bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Control parameterisation for POD via software‐in‐the‐loop simulation
Authors: Thi Nguyen Ha , Yang Guangya , Hejde Nielsen Arne , Højgaard Jensen Peter , Coimbra Carlos F.M.
Published: June 2019

The parameter optimisation of designed controllers for power systems is always a big concern and needs a lot of effort of researchers especially when the electricity grid becomes larger and more complex. This study proposes a control parameterisation using genetic algorithms (GAs) for power oscillation damping (POD) incorporating synchronous condensers (SCs) via software‐in‐the‐loop simulation to enhance the damping and frequency stability for low‐inertia systems. A closed‐loop interfaced setup among real‐time digital simulator, MATLAB, and OLE for process communication running in real time is analysed and implemented to optimise the POD parameters of a SC. Furthermore, a Prony technique based on the system measurement is applied to find out the frequency and damping ratio of the dominant oscillation mode. The POD optimal parameters are determined by the GA objective function that maximises the damping ratio of the dominant oscillation mode. The effectiveness of the proposed method in damping power oscillations and frequency stability improvement is verified through simulation results of the future western Danish power system. Simulation results demonstrate that the proposed approach offers good performance for parameter optimisation of the POD.
MIMO radar signals modulation recognition based on partial instantaneous autocorrelation spectrum
Authors: Rao Xian , Zhao Xuezhi , Zhang Ling
Published: June 2019

Aiming at the problem of large amount of calculation and long recognition time of traditional method of modulation identification of centralised multiple‐input multiple‐output (MIMO) radar signal, partial zero‐delay instantaneous autocorrelation spectrum is proposed to identify the modulation of centralised MIMO radar here. In this method, the modulation identification of the centralised MIMO radar is performed by extracting the ratio of the sub‐peak to the highest peak in the zero‐delay transient autocorrelation spectrum of the part signal. The computational complexity of this method is low, and it identifies without additional features for coded MIMO radar signals. Here, the definition of partial instantaneous correlation spectrum is given; the feasibility of using this method to identify the modulation type of the centralised MIMO radar is analysed, and the identification process is discussed. It is showed that the proposed method can shorten the recognition time while guaranteeing the detection performance under a certain SNR in the simulation results.
Reimplantation of a Large Extruded Segment of Tibia in an Open Fracture in a Pediatric Patient
Authors: Afshar Ahmadreza , Tabrizi Ali
Published: June 2019

A 6-year-old boy presented with a Gustilo type IIIB open fracture on his left leg with a segment of bone loss in his tibia. The boy's attendants brought two bone fragments recovered from the scene of the accident. The extruded bones were a segment with a length of 5.5 cm and a cortical bone with a length of 4 cm. The extruded fragments were reimplanted after scrubbing with 10% povidone–iodine for 20 minutes, soaking in 2% chlorhexidine solution for 20 minutes, and rinsing with normal saline. Four months after the injury, the extruded fragments were incorporated in the callus of the fracture site and complete fracture union in appropriate alignment was achieved.
Demonstration of distributed capacitance compensation in a metal-insulator-metal infrared rectenna incorporating a traveling-wave diode
Authors: Pelz B. , Moddel G.
Published: June 2019

We experimentally demonstrate that the transmission line impedance of traveling-wave diodes can circumvent resistance-capacitance time-constant limitations of metal-insulator-metal diodes in rectennas operating at optical frequencies. We fabricated low resistance (380 Ω) and moderate responsivity (0.46 A/W) metal-insulator-metal traveling-wave diodes. When a rectenna incorporating the traveling-wave diode was illuminated with 10.6 μm radiation, it produced a peak system responsivity of 130 μA/W and a detectivity of 1.0 × 104 Jones. These results agree with the simulated device performance and exceed the response of an equivalent lumped-element metal-insulator-metal rectenna.
Generation of second harmonics by a self-focused Hermite-Gaussian laser beam in collisionless plasma
Authors: Wadhwa Jyoti , Singh Arvinder
Published: June 2019

In this work, the generation of second harmonics of a Hermite–Gaussian laser beam in collisionless plasma has been presented. On incidence of the Hermite–Gaussian laser beam in plasma, the charge carriers shift from the high field region to the low field region on account of the ponderomotive force which results in the generation of a transverse density gradient in the background plasma which in turn generates plasma waves at incident beam frequency ω0. Interaction of this plasma wave with the pump beam generates the second harmonics of the incident laser beam with frequency 2ω0. The moment theory approach has been used to derive the coupled differential equations for the beam widths of the laser beam in the transverse x- and y-directions which are further solved numerically. The effect of different modes and initial beam widths of the Hermite–Gaussian beam in the x- and y-directions has been investigated for the self-focusing and second harmonic yield (SHY) of the laser beam in plasma. Also, the effect of increasing plasma density is visualized on the self-focusing and SHY of the beam. It has been observed that the SHY significantly depends on different modes and initial widths of the Hermite–Gaussian laser beam as well as on plasma density.
Deeply supercooled aqueous LiCl solution studied by frequency-resolved shear rheology
Authors: Münzner Philipp , Hoffmann Lars , Böhmer Roland , Gainaru Catalin
Published: June 2019

To characterize the structural relaxation of an aqueous solution of LiCl, frequency-dependent shear rheological experiments are carried out near its glass transition. Analyzed within the fluidity representation, the generic spectral shape that was previously found for a range of different kinds of glass formers is confirmed for the currently studied hydrogen-bonded fluid as well. Furthermore, the validity of the rheological equivalent of the Barton-Nakajima-Namikawa relation is demonstrated for the aqueous LiCl solution. Its mechanical response is compared with that obtained using dielectric spectroscopy, a technique which is sensitive to both the reorientational dynamics of the water molecules and the translational dynamics of the ionic species. The extent to which these electrical polarization processes are coupled to those governing the viscoelastic response is discussed, also in comparison with the behavior of other ion conducting liquids.
Effects of short-term heat stress at booting stage on rice-grain quality
Authors: Zhen Fengxian , Wang Wei , Wang Haoyu , Zhou Junjie , Liu Bing , Zhu Yan , Liu Leilei , Cao Weixing , Tang Liang
Published: June 2019

Extreme heat-stress events are becoming more frequent under anticipated global warming, which is having devastating effect on grain yield, as well as quality, of rice (Oryza sativa L.). The effects of heat stress at booting stage on grain quality of two japonica varieties, Nanjing41 and Wuyunjing24, were investigated in phytotrons during 2014 and 2015. Rice plants were subjected to four mean temperature regimes 27°C, 31°C, 35°C and 39°C of 2, 4 and 6 days’ duration. The results showed that high temperatures of 35°C and 39°C for 4 and 6 days significantly reduced panicle size, seed-setting rate, grain size, chalky grain rate, milling characteristics and amylose content, but increased protein content. Severe heat stress decreased values of peak viscosity and breakdown, and increased pasting temperature. An increase in heat degree-days decreased the percentage of chalky grains exponentially, and decreased amylose content and increased protein content linearly. Sensitivity of grain quality to heat stress in the two varieties differed among quality traits and with heat stress intensity. This study indicates that rice-grain quality had some resistance to mild heat stress, but it could not withstand severe heat stress at booting. Short-term heat stress at booting stage deteriorates most grain-quality traits, posing a potential risk to rice quality. The impacts on grain quality could be well quantified by the combined effects of the intensity and duration of heat stress at booting stage.
Changes in soil nutrients (ammonia, phosphate and nitrate) associated with rat carcass decomposition under tropical climatic conditions
Authors: Yong S. K. , Jalaludin N. H. , Brau E. , Shamsudin N. N. , Heo C. C.
Published: June 2019

Changes in soil nutrients have been applied in legal investigations of the time of death or to locate a clandestine grave. However, research on forensic soil chemistry under the tropical climate conditions in Malaysia is at its infancy, with few data available for forensic investigations. This study aims to study changes of soil nutrients (i.e. ammonia, phosphate and nitrate) as well as soil pH and electrical conductivity (EC), and the associated stages of decomposition of rat carcasses (n = 3) under controlled tropical climate conditions. The results showed differences in soil pH between control and carcass soils. Soil EC and concentrations of ammonia and phosphate increased during early decomposition stages, and declined thereafter. Nitrate concentration increased at the later stage of decomposition. We also found that the top layer of soil (i.e. 5 cm from surface) rendered a significant pattern of soil nutrient dynamics compared with soil at 10 cm from the surface, possibly due to a slower rate of vertical transfer and the washing-off effect. We suggest that the soil EC value and changes of soil nutrients in the top 5 cm of the soil layer have potential in forensic investigation to determine the minimum post-mortem interval and serve as an indicator for hidden graves and cadaver decomposition islands.
Microstructure, mechanical properties and machinability of Cu–Zn–Mg and Cu–Zn–Sb brass alloys
Authors: Adineh Morteza , Doostmohammadi Hamid
Published: June 2019

Lead-free alloys have attracted great attentions recently due to the toxic nature of lead for the human body. In this study, low amounts of Mg and Sb were added to the Cu65–Zn35 brass and microstructure, mechanical properties and machinability of samples were compared to Cu65–Zn35 brass. Both Mg and Sb led to the promotion of β′ phase as well as the formation of new ternary copper rich intermetallic particles. It was found that these particles had a significant role in the reduction of the ultimate tensile strength, toughness, work hardening and elongation while increasing the hardness of samples. Results of machinability evaluation of samples showed that the cutting forces were decreased significantly and morphology of chips were improved compared to Cu65–Zn35 brass sample.
The relationship between the author and the translator from the perspective of power of tenor of discourse: a case study of the peritexts of the translations ofMengzi
Authors: Zhang Jiao , He Wei
Published: June 2019

Within the framework of Poynton’s power of tenor of discourse, this study explores the power relationship between the author and the translator and how the relationship is presented in the peritexts of the translations ofMengzi. The study firstly reinterprets Poynton’s power of tenor of discourse and proposes two new concepts, viz. “primary factor” and “secondary factor”. And based on this, the power relationship between the author and the translator is expounded. When the “primary factor” is status, the author and the translator are equal, but when the “primary factor” is expertise, the author and the translator are unequal, with the author dominant over the translator. The analysis of the peritexts of the translations ofMengzishows that the equality can be presented in the subtitle and the structure of the translations while the inequality can be displayed in the interpretation of culturally loaded words, particularly Confucian core concepts, and Mengzi’s thoughts. It is also found that the equality is usually caused by translation purpose, strategy, publication requirements, etc. and the inequality is generally relevant to the translator’s limited knowledge of the original, his/her thoughts, beliefs, and life experiences, the social, cultural and historical backgrounds, inadequate references, etc.
Large greenhouse gas savings due to changes in the post-Soviet food systems
Authors: Schierhorn Florian , Kastner Thomas , Kuemmerle Tobias , Meyfroidt Patrick , Kurganova Irina , Prishchepov Alexander V , Erb Karl-Heinz , Houghton Richard A , Müller Daniel
Published: June 2019

As the global food system contributes significantly to global greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, understanding the sources of GHG emissions embodied in different components of food systems is important. The collapse of the Soviet Union triggered a massive restructuring of the domestic food systems, namely declining consumption of animal products, cropland abandonment, and a major restructuring of agricultural trade. However, how these complex changes have affected global GHG emissions is uncertain. Here, we quantified the net GHG emissions associated with changes in the former Soviet Union’s food systems. Changes in food production, consumption, and trade together resulted in a net emissions reduction of 7.61 Gt carbon dioxide equivalents from 1992 to 2011. For comparison, this corresponds to one quarter of the CO2 emissions from deforestation in Latin America from 1991 to 2011. The key drivers of the emissions reductions were the decreasing beef consumption in the 1990s, increasing beef imports after 2000, mainly from South America, and carbon sequestration in soils on abandoned cropland. Ongoing transformations of the food systems in the former Soviet Union, however, suggest emissions will likely rebound. The results highlight the importance of considering agricultural production, land-use change, trade, and consumption when assessing countries emissions portfolios. Moreover, we demonstrated how emissions reductions that originate from a reduction in the extent and intensity of agricultural production can be compromised by increasing emissions embodied in rising imports of agricultural commodities.
Association between work in deforested, compared to forested, areas and human heat strain: an experimental study in a rural tropical environment
Authors: Suter Megan K , Miller Kristin A , Anggraeni Ike , Ebi Kristie L , Game Edward T , Krenz Jennifer , Masuda Yuta J , Sheppard Lianne , Wolff Nicholas H , Spector June T
Published: June 2019

Background. With climate change, adverse human health effects caused by heat exposure are of increasing public health concern. Forests provide beneficial ecosystem services for human health, including local cooling. Few studies have assessed the relationship between deforestation and heat-related health effects in tropical, rural populations. We sought to determine whether deforested compared to forested landscapes are associated with increased physiological heat strain in a rural, tropical environment. Methods. We analyzed data from 363 healthy adult participants from ten villages who participated in a two-by-two factorial, randomized study in East Kalimantan, Indonesia from 10/1/17 to 11/6/17. Using simple randomization, field staff allocated participants equally to different conditions to conduct a 90 min outdoor activity, representative of typical work. Core body temperature (CBT) was estimated at each minute during the activity using a validated algorithm from baseline oral temperatures and sequential heart rate data, measured using chest band monitors. We used linear regression models, clustered by village and with a sandwich variance estimator, to assess the association between deforested versus forested conditions and the number of minutes each participant spent above an estimated CBT threshold of 38.5 °C. Results. Compared to those in the forested condition (n = 172), participants in the deforested condition (n = 159) spent an average of 3.08 (95% confidence interval (CI) 0.57, 5.60) additional minutes with an estimated CBT exceeding 38.5 °C, after adjustment for age, sex, body mass index, and experiment start time, with a larger difference among those who began the experiment after 12 noon (5.17 [95% CI 2.20, 8.15]). Conclusions. In this experimental study in a tropical, rural setting, activity in a deforested versus a forested setting was associated with increased objectively measured heat strain. Longer durations of hyperthermia can increase the risk of serious health outcomes. Land use decisions should consider the implications of deforestation on local heat exposure and health as well as on forest services, including carbon storage functions that impact climate change mitigation.
Biofabrication of bacterial nanocellulose scaffolds with complex vascular structure
Authors: Sämfors Sanna , Karlsson Kristina , Sundberg Johan , Markstedt Kajsa , Gatenholm Paul
Published: June 2019

Bacterial nanocellulose (BNC) has proven to be an effective hydrogel-like material for different tissue engineering applications due to its biocompatibility and good mechanical properties. However, as for all biomaterials, in vitro biosynthesis of large tissue constructs remains challenging due to insufficient oxygen and nutrient transport in engineered scaffold-cell matrices. In this study we designed, biofabricated and evaluated bacterial nanocellulose scaffolds with a complex vascular mimetic lumen structure. As a first step a method for creating straight channeled structures within a bacterial nanocellulose scaffold was developed and evaluated by culturing of Human Umbilical Vein Endothelial Cells (HUVECs). In a second step, more complex structures within the scaffolds were produced utilizing a 3D printer. A print mimicking a vascular tree acted as a sacrificial template to produce a network within the nanoporous bacterial nanocellulose scaffolds that could be lined with endothelial cells. In a last step, a method to produce large constructs with interconnected macro porosity and vascular like lumen structure was developed. In this process patient data from x-ray computed tomography scans was used to create a mold for casting a full-sized kidney construct. By showing that the 3D printing technology can be combined with BNC biosynthesis we hope to widen the opportunities of 3D printing, while also enabling the production of BNC scaffolds constructs with tailored vascular architectures and properties.
Adhesiveness of TiO2PVD coating on electropolished stainless steel 17–4 PH orthodontic bracket
Authors: Supriadi S , Suharno B , Nugraha N K , Yasinta A O , Annur Dhyah
Published: June 2019

Performance of stainless steel 17-4 PH as the orthodontic bracket can be improved by titanium dioxide (TiO2) coating. In order to produce a good quality of the coating layer, the substrate had to be smooth and free from any contaminants. The electropolishing method was used to clean bracket’s surface from oxides substances which formed during sintering by reducing its surface roughness. Bath temperature and electropolishing time were varied to 30 °C and 70 °C, for 15 and 25 min, respectively. Those differences in electropolishing condition would affect the final surface’s roughness of the substrate. The atmosphere during PVD was controlled using oxygen and argon gases with the flowing rate ratio of 10:90 sccm and 50:50 sccm, and these gases would affect TiO2coating mechanical properties. The lowest roughness of 0.99μm and the highest roughness of 2.85μm were obtained after electropolishing. The coating quality on the substrates with different roughness was assessed through coating adhesivity on the substrate by micro Vickers qualitatively. The results showed that the TiO2coating layer on the substrate with a lower roughness had better adhesivity rather than on the substrate with higher roughness.
Association Between Medicaid Coverage and Income Status on Health Care Use and Costs Among Hypertensive Adults After Enactment of the Affordable Care Act
Authors: Zhang Donglan , Ritchey Matthew R , Park Chanhyun , Li Jason , Chapel John , Wang Guijing
Published: June 2019

Background

Hypertension is highly prevalent among the low-income population in the United States. This study assessed the association between Medicaid coverage and health care service use and costs among hypertensive adults following the enactment of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (ACA), by income status level.

Methods

A nationally representative sample of 2,866 nonpregnant hypertensive individuals aged 18–64 years with income up to 138% of the federal poverty level (FPL) were selected from the 2014 and 2015 Medical Expenditure Panel Survey. Regression analyses were performed to examine the association of Medicaid coverage with outpatient (outpatient visits and prescription medication fills), emergency, and acute health care service use and costs among those potentially eligible for Medicaid by income status—the very low-income (FPL ≤ 100%) and the moderately low-income (100% > FPL ≤ 138%).

Results

Among the study population, 70.1% were very low-income and 29.9% were moderately low-income. Full-year Medicaid coverage was higher among the very low-income group (41.0%) compared with those moderately low-income (29.1%). For both income groups, having full-year Medicaid coverage was associated with increased health care service use and higher overall annual medical costs ($13,085 compared with $7,582 without Medicaid); costs were highest among moderately low-income patients ($17,639).

Conclusion

Low-income individuals with hypertension, who were potentially newly eligible for Medicaid under the ACA may benefit from expanded Medicaid coverage by improving their access to outpatient services that can support chronic disease management. However, to realize decreases in medical expenditures, efforts to decrease their use of emergency and acute care services are likely needed.
Moving Futures
Authors: Naimou Angela
Published: June 2019

This essay-review discusses four books that link refugee migration and border politics to ideas of time. It reads Asfa-Wossen Asserate’s African Exodus (2018), Stephanie Li’s Pan-African American Literature (2018), Aimee Bahng’s Migrant Futures (2018), and Long T. Bui’s Returns of War (2018) as books with distinct objects of analysis, from refugee memory of the US war in Vietnam, to US literary and cultural speculative fictions, to African immigrant writers in the US, to the current so-called African migrant crisis as it affects Europe. It also considers the multiple disciplinary and methodological commitments of these books, as they participate in discussions on migration in such areas as ethnic studies, postcolonial studies, Asian American studies, critical refugee studies, scholarship on literature of African diasporas, economics, history, memory, and human rights. This essay-review considers the gains or limitations of such approaches to the study of migration in contemporary literature and/or culture.
Circulating microRNA trafficking and regulation: computational principles and practice
Authors: Cui Juan , Shu Jiang
Published: June 2019

Rapid advances in genomics discovery tools and a growing realization of microRNA’s implication in intercellular communication have led to a proliferation of studies of circulating microRNA sorting and regulation across cells and different species. Although sometimes, reaching controversial scientific discoveries and conclusions, these studies have yielded new insights in the functional roles of circulating microRNA and a plethora of analytical methods and tools. Here, we consider this body of work in light of key computational principles underpinning discovery of circulating microRNAs in terms of their sorting and targeting, with the goal of providing practical guidance for applications that is focused on the design and analysis of circulating microRNAs and their context-dependent regulation. We survey a broad range of informatics methods and tools that are available to the researcher, discuss their key features, applications and various unsolved problems and close this review with prospects and broader implication of this field.
Evolution of reproductive traits and selfing syndrome in the sub-endemic Mediterranean genus Centaurium Hill (Gentianaceae)
Authors: Jiménez-Lobato Vania , Escudero Marcial , Díaz Lifante Zoila , Andrés Camacho Cristina , de Castro Alejandra , Mansion Guilhem , Zeltner Louis , Arroyo Juan
Published: June 2019

In flowering plants, the shift from outcrossing to selfing is associated with a set of correlated changes in morphological and reproductive features known as the ‘selfing syndrome’. Species of the sub-endemic Mediterranean genus Centaurium Hill (Gentianaceae) exhibit a wide array of flower traits related to pollination biology and different ploidy levels. We explored if the evolutionary transitions of seven flower traits and life cycle, typically associated with the selfing syndrome, are related to polyploidy, diversification patterns, divergence times and the geological and climatic history of the Mediterranean Basin. Using 26 species of Centaurium we reconstructed a phylogenetic tree, inferred the ancestral states of the selected traits, estimated their phylogenetic signal and tested the correlative evolution among them. We found a significant increase in diversification rates during the Quaternary. Anther length, flower size, herkogamy and polyploidy undergo rapid state transitions without phylogenetic signal that could be the result of adaptation for selfing. Changes in character states do not show evidence of correlative evolution among them, as would be predicted during the evolution of selfing syndrome. The evolution of reproductive traits in Centaurium has probably relied on a more diverse array of drivers than just reproductive assurance or polyploidy events.
MicroRNA-301a promotes pancreatic cancer invasion and metastasis through the JAK/STAT3 signaling pathway by targeting SOCS5
Authors: Hu Hui , Zhang Qin , Chen Weiqun , Wu Tangwei , Liu Shuiyi , Li Xiaoyi , Luo Bo , Zhang Tianzhu , Yan Ge , Lu Hongda , Lu Zhongxin
Published: June 2019

Pancreatic cancer is one of the most lethal digestive malignant tumors. We had previously found that microRNA-301a (miR-301a) is a oncogenic microRNA whose recognized conduce to nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB) activation in pancreatic cancer, yet the underlying mechanisms of miR-301a in promoting pancreatic cancer invasion and migration is obscure. In this work we found that high expression of miR-301a in human pancreatic cancer patients is related to poor survival. Overexpression of miR-301a enhances pancreatic cancer cell invasion, angiogenesis and migration, whereas inhibition of miR-301a suppresses pancreatic cancer cell invasion and reduces orthotopic pancreatic tumor growth and metastasis. Furthermore, suppressor of cytokine signaling 5 (SOCS5) is identified as a target gene of miR-301a. We found that miR-301a suppressed the expression of SOCS5 leads to janus kinase/signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (JAK/STAT3) activation and is related to poor overall survival of pancreatic cancer patients. Taken together, our data show for the first time that the feedback loop between miR-301a and JAK/STAT3 pathway may play a significant role in pancreatic cancer invasion and metastasis. Targeting the loop may prove beneficial to prevent metastasis and provide a more effective therapeutic strategy for pancreatic cancer.
Quality Evaluation of Andrographis paniculata Capsules Based on Rapid and Accurate LC–ESI–MS/MS Assay of Three Diterpenoids
Authors: Fu Shujun , Du Lemei , Yuan Yuan , He Xin
Published: June 2019

Andrographis paniculata is an important traditional Chinese herbal material widely used for treatment of fever and diarrhea. The three diterpenoids [andrographolide (AP), dehydroandrographolide (DP) and neoandrographolide (NP)] in A. paniculata were characterized as the key active components for its extractive and related medicinal preparations. A rapid and accurate quantitative analysis of these three diterpenoids in A. paniculata capsules was accomplished by means of a valid and reliable high-performance liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometric (HPLC–MS/MS) analytical method. An optimized gradient elution method, which under the mobile phase consisting of methanol and water, was established successfully. An XDB C18 column (3.5 μm, 2.1 mm × 50 mm) was successfully applied to separate these three diterpenoids at the flow rate of 0.55 mL/min. A triple quadrupole mass spectrometer with multiple reaction monitoring (MRM) mode using an electrospray ionization source was served for analytical detection. The linearity, specificity, accuracy, recovery, precision, stability and repeatability were demonstrated to fully confirm the validity of this study. Good linear regression relationships for the three analytes were obtained over the range of 0.50–1000 ng/mL. Intra-day and inter-day precisions were evaluated with relative standard deviation < 7.62%, and the extraction recovery varied from 93.8% to 102.0%. The rapid and accurate HPLC–MS/MS analytical method was developed for the quality evaluation of A. paniculata capsules successfully. The content of AP, DP and NP obtained were 3.90–4.08, 4.77–5.04, 4.32–4.48 mg/g in A. paniculata capsules, respectively. Moreover, it is expected that this analytical technique can be applied to detect three effective components rapidly and accurately in other different medicinal preparations of A. paniculata as a method for their quality control.
Multimodality imaging in the diagnosis, risk stratification, and management of patients with dilated cardiomyopathies: an expert consensus document from the European Association of Cardiovascular Imaging
Authors: Donal Erwan , Delgado Victoria , Bucciarelli-Ducci Chiara , Galli Elena , Haugaa Kristina H , Charron Philippe , Voigt Jens-Uwe , Cardim Nuno , Masci P G , Galderisi Maurizio , Gaemperli Oliver , Gimelli Alessia , Pinto Yigal M , Lancellotti Patrizio , Habib Gilbert , Elliott Perry , Edvardsen Thor , Cosyns Bernard , Popescu Bogdan A ,   2016–18 EACVI Scientific Documents Committee, Gerber Bernhard , Muraru Denisa , Flachskampf Frank , Plein Sven , Neglia Danilo , Cameli Matteo , Weytjens Caroline
Published: June 2019

Dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) is defined by the presence of left ventricular or biventricular dilatation and systolic dysfunction in the absence of abnormal loading conditions or coronary artery disease sufficient to explain these changes. This is a heterogeneous disease frequently having a genetic background. Imaging is important for the diagnosis, the prognostic assessment and for guiding therapy. A multimodality imaging approach provides a comprehensive evaluation of all the issues related to this disease. The present document aims to provide recommendations for the use of multimodality imaging according to the clinical question. Selection of one or another imaging technique should be based on the clinical condition and context. Techniques are presented with the aim to underscore what is ‘clinically relevant’ and what are the tools that ‘can be used’. There remain some gaps in evidence on the impact of multimodality imaging on the management and the treatment of DCM patients where ongoing research is important.
“From Victimhood to Warriors”: Super-researchers’ Insights Into Alzheimer’s Disease Clinical Trial Participation Motivations
Authors: Bardach Shoshana H , Parsons Kelly , Gibson Allison , Jicha Gregory A
Published: June 2019

Background and Objectives

Recruitment and retention of research participant serve as a significant challenge in the search for ways to slow or prevent Alzheimer’s disease. While barriers to participation are well documented, less is known about motivations for Alzheimer’s disease clinical research participation. The purpose of this study was to explore what motivates individuals—who ultimately develop an ongoing connection to research and frequently participate—to engage and stay involved in Alzheimer’s disease research.

Research Design and Methods

Individuals who had participated in multiple Alzheimer’s disease-related clinical trials, or their study partners, were interviewed about their decisions to engage and remain in research.

Findings

Interviews were completed with 33 individuals, 28 research participants, and 5 study partners. All interviews were audio-recorded and transcribed verbatim for analysis. Respondents indicated learning about research opportunities through the media, community events, doctors, and other research participants. While many were initially motivated by a family history or knowing someone with Alzheimer’s disease, others had no personal exposure. Individuals in prevention studies were generally proactive and viewed research as a constructive way to address memory concerns. While several individuals acknowledged personal benefits of research participation, most indicated an understanding of the importance of research and being motivated to help others in the future, frequently referencing a sense of social responsibility or moral obligation to help. Positive relationships with personnel at the site encouraged continued involvement.

Discussion and Implications

These findings suggest that efforts to identify research participants should highlight the value of research and help illuminate how participation may contribute to well-being of future generations.
PPR-Meta: a tool for identifying phages and plasmids from metagenomic fragments using deep learning
Authors: Fang Zhencheng , Tan Jie , Wu Shufang , Li Mo , Xu Congmin , Xie Zhongjie , Zhu Huaiqiu
Published: June 2019

Background

Phages and plasmids are the major components of mobile genetic elements, and fragments from such elements generally co-exist with chromosome-derived fragments in sequenced metagenomic data. However, there is a lack of efficient methods that can simultaneously identify phages and plasmids in metagenomic data, and the existing tools identifying either phages or plasmids have not yet presented satisfactory performance.

Findings

We present PPR-Meta, a 3-class classifier that allows simultaneous identification of both phage and plasmid fragments from metagenomic assemblies. PPR-Meta consists of several modules for predicting sequences of different lengths. Using deep learning, a novel network architecture, referred to as the Bi-path Convolutional Neural Network, is designed to improve the performance for short fragments. PPR-Meta demonstrates much better performance than currently available similar tools individually for phage or plasmid identification, while testing on both artificial contigs and real metagenomic data. PPR-Meta is freely available via http://cqb.pku.edu.cn/ZhuLab/PPR_Meta or https://github.com/zhenchengfang/PPR-Meta.

Conclusions

To the best of our knowledge, PPR-Meta is the first tool that can simultaneously identify phage and plasmid fragments efficiently and reliably. The software is optimized and can be easily run on a local PC by non-computer professionals. We developed PPR-Meta to promote the research on mobile genetic elements and horizontal gene transfer.
Impacts of a shift to a warm-water regime in the Gulf of California on jumbo squid (Dosidicus gigas)
Authors: Frawley Timothy H , Briscoe Dana K , Daniel Patrick C , Britten Gregory L , Crowder Larry B , Robinson Carlos J , Gilly William F
Published: June 2019

Interannual oceanic oscillations, climate change, and extreme events present a significant and complex challenge to management of pelagic fisheries. In recent years, anomalous oceanographic and atmospheric conditions have been reported across the northeast Pacific, yet research results concerning the biophysical mechanisms impacting specific organisms, populations, and fishery systems remain scarce. Here we discuss trends within the Gulf of California’s jumbo squid fishery in the context of relevant climate drivers, ecological dynamics, and mesoscale oceanographic processes. Following the 2009–2010 El Niño event, the jig-based fishery collapsed as squid adopted the small size-at-maturity phenotype characteristic of this species in the equatorial portion of its range. Analysis of regional sea surface temperatures and heights indicates a pronounced shift in the oceanographic trajectory of the system between the 2009–2010 and 2015–2016 El Niño events, whereas in situ hydrographic sampling reveals coincident changes in subsurface temperature and salinity. With persistently tropical oceanic conditions present across critical portions of their pelagic habitat, jumbo squid have lost access to previously productive coastal foraging zones, which in turn has limited opportunities for fishery recovery. Given the importance of jumbo squid to the region’s pelagic marine foodwebs, the long-term persistence of such phenomena could have significant implications for local fisheries, economies, and livelihoods.
Antibody Titers Reactive With Rickettsia rickettsii in Blood Donors and Implications for Surveillance of Spotted Fever Rickettsiosis in the United States
Authors: Straily Anne , Stuck Shawna , Singleton Joseph , Brennan Skyler , Marcum Stephanie , Condit Marah , Lee Christopher , Kato Cecilia , Tonnetti Laura , Stramer Susan L , Paddock Christopher D
Published: June 2019

Background

Since 2000, the reported prevalence of tick-borne spotted fever rickettsiosis has increased considerably. We compared the level of antibody reactivity among healthy blood donors from 2 widely separated regions of the United States and evaluated the impact of antibody prevalence on public health surveillance in one of these regions.

Methods

Donor serum samples were evaluated by indirect immunofluorescence antibody assay to identify immunoglobulin G (IgG) antibodies reactive with Rickettsia rickettsii. The Georgia Department of Public Health (GDPH) analyzed characteristics of cases from 2016 surveillance data to evaluate the utility of laboratory surveillance for case assessment.

Results

Of the Georgia donors (n = 1493), 11.1% demonstrated antibody titers reactive with R. rickettsii at titers ≥64, whereas 6.3% of donors from Oregon and Washington (n = 1511) were seropositive. Most seropositive donors had a titer of 64; only 3.1% (n = 93) of all donors had titers ≥128. During 2016, GDPH interviewed 243 seropositive case patients; only 28% (n = 69) met inclusion criteria in the national case definition for spotted fever rickettsiosis.

Conclusions

These findings suggest that a single IgG antibody titer is an unreliable measure of diagnosis and could inaccurately affect surveillance estimates that define magnitude and clinical characteristics of Rocky Mountain spotted fever and other spotted fever rickettsioses.
Contamination of Cockroaches (Insecta: Blattaria) by Medically Important Bacteriae: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis
Authors: Nasirian Hassan
Published: June 2019

Cockroaches have the potential to disseminate bacteria in their environments and therefore a systematic review and meta-analysis was conducted to assess the state-of-the-art of our knowledge regarding bacterial contaminants of cockroaches. At least 78 bacterial species and 42 genera from 24 families and 11 orders of bacteria were reported to have contaminated cockroaches. At least 61, 42, 12, 13, 7, and 16 bacterial species have contaminated Blattella germanica (L.) (Blattaria: Ectobiidae), Periplaneta americana (L.) (Blattaria: Blattidae), Blatta orientalis (L.) (Blattaria: Blattidae), Diploptera punctata (Eschscholtz) (Blattaria: Blaberidae), Periplaneta fuliginosa (Serville) (Blattaria: Blattidae), and Supella longipalpa (F.) (Blattaria: Ectobiidae), respectively. Blattella germanica is the most commonly contaminated cockroach species, with the widest bacterial species diversity that threatens human health, followed by P. americana. Cockroach bacterial contaminants may result in the dissemination of opportunistic or pathogenic infections, particularly nosocomial and foodborne infections. One-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) revealed significant differences between bacterial contaminant species of cockroaches, species of cockroaches with bacterial contaminants, cockroach body part surfaces from the point of view bacterial contaminants and countries of cockroach infested with bacterial contaminants (P < 0.05). This statistical analysis indicates that the bacterial contaminants of the external cockroach body parts are potentially more harmful than from internal surfaces, and secondly, the bacterial contaminants of cockroaches in hospital environments are potentially more harmful than from other human environments. The survey indicated that the bacterial contaminant species of cockroaches appear to be mostly multiple drug resistant. The challenges of cockroaches as being potential vectors of pathogenic or opportunistic agents of human infections are discussed.
Use of Letermovir for Salvage Therapy for Resistant Cytomegalovirus in a Pediatric Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplant Recipient
Authors: Kilgore Jacob T , Becken Bradford , Varga Matthew G , Parikh Suhag , Prasad Vinod , Lugo Debra , Chang Yeh-Chung
Published: June 2019

We present here the first published use of letermovir for the treatment of resistant cytomegalovirus (CMV) in a pediatric patient. A 14-year-old girl underwent a double unrelated umbilical cord blood transplantation to treat her sickle cell disease (hemoglobin SS) and developed ganciclovir-resistant CMV DNAemia with end-organ involvement that was treated successfully with a combination of foscarnet and letermovir. After she was transitioned to letermovir monotherapy for secondary prophylaxis, she developed recurrent DNAemia with laboratory-confirmed ganciclovir, foscarnet, and letermovir resistance.
3D GIS and ‘The Royaltie Of Sight’: Recreating ‘Prospects’ and ‘Perspectives’ within an English designed landscape c. 1550–1660
Authors: Stewart Elizabeth
Published: June 2019

Experience through sight has been recognized as a contributing factor in the shaping of historic landscapes, where humans could express themselves in response to their aesthetic and intellectual qualities. What was experienced, however, was not only dependent on the ‘prospect’, or landscape view, but also on the individual ‘perspective’ of the spectator. Three-dimensional Geographical Information Systems (3D GIS) has enabled investigations into landscape visibility within digitized historic environments and can therefore assist the analysis and understanding of this phenomenon. This article applies 3D GIS to a currently under-researched area of landscape history, English designed landscapes of the 16th and 17th centuries. From country houses and gardens to parks and working estates, these landscapes were manipulated in response to the landowners’ ‘perspectives’ towards the landscape, which subsequently determined the visibility or invisibility of features within certain ‘prospects’. This concept was dubbed ‘The Royaltie of Sight’ by Henry Wotton in 1624. By using 3D GIS to recreate a designed landscape that poses challenges which have previously hindered its analysis, the characteristics of ‘prospects’ can be ascertained using viewshed analysis and the individual ‘perspective’ of the landowner interpreted using phenomenology and reception theory. The results presented in this article demonstrate how 3D GIS has benefited studies into English designed landscapes and improved knowledge of how perception influenced landscape change.
ϵ Lupi: measuring the heartbeat of a doubly magnetic massive binary with BRITE Constellation
Authors: Pablo H , Shultz M , Fuller J , Wade G A , Paunzen E , Mathis S , Le Bouquin J-B , Pigulski A , Handler G , Alecian E , Kuschnig R , Moffat A F J , Neiner C , Popowicz A , Rucinski S , Smolec R , Weiss W , Zwintz K ,   the BinaMIcS Collaboration
Published: June 2019

ϵ Lupi A is a binary system consisting of two main-sequence early B-type stars Aa and Ab in a short period, moderately eccentric orbit. The close binary pair is the only doubly magnetic massive binary currently known. Using photometric data from the BRITE Constellation we identify a modest heartbeat variation. Combining the photometry with radial velocities of both components we determine a full orbital solution including empirical masses and radii. These results are compared with stellar evolution models as well as interferometry and the differences discussed. We also find additional photometric variability at several frequencies, finding it unlikely these frequencies can be caused by tidally excited oscillations. We do, however, determine that these signals are consistent with gravity mode pulsations typical for slowly pulsating B stars. Finally we discuss how the evolution of this system will be affected by magnetism, determining that tidal interactions will still be dominant.
Building a cluster: shocks, cavities, and cooling filaments in the group–group merger NGC 6338
Authors: O’Sullivan Ewan , Schellenberger Gerrit , Burke D J , Sun Ming , Vrtilek Jan M , David Laurence P , Sarazin Craig
Published: June 2019

We present deep Chandra, XMM–Newton, Giant Metrewave Radio Telescope, and Hα observations of the group–group merger NGC 6338. X-ray imaging and spectral mapping show that as well as trailing tails of cool, enriched gas, the two cool cores are embedded in an extensive region of shock-heated gas with temperatures rising to ∼5 keV. The velocity distribution of the member galaxies show that the merger is occurring primarily along the line of sight, and we estimate that the collision has produced shocks of Mach number $\mathcal {M}$  = 2.3 or greater, making this one of the most violent mergers yet observed between galaxy groups. Both cool cores host potential AGN cavities and Hα nebulae, indicating rapid radiative cooling. In the southern cool core around NGC 6338, we find that the X-ray filaments associated with the Hα nebula have low entropies (<10 keV cm2) and short cooling times (∼200–300 Myr). In the northern core, we identify an Hα cloud associated with a bar of dense, cool X-ray gas offset from the dominant galaxy. We find no evidence of current jet activity in either core. We estimate the total mass of the system and find that the product of this group–group merger will likely be a galaxy cluster.
Genomic Patterns of Local Adaptation under Gene Flow in Arabidopsis lyrata
Authors: Hämälä Tuomas , Savolainen Outi
Published: June 2019

Short-scale local adaptation is a complex process involving selection, migration, and drift. The expected effects on the genome are well grounded in theory but examining these on an empirical level has proven difficult, as it requires information about local selection, demographic history, and recombination rate variation. Here, we use locally adapted and phenotypically differentiated Arabidopsis lyrata populations from two altitudinal gradients in Norway to test these expectations at the whole-genome level. Demography modeling indicates that populations within the gradients diverged <2 kya and that the sites are connected by gene flow. The gene flow estimates are, however, highly asymmetric with migration from high to low altitudes being several times more frequent than vice versa. To detect signatures of selection for local adaptation, we estimate patterns of lineage-specific differentiation among these populations. Theory predicts that gene flow leads to concentration of adaptive loci in areas of low recombination; a pattern we observe in both lowland-alpine comparisons. Although most selected loci display patterns of conditional neutrality, we found indications of genetic trade-offs, with one locus particularly showing high differentiation and signs of selection in both populations. Our results further suggest that resistance to solar radiation is an important adaptation to alpine environments, while vegetative growth and bacterial defense are indicated as selected traits in the lowland habitats. These results provide insights into genetic architectures and evolutionary processes driving local adaptation under gene flow. We also contribute to understanding of traits and biological processes underlying alpine adaptation in northern latitudes.