bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Unified Vision‐Based Methodology for Simultaneous Concrete Defect Detection and Geolocalization
Authors: Li Ruoxing , Yuan Yachao , Zhang Wei , Yuan Yali 
Published: February 2018

AbstractVision‐based autonomous inspection of concrete surface defects is crucial for efficient maintenance and rehabilitation of infrastructures and has become a research hot spot. However, most existing vision‐based inspection methods mainly focus on detecting one kind of defect in nearly uniform testing background where defects are relatively large and easily recognizable. But in the real‐world scenarios, multiple types of defects often occur simultaneously. And most of them occupy only small fractions of inspection images and are swamped in cluttered background, which easily leads to missed and false detections. In addition, the majority of the previous researches only focus on detecting defects but few of them pay attention to the geolocalization problem, which is indispensable for timely performing repair, protection, or reinforcement works. And most of them rely heavily on GPS for tracking the locations of the defects. However, this method is sometimes unreliable within infrastructures where the GPS signals are easily blocked, which causes a dramatic increase in searching costs. To address these limitations, we present a unified and purely vision‐based method denoted as defects detection and localization network, which can detect and classify various typical types of defects under challenging conditions while simultaneously geolocating the defects without requiring external localization sensors. We design a supervised deep convolutional neural network and propose novel training methods to optimize its performance on specific tasks. Extensive experiments show that the proposed method is effective with a detection accuracy of 80.7% and a localization accuracy of 86% at 0.41 s per image (at a scale of 1,200 pixels in the field test experiment), which is ideal for integration within intelligent autonomous inspection systems to provide support for practical applications.
A Rapidly Convergent Empirical Mode Decomposition Method for Analyzing the Environmental Temperature Effects on Stay Cable Force
Authors: Wu Wen‐Hwa , Chen Chien‐Chou , Jhou Jhe‐Wei , Lai Gwolong 
Published: February 2018

AbstractThe variation histories of cable force and effective temperature were recently processed by empirical mode decomposition (EMD) to discover that they can both be categorized into two main components including the daily and long‐term variations. A rapidly convergent EMD method aimed to more efficiently decompose these two types of signals is established in this study. To deal with the typically encountered problems of slow convergence, scale mixing, and end effect in EMD, an objective stoppage criterion is first proposed and efforts are also made to clarify the origin of scale mixing and slow divergence. Based on the above explorations, an extremum neglecting algorithm and a boundary modification technique with appropriate control points are further developed to complete the whole methodology. The superiority of this new method is verified by more concisely decomposing the previously processed data into fewer intrinsic mode functions with a significant reduction in computation time.
The challenge of converting Gram‐positive‐only compounds into broad‐spectrum antibiotics
Authors: Richter Michelle F. , Hergenrother Paul J. 
Published: February 2018

AbstractMultidrug resistant Gram‐negative bacterial infections are on the rise, and there is a lack of new classes of drugs to treat these pathogens. This drug shortage is largely due to the challenge of finding antibiotics that can permeate and persist inside Gram‐negative species. Efforts to understand the molecular properties that enable certain compounds to accumulate in Gram‐negative bacteria based on retrospective studies of known antibiotics have not been generally actionable in the development of new antibiotics. A recent assessment of the ability of >180 diverse small molecules to accumulate in Escherichia coli led to predictive guidelines for compound accumulation in E. coli. These “eNTRy rules” state that compounds are most likely to accumulate if they contain a nonsterically encumbered ionizable Nitrogen (primary amines are the best), have low Three‐dimensionality (globularity ≤ 0.25), and are relatively Rigid (rotatable bonds ≤ 5). In this review, we look back through 50+ years of antibacterial research and 1000s of derivatives and assess this historical data set through the lens of these predictive guidelines. The results are consistent with the eNTRy rules, suggesting that the eNTRy rules may provide an actionable and general roadmap for the conversion of Gram‐positive‐only compounds into broad‐spectrum antibiotics.
The Effects of Risk, Beliefs, and Trust in Education Policy Networks: The Case of Autism and Special Education
Authors: Parsons Bryan M. 
Published: February 2018

ResumenThere are multiple theoretical accounts of how actors address problems of collective action in policy networks, but the two most prominent hypotheses are the risk and belief homophily hypotheses. The risk hypothesis claims that relational structures (e.g., bridging, bonding) depend on the benefits actors receive from uncooperative behavior, while the belief homophily hypothesis claims that relational ties form around shared policy beliefs. This study incorporates the case of autism and special education policy, a subsystem best characterized by Berardo and Scholz's (2010) conceptualization of a low‐risk environment, to test hypotheses about the influence of risk, policy beliefs, and trust on the formation on relational ties in education policy networks. Utilizing data from a 2016 network survey of public and private special education stakeholders in Virginia, results from exponential random graph models provide support for the effects of bridging structures, beliefs related to the medical model of disability, and social trust on strong (collaboration) and weak (information/advice) relational ties in policy networks. The findings reinforce the importance of using policy networks to understand how actors build connections across multiple jurisdictions and policy sectors to mitigate problems of coordination in policy decision making and implementation.
Do regional trade agreements stimulate FDI? Evidence for the Agadir, MERCOSUR and AFTA regions
Authors: Cherif Mondher , Dreger Christian 
Published: February 2018

AbstractThe integration of emerging markets into the global economy is heavily promoted by foreign direct investment (FDI) inflows. Among the factors explaining the location of FDI, regional trade agreements (RTAs) can be relevant for emerging markets, as they can promote economic integration and increase the attractiveness of the region for foreign investors. This paper investigates the impact of South–South trade agreements on the FDI decision of multinationals, where the Agadir, mercado comun del sur (MERCOSUR), and ASEAN free trade area (AFTA) agreements are considered. Three panels of countries are defined, where the members joined a specific agreement or not. Non‐Gulf Arab states are compared to better performing regions in Latin America and Southern and Eastern Asia. The analysis provides evidence that openness to foreign trade and financial markets are among the main catalysts to attract FDI, provided that business‐friendly institutions exist in the host country. Other variables, like the size of the industrial sector, urbanization rates, and external debt appear to be important in some cases. The integration of China into the world economy is a specific trigger for FDI to Asian destinations. Since RTAs influence the market size by reducing barriers to trade, their impact operates via GDP growth and openness. Gains from the agreement are striking for Latin America and Asia, but not for Arab states. To attract more FDI, business‐friendly institutional reforms and mechanisms to support new firm foundation should be implemented in this region.
Approximate Residual Balancing: Debiased Inference of Average Treatment Effects in High Dimensions
Authors: Athey Susan , Imbens Guido W. , Wager Stefan 
Published: February 2018

SummaryThere are many settings where researchers are interested in estimating average treatment effects and are willing to rely on the unconfoundedness assumption, which requires that the treatment assignment be as good as random conditional on pretreatment variables. The unconfoundedness assumption is often more plausible if a large number of pretreatment variables are included in the analysis, but this can worsen the performance of standard approaches to treatment effect estimation. We develop a method for debiasing penalized regression adjustments to allow sparse regression methods like the lasso to be used for √n-consistent inference of average treatment effects in high dimensional linear models. Given linearity, we do not need to assume that the treatment propensities are estimable, or that the average treatment effect is a sparse contrast of the outcome model parameters. Rather, in addition to standard assumptions used to make lasso regression on the outcome model consistent under 1-norm error, we require only overlap, i.e. that the propensity score be uniformly bounded away from 0 and 1. Procedurally, our method combines balancing weights with a regularized regression adjustment.
Interleukin‐17A participates in podocyte injury by inducing IL‐1β secretion through ROS‐NLRP3 inflammasome‐caspase‐1 pathway
Authors: Yan J. , Li Y. , Yang H. , Zhang L. , Yang B. , Wang M. , Li Q. 
Published: February 2018

AbstractStudies show that the Th17/IL‐17A axis plays an important role in the pathogenesis of kidney diseases. Previously, we also showed that IL‐17A may play a role in the pathogenesis of primary nephrotic syndrome; however, the underlying mechanism(s) is unclear. The aim of this study was to explore the molecular mechanism of IL‐17A‐inducing podocyte injury in vitro. In this study, the NLRP3 inflammasome activation and the morphology of podocytes were detected by Western blot and immunofluorescence. The results showed that podocytes persistently expressed IL‐17A receptor and that NLRP3 inflammasome in these cells was activated upon exposure to IL‐17A. Also, activity of caspase‐1 and secretion of IL‐1β increased in the presence of IL‐17A. In addition, IL‐17A disrupted podocyte morphology by decreasing expression of podocin and increasing expression of desmin. Blockade of intracellular ROS or inhibition of caspase‐1 prevented activation of the NLRP3 inflammasome, thereby restoring podocyte morphology. Taken together, the results suggest that IL‐17A induces podocyte injury by activating the NLRP3 inflammasome and IL‐1β secretion and contributes to disruption of the kidney's filtration system.
Understanding hate crimes against immigrants: Considerations for future research
Authors: Iwama Janice A. 
Published: February 2018

AbstractFollowing the passage of the Hate Crimes Statistics Act of 1990, hate crime research grew with the ability to use data collected by the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Nevertheless, limitations in the data collection led to a dramatic decline in research by the end of the 20th century. This review provides an overview on the development of the hate crime legislation and data collection in order to address and understand the prevalence of hate crimes in the United States. Despite the limitations found in the national hate crime data collected by federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies, a rise in the level of hate crimes against immigrants has renewed scholarly interest in identifying the causes and effects of hate crimes. Recent studies have taken a different approach to explain the rise in the level of hate crimes against immigrants given the passage of anti‐immigrant legislation and inflammatory rhetoric against immigrants. By examining the link between hate crimes against immigrant groups and the demographic, economic, and political changes within the local context, researchers can begin to explain the variation in hate crimes and inform future research as well as local policies and practices to prevent these crimes from occurring.
Protection against summer solar lentigo over‐pigmentation with a SPF30 daily cream
Authors: Josse G. , Le Digabel J. , Questel E. 
Published: February 2018

AbstractBackground/purposeThe aim of this study was to measure lentigines' pigmentation over a long period of time and evaluate if summer over‐pigmentation can be avoided by the use a SPF30 day skin cream.MethodsSeventeen healthy female volunteers aged 50 and over and presenting lentigines participated in the study from spring to summer. Throughout the study, all subjects applied a SPF30 daily skin cream to only one hand. Color measurements of the target lesions were performed with a chromameter and with a color‐calibrated camera. Target lesions were also imaged with in vivo reflectance confocal microscopy (RCM). A specific procedure for re‐registering the images was developed to ensure that the same papillae were measured over time.ResultsBoth color measurement methods, chromametry and color‐calibrated camera, showed that lentigines treated over time with the SPF30 day skin cream were significantly lighter than the non‐treated lentigines. The RCM images showed a decrease in the papillary contrast for the treated lentigines.ConclusionThis study shows that this over‐pigmentation can be avoided using a SPF30 day skin cream. Moreover, we have demonstrated that very fine re‐registration of the RCM images is possible and ensures a more robust analysis.
Isolation of Crithidia spp. from lesions of immunocompetent patients with suspected cutaneous leishmaniasis in Iran
Authors: Ghobakhloo Nafiseh , Motazedian Mohammad Hossein , Naderi Shahrbanoo , Ebrahimi Sepideh 
Published: February 2018

SummaryObjectiveLeishmania major has been considered as the main aetiological agent of cutaneous leishmaniasis in Iran. However, there are recent reports about the existence of Crithidia spp in cutaneous lesions in southern Iran. Therefore, this study was designed to decipher some morphological, biological and molecular aspects of this phenomenon.MethodsClinical isolates were obtained from 167 patients with cutaneous ulcers. A set of specific primers based on GAPDH (Glyceraldehyde‐3‐Phosphate Dehydrogenase) gene were used to distinguish between Crithidia and Leishmania genera. For molecular analysis, Pulsed Field Gel Electrophoresis and Mi‐Seq Illumina platform were applied. Then, morphological analysis and some biological features (including potential growth at 37 °C and the ability of infecting mammalian macrophages) were studied.ResultsIn 92.8% of clinical cases, L. major was the only causative microorganism isolated; in 5.4% of cases, co‐infection of L. major and Crithidia spp. was identified; and in 1.8% of lesions, only Crithidia spp. were found.ConclusionWe isolated Crithidia spp. from clinical samples of patients suspected of cutaneous leishmaniasis in Iran, indicating that Crithidia spp. are capable of surviving at human body temperature and infecting macrophage cells. This raises questions on the influence of this phenomenon on pathogenicity, therapeutic outcome and disease control strategies.
Debt and development in historical perspective: The external constraints of late industrialisation revisited through South Korea and Brazil
Authors: Fischer Andrew M. 
Published: February 2018

AbstractCurrent debates about the role of external finance in development mostly overlook the insights from early development economics that late industrialisation generates a structural tendency to run trade deficits, thereby exacerbating rather than relieving external foreign exchange constraints. The developmental role of external finance is therefore based on its strategic marginal contribution to relieve such constraints. External debt in particular also allows countries to pursue industrial strategies without reliance on foreign direct investment. These insights are revisited in this paper as a critical input to both mainstream and heterodox contemporary scholarship on debt and development. While the mainstream generally avoids discussion of state‐led industrial policy, the heterodox has converged on a view that developing countries should avoid external finance. The contrasting external account histories of South Korea and Brazil are examined to demonstrate the validity of the classic insights and the contemporary fallacies. While the South Korean case speaks much to its geopolitical context, this does not necessarily refute the principle that post‐war late development engenders an intensive demand for external finance, which must be met if industrialisation strategies are not to be stymied, as in the case of Brazil, no matter how effectively domestic strategies are conceived and implemented.
Pigs expressing the human inhibitory ligand PD‐L1 (CD 274) provide a new source of xenogeneic cells and tissues with low immunogenic properties
Authors: Buermann Anna , Petkov Stoyan , Petersen Björn , Hein Rabea , Lucas‐Hahn Andrea , Baars Wiebke , Brinkmann Antje , Niemann Heiner , Schwinzer Reinhard 
Published: February 2018

AbstractBackgroundThe programmed cell death‐1 (PD‐1, CD279)/PD‐Ligand1 (PD‐L1, CD274) receptor system is crucial for controlling the balance between immune activation and induction of tolerance via generation of inhibitory signals. Expression of PD‐L1 is associated with reduced immunogenicity and renders cells and tissues to an immune‐privileged/tolerogenic state.MethodsTo apply this concept for clinical xenotransplantation, we generated human (h)PD‐L1 transgenic pigs and characterized expression and biological function of the transgene at the cellular level.ResultsThe hPD‐L1 was detected in kidney, heart, and pancreas. In addition, peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC), cultured fibroblasts, and endothelial cells were hPD‐L1 positive (hPD‐L1+). The hPD‐L1 levels were increased by the treatment of transgenic cells with human cytokines (eg, TNF‐α), suggesting a regulatable mode of transgene expression. Compared to cells from wild‐type pigs, hPD‐L1+ PBMC had a significantly reduced capacity to stimulate proliferation of human CD4+ T cells. Moreover, fibroblasts from hPD‐L1 transgenic pigs were partially protected from cell‐mediated lysis by human cytotoxic effector cells.ConclusionsThese data indicate a low immunogenic, immune‐protected status of cells from hPD‐L1 transgenic pigs. The integration of the hPD‐L1 concept into existing multi‐transgenic pigs is promising to achieve long‐term survival of porcine xenografts in non‐human primate recipients.
Predicting reaction performance in C–N cross-coupling using machine learning
Authors: Ahneman Derek T. , Estrada Jesús G. , Lin Shishi , Dreher Spencer D. , Doyle Abigail G. 
Published: February 2018

A guide for catalyst choice in the forestChemists often discover reactions by applying catalysts to a series of simple compounds. Tweaking those reactions to tolerate more structural complexity in pharmaceutical research is time-consuming. Ahnemanet al.report that machine learning can help. Using a high-throughput data set, they trained a random forest algorithm to predict which specific palladium catalysts would best tolerate isoxazoles (cyclic structures with an N–O bond) during C–N bond formation. The predictions also helped to guide analysis of the catalyst inhibition mechanism.Science, this issue p.186
Anthropogenic N Deposition Alters the Composition of Expressed Class II Fungal Peroxidases
Authors: Entwistle Elizabeth M. , Romanowicz Karl J. , Argiroff William A. , Freedman Zachary B. , Morris J. Jeffrey , Zak Donald R. 
Published: February 2018

ABSTRACT
Here, we present evidence that ca. 20 years of experimental N deposition altered the composition of lignin-decaying class II peroxidases expressed by forest floor fungi, a response which has occurred concurrently with reductions in plant litter decomposition and a rapid accumulation of soil organic matter. This finding suggests that anthropogenic N deposition has induced changes in the biological mediation of lignin decay, the rate limiting step in plant litter decomposition. Thus, an altered composition of transcripts for a critical gene that is associated with terrestrial C cycling may explain the increased soil C storage under long-term increases in anthropogenic N deposition.

IMPORTANCE
Fungal class II peroxidases are enzymes that mediate the rate-limiting step in the decomposition of plant material, which involves the oxidation of lignin and other polyphenols. In field experiments, anthropogenic N deposition has increased soil C storage in forests, a result which could potentially arise from anthropogenic N-induced changes in the composition of class II peroxidases expressed by the fungal community. In this study, we have gained unique insight into how anthropogenic N deposition, a widespread agent of global change, affects the expression of a functional gene encoding an enzyme that plays a critical role in a biologically mediated ecosystem process.
Clinical impact of physical exercise on sleep disorder as assessed by actigram in patients with chronic pancreatitis: a study protocol for a randomised controlled trial
Authors: Yoh Kazunori , Nishikawa Hiroki , Enomoto Hirayuki , Iwata Yoshinori , Ishii Akio , Yuri Yukihisa , Ishii Noriko , Miyamoto Yuho , Hasegawa Kunihiro , Nakano Chikage , Takata Ryo , Nishimura Takashi , Aizawa Nobuhiro , Sakai Yoshiyuki , Ikeda Naoto , Takashima Tomoyuki , Iijima Hiroko , Nishiguchi Shuhei 
Published: February 2018

IntroductionIn most chronic pancreatitis (CP) cases, malabsorption, pain, and weight loss are the leading clinical symptoms, which significantly worsen the quality of life (QOL) and decreased QOL in patients with CP can cause sleep disorder. There is a growing body of evidence that recognises the favourable effects of physical exercise (PE), however, there are limited data currently available concerning patients with CP undergoing PE. Actigram is a device for gathering objective sleep/awake data in the natural sleeping surroundings over an extended time period. In this study, we will aim to prospectively investigate the effect of PE on sleep disorder as assessed by actigram in patients with CP.Methods and analysisThis study is a non-double-blind randomised controlled trial. Study participants will be randomised into the PE group and the control group. When registering patients, precise assessment for nutritional status and daily physical activities will be undertaken in each study patient. In the PE group, physical activities equal to or higher than walking for 60 min/day should be strongly recommended. Sleep quality using actigram will be prospectively compared in the two groups. The primary endpoint is the activity index in actigram at 12 weeks.Ethics and disseminationEthical approval for the study was granted by the Institutional Review Board at Hyogo College of Medicine (approval number 2767). Results will be presented at relevant conferences and submitted to an appropriate journal following trial closure and analysis.Trial registration numberUMIN000029265(https://upload.umin.ac.jp/); Pre-results.