bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Upgrading service availability of optical networks: A labor force perspective
Authors: Chang Hung‐Yi , Wang Pi‐Chung 
Published: March 2018

SummaryService availability is an important issue in optical networks. Much research attention has been drawn to the provisioning of reliable connections achieved by approaches such as routing and wavelength assignment and by protection and restoration mechanisms. In contrast, the research on upgrading networks to meet new or dynamic demands of service availability based on network upgrading process has been comparatively lacking. In this paper, we address this issue by upgrading service availability from the perspective of labor forces for network maintenance. Our approach is premised on the assumption that the time period for fixing an optical link can be reduced by using more network resources of labor forces. To model this concept, we conduct Amdahl's law, a well‐known theorem in parallel computing, to describe human teamwork. To show the effectiveness of this concept, we propose mixed integer linear programming aiming at either maximizing service availability under limited labor forces or minimizing labor forces for predetermined service availability. In addition, a heuristic algorithm for upgrading service availability is presented. Our experimental results show that our network upgrading process can improve service availability optimally with a fixed number of forces and the proposed heuristic algorithm can effectively save computation time.
Approach and avoidance relationship goals and couples’ nonverbal communication during conflict
Authors: Bernecker Katharina , Ghassemi Mirjam , Brandstätter Veronika 
Published: March 2018

AbstractApproach relationship goals are pursued in order to achieve desirable outcomes, whereas avoidance relationship goals are pursued to prevent undesirable outcomes in relationships. We investigated how partners’ approach and avoidance relationship goals are related to their nonverbal communication during conflict. A sequential analysis of observational data from 365 couples (28,470 observations) revealed that individuals with more (vs. fewer) approach goals displayed more positive involvement (e.g., head nods, smiles) and less avoidant withdrawal (e.g., shaking head, folded arms). The reverse pattern emerged for avoidance goals. Furthermore, women (but not men) matched their partner's positive involvement to a greater extent the more approach goals and the fewer avoidance goals they pursued. In contrast, approach/avoidance relationship goals were not associated with how much individuals matched their partner's avoidant withdrawal. Results suggest that relationship goals are related to partners’ nonverbal communication and the extent to which women match their partner's positive involvement during conflict.
Resource allocation for licensed and unlicensed spectrum in 5G heterogeneous networks
Authors: Ali Mudassar , Qaisar Saad , Naeem Muhammad , Rodrigues Joel J. P. C. , Qamar Farhan 
Published: March 2018

AbstractThe foresighted enormous increase in mobile traffic over the coming years will result in severe congestion on available radio spectrum. The use of additional spectrum in future fifth‐generation mobile networks will be inevitable. Long‐Term Evolution Unlicensed (LTE‐U) is an evolving technology, which effectively utilizes available unlicensed spectrum to increase the capacity of unified fifth‐generation network. However, LTE‐U causes severe interference to existing WiFi networks, which needs to be addressed to take full advantage of LTE‐U. In this paper, we thrive to provide a suboptimal resource allocation for coexisting LTE‐U and WiFi networks to maximize throughput and, hence, minimize the interference. We formulated an optimization problem for joint user association and power allocation for licensed and unlicensed spectrum with objective to maximize sum rate of LTE‐U/WiFi heterogeneous network in a multioperator scenario, subject to minimum rate guarantee and cochannel interference threshold. We propose mesh adaptive direct search algorithm as solution to optimization problem to obtain ϵ‐optimal results. The performance of proposed algorithm is shown in terms of network key performance indicators such as throughput and number of users accommodated. We also benchmark the results from mesh adaptive direct search against outer approximation algorithm.
Effect of addition of processed bambara nut on the functional and sensory acceptability of millet‐based infant formula
Authors: James Samaila , Akosu Ngozi Iwanger , Maina Yakubu Caleb , Baba Amina Ibrahim , Nwokocha Lilian , Amuga Suleiman James , Audu Yohanna , Omeiza Maxwell Yemmy Mitchel 
Published: March 2018

AbstractFermentation and sprouting have been shown to increase nutrient bioavailability and modify the functional properties of foods. Application of these methods in the preparation of infant foods and complementing cereals with legumes will address nutrient density and viscosity problems associated with infant foods. Infant foods were formulated from blends of treated bambara nut and pearl millet. Functional properties, pasting properties, and sensory acceptability of the blends were studied. Millet and bambara nut were soaked separately in water and allowed to ferment for 48 hr at room temperature. While for sprouting, millet and bambara nut were soaked for 12 and 24 hr, respectively, at room temperature, and soaked seeds were separately sprouted for 48 hr. After fermentation and sprouting, the seeds were oven‐dried and then milled into a flour of 0.6 mm size. The flours were formulated to six (A, B, C, D, E, and F) complementary diets. The results show that sample E had the suitable water absorption capacity, while, for oil absorption capacity, various blends showed suitability except samples A and B. In terms of swelling capacity, sample F (6.52 ± 0.01%) was the suitable at 60°C. Treatment and blending significantly influenced trough, final viscosity, and pasting time. In sensory acceptability, sample B was adjudged the best. This study revealed that sample C was the best in respect to functional and pasting properties for infant food; however, sample B received the best general acceptability.
Draper‐mediated JNK signaling is required for glial phagocytosis of apoptotic neurons during Drosophila metamorphosis
Authors: Hilu‐Dadia Reut , Hakim‐Mishnaevski Ketty , Levy‐Adam Flonia , Kurant Estee 
Published: March 2018

AbstractDevelopment of the central nervous system involves elimination of superfluous neurons through apoptosis and subsequent phagocytosis. In Drosophila, this occurs mainly during three developmental stages: embryogenesis, metamorphosis and emerging adult. Two transmembrane glial phagocytic receptors, SIMU (homolog of the mammalian Stabilin‐2) and Draper (homolog of the mammalian MEGF10 and Jedi), mediate glial phagocytosis of apoptotic neurons during embryogenesis. However, less is known about the removal of apoptotic neurons during later stages of development. Here we show that during metamorphosis, Draper plays a critical role in apoptotic cell clearance by glia, whereas SIMU, which is mostly expressed in pupal macrophages outside the brain, is not involved in glial phagocytosis. We found that Draper activates Drosophila c‐Jun N‐terminal kinase (dJNK) signaling predominantly in the ensheathing glia and astrocytes, where it is required for efficient removal of apoptotic neurons. Our data suggest that besides the dJNK pathway, Draper also triggers an additional signaling pathway capable of removing apoptotic neurons in the pupal brain. This study thus reveals that SIMU unexpectedly is not involved in glial phagocytosis of apoptotic neurons during metamorphosis and highlights the novel role of dJNK signaling in developmental apoptotic cell clearance downstream of Draper.
Rigor Revisited: Scaffolding College Student Learning by Incorporating Their Lived Experiences
Authors: Castillo‐Montoya Milagros 
Published: March 2018

AbstractThis chapter explores how students’ lived experiences contribute to the rigor of their thinking. Insights from research indicate faculty can enhance rigor by accounting for the many ways it may surface in the classroom. However, to see this type of rigor, we must revisit the way we conceptualize it for higher education.
Trends in body mass index and obesity prevalence in Western Australian adults, 2002 to 2015
Authors: Merema Matt , O'Connell Emily , Joyce Sarah , Woods Joanne , Sullivan Denise 
Published: March 2018

AbstractIssue addressedContinued increases in overweight and obesity across most parts of the world in recent decades have seen maintaining or reaching a healthy weight become a major public health priority. This study reports on body mass index (BMI) and obesity prevalence trends in Western Australian adults between 2002 and 2015.MethodsSelf‐reported height and weight were collected from Western Australian adults (16+ years) via 81 867 computer‐assisted telephone interviews conducted between 2002 and 2015 as part of the WA Health and Wellbeing Surveillance System. Linear and quadratic trends in annual mean BMI and obesity prevalence estimates were generated from self‐report data. These trends were subject to sequential sum of squares analysis to examine whether annual increases in mean BMI and obesity prevalence estimates diminished or were maintained over the 2002 to 2015 period.ResultsThe analyses showed a preference for a quadratic model (with plots suggesting diminishing increases between 2002 and 2015) in mean BMI for males, 25‐ to 64‐year‐olds and across all adults, and in obesity prevalence estimates across all adults.ConclusionsThe results suggest the rate at which mean BMI and obesity prevalence are increasing may be slowing overall and within specific groups in WA.So what?The findings are potentially a positive news story for health in Western Australia. Even so, 2‐thirds of the population are overweight or obese and there remains a strong need for sustained obesity prevention action.
Electrochemical deposition of conductive polymers onto magnesium microwires for neural electrode applications
Authors: Zhang Chaoxing , Driver Nathan , Tian Qiaomu , Jiang Wensen , Liu Huinan 
Published: March 2018

AbstractMetals are widely used in electrode design for recording neural activities because of their excellent electrical conductivity and mechanical strength. However, there are still serious problems related to these currently used metallic electrodes, including tissue damage due to the mechanical mismatch between metals and neural tissues, fibrosis, and electrode fouling and encapsulation that lead to the loss of signal and eventual failure. In this study, a biocompatible, biodegradable, and conductive electrode was created. Specifically, pure magnesium (Mg) microwire with a diameter of 127 µm was used as the electrode substrate and the conductive polymer, that is, poly(3,4‐ethylenedioxythiophene) (PEDOT), was electrochemically deposited onto Mg microwires to decrease corrosion rate and improve biocompatibility of the electrodes for potential neural electrode applications. Both chronopotentiometry and cyclic voltammetry (CV) methods and the associated parameters for electrochemical deposition of PEDOT onto Mg microwires were investigated, such as deposition current, deposition temperature, voltage, sweep rate, cycle number, and duration. The CV method from −2.0 to 1.25 V for 1 cycle at a cycle duration of 600 s with a sweep rate of 5 mV/s at 65°C led to a consistent, uniform, and complete PEDOT coating on Mg microwires. The surface conditions of Mg microwires also affected the quality of PEDOT coating. The corrosion rate of PEDOT‐coated Mg microwire was 0.75 mm/year, much slower than the noncoated Mg microwire that showed a corrosion rate of 1.78 mm/year. The optimal Mg microwires with PEDOT coating could potentially serve as biodegradable electrodes for neural recording and stimulation applications. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part A: 106A: 1887–1895, 2018.
Effects of the hierarchical macro/mesoporous structure on the osteoblast‐like cell response
Authors: Zhang Ranran , Elkhooly Tarek A. , Huang Qianli , Liu Xujie , Yang Xing , Yan Hao , Xiong Zhiyuan , Ma Jing , Feng Qingling , Shen Zhijian 
Published: March 2018

AbstractTo improve the success of medical devices, implants with strong surface bioactivity are urgently required. Coatings with a macroporous structure produced by micro‐arc oxidation possess advantages, such as strong adhesion to substrate and excellent resistance to wear and corrosion. Mesoporous structures contain pores with sizes of 2–50 nm, which can endow the biomaterials with the ability to enhance osteogenesis and to be loaded with diverse drugs. Thus, in this study, we aimed to evaluate the effects of both macroporous and mesoporous structures using a hierarchical macro/mesoporous structure to modify the titanium implant surface. The behaviors of SaOS‐2 human osteosarcoma cells on the macro/mesoporous structure, including initial adhesion, proliferation, alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity, and collagen secretion, were investigated. Cells that attached on the macro/mesoporous surface showed the highest cell numbers and greatest spreading area after incubation for 1, 2, and 4 h compared with the polished smooth substrate and macroporous surface in the presence of fetal bovine serum (FBS). However, in the absence of FBS, cell adhesion on the polished substrate, macroporous structure, and macro/mesoporous structure did not differ significantly. Cell proliferation on the macroporous and macro/mesoporous surfaces increased compared with that on the smooth substrate surface. Furthermore, ALP activity and collagen secretion were enhanced on the macro/mesoporous structure. Our findings provided important insights into the cellular responses to macro/mesoporous structures in the field of implant surface modification. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part A: 106A: 1896–1902, 2018.
A new method for calibrating the current gain of 1013 Ω amplifiers in thermal ionization mass spectrometry
Authors: Wang Guiqin , Zeng Yuling , Xu Jifeng , Liu Wengui 
Published: March 2018

AbstractWe report a new method for calibrating the current gain of 1013 Ω amplifiers in both positive and negative mode used in thermal ionisation mass spectrometry (TIMS). This method uses any isotopic standard or sample to calibrate the gain factor as long as it can produce a stable current signal. It is simpler and more flexible than that recommended by Thermo‐Fisher (the manufacture of the TIMS). In these analyses, the gains of five 1013 Ω amplifiers were assessed. The precision of gain factors was better than 100 ppm (2 RSD) in a day, and the long‐term reproducibility was better than 300 ppm (2 RSD) within 2 to 8 months. After a gain was calibrated, the ratio accuracy and precision in the positive mode for 87Sr/88Sr of NIST 987 Sr and 143Nd/144Nd of La Jolla Nd were 0.710242 ± 60 (2 SD, n = 14) and 0.511842 ± 10 (2 SD, n = 22), respectively, at intensities of 88Sr 0.3 V and 142Nd 0.4 V, while in the negative mode for 187Os/188Os of Merck Os was 0.120229 ± 34 (2 SD, n = 23) at an intensity of 187OsO3 0.01 mV. In addition, a difference in the gain factors between the negative mode TIMS (NTIMS) and positive mode TIMS (PTIMS) has been recognized. The values of the gain factor for NTIMS and PTIMS show a deviation of 0.54% on the Triton and 0.31% on the Triton Plus TIMS in this study; therefore, gain calibration should be carried out on both NTIMS and PTIMS. Moreover, a bias of ~ 1.5 × 10−5 between H and L Faraday cups for the same 1013 Ω amplifier has been detected, hinting that the efficiency of different Faraday cups may affect the gain factors, which can be eliminated through the new method of “cross‐calibration” discribed in this study.
Biosolubilization of phosphorus from rock phosphate and other P fertilizers in response to phosphate solubilizing bacteria and poultry manure in a silt loam calcareous soil
Authors: Kaleem Abbasi M. , Manzoor M. 
Published: March 2018

Abstract‘Phosphate solubilizing bacteria' (PSBs) are able to release unavailable P from native and applied P sources into plant‐available soil pool through their solubilizing and acidifying effects. The effects of three indigenous and one exotic PSBs on P solubilization from different P sources, plant biomass production, and P‐uptake efficiency of maize (Zea maysL.) were examined in an incubation and greenhouse study. For incubation study, surface (0–15 cm) soil was collected from an arable field (Inceptisols) and amended with rock phosphate (RP), single superphosphate (SSP), poultry manure (PM), and RP+PM with and without PSBs. The amended soil was incubated in the control environment at 25 ± 2°C for a total of a 100‐d period to establish relative potential rate of P solubilization of added P sources. A complementary greenhouse experiment was conducted in pots by growing maize as a test crop. Growth characteristics, P‐uptake, and P‐utilization efficiency (PUE) were determined. Phosphate solubilizing bacteria generated a solubilization effect on different P sources by releasing more P into plant‐available soil pool,i.e., 14.0–18.3 µg g−1in RP, 5.0–9.9 µg g−1in SSP, 1.4–4.4 µg g−1in PM, and 4.5–7.8 µg g−1in RP+PM compared to their sole application without PSBs. The available P from inorganic SSP declined continuously from the mineral pool (after day 30) and at the end 40% of applied P was unaccounted for. However, P losses were reduced to 28 and 27% when PSBs (PSB1and PSB3) were applied with superphosphate treatments. In the absence of PSBs, the recoveries of applied P (in soil) from RP, SSP, PM and RP+PM were 4, 25, 9, and 12%, respectively, those had been increased to 14, 30, 12 and 15% in the presence of PSBs. Similarly, the plant biomass in RP+PSBs treatments compared to the RP without PSBs increased between 12–30% in first sampling (30 DAG) and 13–30% in the second sampling (60 DAG). The P utilization efficiency (PUE) in plants supplemented with PSBs was 20–73% higher compared to those without PSBs. The detection of oxalic and gluconic acids in culture medium treated with PSBs (7.8–25.0 and 25–90 mg L−1, respectively) confirmed the production of organic acids by the indigenous bacterial isolates. This study indicate that low P recovery both in plant and soil can likely be improved by using indigenous PSBs and organic amendment poultry manure, which allowed a more efficient capture of P released due to P solubilization.
Plant growth and oil contamination alter the diversity and composition of bacterial communities in agricultural soils across China
Authors: Jiao Shuo , Chen Weimin , Wang Junman , Zhang Lu , Yang Fan , Lin Yanbing , Wei Gehong 
Published: March 2018

AbstractThe dynamics of microbial diversity in response to biotic and abiotic disturbances provide a sensitive indicator for evaluating the potential stability and degradation of soils in agro‐ecosystems. To determine the effect on soil bacterial communities of disturbances by plant growth (Robinia pseudoacacia) and oil contamination, we sequenced 16S rRNA genes using MiSeq technology. A greenhouse experiment was conducted using 21 agro‐soils from 19 provinces in China. Abiotic and biotic disturbances, including treating the soils with sterile water, crude oil, and/or an invasive plant, altered the bacterial community structure in the soils, increased bacterial richness, and reduced bacterial dispersion. Oil contamination exerted stronger effects on the bacterial α‐ and β‐diversity than plant growth. The different responses of bacterial communities and the core microbiome indicated that the disturbances shifted the prevalent soil microbial groups in agro‐ecosystems. Among different sampling sites, community dissimilarity increased with spatial distance. Edaphic factors (deterministic processes) exerted the primary influence on the assembly of soil microbiomes in agricultural fields, whereas geographic factors (stochastic processes) were less influential. The bacterial communities in agro‐soils from warmer regions were more sensitive to the disturbances. This study provides new insight into the alteration of soil microbiota by plant growth and oil contamination in agro‐ecosystems across a large spatial scale.
Effects of nutrient loading on sediment bacterial and pathogen communities within seagrass meadows
Authors: Liu Songlin , Jiang Zhijian , Deng Yiqin , Wu Yunchao , Zhang Jingping , Zhao Chunyu , Huang Delian , Huang Xiaoping , Trevathan‐Tackett Stacey M. 
Published: March 2018

AbstractEutrophication can play a significant role in seagrass decline and habitat loss. Microorganisms in seagrass sediments are essential to many important ecosystem processes, including nutrient cycling and seagrass ecosystem health. However, current knowledge of the bacterial communities, both beneficial and detrimental, within seagrass meadows in response to nutrient loading is limited. We studied the response of sediment bacterial and pathogen communities to nutrient enrichment on a tropical seagrass meadow in Xincun Bay, South China Sea. The bacterial taxonomic groups across all sites were dominated by the Gammaproteobacteria and Firmicutes. Sites nearest to the nutrient source and with the highest NH4+ and PO43− content had approximately double the relative abundance of putative denitrifiers Vibrionales, Alteromonadales, and Pseudomonadales. Additionally, the relative abundance of potential pathogen groups, especially Vibrio spp. and Pseudoalteromonas spp., was approximately 2‐fold greater at the sites with the highest nutrient loads compared to sites further from the source. These results suggest that proximity to sources of nutrient pollution increases the occurrence of potential bacterial pathogens that could affect fishes, invertebrates and humans. This study shows that nutrient enrichment does elicit shifts in bacterial community diversity and likely their function in local biogeochemical cycling and as a potential source of infectious diseases within seagrass meadows.
Hazardous weather conditions and multiple‐vehicle chain‐reaction crashes in the United States
Authors: Call David A. , Wilson Caleb S. , Shourd Kacie N. 
Published: March 2018

ABSTRACTMotor vehicle crashes are a significant cause of death and injury worldwide, and adverse weather conditions are often a primary or underlying cause of crashes. This study focuses specifically on how weather contributes to multi‐vehicle ‘chain‐reaction’ crashes. Such crashes occur when a single crash halts traffic on a roadway and triggers a series of additional crashes due to motorists being unable to stop in time. Weather often contributes to such crashes by limiting visibility or making a roadway slick. By using data from the Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS) of the United States National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), this study found that more than 100 such crashes occurred between 2001 and 2012, and weather conditions were a factor in more than half of them. Radar, observations and satellite imagery were analysed for both 1 h before and 1 h after the crash to see if any diagnostic patterns were observed. Radar and observations were most useful for snow‐related crashes. Dramatic increases in snow intensity and corresponding decreases in visibility were observed before most crashes. Dust‐related crashes also show substantial decreases in visibility just before the crash. Satellite imagery sometimes showed plumes of dust in these cases. Meteorologists, law enforcement officials and others may find the results helpful in recognizing situations that could lead to multi‐vehicle chain‐reaction crashes, allowing them to take preventative action to reduce the risk of such crashes.