bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Groundwater isoscapes in a montane headwater catchment show dominance of well‐mixed storage
Authors: Scheliga Bernhard , Tetzlaff Doerthe , Nuetzmann Gunnar , Soulsby Chris
Published: July 2017

We conducted an integrated groundwater–surface water monitoring programme in a 3.2‐km2experimental catchment in the Scottish Highlands by sampling all springs, seepages, and wells in six, spatially extensive synoptic surveys over a 2‐year period. The catchment has been glaciated, with steep hillslopes and a flat valley bottom. There is around 70% glacial drift cover in lower areas. The solid geology, which outcrops at higher elevations, is granite and metamorphic schist. The springs and seepages generally occur at the contact between the solid geology and drift or at breaks of slopes in the valley bottom. Samples were analysed for stable isotopes, Gran alkalinity and electrical conductivity. Despite the surveys encompassing markedly different antecedent conditions, the isotopic composition of groundwater at each location exhibited limited temporal variability, resulting in a remarkable persistence of spatial patterns indicating well‐mixed shallow, groundwater stores. Moreover, line‐conditioned excess values derived from the isotope data indicated no evidence of fractionation affecting the groundwater, which suggests that most recharge occurs in winter. The alkalinity and electrical conductivity of groundwater reflected geological differences in the catchment, being highest where more weatherable calcareous rocks outcrop at higher altitudes in the catchment. Springs draining these areas also had the most variable isotope composition, which indicated that they have shorter residence times than the drift covered part of the catchment. The study showed that even in geologically heterogeneous upland catchments, groundwater can be characterized by a consistent isotopic composition, reflecting rapid mixing in the recharge zone. Our work, thus, emphasizes the critical role of groundwater in upland catchments and provides tracer data that can help constrain quantitative groundwater models.
Central nervous system tumors and agricultural exposures in the prospective cohort AGRICAN
Authors: Piel Clément , Pouchieu Camille , Tual Séverine , Migault Lucile , Lemarchand Clémentine , Carles Camille , Boulanger Mathilde , Gruber Anne , Rondeau Virginie , Marcotullio Elisabeth , Lebailly Pierre , Baldi Isabelle ,   the AGRICAN group
Published: July 2017

Studies in farmers suggest a possible role of pesticides in the occurrence of Central Nervous System (CNS) tumors but scientific evidence is still insufficient. Using data from the French prospective agricultural cohort AGRICAN (Agriculture & Cancer), we investigated the associations between exposure of farmers and pesticide users to various kinds of crops and animal farming and the incidence of CNS tumors, overall and by subtypes. Over the 2005–2007, 181,842 participants completed the enrollment questionnaire that collected a complete job calendar with lifetime history of farming types. Associations were estimated using proportional hazards models with age as underlying timescale. During a 5.2 years average follow‐up, 273 incident cases of CNS tumors occurred, including 126 gliomas and 87 meningiomas. Analyses showed several increased risks of CNS tumors in farmers, especially in pesticide users (hazard ratio = 1.96; 95% confidence interval: 1.11–3.47). Associations varied with tumor subtypes and kinds of crop and animal farming. The main increases in risk were observed for meningiomas in pig farmers and in farmers growing sunflowers, beets and potatoes and for gliomas in farmers growing grasslands. In most cases, more pronounced risk excesses were observed among pesticide applicators. Even if we cannot completely rule out the contribution of other factors, pesticide exposures could be of primary concern to explain these findings.
Hamilton Cycles, Minimum Degree, and Bipartite Holes
Authors: McDiarmid Colin , Yolov Nikola
Published: July 2017

We present a tight extremal threshold for the existence of Hamilton cycles in graphs with large minimum degree and without a large “bipartite hole” (two disjoint sets of vertices with no edges between them). This result extends Dirac's classical theorem, and is related to a theorem of Chvátal and Erdős. In detail, an ‐bipartite‐hole in a graph G consists of two disjoint sets of vertices S and T with and such that there are no edges between S and T; and is the maximum integer r such that G contains an ‐bipartite‐hole for every pair of nonnegative integers s and t with . Our central theorem is that a graph G with at least three vertices is Hamiltonian if its minimum degree is at least . From the proof we obtain a polynomial time algorithm that either finds a Hamilton cycle or a large bipartite hole. The theorem also yields a condition for the existence of k edge‐disjoint Hamilton cycles. We see that for dense random graphs , the probability of failing to contain many edge‐disjoint Hamilton cycles is . Finally, we discuss the complexity of calculating and approximating .
A simple method to produce birnessite‐coated quartz sand
Authors: Georgiadis Anna , Rennert Thilo
Published: July 2017

Birnessite is a highly reactive manganese oxide and common in soil. We checked the attachment of birnessite, synthesized by the reduction of permanganate by lactate, on sand‐sized quartz to produce birnessite‐coated sand (BCS). Attachment and aggregation of birnessite increased with pH and reaction time. The extent of Cu and Zn adsorption to BCS was similar to that of birnessites in previous studies. Based on these results and the stability of this BCS, it may be used in water treatment.
Surviving the recession with efficiency improvements: The case of hospitality firms in Portugal
Authors: Patel Pankaj C. , Guedes Maria João
Published: July 2017

During a recession, lower profitability limits investments in new initiatives; significant cost‐cutting could deteriorate service levels; and sticky tangible and intangible resources limit a hospitality establishment's ability to reduce its asset base. Limited ability to cut costs or reduce asset base shifts the focus on improving efficiency. Drawing on panel data of 1,647 Portuguese hospitality establishments from 2007 to 2014, we find that an increase in the return on fixed assets made the highest contribution to operating profit, followed by an increase in the return on intangible assets. Increasing labour productivity had the lowest effect on operating profit.
Treatment, short‐term outcomes, and costs associated with larynx cancer care in commercially insured patients
Authors: Day Andrew T. , Chang Hsien‐Yen , Quon Harry , Kang Hyunseok , Kiess Ana P. , Eisele David W. , Frick Kevin D. , Gourin Christine G.
Published: July 2017

Objectives/Hypothesis

To examine associations between treatment, complications, and costs in patients with laryngeal cancer.

Study Design

Retrospective cross‐sectional analysis of MarketScan Commercial Claim and Encounters data.

Methods

We evaluated 10,969 patients diagnosed with laryngeal cancer from 2010 to 2012 using cross‐tabulations and multivariate regression.

Results

Chemoradiation was significantly associated with supraglottic tumors (relative risk ratio [RRR] = 5.9 [4.4–7.8]), pretreatment gastrostomy (RRR = 4.0 [2.7–6.1]), and alcohol abuse (RRR = 0.5 [0.3–0.9]). Treatment‐related complications occurred in 23% of patients, with medical complications in 22% and surgical complications in 7%. Chemoradiation (odds ratio [OR] = 3.7 [2.6–5.2]), major surgical procedures (OR = 4.9 [3.5–6.8]), reconstruction (OR = 7.7 (4.1–14.7)], and advanced comorbidity (OR = 9.7 [5.7–16.5] were associated with acute complications. Recurrent/persistent disease occurred in 23% of patients and was associated with high‐volume care (OR = 1.4 [1.1–1.8]). Salvage surgery was performed in 46% of patients with recurrent/persistent disease and was less likely for supraglottic disease (OR = 0.5 [0.4–0.8]) and after chemoradiation (OR = 0.4 [0.2–0.6]). Initial treatment and 1‐year overall costs for chemoradiation were higher than all other treatment categories, after controlling for all other variables including complications and salvage. High‐volume care was associated with significantly lower costs of care for surgical patients but was not associated with differences in costs of care for nonoperative treatment.

Conclusions

In commercially insured patients <65 years old with laryngeal cancer, chemoradiation was associated with increased costs, an increased likelihood of treatment‐related medical complications, and a reduced likelihood of surgical salvage. Higher‐volume surgical care was associated with lower initial treatment and 1‐year costs of care. These data have implications for discussions of value and quality in an era of healthcare reform.

Level of Evidence

2c. Laryngoscope, 128:91–101, 2018
Ultrahigh Off‐Resonant Field Effects in Semiconductors
Authors: Huttner Ulrich , Kira Mackillo , Koch Stephan W.
Published: July 2017

The excitation of semiconductors with short, off‐resonant, high‐power terahertz pulses yields extremely nonlinear, ultrafast, dynamical processes including very‐high harmonic generation, the occurence of high‐order sidebands, dynamical Bloch oscillations, as well as quasi‐particle collisions. This review overviews the experimental findings and the microscopic theory used for the consistent quantitative analysis of the observations.
Project RepaKorr: Development of a novel single coat, direct to metal repair coating with outstanding protection and colour retention performance for offshore structures
Authors: Viertel J. , Neuer L. , Mauch B. , Czyborra T.
Published: July 2017

The growing global demand for renewable electric power sources is driving forward the errection of ever more offshore structures, such as wind energy plants (WEP) and switchgear platforms. Worldwide there are now over 200 000 wind turbines operating, with a total capacity of 432 000 Megawatt (MW) as of the end of 2015.1 Offshore wind power capacity alone is expected to reach a total of 75 Gigawatt (GW) worldwide by 2020.2 This increase in the number of installations goes hand in hand with the increased demand for maintenance and repair operations of the applied corrosion protection coatings. The corrosion protection coatings applied during the construction of these structures, is regulated by international standards, such as ISO 12944 and others. There is, however, no internationally recognised standardisation regarding off‐shore repair systems and their specifications, or application methods. Offshore work demands radically different materials and methods of application, compared to the original coatings and their application procedures. The research project RepaKorr,3 funded by the German Education and Research Ministry (BMBF), includes the development of a novel, single layer repair coating, especially suited for the offshore repair application.
Investigating metal‐inhibitor interaction with EQCM and SVET: 3‐amino‐1,2,4‐triazole on Au, Cu and Au–Cu galvanic coupling
Authors: Ramírez‐Cano J. A. , Veleva L. , Souto R. M. , Fernández‐Pérez B. M.
Published: July 2017

This study reports a multiscale electrochemical investigation of the interaction between the organic compound 3‐amino‐1,2,4‐triazole (ATA), regarded as corrosion inhibitor, and two noble metals (Cu and Au), either separated or under galvanical coupling. Open circuit potential measurements show that Cu is not protected by the application of ATA, having its potential shifted towards more negative values, while on Au exhibits a slight inhibitive effect. The adsorption free energies were determined using the electrochemical quartz crystal microbalance (EQCM), with values that correspond to physisorption on either metal. The surface reactivity of the inhibitor‐modified metals in chloride‐containing aqueous solution was studied using the scanning vibrating electrode technique (SVET), showing high spontaneous activity, associated to electron transfer reactions in systems containing Cu and 3‐amino‐1,2,4‐triazole.
The Cytochrome P450 3A4 has three Major Conformations: New Clues to Drug Recognition by this Promiscuous Enzyme
Authors: Benkaidali Lydia , André François , Moroy Gautier , Tangour Bahoueddine , Maurel François , Petitjean Michel
Published: July 2017

We computed the channels of the 3A4 isoform of the cytochrome P450 3A4 (CYP) on the basis of 24 crystal structures extracted from the Protein Data Bank (PDB). We identified three major conformations (denoted C, O1 and O2) using an enhanced version of the CCCPP software that we developed for the present work, while only two conformations (C and O2) are considered in the literature. We established the flowchart of definition of these three conformations in function of the structural and physicochemical parameters of the ligand. The channels are characterized with qualitative and quantitative parameters, and not only with their surrounding secondary structures as it is usually done in the literature
QUESP and QUEST revisited – fast and accurate quantitative CEST experiments
Authors: Zaiss Moritz , Angelovski Goran , Demetriou Eleni , McMahon Michael T. , Golay Xavier , Scheffler Klaus
Published: July 2017

Purpose

Chemical exchange saturation transfer (CEST) NMR or MRI experiments allow detection of low concentrated molecules with enhanced sensitivity via their proton exchange with the abundant water pool. Be it endogenous metabolites or exogenous contrast agents, an exact quantification of the actual exchange rate is required to design optimal pulse sequences and/or specific sensitive agents.

Methods

Refined analytical expressions allow deeper insight and improvement of accuracy for common quantification techniques. The accuracy of standard quantification methodologies, such as quantification of exchange rate using varying saturation power or varying saturation time, is improved especially for the case of nonequilibrium initial conditions and weak labeling conditions, meaning the saturation amplitude is smaller than the exchange rate (γB1 < k).

Results

The improved analytical ‘quantification of exchange rate using varying saturation power/time’ (QUESP/QUEST) equations allow for more accurate exchange rate determination, and provide clear insights on the general principles to execute the experiments and to perform numerical evaluation. The proposed methodology was evaluated on the large‐shift regime of paramagnetic chemical‐exchange‐saturation‐transfer agents using simulated data and data of the paramagnetic Eu(III) complex of DOTA‐tetraglycineamide.

Conclusions

The refined formulas yield improved exchange rate estimation. General convergence intervals of the methods that would apply for smaller shift agents are also discussed. Magn Reson Med 79:1708–1721, 2018. © 2017 International Society for Magnetic Resonance in Medicine.
Urea dimethacrylates functionalized with bisphosphonate/bisphosphonic acid for improved dental materials
Authors: Naz Guven Melek , Akyol Ece , Demir Duman Fatma , Yagci Acar Havva , Karahan Ozlem , Avci Duygu
Published: July 2017

Incorporation of bisphosphonate/bisphosphonic acid groups in dental monomer structures should increase interaction of these monomers with dental tissue as these groups have strong affinity for hydroxyapatite. Therefore, new urea dimethacrylates functionalized with bisphosphonate (1a, 1b) and bisphosphonic acid (2a, 2b) groups are synthesized and evaluated for dental applications. Monomers 1a and 1b are synthesized from 2‐isocyanatoethyl methacrylate (IEM) and two bisphosphonated amines (BPA1 and BPA2), prepared as reported elsewhere. Selective dealkylation of the bisphosphonate ester groups of 1a and 1b using trimethylsilyl bromide (TMSBr) gives monomers (2a and 2b) with bisphosphonic acid functionality. X‐ray diffractometer (XRD), Raman spectroscopy, and X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) analyses of monomer‐treated HAP particles show that 2a induces formation of stable monomer‐calcium salts, similar to 10‐methacryloyloxydecyl dihydrogen phosphate (MDP), with higher chemical interaction than 2b. The photopolymerization studies indicate good copolymerizability with commercial dental monomers. In vitro studies on NIH 3T3 mouse embryonic fibroblast cells have clearly shown that the tested monomers (1b and 2b) are not toxic according to the MTT standards. All these properties make these monomers suitable as biocompatible cross‐linkers/adhesives for dental applications. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem. 2017, 55, 3195–3204
Attenuation of thermal radiation through water mist
Authors: Balner Dalibor , Barcova Karla
Published: July 2017

This article focuses on the interaction of thermal radiation with water droplets and the creation of water mist for the purpose of evaluating the decrease of heat flux when positioning a water curtain of various parameters between a radiation source and a radiometer. The change of water curtain parameters, affecting the passing through of thermal radiation, was performed using five nozzles with a variable spray characteristics. For the respective nozzles the attenuation of thermal radiation was determined and the thermal radiation transmittance was calculated. Water mist was created using a high‐pressure pump and nozzles with a different size of the orifice. The measurement of droplet size was performed using the time‐shift technique. The Omegalux radiant panel was used as the radiation source and the Hukseflux SBG01 radiometer with a working range of 0–5 kW.m−2 was used as the detector. © 2017 American Institute of Chemical Engineers Process Process Saf Prog 37:18–24, 2018
Guidelines for designing risk matrices
Authors: Baybutt Paul
Published: July 2017

Risk matrices are used widely in process safety to rate and rank risks posed by processes to help with decision making. For example, commonly they are used in process hazard analysis to rate the risks of hazard scenarios and determine the need for risk reduction. However, there are no standards for risk matrices in process safety. Companies develop their own without the benefit of established industry guidelines. Risk matrices are deceptively simple but their design and use are rife with pitfalls, even for experienced users. Some of these pitfalls are not obvious and invalid risk ratings can result which are unrecognized. Guidelines for constructing risk matrices that address these pitfalls are provided. © 2017 American Institute of Chemical Engineers Process Process Saf Prog 37:49–55, 2018
The validity of engineering judgment and expert opinion in hazard and risk analysis: The influence of cognitive biases
Authors: Baybutt Paul
Published: July 2017

Hazard and risk analysis depends heavily on human decision making in the form of engineering judgment and expert opinion. Human decision making may be flawed by the effects of heuristics and cognitive biases. The influence of these psychological factors may invalidate the results of hazard and risk analysis studies. They must be managed carefully to minimize their possible adverse impacts. This article provides a pragmatic view of cognitive biases and guidance on how to address them in hazard and risk analysis. © 2017 American Institute of Chemical Engineers Process Saf Prog 37: 205–210, 2018
Density functional study of BiSbTeSe2 topological insulator thin films
Authors: Mohammadpourrad Zahra , Abolhassani Mohammadreza
Published: July 2017

In this work, using density functional theory calculations, we have investigated the band topology of bulk BiSbTeSe2 and its thin film electronic properties in several thicknesses. It is one member of the quaternary compounds Bi2–xSbxTe3–ySey (BSTS) with the best intrinsic bulk insulating behavior. Based on our calculations we have found that a band inversion at Γ‐point is induced when spin–orbit coupling is turned on, with an energy gap of about 0.318 eV. The film thickness has an effect on the surface states such that a gap opens at Dirac point in 6 quintuple‐layers film and with decrease in thickness, the magnitude of the gap increases. The atomic contributions have been mapped out for the first few layers of thin films to demonstrate the surface states. The relative charge density has been calculated layer‐wise and the penetration depth of the surface states into the bulk region is found to be about 2.5–3.5 quintuple layers, depending on the termination species of thin films.
Weight reduction by using a formula diet recovers menstruation in obese patients with an ovulatory disorder
Authors: Matsuzaki Toshiya , Douchi Tsutomu , Oki Toshimichi , Ishihara Osamu , Okagaki Ryugo , Kajihara Takeshi , Tamura Midori , Kotsuji Fumikazu , Tajima Kimihisa , Kawano Mika , Ishizuka Bunpei , Irahara Minoru
Published: July 2017

Aim

To determine the effectiveness of a formula diet in weight reduction and the recovery of menstruation in obese patients with ovulatory disorders.

Methods

After the enrollment of 39 obese women with ovulatory disorders, they replaced one or two of their three normal meals with a microdiet (MD) (240 kcal/meal) for 24 weeks. Physical, endocrinological, and biochemical tests were conducted before and at 12 and 24 weeks of the study. Of the 39 women enrolled, 26 were not taking clomiphene. They were divided into three groups according to their body weight outcomes and then analyzed for menstruation recovery.

Results

A weight reduction of ≥5% was observed in 31 (81.5%) of the 39 women. There were significant decreases in the body weight and Body Mass Index during the study. Menstruation returned in 18 (69%) of the 26 patients without clomiphene treatment, with the recovery being significantly more prevalent in the groups (totally 81.0%) that exhibited a 5%‐10% weight reduction and ≥10% weight reduction, compared to the group with a <5% weight reduction.

Conclusion

The use of a formula diet effectively reduced the patients’ body weight and led to the recovery of menstruation in these obese patients with ovulatory disorders.
Semen cryopreservation as an oncofertility treatment in 122 Japanese men with cancer: A decade‐long study
Authors: Kobayashi Hideyuki , Tamura Koji , Tai Toshihiro , Nagao Koichi , Nakajima Koichi
Published: July 2017

Purpose

Oncofertility is a subspecialty that is concerned with helping patients with cancer preserve their ability to have children in the future. For men, sperm banking is an established way to preserve fertility. The aim was to determine the prefreeze semen characteristics and reproductive outcomes according to cancer type for men who chose semen cryopreservation.

Methods

The records of 122 men with cancer who requested semen cryopreservation at the authors' hospital from 2006 to 2015 were reviewed. The mean patient age when the semen was cryopreserved was 33.6 years.

Results

The 122 men who banked sperm during the study period had the following types of cancer: testicular (44.3%), hematological (31.1%), digestive (8.2%), and other types (16.4%). The mean sperm concentration by cancer type was 30.5 × 106/mL for testicular, 45.0 × 106/mL for hematological, 40.5 × 106/mL for digestive, and 68.4 × 106/mL for the other types. The mean sperm motility by cancer type was 59.6% for testicular, 50.1% for hematological, 43.0% for digestive, and 44.8% for the other types. For 12 (9.8%) men who used the banked semen, there were five (41.7%) clinical pregnancies.

Conclusion

Semen cryopreservation is a simple procedure that can be accomplished quickly and can preserve fertility.
Self‐compassion moderates the predictive effects of implicit cognitions on subjective well‐being
Authors: Phillips Wendy J. , Hine Donald W. , Marks Anthony D.G.
Published: July 2017

This study examined whether self‐compassion may regulate the effects of implicit cognitions (automatic and preconscious responses) on the subjective well‐being of Australian adults (N = 132). As hypothesized, self‐compassion moderated the predictive effects of 2 implicit cognitions (positive attention bias and implicit self‐esteem) on 2 indicators of subjective well‐being (life satisfaction and depressive symptoms). Low implicit self‐esteem and weak positive attention bias predicted more depressive symptoms and lower life satisfaction only for participants who were low in self‐compassion. These results extend previous research knowledge by indicating that self‐compassion may not only buffer the impact of explicit (deliberate and conscious) cognitive processes on well‐being but may also regulate the effects of preconscious cognitive processes on mental health outcomes. Theoretical and treatment implications are discussed.
The impact of HRM, perceived employability, and job insecurity on self‐initiated expatriates’ adjustment to the host country
Authors: Fontinha Rita , De Cuyper Nele , Williams Steve , Scott Peter
Published: July 2017

Career‐oriented human resource management (HRM) practices are likely to facilitate self‐initiated expatriates’ adjustment to the host country. This may happen because these practices could boost one's professional development and lead to different types of career security (job security and employment security), which were probably missing in their home country and may be important elements to adjust to the host country. Quantitative survey data from 234 Portuguese self‐initiated expatriates in the United Kingdom were analyzed via structural equation modeling. Results demonstrate that career‐oriented HRM practices are positively related to adjustment to the host country. These practices are also positively related to perceived job security and perceived internal employability, an indicator of employment security, but these latter variables were not significantly related to adjustment to the host country. These results suggest that career‐oriented HRM practices are indeed relevant for the adjustment of self‐initiated expatriates, but not necessarily because they increase career security. Further analyses positively correlated adjustment to time intended to remain in the host country.
Climate‐relevant behavioral spillover and the potential contribution of social practice theory
Authors: Nash Nick , Whitmarsh Lorraine , Capstick Stuart , Hargreaves Tom , Poortinga Wouter , Thomas Gregory , Sautkina Elena , Xenias Dimitrios
Published: July 2017

Urgent and radical transition to lower‐carbon forms of society is imperative to limit current and future climate change impacts. Behavioral spillover theory offers a way to catalyze broad lifestyle change from one behavior to another in ways that generate greater impacts than piecemeal interventions. Despite growing policy and research attention, the evidence for behavioral spillover and the processes driving the phenomenon are unclear. The literature is split between studies that provide evidence for positive spillover effects (where an intervention targeting an environmentally conscious behavior leads to an increase in another functionally related behavior) and negative spillover effects (where an intervention targeting an environmentally conscious behavior leads to a decrease in another functionally related behavior). In summarizing findings, particular attention is given to the implications for climate‐relevant behaviors. While few examples of climate‐relevant behavioral spillover exist, studies do report positive and negative spillovers to other actions, as well as spillovers from behavior to support for climate change policy. There is also some evidence that easier behaviors can lead to more committed actions. The potential contribution of social practice theory to understanding spillover is discussed, identifying three novel pathways to behavioral spillover: via carriers of practices, materiality, and through relationships between practices within wider systems of practice. In considering future research directions, the relatively neglected role of social norms is discussed as a means to generate the momentum required for substantial lifestyle change and as a way of circumventing obstructive and intransigent climate change beliefs. WIREs Clim Change 2017, 8:e481. doi: 10.1002/wcc.481

This article is categorized under:

Perceptions, Behavior, and Communication of Climate Change > Behavior Change and Responses
A scoring system predicting the clinical course of CLPB defect based on the foetal and neonatal presentation of 31 patients
Authors: Pronicka Ewa , Ropacka‐Lesiak Mariola , Trubicka Joanna , Pajdowska Magdalena , Linke Markus , Ostergaard Elsebet , Saunders Carol , Horsch Sandra , van Karnebeek Clara , Yaplito‐Lee Joy , Distelmaier Felix , Õunap Katrin , Rahman Shamima , Castelle Martin , Kelleher John , Baris Safa , Iwanicka‐Pronicka Katarzyna , Steward Colin G. , Ciara Elżbieta , Wortmann Saskia B. ,   Additional individual contributors
Published: July 2017

Recently, CLPB deficiency has been shown to cause a genetic syndrome with cataracts, neutropenia, and 3‐methylglutaconic aciduria. Surprisingly, the neurological presentation ranges from completely unaffected to patients with virtual absence of development. Muscular hypo‐ and hypertonia, movement disorder and progressive brain atrophy are frequently reported. We present the foetal, peri‐ and neonatal features of 31 patients, of which five are previously unreported, using a newly developed clinical severity scoring system rating the clinical, metabolic, imaging and other findings weighted by the age of onset. Our data are illustrated by foetal and neonatal videos. The patients were classified as having a mild (n = 4), moderate (n = 13) or severe (n = 14) disease phenotype. The most striking feature of the severe subtype was the neonatal absence of voluntary movements in combination with ventilator dependency and hyperexcitability. The foetal and neonatal presentation mirrored the course of disease with respect to survival (current median age 17.5 years in the mild group, median age of death 35 days in the severe group), severity and age of onset of all findings evaluated. CLPB deficiency should be considered in neonates with absence of voluntary movements, respiratory insufficiency and swallowing problems, especially if associated with 3‐methylglutaconic aciduria, neutropenia and cataracts. Being an important differential diagnosis of hyperekplexia (exaggerated startle responses), we advise performing urinary organic acid analysis, blood cell counts and ophthalmological examination in these patients. The neonatal presentation of CLPB deficiency predicts the course of disease in later life, which is extremely important for counselling.
Morocco's Security Strategy: Preventing Terrorism and Countering Extremism
Authors: Alaoui Assia Bensalah
Published: July 2017

The rising terrorist threats in the region have compelled Morocco to enhance the protection of its vast territory, long borders, 34 million citizens and over 10 million visitors per year. Morocco's comprehensive security strategy combines a wide range of policies which link the improvement of the socio-economic situation to the capacity to anticipate the risk of terrorism and the operational aspects of the strategy. Security governance and the modernisation of the security forces, religious reform and the promotion of moderate Islam, the involvement of civil society, and close international cooperation, including religious diplomacy, are all key to preventing terrorism and countering extremism. Reforms to improve human security and to lift vulnerable groups out of poverty and exclusion have contributed to enhancing sustainable security. An example for many, Morocco still has a few big challenges ahead, especially to provide quality education, both to ‘immunise’ the minds of the youth against extremism and to create jobs so that hope can be restored to an overwhelmingly young population.
Concrete and composites: a powerful partnership
Authors: Howell Elizabeth
Published: July 2017

Fibrelite has formed a number of strategic partnerships with major precast manufacturers in Europe and the USA to provide a range of composite covers to fit each company's trench layouts.
Canadian Normative Data for Minimal Assessment of Cognitive Function in Multiple Sclerosis
Authors: Walker Lisa A.S. , Marino David , Berard Jason A. , Feinstein Anthony , Morrow Sarah A. , Cousineau Denis
Published: July 2017

Objective: The Minimal Assessment of Cognitive Function in Multiple Sclerosis (MACFIMS) is a consensus-based collection of neuropsychological tests that evaluate cognitive functioning in individuals with multiple sclerosis (MS). The tests are typically scored using each respective published test manual, leaving the examiner to make interpretations from norms derived from different American populations. Given demographic differences, this may lead to misinterpretation of findings in Canadians. Our goal was to establish both discrete and regression-based normative data for the MACFIMS based on a largely co-normed Canadian population to allow for improved psychometric interpretation. Methods: MACFIMS data sets were aggregated from across three different Canadian cities (Ottawa, Toronto, and London), yielding a total of 330 healthy control participants from four different studies evaluating cognition in individuals with MS. Given the variety of contributing studies, there was variability in terms of the number of participants completing each measure. Results: Both age-based discrete normative data and demographically adjusted (sex, age, and education) regression-based formulae were established. The demographic variables varied in their contribution to each MACFIMS test in the regression models, predicting 0 to 18% of the variance. Conclusions: Provision of these regression-based formulae will allow for more accurate interpretation of Canadian-derived MACFIMS scores by allowing clinicians to correct for all relevant demographic variables simultaneously, leading to improved clinical decision making for individuals with multiple sclerosis.
Social enterprise to social value chain: Indigenous entrepreneurship transforming the native food industry in Australia
Authors: Logue Danielle , Pitsis Alexandra , Pearce Sonya , Chelliah John
Published: July 2017

Sharon Winsor was not intent on becoming one of Australia’s leading female Indigenous entrepreneurs, it was rather unexpected. In seeking to escape from an abusive relationship and provide for her family, she turned to her knowledge of native foods and love of ‘wild harvesting’ from her childhood, to develop a thriving business. Her traditional knowledge of harvesting native foods has now led to the creation of products such as lemon myrtle sweet chilli sauce, Davidson plum syrup and cosmetics using ingredients such as Kakadu plum, emu oil, lemon myrtle and wild berry. Sharon now finds herself in a position where increased opportunities for international expansion are demanding increased volume and scale from her rural operations, where she works with Indigenous communities. She faces three key challenges about the future of Indigiearth:

1.

How can Indigiearth achieve scale while maintaining profitability and social mission?

2.

How can Indigiearth protect its competitive advantage in the face of increased local agricultural competition, as Indigenous crops increase in value?

3.

How can traditional knowledge be both shared and protected for community development (jobs and wealth creation) and for future generations?

The New Year is close and Sharon already has received large orders coming in from Europe and there is much interest from China and Japan. These decisions will determine how Indigiearth is structured, with whom it needs to partner to develop the Indigenous food industry, and how it will need to work with stakeholders on the issue of traditional knowledge while meeting the growing needs of the company. Sharon has a passion for her native products and wants to preserve the knowledge and respect that goes into her products – the dilemmas she is facing are putting her under immense pressure. She may choose to expand while maintaining the integrity of her business – but how can this be done?
Left node blocking
Authors: OSBORNE TIMOTHY , GROẞ THOMAS
Published: July 2017

This article investigates a particular phenomenon of coordination that delivers important clues about the nature of syntactic structures. We call this phenomenonleft node blocking– the designation is a play on the related concept ofright node raising. Left node blocking provides insight into how syntactic structures are produced and processed. The dependency grammar analysis of the left node blocking phenomenon put forth here focuses onrootsin coordinated strings. By acknowledging roots, it is possible to discern what coordination is revealing about syntactic structures. In particular, coordination delivers evidence for relatively flat structures.
Text frequency does not correlate with priming sensitivity – a response to De Smet and Van de Velde
Authors: HILPERT MARTIN
Published: July 2017

In their contribution to this special issue, De Smet & Van de Velde suggest that the analysability of a morphologically complex word is an indicator of how easily that word is primed by elements that are formed by the same word formation process. To illustrate, hearing or reading the words roughly, equally and luckily within a short span of time should activate the word formation process of ly-suffixation in the listener's mind, so that the subsequent production of fully compositional ly-adverbs, as for instance permanently or comfortably, should become relatively more likely.
Changing the system from within – a response to Hoffmann
Authors: CAPPELLE BERT
Published: July 2017

Thomas Hoffmann's article proposes a cognitively viable theoretical framework for explaining how constructions can emerge in the history of a language. The case which Hoffmann discusses is the coming into being of the comparative correlative construction of the type The smaller a car is, the easier it is to park in late Old English and early Middle English. While car sizes and parking spaces were perhaps not a matter for discussion among speakers of that time, it was for them as important as it is for us to be able to say that if any two things differ in one respect, then they also differ in another (for details on the construction's semantics, see Beck 1997; Cappelle 2011). In this particular comparative correlative construction, the first part (C1, for ‘clause 1’) is interpreted as standing in a sort of protasis relation to the apodosis-like second part (C2, for ‘clause 2’). That is, this C1C2 construction reflects, in an iconically appropriate way, the order of a hypothetical statement followed by its consequence.
Pronominal anaphoric strategies in the West Saxon dialect of Old English
Authors: COLE MARCELLE
Published: July 2017

Building on previous studies that have discussed pronominal referencing in Old English (Traugott 1992; van Gelderen 2013; van Kemenade & Los 2017), the present study analyses the pronominal anaphoric strategies of the West Saxon dialect of Old English based on a quantitative and qualitative study of personal and demonstrative pronoun usage across a selection of late (postc. AD 900) Old English prose text types. The historical data discussed in the present study provide important additional support for modern cognitive and psycholinguistic theory. In line with the cognitive/psycholinguistic literature on the distribution of pronouns in Modern German (Bosch & Umbach 2007), the information-structural properties of referents rather than the grammatical role of the pronoun's antecedent most accurately explain the personal pronoun vs demonstrative pronoun contrast in the West Saxon dialect of Old English. The findings also highlight how issues pertaining to style, such as the author–writer relationship, text type, subject matter and the conventionalism propagated by text tradition, influence anaphoric strategies in Old English.
Psycho-historical linguistics: its context and potential
Authors: WINTERS MARGARET E.
Published: July 2017

Historical linguistics is a field that, perhaps more than other branches of linguistics, can be said to exhibit a certain conservatism. To be clear, this term is not meant in any traditional political sense. Rather it is meant to capture the notion that, as a discipline, diachronic studies seem to accept and build on previous theories and empirical findings to a greater extent than do most synchronic subdisciplines. This may be because data are comparatively rare and hard to come by. One result of this scarcity is that, once analyzed, there are fewer opportunities for reanalysis predicated on new data. There are, of course, occasions when more or less radical proposals are brought forward subsequently, which result in debates of the kind which are much more common in synchronic syntax, say, or phonology. The reconstruction of the Indo-European consonant system (Beekes 1995: 132–4 provides a summary), for example, continues to be debated almost two hundred years after it was first proposed.
Generative coda
Authors: VAN GELDEREN ELLY
Published: July 2017

Generative grammar has its beginnings in the late 1950s with the work of Noam Chomsky and emphasizes innate linguistic knowledge, or Universal Grammar. Children use their innate knowledge and, on the basis of the language they hear spoken, also known as the E(xternalized)-Language, come up with a grammar, also known as the I(nternalized)-Language (see Chomsky 1986: 19–24). Generative grammar focuses on the ability of native speakers to speak and understand grammatical sentences.
Crosslinguistic influence in the discovery of gender: the case of Greek–Dutch bilingual children
Authors: EGGER EVELYN , HULK AAFKE , TSIMPLI IANTHI MARIA
Published: July 2017

This study investigates the acquisition of grammatical gender in both languages of 21 simultaneous Greek–Dutch bilingual children living in the Netherlands. Greek and Dutch stand on the two opposite sides in terms of frequency and transparency of gender cues. Consequently, monolingual acquisition of gender in Greek is precocious with few overgeneralizations of the default value, neuter, in early stages. In contrast, monolingual acquisition of gender in Dutch is very late with errors in neuter nouns persisting up to the age of 7. Simultaneous Greek–Dutch bilingual children present an interesting test case of crosslinguistic influence in the form of acceleration (Greek affecting Dutch) or delay (Dutch affecting Greek). Children were tested on gender marking on determiners and adjectives in production and grammaticality judgment tasks. Input measures of Greek and Dutch and lexical skills were also considered. Results point to crosslinguistic influence in the form of acceleration of gender discovery in Dutch.
ALGEBRAIC AND NORI FUNDAMENTAL GERBES
Authors: Tonini Fabio , Zhang Lei
Published: July 2017

In this paper we extend the generalized algebraic fundamental group constructed in Esnault and Hogadi, (Trans. Amer. Math. Soc.364(5) (2012), 2429–2442) to general fibered categories using the language of gerbes. As an application we obtain a Tannakian interpretation for the Nori fundamental gerbe defined in Borne and Vistoli (J. Algebraic Geom.(2014), S1056–3911, 00638-X) for nonsmooth non-pseudo-proper algebraic stacks.
Nonlinear cavity optomechanics with nanomechanical thermal fluctuations
Authors: Leijssen Rick , La Gala Giada R. , Freisem Lars , Muhonen Juha T. , Verhagen Ewold
Published: July 2017

Although the interaction between light and motion in cavity optomechanical systems is inherently nonlinear, experimental demonstrations to date have allowed a linearized description in all except highly driven cases. Here, we demonstrate a nanoscale optomechanical system in which the interaction between light and motion is so large (single-photon cooperativity C0≈103) that thermal motion induces optical frequency fluctuations larger than the intrinsic optical linewidth. The system thereby operates in a fully nonlinear regime, which pronouncedly impacts the optical response, displacement measurement and radiation pressure backaction. Specifically, we measure an apparent optical linewidth that is dominated by thermo-mechanically induced frequency fluctuations over a wide temperature range, and show that in this regime thermal displacement measurements cannot be described by conventional analytical models. We perform a proof-of-concept demonstration of exploiting the nonlinearity to conduct sensitive quadratic readout of nanomechanical displacement. Finally, we explore how backaction in this regime affects the mechanical fluctuation spectra.
Collagen-derived proline promotes pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma cell survival under nutrient limited conditions
Authors: Olivares Orianne , Mayers Jared R. , Gouirand Victoire , Torrence Margaret E. , Gicquel Tristan , Borge Laurence , Lac Sophie , Roques Julie , Lavaut Marie-Noëlle , Berthezène Patrice , Rubis Marion , Secq Veronique , Garcia Stéphane , Moutardier Vincent , Lombardo Dominique , Iovanna Juan Lucio , Tomasini Richard , Guillaumond Fabienne , Vander Heiden Matthew G. , Vasseur Sophie
Published: July 2017

Tissue architecture contributes to pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) phenotypes. Cancer cells within PDAC form gland-like structures embedded in a collagen-rich meshwork where nutrients and oxygen are scarce. Altered metabolism is needed for tumour cells to survive in this environment, but the metabolic modifications that allow PDAC cells to endure these conditions are incompletely understood. Here we demonstrate that collagen serves as a proline reservoir for PDAC cells to use as a nutrient source when other fuels are limited. We show PDAC cells are able to take up collagen fragments, which can promote PDAC cell survival under nutrient limited conditions, and that collagen-derived proline contributes to PDAC cell metabolism. Finally, we show that proline oxidase (PRODH1) is required for PDAC cell proliferation in vitro and in vivo. Collectively, our results indicate that PDAC extracellular matrix represents a nutrient reservoir for tumour cells highlighting the metabolic flexibility of this cancer.
Nucleolin directly mediates Epstein-Barr virus immune evasion through binding to G-quadruplexes of EBNA1 mRNA
Authors: Lista María José , Martins Rodrigo Prado , Billant Olivier , Contesse Marie-Astrid , Findakly Sarah , Pochard Pierre , Daskalogianni Chrysoula , Beauvineau Claire , Guetta Corinne , Jamin Christophe , Teulade-Fichou Marie-Paule , Fåhraeus Robin , Voisset Cécile , Blondel Marc
Published: July 2017

The oncogenic Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) evades the immune system but has an Achilles heel: its genome maintenance protein EBNA1, which is essential for viral genome maintenance but highly antigenic. EBV has seemingly evolved a system in which the mRNA sequence encoding the glycine-alanine repeats (GAr) of the EBNA1 protein limits its expression to the minimal level necessary for function while minimizing immune recognition. Here, we identify nucleolin (NCL) as a host factor required for this process via a direct interaction with G-quadruplexes formed in GAr-encoding mRNA sequence. Overexpression of NCL enhances GAr-based inhibition of EBNA1 protein expression, whereas its downregulation relieves the suppression of both expression and antigen presentation. Moreover, the G-quadruplex ligand PhenDC3 prevents NCL binding to EBNA1 mRNA and reverses GAr-mediated repression of EBNA1 expression and antigen presentation. Hence the NCL-EBNA1 mRNA interaction is a relevant therapeutic target to trigger an immune response against EBV-carrying cancers.