bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Split FTDNN-DFE Equalizer for Complex Non-linear Wireless Channels with NARMA Approximation
Authors: Baruah Murchana , Misra Aradhana , Sarma Kandarpa Kumar 
Published: April 2016

AbstractTime-dependent channel variations in wireless systems have been modeled using autoregressive (AR), moving average, and AR moving average (ARMA) approaches, which in certain conditions fail to provide the most suitable description of the scenarios. It lowers the quality of service, increases the dependence on the traditional tapped delay line model, and requires more reference symbols as fading in the channel increases. Non-linear attributes in channels are best described by non-linear AR (NAR) and non-linear ARMA (NARMA) models, which capture the channel state information (CSI) better. Learning-based systems like artificial neural networks (ANN) are better equipped to deal with NAR and NARMA approximations of channels, recover CSI, and provide proper channel estimation due to their natural association with non-linear computing. Though decision feedback equalizers (DFE) are the traditional and preferred approaches to reduce the ill effects of channel-induced variations, these are unable to mitigate noise-triggered responses that ANNs can. Here, DFEs and special forms of ANNs are combined to recover CSI from NAR and NARMA approximations of time-varying channels. We especially configure a class of fully focused time delay neural network designed in split form in unitary and composite modes with a DFE to track real and imaginary components of signals. Experimental results establish the effectiveness of such hybrid tools in tracking time-varying non-linear channels covering International Telecommunication Union pedestrian to vehicular conditions.
An Innovative Approach for Detection of Armoured Vehicle in Airborne Thermal Imagery Using Morphological Processing and Texture Feature Extraction
Authors: Gautam Asheesh Kumar , Sinha Lokesh K. , Bhutiyani Mahendra R. 
Published: April 2016

AbstractAutomatic detection of a vehicle in an airborne thermal imagery is a challenging research topic in computer vision, especially the detection of military tanks in the field. Various methodologies for detection in forward-looking infrared imagery, which has higher spatial resolution, has been discussed by a number of researchers in literature. The algorithm we developed in the present study detects tanks not only in higher resolution but in lower resolution imagery as well. Detection algorithm is initiated by the segmentation of thermal image using mean shift, which provides possible targets present in the field other than the background. To reduce clutter and uneven illumination in a thermal image, a pre-processing morphological algorithm based on top-hat filtering has been implemented. After convolution of image window with Gabor filter banks, we extracted the energy feature of each image generated after convolution. The energy vector of such a target and the neighbouring background window has been calculated, and the similarity between the target and background using distance-measuring method has been measured. The minimum distance is used as the threshold to decide the target. A comparative study has been carried out between tanks and various targets/objects that appear similar to tanks in a thermal image. This validates our target detection algorithm. The false-positive rate and true-positive rate have been calculated for performance evaluation. Overall, this algorithm shows promising results for tank detection using single-band thermal imagery.
Crystal structure of (Z)-4-(4-oxopent-2-en-2-ylamino)benzenesulfonamide, C11H14N2O3S
Authors: Ghorab Mostafa M. , Alsaid Mansour S. , Ghabbour Hazem A. , Al-Mishari Abdullah A. 
Published: April 2016

Abstract
C11H14N2O3S, orthorhombic, P
b
c
a (no. 61), a = 10.1973(3) Å, b = 9.9487(4) Å, c = 23.1332(8) Å, V = 2346.86(14) Å3, Z = 8, R
gt
(F) = 0.0527, wR
ref
(F
2
) = 0.1407, T = 100 K.
Crystal structure of poly[(μ2-2-methyl-1-(4-(2-methyl-2H-benzo[d] imidazol-1(7aH)-yl)butyl)-1H-benzo[d]imidazole-κ2
N:N′)bis(μ3-5-tert-butylbenzene-1,3-dicarboxylato-κ4
O:O,O′:O′′,O′′′)dicadmium(II)] tetrahydrate, C44H54Cd2N4O12
Authors: Li Shi-Hui , Zhang Li 
Published: April 2016

Abstract
C44H54Cd2N4O12, monoclinic, C2/c, a = 22.818(5) Å, b = 10.714(2) Å, c = 19.163(4) Å, β = 102.43(3)°, V = 4575.2(16) Å3, Z = 2, R
gt
(F) = 0.0381, wR
ref
(F
2) = 0.1077, T = 293(2) K.
Crystal structure of 3-(benzofuran-2-yl)-5-(4-fluorophenyl)-4,5-dihydro-1Hpyrazole-1-carbothioamide, C18H14FN3OS
Authors: El-Hiti Gamal A. , Abdel-Wahab Bakr F. , Baashen Mohammed , Ghabbour Hazem A. , Alruqi Obaid S. 
Published: April 2016

Abstract
C18H14FN3OS, monoclinic, P21/c (no. 14), a = 14.9084(6) Å, b = 11.2339(4) Å, c = 9.4417(4) Å, β = 102.331(2)°, V = 1544.81(11) Å3, Z = 4, R
gt
(F) = 0.0365, wR
ref
(F
2
) = 0.0953, T = 100 K.
Crystal structure of 2-(3-(benzofuran-2-yl)-5-phenyl-4,5-dihydro-1H-pyrazol-1-yl)-4-phenylthiazole, C26H19N3OS
Authors: El-Hiti Gamal A. , Abdel-Wahab Bakr F. , Ajarim Mansour D. , Alobaid Abdulrahman M. , Ghabbour Hazem A. 
Published: April 2016

Abstract
C26H19N3OS, monoclinic, P21 (no. 4), a = 13.0921(19) Å, b = 5.6740(8) Å, c = 14.417(2) Å, β = 106.217(5)°, V = 1028.3(3) Å3, Z = 2, R
gt
(F) = 0.0564, wR
ref
(F
2
) = 0.0913, T = 100 K.
Direct Victimization Experiences and Fear of Crime: A Gender Perspective
Authors: Sironi Emiliano , Bonazzi Leda Maria 
Published: April 2016

AbstractUsing data from the sixth round of the European Social Survey, we implement propensity score matching methods in order to test whether the presence of past experiences of direct victimization decreases citizens’ safety perception. Results confirm the hypothesis that victimization strongly increases the fear of crime; furthermore the effect is also gender specific: victimized women show higher decrease in safety perception than men.
Verbal Silence as Figure: Its Contribution to Linguistic Theory*
Authors: Ephratt Michal 
Published: April 2016

AbstractSpeech is Homo sapiens’ form of communication par excellence. It has attracted the interest of ancient as well as contemporary scholars investigating human lore (e.g. linguists, philosophers, scholars studying communication, culture or literature). The sparse studies on silence perceived silence as the antonym of all sounds (including speech: non-voluntary: stillness external to communication; symptoms such as muteness as breaks in communication; or silencing) or as background (voluntary paralinguistic pauses demarcating speech as figure).The current article is based on linguistic studies which, having differentiated between the above silences and verbal silence (VS) – unarticulated verbal signifiers chosen by the speaker to signify meaningful content alongside speech – incorporated VS in the linguistic inventory.This article focuses on the contributions to linguistics made by the integration of VS in the linguistic inventory. Insights are offered by the identification, understanding and refinement of linguistic concepts in light of the analyses of VS examples (the zero-sign, ellipsis as signifiers, asyndeton, etc.) drawn from literature, advertisements and spoken language. The major contribution is that the particularity of VSs, as unarticulated verbal signifiers, calls for the re-examination of key linguistic issues, such as figure and ground organizations, universalism, and linearity of the verbal code.
Electronic cigarettes: a systematic review of available studies on health risk assessment
Authors: Zulkifli Aziemah , Abidin Emilia Zainal , Abidin Najihah Zainol , Amer Nordin Amer Siddiq , Praveena Sarva Mangala , Syed Ismail Sharifah Norkhadijah , Rasdi Irniza , Karuppiah Karmegam , Rahman Anita Abd 
Published: April 2016

Abstract

Objective:
This paper primarily aimed to review articles which specifically quantified the risk of electronic cigarette’s (e-cigarette) usage via the health risk assessment (HRA) approach.

Methods:
Systematic literature searches were conducted using PubMed search engine databases. Search terms such as “electronic cigarette”, “e-cigarette”, “electronic nicotine delivery systems”, “electronic cigarette liquid”, “electronic cigarette vapors”, and “health risk assessment” were used to identify the relevant articles to be included in this review. To enable comparison, hazard quotient (HQ) and lifetime cancer risk (LCR) for the chemicals measured in the selected articles were calculated for three of the articles using the formula: [1] HQ=average daily dose (ADD)/reference dose (RfD) or exposure air concentration (EC)/reference concentration (RfC); [2] LCR=lifetime average daily dose (LADD) × cancer slope factor (CSF) or exposure air concentration (EC) × inhalation unit risk (IUR).

Results:
Four articles pertaining to HRA of e-cigarettes were critically reviewed, three of the papers focused on specific chemicals namely nicotine, propylene glycol (PG), glycerol and 1,2-propanediol, while one article evaluated the health risks posed by heavy metals contained in e-cigarettes. The calculated HQs for the chemicals in this review had large variations. HQs of the six chemicals, i.e. nicotine, PG, glycerol, cadmium, ethylene glycol, nickel, aluminum and titanium, were found to have the potential to contribute to non-carcinogenic health risks. None of the LCR calculated had risks exceeding the acceptable limit.

Conclusion:
There are limited HRA studies and the ones that were available provided inconsistent scientific evidences on the health risk characterization arising from the usage of e-cigarettes. As such, there is a need to perform more studies on HRA of e-cigarettes by using uniformed and comprehensive steps and similar reference threshold levels of exposures.
Central European MEPs and Their Roles: Behavioral Strategies in the European Parliament
Authors: Bíró-Nagy András 
Published: April 2016

AbstractThis article helps to better understand the role orientations of the Central European Members of the European Parliament, the factors that influence their strategies, and the relationship between their roles and activities. Based on the results of a quantitative survey research with MEPs from the Czech Republic, Hungary, Poland, Slovakia and Slovenia in the 2009–2014 term, I argue that it is possible to explain the political roles of MEPs by their attitudes towards politics and policy, and the territorial focus of representation (European vs. national level). Due to the internal mechanisms of the EP and its position in the multi-level governance system of European politics, these two dimensions represent dilemmas that all MEPs face, when it comes to the efficient use of their scarce resources: time and energy. This study demonstrates that socio-demographic factors, attitudes and political socialization all have an influence on what roles MEPs choose. The time spent in the EP, age, previous political experience, party affiliation, left-right self-definition and career ambitions are all important factors that can explain the political behavior of MEPs. The Central European MEPs’ focus on politics vs. policy and the European vs. national political arena have different roots, and different variables explain them. Orientation towards politics and policy largely depends on previous political experience and future career ambitions. Focus on the European or the national level is best explained by age, party affiliation and left-right self-definition.
Difference in Agility, Strength, and Flexibility in Competitive Figure Skaters Based on Level of Expertise and Skating Discipline
Authors: Slater Lindsay V. , Vriner Melissa , Zapalo Peter , Arbour Kat , Hart Joseph M. 
Published: April 2016

Abstract
Slater, LV, Vriner, M, Zapalo, P, Arbour, K, and Hart, JM. Difference in agility, strength, and flexibility in competitive figure skaters based on level of expertise and skating discipline. J Strength Cond Res 30(12): 3321–3328, 2016—Figure skating is an extremely difficult sport that requires a combination of grace, artistry, flexibility, speed, and power. Although many skaters are involved with strength and conditioning programs, there is no current information about differences in off-ice performance measures based on skating discipline and level. The purpose of this study was to compare agility, strength, and flexibility performance based on skating discipline and level. A total of 343 figure skaters from 4 different disciplines (singles, dance, pair, and synchronized skating) and 3 different levels (novice, junior, and senior) completed combine testing with the United States Figure Skating Association. All subjects completed the hexagon agility test, t-test, triple bound jumps, vertical jump, timed tuck jumps, push-ups, v-ups, hand press, front split, seated reach, and stork pose. A multivariate analysis of variance with Scheffe's post hoc was used to identify differences in performance based on skating discipline and level. Mean differences, Cohen's d effect sizes, and 95% confidence intervals were reported for all significant differences. Senior and junior skaters tended to be faster and stronger than novice skaters. Singles, dance, and pair skaters tended to be more agile, stronger, and flexible than synchronized skaters, however, senior synchronized skaters tended to perform better than senior skaters in other disciplines. These results indicate that strength and conditioning professionals should consider skating discipline and level when designing strengthening programs for figure skaters.
Lactobacillus helveticus Lafti L10 Supplementation Modulates Mucosal and Humoral Immunity in Elite Athletes: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Trial
Authors: Michalickova Danica M. , Kostic-Vucicevic Marija M. , Vukasinovic-Vesic Milica Dj. , Stojmenovic Tamara B. , Dikic Nenad V. , Andjelkovic Marija S. , Djordjevic Brizita I. , Tanaskovic Bojana P. , Minic Rajna D. 
Published: April 2016

Abstract
Michalickova, DM, Kostic-Vucicevic, MM, Vukasinovic-Vesic, MD, Stojmenovic, TB, Dikic, NV, Andjelkovic, MS, Djordjevic, BI, Tanaskovic, BP, and Minic, RD. Lactobacillus helveticus Lafti L10 supplementation modulates mucosal and humoral immunity in elite athletes: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. J Strength Cond Res 31(1): 62–70, 2017—To test the influence of probiotic supplementation on humoral immune response, a double-blind, placebo-controlled trial was conducted. Thirty athletes (24 males and 6 females, females: V̇o
2max 38.2 ± 4.9 ml·kg−1·min−1, age 23.2 ± 1.4 years; males: V̇o
2max 57.5 ± 9.2 ml·kg−1·min−1, age 24.0 ± 2.4 years, mean ± SD) were randomized either to the probiotic group (Lactobacillus helveticus Lafti L10, 2 × 1010 colony-forming units) or to the placebo group. Serum and saliva samples were collected at the baseline and after 14 weeks. Total and specific antibacterial antibody levels of IgM, IgG, and IgA classes were determined for different bacteria in the serum, and in saliva, total and specific antibacterial IgA levels were examined. Total IgM was elevated in both probiotic (18%, 15–20%; mean, 90% confidence interval; p = 0.02) and placebo group (35%, 22–47%; p = 0.02), without observed differences in changes between the groups. No significant changes in IgM levels specific for tested bacteria were found. Total IgG level was constant in both groups. A significant (16%, −2.8 to 35%, p = 0.04) reduction of anti–Enterococcus faecalis IgG was noted in the placebo group, in comparison with the probiotic group. There was a substantial decrease in total IgA level in the placebo group, when measured either in serum (15%, 12–18%, p = 0.04) or in saliva (35%, −1.4 to 53%, p = 0.03). Significantly reduced levels of serum anti–lactic acid bacteria IgA antibodies in the placebo group compared with the probiotic group were detected for Lactobacillus rhamnosus LA68 (24%, 5.8–42%, p = 0.02) and for L. rhamnosus LB64 (15%, 2.7–27%, p = 0.02). Probiotic administration could have beneficial effects on systemic humoral and mucosal immune responses.
Can Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation Improve the Resistance Strength and Decrease the Rating Perceived Scale in Recreational Weight-Training Experience?
Authors: Lattari Eduardo , Andrade Maria L. , Filho Alberto S. , Moura Antônio M. , Neto Geraldo M. , Silva Júlio G. , Rocha Nuno B. , Yuan Ti-Fei , Arias-Carrión Oscar , Machado Sérgio 
Published: April 2016

Abstract
Lattari, E, Andrade, ML, Filho, AS, Moura, AM, Neto, GM, Silva, JG, Rocha, NB, Yuan, T-F, Arias-Carrión, O, and Machado, S. Can transcranial direct current stimulation improve the resistance strength and decrease the rating perceived scale in recreational weight-training experience? J Strength Cond Res 30(12): 3381–3387, 2016—The goal of this study was to evaluate the acute efficacy of anodic transcranial direct current stimulation on the total volume of repetitions and perceived exertion in recreationally trained individuals in strength. The sample consisted of 10 participants trained in exercise against resistance for at least 3 months. Participants underwent elbow flexion exercise at barbell with a specific load of 10 repetition maximum (10RM), responded immediately after the OMNI-RES scale, and were stimulated for 20 minutes with a tDSC protocol (2 mA), depending on randomization. After applying the tDSC, subjects were again subjected to perform elbow flexion with 10RM load and, soon after, again responded to OMNI-RES scale. All subjects underwent the 3 experimental conditions of the study, c-tDSC, a-tDSC, and sham-tDSC, which were randomized. A range of 48–72 hours was allowed between each assessment visit. An interaction to condition and time (F = 52.395; p ≤ 0.001) has shown that repetitions completed after anodic condition were higher compared with the other conditions in the postsession. In relation to perceived exertion, verified by OMNI-RES scale, 2-way analysis of variance for repeated measures showed an interaction between condition and time (F = 28.445; p ≤ 0.001), where the perceived exertion was decreased after the a-tDSC condition and increased after the c-tDSC condition. In strict terms of performance, it seems to be beneficial to attend a session of 20 minutes a-tDSC, when strength training practitioners can no longer support high-volume training and have increased responses in the perceived exertion.
A Submaximal Running Test With Postexercise Cardiac Autonomic and Neuromuscular Function in Monitoring Endurance Training Adaptation
Authors: Vesterinen Ville , Nummela Ari , Laine Tanja , Hynynen Esa , Mikkola Jussi , Häkkinen Keijo 
Published: April 2016

Abstract
Vesterinen, V, Nummela, A, Laine, T, Hynynen, E, Mikkola, J, and Häkkinen, K. A submaximal running test with postexercise cardiac autonomic and neuromuscular function in monitoring endurance training adaptation. J Strength Cond Res 31(1): 233–243, 2017—The aim of this study was to investigate whether a submaximal running test (SRT) with postexercise heart rate recovery (HRR), heart rate variability (HRV), and countermovement jump (CMJ) measurements could be used to monitor endurance training adaptation. Thirty-five endurance-trained men and women completed an 18-week endurance training. Maximal endurance performance and maximal oxygen uptake were measured every 8 weeks. In addition, SRTs with postexercise HRR, HRV, and CMJ measurements were carried out every 4 weeks. Submaximal running test consisted of two 6-minute stages at 70 and 80% of maximum heart rate (HRmax) and a 3-minute stage at 90% HRmax, followed by a 2-minute recovery stage for measuring postexercise HRR, HRV, and CMJ test. The highest responders according to the change of maximal endurance performance showed a significant improvement in running speeds during stages 2 and 3 in SRT, whereas no changes were observed in the lowest responders. The strongest correlation was found between the change of maximal endurance performance and running speed during stage 3, whereas no significant relationships were found between the change of maximal endurance performance and the changes of postexercise HRR, HRV, and CMJ. Running speed at 90% HRmax intensity was the most sensitive variable to monitor adaptation to endurance training. The present submaximal test showed potential to monitor endurance training adaptation. Furthermore, it may serve as a practical tool for athletes and coaches to evaluate weekly the effectiveness of training program without interfering in the normal training habits.
Elevated Linkage Disequilibrium and Signatures of Soft Sweeps Are Common in Drosophila melanogaster
Authors: Garud Nandita R , Petrov Dmitri A 
Published: April 2016

Abstract
The extent to which selection and demography impact patterns of genetic diversity in natural populations of Drosophila melanogaster is yet to be fully understood. We previously observed that linkage disequilibrium (LD) at scales of ∼10 kb in the Drosophila Genetic Reference Panel (DGRP), consisting of 145 inbred strains from Raleigh, North Carolina, measured both between pairs of sites and as haplotype homozygosity, is elevated above neutral demographic expectations. We also demonstrated that signatures of strong and recent soft sweeps are abundant. However, the extent to which these patterns are specific to this derived and admixed population is unknown. It is also unclear whether these patterns are a consequence of the extensive inbreeding performed to generate the DGRP data. Here we analyze LD statistics in a sample of &gt;100 fully-sequenced strains from Zambia; an ancestral population to the Raleigh population that has experienced little to no admixture and was generated by sequencing haploid embryos rather than inbred strains. We find an elevation in long-range LD and haplotype homozygosity compared to neutral expectations in the Zambian sample, thus showing the elevation in LD is not specific to the DGRP data set. This elevation in LD and haplotype structure remains even after controlling for possible confounders including genomic inversions, admixture, population substructure, close relatedness of individual strains, and recombination rate variation. Furthermore, signatures of partial soft sweeps similar to those found in the DGRP as well as partial hard sweeps are common in Zambia. These results suggest that while the selective forces and sources of adaptive mutations may differ in Zambia and Raleigh, elevated long-range LD and signatures of soft sweeps are generic in D. melanogaster.
Limits to Adaptation in Partially Selfing Species
Authors: Hartfield Matthew , Glémin Sylvain 
Published: April 2016

Abstract
In outcrossing populations, “Haldane’s sieve” states that recessive beneficial alleles are less likely to fix than dominant ones, because they are less exposed to selection when rare. In contrast, selfing organisms are not subject to Haldane’s sieve and are more likely to fix recessive types than outcrossers, as selfing rapidly creates homozygotes, increasing overall selection acting on mutations. However, longer homozygous tracts in selfers also reduce the ability of recombination to create new genotypes. It is unclear how these two effects influence overall adaptation rates in partially selfing organisms. Here, we calculate the fixation probability of beneficial alleles if there is an existing selective sweep in the population. We consider both the potential loss of the second beneficial mutation if it has a weaker advantage than the first one, and the possible replacement of the initial allele if the second mutant is fitter. Overall, loss of weaker adaptive alleles during a first selective sweep has a larger impact on preventing fixation of both mutations in highly selfing organisms. Furthermore, the presence of linked mutations has two opposing effects on Haldane’s sieve. First, recessive mutants are disproportionally likely to be lost in outcrossers, so it is likelier that dominant mutations will fix. Second, with elevated rates of adaptive mutation, selective interference annuls the advantage in selfing organisms of not suffering from Haldane’s sieve; outcrossing organisms are more able to fix weak beneficial mutations of any dominance value. Overall, weakened recombination effects can greatly limit adaptation in selfing organisms.