bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
A novel fault detection and recovery technique for cluster‐based underwater wireless sensor networks
Authors: Goyal Nitin , Dave Mayank , Verma Anil Kumar 
Published: December 2017

SummaryThe performance of underwater wireless sensor network gets affected by the working of a cluster in the network. The cluster head (CH) or cluster member (CM) fails because of energy depletion or hardware errors that increase delay and message overhead of the network. To recover the affected cluster, a technique is required to identify the failed CH or CM. We propose a fault detection and recovery technique (FDRT) for a cluster‐based network in this paper. Primarily, while selecting the CH, a backup cluster head (BCH) is selected using fuzzy logic technique based on parameters such as node density, residual energy, load, distance to sink, and link quality. Then, failure of CH, BCH, and CM is detected. If fault is detected at CH, then the BCH will start performing the task of failed CH. Simultaneously, when BCH failed, any other CM will be elected as BCH. If any of the CM appears to be nonperforming, then CH will detect the communication failure and request BCH to transfer the data from the failed CM to CH. The comparison of proposed FDRT is performed with existing FDRTs EDETA, RCH, and SDMCGC on the basis of packet drop, end‐to‐end delay, energy consumption, and delivery ratio of data packets. By simulation results, it is shown that FDRT for cluster‐based underwater wireless sensor network results in quicker detection of failures and recovery of the network along with the reduction in energy consumption, thereby increasing the lifespan of the network.
Surveillance of drug abuse in Hong Kong by hair analysis using LC‐MS/MS
Authors: Leung K. Wing , Wong Zack C.F. , Ho Janet Y.M. , Yip Ada W.S. , Cheung Jerry K.H. , Ho Karen K.L. , Duan Ran , Tsim Karl W.K. 
Published: December 2017

AbstractThe aim of this study is to reveal the habits of drug abusers in hair samples from drug rehabilitation units in Hong Kong. With the application of liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry (LC–MS/MS) technology, a total of 1771 hair samples were analyzed during the period of hair testing service (January 2012 to March 2016) provided to 14 drug rehabilitation units including non‐governmental organizations (NGOs), rehabilitation centers, and medical clinics. Hair samples were analyzed for abused drugs and their metabolites simultaneously, including ketamine, norketamine, cocaine, benzoylecgonine, cocaethylene, norcocaine, codeine, MDMA, MDA, MDEA, amphetamine, methamphetamine, morphine, 6‐acetylmorphine, phencyclidine, and methadone. The results showed that ketamine (77.2%), cocaine (21.3%), and methamphetamine (16.5%) were the frequently detected drugs among those drug abusers, which is consistent with the reported data. In addition, the usage of multiple drugs was also observed in the hair samples. About 29% of drug‐positive samples were detected with multiple drug use. Our studies prove that our locally developed hair drug‐testing method and service can be a valid tool to monitor the use of abused drugs, and which could facilitate rehabilitation program management.
Using ricelands to provide temporary shorebird habitat during migration
Authors: Golet Gregory H. , Low Candace , Avery Simon , Andrews Katie , McColl Christopher J. , Laney Rheyna , Reynolds Mark D. 
Published: December 2017

AbstractTo help mitigate large wetland losses in California, The Nature Conservancy launched a dynamic conservation incentive program to create temporary wetland habitats in harvested and fallow rice fields for shorebirds migrating along the Pacific Flyway. Farmers were invited to participate in a reverse auction bidding process and winning bids were selected based on their cost and potential to provide high quality shorebird habitat. This was done in 2014 and 2015, for separate enrollment periods that overlapped with spring and fall migration, both before and after the traditional post‐harvest flooding period. To assess the success of the program, we monitored shorebird use of fields that were enrolled (treatments), and others that were subject to typical rice farm management (controls). To put these observations in context, we used satellites to simultaneously monitor the extent of shallow‐water habitat across the ~215,000 ha of ricelands in the area. Results showed that providing habitat during migration, when it is typically unavailable in rice fields, yielded the largest average shorebird densities ever reported for agriculture in the region. Treatment fields had significantly greater shorebird density, richness and diversity than control fields in both spring and fall (especially September–early October, and late March–early April), but in fall the difference was greater. Shorebird responses to habitat provisioning, and regional habitat conditions, were variable from year to year, and highly dynamic within a given season. Overall, shorebirds densities were found to be negatively related to the total amount of flooded habitat in the rice landscape. Factors that affected habitat availability included allocation schedules of water deliveries from reservoirs, and rainfall patterns, both of which were influenced by drought. Collectively, these results suggest that appropriately managed agricultural lands have great potential to provide high value habitat for shorebirds during times of habitat deficit, including migration, and that fall may be a particularly impactful time to create additional habitat. Migratory species face great challenges due to the climate change, conversion of historical stopover sites, and other factors, but dynamic conservation programs offer promise that, at least in certain instances, their needs can still be met.
Making do with less: must sparse data preclude informed harvest strategies for European waterbirds?
Authors: Johnson Fred A. , Alhainen Mikko , Fox Anthony D. , Madsen Jesper , Guillemain Matthieu 
Published: December 2017

AbstractThe demography of many European waterbirds is not well understood because most countries have conducted little monitoring and assessment, and coordination among countries on waterbird management has little precedent. Yet intergovernmental treaties now mandate the use of sustainable, adaptive harvest strategies, whose development is challenged by a paucity of demographic information. In this study, we explore how a combination of allometric relationships, fragmentary monitoring and research information, and expert judgment can be used to estimate the parameters of a theta‐logistic population model, which in turn can be used in a Markov decision process to derive optimal harvesting strategies. We show how to account for considerable parametric uncertainty, as well as for different management objectives. We illustrate our methodology with a poorly understood population of Taiga Bean Geese (Anser fabalis fabalis), which is a popular game bird in Fennoscandia. Our results for Taiga Bean Geese suggest that they may have demographic rates similar to other, well‐studied species of geese, and our model‐based predictions of population size are consistent with the limited monitoring information available. Importantly, we found that by using a Markov decision process, a simple scalar population model may be sufficient to guide harvest management of this species, even if its demography is age structured. Finally, we demonstrated how two different management objectives can lead to very different optimal harvesting strategies, and how conflicting objectives may be traded off with each other. This approach will have broad application for European waterbirds by providing preliminary estimates of key demographic parameters, by providing insights into the monitoring and research activities needed to corroborate those estimates, and by producing harvest management strategies that are optimal with respect to the managers’ objectives, options, and available demographic information.
S1P receptor antagonists fingolimod and siponimod do not improve the outcome of experimental autoimmune myasthenia gravis mice after disease onset
Authors: Pelz Andreas , Schaffert Hanne , Diallo Radharani , Hiepe Falk , Meisel Andreas , Kohler Siegfried 
Published: December 2017

AbstractMyasthenia gravis (MG) is an autoimmune disease characterized by muscle weakness and fatigue in the presence of circulating antibodies against components of the neuromuscular junction. Most patients have a good prognosis, but some are refractory to standard‐of‐care immunosuppressive treatment and suffer from recurrent myasthenic crises. Functional sphingosine‐1‐phosphate (S1P) antagonists like fingolimod and siponimod (BAF312) are successfully used for the treatment of multiple sclerosis, and fingolimod was shown to prevent the development of myasthenic symptoms in experimental autoimmune myasthenia gravis (EAMG), the standard model of MG. Here, we investigated whether fingolimod or siponimod improves outcome in EAMG mice when administered after disease onset, modeling the clinical setting in human MG. Both S1P antagonists inhibited lymphocyte egress, resulting in peripheral lymphopenia. After stimulation, there were differences in T‐cell responses, but no change in either antibody titers or total or antigen‐specific plasma cell populations after treatment. Most importantly, disease incidence and severity were not influenced by fingolimod or siponimod therapy. Although fingolimod and siponimod did lead to subtle changes in T‐cell responses, they had no significant effect on antibody titers and disease severity. In conclusion, our data show no evidence of a therapeutic potential for S1P receptor antagonists in MG treatment.
CuII Binding to Various Forms of Amyloid‐β Peptides: Are They Friends or Foes?
Authors: Borghesani Valentina , Alies Bruno , Hureau Christelle 
Published: December 2017

AbstractInvited for the cover of this issue are Christelle Hureau from Laboratoire de Chimie de Coordination (LCC), Toulouse, France, and co‐workers. The cover image shows the two kinds of interaction between CuII and the amyloid‐β peptides involved in Alzheimer's disease.
Ion Transfer Voltammetry at Thin Films Based on Functionalized Cationic [6]Helicenes
Authors: Jarolímová Zdeňka , Bosson Johann , Labrador Geraldine M. , Lacour Jérôme , Bakker Eric 
Published: December 2017

AbstractWe describe a new family of molecular ion‐to‐electron redox probes based on cationic diaza, azaoxa, and dioxa [6]helicenes and their derivatives. Their unique structure combines, in a single framework, two privileged families of molecules – helicenes and triaryl methyl carbenium moieties. These cationic [6]helicenes exhibit reversible and reproducible oxidation/reduction behavior and facilitate the ion transfer into thin layer sensing films composed of bis(2‐ethylhexyl)sebacate (DOS), polyurethane (PU), sodium tetrakis 3.5‐bis(trifluoromethyl)phenyl borate, sodium ionophore X and diaza+(C8)2Br2 for cation transfer. Cyclic voltammetry is used to interrogate the thin films. The cationic response can be tuned by adjusting the membrane loading. Addition of lipophilic cation exchanger into the membrane film results in transfer waves of Gaussian shape for cations. A peak separation of 60 mV and peak width of 110 mV are near the theoretical values for a surface confined process. While Nernstian shifts of the peak potentials with analyte concentration is obtained for membranes based on cationic [6]helicenes and doped with sodium‐selective ionophore X, this ionophore was found to promote a gradual loss of redox active species from the ionophore‐based membranes into the sample solution.
Accounting for uncertainty in source‐specific exposures in the evaluation of health effects of pollution sources on daily cause‐specific mortality
Authors: Park Eun Sug , Oh Man‐Suk 
Published: December 2017

Assessment of source‐specific health effects has received growing attention in air pollution epidemiology over the past decade. Regardless of inherent uncertainty in the assessment of source‐specific exposures, only a handful of previous studies coped with model uncertainty in source apportionment and/or accounted for exposure measurement error in the estimation of health effects, all under normal health outcome models. We present a source‐specific health effects evaluation approach within a Bayesian framework that can handle both parameter uncertainty and model uncertainty in source apportionment under Poisson health outcome models for low daily mortality count data. While the use of a Poisson health outcome model is apparently more appropriate for low daily mortality count data for which normal approximation is not justified, it introduces additional complexity in estimating model uncertainty. We handle this complexity by introducing appropriate latent variables. The proposed method is illustrated with simulated data and daily ambient concentrations of the chemical composition of fine particulate matter (PM2.5), weather data, and counts of deaths from pneumonia in older adults (≥65 years of age) in Houston, Texas, from January 2002 to August 2005.
Network Analysis of Conversation Data for Engineering Professional Skills Assessment
Authors: Zhu Mengxiao , Zhang Mo 
Published: December 2017

AbstractIn this paper, we examine the student group discussion processes in a scenario‐based assessment of engineering professional skills called Engineering Professional Skills Assessment (EPSA). In the assessment, the students were evaluated through a discussion on a scenario related to an engineering problem with no clear‐cut solution. We applied various social network analysis (SNA) techniques and constructed 2 types of networks to model the patterns of the communication process in the student discussion and the connections among engineering professional skills (EPS) during the discussion process. We found that some network statistics were statistically related to team scores (or performance), such as the density of the EPS networks. We also investigated the temporal pattern of the discussion process by comparing the network statistics across 3 different time points. Results showed that the middle and end of the discussion processes differed significantly on 2 network measures: communication density and EPS connectedness. Results of the study have implications for instruction and scoring of such performance tasks. Limitations and next steps are also discussed.
Microfoundations of firm internationalization: The owner CEO effect
Authors: Chittoor Raveendra , Aulakh Preet S. , Ray Sougata 
Published: December 2017

Research SummaryIn this article, we examine the influence of owner CEOs’ motivations and authority on strategic risk‐taking behavior of firms as reflected by their investments in foreign markets. We theorize that owner CEOs, aided by their strategic leadership, long‐term orientation, and less‐restricted decision‐making powers, will facilitate their firms’ strategic decisions that are exploratory in nature and, thus, are more risky. We further propose that the owner CEO effect is likely to differentially interact with performance aspirations and governance structures of firms in influencing internationalization. We test our predictions on a longitudinal panel dataset of 226 Indian manufacturing firms over the 10‐year period from 2002 to 2011 and find support for our hypotheses. We contribute to the emerging literature on microfoundations and behavioral strategy.Managerial SummaryGiven that a large number of firms around the world are characterized by concentrated ownership and owners who also assume CEO roles, we explore the influence of owner CEOs on firms’ strategic risk‐taking behavior. We propose that firms with owner CEOs, particularly founder owner CEOs, are likely to exhibit a higher degree of internationalization as compared to firms with professional CEOs. Further, we propose that the positive owner CEO effect is stronger when the firm performance is above its aspirations and also in stand‐alone firms when compared to firms affiliated to business groups. We test our predictions using a sample of 226 Indian manufacturing firms over the 10‐year period from 2002 to 2011 and find support for our predictions.
Dendritic cell targeted HIV‐1 gag protein vaccine provides help to a recombinant Newcastle disease virus vectored vaccine including mobilization of protective CD8+ T cells
Authors: Ngu Loveline N. , Nji Nadesh N. , Ambada Georgia , Ngoh Apeh A. , Njambe Priso Ghislain D. , Tchadji Jules C. , Lissom Abel , Magagoum Suzanne H. , Sake Carol N. , Tchouangueu Thibau F. , Chukwuma George O. , Okoli Arinze S. , Sagnia Bertrand , Chukwuanukwu Rebecca , Tebit Denis M. , Esimone Charles O. , Waffo Alain B. , Park Chae G. , Überla Klaus , Nchinda Godwin W. 
Published: December 2017

AbstractIntroductionRecombinant Newcastle Disease virus (rNDV) vectored vaccines are safe mucosal applicable vaccines with intrinsic immune‐modulatory properties for the induction of efficient immunity. Like all viral vectored vaccines repeated inoculation via mucosal routes invariably results to immunity against viral vaccine vectors. To obviate immunity against viral vaccine vectors and improve the ability of rNDV vectored vaccines in inducing T cell immunity in murine air way we have directed dendritic cell targeted HIV‐1 gag protein (DEC‐Gag) vaccine; for the induction of helper CD4+ T cells to a Recombinant Newcastle disease virus expressing codon optimized HIV‐1 Gag P55 (rNDV‐L‐Gag) vaccine.MethodsWe do so through successive administration of anti‐DEC205‐gagP24 protein plus polyICLC (DEC‐Gag) vaccine and rNDV‐L‐Gag. First strong gag specific helper CD4+ T cells are induced in mice by selected targeting of anti‐DEC205‐gagP24 protein vaccine to dendritic cells (DC) in situ together with polyICLC as adjuvant. This targeting helped T cell immunity develop to a subsequent rNDV‐L‐Gag vaccine and improved both systemic and mucosal gag specific immunity.ResultsThis sequential DEC‐Gag vaccine prime followed by an rNDV‐L‐gag boost results to improved viral vectored immunization in murine airway, including mobilization of protective CD8+ T cells to a pathogenic virus infection site.ConclusionThus, complementary prime boost vaccination, in which prime and boost favor distinct types of T cell immunity, improves viral vectored immunization, including mobilization of protective CD8+T cells to a pathogenic virus infection site such as the murine airway.
LncRNA NEAT1 promotes dexamethasone resistance in multiple myeloma by targeting miR‐193a/MCL1 pathway
Authors: Wu Yilan , Wang Han 
Published: December 2017

AbstractAlthough dexamethasone (DEX) remains a first‐line agent for multiple myeloma (MM) therapy, the development of DEX resistance has become an indicator of poor prognosis in MM patients. It is thus urgent to develop strategies to restore the vulnerability of MM to DEX. This study demonstrated long non‐coding RNA (lncRNA) nuclear paraspeckle assembly transcript 1 (NEAT1) was highly expressed in DEX‐resistant myeloma cell lines, and upregulation of NEAT1 was tightly linked to poor prognosis. The in‐depth study revealed that during the development of DEX resistance in these cells, the miR‐193a levels were decreased, which resulted in the increased expression of the target gene myeloid cell leukemia‐1 (MCL1). We also found knockdown of NEAT1, the DEX‐induced sensitivity was enhanced in the resistant cells. Meanwhile, overexpression of NEAT1 increased the DEX‐induced resistance in the sensitive cells. In conclusion, the NEAT1/miR‐193a/MCL1 pathway is closely associated with the development of DEX resistance in myeloma cells, and knockdown of NEAT1 can significantly improve DEX sensitivity in MM.
Evaluation of 17% EDTA and 10% citric acid in smear layer removal and tubular dentin sealer penetration
Authors: Machado Ricardo , Garcia Lucas da Fonseca Roberti , da Silva Neto Ulisses Xavier , Cruz Filho Antônio de Miranda da , Silva Ricardo Gariba , Vansan Luiz Pascoal 
Published: December 2017

AbstractThe purpose of this study was to compare the efficacy of different chelating solutions (17% EDTA and 10% citric acid) on the smear layer removal, and their effect on tubular dentin sealer penetration. Sixty root canals were prepared and distributed into four groups (n = 15) according to the final irrigation protocol: G1, final irrigation with 2.5 mL of distilled water; G2, final irrigation with 2.5 mL of 2.5% sodium hypochlorite solution; G3, final irrigation with 2.5 mL of 17% EDTA; and G4, final irrigation with 2.5 mL of 10% citric acid. Five specimens from each group were not filled to assess smear layer removal by scanning electron microscopy. Ten specimens from each group were filled for analysis of sealer penetration into dentinal tubules by confocal laser scanning microscopy. Smear layer removal (Kruskal–Wallis and Dunn's tests) and sealer penetration (F and Tukey's tests) were statistically analyzed with 95% of significance level. G3 and G4 had greater smear layer removal rates in the cervical and middle thirds, in comparison with G1 and G2 (p < .05). G3 and G4 had the highest percentages of sealer penetration in all thirds, in comparison with G1 and G2 (p < .05). Smear layer removal was effective only at the cervical and middle thirds when the chelating solutions were used. Sealer penetration into the dentinal tubules significantly increased in all root thirds when the specimens were treated with both chelating solutions.
4D flow MRI, cardiac function, and T1‐mapping: Association of valve‐mediated changes in aortic hemodynamics with left ventricular remodeling
Authors: Geiger Julia , Rahsepar Amir A. , Suwa Kenichiro , Powell Alex , Ghasemiesfe Ahmadreza , Barker Alex J. , Collins Jeremy D. , Carr James C. , Markl Michael 
Published: December 2017

BackgroundPatients with bicuspid aortic valve (BAV) show altered hemodynamics in the ascending aorta that can be assessed by 4D flow MRI.PurposeComprehensive cardiac MRI was applied to test the hypothesis that BAV‐mediated changes in aortic hemodynamics (wall shear stress [WSS] and velocity) are associated with parameters of left ventricular (LV) remodeling.Study TypeRetrospective data analysis.PopulationForty‐nine BAV patients (mean age = 50.2 ± 13.5, 62% male).Field Strength/SequenceBalanced steady‐state free precession (bSSFP)‐CINE, pre‐ and postcontrast T1 mapping with modified Look–Locker inversion recovery (MOLLI), time‐resolved 3D phase‐contrast (PC) MRI with three‐directional velocity encoding (4D flow MRI) at 1.5 and 3T.AssessmentQuantification of LV volumetric data and myocardial mass, extracellular volume fraction (ECV), aortic valve stenosis (AS), and regurgitation (AR). 3D aortic segmentation, quantification of peak systolic velocities, and 3D WSS in the ascending aorta (AAo), arch, and descending aorta (DAo).Statistical TestsTwo‐sided nonpaired t‐test to compare subgroups. Pearson correlation coefficient for correlations between aortic hemodynamics and LV parameters.ResultsOf the 49 BAV patients, 35 had aortic valve dysfunction (AS [n = 7], AR [n = 16], both AS and AR [n = 12]). Mean systolic WSS in the AAo, peak systolic velocities in the AAo and arch, and LV mass were significantly higher (P < 0.001) in the AS/AR group compared to the patients without AS/AR. In the complete group, we observed significant relationships between increased LV mass and elevated peak systolic velocity (r = 0.57, r = 0.58; P < 0.001) and WSS in the AAo and arch, respectively (r = 0.54, r = 0.46; P < 0.001). We detected an association between ECV and WSS in the AAo (r = 0.38, P = 0.02). These relations did not hold true for patients without AV dysfunction.Data ConclusionAS and AR in BAV patients have a major impact on elevated aortic peak velocities and WSS that were associated with parameters of LV remodeling.Level of Evidence: 3Technical Efficacy: Stage 3J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2017.