bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Efficiency Estimation of Management Control of Tax Calculations and Obligations in the Organization Management
Authors: Piskunov V.A. , Smagina A.Yu.
Published: March 2019

With the increase of information received every day and the speed of decision-making, management control is becoming one of the most important mechanisms in the system of managing assets, capital and obligations of an organization, ensuring stability, development and economic security. Nowadays, there is an increasing interest of internal users in the process of forming and controlling tax calculations and obligations for the purposes of tactical and strategic management.

Further development of the management control of tax calculations and the obligations of an organization largely depends on the development and selection of methods for evaluating its effectiveness. To date, in the economic literature and in practice there is no unified approach to the selection of criteria and indicators for evaluating the management control of tax calculations and obligations. In the opinion of the authors, as criteria that characterize the management control of tax calculations should be used performance and reliability.

The purpose of the study is to develop a methodology for assessing the effectiveness of management control of tax calculations and liabilities, which allows to ensure the confidence of internal interested users in the accuracy of the information reflected in accounting and reporting, and also in compliance with the implementation of control compliance of the implementation of management control with established internal requirements. To solve the problem of developing a methodology for assessing the effectiveness of management control of tax calculations and obligations, the following methods were used in the study: systematization, modeling, method of complexity and dialectical method.

For the purpose of providing interested users with complete and detailed information on the effectiveness of management control of tax calculations and obligations, it was proposed to disclose its reliability through a system of quality indicators, and the performance through systems of both quality and quantity indicators.
Diagnostics of Natural Indicators of Ecological Safety of Rural Territories of the Region
Authors: Sidorov A.A. , Lazareva N.V. , Firulina I.I. , Sapova O.A.
Published: March 2019

Ecological safety of the territory plays an important role in the socio-economic regional welfare. The goal of the research is to define the condition of ecological safety of the Samara region, a large region of Russia. The objectives of research cover the evaluation of natural (gross and specific) environmental indicators of natural-anthropogenic environment of rural municipal areas for the period 2014-2017. Materials for the calculations were official statistics. Methods of description, comparison, mathematical analysis, logical constructions have been applied. As a result, natural and anthropogenic environmental instability, the ambiguous situation in the subregions and unresolved problems in land use, forest use, air pollution, water use, water supply and wastewater disposal, and waste management were identified. It is proposed to use the results that were obtained in strategic planning and improvement of measures to ensure sustainable development of rural areas.
Analysis of the Availability of Healthy Food to Residents of Megalopolis: Who Try to Keep to a Healthy Lifestyle
Authors: Astafeva O.V. , Osipova I.A. , Egorova E.A. , Fomina Iu.S.
Published: March 2019

The aim of this work is to assess the state of the markets, healthy nutrition and healthy food delivery in Moscow in order to identify business opportunities for market entry of a new member-the company "GoodFoodFit". Within the designated goals there were set the following objectives: to conduct market analysis of healthy food delivery across Russia and Moscow; to identify the main trends and tendencies of markets; to analyze the key market participants of healthy food deliverers and identify their weaknesses and strengths; to determine the main consumers and their preferences; to identify the business opportunities to create one’s own service, and finally to prepare financial justification of the project implementation. As a result of the analysis of the Russian market of healthy eating and the study of consumer preferences of people looking to maintain a healthy lifestyle and utilizing healthy food delivery service, it was revealed that the most promising for creating healthy food delivery service is the average price segment.
Investigation of machinability characteristics on C45 steel with cryogenically treated M2 HSS tool using statistical technique
Authors: Kumar Santosh , Ahmed Mohammed Riyaz , M Lokesha , LH Manjunath
Published: March 2019

The machining industries always eye on increasing hardness and reducing the friction at the cutting tool–workpiece interface to reduce flank wear, thereby enhancing the tool life. The present study investigates the effect of deep cryogenic treatment (DCT) on the behavior of M2 HSS tool in turning of C45 medium carbon steel. The tool is double tempered and is tested for hardness and flank wear. The power consumption is also analyzed in the process with a focus on green machining. While Taguchi's L
27 orthogonal array (OA) is used to study the main interaction effect of all machining parameters, analysis of variance (ANOVA) and signal to noise (S/N) ratio are used for analysis of experimental outcomes. The study reveals that DCT has enhanced the hardness of HSS tool by 14.9%, while speed and feed were the dominating factors on the flank wear. Microstructure morphology using SEM is also discussed.
Bildgebende Diagnostik des Innenohrs vor Cochleaimplantation
Authors: Mack Martin , Suckfüll Markus
Published: March 2019

Wenn mit herkömmlichen Hörgeräten kein ausreichendes Sprachverstehen mehr erzielt werden kann, ist sehr oft ein Cochleaimplantat indiziert. Präoperativ spielt dabei die bildgebende Diagnostik eine wesentliche Rolle, weil nur so entschieden werden kann, ob ein Cochleaimplantat möglich ist oder nicht.
Apps in der Aphasietherapie
Authors: Mehrholz Jan
Published: March 2019

Zusammen mit ihrer Kollegin, Dr. Mona Späth, entwickelte Hanna Jakob eine
Therapie-App zur Aphasietherapie: neolexon. Die individualisierbare und
benutzerfreundliche App kann am Tablet ausgeführt werden. Im Interview berichtet
Hanna Jakob über ihre Erfahrungen mit der App im ambulanten Bereich.
A Preventive Model for Hamstring Injuries in Professional Soccer: Learning Algorithms
Authors: Ayala Francisco , López-Valenciano Alejandro , Gámez Martín Jose Antonio , De Ste Croix Mark , Vera-Garcia Francisco , García-Vaquero Maria , Ruiz-Pérez Iñaki , Myer Gregory
Published: March 2019

Hamstring strain injury (HSI) is one of the most prevalent and severe injury in professional soccer. The purpose was to analyze and compare the predictive ability of a range of machine learning techniques to select the best performing injury risk factor model to identify professional soccer players at high risk of HSIs. A total of 96 male professional soccer players underwent a pre-season screening evaluation that included a large number of individual, psychological and neuromuscular measurements. Injury surveillance was prospectively employed to capture all the HSI occurring in the 2013/2014 season. There were 18 HSIs. Injury distribution was 55.6% dominant leg and 44.4% non-dominant leg. The model generated by the SmooteBoostM1 technique with a cost-sensitive ADTree as the base classifier reported the best evaluation criteria (area under the receiver operating characteristic curve score=0.837, true positive rate=77.8%, true negative rate=83.8%) and hence was considered the best for predicting HSI. The prediction model showed moderate to high accuracy for identifying professional soccer players at risk of HSI during pre-season screenings. Therefore, the model developed might help coaches, physical trainers and medical practitioners in the decision-making process for injury prevention.
Clinical feasibility of endoscopic submucosal dissection with minimum lateral margin of superficial esophageal squamous cell carcinoma
Authors: Kuwabara Hiroki , Abe Seiichiro , Nonaka Satoru , Suzuki Haruhisa , Yoshinaga Shigetaka , Oda Ichiro , Saito Yutaka
Published: March 2019

Background Esophageal stricture following endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) for superficial esophageal squamous cell cancer (SESCC) has been associated with wide mucosal defects greater than three-quarters of the luminal circumference. Some patients developed dysphagia and required repeated endoscopic balloon dilation even after steroid therapy. As iodine staining clearly visualized the margin of SESCC, we made a longitudinal mucosal incision close to the margin of the lesion to avoid a mucosal defect involving over three-quarters of the luminal circumference for large lesions. This retrospective study aimed to clarify the clinical feasibility of ESD with minimum lateral margin of SESCC.

Patients and methods Between 2005 and 2013, 94 patients with 94 initial SESCCs had lesions greater than half of the luminal circumference. Of those, 70 patients with 70 SESCCs had achieved endoscopic clearance for the initial SESCC. In this study, endoscopic clearance was defined as en bloc resection of SESCC histologically confined to the mucosa without lymphovascular invasion and with a free deep margin regardless of the lateral margin. This study evaluated the short- and long-term outcomes in patients undergoing endoscopic clearance.

Results In total, 61.4 % (43/70) of the patients had mucosal defects involving over three-quarters of the luminal circumference and 38.5 % (27/70) had a positive or indeterminate lateral margin. However, there was no local or nodal recurrence during the median follow-up period of 3.8 years; the 3-year overall survival rate was 98.5 % and the 3-year disease-free survival rate was 100 %.

Conclusion Using our institutions’ strategy, ESD for SESCCs with minimum lateral margins was oncologically acceptable; this approach could reduce the known risk factor of post-ESD stricture.
Lebenssituation von jungen Frauen mit Ullrich-Turner-Syndrom nach dem Ende der Wachstumshormontherapie: Ergebnisse einer Umfrage in Deutschland
Authors: Dörr Helmuth-Günther , Bettendorf Markus , Binder Gerhard , Brämswig Jürgen , Hauffa Berthold P. , Holterhus Paul-Martin , Mohnike Klaus , Schmidt Heinrich , Stalla Günter K. , Wabitsch Martin , Wölfle Joachim ,   und die Turner-Syndrom-Vereinigung Deutschland e. V.; Geschäftsstelle: Am Bornstück 1, Dornburg
Published: March 2019

Einleitung Bei Mädchen und Frauen mit Ullrich-Turner-Syndrom (UTS) werden psychosoziale Auffälligkeiten wie eine ängstliche Persönlichkeit, geringeres Selbstwertgefühl, spätes Lösen vom Elternhaus und/oder späte sexuelle Erfahrungen beschrieben.

Methoden Die Untersuchung wurde 2015 bei 779 Frauen mit UTS im Alter von 25 Jahren (Median) mit einem Fragebogen durchgeführt, der von einer französischen Arbeitsgruppe entwickelt und mit deren Erlaubnis verwendet wurde. Insgesamt konnten 130 Fragebögen (16,7 %) ausgewertet werden.

Ergebnisse (MW ± SD) Nicht verheiratet waren 116 Frauen (89,9 %); 52 Frauen (40 %) lebten im elterlichen Haushalt. Abitur/Fachabitur oder Hochschulabschluss hatten 47,6 %. 60 Frauen (46 %) waren berufstätig, 51 Frauen (39 %) hatten noch keine abgeschlossene Berufsausbildung. Bei 78 % der Frauen wurde die Pubertät im Alter von 14,2 ± 2,1 Jahren eingeleitet. Zum Zeitpunkt der Befragung erhielten 80 % der Frauen eine Hormonersatztherapie. 66 von 93 Frauen (71 %) fanden, dass die Erkrankung das Gefühlsleben negativ beeinflusst, wobei der Bereich „Liebes- und Sexualbeziehungen“ von 44 Frauen (66,6 %) am häufigsten genannt wurde. Fragen zur Sexualität beantworteten 116 Frauen. Dabei hatten 77 % den ersten Zungenkuss mit 16,4 ± 3,6 Jahren und 62,4 % den ersten Geschlechtsverkehr mit 19,0 ± 3,4 Jahren. Eine Beziehung zu einem Partner/In über > 6 Monate gaben 81 % der Frauen an (94 Frauen hatten einen männlichen Partner und 5 Frauen eine Partnerin). Die Frage nach Kinderwunsch wurde von 89 von 124 Frauen bejaht (71,8 %); 38,2 % wollten spontan schwanger werden und 44,9 % hatten eine künstliche Befruchtung oder eine Adoption überlegt.

Diskussion Da die verschiedenen Fragenkomplexe nicht gleich häufig beantwortet wurden, kann spekuliert werden, dass der Stellenwert der Themen nicht gleichwertig war oder dass die Frauen nicht bereit waren, sich mit diesen Fragen auseinanderzusetzen. Die Antworten zeigen, dass neben der ärztlichen Betreuung auch eine psychosoziale Betreuung notwendig ist.
Tolerability of FODMAP – reduced diet in irritable bowel syndrome – efficacy, adherence, and body weight course
Authors: Frieling Thomas , Heise Jürgen , Krummen Britta , Hundorf Corinna , Kalde Sigrid
Published: March 2019

Background FODMAP reduced diet (fermentable oligo-, di-, monosaccharide, and polyols) belongs to the established therapy strategies in irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). However, disadvantages of this diet are significant and may lead to weight loss and insufficient patient adherence. Reports from Germany are not available yet.

Material and methods In a prospective study, 93 patients with IBS according to Rom III were investigated. Sixty-three patients were recruited for the study and received standardized investigation, informed consent, and structured dietary instructions about the FODMAP reduced diet. Patients complaints were documented by a validated questionnaire and a standardized Lickert scale before and 8 weeks after the start of the diet. Stool characteristics were documented by the Bristol stool form scale.

Results Patients adherence was low because 30 patients (47 %) stopped the diet. Of the remaining 33 patients, 36 % (n = 12) developed significant weight loss during the FODMAP therapy. Patients completing the study reported significant global improvement of symptoms in 79 % of cases (abdominal pain 85 %, meteorism 79 %, flatulence 69 %, borbogymi 69 %, nausea 46 %, fatigue 69 %). In addition, the severity of symptoms was significantly reduced. Fourteen patients developed changes of their stool characteristics according to the Bristol stool form scale, 11 of whom improved diarrhea and 3 improved constipation.

Conclusion FODMAP reduced diet is an efficient therapy in IBS. However, adherence of the patients is poor and the therapy bears the risk of significant weight loss.
Self-Anamnesis with a Conversational User Interface: Concept and Usability Study
Authors: Hochreutener Sandra , Pöpel Annkathrin , May Richard , Denecke Kerstin
Published: March 2019

Objective Self-anamnesis is a procedure in which a patient answers questions about the personal medical history without interacting directly with a doctor or medical assistant. If collected digitally, the anamnesis data can be shared among the health care team. In this article, we introduce a concept for digital anamnesis collection and assess the applicability of a conversational user interface (CUI) for realizing a mobile self-anamnesis application.

Materials and Methods We implemented our concept for self-anamnesis for the concrete field of music therapy. We collected requirements with respect to the application from music therapists and by reviewing the literature. A rule-based approach was chosen for realizing the anamnesis conversation between the system and the user. The Artificial Intelligence Markup Language was exploited for encapsulating the questions and responses of the system. For studying the quality of the system and analyzing performance, humanity, effect, and accessibility of the system, we performed a usability test with 22 persons.

Results The current version of the self-anamnesis application is equipped with 63 questions on the music biography of a patient that are asked subsequently to the user by means of a chatbot conversation. The usability study showed that a CUI is a practical way for collecting anamnesis data. Users felt engaged of answering the questions and liked the human characteristics of the chatbot. They suggested to extend the conversation capabilities of the chatbot so that the system can react appropriately, in particular when the user is not feeling well.

Conclusions We could demonstrate the applicability of a CUI for collecting anamnesis data. In contrast to digital anamnesis questionnaires, the application of a CUI provides several benefits: the user can be encouraged to complete all queries and can ask clarifying questions in case something is unclear.
Functional Anatomy of the Craniomedial and Caudolateral Bundles of the Cranial Cruciate Ligament in Beagle Dogs
Authors: Tanegashima Koji , Edamura Kazuya , Akita Yuki , Yamazaki Atsushi , Yasukawa Shinji , Seki Mamiko , Asano Kazushi , Nakayama Tomohiro , Katsura Taro , Hayashi Kei
Published: March 2019

Objective The aim of this study was to investigate detailed functional anatomy of the craniomedial bundle (CrMB) and caudolateral bundle (CdLB) of cranial cruciate ligament (CrCL) for application of intra-articular anatomical reconstruction in dogs.

Materials and Methods Twelve stifle joint of 12 Beagle cadavers were used. Anatomical characteristics of femoral attachment regions of the CrCL were determined. Then, the location and area of the footprints of the CrMB and CdLB were objectively measured. Each bundle was equally divided into four fibre bundles, and changes in the fibre arrangement were recorded during stifle range of motion. Additionally, the tension of each fibre bundle at various stifle joint angles was objectively measured.

Results The attachment region of the CrCL clearly differed from that reported in humans. The centre of the CdLB attachment site was located craniodistal to that of the CrMB on the femur and slightly caudal to that of the CrMB on the tibia. The area of the CrMB on the femoral and tibial attachment sites was larger than that of the CdLB. During stifle range of motion, each divided fibre bundle in the CrMB and CdLB was twisted intricately. The tension of the CrMB was higher than that of CdLB. The central part of the CrMB was always tense during stifle range of motion.

Clinical Significance These results may contribute to the application of anatomical reconstruction surgery for CrCL deficient stifle in dogs.
Platelet Btk is Required for Maintaining Lung Vascular Integrity during Murine Pneumococcal Pneumosepsis
Authors: de Porto Alexander P. N. A. , Claushuis Theodora A. M. , van der Donk Lieve E. H. , de Beer Regina , de Boer Onno J. , Florquin Sandrine , Roelofs Joris J. T. H. , Hendriks Rudi W. , van der Poll Tom , van't Veer Cornelis , de Vos Alex F.
Published: March 2019

Platelet Bruton's tyrosine kinase (Btk) is an essential signalling protein for the collagen receptor glycoprotein VI (GPVI) and podoplanin receptor C-type-lectin-like receptor-2, which are platelet receptors implicated in the maintenance of vascular integrity during inflammation. Moreover, platelets, platelet GPVI and Btk are important for host defence during murine bacterial pneumosepsis. The aim of this study was to determine the role of platelet Btk in vascular integrity and host defence during murine pneumosepsis caused by the common human pathogens Streptococcus pneumoniae and Klebsiella pneumoniae. Using the Cre-loxP system, male platelet-specific Btk-deficient mice (PF4creBtkfl/Y) were created. Similar to platelets from total Btk-deficient mice, platelets from PF4creBtkfl/Y mice showed abrogated aggregation and P-selectin expression when stimulated with the GPVI ligand cross-linked collagen-related peptide. Upon infection with S. pneumoniae, PF4creBtkfl/Y mice showed increased lung bleeding, but unimpaired anti-bacterial defence. During pneumosepsis evoked by K. pneumoniae, platelet Btk deficiency was not associated with lung bleeding and did not impact on host defence, even when platelet function was further compromised by blocking secondary platelet activation by the P2Y12 receptor antagonist clopidogrel. Together, these data indicate that, while platelet Btk is not important for anti-bacterial defence in pneumosepsis, its role in maintaining vascular integrity in the lung depends on the causative pathogen.
Prehospital Telemedical Emergency Management of Severely Injured Trauma Patients
Authors: Reime Birgit , Wurmb Thomas , Kippnich Uwe , Shammas Layal , Rashid Asarnusch , Eder Patrick
Published: March 2019

Background Trauma is a global burden. Emergency medical services (EMS) provide care for individuals who have serious injuries or suffered a major trauma.

Objective This paper provides a comprehensive overview of telemedicine applications in prehospital trauma care.

Methods We conducted a systematic review according to PRISMA guidelines. We identified articles by electronic database search (PubMed, EMBASE, the Cochrane Library, CINAHL, SpringerLink, LIVIVO, DARE, IEEE Xplore, Google Scholar and ScienceDirect) using keywords related to prehospital settings, ambulance, telemedicine and trauma. Search terms and inclusion criteria were specified a priori by the PICOS template and revised throughout a configurative approach iteratively, to outline the complexity and variety of different telemedical concepts.

Results A final sample of 15 records was systematically selected. Most interventions were piloted and/or evaluated in Germany for trauma victims in prehospital settings. Six studies were simulated scenarios. Telemedical assistance (TMA) via real-time telemetry systems (RTS), enabling video and audio conferencing between EMS by tele-emergency physicians (TEP) were associated with a higher treatment quality and a shorter time-to-treatment in invasive procedures. By initiating in-hospital preparations based on telemedical prehospital notification (TPN), loss of information during the clinical handover was reduced and in-hospital protocols were activated with high accuracy. Remotely guided ultrasound (Tele-Ultrasound) by TEP showed an overall high diagnostic accuracy in simulations. Technical solutions were reliable, seemed practical and auspicious.

Conclusion The review indicates that TMA and TPN are accompanying telemedical concepts in out-of-hospital trauma care. Well-designed populated studies are needed to fully assess the effect of telemedicine in acute trauma care. Therefore, evidence regarding the effectiveness of telemedicine in prehospital setting for trauma patients is still limited.
Numerical investigation on the CH4/CO2 nanosecond pulsed dielectric barrier discharge plasma at atmospheric pressure
Authors: Bai Chengjie , Wang Lijuan , Li Li , Dong Xin , Xiao Qinghua , Liu Zhaoqian , Sun Jianhui , Pan Jie
Published: March 2019

The excellent non-equilibrium characteristic of the nanosecond pulsed dielectric barrier discharge (NPDBD) plasma can overcome thermodynamically barriers of reactions in the dry reforming of methane (DRM), so that the NPDBD plasma coupled with catalyst provides an attractive alternative to the traditional catalytic method of the DRM. In this work, the one-dimensional fluid model, including 68 species and 276 reactions, is built up to numerically investigate the atmospheric-pressure CH4/CO2 plasma driven by the nanosecond pulsed power supply. Discharge current densities, discharge gap voltages, dissipated power densities, spatial averaged particle densities and spatial distributions of the high-density species, and generating reaction pathways of the significant species in CH4, CO2, and CH4/CO2 NPDBD plasmas at atmospheric pressure are systematically illustrated and discussed. The simulation results should be valuable for optimizations of both existing and emerging DRM approaches using the NPDBD plasma, the plasma-assisted catalyst, and other novel plasma-based fuel reforming technologies.
A simple route for hierarchically porous carbon derived from corn straw for supercapacitor application
Authors: Ma Hongfang , Chen Zhanghao , Wang Xiaodan , Liu Zhibao , Liu Xinxin
Published: March 2019

The hierarchically porous carbons derived from corn straw with a certain graphitization degree are synthesized through a simple two-step method involving hydrothermal carbonization and KOH activation. The pore structure and electrochemical performance of the hierarchically porous carbons are closely related to the mass ratio of hydrothermal carbon vs. KOH. Hierarchically porous carbon-1 (mass ratio of hydrothermal carbon vs. KOH is 1:1) presents an optimal specific capacitance of 285 F g−1 at a current density of 0.5 A g−1 and an excellent cycling stability with a high capacitance retention of 91.3% after 2000 charge/discharge cycles. These qualities are superior to those of other bio-based carbon materials because hierarchically porous carbon-1 exhibits a rich pore structure and a large specific surface area (1229 m2 g−1). Moreover, symmetric supercapacitor studies show the good capacitance and excellent stability and rate capability of hierarchically porous carbon-1. The results indicate that a proper activation ratio contributes to a satisfactory electrochemical performance and that corn straw-derived hierarchically porous carbons are promising candidates as electrode materials for supercapacitors.
Intense light scattering by cooperative relaxation of magnetically-aligned organic crystal particles
Authors: Baba K. , Iwasaka M.
Published: March 2019

Previous studies of biologically mineralized crystals made of iron have focused on their magnetic properties, including strong magnetism and para magnetism, and many useful applications have been developed. Some studies have focused on organic crystals or crystals with diamagnetism, and have proven that utilizing magnetic fields of more than 0.5 T results in a magnetically-induced rotation of the crystal particles. The rotation of an appropriately shaped crystal particle can be detected by light reflection. In the present study, we demonstrate a newly discovered phenomenon associated with organic crystal particles in water. A cooperative light reflection phenomenon is observed when the micro-particles floating in water are rotated together. The organic crystal particles, made of guanine in a platelet-like shape of micrometer length, cause a cooperative light reflection pattern during magnetic field sweeps of up to 5 Tesla (T). This cooperative light reflection appears as peaks in the intensity of the reflected light. When the magnetic field is increased at a sweep rate of +1 T per minute, two peaks are detected at 0.5 T and at ∼1.5 T. After reaching 5 T, the reflected light is continuously measured until the magnetic field returns to 0 T. In over 10 minutes of magnetic field exposure, a final peak is frequently detected as a maximum intensity peak. The intensity enhancement is twice the randomly reflected light intensity in this maximum case. A model explaining this magnetically-controlled optical phenomenon in a group of platelet-like guanine particles is proposed.
MnBi thin films for high temperature permanent magnet applications
Authors: Villanueva M. , Navío C. , Céspedes E. , Mompeán F. , García-Hernández M. , Camarero J. , Bollero A.
Published: March 2019

Thin films of ferromagnetic LTP-MnBi (Low Temperature Phase of MnBi) have been grown by magnetron sputtering onto quartz substrates. Two particular issues related to LTP-MnBi have been investigated: the strong influence of the growth temperature and the degradation of magnetic properties in time. The temperature dependence on the magnetic, morphological and microstructural properties has been investigated, evidencing drastic changes on the properties of MnBi with small temperature variations. By inducing a gradient of temperature during the growth, two well differentiated regions with different morphology and crystal structure have been observed in a MnBi film sample. On the other hand, aging experiments performed in a different LTP-MnBi sample has led to a notable decrease of 54% in the saturation magnetization after 6 days and a complete loss of ferromagnetic response after 4 months.
Antiferromagnetic NiO thickness dependent sign of the spin Hall magnetoresistance in γ-Fe2O3/NiO/Pt epitaxial stacks
Authors: Dong Bo-Wen , Baldrati Lorenzo , Schneider Christoph , Niizeki Tomohiko , Ramos Rafael , Ross Andrew , Cramer Joel , Saitoh Eiji , Kläui Mathias
Published: March 2019

We study the spin Hall magnetoresistance (SMR) in epitaxial γ–Fe2O3/NiO(001)/Pt stacks, as a function of temperature and thickness of the antiferromagnetic insulating NiO layer. Upon increasing the thickness of NiO from 0 nm to 10 nm, we detect a sign change of the SMR in the temperature range between 10 K and 280 K. This temperature dependence of the SMR in our stacks is different compared to that of previously studied yttrium iron garnet/NiO/Pt, as we do not find any peak or sign change as a function of temperature. We explain our data by a combination of spin current reflection from both the NiO/Pt and γ-Fe2O3/NiO interfaces and the thickness-dependent exchange coupling mode between the NiO and γ-Fe2O3 layers, comprising parallel alignment for thin NiO and perpendicular alignment for thick NiO.
Improved multi-objective Jaya optimization algorithm for a solar dish Stirling engine
Authors: Rao R. Venkata , Keesari Hameer Singh , Oclon P. , Taler Jan
Published: March 2019

This study proposes an adaptive multi-team perturbation guiding Jaya (AMTPG Jaya) algorithm. The proposed approach uses multiple teams to explore the search space. Depending on the percentage of consumed function evaluations, the AMTPG Jaya algorithm adjusts the number of teams in the search. Furthermore, all teams move from a single population set and are simultaneously guided by different perturbation equations to different regions of search space. As each team has a different perturbation scheme, the set of moves to new positions by each team is unique. During the search process, the perturbation equations are exchanged depending on the quality of the solutions produced by them. The proposed algorithm employs dominance principles and the crowding distance estimation method to handle the multiple objectives simultaneously. The proposed algorithm is examined using two multi-objective optimization case studies of a solar dish Stirling heat engine system and a multi-objective optimization case study of the Stirling heat pump. Also, the Technique for Order of Preference by Similarity to Ideal Solution decision-making method is employed for identifying an optimal solution. The computational results obtained by the proposed AMTPG Jaya algorithm are superior to those achieved by the other algorithms presented in this work.
Anisotropic magnetodielectric coupling in antiferromagnet Co4Nb2O9
Authors: Khanh N. D. , Abe N. , Matsuura K. , Sagayama H. , Tokunaga Y. , Arima T.
Published: March 2019

The magnetodielectric effect has been investigated for single crystals of a honeycomb antiferromagnet Co4Nb2O9. In addition to large magnetoelectric coupling, a magnetodielectric response was observed in the antiferromagnetic phase, which is anisotropic with respect to the direction of the external magnetic field within the basal plane. To explain the anisotropy, we examined the magnetoelastic effect and found that the honeycomb is elongated along the magnetic field direction but shrunk along the perpendicular axis. The distortion should cause the change in the force constant, leading to a variation of permittivity in the presence of a magnetic field.
Accurate excited-state energetics by a combination of Monte Carlo sampling and equation-of-motion coupled-cluster computations
Authors: Deustua J. Emiliano , Yuwono Stephen H. , Shen Jun , Piecuch Piotr
Published: March 2019

The recently proposed idea of identifying the most important higher–than–doubly excited determinants in the ground-state coupled-cluster (CC) calculations through stochastic configuration interaction Quantum Monte Carlo propagations [J. E. Deustua et al., Phys. Rev. Lett. 119, 223003 (2017)] is extended to excited electronic states via the equation-of-motion (EOM) CC methodology. The advantages of the new approach are illustrated by calculations aimed at recovering the ground- and excited-state energies of the CH+ molecule at the equilibrium and stretched geometries resulting from the EOMCC calculations with a full treatment of singles, doubles, and triples.
Preliminary observations of corallivorous Drupella cornus feeding aggregations at Rottnest Island, Western Australia
Authors: Haslam Veera M. , van Keulen Mike
Published: March 2019

Predation by the corallivorous gastropod Drupella cornus is well studied in the tropical and subtropical waters of the Indo-Pacific, including Ningaloo Reef and the Houtman Abrolhos Islands, Western Australia. In 1983, Drupella was not found in the Pocillopora colonies of Rottnest Island (Black and Prince 1983), and there has only been one record of D. cornus on Rottnest Island until today. We show the first feeding aggregations of D. cornus on these higher-latitude reefs of Rottnest Island, and highlight the importance of these findings.
Effect of crop rotation, fertilisation and tillage on main soil properties and its water extractable organic matter
Authors: De Mastro Francesco , Brunetti Gennaro , Traversa Andreina , Cocozza Claudio
Published: March 2019

The excessive use of fertilisers and frequent and deep tillage are not considered good agricultural practices because they increase production costs and reduce soil fertility. Water extractable organic matter (WEOM) is the fraction of soil organic matter responsible for nutrient transport and bioavailability. The aim of this work was to investigate the effect of a 2-year rotation of faba bean–wheat, cultivated for a decade, and the agricultural practices (conventional vs no tillage, and fertilisation vs no fertilisation) on selected soil parameters and WEOM quality. Results showed that the soil organic carbon (SOC) and the total nitrogen (TN) content increased after the wheat and faba bean, respectively. Plots managed with conventional tillage showed WEOM with higher OC content with respect to no-tillage plots. A higher WEOM OC content was observed also in the fertilised plots. The WEOM of fertilised and faba bean plots was derived from decomposition of native SOC, but the microbial community decomposition was the main origin of WEOM after wheat.
Substrate binding mode and catalytic mechanism of human heparan sulfate
d
-glucuronyl C5 epimerase
Authors: Debarnot Claire , Monneau Yoan R. , Roig-Zamboni Véronique , Delauzun Vincent , Le Narvor Christine , Richard Emeline , Hénault Jérôme , Goulet Adeline , Fadel Firas , Vivès Romain R. , Priem Bernard , Bonnaffé David , Lortat-Jacob Hugues , Bourne Yves
Published: March 2019

Heparan sulfate (HS) is a linear, complex polysaccharide that modulates the biological activities of proteins through binding sites made by a series of Golgi-localized enzymes. Of these, glucuronyl C5-epimerase (Glce) catalyzes C5-epimerization of the HS component,
d
-glucuronic acid (GlcA), into
l
-iduronic acid (IdoA), which provides internal flexibility to the polymer and forges protein-binding sites to ensure polymer function. Here we report crystal structures of human Glce in the unbound state and of an inactive mutant, as assessed by real-time NMR spectroscopy, bound with a (GlcA-GlcNS)
n
substrate or a (IdoA-GlcNS)
n
product. Deep infiltration of the oligosaccharides into the active site cleft imposes a sharp kink within the central GlcNS-GlcA/IdoA-GlcNS trisaccharide motif. An extensive network of specific interactions illustrates the absolute requirement of
N
-sulfate groups vicinal to the epimerization site for substrate binding. At the epimerization site, the GlcA/IdoA rings are highly constrained in two closely related boat conformations, highlighting ring-puckering signatures during catalysis. The structure-based mechanism involves the two invariant acid/base residues, Glu499 and Tyr578, poised on each side of the target uronic acid residue, thus allowing reversible abstraction and readdition of a proton at the C5 position through a neutral enol intermediate, reminiscent of mandelate racemase. These structures also shed light on a convergent mechanism of action between HS epimerases and lyases and provide molecular frameworks for the chemoenzymatic synthesis of heparin or HS analogs.
Transcriptome profiling ofPlasmodium vivaxinSaimirimonkeys identifies potential ligands for invasion
Authors: Gunalan Karthigayan , Sá Juliana M. , Moraes Barros Roberto R. , Anzick Sarah L. , Caleon Ramoncito L. , Mershon J. Patrick , Kanakabandi Kishore , Paneru Monica , Virtaneva Kimmo , Martens Craig , Barnwell John W. , Ribeiro Jose M. , Miller Louis H.
Published: March 2019

Unlike the case in Asia and Latin America,Plasmodium vivaxinfections are rare in sub-Saharan Africa due to the absence of the Duffy blood group antigen (Duffy antigen), the only known erythrocyte receptor for theP. vivaxmerozoite invasion ligand, Duffy binding protein 1 (DBP1). However,P. vivaxinfections have been documented in Duffy-negative individuals throughout Africa, suggesting thatP. vivaxmay use ligands other than DBP1 to invade Duffy-negative erythrocytes through other receptors. To identify potentialP. vivaxligands, we compared parasite gene expression inSaimiriandAotusmonkey erythrocytes infected withP. vivaxSalvador I (Sal I). DBP1 bindsAotusbut does not bind toSaimirierythrocytes; thus,P. vivaxSal I must invadeSaimirierythrocytes independent of DBP1. Comparing RNA sequencing (RNAseq) data for late-stage infections inSaimiriandAotuserythrocytes when invasion ligands are expressed, we identified genes that belong to tryptophan-rich antigen and merozoite surface protein 3 (MSP3) families that were more abundantly expressed inSaimiriinfections compared withAotusinfections. These genes may encode potential ligands responsible forP. vivaxinfections of Duffy-negative Africans.
Embryonic development of the avian integument.
Authors: Headon D.
Published: March 2019

The skin and its appendages, such as feathers and scales, form the interface between a bird and its environment. The size, number and distribution of feathers and the structure of the skin are defined during embryonic development through interactions between the dermal and epidermal tissues. A number of spontaneous mutations that alter feather distribution in the domestic chicken have been identified, defining key genes and intercellular signals that operate to determine their arrangement. This review summarizes the processes operating and structures formed during embryonic skin development in birds, and the origins of diversity in external appearance that arises from genetic variants acting in this period.
Genetic solutions to reduce injurious pecking in laying hens.
Authors: Ellen E. D. , Bijma P.
Published: March 2019

Survival of commercial laying hens is an important trait. Feather pecking has a large effect on the survival of birds. To improve survival it is important to use quantitative genetic methods that take into account both the direct genetic effect (victim effect) and the indirect genetic effect (actor effect). For survival time, we found that the victim effect contributes 13-64% of total heritable variation, while the actor effect contributes 36-87% of total heritable variation. Together, they explain 15-26% of total phenotypic variation in survival time. Here we compare different breeding programme designs to identify the optimum selection strategy against mortality due to feather pecking. Results show that mortality due to feather pecking can be reduced using genetic approaches, taking into account direct and indirect genetic effects. We performed a selection experiment using selection based on relatives. Using this method enables selection against mortality due to feather pecking in laying hens. However, selection intensities were small. Genomic selection can be a promising tool to select against mortality due to feather pecking. Model predictions show that genomic selection is expected to yield a rapid reduction of mortality due to feather pecking, but a challenge will be to reduce mortality due to feather pecking in large groups.
Contact dermatitis in domestic poultry.
Authors: Hocking P. M. , Veldkamp T.
Published: March 2019

Contact dermatitis is a common finding in commercial poultry kept for meat production that has both economic and welfare implications. The disease commonly affects the epidermis of the foot pad, hock joint and skin covering the breast muscles that are in contact with the litter or other floor materials. Welfare legislation in Europe has been implemented that requires farmers to reduce stocking rates if broiler chickens presented at the abattoir have a certain prevalence of foot pad dermatitis (FPD) as a proxy for poor welfare during the rearing. It has long been known that birds kept in deep litter systems are affected by foot pad dermatitis and hock burns if the litter contains too much water. The moisture content of the litter is affected by many factors (e.g. litter substrate, humidity, air temperature, stocking rate and gut health). Recently it was shown that adding water to clean wood shavings was sufficient to induce FPD and that the prevalence and severity of disease increased linearly above a certain minimum water content. The role of excess minerals, particularly sodium, and high electrolyte balance have been associated with increasing litter moisture and contact dermatitis. Hock burns and breast burns have a similar aetiology as FPD and have also been linked with high litter ammonia. Breast buttons (focal ulcerative dermatitis) and breast blisters (sternal bursitis) may be associated with poor breast feathering that exposes the naked skin to the litter. FPD, hock burns and focal ulcerative dermatitis have a similar aetiology whereas sternal bursitis is probably related to friction. FPD is associated with a cytokine milieu that is consistent with an inflammatory reaction but the precise stimulus for this response is not known with certainty. FPD has also been reported in laying hens and broiler breeders and is more prevalent in non-cage systems and in birds with outdoor access. Research indicates that optimum dietary concentrations of vitamins and minerals are necessary to maximize skin health and that management practices must be employed to create dry, friable litter in order to minimize contact dermatitis.
Genetics of feather pigmentation and chicken plumage colouration.
Authors: Olori V. E.
Published: March 2019

The chicken's plumage is defined by the structure and colour of its feathers. Plumage colour is a feature used in modern poultry breeding to distinguish between breeds, strains and pure lines. It is therefore important in strain security. Sex-linked genes affecting plumage colour and patterns and rate of feather development are useful in sexing of day-old chicks. Variation in plumage colour is attributable to differences in the primary and secondary colour patterns exhibited by individual birds. While the primary pattern refers to the distribution of coloured feathers in different parts of the bird's body, the secondary pattern refers to the distribution of colour on individual feathers. Although many commercial broiler and layer chicken strains exhibit solid or single colours, the chicken, like many other birds, exhibits a very wide array of plumage colour patterns, due to the presence or absence of pigments on the feathers. While some birds exhibit complete lack of pigment either in individual feathers or in all of the feathers across the body and are hence completely white, others are pigmented and exhibit a range of colours such as black, blue, brown and orange. While some have all their feathers of the same colour (solid colouration), others show a mixture of colours, which may be distributed in a specific pattern in different parts of the body such as the neck, wing and tail feathers, or have multicoloured feathers. It is now clear that all of these colour patterns are under genetic control. The development of pure lines and commercial crosses with specific colour patterns therefore requires a good understanding of the genetics of feather pigmentation and hence the inheritance of plumage colouration. This review highlights current knowledge of the genes that affect colour development and distribution in chickens as well as the pigments that colour feathers and the mechanism of their secretion. It aims to enrich our understanding of the link between the genes and the causal mutations that affect colour in chickens and the physiological pathways involved in pigment production and distribution between and within feathers of the chicken plumage.
Genetic and breeding aspects of feather coverage and their effects on performance in broilers.
Authors: Cahaner A.
Published: March 2019

Tremendous genetic progress has been achieved in broiler growth rate and meat yield since the 1950s, but it is not fully expressed under hot conditions. Greater growth rate of broilers is driven by greater rates of feed intake and metabolism and elevated production of internal heat. Hot conditions negatively affect high growth-rate broilers by hindering dissipation of the excessive internal heat and elevating body temperature. To avoid heat-induced mortality, broilers acclimate to hot conditions by reducing feed intake, resulting in depressed growth rate and poorer breast meat yield. The rate of sensible heat dissipation is determined by the insulation of the feathers, which is advantageous in slow-growing chickens or for broilers reared under cool conditions. In high growth-rate broilers under hot conditions, feather coverage hinders the dissipation of excessive internal heat. Hence, it was hypothesized that the negative effects of heat can be alleviated by genes that reduce or eliminate feather coverage. Reduced feather mass was also expected to contribute to greater meat yield, if the saved feather-building proteins were directed to build more muscle mass. Many studies have been conducted with the co-dominant 'Naked neck' (Na) gene that reduces feather coverage by 20% and 40% in Na/na and Na/Na chickens, respectively. Under hot conditions, naked-neck broilers exhibit higher rate of heat dissipation, resulting in greater actual growth rate and meat production. However, naked-neck broilers raised at 25°C were superior to their counterparts under hot conditions, indicating that 20-40% reduction in feather coverage provides only partial heat tolerance and suggesting that complete feather elimination is required to maximize heat tolerance. To test this hypothesis, the mutation Scaleless, which blocks feather formation in sc/sc chickens, was introduced into modern high growth-rate broiler stock by backcrossing. The resulting novel experimental line, consisting of featherless broilers and their feathered siblings, had been used in many studies under comfortable versus hot conditions. Under acute heat stress, the featherless birds maintained normal body temperature with no mortality, in contrast to a significant elevation in body temperature of the feathered sibs that led to considerable mortality. In other trials, featherless broilers were compared with feathered sibs under chronic hot conditions (constant 32-35°C) versus comfortable (25°C) conditions. Under heat, only the featherless broilers maintained a normal body temperature, and their mean body weight was significantly higher than their feathered siblings. Under all conditions, the featherless broilers exhibited favourable breast meat yield and quality, apparently due to the saved feather-building nutrients and better vascularization in the breast muscle. These results indicate that reduction or elimination of feather coverage improved the livability and overall performance of fast-growing broilers in warm and hot conditions.