bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Medline indexing success and future directions for Irish Journal of Psychological Medicine
Authors: Lyne John
Published: December 2018

Irish Journal of Psychological Medicine (IJPM) was recently accepted for indexing on Medline. This reflects the high scientific quality of articles published in the journal and highlights the excellent work by publishers, authors, reviewers and the journal editorial board who have contributed to the journal’s development over many years. IJPM remains committed to further progression through constant innovation and maintaining the excellent standard of publishing to date. We look forward to promoting our aims of improving knowledge and advocating for better mental health services by continuing to highlight key topics of current relevance to mental health.
Viscous growth and rebound of a bubble near a rigid surface
Authors: Michelin Sébastien , Gallino Giacomo , Gallaire François , Lauga Eric
Published: December 2018

Motivated by the dynamics of microbubbles near catalytic surfaces in bubble-powered microrockets, we consider theoretically the growth of a free spherical bubble near a flat no-slip surface in a Stokes flow. The flow at the bubble surface is characterised by a constant slip length allowing us to tune the hydrodynamic mobility of its surface and tackle in one formulation both clean and contaminated bubbles as well as rigid shells. Starting with a bubble of infinitesimal size, the fluid flow and hydrodynamic forces on the growing bubble are obtained analytically. We demonstrate that, depending on the value of the bubble slip length relative to the initial distance to the wall, the bubble will either monotonically drain the fluid separating it from the wall, which will exponentially thin, or it will bounce off the surface once before eventually draining the thin film. Clean bubbles are shown to be a singular limit which always monotonically get repelled from the surface. The bouncing events for bubbles with finite slip lengths are further analysed in detail in the lubrication limit. In particular, we identify the origin of the reversal of the hydrodynamic force direction as due to the change in the flow pattern in the film between the bubble and the surface and to the associated lubrication pressure. Last, the final drainage dynamics of the film is observed to follow a universal algebraic scaling for all finite slip lengths.
Deformation of a biconcave-discoid capsule in extensional flow and electric field
Authors: Das Sudip , Deshmukh Shivraj D. , Thaokar Rochish M.
Published: December 2018

Natural (red blood cells) and artificial biconcave-discoid-shaped capsules have immense biological (a cellular component of blood) and technological (as drug carrier) relevance, respectively. Their low reduced volume allows significant shape changes under external fields such as extensional flows (encountered at junctions and size-varying capillaries in biological flows) and electric fields (in applications such as electroporation and dielectrophoresis). This work demonstrates biconcave-discoid to capped-cylindrical and prolate-spheroid shape transitions of a capsule in uniaxial extensional flow as well as in DC and AC electric fields. The shape changes of a stress-free biconcave-discoid capsule in external fields are important in determining the momentum and mass transfer between the capsule and the medium fluid as well as dielectrophoresis and electroporation phenomena of a capsule in an electric field. The biconcave-discoid to capped-cylindrical/prolate-spheroid shape transition is demonstrated for both a capsule (with parameters relevant to drug delivery) as well as for a red blood cell (physiological conditions). However, significant differences are observed in this shape transition depending upon the applied external fields. In an extensional flow, the pressure-driven transition shows the equator being squeezed in and the poles being pulled out to deform into a capped cylinder at low capillary number and a prolate spheroid at high capillary number. On the other hand, in the transition driven by electric fields, the shoulders of the capsule seem to play a significant role in the dynamics. The shape transition in the electric fields depends upon the relative magnitude of the electric and the hydrodynamic response times, particularly relevant for the dynamics of red blood cells in physiological conditions. A new method of analysing the shape transition of red blood cells in AC electric fields is suggested, where a large separation of time scales is observed between the hydrodynamic and electric responses.
From Cross-Cultural Economic Experiments to Experimental Indigenous Management Research – A Suggestion
Authors: Horak Sven
Published: December 2018

This study provides an overview, categorization, and integration of what has been achieved in the niche of cross-culture experimental economics (CCEE) so far, aiming to inspire indigenous management researchers to extend their methodological toolbox by including experimental methods. As a result of the review, I find that most of the early studies lack depth and contextualization as well as detailed explanation aboutwhyhuman behavior differs. Hence, a better understanding about the influence of culture on economic decision-making is rather limited if it cannot be explained in more detail. In contrast, deep contextualization is a principle in indigenous management research (IMR). Both have so far not benefited from each other in the study of how culture affects human behavior, as both currently develop in parallel. Following the call for high-quality IMR (Tsui, 2004), this paper argues that an experimental methodology can make a contribution to IMR in the future by drawing on the strengths of both IMR (i.e., contextualization) and CCEE (i.e., methodology).
The Informational Theory of Legislative Committees: An
Experimental Analysis
Authors: BATTAGLINI MARCO , LAI ERNEST K. , LIM WOOYOUNG , WANG JOSEPH TAO-YI
Published: December 2018

We experimentally investigate the informational theory of legislative
committees (Gilligan and Krehbiel 1989). Two committee members provide policy-relevant
information to a legislature under alternative legislative rules.
Under the open rule, the legislature is free to make any decision;
under the closed rule, the legislature chooses between a member’s
proposal and a status quo. We find that even in the
presence of biases, the committee members improve the legislature’s
decision by providing useful information. We obtain evidence for two
additional predictions: the outlier principle,
according to which more extreme biases reduce the extent of
information transmission; and the distributional
principle, according to which the open rule is more
distributionally efficient than the closed rule. When biases are
less extreme, we find that the distributional principle dominates
the restrictive-rule principle, according to
which the closed rule is more informationally efficient. Overall,
our findings provide experimental support for Gilligan and
Krehbiel’s informational theory.
Sedimentary provenance and maximum depositional age analysis of the Cretaceous? Lapur and Muruanachok sandstones (Turkana Grits), Turkana Basin, Kenya
Authors: Agyemang Prince C. Owusu , Roberts Eric M. , Downie Bob , Sertich Joseph J. W.
Published: December 2018

The Turkana Basin of northwestern Kenya is well known for its rich Neogene–Quaternary vertebrate fossil record; however, it also represents one of the few locations in sub-Saharan Africa where Cretaceous vertebrate fossils, including dinosaurs and other archosaurs, are preserved. These Cretaceous deposits are colloquially referred to as the ‘Turkana Grits’, and assumed to be Cretaceous in age based on their limited biostratigraphy. The ‘Turkana Grits’ are overlain by Palaeogene volcanic rocks (<35 Ma), which are widely considered to record the earliest evidence of plume-related volcanism in the East African Rift System. In this study, we present the results of an integrated sedimentary provenance investigation of two units within the ‘Turkana Grits’ called the Lapur and Muruanachok sandstones. Analysis of U–Pb ages and Lu–Hf initial ɛHf(t) values from 1106 detrital zircons demonstrate that sediments are primarily derived from Neoarchaean and Neoproterozoic basement sources, except for six Palaeogene grains from the upper Lapur Sandstone, which are of unknown provenance. Considered together, these data point to the Mozambique Belt, which makes up the nearby rift flanks, as the primary provenance source. This is consistent with palaeocurrent data, and suggests localized sediment input by alluvial fans, which fed into NNW-directed fluvial systems. Perhaps the most surprising finding is the identification of the late Paleocene detrital zircons, which not only demonstrate that the depositional age for the top of the formation is Paleocene rather than Cretaceous, but also provides possible evidence for the oldest Palaeogene volcanic activity within the East African Rift System.
Modelling the partial melting of metasediments in a low-pressure regional contact aureole: the effect of water and whole-rock composition
Authors: Wang Wei-(RZ) , Clarke Geoffrey , Daczko Nathan R. , Zhao Yue
Published: December 2018

Low-pressure regional aureoles with steep metamorphic field gradients are critical to understanding progressive metamorphism in high-temperature metasedimentary rocks. Delicately layered pelitic and psammitic metasedimentary rocks at Mt Stafford, central Australia, record a greenschist- to granulite-facies Palaeoproterozoic regional aureole, associated with S-type granite plutons, reflecting metamorphism in the range 500–800 °C and at ∼3 kbar. The rocks experienced minimal deformation during metamorphism and partial melting. Partial melting textures evolve progressively along the steep metamorphic field gradient from the incipient stages of melting marked by cuspate grains with low dihedral angles, to melt proportions sufficient to form diatexite with schollen. Phase equilibria modelling in the NCKFMASHTO system for pelitic, semi-pelitic and high- and low-ferromagnesian psammitic samples quantitatively illustrates the dependence of partial melting on rock composition and water volume. Pelitic compositions are more fertile than psammitic compositions when the water content in the rocks is low, especially during the early stages of melting. The whole-rock ferromagnesian component additionally influences melt fertility, with ferromagnesian-rich psammite being more fertile than psammite with a lower ferromagnesian component. Subtle variations in free water content can result in obvious changes in melt volume but limited variation in melt composition. Distinct melting histories of pelitic and psammitic rocks inferred from field relationships may be partially attributed to potential differences in water volume retained to super-solidus conditions. Melt composition is more dependent on the rock composition than the variation in water content.
INSTITUTIONAL BALANCE AND SINCERE COOPERATION IN TREATY-MAKING UNDER EU LAW
Authors: Koutrakos Panos
Published: December 2018

A stream of recent judgments by the Grand Chamber of the European Court of Justice has shed light on the procedures that govern treaty-making by the European Union. This article explores how this case law approaches the principle of institutional balance and the duty of cooperation between the institutions. It argues that the former is construed in a balanced manner on the basis of a literal interpretation of primary law that promotes strict compliance with procedural rules and does not favour a particular institution. As for the duty of cooperation, whilst its procedural dimension is strengthened, its scope remains somewhat elusive. The analysis identifies a pragmatic streak in the Court's balanced approach, and argues that there is an inherent limit to the impact of constitutional law on inter-institutional disputes. Ultimately, the less time and energy the institutions waste on turf wars about their procedural powers, the greater their contribution to inceasing the efficiency of the Union's treaty-making practice.
Sexual risk behaviour in a cohort of HIV-negative and HIV-positive Rwandan women
Authors: Mukanyangezi M. F. , Manzi O. , Tobin G. , Rulisa S. , Bienvenu E. , Giglio D.
Published: December 2018

Here we wanted to assess whether sexual risk behaviour differs dependent by human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) status by following 100 HIV− and 137 HIV+ women recruited at two university teaching hospitals in Rwanda. Women were tested for sexually transmitted infections (STIs; trichomoniasis, syphilis, hepatitis B and C) and for reproductive tract infections (RTIs; candidiasis, bacterial vaginosis (BV)) and were interviewed at baseline and 9 months later. BV was the most prevalent infection, while syphilis was the most common STI with a 9-month incidence of 10.9% in HIV+ women. Only 24.5% of women positive for any RTI/STI contacted their health facility and got treatment. More HIV− women than HIV+ women had had more than one sexual partner and never used condoms during the follow-up period. The use of condoms was affected neither by marital status nor by concomitant STIs besides HIV. Our data highlight the importance of public education regarding condom use to protect against STIs in an era when HIV no longer is a death sentence.
Dynamic transmission model of routine mumps vaccination in Japan
Authors: Kitano Taito
Published: December 2018

The mumps vaccine is not included in the national immunisation programme (NIP) of approximately 80 countries including Japan. To investigate the vaccine's cost-effectiveness, we developed a dynamic transmission model for routine one- and two-dose mumps vaccination programs in Japan. We calculated the incremental cost-effectiveness ratio compared with a current programme over a projected 50-year period. We created a Japanese population model and performed dynamic simulation to estimate the number of patients enrolled in the current programme, the routine one-dose programme, and the routine two-dose programme over the next 50 years using the Berkeley Madonna program. We estimated the medical and social costs of natural mumps infections and vaccinations to analyse cost-effectiveness. Finally, we performed a sensitivity analysis with parameters including vaccine cost, vaccine efficacy, medical costs per case, social costs per case, incidence of adverse events and discount rate. Base case analysis showed that both the one-dose and two-dose programmes predominated and that quality-adjusted life years (QALYs) were saved, compared with the current programme. The medical costs, total cost and QALYs saved during the study period in the two-dose programme compared with the current programme were 217 billion JPY, 860 billion JPY and 184 779, respectively. The two-dose programme surpassed the one-dose programme throughout the study period. In all the scenarios of the sensitivity analysis, two-dose vaccination was better than the one-dose programme. This simulation confirmed that the routine two-dose vaccination programme was more cost-effective and QALY-saving than either the one-dose programme or the current programme. Because of the variability of the results between the various models, further simulations with different models should be conducted.
Edwards Inspiris Resilia® valve for mitral replacement in an infant after mechanical valve failure
Authors: Jaworski Radoslaw , Kansy Andrzej , Birbach Mariusz , Brodzikowska-Pytel Anna , Kowalczyk-Domagala Monika , Brzezinska-Rajszys Grazyna , Maruszewski Bohdan
Published: December 2018

We present the surgical implantation of the Edwards Inspiris Resilia® aortic valve in mitral position for mechanical mitral valve failure in a severely ill infant after valve replacement because of anomalous origin of the left coronary artery from the pulmonary artery. The biological valve was chosen because the child could not receive oral anticoagulation and was for several months on heparin infusion. The procedure was safely performed with good haemodynamic result.
Secondary Fluorescence in WDS: The Role of Spectrometer Positioning
Authors: Buse Ben , Wade Jon , Llovet Xavier , Kearns Stuart , Donovan John J.
Published: December 2018

Secondary fluorescence (SF), typically a minor error in routine electron probe microanalysis (EPMA), may not be negligible when performing high precision trace element analyses in multiphase samples. Other factors, notably wavelength dispersive spectrometer defocusing, may introduce analytical artifacts. To explore these issues, we measured EPMA transects across two material couples chosen for their high fluorescence yield. We measured transects away from the fluorescent phase, and at various orientations with respect to the spectrometer focal line. Compared to calculations using both the Monte Carlo simulation code PENEPMA and the semi-analytical model FANAL, both codes estimate the magnitude of SF, but accurate correction requires knowledge of the position of the spectrometer with respect to the couple interface. Positioned over the fluorescent phase or otherwise results in a factor of 1.2–1.8 of apparent change in SF yield. SF and spectrometer defocusing may introduce systematic errors into trace element analyses, both may be adequately accounted for by modeling. Of the two, however, SF is the dominant error, resulting in 0.1 wt% Zn apparently present in Al at 100 μm away from the Zn boundary in an Al/Zn couple. Of this, around 200 ppm Zn can be attributed to spectrometer defocusing.
Long-bone development and life-history traits of the Devonian tristichopterid Hyneria lindae
Authors: KAMSKA Viktoriia , DAESCHLER Edward B. , DOWNS Jason P. , AHLBERG Per E. , TAFFOREAU Paul , SANCHEZ Sophie
Published: December 2018

Hyneria lindae is one of the largest Devonian sarcopterygians. It was found in the Catskill Formation (late Famennian) of Pennsylvania, USA. The current study focuses on the palaeohistology of the humerus of this tristichopterid and supports a low ossification rate and a late ossification onset in the appendicular skeleton. In addition to anatomical features, the large size of the cell lacunae in the cortical bone of the humerus mid-shaft may suggest a large genome size and associated neotenic condition for this species, which could, in turn, be a partial explanation for the large size of H. lindae. The low metabolism of H. lindae revealed here by bone histology supports the hypothesis of an ambush predatory behaviour. Finally, the lines-of-arrested-growth pattern and late ossification of specimen ANSP 21483 suggest that H. lindae probably had a long juvenile stage before reaching sexual maturity. Although very few studies address the life-history traits of stem tetrapods, they all propose a slow limb development for the studied taxa despite different ecological conditions and presumably distinct behaviours. The bone histology of H. lindae would favour the hypothesis that a slow long-bone development could be a general character for stem tetrapods.
Bandwidth enhancement using modified L-probe fed slotted patch antenna for WLAN and UMTS applications
Authors: Tiwari Rakesh N. , Singh Prabhakar , Kumar Kanaujia Binod
Published: December 2018

In this paper, two different radiating structures fed with modified L-probe, are reported using a circuit theory concept. The proposed antennas are operating in wireless local area network (WLAN) and universal mobile telecommunications system (UMTS) frequency bands. In the first design, an E-shaped patch is studied to increase the bandwidth. It is observed that the bandwidth is directly proportional to notch dimensions. In the second design, E-shaped patch is modified to reduce the antenna size up to 30% with high bandwidth. In the first design, measured bandwidth and gain achieved are 32.68% (1.92–2.67 GHz) and 8.43 dBi while in second design it is 34.19% (1.94–2.74 GHz) and 8.39 dBi, respectively. Radiation patterns for both the antennas are symmetrical and broadside in nature. The proposed antennas are fabricated and measured results compare well with the theoretical and simulated results.
Cheating on Unproctored Internet Test Applications: An Analysis of a Verification Test in a Real Personnel Selection Context
Authors: Aguado David , Vidal Alejandro , Olea Julio , Ponsoda Vicente , Barrada Juan Ramón , Abad Francisco José
Published: December 2018

This study analyses the extent to which cheating occurs in a real selection setting. A two-stage, unproctored and proctored, test administration was considered. Test score inconsistencies were concluded by applying a verification test (Guo and Drasgow Z-test). An initial simulation study showed that the Z-test has adequate Type I error and power rates in the specific selection settings explored. A second study applied the Z-test statistic verification procedure to a sample of 954 employment candidates. Additional external evidence based on item time response to the verification items was gathered. The results revealed a good performance of the Z-test statistic and a relatively low, but non-negligible, number of suspected cheaters that showed higher distorted ability estimates. The study with real data provided additional information on the presence of suspected cheating in unproctored applications and the viability of using item response times as an additional evidence of cheating. In the verification test, suspected cheaters spent 5.78 seconds per item more than expected considering the item difficulty and their assumed ability in the unproctored stage. We found that the percentage of suspected cheaters in the empirical study could be estimated at 13.84%. In summary, the study provides evidence of the usefulness of the Z-test in the detection of cheating in a specific setting, in which a computerized adaptive test for assessing English grammar knowledge was used for personnel selection.
Identifying Environmental Risk Factors and Mapping the Distribution of West Nile Virus in an Endemic Region of North America
Authors: Hess A. , Davis J. K. , Wimberly M. C.
Published: December 2018

Understanding the geographic distribution of mosquito‐borne disease and mapping disease risk are important for prevention and control efforts. Mosquito‐borne viruses (arboviruses), such as West Nile virus (WNV), are highly dependent on environmental conditions. Therefore, the use of environmental data can help in making spatial predictions of disease distribution. We used geocoded human case data for 2004–2017 and population‐weighted control points in combination with multiple geospatial environmental data sets to assess the environmental drivers of WNV cases and to map relative infection risk in South Dakota, USA. We compared the effectiveness of (1) land cover and physiography data, (2) climate data, and (3) spectral data for mapping the risk of WNV in South Dakota. A final model combining all data sets was used to predict spatial patterns of disease transmission and characterize the associations between environmental factors and WNV risk. We used a boosted regression tree model to identify the most important variables driving WNV risk and generated risk maps by applying this model across the entire state. We found that combining multiple sources of environmental data resulted in the most accurate predictions. Elevation, late‐season humidity, and early‐season surface moisture were the most important predictors of disease distribution. Indices that quantified interannual variability of climatic conditions and land surface moisture were better predictors than interannual means. We suggest that combining measures of interannual environmental variability with static land cover and physiography variables can help to improve spatial predictions of arbovirus transmission risk.
Adaptive Tsunami Source Inversion Using Optimizations and the Reciprocity Principle
Authors: Mulia Iyan E. , Gusman Aditya Riadi , Jakir Hossen M. , Satake Kenji
Published: December 2018

We propose an advanced two‐step tsunami source inversion method with adaptive Green's functions by applying an optimization and a reciprocity principle. The method first reconstructs the sea surface displacement from observed tsunami waveforms based on a superposition of Gaussian‐shaped unit sources. In the first step, we optimize the unit source locations that give the best fit of waveforms to observations. This leads to nonequidistantly distributed unit sources, in which the synthetic waveforms from such sources to the observation points are generated using the reciprocity principle to save computational efforts of Green's functions. In the second step, the reconstructed sea surface displacement is used to estimate the slip on a finite fault plane. We also optimize the fault parameters that produce the closest displacement pattern to the first step result. Therefore, our method provides best fitting of waveforms and optimum fault parameters with automation for the process. The current method improves our previous studies, in terms of the construction of tsunami Green's functions using the reciprocity principle and determination of fault parameters through the optimization. We test the proposed method using tsunami data of the 2004 Kii Peninsula, Japan event generated by an Mw 7.4 intraplate earthquake. The overall waveform fit that resulted from our method shows much better agreement with the observations compared to that of the conventional approach, and the estimated fault depth is more consistent with the relocated aftershock distribution.
A Predictive Model for the Streamwise Velocity in the Near‐Neutral Atmospheric Surface Layer
Authors: Han Guo Wen , Liu Li , Bo Tian Li , Zheng Xiao Jing
Published: December 2018

For the reconstruction of the streamwise velocity field in the high‐Reynolds‐number (Reτ ≈ Ο(106)) near‐neutral atmospheric surface layer (ASL), a predictive model was proposed in our work. In our model, the streamwise velocity time series at each height are predicted by the superposition of mean velocity, small‐scale turbulent signals, and large‐scale turbulent signals. All the parameters used by our model have clear physical meaning. In addition, the parameters can be directly determined by the experiment that is easy to be achieved in the ASL. The model can predict the streamwise velocity between 0.9 and 30 m in the near‐neutral ASL based only on single‐point‐measured large‐scale streamwise velocity signal. For example, mean velocity, turbulence intensity, and power spectrum of streamwise velocity can be predicted by the new model. Furthermore, the streamwise velocity time series predicted by the new model have a good correlation with the directly measured results, especially for large‐scale structures. It indicates that our model can be used to reconstruct the streamwise velocity field in the logarithmic region of the near‐neutral ASL, and our model is an important complement to the Marusic‐Mathis‐Hutchins model.
The Efficient High‐Resolution SAR Reconstruction Imaging Algorithms for Three‐Dimensional Electrically Large‐Scale Targets in Clutter
Authors: Wu Xia
Published: December 2018

In recent years, significant effort of both the scientific and industrial community is invested in research and development of multifrequency, multipolarization, and high‐resolution synthetic aperture radar (SAR) systems. One of the key issues is to realize efficient methods for imaging, reconstruction, and target detection of three‐dimensional (3‐D) electrically large‐scale objects. In this paper, an advanced multiple‐input multiple‐output (MIMO) SAR based on high‐resolution imaging algorithm was developed. Specifically, a reasonable sea surface model to quantify the influence of physical parameters in clutter was yielded as well. The SAR simulation system includes the following: (i) refined geometric‐electromagnetic modeling by Gmsh, (ii) a dynamic sea surface model, (iii) single‐input multiple‐output (SIMO) radar imaging formation by employing a fast backprojection algorithm, (iv) design of MIMO antenna arrays to achieve a good trade‐off between the main beam width and the side lobe level, (v) 3‐D SAR imaging algorithm on the basis of optimized physical optics for electromagnetic scattering computation, and (vi) hardware acceleration technique using graphics processing unit. Finally, numerical experiments indicate that 3‐D visualization of sphere, and examples of fighter aircraft and aircraft carrier are generated within 200 s, further proving correctness and effectiveness of the developed 3‐D MIMO SAR imaging algorithm.
Evaluation ofKpandDstPredictions Using ACE and DSCOVR Solar Wind Data
Authors: Wintoft P. , Wik M.
Published: December 2018

Models that predict theKpandDstindices are evaluated using solar wind data at L1. The models consist of ensembles of neural networks that have been developed using ACE Level 2 data from the period 1998–2015. The use of ensembles is motivated by the difficulty of generating functions that generalize well in regions of the input‐output space that are poorly sampled, which typically occurs during stronger events. Since the launch of the DSCOVR spacecraft, providing measurements from about August 2016, new and independent data have become available to test the models. ACE Level 2 data for almost the same period are also available, representing another independent set collected after 2015. We evaluate the models using plots and various statistical measures. We also study the performance of the predictions for lead times up to 3 hr. The results show that the models perform better when using ACE or cleaned DSCOVR data compared to the real‐time DSCOVR data and that lead times of L1‐Earth travel time plus a maximum of 1 hr are possible. As the models use only solar wind for their inputs, and the temporal dynamics ofKpandDstare very different, we see significant differences in the error distributions that we believe are related to long‐term changes inDstthat are not captured by theDstprediction model.
Comparing TanDEM‐X Data With Frequently Used DEMs for Flood Inundation Modeling
Authors: Archer L. , Neal J. C. , Bates P. D. , House J. I.
Published: December 2018

Flood risk, particularly in Small Island Developing States, is increasing. Although spaceborne Digital Elevation Models (DEMs) have provided a capacity to model flooding at the global scale, their relatively coarse resolution (~90 m) has led to a limited ability to provide fine‐scale flood assessments in smaller catchments such as those in Small Island Developing States. Following the release of the TanDEM‐X DEM at ~12‐m resolution, the aim of this research is to determine whether TanDEM‐X can improve flood estimates in comparison to Shuttle Radar Topography Mission (SRTM) and Multi‐Error‐Removed Improved‐Terrain (MERIT) DEMs. Suitable methods to process TanDEM‐X to a Digital Terrain Model (DTM) are identified through testing of seven DTMs produced through combinations of different vegetation removal approaches. Methods include Progressive Morphological Filtering and Image Classification of two TanDEM‐X auxiliary data sets—a Height Error Map and Amplitude map. The LISFLOOD‐FP hydrodynamic model output flood extent and water surface elevation for the TanDEM‐X DTMs, SRTM, and MERIT are compared against the LiDAR model for a catchment in Fiji. The main findings show that the unprocessed TanDEM‐X has improved predictive capacity over SRTM, but not MERIT. The TanDEM‐X processing method combining Image Classification of the Amplitude map and Progressive Morphological Filtering produces the DTM with the highest flood model skill in comparison to all tested DEMs. This DTM reports a 12–14 percentage point higher flood model skill score than MERIT and a lower water surface elevation root‐mean‐square error of 0.11–0.21 m, indicating the suitability of TanDEM‐X for flood modeling.
Dynamin-related protein 1 has membrane constricting and severing abilities sufficient for mitochondrial and peroxisomal fission
Authors: Kamerkar Sukrut C. , Kraus Felix , Sharpe Alice J. , Pucadyil Thomas J. , Ryan Michael T.
Published: December 2018

Dynamin-related protein 1 (Drp1) is essential for mitochondrial and peroxisomal fission. Recent studies propose that Drp1 does not sever but rather constricts mitochondrial membranes allowing dynamin 2 (Dnm2) to execute final scission. Here, we report that unlike Drp1, Dnm2 is dispensable for peroxisomal and mitochondrial fission, as these events occurred in Dnm2 knockout cells. Fission events were also observed in mouse embryonic fibroblasts lacking Dnm1, 2 and 3. Using reconstitution experiments on preformed membrane tubes, we show that Drp1 alone both constricts and severs membrane tubes. Scission required the membrane binding, self-assembling and GTPase activities of Drp1 and occurred on tubes up to 250 nm in radius. In contrast, Dnm2 exhibited severely restricted fission capacity with occasional severing of tubes below 50 nm in radius. We conclude that Drp1 has both membrane constricting and severing abilities and is the dominant dynamin performing mitochondrial and peroxisomal fission.
Transmembrane but not soluble helices fold inside the ribosome tunnel
Authors: Bañó-Polo Manuel , Baeza-Delgado Carlos , Tamborero Silvia , Hazel Anthony , Grau Brayan , Nilsson IngMarie , Whitley Paul , Gumbart James C. , von Heijne Gunnar , Mingarro Ismael
Published: December 2018

Integral membrane proteins are assembled into the ER membrane via a continuous ribosome-translocon channel. The hydrophobicity and thickness of the core of the membrane bilayer leads to the expectation that transmembrane (TM) segments minimize the cost of harbouring polar polypeptide backbones by adopting a regular pattern of hydrogen bonds to form α-helices before integration. Co-translational folding of nascent chains into an α-helical conformation in the ribosomal tunnel has been demonstrated previously, but the features governing this folding are not well understood. In particular, little is known about what features influence the propensity to acquire α-helical structure in the ribosome. Using in vitro translation of truncated nascent chains trapped within the ribosome tunnel and molecular dynamics simulations, we show that folding in the ribosome is attained for TM helices but not for soluble helices, presumably facilitating SRP (signal recognition particle) recognition and/or a favourable conformation for membrane integration upon translocon entry.
Macromolecular-clustered facial amphiphilic antimicrobials
Authors: Rahman Md Anisur , Bam Marpe , Luat Edgar , Jui Moumita Sharmin , Ganewatta Mitra S. , Shokfai Tinom , Nagarkatti Mitzi , Decho Alan W. , Tang Chuanbing
Published: December 2018

Bacterial infections and antibiotic resistance, particularly by Gram-negative pathogens, have become a global healthcare crisis. We report the design of a class of cationic antimicrobial polymers that cluster local facial amphiphilicity from repeating units to enhance interactions with bacterial membranes without requiring a globally conformational arrangement associated with highly unfavorable entropic loss. This concept of macromolecular architectures is demonstrated with a series of multicyclic natural product-based cationic polymers. We have shown that cholic acid derivatives with three charged head groups are more potent and selective than lithocholic and deoxycholic counterparts, particularly against Gram-negative bacteria. This is ascribed to the formation of true facial amphiphilicity with hydrophilic ion groups oriented on one face and hydrophobic multicyclic hydrocarbon structures on the opposite face. Such local facial amphiphilicity is clustered via a flexible macromolecular backbone in a concerted way when in contact with bacterial membranes.
Sub-picosecond photon-efficient 3D imaging using single-photon sensors
Authors: Heide Felix , Diamond Steven , Lindell David B. , Wetzstein Gordon
Published: December 2018

Active 3D imaging systems have broad applications across disciplines, including biological imaging, remote sensing and robotics. Applications in these domains require fast acquisition times, high timing accuracy, and high detection sensitivity. Single-photon avalanche diodes (SPADs) have emerged as one of the most promising detector technologies to achieve all of these requirements. However, these detectors are plagued by measurement distortions known as pileup, which fundamentally limit their precision. In this work, we develop a probabilistic image formation model that accurately models pileup. We devise inverse methods to efficiently and robustly estimate scene depth and reflectance from recorded photon counts using the proposed model along with statistical priors. With this algorithm, we not only demonstrate improvements to timing accuracy by more than an order of magnitude compared to the state-of-the-art, but our approach is also the first to facilitate sub-picosecond-accurate, photon-efficient 3D imaging in practical scenarios where widely-varying photon counts are observed.
Atmospheric CO2 captured by biogenic polyamines is transferred as a possible substrate to Rubisco for the carboxylation reaction
Authors: Yasumoto Ko , Sakata Tsuyoshi , Yasumoto Jun , Yasumoto-Hirose Mina , Sato Shun-ichi , Mori-Yasumoto Kanami , Jimbo Mitsuru , Kusumi Takenori , Watabe Shugo
Published: December 2018

Biogenic polyamines are involved in a wide range of plant cellular processes, including cell division, morphogenesis and stress responses. However, the exact roles of biogenic polyamines are not well understood. We recently reported that biogenic polyamines that have multiple amino groups can react with CO2 and accelerate calcium carbonate formation in seawater. The ability of biogenic polyamines to capture atmospheric CO2 prompted us to examine their roles in photosynthesis. Here, we demonstrated that atmospheric CO2 captured by biogenic polyamines is a candidate substrate for the carboxylation reaction of ribulose 1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase/oxygenase (Rubisco), which is an enzyme involved in the first major step of carbon fixation during photosynthesis, and that biogenic polyamines can accelerate the carboxylation reaction of this enzyme because of their specific affinity for CO2. Moreover, the results of our nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) analysis showed that putrescine, which is the most common biogenic polyamine, reacts with atmospheric CO2 and promotes the formation of carbamate derivatives and bicarbonate in aqueous environments. A sufficient amount of CO2 is well known to be produced by carbonic anhydrase from bicarbonate in vivo. The present study indicates that CO2 would be also produced by the equilibrium reaction from carbonate produced by biogenic polyamines and would be used as a substrate of Rubisco, too. Our results may suggest a new photosynthetic research strategy that involves CO2-concentrating mechanisms and also possibly constitutes a potential tool for reducing atmospheric CO2 levels and, consequently, global warming.
Physical and thermodynamic characterization of the rice gibberellin receptor/gibberellin/DELLA protein complex
Authors: Xiang Hongyu , Okamura Hideyasu , Kezuka Yuichiro , Katoh Etsuko
Published: December 2018

Gibberellins (GAs) are phytohormones that regulate various developmental processes in plants. The initial GA signalling events involve the binding of a GA to the soluble GA receptor protein GID1, followed by the binding of the complex to the negative transcriptional regulator of GA signaling, the DELLA protein. Although X-ray structures for certain Arabidopsis GID1/GA/DELLA protein complexes have previously been determined, examination of these complexes did not fully clarify how a DELLA protein recognizes and binds to a GID1/GA complex. Herein, we present a study aimed at physically defining, via a combination of gel chromatography, isothermal titration calorimetry (ITC), small-angle X-ray scattering experiments (SAXS), NMR spectroscopy and mutagenesis, how the rice DELLA protein (SLR1) binds to the rice GID1/GA complex. We have identified the shortest SLR1 sequence (M28-A112) that binds the rice GID/GA complex tightly. The binding constant for the ternary complex that includes SLR1(M28-A112) is 2.9 × 107 M−1; the binding is enthalpically driven and does not depend on the chemical nature of the bound GA. Furthermore, the results of SAXS, ITC, and gel filtration experiments indicate that when free in solution, SLR1(M28-A112) is a natively unfolded protein. The NMR experiments expand this observation to show that the unfolded mutant also contains a small amount of marginally stable secondary structure. Conversely, the protein has a highly ordered structure when bound one-to-one to GID1/GA.
Fano resonance between coherent acoustic phonon oscillations and electronic states near the bandgap of photoexcited GaAs
Authors: Vinod M. , Raghavan G. , Sivasubramanian V.
Published: December 2018

Impulsive photo-excitation of solids results in a travelling strain pulse which manifests itself as coherent acoustic phonon oscillations. These oscillations have been extensively studied using time-resolved pump-probe spectroscopy. In the present work, we report the generation of extremely long-lived, coherent longitudinal acoustic phonon oscillations in intrinsic GaAs (100), with clear and unambiguous evidence of Fano interference between these oscillations and the continuum of electronic states close to the bandgap. Fano resonance is a widespread phenomenon observed in atomic systems and condensed media that arises from quantum interference between a continuum of quantum states and a discrete quantum state. Among other techniques, Fano resonance has been investigated with respect to optical phonons studied with Raman Spectroscopy. In the present work, we investigate Fano resonance in coherent phonon oscillations generated without the aid of any capping layer, dopants or substrate/interface effects. Since Fano resonance is sensitive to changes in electronic structure, doping and defects, these observations are important to the field of picosecond ultrasonics which is used for non-destructive depth profiling of solids and for carrier diffusion studies.
Chemosynthesis and characterization of site-specific N-terminally PEGylated Alpha-momorcharin as apotential agent
Authors: Sun Wenkui , Sun Jinghui , Zhang Haowen , Meng Yanfa , Li Linli , Li Gangrui , Zhang Xu , Meng Yao
Published: December 2018

Alpha-momorcharin (α-MC), a type I ribosome-inactivating protein (RIP) isolated from Momordica charantia seeds, has been extensively studied for its antitumor, antiviral and antifungal activities. However, as an exogenous protein, problems associated with short half-life and strong immunogenicity have limited its clinical application. Poly (ethylene glycol) (PEG), as a polyether compound, is a well established and efficient modifier to develop it as a potential agent. Nevertheless, conventional PEGylation is not site-controlled and the conjugates are often not homogenous due to the generation of multi-PEGylated derivatives. To obtain a homogenous mono-PEGylated α-MC, the PEGylation was carried out by coupling a 20 kDa mPEG-butyraldehyde (mPEG-ALD) with α-MC. The product was separated and purified by MacroCap SP chromatography. Results from SDS-PAGE and MALDI-TOF MS revealed that the PEGylated α-MC consisted of one molecule mPEG and α-MC. Edman degradation confirmed that the N-terminal residue of α-MC was successfully coupled with mPEG-ALD. The mono-PEGylated α-MC possessed an extremely similar secondary structure to native α-MC through spectral analyses. In addition, it also showed low immunogenicity by double immunodiffusion and preserved moderate antitumor activity to three kinds of tumor cell lines in vitro. Finally, trypsin resistance was also considerably improved.
Using a three-compartment model improves the estimation of iohexol clearance to assess glomerular filtration rate
Authors: Taubert Max , Ebert Natalie , Martus Peter , van der Giet Markus , Fuhr Uwe , Schaeffner Elke
Published: December 2018

Plasma clearance of iohexol is a key tool to precisely determine glomerular filtration rate (GFR) in clinical research and clinical practice. Despite evidence that iohexol pharmacokinetics are described best by three-compartment models, two-compartment approaches (Schwartz approach) are customary, which might result in avoidable bias and imprecision. We aimed to provide a population pharmacokinetic (popPK) model of iohexol by re-evaluating data from the Berlin Initiative Study (BIS) to compare respective clearance estimates to the Schwartz approach and to assess the impact of revised clearance estimates on the BIS equations. A popPK model was developed based on iohexol plasma samples (8–10 per subject, iohexol dose 3235 mg) from 570 elderly patients. A three-compartment model appropriately described the pharmacokinetics of iohexol (clearance 57.4 mL/min, CV 33%). Compared to the three-compartment model, clearance values were overestimated by the Schwartz approach (bias 6.5 mL/min), resulting in limited effects on regression coefficients of the BIS equations (e.g., proportionality factor of BIS2 changed from 767 to 720). Predictions based on the BIS2 equation were biased (5.4 mL/min/1.73 m²) and the sensitivity to detect a GFR < 60 mL/min/1.73 m² was low compared to the revised equation (72% versus 89%). Three-compartment models should be employed to assess iohexol pharmacokinetics.
Pheromone-Induced Odor Associative Fear Learning in Rats
Authors: Carew Samantha J. , Mukherjee Bandhan , MacIntyre Iain T. K. , Ghosh Abhinaba , Li Sa , Kirouac Gilbert J. , Harley Carolyn W. , Yuan Qi
Published: December 2018

Alarm pheromones alert conspecifics to the presence of danger. Can pheromone communication aid in learning specific cues? Such facilitation has an evident evolutionary advantage. We use two associative learning paradigms to test this hypothesis. The first is stressed cage mate-induced conditioning. One pair-housed adult rat received 4 pairings of terpinene + shock over 30 min. Ten minutes after return to the home cage, its companion rat was removed and exposed to terpinene. Single-housed controls were exposed to either terpinene or shock only. Companion rats showed terpinene-specific freezing, which was prevented by β-adrenoceptor blockade. Using Arc to index neuronal activation in response to terpinene re-exposure, stressed cage-mate induced associative learning was measured. Companion rats showed increased neuronal activity in the accessory olfactory bulb, while terpinene + shock-conditioned rats showed increased activity in the main olfactory bulb. Both groups had enhanced activity in the anterior basolateral amygdala and central amygdala. To test involvement of pheromone mediation, in the 2nd paradigm, we paired terpinene with soiled bedding from odor + shock rats or a rat alarm pheromone. Both conditioning increased rats’ freezing to terpinene. Blocking NMDA receptors in the basolateral amygdala prevented odor-specific learning suggesting shock and pheromone-paired pathways converge in the amygdala. An alarm pheromone thus enables cue-specific learning as well as signalling danger.
Patterns of wild carnivore attacks on humans in urban areas
Authors: Bombieri Giulia , Delgado María del Mar , Russo Luca Francesco , Garrote Pedro José , López-Bao José Vicente , Fedriani José M. , Penteriani Vincenzo
Published: December 2018

Attacks by wild carnivores on humans represent an increasing problem in urban areas across North America and their frequency is expected to rise following urban expansion towards carnivore habitats. Here, we analyzed records of carnivore attacks on humans in urban areas of the U.S. and Canada between 1980 and 2016 to analyze the general patterns of the attacks, as well as describe the landscape structure and, for those attacks occurring at night, the light conditions at the site of the attacks. We found that several behavioral and landscape-related factors were recurrent elements in the attacks recorded. The species for which the attack locations were available (coyote and black bear) attacked in areas with different conditions of landscape structure and artificial light. Specifically, black bears attacked more frequently in areas with abundant and aggregated vegetation cover and scarce buildings and roads, while coyotes attacked in a broader range of landscape conditions. At night, black bears attacked in generally darker areas than coyotes. By providing a comprehensive perspective of the phenomenon, this study will improve our understanding of how effective strategies aimed at reducing the frequency of risky encounters in urban areas should be developed.