bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Study of field capacity and variables of UAV operation time during spraying hormone fertilizer in sugarcane field
Authors: Koondee Peace , Saengprachathanarug Khwantri , Posom Jetsada , Watyotha Cumnueng , Wongphati Mahisorn
Published: September 2019

Spraying fertilizer to improve sugar content using Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) is receiving lot of interest by farmers since the field conditions are almost inaccessible by ground at the appropriate period of application. However, operators have to decide based on theirs experiences to choose the applicable and profitable field for UAV sprayer as the operation time and cost. This study aims to investigate UAV field capacity and time consumed by all steps during operation. The spraying experiments were conducted in fields located in Chaiyaphom and Khon Kaen province with the area of 0.16-0.64 ha/field. The field capacities were evaluated and time consuming activities of flight planning, fertilizer filling, active and passive working were studied. The results showed the average field capacity is 3.36 ha/hr. Most of time consumption was for flight planning step, followed by fertilizer filling, and passive working such as take-off time, landing time and turning time. Time consumed in flight planning was caused by the attempt to avoid the trees around field. However, it takes a long time only for first flight and then previously generated flight plan can be re-used for next flight. Moreover, non-rectangular shape and small size of fields affected passive working time directly.
Use of dual fuel between B10 and increasing syngas on the performance and emissions of a diesel-engine generator
Authors: Sutheerasak E , Pirompugd W , Sanitjai S
Published: September 2019

The research is to study the use of diesel mixed to 10%biodiesel (B10) combined to increasing syngas from 76 to 125 lpm in dual fuel mode with a diesel-engine generator. In engine test, the speed was adjusted from 1,000 to 1,600 rpm. Syngas was produced from a downdraft gasifier, as the charcoal was used to the primary fuel. Results indicate that the use of B10 and increasing syngas on dual fuel gave higher engine performance than using B10, but the emissions were enormously increased with increasing syngas. However, the use of B10 and syngas at 125 lpm increased the fuel saving to 30.77% and 27.20%, and the electrical efficiency added to 13.90% and 10.59% as compared with B10 and diesel respectively. Dual fuel between B10 and syngas at 125 lpm can apply to the diesel-engine generator in the future.
Application of plackett-burman design on screening the factors affecting torrefaction of palm kernel shell
Authors: Mueanmas C , Indum P
Published: September 2019

Plackett - Burman design (PBD) is used for screening important factors. In a PBD, the experiments are generated at various combinations of low and high values of the process variables and analyzed for their effect on the process. The purpose of this investigation was to study the statistical analysis for screening the factors affecting torrefaction of palm kernel shell (PKS). PBD was applied for screening effect of temperature, time, oxygen content, heating rate and biomass size to calorific value of torrefied PKS. The significant parameters were selected based on the analysis of variance (ANOVA) results. The results shown that the temperature and oxygen content were significant factors for the torrefaction of PKS which the respectability of received model was proved with high correlation coefficient. The result of 3D surface plots was shown that the temperature was the highest effect compared to other factors which calorific value were increased when the temperature increases. The diagnostic plots were examined for the model decency which the obtained linear model was quite good for prediction of calorific value of torrefied PKS. It was summarized that the predicted values by statistical model were close to experimental values.
Comparison of Analytical Ability of PLS and SVM Algorithm in Estimation of Moisture Content, Higher Heating Value, and Lower Heating Value of Cassava Rhizome Ground using FT-NIR Spectroscopy
Authors: Nakawajana Natrapee , Posom Jetsada
Published: September 2019

FT-NIR spectroscopy coupled with chemometrics analysis was used for nondestructive estimation of moisture content (MC), higher heating value (HHV) and lower heating value (LHV) of cassava rhizome ground. The goal of this study was compared to the analytical ability of both algorithm between PLS and SVM. The purpose was to find the effective modelling technique. The outcome was found that PLS and SVM provided good accuracy in evaluation of energy properties, and could be utilized for quality assurance. PLS algorithm gave slightly higher accuracy than SVM algorithm for the prediction of MC, HHV, and LHV. PLS regression generated no difference between measured and predicted value. PLS and SVM regression showed R2 between 0.90-0.98 and 0.84-0.90 for all parameters, respectively. The pre-processing of 2nd derivative was suitable for the PLS and SVM regression to the modelling.
Alternative medium from agricultural by-products used for a starter of vinegar fermentation
Authors: Tanamool V , Soemphol W
Published: September 2019

The objective of this research was to find a cheap agricultural waste media for the preparation of the effective starter culture of acetic acid bacteria (AAB). The alternative culture medium for AAB was compared to potato medium, preparing from pineapple peel extract (PPE) and banana juice. These media was adjusted the reducing sugar to 25 gL−1 and initial pH of 5.0 used for growing Acetobacter pasteurianus FPB2-3. The results found that this strain grew well in PPE medium comparable to potato medium and viable cells achieved the level of at least 9 log CFUmL−1 when cultured for 36 hr. While addition of banana juice, led cell growth decreased. The highest alcohol dehydrogenase (ADH) and acetaldehyde dehydrogenase (ALDH) activities in cell free extract were gained by using potato medium while the alternative media showed decrease of activity. However, these pre-culture gave acetic acid production same as the control medium, which cell completely oxidize ethanol to acetic acid. Consistently, analysis by FT-IR indicated insignificantly difference on cell components among these media. The result shows that constitutes of such agricultural by-product can be utilized as an alternative cheap inoculation media for AAB.
Isolation and characterization of chitosan from fish scale waste
Authors: Aichayawanich S , Saengprapaitip M
Published: September 2019

This research aims to study the isolated conditions that affect the characteristics of chitosan from fish scale waste which was received from fermented fish factory. The chitosan was isolated by three steps which are deproteinization, demineralization, and deacetylation. In deacetylation steps, the chitosan from fish scale was produced under conditions of 35, 45, and 55°C with 2 M NaOH for 5 hr and a ratio between chitin and NaOH equal to 1:4, 1:6, and 1:8 (w/v). The experimental results showed that the ratio between fish scale and NaOH and deacetylation temperature influenced on yield, L*, b*, and deacetylation degree of the chitosan. The yield values of the chitosan were in range of 24.94-49.84%. The chitosan had deacetylation degree was in the range of 19.17-21.64%. The viscosity of the chitosan solution was approximately 15.66 cP. The outer surface of the chitosan is rough. Moreover, the Staphylococcus aureus inhibit activity of the chitosan was not presented.
Effect of ohmic heating on colour and texture of chicken frankfurter
Authors: Lim-im J , Kulketwong C , Suwanpayak N , Thungsotanon D
Published: September 2019

Ohmic method is a heating technique using the electrical current directly through the food. In this study, the commercial chicken frankfurters were heated by an alternating current in a voltage range of 45-55 V and compared the qualities in term of colour, texture, moisture content and water activity with the non-heating. The voltage gradient was conversely correlated with the heating duration. The high voltage gradient could raise the target temperature in a short time but it provided the less shear force of specimen tenderness. On the other hand, every voltage insignificantly influenced the sausage moisture content. The large amount of the water activity was significant decreased at the voltage gradient of 50 V and the hardness and the shearing level of the sample of this intensity were similar to the non-heating sausage. The specimens with ohmic heating seemed homogeneous colour with naked eye whereas the measured values were slightly different.
The Stickiness of Fresh Noodle after Steaming Process
Authors: Aichayawanich Sawanit , Wongsa Jittimon
Published: September 2019

This research aims to study stickiness of fresh noodles after steaming process. The experimental procedures started with studying gelatinization, glass transition and surface characteristics of the fresh noodles after steaming for 0, 3, 5, 10, 15, 20, 30, 60 and 90 min. Then, temperatures of the fresh noodle were determined. Finally, force that was required to separate fresh noodles strips were investigated. Results showed that the fresh noodles were in rubbery state after steaming for less than 3 min. Moreover, after the steaming, gelatinization of the fresh noodle was not presented. Surfaces of the fresh noodles strips were not locked together after being placed in the overlap. The separation force of the fresh noodles strips was decreased with an increase of time after steaming. The separation force of the fresh noodles strips was the highest when the state of the fresh noodle was rubbery.
Effect of extrusion conditions on the physical properties of coconut rice-based extrudates
Authors: Dumchaiyapoom K , Hannanta-anan P , Phongpipatpong M
Published: September 2019

Coconut meal is a by-product of coconut oil and coconut milk production. It is a rich source of dietary fiber which shows to have an important role in lowing the risk of various chronic diseases. Therefore, it is interesting to convert the coconut meal, previously recognized as a valueless by-product, into a nutritious food product. The aim of this work is to investigate the possibility of such conversion using a widely known extrusion method. The effect of extrusion variables, including the coconut meal content (0, 6, and 12 %), glutinous rice content (5, 10 and 15%) and screw speed of extruder (380, 400 and 420 rpm) were investigated on the properties of extruded products. Physical properties of the extrudates such as expansion ratio, density, water absorption index (WAI), water solubility index (WSI), crispness and moisture content were evaluated. Our study showed that the extrudates had expansion ratio of 2.30-2.78%, density of 0.55-0.76 g/cm3, WAI of 4.24-5.50 g/g, WSI of 21.51-33.37%, crispness of 16.87-27.73 kg.sec and moisture content of 6.76-8.27%. The regression models for true density, expansion ratio, crispness, WAI and WSI were derived and statistically significant (p<0.05).
Epitaxial growth and electronic properties of few-layer stanene on InSb (1 1 1)
Authors: Zheng Xiaohu , Zhang Jian-Feng , Tong Bingbing , Du Rui-Rui
Published: September 2019

Stanene has been theoretically predicted to be a 2D topological insulator with a large band gap, potentially hosting quantum spin Hall effect at room temperature. Here, few-layer stanene films have been epitaxially grown on Sb-terminated InSb (1 1 1) surface and their structural and electrical properties are characterized. Scanning tunneling spectrum results reveal a large bulk bandgap in single-layer stanene (over 0.2 eV). Moreover, spectroscopy evidence for a filled edge state near the steps was observed. The gap decreases dramatically with increasing number of layers, and multilayer stanene should become a Dirac semimetal in the bulk limit. The changeover may involve nontrivial topological phase transitions. Clear and reproducible Shubnikov–de Haas oscillations were observed on the single-layer stanene films that were exposed to atmospheric conditions for an extended period of time, showing the possibility for device experiments using nanofabrication and magneto-transport. Our results demonstrate that the single-layer stanene is a promising topological material for exploring fundamental physics and quantum applications.
Towards photoferroic materials by design: recent progress and perspectives
Authors: Castelli Ivano E , Olsen Thomas , Chen Yunzhong
Published: September 2019

The use of photoferroic materials that combine ferroelectric and light-harvesting properties in a photovoltaic device is a promising route to significantly improving the efficiency of solar cells. These materials do not require the formation of a p−n junction and can produce photovoltages well above the value of the band gap, because of spontaneous intrinsic polarization and the formation of domain walls. From this perspective, we discuss the recent experimental progress and challenges regarding the synthesis of these materials and the theoretical discovery of novel photoferroic materials using a high-throughput approach.
A Snap-Stabilizing m-wave Algorithm for Tree Networks
Authors: Hakan Karaata Mehmet , Nais AlMutairi Anwar
Published: September 2019

In this paper, we propose the first efficient, reliable and safe snap-stabilizing $m$-$wave$ (multi-initiator wave) algorithm implementing concurrent waves started by multiple initiator processes in tree networks. Unlike its self-stabilizing counterpart and broadcast algorithms, the proposed algorithm is a reliable and safe $m$-wave algorithm, i.e. it implements an $m$-wave such that after it is started in an arbitrary initial configuration or after faults, the first $m$-wave started is guaranteed to reach all system processes as per its specification. In addition, the proposed $m$-wave algorithm increases the efficiency of the broadcast compared to a $1$-wave algorithm by allowing the broadcast to be initiated by multiple processes. Our proposed algorithm is safe in the sense that after initiating an $m$-wave, it completes as per the specifications. Additionally, it is reliable as the algorithm guarantees that each process receives at least one broadcast from an initiator process. Furthermore, the proposed algorithm significantly reduces the broadcast completion time compared to that of its single counterparts. Solutions to global-snapshots, distributed broadcast and various synchronization problems can be solved efficiently using waves with multiple concurrent initiators. In addition, the proposed algorithm has applications in mobile wireless sensor networks, VANETs and military communication networks.
The genome of Populus alba x Populus tremula var. glandulosa clone 84K
Authors: Qiu Deyou , Bai Shenglong , Ma Jianchao , Zhang Lisha , Shao Fenjuan , Zhang Kaikai , Yang Yanfang , Sun Ting , Huang Jinling , Zhou Yun , Galbraith David W , Wang Zhaoshan , Sun Guiling
Published: September 2019

Poplar 84K (Populus alba x P. tremula var. glandulosa) is a fast-growing poplar hybrid. Originated in South Korea, this hybrid has been extensively cultivated in northern China. Due to the economic and ecological importance of this hybrid and high transformability, we now report the de novo sequencing and assembly of a male individual of poplar 84K using PacBio and Hi-C technologies. The final reference nuclear genome (747.5 Mb) has a contig N50 size of 1.99 Mb and a scaffold N50 size of 19.6 Mb. Complete chloroplast and mitochondrial genomes were also assembled from the sequencing data. Based on similarities to the genomes of P. alba var. pyramidalis and P. tremula, we were able to identify two subgenomes, representing 356 Mb from P. alba (subgenome A) and 354 Mb from P. tremula var. glandulosa (subgenome G). The phased assembly allowed us to detect the transcriptional bias between the two subgenomes, and we found that the subgenome from P. tremula displayed dominant expression in both 84K and another widely used hybrid, P. tremula x P. alba. This high-quality poplar 84K genome will be a valuable resource for poplar breeding and for molecular biology studies.
Rise and Fall of an Oak Gall Wasp (Hymenoptera: Cynipidae) Outbreak in Massachusetts
Authors: Smith-Freedman Cameron J , Andersen Jeremy C , Griffin Brian P , Schick Katherine , Elkinton Joseph S
Published: September 2019

The recently described oak gall wasp Zapatella davisae Buffington & Melika (Hymenoptera: Cynipidae) has caused extensive damage and mortality to black oak trees, Quercus velutina L. (Fagales: Fagaceae), in coastal parts of New England, United States. Like many newly described and/or newly introduced species, it is unclear how long populations of Z. davisae have existed in this region. However, as this species forms galls on the woody-tissue of its host, it may be possible to obtain historical information about changes in its population size by examining the presence of galls in relation to annual growth nodes. Here, we explore the utility of this approach to determine population size changes in Z. davisae densities on Nantucket, Martha's Vineyard, and Cape Cod, Massachusetts, through dissection of black oak branches. In addition, we calculated parasitism rates during the years of study and obtained morphological and molecular identifications for the parasitoids associated with Z. davisae. Our results show significant changes in population sizes, with higher levels of parasitism at sites on Martha's Vineyard and Cape Cod compared to sites on Nantucket. In addition, morphological examinations, in combination with DNA sequencing, identified the associated parasitoids as five species in the genus Sycophila Walker (Hymenoptera: Eurytomidae). We comment that considerable morphological variation within several of these recovered species was observed, present the first record of males for a species from which only females have been described, and suggest that future work is required to clarify the species boundaries for this important parasitoid group.
A system dynamic perspective of stop–start prevention interventions in Australia
Authors: Roussy Véronique , Riley Therese , Livingstone Charles , Russell Grant
Published: September 2019

Time-limited prevention initiatives are frequently used to address complex and persisting public health issues, such as non-communicable diseases. This often creates issues in terms of achieving sustainable change. In this study, we use a system dynamic perspective to explore the effects of stop–start funding over system behaviour in two community-based initiatives designed to prevent chronic diseases and obesity. We conducted a qualitative exploratory study using complexity theory as an analytical lens of two Healthy Together Communities (HTCs) initiatives in Victoria, Australia. Data were generated from 20 semi-structured interviews with health promotion practitioners and managers, from community health and local government organizations. Template analysis based on properties of complex systems informed the inductive identification of system behaviour narratives across the stop–start life-course of HTCs. A central narrative of system behaviour emerged around relationships. Within it, we identified pre-existing contextual conditions and intervention design elements that influenced non-linearity of system self-organization and adaptation, and emergence of outcomes. Examples include cynicism, personal relationships and trust, and history of collaboration. Feedback loops operated between HTCs and these conditions, in a way that could influence long-term system behaviour. Taking a dynamic life-course view of system behaviour helps understand the pre-existing contextual factors, design and implementation influences, and feedback loops which shape the long-term legacy of short-lived interventions aimed at solving complex issues. In turn, greater awareness of such interactions can inform better design and implementation of community-based interventions.
Red Stars and Yellow Stars: The Soviet Investigation of Klooga Concentration Camp
Authors: Chan Paula
Published: September 2019

This study considers the extent to which Stalinist political goals influenced the Soviet Extraordinary State Commission’s information gathering about Nazi crimes on the local level. Examining the investigation of Klooga concentration camp in Estonia, the author compares the statements that Jewish survivors gave to commission investigators with these same survivors’ testimony preserved in other Soviet and non-Soviet sources. She argues that investigations took fundamentally different courses in different places due to local agendas and conditions. In cases such as Klooga, Jewish survivors and Soviet investigators worked together to document Nazi atrocities, creating the accurate record that Stalin’s government required to pursue its political objectives.
Systematic Review and Meta-analysis: Short-Chain Fatty Acid Characterization in Patients With Inflammatory Bowel Disease
Authors: Zhuang Xiaojun , Li Tong , Li Manying , Huang Shanshan , Qiu Yun , Feng Rui , Zhang Shenghong , Chen Minhu , Xiong Lishou , Zeng Zhirong
Published: September 2019

Background

Alterations in gut microbiota and short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) have been reported in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), but the results are conflicting. The aim of this study was to perform a meta-analysis to explore the characterization of SCFAs in IBD patients and their potential role in the occurrence and development of IBD.

Methods

Case–control studies investigating SCFAs in IBD patients were identified from several English databases. The standardized mean difference (SMD) with 95% confidence interval (CI) was calculated using the random-effects model.

Results

The SMDs of acetate, valerate, and total SCFAs in ulcerative colitis (UC) patients were –0.51 (95% CI, –0.90 to –0.13), –0.65 (95% CI, –1.02 to –0.28), and –0.51 (95% CI, –0.95 to –0.07), respectively. The SMDs of acetate, propionate, and butyrate in patients with active UC were –1.74 (95% CI, –3.15 to –0.33), –2.42 (95% CI, –4.24 to –0.60), and –1.99 (95% CI, –3.39 to –0.60), respectively. However, the SMD of butyrate in UC patients in remission was 0.72 (95% CI, 0.34 to 1.11). In addition, the SMDs of acetate, butyrate, and valerate in Crohn’s disease (CD) patients were –1.43 (95% CI, –2.81 to –0.04), –0.77 (95% CI, –1.39 to –0.14), and –0.75 (95% CI, –1.47 to –0.02), respectively. Finally, the SMDs of acetate, propionate, butyrate, valerate, and lactate in IBD patients were –2.19 (95% CI, –3.98 to –0.39), –1.64 (95% CI, –3.02 to –0.25), –1.98 (95% CI, –3.93 to –0.03), –0.55 (95% CI, –0.93 to –0.18), and 4.02 (95% CI, 1.44 to 6.61), respectively.

Conclusions

There were alterations of SCFAs in IBD patients, and inconsistent SCFA alterations were found in CD and UC. More importantly, inverse SCFA alterations existed in patients with active UC and those in remission.
Efficacy of herbal medicine TJ-14 for acute radiation-induced enteritis: a multi-institutional prospective Phase II trial
Authors: Murai Taro , Matsuo Masayuki , Tanaka Hidekazu , Manabe Yoshihiko , Takaoka Taiki , Hachiya Kae , Yamaguchi Takahiro , Otsuka Shinya , Shibamoto Yuta
Published: September 2019

The purpose of this multi-institutional Phase II trial study was to prospectively investigate the efficacy of the herbal medicine TJ-14 for acute radiation-induced enteritis (ARE). TJ-14 was administered orally as a first-line treatment for ARE. The primary end point was efficacy at 1 week. The secondary end points were: (i) the efficacy of TJ-14 at 2 and 3 weeks after its administration, (ii) the quality of life score (FACT-G) at 1, 2 and 3 weeks after its administration, and (iii) adverse events. If the efficacy of TJ-14 was observed in eight patients or fewer, its efficacy was rejected. Results: Forty patients receiving pelvic radiotherapy were enrolled. Of these, 22 developed ARE and received TJ-14. Among these, 19 had cervical cancer and 9 received chemoradiotherapy. TJ-14 efficacy was shown in 19 out of the 22 patients (86%). Stool frequency per day at 1 week significantly decreased (mean ± SD: 4.9 ± 2.1 vs 3.7 ± 1.9, P = 0.02). This effect continued at 2 (2.2 ± 1.4, P = 0.004) and 3 weeks (2.1 ± 0.9, P = 0.05). Thirteen out of the 22 patients (59%) continued TJ-14 until the end of radiotherapy. FACT-G score deterioration was not observed after the administration of TJ-14. Grade 1 hypokalemia was observed in 4 patients, and Grade 1 constipation in 3. We concluded that TJ-14 is sufficiently promising to be examined in a Phase III trial. A randomized controlled trial is currently being planned.
Introduction: Trade Union Networks and the Politics of Expertise in an Age of Afro-Asian Solidarity
Authors: Stolte Carolien
Published: September 2019

Across 1950s Afro-Asia, the ongoing process of political decolonization occurred in tandem with increased connection between the local, the regional, and the global. A variety of internationalist movements emerged, much more polyphonic than the voices of the political leaders who had gathered at the Bandung Conference. Trade union networks played a particularly important role not just in organizing labor but in connecting local unions to regional and global ones. These networks were held together by exchanges between local African and Asian trade unions and large international federations such as the World Federation of Trade Unions and the International Confederation of Free Trade Unions. But they were held together at least as much by more horizontal connections in pursuit of Afro-Asian solidarity. Many of the latter built on anti-imperialist alliances, revived or reconstituted, dating back to the interwar years. A focus on the trade-union internationalism of the period can recover a “chronology of possibility” in early Cold War Afro-Asia that has since become obscured by the internationalist failings of the 1960s. It also demonstrates the limited analytical value of the term “non-alignment” for the broader Afro-Asian moment during the early years of the Cold War. Instead, it recasts the 1950s as a global moment for Afro-Asia, in which internationalists built networks that were elastic enough to encompass a wide variety of actors and ideas and resistant enough to withstand the pressure of bodies larger and more powerful.
Leptospirosis Seroconversion Surveillance Among US Marines Assigned to Japan, 2011–2015
Authors: Chen Hua-Wei , Zhang Zhiwen , Belinskaya Tatyana , Williams Maya , Ching Wei-Mei
Published: September 2019

Introduction: Leptospirosis is a global zoonotic disease spread through contact with contaminated water/soil. The US soldiers at the military bases in these countries are extremely vulnerable, as most of them are immunologically naïve to the responsible pathogen. No recent sero-epidemiological data of leptospirosis among US Marines stationed in Japan were available. Materials and Methods: In this study, we analyzed the presence of leptospirosis in US Marines stationed in Japan. One thousand posttour sera samples were analyzed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay for Leptospira-specific Immunoglobulin G. Results: Among these 1,000 posttour samples, 85 of them were positive and corresponding pretour samples were analyzed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay also. Seroconversion occurred for 35 (3.5%) Marines during their assignment to Japan. These results also indicate that 50 Marine personnels were exposed to leptospires before their assignment to Japan, perhaps because of previous exposure to leptospires at home. Conclusion: The 5% rate of seroconversion in 2013 and 2014 suggests that leptospirosis is a potential threat for Marines in the endemic region in Japan.
Morpho-photometric redshifts
Authors: Menou Kristen
Published: September 2019

Machine learning (ML) is one of two standard approaches (together with SED fitting) for estimating the redshifts of galaxies when only photometric information is available. ML photo-z solutions have traditionally ignored the morphological information available in galaxy images or partly included it in the form of hand-crafted features, with mixed results. We train a morphology-aware photometric redshift machine using modern deep learning tools. It uses a custom architecture that jointly trains on galaxy fluxes, colours, and images. Galaxy-integrated quantities are fed to a Multi-Layer Perceptron (MLP) branch, while images are fed to a convolutional (convnet) branch that can learn relevant morphological features. This split MLP-convnet architecture, which aims to disentangle strong photometric features from comparatively weak morphological ones, proves important for strong performance: a regular convnet-only architecture, while exposed to all available photometric information in images, delivers comparatively poor performance. We present a cross-validated MLP-convnet model trained on 130 000 SDSS-DR12 (Sloan Digital Sky Survey – Data Release 12) galaxies that outperforms a hyperoptimized Gradient Boosting solution (hyperopt+XGBoost), as well as the equivalent MLP-only architecture, on the redshift bias metric. The fourfold cross-validated MLP-convnet model achieves a bias δz/(1 + z) = −0.70 ± 1 × 10−3, approaching the performance of a reference ANNZ2 ensemble of 100 distinct models trained on a comparable data set. The relative performance of the morphology-aware and morphology-blind models indicates that galaxy morphology does improve ML-based photometric redshift estimation.
Non-thermal emission in radio galaxy lobes – II. Centaurus A, Centaurus B, and NGC 6251
Authors: Persic Massimo , Rephaeli Yoel
Published: September 2019

Radio and γ-ray measurements of large lobes of several radio galaxies provide adequate basis for determining whether emission in these widely separated spectral regions is largely by energetic electrons. This is very much of interest as there is of yet no unequivocal evidence for a significant energetic proton component to account for γ-ray emission by neutral pion decay. A quantitative assessment of the pion yield spectral distribution necessitates full accounting of the local and background radiation fields in the lobes; indeed, doing so in our recent analysis of the spectral energy distribution of the Fornax A lobes considerably weakened previous conclusions on the hadronic origin of the emission measured by the Fermi satellite. We present the results of similar analyses of the measured radio, X-ray, and γ-ray emission from the lobes of Centaurus A, Centaurus B, and NGC 6251. The results indicate that the measured γ-ray emission from these lobes can be accounted for by Compton scattering of the radio-emitting electrons off the superposed radiation fields in the lobes; consequently, we set upper bounds on the energetic proton contents of the lobes.
The prevalence of pseudo-bulges in the Auriga simulations
Authors: Gargiulo Ignacio D , Monachesi Antonela , Gómez Facundo A , Grand Robert J J , Marinacci Federico , Pakmor Rüdiger , White Simon D M , Bell Eric F , Fragkoudi Francesca , Tissera Patricia
Published: September 2019

We study the galactic bulges in the Auriga simulations, a suite of 30 cosmological magneto-hydrodynamical zoom-in simulations of late-type galaxies in Milky Way sized dark matter haloes performed with the moving-mesh code arepo. We aim to characterize bulge formation mechanisms in this large suite of galaxies simulated at high resolution in a fully cosmological context. The bulges of the Auriga galaxies show a large variety in their shapes, sizes, and formation histories. According to observational classification criteria, such as Sérsic index and degree of ordered rotation, the majority of the Auriga bulges can be classified as pseudo-bulges, while some of them can be seen as composite bulges with a classical component; however, none can be classified as a classical bulge. Auriga bulges show mostly an in situ origin, $21{{\ \rm per\ cent}}$ of them with a negligible accreted fraction (facc < 0.01). In general, their in situ component was centrally formed, with ${\sim}75{{\ \rm per\ cent}}$ of the bulges forming most of their stars inside the bulge region at z = 0. Part of their in situ mass growth is rapid and is associated with the effects of mergers, while another part is more secular in origin. In $90{{\ \rm per\ cent}}$ of the Auriga bulges, the accreted bulge component originates from less than four satellites. We investigate the relation between the accreted stellar haloes and the bulges of the Auriga simulations. The total bulge mass shows no correlation with the accreted stellar halo mass, as in observations. However, the accreted mass of bulges tends to correlate with their respective accreted stellar halo mass.
A polar filter in DNA polymerases prevents ribonucleotide incorporation
Authors: Johnson Mary K , Kottur Jithesh , Nair Deepak T
Published: September 2019

The presence of ribonucleotides in DNA can lead to genomic instability and cellular lethality. To prevent adventitious rNTP incorporation, the majority of the DNA polymerases (dPols) possess a steric filter. The dPol named MsDpo4 (Mycobacterium smegmatis) naturally lacks this steric filter and hence is capable of rNTP addition. The introduction of the steric filter in MsDpo4 did not result in complete abrogation of the ability of this enzyme to incorporate ribonucleotides. In comparison, DNA polymerase IV (PolIV) from Escherichia coli exhibited stringent selection for deoxyribonucleotides. A comparison of MsDpo4 and PolIV led to the discovery of an additional polar filter responsible for sugar selectivity. Thr43 represents the filter in PolIV and this residue forms interactions with the incoming nucleotide to draw it closer to the enzyme surface. As a result, the 2’-OH in rNTPs will clash with the enzyme surface, and therefore ribonucleotides cannot be accommodated in the active site in a conformation compatible with productive catalysis. The substitution of the equivalent residue in MsDpo4–Cys47, with Thr led to a drastic reduction in the ability of the mycobacterial enzyme to incorporate rNTPs. Overall, our studies evince that the polar filter serves to prevent ribonucleotide incorporation by dPols.
Recurrent Hemispheric Stroke Syndromes in Symptomatic Atherosclerotic Internal Carotid Artery Occlusions: The Carotid Occlusion Surgery Study Randomized Trial
Authors: Nahab Fadi , Liu Michael , Rahman Haseeb A , Rangaraju Srikant , Barrow Daniel , Cawley C Michael , Grubb Robert L , Derdeyn Colin P , Adams Harold P , Videen Tom O , Zimmerman M Bridget , Powers William J ,   on behalf of the COSS Investigators
Published: September 2019

BACKGROUND

There are limited data on outcomes of extracranial-intracranial (EC-IC) bypass in patients with recurrent hemispheric syndromes due to atherosclerotic internal carotid artery occlusion (AICAO).

OBJECTIVE

To compare clinical outcomes and efficacy of EC-IC bypass surgery in patients with and without recurrent hemispheric syndromes associated with AICAO in the Carotid Occlusion Surgery Study (COSS).

METHODS

In patients enrolled in the COSS trial, we compared baseline characteristics and clinical outcomes for participants with (rHEMI+) and without recurrent hemispheric ischemia (rHEMI−) prior to randomization into surgical vs medical groups. The primary outcome was all stroke and death from randomization through 30 d and ipsilateral ischemic stroke within 2 yr.

RESULTS

Of 195 randomized participants, 100 were rHEMI+ (50 in each group). Baseline characteristics between rHEMI+ and rHEMI− participants were similar except rHEMI+ were more likely to have had previous stroke prior to randomization (61% vs 20%, P < .01) and to have TIA as the entry event (59% vs 21%, P < .01). All primary endpoints were ipsilateral ischemic strokes. There were no significant differences in occurrence of the primary endpoint between nonsurgical and surgical participants in rHEMI+ (26.3% vs 22.4%, P = .660) and rHEMI− (18.9% vs 19.5%, P = .943). For nonsurgical participants, there was no significant difference in the primary endpoint for rHEMI+ vs rHEMI− patients (P = .410)

CONCLUSION

Patients with recurrent hemispheric stroke syndromes enrolled in the COSS trial did not show benefit from EC-IC bypass compared to medical treatment. Early aggressive risk factor measures should be prioritized to reduce recurrent strokes in these patients.
Disease-specific quality of life following a flare in systemic lupus erythematosus: an item response theory analysis of the French EQUAL cohort
Authors: Corneloup Marie , Maurier François , Wahl Denis , Muller Geraldine , Aumaitre Olivier , Seve Pascal , Blaison Gilles , Pennaforte Jean-Loup , Martin Thierry , Magy-Bertrand Nadine , Berthier Sabine , Arnaud Laurent , Bourredjem Abderrahmane , Amoura Zahir , Devilliers Hervé ,   for the EQUAL Study Group
Published: September 2019

Objective

To explore, at an item-level, the effect of disease activity (DA) on specific health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in SLE patients using an item response theory longitudinal model.

Methods

This prospective longitudinal multicentre French cohort EQUAL followed SLE patients over 2 years. Specific HRQoL according to LupusQoL and SLEQOL was collected every 3 months. DA according to SELENA-SLEDAI flare index (SFI) and revised SELENA-SLEDAI flare index (SFI-R) was evaluated every 6 months. Regarding DA according to SFI and each SFI-R type of flare, specific HRQoL of remitting patients was compared with non-flaring patients fitting a linear logistic model with relaxed assumptions for each domain of the questionnaires.

Results

Between December 2011 and July 2015, 336 patients were included (89.9% female). LupusQoL and SLEQOL items related to physical HRQoL (physical health, physical functioning, pain) were most affected by musculoskeletal and cutaneous flares. Cutaneous flares had significant influence on self-image. Neurological or psychiatric flares had a more severe impact on specific HRQoL. Patient HRQoL was impacted up to 18 months after a flare.

Conclusion

Item response theory analysis is able to pinpoint items that are influenced by a given patient group in terms of a latent trait change. Item-level analysis provides a new way of interpreting HRQoL variation in SLE patients, permitting a better understanding of DA impact on HRQoL. This kind of analysis could be easily implemented for the comparison of groups in a clinical trial.

Trial registration

ClinicalTrials.gov, http://clinicaltrials.gov, NCT01904812.
Internal Capital Markets in Times of Crisis: The Benefit of Group Affiliation*
Authors: Santioni Raffaele , Schiantarelli Fabio , Strahan Philip E
Published: September 2019

Firms affiliated with business groups survive the stress of the global financial and euro crises better than unaffiliated firms. Using granular data from Italy, we show that better performance stems partly from access to an internal capital market, as the survival value of group-affiliated firms increases with group-wide cash flow. Internal cash transfers increase when banks’ health deteriorates, with funds moving from cash-rich to cash-poor firms and, some evidence suggests, to firms with favorable investment opportunities. Internal capital markets’ role thus increases when external markets (banks) are distressed.
Evolution of a hyper-complex intromittent organ in rove beetles – the endophallus of Xantholinini (Staphylinidae: Coleoptera)
Authors: Zhou Yu-Lingzi , Zhou Hong-Zhang , Ślipiński Adam , Beutel Rolf G
Published: September 2019

Studies on the functional morphology and evolution of genitalia have been crucial to understanding sexual traits in speciation, reproductive isolation and sexual selection in Coleoptera and insects in general. However, the focus of investigation of the intromittent organ of beetles was largely confined to the sclerotized elements of the aedeagus, whereas the membranous structures of the endophallus (=internal sac) have often not been adequately considered. Using a micro-operating technique, we observed living male rove beetles and found five different types of endophallus eversion and related morphological modifications. Analysing genital data of a larger sample of Xantholinini, we could demonstrate that endophallus complexity and modifications tend to vary inversely with the median lobe (penis: intromittent organ). Our comparative morphological study, combined with a molecular phylogenetic analysis, suggests that endophallus spiralling occurring after endophallus eversion is an innovation in beetle evolution.
Prognostic Factors for Drop Foot Due to Lumbar Degenerative Diseases
Authors: Masuda Soichiro , Kanba Yusuke , Kawai Jun , Ikeda Noboru
Published: September 2019

Study Design:

Retrospective clinical series.

Objective:

To investigate the prognostic factors for the improvement of drop foot caused by degenerative lumbar disease after surgery.

Summary of Background Data:

Drop foot may be caused by lumbar spinal diseases and may affect daily life. There are limited data regarding predictors of drop foot, especially surgical timing.

Methods:

We retrospectively reviewed data from 87 patients with drop foot. Prognostic factors and precise timing of surgery affecting drop foot improvement were examined by multivariate logistic regression analysis.

Results:

Forty patients (46.0%) recovered from drop foot after surgery. Age [odds ratio (OR)=0.93; 95% confidence interval (CI), 0.87−0.98; P=0.01], preoperative anterior tibialis muscle strength (OR=12.0; 95% CI, 2.41−59.9; P=0.002), and duration of drop foot before surgery (OR=3.59; 95% CI, 1.09−11.8; P=0.04) were significant prognostic factors. Two months was the most appropriate cutoff for surgery after appearance of symptoms.

Conclusions:

Age, preoperative tibialis anterior muscle strength, and duration of drop foot were statistically significant prognostic factors of recovery from drop foot. Surgery within 2 months after the onset of drop foot may improve postoperative outcome.
Management of Herniated Lumbar Disk Disease and Cauda Equina Syndrome in Pregnancy
Authors: Ahern Daniel P. , Gibbons Denys , Johnson Gillian P. , Murphy Timothy M. , Schroeder Greg D. , Vaccaro Alexander R. , Butler Joseph S.
Published: September 2019

Lower back pain is a commonly reported symptom during pregnancy. However, herniated lumbar disk disease is an uncommon cause for such pain. Cauda equina syndrome (CES) during pregnancy is a rare clinical scenario. This review highlights the epidemiology, diagnostic and treatment strategies, and challenges encountered when managing herniated lumbar disk disease and CES in pregnancy. Magnetic resonance imaging is the diagnostic modality of choice. Nonoperative treatment strategies are successful in the vast majority of cases in patients with a herniated disk in the absence of CES. CES and progressive neurological deficits remain absolute indications for surgical intervention regardless of gestational age. For such patients or those with debilitating symptoms refractory to nonoperative treatment strategies, surgery has been demonstrated to be safe in the pregnant patient population. However, surgery should be performed with obstetric and midwifery support should complications occur to the fetus.
A Reconstructive Extensor Tendon Centralization Technique for Sagittal Band Disruption
Authors: Vyrva Oleksandra , Kvann Julie , Karpinsky Michael , Ozyurekoglu Tuna
Published: September 2019

Sagittal band injuries may result in extensor digitorum communis (EDC) tendon instability and may require operative treatment for symptomatic loss of extension, pain, and snapping at the metacarpophalangeal joint (MCPJ). Operative methods vary according to the source of donor tissue, as well as the anchor point of attachment. We present a surgical technique that diminishes tension of the repair with MCPJ flexion. Twenty-two EDC tendon stabilization procedures were performed between 2006 and 2017 using a tendon flap method. The selection criteria for this group of patients included completely dislocating extensor tendons with persistent complaints of pain and decrease in finger extension despite at least a 6-week conservative treatment attempt. All subjects underwent surgical treatment for tendon centralization using a distally based tendinous flap from the EDC sutured to the adjacent finger volar plate. A mathematical model was developed to analyze repair tension at 30, 60, and 90 degrees of MCPJ flexion calculating the flap length difference of 2 attachment points: deep transverse metacarpal ligament versus adjacent volar plate. Centralization was maintained in all digits with no evidence of subluxation at final postoperative evaluation. Clinical symptoms of pain and weakness resolved in all patients. Mathematical modeling provided evidence that translation of the anchor point of reconstructed flap to the volar plate of the adjacent finger resulted in lower tensile forces when compared with attachment at the intermetacarpal ligament. This optimized forces on reconstructed tendon flap experienced during MCPJ flexion.

Level of Evidence: Level IV—therapeutic, case series.
Morcellation for Gynecologic Surgery
Authors: PARKER WILLIAM , PRITTS ELIZABETH , OLIVE DAVID
Published: September 2019

Morcellation is necessary for many women with fibroids who choose to undergo laparoscopic myomectomy or hysterectomy. After open and laparoscopic myomectomy, myometrial cells can be detected in the abdomen and pelvis. After morcellation, careful inspection for and removal of tissue fragments and copious irrigation and suctioning of fluid can remove residual tissue with or without the use of containment bags. Leiomyosarcoma has a poor prognosis because of early hematogenous metastasis and has a high propensity for recurrence despite the performance of total abdominal hysterectomy. Eliminating residual tissue in the pelvis and abdomen should be the goal after morcellation.
Factors Influencing Sun Protection Behaviors Among Patients With Skin Cancer: An Application of the Information–Motivation–Behavioral Skills Model
Authors: Nahar Vinayak K. , Black William H. , Ford M. Allison , Bass Martha A. , Bentley John P. , Johnson Paul , Brodell Robert T.
Published: September 2019

This study aimed to assess predictors of sun protection behaviors based on the information–motivation–behavioral skills (IMB) model among people diagnosed with nonmelanoma skin cancer (NMSC). For this descriptive, cross-sectional study, a convenience sample of 311 patients with NMSC was recruited at a medical center in Mississippi. Patients were invited to complete a face- and content-valid, IMB-model-based questionnaire. The average age of the participants was 64.12 (±12.02) years, and most (58.8%) were male. Most participants indicated not using sun protection behaviors while outdoors. Findings showed that sun protection behaviors were directly predicted by self-efficacy (standardized path coefficient = 0.504, p < .001) and social support (standardized path coefficient = 0.199, p = .010). In addition, sun protection behavior was indirectly predicted (through self-efficacy) by social support (standardized indirect effect = 0.160, p < .001) and attitudes (standardized indirect effect = 0.192, p = .001). The explained variances for self-efficacy and sun protection behaviors were 43% and 35.4%, respectively. In conclusion, the IMB model appears to be a useful theoretical framework for predicting sun protection behaviors among patients with NMSC. Sun safety intervention programs should be developed based on this theoretical model for patients with NMSC.
Injectable Deoxycholic Acid (ATX-101, Kybella) for Nonsurgical Submental Contouring
Authors: Zito Patrick M. , Nagrani Nicole K.
Published: September 2019

Drugs are medications or substances that are used to modify physiologic responses and alleviate associated symptoms. In dermatology, medications and substances are utilized on a daily basis and include topical treatments to anesthetics in micrographic surgery to biologic-acting immunologic agents. The purposes of this section are to focus on drug, specifically how it works and how it is utilized, and to discuss routine alternatives (if available). In this column, we will focus on the uses, mechanism of action, adverse effects, and alternatives to injectable deoxycholic acid (ATX-101, Kybella), a new nonsurgical agent in esthetic reduction of submental fat.