bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A Sensitivity Analysis of ELECTRE Based Stepwise Benchmarking for Policy: the Case of EU Digital Agenda
Authors: Petrović Marijana , Bojković Nataša , Stamenković Mladen , Anić Ivan
Published: March 2018

Research question: This paper introduces a new parameter for evaluating the sensitivity of development paths in ELECTRE (ELimination Et Choix Traduisant la Realité) based stepwise benchmarking model. Motivation: The aim of the research was to devise a 'path sensitivity coefficient' which measures the sensitivity of a development path depending on parameters set by decision-maker (DM). The need for such measure comes from the fact that the hierarchical pre-order of benchmarking units are affected by the DM's subjective decisions on the threshold for declaring outranking relations among them. This consequently may disrupt the sequence of intermediate benchmarks - transitional targets to be followed on the route to the ultimate policy goals. The proposed approach is an extension of a stepwise benchmarking procedure devised by Petrovic et al. (2014) which evaluates development paths based on their gradualism. Idea: In this paper, we propose to characterize development paths by considering both gradualism and sensitivity to outranking thresholds. The standpoint of our research is that in order to make a reliable final choice the DM should be aware that the most gradual path is not necessary the most stable one. Tools: The proposed 'path sensitivity coefficient' combines four level of uncertainty coming from two threshold values set by DM. The coefficient has a relative nature, it points to the “distance” from the theoretically ideal solution - a path fully indifferent to threshold values. An approach to merge coefficients associated with gradualism and stability is also introduced. Data: To illustrate the proposed approach we applied it in the field of digital transformation of EU countries. We exploited indicators and data from Digital Agenda Scoreboard regarding specific policy goals to be achieved until 2020. Findings: The findings imply that the decision on the most gradual development path should be reconsidered in regards to the influence of model parameters. The final choice depends whether DM’s prefers the smoothness of the path or the overall stability in terms of underlying partial preorder.  Contribution: This work contributes to the existing ELECTRE-based stepwise benchmarking by reducing the uncertainty coming from subjective parameterization and allows the DM to be more confident in the final path selection.
Oxygen Diode Formed in Nickelate Heterostructures by Chemical Potential Mismatch
Authors: Guo Er‐Jia , Liu Yaohua , Sohn Changhee , Desautels Ryan D. , Herklotz Andreas , Liao Zhaoliang , Nichols John , Freeland John W. , Fitzsimmons Michael R. , Lee Ho Nyung
Published: March 2018

Deliberate control of oxygen vacancy formation and migration in perovskite oxide thin films is important for developing novel electronic and iontronic devices. Here, it is found that the concentration of oxygen vacancies (VO) formed in LaNiO3 (LNO) during pulsed laser deposition is strongly affected by the chemical potential mismatch between the LNO film and its proximal layers. Increasing the VO concentration in LNO significantly modifies the degree of orbital polarization and drives the metal–insulator transition. Changes in the nickel oxidization state and carrier concentration in the films are confirmed by soft X‐ray absorption spectroscopy and optical spectroscopy. The ability to unidirectional‐control the oxygen flow across the heterointerface, e.g., a so‐called “oxygen diode”, by exploiting chemical potential mismatch at interfaces provides a new avenue to tune the physical and electrochemical properties of complex oxides.
The Molecular Industrial Revolution: Automated Synthesis of Small Molecules
Authors: Trobe Melanie , Burke Martin D.
Published: March 2018

Today we are poised for a transition from the highly customized crafting of specific molecular targets by hand to the increasingly general and automated assembly of different types of molecules with the push of a button. Creating machines that are capable of making many different types of small molecules on demand, akin to that which has been achieved on the macroscale with 3D printers, is challenging. Yet important progress is being made toward this objective with two complementary approaches: 1) Automation of customized synthesis routes to different targets by machines that enable the use of many reactions and starting materials, and 2) automation of generalized platforms that make many different targets using common coupling chemistry and building blocks. Continued progress in these directions has the potential to shift the bottleneck in molecular innovation from synthesis to imagination, and thereby help drive a new industrial revolution on the molecular scale.
Brief Report: A Randomized, Double‐Blind, Parallel‐Group, Placebo‐Controlled, Multiple‐Dose Study to Evaluate AMG 557 in Patients With Systemic Lupus Erythematosus and Active Lupus Arthritis
Authors: Cheng Laurence E. , Amoura Zahir , Cheah Benjamin , Hiepe Falk , Sullivan Barbara A. , Zhou Lei , Arnold Gregory E. , Tsuji Wayne H. , Merrill Joan T. , Chung James B.
Published: March 2018

Objective

To evaluate the safety and potential efficacy of AMG 557, a fully human antibody directed against the inducible T cell costimulator ligand (ICOSL) in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) with arthritis.

Methods

In this phase Ib, randomized, double‐blind, placebo‐controlled study, patients received AMG 557 210 mg (n = 10) or placebo (n = 10) weekly for 3 weeks, then every other week for 10 additional doses. The corticosteroid dosage was tapered to ≤7.5 mg/day by day 85, and immunosuppressants were discontinued by day 29. Primary end points on day 169 were safety, immunogenicity, the Lupus Arthritis Response Index (LARI; defined by a reduction in the tender and swollen joint counts), ≥1‐letter improvement in the musculoskeletal domain of the British Isles Lupus Assessment Group (BILAG) index, and medication discontinuation. The secondary/exploratory end points were changes in the tender and swollen joint counts, BILAG index scores (musculoskeletal, global), and the Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Disease Activity Index (SLEDAI).

Results

The incidence of adverse events, most of which were mild, was similar between groups. LARI responses occurred in 3 of 10 patients receiving AMG 557 and 1 of 10 patients receiving placebo (P = 0.58). More patients in the AMG 557 group achieved a ≥4‐point improvement in the SLEDAI score on day 169 (7 of 10 patients) compared with the placebo group (2 of 10 patients) (P = 0.07). Patients treated with AMG 557 (versus placebo) had greater improvements from baseline in the global BILAG index scores (–36.3% versus –24.7%) and the SLEDAI score (–47.8% versus –10.7%) and in tender (–22.8% versus –13.5%) and swollen (–62.1% versus –7.8%) joint counts on day 169.

Conclusion

AMG 557 showed safety and potential efficacy, supporting further evaluation of the clinical efficacy of ICOSL blockade in patients with SLE.
Dysbiotic Subgingival Microbial Communities in Periodontally Healthy Patients With Rheumatoid Arthritis
Authors: Lopez‐Oliva Isabel , Paropkari Akshay D. , Saraswat Shweta , Serban Stefan , Yonel Zehra , Sharma Praveen , de Pablo Paola , Raza Karim , Filer Andrew , Chapple Iain , Dietrich Thomas , Grant Melissa M. , Kumar Purnima S.
Published: March 2018

Objective

Studies that demonstrate an association between rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and dysbiotic oral microbiomes are often confounded by the presence of extensive periodontitis in these individuals. This study was undertaken to investigate the role of RA in modulating the periodontal microbiome by comparing periodontally healthy individuals with RA to those without RA.

Methods

Subgingival plaque was collected from periodontally healthy individuals (22 with RA and 19 without RA), and the 16S gene was sequenced on an Illumina MiSeq platform. Bacterial biodiversity and co‐occurrence patterns were examined using the QIIME and PhyloToAST pipelines.

Results

The subgingival microbiomes differed significantly between patients with RA and controls based on both community membership and the abundance of lineages, with 41.9% of the community differing in abundance and 19% in membership. In contrast to the sparse and predominantly congeneric co‐occurrence networks seen in controls, RA patients revealed a highly connected grid containing a large intergeneric hub anchored by known periodontal pathogens. Predictive metagenomic analysis (PICRUSt) demonstrated that arachidonic acid and ester lipid metabolism pathways might partly explain the robustness of this clustering. As expected from a periodontally healthy cohort, Porphyromonas gingivalis and Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans were not significantly different between groups; however, Cryptobacterium curtum, another organism capable of producing large amounts of citrulline, emerged as a robust discriminant of the microbiome in individuals with RA.

Conclusion

Our data demonstrate that the oral microbiome in RA is enriched for inflammophilic and citrulline‐producing organisms, which may play a role in the production of autoantigenic citrullinated peptides in RA.
Microbial Diversity in the Eukaryotic SAR Clade: Illuminating the Darkness Between Morphology and Molecular Data
Authors: Grattepanche Jean‐David , Walker Laura M. , Ott Brittany M. , Paim Pinto Daniela L. , Delwiche Charles F. , Lane Christopher E. , Katz Laura A.
Published: March 2018

Despite their diversity and ecological importance, many areas of the SAR—Stramenopila, Alveolata, and Rhizaria—clade are poorly understood as the majority (90%) of SAR species lack molecular data and only 5% of species are from well‐sampled families. Here, we review and summarize the state of knowledge about the three major clades of SAR, describing the diversity within each clade and identifying synapomorphies when possible. We also assess the “dark area” of SAR: the morphologically described species that are missing molecular data. The majority of molecular data for SAR lineages are characterized from marine samples and vertebrate hosts, highlighting the need for additional research effort in areas such as freshwater and terrestrial habitats and “non‐vertebrate” hosts. We also describe the paucity of data on the biogeography of SAR species, and point to opportunities to illuminate diversity in this major eukaryotic clade. See also the video abstract here:https://youtu.be/_VUXqaX19Rw.
A course‐based undergraduate research experience investigating the consequences of nonconserved mutations in lactate dehydrogenase
Authors: Ayella Allan , Beck Moriah R.
Published: March 2018

There is a growing movement to involve undergraduate students in authentic research experiences. A variety of studies have indicated the strength of this approach in developing scientific aptitude, confidence, critical thinking skills, and increasing the likelihood to become career scientists. Course‐based undergraduate research experiences (CUREs) foster opportunities for students to carry out authentic research at both primarily undergraduate and large research institutions. Here, we describe a novel CURE‐based biochemistry laboratory course to explore the consequences of mutagenesis of non‐conserved amino acid sites in the structure and function of the lactate dehydrogenase enzyme and demonstrate how collaborations between institutions can facilitate real research experiences at any type of institution. © 2018 by The International Union of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, 46(3):285–296, 2018.
Nickel Hydroxide–Cobalt Hydroxide Nanoparticle Supported Ruthenium–Nickel–Cobalt Islands as an Efficient Nanocatalyst for the Hydrogenation Reaction
Authors: Zhu Lihua , Zhang Huan , Hu Weiwei , Zheng Jinbao , Zhang Nuowei , Yu Changlin , Ye Hengqiang , Yang Zhiqing , Chen Bing Hui
Published: March 2018

The RuNiCo tri‐metallic nanocatalyst of Ru islands‐on‐nickel‐cobalt/nickel hydroxide‐cobalt hydroxide nanoparticles (Ru/NiCo/Ni(OH)2‐Co(OH)2/C) was prepared at room temperature (RT) via hydrazine hydrate reduction and galvanic replacement methods. And Ru/NiCo/Ni(OH)2‐Co(OH)2/C exhibited much higher catalytic activity in the model reaction of toluene hydrogenation than Ru/Ni/Ni(OH)2/C and Ru/Co/Co(OH)2/C due to synergistic effect of Ru, Ni and Co related species, with good stability.
Career Assessment and Counseling for STEM: A Critical Review
Authors: Rottinghaus Patrick J. , Falk Nikki A. , Park Chan Jeong
Published: March 2018

Career counselors must continually enhance their knowledge and skills to assist clients contemplating careers in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM). Therefore, the authors review STEM disciplines and theory‐driven strategies for assisting diverse individuals to explore, enter, and persist in STEM careers. Appropriate use of career assessments can contribute greatly to this effort. To identify available measures for STEM‐focused domains and constructs, the authors conducted a journal content analysis of stand‐alone STEM‐related career assessments from 1983 to 2016, identifying 39 articles with 153 measures. Notable results included the emergence of social cognitive theory and social cognitive career theory as prevailing frameworks for instrument development, a wide variety of disciplines and journals represented, an underrepresentation of minority samples, and untapped potential for cross‐discipline and researcher–practitioner collaboration. Useful strategies and resources for counselors and recommendations for enhancing career assessments and interventions are addressed.
Credible Phenomenological Research: A Mixed‐Methods Study
Authors: Flynn Stephen V. , Korcuska James S.
Published: March 2018

The authors conducted a 3‐phase investigation into the credible standards for phenomenological research practices identified in the literature and endorsed by a sample of counselor education qualitative research experts. Utilizing a mixed‐methods approach, the findings offer evidence that professional counseling has a distinctive format in which phenomenological research is produced.
Chem4Digit – Chemistry for Digital Logics
Authors: Spinnen Sebastian , Tausch Michael W.
Published: March 2018

Unter Berücksichtigung der Gesetzmäßigkeiten photochemischer Prozesse und durch geschicktes Design von Bauelementen können optische und chemische Signale gemäß der Booleschen Aussagenlogik kombiniert werden, indem man molekulare Schalter nutzt. Photochrome funktionelle Farbstoffe könnten so beispielsweise in der Medizin und in neuen Materialien Anwendung finden.
Toward understanding the key enzymes involved in β‐poly (L‐malic acid) biosynthesis by Aureobasidium pullulans ipe‐1
Authors: Yu Haifeng , Liu Bin , Luo Jianquan , Cao Weifeng , Qiao Changsheng , Wan Yinhua
Published: March 2018

β‐poly (L‐malic acid) (PMLA) is a biopolyester which has attracted industrial interest for its potential application in medicine and other industries. A high dissolved oxygen concentration (DO) was beneficial for PMLA production, while the mechanisms of DO in PMLA biosynthesis by Aureobasidium pullulans are still poorly understood. In this work, the amount of PMLA was first compared when A. pullulans ipe‐1 were cultured under a high DO level (70% saturation) and a low DO level (10% saturation). Meanwhile, the key enzymes involved in different pathways of the precursor L‐malic acid biosynthesis were studied. The results revealed that the activities of glucose‐6‐phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PDH) and phosphoenolpyruvate carboxylase (PEPC) were positively correlated with cell growth and PMLA production, while the activities of phosphofructokinases (PFK), pyruvic carboxylase (PC) and citrate synthetase (CS) did no show such correlations. It indicated that the Pentose Phosphate Pathway (PPP) may play a vital role in cell growth and PMLA biosynthesis. Moreover, the precursor L‐malic acid for PMLA biosynthesis was mainly biosynthesized through phosphoenolpyruvic acid (PEP) via oxaloacetate catalyzed by PEPC. It was also found that low concentration of sodium fluoride (NaF) might impel carbon flux flow to the oxaloacetate through PEP, but inhibit the flux to the oxaloacetate via pyruvic acid.
Reclaiming a Space for Diadromous Fish in the Public Psyche and Sense of Place
Authors: Liebich Katrina B , Kocik John F , Taylor William W
Published: March 2018

Diadromous species historically dominated the freshwater fish community in coastal northeastern United States rivers. As these fishes declined in concert with sweeping alterations to the region's waterscapes, so too did their utility, visibility, and relevance to each passing human generation. Due to their historically iconic status, we used endangered Atlantic Salmon Salmo salar as a springboard in our study of attitudes and values about fish in the context of modern human connections to places and the water bodies therein. We surveyed Maine residents about their connections to local water bodies and fish populations. Respondents were generally apathetic toward fish overall, but they valued the water bodies in their home turf as escapes from daily stressors. We explored this finding as it relates to motivating behavior and redefining contemporary baselines of water body health, which may help restore Maine's diadromous fish community to a local and regional treasure and commodity. Understanding the facets of sense of place, including satisfaction and attachment, can ultimately help to reframe how we communicate with the public about acting on behalf of the places they care about that overlap with important fish habitat.
Integrating Proteomics and Targeted Metabolomics to Understand Global Changes in Histone Modifications
Authors: Simithy Johayra , Sidoli Simone , Garcia Benjamin A.
Published: March 2018

The chromatin fiber is the control panel of eukaryotic cells. Chromatin is mostly composed of DNA, which contains the genetic instruction for cell phenotype, and histone proteins, which provide the scaffold for chromatin folding and part of the epigenetic inheritance. Histone writers/erasers “flag” chromatin regions by catalyzing/removing covalent histone post‐translational modifications (PTMs). Histone PTMs chemically contribute to chromatin relaxation or compaction and recruit histone readers to modulate DNA readout. The precursors of protein PTMs are mostly small metabolites. For instance, acetyl‐CoA is used for acetylation, ATP for phosphorylation, and S‐adenosylmethionine for methylation. Interestingly, PTMs such as acetylation can occur at neutral pH also without their respective enzyme when the precursor is sufficiently concentrated. Therefore, it is essential to differentially quantify the contribution of histone writers/erasers versus the effect of local concentration of metabolites to understand the primary regulation of histone PTM abundance. Aberrant phenotypes such as cancer cells have misregulated metabolism and thus the composition and the modulation of chromatin is not only driven by enzymatic tuning. In this review, the latest advances in mass spectrometry (MS) to analyze histone PTMs and the most adopted quantification methods for related metabolites, both necessary to understand PTM relative changes, are discussed.
TheCaenorhabditis elegansProteome Response to Naturally Associated Microbiome Members of the GenusOchrobactrum
Authors: Cassidy Liam , Petersen Carola , Treitz Christian , Dierking Katja , Schulenburg Hinrich , Leippe Matthias , Tholey Andreas
Published: March 2018

The nematodeCaenorhabditis elegansinteracts with a variety of bacteria as it feeds on microbes, and a number of these both associate and persist within the worm's intestine. Host–microbe interactions inC. eleganshave been analyzed primarily at the transcriptome level with the host response often been monitored after challenge with pathogens. We assessed the proteome ofC. elegansafter growth on bacteria capable of colonizing its gut, via a comparative analysis of the nematode exposed to two naturally associatedOchrobactrumspp. (MYb71, MYb237) versusC. elegansgrown onEscherichia coliOP50. A total of 4677C. elegansproteins were identified, 3941 quantified. Significant alterations in protein abundances were observed for 122 proteins, 48 higher and 74 lower in abundance. We observed an increase in abundance of proteins potentially regulated via host signaling pathways, in addition to proteins involved in processing of foreign entities (e.g., lipase, proteases, glutathione metabolism). Decreased in abundance were proteins involved in both degradation and biosynthesis of amino acids, and enzymes associated with the degradation of peptidoglycan (lysozymes). The protein level differences betweenC. elegansgrown on native microbiome members compared to the laboratory food bacterium may help to identify molecular processes involved in host–microbe interactions.
Nanoparticle production from HMDSO in atmospheric pressure argon‐oxygen plasma
Authors: Wallimann Roger , Roth Christian , Rudolf von Rohr Philipp
Published: March 2018

A dielectric barrier discharge containing argon and oxygen is used to dissociate HMDSO with the purpose of producing silica‐like particles. Solid material is deposited in an electrostatic precipitator and analyzed with SEM, FTIR, and weight measurements. The variation of oxygen concentration shows an optimum for particle yield at an oxygen‐to‐monomer ratio of 20. Increasing yield and nanoparticle formation are also found with increasing excitation frequency and explained with the corresponding higher power input and nanoparticle survival rates from aerosol theory. Nanoparticles only form when residence time allows decomposition, nucleation, and growth.
Composite Hole‐Transport Materials Based on a Metal‐Organic Copper Complex and Spiro‐OMeTAD for Efficient Perovskite Solar Cells
Authors: Hua Yong , Liu Peng , Li Yuanyuan , Sun Licheng , Kloo Lars
Published: March 2018

Spiro‐OMeTAD has been the most commonly used hole‐transport material in perovskite solar cells. However, this material shows intrinisic drawbacks, such as low hole mobility and conductivity in its pristine form, as well as self‐aggregation when deposited as thin film. These are not beneficial properties for efficient hole transport and extraction. In order to address these issues, we have designed a new type of composite hole‐transport materials based on a new metal‐organic copper complex (CuH) and Spiro‐OMeTAD. The incorporation of the molecularly bulky HTM CuH into the Spiro‐OMeTAD material efficiently improves the hole mobility and suppresses the aggregation in the Spiro‐OMeTAD film. As a result, the conversion efficiencies obtained for perovskite solar cells based on the composite HTM system reached as high as 18.83%, which is superior to solar cells based on the individual hole‐transport materials CuH (15.75%) or Spiro‐OMeTAD (14.47%) under the same working conditions. These results show that composite HTM systems may constitute an effective strategy to further improve the efficiency of perovskite solar cells.
Evolution of Austenite Grain Size in Continuously Cast Slab during Hot‐Core Heavy Reduction Rolling Process Based on Hot Compression Tests
Authors: Gong Meina , Li Haijun , Li Tianxiang , Wang Bin , Wang Zhaodong
Published: March 2018

A novel technology called Hot‐core Heavy Reduction (HHR) has been developed to refine the center microstructure of continuously cast slabs, which is rolling at the end of solidification and with large temperature gradient. In this work, plant trials of Hot‐core Heavy Reduction rolling is conducted and show the significant refinement effect on the center microstructure of continuously cast slab. Dynamic recrystallization behavior in Nb–Ti microalloyed slab at high deformation temperature of 1000–1300 °C is further understood using Gleeble‐3800 thermo‐mechanical simulator. The results show that all the austenite grains are largely refined after deformation in hot compression tests. Austenite grains present different morphologies under different deformation temperature. At the temperature of 1100 °C, austenite grains can be significantly refined with increase in the strain and strain rate. While at higher deformation temperature of 1300 °C, austenite grain size cannot be further refined but become coarse to some extent when strain increases to 0.8 and strain rate increases to 10 s−1. Moreover, the dynamic recrystallization model and austenite grain size model are established in the deformation process. Then, the dynamic recrystallization volume fraction and austenite grain size during HHR rolling process can be well reflected by the established models.
Students Engaged in Teaching
Authors: Ford Channing R. , Wilkins Emily B. , Groccia James E.
Published: March 2018

The role of peer teaching has long been established in academia as a means to foster student engagement in the classroom, increase student learning, and as a way to reduce faculty workload. This chapter highlights the direct and powerful positive impacts of engaging students as teachers upon the student providing the instruction, those receiving it, and the institution as well.
Re: Pregnancy‐associated plasma protein‐A is positively correlated with first‐trimester skin microvascular reactivity. C. Iacobaeus, T. Kahan, G. Jörneskog, K. Bremme, E. Andolf and M. Thorsell. Ultrasound Obstet Gynecol 2018; 51: 361–367.
Authors: Brownfoot F. C.
Published: March 2018

Linked Comment: Ultrasound Obstet Gynecol 2018; 51: 361–367
Blueprint for an intestinal villus: Species‐specific assembly required
Authors: Walton Katherine D. , Mishkind Darcy , Riddle Misty R. , Tabin Clifford J. , Gumucio Deborah L.
Published: March 2018

Efficient absorption of nutrients by the intestine is essential for life. In mammals and birds, convolution of the intestinal surface into finger‐like projections called villi is an important adaptation that ensures the massive surface area for nutrient contact that is required to meet metabolic demands. Each villus projection serves as a functional absorptive unit: it is covered by a simple columnar epithelium that is derived from endoderm and contains a mesodermally derived core with supporting vasculature, lacteals, enteric nerves, smooth muscle, fibroblasts, myofibroblasts, and immune cells. In cross section, the consistency of structure in the billions of individual villi of the adult intestine is strikingly beautiful. Villi are generated in fetal life, and work over several decades has revealed that villus morphogenesis requires substantial “crosstalk” between the endodermal and mesodermal tissue components, with soluble signals, cell–cell contacts, and mechanical forces providing specific dialects for sequential conversations that orchestrate villus assembly. A key part of this process is the formation of subepithelial mesenchymal cell clusters that act as signaling hubs, directing overlying epithelial cells to cease proliferation, thereby driving villus emergence and simultaneously determining the location of future stem cell compartments. Interestingly, distinct species‐specific differences govern how and when tissue‐shaping signals and forces generate mesenchymal clusters and control villus emergence. As the details of villus development become increasingly clear, the emerging picture highlights a sophisticated local self‐assembled cascade that underlies the reproducible elaboration of a regularly patterned field of absorptive villus units.

This article is categorized under:

Vertebrate Organogenesis > From a Tubular Primordium: Non‐Branched

Comparative Development and Evolution > Organ System Comparisons Between Species

Early Embryonic Development > Development to the Basic Body Plan
In this issue of Weather
Authors: Galvin Jim
Published: March 2018

This month’s issue focuses on the meteorological effects of solar eclipses using data collected in the UK on 20 March 2015 and the USA on 21 August 2017.

We begin with Edward Hanna’s examination of data from stations run by amateur enthusiasts, most of them in the Climatological Observers’ Link network. ‘Meteorological effects of the 20 March 2015 solar eclipse over the United Kingdom’ on p. 71 builds on the observations made at Met Office stations, published in Clark () and Hanna et al. (). The observations show a high degree of consistency and the reduction in solar radiation had a strong signal in all parts of the UK, even where there were cloudy skies in most southern, as well as many northern and eastern areas. It also adds to the effects reported in this journal, following the eclipse of 11 August 1999 (Hanna, ).

Bob Bourton’s short contribution ‘The thermal effects noticed at Heathrow Airport during the partial solar eclipse of 20 March 2015 ‘on p. 81 looks at the effects of the 2015 eclipse at Heathrow Airport. The range of instruments available across the airport and in roads leading to it gives further insight into the temperature and radiation changes during the obscuration of 85% of the sun’s disk in the west of London.

On p. 90, we move to the observations made in the USA under the swathe of total or near‐total eclipse on 21 August 2017 in ‘Meteorological impacts of the total solar eclipse of 21 August 2017’, as reported by Stephen Burt. The data from sites run by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA, ) are supplemented by observations made by Stephen Burt near Jackson, Wyoming. Because the path of this eclipse crossed much of the USA and could be observed at least partially in all parts of the country, this was probably the best observed eclipse in history. Under clear skies, falls of about 5 degC were seen, accompanied by a fall in wind speed, now known from observations on both sides of the Atlantic to be a significant effect of this short‐duration phenomenon.

We also include a seasonally‐appropriate look at the effects of year‐to‐year weather on plants and animals on p. 86. Ian Strangeways’ paper ‘Phenology: plants and animals as meteorological sensors’, gives us an overview of this subject, which used to be one of the activities of the Royal Meteorological Society. He includes the history of its development in the UK, as well as its value in weather science and our knowledge of the effects of changing climate.
Special geometry on the 101 dimesional moduli space of the quintic threefold
Authors: Aleshkin Konstantin , Belavin Alexander
Published: March 2018

Abstract

A new method for explicit computation of the CY moduli space metric was proposed by the authors recently. The method makes use of the connection of the moduli space with a certain Frobenius algebra. Here we clarify this approach and demonstrate its efficiency by computing the Special geometry of the 101-dimensional moduli space of the quintic threefold around the orbifold point.
A systematic review of interventions targeting men's alcohol use and family relationships in low- and middle-income countries
Authors: Giusto Ali , Puffer Eve
Published: March 2018

Background.

Problem drinking accounts for 9.6% of disability-adjusted life years worldwide. It disproportionally affects men and has disabling physical, psychological, and behavioral consequences. These can lead to a cascade of negative effects on men's families, with documented ties to intimate partner violence (IPV) and child maltreatment. These multi-level problems are often exacerbated where poverty rates are high, including low and middle-income countries (LMICs). In contexts where strong patriarchal norms place men in positions of power, family-level consequences are often even more pronounced.

Methods.

We conducted a systematic review of the literature on interventions in LMICs targeting men's problem drinking and any family-related outcomes. Cochrane and PRISMA procedures guided the review. The search was conducted in PsychInfo, PubMed, and Web of Science.

Results.

The search yielded 1357 publications. Nine studies from four different countries met inclusion criteria. Of those, only one had the primary goal of simultaneously improving drinking and a related family-level outcome (IPV). Six of the studies documented modest improvements on both drinking and couples or family outcomes. Strategies common to these included cognitive-behavioral techniques, communication skills training, narrative therapy, and participatory learning. Gender-transformative approaches were associated with reduced IPV and more equitable gender norms, and motivational interviewing and behavioral approaches were beneficial for reducing alcohol use.

Conclusions.

Findings highlight the scarcity of interventions addressing men's drinking and its effects on families, particularly for parent-child outcomes. However, results point to strategies that, combined with other evidence-based family interventions can guide the development and rigorous evaluation of integrated programs.
Who Punishes Extremist Nominees? Candidate Ideology and Turning Out the Base in US Elections
Authors: HALL ANDREW B. , THOMPSON DANIEL M.
Published: March 2018

Political observers, campaign experts, and academics alike argue bitterly over whether it is more important for a party to capture ideologically moderate swing voters or to encourage turnout among hardcore partisans. The behavioral literature in American politics suggests that voters are not informed enough, and are too partisan, to be swing voters, while the institutional literature suggests that moderate candidates tend to perform better. We speak to this debate by examining the link between the ideology of congressional candidates and the turnout of their parties’ bases in US House races, 2006–2014. Combining a regression discontinuity design in close primary races with survey and administrative data on individual voter turnout, we find that extremist nominees—as measured by the mix of campaign contributions they receive—suffer electorally, largely because theydecreasetheir party’s share of turnout in the general election, skewing the electorate towards their opponent’s party. The results help show how the behavioral and institutional literatures can be connected. For our sample of elections, turnout appears to be the dominant force in determining election outcomes, but it advantages ideologically moderate candidates because extremists appear to activate the opposing party’s base more than their own.
ALEXANDER POLYNOMIALS OF COMPLEX PROJECTIVE PLANE CURVES
Authors: LÊ QUY THUONG
Published: March 2018

We compute the Alexander polynomial of a nonreduced nonirreducible complex projective plane curve with mutually coprime orders of vanishing along its irreducible components in terms of certain multiplier ideals.
Prevention of pharyngocutaneous fistula in salvage total laryngectomy: role of the pectoralis major flap and peri-operative management
Authors: Sittitrai P , Srivanitchapoom C , Reunmakkaew D
Published: March 2018

Objective:

This study aimed to evaluate the impact of an onlay pectoralis major flap in reducing the incidence of pharyngocutaneous fistula after salvage total laryngectomy and determine the complications of pectoralis major flap reconstruction.

Methods:

A retrospective study was conducted of consecutive patients who underwent salvage total laryngectomy between 1995 and 2016. The pharyngeal defects were primarily closed with or without the pectoralis major flap.

Results:

Of 64 patients, 34 had primary pharyngeal closure alone (control group) and 30 received an onlay pectoralis major flap (pectoralis major flap group). The overall fistula rate was 15.6 per cent, with 17.6 per cent occurring in the control group and 13.3 per cent in the pectoralis major flap group (p = 0.74). The incidence rates of voice failure (p = 0.02) and shoulder disability (p < 0.001) were significantly higher in the pectoralis major flap group.

Conclusion:

The pectoralis major flap in salvage total laryngectomy did not decrease the pharyngocutaneous fistula rate, and the incidence of flap-related complications was high. Appropriate surgical technique and post-operative care may reduce the incidence of pharyngocutaneous fistula.
India and the International Order: Accommodation and Adjustment
Authors: Ollapally Deepa M.
Published: March 2018

India is gradually changing its course from decades of inward-looking economics and strong anti-Western foreign policies. It has become more pragmatic, seeing important economic benefits from globalization, and some political benefits of working with the United States to achieve New Delhi's great-power aspirations. Despite these changes, I argue that India's deep-seated anti-colonial nationalism and commitment to strategic autonomy continues to form the core of Indian identity. This makes India's commitment to Western-dominated multilateral institutions and Western norms, such as humanitarian intervention, partial and instrumental. Thus, while Indian foreign-policy discourse shows little sign of seeking to fully challenge the U.S.-led international order beyond largely reformist measures of building parallel institutions such as the New Development Bank, India will continue to strongly resist Western actions that weaken sovereignty norms.
The TGAS HR diagram of S-type stars
Authors: Shetye Shreeya , Van Eck Sophie , Jorissen Alain , Van Winckel Hans , Siess Lionel
Published: March 2018

S-type stars are late-type giants enhanced with s-process elements originating either from nucleosynthesis during the Asymptotic Giant Branch (AGB) or from a pollution by a binary companion. The former are called intrinsic S stars, and the latter extrinsic S stars. The atmospheric parameters of S stars are more numerous than those of M-type giants (C/O ratio and s-process abundances affect the thermal structure and spectral synthesis), and hence they are more difficult to derive. Nevertheless, high-resolution spectroscopic data of S stars combined with the TGAS (Tycho-Gaia Astrometric solution) parallaxes were used to derive effective temperatures, surface gravities, and luminosities. These parameters allow to locate the intrinsic and extrinsic S stars in the Hertzsprung-Russell diagram.
Astrometric surveys in the Gaia era
Authors: Zacharias Norbert
Published: March 2018

The Gaia first data release (DR1) already provides an almost error free optical reference frame on the milli-arcsecond (mas) level allowing significantly better calibration of ground-based astrometric data than ever before. Gaia DR1 provides positions, proper motions and trigonometric parallaxes for just over 2 million stars in the Tycho-2 catalog. For over 1.1 billion additional stars DR1 gives positions. Proper motions for these, mainly fainter stars (G ≥ 11.5) are currently provided by several new projects which combine earlier epoch ground-based observations with Gaia DR1 positions. These data are very helpful in the interim period but will become obsolete with the second Gaia data release (DR2) expected in April 2018. The era of traditional, ground-based, wide-field astrometry with the goal to provide accurate reference stars has come to an end. Future ground-based astrometry will fill in some gaps (very bright stars, observations needed at many or specific epochs) and mainly will go fainter than the Gaia limit, like the PanSTARRS and the upcoming LSST surveys.
Kinematics of our Galaxy from the PMA and TGAS catalogues
Authors: Velichko Anna B. , Akhmetov Volodymyr S. , Fedorov Peter N.
Published: March 2018

We derive and compare kinematic parameters of the Galaxy using the PMA andGaiaTGAS data. Two methods are used in calculations: evaluation of the Ogorodnikov-Milne model (OMM) parameters by the least square method (LSM) and a decomposition on a set of vector spherical harmonics (VSH). We trace dependencies on the distance of the derived parameters including the Oort constants A and B and the rotational velocity of the GalaxyVrotat the Solar distance for the common sample of stars of mixed spectral composition of the PMA and TGAS catalogues. The distances were obtained from the TGAS parallaxes or from reduced proper motions for fainter stars.

The A, B andVrotparameters derived from proper motions of both catalogues used show identical behaviour but the values are systematically shifted by about 0.5 mas/yr.

The Oort B parameter derived from the PMA sample of red giants shows gradual decrease with increasing the distance while the Oort A has a minimum at about 2 kpc and then gradually increases.

As for models chosen for calculations, first, we confirm conclusions of other authors about the existence of extra-model harmonics in the stellar velocity field. Secondly, not all parameters of the OMM are statistically significant, and the set of parameters depends on the stellar sample used.
Proper motions of stars in the globular clusters using WFI@2.2 m telescope
Authors: Sariya Devesh P. , Jiang Ing-Guey , Yadav R. K. S.
Published: March 2018

We present results of our studies for a sample of Galactic globular star clusters with the aim of deriving relative proper motions. We used CCD archival data observed with Wide Field Imager (WFI) mounted on ESO 2.2 m telescope at La Silla, Chile. Astrometric software designed by Anderson et al. is used to derive relative proper motions. The vector point diagrams show clear separation of field stars from the cluster stars. We used proper motions to determine membership probabilities and to produce color-magnitude diagrams with most probable cluster member stars. Our membership catalogue can be used to study the membership status of the peculiar stars including various variables reported in the literature.
Long term near infrared observation of very bright stars at Kagoshima University
Authors: Naagaya Takairo
Published: March 2018

We are monitoring nearby long period variable stars (LPVs) in the near infrared K band to establish their precise Period-Luminosity relation. However, they are very bright in the near-infrared and it is difficult to observe them because they are easily saturated on the modern near-infrared camera. We developed a special ND filter, named Local Attenuation Filter (LAF), to observe very bright stars. Using LAF, we can observe not only the very bright targets without saturation but also reference stars in the same image. We can perform the accurate relative photometry for the bright stars. We present this new method to observe bright stars as well as the status of our monitoring of nearby LPVs.
Spectroscopic and Photometric Survey of Northern Sky for the ESA PLATO space mission
Authors: Ženovienė Renata , Bagdonas Vilius , Drazdauskas Arnas , Janulis Rimvydas , Klebonas Lukas , Mikolaitis Šarūnas , Pakštienė Erika , Tautvaišienė Gražina
Published: March 2018

The ESA-PLATO 2.0 mission will perform an in-depth analysis of the large part of the sky-sphere searching for extraterrestrial telluric-like planets. At the Molėtai Astronomical Observatory of Vilnius University, we started a spectroscopic and photometric survey of the northern sky fields that potentially will be targeted by the PLATO mission. We aim to contribute in developing the PLATO input catalogue by delivering a long-duration stellar variability information and a full spectroscopic characterization of brightest targets. First results of this survey are overviewed.
Gaia Photometric Data: DR1 results and DR2 expectations
Authors: Evans Dafydd Wyn , Riello Marco , De Angeli Francesca , Busso Giorgia , van Leeuwen Floor , Eyer Laurent , Jordi Carme , Fabricius Claus , Carrasco Josep Manel , Weiler Michael , Montegriffo Paolo , Cacciari Carla , Pancino Elena
Published: March 2018

Gaia DR1 was released in September 2016 and contained a photometric catalogue of over 1 billion sources. At this stage, this only included mean G-band photometry and an estimate of the error. Even though this may sound limited in nature, interesting science can still be achieved with this data thanks to its quality. A high level overview of the photometric processing and some validation results will be presented. Additionally, epoch photometry in the G-band was released in Gaia DR1 for a small number of variable sources in the South Ecliptic Pole which covers the LMC. The second data release (Gaia DR2) is currently being prepared and, if available, some preliminary validation results will be presented. It is planned that this release will contain colour information in the form of integrated BP and RP photometry in addition to the latest G-band photometry.
Characterisation of exoplanet host stars: A window into planet formation
Authors: Santos Nuno C.
Published: March 2018

The detection of thousands of planets orbiting stars other than the Sun has shown that planets are common throughout the Galaxy. However, the diversity of systems found has also raised many questions regarding the process of planet formation and evolution. Interestingly, but perhaps not unexpectedly, crucial information to constraint the planet formation models comes from the analysis of the planet-host stars. In this talk I will review why it is so important to study and understand the stars when finding and characterising exoplanets. I will then present some of the most relevant star-planet relations found to date, and how they are helping us to understand planet formation and evolution. I will end with a presentation of the future steps in this field, including what Gaia will bring to help constrain the properties of planet-host stars, as well as to the star-planet connection.
A multi-omic analysis reveals the role of fumarate in regulating the virulence of enterohemorrhagic Escherichia coli
Authors: Kuo Cheng-Ju , Wang Sin-Tian , Lin Chia-Mei , Chiu Hao-Chieh , Huang Cheng-Rung , Lee Der-Yen , Chang Geen-Dong , Chou Ting-Chen , Chen Jenn-Wei , Chen Chang-Shi
Published: March 2018

The enteric pathogen enterohemorrhagic Escherichia coli (EHEC) is responsible for outbreaks of bloody diarrhea and hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS) worldwide. Several molecular mechanisms have been described for the pathogenicity of EHEC; however, the role of bacterial metabolism in the virulence of EHEC during infection in vivo remains unclear. Here we show that aerobic metabolism plays an important role in the regulation of EHEC virulence in Caenorhabditis elegans. Our functional genomic analyses showed that disruption of the genes encoding the succinate dehydrogenase complex (Sdh) of EHEC, including the sdhA gene, attenuated its toxicity toward C. elegans animals. Sdh converts succinate to fumarate and links the tricarboxylic acid (TCA) cycle and the electron transport chain (ETC) simultaneously. Succinate accumulation and fumarate depletion in the EHEC sdhA mutant cells were also demonstrated to be concomitant by metabolomic analyses. Moreover, fumarate replenishment to the sdhA mutant significantly increased its virulence toward C. elegans. These results suggest that the TCA cycle, ETC, and alteration in metabolome all account for the attenuated toxicity of the sdhA mutant, and Sdh catabolite fumarate in particular plays a critical role in the regulation of EHEC virulence. In addition, we identified the tryptophanase (TnaA) as a downstream virulence determinant of SdhA using a label-free proteomic method. We demonstrated that expression of tnaA is regulated by fumarate in EHEC. Taken together, our multi-omic analyses demonstrate that sdhA is required for the virulence of EHEC, and aerobic metabolism plays important roles in the pathogenicity of EHEC infection in C. elegans. Moreover, our study highlights the potential targeting of SdhA, if druggable, as alternative preventive or therapeutic strategies by which to combat EHEC infection.