bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Achieving excellent activity and stability for oxygen reduction electrocatalysis by hollow mesoporous iron–nitrogen-doped graphitic carbon spheres
Authors: Zhou Tingsheng , Zhou Yao , Ma Ruguang , Liu Qian , Zhu Yufang , Wang Jiacheng
Published: May 2017

Fe–N–C graphitic spheres preparedvia in situpolymerization and functionalization possess both chemical functions (Fe–Nx-coordinated moieties) and hollow mesoporous structures, demonstrating exceptional activity and stability for the 4e−oxygen reduction reaction in both acidic and alkaline media.
N,S co-doped 3D mesoporous carbon–Co3Si2O5(OH)4 architectures for high-performance flexible pseudo-solid-state supercapacitors
Authors: Li Xinran , Ding Shiyuan , Xiao Xiao , Shao Jinying , Wei Jilei , Pang Huan , Yu Yan
Published: May 2017

N,S co-doped 3D mesoporous carbon–Co3Si2O5(OH)4 composites are employed as electrodes together with activated carbon for pseudo-solid-state flexible electrochemical capacitors, which show a high performance.
The photoactive nitrogen impurity in nitrogen-doped zirconium titanate (N-ZrTiO4): a combined electron paramagnetic resonance and density functional theory study
Authors: Polliotto Valeria , Albanese Elisa , Livraghi Stefano , Pacchioni Gianfranco , Giamello Elio
Published: May 2017

Nitrogen insertion in ZrTiO4 introduces photosensitive paramagnetic centres altering the magnetic and the optical properties of the bare material.
A ternary conjugated D–A copolymer yields over 9.0% efficiency in organic solar cells
Authors: Wang Meng , Cai Dongdong , Xin Jingming , Ma Wei , Tu Qisheng , Zheng Qingdong
Published: May 2017

The best performance copolymer exhibits a power conversion efficiency of 9.08%, representing the highest value for ternary conjugated D–A copolymers.
Recent advances in hierarchical three-dimensional titanium dioxide nanotree arrays for high-performance solar cells
Authors: Wu Wu-Qiang , Feng Hao-Lin , Chen Hong-Yan , Kuang Dai-Bin , Su Cheng-Yong
Published: May 2017

This review article highlights recent progress in three-dimensional hierarchical TiO2nanotree array-based high-performance solar cells.
Via precise interface engineering towards bioinspired composites with improved 3D printing processability and mechanical properties
Authors: Hanßke Felix , Bas Onur , Vaquette Cédryck , Hochleitner Gernot , Groll Jürgen , Kemnitz Erhard , Hutmacher Dietmar W. , Börner Hans G.
Published: May 2017

Precise interface engineering in inorganic–organic hybrid materials enhances both the elastic moduli and toughness of a biodegradable composite, which is of relevance for load-bearing applications in bone tissue engineering.
A novel transparent luminous hydrogel with self-healing property
Authors: Zhi Hui , Fei Xu , Tian Jing , Jing Muzi , Xu Longquan , Wang Xiuying , Liu Dongmei , Wang Yi , Liu Jingyun
Published: May 2017

A Luminous hydrogel with self-healing properties and biocompatibility was synthesized by a Eu-containing PVA with boric acid as a cross-linking agent.
A copper-based reversible electrochemical mirror device with switchability between transparent, blue, and mirror states
Authors: Eh Alice Lee-Sie , Lin Meng-Fang , Cui Mengqi , Cai Guofa , Lee Pooi See
Published: May 2017

A copper-based reversible electrochemical mirror device offers the advantage of both transmittance and reflectance modulations, stimulating great interest in energy-fenestration technologies.
FeNbSb p-type half-Heusler compound: beneficial thermomechanical properties and high-temperature stability for thermoelectrics
Authors: Silpawilawan W. , Kurosaki K. , Ohishi Y. , Muta H. , Yamanaka S.
Published: May 2017

FeNbSb is an excellent p-type half-Heusler thermoelectric material from the viewpoint of not only thermoelectric properties but also thermomechanical properties.
A note on the boundary regularity of solutions to quasilinear elliptic equations
Authors: Riey Giuseppe , Sciunzi Berardino
Published: May 2017

We study the summability up to the boundary of the second derivatives of solutions to a class of Dirichlet boundary value problems involving thep-Laplace operator. Our results are meaningful for the cases when the Hopf’s Lemma cannot be applied to ensure that there are no critical points of the solution on the boundary of the domain.
Clinical and Biochemical Findings in Confirmed Pediatric Dengue Cases in Delhi
Authors: Agarwal Neha , Singh Manoj , Roy Manas
Published: May 2017

The clinical presentations of dengue fever range from mild viral fever to life-threatening manifestations that may be typical or atypical. With the World Health Organization recommending new guidelines for the diagnosis of dengue, it becomes necessary to document clinical spectrum for classification and setting priorities. Therefore, a study was undertaken to document clinical and biochemical profile and outcome in dengue-positive pediatric patients. Records were retrieved from August to November 2015 in a tertiary care hospital in Delhi. Out of 188 dengue-positive patients enrolled, 61.1% were males. Mortality rate was 1%. Apart from the classic triad of fever, vomiting and abdominal pain, there were some atypical presentations, including febrile seizure (5.8%) and acute respiratory distress syndrome (3%). Myalgia was rare in the severe form of the disease. On laboratory investigation, anemia (75%) and thrombocytopenia (73%) were most common findings. Platelet counts were significantly lower in severe dengue than in other types.
Qualitätsmerkmale und Verbreitungsgrad behandlungsbegleitender Sporttherapie bei pädiatrisch-onkologischen Erkrankungen in Deutschland
Authors: Söntgerath Regine , Freier Stefanie , Wulftange Markus , Eckert Katharina
Published: May 2017

Hintergrund Bewegungs- und Sporttherapie während der Behandlung und Nachsorge einer pädiatrischen Krebserkrankung haben großes Potenzial zur Verminderung von Nebenwirkungen und Spätfolgen der Behandlung. Der Verbreitungsgrad ist bislang jedoch gering. Ziel der Untersuchung ist die Erfassung entsprechender Angebote im klinischen Setting in Deutschland und die Überprüfung deren Qualitäts- und Strukturmerkmale.

Methode 54 Kliniken mit pädiatrischer Onkologie wurden zur Existenz behandlungsbegleitender Sporttherapie sowie deren Qualitäts- und Strukturmerkmale in Anlehnung an die DIN EN 15224:2012 und weitere Merkmale der Strukturqualität befragt.

Ergebnisse 48 Kliniken nahmen an der Befragung teil (Rücklaufquote 89%). 9 (19%) der teilnehmenden Kliniken verfügen über ein sporttherapeutisches Angebot im Rahmen der Behandlung und/oder Nachsorge, 39 (81%) taten dies zum Zeitpunkt der Befragung nicht. Die Sporttherapie stellt bei den jeweiligen Kliniken einen festen Bestandteil der Versorgung dar. Qualifizierung des Personals, räumliche Bedingungen und Ausstattung mit Geräten erscheinen angemessen. Die Finanzierung wird hauptsächlich über Spenden und Drittmittel realisiert.

Schlussfolgerungen Ein Großteil der an Krebs erkrankten Kinder und Jugendlichen in Deutschland hat im Rahmen der Behandlung und Nachsorge keinen Zugang zu speziellen Bewegungsangeboten. Die wissenschaftliche Fundierung der Maßnahme und die Vernetzung unter den Akteuren befinden sich im Aufbau, bislang fehlt jedoch ein Trainingsmanual für die pädiatrische Onkologie im deutschsprachigen Raum sowie eine einheitliche Finanzierungsmöglichkeit der Maßnahme über die Kostenträger.
In vitro Controlled Release from Solid Pharmaceutical Formulations of two new Adamantane Aminoethers with Antitubercular Activity (I).
Authors: Vlachou Marilena , Siamidi Angeliki , Diamantidi Evanthia , Iliopoulou Alexandra , Papanastasiou Ioannis , Ioannidou V. , Kourbeli Violeta , Foscolos Angeliki-Sofia , Vocat Anthony , Cole Stewart , Karalis Vangelis , Kellici Tahsin , Mavromoustakos Thomas
Published: May 2017

The aim of the present investigation was to develop matrix tablet formulations for the in vitro controlled release of 2 new tuberculocidal adamantane aminoethers (compounds I and II), congeneric to the adamantane derivative SQ109, which is in final clinical trials, using carefully selected excipients, such as polyvinylpyrrolidone, sodium alginate and lactose. The tablets were prepared using the direct compression method and dissolution experiments were conducted using the US Pharmacopoeia type II apparatus (paddle method) in gastric and intestinal fluids. The results confirm that both analogues, albeit more lipophilic than SQ109, showed satisfactory in vitro release characteristics from solid pharmaceutical formulations. In conclusion, these formulations merit further assessment by conducting in the future bioavailability in vivo studies.
Molekulare Blutgruppenbestimmung
Authors: Gassner Christoph
Published: May 2017

Die erste molekulare Analyse einer menschlichen Blutgruppe erfolgte 1983 mittels eines Restriktions-Fragment-Längen-Polymorphismus (RFLP) am System Xg. Seither wurden in unzähligen Studien die molekularen Ursachen für Blutgruppen und deren Antigene erforscht,und das resultierende Wissen für eine ständige Verbesserung der entsprechenden Analysemethoden verwendet. Die Untersuchung kausaler Punktmutationen (Single Nucleotide Polymorphism, SNP) aller 36 von der International Society for Blood Transfusion (ISBT) anerkannten Blutgruppensysteme erlaubt heute eine der Serologie ebenbürtige, exakte Vorhersage der Blutgruppenantigene. In Patienten wird die molekulare Blutgruppenbestimmung bevorzugt in Form von Einzelprobenanalytik für die Diagnose von RhD-Varianten eingesetzt, um damit transfusionsrelevante Entscheidungen bezüglich RhD zu treffen und um die Rh-Prophylaxe noch zielsicherer zu steuern. An Spenderproben und im Hochdurchsatz ermöglicht die Blutgruppen-Genotypisierung die Schaffung einer ausreichenden Anzahl von Spender-Datensätzen, um immunisierte Patienten bestverträglich zu transfundieren oder deren Immunisierung bereits im Ansatz zu vermeiden. Gleichzeitig werden heutzutage an den gleichen Proben zusätzlich eine Vielzahl weiterer SNPs zur Identifikation von Spendern mit seltener Negativität für hochfrequente Antigene getestet. Derartig umfassende Spender-Datensätze werden bereits ideal genutzt für „In-silico-Kreuzproben“ eingesetzt. Next Generation Sequencing (NGS) ist auch in der Transfusionsmedizin der „neue Stern am Horizont“ und wird vermutlich innert weniger Jahre eine wichtige Rolle in der Analyse kompletter Blutgruppengenome (chronischer) Empfänger spielen. Blutgruppenbestimmung als frühestes Beispiel echter personalisierter Medizin wird in ihrer molekularen Version mit dazu beitragen, den gebührenden Platz der Transfusionsmedizin in der modernen Medizin zu behaupten.
Autoanti-Jka als Auslöser einer Autoimmunhämolyse bei Multiplem Myelom
Authors: Greger Nico , Leithäuser Malte , Wittke Christoph , Kiefel Volker
Published: May 2017

Ein 79-jähriger Patient entwickelte eine autoimmunhämolytische Anämie mit spezifischem erythrozytären Autoantikörper bei bekanntem multiplen Myelom. Sechs Monate nach Erstdiagnose kam es bei dem Patienten zu einer transfusionspflichtigen Anämie. Es konnte ein erythrozytärer Autoantikörper mit der Spezifität Anti-Jka nachgewiesen werden, begleitet von einer beginnend dekompensierten extravasalen Hämolyse. Der Patient erhielt daraufhin 2 antigenkompatible [d. h. Jk(a−b+)] Erythrozytenkonzentrate. Unter der anschließend begonnenen Therapie mit Prednisolon kam es zum Rückgang der Hämolyseparameter und zum Konzentrationsabfall des erythrozytären Autoantikörpers. Drei Monate nach Therapiebeginn verschlechterte sich der Allgemeinzustand des Patienten zunehmend, und es kam erneut zu einer transfusionspflichtigen Anämie. Die Hämolyseparameter waren zu diesem Zeitpunkt unauffällig, die Konzentration des Autoantikörpers schien wieder zu steigen. Der Patient verstarb letztendlich an den Folgen seiner Grunderkrankung und weiterer Komorbiditäten.
Neonatal Arterial Ischemic Stroke – A Hospital Based Active Surveillance Study in Germany
Authors: Klemme Mathias , Gerstl Lucia , Weinberger Raphael , Olivieri Martin , Flemmer Andreas , von Kries Rüdiger , Felderhoff-Müser Ursula , Dzietko Mark
Published: May 2017

Background Neonatal arterial ischemic stroke (NAIS) accounts for substantial long term sequelae in children. The potential effectiveness of neuroprotective therapies needs to be evaluated in appropriate studies with sufficient power.

Objective To identify annual number of NAIS cases in Germany potentially eligible for randomized interventional trials.

Methods Active surveillance for NAIS in 345 pediatric hospitals with questionnaire based validation of reported cases.

Results Incidence of NAIS (7.1/100000 births) was in the range of other population-based studies. To design future clinical trials with anticoagulative or regenerative therapies, it is of major importance to distinguish between cases with or without relevant perinatal pathology. Children without underlying disease or premature birth accounted for 56% of all reported NAIS cases (primary NAIS). In 69% of the primary cases clinical seizures were observed. Although 31% showed other, less pathognomonic symptoms, NAIS was diagnosed. Mean time span between onset of symptoms and diagnosis was 2.9 days. The sensitivity of the initial ultrasound performed in all cases was 69%.

Conclusions NAIS is a rare but not negligible morbidity in newborns. Asymptomatic children account for 56% of NAIS in all neonates. In these, not only seizures but also other unexplained symptoms should trigger diagnostic work-up with cUS and cMRI. Negative initial ultrasound results do not exclude NAIS.
Die Last der Ungerechtigkeit. Eine Längsschnittanalyse auf Basis des SOEPs zum Einfluss subjektiv wahrgenommener Einkommensgerechtigkeit auf das Risiko einer stressassoziierten Erkrankung
Authors: Boscher Claudia , Arnold Laura , Lange Andreas , Szagun Bertram
Published: May 2017

Hintergrund Ungerechtigkeitswahrnehmung ist als psychosozialer Belastungsfaktor mit einem erhöhten Krankheitsrisiko assoziiert. Die physiologische Stressreaktion gilt dabei als Bindeglied. Ziel dieser Studie ist es, unter Berücksichtigung der Belastungsdauer, den Einfluss subjektiv wahrgenommener Einkommensungerechtigkeit auf stressassoziierte Erkrankungen zu bestimmen.

Methodik Auf Datenbasis des Sozio-ökonomischen Panels wurden Daten von 5657 Erwerbstätigen aus den Erhebungsjahren 2005–2013 analysiert. Die abhängige Variable bildet die vom Arzt diagnostizierten Neuerkrankungen an Diabetes mellitus, Asthma, Herzkrankheit, Schlaganfall, Bluthochdruck und Depressionen der Jahre 2009–2013 als Index ab. Als zentraler Prädiktor dient die Wahrnehmung des eigenen Einkommens als gerecht. Um die Belastungsdauer durch Ungerechtigkeitswahrnehmung zu operationalisieren, wurden die Variablenwerte der Jahre 2005, 2007 und 2009 kumuliert. Mittels Logit-Modellen, stratifiziert nach Geschlecht und Beschäftigungsumfang, wurden Faktoren identifiziert, die Einfluss auf die Wahrscheinlichkeit einer stressassoziierten Erkrankung haben.

Ergebnisse Das Risiko einer Stresserkrankung ist durch ein über 5 Jahre ungerecht wahrgenommenes Einkommen für Frauen stark erhöht (OR 1,64; 95% KI 1,17–2,30). Vollzeitbeschäftigte Frauen scheinen besonders betroffen (OR 2,43; 95% KI 1,54–3,84). Auch vollzeitbeschäftigte Männer weisen durch ungerecht wahrgenommenes Einkommen eine signifikant erhöhte Erkrankungswahrscheinlichkeit auf (OR 1,43; 95% KI 1,03–1,98). Je häufiger das Einkommen als ungerecht bewertet wird, desto höher ist die Wahrscheinlichkeit für eine stressassoziierte Erkrankung.

Schlussfolgerungen Offenbar steigt mit zunehmender Dauer der Belastung „Einkommensungerechtigkeit“ das Krankheitsrisiko für stressassoziierte Krankheiten. Ergebnisse der Stressforschung legen nahe, dass dies die sogenannte allostatische Last widerspiegelt. Geschlechtsspezifische Unterschiede sowohl in der Stressreaktion als auch in der Beurteilung der Stressoren können mit geschlechtsspezifischen Arbeits- und Lebensbedingungen in Verbindung gebracht werden und Erklärungsansätze für die gefundenen Effekte darstellen.
Quo vadis DGPRÄC – wo wollen die assoziierten Mitglieder hin?
Authors: Kolbenschlag Jonas , Paprottka Felix , Wagner Juri , Goertz Ole , Liebau Jutta , Daigeler Adrien , Horch Raymund , Lehnhardt Marcus
Published: May 2017

Die Plastisch Chirurgie ist extrem vielfältig und bietet verschiedenste Möglichkeiten der Tätigkeit. Um die Plastischen Chirurgen in Weiterbildung optimal unterstützen zu können ist es daher unabdingbar, deren Pläne für ihre mittel- und langfristige Tätigkeit zu kennen. Hierzu führten wir eine webbasierte Umfrage unter den 462 assoziierten Mitgliedern der DGPRÄC durch. Hierbei wurden neben Fragen zum Ist-Zustand insbesondere auch abgefragt in welchem Umfeld und mit welchen Tätigkeitsschwerpunkt sich die Kollegen in der Zukunft sehen. 84 Fragebögen konnten ausgewertet werden. Der überwiegende Teil der Befragten strebte die niedergelassene Tätigkeit an. Die Ästhetische und Rekonstruktive Chirurgie waren die Hauptziele der Befragten, nur wenige sahen die handchirurgische Tätigkeit als langfristiges Ziel an und keiner der Befragten sah seine Zukunft in der Verbrennungsmedizin. Gleichzeitig empfanden sich die Umfrageteilnehmer in der ästhetischen Chirurgie am dürftigsten ausgebildet. Es sollten daher Bestrebungen unternommen werden um die Weiterbildung in der ästhetischen Chirurgie zu verbessern und die Handchirurgie und Verbrennungsmedizin attraktiver zu gestalten.
QSAR Study of Artemisinin Analogues as Antimalarial Drugs by Neural Network and Replacement Method
Authors: Abbasitabar Fatemeh , Zare-Shahabadi Vahid
Published: May 2017

Quantitative structure–activity relationship (QSAR) models were derived for 179 analogues of artemisinin, a potent antimalarial agent. Molecular descriptors derived solely from molecular structure were used to represent molecular structure. Utilizing replacement method, a subset of 11 descriptors was selected. General regression neural network (GRNN) was used to construct the nonlinear QSAR models in all stages of study. The relative standard error percent in antimalarial activity predictions for the training set by the application of cross-validation (RMSE-CV) was 0.43, and for test set (RMSEtest) was 0.51. GRNN analysis yielded predicted activities in the excellent agreement with the experimentally obtained values (R2training = 0.967 and R2test = 0.918). The mean absolute error for the test set was computed as 0.4115.
Measuring VLDL1-Triglyceride and VLDL2-Triglyceride Kinetics in Men: Effects of Dietary Control on Day-to-Day Variability
Authors: Johansen Rakel , Søndergaard Esben , Sørensen Lars , Jurik Anne , Nielsen Søren
Published: May 2017

The aim of this study was to assess the impact of dietary control on VLDL1- and VLDL2-TG kinetics and associated metabolic parameters. Twelve overweight/obese men were randomized to a provided 3 day isocaloric diet with fixed macronutrient composition (diet group, n=6) or to their regular unrestricted diet (non-diet group, n=6). VLDL1- and VLDL2-TG turnovers were measured twice 2–4 weeks apart, using primed-constant infusion of ex vivo labeled [1-14C]VLDL1-TG and [9,10-3H]VLDL2-TG. Isocaloric diet intervention lowered the difference in the mean of both VLDL2-TG secretion and clearance rate (p<0.01), and the coefficient of variation (CV) of VLDL2-TG clearance rate (p<0.05). The difference in mean and CV of the other kinetic estimates (VLDL1-TG secretion, clearance and oxidation rate) were lowered, but not significantly. The CV’s of total triglyceride, VLDL1-TG, and VLDL2-TG concentrations were significantly lowered by diet intervention compared to regular diet; total triglyceride (31%–5%, p<0.01), VLDL1-TG (42%–9%, p<0.01), and VLDL2-TG (36%–10%, p<0.01). In conclusion, VLDL1- and VLDL2-TG kinetics show great day-to-day variability, which may be diminished by diet intervention. Therefore, standardized macronutrient intake prior to study days improves the probability of demonstrating significant outcomes of cross-sectional and intervention studies of VLDL1-TG and VLDL2-TG kinetics and metabolism.
Bouncing dynamics of impact droplets on the convex superhydrophobic surfaces
Authors: Shen Yizhou , Liu Senyun , Zhu Chunling , Tao Jie , Chen Zhong , Tao Haijun , Pan Lei , Wang Guanyu , Wang Tao
Published: May 2017

Bouncing dynamics of impact droplets on solid surfaces intensively appeal to researchers due to the importance in many industrial fields. Here, we found that droplets impacting onto dome convex superhydrophobic surfaces could rapidly bounce off with a 28.5% reduction in the contact time, compared with that on flat superhydrophobic surfaces. This is mainly determined by the retracting process of impact droplets. Under the action of dome convexity, the impact droplet gradually evolves into an annulus shape with a special hydrodynamic distribution. As a consequence, both the inner and external rims of the annulus shape droplet possess a higher retracting velocity under the actions of the inertia force and the surface energy change, respectively. Also, the numerical simulation provides a quantitative evidence to further verify the interpretation on the regimes behind the rapidly detached phenomenon of impact droplets.
Germination ecology of the endangered species Asterolasia buxifolia (Rutaceae): smoke response depends on season and light
Authors: Collette Justin C. , Ooi Mark K. J.
Published: May 2017

In fire-prone regions, many plant species rely on persistent seed banks for post-fire recovery. Understanding dormancy and germination cues is, therefore, important to predict population response. However, the germination ecology of species with physiologically dormant seeds in fire-prone regions is complex. We used the endangered species Asterolasia buxifolia, from riparian habitat in fire-prone south-eastern Australia, to investigate physiologically dormant seeds and their response to fire. We assessed whether fire cues alone promoted germination, or whether seasonal factors and light also played a role. Additionally, we tested the resilience of seeds to heat-shock temperatures produced in soil during fire, so as to identify potential factors that restrict such species to fire refugia. Seeds germinated only at winter seasonal temperatures, and had an obligate smoke and light requirement. Heat-shock treatments above 80°C slowed the germination rate. Smoke-related germination and the tolerance of A. buxifolia seeds to high fire-related temperatures demonstrated that recruitment dynamics can be driven by fire; however, germination is restricted to winter temperatures. This highlights the potential that changes to fire season may have on population persistence. The slow germination rate caused by heat, and a light requirement, may contribute to restricting this species to riparian habitat.
Macro-heterogeneities in microstructures, concentrations, defects and tensile properties of die cast Al–Mg–Si alloys
Authors: Ji Shouxun , Yang Hailin , Cui Xiaopeng , Fan Zhongyun
Published: May 2017

The heterogeneities in tensile properties, microstructure, solute concentrations and defects levels were studied for the castings with different thicknesses made by high pressure die cast Al–Mg–Si alloys. For the local mechanical properties, the casting skin provided the highest, whereas the casting centre provided the lowest yield strength, ultimate tensile strength and elongation. The microstructural heterogeneity was characterised by the segregation of coarse fragmented dendrites, the reduction of solute concentrations of Mg and Si, and the increase of porosity level from the surface to the centre of castings. The growth velocities of eutectic α-Al phase estimated using the Jackson–Hunt model confirm that the growth variation is larger in the thin castings than that in thick castings.

This paper is part of a thematic issue on Light Alloys.
Stem cells: the new “model organism”
Authors: Drubin David G. , Hyman Anthony A.
Published: May 2017

Human tissue culture cells have long been a staple of molecular and cell biology research. However, although these cells are derived from humans, they have often lost considerable aspects of natural physiological function. Here we argue that combined advances in genome editing, stem cell production, and organoid derivation from stem cells represent a revolution in cell biology. These advances have important ramifications for the study of basic cell biology mechanisms, as well as for the ways in which discoveries in mechanisms are translated into understanding of disease.
European Union Law: A Very Short Introduction
Authors: Arnull Anthony
Published: May 2017

European Law: A Very Short Introduction considers the laws and legal system of the European Union and discusses the range of issues that the European Union has been given the power to regulate, including the free movement of goods and people. It considers why an organization based on international treaties has proved capable of having far-reaching effects on both its Member States and on countries that lie beyond its borders, and discusses the effectiveness of its law and legal system in ensuring that Member States respect the commitments they made when they signed the Treaties.
Coping with crises
Authors: Arnull Anthony
Published: May 2017

‘Coping with crises’ describes the eurozone crisis triggered by the 2008 financial crash and the 2015 migration crisis when the EU experienced an influx of over a million migrants from Syria, Afghanistan, and elsewhere. These crises have unmasked an EU apparently devoid of solidarity and riven instead by north–south and east–west divides, where adherence to its ‘values’ is only skin-deep. It has been further weakened by the desire of the UK to withdraw. What does the future hold? Is the solution deeper integration, or should the EU pay more attention to the wishes of its Member States? Either way, the law will have a vital role to play.
GateKeeper: a new hardware architecture for accelerating pre-alignment in DNA short read mapping
Authors: Alser Mohammed , Hassan Hasan , Xin Hongyi , Ergin Oğuz , Mutlu Onur , Alkan Can
Published: May 2017

Motivation

High throughput DNA sequencing (HTS) technologies generate an excessive number of small DNA segments -called short reads- that cause significant computational burden. To analyze the entire genome, each of the billions of short reads must be mapped to a reference genome based on the similarity between a read and ‘candidate’ locations in that reference genome. The similarity measurement, called alignment, formulated as an approximate string matching problem, is the computational bottleneck because: (i) it is implemented using quadratic-time dynamic programming algorithms and (ii) the majority of candidate locations in the reference genome do not align with a given read due to high dissimilarity. Calculating the alignment of such incorrect candidate locations consumes an overwhelming majority of a modern read mapper’s execution time. Therefore, it is crucial to develop a fast and effective filter that can detect incorrect candidate locations and eliminate them before invoking computationally costly alignment algorithms.

Results

We propose GateKeeper, a new hardware accelerator that functions as a pre-alignment step that quickly filters out most incorrect candidate locations. GateKeeper is the first design to accelerate pre-alignment using Field-Programmable Gate Arrays (FPGAs), which can perform pre-alignment much faster than software. When implemented on a single FPGA chip, GateKeeper maintains high accuracy (on average >96%) while providing, on average, 90-fold and 130-fold speedup over the state-of-the-art software pre-alignment techniques, Adjacency Filter and Shifted Hamming Distance (SHD), respectively. The addition of GateKeeper as a pre-alignment step can reduce the verification time of the mrFAST mapper by a factor of 10.

Availability and implementation

https://github.com/BilkentCompGen/GateKeeper

Supplementary information

Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.
Relationships Between Early Wheat Streak Mosaic Severity Levels and Grain Yield: Implications for Management Decisions
Authors: Workneh F. , O’Shaughnessy S. , Evett S. , Rush C. M.
Published: May 2017

Wheat streak mosaic (WSM) caused by Wheat streak mosaic virus, which is transmitted by the wheat curl mite (Aceria tosichella), is a major yield-limiting disease in the Texas High Plains. In addition to its impact on grain production, the disease reduces water-use efficiency by affecting root development. Because of the declining Ogallala Aquifer water level, water conservation has become one of the major pressing issues in the region. Thus, questions are often raised as to whether it is worthwhile to irrigate infected fields in light of the water conservation issues, associated energy costs, and current wheat prices. To address some of these questions, field experiments were conducted in 2013 and 2016 at two separate locations to determine whether grain yield could be predicted from disease severity levels, assessed early in the spring, for potential use as a decision tool for crop management, including irrigation. In both fields, disease severity assessments started in April, using a handheld hyperspectral radiometer with which reflectance measurements were taken weekly in multiple plots in arbitrarily selected locations across the fields. The relationship between WSM severity levels and grain yield for the different assessment dates were determined by fitting reflectance and yield values into the logistic regression function. The model predicted yield levels with r2 values ranging from 0.67 to 0.85 (P < 0.0001), indicating that the impact of WSM on grain yield could be fairly well predicted from early assessments of WSM severity levels. As the disease is normally progressive over time, this type of information will be useful for making management decisions of whether to continue irrigating infected fields, especially if combined with an economic threshold for WSM severity levels.
Setting the scene: what did we know before Rosetta?
Authors: Meech K. J.
Published: May 2017

This paper provides an overview of our state of knowledge about comets prior to the Rosetta mission encounter. Starting with the historical perspective, this paper discusses the development of comet science up to the modern era of space exploration. The extent to which comets are tracers of solar system formation processes or preserve pristine interstellar material has been investigated for over four decades. There is increasing evidence that in contrast with the distinct dynamical comet reservoirs we see today, comet formation regions strongly overlapped in the protoplanetary disc and there was significant migration of material in the disc during the epoch of comet formation. Comet nuclei are now known to be very low-density highly porous bodies, with very low thermal inertia, and have a range of sizes which exhibit a deficiency of very small bodies. The low thermal inertia suggests that comets may preserve pristine materials close to the surface, and that this might be accessible to sample return missions.

This article is part of the themed issue ‘Cometary science after Rosetta’.
The composition of cometary ices
Authors: Bockelée-Morvan D. , Biver N.
Published: May 2017

The chemical composition of cometary ices provides clues for the conditions of formation and evolution of the early Solar System. A large number of molecules have been identified in cometary atmospheres, from both ground-based observations and space, includingin situinvestigations. This includes large organic molecules, which are also observed in star-forming regions. This paper presents a review of molecular abundances measured in cometary atmospheres from remote sensing observations with ground-based and space-based telescopes. The diversity of composition observed in comet populations is presented and discussed.

This article is part of the themed issue ‘Cometary science after Rosetta’.
Mechanical and electrostatic experiments with dust particles collected in the inner coma of comet 67P by COSIMA onboard Rosetta
Authors: Hilchenbach Martin , Fischer Henning , Langevin Yves , Merouane Sihane , Paquette John , Rynö Jouni , Stenzel Oliver , Briois Christelle , Kissel Jochen , Koch Andreas , Schulz Rita , Silen Johan , Altobelli Nicolas , Baklouti Donia , Bardyn Anais , Cottin Herve , Engrand Cecile , Fray Nicolas , Haerendel Gerhard , Henkel Hartmut , Höfner Herwig , Hornung Klaus , Lehto Harry , Mellado Eva Maria , Modica Paola , Le Roy Lena , Siljeström Sandra , Steiger Wolfgang , Thirkell Laurent , Thomas Roger , Torkar Klaus , Varmuza Kurt , Zaprudin Boris ,   the COSIMA team
Published: May 2017

The
in situ
cometary dust particle instrument COSIMA (COmetary Secondary Ion Mass Analyser) onboard ESA's Rosetta mission has collected about 31 000 dust particles in the inner coma of comet 67P/Churyumov–Gerasimenko since August 2014. The particles are identified by optical microscope imaging and analysed by time-of-flight secondary ion mass spectrometry. After dust particle collection by low speed impact on metal targets, the collected particle morphology points towards four families of cometary dust particles. COSIMA is an
in situ
laboratory that operates remotely controlled next to the comet nucleus. The particles can be further manipulated within the instrument by mechanical and electrostatic means after their collection by impact. The particles are stored above 0°C in the instrument and the experiments are carried out on the refractory, ice-free matter of the captured cometary dust particles. An interesting particle morphology class, the compact particles, is not fragmented on impact. One of these particles was mechanically pressed and thereby crushed into large fragments. The particles are good electrical insulators and transform into rubble pile agglomerates by the application of an energetic indium ion beam during the secondary ion mass spectrometry analysis.

This article is part of the themed issue ‘Cometary science after Rosetta’.
Interaction of the solar wind with comets: a Rosetta perspective
Authors: Glassmeier Karl-Heinz
Published: May 2017

The Rosetta mission provides an unprecedented possibility to study the interaction of comets with the solar wind. As the spacecraft accompanies comet 67P/Churyumov–Gerasimenko from its very low-activity stage through its perihelion phase, the physics of mass loading is witnessed for various activity levels of the nucleus. While observations at other comets provided snapshots of the interaction region and its various plasma boundaries, Rosetta observations allow a detailed study of the temporal evolution of the innermost cometary magnetosphere. Owing to the short passage time of the solar wind through the interaction region, plasma instabilities such as ring--beam and non-gyrotropic instabilities are of less importance during the early life of the magnetosphere. Large-amplitude ultra-low-frequency (ULF) waves, the ‘singing’ of the comet, is probably due to a modified ion Weibel instability. This instability drives a cross-field current of implanted cometary ions unstable. The initial pick-up of these ions causes a major deflection of the solar wind protons. Proton deflection, cross-field current and the instability induce a threefold structure of the innermost interaction region with the characteristic Mach cone and Whistler wings as stationary interaction signatures as well as the ULF waves representing the dynamic aspect of the interaction.

This article is part of the themed issue ‘Cometary science after Rosetta’.
Asteroid–comet continuum objects in the solar system
Authors: Hsieh Henry H.
Published: May 2017

In this review presented at the Royal Society meeting, ‘Cometary science after Rosetta’, I present an overview of studies of small solar system objects that exhibit properties of both asteroids and comets (with a focus on so-called active asteroids). Sometimes referred to as ‘transition objects’, these bodies are perhaps more appropriately described as ‘continuum objects’, to reflect the notion that rather than necessarily representing actual transitional evolutionary states between asteroids and comets, they simply belong to the general population of small solar system bodies that happen to exhibit a continuous range of observational, physical and dynamical properties. Continuum objects are intriguing because they possess many of the properties that make classical comets interesting to study (e.g. relatively primitive compositions, ejection of surface and subsurface material into space where it can be more easily studied, and orbital properties that allow us to sample material from distant parts of the solar system that would otherwise be inaccessible), while allowing us to study regions of the solar system that are not sampled by classical comets.

This article is part of the themed issue ‘Cometary science after Rosetta’.
Comets: looking ahead
Authors: A’Hearn Michael F.
Published: May 2017

We outline the key questions about comets that must be answered in order to understand cometary formation in the context of the protoplanetary disc and the role of comets in the formation and evolution of the solar system. We then discuss the new understanding of comets from Rosetta and from other recent advances, including work presented by others at the discussion meeting. Finally, we suggest some key directions for future projects to better address the above questions.

This article is part of the themed issue ‘Cometary science after Rosetta’.
The Rosetta mission orbiter science overview: the comet phase
Authors: Taylor M. G. G. T. , Altobelli N. , Buratti B. J. , Choukroun M.
Published: May 2017

The international Rosetta mission was launched in 2004 and consists of the orbiter spacecraft Rosetta and the lander Philae. The aim of the mission is to map the comet 67P/Churyumov–Gerasimenko by remote sensing, and to examine its environment
in situ
and its evolution in the inner Solar System. Rosetta was the first spacecraft to rendezvous with and orbit a comet, accompanying it as it passes through the inner Solar System, and to deploy a lander, Philae, and perform
in situ
science on the comet's surface. The primary goals of the mission were to: characterize the comet's nucleus; examine the chemical, mineralogical and isotopic composition of volatiles and refractories; examine the physical properties and interrelation of volatiles and refractories in a cometary nucleus; study the development of cometary activity and the processes in the surface layer of the nucleus and in the coma; detail the origin of comets, the relationship between cometary and interstellar material and the implications for the origin of the Solar System; and characterize asteroids 2867 Steins and 21 Lutetia. This paper presents a summary of mission operations and science, focusing on the Rosetta orbiter component of the mission during its comet phase, from early 2014 up to September 2016.

This article is part of the themed issue ‘Cometary science after Rosetta’.
Nucleus Specific expression in the multinucleated mushroom-forming fungusAgaricus bisporusreveals different nuclear regulatory programs
Authors: Gehrmann Thies , Pelkmans Jordi F. , Ohm Robin A. , Vos Aurin M. , Sonnenberg Anton S. M. , Baars Johan J. P. , Wösten Han A. B. , Reinders Marcel J. T. , Abeel Thomas
Published: May 2017

Motivation

Fungi are essential in nutrient recycling in nature. They also form symbiotic, commensal, parasitic and pathogenic interactions with other organisms including plants, animals and humans. Many fungi are polykaryotic, containing multiple nuclei per cell. In the case of heterokaryons, there are even different nuclear types within a cell. It is unknown what the different nuclear types contribute in terms of mRNA expression levels in fungal heterokaryons. Each cell of the cultivated, mushroom forming basidiomyceteAgaricus bisporuscontains 2 to 25 nuclei of two nuclear types,P1orP2,that originate from two parental strains. Using RNA-Seq data, we wish to assess the differential mRNA contribution of individual nuclear types in heterokaryotic cells and its functional impact.

Results

We studied differential expression between genes of the two nuclear types throughout mushroom development ofA. bisporusin various tissue types. The two nuclear types, produced specific mRNA profiles which changed through development of the mushroom. The differential regulation occurred at a gene and multi-gene locus level, rather than the chromosomal or nuclear level. Although the P1 nuclear type dominates the mRNA production throughout development, the P2 type showed more differentially upregulated genes in important functional groups including genes involved in metabolism and genes encoding secreted proteins. Out of 5,090 karyolelle pairs, i.e. genes with different alleles in the two nuclear types, 411 were differentially expressed, of which 246 were up-regulated by the P2 type. In the vegetative mycelium, the P2 nucleus up-regulated almost three-fold more metabolic genes and cazymes than P1, suggesting phenotypic differences in growth. A total of 10% of the differential karyollele expression is associated with differential methylation states, indicating that epigenetic mechanisms may be partly responsible for nuclear specific expression.

Conclusion

We have identified widespread transcriptomic variation between the two nuclear types ofA. bisporus. Our novel method enables studying karyollelle specific expression which likely influences the phenotype of a fungus in a polykaryotic stage. This is thus relevant for the performance of these fungi as a crop and for improving this species for breeding. Our findings could have a wider impact to better understand fungi as pathogens. This work provides the first insight into the transcriptomic variation introduced by genomic nuclear separation.
Meta-analysis of sequence-based association studies across three cattle breeds reveals 25 QTL for fat and protein percentages in milk at nucleotide resolution
Authors: Pausch Hubert , Emmerling Reiner , Gredler-Grandl Birgit , Fries Ruedi , Daetwyler Hans D. , Goddard Michael E
Published: May 2017

Background

Genotyping and whole-genome sequencing data have been collected in many cattle breeds. The compilation of large reference panels facilitates imputing sequence variant genotypes for animals that have been genotyped using dense genotyping arrays. Association studies with imputed sequence variant genotypes allow characterization of quantitative trait loci (QTL) at nucleotide resolution particularly when individuals from several breeds are included in the mapping populations.

Results

We imputed genotypes for more than 28 million sequence variants in 17,229 animals of the Braunvieh (BV), Fleckvieh (FV) and Holstein (HOL) cattle breeds in order to generate large mapping populations that are required to identify sequence variants underlying milk production traits. Within-breed association tests between imputed sequence variant genotypes and fat and protein percentages in milk uncovered between six and thirteen QTL (P<1e-8) per breed. Eight of the detected QTL were significant in more than one breed. We combined the association studies across three breeds using meta-analysis and identified 25 QTL including six that were not significant in the within-breed association studies. Closer inspection of the QTL revealed that two well-known causal missense mutations in theABCG2(p.Y581S, rs43702337, P=4.3e-34) andGHR(p.F279Y, rs385640152, P=1.6e-74) genes were the top variants at two QTL on chromosomes 6 and 20. Another true causal missense mutation in theDGAT1gene (p.A232K, rs109326954, P=8.4e-1436) was the second top variant at a QTL on chromosome 14 but its allelic substitution effects were not consistent across three breeds analyzed. It turned out that the conflicting allelic substitution effects resulted from flaws in the imputed genotypes due to the use of a multi-breed reference population for genotype imputation.

Conclusions

Many QTL for milk production traits segregate across breeds. Metaanalysis of association studies across breeds has greater power to detect such QTL than within-breed association studies. True causal mutations can be readily detected among the most significantly associated variants at QTL when the accuracy of imputation is high. However, true causal mutations may show conflicting allelic substitution effects across breeds when the imputed sequence variant genotypes contain flaws. Validating the effect of known causal variants is highly recommended in order to assess the ability to detect true causal mutations in association studies with imputed sequence variant genotypes.
Java framework for parametric aircraft design – ground performance
Authors: Trifari Vittorio , Ruocco Manuela , Cusati Vincenzo , Nicolosi Fabrizio , De Marco Agostino
Published: May 2017

Purpose

This paper aims to introduce the take-off and landing performance analysis modules of the software library named Java toolchain of Programs for Aircraft Design (JPAD), dedicated to the aircraft preliminary design. An overview of JPAD is also presented.

Design/methodology/approach

The calculation of the take-off and landing distances has been implemented using a simulation-based approach. This expects to solve an appropriate set of ordinary differential equations, which describes the aircraft equations of motion during all the take-off and landing phases. Tests upon two aircraft models (ATR72 and B747-100B) have been performed to compare the obtained output with the performance data retrieved from the related flight manuals.

Findings

The tool developed has proven to be very reliable and versatile, as it performs the calculation of the required performance with almost no computational effort and with a good accuracy, providing a less than the 5 per cent difference with respect to the statistical trend and a difference from the flight manual or public brochure data around 10 per cent.

Originality/value

The use of a simulation-based approach to have a more accurate estimation of the ground performance with respect to classic semi-empirical equations. Although performing the simulation of the aircraft motion, the approach shown is very time-saving and can be easily implemented in an optimization cycle.
Robust design and optimization of UAV empennage
Authors: Klimczyk Witold Artur , Goraj Zdobyslaw Jan
Published: May 2017

Purpose

This paper aims to address the issue of designing aerodynamically robust empennage. Aircraft design optimization often narrowed to analysis of cruise conditions does not take into account other flight phases (manoeuvres). These, especially in unmanned air vehicle sector, can be significant part of the whole flight. Empennage is a part of the aircraft, with crucial function for manoeuvres. It is important to consider robustness for highest performance.

Design/methodology/approach

Methodology for robust wing design is presented. Surrogate modelling using kriging is used to reduce the optimization cost for high-fidelity aerodynamic calculations. Analysis of varying flight conditions, angle of attack, is made to assess robustness of design for particular mission. Two cases are compared: global optimization of 11 parameters and optimization divided into two consecutive sub-optimizations.

Findings

Surrogate modelling proves its usefulness for cutting computational time. Optimum design found by splitting problem into sub-optimizations finds better design at lower computational cost.

Practical implications

It is demonstrated, how surrogate modelling can be used for analysis of robustness, and why it is important to consider it. Intuitive split of wing design into airfoil and planform sub-optimizations brings promising savings in the optimization cost.

Originality/value

Methodology presented in this paper can be used in various optimization problems, especially those involving expensive computations and requiring top quality design.