bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Downregulation of miR‐146a promotes cell migration in Helicobacter pylori–negative gastric cancer
Authors: Shomali Navid , Shirafkan Naghmeh , Duijf Pascal H.G. , Ghasabi Mehri , Babaloo Zohreh , Yousefi Mehdi , Mansoori Behzad , Asadi Milad , Shanehbandi Dariush , Baghbani Elham , Mohammadi Ali , Baradaran Behzad
Published: December 2018

microRNAs (miRs) are short noncoding RNAs that post‐transcriptionally suppress gene expression. miR‐146a acts as an oncogene or a tumor suppressor in various cancers, including gastric cancer, but it is unclear what determines whether miR‐146a is oncogenic or tumor suppressive and the molecular mechanisms are still largely unknown. The aim of this study was to investigate the role of miR‐146a in gastric cancer, by focusing on its expression in patients who were negative for Helicobacter pylori and its reduced and increased expression effect in vitro. Twenty gastric cancer patients who were negative for H. pylori infection were selected and the expression levels of miRNA‐146a in these gastric tumors, in their matched normal gastric tissues and in gastric cancer cell lines with varying tumorigenic potential was measured. Further, the impact of increased and decreased miR‐146a expression levels on the expression of predicted target genes, cell migration, viability, proliferation, and apoptosis was examined, respectively. Our results for the first time indicated that miR‐146a is downregulated in H. pylori–negative gastric cancers and suggests that H. pylori infection determines whether miR‐146a acts as an oncogene or tumor suppressor. The level of miR‐146a expression inversely correlates with the tumorigenicity of three gastric cancer cell lines and low miR‐146a expression predicts poor recurrence‐free survival. It was also found that miR‐146a reduces the expression levels of the prometastatic genes and suppresses MKN‐45 cell migration. Functional studies showed that miR‐146a acts as a tumor suppressor miR and identifies miR‐146a as a candidate for antimetastatic miRNA replacement therapy for gastric cancer patients.
Identification of prognostic miRNA biomarkers for predicting overall survival of colon adenocarcinoma and bioinformatics analysis: A study based on The Cancer Genome Atlas database
Authors: Chen Fangyao , Li Zhe , Zhou Hui
Published: December 2018

Object

This study was conducted to identify the prognostic microRNA (miRNA) for the prediction of survival in colon adenocarcinoma (CA).

Methods

miRNA profiling of patients with CA was downloaded from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) database. After data processing, univariate Cox regression was performed to select potential prognostic miRNAs. Least absolute shrinkage and selection operator approach was conducted to identify the key prognostic miRNA biomarkers. Log‐rank test was performed to compare survival outcome between patients with different regulation type of identified miRNAs. Then, bioinformatics analysis including Gene Ontology, Disease Ontology, and pathway enrichment analysis was performed on the selected prognostic miRNAs. A nomogram was generated based on the multivariate Cox proportional hazard model to illustrate the association between the identified miRNAs and the survival of patients with colorectal cancer (CRC). All analyses were conducted with packages in the R software.

Results

A total of 1881 miRNAs were obtained from TCGA database in which 15 miRNAs were finally selected in multianalysis with covariates and incorporated into functional annotation analyses. Log‐rank test suggested that the identified miRNAs were associated with the survival of CA. Seven out of 15 selected miRNAs were identified for the first time in CA. Bioinformatics analysis suggested that the identified miRNAs were associated with the development and progress of CRC. The association between the identified miRNAs and the survival of patients with CRC were presented in a nomogram.

Conclusion

The seven newly identified miRNAs might be potential prognostic biomarkers for the survival of CA. Further research about the selected miRNAs were worth to conduct.
High nonassociativity in order 8 and an associative index estimate
Authors: Drápal Aleš , Valent Viliam
Published: December 2018

Let be a quasigroup. Put
and assume that . Let and be the number of left and right translations of that are fixed point free. Put . Denote by the number of idempotents of . It is shown that . Call extremely nonassociative if . The paper reports what seems to be the first known example of such a quasigroup, with , , and . It also provides supporting theory for a search that verified for all quasigroups of order .
Effect of nitrogen concentration, two‐stage and prolonged cultivation on growth rate, lipid and protein content of Chlorella vulgaris
Authors: Metsoviti Maria N , Katsoulas Nikolaos , Karapanagiotidis Ioannis T , Papapolymerou Georgios
Published: December 2018

BACKGROUND

The effects of the initial nitrogen concentration, as well as of two‐stage and prolonged cultivation on the growth rate, lipid and protein content of Chlorella vulgaris were examined. Additionally, a kinetic model of specific growth rate in the exponential growth phase (µexp) was developed as a function of initial nitrogen concentration.

RESULTS

As the initial nitrogen concentration in the culture medium increased, the total biomass production and µexp went through a maximum at 300 mg N L−1 and at 200 mg N L−1, respectively. The lipid content was found to be highly dependent on the initial nitrogen concentration and increased from 9.0% to 29.6% as the nitrogen concentration varied from 800 to 10 mg N L−1, respectively. Cultivation in two stages resulted in an increase of the lipid content of the biomass from 15.4% to 24.9%, while prolonged cultivation led to an increase of the lipid content from 15.4% to 23.0%.

CONCLUSION

Cultivation under optimum nitrogen concentration can lead to increased biomass production. In addition, optimization of lipid production can be carried out by a two‐stage cultivation mode or by prolonged cultivation. © 2018 Society of Chemical Industry
Intensification of esterification process in TBP synthesis by in situ vapor stripping
Authors: Zhang Yuqiang , Li Jun , Jin Yang , Chen Ming , Yu Defang
Published: December 2018

BACKGROUND

Over the past few decades, tri‐n‐butyl phosphate (TBP) has been a widely used and irreplaceable extractant that can extract a variety of heavy metal ions and inorganic acids. The conventional process of tri‐n‐butyl phosphate synthesis has the problem of low yield. The in situ vapor stripping method was developed to intensify the tri‐n‐butyl phosphate synthesis reaction.

RESULTS

In this work, the coupling process of in situ vapor stripping and reaction was proposed for the first time in the process of synthesis of TBP. It was found that the reaction of high concentration hydrogen chloride and 1‐butanol would produce water, which resulted in increasing the possibility of side reactions, especially when the temperature was higher than 55 °C. In the lower temperature range, n‐pentane was selected as the stripping medium, which effectively removed hydrogen chloride from the reaction system by in situ vapor stripping. The FT‐IR analysis confirmed that TBP can be synthesized successfully by the vapor stripping process. In addition, the effects of n‐pentane volume, temperature and stripping time on the yield of TBP and the amount of hydrogen chloride stripped were investigated. By applying the optimum reaction conditions, the yield of TBP was increased to 94%, larger than that of the current industrial process whose yield is only 80%.

CONCLUSION

The in situ vapor stripping process is demonstrated to be an effective method for intensification of the esterification process in TBP synthesis. It can be used for other reactions which generate volatile gases as the byproduct. © 2018 Society of Chemical Industry
Acid hydrolysis of saponin‐rich extracts of quinoa, lentil, fenugreek and soybean to yield sapogenin‐rich extracts and other bioactive compounds
Authors: Herrera Teresa , Navarro del Hierro Joaquín , Fornari Tiziana , Reglero Guillermo , Martin Diana
Published: December 2018

BACKGROUND

Typical hydrolysis times of saponins generally do not take into consideration the effect of time on the degradation of the target compounds, namely sapogenins. When producing natural extracts, it should be borne in mind that conducting hydrolysis to yield a target compound might also affect the final composition of the extracts in terms of other bioactive compounds. In our study, saponin‐rich extracts from fenugreek, quinoa, lentil, and soybean were produced and their acid hydrolysis to give sapogenin‐rich extracts was conducted over different periods (0–6 h). The disappearance of saponins and appearance of sapogenins was analyzed using high‐performance liquid chromatography–diode array detection–mass spectrometry (HPLC‐DAD‐MS) and gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC‐MS), respectively. The impact of hydrolysis on the phytosterols and tocopherol in the extracts was also evaluated.

RESULTS

Fenugreek showed the highest saponin content (169 g kg−1), followed by lentil (20 g kg−1), quinoa (15 g kg−1), and soybean (13 g kg−1). Hydrolysis for 1 h caused the complete disappearance of saponins and the greatest release of sapogenins. Hydrolyzed fenugreek and quinoa extracts contained the highest amounts of sapogenins and minor fractions of phytosterols and tocopherol. Hydrolyzed extracts of lentil and soybean contained a major fraction of phytosterols and a low fraction of sapogenins. In all cases, sapogenins decreased after 1 h of hydrolysis, phytosterols slightly decreased, and tocopherol was unaffected. Standards of diosgenin and oleanolic acid also showed this decreasing pattern under acid hydrolysis conditions.

CONCLUSION

Hydrolysis times of 1 h for saponin‐rich extracts from the assayed seeds guarantee the maximum transformation to sapogenin‐rich extracts, along with phytosterols and tocopherol. Fenugreek and quinoa seeds are preferred for this. © 2018 Society of Chemical Industry
Microbial oxidation of nitrogen supplied as selected organic nitrogen compounds in the South Atlantic Bight
Authors: Damashek Julian , Tolar Bradley B. , Liu Qian , Okotie‐Oyekan Aimee O. , Wallsgrove Natalie J. , Popp Brian N. , Hollibaugh James T.
Published: December 2018

Dissolved organic nitrogen (DON) can account for a large fraction of the dissolved nitrogen (N) pool in the ocean, but the cycling of marine DON is poorly understood. Recent discoveries that urea‐ and cyanate‐N can be oxidized by some strains of Thaumarchaeota suggest that these abundant microbes may be able to access and oxidize a fraction of the DON pool. However, measurements of the oxidation of N supplied as DON compounds are scarce. Here, we compare oxidation rates of N supplied as a variety of DON compounds in samples from Georgia coastal waters, where nitrifier communities are numerically dominated by Thaumarchaeota. Our data indicate that polyamine‐N is particularly amenable to oxidation compared to the other DON compounds tested. Oxidation of N supplied as putrescine (1,4‐diaminobutane) was generally higher than that of N supplied as glutamate, arginine, or urea, and was consistently 5–10% of the ammonia oxidation rate. Our data also suggest that the oxidation rate of polyamine‐N may increase as the length of the carbon skeleton increases. Oxidation of N supplied as putrescine, urea, and glutamate were all highest near the coast and lower further offshore, consistent with patterns of ammonia oxidation in these waters. Though it is unclear whether oxidation of polyamine‐N reflects direct oxidation by Thaumarchaeota or combines remineralization and subsequent ammonia oxidation, more rapid oxidation of N from putrescine compared to amino acids or urea suggests that polyamine‐N may contribute significantly to nitrification in the ocean.
Joint Commission announces new National Patient Safety Goal
Authors: Canady Valerie A.
Published: December 2018

The Joint Commission has announced revisions to its National Patient Safety Goal (NPSG) addressing suicide prevention to improve quality and safety of care for patients treated for behavioral health conditions and those identified at high risk for suicide, officials announced Dec. 5.
Visceral fat does not contribute to metabolic disease in lipodystrophy
Authors: Malandrino N. , Reynolds J. C. , Brychta R. J. , Chen K. Y. , Auh S. , Gharib A. M. , Startzell M. , Cochran E. K. , Brown R. J.
Published: December 2018

Objectives

Lipodystrophies are characterized by regional or generalized loss of adipose tissue and severe metabolic complications. The role of visceral adipose tissue (VAT) in the development of metabolic derangements in lipodystrophy is unknown. The study aim was to investigate VAT contribution to metabolic disease in lipodystrophy versus healthy controls.

Methods

Analysis of correlations between VAT volume and biomarkers of metabolic disease in 93 patients and 93 age/sex‐matched healthy controls.

Results

Patients with generalized lipodystrophy (n = 43) had lower VAT compared with matched controls, while those with partial lipodystrophy (n = 50) had higher VAT versus controls. Both groups with lipodystrophy had lower leg fat mass versus controls (p < 0.05 for all; unpaired t‐test). In both generalized and partial lipodystrophy, there was no correlation between VAT and glucose, triglycerides or high‐density lipoprotein cholesterol (p > 0.05 for all; Spearman correlation). In controls matched to patients with generalized or partial lipodystrophy, VAT correlated with glucose (R = 0.42 and 0.36), triglycerides (R = 0.36 and 0.60) and high‐density lipoprotein cholesterol (R = −0.34 and −0.64) (p < 0.05 for all; Spearman correlation).

Conclusions

In contrast to healthy controls, metabolic derangements in lipodystrophy did not correlate with VAT volume. These data suggest that, in lipodystrophy, impaired peripheral subcutaneous fat deposition may exert a larger effect than VAT accumulation on the development of metabolic complications. Interventions aimed at increasing functional subcutaneous adipose tissue may provide metabolic benefit.
Fabrication of nanoclay gel composite: A novel nanoclay masterbatch approach to nanocomposite preparation via melt extrusion process
Authors: Luecha Wasuthep , Magaraphan Rathanawan
Published: December 2018

The objective of this research was to fabricate a novel nanoclay masterbatch containing polymer‐intercalated in nanoclay with comparable degree of interlayer expansion, flowability, and high thermal stability. It is ready to use for preparing polymer/clay nanocomposites by melt extrusion. The nanoclay masterbatch was efficiently prepared in one‐step via a new approach called nanoclay gel. The nanoclay gels were successfully prepared at different original nanoclay concentrations ranging from low to high clay loading (10%, 20%, and 30% w/v) in cooperation with polyethylene glycol (PEG) at various PEG loadings (weight ratios of nanoclay/PEG 1/1, ½, and 1/3) and kappa carrageenan (KC), a thermolytic hydrogel at a fixed minimum concentration. X‐ray diffraction (XRD) results revealed that the intercalation of PEG molecules expanded silicate basal spacing up to 17–18 A° even at high percentage of nanoclay (dry content about 24–49 wt%). Scanning electron microscope (SEM) revealed the denser packing of clay layers in accordance to an increase in density of the dry nanoclay gel with increment of original nanoclay loadings. An increase of PEG content exhibited better flow ability as seen by increasing melt flow index. Thermal decomposition of the nanoclay gels was up to 380°C; by using the dry nanoclay gels to prepare polystyrene (PS)/clay nanocomposites via melt extrusion. The morphological results showed that the exfoliated structures were achieved. The mechanical and thermal stability properties were significantly enhanced. The appearing color of PS/clay nanocomposites prepared from nanoclay gel was bright pale‐yellow without evidence of thermal degradation. POLYM. COMPOS., 40:2751–2767, 2019. © 2018 Society of Plastics Engineers
Formation of polypropylene/functional graphene oxide nanocomposites with Different FGs loading in elongation flow condition
Authors: Qiu Feng , Yin Xiaochun , Qu Jin‐Ping
Published: December 2018

Aggregation of nanofiller in polymer matrix is the key barrier to enhance the mechanical and thermal properties of polymer nanocomposites. Here, we report a novel vane mixer based on elongation flow processing, which is facial to achieve the homogeneous dispersion of functional graphene oxide sheets (FGs) in isotactic polypropylene (iPP). Scanning electron microscopy reveals that FGs in iPP matrix are fully exfoliated and uniformly dispersed. The crystallization behavior, mechanical properties and thermal stability of the nanocomposites with different FGs loadings are investigated by differential scanning calorimetry, dynamic thermomechanical analysis, and thermogravimetric analysis, respectively. The results illustrate that the mechanical and thermal stability of the iPP/FGs composites has enhancement obviously at low FGs loadings. POLYM. ENG. SCI., 59:830–837, 2019. © 2018 Society of Plastics Engineers
Properties of Co‐Evaporated RbInSe2Thin Films
Authors: Kodalle Tim , Kormath Madam Raghupathy Ramya , Bertram Tobias , Maticiuc Natalia , Yetkin Hasan A. , Gunder René , Schlatmann Rutger , Kühne Thomas D. , Kaufmann Christian A. , Mirhosseini Hossein
Published: December 2018

The formation of an Rb‐containing In‐Se compound at the surface of Cu(In,Ga)Se2(CIGS) thin films is assumed to be part of the mechanism of RbF post‐deposition treatments (PDTs) performed on these absorber layers. Alkali‐PDTs have acquired attention lately as they significantly enhance the efficiency of CIGS solar cells. In this contribution the formation of various phases during the RbF‐PDT has been investigated. The results indicate that RbInSe2is the most probable phase to form. Combining theoretical and experimental investigations, fundamental properties of a thermally co‐evaporated RbInSe2thin film are reported in order to serve as reference values in further studies.
Propensity‐score‐based priors for Bayesian augmented control design
Authors: Lin Junjing , Gamalo‐Siebers Margaret , Tiwari Ram
Published: December 2018

Drug developers are required to demonstrate substantial evidence of effectiveness through the conduct of adequate and well‐controlled (A&WC) studies to obtain marketing approval of their medicine. What constitutes A&WC is interpreted as the conduct of randomized controlled trials (RCTs). However, these trials are sometimes unfeasible because of their size, duration, and cost. One way to reduce sample size is to leverage information on the control through a prior. One consideration when forming data‐driven prior is the consistency of the external and the current data. It is essential to make this process less susceptible to choosing information that only helps improve the chances toward making an effectiveness claim. For this purpose, propensity score methods are employed for two reasons: (1) it gives the probability of a patient to be in the trial, and (2) it minimizes selection bias by pairing together treatment and control within the trial and control subjects in the external data that are similar in terms of their pretreatment characteristics. Two matching schemes based on propensity scores, estimated through generalized boosted methods, are applied to a real example with the objective of using external data to perform Bayesian augmented control in a trial where the allocation is disproportionate. The simulation results show that the data augmentation process prevents prior and data conflict and improves the precision of the estimator of the average treatment effect.
Management of malignant carinal involvement using ‘side‐by‐side’ method of bilateral self‐expandable metallic stents
Authors: Takeda Takayuki , Itano Hideki , Wakasa Ryo , Saitoh Masahiko , Takeda Sorou
Published: December 2018

Central airway obstruction caused by cancer requires urgent interventional pulmonology. Malignant main carinal involvement is one of the most challenging situations, usually treated by rigid bronchoscopic intervention under general anaesthesia. However, these patients tend to be in poor condition due to underlying malignancy. Therefore, less‐invasive strategies are needed. Six patients with lung cancer exhibiting malignant carinal involvement treated using the ‘side‐by‐side’ method of bilateral self‐expandable metallic stents using fibre‐optic bronchoscopy under topical anaesthesia were retrospectively investigated. The median procedure time was 29.5 min (range: 23–38), and the palliation of dyspnoea was achieved in all cases. The median survival time after intervention was 58.5 days (range: 23–172). The cause of death was acute coronary syndrome in two patients, aspiration pneumonia in two, upper gastrointestinal perforation in one, and catheter‐related blood stream infection in one. This strategy was less invasive and suitable for patients with poor performance status.
On the optimality of the uniform random strategy
Authors: Kusch Christopher , Rué Juanjo , Spiegel Christoph , Szabó Tibor
Published: December 2018

Biased Maker‐Breaker games, introduced by Chvátal and Erdős, are central to the field of positional games and have deep connections to the theory of random structures. The main questions are to determine the smallest bias needed by Breaker to ensure that Maker ends up with an independent set in a given hypergraph. Here we prove matching general winning criteria for Maker and Breaker when the game hypergraph satisfies certain “container‐type” regularity conditions. This will enable us to answer the main question for hypergraph generalizations of the H‐building games studied by Bednarska and Łuczak as well as a generalization of the van der Waerden games introduced by Beck. We find it remarkable that a purely game‐theoretic deterministic approach provides the right order of magnitude for such a wide variety of hypergraphs, while the analogous questions about sparse random discrete structures are usually quite challenging.
Microalloying Precipitation during Hot Rolling of Seamless Tubes in a Continuous Mandrel Mill
Authors: Carvalho Ricardo N. , Ferreira Marcelo A. C. , Lima Marília M. , Santos Dagoberto B. , Barbosa Ronaldo
Published: December 2018

Conventional controlled rolling is widely used in a hot strip mill and requires the occurrence of strain‐induced precipitation before that any recrystallization process takes place. On the other hand, microalloying elements dissolved in the austenite can have a strong effect on hardenability. These aspects show how important is the knowledge on the precipitation evolution and the remaining thermodynamic driving force in each step of hot rolling. This is particularly true for seamless tube production that have some specific characteristics such as: longer transfer times between roughing and finishing, the possibility of promoting one transformation cycle before finishing, lower deformation at finishing steps, no accelerated cooling, etc. In this work, hot torsion simulation was applied on a real case of seamless tube production and the samples were investigated by transmission electron microscopy. The particles size distributions were accessed by high angle annular dark field, and typical precipitates were characterized by EDX, PEELS, and EFTEM. Thermo‐Calc software was used to evaluate the precipitation and the amounts of microalloying elements that remains dissolved in austenite.
A Natural‐Origin Steelhead Population's Response to Exclusion of Hatchery Fish
Authors: Courter Ian I. , Wyatt Garth J. , Perry Russell W. , Plumb John M. , Carpenter Forrest M. , Ackerman Nicklaus K. , Lessard Robert B. , Galbreath Peter F.
Published: December 2018

It is asserted that reduction or elimination of hatchery stocking will increase natural‐origin salmon Oncorhynchus spp. and steelhead O. mykiss production. We conducted an analysis of steelhead population census data (1958–2017) to determine whether elimination of summer steelhead stocking in the upper Clackamas River in 1998 increased the productivity of natural‐origin winter steelhead. A Bayesian state–space stock–recruitment model was fitted to the adult steelhead data set, and productivity was estimated as a function of hatchery‐origin spawner abundance as well as other environmental factors. When used as a predictive variable in our model, the abundance of hatchery summer steelhead spawners (1972–2001) did not have a negative effect on winter steelhead recruitment. However, spill at North Fork Dam (the gateway to the upper Clackamas River basin) and the Pacific Decadal Oscillation (an index of ocean conditions) were both negatively associated with winter steelhead recruitment. Moreover, winter steelhead abundance in the upper Clackamas River basin failed to rebound to abundances observed in years prior to the hatchery program, and fluctuations in winter steelhead abundance were correlated with those of other regional winter steelhead stocks. Our assessment underscores the need for studies that (1) directly quantify the effects of hatchery fish on the production of natural‐origin salmon and steelhead, (2) empirically test published theories about mechanisms of hatchery fish impacts on natural‐origin populations, and (3) document population responses to major changes in hatchery programs.
Team learning potential in TESOL practice
Authors: Stewart Tim , Dalsky David , Tajino Akira
Published: December 2018

The proliferation of “teacher‐proof” scripts for lessons reveals a deep distrust of teachers' intuition and blatant ignorance of the essential humanistic elements underlying education. This model of standardization positions teachers as mere delivery agents of centrally planned curricula based on a hollow promise of effectiveness. We agree that “a good language teacher knows and does but most essentially is” (Arnold & Brown, 1999, p. 4). It follows that a second language teacher who is able to maximize her professional potential in the classroom is, foremost, a learner. This philosophical foundation supports our refinement of the concept of team learning, first proposed by Tajino and Tajino (2000). Our updated model of team learning clarifies the concept by extending discussions of approaches like reflective pedagogy, learner autonomy, and learner‐centered teaching. Team learning opens opportunities for practitioners to expand their role from being exclusively that of a teacher to realizing their learner potential in their own classrooms. The concept of team learning invites teachers to see themselves as team members in learning events. When team learning is achieved, optimal conditions for learning occur that can result in the experience of flow. These conditions, considered as emergent properties, are discussed in this theoretical article.
“She Needs to Be Shy!”: Gender, Culture, and Nonparticipation Among Saudi Arabian Female Students
Authors: Song Juyoung
Published: December 2018

This article examines Saudi female students’ socialization process in mixed‐gender interactions during their study abroad, focusing on how they negotiate culture‐specific gender expectations of women's deference and modesty. Findings reveal that Saudi women's deference to maintaining an ideal image of Saudi womanhood makes shyness and fear of judgment predominant aspects of their gender identity. Saudi women's adherence to these norms often leads to their nonparticipation in classroom and social interactions, and a deeper ambivalence is indicated when they seek social and academic opportunities through active participation. Findings also demonstrate that Saudi women use religion to both justify and challenge gender identity norms. Women who comply with Saudi gender norms assert that these norms are prescribed by the tenets of Islam; those who resist these norms argue their irrelevance with respect to Islam. Saudi women's religious interpretations serve to empower their own sense of gender identity, which signifies their agency founded on ideological and cultural constraints in the context of religion. This study offers implications for second language learners’ nonparticipation in relation to gender, highlighting how gender norms intersect with other discursive categories, particularly ethnicity, culture, and its central aspect here, religion.
A new seismic‐based monitoring approach for wind turbines
Authors: Hu Weifei , Barthelmie Rebecca J. , Letson Frederick , Pryor Sara C.
Published: December 2018

Wind turbine performance and condition monitoring play vital roles in detecting and diagnosing suboptimal performance and guiding operations and maintenance. Here, a new seismic‐based approach to monitoring the health of individual wind turbine components is presented. Transfer functions are developed linking key condition monitoring properties (drivetrain and tower acceleration) to unique, robust, and repeatable seismic signatures. Predictive models for extreme (greater than 99th percentile) drivetrain and tower acceleration based on independent seismic data exhibit higher skill than reference models based on hub‐height wind speed. The seismic models detect extreme drivetrain and tower acceleration with proportions correct of 96% and 93%, hit rates of 91% and 82%, and low false alarm rates of 4% and 6%, respectively. Although new wind turbines incorporate many diagnostic sensors, seismic‐based condition/performance monitoring may be particularly useful in extending the productive lifetime of previous generation wind turbines.
Raptor selection of captive reared and released Galliform birds
Authors: Perkins Rebecca , Boal Clint W. , Dabbert C. Brad
Published: December 2018

Captive rearing and release of birds in the order Galliformes remains a popular management tactic despite low survival rates. We investigated avian predator selection of captive‐reared northern bobwhites (Colinus virginianus) as a potential driver of their high mortality. We simulated avian predator hunts on a flushing pair of bobwhites during trials conducted from 6 February 2015 to 14 February 2015 in Texas, USA. When presented a choice of a captive‐reared bobwhite or wild bobwhite, a Harris's hawk (Parabuteo unicinctus) pursued a captive‐reared bobwhite in 8 of 10 flight trials. This selective rate, combined with observations from auxiliary research indicate avian predation may be a greater risk for captive‐reared birds than wild birds. The success of captive‐rearing and release efforts may benefit from a better understanding of how to more adequately prepare captive‐reared birds for release. © 2018 The Wildlife Society.
A Unilateral Climate and Supply Market Model
Authors: Blume-Werry Eike , Koller Martin , Everts Martin
Published: December 2018

In the midst of its respective energy transitions, the European power sector faces several challenges. Low levels of both European Union Emissions Trading Scheme (EU ETS) allowance prices and wholesale power prices fuelled concerns over drivers for decarbonisation and long-term generation adequacy. Whilst some countries have introduced capacity remuneration mechanisms to ensure generation adequacy, reforming the EU ETS has proven to be difficult. This paper proposes a unilateral approach by a state introducing a CO2 levy that internalises and prices CO2 at a national level. The suggested climate and supply market model thereby incentivises and rewards production from CO2-neutral sources during times when it does not cover the targeted share of production. Prior to describing the model in detail, this paper discusses the theoretical policy steering background and the problems associated with current energy policies. For a broader picture, other CO2 taxation models are briefly presented. This is followed by a discussion on the legal aspects of the model, its compatibility with international as well as EU law. The model is explored further by using Switzerland as an example, showing that a cross-sector carbon price can be implemented at acceptable costs for consumers. Last but not least, the paper examines varieties of the model and the adaption potential for European countries.
An Application of Calibration and Uncertainty Quantification Techniques for Agent-Based Models
Authors: Papadelis Sotiris , Flamos Alexandros
Published: December 2018

In this chapter, a step-by-step application of calibrating an agent-based model is presented. In particular, an agent-based model for small-scale PV adoption was calibrated on the historical data for the small-scale solar PV capacity additions that took place in Greece from January 2010 to February 2013. The process of the model calibration allowed to (a) quantify and take into consideration uncertainties that are related to the characteristics and the decision-making criteria of the agents (i.e. independent PV power producers), in contrast to the more obvious uncertainties, such as technology costs, and (b) use the calibration results to explore the plausible—given the historical data—behaviour of the potential PV adopters in Greece under the new net-metering scheme (in effect as of mid-2015).
Investments in the EU Power System: A Stress Test Analysis on the Effectiveness of Decarbonisation Policies
Authors: Crespo del Granado Pedro , Skar Christian , Doukas Haris , Trachanas Georgios P.
Published: December 2018

Ambitious emission reduction targets are challenging the status quo on designing effective strategies for electricity generation portfolios. In this chapter, we consider the role of low-carbon technologies and determine the cost-benefits of policy strategies to mitigate greenhouse gas emissions in the EU. In particular, we look into how long-term scenarios for transmission expansion and decarbonisation policies influence the evolution of the EU power system infrastructure. We use an EU electricity investment model to determine the optimal portfolio of electricity generation technologies and compute their respective costs and emissions achieved towards 2050. Based on the investment model’s results (strategies and suggested portfolios), we investigate how these portfolios perform under divergent policy or geopolitical developments. For this purpose, we apply a robust optimisation tool based on the min-max and the min-max regret criteria, which selects ideal portfolios by stress testing a particular scenario or policy choice under uncertainty of input parameters.

Results show that pursuing a strong transmission expansion strategy under the EU PRIMES reference case leads to the maximum regret, while relying on EU scenarios with strong prospects for decarbonisation, either with possibilities or with limitation on transmission expansion, leads to portfolios that exhibit the least variance. However, applying regret analysis on investment costs and total emissions indicates a limited transmission investment case as the more robust one, also noting that a high carbon price will accelerate the energy transition.
Evaluation of National Environmental Efficiency Under Uncertainty Using Data Envelopment Analysis
Authors: Grigoroudis Evangelos , Petridis Konstantinos
Published: December 2018

The evaluation of environmental practices of each country is a very interesting area which has recently gained significant attention. An analysis, which can provide results for comparisons among countries with different economies, is data envelopment analysis. In this chapter, countries’ environmental efficiency is estimated using data envelopment analysis. Applying a slack-based model under the consideration of constant returns to scale and variable returns to scale technologies, a composite index is calculated from the efficiency scores of each model. These models consider both desirable and undesirable outputs. However, especially for undesirable outputs, the data collected are not accurate and could potentially be subject to uncertainty. To handle the uncertainty in the undesirable data, a chance-constraint DEA model is applied. Results of the deterministic model show that Australia gathers high values of environmental efficiency. However, in the presence of noise in the undesirable data, the rankings of the countries change.
Assessment of Renewable Energy Projects Using a Decision Support System: A Process to Endorse the Social License to Operate
Authors: Kamenopoulos Sotiris N. , Tsoutsos Theocharis
Published: December 2018

The renewable energy projects involve multiple stakeholders; the social acceptance of these projects may convert into a thoughtful risk for the exploitation of renewable energy. Comprehending the process under which a social license to operate may be granted to a renewable energy project is significant. The “GO” or “NO-GO” decision for a renewable energy project is a vital task. In order to illustrate how renewable energy projects can be assessed from the sustainability point of view, two hypothetical scenarios were constructed. These scenarios describe a conceptual renewable energy project evaluated by five imaginary stakeholders under specific criteria and sustainability pillars. The first scenario is a “NO-GO” scenario: the project is not sustainable due to significant environmental, social, economic, technological and geopolitical negative impacts. In this case, the social license to operate will not be endorsed by the stakeholders; important changes are needed before reassessment. The second scenario is a “GO” scenario: the preferences of the stakeholders are such that the project may be considered sustainable and the social license to operate may be endorsed by the stakeholders. The methodology utilized to assess the two hypothetical scenarios for the same renewable energy project is the multi-criteria decision analysis combined with the multi-attribute utility theory. The quantification of assessment results was conducted with the assistance of a state-of-the-art decision support system (“Acropolis DSS”), which allows decision-makers to evaluate multiple options that offer alternate solutions in “GO-NO-GO” situations.
The prevalence of behavioral disorders among children under parental care and out of parental care
Authors: Datta Panchali , Ganguly Sutapa , Roy B.N.
Published: December 2018

Background:

Children may suffer from a wide range of behavioral problems, but children living under conditions of perpetual stress and trauma and experiencing breakdown of family structures are tremendously affected. This study was adopted to identify the prevalence of behavioral disorders among children under parental care and out of parental care.

Methods:

A cross-sectional comparative descriptive study was conducted among 300 children of age 612 years from a pediatric outpatient department of a selected hospital and 300 children from selected orphanages in Kolkata to compare the prevalence of behavioral disorders in children under parental care and out of parental care using Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ).

Results:

Total difficulty was more prevalent in children out of parental care (220 children) than in children under parental care (128 children). Conduct problem was the most prevalent behavioral disorder among all the subscales of SDQ with 48.70% and 84.30% of children, respectively. This was followed by peer problem (44.60% and 48.30%), emotional problem (33.70% and 55.60%), and hyperactivity problem (26.70% and 32.30%), respectively. There was significant difference in total difficulty, all subscales, externalizing score, internalizing score, and impact score between the two groups. Regression analysis showed significant relationship of selected variables such as the child's favorite hobbies and number of close friends the child has using total difficulty score in both the groups. Significant correlation was found among subscales in both the groups.

Conclusion:

Family-based care and improvised institutional care should be emphasized to reduce the burden of behavioral problem in children.
Dietary intake of branched‐chain amino acids in a mouse model of Alzheimer's disease: Effects on survival, behavior, and neuropathology
Authors: Tournissac Marine , Vandal Milene , Tremblay Cyntia , Bourassa Philippe , Vancassel Sylvie , Emond Vincent , Gangloff Anne , Calon Frederic
Published: December 2018

Introduction

High levels of plasmatic branched‐chain amino acids (BCAA), commonly used as dietary supplements, are linked to metabolic risk factors for Alzheimer's disease (AD). BCAA directly influence amino acid transport to the brain and, therefore, neurotransmitter levels. We thus investigated the impact of BCAA on AD neuropathology in a mouse model.

Methods

3xTg‐AD mice were fed either a control diet or a high‐fat diet from 6 to 18 months of age. For the last 2 months, dietary BCAA content was adjusted to high (+50%), normal (+0%), or low (−50%).

Results

Mice fed a BCAA‐supplemented high‐fat diet displayed higher tau neuropathology and only four out of 13 survived. Mice on the low‐BCAA diet showed higher threonine and tryptophan cortical levels while performing better on the novel object recognition task.

Discussion

These preclinical data underscore a potential risk of combining high‐fat and high BCAA consumption, and possible benefits from BCAA restriction in AD.
Speech Duties
Authors: Land Molly K.
Published: December 2018

Using the example of harmful speech online, this essay argues that duties to others—a core component of our humanness—require us to consider the impact our speech has on those who hear it. The widening availability of tools for sharing information and the rise of social media have opened up new avenues for individuals to communicate without the need for journalistic intermediaries. While this presents considerable opportunities for expression, it also means that there are fewer filters in place to manage the harmful effects of speech. Moreover, the structure of online spaces and the uneven legal frameworks that regulate them have exacerbated the effects of harmful speech, allowing mob behavior, harassment, and virtual violence, particularly against minority populations and other vulnerable groups.
Undermining Human Agency and Democratic Infrastructures? The Algorithmic Challenge to The Universal Declaration of Human Rights
Authors: Aust Helmut Philipp
Published: December 2018

“Digital technology is transforming what it means to be a subject.” The increase in the use of big data, self-learning algorithms, and fully automated decision-making processes calls into question the concept of human agency that is at the basis of much of modern human rights law. Already today, it is possible to imagine a form of “algorithmic authority,” i.e., the exercise of authority over individuals based on the more or less automated use of algorithms. What would this development mean for human rights law and its central categories? What does the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR), adopted seventy years ago as a founding document of the human rights movement at the international level, have to say about this?
Germline Engineering and Human Rights
Authors: Charo R. Alta
Published: December 2018

With the ever-increasing range of medical technologies at our disposal to mediate the processes of life, from conception to death, comes an ever-increasing number of decision points about human control of fate. And as we debate altering our fate—whether dictated by a deity or by chance—the discussion frequently devolves into a question of whether we may alter not only our own fate, but also that of our children. The advent of genome editing, whether by older methods or the newer, often more easily used methods employing CRISPR, has only made debating the controversial possibility of heritable “germline” editing more urgent. The advent of genome editing, whether by older methods or the newer, often more easily used methods employing CRISPR, has only made debating the controversial possibility of heritable “germline” editing more urgent. On the eve of the Second International Summit on Human Genome Editing, held at the end of November 2018 in Hong Kong, a startling and disturbing story began circulating - a Chinese researcher announced the first births of children whose genomes had been edited at the embryonic stage. The work (assuming the claim can be verified) suffered from myriad problems, beginning with the lack of a compelling medical need, and including inadequate preclinical research, lack of peer review, flawed subject recruitment and consent procedures, and an apparent disregard for both formal and informal rules governing genetic manipulation of embryos. The summit's organizing committee issued a statement, distinguishing this experiment from what would be a responsible translational pathway forward. But not surprisingly, others around the world immediately called for a global, enforceable prohibition on such genetic engineering. On the occasion of the Universal Declaration on Human Rights (UDHR)’s seventieth anniversary, this essay argues that the current human rights law on germline editing misunderstands both the mechanisms of genetics and the moral basis for human rights, suggesting a more nuanced approach as we move forward and keep pace with new gene-editing technologies.
Meta-Accuracy and Perceived Reciprocity From the	Perception-Meta-Perception Social Relations Model
Authors: Porter Ben , Øverup Camilla S. , Brunson Julie A. , Mehta Paras D.
Published: December 2018

Abstract. Meta-accuracy and perceptions of reciprocity can be measured by covariances between latent variables in two social relations models examining perception and meta-perception. We propose a single unified model called the Perception-Meta-Perception Social Relations Model (PM-SRM). This model simultaneously estimates all possible parameters to provide a more complete understanding of the relationships between perception and meta-perception. We describe the components of the PM-SRM and present two pedagogical examples with code, openly available on https://osf.io/4ag5m . Using a new package in R (xxM), we estimated the model using multilevel structural equation modeling which provides an approachable and flexible framework for evaluating the PM-SRM. Further, we discuss possible expansions to the PM-SRM which can explore novel and exciting hypotheses.
You Can Leave Your Glasses on
Authors: Fleischmann Alexandra , Lammers Joris , Stoker Janka I. , Garretsen Harry
Published: December 2018

Abstract. Does wearing glasses hurt or help politicians in elections? Although some research shows that glasses signal unattractiveness, glasses also increase perceptions of competence. In eight studies, participants voted for politicians wearing (photoshopped) glasses or not. Wearing glasses increased politicians’ electoral success in the US (Study 1), independent of their political orientation (Studies 2a and 2b). This positive effect was especially strong when intelligence was important (Study 3), and even occurred if glasses were used strategically (Study 4). However, it did not extend to India (Study 5) due to different cultural associations with glasses (Study 6). Furthermore, while intelligence mediated the effect, warmth did not (Study 7). In summary, wearing glasses can robustly boost electoral success, at least in Western cultures.
The Signature of Ozone Depletion in Recent Antarctic Precipitation Change: A Study With the Community Earth System Model
Authors: Lenaerts Jan T. M. , Fyke Jeremy , Medley Brooke
Published: December 2018

Although precipitation is a primary control on Antarctic ice sheet (AIS) mass balance, long‐term historical AIS precipitation trends and their underlying external climate drivers remain inconclusive. In this study, we use a novel pair of climate model ensembles to identify a simulated spatial signature of ozone depletion‐forced AIS precipitation change. Distinct areas of little change or precipitation decrease, arising from interaction between ozone depletion‐forced atmospheric circulation changes and ice sheet topography, are outweighed by large‐scale precipitation increases. This signature bears notable similarities to a new ice core‐based reconstruction of AIS accumulation change and yields a significant increase in annual integrated precipitation (38 ± 10 Gt/year over the 1986–2005 period or 51 ± 11 Gt/year over the 1991–2005 period). Remarkably, this simulated ozone depletion‐forced precipitation change is of a similar absolute magnitude to recent observed AIS mass loss trends and as a consequence, it may play a role in dampening recent AIS sea level rise contributions.