bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Deep Learning‐Based Crack Damage Detection Using Convolutional Neural Networks
Authors: Cha Young‐Jin , Choi Wooram , Büyüköztürk Oral 
Published: March 2017

AbstractA number of image processing techniques (IPTs) have been implemented for detecting civil infrastructure defects to partially replace human‐conducted onsite inspections. These IPTs are primarily used to manipulate images to extract defect features, such as cracks in concrete and steel surfaces. However, the extensively varying real‐world situations (e.g., lighting and shadow changes) can lead to challenges to the wide adoption of IPTs. To overcome these challenges, this article proposes a vision‐based method using a deep architecture of convolutional neural networks (CNNs) for detecting concrete cracks without calculating the defect features. As CNNs are capable of learning image features automatically, the proposed method works without the conjugation of IPTs for extracting features. The designed CNN is trained on 40 K images of 256 × 256 pixel resolutions and, consequently, records with about 98% accuracy. The trained CNN is combined with a sliding window technique to scan any image size larger than 256 × 256 pixel resolutions. The robustness and adaptability of the proposed approach are tested on 55 images of 5,888 × 3,584 pixel resolutions taken from a different structure which is not used for training and validation processes under various conditions (e.g., strong light spot, shadows, and very thin cracks). Comparative studies are conducted to examine the performance of the proposed CNN using traditional Canny and Sobel edge detection methods. The results show that the proposed method shows quite better performances and can indeed find concrete cracks in realistic situations.
Association between resting heart rate just before starting the first dialysis session and mortality: A multicentre prospective cohort study
Authors: Inaguma Daijo , Koide Shigehisa , Takahashi Kazuo , Hayashi Hiroki , Hasegawa Midori , Yuzawa Yukio ,   AICOPP group
Published: March 2017

AbstractAimSome observational studies of the general population showed that resting heart rate was associated with mortality. However, the relationship was unclear in dialysis patients.MethodsThe study was a multicentre prospective cohort analysis including 1102 patients. Patients were classified into four groups based on resting heart rate just before starting the first dialysis session: <60/min; 60–79/min; 80–100/min; and ≥101/min. All‐cause mortality, cardiovascular (CV) related mortality, and incidences of CV events after dialysis initiation were compared using the log‐rank test. All‐cause mortality rates for patients with heart rates <60, 60–79, and ≥101/min were compared to those for patients with heart rates 80–100/min, using multivariate Cox proportional hazard regression analysis. Moreover, we compared the outcomes among patients without use of β‐blocker or heart failure symptom at the first dialysis session.ResultsSignificant differences were observed in the all‐cause mortality rates among the four groups (P = 0.007). Multivariate analysis revealed that all‐cause mortality was significantly higher in patients with heart rate ≥ 101/min than in patients with heart rate 80–100/min (hazard ratio [HR] = 2.30, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.25–4.23). Subgroup analysis showed that among patients without use of b‐blocker or heart failure symptom, all‐cause mortality rates for those with heart rates ≥101/min were significantly higher than in patients with heart rate 80–100/min (HR = 2.98, 95% CI: 1.51–5.88, HR = 3.65, 95% CI: 1.59–8.36, respectively).ConclusionThe resting heart rate just before starting the first dialysis session was associated with all‐cause mortality after dialysis initiation.
The mitochondrial pentatricopeptide repeat protein PPR19 is involved in the stabilization of NADH dehydrogenase 1 transcripts and is crucial for mitochondrial function and Arabidopsis thaliana development
Authors: Lee Kwanuk , Han Ji Hoon , Park Youn‐Il , Colas des Francs‐Small Catherine , Small Ian , Kang Hunseung 
Published: March 2017

Summary

Despite the importance of pentatricopeptide repeat (PPR) proteins in organellar RNA metabolism and plant development, the functions of many PPR proteins remain unknown. Here, we determined the role of a mitochondrial PPR protein (At1g52620) comprising 19 PPR motifs, thus named PPR19, in Arabidopsis thaliana.

The ppr19 mutant displayed abnormal seed development, reduced seed yield, delayed seed germination, and retarded growth, indicating that PPR19 is indispensable for normal growth and development of Arabidopsis thaliana. Splicing pattern analysis of mitochondrial genes revealed that PPR19 specifically binds to the specific sequence in the 3′‐terminus of the NADH dehydrogenase 1 (nad1) transcript and stabilizes transcripts containing the second and third exons of nad1. Loss of these transcripts in ppr19 leads to multiple secondary effects on accumulation and splicing of other nad1 transcripts, from which we can infer the order in which cis‐ and trans‐spliced nad1 transcripts are normally processed.

Improper splicing of nad1 transcripts leads to the absence of mitochondrial complex I and alteration of the nuclear transcriptome, notably influencing the alternative splicing of a variety of nuclear genes.

Our results indicate that the mitochondrial PPR19 is an essential component in the splicing of nad1 transcripts, which is crucial for mitochondrial function and plant development.
Measuring Business Cycles Intra‐Synchronization in US: A Regime‐switching Interdependence Framework
Authors: Leiva‐Leon Danilo 
Published: March 2017

AbstractThis paper proposes a Markov‐switching framework to endogenously identify periods where economies are more likely to (i) synchronously enter recessionary and expansionary phases, and (ii) follow independent business cycles. The reliability of the framework is validated with simulated data in Monte Carlo experiments. The framework is applied to assess the time‐varying intra‐country synchronization in the US. The main results report substantial changes over time in the cyclical affiliation patterns of US states, and show that the more similar the economic structures of states, the higher the correlation between their business cycles. A synchronization‐based network analysis discloses a change in the propagation pattern of aggregate contractionary shocks across states, suggesting that the US has become more internally synchronized since the early 1990s.
Knowledge Spillovers, ICT and Productivity Growth
Authors: Corrado Carol , Haskel Jonathan , Jona‐Lasinio Cecilia 
Published: March 2017

AbstractThis paper looks at the channels through which intangible assets affect productivity growth. The econometric analysis exploits a new data set on intangible investment (INTAN‐Invest) in conjunction with EUKLEMS productivity estimates for 10 EU member states from 1998 to 2007. We find that (a) the output elasticity of intangible capital depends upon ICT intensity, consistent with complementarities between ICT and intangible capital; (b) non‐R&D intangible capital has a higher estimated output elasticity than its factor share, as does (c) an index of labour composition. The last two findings are consistent with growth spillovers from investments in knowledge‐based/intangible capital and skills.
Ursolic acid and mechanisms of actions on adipose and muscle tissue: a systematic review
Authors: Katashima Carlos K. , Silva Vagner R. , Gomes Tatyanne L. , Pichard Claude , Pimentel Gustavo D. 
Published: March 2017

SummaryThis systematic review aimed at addressing the ursolic acid actions as an adjunctive treatment of the obesity‐mediated metabolic abnormalities. To explore our aims, we used the literature search including clinical and animal studies using the Medline and Google Scholar (up to December 2015). Out of 63 screened studies, 17 presented eligibility criteria, such as the use of ursolic acid on adiposity, energy expenditure and skeletal muscle mass in mice and humans. In the literature, we found that several physiological and molecular mechanisms are implicated in the effects of ursolic acid on obesity, energy expenditure, hepatic steatosis, skeletal muscle mass loss and physical fitness, such as (1) increase of thermogenesis by modulation adipocyte transcription factors, activation of 5′ adenosine monophosphate‐activated protein kinase and overexpression of the uncoupling protein 1 thermogenic marker; (2) enhancement of skeletal muscle mass by activation in bloodstream growth hormone and insulin‐like growth factor‐1 concentrations secretion, as well as in the activation of mammalian target of rapamycin and inhibition of ring‐finger protein‐1; and (3) improvement of physical fitness by skeletal muscle proliferator‐activated receptor gamma co‐activator alpha and sirtuin 1 expression. Therefore, supplementation with ursolic acid may be an adjunctive therapy for prevention and treatment of obesity‐mediated and muscle mass‐mediated metabolic consequences.
Biostratigraphy and geometric morphometrics of conchostracans (Crustacea, Branchiopoda) from the Late Triassic fissure deposits of Cromhall Quarry,UK
Authors: Morton Jacob D. , Whiteside David I. , Hethke Manja , Benton Michael J. 
Published: March 2017

AbstractThe enigmatic fissure deposits of south‐western England and southern Wales are famous for their unique assemblage of Late Triassic vertebrates, although their age is contentious. While recent studies of palynomorphs have dated some as Rhaetian, their conchostracan (Crustacea, Branchiopoda) assemblages have not been described in detail nor used in biostratigraphy. We find that species determination of British Late Triassic conchostracans requires detailed observations of size, shape and ornamentation. We provide evidence that althoughEuestheria brodieanais invariably smaller thanE. minuta, with some slight differences in carapace ornamentation, the traditional view that they are very similar is upheld. The use of conchostracans as a biostratigraphical tool is here tested by application to the British Triassic fissures at Cromhall quarry where the usual stratigraphical evidence provided by superposition is absent. We find no distinction between conchostracans from bedded Rhaetian deposits of theUKand specimens collected from the fissure deposits of Cromhall Quarry, Gloucestershire, supporting a late Rhaetian age for these deposits.
Transcriptomic and metabolic analyses provide new insights into chilling injury in peach fruit
Authors: Wang Ke , Yin Xue‐Ren , Zhang Bo , Grierson Don , Xu Chang‐Jie , Chen Kun‐Song 
Published: March 2017

AbstractLow temperature conditioning (LTC) alleviates peach fruit chilling injury but the underlying molecular basis is poorly understood. Here, changes in transcriptome, ethylene production, flesh softening, internal browning and membrane lipids were compared in fruit maintained in constant 0 °C and LTC (pre‐storage at 8 °C for 5 d before storage at 0 °C). Low temperature conditioning resulted in a higher rate of ethylene production and a more rapid flesh softening as a result of higher expression of ethylene biosynthetic genes and a series of cell wall hydrolases. Reduced internal browning of fruit was observed in LTC, with lower transcript levels of polyphenol oxidase and peroxidase, but higher lipoxygenase. Low temperature conditioning fruit also showed enhanced fatty acid content, increased desaturation, higher levels of phospholipids and a preferential biosynthesis of glucosylceramide. Genes encoding cell wall hydrolases and lipid metabolism enzymes were coexpressed with differentially expressed ethylene response factors (ERFs) and contained ERF binding elements in their promoters. In conclusion, LTC is a special case of cold acclimation which increases ethylene production and, operating through ERFs, promotes both softening and changes in lipid composition and desaturation, which may modulate membrane stability, reducing browning and contributing to alleviation of peach fruit chilling injury.
Biochemical model of C3 photosynthesis applied to wheat at different temperatures
Authors: Silva‐Pérez Viridiana , Furbank Robert T. , Condon Anthony G. , Evans John R. 
Published: March 2017

AbstractWe examined the effects of leaf temperature on the estimation of maximal Rubisco capacity (Vcmax) from gas exchange measurements of wheat leaves using a C3 photosynthesis model. Cultivars of spring wheat (Triticum aestivum (L)) and triticale (X Triticosecale Wittmack) were grown in a greenhouse or in the field and measured at a range of temperatures under controlled conditions in a growth cabinet (2 and 21% O2) or in the field using natural diurnal variation in temperature, respectively. Published Rubisco kinetic constants for tobacco did not describe the observed CO2 response curves well as temperature varied. By assuming values for the Rubisco Michaelis–Menten constants for CO2 (Kc) and O2 (Ko) at 25 °C derived from tobacco and the activation energies of Vcmax from wheat and respiration in the light, Rd, from tobacco, we derived activation energies for Kc and Ko (93.7 and 33.6 kJ mol−1, respectively) that considerably improved the fit of the model to observed data. We confirmed that temperature dependence of dark respiration for wheat was well described by the activation energy for Rd from tobacco. The new parameters improved the estimation of Vcmax under field conditions, where temperatures increased through the day.
Reducing the incidence of hepatic artery thrombosis in pediatric liver transplantation: Effect of microvascular techniques and a customized anticoagulation protocol
Authors: Ziaziaris William A. , Darani Alexandre , Holland Andrew J. A. , Alexander Angus , Karpelowsky Jonathan , Barbaro Pasquale , Stormon Michael , O'Loughlin Edward , Shun Albert , Thomas Gordon 
Published: March 2017

AbstractWe aimed to assess the incidence of HAT over three eras following implementation of microvascular techniques and a customized anticoagulation protocol in a predominantly cadaveric split liver transplant program. We retrospectively reviewed pediatric liver transplants performed between April 1986 and 2016 and analyzed the incidence HAT over three eras. In E1, 1986‐2008, each patient received a standard dose of 5 U/kg/h of heparin and coagulation profiles normalized passively. In E2, 2008‐2012, microvascular techniques were introduced. In E3, 2012‐2016, in addition, a customized anticoagulation protocol was introduced which included replacement of antithrombin 3, protein C and S, and early heparinization. A total of 317 liver transplants were completed during the study period, with a median age of 31.7 months. In E1, 22% of grafts were cadaveric in situ split grafts, while the second and third eras used split grafts in 59.0% and 64.9% of cases, respectively. HAT occurred in 9.5% in the first era, 11.5% (P=.661) in the second, and dropped to 1.8% in the third era (P=.043). A routine anticoagulation protocol has significantly reduced the incidence of HAT post‐liver transplantation in children in a predominantly cadaveric in situ split liver transplant program.
Testing food‐related inhibitory control to high‐ and low‐calorie food stimuli: Electrophysiological responses to high‐calorie food stimuli predict calorie and carbohydrate intake
Authors: Carbine Kaylie A. , Christensen Edward , LeCheminant James D. , Bailey Bruce W. , Tucker Larry A. , Larson Michael J. 
Published: March 2017

AbstractMaintaining a healthy diet has important implications for physical and mental health. One factor that may influence diet and food consumption is inhibitory control—the ability to withhold a dominant response in order to correctly respond to environmental demands. We examined how N2 amplitude, an ERP that reflects inhibitory control processes, differed toward high‐ and low‐calorie food stimuli and related to food intake. A total of 159 participants (81 female; M age = 23.5 years; SD = 7.6) completed two food‐based go/no‐go tasks (one with high‐calorie and one with low‐calorie food pictures as no‐go stimuli) while N2 amplitude was recorded. Participants recorded food intake using the Automated Self‐Administered 24‐hour Dietary Recall system. Inhibiting responses toward high‐calorie stimuli elicited a larger (i.e., more negative) no‐go N2 amplitude; inhibiting responses toward low‐calorie stimuli elicited a smaller no‐go N2 amplitude. Participants were more accurate during the high‐calorie than low‐calorie task, but took longer to respond on go trials toward high‐calorie rather than low‐calorie stimuli. When controlling for age, gender, and BMI, larger high‐calorie N2 difference amplitude predicted lower caloric intake (β = 0.17); low‐calorie N2 difference amplitude was not related to caloric intake (β = −0.03). Exploratory analyses revealed larger high‐calorie N2 difference amplitude predicted carbohydrate intake (β = 0.22), but not protein (β = 0.08) or fat (β = 0.11) intake. Results suggest that withholding responses from high‐calorie foods requires increased recruitment of inhibitory control processes, which may be necessary to regulate food consumption, particularly for foods high in calories and carbohydrates.
Protein phosphorylation and ions effects on salmonid sperm motility activation
Authors: Dumorné Kelly , Figueroa Elías , Cosson Jacky , Lee‐Estevez Manuel , Ulloa‐Rodríguez Patricio , Valdebenito Iván , Farías Jorge G. 
Published: March 2017

AbstractSperm motility is considered as a key factor allowing determination of semen quality and predicts fertilizing capacity. In many fish species, the spermatozoa are immotile in the testes and seminal plasma, and motility is induced when they are released in the aqueous environment. Initiation and activation of sperm motility are prerequisite processes for the contact and fusion of male and female gametes at fertilization. Many proteins are involved in the activation of sperm motility in many species. Cell signalling for the initiation of sperm motility in the salmonid fish has drawn much attention during the last two decades. In some species, protein phosphorylation process was shown to be involved in flagellar motility regulation. Hyperpolarization of the sperm membrane induces synthesis of cAMP (cyclic AMP), which triggers further cell signalling processes, such as cAMP‐dependent protein phosphorylation that finally initiates sperm motility in salmonid fish. Ions such as Na+, K+ and Ca2+ play also an important role in the activation of sperm motility in many species, more specifically in salmonids. Salmonid fish sperm motility can be suppressed by millimolar concentrations of extracellular K+, and dilution of K+ upon spawning is enough to trigger the cAMP‐dependent signalling cascade leading to motility initiation. This review aims to update the present knowledge about the roles of ions and protein phosphorylation process in the sperm motility activation in salmonids.
GDF9 affects the development and tight junction functions of immature bovine Sertoli cells
Authors: Tang K , Wang L , Jin Y , Yang W , Yang L 
Published: March 2017

ContentsTransforming growth factor‐β (TGFβ) superfamily are critical regulators of germ cell development that act as extracellular ligands of the signal transduction pathways regulating proliferation, apoptosis and other aspects of cell behaviour. As a member of the TGF‐β superfamily, growth differentiation factor 9 (GDF9) plays a critical role in ovarian follicular development and the ovulation rate in females; however, its role in the testis has not been well elucidated. The aim of this study was to investigate the expression of GDF9 and its receptor genes BMPRII and ALK5 in prepuberal bovine Sertoli cells (SCs). In addition, we assessed the effects of GDF9 on immature SCs apoptosis, the cell cycle and tight junction functions. We found that GDF9 and its receptor genes BMPRII and ALK5 were expressed in immature SCs. Exogenous GDF9 significantly promoted SCs proliferation and inhibited the apoptosis of SCs by significantly upregulating Cyclin E (cell cycle) and bcl‐2 (anti‐apoptosis) mRNA expression and downregulating caspase‐3 (pro‐apoptosis) mRNA expression. Meanwhile, exogenous GDF9 significantly decreased the value of transepithelial electrical resistance by significantly downregulating claudin‐11 mRNA expression and influencing the distribution of occludin. In conclusion, this study reveals that GDF9 is a key regulator of bovine SCs through the modulation of the cell cycle, apoptosis and tight junction functions.
Ultrasound during mid‐gestation: Agreement with physical foetal and placental measurements and use in predicting gestational age in sheep
Authors: Jones AK , Gately RE , McFadden KK , Hoffman ML , Pillai SM , Zinn SA , Govoni KE , Reed SA 
Published: March 2017

ContentsTo determine the effects of poor maternal nutrition and litter size on foetal growth during mid‐gestation, pregnant ewes (n = 82) were fed 100%, 60% or 140% of NRC TDN beginning at day 30.2 ± 0.2 of gestation. Transabdominal ultrasound was performed weekly between day 46.0 ± 0.4 and 86.0 ± 0.7 to monitor foetal heart width (HW), umbilical diameter (UMB), rib width (RW) and placentome outer (OD) and inner diameter (ID). Data were analysed with repeated‐measures using the mixed procedure for effects of maternal diet, litter size and gestation, and equations predictive of gestational age were generated using the regression procedure. To determine the agreement of ultrasound measurement and actual size, ewes (n = 20–21) were euthanized at day 45 or 90 to obtain corresponding postmortem measurements for Bland–Altman analysis. The HW, UMB and placentome OD and ID increased with gestation (p < .0001) but were unaffected by maternal diet or litter size (p ≥ .12). Ultrasound underestimated postmortem measurements of HW (14.8%), UMB (7.3%), placentome OD (4.5%) and ID (37.3%) at day 90 of gestation. Ultrasound underestimated RW at day 45 (7.7%) but overestimated RW (23.8%) at day 90, indicating inconsistent bias when reporting RW by ultrasound. Combining the HW, UMB, RW and placentome OD generated the strongest equation predictive of gestational age (R2 = .91). These findings indicate that during mid‐gestation, maternal diet or litter size did not affect HW, UMB or placentome diameters and these factors can be used to estimate gestational age.
Quantitative Assessment of the Risk of Release of Foot‐and‐Mouth Disease Virus via Export of Bull Semen from Israel
Authors: Meyer A. , Zamir L. , Ben Yair Gilboa A. , Gelman B. , Pfeiffer D. U. , Vergne T. 
Published: March 2017

AbstractVarious foot‐and‐mouth disease (FMD) virus strains circulate in the Middle East, causing frequent episodes of FMD outbreaks among Israeli livestock. Since the virus is highly resistant in semen, artificial insemination with contaminated bull semen may lead to the infection of the receiver cow. As a non‐FMD‐free country with vaccination, Israel is currently engaged in trading bull semen only with countries of the same status. The purpose of this study was to assess the risk of release of FMD virus through export of bull semen in order to estimate the risk for FMD‐free countries considering purchasing Israeli bull semen. A stochastic risk assessment model was used to estimate this risk, defined as the annual likelihood of exporting at least one ejaculate of bull semen contaminated with viable FMD virus. A total of 45 scenarios were assessed to account for uncertainty and variability around specific parameter estimates and to evaluate the effect of various mitigation measures, such as performing a preexport test on semen ejaculates. Under the most plausible scenario, the annual likelihood of exporting bull semen contaminated with FMD virus had a median of 1.3 * 10−7 for an export of 100 ejaculates per year. This corresponds to one infected ejaculate exported every 7 million years. Under the worst‐case scenario, the median of the risk rose to 7.9 * 10−5, which is equivalent to the export of one infected ejaculate every 12,000 years. Sensitivity analysis indicated that the most influential parameter is the probability of viral excretion in infected bulls.