bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Neuroendocrine Response Following a Thoracic Spinal Manipulation in Healthy Men
Authors: Sampath Kesava Kovanur , Botnmark Erik , Mani Ramakrishnan , Cotter James David , Katare Rajesh , Munasinghe Pujika Emani , Tumilty Steve
Published: July 2017

Study Design

Controlled laboratory study.

Background

Spinal manipulation (SM) can trigger a cascade of responses involving multiple systems, including the sympathetic nervous system and the endocrine system, specifically, the hypothalamic-pituitary axis. However, no manual therapy study has investigated the neuroendocrine response to SM (ie, sympathetic nervous system-hypothalamic-pituitary axis) in the same trial.

Objective

To determine short-term changes in sympathetic nervous system activity, heart rate variability, and endocrine activity (cortisol, testosterone, and testosterone-cortisol [T/C] ratio) following a thoracic SM.

Methods

Twenty-four healthy men aged between 18 and 45 years were randomized into 2 groups: thoracic SM (n = 12) and sham (n = 12). Outcome measures were salivary cortisol (micrograms per deciliter), salivary testosterone (picograms per milliliter), T/C ratio, heart rate variability, and changes in oxyhemoglobin concentration of the right calf muscle (micromoles per liter). Measurements were done before and at 5 minutes, 30 minutes, and approximately 6 hours after intervention.

Results

A statistically significant group-by-time interaction was noted for T/C ratio (P<.05) and salivary cortisol (P<.01) concentrations. Significant between-group differences were noted for salivary cortisol concentration at 5 minutes (mean difference, 0.35; 95% confidence interval: 0.12, 0.6; interaction: P<.01) and for T/C ratio at 6 hours postintervention (mean difference, −0.09; 95% confidence interval: −0.16, −0.04; P = .02). However, SM did not differentially alter oxyhemoglobin, testosterone, or heart rate variability relative to responses in the sham group.

Conclusion

Thoracic SM resulted in an immediate decrease in salivary cortisol concentration and reduced T/C ratio 6 hours after intervention. A pattern of immediate sympathetic excitation was also observed in the SM group. J Orthop Sports Phys Ther 2017;47(9):617–627. Epub 13 Jul 2017. doi:10.2519/jospt.2017.7348
The evaluation of Cu, Zn, Mn, and Se concentrations in the hair of South American camelids
Authors: Holasová Milada , Pechová Alena , Husáková Taťána
Published: July 2017

The aim of this study was to monitor the content of trace elements in the hair of South American camelids and to evaluate the effect of coat colour, species, age, and sex on their concentration in the hair. The samples were collected from 77 animals – 23 llamas (Llama guanicoe f. gllama) and 54 alpacas (Llama guanicoe f. pacos) during a spring health check. The concentrations of copper (Cu), zinc (Zn), and manganese (Mn) were determined by Flame Atomic Absorption Spectrometry and selenium (Se) by Hydride Generation Atomic Absorption Spectrometry. We found the following concentrations (mean ± standard deviation; mg/kg dry matter) in the llama hair: Cu 9.70 ± 4.69; Zn 145.20 ± 21.07; Mn 12.49 ± 10.14; Se 0.25 ± 0.14. In alpaca hair we found the following concentrations: Cu 10.22 ± 2.90; Zn 129.81 ± 19.01; Mn 12.67 ± 13.85; Se 0.48 ± 0.24. We found a significant difference between llamas and alpacas in Zn and Se concentrations in the hair. From all the evaluated factors we found that coat colour had the highest effect on Mn and Se concentration. Dark haired animals had significantly higher concentrations of these trace elements than other coloured groups. The evaluation of the concentration of trace elements in the hair of llamas has a potential to be used for the evaluation of long-term status of trace elements in the body; however, it is necessary to continue with experimental work in this area. Our findings can serve as a pilot study for further works in this field.
Legionnaires’ disease in Europe, 2011 to 2015
Authors: Beauté Julien ,   on behalf of the European Legionnaires’ Disease Surveillance Network
Published: July 2017

Under the coordination of the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC), the European Legionnaires’ disease Surveillance Network (ELDSNet) conducts surveillance of Legionnaires’ disease (LD) in Europe. Between 2011 and 2015, 29 countries reported 30,532 LD cases to ECDC (28,188 (92.3%) confirmed and 2,344 (7.7%) probable). Four countries (France, Germany, Italy and Spain) accounted for 70.3% of all reported cases, although their combined populations represented only 49.9% of the study population. The age-standardised rate of all cases increased from 0.97 cases/100,000 population in 2011 to 1.30 cases/100,000 population in 2015, corresponding to an annual average increase of 0.09 cases/100,000 population (95%CI 0.02–0.14; p = 0.02). Demographics and infection setting remained unchanged with ca 70% of cases being community-acquired and 80% occurring in people aged 50 years and older. Clinical outcome was known for 23,164 cases, of whom 2,161 (9.3%) died. The overall case fatality ratio decreased steadily from 10.5% in 2011 to 8.1% in 2015, probably reflecting improved reporting completeness. Five countries (Austria, Czech Republic, Germany, Italy, and Norway) had increasing age-standardised LD notification rates over the 2011−15 period, but there was no increase in notification rates in countries where the 2011 rate was below 0.5/100,000 population.
Epidemiology of human infections with highly pathogenic avian influenza A(H7N9) virus in Guangdong, 2016 to 2017
Authors: Kang Min , Lau Eric H Y , Guan Wenda , Yang Yuwei , Song Tie , Cowling Benjamin J , Wu Jie , Peiris Malik , He Jianfeng , Mok Chris Ka Pun
Published: July 2017

We describe the epidemiology of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) A(H7N9) based on poultry market environmental surveillance and laboratory-confirmed human cases (n = 9) in Guangdong, China. We also compare the epidemiology between human cases of high- and low-pathogenic avian influenza A(H7N9) (n = 51) in Guangdong. Case fatality and severity were similar. Touching sick or dead poultry was the most important risk factor for HPAI A(H7N9) infections and should be highlighted for the control of future influenza A(H7N9) epidemics.
Hospital-Based Cancer Incidence in Nepal from 2010 to 2013
Authors: Poudel Krishna Kanta , Huang Zhibi , Neupane Prakash Raj , Steel Roberta , Poudel Janaki Kharel
Published: July 2017

Background: Cancer is one of the leading causes of death throughout the world. Analyzing the incidence of cancer by site, sex and age is essential to detect the burden of cancer. Throughout the twelve hospital based cancer registries of Nepal, a total of 29,802 cancer cases with known age, were registered from January 1st 2010 to 2013 December 31st. The purpose of this retrospective study is to present the incidence of all cancer sites in both males and females for this period.Materials and Methods: This paper reviews data from all the hospital based cancer registries over a four-year period. This retrospective study has illustrated the number of cases, frequencies and crude incidence of all cancers by sex and site. For statistical analysis, SPSS (version 23.0) and Microsoft Excel 2010 were used.Results: Over the four-year period from January 1st 2010 to 2013 December 31st the major cancer in males was identified as follows: lung cancer (17.5%) followed by stomach cancer (7.6 %) and larynx cancer (5.4%). Among females, for the same four-year period, the three common cancers were identified as cervix (18.9 %) followed by breast (15.6 %) and lung (10.2%).Conclusion: This retrospective study concluded that cancer is being increased by calendar years both in males and females however, the incidence of cancer is higher in females compared to males.
The Association between Big4 and Cost of Debt in Private Firms
Authors: Azzali Stefano , Mazza Tatiana
Published: July 2017

This study investigates the association between choice of a Big4 audit firm and Cost of Debt compared with non-Big4 in Italian firms. Based on a sample of Italian companies audited by an audit firm in the period 2007-2012, we perform OLS regressions to test the Big4 association with Cost of Debt. Results confirm our expectation that audit firm size is a significant criterion of audit firm choice and we find that Big4 is associated with lower Cost of Debt than non-Big4 in private firms. The choice of Big4 audit firm reduce the specific agency conflict between banks and owner/management in private firms. We also find that private firms benefit from lower Cost of Debt than public companies. This research makes a contribution to the literature by extending previous results (Gul et al., 2013, Cano Rodriguez and Alegria, 2012, Karjalainen, 2011) to private firms and to the setting of Italy. Results may also be useful for companies choosing auditors in private firms and in the mitigation of agency conflict.
Wavelengths of the Self-Photopumped Nickel-Like 4f 1P1→4d 1P1 X-ray Laser Transitions
Authors: Ivanova Elena
Published: July 2017

The energies for the lower 3d3/24d3/2 [J = 1] and upper 3d3/24f5/2 [J = 1] working levels in the self-photopumped X-ray laser are analyzed along the Ni-like sequence. We have found some irregularities in these energy levels in the range Z = 42–49. The causes of the irregularities are studied. The list of elements that lase on the self-photopumped transition can be extended much further than originally known. We calculate the wavelengths of this transition in Ni-like sequence to Z = 79 using the relativistic perturbation theory with a zero approximation model potential. We estimate the wavelength accuracy for Z > 50 as Δλ/λ ≤ 0.005.
Milk and Its Sugar-Lactose: A Picture of Evaluation Methodologies
Authors: Gambelli Loretta
Published: July 2017

Lactose is the major disaccharide found in milk, and is catabolized into glucose and galactose by the enzyme lactase. Lactose is an important energy source and ssometimes it is referred to simply as milk sugar, as it is present in high percentages in dairy products. Lactose is the primary source of carbohydrates during mammal development, and represents 40% of the energy consumed during the nursing period. Lactose-intolerance individuals have a lactase deficiency; therefore, lactose is not completely catabolized. Lactose intolerance is a significant factor in the choice of diet for many sick people, therefore its content in foods must be monitored to avoid disorders and illnesses. This has created the need to develop simple methods, such as polarimetry, gravimetric, middle infrared, differential pH and enzymatic monitoring, but all these methods are time-consuming, because they required extensive sample preparation and cannot differentiate individual sugars. In order to quantify low levels of lactose, new and more accurate analytical methods have been developed. Generally, they require equipment such as HPLC or High Performance Anion Exchange with Pulsed Amperometric Detection (HPAE-PAD).
Crystal Structure of 17α-Dihydroequilin, C18H22O2, from Synchrotron Powder Diffraction Data and Density Functional Theory
Authors: Kaduk James , Gindhart Amy , Blanton Thomas
Published: July 2017

The crystal structure of 17α-dihydroequilin has been solved and refined using synchrotron X-ray powder diffraction data, and optimized using density functional techniques. 17α-dihydroequilin crystallizes in space group P212121 (#19) with a = 6.76849(1) Å, b = 8.96849(1) Å, c = 23.39031(5) Å, V = 1419.915(3) Å3, and Z = 4. Both hydroxyl groups form hydrogen bonds to each other, resulting in zig-zag chains along the b-axis. The powder diffraction pattern has been submitted to ICDD for inclusion in the Powder Diffraction File™ as the entry 00-066-1608.
An Analysis of Anxiety-Related Postings on Sina Weibo
Authors: Tian Xianyun , He Fang , Batterham Philip , Wang Zheng , Yu Guang
Published: July 2017

This study examines anxiety-related postings on Sina Weibo to gain insight into social networking about mental health. The themes of a random sample of anxiety-related postings (n = 1000) were assessed. The disclosure of anxiety was the most common theme. The prevalence of anxiety was higher in certain areas where the economy is stronger than others, and the people living there suffered from more stress. Users who talked about feeling anxious tended to be more active on social media during leisure hours and less active during work hours. Our findings may be developed to detect and help individuals who may suffer from anxiety disorders at a low cost.
A Novel Popular Tourist Attraction Discovering Approach Based on Geo-Tagged Social Media Big Data
Authors: Peng Xia , Huang Zhou
Published: July 2017

In the big data era, the social media data that contain users’ geographical locations are growing explosively. These kinds of spatiotemporal data provide a new perspective for us to observe the human movement behavior. By mining such spatiotemporal data, we can incorporate the users’ collective wisdom, build novel services and bring convenience to people. Through spatial clustering of the original user locations, both the ‘natural’ boundaries and the human activity information of the tourist attractions are generated, which facilitate performing popularity analysis of tourist attractions and extracting the travelers’ spatio-temporal patterns or travel laws. On the one hand, the potential extracted knowledge could provide decision supports to the tourism management department in both tourism planning and resource development; on the other hand, the travel preferences are able to be extracted from the clustering-generated attractions, and thus, intelligent tourism recommendation services could be developed for the tourist to promote the realization of ‘smart tourism’. Hence, this paper proposes a new method for discovering popular tourist attractions, which extracts hotspots through integrating spatial clustering and text mining approaches. We carry out tourist attraction discovery experiments based on the Flickr geotagged images within the urban area of Beijing from 2005 to 2016. The results show that compared with the traditional DBSCAN method, this novel approach can distinguish adjacent high-density areas when discovering popular tourist attractions and has better adaptability in the case of an uneven density distribution. In addition, based on the finding results of scenic hotspots, this paper analyzes the popularity distribution laws of Beijing’s tourist attractions under different temporal and weather contexts.
Cultured Human Fibroblast Biostimulation Using a 940 nm Diode Laser
Authors: Illescas-Montes Rebeca , Melguizo-Rodríguez Lucía , Manzano-Moreno Francisco , García-Martínez Olga , Ruiz Concepción , Ramos-Torrecillas Javier
Published: July 2017

Background: Fibroblasts are the main cells involved in regeneration during wound healing. The objective was to determine the effect of 940 nm diode laser on cultured human fibroblasts using different irradiation regimens. Methods: The CCD-1064Sk human epithelial fibroblast cell line was treated with a 940 nm diode laser at different energy doses (power: 0.2–1 W and energy density: 1–7 J/cm2) using different transmission modes (continuous or pulsed). The effect on cell growth at 24 and 72 h post-treatment was examined by measuring the proliferative capacity, the impact on the cell cycle, and the effect on cell differentiation. Results: fibroblast proliferative capacity was increased at 24 and 72 h post-treatment as a function of the energy dose. The greatest increase was observed with a power of 0.2 or 0.5 W and energy density between 1 and 4 J/cm2; no difference was observed between continuous and pulsed modes. There were no significant differences in cell cycle between treated groups and controls. α-actin expression was increased by treatment, indicating enhanced cell differentiation. Conclusion: The 940 nm diode laser has biostimulating effects on fibroblasts, stimulating proliferative capacity and cell differentiation without altering the cell cycle. Further researches are necessary to explore its potential clinical usefulness in wound healing.
Strain Wave Acquisition by a Fiber Optic Coherent Sensor for Impact Monitoring
Authors: Sbarufatti Claudio , Beligni Alessio , Gilioli Andrea , Ferrario Maddalena , Mattarei Marco , Martinelli Mario , Giglio Marco
Published: July 2017

A novel fiber optic sensing technology for high frequency dynamics detection is proposed in this paper, specifically tailored for structural health monitoring applications based on strain wave analysis, for both passive impact identification and active Lamb wave monitoring. The sensing solution relies on a fiber optic-based interferometric architecture associated to an innovative coherent detection scheme, which retrieves in a completely passive way the high-frequency phase information of the received optical signal. The sensing fiber can be arranged into different layouts, depending on the requirement of the specific application, in order to enhance the sensor sensitivity while still ensuring a limited gauge length if punctual measures are required. For active Lamb wave monitoring, this results in a sensing fiber arranged in multiple loops glued on an aluminum thin panel in order to increase the phase signal only in correspondence to the sensing points of interest. Instead, for passive impact identification, the required sensitivity is guaranteed by simply exploiting a longer gauge length glued to the structure. The fiber optic coherent (FOC) sensor is exploited to detect the strain waves emitted by a piezoelectric transducer placed on the aluminum panel or generated by an impulse hammer, respectively. The FOC sensor measurements have been compared with both a numerical model based on Finite Elements and traditional piezoelectric sensors, confirming a good agreement between experimental and simulated results for both active and passive impact monitoring scenarios.
Microwave-Supported Leaching of Electric Arc Furnace (EAF) Slag by Ammonium Salts
Authors: Tong Zhibo , Ma Guojun , Zhang Xiang , Cai Yongsheng
Published: July 2017

The effect of microwave-supported leaching of electric arc furnace (EAF) slag by ammonium salts was investigated to improve calcium leaching ratio for CO2 mineral sequestration process. The results show that the calcium leaching ratio from EAF slag at the constant temperature in the microwave field increases about 10% than that under the water bath at the same leaching time. The greater the microwave power, the higher the impact of calcium leaching rate, which proves that microwave treatment can improve the leaching ratio of calcium. The rapid calcium leaching step (up to 5 min) is possibly due to the easy reaction of calcium silicate, while the slower calcium leaching step (after 5 min) is owing to the difficult reaction of calcium ferroaluminates for the hydrolysis of iron and aluminum. The leaching behaviors of magnesium and calcium ions affected by different leaching parameters are similar and the concentration of aluminum, iron and phosphorus can be neglected. Calcium ion is probably not precipitated in the real leaching solution from steel slag by ammonium chloride solution as its concentration is less than 0.32 mol/L. However, the concentration of magnesium ion starts to drop sharply when the pH value is higher than 10 and it has precipitated completely at pH value of 11.6.
Novel Applications of Metabolomics in Personalized Medicine: A Mini-Review
Authors: Li Bingbing , He Xuyun , Jia Wei , Li Houkai
Published: July 2017

Interindividual variability in drug responses and disease susceptibility is common in the clinic. Currently, personalized medicine is highly valued, the idea being to prescribe the right medicine to the right patient. Metabolomics has been increasingly applied in evaluating the therapeutic outcomes of clinical drugs by correlating the baseline metabolic profiles of patients with their responses, i.e., pharmacometabonomics, as well as prediction of disease susceptibility among population in advance, i.e., patient stratification. The accelerated advance in metabolomics technology pinpoints the huge potential of its application in personalized medicine. In current review, we discussed the novel applications of metabolomics with typical examples in evaluating drug therapy and patient stratification, and underlined the potential of metabolomics in personalized medicine in the future.
Dietary Supplementation of Fermented Rice Bran Effectively Alleviates Dextran Sodium Sulfate-Induced Colitis in Mice
Authors: Islam Jahidul , Koseki Takuya , Watanabe Kouichi , Ardiansyah  , Budijanto Slamet , Oikawa Akira , Alauddin Md , Goto Tomoko , Aso Hisahi , Komai Michio , Shirakawa Hitoshi
Published: July 2017

Rice bran (RB) is a major by-product of rice polishing and a rich source of bioactive compounds. Here, we investigated the anti-colitis effect of diet supplementation with fermented rice bran (FRB) in a murine model of ulcerative colitis. FRB was prepared by dual fermentation of RB using fungi and lactic acid bacteria. Colitis was induced in C57Bl/6N male mice (n = 8/group) by dextran sodium sulfate (DSS). Body weight change, disease activity index (DAI), histopathology score, tissue myeloperoxidase (MPO) activity, cytokine and chemokine transcript levels, and the production of short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) and mucin in the colonic tissue were monitored. Based on histopathology scores, DSS induced severe mucosal inflammation, with an increased loss of crypts, and inflammatory cell infiltration in the control and RB groups, but not in the FRB group. MPO activity, thiobarbituric acid-reactive substance levels, and pro-inflammatory cytokine transcript (Tnf-α, Il-1β, Il-6, and Il-17) levels were significantly higher in the control and RB groups than in the FRB group. Thus, dietary FRB attenuated intestinal inflammation owing to elevated SCFAs and tryptamine production, which might regulate tight junction barrier integrity and intestinal homeostasis. These results suggest that FRB could comprise an effective potential preventive agent for ulcerative colitis.
It’s Not Real Until It’s on Facebook: A Qualitative Analysis of Social Media and Digital Communication among Emerging Adults in College
Authors: Russett Jill , Waldron Linda
Published: July 2017

Emerging adults are encountering a developmental stage in a polymediated world that brings autonomy, intimacy, and identity to the forefront of their transition from adolescence to adulthood. This study focuses on traditionally-aged college students who are deeply immersed with digital technology and communication as a primary method to communicate and interact with peers, partners, teachers, and family members. To understand the relationship between digital communication and emerging adulthood, researchers facilitated a qualitative study grounded in ethnomethodological and dramaturgical perspective to uncover the unique ways in which college students make sense of their social media during this developmental time period. Data collection occurred through nine focus groups; in all, 44 undergraduate students participated. Findings illustrate four relevant patterns to the development of emerging adults: a key rationale for use among participants that is tied to both ritualized behavior and institutional constraints; the importance of autonomy with their digital communication use that is often stifled by parental access to their mediated lives; the presentation of an identity that is rooted in norms of acceptable use; and the importance of digital communication to the development and maintenance of connections to family, friends, and intimate partners. Implications for further research are discussed.
What Are the Main Challenges Impeding Implementation of the Spatial Plans in Egypt Using Ecotourism Development as an Example?
Authors: Kenawy Emad , Osman Taher , Alshamndy Aref
Published: July 2017

In Egypt, highly technical plans are drawn up, but nobody puts them into practice. They always end up gathering dust on the shelves of national agencies or local government without being utilised to make improvements to local economic or environmental well-being. This is because such plans did not reflect the stakeholder interests nor deal with their conflicts. The collaborative planning approach is exalted as one of the best methods to help reach a consensus between the stakeholders about the issues and to advance shared solutions and then increase the likelihood of successful implementation of a plan. However, the stakeholder collaboration and engagement practice in Egypt remains ineffective. This research seeks to investigate and understand the challenges and barriers that have hindered the efficiency of stakeholder engagement during ecotourism planning as a sectorial case study by focusing on two case studies, and critiquing existing experiences of ecotourism development planning based upon a conceptual framework for investigating and understanding those challenges. Evidence was drawn from a critical documentary review, and combined with observation and semi-structured interviews with 56 ecotourism experts and stakeholders. The analysis suggests that the stakeholder engagement was tokenistic, and the central government was still dominant. This is a result of three groups of challenges including deficiencies in operationalising stakeholder engagement and challenges associated with the government and non-government stakeholder groups.
Environmental Governance for the Anthropocene? Social-Ecological Systems, Resilience, and Collaborative Learning
Authors: Berkes Fikret
Published: July 2017

The Anthropocene is characterized by rapid global change, necessitating adaptive governance. But how can such adaptive governance be operationalized? The article offers a three-point argument to approach this question. First, people and environment need to be considered together, as social (human) and ecological (biophysical) subsystems are linked by mutual feedbacks, and are interdependent and co-evolutionary. These integrated systems of humans and environment (social-ecological systems) provide an appropriate unit of analysis. Second, the resilience approach deals with change in multilevel complex systems, and has stimulated much of the adaptive governance literature by addressing uncertainty and adaptation to unforeseen future changes. Third, there is a need to foster collaborative approaches to improve social and institutional learning, as for example in adaptive management, collaborative learning networks, and knowledge co-production. Collaborative learning is perhaps where further research, experimentation, and application might make a difference for operationalizing adaptive governance, with a focus on institutions, at all levels from local to international.
Positive Surge Propagation in Sloping Channels
Authors: Viero Daniele , Peruzzo Paolo , Defina Andrea
Published: July 2017

A simplified model for the upstream propagation of a positive surge in a sloping, rectangular channel is presented. The model is based on the assumptions of a flat water surface and negligible energy dissipation downstream of the surge, which is generated by the instantaneous closure of a downstream gate. Under these hypotheses, a set of equations that depends only on time accurately describes the surge wave propagation. When the Froude number of the incoming flow is relatively small, an approximate analytical solution is also proposed. The predictive ability of the model is validated by comparing the model results with the results of an experimental investigation and with the results of a numerical model that solves the full shallow water equations.
Genome‐wide Association Mapping of Qualitatively Inherited Traits in a Germplasm Collection
Authors: Bandillo Nonoy B. , Lorenz Aaron J. , Graef George L. , Jarquin Diego , Hyten David L. , Nelson Randall L , Specht James E.
Published: July 2017

Genome‐wide association (GWA) has been used as a tool for dissecting the genetic architecture of quantitatively inherited traits. We demonstrate here that GWA can also be highly useful for detecting many major genes governing categorically defined phenotype variants that exist for qualitatively inherited traits in a germplasm collection. Genome‐wide association mapping was applied to categorical phenotypic data available for 10 descriptive traits in a collection of ∼13,000 soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.] accessions that had been genotyped with a 50,000 single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) chip. A GWA on a panel of accessions of this magnitude can offer substantial statistical power and mapping resolution, and we found that GWA mapping resulted in the identification of strong SNP signals for 24 classical genes as well as several heretofore unknown genes controlling the phenotypic variants in those traits. Because some of these genes had been cloned, we were able to show that the narrow GWA mapping SNP signal regions that we detected for the phenotypic variants had chromosomal bp spans that, with just one exception, overlapped the bp region of the cloned genes, despite local variation in SNP number and nonuniform SNP distribution in the chip set.
Physical Map of the Short Arm of Bread Wheat Chromosome 3D
Authors: Holušová Kateřina , Vrána Jan , Šafář Jan , Šimková Hana , Balcárková Barbora , Frenkel Zeev , Darrier Benoit , Paux Etienne , Cattonaro Federica , Berges Helene , Letellier Thomas , Alaux Michael , Doležel Jaroslav , Bartoš Jan
Published: July 2017

Bread wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) is one of the most important crops worldwide. Although a reference genome sequence would represent a valuable resource for wheat improvement through genomics‐assisted breeding and gene cloning, its generation has long been hampered by its allohexaploidy, high repeat content, and large size. As a part of a project coordinated by the International Wheat Genome Sequencing Consortium (IWGSC), a physical map of the short arm of wheat chromosome 3D (3DS) was prepared to facilitate reference genome assembly and positional gene cloning. It comprises 869 contigs with a cumulative length of 274.5 Mbp and represents 85.5% of the estimated chromosome arm size. Eighty‐six Mbp of survey sequences from chromosome arm 3DS were assigned in silico to physical map contigs via next‐generation sequencing of bacterial artificial chromosome pools, thus providing a high‐density framework for physical map ordering along the chromosome arm. About 60% of the physical map was anchored in this single experiment. Finally, 1393 high‐confidence genes were anchored to the physical map. Comparisons of gene space of the chromosome arm 3DS with genomes of closely related species [Brachypodium distachyon (L.) P.Beauv., rice (Oryza sativa L.), and sorghum [Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench] and homeologous wheat chromosomes provided information about gene movement on the chromosome arm.
High-resolution Spectroscopy of Extremely Metal-poor Stars from SDSS/SEGUE. III. Unevolved Stars with [Fe/H] ≲ −3.5*
Authors: Matsuno Tadafumi , Aoki Wako , Beers Timothy C. , Lee Young Sun , Honda Satoshi
Published: July 2017

We present elemental abundances for eight unevolved extremely metal-poor (EMP) stars with

, among which seven have

. The sample is selected from the Sloan Digital Sky Survey/Sloan Extension for Galactic Understanding and Exploration (SDSS/SEGUE) and our previous high-resolution spectroscopic follow-up with the Subaru Telescope. Several methods to derive stellar parameters are compared, and no significant offset in the derived parameters is found in most cases. From an abundance analysis relative to the standard EMP star G64–12, an average Li abundance for stars with

is

, with a standard deviation of

dex. This result confirms that lower Li abundances are found at lower metallicity, as suggested by previous studies, and demonstrates that the star-to-star scatter is small. The small observed scatter could be a strong constraint on Li-depletion mechanisms proposed for explaining the low Li abundance at lower metallicity. Our analysis for other elements obtained the following results: (i) a statistically significant scatter in

for Na, Mg, Cr, Ti, Sr, and Ba, and an apparent bimodality in

with a separation of

, (ii) an absence of a sharp drop in the metallicity distribution, and (iii) the existence of a CEMP-s star at

and possibly at

, which may provide a constraint on the mixing efficiency of unevolved stars during their main-sequence phase.
OSSOS. VI. Striking Biases in the Detection of Large Semimajor Axis Trans-Neptunian Objects
Authors: Shankman Cory , Kavelaars J. J. , Bannister Michele T. , Gladman Brett J. , Lawler Samantha M. , Chen 陳英 Ying-Tung 同 , Jakubik Marian , Kaib Nathan , Alexandersen Mike , Gwyn Stephen D. J. , Petit Jean-Marc , Volk Kathryn
Published: July 2017

The accumulating but small set of large semimajor axis trans-Neptunian objects (TNOs) shows an apparent clustering in the orientations of their orbits. This clustering must either be representative of the intrinsic distribution of these TNOs, or else have arisen as a result of observation biases and/or statistically expected variations for such a small set of detected objects. The clustered TNOs were detected across different and independent surveys, which has led to claims that the detections are therefore free of observational bias. This apparent clustering has led to the so-called “Planet 9” hypothesis that a super-Earth currently resides in the distant solar system and causes this clustering. The Outer Solar System Origins Survey (OSSOS) is a large program that ran on the Canada–France–Hawaii Telescope from 2013 to 2017, discovering more than 800 new TNOs. One of the primary design goals of OSSOS was the careful determination of observational biases that would manifest within the detected sample. We demonstrate the striking and non-intuitive biases that exist for the detection of TNOs with large semimajor axes. The eight large semimajor axis OSSOS detections are an independent data set, of comparable size to the conglomerate samples used in previous studies. We conclude that the orbital distribution of the OSSOS sample is consistent with being detected from a uniform underlying angular distribution.
The z ∼ 6 Luminosity Function Fainter than −15 mag from the Hubble Frontier Fields: The Impact of Magnification Uncertainties
Authors: Bouwens R. J. , Oesch P. A. , Illingworth G. D. , Ellis R. S. , Stefanon M.
Published: July 2017

We use the largest sample of

galaxies to date from the first four Hubble Frontier Fields clusters to set constraints on the shape of the

luminosity functions (LFs) to fainter than

mag. We quantify, for the first time, the impact of magnification uncertainties on LF results and thus provide more realistic constraints than other recent work. Our simulations reveal that, for the highly magnified sources, the systematic uncertainties can become extremely large fainter than −14 mag, reaching several orders of magnitude at 95% confidence at approximately −12 mag. Our new forward-modeling formalism incorporates the impact of magnification uncertainties into the LF results by exploiting the availability of many independent magnification models for the same cluster. One public magnification model is used to construct a mock high-redshift galaxy sample that is then analyzed using the other magnification models to construct an LF. Large systematic errors occur at high magnifications (

) because of differences between the models. The volume densities we derive for faint (≳−17 mag) sources are ∼3–4× lower than one recent report and give a faint-end slope

, which is 3.0–3.5σ shallower (including or not including the size uncertainties, respectively). We introduce a new curvature parameter δ to model the faint end of the LF and demonstrate that the observations permit (at 68% confidence) a turn-over at

in the range of −15.3 to −14.2 mag, depending on the assumed lensing model. The present consideration of magnification errors and new size determinations raise doubts about previous reports regarding the form of the LF at

. We discuss the implications of our turn-over constraints in the context of recent theoretical predictions.
Multiple Disk Gaps and Rings Generated by a Single Super-Earth
Authors: Dong 董 Ruobing 若冰 , Li 李 Shengtai 胜台 , Chiang 蔣 Eugene 詒曾 , Li 李 Hui 晖
Published: July 2017

We investigate the observational signatures of super-Earths (i.e., planets with Earth-to-Neptune mass), which are the most common type of exoplanet discovered to date, in their natal disks of gas and dust. Combining two-fluid global hydrodynamics simulations with a radiative transfer code, we calculate the distributions of gas and of submillimeter-sized dust in a disk perturbed by a super-Earth, synthesizing images in near-infrared scattered light and the millimeter-wave thermal continuum for direct comparison with observations. In low-viscosity gas (

), a super-Earth opens two annular gaps to either side of its orbit by the action of Lindblad torques. This double gap and its associated gas pressure gradients cause dust particles to be dragged by gas into three rings: one ring sandwiched between the two gaps, and two rings located at the gap edges farthest from the planet. Depending on the system parameters, additional rings may manifest for a single planet. A double gap located at tens of au from a host star in Taurus can be detected in the dust continuum by the Atacama Large Millimeter Array (ALMA) at an angular resolution of ∼

after two hours of integration. Ring and gap features persist in a variety of background disk profiles, last for thousands of orbits, and change their relative positions and dimensions depending on the speed and direction of planet migration. Candidate double gaps have been observed by ALMA in systems such as HL Tau (D5 and D6) and TW Hya (at 37 and 43 au); we submit that each double gap is carved by one super-Earth in nearly inviscid gas.
Central Magnetic Field of a Magnetic White Dwarf Star
Authors: Shah Hridaya , Sebastian Kunnat
Published: July 2017

Observations of over-luminous Type 1a supernovae have prompted researchers to come up with various hypotheses in order to explain them. One hypothesis is based on the explosion of a progenitor super-massive magnetic white dwarf star. These stars are assumed to have very strong magnetic fields inside of them. However, there is a lack of analytic proof of the existence of such magnetic fields in the magnetic white dwarf stars. In this work, we plan to address an analytic proof of the existence of very strong magnetic fields in the center of these magnetic white dwarfs. We will see that for a one Landau-level white dwarf star, with central density

, it is possible to have central magnetic fields of the order of

at least. In the presence of strong magnetic fields, the threshold densities chosen for this work that correspond to instabilities due to general relativity and pycnonuclear reactions have been found to increase so that the matter does not acquire instability at such central densities.
Hubble Space Telescope Imaging of the Ultra-compact High Velocity Cloud AGC 226067: A Stripped Remnant in the Virgo Cluster
Authors: Sand D. J. , Seth A. C. , Crnojević D. , Spekkens K. , Strader J. , Adams E. A. K. , Caldwell N. , Guhathakurta P. , Kenney J. , Randall S. , Simon J. D. , Toloba E. , Willman B.
Published: July 2017

We analyze the optical counterpart to the ultra-compact high velocity cloud AGC 226067, utilizing imaging taken with the Advanced Camera for Surveys (ACS) on the Hubble Space Telescope. The color–magnitude diagram of the main body of AGC 226067 reveals an exclusively young stellar population, with an age of ∼7–50 Myr, and is consistent with a metallicity of [Fe/H] ∼ −0.3 as previous work has measured via H ii region spectroscopy. Additionally, the color–magnitude diagram is consistent with a distance of D ≈ 17 Mpc, suggesting an association with the Virgo cluster. A secondary stellar system located ∼1.′6 (∼8 kpc) away in projection has a similar stellar population. The lack of an old red giant branch (≳5 Gyr) is contrasted with a serendipitously discovered Virgo dwarf in the ACS field of view (Dw J122147+132853), and the total diffuse light from AGC 226067 is consistent with the luminosity function of the resolved ∼7–50 Myr stellar population. The main body of AGC 226067 has a M

V
 = −11.3 ± 0.3, or M
stars = 5.4 ± 1.3 × 104
M
⊙ given the stellar population. We searched 20 deg2 of imaging data adjacent to AGC 226067 in the Virgo Cluster, and found two similar stellar systems dominated by a blue stellar population, far from any massive galaxy counterpart—if this population has star-formation properties that are similar to those of AGC 226067, it implies ∼0.1 M
⊙ yr−1 in Virgo intracluster star formation. Given its unusual stellar population, AGC 226067 is likely a stripped remnant and is plausibly the result of compressed gas from the ram pressure stripped M86 subgroup (∼350 kpc away in projection) as it falls into the Virgo Cluster.
Galaxy-scale Bars in Late-type Sloan Digital Sky Survey Galaxies Do Not Influence the Average Accretion Rates of Supermassive Black Holes
Authors: Goulding A. D. , Matthaey E. , Greene J. E. , Hickox R. C. , Alexander D. M. , Forman W. R. , Jones C. , Lehmer B. D. , Griffis S. , Kanek S. , Oulmakki M.
Published: July 2017

Galaxy-scale bars are expected to provide an effective means for driving material toward the central region in spiral galaxies, and possibly feeding supermassive black holes (BHs). Here we present a statistically complete study of the effect of bars on average BH accretion. From a well-selected sample of 50,794 spiral galaxies (with

) extracted from the Sloan Digital Sky Survey Galaxy Zoo 2 project, we separate those sources considered to contain galaxy-scale bars from those that do not. Using archival data taken by the Chandra X-ray Observatory, we identify X-ray luminous (

) active galactic nuclei and perform an X-ray stacking analysis on the remaining X-ray undetected sources. Through X-ray stacking, we derive a time-averaged look at accretion for galaxies at fixed stellar mass and star-formation rate, finding that the average nuclear accretion rates of galaxies with bar structures are fully consistent with those lacking bars (

yr−1). Hence, we robustly conclude that large-scale bars have little or no effect on the average growth of BHs in nearby (

) galaxies over gigayear timescales.
Gut microbiota dysbiosis associated with glucose metabolism disorders and the metabolic syndrome in older adults
Authors: Lippert K. , Kedenko L. , Antonielli L. , Kedenko I. , Gemeier C. , Leitner M. , Kautzky-Willer A. , Paulweber B. , Hackl E.
Published: July 2017

Obesity and associated metabolic disorders have become highly prevalent diseases worldwide, and the human gut microbiota, due to its influence on host energy metabolism, has been attributed an important role therein. This pilot study explores host-microbiota relationships in men and women affected by various types of glucose metabolism disorder. Among 20 individuals aged 58 to 71 years with either normal glucose tolerance, prediabetes, or type 2 diabetes mellitus the gut bacterial communities were compared based on barcoded 454 sequencing of 16S rRNA genes amplified from stool samples. We found that specific microbiota groups were relatively enriched or reduced in different metabolic states. Further, positive or negative associations with clinical manifestations of metabolic disease suggest that these organisms indicate and possibly contribute to metabolic impairment or health. For instance, a higher prevalence of Erysipelotrichaceae and Lachnospiraceae was found associated with metabolic disorders, and the Holdemania and Blautia genera correlated with clinical indicators of an impaired lipid and glucose metabolism. The Bacteroidetes and groups therein, by contrast, displayed inverse relationships with metabolic disease parameters and were found relatively enriched in participants not diagnosed with metabolic syndrome or obesity. Further, the prevalence of specific Clostridia and Rikenellaceae members also pointed towards a healthier metabolic state. Links with diet as an intermediate factor included positive and negative associations of Lachnospiraceae with relative consumption rates of fat and carbohydrates, respectively, and positive associations of Turicibacteraceae with the consumption of protein. Identifying critical roles of major gut microbiota components in metabolic disorders has important translational implications regarding the prevention and treatment of metabolic diseases by means of preventing or reversing dysbiosis and by controlling exacerbating diet and life style factors particularly in sensitive population groups.
Mobile Multimedia Classroom Construction for Rhythmic Gymnastics Based on APT Teaching Model
Authors: Shi Youguo , Chen Shuqin , Wang Haitao
Published: July 2017

APT teaching model is an information-based teaching model which includes Assessment, Pedagogy and Technology. It can improve students’ learning initiative and autonomous learning ability. In this study, mobile multimedia classroom based on APT teaching model was designed for Rhythmic Gymnastics. With APT teaching model, learners’ learning is no longer limited to time and place. It can motivate learners’ learning interest and enhance learning efficiency. The mobile multimedia classroom was constructed from three aspects: assessment, pedagogy and technology. The final teaching test shows that, learners are very interested in the teaching mode of mobile multimedia classroom and express a strong wish for such teaching mode. Mobile multimedia classroom for Rhythmic Gymnastics based on APT teaching model has a promising application prospect in actual teaching process.
Open Up the Classroom
Authors: Andrawiss-Dlamini Hélène M. , Puntil Donata
Published: July 2017

Language instructors strive to provide students with a language learning environment that is authentic and contextualised. This chapter encourages teachers to step out of the textbook and integrate audio visual media in language courses. It highlights the pedagogical benefits of these resources and addresses the possible challenges language instructors may face. Bringing examples from two languages (French and Italian), the chapter aims at providing guidance to all language teachers in using film excerpts and video clips in their teaching. With a focus on lower levels (A.2 to B1), it showcases how these tools can be implemented, detailing the criteria to take into consideration in planning the lessons. Three detailed examples are provided with the objective of enabling effective learning. The last section of the chapter reflects on the use of audio visual media in language teaching and offers insights from the learners as well as the teachers' experiences.
Exploring Intercultural Communication Through the Act of Translation in Subtitling
Authors: Luan Duo
Published: July 2017

This chapter explores how intercultural teaching and learning can take place through the practical act of translation in subtitling. The method discussed in this chapter uses audio-visual media in the teaching of Chinese as a foreign language (CFL) in higher education (HE). Translation in Subtitling is an undergraduate course offered to students with advanced Chinese competencies at the University of Wales Trinity Saint David in the United Kingdom. This applied language practice develops advanced skills in intercultural communicative competence (ICC) to students working on projects related to specific professional and cultural contexts. The audio-visual-driven course and its workshop style aim to provide a practical and fun intercultural learning experience, as well as to enhance employability by preparing students to work in a Chinese linguistic environment.