bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A comparison of the network structure and inner dynamics of homogeneously and heterogeneously crosslinked PNIPAM microgels with high crosslinker content
Authors: Witte Judith , Kyrey Tetyana , Lutzki Jana , Dahl Anna Margarethe , Houston Judith , Radulescu Aurel , Pipich Vitaliy , Stingaciu Laura , Kühnhammer Matthias , Witt Marcus U. , von Klitzing Regine , Holderer Olaf , Wellert Stefan
Published: January 2019

The network structure and dynamics of different PNIPAM microgels is studied with various scattering methods and atomic force microscopy.
Harnessing uniaxial tension to tune Poisson's ratio and wave propagation in soft porous phononic crystals: an experimental study
Authors: Gao Nan , Li Jian , Bao Rong-hao , Chen Wei-qiu
Published: January 2019

In this work, we investigate the effect of regulation of uniaxial tension on the band gaps in 2D soft phononic crystal with criss-crossed elliptical holes via experiments.
Self-assembly of donor–acceptor conjugated polymers induced by miscible ‘poor’ solvents
Authors: Xi Yuyin , Wolf Caitlyn M. , Pozzo Lilo D.
Published: January 2019

Polarity of ‘poor’ solvent strongly affects the structure of self-assembled donor–acceptor conjugated polymers.
A rapid-response room-temperature planar type gas sensor based on DPA-Ph-DBPzDCN for the sensitive detection of NH3
Authors: He Junming , Yan Xianju , Liu Ao , You Rui , Liu Fangmeng , Li Siqi , Wang Jing , Wang Chenguang , Sun Peng , Yan Xu , Kang Bonan , He Jinghui , Wang Yue , Lu Geyu
Published: January 2019

The rapid-response room-temperature planar type NH3 gas sensor was achieved utilizing the DPA-Ph-DBPzDCN organic material.
A decacyclic indacenodithiophene-based non-fullerene electron acceptor with meta-alkyl-phenyl substitutions for polymer solar cells
Authors: Wu Fupeng , Zhong Lian , Hu Huawei , Li Yun , Zhang Zhanjun , Li Yongxi , Zhang Zhi-Guo , Ade Harald , Jiang Zuo-Quan , Liao Liang-Sheng
Published: January 2019

Meta-alkyl-phenyl substitutions and fluorination approach selectively optimizes a decacyclic indacenodithiophene-based fused electron acceptor (p-IDTIDT-IC), improving PCE from 6.48% to 11.32%.
Thick junction photodiodes based on crushed perovskite crystal/polymer composite films
Authors: Peng Jiali , Cui Lihao , Li Ruiming , Xu Yalun , Jiang Li , Li Yuwei , Li Wei , Tian Xiaoyu , Lin Qianqian
Published: January 2019

Thick junction perovskite photodiodes are achieved with decent broadband photoresponse, enhanced device stability and compelling fast response of 800 ns.
A flexible CdS nanorods-carbon nanotubes/stainless steel mesh photoanode for boosted photoelectrocatalytic hydrogen evolution
Authors: Li Han , Xiao Shuning , Zhou Jiachen , Zhao Jingjing , Liu Fanfan , Li Guisheng , Zhang Dieqing
Published: January 2019

An innovative flexible reticular photoanode (CdS-nanorods/CNTs coated on stainless iron mesh) was designed for efficiently driving photoelectrocatalytic (PEC) hydrogen (H2) evolution under visible-light irradiation.
The detection of ethylene using porous ZnO nanosheets: utility in the determination of fruit ripeness
Authors: Wang Li-Peng , Jin Zhen , Luo Tao , Ding Yi , Liu Jin-Huai , Wang Xiu-Fang , Li Min-Qiang
Published: January 2019

Porous ZnO nanosheets exhibit superior sensitivity in ethylene detection and present different intensity responses to bananas at different maturity stages.
Correction: B, N-dual doped sisal-based multiscale porous carbon for high-rate supercapacitors
Authors: Wu Heng , Yuan Wenyu , Zhao Yingxin , Han Daoyang , Yuan Xiaowen , Cheng Laifei
Published: January 2019

Correction for ‘B, N-dual doped sisal-based multiscale porous carbon for high-rate supercapacitors’ by Heng Wu et al., RSC Adv., 2019, 9, 1476–1486.
Guideline-Oriented Therapy of Lower Extremity Peripheral Artery Disease (PAD) – Current Data and Perspectives
Authors: Kersting Jonas , Kamper Lars , Das Marco , Haage Patrick
Published: January 2019

Background Because of the demographic change, lower extremity peripheral artery disease (PAD) is becoming increasingly relevant with respect to health economics. PAD patients often suffer from multiple diseases. Consequently, therapy is commonly complex and requires an interdisciplinary approach. Because of rapid technical developments, interventional endovascular therapy regimens play an increasingly important role.

Method Review and literature search on the basis of the current German S3 guidelines on the therapy of PAD as well as international guidelines. In terms of state-of-the-art therapies, relevant current studies were considered.

Results Knowledge of existing guidelines and recommendations as well as new therapeutic approaches is essential for the adequate therapy of PAD patients. A close cooperation between the interventional radiologist and the vascular surgeon is the key to success. In addition to established conservative approaches and invasive bypass surgery, the endovascular approach has been a mainstay in the TASC A and B environment for years. It has recently shown promising results in advanced PAD conditions, such as TASC C and D. An endovascular-first strategy is defined in most guidelines.

Conclusion A primarily endovascular-first strategy has become the standard in the majority of even complex lesions of the lower extremity arterial system. Regarding the crural segment, a decrease in mortality compared to bypass surgery has been demonstrated. Further evidence can be expected from ongoing randomized multicenter trials.

Key Points: 

Citation Format
Management and Surveillance of Frontal Sinus Violation following Craniotomy
Authors: Farag Alexander , Rosen Marc R. , Ziegler Natalie , Rimmer Ryan A. , Evans James J. , Farrell Christopher J. , Nyquist Gurston G.
Published: January 2019

Objectives In the setting of craniotomy, complications after traversing the frontal sinus can lead to mucocele formation and frontal sinusitis. We review the etiology of frontal sinus violation, timeline to mucocele development, intraoperative management of the violated sinus, and treatment of frontal mucoceles.

Design Case series in conjunction with a literature review.

Participants A total of 35 patients were included in this meta-analysis. Nine of these patients were treated at a tertiary academic medical center between 2005 and 2014. The remaining patients were identified through a literature review for which 2,763 articles were identified, of which 4 articles met inclusion criteria.

Main Outcomes Measures Etiology of frontal violation, timeline to mucocele development, and method of management.

Results The overall interval from initial frontal sinus violation until mucocele identification was 14.5 years, with a range of 3 months to 36 years. The most common cause of mucocele formation was obstruction of the frontal recess with incomplete removal of the frontal sinus mucosa. The majority of patients were successfully managed with an endoscopic endonasal approach.

Conclusions Violation of the frontal sinus during craniotomy can result in mucocele formation as an early or late sequela. Image guidance may help avoid unnecessary frontal sinus violation. Mucoceles may develop decades after the initial frontal sinus violation, and long-term follow-up with imaging is recommended. While the endoscopic endonasal approach is usually the preferred method to treat these lesions, it may be necessary to perform obliteration or cranialization in unique situations.
Improved Surgical Safety via Intraoperative Navigation for Transnasal Transsphenoidal Resection of Pituitary Adenomas
Authors: Achey Rebecca L. , Karsy Michael , Azab Mohammed A. , Scoville Jonathan , Kundu Bornali , Bowers Christian A. , Couldwell William T.
Published: January 2019

Objectives Intraoperative navigation during neurosurgery can aid in the detection of critical structures and target lesions. The safety and efficacy of intraoperative, stereotactic computed tomography (CT) in the transnasal transsphenoidal resection of pituitary adenomas were explored.

Design Retrospective chart review

Setting Tertiary care hospital

Participants Patients who underwent transsphenoidal resection of pituitary adenomas from February 2002 to May 2017. Intraoperative stereotactic CT navigation was used for all patients after mid-October 2013.

Main Outcome Measures Operative time, estimated blood loss, gross total resection rate.

Results Of 634 patients included, 175 underwent surgery with intraoperative navigation and 444 had no intraoperative navigation during surgery. There was no difference in mean age, sex, tumor type, or tumor size between the two groups. Operative time, endoscope use, cerebrospinal fluid diversion, and estimated blood loss were also similar. Two patients showed intraoperative, iatrogenic misdirection in the absence of stereotactic CT navigation (p = 0.99) but similar numbers of patients having navigated and non-navigated surgery returned to the operating room, underwent gross total resection, and showed endocrinological normalization.

Conclusions These results suggest that intraoperative navigation can reduce injury without resulting in increased operative time, estimated blood loss, or reduction in gross total resection.
Hypophosphatemia is Prevalent among Preterm Infants Less than 1,500 Grams
Authors: Al-Wassia Heidi , Lyon Andrew W. , Rose Sarah M. , Sauve Reginald S. , Fenton Tanis R.
Published: January 2019

Objective This article identifies the prevalence and associated factors of hypophosphatemia (HP) in very low birth weight (VLBW) infants in the first week of life.

Study Design Prospective exploratory cohort study of 106 consecutive VLBW infants admitted to neonatal intensive care at Foothills Hospital, Calgary, Canada. HP was defined as at least one measurement of serum phosphate < 1.5 mmol/L (4.5 mg/dL).

Results Seventy-seven percent (82/106) of the VLBW infants had HP, with significantly higher prevalence in infants < 1,000 g (94%) compared to infants ≥ 1,000 g (61%) (p < 0.001). Hypophosphatemic infants had lower birth weight (p < 0.001), gestational age (p < 0.001), and their increase in phosphate intake was slower (p = 0.003). Respiratory distress syndrome (RDS) (p = 0.002), intraventricular hemorrhage (IVH) ≥ grade III (p = 0.020), and hyperglycemia (p = 0.013) were more frequent among hypophosphatemic infants, especially among those < 1,000 g. Mortality, seizures, arrhythmias, and need for transfusion were not different between groups. Birth weight modified the association between RDS, IVH, hyperglycemia, and HP.

Conclusion HP was ubiquitous among infants < 1,000 g and highly prevalent among those weighing 1,000 to 1,500 g. While the direction of effect was not clear, RDS, IVH, and hyperglycemia were associated with HP. Prevention of HP in these physiologically immature neonates might improve neonatal outcomes.
Diagnostic Utility of Whole Exome Sequencing in the Neuromuscular Clinic
Authors: Pastore Matthew , Schrader Rachel , Sites Emily , Bartholomew Dennis , Tsao Chang-Yong , Flanigan Kevin , Waldrop Megan
Published: January 2019

Next-generation sequencing is a powerful diagnostic tool, yet it has proven inadequate to establish a diagnosis in all cases of congenital hypotonia or childhood onset weakness. We sought to describe the impact of whole exome sequencing (WES), which has only recently become widely available clinically, on molecular diagnosis in the Nationwide Children's Hospital Neuromuscular clinics. We reviewed records of all patients in our clinic with pediatric onset of symptoms who had WES done since 2013. Patients were included if clinical suspicion was high for a neuromuscular disease. Clinical WES was performed in 30 families, representing 31 patients, all of whom were seen for hypotonia, weakness, or gait disturbance. Probands had between 2 and 12 genetic diagnostic tests prior to obtaining WES. A genetic diagnosis was established in 11 families (37%), and in 12 patients (39%), with mutations in 10 different genes. Five of these genes have only been associated with disease since 2013, and were not previously represented on clinically available disease gene panels. Our results confirm the utility of WES in the clinical setting, particularly for genetically heterogeneous syndromes. The availability of WES can provide an end to the diagnostic odyssey for parents and allow for expansion of phenotypes.
Temporal changes in threatened ephemeral claypans over annual and decadal timescales in south-west Australia
Authors: Gibson N. , Brown K. , Paczkowska G.
Published: January 2019

The vegetation of the ephemeral claypans of south-west Australia were first described over 100 years ago. Since then they have been almost totally cleared for agriculture and urban development and are currently listed as critically endangered. These claypans have many similarities with ephemeral wetlands found in other Mediterranean climate regions with significant species turnover both within and between claypans and fine scale patterning highly correlated with micro-topography. Although annual variation in species composition was apparent there was also a consistent trend of increasing exotic taxa richness due to higher recruitment rates. This increasing exotic richness is of note, as the major threat to these communities is the invasion by a small number South African taxa, which can establish dense monocultures across these wetlands. Over the last two decades these invasive taxa have spread into 37% of the previously non-invaded quadrats. As remnant size was not a good predictor of their occurrence all remnants should be considered vulnerable. Management of these invasive taxa will be the major conservation issue in these threatened wetlands into the future.
Life history of the common blacktip shark, Carcharhinus limbatus, from central eastern Australia and comparative demography of a cryptic shark complex
Authors: Harry Alastair V. , Butcher Paul A. , Macbeth William G. , Morgan Jess A. T. , Taylor Stephen M. , Geraghty Pascal T.
Published: January 2019

Common and Australian blacktip sharks (Carcharhinus limbatus and Carcharhinus tilstoni) occur sympatrically in Australia, where they are reported as a complex because of their morphological similarities. This study provides the first description of the life history of C. limbatus using samples from central eastern Australia, where C. tilstoni is rare. Females (68–267cm total length (TL); n=183) and males (65–255cm TL; n=292) both matured at 8.3 years and 200cm TL, which exceeds the maximum length of C. tilstoni. Vertebral ageing revealed that female and male C. limbatus lived to 22 and 24 years respectively, exceeding known longevity in C. tilstoni. The mean (±s.d.) intrinsic rate of population increase calculated using a Euler–Lotka demographic method was 0.11±0.02year–1 for C. limbatus, compared with 0.17±0.02 and 0.20±0.03year–1 for two C. tilstoni stocks. Despite their similar appearance, these species differed in both their biological productivity and susceptibility to fishing activities. Monitoring of relative abundance should be a priority given they are likely to have divergent responses to fishing.
The composition, richness, and evenness of seedlings from the soil seed bank of a semi-arid steppe in northern China are affected by long-term stocking rates of sheep and rainfall variation
Authors: Hu A. , Zhang J. , Chen X. J. , Millner J. P. , Chang S. H. , Bowatte S. , Hou F. J.
Published: January 2019

The soil seed bank has a large influence on the potential for grassland restoration. This study aimed to characterise the composition, density, richness, and evenness of seedlings emerging from the soil seed bank under different sheep stocking rates, in a summer grazing system, in semi-arid China. Soil was sampled in 2015, a year with extreme drought conditions and in 2016, a normal rainfall year. The soil seed bank was assessed by measuring seedling emergence under laboratory conditions. Comprising 16 species, 85.4% of the seedlings were concentrated within a depth of 0–5cm. Drought significantly reduced the density and richness of the seedlings. Grazing increased the richness of seedlings by increasing the richness of aboveground species, and grazing significantly reduced the evenness of the seedlings by reducing the evenness of aboveground species. Drought significantly reduced the similarities between the seedlings and the aboveground species, whereas grazing increased similarities in both years. This study revealed that the density and richness of seedlings were higher in higher stocking rate in drought year. We conclude that negative effects on density, richness and evenness of the seedlings caused by drought can be overcome by rotational grazing especially at higher stocking rate.
Variable reptile responses to introduced predator control in southern Australia
Authors: Hu Yang , Gillespie Graeme , Jessop Tim S.
Published: January 2019

Context Australia harbours an immense diversity of reptiles, which are generally expected to have frequent and diverse trophic interactions with introduced mammalian carnivores. Nevertheless, the potential for predatory or competitive interactions is likely to be contingent on multiple processes, including the importance of reptiles in the diet of introduced predators, alongside overlaps in their body sizes and ecological niches that would influence the strength of their interactions. In Australia’s temperate and relatively productive mesic environments there is little understanding of how introduced mammalian predators affect reptile assemblages. Aims The aim was to investigate the effects that a European red fox (Vulpes vulpes; 5–7kg) suppression program had on the abundance and species richness of a reptile community, with species ranging in size from the largest local ectothermic predator, the lace monitor (Varanus varius; 4–7kg), to small terrestrial reptiles (mostly 10–150g). Methods We utilised two sampling designs (baited camera monitoring stations and pitfall trapping) to evaluate the effects of fox suppression and other site-level ecological covariates (fire regime and habitat vegetation characteristics) on the lace monitor and small terrestrial reptiles. Reptile abundance and richness at site level were estimated from count-related abundance models. Key results For lace monitors, significantly higher abundances occurred in poison-baited areas relative to control areas. This suggests that fox suppression can affect the populations of the lace monitor via mesopredator release arising from reduced competition and, possibly, predation. For small terrestrial reptiles, neither abundance nor species richness were influenced by fox suppression. Individual abundances of the three most common small reptile species matched the overall pattern, as only responses to structural parameters of the habitat were detected. Conclusions Fox suppression can have different impacts for different reptile taxa, pending their ecological niche, as only the largest species was affected. Implications Increase in lace monitor abundance may change food web dynamics in fox-suppressed sites, such as by increasing predation pressure on arboreal marsupials.
The role of referential givenness in Dutch alternating presentational constructions
Authors: Belligh Thomas
Published: January 2019

Presentational constructions are linguistic structures that can convey all-focus utterances with no topic constituent that serve to introduce a referentially new entity or event into the discourse. Like many other languages, Dutch has several presentational constructions, including a Prosodic Inversion Construction (PIC), a Syntactic Inversion with Filler Insertion Construction (SIFIC) and a Non-Prototypical Cleft Construction (NPC). This article investigates these structures as alternating presentational constructions and focuses on referential givenness as a possible factor influencing the alternation. Based on a data elicitation task, referential givenness is shown to play a role in the choice of alternant. The PIC is predominantly used with unused/inactive and accessible Mental Representations of Referents (MRRs), but it can also contain brand-new MRRs. The NPC is exclusively used with brand-new MRRs. The SIFIC is used mostly with brand-new MRRs, but it can also contain accessible MRRs, in particular in positions other than the syntactic subject. The data elicitation task yielded a number of additional Dutch linguistic structures that could also be considered presentational constructions, including a construction with a perception verb used in a weak verb-like fashion and a construction with an existential sentence combined with a coordinated canonical topic-comment clause.
French adverbial cleft sentences
Authors: De Cesare Anna-Maria
Published: January 2019

The goal of this contribution is to deepen our knowledge of French cleft sentences through the study of a special category of clefts calledadverbial clefts. The issues that we will address concern their form, discourse frequency and boundaries with resembling structures. In order to shed light on these issues, we start by defining the concept ofadverbialfrom a morphosyntactic and functional point of view. We then present a corpus-based description of the categories of adverbials that can be cleaved. Finally, we propose a general semantic principle capable of describing and explaining, in a coherent and unitary way, both the data obtained in our empirical study and found in the form of constructed examples in the existing literature. In addition to explaining why certain adverbials can be cleaved while others cannot, this principle also allows for a distinction to be made between two syntactic realizations of the structure ‘c’est Adv que p’, as well as for a solution to the controversial issue of the status of domain adverbials.
A focus analysis of apparent predicational clefts
Authors: Hartmann Jutta M.
Published: January 2019

This paper discusses a specific subclass of Englishit-clefts posited in the theoretical literature, so-called predicational clefts. The main point of the paper is to show that there is no need to postulate such a separate class. Predicational clefts look special because of the narrow focus on the adjective within an indefinite pivot, but their special properties can all be derived from this narrow focus in a focus analysis in whichit-clefts express contrasting focus. Contrasting focus means that besides the assertion of the proposition expressed in the cleft, there is one contrasting proposition which is excluded. The focus on the adjective in apparent predicational clefts gives rise to a narrow set of relevant alternatives, all of which differ only in the adjectival property within the pivot. The analysis developed here can account for many of the observations for apparent predicational clefts. Other properties are shown to be not conclusive. Thus, predicational clefts need not be considered a special subclass beyond their special focus characteristics.
The syntactic and discursive status ofc’est comme ça que(this is how) in spoken and written French
Authors: Sabio Frédéric , Roubaud Marie-Noëlle
Published: January 2019

Several recent studies devoted to French clefts involving a pronominal/adverbial morpheme such aspour ça(for that),là(there),ainsi(like this),alors(then) andcomme ça(like this) demonstrate that these are likely to behave in two distinct ways, one of them being somewhat “non-prototypical” in comparison with the most commonly described narrow focus clefts. The subject of our article is to deepen the examination ofc’est comme ça quesequences (lit:it is like this that, “this is how”), since they have not yet received detailed attention as to their use in modern French. The 8,600,000 word corpus which was used indicates that such forms are considerably more frequent in spoken than in written data. After recalling some of the major syntactic characteristics of clefts, we will suggest that two distinct types ofc’est comme ça quesequences must be identified: the first type corresponds to the most prototypical clefts endowed with a “contrastive” effect related to the expression of manner; the second type, which will be described in greater detail, cannot be viewed as a cleft but rather as a specific discourse connector, which speakers mostly use in narrative texts, in order to introduce a consequence of the set of facts previously mentioned.
Matches and mismatches in Swedish [gå och V] ‘go/walk and V’
Authors: Andersson Peter , Blensenius Kristian
Published: January 2019

This article studies the pseudo-coordination [gå‘go/walk’och‘and’V]. The construction has several meanings and it also has subordination counterparts in Modern Swedish, unlike most Swedish pseudo-coordinations. Our diachronic study shows that [gå ochV] cannot readily be reduced to the verbs in isolation and that synchronic lexicocentric perspectives based on syntactic (re)configurations cannot capture the constructional meaning such as the assumed inference of ‘surprise’ or ’unexpectedness’. We argue that a detailed analysis of the historical development makes the picture clearer.

In the development of [gå och V], item-based analogy continuously facilitates new verbs in the V slot. At a certain stage, there is a mismatch between the agentivity of the construction and the non-agentivity of events denoted by the second verb. This mismatch is resolved by the override principle that forces non-agentive verbs to be interpreted agentively and promote a more abstract and lexicalized version of the construction. The exemplar-based view to constructions proposed by Bybee (2010,2013) seems favorable, since frequent exemplars of [gå ochV] allow for redundant or marginal features to serve as the model for novel expansions of the construction.
Match, mismatch, and envisioning transfer events
Authors: Gould Kevin M. , Michaelis Laura A.
Published: January 2019

Prior studies suggest that language users perform motoric simulations when construing action sentences and that
verbs and constructions each contribute to simulation-based representation (Glenberg &
Kaschak 2002; Richardson et al. 2003; Bergen et al. 2007; Bergen & Wheeler 2010). This raises the possibility
that motorically grounded verb and construction meanings can interact during sentence understanding. In this experiment, we use
the action-sentence compatibility effect methodology to investigate how a verb’s lexical-class membership, constructional context,
and constructional bias modulate motor simulation effects. Stimuli represent two classes of transfer verbs and two constructions
that encode transfer events, Ditransitive and Oblique Goal (Goldberg 1995). Findings
reveal two kinds of verb-construction interactions. First, verbs in their preferred construction generate stronger simulation
effects overall than those in their dispreferred construction. Second, verbs that entail change of possession generate strong
motor-simulation effects irrespective of constructional context, while those entailing causation of motion exert such effects only
when enriched up to change-of-possession verbs in the semantically mismatched Ditransitive context. We conclude that simulation
effects are not isolable to either verbs or constructions but instead arise from the interplay of verb and construction
meaning.
Motivation of ideal Chinese L2 self and global competence
Authors: Xie Yan
Published: January 2019

This article probes the motivation of ideal L2 self and perceptions of global competence of Chinese language learners taking high-level Chinese courses to fulfill degree requirements at a university on the East Coast of the United States. The results show
that the students envision an ideal L2 self with high speaking fluency, which they believe can develop their intercultural
communication skills and promote their future careers. It was also found that integrative motivation, in the past found
predominant among second language learners, is also a prominent form of motivation for foreign language learners in the 21st
century. The study provides evidence that the students’ perceptions of global competence still need to improve, but that learning
Chinese has contributed to the development of their global competence. The study demonstrates that motivation of ideal L2 self and
global competence complement each other. Informed by the results, the researcher suggests some pedagogical implications about
maintaining learner motivation, developing learners’ intercultural communication competence and perceptions of global competence,
and encouraging students to take higher-level language courses.
Common risks in the translation industry
Authors: Vaezian Helia , Akbari Mahmoud
Published: January 2019

The present research aimed at identifying and categorizing the common risks in the operations of translation companies. It further
investigated the maturity level of translation companies in terms of risk management and their attitudes toward the application of
a comprehensive risk management framework into their activities. The study had two phases of qualitative and quantitative
research. During the qualitative phase, a total of 400 translation projects were observed in four translation companies and
further based on the results of the qualitative phase, three questionnaires were developed and sent to 226 translation companies
around the world. The researchers identified 44 risk candidates in the operation of translation companies and statistically
grouped them into six risk categories. The results further indicated that translation company managers hardly know what risk
management is about, while they demonstrated a significant interest in the application of a risk management framework into their
activities.
‘Webbish writing’ for global communication in the Web 3.0
Authors: Shih Chung-ling
Published: January 2019

Advances in information technology and the needs of globalization made English the lingua franca (EFL) of the Web
1.0. Later, multi-modes of computer-mediated communication in the Web 2.0 fostered hybrid English as a new EFL by combing English
with other languages. Moving into the Web 3.0 for information mining and knowledge acquisition without a language barrier, the author
proposes ‘Webbish’, a controlled form of English, to write web texts for the purpose of gisting through the production of
multilingual machine translation (MT) outputs. To demonstrate the effectiveness of ‘Webbish’, an empirical survey was conducted to
measure the comprehensibility of the MT of ‘Webbish’ texts based on a 1–100 grading scale. An average score of 89.9 was earned
from twenty-four international participants, showing a high degree of MT comprehensibility. Meanwhile, set within the framework of
postmodernism, ‘Webbish’ writing takes on postmodernist significance of non-fixed norms, dynamic meanings and an equal right of
comprehensible Web information access for global non-English audiences. Its linguistic features are suited to MT application and
its fluid meanings are produced due to the MT system’s rendition and different target audiences’ different interpretations.
‘Webbish’ writing suggests acceptance, inclusiveness and equality. It is also an easy way to influence and improve global
communication.
L’expression des procès spatiaux causatifs chez les apprenants francophones du chinois
Authors: Arslangul Arnaud , Hendriks Henriëtte , Hickmann Maya , Demagny Annie-Claude
Published: January 2019

Cette recherche, située dans le cadre proposé par Talmy (1985,1991,2000), analyse la façon dont des apprenants francophones du chinois langue étrangère (un groupe de niveau intermédiaire et un groupe de niveau avancé) expriment les procès spatiaux causatifs, en comparaison avec des locuteurs natifs du chinois et du français. La procédure utilisée est celle d’une analyse de corpus oraux produits à partir d’une description de séquences animées. Les réponses ont été étudiées au niveau du choix des informations exprimées, de la densité sémantique et de la façon dont les informations ont été encodées. Les résultats révèlent les phénomènes suivants : (1) les apprenants intermédiaires produisent des réponses qui sont en apparence proches de celles des locuteurs natifs du français, mais très différentes de celles des locuteurs natifs du chinois en tous points ; ils ont des difficultés à exprimer un nombre important d’informations dans un seul énoncé grammaticalement correct. En revanche, (2) les apprenants avancés s’éloignent du modèle de leur langue maternelle et montrent une progression nette vers la langue cible au niveau du choix et de la quantité d’informations exprimées ; cependant, les moyens linguistiques utilisés présentent encore des différences avec ceux des locuteurs natifs du chinois.
L’imparfait dans le langage de l’enfant
Authors: Parisse Christophe , de Pontonx Sophie , Morgenstern Aliyah
Published: January 2019

Pour faire référence à des événements passés ou futurs, l’enfant doit parler d’objets et de situations qui ne sont ni visibles ni audibles, mais mémorisées, imaginaires, ou désirées. L’imparfait est l’un des temps grammaticaux qui permet d’exprimer cette « déconnexion » avec l’ici et maintenant. Notre étude repose sur un suivi longitudinal de deux enfants en situation d’interactions familiales spontanées qui permet d’analyser l’usage des formes de l’imparfait par rapport au présent et au passé composé, en lien avec la déconnexion, l’aspect lexical des verbes utilisés, les situations d’emplois à la fois chez les enfants et les adultes du corpus. Les résultats de nos analyses montrent que les productions d’imparfait de l’enfant sont tardives mais qu’elles se révèlent fortement liées à la déconnexion et aux verbes d’état. Ceci différencie l’imparfait des autres temps analysés. Son usage serait la marque d’une nouvelle étape dans le développement langagier et cognitif de l’enfant.
The Pahlavi National Library Project: Education and Modernization in Late Pahlavi Iran
Authors: Steele Robert
Published: January 2019

This paper examines the Pahlavi National Library, the planning for which began in 1972 and expired in 1978 on the eve of the Islamic Revolution. The Pahlavi National Library was to rank in size and eminence with the great libraries of the world, yet this extraordinary project has hitherto received little to no scholarly attention. Using documents primarily from the archives of the shah’s cultural counsellor at the imperial court, Shojāʿeddin Shafā, this paper looks in detail at a number of initiatives spearheaded by Shafā from the early 1960s, which essentially laid the groundwork for the Pahlavi National Library, in order to understand how the shah’s regime used culture and scholarship to further its political goals. The paper proceeds to investigate the Pahlavi National Library, analyzing it in the context of the shah’s domestic and foreign policy objectives.
Agreement/disagreement between caloric and video head impulse tests
Authors: Sinha Sujeet Kumar , Bansal Shalini , Neupane Anuj Kumar
Published: January 2019

Introduction:

Neuropathies of the eighth nerve may be due to primary demyelination or axonal diseases or by mixed disorder of the two resulting in normal cochlear functioning and affected afferent neural conduction in the auditory pathway. Since vestibular nerve is a part of the eighth nerve, there is a possibility of vestibular nerve also getting affected in individuals with auditory neuropathy.

Aims and objectives:

The aim of the study was to understand the correlation between caloric and video head impulse test (vHIT) results in individuals with auditory neuropathy.

Method:

A total of three participants diagnosed as having auditory neuropathy, with no other otological or neurological problems were taken for the study. Bithermal caloric test and vHIT were administered for all the participants.

Results:

In two of the participants with auditory neuropathy spectrum disorder (ANSD), hypofunctional caloric responses were observed along with reduced vestibuloocular reflex (VOR) gain and refixation saccades. However, third participant had hypofunctional caloric response along with normal VOR gain and absent refixation saccade.

Discussions:

In the present study, the caloric responses were found to be hypofunctional in all three participants suggesting vestibular deficits. Presence of hypofunctional caloric responses reduced VOR gain and refixation saccades suggested greater involvement of vestibular deficit.

Conclusions:

Findings of the study suggest that in addition to the auditory system, the vestibular system may also be affected in ANSD.
T-cell receptor mimic (TCRm) antibody therapeutics against intracellular proteins
Authors: Xu Yixiang , Salazar Georgina To’a , Zhang Ningyan , An Zhiqiang
Published: January 2019

T-cell receptor mimic (TCRm) antibodies combine the capacity of a T cell to target intracellular antigens with other capacities unique to antibodies. Neoantigens are abnormal proteins that arise as a consequence of somatic mutations. Technological advances promote the development of neoantigen-targeting therapies including TCRm antibody therapies. This review summarizes key characteristics of TCRm antibodies, in particular those targeting neoantigens, and further introduces discussion of obstacles that must be overcome to advance TCRm therapeutics.
The Value of Biodiversity as an Insurance Device
Authors: Augeraud‐Véron Emmanuelle , Fabbri Giorgio , Schubert Katheline
Published: January 2019

This paper presents a benchmark stochastic endogenous growth model of an agricultural economy. Producing food requires land, and increasing the share of total land devoted to farming mechanically reduces the share of land devoted to biodiversity conservation. However, safeguarding a greater number of species guarantees better ecosystem services, which in turn ensure lower volatility of agricultural productivity. The optimal conversion/conservation rule is explicitly characterized. Value of biodiversity is considered in its function of hedging against the volatility of agricultural production. Two aspects of biodiversity's value are examined. We first consider the total value of biodiversity as the welfare gain from biodiversity conservation, that is, the percentage increase in consumption that the society is willing to accept to give up the optimal level of biodiversity in favor of no biodiversity at all. We then consider the insurance value of biodiversity, extending the usual concepts to our stochastic dynamic framework, defining the insurance value of biodiversity as the change of the risk premium due to a marginal change in the level of biodiversity. To highlight the impact of risk on the optimal decision as in the value of biodiversity, we use the Epstein‐Zin‐Weil specification of preferences and represent preferences by a recursive utility function. This allows us to disentangle the effects of risk aversion and aversion to fluctuations. Thus, the preference for some rather uncertain outcomes and the propensity to smooth consumption over time are represented by two distinct parameters, and the effect of each of them are studied.
Varanto: variant enrichment analysis and annotation
Authors: Timonen Oskari , Särkkä Mikko , Fülöp Tibor , Mattsson Anton , Kekäläinen Juha , Paananen Jussi
Published: January 2019

Genome-wide association studies (GWAS) aim to identify associations of genetic variations such as single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) to a specific trait or a disease. Identifying common themes such as pathways, biological processes and diseases associations is needed to further explore and interpret these results. Varanto is a novel web tool for annotating, visualizing and analyzing human genetic variations using diverse data sources. Varanto can be used to query a set of input variations, retrieve their associated variation and gene level annotations, perform annotation enrichment analysis and visualize the results.

Availability and implementation

Varanto web app is developed with R and implemented as Shiny app with PostgreSQL database and is freely available at http://bioinformatics.uef.fi/varanto. Source code for the tool is available at https://github.com/oqe/varanto.

Supplementary information

Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.
Tracing the ancestry of operons in bacteria
Authors: Nguyen Huy N , Jain Ashish , Eulenstein Oliver , Friedberg Iddo
Published: January 2019

Motivation

Complexity is a fundamental attribute of life. Complex systems are made of parts that together perform functions that a single component, or subsets of components, cannot. Examples of complex molecular systems include protein structures such as the F1Fo-ATPase, the ribosome, or the flagellar motor: each one of these structures requires most or all of its components to function properly. Given the ubiquity of complex systems in the biosphere, understanding the evolution of complexity is central to biology. At the molecular level, operons are classic examples of a complex system. An operon’s genes are co-transcribed under the control of a single promoter to a polycistronic mRNA molecule, and the operon’s gene products often form molecular complexes or metabolic pathways. With the large number of complete bacterial genomes available, we now have the opportunity to explore the evolution of these complex entities, by identifying possible intermediate states of operons.

Results

In this work, we developed a maximum parsimony algorithm to reconstruct ancestral operon states, and show a simple vertical evolution model of how operons may evolve from the individual component genes. We describe several ancestral states that are plausible functional intermediate forms leading to the full operon. We also offer Reconstruction of Ancestral Gene blocks Using Events or ROAGUE as a software tool for those interested in exploring gene block and operon evolution.

Availability and implementation

The software accompanying this paper is available under GPLv3 license on: https://github.com/nguyenngochuy91/Ancestral-Blocks-Reconstruction.

Supplementary information

Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.
Children With Cystic Fibrosis Are Infected With Multiple Subpopulations of Mycobacterium abscessus With Different Antimicrobial Resistance Profiles
Authors: Shaw Liam P , Doyle Ronan M , Kavaliunaite Ema , Spencer Helen , Balloux Francois , Dixon Garth , Harris Kathryn A
Published: January 2019

Background

Children with cystic fibrosis (CF) can develop life-threatening infections of Mycobacterium abscessus. These present a significant clinical challenge, particularly when the strains involved are resistant to antibiotics. Recent evidence of within-patient subclones of M. abscessus in adults with CF suggests the possibility that within-patient diversity may be relevant for the treatment of pediatric CF patients.

Methods

We performed whole-genome sequencing (WGS) on 32 isolates of M. abscessus that were taken from multiple body sites of 2 patients with CF who were undergoing treatment at Great Ormond Street Hospital, United Kingdom, in 2015.

Results

We found evidence of extensive diversity within patients over time. A clustering analysis of single nucleotide variants revealed that each patient harbored multiple subpopulations, which were differentially abundant between sputum, lung samples, chest wounds, and pleural fluid. The sputum isolates did not reflect the overall within-patient diversity and did not allow for the detection of subclones with mutations previously associated with macrolide resistance (rrl 2058/2059). Some variants were present at intermediate frequencies before the lung transplants. The time of the transplants coincided with extensive variation, suggesting that this event is particularly disruptive for the microbial community, but the transplants did not clear the M. abscessus infections and both patients died as a result of these infections.

Conclusions

Isolates of M. abscessus from sputum do not always reflect the entire diversity present within the patient, which can include subclones with differing antimicrobial resistance profiles. An awareness of this phenotypic variability, with the sampling of multiple body sites in conjunction with WGS, may be necessary to ensure the best treatment for this vulnerable patient group.
Emergence of Low-level Delamanid and Bedaquiline Resistance During Extremely Drug-resistant Tuberculosis Treatment
Authors: Polsfuss Silke , Hofmann-Thiel Sabine , Merker Matthias , Krieger David , Niemann Stefan , Rüssmann Holger , Schönfeld Nicolas , Hoffmann Harald , Kranzer Katharina
Published: January 2019

Two new drugs, delamanid and bedaquiline, have recently been approved for treatment of multidrug-resistant and extensively drug-resistant (XDR) tuberculosis. Here, we report a case of clofazimine, bedaquiline, and low-level delamanid resistances acquired during treatment of a patient with XDR tuberculosis.
Relationship between changes in pericoronary adipose tissue attenuation and coronary plaque burden quantified from coronary computed tomography angiography
Authors: Goeller Markus , Tamarappoo Balaji K , Kwan Alan C , Cadet Sebastien , Commandeur Frederic , Razipour Aryabod , Slomka Piotr J , Gransar Heidi , Chen Xi , Otaki Yuka , Friedman John D , Cao J Jane , Albrecht Moritz H , Bittner Daniel O , Marwan Mohamed , Achenbach Stephan , Berman Daniel S , Dey Damini
Published: January 2019

Aims

Increased attenuation of pericoronary adipose tissue (PCAT) around the proximal right coronary artery (RCA) from coronary computed tomography angiography (CTA) has been shown to be associated with coronary inflammation and improved prediction of cardiac death over plaque features. Our aim was to investigate whether PCAT CT attenuation is related to progression of coronary plaque burden.

Methods and results

We analysed CTA studies of 111 stable patients (age 59.2 ± 9.8 years, 77% male) who underwent sequential CTA (3.4 ± 1.6 years between scans) with identical acquisition protocols. Total plaque (TP), calcified plaque (CP), non-calcified plaque (NCP), and low-density non-calcified plaque (LD-NCP) volumes and corresponding burden (plaque volume × 100%/vessel volume) were quantified using semi-automated software. PCAT CT attenuation (HU) was measured around the proximal RCA, the most standardized method for PCAT analysis. Patients with an increase in NCP burden (n = 51) showed an increase in PCAT attenuation, whereas patients with a decrease in NCP burden (n = 60) showed a decrease {4.4 [95% confidence interval (CI) 2.6–6.2] vs. −2.78 (95% CI −4.6 to −1.0) HU, P < 0.0001}. Changes in PCAT attenuation correlated with changes in the burden of NCP (r = 0.55, P < 0.001) and LD-NCP (r = 0.24, P = 0.01); but not CP burden (P = 0.3). Increased baseline PCAT attenuation ≥−75 HU was independently associated with increase in NCP (odds ratio 3.07, 95% CI 1.4–7.0; P < 0.008) and TP burden on follow-up CTA.

Conclusion

PCAT attenuation measured from routine CTA is related to the progression of NCP and TP burden. This imaging biomarker may help to identify patients at increased risk of high-risk plaque progression and allow monitoring of beneficial changes from medical therapy.
Whole Stand Volume and Green Weight Equations for Loblolly Pine in the Western Gulf Region of the United States through Age 15
Authors: Gallagher Derrick A , Bullock Bronson P , Montes Cristian R , Kane Michael B
Published: January 2019

Three whole stand equations were evaluated for best prediction performance of loblolly pine volume and green weight in three physiographic regions of the Western Gulf through age 15 using remeasured permanent research plots from a spacing study. The equations evaluated are two nonlinear forms of the Schumacher yield equation that predict yield from dominant height, stand basal area, and age with or without stand tree density, and a logistic parameterization of the Chapman–Richards equation that uses only basal area and age. The nonlinear form of the Schumacher yield equations (Equations 2 and 3) performed better than the Chapman–Richards model (Equation 4), indicating a more appropriate mathematical model to describe forest yield. The sixfold cross-validation residual standard error for volume prediction in the Lower Coastal Plain, Upper Coastal Plain, and Interior Flatwoods was 109, 179, and 71 cubic feet per acre, respectively. The residual standard error of green weight prediction for the Lower Coastal Plain, Upper Coastal Plain, and Interior Flatwoods was 4, 2, and 3 tons per acre, respectively. The presented whole stand yield models provide physiographic region-specific estimates of yield for genetically improved loblolly pine under intensive management regimes.