bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Artificial selection reveals the role of transcriptional constraints in the maintenance of life history variation
Authors: Pick Joel L. , Hatakeyama Masaomi , Ihle Kate E. , Gasparini Julien , Haussy Claudy , Ishishita Satoshi , Matsuda Yoichi , Yoshimura Takashi , Kanaoka Masahiro M. , Shimizu-Inatsugi Rie , Shimizu Kentaro K. , Tschirren Barbara
Published: April 2020

The trade-off between reproduction and self-maintenance is a cornerstone of life history theory, yet its proximate underpinnings are elusive. Here, we used an artificial selection approach to create replicated lines of Japanese quail (Coturnix japonica) that differ genetically in their reproductive investment. Whole transcriptome sequencing revealed that females from lines selected for high reproductive output show a consistent upregulation of genes associated with reproduction but a simultaneous downregulation of immune genes. Concordant phenotypic differences in immune function (i.e., specific antibody response against keyhole limpet hemocyanin) were observed between the selection lines, even in males who do not provide parental care. Our findings demonstrate the key role of obligate transcriptional constraints in the maintenance of life history variation. These constraints set fundamental limits to productivity and health in natural and domestic animal populations.
Advisor–advisee feminist relational mentoring: A heartfelt autoethnographic conversation
Authors: Mokhtar Hasnaa , Foley Ellen E.
Published: April 2020

Academia is frequently a hostile place where students, pre‐tenure scholars, women, people of color, disabled, queer, transgender, and nonbinary people face perpetual challenges. “You do not belong here” or “you are not good enough” can feel like a constant refrain. Yet some students find their path and pursue their graduate studies with determination, or even passion, joy, and a sense of satisfaction. A successful mentoring relationship with a faculty member can contribute to that success. This article tells the story of how two very differently positioned women in academia forged a unique mentoring relationship that produced unexpected and positive outcomes. One measure of this relationship's success is the student's transformation from hesitant master's student to confident doctoral student pursuing a self‐designed multidisciplinary doctoral degree. Less tangibly but no less important, the increasingly reciprocal and horizontal nature of this mentoring relationship allowed both parties to take risks in their academic lives and to step into more liberatory modes of knowing and being in the academy. In this article we, a white American tenured faculty advisor and a Saudi‐American Muslim woman PhD advisee, trace some of the key turning points in this advising story through a duo‐autoethnographic (duoethnography: a collaborative research methodology in which two or more researchers juxtapose their life histories in order to provide multiple understandings of a social phenomenon) dialogue. We relay how our mentoring relationship allowed each of us to transcend our scripted academic roles and fostered an enabling environment for doctoral study and risky scholarship. We acknowledge that mentoring is not a one‐size‐fits‐all approach, yet we hope that by highlighting some dimensions of our relationship we might inform others seeking a feminist, relational, horizontal, supportive model for academic mentoring.
Anti‐obesity effect of Melandrium firmum Rohrbach extract in 3T3‐L1 cells and high‐fat diet‐induced obese C57BL/6N mice
Authors: Kim Hyun‐Yong , Kim Ju Hee , Zuo Guanglei , Lim Soon Sung
Published: April 2020

In this study, we first investigated the influence of Melandrium firmum Rohrbach (MF) on the accumulation of lipid content in 3T3‐L1 cells and in vitro results showed that MF extraction suppressed the differentiation of 3T3‐L1 pre‐adipocytes in a concentration‐dependent manner without showing cytotoxicity. Hence, we studied the effects of MF on preventing obesity in C57BL/6N mice. The results showed that MF decreased food efficiency ratio, body weight, epididymal adipose and hepatic tissue weight, hepatic lipid metabolites, and triacylglycerol and cholesterol serum levels, when compared with the high‐fat diet group. Moreover, MF significantly inhibited the expression of genes related to adipogenesis, such as PPAR‐γ, C/EBP‐α, and aP2, and those related to lipogenesis, such as SREBP‐1c, FAS, SCD‐1, and CD36 in epididymal adipose and liver tissues. These anti‐adipogenic and anti‐lipogenic effects of MF suggest that it could be used as a food including potential functional ingredient to prevent high‐fat diet‐induced obesity.
The market quality of commodity futures markets
Authors: Liu Qingfu , Luo Qian , Tse Yiuman , Xie Yuchi
Published: April 2020

To study the market quality of commodity futures markets, we construct a commodity futures market quality index from the perspective of liquidity, efficiency, and volatility. Based on the market quality index, the Chinese commodity futures market operates steadily. The metal futures market is more efficient and stable than the market for agricultural futures. The Chinese commodity futures market is less liquid and more volatile than the U.S. market. We examine the determinants of market quality and find that macroeconomic variables and futures market contracts are significantly related to the market quality of Chinese commodity futures.
Assessment of glacier‐ and snowmelt‐driven streamflow in the arid middle Tianshan Mountains of China
Authors: Liu Yan , Xu Jianhui , Lu Xinyu , Nie Lei
Published: April 2020

Due to limitations in transport and communication infrastructures and difficulties in accessing glaciers, it is challenging to monitor snow and glaciers. In this study, the enhanced Utah Energy Balance (UEB) with a glacier melt model and snow above and below the forest ablation algorithm is used to assess the contributions of snow and glacier melting in three typical inland river basins (MRB, URB and KRB) in the middle Tianshan Mountains of China from 2002 to 2014. Forced by the spatial downscaling of the China meteorological forcing dataset (CMFD) coupled with other parameters, the model simulates the total surface water balance using surface water input from snowmelt, glacial melt and rainfall. Model simulations reveal that although the MRB, URB and KRB are all located on the northern slopes of the Tianshan Mountains, there are obvious differences in their water resource composition characteristics. Different from the URB, which is mainly replenished by glacial melt and had an average annual percentage of glacial melt of approximately 39% of the total surface water from 2009 to 2014, the MRB and KRB are mainly supplied by snowmelt and rainfall and both had an average annual percentage of snowmelt of approximately 37%. Although snowmelt is an important source of water to inland rivers, especially during the snowmelt season, the contributions of snowmelt in these three basins are very small especially for the URB, which had a contribution of 17%. This study effectively verifies the applicability of the CMFD and provides important scientific and technological support for determining the spatiotemporal variations in snow and glacial melt in the middle Tianshan Mountains, where meteorological observation data are scarce and some observational data, such as radiation data, are incomplete.
Optical properties and applications of two‐dimensional CdSe nanoplatelets
Authors: Yu Jiahao , Chen Rui
Published: April 2020

Compared with zero‐dimensional quantum dots and one‐dimensional nanorods, two‐dimensional nanoplatelets exhibit many unique optical properties. Due to strong quantum confinement in only one direction and the large lateral size, the CdSe nanoplatelets show large exciton binding energy, giant oscillator strength, narrow emission, large absorption cross‐section, and large optical gain. In this review, the development of synthesis technology of nanoplatelets is first briefly introduced. Subsequently, the optical properties of CdSe nanoplatelets and their heterostructures are reviewed, including absorption and photoluminescence, carrier dynamics, optical gain, and nonlinear properties. These optical properties are affected by size, material and structure. At last, the main applications of CdSe nanoplatelets in recent years are introduced, including light‐emitting diodes, lasers, light harvesting, photocatalysis, and sensing.

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On being a client with posttraumatic stress disorder: Interactions with treatment providers and institutional barriers
Authors: Ferrell Emily L. , Russin Sarah E. , Grant Jennifer T.
Published: April 2020

Premature dropout from psychological treatment for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is common. Little research has sought to understand perceptions of treatment and barriers to treatment in this population. This study analyzed anonymous posts among an online community of individuals with PTSD (93 forum users comprising 158 posts regarding treatment providers and 40 forum users comprising 50 posts regarding institutional barriers). Results indicated that individuals with PTSD desire greater clarity about expectations for treatment, collaboration toward treatment goals, open discussion of client‐therapist boundaries, and increased validation among therapists in response to trauma disclosure. Individuals with PTSD also reported multiple systemic issues that were barriers to treatment including a lack of available services in their area, being placed on a waitlist for long periods of time, the cost of treatment as a financial burden, and poor crisis response in emergency rooms. Findings indicated areas of growth for treatment providers which will help inform future treatment studies in improving care and treatment adherence among individuals with PTSD.
Choice patterns reveal qualitative individual differences among discounting of delayed gains, delayed losses, and probabilistic losses
Authors: Yeh Yu‐Hua , Myerson Joel , Strube Michael J , Green Leonard
Published: April 2020

A new probabilistic losses questionnaire as well as Kirby's delayed gains questionnaire and a previously developed delayed losses questionnaire were administered to a large online sample. Almost all participants showed the positive discounting choice pattern expected on the Kirby questionnaire, decreasing their choice of a delayed gain as time to its receipt increased. In contrast, approximately 15% of the participants showed negative discounting on the delayed losses questionnaire and/or the probabilistic losses questionnaire, decreasing their choice of an immediate loss as time to a delayed loss decreased and/or decreasing their choice of a certain loss as likelihood of the probabilistic loss increased. Mixture model analysis confirmed the existence of these negative discounting subgroups. The inconsistent findings observed in previous research involving delayed/probabilistic losses may be due to differences in the proportion of negative discounters who participated in previous studies. Further research is needed to determine how negative discounting of delayed and probabilistic losses manifests itself in everyday decisions. It should be noted that the presence of individuals who show atypical choice patterns when losses are involved may pose challenges for efforts to modify discounting in order to ameliorate behavioral problems, especially because many such problems concern choices that have negative consequences, often delayed and/or probabilistic.
HIV‐1 subtype frequency in Northeast Brazil: A systematic review and meta‐analysis
Authors: da Costa Clevson P. , Rodrigues Jessyca K. F. , de Morais Viviane M. S. , de Andrade Carlos A. d. N. , Neves Patrícia A. F. , Lima Kledoaldo
Published: April 2020

Information on human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) molecular epidemiology is required to verify HIV/AIDS (acquired immune deficiency syndrome) epidemic dynamics in different regions, as well as provide support for response to antiretroviral therapy, transmission of resistance mutations, disease progression, and viral spread. The aim of this study was to conduct a systematic review and meta‐analysis of the frequency of HIV‐1 subtypes in Northeast Brazil. Seventy‐six articles that refer to HIV‐1 and its subtypes in the Northeast Brazil and published between 1 January 1999 and 31 August 2019 were identified. We included 27 articles for the qualitative synthesis, thus analyzing results from 4466 patients and 4298 genomic sequences. The results showed that subtypes B, F, and C and recombinant BF were responsible for 76% (IC95%: 71‐80), 8% (IC95%: 5‐11), 2% (IC95%: 2‐3), and 7% (IC95%: 4‐12) infections, respectively. The highest proportion of subtype B infections (82.2%) was observed in Piauí, while the subtype F had a high frequency in Pernambuco (23.4%). Bahia presented 11.6% of the proportion of recombinant BF. In addition, several recombinants such as AG, BC, BCF, and BD have been identified in the region. This is the first systematic review and meta‐analysis on the HIV‐1 subtype distribution in Northeast Brazil and has shown a high circulating viral diversity. Although subtype B is predominant in Brazil, a large frequency of non‐B subtypes has also been found, which may have consequences for response to antiretroviral therapy, disease progression, and transmission. Thus, HIV molecular epidemiological data are essential for epidemic prevention and control strategies.
Editorial to "Positioning an ECG electrode to the dorsal side can record higher amplitude of CMAPs during cryoballoon ablation"
Authors: Yamashita Seigo
Published: April 2020

See Original Article DOI: 10.1002/joa3.12314
North Indian Ocean tropical cyclone activity inCMIP5experiments: Future projections using a model‐independent detection and tracking scheme
Authors: Bell Samuel S. , Chand Savin S. , Tory Kevin J. , Ye Hua , Turville Chris
Published: April 2020

The sensitivity of tropical cyclone (TC) projection results to different models and the detection and tracking scheme used is well established. In this study, future climate projections of TC activity in the North Indian Ocean (NIO) are assessed with a model‐ and basin‐independent detection and tracking scheme. The scheme is applied to selected models from the coupled model intercomparison project phase 5 (CMIP5) experiments forced under the historical and representative concentration pathway 8.5 (RCP8.5) conditions. Most models underestimated the frequency of early season (April–June) TCs and contained genesis biases equatorward of ~7.5°N in comparison to the historical records. TC tracks detected in reanalysis and model data were input to a clustering algorithm simultaneously, with two clusters in the Arabian Sea and two in the Bay of Bengal (k= 4). Projection results indicated a slight decrease of overall TC genesis frequency in the NIO, with an increase of TC genesis frequency in the Arabian Sea (30–64%) and a decrease in the Bay of Bengal (22–43%), consistent between clusters in each of these sub‐regions. These changes were largely due to changes in the pre‐monsoon season (April–June) where Bay of Bengal TCs significantly decreased, consistent with changes in vertical ascent. Northern Arabian Sea TCs significantly increased during the pre‐monsoon season, consistent with changes in vertical wind shear and relative humidity. There was a projected increase of TC frequency in the post‐monsoon season (October–December), consistent with changes in relative humidity and vertical ascent, although not all clusters followed this trend; noting a different response in the southern Bay of Bengal. In turn, these projections caused changes to the climate averaged TC track density, including a decrease (up to 2 TCs per decade) affecting the eastern coast of India and a small increase (up to 0.5 TCs per decade) affecting eastern Africa, Oman and Yemen.
Perioperative fetal hemodynamic changes in twin‐twin transfusion syndrome and neurodevelopmental outcome at two years of age
Authors: Gijtenbeek Manon , Haak Monique C. , Huberts Tom J. P. , Middeldorp Johanna M. , Klumper Frans J. C. M. , Slaghekke Femke , Lopriore Enrico , Oepkes Dick , van Klink Jeanine M. M.
Published: April 2020

Objective

To investigate whether perioperative fetal hemodynamic changes in twin‐to‐twin transfusion syndrome (TTTS) are associated with neurodevelopmental impairment (NDI) at two years.

Methods

Doppler parameters of three sonograms (day before, first day after and 1 week after laser surgery for TTTS) were assessed for correlation with neurodevelopmental outcome at two years (2008‐2016). NDI was defined as: cerebral palsy, deafness, blindness, and/or a Bayley‐III cognitive/motor developmental test‐score > 2SD below the mean.

Results

Long‐term outcome was assessed in 492 TTTS survivors. NDI was present in 5% (24/492). After adjustment for severe cerebral injury (present in 4%), associated with NDI were: middle cerebral artery peak systolic velocity (MCA‐PSV) >1.5 multiples of the median (MoM) 1 day after surgery (odds ratio [OR] 4.96; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.17‐21.05, P = .03), a change from normal umbilical artery pulsatility index (UA‐PI) presurgery to UA‐PI >p95 postsurgery (OR 4.19; 95% CI: 1.04‐16.87, P = .04), a change from normal to MCA‐PSV >1.5MoM (OR 4.75; 95% CI: 1.43‐15.77, P = .01).

Conclusion

Perioperative fetal hemodynamic changes in TTTS pregnancies treated with laser are associated with poor neurodevelopmental outcome. Prospective research on the cerebrovascular response to altered hemodynamic conditions is necessary to further understand the cerebral autoregulatory capacity of the fetus in relation to neurodevelopmental outcome.
Nonimmune hydrops fetalis: Genetic analysis and clinical outcome
Authors: Deng Qiong , Fu Fang , Yu Qiuxia , Li Ru , Li Fucheng , Wang Dan , Lei Tingying , Yang Xin , Liao Can
Published: April 2020

Objective

To investigate the genetic causes and clinical outcomes of nonimmune hydrops fetalis (NIHF).

Methods

Cohort of cases of NIHF between July 2013 and December 2018. Initial genetic testing included quantitative fluorescence polymerase chain reaction for aneuploidies, karyotyping and chromosomal microarray analysis (CMA). In negative results, whole exome sequencing (WES) of the fetuses and parents was performed. Clinical post‐natal follow‐up assessments were conducted.

Results

One hundred and nine patients fulfilled the study inclusion criteria and were sequentially genetically assessed by karyotype, CMA and WES. Among them, 24.8% (27/109) had a clinically significant genetic abnormality: 21 (19%) had abnormal karyotypes; 3/72 had pathogenic/likely pathogenic copy number variants (additional yield = 4.2%); and 3 had single gene disorders. The pregnancy termination and live birth rates of the cases with positive genetic testing results were significantly different from those with negative results (92.6% vs 53.7% and 3.7% vs 31.7%, respectively, P < .05 for both). During clinical follow‐up of the survivors, 3/23 (13.0%) children developed an additional phenotype.

Conclusion

This study improves our understanding of the diagnostic yield of CMA and WES for NIHF. A genetic diagnosis of NIHF can help determine the fetal prognosis and recurrence risk and influence pregnancy decision‐making.
Untargeted Lipidomics Highlight the Depletion of Deoxyceramides during Therapy‐Induced Senescence
Authors: Millner Alec , Lizardo Darleny Y. , Atilla‐Gokcumen Gunes Ekin
Published: April 2020

Therapy‐induced senescence is a state of cell cycle arrest that occurs as a response to various chemotherapeutic reagents, especially ones that cause DNA damage. Senescent cells display resistance to cell death and can impair the efficacy of chemotherapeutic strategies. Since lipids can exhibit pro‐survival activity, it is envisioned in this article that probing the lipidome could provide insights into novel lipids that are involved in senescence. Therefore, a tissue culture model system is established and the cellular lipidomes of senescent and proliferating cells are comparatively analyzed. Out of thousands of features detected, 17 species are identified that show significant changes in senescent cells. The majority of these species (11 out of 17) are atypical sphingolipids, 1‐deoxyceramides/dihydroceramides, which are produced as a result of the utilization of alanine, instead of serine during sphingolipid biosynthesis. These lipids are depleted in senescent cells. Elevating the levels of deoxyceramides by supplementing the growth medium with metabolic precursors or by directly adding deoxyceramide result in decreased senescence, suggesting that these species might play a key role in this process.
Profile distributions of soil organic carbon fractions in a permafrost region of the Qinghai–Tibet Plateau
Authors: Yuan Zi‐Qiang , Jin Hui‐Jun , Wang Qing‐Feng , Wu Qing‐Bai , Li Guo‐Yu , Jin Xiao‐Ying , Ma Qiang
Published: April 2020

Adequate characterization of soil organic carbon (SOC) fractions is essential to elucidate carbon dynamics in permafrost‐affected ecosystems. SOC and its fractions were investigated across alpine ecosystems, including alpine swamp meadows (ASM), alpine meadows (AM) and alpine steppes (AS), in permafrost regions on the Qinghai–Tibet Plateau (QTP), southwest China. The density separation method was used to separate the SOC into light‐ and heavy‐fraction organic carbon (LFOC and HFOC, respectively). Permafrost soils in the ASM had higher SOC, LFOC, and HFOC contents than in the AM. LFOC and HFOC contents were significantly correlated, but both were more closely related to SOC than to each other. On the ecological gradient from ASM to AS, the thickness of surficial organic horizons decreased while the thickness of mineral materials increased. SOC in the organic horizon and permafrost had high mineralization probability. At soil depths of 0–200 cm in ASM, AM, and AS, the SOC stocks were 123, 71, and 25 kg m−2; LFOC stocks were 70, 49, and 12 kg m−2; and HFOC stocks were 58, 37, and 15 kg m−2, respectively. These results show that SOC fractions vary with vegetation type and active layer thickness, thus making SOC sensitive to changes in environmental conditions. Therefore, the decomposition of SOC in permafrost‐affected soils of the QTP could be accelerated over a degrading permafrost and under a warming climate.
The effect of aromatherapy with rose and lavender on anxiety, surgical site pain, and extubation time after open‐heart surgery: A double‐center randomized controlled trial
Authors: Babatabar Darzi Hossein , Vahedian‐Azimi Amir , Ghasemi Saeed , Ebadi Abbas , Sathyapalan Thozhukat , Sahebkar Amirhossein
Published: April 2020

To determine the effect of aromatherapy with rose and lavender on the patient outcomes after open‐heart surgery (OHS). In the clinical trial, patients were randomized to four groups. One group received routine care, the placebo group received a cotton swab soaked in water and the other two groups received either a cotton swab containing three drops of rose or lavender essence (0.2 ml). A total of 160 patients were randomized into four groups. Intergroup anxiety was not significantly different; however, the reciprocal time‐group effect was significant among the four groups. The extubation time was significant among the four groups which related to rose essence group compared with the control group (p < .001) and placebo group (p = .029). The surgical site pain was significant in the rose essence and lavender groups compared to the control group. Aromatherapy can reduce extubation time, surgical site pain severity, and anxiety in patients undergoing OHS
Measuring the maturity of Indian small and medium enterprises for unofficial readiness for capability maturity model integration‐based software process improvement
Authors: Singh Ashima , Gill Sukhpal Singh
Published: April 2020

Establishing the maturity levels of ‐ Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) without Capability Maturity Model Integration (CMMI) certification has always been regarded as an extremely challenging task. Software process improvement (SPI) has targeted to monitor and improve software processes, thereby improving the software business. Although there is scientific interest in SPI, little attention has been specifically given to the exploration of maturity levels for non‐CMMI SMEs. The goal is to explore the effect of time on process maturity and maturity levels achieved informally or unofficially by SMEs that are not otherwise CMMI certified. To find out the maturity levels achieved informally, a CMMI‐DEV v1.3 based survey questionnaire is administered to Indian software SMEs. Time of establishment of SMEs and follow‐up of CMMI‐based processes and practices unofficially are used as two important parameters to decide upon process maturity and achievement of specific CMMI level informally. This paper has been successful in ascertaining the effect of time of establishment of SMEs and follow‐up of CMMI‐based processes on process maturity using proposed RuleML that advocates adoption of more than 70% of CMMI‐DEV v1.3 process area‐specific practices for an SME to be unofficially ready for CMMI‐based SPI initiatives. The findings manifest multidimensional aspects of unofficial readiness of SMEs for CMMI‐based SPI that can be used by relevant authorities to select SMEs for funding for SPI initiatives. Finally, the proposed work has been validated statistically using t‐test for CMMI Level II and Level III.
Solar desalination: Cases, synthesis, and challenges
Authors: Delgado William R. , Beach Timothy , Luzzadder‐Beach Sheryl
Published: April 2020

Desalination will become an increasingly important water resource to supply a growing world population that will face greater water scarcity in the coming decades. Desalination processes are energy‐intensive and currently rely on fossil fuels that contribute to global warming and exacerbate the planet's water woes. Solar power, as a low‐carbon energy resource, can reduce desalination's environmental footprint. However, there are many logistical considerations to take into account when planning solar desalination projects. This paper examines six of these issues, which include: (a) the spatial distribution of solar energy and saline water, (b) modeling tools to measure the financial feasibility of solar powered desalination plants, (c) community approval, (d) interconnection policies for solar desalination plants connected to the regional grid, (e) combining solar energy with other renewable energy sources, and (f) potential carbon savings from switching to solar energy. The paper will conduct its analysis through four key case studies in El Paso, Texas, Abilene, Texas, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, and Denmark, Australia. The paper concludes with a discussion on how improved solar technology will further the economic prospects of solar desalination and an analysis of brine disposal options that include siting seawater desalination operations in waters with high circulation and explaining how brine harvesting could lead to useful economic mineral products such as sodium, chlorine, potassium, and magnesium.

This article is categorized under:

Engineering Water > Sustainable Engineering of Water
Development and validation of forensically useful growth models for Central European population of Creophilus maxillosus L. (Coleoptera: Staphylinidae)
Authors: Frątczak-Łagiewska Katarzyna , Grzywacz Andrzej , Matuszewski Szymon
Published: April 2020

The hairy rove beetle, Creophilus maxillosus (Linnaeus) (Staphylinidae), is recognized for its use in forensic entomology. However, insufficient developmental data exist for the Central European population of this species. Accordingly, we studied the development of C. maxillosus at ten constant temperatures (10–32.5 °C). Based on these results, linear and nonlinear developmental models were created and validated. We also studied the effect of different homogenous diets (third-instar larvae or puparia of Calliphora sp. Robineau-Desvoidy or Lucilia sp. Robineau-Desvoidy (Diptera: Calliphoridae) or mix of first- and second-instar larvae of Necrodes littoralis (Linnaeus) (Coleoptera: Silphidae)) on the development and mortality of C. maxillosus. Average total development times ranged between 122.21 days at 15 °C and 22.18 days at 30 °C. Beetles reached the adult stage in seven out of ten temperatures (15–30 °C). No beetles reached the adult stage when fed with larvae of N. littoralis; their development times at first and second larval stage were also significantly longer than in other food conditions. When C. maxillosus larvae were fed with blowfly larvae, the highest mortality was observed at the pupal stage, as compared when they were fed with blowfly puparia—at the first larval stage. While validating thermal summation models, the highest age estimation errors were found for beetles bred at 10 and 12.5 °C (between 21 and 43% for all developmental events). Age estimation errors were on average higher for pupation and eclosion than hatching and first and second ecdyses. While validating the models with specimens fed with different diets, the highest errors were recorded for beetles fed with N. littoralis larvae (22% for the first ecdysis and 33% for the second ecdysis) and Lucilia sp. puparia (32% for pupation and 22% for eclosion). Implications for C. maxillosus use in forensic entomology are discussed.

Key Points• Development of the Central European population of C. maxillosus was studied at ten constant temperatures and using different homogenous diets.• Thermal summation models were validated with insects reared at different temperatures and fed with different diets.• Total development times ranged between 122 days at 15 °C and 22 days at 30 °C. Beetles reached the adult stage in seven temperatures (15–30 °C).• The highest age estimation errors were found for beetles bred at 10 and 12.5 °C (21–43%) and for beetles fed with Necrodes littoralis larvae (22–33%).• The lowest mortality was observed for beetles fed with Calliphora sp. and Lucilia sp. larvae. Estimation errors were generally low for beetles fed with blowfly larvae or Calliphora sp. puparia.
Associations of whole blood polyunsaturated fatty acids and insulin resistance among European children and adolescents
Authors: Marth Sarah , Börnhorst Claudia , Mehlig Kirsten , Russo Paola , Moreno Luis A. , De Henauw Stefaan , Veidebaum Toomas , Molnár Dénes , Tornaritis Michael , Risé Patrizia , Wolters Maike ,   on behalf of the IDEFICS and I.Family consortia
Published: April 2020

This study aims to examine the association of whole blood n-3 and n-6 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) with insulin resistance (IR) in children. Whole blood fatty acids were measured in 705 children aged 2–9 years of the European IDEFICS/I.Family cohort using gas chromatography in units of weight percentage of all detected fatty acids (%wt/wt). IR was determined by the Homeostasis Model Assessment for IR (HOMA). Mixed effect models were used to assess the associations between selected baseline PUFA and HOMA z-scores at baseline and after 2- and 6-year follow-ups using models with basic and additional confounder adjustment as well as stratified by sex and weight status. In the basic model, α-linolenic (β = 1.46 SD/%wt/wt, p = 0.006) and eicosapentaenoic acid (β = 1.17 SD/%wt/wt, p = 0.001) were positively associated with baseline HOMA z-score. In the stratified analyses, α-linolenic acid was positively associated with HOMA z-score in girls only (β = 1.98 SD/%wt/wt, p = 0.006) and arachidonic acid was inversely associated with baseline HOMA in thin/normal-weight children (β = − 0.13 SD/%wt/wt, p = 0.0063). In the fully adjusted model, no statistically significant associations were seen.

Conclusions: Our overall results do not indicate a protective role of higher blood n-3 PUFA or an adverse role of higher blood arachidonic acid proportion on the risk of IR.

What is Known:•Intervention studies reported a beneficial effect of n-3 PUFA supplementation on insulin resistance compared with placebo while observational studies in cildren are inconclusive.•Studies have shown a positive association of n-6 arachidonic acid and insulin resistance indicating an adverse role of arachidonic acid.

What is New:•Cross-sectional and longitudinal analyses based on circulating blood fatty acid concentrations in a large cohort of European children and adolescents.•Overall results do not support a protective role of n-3 PUFA or an adverse role of arachidonic acid in insulin resistance.
Preparation and properties of fly ash-based geopolymer concrete with alkaline waste water obtained from foundry sand regeneration process
Authors: Moni S M Fuad Kabir , Ikeora O. , Pritzel C. , Görtz B. , Trettin R.
Published: April 2020

The aim of the research was to investigate the influences of high alkaline content foundry sand regeneration wastes incorporated with fly ash in the production of geopolymer concrete. The fly ash-based geopolymer concrete was activated using alkaline solutions of sodium silicate and sodium hydroxide. The geopolymeric products were characterized using X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy and simultaneous thermal analysis. A higher compressive strength was observed in mechanical strengths test in the geopolymer and its respective foam concrete made of waste water in comparing to reference water (tap water). Furthermore, a packed arrangement and lower pore size distribution for both geopolymer and foam concrete were observed using nitrogen gas adsorption and mercury intrusion porosimetry, in contrast, to waste water and reference water.
Multi-generational genetic consequences of reinforcement in a bird metapopulation
Authors: Ranke Peter S. , Skjelseth Sigrun , Hagen Ingerid Julie , Billing Anna Maria , Pedersen Åsa Alexandra Borg , Pärn Henrik , Ringsby Thor Harald , Sæther Bernt-Erik , Jensen Henrik
Published: April 2020

Translocation of conspecific individuals to reduce extinction risk of small, isolated populations and prevent genetic depletion is a powerful tool in conservation biology. An important question is how the translocated individuals influence the long-term genetic composition of the recipient population. Here, we experimentally reinforced a house sparrow (Passer domesticus) population, and examined the impact of this translocation on allele frequencies, levels of heterozygosity and genetic differentiation over six cohorts. We found no permanent increase in the mean number of alleles across loci or levels of observed heterozygosity, but a few alleles private to the translocated individuals remained in the population and we found a short-term increase in heterozygosity. Consequently, genetic differentiation of the recipient population compared to the genetic composition prior to reinforcement was small. The limited genetic impact was due to combined effects of a small probability of establishment and low mating success for the translocated individuals, together with increased genetic drift in the recipient population. Our findings emphasize the importance of selection and genetic drift as forces that may decrease the genetic contribution of reinforcement, especially in small populations. Conservation managers should aim to improve habitat quality in the recipient population to reduce genetic drift following translocation and thereby avoid the need for continued reinforcement. Furthermore, by facilitating establishment success and selecting individuals expected to have high mating success, possibly indicated by sexually selected traits, genetic contribution of released individuals is increased which in turn will decrease reproductive skew and genetic drift.
Interpretation Bias in Online and Offline Social Environments and Associations with Social Anxiety, Peer Victimization, and Avoidance Behavior
Authors: Miers Anne C. , Sumter Sindy R. , Clark David M. , Leigh Eleanor
Published: April 2020

Background

In face-to-face (offline) social situations a tendency, or bias, to negatively interpret ambiguous situations is consistently related to social anxiety. Although social interactions increasingly occur over the Internet (online), our understanding of cognitive processes in online social situations and how they relate to social anxiety, social experiences, and behavior, is limited.

Methods

In a sample of 324 young people (18–25 years), the current study addressed this gap in two ways: by simultaneously investigating online and offline interpretation bias in relation to social anxiety; and examining the extent to which online interpretation bias predicts peer victimization and avoidance.

Results

In line with hypotheses, online and offline interpretation bias each correlated positively with social anxiety; the offline interpretation bias-social anxiety association was stronger. Regression analyses revealed unique associations between online interpretation bias and online peer victimization and avoidance, after controlling for social anxiety and offline interpretation bias.

Discussion

Findings suggest that cognitive behavioral interventions for social anxiety could be optimized through eliciting and testing negative social beliefs related to online social settings.

Conclusions

The current study’s results indicate the importance of studying online interpretation bias to further understand social anxiety in online social environments.
Bifurcation analysis for non-local design of a hybrid observer for the impulsive Goodwin’s oscillator
Authors: Yamalova Diana , Medvedev Alexander , Zhusubalyiev Zhanybai T.
Published: April 2020

The impulsive Goodwin’s oscillator is a mathematical model capturing the dynamics arising in a closed-loop system, where a third-order linear time-invariant plant is subject to an intrinsic pulse-modulated feedback. Originally, the model was motivated by pulsatile regulation in endocrine systems but also has other potential applications. The asymptotic estimation of the hybrid state of the impulsive Goodwin’s oscillator is considered in this paper. A hybrid observer makes use of the continuous plant output to correct the estimates of the state vector through two output error feedbacks: a continuous and a discrete one. When the hybrid state estimation error is zero, the observer is in a synchronous mode characterized by the firings of the impulses in the observer feedback and those of the plant occurring simultaneously. The synchronous mode thus corresponds to an equilibrium point of the hybrid state error dynamics. To guarantee asymptotic convergence of the observer to the synchronous mode, the basin of attraction of the equilibrium has to include all feasible initial deviations of the state estimates. To guarantee the above properties, a numerical observer design approach based on bifurcation analysis of a discrete map capturing the observer state transitions from one impulse firing to another is proposed and its efficacy is demonstrated in simulation.
Dust-to-Gas and Refractory-to-Ice Mass Ratios of Comet 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko from Rosetta Observations
Authors: Choukroun Mathieu , Altwegg Kathrin , Kührt Ekkehard , Biver Nicolas , Bockelée-Morvan Dominique , Drążkowska Joanna , Hérique Alain , Hilchenbach Martin , Marschall Raphael , Pätzold Martin , Taylor Matthew G. G. T. , Thomas Nicolas
Published: April 2020

This chapter reviews the estimates of the dust-to-gas and refractory-to-ice mass ratios derived fromRosettameasurements in the lost materials and the nucleus of 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko, respectively. First, the measurements byRosettainstruments are described, as well as relevant characteristics of 67P. The complex picture of the activity of 67P, with its extreme North-South seasonal asymmetry, is presented. Individual estimates of the dust-to-gas and refractory-to-ice mass ratios are then presented and compared, showing wide ranges of plausible values.Rosetta’s wealth of information suggests that estimates of the dust-to-gas mass ratio made in cometary comae at a single point in time may not be fully representative of the refractory-to-ice mass ratio within the cometary nuclei being observed.
Multi-source knowledge fusion: a survey
Authors: Zhao Xiaojuan , Jia Yan , Li Aiping , Jiang Rong , Song Yichen
Published: April 2020

Multi-source knowledge fusion is one of the important research topics in the fields of artificial intelligence, natural language processing, and so on. The research results of multi-source knowledge fusion can help computer to better understand human intelligence, human language and human thinking, effectively promote the Big Search in Cyberspace, effectively promote the construction of domain knowledge graphs (KGs), and bring enormous social and economic benefits. Due to the uncertainty of knowledge acquisition, the reliability and confidence of KG based on entity recognition and relationship extraction technology need to be evaluated. On the one hand, the process of multi-source knowledge reasoning can detect conflicts and provide help for knowledge evaluation and verification; on the other hand, the new knowledge acquired by knowledge reasoning is also uncertain and needs to be evaluated and verified. Collaborative reasoning of multi-source knowledge includes not only inferring new knowledge from multi-source knowledge, but also conflict detection, i.e. identifying erroneous knowledge or conflicts between knowledges. Starting from several related concepts of multi-source knowledge fusion, this paper comprehensively introduces the latest research progress of open-source knowledge fusion, multi-knowledge graphs fusion, information fusion within KGs, multi-modal knowledge fusion and multi-source knowledge collaborative reasoning. On this basis, the challenges and future research directions of multi-source knowledge fusion in a large-scale knowledge base environment are discussed.
Is Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Therapy Non-Inferior to Antibiotic Therapy in Uncomplicated Urinary Tract Infections: a Systematic Review
Authors: Carey Matthew R. , Vaughn Valerie M. , Mann Jason , Townsend Whitney , Chopra Vineet , Patel Payal K.
Published: April 2020

Background

Amid growing antimicrobial resistance, there is an increasing focus on antibiotic stewardship efforts to reduce inappropriate antibiotic prescribing. In this context, novel approaches for treating infections without antibiotics are being explored. One such strategy is the use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) for uncomplicated urinary tract infections (UTIs). Therefore, we conducted a systematic review of randomized controlled trials to evaluate the rates of symptom resolution and infectious complications in adult women with uncomplicated UTIs treated with antibiotics versus NSAIDs.

Methods

We systematically searched PubMed, CINHAL, Scopus, Web of Science Core Collection, EMBASE, and ClinicalTrials.gov from inception until January 13, 2020, for randomized controlled trials comparing NSAIDs with antibiotics for treatment of uncomplicated UTIs in adult women. Studies comparing symptom resolution between groups were eligible. Two authors screened all studies independently and in duplicate; data were abstracted using a standardized template. Risk of bias was assessed using the Cochrane Collaboration tool.

Results

Five randomized trials that included 1309 women with uncomplicated UTI met inclusion criteria. Three studies (1130 patients) favored antibiotic therapy in terms of symptom resolution. Two studies (179 patients) found no difference between NSAIDs and antibiotics in terms of symptom resolution. Three studies reported rates of pyelonephritis, two of which found higher rates in patients treated with NSAIDs versus antibiotics. Between two studies that reported this outcome (747 patients), patients randomized to NSAIDs received fewer antibiotic prescriptions compared with those in the antibiotics group. Three studies were at low risk of bias, one had an unclear risk of bias, and one was at high risk of bias.

Discussion

For the outcomes of symptom resolution and complications in adult women with UTI, evidence favors antibiotics over NSAIDs.

Prospero

CRD42018114133
Microfluidic approaches for the analysis of protein–protein interactions in solution
Authors: Arter William E. , Levin Aviad , Krainer Georg , Knowles Tuomas P. J.
Published: April 2020

Exploration and characterisation of the human proteome is a key objective enabling a heightened understanding of biological function, malfunction and pharmaceutical design. Since proteins typically exhibit their behaviour by binding to other proteins, the challenge of probing protein-protein interactions has been the focus of new and improved experimental approaches. Here, we review recently developed microfluidic techniques for the study and quantification of protein–protein interactions. We focus on methodologies that utilise the inherent strength of microfluidics for the control of mass transport on the micron scale, to facilitate surface and membrane-free interrogation and quantification of interacting proteins. Thus, the microfluidic tools described here provide the capability to yield insights on protein–protein interactions under physiological conditions. We first discuss the defining principles of microfluidics, and methods for the analysis of protein–protein interactions that utilise the diffusion-controlled mixing characteristic of fluids at the microscale. We then describe techniques that employ electrophoretic forces to manipulate and fractionate interacting protein systems for their biophysical characterisation, before discussing strategies that use microdroplet compartmentalisation for the analysis of protein interactions. We conclude by highlighting future directions for the field, such as the integration of microfluidic experiments into high-throughput workflows for the investigation of protein interaction networks.
Machine Learning in Business Process Monitoring: A Comparison of Deep Learning and Classical Approaches Used for Outcome Prediction
Authors: Kratsch Wolfgang , Manderscheid Jonas , Röglinger Maximilian , Seyfried Johannes
Published: April 2020

Predictive process monitoring aims at forecasting the behavior, performance, and outcomes of business processes at runtime. It helps identify problems before they occur and re-allocate resources before they are wasted. Although deep learning (DL) has yielded breakthroughs, most existing approaches build on classical machine learning (ML) techniques, particularly when it comes to outcome-oriented predictive process monitoring. This circumstance reflects a lack of understanding about which event log properties facilitate the use of DL techniques. To address this gap, the authors compared the performance of DL (i.e., simple feedforward deep neural networks and long short term memory networks) and ML techniques (i.e., random forests and support vector machines) based on five publicly available event logs. It could be observed that DL generally outperforms classical ML techniques. Moreover, three specific propositions could be inferred from further observations: First, the outperformance of DL techniques is particularly strong for logs with a high variant-to-instance ratio (i.e., many non-standard cases). Second, DL techniques perform more stably in case of imbalanced target variables, especially for logs with a high event-to-activity ratio (i.e., many loops in the control flow). Third, logs with a high activity-to-instance payload ratio (i.e., input data is predominantly generated at runtime) call for the application of long short term memory networks. Due to the purposive sampling of event logs and techniques, these findings also hold for logs outside this study.