bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Effect of static‐state fermentation on volatile composition in rapeseed meal
Authors: Hao Yining , Wang Zhigao , Zou Yucheng , He Rong , Ju Xingrong , Yuan Jian
Published: January 2020

BACKGROUND

Fermented rapeseed meal has been used as an alternative protein source for animal feed, but the volatile compounds and how their contents change during fermentation have not been reported. To clarify the effect of static‐state fermentation on its aroma, the volatile compounds of rapeseed meal during different stages of fermentation were analyzed using an electronic nose system and headspace solid‐phase microextraction‐gas chromatography–mass spectrometry.

RESULTS

The results suggested that the volatile compounds in the raw rapeseed meal, mostly hydrocarbons and some aldehydes, were lost. The levels of the volatile compounds resulting from microbial metabolism, especially pyrazines, greatly increased during fermentation. Nonanal was the dominant volatile measured in the headspace of raw rapeseed meal. However, the volatile compounds found at high concentrations in rapeseed meal after 5 days of fermentation were tetramethylpyrazine, followed by butanoic acid, benzenepropanenitrile, 2‐methylbutanoic acid, trimethylamine, 2,3,5‐trimethyl‐6‐ethylpyrazine, and 2,3,5‐trimethylpyrazine.

CONCLUSION

The fermentation process could significantly change the composition and content of volatile compounds in rapeseed meal. The results may provide reference data for studies on the choice of fermentation period and formation mechanism of flavor substances in fermented rapeseed meal. © 2020 Society of Chemical Industry
Nest Site Selection Influences Cinnamon Teal Nest Survival in Colorado
Authors: Setash Casey M. , Kendall William L. , Olson David
Published: January 2020

Nest survival of ducks is partially a function of the spatiotemporal characteristics of the site at which a bird chooses to nest. Nest survival is also a fundamental component of population growth in waterfowl but is relatively unstudied for cinnamon teal (Spatula cyanoptera). We investigated cinnamon teal nest survival in a managed wetland complex in southern Colorado, USA, and assessed nest site selection to determine whether nest site characteristics were adaptive. We monitored 85 nests in 2015–2017 on Monte Vista National Wildlife Refuge, Colorado and did not detect a difference in nest survival across years. Based on nest site selection data from 2017, cinnamon teal selected nest sites characterized by a lower proportion of forbs than available sites. The relationships between habitat characteristics and nest survival were variable. Microhabitat characteristics exhibited only weak effects on nest survival during the laying stage. Nest survival during incubation was negatively related to the proportion of forbs at the nest site and, to a lesser extent, the proportion of grasses. Nest site selection was predictive of future nest survival based on the percent of forbs and grasses around the nest site, suggesting teal select nest locations to benefit reproductive success. These results have the potential to guide local habitat management actions for breeding waterfowl. © 2020 The Wildlife Society.
A Modern Case Sheds Light on a Classical Enigma: Beethoven's Deafness
Authors: Brotto Davide , Fellin Renato , Sorrentino Flavia , Gheller Flavia , Trevisi Patrizia , Bovo Roberto
Published: January 2020

Two hundred and fifty years have passed since the birth of Ludwig van Beethoven, and the enigma about his hearing loss and overall health status seems to be not completely solved. However, the admission to the hospital of a 64‐year‐old woman in 2018 with symptoms extremely similar to those experienced by the great composer may add further evidence to a theory previously underestimated. The health issues of the modern patient were found to be due to chronic lead intoxication. The lead was released during daily cooking using a ceramic‐coated frying pan with worn surface that poisoned her breakfast most probably for years.

Abdominal pain, asthenia, and hearing loss affecting the high frequencies with a many impact on speech intelligibility tormented the patient, as they had Beethoven.

An extensive review of the music and medical literature was performed, as well as re‐examination of manuscripts, correspondence, and autopsy reports of the famous composer; and great similarities have been found. The soundness of the most‐cited classical theories about Beethoven's hearing loss will be discussed. After close scrutiny of the theories, our analysis points toward a progressive sensorineural hearing loss due to lead intoxication as the most probable cause of not only Beethoven's hypoacusis but his overall health status as well. Laryngoscope, 131:179–185, 2021
Molecular ecological network analysis of the response of soil microbial communities to depth gradients in farmland soils
Authors: Yu Hang , Xue Dongmei , Wang Yidong , Zheng Wei , Zhang Guilong , Wang Zhong‐Liang
Published: January 2020

Soil microorganisms are considered to be important indicators of soil fertility and soil quality. Most previous studies have focused solely on surface soil, but there were numerous active cells in deeper soil layers. However, studies regarding microbial communities in deeper soil layers were not comprehensive and sufficient. In this study, phylogenetic molecular ecological networks (pMENs) based on the 16S rRNA Miseq sequencing technique were applied to study the response of soil microbial communities to depth gradients and the changes of key genera along 3 meter depth gradients (0–0.2 m, 0.2–0.4 m 0.4–0.6 m, 0.6–0.8 m, 0.8–1.0 m, 1.0–1.3 m, 1.3–1.6 m, 1.6–2.0 m, 2.0–2.5 m, and 2.5–3.0 m). The results showed that the modularity of microbial communities was consistently high in all soil layers and each layer was similar, which indicated that microbial communities were more resistant to depth changes. The pMENs further demonstrated that microbial community interactions were stable as the depth increased and they cooperated well to adapt to changes in different soil gradients. This was evidenced by similar positive links, average degree, and average clustering coefficient. In addition, key genera were obtained by analyzing module hubs in the pMENs. There may be at least one dominant genus in each layer that adapted to and resisted changes in the soil environment. It seems microbial communities demonstrate a stable and strong adaptability to depth gradients in farmland soils.
A de novo MAPRE2 variant in a patient with congenital symmetric circumferential skin creases type 2
Authors: Feng Jincai , Lan Xiaoping , Shen Jun , Song Xiaozhen , Tang Xiaojun , Xu Wuhen , Ren Xiang , Zhang Hong , Yu Guangjun , Wu Shengnan
Published: January 2020

Background

Congenital symmetric circumferential skin creases (CSCSC) was initially described five decades ago. Exome sequencing has recently revealed the genetic etiology of CSCSC. Pathogenic variants in TUBB (OMIM# 191130) and MAPRE2 (OMIM# 605789) have been linked to CSCSC1 (OMIM# 156610) and CSCSC2 (OMIM# 616734), respectively, in an autosomal dominant manner. Four pathogenic variants in MAPRE2 have been previously reported to be associated with CSCSC2.

Methods

Whole‐exome sequencing (WES) has been performed and an in‐house pipeline was used to conduct a phenotype‐driven data analysis. All candidate variants were confirmed by Sanger sequencing.

Results

Here we report a 2‐year‐old boy characterized by absent expressive speech, normal to mild over growth, facial dysmorphic features, remarkable circumferential skin creases on both forearms and ankles. WES disclosed a de novo missense MAPRE2 variant, c.518G>A (p.Arg173Gln), as the molecular cause of this complex phenotype. We described detailed clinical characterization of this patient and compared the available clinical data of individuals with MAPRE2 variants to demonstrate the phenotypic spectrum.

Conclusion

Our study reports the first patient of Asian origin with CSCSC2 due to a pathogenic mutation of MAPRE2 and expands the clinical and genetic spectrum of CSCSC2.
A dual‐porosity model considering the displacement effect for incompressible two‐phase flow
Authors: Zheng Huan , Shi An‐Feng , Liu Zhi‐Feng , Wang Xiao‐Hong
Published: January 2020

The dual‐porosity model is usually employed to simulate the flow in fractured reservoirs. However, its original form for the multiphase flow does not consider the displacement effect under macropressure gradient. Especially for the incompressible multiphase flow, it predicts zero transfer term between fracture and matrix, which is unreasonable. To improve this, a modified double‐porosity model is proposed for incompressible two‐phase flow, in which the displacement effect is considered and the corresponding shape factor is derived. For the anisotropic case, the shape factor of displacement depends upon the velocity direction. The accuracy and the efficiency of the proposed dual‐porosity model are indicated through numerical tests.
Sleep in mothers of children with epilepsy and its relation to their children's sleep
Authors: Tsai Shao‐Yu , Lee Wang‐Tso , Lee Chien‐Chang , Jeng Suh‐Fang , Weng Wen‐Chin
Published: January 2020

We conducted a cross‐sectional study to examine sleep in mothers of children with epilepsy and its relation to their children's sleep. A total of 133 dyads of mothers and children with epilepsy aged 1.5–6 years were recruited between 2015 and 2018 from a children's hospital in northern Taiwan. Participating families provided demographic and health information, with children wearing an actigraphy monitor for 7 days and mothers completing sleep and depressive mood questionnaires. We found that 76 (57.1%) of the mothers had poor sleep quality, with 65 (48.9%) mothers having a clinically significant depressive symptom score. Mean actigraphic wake after sleep onset in children was 1.42 (standard deviation = 0.51) hours, with 126 (94.7%) of the children having a clinically significant sleep disturbance score. Multivariate regression analyses showed that higher depressive symptom scores in mothers (β = 0.14; p < .01) and higher sleep disturbance scores in children (β = 0.07; p = .04) were associated with poorer maternal sleep quality, even when maternal demographic characteristics and the child's clinical and epilepsy variables were considered. Findings from our study suggest that sleep disturbances are a shared problem for mothers and their children with epilepsy. Sleep in both mothers and their children with epilepsy should be evaluated in pediatric neurologic practices, with maternal depressive symptoms screened concurrently. Future pediatric epilepsy studies are warranted to examine whether a family‐based intervention program would be effective to improve sleep in mother‐child dyads and to promote better health and functioning of the entire family.
Comparison of Anthropometric Measures in US Military Personnel in the Classification of Overweight and Obesity
Authors: Shams‐White Marissa M. , Chui Kenneth , Deuster Patricia A. , McKeown Nicola M. , Must Aviva
Published: January 2020

Objective

This study aimed to determine (1) the level of agreement between BMI, circumference‐based equation (CBE) measures, waist circumference (WC), and bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA) measures and (2) whether BMI, CBE measures, or WC alone or in combination adequately reflects adiposity in military personnel compared with BIA.

Methods

BMI from measured height and weight (using military overweight cutoffs in men [BMI ≥ 27.5 kg/m2] and World Health Organization overweight cutoffs [BMI ≥ 25.0 kg/m2]), BMI body fat percentage (BF%), WC, CBE BF%, and BIA BF% were collected. Respondents (N = 389, 78% men) were categorized with normal fat versus overweight, obesity, or overfat. Levels of agreement and standard screening performance measures were compared between anthropometric measures and BIA.

Results

World Health Organization BMI and BIA BF% classified the most men and women with overweight/obesity; WC with BMI (BMI + WC) and WC alone classified the fewest men and women with overweight/obesity. Levels of agreement were all statistically significant and highest for BMI (men: Cohen's κ = 0.711; women: Cohen's κ = 0.814) and lowest for WC and BMI + WC (all Cohen's κ ≤ 0.270). BMI + CBE performed best overall (sensitivity = 50.9%, false discovery rate = 5.4%).

Conclusions

Our findings support BMI + CBE as an easy‐to‐implement combination to assess adiposity in the military.
Lessons from New York City's Small Schools of Choice about High School Features that Promote Graduation for Disadvantaged Students
Authors: Bloom Howard S. , Unterman Rebecca , Zhu Pei , Reardon Sean F.
Published: January 2020

The present paper uses a rich dataset based on naturally‐occurring lotteries for 68 new small non‐selective high schools in New York City, which we refer to as small schools of choice (SSCs), to address two related questions: (1) What high school features are promising levers for increasing graduation rates for disadvantaged students? and (2) What high school features helped to produce SSCs’ positive impacts on graduation rates? Our findings provide suggestive evidence that school leadership quality, teacher empowerment, teacher mutual support, teacher evaluation and feedback, teacher professional development, data‐driven instruction, teacher/parent communication, academic rigor, personalized learning, and teacher/student respect are promising levers for increasing graduation rates for disadvantaged students. Our findings also provide suggestive evidence that many of these school features explain part of the total average SSC effect on graduation rates, although most of this average effect remains unexplained. Lastly, our findings indicate that SSCs are clearly distinguishable from their counterfactual counterparts in terms of school features that were emphasized by SSC funders.
Synergistic effects of expandable graphite and ammonium pentaborate octahydrate on the flame‐retardant, thermal insulation, and mechanical properties of rigid polyurethane foam
Authors: Akdogan Emre , Erdem Murat , Ureyen Mustafa Erdem , Kaya Metin
Published: January 2020

The use of flame retardants (FRs) to improve the flame retardancy but also having good insulation and mechanical properties of rigid polyurethane foam (RPUF) has become significant due to the increasing demand in both the industry and academia. In the present study, a series of RPUF composites containing expandable graphite (EG), ammonium pentaborate (APB) octahydrate, and their binary blends were prepared with one‐shot and free‐rise methods. The effects of FRs on the FR and physical‐mechanical properties of RPUFs were investigated. The results show that both EG and APB could improve the flame retardancy of RPUFs and reduced the smoke production. The FR effect of EG was better than APB and more importantly, synergistic effect was found between EG and APB. The best results were obtained by the foam in the composition of 15E and 5A. The cone calorimeter test results showed that the peak heat release rate (pHRR) and total smoke release (THR) of 15E/5A foam were lower than the foams of 20E and 20A. The pHRR and THR values of 15E/5A foam decreased about 57.5% and 42.8% compared to the neat RPUF, respectively. Total smoke production (m2) also reduced about 77.0% by 20E and 83.6% by 15E/5A foams. Thermogravimetric analysis indicates that the char residue of 15E/5A foam increased to 39.5%, which provided better flame retardancy. The foam composites have high compressive strength (105‐150 kPa) and low thermal conductivity values (19.9‐21.3 mW/mK). While the thermal conductivity of 15E/5A foam increased by 0.5%, its compressive strength increased by 6.1%.
Polynorbornene‐g‐poly(ethylene oxide) Through the Combination of ROMP and Nitroxide Radical Coupling Reactions
Authors: Nicolas Clémence , Zhang Wenhao , Choppé Émilie , Fontaine Laurent , Montembault Véronique
Published: January 2020

Grafting‐onto and grafting‐through strategies for preparing polynorbornene‐g‐poly(ethylene oxide)s (PNB‐g‐PEO) have been developed through a combination of ring‐opening metathesis polymerization (ROMP) and nitroxide radical coupling (NRC). 2‐Bromoisobutyrate‐functionalized poly(ethylene oxide) monomethyl ether 2000 (PEO45‐Br) was successfully anchored on a 2,2,6,6‐tetramethylpiperidinyl‐1‐oxy (TEMPO)‐containing polynorbornene backbone of number‐average degree of polymerization () of 100 through the grafting‐onto strategy, resulting in PNB‐g‐PEO with a grafting yield ranging up to 90%. ROMP of ω‐exo‐norbornenyl PEO45 monomethyl ether macromonomer issued from NRC between a nitroxide‐functionalized norbornene and PEO45‐Br has allowed to reach a well‐defined bottlebrush copolymer with a backbone of 100 while retaining a low dispersity of 1.09. The effect of the grafting‐onto versus grafting‐through strategy and, consequently, of the grafting density, was investigated by thermal analyses and self‐assembly properties of the PNB100‐g‐PEO45. A substantial reduction of crystallinity was observed for PNB‐g‐PEO prepared via the grafting‐through route. Preliminary study of the self‐assembling properties has shown that the graft copolymers form monodisperse spherical particles in aqueous solution. © 2020 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci. 2020, 58, 645–653
SIRPB1 promotes prostate cancer cell proliferation via Akt activation
Authors: Song Qiong , Qin Siyuan , Pascal Laura E. , Zou Chunlin , Wang Wenchu , Tong Haibo , Zhang Jian , Catalona William J. , Dhir Rajiv , Morrell Megan , Balasubramani Goundappa K. , Lu Yi , Wang Zhou
Published: January 2020

Background

Signal regulatory protein β1 (SIRPB1) is a signal regulatory protein member of the immunoglobulin superfamily and is capable of modulating receptor tyrosine kinase‐coupled signaling. Copy number variations at the SIRPB1 locus were previously reported to associate with prostate cancer aggressiveness in patients, however, the role of SIRPB1 in prostate carcinogenesis is unknown.

Methods

Fluorescence in situ hybridization and laser‐capture microdissection coupled with quantitative polymerase chain reaction was utilized to determine SIRPB1 gene amplification and messenger RNA expression in prostate cancer specimens. The effect of knockdown of SIRPB1 by RNA interference in PC3 prostate cancer cells on cell growth in colony formation assays and cell mobility in wound‐healing, transwell assays, and cell cycle analysis was determined. Overexpression of SIPRB1 in C4‐2 prostate cancer cells on cell migration, invasion, colony formation and cell cycle progression and tumor take rate in xenografts was also determined. Western blot assay of potential downstream SIRPB1 pathways was also performed.

Results

SIRPB1 gene amplification was detected in up to 37.5% of prostate cancer specimens based on in silico analysis of several publicly available datasets. SIRPB1 gene amplification and overexpression were detected in prostate cancer specimens. The knockdown of SIRPB1 significantly suppressed cell growth in colony formation assays and cell mobility. SIRPB1 knockdown also induced cell cycle arrest during the G0/G1 phase and enhancement of apoptosis. Conversely, overexpression of SIPRB1 in C4‐2 prostate cancer cells significantly enhanced cell migration, invasion, colony formation, and cell cycle progression and increased C4‐2 xenograft tumor take rate in nude mice. Finally, this study presented evidence for SIRPB1 regulation of Akt phosphorylation and showed that Akt inhibition could abolish SIRPB1 stimulation of prostate cancer cell proliferation.

Conclusions

These results suggest that SIRPB1 is a potential oncogene capable of activating Akt signaling to stimulate prostate cancer proliferation and could be a biomarker for patients at risk of developing aggressive prostate cancer.
In Situ Ellipsometry Study of the Early Stage of ZnO Atomic Layer Deposition on In0.53Ga0.47As
Authors: Skopin Evgeniy V. , Deschanvres Jean-Luc , Renevier Hubert
Published: January 2020

The initial stages of ZnO atomic layer deposition (ALD) on (InGaAs) are studied by monitoring the ZnO film thickness in situ with spectroscopic ellipsometry. Using diethylzinc (DEZn) and water, at a substrate temperature equal to 120 °C, the presence of two different ZnO growth regimes prior to steady growth is found: a slow ZnO nucleation on InGaAs, (growth delay), then a substrate‐inhibited growth of type II. Increasing the DEZn injection time, the growth delay shortens from 30 cycles down to 3 cycles; concomitantly, the steady growth rate increases from 0.18 to 0.23 nm.cy−1. The DEZn residence time and pressure increase during the first ALD cycle, allowing to suppress growth delay; instead, no change is observed when performing the same experiment with water. Atomic force microscopy (AFM) images show that the InGaAs surface roughens after the first cycle with a long DEZn pulse and residence time. The rough surface is likely at the origin of the growth delay elimination.
Binding and adsorption energy of Cd in soils and its environmental implication for Cd bioavailability
Authors: Wang Yu‐Jun , Fan Ting‐Ting , Cui Pei‐Xin , Sun Qian , Zhou Dong‐Mei , Li Cheng‐Bao , Wang Guo‐Qing , Lin Yu‐Suo , Zhang Sheng‐Tian , Yang Xin‐Ping , Zhao Fang‐Jie , Friedman Shmulik P.
Published: January 2020

The interaction of Cd and other heavy metals with soil colloidal particles controls the sequestration, mobility and bioavailability of Cd in soils. In this study, the binding (△Gbi) and adsorption (△Gad) energies of Cd on colloidal particles of 18 soils were determined by the Wien effect method. The binding energy of Cd on soil colloidal particles varied from 5.3 to 9.9 kJ mol−1, depending on the soil characteristics including pH, Mn‐oxide content and dissolved organic carbon in the soil. The Cd adsorption energy correlated positively with Mn‐oxide content and pH. In parallel, the extended X‐ray absorption fine structure (EXAFS) spectroscopy was used to determine the speciation of Cd in Cd‐saturated soil samples, which revealed that the outer‐sphere Cd was the predominant species, accounting for 32.2–73.7% of the total adsorbed Cd, and positively correlated to the binding and adsorption energies. Humic acid‐Cd (10.4–42.2%) and montmorillonite‐Cd (2.5–51.2%) were also major species that were identified by EXAFS spectroscopy. The toxicity (log EC50) of Cd in soils to three organisms (earthworm, Collembola and Chinese cabbage) was found to correlate positively with the binding energies, indicating the predictive capability of using binding energies of Cd in different soils as an indicator for evaluating Cd bioavailability and toxicity in soils.
Characterization of a Vimentinhigh/Nestinhigh proteome and tissue regenerative secretome generated by human pancreas-derived mesenchymal stromal cells
Authors: Cooper Tyler T. , Sherman Stephen E. , Bell Gillian I. , Ma Jun , Kuljanin Miljan , Jose Shauna E. , Lajoie Gilles A. , Hess David A.
Published: January 2020

Multipotent/mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) exist within a variety of postnatal tissues; however, global proteomic analyses comparing tissue-specific MSC are limited. Using human bone marrow (BM)-derived MSCs as a gold standard, we used label-free mass spectrometry and functional assays to characterize the proteome, secretome, and corresponding function of human pancreas-derived MSCs (Panc-MSCs) with a classical phenotype (CD90+/CD73+/CD105+/CD45−/CD31−). Both MSC subtypes expressed mesenchymal markers vimentin, α-SMA, and STRO-1; however, expression of nestin was increased in Panc-MSCs. Accordingly, these Vimentinhigh/Nestinhigh cells were isolated from fresh human pancreatic islet and non-islet tissues. Next, we identified expression of >60 CD markers shared between Panc-MSCs and BM-MSCs, including validated expression of CD14. An additional 19 CD markers were differentially expressed, including reduced pericyte-marker CD146 expression on Panc-MSCs. Panc-MSCs also showed reduced expression of proteins involved in lipid and retinoid metabolism. Accordingly, Panc-MSCs showed restricted responses to adipogenic stimuli in vitro, although both MSC types demonstrated trilineage differentiation. In contrast, Panc-MSCs demonstrated accelerated growth kinetics and competency to pro-neurogenic stimuli in vitro. The secretome of Panc-MSCs was highly enriched for proteins associated with vascular development, wound healing and chemotaxis. Similar to BM-MSCs, Panc-MSCs conditioned media augmented endothelial cell survival, proliferation, and tubule formation in vitro. Importantly, the secretome of both MSC types was capable of stimulating chemotactic infiltration of murine endothelial cells in vivo and reduced hyperglycemia in STZ-treated mice following intrapancreatic injection. Overall, this study provides foundational knowledge to develop Panc-MSCs as a unique MSC subtype with functional properties beneficial in regenerative medicine for diabetes and vascular disease.
Determinantal Structures in Space-Inhomogeneous Dynamics on Interlacing Arrays
Authors: Assiotis Theodoros
Published: January 2020

We introduce a space-inhomogeneous generalization of the dynamics on interlacing arrays considered by Borodin and Ferrari (Commun Math Phys 325:603–684, 2014). We show that for a certain class of initial conditions the point process associated with the dynamics has determinantal correlation functions, and we calculate explicitly, in the form of a double contour integral, the correlation kernel for one of the most classical initial conditions, the densely packed. En route to proving this, we obtain some results of independent interest on non-intersecting general pure-birth chains, that generalize the Charlier process, the discrete analogue of Dyson’s Brownian motion. Finally, these dynamics provide a coupling between the inhomogeneous versions of the TAZRP and PushTASEP particle systems which appear as projections on the left and right edges of the array, respectively.
Aggregation-based minimization of finite state automata
Authors: Björklund Johanna , Cleophas Loek
Published: January 2020

We present a minimization algorithm for non-deterministic finite state automata that finds and merges bisimulation-equivalent states. The bisimulation relation is computed through partition aggregation, in contrast to existing algorithms that use partition refinement. The algorithm simultaneously generalises and simplifies an earlier one by Watson and Daciuk for deterministic devices. We show the algorithm to be correct and run in time $$ O \left( n^2 r^2 \left| \varSigma \right| \right) $$

O

n
2

r
2

Σ

, where n is the number of states of the input automaton $$M$$
M
, r is the maximal out-degree in the transition graph for any combination of state and input symbol, and $$\left| \varSigma \right| $$

Σ

is the size of the input alphabet. The algorithm has a higher time complexity than derivatives of Hopcroft’s partition-refinement algorithm, but represents a promising new solution approach that preserves language equivalence throughout the computation process. Furthermore, since the algorithm essentially computes the maximal model of a logical formula derived from $$M$$
M
, optimisation techniques from the field of model checking become applicable.
Scanning stereo-PLIF method for free surface measurements in large 3D domains
Authors: van Meerkerk Mike , Poelma C. , Westerweel J.
Published: January 2020

In this work, we extend a planar laser-induced fluorescence method for free surface measurements to a three-dimensional domain using a stereo-camera system, a scanning light sheet, and a modified self-calibration procedure. The stereo-camera set-up enables a versatile measurement domain with self-calibration, improved accuracy, and redundancy (e.g., possibility to overcome occlusions). Fluid properties are not significantly altered by the fluorescent dye, which results in a non-intrusive measurement technique. The technique is validated by determining the free surface of a hydraulic flow over an obstacle and circular waves generated after droplet impact. Free surface waves can be accurately determined over a height of $$L=100$$L=100 mm in a large two-dimensional domain ($$y(x,z) = 120\times 62$$y(x,z)=120×62 mm$$^2$$2), with sufficient accuracy to determine small amplitude variations ($$\eta \approx 0.2$$η≈0.2 mm). The temporal resolution ($${\varDelta }t = 19$$Δt=19 ms) is only limited by the available scanning equipment ($$f = 1$$f=1 kHz rate). For other applications, this domain can be scaled as needed.

Graphic abstract
A platinum black-modified microelectrode for in situ olanzapine detection in microliter volumes of undiluted serum
Authors: Shukla Rajendra P. , Belmaker Robert H. , Bersudsky Yuly , Ben-Yoav Hadar
Published: January 2020

Olanzapine is a thienobenzodiazepine compound. It is one of the newer types of antipsychotic drugs used in the treatment of schizophrenia and other psychotic disorders. Several methods have been reported for analyzing olanzapine in its pure form or combined with other drugs and in biological fluids. These methods include high-performance liquid chromatography and liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectroscopy. Although many of the reported methods are accurate and sensitive, they require the use of sophisticated equipment, lack in situ analysis, and require expensive reagents. Moreover, several of these methods are cumbersome, require prolonged sample pretreatment, strict control of pH, and long reaction times. Here we present the development of a miniaturized electrochemical sensor that will enable minimally invasive, real-time, and in situ monitoring of olanzapine levels in microliter volumes of serum samples. For this purpose, we modified a microfabricated microelectrode with a platinum black film to increase the electrocatalytic activity of the microelectrode towards olanzapine oxidation; this improved the overall selectivity and sensitivity of the sensor. We observed in recorded voltammograms the anodic current dose response characteristics in microliter volumes of olanzapine-spiked serum samples that resulted in a limit of detection of 28.6 ± 1.3 nM and a sensitivity of 0.14 ± 0.02 µA/cm2 nM. Importantly, the platinum black-modified microelectrode exhibited a limit of detection that is below the clinical threshold (65–130 nM). Further miniaturizing and integrating such sensors into point-of-care devices provide real-time monitoring of olanzapine blood levels; this will enable treatment teams to receive feedback and administer adjustable olanzapine therapy.
Towards effective discovery of natural communities in complex networks and implications in e-commerce
Authors: Chattopadhyay Swarup , Basu Tanmay , Das Asit K. , Ghosh Kuntal , Murthy Late C. A.
Published: January 2020

Automated community detection is an important problem in the study of complex networks. The idea of community detection is closely related to the concept of data clustering in pattern recognition. Data clustering refers to the task of grouping similar objects and segregating dissimilar objects. The community detection problem can be thought of as finding groups of densely interconnected nodes with few connections to nodes outside the group. A node similarity measure is proposed here that finds the similarity between two nodes by considering both neighbors and non-neighbors of these two nodes. Subsequently, a method is introduced for identifying communities in complex networks using this node similarity measure and the notion of data clustering. The significant characteristic of the proposed method is that it does not need any prior knowledge about the actual communities of a network. Extensive experiments on several real world and artificial networks with known ground-truth communities are reported. The proposed method is compared with various state of the art community detection algorithms by using several criteria, viz. normalized mutual information, f-measure etc. Moreover, it has been successfully applied in improving the effectiveness of a recommender system which is rapidly becoming a crucial tool in e-commerce applications. The empirical results suggest that the proposed technique has the potential to improve the performance of a recommender system and hence it may be useful for other e-commerce applications.
Pollution potential and causative hydrogeochemical processes in unconfined aquifer systems in a typical urban setting: emphasis on recharge and discharge areas
Authors: Asiwaju-Bello Y. A. , Olabode O. F. , Ogunsuyi M. T.
Published: January 2020

The inhabitants of Akure Metropolis, south-western Nigeria, depend solely on groundwater for their domestic, industrial and irrigation purposes. There is a need to delineate recharge and discharge areas for assessment and management of groundwater in these areas. One hundred and ninety (190) dug wells were selected for this assessment. Elevation and water table data aided accurate delineation of recharge, discharge and groundwater divide areas. Thirty-six wells representative of recharge and discharge areas were subjected to pollution assessment [DRASTIC, water quality index (WQI) and runoff potential]. The results revealed that the recharge areas have higher pollution potential and runoff amount than the discharge areas. This implied that groundwater sourced from recharge areas was more pollution prone than that sourced from discharge areas. WQI results revealed that the waters from recharge and discharge areas fall within excellent, good, poor, and unsuitable quality categories. Hydrogeochemical results revealed that concentrations of cations and anions are in order of Ca2+ > Mg2+ > K+ > Na+ and HCO3− > Cl− > SO42− with a predominant Ca–HCO3 facies typifying water from a basement complex environment. Gibbs plot and chloro-alkaline index affirmed the rock dominance and existence of imprints of ion-exchange processes influencing the groundwater quality. Intense weathering activities aided with long resident time spent by the water in the voids of the aquifer media are characteristic in this terrain. Recharge of precipitating water through infiltration into the weathered basement aquifers is a pointer to the greater yield of water in the wells. The possibility that precipitation-weathering process has led to the increase in concentrations of all ionic species and possible pollution of the groundwaters from the recharge and discharge areas cannot be ruled out at all.
Optimal capital injections and dividends with tax in a risk model in discrete time
Authors: Bata Katharina , Schmidli Hanspeter
Published: January 2020

We consider a risk model in discrete time with dividends and capital injections. The goal is to maximise the value of a dividend strategy. We show that the optimal strategy is of barrier type. That is, all capital above a certain threshold is paid as dividend. A second problem adds tax to the dividends but an injection leads to an exemption from tax. We show that the value function fulfils a Bellman equation. As a special case, we consider the case of premia of size one. In this case we show that the optimal strategy is a two barrier strategy. That is, there is a barrier if a next dividend of size one can be paid without tax and a barrier if the next dividend of size one will be taxed. In both models, we illustrate the findings by de Finetti’s example.
Concentrated sulfuric acid hydrolysis of softwood with t-butyl alcohol
Authors: Shiraki Yuya , Goto Tomohiro , Nonaka Hiroshi
Published: January 2020

To date, concentrated sulfuric acid hydrolysis is the most effective process to recover the maximum yield of monomeric sugars from woody biomass because concentrated sulfuric acid can completely swell and hydrolyze cellulose. During this process, sulfuric acid lignin is quantitatively produced as a by-product, which is difficult to use because of self-condensation between the lignin molecules under acidic conditions. In this study, to achieve a high yield of both sugars and lignin, we aimed to valorize the lignin with a unique additive, t-butyl alcohol, in the concentrated sulfuric acid hydrolysis of softwood. When t-butyl alcohol was added, sugar yields were unchanged and were nearly equal to the amount of compositional sugars. Thermoplastic lignin with good solubility in acetone was successfully recovered in a yield higher than 40%. The economic efficiency of the concentrated acid hydrolysis was significantly improved by upgrading the lignin. Thus, this unique process could be a new candidate in the realization of sugar platform biorefineries.
Cost-Effectiveness of First Trimester Screening for Preterm Pre-eclampsia in Lebanon
Authors: Karaki H. , Khazaal J. , Chahine R. , Kharoubi M. , Cuckle H.
Published: January 2020

To estimate, for Lebanon, the financial benefit of screening for preterm pre-eclampsia (PE) at 11–13 weeks gestation combining risk factors with mean arterial pressure and maternal serum placental growth factor. Preterm PE cases delivered during 2010–2018 at Rafik Hariri University Hospital were identified from electronic records. Manual nursing notes were reviewed to confirm the diagnosis using international criteria. For each case, adverse maternal and infant events were noted and billing information extracted. A series of 1000 non-PE pregnancies were identified and billing information recorded. Published screening detection rates for a 10% false-positive rate and the proportion prevented by aspirin prophylaxis were applied to estimate the reduced cost following screening. There were a total of 17,131 deliveries including 486 (2.84%) PE and 223 (1.30%) preterm PE cases. The caesarean section rate was substantially higher for preterm PE (74%) than non-PE deliveries (36%) and 76% of infants were admitted to the Newborn Intensive Care Unit, where the average stay was 32, 21 and 8 days for deliveries before 32, 32–33 and 34–36 weeks respectively. The total cost of maternal and infant care for preterm PE was $881,206 and the average cost of an unaffected delivery $599. It was estimated that following screening the saving in treatment costs including aspirin would have been $431,665, which is $24 per woman delivering at the hospital over the nine year period. The financial savings are more than sufficient to pay for the screening test in those who are screen-positive.
Book Clubs and Book Commerce
Authors: Norrick-Rühl Corinna
Published: January 2020

In the 20th century, cumulative millions of readers received books by mail from clubs like the Book-of-the-Month Club, the Book Society or Bertelsmann Club. This Element offers an introduction to book clubs as a distribution channel and cultural phenomenon, and shows that book clubs and book commerce are linked inextricably. It argues that a global perspective is necessary to understand the cultural and economic impact of book clubs in the 20th and into the 21st century. It also explores central reasons for book club membership, condensing them into four succinct categories: convenience, community, concession and, most importantly, curation. This title is also available as Open Access on Cambridge Core.
The GDPR as Global Data Protection Regulation?
Authors: Ryngaert Cedric , Taylor Mistale
Published: January 2020

The deterritorialization of the Internet and international communications technology has given rise to acute jurisdictional questions regarding who may regulate online activities. In the absence of a global regulator, states act unilaterally, applying their own laws to transborder activities. The EU's “extraterritorial” application of its data protection legislation—initially the Data Protection Directive (DPD) and, since 2018, the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR)—is a case in point. The GDPR applies to “the processing of personal data of data subjects who are in the Union by a controller or processor not established in the Union, where the processing activities are related to: (a) the offering of goods or services . . . to such data subjects in the Union; or (b) the monitoring of their behaviour . . . within the Union.” It also conditions data transfers outside the EU on third states having adequate (meaning essentially equivalent) data protection standards. This essay outlines forms of extraterritoriality evident in EU data protection law, which could be legitimized by certain fundamental rights obligations. It then looks at how the EU balances data protection with third states’ countervailing interests. This approach can involve burdens not only for third states or corporations, but also for the EU political branches themselves. EU law viewed through the lens of public international law shows how local regulation is going global, despite its goal of protecting only EU data subjects.
Sludge Audits
Authors: SUNSTEIN CASS R.
Published: January 2020

Consumers, employees, students and others are often subjected to ‘sludge’: excessive or unjustified frictions, such as paperwork burdens, that cost time or money; that may make life difficult to navigate; that may be frustrating, stigmatizing or humiliating; and that might end up depriving people of access to important goods, opportunities and services. Because of behavioral biases and cognitive scarcity, sludge can have much more harmful effects than private and public institutions anticipate. To protect consumers, investors, employees and others, firms and private and public institutions should regularly conduct Sludge Audits to catalogue the costs of sludge and to decide when and how to reduce it. Sludge often has costs far in excess of benefits, and it can hurt the most vulnerable members of society.
Exploding Individuals: Engaging Indigenous Logic and Decolonizing Science
Authors: Sinclair Rebekah
Published: January 2020

Despite emerging attention to Indigenous philosophies both within and outside of feminism, Indigenous logics remain relatively underexplored and underappreciated. By amplifying the voices of recent Indigenous philosophies and literatures, I seek to demonstrate that Indigenous logic is a crucial aspect of Indigenous resurgence as well as political and ethical resistance. Indigenous philosophies provide alternatives to the colonial, masculinist tendencies of classical logic in the form of paraconsistent—many-valued—logics. Specifically, when Indigenous logics embrace the possibility of true contradictions, they highlight aspects of the world rejected and ignored by classical logic and inspire a relational, decolonial imaginary. To demonstrate this, I look to biology, from which Indigenous logics are often explicitly excluded, and consider one problem that would benefit from an Indigenous, paraconsistent analysis: that of the biological individual. This article is an effort to expand the arenas in which allied feminists can responsibly take up and deploy these decolonial logics.
Gene–environment interactions between HPA-axis genes and childhood maltreatment in depression: a systematic review
Authors: Normann Caroline , Buttenschøn Henriette N.
Published: January 2020

Objective:

Gene–environment (GxE) interactions may comprise an important part of the aetiology of depression, and childhood maltreatment (CM), a significant stressor, has consistently been linked to depression. Hence, in this systematic review, we aimed to investigate the interaction between hypothalamus–pituitary–adrenal axis (HPA-axis) genes and CM in depression.

Methods:

We conducted a literature search using the Pubmed, Embase, and PsychINFO databases in adherence with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines. We included studies investigating GxE interactions between HPA-axis genes [Angiotensin Converting Enzyme(ACE),Arginine Vasopressin(AVP),Corticotrophin Releasing Hormone(CRH),Corticotrophin Releasing Hormone Receptor 1(CRHR1),Corticotrophin Releasing Hormone Receptor 2(CRHR2),FK506 binding protein(FKBP5),Nuclear Receptor subfamily 3 group C member 1(NR3C1),Nuclear Receptor subfamily 3 group C member 2(NR3C2)] and CM in depression.

Results:

The literature search identified 159 potentially relevant studies. Following screening, 138 of these were excluded. Thus, 21 studies, investigating a total of 51 single nucleotide polymorphisms, were included in the final study. The most prevalent genes in the current study wereCRHR1andFKBP5. Significant GxE interactions were reported in seven of eight studies forCRHR1:rs110402 and CM, and in five of eight studies forFKBP5:rs1360780 and CM. In summary, our results suggest possible GxE interactions betweenCRHR1, FKBP5, NR3C1, andNR3C2and CM, respectively. For the remaining genes, no relevant literature emerged.

Conclusions:

We find that genetic variation in four HPA-axis genes may influence the effects of CM in depression.
Effects of syllable name change on pitch comparison
Authors: Wang Zhiqiao , Hu Qingfen
Published: January 2020

Previous research has found that musicians’ pitch judgments, unlike non-musicians’, are influenced by syllable names. Although non-musicians fail to identify absolute pitches, they acknowledge the direction of pitch change. The present experiment investigated whether non-musicians’ judgments of pitch change can be influenced by the direction of syllable name change. Moreover, we examined the spatial, magnitudinal and sequential nature of pitches and syllable names. Participants ( N = 33) were asked to hear two successive tones sung by syllable name and to judge the direction of pitch change by pressing vertically arranged buttons. Participants’ accuracy of pitch change judging was found to be influenced by the direction of syllable name change. However, the response location was not found to interact with pitch change or syllable name change. The distance effect was found in pitches but not in syllable names. A sequence effect was found that trials with early-in-sequence syllable names were responded faster than trials with late-in-sequence syllable names. These results suggest that syllable names can influence non-musicians’ pitch judgments in a relative context. We suggest that it is the sequential order of syllable names that is the product of cultural activities that interfere with the judgment of pitch change.
Body composition in very preterm infants before discharge is associated with macronutrient intake
Authors: Lingwood Barbara E. , Al-Theyab Nada , Eiby Yvonne A. , Colditz Paul B. , Donovan Tim J.
Published: January 2020

Very preterm infants experience poor postnatal growth relative to intra-uterine growth rates but have increased percentage body fat (%fat). The aim of the present study was to identify nutritional and other clinical predictors of infant %fat, fat mass (FM) (g) and lean mass (LM) (g) in very preterm infants during their hospital stay. Daily intakes of protein, carbohydrate, lipids and energy were recorded from birth to 34 weeks postmenstrual age (PMA) in fifty infants born <32 weeks. Clinical illness variables and anthropometric data were also collected. Body composition was assessed at 34–37 weeks PMA using the PEA POD Infant Body Composition System. Multiple regression analysis was used to identify independent predictors of body composition (%fat, FM or LM). Birth weight, birth weight z-score and PMA were strong positive predictors of infant LM. After adjustment for these factors, the strongest nutrient predictors of LM were protein:carbohydrate ratios (102–318 g LM/0·1 increase in ratio, P = 0·006–0·015). Postnatal age (PNA) and PMA were the strongest predictors of infant FM or %fat. When PNA and PMA were accounted for a higher intake of energy (–1·41 to –1·61 g FM/kJ per kg per d, P = 0·001–0·012), protein (–75·5 to –81·0 g FM/g per kg per d, P = 0·019–0·038) and carbohydrate (–27·2 to –30·0 g FM/g per kg per d, P = 0·012–0·019) were associated with a lower FM at 34–37 weeks PMA. Higher intakes of energy, protein and carbohydrate may reduce fat accumulation in very preterm infants until at least 34–37 weeks PMA.