bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Research on the Three-Dimensional Process Design Method of Shipbuilding Based on MBD Technology
Authors: Huang Y W , Tang Z Y , Zhang X H , Zhang H , Liu J F
Published: October 2019

From two-dimensional engineering drawings, Computer-aided Design (CAD) technology to today’s three-dimensional process design technology of Model Based Definition (MBD) based on feature representation and control, great changes have taken place in human engineering technology. With the applications of MBD technology in aerospace, machine-tool and other fields, it’s also being actively explored in shipbuilding industry on engineering applications of the whole process of ship design and production under the background of intelligent transformation. After analysing the problems existed in process design of domestic shipbuilding enterprises, this paper firstly introduces a three-dimensional digital model of shipbuilding based on MBD technology. Then, a three-dimensional process design method is proposed in order to provide theoretical basis for the realization of three-dimensional process design of shipbuilding.
Design of Laser Marking Machine Product Family Based on Ethnography
Authors: Zhang Ziyao , Chen Jinglian
Published: October 2019

The study analyzed the product family design elements of laser marking machine, and was aimed to improve the family image and market competitiveness of laser marking machine. From the perspective of ethnography, using the product family design method, this paper analyzed and summarized the psychological experience of different groups of people on the family design of laser marking machine products, and used the results as an important design reference in the design and development of laser marking machine. On the basis of this, this paper made a conclusion that the ethnographic method can effectively analyze the design flaws and future development direction of products for different groups of people, and provided guidance for product family design.
Mixing of passive tracers at the ocean surface and its implications for plastic transport modelling
Authors: Wichmann David , Delandmeter Philippe , Dijkstra Henk A , van Sebille Erik
Published: October 2019

The tracking of virtual particles is one of the main numerical tools to understand the global dispersion of marine plastic debris and has been successful in explaining the global-scale accumulation patterns of surface microplastic, often called ‘garbage patches’. Yet, the inherent inaccuracies in plastic input scenarios and ocean circulation model results produce uncertainties in particle trajectories, which amplify due to the chaotic property of the surface ocean flow. Within this chaotic system, the subtropical ‘garbage patches’ correspond to the attractor. These facts make the large scale surface ocean circulation a mixing dynamical system, which means that the information of a particle’s initial location is lost over time. We use mixing entropy and Markov chain mixing of the transfer operator associated with surface ocean transport to quantify the time scales of mixing for the global surface ocean in each subtropical basin. In the largest parts of all basins we find mixing times in the order of or below 10 years, which is lower than typical simulation times for surface plastic transport simulations. Maximum mixing times of more than 10 years are found in some parts of the North and South Pacific. Our results have important implications for global dispersion modelling of floating materials on the basin scale: precise initial information has little relevance for long term simulations, and there is a temporal limit after which the backtracking of particles is not meaningful any more.
Multifocal Extraprostatic Extension of Prostate Cancer
Authors: Farchoukh Lama , Laframboise William A , Nelson Joel B , Bastacky Sheldon , Parwani Anil V , Dhir Rajiv
Published: October 2019

Objectives

To investigate the prognostic utility of multifocal extraprostatic extension (EPE) on biochemical recurrence after radical prostatectomy.

Methods

We conducted retrospective analysis of biochemical recurrence and prognostic pathologic variables in 673 men with stage pT3a/pT3b prostate cancer from 2000 to 2012. Extent of EPE on radical prostatectomy was divided into three groups: focal EPE (tumor dimension <0.8 mm), established (≥ 0.8 mm), and multifocal (more than one focus of EPE <0.8 mm).

Results

Type of EPE had significant effect on recurrence with progressively lower progression-free probability and higher recurrence probability from focal to established to multifocal. Multifocal and established tumors exhibited worse prognostic features and higher hazard ratio than focal. In multivariate analysis, established and multifocal were independent prognostic factors with the greatest adverse prognostic significance associated with multifocal.

Conclusions

Identification of multifocal EPE provides important prognostic information associated with increased likelihood of recurrence compared to focal and established tumors.
Decomposition analysis on soybean productivity increase under elevated CO2 using 3-D canopy model reveals synergestic effects of CO2 and light in photosynthesis
Authors: Song Qingfeng , Srinivasan Venkatraman , Long Steve P , Zhu Xin-Guang
Published: October 2019

Background and Aims

Understanding how climate change influences crop productivity helps in identifying new options to increase crop productivity. Soybean is the most important dicotyledonous seed crop in terms of planting area. Although the impacts of elevated atmospheric [CO2] on soybean physiology, growth and biomass accumulation have been studied extensively, the contribution of different factors to changes in season-long whole crop photosynthetic CO2 uptake [gross primary productivity (GPP)] under elevated [CO2] have not been fully quantified.

Methods

A 3-D canopy model combining canopy 3-D architecture, ray tracing and leaf photosynthesis was built to: (1) study the impacts of elevated [CO2] on soybean GPP across a whole growing season; (2) dissect the contribution of different factors to changes in GPP; and (3) determine the extent, if any, of synergism between [CO2] and light on changes in GPP. The model was parameterized from measurements of leaf physiology and canopy architectural parameters at the soybean Free Air CO2 Enrichment (SoyFACE) facility in Champaign, Illinois.

Key Results

Using this model, we showed that both a CO2 fertilization effect and changes in canopy architecture contributed to the large increase in GPP while acclimation in photosynthetic physiological parameters to elevated [CO2] and altered leaf temperature played only a minor role in the changes in GPP. Furthermore, at early developmental stages, elevated [CO2] increased leaf area index which led to increased canopy light absorption and canopy photosynthesis. At later developmental stages, on days with high ambient light levels, the proportion of leaves in a canopy limited by Rubisco carboxylation increased from 12.2 % to 35.6 %, which led to a greater enhancement of elevated [CO2] to GPP.

Conclusions

This study develops a new method to dissect the contribution of different factors to responses of crops under climate change. We showed that there is a synergestic effect of CO2 and light on crop growth under elevated CO2 conditions.
Interactive effects of salinity and inundation on native Spartina foliosa, invasive S. densiflora and their hybrid from San Francisco Estuary, California
Authors: Gallego-Tévar Blanca , Grewell Brenda J , Futrell Caryn J , Drenovsky Rebecca E , Castillo Jesús M
Published: October 2019

Background and Aims

Sea level rise (SLR) associated with climate change is intensifying permanent submersion and salinity in salt marshes. In this scenario, hybridization between native and invasive species may result in hybrids having greater tolerance of abiotic stress factors than their parents. Thus, understanding the responses of native and invasive halophytes and their hybrids to interacting physiological stresses imposed by SLR is key to native species conservation. We analysed how salinity, inundation depth and their interaction impact the functional traits of native and invasive cordgrass species and their hybrid (genus Spartina; Poaceae).

Methods

In a mesocosm experiment, we evaluated interactive stress effects of three inundation depths (4.5, 35.5 and 55 cm) and four aqueous salinities (0.5, 10, 20 and 40 ppt) on 27 functional traits of native Spartina foliosa, invasive S. densiflora and their hybrid S. densiflora × S. foliosa from San Francisco Estuary.

Key Results

The combined effect of salinity and inundation led to synergistic effects on leaf biochemical stress indicators. Spartina foliosa behaved as a stress-tolerant species, with high leaf sodium exudation rate and glycine betaine concentrations that also increased with stress. Spartina foliosa was less sensitive to salinity than S. densiflora and the hybrid but was highly growth-limited in response to increased inundation and salinity. Spartina densiflora was fast-growing in low-stress conditions and tolerated moderate interactive stresses. The hybrid produced more biomass, rhizome reserves and tillers than its parents, even under the most stressful conditions. Transgressivity improved the hybrid’s capacity to deal with flooding stress more so than its response to increasing salinity.

Conclusions

Based on our observations, we predict that established populations of both native and invasive cordgrasses will experience reduced vegetative and sexual fitness in response to SLR. In particular, the combined effects of high salinity and deep inundation may decrease floret production in S. densiflora, a key trait for the spread of its invasive populations. In contrast, the hybrid likely will be able to sustain its invasiveness under SLR based on its ability to maintain growth and biomass production under stressful conditions.
Neuropsychological Correlates of Anosognosia for Objective Functional Difficulties in Older Adults on the Mild Cognitive Impairment Spectrum
Authors: Steward Kayla A , Bull Tyler P , Kennedy Richard , Crowe Michael , Wadley Virginia G
Published: October 2019

Objective

To examine the neuropsychological correlates of anosognosia for instrumental activities of daily living (IADLs) in older adults with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and mild dementia.

Method

Participants (n = 103; age range = 54–88, 52% female) with MCI and mild dementia were recruited from neurology and geriatrics clinics for cross-sectional analysis. They completed neuropsychological tests along with subjective and performance-based assessments of six IADLs: financial management, driving, grocery shopping, nutrition evaluation, telephone use, and medication management. For each IADL, participants were classified as having anosognosia when there was objective difficulty but no subjective complaints.

Results

Depending on functional domain, 13–39% of the sample had objective IADL difficulty, and of those, 65–93% lacked insight into these deficits. Binomial logistic regression models controlling for demographic variables revealed that measures of global cognition, executive function, visual attention, and verbal memory predicted classification of anosognosia, and these relationships varied across IADLs. In contrast, basic auditory attention, working memory, depressive symptoms, nor cognitive reserve were significantly related to anosognosia for any IADL.

Conclusion

Results support the Conscious Awareness Model, which theorizes that accurate metacognitive output is reliant on attentional, memory, and executive functioning systems. Findings from this study suggest that anosognosia for different IADLs may arise from breakdowns at varying points in this model, explaining both inter- and intra-patient variability in self-awareness of functional deficits.
LARMD: integration of bioinformatic resources to profile ligand-driven protein dynamics with a case on the activation of estrogen receptor
Authors: Yang Jing-Fang , Wang Fan , Chen Yu-Zong , Hao Ge-Fei , Yang Guang-Fu
Published: October 2019

Protein dynamics is central to all biological processes, including signal transduction, cellular regulation and biological catalysis. Among them, in-depth exploration of ligand-driven protein dynamics contributes to an optimal understanding of protein function, which is particularly relevant to drug discovery. Hence, a wide range of computational tools have been designed to investigate the important dynamic information in proteins. However, performing and analyzing protein dynamics is still challenging due to the complicated operation steps, giving rise to great difficulty, especially for nonexperts. Moreover, there is a lack of web protocol to provide online facility to investigate and visualize ligand-driven protein dynamics. To this end, in this study, we integrated several bioinformatic tools to develop a protocol, named Ligand and Receptor Molecular Dynamics (LARMD, http://chemyang.ccnu.edu.cn/ccb/server/LARMD/ and http://agroda.gzu.edu.cn:9999/ccb/server/LARMD/), for profiling ligand-driven protein dynamics. To be specific, estrogen receptor (ER) was used as a case to reveal ERβ-selective mechanism, which plays a vital role in the treatment of inflammatory diseases and many types of cancers in clinical practice. Two different residues (Ile373/Met421 and Met336/Leu384) in the pocket of ERβ/ERα were the significant determinants for selectivity, especially Met336 of ERβ. The helix H8, helix H11 and H7-H8 loop influenced the migration of selective agonist (WAY-244). These computational results were consistent with the experimental results. Therefore, LARMD provides a user-friendly online protocol to study the dynamic property of protein and to design new ligand or site-directed mutagenesis.
CSMD: a computational subtraction-based microbiome discovery pipeline for species-level characterization of clinical metagenomic samples
Authors: Liu Yu , Bible Paul W , Zou Bin , Liang Qiaoxing , Dong Cong , Wen Xiaofeng , Li Yan , Ge Xiaofei , Li Xifang , Deng Xiuli , Ma Rong , Guo Shixin , Liang Juanran , Chen Tingting , Pan Wenliang , Liu Lixin , Chen Wei , Wang Xueqin , Wei Lai
Published: October 2019

Motivation

Microbiome analyses of clinical samples with low microbial biomass are challenging because of the very small quantities of microbial DNA relative to the human host, ubiquitous contaminating DNA in sequencing experiments and the large and rapidly growing microbial reference databases.

Results

We present computational subtraction-based microbiome discovery (CSMD), a bioinformatics pipeline specifically developed to generate accurate species-level microbiome profiles for clinical samples with low microbial loads. CSMD applies strategies for the maximal elimination of host sequences with minimal loss of microbial signal and effectively detects microorganisms present in the sample with minimal false positives using a stepwise convergent solution. CSMD was benchmarked in a comparative evaluation with other classic tools on previously published well-characterized datasets. It showed higher sensitivity and specificity in host sequence removal and higher specificity in microbial identification, which led to more accurate abundance estimation. All these features are integrated into a free and easy-to-use tool. Additionally, CSMD applied to cell-free plasma DNA showed that microbial diversity within these samples is substantially broader than previously believed.

Availability and implementation

CSMD is freely available at https://github.com/liuyu8721/csmd.

Supplementary information

Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.
Fertility as a constraint on group size in African great Apes
Authors: Dunbar R I M
Published: October 2019

Gorillas and chimpanzees live in social groups of very different size and structure. Here I test the hypothesis that this difference might reflect the way fertility maps onto group demography as it does in other Catarrhines. For both genera, birth rates and the number of surviving offspring per female are quadratic (or ∩-shaped) functions of the number of adult females in the group, and this is independent of environmental effects. The rate at which fertility declines ultimately imposes a constraint on the size of social groups that can be maintained in both taxa. The differences in group size between the two genera seem to reflect a contrast in the way females buffer themselves against this cost. Gorillas do this by using males as bodyguards, whereas chimpanzees exploit fission–fusion sociality to do so. The latter allows chimpanzees to live in much larger groups without paying a fertility cost (albeit at a cognitive cost).
Clinical and neuroimaging phenotypes of genetic parkinsonism from infancy to adolescence
Authors: Morales-Briceño Hugo , Mohammad Shekeeb S , Post Bart , Fois Alessandro F , Dale Russell C , Tchan Michel , Fung Victor S C
Published: October 2019

Genetic early-onset parkinsonism presenting from infancy to adolescence (≤21 years old) is a clinically diverse syndrome often combined with other hyperkinetic movement disorders, neurological and imaging abnormalities. The syndrome is genetically heterogeneous, with many causative genes already known. With the increased use of next-generation sequencing in clinical practice, there have been novel and unexpected insights into phenotype-genotype correlations and the discovery of new disease-causing genes. It is now recognized that mutations in a single gene can give rise to a broad phenotypic spectrum and that, conversely different genetic disorders can manifest with a similar phenotype. Accurate phenotypic characterization remains an essential step in interpreting genetic findings in undiagnosed patients. However, in the past decade, there has been a marked expansion in knowledge about the number of both disease-causing genes and phenotypic spectrum of early-onset cases. Detailed knowledge of genetic disorders and their clinical expression is required for rational planning of genetic and molecular testing, as well as correct interpretation of next-generation sequencing results. In this review we examine the relevant literature of genetic parkinsonism with ≤21 years onset, extracting data on associated movement disorders as well as other neurological and imaging features, to delineate syndromic patterns associated with early-onset parkinsonism. Excluding PRKN (parkin) mutations, >90% of the presenting phenotypes have a complex or atypical presentation, with dystonia, abnormal cognition, pyramidal signs, neuropsychiatric disorders, abnormal imaging and abnormal eye movements being the most common features. Furthermore, several imaging features and extraneurological manifestations are relatively specific for certain disorders and are important diagnostic clues. From the currently available literature, the most commonly implicated causes of early-onset parkinsonism have been elucidated but diagnosis is still challenging in many cases. Mutations in ∼70 different genes have been associated with early-onset parkinsonism or may feature parkinsonism as part of their phenotypic spectrum. Most of the cases are caused by recessively inherited mutations, followed by dominant and X-linked mutations, and rarely by mitochondrially inherited mutations. In infantile-onset parkinsonism, the phenotype of hypokinetic-rigid syndrome is most commonly caused by disorders of monoamine synthesis. In childhood and juvenile-onset cases, common genotypes include PRKN, HTT, ATP13A2, ATP1A3, FBX07, PINK1 and PLA2G6 mutations. Moreover, Wilson’s disease and mutations in the manganese transporter are potentially treatable conditions and should always be considered in the differential diagnosis in any patient with early-onset parkinsonism.
Dependence, withdrawal and rebound of CNS drugs: an update and regulatory considerations for new drugs development
Authors: Lerner Alicja , Klein Michael
Published: October 2019

The purpose of this article is to describe dependence and withdrawal phenomena related to CNS drugs discontinuation and to clarify issues related to the evaluation of clinical drug withdrawal and rebound as they relate to safety in new drug development. The article presents current understanding and definitions of drug dependence and withdrawal which are also relevant and important features of addiction, though not the same. Addiction, called substance use disorder in DSM-5, affects an individual’s brain and behaviour, represents uncontrollable drug abuse and inability to stop taking a drug regardless of the harm it causes. Characteristic withdrawal syndromes following abrupt discontinuation of CNS-active drugs from numerous drug classes are described. These include drugs both scheduled and non-scheduled in the Controlled Substances Act, which categorizes drugs in five schedules based on their relative abuse potentials and dependence liabilities and for regulatory purposes. Schedules 1 and 2 contain drugs identified as those with the highest abuse potential and strictest regulations. Less recognized aspects of drug withdrawal, such as rebound and protracted withdrawal syndromes for several drug classes are also addressed. Part I presents relevant definitions and describes clinical withdrawal and dependence phenomena. Part II reviews known withdrawal syndromes for the different drug classes, Part III describes rebound and Part IV describes protracted withdrawal syndromes. To our knowledge, this is the first compilation of withdrawal syndromes for CNS drugs. Part V provides details of evaluation of dependence and withdrawal in the clinical trials for CNS drugs, which includes general design recommendations, and several tools, such as withdrawal questionnaires and multiple scales that are helpful in the systematic evaluation of withdrawal. The limitations of different aspects of this method of dependence and withdrawal evaluation are also discussed.
Functional annotation of melanoma risk loci identifies novel susceptibility genes
Authors: Fang Shenying , Lu Jiachun , Zhou Xinke , Wang Yuling , Ross Merrick I , Gershenwald Jeffrey E , Cormier Janice N , Wargo Jennifer , Sui Dawen , Amos Christopher I , Lee Jeffrey E
Published: October 2019

Genome-wide association study (GWAS)-identified single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) are tag SNPs located in both transcribed and non-coding regulatory DNA regions, rather than representing causal or functional variants for disease. To identify functional variants or genes for melanoma susceptibility, we used functional mapping and annotation (FUMA) to perform functional annotation of the summary statistics of 2541 significant melanoma risk SNPs (P < 5 × 10−8) identified by GWAS. The original GWAS melanoma study included 15 990 cases and 26 409 controls, representing the largest international meta-analysis of melanoma susceptibility. We prioritized 330 unique genes, including those in immune cytokine signaling pathways, from 19 loci through positional, expression quantitative trait locus, and chromatin interaction mapping. In comparison, only 38 melanoma-related genes were identified in the original meta-analysis. In addition to the well-known melanoma susceptibility genes confirmed in the meta-analysis (MC1R, CDKN2A, TERT, OCA2 and ARNT/SETDB1), we also identified additional novel genes using FUMA to map SNPs to genes. Through chromatin interaction mapping, we prioritized IFNA7, IFNA10, IFNA16, IFNA17, IFNA14, IFNA6, IFNA21, IFNA4, IFNE and IFNA5; these 10 most significant genes are all involved in immune system and cytokine signaling pathways. In the gene analysis, we identified 72 genes with a P < 2.5 × 10−6. The genes associated with melanoma risk were DEF8 (P = 1.09 × 10−57), DBNDD1 (P = 2.19 × 10−42), SPATA33 (P = 3.54 × 10−38) and MC1R (P = 1.04 × 10−36). In summary, this study identifies novel putative melanoma susceptibility genes and provides a guide for further experimental validation of functional variants and disease-related genes.
The Spirit, Giver of Life: Pneumatology and the Re-Enchantment of Medicine
Authors: De La Fuente David
Published: October 2019

In “Science as a Vocation,” Max Weber identifies a trajectory within modernity of increased rationalization, which results in a dangerous loss of meaning, a marginalization of religion, and a disenchanted view of the world. Weber’s misunderstanding of religion as premodern and “magical” results in his underestimating how religion can contribute to “re-enchanting” a field of knowledge, specifically medicine. This article proposes to turn to a theology of the Holy Spirit as “giver of life” for resources to “re-enchant” medicine. Re-enchantment does not require returning to a magical view of the world but retrieving a real sense of God at work in the world, thereby enabling the health care worker and scientist to arrive at a deeper understanding of vocation.
Infant Respiratory Syncytial Virus Bronchiolitis and Subsequent Risk of Pneumonia, Otitis Media, and Antibiotic Utilization
Authors: Abreo Andrew , Wu Pingsheng , Donovan Brittney M , Ding Tan , Gebretsadik Tebeb , Huang Xiang , Stone Cosby A , Turi Kedir N , Hartert Tina V
Published: October 2019

Infant respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) bronchiolitis in the first 6 months of life was associated with increased odds of pneumonia, otitis media, and antibiotic prescription fills in the second 6 months of life. These data suggest a potential value of future RSV vaccination programs on subsequent respiratory health.
The Effectiveness of Contact Precautions on Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus in Long-term Care Across the United States
Authors: Morgan Daniel J , Zhan Min , Goto Michihiko , Franciscus Carrie , Alexander Bruce , Vaughan-Sarrazin Mary , Roghmann Mary-Claire , Pineles Lisa
Published: October 2019

Background

Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is a common cause of health care–associated infections in long-term care facilities (LTCFs). The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends contact precautions for the prevention of MRSA within acute care facilities, which are being used within the United States Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) for LTCFs in a modified fashion. The impact of contact precautions in long-term care is unknown.

Methods

To evaluate whether contact precautions decreased MRSA acquisition in LTCFs, compared to standard precautions, we performed a retrospective effectiveness study (pre-post, with concurrent controls) using data from the VA health-care system from 1 January 2011 until 31 December 2015, 2 years before and after a 2013 policy recommending a more aggressive form of contact precautions.

Results

Across 75 414 patient admissions from 74 long-term care facilities in the United States, the overall unadjusted rate of MRSA acquisition was 2.6/1000 patient days. Patients were no more likely to acquire MRSA if they were cared for using standard precautions versus contact precautions in a multivariable, discrete time survival analysis, controlling for patient demographics, risk factors, and year of admission (odds ratio, 0.97; 95% confidence interval, .85–1.12; P = .71).

Conclusions

MRSA acquisition and infections were not impacted by the use of active surveillance and contact precautions in LTCFs in the VA.
Cefiderocol: A Novel Siderophore Cephalosporin Defeating Carbapenem-resistant Pathogens
Authors: Bonomo Robert A
Published: October 2019

Cefiderocol, a novel siderophore cephalosporin in late-stage clinical development, utilizes a “Trojan horse” active transport mechanism to enter bacteria and has proven in vitro activity against carbapenem-resistant gram-negative pathogens, including those with major carbapenem-resistance mechanisms, and stability against all carbapenemases.
Student teachers’ perceptions of critical thinking and its teaching
Authors: Yuan Rui , Stapleton Paul
Published: October 2019

Although the importance of critical thinking (CT) has been stressed in English language education, little attention has been paid to language teachers’ perceptions and experiences regarding CT during the pre-service stage of their careers. Drawing on data from a focus group and follow-up email interviews with pre-service language teachers, this study shows that the participants had a limited understanding of CT, and lacked preparation and support in their programmes regarding how to implement CT-oriented teaching practices. The findings also revealed a range of individual and contextual challenges faced by the participants when they tried to integrate CT into their language teaching. The study concludes with recommendations on how to cultivate a critical mindset among language teachers while developing CT-oriented pedagogies.
Illustrating formative assessment in task-based language teaching
Authors: Gan Zhengdong , Leung Constant
Published: October 2019

There has been an increasing professional and policy interest in using formative assessment as part of the learning process in the classroom, with increasing numbers of educators regarding it as an effective means of closing the gap between students’ current and desired performance. However, there is a range of different views on what actually constitutes formative assessment and how it may be incorporated into regular classroom teaching. Furthermore, formative assessment is often misconstrued in reality, and teachers face considerable challenges in implementing formative assessment in their daily classes, particularly in the ESL teaching context. The purpose of this article is, therefore, to review how formative assessment has recently been discussed in both general education and L2 assessment fields, and to illustrate how formative assessment can be implemented in task-based language teaching in the daily ESL classroom.
Training planning in second language narrative writing
Authors: Khezrlou Sima
Published: October 2019

This study attempted to explore whether learners could be trained to use effective planning behaviours and whether this could affect their writing performance. A complete class of Iranian learners (n = 42) of English as a foreign language received training in effective pre-task planning based on a number of operating principles. Writing performance, prior to and after the training, was measured through written narrative tasks. Retrospective interviews were also used to examine what learners did during planning. Results revealed that the effective planning behaviours are learnable, with many learners reporting positive ideas about the training programme. The findings also indicated significant improvements in learners’ writing quality in terms of complexity, accuracy and fluency. Based on these collective findings, it is suggested that L2 learners need to be guided towards using more helpful planning behaviours, particularly those that are not forgotten with time.
Soil hydrology drives ecological niche differentiation in a native prairie microbiome
Authors: Griffin James S , Haug Loren A , Rivera Vivien A , Gonzalez Liliana M Hernandez , Kelly John J , Miller William M , Wells George F , Packman Aaron I
Published: October 2019

While the impacts of soil moisture on soil microbiome diversity and composition are well characterized, the influence of hydrological regime has been overlooked. As precipitation patterns are altered by climate change, understanding the impact of soil hydrology on community structure and function is critical. In this work, water level was continuously monitored for over a year in a Midwestern prairie-wetland at 10 cm depth increments up to a depth of 120 cm in 10 locations. We analyzed microbiome composition and edaphic factors in soil cores collected from this unique spatially distributed, longitudinal data set. We demonstrate that the fraction of time that each sample was inundated explains more variability in diversity and composition across this site than other commonly assessed edaphic factors, such as soil pH or depth. Finally, we show that these compositional changes influence abundance of ammonia oxidizers. The observed patterns in community composition and diversity are fundamentally regulated by the interaction of water with a structured landscape, particularly an elevated sand ridge characterized by drier conditions and a lower-lying wetland with more clayey soils. Similar processes are generally expected to influence the biogeography of many terrestrial environments, as morphology, hydrology and soil properties generally co-vary.
Peer pressure: evolutionary responses to biotic pressures in wine yeasts
Authors: Conacher C G , Rossouw D , Bauer F F B
Published: October 2019

In the macroscopic world, ecological interactions between multiple species of fauna and flora are recognised as major role-players in the evolution of any particular species. By comparison, research on ecological interactions as a driver of evolutionary adaptation in microbial ecosystems has been neglected. The evolutionary history of the budding yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae has been extensively researched, providing an unmatched foundation for exploring adaptive evolution of microorganisms. However, in most studies, the habitat is only defined by physical and chemical parameters, and little attention is paid to the impact of cohabiting species. Such ecological interactions arguably provide a more relevant evolutionary framework. Within the genomic phylogenetic tree of S. cerevisiae strains, wine associated isolates form a distinct clade, also matched by phenotypic evidence. This domestication signature in genomes and phenomes suggests that the wine fermentation environment is of significant evolutionary relevance. Data also show that the microbiological composition of wine fermentation ecosystems is dominated by the same species globally, suggesting that these species have co-evolved within this ecosystem. This system therefore presents an excellent model for investigating the origins and mechanisms of interspecific yeast interactions. This review explores the role of biotic stress in the adaptive evolution of wine yeast.
Production economics: comparing hybrid tree-length with whole-tree harvesting methods
Authors: Soman Harikrishnan , Kizha Anil Raj , Muñoz Delgado Bethany , Kenefic Laura S , Kanoti Keith
Published: October 2019

Felled trees with tops and branches are transported to the landing with a grapple skidder in conventional ground-based whole-tree (WT) harvesting. This method has greater potential to damage advance regeneration than those in which trees are processed at-stump. Hybrid tree-length (Hyb TL) harvesting using an stroke-boom delimber for in-woods processing might be a feasible alternative, but little is known about the production economics of this method. An experimental strip-cutting study was conducted in central Maine, US in the winter of 2018 to: (1) evaluate and compare operational productivity and costs of ground-based Hyb TL and WT methods; (2) identify factors influencing productivity of at-stump and at-landing log processing; and (3) calculate best management practice (BMP) implementation costs in WT harvesting. Time-motion data were recorded for operational phases such as felling, extraction, processing, sorting and loading; machine rates were calculated to determine productivity and costs of operations. Total cost of Hyb TL (US $17.01 m−3) was lower than that of WT ($18.38 m−3). Processing cost was lower at-stump than at-landing ($2.66 and $2.73 m−3 for Hyb TL and WT, respectively). This is likely due to fewer logs handled per cycle at-landing (1.2 logs per turn) compared to the number handled per cycle at-stump (1.4 logs per turn). Sensitivity analysis showed that a 30-m increase in average in-woods distance travelled by the delimber would result in a 41 per cent increase in the processing cost. Cost of BMP implementation in WT was $2.25 m−3 or $59.2 per productive machine hour. Results suggest that it is feasible to apply Hyb TL method in an industrial harvesting operation, though distance of in-woods delimber movement influences processing costs. Insights from this study will help forest managers and loggers efficiently plan and execute harvesting operations.
Transanal total mesorectal excision for rectal cancer: a multicentric cohort study
Authors: Kang Liang , Chen Yuan-Guang , Zhang Hao , Zhang Hong-Yu , Lin Guo-Le , Yang Ying-Chi , Chen Wen-Hao , Luo Shuang-Ling , Chen Ning , Tong Wei-Dong , Shen Zhan-Long , Xiong De-Hai , Xiao Yi , Zhang Zhong-Tao , Wang Jian-Ping
Published: October 2019

Background

Transanal total mesorectal excision (taTME) has recently emerged as a promising novel surgical procedure for rectal cancer. It is believed to hold the potential advantage of providing better access to mobilize the distal rectum and achieving better pathologic results. This study aimed to evaluate the feasibility of taTME for rectal cancer and summarize the preliminary experience in 10 Chinese hospitals.

Methods

A total of 211 patients were enrolled in this study. Variables for evaluation of safety, feasibility, and oncologic outcomes were retrospectively collected and analysed.

Results

The median distance between the tumor and the anal verge was 5.9 cm (range, 1.5–12 cm). The median operating time was 280 min (range, 70–600 min) and the median estimated intra-operative blood loss was 50 mL (range, 10–1,500 mL). The overall rate of complication was 27.9%. Among the 211 patients, 175 (82.9%) had complete TME and 33 (15.6%) had near complete TME. The circumferential resection margin was negative in 97.7% of patients. The patients were followed for a median of 35 months (range, 2–86 months). There was 7.6% (16) mortality, 6.2% (13) had local recurrence, and 12.8% (27) had systemic recurrence. Kaplan–Meier survival analysis showed that 1-, 2-, and 3-year disease-free survival rates were 94.8%, 89.3%, and 80.2%, respectively, and 1-, 2-, and 3-year OS rates were 97.4%, 95.7%, and 92.9%, respectively.

Conclusions

Although limited by its retrospective nature, taTME was safe and feasible in selected patients. Future work with rigorous data recording is warranted.
Strive to Win or Not to Lose? Age-Related Differences in Framing Effects on Effort-Based Decision-Making
Authors: Byrne Kaileigh A , Ghaiumy Anaraky Reza
Published: October 2019

Objectives

This study sought to assess how framing effects modulate age-related differences in effort-based decision-making. Consistent with the selection, optimization, and compensation (SOC) model’s loss prevention account of aging, we predicted that older adults would be more willing to select high-effort options in loss contexts than gain contexts.

Method

Older and younger adults completed the effort expenditure for rewards task (EEfRT) in either a gain or loss context. The EEfRT is an effort-based decision-making paradigm in which participants choose between a low-effort, “easy” option and a high-effort, “hard” option for several trials. The probability and value of an outcome varies on a trial-by-trial basis.

Results

The results supported our prediction and the SOC model. Older adults chose more high-effort, difficult options in loss frames than gain frames. Older adults also chose more low-effort, easy options than younger adults in gain contexts, but did not differ from younger adults in loss contexts.

Discussion

These findings demonstrate that framing effects impact older adults’ effort-based decisions. Older adults appear willing to incur a greater “cost” in the form of effort to prevent a loss than to attain a reward.
Noise-based passive ballistic wave seismic monitoring on an active volcano
Authors: Takano Tomoya , Brenguier Florent , Campillo Michel , Peltier Aline , Nishimura Takeshi
Published: October 2019

Monitoring temporal changes of volcanic interiors is important to understand magma, fluid pressurization and transport leading to eruptions. Noise-based passive seismic monitoring using coda wave interferometry is a powerful tool to detect and monitor very slight changes in the mechanical properties of volcanic edifices. However, the complexity of coda waves limits our ability to properly image localized changes in seismic properties within volcanic edifices. In this work, we apply a novel passive ballistic wave seismic monitoring approach to examine the active Piton de la Fournaise volcano (La Réunion island). Using noise correlations between two distant dense seismic arrays, we find a 2.4 per cent velocity increase and −0.6 per cent velocity decrease of Rayleigh waves at frequency bands of 0.5–1 and 1–3 Hz, respectively. We also observe a −2.2 per cent velocity decrease of refracted P waves at 550 m depth at the 6–12 Hz band. We interpret the polarity differences of seismic velocity changes at different frequency bands and for different wave types as being due to strain change complexity at depth associated with subtle pressurization of the shallow magma reservoir. Our results show that velocity changes measured using ballistic waves provide complementary information to interpret temporal changes of the seismic properties within volcanic edifices.
EQsimu: a 3-D finite element dynamic earthquake simulator for multicycle dynamics of geometrically complex faults governed by rate- and state-dependent friction
Authors: Liu Dunyu , Duan Benchun , Luo Bin
Published: October 2019

We develop a finite element dynamic earthquake simulator, EQsimu, to model multicycle dynamics of 3-D geometrically complex faults. The fault is governed by rate- and state-dependent friction (RSF). EQsimu integrates an existing finite element code EQdyna for the coseismic dynamic rupture phase and a newly developed finite element code EQquasi for the quasi-static phases of an earthquake cycle, including nucleation, post-seismic and interseismic processes. Both finite element codes are parallelized through Message Passing Interface to improve computational efficiency and capability. EQdyna and EQquasi are coupled through on-fault physical quantities of shear and normal stresses, slip-rates and state variables in RSF. The two-code scheme shows advantages in reconciling the computational challenges from different phases of an earthquake cycle, which include (1) handling time-steps ranging from hundredths of a second to a fraction of a year based on a variable time-stepping scheme, (2) using element size small enough to resolve the cohesive zone at rupture fronts of dynamic ruptures and (3) solving the system of equations built up by millions of hexahedral elements.

EQsimu is used to model multicycle dynamics of a 3-D strike-slip fault with a bend. Complex earthquake event patterns spontaneously emerge in the simulation, and the fault demonstrates two phases in its evolution. In the first phase, there are three types of dynamic ruptures: ruptures breaking the whole fault from left to right, ruptures being halted by the bend, and ruptures breaking the whole fault from right to left. As the fault bend experiences more ruptures, the zone of stress heterogeneity near the bend widens and the earthquake sequence enters the second phase showing only repeated ruptures that break the whole fault from left to right. The two-phase behaviours of this bent fault system suggest that a 10° bend may conditionally stop dynamic ruptures at the early stage of a fault system evolution and will eventually not be able to stop ruptures as the fault system evolves. The nucleation patches are close to the velocity strengthening region. Their sizes on the two fault segments are different due to different levels of the normal stress.
Transcatheter mitral valve-in-valve implantation: reports of the first 50 cases from a Latin American Centre
Authors: da Costa Leonardo Paim Nicolau , Palma José Honório , Barbosa Ribeiro Henrique , Sampaio Roney Orismar , Viotto Guilherme , Medeiros Santos Romullo , Freitas Tenório Davi , Saito Victor Tadami , Egypto Rosa Vitor Emer , Pinho Moreira Luiz Felipe , Tarasoutchi Flavio , Pomerantzeff Pablo Maria , Biscegli Jatene Fabio
Published: October 2019

OBJECTIVES

Our goal was to analyse the initial results of the first 50 transapical transcatheter mitral valve-in-valve procedures performed in a single Latin American centre.

METHODS

A prospective, single centre, database analysis was conducted to evaluate immediate, 30-day and 1-year postoperative results of 50 consecutive patients who had a transcatheter mitral valve-in-valve procedure from May 2015 to June 2018. All patients were operated on in a hybrid operating room and received a balloon-expandable valve via the transapical approach. Preoperative and postoperative characteristics were analysed and compared between the first 25 and the second 25 patients to evaluate the impact of the learning curve. Twenty patients had a follow-up examination at 1 year.

RESULTS

There was a 98% device success rate. The patients had a mean age of 64.8 years; 72% were women; 80% were in New York Heart Association functional class ≥III preoperatively; and 36% of the procedures were urgent. The mean Society of Thoracic Surgeons scores and EuroSCORE II were 8.3% and 12.4%, respectively. Patients had a median of 2 previous operations; valve durability was 12.1 years; and 64% mitral valve disease of rheumatic fever aetiology. Echocardiography showed decreases in the maximum and mean mitral gradients from 23.5 to 14.6 and 11.5 to 6.4 mmHg postoperatively; the overall mean hospitalization period was 15 days. The overall mortality rate at 30 days was 14%, with 1 intraprocedural death. Further subanalyses between the first and the second half of the cases showed a drop in the mortality rate from 20% to 8% (P < 0.01).

CONCLUSION

The transcatheter mitral valve-in-valve procedure was shown to be a safe and effective procedure to treat bioprosthetic dysfunction, with potential benefits in patients with rheumatic disease.
Rank Growth of Elliptic Curves in Non-Abelian Extensions
Authors: Lemke Oliver Robert J , Thorne Frank
Published: October 2019

Given an elliptic curve $E/\mathbb{Q}$, it is a conjecture of Goldfeld that asymptotically half of its quadratic twists will have rank zero and half will have rank one. Nevertheless, higher rank twists do occur: subject to the parity conjecture, Gouvêa and Mazur constructed $X^{1/2-\epsilon }$ twists by discriminants up to $X$ with rank at least two. For any $d\geq 3$, we build on their work to consider the rank growth of $E$ in degree $d$  $S_d$-extensions of $\mathbb{Q}$ with discriminant up to $X$. We prove that there are at least $X^{c_d-\epsilon }$ such fields where the rank grows, where $c_d$ is a positive constant that tends to $1/4$ as $d\to \infty $. Moreover, subject to a suitable parity conjecture, we obtain the same result for fields for which the rank grows by at least two.
Patterns, influencing factors and mediating effects of smartphone use and problematic smartphone use among migrant workers in Shanghai, China
Authors: Wang Fan , Lan Yukun , Li Jiang , Dai Junming , Zheng Pinpin , Fu Hua
Published: October 2019

Background

With the popularization of smartphones in China, the conditions of smartphone use (SU) and problematic smartphone use (PSU) among migrant workers are unknown. This study explored the patterns and influencing factors of SU and PSU in migrant workers in Shanghai, China. Furthermore, the mediation effects of PSU in the link between SU and some psychological factors were also examined.

Methods

Questionnaires containing the Mobile Phone Addiction Index, Patient Health Questionnaire, World Health Organization Five-item Well-being Index and other items, including demographics, sleep quality, job stress and SU, were distributed to 2330 migrant workers by trained investigators in six districts of Shanghai from June to September 2018.

Results

Of the 2129 returned questionnaires, 2115 were valid. SU and PSU varied according to certain demographics. Many demographics, psychological factors, sleep quality and main smartphone applications were influencing factors for SU and PSU. PSU played a mediating role in the link between daily SU time and psychological factors, including depression, mental health and job stress.

Conclusions

The health influences of SU and PSU on migrant workers in Shanghai merit significant attention. Additionally, it is necessary to develop and target intervention strategies according to the workers’ various characteristics and SU patterns.