bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Interfacial Asymmetric Post‐Functionalization of Graphene: Amphiphilic Graphene Derivatives Self‐Assembled to 3D Superstructures
Authors: Georgitsopoulou Sofia , Karakassides Angelliki , Georgakilas Vasilios 
Published: September 2018

AbstractThe interfacial asymmetric post‐functionalization of graphene nanosheets and their self‐assembly into superstructures is presented. By performing two sequential functionalizations, graphene nanosheets lying in the interface of a biphasic aqueous‐organic system become amphiphilic, thereby generating an organophilic side and a hydrophilic side. The as‐prepared Janus type amphiphilic graphene nanosheets are then self‐assembled to generate different interesting superstructures, depending on the nature of the solvent in which they are dispersed.
Breast cancer metastasis to gynaecological organs: a clinico‐pathological and molecular profiling study
Authors: Kutasovic Jamie R , McCart Reed Amy E , Males Renique , Sim Sarah , Saunus Jodi M , Dalley Andrew , McEvoy Christopher R , Dedina Liana , Miller Gregory , Peyton Stephen , Reid Lynne , Lal Samir , Niland Colleen , Ferguson Kaltin , Fellowes Andrew P , Al‐Ejeh Fares , Lakhani Sunil R , Cummings Margaret C , Simpson Peter T 
Published: September 2018

AbstractBreast cancer metastasis to gynaecological organs is an understudied pattern of tumour spread. We explored clinico‐pathological and molecular features of these metastases to better understand whether this pattern of dissemination is organotropic or a consequence of wider metastatic dissemination. Primary and metastatic tumours from 54 breast cancer patients with gynaecological metastases were analysed using immunohistochemistry, DNA copy‐number profiling, and targeted sequencing of 386 cancer‐related genes. The median age of primary tumour diagnosis amongst patients with gynaecological metastases was significantly younger compared to a general breast cancer population (46.5 versus 60 years; p < 0.0001). Median age at metastatic diagnosis was 54.4, time to progression was 4.8 years (range 0–20 years), and survival following a diagnosis of metastasis was 1.95 years (range 0–18 years). Patients had an average of five involved sites (most frequently ovary, fallopian tube, omentum/peritoneum), with fewer instances of spread to the lungs, liver, or brain. Invasive lobular histology and luminal A‐like phenotype were over‐represented in this group (42.8 and 87.5%, respectively) and most patients had involved axillary lymph nodes (p < 0.001). Primary tumours frequently co‐expressed oestrogen receptor cofactors (GATA3, FOXA1) and harboured amplifications at 8p12, 8q24, and 11q13. In terms of phenotype conversion, oestrogen receptor status was generally maintained in metastases, FOXA1 increased, and expression of progesterone receptor, androgen receptor, and GATA3 decreased. ESR1 and novel AR mutations were identified. Metastasis to gynaecological organs is a complication frequently affecting young women with invasive lobular carcinoma and luminal A‐like breast cancer, and hence may be driven by sustained hormonal signalling. Molecular analyses reveal a spectrum of factors that could contribute to de novo or acquired resistance to therapy and disease progression.
Communication‐aware message matching in MPI
Authors: Ghazimirsaeed S. Mahdieh , Mirsadeghi Seyed H. , Afsahi Ahmad 
Published: September 2018

SummaryThe Message Passing Interface (MPI) is the de facto standard for parallel programming in High Performance Computing (HPC). Asynchronous communications in MPI involve message matching semantics that must be satisfied by the conforming libraries. The matching performance is in the critical path of communications in MPI. However, the current message matching approaches suffer from scalability issues and/or do not consider the message queue characteristics of the applications. In this paper, we propose a new message matching mechanism for MPI that can speed up the operation by allocating dedicated queues for certain communications of an application. More specifically, we propose a design that categorizes communications into a set of partners and non‐partners based on the communication frequency in the corresponding queues. We propose a static and a dynamic approach for our message matching design. While the static approach works based on the information from a profiling stage, the dynamic approach utilizes the message queue characteristics at runtime. Our experimental evaluations show that the proposed design can provide up to 28x speedup in queue search time for long list traversals without degrading the performance for short list traversals. We can also gain up to 5x speedup for the FDS application, which is highly affected by the message matching performance.
The debate on network neutrality regulation: A technological innovation perspective
Authors: Yang Lin , Lin Xuchen , Lu Ting‐Jie , Chen Xia 
Published: September 2018

SummaryIn the network neutrality debate, safeguarding innovations in the digital economy is an important concern. However, the impacts of network neutrality regulation on technological innovation in telecommunications have not been well understood, especially with mathematical model. This study first briefly discusses the significant role of technological innovation in telecommunications. Then, we adopt a stylized two‐sided model (Internet broadband provider connect the two sides of Internet, content providers and end customers) and use two‐stage game theory to examine the decision‐making of network operators and content providers in two alternative situations, respectively, that is, the neutral regime and non‐neutral regime. By comparing players' decisions in the two regimes, the impacts of network neutrality regulation on innovations are revealed. We find that non‐neutral regime increases both network infrastructure investments and congestion‐sensitive content innovations. In other words, network neutrality regulation inhibits telecommunications technological innovation and meanwhile hinders the emergence of high‐level content innovation.
A modified PSO algorithm for task scheduling optimization in cloud computing
Authors: Zhou Zhou , Chang Jian , Hu Zhigang , Yu Junyang , Li Fangmin 
Published: September 2018

SummaryWith the increasing scale of tasks in cloud computing, the problem of high energy consumption becomes increasingly serious. To deal with the problem, we propose a cloud computing energy consumption model, which takes into account the execution and transmission cost of the processor. Then, based on this model, we put forward a task scheduling optimization algorithm named modified particle swarm optimization (M‐PSO) to handle the local optimum and slow convergence problem. Different from the PSO, M‐PSO can dynamically adjust the inertia weight coefficient to improve the speed of convergence according to the number of iterations. Finally, the performance of the proposed algorithm is evaluated through the CloudSim toolkit, and the experimental results show that the M‐PSO can efficiently reduce total cost compared with other algorithms.
Effects of Nicotine Metabolic Rate on Withdrawal Symptoms and Response to Cigarette Smoking After Abstinence
Authors: Liakoni Evangelia , Edwards Kathryn C. , St. Helen Gideon , Nardone Natalie , Dempsey Delia A. , Tyndale Rachel F. , Benowitz Neal L. 
Published: September 2018

This study investigated the influence of the rate of nicotine metabolism, as indicated by the nicotine metabolite ratio (NMR), on tobacco dependence. We stratified 136 smokers on the basis of saliva NMR as fast (n = 65) and slow (n = 71) metabolizers. Two “loading cigarettes” were smoked after overnight, and a “reward cigarette” was smoked after 6 hours of daytime, abstinence. Blood nicotine concentrations, expired carbon monoxide, withdrawal/craving, and reward questionnaires were collected before/after smoking and during daytime abstinence. Compared with slow metabolizers, fast metabolizers had a shorter nicotine elimination half‐life (P < 0.001), lower plasma nicotine concentrations (P < 0.001), and higher withdrawal/craving scores (P < 0.05) for most times during daytime abstinence, indicating that fast metabolizers are likely smoking more to relieve withdrawal symptoms (negative reinforcement). Reward/satisfaction scores were similar in fast and slow metabolizers, suggesting that faster nicotine metabolism, assessed by NMR, is not associated with greater positive reinforcement. CYP2A6 normal (n = 82) and reduced (n = 42) genotype predicted plasma nicotine concentrations but not withdrawal symptoms.
Investment in intangible resources and capabilities spurs sustainable competitive advantage and firm performance
Authors: Khan Sher Zaman , Yang Qing , Waheed Abdul 
Published: September 2018

AbstractThis study investigates the influence of investment in key intangible resources and capabilities of firms, including intellectual capital (IC), financial capability (FC), and corporate social responsibility (CSR) on sustainable competitive advantage (SCA) and firm performance (FP) in an emerging country, Pakistan. The research model and its pertinent hypotheses are tested on a sample of 329 Pakistani small and medium enterprises (SMEs) by a structural equation model (SEM). The results exhibited a significant influence of the aforesaid factors on FP. However, SCA fully mediates the relationship between FC and FP and between CSR and FP, whereas SCA partially mediates the relationship between IC and FP. Taken together, the findings suggest the role of CSR and FC in indirectly spurring FP through SCA. Despite the limitations of this study, the results have several practical and theoretical implications for owners, managers, and policymakers.
Inhibition of Zinc Dendrite Growth in Zinc‐Based Batteries
Authors: Lu Wenjing , Xie Congxin , Zhang Huamin , Li Xianfeng 
Published: September 2018

AbstractZinc deposition and dissolution is a significant process in zinc‐based batteries. During this process, the formation of zinc dendrites is pervasive, which leads to the loss of efficiency and capacity of batteries. The continually growing dendrites will finally pierce the separator and cause the batteries to short circuit. Thus, employing effective methods to inhibit the formation and growth of zinc dendrites is vital for the practical application of zinc‐based batteries. This Minireview first clarifies the formation and growth principles of zinc dendrites. Then, the research and development of methods to solve the problem of zinc dendrites are reviewed, including ways to suppress the further formation and growth of dendrites as far as possible, to minimize the adverse effects of dendrites, along with ways to produce dendrite‐free deposition processes. The mechanisms, advantages, drawbacks, and perspectives of these methods are illustrated. Thus, this overview of these methods will aid understanding of the formation process of zinc dendrites and provide an extensive, comprehensive, and professional reference to resolve the problem of zinc dendrites completely.
Secrecy performance of a generalized partial relay selection protocol in underlay cognitive networks
Authors: Dinh Tran Hieu , Trung Tran Duy , Choi Seong Gon 
Published: September 2018

SummaryIn this, we propose a generalized partial relay selection (PRS) protocol to enhance the secrecy performance for cooperative cognitive radio networks (CRNs) in terms of the secrecy outage probability (SOP) and the probability of non‐zero secrecy capacity (NSC). In the proposed scheme, a secondary source communicates with a secondary destination via the assistance of multiple secondary relays, in the presence of multiple secondary eavesdroppers and multiple primary users (PUs). With a reliance on the source‐relay channel state information (CSI), the source selects a group of the potential relays, and one is then chosen to forward the source data to the secondary destination using the randomize‐and‐forward (RF) technique. We consider the relay selection methods in two practical cases, where the CSIs of the eavesdropping links are available or not available. For the performance evaluation and comparison, we derived exact and asymptotic SOP and NSC closed‐form expressions for the proposed protocols and the corresponding full relay selection (FRS) protocol over Rayleigh‐fading channels. Finally, Monte Carlo simulations are presented to confirm the theoretical‐derivation correction. The results confirmed that the proposed protocols can outperform the conventional PRS protocols by designing the number of the potential relays appropriately.
Low complexity equalization techniques using interference cancellation for SC‐FDMA uplink systems under doubly selective channels
Authors: P. Muneer , Al‐Rayif Mohammed I. , Ijyas V. P. Thafasal 
Published: September 2018

SummaryThis paper addresses the important and challenging issue of joint equalization of carrier frequency offsets (CFOs), timing offsets, and doubly selective channels (DSCs) of multiple users in a SC‐FDMA uplink. Low complexity, iterative equalizer solutions are proposed, which give impressive performance under rapidly varying channel conditions. We propose three different equalization schemes that make use of iterative interference cancellation technique named as iterative equalizer with interference cancellation (IEIC), iterative equalizer with interference cancellation and decoding (IEICD), and simplified iterative equalizer with interference cancellation and decoding (SIEICD). The SIEICD method proposed is a simplified version of the IEICD, and it makes use of the only significant elements in the receive signal model in the matrix form. The superior performance of the methods in high mobility conditions with several users is amply demonstrated through extensive simulation studies.
Regulation of Notch signaling in the developing Drosophila eye by a T‐box containing transcription factor, Dorsocross
Authors: Paul Maimuna S. , Dutta Debdeep , Singh Ankita , Mutsuddi Mousumi , Mukherjee Ashim 
Published: September 2018

SummaryOwing to a multitude of functions, there is barely a tissue or a cellular process that is not being regulated by Notch signaling. To allow the Notch signal to be deployed in numerous contexts, many different mechanisms have evolved to regulate the level, duration and spatial distribution of Notch activity. To identify novel effectors of Notch signaling in Drosophila melanogaster, we analyzed the whole transcriptome of the wing and eye imaginal discs in which an activated form of Notch was overexpressed. Selected candidate genes from the transcriptome analysis were subjected to genetic interaction experiments with Notch pathway components. Among the candidate genes, T‐box encoding gene, Dorsocross (Doc) showed strong genetic interaction with Notch ligand, Delta. Genetic interaction between them resulted in reduction of eye size, loss of cone cells, and cell death, which represent prominent Notch loss of function phenotypes. Immunocytochemical analysis in Df(3L)DocA/Dl
5f trans‐heterozygous eye discs showed accumulation of Notch at the membrane. This accumulation led to decreased Notch signaling activity as we found downregulation of Atonal, a Notch target and reduction in the rate of Notch‐mediated cell proliferation. Doc mutant clones generated by FLP‐FRT system showed depletion in the expression of Delta and subsequent reduction in the Notch signaling activity. Similarly, Doc overexpression in the eye discs led to modification of Delta expression, loss of Atonal expression and absence of eye structure in pharate adults. Taken together, our results suggest that Doc regulates the expression of Delta and influence the outcome of Notch signaling in the eye discs.
Improving decision‐making and cognitive impulse control in bulimia nervosa by rTMS: An ancillary randomized controlled study
Authors: Guillaume Sebastien , Gay Aurélia , Jaussent Isabelle , Sigaud Torrance , Billard Stephane , Attal Jerome , Seneque Maude , Galusca Bogdan , Thiebaut Sylvain , Massoubre Catherine , Courtet Philippe 
Published: September 2018

AbstractObjectiveImpaired decision‐making and inhibitory control may be involved in the pathophysiology of psychiatric disorders like bulimia nervosa (BN). Their improvement after neuromodulation may underpin clinical improvement. We assessed the effects of rTMS on these cognitive functions in a sample of women with BN.MethodsThirty‐nine participants (22 in a sham group and 17 in an rTMS group) were assessed before and after 10 high frequency rTMS sessions over the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC).ResultsThe between‐group analyses revealed no differences in the final neuropsychological performances. The within‐group analyses showed that inhibitory control improved in both the go/no‐go task (p = .03) and the BIS cognitive impulsivity subscale (p = .01) in the rTMS group only. Switches toward good choices on the Iowa gambling task significantly improved in the rTMS group only (p = .002), and understanding of the task contingencies increased between the two assessments, also in the rTMS group only (p = .03).DiscussionThis preliminary evidence suggests that modulation of left DLPFC might improve two putative cognitive biomarkers of BN.
Dynamic occupancy modeling of temperate marine fish in area‐based closures
Authors: Calvert Jay , McGonigle Chris , Sethi Suresh Andrew , Harris Bradley , Quinn Rory , Grabowski Jon 
Published: September 2018

AbstractSpecies distribution models (SDMs) are commonly used to model the spatial structure of species in the marine environment, however, most fail to account for detectability of the target species. This can result in underestimates of occupancy, where nondetection is conflated with absence. The site occupancy model (SOM) overcomes this failure by treating occupancy as a latent variable of the model and incorporates a detection submodel to account for variability in detection rates. These have rarely been applied in the context of marine fish and never for the multiseason dynamic occupancy model (DOM). In this study, a DOM is developed for a designated species of concern, cusk (Brosme brosme), over a four‐season period. Making novel use of a high‐resolution 3‐dimensional hydrodynamic model, detectability of cusk is considered as a function of current speed and algae cover. Algal cover on the seabed is measured from video surveys to divide the study area into two distinct regions: those with canopy forming species of algae and those without (henceforth bottom types). Modeled estimates of the proportion of sites occupied in each season are 0.88, 0.45, 0.74, and 0.83. These are significantly greater than the proportion of occupied sites measured from underwater video observations which are 0.57, 0.28, 0.43, and 0.57. Individual fish are detected more frequently with increasing current speed in areas lacking canopy and less frequently with increasing current speed in areas with canopy. The results indicate that, where possible, SDM studies for all marine species should take account of detectability to avoid underestimating the proportion of sites occupied at a given study area. Sampling closed areas or areas of conservation often requires the use of nonphysical, low impact sampling methods like camera surveys. These methods inherently result in detection probabilities less than one, an issue compounded by time‐varying features of the environment that are rarely accounted for marine studies. This work highlights the use of modeled hydrodynamics as a tool to correct some of this imbalance.
Evolution of nuchal glands, unusual defensive organs of Asian natricine snakes (Serpentes: Colubridae), inferred from a molecular phylogeny
Authors: Takeuchi Hirohiko , Savitzky Alan H. , Ding Li , de Silva Anslem , Das Indraneil , Nguyen Tao Thien , Tsai Tein‐Shun , Jono Teppei , Zhu Guang‐Xiang , Mahaulpatha Dharshani , Tang Yezhong , Mori Akira 
Published: September 2018

AbstractA large body of evidence indicates that evolutionary innovations of novel organs have facilitated the subsequent diversification of species. Investigation of the evolutionary history of such organs should provide important clues for understanding the basis for species diversification. An Asian natricine snake, Rhabdophis tigrinus, possesses a series of unusual organs, called nuchal glands, which contain cardiotonic steroid toxins known as bufadienolides. Rhabdophis tigrinus sequesters bufadienolides from its toad prey and stores them in the nuchal glands as a defensive mechanism. Among more than 3,500 species of snakes, only 17 Asian natricine species are known to possess nuchal glands or their homologues. These 17 species belong to three nominal genera, Balanophis, Macropisthodon, and Rhabdophis. In Macropisthodon and Rhabdophis, however, species without nuchal glands also exist. To infer the evolutionary history of the nuchal glands, we investigated the molecular phylogenetic relationships among Asian natricine species with and without nuchal glands, based on variations in partial sequences of Mt‐CYB, Cmos, and RAG1 (total 2,767 bp). Results show that all species with nuchal glands belong to a single clade (NGC). Therefore, we infer that the common ancestor of this clade possessed nuchal glands with no independent origins of the glands within the members. Our results also imply that some species have secondarily lost the glands. Given the estimated divergence time of related species, the ancestor of the nuchal gland clade emerged 19.18 mya. Our study shows that nuchal glands are fruitful subjects for exploring the evolution of novel organs. In addition, our analysis indicates that reevaluation of the taxonomic status of the genera Balanophis and Macropisthodon is required. We propose to assign all species belonging to the NGC to the genus Rhabdophis, pending further study.
At the confluence of vicariance and dispersal: Phylogeography of cavernicolous springtails (Collembola: Arrhopalitidae, Tomoceridae) codistributed across a geologically complex karst landscape in Illinois and Missouri
Authors: Katz Aron D. , Taylor Steven J. , Davis Mark A. 
Published: September 2018

AbstractThe processes of vicariance and dispersal are central to our understanding of diversification, yet determining the factors that influence these processes remains a significant challenge in evolutionary biology. Caves offer ideal systems for examining the mechanisms underlying isolation, divergence, and speciation. Intrinsic ecological differences among cavernicolous organisms, such as the degree of cave dependence, are thought to be major factors influencing patterns of genetic isolation in caves. Using a comparative phylogeographic approach, we employed mitochondrial and nuclear markers to assess the evolutionary history of two ecologically distinct groups of terrestrial cave‐dwelling springtails (Collembola) in the generaPygmarrhopalites(Arrhopalitidae) andPogonognathellus(Tomoceridae) that are codistributed in caves throughout the Salem Plateau—a once continuous karst region, now bisected by the Mississippi River Valley in Illinois and Missouri. Contrasting phylogeographic patterns recovered for troglobioticPygmarrhopalitessp. and eutroglophilicPogonognathellussp. suggests that obligate associations with cave habitats can restrict dispersal across major geographic barriers such as rivers and valleys, but may also facilitate subterranean dispersal between neighboring cave systems.Pygmarrhopalitessp. populations spanning the Mississippi River Valley were estimated to have diverged 2.9–4.8 Ma, which we attribute to vicariance resulting from climatic and geological processes involved in Mississippi River Valley formation beginning during the late Pliocene/early Pleistocene. Lastly, we conclude that the detection of many deeply divergent, morphologically cryptic, and microendemic lineages highlights our poor understanding of microarthropod diversity in caves and exposes potential conservation concerns.