bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The new privatized market: A question of ideology or pragmatism within the Swedish addiction treatment system?
Authors: Storbjörk Jessica , Stenius Kerstin
Published: June 2018

Given its traditions of universal welfarism and social democracy, Sweden had already scored unexpectedly high on New Public Management by the 1980s. Health and welfare services remain primarily tax‐funded, but the production of care is increasingly transferred to a competitive quasi‐market. To what extent can this development be understood in terms of right‐wing governments, and to what extent in terms of other, socioeconomic and pragmatic factors? We examined this question through official statistics on providers of institutional addiction care since 1976, and through the total expenditure and purchases by local‐level municipal social services of interventions for substance users in Sweden in 1999, 2004, 2009, and 2014. We have analyzed the distribution across public and private providers within the addiction treatment system, and whether national developments and local differences across the 290 municipalities—which bear the major treatment responsibility—can be understood in terms of local‐level political majority, population size, and local wealth. The share of purchased services has remained stable, but the treatment system shows increasing financial turnover and an increasing share of for‐profit providers among producers of purchased care, especially in outpatient treatment. While venture capital enterprises emerged as a new actor, non‐governmental organizations lost out in importance. Bourgeois government correlated with larger shares of purchasing and purchases from for‐profit providers. However, purchasing on a market dominated by for‐profit providers has also become the “new normal”, regardless of ideology, and recent years have shown a reversed effect of left‐wing municipalities purchasing more services than right‐wing governments. Pragmatic reasons also influence local‐level purchasing.
Comparison of seven water retention functions used for modelling soil hydraulic conductivity due to film flow
Authors: Liao K. , Zhou Z. , Li Y. , Lai X. , Zhu Q. , Shan N.
Published: June 2018

The unsaturated soil hydraulic conductivity accounting for film flow is important for understanding soil hydrological and biological processes, especially in arid and semi‐arid regions. Recently, a theoretically based hydraulic conductivity model was developed to describe the hydraulic conductivity as a function of water content. We have used this model to compare seven soil water retention functions commonly used for predicting soil hydraulic conductivity due to film flow. A total of 30 soils, varying in basic properties, were selected from the Unsaturated Soil Hydraulic Database to evaluate the seven functions. The Webb method was applied to identify the critical soil matric potential (hc) below which thin film flow controls water movement. Soil hydraulic conductivity measurements at matric potential below hc were then used for curve fitting according to the seven functions. Slight differences were observed among the functions in predicting soil hydraulic conductivity due to film flow. Six of the seven functions in combination with the hydraulic conductivity model described the hydraulic conductivity due to film flow well, according to the terms of the coefficient of efficiency. The relatively poor performance of the one exception was due to the fact that the linear shape of the function made it less flexible at low matric potentials. In addition, the effect of textural class on its performance was substantial, showing a poorer fit for the sand soil compared with the loam and clay soils. These findings have important applications related to soil and water resources conservation especially in arid and semi‐arid regions.
The limits of GIS: Towards a GIS of place
Authors: Giordano Alberto , Cole Tim
Published: June 2018

In this article we reflect back on our decade‐long collaboration on the geographies of the Holocaust to argue for a GIS of place. Our previous work on ghettoization in Budapest and on the spatio‐temporal patterns of Jewish persecution in Italy had a marked spatial dimension, both in the research questions we set out to answer and the methods we used, which were largely quantitative. During the course of our research, we progressively came to realize that a spatial perspective favors the voice of the perpetrator and that to fully comprehend and understand the geography of the Holocaust, we needed to engage with the voice of the victim, extend the set of methods and tools used, and broaden our epistemology. While proposing a fully‐fledged model of a qualitative GIS of the places and spaces of the Holocaust is beyond the scope of this article, we: (a) argue for the integration of social network analysis, corpus linguistics, and spatio‐temporal methods and for a mixed‐methods analytical approach and (b) note how the topological and relational foundations we identify as fundamental to a GIS of place parallel the long‐standing call for an “integrated history” of the Holocaust.
Pinaceae show elevated rates of gene turnover that are robust to incomplete gene annotation
Authors: Casola Claudio , Koralewski Tomasz E.
Published: June 2018

Gene duplications and gene losses are major determinants of genome evolution and phenotypic diversity. The frequency of gene turnover (gene gains and gene losses combined) is known to vary between organisms. Comparative genomic analyses of gene families can highlight such variation; however, estimates of gene turnover may be biased when using highly fragmented genome assemblies resulting in poor gene annotations. Here, we address potential biases introduced by gene annotation errors in estimates of gene turnover frequencies in a dataset including both well‐annotated angiosperm genomes and the incomplete gene sets of four Pinaceae, including two pine species, Norway spruce and Douglas‐fir. We show that Pinaceae experienced higher gene turnover rates than angiosperm lineages lacking recent whole‐genome duplications. This finding is robust to both known major issues in Pinaceae gene sets: missing gene models and erroneous annotation of pseudogenes. A separate analysis limited to the four Pinaceae gene sets pointed to an accelerated gene turnover rate in pines compared with Norway spruce and Douglas‐fir. Our results indicate that gene turnover significantly contributes to genome variation and possibly to speciation in Pinaceae, particularly in pines. Moreover, these findings indicate that reliable estimates of gene turnover frequencies can be discerned in incomplete and potentially inaccurate gene sets. Because gymnosperms are known to exhibit low overall substitution rates compared with angiosperms, our results suggest that the rate of single‐base pair mutations is uncoupled from the rate of large DNA duplications and deletions associated with gene turnover in Pinaceae.
Autonomous and non‐autonomous functions of the maize Shohai1 gene, encoding a RWP‐RK putative transcription factor, in regulation of embryo and endosperm development
Authors: Mimura Manaki , Kudo Toru , Wu Shan , McCarty Donald R. , Suzuki Masaharu
Published: June 2018

In plants, establishment of the basic body plan during embryogenesis involves complex processes of axis formation, cell fate specification and organ differentiation. While molecular mechanisms of embryogenesis have been well studied in the eudicot Arabidopsis, only a small number of genes regulating embryogenesis has been identified in grass species. Here, we show that a RKD‐type RWP‐RK transcription factor encoded by Shohai1 (Shai1) is indispensable for embryo and endosperm development in maize. Loss of Shai1 function causes variable morphological defects in the embryo including small scutellum, shoot axis bifurcation and arrest during early organogenesis. Analysis of molecular markers in mutant embryos reveals disturbed patterning of gene expression and altered polar auxin transport. In contrast with typical embryo‐defective (emb) mutants that expose a vacant embryo pocket in the endosperm, the endosperm of shai1 kernels conforms to the varied size and shape of the embryo. Furthermore, genetic analysis confirms that Shai1 is required for autonomous formation of the embryo pocket in endosperm of emb mutants. Analyses of genetic mosaic kernels generated by B–A translocation revealed that expression of Shai1 in the endosperm could partially rescue a shai1 mutant embryo and suggested that Shai1 is involved in non‐cell autonomous signaling from endosperm that supports normal embryo growth. Taken together, we propose that the Shai1 gene functions in regulating embryonic patterning during grass embryogenesis partly by endosperm‐to‐embryo interaction.
Improved Overhead Contact System Operation With Inclined Pendulum Suspension
Authors: White Paul F. , Keo Daria S. , Kola Gerti
Published: June 2018

Overhead Contact Systems for electric transit vehicles utilize catenary or single contact wire suspended from cantilevers, bracket arms or span wires. For single contact wire, inclined pendulum suspension provides optimal performance for pantograph or trolley pole current collectors, though it is under-utilized in the United States. Typical suspension for single contact wire consists of direct suspension hangers or stitch suspension with steady arms where stagger is achieved by pulling off the contact wire with the hanger (direct suspension) or steady arms (stitch suspension). This results in the full weight of the contact wire in the span length being supported by the stitch or line insulator. This rigid point of attachment results in a heavy, stiff suspension leading to current collector bouncing, arcing and premature contact wire wear as the upward movement of the wire is restricted and a hard spot is created. It also results in excessive sag at elevated temperatures and contributes to an increased angle at the support span approach.

Inclined pendulums can be utilized in constant tension systems or variable tensioned systems where they impart a semi-constant tensioning into the line and keep the wire tension relatively stable over a particular temperature range. The expansion/contraction of the contact wire is taken up in the inclination of the pendulums where they rise or fall so that the tension and sag in the contact wire remains relatively consistent. In addition, they provide less resistance to uplift of the current collectors at the suspension point so that rising of the contact wire occurs as the collector approaches and passes under it. The vertical angle of the contact wire approaching the span support is kept to minimum levels and collector performance during hot weather conditions tends to remain trouble free. Further, the energy wave set up in the wire from the moving collector is not grossly reflected at the suspension point as with direct suspension thus allowing the collector to pass through smoothly without bounce or loss of continuous contact.

This paper describes the benefits of inclined pendulums in constant and variable tensioned systems such as creating a semi-constant tensioning effect, preventing current collector bounce and premature contact wire wear at the supports by reducing the uplift resistance on current collectors. It also provides the least visual obtrusiveness of all the suspension systems. In addition, this paper will present the associated costs of the inclined pendulum suspensions.
Effect of Geogrid Inclusion on Ballast Resilient Modulus: The Concept of ‘Geogrid Gain Factor’
Authors: Mahmud S. M. Naziur , Mishra Debakanta , Potyondy David O.
Published: June 2018

Geogrid reinforcement of railroad ballast improves its structural response under loading, limits lateral movement of ballast particles, and reduces vertical settlement through effective geogrid-ballast interlocking. This improved performance can be linked to improved shear strength and resilient modulus properties. An ongoing research study at Boise State University is focusing on investigating the effects of different specimen and test parameters on the mechanism of geogrid-ballast interaction. A commercially available Discrete Element Modeling (DEM) program (PFC3D®) is being used for this purpose, and the effect of geogrid inclusion is being quantified through calculation of the “Geogrid Gain Factor”, defined as the ratio between resilient-modulus of a geogrid-reinforced ballast specimen and that of an unreinforced specimen. Typical load-unload cycles in triaxial shear strength tests are being simulated, and parametric studies are being conducted to determine the effects of particle-size distribution, geogrid aperture size, and geogrid location on railroad-ballast modulus. This paper presents findings from the research study, and presents inferences concerning implications of the study findings on design and construction of better-performing ballast layers.
A Literature Review of Rail Defect Causal Factors
Authors: Milo Daniel , Principe Liana , Deng Jieyi , Zhou Kang , Liu Xiang
Published: June 2018

Rail defects are a significant safety concern for the world’s railway systems. Broken rails may lead to the catastrophic derailment of vehicles and have severe consequences including death, injury and economic losses. Precise estimation of the impact of descriptive factors on the occurrence of rail fatigue defects is of great significance for the development of rail defect statistical prediction models. Meanwhile, improvement of prediction models will assist railroads in allocating inspection maintenance resources efficiently. Thus, this paper focuses on reviewing principal risk factors affecting the occurrence of rail defects. A better understanding of the influence of rail defect explanatory factors could aid in model improvement. Previous data collection and analysis in rail defects are highlighted in this review in order to improve the understanding of the impact of potential risk factors. The overview of rail defects aims to aid researchers in improving their understanding of what factors affect the occurrence of rail fatigue defects and how to analyze these factors during the processing of statistical models.
A Performance-Based Approach to Concrete Freeze-Thaw Durability
Authors: Song Yu , Das Arnesh , Lange David A. , Mosavi Hossein , Riding Kyle
Published: June 2018

Concrete railroad ties can experience deterioration from freezing and thawing in cold climates typical to many railroads. Materials and manufacturing processes used to make concrete railroad ties can be controlled to give ties a long period of frost immunity. A performance-based criterion for selection of concrete materials and durability requirements would allow plants more flexibility in material selection and improve overall performance in the field. A new performance-based approach is described to concrete freeze-thaw quality control. In order to accommodate implementation, work was performed at a precast concrete railroad tie manufacturing plant to compare currently used concrete freeze-thaw quality control methods to the proposed performance-based method. This comparison is described to illustrate the benefits of this new performance-based approach.
Configuration Management Coordination With Asset Management As Applied to Rail Transportation
Authors: Donohue Brian P. , Cripps Louis
Published: June 2018

Configuration Management (CM) has been traced back to the early 1950s where the principles were first applied as change management for computer hardware. CM was later expanded to early software development which has continued to the modern age. While the mantra has not changed in 60+ years — to define and manage change — updated techniques have streamlined the process making it easier to implement and more responsive in utilization in order to keep pace with changes for both micro (software) and macro (large-scale infrastructure project) applications. In order to advance the state of good repair (SGR) for rail and transit assets in the United States, CM has become an essential tool and must coordinate with Project Integration and Asset Management so that an organized process for change control with accurate record keeping can be established and maintained long term. The importance of CM has also been mandated at the Federal level for rail assets under 49 CFR 236. To bring wider understanding of CM to the industry, this paper will present Configuration Management and Project Integration techniques as applied to rail transportation infrastructure including assets that must meet Federal regulations, and it will discuss the coordination between CM, Integration and Asset Management under the SGR initiative. This is the final paper in a series that began in 2012, presented at the Joint Rail Conferences, and featured Denver Transit Partners (DTP) and the Denver Eagle P3.
Passenger Vehicle Characterization, Modeling, Validation, and Sensitivity Analysis
Authors: Klopp Adam , Schultz Jack , Tajaddini Ali
Published: June 2018

As part of the vehicle qualification process, the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) currently requires in its track and passenger equipment safety standards that a validated vehicle model be used to demonstrate safe dynamic vehicle response to allowable track geometry variations. Transportation Technology Center, Inc. (TTCI) was contracted by FRA to characterize, model, and analyze a high speed passenger vehicle in order to provide guidance related to the vehicle qualification process. The overall objective of the project was to evaluate methods required to demonstrate the validity of a vehicle dynamics model project and investigate how different input parameters affect the accuracy of the model. The project consisted of four main tasks: (1) characterize a high speed passenger vehicle; (2) develop a mathematical model of the vehicle using measured parameters; (3) validate the mathematical model using on-track tests; and (4) conduct a sensitivity analysis of the vehicle model to determine the critical parameters.

FRA tasked TTCI with applying the testing and modeling methodology to FRA’s DOTX 216 geometry car. Specific parameters were identified that needed to be measured in order to develop a dynamic vehicle model of the car. A characterization test regime was outlined and performed to determine the necessary mass, stiffness, and damping characteristics, and the measured parameter values were used to create a mathematical model of the vehicle using TTCI’s NUCARS®* dynamic modeling software. A series of on-track validation tests were performed on different tracks at the Transportation Technology Center (TTC) using the DOTX 216 car to facilitate model validation efforts. The model was then used to simulate the on-track testing regime conducted at TTC. Model validation was evaluated using displacement, acceleration, and wheel/rail force measurements. Results from the simulations and test data were compared using multiple methods to demonstrate the validation of the DOTX 216 model. TTCI also conducted a parameter sensitivity analysis using the validated model to assess its sensitivity to changes in different parameter values and to identify the most critical parameters for simulating passenger vehicles. The testing, modeling, and model validation methodology described in this work provide a practical example of developing a validated vehicle model for use in the vehicle qualification process.
Analysis of Wheel Impact Load Detector (WILD) System Implementation on Metro-North Railroad
Authors: Stewart Monique , Flynn Edward , Pouryousef Hamed , Singh Som P. , Prabhakaran Anand
Published: June 2018

The Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) has partnered with Metro-North Railroad (MNR), Long Island Rail Road (LIRR) and New York & Atlantic Railway (NYA) to promote operations safety through implementation of wayside detection systems and technologies. Under this partnership, opportunities were identified to enhance safety operations through the analysis of existing and planned wheel impact load detector (WILD) installations and operational procedures, including recommendations for future wayside detection systems implementations on these networks.

Currently, MNR has a four-detector system operating near the Grand Central Terminal, since 2010. This paper includes an analysis of this WILD system and its impact on rolling stock maintenance. The analysis shows that the WILD system has gradually reduced the annual average number of high impact load wheels from 0.32/car in 2010 to 0.27/car in 2015.

Review of data from the detectors on four tracks at the WILD site shows that train operations below a certain speed has a significant effect on the detection rate and should be a major consideration in selecting a location for WILD installation.

The data show that the highest number of high impact wheels is detected in the month of November, potentially due to leaves on the rails during fall season.

Our analysis shows that the currently used trigger threshold of dynamic ratio (DR)≥3 at MNR provides well-reasoned balance between the available fleet, maintenance demand and the maintenance shop capacity. At this threshold setting, the number of wheels detected per million wheel passages is quite small indicating a well maintained fleet.
Modelling the Relationship(s) Between Safety and Operational Performance
Authors: Wemakor W. , Jack A. , Schmid F.
Published: June 2018

Models have the ability to represent a specific viewpoint of situations or circumstances in the real world. This paper facilitates the understanding of the relationship between railway safety and operational performance by providing an overview of performance models and presenting a model framework that incorporates both elements of safety and operational performance in the rail industry. This framework, if further developed into a working model with complex equations will facilitate decision making by governments and stakeholders in the daily operations and investments of railways.
Proper Testing of DC High Speed Circuit-Breakers and Protection Relays in a Railway Environment
Authors: D’Hooghe Wim
Published: June 2018

DC High Speed circuit-breakers (DC-HSCB’s) and Protective Relays (PR’s) are present in all sorts of rail infrastructure. National or urban railways, tramways or metro’s, they all rely on this equipment to protect them from disastrous situations. The circuit-breakers can be installed either on board of the trains or on the trackside, in traction power substations. Protection Relays are, in most cases, part of the fixed installation. Needless to say that the DC-HSCB and PR are critical parts of the rail infrastructure. In the best case a faulty unit can cause the trains to stand still, in the worst case it can blow up parts of the infrastructure and cause casualties.

The life-cycle of circuit-breakers is long, some of the units still in operation are more than 50 years old. The first digital protective relays were introduced in the eighties. Proper testing of DC-HSCB and PR is a hot topic these days as a result of a number of incidents on various LRT and tramway systems (STEVO Electric, 2015). This paper describes some issues with testing and how to resolve them.
Ballast Life and Effective Parameters
Authors: Kashani Hamed F. , Hyslip James P.
Published: June 2018

Railway ballast under repeated traffic loading deforms and deteriorates. Increases in the rate of settlement in ballast decreases its useful life and contributes to geometry roughness and poor ride quality. Based on laboratory and field studies, as well as mechanic-based models, the fouling condition of the ballast has been shown to have a profound effect on settlement and overall ballast life. Quantifying ballast settlement and the effect of maintenance at different stages of ballast life can define the State of Good Repair (SGR) for ballast. This paper presents an approach for predicting ballast life based on geotechnical principles and maintenance management philosophy. Over 200 revenue-service locations have been studied for developing this model for different tracks including mixed passenger and freight as well as only freight traffic. The approach presented in this paper can be used for optimizing ballast’s life-cycle costs through a maintenance management approach.
Solving Various Train Approach Speeds to Highway Crossings Using Innovative Technologies
Authors: Hofbauer John
Published: June 2018

The use of using cleaner energy (zero emissions) transportation has become a key focus in the North America even within rail transportation. Within in North America the migration from Diesel to Electric Locomotives, utilizing overhead catenary systems with voltages in the 25kV range for passenger trains has become the standard. In addition, “Shared-Use Rail Corridors” have become more prevalent in North America (USA and Canada), the use of Constant Warning Time Devices (CWTD) based on a change of inductance in the rail are less reliable within Electrified railroads.

With shared use track, it is understood that a difference exists between freight and passenger train speeds, resulting in the need for other methods to detect and determine the correct approach times become a priority. Implementing Computer-Based Train Control (CBTC) systems or Positive Train Control (PTC) technology can mitigate the problem if they communicate / request highway crossing activation. But in locations where PTC is not being installed or in Canada where it is not required, other methods need to be explored. This paper will review and analyze the following:

1. Review the existing systems being deployed;

2. Evaluate the deployed systems effectiveness;

3. Test and record data using various innovative technologies including: Axle counters determining speed of approaching train, acceleration (+ / −);

4. Conclusion for the integrating new axle counter technologies and existing track circuits.
Effects of spectral resolution on spectral contrast effects in cochlear-implant users
Authors: Feng Lei , Oxenham Andrew J.
Published: June 2018

The identity of a speech sound can be affected by the long-term spectrum of a preceding stimulus. Poor spectral resolution of cochlear implants (CIs) may affect such context effects. Here, spectral contrast effects on a phoneme category boundary were investigated in CI users and normal-hearing (NH) listeners. Surprisingly, larger contrast effects were observed in CI users than in NH listeners, even when spectral resolution in NH listeners was limited via vocoder processing. The results may reflect a different weighting of spectral cues by CI users, based on poorer spectral resolution, which in turn may enhance some spectral contrast effects.
Stricter Chinese student visas raise alarm
Authors: Mervis Jeffrey
Published: June 2018

Entry permission cut to 1 year for graduate students in some STEM fields.
Far from over
Authors: Cohen Jon
Published: June 2018

The world has rallied around the goal of "ending AIDS" but Russia, Nigeria, and Florida stand out for their faltering responses to HIV.
The South Asian monsoon—pollution pump and purifier
Authors: Lelieveld J. , Bourtsoukidis E. , Brühl C. , Fischer H. , Fuchs H. , Harder H. , Hofzumahaus A. , Holland F. , Marno D. , Neumaier M. , Pozzer A. , Schlager H. , Williams J. , Zahn A. , Ziereis H.
Published: June 2018

South Asian monsoon and pollution

Air pollution is growing fastest in monsoon-impacted South Asia. During the dry winter monsoon, the fumes disperse toward the Indian Ocean, creating a vast pollution haze. The fate of these fumes during the wet summer monsoon has been unclear. Lelieveld
et al.
performed atmospheric chemistry measurements by aircraft in the Oxidation Mechanism Observations campaign, sampling the summer monsoon outflow in the upper troposphere between the Mediterranean and the Indian Ocean. The measurements, supported by model calculations, show that the monsoon sustains a remarkably efficient cleansing mechanism in which contaminants are rapidly oxidized and deposited on Earth's surface. However, some pollutants are lofted above the monsoon clouds and chemically processed in a reactive reservoir before being redistributed globally, including to the stratosphere.

Science
, this issue p.
270
Neural scene representation and rendering
Authors: Eslami S. M. Ali , Jimenez Rezende Danilo , Besse Frederic , Viola Fabio , Morcos Ari S. , Garnelo Marta , Ruderman Avraham , Rusu Andrei A. , Danihelka Ivo , Gregor Karol , Reichert David P. , Buesing Lars , Weber Theophane , Vinyals Oriol , Rosenbaum Dan , Rabinowitz Neil , King Helen , Hillier Chloe , Botvinick Matt , Wierstra Daan , Kavukcuoglu Koray , Hassabis Demis
Published: June 2018

A scene-internalizing computer program

To train a computer to “recognize” elements of a scene supplied by its visual sensors, computer scientists typically use millions of images painstakingly labeled by humans. Eslami
et al.
developed an artificial vision system, dubbed the Generative Query Network (GQN), that has no need for such labeled data. Instead, the GQN first uses images taken from different viewpoints and creates an abstract description of the scene, learning its essentials. Next, on the basis of this representation, the network predicts what the scene would look like from a new, arbitrary viewpoint.

Science
, this issue p.
1204
Photochemistry beyond the red limit in chlorophyll f–containing photosystems
Authors: Nürnberg Dennis J. , Morton Jennifer , Santabarbara Stefano , Telfer Alison , Joliot Pierre , Antonaru Laura A. , Ruban Alexander V. , Cardona Tanai , Krausz Elmars , Boussac Alain , Fantuzzi Andrea , Rutherford A. William
Published: June 2018

Lower-energy photons do the work, too

Plants and cyanobacteria use chlorophyll-rich photosystem complexes to convert light energy into chemical energy. Some organisms have developed adaptations to take advantage of longer-wavelength photons. Nürnberg
et al.
studied photosystem complexes from cyanobacteria grown in the presence of far-red light. The authors identified the primary donor chlorophyll as one of a few chlorophyll molecules in the far-red light–adapted enzymes that were chemically altered to shift their absorption spectrum. Kinetic measurements demonstrated that far-red light is capable of directly driving water oxidation, despite having less energy than the red light used by most photosynthetic organisms.

Science
, this issue p.
1210
Preparing ocean governance for species on the move
Authors: Pinsky Malin L. , Reygondeau Gabriel , Caddell Richard , Palacios-Abrantes Juliano , Spijkers Jessica , Cheung William W. L.
Published: June 2018

Policy must anticipate conflict over geographic shifts
Ultrastable laser interferometry for earthquake detection with terrestrial and submarine cables
Authors: Marra Giuseppe , Clivati Cecilia , Luckett Richard , Tampellini Anna , Kronjäger Jochen , Wright Louise , Mura Alberto , Levi Filippo , Robinson Stephen , Xuereb André , Baptie Brian , Calonico Davide
Published: June 2018

Submarine fiber optic earthquake detection

Seismic networks detect earthquakes and are common on continents, where they are easy to install. However, most of Earth's surface is under the oceans, where placing seismometers is difficult. Marra
et al.
now find that ordinary submarine telecommunication cables can be used to detect earthquakes. Small strain changes associated with the passage of seismic waves were detected with laser light sent through in-use fiber optic cables by ultrastable lasers. This strategy could turn intercontinental fiber optic cables into ocean-bottom strain sensors, dramatically improving our ability to record earthquakes.

Science
, this issue p.
486
Serratia marcescens Outbreak in a Neonatal Intensive Care Unit: New Insights from Next-Generation Sequencing Applications
Authors: Martineau Christine , Li Xuejing , Lalancette Cindy , Perreault Thérèse , Fournier Eric , Tremblay Julien , Gonzales Milagros , Yergeau Étienne , Quach Caroline
Published: June 2018

Serratia marcescens
is an environmental bacterium that is commonly associated with outbreaks in neonatal intensive care units (NICUs). Investigations of
S. marcescens
outbreaks require efficient recovery and typing of clinical and environmental isolates.
Viral Discovery in the Invasive Australian Cane Toad (Rhinella marina) Using Metatranscriptomic and Genomic Approaches
Authors: Russo Alice G. , Eden John-Sebastian , Enosi Tuipulotu Daniel , Shi Mang , Selechnik Daniel , Shine Richard , Rollins Lee Ann , Holmes Edward C. , White Peter A.
Published: June 2018

Cane toads are poisonous amphibians that were introduced to Australia in 1935 for insect control. Since then, their population has increased dramatically, and they now threaten many native Australian species. One potential method to control the population is to release a cane toad virus with high mortality rates, yet few cane toad viruses have been characterized. This study samples cane toads from different Australian locations and uses an RNA sequencing and computational approach to find new viruses. We report novel complete picornavirus and retrovirus sequences that were genetically similar to viruses infecting frogs, reptiles, and fish. Using data generated in other studies, we show that these viral sequences are present in cane toads from distinct Australian locations. Three sequences related to circoviruses were also found in the toad genome. The identification of new viral sequences will aid future studies that investigate their prevalence and potential as agents for biocontrol.
EU-funded initiatives for real world evidence: descriptive analysis of their characteristics and relevance for regulatory decision-making
Authors: Plueschke Kelly , McGettigan Patricia , Pacurariu Alexandra , Kurz Xavier , Cave Alison
Published: June 2018

Introduction

A review of European Union (EU)-funded initiatives linked to ‘Real World Evidence’ (RWE) was performed to determine whether their outputs could be used for the generation of real-world data able to support the European Medicines Agency (EMA)’s regulatory decision-making on medicines.

Method

The initiatives were identified from publicly available websites. Their topics were categorised into five areas: ‘Data source’, ‘Methodology’, ‘Governance model’, ‘Analytical model’ and ‘Infrastructure’. To assess their immediate relevance for medicines evaluation, their therapeutic areas were compared with the products recommended for EU approval in 2016 and those included in the EMA pharmaceutical business pipeline.

Results

Of 171 originally identified EU-funded initiatives, 65 were selected based on their primary and secondary objectives (35 ‘Data source’ initiatives, 15 ‘Methodology’, 10 ‘Governance model’, 17 ‘Analytical model’ and 25 ‘Infrastructure’). These 65 initiatives received over 734 million Euros of public funding. At the time of evaluation, the published outputs of the 40 completed initiatives did not always match their original objectives. Overall, public information was limited, data access was not explicit and their sustainability was unclear. The topics matched 8 of 14 therapeutic areas of the products recommended for approval in 2016 and 8 of 15 therapeutic areas in the 2017–2019 pharmaceutical business pipeline. Haematology, gastroenterology or cardiovascular systems were poorly represented.

Conclusions

This landscape of EU-funded initiatives linked to RWE which started before 31 December 2016 highlighted that the immediate utilisation of their outputs to support regulatory decision-making is limited, often due to insufficient available information and to discrepancies between outputs and objectives. Furthermore, the restricted sustainability of the initiatives impacts on their downstream utility. Multiple projects focussing on the same therapeutic areas increase the likelihood of duplication of both efforts and resources. These issues contribute to gaps in generating RWE for medicines and diminish returns on the public funds invested.
Transplants for non-lethal conditions: a case against hand transplantation in minors
Authors: Hedges Charles E , Rosoff Philip M
Published: June 2018

Human allografts for life-threatening organ failure have been demonstrated to be lifesaving and are now considered to be standard of care for many conditions. Transplantation of non-vital anatomic body parts has also been accomplished. Hand transplantation after limb loss in adults has been shown to offer some promising benefits in both functional and psychological measures in preliminary studies. It has been suggested to expand eligibility criteria to include minors, with one such operation having already been performed. With this in mind, we examine the current state of hand transplantation research in the context of available alternatives. We examine the ethics of carrying out these operations in minors, including under the protections of clinical research. We argue that children should not be considered for this surgery due to the substantial risks of immunosuppressive medication, the likelihood that the graft will need to be replaced during the patient’s lifetime and the lack of significant compensatory advantages over modern prosthetics.
Solving Schrödinger equation for bipartite hard-core potential by virtue of the entangled state representation
Authors: Yu Hai-jun , Fan Hong-Yi
Published: June 2018

We study the one-dimensional Schrödinger equation for the Hamiltonian involving the bipartite hard-core potential, [Formula: see text]. We select the suitable unitary transformation and employ the entangled state representation |η⟩, η = η1 + iη2, to find the quantization condition for energy E, [Formula: see text] which seems new.
Using matrix-based rationalized Haar wavelet method for solving consolidation equation
Authors: Rastegar Mojtaba , Moghaddam Amir Bazrafshan , Erfanian Majid , Moghaddam Bahador Bazrafshan
Published: June 2018

Settlement and pore water pressure in soils during the consolidation process are of great concern for geotechnical and structural engineers. Therefore, different analytical and numerical methods have been proposed for its solution considering the complexity of soil behavior and geometry of soil layers. In this research study, consolidation equation has been solved using the matrix-based rationalized Haar wavelet transform method. Two typical and most commonly used cases are solved and compared with the classical solution method which is based on Taylor series expansion. The proposed method is fast, convenient and requires less computational effort due to its matrix calculation implementation and it yields accurate results when compared with the classical solution. Furthermore, this method may be used for implementing explicit functions rather than a constant value for the consolidation coefficient (c[Formula: see text]).
Impulse parameter and a new equivalence between 123- and 132-avoiding permutations
Authors: Mansour Toufik , Shattuck Mark
Published: June 2018

In this paper, we enumerate permutations [Formula: see text] according to the number of indices [Formula: see text] such that [Formula: see text], where [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text] is a fixed positive integer. We term such an index [Formula: see text] an [Formula: see text]-impulse since it marks an occurrence where the bargraph representation of [Formula: see text] rises above (or to the same level as) the horizontal line [Formula: see text]. We find an explicit formula for the distribution as well as a formula for the total number of [Formula: see text]-impulses in all permutations of [Formula: see text]. Comparable distributions are also found for the [Formula: see text]-avoiding permutations of [Formula: see text], where [Formula: see text] is a pattern of length three. Two markedly different distributions emerge, one for [Formula: see text] and another for the remaining patterns in [Formula: see text]. In particular, we obtain a new equidistribution result between 123- and 132-avoiding permutations. To prove our results, we make use of multiple arrays and systems of functional equations, employing the kernel method to solve the system in the case [Formula: see text]. We also provide a combinatorial proof of the aforementioned equidistribution result, which actually applies to a more general class of multi-set permutations.
The Oxytocin Receptor: From Intracellular Signaling to Behavior
Authors: Jurek Benjamin , Neumann Inga D.
Published: June 2018

The many facets of the oxytocin (OXT) system of the brain and periphery elicited nearly 25,000 publications since 1930 (see FIGURE 1 , as listed in PubMed), which revealed central roles for OXT and its receptor (OXTR) in reproduction, and social and emotional behaviors in animal and human studies focusing on mental and physical health and disease. In this review, we discuss the mechanisms of OXT expression and release, expression and binding of the OXTR in brain and periphery, OXTR-coupled signaling cascades, and their involvement in behavioral outcomes to assemble a comprehensive picture of the central and peripheral OXT system. Traditionally known for its role in milk let-down and uterine contraction during labor, OXT also has implications in physiological, and also behavioral, aspects of reproduction, such as sexual and maternal behaviors and pair bonding, but also anxiety, trust, sociability, food intake, or even drug abuse. The many facets of OXT are, on a molecular basis, brought about by a single receptor. The OXTR, a 7-transmembrane G protein-coupled receptor capable of binding to either Gαior Gαqproteins, activates a set of signaling cascades, such as the MAPK, PKC, PLC, or CaMK pathways, which converge on transcription factors like CREB or MEF-2. The cellular response to OXT includes regulation of neurite outgrowth, cellular viability, and increased survival. OXTergic projections in the brain represent anxiety and stress-regulating circuits connecting the paraventricular nucleus of the hypothalamus, amygdala, bed nucleus of the stria terminalis, or the medial prefrontal cortex. Which OXT-induced patterns finally alter the behavior of an animal or a human being is still poorly understood, and studying those OXTR-coupled signaling cascades is one initial step toward a better understanding of the molecular background of those behavioral effects.
Automatic Optic Disc Detection in Color Retinal Images by Local Feature Spectrum Analysis
Authors: Zhou Wei , Wu Hao , Wu Chengdong , Yu Xiaosheng , Yi Yugen
Published: June 2018

The optic disc is a key anatomical structure in retinal images. The ability to detect optic discs in retinal images plays an important role in automated screening systems. Inspired by the fact that humans can find optic discs in retinal images by observing some local features, we propose a local feature spectrum analysis (LFSA) that eliminates the influence caused by the variable spatial positions of local features. In LFSA, a dictionary of local features is used to reconstruct new optic disc candidate images, and the utilization frequencies of every atom in the dictionary are considered as a type of “spectrum” that can be used for classification. We also employ the sparse dictionary selection approach to construct a compact and representative dictionary. Unlike previous approaches, LFSA does not require the segmentation of vessels, and its method of considering the varying information in the retinal images is both simple and robust, making it well-suited for automated screening systems. Experimental results on the largest publicly available dataset indicate the effectiveness of our proposed approach.
Acupuncture on Obesity: Clinical Evidence and Possible Neuroendocrine Mechanisms
Authors: Zhang Kepei , Zhou Shigao , Wang Chunyan , Xu Hanchen , Zhang Li
Published: June 2018

Objective. Acupuncture, as one of the complementary and alternative medicines, represents an efficient therapeutic option for obesity control. We conducted a meta‐analysis to investigate the effectiveness of acupuncture in obesity and also summarized the available studies on exploring the mechanisms. Design. We searched six databases from the inception to April 2017 without language restriction. Eligible studies consisted of acupuncture with comparative controls ((1) sham acupuncture, (2) no treatment, (3) diet and exercise, and (4) conventional medicine). The primary outcomes consisted of BMI, body weight reduction, and incidence of cardiovascular events (CVD). Secondary outcomes included waist circumference (WC), waist‐to‐hip ratio (WHR), body fat mass percent, body fat mass (kg), total cholesterol (TC), triglyceride (TG), glucose, low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL‐c) reduction, high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL‐c) increase, and adverse effects. The quality of RCTs was assessed by the Cochrane Risk of Bias Tool. Subgroup analyses were performed according to types of acupuncture. A random effects model was used to adjust for the heterogeneity of the included studies. Publication bias was assessed using funnel plots. Main Results. We included 21 studies with 1389 participants. When compared with sham acupuncture, significant reductions in BMI (MD=‐1.22, 95 % CI=‐1.87 to ‐0.56), weight (MD=‐1.54, 95 % CI=‐2.98 to ‐0.11), body fat mass (kg) (MD=‐1.31, 95 % CI=‐2.47 to ‐0.16), and TC (SMD=‐0.63, 95 % CI=‐1.00 to ‐0.25) were found. When compared with no treatment group, significant reductions of BMI (MD=‐1.92, 95 % CI=‐3.04 to ‐0.79), WHR (MD=‐0.05, 95 % CI=‐0.09 to ‐0.02), TC (MD=‐0.26, 95 % CI=‐0.48 to ‐0.03), and TG (MD=‐0.29 95 % CI=‐0.39 to ‐0.18) were found. When compared with diet and exercise group, significant reduction in BMI (MD=‐1.24, 95 % CI=‐1.87 to ‐0.62) and weight (MD=‐3.27 95 % CI=‐5.07 to ‐1.47) was found. Adverse effects were reported in 5 studies. Conclusions. We concluded that acupuncture is an effective treatment for obesity and inferred that neuroendocrine regulation might be involved.
Effects of a Single Universal Extra Dimension in Bc→Ds,Dl+l- Decays
Authors: Yilmaz U. O. , Danapinar E.
Published: June 2018

The rare semileptonic Bc→Ds,dl+l- decays are studied in the universal extra dimension with a single extra dimension scenario. The sensitivity of differential and total branching ratios and polarization asymmetries of final state leptons to the compactification parameter are presented, for both muon and tau decay channels. Considering the ability of available experiments, it would be useful to study these effects.
Optimal Urban Logistics Facility Location with Consideration of Truck-Related Greenhouse Gas Emissions: A Case Study of Shenzhen City
Authors: Gan Mi , Li Dandan , Wang Mingfei , Zhang Guangyuan , Yang Shuai , Liu Jiyang
Published: June 2018

The logistics facility location is always involved with great deals of investment. Its construction and operation also bring out a huge amount of the greenhouse gas (GHG) emission due to the consumption of building materials, energy, the running of trucks, and other logistics equipment. Particularly, trucking activities in the urban logistics networks (ULN) are a major source of GHG. This paper aims to formulate an eco-facility location model to minimize both the total cost of ULN construction and operation and the GHG emissions of truck trips. Based on the mathematical relations of GHG emissions rates and several macroscopic factors, which we obtained by multivariate regression analysis on a large set of empirical trucking data in our previous research, the data-driven emissions rates estimation function is acquired. Then, we link the estimation function of each trip purpose by various kinds of logistics facilities through a qualitative analysis. The eco-facility location problem is modeled by integrating the pure facility location model and the GHG emissions function. The problem is first converted to a biobjective mixed-integer program, and the Particle Swarm Optimization algorithm is applied to solve the model. Through experiments with real case, the effectiveness of the models and algorithms is verified. The eco-facility location model for ULN tends to obtain the environment-friendly location decision. Our analytical results also verify the hypothesis that locations of facility do impact the relevant truck-related GHG emissions, especially to transfer transport, as well as inbound and outbound freight.