bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
A power‐performance tunable logic with adjustable threshold pseudo‐dynamic building blocks and CMOS compatibility
Authors: Ghaffarishad Hanieh , Mohammadzadeh Naser , Ghaznavi‐Ghoushchi Mohammad‐Bagher 
Published: January 2018

SummaryThe continued downscaling of CMOS technology has resulted in very high performance devices, but power dissipation is a limiting factor on this way. Power and performance of a device are dependent on process, temperature, and workload variation that makes it impossible to find a single power optimal design. As a result, adaptive power and performance adjustment techniques emerged as attractive methods to improve the effective power efficiency of a device in modern design approaches. Focusing on this issue, in this paper, a novel logic family is proposed that enables tuning the transistor's effective threshold voltage after fabrication for higher speed or lower power. This method along with dynamic voltage scaling allows simultaneous optimization of static and dynamic power based on the workload requirement. The externally static topology of the proposed logic makes it possible to replace static circuits without requiring significant changes in the system. Experimental results obtained using 90‐nm CMOS standard technology show that the proposed logic improves the average power‐delay product by about 40% for the attempted benchmarks.
Cryptic species and parallel genetic structuring in Lethrinid fish: Implications for conservation and management in the southwest Indian Ocean
Authors: Healey Amy J. E. , McKeown Niall J. , Taylor Amy L. , Provan Jim , Sauer Warwick , Gouws Gavin , Shaw Paul W. 
Published: January 2018

AbstractAnalysis of genetic variation can provide insights into ecological and evolutionary diversification which, for commercially harvested species, can also be relevant to the implementation of spatial management strategies and sustainability. In comparison with other marine biodiversity hot spots, there has been less genetic research on the fauna of the southwest Indian Ocean (SWIO). This is epitomized by the lack of information for lethrinid fish, which support socioeconomically important fisheries in the region. This study combines comparative phylogeographic and population genetic analyses with ecological niche modeling to investigate historical and contemporary population dynamics of two species of emperor fish (Lethrinus mahsena and Lethrinus harak) across the SWIO. Both species shared similarly shallow phylogeographic patterns and modeled historical (LGM) habitat occupancies. For both species, allele frequency and kinship analyses of microsatellite variation revealed highly significant structure with no clear geographical pattern and nonrandom genetic relatedness among individuals within samples. The genetic patterns for both species indicate recurrent processes within the region that prevent genetic mixing, at least on timescales of interest to fishery managers, and the potential roles of recruitment variability and population isolation are discussed in light of biological and environmental information. This consistency in both historical and recurrent population processes indicates that the use of model species may be valuable in management initiatives with finite resources to predict population structure, at least in cases wherein biogeographic and ecological differences between taxa are minimized. Paradoxically, mtDNA sequencing and microsatellite analysis of samples from the Seychelles revealed a potential cryptic species occurring in sympatry with, and seemingly morphologically identical to, L. mahsena. BLAST results point to the likely misidentification of species and incongruence between voucher specimens, DNA barcodes, and taxonomy within the group, which highlights the utility and necessity of genetic approaches to characterize baseline biodiversity in the region before such model‐based methods are employed.
Cascade Conversion of Cellobiose to Gluconic Acid: The Large Impact of the Small Modification of Electronic Interaction on the Performance of Au/TiO2 Bifunctional Catalysts
Authors: Morawa Eblagon Katarzyna , Pastrana‐Martínez Luisa M. , Pereira Manuel F. R. , Figueiredo José L. 
Published: January 2018

AbstractThe effect of the type and properties of TiO2 and the addition of graphene oxide (GO) was studied in Au/TiO2 bifunctional catalysts, applied for cascade conversion of cellobiose to gluconic acid. Au was supported on three TiO2 materials with varied phase composition (100 % anatase or 80 % anatase/20 % rutile), particle size and surface chemistry. An exceptional yield of gluconic acid reaching 85 % was attained in a very short time of only 2 hours over Au supported on in‐house made TiO2. It was shown that the best performing catalyst had an “electron rich” Au metal phase and oxygen vacancies situated in close proximity to the metal‐support interface. Further, the electronic state in these catalysts was modified by addition of GO to the TiO2 supports, which was followed by high temperature reduction to form TiO2_rGO (TiO2‐reduced GO) composites. It was found that the presence of only small amount of rGO hindered the charge transfer from TiO2 to Au, leading to a metallic gold as shown by XPS. In addition, the presence of rGO impeded the formation of oxygen defects in TiO2 supports. This in turn had a negative impact on the rate and selectivity of glucose oxidation, the second step of the tandem process. To sum up, the unique interaction between “electron rich” Au nanoparticles and the neighboring oxygen vacancies on anatase TiO2 was found to play essential role in obtaining outstanding catalytic performance in the tandem oxidation of cellobiose to gluconic acid.
The retrosplenial cortex: A memory gateway between the cortical default mode network and the medial temporal lobe
Authors: Kaboodvand Neda , Bäckman Lars , Nyberg Lars , Salami Alireza 
Published: January 2018

AbstractThe default mode network (DMN) involves interacting cortical areas, including the posterior cingulate cortex (PCC) and the retrosplenial cortex (RSC), and subcortical areas, including the medial temporal lobe (MTL). The degree of functional connectivity (FC) within the DMN, particularly between MTL and medial‐parietal subsystems, relates to episodic memory (EM) processes. However, past resting‐state studies investigating the link between posterior DMN‐MTL FC and EM performance yielded inconsistent results, possibly reflecting heterogeneity in the degree of connectivity between MTL and specific cortical DMN regions. Animal work suggests that RSC has structural connections to both cortical DMN regions and MTL, and may thus serve as an intermediate layer that facilitates information transfer between cortical and subcortical DMNs. We studied 180 healthy old adults (aged 64–68 years), who underwent comprehensive assessment of EM, along with resting‐state fMRI. We found greater FC between MTL and RSC than between MTL and the other cortical DMN regions (e.g., PCC), with the only significant association with EM observed for MTL‐RSC FC. Mediational analysis showed that MTL‐cortical DMN connectivity increased with RSC as a mediator. Further analysis using a graph‐theoretical approach on DMN nodes revealed the highest betweenness centrality for RSC, confirming that a high proportion of short paths among DMN regions pass through RSC. Importantly, the degree of RSC mediation was associated with EM performance, suggesting that individuals with greater mediation have an EM advantage. These findings suggest that RSC forms a critical gateway between MTL and cortical DMN to support EM in older adults.
Suppressive effects of tenofovir disoproxil fumarate, an antiretroviral prodrug, on mineralization and type II and type III sodium‐dependent phosphate transporters expression in primary human osteoblasts
Authors: Barbieri Anna Maria , Chiodini Iacopo , Ragni Enrico , Colaianni Graziana , Gadda Franco , Locatelli Marco , Lampertico Pietro , Spada Anna , Eller‐Vainicher Cristina 
Published: January 2018

AbstractTenofovir disoproxil fumarate (TDF) is an antiretroviral drug commonly used for the management of Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) in highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) and of chronic Hepatitis B Virus (HBV) infections. Long‐term TDF‐treated subjects present decrease of bone mineral density and rarely severe osteomalacia. Although these adverse effects have been attributed to the impaired proximal tubule function, a possible direct involvement of TDF on osteoblasts should be taken into account. The aim of this study was to evaluate whether sodium phosphate transporters NPT2A (sodium‐dependent phosphate transport protein 2A), NPT2C (sodium‐dependent phosphate transport protein 2C), PIT1 (sodium‐dependent phosphate transporter 1), and PIT2 (sodium‐dependent phosphate transporter 2) were expressed in primary human osteoblasts (HOBs), whether their expression was related to HOBs differentiation and whether TDF could affect mineralization and gene expression. PIT1 and PIT2 were expressed under proliferating conditions and increased after induction of mineralization, while NPT2A and NPT2C were almost undetectable. In HOBs TDF exposure induced a significant dose‐dependent decrease in mineralization. Moreover, TDF caused a reduction of COL1A1 and of ATF4 expression in differentiated HOBs. In summary, HOBs do not express NPT2A and NPT2C and do express PIT1 and PIT2, suggesting a role of these two latter in human osteoblast mineralization. TDF impairs osteoblast mineralization, confirming a direct negative effect on bone. Therefore, in clinical practice, bone damage must be suspected and evaluated also in patients receiving TDF without kidney function alterations.
Signature microRNAs of nuclear Sm complex associated with breast cancer tumorigenesis
Authors: Zhang Xinyi , Shen Bo , Cui Yalei 
Published: January 2018

AbstractIt is well known that Sm proteins, small nuclear ribonucleoproteins, act as core spliceosomal factors in alternative splicing of mRNA precursors. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) can function in alternative splicing by targeting mRNAs of splicing factors. However, the direct interaction between miRNAs and proteins of splicing complex in nucleus has not been explored. In this study, the mature miRNAs in nuclear Sm complex of breast cancer cells and normal breast epithelial cells were characterized. Small RNA sequencing of immunoprecipitated nuclear Sm complex with the SmD1‐specific antibody identified 123 and 170 mature miRNAs in nuclear Sm complex of normal breast cells and breast cancer cells, respectively. The results of Northern blot analysis confirmed the existence of mature miRNAs in Sm complex and electrophoretic mobility shift assay (EMSA) validated the binding of miRNAs with proteins of Sm complex. Among the identified miRNAs bound to the Sm complex in nucleus, 94 miRNAs were significantly upregulated, and 39 miRNAs significantly downregulated in breast cancer cells compared with normal breast cells, suggesting that miRNAs in nuclear Sm complex might be associated to tumorigenesis of breast cancer by regulating Sm complex during alternative splicing of mRNA precursors. Our study provided novel clues to reveal the regulatory mechanism of Sm complex in the assembly of spliceosome and contributed novel aspects of miRNAs to tumorigenesis of breast cancer.
Microscopic abnormality classification of cardiac murmurs using ANFIS and HMM
Authors: Fahad H. M. , Ghani Khan M. Usman , Saba Tanzila , Rehman Amjad , Iqbal Sajid 
Published: January 2018

AbstractAuscultation of heart dispenses identification of the cardiac valves. An electronic stethoscope is used for the acquisition of heart murmurs that is further classified into normal or abnormal murmurs. The process of heart sound segmentation involves discrete wavelet transform to obtain individual components of the heart signal and its separation into systole and diastole intervals. This research presents a novel scheme to develop a semi‐automatic cardiac valve disorder diagnosis system. Accordingly, features are extracted using wavelet transform and spectral analysis of input signals. The proposed classification scheme is the fusion of adaptive‐neuro fuzzy inference system (ANFIS) and HMM. Both classifiers are trained using the extracted features to correctly identify normal and abnormal heart murmurs. Experimental results thus achieved exhibit that proposed system furnishes promising classification accuracy with excellent specificity and sensitivity. However, the proposed system has fewer classification errors, fewer computations, and lower dimensional feature set to build an intelligent system for detection and classification of heart murmurs.
On the relationship between Indian Ocean sea surface temperature variability and tropical cyclogenesis in the southwest Pacific
Authors: Magee Andrew D. , Verdon‐Kidd Danielle C. 
Published: January 2018

ABSTRACTIn the southwest Pacific (SWP) tropical cyclones (TCs) account for 76% of the regions natural disasters and have substantial economic, physical and environmental impacts on people and places. Therefore, information is needed to better understand when and where TCs are likely to occur, as this can aid in preparedness and planning. While there is a well‐established relationship between Pacific Ocean sea surface temperature (SST) variability and tropical cyclogenesis (TC genesis) in the SWP, it does not fully explain the historical spatial and temporal variability observed. Therefore, this study aims to look beyond the Pacific and establish a new relationship between Indian Ocean SST variability and SWP TC genesis. This is achieved by statistically relating indices of Indian Ocean SST variability to SWP TC genesis positions. The physical mechanisms driving these observed relationships are then established by studying changes in the environmental conditions conducive to TC genesis. This analysis shows that Indian Ocean SST variability significantly modulates the clustering of SWP TC genesis, where warmer (cooler) SSTs in the eastern and western regions of the Indian Ocean result in a statistically significant north/east (south/west) migration of TC genesis by up to 950 km. Importantly, this relationship is shown to be consistent when the El Niño/Southern Oscillation (ENSO, the dominant Pacific mode) is in an inactive phase (ENSO neutral). Favourable TC genesis parameters including warm SSTs, increased relative humidity, anomalously negative 700 hPa vorticity, anomalously negative and low absolute 200–850 hPa vertical wind shear account for the observed shift in clustering. Furthermore, we show that the combined effect of ENSO/Indian Ocean SST variability results in varying risk profiles for island nations of the region, with the two climate modes either enhancing or suppressing individual impacts. Significantly, the findings from this study provide an opportunity for meteorological agencies to improve seasonal SWP TC outlooks.
Benefit of targeted, pharmacist‐led education for junior doctors in reducing prescription writing errors – a controlled trial
Authors: Gursanscky Jared , Young Joanne , Griffett Kerryn , Liew Danny , Smallwood David 
Published: January 2018

AbstractBackgroundPrescribing errors are common and a known cause of adverse patient outcomes. Junior doctors are responsible for the majority of prescribing, and may benefit from educational interventions.AimTo assess the effect of (1) targeted pharmacist‐led feedback and education, and (2) an e‐learning prescribing module, on prescription writing error rates by junior doctors in the inpatient medical setting.MethodsWe undertook a cluster randomised trial in 2014 involving 16 prescribers in four general medical units of an Australian tertiary hospital. One unit was randomised to prescribing feedback and targeted education by a clinical pharmacist; another unit was randomised to an e‐learning intervention on safe prescribing; and two units were randomised to no intervention. Data were collected via daily audit of paper medication charts. A prescription writing error was deemed to have occurred if patient or prescriber details were incomplete, or if a medication order was illegible, incomplete or incorrect. Statistical analysis was by Chi‐squared comparison of each unit's error rate pre‐intervention to post‐intervention.ResultsPrescription writing errors were significantly reduced in the pharmacist education group, from 0.58 errors/total orders pre‐intervention to 0.37 errors/total orders post‐intervention (p < 0.001). Conversely, an increase in the error rate of the control group was observed from 0.49 to 0.59 errors/total orders (p < 0.001), and to a lesser extent in the e‐learning group from 0.58 to 0.63 errors/total orders (p = 0.025).ConclusionsRegular and targeted pharmacist feedback and education is effective at reducing prescription writing errors, while the effect of e‐learning tools remains unclear.
Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Is Associated With Further Left Ventricular Abnormalities in Patients With Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus: A 3‐Dimensional Speckle‐Tracking Study
Authors: Wang Qingqing , Ma Wenyan , Xia Jizhu 
Published: January 2018

ObjectivesThe aim of this study was to detect left ventricular (LV) structure and function abnormalities in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus with or without nonalcoholic fatty liver (NAFL) using 3‐dimensional speckle‐tracking echocardiography.MethodsEighty patients with type 2 diabetes and a normal LV ejection fraction (≥55%), including 40 with coexistent NAFL, and 40 age‐ and sex‐matched control participants were recruited. Conventional echocardiography and 3‐dimensional speckle‐tracking echocardiography were performed, and global longitudinal strain, global circumferential strain, global area strain, and global radial strain values were measured.ResultsSignificant differences in 2‐dimensional LV functional patterns were found among the 3 groups (P = .031), and LV hypertrophy was the most prevalent in patients with diabetes and NAFL. The patients with diabetes only had significantly lower global longitudinal strain, global circumferential strain, and global radial strain than the controls (allP < .05). The patients with diabetes and NAFL had severely lower global longitudinal strain, global circumferential strain, global area strain, and global radial strain than the controls (allP < .001), and they also had severely lower global longitudinal strain, global area strain, and global radial strain than the patients with diabetes only (allP < 0.001). The hemoglobin A1clevel and NAFL were independently associated with strain values in all patients with diabetes. The strain values in multiple directions (≥2 of global longitudinal, global circumferential, global area, and global radial strain) decreased significantly in the patients with diabetes and moderate and severe NAFL compared to those with mild NAFL (allP < .05).ConclusionsNonalcoholic fatty liver could aggravate LV hypertrophy and dysfunction in patients with type 2 diabetes. The combined application of conventional and 3‐dimensional speckle‐tracking echocardiography could detect these asymptomatic preclinical abnormalities.
Photoredox‐Based Actuation of an Artificial Molecular Muscle
Authors: Liles Kevin P. , Greene Angelique F. , Danielson Mary K. , Colley Nathan D. , Wellen Andrew , Fisher Jeremy M. , Barnes Jonathan C. 
Published: January 2018

AbstractThe use of light to actuate materials is advantageous because it represents a cost‐effective and operationally straightforward way to introduce energy into a stimuli‐responsive system. Common strategies for photoinduced actuation of materials typically rely on light irradiation to isomerize azobenzene or spiropyran derivatives, or to induce unidirectional rotation of molecular motors incorporated into a 3D polymer network. Although interest in photoredox catalysis has risen exponentially in the past decade, there are far fewer examples where photoinduced electron transfer (PET) processes are employed to actuate materials. Here, a novel mode of actuation in a series of redox‐responsive hydrogels doped with a visible‐light‐absorbing ruthenium‐based photocatalyst is reported. The hydrogels are composed primarily of polyethylene glycol and low molar concentrations of a unimolecular electroactive polyviologen that is activated through a PET mechanism. The rate and degree of contraction of the hydrogels are measured over several hours while irradiating with blue light. Likewise, the change in mechanical properties—determined through oscillatory shear rheology experiments—is assessed as a function of polyviologen concentration. Finally, an artificial molecular muscle is fabricated using the best‐performing hydrogel composition, and its ability to perform work, while irradiated, is demonstrated by lifting a small weight.
Dietary Protein Demand of the Juvenile Blue Discus Symphysodon haraldi
Authors: Wen Bin , Chen Zai-Zhong , Zhang Xiao-Xiao , Gao Jian-Zhong 
Published: January 2018

Abstract
A 63-d experiment was conducted to investigate the dietary protein demand of juvenile Blue Discus Symphysodon haraldi. Five isoenergetic and isolipidic diets were formulated to contain graded levels of crude protein (CP): 50% (CP50), 55% (CP55), 60% (CP60), 65% (CP65), and 70% (CP70). The results showed that survival rate was not affected by dietary protein level. Weight gain (WG) and specific growth rate (SGR) first increased and then decreased as dietary protein level increased, and the highest WG and SGR was observed in the CP60 group. In contrast, feed intake (FI) and feed conversion ratio (FCR) first decreased and then increased, and the lowest FI and FCR were both observed in the CP60 group. Protein efficiency ratio (PER) first increased and then decreased, and the highest PER was observed in the CP60 group. Both the hepatosomatic index and viscerosomatic index tended to decrease as dietary protein level increased. Crude protein content first increased and then decreased, while crude lipid content tended to decrease as dietary protein level increased. Quadratic regression analysis on the basis of WG, SGR, FI, FCR, and PER indicated that the optimum dietary protein level for juvenile Blue Discus was estimated to be 60.1–61.0% of dry matter.
Effects of Dietary Protein and Carbohydrate Levels on Gonad Index, Composition, and Color in the Purple Sea Urchin Strongylocentrotus purpuratus
Authors: Cuesta-Gomez Diana Maria , Sánchez-Saavedra M del Pilar 
Published: January 2018

Abstract
Understanding the nutritional requirements of the purple sea urchin Strongylocentrotus purpuratus is essential for producing suitable formulated diets and promoting its aquaculture in Mexico. Protein and carbohydrates are required components for gonad growth in sea urchins, yet their levels and effects on gonad composition and color have not been determined for this species. The effects of dietary protein and carbohydrates on gonad index, consumption, proximate content, and color were investigated in S. purpuratus in a 12-week experiment, from April to June 2015. Sea urchins were collected from Arbolitos Bay in Ensenada, Baja California, Mexico, and fed diets that contained three protein levels (300, 230, and 170 g/kg) and two carbohydrate levels (420 and 500 g/kg). All diets significantly increased gonad index, but individuals that were fed a diet with 300 g/kg of protein and 500 g/kg of carbohydrate had the highest gonad index. Dietary protein had a significant effect on lipid storage, whereas protein and nitrogen-free extract storage had no significant relationship with dietary protein or carbohydrate. Differences between gonad color and the standard color cards indicated that S. purpuratus gonads tended to be closer to an orange-yellow color. This study indicates that S. purpuratus will have increased gonad index values at all protein and carbohydrate quantities that were tested in this study. However, gonad coloration is more suitable with a diet containing 230 g/kg of protein and 500 g/kg of carbohydrates.