bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
A heuristic approach to the multicriteria design of IaaS cloud infrastructures for Big Data applications
Authors: Arostegi María , Torre‐Bastida Ana , Bilbao Miren Nekane , Del Ser Javier 
Published: January 2018

AbstractThe rapid growth of new computing paradigms such as Cloud Computing and Big Data has unleashed great opportunities for companies to shift their business model towards a fully digital strategy. A major obstacle in this matter is the requirement of highly specialized ICT infrastructures that are expensive and difficult to manage. It is at this point that the IaaS (infrastructure as a service) model offers an efficient and cost‐affordable solution to supply companies with their required computing resources. In the Big Data context, it is often a hard task to design an optimal IaaS solution that meets user requirements. In this context, we propose a methodology to optimize the definition of IaaS cloud models for hosting Big Data platforms, following a threefold criterion: cost, reliability, and computing capacity. Specifically, the proposed methodology hinges on evolutionary heuristics in order to find IaaS configurations in the cloud that optimally balance such objectives. We also define measures to quantify the aforementioned metrics over a Big Data platform hosted within an IaaS cloud model. The proposed method is validated by using real information from three IaaS providers and three Big Data platforms. The obtained results provide an insightful input for system managers when initially designing cloud infrastructures for Big Data applications.
Quantifying the influences of grazing, climate and their interactions on grasslands using Landsat TM images
Authors: Xu Dandan , Koper Nicola , Guo Xulin 
Published: January 2018

AbstractAppropriate grazing management ensures sustainable productivities of grassland ecosystems while maintaining grassland services. Thus, it is important to understand the influences of grazing management on grassland ecosystems, which can be monitored by measuring grassland response (e.g. leaf area index [LAI]) to grazing management. However, the measured grassland response includes the impact not only of grazing management, but also of other factors and their interactions, such as climate variability and fire. Therefore, to better study the effects of grazing management, grassland response to grazing needs to be quantified separately from that of other factors which influence grasslands and their interactions. The aim of our research was to quantify these interactions using Landsat thematic mapper (TM) images with long‐term datasets at a regional scale. We studied vegetation using a manipulative grazing experiment that applied a range of low to high cattle stocking rates from 2008 to 2011 in a northern native mixed‐prairie in Saskatchewan. Results show that precipitation, temperature, interaction between temperature and precipitation, cattle density, interaction between temperature and cattle density, and the interaction among cattle density and climate parameters explained 65.5, 14.5, 9.8, 1.7, 1.4 and 0.5% of the variation in grassland LAI, respectively; thus, precipitation has the dominant effect in mixed‐grass prairies, while temperature and the interaction between temperature and precipitation have only moderate effects, and grazing intensity and the interaction between grazing intensity and climate variations have relatively low effects. The results also suggest that grassland response to grazing can be quantitatively separated from that of climate variability with the prior knowledge of grazing intensity, even though the influences of precipitation on LAI overrode the effects of short term grazing.
Clinical, microbiological and cytomorphometric evaluation of low‐level laser therapy as an adjunct to periodontal therapy in patients with chronic periodontitis
Authors: Petrović MS , Kannosh IY , Milašin JM , Mihailović DS , Obradović RR , Bubanj SR , Kesić LG 
Published: January 2018

AbstractObjectiveA clinical prospective study was designed to evaluate microbiological, cytomorphometric and clinical efficacy of low‐level laser therapy (LLLT) as an adjunct to periodontal therapy in the treatment of chronic periodontitis.MethodsSixty subjects were included and randomly assigned into 2 groups: SRP (scaling root planning) group (n = 30) and LLLT + SRP group (n = 30). Clinical parameters were measured before intervention, after the fifth treatment, and after a month. All subjects received oral hygiene instructions and full‐mouth conservative periodontal treatment (removal of dental plaque followed by SRP). Afterwards, in group II, Kavo LLLT (980 nm, 0.2 W, 6 J/cm2) was applied. Subgingival samples were collected at baseline and after the fifth treatment to quantify Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans, Prevotella intermedia, Porphyromonas gingivalis, Tannerella forsythensis and Treponema denticola by polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Gingival swabs were taken, and direct smears were prepared on slides for cytomorphometric analysis.ResultsEvaluation using clinical parameters showed better results in LLLT group. A statistically significant decrease in the prevalence of bacteria after treatment in LLLT group was observed for the following: T. forsythensis and T. denticola (P < .001), P. gingivalis (P < .01), A. actinomycetemcomitans and P. intermedia (P < .05). The values of nuclear area, perimeter and Ferret's diameter were significantly lower in both studied groups after treatment, but statistical significance was higher in LLLT group (P < .001) than in the SRP therapy group (P < .05).ConclusionLow‐level laser therapy as an adjunct to periodontal therapy demonstrates short‐term additional bacteriological, cytological and clinical benefits.
The rocky road to personalized medicine in acute myeloid leukaemia
Authors: Brinda Bryan , Khan Irum , Parkin Brian , Konig Heiko 
Published: January 2018

AbstractAcute myeloid leukaemia (AML) is a malignant disorder of the myeloid blood lineage characterized by impaired differentiation and increased proliferation of hematopoietic precursor cells. Recent technological advances have led to an improved understanding of AML biology but also uncovered the enormous cytogenetic and molecular heterogeneity of the disease. Despite this heterogeneity, AML is mostly managed by a ‘one‐size‐fits‐all’ approach consisting of intensive, highly toxic induction and consolidation chemotherapy. These treatment protocols have remained largely unchanged for the past several decades and only lead to a cure in approximately 30–35% of cases. The advent of targeted therapies in chronic myeloid leukaemia and other malignancies has sparked hope to improve patient outcome in AML. However, the implementation of targeted agents in AML therapy has been unexpectedly cumbersome and remains a difficult task due to a variety of disease‐ and patient‐specific factors. In this review, we describe current standard and investigational therapeutic strategies with a focus on targeted agents and highlight potential tools that might facilitate the development of targeted therapies for this fatal disease. The classes of agents described in this review include constitutively activated signalling pathway inhibitors, surface receptor targets, epigenetic modifiers, drugs targeting the interaction of the hematopoietic progenitor cell with the stroma and drugs that target the apoptotic machinery. The clinical context and outcome with these agents will be examined to gain insight about their optimal utilization.
Comparison of Gonadal Development in Diploid and Triploid Hybrid Groupers, Epinephelus coioides♀ × Epinephelus lanceolatus♂
Authors: Li Shuisheng , Liu Qiongyu , Xiao Ling , Tao Min , Shu Hu , Zhang Haifa , Lin Haoran , Zhang Yong 
Published: January 2018

AbstractIn this study, the gonadal development of 10‐ to 43‐mo‐old diploid and triploid orange‐giant grouper hybrids, Epinephelus coioides♀ × Epinephelus lanceolatus♂, was investigated. The diploid hybrid groupers exhibited normal gonadal development and experienced vitellogenesis at 43 mo of age. In contrast, the triploid gonad was masculinized and gradually filled with spermatogenic cysts. Radioimmunoassays revealed that the diploid hybrids showed high serum E2 levels at 10 and 43 mo and high T levels at 43 mo, while the triploid hybrids showed high E2 levels at 18 and 30 mo and high T levels at 18 mo. Furthermore, the messenger RNA (mRNA) expression of genes related to reproductive regulation was examined in these hybrids. The mRNA levels of fshb, fshr, lhb, lhr, dmrt1, and sox9 varied significantly during gonadal development. Interestingly, the expression levels of fshr, lhr, dmrt1, and sox9 were higher in triploid hybrids than in diploid hybrids. The hyperactive expression of these genes may be associated with the gonadal masculinization of triploid hybrids.
Profile, risk factors and outcome of acute kidney injury in paediatric acute‐on‐chronic liver failure
Authors: Lal Bikrant B. , Alam Seema , Sood Vikrant , Rawat Dinesh , Khanna Rajeev 
Published: January 2018

AbstractBackground & AimsThere are no studies on acute kidney injury in paediatric acute‐on‐chronic liver failure. This study was planned with aim to describe the clinical presentation and outcome of acute kidney injury among paediatric acute‐on‐chronic liver failure patients.MethodsData of all children 1‐18 years of age presenting with acute chronic liver failure (Asia pacific association for the study of the liver definition) was reviewed. Acute kidney injury was defined as per Kidney Diseases—Improving Global Outcomes guidelines. Poor outcome was defined as death or need for liver transplant within 3 months of development of acute kidney injury.ResultsA total of 84 children with acute‐on‐chronic liver failure were presented to us in the study period. Acute kidney injury developed in 22.6% of patients with acute‐on‐chronic liver failure. The median duration from acute‐on‐chronic liver failure to development of acute kidney injury was 4 weeks (Range: 2‐10 weeks). The causes of acute kidney injury were hepatorenal syndrome (31.6%), sepsis (31.6%), nephrotoxic drugs (21%), dehydration (10.5%) and bile pigment related acute tubular necrosis in one patient. On univariate analysis, higher baseline bilirubin, higher international normalized ratio, higher paediatric end stage liver disease, presence of systemic inflammatory response syndrome and presence of spontaneous bacterial peritonitis had significant association with presence of acute kidney injury. On logistic regression analysis, presence of systemic inflammatory response syndrome (adjusted OR: 8.659, 95% CI: 2.18‐34.37, P = .002) and higher baseline bilirubin (adjusted OR: 1.07, 95% CI: 1.008‐1.135, P = .025) were independently associated with presence of acute kidney injury. Of the patients with acute kidney injury, 5(26.3%) survived with native liver, 10(52.6%) died and 4 (21.1%) underwent liver transplantation.ConclusionAcute kidney injury developed in 22.6% of children with acute‐on‐chronic liver failure. Bilirubin more than 17.7 mg/dL and presence of systemic inflammatory response syndrome were high risk factors for acute kidney injury. Development of acute kidney injury in a child with acute‐on‐chronic liver failure suggests poor outcome and need for early intervention.
Impact of dietary induced precocious gut maturation on cecal microbiota and its relation to the blood‐brain barrier during the postnatal period in rats
Authors: Marungruang N. , Arévalo Sureda E. , Lefrançoise A. , Weström B. , Nyman M. , Prykhodko O. , Fåk Hållenius F. 
Published: January 2018

AbstractBackgroundPrecocious maturation of the gastrointestinal barrier (GIB) in newborn mammals can be induced by dietary provocation, but how this affects the gut microbiota and the gut‐brain axis remains unknown. The objective of this study was to investigate effects of induced GIB maturation on gut microbiota composition and blood‐brain barrier (BBB) permeability.MethodsSuckling rats were studied at 72 h after gavage with phytohemagglutinin (PHA) or microbial protease (PT) to induce maturation of GIB. For comparison, untreated suckling and weaned rats were included (n = 10). Human serum albumin (HSA) was administered orally and analyzed in blood to assess permeability of the GIB, while intraperitoneally injected bovine serum albumin (BSA) was measured in the brain tissue for BBB permeability. The cecal microbial composition, plasma lipopolysaccharide‐binding protein (LBP) levels and short‐chain fatty acids in serum and brain were analyzed.Key ResultsCessation of HSA passage to blood after PHA or PT treatment was similar to that seen in weaned rats. Interestingly, concomitant increases in cecal Bacteroidetes and plasma LBP levels were observed after both PHA and PT treatments. The BBB passage of BSA was surprisingly elevated after weaning, coinciding with lower plasma LBP levels and specific microbial taxa and increased acetate uptake into the brain.Conclusions & InferencesThis study provides evidence that the gut microbiota alteration following induced precocious GIB maturation may induce low‐grade systemic inflammation and alter SCFAs utilization in the brain which may also play a potential role in GIB‐BBB dysfunction disorders in neonates.
The “hidden” concealed left‐sided accessory pathway: An uncommon cause of SVT in young people
Authors: Pass Robert H. , Liberman Leonardo , Silver Eric S. , Janson Christopher M. , Blaufox Andrew D. , Nappo Lynn , Ceresnak Scott R. 
Published: January 2018

AbstractBackgroundConcealed left‐sided accessory pathways (CLAP) are a cause of supraventricular tachycardia (SVT) in the young. Most are mapped with right ventricular (RV) apical/outflow pacing. Rarely, alternative means of mapping are required. We review our experience from three pediatric electrophysiology (EP) centers with a rare form of “hidden” CLAP.MethodsAll patients <21 years undergoing EP study from 2008 to 2014 with a “hidden” CLAP (defined as an accessory pathway [AP] for which RV pacing at cycle lengths [CL] stable for mapping did not demonstrate eccentric retrograde conduction) were included. Exclusion criteria: preexcitation. Demographic, procedural, and follow‐up data were collected.ResultsA total of 23 patients met the criteria (median age, 14.3 years [range 7–21], weight, 51 kg [31–99]). 21 (96%) had SVT and one AFIB (4%). APs were adenosine sensitive in 7/20 patients (35%) and VA conduction was decremental in six (26%). CLAP conduction was demonstrable with orthodromic reentrant tachycardia in all patients, with RV extrastimulus testing in seven (30%) and with rapid RV pacing (<CL 300) in three (13%). Left ventricular (LV) pacing demonstrated CLAP conduction in 17/17 (100%) patients in whom it was used. All 23 CLAPs were successfully ablated (100%) via transseptal approach with radiofrequency energy. Specific ablation techniques included: 16 (70%) during LV paced rhythm, four (17%) during orthodromic reciprocating tachycardia (ORT; 3/4 ventricular entrained), and three (13%) with brief rapid RV pacing. There were no complications. At 18 months (range 3–96), there was one recurrence (4%).ConclusionsSome CLAPs are only demonstrable with LV pacing, entrained ORT, or rapid RV pacing. LV pacing facilitated preferential AP conduction, allowing for mapping while maintaining stable hemodynamics.
Establishing RNA virus resistance in plants by harnessing CRISPR immune system
Authors: Zhang Tong , Zheng Qiufeng , Yi Xin , An Hong , Zhao Yaling , Ma Siqi , Zhou Guohui 
Published: January 2018

SummaryRecently, CRISPR‐Cas (clustered, regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats–CRISPR‐associated proteins) system has been used to produce plants resistant to DNA virus infections. However, there is no RNA virus control method in plants that uses CRISPR‐Cas system to target the viral genome directly. Here, we reprogrammed the CRISPR‐Cas9 system from Francisella novicida to confer molecular immunity against RNA viruses in Nicotiana benthamiana and Arabidopsis plants. Plants expressing FnCas9 and sgRNA specific for the cucumber mosaic virus (CMV) or tobacco mosaic virus (TMV) exhibited significantly attenuated virus infection symptoms and reduced viral RNA accumulation. Furthermore, in the transgenic virus‐targeting plants, the resistance was inheritable and the progenies showed significantly less virus accumulation. These data reveal that the CRISPR/Cas9 system can be used to produce plant that stable resistant to RNA viruses, thereby broadening the use of such technology for virus control in agricultural field.
Pterostilbene, a Potential MCR-1 Inhibitor That Enhances the Efficacy of Polymyxin B
Authors: Zhou Yonglin , Liu Shui , Wang Tingting , Li Hui , Tang Shusheng , Wang Jianfeng , Wang Yang , Deng Xuming 
Published: January 2018

ABSTRACT

We characterized the synergistic effect produced between pterostilbene and polymyxin B (fractional inhibitory concentration [FIC] index = 0.156 or 0.188) against MCR-producing
Escherichia coli
strains of both human and animal origins. The time-killing assays showed that either pterostilbene or polymyxin B failed to eradicate the
mcr-1
- and NDM-positive
E. coli
strain ZJ487, but the combination eliminated the strain by 1 h postinoculation. The survival rate of mice after intraperitoneal infections was significantly enhanced from 0% to 60% in the group in which combination therapy was applied.
Retrospective review of Synacthen testing in infants
Authors: Tan Timothy Shao Ern , Manfredonia Claire , Kumar Rakesh , Jones Julie , O’Shea Elaine , Padidela Raja , Skae Mars , Ehtisham Sarah , Ivison Fiona , Tetlow Lesley , Clayton Peter E , Banerjee Indraneel , Patel Leena 
Published: January 2018

BackgroundA subnormal cortisol response (30 min level (C30min)<550 nmol/L) to synthetic adrenocorticotrophic hormone/Synacthen test (SDST) in all infants does not necessarily indicate underlying or persistent hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal axis pathology.MethodsWe retrospectively evaluated the diagnoses and outcomes in 68 infants who had a SDST at age <6 months from 2011 to 2014.Results29 (43%) infants had a subnormal SDST. Causative pathology was identified in 9/29 (31%). In 20/29 (69%) with no identified pathology, repeat SDST was normal in 18/20 (90%) at median age 0.6 (range 0.1–3.2) years but persistently subnormal in 2. Those with a transient abnormality were more likely to be small for gestational age (P=0.03) and had higher initial SDST C30min (390 nmol/L vs 181 nmol/L, P=0.01) than those with pathology.ConclusionSpecific aetiology can be identified in a third of infants with a subnormal SDST. When the aetiology remains elusive, adrenal function should be reassessed as the problem can be transient.
Reducing sedentary behaviour to decrease chronic low back pain: the stand back randomised trial
Authors: Barone Gibbs Bethany , Hergenroeder Andrea L , Perdomo Sophy J , Kowalsky Robert J , Delitto Anthony , Jakicic John M 
Published: January 2018

ObjectiveThe Stand Back study evaluated the feasibility and effects of a multicomponent intervention targeting reduced prolonged sitting and pain self-management in desk workers with chronic low back pain (LBP).MethodsThis randomised controlled trial recruited 27 individuals with chronic LBP, Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) >10% and desk jobs (sitting ≥20 hours/week). Participants were randomised within strata of ODI (>10%–<20%, ≥20%) to receive bimonthly behavioural counselling (in-person and telephone), a sit-stand desk attachment, a wrist-worn activity-prompting device and cognitive behavioural therapy for LBP self-management or control. Self-reported work sitting time, visual analogue scales (VAS) for LBP and the ODI were assessed by monthly, online questionnaires and compared across intervention groups using linear mixed models.ResultsBaseline mean (SD) age was 52 (11) years, 78% were women, and ODI was 24.1 (10.5)%. Across the 6-month follow-up in models adjusted for baseline value, work sitting time was 1.5 hour/day (P<0.001) lower comparing intervention to controls. Also across follow-up, ODI was on average 8 points lower in intervention versus control (P=0.001). At 6 months, the relative decrease in ODI from baseline was 50% in intervention and 14% in control (P=0.042). LBP from VAS was not significantly reduced in intervention versus control, though small-to-moderate effect sizes favouring the intervention were observed (Cohen’s d ranged from 0.22 to 0.42).ConclusionAn intervention coupling behavioural counselling targeting reduced sedentary behaviour and pain self-management is a translatable treatment strategy that shows promise for treating chronic LBP in desk-bound employees.Trial registration numberNCT0224687; Pre-results.
Landau problem and electron vortex in pure gauge fields
Authors: Tiwari S. C. 
Published: January 2018

Recently, electron vortices have attracted attention both experimentally and theoretically. A study on the Landau–Dirac problem is made to understand the nature of electron vortices. This line of investigation is motivated by the recent literature on the Landau problem that throws new insights on the nature of orbital angular momentum, i.e. canonical versus kinetic in the context of QCD. The significance of pure gauge vector potential, nontrivial topology and exchange of modular orbital angular momentum to understand the physical origin of electron vortices in the Landau–Dirac problem are new contributions of this paper.
JPR
Authors: Wang Kaiyuan , Khurshid Sarfraz , Gligoric Milos 
Published: January 2018

Java PathFinder (JPF) is a backtrackable Java Virtual Machine (JVM), which is implemented in Java and runs on a standard JVM (e.g., Oracle HotSpot). Thus, a JPF developer can use off-the- shelf Java debuggers (e.g., jdb) when debugging code that makes up JPF. JPF explores all non-deterministic executions of a given target program and monitors for property violations. To facilitate debugging of the target program, JPF can capture and replay the execution trace that leads to a property violation. While the deterministic replay is invaluable, the replay with JPF does not allow the developer to attach an off-the-shelf Java debugger to the target program (e.g., step through the application code, set breakpoints, etc.).
We present a technique, dubbed JPR, to improve the debugging experience of the JPF captured traces by migrating the JPF traces to a new format that can be executed using the standard JVM. JPR annotates each JPF trace, during the capture phase, with ex- tra data (e.g., instruction index, instruction count, etc.); the an- notated trace is then used to instrument Java bytecode to enforce the same execution trace on a standard JVM. JPR is compatible with various optimizations, e.g., state matching and partial-order reduction. We evaluated JPR on all multi-threaded Java pro- grams in the official JPF distribution. Our results show that JPR successfully replayed all JPF traces on the standard JVM with reasonable overhead during both recording and replaying.