bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Incubation periods impact the spatial predictability of cholera and Ebola outbreaks in Sierra Leone
Authors: Kahn Rebecca , Peak Corey M. , Fernández-Gracia Juan , Hill Alexandra , Jambai Amara , Ganda Louisa , Castro Marcia C. , Buckee Caroline O.
Published: February 2020

Forecasting the spatiotemporal spread of infectious diseases during an outbreak is an important component of epidemic response. However, it remains challenging both methodologically and with respect to data requirements, as disease spread is influenced by numerous factors, including the pathogen’s underlying transmission parameters and epidemiological dynamics, social networks and population connectivity, and environmental conditions. Here, using data from Sierra Leone, we analyze the spatiotemporal dynamics of recent cholera and Ebola outbreaks and compare and contrast the spread of these two pathogens in the same population. We develop a simulation model of the spatial spread of an epidemic in order to examine the impact of a pathogen’s incubation period on the dynamics of spread and the predictability of outbreaks. We find that differences in the incubation period alone can determine the limits of predictability for diseases with different natural history, both empirically and in our simulations. Our results show that diseases with longer incubation periods, such as Ebola, where infected individuals can travel farther before becoming infectious, result in more long-distance sparking events and less predictable disease trajectories, as compared to the more predictable wave-like spread of diseases with shorter incubation periods, such as cholera.
Coalescence modeling of intrainfection
Bacillus anthracis
populations allows estimation of infection parameters in wild populations
Authors: Easterday W. Ryan , Ponciano José Miguel , Gomez Juan Pablo , Van Ert Matthew N. , Hadfield Ted , Bagamian Karoun , Blackburn Jason K. , Stenseth Nils Chr. , Turner Wendy C.
Published: February 2020

Bacillus anthracis
, the etiological agent of anthrax, is a well-established model organism. For
B. anthracis
and most other infectious diseases, knowledge regarding transmission and infection parameters in natural systems, in large part, comprises data gathered from closely controlled laboratory experiments. Fatal, natural anthrax infections transmit the bacterium through new host−pathogen contacts at carcass sites, which can occur years after death of the previous host. For the period between contact and death, all of our knowledge is based upon experimental data from domestic livestock and laboratory animals. Here we use a noninvasive method to explore the dynamics of anthrax infections, by evaluating the terminal diversity of
B. anthracis
in anthrax carcasses. We present an application of population genetics theory, specifically, coalescence modeling, to intrainfection populations of
B. anthracis
to derive estimates for the duration of the acute phase of the infection and effective population size converted to the number of colony-forming units establishing infection in wild plains zebra (
Equus quagga
). Founding populations are small, a few colony-forming units, and infections are rapid, lasting roughly between 1 d and 3 d in the wild. Our results closely reflect experimental data, showing that small founding populations progress acutely, killing the host within days. We believe this method is amendable to other bacterial diseases from wild, domestic, and human systems.
High-fidelity continuum modeling predicts avian voiced sound production
Authors: Jiang Weili , Rasmussen Jeppe H. , Xue Qian , Ding Ming , Zheng Xudong , Elemans Coen P. H.
Published: February 2020

Significance

Vocal communication is critical to the reproduction and survival of mammals and birds. Computational physics-based models can facilitate understanding the relation of voice physiology to sound, but there is currently an absence of thorough experimental validation. Here, we present and experimentally test a high-fidelity, continuum model for voiced sound production in birds that includes anatomically realistic geometries of the syrinx and associated vocal tract. We show that, driven by physiologically quantifiable inputs, our model accurately predicts vibration and sound parameters. These data strongly support the continuum model approach as an important component of a causal model of voiced sound production.
Mapping drought-induced changes in rice area in India
Authors: Gumma  , Nelson  , Yamano
Published: February 2020

Rice is a staple food crop of India and is grown on 44 Mha (2011–12), 58.6% of which are irrigated. An inevitable phenomenon which looms over all aspects of human life and affects rice production in India is drought. Assessing drought damage using geospatial datasets available
in the public domain, such as the Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) derived from the Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS), can provide specific and local ecoregion information for developing drought-resistant rice varieties. Based on multi-temporal NDVI data and
field observations in 2009, we developed a methodology to identify and map drought-affected areas in India. A long-term (10-year) average of NDVI during the rainy (kharif) season (June–October) was compared with NDVI from a known drought year (2002–03) to identify changes
in rice area. Rainfall data from the Tropical Rainfall Monitoring Mission (TRMM) was used to support the drought analysis. Spectral matching techniques were used to categorise the drought-affected rice areas into three classes – severe, moderate, and mild based on the intensity of damage
assessed through field sampling. Based on these ground survey samples, spectral signatures were generated. It was found that the rice area was about 16% less in the drought year (2002–03) than in a normal year (2000–01). A comparison of the MODIS-derived rice area affected by drought
in 2002 for each state and district against the difference in the kharif season harvested rice area between 2000 and 2002 (from official statistics) revealed a substantial difference in harvested area in 2002 that was largely attributable to drought. An 84.7% correlation was found between
the MODIS-derived drought-affected area in 2002 and the reduction in harvested area from 2000–01 to 2002–03. Good spatial correlation was found between the drought-affected rice areas and reduction of rice harvested areas in different rice ecologies, indicating the usefulness of
such geospatial datasets in assessing abiotic stress such as drought and its consequences.
Surface mechanical attrition treatment-induced dissolution of Cu4Ti precipitates in Cu–4wt-%Ti alloy
Authors: Wei Huan , Dai Xinyu , Han Pengju , Zhou Caizhi , Wei Yinghui , Hou Lifeng
Published: February 2020

The microstructural evolution of an overaged Cu-4wt-%Ti alloy associated with surface mechanical attrition treatment (SMAT) has been studied by X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscope and transmission electron microscopy. The results show that β-Cu4Ti precipitates in the topmost surface layer were dissolved after SMAT, and Cu solid solution phase with a fine grain size of approximately 25 nm was observed. Dislocation activities were the main deformation mechanism of lamellar structure in the overaged Cu–4wt-%Ti alloy. The twinning in lamellar Cu phase was inhibited by the β-Cu4Ti precipitates.
The 2020 motile active matter roadmap
Authors: Gompper Gerhard , Winkler Roland G , Speck Thomas , Solon Alexandre , Nardini Cesare , Peruani Fernando , Löwen Hartmut , Golestanian Ramin , Kaupp U Benjamin , Alvarez Luis , Kiørboe Thomas , Lauga Eric , Poon Wilson C K , DeSimone Antonio , Muiños-Landin Santiago , Fischer Alexander , Söker Nicola A , Cichos Frank , Kapral Raymond , Gaspard Pierre , Ripoll Marisol , Sagues Francesc , Doostmohammadi Amin , Yeomans Julia M , Aranson Igor S , Bechinger Clemens , Stark Holger , Hemelrijk Charlotte K , Nedelec François J , Sarkar Trinish , Aryaksama Thibault , Lacroix Mathilde , Duclos Guillaume , Yashunsky Victor , Silberzan Pascal , Arroyo Marino , Kale Sohan
Published: February 2020

Activity and autonomous motion are fundamental in living and engineering systems. This has stimulated the new field of ‘active matter’ in recent years, which focuses on the physical aspects of propulsion mechanisms, and on motility-induced emergent collective behavior of a larger number of identical agents. The scale of agents ranges from nanomotors and microswimmers, to cells, fish, birds, and people. Inspired by biological microswimmers, various designs of autonomous synthetic nano- and micromachines have been proposed. Such machines provide the basis for multifunctional, highly responsive, intelligent (artificial) active materials, which exhibit emergent behavior and the ability to perform tasks in response to external stimuli. A major challenge for understanding and designing active matter is their inherent nonequilibrium nature due to persistent energy consumption, which invalidates equilibrium concepts such as free energy, detailed balance, and time-reversal symmetry. Unraveling, predicting, and controlling the behavior of active matter is a truly interdisciplinary endeavor at the interface of biology, chemistry, ecology, engineering, mathematics, and physics.

The vast complexity of phenomena and mechanisms involved in the self-organization and dynamics of motile active matter comprises a major challenge. Hence, to advance, and eventually reach a comprehensive understanding, this important research area requires a concerted, synergetic approach of the various disciplines. The 2020 motile active matter roadmap of Journal of Physics: Condensed Matter addresses the current state of the art of the field and provides guidance for both students as well as established scientists in their efforts to advance this fascinating area.
The global climate value of offshore wind energy
Authors: Cranmer Alexana , Baker Erin
Published: February 2020

We estimate the climate value of offshore wind energy with a highly flexible, forward-looking method that estimates the value in a consistent manner under a range of policies, including carbon caps and taxes. Backward looking methods measure the damages avoided due to emissions reductions attributed to renewable energy under an existing policy structure. Under a carbon cap, however, the climate value of offshore wind energy comes entirely from reducing the cost of meeting the cap. Our method for estimating the prospective climate value compares both climate damages and abatement costs in cases with and without offshore wind energy. This climate value can be compared to the costs of reducing barriers to new technologies, such as streamlining approval processes. The climate value depends on the cost of offshore wind technology, the climate policy under consideration, the severity of damages from climate change, and the discount rate. In the absence of a binding climate policy, the climate value of offshore wind energy ranges from $246 billion to $2.5 trillion under central assumptions about damages and discount rate, and can reach over $30 trillion under certain assumptions (low discount rate, high damages, low technology costs). The value of technical change—of moving from the highest cost to lowest cost assumptions about the technology—is estimated to be $300 billion even under the most unfavorable assumptions, dwarfing worldwide R&D investment in all wind energy technology. Using this method, we find that new low carbon technologies can provide a hedge against uncertainty and error in climate policies.
Ensemble climate-impact modelling: extreme impacts from moderate meteorological conditions
Authors: van der Wiel Karin , Selten Frank M , Bintanja Richard , Blackport Russell , Screen James A
Published: February 2020

The investigation of risk due to weather and climate events is an example of policy relevant science. Risk is the result of complex interactions between the physical environment (geophysical events or conditions, including but not limited to weather and climate events) and societal factors (vulnerability and exposure). The societal impact of two similar meteorological events at different times or different locations may therefore vary widely. Despite the complex relation between meteorological conditions and impacts, most meteorological research is focused on the occurrence or severity of extreme meteorological events, and climate impact research often undersamples climatological natural variability. Here we argue that an approach of ensemble climate-impact modelling is required to adequately investigate the relationship between meteorology and extreme impact events. We demonstrate that extreme weather conditions do not always lead to extreme impacts; in contrast, extreme impacts may result from (coinciding) moderate weather conditions. Explicit modelling of climate impacts, using the complete distribution of weather realisations, is thus necessary to ensure that the most extreme impact events are identified. The approach allows for the investigation of high-impact meteorological conditions and provides higher accuracy for consequent estimates of risk.
Utilization and cultivation opportunities of pelawan (Tristaniopsis merguensis Griff.) as a biomas energy source in Southern Sumatera
Authors: Siahaan H , Sumadi A , Purwanto
Published: February 2020

Pelawan (Tristaniopsis merguensis Griff.) has been used for many purposes in Southern Sumatera including for energy, food and medicine but effort to cultivate the species is not yet tried properly. The wide utilization resulting overexploitation and degraded its natural habitats. Research on pelawan utilization and cultivation was conducted with survey and field experimental method. Survey conducted on its natural habitats and related home industry and the field experimental is conducted on the Forest Area for Specific Purpose (KHDTK) of Kemampo to promote cultivation of the species. Result showed that pelawan was mostly used for energy purpose in the form of small timber both used directly as firewood or after being converted into charcoal. Utilization of pelawan as firewood is mostly done by household and several restaurants to get food with distinctive taste but pelawan charcoal is managed as an export commodity product by home industry. Pelawan has strong ability to sprout and stump sprouting became the main regeneration mechanism, however, generative reproduction is an important mechanism to increase its stand productivity. Cultivation trials showed that pelawan can be cultivated in generative reproduction with diameter growth of 4.5 cm and height of 457 cm in the age of 3 years old.
Color changes and smoke penetration of jabon (Anthocephalus cadamba) and tusam (Pinus merkusii) woods after smoke treatment
Authors: Abdillah I B , Hadi Y S , Massijaya M Y , Pari G , Arsyad W O M
Published: February 2020

Wood color is one of the physical properties that influence aesthetic values. Color has an important place regarding to human’s style. Color can be the preferential factors prior to people when making a decision to purchase wood products. The aim of the research was to evaluate the impact of smokes period (one-, two-, and three-week) on the color change and smoke penetration of tusam (Pinus merkusii) and jabon (Anthocephalus cadamba) woods. The smoke was generated from pyrolysis of salam (Syzygium polyanthum) wood. Color evaluation was done with CIEL*a*b* method. The assessment of smoke penetration was done with visual identification using ImageJ application. The results demonstrated that smoke treatment resulted in the color change of the wood. Smoke treatment caused value of L* (lightness), a* (red-green), and b* (yellow-blue) of wood treated were decreasing from original wood. The wood was darker with longer period of smoke. Appearance of smoked wood was different totally from original color of wood. In visual identification showed that smoke was penetrated less than 1 mm of each wood. It was found that all smoke periods can be applied for natural coloring for smoky color type.
Farmers’ economic perceptions of demonstration plot development of kaliandra (Calliandra calothyrsus Meisner) biomass energy at Parungpanjang research forest: findings from a focus group discussion
Authors: Hendarto K A , Desmiwati  , Danu  , Syamsuwida D , Yuniarti N , Siregar N W , Aminah A , Nugraheni Y M M A , Cahyono D D N , Hidayat A R
Published: February 2020

Energy needs in Indonesia are increasing and have inverse impacts on the source and production of energy itself. One effort that can be done to overcome this problem is to use biomass energy sources, especially for home industries and people surrounding the forests. This research aims to describe the perceptions of farmers, as potential workers, about the development of Calliandra calothyrsus Meisner wood energy demonstration plot. The Focus Group Discussion (FGD) was conducted in the Parungpanjang research forest. Qualitative content analysis methods were used to explore the data collected from FGD. The results showed that farmers have a positive perception of the development of wood energy demonstration plots. However, they only assume that being a worker in the demonstration plot is only a side job.
Chemical composition of Cymbopogon nardus essential oil and its broad spectrum benefit
Authors: Saputra N A , Wibisono H S , Darmawan S , Pari G
Published: February 2020

Investigation was conduct to determine the chemical composition of Cymbopogon nardus oil (CNO). Firstly, the leaves of CNO was characterized on its macro nutrient. Distillation was carried out on C. nardus leaves which were air dried conditioning for previous 24 hours. CNO was then analyzed using GCMS Pyrolysis Type Shimadzu QP2010. The nutrient laboratory test found that C.nardus leaves have water content 11.15%, C organic 25.30%, total N 0.77%, C/N ratio (33.00%), total P (0.40%) and total K (1.08%). Literature study on benefit uses were carrying on previous study. A total of 29 active compounds have been identified and quantified by GCMS Shimadzu QP2010. Predominant constituent among them: ammonium carbamate (18.26%), carbinol (13.57%), neophytadiene (11.65%), transgeraniol (6.92%), phenol-methoxy (6.15%), norolean (4.93%), benzofuran (3.9%), guaiacol (3.23%), hexadecen-phytol (3.1%), beta-citronellol (2.69%), trans-caryophyllene (2.61%), alpha.-humulene (2.45%) and valerol (2.38%). A diverse spectrum benefit among: bactericidal activity (BA), anti-fungal, anti-free radicals, waste degradation (agricultural, faecal), insect repellents and natural staple preservation.The constituents of CNO active compound varied related habitat, distillation and analysis method. Agreement among researchers on predominant compounds: citral, citronellal, geranyl acetate, geraniol and citronellol to be responsible compounds on a broad of benefit.
Prospects of biomass wood wastes as natural dye stuffs for batik clothes and other woven fabrics
Authors: Saefudin
Published: February 2020

The undertaking of abundantly biomass wastes generated from forest-related timber industries, e.g. wood slabs, bark, leaves, sawdust, and other waste form is still limited. Attempts are necessary to utilize those wastes into useful renewable products for example natural dyes for batik cloths and woven fabrics, which implement environmentally friendly technologies. Relevantly, this scrutiny aims to elaborate on the exploration, processing, and utilization of those wastes into natural, easily produced, and applicable dyestuffs. Biomass wastes are converted into dyes in liquid, paste, and powder forms. Dye production commences with a chemical investigation of biomass wastes in those three forms. All wastes were sorted, dried, grinded, and extracted. The resulting dyes, before being applied to the batik cloth and other woven fabrics, were fixed using inorganic chemicals, e.g. lime (CaCO3), alum (Na2Al2O4), and ferro-sulphate (FeSO4) to strengthen the color. These results are applicable as basic as well as complimentary colors for batik cloths and weaving yarns. Expectedly, in qualities, the dye products could compete with or even partially substitute the imported synthetic pigments. The positive impact is this technology could improve economic welfares of forest-surrounding communities.
Application of pulp and paper sludge compost on Anthocephalus cadamba seedlings in ultisol and peat media
Authors: Wahyuningsih S
Published: February 2020

Pulp and paper sludge contains cellulose which has a possitive potential as compost material. This study aims to examine responses of jabon (Anthocephalus cadamba) seedlings planted in Ultisol and peat media with addition of pulp and paper sludge compost. Before composting, the sludge was air drained to reduce water content from 80.92% to around 60-70%. Bio decomposers consist of a combination of P. citrinum and P. oxalicum with a density of 107 ml/spores were inoculated to the sludge and incubated for six months. Compost of sludge was added to grow media (ultisol and peat) with doses equal with 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 14 and 16 (ton/ha). Control treatment consists of fertile soil as a negative control, and Ultisol and peat soil with chicken manure compost addition as a positive control. Seedlings height and diameter measurement were held for six months. Both in ultisol and peat media, the addition of chicken manure compost was better in raising seedlings height and diameter. However, the sludge compost addition in peat media was better in raising the seedlings biomass than those added with the chicken manure compost.
Antioxidant activities of red jabon (Anthocephalus macrophyllus) ethanol extract
Authors: Prananta Y E , Rakhman K A , Saleh J
Published: February 2020

Red jabon bark extract has been traditionaly used as anti-inflammatory drug for pregnant women, headache and fever medications, as well as stamina enhancer by native people of North Maluku. This study primarily aims to evaluate antioxidant activity of red jabon (Anthocephalus macrophyllus) bark using DPPH (1, 1-diphenyl-2-pikrilhydrazyl). Result of this study shows that consentration level of IC50 ethanol extracted red Jabon bark is about 2.545 ppm, indicating low antioxidant activity.
Anatomical traits of Cryptomeria japonica tree rings studied by wavelet convolutional neural network
Authors: Nakajima T , Kobayashi K , Sugiyama J
Published: February 2020

Tree ring analysis is an important field of science, and is vital in modeling the environmental response system of tree growth. In most cases, analyses have been conducted using one parameter from one tree ring, e.g., ring-width, density, or ratio of stable isotopes. The information within a ring, however, has been less studied, although it offers many more possibilities for investigation, such as seasonal responses over shorter time scales. Therefore, to elucidate the sub-seasonal climatic response of softwood (Cryptomeria japonica), we investigate the use of a wavelet–convolutional neural network (CNN) model, which incorporates spectral information that is normally lost in conventional CNN models. This paper highlights the usefulness of the wavelet-CNN for classifying cross-sectional optical micrographs and extracting structural information specific to a calendar year. Class activation maps indicate that the dimension and position of cells in a radial file are likely to be discriminative features for the wavelet-CNN. This study shows that wavelet-CNNs have the potential to be highly effective methods for dendrochronology.
Evaluation of a model using local features and a codebook for wood identification
Authors: Hwang SW , Kobayashi K , Sugiyama J
Published: February 2020

We designed a model for wood identification based on scale-invariant feature transform (SIFT) descriptors and a codebook. A dataset consisting of cross-sectional optical micrographs of the Lauraceae family including 39 species was used for identification. The bagof-features (BOF) model was superior to the model combined SIFT descriptors with a classifier. Among the four classifiers applied to both models, the support vector machine (SVM) achieved the best identification performance with 99.4% accuracy. From the feature importance calculated by the random forests and the inverse document frequency (IDF) score, it was also confirmed that cell corner-based features are more informative for the identification of Lauraceae. In particular, cell corners in vessels are not only important for species identification, but also reveal that they are species-specific features. The computer vision-based model was suitable for Lauraceae identification and enabled the quantification of anatomical structures that are not possible with conventional visual inspection for wood identification.
Influence of dopant concentration on the electronic band gap energy of Yb-ZrSe2 thin films for photovoltaic application via electrochemical deposition technique
Authors: Ikhioya Lucky I , Chime Ugochi K , Okoro Chidimma F , Iroegbu C , Maaza M , Ezema Fabian I
Published: February 2020

This research focus on the Influence of Dopant Concentration on Polycrystalline Ytterbium-doped ZrSe (Yb-ZrSe) material for possible photovoltaic application using the electrochemical deposition method. The cationic precursor was an aqueous solution of 0.01 mol ZrOCl2.8H2O while the anionic precursor was 0.15 mol selenium was prepared by dissolving with 5 ml of Hydrochloric acid (HCl), and then 0.05 mol Yb (NO3)3.5H2O was used as the dopant. The films were characterized using UV-1800 Visible Spectrophotometer, Bruker D8 Advance x-ray diffractometer with Cu Kα line (λ = 1.54056 Å) in 2θ range from 10°–90°and Scanning Electron Microscopy. X-ray diffraction (XRD) of the deposited films on FTO substrate studies reveals that films are polycrystalline by exhibiting diffraction peaks at (111), (200), (200) and (210) corresponds to the following angle (27.00°), (38.01°), (46.02°), (66.02°). (SEM) revealed that the grain size was uniformly distributed on the surface of the substrate. The optical band gap energy

2.29
−
1.57

eV

was obtained.
Crystallization and electrochemical corrosion behaviors of nanometer amorphous Ni-P alloys
Authors: Li Zhizhen , Luo Mengfei , Mao Hui , Bian Chaoqun
Published: February 2020

Ni-P alloy coatings with a phosphorus content of 11.65 wt% were deposited by electroless plating. The as-plated nano-amorphous Ni-P alloy coatings were heated in air for 1 h at 200–500 °C. By using an atomic force microscope and the x-ray diffraction method, the nanocrystalline morphology and the crystallization phase identification of the coatings were studied. The corrosion behavior of the coatings in the 3.5 wt% NaCl solution was analyzed using polarization curves and impedance spectroscopy. It was observed that the corrosion behavior of the coatings was affected by the change in the nanocrystalline structure; during the heat treatment, the nanocrystalline structure of the coating alloy undergoes sequential changes from amorphous → the adjustment of amorphous → precipitated phase → crystalline. Meanwhile, the corrosion behavior of the coating alloy has also changed from uniform corrosion controlled by charge transfer → uniform corrosion controlled by diffusion → grain boundary corrosion. The Ni phase and the Ni3P phase developed a compact and dense nanocrystal layer on the surface of the coating alloy, in which the best performance by the corrosion resistant coating can be found.
Bureaucrats at war: The resilient state in the Congo
Authors: Sweet Rachel
Published: February 2020

Rebels often portray themselves as state-like to legitimize their rule, yet little is known about their on-the-ground relations with the administrators of state power—official bureaucrats. Drawing on internal armed group records from the Democratic Republic of Congo, this article argues that rebels’ state-like image is more than a simple veneer: Bureaucrats actively sustain state institutions and recruit rebel support during war. It develops a theory of the sources of leverage that bureaucrats use to negotiate with rebels. These interactions entail dual struggles to sustain the structures and symbols of state power and to shape the distribution of control over these institutions during war. On first front, bureaucrats can use their official status to market the symbols of state legitimacy—official certificates, codes, and paperwork—to rebels. On a second, to recruit protection for administrative posts. Pre-existing routines of noncompliance, like parallel taxes and sabotaged information, can use bureaucratic discretion and opacity to limit rebels’ takeover of state structures. This view from the ground demonstrates the real-time continuity of bureaucratic practice through daily paperwork and exchange during war. It contributes to research on rebel governance by illustrating new competitions for wartime statehood and illustrates the empirical practices of states seen as ‘juridical’ or weak.
Bridging integrator 1 protein loss in Alzheimer’s disease promotes synaptic tau accumulation and disrupts tau release
Authors: Glennon Elizabeth B , Lau Dawn H W , Gabriele Rebecca M C , Taylor Matthew F , Troakes Claire , Opie-Martin Sarah , Elliott Christina , Killick Richard , Hanger Diane P , Perez-Nievas Beatriz G , Noble Wendy
Published: February 2020

Polymorphisms associated with BIN1 (bridging integrator 1) confer the second greatest risk for developing late-onset Alzheimer’s disease. The biological consequences of this genetic variation are not fully understood; however, BIN1 is a binding partner for tau. Tau is normally a highly soluble cytoplasmic protein, but in Alzheimer’s disease, tau is abnormally phosphorylated and accumulates at synapses to exert synaptotoxicity. The purpose of this study was to determine whether alterations in BIN1 and tau in Alzheimer’s disease promote the damaging redistribution of tau to synapses, as a mechanism by which BIN1 polymorphisms may increase the risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease. We show that BIN1 is lost from the cytoplasmic fraction of Alzheimer’s disease cortex, and this is accompanied by the progressive mislocalization of phosphorylated tau to synapses. We confirmed proline 216 in tau as critical for tau interaction with the BIN1-SH3 domain and showed that the phosphorylation of tau disrupts this binding, suggesting that tau phosphorylation in Alzheimer’s disease disrupts tau–BIN1 associations. Moreover, we show that BIN1 knockdown in rat primary neurons to mimic BIN1 loss in Alzheimer’s disease brain causes the damaging accumulation of phosphorylated tau at synapses and alterations in dendritic spine morphology. We also observed reduced release of tau from neurons upon BIN1 silencing, suggesting that BIN1 loss disrupts the function of extracellular tau. Together, these data indicate that polymorphisms associated with BIN1 that reduce BIN1 protein levels in the brain likely act synergistically with increased tau phosphorylation to increase the risk of Alzheimer’s disease by disrupting cytoplasmic tau–BIN1 interactions, promoting the damaging mis-sorting of phosphorylated tau to synapses to alter synapse structure and reducing the release of physiological forms of tau to disrupt tau function.
Top–Down Inhibitory Mechanisms Underlying Auditory–Motor Integration for Voice Control: Evidence by TMS
Authors: Liu Dongxu , Dai Guangyan , Liu Churong , Guo Zhiqiang , Xu Zhiqin , Jones Jeffery A , Liu Peng , Liu Hanjun
Published: February 2020

The dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC) has been implicated in auditory–motor integration for accurate control of vocal production, but its precise role in this feedback-based process remains largely unknown. To this end, the present event-related potential study applied a transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) protocol, continuous theta-burst stimulation (c-TBS), to disrupt cortical activity in the left DLPFC as young adults vocalized vowel sounds while hearing their voice unexpectedly shifted upwards in pitch. The results showed that, as compared to the sham condition, c-TBS over left DLPFC led to significantly larger vocal compensations for pitch perturbations that were accompanied by significantly smaller cortical P2 responses. Source localization analyses revealed that this brain activity pattern was the result of reduced activation in the left superior frontal gyrus and right inferior parietal lobule (supramarginal gyrus). These findings demonstrate c-TBS-induced modulatory effects of DLPFC on the neurobehavioral processing of vocal pitch regulation, suggesting that disrupting prefrontal function may impair top–down inhibitory control mechanisms that prevent speech production from being excessively influenced by auditory feedback, resulting in enhanced vocal compensations for feedback perturbations. This is the first study that provides direct evidence for a causal role of the left DLPFC in auditory feedback control of vocal production.
Infant Hospitalizations and Fatalities Averted by the Maternal Pertussis Vaccination Program in England, 2012–2017: Post-implementation Economic Evaluation
Authors: Sandmann Frank , Jit Mark , Andrews Nick , Buckley Hannah L , Campbell Helen , Ribeiro Sonia , Sile Bersabeh , Stowe Julia , Tessier Elise , Ramsay Mary , Choi Yoon H , Amirthalingam Gayatri
Published: February 2020

In October 2012, a maternal pertussis vaccination program was implemented in England following an increased incidence and mortality in infants. We evaluated the cost-effectiveness of the program by comparing pertussis-related infant hospitalizations and deaths in 2012–2017 with nonvaccination scenarios. Despite considerable uncertainties, findings support the cost-effectiveness of the program.
Nox2+ myeloid cells drive vascular inflammation and endothelial dysfunction in heart failure after myocardial infarction via angiotensin II receptor type 1
Authors: Molitor Michael , Rudi Wolf-Stephan , Garlapati Venkata , Finger Stefanie , Schüler Rebecca , Kossmann Sabine , Lagrange Jeremy , Nguyen Thanh Son , Wild Johannes , Knopp Tanja , Karbach Susanne H , Knorr Maike , Ruf Wolfram , Münzel Thomas , Wenzel Philip
Published: February 2020

Aims

Heart failure (HF) ensuing myocardial infarction (MI) is characterized by the initiation of a systemic inflammatory response. We aimed to elucidate the impact of myelomonocytic cells and their activation by angiotensin II on vascular endothelial function in a mouse model of HF after MI.

Methods and results

HF was induced in male C57BL/6J mice by permanent ligation of the left anterior descending coronary artery. Compared to sham, HF mice had significantly impaired endothelial function accompanied by enhanced mobilization of Sca-1+c-Kit+ haematopoietic stem cells and Sca-1−c-Kit+ common myeloid and granulocyte-macrophage progenitors in the bone marrow as well as increased vascular infiltration of CD11b+Ly6G−Ly6Chigh monocytes and accumulation of CD11b+ F4/80+ macrophages, assessed by flow cytometry. Using mice with Cre-inducible expression of diphtheria toxin receptor in myeloid cells, we selectively depleted lysozyme M+ myelomonocytic cells for 10 days starting 28 days after MI. While the cardiac phenotype remained unaltered until 38 days post-MI, myeloid cell depletion attenuated vascular accumulation of Nox2+CD45+ cells, endothelial dysfunction, oxidative stress, and vascular expression of adhesion molecules and angiotensin II receptor type 1 (AT1R). Pharmacological blockade of this receptor for 4 weeks did not significantly alter cardiac function, but mimicked the effects of myeloid cell depletion: telmisartan (20 mg/kg/day, fed to C57BL/6J mice) diminished bone marrow myelopoesis and myeloid reactive oxygen species production, attenuated endothelial leucocyte rolling and vascular accumulation of CD11b+Ly6G−Ly6Chigh monocytes and macrophages, resulting in improved vascular function with less abundance of Nox2+CD45+ cells.

Conclusion

Endothelial dysfunction in HF ensuing MI is mediated by inflammatory Nox2+ myeloid cells infiltrating the vessel wall that can be targeted by AT1R blockade.
Tracheal resection and anterior mediastinal tracheostomy in the multidisciplinary treatment of esophageal cancer with tracheal invasion
Authors: Yamasaki Makoto , Yamashita Kotaro , Saito Takuro , Tanaka Koji , Makino Tomoki , Miyazaki Yasuhiro , Takahashi Tsuyoshi , Kurokawa Yukinori , Nakajima Kiyokazu , Motoori Masaaki , Kimura Yutaka , Mori Masaki , Doki Yuichiro
Published: February 2020

Combined tracheal resection and anterior mediastinal tracheostomy (AMT) for esophageal cancer with tracheal invasion is a challenging treatment because of its high morbidity and the lack of evidence regarding long-term outcomes. The aim of this study was to assess the short- and long-term outcomes of AMT as part of the multidisciplinary treatment for esophageal cancer with tracheal invasion. This retrospective study included 27 consecutive patients with esophageal cancer with tracheal invasion who underwent combined tracheal resection and AMT in their multidisciplinary treatment for esophageal cancer. We evaluated postoperative complications, body weight loss, and survival and examined the prognostic value of preoperative factors. All patients underwent chemotherapy and/or chemoradiotherapy as prior treatment. R0 resection was achieved in all cases. Clavien–Dindo grade I or greater complications occurred in 17 patients (63%), and grade III or greater complications occurred in 12 (44%). Overall in-hospital mortality was 4%, with one patient dying on postoperative day 48 when the brachiocephalic artery ruptured from tracheal compression. The 30- and 90-day mortality rates were 0% and 4%, respectively. Median weight change in patients without recurrence in the year after surgery was −1.7% (−9.6–21%). All of these patients received nutrition by oral intake and were living independently at home without public assistance. The 3- and 5-year disease-free survival rates were 25.9% and 18.5%, respectively; 3- and 5-year overall survival rates were 38.6% and 25.7%, respectively. Multivariate analysis identified response to prior treatment as an independent prognostic factor in these patients. Combined tracheal resection and AMT may be adapted as part of the multidisciplinary treatment of esophageal cancer with tracheal invasion. Improving AMT safety and optimizing patient selection may improve prognosis among patients with this cancer.
Norm Enforcement in Markets: Group Identity and the Volunteering of Feedback
Authors: Bolton Gary E , Mans Johannes , Ockenfels Axel
Published: February 2020

The provision of trader feedback is critical to the functioning of many markets. We examine the influence of group identity on the volunteering and informativeness of feedback. In a market experiment conducted simultaneously in Germany and the United States, we manipulate the interaction of traders based on natural social and induced home market identities. Traders are more likely to provide feedback information on a trader with whom they share a common group identity, and the effect is more pronounced for social identity than for home market identity. Both kinds of group identity promote rewarding good performance and punishing bad performance.
Lymphoidal chemokine CCL19 promoted the heterogeneity of the breast tumor cell motility within a 3D microenvironment revealed by a Lévy distribution analysis
Authors: Kim Beum Jun , Hannanta-anan Pimkhuan , Ryd Anders , Swartz Melody A , Wu Mingming
Published: February 2020

Tumor cell heterogeneity, either at the genotypic or the phenotypic level, is a hallmark of cancer. Tumor cells exhibit large variations, even among cells derived from the same origin, including cell morphology, speed and motility type. However, current work for quantifying tumor cell behavior is largely population based and does not address the question of cell heterogeneity. In this article, we utilize Lévy distribution analysis, a method known in both social and physical sciences for quantifying rare events, to characterize the heterogeneity of tumor cell motility. Specifically, we studied the breast tumor cell (MDA-MB-231 cell line) velocity statistics when the cells were subject to well-defined lymphoid chemokine (CCL19) gradients using a microfluidic platform. Experimental results showed that the tail end of the velocity distribution of breast tumor cell was well described by a Lévy function. The measured Lévy exponent revealed that cell motility was more heterogeneous when CCL19 concentration was near the dynamic kinetic binding constant to its corresponding receptor CCR7. This work highlighted the importance of tumor microenvironment in modulating tumor cell heterogeneity and invasion.
Manual Determination of Minced Fish Flesh in Mixed Fillet-Minced Cod Blocks: Collaborative Study
Authors: Lane J Perry , Learson Robert J ,   Collaborators:, Berube S , Farstad N , LaTerza A F , Learson R J , O’Rourke P , Powers J , Price H , Rowe K , Williams A
Published: February 2020

A simple, rapid method for determining the amount of minced fish in mixed fillet-minced cod blocks was tested by 9 collaborators. Each collaborator first examined 2 practice blocks containing 20% mince, and then examined 6 blind duplicate samples of 5 lb cod blocks from each of 3 test lots containing, respectively, 26.25, 18.75, and 12.5% mince. The data from one of the 9 collaborators was not usable because of a malfunctioning scale. Standard deviations (SD) for the 3 lots (all 8 collaborators combined) were 1.77, 1.51, and 1.65, and coefficients of variation (CV) were 6.8, 8.9, and 16.2%, respectively. For comparison, the results of an informal collaborative study by 10 participants on 16.5 lb mixed cod blocks containing 20.1% mince were SD 2.72 and CV 0.136%. Collaborators reported no problems with the method, and statistical analysis shows the method to be sufficiently precise for this type of determination. The method has been adopted official first action for cod.
Evaluation of Infant Formula Protein Quality: Comparison of In Vitro with In Vivo Methods
Authors: Harris David A , Burns Robert A , Ali Rida
Published: February 2020

Two-week protein efficiency ratio (2-wk PER), net protein ratio (NPR), calculated-protein efficiency ratio (C-PER), and discriminant computed- protein efficiency ratio (DC-PER) of milk- and soy-based infant formulas were compared to a 4-week protein efficiency ratio (PER). Expressed relative to ANRC casein, 2-week PER and NPR correlated significantly (P < 0.01, r = 0.90) with PER. Although C-PER and DC-PER also correlated significantly (P < 0.01) with PER, r = 0.71 and r = 0.87, respectively, these in vitro methods did not distinguish differences in protein quality among soy-based infant formulas. C-PER and DC-PER, as currently designed, are not applicable to the measurement of protein quality for all types of infant formulas.
Liquid Chromatographic Identification of Meats
Authors: Ashoor Samy H , Monte Woodrow C , Stiles Philip G
Published: February 2020

Raw beef, pork, veal, lamb, chicken, turkey, and duck have been identified with a liquid chromatographic (LC) method. Meat samples are blended in water, and soluble proteins in the aqueous blends are separated by the LC method. Meat cuts and parts from same species had similar chromatographic profiles and differed only quantitatively. However, meat cuts or parts from different species resulted in different chromatographic profiles. The qualitative and quantitative chromatographic differences among meat species were used for their identification. The LC method applies only to fresh and frozen meats. It is simple, rapid, and reliable, and can be used for quantitative detection of meat species in unheated meat blends.
Interferences in Radioimmunoassay of Aflatoxins in Food and Fodder Samples of Plant Origin
Authors: Rauch Pavel , Fukal Ladislav , Březina Pavel , Káš Jan
Published: February 2020

Cross-reactions and resulting nonspecific binding of substances with structures resembling aflatoxins (derivatives of coumarin, and cinnamonic and benzoic acids, etc.) were investigated. The concentrations of these substances causing erroneously high or false positive values in radioimmunoassay were determined. One μg aflatoxin B1/ kg sample may be simulated by the occurrence of 5 g coumarin, 10 g caffeic acid, 16 g chlorogenic acid, or 15 g vanillin/kg fodder or food sample.
Comparison of Three Methods for Determination of /V-Nitrosopyrrolidine in Fried Dry-Cured
and Pump-Cured Bacon
Authors: Malanoski Anthony J , Smith Wertice J , Phillipo Thomas
Published: February 2020

Three methods, the mineral oil distillation (MOD), the dry column (DC), and a low temperature vacuum distillation (LTVD), for the determination of iV-nitrosopyrrolidine in dry-cured and pump-cured bacon were compared. Each method uses the thermal energy analyzer for the determinative step. The coefficients of variation for repeatability were 10.3% (MOD), 7.2% (DC), and 9.1% (LTVD) for the dry-cured bacon study and 8.7% (MOD), 8.5% (DC), and 7.1% (LTVD) for the pump-cured bacon study. The pooled coefficients of variation for between-method reproducibility were 11.8% for the drycured bacon and 10.8% for the pump-cured bacon. The pooled coefficients of variation for repeatability were 9.0% for the dry-cured bacon and 8.2% for the pump-cured bacon. These values compare favorably with the values from previous collaborative or validation studies of the individual methods, and the methods can be considered to be equivalent
Rapid Gas Chromatographic Method for Determining Ethyl Carbamate in Alcoholic
Beverages with Thermal Energy Analyzer Detection
Authors: Benjamin J Canas , HaVery Donald C , Joe Frank L
Published: February 2020

A rapid column elution method has been developed for the determination of ethyl carbamate (EC) in alcoholic beverages. The beverage is mixed with Celite and packed in a column containing deactivated alumina capped with a layer of sodium sulfate. EC is then eluted with methylene chloride. The method, using a gas chromatograph- thermal energy analyzer with a nitrogen converter for detection and quantitation of EC, has been applied to a variety of alcoholic beverages. Recoveries ± standard deviations of EC in wine and whisky fortified at the 20 and 133 µg/kg (ppb) levels averaged 87.3 ± 5.3 and 88.7 ± 3.6%, respectively. The method has a limit of detection of 1.5 ppb. Gas chromatography/mass spectrometry/ mass spectrometry was used to confirm the identity and quantitation of EC in selected beverage extracts.
Liquid Chromatographic Determination of Some Amines and Their Amino Acid Precursors in
Protein Foods
Authors: Carlucci Frank V , Karmas Endel
Published: February 2020

A quantitative assay has been developed for putrescine, cadaverine, histamine, and several free amino acids—lysine, arginine, and histidine— as a measure of decomposition. The free amines and amino acids are extracted from tissue with methanol. Aliquots of the extracts are passed through ion-exchange columns which are pH-adjusted to retain the cited compounds. After the respective columns are washed, the amino acids and amines are eluted, dansylated, and chromatographed on a suitably prepared LC instrument. The chromatographic responses for the amino acids and amines are compared with their respective standards to determine their concentrations. Validation of the methodology includes standard addition and calibration experiments