bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
HD 219666 b: a hot-Neptune from TESS Sector 1
Authors: Esposito M. , Armstrong D. J. , Gandolfi D. , Adibekyan V. , Fridlund M. , Santos N. C. , Livingston J. H. , Delgado Mena E. , Fossati L. , Lillo-Box J. , Barragán O. , Barrado D. , Cubillos P. E. , Cooke B. , Justesen A. B. , Meru F. , Díaz R. F. , Dai F. , Nielsen L. D. , Persson C. M. , Wheatley P. J. , Hatzes A. P. , Van Eylen V. , Musso M. M. , Alonso R. , Beck P. G. , Barros S. C. C. , Bayliss D. , Bonomo A. S. , Bouchy F. , Brown D. J. A. , Bryant E. , Cabrera J. , Cochran W. D. , Csizmadia S. , Deeg H. , Demangeon O. , Deleuil M. , Dumusque X. , Eigmüller P. , Endl M. , Erikson A. , Faedi F. , Figueira P. , Fukui A. , Grziwa S. , Guenther E. W. , Hidalgo D. , Hjorth M. , Hirano T. , Hojjatpanah S. , Knudstrup E. , Korth J. , Lam K. W. F. , de Leon J. , Lund M. N. , Luque R. , Mathur S. , Montañés Rodríguez P. , Narita N. , Nespral D. , Niraula P. , Nowak G. , Osborn H. P. , Pallé E. , Pätzold M. , Pollacco D. , Prieto-Arranz J. , Rauer H. , Redfield S. , Ribas I. , Sousa S. G. , Smith A. M. S. , Tala-Pinto M. , Udry S. , Winn J. N.
Published: February 2019

We report on the confirmation and mass determination of a transiting planet orbiting the old and inactive G7 dwarf star HD 219666 (M⋆ = 0.92 ± 0.03 M⊙, R⋆ = 1.03 ± 0.03 R⊙, τ⋆ = 10 ± 2 Gyr). With a mass of Mb = 16.6 ± 1.3 M⊕, a radius of Rb = 4.71 ± 0.17 R⊕, and an orbital period of Porb ≃ 6 days, HD 219666 b is a new member of a rare class of exoplanets: the hot-Neptunes. The Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite (TESS) observed HD 219666 (also known as TOI-118) in its Sector 1 and the light curve shows four transit-like events, equally spaced in time. We confirmed the planetary nature of the candidate by gathering precise radial-velocity measurements with the High Accuracy Radial velocity Planet Searcher (HARPS) at ESO 3.6 m. We used the co-added HARPS spectrum to derive the host star fundamental parameters (Teff = 5527 ± 65 K, log g⋆ = 4.40 ± 0.11 (cgs), [Fe/H]= 0.04 ± 0.04 dex, log R′HK = −5.07 ± 0.03), as well as the abundances of many volatile and refractory elements. The host star brightness (V = 9.9) makes it suitable for further characterisation by means of in-transit spectroscopy. The determination of the planet orbital obliquity, along with the atmosphericmetal-to-hydrogen content and thermal structure could provide us with important clues on the formation mechanisms of this class of objects.
Release of large polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and fullerenes by cosmic rays from interstellar dust
Authors: Pino T. , Chabot M. , Béroff K. , Godard M. , Fernandez-Villoria F. , Le K. C. , Breuer L. , Herder M. , Wucher A. , Bender M. , Severin D. , Trautmann C. , Dartois E.
Published: February 2019

Context. Top-down chemistry is believed to be responsible for the formation of the large molecular compounds such as the polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon-like molecules and the fullerenes observed in the interstellar medium. The release of these large molecules from the parent grains remains an important issue to be investigated.

Aims. Cosmic rays irradiate the dust grains during their journey in the interstellar medium. In this study we probe to what extent electronic sputtering and/or desorption processes induced by high-energy ion projectiles contribute to the creation of the large molecular component in space.

Methods. Carbonaceous dust analogues were produced in an ethylene flame. The resulting soot nanoparticles generated under well-defined conditions were irradiated by swift heavy ions, and mass spectra of the ionic and neutral molecular fragments emitted shortly after the impact were monitored.

Results. Large molecular fragments were detected, including neutral and ionic polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons containing up to several tens of carbon atoms, as well as ionic fullerenes. Although the absolute efficiencies were not obtained, these experiments provide a proof of principle of a top-down scenario involving interaction processes of interstellar dust with high-energy projectiles yielding large molecular compounds observed in space.
ISPY – NaCo Imaging Survey for Planets around Young stars
Authors: Cugno G. , Quanz S. P. , Launhardt R. , Musso Barcucci A. , Brems S. S. , Cheetham A. , Godoy N. , Kennedy G. M. , Henning T. , Müller A. , Olofsson J. , Pepe F. , Quirrenbach A. , Reffert S. , Rickman E. L. , Ségransan D.
Published: February 2019

Context. Within the NaCo-ISPY exoplanet imaging program, we aim at detecting and characterizing the population of low-mass companions at wide separations (≳10 AU), focusing in particular on young stars either hosting a known protoplanetary disk or a debris disk.

Aims. R CrA is one of the youngest (1–3 Myr) and most promising objects in our sample because of two previous studies that suggested the presence of a close companion. Our aim is to directly image and characterize the companion for the first time.

Methods. We observed R CrA twice with the NaCo instrument at the Very Large Telescope (VLT) in the L′ filter with a one year time baseline in between. The high-contrast imaging data were reduced and analyzed and the companion candidate was detected in both datasets. We used artificial negative signals to determine the position and brightness of the companion and the related uncertainties.

Results. The companion is detected at a separation of 196.8 ± 4.5/196.6 ± 5.9 mas (18.7 ± 1.3/18.7 ± 1.4 AU) and position angle of 134.7 ± 0.5 ° /133.7 ± 0.7° in the first/second epoch observation. We measure a contrast of 7.29 ± 0.18/6.70 ± 0.15 mag with respect to the primary. A study of the stellar proper motion rejects the hypothesis that the signal is a background object. The companion candidate orbits in the clockwise direction and, if on a face-on circular orbit, its period is ∼43 − 47 yr. This value disagrees with the estimated orbital motion and therefore a face-on circular orbit may be excluded. Depending on the assumed age, extinction, and brightness of the primary, the stellar companion has a mass between 0.10 ± 0.02 M⊙ and 1.03−0.18+0.20 M⊙ range, if no contribution from circumsecondary material is taken into account.

Conclusions. As already hypothesized by previous studies, we directly detected a low-mass stellar companion orbiting the young Herbig Ae/Be star R CrA. Depending on the age assumptions, the companion is among the youngest forming companions imaged to date, and its presence needs to be taken into account when analyzing the complex circumstellar environment of R CrA.
Phytoplankton functional group classifications as a tool for biomonitoring shallow lakes: a case study
Authors: Allende Luz , Fontanarrosa María Soledad , Murno Ayelen , Sinistro Rodrigo
Published: February 2019

We assessed changes in phytoplankton community structure in relation to environmental variables in an urban eutrophic shallow lake (Lake Lugano, Argentina) throughout one year following two classification systems according to the morpho-functional groups (MFG) approach and morphologically based functional groups (MBFG). We aimed to compare the different approaches and find a simple tool to biomonitor urban freshwaters regarding their phytoplankton structure. Values of transparency, nutrients and chlorophyll a concentrations confirmed the eutrophic/hypertrophic conditions of the lake. The potentially toxic Cyanobacteria Planktothrix agardhii representing MFG 5a and MBFG III was generally dominant and reached bloom densities (>62,000 ind ml−1). The multivariate analyses performed showed similar and overlapping results considering both approaches. Nutrients and transparency were the main environmental variables explaining the variance encountered. We conclude that MBFG classification was an adequate, easy-to-handle method for monitoring Lake Lugano. The functional approaches applied enabled the follow-up of potentially toxic Cyanobacteria in Lake Lugano. Further studies should include the estimation of cyanobacteria-derived toxin concentrations in water. We consider that the applicability of the MBFG approach deserves to be further explored as a promising tool for biomonitoring different types of urban water bodies.
Des lasers au service de l’ophtalmologie
Authors: Baudouin Christophe
Published: February 2019

Le prix Nobel de Physique 2018 a été décerné conjointement à l’Américain Arthur Ashkin (Bell Laboratories, Lucent Technologies) pour ses travaux sur les pinces optiques, au Français Gérard Mourou (professeur émérite de l’École polytechnique) et à son élève, la Canadienne Donna Strickland (université de Waterloo, Ontario), pour leurs travaux sur les impulsions lasers ultracourtes. Cet article concerne l’application de la découverte des impulsions lasers ultracourtes par deux des trois lauréats, Gérard Mourou et Donna Strickland.
Ein Vergleich unterschiedlicher Videolaryngoskopsysteme in der präklinischen Notfallintubation: eine prospektive, randomisierte Multicenterstudie
Authors: Cavus Erol , Janssen Sebastian , Reifferscheid Florian , Caliebe Amke , Callies Andreas , von der Heyden Martin , Knacke Peer , Dörges Volker
Published: February 2019

Im Rahmen der präklinischen Notfallintubation ist die Erfolgsrate videolaryngoskopischer Systeme mit unterschiedlichen Spateltypen im Vergleich nicht hinreichend untersucht. In der vorliegenden prospektiven, randomisierten, multizentrischen Untersuchung wurden die 3 kommerziell erhältlichen Videolaryngoskope A. P. Advance, C-MAC PM und King Vision an 168 Patienten mit präklinischer Notfallintubation hinsichtlich Gesamt- und Ersterfolgsrate der Intubation sowie Parameter der Handhabung untersucht. Alle 3 Videolaryngoskope ermöglichten eine vergleichbar gute Sicht auf die Glottisstrukturen, dennoch unterschied sich der Intubationserfolg relevant. Die Intubation war mit dem King Vision mit Führungskanalspatel am schwierigsten (Gesamterfolgsrate bei A. P. Advance, C-MAC PM und King Vision: 96, 97 bzw. 61% (p < 0,001; Ersterfolgsrate: 86, 85 bzw. 48% (p < 0,001). In 5 Fällen beim A. P. Advance und in 4 Fällen beim C-MAC PM war eine Intubation unter direkt laryngoskopischer Sicht mit dem jeweiligen Gerät notwendig. Beim King Vision wurde in 21 Fällen auf ein alternatives Gerät gewechselt. Dementsprechend sollten gerätespezifische Besonderheiten und Limitationen einzelner Videolaryngoskope bei der Ausbildung berücksichtigt werden.
Veränderungen der Papilla nervi optici im Kindesalter
Authors: Tegetmeyer Helmut
Published: February 2019

Die Papilla nervi optici ist mithilfe der ophthalmoskopischen Untersuchung der visuellen Inspektion zugänglich. Dadurch ist es möglich, bereits im Säuglings- und frühen Kindesalter Papillenveränderungen zu erkennen, die mit angeborenen Fehlbildungen des Gehirns einhergehen können oder durch Tumoren, akute Erkrankungen des Sehnerven oder des Zentralnervensystem verursacht werden.
Diagnostische Strategie und therapeutisches Dilemma bei akuter posteriorer und Panuveitis
Authors: Garweg Justus , Messerli Juerg
Published: February 2019

Die breite Differenzialdiagnose der akuten posterioren und Panuveitis, die meist jüngere Individuen und in mehr als der Hälfte beide Augen betrifft, macht die rasche diagnostische Einordnung und die therapeutische Entscheidung wegen ihrer erheblichen Konsequenzen für den weiteren Verlauf zu kritischen Schritten. Das Risiko eines bleibenden Visusverlustes infolge eines verzögerten Therapiebeginns ist dabei ebenso bedeutsam wie das Einleiten einer nicht genügend wirksamen Therapie. Klinische Präsentation (anatomische Lokalisation und Entzündungstyp), Verlauf und sekundär das Ansprechen auf die Akuttherapie lassen eine erste diagnostische Eingrenzung zu, wobei eine infektiöse Ätiologie in bis zu einem Drittel der Fälle vorliegt. Die häufigste akute posteriore Uveitis bei immunkompetenten Patienten ist eine akute virale Netzhautnekrose. Diese lässt sich oft klinisch nicht sicher von einer Behçet-Uveitis unterscheiden, solange keine systemischen Manifestationen vorliegen. Bis zur definitiven diagnostischen Einordnung muss deshalb bei makulabedrohender Erkrankung spätestens 24 Stunden nach Beginn einer antiviralen und antiparasitären Akuttherapie eine hochdosierte Steroidtherapie begonnen werden. Den therapeutischen Konsequenzen der Fehleinschätzung der Erkrankung stehen prognostische Überlegungen gegenüber, die ein aggressives Vorgehen gerade bei akuten posterioren Uveitiden rechtfertigen: Jede Verzögerung des Therapiebeginns vermehrt die infektiöse und entzündliche Gewebsschädigung, erhöht das Risiko einer Affektion des Partnerauges und anderer Organe, wohingegen der Einsatz höherer Steroiddosen, Immunsuppressiva und Biologika zu unkontrollierter Erregerproliferation und zu Rezidiven führen kann.
Occurrence of Soluble Very High Molecular Weight Fibrinogen Complexes in Hypercoagulable States. An in vitro and in vivo Study on their Features
Authors: Serneri G G equal-contrib , Gensini G F , Abbate R , Favilla S
Published: February 2019

The gel-chromatography of the beta-alanine precipitate of human plasma and of purified fibrinogen shows the presence of different classes of fibrinogen complexes. A first class of complexes is detectable in correspondence with the ascending branch of the fibrinogen peak (“shoulder” complexes or high molecular weight fibrinogen complexes, HMWFC). A second class of complexes at very high molecular weight is eluted at the void volume (peak 1 complexes or VHMWFC). Treatment of plasma or fibrinogen in vitro with thrombin induces the formation of both classes of complexes. Also thrombin infusion in rabbits induces an increase of both VHMWFC and HMWFC; pretreatment with heparin prevents these changes. In the detection of VHMWF 4% agarose and beta-alanine precipitation seem to be necessary for a good resolution of the chromatographic profile. VHMWFC are devoid of albumin, transferrin and immunoglobulins on radial immunodiffusion and their elution volume suggests a molecular weight over 1 million. They show a procoagulant activity; namely they accelerate the fibrinogen polymerization and increase the resistance of normal plasma to heparin. They also induce the formation of platelet aggregates, reversible in EDTA, when incubated without stirring with control PRP, but in Born apparatus in presence of ADP they show a slight antiaggregating activity. In normal healthy young volunteers (control group A) the average values were respectively 7.81 ± 3.53 mg% for VHMWFC and 12.19 ± 4.74 mg% for HMWFC. Both VHMWFC and HMWFC are increased in patients with hypercoagulable states (patients with history of myocardial infarction, MIP, with chronic cerebrovascular disorders, CVP, with acute thrombophlebitis and with subacute intravascular coagulation, cancer patients). The increase of VHMWFC and HMWFC is however different in the various groups of patients. An increase predominantly of VHMWFC (sometimes with normal HMWFC) is detectable in MIP and CVP, whereas in subjects with acute thrombophlebitis and with cancer a predominant increase of HMWFC associated with increased levels of FDP is detectable. The detection of VHMWFC represents a useful tool for the evaluation of hypercoagulable state, and their occurrence can cooperate to enhance hypercoagulability as VHMWFC possess procoagulant activity.
Observations on the “Cytoskeleton” of Human Platelets
Authors: Nachmias V T , Sullender J , Fallon J , Asch A
Published: February 2019

Structural study of rapidly lysed platelets supports the view that that shape change involves a change in state of the microfilaments which contain actin. The microtubule “bundle” appears to be a continuous coil. Proteolysis of a high molecular weight band is observed in platelets which can no longer form filopodia after suppression by local anesthetics.
Structure and Function of Platelet Glycocalicin
Authors: Jamieson G A , Okumura T , Hasitz M
Published: February 2019

Present knowledge of the structure and function of platelet glycocalicin is reviewed. Glycocalicin (M,. 150,000) is a glycoprotein component of the outer surface of intact platelets which is released in soluble form following platelet homogenization. Glycocalicin has been purified and shown to inhibit platelet aggregation induced by thrombin or by ristocetin. Thrombin binding activity is associated with the peptide “tail” of the molecule (Mr 45,000), the macroglycopeptide portion (Mr 120,000) being without effect. Glycocalicin and membrane-bound glycoprotein I have been shown to be functionally and immunologically identical. Studies with platelets modified by chymotrypsin, and with platelets from patients with Bemard-Soulier disease and an ill-defined bleeding abnormality show that the amount of thrombin bound is proportional to the total amount of glycocalicin and glycoprotein I present. These results support the concept of a single class of binding site for thrombin in platelets.
Temporal Bone Paraganglioma: Hearing Outcomes and Rehabilitation
Authors: Walker David , Babu Seilesh
Published: February 2019

Despite numerous advancements in the treatment of skull base tumors, the management of jugular paragangliomas remains controversial and nuanced. Contemporary treatment objectives focus not only on achieving durable tumor control but also on maximizing post-treatment quality of life. While this philosophy places appropriate attention on limiting cranial neuropathies, less discussed morbidities such as hearing loss can have a profound impact on quality of life outcomes. The objective of this retrospective review is to provide a comprehensive review of hearing outcomes following the treatment of tympanojugular paragangliomas. A particular focus is placed on the variable audiologic outcomes as it relates to disease pathology, extent of disease, as well as chosen treatment modality. This review underscores the importance of considering treatment-related effects on hearing.
Predictive Factors, 30-Day Clinical Outcomes, and Costs Associated with Cerebrospinal Fluid Leak in Pituitary Adenoma Resection
Authors: Parikh Adish , Adapa Arjun , Sullivan Stephen E. , McKean Erin L.
Published: February 2019

Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leak is a complication of endoscopic endonasal pituitary adenoma resection. Previous studies examining complications of pituitary adenoma resection have not examined associations of an exhaustive list of clinical and financial variables with CSF leak. We designed a retrospective analysis of 334 consecutive patients that underwent endoscopic endonasal pituitary adenoma resection at a single institution over 5 years, analyzing associations between CSF leak and demographic data, operative data, comorbidities, clinical complications and outcomes, costs, charges, and payments. Of the 20 preoperative variables studied, none were positively associated with CSF leak in between-groups comparison, although multivariate analysis revealed an association with a history of radiation to the skull base (odds ratio [OR], 8.67; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.94–57.03; p < 0.05). CSF leak was associated with a significantly higher rate of postoperative diabetes insipidus (Δ = 33.4%, p = 0.040) and increased length of stay after operation in between-groups comparison. Multivariate analysis on postoperative variables revealed significant associations between CSF leak and intracerebral hemorrhage (OR, 17.44; 95% CI, 0.65–275.3; p < 0.05) and postoperative intracranial infection (OR, 28.73; 95% CI, 2.04–438.7; p < 0.05). Also, CSF leak was associated with significantly higher costs (Δ = $15,643, p < 0.05) and hospital charges (Δ = $46,026, p < 0.05). Operating room time, room and board, and supplies and implants were the strongest cost drivers. This study highlights the difficulty of utilizing preoperative variables to predict CSF leak, the clinical complications and outcomes of leak, and the financial subcategories that drive the costs, charges, and payments associated with this complication.
Offering maternal composite ewes higher levels of nutrition from mid-pregnancy to lambing results in predictable increases in birthweight, survival and weaning weight of their lambs
Authors: Behrendt R. , Hocking Edwards J. E. , Gordon D. , Hyder M. , Kelly M. , Cameron F. , Byron J. , Raeside M. , Kearney G. , Thompson A. N.
Published: February 2019

Management of nutrition during pregnancy for maternal composite ewes has the potential to improve lamb production and survival in prime lamb production systems but existing condition score (CS) guidelines developed for Merinos may not be appropriate for the optimum production of maternal ewes. To address this, three replicated experiments were conducted at two research sites in Victoria and one in Western Australia. Ewes (781–800 per site) were allocated to four CS treatments following pregnancy scanning (~Day 50) and differentially fed to reach approximate targets of CS 2.4, 2.8, 3.2 and 3.6 by lambing. Single and multiple bearing ewes grazed together, and nutritional treatments were applied until the end of lambing after which ewes and lambs were aggregated into management groups containing all treatments. At lambing, maternal ewe liveweight had a range between treatments of 13.7–19.1 kg (average 16.4 kg) and CS varied by 1.1–1.5 of a CS (average 1.24). Across site analysis indicated that lamb birthweight and weaning weight increased with application of higher CS treatments (P < 0.001). There was also an improvement in survival of multiple born lambs with increasing CS at lambing (P < 0.001). Birthweight was significantly related to survival (P < 0.001) at all sites with no significant effect of birth type on lamb survival. Changes in birthweight and weaning weight could be predicted from ewe joining liveweight, ewe liveweight change to Day 90 and ewe liveweight change Day 90 to lambing. The coefficients derived for each of these effects were similar to those found in previous experiments examining Merino and crossbred Border Leicester Merino ewes. The optimum CS targets for multiple bearing maternal composite ewes may be higher than the industry recommended target for Merino ewes based on advantages in lamb survival and weaning weight.
Cyano-Functionalized Diarylethene Derivatives with Aggregation-Induced Emission Enhancement and Piezofluorochromic Behaviours
Authors: Liu Ying , Cao Yuqi , Li Xue , Li Yang , Wang Bowei
Published: February 2019

Four donor–acceptor (D-A) type phenothiazine derivatives were designed and synthesized and all of them exhibited an aggregation-induced emission enhancement (AIEE) effect and red-shifted piezofluorochromic (PFC) behaviour. Moreover, it was found that the compound containing a shorter alkyl chain displayed more remarkable PFC properties. This result was probably ascribed to highly twisted conformations which can lead to loose solid molecular packing with cavities and weak interactions. After they were pressed, the planarization of the molecular conformation increased and molecular conjugation degree enhanced, resulting in a red-shift in the photoluminescence spectrum. In addition, optimized geometric structures indicate that the compound with a longer alkyl chain has a more planer geometric structure, which leads to a smaller bathochromic shift upon grinding. In summary, we provide a new path to regulate the PFC behaviours of fluorescent materials by changing the length of their substituted alkyl chain.
Bacteriophage therapy for severe infections
Authors: Venturini Carola , Fabjian Aleksandra Petrovic , Lin Ruby CY
Published: February 2019

The rise of multiple antibiotic resistance in clinically relevant bacteria has created a global crisis with increasing burden on healthcare systems. The need to optimise alternative therapies to antibiotics, particularly in high risk nosocomial settings, is therefore immediate. Bacteriophages are specialised lethal viruses of bacteria, and an underused clinical resource for the treatment of severe infections refractory to antibiotics. Both the gaps in knowledge of bacteriophage biology, particularly the details of host-pathogen dynamic interactions, and legislative hurdles related to the regulation of natural microorganisms for therapy have delayed progress in bacteriophage clinical applications. At the Westmead Institute for Medical Research (WIMR), in collaboration with Westmead Hospital (Western Sydney Local Health District, WSLHD) and the University of Sydney (USyd), we have been investigating rational design protocols for routine bacteriophage application in clinical practice and testing bacteriophage therapeutics on patients suffering from multidrug resistant (MDR) severe infections.
Altered vegetation structure from mechanical thinning treatments changed wildfire behaviour in the wildland–urban interface on the 2011 Wallow Fire, Arizona, USA
Authors: Johnson Morris C. , Kennedy Maureen C.
Published: February 2019

Fuel reduction treatments are designed to meet multiple management objectives, resulting in unique vegetation structures that do not conform to standard classifications and vary considerably over space and time. We evaluated how different post-treatment vegetation structures relate to patterns in wildfire severity. To reconstruct both untreated and treated pre-fire forest structure, we used post-fire stand data measured at three different fuel treatment units burned by the 2011 Wallow Fire (Arizona). We describe (1) how forest structure differs among the treatment units, both in the untreated forest and within the treated area; and (2) how those differences in forest structure explain variability in burn severity. We show that the retention of smaller trees (ladder fuels) for wildlife cover relates significantly to higher severity within one treatment unit. Further variability in within-treatment severity is explained by the severity of the wildfire in the untreated forest as the fire approached the treated area. The untreated forest structure and species composition constrain post-treatment structure and composition, which was related to within-treatment structure and post-fire composition and structure. The study design presented in this paper suggests that evaluations of fuel treatment effectiveness can move beyond simple classifications of treatment type and fire behaviour.
Structure, diversity and health of Sierra Nevada red fir forests with reestablished fire regimes
Authors: Meyer Marc D. , Estes Becky L. , Wuenschel Amarina , Bulaon Beverly , Stucy Alexandra , Smith Douglas F. , Caprio Anthony C.
Published: February 2019

The reestablishment of natural fire regimes may benefit forest ecosystems by restoring their fundamental structural, compositional or functional attributes. We examined the influence of fire on the structure, understorey diversity and health of red fir (Abies magnifica) forests by comparing burned and unburned stands in 22 separate, paired fires of Yosemite, Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks and the Giant Sequoia National Monument. Burned red fir plots were characterised by lower tree densities and canopy cover, restored spatial heterogeneity and higher understorey species richness than unburned plots. Densities of large trees and large snags and red fir regeneration were similar between burned and unburned sites. Forest health indicators were similar between burned and unburned sites, and red fir crown loss ratings were primarily associated with topographic variables indicative of increased moisture stress or reduced soil moisture availability (i.e. lower elevations, south-facing slopes). Our results suggest that fire does not improve the health of red fir trees especially in areas of greater moisture stress, but it can restore red fir forest structure, increase understorey diversity and enhance adaptive capacity in landscapes with reestablished fire regimes.
Dimers of mitochondrial ATP synthase induce membrane curvature and self-assemble into rows
Authors: Blum Thorsten B. , Hahn Alexander , Meier Thomas , Davies Karen M. , Kühlbrandt Werner
Published: February 2019

Significance

The ATP synthase in the inner membrane of mitochondria generates most of the ATP that enables higher organisms to live. The inner membrane forms deep invaginations called cristae. Mitochondrial ATP synthases are dimeric complexes of two identical monomers. It is known that the ATP synthase dimers form rows along the tightly curved cristae ridges. Computer simulations suggest that the dimer rows bend the membrane locally, but this has not been shown experimentally. In this study, we use electron cryotomography to provide experimental proof that ATP synthase dimers assemble spontaneously into rows upon membrane reconstitution, and that these rows bend the membrane. The assembly of ATP synthase dimers into rows is most likely the first step in the formation of mitochondrial cristae.
Metaphor and emotion
Authors: Sharma Sunil
Published: February 2019

The objective of current research article is to examine the metaphorical concepts of emotion anger in
conventionalized phraseological expressions or phraseologisms (pls) of Hindi.1 It
aims to find out the extent to which conceptual metaphor motivate Hindi pls and influence their semantic configuration.
In addition, it also compares the metaphorical concepts of Hindi mainly with that of English and Chinese while employing the
research studies conducted by Kövecses (1990), Lakoff and Kövecses (1987) and Yu (2012), who have postulated that physical
interaction with surrounding world as well as cultural artefacts and practices largely mediate the conceptualization of emotions
in a given linguistic community. Being the language of a collectivist cultural community in India, Hindi chooses more
language-specific anger metaphors and conceptualizes anger more cultural specifically than English and other languages do.
Short‐term exercise training reduces glycaemic variability and lowers circulating endothelial microparticles in overweight and obese women at elevated risk of type 2 diabetes
Authors: Rafiei Hossein , Robinson Emily , Barry Julianne , Jung Mary Elizabeth , Little Jonathan Peter
Published: February 2019

Exercise is recognized as a frontline therapy for the prevention and treatment of type 2 diabetes (T2D) but the optimal type of exercise is not yet determined. We compared the effects of high‐intensity interval training (HIIT) with moderate‐intensity continuous training (MICT) for improvement of continuous glucose monitoring (CGM)‐derived markers of glycaemic variability, and biomarkers of endothelial cell damage (CD31+ and CD62+ endothelial microparticles (EMPs)) within a population at elevated risk of developing T2D. Fifteen inactive overweight or obese women were randomized to 2 weeks (10‐sessions) of progressive HIIT (n = 8, 4–10X 1‐min @ ∼90% peak heart rate, 1‐min rest periods) or MICT (n = 7, 20–50 min of continuous activity at ∼65% peak heart rate). Prior and three days post‐training, fasting blood samples were collected. Both HIIT and MICT improved glycaemic variability as measured by CGM standard deviation (HIIT: 0.82 ± 0.39 vs. 0.72 ± 0.33 mmol/L; MICT: 0.82 ± 0.19 vs. 0.62 ± 0.16 mmol/L, pre vs. post) and mean amplitude of glycaemic excursions (MAGE; HIIT: 1.98 ± 0.81 vs. 1.41 ± 0.90; MICT; 1.98 ± 0.43 vs. 1.65 ± 0.48, pre vs. post) with no difference between groups. CD62+ EMPs were lower following HIIT (187.7 ± 65 vs. 174.9 ± 55, pre vs. post) and MICT (170 ± 60 vs. 160.3 ± 59, pre vs. post) with no difference between groups. There was no change in 24‐h mean glucose or CD31+ EMPs. Two weeks of both HIIT or MICT similarly decreased glycaemic variability and CD62+ EMPs in overweight/obese women at elevated risk of T2D.
Acute taurine supplementation enhances thermoregulation and endurance cycling performance in the heat
Authors: Page Lee Kevin , Jeffries Owen , Waldron Mark
Published: February 2019

This study investigated the effects of oral taurine supplementation on cycling time to exhaustion at a fixed‐intensity and thermoregulation in the heat. In a double‐blind, randomised crossover design, 11 healthy males participated in a time to exhaustion test in the heat (35°C, 40% RH), cycling at the power output associated with ventilatory threshold, 2 h after ingesting: Taurine (50 mg kg−1) or placebo (3 mg kg−1 maltodextrin). Core and mean skin temperature, mean sweat rate, heart rate, rating of perceived exertion (RPE), thermal comfort and thermal sensation were measured during exercise and blood lactate concentration (B[La]) was measured after exercise. Taurine supplementation increased time to exhaustion by 10% (25.16 min vs. 22.43 min, p = 0.040), end sweat rate by 12.7% (687 nL min−1 vs. 600 nL min−1, p = 0.034) and decreased B[La] by 16.5% (5.75 mmol L−1 vs. 6.85 mmol L−1, p = 0.033). Core temperature was lower in the final 10% of the time to exhaustion (38.5°C vs. 38.1°C, p = 0.049). Taurine supplementation increased time to exhaustion and local sweating, while decreasing RPE and core temperature in the later stages of exercise, as well as reducing post‐exercise B[La]. This study provides the evidence of taurine's role in thermoregulatory processes. These findings have implications for the short‐term preparation strategies of individuals exercising in the heat. Based on these findings, a single dose of taurine 2 h prior to training or competition would provide an ergogenic and thermoregulatory effect.
Increased population exposure to extreme droughts in China due to 0.5 °C of additional warming
Authors: Chen Huopo , Sun Jianqi
Published: February 2019

Drought, one of the major natural disasters in China, generally causes the largest socioeconomic loss each year and also has severe human health impacts. It is thus crucial to assess the changes in droughts in this region under different climate change scenarios. This study examines the impacts of stabilized 1.5 °C and 2.0 °C warming at the end of the 21st century on drought events in China by using a set of coupled Earth system model low-warming simulations. If warming is limited to 1.5 °C or 2.0 °C, these simulations suggest that droughts will become more frequent and more intense compared to the present day, particularly over the northern regions of China. In comparison to the 1.5 °C warmer future, the 0.5 °C additional warming in the 2.0 °C warmer future will account for approximately 9% of the increase in the drought occurrence in China and approximately 8% of extreme droughts, while there are relatively small responses for moderate and severe droughts. Consequently, the additional warming would lead to significantly higher drought impacts, and the population exposure to the extreme droughts is projected to increase by approximately 17%, although the exposure to moderate droughts decreases. Therefore, our results suggest that the mitigation of anthropogenic warming by 0.5 °C to achieve the 1.5 °C warmer climate instead of the 2.0 °C climate may have benefits for future drought risks and impacts.
Heart rate and respiration rate detection by optical fiber mattress using statistical classification spectrum analysis
Authors: He Guangqiang , Tang Minfang , Zhao Rongjian , Zhao Zhan , Chen Xianxiang , zeng hualin , Fang Zhen
Published: February 2019

The authors informed us of their intention to withdraw this article after acceptance but prior to completion of the version of record. The authors have not responded to our communications since then. We hereby withdraw this article from publication. No issues are known regarding the scientific content of the article, and there are no concerns regarding publication ethics.

Physiological monitoring systems have been widely used for the collection of key physio-logical parameters such as heart and respiration rates. However, conventional monitoring systems rely on electrodes or bandages which are not well accepted by subjects due to the requirements of direct contacts with their skins.
In this paper, a new physiological monitoring system without the direct contacts with hu-man skins was proposed, where physiological movements of subjects were translated into micro bends of optical fibers. More specifically, the movements due to blood pumping were used as the inputs of the system and variations of light intensities of optical fibers were used as the outputs, which were further processed to obtain heart and respiration rates. In data analysis, adaptive regulations and statistical classifications were used to address potential concerns of individual differences and body interferences.
The physiological monitoring systems developed in this study were used to quantify heart and reparation rates for healthy volunteers. Experimental results included 1) the heart rates of 40-150bpm and respiration rates of 10-20bpm for individual differences; 2)the heart rates of the mean error 1.60±0.98 beats per minute (bpm), 1.94±0.83bpm, 1.24±0.59bpm, 1.06±0.62 bpm contract to polar beat device in same individuals at four different posture contacts and mean error 1.09±0.96bpm, 1.44±0.99bpm, 1.78±0.94bpm at three different breathing states. Furthermore, the results based on this system were validated by conventional counterparts relying on skin-contacting electrodes where comparable results of 0.26±2.80 bpm in 95% confidence intervals (± 1.96SD) vs. Philips sure-signs of the VM6 medical monitor for heart rates and 0.41 ± 1.49 bpm in 95% confidence intervals (± 1.96SD) vs. ECG-derived Respiratory(EDR) for respiration rates were reported.
It is indicated that the developed system has nice performances and can be senselessly used under complex environments.
Relationships Between Social/Emotional Support and Quality of Life, Depression and Disability in Patients With Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease: An Analysis Based on Propensity Score Matching
Authors: Arabyat Rasha M , Raisch Dennis W
Published: February 2019

Background

Patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases (COPD) suffer from impaired Health-Related Quality of Life (HRQoL). Having an adequate social/emotional support may improve the quality of life of COPD patients.

Objective

To study the relationships between social/emotional support and HRQoL, depression and disability among patients with COPD.

Methods

We applied a propensity score model using data from a large U.S. population-based health survey to match COPD patients who reported rarely/never receiving social/emotional support with those who received that support. Social/emotional support and all dependent variables were dichotomized into yes/no responses. For HRQoL domains, number of days of poor physical or mental health and activity limitations, “yes” indicated ≥14 unhealthy days in the last 30 days. McNemar’s test was used to compare the matched groups.

Results

Social/emotional support was rarely/never received by 37% of responders. Standardized differences between matched groups, after propensity score matching, were less than 10% indicating successful matching. COPD patients who rarely/never receive social/emotional support were more likely to report: depression (n = 321 pairs, odds ratio (OR) = 2.2, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.56–3.14, p < .001), ≥14 poor mental HRQoL days (n = 310 pairs, OR = 3.12, 95% CI: 2.1–4.73, p < .001) and ≥14 poor physical HRQoL days (n = 307 pairs, OR = 1.5, 95% CI: 1.06–2.13, p = .02). There were no significant differences in general health, disability, or activity limitations.

Conclusion

Among COPD patients, lower levels of social/emotional support are associated with depression and deterioration of mental and physical HRQoL. The importance of social/emotional support should be emphasized by policy makers, healthcare providers, and family members, to improve functioning among COPD patients.
Credit and Land Contracting: A Test of the Theory of Sharecropping
Authors: Das Narayan , de Janvry Alain , Sadoulet Elisabeth
Published: February 2019

Choice of a share vs. fixed rent land rental contract has figured prominently in the theory of industrial organization. This theory tells us that, while a share contract is inefficient in a first‐best world, it may be the preferred option under second‐best conditions. It has thus predicted the existence of sharecropping as the potentially preferred contract under conditions of liquidity constraint. Rigorous empirical evidence is, however, still lacking on this basic contribution of theory. We use a randomized experiment in a credit program for landless workers and marginal farmers organized by BRAC in Bangladesh to show that increased access to credit has a large positive effect on the choice of fixed rent over share rent contracts, both in terms of number of contracts and area contracted. As predicted by theory, the magnitude of this shift away from sharecropping is enhanced when the tenant is less exposed to risk. Development programs that facilitate access to credit to potential tenants can thus help them take more efficient land rental contracts.
Genotyping by sequencing can reveal the complex mosaic genomes in gene pools resulting from reticulate evolution: a case study in diploid and polyploid citrus
Authors: Ahmed Dalel , Comte Aurore , Curk Franck , Costantino Gilles , Luro François , Dereeper Alexis , Mournet Pierre , Froelicher Yann , Ollitrault Patrick
Published: February 2019

Background and Aims

Reticulate evolution, coupled with reproductive features limiting further interspecific recombinations, results in admixed mosaics of large genomic fragments from the ancestral taxa. Whole-genome sequencing (WGS) data are powerful tools to decipher such complex genomes but still too costly to be used for large populations. The aim of this work was to develop an approach to infer phylogenomic structures in diploid, triploid and tetraploid individuals from sequencing data in reduced genome complexity libraries. The approach was applied to the cultivated Citrus gene pool resulting from reticulate evolution involving four ancestral taxa, C. maxima, C. medica, C. micrantha and C. reticulata.

Methods

A genotyping by sequencing library was established with the restriction enzyme ApeKI applying one base (A) selection. Diagnostic single nucleotide polymorphisms (DSNPs) for the four ancestral taxa were mined in 29 representative varieties. A generic pipeline based on a maximum likelihood analysis of the number of read data was established to infer ancestral contributions along the genome of diploid, triploid and tetraploid individuals. The pipeline was applied to 48 diploid, four triploid and one tetraploid citrus accessions.

Key Results

Among 43 598 mined SNPs, we identified a set of 15 946 DSNPs covering the whole genome with a distribution similar to that of gene sequences. The set efficiently inferred the phylogenomic karyotype of the 53 analysed accessions, providing patterns for common accessions very close to that previously established using WGS data. The complex phylogenomic karyotypes of 21 cultivated citrus, including bergamot, triploid and tetraploid limes, were revealed for the first time.

Conclusions

The pipeline, available online, efficiently inferred the phylogenomic structures of diploid, triploid and tetraploid citrus. It will be useful for any species whose reproductive behaviour resulted in an interspecific mosaic of large genomic fragments. It can also be used for the first generations of interspecific breeding schemes.
Researching the Intercultural: Intersubjectivity and the Problem with Postpositivism
Authors: Holliday Adrian , Macdonald Malcolm N
Published: February 2019

In intercultural communication studies, the positivist preoccupation with objectivist, essentialist, solid large cultures has been replaced by a postmodern recognition that the intercultural is liquid and ideologically constructed. However, a postpositivist resistance to this paradigm change, while recognizing the dangers of essentialism, continues to be objectivist and fails to address the intersubjective nature of the ideological construction of culture. This results in a soft essentialism. This methodological failure of postpositivism is driven by a neoliberal technicalized commodification of quantitative and qualitative methods that does not address the subjective implicatedness of researchers. It therefore prevents an understanding of the liquid nature of the intercultural and sustains the neo-racist implications of essentialism. An example of this is commodifying international students as culturally problematic to serve a quantifiable notion of intercultural competence. The methodological flaws of postpositivism can only be avoided by means of an approach to researching cultural groups in which large culture concepts such as nation are viewed as one of many possible, emergent, ideologically constructed variables rather than as the starting point for research.
Assessment of metagenomic assemblers based on hybrid reads of real and simulated metagenomic sequences
Authors: Wang Ziye , Wang Ying , Fuhrman Jed A , Sun Fengzhu , Zhu Shanfeng
Published: February 2019

In metagenomic studies of microbial communities, the short reads come from mixtures of genomes. Read assembly is usually an essential first step for the follow-up studies in metagenomic research. Understanding the power and limitations of various read assembly programs in practice is important for researchers to choose which programs to use in their investigations. Many studies evaluating different assembly programs used either simulated metagenomes or real metagenomes with unknown genome compositions. However, the simulated datasets may not reflect the real complexities of metagenomic samples and the estimated assembly accuracy could be misleading due to the unknown genomes in real metagenomes. Therefore, hybrid strategies are required to evaluate the various read assemblers for metagenomic studies. In this paper, we benchmark the metagenomic read assemblers by mixing reads from real metagenomic datasets with reads from known genomes and evaluating the integrity, contiguity and accuracy of the assembly using the reads from the known genomes. We selected four advanced metagenome assemblers, MEGAHIT, MetaSPAdes, IDBA-UD and Faucet, for evaluation. We showed the strengths and weaknesses of these assemblers in terms of integrity, contiguity and accuracy for different variables, including the genetic difference of the real genomes with the genome sequences in the real metagenomic datasets and the sequencing depth of the simulated datasets. Overall, MetaSPAdes performs best in terms of integrity and continuity at the species-level, followed by MEGAHIT. Faucet performs best in terms of accuracy at the cost of worst integrity and continuity, especially at low sequencing depth. MEGAHIT has the highest genome fractions at the strain-level and MetaSPAdes has the overall best performance at the strain-level. MEGAHIT is the most efficient in our experiments. Availability: The source code is available at https://github.com/ziyewang/MetaAssemblyEval.
NFPws: a web server for delineating broadly neutralizing antibody specificities from serum HIV-1 neutralization data
Authors: Raju Nagarajan , Setliff Ian , Georgiev Ivelin S
Published: February 2019

Motivation

A better understanding of antibody responses to HIV-1 infection in humans can provide novel insights for the development of an effective HIV-1 vaccine. Neutralization fingerprinting (NFP) is an efficient and accurate algorithm for delineating the epitope specificities found in polyclonal antibody responses to HIV-1 infection. Here, we report the development of NFPws, a web server implementation of the NFP algorithm. The server takes as input serum neutralization data for a set of diverse viral strains, and uses a mathematical model to identify similarities between the serum neutralization pattern and the patterns for known broadly neutralizing monoclonal antibodies (bNAbs), in order to predict the prevalence of bNAb epitope specificities in the given serum. In addition, NFPws also computes and displays a number of estimates related to prediction confidence, as well as the likelihood of presence of novel, previously uncharacterized, antibody specificities in a given serum. NFPws also implements a JSmol viewer for molecular structure visualization of the prediction results. Overall, the NFPws server will be an important tool for the identification and analysis of epitope specificities of bNAb responses against HIV-1.

Availability and implementation

NFPws is freely available to access at (http://iglab.accre.vanderbilt.edu/NFPws). The webserver is developed using html, CSS, javascript and perl CGI scripts. The NFP algorithm is implemented with scripts written in octave, linux shell and perl. JSmol is implemented to visualize the prediction results on a representative 3D structure of an HIV-1 antigen.