bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Low‐Dimensional Organic–Inorganic Halide Perovskite: Structure, Properties, and Applications
Authors: Misra Ravi K. , Cohen Bat‐El , Iagher Lior , Etgar Lioz 
Published: July 2017

AbstractThree‐dimensional (3 D) perovskite has attracted a lot of attention owing to its success in photovoltaic (PV) solar cells. However, one of its major crucial issues lies in its stability, which has limited its commercialization. An important property of organic–inorganic perovskite is the possibility of forming a layered material by using long organic cations that do not fit into the octahedral cage. These long organic cations act as a “barrier” that “caps” 3 D perovskite to form the layered material. Controlling the number of perovskite layers could provide a confined structure with chemical and physical properties that are different from those of 3 D perovskite. This opens up a whole new batch of interesting materials with huge potential for optoelectronic applications. This Minireview presents the synthesis, properties, and structural orientation of low‐dimensional perovskite. It also discusses the progress of low‐dimensional perovskite in PV solar cells, which, to date, have performance comparable to that of 3 D perovskite but with enhanced stability. Finally, the use of low‐dimensional perovskite in light‐emitting diodes (LEDs) and photodetectors is discussed. The low‐dimensional perovskites are promising candidates for LED devices, mainly because of their high radiative recombination as a result of the confined low‐dimensional quantum well.
Software‐defined networking approach for enhanced evolved packet core network
Authors: Mahmoud Ashraf , Abo Naser Ahmad , Abu‐Amara Marwan , Sheltami Tarek , Nasser Nidal 
Published: July 2017

SummaryThe evolved packet core (EPC) network is the mobile network standardized by the 3rd Generation Partnership Project and represents the recent evolution of mobile networks providing high‐speed data rates and on‐demand connectivity services. Software‐defined networking (SDN) is recently gaining momentum in network research as a new generation networking technique. An SDN‐based EPC is expected to introduce gains to the EPC control plane architecture in terms of simplified, and perhaps even software‐based, vendor independent infrastructure nodes. In this paper, we propose a novel SDN‐based EPC architecture along with the protocol‐level detailed implementation and provide a mechanism for identifying information fields exchanged between SDN‐EPC entities that maintains correct functionality with minimal impact on the conventional design. Furthermore, we present the first comprehensive network performance evaluation for the SDN‐based EPC versus the conventional EPC and provide a comparative analysis of 2 networks performances identifying potential bottlenecks and performance issues. The evaluation focuses on 2 network control operations, namely, the S1‐handover and registration operations, taking into account several factors, and assessing performance metrics such as end‐to‐end delay (E2ED) for completion of the respective control operation, and EPC nodes utilization figures.
Comparing threshold definition techniques for rainfall‐induced landslides: A national assessment using radar rainfall
Authors: Postance Benjamin , Hillier John , Dijkstra Tom , Dixon Neil 
Published: July 2017

AbstractTranslational landslides and debris flows are often initiated during intense or prolonged rainfall. Empirical thresholds aim to classify the rain conditions that are commonly associated with landslide occurrence and therefore improve understating of these hazards and predictive ability. Objective techniques that are used to determine these thresholds are likely to be affected by the length of the rain record used, yet this is not routinely considered. Moreover, remotely sensed spatially continuous rainfall observations are under‐exploited. This study compares and evaluates the effect of rain record length on two objective threshold selection techniques in a national assessment of Scotland using weather radar data. Thresholds selected by ‘threat score’ are sensitive to rain record length whereas, in a first application to landslides, ‘optimal point’ (OP) thresholds prove relatively consistent. OP thresholds increase landslide detection and may therefore be applicable in early‐warning systems. Thresholds combining 1‐ and 12‐day antecedence variables best distinguish landslide initiation conditions and indicate that Scottish landslides may be initiated by lower rain accumulation and intensities than previously thought. © 2017 The Authors. Earth Surface Processes and Landforms published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.
On trend detection
Authors: Bürger Gerd 
Published: July 2017

AbstractA main obstacle to trend detection in time series occurs when they are autocorrelated. By reducing the effective sample size of a series, autocorrelation leads to decreased trend significance. Numerous recipes attempt to mitigate the effect of autocorrelation, either by adjusting for the reduced effective sample size or by removing the autocorrelated components of a series. This short note deals with the latter, also called prewhitening (PW). It is known that removal of autocorrelation also removes part of the trend, which may affect the signal‐to‐noise ratio. Two popular methods have dealt with this problem, the trend‐free prewhitening (TFPW) and the iterative prewhitening. Although it is generally accepted that both methods reduce the adverse effects of PW on the trend magnitude, corresponding effects on statistical significance have not been clearly stated for TFPW. Using a Monte Carlo approach, it is demonstrated that both methods entail quite different Type‐I error rates. The iterative prewhitening produces rates that are generally close to the nominal significance level. The TFPW, however, shows very high Type‐I error rates with increasing autocorrelation. The corresponding rate of false trend detections is unacceptable for applications, so that published trends based on TFPW need to be reassessed.
Dosage Optimization of Nemolizumab Using Population Pharmacokinetic and Pharmacokinetic‐Pharmacodynamic Modeling and Simulation
Authors: Saito Tomohisa , Iida Satofumi , Terao Kimio , Kumagai Yuji 
Published: July 2017

AbstractNemolizumab is a humanized anti‐interleukin‐31 receptor A monoclonal antibody for treating atopic dermatitis, and it especially improves pruritus. The objective of the simulation study was to optimize the dose regimen using a flat dose. The serum nemolizumab concentration and pruritus visual analog scale as an efficacy end point were modeled using the population analysis approach in 299 patients with atopic dermatitis who received placebo or doses between 0.1 and 3 mg/kg as a single dose once every 4 weeks or 2 mg/kg once every 8 weeks. A 1‐compartment model with first‐order absorption was employed as the pharmacokinetic model. An indirect turnover model with an inhibition component was employed as the main part of the pharmacokinetic‐pharmacodynamic model. The models well described the observations. Therefore, simulations with several dose regimens were performed to optimize the dose regimen including a flat dose. The simulated area under the concentration‐time curve at a steady state around 75 mg in the every‐4‐week regimen corresponds to that associated with the dose range of 0.5 to 2 mg/kg in the 4‐week regimen. The simulated pruritus visual analog scale also showed a similar tendency. These simulation results support dose optimization during the clinical development program of nemolizumab.
Behavior of activated sludge systems with an active heterotrophic biomass inflow – a novel perspective for sludge minimization
Authors: Allı Buşra , İnsel Güçlü , Artan Nazik , Orhon Derin , Sözen Seval 
Published: July 2017

AbstractBACKGROUNDThis study evaluated the microbial behavior of activated sludge systems operated with an active heterotrophic biomass inflow. The evaluation focused on the possibility of sludge minimization. Thus, related process stoichiometry was derived on the basis of mass balance for essential parameters.RESULTSStoichiometric relationships showed that the reactor holds a larger amount of biomass without the controlling impact of the sludge age, which decreases the magnitude of microbial growth compared with endogenous decay. Consequently, the observed yield, YOBS becomes much lower than what may be observed in conventional activated sludge systems. This stoichiometry exactly defines the microbial basis of the OSA (oxic/settling/anaerobic) system and identifies the interchange stream connecting the anaerobic reactor to the aerobic main reactor as the source of the active biomass inflow. Therefore, biomass inflow, largely overlooked in related studies, offers a novel microbial perspective for the merit of the OSA process in minimizing sludge generation.CONCLUSIONThe impact of lower YOBS, while explaining lower active biomass production, cannot be extrapolated to cover inert particulate COD fractions, namely a similar reduction in the initial inert COD and the residual particulate microbial products. Future studies should be directed to explore the fate of residual particulate compounds. © 2017 Society of Chemical Industry
Quantitative assessment of lung stiffness in patients with interstitial lung disease using MR elastography
Authors: Marinelli John P. , Levin David L. , Vassallo Robert , Carter Rickey E. , Hubmayr Rolf D. , Ehman Richard L. , McGee Kiaran P. 
Published: July 2017

PurposeTo investigate the use of magnetic resonance elastography (MRE) in the quantitative assessment of pulmonary fibrosis by comparing quantitative shear stiffness measurements of lung parenchyma in patients diagnosed with fibrotic interstitial lung disease (ILD) and healthy controls.Materials and MethodsA 1.5T spin‐echo, echo planar imaging MRE (SE‐EPI MRE) pulse sequence was utilized to assess absolute lung shear stiffness in 15 patients with diagnosed ILD and in 11 healthy controls. Data were collected at residual volume (RV) and total lung capacity (TLC). Spirometry data were obtained immediately prior to scanning. To test for statistical significance between RV and TLC shear stiffness estimates a two‐sample t‐test was performed. To assess variability within individual subject shear stiffness estimates, the intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) and Krippendorff's alpha were calculated.ResultsPatients with ILD exhibited an average (±1 standard deviation) shear stiffness of 2.74 (±0.896) kPa at TLC and 1.32 (±0.300) kPa at RV. The corresponding values for healthy individuals were 1.33 (±0.195) kPa and 0.849 (±0.250) kPa, respectively. The difference in shear stiffness between RV and TLC was statistically significant (P < 0.001). At TLC, the ICC and alpha values were 0.909 and 0.887, respectively. At RV, the ICC and alpha values were 0.852 and 0.862, respectively.ConclusionIn subjects with known fibrotic interstitial lung disease, parenchymal shear stiffness is increased when compared to normal controls at both RV and TLC, with TLC demonstrating the most significant difference. MRE‐derived parenchymal shear stiffness is a promising new noninvasive imaging‐based biomarker of interstitial lung disease.Level of Evidence:1J. MAGN. RESON. IMAGING 2017;46:1–1
The future of academic publishing: Revolution or evolution?
Authors: Dodds Francis 
Published: July 2017

Key points
Concerns about a crisis in monograph publishing date back to at least the 1990s, and for traditional journal publishing at least a decade.
Two key trends behind concerns over book and journal models are pressures on funding and the emergence of open access.
Despite predictions of a revolution, the academic publishing sector has proved remarkably resilient in adapting to market changes.
Whilst showing some support for ‘open science’, even early career researchers remain committed to traditional publishing models.
The growth in scholarly collaboration networks and in sharing across traditional boundaries is the more likely disrupter of traditional publishing.
Sparse Exploratory Factor Analysis
Authors: Trendafilov Nickolay T. , Fontanella Sara , Adachi Kohei 
Published: July 2017

Sparse principal component analysis is a very active research area in the last decade. It produces component loadings with many zero entries which facilitates their interpretation and helps avoid redundant variables. The classic factor analysis is another popular dimension reduction technique which shares similar interpretation problems and could greatly benefit from sparse solutions. Unfortunately, there are very few works considering sparse versions of the classic factor analysis. Our goal is to contribute further in this direction. We revisit the most popular procedures for exploratory factor analysis, maximum likelihood and least squares. Sparse factor loadings are obtained for them by, first, adopting a special reparameterization and, second, by introducing additional ℓ1\documentclass[12pt]{minimal}
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An Overview of Structural Characteristics in Problematic Video Game Playing
Authors: Griffiths Mark D. , Nuyens Filip 
Published: July 2017

Abstract
Purpose of Review
There are many different factors involved in how and why people develop problems with video game playing. One such set of factors concerns the structural characteristics of video games (i.e., the structure, elements, and components of the video games themselves). Much of the research examining the structural characteristics of video games was initially based on research and theorizing from the gambling studies field. The present review briefly overviews the key papers in the field to date.

Recent Findings
The paper examines a number of areas including (i) similarities in structural characteristics of gambling and video gaming, (ii) structural characteristics in video games, (iii) narrative and flow in video games, (iv) structural characteristic taxonomies for video games, and (v) video game structural characteristics and game design ethics. Many of the studies carried out to date are small-scale, and comprise self-selected convenience samples (typically using self-report surveys or non-ecologically valid laboratory experiments).

Summary
Based on the small amount of empirical data, it appears that structural features that take a long time to achieve in-game are the ones most associated with problematic video game play (e.g., earning experience points, managing in-game resources, mastering the video game, getting 100% in-game). The study of video games from a structural characteristic perspective is of benefit to many different stakeholders including academic researchers, video game players, and video game designers, as well as those interested in prevention and policymaking by making the games more socially responsible. It is important that researchers understand and recognize the psycho-social effects and impacts that the structural characteristics of video games can have on players, both positive and negative.
Relationship of the MTHFD1 (rs2236225), eNOS (rs1799983), CBS (rs2850144) and ACE (rs4343) gene polymorphisms in a population of Iranian pediatric patients with congenital heart defects
Authors: Khatami Mehri , Ratki Farzaneh Morteza , Tajfar Saba , Akrami Fatemeh 
Published: July 2017

AbstractCongenital heart defects are structural cardiovascular malformations that arise from abnormal formation of the heart or major blood vessels during the fetal period. To investigate the association of 4 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the MTHFD1, eNOS, CBS and ACE genes, we evaluated their relationship with CHD in Iranian patients. In this case–control study, a total of 102 children with CHD and 98 control children were enrolled. Four SNPs including MTHFD1 G1958A, eNOS G894T, CBS C‐4673G and ACE A2350G were genotyped by PCR‐SSCP, Multiplex ARMS PCR and PCR‐RFLP methods and confirmed by direct sequencing. We genotyped 102 patients and 98 controls for four polymorphisms by statistically analysis. There were three SNPs including MTHFD1 G1958A, eNOS G894T and ACE A2350G which might increase the risk of CHD, but CBS C‐4673G was not significantly different between patients and controls. (P = 0.017, P = 0.048, P = 0.025 and P = 0.081 respectively). The allele frequencies of three SNPs for MTHFD1 G1958A, eNOS G894T and ACE A2350G in CHD are higher than that in control. Our results show that there is a significant relationship between MTHFD1 G1958A, eNOS G894T and ACE A2350G polymorphisms with CHD. Therefore, The AA and GA genotypes of MTHFD1 G1958A, TT and GT genotypes of eNOS G894T and the AA and GA genotypes of ACE A2350G are susceptible factors for CHD and may increase the risk of CHD.
Genetic diversity of multidrug‐resistant Mycobacterium tuberculosis strains isolated from tuberculosis patients in Iran using MIRU‐VNTR technique
Authors: Khosravi Azar Dokht , Shahraki Abdolrazagh Hashemi , Dezfuli Soolmaz Khandan , Hashemzadeh Mohammad , Goodarzi Hamed , Mohajeri Parviz 
Published: July 2017

AbstractTuberculosis (TB) is considered as one of the most important infectious diseases in the world, and recent rise and spread of multidrug‐resistant (MDR) Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MTB) strains, have made the matter worsened. Due to the importance of TB prevalence in Iran, this study was designed to investigate the genetic diversity among MDR strains of MTB by MIRU‐VNTR typing scheme. A total of 88 drug resistant M. tuberculosis isolates belong to pulmonary TB cases were collected from several TB reference centers of Iran. Drug susceptibility testing for Isoniazid and Rifampin was performed using the agar proportion method and MDR isolates were underwent genotyping by using 12‐locus‐ based MIRU‐VNTR typing. On performing proportion method, 22 isolates were identified as MDR. By typing of MDR isolates using 12‐loci MIRU‐VNTR technique, high diversity were demonstrated in MDR strains and these were classified into 20 distinct MIRU‐VNTR genotypes. MIRU loci 10 and 26 were the most discriminatory loci with 8 and 7 alleles respectively; while MIRU loci 2, 20, 24 and 39 were found to be the least discriminatory with 1–2 alleles each. We noticed a mixed infection in isolate 53, as this isolate comprised simultaneous two alleles in MIRU loci 40, 10, 16 and 39. In conclusion, this result represents MIRU‐VNTR typing as a useful tool for studying genetic diversity of MDR‐MTB in regional settings, and will help the health sectors to construct a preventive program for MDR‐TB. Additionally, it can detect mixed infection which can facilitate management of treatment.
Selective regulation of IKKβ/NF‐κB pathway involved in proliferation inhibition of HFLS‐RA cells induced by 1,7‐dihydroxyl‐3,4‐dimethoxylxanthone
Authors: Ji Cong‐Lan , Jiang Hui , Tao Meng‐Qing , Wu Wei‐Ting , Jiang Jia , Zuo Jian 
Published: July 2017

AbstractRheumatoid arthritis is a common autoimmune disease, however, available regimes exert little influence on it's long‐term prognosis. The aim of the current study is to investigate potential effects of 1,7‐dihydroxyl‐3,4‐dimethoxyl‐xanthone (XAN) in HFLS‐RA cells and describe the underlying mechanisms of induction of NF‐κB activity. Viability of cells was measured by MTT assay. Flow cytometry was employed to assess the pro‐apoptotic effects. Modulation on NF‐κB signaling was investigated by RT‐qPCR, Western‐blot and immunofluorescence methods. It was found that XAN induced proliferation inhibition and apoptosis of HFLS‐RA cells in the concentration‐dependent manner, which were strengthened by pyrrolidinedithiocarbamic acid but antagonized by IKK16. NF‐κB signaling was abrogated shortly after the treatment of XAN via various means including mRNA expression, phosphorylation and nuclear translocation, which leaded to up‐regulation of p38 and down‐regulation of X‐linked inhibitor of apoptosis protein. Simultaneous suppressions on p‐IKKβ, p‐IκB and p‐p65 suggested the regulation on NF‐κB was IKKβ mediated. Meanwhile, XAN promoted the expression of IKKα, which has a possible connection to pro‐apoptotic effects suggested by the up‐regulated cleaved PARP. These findings indicated IKKβ/NF‐κB mediates the proliferation of HFLS‐RA cells inhibited by XAN, and divergent regulations on IKKs could provide synergic effects on the cells' proliferation.
Co-variation in biomass and environment at the scale of a forest concession in central Africa
Authors: Mankou Géraud Sidoine , Picard Nicolas , Ngomanda Alfred , Loumeto Jean Joël 
Published: July 2017

Abstract:Drivers of forest structure in central African rain forests are largely unknown. Using forest inventory data (3024 0.4-ha plots) in a forest concession of 154 456 ha in north-eastern Gabon covering an altitudinal gradient (from 485 to 1009 m asl), relationships between above-ground plot biomass and environmental variables (soil type, altitude, slope, aspect) and floristic composition (score given by an ordination method) were tested. After controlling for confounding variables, biomass was significantly related to altitude (with a modal response peaking at 346 Mg ha–1 on western slopes at an altitude of 707 m asl) and to aspect (additional 18.3 Mg ha–1 on eastern slopes) but not to floristic composition. Biomass and basal area responded differentially to the environment. Mean wood density was significantly related to soil, altitude and floristic composition, with a predicted minimum of 0.60 g cm–3 at an altitude of 1009 m asl in stands characterized by Scorodophloeus zenkeri and a maximum of 0.69 g cm–3 at an altitude of 458 m asl in monodominant Gilbertiodendron dewevrei stands. Variation in forest structure in the concession was primarily driven by altitude while floristic composition played a role in differentiating the variation in biomass and basal area.
Identification of promising sources for fodder traits in the world collection of pearl millet at the ICRISAT genebank
Authors: Upadhyaya H. D. , Reddy K. N. , Pattanashetti Santosh K. , Kumar Vinod , Ramachandran Senthil 
Published: July 2017

AbstractA total of 326 pearl millet accessions selected for fodder traits from the world collection at ICRISAT genebank, India were evaluated in rainy, postrainy and summer seasons to identify promising sources for fodder yield. In rainy season, majority of accessions grew significantly tall, produced thick stems, long and broad leaves compared with postrainy and summer seasons. Total tillers per plant were significantly more in rainy and summer seasons than in postrainy season. Significant (P = 0.05) positive correlations were observed among all traits in all seasons except total tillers, which showed significant negative correlation with all other traits but for a few cases. Accessions of cluster 1 flowered early and produced more tillers per plant, while those of cluster 3 flowered late, grew tall, produced thick stems, more leaves per plant, which were long and broad. Promising sources identified include IP 11839 and IP 11840 for plant height and number of leaves per plant, IP 15710, IP 15735 and IP 15752 for stem thickness and leaf width, and IP 3628, IP 15285, IP 15288, IP 15302, IP 15342, IP 15351, IP 15290, IP 20347 and IP 20350 for total tillers per plant. Further testing of these sources of fodder traits at different locations will be very useful.