bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Long‐term spatiotemporal trend analysis of precipitation and temperature over Turkey
Authors: Hadi Sinan Jasim , Tombul Mustafa
Published: March 2018

Monthly precipitation and temperature data for Turkey were obtained from the Climate Research Unit Time Series (CRU TS V3.23) dataset (1901–2014) and analysed. The records of 81 grids, each located in a province, were converted into annual and seasonal data. The Mann−Kendall test was used to determine trend significance. The Theil−Sen slope estimator was used for estimating the magnitude of the trend. The Pettitt−Mann−Whitney test was used on the annual data series to identify the ‘most probable change year’ for precipitation and temperature. The spatial pattern of the trend was analysed using a geographical information system environment. The results showed that the annual areal precipitation over the whole of Turkey is not significantly increasing with a magnitude of 0.11 mm year−1, but the annual areal temperature is increasing significantly with a magnitude of 0.88 °C century−1. The grid analysis indicated that annual precipitation is decreasing in the southeastern Anatolia and Mediterranean regions and increasing in the Marmara and Black Sea regions, whilst other regions have no specific pattern. Although a trend is present in most of the grids, insignificance is dominant. Annual precipitation has no dominant change year with 1969 being the most probable. Seasonal precipitation has increasing and decreasing trends in the same regions that also show such trends in annual precipitation. Annual temperature has a significant, increasing trend in all regions. 1993 was found as the most probable change year. Seasonal temperature showed an increasing trend in all regions. The highest increasing trend for temperature was found in the summer.
Caffeic Acid Phenethyl Ester Improves Metabolic Syndrome by Activating PPAR‐γ and Inducing Adipose Tissue Remodeling in Diet‐Induced Obese Mice
Authors: Kim Soon‐Hee , Park Hee‐Sook , Hong Moon Ju , Hur Haeng Jeon , Kwon Dae Young , Kim Myung‐Sunny
Published: March 2018

Scope

This study investigated the effects of caffeic acid phenethyl ester (CAPE), a bioactive component of honeybee hives, on the prevention and treatment of metabolic syndrome (MetS) by comparing the efficacy of CAPE intake at the beginning of obesity and after obesity. The functional mechanism of CAPE was also investigated.

Methods and results

C57BL/6 mice were fed a high‐fat diet (HFD) containing 0.05% CAPE (HFD+C) for 12 weeks (HFD+C(Pre) group) or received HFD+C for 6 weeks after consuming the HFD for 6 weeks (HFD+C(Post) group). Both CAPE‐fed groups showed significant improvements in body weight, fatty liver, inflammation, and insulin resistance, but not serum lipid levels. Hyperlipidemia was only ameliorated in the HFD+C(Pre). Adipose tissue (AT) remodeling occurred in the CAPE‐fed groups. Specifically, CAPE induced PPAR‐γ activation, resulting in adipogenesis, a smaller and more uniform distribution of adipocytes, and decreased immune cell penetration and inflammation; CAPE also improved the disturbed pattern of adipokine secretion. Hypoxia was improved by promoting angiogenesis in AT.

Conclusion

CAPE ameliorates metabolic disease by inducing PPAR‐γ activation and AT remodeling. Additionally, this study reveals that the intake of CAPE after obesity, as well as in the early stage of obesity, helps in the prevention and treatment of MetS.
High Fat and Sugar Consumption During Ad Libitum Intake Predicts Weight Gain
Authors: Stinson Emma J. , Piaggi Paolo , Ibrahim Mostafa , Venti Colleen , Krakoff Jonathan , Votruba Susanne B.
Published: March 2018

Objective

To determine how macronutrients accompanying foods with high energy density (EnDen) affect energy intake and weight gain.

Methods

A total of 214 subjects (130 males, BMI: 32 ± 7 kg/m2) ate ad libitum for 3 days. Food intake was expressed as the mean daily intake (in kilocalories) and the percentage of weight‐maintaining energy needs (%WMEN). EnDen was expressed as the ratio of intake (in kilocalories) to food weight (in grams). Food choices were expressed as absolute and percent intake (kilocalories), categorized as high in fat (HF; ≥ 45% kcal) or low in fat (LF; < 20% kcal), and further categorized as high in complex carbohydrates (≥ 30% kcal), high in simple sugars (HSS; ≥ 30% kcal), or high in protein (HP; ≥ 13% kcal). Follow‐up weights were available from 99 subjects (65 males, range: 6 months to 11 years).

Results

EnDen was associated with BMI (r = 0.28, P < 0.0001), percent body fat (r = 0.18, P = 0.007), and percent intake from HF/HP (r = 0.34, P < 0.0001), HF/HSS (r = 0.31, P < 0.0001), LF/HP (r = −0.37, P < 0.0001) and LF/HSS (r = −0.68, P < 0.0001). The %WMEN was associated with EnDen (r = 0.16, P = 0.01), HF/HSS (r = 0.33, P < 0.0001), and LF/HP intake (r = −0.25, P = 0.0002). In a multivariate model, only HF/HSS intake remained a significant predictor of %WMEN (β = 1.4% per 1% change, P < 0.0001). The percent intake from HF/HSS (r = 0.23, P = 0.02), not EnDen (P = 0.54), was associated with weight gain, even after adjusting for follow‐up time (in years) and covariates.

Conclusions

Relatively greater consumption of HF/HSS foods independently predicted overeating and weight gain. Nutrient compositions of high‐EnDen foods may be important for weight management.
Regional photovoltaic power fluctuations within frequency regulation control time frames: A study with high‐resolution data
Authors: Gari da Silva Fonseca Junior Joao , Nishitsuji Yuki , Udagawa Yusuke , Urabe Chiyori T. , Saito Tetsuo , Uno Fumichika , Ohtake Hideaki , Oozeki Takashi , Ogimoto Kazuhiko
Published: March 2018

The growth of renewable energy penetration on power grids is reaching high levels in many countries around the world. In such high‐penetration scenarios, the proper characterisation of the intermittency of renewable power generation becomes important to the operation of power grids. In this study, using the most recent high‐resolution global horizontal irradiance data in Japan, we characterise short‐term fluctuations of photovoltaic (PV) power in regional scale, in a scenario of high penetration of PV. We analysed 1 year of data with a resolution of 10 seconds for the Kanto area in Japan. The results show that the distribution of the short‐term fluctuations is non‐Gaussian, presenting a shape similar to a Laplacian distribution. In addition to statistical aspects, a methodology is presented to evaluate the fluctuations considering aspects relevant to power grid operators. Applying this methodology, we show that the highest fluctuations within the time frame of secondary regulation control of frequency reached 5% of the hourly power demand. Fluctuations of PV power within the primary regulation control time frame were within 3% of hourly power demand, and the 99th percentile of the fluctuations was within 1% of it. With the proposed methodology, which can be generally applied, we go beyond the description of statistical properties of short‐term fluctuations of PV, showing also the importance to evaluate them in a context relevant to power grid operators.
Secretome Analysis Identifies Potential Pathogenicity/Virulence Factors of Tilletia indica, a Quarantined Fungal Pathogen Inciting Karnal Bunt Disease in Wheat
Authors: Pandey Vishakha , Singh Manoj , Pandey Dinesh , Marla Soma , Kumar Anil
Published: March 2018

Tilletia indica is a smut fungus that incites Karnal bunt in wheat. It has been considered as quarantine pest in more than 70 countries. Despite its quarantine significance, there is meager knowledge regarding the molecular mechanisms of disease pathogenesis. Moreover, various disease management strategies have proven futile. Development of effective disease management strategy requires identification of pathogenicity/virulence factors. With this aim, the present study was conducted to compare the secretomes of T. indica isolates, that is, highly (TiK) and low (TiP) virulent isolates. About 120 and 95 protein spots were detected reproducibly in TiK and TiP secretome gel images. Nineteen protein spots, which were consistently observed as upregulated/differential in the secretome of TiK isolate, were selected for their identification by MALDI‐TOF/TOF. Identified proteins exhibited homology with fungal proteins playing important role in fungal adhesion, penetration, invasion, protection against host‐derived reactive oxygen species, production of virulence factors, cellular signaling, and degradation of host cell wall proteins and antifungal proteins. These results were complemented with T. indica genome sequence leading to identification of candidate pathogenicity/virulence factors homologs that were further subjected to sequence‐ and structure‐based functional annotation. Thus, present study reports the first comparative secretome analysis of T. indica for identification of pathogenicity/virulence factors. This would provide insights into pathogenic mechanisms of T. indica and aid in devising effective disease management strategies.
AR‐V7 in circulating tumor cells cluster as a predictive biomarker of abiraterone acetate and enzalutamide treatment in castration‐resistant prostate cancer patients
Authors: Okegawa Takatsugu , Ninomiya Naoki , Masuda Kazuki , Nakamura Yu , Tambo Mitsuhiro , Nutahara Kikuo
Published: March 2018

Objective

We examined whether androgen receptor splice variant 7 (AR‐V7) in circulating tumor cell(CTC)clusters can be used to predict survival in patients with bone metastatic castration resistant‐prostate cancer (mCRPC) treated with abiraterone or enzalutamide.

Methods

We retrospectively enrolled 98 patients with CRPC on abiraterone or enzalutamide, and investigated the prognostic value of CTC cluster detection (+ v −) and AR‐V7 detection (+ v −) using a CTC cluster detection − based AR‐V7 mRNA assay. We examined ≤50% prostate‐specific antigen (PSA) responses, PSA progression‐free survival (PSA‐PFS), clinical and radiological progression‐free survival (radiologic PSF), and overall survival (OS). We then assessed whether AR‐V7 expression in CTC clusters identified after On‐chip multi‐imaging flow cytometry was related to disease progression and survival after first‐line systemic therapy.

Results

All abiraterone‐treated or enzalutamide‐treated patients received prior docetaxel. The median follow‐up was 20.7 (range: 3.0‐37.0) months in the abiraterone and enzalutamide cohorts, respectively. Forty‐nine of the 98 men (50.0%) were CTC cluster (−), 23 of the 98 men (23.5%) were CTC cluster(+)/AR‐V7(−), and 26 of the 98 men (26.5%) were CTC cluster(+)/AR‐V7(+). CTC cluster(+)/AR‐V7(+) patients were more likely to have EOD ≥3 at diagnosis (P = 0.003), pain (P = 0.023), higher alkaline phosphatase levels (P < 0.001), and visceral metastases (P < 0.001). On multivariable analysis, pretherapy CTC cluster(+), CTC cluster(+)/AR‐V7(−), and ALP >UNL were independently associated with a poor PSA‐PFS, radiographic PFS, and OS in abiraterone‐treated patients and enzalutamide‐treated patients.

Conclusion

The CTC clusters and AR‐V7‐positive CTC clusters detected were important for assessing the response to abiraterone or enzalutamide therapy and for predicting disease outcome.
Electron ionization mass spectrometry fragmentation and multiple reaction monitoring quantification of bacterial metabolites of the sea ice biomarker proxy IP25 in Arctic sediments
Authors: Rontani Jean‐François , Aubert Claude , Belt Simon T.
Published: March 2018

Rationale

3,9,13‐Trimethyl‐6‐(1,5‐dimethylhexyl)tetradecan‐1,2‐diol and 2,8,12‐trimethyl‐5‐(1,5‐dimethylhexyl)tridecanoic acid appear to be produced during the bacterial metabolism of IP25, a highly branched isoprenoid lipid often employed for past Arctic sea ice reconstruction. Characterization and quantification of these metabolites in sediments are essential to determine if bacterial degradation may exert a significant influence on IP25‐based palaeo sea ice reconstructions.

Methods

Electron ionization mass spectrometry (EIMS) fragmentation pathways of 3,9,13‐trimethyl‐6‐(1,5‐dimethylhexyl)tetradecan‐1,2‐diol and 2,8,12‐trimethyl‐5‐(1,5‐dimethylhexyl)tridecanoic acid trimethylsilyl (TMS) derivatives were investigated. These pathways were deduced by: (i) low‐energy collision‐induced dissociation (CID) gas chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry (GC/MS/MS), (ii) accurate mass measurement, and (iii) deuterium labelling.

Results

CID‐MS/MS analyses, accurate mass measurement and deuterium‐labelling experiments enabled us to elucidate the EIMS fragmentations of 3,9,13‐trimethyl‐6‐(1,5‐dimethylhexyl)tetradecan‐1,2‐diol and 2,8,12‐trimethyl‐5‐(1,5‐dimethylhexyl)tridecanoic acid TMS derivatives. Some specific fragment ions useful in addition to chromatographic retention times for further characterization could be identified. As an application of some of the described fragmentations, the TMS derivatives of these metabolites were characterized and quantified in MRM mode in different Arctic sediments.

Conclusions

EIMS fragmentations of 3,9,13‐trimethyl‐6‐(1,5‐dimethylhexyl)tetradecan‐1,2‐diol and 2,8,12‐trimethyl‐5‐(1,5‐dimethylhexyl)tridecanoic acid TMS derivatives exhibit specific fragment ions, which appear to be very useful for the quantification of these bacterial metabolites of the palaeo tracer IP25 in sediments.
Discrimination surfaces with application to region‐specific brain asymmetry analysis
Authors: Martos Gabriel , de Carvalho Miguel
Published: March 2018

Discrimination surfaces are here introduced as a diagnostic tool for localizing brain regions where discrimination between diseased and nondiseased participants is higher. To estimate discrimination surfaces, we introduce a Mann‐Whitney type of statistic for random fields and present large‐sample results characterizing its asymptotic behavior. Simulation results demonstrate that our estimator accurately recovers the true surface and corresponding interval of maximal discrimination. The empirical analysis suggests that in the anterior region of the brain, schizophrenic patients tend to present lower local asymmetry scores in comparison with participants in the control group.
Promoting Effect of Organic Ligand on the Performance of Ceria for the Selective Catalytic Reduction of NO by NH3
Authors: Yin Mengqi , Qiu Wenge , Song Liyun , Zhu Hongtai , Chen Yun , Li Shining , Cheng Jie , Sun Yanming , Bai Guangmei , Zhang Guizhen , He Hong
Published: March 2018

Two CeO2 catalysts were fabricated by dry ball milling in the absence or presence of organic ligand, denoted as CeO2‐A and CeO2‐B, respectively, and tested for selective catalytic reduction of NO by NH3 (NH3‐SCR). It was found that the CeO2‐B catalyst exhibited high NH3‐SCR activities as well as high SO2 and H2O resistance. The characterizations of nitrogen adsorption (BET), X‐ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), thermogravimetric analysis (TG), Raman spectroscopy, temperature‐programmed reduction (H2‐TPR), temperature‐programmed desorption (SO2‐TPD) and X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) revealed that the addition of adipic acid in the synthetic procedure leaded to a high reducibility of cerium species and a special surface microstructure, including relative high surface defects and hierarchical pore structure of the CeO2 catalyst, which played important roles in enhancing NH3‐SCR performance. Meanwhile, the interaction between SO2 and CeO2 under different condition was investigated in detail by in situ diffuse reflection infrared Fourier transform spectroscopy (DRIFTS) and SO2‐TPD. The data suggested that the high resistance to SO2 poisoning of CeO2‐B could be explained by a low amount of sulfur species formation and a low speed transformation of sulfites to sulfates on the ceria catalyst due to its special surface microstructure.
Strain Aging Behavior of an Austenitic High‐Mn Steel
Authors: Wesselmecking Sebastian , Song Wenwen , Ma Yan , Roesler Thorsten , Hofmann Harald , Bleck Wolfgang
Published: March 2018

The bake hardening treatment shows great potential for increasing the yield strength of steel components for automotive applications. This study investigates the effects of bake hardening on the yield strength and ductility of an austenitic high‐Mn steel. In order to identify a promising process window, the prestrain, the bake hardening temperature, and the annealing time are varied. The bake hardening effect is evaluated by the uniaxial tensile tests with digital image correlation (DIC) in situ monitoring. The results show strong bake hardening effect on the high‐Mn steel when certain amount of prestrain is applied. Large amounts of prestrain even leads to room temperature aging. Small angle neutron scattering (SANS) measurements indicate the absence of Mn–C short range ordering (SRO) after the prestrain; however, the nano‐sized Mn–C SRO re‐occurs after the annealing. At high prestrain degree, an increase in the number density of the Mn–C SRO is found in both cases, after annealing at elevated temperature and aging at room temperature, indicating an accelerated Mn–C SRO formation. The results suggest that SRO is responsible for an increase in the yield strength and a pronounced yielding of the high‐Mn steel after bake hardening treatment.
Steifigkeitsbeiträge durchgängiger Schotterschichten auf Eisenbahnbrücken mit Längsfugen
Authors: Bigelow Hetty , Rauert Tim , Hoffmeister Benno , Feldmann Markus
Published: March 2018

Messungen an Eisenbahnbrücken zeigen regelmäßig, dass rechnerische Prognosen der Steifigkeit und Eigenfrequenz oftmals nicht zutreffen. Zusätzlich zum tragenden Überbau leisten auch Elemente des Oberbaus, wie z. B. Schotterbett und Gleise, einen Beitrag zum dynamischen Verhalten der Brücken. Der vorliegende Aufsatz beschäftigt sich detailliert mit dem Beitrag des Eisenbahnschotters, wobei der Fokus auf der Interaktionswirkung zwischen zwei durch eine Längsfuge getrennten Überbauten infolge der darüber liegenden, durchgängigen Schotterschicht liegt. Zunächst werden die Ergebnisse durchgeführter Laborversuche vorgestellt, aus denen anschließend mechanische Kenngrößen zur Beschreibung der Koppelwirkung zwischen zwei Überbauten, verursacht über die Schotterschicht hergeleitet werden. Die vorliegenden Versuchsergebnisse sind weiterhin Ausgangspunkt für weitergehende Versuche in größerem Maßstab an einem neuen „Außenversuchsstand”.
Nichtrostender Stahl im Bauwesen – Bemessung von Stahltragwerken aus nichtrostendem Stahl nach DIN EN 1993‐1‐4
Authors: Stranghöner Natalie , Baddoo Nancy , Stehr Sebastian
Published: March 2018

Tragwerke aus nichtrostendem Stahl kommen mehr und mehr zum Einsatz. Die aktuelle Bemessungsnorm zu nichtrostenden Stählen der Eurocode 3‐Familie, DIN EN 1993‐1‐4, kann nun, nachdem auch der Nationale Anhang hierzu letztes Jahr veröffentlicht wurde, angewendet werden. In diesem Zusammenhang wurden im Rahmen des europäischen RFCS‐Dissemination Projekts PUREST die Bemessungshilfen zu nichtrostenden Stählen im Bauwesen aktualisiert und stehen den Anwendern zusammen mit einer Kommentierung, online nutzbarer Bemessungssoftware sowie einem Webinar als Hilfestellungen zur kostenlosen Verfügung. Diese Hilfestellungen liefern Erläuterungen und ermöglichen den Ingenieuren aus der Praxis ein größeres Verständnis der Anwendungs‐ und Ausführungsregeln zur Auslegung und Konstruktion von Tragwerken aus nichtrostendem Stahl.
A criterion for non‐voltage directional elements applied in AC networks connected with VSC‐based interconnection devices
Authors: Xue Shimin , Shi Zhe , Huang Renle , Chang Qiankun , Lu Junchi , Yang Jingyue
Published: March 2018

The application of voltage source converter (VSC)‐based interconnection devices or distributed generators (DGs) in an AC distribution system makes the network change from a single‐terminal power supply network to a multi‐terminal power supply network. However, traditional three‐section current protection applied in AC distribution networks is not capable of identifying the direction of the fault, and therefore it is necessary to install directional elements to ensure the reliability of the three‐section current protection. The phase relationships among negative‐sequence currents under phase‐to‐phase faults that happen at different locations in the AC distribution network connected with back‐to‐back VSC‐based interconnection device are derived first in this paper. Then a novel criterion based on the phase relationships among the negative‐sequence currents flowing through the protected line and the other two branches emanating from the same bus is proposed for fault direction identification. The proposed directional criterion is applicable to multi‐terminal power supply networks containing VSC‐based interconnection devices or VSC‐interfaced DGs, with three or more branches emanating from each bus. The proposed directional criterion does not require potential transformers (PTs), and is hardly affected by transient resistance. Under a symmetrical fault, negative‐sequence current can be obtained by delaying the filtering data window of any one of three phases, and the dead zone of traditional directional elements when the fault happens at the outlet of the relay can be avoided. The validity of the proposed criterion is verified by several PSCAD simulation results. © 2018 Institute of Electrical Engineers of Japan. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Higher‐order beam model with eigenstrains: theory and illustrations
Authors: Corre Grégoire , Lebée Arthur , Sab Karam , Ferradi Mohammed Khalil , Cespedes Xavier
Published: March 2018

A higher‐order beam model based on the asymptotic expansion method was suggested by Ferradi et al. Introducing new degrees of freedom specific to the applied loads into the kinematics of the beam, this model yields fast and accurate results. The present paper focuses on the extension of this model to the case of arbitrary eigenstrains expressed in a separate form between the longitudinal coordinate and the in‐section coordinates. The asymptotic expansion procedure is recalled and the derivation of a higher‐order beam model performed. The beam model is interpolated with NURBS. The case of a bridge deck heated on a localized area is studied. A second case study of a prestressed cantilever beam is then investigated. The results of the higher‐order beam model are compared to a 3D solution in each example. The performances of the beam model appears to be accurate and very time‐efficient.
A unified model of quarks and leptons with a universal texture zero
Authors: de Medeiros Varzielas Ivo , Ross Graham G. , Talbert Jim
Published: March 2018

Abstract

We show that a universal texture zero in the (1,1) position of all fermionic mass matrices, including heavy right-handed Majorana neutrinos driving a type-I see-saw mechanism, can lead to a viable spectrum of mass, mixing and CP violation for both quarks and leptons, including (but not limited to) three important postdictions: the Cabibbo angle, the charged lepton masses, and the leptonic ‘reactor’ angle. We model this texture zero with a non-Abelian discrete family symmetry that can easily be embedded in a grand unified framework, and discuss the details of the phenomenology after electroweak and family symmetry breaking. We provide an explicit numerical fit to the available data and obtain excellent agreement with the 18 observables in the charged fermion and neutrino sectors with just 9 free parameters. We further show that the vacua of our new scalar familon fields are readily aligned along desired directions in family space, and also demonstrate discrete gauge anomaly freedom at the relevant scale of our effective theory.
Unattainable extended spacetime regions in conformal gravity
Authors: Chakrabarty Hrishikesh , Benavides-Gallego Carlos A. , Bambi Cosimo , Modesto Leonardo
Published: March 2018

Abstract

The Janis-Newman-Winicour metric is a solution of Einstein’s gravity minimally coupled to a real massless scalar field. The γ-metric is instead a vacuum solution of Einstein’s gravity. Both spacetimes have no horizon and possess a naked singularity at a finite value of the radial coordinate, where curvature invariants diverge and the spacetimes are geodetically incomplete. In this paper, we reconsider these solutions in the framework of conformal gravity and we show that it is possible to solve the spacetime singularities with a suitable choice of the conformal factor. Now curvature invariants remain finite over the whole spacetime. Massive particles never reach the previous singular surface and massless particles can never do it with a finite value of their affine parameter. Our results support the conjecture according to which conformal gravity can fix the singularity problem that plagues Einstein’s gravity.
Stromal PDGFR‐β Expression is Associated with Postoperative Survival of Non‐Small Cell Lung Cancer Patients Receiving Preoperative Chemo‐ or Chemoradiotherapy Followed by Surgery
Authors: Kanzaki Ryu , Ose Naoko , Kawamura Tomohiro , Funaki Soichiro , Shintani Yasushi , Minami Masato , Takakura Nobuyuki , Okumura Meinoshin
Published: March 2018

Background

PDGFR‐β is used as a stromal biomarker and is functional in mesenchymal cells of the tumor microenvironment. The significance of stromal PDGFR‐β expression in non‐small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) in patients undergoing preoperative chemo‐ or chemoradiotherapy had not been determined.

Methods

Patients with NSCLC undergoing preoperative chemo‐ or chemoradiotherapy between 1996 and 2014 were assessed for expression of stromal PDGFR‐β by immunohistochemistry using resected specimens. Relationships between stromal PDGFR‐β expression and survival after operation were analyzed. Forty‐three patients who underwent surgery without preoperative treatment in 2005 were also analyzed as a chemo‐naïve control group.

Results

The mean age of the 92 patients was 60.2 years. Seventy‐eight (85%) were male, and 14 (15%) were female. Fifty‐four patients (59%) underwent preoperative chemoradiotherapy, and 38 patients (41%) underwent preoperative chemotherapy. Regimens for preoperative chemotherapy were cisplatin (CDDP) based in 48 patients (52%) and carboplatin (CBDCA) based in 43 (42%). While stromal cells expressed PDGFR‐β in 21 chemo‐naïve patients (49%), stromal cells expressed PDGFR‐β in 65 patients who underwent preoperative therapy (p = 0.02). The 5‐year disease‐free survival rate (DFS) of the PDGFR‐β‐positive group was significantly worse than that of the negative group (27 vs. 48%, p = 0.04). The 5‐year disease‐specific survival rate (DSS) in the stromal PDGFR‐β‐positive group was also significantly worse than in the negative group (43 vs. 70%, p = 0.01). On the other hand, stromal PDGFR‐β expression did not influence survival in chemo‐naïve patients.

Conclusions

Stromal PDGFR‐β expression is negatively associated with DFS and DSS in patients with NSCLC undergoing preoperative chemo‐ or chemoradiotherapy.
Review and Comparison of Electronic Patient‐Facing Family Health History Tools
Authors: Welch Brandon M. , Wiley Kevin , Pflieger Lance , Achiangia Rosaline , Baker Karen , Hughes‐Halbert Chanita , Morrison Heath , Schiffman Joshua , Doerr Megan
Published: March 2018

Family health history (FHx) is one of the most important pieces of information available to help genetic counselors and other clinicians identify risk and prevent disease. Unfortunately, the collection of FHx from patients is often too time consuming to be done during a clinical visit. Fortunately, there are many electronic FHx tools designed to help patients gather and organize their own FHx information prior to a clinic visit. We conducted a review and analysis of electronic FHx tools to better understand what tools are available, to compare and contrast to each other, to highlight features of various tools, and to provide a foundation for future evaluation and comparisons across FHx tools. Through our analysis, we included and abstracted 17 patient‐facing electronic FHx tools and explored these tools around four axes: organization information, family history collection and display, clinical data collected, and clinical workflow integration. We found a large number of differences among FHx tools, with no two the same. This paper provides a useful review for health care providers, researchers, and patient advocates interested in understanding the differences among the available patient‐facing electronic FHx tools.
Diversity of waterbirds wintering in Douz wetlands (south Tunisia): factors affecting wetland occupancy and species richness
Authors: Hamza Foued , Selmi Slaheddine
Published: March 2018

Understanding the environmental factors shaping wetland attractiveness for waterbirds is an important question in wetland ecology and for conservation purposes. However, detailed data from numerous North African wetlands, notably those situated in inland areas, are still lacking. Thus, the aim of this study was to identify the factors influencing wetland use by waterbirds wintering in one of such poorly known habitat systems, namely the Saharan wetland complex of Douz, in south‐western Tunisia. Thirty‐four waterbird species (20 wading birds and 14 waterfowl species) were found to winter in this area. Using discriminant function analyses, we found that wetland size was the unique variable discriminating between occupied and unoccupied sites for total waterbirds and wading birds, while waterfowl distribution was related to both wetland size and water depth. Wetland size also provided the strongest predictor of species richness of wading birds, waterfowl and total waterbirds. Overall, our findings highlight the importance of wetland size as a key factor determining the attractiveness of wetlands for waterbirds wintering in the Saharan wetland complex of Douz. The possible explanations of this wetland size effect are discussed.
Efficacy of Ivabradine in Combination with Beta-Blockers Versus Uptitration of Beta-Blockers in Patients with Stable Angina (CONTROL-2 Study)
Authors: Glezer Maria , Vasyuk Yuri , Karpov Yuri
Published: March 2018

Introduction

Heart rate (HR) reduction is an integral part of antianginal therapy, but many patients do not reach the guideline-recommended target of less than 60 bpm despite high use of beta-blockers (BB). Failure to uptitrate BB doses may be partly to blame. To explore other options for lowering HR and improving angina control, CONTROL-2 was initiated to compare the efficacy and tolerability of the combination of BBs with ivabradine versus uptitration of BBs to maximal tolerated dose, in patients with stable angina.

Methods

This multicenter, open, randomized study included 1104 patients with Canadian Cardiovascular Society (CCS) class II or III stable angina, in sinus rhythm, and on background stable treatment with non-maximal recommended doses of BBs. Consecutive patients were allocated to ivabradine + BB or BB uptitration in a 4:1 ratio.

Results

At the end of the study (week 16), addition of ivabradine to BB treatment and BB uptitration resulted in reduction in HR (61 ± 6 vs. 63 ± 8 bpm; p = 0.001). At week 16, significantly more patients on ivabradine + BB were in CCS class I than with BB uptitration (37.1% vs. 28%; p = 0.017) and significantly more patients were angina-free (50.6% vs. 34.2%; p < 0.001). Patient health status based on the visual analogue scale (VAS) was also better in the ivabradine + BB group. Adverse events (AEs) were significantly more common with BB uptitration than with the ivabradine + BB combination (18.4% vs. 9.4%, p < 0.001).

Conclusion

In patients with stable angina, combination therapy with ivabradine + BB demonstrated good tolerability, safety, and more pronounced clinical improvement, compared to BB uptitration.

Trial Registration

ISRCTN30654443.

Funding

Servier.
Evaluation and Management of Hypoactive Sexual Desire Disorder
Authors: Clayton Anita H. , Kingsberg Sheryl A. , Goldstein Irwin
Published: March 2018

Introduction

Hypoactive sexual desire disorder (HSDD) often has a negative impact on the health and quality of life of women; however, many women do not mention—let alone discuss—this issue with their physicians. Providers of gynecologic services have the opportunity to address this subject with their patients.

Aim

To review the diagnosis and evidence-based treatment of low sexual desire in women with a focus on strategies that can be used efficiently and effectively in the clinic.

Methods

The Medline database was searched for clinically relevant publications on the diagnosis and management of HSDD.

Results

HSDD screening can be accomplished during an office visit with a few brief questions to determine whether further evaluation is warranted. Because women’s sexual desire encompasses biological, psychological, social, and contextual components, a biopsychosocial approach to evaluating and treating patients with HSDD is recommended. Although individualized treatment plan development for patients requires independent medical judgment, a simple algorithm can assist in the screening, diagnosis, and management of HSDD. Once a diagnosis of HSDD has been made, interventions can begin with office-based counseling and progress to psychotherapy and/or pharmacotherapy. Flibanserin, a postsynaptic 5-hydroxytryptamine 1A agonist and 2A antagonist that decreases serotonin levels and increases dopamine and norepinephrine levels, is indicated for acquired, generalized HSDD in premenopausal women and is the only agent approved in the United States for the treatment of HSDD in women. Other strategies to treat HSDD include using medications indicated for other conditions (eg, transdermal testosterone, bupropion). Bremelanotide, a melanocortin receptor agonist, is in late-stage clinical development.

Conclusions

Providers of gynecologic care are uniquely positioned to screen, counsel, and refer patients with HSDD. Options for pharmacotherapy of HSDD are currently limited to flibanserin, approved by the US Food and Drug Administration, and off-label use of other agents.
Deep Learning and Its Applications in Biomedicine
Authors: Cao Chensi , Liu Feng , Tan Hai , Song Deshou , Shu Wenjie , Li Weizhong , Zhou Yiming , Bo Xiaochen , Xie Zhi
Published: March 2018

Advances in biological and medical technologies have been providing us explosive volumes of biological and physiological data, such as medical images, electroencephalography, genomic and protein sequences. Learning from these data facilitates the understanding of human health and disease. Developed from artificial neural networks, deep learning-based algorithms show great promise in extracting features and learning patterns from complex data. The aim of this paper is to provide an overview of deep learning techniques and some of the state-of-the-art applications in the biomedical field. We first introduce the development of artificial neural network and deep learning. We then describe two main components of deep learning, i.e., deep learning architectures and model optimization. Subsequently, some examples are demonstrated for deep learning applications, including medical image classification, genomic sequence analysis, as well as protein structure classification and prediction. Finally, we offer our perspectives for the future directions in the field of deep learning.
Predictors of Sexual Intercourse Frequency Among Couples Trying to Conceive
Authors: Gaskins Audrey J. , Sundaram Rajeshwari , Buck Louis Germaine M. , Chavarro Jorge E.
Published: March 2018

Background

Little is known about the predictors of sexual intercourse frequency (SIF) among couples trying to conceive despite the well-established link between SIF and fecundity.

Aim

To evaluate men's and women's demographic, occupational, and lifestyle predictors of SIF among couples.

Methods

469 Couples without a history of infertility participating in the Longitudinal Investigation of Fertility and the Environment Study (2005–2009) were followed up for ≤1 year while trying to conceive. At enrollment, both partners were interviewed about demographic, occupational, lifestyle, and psychological characteristics using standardized questionnaires. Multivariable generalized linear mixed models with Poisson distribution were used to estimate the adjusted percent difference in SIF across exposure categories.

Outcomes

SIF was recorded in daily journals and summarized as average SIF/mo.

Results

The median (interquartile range) SIF during follow-up was 6 (4–9) acts/mo. For every year increase in age for women and men, SIF decreased by –0.8% (95% CI –2.5 to 1.0%) and –1.7% (95% CI –3.1 to –0.3%). Women with high school education or less and those of non-white race had 34.4% and 16.0% higher SIF, respectively. A similar trend was seen for men's education and race. Only couples where both partners (but not just 1 partner) worked rotating shifts had –39.1% (95% CI –61.0 to –5.0%) lower SIF compared to couples where neither partner worked rotating shifts. Men's (but not women's) exercise was associated with 13.2% (95% CI 1.7–26.0%) higher SIF. Diagnosis of a mood or anxiety disorder in men (but not women) was associated with a 26.0% (95% CI –42.7 to –4.4%) lower SIF. Household income, smoking status, body mass index, night work, alcohol intake, and psychosocial stress were not associated with SIF.

Clinical Translation

Even among couples trying to conceive, there was substantial variation in SIF. Both partners' age, education, race, and rotating shift work as well as men's exercise and mental health play an important role in determining SIF.

Conclusions

As this was a secondary analysis of an existing study, we lacked information on many pertinent psychological and relationship quality variables and the hormonal status of participants, which could have affected SIF. The unique population-based couple design, however, captured both partners' demographics, occupational characteristics, and lifestyle behaviors in advance of their daily, prospective reporting of SIF, which was a major strength. Important predictors of SIF among couples attempting to conceive include men's exercise and mental health and both partners' age, education, race, and rotating shift work.
Russian refinery employs world's largest industrial MBR and EDR units
Authors: Atkinson Simon
Published: March 2018

Bashneft-Ufaneftekhim, a refinery based in Russia – specialising in refining several types of hydrocarbons to produce various fuel grades and petrochemicals – and SUEZ Water Technologies & Solutions, have put into operation a complex of biological treatment facilities, including what are believed to be the world's largest industrial membrane bioreactor (MBR) and electrodialysis reversal (EDR) units. A summary of the technology employed is provided by this news focus.
Enough Talk, It's Time to Transform: A Call for Editorial Leadership for a Robust Science
Authors: Kepes Sven , List Sheila K. , McDaniel Michael A.
Published: March 2018

The focal article (Grand et al., 2018) addresses one of the most important issues across virtually all areas of science (Goldstein, 2010): the trustworthiness and credibility of a scientific discipline. Once these attributes are lost, it is difficult to regain them within a reasonable time frame, if ever. In contrast to previous articles on this topic (e.g., Kepes & McDaniel, 2013), the authors of the focal article provide a detailed review of the stakeholders surrounding industrial and organizational (I-O) psychology, including their potential effect on the robustness and trustworthiness of our scientific discipline. In essence, the focal article describes I-O psychology's ecosystem responsible for fostering robust and credible science. The authors should be commended for their comprehensive undertaking, and we have no substantive disagreements. However, implicitly, as with most articles on this vital topic, the focal article tends to take a bottom-up approach to decision making and change. The bottom-up approach is an emergent process where the individuals involved in the day-to-day activities are primarily responsible for the decision-making process and resulting change (Kindler, 1979). Thus, changes resulting from this process are incremental and typically involve making minor adjustments to existing processes (Bartunek & Moch, 1987).
The Last Line of Defense: Corrigenda and Retractions
Authors: Harms P. D. , Credé Marcus , DeSimone Justin A.
Published: March 2018

One of the key characteristics of a rigorous and robust science is that it has the ability to self-correct when mistakes are made. The focal article by Grand et al. (2018) has plenty to say about what faithful actors can do to ensure a more robust industrial and organizational (I-O) psychology literature, but we were surprised at how little attention the issue of correcting the research record was given. To be clear, the target article mentions the issue of research misconduct and even cites an article from Leadership Quarterly (Atwater, Mumford, Schriesheim, & Yammarino, 2014) that deals specifically with the issue, but it does not include guidance on this issue for editors or publishers. This is not surprising. The issue of misconduct is one that produces a great deal of discomfort in academic circles (Wager, 2015), and when it is discussed, it is usually only in the vaguest terms (e.g., Banks et al., 2016). Moreover, as Grand and colleagues point out, it could be argued that the “gathering storm” of questionable research that has enveloped other fields such as social psychology seems distant. Perhaps to reassure us, the authors point to several articles showing that results of our field seem to be replicable, robust, and relevant. But are they?
If Robust Science Is Relevant Science, Then Make I-O Psychology Research More Relevant: Thoughts From a Practitioner Point of View
Authors: Hunt Steven T.
Published: March 2018

As a practitioner with 25 years of experience applying industrial and organizational (I-O) psychology concepts to address business challenges, I want to expand upon the point that “robust science is relevant” (Grand et al., 2018, p. 10)—specifically, that making two changes in the field's research direction could greatly increase the impact, value, and credibility of I-O psychology in the broader world of work.
Considerations Related to Intentionality and Omissive Acts in the Study of Workplace Aggression and Mistreatment
Authors: Fiset John , Robinson Melanie A.
Published: March 2018

We applaud the efforts of Cortina, Rabelo, and Holland (2018) in their development of perpetrator predation as a sensitizing concept (see also Cortina, 2017) for future work in workplace aggression and mistreatment (hereafter workplace mistreatment). The importance of being mindful of the manner in which we frame our arguments is both highly relevant and well-articulated by the authors. We further believe that the transfer of focus from that of blaming victims to placing the onus for workplace mistreatment on the actor him/herself is an important idea as our field continues to develop into the 21st century.
It Takes Two to Tango: Victims, Perpetrators, and the Dynamics of Victimization
Authors: Jensen Jaclyn M. , Raver Jana L.
Published: March 2018

As researchers who have advanced victim precipitation arguments in our own work on victimization and job performance (Jensen, Patel, & Raver, 2014), we agree fully with this statement made by Cortina, Rabelo, and Holland (2018): “A victim's traits or behaviors might help us understand why the instigator chose that particular person for abuse, but we must always emphasize that it was the instigator, not the victim, who did the choosing and abusing” (p. 93). An overemphasis on victim characteristics does deflect attention away from wrongdoers, and theory that encourages us to consider perpetrator motivation and the social environment is needed.
Extreme-scale motions in turbulent plane Couette flows
Authors: Lee Myoungkyu , Moser Robert D.
Published: March 2018

We study the large-scale motions in turbulent plane Couette flows at moderate friction Reynolds number up to $Re_{\unicode[STIX]{x1D70F}}=500$. Direct numerical simulation (DNS) domains were as large as $100\unicode[STIX]{x03C0}\unicode[STIX]{x1D6FF}\times 2\unicode[STIX]{x1D6FF}\times 5\unicode[STIX]{x03C0}\unicode[STIX]{x1D6FF}$, where $\unicode[STIX]{x1D6FF}$ is half the distance between the walls. The results indicate that there are streamwise vortices filling the space between the walls that remain correlated over distances in the streamwise direction and that increase strongly with the Reynolds number, so that for the largest Reynolds number studied here, they are correlated across the entire $100\unicode[STIX]{x03C0}\unicode[STIX]{x1D6FF}$ length of the domain. The presence of these very long structures is apparent in the spectra of all three velocity components and the Reynolds stress. In DNS using a smaller domain, the large structures are constrained, eliminating the streamwise variations present in the larger domain. Near the centre of the domain, these large-scale structures contribute as much as half of the Reynolds shear stress.
Mapungubwe. First Report on Excavations in the Northern Transvaal
Authors: van Riet Lowe C.
Published: March 2018

So many local and overseas enquiries have been received that the Archaeological Committee of the University of Pretoria feels that a preliminary account of the excavations being conducted at Mapungubwe is desirable. I have accordingly been authorized to publish the following statement.
The ‘Crooked Field’
Authors: Roe F. G.
Published: March 2018

This paper has nothing to do with the Celtic, Roman, or Teutonic origins of the ancient field-systems of cultivation. Even if those controversies had not been decisively settled by air-photography and its latter-day discoveries, I possess no special competence for the task. I am here concerned with the form of the plots or fields themselves in which these cultivation-systems were carried on. And we possess abundant evidence that what are classed by competent investigators as ancient ‘ Celtic-fields ’—irrespective of whatever methods of cultivation or of crop-rotation prevailed within their borders—were quite frequently of the same irregular shapes as the later English fields ; of which countless numbers may still be seen.
The Recent Excavations at Avebury
Authors: Keiller Alexander , Piggott Stuart
Published: March 2018

The most impressive megalithic monument in the world, which has come to be known as the ‘Avebury Complex‘, lies on a spur of the Middle Chalk running northwestwards from the main massif of the North Wiltshire Downs. Immediately to the west runs the river Kennet. The monument consists of an approximately circular bank with a ditch on its inner side enclosing a level area of 28½ acres. On the inner edge of the ditch stood a circle of standing stones. Inside the circle again stood two interior settings of standing stones, each consisting of a double concentric circle, that to the north having in its centre three stones forming the so-called ‘Cove’, and that to the south a monolith. There was one original entrance through the bank and across the ditch at the south, and to this entrance an avenue (usually called ‘The West Kennet Avenue’) consisting of a double line of standing stones placed in pairs, averaging 50 feet apart transversely, and at average longitudinal intervals of 80 feet, led for a distance of over a mile from two small concentric stone circles on Overton Hill, known as ‘The Sanctuary’.
Eastern Influence on Carvings at St. Andrews and Nigg, Scotland
Authors: Mowbray Cecil
Published: March 2018

Amongst the early Christian monuments of the British Isles the Scottish cross-slabs form a well defined group. They are related to the Irish and Manx crosses of the 7th and 8th centuries and show occasionally some connexion with Northumbrian art. But, out of motives borrowed from these different sources, there was evolved in Scotland a type of monument peculiar to that country. The erect slab was constantly preferred to the free-standing cross, and, although a flat style of carving, similar to the Irish style, was used, and many of the Irish motives—spirals, interlacing and occasionally animal-interlacing—were adopted, the spirited rendering of hunting scenes and fantastic animals, and the use of the cross, framed in the slab as in a page of manuscript, gave to these monuments a definite originality.