bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Oil quality in sea‐level quinoa as determined by cultivar‐specific responses to temperature and radiation conditions
Authors: Curti Ramiro N , del Carmen Sanahuja María , Vidueiros Silvina M , Curti Carolina A , Pallaro Anabel N , Bertero Héctor D
Published: October 2019

BACKGROUND

There is renewed interest in quinoa as a potential source of vegetable oils; however, there is no information about how environmental conditions affect its fatty acid composition, a critical indicator of its oil quality. The fatty acid concentrations of four cultivars adapted to temperate environments were compared at three sowing dates to evaluate the effect of environmental conditions during the seed‐filling period on the variation in oil quality.

RESULTS

The interaction between cultivar and sowing date was the main source of variation explaining the changes in the lipid content and fatty acid concentrations in quinoa. Most of the variation in the concentration of unsaturated fatty acids was attributed to the temperature and solar radiation during the seed‐filling period; cultivar‐specific responses to photo‐thermal conditions were observed among the sea‐level quinoa cultivars evaluated.

CONCLUSION

The lipid content and concentration of fatty acids in quinoa are affected by sowing date. This effect is exerted through changes in temperature and solar radiation conditions. This managing practice can therefore be used to achieve quinoa oil with different qualities. © 2019 Society of Chemical Industry
Breast Elastography: How to Perform and Integrate Into a “Best‐Practice” Patient Treatment Algorithm
Authors: Barr Richard G.
Published: October 2019

Breast elastography has been available for more than 15 years but is not widely incorporated into clinical practice. Many publications report extremely high accuracy for various breast elastographic techniques. However, results in the literature are extremely variable. This variability is most likely due to variations in technique, a relatively steep learning curve, and variability in methods between vendors. This article describes our protocol for performing breast elastography using both strain elastography and shear wave elastography, which produces high sensitivity and specificity. Additionally, we will describe the most commonly known false‐positive and false‐negative lesions as well as how to detect them.
Ultrasound‐Guided Treatment of Extrusive Medial Meniscopathy: A 3‐Step Protocol
Authors: Ricci Vincenzo , Özçakar Levent , Galletti Lisa , Domenico Creta , Galletti Stefano
Published: October 2019

Medial knee pain is commonplace in clinical practice and can be related to several pathologic conditions: ie, medial plica syndrome, saphenous nerve entrapment, pes anserine syndrome, medial collateral ligament injury, and medial meniscus disorders. Ultrasound (US) imaging represents a valuable first‐line diagnostic approach to adequately visualize the superficial structures in the medial compartment of the knee to easily plan for prompt treatment. Currently, the management of chronic degenerative diseases involving the menisci, and causing their extrusion, consists of surgery (arthroscopic partial meniscectomy). This procedure often allows only a partial resolution of pain and functional impairment. In the pertinent literature, US‐guided interventions for the medial meniscus are proposed, mainly to decrease pain and inflammation or to induce regeneration. Likewise, this Technical Innovation describes in detail the US findings of medial extrusive meniscopathy and also illustrates a novel US‐guided technique to treat the bursa of the medial collateral ligament, the extruded fragment of the medial meniscus, and the synovial parameniscal recesses simultaneously.
Solidago canadensis invasion in abandoned arable fields induces minor changes in soil properties and does not affect the performance of subsequent crops
Authors: Zubek Szymon , Majewska Marta L. , Kapusta Paweł , Stefanowicz Anna M. , Błaszkowski Janusz , Rożek Katarzyna , Stanek Małgorzata , Karpowicz Filip , Zalewska‐Gałosz Joanna
Published: October 2019

The global fast‐growing presence of invasive species requires urgent action to assess their ecological and economic impact. Although a number of recent works have shown that alien plant invasions can affect native plant communities, soil microbial communities, and soil physicochemical properties, rarely the effects of invaders on all these parameters have been examined at once. Moreover, no studies have focused on the effects of invasive plants on the ecosystem services after the removal of invaders. For this study, Solidago canadensis, one of the most successful global invasive species, was chosen. In the first stage, invasion‐induced changes in plant community and soil properties in abandoned arable fields were assessed. In the second stage, the effects of these changes on crops, Helianthus annuus and Zea mays, were assessed in a laboratory soil‐feedback experiment. The invader reduced substantially the richness and cover of native plant species. It had little impact on soil physicochemical and microbiological properties: Soil moisture was lower, whereas mycorrhizal parameters and urease activity were higher in invaded plots. The experiment revealed minor and inconsistent effects of the invader: It affected the mycorrhizal colonization and shoot mass of crop plants, but the direction of changes depended on the origin of the soil used. In conclusion, although S. canadensis invasion clearly displaces native vegetation, it has few and rather weak effects on soil properties that did not affect the performance of subsequent crops. The results are promising from the viewpoint of restoring the agricultural function to abandoned fields invaded by S. canadensis.
Efficiency measurement of Ontario's sawmills using bootstrap data envelopment analysis
Authors: Shahi Shashi K. , Dia Mohamed
Published: October 2019

Sawmills in Ontario are an important forest products industry, contributing to the economic prosperity of the entire province. However, these sawmills have been facing extreme competitive pressures, impacting their operational efficiency. This study uses a nonparametric technique, the bootstrap data envelopment analysis, to analyse the relative efficiencies of 125 Ontario sawmills over a period of 17 years (1999 to 2015). The results indicate low levels of overall technical and managerial efficiencies in Ontario sawmills, which have been further impacted by economic downturns. Further analysis reveals that the size of the sawmills has had a statistically significant impact on their relative technical efficiencies. The main source of inefficiency was the management of operations, particularly when these sawmills were not able to adjust their inputs with changing and uncertain market demand conditions. These results provide policymakers and sawmill managers with comprehensive details so that future resources can be reallocated to improve the performance of the Ontario forest products industry.
Transcriptional profiling of long‐intergenic noncoding RNAs in lung squamous cell carcinoma and its value in diagnosis and prognosis
Authors: Liu Jieqiong , Yao Yali , Hu Zheyu , Zhou Hui , Zhong Meizuo
Published: October 2019

Background

Long intergenic noncoding RNAs (lincRNAs) are a series of novel transcribed regions expressed in cancers that may represent candidate biomarkers for lung squamous cell carcinoma (LSqCC) treatment. In this study, we evaluated the lincRNA profile in LSqCC patients and screened valuable lincRNAs for diagnosis and prognosis.

Methods

Transcriptome profiling of 549 samples derived from 501 LSqCC patients were identified in TCGA database. 48 patients had paired primary tumor (PT) and solid normal (SN) tissue samples, while 453 patients had only PT samples. 1,771 lincRNA candidates were evaluated. Paired test (Wilcoxon two‐sample paired signed rank tests) was performed in paired PT and SN samples. Logistic regression analysis were performed in independent 453 PT samples and 48 SN samples to screen the significant lincRNAs candidates for malignances. Independent 501 PT samples were further used to screen the significant lincRNAs candidates for prognosis.

Results

Among 1,771 lincRNAs, 10 lincRNAs were significant highly‐expressed risk candidates in PT samples, and 10 protective lincRNAs candidates were significant lowly‐expressed in PT samples. Among 10 highly‐expressed risk lincRNAs, a small panel of LINC00487, LINC01927, and C10orf143 (LINC00959) could effectively predict malignancies in paired samples (AUC = 0.7274, 95%CI = (0.6264, 0.8285)). When combined with protective lincRNA candidates LINC02315, LINC00491, and LINC01697, the predictive efficiency was greatly improved in both paired samples (AUC = 0.8030, 95%CI = (0.7250, 0.8810)) and independent samples (AUC = 0.7481, 95%CI= (0.6642, 0.8320)). Additionally, three highly‐expressed risk lincRNAs, LINC01031, LINC01088, and LINC01931, were significantly associated with poor prognosis in PT samples, suggesting potential targets for anti‐LSqCC treatment.

Conclusion

Therefore, lincRNAs could be promising biomarkers for predicting malignancies and potential anti‐LSqCC targets for drug development.
Medium‐term outcomes for primary native tissue reconstructive surgeries with and without transobturator vaginal meshes in stress continent women with stage 3 or higher pelvic organ prolapse
Authors: Huang Wen‐Chen , Yang Jenn‐Ming , Chen Hsin‐Fu
Published: October 2019

Aims

To compare the surgical outcomes of conventional surgeries with or without concomitant transobturator vaginal mesh (TVM) for ≥Stage 3 pelvic organ prolapse (POP).

Methods

We retrospectively investigated 166 women who received conventional surgery including vaginal total hysterectomy, modified McCall culdoplasty, and AP‐repair (conventional group) and 98 women with concomitant TVM (mesh group). Follow‐up at 3, 12, and 24 months comprised symptom interview, pelvic examination, and ultrasound assessments. The primary outcome was anatomical success defined as ≤Stage 1 POP. Secondary outcomes were subjective symptoms, ultrasound manifestations, and complications.

Results

Both groups showed improvements in functional and anatomical outcomes after operations. Compared with the conventional group, the mesh group had higher rates of de novo stress urinary incontinence (SUI) at 3‐month (3.6% vs 19.4%; P < .001), 12‐month (3.7% vs 26.4%; P < .001), and 24‐month (2.4% vs 21.4%; P = .001) follow‐up, a higher POP‐C point (−7.3 ± 0.7 cm vs −7.6 ± 0.6 cm; P < .001) at 3‐month follow‐up, a smaller straining bladder neck angle indicating a more cranioventral straining bladder neck position (117 ± 25° vs 102 ± 20°; P < .001) at 3‐month follow‐up, and a less bladder neck mobility at 3‐month (19 ± 24° vs 8 ± 14°; P = .002) and 12‐month (26 ± 18° vs 12 ± 15°; P = .003) follow‐up.

Conclusions

Concomitant TVM is associated with a higher rate of de novo SUI, more cranioventral straining bladder neck position, and less bladder neck mobility.
Factors contributing to stress in clinical practices: A proposed structural equation model
Authors: Sánchez de Miguel Manuel , Orkaizagirre‐Gómara Aintzane , Ortiz de Elguea Javier , Izagirre Otaegi Andrea , Ortiz de Elguea‐Oviedo Amaia
Published: October 2019

Aim

To propose a predictive model of procedural and emotional stress in clinical placements while testing self‐efficacy as a possible mediator factor.

Design

The study used an exploratory correlational design.

Method

A total of 334 nursing students completed the KEZKAK—stress in clinical practice, AG—general self‐efficacy and CEA—academic overload questionnaires, along with one about leadership. Sociodemographic information was also included.

Results

Confirmatory factor analyses and internal consistency reliabilities were satisfactory in all questionnaires. Procedural stress and emotional stress were confirmed by KEZKAK [χ2 (674) = 1,555.58, p = .001; χ2/df = 2.308, CFI = .90, IFI = 91, RMSEA = .06]. The structural equation method for procedural stress and emotional stress had an acceptable fit. They revealed that academic level influenced the perception of leadership and academic overload in both procedural stress and emotional stress. General self‐efficacy only mediated emotional stress. Hospital unit acted independently as a predictor of procedural stress.
GABAergic function in the lateral hypothalamus regulates feeding behavior: Possible mediation via orexin
Authors: Yonemochi Naomi , Ardianto Chrismawan , Ueda Daiki , Kamei Junzo , Ikeda Hiroko
Published: October 2019

Aim

The lateral hypothalamus (LH) is known as the hunger center, but the mechanisms through which the LH regulates food intake are unclear. Since GABA neurons are reported to project to the LH, the present study investigated the role of GABAergic function in the LH in the regulation of feeding behavior.

Methods

GABA levels in the LH were measured by in vivo microdialysis. Food intake after drug injection into the LH was measured every 1 hour for 4 hours. The mRNA levels were measured using RT‐PCR.

Results

Food intake significantly increased GABA levels in the LH, suggesting that food intake stimulates GABAergic function in the LH. Injection of the GABAA receptor agonist muscimol into the LH significantly inhibited food intake, whereas injection of the GABAA receptor antagonist bicuculline into the LH did not significantly affect food intake. The inhibitory effect of muscimol injected into the LH was blocked by co‐administration of bicuculline. These results indicate that the stimulation of GABAA receptors in the LH inhibits food intake. We next examined whether the stimulation of GABAA receptors affects hypothalamic neuropeptides that are known to regulate feeding behavior. The injection of muscimol significantly decreased preproorexin mRNA in the hypothalamus.

Conclusion

These results indicate that food intake activates GABAergic function in the LH, which terminates feeding behavior by stimulating GABAA receptors. Moreover, it is suggested that the stimulation of GABAA receptors in the LH reduces food intake through inhibition of orexin neurons.
Optimal error estimate of two linear and momentum‐preserving Fourier pseudo‐spectral schemes for the RLW equation
Authors: Hong Qi , Wang Yushun , Gong Yuezheng
Published: October 2019

In this paper, two novel linear‐implicit and momentum‐preserving Fourier pseudo‐spectral schemes are proposed and analyzed for the regularized long‐wave equation. The numerical methods are based on the blend of the Fourier pseudo‐spectral method in space and the linear‐implicit Crank–Nicolson method or the leap‐frog scheme in time. The two fully discrete linear schemes are shown to possess the discrete momentum conservation law, and the linear systems resulting from the schemes are proved uniquely solvable. Due to the momentum conservative property of the proposed schemes, the Fourier pseudo‐spectral solution is proved to be bounded in the discrete L∞ norm. Then by using the standard energy method, both the linear‐implicit Crank–Nicolson momentum‐preserving scheme and the linear‐implicit leap‐frog momentum‐preserving scheme are shown to have the accuracy of in the discrete L∞ norm without any restrictions on the grid ratio, where N is the number of nodes and τ is the time step size. Numerical examples are carried out to verify the correction of the theory analysis and the efficiency of the proposed schemes.
Sex discordance between cell‐free fetal DNA and mid‐trimester ultrasound: a modern conundrum
Authors: Ayala N.K. , Kole M.B. , Forcier M. , Halliday J. , Russo M.L.
Published: October 2019

What's already known about this topic?

Sex discordance between cell‐free DNA and the mid‐trimester ultrasound requires a thorough, systematic workup

This allows for earlier recognition and diagnosis of disorders of sex development

What does this study add?

Recognition in‐utero allows for multi‐disciplinary care and education of families prior to delivery

Inclusive language acknowledging the diversity of gender and sexuality is important for provision of equitable, patient‐centered care
School‐based bullying experiences as reflected by adults with visual impairments
Authors: Haegele Justin A. , Zhu Xihe , Holland Steven K.
Published: October 2019

The purpose of this study was to describe the reflections of adults with visual impairments regarding bullying experiences during their school‐based education. An interpretative phenomenological analysis research approach was used and 11 participants (aged 20–35 years; seven women, four men) participated in this study. The sources of data were semi‐structured audiotaped telephone interviews and reflective field notes. Thematic development was undertaken utilizing a three‐step analytical process guided by the research approach. Based on the data analysis, three interrelated themes were constructed: (a) “It would be when they knew there weren't teachers watching”: bullying experiences in unowned and unstructured spaces; (b) “Going through the motions”: feelings about verbal, social, and physical victimization; and (c) “They had their own insecurities”: understanding the bullies and bystanders. The emerged themes provide a unique insight into the way in which those with visual impairments experienced bullying in schools and the meaning they ascribed to those experiences.
Global Interactome Mapping of Mitochondrial Intermembrane Space Proteases Identifies a Novel Function for HTRA2
Authors: Botham Aaron , Coyaud Etienne , Nirmalanandhan Victor Sanjit , Gronda Marcela , Hurren Rose , Maclean Neil , St‐Germain Jonathan , Mirali Sara , Laurent Estelle , Raught Brian , Schimmer Aaron
Published: October 2019

A number of unique proteases localize to specific sub‐compartments of the mitochondria, but the functions of these enzymes are poorly defined. Here, in vivo proximity‐dependent biotinylation (BioID) is used to map the interactomes of seven proteases localized to the mitochondrial intermembrane space (IMS). In total, 802 high confidence proximity interactions with 342 unique proteins are identified. While all seven proteases co‐localized with the IMS markers OPA1 and CLPB, 230 of the interacting partners are unique to just one or two protease bait proteins, highlighting the ability of BioID to differentiate unique interactomes within the confined space of the IMS. Notably, high‐temperature requirement peptidase 2 (HTRA2) interacts with eight of 13 components of the mitochondrial intermembrane space bridging (MIB) complex, a multiprotein assembly essential for the maintenance of mitochondrial cristae structure. Knockdown of HTRA2 disrupts cristae in HEK 293 and OCI‐AML2 cells, and leads to increased intracellular levels of the MIB subunit IMMT. Using a cell‐free assay it is demonstrated that HTRA2 can degrade recombinant IMMT but not two other core MIB complex subunits, SAMM50 and CHCHD3. The IMS protease interactome thus represents a rich dataset that can be mined to uncover novel IMS protease biology.
One‐pot exchange reaction of acyl hydrazone combined with radical polymerization of styrene derivatives bearing acyl hydrazone moieties
Authors: Nagai Daisuke , Kobayashi Kazutoshi , Nakamura Kento , Yamanobe Takeshi
Published: October 2019

We developed a one‐pot reaction combining an exchange reaction of the benzylidene moiety in an acyl hydrazone with styrene radical polymerization. The one‐pot reaction of a styrene derivative bearing a 4‐(dimethylamino)benzylidene acyl hydrazone moiety was conducted in the presence of 4‐cyanobenzaldehyde and pyridinium p‐toluene sulfonate/H2O for the exchange reaction and AIBN as the radical polymerization initiator in N,N‐dimethylformamide at 70 °C for 20 h. The exchange reaction proceeded quantitatively, with the 4‐(dimethylamino)benzylidene acyl hydrazone moiety being exchanged with 4‐(methoxy)benzylidene acyl hydrazone, and polymerization proceeded smoothly to provide the corresponding polymer in 70% yield. Compared to traditional stepwise methods and polymer post‐polymerization modifications, this one‐pot system exhibits distinct advantages for the facile and efficient preparation of various functional polymers. © 2019 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem. 2019, 57, 2505–2510
Synthesis of Poly(Arylene Alkenylene)s by Pd‐Catalyzed Three‐Component Coupling Polycondensation of Diiodoarenes, Non‐Conjugated Dienes, and Nucleophiles that Involves Chain Walking Isomerization
Authors: Tan Liyi , Takeuchi Daisuke , Osakada Kohtaro
Published: October 2019

The Pd‐catalyzed three‐component coupling polycondensation of diiodoarenes, nonconjugated dienes, and carbonucleophiles afforded poly(arylene alkenylene)s with moderate molecular weight in good yield. The reaction involves Mizoroki‐Heck coupling, olefin migration via chain walking, and addition of the carbonucleophile to the resulting π‐allylpalladium species. The polymerization with a slight excess of nucleophile with respect to diiodoarene also proceeded to give the polymer without significant decrease in molecular weight in spite of the nonstoichiometric mixture of the monomers. The Pd‐catalyzed three‐component coupling polycondensation of diiodoarenes, nonconjugated dienes, and diimide also proceeded. The base used in the reaction is critical for yield and molecular weight of the product. The reaction using NaHCO3 afforded the product with low solubility, which can be explained by the high molecular weight of the polymer and/or the strong interaction of the electron donating dimethoxyphenylene groups and electron accepting diimide groups in the polymer. © 2019 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem. 2019, 57, 2535–2542
Intersystem Crossing Rate in Thermally Activated Delayed Fluorescence Emitters
Authors: Kobayashi Takashi , Kawate Daisuke , Niwa Akitsugu , Nagase Takashi , Goushi Kenichi , Adachi Chihaya , Naito Hiroyoshi
Published: October 2019

For a better understanding of the exciton decay process in thermally activated delayed fluorescence (TADF) emitters, the intersystem crossing rate, kISC, is one of the important physical constants that have to be determined. Herein, a method to calculate the kISC value from photoluminescence (PL) measurements is reconsidered. The kISC value can be determined at very low temperatures where delayed fluorescence (DF) is completely suppressed, as well as around room temperature where triplet excitons mainly decay into the ground state by emitting DF. However, there is a temperature range where the kISC value cannot be determined accurately because the influences of nonradiative decay paths can be neither ignored nor corrected. For such a temperature range, an alternative approach, which utilizes the temperature dependence of an observed PL decay rate, is presented. In this way, kISC values from 300 to 10 K are determined for thin films of two TADF emitters, i.e., 1,2,3,5‐tetrakis(carbazol‐9‐yl)‐4,6‐dicyanobenzene and 1,2‐bis(carbazol‐9‐yl)‐4,5‐dicyanobenzene, which are known as 4CzIPN and 2CzPN, respectively.
Electronic and Spin‐Dependent Optical Properties of Fe‐Adsorbed Armchair Silicene/Silicane Superlattices
Authors: Deng Jiao , Li Jin , He Chaoyu , Ouyang Tao , Zhang Chunxiao , Tang Chao , Li Zhenqing , Tang Yi , Zhong Jianxin
Published: October 2019

The electronic and optical properties of Fe‐adsorbed silicene/silicane superlattices (Fe‐SSSLs) with armchair interface are studied by first‐principles calculations. It is demonstrated that the SSSLs show spin polarization after adsorption of Fe atoms, and the bandgaps of different Fe‐SSSLs exhibit oscillatory behaviors with the width of silicene region. Except for (6,4)‐SSSL with a small total magnetic moment (about 0.06 μB cell−1), all other Fe‐SSSLs have a total magnetization moment of 2.00 μB cell−1, which comes from the 3d orbitals of Fe atom. Furthermore, there is a great enhancement of optical absorption in the infrared‐light region for Fe‐SSSLs, which is caused by the transition in a single spin channel due to Fe adsorption. The results show that Fe adsorption can tune the electronic and optical properties of armchair SSSLs effectively, which makes armchair Fe‐SSSLs attractive candidates for spin‐polarized photoelectric device applications.
Intentional Extrinsic Doping into ZnFe2O4 Nanorod Photoanode for Enhanced Photoelectrochemical Water Splitting
Authors: Kim Jeong Hun , Kim Ju Hun , Kim Jin Hyun , Kim Young Kyeong , Lee Jae Sung
Published: October 2019

Zinc ferrite (ZnFe2O4) is a promising candidate photoanode material for photoelectrochemical water splitting, but its poor electronic properties deter it from achieving high performance. To improve the electronic properties, Ti4+ and Sn4+ are incorporated into Fe3+ sites of ZnFe2O4 as electron donors under annealing conditions of 550, 800 °C, or hybrid microwave annealing (HMA). The intentional external doping mainly promotes charge transport with increased charge carrier density and thereby enhances the bulk charge separation efficiency (ηbulk). Effectiveness of the doping varies with annealing conditions. Both Ti‐doped and Sn‐doped ZnFe2O4 annealed at 550 °C show the most significant improvement in ηbulk with little effect on the surface charge separation efficiency (ηsurface). Doping under high‐temperature annealing (800 °C, HMA) improves ηbulk to a lesser degree but creates a passivation layer of TiOx or SnOx, resulting in a higher ηsurface as well. Finally, loading the NiFeOx oxygen evolution catalyst (OEC) further improves ηsurface values, and especially 2% Ti‐doped ZnFe2O4 annealed at 800 °C shows near 100% ηsurface at 1.23 VRHE, and its photocurrent generation under simulated 1 sun (0.312 mA cm−2 at 1.23 VRHE) represents a ≈18 times increment from that of unmodified ZnFe2O4 annealed at 550 °C.
Influence of Storage Period on the Physicochemical Properties and In Vitro Digestibility of Starch in Packaged Cooked Chestnut Kernel
Authors: Ding Tianyi , Kan Lina , Wu Yanwen , Bai Yun , Ouyang Jie
Published: October 2019

Long shelf life is important for industrially packaged cooked chestnut kernel. This study aims to investigate the physicochemical and digestive properties of starch in cooked chestnut stored for varying periods of up to 12 months. Apparent amylose content decreases significantly during the initial storage period of 2 months and then increases gradually in the succeeding 10 months. During storage, the degree of gelatinization decreases, whereas the degree of retrogradation (DR) increases. The relative crystallinity of cooked chestnut starch increases during storage and shows a significant positive correlation with DR. The content of rapidly digestible starch (RDS) decreases significantly during shelf life. Starch retrogradation and relative crystallinity exhibit a significant negative correlation with RDS content, and the short‐range molecular order of starch is negatively correlated with the content of slowly digestible starch. The results indicate that the digestibility of cooked chestnut kernel decreases during storage because of an increase in the crystallinity of starch.
Deciphering retinal diseases through the generation of three dimensional stem cell-derived organoids: Concise Review
Authors: Artero Castro Ana , Rodríguez Jimenez Francisco Javier , Jendelova Pavla , Erceg Slaven
Published: October 2019

Three-dimensional (3D) retinal organoids, in vitro tissue structures derived from self-organizing cultures of differentiating human embryonic stem cells or induced pluripotent stem cells, could recapitulate some aspects of the cytoarchitectural structure and function of the retina in vivo. 3D retinal organoids display huge potential for the investigation of the pathogenesis of monogenic hereditary eye diseases that are related to the malfunction or degeneration of photoreceptors or retinal ganglion cells by providing an effective in vitro tool with multiple applications. In combination with recent genome editing tools, 3D retinal organoids could also represent a reliable and renewable source of transplantable cells for personalized therapies. In this review, we describe the recent advances in human pluripotent stem cells-derived retinal organoids, determination of their histoarchitecture, complexity, and maturity. We also discuss their application as a means to decipher the pathogenesis of retinal diseases, as well as the main drawbacks and challenges. Stem Cells  2019;37:1496–1504
Evaluating the Effects of Barriers on Slimy Sculpin Movement and Population Connectivity Using Novel Sibship‐based and Traditional Genetic Metrics
Authors: Weinstein Spencer Y. , Coombs Jason A. , Nislow Keith H. , Riley Chris , Roy Allison H. , Whiteley Andrew R.
Published: October 2019

Population genetics‐based approaches can provide robust and cost‐effective ways to assess the effects of potential barriers, including dams and road‐stream crossings, on the passage and population connectivity of aquatic organisms. Determining the best way to apply and modify genetic tools for different species and situations is essential for making these genetics‐based approaches broadly applicable to fisheries and aquatic habitat management. Here, we used multiple genetic approaches to assess the movement and population structure of Slimy Sculpin Cottus cognatus at two road‐stream crossings in Michigan and one dam in Massachusetts, USA. We captured and genotyped individual sculpin and assessed movement and population connectivity by using (1) a sibship‐based approach, where the presence and proportional distribution of siblings on either side of a barrier indicates population connectivity and the possible direction of movement (i.e., presumed movement from higher to lower proportions), and (2) two Bayesian genetic assignment approaches (STRUCTURE and BayesAss) to identify migrants across potential barriers based on individual population assignment probabilities. We also used traditional genetic metrics to assess within‐population genetic variation and among‐population genetic divergence. At all three locations, we found evidence for sculpin movement across the potential barrier based on sibship reconstruction, but small family sizes limited the ability of this approach to provide robust estimates of the rate and direction of movement. At two sites, a lack of genetic differentiation between above‐ and below‐barrier populations limited the effectiveness of the genetic assignment methods for identifying possible migrants. At the third site, reduced upstream allelic diversity and effective number of breeders resulted in high genetic differentiation (FST) between above‐ and below‐barrier populations, and both sibship and genetic assignment methods provided strong evidence of limited connectivity and bias against upstream movement. Overall, combining approaches and metrics may help overcome the limitations of any one method and maximize the value of datasets for genetics‐based monitoring and assessment.
Examining tensions in the socioscientific issues classroom: Students' border crossings into a new culture of science
Authors: Lee Hyunok , Lee Hyunju , Zeidler Dana L.
Published: October 2019

In the socioscientific issues (SSI) classroom, students need to cross the border between the subcultures of science (i.e., school science vs. everyday science). Traditional school contexts tend to present science as positivistic knowledge and unshakable truth unaffected by sociocultural factors. In contrast, everyday science, including SSI, is more nuanced, context‐based, socially and culturally embedded. Thus, learning in an SSI classroom requires students to make additional efforts to successfully navigate between the subcultures of science. The expected norms located within these two educational contexts can create academic and sociocultural tensions for students. It is therefore necessary to explore the tensions caused these differential norms in order to successfully implement SSI. Through the lens of cultural‐historical activity theory, we attempted to identify possible tensions that originate by implementing SSI instruction in a setting where teachers and students are accustomed to traditional lecture‐based classroom instruction. One hundred thirty ninth graders at a public middle school located in Seoul, South Korea, participated in SSI programs on genetic modification technology during seven class periods over three to 4 weeks. Data was collected by classroom observation, audio‐taping while students participated in various types of discourse, and semistructured interviews. We identified four noteworthy phenomena including intolerance of uncertainty, scientism, a sense of rivalry, and reaching an expedient and easy consensus. By revealing and understanding these tensions and phenomena, we aim to help inform teachers (and teacher educators) recognize instructional clues that can change not only students' epistemological views and attitudes toward science and science classes, but also better navigate the norms of classroom culture.
Oxidative stress, immunological response, and heat shock proteins induction in the Chinese Mitten Crab, Eriocheir sinensis following avermectin exposure
Authors: Hong Yuhang , Huang Yi , Huang Zhiqiu
Published: October 2019

In this study, the Chinese mitten crabs, Eriocheir sinensis were exposed to avermectin at 0.03, 0.06, 0.12, 0.24, and 0.48 mg/L respectively for 96 hours. The results showed that levels of superoxide dismutase, catalase, and glutathione peroxidase in hepatopancreas were slightly induced at concentration of 0.03 and 0.06 mg/L, but significantly (P < .05) decreased at higher concentrations, meanwhile similar trend of the activities of acid phosphatase, alkaline phosphatase and lysozyme were observed. Significant induction of HSP70 and HSP90 mRNA expression was detected at 24 hours whereas no significant change was found in HSP60. In addition, levels of reactive oxygen species in hepatocytes increased in dose‐ and time‐ dependent manners, and cell viabilities of hepatocytes and haemocytes decreased. These results indicated that sublethal concentration exposure of avermectin had a prominent oxidative stress effect on E. sinensis based on the antioxidative and immunological activity inhibition, and HSP60, 70, and 90 perform a protective response during the exposure.
Churn prediction in Turkey's telecommunications sector: A proposed multiobjective–cost‐sensitive ant colony optimization
Authors: Özmen Mihrimah , Aydoğan Emel K. , Delice Yılmaz , Toksarı M. Duran
Published: October 2019

Players in the telecommunications sector struggle against the competition to keep customers, and therefore they need effective churn management. Most classification algorithms either ignore misclassification cost or assume that the costs of all incorrect classification errors are equal. But as in real life, many classification problems have different misclassification costs and this difference cannot be ignored. For this reason, studies on cost‐sensitive classification approaches have gained importance in recent years. The characteristics of telecommunications datasets such as high dimensionality and imbalance are making it difficult to achieve the desired performance for churn prediction. By taking this into consideration, we propose a multiobjective–cost‐sensitive ant colony optimization (MOC‐ACO‐Miner) approach which integrates the cost‐based nondominated sorted genetic algorithm feature selection and multiobjective ACO based cost‐sensitive learning. MOC‐ACO‐Miner is applied to one of Turkey's top 100 information technology companies for customer churn‐prediction. Finally, experiments find out that the model performs quite well with the area under receiver operating characteristic curve values of 0.9998 for predicting churners and therefore it can be beneficial for the highly competitive telecommunications sector.

This article is categorized under:

Algorithmic Development > Association Rules

Application Areas > Industry Specific Applications

Technologies > Prediction

Technologies > Data Preprocessing
Integration Through Disintegration? The Distinction Between Deserving and Undeserving Refugees in National and Local Integration Policies in Germany
Authors: Hinger Sophie
Published: October 2019

Whereas refugees with an insecure residence status have long been excluded from integration measures in Germany, they have recently become the target of integration policies at both the national and the local levels, especially in cities. This chapter compares these policies through category analysis. The core argument is that there is a difference between the logics underlying the policies at the two levels: the national Integration Bill is mainly marked by an ethno-national framing of integration which contributes – through the introduction of the notion of ‘likely or not to stay’ – to a further fractioning of the refugee label and thus the deterioration of rights for many asylum claimants. While it posits integration as a privilege and duty for ‘genuine’ refugees, it aims to undermine the integration of those not deemed to be deserving, following the logic that the disintegration of the latter is necessary to reserve integration capacities for the former. At the local level, in contrast, participation matters more than legal status and refugees are increasingly viewed as a potential resource for and part of a heterogeneous urban society. Yet, also at the local level, integration is ultimately tied to disintegration, as local authorities attempt to select who comes to the city in the first place.
Integration as an Essentially Contested Concept: Questioning the Assumptions behind the National Roma Integration Strategies of Italy and Spain
Authors: Magazzini Tina
Published: October 2019

Integration is a term that can fittingly be included in what W. B. Gallie labelled ‘essentially contested concepts’, since it has become a key term in both academia and policy-making and yet can be used – as it is – for a variety of meanings. While usually understood to address the situation of migrants, it has also recently been applied to Roma minorities in Europe, the vast majority of whom are European citizens and a minority of whom have left their country of origin. This chapter builds upon a discourse analysis of the National Roma Integration Strategies in Italy and Spain and on interviews with the policy-makers in charge of them, in a bid to understand what the term ‘integration’ means for Roma minorities according to the authorities. Through this analysis, I show how the politics of (dis)integration can affect not only migrants but also ethnic minorities who are represented and treated as similarly ‘foreign’ to the mainstream’s imagined community. In this sense, Roma-specific integration policies do not challenge wider structures of inequality. Even if they are well intended, they can contribute to the normalisation of a hegemonic narrative that sees a certain section of society – namely a national middle-class white society – as the bar for normality.
Returning for (Dis)Integration in the Labour Market? The Careers of Labour Migrants Returning to Poland from the United Kingdom
Authors: Karolak Mateusz
Published: October 2019

This chapter expands the analysis of labour migrants’ (dis)integration processes to their often-neglected experiences of voluntary return to their country of origin. Through the analysis of the life stories of Polish migrants returning to Poland from the United Kingdom, the chapter looks at the subjective and objective dimensions of their labour market (dis)integration. It argues that, in spite of the fact that the returnees do not lack the foundations of integration, they often fall into the ‘experience trap’ and transfer their vulnerable labour market position from abroad. Moreover, due to their internalised feeling of ‘permanent temporariness’, returnees withdraw from collective attempts to change their situation and instead employ individualised strategies of re-emigration. In this way, despite the pricing discourse of the universal advantages of intra-European Union mobility, it turns out that, for some Central- and Eastern-European migrants, the current regime of EU mobility, together with self-fashioned neoliberal subjectivities and passive state policies, whichde factostrengthen the returnees’ disintegration, contributes to the further fragmentation of migrants’ careers and the precarisation of their work.
Einleitung
Authors: Feindt Peter H. , Krämer Christine , Früh-Müller Andrea , Heißenhuber Alois , Pahl-Wostl Claudia , Purnhagen Kai P. , Thomas Fabian , van Bers Caroline , Wolters Volkmar
Published: October 2019

Dieses Buch stellt die Ergebnisse des Projekts „Zukunftsfähige Agrarpolitik – Natur erhalten, Umwelt schützen (ZA-NExUS)“ vor. Ziel war es, wissenschaftlich basierte Optionen für die künftige Ausgestaltung der Agrarpolitik aus der Perspektive des Natur- und Umweltschutzes zu formulieren. Ausgehend von einer Bestandsaufnahme der Umweltwirkungen der Landwirtschaft wird analysiert, warum die Agrarpolitik den Natur-, Umwelt- und Klimaschutz nur langsam aufgreift. Daraus wird eine Stärken-Schwächen-Analyse des bestehenden Steuerungsrahmens abgeleitet und ein Leitbild für eine nachhaltige Agrarpolitik entwickelt. Auf dieser Basis werden Handlungsansätze und Optionen für eine Weiterentwicklung der Agrarpolitik formuliert. Das Konzept eines Gesellschaftsvertrags für den Agrarsektor soll dabei helfen zu klären, was die Gesellschaft und die Landwirtschaft voneinander erwarten können.
Kurzdarstellung der Ausgangssituation: Umwelteffekte der Landwirtschaft
Authors: Feindt Peter H. , Krämer Christine , Früh-Müller Andrea , Heißenhuber Alois , Pahl-Wostl Claudia , Purnhagen Kai P. , Thomas Fabian , van Bers Caroline , Wolters Volkmar
Published: October 2019

Auf Basis einer systematischen Literaturrecherche umreißt dieses Kapitel den Sachstand zu den Wechselwirkungen zwischen Landwirtschaft und natürlichen Ressourcen in Deutschland. Der Fokus liegt auf der Beeinflussung der Naturressourcen Boden, biologische Vielfalt, Klima, Landschaftsbild, Luft und Wasser durch die Wirkfaktoren stoffliche Einträge und Flächennutzung. Die Zusammenschau zeigt, dass ein guter Zustand der schützenswerten Naturressourcen bisher häufig nicht erreicht wurde. Rechtlich und politisch festgelegte Zielwerte werden oft verfehlt oder es fehlen Daten zum Erfolgsmonitoring. Für wichtige Teilbereiche gibt es bislang nur wenig ambitionierte oder überhaupt keine Zielsetzungen, bestehende Ziele sind oft nicht ausreichend operationalisiert (Regelungsdefizit) oder die Kontroll- und Sanktionsmechanismen sind unzureichend (Vollzugsdefizit). Außerdem fehlen Anreizmechanismen für Schutzmaßnahmen oberhalb der gesetzlichen Mindestauflagen.
Agrarpolitische Rahmenbedingungen
Authors: Feindt Peter H. , Krämer Christine , Früh-Müller Andrea , Heißenhuber Alois , Pahl-Wostl Claudia , Purnhagen Kai P. , Thomas Fabian , van Bers Caroline , Wolters Volkmar
Published: October 2019

Dieses Kapitel zeigt auf, dass eine institutionelle Pfadabhängigkeit der Gemeinsamen Agrarpolitik der Europäischen Union zu einer historisch verfestigten Sonderstellung des Agrarsektors geführt hat. In der Folge dominieren einkommenspolitische Ziele die Agrarpolitik. Natur- und Umweltschutzanliegen bleiben randständig und müssen vorwiegend mit ordnungsrechtlichen Mitteln durchgesetzt werden. Dabei bestehen Regelungs- und Implementationsdefizite, oft infolge von Ausnahmeregelungen für die Landwirtschaft. Handlungsdruck könnte sich jedoch aus drei neueren Entwicklungen des Rechtsrahmens ergeben: der Einbeziehung der bislang separaten Agrarmarktordnungen in die allgemeinen Regelungen des EU-Binnenmarkts, den haftungsrechtlichen Folgen der Verbraucherschutzstandards entlang der Wertschöpfungsketten sowie aus transnationalen privatrechtlichen Standards. Anregungen für eine Weiterentwicklung der Governance-Ansätze geben neue Konzepte wie Resilienz und adaptives Management sowie verhaltenswissenschaftliche Ansätze.
Bausteine zur Integration des Natur- und Umweltschutzes in eine zukunftsfähige Agrarpolitik
Authors: Feindt Peter H. , Krämer Christine , Früh-Müller Andrea , Heißenhuber Alois , Pahl-Wostl Claudia , Purnhagen Kai P. , Thomas Fabian , van Bers Caroline , Wolters Volkmar
Published: October 2019

Dieses Kapitel diskutiert die verschiedenen Instrumente der Agrarpolitik im Hinblick auf ihren Beitrag zur Realisierung des Leitbilds einer multifunktionalen, natur- und umweltverträglichen Landwirtschaft: Ordnungsrecht und gesetzliche Mindeststandards für die landwirtschaftliche Praxis, Budgetausstattung und -aufteilung, flächenbezogene Direktzahlungen, regional und standörtlich ausgerichtete Zahlungen, Zusammenspiel mit nicht-staatlichen Standards und öffentlich-privater Ko-Regulierung, Monitoring- und Sanktionssysteme, sowie unterstützende Elemente wie Beratung und verbraucherorientierte Maßnahmen. Die Analyse zeigt, dass bei jedem Element der Agrarpolitik verschiedene Instrumenten-Varianten mehr oder weniger zur Verwirklichung des Leitbildes beitragen. Nur eine Kombination aller Bausteine kann die verschiedenen agrarpolitischen Problemkomplexe lösen. Ein guter Politikansatz erfordert dabei sowohl ein überzeugendes Gesamtkonzept als auch eine geeignete Ausgestaltung der einzelnen Instrumente.
Skizzierung und Bewertung umweltpolitischer Strategien für eine zukünftige Agrar- und Umweltpolitik
Authors: Feindt Peter H. , Krämer Christine , Früh-Müller Andrea , Heißenhuber Alois , Pahl-Wostl Claudia , Purnhagen Kai P. , Thomas Fabian , van Bers Caroline , Wolters Volkmar
Published: October 2019

Dieses Kapitel formuliert und bewertet drei strategische Optionen für den ergebnisorientierteren Einsatz der erheblichen Finanzmittel der Agrarpolitik: (1) eine stärkere Verknüpfung der Direktzahlungen mit der Erbringung von öffentlichen Leistungen, etwa durch anspruchsvollere Cross-Compliance- und Greening-Anforderungen, (2) eine Mittelumschichtung von den flächenbezogenen Direktzahlungen hin zu stärker ziel- und ergebnisorientierten Maßnahmen der Zweiten Säule und/oder (3) ein Übergang zu einem integrierten System aufeinander aufbauender Prämien und Programme, welche sich zusammen mit einem verbesserten Ordnungsrecht systematisch auf die Natur- und Umweltschutzprobleme im Agrarsektor richten. Weiterhin diskutieren wir eine mögliche Umstellung der Regulierungslogik im Agrarsektor auf „prinzipienbasierte Regulation“. Die Voraussetzungen und Implikationen der verschiedenen Optionen werden analysiert und die jeweilige Machbarkeit, Effektivität, Effizienz und die Konstellationen von Unterstützern und Gegnern abgeschätzt.
Associated production of a Higgs boson decaying into bottom quarks and a weak vector boson decaying leptonically at NNLO in QCD
Authors: Gauld R. , Ridder A. Gehrmann-De , Glover E.W.N. , Huss A. , Majer I.
Published: October 2019

Abstract

We present the calculation of next-to-next-to-leading order (NNLO) corrections in perturbative QCD for the production of a Higgs boson decaying into a pair of bottom quarks in association with a leptonically decaying weak vector boson:

$$ \mathrm{pp}\to V\mathrm{H}+X\to \mathrm{\ell}\overline{\mathrm{\ell}}\mathrm{b}\overline{\mathrm{b}}+X. $$

pp
→
V
H
+
X
→
ℓ

ℓ
¯

b

b
¯

+
X
.

We consider the corrections to both the production and decay sub-processes, retaining a fully differential description of the final state including off-shell propagators of the Higgs and vector boson. The calculation is carried out using the antenna subtraction formalism and is implemented in the NNLOjet framework. Clustering and identification of b-jets is performed with the flavour-kt algorithm and results for fiducial cross sections and distributions are presented for the LHC at

$$ \sqrt{s} $$

s

= 13 TeV. We assess the residual theory uncertainty by varying the production and decay scales independently and provide scale uncertainty bands in our results, yielding percent-level accurate predictions for observables in this Higgs production mode computed at NNLO. Confronting a na¨ıve perturbative expansion of the cross section against the customary re-scaling procedure to a fixed branching ratio reveals that starting from NNLO, the latter could be inadequate in estimating missing higher-order effects through scale variations.