specific visible features that we name themKsourian Landscapes. The present research, accordingly, addresses an investigation; relying on a new methodic perspective, of the chromatic character of theKsourianlandscape of M'zab valley in Algeria which is listed as an UNESCO World Heritage Site. Using the Natural Color System (NCS), a natural palette (NP) has been conducted; encapsulating 12 representative colors from the natural landscape of the site in congruence with a second palette (human settlements palette), which includes around 16 colors from the urban landscape of the MozabiteKsour. The primary purpose of this research article aims at identifying perceptual similarities between the two palettes after comparison; which relies upon the NCS nominal identities (blackness [s], whiteness [w], chromaticness [c], yellowness [y], and redness [r]); and the NCS relation identities (hue [φ], saturation [m], delta [δ], and beta [β]). Graphical representations of these comparisons are demonstrated in the NCS triangle and the NCS 3D color space. We have demonstrated through our experimental outcomes the strong chromatic integration of the urban settlements in their natural landscape, the original chromatic character as being a constituent of the heritage values of the MozabiteKsourianlandscape, as well as its possible use in the urban restoration processes.
A predictive Decision Support System (DSS) for a microalgae production plant based on Internet of Things paradigm
Authors: Giannino Francesco , Esposito Serena , Diano Marcello , Cuomo Salvatore , Toraldo Gerardo
Published: March 2018

The production of microalgae represents a large and rapidly expanding market with several applications in the fields of food, pharmaceutics, cosmetics, and energy. Microalgae are photosynthetic aquatic microorganisms whose growth is mainly controlled by a few environmental parameters: temperature, light, pH, and nutrient availability. For this reason, monitoring and controlling such parameters is crucial for their production. At the same time, the development of mathematical models to simulate the behavior of biological systems has become a major predictive and control tool of production processes. In this paper, we present an Internet of Things (IoT) system that can couple sensor data collected directly by biotechnological cultivations with a predictive simulation model. The IoT system constitutes the core of a Decision Support System developed to help the end‐user in the management of industrial production processes.
Reliability, failure detection and prevention in cyber‐physical systems (CPSs) with agents
Authors: Sanislav Teodora , Zeadally Sherali , Mois George Dan , Fouchal Hacène
Published: March 2018

The complexity of cyber‐physical systems (CPSs) opens up several challenges regarding the assurance of high levels of reliability. Therefore, we need to develop a new data quality analysis and new CPS components/subsystems for the detection, isolation, recovery, and prevention of failures and intrusion events. Furthermore, we have to develop new reliability assessment models and metrics in order to properly evaluate CPSs. Agent technologies, through their characteristics such as autonomy, social ability, reactivity, and proactivity, have the potential to address these challenges and requirements. We propose a multi‐agent based solution, namely ReliaCPS, for detecting and preventing the failures of the system components of CPSs. We also use a case study of a CPS for monitoring ambient parameters to evaluate the performance of the proposed approach. Our results indicate improvements in terms of reliability metrics (32.69% for the mean time between failures and mean time to failure, 50% for the mean time to repair and 0.94% for reliability function over time).
Multimethod optimization in the cloud: A case‐study in systems biology modelling
Authors: González Patricia , Penas David R. , Pardo Xoan C. , Banga Julio R. , Doallo Ramón
Published: March 2018

Optimization problems appear in many different applications in science and engineering. A large number of different algorithms have been proposed for solving them; however, there is no unique general optimization method that performs efficiently across a diverse set of problems. Thus, a multimethod optimization, in which different algorithms cooperate to outperform the results obtained by any of them in isolation, is a very appealing alternative. Besides, as real‐life optimization problems are becoming more and more challenging, the use of HPC techniques to implement these algorithms represents an effective strategy to speed up the time‐to‐solution. In addition, a parallel multimethod approach can benefit from the effortless access to q large number of distributed resources facilitated by cloud computing. In this paper, we propose a self‐adaptive cooperative parallel multimethod for global optimization. This proposal aims to perform a thorough exploration of the solution space by means of multiple concurrent executions of a broad range of search strategies. For its evaluation, we consider an extremely challenging case‐study from the field of computational systems biology. We also assess the performance of the proposal on a public cloud, demonstrating both the potential of the multimethod approach and the opportunity that the cloud provides for these problems.
Multi‐dimensional lock‐free arrays for multithreaded mode‐directed tabling in Prolog
Authors: Areias Miguel , Rocha Ricardo
Published: March 2018

This work proposes a new design for the supporting data structures used to implement multithreaded tabling in Prolog systems. Tabling is an implementation technique that improves the expressiveness of traditional Prolog systems in dealing with recursion and redundant computations. Mode‐directed tabling is an extension to the tabling technique that supports the definition of alternative criteria for specifying how answers are aggregated, thus being very suitable for problems where the goal is to dynamically calculate optimal or selective answers. In this work, we leverage the intrinsic potential that mode‐directed tabling has to express dynamic programming problems by creating a new design that improves the representation of multi‐dimensional arrays in the context of multithreaded tabling. To do so, we introduce a new mode for indexing arguments in mode‐directed tabled evaluations, nameddim, where eachdimargument features a uni‐dimensional lock‐free array. Experimental results using well‐known dynamic programming problems on a 32‐core machine show that the new design introduces less overheads and clearly improves the execution time for sequential and multithreaded tabled evaluations.
A grouping approach based on non‐uniform binary grid partitioning for crowd evacuation simulation
Authors: Liu Hong , Li Yan , Li Wenhao , Lu Dianjie , Zhang Guijuan
Published: March 2018

Small social groups based on kinship or friendships are ubiquitous in human crowds. Therefore, the effect of social groups on crowd evacuations and that of crowd evacuations on social groups must be investigated. To simulate the group phenomenon when an emergency occurs, we propose an improved social force model that takes into account the social group relationship among the population, and based on our proposed model, a novel grouping algorithm predicated on non‐uniform binary grid partitioning is put forward. The approach initially maps the individuals into the plane space, and then it adopts top‐down binary grid partitioning iteratively until the divided grid contains only the individuals with relations; then, the values of the relation and density of the non‐empty grid cells are calculated, and the grids are sorted according to these values. After sorting, selecting, merging, and forming the core grids, the other grids are merged to the core grids. We have compared the algorithm with the hierarchical classification algorithm and the grid‐based algorithm. The results show that the accuracy, speed, and scalability are all advantages. We also establish a simulation platform to illustrate the proposed grouping algorithm and the improved social force model for crowd evacuation simulation.
Elucidating the Polymeric Binder Distribution within Lithium‐Ion Battery Electrodes Using SAICAS
Authors: Kim Kyuman , Byun Seoungwoo , Choi Jaecheol , Hong Seungbum , Ryou Myung‐Hyun , Lee Yong Min
Published: March 2018

Polymeric binder distribution within electrodes is crucial to guarantee the electrochemical performance of lithium‐ion batteries (LIBs) for their long‐term use in applications such as electric vehicles and energy‐storage systems. However, due to limited analytical tools, such analyses have not been conducted so far. Herein, the adhesion properties of LIB electrodes at different depths are measured using a surface and interfacial cutting analysis system (SAICAS). Moreover, two LiCoO2 electrodes, dried at 130 and 230 °C, are carefully prepared and used to obtain the adhesion properties at every 10 μm of depth as well as the interface between the electrode composite and the current collector. At high drying temperatures, more of the polymeric binder material and conductive agent appears adjacent to the electrode surface, resulting in different adhesion properties as a function of depth. When the electrochemical properties are evaluated at different temperatures, the LiCoO2 electrode dried at 130 °C shows a much better high‐temperature cycling performance than does the electrode dried at 230 °C due to the uniform adhesion properties and the higher interfacial adhesion strength.
Critiquing the CDC Opioid Guideline: Some Light From the Heat
Authors: Juurlink David N.
Published: March 2018

Released in 2016, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Guideline for Prescribing Opioids for Chronic Pain has been met with both praise and criticism. In this issue of the Journal, two commentaries address the guideline's strengths and limitations. While the authors differ in their assessment of the guideline, they share a common objective: safer opioid prescribing. Followed carefully, the CDC guideline will facilitate this, but followed carelessly it has the potential to cause harm.
Understanding Hematological Toxicities Using Mathematical Modeling
Authors: Fornari Chiara , O'Connor Lenka Oplustil , Yates James W.T. , Cheung S.Y. Amy , Jodrell Duncan I. , Mettetal Jerome T. , Collins Teresa A.
Published: March 2018

Balancing antitumor efficacy with toxicity is a significant challenge, and drug‐induced myelosuppression is a common dose‐limiting toxicity of cancer treatments. Mathematical modeling has proven to be a powerful ally in this field, scaling results from animal models to humans, and designing optimized treatment regimens. Here we outline existing mathematical approaches for studying bone marrow toxicity, identify gaps in current understanding, and make future recommendations to advance this vital field of safety research further.
Kinetics‐Controlled Degradation Reactions at Crystalline LiPON/LixCoO2 and Crystalline LiPON/Li‐Metal Interfaces
Authors: Leung Kevin , Pearse Alexander J. , Talin A. Alec , Fuller Elliot J. , Rubloff Gary W. , Modine Normand A.
Published: March 2018

Detailed understanding of solid–solid interface structure–function relationships is critical for the improvement and wide deployment of all‐solid‐state batteries. The interfaces between lithium phosphorous oxynitride (LiPON) solid electrolyte material and lithium metal anode, and between LiPON and LixCoO2 cathode, have been reported to generate solid–electrolyte interphase (SEI)‐like products and/or disordered regions. Using electronic structure calculations and crystalline LiPON models, we predict that LiPON models with purely P−N−P backbones are kinetically inert towards lithium at room temperature. In contrast, transfer of oxygen atoms from low‐energy LixCoO2(104) surfaces to LiPON is much faster under ambient conditions. The mechanisms of the primary reaction steps, LiPON structural motifs that readily reacts with lithium metal, experimental results on amorphous LiPON to partially corroborate these predictions, and possible mitigation strategies to reduce degradations are discussed. LiPON interfaces are found to be useful case studies for highlighting the importance of kinetics‐controlled processes during battery assembly at moderate processing temperatures.
Reductive Cleavage Method for Quantitation of Monolignols and Low‐Abundance Monolignol Conjugates
Authors: Regner Matt , Bartuce Allison , Padmakshan Dharshana , Ralph John , Karlen Steven D.
Published: March 2018

As interest in biomass utilization has grown, the manipulation of lignin biosynthesis has received significant attention, such that recent work has demanded more robust lignin analytical methods. As the derivatization followed by reductive cleavage (DFRC) method is particularly effective for structurally characterizing natively acylated lignins, we used an array of synthetic β‐ether γ‐acylated model compounds to determine theoretical yields for all monolignol conjugates currently known to exist in lignin, and we synthesized a new set of deuterated analogs as internal standards for quantification using GC–MS/MS. Yields of the saturated ester conjugates ranged from 40 to 90 %, and NMR analysis revealed the presence of residual unsaturated conjugates in yields of 20 to 35 %. In contrast to traditional selected‐ion‐monitoring, we demonstrated the superior sensitivity and accuracy of multiple‐reaction‐monitoring detection methods, and further highlighted the inadequacy of traditional standards relative to isotopically labeled analogs.
Differential equation description and Chebyshev approximation of linear time‐invariant circuits
Authors: Huang Liang , Yao Chang
Published: March 2018

The approximation technology of analogue circuit functions is crucial to the computer‐aided simulation, analysis, and design automation of electronic circuits. Chebyshev polynomials and various differential equations are proposed in this paper to approximate the functions of linear time‐invariant circuits. The coefficient calculation methods of the Chebyshev expansion and the differential equation matrices are thoroughly deduced, and the construction methods employed in the functions and the actual time mapping of the linear time‐invariant circuits are presented in this paper. An example of an analogue filter verifies the effectiveness and accuracy of the proposed approximation algorithm and elaborates on the selection process of the order number and the time step length of the Chebyshev expansion according to the demanded truncation error.
Performance of cognitive relay network with energy harvesting relay under imperfect CSI
Authors: Prasad Binod , Dhar Roy Sanjay , Kundu Sumit
Published: March 2018

This paper evaluates the performance of an underlay cognitive relay network under imperfect channel state information (CSI) where a secondary user (SU) transmits using a secondary relay (SR) based on decode and forward scheme. The outage probability (OP) of SU is investigated in a scenario where the decode and forward relay harvests energy from radio frequency signal of SU. The relay uses a fraction of time for harvesting in time switching–based relaying (TSR) while a fraction of received power is used for harvesting in power splitting–based relaying (PSR) scheme. The SU and relay control their transmit power using a scaling factor, based on CSI of the interfering links (ie, links from SU transmitter and SR to the primary user [PU] receiver) to protect the quality of service of PU. The available CSI at the SU and SR are imperfect due to practical limitation. Analytical expressions of the OP are derived for TSR‐ and PSR‐based schemes. The impact of harvesting time, power splitting ratio, imperfect CSI, PU outage constraint and interference threshold on the OP of the SU network, and average transmit power of SR is indicated. Further, the impact of multiple SRs is also shown.
An achievable rate region and a capacity outer bound for 3‐user Gaussian multiple access channel with feedback
Authors: Boostanpour Jafar , Abed Hodtani Ghosheh
Published: March 2018

Extension of the Ozarow capacity theorem for 2‐transmitter Gaussian multiple access channel (MAC) with feedback to the channels with more than 2 transmitters is a widely studied and long standing problem (for example, see the Kramer sum‐capacity region). In this paper, we investigate and analyze this possible extension. Specifically, exploiting a class of Schalkwijk‐Kailath linear feedback codes, we obtain an achievable rate region for 3‐user Gaussian MAC with full feedback and also a capacity outer bound. Then the results are extended for a case where there is no feedback link for one user, and the corresponding achievable rate region and capacity outer bound are computed. Furthermore, the gap between the derived rates and the sum capacity of 3‐user Gaussian MAC with full and partial feedback is computed under special assumptions.
Relax online resource allocation algorithms for D2D communication
Authors: Hossen Md Sakhawat , Hassan Md Yeakub , Hussain Faisal , Choudhury Salimur , Alam Muhammad Mahbub
Published: March 2018

Maximizing the system sumrate by sharing the resource blocks among the cellular user equipments and the D2D (device to device) pairs while maintaining the quality of service is an important research question in a D2D communication underlaying cellular networks. The problem can be optimally solved in offline by using the weighted bipartite matching algorithm. However, in long‐term evolution and beyond (4G and 5G) systems, scheduling algorithms should be very efficient where the optimal algorithm is quite complex to implement. Hence, a low complexity algorithm that returns almost the optimal solution can be an alternative to this research problem. In this paper, we propose 2 less complex stable matching–based relax online algorithms those exhibit very close to the optimal solution. Our proposed algorithms deal with fixed number of cellular user equipments and a variable number of D2D pairs those arrive in the system online. Unlike online matching algorithms, we consider that an assignment can be revoked if it improves the objective function (total system sumrate). However, we want to minimize the number of revocation (ie, the number of changes in the assignments) as a large number of changes can be expensive for the networks too. We consider various offline algorithms proposed for the same research problem as relaxed online algorithms. Through extensive simulations, we find that our proposed algorithms outperform all of the algorithms in terms of the number of changes in assignment between 2 successive allocations while maintaining the total system sumrate very close to the optimal algorithm.
Automated screening of Papanicolaou tests: A review of the literature
Authors: Thrall Michael J.
Published: March 2018

Automated Papanicolaou test screening systems have now been available for over 25 years. Currently two automated screening systems are in widespread clinical use. These are the ThinPrep Imaging System and the FocalPoint GS Imaging System. In their current configurations, both facilitate faster screening by showing a limited number of fields of view (FOV) to cytotechnologists. The FOV are based on the use of proprietary algorithms applied to computerized images of the slide that determine the cells and cell groups with the highest likelihood of abnormality. If all of the FOV are deemed to be negative, the case can be signed out with no additional review; if one or more fields appear possibly abnormal, the entire slide must be manually screened. The United States Food and Drug Administration has ruled that for workload calculation purposes, looking at only the FOV review counts as one‐half slide, potentially greatly increasing the number of slides that can be screened. However, follow‐up studies of this technology have shown that screening accuracy declines when very large numbers of cases are reviewed per day. Recommendations designed to limit screening volumes to levels that do not jeopardize patient care have therefore been created. The development of fully automated screening that does not rely on human judgment remains an unrealized aspiration. This review covers the history of the development and clinical implementation of automated screening technology with descriptions of the various automated screening systems and their performance as reported in published literature.
A novel transgenic zebrafish line for red opsin expression in outer segments of photoreceptor cells
Authors: Crespo Cátia , Soroldoni Daniele , Knust Elisabeth
Published: March 2018

Background: Opsins are a group of light‐sensitive proteins present in photoreceptor cells, which convert the energy of photons into electrochemical signals, thus allowing vision. Given their relevance, we aimed to visualize the two red opsins at subcellular scale in photoreceptor cells. Results: We generated a novel Zebrafish BAC transgenic line, which express fluorescently tagged, full‐length Opsin 1 long‐wave‐sensitive 1 (Opn1lw1) and full‐length Opsin 1 long‐wave‐sensitive 2 (Opn1lw2) under the control of their endogenous promoters. Both fusion proteins are localized in the outer segments of photoreceptor cells. During development, Opn1lw2‐mKate2 is detected from the initial formation of outer segments onward. In contrast, Opn1lw1‐mNeonGreen is first detected in juvenile Zebrafish at about 2 weeks postfertilization, and both opsins continue to be expressed throughout adulthood. It is important to note that the presence of the transgene did not significantly alter the size of outer segments. Conclusions: We have generated a transgenic line that mimics the endogenous expression pattern of Opn1lw1 and Opn1lw2 in the developing and adult retina. In contrast to existing lines, our transgene design allows to follow protein localization. Hence, we expect that these lines could act as useful real‐time reporters to directly measure phenomena in retinal development and disease models. Developmental Dynamics 247:951–959, 2018. © 2018 The Authors Developmental Dynamics published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. on behalf of American Association of Anatomists
Neonicotinoid insecticides negatively affect performance measures of non‐target terrestrial arthropods: a meta‐analysis
Authors: Main Anson R. , Webb Elisabeth B. , Goyne Keith W. , Mengel Doreen
Published: March 2018

Neonicotinoid insecticides are currently the fastest‐growing and most widely used insecticide class worldwide. Valued for their versatility in application, these insecticides may cause deleterious effects in a range of non‐target (beneficial) arthropods. However, it remains unclear whether strong patterns exist in terms of their major effects, if broad measures of arthropod performance are negatively affected, or whether different functional groups are equally vulnerable. Here, we present a meta‐analysis of 372 observations from 44 field and laboratory studies that describe neonicotinoid effects on 14 arthropod orders across five broad performance measures: abundance, behavior, condition, reproductive success, and survival. Across studies, neonicotinoids negatively affected all performance metrics evaluated; however, magnitude of the effects varied. Arthropod behavior and survival were the most negatively affected and abundance was the least negatively affected. Effects on arthropod functional groups were inconsistent. Pollinator condition, reproductive success, and survival were significantly lower in neonicotinoid treatments compared to untreated controls; whereas, neonicotinoid effects on detritivores were not significant. Although magnitude of arthropod response to neonicotinoids varied among performance measures and functional groups, we documented a consistent negative relationship between exposure to neonicotinoid insecticides in published studies and beneficial arthropod performance.
Noise Discrimination Method for Partial Discharge Current Focused on Damped Oscillation Waveform
Authors: Torii Hirotaka , Hayase Yuji , Yamashiro Keisuke , Matsumoto Satoshi
Published: March 2018

Online partial discharge (PD) measurement is very important for insulation monitoring of high‐voltage equipment. One of the biggest challenges performing online monitoring is discrimination between PD detect signals and external noises. Experimental results using high‐frequency current transformer (CT) sensor show that the current waveforms associated with various PD signals are all damped cosine waveforms, and have unique frequency and decay times of damped oscillation. Therefore, we focused attention on the damped oscillation waveform of the PD current, especially damped cosine waveform having a different number of oscillations. In addition to this, the noise discrimination method using wavelet transform or short‐time Fourier transform is effective. Those noise discriminating processes are applicable to online PD current measurement system.
Nutrient remobilization in tree foliage as affected by soil nutrients and leaf life span
Authors: Achat David Ludovick , Pousse Noémie , Nicolas Manuel , Augusto Laurent
Published: March 2018

Nutrient remobilization is a key process in nutrient conservation in plants and in nutrient cycling in ecosystems. To predict the productivity of terrestrial ecosystems, we thus need to improve our understanding of the factors that control remobilization. We studied the remobilization rates of several major nutrients (N, P, S, K, Ca, and Mg) in 102 forest ecosystems representing large environmental gradients at the country scale (France). Total amounts or availability of nutrients in soils were correlated with nutrient remobilization: the larger the soil nutrient pool, the lower the remobilization rate (e.g., P remobilization decreased with increasing total or extractable inorganic P in soils). Soil type and soil parent material influenced nutrient remobilization indirectly through their effect on soil nutrients. Nutrient remobilization was also affected by the quality of soil organic matter (C:N and C:P ratios) and K‐Ca‐Mg antagonisms. In addition to soil properties, plant‐related parameters (nutrient concentrations in foliage and leaf life span) and climate variables (e.g., precipitation and actual evapotranspiration) were also correlated with nutrient remobilization. Using multivariate analysis, we found that soil nutrient richness and the life span of the leaf were generally the two most important factors controlling nutrient remobilization. As a whole, the nutrient remobilization rate is regulated by soil nutrients through negative feedback. This general ecological pattern is modulated by ecophysiological constraints of plants, mainly leaf life span or the capability of plants to move Ca through the phloem sap.
Herbivory and eutrophication mediate grassland plant nutrient responses across a global climatic gradient
Authors: Anderson T. Michael , Griffith Daniel M. , Grace James B. , Lind Eric M. , Adler Peter B. , Biederman Lori A. , Blumenthal Dana M. , Daleo Pedro , Firn Jennifer , Hagenah Nicole , Harpole W. Stanley , MacDougall Andrew S. , McCulley Rebecca L. , Prober Suzanne M. , Risch Anita C. , Sankaran Mahesh , Schütz Martin , Seabloom Eric W. , Stevens Carly J. , Sullivan Lauren L. , Wragg Peter D. , Borer Elizabeth T.
Published: March 2018

Plant stoichiometry, the relative concentration of elements, is a key regulator of ecosystem functioning and is also being altered by human activities. In this paper we sought to understand the global drivers of plant stoichiometry and compare the relative contribution of climatic vs. anthropogenic effects. We addressed this goal by measuring plant elemental (C, N, P and K) responses to eutrophication and vertebrate herbivore exclusion at eighteen sites on six continents. Across sites, climate and atmospheric N deposition emerged as strong predictors of plot‐level tissue nutrients, mediated by biomass and plant chemistry. Within sites, fertilization increased total plant nutrient pools, but results were contingent on soil fertility and the proportion of grass biomass relative to other functional types. Total plant nutrient pools diverged strongly in response to herbivore exclusion when fertilized; responses were largest in ungrazed plots at low rainfall, whereas herbivore grazing dampened the plant community nutrient responses to fertilization. Our study highlights (1) the importance of climate in determining plant nutrient concentrations mediated through effects on plant biomass, (2) that eutrophication affects grassland nutrient pools via both soil and atmospheric pathways and (3) that interactions among soils, herbivores and eutrophication drive plant nutrient responses at small scales, especially at water‐limited sites.
Intraspecific trait variation and the leaf economics spectrum across resource gradients and levels of organization
Authors: Fajardo Alex , Siefert Andrew
Published: March 2018

Understanding patterns of functional trait variation across environmental gradients offers an opportunity to increase inference in the mechanistic causes of plant community assembly. The leaf economics spectrum (LES) predicts global tradeoffs in leaf traits and trait‐environment relationships, but few studies have examined whether these predictions hold across different levels of organization, particularly within species. Here, we asked (1) whether the main assumptions of the LES (expected trait relationships and shifts in trait values across resource gradients) hold at the intraspecific level, and (2) how within‐species trait correlations scale up to interspecific or among‐community levels. We worked with leaf traits of saplings of woody species growing across light and soil N and P availability gradients in temperate rainforests of southern Chile. We found that ITV accounted for a large proportion of community‐level variation in leaf traits (e.g., LMA and leaf P) and played an important role in driving community‐level shifts in leaf traits across environmental gradients. Additionally, intraspecific leaf trait relationships were generally consistent with interspecific and community‐level trait relationships and with LES predictions—e.g., a strong negative intraspecific LMA–leaf N correlation—although, most trait relationships varied significantly among species, suggesting idiosyncrasies in the LES at the intraspecific level.
The role of landscape connectivity in resistance, resilience, and recovery of multi‐trophic microarthropod communities
Authors: Shackelford Nancy , Standish Rachel J. , Lindo Zoë , Starzomski Brian M.
Published: March 2018

There is a need to find generalizable mechanisms supporting ecological resilience, resistance, and recovery. One hypothesized mechanism is landscape connectivity, a habitat configuration that allows movement of biotic and abiotic resources between local patches. Whether connectivity increases all or only one of resistance, resilience, and recovery has not been teased apart, however, and has been difficult to test at large scales and for complex trophic webs. Natural microcosms offer a complex system that can be manipulated to test questions at a landscape‐scale relative to the community of study. Here, we test the role of connectivity in altering resistance, resilience, and recovery to a gradient of heating disturbance in moss microcosms. To test across trophic levels, we focused on community composition as our metric of response and applied three connectivity treatments – isolation, connected to an equally disturbed patch, and connected to an undisturbed patch. We found that connectivity between equally disturbed patches boosted resistance of communities to disturbance. Additionally, recovery was linear and rapid in communities connected to undisturbed landscapes, hump shaped when connected to equally disturbed landscapes, and linear but slow in isolated communities. We did not find thresholds on the disturbance gradient at which disturbed communities exhibited zero or increasing dissimilarity to controls through time, so were unable to draw conclusions on the role of connectivity in ecological resilience. Ultimately, isolated communities exhibited increasingly variable composition and slow recovery patterns even in control communities when compared with connected treatments.
Linking tree genetics and stream consumers: isotopic tracers elucidate controls on carbon and nitrogen assimilation
Authors: Compson Zacchaeus G. , Hungate Bruce A. , Whitham Thomas G. , Koch George W. , Dijkstra Paul , Siders Adam C. , Wojtowicz Todd , Jacobs Ryan , Rakestraw David N. , Allred Kiel E. , Sayer Chelsea K. , Marks Jane C.
Published: March 2018

Leaf litter provides an important nutrient subsidy to headwater streams, but little is known about how tree genetics influence energy pathways from litter to higher trophic levels. Despite the charge to quantify carbon (C) and nitrogen (N) pathways from decomposing litter, the relationship between litter decomposition and aquatic consumers remains unresolved. We measured litter preference (attachments to litter), C and N assimilation rates, and growth rates of a shredding caddisfly (Hesperophylax magnus, Limnephilidae) in response to leaf litter of different chemical and physical phenotypes using Populus cross types (P. fremontii, P. angustifolia, and F1 hybrids) and genotypes within P. angustifolia. We combined laboratory mesocosm studies using litter from a common garden with a field study using doubly labeled litter (13C and 15N) grown in a greenhouse and incubated in Oak Creek, Arizona, USA. We found that, in the lab, shredders initially chose relatively labile (low lignin and condensed tannin concentrations, rapidly decomposing) cross type litter, but preference changed within 4 d to relatively recalcitrant (high lignin and condensed tannin concentrations, slowly decomposing) litter types. Additionally, in the lab, shredder growth rates were higher on relatively recalcitrant compared to labile cross type litter. Over the course of a three‐week field experiment, shredders also assimilated more C and N from relatively recalcitrant compared to labile cross type litter. Finally, among P. angustifolia genotypes, N assimilation by shredders was positively related to litter lignin and C:N, but negatively related to condensed tannins and decomposition rate. C assimilation was likewise positively related to litter C:N, and also to litter %N. C assimilation was not associated with condensed tannins or lignin. Collectively, these findings suggest that relatively recalcitrant litter of Populus cross types provides more nutritional benefit, in terms of N fluxes and growth, than labile litter, but among P. angustifolia genotypes the specific trait of litter recalcitrance (lignin or tannins) determines effects on C or N assimilation. As shredders provide nutrients and energy to higher trophic levels, the influence of these genetically based plant decomposition pathways on shredder preference and performance may affect community and food web structure.