bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Estimating cross‐validatory predictive p‐values with integrated importance sampling for disease mapping models
Authors: Li Longhai , Feng Cindy X. , Qiu Shi
Published: March 2017

An important statistical task in disease mapping problems is to identify divergent regions with unusually high or low risk of disease. Leave‐one‐out cross‐validatory (LOOCV) model assessment is the gold standard for estimating predictive p‐values that can flag such divergent regions. However, actual LOOCV is time‐consuming because one needs to rerun a Markov chain Monte Carlo analysis for each posterior distribution in which an observation is held out as a test case. This paper introduces a new method, called integrated importance sampling (iIS), for estimating LOOCV predictive p‐values with only Markov chain samples drawn from the posterior based on a full data set. The key step in iIS is that we integrate away the latent variables associated the test observation with respect to their conditional distribution without reference to the actual observation. By following the general theory for importance sampling, the formula used by iIS can be proved to be equivalent to the LOOCV predictive p‐value. We compare iIS and other three existing methods in the literature with two disease mapping datasets. Our empirical results show that the predictive p‐values estimated with iIS are almost identical to the predictive p‐values estimated with actual LOOCV and outperform those given by the existing three methods, namely, the posterior predictive checking, the ordinary importance sampling, and the ghosting method by Marshall and Spiegelhalter (2003). Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Synthesizing and verifying controllers for multi-lane traffic maneuvers
Authors: Bochmann Gregor V. , Hilscher Martin , Linker Sven , Olderog Ernst-Rüdiger
Published: March 2017

The dynamic behavior of a car can be modeled as a hybrid system involving continuous state changes and discrete state transitions. We show that the control of safe (collision free) lane change maneuvers in multi-lane traffic on highways can be described by finite state machines extended with continuous variables coming from the environment. We use standard theory for controller synthesis to derive the dynamic behavior of a lane-change controller. Thereby, we contrast the setting of interleaving semantics and synchronous concurrent semantics. We also consider the possibility of exchanging knowledge between neighboring cars in order to come up with the right decisions. Finally, we address compositional verification using an assumption-guarantee paradigm.
Generalized Network Psychometrics: Combining Network and Latent Variable Models
Authors: Epskamp Sacha , Rhemtulla Mijke , Borsboom Denny
Published: March 2017

We introduce the network model as a formal psychometric model, conceptualizing the covariance between psychometric indicators as resulting from pairwise interactions between observable variables in a network structure. This contrasts with standard psychometric models, in which the covariance between test items arises from the influence of one or more common latent variables. Here, we present two generalizations of the network model that encompass latent variable structures, establishing network modeling as parts of the more general framework of structural equation modeling (SEM). In the first generalization, we model the covariance structure of latent variables as a network. We term this framework latent network modeling (LNM) and show that, with LNM, a unique structure of conditional independence relationships between latent variables can be obtained in an explorative manner. In the second generalization, the residual variance–covariance structure of indicators is modeled as a network. We term this generalization residual network modeling (RNM) and show that, within this framework, identifiable models can be obtained in which local independence is structurally violated. These generalizations allow for a general modeling framework that can be used to fit, and compare, SEM models, network models, and the RNM and LNM generalizations. This methodology has been implemented in the free-to-use software package lvnet, which contains confirmatory model testing as well as two exploratory search algorithms: stepwise search algorithms for low-dimensional datasets and penalized maximum likelihood estimation for larger datasets. We show in simulation studies that these search algorithms perform adequately in identifying the structure of the relevant residual or latent networks. We further demonstrate the utility of these generalizations in an empirical example on a personality inventory dataset.
Formation of an Intermediate Layer Between Grains in Nickel-Based Superalloy Turbine Blades
Authors: Kim KeeHyun , Withey Paul
Published: March 2017

The boundary region formed on the surface of nickel-based single-crystal turbine blades was investigated by high-resolution microscopy observation. There was a distinguishable intermediate layer with the size of about 2 to 5 μm between the matrix and surface defect grains such as stray grains, multiple grains, freckle grains, and even low-angle grain boundaries which were formed during the solidification of turbine blades. The intermediate layer was composed of many elongated γ′ as well as γ phases. In addition, only one side of the intermediate layer was coherent to the matrix grain or defect grain due to good orientation match. At the coherent interface, the γ′ (as well as γ) phase started to extend from the parent grain and coincidently, rhenium-rich particles were detected. Furthermore, the particles existed within both elongated gamma prime and gamma phases, and even at their boundary. Based on experimental observations, the formation mechanism of this intermediate layer was discussed.
Introducing a qualitative space
Authors: Varpio Lara , Paradis Elise , Watling Chris
Published: March 2017

None
THEOLOGY AND LAW DIVORCED AND RECONCILED: AQUINAS, LUTHER, RAWLS, AND US
Authors: Jackson Timothy P.
Published: March 2017

What is divinity if it can comeOnly in silent shadows and in dreams?—Wallace Stevens
Let me tell an absurdly brief story about part of the history of theology and law. In this story, I take Thomas Aquinas, Martin Luther, John Rawls, and us as signposts. The tale is overly simple, but it can help situate and challenge us. We are at the end of the long decline into legal positivism; a new era of “political agape” beckons.
A Southern-Sky Total Intensity Source Catalogue at 2.3 GHz from S-Band Polarisation All-Sky Survey Data
Authors: Meyers B. W. , Hurley-Walker N. , Hancock P. J. , Franzen T. M. O. , Carretti E. , Staveley-Smith L. , Gaensler B. M. , Haverkorn M. , Poppi S.
Published: March 2017

The S-band Polarisation All-Sky Survey has observed the entire southern sky using the 64-m Parkes radio telescope at 2.3 GHz with an effective bandwidth of 184 MHz. The surveyed sky area covers all declinations δ ⩽ 0°. To analyse compact sources, the survey data have been re-processed to produce a set of 107 Stokes I maps with 10.75 arcmin resolution and the large scale emission contribution filtered out. In this paper, we use these Stokes I images to create a total intensity southern-sky extragalactic source catalogue at 2.3 GHz. The source catalogue contains 23 389 sources and covers a sky area of 16 600 deg2, excluding the Galactic plane for latitudes |b| < 10°. Approximately, 8% of catalogued sources are resolved. S-band Polarisation All-Sky Survey source positions are typically accurate to within 35 arcsec. At a flux density of 225 mJy, the S-band Polarisation All-Sky Survey source catalogue is more than 95% complete, and ~ 94% of S-band Polarisation All-Sky Survey sources brighter than 500 mJy beam−1 have a counterpart at lower frequencies.
TRANSCENDENCE OVER MEROMORPHIC FUNCTIONS
Authors: COONS MICHAEL , TACHIYA YOHEI
Published: March 2017

In this short note, considering functions, we show that taking an asymptotic viewpoint allows one to prove strong transcendence statements in many general situations. In particular, as a consequence of a more general result, we show that if$F(z)\in \mathbb{C}[[z]]$is a power series with coefficients from a finite set, then$F(z)$is either rational or it is transcendental over the field of meromorphic functions.
Breast milk fatty acid composition and fatty acid intake of lactating mothers in South Korea
Authors: Kim Hyesook , Kang Sujeong , Jung Byung-Moon , Yi Hyunju , Jung Ji A. , Chang Namsoo
Published: March 2017

The aim of this study was to determine the fatty acid (FA) composition of breast milk, and its association with mothers’ FA intake. Milk samples were obtained from 238 healthy lactating women who volunteered to participate in the Human Milk Micronutrients Analysis Research. Dietary intake during lactation was assessed using a 3-d food record, and fat content and FA composition of the breast milk samples were analysed by IR spectrometry using MilkoScan FT2 and GC flame ionisation detector, respectively. The fat content was 3·31 (sd1·41) g/100 ml breast milk. The concentrations of arachidonic acid (20 : 4n-6), EPA (20 : 5n-3) and DHA (22 : 6n-3) in breast milk were 0·48 (sd0·13), 0·15 (sd0·12) and 0·67 (sd0·47) % of total FA, respectively. Fat content and FA composition of breast milk were associated with maternal age, BMI, supplement use and infant age. Dietary intakes of EPA, DHA,n-3 FA,n-6 FA, SFA and PUFA were positively correlated with the corresponding FA in the milk samples. FA levels in breast milk and maternal diet are highly correlated. Further studies are warranted to explore factors that may be associated with changes in FA composition in human milk.
EURIPIDES,CYCLOPS375–6
Authors: Sansone David
Published: March 2017

Odysseus has just entered the acting area following the choral song, during which he witnessed the Cyclops butchering, cooking and then eating two of his companions. In these lines Odysseus seemingly presents himself as being at a loss for words (τί λέξω), and claims that what he witnessed inside the cave is not to be believed (οὐ πιστά). These are, of course, nothing more than rhetorical ploys, with frequent parallels in Euripides and elsewhere. When Odysseus says οὐ πιστά he means not that what he is about to recount lacks credibility—he does, after all, expect the satyrs (and the audience) to accept his account as reliable—but that it surpasses the bounds of ordinary human experience. And the account that follows belies his apparent profession of being at a loss for words, since he is about to deliver what is in effect a messenger-speech of over fifty lines (382–436). Expressions of aphasia are common in Euripides, sometimes accompanied, as here, by lengthy exposition. Characters use such expressions to indicate that the circumstances in which they find themselves are beyond the power of language to convey. There is, therefore, something discordant in Odysseus immediately following his expression of aphasia by saying that what he has witnessed is ‘like stories’, especially when he is about to tell the story of the circumstances in which he finds himself. It is the purpose of this note to suggest that the words μύθοις εἰκότ’ have been universally misunderstood, and that Odysseus is here saying something quite other than that the events in the cave have a greater resemblance to stories than to reality.
CIRIS 288: AN EMENDATION
Authors: Kayachev Boris
Published: March 2017

Scylla's nurse Carme has just learned that Scylla is in love with Minos, who in turn was once in love with Carme's daughter Britomartis and chased her to death. Carme opens her speech with an address to Minos (286–9).
COMMENTS ON COE ET AL. (2019)–‘LOADING THE DICE IN FAVOUR OF THE FARMER . . .’
Authors: SILESHI GUDETA W. , AKINNIFESI FESTUS K.
Published: March 2017

In the past two decades, a growing body of work on research stations and farmers' fields in Southern Africa has provided evidence that fertilizer trees can improve the productivity of land, increase crop yields and contribute towards climate change mitigation and adaptation. In a recent issue of Experimental Agriculture, Coeet al. (2019) published analysis of risks associated with adopting agroforestry in Malawi. The article contains several factual inaccuracies about agroforestry and misinterpretations of earlier work. Our aim in this correspondence is, therefore, to point out the key problems, seek clarification from Coe and co-workers, and stimulate wider scientific debate on the perceived risks of adopting agroforestry.
Unravelling basin shoulder dynamics through detrital apatite fission-track signature: the case of the Quaternary Mugello Basin, Italy
Authors: BALESTRIERI MARIA LAURA , BENVENUTI MARCO , CATANZARITI RITA
Published: March 2017

Detrital apatite fission-track (AFT) thermochronology has been applied to lower Pleistocene lacustrine fan-delta sediments of the NE shoulder of the Mugello Basin, the youngest and closest to the main watershed among the Northern Apennines intermontane basins. The aim was to decode the shoulder uplift dynamics during the development of the basin through the analysis of the Quaternary fluvio-lacustrine deposits. Bedrock shoulder analysis, performed to match the detrital AFT data with their source, revealed the presence of a unexpected only partially annealed portion of a turbidite foredeep unit (AFT ages >7–5 Ma) belonging to the structural complex that constitutes the shoulder bedrock. These data disagree with the AFT age distribution pattern of the well-studied Northern Apennines chain, suggesting a segmentation of the foredeep basin. The latter may have been related to the presence of a tectonically induced topographic high (pre-late Langhian) in the area limiting the thickness of the overriding Ligurian lid. On the other hand, detrital AFT data provided arguments for understanding the dynamics of Mugello Basin shoulder uplift and rotation. The proportion in the different stratigraphic units of the fan-delta sediments of single grains showing young (reset) and old (non-reset) ages points to late Early Pleistocene timing of the development of the SW-verging backthrust that characterizes the study area. These data confirm and detail the picture of an early Quaternary development of the Mugello Basin under a compressional setting, only later (middle Pleistocene to present) superimposed by normal faultings.
Possible biogenic structures from the Lower Cambrian strata in Yunnan Province, South China
Authors: LIU WEI , ZHANG XINGLIANG
Published: March 2017

Microbially induced sedimentary structures (MISS) are microbial traces in sandy deposits. They have been formed by various modes of microbial behaviour in response to the prevailing physical dynamics in shallow-marine environments since early Archaean time. An association of fossils, phosphatic structures and grains, stromatolites and microbial laminated levelling structures is documented from the Zhongyicun Member of Lower Cambrian strata in the Baideng section dated close to 535 Ma. SEM examination demonstrates that microbial laminated levelling structures are the result of the development of microbial mats composed of filamentous structures. We propose that there was a short hiatus after the dolomite layer deposited when the dolomite layer was weathered to form centimetre-scale valleys firstly, and then microbes accumulated in these valleys and formed the microbial laminated levelling structures.
HIV/STI RISK-TAKING SEXUAL BEHAVIOURS AND RISK PERCEPTION AMONG MALE UNIVERSITY STUDENTS IN TEHRAN: IMPLICATIONS FOR HIV PREVENTION AMONG YOUTH
Authors: Khalajabadi Farahani Farideh , Akhondi Mohammad Mahdi , Shirzad Mehdi , Azin Ali
Published: March 2017

Recent evidence indicates a rising trend in premarital sexual activity among young people in Iran. However, little is known about the extent to which young people’s sexual behaviours expose them to HIV and STI risks. This study aimed to assess HIV/STI-related sexual risk-taking behaviours (correlates and determinants) and HIV/STI risk perception among male university students in Tehran. A representative sample of male university students (N=1322) studying in government and private Tehran universities completed an anonymous questionnaire survey in 2013–14. Respondents were selected using two-stage stratified cluster sampling. About 35% of respondents had ever had premarital sex (n=462). The majority (about 85%) of the sexually experienced students reported having multiple sexual partners in their lifetime. More than half (54%) reported inconsistent condom use over the previous month. Despite this exposure to HIV/STI risk, the respondents had a very low level of HIV/STI risk perception. Only 6.5% were highly concerned about contracting HIV over the previous year, and an even lower percentage (3.4%) were concerned about contracting STIs in the near future. Early sexual debut (<18 years), studying in a private university, ever watching pornography and work experience were found to be significant predictors of having multiple sexual partners. Younger age at sexual debut, having one lifetime sexual partner and poor HIV knowledge were significant predictors of inconsistent condom use over the preceding month. HIV prevention programmes among Iranian youth need to focus on the postponement of first sex and enhancement of HIV/STI knowledge in the light of increasing access of young people to pornography.
Power Short-Circuited: Social Movement Organisation under Cartel Rule in Rural Guatemala
Authors: MOLENAAR FRANSJE
Published: March 2017

This article unpacks the effect that the presence of diffuse licit and illicit power structures has on states and citizens in the modern world. It does so by investigating how a drug cartel undermined social movement organisation around electricity provision in the San Marcos province of Guatemala. The cartel's presence contributed directly to the demise of movement activity and impeded the effective development of movement strategies in the face of menacing – albeit veiled – threats. In addition, the state's inability or unwillingness to prevent the violent assassination of movement leaders undermined the legitimacy of the central state in the eyes of movement leaders. This also contributed to the reproduction of the ‘unrule of law’ on the ground through the movement's subsequent rejection of formal state institutions.
Feeling and thinking about studio practices: Exploring dissonance in semi-structured interviews with students in higher education music
Authors: Burwell Kim
Published: March 2017

While studio-based instrumental and vocal learning is widely regarded as both important and effective in higher education music, research to date has offered little concrete information about studio practices that students have regarded as ineffective. Two recent case studies investigated what appear to be exceptional instances in which students expressed dissatisfaction with the approaches taken by their current teachers. In this paper, data from these studies is mined again, focusing particularly on verbal behaviour from semi-structured interviews. The two studies are compared with each other and with data from a broader study from which they had been drawn, asking how the ‘dissonant’ cases are distinct, and how student interviews might cast fresh light on the complexities of studio practices.
Divisors computing the minimal log discrepancy on a smooth surface
Authors: KAWAKITA MASAYUKI
Published: March 2017

We study a divisor computing the minimal log discrepancy on a smooth surface. Such a divisor is obtained by a weighted blow-up. There exists an example of a pair such that any divisor computing the minimal log discrepancy computes no log canonical thresholds.
Approximation numbers of composition operators on the Hardy and Bergman spaces of the ball and of the polydisk
Authors: BAYART FRÉDÉRIC , LI DANIEL , QUEFFÉLEC HERVÉ , RODRÍGUEZ–PIAZZA LUIS
Published: March 2017

We give general estimates for the approximation numbers of composition operators on the Hardy space on the ball Bd and the polydisk ${\mathbb D}$d and of composition operators on the Bergman space on the polydisk.
Parties Without Brands? Evidence from California's 1878–79 Constitutional Convention
Authors: Kogan Vladimir , Binder Michael
Published: March 2017

Why do legislative parties emerge in democracies where elections are contested by individual candidates, rather than national party organizations? And can parties survive in the absence electoral pressure for their members to work on shared political goals? In this article, we examine the emergence and maintenance of party discipline in an atypical legislative context: California's 1878–79 constitutional convention. The unusual partisan alignments among the delegates at the California convention provide us with a unique empirical opportunity to test election- and policy-based explanations for legislative discipline. Our study combines a careful reading of the historical record with a statistical analysis of roll call votes cast at the convention to show how leaders of the “Nonpartisan” majority held together their disparate coalition of Democratic and Republican members in the face of conflicting preferences, ideological divisions, and well-organized political opponents. Our findings provide evidence that cohesive parties can exist even in the absence of broadly shared electoral pressures or policy goals.
The Problem with Yuppie Ethics
Authors: GABRIEL IASON
Published: March 2017

How much personal partiality do agent-centred prerogatives allow? If there are limits on what morality may demand of us, then how much does it permit? For a view Henry Shue has termed ‘yuppie ethics’, the answer to both questions is a great deal. It holds that rich people are morally permitted to spend large amounts of money on themselves, even when this means leaving those living in extreme poverty unaided. Against this view, I demonstrate that personal permissions are limited in certain ways: their strength must be continuous with the reasons put forward to explain their presence inside morality to begin with. Typically, these reasons include non-alienation and the preservation of personal integrity. However, when personal costs do not result in alienation or violate integrity, they are things that morality can routinely demand of us. Yuppie ethics therefore runs afoul of what I call the ‘continuity constraint’.
Concentrated ERP Delivered in a Group Setting: A Replication Study
Authors: Havnen Audun , Hansen Bjarne , Öst Lars-Göran , Kvale Gerd
Published: March 2017

Background: In a previous effectiveness study (Havnen et al., 2014), 35 obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) patients underwent Concentrated Exposure Treatment (cET), which is a newly developed group treatment format delivered over four consecutive days. Aims: The primary aims of the present study were to evaluate the treatment results for a new sample of OCD patients receiving the cET treatment approach and to replicate the effectiveness study described in Havnen et al. (2014). Method: Forty-two OCD patients underwent cET treatment. Treatment was delivered by different therapists than in Havnen et al. (2014), except for two groups led by the developers of the treatment. Assessments of OCD symptom severity, treatment satisfaction, and occupational impairment were included. Results: The results showed a significant reduction in Yale-Brown Obsessive Compulsive Scale scores from pre-treatment to post-treatment, which was maintained at 6-month follow-up. At post-treatment, 74% of the sample was remitted; at 6-month follow-up, 60% were recovered. The sample showed a very high degree of overall treatment satisfaction. The results from the present study were statistically compared with those obtained in the previous study. The analyses showed that the study samples had comparable demographic data and equal application of treatment. The outcome of the present and original study did not differ significantly on primary and secondary outcome measures. Conclusions: This study shows that cET was successfully replicated in a new patient sample treated by different therapists than the original study. The results indicate that cET is well accepted by the patients, and the potential for dissemination is discussed.
Difficulties using standardized tests to identify the receptive expressive gap in bilingual children's vocabularies
Authors: GIBSON TODD A. , JARMULOWICZ LINDA , OLLER D. KIMBROUGH
Published: March 2017

Receptive standardized vocabulary scores have been found to be much higher than expressive standardized vocabulary scores in children with Spanish as L1, learning L2 (English) in school (Gibson et al., 2012). Here we present evidence suggesting the receptive-expressive gap may be harder to evaluate than previously thought. We compared the performance of 116 six-year-old Spanish–English bilingual children in the US to 30 monolingual Spanish-speaking peers in Mexico across two Spanish-language standardized picture naming tests and one standardized picture pointing test. The performance of 134 monolingual English-speaking peers was compared using similar English-language tests. Results revealed the presence and magnitude of a receptive-expressive gap was largely dependent on the tests used. These discrepant results likely exist because widely-used standardized tests do not offer comparable normed scores. We review possible test norming practices that may have contributed to these results and suggest guidelines to determine a meaningful receptive-expressive gap for bilingual children.
The trouble with cover crops: Farmers’ experiences with overcoming barriers to adoption
Authors: Roesch-McNally Gabrielle E. , Basche Andrea D. , Arbuckle J.G. , Tyndall John C. , Miguez Fernando E. , Bowman Troy , Clay Rebecca
Published: March 2017

Cover crops are known to promote many aspects of soil and water quality, yet estimates find that in 2012 only 2.3% of the total agricultural lands in the Midwestern USA were using cover crops. Focus groups were conducted across the Corn Belt state of Iowa to better understand how farmers confront barriers to cover crop adoption in highly intensive agricultural production systems. Although much prior research has focused on analyzing factors that help predict cover crop use on farms, there is limited research on how farmers navigate and overcome field-level (e.g. proper planting of a cover crop) and structural barriers (e.g. market forces) associated with the use of cover crops. The results from the analysis of these conversations suggest that there is a complex dialectical relationship between farmers' individual management decisions and the broader agricultural context in the region that constrains their decisions. Farmers in these focus groups shared how they navigate complex management decisions within a generally homogenized agricultural and economic landscape that makes cover crop integration challenging. Many who joined the focus groups have found ways to overcome barriers and successfully integrate cover crops into their cropping systems. This is illustrated through farmers' descriptions of their ‘whole system’ approach to cover crops management, where they described how they prioritize the success of their cover crops by focusing on multiple aspects of management, including changes they have made to nutrient application and modifications to equipment. These producers also engage with farmer networks to gain strategies for overcoming management challenges associated with cover crops. Although many participants had successfully planted cover crops, they tended to believe that greater economic incentives and/or more diverse crop and livestock markets would be needed to spur more widespread adoption of the practice. Our results further illustrate how structural and field-level barriers constrain individual actions, as it is not simply the basic agronomic considerations (such as seeding and terminating cover crops) that pose a challenge to their use, but also the broader economic and market drivers that exist in agriculturally intensive systems. Our study provides evidence that reducing structural barriers to adoption may be necessary to increase the use of this conservation practice to reduce environmental impacts associated with intensive agricultural production.
Auf dem Weg zu einer EBN-fördernden Haltung
Authors: Eberhardt Doris , Wild Laura
Published: March 2017

Zusammenfassung. Am Klinikum Neumarkt gehört die Umsetzung von Evidence Based Nursing (EBN) zu den Zielbereichen der Praxisentwicklung. Ausgehend von der Annahme, dass der Ausbau einer EBN-fördernden Haltung zu den wesentlichen Voraussetzungen für die erfolgreiche Umsetzung von EBN gehört (Köpke et al., 2013), konzentrierten sich die bisherigen Implementierungsbemühungen vor allem auf die aktive und systematische Information aller Pflegenden über EBN sowie auf die Sensibilisierung für die Bedeutung dieses Konzepts.
Lernen aus Fehlern
Authors: Hoffmann Susanne , Helberg Dorothea , Frei Irena Anna
Published: March 2017

Zusammenfassung. Das „Learning from Defects Tool“ (LFD-Tool) ermöglicht systematische Analysen unerwünschter Ereignisse basierend auf dem Modell der organisationalen Unfallentstehung (Reason, 1997). Im Universitätsspital Basel setzen Pflegeexpert / innen1 dieses Tool nach Sturzereignissen mit schweren Verletzungen ein, um mit Pflegeteams Risiken, Fehler aber auch Verbesserungsmöglichkeiten zu reflektieren.
Edukation und Patientenberatung in der Berufsprüfung
Authors: Kühme Benjamin , Ruge Ralf
Published: March 2017

Zusammenfassung. An der Mathias Hochschule Rheine1 wurden im Modellstudiengang Pflege die Wittener Werkzeuge als Prüfungsinstrument im Verfahren der staatlichen Berufsprüfung implementiert.
Temporal controls on silicic acid utilisation along the West Antarctic Peninsula
Authors: Swann George E. A. , Pike Jennifer , Leng Melanie J. , Sloane Hilary J. , Snelling Andrea M.
Published: March 2017

The impact of climatic change along the Antarctica Peninsula has been widely debated in light of atmospheric/oceanic warming and increases in glacial melt over the past half century. Particular concern exists over the impact of these changes on marine ecosystems, not only on primary producers but also on higher trophic levels. Here we present a record detailing of the historical controls on the biogeochemical cycling of silicic acid [Si(OH)4] on the west Antarctica Peninsula margin, a region in which the modern phytoplankton environment is constrained by seasonal sea ice. We demonstrate that Si(OH)4 cycling through the Holocene alternates between being primarily regulated by sea ice or glacial discharge from the surrounding grounded ice sheet. With further climate-driven change and melting forecast for the twenty-first century, our findings document the potential for biogeochemical cycling and multi-trophic interactions along the peninsula to be increasingly regulated by glacial discharge, altering food-web interactions.
Sfrp5 identifies murine cardiac progenitors for all myocardial structures except for the right ventricle
Authors: Fujii Masayuki , Sakaguchi Akane , Kamata Ryo , Nagao Masataka , Kikuchi Yutaka , Evans Silvia M. , Yoshizumi Masao , Shimono Akihiko , Saga Yumiko , Kokubo Hiroki
Published: March 2017

Upon acquirement of pulmonary circulation, the ancestral heart may have been remodelled coincidently with, or accompanied by, the production and rearrangement of progenitor cells. However, the progenitor populations that give rise to the left ventricle (LV) and sinus venosus (SV) are still ambiguous. Here we show that the expression of Secreted frizzled-related protein Sfrp5 in the mouse identifies common progenitors for the outflow tract (OFT), LV, atrium and SV but not the right ventricle (RV). Sfrp5 expression begins at the lateral sides of the cardiac crescent, excluding early differentiating regions, and continues in the venous pole, which gives rise to the SV. Lineage-tracing analysis revealed that descendants of Sfrp5-expressing cells at E7.5 contribute not only to the SV but also to the LV, atria and OFT and are found also in the dorsal splanchnic mesoderm accompanied by the expression of the secondary heart field marker, Islet1. These findings provide insight into the arrangement of cardiac progenitors for systemic circulation.
Barcode extension for analysis and reconstruction of structures
Authors: Myhrvold Cameron , Baym Michael , Hanikel Nikita , Ong Luvena L , Gootenberg Jonathan S , Yin Peng
Published: March 2017

Collections of DNA sequences can be rationally designed to self-assemble into predictable three-dimensional structures. The geometric and functional diversity of DNA nanostructures created to date has been enhanced by improvements in DNA synthesis and computational design. However, existing methods for structure characterization typically image the final product or laboriously determine the presence of individual, labelled strands using gel electrophoresis. Here we introduce a new method of structure characterization that uses barcode extension and next-generation DNA sequencing to quantitatively measure the incorporation of every strand into a DNA nanostructure. By quantifying the relative abundances of distinct DNA species in product and monomer bands, we can study the influence of geometry and sequence on assembly. We have tested our method using 2D and 3D DNA brick and DNA origami structures. Our method is general and should be extensible to a wide variety of DNA nanostructures.
Plasma-free amino acid profiles are predictors of cancer and diabetes development
Authors: Bi X , Henry C J
Published: March 2017

Type 2 diabetes (T2D) and cancers are two major causes of morbidity and mortality worldwide. Nowadays, there is convincing evidence of positive associations between T2D and the incidence or prognosis of a wide spectrum of cancers, for example, breast, colon, liver and pancreas. Many observational studies suggest that certain medications used to treat hyperglycemia (or T2D) may affect cancer cells directly or indirectly. The potential mechanisms of the direct T2D cancer links have been hypothesized to be hyperinsulinemia, hyperglycemia and chronic inflammation; however, the metabolic pathways that lead to T2D and cancers still remain elusive. Plasma-free amino acid (PFAA) profiles have been highlighted in their associations with the risks of developing T2D and cancers in individuals with different ethnic groups and degree of obesity. The alterations of PFAAs might be predominately caused by the metabolic shift resulted from insulin resistance. The underlying mechanisms have not been fully elucidated, in particular whether the amino acids are contributing to these diseases development in a causal manner. This review addresses the molecular and clinical associations between PFAA alterations and both T2D and cancers, and interprets possible mechanisms involved. Revealing these interactions and mechanisms may improve our understanding of the complex pathogenesis of diabetes and cancers and improve their treatment strategies.
Insomnia and somnolence in idiopathic RBD: a prospective cohort study
Authors: Postuma Ronald B. , Gagnon Jean-François , Pelletier Amelie , Montplaisir Jacques Y.
Published: March 2017

Although some sleep disorders are markers of prodromal Parkinson’s disease and dementia with Lewy bodies, it is unclear whether insomnia and somnolence can predict disease. We assessed a large cohort of patients with idiopathic rapid eye movement sleep behavior disorder and age/sex matched controls, comparing the Epworth sleepiness scale, the Insomnia Severity Index, the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index, and polysomnographic variables. In those with repeated scales, we assessed change over time. Finally, we assessed whether sleep abnormalities predicted defined neurodegenerative disease. The 151 patients (age = 65.9, 75% male) completed sleep scales and were included. Epworth scores were similar between patients and controls (7.0+/−4.6 vs. 7.2+/−4.7, p = 0.77), and did not progress with time (change = +0.46+/−2.1, p = 0.45). Epworth scores were similar between those who developed neurodegenerative disease and those remaining disease-free (6.7+/−4.4 vs. 7.1+/−4.7, p = 0.70). Pittsburgh Index scores were higher in patients than controls (7.2+/−3.8 vs. 4.9+/−3.4, p = 0.004), mainly driven by the sleep disturbance/medication components (reflecting rapid eye movement sleep behavior disorder symptoms/treatment). Baseline Pittsburgh scores did not predict conversion to neurodegeneration, although sleep duration increased over time in those converting to neurodegenerative disease (+0.88+/−1.32 h, p = 0.014). Insomnia index scores were higher in patients than controls (10.0+/−5.5 vs. 6.35+/−4.66, p < 0.001), but declined over time (−1.43+/−5.09, p = 0.029) particularly in those converting to neurodegenerative disease. Finally, on polysomnogram, those with increased tonic rapid eye movement had higher risk of developing defined neurodegenerative disease (HR = 1.88, p = 0.039). In summary, we found that somnolence and insomnia do not predict neurodegeneration in idiopathic rapid eye movement sleep behavior disorder. As neurodegeneration progresses through prodromal stages, patients may have increasing sleep drive and duration.
Integrating personalized gene expression profiles into predictive disease-associated gene pools
Authors: Menche Jörg , Guney Emre , Sharma Amitabh , Branigan Patrick J. , Loza Matthew J. , Baribaud Frédéric , Dobrin Radu , Barabási Albert-László
Published: March 2017

Gene expression data are routinely used to identify genes thaton averageexhibit different expression levels between a case and a control group. Yet, very few of such differentially expressed genes are detectably perturbed in individual patients. Here, we develop a framework to constructpersonalizedperturbation profiles for individual subjects, identifying the set of genes that are significantly perturbed in each individual. This allows us to characterize the heterogeneity of the molecular manifestations of complex diseases by quantifying the expression-level similarities and differences among patients with the same phenotype. We show that despite the high heterogeneity of the individual perturbation profiles, patients with asthma, Parkinson and Huntington’s disease share a broadpool of sporadically disease-associated genes, and that individuals with statistically significant overlap with this pool have a 80–100% chance of being diagnosed with the disease. The developed framework opens up the possibility to apply gene expression data in the context of precision medicine, with important implications for biomarker identification, drug development, diagnosis and treatment.
Galactose and its Metabolites Deteriorate Metaphase II Mouse Oocyte Quality and Subsequent Embryo Development by Disrupting the Spindle Structure
Authors: Thakur Mili , Shaeib Faten , Khan Sana N. , Kohan-Ghadr Hamid-Reza , Jeelani Roohi , Aldhaheri Sarah R. , Gonik Bernard , Abu-Soud Husam M.
Published: March 2017

Premature ovarian insufficiency (POI) is a frequent long-term complication of classic galactosemia. The majority of women with this disorder develop POI, however rare spontaneous pregnancies have been reported. Here, we evaluate the effect of D-galactose and its metabolites, galactitol and galactose 1-phosphate, on oocyte quality as well as embryo development to elucidate the mechanism through which these compounds mediate oocyte deterioration. Metaphase II mouse oocytes (n = 240), with and without cumulus cells (CCs), were exposed for 4 hours to D-galactose (2 μM), galactitol (11 μM) and galactose 1-phosphate (0.1 mM), (corresponding to plasma concentrations in patients on galactose-restricted diet) and compared to controls. The treated oocytes showed decreased quality as a function of significant enhancement in production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) when compared to controls. The presence of CCs offered no protection, as elevated ROS was accompanied by increased apoptosis of CCs. Our results suggested that D-galactose and its metabolites disturbed the spindle structure and chromosomal alignment, which was associated with significant decline in oocyte cleavage and blastocyst development after in-vitro fertilization. The results provide insight into prevention and treatment strategies that may be used to extend the window of fertility in these patients.
Effect of vertically oriented few-layer graphene on the wettability and interfacial reactions of the AgCuTi-SiO2f/SiO2 system
Authors: Sun Z. , Zhang L. X. , Qi J. L. , Zhang Z. H. , Hao T. D. , Feng J. C.
Published: March 2017

With the aim of expanding their applications, particularly when joining metals, a simple but effective method is reported whereby the surface chemical reactivity of SiO2f/SiO2 (SiO2f/SiO2 stands for silica fibre reinforced silica based composite materials and f is short for fibre) composites with vertically oriented few-layer graphene (VFG, 3–10 atomic layers of graphene vertically oriented to the substrate) can be tailored. VFG was uniformly grown on the surface of a SiO2f/SiO2 composite by using plasma enhanced chemical vapour deposition (PECVD). The wetting experiments were conducted by placing small pieces of AgCuTi alloy foil on SiO2f/SiO2 composites with and without VFG decoration. It was demonstrated that the contact angle dropped from 120° (without VFG decoration) to 50° (with VFG decoration) when the holding time was 10 min. The interfacial reaction layer in SiO2f/SiO2 composites with VFG decoration became continuous without any unfilled gaps compared with the composites without VFG decoration. High-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM) was employed to investigate the interaction between VFG and Ti from the AgCuTi alloy. The results showed that VFG possessed high chemical reactivity and could easily react with Ti even at room temperature. Finally, a mechanism of how VFG promoted the wetting of the SiO2f/SiO2 composite by the AgCuTi alloy is proposed and thoroughly discussed.
Association between the MIF-173G/C Polymorphism and Serum MIF levels with Pulmonary Tuberculosis: A Meta-analysis
Authors: Tong Xiang , Yan Zhipeng , Zhou Qilong , Liu Sitong , Han Jing , Ma Yao , Yang Xue , Fan Hong
Published: March 2017

Many studies have indicated thatMacrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF)-173G/Cgene polymorphisms are associated with susceptibility to pulmonary tuberculosis (PTB). Additionally, some studies have suggested that there are higher levels of serum MIF in patients with PTB than the controls. However, the results of these studies were underpowered. The current study aimed to precisely evaluate the association between theMIF-173G/Cpolymorphism and serum MIF concentrations with PTB. Therefore, a systematic literature search was preformed to identify studies involving the indicated association. Eleven articles (1316 cases and 1272 controls) were included in the study. The results indicated that theMIF-173G/Cpolymorphism was significantly associated with PTB susceptibility, especially in Asians. Interestingly, the results further detected that circulating MIF levels were significantly higher in patients with PTB than in healthy controls, but this was only the case among Asians. Moreover, the statistical significance was also similar to that of the high quality group. The present study indicated that theMIF-173G/Cpolymorphism may contribute to the development of PTB. Furthermore, significantly higher serum MIF levels were observed in PTB patients than in controls, which further indicated that the MIF may play an important role in PTB progression, particularly in Asians.
Therapeutic efficacy and safety of PCSK9-monoclonal antibodies on familial hypercholesterolemia and statin-intolerant patients: A meta-analysis of 15 randomized controlled trials
Authors: Qian Li Jun , Gao Yao , Zhang Yan Mei , Chu Ming , Yao Jing , Xu Di
Published: March 2017

Proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin9 monoclonal antibodies (PCSK9-mAb) have been studied intensively to identify their effect in lowering levels of low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C). However, the applicable target of PCSK9-mAbs remains inconclusive so far. Therefore, this first meta-analysis was carried out to clarify the therapeutic efficacy and safety of PCSK9-mAbs on the potential patients: familial hypercholesterolemia and statin-intolerant patients. All randomized controlled trials that met the search terms were retrieved in multiple databases. Efficacy outcomes included parameter changes from baseline in LDL-C and other lipid levels. Therapeutic safety were evaluated by rates of common adverse events. A total of 15 studies encompassing 4,288 patients with at least 8 weeks duration were selected. Overall, the therapeutic efficacy was achieved with significant reduction in LDL-C, TC, TG, Lp(a), Apo-B versus placebo. The decline in familial hypercholesterolemia patients (−53.28%, 95% CI: −59.88 to −46.68%) was even more obvious than that in statin-intolerant patients (−34.95%, 95% CI: −41.46 to −28.45%). No obvious safety difference was found out in the rates of common and serious adverse events. To conclude, PCSK9-mAb contributes to the decreased level of LDL-C and other lipids in familial hypercholesterolemia and statin-intolerant patients with satisfactory safety and tolerability.
ELF5-Mediated AR Activation Regulates Prostate Cancer Progression
Authors: Li Kai , Guo Yongmin , Yang Xiong , Zhang Zhihong , Zhang Changwen , Xu Yong
Published: March 2017

The transcription factor E74-like factor 5 (ELF5) is a potent antioncogene that can prevent epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) and metastasis in prostate cancer (PCa). However, little is known how it suppress the tumor growth and if it can interact with androgen receptor (AR). In this study, we find that the ELF5 is frequently expressed in AR activated PCa cells, where it binds to AR acting as a physiological partner and negatively regulates its transcriptional activity. In addition, the interaction between ELF5 and AR is androgen-dependent. Downregulation of ELF5 by shRNA increases the expression of AR-response genes and the progression of PCa. Moreover, ELF5 is a AR-dependent gene that its expression can be induced by androgen and suppressed by antiandrogen treatment. Notably, forced reduction of ELF5 in LNCaP cells facilitates the binding of AR to ARE in ELF5 gene and enabling its transcription, so that low level ELF5 can turn up its own expression by the negative feedback loop.
Worldwide circulation of HSV-2 × HSV-1 recombinant strains
Authors: Koelle David M. , Norberg Peter , Fitzgibbon Matthew P. , Russell Ronnie M. , Greninger Alex L. , Huang Meei-Li , Stensland Larry , Jing Lichen , Magaret Amalia S. , Diem Kurt , Selke Stacy , Xie Hong , Celum Connie , Lingappa Jairam R. , Jerome Keith R. , Wald Anna , Johnston Christine
Published: March 2017

Homo sapiens harbor two distinct, medically significant species of simplexviruses, herpes simplex virus (HSV)-1 and HSV-2, with estimated divergence 6–8 million years ago (MYA). Unexpectedly, we found that circulating HSV-2 strains can contain HSV-1 DNA segments in three distinct genes. Using over 150 genital swabs from North and South America and Africa, we detected recombinants worldwide. Common, widely distributed gene UL39 genotypes are parsimoniously explained by an initial >457 basepair (bp) HSV-1 × HSV-2 crossover followed by back-recombination to HSV-2. Blocks of >244 and >539 bp of HSV-1 DNA within genes UL29 and UL30, respectively, have reached near fixation, with a minority of strains retaining sequences we posit as ancestral HSV-2. Our data add to previous in vitro and animal work, implying that in vivo cellular co-infection with HSV-1 and HSV-2 yields viable interspecies recombinants in the natural human host.