bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
A comparative path establishment study on routing performance of MLR WDM optical networks
Authors: Boztok Algin Gul , Tunali Emrullah Turhan 
Published: December 2018

SummaryIn this paper, we investigate the effect of path establishment method priorities over routing performance in mixed line rate (MLR) wavelength division multiplexed (WDM) optical networks. The survivable routing with rate and wavelength assignment (SRRWA) problem is presented and an efficient shared backup path protection solution is proposed. We prepared detailed simulation scenarios with all possible prioritizations and observed their performances. The simulation results show that assigning higher priority to single hop methods as compared with multi‐hop methods yields better performance. In both methods, it has been observed that assigning higher priority to grooming reduces the communication cost and the traffic blocking ratio while enhancing the resource utilization.
Impact of transmission techniques in asymmetric RF/FSO system over Nakagami‐m and gamma‐gamma fading channels with pointing errors
Authors: Odeyemi Kehinde O. , Owolawi Pius A. 
Published: December 2018

SummaryIn this paper, the performance of transmission techniques on the fixed‐gain amplify‐and‐forward–based asymmetric radio frequency/free space optical (RF/FSO) communication system is studied. The RF link and FSO link are, respectively, modeled by the Nakagami‐m and Gamma‐Gamma fading channels under the effect of zero boresight and non‐zero boresight pointing errors subject to heterodyne detection. Maximum ratio transmission (MRT) and orthogonal space‐time block coding (OSTBC) techniques are the transmission scenarios considered at the system source while selection combining is used for reception at the relay and destination for the signal detection. Moreover, a unified cumulative density distribution (CDF) of end‐to‐end signal‐to‐noise ratio is derived for the system. By utilizing this channel statistical CDF, the closed‐form expressions for the outage probability and average bit error rate for the M‐ary phase shift keying modulation are then obtained for the system. The analysis presented illustrates that both the atmospheric turbulence and pointing error significantly degrade the system performance. Based on this, the MRT transmission technique offers a better performance compared with the OSTBC techniques under the same system conditions. The accuracy of the analytical results is verified by Monte‐Carlo simulations.
New VDPM leaflet „Mauerwerk mit Dünnbettmörtel”
Authors: Kranzler Thomas , Hannig Antje , Meyer Udo 
Published: December 2018

AbstractThe German associations Verband für Dämmsysteme, Putz und Mörtel (VDPM), Arbeitsgemeinschaft Mauerziegel and Bundesverband Leichtbeton have published a new leaflet „Mauerwerk mit Dünnbettmörtel” [Masonry with thin‐layer mortar] [1]. This compact guide offers 8 pages of helpful tips and important information concerning the application of thin‐layer mortar with high‐precision masonry units or high‐precision blocks of lightweight concrete or clay. The leaflet contains terms and definitions, requirements for the thin‐layer mortar, the units and the masonry and the different forms of delivery of thin‐layer mortar. The main parts of the leaflet are the explanations of laying (levelling layer, blocklaying with thin‐layer mortar, working time, methods of application, head joints…). Notes regarding occupational health and safety protection complete the leaflet. The following article describes the essential content of the leaflet with further information.
Burglary resistance of highly insulated clay masonry
Authors: Frank Alexander , Meyer Udo , Küenzlen Jürgen H. R. , Haut Sandra , Sack Norbert 
Published: December 2018

AbstractAt the institute for window technology in Rosenheim (ift Rosenheim), extensive testing has been undertaken of the burglary resistance of building elements installed in insulated, monolithic fired clay masonry. For the usual 365 mm thick clay masonry units of compressive strength class 6 with a lightweight plaster of Type II, the burglary resistance class RC 2 recommended by the police in Germany was verified in all the investigated variants. With an additional render reinforced with textile mesh, the resistance class RC 3 was also achieved in all investigated variants. The results of the research project have been implemented in a proposed addition to Table NA.2 in the German national annex to DIN EN 1627.
A city‐scale assessment reveals that native forest types and overstory species dominate New York City forests
Authors: Pregitzer Clara C. , Charlop‐Powers Sarah , Bibbo Silvia , Forgione Helen M. , Gunther Bram , Hallett Richard A. , Bradford Mark A. 
Published: December 2018

AbstractCities are increasingly focused on expanding tree canopy cover as a means to improve the urban environment by, for example, reducing heat island effects, promoting better air quality, and protecting local habitat. The majority of efforts to expand canopy cover focus on planting street trees or on planting native tree species and removing nonnatives in natural areas through reforestation. Yet many urban canopy assessments conducted at the city‐scale reveal co‐dominance by nonnative trees, fueling debates about the value of urban forests and native‐specific management targets. In contrast, assessments within cities at site or park scales find that some urban forest stands harbor predominantly native biodiversity. To resolve this apparent dichotomy in findings, about the extent to which urban forests are native dominated, between the city‐scale canopy and site‐level assessments, we measure forest structure and composition in 1,124 plots across 53 parks in New York City's 2,497 ha of natural area forest. That is, we assess urban forests at the city‐scale and deliberately omit sampling trees existing outside of forest stands but which are enumerated in citywide canopy assessments. We find that on average forest stand canopy is comprised of 82% native species in New York City forests, suggesting that conclusions that the urban canopy is co‐dominated by nonnatives likely results from predominantly sampling street trees in prior city‐scale assessments. However, native tree species’ proportion declines to 75% and 53% in the midstory and understory, respectively, suggesting potential threats to the future native dominance of urban forest canopies. Furthermore, we find that out of 57 unique forest types in New York City, the majority of stands (81%) are a native type. We find that stand structure in urban forest stands is more similar to rural forests in New York State than to stand structure reported for prior assessments of the urban canopy at the city scale. Our results suggest the need to measure urban forest stands apart from the entire urban canopy. Doing so will ensure that city‐scale assessments return data that align with conservation policy and management strategies that focus on maintaining and growing native urban forests rather than individual trees.
Context‐dependent costs and benefits of tuberculosis resistance traits in a wild mammalian host
Authors: Tavalire Hannah F. , Beechler Brianna R. , Buss Peter E. , Gorsich Erin E. , Hoal Eileen G. , le Roex Nikki , Spaan Johannie M. , Spaan Robert S. , van Helden Paul D. , Ezenwa Vanessa O. , Jolles Anna E. 
Published: December 2018

AbstractDisease acts as a powerful driver of evolution in natural host populations, yet individuals in a population often vary in their susceptibility to infection. Energetic trade‐offs between immune and reproductive investment lead to the evolution of distinct life history strategies, driven by the relative fitness costs and benefits of resisting infection. However, examples quantifying the cost of resistance outside of the laboratory are rare. Here, we observe two distinct forms of resistance to bovine tuberculosis (bTB), an important zoonotic pathogen, in a free‐ranging African buffalo (Syncerus caffer) population. We characterize these phenotypes as “infection resistance,” in which hosts delay or prevent infection, and “proliferation resistance,” in which the host limits the spread of lesions caused by the pathogen after infection has occurred. We found weak evidence that infection resistance to bTB may be heritable in this buffalo population (h2 = 0.10) and comes at the cost of reduced body condition and marginally reduced survival once infected, but also associates with an overall higher reproductive rate. Infection‐resistant animals thus appear to follow a “fast” pace‐of‐life syndrome, in that they reproduce more quickly but die upon infection. In contrast, proliferation resistance had no apparent costs and was associated with measures of positive host health—such as having a higher body condition and reproductive rate. This study quantifies striking phenotypic variation in pathogen resistance and provides evidence for a link between life history variation and a disease resistance trait in a wild mammalian host population.
Trade‐offs for butterfly alpha and beta diversity in human‐modified landscapes and tropical rainforests
Authors: Sambhu Hemchandranauth , Nankishore Alliea , Turton Stephen M. , Northfield Tobin D. 
Published: December 2018

AbstractThe accelerating expansion of human populations and associated economic activity across the globe have made maintaining large, intact natural areas increasingly challenging. The difficulty of preserving large intact landscapes in the presence of growing human populations has led to a growing emphasis on landscape approaches to biodiversity conservation with a complementary strategy focused on improving conservation in human‐modified landscapes. This, in turn, is leading to intense debate about the effectiveness of biodiversity conservation in human‐modified landscapes and approaches to better support biodiversity in those landscapes. Here, we compared butterfly abundance, alpha richness, and beta diversity in human‐modified landscapes (urban, sugarcane) and natural, forested areas to assess the conservation value of human‐modified landscapes within the Wet Tropics bioregion of Australia. We used fruit‐baited traps to sample butterflies and analyzed abundance and species richness in respective land uses over a one‐year period. We also evaluated turnover and spatial variance components of beta diversity to determine the extent of change in temporal and spatial variation in community composition. Forests supported the largest numbers of butterflies, but were lowest in each, alpha species richness, beta turnover, and the spatial beta diversity. Sugarcane supported higher species richness, demonstrating the potential for conservation at local scales in human‐modified landscapes. In contrast, beta diversity was highest in urban areas, likely driven by spatial and temporal variation in plant composition within the urban landscapes. Thus, while improving conservation on human‐modified landscapes may improve local alpha richness, conserving variation in natural vegetation is critical for maintaining high beta diversity.
Size‐dependent mating pattern in a nuptial gift‐giving insect
Authors: Dorková Martina , Naďo Ladislav , Jarčuška Benjamín , Kaňuch Peter 
Published: December 2018

AbstractThe reproductive interests of females and males often diverge in terms of the number of mating partners, an individual’s phenotype, origin, genes, and parental investment. This conflict may lead to a variety of sex‐specific adaptations and also affect mate choice in both sexes. We conducted an experiment with the bush‐cricket Pholidoptera griseoaptera (Orthoptera, Tettigoniidae), a species in which females receive direct nutritional benefits during mating. Mated individuals could be assigned due to the genotype of male spermatodoses, which are stored in the female’s spermatheca. After 3 weeks of possible copulations in established mating groups which were random replications with four females and males we did not find consistent assortative mating preference regarding to body size of mates. However, our results showed that the frequency of within‐pair copulations (192 analyzed mating events in 128 possible pairwise combinations) was positively associated with the body size of both mated individuals with significant interaction between sexes (having one mate very large, association between body size and the number of copulations has weaken). Larger individuals also showed a higher degree of polygamy. This suggests that body size of this nuptial gift‐giving insect species is an important sexual trait according to which both sexes choose their optimal mating partner.
Vascular response and intrastent thrombus in the early phase after drug‐eluting versus bare‐metal stent implantation in patients with ST‐segment elevation myocardial infarction: An observational, single‐center study
Authors: Sato Nobuhiro , Minami Yoshiyasu , Shimohama Takao , Kameda Ryo , Tojo Taiki , Ako Junya 
Published: December 2018

AbstractBackground and ObjectivesSecond‐generation drug‐eluting stents (G2‐DES) are associated with a lower rate of acute and subacute stent thrombosis compared with bare‐metal stent (BMS) in the setting of ST‐segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). In this study, our aim was to compare the vascular response and thrombus burden between G2‐DES and BMS in early‐phase STEMI.MethodsBetween May 2010 and August 2014, a total of 41 STEMI patients treated by either G2‐DES (n = 26; everolimus‐eluting stent [EES]: n = 15, zotarolimus‐eluting stent [ZES]: n = 11) or BMS (n = 15) and, with multivessel disease requiring additional percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI), were prospectively enrolled. Optical coherence tomography (OCT) imaging was performed at 1 month after stent implantation.ResultsBaseline clinical characteristics, except for age (61.5 ± 9.3 vs 69.3 ± 9.8, P = 0.01, t test), were comparable between patients with drug‐eluting stent (DES) and BMS. The incidence of residual thrombus after the stent implantation for STEMI was comparable between DES and BMS (7.7% vs 6.7%, P = 0.88, χ2 test). At 1 month, thrombus burden, defined as the mean thrombus area divided by the mean lumen area, was significantly smaller with DES than with BMS (median interquartile range (IQR), 1.2 (0.0, 1.0) vs 1.2 (0.0, 2.2), P = 0.04, Mann‐Whitney U test), despite a similar percentage of malapposed (median (IQR), 6.2 (2.4, 9.0) vs 2.6 (0.0, 5.8)%, P = 0.07, Mann‐Whitney U test) or uncovered struts (median (IQR), 6.8 (1.8, 13.1) vs 6.14 (2.8, 18.5)%, P = 0.45, Mann‐Whitney U test). No significant difference in thrombus burden was observed between EES and ZES.ConclusionsThrombus burden was significantly smaller with DES than with BMS at 1‐month follow‐up in STEMI cases, although the percentage of malapposed or uncovered struts was similar between the groups. This may partly explain the lower rate of acute and subacute stent thrombosis in G2‐DES that has previously been reported in the literature.
RETRACTED: Downregulation of long noncoding RNA SNHG1 inhibits cell proliferation, metastasis, and invasion by suppressing the Notch‐1 signaling pathway in pancreatic cancer
Authors: Cui Long , Dong Yadong , Wang Xiaochuan , Zhao Xin , Kong Chenchen , Liu Yangsui , Jiang Xinchun , Zhang Xinhui 
Published: December 2018

AbstractBackgroundPancreatic cancer (PC) has become the fourth most lethal among human cancers. Long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) have been reported to play a role in the progression of a variety of cancers. However, the role of lncRNA SNHG1 in PC is not clear.MethodsReal‐time Quantitative PCR Detection System (qPCR) was used to detect the expression of SNHG1 in PC cells. Then, the SNHG1 knockdown cell was constructed with si‐SNHG1. AsPC‐1 and PANC1 cells were used to analyze the ability of cell proliferation, invasion, and migration. MTT assay was used to analyze the proliferation ability. Transwell experiments and wound healing experiments were used to detect the capacity of invasion and migration. Finally, Western blot analysis was used to explore the mechanism of SNHG1 in PC.ResultsSNHG1 was significantly upregulated in PC cells. Knockdown of SNHG1 could obviously suppress cell proliferation, invasion, and migration. Furthermore, SNHG1 knockdown inhibited the activation of the Notch‐1 signaling pathway and inhibited the expression of N‐cadherin, Hes1, Vimentin, Notch‐1. The inhabitation was reversed when Notch‐1 was overexpressed in si‐SNHG1 cells.ConclusionThe lncRNA SNHG1 promotes cell growth and metastasis in PC through activation of the Notch‐1 signaling pathway in PC.
Retracted: Deep integrative analysis of microRNA‐mRNA regulatory networks for biomarker and target discovery in chondrosarcoma
Authors: Sui Jinpo , Liu Qingkuan , Zhang Hongyan , Kong Ying 
Published: December 2018

AbstractChondrosarcoma (CHS) is a common malignant bone sarcoma and its occurrence increases with age. microRNAs (miRNAs) are a class of noncoding RNAs that participate in various biological processes and disease pathogenesis by targeting functional messenger RNA (mRNA). However, the modulation of miRNAs in CHS remains largely unknown. In this study, we performed integrative analysis to explore the expression profiles of miRNAs and mRNAs, together with their interaction networks in human CHS tissues and cell lines by RNA‐seq (miRNA and mRNA). A total of 133 and 796 differentially expressed miRNAs and mRNAs were identified (|Fold change| ≥ 2 and P‐value ≤ 0.5). miRNA‐mRNA regulatory interactions between 55 miRNAs and 242 mRNAs were screened by the Pearson correlation analysis and target prediction. mRNAs in the network were enriched to 145 Gene Ontology terms and 35 Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes pathways. Specifically, some key regulators (hub‐miRNAs) in the network (miR‐622, miR‐4539, miR‐145, miR‐25, and miR‐96) were suggested to play important regulatory roles in the pathogenesis of CHS. In addition, functional experiments validated that miR‐622 regulated CHS cell proliferation by targeting bone morphogenetic protein 1 (BMP1).
Appearance of Di‐ and Tripeptides in Human Plasma after a Protein Meal Does Not Correlate with PEPT1 Substrate Selectivity
Authors: Rohm Florian , Skurk Thomas , Daniel Hannelore , Spanier Britta 
Published: December 2018

ScopePeptide transporter 1 (PEPT1) function is well understood, yet little is known about its contribution toward the absorption of dietary amino acids in the form of di‐ and tripeptides. In the present human study, changes in plasma concentrations of a representative oligopeptide panel are investigated after meat intake.Methods and resultsBased on a method for quantitative analysis of a panel of selected di‐ and tripeptides in biological samples, the kinetics of plasma changes of peptides derived from a widely accessible dietary protein source are described. The findings demonstrate postprandial changes of a whole spectrum of dipeptides of different size, charge, and polarity in peripheral blood in a dose‐dependent manner after consumption of chicken breast in healthy human volunteers. Although the substrate specificity of PEPT1 is well known, the spectrum of peptides appearing in blood cannot be matched to the affinity to PEPT1. Stability against hydrolysis by exo‐ and endopeptidases appears to be another factor influencing their presence in blood. In addition, the study shows that dipeptides, including gamma‐glutamyl‐peptides, as well as tripeptides are common components present in human plasma.ConclusionBesides amino acids, human peripheral blood contains numerous di‐ and tripeptides. The dietary source determines their abundance and composition.
On the properties of Sierpinski gasket fractal microstrip antennas
Authors: Jayasinghe Jeevani , Andújar Aurora , Anguera Jaume 
Published: December 2018

AbstractA set of fractal microstrip patch antennas having a modified Sierpinski Gasket geometry is explored and compared with a genetically optimized patch. The resonant behavior, radiation patterns and the box‐counting dimensions of the antennas have been investigated in order to understand the miniaturization properties. Finally, the Sierpinski‐based antennas have been compared with a genetic optimized antenna.
Content of Poorly Absorbed Short‐Chain Carbohydrates (FODMAP) in Enteral Homemade Diets
Authors: Mezzomo Thais Regina , Sampaio Isabella Ruckl , Fiori Lize Stangarlin , Schieferdecker Maria Eliana Madalozzo 
Published: December 2018

AbstractBackgroundRecent studies have shown that commercial enteral formulas with low FODMAP (FO, fermentable oligosaccharides; D, disaccharides; M, monosaccharides; AP, and polyols) content decrease diarrhea of individuals receiving enteral nutrition therapy (ENT). There is no information, however, regarding the content of FODMAP in homemade enteral formula. The objective of this study was to assess energy and macronutrient content, and to quantify the amount of FODMAP content in homemade enteral formula, commonly prescribed for home use after hospital discharge.MethodsRecipes of homemade enteral formula were requested from all hospitals and healthcare centers in a Brazilian city, totaling 24 recipes. The diets were quantified in relation to their energy content, macronutrients, and FODMAP content.ResultsOf the 19 hospitals, 68.4% prescribe only commercial enteral formulas at the time of hospital discharge, and 31.6% prescribe homemade enteral formula, both conventional and commercial. The homemade enteral formula showed a variation from 700 to 3000 kcal/d. The macronutrient levels of carbohydrates, proteins, and fats were 49.0% ± 6.8%, 17.4% ± 3.1%, and 33.5% ± 6.2%, respectively. On average, homemade enteral formula had 58.5% of high FODMAP content, 7.1% of moderate content, and 34.5% of low FODMAP content, considering that milk is the main food responsible for the high content of FODMAP.ConclusionsHomemade enteral formula presented adequate nutrition characteristics and is rich in FODMAP. It is important to consider FODMAP in enteral diets prescribed for individuals intolerant to these carbohydrates by individualizing the diet prescription.
An adaptive mesh‐adjustment strategy for continuum topology optimization to achieve manufacturable structural layout
Authors: Wang Hongxin , Liu Jie , Wen Guilin 
Published: December 2018

SummaryThis paper presents an adaptive mesh adjustment algorithm for continuum topology optimization method to describe the structural boundary using nonuniform isoparametric element. A criterion on the basis of the node movement is proposed; herein, the densities and coordinates of the nodes are defined to instruct the deformation of finite elements in subsequent optimization iterations. With such a scheme, the topology optimization can start from a regular mesh discretization then gradually yields an optimal design with clear structural boundaries. The element in the transition along the boundary is refined; on the contrary, the pure solid or void element is coarsen. The contribution of this work is to improve the resolution of the structural boundaries and decrease the percentage of transitional regions with the invariant design variable. Several 2D and 3D numerical examples indicate the effectiveness of our proposed method. Seen from the examples, the structural boundary become smoother and the intermediate densities have been reduced up to 70%. In addition, a design process based on the presented method is proposed to make the optimum solutions be fabricated conveniently and accurately by linking it with the 3D design software, ie, SolidWorks, which is also demonstrated in the numerical examples.