bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Channel assignment scheme in clustered multichannel cognitive radio networks with outdated CSI over Rayleigh fading channels
Authors: Olawole Akinbode A. , Takawira Fambirai , Oyerinde Olutayo O. 
Published: July 2018

SummaryThis work investigates channel assignment for cooperative spectrum sensing in multichannel cognitive radio networks, where the heterogeneity of primary user (PU) activity and the effect of varying channel condition on the received signal‐to‐noise ratio during cluster formation are considered. With the objective to minimize interference to the PU while enhancing multiple spectrum utilization of the secondary user (SU), an overlapping cluster‐based assignment is formulated into a nonlinear integer optimization problem. To obtain an efficient solution, the nonlinear integer problem is transformed into a mixed integer linear problem, based on which, this paper proposes an exact solution and then two new heuristic algorithms for suboptimal solutions, respectively. Furthermore, a comparative study of four different cluster head selection schemes with respect to their performance in cooperative spectrum sensing, under cluster's heterogeneity in terms of SUs distribution relative to PU transmitter location is presented. Based on the study, a robust cluster head selection scheme is proposed. Simulation results show that good sensing performance and increased opportunistic spectrum utilization in multichannel cognitive radio networks are two sides of a coin that depend on the ratio of the SUs to the number of PU channels. How far away the PU is from the cluster center is also seen to be key in the optimal selection of cluster heads in cooperative spectrum sensing.
Prevalence of moderately increased albuminuria among individuals with normal HbA1c level but impaired glucose tolerance: Results from the LIFE‐Adult‐Study
Authors: Živković Mila , Tönjes Anke , Baber Ronny , Wirkner Kerstin , Loeffler Markus , Engel Christoph 
Published: July 2018

SummaryAimsDiabetes screening strategies using glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c) as first‐instance diagnostic parameter may cause failure to detect individuals with abnormal glucose regulation and possible signs of microvascular complications despite “rule‐out” HbA1c levels. This cross‐sectional study examined the diagnostic performance of HbA1c in relation to fasting and two‐hour postload plasma glucose (FPG/2 h‐PG), and investigated whether individuals with normal HbA1c but abnormal FPG/2 h‐PG have a higher prevalence of moderately increased albuminuria as possible sign of early stage kidney damage.MethodsA total of 2695 individuals (age 40‐79 years, 48% men) without prior diagnosis of diabetes and complete measurement of HbA1c, FPG, 2 h‐PG and urine albumin‐creatinine ratio (UACR) were taken from a large population‐based epidemiological study in the City of Leipzig, Germany.ResultsA total of 2439 individuals (90.5%, 95% CI: 89.4‐91.6) had normal HbA1c levels, <39 mmol/mol (<5.7%), while 234 (8.7%, 95% CI: 7.7‐9.8) had prediabetes, HbA1c ≥39 and <48 mmol/mol (≥5.7 and <6.5%), and 22 (0.8%, 95% CI: 0.5‐1.2) had diabetes, HbA1c ≥48 mmol/mol (≥6.5%), according to HbA1c. Among individuals with normal HbA1c, 35.6% (95% CI: 33.7‐37.5) had impaired fasting glucose or impaired glucose tolerance and 1.8% (95% CI: 1.4‐2.4) had diabetes according to FPG/2 h‐PG. Individuals with normal HbA1c but prediabetic or diabetic FPG/2 h‐PG had a significantly higher prevalence of moderately increased albuminuria (9.4%, 95% CI: 7.6‐11.5 and 13.3%, 95% CI: 5.8‐25.4, respectively) than individuals with normal HbA1c and normal FPG/2 h‐PG (3.9%, 95% CI: 3.0‐5.0).ConclusionsThe prevalence of prediabetes according to FPG/2 h‐PG among individuals with normal HbA1c is considerably high, and the prevalence of moderately increased albuminuria in this group is significantly elevated. Risk factors for diabetes such as age, gender and BMI may help to better identify this at‐risk group.
Markov chain Monte Carlo ground‐motion selection algorithms for conditional intensity measure targets
Authors: Shi Yuan , Stafford Peter J. 
Published: July 2018

SummaryTwo new algorithms are presented for efficiently selecting suites of ground motions that match a target multivariate distribution or conditional intensity measure target. The first algorithm is a Markov chain Monte Carlo (MCMC) approach in which records are sequentially added to a selected set such that the joint probability density function (PDF) of the target distribution is progressively approximated by the discrete distribution of the selected records. The second algorithm derives from the concept of the acceptance ratio within MCMC but does not involve any sampling. The first method takes advantage of MCMC's ability to efficiently explore a sampling distribution through the implementation of a traditional MCMC algorithm. This method is shown to enable very good matches to multivariate targets to be obtained when the numbers of records to be selected is relatively large. A weaker performance for fewer records can be circumvented by the second method that uses greedy optimisation to impose additional constraints upon properties of the target distribution. A preselection approach based upon values of the multivariate PDF is proposed that enables near‐optimal record sets to be identified with a very close match to the target. Both methods are applied for a number response analyses associated with different sizes of record sets and rupture scenarios. Comparisons are made throughout with the Generalised Conditional Intensity Measure (GCIM) approach. The first method provides similar results to GCIM but with slightly worse performance for small record sets, while the second method outperforms method 1 and GCIM for all considered cases.
Hydrology and hillslope processes explain spatial variation in tree‐ring responses to the 1983 earthquake at Borah Peak, Idaho, USA
Authors: Bekker Matthew F. , Metcalf Douglas P. , Harley Grant L. 
Published: July 2018

AbstractDendrogeomorphic approaches have been used to identify tree‐ring responses to earthquakes, and have the potential to contribute new paleoseismic information. However, this potential is limited by the relatively low intensity of damage from earthquakes. In this paper, we present a comparison of tree‐ring responses in multiple species to the Mw 6.9 1983 Borah Peak, Idaho earthquake across three adjacent but distinct sites with different hydrologic settings, and different types and intensities of co‐seismic mass movement. We analyzed samples from 166 trees for a broad range of growth responses, including suppressions, releases, reaction wood, and traumatic resin ducts. The proportions of trees recording growth disturbances at the sites with clear hydrologic changes and/or co‐seismic mass movement were twice as high (39–42%) as the site where these processes were less evident (19%), and probability density functions of percentage change in growth for all crossdated trees echoed these results. Growth suppressions and reaction wood were common across sites, whereas traumatic resin ducts were only associated with rockfalls and landslides at one site. Growth releases were also primarily restricted to one site, and in contrast to previous studies, most of these probably reflected direct improvements in growing conditions via documented increased flow in springs and streams, rather than the indirect influence of reduced competition via the death of neighboring trees. These results highlight the importance of site selection in dendroseismology, and particularly suggest that focusing on sites with potential co‐seismic hydrologic changes and mass movement, sampling trees with and without external evidence of earthquake impacts, and understanding the connection between responses and site conditions may facilitate greater contributions of dendrogeomorphic approaches to paleoseismology. © 2018 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Sulfonated Oligomer‐crosslinked Fluorinated Poly(aryl ether sulfone)‐based Proton Exchange Membranes for Fuel Cells
Authors: Zhang X. , Lu Y. , Yan X. , Hu Z. , Chen S. 
Published: July 2018

AbstractA series of sulfonated oligomer‐crosslinked fluorinated poly(aryl ether sulfone) membranes (c‐SPFAES) have been prepared in a consecutive casting and thermal treating process from fluorinated polymers and sulfonated oligomers, where the latter acted as hydrophilic grafts and crosslinkers at the same time. Membrane structure and physico‐chemical properties are characterized and evaluated by 1H‐nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, thermogravimetric analysis and atomic force microscopy, Fenton, water‐swelling and H2/O2 single cell tests. For the c‐SPFAES membranes with ion exchange capacity of 1.04–1.78 mmol g−1, they exhibit excellent mechanical toughness with Young's moduli above 1.3 GPa and tensile strength beyond 35.8 MPa, good dimensional and thermo‐oxidative stability. They also exhibited clear hydrophilic‐hydrophobic phase‐separation morphology. The proton conductivity is higher than 0.1 S cm−1 for the c‐SPFAES membranes with IEC over 1.38 mmol g−1 at 60 °C. In a H2/O2 single cell test, the maximum power density of the c‐SPFAES‐1.61 membrane achieves 587 mW cm−2 at 80 °C under fully hydrated state. The c‐SPFAES membrane show promising potentials as a polymer electrolyte membrane candidate for fuel cell applications.
Topological analyses of functional connectomics: A crucial role of global signal removal, brain parcellation, and null models
Authors: Chen Xiaodan , Liao Xuhong , Dai Zhengjia , Lin Qixiang , Wang Zhiqun , Li Kuncheng , He Yong 
Published: July 2018

AbstractRecently, functional connectome studies based on resting‐state functional magnetic resonance imaging (R‐fMRI) and graph theory have greatly advanced our understanding of the topological principles of healthy and diseased brains. However, how different strategies for R‐fMRI data preprocessing and for connectome analyses jointly affect topological characterization and contrastive research of brain networks remains to be elucidated. Here, we used two R‐fMRI data sets, a healthy young adult data set and an Alzheimer's disease (AD) patient data set, and up to 42 analysis strategies to comprehensively investigate the joint influence of three key factors (global signal regression, regional parcellation schemes, and null network models) on the topological analysis and contrastive research of whole‐brain functional networks. At the global level, we first found that these three factors affected not only the quantitative values but also the individual variability profile in small‐world related metrics and modularity, wherein global signal regression exhibited the predominant influence. Moreover, strategies without global signal regression and with topological randomization null model enhanced the sensitivity of the detection of differences between AD and control groups in small‐worldness and modularity. At the nodal level, strategies of global signal regression dominantly influenced the spatial distribution of both hubs and between‐group differences in terms of nodal degree centrality. Together, we highlight the remarkable joint influence of global signal regression, regional parcellation schemes and null network models on functional connectome analyses in both health and diseases, which may provide guidance for the choice of analysis strategies in future functional network studies.
Context‐dependent role of selective attention for change detection in multi‐speaker scenes
Authors: Starzynski Christian , Gutschalk Alexander 
Published: July 2018

AbstractDisappearance of a voice or other sound source may often go unnoticed when the auditory scene is crowded. We explored the role of selective attention for this change deafness with magnetoencephalography in multi‐speaker scenes. Each scene was presented two times in direct succession, and one target speaker was frequently omitted in Scene 2. When listeners were previously cued to the target speaker, activity in auditory cortex time locked to the target speaker's sound envelope was selectively enhanced in Scene 1, as was determined by a cross‐correlation analysis. Moreover, the response was stronger for hit trials than for miss trials, confirming that selective attention played a role for subsequent change detection. If selective attention to the streams where the change occurred was generally required for successful change detection, neural enhancement of this stream would also be expected without cue in hit compared to miss trials. However, when listeners were not previously cued to the target, no enhanced activity for the target speaker was observed for hit trials, and there was no significant difference between hit and miss trials. These results, first, confirm a role for attention in change detection for situations where the target source is known. Second, they suggest that the omission of a speaker, or more generally an auditory stream, can alternatively be detected without selective attentional enhancement of the target stream. Several models and strategies could be envisaged for change detection in this case, including global comparison of the subsequent scenes.
Visual integration of objects and scenes increases recollection‐based responding despite differential MTL recruitment in young and older adults
Authors: Memel Molly , Ryan Lee 
Published: July 2018

AbstractUnitization, the process of encoding previously independent units as one coherent representation, improves associative memory in both young and older adults, or in some cases, differentially benefits older adults. Unitization of verbal associative pairs may reduce reliance on the hippocampus (HC) for successful encoding and recognition by shifting to familiarity‐based processing mediated by perirhinal cortex (PRC). However, this shift was not observed in a recent study of visual associative memory, with equivalent activation in HC and PRC during encoding of visually integrated (unitized) and nonintegrated object and scene pairs. Furthermore, behavioral findings from this study suggested an increase in recollection rather than familiarity during recognition of visually integrated pairs. The present study extends our previous work by focusing on the influence of visual integration on fMRI activation during associative recognition, rather than encoding and these patterns between young and older adults. In contrast to our findings from encoding, visual integration reduced HC and PRC activation during retrieval of object and scene associative pairs across both age groups. However, visual integration increased the correlation between bilateral HC and left parahippocampal (PHC) activation and behavioral performance among older adults, consistent with an increased reliance on recollection. In contrast, visual integration reduced the correlation between HC activation and behavioral performance in young adults, more consistent with findings from the verbal unitization literature. Taken together, these results suggest that associative memory for visually integrated pairs may involve differential recruitment of medial temporal regions in young and older adults.
Energy Producing Metabolic Pathways in Functional Regulation of the Hematopoietic Stem Cells
Authors: Roy Irene M. , Biswas Atreyi , Verfaillie Catherine , Khurana Satish 
Published: July 2018

AbstractThe hematopoietic system has a very well‐studied hierarchy with the long‐term (LT) hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) taking the top position. The pool of quiescent adult LT‐HSCs generated during the fetal and early postnatal life acts as a reservoir to supply all the blood cells. Therefore, the maintenance of this stem cell pool is pivotal to maintaining homeostasis in hematopoietic system. It has long been known that external cues, along with the internal genetic factors influence the status of HSCs in the bone marrow (BM). Hypoxia is one such factor that regulates the vascular as well as hematopoietic ontogeny from a very early time point in development. The metabolic outcomes of a hypoxic microenvironment play important roles in functional regulation of HSCs, especially in case of adult BM HSCs. Anaerobic metabolic pathways therefore perform prominent role in meeting energy demands. Increased oxidative pathways on the other hand result in loss of stemness. Recent studies have attributed the functional differences in HSCs across different life stages to their metabolic phenotypes regulated by respective niches. Indicating thus, that various energy production pathways could play distinct role in regulating HSC function at different developmental/physiological states. Here, we review the current status of our understanding over the role that energy production pathways play in regulating HSC stemness. © 2018 IUBMB Life, 70(7):612–624, 2018
Sexual Dimorphism in Cortical and Trabecular Bone Microstructure Appears During Puberty in Chinese Children
Authors: Cheuk Ka Yee , Wang Xiao-Fang , Wang Ji , Zhang Zhendong , Yu Fiona Wai Ping , Tam Elisa Man Shan , Hung Vivian Wing Yin , Lee Wayne Yuk Wai , Ghasem-Zadeh Ali , Zebaze Roger , Zhu Tracy Y , Guo X Edward , Cheng Jack Chun Yiu , Lam Tsz Ping , Seeman Ego 
Published: July 2018

ABSTRACT

Distal forearm fractures during growth are more common in males than females. Because metaphyseal cortical bone is formed by coalescence of trabeculae emerging from the periphery of the growth plate, we hypothesized that the later onset of puberty in males produces a longer delay in trabecular bone formation and coalescence, which leaves a transient phase of high cortical porosity, low matrix mineral density, and high trabecular density relative to females. We quantified the nondominant distal radial microstructure using high-resolution peripheral quantitative computed tomography in 214 healthy Chinese boys and 219 Chinese girls aged between 7 and 17 years living in Hong Kong. Measurements of 110 slices (9.02 mm) were acquired 5 mm proximal to the growth plate of the nondominant distal radius. Porosity was measured using StrAx1.0 (Straxcorp, Melbourne, VIC, Australia) and trabecular plate and rod structure were measured using individual trabecula segmentation (ITS). Mechanical properties were estimated using finite element analysis (FEA). Results were adjusted for age, total bone cross-sectional area (CSA), dietary calcium intake, and physical activity. In boys, total bone CSA was 17.2% to 22.9% larger throughout puberty, cortical/total bone CSA was 5.1% smaller in Tanner stage 2 only, cortical porosity was 9.4% to 17.5% higher, and matrix mineral density was 1.0% to 2.5% lower in Tanner stage 2 to 5, than girls. Boys had higher trabecular rod BV/TV in Tanner stage 3 and 4, but higher trabecular plate BV/TV and plate to rod ratio in Tanner stage 5, than girls. Boys had 17.0% lower apparent modulus than girls in Tanner stage 2. A transient phase of higher porosity due to dissociation between bone mineral accrual and linear growth may contribute to higher distal radial bone fragility in Chinese boys compared to girls. © 2018 American Society for Bone and Mineral Research.
Chemopreventive effect of sulindac in combination with epigallocatechin gallate or kaempferol against 1,2‐dimethyl hydrazine‐induced preneoplastic lesions in rats: A Comparative Study
Authors: Hassanein Nahed M. A. , Hassan Eman S. G. , Hegab Amany M. , Elahl Helmy M. Sayd 
Published: July 2018

AbstractA systematic investigation of the chemopreventive effect of sulindac (SL) in combination with either epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) or kaempferol similar (KMP) has been carried out 1,2‐dimethyl hydrazine‐treated rats (DMH). Those SL combinations with KMP and EGCG have enhanced the SL activity producing greater antioxidant, anti‐inflammatory, antiproliferating, and apoptotic activities in both combinations than SL alone. The chemopreventive effects of SL with both EGCG and KMP were demonstrated by a decrease in thiobaribituric acid reactive substances level, tissue nitric oxide (NO), serum, and tissue β‐catenin as well as a reduction in the multiplicity of aberrant crypt foci (ACF) with alleviation in the dysplastic changes that resulted from DMH administration. Down‐regulation of proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) and cyclooxygenase‐2 (COX‐2) were also confirmed by immunohistochemical staining. The current study paves the way for the use of sulindac combination with kaempferol or EGCG as potential chemopreventive agents against colon cancer with more effect in combination with EGCG.
Improvements in mentalization predict improvements in interpersonal distress in patients with mental disorders
Authors: Hayden Markus C. , Müllauer Pia K. , Gaugeler Richard , Senft Birgit , Andreas Sylke 
Published: July 2018

AbstractObjectivesAssociations between interpersonal problems and mentalization have rarely been investigated. In this study, we explored patterns of interpersonal problems, mentalization, symptom severity, and attachment during inpatient treatment and at follow‐up. Additionally, we investigated whether mentalization predicts a decrease in interpersonal distress.Method We analyzed time‐series data from patients with mental disorders. Data were collected at the beginning and at the end of inpatient treatment, and approximately 6 months after discharge from hospital.ResultsPatterns of correlations were stable from admission to the hospital until follow‐up. Treatment significantly increased the levels of mentalization and decreased the levels of interpersonal problems and symptom severity, whereas attachment was only partially targeted. Improvements in mentalization significantly predicted reduction in interpersonal distress at each point in time.ConclusionResults revealed characteristic patterns of interpersonal problems, mentalization, symptom severity, and attachment. Mentalization was found to play a key role in the reduction of interpersonal distress.
Historical Roots of Microcredit and Usury: The Role of Monti di Pietà in Italy and in the Kingdom of Naples in XV–XX Centuries
Authors: Gatto Andrea 
Published: July 2018

AbstractThe study investigates the role of the Monti di Pietà in Italy and in the Kingdom of Naples from the fifteenth to the twentieth century in promoting the development of contemporary microcredit. The object of the research is to run, through the archival sources and regulations promulgated by the Church, a historical analysis on the evolution of the financial instruments, modern features of the operations and microcredit institutes of the contemporary age. The letter identifies a crucial role of the Monti di Pietà in the provision of credit to the poor as a form of contrast to usury and local development. © 2018 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Long-term reprogramming of the innate immune system
Authors: Dominguez-Andres Jorge , Netea Mihai G 
Published: July 2018

Abstract
During the last few years, a growing body of evidence has shown that immunological memory is not an exclusive trait of lymphocytes, as many inflammatory insults can alter the functionality and the responsiveness of the innate immune system in the long term. Innate immune cells, such as monocytes, macrophages, dendritic cells, and NK cells can be influenced by the encounters with inflammatory stimuli, undergoing functional reprogramming and developing changed responses to subsequent chellenges. The long-term reprogramming depends on the rewiring of cell metabolism and epigenetic processes, and they stay at the basis of induction of both innate immune memory (also termed trained immunity) and innate immune tolerance. Here, we review the central role that the effects of this long-term reprogramming of innate immune cells plays in a number of clinically relevant conditions such as vaccination, atherosclerosis, sepsis, and cancer.
In this Review, we will focus on the metabolic and epigenetic changes that take place during trained immunity and tolerance and the most relevant clinical conditions.