bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Variación e distancia lingüística na Romania Antiqua: unha contribución dialectométrica ao debate sobre o grao de individuación da lingua galega
Authors: Valls Alecha Esteve , González González Manuel
Published: August 2016

O obxectivo deste traballo é presentar unha primeira aproximación dialectométrica á organización xeolectal do ámbito lingüístico románico en base a un corpus de nova creación que se está a desenvolver no Centro Ramón Piñeiro para a Investigación en Humanidades a partir dos datos do Atlas Linguistique Roman (ALiR). Alén de permitir analizar a variación e a distancia lingüística entre as variedades da Romania Antiqua, o proceso de dialectometrización do ALiR debería permitir afrontar, dende unha perspectiva cuantitativa global, determinadas cuestións que teñen xerado controversia ao longo da historia da romanística. Concretamente, este artigo céntrase na cuestión do grao de individuación da lingua galega respecto do portugués e do castelán —unha controversia que entronca directamente co debate sobre a codificación da lingua, hoxe en día aínda non pechado de todo— e chega á conclusión de que reforzar a presenza e a visibilidade dos elementos comúns co portugués durante a planificación do corpus podería repercutir moi positivamente na matriz de trazos valorativos asociada a esta lingua.
Sex Differences in Drosophila Somatic Gene Expression: Variation and Regulation by doublesex
Authors: Arbeitman Michelle N , New Felicia N , Fear Justin M , Howard Tiffany S , Dalton Justin E , Graze Rita M
Published: August 2016

Sex differences in gene expression have been widely studied in Drosophila melanogaster. Sex differences vary across strains, but many molecular studies focus on only a single strain, or on genes that show sexually dimorphic expression in many strains. How extensive variability is and whether this variability occurs among genes regulated by sex determination hierarchy terminal transcription factors is unknown. To address these questions, we examine differences in sexually dimorphic gene expression between two strains in Drosophila adult head tissues. We also examine gene expression in doublesex (dsx) mutant strains to determine which sex-differentially expressed genes are regulated by DSX, and the mode by which DSX regulates expression. We find substantial variation in sex-differential expression. The sets of genes with sexually dimorphic expression in each strain show little overlap. The prevalence of different DSX regulatory modes also varies between the two strains. Neither the patterns of DSX DNA occupancy, nor mode of DSX regulation explain why some genes show consistent sex-differential expression across strains. We find that the genes identified as regulated by DSX in this study are enriched with known sites of DSX DNA occupancy. Finally, we find that sex-differentially expressed genes and genes regulated by DSX are highly enriched on the fourth chromosome. These results provide insights into a more complete pool of potential DSX targets, as well as revealing the molecular flexibility of DSX regulation.
Comparative Genomics of a Parthenogenesis-Inducing Wolbachia Symbiont
Authors: Lindsey Amelia R I , Werren John H , Richards Stephen , Stouthamer Richard
Published: August 2016

Wolbachia is an intracellular symbiont of invertebrates responsible for inducing a wide variety of phenotypes in its host. These host-Wolbachia relationships span the continuum from reproductive parasitism to obligate mutualism, and provide a unique system to study genomic changes associated with the evolution of symbiosis. We present the genome sequence from a parthenogenesis-inducing Wolbachia strain (wTpre) infecting the minute parasitoid wasp Trichogramma pretiosum. The wTpre genome is the most complete parthenogenesis-inducing Wolbachia genome available to date. We used comparative genomics across 16 Wolbachia strains, representing five supergroups, to identify a core Wolbachia genome of 496 sets of orthologous genes. Only 14 of these sets are unique to Wolbachia when compared to other bacteria from the Rickettsiales. We show that the B supergroup of Wolbachia, of which wTpre is a member, contains a significantly higher number of ankyrin repeat-containing genes than other supergroups. In the wTpre genome, there is evidence for truncation of the protein coding sequences in 20% of ORFs, mostly as a result of frameshift mutations. The wTpre strain represents a conversion from cytoplasmic incompatibility to a parthenogenesis-inducing lifestyle, and is required for reproduction in the Trichogramma host it infects. We hypothesize that the large number of coding frame truncations has accompanied the change in reproductive mode of the wTpre strain.
Homeobox Is Pivotal for OsWUS Controlling Tiller Development and Female Fertility in Rice
Authors: Mjomba Fredrick Mwamburi , Zheng Yan , Liu Huaqing , Tang Weiqi , Hong Zonglie , Wang Feng , Wu Weiren
Published: August 2016

OsWUS has recently been shown to be a transcription factor gene critical for tiller development and fertility in rice. The OsWUS protein consists of three conserved structural domains, but their biological functions are still unclear. We discovered a new rice mutant resulting from tissue culture, which hardly produced tillers and exhibited complete female sterility. The male and female floral organs of the mutant were morphologically indistinguishable from those of the wild type. We named the mutant srt1 for completely sterile and reduced tillering 1. Map-based cloning revealed that the mutant phenotypes were caused by a mutation in OsWUS. Compared with the two previously reported null allelic mutants of OsWUS (tab1-1 and moc3-1), which could produce partial N-terminal peptides of OsWUS, the srt1 protein contained a deletion of only seven amino acids within the conserved homeobox domain of OsWUS. However, the mutant phenotypes (monoculm and female sterility) displayed in srt1 were as typical and severe as those in tab1-1 and moc3-1. This indicates that the homeobox domain of SRT1 is essential for the regulation of tillering and sterility in rice. In addition, srt1 showed an opposite effect on panicle development to that of the two null allelic mutants, implying that the srt1 protein might still have partial or even new functions on panicle development. The results of this study suggest that the homeobox domain is pivotal for OsWUS function.
Partial Functional Diversification ofDrosophila melanogasterSeptin GenesSep2andSep5
Authors: O’Neill Ryan S , Clark Denise V
Published: August 2016

The septin family of hetero-oligomeric complex-forming proteins can be divided into subgroups, and subgroup members are interchangeable at specific positions in the septin complex. Drosophila melanogaster has five septin genes, including the two SEPT6 subgroup members Sep2 and Sep5. We previously found that Sep2 has a unique function in oogenesis, which is not performed by Sep5. Here, we find that Sep2 is uniquely required for follicle cell encapsulation of female germline cysts, and that Sep2 and Sep5 are redundant for follicle cell proliferation. The five D. melanogaster septins localize similarly in oogenesis, including as rings flanking the germline ring canals. Pnut fails to localize in Sep5; Sep2 double mutant follicle cells, indicating that septin complexes fail to form in the absence of both Sep2 and Sep5. We also find that mutations in septins enhance the mutant phenotype of bazooka, a key component in the establishment of cell polarity, suggesting a link between septin function and cell polarity. Overall, this work suggests that Sep5 has undergone partial loss of ancestral protein function, and demonstrates redundant and unique functions of septins.
Genomic Signatures of North American Soybean Improvement Inform Diversity Enrichment Strategies and Clarify the Impact of Hybridization
Authors: Vaughn Justin N , Li Zenglu
Published: August 2016

Crop improvement represents a long-running experiment in artificial selection on a complex trait, namely yield. How such selection relates to natural populations is unclear, but the analysis of domesticated populations could offer insights into the relative role of selection, drift, and recombination in all species facing major shifts in selective regimes. Because of the extreme autogamy exhibited by soybean (Glycine max), many “immortalized” genotypes of elite varieties spanning the last century have been preserved and characterized using ∼50,000 single nucleotide polymorphic (SNP) markers. Also due to autogamy, the history of North American soybean breeding can be roughly divided into pre- and posthybridization eras, allowing for direct interrogation of the role of recombination in improvement and selection. Here, we report on genome-wide characterization of the structure and history of North American soybean populations and the signature of selection in these populations. Supporting previous work, we find that maturity defines population structure. Though the diversity of North American ancestors is comparable to available landraces, prehybridization line selections resulted in a clonal structure that dominated early breeding and explains many of the reductions in diversity found in the initial generations of soybean hybridization. The rate of allele frequency change does not deviate sharply from neutral expectation, yet some regions bare hallmarks of strong selection, suggesting a highly variable range of selection strengths biased toward weak effects. We also discuss the importance of haplotypes as units of analysis when complex traits fall under novel selection regimes.
Third Chromosome Balancer Inversions Disrupt Protein-Coding Genes and Influence Distal Recombination Events inDrosophila melanogaster
Authors: Miller Danny E , Cook Kevin R , Arvanitakis Alexandra V , Hawley R Scott
Published: August 2016

Balancer chromosomes are multiply inverted chromosomes that suppress meiotic crossing over and prevent the recovery of crossover products. Balancers are commonly used in Drosophila melanogaster to maintain deleterious alleles and in stock construction. They exist for all three major chromosomes, yet the molecular location of the breakpoints and the exact nature of many of the mutations carried by the second and third chromosome balancers has not been available. Here, we precisely locate eight of 10 of the breakpoints on the third chromosome balancer TM3, six of eight on TM6, and nine of 11 breakpoints on TM6B. We find that one of the inversion breakpoints on TM3 bisects the highly conserved tumor suppressor gene p53—a finding that may have important consequences for a wide range of studies in Drosophila. We also identify evidence of single and double crossovers between several TM3 and TM6B balancers and their normal-sequence homologs that have created genetic diversity among these chromosomes. Overall, this work demonstrates the practical importance of precisely identifying the position of inversion breakpoints of balancer chromosomes and characterizing the mutant alleles carried by them.
Fitness Effects of Spontaneous Mutations in Picoeukaryotic Marine Green Algae
Authors: Krasovec Marc , Eyre-Walker Adam , Grimsley Nigel , Salmeron Christophe , Pecqueur David , Piganeau Gwenael , Sanchez-Ferandin Sophie
Published: August 2016

Estimates of the fitness effects of spontaneous mutations are important for understanding the adaptive potential of species. Here, we present the results of mutation accumulation experiments over 265–512 sequential generations in four species of marine unicellular green algae, Ostreococcus tauri RCC4221, Ostreococcus mediterraneus RCC2590, Micromonas pusilla RCC299, and Bathycoccus prasinos RCC1105. Cell division rates, taken as a proxy for fitness, systematically decline over the course of the experiment in O. tauri, but not in the three other species where the MA experiments were carried out over a smaller number of generations. However, evidence of mutation accumulation in 24 MA lines arises when they are exposed to stressful conditions, such as changes in osmolarity or exposure to herbicides. The selection coefficients, estimated from the number of cell divisions/day, varies significantly between the different environmental conditions tested in MA lines, providing evidence for advantageous and deleterious effects of spontaneous mutations. This suggests a common environmental dependence of the fitness effects of mutations and allows the minimum mutation/genome/generation rates to be inferred at 0.0037 in these species.
An Improved Genome Assembly of Azadirachta indica A. Juss.
Authors: Krishnan Neeraja M , Jain Prachi , Gupta Saurabh , Hariharan Arun K , Panda Binay
Published: August 2016

Neem (Azadirachta indica A. Juss.), an evergreen tree of the Meliaceae family, is known for its medicinal, cosmetic, pesticidal and insecticidal properties. We had previously sequenced and published the draft genome of a neem plant, using mainly short read sequencing data. In this report, we present an improved genome assembly generated using additional short reads from Illumina and long reads from Pacific Biosciences SMRT sequencer. We assembled short reads and error-corrected long reads using Platanus, an assembler designed to perform well for heterozygous genomes. The updated genome assembly (v2.0) yielded 3- and 3.5-fold increase in N50 and N75, respectively; 2.6-fold decrease in the total number of scaffolds; 1.25-fold increase in the number of valid transcriptome alignments; 13.4-fold less misassembly and 1.85-fold increase in the percentage repeat, over the earlier assembly (v1.0). The current assembly also maps better to the genes known to be involved in the terpenoid biosynthesis pathway. Together, the data represent an improved assembly of the A. indica genome.
Improved Placement of Multi-mapping Small RNAs
Authors: Johnson Nathan R , Yeoh Jonathan M , Coruh Ceyda , Axtell Michael J
Published: August 2016

High-throughput sequencing of small RNAs (sRNA-seq) is a popular method used to discover and annotate microRNAs (miRNAs), endogenous short interfering RNAs (siRNAs), and Piwi-associated RNAs (piRNAs). One of the key steps in sRNA-seq data analysis is alignment to a reference genome. sRNA-seq libraries often have a high proportion of reads that align to multiple genomic locations, which makes determining their true origins difficult. Commonly used sRNA-seq alignment methods result in either very low precision (choosing an alignment at random), or sensitivity (ignoring multi-mapping reads). Here, we describe and test an sRNA-seq alignment strategy that uses local genomic context to guide decisions on proper placements of multi-mapped sRNA-seq reads. Tests using simulated sRNA-seq data demonstrated that this local-weighting method outperforms other alignment strategies using three different plant genomes. Experimental analyses with real sRNA-seq data also indicate superior performance of local-weighting methods for both plant miRNAs and heterochromatic siRNAs. The local-weighting methods we have developed are implemented as part of the sRNA-seq analysis program ShortStack, which is freely available under a general public license. Improved genome alignments of sRNA-seq data should increase the quality of downstream analyses and genome annotation efforts.
CRISPR/Cas9-Mediated Insertion of loxP Sites in the Mouse Dock7 Gene Provides an Effective Alternative to Use of Targeted Embryonic Stem Cells
Authors: Bishop Kathleen A , Harrington Anne , Kouranova Evguenia , Weinstein Edward J , Rosen Clifford J , Cui Xiaoxia , Liaw Lucy
Published: August 2016

Targeted gene mutation in the mouse is a primary strategy to understand gene function and relation to phenotype. The Knockout Mouse Project (KOMP) had an initial goal to develop a public resource of mouse embryonic stem (ES) cell clones that carry null mutations in all genes. Indeed, many useful novel mouse models have been generated from publically accessible targeted mouse ES cell lines. However, there are limitations, including incorrect targeting or cassette structure, and difficulties with germline transmission of the allele from chimeric mice. In our experience, using a small sample of targeted ES cell clones, we were successful ∼50% of the time in generating germline transmission of a correctly targeted allele. With the advent of CRISPR/Cas9 as a mouse genome modification tool, we assessed the efficiency of creating a conditional targeted allele in one gene, dedicator of cytokinesis 7 (Dock7), for which we were unsuccessful in generating a null allele using a KOMP targeted ES cell clone. The strategy was to insert loxP sites to flank either exons 3 and 4, or exons 3 through 7. By coinjecting Cas9 mRNA, validated sgRNAs, and oligonucleotide donors into fertilized eggs from C57BL/6J mice, we obtained a variety of alleles, including mice homozygous for the null alleles mediated by nonhomologous end joining, alleles with one of the two desired loxP sites, and correctly targeted alleles with both loxP sites. We also found frequent mutations in the inserted loxP sequence, which is partly attributable to the heterogeneity in the original oligonucleotide preparation.
Fruiting Body Formation in Volvariella volvacea Can Occur Independently of Its MAT-A-Controlled Bipolar Mating System, Enabling Homothallic and Heterothallic Life Cycles
Authors: Chen Bingzhi , van Peer Arend F , Yan Junjie , Li Xiao , Xie Bin , Miao Juan , Huang Qianhui , Zhang Lei , Wang Wei , Fu Junsheng , Zhang Xiang , Zhang Xiaoyin , Hu Fengli , Kong Qingfang , Sun Xianyun , Zou Feng , Zhang Hanxing , Li Shaojie , Xie Baogui
Published: August 2016

Volvariella volvacea is an important crop in Southeast Asia, but erratic fruiting presents a serious challenge for its production and breeding. Efforts to explain inconsistent fruiting have been complicated by the multinucleate nature, typical lack of clamp connections, and an incompletely identified sexual reproductive system. In this study, we addressed the life cycle of V. volvacea using whole genome sequencing, cloning of MAT loci, karyotyping of spores, and fruiting assays. Microscopy analysis of spores had previously indicated the possible coexistence of heterothallic and homothallic life cycles. Our analysis of the MAT loci showed that only MAT-A, and not MAT-B, controlled heterokaryotization. Thus, the heterothallic life cycle was bipolar. Karyotyping of single spore isolates (SSIs) using molecular markers supported the existence of heterokaryotic spores. However, most SSIs were clearly not heterokaryotic, yet contained structural variation (SV) markers relating to both alleles of both parents. Heterokaryons from crossed, self-sterile homokaryons could produce fruiting bodies, agreeing with bipolar heterothallism. Meanwhile, some SSIs with two different MAT-A loci also produced fruiting bodies, which supported secondary homothallism. Next, SSIs that clearly contained only one MAT-A locus (homothallism) were also able to fruit, demonstrating that self-fertile SSIs were not, per definition, secondary homothallic, and that a third life cycle or genetic mechanism must exist. Finally, recombination between SV markers was normal, yet 10 out of 24 SV markers showed 1:2 or 1:3 distributions in the spores, and large numbers of SSIs contained doubled SV markers. This indicated selfish genes, and possibly partial aneuploidy.
Inter-genomic DNA Exchanges and Homeologous Gene Silencing Shaped the Nascent Allopolyploid Coffee Genome (Coffea arabicaL.)
Authors: Lashermes Philippe , Hueber Yann , Combes Marie-Christine , Severac Dany , Dereeper Alexis
Published: August 2016

Allopolyploidization is a biological process that has played a major role in plant speciation and evolution. Genomic changes are common consequences of polyploidization, but their dynamics over time are still poorly understood. Coffea arabica, a recently formed allotetraploid, was chosen to study genetic changes that accompany allopolyploid formation. Both RNA-seq and DNA-seq data were generated from two genetically distant C. arabica accessions. Genomic structural variation was investigated using C. canephora, one of its diploid progenitors, as reference genome. The fate of 9047 duplicate homeologous genes was inferred and compared between the accessions. The pattern of SNP density along the reference genome was consistent with the allopolyploid structure. Large genomic duplications or deletions were not detected. Two homeologous copies were retained and expressed in 96% of the genes analyzed. Nevertheless, duplicated genes were found to be affected by various genomic changes leading to homeolog loss or silencing. Genetic and epigenetic changes were evidenced that could have played a major role in the stabilization of the unique ancestral allotetraploid and its subsequent diversification. While the early evolution of C. arabica mainly involved homeologous crossover exchanges, the later stage appears to have relied on more gradual evolution involving gene conversion and homeolog silencing.
An Intronic MBTPS2 Variant Results in a Splicing Defect in Horses with Brindle Coat Texture
Authors: Murgiano Leonardo , Waluk Dominik P , Towers Rachel , Wiedemar Natalie , Dietrich Joëlle , Jagannathan Vidhya , Drögemüller Michaela , Balmer Pierre , Druet Tom , Galichet Arnaud , Penedo M Cecilia , Müller Eliane J , Roosje Petra , Welle Monika M , Leeb Tosso
Published: August 2016

We investigated a family of horses exhibiting irregular vertical stripes in their hair coat texture along the neck, back, hindquarters, and upper legs. This phenotype is termed “brindle” by horse breeders. We propose the term “brindle 1 (BR1)” for this specific form of brindle. In some BR1 horses, the stripes were also differentially pigmented. Pedigree analyses were suggestive of a monogenic X-chromosomal semidominant mode of inheritance. Haplotype analyses identified a 5 Mb candidate region on chromosome X. Whole genome sequencing of four BR1 and 60 nonbrindle horses identified 61 private variants in the critical interval, none of them located in an exon of an annotated gene. However, one of the private variants was close to an exon/intron boundary in intron 10 of the MBTPS2 gene encoding the membrane bound transcription factor peptidase, site 2 (c.1437+4T>C). Different coding variants in this gene lead to three related genodermatoses in human patients. We therefore analyzed MBTPS2 transcripts in skin, and identified an aberrant transcript in a BR1 horse, which lacked the entire exon 10 and parts of exon 11. The MBTPS2:c1437+4T>C variant showed perfect cosegregation with the brindle phenotype in the investigated family, and was absent from 457 control horses of diverse breeds. Altogether, our genetic data, and previous knowledge on MBTPS2 function in the skin, suggest that the identified MBTPS2 intronic variant leads to partial exon skipping, and causes the BR1 phenotype in horses.
Whole Genome Comparison of Thermus sp. NMX2.A1 Reveals Principal Carbon Metabolism Differences with Closest Relation Thermus scotoductus SA-01
Authors: Müller Walter J , Tlalajoe Nokuthula , Cason Errol D , Litthauer Derek , Reva Oleg , Brzuszkiewicz Elzbieta , van Heerden Esta
Published: August 2016

Genome sequencing of the yellow-pigmented, thermophilic bacterium Thermus sp. NMX2.A1 resulted in a 2.29 Mb draft genome that encodes for 2312 proteins. The genetic relationship between various strains from the genus Thermus was assessed based on phylogenomic analyses using a concatenated set of conserved proteins. The resulting phylogenetic tree illustrated that Thermus sp. NMX2 A.1 clusters together with Thermus scotoductus SA-01, despite being isolated from vastly different geographical locations. The close evolutionary relationship and metabolic parallels between the two strains has previously been recognized; however, neither strain’s genome data were available at that point in time. Genomic comparison of the Thermus sp. NMX2.A1 and T. scotoductus SA-01, as well as other closely related Thermus strains, revealed a high degree of synteny at both the genomic and proteomic level, with processes such as denitrification and natural cell competence appearing to be conserved. However, despite this high level of similarity, analysis revealed a complete, putative Calvin–Benson–Bassham (CBB) cycle in NMX2.A1 that is absent in SA-01. Analysis of horizontally transferred gene islands provide evidence that NMX2 selected these genes due to pressure from its HCO3- rich environment, which is in stark contrast to that of the deep subsurface isolated SA-01.
Characterization of a Novel MMS-Sensitive Allele ofSchizosaccharomyces pombe mcm4+
Authors: Ranatunga Nimna S , Forsburg Susan L
Published: August 2016

The minichromosome maintenance (MCM) complex is the conserved helicase motor of the eukaryotic replication fork. Mutations in the Mcm4 subunit are associated with replication stress and double strand breaks in multiple systems. In this work, we characterize a new temperature-sensitive allele of Schizosaccharomyces pombe mcm4+. Uniquely among known mcm4 alleles, this mutation causes sensitivity to the alkylation damaging agent methyl methanesulfonate (MMS). Even in the absence of treatment or temperature shift, mcm4-c106 cells show increased repair foci of RPA and Rad52, and require the damage checkpoint for viability, indicating genome stress. The mcm4-c106 mutant is synthetically lethal with mutations disrupting fork protection complex (FPC) proteins Swi1 and Swi3. Surprisingly, we found that the deletion of rif1+ suppressed the MMS-sensitive phenotype without affecting temperature sensitivity. Together, these data suggest that mcm4-c106 destabilizes replisome structure.
Dorinio ugdymo Lietuvos bendrojo lavinimo mokyklose metodologiniai orientyrai
Authors: Duoblienė Lilija
Published: August 2016

Straipsnyje aptariama dorinio ugdymo Lietuvos bendrojo lavinimo mokyklose padėtis. Atliekama pagrindinės mokyklos etikos bendrųjų programų analizė, išryškinama jų metodologijos kaita ir dominuojantys orientyrai, kurie leidžia geriau įvertinti esamos padėties pranašumus ir trūkumus, numatyti dorinio ugdymo perspektyvas. Lietuvos bendrojo lavinimo mokyklų programų metodologiniai orientyrai lyginami su dominuojančiais Europos šalyse orientyrais, kartu apžvelgiamas platesnis Lietuvos socialinis kontekstas: socialinės raidos Lietuvoje ypatumai, jaunimo mąstymo kaita ir vertybės, mokytojų rengimas, vadovėlių leidyba. Pagrindinė straipsnio įžvalga yra Lietuvos mokyklų programų metodologijos eklektiškumas, o kita vertus, - dialogo filosofijos, kaip metodologinio orientyro, stiprėjimas. Atskleidžiami dialogo filosofijos pagrindiniai pranašumai, kurie svarbūs tobulinant dorinį ugdymą Lietuvoje.
Kai kurie jaunuolių altruizmo internalizacijos būklės bruožai
Authors: Lileikis Saulius
Published: August 2016

Straipsnyje remiantis empiriniais tyrimais Lietuvos mastu atskleidžiami kai kurie jaunuolių altruizmo internalizacijos būklės bruožai. Taikant diagnostinį trijų - aukštos, vidutinės, žemos - altruizmo pakopų pjūvį pagal dorinės pozicijos struktūros komponentus analizuojama, kaip jaunuoliai supranta altruizmo esmę, suvokia jo prasmę; kaip jie vertina savo altruistinius išgyvenimus, siekius ir altruistinį savo elgesį.
Developing the Capacity for Rapid-Cycle Improvement at a Large Freestanding Children’s Hospital
Authors: Fieldston Evan S. , Jonas Jennifer A. , Lederman Virginia A. , Zahm Ashley J. , Xiao Rui , DiMichele Christina M. , Tracy Ellen , Kurbjun Katherine , Tenney-Soeiro Rebecca , Geiger Debra L. , Hogan Annique , Apkon Michael
Published: August 2016

BACKGROUND:

To develop the capacity for rapid-cycle improvement at the unit level, a large freestanding children’s hospital designated 2 inpatient units with normal patient loads and workforce as pilot “Innovation Units” where frontline staff was trained to lead rigorous improvement portfolios.

METHODS:

Frontline staff received improvement training, and interdisciplinary teams brainstormed ideas for tests of change. Ideas were prioritized using an impact-effort evaluation and an assessment of how they aligned with high-level goals. A template for each test summarized the following: the opportunity for improvement, the test being conducted, dates for the tests, driver diagrams, metrics to measure effects, baseline data, results, findings, and next steps. Successful interventions were implemented and disseminated to other units.

RESULTS:

Multidisciplinary staff generated 150 improvement ideas and Innovation Units collectively ran >40 plan-do-study-act cycles. Of the 10 distinct improvement projects, elements of all 10 were deemed “successful” and fully implemented on the unit, and elements from 8 were spread to other units. More than 3 years later, elements of all of the successful improvements are still in practice in some form on the units, and each unit has tested >20 additional improvement ideas, using multiple plan-do-study-act cycles to refine them.

CONCLUSIONS:

The Innovation Unit model successfully engaged frontline staff in improvement work and established a sustainable system and framework for managing rigorous improvement portfolios at the unit level. Other hospitals and health care delivery settings may find our quality improvement approach helpful, especially because it is rooted in the microsystem of care delivery.
Telemedicine: A Reliable Tool to Assess the Severity of Respiratory Distress in Children
Authors: Gattu Rajender , Scollan Joey , DeSouza Amita , Devereaux Danielle , Weaver Holli , Agthe Alexander G.
Published: August 2016

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES:

Remote assessment of respiratory distress using telemedicine enabled audio-video conferencing (TM) is of value for medical decision-making. Our goal was to evaluate the interobserver reliability (IOR) of TM compared with face-to-face (FTF) assessment of respiratory distress in children.

METHODS:

A prospective, cohort study was performed in pediatric emergency department from July 2012 to February 2013. Children (aged 0–18 years) who presented with signs of respiratory distress were included in the study. The respiratory score is a 4-item, 12-point scale (respiratory rate [1–3], retractions [0–3], dyspnea [0–3], and wheezing [0–3]) that assesses the severity of a child’s respiratory distress. Each child was evaluated by a pair of observers from a pool of 25 observers. The first observer evaluated the patient FTF, and the second observer simultaneously and independently evaluated remotely via TM. The overall respiratory distress severity is based on the respiratory scale and reported as nonsevere (≤8) and severe (≥9) respiratory distress. The IOR reliability between FTF and TM assessment was measured using a 2-way mixed model, absolute agreement and average measure intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC).

RESULTS:

Forty-eight patients and 135 paired observations were recorded. IOR between the FTF and TM groups for total respiratory score had an ICC of 0.95 (confidence interval 0.93–0.96) and for subscores, the ICC range was as follows: respiratory rate = 0.92, retractions = 0.85, dyspnea = 0.94, and wheezing = 0.77.

CONCLUSIONS:

TM is a reliable tool to assess the severity of respiratory distress in children.
Highlights of the New Neonatal Resuscitation Program Guidelines
Authors: Perlman Jeffrey M.
Published: August 2016

In 2015, the neonatal guidelines for resuscitation were published with several new treatment guidelines. Many of these are highlighted in this review. They included changes in the algorithm, timing of cord clamping in the preterm infant, optimizing detection of heart rate after birth, maintaining the premature infant temperature in the delivery room, initiating oxygen use during resuscitation, and using sustained inflation to establish functional residual capacity. In the term infant, changes included management of the nonbreathing infant delivered in the presence of meconium-stained amniotic fluid and consideration for when to continue/discontinue resuscitation in infants with an Apgar score of 0 after 10 minutes of resuscitation.
Influence of Nitrogen Rate, Seeding Rate, and Weed Removal Timing on Weed Interference in Barley and Effect of Nitrogen on Weed Response to Herbicides
Authors: Kumar Vipan , Jha Prashant
Published: August 2016

Field experiments were conducted at the Montana State University Southern Agricultural Research Center, Huntley, MT, in 2011 through 2013 to determine the effect of nitrogen (N) rate, seeding rate, and weed removal timing on weed interference in barley. A delay in weed removal timing from the 3- to 4-leaf (LF) stage to the 8- to 10-LF stage of barley resulted in up to 3.5-fold increase in total weed biomass and 10% reduction in barley biomass, and this was unaffected by a N rate that ranged from 56 (low) to 168 (high) kg ha−1. The effect of N rate on barley biomass was more pronounced when weed removal was delayed from the 3- to 4-LF stage to the 8- to 10-LF stage of barley and in nontreated plots. Increasing the barley seeding rate from 38 to 152 kg ha−1increased the barley plant density by 50%, biomass by 13%, and grain yield by 29%, averaged over N rates and weed removal timing. On the basis of 5 and 10% levels of acceptable yield loss, the addition of ≥112 kg N ha−1delayed the critical timing of weed removal by at least 1.3 wk in barley, compared with the 56 kg N ha−1rate. A medium or high N rate prevented reduction in barley grain quality (plumpness and test weight) observed when the seeding rate was increased from 38 to 76 or 152 kg ha−1at the low N rate. In a separate greenhouse study, the effect of N rate on the effectiveness of various herbicides for controlling wild oat, green foxtail, kochia, or Russian thistle was investigated. Results highlighted that wild oat or green foxtail grown under 56 kg N ha−1(low N) soil required 1.4 to 2.6 times higher doses of clodinafop, fenoxaprop, flucarbazone, glyphosate, glufosinate, pinoxaden, or tralkoxydim for 50% reduction in shoot dry weights (GR50) compared with plants grown under 168 kg N ha−1(high N). Similarly, a reduced efficacy of thifensulfuron methyl + tribenuron methyl, metsulfuron methyl, or bromoxynil+pyrasulfotole was observed (evident from the GR50values) for kochia or Russian thistle grown under low- vs. high-N soil. Information gained from this research will aid in developing cost-effective, integrated weed management (IWM) strategies in cereals and in educating growers on the importance of fertilizer N management as a component of IWM programs.
Crosswise-loaded pile tests on residual soil site
Authors: Consoli N. C. , Faro V. P. , Schnaid F. , Maghous S. , Born R. B.
Published: August 2016

This manuscript reports certain aspects linked to an analysis of the results of crosswise-loaded pile tests carried out in residual homogeneous lightly bonded soil. Data are shown relating crosswise load–horizontal displacement response determined from tests carried out using cylindrical reinforced concrete piles ranging from 0·10 to 0·40 m diameter and from 5·0 to 8·0 m long. Geometrical and mechanical parameters are implicated in the existing analysis, highlighting the possibility to express results in terms of dimensionless variables. This is achieved by expressing the outcomes in terms of normalised applied lateral pressure against horizontal top displacement-to-pile diameter ratio. In such plot, the effect of the pile area pressing laterally (reaching bearing capacity) is captured for this residual soil site. Finally, comparisons with the available normalised procedures in the literature suggest that the residual soil might not necessarily be handled as alluvial clay-like soil when the pile–soil interaction problem is analysed.
Vulnerable users' perceptions of transport technologies
Authors: Sochor Jana , Nikitas Alexandros
Published: August 2016

As the global population continues to grow, age and urbanise, it is vital to provide accessible transport so that neither ageing nor disability constitutes barriers to social inclusion. While technology can enhance urban access, there is a need to study the ways by which transport technologies – real-time information, pedestrian navigation, surveillance and road pricing – could be more effectively adopted by users. The reason for this is that some people, and particularly vulnerable populations, are still likely to be reluctant to use (or even avoid using) technologies perceived as ‘unknown’ and ‘complicated’. On the basis of evidence from British and Swedish case studies on older people's perceptions of the aforementioned transport technologies, as well as of a Swedish case study of visually impaired people's perceptions, this paper makes the case that technology is only one tool in a complex sociotechnical system, and one that brings challenges. The authors also suggest that although vulnerable populations are not homogeneous when expressing their attitudes towards transport technologies, their assessment criteria tend to be ‘prosocial’ as they usually consider that the societal benefits of the assessed technologies outweigh the personal benefits. Emphasising aspects linked to the technologies' prosocial potential or relevance to the individual user could therefore increase acceptance.
Urban designing in heterogeneous cities: issues and responses
Authors: Lang Jon
Published: August 2016

The ways of life of a city's inhabitants are culturally differentiated by the income they have at their disposal and their taste of cultures. In an era of the increasing globalisation of the economy, most cities have significant minority populations and areas that are dominated by specific ethnic and/or socio-economic groups. Each such neighbourhood possesses a patina that gives it an identity and its inhabitants a ‘feeling of home’. The patina is formed by a myriad of unselfconscious design acts made by its inhabitants. Self-conscious urban design decisions made by municipal authorities can either reinforce or oppose such personalisation of the built environment. Much depends on the socio-physical vision that the power elite of a city have for the future for their city and its precincts. The policies that have been employed to achieve specific ends have shifted back and forth from promoting heterogeneity at the precinct level to local homogeneity creating diversity at the urban scale. How successful have they been? How does the society move ahead?
Variable input parameter influence on river corridor prediction
Authors: Zerfu Tegenu , Beevers Lindsay , Crosato Alessandra , Wright Nigel
Published: August 2016

This paper considers the erodible river corridor, which is the area in which the main river channel is free to migrate over a period of time. Due to growing anthropogenic pressure, predicting the corridor width has become increasingly important for the planning of development along rivers. Several approaches can be used to predict the future erodible corridor width but the results possess a large degree of uncertainty in all cases. The work presented here addresses prediction of the erodible corridor width of a reach of the River Irwell, UK, taking into account the uncertainty that arises from input parameters such as representative discharge, channel width, sediment and so on. The work adopts a probabilistic framework for assessment using Monte Carlo type simulations. Future river corridor width predictions, based on a model calibrated on past observations, are presented in a probabilistic manner using confidence levels. The results indicate the necessity of capturing input variability in the modelling process. Furthermore, the understanding gained from a relatively simple model used in a probabilistic framework is greater than a more complex one where only a few runs are feasible.
A method for optimal floodgate operation in cascade reservoirs
Authors: Chen Shijun , Yan Shang , Huang Weibin , Hu Yanlong , Ma Guangwen
Published: August 2016

It is difficult to find an algorithm to distribute specific reservoir releases to the floodgates of a hydropower plant in the flood season. In this study, based on a classification of floodgate combinations and the outflow from a hydropower plant, a floodgate table has been established. In order to provide a reasonable scheme for the distribution of releases to the floodgates, this paper summarises the principle of the distribution. A multi-step progressive optimality algorithm (MSPOA) is adopted for optimal floodgate operation in cascade reservoirs and applied to calculate the outflow from each reservoir of cascade reservoirs. Subsequently, according to the summarised principle, the method of bisection is used to search floodgate combinations from the floodgate table for the distribution of releases to the floodgates. To verify its feasibility, the proposed method is applied to optimal floodgate operation in a cascade reservoir system that has four hydropower plants on the Yalong River. A comparison of the application results of the progressive optimality algorithm and MSPOA methods shows that the proposed method can provide reasonable results for flood control and can distribute specific reservoir releases to the floodgates for each reservoir in the cascade reservoir system accurately.
A hybrid method for multi-objective hydropower system operation
Authors: Shen Jianjian , Cheng Chuntian
Published: August 2016

More complex operation requirements and multi-objective control needs are the main characteristics of large-scale cascaded hydropower system operations in China. In this study, a hybrid method is developed for addressing multi-objective optimisation of such operations. This method integrates an evaluation technique, an integrated search method and an improved quadratic programming method. The evaluation technique is first presented to combine multiple objectives through introducing a set of evaluation coefficients of the generated energy. The integrated search method, which is based on a progressive optimal algorithm, discrete differential dynamic programming and a group strategy, is proposed to explore initial feasible solutions and to determine the rational search range. Finally, the improved quadratic programming method is developed to dynamically handle complex system generation limitation constraints. This method iteratively solves the reformulated problem to attain a better solution. The proposed method was applied to Hongshuihe River hydropower system. This method effectively coordinates two competing operational objectives and significantly enhances the total power generation during the dry season, compared with the existing model and methods.
Influence of weld slag aggregate in high-performance concrete
Authors: Arunachalam Ananthi , Jayakumar Karthikeyan
Published: August 2016

Rapid increase in urban infrastructural developments in developing countries such as India leads to the need for natural resources such as river sand. The accessibility of the natural resources is diminishing rapidly. At present, other sources of fine aggregates are in great demand. This work concentrates on the utilisation of weld slag (slag left after the welding process) as fine aggregate in high-performance concrete (HPC) (70 MPa). The chemical and physical characteristics of weld slag aggregate, such as specific gravity, scanning electron microscopic images, X-ray diffraction and energy-dispersive spectroscopy analyses were investigated. Further experiments were conducted by replacing weld slag for fine aggregate in varying percentages (10, 20, 30, 40 and 50%). Fresh concrete properties (slump cone test) and the hardened properties such as compressive strength, split tensile strength, flexural strength, ultrasonic pulse velocity test and the water absorption test were evaluated. The obtained test results indicate that the substitution of weld slag in place of fine aggregates up to 10% is favourable for making HPC without affecting the strength and water absorption. This experimental work proves that the weld slag is the best resource in making concrete, which reduces the disposal of waste leading to an economical and eco-friendly concrete.
Construction industry carbon dioxide emissions in Shenzhen, China
Authors: Wang Jiayuan , Tam Vivian W. Y.
Published: August 2016

Waste management has been promoted for effectively reusing the increasing amount of construction and demolition waste being produced. This paper evaluates the potential reduction of carbon dioxide emissions achieved by effective waste management in Shenzhen, China. It was found that 1136·20 and 22·49 kg of carbon dioxide are generated from current waste management activities on each kg/m2 of construction and demolition waste in Shenzhen, respectively. On the basis of waste reduction targets set by the Shenzhen government for 2015 and 2020, carbon dioxide emissions from the local construction industry could be cut by 2500 t for 30% waste reduction and by about 3800 t for 45% waste reduction. This paper serves as a useful guideline on the potential carbon dioxide reduction that can be achieved by reducing the different types of construction materials, thereby helping the industry achieve greenhouse gas emission reduction targets.
Briefing: The environmental paradox of cities: getting around Dubai
Authors: Kelbaugh Douglas
Published: August 2016

This briefing on transportation in Dubai is based on the environmental paradox of cities: when humans cluster in dense, mixed-use urbanism, they decrease their impact on the global environment more than they increase their impact on the local environment; in other words, the ecological and carbon footprints per capita are smaller than in low-density sprawl.
Sanitation: planning the transition to waterborne systems
Authors: Mattholie Robert
Published: August 2016

The proportion of people with access to improved sanitation in sub-Saharan Africa is just over 30%. In this context, the Lake Victoria Water and Sanitation Initiative in Africa is aimed at helping secondary towns in the Lake Victoria region meet the water- and sanitation-related millennium development goals. Particular emphasis was placed on the sanitation sector, with consideration given to improved on-site sanitation as well as sewerage schemes for the urban core. Planning the transition from on-site sanitation systems to sewerage is not straightforward. If sewerage is implemented too early, there may be insufficient uptake of the services, jeopardising the technical and commercial viability of the scheme. Similarly, if interventions are left too late, urban areas will struggle to dispose of the wastewater in a safe and hygienic manner. This paper discusses the key technical factors that should be taken into account when planning such a transition and presents some of the tentative guidelines developed as part of the initiative's phase II project. It is hoped that this paper will raise awareness of the subject and that the tentative guidelines described here will be of some practical use to future decision-makers.