bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Secondary Hydrogeologic Regions of the Conterminous United States
Authors: Belitz Kenneth , Watson Elise , Johnson Tyler D. , Sharpe Jennifer
Published: July 2018

The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) previously identified and mapped 62 Principal Aquifers (PAs) in the U.S., with 57 located in the conterminous states. Areas outside of PAs, which account for about 40% of the conterminous U.S., were collectively identified as “other rocks.” This paper, for the first time, subdivides this large area into internally‐consistent features, defined here as Secondary Hydrogeologic Regions (SHRs). SHRs are areas of other rock within which the rocks or deposits are of comparable age, lithology, geologic or physiographic setting, and relationship to the presence or absence of underling PAs or overlying glacial deposits. A total of 69 SHRs were identified. The number and size of SHRs identified in this paper are comparable to the number and size of PAs previously identified by the USGS. From a two‐dimensional perspective, SHRs are complementary to PAs, mapped only where the PAs were not identified on the USGS PA map and not mapped where the PAs were identified. SHRs generally consist of low permeability rocks or deposits, but can include locally productive aquifers. The two maps, taken together, provide a comprehensive, national‐scale hydrogeologic framework for assessing and understanding groundwater systems.
How Do Ownership Concentration and Family Control Affect R&D Investments? New Evidence from Taiwan
Authors: Ting Irene Wei Kiong , Lo Huai‐Chun , Kweh Qian Long
Published: July 2018

This study finds a nonlinear relationship between ownership concentration and R&D investments. Specifically, ownership concentration is positively related to R&D investments at a low level of ownership concentration; the relationship becomes negative when ownership concentration is at a high level. However, the impact of ownership concentration on R&D investments is lessened in family‐controlled firms; that is, family control moderates the relationship between ownership concentration and R&D investments. Overall, this study suggests that the ownership concentration's nonlinear impact on R&D investments differs between family‐controlled firms and nonfamily‐controlled firms.
Fecal immunochemical test in colorectal cancer screening: Colonoscopy findings by different cut‐off levels
Authors: Ribbing Wilén Hanna , Blom Johannes , Höijer Jonas , Hultcrantz Rolf
Published: July 2018

Background and Aim

Fecal immunochemical test (FIT) is used in colorectal cancer (CRC) screening, but number of tests and cut‐off level differ by program. The aim was to evaluate CRC screening with two FIT samples in average‐risk 60‐year‐old men and women and to investigate hemoglobin (Hb) level in correlation to adenoma characteristics.

Methods

We analyzed a cohort from Screening of Swedish Colons trial where participants with at least one of two FIT samples ≥10 μg Hb/g are offered colonoscopy. FIT levels and colonoscopy findings were assessed in multivariable analyses. Cut‐off levels 10–80 μg Hb/g for one and two samples were assessed. FIT levels and advanced neoplasia (AN) were investigated by gender.

Results

A total of 12 383 participated and 1182 positives (551 women) completed colonoscopy diagnosing 27 (2.3%) CRC and 269 (23%) advanced adenomas (AA). Median FIT level was 241.0 and 23.8 for CRC and AA compared with 13.4–15.8 in other subgroups (P = 0.002) correlating with adenoma size (P = 0.038). CRC was detected in 22 and 19 subjects for the first sample at cut‐off 20 and 40 μg Hb/g, compared with 20 and 17 for the mean of two samples at cut‐off 40 and 80 μg Hb/g (P < 0.05). Men had more AN (CRC + AA), (P = 0.003). In women, similar number of AN would be detected with cut‐off lowered from 40 to 20 or from 80 to 40 μg Hb/g, requiring additional 26–34% colonoscopies.

Conclusion

In average‐risk 60‐year‐olds, FIT was higher in participants with AN and correlated with adenoma size. FIT screening with one sample at low cut‐off detected more CRC than two samples at higher cut‐off. Applying lower cut‐off in women to equalize gender differences in AN would result in considerable increase in colonoscopy workload.
The Aging Tsunami and Senior Healthcare Development in China
Authors: Li Xin , Fan Li , Leng Sean X.
Published: July 2018

China faces an aging tsunami. By the end of 2016, the number of older adults aged 60 and older reached 230 million. This number is projected to reach 418 million by 2035 and peak at 487 million by 2053. The number of individuals aged 80 and older, the oldest adults, reached 26 million and continues to grow by 1 million a year. The socioeconomic context, characterized by an inverted pyramid family structure and the number of “empty nesters,” has greatly compromised traditional Chinese family support for older adults. This article aims to provide an overview of geriatrics development in China. It begins with a brief account of the dramatic demographic shift, major socioeconomic factors, China's healthcare system, and reform related to senior health with a historical perspective. It then describes recent advances in government policy and support and development of a geriatrics physician workforce, care models, primary care networks, and privately owned senior care facilities and support services. Although it is impossible to cover all aspects of the topic, it is hoped that this article provides readers an overall picture of Chinese geriatrics and senior healthcare development in a complex and evolving healthcare system. Geriatrics communities in the United States and around the world will undoubtedly learn and benefit from the unparalleled and continued efforts to address this unprecedented opportunity and challenge in China.
Maternal and perinatal complications in pregnant women with urinary tract infection caused by Escherichia coli
Authors: Dautt‐Leyva José G. , Canizalez‐Román Adrian , Acosta Alfaro Luis F. , Gonzalez‐Ibarra Fernando , Murillo‐Llanes Joel
Published: July 2018

Aim

The incidence of urinary tract infection (UTI) in pregnant women may vary from 5–10% and depends on parity, race, socioeconomic status and anatomical and functional changes in pregnancy. In Mexico, preterm birth accounts for 75% of perinatal deaths and 50% of the neurological sequelae attributable directly to prematurity. The objective of the present study is to describe maternal and perinatal complications in pregnant women with UTI caused by Escherichia coli and to find out the antimicrobial susceptibility pattern.

Methods

A descriptive and longitudinal study of pregnant women admitted to the Women's Hospital in Culiacan, Sinaloa, Mexico, was carried out from January 2013 to December 2014. Patients with E. coli infection were included, and infections caused by other microorganisms were excluded. The sociodemographic variables, causes of hospitalization and the type of maternal and perinatal complications were determined.

Results

The causes of admission to the hospital were threatened preterm labor, and fever and threatened abortion. Of 38 patients with threatened preterm labor, 33 went on to delivery, four were preterm births and two were neonatal deaths. E. coli was sensitive to over 90% of piperacillin‐tazobactam, amikacin, nitrofurantoin and carbapenems.

Conclusion

According to this study in a Mexican population, the number one admission diagnosis in women with UTI due to E. coli was threatened preterm labor, and fever and threatened abortion. E. coli was sensitive to more than 90% of piperacillin‐tazobactam, amikacin, nitrofurantoin and carbapenems.
Comparison of the efficacy of diegnogest and levonorgestrel‐releasing intrauterine system after laparoscopic surgery for endometriosis
Authors: Lee Ki H. , Jung Ye W. , Song Soo Y. , Kang Byung H. , Yang Jung B. , Ko Young B. , Lee Mina , Han Hye Y. , Yoo Heon J.
Published: July 2018

Aim

To compare the efficacy between dienogest and levonorgestrel‐releasing intrauterine system (LNG‐IUS) after laparoscopic surgery for endometriosis.

Methods

A total of 285 women were diagnosed as endometriosis by laparoscopy between 2011 and 2015. Patients were grouped into no treatment (n = 83), treatment with dienogest (n =130) and treatment with LNG‐IUS (n =72) after laparoscopic surgery. The changes of the pain scores were checked at 6, 12 and 24 months after the surgery, and the rates of disease recurrence and treatment discontinuation rate were determined.

Results

The participants' mean age was 38.9 years (range 21–54 years). The mean age of LNG‐IUS group (43.7 years) was significantly higher than the no treatment and dienogest groups (39.3 vs 33.9 years, respectively). At 6 and 12 months, the median pain scores in treatment (dienogest and LNG‐IUS) groups were significantly lower than control group. Both treatment groups had significantly lower recurrence rate than control group (3.8% and 9.7%, respectively, vs 32.5%, P =0.001). No significant difference was found in the recurrence rate between the two treatment groups (P =0.461). Patients in the LNG‐IUS group showed lower rate of discontinuation due to complication (27.8%) than those in dienogest group (35.6%, P =0.010).

Conclusion

LNG‐IUS treatment in the patients with endometriosis is effective for postoperative pain control and preventing recurrence, however, the LNG‐IUS group is older, it is difficult to compare the efficacy between dienogest and LNG‐IUS in present study.
Prevalence of night sleep duration, sleep quality and sleep hygiene practices among children attending childcare services in New South Wales, Australia
Authors: Grady Alice , Dodds Pennie , Jones Jannah , Wolfenden Luke , Yoong Serene
Published: July 2018

Aim

To describe parent‐reported child: (i) sleep duration; (ii) sleep quality; (iii) sleep hygiene practices; and (iv) the proportion of children meeting sleep duration recommendations.

Methods

A convenience sample of parents of Australian pre‐school‐aged children (3–5 years) were surveyed from the Hunter New England region of New South Wales. The cross‐sectional survey was conducted via computer‐assisted telephone interview. The survey assessed parent and child demographic characteristics and parent‐reported child sleep duration, quality and sleep hygiene practices.

Results

A total of 488 eligible parents or guardians took part in the study. Parents reported that children slept an average of 11.03 h per night. Approximately 96% of children met daily sleep duration recommendations from sleep guidelines for their age group. The majority of parents reported that their child had ‘good’ sleep quality (86.89%). Almost 40% reported that their child woke at least once a night. Sleep hygiene practices were relatively well established; however, a small proportion of parents indicated that they had no rules surrounding bedtime (13.52%) or television use before bed (14.52%).

Conclusions

The current study describes the sleep duration, quality and sleep hygiene practices of a sample of pre‐school‐aged children in New South Wales, Australia. Future research using objective measures of sleep duration and hygiene, as well as assessing a broader spectrum of sleep hygiene practices, is needed.
Gastroprotectants in small animal veterinary practice – a review of the evidence. Part 1: cyto‐protective drugs
Authors: Bazelle J. , Threlfall A. , Whitley N.
Published: July 2018

Diverse drugs with presumed cytoprotective effect have been used therapeutically in small animal veterinary practice for various gastro‐intestinal conditions such as oesophagitis, gastric ulceration, gastritis or chronic gastro‐enteropathies. Their efficacy has been doubted in human medicine, raising similar questions in the veterinary field. The aim of this review was to assess the current evidence on the efficacy and safety of these drugs in dogs and cats. Through a systematic review of the literature, we identified 37 articles on the use of misoprostol, sucralfate and other gastroprotectants in dogs and cats. There was evidence to support use of misoprostol in the prevention of aspirin‐induced gastroduodenal mucosal injury in dogs, and for use of sucralfate in the prevention of acid‐induced oesophagitis in cats. However, the overall quality of evidence supporting the use of these drugs in small animal patients was poor. In contrast, there was evidence of important adverse effects, especially drug interaction and gastro‐intestinal signs. We therefore recommend prescribing these drugs with caution until further well‐conducted studies reveal a useful gastroprotectant effect.
The future of radiotherapy in small animals – should the fractions be coarse or fine?
Authors: Nolan M. W. , Dobson J. M.
Published: July 2018

Radiation therapy has been used to treat animal cancers for more than 100 years. Clinical experiences and experimental results have been widely published and provide a basis for the recognition of radiation therapy as an integral component of multimodal cancer management in veterinary oncology. As the expectations of pet owners and the demand for treatment of companion animals with cancer have increased, veterinary oncology itself has undergone dramatic advances in the past several decades both in terms of improved diagnostics and treatments, including increased accessibility of radiation therapy. Synchronous with development of the specialism of veterinary radiation oncology, confusion and controversy have arisen with regard to distinguishing between different types of radiotherapy and methods of treatment delivery. Importantly, the confusion extends beyond semantics, and includes opinionated debate about defining which forms of therapy (if any at all) are optimal for a given patient. This exemplifies how, despite marks of maturity including age and a robust publication history, the field of veterinary radiation oncology is in some ways still in its infancy. The purpose of this article is to review the evidence base for daily (fine) fractionationversusweekly (coarse) hypofractionation in veterinary oncology, using selected tumour types as examples.
Third‐person knowledge ascriptions: A crucial experiment for contextualism
Authors: Grindrod Jumbly , Andow James , Hansen Nat
Published: July 2018

Previous experimental studies on epistemic contextualism have, for the most part, not been designed to distinguish between contextualism and one of its main competing theories, subject‐sensitive invariantism (SSI). In this paper, we present a “third‐person” experimental design that is needed to provide evidence that would support contextualism over SSI, and we then present our results using this design. Our results not only provide crucial support for contextualism over SSI, but also buck the general trend of failing to detect the kind of contextual effect that the epistemic contextualism relies upon.
Chromatin remodeling factor CHR18 interacts with replication protein RPA1A to regulate the DNA replication stress response in Arabidopsis
Authors: Han Jia‐Jia , Song Ze‐Ting , Sun Jing‐Liang , Yang Zheng‐Ting , Xian Meng‐Jun , Wang Shuo , Sun Ling , Liu Jian‐Xiang
Published: July 2018

DNA replication is a fundamental process for the faithful transmission of genetic information in all living organisms. Many endogenous and environmental signals impede fork progression during DNA synthesis, which induces replication errors and DNA replication stress. Chromatin remodeling factors regulate nucleosome occupancy and the histone composition of the nucleosome in chromatin; however, whether chromatin remodeling factors are involved in the DNA replication stress response in plants is unknown.

We reveal that chromatin remodeling factor CHR18 plays important roles in DNA replication stress in Arabidopsis thaliana by interacting with the DNA replication protein RPA1A.

According to the genetic analysis, the loss of function of either CHR18 or RPA1A confers a high sensitivity to DNA replication stress in Arabidopsis. CHR18 interacts with RPA1A in both yeast cells and tobacco epidermal cells. The coexpression of RPA1A and CHR18 enhances the accumulation of CHR18 in nuclear foci in plants. CHR18 is a typical nuclear‐localized chromatin remodeling factor with ATPase activity.

Our results demonstrate that during DNA synthesis in plants, RPA1A interacts with CHR18 and recruits CHR18 to nuclear foci to resolve DNA replication stress, which is important for cell propagation and root growth in Arabidopsis plants.
Afebrile neonates with pustules should not be managed as febrile infants
Authors: Aronson Paul L.
Published: July 2018

This article is linked to Manice et al. paper. To view this article visit https://doi.org/10.1111/pde.13538.
Multivariate Global Sensitivity Analysis Based on Distance Components Decomposition
Authors: Xiao Sinan , Lu Zhenzhou , Wang Pan
Published: July 2018

In this article, a new set of multivariate global sensitivity indices based on distance components decomposition is proposed. The proposed sensitivity indices can be considered as an extension of the traditional variance‐based sensitivity indices and the covariance decomposition‐based sensitivity indices, and they have similar forms. The advantage of the proposed sensitivity indices is that they can measure the effects of an input variable on the whole probability distribution of multivariate model output when the power of distance . When , the proposed sensitivity indices are equivalent to the covariance decomposition‐based sensitivity indices. To calculate the proposed sensitivity indices, an efficient Monte Carlo method is proposed, which can also be used to calculate the covariance decomposition‐based sensitivity indices at the same time. The examples show the reasonability of the proposed sensitivity indices and the stability of the proposed Monte Carlo method.
Antecedent aeolian dune topographic control on carbonate and evaporite facies: Middle Jurassic Todilto Member, Wanakah Formation, Ghost Ranch, New Mexico, USA
Authors: Kocurek Gary , Martindale Rowan C. , Day Mackenzie , Goudge Timothy A. , Kerans Charles , Hassenruck‐Gudipati Hima J. , Mason Jasmine , Cardenas Benjamin T. , Petersen Eric I. , Mohrig David , Aylward Daniel S. , Hughes Cory M. , Nazworth Caroline M.
Published: July 2018

The Middle Jurassic Todilto Member of the Wanakah Formation is a carbonate and gypsum unit inset into the underlying aeolian Entrada Sandstone in the San Juan Basin. Field and thin section study of the uppermost Entrada and Todilto at Ghost Ranch, New Mexico, identified Todilto facies and their relationship to remnant Entrada dune topography. Results support the previous interpretation that the Entrada dunes, housed in a basin below sea level, were rapidly flooded by marine waters. Mass wasting of the dunes gave rise to sediment‐gravity flows that largely buried remnant dune topography, leaving ca 12 m of relief that defined the antecedent condition for Todilto deposition. Previously interpreted as seasonal varves deposited in a stratified water body, the Todilto is reinterpreted as a microbial biolaminite. Most diagnostic are organic‐rich laminae with structures characteristic of filamentous microbes and containing trapped aeolian silt, and clotted‐texture laminae with a fabric associated with calcification of extracellular polymeric substances. The spatial arrangement of Todilto facies is controlled by the dune palaeotopography. A continuous basal laminated mudstone thickens over the dune crest, reflecting the optimum conditions for microbial mat development, and is interpreted to have been deposited when marine waters submerged the topography. Subsequent drying caused emergence of the crestal area, and formation of tepee structures and a dissolution breccia. Gypsiferous mudflats and periodic ponds occupied the dune flanks and interdune area, with gypsum concentrated within the interdune area. Entrada sands remained unstable during Todilto deposition with common injection structures into the Todilto, and a remnant slope caused the downslope movement and folding of Todilto strata on the upper lee face. Although some expansion of the gypsum occurred in the subsurface, facies architecture fostered development of a dissolution front adjacent to the interdune gypsum body with section collapse of gypsiferous limestone on the dune flanks.
From Conversations to Digital Communication: The Mnemonic Consequences of Consuming and Producing Information via Social Media
Authors: Stone Charles B. , Wang Qi
Published: July 2018

Social media has become one of the most powerful and ubiquitous means by which individuals curate, share, and communicate information with their friends, family, and the world at large. Indeed, 90% of the American adolescents are active social media users, as well as 65% of American adults (Perrin, 2015; see also Duggan & Brenner, 2013). Despite this, psychologists are only beginning to understand the mnemonic consequences associated with social media use. In this article, we will distill this nascent literature by focusing on two primary factors: the type of information (personal vs. public) and the role (producer vs. consumer) individuals play when engaging with social media. In particular, we will highlight research examining induced forgetting for personal information as well as false memories and truthiness for public information. We will end by providing some tentative conclusions and a discussion of areas in need of additional research that will provide a more holistic understanding of the mnemonic consequences associated with social media use.
Detection of Japanese Encephalitis Virus in bone marrow of healthy young wild birds collected in 1997–2000 in Central Italy
Authors: Preziuso Silvia , Mari Subeide , Mariotti Francesca , Rossi Giacomo
Published: July 2018

Japanese Encephalitis Virus (JEV) is a flavivirus responsible for an important zoonotic, vector‐borne disease included in the OIE list. JEV is endemic in a large area of Asia. In Italy, JEV has been found in dead birds collected in 1997–2000 and in a pool of Culex pipiens mosquitoes collected in 2010. Viral ecology in the inter‐epidemic periods is not known. The aim of this study was to investigate JEV in FFPE archival samples of healthy birds collected in 1997–2000 in Tuscany (Italy) in the same area and a few months after collection of birds resulted infected by JEV. Different samples from 37 young birds and 83 adults were available. Immunohistochemistry detected JEV antigen only in bone marrow samples from 12 young healthy birds. Positive cells were morphologically referable to monocyte–macrophages lineage and were positive for anti‐CD11b in serial sections. Real‐time PCR detected JEV RNA in four of these samples. These results suggest that healthy birds can harbour JEV in bone marrow cells, while no other organs resulted infected. The role of healthy birds in JEV ecology should be better investigated. Surveillance programmes should include sampling of the most appropriate target organs.
Autonomous vehicles: No driver…no regulation?
Authors: Claybrook Joan , Kildare Shaun
Published: July 2018

Driverless cars are on the road with no federal regulation, and the public is paying the price
Upregulation of MicroRNA 711 Mediates HIV-1 Vpr Promotion of Kaposi's Sarcoma-Associated Herpesvirus Latency and Induction of Pro-proliferation and Pro-survival Cytokines by Targeting the Notch/NF-κB-Signaling Axis
Authors: Yan Qin , Zhao Runran , Shen Chenyou , Wang Fei , Li Wan , Gao Shou-Jiang , Lu Chun
Published: July 2018

HIV-1 infection significantly increases the risk of KS and PEL in KSHV-infected individuals. Our previous study has shown that HIV-1 Vpr regulates the KSHV life cycle by targeting IκBα to activate NF-κB signaling through upregulating cellular miR-942-5p. In this study, we have further found that Vpr inactivates Notch signaling to promote KSHV latency and production of pro-proliferation and -survival cytokines. Another Vpr-upregulated cellular microRNA, miR-711, participates in this process by directly targeting Notch1. As a result, Notch1 upregulation of the IκBα promoter activity is attenuated, resulting in reduced levels of IκBα transcript and protein. Overall, these results illustrate an alternative mechanism of HIV-1 Vpr regulation of KSHV latency and aberrant cytokines through the miR-711/Notch/NF-κB axis. Our novel findings further demonstrate the role of an HIV-1-secreted regulatory protein in the KSHV life cycle and KSHV-related malignancies.
A framework for building information modeling implementation in engineering education
Authors: Boton Conrad , Forgues Daniel , Halin Gilles
Published: July 2018

Universities are facing many challenges to their efforts to introduce building information modeling (BIM) in engineering education. Many research efforts have been dedicated to the subject and addressed some specific aspects of the issue. Thus, there is no comprehensive framework to provide decision-makers with practical and neutral guidelines. The framework proposed in this paper identifies the main challenges to address. A case study from a Canadian engineering school is used to evaluate and to validate the proposed framework, and to illustrate the challenges. The strategy of integrating BIM in engineering education should be based on the specific skills the students are expected to acquire. It is then possible to define the appropriate teaching approaches. An effective implementation strategy should be gradual to progressively raise community awareness, learn from mistakes, and identify best practices. A particular emphasis should be placed on the needs of the local industry.
Mechanical, wear and thermal behaviour of hemp fibre/egg shell particle reinforced epoxy resin bio composite
Authors: Inbakumar J. Parivendhan , Ramesh S.
Published: July 2018

The aim of this work is to examine the mechanical, tribological, and thermal behaviour of hemp fibre reinforced egg shell epoxy polymer composites. Experiments are carried out to study the effect of fiber and filler volume percentage on mechanical, wear, and thermal behaviour of epoxy based polymer composites. The volume of fibre and filler is varied by 30%, 40%, and 50% and 0.25%, 0.5%, and 1.0%, respectively. The specimens are fabricated by using hand layup technique. The specimens are expurgated according to ASTM standards. The mechanical tests such as hardness, tensile, impact and flexural strength are evaluated and abrasive wear behaviour of the specimen was investigated using a pin-on-disc machine. The thermal stability was evaluated using a thermo gravimetric analyzer. The effects of hemp fibre and filler were examined under different mechanical and thermal conditions. The mechanical results show that the addition of fibre increased the load bearing characters of epoxy resin, whereas the addition of egg shell filler increased thermal stability of the composite.
Ground mobile Bennett mechanism
Authors: Wang Zhirui , Yao Yan-an , Liu Chao
Published: July 2018

This paper presents a novel application of the well-known single degree of freedom Bennett mechanism. By optimizing the link’s shape and the weight distribution of the Bennett mechanism, we put forward a ground mobile mechanism that can move in a constant direction and change its moving direction with only one actuator. A type of tumbling gait is proposed and kinematic and dynamic analyses of the gait are carried out. Finally, a series of experiments are performed on a manufactured prototype. The results verify the tumbling gait and functionality of the mobile mechanism.
Therapeutic Effect of Glycyrrhizin Arginine Salt on Rat Cholestatic Cirrhosis and its Mechanism
Authors: Zhang Huan , Lin Yajun , Zhen Yongzhan , Hu Gang , Meng Xu , Li Xingxin , Men Xiuli
Published: July 2018

To investigate the therapeutic effect of glycyrrhizin arginine salt on rat cholestatic cirrhosis, we subjected male Sprague Dawley rats to common bile duct ligation for 14 days and treated them with distilled water (model group), arginine, or a low or high dose of glycyrrhizin arginine salt by gavage. A sham-operated group was used as a control group. Treatment with glycyrrhizin arginine salt substantially improved animal growth rates, reduced the ratio of liver weight to body weight and decreased total bilirubin, aspartate aminotransferase, 8-isoprostane and malondialdehyde compared with the values measured in the model group. The progress of liver fibrosis, as detected by hematoxylin and eosin and Masson’s trichrome staining, was slower in the glycyrrhizin arginine salt groups than in the model group or the arginine group. Reductions of bile salt pool size, hepatic hydroxyproline content and fibrosis score were also seen in the glycyrrhizin arginine salt groups compared with the model group. Furthermore, glycyrrhizin arginine salt significantly reduced the expression of transforming growth factor [Formula: see text]1 (TGF-[Formula: see text]1), [Formula: see text]-smooth muscle actin, tumor necrosis factor-[Formula: see text] and matrix metalloproteinases 2 and 9. Glycyrrhizin arginine salt also inhibited the expression of [Formula: see text]-SMA and matrix metalloproteinases 2 and 9 in response to TGF-[Formula: see text]1 in LX-2 cells and primary rat hepatic stellate cells and mitigated the cytotoxicity induced by rat bile in HepG2 cells and primary rat hepatocytes.
Bending and impacting of sandwich composites with a corrugated paper core layer
Authors: Chen Jieng-Chiang
Published: July 2018

The bending and impacting characteristics of sandwich composites containing corrugated paper (CP) as a core layer are discussed herein. The core layer of the sandwich composite was fabricated with CP-reinforced polylactic acid (PLA) resin. The core layer was then stacked with jute fabric and PLA films on the top and bottom surfaces to fabricate the sandwich composites. Two composites [CP-reinforced PLA composite (CP/PLA composite)] and jute fabric/PLA sandwich composite with CP as a core layer [J/PLA/CP composite] were developed in this study. To manufacture the CP/PLA composite core layer, a dipping bath was used for impregnating the paper with a molten PLA solution. The resin film method combined with a hot press was used to produce the jute fabric/PLA/CP sandwich composites. A material test system (MTS810) was used to study the bending properties of the composites. Further, an IZOD impacting instrument was used to examine the impacting characteristics of the composites. Both the CP/PLA and jute fabric/PLA/CP sandwich composites increase the energy absorption capacity in the impact test.
Fault-scarp degradation in the central Exmouth Plateau, North West Shelf, Australia
Authors: Bilal Awad , McClay Ken , Scarselli Nicola
Published: July 2018

Latest Triassic–earliest Late Jurassic domino-style extensional faulting in the central Exmouth Plateau, North West Shelf of Australia, exhibits footwall degradation scarps with up to 1.8 km of scarp retreat of the Upper Triassic Mungaroo Formation. Extensional fault-propagation folding, rotation and uplift produced gravitationally driven scarp collapse of the incompetent and mudstone-dominated uppermost Mungaroo Formation. Scarp degradation occurred along the entire extent of the footwalls of three major faults within the research area. Individual segments display listric fault surfaces in cross-section and scoop-shaped scars in three dimensions. The listric collapse faults dip towards the erosional scarp and sole out at different levels within the upper Triassic Mungaroo Formation.

Footwall crestal collapse formed coalesced, scoop-shaped degradation scarps with Mungaroo Formation debris deposited as wedges within the adjacent hanging-wall synclines. Maximum scarp degradation occurred at the fault centres and decreased towards the fault tips. This study proposes new three-dimensional evolutionary structural models for the fault-scarp degradation in the central Exmouth Plateau.
RSimplex
Authors: Wang Xiaofeng , Hovakimyan Naira , Sha Lui
Published: July 2018

As the complexity of Cyber-Physical Systems (CPS) increases, it becomes increasingly challenging to ensure CPS reliability, especially in the presence of software and/or physical failures. The Simplex architecture is shown to be an efficient tool to address software failures in such systems. When physical failures exist, however, Simplex may not function correctly because physical failures could change system dynamics and the original Simplex design may not work for the new faulty system. To address concurrent software and physical failures, this article presents the RSimplex architecture, which integrates Robust Fault-Tolerant Control (RFTC) techniques into the Simplex architecture. It includes the uncertainty monitor, the High-Performance Controller (HPC), the Robust High-Assurance Controller (RHAC), and the decision logic that triggers the switch of the controllers. Based on the output of the uncertainty monitor, we introduce a monitor-based switching rule in the decision logic in addition to the traditional envelope-based rule. The RHAC is designed based on RFTCs. We show that RSimplex can efficiently handle a class of software and physical failures.
Cyber-Physical System for Energy-Efficient Stadium Operation
Authors: Schmidt Mischa , Schülke Anett , Venturi Alberto , Kurpatov Roman , Henríquez Enrique Blanco
Published: July 2018

The environmental impacts of medium to large-scale buildings receive substantial attention in research, industry, and media. This article studies the energy savings potential of a commercial soccer stadium during day-to-day operation. Buildings of this kind are characterized by special purpose system installations like grass heating systems and by event-driven usage patterns. This work presents a methodology to holistically analyze the stadium’s characteristics and integrate its existing instrumentation into a Cyber-Physical System, enabling to deploy different control strategies flexibly. In total, seven different strategies for controlling the studied stadium’s grass heating system are developed and tested in operation. Experiments in winter season 2014/2015 validated the strategies’ impacts within the real operational setup of the
Commerzbank Arena
, Frankfurt, Germany. With 95% confidence, these experiments saved up to 66% of median daily weather-normalized energy consumption. Extrapolated to an average heating season, this corresponds to savings of 775MWh and 148t of CO
2
emissions. In winter 2015/2016 an additional predictive nighttime heating experiment targeted lower temperatures, which increased the savings to up to 85%, equivalent to 1GWh (197t CO
2
) in an average winter. Beyond achieving significant energy savings, the different control strategies also met the target temperature levels to the satisfaction of the stadium’s operational staff. While the case study constitutes a significant part, the discussions dedicated to the transferability of this work to other stadiums and other building types show that the concepts and the approach are of general nature. Furthermore, this work demonstrates the first successful application of Deep Belief Networks to regress and predict the thermal evolution of building systems.
Perceptual Validation for the Generation of Expressive Movements from End-Effector Trajectories
Authors: Carreno-Medrano Pamela , Gibet Sylvie , Marteau Pierre-FranÇois
Published: July 2018

Endowing animated virtual characters with emotionally expressive behaviors is paramount to improving the quality of the interactions between humans and virtual characters. Full-body motion, in particular, with its subtle kinematic variations, represents an effective way of conveying emotionally expressive content. However, before synthesizing expressive full-body movements, it is necessary to identify and understand what qualities of human motion are salient to the perception of emotions and how these qualities can be exploited to generate novel and equally expressive full-body movements. Based on previous studies, we argue that it is possible to perceive and generate expressive full-body movements from a limited set of joint trajectories, including end-effector trajectories and additional constraints such as pelvis and elbow trajectories. Hence, these selected trajectories define a significant and reduced motion space, which is adequate for the characterization of the expressive qualities of human motion and that is both suitable for the analysis and generation of emotionally expressive full-body movements. The purpose and main contribution of this work is the methodological framework we defined and used to assess the validity and applicability of the selected trajectories for the perception and generation of expressive full-body movements. This framework consists of the creation of a motion capture database of expressive theatrical movements, the development of a motion synthesis system based on trajectories re-played or re-sampled and inverse kinematics, and two perceptual studies.
Mind Your State for Your State of Mind
Authors: Helland Pat
Published: July 2018

Applications have had an interesting evolution as they have moved into the distributed and scalable world. Similarly, storage and its cousin databases have changed side by side with applications. Many times, the semantics, performance, and failure models of storage and applications do a subtle dance as they change in support of changing business requirements and environmental challenges. Adding scale to the mix has really stirred things up. This article looks at some of these issues and their impact on systems.
CRISPR Crops: Plant Genome Editing Toward Disease Resistance
Authors: Langner Thorsten , Kamoun Sophien , Belhaj Khaoula
Published: July 2018

Genome editing by sequence-specific nucleases (SSNs) has revolutionized biology by enabling targeted modifications of genomes. Although routine plant genome editing emerged only a few years ago, we are already witnessing the first applications to improve disease resistance. In particular, CRISPR-Cas9 has democratized the use of genome editing in plants thanks to the ease and robustness of this method. Here, we review the recent developments in plant genome editing and its application to enhancing disease resistance against plant pathogens. In the future, bioedited disease resistant crops will become a standard tool in plant breeding.
Lessons from the Incursion of Myrtle Rust in Australia
Authors: Carnegie Angus J. , Pegg Geoff S.
Published: July 2018

Austropuccinia psidii (myrtle rust) is a globally invasive neotropical rust of the Myrtaceae that came into international prominence following extensive damage to exotic Eucalyptus plantations in Brazil in the 1970s and 1980s. In 2005, myrtle rust established in Hawaii (USA), and over the past 12 years has spread from the Americas into Asia, the Pacific, and South Africa. Myrtle rust was detected in Australia in 2010, and the response and ultimately unsuccessful eradication attempt was a lesson to those concerned about the threat of exotic pests and diseases to Australia's environment. Seven years following establishment, we are already observing the decline of many myrtaceous species and severe impacts to native plant communities. However, the recently developed Myrtle rust in Australia draft action plan identified that there is no nationally coordinated response strategy for the environmental dimensions of this threat. Recent reviews have identified a greater need for involvement from environmental agencies in biosecurity preparedness, response, and resourcing, and we believe this approach needs to extend to the management of invasive environmental pathogens once they establish.
Interindividual and regional relationship between cerebral blood flow and glucose metabolism in the resting brain
Authors: Henriksen Otto M. , Vestergaard Mark B. , Lindberg Ulrich , Aachmann-Andersen Niels J. , Lisbjerg Kristian , Christensen Søren J. , Rasmussen Peter , Olsen Niels V. , Forman Julie L. , Larsson Henrik B. W. , Law Ian
Published: July 2018

Studies of the resting brain measurements of cerebral blood flow (CBF) show large interindividual and regional variability, but the metabolic basis of this variability is not fully established. The aim of the present study was to reassess regional and interindividual relationships between cerebral perfusion and glucose metabolism in the resting brain. Regional quantitative measurements of CBF and cerebral metabolic rate of glucose (CMRglc) were obtained in 24 healthy young men using dynamic [15O]H2O and [18F]fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography (PET). Magnetic resonance imaging measurements of global oxygen extraction fraction (gOEF) and metabolic rate of oxygen ([Formula: see text]) were obtained by combined susceptometry-based sagittal sinus oximetry and phase contrast mapping. No significant interindividual associations between global CBF, global CMRglc, and [Formula: see text] were observed. Linear mixed-model analysis showed a highly significant association of CBF with CMRglc regionally. Compared with neocortex significantly higher CBF values than explained by CMRglc were demonstrated in infratentorial structures, thalami, and mesial temporal cortex, and lower values were found in the striatum and cerebral white matter. The present study shows that absolute quantitative global CBF measurements appear not to be a valid surrogate measure of global cerebral glucose or oxygen consumption, and further demonstrates regionally variable relationship between perfusion and glucose metabolism in the resting brain that could suggest regional differences in energy substrate metabolism.

NEW & NOTEWORTHY Using method-independent techniques the study cannot confirm direct interindividual correlations of absolute global values of perfusion with oxygen or glucose metabolism in the resting brain, and absolute global perfusion measurements appear not to be valid surrogate measures of cerebral metabolism. The ratio of both perfusion and oxygen delivery to glucose metabolism varies regionally, also when accounting for known methodological regional bias in quantification of glucose metabolism.
Cortical excitability varies across different muscles
Authors: Menon Parvathi , Kiernan Matthew C. , Vucic Steve
Published: July 2018

The aim of the present study was to determine whether significant differences in cortical excitability were evident across different body regions in healthy humans. Threshold tracking transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) was undertaken in 28 healthy controls. Short-interval intracortical inhibition [SICI between interstimulus intervals (ISI) 1–7 ms], intracortical facilitation (ICF, between ISI 10–30 ms), resting motor threshold (RMT), cortical silent period (CSP) duration (generated at stimulus intensity 150% RMT), and motor evoked potential amplitude were recorded from the abductor pollicis brevis (APB), tibialis anterior (TA), and trapezius muscles. These muscles were selected as they are frequently affected in neurodegenerative diseases, such as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. SICI and ICF are measured as a percentage difference between conditioned and an unconditioned test response. SICI was significantly greater when recorded over the APB (9.9 ± 1.5%) and TA (8.6 ± 1.4%) muscles compared with the trapezius (4.5 ± 1.9%, P < 0.05). The CSP duration was significantly shorter (CSPtrapezius, 131.0 ± 6.3 ms; CSPTA, 175.7 ± 9.9 ms; CSPAPB,188.3 ± 4.0 ms; P < 0.001) and ICF greater ( P < 0.01) in the trapezius muscle. There were no significant correlations between inhibitory and facilitatory processes recorded across the three muscles. The present study established significant differences in cortical excitability across three body regions, with evidence of more prominent inhibition and less facilitation in the limb muscles.

NEW & NOTEWORTHY Cortical excitability of muscles with differing motor functions was assessed using threshold tracking transcranial magnetic stimulation. Significantly greater intracortical inhibition and less facilitation were evident over the limb muscles. These findings could relate to differences in the functional organization of the corticomotoneuronal system innervating different muscle regions.
Firing responses mediated via distinct nicotinic acetylcholine receptor subtypes in rat prepositus hypoglossi nuclei neurons
Authors: Zhang Yue , Yanagawa Yuchio , Saito Yasuhiko
Published: July 2018

We previously reported that cholinergic current responses mediated via nicotinic acetylcholine (ACh) receptors (nAChRs) in the prepositus hypoglossi nucleus (PHN), which participates in gaze control, can be classified into distinct types based on different kinetics and are mainly composed of α7- and/or non-α7-subtypes: fast (F)-, slow (S)-, and fast and slow (FS)-type currents. In this study, to clarify how each current type is related to neuronal activities, we investigated the relationship between the current types and the membrane properties and the firing responses that were induced by each current type. The proportion of the current types differed in neurons that exhibited different afterhyperpolarization (AHP) profiles and firing patterns, suggesting that PHN neurons show a preference for specific current types dependent on the membrane properties. In response to ACh, F-type neurons showed either one action potential (AP) or multiple APs with a short firing duration, and S-type neurons showed multiple APs with a long firing duration. The firing frequency of F-type neurons was significantly higher than that of S-type and FS-type neurons. An α7-subtype-specific antagonist abolished the firing responses of F-type neurons and reduced the responses of FS-type neurons but had little effect on the responses of S-type neurons, which were reduced by a non-α7-subtype-specific antagonist. These results suggest that the different properties of the current types and the distinct expression of the nAChR subtypes in PHN neurons with different membrane properties produce unique firing responses via the activation of nAChRs.

NEW & NOTEWORTHY Prepositus hypoglossi nucleus (PHN) neurons show distinct nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (nAChR)-mediated current responses. The proportion of the current types differed in the neurons that exhibited different afterhyperpolarization profiles and firing patterns. The nAChR-mediated currents with different kinetics induced firing responses of the neurons that were distinct in the firing frequency and duration. These results suggest that the different properties of the current types in PHN neurons with different membrane properties produce unique firing responses via the activation of nAChRs.