bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
A smart ACO‐inspired named data networking forwarding scheme with clustering analysis
Authors: Lv Jianhui , Wang Xingwei , Huang Min 
Published: February 2018

AbstractDifferent from the traditional IP network, named data networking (NDN) performs the stateful and adaptive forwarding, which faces some severe challenges such as efficient and self‐organized content retrieval. The current proposals are very difficult to address such challenges; therefore, this paper proposes a novel and smart NDN forwarding scheme by introducing both ant colony optimization and clustering analysis. At first, the discrete content concentration model is established with network load to address interest forwarding; in particular, we investigate the situation where the content retrieval is failed. Then, dot product method is used to compute similarity relation between 2 routers, which is considered as the clustering reference attribute. In addition, density‐based spatial clustering, ie, a clustering method, is exploited to detect core nodes that are used to cache the contents during the process of data forwarding. Finally, the proposed smart forwarding scheme is simulated over Mini‐NDN, and the simulation results show that it has better performance than the existent 3 schemes in terms of content retrieval rate, hop count, load balance degree, execution time, and throughput.
Nonuniform bandwidth reservation for tunnels in MPLS network using meter tables of OpenFlow
Authors: Huang Liaoruo , Shen Qingguo , Zhou Feng , Shao Wenjuan , Cui Xiaoyu 
Published: February 2018

AbstractResource reservation protocol‐traffic engineering (RSVP‐TE) is one of the most widely used technologies to construct multiprotocol label switching tunnels across wide area network. In RSVP‐TE, along the path selected by the constrained shortest path first algorithm, resource is allocated using RSVP at each hop to provide deterministic end‐to‐end service quality, such as rate, delay, packet loss, and jitter. However, we argue that the flat and uniform bandwidth reservation mechanism of RSVP, which reserves the same bandwidth at each hop along the tunnel, ignore the difference of available bandwidth of these links, resulting in that the bandwidth of some congested links are quickly exhausted, whereas other links are not fully utilized. To further improve the load balancing and resource utilization of the network, a nonuniform bandwidth reservation (NUBR) method is proposed in this paper. With the proposed method, each node along the tunnel can flexibly reserve different bandwidth according to its own available resources. Thus, the reserved bandwidth at the congested links can be decreased by aggressively overreserving at idle links. In this paper, we introduce the concept of NUBR and explore the implementation based on the meter table of OpenFlow. The mathematical models and algorithms of NUBR have been studied under 2 application scenarios. At last, the simulation results show that the proposed method can allow more multiprotocol label switching tunnels than the traditional uniform bandwidth reservation method.
Musical training induces functional and structural auditory‐motor network plasticity in young adults
Authors: Li Qiongling , Wang Xuetong , Wang Shaoyi , Xie Yongqi , Li Xinwei , Xie Yachao , Li Shuyu 
Published: February 2018

AbstractPlaying music requires a strong coupling of perception and action mediated by multimodal integration of brain regions, which can be described as network connections measured by anatomical and functional correlations between regions. However, the structural and functional connectivities within and between the auditory and sensorimotor networks after long‐term musical training remain largely uninvestigated. Here, we compared the structural connectivity (SC) and resting‐state functional connectivity (rs‐FC) within and between the two networks in 29 novice healthy young adults before and after musical training (piano) with those of another 27 novice participants who were evaluated longitudinally but with no intervention. In addition, a correlation analysis was performed between the changes in FC or SC with practice time in the training group. As expected, participants in the training group showed increased FC within the sensorimotor network and increased FC and SC of the auditory‐motor network after musical training. Interestingly, we further found that the changes in FC within the sensorimotor network and SC of the auditory‐motor network were positively correlated with practice time. Our results indicate that musical training could induce enhanced local interaction and global integration between musical performance‐related regions, which provides insights into the mechanism of brain plasticity in young adults.
Brain structure differences between Chinese and Caucasian cohorts: A comprehensive morphometry study
Authors: Tang Yuchun , Zhao Lu , Lou Yunxia , Shi Yonggang , Fang Rui , Lin Xiangtao , Liu Shuwei , Toga Arthur 
Published: February 2018

AbstractNumerous behavioral observations and brain function studies have demonstrated that neurological differences exist between East Asians and Westerners. However, the extent to which these factors relate to differences in brain structure is still not clear. As the basis of brain functions, the anatomical differences in brain structure play a primary and critical role in the origination of functional and behavior differences. To investigate the underlying differences in brain structure between the two cultural/ethnic groups, we conducted a comparative study on education‐matched right‐handed young male adults (age = 22–29 years) from two cohorts, Han Chinese (n = 45) and Caucasians (n = 45), using high‐dimensional structural magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) data. Using two well‐validated imaging analysis techniques, surface‐based morphometry (SBM) and voxel‐based morphometry (VBM), we performed a comprehensive vertex‐wise morphometric analysis of the brain structures between Chinese and Caucasian cohorts. We identified consistent significant between‐group differences in cortical thickness, volume, and surface area in the frontal, temporal, parietal, occipital, and insular lobes as well as the cingulate cortices. The SBM analyses revealed that compared with Caucasians, the Chinese population showed larger cortical structures in the temporal and cingulate regions, and smaller structural measures in the frontal and parietal cortices. The VBM data of the same sample was well‐aligned with the SBM findings. Our findings systematically revealed comprehensive brain structural differences between young male Chinese and Caucasians, and provided new neuroanatomical insights to the behavioral and functional distinctions in the two cultural/ethnic populations.
Systemic banks, capital composition, and CoCo bonds issuance: The effects on bank risk
Authors: Echevarria‐Icaza Victor , Sosvilla‐Rivero Simón 
Published: February 2018

AbstractThis paper shows that systemic banks are prone to increase their regulatory capital ratio through a decline in risk‐weighted assets density and an intense use of lower level capital. The market access of systemic banks and the fact that they were singled out for higher capital requirements seem to have biased them towards lower level capital, consistent with the theory that asymmetric information drives capital decisions. These effects are particularly strong for institutions that had a rather low level of capitalization at the start of the period and for those that exhibited a strong use of additional Tier I capital before the regulatory changes. Strict capital composition requirements for firms with lower buffers would be an improvement.
Low BMI is correlated with increased TGF‐β and IL‐10 mRNA levels in the peripheral blood of breast cancer patients
Authors: Liu Chao , Wang Qian , Sun Bing , Meng Xiangying , Li Lan , Yang Liuchun , Cong Yang , Liu Jiannan , Xuan Liang , Huang Yan , Wu Shikai 
Published: February 2018

AbstractTransforming growth factor‐β (TGF‐β), interleukin‐10 (IL‐10), and forkhead box P3 (Foxp3) have important roles in breast cancer development. Previous studies confirmed a correlation between these immune molecules and tumor characteristics, but their association with nutritional status in breast cancer is largely unknown. We aimed to investigate the association between body mass index (BMI), hemoglobin, total protein, albumin, globulin (GLB), albumin/GLB ratio (AGR), pre‐albumin, prognostic nutritional index, and TGF‐β, IL‐10, and Foxp3 mRNA expression in patients with breast cancer. Quantitative real‐time PCR was used to detect the mRNA expression of TGF‐β, IL‐10, and Foxp3 in the peripheral blood of 107 patients with breast cancer and 21 healthy controls. We found that TGF‐β mRNA levels were 2.6‐fold, 3.2‐fold, and 2.3‐fold higher in patients with low BMI (<23), low AGR, and high GLB, respectively, than in their counterparts (P < 0.05). In addition, IL‐10 mRNA expression levels in patients with normal BMI (<23) were 2.8‐fold and 3.5‐fold higher than in those who were overweight (23≤ BMI <25) and obese (BMI ≥ 25), respectively (P < 0.05). In addition, TGF‐β, IL‐10, and Foxp3 mRNA levels were significantly higher in patients with breast cancer than in healthy controls (P < 0.05). In summary, our results suggest that nutritional status, especially BMI, may strongly affect systematic immune function in patients with breast cancer. © 2018 IUBMB Life, 70(3):237–245, 2018
Specificity Protein 7 Is Required for Proliferation and Differentiation of Ameloblasts and Odontoblasts
Authors: Bae Ji-Myung , Clarke John C , Rashid Harunur , Adhami Mitra D , McCullough Kayla , Scott Jordan S , Chen Haiyan , Sinha Krishna M , de Crombrugghe Benoit , Javed Amjad 
Published: February 2018

ABSTRACT

The Sp7/Osterix transcription factor is essential for bone development. Mutations of the Sp7 gene in humans are associated with craniofacial anomalies and osteogenesis imperfecta. However, the role of Sp7 in embryonic tooth development remains unknown. Here we identified the functional requirement of Sp7 for dentin synthesis and tooth development. Sp7-null mice exhibit craniofacial dysmorphogenesis and are completely void of alveolar bone. Surprisingly, initial tooth morphogenesis progressed normally in Sp7-null mice. Thus the formation of alveolar bone is not a prerequisite for tooth morphogenesis. Sp7 is required for mineralization of palatal tissue but is not essential for palatal fusion. The reduced proliferative capacity of Sp7-deficient ectomesenchyme results in small and misshapen teeth with randomly arranged cuboidal preodontoblasts and preameloblasts. Sp7 promotes functional maturation and polarization of odontoblasts. Markers of mature odontoblast (Col1a, Oc, Dspp, Dmp1) and ameloblast (Enam, Amelx, Mmp20, Amtn, Klk4) are barely expressed in incisors and molar tissues of Sp7-null mice. Consequently, dentin and enamel matrix are absent in the Sp7-null littermates. Interestingly, the Sp7 expression is restricted to cells of the dental mesenchyme indicating the effect on oral epithelium–derived ameloblasts is cell-nonautonomous. Abundant expression of Fgf3 and Fgf8 ligand was noted in the developing tooth of wild-type mice. Both ligands were remarkably absent in the Sp7-null incisor and molar, suggesting cross-signaling between mesenchyme and epithelium is disrupted. Finally, promoter-reporter assays revealed that Sp7 directly controls the expression of Fgf-ligands. Together, our data demonstrate that Sp7 is obligatory for the differentiation of both ameloblasts and odontoblasts but not for the initial tooth morphogenesis. © 2018 American Society for Bone and Mineral Research.
Uncoupling protein 1 expression in adipocytes derived from skeletal muscle fibro/adipogenic progenitors is under genetic and hormonal control
Authors: Gorski Tatiane , Mathes Sebastian , Krützfeldt Jan 
Published: February 2018

AbstractBackgroundIntramuscular fatty infiltration is generally associated with the accumulation of white adipocytes in skeletal muscle and unfavourable metabolic outcomes. It is, however, still unclear whether intramuscular adipocytes could also acquire a brown‐like phenotype. Here, we detected intramuscular expression of brown adipocyte markers during fatty infiltration in an obesity‐resistant mouse strain and extensively compared the potential of two different stem cell populations residing in skeletal muscle to differentiate into brown‐like adipocytes.MethodsFatty infiltration was induced using intramuscular glycerol or cardiotoxin injection in the tibialis anterior muscles of young or aged 129S6/SvEvTac (Sv/129) mice or interleukin‐6 (IL‐6) knockout mice, and the expression of general and brown adipocyte markers was assessed after 4 weeks. Fibro/adipogenic progenitors (FAPs) and myogenic progenitors were prospectively isolated using fluorescence‐activated cell sorting from skeletal muscle of male and female C57Bl6/6J and Sv/129 mice, and monoclonal and polyclonal cultures were treated with brown adipogenic medium. Additionally, FAPs were differentiated with medium supplemented or not with triiodothyronine.ResultsAlthough skeletal muscle expression of uncoupling protein 1 (Ucp1) was barely detectable in uninjected tibialis anterior muscle, it was drastically induced following intramuscular adipogenesis in Sv/129 mice and further increased in response to beta 3‐adrenergic stimulation. Intramuscular Ucp1 expression did not depend on IL‐6 and was preserved in aged skeletal muscle. Myogenic progenitors did not form adipocytes neither in polyclonal nor monoclonal cultures. Fibro/adipogenic progenitors, on the other hand, readily differentiated into brown‐like, UCP1+ adipocytes. Uncoupling protein 1 expression in differentiated FAPs was regulated by genetic background, sex, and triiodothyronine treatment independently of adipogenic differentiation levels.ConclusionsIntramuscular adipogenesis is associated with increased Ucp1 expression in skeletal muscle from obesity‐resistant mice. Fibro/adipogenic progenitors provide a likely source for intramuscular adipocytes expressing UCP1 under control of both genetic and hormonal factors. Therefore, FAPs constitute a possible target for therapies aiming at the browning of intramuscular adipose tissue and the metabolic improvement of skeletal muscle affected by fatty infiltration.
Pursuing Graduate Study: Factors Underlying Undergraduate Engineering Students' Decisions
Authors: Borrego Maura , Knight David B. , Gibbs Kenneth , Crede Erin 
Published: February 2018

AbstractBackgroundEnrollment of US students in engineering graduate programs is declining, the proportion of underrepresented groups being even lower at the graduate level than it is at undergraduate levels.PurposeThe purpose of this study is to explore engineering undergraduate student perceptions about graduate study, how these perceptions impact their decisions to pursue graduate study, and whether or how these differ by sex and race/ethnicity.Design/MethodWe administered a survey about graduate study to 1082 undergraduate engineering students from four US institutions. Student characteristics included sex, race/ethnicity, and year in college. Exploratory Factor Analysis identified factors related to Social Cognitive Career Theory (SCCT). We created multinomial logistic regression models to predict intention to pursue a master's or PhD degree.ResultsIdentified factors were Self‐efficacy, Outcome expectations, Supports, Barriers, and Choice actions. Model fit statistics indicate a strong model. Only Choice actions was not significant. Few sex and race/ethnicity differences held once factors were added to the models. Hispanic students were more than twice as likely to indicate they were planning on enrolling in a master's program relative to no graduate school.ConclusionsSelf‐efficacy most strongly influenced graduate school intention. For every one‐unit increase in students' self‐efficacy, they were over 8 times more likely to plan to enroll in a master's program and 13 times more likely to enroll in a PhD program, relative to not attending graduate school. Implications for research and practice are discussed.
Tooth germ initiation patterns in a developing dentition: An in vivo study of Xenopus laevis tadpoles
Authors: Lamoureux Denis O. , LeBlanc Aaron R. H. , Caldwell Michael W. 
Published: February 2018

AbstractThe transparency of soft tissue in Xenopus laevis tadpoles and the anterior‐posterior orientation of their developing tooth germs in the upper jaw offer a unique opportunity for the in vivo charting of the first 15–20 days of the developing dentition. Twenty‐two X. laevis tadpoles were anesthetized daily and their mouths opened to record the first appearance, position, and development of tooth germs in the upper jaw. The initiation patterns revealed considerable variability between animals, and even between the jaw quadrants in the same animal. This variability appears within a structural boundary and the results are consistent with the presence of an odontogenic band. The final length of dental rows far exceeded the jaw growth for each quadrant during the recording period. This in vivo investigation underlines the limits of cross‐sectional studies, and in particular the assumption that tooth germs initiate at the same position in the dental row. The tooth germ initiation patterns in this study did not align with the predictions of standard models for the development of the dentition—Zahnreihen, Clone, and New Progress Zone theories.
Antenatal Prediction of Neonatal Survival in Sacrococcygeal Teratoma
Authors: Lee Seung Mi , Suh Dong Hoon , Kim So Yeon , Kim Min Kyoung , Oh Sohee , Song Sang Hoon , Kim Hyun‐Young , Park Chan‐Wook , Park Joong Shin , Jun Jong Kwan 
Published: February 2018

ObjectivesIn sacrococcygeal teratoma, the presence of high‐output cardiac failure resulting from arteriovenous shunting through the large tumor has been associated with an adverse outcome. The objective of this study was to determine whether the tumor size and cardiac biomarkers in cord blood can predict neonatal survival in sacrococcygeal teratoma.MethodsThe study population consisted of 25 neonates with sacrococcygeal teratoma. Tumor size was calculated by the ellipsoid formula using dimensions measured by antenatal ultrasound ([length × width × depth in cm] × 0.52= volume in cm3). To adjust the gestational age, the tumor volume index (tumor volume/biparietal diameter) was adopted in the analysis. Cardiac biomarkers for heart failure (N‐terminal pro‐B‐type natriuretic peptide [NT‐pro‐BNP] and cardiac troponin T [cTnT]) were measured in cord blood taken at the time of delivery.ResultsThe rate of neonatal death was 24% (6 of 25). The cases that resulted in neonatal death had a higher tumor volume index and higher concentrations of NT‐pro‐BNP and cTnT than those with survival. A tumor volume index of greater than 60 cm3/cm, elevated NT‐pro‐BNP (>2000 pg/mL), and elevated cTnT (>0.08 ng/mL) had sensitivity of 100% for prediction of neonatal death.ConclusionsThe tumor volume index and cord blood biomarkers for heart failure can be promising prognostic markers for neonatal survival in sacrococcygeal teratoma.
Ultrasound Strain Imaging to Assess the Biceps Brachii Muscle in Chronic Poststroke Spasticity
Authors: Gao Jing , Chen Johnson , O'Dell Michael , Li Pai‐Chi , He Wen , Du Li‐Juan , Rubin Jonathan M. , Weitzel William , Min Robert 
Published: February 2018

ObjectivesThe aim of the study was to assess the feasibility of ultrasound strain imaging in characterizing the biceps brachii muscle in chronic poststroke spasticity.MethodsWe prospectively analyzed strain imaging data from bilateral biceps brachii muscles in 8 healthy volunteers and 7 patients with poststroke chronic spasticity. Axial deformations of the biceps brachii muscle and overlying subcutaneous tissue were produced by external compression using a sandbag (1.0 kg) attached to a transducer. The lengthening and shortening of the biceps brachii muscle and subcutaneous tissue were produced by manual passive elbow extension (from 90° to 0°) and flexion (from 0° to 90°), respectively. We used offline 2‐dimensional speckle tracking to estimate axial and longitudinal strain ratios (biceps brachii strain/subcutaneous tissue strain), and the longitudinal tissue velocity of the biceps brachii muscle. Statistical analyses included analysis of variance for testing differences in strain imaging parameters among healthy, nonspastic, and spastic biceps brachii muscles, the Bonferroni correction for further testing differences in US strain imaging among paired groups (healthy versus spastic, nonspastic versus spastic, and healthy versus nonspastic), and the Pearson correlation coefficient for assessing the intraobserver reliability of performing strain imaging in stroke survivors.ResultsThe differences in strain imaging parameters between healthy and spastic and between nonspastic and spastic biceps brachii muscles were significant at both 90° elbow flexion and maximal elbow extension (P < .01). There was no significant difference in axial strain ratios at 90° of elbow flexion or longitudinal tissue velocities between healthy and nonspastic muscles (P > .05). The intraobserver reliability of performing strain imaging in stroke survivors was good (r = 0.85; P < .01).ConclusionsUltrasound strain imaging seems to be feasible for characterizing the biceps brachii muscle in chronic poststroke spasticity.
The Potential Role of Bile Acids in Acquired Laryngotracheal Stenosis
Authors: Aldhahrani Adil , Powell Jason , Ladak Shameem , Ali Mahmoud , Ali Simi , Verdon Bernard , Pearson Jeffrey , Ward Chris 
Published: February 2018

ObjectiveGastroesophageal reflux is thought to be a risk factor for laryngotracheal stenosis. Bile acids are a component of gastric refluxate and have previously been implicated in the development of fibrosis in other airway subsites. There is clear evidence that bile acids reflux into the upper airway. We therefore investigated the potential role of bile acids in the pathophysiology of laryngotracheal fibrosis and stenosis, specifically investigating the highly conserved process of epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT).Study DesignTranslational research study.MethodsHuman primary tracheal epithelial cells (PTECs) were challenged with the four most common digestive bile acids (cholic, chenodeoxycholic, deoxycholic, and lithocholic). EMT markers transforming growth factor (TGF)‐β1, Matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)‐9, and procollagen proteins were measured in the supernatant at 48 hours via enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay. Real‐time polymerase chain reaction was also used to measure E‐cadherin and fibronectin expression.ResultsSignificantly greater concentrations of TGF‐β1 and MMP‐9 were measured in the culture supernatants of cells treated with each bile acid at 10 µmol/L. Lithocholic acid and deoxycholic acid induced significantly increased expression of procollagen protein. Upregulation of fibronectin and downregulation of E‐cadherin were observed with all bile acids, except for deoxycholic acid.ConclusionThis is the first proof of principle demonstration that physiologically relevant bile acid challenge induces EMT mechanisms in PTECs. This implies a potential role for bile acids in laryngotracheal scarring and airway remodeling of potential translational significance in laryngotracheal stenosis.Level of EvidenceNA. Laryngoscope, 128:2029–2033, 2018