bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Reservation schemes for IaaS cloud broker: a time‐multiplexing way for different rental time
Authors: Gu Chonglin , Chen Shi , Zhang Jiangtao , Huang Hejiao , Jia Xiaohua 
Published: November 2016

SummaryInfrastructure‐as‐a‐Service cloud providers always charge users in 2 ways: on‐demand billing and reservation billing with different discounts. On‐demand billing is more flexible for short‐term use but with higher cost, while reservation billing is much cheaper for long renting period but may cause inefficiency because of underutilized capacity. As middle agent, cloud broker always tries to reserve a large number of virtual machine (VM) instances from cloud providers to meet the requirement of all users, while making high profit through reducing its cost by leveraging long‐term reservations and time‐multiplexing of instances. Different from existing work, we believe that the rental time of each user's request should be served consecutively in one VM instance, rather than partitioned into different VM instances by cloud broker to enhance time‐multiplexing ratio. In this paper, we first try to smooth users' unordered and time‐overlapping requests using demand graph, based on which we propose two reservation algorithms for cloud broker, one for off‐line and the other for online. We also consider cloud broker with multiple service providers, finding that much more cost can be saved by leveraging the various reservation discounts of those providers. Extensive simulations have been done on the traces from real cloud platforms. Experiment results show that the broker cost can be substantially saved using our off‐line and online algorithms.
Is pathogen exposure spatially autocorrelated? Patterns of pathogens in puma (Puma concolor) and bobcat (Lynx rufus)
Authors: Gilbertson Marie L. J. , Carver Scott , VandeWoude Sue , Crooks Kevin R. , Lappin Michael R. , Craft Meggan E. 
Published: November 2016

AbstractUnderstanding pathogen spread in wildlife has important implications for conservation and management efforts. This is particularly the case for taxa that are susceptible to disease spillover events resulting in outbreaks and rapid population declines, such as carnivores. However, assessment of the spatial structure of pathogen exposure (pathogen spatial autocorrelation) is relatively rare for these kinds of taxa. Structure in pathogen exposure may reflect a number of important features, including host traits, pathogen traits, and detection methods utilized. The relatively wide‐ranging nature of many carnivores may lead to rapid pathogen spread and obfuscate any spatial autocorrelation being detectable, but this has not yet been explicitly evaluated. Here, we tested for evidence of spatial structuring of pathogen exposure and coexposures for puma (Puma concolor) and bobcat (Lynx rufus), both mobile and wide‐ranging felid species. The study included 440 puma and 639 bobcat from six study regions (one in Florida, two in Colorado, and three in California), as well as each animal's capture location and exposure status for up to eight pathogens. This allowed a thorough examination of spatial patterns of pathogen exposure across different pathogen transmission types, different habitats, and different host ecology. We tested for spatial autocorrelation for each pathogen in each host species at each site, as well as both host species combined. In addition, we tested for coexposure between all pathogens in the study, and for those pathogens that were correlated, we tested for spatial clusters of coexposure. We detected spatial autocorrelation in exposure status for approximately 2% and 10% of examined cases for puma and bobcats, respectively, and spatial clustering in approximately 17% of cases where pathogen coexposures were detected. These results suggest that wide‐ranging species, such as puma and bobcat, may rapidly disseminate pathogens across their populations, precluding substantive detection of autocorrelation in pathogen exposure by traditional serological and infection detection methods. Thus, targeted pathogen surveillance or control might focus on individual host characteristics, and advances in understanding pathogen spread in these secretive felids may necessitate examinations of spatial structure in both pathogen and host genetics.
Assessing the impacts of the decline of Tsuga canadensis stands on two amphibian species in a New England forest
Authors: Siddig Ahmed A. H. , Ellison Aaron M. , Mathewson Brooks G. 
Published: November 2016

AbstractDisturbances such as outbreaks of herbivorous insects and pathogens can devastate unique habitats and directly reduce biodiversity. The foundation tree species Tsuga canadensis (eastern hemlock) is declining due to infestation by the nonnative insect Adelges tsugae (hemlock woolly adelgid). The decline and expected elimination of hemlock from northeastern U.S. forests is changing forest structure, function, and assemblages of associated species. We assessed 10 years of changes in occupancy, detection probability, and relative abundance of two species of terrestrial salamanders, Plethodon cinereus (eastern red‐back salamander) and Notopthalmus viridescens viridescens (eastern red‐spotted newt), to the experimental removal in 2005 of T. canadensis at Harvard Forest. Salamanders were sampled under cover boards and using visual encounter surveys before (2004) and after (2005, 2013, 2014) canopy manipulations in replicate 0.81‐ha plots. In 2004, occupancy of P. cinereus was 35% lower in stands dominated by T. canadensis than that in associated mixed‐hardwood control stands, whereas detection probability and estimated abundance of P. cinereus were, respectively, 60% and 100% greater in T. canadensis stands. Estimated abundance of N. v. viridescens in 2004 was 50% higher in T. canadensis stands. Removal of the T. canadensis canopy increased occupancy of P. cinereus but significantly reduced its estimated detection probability and abundance. Estimated abundance of N. v. viridescens also declined dramatically after canopy manipulations. Our results suggest that ten years after T. canadensis loss due to either the adelgid or pre‐emptive salvage logging, and 50–70 years later when these forests have become mid‐successional mixed deciduous stands, the abundance of these salamanders likely will be <50% of their abundance in current, intact T. canadensis stands. This study adds to our understanding of how forest disturbance, directly and indirectly caused by invasive species, can contribute to declines in the relative abundance of amphibians.
Time trumps habitat in the dynamics of an avian community
Authors: Curtis J. R. , Robinson W. D. , McCune B. 
Published: November 2016

AbstractPredictions of change in avian biodiversity often fail to account for the natural dynamism of species assemblages. Information from historical datasets can be useful indicators of how avian communities may change in the future. However, simple comparisons of diversity and abundances over time may overlook additional changes in bird–habitat associations. In 2013, we revisited sites from a unique, highly detailed avian survey from the Willamette Valley, Oregon, conducted in 1952. Our objectives were to quantify and describe the extent of avian community change; relate observed species assemblages to changes in vegetation type and land‐use class; and identify species with specific associations to either survey era. Using nonparametric ordination, we assessed whether the distribution of the avian community within the environmental space varied temporally. We used blocked indicator species analysis to identify species with specific association to historical or modern survey eras. Nonparametric permutation procedures identified both plot, each representing a different major habitat type, and year as significant factors defining communities. Year was more strongly related to the second ordination axis than the other environmental variables examined. Ordination of survey sites in species space confirmed modern avian communities were significantly different from their historical counterparts. Bird species richness increased and community composition changed by at least 50% despite the physiognomic characteristics of each plot's habitat and the surrounding landscape remaining comparatively stable. Because of this, we conclude time trumped, or was more strongly associated with community change, than alterations in physiognomic habitat. These results suggest avian communities are naturally dynamic even in areas with relatively stable habitat conditions. Predictions that only address changes in climate, land use, or vegetation cover type may fail to predict changes in avian community composition. Historical datasets are a valuable means of understanding real‐world changes in avian communities. We suggest additional factors, such as vegetation structure and microhabitat, may predict fine‐scale shifts in avian species assemblages. Nevertheless, major changes in community composition occurred with apparently minor shifts in physiognomic habitat characteristics in our study area.
Whole lactation production responses in high‐yielding dairy cows using high‐quality grass/clover silage
Authors: Patel Mikaela , Wredle Ewa , Spörndly Eva , Bertilsson Jan 
Published: November 2016

AbstractBACKGROUNDLimiting the use of purchased concentrate for livestock and replacing it with home‐grown forage without compromising milk production can offer benefits in both organic and conventional dairy systems. A full lactation trial was conducted with 92 cows over two years comparing three diets, each differing in the mean forage proportion over the lactation, 500 (500F), 600 (600F) and 700 (700F) g kg−1 dry matter (DM) respectively. The diets were designed to represent common conventional feeding, current regulations for organic production and more extreme high‐forage‐based production respectively. The aims were to determine the effects of forage proportion in the diet on milk production and feed utilisation.RESULTSCompared with 500F, daily milk yield did not differ in 600F but was lower in 700F (31.3, 31.1 and 29.2 kg energy‐corrected milk respectively). Daily dry matter intake (DMI) was similar between treatments (20.3, 20.4 and 19.9 kg in 500F, 600F and 700F respectively).CONCLUSIONIncreasing the forage proportion from 500 to 600 g kg−1 DM did not have any adverse effects on milk production or DMI. Thus it is possible to produce the same quantity of milk with less concentrate and reduce the use of potential human feeds in dairy production. © 2016 Society of Chemical Industry
The effect of fermented buckwheat on producing l‐carnitine‐ and γ‐aminobutyric acid (GABA)‐enriched designer eggs
Authors: Park Namhyeon , Lee Tae‐Kyung , Nguyen Thi Thanh Hanh , An Eun‐Bae , Kim Nahyun M , You Young‐Hyun , Park Tae‐Sub , Kim Doman 
Published: November 2016

AbstractBACKGROUNDThe potential of fermented buckwheat as a feed additive was studied to increase l‐carnitine and γ‐aminobutyric acid (GABA) in designer eggs. Buckwheat contains high levels of lysine, methionine and glutamate, which are precursors for the synthesis of l‐carnitine and GABA. Rhizopus oligosporus was used for the fermentation of buckwheat to produce l‐carnitine and GABA that exert positive effects such as enhanced metabolism, antioxidant activities, immunity and blood pressure control.RESULTSA novel analytical method for simultaneously detecting l‐carnitine and GABA was developed using liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry (LC/MS) and LC/MS/MS. The fermented buckwheat extract contained 4 and 34 times more l‐carnitine and GABA respectively compared with normal buckwheat. Compared with the control, the fermented buckwheat extract‐fed group showed enriched l‐carnitine (13.6%) and GABA (8.4%) in the yolk, though only l‐carnitine was significantly different (P < 0.05). Egg production (9.4%), albumen weight (2.1%) and shell weight (5.8%) were significantly increased (P < 0.05). There was no significant difference in yolk weight, and total cholesterol (1.9%) and triglyceride (4.9%) in the yolk were lowered (P < 0.05).CONCLUSIONFermented buckwheat as a feed additive has the potential to produce l‐carnitine‐ and GABA‐enriched designer eggs with enhanced nutrition and homeostasis. These designer eggs pose significant potential to be utilized in superfood production and supplement industries. © 2016 Society of Chemical Industry
Solid‐state NMR study on changes of phosphate and proton species in metal pyrophosphate composite (MP2O7–MO2) ceramics
Authors: Nishida Masakazu , Tanaka Tomoko , Kanematsu Wataru 
Published: November 2016

AbstractIn order to investigate the effects of composite production and the role of the counter cation for metal phosphate conductors, changes in the solid‐state nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectra and magnetic relaxation times caused by the removal of volatile products and water washing were examined for various metal pyrophosphate (MP2O7–MO2; M = Sn, Si, Ti, and Zr). Acidic species could be detected by 1H MAS NMR spectra for all the composites except ZrP2O7–ZrO2 that had the lowest conductivity. The 31P DD‐MAS NMR spectra for MP2O7–MO2 composites showed different signal patterns depending on the counter cations participating in the ion exchange as a result of different microstructures. Combinational analysis of 31P DD‐MAS and 31P CP‐MAS NMR spectra of the composites indicated that protonic bulk phosphates were observed at slightly lower fields than non‐protonic bulk phosphates in all of the MP2O7–MO2 composites. After water washing, the acidic species and the protonic bulk phosphates of MP2O7–MO2 composites disappeared or were reduced to trace amounts. The T1H values of the water‐washed composites lengthened because of removal of orthophosphoric acid, although the T1P values remained almost unchanged. The results of the solid‐state NMR studies suggest that the protonic bulk phosphates of MP2O7–MO2 composites do not generally distribute in the bulk but exist in the interface between excess H3PO4 and the bulk. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Quantification of total fetal brain volume using 3D MR imaging data acquired in utero
Authors: Jarvis Deborah , Akram Rahim , Mandefield Laura , Paddock Michael , Armitage Paul , Griffiths Paul D. 
Published: November 2016

AbstractObjectiveInterpretation of magnetic resonance (MR) imaging of the fetal brain in utero is primarily undertaken using 2D images to provide anatomical information about structural abnormalities. It is now possible to obtain 3D image acquisitions that allow measurement of fetal brain volumes that are potentially useful clinically. The aim of our current work is to provide reference values of total brain volumes obtained from a cohort of low risk fetuses with no abnormalities on ante‐natal ultrasonography and in utero MR imaging.MethodImages from volume MR acquisitions of 132 fetuses were used to extract brain volumes by manual segmentation. Reproducibility and reliability were assessed by analysis of the results of two subgroups who had repeated measurements made by the primary and a secondary observer.ResultsIntra‐observer and inter‐observer agreement was high with no statistically significant differences between and within observers (p = 0.476 and p = 0.427, respectively). The results of the brain volume assessments are presented graphically with mean and 95% prediction limits alongside estimates of normal growth rates.ConclusionWe have shown that fetal brain volumes can be reliably extracted from in utero MR (iuMR) imaging 3D datasets with a high degree of reproducibility. The resultant data could potentially be used as a reference tool in the clinical setting. © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Seasonal habitat‐dependent change in nest box occupation by Tengmalm's owl associated with a corresponding change in nest predation
Authors: Zárybnická Markéta , Riegert Jan , Šťastný Karel 
Published: November 2016

AbstractWe investigated the nest‐site settlement of the forest‐dwelling Tengmalm's owl (Aegolius funereus) in the temperate zone of Central Europe (Czech Republic) over a 14‐year period. We analysed the effect of changes in nest‐site suitability (expressed as the proportion of deciduous forest) within the immediate surroundings of the nest boxes (a buffer radius of 25 m) in relation to nest box occupancy, the mean standardized laying date (further the laying date), occurrence of nest predation, and breeding density. In line with the predictions of the site dependence model, we found a positive relationship between the laying date and the proportion of deciduous trees in the nest box surrounding. Further, we found the interactive effect of the laying date and the proportion of deciduous forest surrounding a nest box on the occurrence of breeding attempts predated by pine martens. A higher proportion of deciduous forest was found in the surroundings of predated than non‐predated breeding attempts, and a steeper positive relationship between the laying date and the proportion of deciduous forest was found in the surroundings of non‐predated than predated breeding attempts. The change in the owls’ habitat utilization can be explained by the process of tree leafing which makes the deciduous forest a less suitable habitat with high risk of nest predation before tree foliage and a more suitable habitat with low risk of nest predation after tree foliage. We conclude that our results are in agreement with the site dependence model, and that the degree of foliage of deciduous forest in the nest surrounding of Tengmalm's owl is a key factor determining site suitability due to predation risk from pine martens in Central Europe.
Study of the antibacterial activity of electro-activated solutions of salts of weak organic acids on Salmonella enterica, Staphylococcus aureus and Listeria monocytogenes
Authors: Liato Viacheslav , Labrie Steve , Aïder Mohammed 
Published: November 2016

Abstract
This work assessed the antibacterial activity of electro-activated solutions of salts of weak organic acids (potassium acetate, potassium citrate and calcium lactate) on Salmonella enterica, Staphylococcus aureus and Listeria monocytogenes. This activity was compared in terms of minimal inhibitory (bactericidal) concentration to the effect of commercial acetic, citric and lactic acid at equivalent titratable acidity. Staining live/dead BacLight method was used to consider physiological state of bacteria following the evaluation of pathogenic strains during exposure to the tested solutions. The results demonstrated strong inhibitory activity of all electro-activated solutions. After 10 min of exposure to electro-activated potassium acetate, a reduction of ≥6 log CFU/ml of all bacteria was observed. The electro-activated potassium citrate demonstrated the lowest minimal inhibitory concentration. Nevertheless, its inactivation power was significantly higher than that of conjugated citric acid. Although electro-activated calcium lactate was found less effective in comparison with its conjugated acid form, after 10 min of contact with the tested pathogens, it induced a population reduction of 2.23, 2.97 and 5.57 log CFU/ml of S. aureus, L. monocytogenes and S. enterica, respectively.
Hepatic BSCL2 (Seipin) Deficiency Disrupts Lipid Droplet Homeostasis and Increases Lipid Metabolism via SCD1 Activity
Authors: Lounis Mohamed Amine , Lalonde Simon , Rial Sabri Ahmed , Bergeron Karl‐F. , Ralston Jessica C. , Mutch David M. , Mounier Catherine 
Published: November 2016

AbstractBerardinelli‐Seip congenital lipodystrophy (BSCL) is an autosomal recessive disorder. The more severe form, designated BSCL2, arises due to mutations in the BSCL2 gene. Patients with BSCL2, as well as Bscl2−/− mice, have a near total absence of body fat, an organomegaly, and develop metabolic disorders including insulin resistance and hepatic steatosis. The function of the Seipin (BSCL2) protein remains poorly understood. Several lines of evidence have indicated that Seipin may have distinct functions in adipose versus non‐adipose cells. Here we present evidence that BSCL2/Bscl2 plays a role in lipid droplet (LD) biogenesis and homeostasis in primary and cultured hepatocytes. Our results show that decreasing BSCL2/Bscl2 expression in hepatocytes increases the number and size of LD, as well as the expression of genes implicated in their formation and stability. We also show that knocking down SCD1 expression reverses the phenotype associated with Seipin deficiency. Interestingly, BSCL2 knockdown induces SCD1 expression and activity, potentially leading to increased basal phosphorylation of proteins involved in the insulin signaling cascade, as well as further increasing fatty acid uptake and de novo lipogenesis. In conclusion, our results suggest that a hepatic BSCL2/Bscl2 deficiency induces the increase and expansion of LD, potentially via increased SCD1 activity.
Influence of Sophorolipid Structure on Interfacial Properties of Aqueous‐Arabian Light Crude and Related Constituent Emulsions
Authors: Koh Amanda , Wong Anna , Quinteros Alexis , Desplat Christine , Gross Richard 
Published: November 2016

AbstractSophorolipids (SLs) offer an “environmentally friendly” alternative to chemically produced surfactants currently used in formulations for crude oil extraction, processing, and reclamation. Studies herein describe how sophorolipid structure influences its interfacial properties for environmentally and industrially relevant oil–water systems where the oil phase is Arabian light crude oil, paraffin oil, decane, hexadecane, a 1:1 vol/vol mixture of o‐xylene and 1,2‐dimethylcyclohexane, or a mixture of paraffin oil, o‐xylene, and 1,2‐dimethylcyclohexane (synthetic crude oil). SL‐hexyl ester (SL‐HE) reduces the crude oil–water interfacial tension (IFT) by 57 and 91% at 0.001 and 0.5 mg/mL, respectively. Crude oil displacement tests reveal that SL‐ethyl ester (SL‐EE) and SL‐HE contract a crude oil slick on water to about 20% of its starting volume allowing for easier burning of spilled crude oil on marine surfaces. Water retention and emulsion phase (e.g., o/w vs. w/o) are determined by SL‐structure/concentration, oil concentration, and oil composition to understand their performance for crude oil transportation and clean‐up. For the first time, w/o emulsions were obtained using SLs and their formation occurred after homogenization when the oil phase consisted of a 1:1 mixture of o‐xylene and 1,2‐dimethylcyclohexane. Generally, the performance of SL‐esters in the above studies was superior to that using Triton X‐100, a comparison nonionic surfactant. Hence, SL‐esters offer a valuable platform for tuning interfacial properties to optimize surfactant performance.
Altered uterine contractility in response to β-adrenoceptor agonists in ovarian cancer
Authors: Modzelewska Beata , Jóźwik Maciej , Jóźwik Marcin , Sulkowski Stanisław , Pędzińska-Betiuk Anna , Kleszczewski Tomasz , Kostrzewska Anna 
Published: November 2016

Abstract
We aimed to prospectively examine β-adrenoceptor-mediated uterine contractility in women suffering from gynecological malignancies. Myometrial specimens were obtained from non-pregnant women undergoing hysterectomy for benign gynecological disorders, and ovarian, endometrial, synchronous ovarian–endometrial, and cervical cancer. Contractions of myometrial strips in an organ bath before and after cumulative dosages of β2- and β3-adrenoceptor agonists with preincubation of propranolol, SR 59230A, and butoxamine were studied. All agonists induced a dose-dependent attenuation for uterine contractility in endometrial or cervical cancer, similar to that observed in the reference group. Contradictory effects were observed for ovarian cancer alone or in combination with endometrial cancer. CL 316243 or ritodrine abolished the relaxation, whereas BRL 37344 increased the uterine contractility in ovarian cancer. Moreover, β-adrenoceptor antagonists caused varied effects for β2- or β3-adrenoceptor agonists. Our experiments demonstrate that ovarian cancer, alone or as synchronous ovarian–endometrial cancer, substantially alters uterine contractility in response to β-adrenoceptor agonists.