bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Microbiota and the social brain
Authors: Sherwin Eoin , Bordenstein Seth R. , Quinn John L. , Dinan Timothy G. , Cryan John F.
Published: October 2019

Animal sociability through microbes

Accumulating evidence suggests that the microbiota living in and on animals has important functions in the social architecture of those animals. Sherwin
et al.
review how the microbiota might facilitate neurodevelopment, help program social behaviors, and facilitate communication in various animal species, including humans. Understanding the complex relationship between microbiota and animal sociability may also identify avenues for treating social disorders in humans.

Science
, this issue p.
eaar2016
A noninteracting low-mass black hole–giant star binary system
Authors: Thompson Todd A. , Kochanek Christopher S. , Stanek Krzysztof Z. , Badenes Carles , Post Richard S. , Jayasinghe Tharindu , Latham David W. , Bieryla Allyson , Esquerdo Gilbert A. , Berlind Perry , Calkins Michael L. , Tayar Jamie , Lindegren Lennart , Johnson Jennifer A. , Holoien Thomas W.-S. , Auchettl Katie , Covey Kevin
Published: October 2019

A black hole hiding in a binary star

As material falls toward a black hole, it heats up and emits x-rays. Almost all black holes are discovered by this x-ray emission. Thompson
et al.
observed light from a giant star that is Doppler shifted, indicating an orbit around a binary companion. The companion object must weigh more than 2.6 solar masses, but it emits no light, including x-rays. This indicates the presence of a black hole that is not currently consuming any material. There may be a population of similarly hidden black holes that have been missed by x-ray observations.

Science
, this issue p.
637
Spontaneous emergence of cell-like organization in
Xenopus
egg extracts
Authors: Cheng Xianrui , Ferrell James E.
Published: October 2019

Order in the cytoplasm

Extracts of the very large eggs of the African clawed frog,
Xenopus laevis
, have proven a valuable model system for the study of cell division. Cheng and Ferrell found that after homogenization, such cytoplasm can reorganize back into cell-like structures and undergo multiple rounds of division (see the Perspective by Mitchison and Field). This reorganization apparently occurs without the usual factors that are known to lead to such structural changes during cell division, such as F-actin, myosin II, various individual kinesins, aurora kinase A, or DNA. What is required is energy from adenosine triphosphate, microtubule polymerization, cytoplasmic dynein activity, and a specific kinase-involved cell cycle progression. Nongenetic information in the cytoplasm is apparently sufficient for basic spatial organization of the cell.

Science
, this issue p.
631
; see also p.
569
Genomic architecture and introgression shape a butterfly radiation
Authors: Edelman Nathaniel B. , Frandsen Paul B. , Miyagi Miriam , Clavijo Bernardo , Davey John , Dikow Rebecca B. , García-Accinelli Gonzalo , Van Belleghem Steven M. , Patterson Nick , Neafsey Daniel E. , Challis Richard , Kumar Sujai , Moreira Gilson R. P. , Salazar Camilo , Chouteau Mathieu , Counterman Brian A. , Papa Riccardo , Blaxter Mark , Reed Robert D. , Dasmahapatra Kanchon K. , Kronforst Marcus , Joron Mathieu , Jiggins Chris D. , McMillan W. Owen , Di Palma Federica , Blumberg Andrew J. , Wakeley John , Jaffe David , Mallet James
Published: October 2019

We used 20 de novo genome assemblies to probe the speciation history and architecture of gene flow in rapidly radiating
Heliconius
butterflies. Our tests to distinguish incomplete lineage sorting from introgression indicate that gene flow has obscured several ancient phylogenetic relationships in this group over large swathes of the genome. Introgressed loci are underrepresented in low-recombination and gene-rich regions, consistent with the purging of foreign alleles more tightly linked to incompatibility loci. Here, we identify a hitherto unknown inversion that traps a color pattern switch locus. We infer that this inversion was transferred between lineages by introgression and is convergent with a similar rearrangement in another part of the genus. These multiple de novo genome sequences enable improved understanding of the importance of introgression and selective processes in adaptive radiation.
Pathogen-induced activation of disease-suppressive functions in the endophytic root microbiome
Authors: Carrión Víctor J. , Perez-Jaramillo Juan , Cordovez Viviane , Tracanna Vittorio , de Hollander Mattias , Ruiz-Buck Daniel , Mendes Lucas W. , van Ijcken Wilfred F.J. , Gomez-Exposito Ruth , Elsayed Somayah S. , Mohanraju Prarthana , Arifah Adini , van der Oost John , Paulson Joseph N. , Mendes Rodrigo , van Wezel Gilles P. , Medema Marnix H. , Raaijmakers Jos M.
Published: October 2019

Protecting plants from the inside out

Some soils show a remarkable ability to suppress disease caused by plant pathogens, an ability that is attributed to plant-associated microbiota. Carrión
et al.
investigated the role of endophytes, the intimate microbial community found within roots, in fungal disease suppression (see the Perspective by Tringe). The wilt fungus
Rhizoctonia solani
infects sugar beets, whereupon transcriptional analysis shows that several bacterial endophyte species activate biosynthetic gene clusters to cause disease suppression. These organisms produce antifungal effectors, including enzymes that can digest fungal cell walls, and secondary metabolites, including phenazines, polyketides, and siderophores, which may contribute to the antifungal phenotype.

Science
, this issue p.
606
; see also p.
568
In vitro culture of cynomolgus monkey embryos beyond early gastrulation
Authors: Ma Huaixiao , Zhai Jinglei , Wan Haifeng , Jiang Xiangxiang , Wang Xiaoxiao , Wang Lin , Xiang Yunlong , He Xiechao , Zhao Zhen-Ao , Zhao Bo , Zheng Ping , Li Lei , Wang Hongmei
Published: October 2019

In vitro development of monkey embryos

Owing to technical and ethical limitations, the molecular and cellular mechanisms underlying primate gastrulation are far from clear (see the Perspective by Tam). Two independent studies used an in vitro culture system to study cynomolgus monkey embryo postimplantation development up to and beyond gastrulation (day 9 to day 20). Niu
et al.
observed in vivo morphogenetic events and used single-cell RNA sequencing and single-cell chromatin accessibility to study the distinct cell lineages in developing embryos. Ma
et al.
also observed that key events of in vivo early development were recapitulated in their system, and single-cell RNA-sequencing analysis revealed molecular signatures of postimplantation cell types. These systems will help elucidate the dynamics and regulation of gastrulation in primates, including possible relevance to human development.

Science
, this issue p.
eaaw5754
, p.
eaax7890
; see also p.
798
Itaconyl-CoA forms a stable biradical in methylmalonyl-CoA mutase and derails its activity and repair
Authors: Ruetz Markus , Campanello Gregory C. , Purchal Meredith , Shen Hongying , McDevitt Liam , Gouda Harsha , Wakabayashi Shoko , Zhu Junhao , Rubin Eric J. , Warncke Kurt , Mootha Vamsi K. , Koutmos Markos , Banerjee Ruma
Published: October 2019

Itaconate brings metalloenzyme to a halt

Controlled radicals enable unusual enzymatic transformations, but radical generation and management require dedicated systems. Ruetz
et al.
investigated how the immunometabolite itaconate might undermine these intricate systems to inhibit propionate metabolism, a crucial metabolic pathway in pathogenic
Mycobacterium tuberculosis
(Mtb) (see the Perspective by Boal). They found that the coenzyme A (CoA) derivative of itaconate can irreversibly inhibit the enzyme methylmalonyl-CoA mutase (MCM), which uses the radical-generating cofactor adenosylcobalamin, or coenzyme B
12
. Itaconyl-CoA derails the normal radical reaction catalyzed by MCM, forming a long-lived, biradical species, which is incapable of completing the catalytic cycle and cannot be recycled by the endogenous coenzyme B
12
regeneration machinery. Itaconate blocks Mtb growth on propionate, and this inhibition mechanism may be relevant to how macrophages resist Mtb infection.

Science
, this issue p.
589
; see also p.
574
To debug or not to debug, a question worth asking
Authors: Higdon Lauren E. , Maltzman Jonathan S.
Published: November 2019

Recipient antibiotic pretreatment protects both mice and humans from ischemia-reperfusion injury after liver transplantation.
Improved Antibiotic Prescribing within a Veterans Affairs Primary Care System through a Multifaceted Intervention Centered on Peer Comparison of Overall Antibiotic Prescribing Rates
Authors: Shively Nathan R. , Buehrle Deanna J. , Wagener Marilyn M. , Clancy Cornelius J. , Decker Brooke K.
Published: November 2019

Reducing inappropriate outpatient antibiotic use is an important national goal. Limited data exist on targeted education and peer comparison of overall antibiotic prescribing rates as an antimicrobial stewardship strategy. Primary care professionals (PCPs) from all seven clinics within our health care system were offered an education session, followed by monthly e-mails with their antibiotic prescribing rate, peer prescribing rates, and a system target.
X4-Tropic Latent HIV-1 Is Enriched in Peripheral Follicular Helper T Cells and Is Correlated with Disease Progression
Authors: Yu Fei , Li Qijuan , Chen Xi , Liu Jun , Li Linghua , Li Baojin , Liu Bingfeng , Zhang Junsong , Zhang Xu , Liu Zhaoli , Luo Haihua , Tang Xiao-Ping , Cai Weiping , Zhang Hui , Deng Kai
Published: October 2019

TFH cells have been shown to harbor a significant amount of latent HIV-1; however, the viral characteristics of this reservoir and its clinical relevance remain largely unknown. In this study, we demonstrate that X4-tropic latent HIV-1 is preferentially enriched in pTFH cells, which also accurately reflects the viral tropism shift. The ratio of X4-tropic proviruses in pTFH cells but not in other memory CD4
+
T cell subsets is inversely and closely correlated with blood CD4
+
T cell counts and CD4
+
T cell recovery rates with cART. Our data suggest that the ratio of X4-tropic provirus in peripheral TFH cells can be easily measured and reflects disease progression and treatment outcomes during cART.
Estimating the effect of calorie menu labeling on calories purchased in a large restaurant franchise in the southern United States: quasi-experimental study
Authors: Petimar Joshua , Zhang Fang , Cleveland Lauren P , Simon Denise , Gortmaker Steven L , Polacsek Michele , Bleich Sara N , Rimm Eric B , Roberto Christina A , Block Jason P
Published: October 2019

Objective

To evaluate whether calorie labeling of menus in large restaurant chains was associated with a change in mean calories purchased per transaction.

Design

Quasi-experimental longitudinal study.

Setting

Large franchise of a national fast food company with three different restaurant chains located in the southern United States (Louisiana, Texas, and Mississippi) from April 2015 until April 2018.

Participants

104 restaurants with calorie information added to in-store and drive-thru menus in April 2017 and with weekly aggregated sales data during the pre-labeling (April 2015 to April 2017) and post-labeling (April 2017 to April 2018) implementation period.

Main outcome measures

Primary outcome was the overall level and trend changes in mean purchased calories per transaction after implementation of calorie labeling compared with the counterfactual (ie, assumption that the pre-intervention trend would have persisted had the intervention not occurred) using interrupted time series analyses with linear mixed models. Secondary outcomes were by item category (entrees, sides, and sugar sweetened beverages). Subgroup analyses estimated the effect of calorie labeling in stratums defined by the sociodemographic characteristics of restaurant census tracts (defined region for taking census).

Results

The analytic sample comprised 14 352 restaurant weeks. Over three years and among 104 restaurants, 49 062 440 transactions took place and 242 726 953 items were purchased. After labeling implementation, a level decrease was observed of 60 calories/transaction (95% confidence interval 48 to 72; about 4%), followed by an increasing trend of 0.71 calories/transaction/week (95% confidence interval 0.51 to 0.92) independent of the baseline trend over the year after implementation. These results were generally robust to different analytic assumptions in sensitivity analyses. The level decrease and post-implementation trend change were stronger for sides than for entrees or sugar sweetened beverages. The level decrease was similar between census tracts with higher and lower median income, but the post-implementation trend in calories per transaction was higher in low income (change in calories/transaction/week 0.94, 95% confidence interval 0.67 to 1.21) than in high income census tracts (0.50, 0.19 to 0.81).

Conclusions

A small decrease in mean calories purchased per transaction was observed after implementation of calorie labeling in a large franchise of fast food restaurants. This reduction diminished over one year of follow-up.
Is seniority of emergency physician associated with the weekend mortality effect? An exploratory analysis of electronic health records in the UK
Authors: Han Larry , Fine Jason , Robinson Susan M , Boyle Adrian A , Freeman Michael , Scholtes Stefan
Published: October 2019

Objective

Admission to hospital over a weekend is associated with increased mortality, but the underlying causes of the weekend effect are poorly understood. We explore to what extent differences in emergency department (ED) admission and discharge processes, severity of illness and the seniority of the treating physician explain the weekend effect.

Methods

We analysed linked ED attendances to hospital admissions to Cambridge University Hospital over a 7-year period from 1 January 2007 to 31 December 2013, with 30-day in-hospital death as the primary outcome and discharge as a competing risk. The primary exposure was day of the week of arrival. Subdistribution hazards models controlled for multiple confounders, including physician seniority, calendar year, mode of arrival, triage category, referral from general practice, sex, arrival time, prior attendances and admissions, diagnosis group and age.

Results

229 401 patients made 424 845 ED attendances, of which 158 396 (37.3%) were admitted to the hospital. The case-mix of admitted patients was more ill at weekends: 2530 (6.4%) admitted at a weekend required immediate resuscitation compared with 6450 (5.4%) admitted on a weekday (p<0.0001). Senior doctors admitted 24.8% of patients on weekdays and 24.0% at weekends, but junior doctors admitted 61.7% of patients on weekdays and 44.2% at weekends. 3947 (3.3%) patients admitted on a weekday and 1454 (3.7%) patients admitted at a weekend died within 30 days. In the adjusted subdistribution hazards model, the HR of in-hospital death was 1.11 (95% CI 1.04 to 1.18) for weekend arrivals. After controlling for confounders, the in-hospital mortality of patients admitted by junior doctors was greater at the weekend (adjusted HR (aHR) 1.15, 95% CI 1.06 to 1.24). In-hospital mortality for patients admitted by senior doctors was not statistically different at the weekend (aHR 1.08, 95% CI 0.98 to 1.19).

Conclusions

Our findings suggest that the weekend effect was driven by a higher proportion of admitted patients requiring immediate resuscitation at the weekend. Junior doctors admitted a lower proportion of relatively healthy patients at the weekend compared with the weekday, thus diluting the risk pool of weekday admissions and contributing to the weekend effect. Senior doctors’ admitting behaviour did not change at the weekend, and the corresponding weekend effect was reduced.
Comparison of tenofovir and entecavir on the risk of hepatocellular carcinoma and mortality in treatment-naïve patients with chronic hepatitis B in Korea: a large-scale, propensity score analysis
Authors: Lee Sung Won , Kwon Jung Hyun , Lee Hae Lim , Yoo Sun Hong , Nam Hee Chul , Sung Pil Soo , Nam Soon Woo , Bae Si Hyun , Choi Jong Young , Yoon Seung Kew , Han Nam Ik , Jang Jeong Won
Published: October 2019

Objective

The use of tenofovir (TDF) and entecavir (ETV) in patients with chronic hepatitis B (CHB) has led to a decrease in the incidence of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and liver-related events. However, whether there is a difference between the two agents in the extent of improving such outcomes has not been clarified thus far. Therefore, we aimed to compare TDF and ETV on the risk of HCC and mortality.

Design

A total of 7015 consecutive patients with CHB who were treated with TDF or ETV between February 2007 and January 2018 at the liver units of the Catholic University of Korea were screened for study eligibility and 3022 patients were finally analysed. Study end points were HCC and all-cause mortality or liver transplantation (LT) within 5 years after the initiation of antiviral therapy. Propensity score matching (PSM) and inverse probability of treatment weighting methods were used.

Results

No difference was observed between TDF and ETV in the incidence rates of HCC in the entire cohort (HR 1.030; 95% CI 0.703 to 1.509, PSM model, p=0.880) and subgroups of patients with chronic hepatitis and cirrhosis. Also, no difference was observed between TDF and ETV in the incidence rates of all-cause mortality or LT in the entire cohort (HR 1.090; 95% CI 0.622 to 1.911, PSM model, p=0.763), and patients with chronic hepatitis and cirrhosis.

Conclusion

This study has demonstrated the clinical outcomes in patients with CHB who received TDF or ETV treatment. There was no difference in the intermediate-term risk of HCC and mortality or LT between the two drugs.
New perspective on geographical mortality divide in Russia: a district-level cross-sectional analysis, 2008–2012
Authors: Timonin Sergey , Jasilionis Domantas , Shkolnikov Vladimir M. , Andreev Evgeny
Published: November 2019

Background

Prior studies on spatial inequalities in mortality in Russia were restricted to the highest level of administrative division, ignoring variations within the regions. Using mortality data for 2239 districts, this study is the first analysis to capture the scale of the mortality divide at a more detailed level.

Methods

Age-standardised death rates are calculated using aggregated deaths for 2008–2012 and population exposures from the 2010 census. Inequality indices and decomposition are applied to quantify both the total mortality disparities across the districts and the contributions of the variations between and within regions.

Results

Regional variations in mortality mask one-third (males) and one-half (females) of the inequalities observed at the district level. A comparison of the 5% of individuals residing in the districts with the highest and the lowest mortality shows a gap of 15.5 years for males and 10.3 years for females. The lowest life expectancy levels are in the shrinking areas of the Far East and Northwest of Russia. The highest life expectancy clusters are in the intercity districts of Moscow and Saint Petersburg, and in several science cities. Life expectancy in these best-practice districts is close to the national averages of Poland and Estonia, but is still substantially below the averages in Western countries.

Conclusion

The large between-regional and within-regional disparities suggest that national-level mortality could be lowered if these disparities are reduced by improving health in the laggard areas. This can be achieved by introducing policies that promote health convergence both within and between the Russian regions.
Culture and mood disorders: the effect of abstraction in image, narrative and film on depression and anxiety
Authors: Carney James
Published: October 2019

Can cultural representations be used to therapeutic effect in the treatment of mood disorders like depression and anxiety? This article develops a theoretical framework that outlines how this might be achieved by way of mid-level cultural metrics that allow otherwise heterogeneous forms of representation to be grouped together. Its prediction is that abstract representations—as measured by Shannon entropy—will impact positively on anxiety, where concrete representations will positively impact on depression. The background to the prediction comes from construal level theory, a branch of social psychology that deals with the effects of abstraction on psychological distance; the types of cultural representations analysed include image, narrative and film. With a view to evaluating the hypothesis, the article surveys the empirical literature in art therapy, creative bibliotherapy and cinema therapy.
Modeling arterial signal coordination for bus priority using mobile phone GPS data
Authors: Lai Yuanwen , Xu Xinying , Easa Said M. , Lian Peikun
Published: November 2019

Limited by the low-frequency data acquisition, vehicle global positioning system (GPS) data are difficult to implement in the area of microtraffic simulation. Based on the functional design of mobile phone positioning technology, mobile phones can be used to acquire bus GPS data every second. In this paper, an analytical model is proposed to determine the parameters of signal coordination for bus priority along an arterial based on GPS data of mobile phones. First, bus priority evaluation indicators are established using bus GPS data, which are acquired by mobile phones. Second, the signal timing parameters of the arterial road are optimized, and a preliminary timing plan is developed by evaluating small changes in the plan. Finally, the corresponding final plan is developed using VISSIM micro simulation software. The feasibility of the analytical model is verified by simulating an actual arterial in Fuzhou city, China.
Utilization of water-quenching blast furnace slag as alternative filler in asphalt mastic
Authors: Huang Jianyou , Xing Xiangyang , Cai Jun , Pei Jianzhong , Li Rui , Wen Yong
Published: October 2019

Water-quenching blast furnace slag as a by-product of the iron production has caused serious environmental concerns. This paper tried to investigate the feasibility of the blast furnace slag filler (WBFSF) used as an alternative filler to replace the limestone filler (LF) in asphalt mixtures. Specifically, the chemical compositions, morphology characteristics, phase distributions, and thermal properties of two fillers were studied; then rheological properties of asphalt mastics in four filler–asphalt ratios were further studied by the rotational viscosity, temperature sweep, temperature–frequency–sweep (T-f-sweep), and multiple stress creep recovery (MSCR) test. The results show that WBFSF has a larger specific surface area and better-developed mesopores compared with LF. WBFSF asphalt mastic presents a larger complex modulus and a smaller phase angle. Moreover, the MSCR results show that WBFSF improves the elastic recovery and rutting resistance of asphalt mastics. Therefore, WBFSF presents great potential to be used as an alternative filler in asphalt mixtures.
Carcass additions increase juvenile salmonid growth, condition, and size in an interior Columbia River Basin tributary
Authors: Kaylor Matthew J. , White Seth M. , Sedell Edwin R. , Warren Dana R.
Published: October 2019

Numbers of anadromous fish returning to freshwater ecosystems have declined precipitously across much of western North America, reducing a potentially important resource subsidy for juvenile salmonids. We added carcasses to three sections of a Snake River tributary and assessed juvenile Chinook salmon (Oncorhynchus tshawytcha) and steelhead trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) growth, body condition, size, and diet responses in summer and early fall. Juvenile salmonids consumed an abundance of eggs and carcass tissue, which increased energy rations. Within 3 weeks of carcass additions, juvenile Chinook and steelhead growth rates were 1.1–5 and 6–23 times greater in treatment reaches relative to control reaches, respectively. We used long-term tagging and detection data from this system to assess the relationship between juvenile Chinook size and emigration survival for two different juvenile life histories. The increased growth rates and body size in response to carcass additions, coupled with a positive relationship between body size and survival, suggest that juvenile salmonid rearing productivity and emigration survival may be limited by depressed returns of anadromous fishes in this system and potentially other tributaries of the Columbia Basin.
Numerical investigation for flow over a square rod through a passive control method at various Reynolds numbers
Authors: Ahmed A. , Manzoor R. , Islam S.U. , Rahman H.
Published: October 2019

This work presents a numerical simulation performed to study the effect of Reynolds number (Re = 80–200) on fluid flow over a square rod attached to two small controlling rods using the Lattice Boltzmann method. For this reason, the spacing ratio between the control rods and main rod varies systematically from g = 0.5–5. Flow has been subdivided into three flow regimes based on spacing ratios. The first flow regime is considered at a small gap (g = 0.5, 1, and 1.5), the second flow regime is obtained at a moderate gap (g = 2, 2.5, and 3), and the third flow regime is considered a at large gap (g = 4–5). Five different types of flow modes were noticed in the given flow regimes. The values Re = 200 and g = 5 were found to be critical due to a sudden change in flow characteristics. The maximum value of Cdmean is 0.869 and the largest percent reduction (65.15%) in the mean drag coefficient was found at Re = 200 and g = 2.
The smell of coffee: the carbon atom microwave structure of coffee furanone validated by quantum chemistry
Authors: Van Vinh , Stahl Wolfgang , Nguyen Minh Tuyen , Nguyen Ha Vinh Lam
Published: October 2019

The rotational spectra of coffee furanone (2-methyltetrahydrofuran-3-one) have been measured in the frequency range from 2.0 to 26.5 GHz using a molecular jet Fourier transform microwave spectrometer. Quantum chemical calculations used for the conformational analysis yielded two stable twist conformers, which were described using the Cremer–Pople notation for five-membered rings. The experimental spectrum of the more stable conformer with the methyl group in equatorial position was assigned and fitted using a rigid rotor model with centrifugal distortion corrections. The spectra of all five 13C-isotopologues could be observed in natural abundance. The carbon atom structure was experimentally deduced using Kraitchman’s equations and compared with the structure calculated by quantum chemistry.
Using stable isotopes of plasma, red blood cells, feces, and feathers to assess mature-forest bird diet during the post-fledging period
Authors: Ruhl Patrick J. , Flaherty Elizabeth A. , Dunning John B.
Published: November 2019

Post-fledging use of early successional habitat by mature-forest birds is well-documented, but the important trophic factors driving this association remain poorly understood. We used stable isotope analysis of plasma, red blood cells, feces, and feathers to determine foraging preferences of three mature-forest bird species captured in 8-year-old clearcuts during the post-fledging period. We did not identify a significant source contribution in any consumer tissue combination using MixSIAR posterior distributions, but the position of consumer tissues in bivariate isotope mixing space suggested that all three mature-forest bird species acted as generalist insectivores during the post-fledging period. Furthermore, estimates of the proportional contribution of fruit to the overall diet were <0.13 for all Scarlet Tanager (Piranga olivacea (J.F. Gmelin, 1789)) tissue types, despite observational evidence of frugivory. We observed significant differentiation in core-niche-space estimates between the two obligate insectivores (Worm-eating Warbler (Helmitheros vermivorum (J.F. Gmelin, 1789)) and Ovenbird (Seiurus aurocapilla (Linnaeus, 1766))), suggesting that clearcuts provided adequate habitat to support the different foraging strategies and invertebrate preferences of both species. By using tissues with short turnover rates to address post-fledging trophic associations of mature-forest birds, we provide a comparison of isotopic values of multiple consumer tissue types in this context.
Communication Problems in Software Development — A Model and Its Industrial Application
Authors: Pernstål Joakim , Feldt R. , Gorschek T. , Florén D.
Published: November 2019

Attaining effective communication within and across organizational units is among the most critical challenges for success in software development organizations. This paper presents a novel model, supporting analysis of problems in inter-departmental communication events. The model was developed and designed based on industrial needs emphasizing flexibility, applicability and scalability. The model covers central communication aspects in order to provide a useful approximation of communication problems rather than in-depth modeling on message-by message basis. Other event-specific information, such as costs, can then be attached to enrich analysis and understanding. To exemplify and evaluate the model and collect feedback from industry, it was applied to 16 events at a Swedish automotive manufacturer where communication between two departments had broken down during development of software-intensive systems. The evaluation showed that the model helped structure and conduct systematic data collection and analysis of dysfunctional communication patterns. We found that insufficient understanding of the matters being communicated was prevalent, but also more specifically, requirements were insufficiently balanced, detailed and specified over the full system development cycle. Besides, the long-term cost for the company was analyzed in depth for each event, yielding a total estimated cost for the analyzed communication events of 11.2MUS$.
New Analytic Shear Buckling Solution of Clamped Rectangular Plates by a Two-Dimensional Generalized Finite Integral Transform Method
Authors: Ullah Salamat , Zhou Jianyu , Zhang Jinghui , Zhou Chao , Wang Haiyang , Zhong Yang , Wang Bo , Li Rui
Published: October 2019

A first attempt is made in this paper to explore new analytic shear buckling solution of clamped rectangular thin plates by a two-dimensional generalized finite integral transform method. The problem is classical but challenging due to the mathematical difficulty in handling the complex boundary value problem of the governing higher-order partial differential equation (PDE). Taking the vibrating beam functions as the integral kernels, and imposing the double transform, the problem comes down to solving a system of linear algebraic equations, thereby the analytic solution is obtained in a straightforward way. The present method is confirmed to be highly accurate with fast convergence, which agrees very well with both the finite element method (FEM) and energy method from the literature. The new analytic solution obtained may serve as a benchmark for validating other numerical and approximate methods.
A Design Flow Engine for the Support of Customized Dynamic High Level Synthesis Flows
Authors: Lattuada Marco , Ferrandi Fabrizio
Published: October 2019

High Level Synthesis is a set of methodologies aimed at generating hardware descriptions starting from specifications written in high-level languages. While these methodologies share different elements with traditional compilation flows, there are characteristics of the addressed problem which require ad hoc management. In particular, differently from most of the traditional compilation flows, the complexity and the execution time of the High Level Synthesis techniques are much less relevant than the quality of the produced results. For this reason, fixed-point analyses, as well as successive refinement optimizations, can be accepted, provided that they can improve the quality of the generated designs.

This article presents a design flow engine for the description and the execution of complex and customized synthesis flows. It supports dynamic addition of passes and dependencies, cyclic dependencies, and selective pass invalidation. Experimental results show the benefits of such type of design flows with respect to static linear design flows when applied to High Level Synthesis.
Confronting the tensions where UX meets AI
Authors: Cramer Henriette , Kim Juho
Published: October 2019

This new forum provides a space to engage with the challenges of designing for intelligent algorithmic experiences. We invite articles that tackle the tensions between research and practice when integrating AI and UX design. We welcome interdisciplinary debate, artful critique, forward-looking research, case studies of AI in practice, and speculative design explorations.
--- Juho Kim and Henriette Cramer, Editors
Iron insufficiency diminishes the erythropoietic response to moderate altitude exposure
Authors: Okazaki Kazunobu , Stray-Gundersen James , Chapman Robert F. , Levine Benjamin D.
Published: October 2019

The effects of iron stores and supplementation on erythropoietic responses to moderate altitude in endurance athletes were examined. In a retrospective study, red cell compartment volume (RCV) responses to 4 wk at 2,500 m were assessed in athletes with low ( n = 9, ≤20 and ≤30 ng/mL for women and men, respectively) and normal ( n = 10) serum ferritin levels ([Ferritin]) without iron supplementation. In a subsequent prospective study, the same responses were assessed in athletes ( n = 26) with a protocol designed to provide sufficient iron before and during identical altitude exposure. The responses to a 4-wk training camp at sea level were assessed in another group of athletes ( n = 13) as controls. RCV and maximal oxygen uptake (V̇o2max) were determined at sea level before and after intervention. In the retrospective study, athletes with low [Ferritin] did not increase RCV (27.0 ± 2.9 to 27.5 ± 3.8 mL/kg, mean ± SD, P = 0.65) or V̇o2max (60.2 ± 7.2 to 62.2 ± 7.5 mL·kg−1·min−1, P = 0.23) after 4 wk at altitude, whereas athletes with normal [Ferritin] increased both (RCV: 27.3 ± 3.1 to 29.8 ± 2.4 mL/kg, P = 0.002; V̇o2max: 62.0 ± 3.1 to 66.2 ± 3.7 mL·kg−1·min−1, P = 0.003). In the prospective study, iron supplementation normalized low [Ferritin] observed in athletes exposed to altitude ( n = 14) and sea level ( n = 6) before the altitude/sea-level camp and maintained [Ferritin] within normal range in all athletes during the camp. RCV and V̇o2max increased in the altitude group but remained unchanged in the sea-level group. Finally, the increase in RCV correlated with the increase in V̇o2max [( r = 0.368, 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.059–0.612, P = 0.022]. Thus, iron deficiency in athletes restrains erythropoiesis to altitude exposure and may preclude improvement in sea-level athletic performance.

NEW & NOTEWORTHY Hypoxic exposure increases iron requirements and utilization for erythropoiesis in athletes. This study clearly demonstrates that iron deficiency in athletes inhibits accelerated erythropoiesis to a sojourn to moderate high altitude and may preclude a potential improvement in sea-level athletic performance with altitude training. Iron replacement therapy before and during altitude exposure is important to maximize performance gains after altitude training in endurance athletes.
The Physiology of the Gastric Parietal Cell
Authors: Engevik Amy C. , Kaji Izumi , Goldenring James R.
Published: October 2019

Parietal cells are responsible for gastric acid secretion, which aids in the digestion of food, absorption of minerals, and control of harmful bacteria. However, a fine balance of activators and inhibitors of parietal cell-mediated acid secretion is required to ensure proper digestion of food, while preventing damage to the gastric and duodenal mucosa. As a result, parietal cell secretion is highly regulated through numerous mechanisms including the vagus nerve, gastrin, histamine, ghrelin, somatostatin, glucagon-like peptide 1, and other agonists and antagonists. The tight regulation of parietal cells ensures the proper secretion of HCl. The H+-K+-ATPase enzyme expressed in parietal cells regulates the exchange of cytoplasmic H+for extracellular K+. The H+secreted into the gastric lumen by the H+-K+-ATPase combines with luminal Cl−to form gastric acid, HCl. Inhibition of the H+-K+-ATPase is the most efficacious method of preventing harmful gastric acid secretion. Proton pump inhibitors and potassium competitive acid blockers are widely used therapeutically to inhibit acid secretion. Stimulated delivery of the H+-K+-ATPase to the parietal cell apical surface requires the fusion of intracellular tubulovesicles with the overlying secretory canaliculus, a process that represents the most prominent example of apical membrane recycling. In addition to their unique ability to secrete gastric acid, parietal cells also play an important role in gastric mucosal homeostasis through the secretion of multiple growth factor molecules. The gastric parietal cell therefore plays multiple roles in gastric secretion and protection as well as coordination of physiological repair.
Determination of Heavy Metal Ions and Organic Pollutants in Water Samples Using Ionic Liquids and Ionic Liquid-Modified Sorbents
Authors: Tian Minglei , Fang Luwei , Yan Xuemin , Xiao Wei , Row Kyung Ho
Published: October 2019

Water pollution, especially by inorganic and organic substances, is considered as a critical problem worldwide. Several governmental agencies are listing an increasing number of compounds as serious problems in water because of their toxicity, bioaccumulation, and persistence. In recent decades, there has been considerable research on developing analytical methods of heavy metal ions and organic pollutants from water. Ionic liquids, as the environment-friendly solvents, have been applied in the analytical process owing to their unique physicochemical properties. This review summarizes the applications of ionic liquids in the determination of heavy metal ions and organic pollutants in water samples. In addition, some sorbents that were modified physically or chemically by ionic liquids were applied in the adsorption of pollutants. According to the results in all references, the application of new designed ionic liquids and related sorbents is expected to increase in the future
Observational Gait Assessment Scales in Patients with Walking Disorders: Systematic Review
Authors: Ridao-Fernández Carmen , Pinero-Pinto Elena , Chamorro-Moriana Gema
Published: October 2019

Objective. To compile and analyze the characteristics and methodological quality of observational gait assessment scales validated to date. Methods. PubMed, Scopus, the Cochrane Library, Physiotherapy Evidence Database, Web of Science, Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature, Dialnet, Spanish Medical Index, and Nursing, Physiotherapy, and Podiatry databases were searched up to August 2019. The main inclusion criteria were validated tools based on a conceptual framework developed to evaluate gait, validation design studies of observational scales in their entirety, and articles written in English or Spanish. Evaluators extracted descriptive information of the scales and the metric properties of the studies, which were further analyzed with Quality Assessment of Diagnostic Accuracy Studies (QUADAS-2) and COnsensus-based Standards for the selection of health Measurement Instruments (COSMIN checklist). Results. Eighteen articles based on 14 scales were included. The populations were neurological patients (72.22%), musculoskeletal disorders (11.11%), and other areas such as vestibular disorders (11.11%). The most addressed items were orthopedic aids (64.29%); phases of the gait cycle and kinematics of the leg and trunk (57.14% each one); and spatial and temporal parameters (50%). All studies analyzed criterion validity, and five included content or structural validity (27.78%). Fifteen articles considered reliability (83.33%). Regarding the seven-item scale QUADAS-2, five studies obtained six results on “low” risk of bias or “low” concerns regarding applicability. Nine articles obtained at least a “fair” result on COSMIN checklist. Conclusions. A necessary compilation of the observational gait assessment scales validated to date was conducted. Besides, their characteristics and methodological quality were analyzed. Most scales were applied in neurological signs. The most approached topics were orthopedic aids, phases of the gait cycle, and kinematics of the leg and trunk. The scale that demonstrated a higher methodological quality was Visual Gait Assessment Scale, followed by CHAGS, Salford Gait Tool, and Edinburgh Visual Gait Score.
Small Displacement Measuring System Based on MEMS Accelerometer
Authors: Niu Wei-meng , Li-qing Fang , Qi Zi-yuan , Guo De-qing
Published: October 2019

In order to intelligently measure the displacement of moving objects, a small displacement measuring system based on MEMS (microelectromechanical system) accelerometer is designed. Firstly, the principle and error of displacement measurement using acceleration signal are deeply analyzed. The method of fitting polynomial extremum with better correction effect is selected in the time domain to eliminate the trend term error caused by the DC component, which is the main source of error. Real‐time correction algorithm is added to the time‐domain integral of acceleration. On the hardware circuit, the measurement module, control module, storage module, and power module of the system are designed, respectively. Finally, the system‐integrated packaging scheme is designed, which enables the system to complete the real‐time acceleration measurement, velocity and displacement calculation, and data storage of the motion carrier. Through simulation experiments, it is found that the system has good antioverload capability, and the displacement measurement average accuracy can reach 0.96%, which has very important engineering significance.
Implications for Tumor Microenvironment and Epithelial Crosstalk in the Management of Gastrointestinal Cancers
Authors: Ge Yang , Westphalen C. Benedikt , Ma Wen Wee , Vega Kenneth J. , Weygant Nathaniel
Published: October 2019

Rapid advances in technology are revealing previously unknown organization, cooperation, and limitations within the population of nontumor cells surrounding the tumor epithelium known as the tumor microenvironment (TME). Nowhere are these findings more pertinent than in the gastrointestinal (GI) tract where exquisite cell specialization supports a complex microenvironmental niche characterized by rapid stemness-associated cell turnover, pathogen sensing, epithelial orchestration of immune signaling, and other facets that maintain the complex balance between homeostasis, inflammation, and disease. Here, we summarize and discuss select emerging concepts in the precancerous microenvironment, TME, and tumor epithelial-TME crosstalk as well as their implications for the management of GI cancers.
Neuroprotection of Indole-Derivative Compound NC001-8 by the Regulation of the NRF2 Pathway in Parkinson’s Disease Cell Models
Authors: Wei Pei-Cih , Lee-Chen Guey-Jen , Chen Chiung-Mei , Wu Yih-Ru , Chen Yi-Jing , Lin Jia-Li , Lo Yen-Shi , Yao Ching-Fa , Chang Kuo-Hsuan
Published: October 2019

Parkinson’s disease (PD) is a common neurodegenerative disease accompanied by a loss of dopaminergic (DAergic) neurons. The development of therapies to prevent disease progression is the main goal of drug discovery. There is increasing evidence that oxidative stress and antioxidants may contribute to the pathogenesis and treatment of PD, respectively. In the present study, we investigated the antioxidative protective effects of the indole-derivative compound NC001-8 in DAergic neurons derived from SH-SY5Y cells and PD-specific induced pluripotent stem cells (PD-iPSCs) carrying a PARKIN ex5del mutation. In SH-SY5Y-differentiated DAergic neurons under 1-methyl-4-phenylpyridinium (MPP+) treatment, NC001-8 remarkably reduced the levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and cleaved caspase 3; upregulated nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (NRF2) and NAD(P)H dehydrogenase, quinone 1 (NQO1); and promoted neuronal viability. In contrast, NRF2 knockdown abolished the effect of NC001-8 on the reduction of ROS and improvement of neuronal viability. In H2O2-treated DAergic neurons differentiated from PD-iPSCs, NC001-8 rescued the aberrant increase in ROS and cleaved caspase 3 by upregulating NRF2 and NQO1. Our results demonstrated the protective effect of NC001-8 in DAergic neurons via promoting the NRF2 antioxidative pathway and reducing ROS levels. We anticipate that our present in vitro assays may be a starting point for more sophisticated in vivo models or clinical trials that evaluate the potential of NC001-8 as a disease modifier for PD.
Predicting Financial Extremes Based on Weighted Visual Graph of Major Stock Indices
Authors: Chen Dong-Rui , Liu Chuang , Zhang Yi-Cheng , Zhang Zi-Ke
Published: October 2019

Understanding and predicting extreme turning points in the financial market, such as financial bubbles and crashes, has attracted much attention in recent years. Experimental observations of the superexponential increase of prices before crashes indicate the predictability of financial extremes. In this study, we aim to forecast extreme events in the stock market using 19‐year time‐series data (January 2000–December 2018) of the financial market, covering 12 kinds of worldwide stock indices. In addition, we propose an extremes indicator through the network, which is constructed from the price time series using a weighted visual graph algorithm. Experimental results on 12 stock indices show that the proposed indicators can predict financial extremes very well.
Immobilization of Fibronectin-Loaded Polyelectrolyte Nanoparticles on Cardiovascular Material Surface to Improve the Biocompatibility
Authors: Liu Shihui , Hu Youdong , Tao Rongrong , Huo Qingwei , Wang Lin , Tang Chunzhi , Pan Changjiang , Gong Tao , Xu Nenggui , Liu Tao
Published: October 2019

Vascular stent interventional therapy is the main method for clinical treatment of coronary artery diseases. However, due to the insufficient biocompatibility of cardiovascular materials, the implantation of stents often leads to serious adverse cardiac events. Surface biofunctional modification to improve the biocompatibility of vascular stents has been the focus of current research. In this study, based on the structure and function of extracellular matrix on vascular injury healing, a novel fibronectin-loaded poly-l-lysine/heparin nanoparticles was constructed for stent surface modification. In vitro blood compatibility evaluation results showed that the nanoparticles-modified surface could effectively reduce platelet adhesion and activation. In vitro cellular compatibility evaluation results indicated that the nanocoating may provide adequate efficacy in promoting the adhesion and proliferation of endothelial cells and thereby accelerate endothelialization. This study provides a new approach for the surface biological function modification of vascular stents.